of seeing his Court any more It greatly grieued Galaor to heare these newes considering what harme might ensue thereby in time And on the other side hee had continually beene so affected to the seruice of King Lisuart as hee could not forsake him notwithstanding his loue to Amadis or any other and being vnable to conceiue what should mooue him thus to estrange himselfe from the place he sometime so highly esteemed hee desired to vnderstand the cause Brother answered Amadis you may well think I doe it vpon vrgent occasion and I would to God I could no more remember it seeing the thought thereof is death to me and therefore I pray yee spare any further speech in this case Where-to Galaor gladly yeelded and finding discourse on contrary matters they arriued at Monstrel where they went on shoare because they vnderstood that King Perion soiourned there for it was the neerest Towne that he had in Great Brittaine and there he made expressely his aboad to heare tidings of his Sonnes Amadis and Galaor No sooner did hee behold the Ship put into the Port but hee sent to know who were in it and the Messenger deliuering his errand to Amadis was answered that King Cildadan and Bruneo were come thither onely to doe their duty to the King who was not a little ioyfull of the newes hoping that they would informe him in what he further desired So mounting on horseback they rode on to the Court but Amadis and Galaor went another way for they desired first to see their mother to trye if shee would acknowledge them or no. So as the King came forth of the Towne they entred the Castell where they met an Esquire to whom they said Friend we would intreate if you were so pleased to acquaint the Queene that two knights of her kinred desire to doe her reuerence and to see her The Squire was quick in deliuering the message and brought them answere that they might enter Heere you must obserue that the had not seene Galaor since such time as hee was carried away by the Gyant being then but two yeares old Neuerthelesse so soone as they came before her beholding Amadis instantly she presumed the other to be Galaor and was so rapt with extremity of ioy that as shee was about to embrace them she fell forward on them as entraunced being vnable a long while to speak vnto them at last she said Ah blessed Virgin Mary what do I behold deare ioyes hath Heauen so fauoured mee as to let mee see you both together So she swouned againe betweene their armes but shee was quickly recouered by her Ladies and then came to Melicia who had no meane part in this nouell ioy Thus the Queene had now her three children with her and called to mind her passed misfortunes not onely in respect of Amadis but also of Galaor the one escaping the dreadfull shipwrack on the Sea the other from the hands of the Gyant Albadan and now what with sorrow past and ioy in presence so strong a warre fought with her affections that her chearefull countenance became quite changed Notwithstanding after she had recouered her spirits and some ordinary discourse past betweene them shee demaunded if they came alone into Gaule Madame answered Amadis King Cildadan came with vs in the Ship and Bruneo also in company who by great misfortune chaunced to bee wounded some few dayes since He is a good knight valiant and hardy and my desire is he may find entertainement fitting his desert Trust me Sonne quoth she he shal haue heere all the honor and respect may best be deuised as well for his owne sake as for your faire affection towards him And I will command your Sister who knowes right well how to cure all kinde of wounds that shee shall bee carefull of his health Sister saide Galaor I ioyne with my Mother in this suit to you for he is worthy of all helpe and I know no Gentleman liuing more forward then hee in the seruice of faire Ladies Witnesse the Arke of loyall Louers where he made proof of his loue to one that well may esteeme her selfe most fortunate to be honoured with the seruice of so loyall a man as neuer could be taxed with any disloyalty When Melicia heard these words of her brother Galaor in behalfe of him whom she loued as dearely as her owne life she could not auoid blushing neuerthelesse being discreetly wise she modestly excused this alteration and said to her Brother Galaor Sir since it stands so well with the lyking of you and my Mother heere I promise yee that I will vse my very best endeauour in his seruice At this pause entred the Kings Cildadan and Perion who as yet had not heard of his Sonnes arriuall that kneeled downe and did him humble reuerence Enfoulding them louingly in his armes he demaÌded what fortune had broght them thus together considering the generall report that Galaor was lost on the day of battaile which King Cildadan had against King Lisuart You say very true Sir replyed Amadis and so began to discourse how he and Brunco arriued at the Sad Isle Alas quoth King Cildadan can we talke heâre of Bruneo and wrong him so much as leaue him so long a while in the Ship when it were much better for him to bee on land In sadnesse answered the Queene there is nothing more contrary to a greene wound then coldnes of the water And therefore instantly commaunded that hee should be conueyed into one of the best Chambers in the Castell which accordingly was done forth with Then came the Ladies to visite him and the Queene gaue him most gracious welcome desiring him to be of good cheere For heere is my Daughter quoth she right skilfull in the Art of Chirurgerie that meanes to bee your often visitant But Bruneo tooke these words otherwise then the Queene meant them because as formerly hath beene related he affected Melicia with his soules best integritie and for her loue onely and none other had approoued and ended part of the aduentures of the Enclosed Island Nâuerthelesse at this time he knew how to gouerne his passions thanking the Queene most highly for this her kinde and gracious offer So she withdrawing left her Daughter and some other of her Ladies to prouide such things as were needfull for him By this aduantage of time and place Melicia seated her selfe so apparantly in his eye as he might perfectly apprehend the raââây of her beauty which fed his ââpes with such ease and happiâes thâ⦠he coueted no recouery of his new receiued wound feeling the smart of the olde one and gâuen him by loue so long agoe And no little comfort did he receiue by the sweete speeches of the faâe young Prâncesse who gaue him assurance that in very short time his wounds would be cured prouided that he perfoâmed wholly what sheâ appointed him For otherwise quoâh sheâ⦠you may fall into farre greater danger I trust Madame quoth he not to disobey
the Queene was much moued greatly bemoaning the absence of Amadis and those that went away with him speaking it publikely that if the King had them now in his seruice and as ready at his command as they were wont to be he might assure himselfe of the victory And if the Queene were so discontented what shall wee thinke of Oriana and Mabila who as they sate deuising together spake of the knights then absent from the Kings seruice onely through his wrongs done to Amadis and his followers so that Mabila said to the Princesse Madame although the King hath runne into an errour it followes not that you should doe the like especially in matters so much importing you Me thinks you should rather send to my Cousin and preuent all occasions that may offend him earnestly entreating him that if he will not stand for the King yet at least he will not be against him in the hope you haue one day to be his heire and Ladie of his Countries which then may succeede to him by your coniunction in marriage Send therefore some message that may content him and if hee be displeased at his so long abiding in Gaule let him elsewhere recreate his spirits till time and fortune send a season more fit for your desires Oriana liked well this friendly aduice and wrote immediatly to Amadis by a Damosell that newly had brought her diuers presents from the Queene Elisena all that she and Mabila had concluded together and by her Letter fully acquainted him therewith Whereat he was not a little ioyfull being now at liberty to go where himselfe listed And yet he was in some perplexitie not knowing readily what to determine For it was the wil of Oriana that hee should not serue against King Lisuart and to lend him any assistance was as much against his own minde To reconcile these two extreames hee resolued to vse the aduice of King Perion finding him one day at conuenient leisure walking along by the Sea side as they were entring into the purposed discourse they espyed afarre off a knight ryding towards them mounted vpon a bay Courser but so spent and wearie that hee was scarce able to endure any trauaile The knights Armour Shield and Coate of Armes were bruised and battered that it was almost impossible to take knowledge of him and yet King Perion gathered by his outward appearance that he was some knight errant wherefore he stepped forward to welcome him and Amadis looking aduisedly on him knew him to bee his brother Florestan whereupon he said to the King who had neuer seene him Sir know you not this knight hee is one of the best in all the world and your Son My Son answered the King Yes truely quoth Amadis it is Florestan of whom I haue remembred you many times Florestan beholding Amadis began to coniecture that the other was King Perion wherefore dismounting suddenly from his horse the King came to embrace him and he kneeled downe to kisse his feete but King Perion would not permit it taking him vp louingly in his armes saying he was most heartily welcome Then taking him by the hand they walked on towards the Castell to the Queene who gaue him most gracious entertainment as well for the Kings sake as for his renowned fame thorow all Countries And as they conferred together on the fortunes of King Lisuart king Perion said vnto him Son haue ye heard of his enemies enterprise against him I haue Sir replyed Florestan and for ought I can collect to the contrary their power is so strong as if heauen be not fauourable impossible is the vtter-most of his resistance whereat wee haue little reason to be sorry considering how matters haue been past Sonne quoth the king I can easily beleeue that king Lisuart hath fayled in some occasions neuerthelesse I haue often heard him commended for diuers good vertues which perswadeth me that this busines may fall out as successefull for him as many others heeretofore haue done Moreouer it ill becommeth any king to wish or desire the ruine of another except he make warre against him vpon some vniust occasion It began now to waxe somewhat late and the Tables were couered for Supper wherefore the king said to Amadis Sonne conduct your Brother and see him disarmed then bring him to suppâ with vs. So Amadis and Florestan withdrew them-selues and being alone Florestan thus spake My Lord the maine and principall occasion that drew me into Gaule was to aduertise you of the wrong which you doe not onely to your selfe but likewise to all your race and kinred continuing so long a time ââ¦full and carelesse of Armes whereby many tongues are liberall in your disgrace and iudge that being become faint-hearted you are growen altogether negligent In good faith answered Amadis they may iudge as they please but I hope heereafter to cause them alter their bad opinion of me As they held on this discourse the King came and had them with him into the Haule where refreshing themselues with variety of viandes the Tables were at length with-drawen and a due houre came to goe to rest Amadis and Florestan taking their leaue of the King for that night But Amadis being vnable to sleep his thoughts laboured continually how he might recouer the credit he had lost concluding with himselfe to runne a contrary bias to the rash speeches rumorde out against him And that he might the better attain thereto one while hee determined to goe against king Lisuart but suddenly remembring the prohibition of his Lady Oriana hee became quite changed not knowing on either side how to make his election Till after a long combate with his priuate cogitations hee thought it best to forget the iniuries done him in Great Brittaine and to take part with the King as well in regard that his side was the weaker as also if he should sustain the foile Oriana might lose all hope of euer being his or he hers Heereupon hee rose very earely the next morning and being accompanied with Florestan entred the Kings Chamber where finding him awake they gaue him the good morrow and Amadis spake thus Sir all this night my minde hath endured much trauaile about your conference with my Brother Florestan the last euening and concerning the daunger whereinto King Lisuart may fall thorow the want of succour In these meditations I remembred also that duty which as you then said euery vertuous Prince stands obliged vnto to maintaine the rightfull liberties of another Prince being wrongfully and vpon no iust occasion inuaded In regard whereof I am determined if you thinke it conuenient and will thereto licence me goe into Great Brittaine and without any regard of the wrongs I haue sustayned not onely to assist King Lisuart but his subiects also who stand no way guilty in his offence And trust me Sir I vse not these speeches to yee but vpon vrgent occasion for heere is my brother who knowes what reproches are spred abroad of me
walking one day without any other Armes but only his Sworde and Crosse-bow hee disâârned somewhat farre off a Dââ¦ell making towardes him mounted on a seemely Pâlârey ryding mainly on the brâdle as if the had beeâe nearly pressed and purâââd comming neare to him hee demanded of her the ãâ¦ã Ah my Lord ãâ¦ã sâ⦠such man as wâll succâ⦠siâ⦠of mâ⦠and him wheâe ãâ¦ã the ãâ¦ã came thâ⦠so ãâ¦ã together till ãâã a very thick wood the King ãâ¦ã man vâââmed holding a Damosell by the tresses of her haire strââ¦ng to cast her downe vpon the ground But she resisted him so strongly as shee forth his Sword he said ãâ¦ã leaue the Dâmoâell free from violence or ãâ¦ã The maâ⦠be feareful âan oâ⦠the wood and with such ãâã as all the paines the King tooke admitted ãâ¦ã meanes of ouerâ⦠the ãâã being ãâ¦ã hindred ãâ¦ã tâees and bushes so that indeed hee could vse no diligence Wherupââ lighting from his horse hee ãâ¦ã after him ãâã hee came ãâã a great meadowe in the midst whereof was a Pââ¦on ârââââd and thereinto he ãâã the ãâã enter Wherefore he went directly thither and comming neare a Damosel presented her selfe vnto him desiring to know why he ran so expeditiously Damosell answered the King ââ¦ne is entred into this Tent who not long since would haue ââ¦ed a Gentlewoman in the wood I come hither to giue him chastisââent for his lewdnesse ââter Sir quoth thee and if any such be there as you ãâã after I will deliuer him to you ãâã hardly can I endure that wrong ãâ¦ã should be offered to any woman whatsoeuer hauing all my life time loâed honouâ and ãâã Vpon thâse words the King went onward but at his first step within the Tent hee fell downe in such strange manner as he was quite bereât of all knowledge vnderstanding Soone after the other two Dâmosels which he had left behind him came thither also and taking vp the âent immediately carried the King ãâ¦ã a Shippe awayting there ãâ¦ã for him at the Sââ ãâã and ãâ¦ã they hoâ⦠ãâã sayle without any discouery âf ãâã ãâã ãâã The Kings Bow ãâã being ãâã behinde and making what haste hee could after him ãâã found the horse and not his Master neuer was man in such wofull extreamity fearing the mishappe that ãâã befallen him He sought about for him in euery place bât neither ãâã nor way yeelded ãâã any ãâ¦ã wherupon disconsolate out of all hope seeing the night stealing fast vpon him he returned backe to the Citie and without speaking to any person entred into the Queenes chamber reporting to her in what manner King Lisuart had left him and afterward could heare no tyding of him Not a little amazed was the Queene when shee heard of this strange and vnexpected accident which made her fall downe into a trance but her Ladies and Gentle-women being at hande cut her laces and quickly recouered life in hir againe Then sending for King Arban and Cendill de Ganote shee told them all that the Kings Bow-bearer had imparted to hir But they fearing further to offend her seemed to make smal account of it perswading her that the Forrest being long and large and very thickly set with huge Woodes hee might there loose himselfe for a while yet afterwardes returne well enough home No neuer said the Queen His horse to be found and no news of him what answere you to that Madam quoth King Aâban it appeares very likely that the trees and bushes standing so thick as no meane hinderance to his sport hee therefore left his horse These words did somewhat comfort the Queene but yet her opinioÌ went quite contrary to his saying and therefore making a shew of some other businesse they returned to their lodgings to Arme them-selues and aduising other Knights there present to follow them they entred into quest of the King But all was in vaine for they could heare no tidings of him so remayned the Queene in sadnes till the next morning when Grumedan and Giontes being returned from their voyage came to see her She demanded of them if they had met with the king No truely Madam quoth they neither did wee know of his losse till some of the Citty acquainted them therewith but we intend to follow in the search of him On my faith said she I finde my selfe in such affliction of minde as I must needes goe with you for abiding heere alone I shall die with extreamity of sorrow But if eyther wee can finde him or heare any news of him it will shorten my griefe otherwise it will be some ease to mee to endure any toyle or trauell whatsoeuer rather then desolately continue here So she sent for two Palfrayes her selfe mounting vpon the one and the wife to Brandoynas on the other riding on in quest of the King with the two knights From place to place they trauailed but they could heare no news at all and on the third day following they met with King Arban very pensiue and his Horse so wearie as hardly was hee able to goe Then the Queene asked him if hee had heard any thing of the King Madam quoth hee euen as much as when I left you only I stand in doubt that he is surprized by some treason and carried out of this countrie Long agoe it is since I foresaw and suspected this accident and if he would haue been ruled by mee this had neuer happened to him I euermore disswaded him yea with teares and entire intreaties neuer to wander so alone in doubtfull and deceiuing Forrests where infinite vnlooked for daungers lie hid but hee would neuer like my aduise As hee would haue proceeded on further the Queene fell downe in a swound from her Horse But Grumedan suddenly alighting tooke her vp in his Armes and speech soone after came to hir againe when deliuering a very vehement sigh shee said False and deceitfull Fortune hope of the miserable and cruell enemy to the prosperous haue I now any occasion to speake well of thee If in times past thou madest mee Lady of many Kingdomes honoured and obeyed by worldes of people but aboue all the rest marâ⦠mee to a mighty and vertuous Kings in one meere moment thou hââ¦ly vndone mee thou hast robde mee of all my ioyes in him because on him only depended all my comfort life and honor And therfore I know right wel that thou makest a triumph of my tormenââ and enforcest too deare an intrest for all the former ãâã thou didst lend me But why dâe I complaine on thee hauing so long time seene and obserued that this is only thy true behauiour death is farr more powerfull then thou art and hee can ende thy vtmost malliââ inflâcted on mee which beeing my chiefest hope and Anker-holde I will comfort my selfe therein and victoriously vaunt ouer thee Thus the wofull Queen sate weeping and lamenting with such violent passions and anguishes as they that were about her durst nor open their moâthes to
dismounted from their horses to doe him reuerence whereupon he embraced them with so cheerefull a countenance that it might easily be noted by the whole company how pleasing their arriuall was to him His next demaund was concerthe auncient Damosell that came thither with them Sir answered Galaor we found her a while since in an Hermitage neere adioyning accompanied with twelue Kââ¦s and a young Gentleman the goodliest person that hath beene seene who as is giuen me to vnderstand hath trauailed from a far off Countrie expressely to receiue his Knight-hood so it stood with your liking to bestow it on him for hee will not haue it of any other as he saith himselfe Wherefore King Cildadan and I doe entreate yee most humbly that you would grant it him in regard that his lookes and behauiour doe speake no lesse but that he is well and worthily descended The King neuer vsed to affoord such an honour but where he knew it to bee especially deserued wherefore hearing this request made by Galaor leaning vpon King Cildadans shoulder he stood pensiuely a long while without any answere because that by denying them he imagined they would take it offensiuely and in yeelding to their motion it appeared vncouth vnto him and irregulare to his wonted custome Neuerthelesse hee demaunded of the Damosell whose sonne hee was Sir quoth she you may not know that as yet but I dare sweare vpon my soule that he is extracted of Royall seede by both sides What thinke you then my deare friend quoth the King to Galaor may wee make him Knight You may very well doe it Sir answered he without standing longer on any excuse for I presume he wil prooue of no meane merit On Gods name then be it so replied the King yet I would haue the Queene and her Ladies witnesses thereof and therefore goe you before to them and cause them to meete vs at the place where hee remaineth for bee well assured they all will be right ioyfull to see yee So the King tooke âhe way towards the Hermitage and Galaor with King Cildadan went to finde the Queeneâ where you may well perswade your selues that neuer did men meete with more gracious welcome especially by the Princesses Oriana and Mabila for their hope was by them to heare some newes of Amadis and that they would worke his meanes for recouering the Kings fauour againe Hauing finished their best salutations on all sides Galaor told them that the King had sent for them and vpon what occasion to their no little ioy and contentment for euery one was desirous to see the yong gallant of whom Galaor had giuen such high commendations The Queene and her Ladies being all mounted made such speed to the Hermitage that they alighted there euen as the King was entring into the Chappell where beholding the twelue Shields placed about that which was altogether white and the young Gentleman very deuoutly at his prayers he appeared so pleasing in their eyes that the former report came far short of their present opinion of him for in their best of iudgement they had neuer beheld a more comely creature nor of a more setled and assured countenance He seeing such a goodly company of Ladies and Knights arose and gaue them most humble reuerence Then the King tooke him by the hand and demanded if he would bee a Knight Sir quoth he for nothing else haue I iourneyed from so farre a Country but to craue it at your hand so pleased it you so much to honour mee Trust me said the King you shall not be denied and he falling on his knees the King gaue him the Accolade according to the ceremonie then vsed in Knight-hood saying vnto him Be a Knight in the name of God and so tooke him vp Now quoth he for receiuing your Sword you may make choise of any in this company that stands fayrest in your owne liking Sir replied our new made knight I desire then that Madame Oriana may doe it for if she performe it I haue the thing that my soule most longeth after Is it euen so said the King I will solicite her on your behalfe and stepping to the Princes thus proceeded You heare how desirous the knight is that you would bestow such an honour on him let mee entreate yee not to denie him Now the faire young Princesse to whom neuer till then any such request had beene made neither knew what might be his reason that made the motion had so little power ouer her present condition that a most amiable blush mounted vp in to her cheekes Yet taking the Sword presented to her shee guided it to the knight after the vsuall maner Then spake the ancient Damosell to the King so low as none but himselfe could heare her Sir quoth shee seeing you haue done such honour to our knight he shall remaine if you be so pleased in your seruice with these twelue other knighâs that hitherto haue kept him company And because dutie commandeth so much in me as to returne againe to her that sent mee hither I must entreate your fauour for my departure first letting you know that he is named Norandell and is more yours then you imagine as you shal further vnderstand by this Letter which hauing verie closely conueied into his hand she tooke her leaue and rode on her iourney leauing him pensiuely perplexed at her words And because he doubted that the Letter might containe some more important matter hee feigned as if hee would returne to his huntsmen the better to reade the Letter where himselfe pleased desiring Galaor and king Cildadan to reconduct the Ladies backe to their Tents awayting there the houre of dinner while he in meane time would kill a Hart. But if I faile quoth he in comming to dinner expect me not till supper time So setting onward to the chase and finding himselfe accompanied but with few hee opened the Letter which contained as hereafter followeth The Letter from the Infanta Celinda to King Lisuart MOst mighty and excellent Prince by reading this Letter it may be you will remember that when you trauersed strange Countries and a Knight errant giuing end to many great aduentures Fortune directed your course into the kingdome of my Father who was lately before deceassed and you found me retired to one of my Castels called the Great Rosier where Antiâon le braue kept me besieged because I disdained to ioyne with him in marriage he being no way equall to me in nobility and a much lesse friend to vertue As he made good proofe thereof ââ¦r by force and tyrannie he vsurped ouer me a poore young Ladie the greater part of all my Countries when at ââ¦ur arriuall you offered him the Cemââ¦te in defence of my right which he accepting as trusting more to the strength of his owne arme then any iustice in his quarrell And therein heauen declared iust iudgment for you being farre inferiour to him in composition of body but much exceeding him in ãâã of courage
preuailed against him By meanes whereof I was ãâã after ârestored to my rights all which I must and doe confesse to hold of you for euer as being wholly yours and my selfe also And you pleased then to honour mee so much with your presence that you came into my Great Rosier where wee conferring together in the delightfull Arbours you gathered the floure of my virginity as wee were sporting in cropping sweet Roses whereas the place was and yet is most plentifully abounding Neither am I able to say whether loue would haue it so or my beauty prooued the maine occasion but wel I wot your command was so potent ouer me and I so feeble in resistance that before you departed hence you left me conceiued of this young Gentleman endued with such faire forme and feature as it appeared that Nature was well pleased to compleate him perfect in all excellence thereby to deface all remembrance of our sinne committed Wherefore Sir receiue him as your owne being of Royall seede both by you and my selfe which verily perswadeth me that he will prooue a valiant man as retayning in him part of your famous prowesse and part of the exceeding loue wherein he was conceiued at such time as you gaue me this Ring which I send ye heere enclosed likewise in the testimony of the faithfull promise you then made to your humble seruant Celinda Daughter to King Hegide who kisseth the hand of your Royall Maiestie When King Lisuart had read and re-read ouer this Letter word by word he perfectly called to minde all that the Princesse had there set downe albeit it was long time before his soiourning in the kingdome of Denmarke where as a wandring Knight he performed such actions of Armes as he wonne the loue of the Infanta Brisenna whom after-ward he married according as formerly hath beene declared Notwithstanding hee determined to make no account at all of Norandell though he knew him to be his naturall Sonne vntill hee perceiued how he would beare himselfe and deserued by his deedes to prooue such a one as he desired As he continued in these priuate considerations a goodly Hart pursued by a ful cry of Hounds passed hard by him and the Huntsmen followed on so closely that there the Deere lost his life In regard whereof the King was willing to giue ouer further sporting and commaunded the Huntsmen to beare the Hart to the Queenes Tent. Afterward being set at the Table Galaor and King Cildadan keeping him company all dinner while hee had but little conference with them for thinking still on Celinda and her Letter sent him Dinner being ended he tooke Galaor aside and as they walked thus discoursed with him My worthy friend so much doe I relye vpon your fidelitie and loue as I hold you to bee the onely man in the world to whom I dare make knowne my very intimate secrets And setting aside those matters of no meane importance which during the time of your absence haue happened to me I will onely acquaint yee with an especiall accident this day befalne me So deliuering him the Letter which Celinda had sent hee willed him to peruse what it contained Galaor reading it ouer aduisedly perceiued therby that Norandell was Sonne to the King whereat conceiuing no little ioy he returned this answere Assuredly Sir if you tooke such paines for your faire friend in mine opinion she is no way behinde ye in honorable recompence hauing broght ye such a goodly Son as will proue a worthy man and a valiant knight in Armes Nor let the concealment heereof be irkesome to ye because when you shall please to make it knowen it will redound to your great ioy and honour And if it agreed with your good liking to let me enioy him as my companion what seruices heereaster I shall doe for you I will account to bee most worthily imployed What quoth the King would you trouble your selfe with a Boy affoording him at the first so great an honour not knowing his temper or how he will carry himselfe It is well knowne that there is not any knight in Great Brittaine but he will repute himself much happy to haue such grace as you offer him Sir quoth Galaor it is the first request that euer I made to yee and I humbly desire that I may not be denied On my faith quoth the King if you honor him so much you shal highly oblige him to you and doe me also an especiall fauour And no mean glory to my selfe replyed Galaor for he being Son to so famous a ãâã cannot faile to bee one of the best knights in the world Doe then quoth the King as shall ãâã best And as they held on this discourse the Queene came in wâ⦠made them breake off and shee being accompanied with King Cildadan Norandell and many other knights continued familiar conference together till Galaor entred into thes speeches Sir you know that by the custome heere vsed in this kingdome of Great Brittaine no new made knight ought to refuse any knight Lady or Damosell the first demand they shall make vnto him You say very true Sir answered the King ther wherefore doe you moue tââ¦stion Because Sir replyed ãâã am a knight and I would ãâã Norandell to graunt what I shall require of him to wit that for one whole yeare he and I may be fellowes and companions not any way to be sundered or deuided except death or imprisonment shall enforce it When Norandell heard this hee was no lesse amazed then well pleased for he very well knew that Galaor was esteemed one of the best knights in that Court and that the king affoorded much more honour to him then any other that kept him company and thereupon he thus replied My Lord Galaor it may easily bee discerned by your demaund in how many obligations of dutie you would haue mee bound vnto you in wishing that grace to mee which I much rather ought to haue begged of you And this I dare assure yee that not onely doe I graunt what you haue desired namely my company but also I giue my selfe wholly yours and require that in that nature you would receiue and accept me Beleeue me quoth king Cildadan you haue both reason in these seuerall requests you Lord Galaor in vrging such a fauour and you likewise yong Norandell in granting it for if heauen bee pleased therewith as we need not vse any doubt it will redound to the honour and benefit of either At this very instant the King receiued intelligence that his Army was to depart very speedily wherefore the next morning hee rode to the City and riding alone by him-selfe he called Galaor to him telling him He was well contented that his daughter Oriana should know Norandell to be his sonne and her Brother ãâã shee should the better loue and respect him but yet hee wâ⦠haue it reuealed to her very secretly Sir answered Galaor I am perswaded that it will not a little please her and therefore
for hauing a while absented my selfe from Armes whereby it appeareth to many that I am growne cold in the pursuite of aduentures for the dangers elsewhere hapning where-of I neuer dreamed Therefore that euery one may take true notice of me if heauen be so pleased I will in such affaires make such reall apparance of my duty that my renown which seemeth to lye buried shall reuiue it selfe againe and with much more glory then euer it yet gained Sonne quoth the king you well know that I haue euer beene a louer of good men and goodnesse and perceiuing king Lisuart to bee one of that number I haue iust cause to affoord him any ayde and fauour wheresoeuer I am able to compasse the meanes And if I should deferre it this instant the cause is easily knowen onely the difference betweene him and you But seeing that your intention is changed and that you will make one in so worthy a busines I will goe along with yee for company grieuing at nothing else but that the time is too short for leuying our people For if I had the leysure to prepare an Army assure your selfe I would leade along with me a Royall assembly But that defect shall not stay my present purpose I will onely take such knights as are readiest for me and so away vpon my iourney When Florestan heard this deliberation hee stood silent a long while as vnable to vtter a word but at last he said to the King By my faith Sir when I consider the cruelty of king Lisuart which but for the fauour shewen to vs by Lord Galaor in the Isle of Mongaza had cost the deare price of all our liues I hold it impossible for me to doe or wishe him any good Your Highnesse is not ignorant how long a time before then he deadly hated vs many times making his vaunt to bee the vtter ruine and extirpation of vs all Neuerthelesse seeing matters stand on such tearmes as now they doe I am wel contented both in the honor of you and for you are thereto so nobly affected to forget all iniuries at this time and will follow you as it is my duty to doe Moreouer by our agreement made at the Burning Lake for the space of two yeares I may beare no armes against him whereby I stand partly bound that if I will bee seene at all in the action I must needes bee for him Sir said Amadis the best course that we can take then is closely to pursue our enterprise without any other company then we three onely For if our number should be greater whatsoeuer we can doe will but deserue the latest welcome and therefore if it were possible in mine opinion wee would not willingly be knowne of any Let it be so then replied the king I like the motion well and I haue three Armours alike in all respects very apt and proper to our intent for our better knowledge and assisting of one another let vs goe presently and make proofe of them So leauing the Chamber they descended downe into the Court where presently entred before them a Damosell very richly attired mounted on a beautifull Palfray shee being accompanied with three Squires onely each bearing a goodly square Chest before her and the king thinking she demaunded for him went towards her with Amadis and Florestan saluting her courteously and demaunding if shee would speake with the Queene No Sir quoth she my errand is onely to you and these two knights to whom I am sent by the Lady of the Vnknowne Isle with these three presents which heere you behold Then causing the chests to be set downe and opened three Shieldes three Helmets and three Coat-Armours were taken out of them The Shields were Siluer seamed all ouer with golden Serpents so artificially wrought that they appeared neere to life The Coat-Armours were all alike but the Helmets differed for one was white the other greene and the third gold The white was presented by the Damosell to the king and the Coate-Armour thereto belonging the green to Florestan and the gold to Amadis with these words Sir my Lady hath sent you these Armes and desires you by me that you will heere-after imploy them better and your selfe also then for too long a time you haue done heere Amadis hearing her so forward in speech stood in feare lest his loue affaires with Oriana should be discouered therefore to breake her off from any further language in that kinde hee answered Faire Damosell I pray yee most humbly thanke your Lady on my behalfe and tell her I make much lesse account of her counsell sent me then I doe of her present which I will imploy according to my power My Lords replyed the Damosel she hath sent armes to you all three to the end that you may know and helpe one another if need bee in King Lisuarts warre How quoth the King doth your Mistresse know that we meane to be there and wee our selues within lesse space then an houre did not so much as dream thereon I know not that answered the Damosell but she assured mee that at this very houre I should finde yee all heere and in this very place further commanding me that after I had deliuered ye these Arms I should passe hence into Great Brittaine whither she hath likewise sent mee wherefore bethinke your selues if you will command me any seruice Now trust me Damosell replyed the King you shall not depart hence vntill you haue dined And so conducted her further into the Castel where the best entertainment that could be deuised was bestowed on her Hauing sustayned Nature and taken leaue of her three knights she set onward on her way to the Sea-side and instantly imbarked her selfe After her departure Amadis considered with himselfe that the day of battell was not farre off and that not without great cause Vrganda had sent them those Armes in regard whereof his desire grew much more earnest to be there then formerly it had done and therefore to hasten the enterprise he caused Gandalin secretly to prouide Shippint wherewith acquainting both the King and Florestan they resolued to set away the night ensuing Being all aboord the winde sate so conueniently for them that vnespied by any they launched forth into the maine Sea coasting about the Isle of Great Brittaine where very soon after they landed so neere as possibly they might to the place where the seauen Kings lay encamped hoping after they had once noted their disposition to ioyne them-selues with King Lisuart And to that intent they entred a Forrest where their Squires erected them a Pauillion and where they attended more ample newes of the Army sending daylie one of their followers to the enemies Campe to enquire when the day of battel should be Also they sent another to Galaor by whom they gaue him to vnderstand that they were in Gaule And the Squire had expresse charge to tell him that he left them al three together and earnestly desired that after
vs in reuenge of them that last inuaded this kingdoÌ with K. Cildadan assure your selues they may well account to be therein deceiued For in weening vnder confidence of power to reuenge their iniuries their shame shall thereby be encreased and a miserable conclusion of their liues voluntarily enforced and sought by themselues Full well you know that we are no new learners how to be seene in such conflicts as these but old and well tryed Souldiers so experimented and approoued by themselues and so I hope at this time they shall finde vs. Their imaginarie victory is grounded onely on the huge multitude of men in their Campe a base and rascal breed of people collected from many infamous places the most part of theÌ without order obedience or discipline The very sight of our well-directed approach will strike amazement in their soules yea before we shall haue leysure to vaile our launces and let vs but once enforce them to disorder wee haue as much as we can desire Marche we on then vndauntedly and let vs make them know that they are no meete companions for our company Onely that our ground will be fastened in being their graues and our hunger-starued wolues satisfied with their carrion as three or foure times already such as they haue beene ouer-thrown in seueral battailes by the vertue and magnanimity of you and your auncestors Such were the words of this gentle King to his knights who perceiuing their enemies making towards them marched in a well ordered part to meet them King Perion Amadis Florestan lay hard by closely ambushed with no intent to stir themselues till they saw how the fight would speed on either side Perceiuing Brian and his troupe to coutche their launces they beheld them forthwith among their enemies mony good knights layed along on the earth and as many slain outright But King Targadan who led the first battallion of King Aranigne was suddenly succoured by Absadan with 1200. knights by which meanes Brian was constrayned to giue backe againe King Perion perceiuing it said to Amadis and Florestan Me thinkes it is now high time to shewe our selues for neuer can we looke for fitter occasion seeing the enemy hath to much aduantage ouer King Lisuarts people On then Sir quoth they in Gods name let vs go helpe them Thus speaking they gaue the spur to their horses the first that King Perion met was king Targadan who before had not charged any knight but downe hee went to the ground But King Perion gaue him such a welcome with his Launce that it pierced his Shield armor and so passed on quite thorow his body that hee fell downe dead to the ground If this encounter proued so hard to him no lesse was that of Absadan the Braue for Amadis met him with such might that hee gaue his soule present passage out of his body The enemies became so daunted hereat that their hearts failed them and Brian and his followers pressed sore vpon them Florestan made his aime at King Cardueil in whom consisted well neere all their hope met him at such apt aduantage that he cast him quite out of his Saddle and down he fell between his horses feete Now began a most dreadfull conflict between the two armies because they stroue with mainest violence which should most offend the other they that had seen Amadis cut the way thorow the crouds wold haue thought him no such maner of man as layslothfully idle six months together for he neuer stroke but it either slew outright or most cruelly wounded notwithstanding all their stout resistances For they of Great Brittaine fought for their liberty safety whereas K. Aranigne his men labored only to conquer anothers country thereby to enrich theÌselues thus each side contended who should doe best in bearing thence the honour of the day Amadis had his horse slain vnder him but hee was speedily succoured by such ayde as King Lisuart King Perion and his followers sent him who did all perfourme such incredible deedes of Armes in enery place as their enemies fell into confusion King Aranigne was so sore wounded that being past any hope of life hee fled to his Shippes and the greater part of his people after him likewise As the other side pursued them very valiantly Brutaxat one of the best knights in the whole Army of the seauen Kings beholding this faint-hearted flight and foule disorder thrust in with his followers made stay of them that chased King Aranigne beginning as bloody a fight againe as formerly had bin In which space they that most feared the fights successe got into their Ships many were so saued but Amadis entring among them assayled Brutaxat with such a powerfull stroke that down fel heon the earth This much augmented the terror of the enemy so that for their easie means of flight they threw downe their weapons armor in the field some running to the Sea others to the woods rocks euen as Fortune could best conduct them And although King Lisuart his knights found worke enough against their foes in the beginning yet euery ey took particular obseruation of wonders done that day by three knights bearing Serpents in their armes so that the King himself often spake aloud saying Either these are Amadisses or three deuils in their likenes Notwithstanding when he considered what iniury he had done him he then fell into a contrary perswasion Thus King Lisuart remained victorious and encamped himself for that day in the same place where he conquered his enemies and as he disarmed himselfe he questioned what was become of the knights of the Serpents No other answere could then bee returned but that they were seene gallopping towards the forrest with all the swiftest speed their horses could make On my faith quoth the King I am not a little displeased that they would not remaine with me for he that hath three such knights in his company mây boldly boaste of secure assistance Sir answered a Squier that met them ryding to the Forrest all three of them spake to me and gaue me charge to tell ye that they were constrained to leaue your Army bestow their trauails in far countries where they may chance to fall into his power that means to shew them but little mercy humbly entreating you to hold them excused that they gaue you not due reuerence before their departing Vndoubtedly these words prooued truer then Amadis expected when he spake them but the Squier continuing on his meslage further said Sir moreouer they desire you that if any part of bootie be fit for them it may be giuen to those Ladies that defended their Castell so worthily for you that so they may receiue some recompence for the iniuries done to them Before God I sweare answered the King their request shal be accomplished But fair Sir quoth he to Galaor doe not you imagine your brother Amadis to be one of the three No surely Sir said Galaor
because I receiued Letters some few dayes since from him whereby he gaue me to vnderstand that neither he nor Florestan would stirre out of Gaule vntill they heard some newes from me I cannot chuse then replyed the King but maruaile of whence and what they are I know not quoth Galaor but whatsoeuer they are heauen shreld them from any il successe for neuer in my life did I looke on more braue and worthie Knights or men that could doe more for you then this day they haue done So spent they out the rest of the day in no other discourse almost but onely concerning the knights of the Serpents And raising their Campe on the morrow they went to Gandale where the Queene and Ladies awayted the Kings comming there also hee brake vp his Atmy discharging euery man to his owne home CHAP. VI. How the three Knights of the Serpents returning homeward into Gaule were by contrary fortune cast on the place where Archalaus the Enchanter dwelt who resolued on their death and what afterward befell them THree whole dayes together King Perion his two Sonnes kept theÌselues closely hidden in the Forrest as well for ease and refreshing after so great toyle as in expectation of a conuenient winde for shipping which on the fourth day fortunatly happened so they set sayle with a purposed intent for returning home into Gaule But it fell out farre otherwise with them for hardly had they attained into the maine Sea but it began to swel and rise in such dreadfull manner being stirde and enraged with contrary windes as if Heauen and earth had contended together and the Ship was so hurried by impetuositie of the waues that notwithstanding all the paines and endeauours of the Mariners they were constrained and driuen backe againe towardes the coast of Great Brittaine to land farre enough from the place where they tooke shipping There the three knights went on shore and mounting on their horses without any Squire to attend them they would needs seek after some aduenture vntill the Sea should be better setled hauing left expresse command with their men not to depart thence till their returne They had not ridden any great length of ground but descending downe a Rocke to a goodly plaine they ââ¦et with a Lady attended by threâ Squires and two Damosels each carrying a Falcon on their fist as if they intended an hourely flight The Lady beholding them made way with her Palfray towards them deliuering mostâ gracious gesture for their happy meeting and vsing ceremony of kinde salutation gaue them to vnderstand by apparant signes that she was bereft of speech and dumbe Most louely and faire she appeared to the knights which moued them to compassionat greatly her hard fortune and she going to him that had the golden Helmet making signes of embraces and offers to kisse his hand gaue outward notice both to him and the rest of request to haue them accept alodging in her castel which was at hand And lest the knights should mistake her meaning she made the like signs to her Squires who fully acquainted them with her desire entreeting them at their Ladies motion to accept of one nights entertainment in her Castell The knights being somewhat crazie and wearied with the rough tempest endured on the Sea imagined that her will accorded with their words and that no treason lay hid vnder this honest out-side yeelded to hers and their request riding softly on with her and entring into a pleasant seated Castel where they were most graciously entertained and conducted to a very goodly Chamber and there they vnarmed themselues When they were set downe at the Table for Supper diuers Damosels came each of them hauing an instrument and began to play most melodiously passing the time away in these pleasing recreations vntill the houre for rest drew neere Then withdrew the Musicians and the thred knights being left all alone layed âhrm downe in one bedde together where soone after they fell asleepe as men that had some neede of repose Heere yee are to obserue that the Bed wherein the knights lay was fixed vpon a vice or screw to bee let downe and mounted againe without any noyse at all into a dungeon of twenty fathome deepe and there the knights found themselues in the morning at their awaking whereat they were not a little amazed perceiuing themselues to bee betrayed for they could not discerne any light at all nor deuise how they should bee transported thither At length they arose to finde either some window for aire or doore for passage to get forth but all was in vaine no likelyhood appeared anywhere of opening or that might yeeld them the smallest comfort But continuing on in this doubtfull maze they could heare the steppes and treadings of people ouer their heads and about seauen or eight houres after they saw a window opened vp aloft and a knight but meanely aged putting thorow his head demaunding very vnmanerly what new-come guests came so willingly to looke for good entertainment there By my faith lustie Roisters quoth hee since I haue gotten hold of yee I shall bee soundly reuenged of the wrongs ye haue done me but that your liues is not any part of sufficient payment I am not now to ââ¦arn that you are they which caused the ouerthrow of Aranigne and his Army maintaining the quarrell of that wicked Lisuart and let me now tell ye that you are in the power of Archalaus who will soone enough make knowne what loue hee beares yee Looke well vpon mee and if you neuer saw mee before this instant take good notice of me now to know me againe if you can scape from me Oh how glad a man should I bee if that villaine Amadis de Gaule were one among yee By my soule I would not sleepe till I had cut off both his nose and hands and put him to the most cruel death that euer was deuised Presently came the Lady who the day before counterfeited her selfe to be dumbe and said Vncle yonder youngest man pointing to Amadis is the knight that wore the golden Helmet who you said had so brauely behaued himselfe in Armes This Lady we now speake of was the daughter to Ardan Canile naming her selfe Dââ¦raa the most malicious and subtile woman that those times affoorded and had not come into these parts but only to take Amadis and procure his death which was the principall reason why she dissembled her selfe to be dumbe No sooner had she vttered these words but Archalaus went frem the window and shutting it againe in most churlish manner said to the knights Be as merry as yee may for before night I wil haue your heads cut off and then I le send them to king Aranigne in satisfaction of the iniuries hee receiued by your meanes Much more amazed now then euer was King Perion and his sonnes to see themselues thus in the power of Archalaus and perceiuing so palpably that vnder the counterfaited shew of dumbnes the
