tooke Albert of Champaigne aside and said to him Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised to tell me what thou hast found by thy skil Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tell ye Well hast thou aduised said the King wherupon they were sent for afterward Alberte thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whome you sawe enter by the secret doore signifieth this Realme which is close and well garded notwithstanding by some right therto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting from thence your hart and afterwarde threwe it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles bothe more and lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whome you shall not easilye recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he saide that some after I should loose it against the will of him that tooke the first from me It seemeth by this answered Albert that some other shall inuade your Country as the first did yet constrained more by force of an other that commaunded him to doo so then by any will therto in him selfe thus sée ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now saide the King to the second named Antalles tell vs your aduise Me thinkes Sir quoth he that Albert hath very well saide and I am of his opinion except in this for ought I can learne as the cause sheweth me y t what he saith shall happen is already effected and by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed therat séeing there is not as yet any parte of your Realme lost and if you doo loose any thing héerafter it must be by such an one as loueth ye déerely When the King heard this he nodded his head for it séemed to him that he came néere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more then the other fell into a laughter which he was sildome wunt to doo because he was a man very sad and mellancholly yet by chaunce the King perceiued it wherfore he saide Maister Vngan my fréend now remaineth none but you say boldely what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into thinges which is not necessarye to be knowen to any other then your selfe and therfore let these giue place a while if you please At these woordes they withdrewe them selues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty sawe me ere while to laughe it was at one woord which little you thinke on yet it is true and will yee knowe what It was that which Antalles saide that what he found by your dreame was already happened and by the person that besâ—e loueth yee Nowe shall I reuâ—ale what you keepe in secret and thinke that no one knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue alreadye accomplished your will and she whom you loue is surpassing faire then tolde he all the gests and fashions of her as if she had béene there present But as for the Chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what if meaneth and how she whom you loue desirous to deliuer her hart and yours from gréefe and sadnes came to ye entring your chamber by the doore that was hid from you The handes that opened your sides is the coniunction of you twaine then the hart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Sonne or a Daughter Now tell me saide the King what meneth y t casting therof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therfore neuer labour for further knowledge therof Yet would I saide the King faine vnderstand it and therfore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseeche ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shall reueale you will not be displeased with her who loueth you so loyallye That promise doo I faithfully make thée saide the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that hart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessitie be forsaken And the other saide the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one the desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue an other childe who shalbe caryed awaye againste the will of her that caused the losse of the firste Thou hast tolde me strange thinges said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast tolde me concerning the Lady I loue For thinges ordeyned and appointed by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gain-say or remedy and therfore men of wisdom should neither be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacitie of men and farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue béene so curious to vnderdstand referre all thinges to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the ende of them to his honor and glory and thus in mine opinion you ought to set downe your rest The King was highly contented with Vngan and so estéemed of him that from thence forward he had him néere his person by meanes wherof he receiued many great fauours Now it happened that at that instant as the King parted from the Philosophers a Damosell presented her selfe before him right costlye in garmentes and faire of beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfray the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these woordes made the good Prince more sad and pensiue then he was before For this time the Author leaueth this purpose and returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whome he made be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherfore in short time he grew and became so faire that all which beheld him meruailed therat but one daye among other it happened that Gandales rode to sporte him selfe in the féeldes arming him selfe as became a good Knight for he had dayly accompanied the King Languines at such time as he searched after aduentures and albeit the King discontinued Armes yet Gandales would oftentimes exercise him selfe and as he rode he met with a Damosell that thus spake to him Ah Gandales if many great personages were aduertised of what I knowe certainely I assure thee they would cause thée to loose thy head Wherfore quoth he Because saide the Damosell thou nourishest their death in thy house The knight know not the Woman that thus talked with him but
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
bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires thē prompt at armes and Knightly chiualrie béeing called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the King of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North partes And albeit she had béene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not cōsent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one him self and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in his gentle hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittayne knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeede in the Realme for he béeing in a strange Countrey where by his hautye déedes and chiualrie he was maried in so good a place therfore they dispatched their Ambassadours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and Subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest him selfe therin CHAP V. ¶ How King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his subiectes desire for his short return prouided his equipage by Sea béeing aided and assisted by the King of Denmarke his Father in Law and afterward set saile toward great Brittain And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new King of great Brittaine accompanied with the Quéene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yéeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therfore during the time of her abode in Denmarke she was commonlye called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana beeing not vsed to the trauaile on the Sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her Father fearing a woorsse mishap intreated the King of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did King Languines and his Quéen accept this charge wherfore King Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to Sea where weighing Anckers hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where béeing arriued before he could abide in quiet asin such occasions it often falleth out certaine Rebelles were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so spéedilye send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the Author leaueth the newe King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the Sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yéeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and and for his good grace both of the Quéene and the other Ladyes was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath béene already declared the young Princesse Oriana Daughter to King Lisuart was lefte with the Quéene of Scottes to refreshe her selfe till the King her Father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies coulde be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame hencefoorth so please you shall the Gentleman of the Sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherfore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindenesse in his spirite as during life he meant to serue nor loue any other and therfore foreeuer bequeathed to her his hart but so wel it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betwéene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge therof thought him self vnwoorthy so great good reputing it a very bolde enterprise to thinke theron which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblaunce The yong Princesse who was of the same minde and also in like payne forbare to talke more with him then an other therby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers dooing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which moste they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting eche other with this amorous affection Soone after this yong vnknown prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes and receiue the order of knighthood he saide to himselfe If once I were a knight I would doo such exploytes as should deserue the fauour of my Ladye or dye in the attempte And in this desire one day finding King Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these spéeches My Lord might it stand with your plesure I gladly would receiue my knighthood When the King heard him séeing his young yéeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the Sea Doo you thinke your selfe already strong enoughe for such a weightie charge in sooth it is an easie thing to receiue honor but to maintaine it as behooueth it may be is more hard then you estéeme so that oftentimes a a right good hart is troubled therwith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doo more better is death to him then a shamefull life therfore by mine aduise I would haue you yet a while to forbeare The prince not contented with this answere replyed I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doo all that appertayneth to chiualrie I would not haue beene so bolde to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue been hetherto nourished most humbly I beséech ye to graunt me this peticion that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to séeke else where for obtaining my sute The king highly estéeming the courage of y e youth and doubting least he would departe indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentleman that I will doo it when I sée it necessarye for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what els belongeth Yet tel me faire Sir to whom if I refused would you goe for your order To King Perion saide y e Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Quéene who maketh me beleeue that he wil not deny me when I shall let him vnderstand how she hath nourished me and that I am her seruant It is true quoth the King but for this present haue a little pacience and when time serueth you shalbe honourablye Knighted in meane while he gaue charge that all his néedful accoustrements for the cause should be prouided Now did the King aduertise Gandales héerof who was so contented therwith as he soone dispatched a Damosell toward the yong Prince by whome he sent the Swoord the King and the letter couered with ware which he found in the Chest he tooke out of the Sea Such spéed made the Damosell
