Armato as knowing him not but when they shewed him which was he he imbraced him and said My lord and brother I beséech you pardon my ignorance in not entertaining you before this time as not knowing you but I will amend the fault when you think good My lord saied Armato I am now as it pleaseth fortune in place where you may command me yet I pray you call to mind who I was and what I may bee and doe for me as you would I should do for you if your case were mine Considering with your selfe that the like hard fortune may fall on you and that it is no lesse vertue to intertain the vanquished courteously then to ouerthrow the puissant enemie With that the Emperour led him into his pallace the rest following after him and when they were in the hall hee left them with the Empresse to speake vnto Frandalo and taking him aside saied vnto him Frandalo to let you knowe howe well I do account of the great good seruice you haue done for mée I will that from henceforth you shall bee my chéefe standard bearer in which place I nowe establish you For the which Frandalo thanked him most humbly accounting himselfe most happye to haue so great authoritie CHAP. XLIII How Norandel and Queene Minoresse fell in loue one of the other and what conference they had together THe Emperour being among his Knights making them all the cheare and honour that hee could deuise It happened that the Princesse Leonorine and Quéene Minoresse séeing the king of Denmark and Norandel together called Carmelle and asked her who they were My Ladies saied shée you haue séen him that hath the least beard here before which is the king of Denmarke for hee came hether with Frandalo the other is Norandel king Luisarts sonne estéemed for one of the hardiest knights liuing on the earth I pray you said the Princesse desire them to come hether that wée may speake with them With that Carmelle called them vnto her and as they were before the two Princesses the more they beheld the excellency of their beauties the more they maruailed at it and not without cause for next vnto Leonorine there could hardly be found in all Gréece one that matched quéene Minoresse especially in comelinesse and good behauiour but if shee had some perfection in her nature had not forgotten her selfe in forming the two knights especially Norandel who till that time had neuer felt the stings of loue no more had Quéene Minoresse Neuerthelesse that little théefe surprised them so couertly that hee bound them both making them captiues one to the other in such manner that after many Questions and Answeres propounded they drew themselues apart leauing the king of Denmarke talking with the Princesse Leonorine the Quéene asking Norandel what hee thought of the Princesse Madame said hée although I haue heard her estéemed for one of the goodliest ladies in the world yet did I neuer thinke her beautie had béene such as now I sée it is although you are little behinde her in that respect whereby I might estéeme my selfe most happy if I had ben asléepe that day I enterprised to take my iourney hether Wherfore said the quéen haue you had so ill intertainment in this court No madame said he but there is one hath stollen that from me which I haue most carefully kept during my life The Quéene not knowing what he meant was thereat abashed asking him what it was whether he knew the théefe I madame saied he and it resteth in you to do me iustice if it bée your pleasure for you none other haue that whereof I speake In good faith saied the Quéene you shall pardon mee for I haue nothing of yours that I cam remember Madame saied Norandel since the time I first did knowe what belonged to a man I kept my liberty not alienating it to any one But comming hether I had no sooner set mine eie on you but I found my selfe of a fréeman a bondslaue and captiue to your ladiship 's good fauor which I beséech you afore me in recompence of the liberty you now haue taken from me Truly sir knight saied she you haue at this presēt run too far astray for if you beheld me as you should you had not found me such a one as you say wold haue ben twice aduised to vse such spéeches as you do Neuerthelesse I will not take them at your hands being a stranger in so euill part as mine honour doth require and I think likewise you speake farre otherwise then you meane which she said to vndermine him thereby to sée if Norandels words were spoken from the heart who hearing that ouerthwart answere was much astonished but being moued with loue answerd her and said Madame pardon my boldnesse I beséech you but I sweare vnto you by the faith of a knight that I haue discouered the secret of my heart and if you will not beléeue me at this time I hope in time to come to doe so much that you shall well perceiue what great desire I haue to bee your Knight if it will please you to graunt mee so much fauour to accept mee for the same When Quéene Minoresse perceaued him so earnest as that in vttering those words hee shewed great affection shee estéemed in her minde to haue sufficient argument that might persuade her to beléeue his wordes wherewith shee answered him and saied My lorde Norandel If you doe as you promise I well beléeue that you say and for the accepting you to bee my Knight mee thinketh I should doe wrong to refuse so small a fauor to so courteous a gentleman as you are wherfore I both grant it and desire it of you With that she took a litle ring she commonly wore off from hir finger giuing it vnto him for a witnesse of their new confirmed aliance And had it not ben that the Emperor was ready to go to supper they had no sooner left talking but the Empresse went in whereby quéen Minoresse was constrained to follow after taking Melie Carmelle with hir to whom she did al honor good intertainmēt she could deuise supper being don the tables vncouered the princes Leonorine that had séen Norandel quéen Minoresse talking with so great affection doubted some feathers in the wind wherefore taking her aside said vnto hir Cousin I beléeue the knight that intertained you so long told you some news out of great Brittaine or somthing els that pleased you ful wel I pray you fair lady tel me what it was for you were very earnest to harken thervnto How now madame said she since when I pray you did you learn to mock cal you the mocking said she which is don in earnest I pray God the mockery I mean to you may fal out as I desire it wold thē shal I at the least haue as good aduātage at you as you haue had at me which wold please me wel not so much to haue a cōpaniō
of comfort bâ—â— the other as much cause to rest If then it bee so as it is mâ—â—â—rue that we are all subiect to thâ— Tyrant he that hath past the flower of his youth not tasting of hâ—â— fury may not thinke himselfe in any thing more happy séeing it is his manner to constraine yoong men to loue and â—â—â—entimes old fooles to dote In that sort the Gentlewoman 〈◊〉 â—ennance for the euill shee conceiued against the blacke knight and had continued longer there had it not been for feare to bee discouered Wherefore with the sword in her hand she returned backe again towards the castle without being once perceiued entered at a posterne dore whereof she had the key and so went vp into her chamber departing from the hermitage not long before her father and the dumbe man returned from the barke and found the knight sléeping who presently awaked and missing his sword asked them if they had taken it away No truly saied the Hermite for we came but now from the sea side Wherewith Esplandian estéeming it lost made account that as he had conque◠〈◊〉 after a strange maner so hée had lost it by a stranger meanes but the Hermite and the dumbe man sought it about the house and could not find it CHAP. X. How King Luisart being aduertised by Carmelle where the blacke knight was departed with her alone to find him out CArmelle returned to the castle as it is said before went to the king who at the same time was talking with master Elizabeth touching the wrong hee thought the blacke knight did him in departing thence without being knowne séeking by that meanes if it were possible to draw from him what hee knew as touching the knight but all in vain for the king was not so subtil to vndermine him but master Elizabeth was as crafty to preueÌ„t him not intending to falsifie the trust reposed in him and although the Gentlewoman had determined to shewe the king what shee had learned of the knight hoping thereby to obtaine her purpose Neuerthelesse séeing maister Elizabeth in presence shée held her peace till he went away and perceiuing the king alone said vnto him My lord if it pleaseth your grace to shew mee so much fauour as to assist mee in a thing that importeth as much as my life in behalfe of the knight that you so much desire to sée before to morrow at night I will shew him vnto you if you think good in such a place where you may easily speake with him and to the end you shall not suspect me of vntruth I wil shew you a certaine token that when you sée it I am assured you will easily beléeue me Gentlewoman said the king if you doe so I wil not faile if it be possible to satisfie your request I beséech your grace saied she when you are both togither it would please you to be a mean vnto him in my behalfe to graunt me a gift that I shall ask him By the faith of a Prince saied hée I will not faile to doe it nor a greater matter then that if it lieth in my power Then follow me saied the Gentlewoman bringing him where shee had laied the sword and shewing it vnto him asked if he had neuer séene it That I haue said the king and I would to God the knight that knoweth so well how to handle it were as néere vnto mee as it is You shall sée him in the morning saied she if it pleaseth you to follow me That will I doe saied the king armed or vnarmed I estéeme not whether so I may sée him Then be you ready saied she when I shall call and let no man go with you Content said the king wherewith hee went out of the chamber and passing through the court he met Libee and others to whome hee saied that in the morning he meant to walke along the rocke because maister Elizabeth had certefied him it was so goodly a countrey and that none but Carmelle should beare him company and falling into other spéeches they passed the time till they went to rest but the king could not sléepe for the great desire he had to sée the knight whereby he was hardly fallen asléep when Carmelle came to awake him saying My lord may it please your grace to remember your promise Let vs goe saied hée and there with making himselfe ready commanded two horses to bée sadled one for himselfe the other for Carmelle and issuing out of the castle rode towards the Hermitage And they had not trauelled farre but they perceiued a man comming towards them in great hast and as hee came néereâ— the Gentlewoman knew him asking what he meant to make such hast and whether hée rode I ride to the castle said hee to fetch Matroco and his brother Frerian with all spéed to helpe their vncle Lindoraque who comming to sée theÌ„ hath met with two knights armed all in white that haue slaine his men and as I thinke I left him in as great danger as possible may bee When the king heard him hee thought them to bee of the blacke knights company and said vnto the GentlewomaÌ„ I pray you stay here with this man and I will ride to sée them and with that hee set spurres to his horse and taking the same way the other came he perceiued a far off the two knights fighting with the Giant that defended himselfe most valiantly with his mare forcing them oftentimes to recule but the two knights as bold and nimble handled him in such sort that hee knew not how to defend himselfe and if hee had not slaine one of their horses it had gone worse with him Neuerthelesse the knight on horsebacke seeking to reuenge his companion was nothing abashed but when the other rose vp set fiercelier vpon the Giant then before in such manner that they closed and striuing together sought by all meanes to vnhorse each other Mean time the knight on foot went vnto the Giant and taking him by the left leg pulled him by such force that both hee and the other knight fell off their horses and holding each other fast the Giant fell vnder with his face vpwards wherewith the knight that threw him downe thrust him into the face that hee was constrained to let goe his hold neuerthelesse rising vp againe with great force and laying hold vpon the knight that had so wounded him hee threw him on the ground meane time the other gaue the Giant such a blow vpon the head that hée began to réele and therewith stretching out his legs yéelded vp the ghost With that the king rode somewhat néerer and perceiued the two knights to beare black crosses that shewed theÌ„ to be Christians wherefore riding boldly vnto them hee went so néere that they knew him wherevpon they went to doe him honour much abashed to sée him But the king perceiuing the honour they did him was no lesse abashed and saied vnto them My good friendes I know you not I pray