ââ¦rmour newes was brought them that the eleuen Romaine knights were in the field and there attended their comming In regard whereof eachman quickly armed himselfe and the twelue knights rode forth accompanied with the King and many other but when Arquisil beheld them approaching neere he thus spake to his companions Lords friends and kinde companions let me entreate ye to remember that we go to fight not onely to winne land for the Emperour or to maintaine the promise made by Garadan but for the honour of the whole Romane Empire Moreouer I haue spoke it and once again do vrge it to permit me to combate him who yesterday had the victory of our associat I see him come foremost and he shall be the first I hope ouerthrowen prepare then to meete them and make spare of no man So taking their shields they marched directly against their enemies who perceiuing them to come nere placed their launces as they ought charging manfully one another Arquisil met the knight of the green Sword so full forward that he brake his Launce vpon him in many shiuers but if himselfe had not quickly caught hold by the mayne of his horse the knight had layde him along on the ground for he met him with such a direct opposition as he lost his stirrops and was quite out of his saddle Afterward perfecting his carriere he met with one of the other to whom he gaue so sound a salutation on the height of his Helmet as he disarmed him thereof At the same instant he was fresh charged by two together and wounded so grieuously in the thigh as he was neere falling whereat hee grew so offended that clasping hand to his Sword he gaue so great a stroke to him that was neerest him as if hee had not receiued it at his best aduantage he had beene immediatly slaine thereby But the blow slyding by lighted on the horses neck and on the legge of his rider bearing them both together vnto the ground When Arquisil saw that he came behinde him and gaue him such a stroke on the Helmet as made his eyes to sparkle fire notwithstanding hee knew so well how to reuenge himselfe that he cut off his left arme iust at the shoulder Then began the fight to bee more fierce then before because they all came together pell mell and although Arquisil felt great pain by his so late receiued wound and lost his blood so extraordinarily yet for all that he gaue the by-standers apparant testimony that his heart was vnconquerable and he stil maintained the fight continuing as fresh and couragious as any of the rest Neuerthelesse at length both he and his companions were so shreudly handled as the most part of them lay along on the earth and himselfe found no meanes for enduring the sharpe assaults of the knight of the greene Sword who followed on him still so incessantly not permitting him the least minutes space of breathing as he was well neere vnable to hold out any longer Then Grasandor buckled with him and charged him so mainely with all his might that he instantly fell downe in a swoune Whereupon he alighted from his horse making shewe as if he meant to smite off his head But the knight of the greene Sword perswaded him to the contrary and going to him tooke off his Helmet that he might receiue ayre when comming to himselfe againe he seemed not a little terrified when hee perceiued his death so nere where-upon he craued mercy of him On my faith quoth the knight thou dyest except thou yeeld thy selfe Alas said hee I submit to your mercy Then he tooke him vp and gaue him assurance of life At which very instant came King Tafinor who being ioyfull of so happy a victory demaunded of the knight of the Dwarfe how hee fared whether he were wounded or no. Sir quoth he I haue no wound so offensiue to me but I count it worthily receiued in regard that you are so honorably serued So mounting all on horseback they returned into the Citty where the people stood in mighty crowds along the streetes crying out aloud Blessed bee this good knight by whom if God bee so pleased we shall haue peace and a finall conclusion of warre In this manner they followed him to the Kings lodgings where Chirurgions came to visit him assuring him vpon their liues that in very few daies they would enable him to sit on horsebacke if he would be ordered by their aduice Now in regard that all the Romaine knights lay slaine in the field except Arquisil who was brought in as a prisoner he entreated the knight of the greene Sword to suffer him to depart thence vpon his faith that he might carry home his dead companions vpon condition that he would return to him at all times and as often as hee pleased to command him Arquisil answered Amadis you are a Gentleman and I am perswaded that you will performe what you haue promised goe returne hither againe so speedily as you can So departed Arquisil of whom our History now ceasseth to speake to tell yee that within some few dayes after the knight of the green Sword finding his hurts fully healed and his body able to beare Armour hee grew weary of longer tarrying with Tafinor and finding him at conuenient leisure he spake vnto him in this manner Sir thankes be to our Lord you are now in peace and out of all troublesome annoyances wherfore let my departure be with your good lyking for I am determined to set forward to morrow morning in pursuit of such good fortune as my fairest starres shall assigne vnto me But thus Sir assure your selfe that wheresoeuer I shall abide so long as I liue I am your humble seruant as the fauour and honour you haue done me doth iustly binde me How Sir knight answered the King will you leaue me Are you weary of this Country whereof you onely may dispose and of my selfe also I beseech you Sir to accept it as your owne by due desert and let mee for euer bee happy by your companie Sir said the knight I humbly entreat you to pardon me and to beleeue that if it consisted in my power my earnest desire to doe you any seruice considered I would yeeld to your request but my heart by no meanes can permit it The King knowing that it was small reason to detayne him against his will said To morrow morning I will tell ye more first wee will heare Masse together and then if it shall like you to graunt me one request which I am to demaund of ye you shall therein do me a singular pleasure Sir answered the knight you haue such power in command ouer me as âmine owne especiall intention reserued I will not gaine-say whatsoeuer you shall vrge vnto me I thank ye Sir quoth the King So falling into other discourse and night drawing on the knight of the greene Sword commaunded Gandalin to make all things ready for departing thence the next morning
the second Booke that Patin being then no more then a meane knight without any great estate or possession liued onely in hope to bee heereafter Emperour of Rome when the death of his brother happened who had no procreated heire of his body This perswasion in respect of his loue to the Queene Sardamira whom he most intirely affected made him vndertake the voyage of Great Brittaine where he was most honourably entertained by King Lisuart especially after he knew him to be the Emperors brother There he grew forgetfull of his first loue beholding the beauty and comely graces of the Princesse Oriana whom he requested in mariage of the King her Father Vpon the answere made him he determined to shewe himselfe among the most valiant spirits in searche of straunge aduentures and combatting all errant knights he should meet withall Crossing through the Forrest whereas then Amadis was despairing of euer seeing his Oriana any more in regard of his banishment signified to him by Durin brother to the Damosell of Denmarke he beganne to sing the praises of the Princesse and to glorifie himselfe in the loue she bare him in his opinion At which time Amadis and he fought together where Patin was conquered and sore wounded in the head in regard whereof he returned to Rome without going backe to King Lisuarts Court leauing his marriage in suspence till some other time But it fell out so well for him that so soone as he was there arriued the Emperour his brother left his life leauing him sole heire to the Empire Whereupon he had far greater desire then before to finish the affection he had begunne hoping by reason of the great dignity whereto he was now aduanced he should the more easily compasse his long-desired marriage Which the sooner to effect he sent Ambassadours to King Lisuart with a new request of his daughter in marriage heereto were appointed Saluste Quide Prince of Calabria Brondariel de Roce the great Maister the Archbishop of Tarente and the Queene Sardamira accompanied with a gallant troupe of knights Ladies and Gentlewomen to bring home the Princesse Oriana as they hoped But matters happened to another end as heereafter more at large shall be related to you CHAP. X. How within some while after the Knight of the greene Sword had hoysed saile into the maine Sea and had quite left the Islands of Romania By hard fortune he was cast vpon the Deuils Island where he fought with a Monster named Endriagus THe Mariners hauing set their sayles with full intent for Constantinople so soone as they had lost sight of the Isles of Romania the Sea exalted it selfe in such sort and grew to such a dreadfull tempest that notwithstanding all paines the Mariners could take for best guiding and gouerning the Ship it was so tost with contrary windes and waues as very many times they were in manifest peril of shipwrack And being out of all further hope safety not appearing so much as in a glimpse of assurance they attended onely the mercy of God and continued in this extreamity the space of 8 dayes without knowing where or in what part they were For the tempest of winde haile and raine was so thick and continuall as it seemed that heauen and earth and the Sea would meete together But at length the Ship was throwen on Shoare about two houres before day and with such violence as they feared it would be split for it was driuen out of the Sea on drye land Notwithstanding they sustayned no harme at all which gaue them better hope then formerly they had so that when bright day appeared they knew themselues to bee in the deuils Island which by reason of a straunge Monster there abyding was so dispeopled as no liuing creature repayred thither Then a new feare seazed on them and now they despaired of their liues more then before so that they were euen ready to throw them-selues into the deepe when the knight of the greene Sword demanded of them what might be the reason of this terror Alas Sir quoth they where doe you imagine wee are landed what gulfe what shipwrack could haue beene worse to vs then this Now wee are in compasse of the Deuils power who in the forme of a cruell Monster ruinates all this Country How said the knight I see nothing yet that should thus amaze ye therefore tell me I pray ye what deuill or Monster is it that workes this great despaire in ye Then Maister Elisabet lesse dismayed then any of the rest spake for them al saying Vnderstand Sir that this Island wheron our disaster hath brought vs was not long since in the possession of a Giant the most bloody Tyrant that liued in all the Isles he had to wife an honourable Lady as wise milde and vertuous as hee was wicked and cruell of whom he begot a daughter named Brandaginda that was in her time one of the goodliest Ladies in the world And although many great Lords and men of high merite would gladly haue enioyed her in marriage yet notwithstanding the rigour of the Giant was so extreme as he still kept them off because by no meanes hee would haue her to marry In regard where-of this Mayden encreasing in yeares and those desires that would faine experiment what happinesse it was to liue with a man knowing withall that her father had set downe his resolution neuer to bestow her as a wife on any man preuailed so much by insinuating blandishments and incestuous demonstrances that she drew him to affect her and had his company carnally But that which was much worse shee machinated the death of her owne mother that the more boldly and without feare she might liue still in this horrid incest wherto the Giant gaue quick consent This Mayde that was perceiuing her selfe to grow great with childe one day as her mother and shee walked together in an Orchard passing by a deepe Well she thrust her therein so rudely as she brake her neck in the fall Now because the people began to murmure the Giant told them that he vnderstood by three of his gods one in the likenesse of a Griffon the other as a Lyon and the third in the shape of a man that of him and his daughter should bee borne a creature so much to be respected and feared through all the Countrie that none of his neighbours should dare to attempt any harme against him And vnder this colour he openly married his wicked daughter who within no long time after was deliuered of a Monster in such manner as I shall shew vnto ye It was so full of haire on the face feete and hands as it appeared to be a Beare all the rest of the body was couered ouer with scailes so hard and strong as no arroââ¦ot from a Bow could pierce them beside they were so broad great that they extended quite ouer the backe defending it like so many Shields so that no instrument of yron could enter thorow them From vnder
your gracious fauours towards mee and I desire pardon for your greeuous feare which this rude encounter could not but put vpon you I heard none at all said shee I was so ouercome with extreame melancholy if Mabila had not told me of it I had bin as vtterly ignorant of any fight as they that dwell in Great Brittaine But tell me I pray you whether are you minded to cary mee Let mee coniure you deare sweet by all the loue you haue euer borne mee that seeing wee are now met together and in so good company you would speake nothing to me in any place that may returne to our preiudice but when you are willing to command any thing your Cousine Mabila may easilie enterpret betweene vs. My further intent is to be conuayed to the Enclosed Isle where I would gladly be till heauen afford more fauour for mee and my Father may vnderstand what wrong he hath done me Let me liue no longer Madame answered Amadis then to doe you my vttermost seruice wherefore you may well perswade your selfe that your will shall any way be accomplished And I hold it very expedient that you should make your mind known to Agraies Quedragant and Florestan who couet nothing more then to please you with their vttermost paines Well quoth Oriana when you meete in counsell together I will send your Cousin to them to know how they wil dispose of me So Amadis departed from her and called all the Knights of the Enclosed Isle in counsell to vnderstand which way they would take Many contrary opinions passed among them some thought it meet that Oriana should be conueyed to the Enclosed Isle others would haue her into Gaule to king Perion but the most part agreed for SCOTLAND till Mabila comming to them said My Lords Madame Oriana entreates you that she may bee conducted to the Enclosed Isle vntill her reconciliation with her father King Lisuart And seeing you haue already so well begunne this busines that proceeding on from good to better you would still stand fast for her as alwayes you haue done for distressed Ladies and Damosels requiring your help with due consideration had to the quality of her person Madame answered Quedragant I am sure that my Lord Amadis and al we of his company are determinately resolued to serue her till death without spare of coyne friendes or any thing else remayning in our power yea were it against the King her father the Emperour or any other that dare offend her not doubting but by the helpe of God and the iustice of our cause in doing her seruice we may lawfully make resistance against them Considering also that there is not a man among vs but hath solemnely sworne neuer to depart from this association vntill she be at perfect liberty And so you may safely assure her from vs concerning all which hath bin said as not to be denyed by any one in this company Mabila thanking them most affectionatly departed from them and comming to Oriana declared what the Knight had said vnto her wherof she was not a litle ioyful instantly all betook themselues to their seueral Ships And according to their former conclusion they set saile for the Enclosed Isle where in their voyage we wil leaue them to make an end of this Third Booke The end of the Third Booke A Table of all the Chapters contained in this Third Booke of Amadis de Gaule Chapter 1. OF the discords and warres which befell in Great Brittaine and thereabout occasioned by the bad counsell which King Lisuart receiued from Gandandell Brocadan against Amadis and his followers whereby many good Knights afterward on either side cruelly concluded their liues Fol. 2. Chapter 2 How Amadis being in the Enclosed Island enquired of Gandales tydings concerning the Court of King Lisuart determining to passe into Gaule with Bruneo to shake off his melancholy And of those aduentures which happened to him by a tempest that threw him vppon the Sad Island Fol. 12. Chapter 3. How King Cildadan and Galaor in trauailing towards the Court of King Lisuart met with twelue Knights and a Lady whâ conducted a young Gentleman that entreated the King to make him Knight Fol. 21. Chapter 4. How King Lisuart fought a Battaile against the Knights of the Enclosed Island whom he vanquished And of the great liberalitie bee vsed towards Galuanes in restoring him to all the lands and Seigneuries belonging to Madasima Fol. 34. Chapter 5. How Amadis being with his Father King Perion found himselfe subiect to ouer-much melancholy to be so farre sundred from his Oriana And contrarywise Bruneo ãâã highly contented hauing so apt occasion to see and conferre with his Melicia at what time him-selfe pleased And of their seuerall enterprises to satisfie their owne humors Fol. 41. Chapter 6. How the three Knights of the Serpents returning ãâã ward into Gaule were by contray fortune cast on the place where Archalaus the Enchanter dwelt who resolued on their death and what afterward befell them Fol. 53. Chapter 7. How Esplandian was nourished by the olde Heââiâe Naââ¦n And what aduenture happened to Amâ⦠ãâã the ââ¦ne ââ¦ile changing his knowne ââ¦e and cââ¦g himselfe the Knight with the Greene Sword Fol. 69. Chapter 8. How King Lisuart hunting in the Forrest where he had left the Ladies accidentally met with a young Damosell who shewed him the way to the Hermitage where the good Hermite Naâcian made his abiding And how the Infant long time after was knoweâ to be the Some of Amadis and Oriana Fol. 83. Chapter 9. How the Knight of the Greene Sword being departed from King Tafinor of Bohemia came into the marches of Romania where hee met with Grasinda ãâã the fieldes accompanied with many Gentlemen Ladies and Damosels Especially with a Knight named Brandasidell who would compell him by force of Armes to come speake with âhe Lady Grasinda and of the Combate they fought together Fol. 87. Chapter 10. How within short while after the Knight of the Greene Sword had hoysed saile into the maine Sea and had quite left the Islands of Romania By hard fortune hee was cast vpon the Deuils Island where he fought with a Monster named Endriagus Fol. 97. Chapter 11. How the Knight of the Greene Sword made knowen to the Emperour of Constantinople to whom the Island appertained where he slew the Endriagus the great fortune and victory he there obtained And of matters happening to him afterward Fol. 105. Chapter 12. How the Knight of the Green Sword departed from Constantinople to satisfie the promise which he had made to the faire Grasinda And of that which afterward happened to him Fol. 117. Chapter 13. How the Queene Sardamira with the other Ambassadors from the Emperour Patin arriued at the Court of King Lisuart hoping at their returne to beare thence the Princesse Oriana with them And of that which happened to certaine Romaine Knights offering iniurie to a Knight errant Fol. 129. Chapter 14. How the
Queene Sardamira sent to entreate Florestan to be her conduct to Mirefleure to Oriana Because he had so curstly handled the Knights that kept her company as they were able to follow her no further Fol. 138. Chapter 15. How the Knight of the Greene Sword who afterward stiled himselfe the Grecke Knight Bruneo de bonne Mer and Angriote Estrauaux embarqued themselues in the company of the faire Grafinda and of that which happened to them afterward Fol. 147. Chapter 16. How the Greeke Knight and his confederates conducted the faire Grasinda to the place where the Combates were to bee performed And of that which ensued thereââ Fol. 159. Chapter 17. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter Oriana to Court that he might deliuer her to the Romanes And of that which happened to a Knight of the Enclosed Isle But more especially of the Combate which Don Grumedan had with them that defied him Fol. 166. Chapter 18. How King Lisuart deliuered his Daughter Oriana to the Ambassadours of the Emperour and other Ladies with her to be conuayed to Rome And how they were soone after resiued by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle Fol. 181. FINIS THE FOVRTH BOOKE Of Amadis de Gaule WHEREIN IS AMPLY DECLAred what end and successe the Warre had begun betweene King Lisuart and the Knights of the Enclosed Isle With the Marriages and aliances there-upon ensuing to the high contentment of many Louers and their faire Friends Written in French by the Lord of Essars Nicholas de Herberay Commissarie in Ordinarie for the Kings Artillerie and his Lieutenant in the Countrie and Gouernement of Picardie vnder Monsieur de Brissac Great Master and Captaine Generall of the said Artillerie Translated into English by A. M. LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES dwelling in Foster-lane 1618. TO THE TR VLY NOBLE AND VERTVOVS GENTLEMAN SIR PHILLIP HERBERT Knight Earle of Montgomerie Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter c. WIth the same deuotion and integrity of vnspotted affection most Noble Lord I present to your gracious acceptance this fourth Booke of Amadis de Gaule encouraged thereto by that truly vertuous Lady who hath promised to stand betweene me and your dis-fauour in presuming so boldly as herein I haue done The fift and sixt Bookes are shortly to succeed vpon your Honorable acceptation of these and whatsoeuer else remaineth in my poore power either in these or the like imployments are dedicated soly to your Noble seruice Your Honors in all duty A. M. The Printer to the Reader HAuing finished these two Bookes of Amadis de Gaule the third and fourth somewhat longer delayed then was at the first intended I am to intreate thy gentle fauour courteous Reader for such slips and errors as haue escaped mee in the Printing and where Sence shall seeme lame or defectiue in any place to helpe it with thy better vnderstanding as considering that not wilfully but rather vnwillingly those faults haue escaped the Presse By Michaelmasse Tearme next ensuing I haue made promise of the first and second Bookes of Amadis and so consequently the following parts as God and thy kinde fauour shall therein further me Till when accept these a speedie spurre to hasten on the other Thine to be commanded N. O. THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE Wherein is amply discoursed what end the warre had begun betweene King Lisuart and the Knights of the Enclosed Isle with the alliances and mariages therevpon ensuing to the no little contentment of many Louers and their faire friends Of the great sorrow made by the Queene Sardamira after she vnderstood the death of the Prince Saluste Quide And of the arriuall of Oriana in the Enclosed Isle CHAP. 1. BY the discourse of our Third Booke it hath beene declared to you how King Lisuart deliuered his daughter Oriaana to the Emperours Ambassadours contrary to the opinion of all the Princes and Lords of his Kingdome and that she with the other Ladies and Damosels that kept her companie were rescued by Amadis and his friends the nauie of the Romains vanquished Brandaiell de Rocque taken prisoner the Marques of Ancona the Archbishop of Tarente and many more beside Great was this ouerthrow wherein none of them escaped but was eithen slaine or taken prisoner After the conflict was fully ended and all the Ladies brought together Amadis euermore to conceale discreetly his loue and Orianaes went into hir Ship leauing Angriot and some other Knights to keepe company with the women I Passing from Ship to Ship to make such prouision as was thought necessary hee came neere to that wherein Agraies was and there hee heard the most woefull noyse that could be demaunding what might be the reason thereof answere was made him that the Romaines bewayled the death of the Prince Saluste Quide without any meanes of pacification Herevpon Amadis gaue command that the body lying still vpon the Orelope should be put into a Coffin till they might giue it buriall when they came to land Then they that before made such ruefull lamentation being now bereaued of the body encreased their cries and clamours so loude that they were heard by the Queene Sardamira who sat close by the Princesse Oriana When shee vnderstood the cause of their complaining she was suddenly surprised with such extreame sorrow as shee fell downe on the ground and weeping bitterly said Alasse Fortune hath now apparantly declared that her mallice extendeth not onely to the ruine of vs miserable captiues but also to destroy the Emperour and his whole Empire Ah poore Prince mishap hath had too much domination ouer thee Alasse what losse and what sorrow for euer will they endure that deerely loued thee when they shall heare of thine vnfortunate end I know not how thy maister himselfe is able to support this greefe I rather beleeue that he shall no sooner heare of these sad newes but he will immediatly die with extremity of impatience surely not without great reason hauing lost so many goodly Ships such a power of worthy men and a Prince of such admirable expectation Then turning to the Princesse Oriana shee thus proceeded Nay Madame his losse of you is the the greatest matter of all other whom he more desireth then any thing else in the world and for whom he will raise such rough and strange warres as will cost the deare liues of infinite famous and renowned Knights which cannot be long delayed except thou O Emperour doe shew thy selfe the most childish and cowardly minded Prince that euer any mother brought into the world During these lamentations she lay still vpon the ground her armes foulded one within another and meerely drowning her selfe in teares which mooued Oriana to such compassion as being ouercome with weeping shee was feigne to with-draw thence Whereupon Mabila being more strong constant then any of the rest came to the Queene and said In good faith Madame in mine opinion it ill becomes a Princesse so wise and well quallified as you haue
Brian said Madame if you please to coÌmand any thing to the King your father or to your mother the Queen wee are appointed from this companie to depart for Great Brittaine about your businesse Now was Amadis withdrawn aside with Mabila while Agraies coÌferred with Olinda and Florestan and Angriote with Grasinda And well we may conceiue that Amadis was in a strange perplexity seeing her so neare him whom hee loued aboue all creatures in the world and yet hee durst not so much as speake to her but regarded her with a stedfast eye whereto her eye also seemed to make answere euen as if an imparlance had passed between them which made his words to Mabila to sauour of idle and fond imperfection But shee well knowing the Saint of his deuotion to cure him of his ouer-awing fit bethought herselfe of the most honest meanes that could be both to quicken him and recouer some spirit likewise in Oriana saying soddenly Madame you promised Gandalin yester day that you would write to Queene Elisena and to Melicia and for ought I heare to the contrary he is presently to depart and you haue forgot your letters Oriana who vnderstood well enough at what marke shee aymed answered Let him come hither and by word of mouth I will as well satisfie him as if I had troubled him with my Letters Then one of the Damosels arose and going foorth of the Chamber called for Gandalin who presently entred with her Well had hee beene instructed by Amadis concerning what hee was to doe if the Princesse would speake with him before this company wherefore beeing come where she was hee made her an humble reuerence and then to his Master who talked all this while as I formerly told you with Mabila It was not long before Oriana who sate between Quedragant and Brian arose and taking Brian by the hand said to him I pray you Cosen to witnesse with mee what message I shall send by Gandalin to the Queene of Gaule and her daughter Melicia to the end that you may report it to the King my father if hee inquire any such matter of you In the meane while Lord Quedragant if so hee be pleased shall abide with the Queene Sardimira who knowes well enough how to entertaine him But Brian who was one of the most gentle and courteous Knights liuing would not follow her but with an amiable smile thus answered Madame you must pardon me for beeing appointed as I haue told you to goe to the King about your businesse my friends heere may grow suspitious of me and stand in doubt that I may be so subborned by your gracious speech as I shall shew my selfe more milde and tractable to him then consists in my commission and the charge I haue receiued from them Nay Sir replied Oriana heare but the reason why I would haue you acquainted with this message It is to no other end but by hearing mine owne tongue to relate my hearts tribulations wich I desire should bee knowen not onely in Great Brittaine but likewise in all countries of the world you would bee the more indulgent to mediate my peace and to deliuer al these Ladies from imprisonment And if you were affected to any one amongst them her vertue might preuaile against any sterne deliberation Oriana deliuered these wordes with such a gracious demeanour as they all tooke delight to heare and behold her Especially Brian who although he was young faire and of goodly forme yet was hee more addicted to follow Armes then loue and fewe Knights were more actiue then hee to handle his launce and sword for the defence of iniured Ladies whensoeuer they stood in need of his help Whereby hee became a friend to all in generall and did them infinite particular seruices which being desirous that Oriana should take knowledge of thus hee answered By my faith Madame you may esteeme of mee as you please but if I should long tarrie in so good company I greatly feare I should soone lose that which I haue alwaies held as mine owne since first I had knowledge of my selfe Therefore I had need to get me further off and leaue my roome to Lord Amadis your Cosen they may serue you for witnesses if they be so plâââsed At these wordes euery one ãâã led for he retired with such a grace as declared some bashfulnesse of what hee had spoken leauing Oriana close by Amadis who neuer had any priuate conference with her since his departure from King Lisuarts seruice But now seeing opportunity so graciously fauour him as he might freely speake what hee vvould hee was so vtterly lost in ioy that ââe stood trembling as one vnable to vtter a vvord But Oriana laying her right hand vpon his arme caught holde vvith her other vpon his hand locking it fast in hers to testifie the vigour of her affection said Deer friend though no greater happinesse in this vvorld can befall mee then continually to enioy your ââ¦ed presence yet it hath been no mean discomfort to mee that beeing so neare one to another ââe houe bin barred from such a blessing Neuerthelesse I accoumpt my selfe highly beholding to fortune for deliuering me into your power as all my life time I haue desired and wherewith I hope also neuer to part so long as my soule shall liue in this body for it had as I thinke neuer beene created but only to be dedicated in seruice and obedience vnto you yet I knowe very well that we frequenting one with another as sometimes we did in Great Brittaine mine honour may receiue endamagement for the newes of my surprizall is alreadie so diâulged that if wee dissemble not our priuate passions ãâã ãâã thereby may ensue vnto vs. Therefore I hold it better to gouerne our selues rather by discretion then the lauish power of fond affection which if wee doe we may may alwaies presume that the charitable deed you haue done is no more than the commendable custome among all good Knights that make no spare of their liues to succour afflicted persons especially women so badly vsed as I haue beene And beleeue mee sweete friend if herein you will not follow my counsell by weening to borrow some stolne delight and contentment we shall but formalize an imagââ¦e happinesse lose that vtterly which the wise attending for time will vndoubtedly bring vs. Madame answered Amadis I neuer had any other thought but how I might best bee obedient to yââ neither shall haue any other so ãâã as I liue because I haue no other maintainance for this poore life of ãâã But let mee be regarded in your pittie for if you thus ãâã âp your sâlfe and suffer me to see you no oftner then I doe it is impossible but that the melancholie which ouer-masters mee will hasten my death very suddenly I doe not vrge those priuâ⦠which your gracious fauours affordââ me in Great Brittaine or that euery eye sââuld discern then but ãâã ââ¦ght may sometime befrend
that hee should be the cause of perpetuall peace between him and Amadis as euen already in a manner hee saw performed and hauing discoursed all this in his minde thus hee answered Nascian Father albeit I had set downe my rest for death all mine with me or to haue the vpper hand in this warre yet seeing how matters haue happened I will follow your counsell and I entreat you most affectionately to worke so well with Amadis that hee may listen to peace which for my part I put into your hands to the end that you may hereafter testifie before God with what dutie I submit my selfe in this case These wordes were so pleasing to the good old Hermite as weeping for meere ioy hee fell before the Kings feet saying O most happy Prince the Lord almighty quite you for this kindnesse and blesse you with long and prosperous life The King taking him by the hand raising him vp said Father I wil perform what I haue promised you without any manner of reuocation Neuerthelesse I would haue al men to know that neither feare or defect of courage hath hereunto constrained mee but reason only and in such nature as you haue reuealed to mee Wherefore it shall be fitting for you to go into King Perâons Campe before the truce bee fully ended to the ende that according to what you shall certifie me I may stand vpon my guard Sir said Nascian if God so please I will neither eate nor drinke till I haue spoken with Amadis and let me entreate leaue for my departure because occasion now frankly offers herselfe to me Hauing thus spoken the King hee returned to the Knights where they found Esplandian newly there ariued from Queene Brisena who had sent him from Vindilisore to King Lisuart only to vnderstand of his health whom when Nascian beheld hee knew him presently yet wondred to see him of so taule stature very neare ready to vndergo Armes which made him with meer ioy runne and embrace him But the young gentleman was much amazed to see the olde man so wonderfull kinde to him hauing wholly forgotten him and therefore blushed strangely notwithstanding soone after he both remembred the Hermite and his hermitage and falling on his knees before him kissed his hand when the olde man folding him in his armes said Beloued childe of God blessed be the houre of thy birth and praised bee the name of our Lord for prospering thee to such estate wherein I now see thee During this discourse the standers by were much amazed to see this holy man vse Esplandian so louingly and the King himselfe be-but newly aduertised that hee was grandfather to him mooued with a fatherly affection felt such ioy in his soule as neuer at any time hee receiued more So that the hatred which he formerly bare to Amadis and his friends became suddenly changed into amity extraordinary and hee demanded of the youth from whence he came Esplandian well enstructed by nature kissing a packet of Letters in his hand humbly presented them to the King answering thus Sir the Queene my Mistresse sent mee to you as there more at large you may be certified Then the King opened the letters wherein among other matters shee earnestly entreated him that by all meanes hee would listen to peace if hee might doe it with his honour After hee had ouer-read the Letters hee shewed them to Nascian saying Beholde good father it seems that my Queen knows already what is intended betweene you and me Sir said the Hermite shee counselleth you wisely and if God be so pleased that which shee so earnestly desireth shall bee put in execution before this yong gentleman returnes to her againe Wherefore let mee craue of your Maiesty to let him goe along with mee in companie to the end that during my trauaile I may conuerse with him the more easily Let it be so then answered the King for it is my will that hee shall not leaue you so long as you would haue him with you The Hermite most humbly thanked the King and presently mounted on his Asse as Esplandian did on his horse attended only by Sergill his companion who had come along thither with him So they departed thence taking the way towards King Perion and all that while the good olde man conferred with Esplandian euen till they were ariued at the watch There they were stayed to knowe wherefore they came and what they demanded but when they vnderstood that Nascian came to speake with Lord Amadis they conducted them both to his Tent and there presented them vnto him Here you must consider that he had neuer before seene the reuerend olde man and therefore knew not what he should thinke or what businesse hee might haue with such a person Looking likewise on Esplandian he had as little knowledge of him albeit hee had formerly spoken to him on the same day when he combated the Romanes on the behalfe of faire Grasinda when he being then very young begged the liues of the two Knights that else had been slaine by Amadis But Quedragant who had taken better notice of him when hee met him at his last returne from Great Brittaine went and embraced him saying Faire Sir you desired me and Brian also not long since to doe your commendations to the Greek Knight which wee accordingly performed and here he is himselfe to iustifie that wee failed not therein These wordes gaue assured testimony to Amadis that hee to whom Quedragant spake was his sonne which made him feele inwardly inestimable ioy And then the young Gentleman came and did him reuerence not as a sonne to his father beeing yet ignorant of him but as to the onely Knight of the world by whom he had hope to haue his knighthood so conceu ed in him on the very same day hee combated the Emperours Knights Notwithstanding the differences happening between the Knights of the Enclosed Isle and them of Great Brittain raised a wounderfull doubt in him that he should not attaine to his intention Then Amadis embracing him demanded if King Lisuart had granted leaue for his comming to him My Lord quoth he this good olde father Nascian will acquaint you with the reason of his comming to you Obserue here that Amadis had often heard of this Hermite who was reputed generally for a most holy man of life wherefore going to him hee said Father I pray you pardon mee for I knew you not at your entrance but now I vnderstand more of you and the honour that is due to you by desert Honour replied the Hermit be giuen to God only I am his poore humble seruant who in his feare desires to speake alone with you in secret if it shall please you but to heare me Yes on my faith answered Amadis And so taking him by the hand they went aside by themselues and Nascian began in this manner with him Sonne before you vnderstand the cause which hath mooued mee to come see you I
Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Son quoth she to Galaor we will part hence this next ensuing weeke in the meane while take order for shipping and all things needefull for our voyage And therefore presently sent for sailers who hauing vnderstood his pleasure made immediate prouision of the very best Ship the King had and went aboarde the sixt day following Not farre had they sailed from the coast of Gaule but they descried a vessell on the Sea well fitted with the winde and making nimble speed the Pilot or Master striking saile so soone as hee espyed the Queenes shippe Whereupon the Knights of the Enclosed Isle thinking them to be Coursaires or Pirates forthwith armed themselues and to vnderstand the truth sent one of their Squires in a Squiffe towardes them to demand of whence they were and whither they intended The Squire drawing neare vnto them called out aloude vnto them saying Hoe aboard there they in the Shippe here not farre off from you in kindnesse sent to knowe what you are and whither you are bound My friend quoth a knight standing on the Decke there is a Ladie of honour in this vessell whose voyage tendeth to the Enclosed Isle Beleeue mee Sir replied the Squire then shee hath met with company if she be so pleased for they that sent mee to you are sayling thither and you may safely come aboard them Which words being ended he returned to them he came from In the meane space that knight that was aboue went downe to the Ladie and acquainted her with the Squires message by meanes wherof shee sent one in a Frigate presently away to vnderstand the truth and whether vpon the Squires words shee might safely come to them or no and so went nearer to the Queenes Ship where Angriote being first of all seene the other Knight spake thus vnto him Sir a Squire of yours not long since came to vs to know what wee were and whither our trauaile intended Wee gaue him answere that wee were bound directly for the Enclosed Isle and thither hee said was likewise your intention now Sir because wee haue in charge a Princeste of great esteeme we pray you giue vs some assurance of your companie Knight answered Angriote if you please to come aboord of vs the Ladie you talke of shall finde a Queene heere who wil gladly welcome her into her company and giue her as gracious entertainment as shee can desire to haue Sir said the knight I heartily thanke you for her and this I dare assure you that hauing heard her cause and the reason of her trauailing thus on the Sea you will so much compassionate her case as not to deny her your helpe if shee require it of you So taking leaue hee returned to the other vessell which presently came and ioyned with the Queens Then came vp a Ladie in a garment of black cloath shewing both she and all her companie very sad and disconsolate lookes whereat Angriote who well obserued them was much abashed reputing her by her countenance to bee a Lady of good discent and reputation And courteously saluting her demanded if shee pleased to ascend and visit the Queene Sir Knight quoth shee I will doe what shall please you neuerthelesse I pray you name her to me and them that are in her companie Madam said Angriote she is the Queene of Gaule my Lord Galaor her sonne is with her and three other knights of the Enclosed Isle whither we are sayling Then will I attend vpon her and you thither replied the Lady So Angriote supporting her by the hand brought her into the Queenes Cabin and shee hauing vnderstood all that you haue heard already welcommed her most gratiously but the Lady ââ¦ing much oppressed with griefe fell downe at her feete intending to kisse them which the Queene would not permit put raysed her gently desiting to know the cause of her sorrow Madam quoth shee though now I am left quite naked of all fortunes blessings and fauours hauing no other comfort or repose but only the recytall of my misfortunes yet you may beleeue mee that I was not long time since a ââ¦dy of great qualitie and married to the disceaâed King of Dacia by whom I had two Sonnes and one only infortunate daughter and so much the more infortunate in hir Birth by being the death of the King hiâ Father and the totall ruine of mee and her brethren for you must vnderstand Madam that after shee was married to the Duke of ââ¦tia one of the greatest neighbouring Princes to my Countrie by how much the day of her Bridall was pleasing by so much the more was this mariage wretched and miserable For very soone after the solemnitie the Duke my new sonne in Law beeing yong and ambitious of rule conspired the death of my husband and of my two other children the eldest of them hauing not as then attained to the age of fourteene yeares According to his proiect so did he performe it vpon my Lord appointing a day pretending an honest visitation of vs accompanied with a great number of his people which as hee said were brought with him for our greater honour the King my husband no way misdoubting the premeditated treason rode foorth to meete him and as hee embraced him tâ⦠villaine drewe a pocket-dagger and cruely murdered him Both my sonnes in a faire fortunate hoââe for them came riding a good distance behinde their father and heairng of this bloody tumult returned in a maine gallop backe to the Citie where the traytor holds them as yet sharply besieged Then was I absent in a pilgrimage to our Ladie at a very ancient Church builded on the top of a high Promoââoââe and there I was aduertised of my mis-hap If then I was in woefull extreamââ¦y or no be you my iudge good Madame considering I in a moment found my selfe vtterly destitute of all remâââe and forsaken of any hope so that but for the comfort and aduise giuen mee by these two Knights which keepe me company I had not liued one only houre They called to remeÌbrance one nan ed Amadis de Gaule who is said to be the refuge and support of all afflicted Ladies neuer denying them his assistance Whereupon I haue attempted this long voyage to finde him at the Enclosed Isle where hee is affirmed certainely to be with a great number of other good Knights his companions in Armes When the wrong done me by this wicked sonne in lawe shall be knowne to that noble Lord and his other friends how extreamly hee maintaines the siege against mine owne naturall sonnes I hope hee and they will take compassion on me and giue mee such succour as by meanes thereof I shall expell the enemy out of my countrie for my subiects attend nothing else but to vndertake Armes against him they want but only a comamnder to leade them Greatly was the Queen mooued to pittie hearing the misfortunes which besell the Queene of Dacia and the three Knights were so nearly
extraordinarily ioyfull as triumphing in the very highest happinesse the world could yeeld her And the Princes her sonnes with the three Knights came neare vnto her to kisse her hand which shee would not suffer but embraced them very graciously declaring no meane thankfulnesse for her happy fortune Afterwarde they conuayed her into a rich Litter purposely brought for her iourney and so coÌducted her to the Pallace in most royall manner where shee was no sooner alighted but she commanded the Duke to be brought before her as accordingly it was performed And albeit shee had resolued with her thoughts not to execute any reuenge vpon him but euen in meere pittie to forget and forgiue all yet considering what shamefull wrongs she had suffered and the murder of the King her husband so fresh in her soule shee commanded him presently to the âibbet But the Knights of the Enclosed Isle were not therewith contented and therefore in most gracious and modest manner tolde her that they neuer tooke any prisoner to mercy to whom after-warde they vsed any molestation Wherefore they desired her to containe her purpose till their departure and then to doe what shee thought fitte and as her Councell should best aduise her requiring also fauour for their departure Shee fearefull to offend such honorable high deseruing friends returned this answere Nay my Lords thinke not but I will doe whatsoeuer you commande mee yet notwithstanding you must needes grant me to stay heere with mee eight or tenne daies more In which time I hope to compasse the Coronation of my sonne and then to send him along with you to Lord Amadis if you will but honour me so much as to bee his conuoy thither Madame quoth they wee are all herewith heartily contented Hereupon she sent presently to one of the Masters of the houshold giuing him charge to see all things fitting in readinesse as were belonging to such a solemnitie and in him there wanted not any dilligence The day of triumph being come the young King accompanied with the Princes of his blood the Knights of the Enclosed Isle multitudes of noble Personages more rode maiestically to the Cathedrall Church where they heard solemne and diuine seruice Afterward he was conducted to a goodly Theater most magnificently adorned and there by sound of Trumpets and voyce of the Heralds he was openly proclaimed King he throwing much golde and siluer among the people crying three seuerall times Largesse Largesse Largesse giuen by the most mighty and magnanimous Prince Garinter king of Dacia As foure of the chiefest Dukes in the kingdome conducted him to the place where the royall feast was prepared the Trumpets and Clarions sounded on all sides so that for the space of three whole daies and nights together the people ceased not from making Bonfires and other signes of ioyfull triumphing As also the Nobility of the Court had Maskes Tourneies Dances and such like pastimes which had continued much longer if Angriote and his companions would haue stayed there But they earnestly importuned the Queene to licence their departure which much against her minde she was enforced to grant and before their embarquing thus she spake to theÌ Noble Gentlemen although it is impossible for me in any dutie to requite what you haue done for mee without any merite at all on mine owne behalfe yet is so falles out at this season that running into a farther debt I am to solicite you with a second request and wherein I desire you not to deny mee You know very well that I neuer sawe Lord Amadis de Gaule for whose sake you did partly as I imagine vndertake this long voyage which hath fallen out most fortunate to mee and to your endlesse honour for euer Now I haue not any thing more deare in esteeme then the new created King my son who as I haue already tolde you I desire to send to the Enclosed Isle to liue among so many good knights as are there vntill he come to yeares fit for knighthood hoping that a nouell kind of breeding there will highly aduantage him and that then Lord Amadis will deale so honourably with him as to bestow knighthood on him with his owne hand Wherefore once more I entreate you to take him with you and deliuer him to Lord Amadis as a present from me Madame answered Bruneo I faithfully promise you that with all my heart I will performe it and further I dare assure that hee will be very welcome thither Take order then for his equipage because wee would aboard to morrow the winde now sitting so prosperously for vs. Heereupon the Queene hauing fitted all things necessary for her sonne with a very honourable traine conducted him to the Shippe and there committing him to God and the Knights louing care away they sayled discouering in fewe dayes the coaste of the Enclosed Isle But before they landed they sent to Amadis to let him vnderstand that the king of Dacia was in their companie beeing purposely sent thither to him and to remaine vnder his gouernement Which caused Amadis immediately to take horse and accompanied with many of the knights conducted him to the lodging of king Perion CHAP. XXVIII How King Lisuart his Queene Brisena and their Daughter Leonora departed from Vindilisore to goe for the Enclosed Isle according as it was concluded on at their setting from Lubania NOt long since it was told you that the same day as King Lisuart came to his Queene hee acquainted her with his promise made to Amadis and some others beside entreating her likewise most earnestly to take order for all things fitting her owne preparation and her daughter Leonora âwhom hee had affianced by his worde to the Emperour and that they might set away the next weeke following In the meane while he sent to Galuanes and Madâsima to come to beare him company in this vaoyage as accordingly they did Soone after they set on forward and at the end of eight dayes came within lesse then foure leagues of the Pallace of Apolidon Whereof when king Perion and the rest were aduertised they mounted on horse backe with the Ladies and Gentlewomen ryding not farre before they mette them Many embracings past on either side but Amadis and Galaor alighted so soone as they came to King Lisuart only to kisse his hand which hee would not suffer but embracing them in his armes desired themto mount themselues againe King Perion who came one of hindemost gaue the spurre to his horse and gallopped to meete king Lasuart who came in the like manner towards him and they both embraced very louingly together In the meane space Oriana went to the Queene her mother and doing her very humble reuerence she entertayned her so graciously as no woman liuing could doe more As the Queene Elisena Briolanta Sardamira and all the other Ladies saluted each other the Emperour Arquesill came and alighted from his horse to kisse and welcome them Then the knights of great Brittaine went among
aduised found her selfe ouer-reached by one merely ignorant in such skill not thorow any ingenuity or subtiltie of spirit remayning in him but plainely as I shall discourse vnto you It came to passe that among the number of Knights there by her detained the man whom my instant report concerneth borne in the Iâle of Creete a comely person well disposed actiue in Armes and aged about fiue and twenty yeares was made choyce of by her to bee her amorous friend albeit the had at all times fully resolued neuer to come vnder any mans subiection either by marriage or otherwise Yet now in one poore momeââ she became so conquered by loue and so farre strayed from her former liberty only by the outward behauiour of this Knight aâ to conclude hee had the full conquest of her and could commande more ouer her then she her selfe had power to doe Herein shee conceiued such extraordinarie liking as ãâã minute almost was omitted from their new familiar exercise But he beeing discreete and well aduised considered with himselfe that time would betray him in his amorous warfare and the edge of her discontentment might cut off all those sweet embraces Obseruing well this sudden learned lesson hee contended with his owne humours to shew her better satisfaction then euer bee had done to the end that she conceiuing his loue addicted more to her then any other respect hee had of himselfe might so increase her credulity as to hit the marke hee most aimed at Perceiuing her flame to wexe fiercer and fiercer and all in a settled perswasion of his fidelity he earnestly importuned her that as his loue was no way alterable to heâ he might receiue the selfe same reason from her of no deceit onÌ her side but that they both ballanced an equall and true affection as by many solemne vowes and protestations she had often swore vnto him And as a testimony of of her loyall meaning in this case he desired no more of her but his entire freedom and to enioy the like libertie of estate as when he was constrainedly brought into that Isle whereto at length she yeelded and hence ensued her vtter ouerthrow For heere Sir I must tell you that this proiect in the Knight was to no other end but only to be vtterly quitted of her as well foreseeing the mutabilitie and inconstancy of women Being on a day deuising with her on the highest peece of all the Rock embracing and kissing hir as he was wont to doe perceiuing place and oportunitie fit for his intention hee thrust her suddainlie backward from off the Rock so that in falling downeward vpon the seuerall crags and clifts her body was quite torne in peeces before it could get buriall in the Waues which at the length swallowed them vp all This being done and the Knight nothing sorie for it he compassed the meanes to conuaie into his Shippe whatsoeuer hee could carrie away from the Isle and with so many people as were therein set away from thence home to hi owne countrie Here I may not omit to tell you that he was constrayned to leaue an enchanted treasure behinde him remaining yet as is affirmed fathfully in one of the chambers of the great Pallace no way able to bee ceazd on by such as since then haue landed there not only to winne it by conquest but also are debarred from entring the place where it is enclosed And as yet Serpents repaire thither in winter which continue there likewise all summer and hide themselus there in very strange manner Moreouer as I haue credibly heard the doores belonging to this Chamber are continually fast closed and a sharpe Sword to forbid entrance thwarting the way hauing on the one side certaine letters as red as blood and those on the other side as white as Snowe These strange charracters are saide to signifie and declare the name of him by whom vndoubtedly this aduenture is to be ended And hee must draw out the Sword there thrust in vp to the hilts and barring the passage between both the doors For then they will open of them-selues as by common rumor it is reported in many places Very pensiue was Amadis all the time as Nolfon had declared these newes one while concluding with his thoughtes whatsoeuer might ensue thereon to trauaile thither and essay the finishing of the enchantment wherein so many worthy Knights had fayled Suddenly againe his opinion altered being pressed with an earnest desire of returning backe to the Enclosed Isle Notwithstanding he resolued in the end seeing hee was now so forward on the way to passe on somewhat farther yet hee made no noted or instant appearance thereof but seeming carelesse and negligent of that which had been said falling into another kinde of conferrence demanded of Nolfon what way Galaor and his Army tooke afterward My Lord quoth hee after hee had stayed some few dayes in the harbour very neere vnto the Rock he set sayle directly for the Profound Isle as hoping to enter it by way of suprizall But they of the country hauing some suspition before wee could come thither had betaken themselues to Armes and awayted for vs vpon the shoare where they found vs worke enough to doe before we could compasse any means of landing For one of the âosens to the late King conducted the people and had so animated them against vs as you neuer sawe men fight more courageously nor with better iudgement But the valour of the Lords Galaor Galuanes and Dragonis they hauing leapt into the water vp to the chinne and fighting with vndantable resolution did so hearten and embolden on our men in following them that our enemies were enforced to retire and in despight of all they could doe wee entred in vpon them but not without great slaughter of our men a wonderfull butchery of the contrarie side wee pursuing them still into the Citie where their chiefe and principall Captaine was soon numbred among the dead Then did we beleauger them on all sides which droue them to such astonishment as seeing themselues destitute of a guide and leader soone after they required a parlee which accordingly was granted them For the effecting of this busines foure were delegated among them who came to Prince Galaor and our other Captaines with whom they so capitulated that they yeelded themselues Prouided that their libertie and goods might remaine intire vnto them which was afforded them willingly And the very same day we entred into the Citie where before the weeke was fully expired Dragonis was crowned King Afterwarde hauing receiued their homage and oath of loyall alleageance as wel of the Lords Knights and Gentlemen as of the Commons in generall Prince Galaor and Galuanes my Masteer perceiuing that their departure thence would not be so soone as they had intended dispatched me towardes the Queen Briolania as also to Madasima to acquaint them with all the good newes which I haue told you But heard you nothing quoth Amadas of Quedragant and