and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replyed the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the King your Father left you in this Country if you remember and when y e Quéene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours only I repute my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes saide Oriana you tooke her woords to better end then at that time she meante them which I take in good parte and am content it shalbe so No sooner had she thus saide but the Prince was ouer come with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew therof but saide she would goe to the Quéene to doo what he had desired and returned soon after telling him that her greef was for the Quéen of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would goe succour her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death saide he for without your graious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these woords Oriana smiled saying Séeing theÌ„ you are mine I graunt you to be my Knight and you shall aide y e Quéens Sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thankes telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose handes so pleased you to intreate it I would more willinglye receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that saide she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner graunt it So presently she went to her and tolde what she and the Gentleman of the Sea had concluded to attaine his Knighthood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistaunce in y e sute Mabila who loued the Prince vary well thus answered I assure ye Sister there shalbe no want in me for so well dooth the Gentleman deserue as would make one doo much more then this for him wherfore let him be ready this night in the Quéens Chappell then when time shall serue we will goe with our women to accompanie him and I will send for the King mine Uncle which shalbe somewhat before the break of day that he may come sée me and he being come to vs you and I will mooue him in the matter which I hope he will graunt vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherfore they sent for the Prince and told him all the platforme they had laide who humbly thanking them would prouide all thinges ready for him selfe and therfore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine Armour so closely as you can into the Quéenes Chappell because I hope this might to receiue mine order and for I must right soone departe hence I would knowe if you haue any will to beare me company Beléeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I departe from ye Of these woords was the Prince so glad that the teares flood in his eyes with ioy Well saide he prouide all thinges ready as I tolde ye wherin Gandalin faâ—led not for ere supper he took such order as all was doone vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretlye into the Chappell where he armed him selfe except the head and handes So staying there for the Ladyes and King Perion he fell on his knees before the Aultar desiring God to be his aide not only in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortall passions The night being come and the Queene withdrawen the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their women came to the Chappell where the Gentleman of the Sea attended and Mabila hauing sent for King Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My Lord seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hether I pray you graunt Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be lothe saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thank him whom when he behelde so faire he thought all the worlde could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame dooth it please ye to commaund me any thing Not commaund my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of Knighthood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altare When the King saw him he wondered at his goodly stature and said to him My freend would you receiue the order of Knighthood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it doone saide the King who giue you grace so well to proceed therin as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spurre and dubbing him with the Swoord thus spake Now haue ye the order appertaining to a Knight but I would opportunitie had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor not withstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renown shall supply what wanteth heere in perfourmaunce Afterward King Perion tooke leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him and then set on his way toward Gaule commending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimonie of these Louers sweet desires If it seeme to the reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answere that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which think them selues most expert in those pleasing and amourous amoris haue béene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not onlye he dâ—priued them of speech but of iudgement also and it is necessary for such persons to vse greater woordes then these two who as yet had not learned them But this new Knight béeing throughly furnished and ready to his iourney by his Ladies consent would in thanking y e companie take a more secret conge of Oriana And she who for this sudden parting felte new passions in her hart yet neuerthelesse dissembling theÌ„ took him by the hand and walking aside thus spake Gentleman of the Sea you will be gon then but first I pray ye tell me
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
her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her ancient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Quéen and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertained him meruailous kindly as well for Amadis sake whome he loued as also the courtesie he shewed her in Scotland when King Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cozin we haue dayly desired your presence heere especially your Sister who not many dayes since was in great greefe by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truely you would haue wundered thereat Good reason had she Madame quoth Agraies to be sorowfull and not she alone but all the rest of his lignage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cozin dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue béen auenged and accompanyed with many other Ah said she the villaine Arcalaus shrewdly affrighted vs and euill death betide him for troubling this royall Court in such sort By this time the King was readie to the table wherefore he sent for the thrée Knights from the Queene commaunding them to sit by him in company of many great Lords Barons And as the seruice came in two Knights entred the hall who falling on their knées before the King the first of them thus spake God prosper your Maiestie with increase of ioy and honor most humbly I desire to knowe if Amadis of Gaule be in this Court. Not at this present answered the King but we could wish he were héere Right glad would I be said the Knight to find him because by his meanes I hope to recouer what I am now farre from Tell vs my fréend quoth the King if you please who you are My Lord replyed the Stranger I am a sad Knight named Angriote d'Estrauaus and this other is my brother when King Arban of Norgalles who was there present heard him speake of Angriote he started from the table stepping to the King said Dooth not your Maiestie knowe Sir Angriote such as haue dealt with him will say he is one of the best Knights in your Kingdom My fréend quoth the King to Angriote I pray you arise and pardon me if I haue not honored you according to your deserts for the fault was only committed through ignorance but be sure you are welcome and that with hart but say I desire ye how came you acquainted with Amadis My Lord replyed Angriote I haue knowen him no long time and my first acquaintance was very deerely bought for I neuer thought to dye till I was wounded but he that did me the harme promised afterward to giue me help which is very néedfull now to cure me héereto he added y e whole accident as you heard it before In sooth said the King I would be glad these matters should haue a good end but now come sit downe with vs to dinner afterward we will consider thereon as we may Next to King Arban was Angriote placed and as they were about to rise from the table Dardan the Dwarffe to Amadis entred the Hall whome Angriote knowing called him demaunding where he had left his Maister because he sawe him last in his company Sir quoth the Dwarffe where soeuer I haue left him he maketh good account of you then falling on his knée before the King he thus began Amadis my Lord humbly saluteth your Maiestie and all the rest of his fréends in this Court Dwarffe said the King where didst thou leaue him In such a place my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe where he is of good chéere but if you would know any more it must be in the presence of the Quéene With right good will answered the King and héereupon sent presently for the Queene she quickly comming being attended on by diuers beautifull Ladyes the most part of them the amourous fréends to the Knights then wayting on the King whereby they purchased leaue during the Dwarffes discourse to deuise with them at better leysure then long time before they could but the Dwarffe beholding the Quéene present thus procéeded Madame my Lord and maister Amadis in all humble reuerence saluteth your excellencie commaunding me to tell ye that he hath found Prince Galaor his brother he sought for Now trust me said The Quéene I am hartely glad thereof But on my credit Madame quoth the Dwarffe neuer was heard of such a perillous méeting of two brethren for if God had not the better prouided both the one and the other had neuer béene séene againe so néere were they both at the pointe of death but by hap a good Knight arriued there who names him selfe Balays and he found y e meanes to agree them Then tolde he all the whole accident how Balays slew the Damosell that procured their quarrell for which Balays was highlye commended of them all But where hast thou left them replyed the Quéene At the Castell of Carsanta Madame saide the Dwarffe where Balays dwelleth from whence I was dispatched hither with this message But tell me Dwarffe quoth the Quéene what thinkest thou of Galaor I thinke Madame answered the Dwarffe that he is one of the goodlyest Knightes in the worlde carying a resolution not one iotte inferiour to the best and did you sée him in company of my Lord you could make little difference betweene them I meruaile saide the Queene that they come not hither Assure your selfe replyed the Dwarffe no sooner shall they recouer health but they will be heere with you for so they expresselye commaunded me to tell ye So ioyfull was the King héer-of that he minded to keep open Court after they were come commaunding his Lordes and Barons not to departe his courte wher-to they all willingly condiscended He likewise desired the Queen to send for all the cheef Ladies in the Realme For y e more honourably quoth he you are attended on by Ladyes the more Knightes shall they finde heere to deserue their loue on whome I wil bestowe many rich giftes and presentes CHAP. XXV ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them SO long soiourned Amadis and Galaor at the Castell of Balays of Carsanta as their wounds being thorowly healed they intended to returne to King Lisuarts Courte before they would enterprise any other aduenturs Balays who desired to beare thē company for the familiar acquaintaunce he had now with thē intreated them to affoord him so much fauour wher-with they were very well contented Departing thence they ride toward Windsore and after they had iournied fiue dayes they came into a foure cornered way in the midst wherof stood a trée and vnder it a dead Knight lay on a rich bed with great waxe tapers standing burning at the boulster and
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