perceiued him enter into choler to pacefie the same answered vim and said My lord you may doe it when it pleaseth you but at this present you sée here a great number of poore desolate people I beséech you speake vnto them and comfort them as wel as you may for their whole trust is in you with that Alphorax going vnto them gaue them many gracious and comfortable spéeches and with them returned to the citty of Tesifant CHAP. XXXI How Gastilles tooke his leaue of Esplandian and sailed to Constantinople and of the arriuall of Palomir Branfil and other knights of great Brittaigne at the towne of Alfarin THe Towne of Alfarin brought vnder the subiection of the knights of the castle La montaigne defendu as you heard before Gastilles hauing prepared himselfe to return to Cōstantinople went vnto Esplandian and saied vnto him My lord when I departed from the Emperour hee gaue me expresse commandement with al spéed to aduertise him what I had done to the end he might determine either to come himselfe in person if occasion serued with the army hee is already preparing or else wholly to breake off his enterprise for it now beginneth to bee Winter and séeing as it is Gods will that your affaires on this side are in good estate I am determined as to morrow to depart hence to Constantinople that the Emperour vnderstanding by mee what hath passed on this side the sea he shall not bee forced for this yeare to bee at further charges wherof before this time I had willingly certefieed him had it not ben the daily expectation I had to sée the end of this our last enterprise which God bee thanked is fallen out as we desired My lord saied Esplandian séeing the Emperour as you say by your returne may receiue both pleasure and profite you shall doe well to make hast thether one thing I beséech you doe for me that is most humbly to commend me vnto his grace assuring him that not any subiect hee hath is or shall bee readier to obey him then my selfe and as touching our proceedings for that you haue personally both séene and béene an actor in the same you can aduertise him at large Shew him likewise I pray you that I kéepe king Armato as his prisoner attending his pleasure what shall bee done with him but not the castle of La montaigne defendu for I haue conquered the same in fauour and vnder the protection of the Princesse Leonorine kéeping the same at this present onely to her vse and as her seruant as I meane to continue during my life But if it pleaseth his grace to giue the Towne of Alfarin to Frandalo not onely thereby to increase his will and desire to serue him but also for that hee deserueth a greater reward so dooing mee thinketh hee shall therein shewe the part of a liberall Prince considering the seruice and fidelitie hee hath done and shewed in all places where hee hath beene employed You shall tell the Emperour also that according to my fathers will and commandement I hope shortly to bee in Constantinople to present my selfe before his grace and the ladie Leonorine as by the Gentlewoman Carmelle I haue giuen thē to vnderstand wherewith I think you are not vnacquainted praying you in the meane time to make my excuse to them in that I haue deferred it off so long for in a manner you are not ignorant what hath béene the cause My lord said Gastilles the Emperour my vncle so much desireth your company that I neuer saw man more gréeued nor woman than the Princesse my cousin when they perceiued the great serpent passe before Constantinople to crosse the straightes of Bosphore I will shewe them what you say and in the morning about breake of day I meane God willing to set saile Will you not said Esplandian first goe visit Frandalo Manely and others that lie wdunded in their beds to know if they will send any message to the Empeperour That I will said Gastilles Goe then said Esplandian and I will beare you companie With that they went to Frandalos lodging where they were no sooner entred but the watch that stood vpon the tower ouer the water gate discouered about thrée miles in the sea a great shippe that with full saile made towards the towne whereof they aduertised Gastilles who presently caused two Brigandines to goe forth to sée if they were friends or enemies and they were not long before they returned againe with the great shippe in their company wherin were Palomir Branfil Helian le delibere Garuate du Val Craintif Brauor sonne of the gyant Balan that king Amadis had newly made knight Imosel de Burgoigne Ledarin de Faiarque Listoran de la tour Blanche Trion cousin to quéene Briolanie Tentilles le Superbe Guil le bien esteme Grodonan brother to Angriote Destrauaux and the two sonnes of Isamie gouernour of the firme Isle with many others that had imbarked themselues in great Britaine to goe to aid Esplandian and comming to the castle La montaigne defendu they had intelligence by the fishermen at sea of the ouerthrow of Armatos nauie his captiuitie with the taking of the citie of Alfarin whereat they much reioyced especially when they knew by Gastilles souldiers that not any of their companions were slaine in the assault They béeing arriued at the towne as they began to lande Esplandian with diuers others went thither to receiue them where betwéene them were many salutations and welcomes giuen which done Esplandian led them to his lodging where they refreshed themselues about two houres before they went to visit Frandalo of whome Esplandian gaue such commendations that they desired him to bring them where he lay which hée presently did but when Frandalo knew who they were béeing ashamed to sée them vse such courtesie to him could not well tel what to say and as he entertained them Palomir spake vnto him and said Sir knight I and my companie haue heard so great commendation of your valour that there is not one of vs but would be ready to obey and serue you as our chiefe commander wherefore we beséech you vse all diligence you may to be healed of your wounds that we may presently go into the field vnder your conduction My lords said Frandalo I pray you pardon me I am well assured that my valour is none such as you report whereby I deserue not the praise you giue me neither did I euer any thing worthy commendation but only by my lord Esplandians meanes Neuerthelesse I hope if God spareth me life and health so to behaue my selfe that all men shall know the desire I haue to doe seruice vnto Christendome and particularly vnto euery one of you Companion said Esplandian I pray you take care to be cured of your griefe that done wée will take order for the rest and for that these knightes are wearie with their long trauaile on the sea I pray you giue them leaue for to depart and in the
do it minding only to draw her out of the vaut wherewith hee tooke her by the haire and pulled her with all his force With that hee espied a great old Ape with two eies burning like flaming fire that lept vpon him for to tear his flesh but hee gaue him such a blow with his fist betwéene the eies that he strooke him dead And passing forward brought Melie out of her caue and leauing her in Frandalos kéeping went in againe to sée if Vrganda were aliue where hee found her in such pain that it séemed the soule would depart out of her body wherat he had so great pittie that he tooke her in his armes and set hir in the aire the like hee did to Talanque and Manely who within one quarter of an hour after could not call to mind what had happened vnto thē but were as whole and as wel as euer they were before Wherefore they mounted on their horses taking Melie with them that sat vpon Sergils horse and he behind her holding her in his armes least she should escape And God knowes with what ioy Vrganda shewed them what feare she had ben in which as she said was such that she thought verily to die But said shée euen as one naile driueth out another so the ioy I haue of my deliuery maketh mee in a manner to forget the paine wherein I was And with that they entered into the Towne being almost night CHAP. XL. How Carmelle arriued at Tesisante and spake with Heliaxe and of the maruellous combat which Esplandian Frandalo Gandalin and Enil fought against three Gyants and twelue Turkish knights CArmelle trauelled so long with the women and children of Galatia that they arriued at Tesifant where they found both their fathers and husbands as many of them as had saued themselues as it is said before Estéeme I pray you what gréefe they had to thinke vpon their exile and losse of all their goods Surely there is no heart so hard but would haue wept with gréefe to behold great numbers of men and women with diuers litle children about them and not hauing any meanes to giue them bread or drinke Whereof the Prince Alphorax hauing newes hearing of their sorow could not refraine to say in presence of them all Ah immortall gods it must néeds be that either for some great sinne of me or mine this cruell warre is mooued in my countrey O gods immortall let your wrathes appease and of your infinite goodnes let it rather please you that all the mischiefe which you send vpon those impotent people fall only vpon mée that alone haue mooued your indignations if not then I beséech you giue me grace that to your glory I may driue these cursed Christians enemies of your holy lawes out of my countrey swearing vnto you that if you vouchsafe your aides I will make so great a slaughter of them that thereby your wrathes shall bée appeased if it be so that the small indeauour I haue hither to vsed to driue them hence be the occasion of your anger towards me Then hée asked them how they got away My Lord said hée that brought him newes a faire gentle woman named Carmelle as I heare say hath brought them hither and desireth to speake with you and the princesse Heliaxe Ladie said Alphorax to his wife doe you know her I my lord said Heliaxe for she bare me company all that day that I fell into Frandalos hands being very ready to do me all the pleasure and seruice that shee could deuise wherefore my lord I pray you let her haue that honour and entertainement she deserueth Lady said Alphorax I am wel content therewith With that some of them ran to fetch Carmelle who being come in presence of Alphorax went presently vnto the Princesse Heliaxe and without salutation said vnto her madame you know the lord and maister that I serue who only hath aucthority ouer me think it not therefore strange if in any sort I haue not humbled my selfe before the prince Alphorax or to you And to the end Madame that you should knowe the cause of my arriuall here I thinke the taking of Galatia is not vnknowne vnto you whereof at this present the Christians are Lords and maisters hauing conquered it from you by force not finding any Garrison therein but a number of women and little children which my lord Esplandian his company send vnto your grace committing them vnto your good discretion Assuring you their Religion onely excepted they are ready to doe you any seruice that they may Carmelle saied the Princesse this is not the first fauour they haue shewed vnto me I am of long time so much beholding to them that bee it in their aduersities or their prosperities I will neuer bee vnmindfull of the same Neuerthelesse I am assured that at this day I haue not neither yet shall euer haue the meanes to doe it as I thinke vnlesse that variable fortune turne her rouling whéele and abase them as much as now they are aduaunced then if it so fall out they shall full well perceaue howe much I estéeme their vertues and fauours they haue showne vnto mee Carmelle saied Alphorax haue they willed you to deliuer no message vnto mee No my lord saied shee but I tell you plaine they are determined verye shortly to come and visite you in such manner as will not greatly like you By all my gods saied Alphorax I will ease them of that burthen if they make not the more hast For I haue so many men preparing that I meane to goe in person to Constantinople to destroye the wicked Emperour and all the Christians Then shall my wife haue meanes if shee thinke good to acknowledge the fauours towards them which they haue showen vnto her as shee sayeth My lorde said Carmelle Mens enterprises doe oftentimes fall out contrarie to their expectations and God that is in Heauen aboue commaundeth and disposeth of all thinges as it pleaseth him and not as wee would haue it Nowe Madame sayed shee to Heliaxe I haue done the commaundement of those that sent mee hether wherefore I beséech you let mee be safely conducted to the place from whence I came My lord said the princesse to Alphorax I pray you shewe her so much fauour for it would gréeue mée much that shée should receaue the least iniurie in the world which hee graunted vnto her and withall Heliaxe gaue her for her paines one of the richest gownes shee had Wherewith shee caused her to bee conducted by twenty knights vnto the Towne of Galatia where being arriued shee shewed them what shee had done as also what spéeches the Prince Alphorax vsed vnto her which Vrganda marked well saying vnto the Knights In faith my good friendes as touching Alphorax high woordes they are the fruites of his nature being altogether prowd and arrogant Neuerthelesse I can assure you that fortune promiseth him great matters And because it will not bee long before they doe happen I
the agréement we shall make Wherefore make mée an answere worthy such a Knight that thereby thy honour be not stained Norandel hauing read this letter shewed it to his friends who were all of aduise to graunt the Soudan his request But Norandel would determine nothing before hée made the Emperour acquainted vnder whose conduct during the siege he had submitted himselfe whereupon hee went to speake with him and hauing shewed him the contents of the letter that hée had receiued in Esplandians name and the counsell of his companions the Emperour asked him what hee thought therein My lord saied hee if it pleased you that I and nine others which I will chuse shall vndertake this combate you shal doe vs great fauor My good friend said the Emperor you sée the estate wherein I am and the time wherein I ought to kéepe not onely you and others wherein I put my whole affiance but the meanest souldiour in this Cittye Neuertheles I will so much agrée vnto your will that if you and your companions thinke it good I am content you do it My lord said Norandel both I and they most humblye craue it of your grace Wel then said the Emperour If it pleaseth God you shal win honour thereby as you haue done before in many as perrillous aduentures as this is Norandel thanked the Emperour and the same day caused his Knights of great Brittaigne to bee assembled together by whose aduise there was an Aunswere framed to the Soudans letters the contents whereof doe follow The knights that are seruants to Iesus Christ being at this time with the Emperor of Constantinople for the defence augmentation of the Christians name to thée Rodrigue Souldan of Liquie like gréeting thou hast sent vnto the knight of the great serpent a gentlewoman that saith shee belongeth vnto thée that hath giuen vs a letter directed vnto him the contents wherof are in two points In the first thou complainest of the enterprises he hath made against thine vncle king Armato in the other thou shewest a desire thou hast to proue thy person against his or a greater number against a greater as he shal think it good But for that the knight thou writest vnto at this present is not here nor in place wheras he can return thée answer we thought it conuenient in his behalf to satisfie thy request to accept the offers thou hast made vnto him assuring thée that here is the son of a king nine other knights with him that wil fight with thée and as many more of thine if thou be content therwith Aduise thy self thē herein hauing receiued thy answere with safe conduict safely to go and come we wil not faile to be in the place where you shall appoint This letter sealed vp Norandel gaue it to one of his squires to bear it to the soudan who made him answere that he desired only to proue his body against the knight of the great serpent none other But saied he if those that sent you hether haue any desire to fight against ten of my knights they shall find thē ready being as great gentlemen and of as high a linage as they are And as touching their safe conduict I wil so wel prouide for it that they shall haue occasion to think wel of me wherfore return thou vnto thē and let me know their answere With that the squire hauing his dispatch went and came so often betwéene them that in the end the combate of ten to ten was fully agréed vpon and the lists appoint hard before the Towne where they the next morning the tenne knights went whose names were as followeth Norandel Garuate du Val Craintif Talanque Manely Ambor de Galdel Elian le delibere