your Kingdome for you doe very well know that Amadis and they of his line are good and valiant Knights admired for their power and not neglected by their friends Moreouer there is no man ignorant how falsely they haue beene accused to your Maiestie as the victorie which Angriote and Sarquiles enioyed so lately against the acâ⦠hath deliuered sufficient testimony for had not right and truth supported their cause although they are good and approued Knights indeed yet could they not so easily haue gone cleere from the soones of Gandandell nor of Damas whereby sufficiently appeareth that the hand of heauen was powerfull in maintayning their iustification And therefore Sir were you so pleased as to forget your concerned displeasure gone out against them and make a repeale of them to your seruice in my poore opinion it would be for the best considering it hath neuer past with any honourable allowance that a King should warre with them whom hee may easily and with his no meane dignitie commaund to yeeld him both loue and seruice whereas in doing otherwise oft times it prooueth to the losse of his people extreame expences and weakening his authoritie a matter so daungerous as vpon such aduantage inciteth neighbouring Commanders to thirst in desire o nouell attempts to hurle off awe and subiection and to winne more libertie then they could formerly aime at And therefore a wise Prince if possible it may be should neuer giue occasion to his subiects to runne from that feare and reuerence which in duty they owe vnto him but rather ought to essay by all meanes that his gouernment may rellish of temperate discretion winning their hearts and willes rather by cordiall louc then the least sauour of vigour and tyrannie as a faithfull Shââpheard respecteth his flocke Wherefore Sir it is requisite to quench the fire already ândled before it get head to a full ââ¦ne of deuouring for often times âfter an errour is perfectly knowen the remedy falls out to be too farre off Amadis is so humble minded and so much yours as if you but send to recall him you may quickly haue him and all they that follow him of whom you may dispose to be much better serued then euer you haue beene I know well replled the King that your aduise is verie good but they vrged mee with such a demaunde as lay not in my power to grant them hauing made promise thereof before to my daughter Leonora And I know withall that their strength is no way equall to mine wherefore forbeare to proceed herein with me any further but prepare you and the rest to keepe mee company for to morrow Cendill de Ganote shall goe to defie them all in the Enclosed Island You may doe as seemeth best to your Maiestie answered King Arban who perceiuing the Kings anger to be highly prouoked would contest with him no longer but without any shew of discontentment retired into his owne lodging But you must vnderstand that Gandandell and Brocadan perceiuing their Treason to be so apparrantly published by the death of their sonnes and waxing weary of liuing any longer among people of vertue and honestie caused the dead bodies to be had thence and afterward they and their adherents embarked themselues in a Shippe and sayling away arriued in a small Island where they finished the remainder of their wretched lines wherefore our History will make no more mention of them Let vs now returne to King Lisuart who after hee had a long while considered on the message sent him by Angriote and what speeches had beene vrged to him by King Arban summoned a great companie of his Knights together and began a heauie complaint vnto them concerning Amadis and his followers declaring the bold speeches and insolent tearmes which Angriote had sent him by Grumedan Wherefore my louing friends quoth he I pray yee to counsell me how I shall gouerne myselfe in this case For if I endure this iniurie it will redound no lesse to your dishonour then mine owne disaduantage considering that a Prince cannot bee wronged without great blame to the Subiects if they suffer it and vse no defence against it Hereupon warre was concluded against Amadis and his allies and instantly he called Condill de Ganote saying thus vnto him Goe to the Enclosed Island where you shall finde Amadis and tell him that hence forward neither he nor any of his frieÌds may attempt the boldnesse vpon any occasion whatsoeuer to enter my Countries for if any of them may be taken there I shall in such sort bestow them as they will hardly escape agine with ease Furthermore make this addition that I doe defie them and let them rest assuredly perswaded that I will be their vtter destruction both in body and goods wheresoeuer I can meete with them And because they make vaunt of ayding Galuanes against me I am determined to goe in person and will take possession of the Isle Mongaza whether if they dare persume to come I will cause them to be surprized and hanged In this manner departed Cendill de Ganote and the same day the King dislodged to soiourne in the Citie of Gracedonia and there also to assemble his Army whereof Oriana was most ioyfull knowing the time of her de speake whatsoeuer them pleased Sir replyed Gandales here is Sadamon who hath charge from all the Knights now abiding in the Enclosed Island to acquaint you with their ioynt deliberation As concerning my selfe I am sent particularly to you as I shall make knowen to you from my Lord Amadis if it may please you to let me haue a sight of your Queene as one that desireth to doe her most humble seruice and to your selfe mine honor reserued Beleeue me Gandales my good frâend answered the King I am not offended that you should take part with Amadis for I am perswaded that you account him as your owne sonne And whereas you desire to see the Queen I am well pleased therewith onely for your loues sake hauing so kindly entreated her daughter Oriana during the time shee âoâourned in Scotland In the meane while seeing Sadamon is the principall Ambassador in the businesse for which you are both sent hither he hath permission to speake his pleasure Then Sadamon aduanced himselfe and with a manly countenance began his speech declaring first to the King the wrong that he had done to Gaââanes and Madasima and generally to the kinred and friends of Amadis From whom quoth he King Lisuârt I bring thee defiance and here pronounce that they are and will be thy deadly enemies so long as thou pretendest any ââ¦ght to the Islâ⦠Mongaza which with shame constrâiââdly you enâoy Afterward particularly he deliuered all the rest not omitting the ââast particle of his charge What replyed the King doâ they thinke to feare mee with ãâã No no they shall not enâoy a ââte of their demaund much ãâã any peace with me And the better to manifest their folly I am well contââted not to weare
any Crowne during my life time nor thinke my selfe worthy the name of King except I can preuaile against their ouer-much boldnesse Sir answered Sadamon you know the greater part of them and are acquainted sufficiently with what they can doe therefore if you âââsider well thereon you will finde them not to be so easily oâercome as âerhaps in rash coniecture you may imagine And Sir quoth ãâã my Lord Amadis ãâã me charge to deliuer from himselfe onely as much as Sadamon hath said vnto yee Onely he sends you word that he will not be seene in the Isle of Mongaza for seeing hee onely conquered it for you hee will be no occasion of your losse thereof neither will appeare in any other place whereat the Queene may take the least dislike all which he doth onely in honour of her and for her sake Let him doe as hee pleaseth replyed the King it shal not heate my bloud ouer-much whether he bee there or no. Aâbeiâ instantly and before so many hee appeared to make no account of ãâ¦ã yet his minde and ãâ¦ã were farre different and there was not one man in the whole company but made most high esteeme of Aâaâis So the King arose commanding that Gandales and Sadamon should dine in the Hall accompanied with Giântâs and his Nephew Guâllan with some other of the best esteemed Knights to whom for their deeds of prowesse the King dayly affoorded no meane honours which incited many to imiâ⦠their vertues in hope to reâ⦠the heigth of their fortunes Dinner being ended Gandales was conducted to the Queene and hee entred into her Chamber euen as Orâana and Mâ⦠were conferring with her about him Doing his humble reuerence and comming to the Queene hee kiââed her hand and afterward shee caused him to sit downe by her when shewing him Oriana shee said Friend Gandales know you this Lady to whom some-time you haue done so many seruices Madame quoth he if I haue don her any seruice at all I hold my selfe very happy therein and when I can compas âust occasion am ready to do as much both to you and her I thanke you quoth shee and what newes bring you vs from Amadiâ⦠Madame repââ¦ed Gandalâs he expresly commaunded mee to see you if possibly I might and to present his most humble ââlutions to your gracious acceptance certifying you more-ouer that it is no meane motiue to his high discontentment to bee thus enforced to abandon your seruice As much said my Lord Agrayes to me who entreateth you that in regard both hee and Don Galuanes his Vnckle are in such displeasure with the King you would bee pleased to send him his Sister for he is verily pââswaded that they standing so farre ãâã of fauour her presence can hardy bee well taken in this Court When ãâã heard these words neuer was woman more heauily afflicted because ouer and beside the loue shee bare her shee onely was the chiefe gardiââ of her most intimate secrets and withall knowing her childing time to be so neere it made a double addition to her sorrow for loosing her she stood vtteâly ãâã ââ¦ure of confidence in any But ãâã beâ⦠the teââes in her ââes closed ââ¦ly with her in this ââ¦ner Beleâ⦠me Madame iâ the King should offâr mee so much wrong as to make a seperation betweene you and mee it would bee ãâã ãâã my minde Why quoth Gandales wherein should it be so offânsiue to you cannot your entertainment be as gracious in the Court of King Perâon your Vnckle with the Queene Elisenna and Melicia your Cousin all of them being so desirous to see you Trust me Gandales said the Queene Agrayes doth mee no little displeasure in making this demaund for his Sister and before I meane to send her to him I will speake with the King who if he will follow mine aduise she shall not depart hence with you if her selfe take liking to continue with vs Mâdame answered Candales let me then haue my dâspatch so soone as may bee because I must endure no long tarying here As he deliââred these words the King ãâã the Chamber when ãâ¦ã Sir âuâl well you know the good entertainment and great honour that the King and Queene of Scots affoorded mee during the time you left mee in their guard and such affiance they reposed in you that to keepe me company they sent thâir daughter hiâher with ãâã and ãâã if you ãâ¦ã fââm ãâ¦ã All whicâ⦠her Brother Agâ⦠ãâ¦ã her câme ãâ¦ã by ãâ¦ã hence ãâ¦ã and Maâ⦠ãâ¦ã the ãâ¦ã him that ãâ¦ã as yet to be ãâ¦ã Oriana but with ãâ¦ã of the diâcords hapâ⦠her kinred she might still remaine in his gracious ãâã which mooued the King to such câmpassion that he returned her this answere Faire Cousine doe you conceite that for any difference betweene them and me I can grow forgetfull of your for better proofe of himselfe against king Lisuart that makes such account of him During the space of eight dayes they awayted apt and conuenient time to shippe themselues for passage to the Isle of Mongaza and while they thus consulted together the Mariners came and gaue them warning that except they meant to lose oportunity in their enterprise they must now away because the winde stood commodiously which made euery man hasten to get him aboard the Trumpets and Clarions chearefully sounding Now as they were ready to weigh Anker Amadis who intended not to passe along with them put him selfe into a Skiffe with Drunâo went from Ship to Ship to take farewell of his friends perswading them to doe their deuoire And let mee entreate yee quoth hee my deare esteemed companions to be assistant one to another and consider well with your selues that you goe against a powerfull king in which respect if you chance to fight your fame and honor will be the greater For I am not ignorant that there is no one man among yee but hath beene tryed for a bold and worthy knight which giues perswasion to my hopes that the hand of Heauen assisting and right in the cause you vndertake you shal replant a poore Lady in those goods and lands whereof shee hath bin too long disinherited The entring into the Ship where were Galuanes Queâragant Florestan Brian and Agrayes together the teares trilled downe his cheekes and embracing them each after other hee said I was neuer in all my life so grieued to forgoe such good company as I am at this instant but I know you will iustly hold me excused and I would it had pleased God that occasion had ministred some other meanes then thus to enforce our separation But one request let me make vnto yee that no discord may happen among yee but liue together like louing friends and companions for otherwise assure your selues the losse and ruine will be yours And thus speaking he committed them to Heauens protection and went to take farewell of Mâdâsima who sate in her Ship conferring with her Ladies and thence returning to his Skiffe the
Mariners hoysed their Sayles whereon the windes bestowed their breath so bountifully as they soone lost sight of the Enclosed Island and on the sixt day following about day-breake in the morning they arriued at the Burning Lake where they secretly prepared Bridges and Boates for their easier and speedie landing For they well knew that the Count Latin was there with a great troupe of Knights for defence of the place and notwithstanding all their diligence they were discouered by the watch and intelligence was quickly carried to the Counte and Gâldar de Rascuil who instantly armed their men came to encounter their enemies on the Sea-shore At their meeting there fel an hard conflict on either side the one for landing the other for withstanding and doe what they could the knights of the Enclosed Isle were beaten back to their Shippes Which being noted by Florestan Galuanes Agrayes Orlandin and some others of them they leaped forth into the water and in despight of the Countes people they got landing For they were followed by their friends with such fury as the other side retired falling into a confused rout Which the Counte perceiuing he drew backe faire softly not doubting but to enter the Towne at his owne pleasure But immediatly newes were brought him that the inhabitants had reuoked and that but one Port onely was kept for him Beside that Dandasida Sonne to the aged Giââ¦sse which the day before had beene brought prisoner into the Castle with about twenty other Gentlemen of the Towne had broken open the prisons as the guards laboured to supply the fight at the Sea-side and they haue quoth hee that brought the tidings broken all in peeces striking vp an Alarum in the Towne where the inhabitants haue slaine all them that you left to defend it This report was so dreadfull to the Count Latin and all his followers that they intended to turne backe and flie into the mountaines but considering at length that they might saue themselues by the Port kept yet purposely for them and so fall to some composition with their enemies they resolued on that course and made their retreate Whereupon Galuanes would not pursue them any further but caused his people to draw backe attending till the rest of the army might bee safely landed And as hee was taking order for his campe a Knight came to him being sent from Dandaside to aduertise him that without all further question he and his should bee Lords of the towne and Castle if they pleased to come with their imedeat succour For the Count and his troupes held no more but one sillie Port where they contended to recouer what they had lost and might easily bee disposed of at his pleasure Galuanes wanted no dilligence vpon this aduantage but setting on with his Armie marched directly towards the Towne conducts my Madasima all the way to quicken loue and spirit in his Subiects who came to welcome them with all honour and reuerence Thus the Knights of the Enclosed Isâand made their entrance and while the Ladies were conuaied to the Castle Galuanes calced a Councell for bâtter direction of what was further to be done and vââer expelling all his enemies because it appeared that they endeuoured to fortefie their Port which they held Agrayes spake first saying If my aduise bee worthy allowance I would not admit them the least leisure to repaire their decaied fortune but presently begin our assaut so liuely that not a man should possibly escape My Lord Agrayes answered Florestan wee shall doe much better if it like all our company without any further hazard of our men to send them a summons of yeelding them-selues to vs which perhaps they wil gladly accept and it will redound more to our honour then if we proceeded otherwise This opinion was generally commended and Aâgriâââ and Grâââte appointed as messengers to the Count where giuing ãâã to vnderstand what they had in charge and assuring him withall that if he did not sodainely yeeld that was the very day of assault and none would then bee admitted to mercie the Count was soone perswaded to submission especially all the rest that tooke part with him beholding their present condition of daunger no meane number of their fellowes being cruelly wounded and the whole Country already reuolted from them Therefore they rather chose to embrace the mercie of such worthy Knights then fondly to stand on the strength of our poore Porâ or further to tempt their fortune by seeking safety abroade among Country Boores and Peazants This also was well liked by the Knights of the Isle for they were almost all wounded or so shrewdly shaken in the fight which lasted all the day that few were able to endure their Armes Howbeit this ioy was of no long continuance because well nââre in the same instant newes ãâã that King Arban of Northwailes and Gasquilan King of Swetia were entred on the Isle with more then a thousand Knights on the behalfe of King Lisuart which fell out to their no little amazement Neuerthelesse they concluded to stand vpon their best defence maintayning the place with their vtmost power and forbearing to fight vntill they had recouered better ability But because wee would not stray too far from Amadis and what ensued to him at his returne to the Enclosed Island with Bruneo wee will leaue these Gallants in expectation of their enemies to tell you that which next succeeded CHAP. II. How Amadis being in the Enclosed Island enquired of Gandales tidings concerning the Court of King Lisuart determining to passe into Gaule with Brunco to shake off his melancholly And of those aduentures which happened to him by a tempest that threw him vpon the Sad Island AFter that the Army by Sea had set saile and Amadis quite lost the sight of them hee and Bruneo returned into the Enclosed Island and because hee had no leisure to enquire of Gandales newes from the Court of King Lisuart by reason of his friends so sodaine departing the very same day walking alone in the garden hee called Gandales vnto him and entreated him to tell him if he saw the Queene and his Cousine Mabila Beleeue me Sir answered Gandales I spake with them both for ought I could perceiue they beare you very kinde affection especially the Queene who desires you by all possible meanes to make your peace with the King Then presenting him the Letter which Mabila had written he further said Madame Oriana and your Cousine Mabila commend them-selues very louingly to you and are much grieued at the hard opinion the King holds of you and Madame Oriana praies yee to remember what kindnesse and respect you some times found in the Court of the King her father and the Letter sent yee by your Cousine will acquaint yee more at large with other tidings Then Amadis turning his backe on Gandales doubting the alteration of his countenance opened the Letter and saw that his linage encreased Oriana being so neere the time
later then this very morning for at the ending of Masse I receiued Letters from him to that effect Wherefore my good Lords in doing no more then mine honor bindeth me to let me goe along to him with my friendly compaââân Galaor You may dâe as you please replyed King Perion albeit I am perswaded that in the end he will be as little courteous to you as to others casheered out of his fauour At the ending of these speeches they withdrew to their Chambers where they continued till such time as they went to rest and in the morning came to take their leaue of King Perion and Amadis embarking themselues in a good Ship that wayted there for them and the windes sitting prosperously for their departing So weighing Anker they sayled into Great Brittaine towards King Lisuart who the very same day had tydings of the Count Latins ouerthrow and his men Whereat he conceiued such displeasure that without attending his leuied Army he purposed to part thence with so few knights as were then in his Court. Neuerthelesse he concluded first to hunt the Hart with all the Ladies in his company wherefore mounting earely the next morning on horsebacke he met the whole assembly to the Forrest where his Tents were readily prepared for him Great delight had they in hunting but hee himselfe could not forget the iniurie receiued by the knights of the Enclosed Island at the Burning Lake minding nothing more then how he might be reuenged on them according as heereafter you shall heare declared CHAP. III. How King Cildadan and Galaor in trauayling towards the Court of King Lisuart met with twelue Knights and a Lady who conducted a young Gentleman that entreated the King to make him Knight DOn Galaor and King Cildadan arriuing in Great Brittaine immediately heard newes that King Lisuart prepared his Army for passage to the Isle of Mongaza and that his departure would be speedily in regard whereof they made all the haste they might to bee with him before he dislodged thence and comming neere to the place of his abiding they rested in the midst of a great Forrest On the next morning as they were ready to mount on horse-backe they heard not farre off the Bell of some hermitage and making thitherward to heare Masseâat their entrance into the Chappell they beheld twelue greene Shields each hauing a golden Tower painted in the midst all set in order about the Altar and by them stood another Shield wholly white garnished with fine Gold and enriched with many precious stones whereat they were somwhat amazed because they saw no knights to whom they appertained Notwithstanding as they kneeled at their prayers a Squire entred of whom Galaor demanded who had placed those shields there Sir quoth the Squire your request may not now bee answered but if you goe to the Court of King Lisuart there you will quickly know some ââ¦uelties Now as they were issuing foorth there entred twelue knights each of them guiding a Damosell by the hand the fairest and best formed that possibly could be seene all of them holding conference with a Gentle-woman more auncient in yeares that seemed as a conductres to the rest Well perceiued Galaor and King Cildadan by her habit that she was a stranger and maruailed the more what she should be but they deferred any further enquiry for that time because they beheld the Hermite readily habited to say Masse Which was no sooner ended but the elder Damosell addressed her selfe towards King Cildadan and Galaor demaunding of them whether they were of King Lisuarts Court or no. Why aske ye answered the King Because quoth the Damosell we earnestly desire your conduct thither so please it you to affoord vs such fauour For wee are aduertised that he is in this Forrest accompanied with his Queene and a goodly troupe of Ladies where he runneth the Hart. Beleeue mee Damosell replyed Galaor so please it you we will keepe you company Sir quoth she a thousand thankes and seeing wee finde you so gently disposed and are as wee imagine some of his followers our suite to you is that you would entreat him to bestow knighthood on this yong Squire heere present with vs assuring yee that he is deriued of so high birth as he well deserueth to haue that honour and much greater if possible it might be Truely Damosell answered Galaor I shall very gladly doe it and am perswaded that a King so good and gracious will not deny me a request so reasonable Let vs presently then replyed the Damosell set forward to him while our Gentleman according to commendable custome shall performe his deuotions heere in this Chappell So mounting on horsebacke she rode on alone in the company of Galaor and King Cildadan and as they descended downe an hill they espied the King crossing the Valley who perceiuing two knights armed in that manner imagined that they made their abode there to Iouste with any other that should first passe by And albeit he had thirty knights in his company as his guard and each man ready for any such encounter yet at that time he was not willing to haue any such tryall of the Launce but sent Grumedan towards Galaor and his company to request their instant repaire to the King which accordingly hee did and so soone as Galaor perceiued his neerer approch he presently knew him and shewing him to King Cildadan said This is old Grumedan quoth he who bare King Lisuartes Ensigne in the battell against you By my faith answered King Cildadan he is a very worthy man for on that day I contended more against him then any other in the whole band And I well remember that wee grew at last to hand-gripes when I stroue to wrest his weapon from him but it was a matter beyond my power and yet I brake it in the handle as himselfe fast held it Their helmets were off in regard of the heates extremitie by which meanes Grumedan quickly knew Galaor and giuing his horse the spurre he rode to embrace him saying My Noble Lord you are welcome behold the King who hath sent me to yee imagining you to bee otherwise then you are indeed and therefore desireth you to come speake with him Lord Grumedan answered Galaor king Cildadan is here with me and wee both will goe to salute his Maiesty In good faith quoth Grumedan hee will be very ioyfull for your returne and if you please I will ride before to acquaint him therewith Doe so replied Galaor and wee will follow yee Grumedan returning and the king hauing obserued his long conference with the two knights demanded at his arriuall who they were Sir answered Grumedan the one is my Lord Galaor who hath brought yee king Cildadan in his company How quoth the king is it possible Yes verily replied Grumedan It is said the king the highest good happe that could now befall me let vs therfore goe and kindely welcome them As he made towards them hee beheld Galaor and king Cildadan
if possibly I may I will acquaint her therewith before wee come to Court Doe so quoth the king Galaor riding backward came to the Princesse and to him after some other conference had together she spake in this manner Sir Galaor I am perswaded that the Gentleman who was yesterday made knight hath beene a long while knowne to you in regarde you made choise of him as your associate and companion for I know not any knight in this Court but would thinke himselfe highly honored to be so graced by you yea though it were your brother Amadis Madame replied Galaor your comparison of mee with my Brother is so vnequall as the like speeches may be spoken of heauen and earth considering that in respect of me he may bee tearmed heauen and I compared to him farre inferiour to the lower element And therefore I repute it great presumption in any knight whatsoeuer to thinke himselfe his second for it plainly appeareth that fortune fauoured his election to hold the primarie place in valour feature and all other gracious gifts required in a Gentleman Full gladly did Oriana listen to these praises of her Amadis while inwardly shee thus spake to her selfe Alas poore Lady thy misfortune were vnmatchable if in being thus seuered from the presence of thy friend thou shouldst bee as farre distant from his intire affection in good sadnesse death would be a thousand times more welcome to mee then such a deepe discomfort But Galaor purposing a longer continuance of his discourse thus proceeded Let it be no matter of maruaile in you faire Princesse that I accepted Norandell into my company for you may bee well assured that I did it not but vpon great and good occasion and perhaps it will no more dislike you then it doth me when the cause is more familiar to yee I pray yee Sir quoth she if it bee a matter that your honour may dispence withall not to conceale it from me Madame said Galaor the secret were very important that I would not impart to you and vpon faithfull promise of your priuacie I will discouer it Rest boldly assured thereof replied the Princesse Vnderstand then Madame quoth Galaor that Norandell is sonne to the King your father and your Brother And so declared how hee had read the Letter from the Infanta Celinda and the king likewise which she had sent to the king with all the other speeches passed betweene them In good faith answered the Princesse I am highly pleased to know this new affinity betweene Norandell and me and now I giue you thankes withall my heart for the worthy honour you haue done him in accepting him to be your companion For in being with you hee cannot faile of proouing to bee a good man and a famous knight whereas should hee be otherwise addicted yet such a bad nature would be quite altered only by keeping your company as hee hath faithfully promised Madame quoth Galaor you haue power to say of me whatsoeuer you please as of him that is a most humble seruant both to the king and your self when and how it shall like you to imploy me So breaking off this enterparlance they rode to the Queenes lodging where Galaor dismounting the Princesse and hauing conducted her to her Chamber hee departed thence with his new companion vntill the next morning their going to the king who told them that hee purposed that night to sleepe aboord his Ships and the day following to set saile away giuing order for euery mans being in readinesse The Drummes and Trumpets summoning all souldiours to their collours they weighed Ankors on the morrow and had the winde so auspicious for them as quickly they loue the sight of Great Brittan but soone after arose a shrewde Tempest which made them very doubtfull of perishing Notwithstanding it calmed so fauorably in the end that on the fift day following they discouered the Isle of Mongaza where they landed neere to the place where king Arban lay encamped and fort fled awayting for their succour and supply ãâã long before they of the ãâã Lake had made a ãâã foorth vpon them and pursued them so violently as if king Arban men had not wonne the toppe of the mountaine they could not haue auoided discomfiture There did Florestan make good acknowledgement of his man-hood for meeting with Gasquilan king of Swetia hee wounded him so daungerously as euery one reputed him for dead Neuerthelesse Briande Moniaste aduenturing ouer forwardly into the throng with full intent to charge King Arban was taken prisoner being no way able to helpe himselfe so that on other side many good knights were wounded and layde along on the ground All which king Lisuart heard at his arriuall whereat hee was so displeased as no man could be more concluding to bee reuenged on them Which the better to performe hee gaue commandement thorow his Campe that no one should presume into the field without licence thereto first obtayned hoping that the enemie would come againe to assaile King Arban as formerly he was wont to doe before his comming thither But the other side had intelligence of this fresh succour in regard whereof they had retired themselues attending further fortune By this time the houre drewe neere when the Princesse Oriana should bee deliuered of her childe and her Fathers departure fitted it very well for within a day or two after his shipping thence the paines and throwes of child-birth grew so extreamely on her that about mid-night shee expected death euery minute Therefore she caused Mabila to rise as also the Damosell of Denmarke who had long before prouided all things in readinesse to bee required in such a necessitie They being come to her found her so ouercome with paine and anguish not daring to crye or vse any complaint that shee was vnable to hold out any longer But Heauen pittying her oppressions before the breake of day requited her sorrowes with the birth of a goodly Boy which the Damosel of Denmarke receiued while Mabila gaue further attendance on the Mother As shee was making it ready in the swadling clothes she discerned seauen Caracters vnder either little teate some as red as blood and the other as white as snow whereat being not a little abashed shee called Mabila and shewed them to her But neither of them had the skill to reade them for they were all Greeke Letters composed in Latin words in which report they forbare as then to acquaint the Mother therewith wrapping it vp in the clothes and laying it by the Mother till shee gaue order for conueighing it thence according as formerly hath beene determined which being done the Damosell of Denmarke departed to call her brother Durin In the meane while the Princesse holding the Infant in her armes and bestowing many sweete kisses vpon it spake in this manner Alas little Creature Heauen enlarge such blessings on thee that thou mayst proue to be as good and vertuous a knight as thy Father and make the beginning of
she intirely entreateth you that you would grieue so little as possible may be in this Country and not to depart hence vntill you shall heare further tydings from her And she also certifies you by me that your linage is encreased by the birth of a gallant sweet Sonne which my Sister and I haue conueyed to safe nursing but he wÌas wary enough in discouering the maner of his losse Great was the ioy and comfort of Amadis to vnderstand such pleasing newes from Oriana howbeit her command that he should not part thence was somewhat irksome to him because it might bee presumed by sinister iudgments that either neglect or lack of courage had driuen him to this retired kinde of life Neuerthelesse happen whatsoeuer might to him hee concluded not to transgresse a iote of her charge and command As Enill had ended his discourse Gandalin returned who had slaine the Giantesse and brought her head hanging at his saddle bow Amadis was very glad to behold it and desired to know in what manner he had done it My Lord quoth Gandalin I pursuing her very closely and shee gallopping on the horse which she had stollen from you as hoping to shippe her selfe before I should ouertake her the poore horse was so weake in the backe being ouercharged with the loade of so huge a deuill as I imagined hee had broken his neck with falling downe vnder her At which apt opportunity I instantly arriued and before she had power to recouer her selfe I was her deaths-man as this testimony there-of may well witnesse to ye By my troth said Amadis this will bee a goodly present for Bruneo therfore wee will returne to the Court and there shalt thou haue the honour of deliuering it As for thee my deare friend Enill without being seene any where else I would haue thee returne to my gracious Princesse and giue her to know that I most humbly thanke her for her Letter as also for thy further message from her But yet I entreate her to take some pitty and respect on mine honor in compelling me to leade an idle life here Neuerthelesse I will be obedient to her in any thing and all my dayes are dedicated solely to her seruice And yet I very well know that no man can by vertue winne himselfe such renowne and reputation but time and mens malice will disgrace him on the very least occasion offered Goe then in Gods Name to whose safe protection I commend thee and doe my humble duty to my sacred Goddesse So returned Enill to his Shippe and Amadis to the Court to his friend Bruneo who was much better healed of his late receiued hurt then of his old loue-sicke languishing the fire whereof still more and more encreased the flame of his torment Which he well perceiuing and that he could not as yet reach the height of his intent without much losse of time and hard endeauour as a purgation to such slothful negligence and the better to enlarge his knighthoods reputation he resolued to visite strange Countries in search of aduentures and to accomplish such actions of Armes that his fame might speake it selfe in all places Hereupon so soone as the Giantesse head had bin shewen him Amadis and he walking aside together he thus spake Trust me my Lord the youth of my yeares and the slender esteem whereinto I haue hitherto liued especially among knights of fame and merit doth instantly incite me to forsake this loytring life of ease and pleasure and vndergoe another more painful yet profitable to ranke my selfe with men of so high estimatioÌ And therfore I humbly besech you that if you haue any disposition to seeke after aduentures you would be pleased to accept of my company or else to licence my departure alone for I must bee gone to morrow morning very earely When Amadis heard these words and remembred the iniunction so strictly imposed on him by the Letter from Oriana which Enill formerly had brought him he grew extreamely offended yet both dissembling his distemper and excusing himselfe to Bruneo he thus answered Beleeue me deare Friend I haue all my life-time beene desirous of such company as yours being well assured that nothing but honour and happines could then happen to me But the conference I haue had so lately with the King and his strict imposition for my not leauing his Country as yet abridgeth me of your association then which nothing can be more displeasing to me Wherefore I desire you to hold me excused not doubting but that the hand of Heauen will euery where defend ye Bruneo seeing himselfe thus dispatched by Amadis went to visite Melicia whom he acquainted with the reason of his sudden departing entreating her to continue gracious vnto him because hee preferred her fauour before all things else whatsoeuer Melicia discreetly answered him that shee must wholly encline her will according as pleased the King and Queene to dispose of her assuring him neuerthelesse that he was the Gentleman whom before all other shee could willingly accept as her husband if so be it stood as well with their liking As he and shee continued this conference taking gracious and amiable farewells of each other the king entred to whom Bruneo addressing himselfe he declared the occasion of his departure Which the King allowed to bee both good and reasonable and because it grew some-what late and a seasonable houre for rest and repose all was referred till the next morning for more ample parting discourse Bright day no sooner beganne to appeare but Bruneo armed himselfe at all points afterward going to heare Masse deuoutely And as hee was ready to mounte on horsebacke the King and Amadis came to him conducting him forth of the Citie where they committed him to God and all good fortune wherein it seemed he prooued so prosperous that in short time hee finished so many rare aduentures as would require larger scope then heere is limited beside it is not materiall to the purpose which wee labour to continue Returne we therefore to Amadis who hauing already soiourned in Gaule three moneths and an halfe while King Lisuart made his warre in the Isle of Mongaza and his reputation being much diminished by his discontinuance from Armes so that euery tongue babled to his disaduantage especially Ladies and Damosels who came from all parts in quest of him and not finding him returned so highly discontented that they laide on him many blamefull imputations which came continually to his eare Neuerthelesse for any respect in the world whatsoeuer he would not disobey the command of the Princesse Oriana but rather chose to vndergo those taxations of disgrace till King Lisuart returned into Great Brittaine again Who receiued tydings at his arriuall that his enemies were already passed into the Isle of Lionine and euen vpon entrance into his Country Now albeit he appeared to make small reckoning thereof before his own people as being fearefull to distaste them yet afterward his minde was farre otherwise busied But especially
wherein they lay was fixed on a screw or giuing vise which easily and without the least noyse conueyed them aboue twenty fathome in depth they being in a sound sleepe dreading no harme at all Full well knew Gandalin and the other that these knights were their Maisters thus betrayed notwithstanding they made no outward apparance thereof but as if they had neuer seene or knowne them Gandalin thus answered For ought I can perceiue most vnhappily came we hither where such worthy men are so cruelly handled of whom we haue heard much fame and faire report But is there no way or means whereby to succourand helpe them I am vndoubtedly perswaded that if they were deliuered our abiding heere would not be long Let mee tel ye answered the ancient knight the maine butte or end of the vice which supporteth the bed wherein they lye is vnder the plancher of this Chamber and heere you may behold it If all our strength labor will serue to turne it about and remount the bed vp againe to his former place they may easily get forth because the doore is neuer shut and moreouer the Guardes or Keepers of the Castell are now all in their deadest sleepe Let vs try quoth Gandalin what we can do so euery one set to their hand Such was their painfull labour endeauour that the screw of the vice turning by little and little the bed beganne to rise and King Perion being then not able to sleepe felt how it mooued wherefore awaking Amadis and Florestan hee said vnto them Doe not you feele that we are remounting vp aloft Assure your selues the villaine Archalaus will keepe promise with vs for doubtlesse wee are discouered to him I know not said Amadis what may be his meaning but hee that first layes hold on me to do me out-rage shall pay the reckoning for all the rest While thus they conferred by little and little the bedde drew vp neere to the plancher and attained to fixing in his first place Then our knights leaping lightly on their feete drew forth their Swords looking all about them to see who had thus raised them again But they could not see any body to their no little maruaile and they found their Armes in the same place where they had lefte them before they went to rest wherewith they armed themselues immediatly Afterward they issued forth so secretly that seazing the Guards they hewed and sliced them in pieces before any ey could take notice thereof vntill such time as by the great noise they made in breaking the bolts and barres of the gates and sharpe assayling such as they met withall Archalaus awaked and heard Amadis cry with a loude voyce For Gaule for Gaule this Castell is ours In great affrightment he rose and hauing no leysure to arme himselfe he ran into a strong Tower mounting to the top thereof and drawing vp the Ladder after him where seeing himselfe in safety putting his head out ata window he called to his people so loud as he could In the meane while our three knights had made way to Gandalin and the rest freeing them from the slauery of Archalaus whom they espied bawling aloft on the Tower with some other for their better safety And because they could by no possible meanes come at them they made a great fire and smoakt them in such sort as they were glad to descend into-he lowest vaults where they were likewise almost smothred with smoke At length the knights seeing the Castell all engirt with fire commanded their horses to bee led forth where mounting on them they coÌmended Archalaus to all his deuils and the Dwarfe cryed out Archalaus Archalaus remember how kindly thou didst vse me when thou tiedst me fast by the feete in the Castel of Valderin where I was as well perfum'd as thou art now The dwarfe deliuered these words so angerly with such a strange gesture as made them all to laugh hartily And when they were somewhat further off they looked behind them and beheld the Castell flaming gallantly perswading themselues that they were sufficiently reuenged on Archalaus and that he could no way escape with life By this time bright day appeared and they arriued at the place where they left their Ship there the Gentlewoman that had bin deliuered with the rest remembring the words of Amadis in the Castell when he cryed For Gaule for Gaule desired to know of Gandalin which of them was the man Gandalin pointing her to Amadis shee went and fell at his feete desiring pardon of him For quoth shee I am Darioletta that committed your life to the mercy of the Sea euen the very same day that you were borne But beleeue me my Lord I did it to saue the honour of the Qaeen your Mother who otherwise had bin put to death for no one did know but my selfe onely that the King your Father who is heere present with yee was as then married to her Amadis was much amazed heereat for he had neuer heard the cause wherefore he was left in such sorsaken manner so taking Darioletta by the hand he said vnto her Faire Friend I pardon ye perceiuing it was done vpon so iust an occasion and heretofore Galuanes hath often told me that he found me floating on the Sea but till this instant I was vtterly ignorant how it came to passe Then she related all from point to point without omitting any thing euen from the beginning of King Perions loue to his Queene Elisena and the successe of euery accident wherein the king tooke no little delight and often entreated Darioletta to repeat the sweet pleasures of his youth But while this company were thus in quiet and contentment the case of Archaiaus carried no correspondencie therewith for hee and hir remained inthe deep vault vnder his sower where he was as well fauouredly smoakt and perfumed as euer Rainard the Foxe was in his vnderground kennel And if his Niece Dinarda and some others had not succoured him hee had there miserably ended his dayes But they came to him so soone as the knights were gone finding him so suffocated and ouercome as he was not able to stirre either hand or foote Taking him forth of that smothering vault they threw vineger and cold water in his face so that soon after he began to breathe and opening his eyes beheld his Castell all on a sââme Then heauily sighing euen as if his heart would haue split in sunder he said Vile traytour Aâ⦠how many iniuries hast thou ãâ¦ã since thy birth Be well asâ⦠therefore that if I can catch thââ I wil be reuenged to mine own hearts contentment In the despight of thee I will neuer keep any knight falling into my power aboue one night but he shall dye the death to make him sure for scaping from me as âow much against my minde thouhâst done So calling for his Litter he wold presently bee thence conuayed to Mount Aldan For quoth he it vexetl my very soul to behold
as Fortune best pleased to direct him and the King with his company returned home to the Court he called for Galaor and Norandel with whom he discoursed in this maner You haue betaken your selues to a strange kinde of quest wherein I am certaine you will haue but slender successe except it be in this kingdome And therefore account your comming hither to be fortunate in that I can shorten your long-intended trauaile Know then that the knights you seeke after were none other then Amadis Florestan and my selfe So he declared the whole manner of their enterprise and how at the very instant of their proceeding Vrganda the Vnknowen sent them the coate Armours with the Serpents the golden Helmet for Amadis the white for himselfe and the greene for Florestan shewing all instantly to them and what harme had happened to them in the battel Sir said Galaor heauen hath bin very fauourable to vs considering our long-intended time of trauaile onely to enter the Combate with them and make knowne to the whole world beside in extinguishing their glory that one of vs deserueth asmuch as the best of them Yea quoth the King but it is much better to fall out thus as now it doth Then he reported to them how in their returning from the battell they chanced to bee imprisoned by Archalaus and in what vngentle manner he vsed them That villain answered Galaor not long after escaped out of my hands by a most queint and cunning treachery Relating at large how they met with him their courtesie to the Damosels and their treason afterward at the Castell of Ambades The King walked thence with them to his owne Chamber where all the Armours were whereof they had spoken which they presently knew as hauing well obserued them in the battell Norandel importuning the King so earnestly that he frankly gaue him them Afterward hauing remained there about the space of fourteene dayes they obtayned leaue to part thence and passing into Great Brittaine arriued at the Court of King Lisuart who not a little glad of their comming instantly sent for them to vnderstand what had befalne them in their quest Sir said Norandel wee haue brought ye happy newes and answerable to your owne desire In testimony whereof behold heere the Armes of them that perfourmed such worthy seruice for you and in such a time of vrgent necessity This white Helmet was then worne by King Perion and your selfe saw him in the place where it cost many the price of their liues This greene Helmet belonged to the gentle knight Florestan who well declared how hardily hee could handle his Sword And this of gold appertained to Amadis whom deeds of arms cannot be seconded by any for by his assistance the benefit of the battaile redounded to you but the honour thereof to his immortall glory How could they quoth the King come so conueniently to helpe vs Heereupon Norandel discoursed from point to point how euery thing had happened without the least omission to the great contentment of all the hearers Beleeue me said the King I perceiue that King Perion hath bin long time your fauourer and him I neuer saw out of his Armes albeit I greatly desire to know him You shall then know answered Norandel a wise vertuous and most magnanimious Prince And on my faith quoth Grumedan his Sonnes come not behind him in any of his best parts These words were hardly pleasing to the King though hee made no outward shew thereof but falling from this maner of discourse hee departed thence leauing Galaor and Norandel to whom Oriana and Mabila instantly comming they deliuered most kinde commendations to them both from Queene Elisena and the Princesse Mabila Declaring afterward that Amadis was departed from Gaule into farre distant Countreyes to seeke after straunge aduentures which tydings made them very sorrowfull because they feared to heare no newes of him in a long while after CHAP. VII How Esplandian was neurished by the old Hermite Nascian And what aduentures happened to Amadis in the meane while changing his knowne name and calling himselfe the Knight with the greene Sword ESplandian hauing attayned to the age of foure yeares or thereabout Nascian well knowing that now it was fit time to begin his instruction in vertuous exercises sent to his Sister that she should bring the childe to him which shee accordingly did The Hermit perceiuing his growth to be beyond the ordinary stature of such young yeares besides his beauty and commendable forme conceiued in his minde that heauen had thus preserued him to some especiall end so that if formerly hee presumed of his future happines he gaue more credit now thereto then euer he had done endeauouring by all meanes possible to haue him taught all commendable qualities fit for the knowledge of a Gentle-man embracing kissing and vsing him as if he had bin his owne naturall Sonne And surely it was not without great reason because the childe had alwayes declared as apparant signes of loue to him and rather more then to his Nurse whose brests hee suckt In regard whereof Nascian concluded to keep him still sending his Sister home to her owne house yet requiring the company of one of her Sonnes that might bee as a play-fellow to Esplandian who had suckt with him of the same milke whereto shee willingly condiscended From that time forward the Hermit was their sole guide and gouernour they liuing there in the nature of brethren and for their dayly delight and exercise he would send them to hunt in the Forrest so that at one time among other they rising earely in the morning to finde some game Esplandian waxing faint and weary sate downe by a Riuer side and fell asleepe The Lyonnesse whereof we haue formerly spoken comming thither and finding this new kind of prey smelling at his face began to fawne and moue his taile pleasingly euen as if Nature had made an especiall interdiction of touching or doing any harme to the creature which her selfe had before bin partly a Nurse vnto And appeared to know him so perfectly that had bin a while suckled with her milke as instantly without offering the least violence she couched down at his feete smelling and licking his hands and garments Which when his wakingcompanion perceiued being ouer-come with feare he ranne home to the Hermit crying to him that he had left his brother with a great dogge that would eate him as hee lay sleeping on the banke of a Riuer he not hauing any power to wake him The holy Hermite dearely affecting Esplandian grew doubtfull of his safety and commaunded his young Nephew to bring him where he left him which presently he did Drawing neere to the place he beheld the Boy and the Lyonnesse playing together when Esplandian beholding the Hermite saide vnto him Father doth this goodly dog belong to vs. Sonne answered Nascian shee is sent of God to whom onely all things appertaineth Truely Father replyed Esplandian I should well like his abyding with vs