to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the Knights and Ladyes in the place appointed for the ceremonyes of the day where sitting downe in two chayres of state the King called his Knights about him the Queene her Ladyes with whome she communed Now had his Maiestie giuen order that néerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norgalles well armed holding his Swoord readye drawen and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald he commaunded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady very richly attired and with her twelue other Damosels in like brauerie For in those dayes the great Lords and Ladyes were wunt to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betwéene them this faire Lady addressed her spéeches to the King deliuering them in fourme following My Lord most humbly I beséeche yée to graunt me audience and giue me reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiestie meaning Amadis Long time haue I béene requested by Angriote d' Estrauaus to be his Wife who I am assured is in this royall presence héereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why he kept y e vale of the Pines how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abādon Armes Neuerthelesse quoth she they departed fréends and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife whereof when I attained knowledge I withdrew my selfe to a Castell of mine where I kept such a strong guard and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange Knight to enter there without licence but that Knight comming thither vanquished my gardants and hath vtterly abollished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised me to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chaunced an vnhappie combate betwéene him and this Knight mine Unckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiestie held open Court I should héere present my selfe to graunt a request he must demaund of me To satisfye my promise I am come hither and desire to knowe what he will commaund me at which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the combates therefore am I ready héere to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she perfourme her owne promise On my conscience quoth she if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you knowe I am ready to fulfill my offer demaund what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so déerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what manner of demaund is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would mary with such a one as is well woorthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth Knight quoth she this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replyed Amadis but I will perfourme it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote héerein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must néedes confesse your selfe satisfyed he gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renowmed Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now doo I well perceiue that art nor cunning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue doone my vttermost to escape Angriote not only for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chaste and single I would not bring my libertie into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come néerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and riche he is a young and braue disposed Knight as you are riche in goods and possessions euen so is he in bountie and vertue not only in déedes of Armes but in all other good quallities beséeming a Knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heere-upon she stepped to the Quéene saying Madame you are estéemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall doo Faire fréend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote hath gotten among the good he well deserueth not only to be aboundant in riches but to be loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis thinke not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned me of folly but making triall of his valour and hardines yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinks the iustice of the cause commaunds that not only my self but all such as are acquainted with him ought to labour in seeking remedie for you both in him the extreame passions he endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse greefes knowen to you Now trust me Sir quoth she such praise haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then trueth wherefore following your councell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall commaund me Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to doo my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then heere I giue her you replyed Amadis on this condition that you shall be foorthwith maryed together and continue in honorable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commaundement Presently the King called for the Bishop of Saleme wha◠conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Cittie and there the wedding was sollemnized with great ioy and Triumphes wherefore we may well say that not men but God appointeth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which
Angriote euer-more bare to this selfe-willed Lady For albeit hée had her in his custodye neuer did he meane dishonorably against her but by vertuous cogitations brideled vnlawfull desire onely to expresse how intirely he loued her and by obeying her seuere charge lost his life wel-néere when he combatted with Amadis CHAP. XXXIII ¶ How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie AFter the end of this mariage which by diuersitie of opinions caused much talke as commonly it happeneth in such cases the King commaunded silence againe by his Herald when euery one being attentiue to heare what he would say he thus began My freends no one of you is ignorant of the heauenly fauour toward me by appointing me the greatest earthlye Lord that liueth this day in all the Isles of the Occean wherfore I thinke it conuenient that as we in this countrey are y e chéefe so should we be second to no other prince in rendring immortall thankes by good vertuous woorks wheron we are now minded to determine In this respect I intreate and commaund albeit Kinges are the heads of their Monarchies and you the members that you would altogether take aduise and giue me councell euen from your consciences what you thinke most expedient for me to doo as well for the benefite of my Subiectes as also for our estate And this I assure ye I am fully minded to beleeue your opinions as procéeding from loyall and faithfull subiectes wherfore againe I desire ye that without feare eche one would in particular and generallye aduise what we ought to doo as matter most commendable Héere-with he held his peace and Barsinan Lord of Sansuegua was intreated by all the assistantes to speake his opinion which they did for no other reason but because the King would haue euery one honor him wher-upon after many excuses on his owne behalfe he arose from his seate and making humble reuerence thus spake Séeing it liketh you I should firste declare my censure I desire the King and this company to pardon my ignorance béeing vnwoorthy of this honourable and gracious fauour But me thinkes vnder submission to his pleasure and better aduise of all you my Lords that we should with-draw our selues a while from the presence of his Maiestie where we may more fréelye conceiue our seuerall humours This answere was generally well liked wherfore the King and Quéene lefte them together walking into an other of their Pauillions then Seroloys the Fleming Countie of Clare began in this manner You haue all heard my Lordes the good zeale the King hath to the gouernement not only of the common wealth in his Realm but perticularly to the honourable encrease of chiualrie which he desireth to continue in greater preminence then euer it hath béene And therefore my Lords humbling my selfe to better opinion I think it good to supply the intent of our King y t we all ought to councell him to strengthen him selfe with men and mony for they are the sinnewes of warre and peace whereby all Kings on the earth are maintained in their puissant authoritie For it is most certaine that treasure is for Souldiers and men at Armes by whome Kinges reigne nor ought it for any cause to be else where dispended without committing of true sacrilidge for these affaires are tearmed holye causing the state to liue in tranquilitie and win glorious conquestes of such as séeke to inuade them Beside to attayne the better héerto his Maiestie must séeke meanes to get all the good Knightes he can heare of as well strangers as other intreating them with liberality to send his renown on winges through the world which will fetche from the furthest partes men to his seruice in hope of condigne recompence to their labour By their aid he may easily make him selfe Monarche of all the Princes by East and West for it hath neuer â—éen read or heard that any Prince could make him selfe great except by the assistaunce of valiant and hardye Knights hauing bought their valour in braue attempts I tearm it bought by fauouring honouring and distributing their treasure among them that they may receiue no occasion of dislike but with vnconquerable resolution to pursue victorie As he would haue procéeded in further perswasion the greater parte of the Lordes séemed to allowe of his opinion affirming that better councell could not be giuen which when Barsinan heard he requested audience for him selfe and hauing graunt therof he intended to reuerse this firste aduise because he might verye hardly else goe forward with his secret purpose theÌ„ silence béeing made Barsinan thus beginnes It seemeth by your countenaunces my Lordes that the Countie of Clares opinion is a grounded trueth for I sée the most parte of you auerre the same not hauing heard any thing to the contrary they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my noble fréends that the better we be accompanyed the more we shall be feared of our enemyes our state in greater safetie and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new fréends cannot make vs forgetfull of our old let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yéeld and consent thereto Againe I intreat ye and expressely commaund that eche of you presently name such to me as you knowe happily they being yet vnknowen to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may be the better affected to our seruice likewise we intreate them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire with-drawing himselfe into the appointed Hall where many Tables were prouided which he commaunded to be well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the Kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawen againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good fréends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must graunt me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particulerly knowe the seruice you haue doone me and you taste such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Héereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the Kings request except Amadis because he was the Quéens Knight and all this while was she present at these matters wherfore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord séeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honor your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doo the like to the Ladyes and Gentlewomen
