one of the Casements and he cried alowde to this fresh supply Kill him kill him but saue his horsse to doo me seruice Galaor looking vp presently knew him at whose woordes his hart was so enraged that he fiercely ran to méete the newe assaylants in which encounter their Launces brake especially Galaor on him who gaue the first charge as he made him sure enough from euer bearing armes afterward Then setting hand to Swoord auaunced himselfe to the other deliuering him so sound a greeting that he tumbled from his Horsse with his heeles vpward and turning to the Halberders on foot he saw his Squire had dispatched two of them wherfore to harten him the more he thus cryed to him My fréend thou hast begun very well not one of the rest shall escape vs because such villaines are vnwoorthy to liue When the Squire that was in the windowe saw this bloody con 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ran vp a Ladder into a high Tower crying â—ut so loud as he could in this manner My Lord arme your selfe vnlesse you meane to be slaine By chaunce Ga 〈◊〉 vnderstood him wher-upon he stepped aside to beholde 〈◊〉 should ensue when presently he saw a Knight came 〈◊〉 and one bringing a Horsse for him ready to 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 stepping between laid hand on the bâ—iâ—le giuing these speeches to y e Knight An other time Sir 〈◊〉 to â—â—ount your selfe sooner for I haue occasion to vse 〈◊〉 Horsse and meane to keepe him till you can get him 〈◊〉 Greatly astonied was the Knight when he heard him because all this while he had not séene him wherfore he returned this answere Are you he that haue slaine my two Nephewes and the other héere in the Castell I know not who you aske for replyed Galaor but this I can assure ye how I found heere the most disloyall and bad minded people that euer I delt withall I tell thée said the knight they whom thou hast slaine were better then thou art and deerely shalt thou pay for thy boldenes Héer-upon they began a fierce and cruell combate on foote for the Knight of the Castell was a man of great valour and such as had seene this dangerous fight would haue meruailed that they could endure halfe so many blowes Yet in the end the Knight found him selfe too weake for Galaor wherfore he thought to saue him selfe by flight but he was followed so néere as hauing entred a Porche he was constrained to leap out at a windowe and falling on a great heape of stones with weight of his armour brake his necke When Galaor saw his desperate end he returned back curssing the Castell and the wicked inhabitantes and passing by a chamber he heard a very dolefull voice crying Ah my Lord leaue me not to suffer any more Galaor stepping néerer saide Open the doore then Ah Sir I cannot answered the voice for I am tyed with a strong chaine By these woordes Galaor knew well it was some prisoner wherfore he ran against the doore with his foote so strongly that he made it flye from off the hindges and entring behelde a faire Damosell tied by the necke with a great chayne who thus spake to Galaor Alas my Lord what is become of the maister of this Castell and his companie They be all dead quoth he for comming hither to seeke cure for a wound I receiued in fight they caused me to enter and afterward set vpon me but by the helpe of God I haue so well defended my selfe as they shall neuer dâ—◠〈…〉 to any liuing body Heauen be praised answered the Damosell for your happy successe and leaue â—â—e not in this miserie for béeing deliuered right soon shall I make whole and sound your wounds Presently did Galaor breake the chaine and the Damosell took out of a Cofer two little bottles with other precious thinges belonging to the Lord of the Castell and so came downe together into the Courte where Galaor perceiued how the first Knight he iousted withall was not yet dead but trauailing to his end wherfore to let him languish no longer he so trampled on his brest with his horsse féete as quickly his soule forsooke the body afterward they rode away deuising on many matters This Damosell was wife well gouerned and of good grace wherby she could so queintly answere and intreate Galaor that he became highly enamoured of her and beeing able to indure no longer this kindled fire of affection thought good to make some proofe if she would loue him wher-upon he thus began You know faire Damosell and my freend that I haue deliuered you from prison but in giuing you libertie I am become my selfe captiue and brought into great danger vnlesse you helpe me You may be well assured my Lord quoth she that the matter were very difficulte wherin I would not obey you standing so deepely bounden to you as I doo for otherwise I might be reckoned among the most ingratefull women of the world considering the misery you so lately deliuered me from and therfore doo I remaine at your disposition In these familiar conferences they procéeded so farre as the execution of this hotte loue soone after followed tasting together the benefite of such content as other may do the like that haue so good fortune and thus merily they passe this night in the Pauillion of certaine Hunters they met withall in this Forrest So Galaor receined by this Damosell ease of his new wound loue had made and cure of the other he got in sight For certaine daies they remained in this wood during 〈…〉 the Damosell tolde him how she was daughter to 〈◊〉 the Fleming not long since County of Claire by the gift of King Lisuart and a Lady whom he had often intreated as his fréend But one day quoth she beeing with my Mother in a Monasterie not farre hence the Lord of this Castell whome you haue slaine demaunded me in mariage and because my parents misliked therof by reason of his vngracious behauiour he watched a day when I was sporting among other Damoselles from whom he forcibly caryed me away furiouslye thrusting me into the prison where ye found me saying Be well assured Damosel that seeing thou hast disdained to match with me in mariage and made so little account of my great renowne while thou liuest thou shalt not departe hence till thy Mother and the rest of thy kinred come intreate me to take thée as my wife Perceiuing how seuerely he was bent against me I set downe my rest on pacient hope thinking it better for a time to endure that captiuitie then by making him my Husband suffer a woorsse Great reason had ye therin answered Galaor but tell me now I pray ye at parting hence what shall become of you for I am constrained to make little stay and must trauaile very farre being too much trouble for you to follow me I desire ye quoth she conduct me to the Monasterie from whence I was taken for my Mother is there who will be right ioyfull
and Briolania holpe to vnarme Amadis for she could not be satisfied with beholding him because she counted him the fairest knight that euer was séen being now but twenty yéeres of age And so piercingly did he regarde her as long time after she wexed very amourous so that when she had recouered her Kingdome she wished him sole Lord of her and her countrye togeather as shall heer-after be declared But Amadis was else-where addicted and gaue sufficient proofe to her that the extream anguishes he endured for his Oriana were manifest examples of his stedfast loyaltie Neuer-the-lesse the yong Lord of Portugall pittying faire Briolania would disguise this historye in another manner describing farre otherwise the loue of her and Amadis which reporte is woorthye of no credit For he saith that Briolania being restored into her Kingdome prouiding for the health of Amadis and Agraies who were wounded she continuing euer-more amourous of Amadis seeing by no meanes she could win him to be her fréend tooke aside the Damosell to whome Amadis Galaor and Agraies made the seuerall promises at what time she conducted Galaor to the Knight that iousâ—ed with them in the Forrest and discouering the secrets of her hart to her with aboundance of teares and affectionate sighes requested her councell and remedye in these amourous passions The Damosell compassionate on her Ladyes sickenesse promised to giue her redresse for it wher-upon she said to Amadis that the boone she would desire of him was his entrance into a Tower from whence he should not depart vntill he had begotten of Briolania a sonne or a daughter Amadis willing to kéepe promise with the Damosell yeelded therto yet without any will to touch Briolania wherby he grew into such melanchollye as he refused all bodily sustenaunce and fell into such danger of his person as euery hower he expected death Which beeing heard in the Courte of King Lisuart as also his deadly dangerous extremetie Oriana lothe to loose him sent him woord and licence that he should doo what the Lady requested Wherupon Amadis considering he might no way else escape and his gracious Mistresse pittyed him so much he begat a sonne and a daughter of Briolania wherof she was deliuered at one labour but this historye is altogeather false and faigned It might be that Amadis was prisoner in the Tower and Briolania behelde his dayly pining away but she desired the Damosell to remit him this boone on condition he should not departe till his brother Galaor returned as willing to comfort her selfe with the sight of him while she attended his brothers arriuall for Galaor espoused her afterward as you shall read in the fourth booke of this Historye Let it then suffice at this time that Amadis and Agraies soâ—ourne certaine daies in the Castell while all néedfull thinges were ready for their combate CHAP. XLII ¶ How Galaor went with the Damosell after the Knight that dismounted him and his companyons in the Forrest whom when he found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest pointe of their combate they knew eche other FOure dayes together rode Galaor with the Damosell seeking the Knight that vnhorssed him in the Forrest for which he was so ouercome with anger as euery Knight he met withall déerly felt it because in combate manye receiued their death Then espying a faire Castell on the top of a high mountaine the Damosell tolde him there was no other place néere where they might lodge that night wherfore he béeing glad to accept therof they came to the Castell finding many Gentlemen and Ladies sporting together among whom was a Knight aged about thrée-score yeeres who taking Galaor by the hand did him all the honor might be deuised My Lord quoth Galaor your courtesie to vs is so great that albeit we were determined to passe further on our way yet for your sake we are conteÌ„t to stay with you this night Then the Knight conducted Galaor into a faire chamber leauing the Damsell among the other Ladyes after the Prince was vnarmed the Knight spake to him in this maner Héere Sir may you rest and take your ease calling for any thing you stand in néede of for God knowes I haue vsed such entertainemente not onlye to you but to all Knightes errant that passed this way because some-time I haue beene as now you are Yet hath nature giuen me two sonnes whose only delight is in search of aduentures but now they lye sick in their beddes béeing cruelly wounded by a Knight who with one Launce cast them bothe from their Saddles But they were so ashamed at this foyle as they mounted againe and pursued the Knight ouer-taking him as he entred a Barque to passe the water where my sonns saide to him that in respect he had iousted so well they would trye his fortune in combate with the Swoord but the Knight made answere he could not now intend it yet would they needes presse him so farre as to hinder his entraunce into the Barque Wher-upon a Lady béeing in his company said they wronged her ouermuch to stay her Knight but they were not to departe til he had combated with them at the Swoord Seeing it will be no otherwise replyed the Lady he shall enter fight with the better of you bothe on condition that if he be conquerour the other doo forbeare the combate They answered if the one were vanquished the other would reuenge his foyle which when the Knight heard he was so angry as he had them bothe come together in respecte they were importunate and would not rest contented In the triall one of my Sonnes sustained the wurst wherfore his brother séeing him in such perill stroue to reskue him from death yet all was in vaine for the Knight handled them so roughlye as he left them like dead men in the feeld and afterward passed away in the Barque No sooner heard I of this mishap but I sent for my sonnes and home were they brought in this dangerous plight but y t you may giue credit to my woordes beholde héere their Armour cut and mangled as I think the like strokes neuer came from any mans hand Galaor meruayling at this discourse demaunded what Armes the conquering Knight bare when he was answered his Shéeld to be of vermillion couller with two black Lyons figured therin By these tokens Galaor knew him that it was y e same man he trauailed to finde which made him demaund of his fréendly hoste if he had no further knowledge of the Knight No verily Sir quoth the auncient Gentleman For this night answered Galaor let vs take our rest and to morrow I intend to seek the man you talke on For alreadye I haue trauailed foure dayes in his searche but if I méete with him I hope to reuenge the iniurye of your sonnes and other likewise whome he hath offended or else it wil cost the price of my life I could rather wishe saide the Knight that leauing this perillous enterprise you would take some
Mellin de Sainct Gelays au Seigneur des Essars N. de Herberay traducteur du present liure d'Amadis de Gaule Au grand desir à l'instante requeste De tant d'amys dont tu peux disposer Vouldrois tu bien o amy t'opposer Par vn reffus de chose treshoneste Chascun te prie ie t'en admoneste Que l' Amadis qu'il t' a pleu exposer Vueilles permettre au monde exposer Car par tes faitz gloire honneur acqueste Estimes tu que Caesar ou Camille Doibuent le cours de leuâ—r claire memoire Au marbre au fer à cyseau ou enclume Toute statue ou medaille est fragile Au fil des ans mais la durable gloire Vient de main docte bien disante plume Antoine Macault Secretaire vallet de chambre du Roy Aux Lecteurs Diuins espritz Françoys de hault scauoir comblez Qui par viue vertu merite louable En bien escripuant ceulx qui bien font ressemblez Prenez exemple icy certain honorable Que loz immortel vient d'oeuure non paroissable Comme est le present liure Et vous oisifz cessarts Suyuez ce translateur qui des branchuz Essars Du parler Espaignol en essartant deffriche Nostre Amadis de Gaule le rend par ses artz En son premier Françoys doulx orne propre riche THE FIRST BOOK OF Amadis of Gaule Discoursing the Aduentures and Loue of many Knightes and Ladies as well of the Realme of great Brittayne as sundry other Countries c. CHAP. 1. Of whence the Kinges Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knightes as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following theron SOone after the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ there reigned in little Brittaine a king named Garinter enstructed in the lawe of veritie and highlye adorned with many laudable vertues hauing a Noble Ladye to his Wife by whom he had two beautifull Daughters The eldest béeing maried with Languines King of Scottes was commonly called the Lady of the Garland because the King her Husband taking great pleasure to beholde the golden tresses of her haire would haue them no otherwise couered then with a faire circle or chaplet of Flowers Languines enioying by his Quéene Agraies and Mabila of whom this present History often maketh mention The other yongest Daughter to this King Garinter was named Elisena very much excelling the eldest in beauty and though she had beene oftentimes desired in mariage by sundry Princes and great Lordes yet as then she had no will therto but for her solitarye and holy life was commonly called of euery one the lost Virgin in Deuotion considering that in a person of such estate endued with such excellent beauty and solicited by so many great Princes this strickt religion was not conuenient King Garinter béeing somwhat in yéeres for recreation tooke pleasure in Hunting when at one time among other it happened that hauing appointed a méeting néere one of his Cities called Alyma a Hart was put foorth in pursuite whereof him selfe wandred very farre wherfore séeing he had lost both his people and game commending him selfe to God he began to make somewhat the more haste til hauing trauersed first one way and then another at the very entraunce into a Wood he saw two Knightes fighting against one Soone had he knowledge of the twaine in y t they were his own Subiectes of whom he had heard sundrye complaintes but slender order was taken in the cause by reason of the great alliance they had in the Cuntrye as also for that they kept themselues still in this great Forrest Who the third should be he meruailed and for that time he so well liked the valour of the one Knight as he feared not what might happen to the other twaine wherfore he withdrew him selfe a little further into the Forrest because he might the better beholde the issue of the fight which sorted to such effect as by the strength of the one Knight both the other were vauquished and slaine The King beholding what had happened came foorth of the Wood when the Knight seeing one so néer him aboâ—e thus demaunded Gentle Sir what Câ—â—try is this where Knightes errant are thus assayled by robbers théeues Let this be no wonder to you Sir answered the King for this Cuntry yéeldes as other doo both good and bad As for them that thus assaulted you they haue done diuers and villainous outrages not onlye in this Wood which hath been their accustomed receptacle but like wise in many other places and chéefely against their Lord and King who could not execute iustice on them in that they were allyed to the best houses in this Realm And where may I finde the King you speake off said the Knight for I am come to séeke him to bring him newes from a great fréend of his Happen what shall answered Garinter I will tell ye so much as I knowe vnderstand then for a trueth that I am the man you aske for At these woordes the Knight took of his Helmet and throwing downe his Shéeld ran to embrace him saying that he was the King Perion of Gaule who of long time had been destrous to know him Greatly were these Kinges contented that their méeting was in such fortunate manner and conferring togeather on many matters they tooke the waye through the Wood toward the Citie where they thought to finde the Hunters but suddenly a Hart ranne before them which with some danger had escaped the toyles wherfore the Princes gallopped after the Déere hoping to kill it ere they gaue ouer But it fell out otherwise for in the pursuite as they came into the thickest of the wood a chafed Lyon ran before them which in their sight seayed on the Hart and hauing with his strong pawes torn it in péeces turned againe when running furiouslye against the two Princes he watched his aduauntage as if they had angred him which the King Perion perceiuing in laughter saide You shal not be such a glutton maister Lyon but you shall leaue vs parte of the game And héerwith presently he alighted because his Horsse would not come néer the beast so drawing his Swoord and clasping his shéeld on his arme not regarding y e cryes of King Garinter who laboured to disswade him froÌ„ the attempt he marched to the Lyon who for defence of his pray can eagerly against the King and so betwéene them began a new warre But the Lyon being quick and nimble did so much as he got his enemye vnder him yet was the Kinges hart so good that albeit he was in verye great perill of his person he was not abashed one iotte but turned him selfe in suche sorte as he thrust his Swoord into the belly of the beast which at that instant fell downe dead before him The King séeing what had happened was so
ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he saide within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best knightes in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their King had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Uenison laide on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Quéene was immediatly aduertised of King Perions arriuall and therfore made speedy prouision of all thinges necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their comming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences doon on all sides the two Kinges sat downe so did the Quéene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had Loue secretly ambushed him selfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quicke and thence forward holde a sure conquest of her The like in King Perion who thought of nothing but a fréendlye entertainement yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena and she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearring regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesie but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong King and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that power he had his hart francke and frée without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner time they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with-drawen when the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherfore Elisena arose to followe her but as she stepped forward she let fall a King which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her think on other matters Now was king Perion some what néer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes méete together as the King had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her King Wherupon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a swéet regarde humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doo you for my whole life time shalbe imployed to obey you Constrained was Elisena without answering him to followe the Queene her mother so surprized and altered as very néere she had forgotten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden and vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguishe she went and discouered the same to a faithfull Damsell of hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councell her how she might safely know if King Perion had not else-where placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showen her might procéed from force of that impression which had so lately seaâ—ed on her hart The Damosell mernailing at this so sudden mutation and in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her pitteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherwith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye hee hath lefte no place in your iudgemente where counsell or reason may be entertayned and therfore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obay you I shall doo what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretion and the great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garmentes for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I perfourme this seruice and you gentle Squire maye goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Cuntry made no deniall but willinglye suffered her to take the Garments wherupon she entred the Chamber where the found the King laide on his bed who séeing her enter and knowing wel it was she whom he had séene to conferre with Elisena most priuatelye and in whom aboue all other she put chéefest trust he thought that she would not come in that sorte to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he saide Faire fréend what demaund ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I saide the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left naked and despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this Country I was frée from all passions and doubled nothing but of aduentures that might happen to knightes errant but now I know not in what sorte entring this Courte by some one of your Ladies haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell knowe how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my self happy by dooing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you will promise me saide the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say holdâ—â—â— your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my fréende quoth he I giue ye to vnderstand that at what time I behelde the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamelye tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I finde not remedy for my greefe the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the minde of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answere My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other thinges ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to Wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shalbe satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dollour then your are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you doo not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke
this instant wearye with trauaile and ouercome with sléepe began euen as they opened the doore to slumber and dreamed that one entred his Chamber at a false doore without knowledge who it should be but he thought that he thrust his handes into his sides and rent foorth his hart afterward he saw him throw it into the Riuer when the King said Wherefore commit ye such crueltie This is nothing at all answered he that did this outrage for with you shall remaine an other hart which I must take from ye against my will In great feare he suddenlye awaked and making the â—igne of the Crosse commended him selfe to God Now had the Ladies opened the doore and entred the Chamber wherfore he hearing the noyse suspected some treason especially by reason of his fearefull dreame and lifting vp his head behelde thorowe the Curtaynes the doore open wherof he knew nothing and afterwarde by the light of the Moone he sawe the shadowe of the Ladyes that were entred For this cause in feare he started out of bed tooke his Swoord and went to the place where he had seene them but when Darioletta sawe him so affrighted she spake to him in this manner What shal be doone héere Doo you my Lord draw armes against vs that come to you with so slender defence The king who quickly knew them especially Elisena whom he so much desired threw his Swoord to the ground and casting a mantle about him which lay néere at hand in great affection he came to her whom he loued better then him selfe kissing embracing and shewing y e best countenance could be deuised which Darioletta seeing as one iealous and enuious of such fauour saide to Elisena Now are you somewhat better contented for in my iudgement although till this time you defended your selfe from many and he likewise hath withstood sundrye assaultes notwithstanding at this present neither the one or other of you hath force or meane which way any longer to warrant or defend your selues As thus she spake she looked where the King had throwen his Swoord which she tooke vp as a witnesse of the oathe and promise he made her concerning the future mariage of Elisena and him selfe then shutting the doore after her she went into the Garden and so the King remained alone with his fair fréend whom after many amourous embracinges infinite kissinges and execution of delightes he behelde verily perswading him selfe that all the beautye of the Worlde was in her reputing him self much more then happy that the heauens had allowed him so good an aduenture Sée now how it chaunced to this Princesse that for so long time in the chéefest flower of her youth being requested by so many mighty Princes and great Lordes she had withstood all to remaine in the libertie of a Maiden now wun in lesse space then one day and at such time as her fancie in her owne thinking was farthest off from such matters Thus Loue breaking the strong bandes of her holye and chaste life caused a sudden alteration of her purpose making her soone after of a faire virgen a faire woman seruing for example to many other who assaying to withdrawe their thoughtes from worldly thinges and despising the great beauty wherwith nature hath endowed them and tender youth which maketh them ignorant of the pleasures and delightes in their Fathers Courtes ' wherof sometime they might haue tasted yeelde themselues for saluation of their soules into poore and religious houses therto in all obedience offering their frée will vowing themselues to the subiection of others hoping to passe their time without any renowne or glory of this world Certes such Ladies ought with great sollicitude to stop their eares close their eyes and giue themselues to continuall deuoute contemplations and prayers accepting them as their true and singuler pastimes as to such they are and aboue all they should exempt them selues from sight of Parents neighbours fréends because that oftentimes the talk and frequenting of such procureth a change of their holye and chaste will And not without cause haue I made this little discourse for it is to the ende that it happen not to them as it did vnto the faire Princesse Elisena who so long laboured in thought to preserue her selfe yet notwithstanding in one only moment seing the beauty and good grace of King Perion changed her will in such sorte as without the aduise and discretion of Darioletta who would couer the honor of her Mistresse vnder the mantle of mariage you may sée she was at the point to fall into the very lowest parte of all dishonor As it hath happened to many other of whoÌ„ hath commonly béen heard speech who not keeping themselues from what I haue saide before haue béene taken bad enough and taken will be if they admit no better foresight Now then are these two louers in their sollace Elisena demaunding of the King if his departure should be shortlye or no. Wherfore Madame doo you aske saide King Perion Because quoth she this happy fortune that with so great delight hath giuen ease to our affectionate desires dooth threaten me already with extreame anguish and sorrow which by your absence I shall receiue and feare it will rather cause my sudden death then long life Haue no doubt therof saide the King for although my body be seperated from your presence my hart for euer shall remaine with ye which shall giue strength to vs bothe to you to suffer and to me by my spéedye returne These two contented louers are thus deuising when she that had been the cause of their meeting seeing it was time to call her mistresse who by this pleasure forget her selfe in her louers armes entred the Chamber and speaking somewhat loude saide Madame I know that heertofore you thought my company more agréeable then you doo at this present but it is néedfull that you arise and let vs goe for the time calleth vs. When the King heard her knowing that perforce it must be so he praied Darioletta to walke into the Garden and to bring him woord in what corner the winde sat in meane while he tooke his amourous conge w t such reciprocall pleasure as you that loue may easily iudge then swéetly kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Cuntry then you imagine therfore I pray ye be not unmindefull of this place So arose Elisena and went vnto her Chamber with Darioletta leauing y e King alone not a little contended with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signify he becaÌ„e desirous to return to his owne Countrey where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences him self likewise in former times took great pleasure therin and vnderstood sundry rules therof Neuerthelesse he soiourned ten dayes with King Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunte
The ten dayes béeing spent King Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to departe and therefore tooke his leaue of the Courte but as he would haue mounted on horseback he perceiued that he wanted his good Swoord wherat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fayrest in the world yet durst he not demaund it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena shoulde thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his chamber In these thoughtes accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came and intreated him to be mindefull of the great gréefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the sollemne promise he had made her Alas my déere freend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to fée her in meane while I commend her to you as mine own proper hart Then taking from his finger a King semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great gréefe but encrease it so that if she had not béene comforted by Darioletta without doubte she had then finished her dayes but so wel she perswaded her to take good hope that by the allegations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothely to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes wherof she not onlye lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mishap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable law y t any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her self from death This sharpe cruell custome endured till the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that country which he reuoked at the time as he killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betwéene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady coulde not be absolued by ignoraunce therof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Swoord God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the world because it was doon so secretly as you haue heard Sée héere the distresse wherin King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she would giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the promptitude of this yong King that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also séeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therfore he was the harder to be found Thus dispayring of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true fréend and only Lord. But at that instant the great and puissāt maker of all thinges by whose permission this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such counsell as she only should remedie these occurrences in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the Pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber vaulte seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer wherto one might easilye discend by a little Iron doore this Chamber by the aduise of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to continue her accustomed solitarye life and would haue none other companion thē Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous gréefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heeruppon was the Keye of the Iron doore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest and assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherfore béeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference and she required councell what should be doone with the fruite that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta mary it must suffer to redéeme you Ah poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I consent to the death of the creature begotten by the only man of the world whom most I loue Offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth said Elisena although I dye béeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue wee this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great follye to hazard the safetie of that which héerafter may be the onlye cause of your losse and your freend likewise for well you know that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue and you dying no longer can he liue y t so deerely loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of al thrée where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand séeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boords of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherin to put the infant with the clothes the swoord which she kept then did she glue thē together in such sorte as y e water should haue no place to enter This beeing doon and made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing therof to Elisena vntil the time of Childe-birthe approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know not quoth she This shalbe to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue neede Beleeue me answered Elisena wéeping but little doo I care for any thing that may happen for I féele my selfe too néere the losse of my good and all my ioy Uery soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of trauaile which was to her very strange and troublesome oppressing her hart with sundrye bitter passions yet notwithstanding all her yrk some plundges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatlye fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty without danger of her person gaue her in deliueraunce a faire Sonne which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it séemed to her of wonderfull feature and happy would
necessitie I must be gon aduising ye that you shall see me againe sooner then you thinke for At these woordes the Damosell departed and Gandales who had not all this while regarded the Knight against whome hee fought seeing him now bare headed reputed him one of the goodlyest Gentlemen that euer he had seene who after he had taken vp his Sheeld and laced on his helmet followed the Damosell wherfore for this time we will let them goe continuing what happened to Gandales Vrganda being departed he returned toward his Castel méeting by the waye with the Ladye whome Vrganda had caused to be rhased from her fréend and this sorrowfulâ— woman was hard by a Fountaine where she wept and lamented very bitterly when she espied him that came toward her she easily knew him wherfore she thus spake Is it possible Sir Knight that the wicked creature whom you succoured hath doon so much as to let you liue Wicked she is not answered Gandales but wise and vertuous and if you be otherwise I will make ye deny these foolish woords Ah God saide the Lady how can the villaine deceiue euery one How hath she deceiued you replied Gandales Alas quoth the Lady she hath taken from me y e faire Knight that should be mine and so may I wel say seeing he woulde bee more content to be with me then with her This is meere folly answered Gandales for in mine opinion both you and she do loue without reason Howe euer it be said the Lady if I can I will be auenged You trauaile in vaine quoth he thinking to iniurie her that knowes it not onely before you execute it but when you imagine it In sooth answered the Lady this afternoone ye may be gone when you please and neuertheles it often happeneth that those which thinke they know most by presumption fall into the greatest dangers Gandales seeing her so impacient commending her to God followed his waie thinking more of the young Gentlemans affaires then what the Ladie had spoken to him Beeing come to his Castell and seeing the little boy come running towards him he tooke him vp in his armes and louingly embracing him remembred what Vrganda had saide to him which made the teares stand in his eyes with ioy saying within him selfe Faire Childe I pray God I maye liue so long as to sée thée such a one as I hope for At this time the young Prince was about thrée yeeres olde who seeing his Lord weepe as one mooued with compassion â—â— wiped his eyes which made Gandales imagine great hâ—manity in him and y t as the childe grewe in age and strength â—â—wered he in will the better to helpe him if he had 〈◊〉 Wherfore thence forward he was very carefull of him â—â—uising all meanes for his best education and compaying continually with his play-fellowe Gandalin he tooke very great delight in Shooting He béeing come to the age of sixe yéeres King Laâ—guines and his Queene riding through the Countrey came to Gandales Castell where they were royallye feasted but before they there ariued Gandales being aduertised of their comming caused the yong Prince and his companions to be hid in a backe Chamber fearing that in respecte of his beautye and good grace the King would be desirous to take him away with him or else that the Children would be troublesome to the house But it fortuned that the Quéene beeing lodged in one of the highest roomes in the Castell as she looked foorth at a windowe which was on that side where the Children were she espied the yong Prince and his play-fellowes drawing their bowes and marking him verye well she liked him aboue all the other taking great plesure to beholde his countenance thinking he was Sonne to the Lord of the house yet beeing doubtfull and not seeing anye of whome she might aske the question she thus called to her Ladyes Come and beholde the fairest young creature that euer was séene At these woordes they all came running and soone after the childe being drye left his bow by his companyons going to drinke at a conduit pipe which was hard by in meane while one of them that was bigger then y e Prince tooke vp his bowe to draw it but Gandalin would not suffer him wherupon a great strife fell betwéene them and Gandalin being the weakest cryed out Gentleman of the Sea come helpe me When the Prince heard him he lefte his draught and ran to him that misused his brother taking his vow froÌ„ him giuing him therwith a great strok ouer y e head saying In all euill hower varlet doost thou outrage my brother The other not content therwith came to y e Prince and they fought together yet he that began the noyse was glad to run thence and by the way met their Gouernour who saide Whether runnest thou Maister quoth he the Gentleman of the Sea will beate me then the Gouernour comming to the Prince rigourously threatned him saying What are you already so bolde to beate your companions you shalbe talked withall by and by for it When y e Prince heard his threatning he fell downe on his knées saying If you will appoint that I shall be beaten more gladlye will I take it then suffer my brother to be wronged in my presence With these woordes the teares trickled downe his chéekes which mooued pitie in the Gouernour wherfore he thus answered If euer you doo so againe I will make ye wéepe in an other sorte The Quéene who had heard and séene all the debate was greatly abashed wherfore they called the little boy the Gentleman of the Sea CHAP. IIII. ¶ How King Languines caried away with him the Gentleman of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales WHile the Quéen thus beheld the Gentleman of the Sea the King entred her Chamber accompanied with Gandales of whom she presently demaunded if that faire young Sonne were his Ye Madame answered Gandales And quoth she why suffer you him to be called the Gentleman of the Sea Because Madame said he that at returne of my last voyage into little Brittayne he was borne vpon the sea Truely quoth she he resembles you but little and this was her opinion because the Prince was excellent faire Gandales somewhat hard fauoured yet a most gentle companion It chaunced during these speeches that y e King cast his eye on the little Prince to whom he séemed no lesse beautifull then he did to the Queene wherfore he commaunded Gandales to fetch him for when I goe hence quoth he I will take him with me and haue him brought vp with mine owne Sonne In sooth my Lord answered Gandales he is yet too young to leaue his Mother but hauing brought him presented him to the King who saide Faire Childe will ye goe with me to the Court My Lord answered the Childe I will goe whether you please if my brother shall goe with me And I quoth Gandalin will not tarye héere without him I perceiue my Lord said Gandales that if
you take the one you must néedes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him saide My Sonne I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I doo their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My Childe that so soone beginnest to proue Fortune now sée I thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thée if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for and suffer that the woords of Vrganda the vnknowen spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to sée the time of those great meruailes promised thée in Armes The King who noted Gandales séeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beléeue me I neuer thought you had béene such a foole as to wéepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you think for and if it please ye to know the trueth I will presently tell ye héere before your Quéene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the Sea and in what equipage and he had procéeded with that which Vrganda foretolde him but that he remembred the oathe he tooke Now my Lord saide Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage When the King heard this he estéemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the childe he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing God hath doone so much for him as to preserue him from so great a daÌ„ger that now we be diligent in his education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Quéene so please you hee shall be mine during his young yéeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on y e next morning the King would set forward wherfore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the Sea whom she commaunded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a chéerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance and no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now dooth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion and his newe freende Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard beeing in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosophers the exposition of his Dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his loste the Kingdome of Ireland should lose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing therof As he thus sadlye spent his dayes it chaunced that an other Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to knowe that King Garinter her father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pittie her in that the King of Scottes would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garanter was Perion somewhat sorrowful but yet he comforted himself by thinking he should goe to see his freend towards whome he had not diminished one iotte of his affection wherfore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your mistresse that without staying one whole day I shalbe in short time with her The Damosell wel pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so spéedily as he ariued in little Brittayne where he heard newes that King Languines had alreadye gotten all the chéefe of the Country except those Citties which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed him selfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgementes and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming and feasting of one an other the King tolde her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kinred and Subiectes which she did with all dilligence coulde be deuised as also with so great contentation as her hart might desire for héerin onlye consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scottes and how to accomplishe this King Perion was already ariued with his Sister he sent immediatlye for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in dooing honor and welcome to the King his brother At his comming he was graciously receiued by King Perion and after by embracâ—uis they hadsaluted eche other and the nuptialles likewise thorowlye ended the Kinges determined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauayling toward Gaule with his Quéene Elisena and somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh him selfe along by a Riuer side and while the tentes were erecting he rode softlye alone by the water bancke imagining how hee might knowe the trueth whether Elisena had a Childe according as his Philosopher told him in expounding his Dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without anye regarde he came to an Hermitage which was néere at hand wherfore finding him selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horsse to a trée that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very auncient religious man who comming to méete him saide Knight is it true that King Perion is maryed to our Kinges daughter Yea verily answered the King Praised be God saide the good Hermite for I knowe certainlye that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replyed the King Euen from her owne mouth saide the good olde man The King then hoping he shoulde heare of him the thing which he moste desired to knowe said I praye ye Father tell me what you haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man héerein should I greatly faulte and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But séeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye knowe what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise saide to me at the time you came firste into this Countrey yet spake she to me so darkelye as I neuer knewe well how to
comprehend her woordes for she saide That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should holde their gouernement in Gaule and their hartes in great Brittaine and from thence they should goe to deuoure the beastes of other Countries but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these woordes I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification heereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the King hauing commended the holye man to God returned to his Tentes where he saluted his Quéene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his minde was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracinges the King by an apte meane recounted to her what his Astrologers had saide on his dreame earnestlye desiring her to tell him whether she had any Childe by him or no. When the good Ladye heard this she was surprised with shame in such sort as willingly she could haue wished her self dead and therfore altogether denyed the trueth so that at this time the King might not knowe what hee desired On the morrowe they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queene was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath béene héeretofore rehearsed the King bare her singuler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realm then he was wunt to doo so that not long after the Quéen brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia But the little Galaor being two yeeres and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the King his Father soiourning not farre from the Sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a windowe toward the Garden where was theÌ„ the Queene with her Sonne and Ladyes sporting there entred at a posterne doore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge and mighty Mace When the companye of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whome he tooke in his armes and in a laughter saide By my faith the Damosell saide true So without dooing any thing els taking away the Childe returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowful Queene who sawe her sonne caryed away forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but wheÌ„ she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguishe she was for her Sonne in crying saide Ah help me Mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she took it to see him caried away whom she loued as her owne life and in this extreame dollour she remembred her other Sonne throwen into the Sea wherfore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who sawe all this in the place where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Sonne at last came to y â— Queen finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the moste greeuous moue in the Worlde regreting this newe losse by whome she before hoped to vnderstand of her firste and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that behelde her All this while the King laboured to perswade her wherby at last she reobtained the reason y t before was absent wherupon the King saide Madame we must thanke God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidentlye sée hath happened the effecte of my Dreame wherof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Hencefoorth therfore feare not to declare what is become of the firste for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these woordes the mournefull Mother forgetting none of the faulte committed tolde him the mis-fortune of her firste borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it thorowe feare of death according as was the lawe of the Countrey In good faith Madame answered the King well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therfore I pray ye to take their desteny so discreetly as you may for I trust in God that séeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to affoorde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that wee shall heare good tidinges of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the yong Prince was of the Countreye of Leonâ—â— Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherin he had two strong places He was not a bloodye man as manye other were but of gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doo great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the Winde as hee arriued in his Countrey which hee had caused â—o be peopled with Christians and there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whome he went saying Father take this Childe and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a Knight for I assure ye he is the Sonne of a King and a Quéene Ah saide the Hermite why haue ye doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who moste vnhappilye killed my Father as you knowe and at this present forcibly holdes from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me beeing thus embarqued to execute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who saide Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be doone by the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demaunded by her faith whether she tolde me true or no. That shalt thou sée quoth she At what time the two braunches of one tree shalbe ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should finde him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these means remained little Galaor in the holy mans charge and there he staide so long till he was of yéers to receiue the order of Knighthood as héerafter shalbe recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a King named Falangris who dying without Children left one of his