by breake of day But as hee had a purpose to repose himself a while the remembrance of his Princesse Oriana ouertook him in his priuate meditations pressing him with extraordinary passions as he had no power to refraine from teares speaking thus to himselfe Alas sweet friend when shall I see the time that I may once more be so happy as to embrace you in mine armes Loue thou hast lifted mee to the highest felicity that euer loyall hart could attaine vnto But how looke how much my glory is vnmatchable in fauour the like height it carrieth in tribulation and torment for the more desirous I am to see ye the further of still my cruell starres doe send me And that which is my greatest hell of all is a grounded feare that my absence shall either betray me to forgetfulnesse or bring you to the entertainment of a new loue Then suddenly he beganne to reprehend himselfe saying Whence should this idle opinion proceede in me Deare sweete I haue found you so firme and constant that I doe commit a sinne in thinking amisse of you And such is the assured proofe of your fidelitie that the smallest sinister doubt is but mine owne shame For well I know that as my whole life is dedicated to your obedience so you can neuer haue iust occasion to wish me ill or couet any vnkinde reuenge on me except you take your selfe to be offended in being more intirely and constantly affected by me then any man else in the world can doe And yet I cannot tell whether Loue be desirous to punish me because in disdaining all other I made my selfe so wholly yours as many haue been by me neglected and discourteously refused But well I wot that my thoughts are so familiar in your heart and your matchlesse beauty so diuinely caractred and engrauen in mysoule as I may assuredly resolue that time will set a period to all oppressions either by my end or your accustomed loyaltie Spending thus the night in sighs and teares euen vntill the morning appeared he commaunded Gandalin to rise and being armed hee went to Church where he found the King at his deuotions Hauing heard Masse the King tooke him by the hand and leading him somwhat aside said My dearest friend seeing you stand resolued to part from me let me first tell yee that ye haue a King and a kingdome wholly at your command and heereof take knowledge wheresoeuer you shall come Me thinkes you should deferre no longer to let me know of whence and what you are promising you vpon the faith and word of a King that by me you shall not any way be discouered except it may bee done with your consent Sir answered the knight let me entreate yee heerein not to wrong me for I am minded neuer to disclose my selfe to any one except by force I shall be thereto compelled Then you doe me a great displeasure quoth the King God shield me replyed the knight from offending so good and gracious a Prince I will rather dispense with my vow and tell ye Sir I am that Amadis of Gaule Sonne to King Perion whose name you remembred when you agreed to the Combate of twelue knights to twelue By the faith I beare to God said the King my heart did alwayes perswade me so and rest your selfe assured that this knowledge of you is more acceptable to me then any thing else whatsoeuer in the world can bee Blessed be the Father and Mother that haue yeelded the world so worthy a man by whom so many people haue receiued both profite and pleasure Now was the King much more desirous of his longer stay but that Amadis most instantly vrged the contrary whereto he durst not make refusall Wherefore mounting on horsebacke by a goodly company he was conducted forth of the Citty and there being commended to all good successe hee tooke his way towards Romania seeking after strange aduentures as Fortune pleased to direct him CHAP. VIII How King Lisuart hunting in the Forrest where hee had left the Ladies accidentally met with a young Damosell who shewed him the way to the Hermitage where the good Hermite Nascian made his abyding And how the infant long time after was knowne to bee the Sonne of Amadis and Oriana IN the gay season of Mayes flourishing moneth King Lisuart hauing long soiourned in one place was entreated by the Ladies that hee would guide them forth on hunting wherto he very willingly condiscended and presently commaunded his huntsmen to prepare their toyles in the next adioyning Forrest and to erect their Tents by the Fountaine of the seauen Beech trees which was the most pleasing place in all the wood and best agreeing with the time Not farre off thence was the Hermitage where Nascian the holy man nourished Esplandian as already hath beene declared to yee It happened on the same day when the King had left the Ladies in their Pauilions hee so long pursued a Hart sore hunted and escaped from the toyles that he was enforced to take vp into the highest of the Forrest all along the side of a great hill very well couered with brakes and bushes So soone as he had attayned to the toppe there-of on the other side he espied a young Gentleman descending hastily aged as it might bee about fiue or sixe yeeres leading a Lyonnesse in a leashe who seeing the Hart so hotly chased hee let her loose after him and shee pursued with such speed that she tooke him downe before the King The young youth glad of so good successe ran a pace to the fall of the Deere and another childe that was his companion where seazing on the veneson hee tooke out a knife to cut his throate Then winding a horne very loud two little Bratches which ordinarily vsed to follow him came presently to him and both they and the Lyonnesse had their fees of the game This done hee tooke and coupled them in a leashe and hauing done the like to the Lyonnesse crossed again ouerthwart the wood The King seeing them make haste away from him was very desirous to know what they were and comming forth of the place where he had hid himselfe to note the behauiour of these children called to the young Gentleman who instantly stayed vntill such time as the King came to him vsing these words Prettie childe I pray thee tell me what thou art and where is thy dwelling Sir knight answered the youth Nascian the Hermite hath hitherto nursed me and as I thinke is father both to me and this my companion This answere made the King very pensiue for he could not comprehend in his thoughts that Nascian being aged and decrepit as also reputed for a man of most sanctified life should or could haue a childe so young and goodly wherefore as one couetous of further information hee demaunded where the Hermitage stood It stands quoth the youth on the top of this Rocke and shewing him a littly path lest him saying If it shall please yee to follow
this tract it will guide yee thither for I must needs after my fellow to the Fountaine where wee must dresse the venison which wee haue gotten this morning Then the King left him and ascending vp the Rocke espied on the height thereof the poore dwelling of Nascian so enuironed with great bushes as well witnessed the wonderfull solitude of the good Hermite Alighting from his horse he entred into the first room where hee found the holy man vpon his knees clothed in a religious habit and reading in a Booke of deuotion which hee gaue not ouer at his arriuall but hauing finished his prayers hee arose demaunding of the King what he sought for Father quoth he not long since as I crossed the Forrest I met with a goodly childe leading a Lyonnesse in a leashe I pray ye for courtesies sake to tell me what he is for at the very first sight of him my minde gaue me that he is issued from some good place While the King continued on this speech the Hermite so heedfully obserued him that hee knew him as being the man to whom he had done many seruices during the time that he followed Armes In regard whereof falling down humbly vpon his knees hee craued pardon for his error in not giuing him such entertainment as beseemed so great a Maiestie But the King raysing him vp tooke him by the hand saying Good Father will you not resolue me concerning the young childe which I mentioned to ye Assure your selfe vpon my faith that the knowledge you may giue me of him cannot but redound to his great benefit Sir answered the Hermite our Lord hath hitherto shewen great signes of loue to that childe and seeing hee hath so carefully kept him as I shall relate vnto ye it stands with good reason that you as a King should loue defend him in such sort as no harme or displeasure should bee offered him You haue as appeareth by your speeches an carnest desire to know what he is In trueth Sir during the time that I haue nourished him he may be tearmed mine albeit it is not yet fully sixe yeares since I tooke him from the teeth of a Lyonnesse that was carrying him to her whelpes Wherein our Lord apparantly declared that hee is the preseruer of all his creatures because the beast neuer did him harme but onely suckled it among her yong ones so that by the milke of her and of a little Ewe which then I had I compassed the meanes of fostring him for more then a moneth In expectation still of mine owne Sister Mother to the other yong Lad that keepes him companie who afterward comming to me she became so good a Nurse and Gouernesse to him that thankes be giuen to our Lord for it I am perswaded he is one of the goodliest creatures this day liuing And one thing more strange then all the rest I am to tell yee vnderstand Sir that as I was about to baptize him my Sister hauing taken off very rich clothes wherein he was swadled shee shewed me a letter vnder his right pappe as white as snow contayning the word Esplandian and on the other side directly against his heart were other carracters as redde as blood which I could neuer vnderstand because they are neither Latine nor of our language Now in regard of that name which at his birth it seemes he brought with him into the world I haue euer-more since caused him to be called Esplandian accordingly In good faith Father saide the King you haue tolde me wonders but seeing you found him in such fort as you say it is to be presupposed verily that he was borne not far off from this Countrie That know not I answered Nascian neither couet I to vnderstand more then what our Lord hath permitted Well then quoth the King to morrow good Father I pray you meete me at the Fountaine of the seauen Beeches where I shall be with my Queene and a goodly company of Ladies Bring Esplandian the Lyonnesse and your young Nephew with you to whom I intend some good for his Father Sergils sake whom I somtime knew to be a good knight Sir replyed the holy man I am bound to doe what you haue enioyned mee and desire of God that all may be to his honour and glory The King giuing him the good morrow rode thence and arriued at his Tents about midday Now because none there knew what was become of him each man was diligent in enquiry after him and although his most intimate familiars desired to know where hee had bin yet would he reueale nothing but commaunded to couer for dinner As he was ready to sit downe at the Table Grumedan came to tell him that the Queene entreated him to see her Tent before dinner about some nouell occurrences lately happening Whereupon hee went thence to her and being alone by themselues shee told him that as they came ryding from the Citty a very beautifull Damosell mounted vpon a light ambling Hobbie and conducted onely by a Dwarfe presented her selfe before her And she being very sumptuous in her apparell rode by all my Ladies and women âquoth the Queene not vouchsafing one word to them vntil such time as she came before mee when she gaue me this Letter telling me that you and I must reade it this day before dinner because thereby wee should bee acquainted with admirable matters And no sooner had shee spoken that word but she rode away from me so fast as her horse could gallop without permitting me the least leysure of any answere So she gaue the King the Letter sealed with an Emerauld chased in golde with these words engrauen about it This is the Seale of Vrganda the vnknowne Then opening the Letter the King read the contents following The Letter of Vrganda the vnknowne to the mightie King Lisuart MOst high and powerfull Prince Vrganda the vnknowne who loues and desires to doe you any seruice doth aduise and councell you to your great benefit that at such time as a Gentleman nourishea by three diuers Nurses shall appeare before your Maiestie you would embrace entertaine loue and dearely respect him for he is the cause of your quiet by deliuering you from the greatest danger wherein euer you were He is deriued from blood royall on both sides and partaketh somewhat in the natures of those creatures that gaue him sucke By the first of them he shall be so strong and magnanimous as hee will darken all the valour of the very best Knights that haue gone before being neuerthelesse so milde and gentle that hee will be loued and esteemed of all men occasioned by the nourishment receiued from his second Nurse As for the third beleeue it Sir that neuer was Gentleman of better spirit more Catholique and compleate in all good conditions so that he shall addict himself to actions pleasing to God auoyding all vaine affaires wherein the most of other Knights doe commonly spend their time And that which exceedeth all the
rest he will prooue the onely cause of planting immortall peace betweene you Amadis and all his Linage Therefore good King accept my counsell and you wall finde it for the best Yours in all seruices Vrganda the vnknowne These newes droue the King to no little admiration and but for the high esteeme hee made of Vrganda the vnknowen he should haue giuen slender credite thereto But presently he called to minde that this might be the childe which he found with the Lyonnesse wherevpon he sayd to the Queene I dare assure ye Madam that this day I haue spoken with him of whom Vrganda writes vnto vs and to morrow he will be heere with the good Hermit Nascian who hath reuealed strange matters to me Then he reported in what manner he met him and all that he had heard of the Hermit whereof the good Queene was not a little ioyfull as well because shee should see the childe as to haue some conference with the holy man in cases of Conscience and to be confessed by him Neuerthelesse Madame quoth the King I desire that you would not disclose this to any one vntill such time as hee bee in our presence Afterward they went and sate downe to dinner talking of nothing all that while but what goodly Harts and Hindes they had seene in the Forrest Then came Galaor and Norandell with their venison perswading the King to be earely sturring the next morning for they had fayled in the pursuit of a wilde Boare the most huge and strangest that euer they had seene But hee made them answere that he had receiued certaine letters from Vrganda which he would impart to them the day following and prayed them therfore in the meane space to cherish well the Houndes till all were perfourmed as he had determined Then rising from the Table the King went and conuersed with the Ladies so spending all the rest of the day vntill the houre of repose approached when each one with-drew to their lodgings and on the next morning hauing heard Masse each saluted other with the good morrow The day beganne to grow on apace and the weather was so extraordinary warme that the Queene commaunded the sides of her tents to bee turned vp for better receiuing the fresh coole ayre Then could she discerne a goodly company of Ladies flocking together beneath the toyles in whose presence the King being arriued the Ladies and knights conferring on what they best affected he drewe Vrgandaes Letter forth of his sleeue which hee had receiued the day before thus speaking to Galaor and the rest Now will I shew you an aduertisement that was sent vnto mee yesterday whereat I thinke you will no lesse wonder then I my selfe already haue done Then he read it out so loud among them that euery one might easily heare it Neuerthelesse they could not presume what this happy childe should bee to whom destiny had promised such gracious blessings onely the Princesse Oriana excepted whom it touched neerer then any of the rest not hauing in so long time heard of her lost Sonne This was a notice to raise suspition in her that this might be her child wherupon such an biguous perswasions ouer-tooke her thoughts that aboue ten times she changed colour yet vndiscerned of any there present for they were all attentiue to the Letters reading as also to the Kings speeches who demanded of Galaor to know his opinion Sir said he seeing that Vrganda hath sent it to yee we may well beleeue that it will fall out so considering the trueth of those things which so many times heeretofore she hath foretold and no doubt but God will so permit it for it wold be the greatest to mee that euer can happen in all my life-time to ãâ¦ã faire a peace betweene you my Lord Amadis and all the rest of ãâã friends and kindred Welcome be it quoth the King and as the will of our Lord is so let all bee done As he ended these words afarre off he espied the good Hermite comming the two young Laddes Esplandian and Sergil with two vanassours kinsemen to olde Nascian in such order as I shall describe vnto ye Esplandian had a great Hare and two Partridges hanging on his shoulder which he had ââ¦in with his Bowe by the way as hee came Sergil led the Lyonnesse in a leashe fastened with a little cord and these followed Nascian and the two other the one of them carrying the Hart which the Lyonnesse had kilde the day before as formerly hath bin related and the other ledde the two Braches belonging to Esplandian coupled together When the Ladies saw the Lyonnesse so slenderly guarded they were so afraid that they came all sate about the king who for their more assurance said Let none be dismayed for he that is maister ouer this Lyonnes in power will defend vs from a more daungerous beast then this is I know not said Galaor who hath most commaund ouer the beast but if shee once waxe displeased the Huntsman that leades her will finde those reines ouer weake to rule and controule her at his pleasure Why quoth the King she is in the conduct of the holy man Nascian therfore boldly let vs goe meete him So each one arose and the King went and embraced the Hermite saying hee was most heartily wel-come Then taking the olde man by the one hand and Esplandian by the other hee presented them both to the Queene Beholde Madame the very goodliest Gentleman that euer you saw Then Esplandian eâ⦠as faire forwardnesse as if all ãâã life-time he had bin brought vp in the Court made her a very gracââ¦s reuerence and presenting her his owne carriage said See heere Madame what hunting sport wee haue had by the way which you may dispose as best you please Pretty youth said the King that power remaines in you onely No Sir answered Esplandian rather in you or this Lady to whom I haue already giuen it Nay quoth the King she had much rather that you wold diuide it among her Ladies according to your owne vnderstanding then if any remaine we will expect our part As the King spake these wordes the Hermite cast his eye vpon the childe who fearing that hee had committed some errour in his talking blushed so sweetly that very pleasingly it became him to behold and pointing to the Hart câaââng pardon of the King for his offence said My Lord I humbly beseech you to accept this Hart as your owne and my Lady shall haue this Hare but these Partridges are for the tother Lady standing by her This hee spake of Oriana his Mother who darted such a louing look at him as is easier for you to imagine then me to vtter How pretty Sir said the King will you giue nothing to these Gentlemen I haue no more to giue replyed the childe but if I come hither againe tomorrow I will bring them thus such as I can get in the mean while if you be so pleased you may let them
bee partakers of your venison All this young discourse was deliuered with so good a grace and such pleasing life of gesture by Esplandian that it procured much loue and admiration enterchanged with smiles and amiable regardes In good sadnesse said the King his gentle nature is not to be wondered at for by that which hath bin declared to me by him who hitherto was his foster-father faire destiny hath made large promises to him Therefore good Father quoth he to Nascian to the end that euery one heere present may vnderstand the trueth of his rare fortune I pray you once more to discourse that wherewith you acquainted me yesterday Sir answered the Hermite it is now more then fiue years since I found the childe in the mouth of this Lyonnesse carrying it to her young ones newly whelpt and I am verily perswaded that hee was not then fully a naturall day old Then hee declared the manner of his swadling clothes what countenance the Lyonnesse expressed when she first gaue him sucke and the care hee had all the while of his thus nourishing in expectation of his Sisters comming All this discourse was diligently listened vnto by Oriana Mabtla and the Damosell of Denmarke well knowing by the Hermites relation that Elplandian was vndoubtedly the Son to Amadis the Princesse which caused such pleasing contentment in them all that they knew not well how to dissemble it Old Father quoth the King to the Hermite you told me yesterday that seeing our Lord had hitherto so graciously preserued the childe I ought to haue care of him in his following-dayes wherefore if it like you to leaue him with me and his young companion likewise I will cause them to bee so commendably educated that if God be so pleased they shall both proue worthy men good knights and I desire that I may preuaile with you in this request Sir answered the Hermite they are yours seeing you are so desirous to haue them and I will heartily pray vnto our Lord God to endue them with such grace as they may hereafter do you some acceptable seruice Then he gaue them his blessing with these words My Sonnes seeing the King hath done ye so much honour to allow yee entertainment in his Court take paines to be obedient and pleasing to him The good olde man shed teares in great abundance during the time of this short sweete counsell when the King said vnto him Graue Father make no doubt but I wil so gouerne them that they shall become such men as I haue promised ye Then I beseech ye Sir said the Queene to the King that you would referre them to my direction till they bee more fitting for your seruice and your Daughter shall haue Esplandian and my selfe will haue care of Sergil Bee it as you please Madame answered the King I commit them both to your disposition Thus the childe was deliuered into his owne mothers gouerning who accepted him more gladly then any gift in the world that else could haue beene giuen her and long time hee continued with her vnknowen to any but those Ladies that were best acquainted with her most priuate occasions Now before Nascian departed thence she would needes be confessed by him wherupon vnder shrift she gaue him to vnderstand that Esplandian was sonne to her and Amadis and in what manner hee was lost by his carriage to nurse Beleeue mee Daughter answered the Hermite our Lord must needes be offended with you in offering such iniury to your owne soule thorow an inordinate and volupruous desire especially you being borne of so great parents and ought to be a miâ⦠and example to all the other people aboue whom it hath pleased him to aduance yee Deare Father quoth she I know wel that I haue most grieuously sinned notwithstanding that which I haue done was as a woman to her husband for at the instant we affianced our souls mutually together Heereupon she reported how Archalaus had led her away and how shee was after succoured by Amadis according as already hath beene related in the precedent History Then the Hermit was reasonably well satisfied accounting the offence so much the lesse being vndergone with so good a condition for after this confession the effect followed because by this meanes though some long while before Nascian made peace with the King and Amadis being on the very point of entring into a sharpe and cruell battaile as you shall vnderstand more at large in the fourth Book following But Oriana hauing done pennance according as Nascian had appointed her he tooke leaue of the King and the whole Court to returne home to his Hermitage taking the Lyonnesse along with him and the King went back to the Citty to take order there for his further affaires CHAP. IX How the knight of the greene Sword being departed from King Tafinor of Bohemia came into the marches of Romania where hee met with Grasinda in the fieldes accompanied with many Gentle-men Ladies and Damosels Especially with a Knight named Brandasi dell who would compell him by force of Armes to come speake with the Ladie Grasinda and of the Combate they fought together YOu haue heeretofore heard how the knight of the greene Sword departing from King Tafinor tooke his way towardes the parts of Romania where hee made his abode no long time but had perfourmed so many worthy deedes of Armes that euery Prouince was filde with his praises But it was not without mighty sufferance of melancholy by continuall thinking on his Princesse Oriana It happened vpon one day among others that crossing the Country hee ariued at a Port or Hauen of the Sea whereupon was planted a Towne in the most pleasing manner of situation that euer hee had seene it being called Sarâ⦠And because the houres of the day were not sufficiently spent he would not as yet make entrance but turned his course on euery side to make the better discouery at his owne best aduantage where obseruing the Sea coaste hee beganne to remember Gaule from whence it was now aboue two yeares since he parted which proued such an encreasing of his âârrowes that the âââres trickled downe his cheekes amaine As hee continued in this pensiue humour he espyed a troupe of knights Ladies and Gentle-women comming towardes him among whom there was one more beautifull and goodly as it seemed to him then any of the rest for ouer her head was borne a Canopie of white taffata fastened to foure roddes of yron to keepe her from the heate of the Sun which was then very piercing and violent But because hee tooke no delight at that time to bee seene in such companie being so deuoutly addicted to solitude he kept off so farre as hee could from all resort that hee might with better disposition thinke on the former fauours he had receiued in Great Britaine Beholding this troupe to draw neerer and neerer hee wandred aloofe off yet was he not strayed so âââre but hee perceiued a comely Damosell comming
to you he enuied all other knights errant as wee did the like in loue to him Thus haue I declared the whole truth to you and humbly entreate you without any respect to mine offence to graunt mee mercy beyond all merit Our Knight beganne to be compassionate answering The mercy thou shalt haue is not to abridge the punishment thou hast iustly deserued but in hope that thou wilt become an honester man hereafter then hitherto thou hast bin in this regard thy life is spared But if thou fall to thine old byas assure thy selfe time will fitte me with a sharper reuenge r then now I can or will take on thee So leauing him they rode directly towardes the Towne and falling from one discourse to another our knight demanded of Angriote what newes he had brought out of Great Brittaine He resolued him all things that hee could and told him among other matters that a reuerend Hermite named Nascian had giuen King Lisuart one of the very goodliest young Gentlemen that euer was seene whom he recouered in his swadling clothes out of the teeth of a Lionnesse carying him for food to her young ones Also how the Queene had giuen him to the Princesse Oraina to serue her quoth he with my Sonne Ambor but there is very great difference betweene them because Ambor is mightily deformed and the other an incomparable creature You may quoth Amadis report of your Sonne as you please but if hee carry resemblance with his Father he wil proue a man of extraordinary merit To women let vs leaue beauty and faire feature who are curious and inquisitiue after such nicities would to God your Sonne were of age to follow me then should I require him of you and that very earnestly to keepe company with Gandalin on whom I purpose to bestow knighthood so soone as I shall returne into Gaule Trust mee Sir said Angriote Gandalin doth well deserue much at your hands and if my Sonne were so happy as you wish him my hopes would mount farre higher then as yet they can doe Falling from this into other talke Amadis demaunded how long since he and Bruneo had iourneyed together Since our departure from Great Brittaine answered Angriote we neuer abandoned one anothers company for any fight or Combat whatsoeuer could happen till yesterday and yet notwithstanding we haue ended many straunge and dangerous aduentures albeit all of them inferiour to your high fortune against that deuilish Monster Endriagus according as wee haue thereof bin aduertised Wherfore I beseech you to let me vnderstand how and in what maner you fought together We must referre that replyed Amadis till some more apt and conuenient leysure because we now are neere to the Towne and that will require a much larger discourse then the shortnesse of the way will permit vs. By this time they were arriued at Gransidaes Palace who hauing heard tydings of their comming came very kindly to welcome them conducting them to the Chamber where Bruneo lay who beganne to finde himselfe better and better by such good meanes as Master Elisabet had vsed to him But when hee saw them all three so well met together he was not a little ioyfull praising God for such a fortunate successe And as they parled on their passed aduentures our Knight of the Greene Sword declared to them the promise which he had made to Grasinda and what shipping shee prepared for passage into Great Brittaine whereof they were all exceeding ioyfull in regard of their long-desired returne thither In the meane while Bruneo grew to able strength and being in disposition to endure the Seas all things weare readily fitted for the voyage Grasinda and they going aborde with such a conuenient company as was thought meet So hoysing sayle they launched foorth into the Deepe where they were so assisted by successefull windes as in very few dayes they lost all sight of the Islands of Romania CHAP. XIII How the Queene Sardamira with the other Embassadours from the Emperour Patin arriued at the Court of King Lisuart hoping at their returne to beare thence the Princesse Oriana with them And of that which happened to certaine Romane Knights offering iniury to a Knight errant THe Embassadors from the Emperour Patin being come to King Lisuarts Court they were entertayned by him most honourably hauing vnderstood the occasion that drew them from Italie into Great Brittaine After audience graunted to their Embassie he told them that he would call a Councell of all his Lords together and then they should haue an answere yet hee gaue them this comfort that hee made no doubt but they should returne to the Emperour their Masters contentment At this time was not Oriana in the Court for hauing vnderstood the cause of their comming she feigned her selfe sick to auoyde all meanes of speaking with them and therfore was retired to Mirefleur The Queene Sardamira vpon this hopefull procrastination determined to go see the Princesse making her intention knowen to the King who liked well ââ¦of and for her better conuoy gaue the good olde Knight Grumedan charge of her On the morrow following shee set forth from the Court to let the Princesse vnderstand how the Emperour affected her dearely how honourably hee would receiue her and what rare singularities shee should see in Rome But herein she was much deceiued because her very meere remembrance of Amadis gaue her more sweete content in soule then any thing else in the world could doe Now was the season of the yeare exceedingly hot in which regard the Queene for her better refreshing on the way sent diuers of her seruants before to pitch her Tents neere a little Riuer that ran along within three miles of Mirefleure There she alighted accompanied with Grumedan and many Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen of her owne country among whom were fiue Romaine Knights who imagined so well of themselues as none in Great Brittaine could come neere them Being within their Tents their fiue Shields were hanged without at the entrance and their Launces likewise leaning against them which was a signall according to the custome obserued among Knights errant or trauayling that no one might passe by before them without triall of the Combate and these enstructions they receiued from Grumedan To whom they made answere that they would essay themselues against those of Great Brittaine to let them well know that they had better skill then they both in breaking a Launce and handling a Sword We shall see replied Grumedan how it will goe with you and yet I dare assure yee there may some such passe ãâã as will finde yee worke enough to doe As thus they held on their discourse they espied a farre off a Knight comming which was the gentle Prince Florestan who in vaine had trauayled through many countries to finde his Brother Amadis And now very pensiuely hee was riding to King Lisuarts Court hoping to heare some better news by the Romaines that so lately came thether as had beene told him by
so much forget himselfe to deliuer her to the Romanes And she had solemnely vowed betweene God and her soule that she should be no sooner on Ship-bord but she would throwe her selfe into the Sea and this was her finall conclusion Very well vnderstood Florestan that this close-couched Enigma concerned her selfe whereupon he thus replied Madame God being all made of mercy will neuer bee vnmindefull of them that put their trust in him for as yet hee neuer did and doubtlesse he will not now beginne with so desolate a Damosell As for my Lord Amadis assure your selfe that he is in perfect health continually in quest of strange aduentures so that his famous deeds in farre distant Countries renownes his name in all parts of the world All these words were ouer-heard by the Queene Sardamira and perceiuing that they spake of Amadis she said to Oriana God keepe him from the Emperours fingers for hee is the onely man in the world that he hateth most next to another Knight who soiourned some while in the Court of King Taffinor of Bohemia This Knight I now speake of not much aboue a yeare since ouer-came in open field the most gentle Knight Garadan the onely man in all the Romaine Armie except the noble Prince Saluste Quide who is now come into this Countrie to the King your Father to conclude a marriage betweene his Lord and you And hee beares him this hatred for causing the ouer throw of eleuen other Knights beside whose hope was to reuenge the iniurie done to their friend on the day following the Combate with the first knight being appointed so many to so many This misaduenture so dismayed the whole Romaine Armie that the Emperor was compelled according to a former-made couenant to raise his Campe and to render back to King Taffinor whatsoeuer he had conquered from him Afterward so briefly as she could the Queene reported the whole manner of the seuerall fights and to what issue they sorted as you haue heard already at large So helpe me God Madame answered Florestan although your Emperour should neuer looue him yet there are many other worthy men that wishe him all true happinesse and honour and in my poore opinion Lord Amadis needes not care for his malice Notwithstanding make knowen to vs faire Queene if you can the name of the man so much commended by your selfe Vnderstand Sir quoth she one while he cals him-selfe the Knight with the Greene Sword and another while the Knight of the Dwarfe albeit I am verily perswaded that neither the one or the other is his true name indeed But because hee weares a Sword that hath a scabberd of greene colour and a Dwarfe doth ordinarily attend on him these names haue therefore beene imposed on him and vsually he makes answere to them When Florestan heard these wordes he was very ioyfull knowing for a certaintie that it was Amadis the like did Oriana who had noted the same reportes before by many And because shee was now some hinderance to her that she could not haue any longer priuate conference shee arose thus speaking to the Queene Sardamira Madame in regard of your tedious iourney this day you cannot chuse but be weary wherefore a place of repose is more conuenient for you Then shee conducted her into a goodly Chamber and there leauing her to her owne desseignes went downe into the Garden accompanied with Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke to whom shee declared all her former intelligence concerning the knight of the Green Sword whom they knew assuredly to be Amadis On my faith Madame said Mabila if it be so let mee tell you the Dreame which I had this last night past Me thought that wee were in a Chamber close shut vp and that we heard a great tumultuous noise without which made vs fearefull beyond measure but your Amadis suddenly comming thither brake the doore calling for you out aloud Then I shewing you to him me thought hee tooke you by the hand and so brought vs forth placing vs in a very strong Tower saying to vs Abide heere without any dread or terror and therewithall I happened to wake This makes mee verily beleeue that hee will set you at libertie and free you from their power that hope to haue you hence Deare Friend and Cousin answered Oriana you giue mee great hope and comfort and if I were worthy of such a happinesse I could desire our Lord to heare your good wishes otherwise that wee might both dye in one instant Forbeare such words replyed Mabila for he that is aboue all fortunes whatsoeuer will send you at his good pleasure a better issue out of all troubles then you can wish or imagine But conferre with Florestan and earnestly desire him and his friends to doe their best endeauour to breake the Kings intention that no such conclusion may passe for currant Now let me tell you that Galaor had already done so much as was possible for him not by any aduertisement or entreaty vrged to him on the Princesses behalfe but because he plainely perceiued what shame would ensue by disinheriting Oriana for the aduancement of her Sister Leonora For some day or two before Florestans arriuall at Mirefleure King Lisuart being returned from hunting tooke Galaor aside as they rode on the way thus speaking to him My louing friend I haue euermore found such fidelitie in you and reposed such trust in your counsell as I neuer intend to conclude any mater of importance without imparting it first to you You vnderstand what honour the Emperour hath done me and his embassage so lately sent me requesting to haue my daughter Oriana as his wife wherein as I conceiue our Lord hath wrought most graciously both for her and me because he is the onely potent and redoubted Prince at this day liuing in all Christendome In which respect hee being thus allied with me I shall neuer haue any neighbour or enemy that dare presume any way to offend me and I shal be more respected and dreaded then euer any King of Great Brittaine heeretofore hath beene Moreouer it is a matter almost impossible to seeke any better prouision for her for shee being wife to so mightie an Emperour Leonora shall afterward remaine sole Lady of my Dominions which otherwise may happen to be diuided to our no little detriment and danger And yet let me tell you I purpose not to doe any thing in this case without the aduice of the Lords and Knights of my Court but more especially of you whom I coniure by the loue and affection you haue alwayes borne me to tell me freely your opinion and without any dissimulation Much amazed was Galaor to heare the King vse such language perceiuing apparantly heereby that he meant wholly to disinherite his eldest Daughter and right heire to aduantage the second For this cause he stood a long while very pensiue without answering so much as a word till the King began again thus to rouse him Come Sir
awake your silent cogitation and tell me truely what you think Sir quoth he I beseech you to hold me excused for I finde my capacitie ouer feeble to yeeld you any faithfull counsell in a case so important Moreouer you are minded to congregate the chiefest Lords of your Land to commune with them in so serious a businesse and they no doubt like loyall subjects will direct you as becomes a King But yet quoth the King I would gladly first haue your aduice else you will giue mee cause to misconceite you God shield me Sir said Galaor from so doing rather I will liberally lay my heart open to you according to mine owne poore iudgment and the true integrity of my minde Sir said he whereas you say that in marrying your Daughter Oriana with the Emperour there remaines no possibility of a fairer fortune surely I am of a quite contrary opinion for she being your principall Heire and sent into so remote a Country to lose a kingdome already prouided for her you shall leaue her poore without meanes and subiect to a people but slenderly agreeing with the manners and conditions of this Nation And whereas you conceite that in being wife to an Emperour and dignified with the name of an Empresse her authoritie and renowne is the surer afterward before God Sir let mee plainely tell you that you wrong both your iudgement and reason therein Fore-thinke what may ensue and say shee haue heires male by her husband which is the sole comfort of any kingdome she becomming a widdow the first fauour her owne childe shall doe for her is to vrge her retreate to hold possession of the Empire by himselfe If he take a wife then it falles out far worse for her because the new Empresse will be second to none and then it is most certaine that your Princely Daughter lyes open to a thousand inconueniences and vnauoydable grieuous extreamities For first shee hath lost this Country which was certaine to her as being her naturall place of birth and breeding to liue in a strange land farre from parents subiects and seruants which is no common kind of affliction And whereas you alleage that by his alliance and fauour you are sure to be succoured and much feared Surely Sir I must tell you that thankes be giuen to our Lord for it you haue so many true friends and trusty Knights at your command as without any helpe of the Romaines you may easily extend your limites when you please And I am perswaded that in exspectation of support from them they will rather seeke to ruinate and destroy you then furnish you with any such assistance as you may imagine scorning all equality or any to bee greater then themselues Moreouer it is most certaine that they can couet no better meanes then by compassing some apt occasion to register you downe in their Chronicles to your shame and their glory vnder the shadow of some sleight fauour irregularly affoorded then which no greater mischiefe can happen to you and yours And alas Sir what reason haue you to send the Princesse Oriana so farre from you being your Daughter and chiefest Heire onely to aduance the Princesse Leonora who is her yonger Sister By my soule of a most vpright and vnpartiall King renowned through the wide world for the Authour of Iustice you will procure the greatest scandall to your reputation and wound your vntainted honour so deepely as neuer powerfull Prince or King did the like But I hope that Heauen will better direct your iudgement and settle more surer cogitations in your soule which I as the very meanest Knight in your Court doe hartily desire And beleeue it Sir that I durst neuer haue beene so bold to tell you the free censure of my soul but that you pleased so expressely to command me and I as a loyall seruant could doe no lesse And let this be your perswasion of me that during my life time I will keepe my promise faith and fidelity to you as one that stands much obliged to you for infinite good turnes and fauors done me Well declared King Lisuart by his countenance that he was scarsely pleased with Galaors remonstrance and he likewise as quickely apprehended it wherefore continuing on his speech he said Sir King Perion my Father hath commaunded mine attendance on him in Gaule so soone as possibly I can and because I meane to set hence to morow morning to the end you may not conceiue but that I haue counselled you faithfully if you bee so pleased whatsoeuer I haue spoken I will set downe in writing that you may acquaint them with it whom you intend to assemble together I pray you doe so answered the King And at these wordes they were come neere vnto the City which made them alter their discourse Being alighted the King betook himselfe to his Chamber where he sate downe very sad and pensiue and would not all that day be seene in any company The next morning Galaor tooke shipping according to his former determination for hââ¦ould not bee present at the resolution of this mariage as knowing certainly that the King would not bee altered from his purpose notwithstanding all aduice and councell to the contrary More-ouer he knew some part of the priuacies betweene Amadis and Oriana who all this while remooued not from Mirefleure whither the Queen Sardamira came to see her as you haue heard already finding her to be the onely fairest Princesse in the world What would shee then haue thought if she had seene her in her former condition before this continuall melancholy seized her for the absence of her Amadis and this new purpose for marriage which grieuously oppressed her Being now somewhat meagre pale and pensiue yet she appeared as if Nature had studied all her life-time to make her the mirrour of choicest perfection The Queene finding the day no way fauourable to acquaint Oriana with the cause of her comming deferred it till the next morning when resorting againe to see her and hauing first heard Masse together they walked along the allies of the Garden and proceeded so farre into the businesse that she told her how dearely the Emperour affected her what pursuite he made to enioy her as his wife and what supreme felicity attended her onely by this mariage But the answere of Oriana was so vntuneable as the Queene durst proceede no further with her but in the interim Florestan came to them who purposing to take his leaue that he might returne to the Enclosed Isle she tooke him aside declaring what infinite afflictions hourely encompassed her how shamefully the King her father dealt with her by compelling her to marry into a straunge Country and to the onely man of the world whom she least respected But beleeue it Sir quoth she if he continue in this humour the first newes he shall heare of me after my departure hence will be my death For come what may if he sunder me from this Country Death and the
Sea shall diuide me also For it is my full intent to drowne all my disasters in the waues who for euer shall remaine witnesses of my sorrowes and in them I exspect to find more compassion then in mine owne kinred countrie friendes and seruants And therefore honourable Lord Florestan I humbly beseech you for Gods sake to imploy some paines for disswading him from his intention otherwise vpon my faith it will be a great clogge of conscience to him and the very straungest mis-fortune wherein a poore disinherited Lady can fall being forsaken of God and men Thus speaking she wept so extremely that Florestan although he was one of the greatest spirited men in the world could not refraine from teares hauing his heart so confounded with compassion towards her as hee was not able to vtter a word Notwithstanding at last he got the maistrie of this oppressing passion and said Madame you shall doe me great wrong if you hold not this conceit of me that I am wholly yours ready to obey you in any seruice till death But to speake to the King your father as you would haue me it is a matter beyond all possibility for you your selfe do know what hatred he beares to me onely in the despight of my Lord Amadis forgetfull of so many high and worthy seruices as both he and all his linage haue euermore done to him And if he haue receiued any from me hee neuer needs to thank me for it considering I neuer did any for his sake but onely by the commaund of him who hath soueraigne power ouer me and whom I will not contradict at any time And that was the reason for my being in the last warre of the seuen Kings not as any helpe to them of Great Brittaine but onely for preseruation of your iust title and right thereto as shee that shall one day by Gods leaue bee Lady and Queene thereof Presume also Madame that you haue this interest in me that this which you haue told to mee I will thinke on and make knowen to King Perion and other good friends to procure some remedy for you in this distresse And I make no doubt but he will prouide for you in such sort as you shall haue occasion to rest contented Nor purpose I to soiourne in any place vntill I come to the Enclosed Isle where I shall finde the Prince Agraies who is very desirous to doe you any seruice as your selfe doth well know especially for the loue of his Sister Mabila There shall wee consult together what course is best to be taken in this case without spare of any thing remaining in our power But know you certainely quoth Oriana that Agraies is or will be there Yes Madame said he as Lord Grumedan hath assured me as hee receiued instruction by one of his Squires that came thence within these few dayes I beseech you then replied Oriana to relate vnto him amply what confidence I do repose in him And if you heare any newes of your Brother Amadis faile not to acquaint me therewith so soon as possibly you may There-of assure your selfe Madame answered Florestan With these wordes he tooke his leaue of her kissing her lillie-white hand and returning to the Queene Sardamira spake thus Madame I am constrained by force to leaue you and else where to seeke after my further fortunes but wheresoeuer I shall bestow my selfe be bold that I am alwayes your knight and seruant and so I pray you to account of me In good faith Sir said she they that refuse so faire an offer may wel be reputed but poore in iudgment because I am perswaded that you are held to be one of the best and most courteous knights this day liuing And God shield me from such monstrous ingratitude to deny a seruant of such honor and worth rather most louingly I accept your kindnes and returne you thankes with all my heart Florestan looking on her with an affectionate eye and beholding her to be so amiably faire said Madame I beseech our Lord who hath enriched you with such rare beautie to grant your own hearts best desires and thankefully I take your most gracious answere because now I can doe nothing else for you but remaine in ready willingnesse of seruice wheresoeuer you shall please to commaund me So taking leaue of her Mabila and the other Ladies he mounted on horsebacke desiring Lord Grumedan that if he receiued any tydings of Amadis he would let him vnderstand thereof so soone as he could at the Enclosed Isle whether he now went to see Agraies and his other associates CHAP. XV. How the Knight of the greene Sword who afterward stiled himselfe the Greeke Knight Bruneo de bonne Mer and Angriote d'Estrauaux embarked themselues in the company of the faire Grasinda and of that which happened to them afterward MAster Elisabet hauing taken good order for Shipping with all such necessaries answerable to the enterprise of Grasinda the windes also sitting faire and auspicious she went aboord attended by the Knight of the Greene Sword Bruneo Angriote and many other Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen as partly hath beene reported already Hauing weighed their Ankers and put forth into the large and spacious Seas sometimes be calmed and otherwhiles tempestuously afflicted at length by fauour of Heauen and the great diligence of Master Elisabet an extraordinary skilfull Pilot they passed by so many straites and Islandes that they discouered the coaste of Great Brittaine Then the Knight with the Greene Sword beholding the Country where he hoped to finde his best happinesse and comfort became exceeding ioyfull And because he would by no meanes be discouered he desired Grasinda and all the rest in his company to entitle him no other thence-forward but the Greeke Knight Then hee commanded Gandalin to bring the sixe Swords which the Queene Menoressa had giuen him at his departure from Coustantinople two of them he gaue to Bruneo and Angriote and himself guirded on one because he intended not to be knowen by that which hee vsually woare hauing a greene scabbard as oftentimes hath beene before remembred Comming neere to the place where King Lisuart then made his aboade Grasinda and hee being with-drawen aside he began to her in this manner Madame by gracious fauour of the Heauens wee are now very neere the Countrie whereto your heart hath alwayes pretended a most earnest desire and I dare assure ye that without spare of life or any trauaile I will endeauour to make knowen what bountifull graces you haue from time to time affoorded me Worthy Greeke knight quoth she such is my trust in God that he will not take his mercies from me and as he hath prouided mee of so good a knight to be my guide so hee will blesse me with the hope I aime at But I pray you Sir seeing wee are so neere to land let vs goe on shoare you Angriote Bruneo and my selfe without any more and there wee may priuately conferre together what is