Brauor son of Balan Trion cousin germane to Quéene Briolanie Imosil de Burgoigne and Listoran of the siluer bridge CHAP. XLIX How the ten Christian knights entred into the lists and of the combate betweene them and tenne Pagan knights that belonged to the Souldan of Liquie ALL that night the ten Knights watched in the principallest church of Constantinople confessing thēselues and praying vnto God as if they should presently die The next day as the sunne began to appeare the Emperour accompanied of diuers Noblemen the Empresse the Princesse Leonorine Quéene Minoresse with diuers other Ladies and Gentlewomen came vnto them where they heard masse deuoutly that done they returned vnto the pallace where Norandel and his nine companions armed themselues the ladies seruing them for squires in such sort as Norandel receaued such fauor at quéen Minoresses handes that shee found meanes to helpe to buckle on euery péece of his armour one after the other As shee was busie about him he found meanes to say vnto her Madame the honor that you doe me maketh mee so couragious that this day I hope to make it knowne to those that shall beholde vs fight how much my strength is now increased by your meanes But if it pleased you to bestow some fauour vpon me that I might bear the same about my armour I should account my selfe for one of the most happy knights liuing on the yearth My good friend saied she the most precious iewell that I can giue vnto you is my heart that shal accompany yours to the end that being vnited together they may the better preserue both your life mine And taking a bracelet of gold that from her infancy she had alwaies kept shee tied it about his right arme And this circle saied she being round as you behold it shall without ceasing bee witnesse of our loues seruing for a rampart to this army which if it pleaseth God in defending it shal so wel defend his master that he shall return in as good health as I desire he should Norandel thanked her most heartily mean time Leonorine intertained Talanque Manely the rest to whom she said My friends I hope the Lord wil shew you so much grace that the victory shall be yours for the combat you take in hand is not for to defend the honour of a Gentle woman but the glorious faith of Christ If therfore it be so the strength procéedeth from him be you thē wel assured that he wil impart so much to you as you shal want Madame said Talanque at other times we haue ben at the like feast from whence we haue returned to the great expence of those that called vs thither as if it be Gods wil we hope this day to do the like Wherwith taking their leaues of her they went to find their horses and being mounted the emperor with great number of knights and gentlewomen brought them to the gate And committing them to God the ten knights marched brauely to the place of combat where the souldan with a great number of his friends met thē asking them whom the emperor had appointed iudge on their side Souldan said Norandel wée desire no other iudge then your self that are accounted a curteous and most faithfull
women to return to sea kéeping apart from all the Pagans without once stirring from thence for any thing whatsoeuer should fall till shée receiued further newes from her which was partly the cause of the enemies ouerthrow for they doubting some treason being separated in that sort from that time forward were in some feare and in greater suspition than before and not without cause for that if Lyote had aided king Armato both by sea and land as shée might haue done if her sister had not forbidden her it is likely her esquadron of women being twentie thousand strong and somewhat more had done great mischiefe to the Christians but God of his goodnes prouided better for them CHAP. LIIII How after the Pagans were driuen out of Thrace the Emperour of Constantinople renouncing his Empire inuested Esplandian therwith marrying him to his doughter the princesse Leonorine THe obsequies and funerals of the Kinges Princes Lords and others that died in the battell being finished the wounded cured and all things set at rest the Emperour of Constantinople knowing that Amadis and those that were come with him from the Westerne parts would retourne againe into their countries desired them to assemble shewing them that his meaning was to let them know what hée determined to doe before they went from thence The next day in the morning they all met in the emperors great hall and he standing in the middest spake vnto them and said My brethren lords and good friends the bond wherein I stand bounden vnto you is so great that although it hath pleased God to make me Emperour of all Grecia yet am I well assured it is far beyond my poore hability to satisfie you for the same estéeming the honour and riches that I now haue next vnder God be it little or much to procéed from you I am now thréescore yeares of age wholly aged decrepit by reason of the paines that in my youthfull yeares I haue continually taken in following armes so it is I haue but one child which is a daughter the onely staffe hope of my old yeares whome I haue determined if you thinke good to giue in marriage vnto the valiant knight Esplandian and with her likewise to inuest him with the Empire and gouernement of all my countries And the better to liue solitarily and to seperate my selfe from worldly company I haue determined to goe with the Empresse my wife into the monastery that I caused to bee made there to liue religiously calling vpon God and doing pennance for the euils I haue committed heretofore Wherefore my good lords and friendes I pray you if this my determination like you well let euery man giue consent and you first saied hee vnto king Amadis to whom the matter toucheth néerer then to any of the rest as being father and sonne My lord said he my sonne shal doe as you command him I will tell you said the Emperour I remember that among other Prophesies which ought to happen in this our time there is one that maketh me as I think agrée with you in one consent Esplandian hath vpon his body as I haue vnderstood certaine carracters which shew his name and others that in no wise can be read but only by the woman that is ordained to be his wife let vs now sée if it be my daughter or not with that he sent for the Princesse Leonorine who being brought thether by the Empresse and diuers other ladies the Emperour desired Esplandian to open his doublet and shew them the letters hée had borne vpon his body from his mothers wombe which hée refused not but before them all shewed them openly where euerye man might easily perceiue the white carracters containing this word Esplandian but they could not know the red wherefore the Emperour caused his daughter to come néere asking her what she could doe therein My lord said she not long before Melie betraied Vrganda she and I being alone in my chamber she sent to fetch one of the bookes that had ben taken from her couered with gold whereon the Enchauntresse was ingrauen and I remember that I saw therein the like carracters that Esplandian beareth on his body and ouer them their signification which is nothing else but his name and mine Daughter said the Emperor if you haue the booke still cause it to be brought hether wherevnto shée obaied The booke being brought shee shewed him the place that Melie had read vnto her containing that which followeth The happy knight that shall conquer the sword the great treasure inchaunted by me shall from his mothers wombe bear his name in white carracters and the name of her that shall be his wife in red carracters vpon his body which red carracters shal be so difficult to vnderstand that no man liuing in that time how wife or learned soeuer he be shall expresse the same without he sée this booke which wil teach him what the seuen carracters do signifie representing the seuen words that follow Leonorine daughter of the Emperour of Greece In good faith saied the Emperour here is a strange case and sheweth well that the Enchantresse lady had more knowledge in art Magicke then any that liued in her time and séeing my daughter hath so wel deuined I am determined that you said he vnto the archbishop of Thrace do grant vnto Esplandian that which nature before his birth had promised vnto him which is my daughter Leonorine By which meanes the marriage was solemnised and finished the same day with no great ceremonies the Court being as yet troubled for the death of so many Princes and great lords that were slaine in the battaile but let it suffice to knowe that those two louers enioyed the thing which they so long desired Esplandian the same day being proclaimed Emperor of Gréece according to the commandement of his father in lawe who within two months after with the Empresse his wife went vnto a monastery place of deuotion And because quéene Calafre had alwaies pretended to marry with Esplandian perceauing her intent frustrated she could not refrain to speak in presence of theÌ„ all said vnto them My lords I beséech you giue me leaue to declare my mind It is certain said she that those which know me are not ignorant that I am one of the greatest most puissant princesse in all the cast parts by reason of the great quantity of golde and precious stones that are within my countries As touching my linage I am daughter of a quéene of ancient race and as noble as any that euer was in the world so it is that fortune brought me into these marches promising me shortly to returne laden with great number of flaâ—es abundance of treasure but to the contrary I that pretended sought the captiuity of others and my selfe takeÌ„ better holden prisoner theÌ„ they ytâ—â— in their mortal enemies hands This imprisonmeÌ„t wherof I speak is not that whervnto I am bouÌ„d by the faith I haue
so foule an action Because said the king I haue no issue male and my cousin alledgeth I am ouer old to gouerne the countrey saying it is fitter for him then for me to do it but if I can I will hold him from it and kéep it for my doughter Olinde and Agraies her husband By my soule said I I am of this opinion that séeing this warre is begun only to trie the title you both pretend in one thing It were good your quarrell shoule bee ended by the combate of two knights of both parts without the death and destruction of so many poore innocent people as daily perish by the same means remitting the issue thereof to those whome it shall please God to make victorious and if it pleaseth you I and my companion will bee the two knights that shall fight for you But when hée heard mee speake in that manner hee paused a while séeming very pensiue till in the end he answered me and saied Sir knights I am not yet so well acquainted with you that I should venture to hazard so great a kingdome as this is vpon your valour Neuerthelesse if you will assure me for a truth that you are knights of the Ferme Island I am content to stand to it whatsoeuer may chance For there can none but valiant knights come from thence being assured as I suppose that otherwise the lord of the place would not giue them intertainement Then wee swore vnto him that what wee had saied was true Wherevpon hee presently dispatched a trumpet with message to his enemy to offer him the combate who hearing the newes séemed very glad making account that his two knights so much estéemed would easily ouercome any two of the best knights the king had So that returning the messenger againe hee sent one of his trumpets with him to conclude the combate with the day time and place where it should be done as also what pledges should on both sides bee giuen for performance thereof so that on the day appointed after ech party had solemnly taken their othes wée entred into the lists where wee had a cruell and dangerous combate one against the other but in the end right lying on our sides wee wan the victory And as we would haue striken off their heads the kings nephew desired vs most earnestly to graunt him their liues which wee agréed vnto vpon condition that from that time forwards hee should suffer his vncle to raigne in peace not molesting him any more which he promised to performe In this combate we were so wounded that of force we continued in Norway longer then wee meant to do where during our abode certaine marchants arriued in the cittie that had séene as they told vs vpon the sea néere vnto the rocke of the Enchauntresse a Serpent greater then any vessell which so much astonished them that they knew not what to doe whereby we heard newes of Esplandian With that although we were not altogether healed of our wounds yet we besought the king to cause vs to bee conducted thether which hee willingly graunted and wee tooke sea with so good a wind that within sixe daies after wee approched the rocke where the serpent staied that at the first made vs somewhat abashed although we had séene it oftentimes before Neuerthelesse we found it flashing such flames of fire out of the mouth and nosthrils thereof that wee feared the fire would fall into our shippe whereby not without much paine and trouble wee procured our maister and marriners to approch it and perceiuing no creature aboord to speake vnto we began to hallow vnto them with so loud a voice that at the last Sergil appeared vpon the hatches and wéeping told vs what had happened vnto his maister on the rocke of the Enchauntresse and how after that one of the dumbe men had caused him to enter into a little barke and there with put to sea so that hée knew not if hee were dead or liuing for hee had heard no newes of him and there hee staied with another dumbe man in the greatest care that might bée With that wee willed him to call the dumbe man vnto vs and when hee came by signes wée made vnto him we shewed him what pleasure he might doe vs if he would bring vs to the place where his fellow had carried Esplandian which as it séemed he was content to doe for presently thervpon he entered into our vessels and sailed so well that the tenth day after he set vs on land hard by the place where wee slew the Giant and the two knights â—nd so your grace hath heard what fortunes wee haue passed since wee receiued the order of knighthood Truly said the king if those of Manely the king of Denmarke be as strange it may well bée saied there neuer happened the like beginning vnto sixe yong knights CHAP. XII How one night as King Luisart was in his bed thinking how hee might returne againe into great Brittaine hee heard so pleasant a sound of instruments that hee rose vp to see where it might bee and what happened after that KIng Luisart coÌ„tinued so long in the castle on the mountaine that at the last hee waxed weary not so much for the desire he had to bee in his owne countrey as for the gréefe he certainely knew the Quéene would conceiue by reason of his long absence in which kinde of pensiuenesse hee continued certaine nights together that by meanes thereof hee could take no rest till at the last one night among the rest about halfe an hower before day he heard the swéetest musick that euer plaied wherewith hee rose out of his bed and without making any noise opened the window to heare it better But as then it was very darke and the wind blew so hard that the sea rising therewith beat against the hollownesse of the rocke in such sort that the noise thereof and the sound of the musicke made a new kind of harmony wherewith hee was so much delighted that hee awaked Esplandian Ambor and Talanque that slept soundly as yoong men without malancholy humours are accustomed to doe But when they heard the musicke they staied not long in their beds but went to the window to sée who it might bee but they could sée nothing till day began to appeare When they perceiued the great Serpent surging on the shoare wherwith they were excéeding glad making full account that the arriuall therof brought them some good newes Wherewith they made them ready and without longer staying issued out of the castle to sée who was in the same and as they stood on the shore they perceaued a smal boat and a Gentlewoman comming out of it bearing in her arms a packet couered with Taffata who comming vnto the king with most humble reuerence saied vnto him My lord and it pleaseth your grace Vrganda recommendeth her vnto your maiesty and hath commanded me to giue you intelligence that being busied to aide the Emperour and the Empresse