saying Ah gentle Knight how highlye am I indebted to you you are to this place the most welcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue we this talke saide y e Prince and saye where I may quicklye finde some remedye for my woundes In my house answered the Knight abideth a Niece of mine who shall heale your hurtes better then any other So riding on they arriued at the Castell where being dismounted they walked into the great Hall the Knight reporting by the way how Galpan had kept him from bearing Armes one whole yeere a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call him self while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he séeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterward he caused the prince to be vnarmed and laide in a sumptuous bed where his woundes were dilligentlye attended by the Ladye who assured him in shorte time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfullye to doo CHAP VIII ¶ How the third daye after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the Courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince left y e Court of King Languines where he receiued the order of Knighthood the thrée Knightes came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath béen already recited At their arriuall they presented him before the King letting him vnderstand the cause of their comming and deliuering their prisoner on the newe Knightes behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King meruaile at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednes could haue harboured in her notwithstanding he thanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any bodye else knewe that the Gentleman of the Sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was he aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought he was gone to visite his father Gandales then the King turning to the Knight in the Litter saide Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithfull as your wife hath béene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doo therin as it shall like your maiestie as for me I will neuer consent that y e thing I moste loue should dye This said the knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with them their Brother in the Litter leauing their Sister to receiue Iustice by the Kings appointmēt who after their departure called for her and saide Woman thy mallice hath béene too great in respect of thy Husbands kindenes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they héerafter offend not in the like and so he commaunded her to be burned aliue The execution béeing doone the King was in greater pensiuenes then before because he knew not who the new Knight should be that parted so suddenly from his Courte but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the Sea and afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherfore he said to the King It may be my Lord a young Knight with whome the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when we came hither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord said the Squire but he is both yong and very beautifull beside I saw him doo such rare chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if he liue he will proue one of the best Knightes in the worlde Then discoursed he at large euerye action as also how he deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his tale his desire to know him encreased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happilye can tell ye more tidinges of him for it was my chaunce to meete them together Of what Damosell speakest thou saide the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittayne to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and he demaunded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Wherupon she declared so much as she knew chéeflye the occasion wherfore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the only Knight in the world But in sooth quoth she I knowe not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God saide the King who may it be Now was Oriana voide of all doubting for she wel knew it was her Gentleman of the Sea but she was so gréeued with the newes which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as well she knew not whome she might complaine to for the King her Father sent her woord how she should prepare her selfe in readines to come to him so soone as his Ambassadours should be sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Countrye then there whether she should now goe against her minde not only in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by béeing farre thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardlye afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easilye compasse it In these melancholly thoughts was the amourous Princesse and the King on the other side in dayly musing what he might be that sent the foure Knightes with the wicked woman whom the fire had consumed But fiue or sixe dayes after these matters were thus passed as the King was conferring w t his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the King his Unckle there entred a Damosell who falling on her knee before all the assembly framed her speeches to Agraies in this manner May it please ye my Lord that in the presence of his highnes and this assemblye I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus procéeded This Helmet thus broken and battered as ye see I present ye in place of Galpans head as a token to you from a new Knight to whom in my iudgement it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why he sendes it to you is for that Galpan villainously abused a damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand of one man beléeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Woorthy Lord answered she he only of whom I speake hath doone him to death after he had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reuenge their foyle him selfe combatted hand to hand with y
my Countrey and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councell for my ouer-burdened soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thée who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiaunce of so gentle a Knight as thou art but with all my heart pardon thée my death wishing thou mayst continue honorable and yet héereafter to remember me When the Prince sawe him in such debilitie he was excéeding sorrowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combat he would haue dealt much worsse with him During these spéeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commaunded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was giuen for their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to y e Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the féeld into the Cittie euen with such triumphant glorie as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not only ouercome their enemies but restore the countrey that is wel-néere ruynated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combat the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at King Perions Court and before she would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward hauing séene him she searched was so honorably returned she shewed herselfe and taking him aside said Sir Knight may it please ye to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie néere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and kéeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is only yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall find your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whome only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosell said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell séeing she tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that behelde him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former traunce thus speaking What now my Lord take you the message in so ill part that commes from the only Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to finde you Ah Lady quoth he on my faith I knew not what ye sayd to me for euen as you began to speake I felt the paine to renewe in me which héeretofore you haue séene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is néedlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer frō me for I knowe more of your affaires and my Ladyes then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you néede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her Father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittayne appointing all things in such order as at your arriuall you may remayne there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainely knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then she thinks you will be and seeing being ignorant of your linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your nobilitie you should labour to encrease your fame if you can And then againe she gaue him the Letter saying Take héere the Letter wherein your name is written and which you had hanging about your neck at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast béene kept by her who hath my hart in her custodie and for whome I haue so often assayed to dye yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I séeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender valew is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauour the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deathes which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefit O highest God when shall I sée the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agréeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir so soone as I had done my message to returne with all spéede to her that sent me to you whereby she might vnderstand some newes of you therefore bethinke your selfe if you will commaund me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with me two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct ye whether you please In obeying you replyed the Damosell I trust I do seruice to my Lady Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returned to the King and Agraies who stayed for him at the entrance of the Cittie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the stréetes Then came the Quéene with her Ladyes and Gentlewomen to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrksome to behold yet were they to be healed without any great danger of his person For this night the King desired that he and Agraies would sup with him but the Prince making excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosell to whome he did all the honor could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good newes she brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euery one but most with her whome he caused to stay attending his disposition till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a straunge occasion which was cause of his longer aboade in Gaule then he expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you heereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King
deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowen to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode back the same way she came and the King into the Cittie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to kéepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honor and happy comming there were Knightly Tourneys dayly vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Giant had caryed away his brother Galaor wherefore he determined happen what might to goe séeke him and if possible he could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he intreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemyes that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittayne because he was lothe to remayne idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Quéene yet by importunitie he obteined permission for his voyage nor could they all haue power to withhold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Héereupon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarquing himselfe at the néerest Port of the Sea where by good hap he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittayne landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient Cittie of that countrey where he heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings and Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demaunded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marie is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any Shipping there for my spéedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither said Amadis In sooth replied the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whome King Perion not long since hath knowen to be his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruayle héereat for he thought these newes had not béene so farre spread abroade wherefore he demaunded how she heard thereof I knowe it quoth she from her to whome the most secret things of all are manifest for she knewe Amadis before he knewe himselfe or that his father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what she is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowen She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which she now standeth in feare in loose Beléeue me Damosell answered Amadis séeing she who may commaund euery one doth now please to imploy Amadis I assure ye it is néedlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seeke and therefore let vs goe whether you thinke conuenient What said the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct ye where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII ¶ How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be Knighted and no other THe Giant of whome sundry times we haue spoken héeretofore causing young Galaor to be enstructed in managing Horsses and all other exercises beséeming a Knight found him so capable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeare he was growen meruaylous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whome he most willingly would receiue his order of Knighthood Notwithstanding before the Giant moued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this manner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would be so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my Sonne answered the Giant you haue reason for your words yet tell me by whome you would receiue your order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if it so like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Well haue you aduised sayd the Giant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire strong Castell named Bradoid seated on the top of a Mountaine enuironed about with fennes or marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long causey being so broade as two Chariots might well meete together on it and at the entrance of the causey was a drawe bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Héere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly high Elme trées where under the Giant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a Knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shéeld two Lions rampant and because the bridge was drawen vp he could passe no further but called with a loud voice to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing said to the Giant My Lord if it please you I would gladly see what this Knight will do héere Soone after they espied at the further end of the causey by the Castell side two other armed Knights accompanyed with ten Halberders who came and demaunded of the Knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not stick for that answered he that would enter cause you the bridge to be let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twayne more hastie then his companion auaunced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrire against the Knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both horsse and man to the ground The fréend to the dismounted Knight thinking to reuenge his iniurie gaue foorth to méete him and fayling in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountred with their bodyes
saue me a great deale of trauaile to King Liâ—â—â—â—â— to whome I am going for the same cause My friend replied y e Knight you shall do your selfe ouer much wrong to leaue so good an occasion by the best King in the world for so poore a Knight errant as I am My Lord quoth Galaor the great state of the King can put no such strength â—nto me as I haue séene perfourmed by you in the late Combats therefore so please it you accomplish in me my earnest desire I can be much better content answered the Knight to graunt any other thing you will demaund for such authoritie appertaineth not to me nor to you likewise is it so honorable As thus they stood on these tearms Vrganda â—vnlooked forâ— came to them wherewith y e Knight of the Lyons was very glad and she hauing as yet not heard any of their talk thus spake to her champion What is your opinion of this Gentleman Me thinks quoth he a brauer person was neuer seene but he requireth such a thing of me as is neither in him or me conuenient What is it said Vrganda That I quoth he should giue him the order of Knighthood and yet is he now in trauaile with determination to request the same of the famous King Lisuart Certainly answered Vrganda to make him stay will be a greater cause of euill to him then good I will councell him not to desist from his former motion for you ought not to deny it him séeing I can assure ye that honor will be better imployed by him then any other in all the Isles of the Sea except one Séeing it is so replyed the Knight in the name of God let it be done goe we then to some Church to performe the vigill It shall be néedlesse quoth Galaor to stand about such matters now in that I come not vnprouided of them alreadie It suffiseth then answered the Knight so put he on his right spurre and embracing him said You are now a Knight wherefore take the honor of the sword by whome you shall thinke it more conuenient Do you then giue it me said Galaor if you please for by no other will I receiue it with my will Then he called a Squire that held a sword readie but Vrganda stepped before saying No no you shall haue a better take that which hangeth on yonder trée and you shall find it farre more faire and good Heerewith they looked vp on the tree yet sawe it not wherefore they all began to smile and she doing the like said to them In sooth it is almost ten yéeres since it first was hanged there yet no passenger by euer sawe it looke better about the tree for sure you cannot but easily behold it Now did they all perceiue it tyed to a braunch of the tree euen as though it had but euen then béene hanged there and by it was a scabberd couered with gold shewing most fine and curious workemanship on it The Knight of the Lyons tooke it downe and afterward girded it about Galaor saying So faire a sword beséemeth a Knight so formall thinke she hated ye not who of so long time hath kept it for you Most chéerefully did Galaor giue her thanks and the Knight likewise thus speaking to them I beséech ye to hold me excused for I am constrained presently to depart from ye and were it not I must goe where I am attended no companie in the world would I desire more then yours therefore I desire yée Sir to tell me where I may find ye at my returne In the Court of King Lisuart answered the Knight where I shall be very glad to sée you and because it is no long time since I was Knighted I am the more desirous of some abode there to attaine honor as you cannot chuse but do the like if you come thither Certes said Galaor to that place will I shortly follow ye and Madame quoth he to Vrganda you haue so strictly bound me to your seruice as may it please you to account me your Knight I am readie wheresoeuer you shall commaund me So departed he froÌ„ them returning to the Giant who staied for him by the riuer side where he had hid himselfe least he should be séene But now you must héere obserue that as Galaor thus deuised with Vrganda and the Knight one of the Damosels that was in Galaors company had conference with her that attended on Vrganda of whom at large she vnderstood how the Knight of the Lions was Amadis Sonne to King Perion of Gaule whose comming thither Vrganda had caused to deliuer by force of armes her friend that there was kept prisoner for by enchantment she could not compasse it by reason the Lady of y e Castell was too cunning in that arte and there had first enchaunted him in despight of her fearing no way to loose him againe but by Knightly chiualrie On this occasion the custome there was appointed which Amadis ended and restored as you haue heard the man for whome they came thither and he by the Damosell Niece to the Lady of the Castell that in enchaunted furie would haue leapt into y e riuer was conducted to this place So soone as Galaor had left Vrganda she demaunded of Amadis if he knewe the man to whome he gaue the order of Knighthood No truely Madame quoth he In footh answered Vrganda it is great reason you should know what he is for he beareth so braue a mind y e if you both should méete without further knowledge there might happen betwéene ye great inconuenience Therefore I giue ye to vnderstand how he is your owne brother both by father mother and the very same whome the Giant caryed away being then but two yeeres old and a halfe now he is of so goodly stature as you haue seene for whose sake and yours likewise I haue a long time kept the Sword wherwith I assure ye he shall do more in exploits of Armes then euer any Knight did in great Brittayne Amadis conceiued héereat such inward ioy as y e teares trickled downe his chéekes wherefore he said to Vrganda I beséech ye Madame tell me where I may finde him It is not necessary quoth she that as yet you should séeke him Why sayd Amadis is he then constrained to accomplish some predestinate matter before I may find him Yea verily answered Vrganda and it is not so easie to know as you may imagine Long time thus continued their conference till Vrganda would depart alone with her friend so she commended Amadis to God who presently tooke his way toward Windsore where at this time King Lisuart soiourned Our Historie at this time pauseth of him continuing what happened to Galaor the new Knight wâ—â— being arriued where the Giant stayed for him thus spake Father I am now thanks be to God and him you sent me to a confirmed Knight My Sonne quoth the Giant I am not a little glad thereof and seeing it
he was vnséene of any espied a goodly troupe of Lords and Ladies comming toward them whereof he made haste to aduertise the Prince but he was so perplexed as he could not answere wherefore Gandalin tooke him by the arme saying My Lord sée you not what a great traine maketh toward vs At these words he came to himselfe beginning to sigh and lifting his eies to heauen said Gandalin if in this loue I were maister of my strength as I am in diuers other actions neither shouldest thou haue neede to aduertise me nor my selfe be without councell so much as I am But I feele my selfe so oppressed as all the enemyes in the world can not bring me to such extremitie as this ouer-ruling passion doth therefore I pray thée talke to me of the felicitie a man shall enioy in death for other may I not taste and practise no meanes of my life seeing the contrary doth surmount it What my Lord answered Gandalin estéeme you the victorie ouer your selfe so difficult after so many conquests of stout and bold Strangers Why do you not thinke that peraduenture she loueth you as well for whome you endure such assaults and happily by as great reason as you loue her your personage prowesse beawtie and nobilitie of linage can they deserue lesse then the good grace of the most rare and excellent Lady in the world let these humours my Lord repell your desperations Further he would haue proceeded but Amadis brake him off in anger saying Wretch darest thou blaspheme so much as to say that he who hath merited no condition in the world may be equalled with so perfect a thing as is my Lady enter no more into such tearmes if thou wilt not haue me thine enemy and so lose my conuersation Well well said Gandalin I pray ye wipe your eyes least those that come hitherward perceiue you haue wept What aunswered Amadis commes there any body Yea marie quoth Gandalin and now they be at hand héerewith he shewed him y e Knights and the Ladies who were hard by them by time Amadis was mounted Then as though he had stayed for their company he saluted them and riding among the trayne he beheld a Lady very comely and beawtifull who wept verie grieuously whereupon he left the rest and rode with her saying Madame God comfort ye and giue you ioy In sooth answered the Lady and thereof haue I néede in that as now it is very farre from me which except heauen fauour me with better grace I am vtterly out of hope euer to sée againe And so high a Maiestie said Amadis can prouide therefore when he pleaseth notwithstanding if you were so contented I gladly would knowe the cause of your sadnes Beleeue me my friend quoth she all that euer I enioy in this world consisteth in the triall of a Combat By these words he knew this to be the Lady of whom the Damosels had told him before wherefore he enquired further if as yet she had found a Knight on her behalfe No truely said the Lady and which gréeueth me most of all to morrow must my delay be exterminate What will ye then do answered Amadis What would you that I should do quoth she but lament and loose all vnlesse by hap I finde one in the Kings Court who mooued thereto by charitable compassion will courteously defend the right of a desolate widdow Such fortune said Amadis shall I pray may befall ye for I should not be a little glad thereof as well for your owne sake as also because I neuer thought well of your aduersarie I thanke ye gentle Sir quoth she to God I commit the reuenge of my wrong So passed on the Lady and Amadis turning bridle rode back to the Pauillion where he found the Damosels who were already returned from the Towne and presently they told him how Dardan was come into the feeld with full resolution to do his deuoire And trust me said Amadis it was my hap to méete the distressed Lady euen the same whome the case concerneth héerewith he declared all the talke they had together But now is the hower of quiet come and eche one went to rest till the point of day when the Damosels being risen came to tell Amadis how they would goe before to the Towne and send him word when Dardan was readie Not so quoth Amadis I will not be farre behinde ye but let one ride before to aduertise me when Dardan shewes himselfe in the féeld After he was armed they went all to horsseback and being come to the issue of the Forrest he said to the Damosels Now may you goe if you please for I will not depart this place til I heare some newes from you Away they went when Amadis alighting tooke off his helmet to refresh himselfe No sooner did the Sunne appeare in the East but the King came to the place appointed for the Combat which was without the Towne hard by the walles where Dardan not long after shewed himselfe in such manner and equipage as an ambitious man vseth to gaine goods and honor also like an amourous Champion to maintaine the quarrell of his beloued who to countenance him with the greater fauour was queintly led by the raynes of his palfray then presenting himselfe before the King on his knees he said My Lord according to the ordenance by you appointed this Lady and I humbly beséech ye that the goods may be deliuered her as is no more then reason for if any Knight oppose himselfe against her héere am I readie for the Combat The King then called for the other Ladyes defendant but she poore soule appeared alone Why Lady quoth the King are you vnprouided of a Champion that you come without any one to sustaine your right So help me God answered she wéeping I am my Lord forsaken of all except you graunt me mercie Great compassion had the King on her for he knew her to be very vertuous but he could not together order reason and the lawe In meane while Dardan who thought no resistance would come sate downe in the middest of y e féeld attending the third hower which was the time according to the custome when the King should pronounce sentence to the conquerour but one of the Damosels seeing now the noedfull time made haste to let Amadis vnderstand what want of his presence was in the féeld For this cause he immediatly mounted on horsseback being armed as appertained commaunded the Damosell and his Squire to goe some other way for he would not be seene by any from whence he came assuring them that if he were victor he would returne againe to the Tent. So departed Amadis alone riding on a braue white Courser as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke in Gaule and arriued at the place where Dardan held the world in wunder of him The King and his Nobles séeing him come from the Forrest stoode somewhat in doubt of him for he caryed such a gallant Knightly countenance as