first to bee done before I present my selfe to the Ladies of this Country Then Master Elisabet called for a Skiffe which instantly was broght whereinto they entred and as they made towards the Shoare they esspied a Ship lying at Anker Herevpon our Greeke Knight being desirous to know who was in it commaunded the Mariners to get neere it which being done Angriote called to them in the Shippe demaunding whence they were whether they were bound and who was aboord Surely Sir replyed our Patrone our Shippe is come from the Enclosed Isle and heere are two Knights aboord who will gladly tell ye what you desire to know When our Greeke Knight heard speech of the place whereto he was so much affected and that two of his companions were there his heart leapt with ioy and Angriote continuing his questions desired the Patrone to cause the two Knights to come vp on the Deck and in the meane while to tell him how they were named That may not I doe answered the Patrone lest they should grow discontented with me but I will call them vp to you and performed his word accordingly Then they came vp on the Orelop and Angriote saluting them demanded if they knew where King Lisuart lay Trust me Sir answered one of them wee will gladly instruct you in any thing we can but first we would entreate you to resolue vs in one matter if it consist in your power for which wee haue vndertaken this voyage and purpose not to soiourne in any place vntill wee can be therein satisfied If wee know it said Angriote you may be well assured that we will not conceale it from you Sir Knights quoth the other haue you heard any newes of a Knight named Amadis de Gaule in search of whom many of his friends haue endured much paines and trauaile and haue left few places without enquirie These wordes did so touch our Greeke Knight with ioy and compassion that hee could not refraine from teares considering what affection so many worthy men did beare him and what sorrowes they suffered for his sake First tell me said Angriote what and who you are and afterward you shall vnderstand so much as I know Then the other who all this while had bin silent stepping forward said Such as know me call me Dragonis and this my companion is named Enill both resolued to ore-run the whole Ocean and question Port by Port vntill we finde the men wee speake of Gentlemen quoth Angriote God be your speed and for your sakes I will gladly enquire of our Shippes wherein are straungers of many Nations what they can say to this demand of yours Our Greeke knight vrged him to this answer because hee would not be knowen so soone Angriote then began again saying I pray you Sir where may we finde King Lisuart and what newes is in his Court Sir answered Dragonis he is now in a certain City of his called Tagades an excellent Port of the Sea confronting Normandie And there is a great assembly of his knights sitting in couÌsell about a motion made by the Emperour of Rome to enioy his Daughter Oriana in mariage wherto no one will giue consent Already there are arriued many Romanes to conuey her thence with them among whom is the Prince Salusta Quide Duke of Calabria other the greatest Lords of the Empire beside a worthy traine of Ladies and Gentlewomen and shee is already called Empresse of Rome But she mournes incessantly for it is much against her mind that this marriage should be so much as talked of We may well imagine that this was more then Greek to our Greek Knight for neuer was man strooken into such an astonishment especially vnderstanding the great regrates and grieuances of the Princesse Notwithstanding his spirits recouering chearefull vigour and being resolued withall that it was quite against her consent and contrary to the liking of the Lords of Great Brittaine hee might the more easily helpe her by Sea or Land wherein hee would not faile the very meanest Gentle-woman in the world Much greater duty then he owed to her without whose grace and fauour hee could not liue one houre as he was verily perswaded in his soule And highly thanked God for vouchsafing his arriuall in a time so opportune that hee might doe her any seruice As not doubting but to compasse the height of his attempt getting her into his power and without any blame by her and to ouercome all his misfortunes together And here in his soule he read a lecture to his Ladie discoursing his bitter sufferings and languishments the paines and perils by him endured since the time he saw her last and now the catastrophe of all contentment after a more then Herculean labour Now said Angriote to Dragonts you are sure that the Romaines are already come about this businesse On my faith quoth he it is yet but foure dayes since wee parted from the Enclosed Isle on the very same day there arriued Quedragant Landin his Nephew Garnate of the Dreadfull Dale Mandacian of the Siluer Bridge and Helye the Deliberate who came to know of Florestan Agraies when they should begin the quest of Amadis de Gaule And because Quedragant purposed to send to the Court of King Lisuart to vnderstand there some tidings by strangers Florestan made him answere that it wold be but lost labor in regard that himselfe had made the like question could know nothing But wee heard by one of his Squires that there happened some difference between them which he corrected in such sort as he is much commended in all places for it I pray you Sir quoth Angriote tel vs what is that Florestan He is answered Dragonis one of the sons of king Perion of Gaule who sufficiently resembleth the goodnes and worth of his two other brethren Hereupon at large he recited the contention between him the Romanes in presence of the Queene Sardamira how his Squire after-ward came to the Enclosed Isle with their Shields wheron in bloody caracters was written each mans name And because they were so shreudly handled by Florestan the Queene sent after to entreate him to be her conduct to Mirefleure whether shee went to see the Princesse Oriana These newes were highly pleasing to the Greeke Knight his associates neuerthelesse when he heard him name Mirefleure his hart began to tremble remeÌbring what delight and pleasure hee had there somtime receiued Wherfore with-drawing himself aside he called Gandalin to him saying My friend Gandalin thou hearest as wel as I these tidings concerning Oriana doest know withal that if they should take effect I could not liue one houre after therefore let me preuaile with thee to doe one thing which I will aduise thee and this it is Goe thou with Ardan to Grasinda and tell her that you two with these other Knights heere present will trauaile to finde out Amadis de Gaule Being come to the Knights secretly tell them that I am heere
being faire and the Sea calme our Greeke Knight and his company coasting along the Mariners had descryed the mountaine whereof the Towne Tagades tooke his name and where King Lisuart as then resided as formerly hath bin related Some of them also went to Grasinda and assured her that if the winde chaunged not they would land her in the Hauen within an houre or lesse and our Knights walking aloft on the Deck of the Shippe declared them-selues thankfull to our Lord for escaping such infinite perils and ship-wrackes as euery minute was incident to them But whosoeuer had the greatest cause of contentment was farre inferiour in ioy to our Greek Knight who since hee set eye on the Country wherein liued all his hope happinesse and support of life was so delighted in his soule as no mans felicity could be answerable to his neither had he power to looke off that long-wished land NotwithstaÌding fearing left his folly should be too plainly perceiued he went downe into the Ship and going to Grasinda said Madame wee are now as your selfe may see at the place which you so much desired and where I hope by the perfection of beautie abyding in you to attaine the full issue of mine enterprise so that you shall safely returne home into your Country with such honour as is iustly due to you For right and reason being both on my side God who is a most vpright Iudge will wholly maintaine the cause for you and me Now albeit Grasinda stood in some doubt of her successe yet perceiuing shee was come so neere to the point where shee must either winne or lose what she much coueted shee made a manifest shew of a resolued assurance answering the Knight in this manner Beleeue me Sir my hope and perswasion is greater in your manhood and good fortune then all the beautie remayning in me But one thing let mee most humbly entreate you that when you are in the chiefest heate of your busines you would fixe before your eyes that you neuer attempted any conquest but you brought it to a full and finall effect In so doing your renowne will highly enlarge it selfe and my ioy likewise whereby I may the more iustly stile my selfe the only happy Lady now liuing It is very expedient replied our Greeke Knight that we now consider what is to be done You haue a Gentle-woman attending on you who hath a quicke and apprehensiue spirit being named Gonisesa and she speakes French very perfectly we will deliuer her a Letter which shee shall present to King Lisuart and his Queene Brisena who doe both of them well vnderstand and speake that language Expresse charge must bee giuen to the Gentlewoman that she make no answer to any question demaunded of her but in French onely After she hath concluded with them hee shall returne hither againe to vs because we purpose to stay in this place for her comming backe Grasinda liked this motion exceeding well wherefore without any longer delay the Gentlewoman was called and the Letter giuen her then shee entred into a small Barke with her father and two other Knights that were her brethren Not much differing from the same instant the Greeke knight gaue order to Lasinde Bruneoes Squire to follow after her without her knowledge thereof for a more certaine obseruation of her entertainment in the Court and what speeches should bee vsed to her after her leaue taken of the King And the better to colour his presence there hee had expresse command to pretend a diligent inquisition for his Master saying to such as demaunded any newes concerning him that he saw him not since hee left him sicke in Gaule when he vnder-tooke the quest of Amadis meaning to returne to him againe so soone as he could So departed Lasinde hoping right well to accomplish his enterprise Soone after the Gentle-woman arriued at the Town where she was heedfully obserued by euery one as well in regard of her beautie as for her commendable manner of attendance Passing from streete to streete enquiring where shee might finde the King shee chanced to meete Esplandian with two Merlinson his fist which he was going to flye in the field He perceiuing the Gentle-woman making towards him went and met her demaunding if shee would command him any seruice Faire youth quoth she I seeke for the Kings lodging whither I pray you to be my guide That will I Lady quoth he and gladly shall I shew it you if you do not know it A thousand thankes sweete youth answered the Gentle-woman Then Esplandian tooke hold on the reines of her Palfray and serued her as a Squire leading her Palfray to the Palace where after she was dismounted hee conducted her to the King whom they found walking in a Gallerie with the chiefest Ambassadours of Rome according for the marriage of his Daughter to the Emperour The Gentle-woman falling on her knees before him humbly saluted him with these words Sir if it might so please you that the Queen and all her Ladies were here in presence I should then deliuer a message to you from her that hath sent me hither to you And if it so fall out that any of them doe finde her selfe interessed by such matter as I am to let them all vnderstand she must essay if she thinke good to finde out one to defend her against a good knight who purposeth to be heere very speedily prouided that your Maiesty do graunt him safe conduct Truely Damosell answered the King wee will not hinder you in your charge Whereupon immediatly he sent Count Argamont his Vnkle and Arban king of North-wales for the Queene who stayed not long but came thither with her Ladies Then the strange Gentle-woman kissing her hand and making a low obeysance spake thus Madame if that which I haue in charge to deliuer from her who hath sent me hither shall seeme any way straunge to you you haue the lesse reason for it considering that this Court is renowned all the world ouer for the very greatest mââ¦a is and rarietie of aduentures heere happening which my selfe also haue knowen for truth and that neuer any knight Lady or Damosel returned hence discontented And thereby I am resolutely perswaded that I shall finde no lesse fauour heere then others formerly haue done wherefore receiue this Letter and if you please to allow of the contents therein set downe you shall soone see the most gentle Greeke knight and the fairest Princesse in the world of whom hee hath charge Then the King commanded the Letter to be publikely read that euery one might heare what it contained The Letter sent from Grasinda to the Potent King Lisuart MOST high and magnanimous Prince I Grasinda fairest of all the choycest beauties in Romania doe giue you to vnderstand that I am newly arriued in your land vnder the guard and conduct of a Greek Knight onely vpon this occasion that as I haue already bin precisely iudged and confessed for the fairest woman of al them in
I should be his wife But if you compell me thereto you shall commit a most haynous sinne for it must bee done in despight of my selfe and I am certaine that I shall sooner consent to mine owne death Deare Daughter answered the King think you that I respect not your good honor as I ought to doe Father quoth she I know not how you vnderstand my good honor but this I can assure you that if you separate me from you you will be an homicide to your owne blood Then she fell into such sighes and teares as the King was enforced to forsake the Chamber and leaue her shee moned so much pity in him Then Arban King of Northwales stept to her and hoping to comfort her said Madame you haue alwayes hitherto bin esteemed wise it appeares that now you will wander from that good reputation Do not you know that there is due remedie for all things It may be the King wâll better aduise himselfe if you knew which way he might be won thereto Ah my royall Cousin answered she seeing Fortune is so aduerse to me determines to worke her vttermost malice on me depriuing you many more of al means of succouring me by force of arms wherein you haue past through infinit dangers to deliuer afflicted Ladies Damosels from tribulations let me then at least entreate you to helpe me with your good word in counselling the King from doing me such shame except he intends to tempt God and constraine that happinesse which alwayes to this instant hath attended on him vtterly to forsake and abandon him leauing in steed thereof all mischiefe and misery For Gods sake therefore returne againe to him and find some meanes to bring him hither once more with mine olde noble Vncle Count Argamont and Don Grumedan to the end that you three together may the better preuaile with him In vttering these words the wofull Princesse was so grieuously afflicted that she seemed rather dead then aliue for she fell downe on the ground in a swoune which King Arban seeing he departed out of the Chamber while Mabila and other Ladies who were then about her might minister some helpe to her in this extremity He went to the King and told him all that Oriana had said to him which moued him to such compassion as his inward distraction might be very easily discerned Notwithstanding for all the perswasions he could vrge vnto him he would not goe to her vntill Count Argamont and olde Grumedan were so earnest with him that at last he yeelded And as they entred into her Chamber they be held her former traunce as yet to continue wherefore he went neerer to her and taking her in his armes said Deare Daughter speake to me but she moued neither hand nor foote but lay as if she had bin dead At length by the helpe of Vineger and cold water her spirits came to her again she breathing forth a vehement sigh able to breake a strong heart in sunder seeing her Father so nere said vnto him An my deare father take pity on me Sweet child quoth he what wouldst thou haue me do Sir said she before you send me away from you I beseech you consider what harmes will ensue For neuer will I see Rome rather shall the Sea deliuer me from that hell and so shall you be the cause of two euils together First of my disobedience to you onely by your selfe enforced Next of the dismall homicide which your daughter must and will acte vpon her selfe By which meanes in thinking to combine alliance and loue with the Emperour he knowing my destruction wrought in the meere despight of him she shall receiue iust occasion of eternal hatred to you and not he alone but all such as shall heare of so lamentable a disaster So that looke how much you haue been renowned through the world for a benigne mercifull and vpright Prince so much the more will you then bee condemned for the most cruell pââ¦lesse and yron hearted man that euer ââ¦ed Pardon me deare Sir the extremity of my aâââction makes me speake what I doe which if you conceite to be vttered too vnreuerently take such due vengeance on my indiscretion as best shall like your selfe for you can inflict no paine or torment on mee so grieuous as that which already you haue prepared for me in depriuing me of your fatherly presence Daughter quoth he I vnderstand you very well your mother shall tell you what I am determined to do therfore do not thus discomfort your self but be of good cheare and perhaps you shall haue your own desire The King made her this promise because his heart was oppressâd with sorrow as he could not speak any longer And indeed the Queene then came in who beholding her Daughter in such wofull condition was much amazed thereat for Oriana no sooner saw her Mother but she fell into a swoun againe In which time the King left the Chamber committing her to the care of women who were not a little busie about her After the was somewhat recouered as the Queene demaunded how she fared the wofull Oriana opening her eies which in a manner were quite drown'd in teares beganne to looke vpon her very ruefully and with a voyce meerely forced said Alas deare Mother my present estate is much better then it should be or I in heart could wish it for Death now is my onely desire and thereto my spirit soly inclineth seeing my selfe vtterly forsaken of the King you Your intent is to send me to Rome but the voyage I shall make will not be halfe so far because I will leaue you my body whereof you haue disposed against all reason render my spirit to God who wholly hath souerainge power ouer it The Queene being moued with much compassion replyed thus Sweet Daughter the King loues you so dearely as he thinkes on nothing else but what may be for your good and best aduantage wherefore should you then thus torment your selfe Why Madame Mother answered Oriana doe you think this banishment of mine so aduantageous for me Why doe you say that the King my Father loues me shewing himselfe more mercilâ⦠to me then euerany father did to his child Here you must vnderstand that during this woefull conference betweene the Queene and her Daughter the King was walking in his Garden accompanied with very few Count Argomânt seeing him very pensiue and melancholy considering on what the Princesse had said vnto him conceited with himselfe that now he was become better aduised whereupon he went to him saying My Lord I think my selfe a most happy man that I can compasse any occasion to tell you that which duty bindeth me to doe knowing you a wise and vertuous Prince easie to vnderstand what good is got by euill meanes Neuerthelesse my late commiseration of your Princely Daughters present estate constrayneth me now to remember you of that which I heeretofore haue said concerning her And I humbly
Grumedan gaue him the good night and went to his owne lodging whether he sent for two knights his kinsmen speaking thus to them You know the Combate which I haue vndertaken to morrow against three Romanes and because you are they in whom I haue most confidence I would make choise of no other Knights then you to second me in so good an action They accepted this offer very ioyfully and reputed themselues highly honoured thereby so they departed to make ready their Armes and Grumedan entred into a Chappel where hee remained in prayer till the next morning and then went to make all things fit for him As he began to arme himself the Damosell belonging to Grasinda of whom you haue formerly heard suddenly came thither bearing one of the goodliest Swords that euer was seene and saluting Grumedan spake thus Sir the Greek knight who dearely loues and respects you for the manly spirit alwayes knowen to be in you hath sent you this Sword which he frankely giues you as being one of the best knights in the world and it is the very same wherewith not long since he chastised the Romaines in your presence By me he tels you further that he hath heard of your vrgent necessity for two Knights to assist you in this fight wherefore he hath left two of his own associats whom he reputes no way inferiour to himselfe and prayes you for his sake to make vse of them and not to imploy any other in this busines Faire Damosell quoth he I humbly thanke both the Knight and you for the great pains you haue taken to bring me these tydings which are not a little welcome to me So receiuing the Sword it seemed to him one of the best that euer he had seene and guirding it on his thigh he said to the Damosell Truely the Greek knight hath done much for me considering the small knowledge we haue together and God giue mee grace that I may make amends for this fauor one way or other His two friendly companions quoth she do attend you and are ready to enter Combate so soone as you shall please therefore slacke you no time for I saw the three Romaines as I came hether in good forwardnes to their owne dishonor Then the horse was brought which Florestan had giuen him the very same which hee conquered before the Queene Sardamira and being mounted thereon he rode softly to the place where the Combate should be performed There hee found the two knights that were come to helpe him and they saluting one another Grumedan said vnto them Gentlemen I know not who you are but that which you come to doe for me giueth apparant testimony that all my life-time I must acknowledge you for my dearest friends As he ended these wordes they saw the three Romaines enter the field with Trumpets and Clarions sounding before them and making such a noyse in the ayre as it ecchoed round about in euery place Instantly was the King mounted on his Scaffold who casting his eye euery-where as exspecting Grumedan hee saw him betweene the two knights and the Damosell whom he knew so soone as he beheld her But he could not deuise who they were that tooke part with Grumedan wherefore he called to the Damosell and demaunded of her if she had brought them Sir said shee the good are euermore supported by such as themselues are and that is the reason why the Greek knight vnderstanding the loyaltie of Lord Grumedan and the Combate he had vndertaken against the Romaines also what slender meanes he had of helpe at this present all the best knights being now absent from your Court Hee hath therefore sent two of his owne companions whom you may esteeme little inferiour to himselfe in all those good parts belonging to manhood And thus Sir you may also assure your selfe that Grumedan neuer exspected any supply for he neuer knew thereof till such time as he was ready to mount on horseback and that I my selfe presented them to him Trust mee Damosell answered the King the Greeke knight hath done much for him especially in such a necessity Scarcely were these wordes ended but the three Romaines came before the Kings Scaffold speaking to him so loude as all might heare them in this manner Sir in regard that we haue resolued with our selues to carry the heades of three Knights to Rome that dare presume to combate with vs. We humbly desire that you will not bee displeased therewith although Don Grumedans head be one of them which yet you may helpe by sending word to him that if hee will deny his former words heere before your Maiesty and freely confesse that we Romaines are the best knights in the world we are contented to forgiue all Doe quoth the King that which you come to doe and hee that remaineth conquerour let him deale with his enemie as best pleaseth himselfe By this time the Queene and her Ladies had taken their seates accompanied with Guillan le Pensif and Cendill de Ganote both yet so weake by reason of their sicknesse as they could hardly support them-selues For Guillan was newlie deliuered from a continuall Feuer and Ganote had both his legges shotte through with an arrow as the King was hunting in the Forrest Now the Queen much mis-doubted that Fortune would deale frowardly with the good old Grumedan and therefore calling Guillan to her demaunded his opinion in this case Madame quoth he the hazards of fights are euermore in the will of heauen and the good right of the Combatants but not in the armes strength nor in the presumption of men Wherfore Madame we all knowing Grumedan to be wise a vertuous Knight and as honest a man as the world can yeeld far differing from the ouer-weining pride of those men that he hath to deale withall it makes me verily think that weak as I am if I were in his place I should easily winne the honour of the day This answere did highly content the Queene yea and in such sort that she conceiued better hope of Grumedans victory then formerly she had done Now the Knights on eyther side encountred together so furiously as their Launces flew vp in many shiuers but there befell such an accident as neuer happened in King Lisuarts Court before for the three Romanes were all vnhorsed and none of the other lost so much as a stirrop wherefore turning their faces readily they saw them lye on a heape together Hereupon Bruneo de bonne Mer one of them which the Damosell brought to helpe Grumedan said to him Seeing wee haue let the Romanes perceiue that we know how to breake our Launces it were very vnreasonable that we should assaile them any longer on horsebacke for they being downe let vs descend also Be it as you please answered Grumedan and dismounting from their horses being couered with their Shields manly they marched against the Romanes to whom Angriote spake so loud as hee could thus Beleeue me Gentlemen of Rome I thinke you make little
long time in my house not like a great Prince and Lord as you are but rather in the nature of a meane Knight errant And you had reason to conceale your selfe from me for if I had so well knowen you then as now I do I should haue strouen with my best endeauour to doe such honour as you iustly deserue Sweete Madame said he neuer vse such words in regard you haue done so much for me as I remaine obliged vnto you while I liue Walking on in this conference they entred into the Palace of Apolidon where they found the Tables couered for dinner and the meate already serued in Scarcely were they set downe but Angriote Bruneo and the Damosell came in before them where we need make no doubt of their hearty welcome And as Amadis had questioned them what issue Grumedans Combate had against the Romanes they related to him that the King was fully minded to deliuer his Daughter to the Emper ours Ambassadours and that within three or foure dayes at the vttermost Heereat Amadis was so moued that his colour presently chaunged as being doubtfull that either they should not haue time enough for her rescue or that they of the Enclosed Isle would not partake with him in such an enterprise against King Lisuart Therefore to feele how they stood affected to his purpose so soone as the dinner was ended falling into much variety of discourse and growing into some reportarie of his long voyage at last thus he beganne with them My worthy and honourable friendes for ought I can perceiue matters are much altred in Great Brittaine since we haue bin out of it and the King hath got him another kinde of humour then he was wont to haue in precedent times For I haue seene and knowen that he would readily more regard the affaires of poore distressed Ladies then matters of most moment concerning himselfe Notwithstanding to my no little amazement he is bent to the destruction of his own naturall daughter that peerelesse Princesse Madame Oriana then whom neuer was childe more diligent and respectiue of her parents then from time to time she hath alwayes declared her selfe And yet as Angriote and Bruneo doe plainly tell me without regard of all this duty and obedience euen in the meere despight of her and contrary to the iudgement of all the Lords of Great Brittaine he hath relegated and confined her to the onely man in the world whom she most hateth which moueth me so much to commiserate her case as if you would both beleeue me and lend me your assistance we would free her from this thraldome and set her at libertie Sighing and pausing a while hee began againe in this maner What-soeuer I haue said my deare-esteemed kinsmen and friends assure your selues that I will not vndertake any thing without your counsell and furtherance And yet wee should all remember the solemne oath we made to the Queene Brisena at the very last Court held in the City of London where wee then sware neuer to suffer wrong to be done to any Lady or Damosell if she required helpe of vs. Shall we now then endure that she shall be captined and vyllie entreated of whom heeretofore we haue receiued so many honorable fauours Shall the Ladies and Virgins of her company be carried away perforce and for euer banished from their owne country Before God I speake it if we doe suffer this haynous indignity we are well worthy of eternall blame without any excuse or pretence to shield vs nay we shall fall into the base reputation of recreant and vnworthy knights regardlesse both of honour and Armes Let vs then aduise here together what you think meetest to be done For as concerning my selfe I determine to deferre a voyage long since by me intended as not many dayes since I made knowen to my Cousin Agraies Florestan and others by Gandalin and now with such Ships as I should finde heere labour so much as lies in me to breake the purpose of King Lisuart and rescue so many wronged Ladies Among whom next to the most wofull Princesse Oriana is vertuous Olinda whom the King in this new-deuised tyranny will compell to marry Saluste Quide albeit vtterly against his owne liking And now Lords let me mooue one matter to you I would gladly know by what autority he can warrant this crueltie to them that are none of his subiects neither borne within any of his Dominions There is my Cousin Mabila sent by the King her father into Great Brittaine not to be confined for Rome but to remaine with the Queene and keep the Princesse Oriana company to whom her loue hath alwayes bin such as neuer could bed greater betweene two Princesses And I much maruall that his whole kingdome doth not reuolt against him or at least some bold and hardy Knight vnder-take the cause to counter check his folly honorably by Armes We see deare friends that no one as yet steppes forth in the action and therefore I would entreate you that according to the ancient commendable custome diligently obserued among alknights errant you would be carefull that such a shamefull and dishonourable deed may not be done In so doing we shall winne more fame and true renowne then euer hitherto we haue done without any euill imputation or sinister misconstruction Tell me then what you thinke here-of to the end that according to some resolued conclusion we may take order for the most expedient execution Then Agraies whom it neerest concerned as well for his Sister as for the honorable affection he bare to Olinda as hath bin declared to you in the first booke answered before them all in this manner I know not where the man is that would be dull or slow in so acceptable an enterprise considering that before you my Lord and Cousin arriued here we were all assembled in this place to make prouision for this in conuenience And now that you finde vs so conformable to your will I am certaine that no man among vs is of any other minde but that Fortune meerely calles vs to vndertake the businesse and promises vs an vndoubted victory For she seemeth weary that she hath fauoured King Lisuart so long a time and he makes no acknowledgment thereof any manner of way Why should hee send my Sister against her wil into a strange countrie Did my Father giue her him to dispose of at his pleasure You all know that soone after our departure from Great Brittaine I demanded her of the Queene but she denyed me sending me word by Gandales that she would keepe and respect her as her owne person Is this then kindship or courtesie to keepe her in such sort as to ouer-throw all her fortunes in the end Mabila hath she no other place of retirement but to the Court of the Emperour Is not the kingdome of SCOTLAND of sufficient opulencie for her breeding and education Striking his hand on his brest with a very small pause he brake forth againe thus I
protest before God this dealing of King Lisuart is both vile and dishonourable yea and so farre off from common reason that I had rather die a thousand deathes if it were possible for me then not to be reuenged and already I haue acquainted the King my Father herewith that he may prouide some remedie for it In the meane while let me entreate you al my honorable Lords and friends to lend me your assistance especially you whom this iniurie toucheth as neerely as my selfe it being offered not only to the person of my Sister your Cousin and neere kinred but also to Olinda others for whom according to our solemne oath and promise as my Lord Amadis hath well remembred wee ought in duty to steppe forth and stand as their protectors and defenders Lords said Quedragant as for my selfe I am ready to depart when it shall please the company and if I make any spare of my paines let me be excluded from all good opinion and I beleeue there is no man heere among vs but he will say as much as I haue done For if wee hazard our liues often and vpon little or sleight occasion we haue great reason now to aduenture further and not to be sparing of our very vttermost endeauour How say ye my friends haue I not spoken the trueth Then euery one answered that no danger or death should cause any deferring but it required quicke and speedy diligence to keepe the Romanes from passing through the straites of the Mediterranean Sea before any fight were made vpon them Easily quoth Amadis shal we make this prouision for to morrow morning wee will be all well shipt and winne the way before them which was set downe for a full resolue Now Grasinda was present at all this conference and she to giue them the more encouragement said Before God Gentlemen your enterprise is high and worthy of the greatest commendation considering that beside the good you shall doe to her whose helpe and rescue you intend you shal giue example to many other worthy Knights either of this or any other strange Country that heereafter by your imitation they suffer no shame or wrong to be done to any Lady or Gentlewoman whatsoeuer Wherein you will make your selues so memoratiue to them that she or they that now liue or shal many hundreds of yeares hereafter will sing rare Peans of your praises Madame answered Amadis God enable vs to effect our enterprise according as I know you heartily wish it In the meane while if you be so pleased you shal remain here in the company of Ysanie the good old Gouernour of this Island who shall be as obedient to you as to my selfe Maister Elisabet must go with me because I repose great trust in him My Lord quoth she you may dispose of me and mine according as to you seemeth best Amadis humbly thanked her and gaue command that euery man should bee prepared to go aboord those Ships by breake of day which Agraies and Florestan had there readily furnished according as they had order sent them by Gandalin Then the next day being all embarqued they set saile directly for Great Brittaine hoping to meet with the Romans as afterward they did CHAP. XVIII How King Lisuart deliuered his Daughter Oriana to the Ambassadors of the Emperour and other Ladies with her to be conueyed to Rome And how they were soone after rescued by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle THe day being come according to King Lisuarts promise that he would deliuer his Daughter to the Romanes to be conducted to the Emperour hee continuing constant in his wilful opinion without any possibility of alteration either of pitty to her importunity vsed by the Queene and all the graue aduice of his Lords to the contrary To effect the full issue of his owne humour he went to her Chamber where sitting downe by her and taking her by the hand thus he spake Daughter you haue euermore shewen your selfe obedient to my will neuer vsing any contradiction will you now hold on in the same mind according as Reason doth require You haue put on a sad and melancholy disposition at the marriage which I haue determin'd for you whereat I am not a little amazed Do you imagine that I would doe any thing but for your benefite and honor or can you conceipt any euill in clination in me towards you I sweare to you vpon my faith that the loue I beare you is so certaine as I do no lesse grieue for your farre absence from me then you can doe your selfe But you doe well know that it is impossible to prouide such an happines for you neerer home Wherefore I pray you that in vsing your wonted wisdome and discretion you would shew a more chearefull countenance reioyce in the great fortune ordained for you being wife to the greatest Prince in the world If you doe besides the high estimation generally to be made of you you shall glad your fathers soule who grieues at your strange alteration as no man possibly can doe more During all these speeches Oriana had her spirits so contracted that she was not able to shed a teare and therefore as a woman out of sense of her own sorrow seeing there was now no further remedy for her with a bolde and stedfast resolution thus shee replied My Lord you haue then for ought I can otherwise perceiue resolued on my mariage to the Emperor but therein happily you haue committed one of the greatest errors that any Prince aliue can doe For first so long as my life lasteth I shall neuer loue the husband you haue chosen for mee and next I am very certaine as oftentimes I haue told you already that I shall neuer see Rome rather shall the fishes vse their mercy to me then I will goe to a home that is my hell or dwel where I can haue no affection or desire And I am of the minde that you could not be heereto induced or perswaded but onely in the loue you beare to my Sister being desirous to leaue your inheritance to her and make mee heire to all the miseries in the world Neuerthelesse God who is iust will neuer suffer this your vnreasonable purpose to take effect sooner he will marry mee to my death When the King heard Oriana answere in this manner pitty and anger mixing themselues together made him likewise change his former language and thinking to win her by menaces said You play the foole with me and you will not yeeld for all the entreaties I can make but if you dallie thus with me any longer insteed of wiuing you to the Emperour I will wed you to the Tower and where you shall see neither Sunne nor Moone My Lord quoth she you can not commit me to a more hatefull prison then Rome and you shall doe me a great grace to make me an euerlasting dweller in your Tower Then arose the King very highly displeased and leauing her went to the Queene
messengers to our kinred and friends to supply vs with their best succour when we shall require it Such was the answere of Quedragant and approued by all the Knights there present whereupon it was concluded that Amadis should send a messenger to his father King Perion of Gaule also Agraies into Scotland Brunco to the Marquesse his father and Quedragant to the Queene of Ireland of whom he should haue many able men if her husband King Cildadan brought no worse then he did to the ayde of King Lisuart This was made knowne to the Princesse Oriana and their finall deliberation for procurement of peace As thus they continued in these conferences some of them standing in the gazing windowes which had full view vpon the fields they espied comming from the coast that gaue entrance into the Isle a Knight all armed with fiue Squires attending on him who when hee drew neerer they knew him to be Briande Moniaste sonne to Lazadan King of Spaine of whose arriuall they were all right ioyfull for hee was an amiable bold and hardie Knight and as courteous as any whatsoeuer Hee espying so great a company there together vpon their comming foorth to meete him began to grow doubtfull that they had heard some euill tyding of Amadis for whose sake and search hee had expressely left the King his fathers Court But perceiuing that their intention was to salute him and seeing Amadis there among them he instantly alighted and running to embrace him said Trust me my Lord the quest I vndertooke to heare newes of you is sooner ended then I expected for I was giuen to vnderstand that you were so closely hid as it was a matter impossible to finde you but God be praised for it me thinkes I see you in very sound health Cousine quoth Amadis you are most kindely welcome hether assuring you that as Fortune hath released you from one toyle and trauaile so now she hath as readily fitted you with an other answerable both to to the time and place where your presence and imployment may much auaile vs as you hereafter shall heare more at large In the meane while I thinke it conuenient that you should be disarmed and then wee will tell you our mindes afterward So taking him by the hand hee conducted him to his lodging where as they were taking off his Armes seeing such store of Knights flocke more and more about him he sayd to Amadis My Lord I am verily perswaded that so faire an assembly of worthy and valiant men could neuer be thus met together but vpon some extreame vrgent cause therefore I pray you tell me what it is Hereupon Amadis amply related to him how and in what manner all things had past especially the churllish ingratitude which King Lisuart vsed not onely to the Knights that had done him infinite seruices but also to his owne children enforcing one of them through ouergreedie and great auarice to bee disinherited from her right and meerely against her will sent to Rome to be wife to the Emperour and that is Madame Oriana And this is the cause that so many of vs are here assembled together quoth Brian is the Princesse Oriana at Rome No replied Amadis we haue forcibly taken her from the Romans that had the charge of her conuoy And now at this present shee is here in this Pallace with all the Ladies and Gentlewomen that were in her companie Now shall we easily redeliuer theÌ except King Lisuart determine more respect of them then hitherto he hath done Afterward he told him what was resolued on by them all which Brian liked as well as they albeit hee conceiued that the iniuries of two such potent Princes by this defeature would not bee suddenly appeased Notwithstanding seeing that which was done could not be recalled he dissembled his cogitations and onely answered thus I know King Lisuart to be one of the most reuengefullest Princes this day liuing and very hard to endure an iniurie therefore you must quickly consider on some resistance if he shall offer to assaile you and I hold it more requisite to take order for all inconueniences which may ensue by his means then to consume time in friuolous words Of one thing I am highly glad that Madame Oriana and her women haue so happie a retirement and I would gladly see her if you please Let me tell you Sir answered Amadis my Cousine Agraies and my Brother Florestan are appointed to make her acquainted with our deliberation and you may goe along with them being well assured that it will be no meane ease to her to conferre with you on her misfortunes in priuate No time was delayed in going to her but before they would presume to enter her lodgings they sent her word that they came to her from the whole company Hereupon their entrance was admitted and she went to meete them especially Brian whom she had not seene in a long time and therefore as he did her reuerence she said vnto him Cousine you are come hither in a very good time to defend the libertie of a Lady who stands in great neede of such helpe as yours Madame said he I had not so long delayed my comming hither but that presently after the seuen Kings ouerthrow in Great Brittaine the King my father commanded my home returne to with-stand the warre which the people of Affrica made vpon him And scarsely was it ended but I vnderstood my Cousine Amadis was so farre distant from his friends through some conceiued griefe or displeasure as no tidings could be heard of him Wherefore fearing least he was lost for euer I resolued to enter vpon his quest both in the loue and reuerence I beare vnto him This was the occasion that drew mee from Spaine being fully perswaded that I should sooner haue notice of him here then in any other place else whatsooner And Fortune I thanke her hath guided mee hither where I haue met with apt occasion not onely to doe him seruice but also for you royall Princesse for which great kindnesse Oriana returned him infinite thankes But now before I passe on any further I thinke it very necessarie to tell you what was the principall motiue and reason why so many good Knights and worthy men should beare such honour and good will to this Princesse Asiure your selues it was not for any guifts or presents she had bestowed on them she being as yet voide of all meanes to that effect Much lesse for any fauour by Amadis borne to her the loue betweene them both being kept so secret as you haue heard at large in the precedent Bookes But indeed she was so humble wise and debonnaire that by her meere humility and courtesie shee knew how to steale the heartie affections of euery one A matter so apt and proper to heroyick persons and them deriued from great place as they haue no other powers or faculties but such as make them to bee more honoured praised and esteemed Consider then in what
reputation they ought to be held who by ouer-strange persumpsion haue delight in all immodest behauiour when all is duely weighed they beget the peoples disfauour a secret contempt among all good mindes yea and distaste of many of their owne appearing wel-willers that particularly desire their ruine to abate the ouer-weening pride they take in such wickednesse Gracious language apprehensiue grauitie and humble modestie are so proper and peculiar to Princes and great persons that whensoeuer they but speake it begetteth their subiects cordiall loue absolute obedience with a generall foare of offending And the contrary is so deadly daungerous as nothing can be more harmfull to them Let vs conceiue then how well it agrees with a knot of such base minded companions to put on a boasting spirit of brauerie as thinking by their outward glorious appearance to make them-selues respected and feared Before God mee thinkes they should consider both what they are and what they shall bee then they may easily know of them-selues that they are full of shame and all disgrace and for such I am content to leaue them returning againe to our former purpose Vnderstand now that after Oriana had a long while conuersed with Brian shee called for the Queene Sardamira and said vnto her See Madame here is the sonne to the King of Spaine I am sure you know him yet Then the Queene going neerer to him after she had very graciously saluted Brian entred into so serious a discourse with him that Oriana found the meanes of leauing them together So with drawing her selfe aside she called Agrates and Florestan to her entreating them earnestly to acquaint her with the cause of their comming Agraies wholly related to her whatsoeuer had passed among them in councell what true and honorable affection all the Knights did beare her and lastly what resolution they had agreed on concerning her cause desiring her withall to send backe her minde whether she liked their intention or no. Alas Sir quoth she they are all so wise and vertuous as no bad thought can preuaile among them One thing I would most humbly request of them that euen for Gods sake to seeke some meanes if possibly they may and agreeing with their honour to worke my peace with the displeased King my father Then pretending to whisper some thing in the eare of Agraies Florestan as one not to learne ciuility retired thence leauing them both together When Oriana perceiued she might speake at libertie she began her womed ââ¦onings to him in this manner Deare Cousine although I haue great hope in the prouidence of your kinsman Amadis and in the loyall affection which all these Knights doe beare me yet mee thinkes reason requireth that I should most of all relie on your fidelity in regard of my bounden dutie to the King your father and the Queene your mother affording me such princely entertainment in Scotland as also for gracing me with the companie of your sister Mabila of whom onely next vnto God I hold my life For without the comforts which she hath many times giuen me ãâã the very strongest ãâ¦ã tunes a long time since I had beene buried and depriued of any ioy in this world And albeit I haue now no meanes or power to acknowledge either towards them or you so many obligations of due debt yet my hope is that time hereafter will better ãâã In the ãâ¦ã thinke it not amisâe that familiarlie I let you vnderstand what heauie burdens of griefe I beare And for my first beginning sparing to speake what wrongs the King my father hath done me let mee entreate you to procure euen to your vttermost power an honorable peace betweene him and your Cousine Amadis For I make no doubt considering the ancient comitie betweene them and the iust occasion you all haue of scarse wishing him well that hardly will these matters begun grow to any other end then most heauie misfortune nay ãâã ruine on both sides except such ãâã as you shall make be well qualified with good counâ⦠prouidence which I know is ãâ¦ã abounding in you Wherfore once more I desire you as well to anoyde such a maine inconuenience as also to protect mee from suspition of forraine nations who may hereafter make doubt of my innocence and maculate my good reputation which is more precious to me then life that you would all consider what I haue said to you Madame answered Agraies as concerning the good entertainement you receiued in Scotland the King my father and the Queene did no more therein then they ought to doe and such I am sure was their affection towards you that in all things which their vnderstanding could reach vnto there wanted no loue or kindnesse in them to you as their best respected allie and kââfewomen Now as concerning my sister and my selfe our actions shall daylie make knowne to you in what vnfeigned respect we hold you desyring you to beleeue thet you may command vs as they that couet nothing more then your good and honour preferring them before our owne liues And whereas you wish me to forget the iniurie which the King your father hath done not only to mee but to all my kinred and friends assure your selfe Madame the wound was made so wide and deepe as it will neuer be healed while I liue It was no little ingratitude to vs denying my Lord Amadis my selfe and many other good Knights the humble request we made vnto him to giue the Isle of Mongaza to mine vnckle Galuanes who dearely deserued it and much more considering that it was conquered by his âaâour and vertue that became an humble suter for it Neuerthelesse for your loue and honou I am content to dissemble my distaste and deferre for some time my iust occasion of wishing him ill especially for banishing vs from his Court so strangely euen as if we had beene his deadly enemies and neuer minding or respecting how many great seruices we had done for him And to let you know that I will wholly imploy my selfe to please you I promise you Madame I will essay to my vttermost to doe as you haue desired me But it would hardly agree with reason that it should be ouer-rashly vndertaken because if I should bee coole in speech now matters being altogether disposed for warre in stead of edging the courages of so many worthy Knights as are now met together in this Isle I should intimidate the greater part of them by hearing mee preach of peace and raise in them an apprehension that I vse such language as being the man first affrighted Wherein I must fall into two euills together which hereafter will redound to the great dammage of vs all but especially mine vnrecouerable shame But some being sent to the King your father and hauing heard his answere I will entreate my worthy friends to doe according as you haue aduised In the meane while mee thinkes you should greeue so little as possibly you may supporting both Time and
persons of so great quality as they all are and the case so important In which respect the conflict happened betweene vs and the Romans according as thou sawest it wherein we tooke many prisoners and reââued he Ladies from their hands But to mediate the matter with King Lisuart and my Cousin ãâ¦ã shall speedily part hence with expresse order from vs all to worke by humble intercession that he would take in good part what wee haue done and receiue Madame Oriana with all her attendants into his fauour againe And yet wee stand resolued that if he will not accept our honest offer but proudely despise it to stand vpon our guarde against him our good friends and kinred backing vs among whom Gandalin thou maist assure him that we reckon him as the chiefest and therefore doe humbly entreate him to helpe vs in so reasonable a necessitie See also the Queene my mother and kisse her hand on my behalfe Pray her to send hither my sister Melicia to keepe companie with these other Ladies among whom she may learne many singular qualities But before thou goest hence know of my Cousine Mabila if shee will command thee any seruice thither and make some means to speak with the Princesse Oriana who will not shew her selfe so strange to thee but that thou maist perceiue the estate of her good health and how her affection continueth towards me If Amadis was thus seriously busied about the procuration of good ayde Agraies slept not on the otherside for he instantly sent Gandales into Scotland with expresse charge to the King his father in what need they stood of his assistance Already Landin was gon for Ireland by whom Quadragant entreated the Queene his Niece to send such a sufficient power as possibly she might And yet not to let King Cildadan her husband know thereof for it was against all reason that hee should meddle in the matter considering the couenants and alliances betweene him and King Lisuart Moreouer hee had command to prouide so many shippes for warre as he could and to bring them along with him Brunco de bonne Mer who dearely affected Melicia sister to Amadis wrote to the Marquesse his father and to Branfill his brother about the same busmesse and deliuering his Letters to his Squire Lasinde spake in this manner My honest friend Lasinde thou seest what a number of Knights are here assembled notwithstanding thou must conceiue that the greater part of this businesse coÌcerneth Amadis principally whom beside the vnfeigned loue I beare him I would gladly ayde to my vttermost power for his sister Meliciaes sake to whom I stand obliged in seruice and to none other For should I doe any otherwise I am well assured I should procure his great discontentment which were worse to me then any death And therefore thou must wisely perswade my father to giue vs his best succour shewing him discreetly that this matter is as important to me as to any other and yet not vse one word of Melicia Onely tell him my obligation and dutie to Amadis who hath honoured me with his company in so many places is the onely motiue that commands me And my brother Branfill shall hereby winne more honor then so to sleepe in the cinders of negligence as he doth My Lord answered Lasinde I hope so well to accomplish your command that my voyage shall haue effect equall to your desire And so taking leaue he went away Nor was Amadis vnmindfull concerning the offers made him by King Taffinor of Bohemia at such time as he vndertooke his cause in Combate against Garadan whom he slue and afterward foyled eleuen other Knights belonging to the Emperour Patin Hereupon consulting with his owne cogitatioÌs he determined to send thither Ysanis the ancient Gouernour of the Enclosed Isle a worthy wise Knight to request ayde of him And pursuing this purpose he called for the good old man to whom he said Ysanio knowing the fidelity remayning in you and your euer-readie good will to doe mee any seruice I would entreate you to vndertake a iourney for mee about a matter of great consequence not knowing any Gentleman beside your selfe more apt and answerable for the businesse I would haue you goe to King Taffinor of Bohemia to whom you shall beare Letters of credence from mee giuing him beside to vndestand our occasions and what trust wee repose in his assistance Hee is a Prince magnanimous and bountifull and I trust will not faile me hauing formerly made mee such liberall offers My Lord answered Ysanio I promise you I will doe my duetie Well then sayd Amadis to morrow morning you shall set on-ward but aboue all things Ysanioâ my deare friend I pray you vse dilligence Then hee gaue him the Letter which spake thus The Letter from Amadis to Taffinor King of Bohemia SIR if euer I did any seruice worthie your liking and acceptance the honourable and kinde entertainement which I receiued of you and yours all the while I remained in your Court hath made me much more readie so long as I liue to make no spare of my person but alwaies to be in due preparation for your continuall obedience and seruice Wherefore I humbly entreat you not to imagine that the sending of this present messenger to you is in expectation of any recompence but rather remembring the honest offers you made mee at my departure from Bohemia it drew me on to so much boldnesse as by this meanes of sending to you earnestly to desire you to giue mee aide in abusinesse which nerely concerneth mee and wherewith this bearer will further acquaint you I beseech you Sir to credit him euen as my selfe and to command his dispatch with all possible speed to rid him out of all dread that is readie to sacrifice his life for you And that is Amadis de Gaule sirnamed in many places The Knight of the greene Sworde euermore by you and yours to be commanded CHAP. V. Of the priuate talke which Oriana and Mabila had with Gandalin and what he gaue Amadis to vnderstand concerning them AMbassadours being dispatched to all parts as you haue formerly heard Gandalin being readie to depart for Gaule came to the lodgings of the Princesse Oriana according as his Maister before had appointed him And because no man might enter without command and permission from the Princesse the gate being alwaies kept by one of the auncientest women he sent word to Mabila to know from her if she pleased to write to the Queene her Aunte or to her Cousine Melicia Mabila being acquainted by the Gentlewoman concerning the motion made by Gandalin went and told Oriana thereof so loude as euery one might heare her saying Madame Gandalin is going for Gaule towards King Perion may it please you commaund him any thing to the Queene or to my Cousin Yes mary will I answered Oriana cause him come in that I may speake with him Then Gandalin was addmitted into the Princesse Chamber when seeing him she