of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentlemen after you shall not deny me considering that in semblable company good things deserue to be demaunded and graunted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answere my fréends shall we make the Queene shall we agrée to her demaund Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a Princesse so vertuous Séeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine what-so-euer she asketh At these words the Quéene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hencefoorth you would doo such honor to Ladyes and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrels against all such as would mollest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some sute to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most néede to be holpen This graunted héereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wunt to doo them iniurie méeting them in the féelds and knowing they haue such Knights as you are for their protectours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gainesay it we will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a lawe inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII ¶ How while this great and ioyful assembly endured a Damosell came to the Courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had bine wronged MEane while this honourable companye thus continued frée from all danger and mishap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delightes there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knées before the King thus spake My Lord eche one is merrye but my poore selfe who am so crossed with gréefe and sorrow as death were the best fréend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These woordes were dipte in such aboundance of teares as the King beeing moued ther-with to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to releeue your sadnes but tell me who is the cause therof Dread Lord quoth she my father and vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whome they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him saide the King Because he vaunted replyed the Damosell that he alone would combate with them and so proud he grew in spéeches as at length he defied them Not long after they méeting one day together the Knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and Uncle could not endure the iniurie but falling to the combate the Knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she saide procured his comming to maintaine a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers beeing her great enemy Wherefore seeing him dead she caused the conquerours to be taken and put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my Father and Unckle often told her that they would perfourme for her what the Knight should haue done But she answered how she well knewe they were not sufficient for the cause and therefore should neuer be releassed vntill they deliuered her two Knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whome they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doo Knowe you not Damosell said the King against whome they should combate or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue séene my Father and Unckle cruelly put in prison where their freends can compasse no meanes to see them Héerewith she began againe to weepe that euery one pittyed to behold her which made the King aske her if the place were farre off In fiue dayes my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone and returned Now trust me said the King you shall not want your ioy for two Knights wherfore looke among all these gallants and chuse such as you best fancie My Lord replyed the Damosell I am a stranger and knowe not any one in this Court but if you please I will intreat the Quéene to doo me so much grace as to appoint me twaine after her owne minde Doo so said the King if you thinke good then came the Damosell and falling at the Queenes feete proceeded thus Madame you are said to be one of the wisest and most vertuous Dames in the world you vnderstand the cause of my mourning and the gracious offer the King hath made me most humbly I beseech ye then for the honor of God to take compassion on a poore Gentlewoman and councell me which two Knights I shall chuse that are best able to supply my want Beleeue me Damosell answered the Queen you demaund a matter of great importance yet in such sort doo I pittie your cause as I am the more willing to giue you aduise albeit I would be loth to forgoe them twaine whom I could name in this companye Then she shewed her Amadis saying This is my Knight And poynting to Galaor saide This other is the Kings yet be they bothe bretheren and the best Knightes as I haue heard this day liuing I desire your Maiestie quoth the Damosell to tell me their names The one saide the Queene is called Amadis and the other Galaor But by your fauour replyed the Damosell is this Amadis the Knight so much renowmed I am very certaine Madame so soone as he and his brother shall ariue where I can bring them my cause will be sufficiently executed therfore I desire you to obtaine me their company Héer-upon y e Quéene called them saying I beséeche ye bothe to succour this woman who standeth in need of your assistaunce Amadis was some-what flowe in answering for he cast his eye on the Princesse Oriana to note if she would like of his departure and she who likewise pittied the womans cause let fall her Gloues which was an appointed signall betweene them and therby he was certified of her consent wherfore he thus spake to the Queene I am at your disposition Madame to doo what-soeuer you shall commaund me Goe then in Gods name quoth she and returne againe with all possible spéede without tarring for any thing that may happen Héer-to they willingly condiscended and taking leaue of her Amadis fained he would speake to Mabila when comming néere her and Oriana he saide to his Goddesse Madame well may I say that the fairest Lady in the worlde sendes me to succour the most woful woman I euer did beholde Swéete fréend quoth Oriana I repent that I gaue you so much libertie because my
of you you may therby easily induce him to loue vnder that cerimonye draw him to doo what your selfe shall desire In sooth replyed Madasima I will assay to know if he be such a one as you report him to be Doo Madame quoth he and you shall finde him one of the fairest Knightes that euer you behelde Héer you must note that the Knight no sooner left Galaor when he went to the Lady but he tooke occasion thus to talke with his brother You see my Lord the estate wherin we are which requireth some notable dissimulation at our handes I beseech ye therfore moderate your anger because alreadie it endangereth our liues and for a while follow my direction By heauen brother answered Amadis death had béen very welcome to me but since you wish me to be gouerned by you I am content desiring the conseruation of our honors which beeing lost we are vnworthye to liue Further they could not proceed because Madasima came and interrupted them when calling him aside and faire day was displayed on the earth his beautye and good grace so especially contented her as she became surprised with his loue which she shaddowed vnder demaunding how he fared Madame saide Galaor I fare wursse then you should were you in my power as I am in yours for I would doo you what seruice and pleasure possible I could and you vse the contrarye to me I hauing giuen no occasion of offence reason willeth I should rather be your Knight to loue and honor you then your prisoner thus vnkindely bound as I am And surely I cannot but meruaile heerat considering the simple conquest you haue therby vse then such rigour to vs as women so diuinely adorned are wunt to doo Madasima hearing his gentle language was more and more enflamed with his loue yet striung to dissemble it she merily said Tell me faire Sir if I chuse you as my fréend and deliuer you from prison will you for my sake leaue the seruice of King Lisuart and afterward tel him how you did it by my meanes With all my hart Lady answered Galaor and to perfourm it you shal haue what oathe you please both of me and my companyon for he will doo no more thē I request him Credit me quoth Madasima if before this companye you will promise to obey me presently you shal enioy your liberty Beholde me ready replyed Galaor Yet is not this enough answered Madasima for you shall sweare it in the presence of a Ladye where I am intended to lodge this night in meane while you must assure me not to departe my companye We will not on my faith Madame quoth Galaor and calling Amadis caused him to affirme as much wher-upon they were vnbound and set at libertie their Squires likewise as fréendly vsed and mounting on their owne horsses rode at their ease as they did before But Madasima Galaor still continued their amorous discourses till they arriued at a Castle named Albies the Lady wherof receiued them very honourably in respect of great fréendship betweene Madasima and her Néedlesse were it to tell ye of their good cheere it could not but be answerable to the time and company but after supper Madasima demaunded of Galaor if he meant to keepe his promise he made her by the way What else Madame quoth he prouided you be so good as your woord to me Make no doubt ther-of replyed Madasima then framing her spéeches to the Lady of the Castell and also to two Knightes that were her Sonnes she proceeded in this manner My good fréends I pray you hear a couenaunt betwéen me these two Gentlemen because heer-after you maye be my witnesses They are my prisoners and vnder these conditions I haue released them that one of them shall continue my freend and bothe of them forsake the seruice of King Lisuart telling him how for my sake and in despight of him they haue doone it Heer-upon I intreate this fauour at your handes as to meete me at the Courte of that wretched King on the day they must declare this message to see how contentedly he will take it but if they fulfill not their promise hence-foorth you shall publishe in all places the heinous offence by them committed and ten daies I giue them to execute this charge I am wel pleased said the Lady of the Castell to doo a greater matter for you then this if they as willinglye consent therto We praye you quoth Galaor not to faile héerin for we haue promised and will performe it Receiue then your libertie answered Madasima yet must you not departe this night these woordes she spake because she intended to seale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to an other whether soone after Madasima repaired she beeing young beautifull aduenterously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling ladders to the walles quicklye got possession of the Forte And so well liked she these amorous skirmiges as afterward she reported in many places how she neuer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did she but in hope of his spéedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honor she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as héereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were fréendly entertained in an Hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV ¶ How King Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly FOure dayes after Amadis and Galaor departed from the Court the auncient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Quéene as you haue heard when falling on his knée before the King he began in this manner I meruaile my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not y e Crowne I left with you And you Madame quoth he to the Queene is it possible you should make so slender account of the sumptuous mantle I gaue you in charge not deigning as yet to prooue it or how it will become ye When the King heard his words knowing they were lost he sate a good while without any answere which made the Knight thus begin againe On my faith I am glad you like them not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue graunted my demaund and happily it would prooue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beséeche yée my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer héere Now was the King