your doughter in a certaine thing of great importance shee hath not had the means to come and visite you Then presenting the packet to Esplandian said vnto him Gentle knight My mistresse that loueth and fauoureth you as it is well knowne giueth you these armes and sendeth you word by mee that as shee gaue you the blacke armes that hetherto you haue borne to testifie thereby the sorrow for the losse of the king that as then was common among all his true subiects and friends So in these you shal finde the deuise of the lady that in beautie and comelinesse of person surpasseth all the ladies in the world as Amadis your father in time past well proued when shee set the crowne vpon her head in remembraunce whereof shee hath euer sithence borne the like deuise Who from henceforth shall bee so strongly fixed in your heart that you shal neuer giue stroke with sword nor launce but you will remember her Which she said in respect of the princesse Leonorine doughter to the Emperour of Constantinople that by destinie was appointed only vnto him And opening the pack shee pulled out a helmet shield Haubert and a Caparisson for a horse all of white imbrodered with crowns of gold and set with Diamonds and Pearles which hée most willingly receiued saying to the Gentlewoman I pray you in my behalfe giue Vrganda hearty thankes for the great honour and much good shee hath continually done vnto me assuring her that wheresoeuer I become she hath a knight of mee ready to obay her and that for the loue of her will beare these armes as long as it pleaseth her Bée it so in the name of God saied she but before long time bee past you shall haue another mistresse that will constraine you to doe greater matters for shée shall rauish both your heart and libertie in such manner that you should loose ouermuch if at sometimes you loose not your selfe for her And to conclude I tell you that my mistresse féeleth her selfe as yet so much bound and beholding to my lord Amadis your father because that by his meanes shee recouered her friend that during her life she wil vse al the means shee can to doe him plasure and you likewise for his sake And as shee deliuered the message vnto him Carmelle came thether and hearing her speake in that manner answered her and said Gentlewoman I pray you tell your mistresse from mée that she hath great cause to recompence them well by whom she enioieth her friend she loueth so entirely and tell her I know many to whom if such chance should happen that would not fail to acknowledge it with the price of their déerest blood and their soules likewise if néed were In faith said the gentlewoman I know not in whose behalfe you speake it but I know assuredly you touch mée at the quick which she vttered with so good a grace that the king could not refraine to smile hauing in times past felt the fury of loue when hée first saw the Quéene in the country of Denmarke Yet bee chaunged his countenance asking the Gentlewoman from whence that musicke came that hee heard in the morning before breake of day My lord said she being sometimes in greater passions then willingly I would I passe my melancholy humours with a Lute that I haue especially when I cannot sléepe which as I thinke was it you heard What company haue you in the Serpent said the king None said she but Esplandians Squire that I found in a manner dead for the desire he had to hear news of his maister to whome also I haue brought the goodliest white horse and the best harnaised that euer was séene which my mistresse sendeth him likewise Did she commād you to say nothing else vnto me said the king Yes my lord saied shee shee sendeth you word that at my arriuall here you and hee should enter into this ship that of it selfe will bring you into great Brittaine and that the fortunes that not long since happened vnto you are snares the world setteth to intrap those it séeketh to deceiue séeming to ioine gréene and flourishing age with that which already is dried vp and withered And further willeth you to put in effect that which in your selfe you haue determined to doe which was to forsake his kingly estate and liue a solitary life but hee wondered much that Vrganda knew it yet he made no shew therof but speaking to the Gentlewoman he saied Your mistresse bindeth mee daily more and more vnto her being well assured that without her helpe I could hardly haue found any to haue brought me into my country Wherfore I pray you tell her that whatsoeuer I haue is at her commandement and as touching my determination which as soone as I conceiued in my mind I perceiued it was knowne to her being at home if God giueth me life I meane to put in execution My lord saied shee she praieth you to commend the kéeping of this castle to Talanque and Ambor not taking any with you but Esplandian Sergil maister Elizabeth knowing for certaine that hereafter they shall doe such things that their renoume will spread throughout the world Wherewith my lord I will take my leaue and returne againe to her with the dumbe men that shall guide me in this little barke God haue you in his kéeping saied the king Then the Gentlewoman with her two Marriners entered into the barke that brought Esplandian thether and setting saile put to sea CHAP. XIII How King Luisart imbarked himselfe in the great Serpent and of the message Esplandian sent by Carmelle vnto the Princesse Leonorine doughter to the Emperor of Constantinople THe Gentlewoman that brought the message with the two dumbe men imbarked and put to sea farre from the rocke king Luisart and the rest went vnto the castle where he staied not long for according to the aduise Vrganda had giuen him hee desired Ambor Talanque with Libee and the rest of the company to kéep the castle promising with all spéed to send them prouision of all thinges necessary whereof they wanted But when Esplandian saw there was no remedy but of force he must obey the king much displeased to depart so farre from the borders of Constantinople where he hoped to find her whereof maister Elizabeth had brought him the first newes hée tooke his faithfull seruant Carmelle aside and said vnto her My good friend I was in mind neuer to falsifie the promise I haue made you nor the gift you required at my hands neuerthelesse trusting more in you then any other I pray you take it not in euill part if to saue my life I send you to a place whether I thought to haue gone my self in person but it pleaseth the king as you wel know that I shal beare him company My lord saied shee I most humbly thanke you for the honour it pleaseth you to shew mee swearing vnto you by the liuing God that I take no pleasure
their barke to serue them for a wéeke at the last they found a goodly fountaine shadowed with many great trées whereby they sat them downe and putting off their helmets for to drinke Argenton their squire that was with them saied vnto them if you thinke good gou shall stay here while I goe vp this high rocke where it may be I shal find a house or some country man that will shew vs in what place we are arriued Goe saied the king of Denmarke but take héede thou loosest not thy selfe With that the squire left them and tooke his way through the wood but he had not gone a long bowes shot when he perceaued a great Beare comming towards him wherewith hee was in such feare that with a lowd voice he cried out for helpe and finding no other remedy hee was constrained to climbe into a high trée The knights hearing their squires crie supposed he had néed of them and with that they ranne in such hast to helpe him that forgetting their helmets behind them left them by the fountain and they had not runne farre but they espied the Bear climbing against the trée wherein the Squire was defending himselfe as well as he could but the beast forsaking her first pray ranne vnto Manely being next vnto her thinking at the first encounter to throw him on the ground but he stepping aside gaue her such a blow with his sword that therewith he cut off one of her eares with a péece of her iaw but the Beare turned again and taking him most fiercely about the body thought to strangle him wherwith he had almost lost his breath when the king of Denmarke came vnto her and with one blow cut one of her legs clean from the body whereby the beast in great anguish forsaking her pray fled into the thicket of the wood and the king after her and longer had followed had it not ben for the waight of his armor that wearied him ouermuch wherefore returning againe vnto his companion they two help their Squire Argenton to come down the trée who as yet for feare trembled like a leafe whereat they both began to laugh Manely asking him if he were a cold no said he but I was in the greatest feare that euer I had in all my life or euer I hope shall haue againe and surely I beléeue there are no other people in this Island then diuels disguised in straunge formes or else such proper Gentlewomen as she that of late imbraced you so courteously wherefore I am of this opinion that for our better security it were best for vs to stay by the fountain or in our barke till the sea bee somewhat pacefied In truth thou saiest well saied the king of Denmarke but in the meane time bee thou of a good courage and feare nothing I knowe not what courage I should haue saied he but I pray you for Gods sake let vs be gone vnlesse you will sée me die here As farre as I sée said Manely thou wilt neuer die in fight as long as thou findest meanes to runne away Not if I may saied Argenton for if I should it were done but like a foole In which manner talking together they came vnto the fountaine where they espied two old apes casting their helmets they had left behind them one at the other as lightly as if they had been at Tennise whereat the two knights and Argenton laughed so hartely that they were almost ouercome with laughter for the apes had no sooner spied them comming but in great hast they put the helmets on their heads and climbing vp the trées skipped from branch to branch sometimes vp and sometimes down like two tumblers As God helpe me said Manely I like these apes well for they knew wée were so melancholy on the sea that they meant to make vs merry on land yet I trust they shall not carry away my arms without a combate Wherewith they tooke vp stones and threw at them but they turning about grinned with their téeth making mouths and mowes sometimes scratching their arses Wherewith the king of Denmarke tooke such pleasure that hee desired Manely and Argenton to let the apes alone and as then it began to be night Wherefore they sent their squire to fetch his companion with the rest of the victuals they had in their barke because the sea rose so high that they doubted their barke would bee cast on shoare and breake in péeces who staied not long before they came againe and after the knights had eaten of such victuals as they had they put off their armour and slept till the next morning when they awaked finding their helmets lying by them but not their armour for those newe men of warre had put them on so properly that by their countenaunces it séemed they had some great combate to fight one against the other in the top of the high elmes whereof there were great plenty But that sport liked not the two knights that were loath to die in that place for want of food but made their account either to put themselues againe vnto the mercy of the waues or else goe further into the Island to séeke meat Wherfore making bowes of wood which they stringed with their garters and cutting arrowes to them sharpe at the points they shot at those woody champions so long that at the last they compelled them to skip downe whereby they tooke them and pulled off their armor which done they let them goe not doing them any hurt CHAP. XIX How Frandalo the Pyrat sailing on the sea was by tempest of weather cast vpon the Island where the king of Denmarke and Manely were against whom he fought and what happened vnto them YOu heard before how the king of Denmarke and Manely were by fortune cast vpon the isle of apes where their boat was cast away they hauing not victuals longer then for two daies but God holp them for the next day as they were vpon the top of one of the highest rocks they perceiued a ship at sea which being driuen with the wind not long after was cast vpon the shore hard by the place where they were Wherwith the two knights went downe to speake with them that were aboord and calling with a lowd voice vnto them there appeared a man vpon the hatches that asked them what they would We pray you in curtesie said Manely shew vs who is the maister of your bark it is said the man a great lord that before you escape will make you know how he vseth to haÌ„dle such youths as you are And though he doe so said Manely we are now in such necessitie that it shall please vs well to indure the worst that he can doe vnto vs to bée rid out of this hunger which we now indure and still beginneth to assaile vs wherefore cause vs to speake with him if it please you let vs know his name Those that haue falleÌ„ into his hands â—saied the man call him the diuell of