much inferiour honor yet hast thou not changed thy Mistresse for both thou and I are hers and she doth compasse my heart with greater force then thou canst possibly binde in my finger Let vs leaue this talke answered Gandalin and returne to the Damosels who tarrie for vs in the Tent but you must dissemble cunningly for if they sée you altered from your wunted mellanchollie it may be some hinderance to your determination So they brake off communication and went into the Pauillion where Amadis nothwithstanding Gandalins councell could not but shew himselfe pleasantly disposed whereat the Damosels were very glad because such behauiour better beséemeth him then his former pensiuenes When the houre of rest was come eche one went to his accustomed lodging and soone after Amadis seeing the time commodious for his enterprise arose and found Gandalin who had alreadie prepared for their iourney wherefore being armed they mounted on horsseback taking the most conuenient way for their purpose to the Towne When they came to the Garden which Oriana had before shewed Gandalin they alighted and tyed their horsies at a tuft of trées néere adioyning afterward they went through a hole which a water-course had made in the garden wall and approached the window where Oriana lay faire and softly did Amadis knock thereon with his finger she not yet sléeping who expected his comming and when she heard the louing signall of hir friend she awaked Mabila saying Sweete Sister I thinke your Cozin knocketh at the windowe My Cozin answered Mabila it may be so but you haue greater interest in him then I or all other of his linage together Mabila presently arose and lighted a waxe taper which she had hid for the nonce when Oriana likewise was got out of bed they came together and opened the casement where they found Amadis no more attending then he was attended If they were then well pleased it were folly to enquire for all the contentinents in the world might not be compared with the ioy of séeing eche other And without question they had two inducing reasons heereto for beside the nourishment they receiued together in their younger yeares and their first amitie continued by the remembrance and good opinion they had of eche other their beautie and perfectons were so correspondent as if they had neuer seene one another till that verie instant yet had they cause enough to loue together Oriana had on such braue attire beséeming the night as set the hart of her louer on fire for vnder a fine and daintie white frontlet appeared the rarest golden tresses of haire that euer nature made and about her shoulders she had a mantle of figured cloth of gold imbroidered all ouer with rich and costly flowrets as it might beséeme the greatest Maiestie in the world And for her selfe a thing more faire was impossible to be found the inward conceit of her present comfort decked her face with such a heauenly beautie as it séemed that nature in pride of her arte made this péece to excell all other in perfection I will leaue you then to consider on the iudgement of Amadis who when the was nothing so glorious in fairenes thought her worthie the loue of the best Knight in the world now if he stoode mute blame him not hauing the only iewell of his heart before him and therefore she to breake off this silence first spake in this manner My Lord if I haue giuen you the libertie contrary to my dutie and custome to see me in this place at an houre so vnfitting you must commit the offence to the securitie which our former nutturing together loyally promised and likewise to the good opinion of your great vertues since that time encreassed which hath conquered no lesse fauour in me then honor and renowne in all other places Amadis to auoid further silence thought it better to let his spéeches passe at aduenture thē by holding his peace to be reputed vnworthie this happines or not so feruently touched with loue as she was to exclude all which doubts he thus replied Madame I account my selfe not so much fauoured by fortune in any thing else as honored at my first entrance into your seruice euen the verie highest tipe of grace she could affoord me nor do I féele my self so beholding to my vertues as I rest double bound to them that report so well of me But when both these benefits shall be excluded yet is my loue and seruice to you so affectionate as they can deserue no lesse then this secret gentlenes and when you shall allow me more ample courtesie it may commaund a stricter bond of dutie but not of affection for that is alreadie so substantially grounded that the vttermost good you can do me is neither able to augment it or the sharpest vnkindnes diminish it I know not whether it be séemely for a man to confesse the extremities he hath infinite times endured by this passion the verie least griefe I receiued hath béene the losse of rest and banishment of sleepe from mine eyes and yet to afflict me with greater torment my spirit hath séene in a dreame what it vncessantly desired How many times hath it happened to me in thinking on you to be so confounded that such as haue séene me reputed me not only depriued of common sence but euen of verie life it selfe What woman what childe well beaten hath euer powred foorth so many teares as I poore Knight haue done yea my very chiefest enterprises haue I sprinckled withall for your sake not as feeling my selfe a happie subiect in loue but rather too little merit in my selfe and much lesse hope This fauour procéeding from you in deigning to heare me is greater then euer I durst hope forand so far◠doth it surmount my passions as I cannot expresse the least part of my ioy my tongue likewise séemeth as vnprofitable and ignorant of his office hauing béene so long from seruing me to you But aboue all this impuissance in spéech shall on my behalfe testifie to you what all the words in the world cannot deliuer with sufficient trueth for as all other beautie in comparison of yours is nothing so before mine affection all the other habilities of my soule vanish away and become of no reckoning Will you then good Madame with your courtesie supply my insufficeincie and with pittie giue me both life and my selfe and conserue that which else cannot be vnlesse it be yours only These words vttered Amadis with such interruption of sighes and teares as witnessed he had no intent of feigning but rather knew how to suffer then speake wherewith Oriana mooued to compassion thus answered I make no doubt déere freend but you loue me in respect of the paines you haue taken for me as also by what you haue now told me and though I should haue no signe thereof by speech or ought else yet am I content to beléeue because my hart hath no other desire but héerein conceiueth greatest
Brittayne By this time sundrie spéeches past betweene him and the King where-among he dissembled his spéedie departure to prouoke a desire in him to stay him and thus spake Amadis Dread Lord seeing the Lady is frée I desire leaue for my returne againe but if in ought I may do your Maiestie any seruice I am the man readie to be commanded and you the Prince whome most I desire to honor Good fréend quoth the King your departure must not be so soone except you delight to displease me God forbid answered Amadis in respect my endeuour is altogether to obey you Do you thinke sayd the King it is any obedience if I may not intreate a longer stay In sooth my Lord quoth Amadis you may and shall commaund for in greater matters then this I will not offend ye Goe then and vnarme you replied the King and speaking these woordes him selfe took him by the hand conducting him to a sumptuous Chamber where he left him to take some refection with Arban King of Norgalles and the Duke of Glocester whome he commaunded to kéepe him company for King Lisuart was a Prince that especially fauoured and honored strange Knightes Hauing left Amadis thus woorthely accompanied he went to the Quéene and tolde her in what manner he had staied the good Knight who ouercame Dardan But doo ye my Lord quoth she know his name No verily answered the King for in respect of the promise I made him I durst not demaund that question of him It may be saide the Quéene he is the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule I would it might fall out so well answered the King Doo you know quoth the Quéene who may put vs out of this doubt euen the Squire that talked with Mabtla who came to search him in your Courte and saide how he was aduertised of his arriuall in this Countrye long before Immediatly the King caused Gandalin to be called and without declaring any thing to him thus spake Follow me for I must shew a Knight to thée that I may be resolued if thou know him or no. Gandalin attended on the King entring the Chamber where Amadis was and Gandalin viewing him very earnestly feigned to haue seene him long time since then setting his knee to the ground saide Ah my Lord great trauaile haue I endured to finde you since I departed from the Scottish Court Gandalin my good freend right hartely art thou welcome to me what newes doost thou bring None but good my Lord answered Gandalin all your noble freendes are in perfect health commending them-selues to your excellencie but hence-foorth Sir you must conceale your selfe no longer then turning to the King he thus procéeded Mighty King he that hath beene so long time vnknowne is this braue Prince the famous Amadis Sonne to the inuincible King Perion of Gaule and then came his Father to vnderstand so much when he slewe in combate the puissant King Abies of Ireland by meanes wherof he recouered his Realme which was well néere lost By these deuises was Amadis discouered and better welcommed then before for til then he was not knowen but through his famous déedes the renowne wherof was euery where blazed abroad and now was he so well honoured for his vertue as his noblenes required So spent they the whole day in honorable feasting vntill such time as eche one withdrew him self when King Lisuart commaunded the King of Norgalles that he should lodge in Amadis ChaÌ„ber afterward wheÌ„ they were alone to sound his minde and vnderstand by all meanes possible if he would consent to remain in his seruice Thus leauing them together he returned to the Quéene and to her thus spake Madame hardly shall I cause Amadis to stay as mine nor can I tell which way to compasse it albeit I neuer had greater desire to any Gentleman of long time for the high account is helde of him would cause mée to be much more feared and redoubted My Lord quoth the Quéene graunt him any thing he shall demaund and doo your selfe present him what you imagine will best please him He requesteth nothing of me replied the King for if he did I would consent therto more willingly theÌ„ he could desire Me thinkes it were good saide the Quéen to intreat him first by some other of our Courte and if they cannot preuaile will him to come sée me your Daughter and our Cozin Mabila they likewise shall sollicite the matter for they knew him when he serued them as a Squire Then shall we let him vnderstand how all the Knightes héer are yours and none but thinkes him selfe honored therby him will we desire to be one of the company that you may enioy his seruice when need shall require This will be a good meane answered the King to procure his stay and if he will not be wonne by you we may well iudge him of lesse ciuilitie then Chiualrie Now because it wexed somewhat late the King bad his Quéene good night and went to his Chamber On the other side the King of Norgalles perswaded his new come guest that he would abide in the Court of King Lisuart but Amadis could so cunningly dissemble that he altogether disguised the chéefe poynt of his desire and might not by all these intreties be wun When he perceiued he laboured in vaine on the morrow morning he brought him to the King of whome Amadis made offer to take his leaue but the King answered him in this manner My good fréend you should haue doone me pleasure not to departe so soone yet can I not constraine ye to tarye against your will but my Queene would gladly sée you before your departure Nor will I goe my Lord answered Amadis before I haue doone my dutye to her wherupon taking him by the hand he brought him into her chamber and thus spake to her Sée héere Madame King Perions sonne of Gaule who is come to salute you before his departure In sooth my Lord answered the Queene he dooth me great honor and he is very hartely welcome hither Then Amadis stepping to her fell on his knée to kisse her hand but she caused him to rise and sit downe by her when the King perceiuing they would enter into further talke with-drew himselfe to discourse with his Knights while they conferred together In meane while the Queene â—â—urteously entertained Amadis but the other Ladyes and Gentlewomen who had heard such fame of his beautie and excellent perfections began to eye him very diligently meruailing that nature had so enriched him with the only thing they most desired Now knew Amadis by their countenances what iudgement they held of him yet durst he net turne his head aside fearing least seeing his Oriana by some sudden mutation he might reueale what carefully he coueted to hide And as he continued in this perplexitie the Princesse Mabila came and did him reuerence wherevpon the Quéene the better to compasse her intent called her Daughter who dissembled as if she scant knewe him and
thus she spake to her Faire Daughter remember you not the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who serued you well while he was your Squire yet may do if it please him now he is a Knight in sooth you must all assist me in desiring him to graunt me one request And know ye what it is quoth she to Amadis the King earnestly intreateth you to remaine in his Court and yet as I vnderstand you haue no will to affoord him so small a fauour We shall see anon if Ladyes hold greater priuiledge in Knights then men do therefore we all ioyne together in one sute that you would be Knight to my Daughter and my selfe and likewise to them whome you sée in this faire company And if you will do so much for vs you shall deliuer vs from séeking support in any other who happily cannot be to agréeable so vs for well we know if you be our Knight we shall surpasse all them that attend on the King The Ladyes were before aduertised what they should do in this case wherefore they flocked about him altogether and with signes of earnest supplication confirmed the Quéenes request especially Oriana who gaue him a signe that he should consent but he very wisely dissembled it although he had no other desire in the world wherefore the Quéene séeing him so slowe in answering as if she would haue pressed him thereto said Well Sir Amadis what shall we be denied Madame replied Amadis what is he that dare do otherwise then graunt your will and these Ladies present séeing you are the most honorable Quéene of the world and they likewise deserue the highest point of seruice therefore Madame by your commaundement and the Princesse Oriana as also these other Ladyes who are loth to be denied I am content to tarry with you yet vnder this condition that I will do nothing but for you only and if I accomplish any seruice for the King it shall be yours and none of his Then as our Champion answered the Queene all we accept you and these glad tidings she soone sent to the King who was so highly pleased therewith that he commaunded the King of Norgaâ—les to goâ— and beare him company and himselfe for ioy went presently to him when taking him in his armes he said Gentle Knight right glad am I of your consent to the Queene and for my part be you well assured that my desire is to intreate ye according to your deserts Amadis on his knee humbly thanked him albeit he only stayd by the commandement of Oriana and no such other matter as he feigned to the Quéene For this time the Author leaueth Amadis returning where he left the Prince Galaor who being departed from the Duke of Brystoyaes Castell where the villainous Dwarffe vnhappily discouered him all that day he wandered in the Forrest of Arinida not meeting any one to direct him a more ready way yet toward euening he sawe a Squire come toward him mounted on a right good Courser Now had Galaor receiued a certaine wound by one of the thrée Knights that assailed him as you haue heard which by reason of dallying with his new fréend the night past began to fester and ranckle verie much and féeling himselfe not halfe currant he said to the Squire My fréend knowest thou where I may finde cure for a small wound I haue What if I do answered the Squire yet will I not company any such coward as thou art because it were to my shame and discredit if I should Enough of that said Galaor tell me where I may find helpe for my wound Rather quoth the Squire would I séeke one to giue thée another Shew me the way answered Galaor and I will aduenture what thou fearest me withall I may chuse said the Squire except I list Day thou shalt do it quoth Galaor by fréendship or force By force replyed the Squire thinkest thou I will do any thing for so bad and false a Knight as thou art When Galaor heard him speak so imperiously he drew his Sword making shew as if he would smite off his head saying Uillaine thou shalt conduct me else will I send thy soule to all the Deuils The Squire being affrayd thus answered Séeing thou enforcest me I will bring thée to a place where thy folly shall be chastised and my outrage reuenged Heerewith he rode before leauing the right way Galaor following some distance behinde im and by tune they had ridden the length of a mile they came to a Fortresse seated in a pleasant valley brauely enuironed about with trees the Squire then pointing him to the place said Now mayst thou let me goe for heere I hope will be reuenged the iniurie thou hast done me Goe thy way to all the Deuils replyed Galaor for I haue enough of thy company Scant wilt thou like my conducting said the Squire before thou departest from this Castell wherewith he turned bridle and away but Galaor followed the path that guided to the Castell which in his iudgement was but newly edified and being come to the Gate he sawe within a Knight armed mounted on horsseback attended on by fiue Halberders prouided to forbid entraunce into the Castell who comming to him demaunded if he were the man that abused their Squire I know not answered Galaor whether he be your Squire or no but hither am I come by the conduct of a varlet the most audacious Roge that euer I knewe It may be so replyed the Knight of the Castell but what would you haue in this place Sir quoth Galaor I am fore wounded and seeke for one to giue me helpe Enter then said the Knight Galaor rode in but presently the Knight and his Souldiours very fiercely assailed him yet the first that came before him thinking to strike at his head with his Halberd was followed so néere as Galaor snatched his weapon out of his hand giuing the Knight such a wound therewith that he fell downe dead Then entring among the other he gaue them so many rough and sharpe charges as in the end thrée of them were slaine outright the other two fled so fast as they could into the Castell and Galaor would haue pursued them but that his Squire cryed to him My Lord take your Armes for within me thinks I heare a great rumour of people my self 〈◊〉 take this hatcheâ— to assist ye if you stand in neede and although I am vnworthie the order of â—hwalrâ—e yet will defend my Lord to my vttermost habilitie so threwe he downe the hatchet taking vp a Halberd and a Sheeld belonging to one of them that were slaine Assure thy selfe answered Galaor so soone as I finde him that gaue me Knighthood thou shalt for thy forwardnes likewise haue â—â—iâ—e So passing further they sawe two other armed Knights come foorth and ten Souldiours with them who were brought out at the gate by the other that fled away Now was the Squire that conducted Galaor to this Castell standing shewing him selfe at
vigorous as often times he seemed out of breath which made euery one imagine regarding his violence that he could not long endure But in him it prooued farre other-wise for the longer the combate endured his courage and strength the more encreased by reason whereof he became the conquerour as shall héerafter be declared The Nephewe to the Dwarffe found him selfe so hardly handled as he drewe back a little thus speaking to Agraies Me thinkes Sir Knight we haue made proofe enough of what we are able to perfourme in these affaires wherfore I am of the opinion that he whose quarrell I vndertake and the other for whom you entred fight are not faulty in any thing wherwith they are charged otherwise our combate could not thus long haue endured but victorie would fall to one of vs. Well hast thou saide answered Agraies that y e Knight for whom I venter is iust and loyall but the Dwarffe is a villaine and a traitour nor will I suffer thee to rest till with thine owne mouth thou confesse as much defend thy selfe therfore better then thou hast doone These angrye woordes did somewhat eleuate the Dwarffes Knights courage but he had lost so much blood that he was no longer able to holde out by meanes wherof Agraies took his pleasure on him because the other did nothing but defend his stroakes which when the Duke behelde by reason he fauoured him he was highly displeased and to shun the sight of his death departed toward his Castell swearing thence forward to woorke reuenge for him on all Knightes errant by dooing them all the shame he could possibly deuise He being in this furie spake so loude as Galuanes ouer-heard him wherfore he thus answered Duke thou doost enterprise a great warre especially against such as are knowen to more woorthy Lords then thou art séeking thus to smother vp the blame of others As thus he contended with the Duke the Dwarffes champion fell at Agraies féete who immediatly snatching off his Helmet caught him by the head giuing him many blowes with the hiltes of his Swoord on the face saying Confesse the disloyaltie of the Dwarffe otherwise thy life is at an end Ah gentle knight quoth he give me my life for I truely confesse that he who you fight for is vertuous loyall and promise withal to gaine the Damoselles release from imprisonment but for Gods sake I desire ye let me not reprooue the Dwarffe mine Unckle with treason These woordes were by all the assistantes easily vnderstood which moouing Agraies to pittie he thus answered For the Dwarffe I will doo nothing but for you béeing a good Knight I graunt the fauour of your discharge prouided that you labour to your vttermost for the Damoselles release from prison according as you haue faithfully promised All this while the Duke heard none of these woordes because he was gone somewhat further off but Galuanes laide holde on his horsse-bridle saying By God Duke you shall not departe hence vntill you haue séen the extremitye of your Champion for he is either dead or vanquished what answere then make ye concerning the Damoselles right and the trecherous iniurye offered her by the Dwarffe What saide the Duke thinkest thou I will break mine oathe or doo any otherwise then I haue determined I know not quoth Galuanes what conclusion you haue appointed Mary this replyed the Duke that she shalbe to morrow morning burned if she tell not what moued her to cause the Knight come hither whom she conducted Why quoth Galuanes will ye not theÌ„ deliuer her No said the Duke and if thou prouide not for thy spéedy departure out of my countrie thou shalt well know that thou hast displeased me Is it true answered Galuanes doo ye threaten me contrary to all equitie and will not discharge the Damosell so honourably iustified By heauen hencefoorth I defie thee as well on mine own behalf as all other knights errant whatsoeuer Very wel quoth the Duke the like doo I to thâ—e and all such as thou resemblest So went the Duke into his Castell and Galuanes returned in an exceeding chafe to Agraies but reioycing at his Nephewes glorious victorie he somewhat qualified his angry choller yet did he tell him all the Dukes menaces and what deffaunce had past on either side wherwith Agraies was very much mooued chéefely for the wrong he threatned to the Damosell wher-upon he thus replied In sooth my Lord and Uncle it is against all reason that such a palliard as the Duke possessed of so great a Signorie should carry so vile and bad a minde Hauing thus spoken he called for his horsse which béeing brought him he mounted theron speaking thus to the vanquished Knight My fréend remeÌ„ber your promise and accomplishe it so soone as you can that the Damosell may be released from her imprisonment In good faith quoth he I will perfourme my vttermost habilitie therin So rode away Agraies and Galuanes toward the Forrest of Arinida where when they entred Galuanes thus began You know Nephewe that I haue defied the Duke in respect of the iniury he offered vs but if I might giue aduise I would thinke it good for vs to ambush our selues a while in this wood where we may easilye take him or some of his I promise ye said Agraies I like well your councell wherfore without passing any further they made choice of a little thicket where they alighted sending their Squires to the towne to prouide them victualles On the other side the Duke as you haue heard béeing with-drawen to his Castell grew into such displeasure against the Damosell as he thought presently to send her to the fire wher-upon he called for her and willed her now to haue minde on her soule because the next morning she should be burned if quickly she declared not the trueth of the Knight but all these threatnings could not draw one woord from her Now because the vanquished Knight had promised Agraies to labour for her deliueraunce to the Duke so soone as he returned from the féelde he came and fell on his knées before the Duke beséeching him most instantly to graunt what he had promised on the Ladies behalfe But the Duke by all means excused the matter saying he had sollemnely vowed she should dye if she reuealed not the thing he was so desirous to know Therfore quoth he I will rather consent to the ruine of my whole estate then in one iotte to the breache of my oathe In this manner was the Knight denyed and the next morning very earelye he sent for the Damosell to whome he spake thus as followeth Thou lewde and disobedient woman now make choice of the fire or resolue me in the matter I haue demaunded for one of them thou must doo My Lord quâ—th she you may appoint what you think good but if I dye in this manner it will be against all law and reason Presently he committed her to two Sergeants at armes accompanied with ten Knightes well prouided for their
were good we departed hence Nay trust me answered Amadis I will not boudge hence till the Knight come or some other that can tell me tidings of him But I dare not tarry said the Dwarffe least Arcalaus chaunce to knowe me and imagine I practise the meanes of his death Yet shalt thou beare me company replied Amadis as I will not excuse my selfe from the promise I haue made thee As thus they communed Amadis espied a court somewhat more backward whereinto he entred and found no body but he sawe a darke place vnderneath and certaine steps leading into the earth Gandalin got hold on the Dwarffe who would haue run away and Amadis tooke great pleasure to behold his trembling speaking thus merily to him Feare not tall fellow but let vs goe downe these staires to sée who is beneath My Lord quoth the Dwarffe for Gods sake spare me nothing in the world can make me goe into such a fearefull place If thou goe hence said Amadis how wilt thou enioy the thing I promised thée or know that I do my endeuour therein Ah Sir quoth he I acquite you and hold my selfe fully satisfied But so do not I answered Amadis because heereafter thou shalt not say I brake my promise On my faith Sir said the Dwarffe I freely discharge ye and if you please to let me goe I will tary for ye in the way as we came hither Get thee gone then replyed Amadis for heere will I abide till to morrow morning attending the Knight In this manner the poore Dwarffe escaped thence and Amadis went downe the staires comming into a plaine place so darke that he could not imagine where he was yet he procéeded on and by groping on a wall felt a barre of iron wherat hung a Key which he tooke opening therewith a Chaine that locked a porte-cullis then heard be a lamentable voice thus complaining Ah God how long shall we remaine in this miserie swéet death why stayest thou from succouring vs who call to thée as our last refuge Soone after the voice ceassed which made him holde on his way and enter a vault hauing his swoord and shéeld ready then passing further he came into a great pallace at the entraunce wherof hung a Lampe burning and sire men laide a long a sleepe with their shéeldes and hatchets lying by them the best of which he tooke him selfe They not awaking he went on by them and soone after heard another gréeuous lamentation in this manner Ah God full of pittie and mercy send death if it please thée to deliuer vs from this hell Now was Amadis in woorsse case then before for one of the sire Souldiours suddenly awaking saide to his fellowe Arise take these roddes make that curssed creature sing another kinde of song who hath thus disturbed vs in our sleepe Mary and I shall answered the other so he arose and tooke the roddes but as he went he chaunced to sée Amadis before him where at he was somewhat affraide yet to be better assured he demaunded who is there I quoth Amadis What art thou saide the other I am quoth he a strange Knight Who brought thee hether said the souldier without any licence No bodie answered Amadis but my self alone The wursse for thee replied the Souldiour now must thou be enclosed among these infortunate people who crye as thou hearest Then stepping back he shut the doore against Amadis and waking his companions saide My freends I haue found a strange Knight who to his harme hath entred on his good will Let me talk with him answered the Iaylor and if I lodge him not woorsse then the rest then blame me So taking his hatchet and shéeld he came to Amadis with these woordes Caitife if thou wilt not dye throwe downe thy weapons least with my hatchet I slice thy flesh and make carbonadoes of it Uery angrye was Amadis to be thus threatned wherfore he returned this answere Slender is thy reason in thinking to feare me with thy woordes but the deuilles shall affright thée a great deale more for I will make thē a present with thy soule which so long hath giuen power to thy wicked body in dooing euill Presently they smot at eche other with their hatchets the Iaylor deliuering his stroke on y e helmet of Amadis so that it entred very farre therin and Amadis cutting through the Iaylors shéeld enforced him to throw both it and his hatchet down to stand to the only defence of his Swoord which endured not long likewise wherfore he minded to grapple Amadis about the bodye because he was a man of meruailous strength yet could he not doo so much as he meant in respecte Amadis was a Knight both stiffe and sturdie Neuerthelesse the Iaylor griped him very cruellye till the Prince gaue him such a blow on the face as brake his iaw bones which compelling him to fall downe amazed Amadis had the meane to accomplishe his promise seperating with his swoord the body from the soule The other Souldiours that beheld this fight not thinking the Iaylor was dead in deede cryed to Amadis how on perill of his life he should not kill him least they likewise should send him after I know not answered Amadis what may become of me but I am certaine he is safe enough for dooing any more harme heerewith he drew his sword and taking vp his hatchet againe marched toward them that came against him who charged him very sharp and roughly yet the first he encountred with followed the Iaylor so did the second and the fourth being smitten on his knees to the ground had dyed but he appealed for mercy the other twaine bearing him companie in the same sute Cast downe your weapons said Amadis and shew me them that complained so wofully which they did guiding him the way to the captiues when Amadis hearing another voice somewhat neere him demaunded what he was My Lord replyed the Souldiours it is a Lady in extreame anguish Open the dore quoth Amadis that I may sée her Then one of them ran where the Iaylor lay dead and taking two keyes from his girdle opened the dungeon where the Lady was enclosed but the imagining the Iaylor entred cryed Alas man take pittie on me and oppresse me with no more torments Ah King quoth she breathing foorth a bitter sigh hard was my lot to be loued of thée séeing I buy my affection so deerely Her grieuous mones mooued such compassion in Amadis as the feares trickled downe his cheekes returning her this answere Lady I am not the Iaylor that locked you héere but the man who meanes to deliuer you hence if I can a strange Knight séeking my fortunes euery where Alas my Lord said she what is become of the Iaylor and his companions He and some of them answered Amadis are sent to Hell to looke their copes-mates then one of the Souldiours hauing brought a light the Prince saw how the Lady was tied by the neck with a great chaine which had so