more offended then before which made him shortly thus to answere Knight what promise I made thee I intend to keepe although the Crowne and mantle be both lost to my no little greef as well for thy sake as mine owne Heere-at the Knight gaue a loud shrieke saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now commes my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must finish mine age in the cruellest death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which mooued the most constant to pitty his greefe and the King himselfe ouercome with compassion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speed any thing the wursse for my losse you must be satisfyed whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfully promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demaund what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I knowe my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnes I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to be deliuered if I had I would acquite you of the griefe I know you will endure graunting me the thing I must of necessitie demaund but now it may not be otherwise except you infrindge your faith and loyaltie Rather will I loose my Kingdome replyed the King then make a promise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy mind I thanke your Maiestie quoth the Knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perfourmed or I satisfyed hauing a reward now and taken from me annon Great reason sayd the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the Knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughter Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewels or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her as I sustaine harme by your vnhappy losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmure against the Knight perswading the King to deny his word but he rather desired death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere he made them Be not offended my good fréends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiudiciall to me as the breache of my promise for if the one bée enuious the other is iniurious and to be shunned euery way The proofe is ready if subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care wil they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this Knight therefore must haue my Daughter and I wil deliuer her according to my promise Héereupon he sent for her but the Quéene béeing present all this while little thought the King would so forget his fatherly loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter she good Lady fell at the Kings féete when wéeping as a mother for the losse of her child she said What will yée doo my Lord will ye be more inhumane to your owne blood then the brute Beasts are to their contraryes Notwithstāding all their brutish quallities yet be they neuer so vnnaturall to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledge thereof to commit so great wrong not only against your selfe impitious father or me a wofull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the Knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agréeued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladyes wherefore the King commaunded them to their chambers The Quéene séeing she might not preuayle fell in a swoune but by her Ladyes she was conuayed thence the King giuing charge on payne of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My Daughter quoth he I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can helpe it By this time the newes came to Oriana how her Father had consented to her departure wherat she fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladyes reputing her dead indéed thought best to acquainte the King ther-with yet by forced remedies shée reuiued againe breathing foorth manye dollorous sighes Now the most of the women seuered them-selues some néere and some further from her because she should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony hart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speeche and faintely vttered these regrets Full well quoth she doo I now beholde mine owne ruine Ah swéete fréend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my hart fore-told me euen at the very hower of thy departure Ah curssed be that hower because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these tidinges I feare béeing vnable to endure them thou wilt dye immediatly yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the only refuge to the vnfortunate séest thou not mee formost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumphe ouer thée in dealing so extreamely as she can with me albeit I know thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therfore and let her not get such preeminence on me in despight as it were of thy authoritie Adiew then swéete fréend for neuer shall we sée eche other more in this life at these woordes she fell in a swoune againe When the King sawe she tarryed so long he sent to commaund her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadlye agonye and staying till she was recouered againe as she began to renew her mones he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When she heard this message she arose hauing her hart so sealed vp with griefe as it séemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke she came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete said My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with me Faire daughter quoth he I must accomplishe my promise These speeches prouoked her former paines when the King
if the traitour Arcalaus woorke no newe villainie by his enchauntments but as concerning my happye deliueraunce I like well that my Quéen should vnderstand therof Wher-upon Ladasin called a Squire whom the King presentlye sent to the Courte as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the King communing with the Nephewe of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinseman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to bée King of great Brittayne Héere-upon the King concluded to make the more haste thinking to finde Barsinan as yet at London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of Landon IF you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poore labouring men not knowing the King and Oriana séeing how iniuriouslye they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide themselues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were King Lisuarts his daughters Where-upon so soone as the two Knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring thorough the Cittie especially among the Knights as they presently Armed them-selues and mounted on horsseback in such troupes that the féelds were quickly couered with men and horsses At this time was King Arban of Norgalles talking with the Quéene little thinking on any such misfortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayd My Lord you tary héere trifling too long arme your selfe quickly and follow the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Cittie how certaine villaines haue caryed the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed King Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Quéene heard these vnhappie tidings not able to vnder-goe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but King Arban hauing more mind on the King left her in her Ladyes armes hasting with all spéed he could to horsseback When he was setting foote in stirrop he heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castell whereby hée gathered they were betrayed wherefore hée caused the Quéenes lodging to bée guarded and returning to the Cittie sawe euery one readie in Armes when choosing so many as he pleased as also two hundred well approoued Knights he sent two of the chéefest to the Tower of London to vnderstand the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his trayne killing and casting ouer the walles all that he met Héerein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the Knights and men of account were gone to succour the King Highly displeased was King Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the King had béene betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences as might happen he dorayned his men in battayle placing good watch about the Quéenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take her as he had done the Tower but he met with stronger resist then he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan tooke a prisoner by whome he was aduertised how King Arban would withstand him euen to the death Now began he to deuise how by faire spéech and falshood he might take the King crauing a parle with him whereto King Arban willingly agréed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought till now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised Knightes in the worlde but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I thinke withall that what you doo is for safetie of your honor Heerin you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will be but the losse of you and your men in respect King Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proof wherof euen he that slewe him will ere long send me his head Sith Fortune then hath dealt so hardly with him and I at this instant am the greatest Lord in this Countrey dare you deny to make me King Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall intreate you so well as any Prince in my Realme suffering you still to enioy the Countrey of Norgalles and particulerlye beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered King Arban full well doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy trecherye in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue me become a traytour to his freendes as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doo the wurst thou canst thy villainie only will take vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put therto What saide Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me frō sitting as King in London Neuer shall traitour replyed Arban be King of London by Gods leaue while the most honourable King of the world liueth I called for thee quoth Barsinan in respect of thine owne good because I fauoured thee more then any other imagining thou wert of sound discretion but as I haue saide I finde my selfe deceiued wherfore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despight of thee I will reign King in great Brittaine Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will kéep thee from such climbing as if the King my Maister were héere personallye present Then began the assault afresh King Arban withdrawing him selfe to harden his men beeing meruailously offended at Barsinans woordes Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood he brauelye on his defence many beeing slaine and sore wounded neuer-thelesse he was euer-more formoste in the fight and last at the retreit which was caused by the night ensuing Nor néede we doubt considering the puissaunce of Barsinan and the fewe on the contrary side but King Arban would take his aduauntage in resistaunce by compelling them to the narrowe stréetes where foure on a side could hardly deale together which turned to the great disaduauntage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with freshe supply still encouraged his men The retreit being sounded either side with-drawen King Arban séeing his Souldiours sore wearied by the hot skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indéed he came and comforted them in this manner My louing companyons and fréends this day haue you so woorthily fought as none of you but deserueth estimation among the most forward men in the world and hauing begun so well I hope you will procéede better and better Remember the cause of your fight