returned to his Chamber more sad in soule than appeared by his outward behauiour his melancholie encreased more more vpon him to see himselfe so meanely accompained in worse manner then he was wââ¦re especially when ãâã came told him that the ãâã was very ill through griefe and sorrow mightily seazing on her Hereupon hee went to see her where not finding his daughter nor the other Ladies and Gentlewomen that vsually kept her company his secret conceit of griefe began more plainely to expresse it selfe so that the tears trickled downe his reuerend beard No sooner was hee entred the Chamber but the Queene beholding him fell downe in a swoone yet hauing good helpe about her quickly she came to her selfe again Then the King embraced her in his armes and to comfort her spake in this manner Madame I was perswaded that your vertue and wisedome would preuaile against this womanish weakenesse especially those matters about which you thus afflict your selfe being brought to so good an end that our daughter may iustly stile her selfe one of the greatest Princesse in all Europe Wherefore I pray you be better comforted and if you will not doe it for your owne sake yet let it be done for mine otherwise you will giue mee occasion to misconster worse than I doe The Queen well vnderstanding all that hee saide would expresse no outward appearance thereof but sighed without any intermission which mooued the King to such compassion as he could not refraine from weeping But because hee would not be noted hee went downe into the garden where he walked sadly alone by himselfe till such time as King Arban came vnto him who not seeming to perceiue the Kings sorrow said Sir your huntsmen willed mee to tell you that they haue found in this neare neighbouring Forrest the greatest Hart that euer was seene may it please you to morrowe to goe see the pastime yes with all my heart answered the King As thus they continued talking diuerse Knights came thither who to alter him from his melancholie disposition fell into diuersitie of discourse some of hunting others of hawking so that all the rest of the day they talked of nothing else But the next morning as they were readie to mount on horseback fortune who is seldome satisfied with any passed misfortunes brought a new occasion of much greater sorrowe For some of the Romanes which had escaped from the prisons in the Enclosed Isle presented themselues before the King in very sory and base garments declaring at large all their disaster his daughters surprisal death of the Prince Saluste Quide You may now imagine whether these bad tidings amazed him or no notwithstanding declaring constancie vnconquerable wisdome hee made shew of little or no distaste at all but answered as if the matter concerned him a great way off Friends quoth hee I am sorrie for the death of the Prince Saluste Quide and the mishap befallen to you but for the wrong done mee by them of the Enclosed Isle I haue been vsed to receiue oftentimes to returne also the like Alarums knowing well enough how to reuenge greater iniuries Be of good cheere and at my returne from hunting I will further consider on your businesse Then calling for one of the masters of the house-holde hee commanded them to giue them good entertainement Away rode King Lisuart and his traine declaring a iocond spirit all the way euen till hee was well entred into the Forrest where he continued three whole daies pulling downe many a goodly Deare On the fourth day he returned to the citie and comming to the Queens lodgings shewed himselfe much more cheerefull then euer hee was since his daughters departure So soone as hee was entred his Chamber hee commanded euery one to auoide and sitting downe in a chaire by her thus he began Madame in matters of slender consequence which ensue by accident men may haue some cause to expresse passion and melancholy but as they proceede from ââ¦iall grounds so ought they to bee forgotte with as ãâã remedie But when a man shall bee offended by some one not only in his person and goods but in his honour and reputation then it agrees with good reason not only to declare passion and melancholie but also to practice all meanes of prouision to take vengeance on him that committed the offence and to let the world vnderstand beside how highly the greatnesse of the case hath mooued him to impatience I speake not this to you without cause you haue declared a sorrow too apparant for the absence of your daughter according to the naturall inclination of mothers and yet notwithstanding I should account my selfe happy by a conceiued hope of soone forgetting such griefe But in the tayle as we vse to say is the venomous sting hidden and the end of actions doe approue their good or euill and therefore I must tell you that such an iniury hath lately been done me and toucheth me so neare as I shall neuer take rest till I haue satisfactioÌ answerable to my desire The Romans that had the conducting of your daughter are discomfited the Prince Saluste Quide slaine Oriana and all the other Ladies in her company taken prisoners by the knights of the Enclosed Isle who imagine themselues not meanely happy by such a victorie hauing done as they thinke more than euer any men did in great Brittaine And because the same thereof will soone spread it self thorow the world it is very requisite that you should dissemble sorrow and vse more prudence than passion In so doing you shall remaine highly commended our enemies daunted and I extraordinarily contented hoping to prouide so well in this case as your honour and mine shall be sufficiently defended When the Queene had heard these newes she sate very pensiue not speaking a word And as shee was one of the wisest and best aduised Ladies in the world dearly louing to her husband so could she suddenly consider that it was more necessarie to procure peace betweene the King and the Knights of the Enclosed Isle then to sharpen his fierce spleen against them theirs being also as hotte towards him whereupon she returned him this answer My Lord you haue conceited as best pleased your selfe of my inward affliction for the separation of me and my daughter But as concerning the fauour done her by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle if you doe but well consider the time when you were a Knight errant like vnto them and what you your selfe haue done in the like cases you would gently excuse them in the greater part of their enterprise Doe you thinke that hauing heard the lamentable moanes she made euen commonly noised in euery countrie how in meere despight of her you would marry her to the Emperour that this would not mooue them to lend her ayde No man better than your selfe doth know that nothing is more commended by God and man then helpe and succour giuen to wronged Ladies especially when it
is so vrgently required by very strong reason then ought they to afforde it your daughter whom they haue knowne and well thought on so long a time Beleeue it my Lord they can receiue no shame by the deed and your selfe will confesse in the end that their attempt shold not bee displeasing to you they presuming it may be that you haue beene greatly importuned to this marriage and yeelded thereto against your liking I well perceiue quoth the King that you are not much offended with the matter but rather you can both like and allow thereof but I sweare by God I will make them dearely repent it So rising in a great rage hee flung out of the chamber entring into his owne sound there King Arban Grumedan and Guillan le Pensif who went not from him till hee had tolde them all the conference betweene him and the Queene and what an answere she made him Now because they saw him much incensed they thought good to conceale what the meant to say and mildely by little little brake off these speeches But it chanced on the morrowe following that as the Queene came from hearing Masse Durin brother to the damosell of Denmarke fell on his knee before her and presented her a Letter which Oriana had written to her as followeth CHAP. VII A Letter sent by the Princes Oriana beeing in the Enclosed Isle to the Queene her Mother MAdame although you cannot but be alreadie aduertised of my misfortune such as it is yet I thought it ââ¦ient to let you knowe part of my mournings And as a beginning to this Letâer I beseech you most humbly to consider how mishap hath continually followed mee since my banishment from your Countrie from the King my father and you also than which nothing could be more âââsome to me Neuerthelesse not so satisfied I was burried by such a tempest that the Romans which conducted mee beeing ouercome wee were brought to the Enclosed Isle by them who knowing the wrong done vnto vs hazarded their liues to stay our passage any further And because I stand in doubt that such a matter will not be pacified betweene my father and them without great effusion of blood except you Madame haue some respect thereto I thought fit to send this bearer to you entreating you for the honor of God to take compassion on your poore desolate daughter and worke so much with the King that I may returne againe to him and reobtaine his ââ¦ed fauour hauing no way offended him except hee be displeased that I haue beene too obedient to him for therein onely I confesse my selfe culpable and not otherwise For the rest to tell you how they in whose power I am and the Ladies with me are minded they haue sent Ambassadours to my father as well to knowe how hee likes their succour giuen mee as also to mediate his pittie towards mee Herein Madame according as I haue giuen charge to Durin hee will further instruct you at his arriuall and lend a helping hand to plant peace if you can to such a dangerous warre begun by misfortune for her sake who remaineth Your most humble and obedient Daughter Oriana After the Queene had aduisedly read and re-read ouer this Letter but not without teares shee said to Durin that shee would speake with the King and afterwards giue him an answere And as shee was enquiring of him what entertainement Oriana and her company had in the Enclosed Isle the King came whom shee withdrawing into her Cabinet casting her selfe downe at his feet weeping bitterly shee thus spake to him Alas Sir for the honour of God take compassion on your daughter and read if you please this Letter which she hath sent me The King seeing the Queen so drowned in teares tooke her vp from the ground and receiuing the Letter from her read the contents thereof then to appease the extreamitie of her passions hee thus answered Madame the Ambassadours will soone be here that are sent from thence haue patience till I haue heard them speake They may perhaps giue me such satisfaction as the iniurie which I haue receiued will bee forgotten And they may bring such a message as I will rather consent to mine owne ruine and desolation of all mine estates than to peace Much better doe I affect to die with honour poore and disinherited than to liue amighty King miserably wretched faint-hearted clowded with the teares of you and your daughter Wherefore speake no more hereof to me except you purpose to offend me And so leauing her hee departed out of the chamber Afterward she called for Durin and said vnto him Friend Durin returne to my daughter Oriana and tell her that I can send her no answere vntill the Ambassadors shal be arriued here for the King till then knowes not how to determine on his businesse But assure her I will essay all possible meanes to do what she hath desired me And say I entreate her alwaies to fixe her owne honour before her eyes without which I shall desire her death Bid her remember that a wise and discreet soule is best discerned in aduersitie and not in the flattering times of prosperity And seeing our Lord hath suffered her to bee borne a Princesse and the daughter of so great a King reason doth require that vertue should bee more familier with her than with a body of baser condition in all aduersities whatsoeuer that can happen to her Alwaies committing the managing of her chiefest affaires to God whom I hartily pray to blesse her preserue her in his âase protection vntill such time as we shall meet againe together Durin being thus dispatched by the Queene tooke his way towards the Enclosed Isle and some few daies after his departure as the King was sitting downe to dinner in the great Hall an Esquire suddenly entred who gaue him a Letter of credence which when hee had read hee demanded of the Squire of whence and what hee was Sir answered the Squire I am seruant to Quedragant of Ireland who hath sent me to you about such a businesse as I will relate if you please to heare mee Honest friend said the King speak your pleasure Sâ⦠quoth the Squire my Master Brian de Moniaste being sent from the Enclosed Isle are landed in your countrie to acquaint you with some especiall matters from Lord Amadis de Gaul and other Knights that are in his company But before they passe any further or come neare your Court they send you word by mee vnder your gracious fauor that they require safe conduct for their comming Otherwise they are determined to publish their message in all parts of your Land and in other kingdomes beside before they make returne to them that sent theÌ Wherefore Sir aduise your selfe and send them your intention Well knewe the King whereat the message aymed and therefore he thought it not conuenient that they should proclaime their cause thorough his kingdome a matter not to be done but
him demanding how his Master fared My Lord quoth hee I left him at the Enclosed Isle in very sound health God be thanked for it and in good hope to see you shortly assuring you it will be no little griefe to him when hee shall heare of your long sicknesse As thus they discoursed Norandell entred the Chamber who knowing GaÌdalin asked if Amadis were come thither No my good Lord said he I left him at the pallace of Apolidon where hee refresheth him selfe after his many trauailes in Almaigne Romania and Constantinople My deare friend Gandalin quoth Galaor I pray thee tell mee what thou maist Gandalin declared all his Masters trauailes at large to the no little maruaile of the hearers especially when hee told all the manner of the fight with the monster Endriagus Alas said Galaor when shall I see him Soon enough answered Norandell if you would take some paines to recouer your health Beleeue it quoth Galaor I will do my vtmost endeauour not only for my health but to ease my longing desire to see him My Lord said Gandalin the King gaue me charge not to holde you with any long discourse in regarde of your feeble condition wherefore I pray you to spare my absence now and to morrowe I will keepe you longer company So Gandalin left them and returned to the King whom hee found studying on the businesse for his sonne Amadis and because hee would keep his purpose secret he determined to send Norandell into Great Brittaine although hee was but newly come to his friend hearing what a long sicknesse hee had Hereupon the next morning hee sent for him and euen as if instantly he had heard some nouell aduertisement hee said vnto him Worthy friend this day I haue receiued newes whereby for ought I can perceiue the King your father hath an enterprise in hand wherein your seruice may much auaile him and therefore I would aduise you to go to him But let me entreate you not to talke hereof to Galaor considering in what weake estate he is and it may bee greatly offensiue to him Sir answered Norandell I would bee loath to doe any thing hurtfull to him and humbly thanke your Highness for your good couÌsell to morrow with your leaue I meane to part hence and this day I meane to keep him company Changing this kind of discourse they fell to talke of other matters till Norandel withdrew to his friend Galaor speaking to him in this maner My honourable companion I promised King Lisuart when I parted from him to see him againe within a moneth after wherefore let not my departure so soone bee displeasing to you because I am thereto enforced and so much the rather in regarde I see that the worst is already past with you and you are much better amended then before Moreouer the small time of my Knighthoods employment many others may highly misinterpret by my so long remayning idle and hurle diuerse blamefull aspertions on me which I am sure will be but little pleasing to you knowing that you loue mine honour as deare as your owne Neuerthelesse if your sicknesse should holde on in any long continuance which heauen forefend I promise to see you againe so soon as possibly I can Galaor was much disconted at Norandels wordes because hee tooke great delight in his company notwithstanding thus hee answered vpon my faith albeit you haue great occasion to doe as you say yet your absence from mee will cause no meane griefe Neuerthelesse preferring your honor before my pleasure I am content to let you goe when you will desiring you most earnestly to doe my humble duty to the King assuring him that so long as life remaines in this body hee shall finde me his loyall and faithfull seruant So embracing each other very affectionately they parted but not without wette eyes Norandels Ship lying ready for him and hauing taken leaue of King Perion and his Queene the windes and Seas were so fauourable to him as in few dayes he landed in the port of Vindilisore where King Lisuart was preparing his Armie for the Enclosed Isle No sooner had Norandell set saile but King Perion mustered men from all parts and made shipping likewise ready for their passage to the Enclosed Isle so speedily as might be In the meane while Lasinde the Squire to Bruneo beeing come to the Marquesse diligently executed his commission and by pleasing perswasions compassed his intention also with Branfill who seeing his father somewhat slowe and tardie in the businesse cast himselfe at his feet saying My Lord I would I had beene with my brother to haue fought with the Romanes surely I should haue reputed it for one of the fairest fortunes that euer in this life can befall me But seeing my best starres haue fayled mee therein most humbly I entreat you in recompence of that losse to giue mee leaue to goe thither with such succor as you shall please to send I dare assure you father that it will be both for your honor and your sonnes who as you well know haue long time been much bounden to Amadis and his friends Sonne quoth he I am well contented and seeing you haue such desire to warre you shall haue Knights good store to beare you company As indeed hee had for while Branfill was fitting all things in due order for him selfe his father gaue charge for the other expedition of Souldiers Here you must likewise obserue that the good olde Gouernour Ysanio who was sent to King Taffinor of Bohemia found âhere very gracious entertainement knowing that hee came from the Knight of the greene Sword For after hee had deliuered his Letters and his further message fully vnderstood the King said vnto him I promise you Sir vpon my faith I will not fayle him in so serious a businesse but he shall haue all that hee can require Then he called his sonne Grasandor to whom hee declared all that Ysanio had tolde him and the cause of his comming demanding of him if hee would vndertake the voyage for the aide of Amadis who had called him selfe Knight of the greene Sword My Lord quoth he the greatest desire I haue in this world is to enioy the company of so good a Knight and I desire it of you most entirely But because I cannot leauy your army so soon may it please you to let mee goe on before accompanied onely with Twentie Knights then Count Galtines may follow mee and bring the rest with him Beleeue mee answered the King I am well contented and do allow of your aduice for beeing in so worthie a company your vertues will bee greatly encreased And I confesse my selfe so highly beholding to him that hee may well rest assured hee shall wholly dispose of mee and mine For which kindnesse âsanio humbly thankt him and concluded to attend on Galtines to cause him make the more haste In the meane while Grasander embarked himselfe accompanied onely with twenty Knights and parting from the port put on
was not a little mooued and fearing that hee would not keep promise with him a Brigandine was presently prepared and his Nephew Giontes sent in all haste to Rome to know the cause of this delay and so he parted from Vindilisore CHAP. XIII How Grasandor Sonne to the King of Bohemia sayling vpon the Sea met with Giontes and of that which happened to them YOu haue already heard that Grasandor hauing taken leaue of the King his father was shipt to Sea accompanied onely with twenty Knights sayling towards the Enclosed Isle Earely in a morning about sunne rising hee discouered the Brigandine wherein Giontes was which foorthwith hee boarded hauing the winde more at will than the other had Then Grasandor being desirous to know whether hee went commanded ãâ¦ã should come before him for hee had no power of contradiction because hee had none but Manners aboard with him Wherefore hee gaue him to vnderstand that his voyage was to Rome thereto enioyned by King Lisuart entreating that hee might be no longer staied because his businesse required expedition Grasandor replied thus Before God quoth he hee that hath sent you is no well-wisher to Lord Amadis to whom I am an eternall vowed friend therefore you must reli mee your name and what commission you haue to Rome otherwise you cannot easily passe from me If by concealing what you demand answered Giontes the least iot of the King my masters honour might be deminished death could not compell me to disclose it But redounding to his fame with no meane aduantage being a matter of no great secrecy know Sir that my name is Giontes a Knight of Great Brittaine and Nephew to the King of whom I spake who hath sent me to the Emperour to hasten those forces formerly promised him for his intended warre against them that haue wrongfully surprised his daughter Oriana and diuerse other in her company vnder conduct of the Prince Saluste Quide and other Romanes whereof som were slain others takeÌ prisoners Now Sir hauing thus satisfied you I pray you let me be stayed no longer Goe a Gods name answered Grasandor and remember that your King and his Emperour shall sinde with whom they haue to deale if they aduenture to assaile Amadis and them that will be in his company So they parted Grasandor hastening towardes the Enclosed Isle ãâ¦ã beeing ariued hee was most ioy fulle welcomed Amadis and the rest entertayning him in most ãâ¦ã manner Then hee reforted to them how hee met with Gââ¦tes at Sea who went to hasten the Emperour of Romes Army and what other speeches had passed between them Also how the King his father was leuying men in his Kingdome to follow after him with all possible speed and very shortly they were to bee expected with Count Galtines and Ysario who stayed behinde only for their conduct In the meane while quoth hee I as one entirely affected to you am come before to offer you both my loue and seruice You are most heartily welcome answered Amadis the King your father binds mee more and more both to him and you in all I can Now obserue how from that very instant the Army for the Enclosed Isle gathered strength and grew compleate within fifteen daies after For King Perion ariued there with three thousand Gaules all well experienced and hardy warriours Galtines with fifteen hundred Tantiles for Queene Briolanis with 12 hundred Branfill brother to Brunes with six hundred Two thousand were sent by Ladasin King of Spaine to his sonne and other fifteene hundred came from Scotland sent to Agraies besides two thousand which Libeo Nephew to Master Elisabet brought from Grasindaes Prouinces all carrying Turkie Bowes Eight thousand likewise came vnder the conduct of Gastiles sent from the Emperour of Constantinople all these being encamped on a goodly plaine hard by the maine Rock of the Enclosed Isle couragiously expected the enemies comming And you must thinke that it was a goodly sight to behold so faire an assembly for there was not a man among them but his very lookes expressed the resolution of his soule and that hee was a warriour indeed which pleased Amadis so highly as nothing could more content him But the Princesse Oriana thinking continually on such mischances as might ensue in such cases had euermore her eyes filled with tears refusing all comfort that came from the women wherewith Mabila acquainted Amadis who was not a little grieued thereat And seeing he had no better meanes to delight her then to present before her eyes how many valiant men had vnder-taken Armes in her defence hee sent to entreate her that she would bee pleased to behold them on the morrowe all ordered in the forme of a maine battell and therefore secretly gaue the alarum which she and the other Ladies accepted verie pleasingly For from their windowes they could discerne all the field Amadis in the night time had closely ambushed an hundred men and three hundred Harquebuziers to confront them sayling all along the Sea shoar and about ten of the clock the next morning they entred into skirmish the Allarum being giuen on either side The morning after sunne-rising prooued very foggie and mistie so that the Ladies could not discerne any of the sport but after that the sunne had scattered the mists then the warriours ranged their battalions and the Harquebuziers plaied hotly with their shotte so that the Scouts and Centinells fearing to bee surprised on either side made their escapes queint and cunning Then was the whole campe so moued euen as if the heauens had thuÌdered by the noise of Drummes Trumpets and Clarions cheerfully sounding on euery side And as they laboured for winning of Ensines the men appeared like Ants very properly stealing abroad forth of their earth where all summer they made their prouision for winter In the meane while the Ladies were on all sides at their gazing windowes beholding this militarie controuersie which serued as a pleasing passe-time to them by reason of the intelligence Amadis had giuen them thereof the day before As thus they were pell mell together Mabila with a very gracious respect came to Oriana speaking thus By my faith Madame there are many great Princes and Potentates who haue not such plenty of men at command as you haue I referre my selfe to this instant spectacle before your eyes What say you yourselfe Is it not true How happy then were you in making due consideration hereof and how much you can command in him to whom this whole Army affordeth obedience I am perswaded that if King Lisuart and the Emperour which neuer shal be your husband did but beholde what you now doe they would consider twice on their enterprise before they ventured any further forth of their countries Wherefore it is no more then necessarie that hence-forward you should refraine your sighes tears and shew a much more cheerefull disposition then hitherto you haue done Deare Cosen answered Orania it is impossible for mee to be pleasantly
humoured when I consider mine owne instant miserie For well you know that if the King my fathers power and this belonging to your kinsman doe but once ioyne or meete together it will prooue to the ruine of the one or other or perhaps of both together Which were an vnrecouerable mischiefe to me as well for the dutie which nature commandeth in mee to my father as also the affection I beare to Amadis How then can I any way haue coÌtentment would God I were deade rather than I should liue to see such mighty inconueniences With these words the teares streamed aboundantly from her faire eyes Why how now Madame saide Mabila doe you thinke that our Lord hath forgotten you I dare promise you hee will no more leaue you now then hitherto hee hath done if you repose your trust in him For your innocence is generally knowne and that against your will this great a doe hath beene begun therefore neuer grieue your selfe so much because it may fall out the worse for you and be offensiue likewise to my noble Cosen and all the other worthie Knights who desire nothing more than to doe you seruice All this while King Perion since his ariuall had not seene the Princesse Oriana wherefore after this pleasant battaile was ended he demanded of Agraies if hee could compasse the meanes to speak with her because hee would gladly doe her reuerence Agraies made him answere that hee would worke the way for him and presently went to the Princesse acquainting her with King Perions desire Hee shall be most graciously welcome quoth she whensoeuer it pleaseth him to come But deare Cosen what is your opinion of my misfortunes Am not I the most vnhappy creature in the world to see so many great Princes and good Knights troubled and all about my business Madame said hee we are all yours and there is not a man among vs that will not gladly with a good heart be employed in your seruice and all account their paines sufficiently rewarded if you but vouchsafe to accept it Alas Sir answered she I know not how I shal any way be thankfull to you all for this great grace but I will entreate our Lord to requite it Madame replied Agraies if you dislike not what wee doe would be a little more cheerfully humorous then hitherto you haue been you should binde vs all in much more dutie to you Beleeue it Cosen quoth shee I will ãâã with my paâ⦠much as possibly I can And because I vnderstand that the ãâã to the King of ãâã is also ãâã âriued I pray you to let him come along with King Perion So Agraies tooke leaue of her and went to seeke the King of Gaule and Grassandor to whom hee declared that Oriana attended their coÌming and that they should be most kindly welcome Wherefore without any further delaying they went vnto her accompanied with Amadis Florestan and diuerse others Entring into the Princesse chamber shee attended on by the other Ladies and Gontlewomen went to entertaine them And then King Perion who had not seene or spoken to her since shee aboad with the Queene of Scots demanded of her whether shee knew him or no. My Lord quoth she although I neuer saw you more then once yet I do well remember the request you granted mee when you made your sonne Amadis Knight It is true answered the King and seeing you were the cause of the first honour that euer he receiued I hold it reasonable that hee should bee thankfull therefore to you so long as he enioyeth life While thus they talked together Grassandor conferred with Mabila whom hee found so discreetly wise and endued with such singular graces as thence forward he grew enamoured of her so that he married her as you shall read hereafter In the meane space Queen Briolania discoursing with Quedragant shee said vnto him Sir but for our former intelligence of your mornings battaile neuer had women beene in the like terrour and amazement How Madame answered Quedragant was it more dreadfull then the late attempt of your Cosen Tiron No by my faith said shee for then I expected nothing else but death and but for you I had been in the greatest danger that euer could happen to any Lady or Gentlewoman but thanks be to God and your good succor I now haue time to be fully reuenged Madame saide Brian your beauty and vertue doe plainely deliuer that you haue no power to take any such reuenge as you speak of but rather speakes pardon in the fairest language and presumes of more loyalty in him hereafter then precedent times haue warranted from him Truely Sir quoth she I could well like of so good an inclination in him and if you think it meet wee will send for him immediately to vnderstand how his minde is affected assuring you that it would be no little ioy to me if I could kindly reconcile him in regarde he is young my very neare kinsman and of better spirit as I thinke then euer was in his father or other brethren Madame replied Brian you could neuer speake more vertuously then now you do I pray you send for him to the end if hee stand so addicted hee may promise fidelity to you in the presence of so many good Knights as now are here It liketh me well answered she for hee is prisoner to you two and none of mine and therefore dispose of him as you please Instantly was Tiron sent for who being come before so great a company expected no other arrest then death and therefore was not a little amazed when hee heard Briolania thus speake to him Tiron these two Gentlemen whom you know well enough haue entreated mee to shew you mercy and I am well enclined thereto neuer minding the treason of your deceased father against me prouided that you deliberate and promise mee hence-forward to follow vertue as zealously as your life hither to hath beene lewde and wicked Also to make amends for the wrong you haue done mee and endeauour to become a loyall faithfull seruant and doing so I will not vse you as a prisoner but as my Cosen and nearest kinsman Therefore tell mee presently without any dissimulation how you stand resolued for being issued from the royall blood of a King you should highly shame your selfe to deliuer now such wordes as hereafter should not be effectually performed Alas Madame quoth hee if you please to take pitty on me while I liue I will neuer more offend you and therfore I most humbly entreat you euen for Gods sake to forgiue mee As for my fathers transgressions I cannot yeeld you any reason for them considering I was then so young as all remembrance of him is quite bereft me But for mine owne particular I protest and promis to you Madam that I wil be iust faithfull to you if you please to forget my former errour towards you which rather was the guilt of my youth then any other willing sinne If
some Scots among them and six hundred light horse to sallie forth and skirmish vnder the Ensigne of Bâanââll For the battaile Gastâles was Coronall of fiue hundred foote almost all Greekes making a battalion separately of seauenteene hundred Archers who were so industrious in vse of the Turkie bow that at each loose they could deliuer fiue Arrowes together ouer whom Libeâ ââphew to Maâter Elisabet was Captaine and Commander King âârion with Gaudales followed theÌ attended with eighteene hundred horse accoasted by Brian with the reâeguard of 15 hundred Knights for the more part of Spaine sustained by three thousand foot of whom Sadamon had the conduct Then as apointed to supply and âuccour as also to re-enforce and help at all needfull occasions such as were most oppressed Tiron with seuen hundred horse and Madaran for guarding the bagage followed with fiue hundred foot This being thus ordayned euery man was coÌmanded to attend his Colours make ready for departure earely the next morning But now not to swerâe far from our purpose and from that which Archâlaââ all this while laboured to compasse you must vnderstand that so soon as he receiued credible information that the Kings Pârion Lisuârt marched one against the other hee suddenly sent away Garin sonne to Grumell who waââlame by Amadis when hee holpe Oriâââ as you haue heard in the first Booke of this History giuing him expresse charge to stay in no place by day or night vntill âee had aduertised King Aranigne and others of his league and combination of this their proceeding and that with all possible speede they should set forward their Armie and enter into the kingdome of Great ârittaine where he would attend them with his troupes Garin obeying the command of Archalaus trauailed so expeditiously that hee ariued in the great Citie of Araâigâe of which place all the Kings ruling that countrie took their names and there hee found the man hee was directed vnto He acquainted him with the cause of his comming thither and did the like to others to whom hee had the same employment and they hauing their Armies in readinesse concluded to make their generall meeting before the towne of Califan in the countrie of Sansuega there they encamped together to take shipping from thence as accordingly they did so that vpoÌ the day apointed they found their power to consist of twelue thousand and more Setting sayle away they prepared directly for Great Brittaine where they landed neare vnto a Castle which appertained to Archalans who there waited their comming with six hundred Knights all deadly enemies to King Lisuart and Amadis After they had refreshed them-selues some two or thre dayes hauing receiued aduertisement what haste King Lisuart made against them of the Enclosed Isle they dislodged away marching on forward by easie daies iourneyes The aâantguard was conducted by the King of the Profound Isle with sixe hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred foot the charge wherof was giuen to Barsiuan a young Knight as yet and very aduenterous King Aranigne led the main battaile accompanied with fifteen hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred bold voluntaries vâder conduct of six Knights near kinsmen to Brânâayer whoÌ Amadis vanquished in the battaile of the seuen Kings and came now expresly from the Isle Sagââarie as hoping to reuenge the death of their kiâsman To Archalaâs was giuen charge of the rereguard with 5 huÌdred horse and fifteen hundred foot And because the young Duke of Bâstroâe arived there with the latest with some number of light horse hee was apointed for discouery preuention gf way-layings In this order they entred vpon King Lisuââts Land by the closâââ and most hidden waies they could chuse as fearing to be seen vntill they had brought their enterprise to conclusion CHAP. XVII How Gandalin Squire to Amadis and Lafinde Squire to Bruneo de bone Mer were made Knights And of the battaile betweene the two Kings Lisuart and Perion WE haue declared here-tofore that Gandalin had order giuen him by Amadis passing into Gaule to entreate the Queene his mother to send Melitia to keep company with Oriana which King Perion wel allowed of but beholding Galaor still so sickly she was loath shee should depart vntill he were a little stronger Wherefore Gandalin remained there for her conduct so soon as Galaors danger were past which happened within a short while after Hereupon the Queene caused her to bee embarked well accompanied with Ladies and Gentlewomen hoping shee should as yet finde King Perion in the Enclosed Isle But he was departed thence before her ariuall to the no little griefe of Gandalin because he hoped to receiue his Knighthood before the battell should be fought therfore because he might the sooner attain therto he departed theÌce and without staying in any place ceased not tilâ he came to the camp When Amadis saw him he demanded what was become of his Sâster My Lord quoth hee shee is at this instanâ in the Enclosed Isle with the faire Princesse Oriana and humbly commends her selfe to your gracious fauour And my brother Galaor said Amadis is he yet recouered Hee findes himselfe answered Gandalin in much better estate then formerly hee did but yet continueth so weake as hee is not able to leaue his Chamber and come into the open ayre Afterward hee reported all that to him which you haue heard alreadie and said Beleeue me Gandalin thy rydings doe not please mee a little and I am glad thou art returned in so apt a season in regard I hope wee shall haue the battaile before three dayes be fully expired That made me make such haste replyed Gandalin for you knowe my earnest desire to bee knighted and I can neuer receiue it at a more conuenient time nor euer shew my selfe worthie of so great an honor as now And credit me my Lord that but for the knowledge I now haue of your easre sparing mee hauing Madame Oriana in your owne power I would not haue vsed these speeches Wherefore most humbly I desire you to grant mee that this battaile may not bee fought vntill I may bee comprehended therein and that I may reach my longing expectation Amadis sitting silent a while at length thus answered Gandalin the fulfilling of thy request is so irksome to mee that it piââceth my very ãâã and therefore if it were possible I would acquit my selfe thereof Notwithstanding finding it to bee very reasonable I will soâ aside all passion to please thee only being sorry that wee are in such a place where I can get no Armes to giue thee and to doe beside what else is requisite and answerable to thy deseruing My Lord said Gandalin your brother hath out of his especiall grace herein furnished mee for at my parting from him he knowing my determination gaue mee his owne Armour and the very best horse hee had moreouer he would haue bestowed his Sword on mee but I tolde him that you had promised to giue me
very fiercely And here you may be well assured that there was not only sharpe assailing but likewise as manfull defending some beeing grieuously wounded others slaine outright and many troden to death among the horses feet For King Cildadan came freshly in vpon them with a great number of his Irishmen and Gastiles also so well accompanied as heere now was the maine violence of the battaile because both the horse and foot were mingled together Neuerthelesse King Lisuarts side fouÌd themselues sorely oppressed by reason that Amadis Lasinde Gandalin Balays Landin and diuerse others their followers charged them in the rere and had driuen them to flight but for Floyan who shouldred vppe the re-enforce of the Romanes by him freshly rallied together againe Notwithstanding this hotte resistance lasted not long for Amadis meeting with Floyan slew him in the Emperours presence who hoping to reuenge his death ranne in vpon Amadis who knowing him well enough redoubling his strength only in the hatefull spleene he bore him as the Emperour lifted vp his arme with intent to smite him on the head Amadis aymed at him so directly that hitting iust in the shoulder ioynt hee parted it quite from his body and the griefe therof was so violent to him that instantly hee fell downe dead to the ground By meanes whereof the Romanes growing into great terrour and dismay began to turne their backes flying away so confusedly as neither King Arban or any other beside had power to stay them what-soeuer good wordes they spake vnto them Now did King Lisuart apparantly perceiue that Fortune stood not fauourable for him and his that day and the losse of the battaile could not bee auoided yet notwithstanding desiring rather to die with his sword in his fist than to saue life by a shamefull flight hee would needes enter in among the prease but King Arban staying him spake thus Alas Sir lose not your life desperately and with your owne consent Will you fight alone against a whole Armie doe you not see the Romanes in a confused disorder and the most parte of our owne men discomfited Oh let it please you to retire and saue the rest with whom wee may at some other time better deale with the enemy then now we can doe Wel knew King Lisuart that he spake no otherwise then true wherefore while his people retired he such as hee could best assure remained still vpon the rere defending them-selues against all pursute Slender warrant of safety had this beene to him or them but for Amadis who foreseeing what discontent it would bee to Oriana if the King her father should be vnterly foyled said to King Perion My Lord our enemies flie I pray you without arther hazarding our owne fortune let vs content our selues with the honour wee haue already this day receiued for if wee pursue on after him darke night will ouertake vs and it may bee like desperate men in reuenging their great losse wee may fall into no meane danger Leaue them then to their owne shame and let vs retreat our owne men that are ouer spent and wearie Be it so answered King Perion How said Agrates now that victory sweetely presents herselfe vnto vs shall wee willfully refuse her By God deare Cosen you are well worthie to be no better accounted of then as filly Knight errant Would you replied Amadis haue your men murder one another for lack of others to fight withall Is not the Sunne set and night so neare as if wee should holde on any further in fight wee shall not knowe our enemies from our friends I pray you Sir let vs rest thus satisfied Well knew Agraies to what end Amadis made this excuse wherefore without vrging any further reply in great choller hee turned bridle and gallopt on the other side because Amadis had caused retreate to be sounded Then euery man fell backe and King Perions Armie encamped in the same place where they had fought as a signall of victory hoping the next day to finish finally what they had begunne But soon after an Heralde came to demanded the the Emperours bodie and another truce for foure daies during which time they might bury their dead It was consented vnto contrary to the opinion of many but onely by the meanes of Amadis CHAP. XIX Of the conference which King Lisuart had with the Romanes after the fought battaile And how the holy man Nascian who had nourished Esplandian in his younger yeares hearing of this warre departed from his Hermitage to come to the two Kings to make peace betweene them THe truce confirmed as formerly hath been said King Lisuart gaue commande that the Emperors body shold be brought with the greatest magnificence that could be deuised and so to be placed in his owne Tent. Now because hee stood in some feare that the Romanes would fight no more because their chiefe commander was dead hee resolued to speake vnto them as well to encourage them as to vnderstand how they were affected Hereupon the day following hee sent to entreat Arquisill that hee would conduct them in order of battaile for their better apprehending what hee had to say vnto them Whereunto Arquisill gladly condiscended and hauing assembled them in a goodly meadow King Lisuart came vnto them and placing himselfe in the middle squadron spake as followeth Honorable and worthie friends you haue seene and experimented in these two encounters how Fortune hath showen herselfe our heauie enemy so that in bestowing her frownes on vs shee triumphes in the death of my kinde brother and your royall Master besides many other valiant Knights who by effects in seeking reuenge on his enemies were willing to finde what they sought for because it was the very fairest experience they could make of their vertue for gaining the glory they haue aspired vnto And for their better attaining thereto the hazard of their liues seemed as a matter of no moment vnto them but that it was much more honourable to die in defending themselues valiantly theÌ to escape by a shamefull recoile So that to auoide falling into such a high dishonour they rather gladly desired by expressing the very greatest magnanimity of courage to endure Fortune then yeeld to feare Nor doe I hereby vrge any taxation against them that haue escaped with life knowing well how worthily they haue all carried themselues but rather to entreate them that in preferring honour before sorrow for the losse of your friends companions you would essay the truce being ended to reuenge their misfortune fighting couragiously against them who swell in heart too proudly of their victory I am verily perswaded that wee ought no lesse expose our selues to hazards and dangers then if wee had preuailed against them as they haue done against vs nor to declare any abatement of courage either in assayling them or defending our selues if fortune should continue her disfauour to vs. Considering that if wee all die here it is an immortall glory to vs and a more honourable
Asse ryding directly towards King Lisuart His aged trauaile was not so speedy but that the two Armies had fought twice together according as you haue already heard and hee came thither on the day before the second truce was finished As hee passed by the Campe he saw on euery side the interment of many slaughtered bodies whereat hee was so grieued that falling into teares and lifting vp his eyes and hands to heauen hee said O my Lord God for the honour of thine owne great name I humbly beseech thee to take pittie on this people and grant mee grace that I may pacifie this great disorder Passing on further hee came neare to the Tent of King Lisuart who quickly espied him and immediately knew him whereupon hee went to welcome him for he held this man of holy life in high esteem and well considered that but vpon some great occasion he would not haue left his Hermitage take so great iourney to him whereupon as hee embraced him hee said Good father you are welcome then taking him by the hand he led him into his pauillion and seating him by himselfe in a chaire of veluet hee commanded all to depart and leaue them two alone together and afterwardes fell into this discourse Holy father I know you haue not vndertaken so tedious a trauaile and ill agreeing with your age but vpon some vrgent necessity wherein I humbly desire you to resolue me You haue great reason Sir answered Nascian to conceiue so of me for vndoubtedly extreamity of yeares and the condition whereunto it hath pleased our Lord to call mee may well excuse me from beeing seene among men of blood Neuerthelesse considering the harme that may ensue I haue not feared the danger of my person as hoping to performe a seruice acceptable to God and wholesome to your soule Let me then tell you Sir that being some few daies since in the Hermitage whereunto happy chance was your guide when you and I conferred together concerning the most strange nourishing of Esplandian I vnderstood the occasion of this warre attempted by you against Amadis and his friends Yet am I well assured that you cannot accomplish what you would doe namely marrie my Ladie your daughter to the Emperour of Rome by which enterprise many grieuous mischances haue already happened not onely because it is not agreeable to the greatest and meanest of your kingdome as many times already hath beene told you but for some other reason Sir beside concealed from you yet manifest to mee and against which by Gods lawe you cannot contrarie Knowe then Sir that Madame Oriana your daughter is already vnited in marriage to another as heauen hath appointed and stands well pleased to haue it so The King beeing much amazed to heare the olde man speake in this manner coniectured immediately that weakenesse of braine begot this kinde of language that hee was troubled in his vnderstanding or else had beene misinformed of that which he spake where-upon hee said vnto him How father my daughter was neuer married to my knowledge neither did I euer purpose to giue her to any other then to the Romane Emperour to whome I promised her accounting it for her honour and benefit And God is my witnesse that I neuer intended to dis-inherit her as many haue inconsiderately immagined but only to combine alliance with so great a Lord by meanes whereof he and I so vnited together Christian faith might be the more augmented And therfore my intention beeing iust mee thinkes I should not be therin blamed Sir answered the Hermite that which I haue tolde you concerning some matters hidden from you yet to mee apparant I will presently declare vnto you for from none other then my selfe can you know them Vnderstand then my Lord that the selfe same day when by your command I came to the Forrest where for more delight of the Ladies then present with you your Tents were erected for view of the sporte I knowe not whether you remember it or no I brought you young Esplandian who presented you the Lionesse that gaue him suck at the first The same day the Princsse Oriana your daughter was confessed by me tolde mee in her confession that she had promised mariage to Amadis de Gaule at such time as he deliuered her from the Enchanter Archalaus to whom you had giuen her a little before that the Damosell by whom you were enchanted had brought your state and person into the greatest danger that could bee possible from which Galaor freed you And beleeue it to be very likely that our Lord himselfe gaue consent to the mariage for Esplandian is the issue thereof and of him Vrganda the Vnknowen foretolde many maruailes as you your selfe doe very well know Now in my poore iudgement you should not be displeased there-with considering that Amadis is the sonne of a King and accounted in all places to be one of the best and most gracious Knights in all the world I would aduise you Sir that in shewing your selfe to be such as you euer haue beene you should defend the honour and conscience of your daughter and making an end of this warre call her home again to you vse her hereafter as reason requireth In so doing our Lord will be well pleased with you who else will doubtlesse bee offended with you for the effusion of so much blood which you haue caused to be shedde vpon no occasion When the King had all this while listned to this discourse he shewed himselfe to be very pensiue and at last saide Good father is it possible that my daughter should bee married to Amadis Yes truely replied Nascian hee is her husband and Esplandian is your grandchilde O God quoth the King how ill hath it been for mee that I could not know this matter till now vpon my faith many good Knights had yet beene liuing which now to my no little griefe are dead Alas father why could not you sooner haue reuealed this I might not doe it answered the Hermite for it was tolde mee in confession and if now I haue made it knowne to you thinke it is done by such permission as I receiued from the Princesse your daughter for otherwise you had neuer heard it from mee But she is therewith well contented as well for the clearing of her soule as also to take away all occasion from you of further sinning herein through ignorance At that very instant meere conceit in the King presented before the eyes of his soule the seuerall seruices hee had receiued by Amadis and his kâââed and such they were as hee had not then beene liuing but only by them hauing so many times âolpen him in very serious affaires Desert in Amadis pleaded iustly for his daughter and a greater gift if hee could bestow it on him and so much the rather because the Emperor to whom he had promised her was dead and beside Vrganda had tolde him many wonders concerning Esplandiââ but aboue all the rest