worne and dispoiled her garments as the naked flesh appeared in many places and when she beheld that Amadis pittied her she thus spake Although my Lord I am at this present sequestred from all my liuelood yet time hath béene when I was the wealthie daughter to a King and for a King you finde me in this miserie Lady quoth Amadis it behooueth you to embrace pacience these are but the mutabilities of fortune which no one is able to preuent or escape and if the man for whome you haue thus suffered be of any account or loueth you I am sure he will conuert right soone this poore estate into rich aboundance and remunerate your long sorrowes with ioy and gladnes So he caused the chayne to be taken from her neck commaunding garments to be brought to put about her wherefore he that brought the lights ran for a scarlet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the Iaylor and cast it about the Ladyes shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her foorth of the darke prison saying she should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose his life before and passing by where the Iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many wounds and torments haue you giuen me and diuers other in this Castell without desert although your bodies at this instant cannot receiue condigne vengeance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame said Amadis while I goe to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custody so passing on to the Port-cullis he met the Souldiour that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalaus demaundeth where the Knight is which entred héere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the torche before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fall which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Uillaine fearest thou being in my guard goe on Then ascending the staires they came into the open court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cléere and the weather faire but the Lady féeling the aire and beholding the heauens was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knées before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almightie protect thée and requite the good I haue receiued by thée deliuering me from comfortlesse darknesse Amadis looking round about for Gandalin and finding him not feared he had lost him wherefore he said If the best Squire in the world be dead I shall take such reuenge for his death may I but méet his murderer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouercome with griefe he heard one crye wherefore he ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great péece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthie stincking sauours and néere him he espyed Gandalin tyed to a tree toward whome he was going to vnbind him but he saw the Dwarffe had greatest néede of helpe wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his féete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer intreated thée thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming foorth of the Castell as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he stayed till day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanyed with two of the Souldiours the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place wher-into he saw a horsse led which Amadis being desirous to sée came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it flye open finding the horsse there readie sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castell by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarfe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demaunding what the King was she loued so déerely and for whom she had sustained such iniurie Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whome I loue so loyally this deuillish enchaunter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his presence imagining the griefe heereof would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succour by reason of the traitours villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke clowd enuironed me which hindered them from following me to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought me foorth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue and my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my Loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you speake of It is King Arban of Norgalles answered the Lady whome it may be you know I knowe him right well replied Amadis for he is one whome I deerely loue and now doo I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appéered when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a windowe who thus demaunded Art thou he that didst kill my Iaylor and my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so trecherously putteth Knights to death abusing likewise both Ladies and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard off As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldenes in asking me what I can doo whether it be wrong or right Heer-with he went from y e window and not long after came downe into the courte beeing well armed and mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knightes in the world yet no Giant wherfore when Amadis behelde him of such stature he doubted not of his great force strength Arcalaus perceiuing he eyed him so much demaunded what mooued him so to doo I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldst be a man of exquisite chiualrie but thy peruerse and inhumaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me said Arcalaus I thinke my self highly beholding to Fortune who hath brought thée hether to make me such a smoothe sermon but all
slept too long vneasily Immediatly Amadis awaked and rising vp thus spake Alas where am I I meruayle that I am aliue Beléeue me Sir answered the Lady such a one as you are must not dye in this sort rather will the heauens permit that they who haue deserued it shall dye by your hand Héere-with the two strange Ladyes not saying any more returned the same way they came leauing Amadis much amazed at this aduenture and looking about for Arcalaus but he was aduertised by Grindaloya how he was gon to the Court of King Lisuart clad in his Armour and mounted on his horsse to report that he had slaine him in combat In déede I felt quoth Amadis when he vnarmed me but on my faith me thought I dreamed and seeing he is gone with my Armour I will make his to serue me at this time Hauing put on the Armour of Arcalaus he demaunded of Grindaloya what was become of Gandalin the Dwarffe she told him they were imprisoned Euill befall the villaine that so hardly vsed them said Amadis and Lady quoth he to Arcalaus Wife vpon your life looke to the safetie of this noble woman till I returne Comming foorth into the court it was a pastime to sée how Arcalaus seruants fled his sight but Amadis let them run and went to the darke vncomfortable prisons which were filled with captiues Now to tell ye in what distressed manner they were you must note the place was a vault of an hundred toyses long yet no more then one foote and a halfe in breadth without aire or light and which was wurst of all so full of prisoners as they could scantly stand one by an other Amadis called Gandalin who being in a manner dead hearing his maisters voice begā to trēble yet thinking it was not he because he verily imagined him to be dead entred into diuers doubts of himselfe whether he dreamed or was enchaunted All this while Amadis greatly greeued because Gandalin made no answere wherefore he called aloud againe Gandalin where art thou why doost thou make me trauell so much speake I pray thee When he sawe for all this Gandalin answered not he asked the other prisoners if a Squire so lately brought in there was dead or aliue but the Dwarffe remembring the voyce of Amadis cryed out Alas my Lord we are both héere together aliue as yet albeit we haue often enough wished for death Then Amadis caused candles to be lighted at the Lampe which hung at the entrance of the dungion commaunding them all to come foorth to their no little ioy and comfort séeing themselues deliuered from such miserable seruitude and when they came into the open court they fell on their knées before the Prince thanking God and him for this happy benefit Amadis beholding their faces so pale wan and ouer-spent séeming rather blood-lesse ghostes then liuing creatures was mooued to excéeding compassion especially they being an hundred and fiftie prisoners in all thirty of them were Knights at Armes as he cast his eye euery where among them he made more account of one then all the rest who notwithstanding his sicknes and debilitie séemed of braue and comely constitution and he perceiuing that Amadis noted him so much stepped to him in this manner Who shall we say my Lord hath done vs this grace by deliuering vs from so long wretched thraldome Such as know me answered the Prince doo call me Amadis of Gaule Sonne to King Perion Knight to the Quéene Brisana and domesticall seruant to King Lisuart her husband in search of a Knight I was brought hither by this Dwarffe to whome I made promise in a sute he had In sooth my Lord replyed the other I am a Knight likewise and seruant to the same King who knoweth me full well as likewise the most in his Court doo with whome I haue baene seene in greater honor then now I am because euer since my departure from the Court I haue liued in the miserie from which you redéemed me How may I call your name said Amadis Brandoyuas answered the Knight Full well did the Prince remember that he had heard report of him in the Court wherefore courteously embracing him he said Right glad am I my Starres so fauoured me to deliuer you and these other from such a hellish place and though I neuer sawe you till this present yet oft have I heard the King and his Barons talke of your chiualrie your long absence being no little griefe to them The rest of the prisoners confessed their bounden dutie to him desiring him to appoint them what they should doo he willing them to shape their course whether they thought best My Lord quoth they albeit we know not what seuerall Countreys may harbour vs yet will we still continue your deuoted seruants to attend on you when and where-soeuer néede shall require So each one kissing his hand they tooke their leaue limitting their iourneys as they thought good not any of them tarying with Amadis but Brandoyuas Now goe they to the wife of Arcalaus Amadis thus speking to her Lady for your sake and these other Gentlewomen I for-beare from setting this Castel on fier albeit the euill behauiour of your husband is sufficient warrant therfore but in regarde of the curtesie Knightes owe to Ladies I am content to remit all at this time Alas my Lord quoth she heauen beareth record of the gréefe my soule hath endured through the behauiour of Arcalaus my husband yet could I doo nothing but shewe obedience as beséemed a wife to her wedded Lord with intercession for his change notwithstanding I remaine at your disposition What I will doo answered Amadis I haue already tolde ye it now remaineth that at my request you giue this Lady Grindaloya honorable attirements because her birth and behauiour deserueth no lesse in like manner I woold haue an Armour for this Knight to requite his own which was taken from him and a horsse as beséemeth one of his profession If you mislike of my demaund doo more or lesse as you thinke good but for mine owne parte I will haue hence the Armour of Arcalaus in liew of mine and his horsse by reason mine owne was better yet must I tell ye withall that he hath taken a swoord from me more woorth then all the rest Sir answered the Lady your request is so reasonable that beyond the power you alone haue heer I stand bound in duetye to fulfill your commaundement Then sent she for the self-same Armour belonged to Brandoyuas and caused a horsse to be deliuerd him as for the Lady she brought her into her chamber where she clothed her in most sumptuous accoustrements and returning to Amadis desired him to eate somewhat before he departed wherto he willingly condiscended Now was the best viandes brought foorth so short warning might affoord but Grindaloya was in such haste to be gon as she was lothe to be troubled with any whereat Amadis and Brandoyuas merily smiled especially at the Dwarff
with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone sée reason proceed from her that did thée wrong who being the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equal loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together we likewise might haue enioyed one sepulchre After these woordes she swouned againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenaunce as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes béeing discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the bodye Mabila dispairing of any life left in her was so surprised with gréef that she was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the Princesse and walking some-what aside by her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let me not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two frō me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames she was meruailouslye abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned she spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wunt to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further daunger if she reuiue againe Come I pray ye succour her for now is the time of greatest need and let these lamentations be referred till an other time Mabila perceiued the Damosell said true wherfore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenes some hope of life to be expected they lifted her vpon the bed whē soone after her sprites returned to their office and to quallifie this agonie they could deuise no better meanes then to busie her eares with some or other spéeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speak to vs. Madame said the other your Amadis is yet aliue and wel At the name of Amadis she opened her eyes turning her head héere and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sighe started vp saying Alas sweete freend where is he We vnderstand quoth she that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wunt to vaunt of him selfe without cause feeding him selfe with false praise of deceiuing Knightes Why said Oriana haue I not heard that he brought his horsse and Armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as well be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to trye our constancie then finding vs thus weakly disposed he should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you think so simply Madame that Amadis could be ouercome by one no better a Knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of him selfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he find you not only dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to greefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by mallice can doo and thus you bothe shall dye one for another Whē Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her freende if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the trueth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amourously conferred when first he arriued at her Fathers Courte and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah windowe the witnes of my abandoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whome thou causest me remember and by whose gracious woordes both thou and I were made happie of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou endure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue doone which fayling me now giueth me strange and insupportable tormentes to be my companions and hence-foorth shall my sad spirit remayne in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then she had doon in this manner Why Madame think you if I helde these babling newes for trueth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sorte the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite al the world to wéep then want consolation for you who stand in such néed therof But I sée so slender appearaunce of beléefe as I wil not before time require repute you infortunate because discōforting our selues without assuraunce the euill héereby may be amended and the good made much more wursse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time béen shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he be dead I care not though our loue were openly known for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladyes all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demaunded for Oriana she answered that she accompanyed Mabila whome she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her gréefe for her Cozin Amadis Thus was the Princesses secret sadnes couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults betwéene doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoyuas entred the Pallace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew thē for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knées before the King were quickly called to remembrance his Maiestie thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue taryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath béene the cause where-out had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen libertie to me this Lady many more by such deeds of armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue beene deliuered Yet was he once in daunger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damsels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whome he verily thought to be dead What my fréend quoth he by the faith thou owest vnto God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demaund such a question Because said the King
the olde man heauen graunt the finishing therof to your honor then taking him by the hand he brought him to the bed wheron the dead man lay thus speaking to the sorrowfull Lady Madame this Knight saith to his power he will reuenge the death of your Lord. Alas gentle Knight quoth she the God of heauen kéepe you in that good minde for I can finde no kinred or freend in this countrey who will doo so much for me because my Lord was a straunger yet while he liued euery one shewed great fréendship in lookes but now their kindenesse is colde enough Lady answered Galaor in respect both he and I were borne in one countrey my desire is the greater to reuenge his death Are you said y e Lady the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule whome my deceassed Lord often tolde me was in King Lisuartes Courte Neuer came I there Madame replyed Galaor in all my life but tell me what he is that did this treason and in what place I maye finde him Gentle Lord quoth she you shall be conducted thither if you please neuerthelesse I stand in doubt considering the perrill you will mislike the enterprise as many other haue doone who were heer-tofore accompanyed thither Heerin Mad Madame saide Galaor is the difference betweene good and bad yet if you will allow me so much as you did them that made refusall happily I may spéed better then they did The Lady noting his honourable disposition called two of her Damoselles commaunding thē to conduct Galaor to the Knight that helde her daughter perforce In sooth Madame saide the Prince little credit shall you haue by sending me on foote my owne horsse I lost not long since in the wood by hard fortune I pray ye then let me haue another on this condition that if I reuenge not your cause I maye stand bound to deliuer him againe You shall haue one Sir answered the Lady for I hope by your prowesse not only our possessions shall remaine at your disposing but our selues likewise your obedient seruantes CHAP. XXVI ¶ How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree THus departed Galaor in conduct of the two Damoselles who leading him the néerest way thorow a Forrest at the further side therof shewed him a Castell beeing the place whether they were commaunded to bring him where-upon they thus spake to the Prince Beholde my Lord at this Fortresse you may reuenge the murdered Knightes death Tell me his name replyed Galaor He is called Palingues answered the Damoselles Being now come hard by the Castell they sawe the gate was fast which made Galaor call out aloud wherat an armed Knight came on the battlements demaunding what he sought fo I would enter the Castell answered Galaor This gate quoth he is appointed to no other end but for the comming foorth of such as remaine heere within Which way shall I enter then said Galaor I will shewe you quoth the Knight But I doubt I shal trauaile in vaine and that you dare not come to vs. Now trust me replyed Galaor I would faine haue béen within long since We shall quickly sée that said the Knight if your hardines be such as you make shewe of alight from your horsse and come néere the Castell wall Which Galaor did and giuing his horsse to the Damosells went to the place where he was appointed Then came the Knight again and another with him seeming of greater stature then his companion they two winding a winche about ouer the wall let downe a basket with a corde saying to the Prince If you wil enter héere the passage by the basket is this high way But if I put my selfe therein answered Galaor will ye promise to draw me vp in safetie Yea truely quoth they albeit after ward we will not warrant ye Crediting their woordes he entred the basket saying Drawe me vp for on your honest promise I aduenture Heer-with they began to winde vp the basket which the Damoselles séeing meruailing not a little at Galaors hardines said Ah good Knight God shéeld thée from treason for doubtlesse thou she west a gentle and valiant hart By this time the Knightes had drawen him vp taking him and the basket in at the top afterward the Knightes thus began with him Gentleman it is necessary you sweare to aide the Lord of this Castell against such as would quarrell with him for the death of Anthebon otherwise you neuer shall departe hence What said Galaor did one of you twaine kill him Why demaund you replyed the other Because quoth he I am come to let the murderer know how he hath committed a déede of monstrous treason Come ye for that intent said they now surely you might haue béene a great deale better aduised darest thou threatten vs and art in custody alas we must haue another manner of account at thy handes and we must chastice the folly wher-with thy braine is troubled then drawing their Swoordes they laid vpon him very furiously When Galaor saw him selfe thus wronged both in woordes and déedes he entred into such choller as quicklye he made thē féele y e edge of his swoord so that the Damoselles might easily heare the clanching of the strokes on the Armour for the two Knightes were strong and vigorous and Galaor wel moued with hot displeasure Ah God quoth one of the Damoselles hark how the woorthy Knight dealeth with the traitours let vs not departe hence till we sée some end therof All this while Galaor so laboured his enemies with such sharpe charges as their harts began somewhat to dispaire for to one of them he gaue such a blowe on the helmet as his swoord entred thrée fingers déepe into his head afterward he buffeted him with the hiltes of his Swoord that he made him fall on his knées to the ground In meane space the other spared not Galaor but layd loade on him to reuenge his companion whose head the Prince had now seuered from his shoulders and comming to the other the coward began to turne his back running downe the staires faster then euer he came vp but Galaor followed so nimbly that laying holde on him he made him sure for euer letting downe the basket againe to draw vp any more Knightes on the walles Now because the Prince knew not Palingues and doubting one of these twaine to be he he threwe them ouer the battlements to the Ladies bidding them to looke on them and afterward to resolue him but they answered they were so mangled as they could not iudge of them and they were perswaded that Palingues was neither of these twain Wher upon Galaor went downe into the Castell and as he looked euery where about him he espied a faire yong Lady who cryed alowd Palingues Palingues is this the great chiualrie for which thou wouldst be renowned now thou flyest like a cowardly and faint harted knight yet sayest thou wert a better man at armes then my murdered Father whom thou