in the worlde so puissant that will be induced to such an enterprise But for-beare at this time and offer him no iniurie because he is héere to receiue iustice which shall be doone according to the councell of the Princes and Lordes present without fauouring any one Then Oliuas falling on his knée before the King began in this wanner My Lord the Duke who standeth before your Maiestie hath slaine a Cozin germaine of mine he neuer giuing him occasion of offence wherfore I wil iustifie him to be a villaine and a traytour and will make him confesse it with his owne mouthe else shall I kill him and cast him foorth of the feelde The Duke tolde him he lyed and he was ready to accomplishe what the King and his Courte should ordaine wher-upon it was determined that this emulation should be discided by combate which the Duke accepted desiring the King to permit him and his two Nephewes in this cause against Oliuas and two other Knightes This béeing graunted the Duke was very glad therof for he made such account of his kinsemen as he thought Oliuas could not bring their like notwithstanding all was deferred till the morrow following In meane while Don Galuanes asked his Nephew Agraies if he would assist Oliuas against the Duke and he consenting there-to Galuanes came to Oliuas saying Sir Oliuas séeing the Duke is desirous to fight three against thrée my Nephewe and I are determined to take your part which when the Duke heard he remembred that he had defyed them in his owne house when Agraies combatted with the Dwarffes champion at what time the Damosell should haue béene burned wherefore he became very pensiue in respect though he estéemed his Nephewes approoued good Knights yet he repented his wilfull offer and gladly would haue excused the matter if he could béeing too well acquainted with the behauiour of Galuanes and Agraies But considering his promise past before the King and so many noble personages there present he must of necessitie stand there-to where-fore the next morning he entred the Lysties with his Nephewes and Oliuas on the contrary side with his copartners Now were the Ladyes standing at the windowes to behold the issue of this quarrell and among the rest stood Oliuia the faire fréend to Agraies who séeing him ready to enter such perill was so dismayed as she could scant tell what countenance to vse By her stoode Mabila she beeing in no lesse greefe for her Unckle and Brother together likewise the Princesse Oriana louing them both in respect of the reasons héere-to-fore declared accompanyed the two Ladyes in sorrowe fearing their daunger but the Knights being ready to the combate the King by a Herald commaunded the Champions to doo their deuoyre Héere-upon with a braue carrire they encountred together Agraies and Galuanes vnhorssing the two Nephewes and albeit Oliuas receiued a wound on the stomack yet had not the Duke caught hold about his horsse neck his fortune had prooued as bad as his Nephewes Then drawing their Swoords they smote so violently against eche other as the standers by wundered at their fiercenes beholding their Shéelds defaced their Armour battered and coullered with their blood that the victory hung a long time in suspence For Agraies horsse béeing slaine vnder him brought his life into meruailous hazard because the Duke and one of his Nephewes stroue to keepe him downe seeking to thrust their Swoords into his belly or else to smite his head from his shoulders but he was so well armed and of such courage withall as he held them both play though with exceeding perill Well you may thinke that his freends greeued to see him in this distresse especially the three Ladyes of whome we spake so lately whose cheekes were bedewed with whole fountaines of teares and wofull Oliuia seemed rather dead then liuing But had he long continued in this extremitie her latest hower must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewe with such puissant strokes as well declared his hardy courage Oliuas all this while was in such case by reason of the sore wound the Duke gaue him that he could hardly defend him-selfe which the Duke perceiuing he left his Nephewe with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slayne him Agraies stepped betweene them hauing already dispatched his enemy of his head and hindered the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tell which way to turne him Don Galuanes likewise hauing slaine the other Nephew came to assist Agraies against the Duke who seeing his life at the latest exigent turned his horsse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the Helmet as he fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horsse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ran flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his neck was broken with dragging along Heere-upon Agraies left him returning to his Unckle to knowe how he fared Uery well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it greeueth me that Oliuas is dead for he lyeth still and mooueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these woordes wherfore commaunding the Duke and his Nephewes bodies to be throwen foorth of the feeld they came bothe to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his woundes not to be mortall they bound thē vp so well as they could saying Freend Oliuas be of good cheere for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt we not of your health because we finde little danger in your hurtes Alas my Lordes quoth Oliuas my hart fainteth and albeit I haue beene héer-tofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to know whether he were dead or no and when it was tolde him how he wanted nothing but spéedye cure he commaunded him to be honorably caryed into the Cittie and his owne Chirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which they did promising to deliuer him well againe within fewe dayes Thus euery one returned disputing diuerslye on the end of the Combate and according to their particuler affections so that soone after the Queene who was one of the best Ladyes in the worlde was aduised to send for the wife to the deceassed Duke that in the Courte she might weare away the cause of her melanchollie and to dispatch this busines she sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Niece Aldena with her wherof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the freend and beloued of the Duchesse Not long after she and her Niece arriued at the Courte where they were right nobly feasted and entertained Thus the King spent the time in the Cittie of London accompanied with many great Lordes Knights and Ladyes because the same
heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortened by my death whereof you are the only cause As she vttered these woords she offered to stab her selfe with the Swoord when the King suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impacient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madame for I am content to satisfye your will Héereupon he kindly embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallifyed and at that instant she conceiued with child the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all spéed he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visite an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as she rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfray she being soone after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her séeing what had happened bringing the child to the mother said Madame as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some present remedie while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horsseback she rode apace to her Ladyes Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to bée very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speed wherein the Lady and her child were brought to her Castell secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knewe his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custodie where he was nourished till the age of eighteen yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who dayly enstructed him in managing Armes and all braue quallities beseeming a man of value He being growen of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to y e Countie his Grandfather who gaue him his Knighthood not knowing what he was and returning againe with his motherly Nursse by the way she brake with him in this maner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parentage but credit my woords you are the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his Daughter that gaue you your order of Knighthood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your Fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed Knights in the world Madame quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his Sonne wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull Nursse that I will trauaile to finde my Father and not make my selfe knowen to any one till my deedes declare me woorthy to be his Sonne Not long after he departed from the old Lady and accompanyed with two Squires iournyed to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres perfourming such hautie deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best Knight in all those partes When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowen to the King his Father but comming into great Brittayne he heard the fame of Amadis to be meruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by Armes as his bretheren had done whome he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the Forrest as you heard and afterward combatted with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castell of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who stayed with faire Briolania fiue dayes together preparing their Armour and euery thing in order which béeing doon they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunte certaine waiting Gentle-women and Squires to doo them seruice by the way When they drew néere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castell of an ancient Lady named Galumba who some-tune liued in Briolanias Fathers Courte and there they were welcommed very honourablye yet whether Briolania trauayled thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but meruaile which made her request to be satisfied therin Briolanias Aunte tolde her how Amadis was one of the best Knightes in the worlde and had promised to reuenge the murdered Kings death likewise how he discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and afterward ouer-came the rest in the Castell at what time the Lyons escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make reporte his companion must néeds be of some estimation and wel may they bring your enterprise to end considering the trueth and iustice of the cause but take héed least the traiterâ—us King woorke some treason against them That is the chéefest pointe of my feare answered Briolania wherfore we came to craue your aduise héerin Héer-upon she wrot a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then calling a Damosell after she had giuen her instructions she bad her make haste in deliuering the letter Presentlye went the Damosell to horsse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos with his two Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these thrée must the combate be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and helde more by tirannie then any consent in the subiectes The Damosell entred the Pallace on horsse-back when diuers Knightes came to her requesting her to alight but she made answer she would not till she saw y e King and that he commaunded her to leaue her palfray Soon after came the King accompanied with his two sonnes and many great Lordes and after she had saluted him he boldely bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your commaund on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crown said the King I warrant your safetie wher-upon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you gréets you with this letter which may openly be read before this royall company and I after-ward receiue answere for my discharge When the King heard the name of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong he did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damoselles woordes The most of the Lordes there present who sometime were subiectes to the slaughtered King seeing the messenger of their lawfull Quéene indéed pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited in their harts desired of God to plague the treason doone to her Father Proceede Damosell
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
imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Giant and kild him in battell hand to hand Beléeue me Uirgin replyed Galuanes you tell vs matter of great meruaile in respecte neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Giant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one him selfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death and yet this attempt of the King is thought the greatest stratageme that euer was heard of then sound not your spéeches to any likely-hood for this Giant surpasseth all other in strength and crueltie Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath doone no lesse then I tolde ye wherwith she rehearsed the whole maner therof they reputing it strange almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew y e Knightes name His name quoth she is Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withall naming my Cozin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing kéer-upon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Giant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his aide on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was borne heereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath been already declared to you yet she concealed y e louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir said she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great greefe to the other Ladies doubting least she through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castell more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Séeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will perfourme what Galaor should doo if not in strength yet in good will and therfore be you our guide to the place The Damosell turned her haqueney and led them with such spéede to the Dukes Castell that they arriued there the daye before the execution should be Now was the Duke set downe to dinner when the two Knightes entring the great hall humbly saluted him and when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that he should presetly know the cause of their comming wher-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered séeing she hath no way mis-doone and if it be needfull to proue her innocencye by battaile let come two other Knightes to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defenders Well haue you said replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knightes challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behooueth thee to finde some defence for thy self For that I am not to seeke my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the trueth of what I haue saide Héer-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephewe so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other Father to him he saide I pray ye Nephewe maintaine my quarrell against these two Knightes Scarse had he thus spâ—ken but his Nephewe returned this answere to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyall Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the the false Damosell brought hether it may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in combate he dealt villainously and the Damosell ought to dye because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes chamber Agraies who found him selfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped foorth with this answere In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but we auouche he hath doone no wrong and if the Duke please this difference shall be soone discided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the Damosell ought to be deliuered and the Dwarffe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the contrary replyed the Dwarffes champion then calling for his Armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle courser and turning to Agraies who presented him y e combat thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whom this quarrel began too high a price should I set on thy 〈◊〉 We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou caâ—â— dâ—â— but 〈◊〉 aâ— assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reason then doo I leaue thée to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on trueth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was doone when séeing the Knightes prepareâ— to execute their spéeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place appointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies béeing obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Perfourme the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosell be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not béene offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherfore if my fortune make me conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde ye what I meane to doo said the Duke and other-wise it shall not be Agraies tarying for no more woordes turned his horsse running a braue carrire against the Dwarffes Knight and in the encounter brake their sâ—aues gallantly meeting likewise so furiouslye with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered them-selues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to eche other their Swoordes béeing very sharpe the Knightes valiant and hautilye disposed by meanes whereof their Armour healmes and shéeldes were in shorte time made of slender resistaunce yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephewe had still the better on his enemye if then he had before estéemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he now so to doo notwithstanding he was so hot and
very slender for the bountie of the one diminisheth no iote of the other The Knights perceiuing he spake the truth ended their strife demaunding of Amadis if he knew the Knight in King Lisuarts Court who combatted for the iniuried widdow whereby the good Knight Dardan was slaine Why aske ye quoth Amadis Because said the Knights we would gladly meet with him I knowe not answered Amadis whether your meaning be good or bad yet is it not long since I sawe him in the Court of King Lisuart Hauing so said he rode on his way when the three Knights hauing conferred a little together they began to gallop after him and he no sooner heard them but turned againe then doubting they intended some harme to him he clasped on his Helmet and his Sheeld yet had he no Launce nor they likewise Alas my Lord quoth the Dwarffe what will ye do consider you not they be three and you alone What matters that answered Amadis if they assayle me without reason why by good right I must assay for mine owne defence On these spéeches they came to him in this maner Sir Knight we would demaund one thing of you which we desire yee not to deny otherwise you may not so easily escape vs. The sooner shall I graunt it quoth Amadis if it be reasonable Tell vs then as you are a loyall Gentleman where you imagine we may find him that slew Dardan He who could doo no lesse then speake the truth thus replied I am he albeit I would haue you thinke that I doo not so soone fullfill your request in respect of adding any praise to my selfe When the Knights heard him they cryed altogether Ah traytour thou dyest and drawing their Swords set violently vpon him Amadis offended to sée himselfe thus assailed by them whom ere-while he had so freendly pacified resisted them with such resolute courage as at the first stroke he smote one of their armes frō the body the griefe whereof made him likewise fall beside his horsse the second also felt his Sword so peazantly that he cleft his head to the very téeth and sent him to kéepe his fellow company When the third beheld their bad successe he put y e spurres to his horsse and got him away but Amadis being not so well mounted let him escape returning to Gandalin the Dwarffe who thus spake Credit me my Lord hencefoorth will I trust better to your words then I did let vs now therefore make haste hence if you please So riding along at length the Dwarffe shewed him in a pleasant valley two high Pine trées neere which was a Knight mounted on a lustie Courser and two other whome not long before he had vanquished they running to catch their horsses there strayed about the feeld And looking againe he espied an other Knight lay leaning on his helmet hauing his Shéeld by him and twentie Launces reared against the Pines with two spare horsses likewise readie furnished My Lord quoth the Dwarffe do you see the Gentleman that leaneth on his helmet What then said Amadis He is replied the Dwarffe the good Knight I promised to shew you Knowest thou his name quoth Amadis He nameth himself answered the Dwarffe Angriote destrauaus and is the best Knight that I haue heard report of Tell me then said Amadis why he keepeth there so many Launces I can therein answered the Dwarffe full well resolue ye listen then awhile He loueth a Lady of this countrey who hateth him aboue all other neuerthelesse he hath preuailed so much by fight as her Parents were constrained to giue him her After he had gotten her into his power he thought himselfe the happyest man in the world but she told him he should wade into no such fond opinion because he tooke a young Lady against her will And albeit quoth she perforce you haue enioyed me yet while I liue neuer shall I loue ye if you do not perfourme one thing for me What Lady answered Angriote it is within compasse of my puissance That is it said she Commaund then swéete Madame replied Angriote for I will accomplish it euen to the death The Lady whose euill will was toward him exceeding great thinking to appoint him a place most conuenient for his death or else to get him there so many enemyes as her Parents might enioy better assistance to take her from him intreated him and his brother to guard this vale of Pines against all Knights errant that should passe this way causing them by force of armes to take an oath how they should afterward trauaile to King Lisuarts Court there to confesse her more beautiful then the Ladies they loued And if it so fell out that the brother to Angriote whome you see on horsseback were vanquished and could endure the combate no further then Angriote should keepe this passage alone during the space of one whole yeere For this cause they depart not hence all y e day time and at night returne to a Castell on the Mountaine you see at hand hauing alreadie mainteined their enterprise thrée moneths in all which time Angriote neuer set hand to sword against any Knight because his brother hath still beene conquerour Trust me said Amadis I beleeue thou sayest true and so I heard in the Court of King Lisuart where not long since a Knight arriued who confessed Angriotes Lady to be more faire then his freend and me thought he called her name Grouenesa Uery true quoth the Dwarffe but now seeing you are resolued remember your promise to me and beare me company as you said you would With right good will answered Amadis which is the way Euen ouer this vale replyed the Dwarffe but because of this hinderance as yet I thinke we shall verie hardly passe Care not thou for that said Amadis so giuing his horsse the spurres he rode on and soone after he met a Squire who thus spake to him Goe no further Gentleman if you will not graunt the Knights Lady vnder the Pine to be more beautifull then your Mistresse Neuer will I yéeld to such a slaunder replyed Amadis without force or extreame constraint Returne then sayd the Squire otherwise you must combate with thē twaine you see before If they assaile me quoth Amadis I must defend my selfe so well as I can so vsing no more words he rode on forward CHAP. XIX ¶ How Amadis combatted against Angriote his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choise WHen Angriotes brother saw him cōming he took vp his weapons and met him saying Beléeue me Knight you haue committed great folly in not graunting what our Squire gaue you warning off you must therfore enter combat with me As for the combat answered Amadis I like it much better then to confesse the greatest lye in the worlde I know well saide the Knight you must doo it with disaduantage in an other place And trust me quoth Amadis I