hee purposed to expect succour if hee should be pressed thereto stealing on by little and little from the mountaine and marching on vpon the plaine Which when Esclanor noted he sent to bid king Aranigne that hee should put on with all haste by the the most secret passages but the way was so straite and narrow as they could not march but two together at the the most By which meanes before they could attaine to king Lisuart hee and his were very neare to the Citie whereat Arauigne began to despaire fearing to faile vtterly in his enterprise By this time also Esplandian and Sergill whom the Hermite had sent to king Lisuart finding his Campe dislodged made such speed that they sawe the men both horse and foot descending downe the mountaine Then they presently coniectured that this was the Armie of king Arauigne whereof they heard the Queene Brisania speake before they parted from her Wherefore fearing this power to be ouer great for that of king Lisuart who had beene almost vtterly ouerthrone in the precedent battailes they grew to great dismay so that Esplandian said to Sergill Brother I pray you that wee may returne to Lord Amadis and let him vnderstand what wee haue seene Sergill was very willing and returning the same way they came they rode so dilligently that by the breake of day they alighted in king Perions Campe where hee had newly receiued intelligence that king Arauigne and his people marched thorough the countrie and therefore kept his Armie for the most part all that night in order of battaile Esplandian and Sergill going to the Tent of Amadis found there the Hermite Nascian who was not a little amazed to see theÌ so quickly returned demanded of them whither they went Father answered Esplandian it is very needeful that I should speake with Lord Amadis to let him know some matters that do greatly concerne king Lisuart and his troupes Now Amadis had but withdrawne himselfe a while only for a little refreshing because all the night hee had been in Armes notwithstanding when hee heard what the young Gentle-man had saide hee called him to him demanding of him the estate of the matter My Lord quoth he king Arauigne hath besieged the King my Master neare vnto the city of Lubania with such a power as if you send him not succour that speedily I thinke you shall neuer see him while you liue but either taken or slaine and all that are with him Wherefore I pray you doe so much for him as you are wont to do for many others who it may bee are not in such deepe distresse as hee When Amadis heard these news remembrance of displeasing his Ladic Oriana if her father should be discomfited and by his most deadly enemy in the world through defect of assistance from him enflamed so his soule that without answering so much as a worde hee went to king Perton speaking thus My Lord for ought I heare king Arauigne hath turned his backe on vs to fight with king Lisuart and is already so neare him that it is a great aduenture but hee will bidde him battaile Whereat I shall not be a little displeased knowing well that they of Great Brittaine haue lost so many of their men against vs as they are not able now to outstand a fresh force Moreouer if they should bee ouerthrowne being come forth of their Campe in hope of future peace betweene them and vs it will appeare to many that this ambuscado was laid for them by our inuention and that by our meanes king Arauigne was thus treacherously set vpon them to our most high disparagement among all them that shall so imagine of vs. Wherefore I entreate you Sir that with a part of this Armie I may go before and giue them succour Sonne answered King Perion doe what you think best and if you goe before I will follow and backe you if by mischance you should be preuented Amadis most humbly thanked him and parting thence met with Florestan Quedragant Garuate and Gastilles whom he acquainted with his enterprise where-to they gaue good allowance Here-upon they forthwith set their men in order marching directly for Lubania fully resolued to fight with king Arauigne and his men if they might meet them in the field CHAP. XXII How King Lisuart was assaulted by King Arauigne brought into great danger And of the succour giuen him by Amadis in his necessity WE haue heretofore very amply declared how King Lisuart had intelligence by his vant courers that the Armie of King Arauigne pursued him by meanes whereof hee dislodged hoping to gaine the Citie of Lubania before the fight For he knew well enough that he had not strength sufficient to stand against so great an hoste of men and freshly come into the field but he was suddenly set vpon and followed so hotly as hee had small meanes of helping himselfe The two Camps began to skirmish together continuing fierce assaults eace against other vntill darke night ouer-tooke them wherefore they were constrained to remaine encamped near one to another in expectation of the morning to beginne againe in better manner then before they had done King Lisuart by no meanes would retire as fearing to affright his followers and wholy disharten them and therefore making a vertue of necessity so soone as the night was spent he ordered his battaile so well as hee could determining to die among his men rather then blemish his honor in the least degree Barsinan who led the vantguarde for king Arauigne first gaue the onset with his troupes but before they came to handy blowes many were laide on the earth with the great Ordenance which plaied vpon then without ceasing Neuerthelesse at length they entred fight pell mell and Grisall who was Ensigne bearer to Archalaus was ouer-throwne in this first encounter by Norandell albeit Archalaus laboured his vtmost to releeue him But king Cildadan accompanied with many of his chiefest men began to breake through the prease whereby Barsinan had beene instantly foyled but for the re-enforce which king Arauigne sent by the Duke of Bristoy Now might you haue seen many Launces shiuering in the ayre and both horse foot weltring in their blood on the ground a sight most pitifull to beholde For king Lisuart playing at double or quit attended by the rest of his Armie came vpon the flankes of his enemies and the first hee met withall was the brother to Aluinas whom Florestan slew at the Fountaine of Oliues where the three Damosels were guarded by the Dwarsse whoÌ hee vnhorsed so lubberly that hee brake his necke by his horses falling vpon him Pursuing on his purpose Archalaus espied him who knew him very perfectly and followed on so fast that hee shewed him to Barsinan saying You haue no other worke to doe but instantly to reuenge your fathers shamefull death for that is hee which made him so suffer Then Barsinan called to him ten of his Knights with whom hee came and set
vpon King Lisuart and ouerthrewe him to the ground where hee was enclosed on all sides by Archalaus and a great many more who laboured their very vttermost as hoping to take him But Philipinell with them that had the day before discouered the Armie of Arauigne came and succoured him notwithstanding their lot had fallen soule but for king Cildadan Arquisill Norandell and Brandoryas Now grew the fight fiercer and fiercer for these foure rushed thorough the croudes so boisterously that they bare downe horse man before them and notwithstanding al resistance the enemy could make they remounted the King vpon Norandells horse for he had alighted that the King might haue him Then taking a Sworde in both his hands which he found by good fortune hee performed therewith such extraordinarie deeds of Armes as in meere despite of Barsinan and his followers hee horsed himselfe againe wherein Brandoyuas was no meane help to him Archalaus then wel perceiued that they must needs haue the worst except king Arauigne came vppe with his troupes wherefore hee sent a young Squire of his and bad him goe tell him that hee was much amazed why he should leaue him thus in so serious a businesse The Squire ranne presently and performed his charge but Archalaus answered him that he thus delayed hoping to draw King Lisuart and his men further off from the Cittie that hee might be the more easily encompassed at pleasure But now hee marched on with his squadron which furiously brake in vpon King Lisuarts forces who were then so wearied and few in number as they were repelled to retire euen within the gate of the City where they saued themselues by the meanes of king Cildadan Arban Grumedan Norandell Guillan Arquisill and others who followed in the traine Now if these worthie men declared thus rescuing their greatnesse of spirit you must conceiue that king Lisuart as plainely witnessed that hee forgot not his honour in such a necessity for neuer was any Knight seene that more forwardely aduentured his person to perill then he did nor with more allacrity of courage intending to reuenge his owne death if such should be his fatall disaster And as hee was in this extreamitie Grumedan who carried the standard and King Arban were beaten downe before his face and taken prisoners whereat he became most impatient and with all his force would needs enter into the throng to succour them But some of his beeing more discreetly aduised kept him backe and finding meanes to get him into the Citie and then shut vp the gates So king Arauigne remained master of the field not without great losse of his men which yet were but few in regarde of them belonging to king Lisuart who found then by experience what dismall harme hee had endured by giuing ouer-much credit to the persawsions of Brocadan Gandandell by whose treacherous meanes hee had banished Amadis from his Court and many other worthie Knights for which he now intirely grieued And not without good cause considering what slender hope he had to free himselfe from the danger which round had engirt him By this time king Arauigne was withdrawne into the middest of his troupes to take counsell whether they should now instantly assault the Citie or deferre it till the morning Now as in such affaires opinions are diuerse so some gaue aduice to refresh their people already much wearied Others spake to the contrarie alleadging that they should not permit their enemies thus to rampire in themselues or let them take heart but liuely and without any delay to followe vpon them to encrease their feare and weaken their courage Wherupon king Arauigne commanded Barsinan and the Duke of Bristoy to leade their troupes vp one side of the Citie while he and his gaue the assault on the other and that either side should striue for soonest entrance Then Drums and Trumpets sounded the assault and men on all sides ran to the wals where they found king Lisuart his men with the inhabitants of the Citie that gaue them two or three stout repulses with Harquebuze sâoââe Darts and Crosbowes All which discouraged not King Arauigne a iot but rather did whette him on more and more and had not darke night preuented them king Lisuart had beene shrewdly enforced and the Cittie surprised But the obscurity was so great as they could not discerne one another in regard whereof king Arauigne caused retreate to be sounded hoping to begin againe at the breake of day or else that they within the Citie should yeeld to his mercy CHAP. XXIII How Amadis came to the succour of King Lisuart And of the valiant ouerthnow of King Arauigne BY the precedent chapter you haue heard how the young Gentleman Esplandian Sergill hauing discouered the Armie of Arauigne and doubting that king Lisuart was not strong enough to fight with him made a short returne to Amadis entreating his succour whereto he willingly yeelded Notwithstanding hee could not proceed on so speedily albeit hee trauelled night and day but King Lisuart was fallen into great perill of his person as euer before had happened to him which danger thus befell him only by meanes of vnhappy guides that conducted Amadis and his troupes wandring about mid-night farre out of the way without knowing where they were which much displeased Amadis Hereupon he demanded of them if they were farre from the mountaine or no. The guides answered that in their opinion considering how farre they had alreade gone they could not bee neare wherefore hee commanded Gandalin to ride so farre on either side as hee might reach some matter of discouery Then he got vp on the highest part of all to try if hee could see the fire in king Arauignes Campe beeing led all the way by one of the guides and far they had not gone but Gandalin descried the enemies fires in their Camp which he shewed to the guide demanding of him if now hee could giue them better direction without any more straying wherein he warranted him therefore bad him boldly followe him Returning backe to Amadis they declared what they had seene to his no little contentment as hoping to take king Arauigne napping Moreouer he was partly desirous to let King Lisuart perceiue how willing hee was yet to doe him seruice notwithstanding all his former hatred to him and therefore rode on hard all the night Yet could hee not ariue there so soone but King Arauigne had begunne the assault againe so sharpe and hotly as gaue great danger to them within the Citie because the enemies were become masters of the principall part by meanes whereof they entred in by such numbers as king Lisuart was compelled to betake himselfe to a very little street or passage being followed by some of his chiefest Knights and there he resolued to liue or die rather then hee would yeeld himselfe a prisoner to his proud foe Here began extreamitie to shew it selfe apparantly for like men despairing of any helpe or remidy they
the ancient Adage Grumedan answered king Lisuart smiling I know very wel that whosoeuer contests with you in matters concerning the honour of Amadis shall finde worke enough to doe but much more to defende himselfe if extreamity should question the case by weapons Sir said Amadis Lord Grumedan hath reason to wish mee well for he hath neither friend or kinsman that oweth him more dutie and obedient seruice then I doe and for such a one I am certaine he will acknowledge and esteeme me By this time king Perion drew nearer and nearer and thereupon king Lisuart made forth to meete him whereof Amadis aduertised him by Durin wherefore he commanded his men to march a slowe pace and taking Gastiles Grassandor Brian de Moniaste and Tiron with him left Agraies to conduct the troupes because king Perion wel knew the ill-will he bare to king Lisuart and feared least discourteous language might passe between them at their meeting whereby the purposed peace should bee quite made frustrate So the two Kings went to meete each other giuing the spurre to their horses and embraced together very louingly king Perion speaking thus to king Lisuart My Lord and brother me thinkes your Armour is much impaired since you departed from the camp albeit I am well assured it lay not rusting in your Armourie while the fight lasted betweene your men and mine And for ought I haue heard they that brought it thus out of fashion haue receiued a payment beyond their expectation and little to their liking So they haue answered king Lisuart thankes be giuen therefore to God and the good helpe that you Amadis and these other Knights brought mee in so vrgent a necessitie as I am sure you haue heard already In good faith said king Perion I haue all my lifetime desired that my children might bee yours in peace and true amity I hope replied king Lisuart that so they shall be before wee parte and our kindnesse neuer to faile especially on my behalfe But seeing Prince Agraies not to be one among them hee enquired expresly for him hauing vnderstood his hatred towards him and desirous to reconcile him and make him his friend if possible it might be Whereupon king Perion made answere that hee stayed behinde as a conduct to the rest of the Armie which followed I pray you Sir said king Lisuart that hee may bee sent for because I purpose not to parte from this place before I haue both seene and embraced him My Lord answered Amadis then I my selfe will goe for him It is well aduised quoth king Lisuart because hee will doe more for you then any other whatsoeuer So Amadis rode directly to Agraies whom hee met not farre off and tolde him what you haue heard already earnestly entreating him that forgetting all discontentment hee would goe with him and giue king Lisuart so good lookes as could be My Lord and Cosen said Agraies you know that my liking or disliking lasteth vpon your pleasure and I heartily desire that the succour which you haue giuen him of whom you speake may be better acknowledged then all the better acknowledged then all the former haue been And further I assure you I am content to requit all the wrongs done to you mee and many more meerely offered in despite of you and without any occasion at all Then they rode on together to King Lisuart who so soone as he saw Agraies left all the rest going to embrace him saying Cosen doe you thinke this embracing as dangerous to me as that was which you gaue mee on the day of our last being together Before God Sir replied Agraies I hope to find this much better then the other for I was neuer to my knowledge in the like danger We will talke therof said the King at better leasure But now you see the king my brother tarries for vs let vs goe conduct him to Lubania where I will make you all the best entertainement I can So they returnd to king Perion and tooke the way towards the Citie King Lisuart had receiued diuers wounds in his bodie but the Chirurgions hauing seene them gaue him hope of speedy recouery yet hee kept his bed ten daies together beeing often visited by the Princes and Lords of his owne country as also the other who to delight him had almost no other talke but of the tricks and stratagems of Archalauâ by meanes whereof hee compassed his purposes especially when hee carried the Princesse Oriana away prisoner and after-warde King Perion Amadis and Florestan by the subtiltie of Dinarda also in what sorte hee escaped from Galaor and Norandell faining himselfe to bee Branfiles Cosen-germaine to Grumedan But most of all his proiect plotted by the helpe of Arauigne against them all which surely had preuailed but that Amadis was the onely hinderance Such accidents answered king Lisuart doe often come to passe by such wicked wretches as hee is who dare endanger themselues in doing euill and therein make their most delight finding the entrance sweete and easie onely by the instigation of the Diuell who depriues them of all apprehension concerning what dishonour may happen to them beside misery of life which makes death much more welcome to them then life can be As Arauigue himselfe hath now some cause to confesse being in the power of his chiefest enemies and may well serue as an example to all other that are to be taxed with the like vice As hee ended these wordes the good olde Hermite Nascian came to them who had softly followed after king Perion and finding the Princes in such peaceable quietnesse praised God for it and the good aduice of young Esplandian causing Amadis to depart so speedily when hee came to the rescue of king Lisuart as king Perion made knowen before them all In troth saide king Lisuart I would gladly know who gaue the youth so good counsell Sir replied Esplandian my father Nascian sent mee to you to tell you what hee had concluded with king Perion but I could not finde you in the Campe wherfore Sergill I passing on further discouered the Armie of king Arauigne as they descended downe the mountaine Then I called to mind what I heard the Queene my Mistresse say at my parting from her that hee was your enemy and fearing what afterwards happened to you I made haste to aduertise Lord Amadis to the end hee might giue you succour as he did Before God sweet youth saide king Lisuart I shall not while I liue forgette so great a blessing happening to mee And folding Esplandian in his arms sweetly kissed him on the cheeke At that time king Gasquilan was brought thither in a Litter hauing softly followed as beeing vnable to sit on horsebacke by reason of the shrewd fall hee had when he would needes trie his manhood against Amadis on the first day when the two battailes met Into a reserued chamber hee was conducted by some of the chiefe in the companie especially Amadis who came saluted him saying
him that spake them and well vnderstood the end whereat hee aimed although hee would make no outwarde shew thereof but without any further contestation left him departing thence to his owne lodging to dispatch Ardan the dwarffe to Oriana that shee might knowe the warres finishing as also what-soeuer had passed between the Princes and Lords in the two Camps Moreouer hee gaue him a Letter directed to Ysanio whereby he gaue order that Brandaiell de Rocque the Marquesse of Ancona the Archbishoppe of Tarente and the other Romaine prisoners should bee sent to him So departed the Dwarffe who trauailed day and night vntill he ariued at the Pallace of Apolidon Hee presently sent worde to the Princesse byone of her womeÌ that hee would speake with her from Amadis Shee no sooner heard of his ariuall but fearing some vnhappy fortune became so afflicted in mind that she trembled exceedingly knowing that victory could not fauour either of the Campes but it would procure sorrow and griefe to her all her lifetime Then Ardan entred her chamber who de-declared by his looks that she had no cause of sadnesse or melancholie Neuerthelesse so soone as she saw him not hauing so much patience as to let him deliuer his message with teares in her eyes she said vnto him Alasse my deare friend Ardan tell mee I pray thee quickly in what estate hast thou left the King my father and is thy Master aliue or dead dead Madame answered the Dwarffe they neuer in their liues were so merrie together Then he reported to her all that which you haue heard already especially in what great danger King Lisuart was when Amadis came with his happy succour Also his royall entertainement to King Perion and lastly what loue he expressed to Esplandian by whose means Amadis came to the rescue of them of Great Brittaine which gaue such comfort to Oriana that lifting vp her eyes and hands to heauen shee spake so loude as all present might heare her O most mercifull God blessed for euer be thy diuine bounty shouring downe thus thy pitie vpon thy poore seruant and that happy childe who hath beene the occasion of this great goodnes Oh let thy mercy yet further permit that all those especiall predictions which the wise Vrganda deliuered of him may not faile in him All the Ladies there present perswaded themselues that shee vsed these wordes of Esplandian for the helpe which hee had procured to King Lisuart yet were ignorant of her further interest in him which wisely she concealed to her selfe Afterward shee demaunded of Ardan if he came thither about any other businesse Madame quoth hee I haue Letters from my Lord directed to the Gouernour Ysanio commanding him by mee forth-with to send him the Romaine prisoners What way then saide shee will he take and the King also Madame quoth hee for ought I can vnderstand they will not part each from other till all differences are fully concluded Honest Dwarffe said the Queene Sardamira tell me I pray thee how haue the Romaines behaued themselues are many of them slaine in the battaile Madame answered Ardan a great number of them haue ended their daies valiantly and well neere all the rest are sore wounded but since the death of the Emperour Floyan and Constant no man of name that I knowe hath perished among theÌ but was liuing when I parted from the Campe where I left Arquisill in serious conference with my Master As for your brother Flamyan he beginneth to growe strong and woundes are in a manner cured Ardan hauing receiued expresse charge from Amadis to make so little tarrying there as could be demanded of Oriana if shee pleased to command any thing to his Mastes Doe my most humble comdations quoth she to king Perion of Gaule Agraies Bruneo and Amadis to whom I purpose not to write because thou broughtest me no Letter from him So the dwarffe took leaue of her and went to find Ysanio giuing him the Letters from his Master and deliuering his further message beside Whereupon Ysanio tooke such order that before the week was expired the Romanes were all ariued at Lubania in presence of King Lisuart and the other Princesse and Lords But Amadis calling them into his chamber being there alone with them spake thus Lords I am sure you are not ignorant what issure this warre hath sorted to by meanes whereof almost all the Princes of the East they likewise of the West haue entred into Armes And because we are now vpon tearmes for a perpetuall peace I hold it reasonable that albeit you are my prisoners yet nothing shall be concluded till first it be imparted to you Now as this is the reason of your calling hither so am I like wise to entreat you that for my sake you would accept and elect Lord Arquisill as your Emperour For ouer and beside that there is not to bee found as I heare any man more neare in birth to the Empire then hee so am I well acquainted with his high deserts which mooues me the more in his behalfe to bee thus earnest with you In the dooing whereof you shall be get your selues two especiall graces The first by calling to the gouernement of so excellent a Monarchie a Prince wise valiant vertuous for your better conseruation and entertaining you in all loue and kindnesse The other that in my endeared affection to him I freely giue you with him liberty and all such ransomes as are due to me from you continuing moreouer while I liue your affectionate friend aduise therefore with your selues what answere you will make me to the end I may also consider how I shall carrie my selfe to you in matter of so important occasion Brandaââll de Roâque beeing the ancientest of them all stood forth and made this answere to Amadis My Lord most true it is that wee are your prisoners and know very well what honour you haue done vs and the extraordinary entertainment wee haue receiued since our ariuall in the Enclâsed Isle Wherefore I speake not only for my selfe but all heere present that there is not a man among vs but will gladly employ himselfe in your seruice But wee cannot resolue in the matter concerning Lord Arquisill till wee haue first spoken with Flamyan and other ââ¦ine Captaines in the Armie wherefore we pray you permit that wee may conferre together swearing for our part that we will hold our hands for him whereby your desire may bee satisfied Well then said Amadis consult together and to morrow let me haue your answere So they withdrew thence to go finde Flamyan in his lodging for as yet hee kept his chamber not healed of the hurts which hee had receiued in the last encounter Then they declared to him what speeches had past betweene them and Amadis what offers and promises hee had made in fauour of Arquisill and lastly the answere they returned him Beleeue mee saide Elamyan Lord Amadis speaketh like a good Knights and no more then all wee
ought to take in good part and allowe of very worthily Neuerthelesse the election of an Emperour is of such importance as it is good reason to acquaint the other Romaine Captaines therewith to morrow we will send to them all and haue the matter in deliberation thââ will wee answere Amadis what wee thinke best Flamyan did according to his speeches and after they were all assembled hee reuealed the occasion of their meeting and the request of Amadis for Prince Aâquisâ⦠By right of linage quoth he the Empire âs his More-ouer hee is wise hardy and vertuous what is to bee resolued vpon that either we may excuse or yeeld to Amadis in his request Euery man answered according to his minde but in the ende Arquisill was named Emperour wherof Amadis was soone aduertised and all the other Prince and Lords were well pleased there with especially the Kings Lisuart Perâon and Cildadan who with goodly troupes on the day following went and conducted him to the Church where before all the people hee was proclaimed Emperour of the Romaines and at dinner Amadis serued as his Cup-taster Gastilles as Pantler and Agraies as Caâuer After the tables were withdrawne King ââ¦suârt beeing seated some-what beneath him reporting what aduentures had happened to him since he was crowned King of great Brittaine fell into discourse what good turnes and seruices hee had receiued by Amadis and proceeded on so farre therein that he said to him before them all Lord Amadis albeit very few can be ignorant in what you haue done for me since your first ariuall in my Court when you vââquisâed Ardan the Pâoude so will I not now spare to speake somewat else for reasons which hereafter will be better vnderstood Then particularly he reported all the maâ⦠which would be tedious to trouble you with againe But quoth hee for many high worthie seruices Lord Amadis I giue you my daughter Oriana as your wife leauing her as mine heire after my decease to my kingdome of Great Brittaine Then Amadis more glad and highly pleased then euer before falling on his knee most humbly thanked him Well Sonne said the King let it not offend you if I entreat olde Nascian to tell the Emperour how Esplandian was begotten and whose Son hee is that euery one may know how the marriage of you and Oriana was long since contracted The Hermite beeing present to satisfie the Kings request declared all the precedent fortunes and the promise past betweene Amadis and the Princesse whereby Esplandian became his sonne We neede make no doubt concerning the inwarde ioy of the noble youth beeing ignorant till then whose sonne he was Wherupon King Lisuart called him and auouched him for his Grand-child before them all to the no little contentment of Amadis who knowing the Emperours minde how desirous hee was to enioy Orianaes sister in mariage spake thus to king Lisuart Sir seeing you haue giuen mee that which aboue all things else in this world I most desired let mee likewise most humbly entreate you to giue the Princesse Leonora to the Emperour and then his ioy will be equall to mine By my troth answered the King this good motion shall neuer be denied if hee will haue it so Then I take your highnesse at your word replied Arquisill And I giue her you quoth the King with all mine heart Moreouer I will bring her with me to the Enclosed Isle that both these mariages may bee there accomplished together To morrow I purpose to parte hence for Vindilisore where she keepeth company with my Queen In the meane while you may expect mee at the Pallace of Apolidon whither my kingly brother may send for Galaor and because nothing else may be omitted to compleate our ioy and contentment I will send for my Cosen Galuanes Madasima The Marshalls of the lodgings appertaining to the Kings Lisuart and Perion gaue present order for their departure the one side to the Enclosed Isle and the other to Vindilisore CHAP. XXIIII How King Lisuart ariued at Vindilisore where his Queen Brisenia attended his comming whom soone after he caused to remoue thence and with her daughter Leonora accompany him to the Enclosed Isle AFter that King Lisuart was dislodged from the Citie of Lubania accompanied with the rest of his Armie hee iournied so expeditiously that hee ariued at Vindilisore where his Queene Brisenia expected his comming according to former intelligence sent her And although hee was greatly perplexed in minde seeing his reputation much impaired by those disfouours receiued from fortune notwithstanding the agreement hee had made with Amadis yet neuerthelesse like a wise and iudicious Prince hee dissembled his griefe shewing much better outwarde carriage then otherwise willingly hee would haue done And his owne knowledge was no meane incitation thereto by hourely pressing his conscience with a sensible apprehension that hee had beene the onely cause of shedding ouer-prodigally so much Christian blood vnder an vniust colour of reuenge which he preferred before all counsell and aduice giuen him by the Princes and Lords of his Land wherewith our Lord being iustly offended had scourg'd him with there rods not to make him murmur or gruge against him but rather to thank him for inflicting no heauier vengeaÌce on him In meditation of these matters hee went to the Queenes lodgings and she being before aduertised by Brandoynas of all that had happened in his voyage welcommed him most graciously and looking vpon young Esplandian who followed next to the King folding him in her armes sweetly kissing him thus she spake My worthie sonne blessed bee the houre of thy birth hauing in thy young dayes done such seruice to the King as but by thy good aduise as I haue vnderstood he had neuer seene his owne kingdome any more Madame answered the King I hope seeing hee hath begun so well not any one houre shall passe him but will encrease in him both will and power of proceeding on better better For I assure you that beside the right of nature which iustly incites mee to wish him well no day can passe ouer my head but I must needs confesse a perticuliar affection to him for the great happinesse I enioy by him While thus the King and Queen conferred together concerning Esplandian the other Princes and Lords were kindely entertained by the Ladies Gentlewomen who beeing curious in inquiry how the fights had beene performed betweene the Kings people and them belonging to Amadis were a long while without any other language But when they heard of the purposed marriages that they must likewise goe to the Enclosed Isle this raised much more pleasure in them then the recitall of colde feares and Alarums whereon they wholly conferred before For now one made full account to try the Arch of loyall louers others the Defended chamber and the other singularities in the Isle and in these delightes they spent the whole day But the houre of rest beeing come the King withdrew into the
rauishing beauties Now did Amadis steppe into the Emperours place so soone as hee was gone from Oriana feigning to doe him a great fauour in helping him to conferre with Queene Briolania But he had a quite contrary meaning and did it to no other end but that the rest of his friends should talke with their Ladies while hee might be alone with her whom hee most desired For hee had not conuersed familiarly with the Princesse since her ariuall in the Enclosed Isle wherefore finding time and place sufficiently commodious he beganne with her in this manner Madame I haue thought all my life time hitherto that no possibility remained in mee for acknowledgement of those great and gracious fauours which so long a while I haue receiued by your meanes only And last of all in being the cause that aged Nascian reuealed to the King your father what right wee had each in other whereby your sonne and mine became knowen to him and peace confirmed between them of Great Brittaine and vs. As for my selfe I shall stand much more obliged to you now then euer heretofore And therefore aduisedly consider what else remaineth for me to doe for I assure you I shall take no little delight in doing whatsoeuer you commande me When Oriana heard him deliuer such speeches hauing before her eyes what dutie euery woman of honour and discretion oweth to her husband shee thus answered My Lord in my poore opinion you doe both your selfe and me wrong and therefore I pray you speake to me henceforward as to your huÌble wife seruant and not after those kind of phrases wheÌ I was no other then your friend Furthermore let mee humbly entreat you to tell me in what condition you left the King my father and how I am now esteemed of him Madame said Amadis if outward lookes may be true euidences I neuer saw man declare more contentment then he deliuered when we were together Albeit I coniecture considering his ineuitable danger in our last encounter when he hoped to recouer you from vs by meer force his thoughts are otherwise quite different Yet hee dissembles it so wisely as possibly can bee euen to hurle shame vpon himselfe and excusing what hath past betweene you and mee fully resolued as hee saith to bee more cheerefully disposed then euer hitherto he hath been Where-upon hee is returned backe to Vindilisore to fetch the Queene and your sister Leonora whom he hath promised in marriage to the Emperour Oriana was not a little glad of these newes saying My Lord these are matters of no meane comfort especially that I haue recouered my fathers grace againe for next to you I loue him aboue any man liuing notwithstanding all the hard sufferings as well you know hee hath put me to But further I pray you tell mee what is your opinion of Esplandian By my faath Madame quoth hee by his carriage and behauiour he plainely declares himselfe to bee yours And if good Nascian could haue preuailed hee had brought him hither to you But the King would needs haue him goe with him to please the Queene because shee knowes him not yet to bee her Grand-childe So breaking off this discourse King Perion who had all this while entertained Grasinda with talke tooke leaue of her and the company because it drew neare supper time Wherefore withdrawing thence into his owne lodging Amadis followed him there looking forth at a windowe till the tables were furnished hee thus spake Seeing sonne it hath pleased God that you haue ended all troubles with so great honour let the whole glory be ascribed to him and while you liue acknowledge thankfulnesse to your friends who to help you in so serious a business haue made no spare of their liues and goods which bindes you the more to loue and honour them recoÌpencing their kindnesse so much as in you lieth Considering that without their assistance it is most certaine you had beene in great danger not only of your liues losse but also of your honour which I account a thousand times dearer And because it is no more then reason that like as they haue beene pertakers of all paines and perils so they ought to be of pleasure and contentment which you haue receiued by their meanes let it therfore be no meane part of your care to respect them in especial manner by distributing such booty among them as is in your hands the Kings Aranigne Barsinan others being your prisoners Moreouer such as you knowe affected to those Ladies which keepe companie with the Princesse Oriana let them haue equal coÌtentment with your selfe by espousing them to whom their fancies are enclined For which cause I deliuer into your power your sister Melitia to giue her to him whom you thinke worthiest of her You haue likewise your Cosen Mabila and the Queen Briâlania to whom you stand highly obliged Grasinda also and the Queen Sardamira who haue suffered a great parte of Orianaes sorrowes me thinks they should participate in her fairest fortune and be aduanced as you think meetest Assuring you that the greatest comfort I can haue in mine aged yeares is to see your brethren Galaor and Florestan married that before I depart this life I may reioyce in issue from you all Consider hereof I pray you aduisedly further what I haue said to your vttermost power My Lord answered Amadis I will doe all that lies in me to please both you them It is enough quoth the King And so all things beeing aptly ordered they sate downe to supper In the morning a sudden summons was sent to all the chiefe Knights for an immediate meeting and when they were assembled Amadis entred into these speeches Honourable Gentlemen friends the great and labourious trauaile which you haue endured in these late warres doth very well deserue that now you should giue ease and respite to your spirits and in regarde of the deare debt wherein I stand engaged to you to essay my vttermost meanes to let you enioy those beatitudes which I know are pleasing to euery man among you For as by your most gracious assistance afforded in my very neerest extreamity I haue attained to that which I esteemed aboue all things else in the world namely the peaceable enioying of my long loued Oriana Euen so I beseech you with all my heart that each man would instantly declare if hee stand affected to any Ladie or Gentlewoman heere for I assure you on the faith of a Knight to preuaile so farre as I can with them that they shall not easily deny what I entreat on their friends behalfe Moreouer you know that king Aranigne Barsidan and many other beside are our prisoners defying those gracefull vertues whereto the order of knighthood truely tyed them and exercising so much as in them lay all cruelties and tyranny In regarde whereof they are not worthie of any ransome but iustly punishable for the grieuousnesse of their treasons and therefore I thinke it fit that
consideration should be vsed for diuiding their estates goods amongyou As for my selfe I deny any part or portion belonging to mee holding my selfe sufficiently satisfied if I can compasse any means of doing you any perticular pleasure or seruice When they that were not meanly affected to their Ladies heard him vse these wordes and knewe what power he had to forward them that way you may well imagine that they did not lende any deaffe âare to such a pleasing motion especially Agraies who earnestly entreated him to giue his honourable furtherance for his marriage with the faire Olinda Bruneo with Melicia Grasandor with Mabila and Quedragant who neuer loued till then declared his affection to Grasinda saying I now sufficiently vnderstand that youth and time haue heretofore been contrary to my quiet hauing then no other care but for the managing of my Horse and Armes but at this instant yeares and reason constraines mee to another kinde of condition so that if it like Madame Grasinda to accept me as her husband I shal account my happinesse equall to any mans of what condition soeuer he be Before God said Florestan I was once determined to returne into Aliemaine so soon as the businesse concerning my Lord Amadis was ended as well to see my mother as many other mine endeared friends Neuerthelesse I know not with what eie I obserued the Queen Sardamira but this I am well assured that if I could compasse the meanes to marrie her I should easily forget mine intended voyage and all things else whatsoeuer But others more free from loues imperious subiection hauing their mindes wholly addicted to follow Armes spake in a quite contrary language desiring Amadis to imploy them in the conquest of Arauignes kingdome the countries belonging to Barsinan or any where else And we request quoth they no other part of booty but the means of winning renowne honour and Chiualrie Hereupon Amadis returned theÌ answere Seeing you are of this disposition with the good liking of the company I will make a present diuision On Quedragant I bestowe the countrie of Sansuega for his larger portion in marrying with Grasinda To you Bruneo I giue the kingdom of Arauigne with my sister Melicia And as for my brother Florestan I will worke so with the Emperour that hee shall giue him the countrie of Calabria with the Queen Sardamira whom hee so dearely affecteth As for my Lord Agraies and Grasandor they are thankes bee to God rich and mighty enough by means of their fathers will content themselues as I thinke to enioy those beauties that affect them What else remaineth shall be distributed particularly according to the merit of euery man so soon as King Lisuart shall be heere ariued Which they all liked well and so we leaue them returning to their lodgings attending the time when they should goe and conuerse with their Ladies according to their wonted custome CHAP. XXVI How Bruneo de bonno Mer and Branfill were appointed to iourney into Gaule to fetch the Queene Elysena and Galaor and of those aduentures that happened to them in their returning back againe SOme fewe dayes after that K. Perion and the other Knights were come to the enclosed Isle Agraies Brunco and they that had hope of speedie marriage fearing least the absence of the Queene Elysena and Galaor might cause a further deferring of that long desired day Came and humbly requested King Perion that he would send for them whereto he presently yeelded Whereupon Bruneo made first tender of his seruice saying Sir I humbly intreate you that none other then my brother and I may haue this charge for otherwise you shall doe vs wrong Well then answered the King smyling to himselfe if I should graunt your owne request I am perswaded you would more gladly keepe company with Melicia then vndertake so long a iourney from her In good faith Sir replied Bruneo to be alwayes neere her is the only happinesse I can desire notwithstanding I am willing to goe for the Queene and Galaor only in my earnest affection to doe them seruice By my faith said Angriote you must not performe this voyage without my companie Why then quoth the King goe you all three and heauen grant that you may finde my sonne in better estate then when I left him Sir answered Ysanio some few daies since certaine Merchants comming from Gaule gaue mee credible assurance that hee was well recouered because they had seene him complayning only that his countenance was as yet pale and Wan by reason of his long sicknesse These newes were highly pleasing to the King and all the companie in regard whereof Bruneo and his two other friends tooke shipping the next morning and sayled with such prosperous Windes that in few dayes after they landed where the Queene then lay of whom they were most gratiously entertayned especially by Galaor because hee longed to heare tidings from his brother and other friends And as hee embraced them with the tears trickling downe his cheekes hee said By my faith my good Lords misfortune hath so long kept mee companie that considering what iniurie she hath done mee in with-holding me all this while from you and the exercise of Armes it hath beene well neere a Thousand deaths to me My Lord quoth Bruneo wee haue brought you such newes as will make a sufficient satisfaction for all the anguish you haue endured So hee declared before the Queene the encounter and battailes betweene the Kings Perion and Lisuart what great dangers and perils they were in by the sudden onset of King Arauigne and Archalaus And last of all the league of loue and amity combined on both sides and the seuerall marriages consulted and agreed vpon hereat Galaor was somewhat amazed hauing neuer heard any thing of such attempts and answered Bruneo thus Is it possible that my noble Lord king Lisuart should be in such extreamity and I not neare him Vpon my soule I must now confesse that Fortune loued mee much better then euer she did For had I not beene sicke whatsoeuer dutie I owe to the King my father I should haue made no spare of my life to succor the other Yet it had fallen out worse for mee if in the time of my sicknesse I had receiued any certaine tydings of this matter vndoubtedly it had beene my death to faile him in a necessity so vrgent It is much better saide Bruneo that all things are past in so good order Then taking him by the hand thus he proceeded I receiued charge from my Lord Amadis to doe his re-commendations to you and to desire you that you would cheere vp and recreate your spirits in the best manner you can deuise for he is minded if you thinke it so conuenient to haue you ioyned in marriage with Queen Briolania so soone as you shall be ariued there And wee were expressely sent from king Perion to conduct the Queen to the Enclosed Isle where he attendeth her comming with a goodly traine of
touched that they instantly resolued to giue her helpe and the Queene thus replied Sister and faire friend your sorrow doth or a little grieue me neuerthelesse I consider Fortune as she is seldom sparing either strong or feeble king or subiect So that they which taste of her best fauours ought most to âeare ãâã suspect her mutability in regarde that when they thinke themselues to be âaâest and secure they fall the sooner into your disaster But seeing good happe hath sent you thus to me I take some comfort that we shall saile in company together into the Enclosed Isle where I hope you shall finde such succour as you seeke for Madame answered the Queen of Dacia I remember that certaine Knights not long since trauayling through our countrie tolde the late king my husband that Amadis had succoured Oriana daughter to King Lisuart who was constrainedly sent to the Emperour of Rome But Amadis rescued her from the Romaines and conuayed her to the Enclosed Isle euen in despight of their vttermost mallice where yet shee abideth well accompanied which giues me hope that seeing shee hath tried the rigour of misfortune she will like wise take pitty on my iniuries so that by her meanes I may finde mercy according to my expectation By my faith Madame said Angriote if the Queene bee so pleased you shall passe hence no further for I am readie to goe with you and will make no spare of my perion in your seruice The like answered Bruneo and Branfill most humbly entreating the Queene to graunt them leaue considering shee was now come so neare to the Enclosed Isle as shee might soone be there without any hindrance and so much they importuned her that at length shee condiscended Hereupon they entred into the Queene of Daciaes Ship and taking farewell of the rest commanded the Mariners to hoâââ sailes and away The Queene of Gaule and Galaor they pursued their porpose to the Enclosed Isle where soone after they landed and the Knights beeing aduertised thereof went forth to entertaine them When King Perion sawe Galaor in so good disposition the graue olde man was so wonderfully ioyfull that smiling hee said to him In good sadnesse sonne seeing now we are in amity with King Lisuart I will stand in lesse doubt of you hence forwarde then heretofore I haue done My Lord quoth he I was neuer so ioyfull in all my life as when newes were brought me of your leauging with him and long I wish that this peace may continue There shall bee no fault in mee answered the King Looking then aside he saw Oriana and her traine comming foorth of the Parke to meete the Queene to whom the King saide You see Madame wee haue no want of good coÌpany here No beleeue me my Lord said she now I need not maruaile any more that I heard no newes from you in so long a time hauing worke enough to do to gouerne these Ladies Amadis and the Emperour led her by either arme when Oriana came and did her humble reuerence as the Queen also did the like to her But Galaor who was none of the hindemost beholding the Queene Briolania left all the rest and went to her kissing her she blushed so sweetly that Amadis perceiuing it said Madame I hope here after hauing so good a Knight to be your seruant you will diuide a little of that daintie colour betweene your selfe and him for hee hath great neede of it as you may perceiue and therefore to your gracious mercy I commend him Galaor who had not seene her since his parting from Sobradisa when hee brought Florestan thither but only one other time being as then very young when shee came into Great Brittaine to seeke Amadis found her now so faire and growen great with infinite rare perfections that his former loue to her renewed so strongly that hee who neuer sought after a woman to marie her resolued now to haue none other then shee and shee with the selfe same purpose to hâm And so it came to passe for soon after they were married and of them descended sonnes bolde and hardie which conquered by their valour many strange countries as you shall vnderstand more at large in the fist booke reading the actions of Esplandian and there all their high enterprises are amply discoursed But returning to our former businesse so soone as the Queene Elisena was entered the Parke the Knights according to the custome ordayned by Oriana on the day when Amadis brought her thither departed and this lawe lasted vntill the marriages agreed vpon were celebrated in the presence of King Lisuart as also of the Queene Brisena whose comming thither was hourely expected In the meane while their vsual exercise was some to hunting others to hawking according as the time and season serued For the place was accomodated with all kind of Beasts Foules of the Riuer and other such like pleasures as it were most admirable to be hold And in these varieties of delights we will leaue them to tell you what happened to Bruneo Angriote and Branfill after their parting from the queene Elisend CHAP. XXVII How Bruneo de bonne Mer Branfill and Angriote went on with the Queene of Dacia and what aduentures happened to them AFter that the three knights were entred into the Shippe belonging to the queen of Dacia shee not knowing their names began in this manner with them Lords seeing it hath pleased you to vndertake this trauaile for me let me intreate you to tell me what and who you are to the end I may doe you such honour as becomes mee For you know that I haue no more vnderstanding of you then as one that neuer saw you vntill I came aboard the shippe where I found you in companie of the queene Madam answered Angriote our same is as yet so slenderly noysed through the World that to tell you our names will giue you no greater knowledge of vs then before neuerthelesse because your desire is such I will presently therein resolue you These two my friendly companions are brethren the one named Branfill the other Bruneo de bonne Mer not long since affianced to the Princesse Melicia sister to Lord Amadis de Gaule to whom you were trauailing As for my selfe I am called Angriote d'Estrauaus who desires to doe you any seruice Oh my faire starres quoth shee what friendly conducts haue you beene to mee Neuer could I wish for better tidings because I haue heard you much esteemed by such as haue spoken of you to my late king and husband and how helpefull you haue beene to Amadis in behalfe of the Princesse Oriana which encreaseth my hope now better then euer that I shall bee fully reuenged on the traytor who hath so highly wronged mee Madam said Angriote wee will doe for you what wee can without spare of any thing in our power Humbly did the queene returne thankes both to him and the rest and from that time forwarde shewed her selfe more sprightly