the sea although hee is well known by the name of Frandalo for by his valor hée hath brought in subiection the greatest part of all this sea pilling and taking all hée findeth and by force of weather hath beene constrained to put into this Island his other vessels being scattered so farre heare him named Notwithstanding one thing ouercommeth him and vanquisheth his most couragious heart which is your grace my good lady said she whom he loueth honoureth and desireth to serue while life indureth But knowing not if his seruice would be accepted of he durst not presume to come himselfe in person to offer you the same although by him that next after your selfe may most commaund him hee had expresse charge to present it vnto you as bound thereto by promise And to the end you may giue credite to my wordes hee sendeth you this ring which is the very same you gaue to Amadis being in this Court if your grace can call it to remembrance With that Leonorine tooke it in her hand and beholding it long time she saied vnto the Gentlewoman Truly this ring was sometimes mine which I gaue vnto the best knight nowe liuing in the world In faith said the Gentlewoman a better knight then hée hath sent it you againe and that is my lord Esplandian his sonne I neuer sawe him that I know off said she True it is maister Elizabeth told me of a yoong Gentleman sonne to the knight with the greene sword that not long since was made knight in the Ferme Isle Vrganda being present and the next day was carried away in a strange ship of whome as then they could beare no newes Madame said Carmelle I know not who the knight with the gréen sword may be but he whereof I shew you hath had such a beginning in armes that if it be your pleasure to heare it you will bee abashed thereat tell it I pray you said the Princesse But as the Gentlewoman began to speak one brought the Princesse news the Emperour her father was come from hunting and asked for her wherewith shée knowing what pleasure her father would take to heare newes tooke Carmelle by the hand and led her into the Emperours chamber and doing reuerence vnto him she said My lord here is a strange Gentlewoman that can tell you newes of the good knight with the gréene sword and of his sonne likewise of whome maister Elizabeth made a long discourâ—â— and she hath ben conducted hether by two knights of the Ferm Isle whereof one of them hath fought with Frandalo and hath presented him vnto me and staying your returne I haue sent them into a chamber to refresh themselues Doughter said the Emperour both they and the Gentlewoman are most heartely welcome My lord saied Carmelle God preserue your grace without further honour vnto him shee stoode still and held her peace whereat all the company began to smile thinking that want of ciuilitie caused her to forget her selfe But not long after they changed their opinion Carmelle beginning to speak in this maner My lord I haue beene nourished all my life among the best knights liuing in the world yet let not your grace find it strange if at the first being in your maiesties presence I haue vsed so little honour to your grace whereby your Gentlemen should haue cause to laugh at mee For that want of vnderstanding howe to behaue my selfe in presence of so great a Prince is not the cause thereof but onely the ioy I conceiue in my selfe to bee a seruant vnto him whom I more estéeme then any man liuing and I only hold for my lord and maister not knowing any worthier then he And if it pleaseth your grace to know who it is together with the cause of my arriuall in this countrey I pray you send for the two knights that brought mée hether I will shew such things whereat it may be your grace will be abashed Gentlewoman saied the Emperour you shall therein doe mee great pleasure Wherewith hee commanded a Gentleman to goe fetch the two straunge knights who comming into the Emperours presence hauing kissed his handes and he welcommed them in courteous manner he willed two chaires to bee brought wherein hee set them being a Prince that alwaies entertained straungers with great honour especially if hee knew them to be of forraine countries That done all the knights Gentlewomen and ladies went néere to heare the Gentlewomans spéech when shee turning vnto the Emperour said in this manner My lord I thinke your grace hath long before this time knowne the castle called La montaigne defendu the which during the life of valiant Chartadaque and since that time you and the king of Turkie haue diuers time assailed to winne although in vaine it hath alwaies been so well defended by the Giants Matroco and Frerion yet in one day a knight alone hath conquered it slain the two giants whereof I spake with their vncle Arcalaus and Argantes the Porter of the same And which is more hath deliuered king Luisart that lay prisoner therein no man knowing it for hée had ben surprised in great Brittaine and secretly brought from thence by Arcabonne lady of the castle The which lady falling in despaire threw her selfe out of a window into the sea And to the end your grace may knowe how all hath happened it is so saied shee that Arcabonne who as then I serued hauing intelligence of her brothers imprisonment in the Ferme Isle departed expressely from the castle hoping to deliuer him but before she got thether he was set at liberty Notwithstanding she being loth to loose her labour to bee reuenged thereof did so much by her art that she got king Luisart as then hunting in the forrest into her tent the king thinking to succour a Gentlewoman that as hee thought a knight would haue defloured where he was so cruelly inchaunted that losing all his sences hee was transported without any mans knowledge into the dungeon of the castle where my lord and maister found him And continuing her discourse she shewed in what manner Esplandian was made knight and séeking to find the king hée was carried by the boat of the great serpent into the Isle of the Enchauntresse where he conquered the shining sword and after that brought in a little barke to the foote of the rocke called La montaigne defendu the spéech hee had with the Hermite the combates with Argantes Matroco and Frerion the desperatenesse of Arcabonne the determination she had to kil him when she found him sléeping in the hermitage the loue wherwith she was sodainly surprised And lastly the means how king Luisart knew him for my lord said she he is son of Amadis his son and of the Princesse Oriane And because at his departure froÌ„ his father he gaue him in coÌ„mandement to come serue the Princes Leonorine your doughter with the other ladies according to his promise he hath expressely sent me hether humbly beséeching theÌ„
to pardon the slow performance of his fathers wil but to amend his fault committed he will shortly be here to fulfill his charge as long as pleaseth theÌ„ GentlewomaÌ„ said the Emperor I knew his father for one of the best knights liuing in the world notwithstaÌ„ding you haue shewed such strange things of his son that I certainely beléeue he farre surpasseth him He shall bée heartely welcome when he commeth but if my daughter will follow my counsell she shall not pardon his long absence till he come in person to desire the same and let him bee assured hee shall not depart so soone from hence as Amadis hath done At the least we will make him so good cheare and my doughter likewise to whome I giue expresse commandement to doe it that hee shall not haue occasion to dislike our company Mean time the two knights shal remain with vs for pledges assuring you I will giue them all the honor and good intertainement that I can deuise My lord said shee the desire they had to vnderstand the things declared to your grace hath caused them for to come hether with whome by great good fortune I met for Frandalo whom he pointing to Manely hath most valiantly conquered had taken mee prisoner not farre off from the place where I first imbarked but as fortune would there rose so great a storme at sea that all his vessels seperated one from the other his ship was cast vpon an Island wherein by the same tempest these two knights not long before arriued And with that shee shewed what spéech they had with Frandalo and what passed betwéene them Wherefore my lord acquiting my promise made vnto them I haue at large declared the aduentures of the good knight their companion In faith saied the Emperour they haue shewed themselues right valiant knights and made a worthy present vnto my doughter for which I giue them thankes My Lord said Manely wée humbly beséech your grace that from henceforth you will accept his seruice for it is his only desire as he hath promised vs. Is that possible saied the Emperour For he is the vildest villaine that euer liued on earth and hath more wronged my subiects then euer any did My lord saied the king of Denmarke he will become a new man and therefore my companion did present him to your daughter which promised for to saue his life which we beséech your grace likewise to performe I am content to doe it said the Emperour at your requests though he deserues it not While they sat talking Gastilles that staied in the forrest to looke vnto the hounds entred into the hal and presently knew Manely the king of Denmark hauing séene theÌ„ in great Brittain before they were made knights where with hee asked when they came thether and being made acquainted with the Gentlewomans message he asked her if she knew the names of the other two that staied in the castle for séeing they are armed saied he vnto Manely in the like armes it is certaine they are of your company That is true saied the Gentlewoman for they were all made knights together the one called Ambor the other Talanque I know them wel said Gastilles for Ambor is the sonne of Angriote d'estrauaulx one of the best knights in the country of great Brittaine In truth said Manely wee were in great care how to finde them out but séeing they are in the castle called La montaigne defendu if it pleaseth the Emperour we will goe vnto them I am content said he so you promise mee not to depart before eight daies are past My lord said they wee are at your commandement Being dinner time the Emperor rose vp and went into the hall with the two knights and the Princesse Leonorine tooke the Gentlewoman with her as desirous to heare further nâ—â—es of the knight Esplandian CHAP. XXII What passed betweene the Princesse Leonorine and Carmelle touching the message she had brought YOu heard before howe Carmelle in presence of the Emperour shewed the great desire shee had to slay Esplandian and when shee thought to doe it she was so ouercome with loue that during her life shee determined not to loue any other which the Princesse Leonorine that already pretended part in him had not forgotten but returned with Carmelle into her chamber with a smiling countenance shee said vnto her Is it possible Gentlewoman said she you louing the knight with the black armes so wâ—l as you report that you could leaue his company so soon Madame saied shee I was presently giuen to vnderstand hee loueth another wherewith I comforted my selfe iudging his hart like vnto mine own that he could not chuse but sometimes féele the like swéet passion he caused mée indure What hope then resteth said the Princesse vnto you The same said shée I know to be farre different betwéene him and mee for when I am in presence beholding the excellency of his person I then receiue some comfort which to him is vtterly denied séeing that already hee indureth for her sake that as yet he neuer saw and the madame said she is your owne person as I said before Surely said the Princesse his loue is very strange the foundation whereof I cannot well conceiue Madame said Carmelle I feare ere it be long hee will not be able to indure the great extreamitie wherein he now is fallen onely for your sake specially if at his arriuall here hee find himselfe reiected of your grace hauing no desire but to fulfill your pleasure whereby he may account himselfe your own estéeming it the greatest fauour that euer hee can haue In good faith said she I will not refuse him to small a thing nor a greater as occasion serues but I pray you tell mée why hee calleth himselfe the blacke knight That can I not well doe said Carmelle onely that vpon a night as king Luisart â—â—e Talanque and Ambor were all asléepe in one chamber they heard so pleasant a sound of musicke from the sea that they rose out of their beds to heare it and it was so darke theâ— could not sâ—e but when day appeared they espied the great Serpent at the Hauen whereat they were so glad that descending downe the hill they went vnto the shoare where they perceiued a Gentlewoman in a little boat comming to land bearing in her armes a packe couered with blew Taffata which from her mistresse Vrganda shée presented to Esplandian saying vnto him Sir Knight my mistresse sendeth you these armes and willeth you by mee to leaue the same shee gaue you when you were in sadnesse and to arme your selfe with these that beare the deuise of her which at this day is the beautifullest creature liuing in the world as Amadis your father well did witnesse when he set the crowne vpon her head And for the loue of her your power and courage shall so much increase that your renowme shall spread throughout the world your mind mooued with so amorous a passion that