and so ought all other to doo that combate against you considering your happy fortune since you came to this Castell With these woordes he deliuered his swoord to the Prince who gaue it him againe and followed the other twaine into the Pallace where he met diuers Ladyes and Damoselles when the choice of them all in beauty thus spake to him Stay a while Sir Knight if you please for alreadye you haue doone so much as you shall obtaine what you demaund Lady quoth Amadis commaund theÌ„ your champions to yeeld them-selues vanquished And what shall you be the better for that saide she When I accepted the conditions of entraunce héere answered Amadis it was said that I must either be killed or vanquishe him that I combatted withall otherwise I haue not the right was promised You mis-understood it replyed the Lady for it was tolde ye that if perforce you entred thus far you should haue reasoÌ„ in what you demaunded say now therfore what is your pleasure I demaund a Damosell quoth he which a Knight tooke from me this last night past while I slept by the riuers side not farre hence and hither he brought her against her will I pray ye Sir saide the Lady to sit downe and rest ye in meane while I will send for the Knight who shall answere ye Then sat they downe together and she procéeded on this manner I intreat ye Sir to resolus me if you knowe a Knight that is named Amadis Why aske ye Lady quoth he Because replyed she all the guarde you found in this Castell was appointed for him and assure your selfe if he entred heere he neuer should departe hence againe if firste he denyed not a promise that he made What was it answered Amadis I will tell ye Sir saide she on this condition that with your vtter-most endeuour you will cause him to acquite it either by Armes or otherwise by reason he hath not doone it iustly In sooth Madame quoth he if Amadis hath promised any thing wherin he is to be touched I will if I can cause him to discharge it She who vnderstood not to what end he thus spake answered as followeth I hartily thank ye Sir wherfore vnderstand that Amadis promised Angriote d' Estrauaus how he would procure his Ladyes liking to him and yet she neuer could loue him in all her life this is a matter against all right seeing forced affection is no loue but dolour miserie then according to your promise you must labour to cause Amadis reuoke this vnreasonable offer Now truste me Madame replyed the Prince you say right well and séeing you may not iustly be denyed assure your selfe I will endeuour to make him acquite you These woordes procured many thankes from her she not comprehending his meaning héerin for he hoped to accomplish his promise both to Angriote her without derogation either to one or other as you héer-after shall vnderstand But Madame said he are you she whome Angriote loueth so Yea truely quoth she I know him very well answered Amadis that he is one of the best Knightes in the worlde and me thinkes there is no Lady or Gentle-woman so riche or faire but might thinke her selfe happy and fortunate to haue such a Knight as he Neuerthelesse what I say is not to exempt my selfe from the promise I made ye for I will perfourme it if I can because he is a much better Knight then Amadis albeit he made him that gentle offer CHAP. XXVIII ¶ How Amadis combatted with the Knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him WHile thus they were deuising together there entred an other Knight of large proportion and strong all armed except with his helmet and gauntlets who thus spake to Amadis It is told me Sir Knight that you demaund a Damosell which I brought hither yester night how I did it against her will but assure your selfe she would more willingly goe with me then stay with you therefore you may be ashamed thus to quarrell nor haue I any reason to deliuer her againe to you I would faine sée her answered Amadis It must be then said the Knight whether I will or no but if you will maintaine y t I haue wronged her and she ought not to be mine I presently will approoue the contrary on your person by combate Thou canst not please me better quoth Amadis and in this cause will I stand not only against thée but resolutely against all other that by right she appertaineth not to thée if willingly she gaue not her consent Let vs sée then said y e Knight which of vs shall haue her This man of whome we speake was Unckle germaine to Angriotes Lady named 〈…〉 loouing and honoring him abooue all her other 〈◊〉 for he was the best Knight of his race wise and discreet so that she was altogether gouerned by his counsell A goodly horsse being brought foorth for him he laced on his helmet and stood prouided to enter the combat which Groâ—â—eâ—sa the Lady perceiuing she came to her Unckle with these words Certes my Lord it were better you should forbeare this difference because I would be sory any harme should come to either of you in respect you Unckle are the only man of the world whome I am most bound to loue and this Knight I haue greatest hope in for he hath promised so to deale with Amadis as he shall acquite the offer made to Angriote What Niece answered Gasinan thinke you that he or any his like can disswade the most gentle Knight on the earth from accomplishing his promise I knowe not quoth she what you imagine of him but I repute him one of the best in the world otherwise he could not haue entred héere by strength of Armes as he did Say you so replyed Gasinan you praise him ouer-much for passing the defended gates when men of such meane account had them in charge I say not this but that he may be a gentle Knight yet hope I to take him foorth a new lesson and a better then he if he were héere in witnes of my words your selfe shall presently be iudge séeing him vanquished and my selfe peaceably possessed of the Damosell we quarrell for Herewith the Lady left them and they giuing the spurres to their horsses brake their Launces gallantly in the encounter and with such fury met their bodies that Gasinan was dismounted hauing a shrewd fall against the ground yet he arose quickly and drawing his Sword stoode by a Marble piller in the middest of the court thinking Amadis could there little endomage him being on horsseback and he on foote When Amadis sawe how his enemy dallyed with him he wexed very angry and striking fiercely at him by mishap his Sword lighted short on the piller and so was broken in thrée pieces now grewe he into greater choller and seeing in what daunger he was vnprouided of a weapon to defend himselfe withall he leaped from his horsse so quickly
had slaine my seruantes they brought me into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciouslye deliuered me Her modest behauiour in spéeche and comely beauty made Balays to wexe some-what enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very lothe to parte with ye but séeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where we may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindenes that we may not loose so good an oportunitie I knowe not Sir quoth she how you are minded but had they compelled me to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde me excused contrari-wise if I should willingly graunt you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might thē serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewen your selfe a well disposed Knight let me intreat ye to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duety you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberlye he repented that he had offred her such vndecent woordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied me yet pardon me for attempting so bad a sute in respect it is no lesse séemely for Knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue doone And albeit at the first we imagin it a great conquest to obtaine of them what we most desire yet when wiselye and discreetly they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are woorthy no praise they be euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more estéeme your succour to mine honor then my life because the difference betwéene them is farre incomparable Well saide Balays what will you now I shall doo for you Let vs leaue these dead carkasses replyed the Damosell and goe where we may stay till day light I like your councell answered Balays if I had another horsse but béeing now destitute I know not what to doo We will ride on my horsse saide the the Damosell till we finde other remedie so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested them-selues till Sunne rising and then they went to horsse-back againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the Knight who caused Galaors horsse to escape awaye from him he asked the Damosell what shoulde become of her My Lorde quoth she not farre hence is a house whether when you haue brought me you may departe to what place you please As thus they rode communing togither he sawe a Knight come toward him carying his legge on his horsses necke but drawing néerer he put foote in stirrope couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell bothe from the horsse after-ward he vsed these spéeches In sooth Lady I am sorye for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue doone ye I will bring ye-where you shall be contented because hee that hath the charge of you is vnwoorthye to haue so faire a creature in his custodye Ere this had Balays recouered him selfe and knowing him to be the Knight he sought for he drewe his swoord saying By thee villayne haue I lost my horsse and my companyon thou hast in like sorte abused now finding me vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but bothe for him and my felfe will I be reuenged on thée else let me be thought vnwoorthy of my order What quoth the Knight art thou one of them that mocked me as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockery on thée Héer-upon they presentlye fell to the combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemye got him vnder foote when renting the Helmet from his head he tooke his life as raunsome for his villainye and breaking his swoord in péeces layde them by him then mounting on his horsse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their waye toward the trée where he left Galaor But because their stomackes well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holye life who bestowed on them such chéere as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her frō the théeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slayne her seruants and she destitute of help whereof the holye women were very glad by reason those théeues did much harme in that countey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell tooke their leaue and comming to the trée met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherfore they concluded no more to sunder them-selues vntill they arriued at King Lisuartes Courte By this time the night drew on apace wher-upon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her fréendly offer went with her being there entertained and vsed very honourablye Early in the morning arming them-selues they thanked their gentle hoste his daughter framing their course toward Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented the horsse to Galaor which he wun from the Knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath therby CHAP. XXX ¶ How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heeretofore declared the ioy and content of the good King Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely mind he concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificent Court as all his auncestors in great Brittayne neuer did the like Which Oliuas perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the Duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cozin germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring he might haue iustice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other Knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two Knights more beside himselfe he would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other Knights Warning héereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclamation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should be readie at the Cittie of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroad by the Quéene to aduertise the Ladyes and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resort came to the Court where all kind of pastimes and sports were inuented without respect of fortunes mallice any way who commonly in great assembly of states when
least they thinke of her variable changings often telleth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attired entred the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demaunding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiestie himself the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well doo you séeme a King by your porte and countenance yet may it be doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you sée and heereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Me thinks my Lord answered the Damsell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doo desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make me such a liberall offer I hope one day to trye the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must be assembled many valiant men who shall knowe by the promise you haue made me how woorthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualrie is honored by you Damosell sayd the King so much as effects may better my words so much the more will it glad me to sée good store of hardie Knights there present My Lord quoth she if effects answere your woords I shall haue great reason to be contented So tooke she leaue of him returning the same way she came where-at euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimitie as whatsoeuer happened he would not be reprooued with cowardise and so déerely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deathes then to sée him suffer any mishap or iniurie Whereupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuenience to alter the promise he had so lightly made shewing it was not beséeming his Maiestie to deale with affayres of Knights and Gentlemen hee béeing placed in authoritye ouer them While they stoode on these tearmes there entred three Knights two of them beeing very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for he was a man of auncient yeares as séemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull couller then commonly hath béene noted in a man of his age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This Knight caryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demaunding for the King the Gentlemen shewed where he sate making him way to his Maiestie before whome he fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is King Lisuart for within these fewe dayes he hath made the most woorthye promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me Knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to bée perfourmed but I would fayne knowe your meaning héerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the Knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honor a matter wherein now adayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Héerein you were tolde trueth sayd the King and you may bée well assured that I will doo my vttermost to aduaunce the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the Knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your Countrey to bee readye at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you héere a thing with me which such a King as you are ought most royally to receyue Then opening the Cofer he tooke foorth a Crowne of golde so sumptuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and precious Stones as neuer was séene a more costlyer Iewell euery one béeing of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mightye Lord. When the King had long and earnestly beheld it hée was verye desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the Knight perceiuing sayde This Crowne my Lorde is of such workemanship as no Ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be estéemed for the King that kéepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the King who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no King but you that euer sawe it but if you like it so well I will make yee a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some daunger to loose All this whyle was the Quéene in place earnestly wishing that the King her husband might haue it where-upon she said to the King Me thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demaundeth Madame quoth the Knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buye it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was séene for beside the precious stones wherwith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sortes of beastes and birdes which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rare and curious piece of woorke not wrought as I thinke by humane capacitie You say true Madame replyed the Knight for the like heereof is not to be found yet may not the riches compare with the propertie and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maryed Ladies then any other because she that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of chéefe regarde answered the Quéen if it haue any such indéed I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the Knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grewe she meruaylous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betwéene the King and her wherfore she said to the Knight Say Sir how doo you estimate this Mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseeche you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the handes of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of gréefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedie while I liue and because I know not well the valewe of these Iewelles I will leaue them in your custodye vntill the day you holde open Courte at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demaund In mean while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue saide you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust
me saide the King séeing you repose such confidence in me assure your selfe to haue what-soeuer you request or else they shalbe restored againe It suffiseth quoth the Knight then turning to the Lordes he thus procéeded Woorthy Lordes you haue all heard what the King hath promised me that he wil restore the Mantle and y e Crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me what-soeuer I shall demaund So much his Maiesty hath saide replyed the Lordes and we are witnesses therof Adiew then answered the auncient Knight for perfocre I must return to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But héere you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knightes which conducted the olde man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his Helmet open and séemed a young man the other held downe his head as lothe to be knowen béeing of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kinges Court might be equalled with him So departed they againe all thrée together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kinges custodye CHAP. XXXI ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Courte of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays béeing all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Courte of King Lisuart where they were welcommed with excéeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowen but by renowne of his famous chiualrie Beside eche one reioyced to sée Amadis who by y e false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the villainous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their combate together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Quéene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgement remembring that when long absent louers méete lookes sighes and teares are familiarly entercoursed béeing the only means to conteÌ„t ech others hart Yet Amadis thought it not best to staÌ„d still thus musing least euery eye should growe cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Quéene saying Madame according to your charge at my departure from the Courte I haue brought this Knight whom I present as only yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Madame said the King you doo me wrong if you take them both Amadis already is yours me thinkes you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for me You aske no small matter answered the Quéene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine not-with-standing séeing you are the best King that euer reigned heer so good a Knight is wel bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ye then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinkes that any thing so great a Prince demaundeth should be graunted if it were possible heere am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like therof because he hath greatest authoritie ouer me It contents me very well saide the Quéene that you should doo as your brother commaundeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeed Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellowe seruant to the Queene With all my hart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen me to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thank you Sir quoth the Quéene now may I boldelye giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a freend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this Knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreat him according to his desertes which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madame answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and estéeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues wherby to induce me which none can valewe or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladly would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him self that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers deserte or any other what-soeuer So remained Galaor in the Kinges seruice from which he could not be seperated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as we shall haue occasion to declare héereafter All this while Oriana Mabila and Oliuia had withdrawen themselues from the other Ladyes likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus graciously entertained by the King and Quéene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray yée cause the Knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to sée him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if he thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would fayne speake with you and desire you to come a little more néere them which he presently did But Mabila being wise and discreet not ignorant what medicines should be applyed to passionate mindes after they all thrée had saluted them Mabila tooke Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit betwéene Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure fréends whome I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present busâ—nes else-where as I must of necessitie leaue you awhile Thus deuised she to bring the loouers together and by a pretty wyle gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughtes with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to conferre with his Lady and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreame loue tooke from him the facilitie of spéeche yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplyed the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My Lord and fréend what dolour greefe did the traytour procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore mayden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustaine such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other
so hath my fortune graciously fauoured me that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Héerewith Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himselfe so praysed by her to whome all commendation was due and féeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words dyed in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to procéede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer sawe you doo highly loue honor and estéeme you and I being she whome you affect most déerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madame answered Amadis your swéete and gentle words are sufficient to make me dye a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time only to excuse my extremity with pittie enduring wursse then death by louing you too vehemētly for if I had dyed as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not knowen you before And albeit the hower of your acquaintance is my intire felicitie yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in dooing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessitie constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value only to encrease my habilitie in seruing you which if you graunt me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as was no small greefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to me for should you dye I were vnable to liue one hower after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine own case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering and cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeuour can compasse no meane to yéeld vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen be it hate of father mother kinred and fréends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weightie burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martirdome of our hearts may easily be discouered No doubt these words were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such chéerefull life to his hope that he was rauished with inward conceit thereof when she séeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Quéene must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honor the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Quéene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladyes to censure on the bretheren but they resembled eche other so like as little difference could be discerned betwéene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect among all Knights both in beautie noblenes bountie and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispe faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go sée her daughter and the other Ladyes when he regarding the excellent beautie of Oriana imagined such an other was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of couller he suspected her to be the only cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was he welcommed among the Ladyes and diuers familiar speéeches passed betwéene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his Unckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII ¶ How King Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath béen declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittayne soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falangris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countryes to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might be named Knightes of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunat King forgot y e authour of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happie Realme fell into persecution and the illustrious state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might knowe how he only is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall héere vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing concluded to hold the most royall and stately Court that euer King did in the Realme of great Brittayne commaunded that on the fift day following all the Lords of his Kingdome should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honor might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yéeld him obeysaunce began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his state and person into danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to kéepe his Courte at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lordes Ladyes and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendaunce especiallye so many young Gentlemen beeing there present some to regarde the magnificence of the Courte other to doo seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewise for greater maiestie of his Courte ordayned that none of this assemblye should lodge in the Citie but to erect their Pauillions in the feeldes and meddowes along the bancks that hemmed in the faire Riuer of Themes least the extream◠heate might be hurtfull to them all which béeing doone according to appointment the feeldes seemed as a most royall Campe or as if the greater parte of the worlde were there assembled But because the King arriued there two or thrée dayes before the feaste he went to his pallace accompanied only with