disposed then before she had done And within some short while after they discouered the coast of Dacia where as they purposed so they tooke landing Now did Angriote thinke it most conuenient that the queene should keepe still aboord the ship vntill they perceiued how the affayres proceeded and that they being guided by the two knights which attended on the queene should ride directly to the besieged Citie where gayning meanes of entrance the two Princes might bee acquainted with their tidings Hereupon they committed her to heauens protection and rode away keeping the most couert passages they could till darke night ouer-tooke them hoping to escape the watch fell into the ambush of ten knights fiue of which being slaine the other fiue fled to the Campe to raise the Allarme In the interim time Angriote and his consorts still rode on euen vntill they came close to the walles of the Citie where the guides called to the Sentinell and being well knowne to the Watch a Posterne was suddenly opened for them whereat they entred and quicklie were conducted to the two Princes lodgings Sonnes to the murdered king They vnderstanding the occasion of their ariuall and that the queene their mother was returned in health and prosperous successe first gaue thankes to heauen and then welcommed them in such good manner as their present estate and distresse could affoord Yet let me tell you they came but to a very sorry supper for there was a great dearth of victualls in the Cittie through the seuere besieging of the enemie our knights were so hungrie not hauing eaten any thing all that Day that they needed no sauce to whet on their apetite Wherefore seeing no other redresse and making a virtue of necessitie they went to rest All this while the Duke and his Armie kept themselues in forme of battaile remaining quiet till the breake of Day but then the other fiue knights of the watche which had escaped from the rest brought such dreadfull tidings as they verily perswaded themselues that some fresh succour was comming to the Cittie When it was faire day each went to his charge and the kings Sonnes with the knights of the Enclosed Isle called a counsell of the principall Captaines and commanders Wherein was concluded that one part of their people should bee ready to issue foorth the night following at the changing of the Watch as well to make an essay of sudden surprising the enemie as also to get foorth during the Allarm the yonger of the two Princes with Bruneo and a guide only for conducting them to the neerest neighbouring towns and villages to âârge their reuolt from the faithlesse Duke Where-to they easily condescended in regard of their vniust oppressions as also because the queene was returned and the knights which she had brought with her Hereupon about the dead of night Angriote and Branfill the chiefe vndertakers of this enterprise came to the place where they found their men ready to march The night was extraordinary darke with a mightie winde and extreame rayne so colde as seldome had beene felt the like which gaue them great hope to finde but small resistance at the Watch as indeede it fell out to their expectation For so soone as each man had put a white crosse vpon his brest to know one another in the horrid darkenesse they went out secretly at a false Port marching on faire and softly without the least noyse and seazing on the Scouts slew them before the watch could vnderstand any thing For the time did so ãâã them as some slept others lay to shelter themselues in the Trenches so that they made a shrewd slaughter of them before the Allarm could come to the campe By which happy meanes they of the Cittie following their good fortune ran in vpon the rest whom they found in their Tents and Cabanes and of them also they made such a massacre as the clamour came to the Dukes eares and he presently mounted on horse-backe with such few followers as he could get to him Now was the Allarme re-enforced and the noyse of Drums and Trumpets so great beside the out-cry of the Souldiers the impetuous murmur of the windes and raine as the very boldest spirit became much daunted because there was neither Tent nor Pauillion but they were all ouerthrowne rampled in the mire Notwithstanding the Duke compassed the meanes to rallire the more part of his horsemen and with some small number of his foot marched directly against his enemies who perceiuing their approach and contenting themselues with what they had done made a softe retire towardes the Citie because their strength did no way equall their enemies who followed vppon them with a fierce charge But Angriote and Branfill beeing in the reââ¦stood them so courageously as very many were dismounted and more âore wounded Which the Duke well obseruing began to despaire of his successe as it many times comes to passe that men thinking to reuenge their iniuries runne thereby into greater periâls euen so this wicked Prince guided more by furie then reason rushed in so farre among his enemies as by a powerfull stroke with a Mace or Battell Aâe hee was beaten downe taken and carried away At the sight hereof the terrour of his Souldiers grew so great that beeing quite out of hârt they retyred to their Campe and Angriote and his followers returned backe into the Citie with their booty During the time of this hotte skiâmish Bruneo de bonne Mer seeing a fitte and commodious houre for his dislodging set on away with the yong Prince his guide and without any impeachment trauailed so successefully that they ariued by point of day ãâã to a goodly Towne or Citie ãâã Alumenta where they met ãâã two Knights armed at all points who had beene sent by the duke the day before about some especiall affaires The first that discouered these Knights was the guide who shewing them to Bruneo said Sir Knight for Gods sake let vs turne backe againe see you not two of our most especiall enemies making towardes vs. Art thou affraid answered Bruneo bee carefull only of thy Master and for the ââst leaue that to me So charging his lânââ and giuing the spurre to his noise hee cryed out aloude to the two Knights Traytours theeues supporters to the bad cause of the ãâã Duke in the worlde you are but dead except you defend your selues the better By this cry the other well knew that perforce they must prepare for fight wherefore without returning any answere they ran both at Bruneo The one crossed and broke his Lance and the other failed in the attainte but so did not Bruneo for his Lance entring betweene his thighes and the Saddle threwe the Knight to the ground with so violent a fall that there hee lay more then halfe entranced His other companion hoping to reuenge his cause drawing forth his sword returned vpon Bruneo and gaue him such a blow as cleât his Shield in the midst But hee
the Ladies who held them in pleasing and familiar discourse vntill they came to the Pallace of Apolidon where King Lisuart and Queene Brisena were lodged Quedragant conducted King Cildadan to his lodging Amadis King Arban and Grâmedan Guillan Galaor and Nârandell and Agraies his vnckle Galuanes all these were thus honourably attended Now was Esplandian iust equall in age with the yong king of Dacia and this very day grew in such friendly acquaintance with him as they made themselues vowed companions together neuer thence forward to sunder companie But more especially after they receiued the order of knight-hood and during their voyage to Constantinople where Esplandian became amorous of the faire Leonerina whose gracious companie hee enioyed by the meanes of his companion Talanque Sonne to Galaor and Manely le Sage Sonne to King Cildadan whom they begot on the two Nieces to Vrganda the Vnknowen in the time of their imprisonment As our historie more amplie relateth in the fift Booke wherefore at this time we will speake no more there-of but returne to our first purpose After the ariuall of king Lisuart in this manner the Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen being walking together in the garden of Apolidon viewing the rare and most artificiall pictures they heard without the pallace a wonderfull noyse and clamour of people and therefore sent immediatly to know the reason thereof Newes came to them for certaine that on the Sea there was a fire so dreadfull as neuer had the like beene seene before and it made directly towards the Port where-upon the knights sent for their horses mounting on them presently and the Ladies vp into the highest Turrets the better to behold this meruaile All of them did visiblie discerne on the Sea a flaming Rock so impetiously driuen by the winds and waues as if it were continually in danger of drowning And that which most augmented their feare was a sudden alteration of this fire into the shape of a most horrible and hiddeous serpent which in more then supernaturall manner extended forth his wings so farre as a very good Archer was not able to shoote If this gaue them iust cause of amazement that which followed did no lesse for it came directly towards them with his head so highly exalted as the head or scuttle of a Shippe-mast deliuering such thick black smoake out at his nosthrills as made the sight of it to be lost many times together then suddenly againe was it heard to hisse and make a noyse as neuer could the like diuelish terror be talked of the common people taking it to bee some diuine iudgement and a punishment sent from heauen for a notorious affliction vpon them all fled vp into the highest part of the Isle and the like did most part of the knights though much against their mindes because their Horses affrighted at the horrid sight of this monster beganne to snoare and fling about and foaming vpon the bits in their mouthes ranne vp into the mountaines their Masters being vnable to stay them Yet in the end such as preferred honour before losse of life got themselues dismounted returning back to the Sea shoare to make resistance against this monster if it should presume to come on land No sooner were they returned thither but they saw the Serpent aduance his wings as if hee meant to flie away and instantly from vnderneath them launched foorth a small Frigot couered with cloath of Gold hauing two dwarfes in it rowing with Oares conducting a very beautifull Damosell and two Esquires attending on her Suddenly King Lisuart called to mind how terribly Vrganda affrighted him when first shee came to him in the Cittie of Fenusa assuring them all that doubtlesse this was shee and none other Sir answered Amadis I beganne to imagine as much so soone as I discouered the Friggot although before I knew not what to thinke but was verily perswaded some Diuell was come to worke vs mischiefe Scarsely had hee concluded these words but Vrganda shewed her selfe to them all whereupon their former great feare was conuerted into as exceeding ioy and so much the rather because in her owne familiar shape shee came on Land which seldome before shee vsed to doe For at all other times when she would bee seene in any such assemblies shee came in the likenes of an aged woman or Beldame or as a childe a beast a bird or any similitude best pleasing to hir selfe Then King Lisuart Amadis went on to welcome her and so did the Emperour whom shee had neuer seene before Neuerthelesse shee shaped her course to him before any of the other and spoke to him in this manner Sir neuer in all my life time haue I beene in any place that was honoured with your royall presence till now yet notwithstanding I know you so well as I desire to doe any gratefull seruice to you and your Empresse as alwaies hath been my studious inclination and as your selues hereafter shall perceiue For by my meanes the first fruite proceeding from your generation shall be preserued from diuerse dangers wherefore I wish you to remember my words And although my abyding is farre from the limittes of your Empire yet can I when pleaseth mee be with you in Rome in lesse space then the compasse of a naturall day Lady said the Emperour farre be it from me to refuse your gracious kindenesse much lesse to misprise your happy remembrance Assuring you I holde this for the greatest good that can happen vnto mee and I hope that you will keepe promise with me I will not faile answered Vrganda Then looking about and seeing Amadis neare her kissing him she said Although my Lord you haue beene so highly fauoured by Fortune as to teach the height of your affectionate desires yet giue not too much credite to her wanton smyles For although you seeme to bee now aboue all stormie tempests beeing in the peacefull possession of your long loued Oriana whom you preferre before al things else whatsoeuer yet let me tell yee you will finde more serious businesse hereafter to bee performed then as yet you haue gone thorough Because blame will more nearely choake you by losse of the reputation wherein you now are then if you had neuer attained therto But as I haue beene alwayes yours in your passed fortunes so credit me I will continue in them that are to come Madame quoth hee considering the manifolde fauours I haue receiued from you and what true signes of loue you haue alwaies shewen me you may well perswade your self that while any breath remaineth in this body you haue intire power of commanding me and that my desires are apted to your obedience Concerning such trauailes as are destined and ordained to me you know my wonted patience to endure them and my vndoubted hope in you will enable mee with sufficient strength to withstand all encombrances beeing guided by your fauour and good counsell King Lisuart then came to her saying Madame if you be so pleased
equall to your daughter And therefore by her meanes wee may all enter this day into Apolidons Chamber and there finish the solemnitie of this festiuall Sonne answered King Lisuart these are matters not appertaining to me and it is to bee doubted that such an enterprise as this is may induce some trouble or molestation in so worthy an assembly as heere are met together For we see many times desire to compasse a case of importance may dimme both the eyes and vnderstanding of the attempter and that in such sort as he may mistake one thing for another and so runne riot from all course of reason whereby he seemed at first to make his entrance My Lord said Amadis I still containe my former opinion and that the successe will be answerable to my desire free from all harme or offence but rather to the content of all this companie Well quoth the King your will shall be fulfilled So hee called Oriana whom the kings Perion and Cildadan Bride-like guyded by eyther hand and thus hee spake to her Daughter your husband hath requested a boone of mee which I haue granted although I greatly doubt that very hardly in my opinion it will bee accomplished according to his hope neuerthelesse you know that I haue alwayes kept my word and therefore aduise your selfe in doing that you shall bee enioyned Oriana being not a little ioyfull to heare the King her father speake so familliarly performing very great reuerence to him thus replyed My gracious Lord and father commande what you please I amready to obey you Then daughter quoth the King before you sit downe as a Bride at the table you must essay the aduenture of the Arch of loyall louers and likewise that of the Defended Chamber this is the boone I haue granted to Amadis When these wordes wher heard by the other Ladies a secret murmur ran suddenly among them some for the loue they bare to Oriana fearing least shee should not finish so high an enterprise and to her honour others more addicted to selfe conceit made promise to them of going beyond her Notwithstanding this striuing had but a small continuance because the King had a hand in the businesse and he well knowing that Olinda and Melicia were desirous to accompanie his daughter in her fortune entreated them thereto very earnestly But theire choyce friends and new married husbands were of a quite contrarie minde and laboured to alter them from this humor fearing their falling into danger of loosing that which they were not able to winne themselues and therefore they desired no such triall but were satisfied with enioying their long expectation By the faith I beare to God said the King you can no way mislike their forwardnesse but rather should highly allowe thereof because for ought I can perceiue they couet to make testimonie of their loyalty by better meanes then you your selues are able to iudge of and it is my minde that they shall make their proofe before my daughter Oriana do attempt it This pleased Amadis extraordinarily knowing wel that they could not enter into the Defended Chamber before her and this disfauour to them would be the higher augmentation of her honour So Melicia and Olinda went on towardes the Arch of loyall louers vnder which they passed without any impeachment Then the Brazen Statue began to sound so melodiously as euery one tooke great delight to heare it but especially Agraies and Bruneo aboue all the rest Going on further the two ladies entred into the Garden where they beheld the Statues of Apolidon and Grimanesa As they were busily looking on them they espied Orania almost vnder the Arch looking behinde her if Amadis followed her and instantly such an amiable blush mounted vppe into her face that with her owne naturall pale complexion made her appeare most sweetly beautifull No sooner was she iust vnder the vault of the Arch but the Image souÌded much more harmonious pleasing then euer before had been heard by any casting forth of his Trumpet Gilliflowers Pinkes Daisies Colonbines Pauuces and a thousand other kinde of flowers the most oderiferous that euer were smelt Then entring into the Garden Melicia and Olinda called her to shew her the figures of Apolidon and Grimanesa but she was alreadie come to the Iasper piller where shee found all their names newly engrauen but could not ghesse how or by what meanes Herupon she called them to see what shee had done and thence they returned to the Images which they found to be so ingeniously framed as nothing wanted but life it selfe and speech especially that of Grimanesa which seemed so exceeding faire as Oriana grew distrustfull of her entrance into the Defended Chamber But this doubt had no long lasting for shee going neare to the Venus made of Agate only to take water of the fountaine the Statua put forth her right hand presenting her the Apple while snatching away the most excellent pearle hanging in her eare she made the like tender of it with the other hand Now albeit her two companions loued her very singularly yet could they not preuaile ouer their owne passions but beholding this extraordinary fauour some secret sparks of enuy took fire against her yet she beeing willing to leaue nothing vnperfected went to the Dedalus in the midst where-of as I haue alreadie tolde you was the Colossus of Brasse holding the Lanterne where the diuine fire was kept by the Serpents who looking on Oriana beganne fawningly to moue their tailes and bow downe their heads in signe of humiliation By this meanes without any other hinderance shee passed on to the midst of the Labirinth there beheld at her owne pleasure the theft of Prometheas which in the presence of the three Ladies vanished away and neuer was after-warde seene by any one nor the Serpents neither Wherefore the Ladies returned backe againe to the place where the Knights and other of the company attended for them If now their amorous friends were in the maine height of contentment iudge you faire Ladies that haue made proofe of loues sweetest fauours For mine owne parte I would gladly make you beleeue that they all felt such a heauen of happinesse as I could hertily wish to my selfe Now listen what followeth and perhaps you shall heare matters no lesse pleasing and delightfull The Ladies hauing ended these aduentures ás you haue lately heard Grasinda beeing much offended that shee had not followed on with them concluded in her selfe to approue that of the Defended Chamber before any of the other and thereupon comming to Amadis spake thus My Lord although my beauty cannot satisfie mine owne desire yet it is not so distrustfull of it selfe but it dare essay the aduenture of the staires or ascending to the Defended Chamber For if that be likewise ended without some of my paines imploiment all my life time afterward will be but irkesome and tedious to mee Therefore let come what can or may if I obtaine entrance my minde will bee satisfied
whosoeuer aduenters it shall perish without any remedy And for as much said shee to Amadis as you detaine in prison that wicked wretch Archalaus surnamed the enchaunter who at all times hath practised to worke you mischiefe and will hereafter attempt the like behold here are two Rings the one for you and the other for Madam Oriana the vertue of them is such as they that haue them or weare them none of his enchantments can hurt them or any in their company so being as he continueth in captiuity And therfore let me aduise you to haue him straightly kept and in a strong Cage of Iron where he may bee seene of all to the end that liuing in such miserie hee may die a thousand times a day For death is much more cruell in so prolonging a mans life then when he quickly makes an end of him in a moment Madam answered Amadis I well perceiue that you depriue mee of all hope of euer satisfying the fauours that I haue receiued from you and which day by day you still heape vpon me Lord Amadis quoth she you did so much for me when by your meanes I receiued my friend from the Castle at the Causey where you gaue knight-hood to your brother Galaor as I hold my selfe sufficiently recompenced for all that I haue done or can do hereafter in your behalfe Hauing thus spoken shee tooke her leaue of the whole companie and mounting vpon a Palfray brought thither ready for her shee rode to the port where the two Dwarfes awaited her comming Thither did all the Knights conduct her vntill shee entred into her Frigot which suddenly was wrapt in so black a cloude as they lost the fight of her and of the serpent also which lay houering halfe a league off and shewed not it selfe till three dayes after But the darkenesse being vanished away they beheld it in the same place where Vrganda left it at the first So the Knights ââ¦urning to the Pallace of Apolidon continued out their feasting which lasted yet eight dayes longer In the meane while the Emperour Arquisil sent to prepare the shipping which his predecessour Patin brought with his Armie to Vindilasore and they being come thither his people were imparked and the next day following for the earnest desire he had to be at Rome there to bee lawfully crowned hee went aboard with his Empresse Florestan and the Queene Sardamira The winde sitting fairely for them the weighed Anchors and hoysed sayles so that in short while they were a great way off from the coast of Brittaine crossing the straites of Gibraltare entred into the Leuant Sea where wee will leaue them sayling returning to King Lisuart and the rest in the Enclosed Isle the more part whereof prepared them-selues for the kingdome of Arauigne But others more affecting their ease made account of repayring home to their owne houses especially King Lisuart Neuerthelesse before hee dislodged thence knowing well how faithfull King Cildadan had been to him so long as all his serious affaires endured hee did the parte of a most magnanimous and bountifull Prince towardes him and before all them of the Enclosed Isle remitted the tribute hee paide him to the losse of many worthy knights hearts that had formerly serued him more by constraint then any inclination of good will So taking leaue of them all hee returned home to his country And the same day they remayned there with Amadis as well for the purposed warre in Sansuega as else-where held a Councell wherein was decreed that Don Quedragant Bruneo de bonne Mer Agraies Angriote d' Estrauaus and Brian de Moniaste should go together with them that were left of the Scots Irish and Spanish by whose helpe the countries of Arauigne and Sansuega beeing neighbours and butting one vpon another might be the sooner conquered And beecause the countrie of the Profound Isle confined on the kingdome of Sobradisa Galaor should grant supply of vittailes and passage to his Cosen Dragonis and his Armie which consisted of Gaules and Bohemians with the people that Galuanes could bring from the Isle of Mongoza Hereupon such as were named and set downe for the warre took shipping on the sixt day following and the rest returned home to their countries King Perion to Gaule King Cildadan to his Queene and Gastilles to Constantinople But Amadis and Grasandor kept them-selues at the Enclosed Isle with Oriana Melicia Grasinda Mabila Esplandian and the King of Dacia in expectation of newes from them that were gone thence with so great a power CHAP. XXXII How Amadis went away alone to reuenge the knights losse whom a Ladie had brought dead in a small Barke And of that which happened to him AMadis and Grasandor voide as it appeared to them of all trouble or offence hauing them in their company whom they most esteemed tooke no other care but how to spend their time in all pleasure and delight But Fortune vtter enemy to any mans ease and quiet when shee likes to play her changing prankes had prepared a new occasion for them of sorrow and sadnesse as presently you shall vnderstand One day among other when these two Knights were gone to hunt the Hart as Amadis held his hound in a leash for his best aduantage of the game hee espied a farre off from the coaste a small Barke on the Sea yet making towardes land imagining it should haue some strange occasion therin hee descended downe the Rocke to see what might ensue But before he could goe low enough the Barke was close at the shoare and a Ladie came foorth thereof and one Mariner who with much labour drew forth a dead Knight yet wholly armed Amadis made a stay somewhat short of them to trie what would ensue of this sad beginning hiding himselfe behind a âush for his better shelter and long he had not tarried there but he saw the Mariner and the Ladie lay the Knight along vpon the Sands placing his shield vnder his head This caused Amadis to conceale ââ¦lse no longer but going towards them the Lady presentlie knew him Whereupon suddenly throwing her selfe at his feete and fountaines of teares flowing from hiâ eyes she spake thus Alas Lord Amadis take pittie on a poore woman and for the honor of Knight-hood giue her succour for I am shee that first laid hand on you because the Queene your mother had no other helpe then my poore selfe when you were borne into the World moreouer I can well tell you that all the harmes I suffer at this present hath happened to mee by the loue I haue alwaies carried to you Amadis seeing her so woe begon and euen meerely drowned in teares as it were could not know her at the first sight but looking on her more aduisedly heâ remembred her to be Darioletta of whome wee haue spoken in the beginning of the first Booke and tooke so great compassion on her as raysing her vp very graciously he promised to assist her to his vttermost power Alas Sir
without any iniury or disgrace done vnto him And to morrow thou shalt better see the disposition of thy father and gouerne thy selfe thereto accordingly for I dare assure thee that hee is in no perill of life True it is that without my request first propounded for him and the Knights affection to Gandalacke thy grandfather as him-selfe assured me he had smitten off his head therfore follow my counsell and better will befall thee then thou art aware of I will doe so answered Brauor if my mother shall allow of your aduise Goe then said the Knight to know her minde and in the meane while let euery man withdraw himselfe Brauor commanded his people to depart and keepe themselues farre enough off from the Caue least they should any way offend Amadis in the time of his going to the castle Where comming to his mother he declared all that the knight had said to him and how for the loue of Gandalack hee that had vanquished his father refused to kill him When she heard what her sonne had saide she presently imagined that he was Galaor whom shee affected as her own brother because they had been nursed together at the Rock of Galtares Whereupon she wished her Sonne to follow the Knights aduise for his father began much to mend By this meanes Amadis remained in peace yet standing still vpon his guard least hee should againe bee aslaulted by them of the Castle who stood still as his besiedgers but a great distance off from him CHAP. XXXIIII How Darioletta perceiuing Amadis to bee in such danger made great âoaâe and lamentation And how Balan and hee were made friends WHen Darioletta perceiued Amadis to be besieged on all sids without any meanes of ayd or succour she began to grieue and lament very earnestly and in her weeping vsed these words Wretched and vnfortunate woman that I am must the only best knight in the world lose his life and by mine occasion How dare I hereafter appeare in the presence of the King his Father the Queene or any other of his friends knowing what harm I haue procured to him Miserable woman and much more miserable then I am able to tearme my selfe If I was once the meanes of sauing his life by inuenting that strange kind of cradle wherein hee was committed to the rude Seas mercy how farre vnkinde and contrarie am I now to him in causing the end of his dayes when I most expected and hoped for helpe by him Alas how misguided were my sences from reason and vnderstanding at the time when I met him on the Sea shoare and would not suffer him so much as turne back to the Castle of Apoliaon to take his leaue of madam Oriana and from whence hee might haue brought some other Knights with him by whom in this extreamity he should haue beene well supported Who therfore deserues iustly to be punished but only my selfe hated and despised of all good luck and performing the part of a light headed and indescreete Woman trusting ouer much to mine owne rash opinion All this while did Amadis beholde Dariolettaes sadde complaynings and how often times shee heaued vp her hands to heauen as requiring comfort onely from thence yet could he not vnderstand any one word she spake but enioyed this benefit of seeing her by light of fire made by them that watched him and for their better wearing away the cloudie night which also gaue him some feeling of her wofull condition and so afflicted him in soule as hee resolued to die or get out of the rocky caue because the nights obscuritie woulde therein more auaile him then day light could doe or delaying time till the morning Beside coÌsidering the doubtfull issue of his present estate it appeared plainlie to him that hee could not escape thence without eyther death or taking being ouer wearied with weight of his Armes want of naturall rest and extreamitie of hunger all of these beeing no meane enemies to any hopefull expectation Only his best helpe in this necessity was that he saw his guardes begin to nodde and sleepe and therefore so softly as he could and by little and little hee offered to steale out of the Caue hoping so to compasse his peace Well was this obserued by the Knight of the Infanta Island who considering what danger he might fall into what speeches had past betweene Brauor and the Gyants wife all tending to his good and safetie ranne presently to him and stayed him euen against his will as it were saying Sir Knight I pray you to befrend me so much as but to heare me before you aduenture any farther whereat Amadis stood still to listen what he would say and the other declared to him how hee had conditioned a truce with Brauor vpon hope of the Giants recouerie who already appeared to be out of perill and told him beside what you haue formerly heard Amadis hereat was very ioyfull beleeuing him to be an honest and kinde man that would bring him so good news and that no dread of death could cause him to inuent them where-upon he thus answered Courteous Knight for this time I both credit and will follow your counsell swearing to you by mine order of knight-hood wherein already I haue spent ten yeares seruice that I had much rather be hewn in peeces then the Lady for whom I haue contended with Balan should not be fully satisfied in her demaunde Both you and shee replied the Knight shall haue all that you can desire For I know Balan to be such a man as makes more account of his worde then hee doth of his life During this time the Gyant lay on his bedde not able to vtter a worde but panted extraordinarily as one that endured a strange kinde of perplexitie in his stomack wherby his breath began greatly to faile him and still one while after another he shewed with his left hand and poynted to the place where hee was most payned Which his Chirurgeons perceiuing who durst not as yet take off his garments as fearing much to stirre him they aduentured to obserue the place whereto he signed and found by present apparance that hee had great reason so to doe for more then the palme of a hands breadth round vpon the stomacke the flesh and bones were quashed and meerly broken as it were whereupon they applyed immediatly so many oyles vnguents and other helpefull remedies that before breake of day speech came to him againe and hee demanded what was become of the Knight and the Ladie Then the truth of all was tolde him for none of them durst tell a lie in his hearing which made him to call for his sonne Brauor and all the rest that kept Amadis so sharpely besieged and beeing come before him he began in this manner to his sonne Infamous villaine durst thou presume to falsifie my worde in any thing that I had promised Slaue as thou art what honour or what aduantage could redound to thee by so base a deed as thou
comfort her Only they pitied her distresse and she often looking on Grumedan with an eye that truely spake sorrow froÌ her heart saide An Grâmedan if euer thou didst mee any seruice now when I finde my selfe forsaken of all hope and neuermore to receiue any the least pleasue I pray thee giue ende to my griefes by some sudden way to death which will hee highly welcome to mee especially by thy hand rather then liuing longer iâ such languisââ¦g as I doe But Grâmedan to alter ãâã desperate disposition in her comforted her in the best manner hee could but all would not passe for currant payment it proued rather to encrease her anguish more and more In which regarde both hee and the rest compassed the meanes for conuaying her to the nearest village sending immediately to the Cittie for skilfull Phisitions who found her so feeble and such a debility in her vnderstanding as they stood greatly in doubt of her recouerie Neuerthelesse they expressed their paines so diligently applying such cordialls and other soueraigne comforts as within two daies she began to ãâã knowledge againe And calling for Grumedan after some few ââ¦des passing between them hee saide vnto her Beleeue ãâ¦ã you doe not well to take ãâã ân such sort as you doe considering I haue heard you say an hundred times that the vertue of prudence ãâ¦ã not to be discerned in any person but in such as are most solicited with sorrowes and afflictions Whereby plainely appeareth that the counsell you were wonte to giue to others is now most necessarie for your selfe Are you now to learne that Fortune hath two daughters the one called by many Fâ⦠the other Infelicity If ãâã hath kept companie with you all your life time till now and Infelicitie comes to visite you in her steed arme your self as becomes a vertuous Queene with the deâencible weapons of courage wisedome and constancy euen to enter the lists with the mother herselfe which will so daunt her vnhappy daughter as shee will âe ãâã to follow you any longer but giue you ouer euen in the open ãâã Consider good Madame what I say vnto you because otherwise I âoreâee two necare approaching and irreparable accidents threatning danger to you the one is vââer perdition of your selfe and the other of my Lord the King if at his returne hee findes you dead Say he should be lost why these are but wordes for hee cannot bee so closely hidden but he will be seen And if wee can heare no speedy tidings of him either in this country or else where yet his captiuity in any prison cannot be so strong but by the helpe of your Subiects and fauour of your friends and kinsemen he will be quickly thence deliuered And therfore I beseech you Madam setting aside these sorrows which threaten danger to you you would round engirt your selfe with good Councell and comfort to reach the height of that which is much more needfull for you in this case The Queen liking this discourse yeelded to Grumedans aduise and thereupon purposed to send Brandoynas to Amadis to let him vnderstand the Kings losse and in what extreamity she her selfe was by him she sent this Letter following The Letter from Queene Brisena to Lord Amadis My Lord and Sonne if heretofore the estate of King Lisuart your Father hath beene defended and augmented by your meanes a season better now then euer presents it selfe for your employment considering the perill prepared for him to keepe and preserue all still in perfect condition For some small while since by his enemies as it appeareth most likely he is carried away and imprisoned none of vs knowing where or why which makes mee beleeue that but vpon occasion of a farre greater enterprise this Treason would neuer haue beene vndertaken Now because it is a matter concerning you next to my selfe more then aââ other I haue sent to aduertise you there-of by Brandoynas this bearer who hath seene and vnderstands all and who can acquaint you with my instant aistresse better then I am able to set it downe in wrighting Wherefore I pray you to credit him as my selfe and consider on the rest Your wofull Mother Queene Brisena This Letter written and deliuered to Brandoynas he set on towards Amadis and the Queene with her company went directly to London to call a councell and set all things in order Here you are to vnderstand that soone after the romor of the Kings losse spreâd it selfe so liberally in all places that Quedragant Bruneo and the rest being then in Sansuegua had intelligence there-of and they honorably considering what preiudice might redound therby to Amadis if any neede should happen in Great Brittaine concluded on the speedy goeing to the Enclosed Isle to vndertake whatsoeuer hee should command them Here-upon hauing planted Garisons in all needefull places they sayled thence with so faire a winde that they landed at the Pallace of Apolidon the very same day as Brandoynas arriued there As Amadis was comforting Oriana by reason of the news formerly receiued the comming of these Knightes was made known to him but hee being loath to leaue the Princesse alone intreated Grasandor to goe meete them and acquaint them with the occasion of his staying behinde which accordingly he performed finding them in good forwardnesse on the way Then he declared to them what hee had receiued in charge from Amadis desiring them to excuse him if this day did not alow them to see him but early the next morning hee intended to visite them Now because the affaires they came about required some speed dilligence they entred into Councell and Brandoynas was called before them all where amply he declared what he could say concerning the Kings losse and in what dangerous condition hee had left the Quene Many opinions passed among them but at length it was resolued that they all should pursue the quest of him both by Sea and Land hoping Fortune would be no lesse fauourable to them herein then heereto-fore shee had beene in the like attempts Scarcely had they concluded on this deliberation but one of their Squires came and tolde them that a Ladie was come forth of the great Serpent and in their opinion it was Vrgania the Vnknowen If it be shee said Amadis then the case will goe well with vs. So they all set forwarde and met her almost at the Parkes entrance mounted on a goodly Palfrey which her two Dwarffes led by the bridle reines The first she addressed her selfe vnto was Galaor whom shee kindly saluted and all the rest and being in the midst among them she thus began How now Lords did not I lately tell you that I should finde you heere againe assembled in this place about some businesse then vnknowne to you You did Madame answered Galaor I remember it very well so doth Madame Oriana likewise who wil not be a little ioyfull for your ariuall And partly to comfort her quoth shee is the cause of my now comming So they entred
him if hee would bee a Knight Yes Sir quoth âee if you please to bestow such honour on mee Then Balan gaue him the accolade and after-warde buckled on his right spurre saying I pray God faire Gentle-man to make thee such a man as generall hope is conceiued of thee This done Vrganda tooke Amadis aside saying Bethinke your selfe if you will haue any thing with your sonne because hee is to departe hence suddenly Hereupon Amadis rounding him in the eare saying My sonne at such time as I ariued in Greece I was receiued and highly honoured by the Emperour who afterwardes lent mee so good assistance as I must confesse my selfe for euer beholding to him And because hee tyed mee to some promises made then vnder mine oath to his faire daughter Leonoryna one of the most wise and gracious Princesses in the worlde as also to the Queene Menoressa other Ladies in her companie that if I could nor returne againe to them my selfe I should send them a Knight of my linage to serue them I finde my selfe in no disposition leaning that way but command you that so soone as you haue released King Lisuart you goe and discharge my dutie to her And that you may be the better knowne receiue this Ring which was giuen me there for a kind token Esplandian humbly vpon his knee promised not to faile a iote herein but it was not fulfilled so soone as they both hoped for because before hee came thither hee passed through many perills for the loue of that faire Lady whose renowne only hauing neuer seene her tied him so subiect to hir as hee made no valuation of his Life as when it comes more aptly to our purpose you shall further vnderstand Then Vrganda called him saying Sonne you must needes bestowe Knight-hood of these your foure companions who before many dayes are past may render you the honour of your gift Esplandian obeying the will of Vrganda gaue them the embrace and spurre on their heeles and then the sixe Damosells sounded their Trumpets so sweetely As all the Lords and the fiue new made Knights likewise became so sleepilie enââaunced as they were voide of âll vnderstanding At which very instant the Serpent voided out ââ¦er mouth and nosthrills such a horrible smoake as the Sea could not bee discerned for a long while But very soone after no body could âeâl how the Knights of the Enclosed Isle found themselues to bee in the Parke of Apoââidon not a little wondring how they came ââ¦her but much more beside what was become of the Serpent and the fiue new created Knightes But that which most of all amazed Amadis was when hee awaked ãâã finde a wrighting in his hand ãâã inscription The wrighting which Amadis found in his hand at his waking Kings and Lordes that are in the Enclosed Isle returne home to your Countries and there contentedly rest your Spirits leauing the glorie and prize of Armes to those that beginne to mount aloft vpon the mutable wheele of Fortune let the Fauours shee hath hitherto affoorded you remaine as a full satisfaction And thou Amadis de Gaule who since the day that King Perion made thee Knight at the request of thy Oriana hast vanquished many braue Knightes and cruell Giants escaping strange and vnparraleld perills Let the happinesse thou hast had suffice thee beeing more then any could attaine vnto before thee Learne now to tast those sweets and sowres which Kinges and Rulers are Subiect vnto for they are now prouided for thee And like as in thy younger yeares thou wentst in the condition of a simple Knight errant succouring manie in their necessities So at this time as thou entrest into farre higher felicities thou shalt finde more neede then euer heretofore to lend thine assistance in much greater matters bemoaning many times thy former condition of Life and thy Dwarsse onelie ouer whom thou hast had command Hauing all of them read this Letter they entred into a contestation whether they should follow the Counsell of Vrganda or no But at length Amadis tolde them that it was behouefull to credit her in regard of the continuall truth of her predictions And therefore quoth hee to Galaor I take it for the best that you and Galuanes should goe to Great Brittaine to visit the queene and let her know what Vrganda hath proposed vs for the Kinges deliuerance which will be no little ioy to her and so soone as you returne mee answere my Cosen Agraies Balan and I will followe after you And you my Lords quoth hee to the rest that haue accomplished so many famous conquests returne to take more ample possession and fully enioy the fruits of your labours Where-to they all willingly condiscended and leading their wiues along with them on the morrowe they tooke leaue of Amadis Oriana and the rest that made their stay in the Enclosed Isle And heere wee intend to leaue them making an ende of this our Fourth Booke attending till the Fift shall come to our hands The end of the Fourth Booke A Table of all the Chapters contained in this Fourth Booke of Amadis de Gaule CHPTER 1. OF the great sorrowe made by the Queen Sardamira after shee vnderstood the death of the Prince Saluste Quide and of the ariuall of Oriana in the Enclosed Isle Fol. 1. Chap. 2. A discription of the Linographie and foundation of the Pallace which Apolidon had caused to be builded in the Enclosed Isle Fol. 4. Chap. 3. Of the Councell held among the Knights of the Enclosed Isle touching the businesse for the Princesse Oriana And what they further determined to doe Fol. 11. Chap. 4. Of the discourse which Amadis had with Grasinda and the answere shâe made him Also what Letters were directed by Amadis to diuerse great Princes Fol. 18. Chap. 5. Of the priuate talke which Oriana and Mabila had with Gandalin And what he gaue Amadis to vnderstand concerning them Fol. 24. Chap. 6. How newes was brought to King Lisuart of the Romaines foyle and ouerthrowe and how his daughter Oriana was taken from the whereath grieued greately Fol. 31. Chap. 7. Of a Letter sent by the Priâcesse Oriana beeing in the Enclosed Isle to the Queene her mother Fol. 34. Chap. 8. How King Lisuart called a Councell concerning what hee intended to doe against the Knights of the Enclosed Isle And what resolution was agreed vpon Fol. 39. Chap. 9. How Quedragant and Brian sayling on the Sea by a sudden and vnexpected tempest were cast so farre out of their course that hauing lost all knowledge of Land they met accidentally with Queen Briâlania And what happened to them Fol. 46. Chap. 10. Of the reporte deliuered by Quedragant and Brian to the Knights of the Enclosed Isle concerning their Embassie to King Liâuart And of that which thereupâ⦠was resoluedly determined Fol. 51. Chap. 11. How Master Elisabet ariued in the countrie belonging to Grasinda and passed from thence to Constantinople to the Emperour according to the
charge giuen him by Amadis Fol. 53. Chap. 12. How Gandalin ariued in Gaule And of the speeches betweene him and King Perion Fol. 55 Chap. 13. How Guillan le Pensif ariued at the Empereurs Court of Rome Philipinell in Swetia and Brandoynas in Ireland Fol. 58. Chap. 14. How Grasandor sonne to the King of Bohemia sayling vppon the Sea met with Giontes And of that which happened vnto them Fol. 60. Chap. 15. How Patin Emperour of Rome landed with his arâie at Vindilisore where King Liâuart lay in expectation of his comming And of that which happened to the. Fol. 65 Chap. 16. How King Perion was aduertised of the dislodging of his enemies And what order hee looke to march before and to fight with them Fol. 69. Chap. 17. How Gandalin squire to Amadis Lasinde squire to Bruneo de boÌne Mer were made knights And of the Battaile betweene the two Kings Liâuart and Perion Fol. 71. Châp 18. What order was taken by both the Armies for further proceeding in the fight the time of truce being ended Fol. 7â Chap. 19. Of the conference which King Lisuart had with the Romans after the fought battatle And how the holie mân Nascian who had nourished Esplandian in his younger yeares âearing of this warre departed from his Heâââ¦tage to come to the two Kings to make peace betweene them Fol. 80. Chap. 20. How Nascian returned towards King Lisuart with the answere hee receiued from King Perion Fol. 91. Chap. 21. How King Arauigne being aduertised of the losse which King Lisuart had sustainea and the dislodging of his Campe determined to giue him âattaile Fol. 93 Chap. 22. How King Lisuart was assaulted by King Arauigne brought into great danger And of the succour giuen him by Amadis in his necessity Fol. 95. Chap. 23. How Amadis came to the succour of King Lisuart And of the valiant ouerthrow of King Arauigne Fol. 98. Chap. 24. How King Lisuart ariued at Vindiââ¦ore where his queene Brisena attended his comming whom soone after hee caused to remoue thence and with her daughter Leonora accompanie him to the Enclosed Isle Fol. 108. Chap. 25. How King Perion and his ãâ¦ã their way towards the Enclosed Isle and of that which they did before King Lisuart came thither to them Fol. 110. Chap. 26. How Bruneo de bonne Mer and Branfill were appointed to iourney into Gaule to fetch the queen Elysena and Galaor and of those aduentures which happened to them in their returning back againe Fol. 115. Chap. 27. How Bruneo de bonne Mer Branfill and Angriote went on with the Queene of Dacia and what Aduentures happened to them Fol. 120. Chap. 28. How King Lisuart his queene Brisena and their daughter Leonora departed from Vindilisore to goe for the Enclosed Isle according as it was concluded on aâ their setting from Lubania Fol. 126. Chap. 29. Of the conference which Amadis had with his Cosin Dragonis in giuing him the Kingdome of the Profounde Island and the Princesse Estoiletta to Wife whom hee had loued a long time Fol. 130 Chap. 30. How the marriages of Amadis with Oriana and the other Princes and Ladies were solemnlie celebrated in the Enclosed Isle where the selfe same day Oriana made proofe of the Arch of Loyall Louers and likewise of the Defended Chamber Fol. 132. Chap. 31. How Vrganda the Vnknowne reuealed before them all such matters as shee long time had foretold before they happened And how shee tooke her leaue of Amadis as also of aâ the other company to remouâ⦠whence she came Fol. 137 Chap. 32. How Amadis went away alone to reuenge the Knightes losse whom a Lady had brought dead in a small Barque and of that which happened to him Fol. 140 Chap. 33. How Amadis sayled away from the port of the Island of the Infanta to ãâã the purpose hee had formerly intended Fol. 145 Chap. 34. How Darioletta perceiuing Amadis to bee in such daunger made great moane and lamentation And how Balan and hee were made friends Fol. 152. Chap. 35. How Grasandor followed in the quest of Amadis and what aduentures happened to him in his trauailes Fol. 158. Chap. 36. How Amadis being in the Island of the Red Tower conferring with Grasandor espied a small Foist in the Sea which put into the Port hauing people in her that told him the tidings of the Armie which was gone for Sansuegua and to the Isle of Landes or the Profound Isle Fol. 161 Chap. 37. How Balan being in the Tent of Galuanes the principall Commander of the Armie came to see him And what conferrence they had together Fol. 184 Chap. 38. How King Lisuart being a hunting was taken prisoner by Enchantment and very strangely Fol. 186. M. T. Cicero in Epist ad Plane Marcus Varro in Lib. de Hist Cap. 16. Forsan âaeâolim mââ¦isse iuuabit Reading of Histories are the enstructers to true happinesse
Queenes chamber where being alone by themselues hee began in this maner Madame if you found your selfe much amazed when you heard the matters concerning your daughter and Amadis beleeue no lesse of me when I heard the first newes thereof And by that which I knew afterwarde both you and I were farre off from our reckonning For perswade your selfe it is no little disturbance to my minde that I could not know these things before the scandall was discouered and nothing euer touched mee so nearely especially the losse of so many worthie Knights who had now beene liuing and perished in these vnhappy wars which breeds in me such remorse of conscience as you or any other will hardly credit but matters already past are ouer-late to bee remedied Wherefore I purpose now that what yet remaineth to be done shall bee performed with our very vttermost honour Forgetting the offence of our daughter who made choyce of a husband at her owne pleasure yet one that well deserues her a better For I neuer saw any Knight errant that could winne himselfe so many friends or haue such a multitude of Kings Princes and potent Lords at his comande whereby it plainely appeareth that Fortune is diposed to preferre him before any other And because at my parting from Lubania I promised to bring you with mee to the Enclosed Isle there to consummate the mariage betweene her and him I pray you giue order for all things which you thinke requisite in such cases Also for the conduct thither of your daughter Leonora whom vpon his owne request I haue giuen as wife to the new Emperour Very ioyfull was the Queene to see the King so well disposed especially towardes her daughter Oriana which was the thing shee most desired In regard whereof and to maintaine him in this good minde she saide Sir it seemeth to mee that heauen hath beene very gracious to you and me bestowing such alliance on vs in fauour of whom their friends shall for euer hereafter be ours What else remaineth to bee done referre all to mee for all shall bee ordered to your contentment Hereupon earely the next morning shee sent for Arban King of Norwales Great maister of the Kings housholde to whom she gaue the charge of all CHAP. XXV How King Perion and his companie tooke their way towardes the Enclosed Isle And of that which they did before King Lisuart came thither to them AFter that they of Great Brittaine were gone from Lubania King Perion and his Armie marched backe to the Enclosed Isle where Oriana expected their comming newly aduertised by Gandalin what conclusion was made with king Lisuart So soone as they were there ariued they went to see her and Amadis presented the Emperour Arquisill to her whom she had neuer seene before saying Madame as yet you know not this Knight but he is in good hope to be nearer in kinred to you then you imagine By these words she plainely vnderstood that he was the Emperour wherefore raising her selfe shee went and did him reuerence as hee did the like to her with a very Princely grace said Madame I am so much beholding to Lord Amadis that both you and hee may dispose of me and whatsoeuer is in my power at your pleasure My Lord answered the Princesse I know what who you are wherefore I most humbly beseech you that hence forward you would reckon mee as one of your best sisters and kinde friends During this time Agraies Florestan Quedragant Brian gaue curteous salutaions to Queene Sardamira Grasinda and Olinda and Bruneo de bone Mer to his most dearely affected Melicia But Amadis obseruing Grasandor sonne to the King of Bohemia standing by the Infanta Mabila so rauished in soule with loue to her that accustomed feare in such affaires closed vp his mouth not daring to deliuer so much as on ewoâd caused him to call his Cosen and thus he rounded her in the eare Madame you know that Grasandor loues you more theÌ himself yet you appear ouermuch to neglect him I pray you speake to him for well I knowe that you beeing sicke of the same disease and many times in the like extreamity would euen gladly as hee finde ease in the like tormenting affliction therefore to your mercy I recommend him Shee knowing that Amadis was shot in the same place where this loue-sicke paine oppressed her euen as violently to another as shee to Grasandor began to blush in such strange manner as all present did apparantly perceiue it and ghest at the cause of her alteration Yet to couer it so well as shee could she made answere to Amadis that shee would obey his commande And he taking her by the hand weÌt with her to Grasandor presently saying See Sir heere is a Lady that findes fault with seeing you so melanchollie Let me intreate you my Lord to yeeld her some reason how and from whence your affliction ensueth and so hee left them together Grasandor finding opportunity to fauour him and that now he might freely vtter his minde to her between hope and feare kindnesse and constraint thus hee began Madame it seemes to mee that Lord Amadis findes the same passions in mee as him selfe suffered when loue allured him at the first to like Madame Oriana And to speake no more then truth when I thinke to impart my oppressions to you the three principall organes of my life are in most strange and vnusuall distemper namely mine eyes my heart and my tongue For so soone as mine eyes can but gaââ¦e a sight of you they incite speech onely to tell you the cause of my griefe but all in vaine Then my tongue hoping to supply that defect openeth my mouth but feare preuailing quickly closeth it vp againe If then my heart be in heauy martyrdome I leaue to your owne iudgement speaking as it doth by continuall fighing And finding it selfe vn-furnished of all helping meanes checks mine eyes for bringing home the first tydings of your bright beauty Then they in excusing their errour promise to performe the tongues office because it is dumbe in your presence and by outward appearance shewing it selfe pitifull would begge of you mercy and remedy While Grasandor continued these complaints Amadis not knowing how he should raise the siege the Emperor still talking with Oriana saw Queene Briolania enter the chamber whom hee going to kisse called the Emperour saying My Lord you haue not yet seen all the beauties in this goodly beauty as here Queene Briolania may testifie to you Before God quoth hee you say very true So leauing Oriana to salute the Queene she seemed so faire in his eye and her behauiour so gracious that hee vsed these wordes to her I am perswaded Madame that Apolidon in creating the singularities of this place left them in such rich perfection only for the honour of excelling Ladies For I can repute them no other then immortall and make men tractable to abide heere all their life time among such