many times you shall desire death And opening the packet she tooke forth a white armour all set with crownes of gold inriched with Pearles and Diamonds most sumptuous to behold Which Esplandian with harty thanks vnto Vrganda and the messenger receiued willingly This as I thinke madame said Carmelle is the cause why he hath ben called the blacke knight but I suppose séeing hee hath chaunged his deuise he will likewise change his name The Princesse Leonorine knew thereby that all these thinges were saied as touching her wherewith shee felt an alteration in her mind for that loue by little and little began to burne her heart which shee had willingly couered but Carmelle by the changing of her colour which sometimes waxed pale and sometimes redâ— the sundry motions wherewith swéet loue did pricâ—e her 〈◊〉 heart perceiued it â—ull well in such manner that being no longer able to abstaine â—rom sighing as if she had spoken to her selfe she said I pray God his beginning may proue a happy end Wherâ—with Carmelle perceiuing her maisters suâ—â—â— prospeâ— with effeâ—t the better to encrease the desire of the lady 〈◊〉 said vnto her madame he hath commanded me not to stay long here for till my returne he doth continue in excéeding paine and neuer shall bée frée if hee receiue no comfortable answere from your â—race Gentlewoman saied â—he Princesse I were the most vngratefull Princesse liuing on â—he earth if I should doe so but tell him I pray you from me that I giue him hearty thankes for the courtesies hee offereth mee by you and when he once arriueth here hée shall soone know the great good will I beare him As also that I hold him for my knight for proofe whereof you shall on my behalfe present him with this â—airelace as being the first present that Grimanaise my grandfather gaue to his Appolidon being but her louer Wherewith taking a cloth of tissue from her head she vnbound her hair and deâ—iuered the hairelace vnto her and sending for a gowne imbroâ—ered all with crownes of gold gaue it her likewise But saied shee because the two knights haue promised the Emperour not â—o depart from hence till eight daies are past you shall stay for them and all together return vnto the castle called La montaigne defendu which she willingly graunted CHAP. XXIII How newes was brought vnto the Emperour that Armato king of Turkie had besieged the castle of La montaigne defendu and of the charge he gaue Frandalo with Manely and the king of Denmarke to goe succour it IN manner as you heard before the two knights of the Ferme Isle and Carmelle staied at Constantinople where there arriued a certaine shippe that brought a Squire on message from Talanque and Ambor to certefie the Emperour that Armatâ— king of Turkie aduertised of the death of Matroco had besieged the castle La montaigne defendu both by land and sea desiring him to send some aid otherwise they should bée constrained to yéeld the same not hauing victuals nor men for to defend it The Emperor hearing those newes and considering the truce betwéene him and the king of Turkes as also that hee had not any men prepared for to send neither Gally Galliace ship nor Brigandine ready for the sea stood somewhat in amase But considering with himselfe of what importaunce that Frontier castle might bee vnto him if the enemy should obtaine it he determined by all meanes to hinder him from the same Wherfore calling for Frandalo and taking him aside he said vnto him Well Frandalo you are now my prisoner and it lieth in me either to hang you like a théefe or deliuer you with greater riches then euer you possessed which I promise you to doe if from this time forwards you sweare to bee my loiall subiect and faithfully to serue me when you are imploied My lord saied hee I beséech your grace wholly to forget the faults by me committed to your Maiestie swearing of my faith if it pleaseth you to pardon my offence you shal from henceforth find a seruant of me that in time will make you knowe by effect how much I estéeme this fauour at your hands Will you doe it said the Emperor I and it pleaseth your grace said he What is become of your Nauie saied the Emperour that in times past you held vpon the sea My lord saied Frandalo the winds tempests that lately happened on the sea hath so scattered them that I can heare no newes of them Neuerthelesse I am of opinion they may easily be brought together wherewith I will doe your grace seruice if you thinke good Doe it then saied the Emperor and that with spéed for I haue determined to raise the greatest army that euer hath been séene therewith to driue Armato king of Turkie out of the Frontiers of my Empire who not long since hath besieged La montaigne defendu And while my forces are preparing you with the two knights that of late came hether shall goe before and vsing meanes to assemble your men shall in the meane time giue the Turkes somewhat to doe My lord said Frandalo God giue me grace to doe you faithful seruice then be you ready in the morning saied he to depart from hence wherewith hée commanded Frandâ—â—os ship to bee rigged and prepared with al things necessary and finding Manely and the king of Denmarke he told them that he had receiued news from Talanque and Ambor touching the â—astle of La montaigne defendu and what hee had determined to doe as concerning their reléefe shewing them what had passed betweene him and Frandalo touching the same Wherefore my good friends saied hee because I well perceiue the great desire you haue to sée your companions me thinketh it were good you imbark your selues with him who goeth before to aduertise them of the aide I meane to send them My lord saied Manely it is our whole desires In the morning said the king you shal haue your bark ready and furnished with all things necessary and some other of my ships likewise to second you attending the great army my selfe dooth meane to bring But before their departure hee gaue them diuers rich presents which they refused contenting themselues with the honor and courteous intertainement hee had already giuen them and taking their leaue of all the court especially of the Princesse Leonorine they took sea and Carmelle with them hoping to haue her maisters great good will for the good newes she brought him But before we passe further to shew you what became of them I thinke it not out of our hystory to leaue Esplandian no longer at Miresleur but shew you what became of him being healed of his wounds CHAP. XXIIII How Esplandian healed of his wounds tooke leaue of king Luisart and all the court to goe vnto the Ferme Isle where hee left the great Serpent wherein accompanied onely of maister Elizabeth and Sergil he imbarked himselfe to returne vnto the castle of La montaigne defendu MAny
imbarking to take sea and what time they were at sea before they discouered any land till in the end saied hee we espied this country where Sergil and I tooke land in good time for Gandalin and Lazinde as hereafter they may shew you But you saied hee to Norandel tell me of your faith how was it your chance in so good time to méet with vs In truth saied Norandel the peace made betwéene Amadis and the king I departed from the court to séek some strange aduentures that commonly are found in this country of Almaigne where I had no sooner arriued but I had certaine newes of my fathers absence whereat I was so gréeued that to find him out I haue trauailed the countries of Denmark Poland Russia Sweathland Hungarie and all this country euen vnto this place where it is said there dwels two giants who as they are all of one nature exercise innumerable cruelties against those they méete the yonger of them waiting continually about this place for such as passe this way And therefore when I saw you first I thought one of you thrée to be the Giant thinking to fight with him or lose my life therefore which I wil yet doe if you let me passe By God saied Gandalin you lost your labour séeking for the king so shall you likewise doe if you take this enterprise in hand Wherefore saied Norandel Because saied he you sée him here in presence that easeth you of that burthen With that he shewed him in what manner Esplandian had fought with the Giants and how he Lazinde and diuerse others were prisoners in their house from whence Esplandian had deliuered them Before God saied Norandel the newes liketh mee wel for I neuer thought in long time any such aduenture would haue happened vnto him not knowing he had receiued the order of knighhood You sée it is so saied Esplandian and maister Elizabeth can tell you more if it pleaseth you to goe with vs. Let vs goe then said Norandel for I would gladly sée him With that they rode towards the sea till they espied the great Serpent wherein they imbarked themselues where Norandel Gandalin and Lazinde vnderstood by master Elizabeth what had happened to Esplandian from the day hee receiued the order of knighthood And although Norandel determined with all spéed to return into great Brittaigne yet hee chaunged his mind when hee heard so strange and maruailous news of his nephew Esplandian to whoÌ„ he said My lord séeing fortune hath brought vs so well together I pray you let me not leaue your company till some occasion bee ministred vnto vs. Vncle saied Esplandian I am content and I pray you let it be so In that manner they passed the rest of the day in the great Serpent minding the next day because shée stirred not to take land againe to sée if they could finde any more aduentures And they had scarse fallen asléepe but the Serpent began of it selfe to saile forward so swiftly that by sunne rising they had lost the sight of any land not ceasing for to saile sixe daies together before they espied land the seuenth day when the sunne began to shine it staied at the Isle Saint Mary which maister Elizabeth presently knew as hauing ben there before with Amadis de Gaule when he fought with Landriaque wherefore he saied vnto the knights In good faith I remember that once as I trauailed on the sea with my lord Amadis wee were cast vpon this Island by so great a tempest that we thought verily to haue béen drowned And if then at sea wee had great feare of death béeing landed our feare did more increase and that with so good cause that I cannot chuse but tremble to remember it What saied Esplandian Can a danger so long time past bréed so great a feare as you séeme to haue Sir saied maister Elizabeth some men to hide the truth make a great matter of a small but if you had séen as much as I then saw and that which as yet you may behold if it pleaseth you to goe where I was once you shall find that I haue no lesse occasion and there is Gandalin that can witnesse it as wel as I. I pray you bring vs thether said Esplandian with that they caused the horses to be vnshipt and going to land they mounted vp the Island til they came to the castle where Amadis staied certain daies to be healed of his wounds where they found a knight that kept it forthe Emperour who being aduertised by maister Elizabeth what knights they were hee had brought thether bad them heartely welcome offering them all the pleasure he could shew but they staying not there went forwards to the place where Amadis fought with Landriaque where the Emperour had erected both their Images so like vnto them that there wanted only life to expresse the same Which maister Elizabeth shewed vnto the knights and to the end said he you beléeue mee better another time I pray you behold well the forme of this great diuell who before my lord Amadis arriued had vtterly destroied this most fertile Island And therewith hee shewed them from point to point what had passed touching the same as you haue heard at large set downe in the third booke of this our hystorie whereat they were all abashed especially to think how Landriaque could bee slaine or ouercome by one knight alone For although this image were but a sencelesse thing yet it made theÌ„ abashed which hauing long time beheld and visiting other places worthy memory they returned to the great Serpent which presently departed from the Isle and with a good winde in fiue daies after arriued within half a mile of Constantinople where it began to cast forth fire in so furious manner that the saylers and others that perceiued it fled all away doubting the fury of that monster wherewith the Cittizens were in such a feare that newes was brought vnto the Emperour who as then was talking with the ladies whom he led vnto the towers of his pallace to sée what it might be when they perceiued the great Serpent and the sea raging so sore about it that it séemed a gulfe of fire wherewith they were in such a feare and the Emperour likewise that he coÌ„manded al men to be armed fearing it would come into the Towne and so destroy them al. But Gastilles that had séene it oftentimes assured the Emperour that it was the ship of the knight Esplandian which Vrganda brought first into great Brittaigne And to the end my lord saied hee you shall not doubt thereof if it pleaseth you I will goe sée if the sonne of Amadis be there and bring him vnto you Doe so I pray you saied the Emperour With that Gâ—stilles went vnto the Hauen entring into a Gally that hee found ready to put to sea commanding the maister thereof to row vnto the great Serpent but whatsoeuer hee could say the maister would not stirre one foote till such time hee
hee could not sléepe till day began to appeare when Frandalo and the rest of his knights entred into his chamber to talke with him not only as touching the intertainement of their prisoners but of other thinges that much imported them And as they were in counsell together Gandalin came vnto them shewing them that king Armato desired for to speake with them wherevpon they went out of the chamber to heare what hee would say Frandalo could speake the Arabian tongue better then the rest for that hee had serued the king of Turkie and hee knew him very well wherefore Esplandian desired him to speake for all the rest And entring into the chamber Frandalo went first who knéeling on the ground kissed the kings hand With that Armato thinking hee had beene prisoner asked him where he was taken My lord saied he I am now become a Christian and a knight of Iesus Christ that hath done mee so much grace not long time since to call mee to bee one of his A Christian said the king is that possible By my soule it maketh mee more abashed then the cruell fortune that is now happened vnto mee for that all knights following armes ought patiently to beare those hazards that they fall into vsing necessitie as a vertue But thou vnhappy wretch that through feare and want of courage hast forsaken our iust and holy law wherefore takest thou not a rope and hangest thy selfe as vnworthy to goe vpon the earth My lord saied hee you may say what pleaseth you as being priueledged for the greatnesse of your estate yet I can assure you I neuer had so cowardly a heart as you estéeme I haue but rather account my selfe happie to haue done that I haue done Yet will I not refuse to doe you seruice my honour still reserued in any thing I can With that Armato remembred himselfe and thought hee did him wrong wherefore moderating his choler he saied vnto him Friend Frandalo If it gréeueth mee to haue lost you let it not séeme strange vnto you séeing now I had greater hope then euer I haue had to bée serued by your meanes But séeing it is so you knowe howe I haue vsed you heretofore now I pray you if you may doe any thing for mee to finde the meanes with your companions that I may bee deliuered from hence by some reasonable composition My lord saied Frandalo pointing to Esplandian This is hee that hath all power and authoritie in this place both ouer you and mee With that Armato looked vpon him and perceiuing him so yoong without a beard thought Frandalo saied it to excuse himselfe wherefore hee asked if he mocked him God forbid I should doe so my lord saied Frandalo but I pray you beléeue me for it is true that my lord Esplandian standing here before you is he and none other that slew Matroco Frerion Arcalaus the inchanter and Argantes the Porter of the castle which hee conquered as you haue been aduertised By my head saied the king I would hardly haue estéemed him for so braue a man but séeing it is so I pray thee doe somewhat with him touching the thing I told you of euen now Beléeue mée my lord said Frandalo there shall want no good will in me and with that hee bad him God morrow and leauing him with his guard they went into the hall where they found the tables ready couered for dinner for it was about noone time But as Esplandian rested ill that night so hee made but a meane dinner not being able to withdraw his mind from thinking on the princesse Leonorine which was the cause that the Tables being vncouered hee went into his chamber without any company onely the king