his Quéene Amadis Galaor Agraies Don Galuanes and certaine other his most fauoured the rest kept themselues in their Tentes according as the Herbingers had in quarters limitted them With sundry sortes of pastimes was the King entertained which continued till Fortune enuying his felicitie chaunged them into gréefe and teares by the meanes of a Lord no subiect to y e King but his néerer neighbour then fréend named Barsinan a man opulent in riches and endued with fewe vertues as may be gathered by the matter ensuing This Barsinan was Lord of a countrey called Sansuegua and very familiar with Arcalaus the enchaunter who not long before came to him and cōferred with him in this manner My Lord quoth he the great desire I haue to doo you seruice hath made me inuent the meane if you like therof to deliuer in short time the Realme of great Brittayne quietlye into your handes without much hazarding your person or any great expence When Barsinan who was a very ambitious man heard the woordes of Arcalaus who promised to make him King if he would he thus replyed In good faith my deere freend Arcalaus if thou canst perfourme the thing thou vauntest of no feare shall hinder me to hazard my person much lesse will I reckon of expence if I sée any likely-hood in the compassing It is a thing saide Arcalaus very easie to be doone and presently shall you vnderstand by what meanes prouided that you sweare to me after you are seated in the regiment to make me super-intendent and cheefe maister of your housholde That will I answered Barsinan with any thing else thou shalt desire Marke then the platfourme quoth Arcalaus You know how King Lisuart hath openlye published this feaste of September to holde open Courte whether you must goe well accompanied with Knightes then shall I order the matter in such sorte that I will cary away the King prisoner no man aliue beeing able to succour him in like manner will I cary thence his daughter whom you shall take to wife and afterward will I send ye the Kinges head Thus in respect the Princesse is right heire to the crowne and you enioying her in marriage beeing well accompanied with Knightes as I tolde ye easily may you make seazure on the Realme nor shall you finde any to speake against it In sooth answered Barsinan if such an enterprise might sorte to effect I would make thée more riche and mighty then euer were any of thy linage as also the chéefe commaunder in my house It suffiseth saide Arcalaus your selfe shall soone perceiue that sildome I enterprise any thing but it comes to passe then fayle not to be present in the assembly at London So came the traytour Barsinan to king Lisuart feigning his intent to doo him honour wherfore the King sent many of his Knightes entertaining him as a most noble fréend appointing his lodging and all thinges else necessary for him and being with the King in his Pallace he entred into these spéeches My Lord vnderstanding what royall magnificence you meane to keepe in your Courte as also the good Knightes and braue men were heer to be seen this day I intended to honor you w t my person not as your vassaile or subiect holding my Countreye of God and by the swoord but as your good neighbour and freend if you please Trust me quoth the King you doo me very great pleasure and honor and I thanke you for this gentle paines that you would be seen in so good companye assuring you Lord Barsinan and my fréend this courtesie shall be remembred in what I maye for I make very especiall account of you Your Maiesty dealeth very kindely with me replyed Barsinan and I protest on my faith to be readye in councelling your affaires for the best according as I haue a long time desired Sée how the traytour lyed in euerye woord but the good King misdoubting nothing requited his offer w t many thanks and to doo him the greater honor appointed his lodging in his owne Pallace him selfe and his Quéene going foorth of the Cittie with their Tentes and pauillions imagining he could not doo too much for the traitour And firste he acquainted him with his whole enterprise and wherfore he caused this great assembly declaring the meanes and Sirnames of the best cōmended Knightes their hautie prowesse and resolutions among whom he forgot not Amadis and Galaor whose hardines was impossible to be equalled they two being accomplished with all the vertues required in chiualrie When the King was with-drawen to his Tentes and Barsinan to the Pallace he began to consider on the strength of his Maiestie as also the loue and obeysaūce so many great Princes shewed him which made him vnable to enioy any rest and often-times he repented his foolish enterprise seeing how hard it would proue in execution Now he minded to alter his determinatiō when suddenly another opinion entred his braine so that wauering vp down in his thoughts he could not resolue on any certaintie On the next morning he came to y e King who was now clothed in his royall ornaments because it was y e first day of open Court and be commaunded one to goe to the Quéene willing her to send him the Crowne he had of the Knight and she to clothe her selfe in y e sumptuous mantle Heereupon she presently sent for the Cofer and opening it found nothing therein whereat she was greatly amazed considering she trusted no body with the keye thereof but her owne selfe and euermore caryed it about her But knowing not how to remedie this mishap she acquainted the King therewith who in great displeasure came to her saying I meruayle Madame you haue kept so badly the Iewell which would haue so greatly honored this time considering vnder what condition it was left with vs. On my faith my Lord quoth she I knowe not what to say I found the Cofer fast lockt and none but my selfe hath kept the keye of it But in a dreame this last night me thought a Damosell willed me to shew it her which I did afterward she demaunded the keye and I gaue it her when opening the Cofer she tooke foorth the mantle and the Crowne locking it againe and laying the keye where I tooke it This done she put the mantle about her and the Crowne on her head they beseeming her so well as I receiued great pleasure in beholding her and thus she spake That her selfe or she from whome she came before fiue dayes should rule in the countrey of a mightie King who at this time laboured to defend it and to conquer it from other Heereupon I demaunded what she was and she answered You shall knowe at the time I haue spoken of So she vanished frō me with the Crowne and the mantle but on my faith I knowe not if this vision came to me sleeping or whether it be of truth The King was now in greter meruaile then before willing her to dissemble the matter and not
to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the Knights and Ladyes in the place appointed for the ceremonyes of the day where sitting downe in two chayres of state the King called his Knights about him the Queene her Ladyes with whome she communed Now had his Maiestie giuen order that néerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norgalles well armed holding his Swoord readye drawen and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald he commaunded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady very richly attired and with her twelue other Damosels in like brauerie For in those dayes the great Lords and Ladyes were wunt to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betwéene them this faire Lady addressed her spéeches to the King deliuering them in fourme following My Lord most humbly I beséeche yée to graunt me audience and giue me reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiestie meaning Amadis Long time haue I béene requested by Angriote d' Estrauaus to be his Wife who I am assured is in this royall presence héereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why he kept y e vale of the Pines how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abādon Armes Neuerthelesse quoth she they departed fréends and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife whereof when I attained knowledge I withdrew my selfe to a Castell of mine where I kept such a strong guard and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange Knight to enter there without licence but that Knight comming thither vanquished my gardants and hath vtterly abollished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised me to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chaunced an vnhappie combate betwéene him and this Knight mine Unckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiestie held open Court I should héere present my selfe to graunt a request he must demaund of me To satisfye my promise I am come hither and desire to knowe what he will commaund me at which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the combates therefore am I ready héere to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she perfourme her owne promise On my conscience quoth she if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you knowe I am ready to fulfill my offer demaund what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so déerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what manner of demaund is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would mary with such a one as is well woorthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth Knight quoth she this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replyed Amadis but I will perfourme it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote héerein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must néedes confesse your selfe satisfyed he gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renowmed Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now doo I well perceiue that art nor cunning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue doone my vttermost to escape Angriote not only for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chaste and single I would not bring my libertie into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come néerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and riche he is a young and braue disposed Knight as you are riche in goods and possessions euen so is he in bountie and vertue not only in déedes of Armes but in all other good quallities beséeming a Knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heere-upon she stepped to the Quéene saying Madame you are estéemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall doo Faire fréend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote hath gotten among the good he well deserueth not only to be aboundant in riches but to be loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis thinke not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned me of folly but making triall of his valour and hardines yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinks the iustice of the cause commaunds that not only my self but all such as are acquainted with him ought to labour in seeking remedie for you both in him the extreame passions he endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse greefes knowen to you Now trust me Sir quoth she such praise haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then trueth wherefore following your councell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall commaund me Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to doo my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then heere I giue her you replyed Amadis on this condition that you shall be foorthwith maryed together and continue in honorable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commaundement Presently the King called for the Bishop of Saleme wha◠conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Cittie and there the wedding was sollemnized with great ioy and Triumphes wherefore we may well say that not men but God appointeth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which
Angriote euer-more bare to this selfe-willed Lady For albeit hée had her in his custodye neuer did he meane dishonorably against her but by vertuous cogitations brideled vnlawfull desire onely to expresse how intirely he loued her and by obeying her seuere charge lost his life wel-néere when he combatted with Amadis CHAP. XXXIII ¶ How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie AFter the end of this mariage which by diuersitie of opinions caused much talke as commonly it happeneth in such cases the King commaunded silence againe by his Herald when euery one being attentiue to heare what he would say he thus began My freends no one of you is ignorant of the heauenly fauour toward me by appointing me the greatest earthlye Lord that liueth this day in all the Isles of the Occean wherfore I thinke it conuenient that as we in this countrey are y e chéefe so should we be second to no other prince in rendring immortall thankes by good vertuous woorks wheron we are now minded to determine In this respect I intreate and commaund albeit Kinges are the heads of their Monarchies and you the members that you would altogether take aduise and giue me councell euen from your consciences what you thinke most expedient for me to doo as well for the benefite of my Subiectes as also for our estate And this I assure ye I am fully minded to beleeue your opinions as procéeding from loyall and faithfull subiectes wherfore againe I desire ye that without feare eche one would in particular and generallye aduise what we ought to doo as matter most commendable Héere-with he held his peace and Barsinan Lord of Sansuegua was intreated by all the assistantes to speake his opinion which they did for no other reason but because the King would haue euery one honor him wher-upon after many excuses on his owne behalfe he arose from his seate and making humble reuerence thus spake Séeing it liketh you I should firste declare my censure I desire the King and this company to pardon my ignorance béeing vnwoorthy of this honourable and gracious fauour But me thinkes vnder submission to his pleasure and better aduise of all you my Lords that we should with-draw our selues a while from the presence of his Maiestie where we may more fréelye conceiue our seuerall humours This answere was generally well liked wherfore the King and Quéene lefte them together walking into an other of their Pauillions then Seroloys the Fleming Countie of Clare began in this manner You haue all heard my Lordes the good zeale the King hath to the gouernement not only of the common wealth in his Realm but perticularly to the honourable encrease of chiualrie which he desireth to continue in greater preminence then euer it hath béene And therefore my Lords humbling my selfe to better opinion I think it good to supply the intent of our King y t we all ought to councell him to strengthen him selfe with men and mony for they are the sinnewes of warre and peace whereby all Kings on the earth are maintained in their puissant authoritie For it is most certaine that treasure is for Souldiers and men at Armes by whome Kinges reigne nor ought it for any cause to be else where dispended without committing of true sacrilidge for these affaires are tearmed holye causing the state to liue in tranquilitie and win glorious conquestes of such as séeke to inuade them Beside to attayne the better héerto his Maiestie must séeke meanes to get all the good Knightes he can heare of as well strangers as other intreating them with liberality to send his renown on winges through the world which will fetche from the furthest partes men to his seruice in hope of condigne recompence to their labour By their aid he may easily make him selfe Monarche of all the Princes by East and West for it hath neuer â—éen read or heard that any Prince could make him selfe great except by the assistaunce of valiant and hardye Knights hauing bought their valour in braue attempts I tearm it bought by fauouring honouring and distributing their treasure among them that they may receiue no occasion of dislike but with vnconquerable resolution to pursue victorie As he would haue procéeded in further perswasion the greater parte of the Lordes séemed to allowe of his opinion affirming that better councell could not be giuen which when Barsinan heard he requested audience for him selfe and hauing graunt therof he intended to reuerse this firste aduise because he might verye hardly else goe forward with his secret purpose theÌ„ silence béeing made Barsinan thus beginnes It seemeth by your countenaunces my Lordes that the Countie of Clares opinion is a grounded trueth for I sée the most parte of you auerre the same not hauing heard any thing to the contrary they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my noble fréends that the better we be accompanyed the more we shall be feared of our enemyes our state in greater safetie and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new fréends cannot make vs forgetfull of our old let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yéeld and consent thereto Againe I intreat ye and expressely commaund that eche of you presently name such to me as you knowe happily they being yet vnknowen to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may be the better affected to our seruice likewise we intreate them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire with-drawing himselfe into the appointed Hall where many Tables were prouided which he commaunded to be well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the Kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawen againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good fréends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must graunt me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particulerly knowe the seruice you haue doone me and you taste such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Héereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the Kings request except Amadis because he was the Quéens Knight and all this while was she present at these matters wherfore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord séeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honor your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doo the like to the Ladyes and Gentlewomen
more offended then before which made him shortly thus to answere Knight what promise I made thee I intend to keepe although the Crowne and mantle be both lost to my no little greef as well for thy sake as mine owne Heere-at the Knight gaue a loud shrieke saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now commes my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must finish mine age in the cruellest death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which mooued the most constant to pitty his greefe and the King himselfe ouercome with compassion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speed any thing the wursse for my losse you must be satisfyed whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfully promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demaund what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I knowe my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnes I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to be deliuered if I had I would acquite you of the griefe I know you will endure graunting me the thing I must of necessitie demaund but now it may not be otherwise except you infrindge your faith and loyaltie Rather will I loose my Kingdome replyed the King then make a promise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy mind I thanke your Maiestie quoth the Knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perfourmed or I satisfyed hauing a reward now and taken from me annon Great reason sayd the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the Knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughter Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewels or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her as I sustaine harme by your vnhappy losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmure against the Knight perswading the King to deny his word but he rather desired death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere he made them Be not offended my good fréends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiudiciall to me as the breache of my promise for if the one bée enuious the other is iniurious and to be shunned euery way The proofe is ready if subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care wil they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this Knight therefore must haue my Daughter and I wil deliuer her according to my promise Héereupon he sent for her but the Quéene béeing present all this while little thought the King would so forget his fatherly loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter she good Lady fell at the Kings féete when wéeping as a mother for the losse of her child she said What will yée doo my Lord will ye be more inhumane to your owne blood then the brute Beasts are to their contraryes Notwithstāding all their brutish quallities yet be they neuer so vnnaturall to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledge thereof to commit so great wrong not only against your selfe impitious father or me a wofull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the Knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agréeued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladyes wherefore the King commaunded them to their chambers The Quéene séeing she might not preuayle fell in a swoune but by her Ladyes she was conuayed thence the King giuing charge on payne of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My Daughter quoth he I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can helpe it By this time the newes came to Oriana how her Father had consented to her departure wherat she fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladyes reputing her dead indéed thought best to acquainte the King ther-with yet by forced remedies shée reuiued againe breathing foorth manye dollorous sighes Now the most of the women seuered them-selues some néere and some further from her because she should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony hart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speeche and faintely vttered these regrets Full well quoth she doo I now beholde mine owne ruine Ah swéete fréend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my hart fore-told me euen at the very hower of thy departure Ah curssed be that hower because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these tidinges I feare béeing vnable to endure them thou wilt dye immediatly yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the only refuge to the vnfortunate séest thou not mee formost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumphe ouer thée in dealing so extreamely as she can with me albeit I know thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therfore and let her not get such preeminence on me in despight as it were of thy authoritie Adiew then swéete fréend for neuer shall we sée eche other more in this life at these woordes she fell in a swoune againe When the King sawe she tarryed so long he sent to commaund her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadlye agonye and staying till she was recouered againe as she began to renew her mones he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When she heard this message she arose hauing her hart so sealed vp with griefe as it séemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke she came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete said My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with me Faire daughter quoth he I must accomplishe my promise These speeches prouoked her former paines when the King
to him the one of them vsing these woords King Lisuart spare the Knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one hower If I dye answered the King so shall you all for me like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not only sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did he recouer himselfe very quickly like one resolued to defend his life albeit he sawe death present before his eyes But béeing vnable to resist so many at length they got sure hold on him when renting off his helmet and his Shéeld they bound him fast with a double chayne Afterward they set him on a simple horsse two Knights still holding the ends of the chayne and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke but the Knight against whome the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus said Behold Cozin King Lisuart is ours A very good prize answered Arcalaus hence-foorth shall his enemyes haue no cause to dread him Uillaine quoth the King well knowe I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my woords if thou darest combate with me By God sayd Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all spéede to London and say to Lord Barsinan that he must execute what I willed him for I haue begun indifferently if he can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Cittie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore he sayd to his Cozin Take ten Knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prisons at Daguanel these other foure shall kéepe me company for I will leade Oriana to mount Aldin where I will shewe her straunge and woonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboad beeing one of the strongest and fayrest in the world thus the ten Knightes caryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certaynely if héere we consider the properties of Fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more toward great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well she witnessed by King Lisuart euen in the time when he intended most honorably to be thwarted with such a contrary chaunce For at one instant he sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemyes his Daughter and heyre to his Kingdome taken from him and all his estate in daunger of ruyne He that was woont to bée honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a théefe by a villainous Enchaunter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this daye are called to the greatest honors in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wise Prince yet the diuine ordenaunce suffered him to fall in these dangers to the end he might remember how all creatures remayne at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time he was brought so lowe as might bée and afterward restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI ¶ How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherfore they made haste to giue them succour WE haue before declared by what meanes Amadis and Galaor escaped from Madasima the Lady of Gantasi who would haue put them to death if she had known their names likewise how they tooke their waye toward London as men right ioyfull of their good successe But by the way they met Dardan the Dwarff so fast as horsse could gallop wher-upon Amadis thus spake to Galaor Brother me thinkes my seruant Dardan commeth toward vs and doubtlesse about some matter of importaunce for doo you not sée what speede he maketh By this time Dardan brake off their talke rehearsing euery thing that happened since their departure but when he tolde how the Princesse Oriana was caryed from y e Court against her wil what sorrowful lamentations she made Amadis entred into a dispairing fury demaunding which way they went that had her in charge In sooth my Lord answered Dardan they rode thorowe the Forrest which lyeth on the other side of the Cittie Without more woords Amadis gaue the spurres to his horsse galloping amaine toward London so confounded with the terrour of these newes as he could not speak to his brother Galaor who left him not but followed at hand Through y t Cittie they ride not making any stay enquiring which way they took that led away the Princesse and euery one shewed it him verye readily As Gandalin came posting after his Lord it was his hap to passe by the Quéens lodging where she standing at a window ouer-come with gréef espied Gandalin whom she called to her and asked where he had left his Maister Madame quoth he he is gone after them that haue away the Princesse Stay a little I pray thee saide the Quéene then sent she for the Kinges swoord which was accounted one of the best in the worlde saying I desire thee carry this swoord to Amadis and tell him the King for-sooke it this morning he beeing gone with a Damosell to combate for her and she hath giuen him another swoord as yet we heare no tidinges of him either when he will returne or whether he is gone Gandalin hauing receiued the swoord set away with speede after his maister whose impacience vrging him to more haste then care of his iourney made him ride so farre into a foule sloughe as he was faine to alight ere he could get foorth again And leading his horsse by the bridle to escape the mire Galaor and Gandalin ouertooke him acquainting him with the Queenes message and deliuering the Swoord she sent him When he heard how the King was likewise gon his desire of speed encreased to giue him succour but his horsse was so wearied with striuing in the bogge as he was constrained to take Gandalins which trauailed much wursse then his own yet with the helpe of his spurres he made him goe At length they found the tract of horsses and by good hap met with certaine poore labouring men whom they asked if they met not any by the way Yes my Lord quoth one of them we met certaine men leading a Knight two Ladies albeit we durst not shew our selues but kept vs hidden in the thickest of y e wood for doubtlesse they be some bad people heer to they added such a discription of the prisoners as they easilye gathered them to be the King and Oriana betraied But tell me good freendes saide Amadis know you none of the