to finde there the Princesse Oliuia the choice Ladye and Mistresse of his hart But when they came among the Ladies their entertainment was good and gracious especially by the Quéene her selfe who caused them to sit down by her as meaning matter of more priuate conference Many familiar spéeches were entercoursed betwene them and practising by all meanes to welcome them honourably for she was the only Quéen of the world that soonest could win the harts of Gentlemen and therin took no little pleasure by meanes wherof she was loued of most and least beeing reputed the most vertuous Lady liuing Now had Oliuia made choise of her place next Mabila thinking Agraies would soonest come to his Sister when he left the Queene but while he beguiled the time with her his eye glaunced on the obiect of his heart which he being vnable to dissemble was compelled to a sudden alteration of countenance and could not withdraw his lookes from the Adamant of his thoughts which the Queene somewhat noted yet imagined his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies wil ye not see your Sister whome you loue so deerely Yes Madame quoth he so it please you to giue me leaue Heerewith he arose and came to Mabila who stepping forward to meete him you must thinke Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcommed him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia loouing him as you haue heard ouer-maistring her will with reason as a most wise and well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand awhile asunder from all the rest Yet did Agraies keepe neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any aunswere to his Sister She beeing ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this sudden mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with ech others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauour them with more libertie feigning a desire to speake with her Unckle Galuanes which she prettily coullered in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Unckle may come hither because it is long time since I sawe him and I haue somewhat to acquaint him withall secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agraies wherupon he went to the Queene and thus spake Madame if you could spare mine vncle a little you might doo his Niece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good saide the Quéene at which woordes Galuanes went with him which Mabila séeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Faire Niece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye doo you like Scotland or this countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the windowe because I haue many thinges to tell ye which were needlesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they béeing of such importance as they are These woordes she vttered smiling and with a meruailous good grace cheefelye because her Brother might courte his freende alone And well saide Niece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes be kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes wherof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone when the Prince perceiuing he had libertie to speake trembling in aboundaunce of affection he began thus Madame to accomplish your commaundement when you parted from me as also to satisfie my hart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gracious contentment conuayed therto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my faith that beeing neere your person my spirits feele them-selues viuified in such sorte as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therfore I desire ye if it be your pleasure to limit me some better hap héer-after in place where I may often sée and doo you seruice and as he would haue procéeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the gréefe you endure we béeing absent one from an other as no other proofe is required then what mine own hart doth plainly testifie smothering a displeasure wursse then death it self wherto often-times I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerfull hope reback this despaire how one day our loue shall meete together with happie contentation And perswade your selfe that I dayly trauaile in remembraunce of our mutuall loue meane while swéete fréend temporize and dismay not Mistresse said Agraies you haue already so bound me to you as I must in dutye temporize till time you please but I desire ye to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortefie me withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shal haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer wil I faile ye be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteem ye wherby I may striue to loue you more theÌ„ any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine only And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioye therin for it cannot be without recitall of your hautye courage and chiualrie yet my hart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer-bolde venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare him selfe so praysed vayled his lookes and she lothe to offend him altered her spéech demaunding what he was determined to doo On my faith Madame ê™ he I will doo nothing but what you please to commaund me I will then saide Oliuia that hence-foorth you keepe companye with your Cozin Amadis for I know he loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to be one of this Court deny it not Beléeue me Madame answered Agraies both you such good councelling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I will more credit with mine affaires then my honourable Cozin Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing knowledge of him in her fathers Kingdome of Denmarke where he perfourmed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with
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
killedst as thou vauntest in combate hand to hand In sooth what I euer doubted is now come to passe why doost thou not attēd this Knight who looketh for thée if there be any manlye hart or spirit in thée shewe it now in néed when thy life dependes theron At these woords Galaor looked more aside and espyed Palingues well armed who was opening the doore of a Tower to saue him selfe wherfore he stepped to him saying Beléeue me Knight this flying will little aduantage thée and lesse the strong hold thou wouldst enter into for thou must answer the life of good Anthebon whose death thou didst compasse by monstrous villanye Palingues séeing there was no other remedie turned and fiercely smote at Galaor his swoord entring so farre into the Princes sheelde as he was not able to pull it out againe by meanes whereof Galaor reached him such a blow that there-with his right arme was cut quite from his body the gréefe wherof so pained him as he ranne into the chamber where the Lady was thinking by this poore shift to defend his life But Galaor getting holde on his legges dregged him along on his backe out againe and with his Swoord smote his head from his shoulders This is quoth he the reward of thy trecheries doone to Anthebon and paiment for thy treason in the action of his death The daughter of Anthebon being present at this déede hauing heard Galaor often name her Father fell on her knées before him with these woordes Alas my Lord you haue bound me in such duety to you as neuer shall I be able to requite your paines my selfe béeing of such simple and slender habilitie but the good will I haue to recompence this benefite hath imprinted dayelye prayers in my hart to God for you hauing to iustly reuenged the death of my father and the wrongfull forcing of this traitour Galaor courteouslye taking her vp embracing her in his armes thus answered On my faith faire fréend he were a man of little sence that would offer displeasure to such a one as you are séeing you much better deserue to be loued and serued then with gréefe or fauour to be offended but tel me haue you any more enemies in this Castell No Sir replyed the Damosell those which remaine are to doo you honor and obeysaunce Let vs goe then quoth he to let in two Damoselles who were my guides hither from your Lady mother So taking him by the hand she commaunded the gate to be opened and the two Damoselles entred leading Galaors horsse but when they sawe their young Mistresse they humbly made her reuerence demaunding if her fathers death were reuenged to her desire Yea verily quoth she I thanke God and this Knight who hath doone that many other could not doo It was now the vehement hotte time of the day wherfore Galaor tooke off his helmet to refreshe him selfe when the Lady seeing him so young and beautifull as also so valiant in deedes of armes began to be touched with loue and setting aside both feare and bashfulnes she began to imbrace and kisse him saying My honourable Lord and freend more cause haue I to loue you then any other creature liuing In good faith quoth he and I loue you likewise as wel in respect of your beauty and good grace as also for your deceassed Fathers sake he and I beeing borne in one Countrey Maye if it please ye Sir saide she to tell me your name Such as are acquainted with me answered the Prince tearme me Galaor In sooth my Lord quoth she often haue I heard my father speak of Sir Amadis your brother and of you likewise saying you were the sonnes to the King of Gaule his liege Lord and soueraigne As thus they deuised they entred alone into a chamber while the Damosells with the rest were prouiding viands wherfore Galaor seeing time and place so cōmodious to request the loue of her that vsed him so kindely she beeing a Lady young fresh and faire named Brandueta him selfe likewise actiue and desirous of such sweete baytes thus spake Madame if Palingues loued you as I haue heard he had great reason for it knowing you to be such a one as I sée you are for my self who haue so little acquaintaunce with you am already so deepe in deuotion to your gracious nature as I would repute my selfe happie if you graunted me the fauour I desire accepting me as your fréend and seruant The Lady not one iot behinde him in amorous affection shaped him this answere I haue tolde ye my Lord that I loue you more then any other liuing creature therfore you may be certainly assured how my desire is to please you in all thinges what-soeuer During these speeches Galaor still helde his loue in his armes kissing and toying with her so pleasantly as Diana soone after lost her interest in the maiden wherto Brandueta yéelded with greater contentment then all her former resistaunces to Palingues from whome she kept her virginitie so long that she was now content to bestowe it on the French Prince and he hauing a good stomach to such daintye diet made her loue him the better for it while she liued But see an vnhappy inconuenience after many imbracinges and amourous conferences as they would once more haue besieged the Fortresse of loue the Damoselles came to tell thē that dinner was ready wherfore though loth they were forced to leaue off accompanying the Damoselles to the place where the tables were couered which was vnder a Gallarie enuironed with trees As they sat at the table and discoursed of many matters among other thinges Brandueta declared to him how Palingues standing in feare of him and his brother Amadis caused this Castle to be kept so stronglye considering that her Father Anthebon was of Gaule and King Perions subiect the sooner would they assaye to woorke reuenge for his death For this reason quoth she he allowed no other entraunce then by the basket into this Castell where I haue liued in meruaylous greef and sorrow as neuer shall I desire to tarry heere longer therfore right gentle Lord and freend might it so like you without any longer stay I would gladly see my mother who will not be a little glad of my returne and yours likewise Galaor was very well contented and though it were late yet got they to horsse-back departing from the Castell but for all their haste they were two houres benighted which brake no square in respect of the good newes the good Lady with all her familie ioyfully receiuing them with all honourable meanes could be deuised beside the comforted widowe cast her selfe at his feete vsing these speeches Woorthye Lord both I and mine are bound to you for euer referring to your disposition what-soeuer we enioy because you are the restorer and confirmer of all I thanke you Madame answered Galaor for your freendly offers but where no desert is the requitall must of force be farre more easie Now the greater parte of
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