of Denmarke whom he loued as himselfe where being together he began to shew him the cause why he sent Carmelle to Constantinople as also what affection hee bare to the Princesse Leonorine And to the end said he you bee participant of my ioy I pray you let vs haue her here that shee may shew vs what shee learned in her voyage My lord saied the king of Denmarke if you saw her apparrelled in the gowne the Princesse gaue her I am assured you will scarse knowe her at the first Will you that I send her word to bring it hether It is well saied saied Esplandian with that he called a Squire sending him to Carmelle that as theÌ„ was in company of Arcabonnes Gentlewomen but vnderstanding Esplandians pleasure went presently to apparrell her selfe as hee had willed her and hauing a mantle on her shoulders because she would not be séene went to him in his chamber where she found him and the king of Denmarke talking together but as soon as he espied her he tooke her in his armes and setting her in a chair couered with veluet saied vnto her My goodfriend I meane to shew my companion you sée here how much I loue and estéeme him wherefore I pray you shew me before him what intertainement the princesse Leonorine gaue you knowing you came from me and whether I find any fauour in her sight My lord said she as soone as I was arriued and that she vnderstood the cause of my comming vnto her I found her no lesse yours then you hers whereby I may estéeme you the happiest knight liuing in the world And know you why She is so faire and of so comely personage that vnlesse it bee her selfe none can resemble her and of truth shee dooth farre surpasse all other ladies for being alone in her priuate chamber playing on some instrument or singing for her pleasure she stealeth and rauisheth the harts seperated from the bodies of such as either heare or sée her and if at sometimes she attireth her selfe after the Italian manner with a cap of that country fashion then you may sée her faire and glistering haire part giuing a certaine shadow on her vermilion chéekes the rest knit vp together inuironing her head shewing with farre better grace then any crowne that she could weare bée it of stones laurell or the finest gold that may be found But if that be a temptation vnto man her two humble and modest eies like two suns giue them as many deaths as they at times behold the same and againe reuiueth them better â—hen at the first and all at one instant whereat you must not 〈◊〉 abashed séeing that loue it selfe doth often skirmish and striue in them thereby to yéeld both pain and pleasure vnto those that doe behold the same and if hée touch her he feareth to hurt her as being in most extreame passions of loue And not without a cause for that nature hauing made her brake the mould that shee might be the only perfect creature accompanied with so many vertues that loue findeth nothing in her but bones to gnaw vpon And I assure you my lord that speaking vnto her of those thinges you had giuen mee in charge I plainely perceiued her by the changing of her countenance to be charged with the
vs goe said Esplandian with that Belleris and his company went their way and Frandalo Esplandian Sergil with the Gentlewoman of Denmarke tooke the other way who about the breake of day arriued at the aduenturous fountaine where there stoode foure great copper pillers all gilded and at each piller hong a table with certaine writings therein the contents whereof when time serueth you shall heare declared as also the occasion why they were set vp Being arriued there not farre off they perceaued a light that issued out of a Taffata pauillion that stoode vpon the side of the fountaine wherevnto they approched as couertlie as they could where they perceiued a most beautiful Gentlewoman combing of her haire and not farre from thence twenty knights all armed kéeping watch about her among the which was a squire holding a horse all trapped with cloth of gold But Frandalo and Esplandian were no sooner arriued but they were discouered yet they fearing a greater ambush the most part of them losing courage began to flie away which the two knights perceiuing entred among them and at their first comming ouerthrew foure or fiue of them vnto the ground forcing them that were behind to returne againe wherewith there began a fierce and cruell battaile for those that first began to runne away looking backe and perceiuing only two knights that set vpon their fellowes were so ashamed that they turned again to help them neuerthelesse without the force of thrée Giants that held against the knights they could not haue indured so long against Esplandian and Frandalo but they thrée fought so valiantly with them that the two knights were in the greatest danger then euer they were before And as you sée a Boare foming at the mouth followed of a troope of dogs set his taile against a trée and with his tuskes teare and rent the flesh of the boldest dogs that doe assaile him so were Frandalo and Esplandian among the knights they had assailed striking both on the right hand and the left with so great fury that at one instant two of their principall enemies were slaine so that there remained but one Giant to fight with them with whom Frandalo made his party good while Esplandian followed the rest that as then began to flie But when the Giant perceiued Esplandian returne being in feare of death he stepped aside and said vnto Frandalo Sir Knight you and I haue often beene companions in many haulty enterprises I pray you therefore shew mée the fauour to receiue mee vnto mercy otherwise you might bée blamed of those that know vs both for I am your cousin Foron Whereat Frandalo was much abashed could hardly bee persuaded therevnto wherefore hee praied him to put off his helmet and if it be true said he that thou art Foron I wil vse thée both like a friend and kinsman Wherewith the Giant disarmed his head whereby Frandalo knewe him and imbraced him whereat Esplandian was much abashed not knowing what had passed betwéene them with that hee went néerer vnto them asking vpon what cause that salutation procéeded Then Frandalo tolde what the Giant was desiring him likewise to take pittie on him which Esplandian agréed vnto then they thrée together went vnto the pauillion at the entry wherof they found the gentlewoman talking with Carmelle no more abashed at the ouerthrow of her men then if shee had séene them iustle for their pleasures She was apparrelled in a gowne of Damaske all imbrodered and set wih Pearles and precious stones Frandalo presently knew her as hauing séene her oftentimes especially the same day shee was married to Alphorax where hee iusteled and did so valiantly that she intertained him for her knight wherfore lighting on foote and pulling off his helmet hee saluted her in most humble manner Wherewith shee being abashed to sée him that she estéemed wholly to be hers so to haue behaued himself against her guard said vnto him How now Frandalo is this the seruice I looked for at your hands hauing receiued you for my knight The diuell take such seruants séeing you are so fainthearted vnto her that hetherto hath reputed you one of the most courteous knights that euer was girl with sword but now I find I am deceiued for I should rather haue suspected any other then you to be a doer in this enterprise whereby I cannot but bee much abashed Madame said Frandalo since the time I became your knight at the last tourney that I ranne a lord of greater power hath intertained me into his seruice whom I wil serue during my mortall life séeing it hath pleased him to shew me so great fauour being wel assured that when you know him as I do you wil estéem me happy how cowardly or villainous soeuer you account mee now What is he said she tel me of your faith it is Iesus Christ said Frandalo yet wil I neuer faile to do you all the honour and seruice that I can as also now at this time so my companion bée content for without him I cannot doe it Frandalo said Esplandian you may command mee for I am ready to doe what pleaseth you Wherefore delay not to do all the pleasure seruice you can vnto this lady if it be your will Wherewith Frandalo thanked him most hartely and saied to Heliaxe Madame séeing hee will haue it so I pray you from henceforth put all your trust in mee and I will not faile to be carefull for you Mean time I pray you get vpon your palfrey that I may bring you to a place where you may sée farre better tourneyes then any at your wedding afterward if it pleaseth God to fauour vs you shall easily perceiue how much I estéeme and haue in remembrance the fauours you haue heretofore shewed vnto mee being but a simple knight and you a great Princes to command farre better then my selfe for neuer was Princesse more honoured and estéemed among her owne subiects then you shall bee of them to whome I meane to bring you which may bee an example vnto kings and mightie Princes to whome God hath giuen power and authoritie who being aduertised of the honourable and good intertainment made to you by vs they may be moued hereafter to take pleasure in intertaining the meaner as wel as the greater considring the mutabilitie of fortune as by your selfe it well appeareth Frandalo saied she you may make as many excuses and faire promises as you list yet can you not deny but you haue done mee wrong yet in doing as you saie you will your reputation will bee better to the world although your faith hath failed to our gods wherefore let vs goe where it pleaseth you With that she got vpon her palfrey and Frandalo bareheaded leading her horse till they came néere vnto the towne where they heard a great noise that made the two knights thinke either their enterprise to be discouered or that their Souldiours assailed the Towne And fearing they had ben repulsed began to repent themselues
gréefe that I both pray you command you from henceforth not to absent your self from me long again Madame said Esplandian hauing with your leaue made another voiage to my companions that may thinke ill of me leauing them in their chéefest néed to come hether for my pleasure I sweare vnto you of my faith I will neuer offend you more in the manner or any other way whatsoeuer I am content to graunt you that saied she so you returne as soon as possible you may and for the rest I wil that from henceforth you loue me in such sort that not any other but my self shall haue power ouer you that you be my knight Now I pray you stand vp I will shewe you further of my mind With the Esplandian rose vp and Leonorine taking him by the right hand led him into her chamber where she set him a chaire and shée sat by him there they began to shewe the paines each of them had indured in what manner their loue did first begin who was the meane thereof and the end wherevnto they pretended which was their future marriage In which discourse they grew into such alterations that if quéene Minoresse had not béene there as witnesse to their talke considering the heat they then were in I thinke not but in time they would haue easily procéeded to a further matter In that manner the two louers passed the night till day began to appeare which quéene Minoresse perceiuing went to Leonorine and said vnto her Madame the secretest follies are alwaies best it is almost day and it may bee the Empresse may send some one of her women or come her selfe in person to visit you for that yesternight very late it was told her you were not wel I pray you giue this knight leaue to depart and let vs shut him in the chest as wee found him at the first Alas how hard were those wordes vnto Esplandian and no lesse vnto the Princesse who foreséeing the daunger that might fall out if they were found together said vnto him My good friend this happy night that hath fauoured vs so much shall cause you if you thinke good to remember the promise you haue made vnto mee I pray you let mée sée you againe as soone as possible you may And as shee ended those words the quéene that stood as a stout watch heard some body come vp the staires wherwith being in great fear she told the princes Leonorine which made Esplandian preseÌ„tly go into the other chamber without hauing time to take any longer farewell laid himselfe downe into the Ceader chest yet Leonorine could not abstaine but must of force kisse him before hée was shut in and as they had laied the christall plate vpon the tombe Carmelle knocked at the dore and with her Gandalin and Enil and the rest of the company that the night bafore had brought him thether With that quéene Minoresse opened the doâ—â— and they entering into the chamber Carmelle saw Leonorine that came vnto her to whome after shee had done her reuerence she saied Madame I am commanded by him that sent me vnto you not to stay any longer here is it not your pleasure to giue me leaue to depart and cause the chest to be deliuered vnto mee according to your promise Gentlewoman said the Princesse I haue made you promise thereof and I will kéepe it although I had rather it should stay together as it is then to seperate it a sunder Take it when you will you shal find it in the same place where yester night you caused it to be set with that the Ladies and gentlewomen being aduertised of her rising came into her chamber which hindered Leonorine to speak so secretly with Carmelle as she would haue done but onely gaue her the key of the chest which she caused to be takeÌ„ out of the tombe that done Gandalin and Enil and the two squires tooke it vp betwéene them and carried it away Leonorine saying to Carmelle I pray you thanke the knight in my behalfe that hath had mee in so good remembrance And find the meanes if it be possible that according to the promise and messages hee hath often sent vnto the Emperour part where of haue ben done by your selfe he will as soone as he can come heâ—her to sée vs. Madame said she I will doe it with all my heart as she that desireth to please serue and obay you Faile not then said the Princesse and so God haue you in his kéeping That done Carmelle followed them that carried Esplandian leauing Leonorine accompanied both with ioy sadnesse with ioy to haue séene him that shee helde dearer then her selfe and with sadnesse for his so suddaine departure But the hope shee had of his spéedy returne eased her gréefe much Carmelle hauing brought hir purpose to passe as you heard before desiring not to omit any thing that séemed necessary to be done and to auoid all suspition sent Gandalin and Enil before vnto the ships and went vnto the Emperour whome she found walking in the gallery who no sooner perceiued her but hée asked if the Present that Esplandian sent vnto his daughter were yet in her ship No my lord saied she I caused it yesternight to bee carried into her chamber as I promised you and haue left it all with her onely that which was giuen me for my part What was that saide the Emperour The Ceader chest said she wherein if it pleaseth God I will cause the body of Matroco to bee buried that as yet lieth in my fathers Hermitage But my lord because as this morning I determined to sayle vnto the castle La montaigne defendu to him that sent mee hether I pray you giue me leaue to depart Gentlewoman said the Emperour when you were last here I sent him word by you what ioy great pleasure it would be vnto me for to sée him here I pray you once againe shewe him what I said Assuring him that being here hee shall haue of mee all honour and good entertainement we can deuise My lord said Carmelle God preserue your grace and send you life And therewith taking her leaue she returned into her ship where Esplandian and his company staied for her CHAP. XXXVII How Esplandian put to sea thinking to arriue at the castle La montaigne defendu and of the great aduentures he found ESplandian entered into his shippe and Carmelle being returned as it is saied before they determined not to stay longer fearing to be discouered wherfore they caused ankers to be hoised setting saile made towards the castle La montaigne defendu but fortune by a great storme and contrary wind caried them another way driuing them along the coast of Alfarin where the wind ceased they sayling almost hard by the shore and at the same instant wheÌ„ they espied among the rockes certaine horse and footmen fighting together whereat Esplandian maruelled and said vnto Gandalin and Enil I pray you séeing wée are arriued