if the traitour Arcalaus woorke no newe villainie by his enchauntments but as concerning my happye deliueraunce I like well that my Quéen should vnderstand therof Wher-upon Ladasin called a Squire whom the King presentlye sent to the Courte as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the King communing with the Nephewe of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinseman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to bée King of great Brittayne Héere-upon the King concluded to make the more haste thinking to finde Barsinan as yet at London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of Landon IF you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poore labouring men not knowing the King and Oriana séeing how iniuriouslye they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide themselues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were King Lisuarts his daughters Where-upon so soone as the two Knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring thorough the Cittie especially among the Knights as they presently Armed them-selues and mounted on horsseback in such troupes that the féelds were quickly couered with men and horsses At this time was King Arban of Norgalles talking with the Quéene little thinking on any such misfortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayd My Lord you tary héere trifling too long arme your selfe quickly and follow the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Cittie how certaine villaines haue caryed the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed King Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Quéene heard these vnhappie tidings not able to vnder-goe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but King Arban hauing more mind on the King left her in her Ladyes armes hasting with all spéed he could to horsseback When he was setting foote in stirrop he heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castell whereby hée gathered they were betrayed wherefore hée caused the Quéenes lodging to bée guarded and returning to the Cittie sawe euery one readie in Armes when choosing so many as he pleased as also two hundred well approoued Knights he sent two of the chéefest to the Tower of London to vnderstand the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his trayne killing and casting ouer the walles all that he met Héerein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the Knights and men of account were gone to succour the King Highly displeased was King Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the King had béene betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences as might happen he dorayned his men in battayle placing good watch about the Quéenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take her as he had done the Tower but he met with stronger resist then he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan tooke a prisoner by whome he was aduertised how King Arban would withstand him euen to the death Now began he to deuise how by faire spéech and falshood he might take the King crauing a parle with him whereto King Arban willingly agréed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought till now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised Knightes in the worlde but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I thinke withall that what you doo is for safetie of your honor Heerin you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will be but the losse of you and your men in respect King Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proof wherof euen he that slewe him will ere long send me his head Sith Fortune then hath dealt so hardly with him and I at this instant am the greatest Lord in this Countrey dare you deny to make me King Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall intreate you so well as any Prince in my Realme suffering you still to enioy the Countrey of Norgalles and particulerlye beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered King Arban full well doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy trecherye in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue me become a traytour to his freendes as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doo the wurst thou canst thy villainie only will take vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put therto What saide Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me frō sitting as King in London Neuer shall traitour replyed Arban be King of London by Gods leaue while the most honourable King of the world liueth I called for thee quoth Barsinan in respect of thine owne good because I fauoured thee more then any other imagining thou wert of sound discretion but as I haue saide I finde my selfe deceiued wherfore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despight of thee I will reign King in great Brittaine Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will kéep thee from such climbing as if the King my Maister were héere personallye present Then began the assault afresh King Arban withdrawing him selfe to harden his men beeing meruailously offended at Barsinans woordes Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood he brauelye on his defence many beeing slaine and sore wounded neuer-thelesse he was euer-more formoste in the fight and last at the retreit which was caused by the night ensuing Nor néede we doubt considering the puissaunce of Barsinan and the fewe on the contrary side but King Arban would take his aduauntage in resistaunce by compelling them to the narrowe stréetes where foure on a side could hardly deale together which turned to the great disaduauntage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with freshe supply still encouraged his men The retreit being sounded either side with-drawen King Arban séeing his Souldiours sore wearied by the hot skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indéed he came and comforted them in this manner My louing companyons and fréends this day haue you so woorthily fought as none of you but deserueth estimation among the most forward men in the world and hauing begun so well I hope you will procéede better and better Remember the cause of your fight
quoth the King and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdered my Ladyes father and vniustly keep her from her inheritaunce wherfore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sonnes would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme she sendes you woord by me if still you stand vpon such triall she will bring two Knightes hither who shall in combate maintaine her cause making you know your disloyaltye and treason committed Darison eldest sonne to the King hearing his Father menaced in this sorte grew into great choller and as one mooued with despight he arose when without the Kinges consent he thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two Knights with her men resolued to fight on her behalfe héere doo I accept the combate for my Father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lordes to send her my head in requitall of her Fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speak as a Knight of hautie minde yet may I doubt these woordes to procéed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenaunce but if you will request the King to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a hart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldely make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiestie saide the Damosell to giue my Ladies Knightes assuraunce that for any mishap you may receiue in the combate they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three and if you purchase them such a safe-conduit they shall be heere within thrée dayes at the vtter-most Darison falling on his knée before the King saide You heare my Lord the Damoselles demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiestie in the presence of al these great Princes and Lordes humbly therfore I beséeche you séeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduauntage the presuming Knightes who dare aduenture in the cause of foolishe Briolania will imagine them-selues conquerours and vs dismaied fainte harted cowardes hauing openlye published that if any one will touche your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combate of vs three you intend to be purged And albeit you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolishe Knightes of King Lisuarts Courte who by their ouer-wéening aspiring thoughtes make high account of their owne déedes in the contempte of others The King who loued Darison as him self though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and therby made him feare the combat graunted theÌ„ safe-conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two Knights and such as came in their company Héere is to be considered that the period of this traitours fortune was now limitted and the iust auenger of all wronges pointed out reward for the treason of him and his sonnes as in this discourse may be euidently séene The Damosell séeing her message had taken such effect as she desired said vnto them Make your selues readie for to morrow without faile shall this difference be discided So mounting on her Palfray she returned to the Castell of Galumba where béeing arriued before the Knights and Ladyes she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish Knights of King Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into thâ—se spéeches By God there are such in company of that good King as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so lowe as they list but I thinke his choller ouer-maistred him when he vttered woords of such great indiscretion Trust me my Lord answered Briolania you cannot say or doo so much against these traytours as they iustly deserue You knowe what villainie they did to the King my Father and how long time they haue disinherited me let pittie then preuaile on my behalfe seeing in God and you I haue reposed my selfe with assured hope of sufficient reuenge Amadis whose heart was submisse to vertue and all gentlenes mooued with compassion sayd Madame if God be so pleased ere to morrow at night your sorrow and sadnes shall be conuerted into pleasure and content Heerupon they concluded to set forward verie early the next morning which made them depart to their chambers except Briolania who sate conferring with Amadis on many matters when oftentimes she thought to motion mariage betwéene him and her but suspecting by his continuall sighes as also the teares streaming from his eyes that some other Lady was cause of these passions she kept silence and taking her leaue bad him good night On the morrow they goe all to horsseback and comming to the Citty of Sobradisa their arriuall was verie welcome to many who séeing the Daughter of their late soueraigne Lord and knowing the monstrous trecherie of his brother they instantly desired her prosperous successe because they bare her singuler affection Abiseos remembring the wrong he had done her and his bloody treason so vnnaturally committed seemed terrified in countenance because the woorme of conscience reuiued his heinous offence yet hauing been so long obstinate and indurate in his sinne thought fortune would now assure his quietnes confirme his state to continue in tranquilitie But when he sawe how the people flocked about her not shewing any reuerence to him his Sonnes albeit they were royally accompanyed with Lords he exclaimed on them in this maner Ah wretched and bad minded people I see what comfort you take by the presence of this Girle and how your sences are caryed away with her now may I well iudge you rather could accept her as your Soueraigne she being a woman not capable of such an office then I y t am a hardy Knight Her weakenes you may note because she hath in so long time gotten but two Knights who are come to receiue an ignominious death which in sooth I cannot chuse but pitty When Amadis heard these taunting woords he was so enraged as if the blood would haue gushed from his eyes and raising himselfe on his stirrops that euery one might heare him he thus answered Abiseos it may be easily discerned that the arriuall of the Princesse is scant pleasing to thée in respect of thy horrible treason committed murdering her father thy eldest brother but if thou haue any feeling of vertue and art repentant for thy foule misdéed yéeld to her what thou hast vniustly vsurped so shall I discharge thée of the combate prouided thou aske God forgiuenes and vse such repentance as beseemeth a sinne so hainous that by loosing honor in this world thou mayst seeke the saluatioÌ„ of thy soule héereafter Darison prouoked to anger by these speeches anaunced himselfe and before his father had leysure to reply he
such as thou art may be thought woorthy to serue Thy commendations extend very far said y e Knight yet am I to meddle with none but thee who hast got a Lady from him that could not defend her but she must be mine if I conquer thee else by vanquishing me thou shalt be maister of them bothe together Now thou speakest reason quoth Florestan defend thy Lady well or without doubt she will fall to my share So giuing the spurres to their horsses they committed this controuersie to be tryed by the Launce when though the Prince failed in the first race and the other brake his staffe very manfully yet being angry at his mishap at the second course he sent the Knight so violently to the ground as he thought euery bone of him was broken in pieces Thus was he safely possessed of the second Damosell and very lothe he was to leaue the third there alone but she beholding their hoste that conducted them thither spake to him in this manner My fréend I would aduise ye to be gone because you knowe these two Knights can not resist him will presently come then if you be taken you are sure to dye the death Beleeue me Lady quoth he I meane now to sée the end of all for my horsse is quick of pace and my Tower strong enough to defende me from him Well looke to your selues said the Damsell you be but thrée and one of you vnarmed but if he were it might not auaile him When Florestan heard how she praised him that was to come he was more desirous to cary her away then before only because he would haue a sight of him and therefore bad his Squire set her on horsseback as he did the other when the Dwarffe in the Oliue trée deliuered these woords Beléeue me Sir Knight in an euill hower came this boldnes on you for presently commeth one who will reuenge his companions Foorth of the vale came a Knight in gilt Armour mounted on a lustie bay courser the man resembling a Giant in proportion and reputed to be of incredible strength After him followed two Squires armed eche of them carying a hatchet in his hand and so soone as he came néere Florestan he thus spake Stay Knight and flye not for by flight thou art not able to saue thy life better is it for thée to dye like a good Knight then a coward especially when by cowardise thou canst not escape Florestan hearing such menaces of death contemning likewise as a man of no value incenced with anger he returned this answere Monster beast Deuill or whatsoeuer thou art reason I see thou wantest so little do I estéeme thy prodigall woords that I thinke thou hast no better weapons to fight withall I gréeue said the Knight that I cannot haue my fill in reuenge on thee but I would foure of the best of thy linage were heere with thée for me to slice off their heads as I will doo thine Looke to thine owne thou were best answered Florestan for I hope I am sufficient to excuse them and be their Lieutenant in this matter on thée Thus sundring them-selues in rage and fury they méet together that the beating of their horsses hooues made the earth to groane and the breache of their Launces made a terrible noise but the great Knight lost his stirrops and had fallen to the grounde if by catching holde about his horsse necke hée had not escaped As Florestan helde on his course he caught a hatchet from one of the Squires where-with he smote him quite beside his horsse and by time hée returned the Knight had recouered his seate againe and the hatchet which the other Squire helde Now beginnes a dreadfull combate betwéene them such cruell strokes being giuen at ech other with their hatchets as though their helmets were of right trusty steele yet they cut and mangle them very pittifully Many times was Florestan enforced to staggering by the mighty blowes of his monstrous enemie yet at length the Prince smote at him so furiously as he was faine to lye along vpon his horsse neck when redoubling his stroake betwéene the helmet and the brigandine he parted his head from his shoulders Beeing thus conquerour of all the Damsells and they not a little meruailing at this strange victorie the Knight who had béene their hoste the night before spake to Florestan My Lord this Damosell haue I long time looued and she me with like affection but for the space of this yéere and more the great Knight whom last you slewe hath forcibly detayned her yet béeing now recouered by your woorthy prowesse I beseech ye Sir I may enioy her againe If it be so as you say answered Florestan my paines haue stood you in some stéede at this time but against her will neither you or any other can get her from me Alas my Lord quoth the Damosell no one but he hath right to my loue then sunder not them that should liue together Nor will I saide Florestan you are Lady at your own libertie and may departe with your fréende when you please They bothe requited him with manifolde thankes then taking leaue of Galaor and Florestan the Knight rides home ioyfully with his new conquered Lady The other two Damselles desired the Princes to accompany them to their Auntes house which was not far of Galaor questioning with them by the way why they were kept in such sorte at the fountaine wher-to one of the Damselles thus replyed Understand my Lord that the great Knight who was slaine in the combate loued the Lady which your hoste caryed away with him but she despised him aboue all other fancying no other then him who now enioyes her But in respecte this Knight was so puissant as none in this countrhy durst contend with him he kepte her violentlye whether she would or no yet offering her no iniurye because he loued her déerely and one day among other he thus spake to her Faire Mistresse to the end I may compasse your gentle affection and be estéemed of you the only Knight in the worlde listen what I wil doo for your sake There is a Knight named Amadis of Gaule accounted y e only man for valour this day liuing who sâ—ew a Cozin of mine in the Courte of King Lisuart a Knight of great fame called Dardan the proude him for your sake will I séeke and by cutting off his head conuerte all his glorye to mine owne commendation But till I compasse what I haue saide these two Ladies meaning vs and these two Knightes of my linage shall attend on you and eche day conduct you to the fountaine of Oliues which is the only passage for Knightes errant through this country if any dare be so bolde to cary you thence there shall you sée many braue combates and what the honor of your loue can make me doo to cause the like opinion in you towardes me as your diuine perfections haue wrought in me to you Thus were we taken and giuen
to the two Knightes who were first dismounted and with them we haue abode y e space of one whole yéere in which time many combates they fought for vs yet neuer conquered till this present In sooth Lady answered Galaor the Knightes intent was too high for him to accomplish because he could not deale with Amadis and escape the fortune now fallen vpon him but how was he named He called himselfe Alimias quoth ashe nd had not ouer-wéening pride too much ruled him he was a most gentle and courteous Knight By this time were they come to their Auntes Castell where Galaor and Florestan found gracious entertainment the olde Lady being very glad to see her Nieces as also to vnderstand the death of Alimias After they had taken leaue of the fréendly Ladyes they iourney toward the Realm of Sobradisa where they heard before they entred the Cittie how Amadis and Agraies had slaine Abiseos and his sonnes by meanes wherof Briolania ruled as a peaceable Quéen which newes highly contented them and made them reioyce for their happie fortune To the Pallace they come vnknowne of any till they were brought to Amadis and Agraies whose wounds were already indifferently recured and they deuising with the Queene at their arriuall Heer you must note how the Damosell that conducted Galaor to finde Florestan left them after the Combate and comming before to her Mistresse tolde her and Amadis how Galaor and Florestan knew eche other and what issue their combate had which made Amadis very kindely to embrace them bothe and Florestan offered on his knee to kisse his hand which Amadis would not permit but causing him to arise sat down and communed of their aduentures yast But one day among other the new enstalled Quéene Briolania after many honourable feastinges she had made them séeing these foure Knightes determined to departe considering the good she had receiued by Amadis and Agraies and that she being before a disinherited Princesse was by their meanes restored to her Kingdome beholding likewise the whéele of Fortune turned how such personages were not alone to aid and defend her countrey but puissant enough of them-selues to be Kinges and mighty Lordes falling on her knees before them first rendering thankes to God who had doone her such grace as to regarde her in pittie continuing her discourse she saide Think my Lordes these mutations are the meruailes of the Almightye which are admirable to vs and helde of great account but to him they are in manner nothing Let vs see if it be good then to shunne Signories and riches which to obtaine we take such paine and trauaile and to keepe endure innumerable anguishes and distresse as superfluous therfore vtterly to deiect theÌ„ because they are torments of bodie and soule vncertaine and haue no permanence As for my selfe I say no but affirme that they beeing lawfully gotten modestly vsed and according to Gods appointment they are in this worlde rest pleasure and ioy and the way to bring vs to eternall glory To the Gentlemen Readers THus Gentlemen is the first Book of Amadis finished how rudely and vnlearnedlye you may perceiue yet truely set down according to the French historye but if it be not so eloquently handled as you expected you must beare with the bad conceit which neâ—er was capable of any such cunning Good will is the line wherby I leuell my woorkes and freendlye acceptation the greatest grace in gentle minds which is able to shaddowe all imperfections what-soeuer and to let that passe for currant which else were counterfeit In this hope I present you with my labour of Amadis and my poore good will being requited with your kinde accepting shall encourage me to aduenture on the second Book of this history which by the fauour of the firste wil come the sooner Long may I not stand pleading for so slender a reward the good will think the best their courtesie I require the bad not borne to say well I care not for their freendship An. Monday Honos alit Artes. FINIS A Table for the readie finding of the Chapters contayned in this Booke directing by the number to euerie seuerall leafe OF whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knightes as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following ther-on Chapter I. Folio 1. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the chamber where King Perion was lodged chapter II. Folio 5. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauayled on his iourney hauing his hart filled with greefe and melanchollie chapter III. Fol. 10. How King Languines caried away with him the Gentleman of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales chapter IIII. Fol. 15. Howe King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertayned chapter V. Fol. 19. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea chapter VI. Fol. 26. How the Gentleman of the Sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his Bretheren and in the end with Galpan him-selfe chapt VII Fol. 31. How the third day after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife chap. VIII Fol. 34. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the court of King Languines who sent her accompanyed with the Princesse Mabila his only daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen chap. IX Fol. 36. How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule chapter X. Fol. 43. How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisena his Mother chapter XI Fol. 47. How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be knighted and by no other chapter XII Fol. 52. How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rock of Galteres chapter XIII Fol. 58. How after Amadis departed from Vrganda the vnknowen he arriued at a castell where it chaunced to him as you shall reade in the discourse chapter XIIII Fol. 64. How king Lisuart caused a Sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after hee was found and knowen chapter XV. Fol. 72. How Amadis made him-selfe knowen to king Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his court of whome hee was honorably receiued feasted chap. XVI Fol. 79. What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis chapter XVII Fol. 85. How Amadis tarying with his good will in the courte of king Lisuart heard tidings of his brother
Galaor chapter XVIII Fol. 92. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyse chapter XIX Fol. 97. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda chapter XX. Fol. 104. How Arcalaus brought newes to the court of king Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana chapter XXI Fol. 108. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monasterie where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him chapter XXII Fol. 112. How Amadis departed from the Ladies castell and of the matters whiche were occurrent to him by the waye chapter XXIII Fol. 119. How king Lisuart being in the chace sawe a farre off three Knights armed comming toward him and what followed there-upon chapter XXIIII Fol. 122. How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauayle to king Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them chapter XXV Fol. 127. How Galaor reuenged the death of the knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree chapter XXVI Folio 131 How Amadis pursuing the knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whome he combatted and what happened to him afterward chapt XXVII Folio 134 How Amadis combatted with the knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him chapter XXVIII 138. How Balays behaued him-selfe in his enterprise pursuing the knight that made Galaor loose his horsse chapter XXIX Folio 140. How King Lisuart held open court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time chap. XXX Folio 142. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the courte of king Lisuart and what happened to them afterward chapter XXXI Fol. 145. How king Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good cittie of London there to hold open and royall court chapter XXXII Folio 148. How king Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of chiualrie chapter XXXIII Folio 152. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of king Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged chapter XXXIIII Folio 155. How king Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly chapter XXXV Folio 161. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that king Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherefore they made haste to giue them succour chapter XXXVI Folio 166. How Galaor rescued king Lisuart from the ten knights that led him to prison chapter XXXVII Folio 172. How newes came to the Queene that the king was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the citty of London chapter XXXVIII Folio 174. How Amadis came to the succour of the cittie of London when it was in this distresse chapter XXXIX Fol. 177. How king Lisuart helde open courte in the cittie of London many daies in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained there long time afterward chapter XL. Folio 181. How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the kings death who was father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed chapter XLI Folio 183. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the knight that dismounted him and his companyons in the forrest whome when he found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest poynt of their combate they knewe eche other chapter XLII Folio 187. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countye of Zealand chapter XLIII folio 191. How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damoselles at the Fountayne of Oliues chapter XLIIII folio 197. FINIS