if she knewe not the cause of Esplandians returne to Constantinople shée asked it of them faining to be displeased at the same but they excused him in like sort they did vnto the emperour as you heard before CHAP. XLVII How Crescelin and Belleris returned to the castle La montaigne defendu with a ship that they had taken from the Turks by whome they vnderstood the enemies pretence NOt long after that Crescelin and Belleris departed from the castle La montaign defendu sayling as secretly as they could along the coast of Phrigia fortune fauoured them so well that a Brigandine sayling to Tenedos charged with Turkes fell into their hands whereof they left but foure aliue by whom they certainely vnderstood that the armie of the Princes of the East was to depart from thence within a moneth or sixe wéekes after at the furthest and saile to Constantinople which they hoped easily to surprise hauing by their espials had intelligence that the Emperour made no preparation to withstand them Which hauing heard they returned without longer stay to giue aduise vnto Esplandian who fearing that the Emperour would not be able to withstand their might determined to vse the ayde of all his feiendes minding to send Gandalin and Enil vnto them with letters to the same effect specially to his vncle the Emperour of Rome to whome hée wrote as followeth My lord the danger I sée prepared against all Christendome constraineth me to send this messenger vnto you by whome at large your Grace may vnderstand how great and puissant an armie all the Kings and Potentates of the East enemies of our faith haue lately raised by the persuasion of Armato king of Turkie therwith to ouer-runne not only the Empire of Greece but all the land of Christendome and wholly to extinguish our faith and holy lawe And for that all those of whome you hold the place haue alwaies béene the true defenders of the Christian faith as also that the case toucheth you so néere I am of this aduise my lord that you ought to spare neither mony nor men but to assemble your forces in all hast and prepare your vessels to aid and succour the good prince who is the frontier as you knowe both vnto you and all the potentates that hold the law of Christ I write the like vnto the king my father and to the most part of all the Christian Lordes to whome I send Gandalin And for that Enil hath in charge to certifie your grace by word of mouth what it shall please you to demand I will not trouble you with many lines beséeching you to giue credit vnto him as to my selfe The like he wrote to the king of Sardaigne which two messages Enil had in charge to whome he gaue ample instructions and remembrances of all the aduertisements and secret intelligences he had receiued from the Turkish coast not onely of the number of men both on horse and foot but also of the multitude of their vessels and other warlike instruments commaunding Gandalin to goe with him till he came vnto Cicilia where he should prouide shipping to saile into great Brittaine to Amadis his father and from thence to France vnto king Perion then to Sobradise to Galaor likewise to king Bruneau to Quedragant Dragonis and Gosquilant to whome he sent like seuerall letters Gandalin carrying them likewise the same instructions that Enil had vnto the Emperour commaunding them expresly to assure them all that he would not depart from the castle La montaigne defendu before their arriuall there but meant to kéepe it while breath was in his body Gandalin and Enil had so good and prosperous a weather that in lesse than fiftéene daies after their departure they passed the countrey of Messine and landed at Saragource where Gandalin hired a Brigandine to execute his charge And to the end you may vnderstand what effect their messages did worke I will leaue Gandalin trauersing the Mediteranean Sea and entring into the Ocean and speake of Enil that arriued at Ostre where as then he found the Emperour accompanied with king Florestan deuising onely of haukes and houndes but when they espied Enil presuming he brought some ill newes they asked him where hée left Esplandian Enil knowing how to behaue himselfe kissed the letters and gaue one to the Emperour the other to the king of Sardaigne which hauing read and perceiuing them to be of credit tooke him apart where hee discouered vnto them all you heard before With that the Emperour leauing Enil with king Florestan went vnto the gentlemen and knights that then were present and said vnto them My friends wée must all to the warres my nephew Esplandian hath aduertised me by this gentleman expressely sent vnto me that the king of Turkie and all his allies are in armes and haue raised a mighty armie to assaile my brother the Emperor of Constantinople but I vow to God if he giue me life helpe that before the moneth of September next ensuing I will be there with such a force that I will make him twice repent how hee so rashly dooth assaile and learne him to defend himselfe Wherefore let euery man bée ready for I will goe my selfe in person and calling king Florestan he asked him if hee would goe with him My lord said he to morrow I will send to all my ports hauens that all the ships of war that can be found may be in a readines meane time I will in all parts assemble men to doe as my nephew Esplandian hath required My Lord said Enil my lord Esplandian hath written by Gandalin to king Amadis and other of his friends whome he hath desired to ioyne with you so that I hope about one time all your armies wil be ready that wiihout long staying for each other you will assemble all togither Truly said king Florestan it was well deuised With that diuers captaines were dispatched into sundry places to giue order for their men and to ballace rigge and prepare vessels for their voiage into the East Gandalin on the other side coasting the Isles of Maiorque and Minorque leauing Guinea and Barbarie passed the straits of Gibraltar and had so good a wind that in fewe daies without staying in Spaine hée arriued in great Brittain with king Amadis who as then continued in London and presented him with the letter that Esplandian sent shewing him likewise his charge by word of mouth the good and euill aduentures that he had had since he departed from Myrefleur and among the rest the ouerthrowe of the Turkish armie on the sea the taking of king Armato the occasion why the siege rose vp before the castle La montaigne defendu the arriuall of Gastilles the taking of Alfarin and of the captaine of Tesifant the surprising of Galatia the losse of Vrganda and lastly all what you haue read at large in the chapters going before And to the end my lord said he that order may be had to preuent the
new forces come against the towne for they had not any intelligence of the sending of Gandalin Enil to the christian princes that brought with them a multitude both of ships men as well knights as others Now to returne to the Christians fléet King Childadan knowing that Alphorax plaied the foxe desired Quedragant hauing equall power with him to be content that he with thréescore pinnaces might skirmish with him that thereby if it were possible he might prouoke him to come out which he agréed vnto wherefore setting saile he made towards the enemie so néere that they were ready to fight hand to hand neuertheles Alphorax for that time would not touch the bait but entred farther in the straights wherewith king Childadan retired and came vnto the hauen of the citie making the brauest show that might be séene those of Constantinople perceiuing the bandirols and streamers of great Brtttain of other christian princes made him answer with the like and so high that the noise of the trumpets clerons tabers was so great that Armato and all the Pagans might easily hear it With that king Childadan was receiued by the Emperor Norandel others to whome he shewed what aide was come vnto them and what princes had taken the voiage in hand In good faith said the Emperor they bind me for euer vnto them yet am I much abashed how they vnderstood of the wars betwéene Armato me What my Lord said Childadan did Esplandian neuer tell you therof No I assure you said the Emperor nor any of his companions as far as I know Is he not in the city said the king In good truth said Norandel hee would not leaue the castle La montaigne defendu minding to kéep it if the Pagans came to besiege it Assure your selues said Childadan he will not long stay there before king Amadis sendeth for him for we determine presently to giue battell if he should faile at such a iourny it would gréeue him euer after Much other talketh had the knights of Constantinople with Childadan and those that bare him companie where he stayed till the next day in the morning that he entered into his ships to returne vnto Quedragant CHAP. LII How Esplandian and the king of Denmarke were sent for by Gandalin that went vnto the castle La montaigne defendu where they staied attending the succours of the Christian Princes and of a letter that the Souldan of Liquie and Queene Calafre wrot vnto king Amadis and Esplandian KIng Childadan returned to Quedragant as you heard before and the army on land incamped in sight of the enemy Amadis was aduertised by those that had ben in the city of Constantinople that Esplandian and the king of Denmarke were at the castle La montaigne defendu wherevpon he sent Gandalin to fetch them Gandalin tooke shipping and had so good a winde that without any aduenture hee arriued there where hee declared vnto them howe king Amadis and almost all the Christian Princes were incamped within halfe a mile of the Pagans host and all what hee and Enil had done considring their charge And because said Gandalin that our men are determined shortly to giue them bataile they pray you to come vnto them Truly saied Esplandian Gandalin my friend you haue wrought the matter well and I thanke you for the paines that you haue taken My lord saied the king of Denmarke are you not determined that we go vnto them For my part I had rather lose one of mine armes then faile thereof Brother saied Esplandian to morrow if it pleaseth God the great serpent shall bring vs thither before that time it had alwaies vsed to saile of it selfe but as then it failed For when they were entered into it it stirred not whereat Gandalin much abashed could not refraine to say By god this vessell is like to the horse with the white legge that faileth vs when we haue most néed Friend said Esplandian I am surely persuaded that this procéedeth by reason of Vrgandas imprisonment who at this time is in Melies power and so well inchaunted that her art profiteth her as little as this vessel doth vs that moued by her inchauntments which at this present hath no meanes to stirre as you may well perceiue And Esplandian saied true for at the same time the countrey wherein Vrganda dwelt called The vnknowne Island because it was alwaies inuisible was as then discouered and séene of all men With that Gandalin counselled them to enter into the Pinnace which Esplandian and the king of Denmarke did and hauing a good winde sayled towards Constantinople and on a sunday in the morning they espied the vessels of king Childadan and Quedragant which not long after they borded where Esplandian and the king of Denmark were receiued with great ioy after that hee went to sée his father and the rest of the knights that were on lande and after an infinite number of imbracings and welcomes on all sides they determined to visit their enemies somewhat néerer wherby many braue skirmishes were made where the women of Quéen Calafre were continually in armes and among the rest a sister of the Quéenes named Liote a hardy and valiant ladie that tooke a Frenchman prisoner which certefied the Souldan of Liquie that Amadis de Gaule king of great Brittaine and Esplandian his sonne were in the army Whereof the Souldan and Quéene Calafre being aduertised determined together to write a letter vnto them the contents whereof doe follow Rodrigue Souldan of Liquie mortall enemy to the enemies of our gods and Calafre Quéene of Califorine a countrey most rich and abundant in gold and precious stones giue you Amadis de Gaule king of great Brittaine and your sonne Knight of the great Serpent to vnderstand that the occasion of our arriual in these countries hath been for these two causes The one in hope to destroy all Christendome and the other to prooue if wee may take from you the renowne that is spread abroad of you to bee the two best knights liuing in the world for we account our selues for such as that if you will accept the combate of your persons against ours we will euidently make it knowne that our valor is no lesse then yours And to the end the glorye of the victors may be knowne the vanquished shall remaine in their powers to dispose of them as they shall thinke conuenient Aduise your selues therefore to answere vs herein by this our messenger to whome wee haue giuen charge to declare vnto you if you refuse this combate that from henceforth we shall haue iust occasion to attribute to our selues the aduantage of the praises and endlesse glories that fortune heretofore hath giuen you and to estéeme of you as meanely in time to come as you haue béen highly renowned heretofore This letter giuen to the Gentlewoman that bare the first to Norandel she went vnto the Christians campe and being aduertised which was Amadis tent entered therein as he sate
giuen vnto king Amadis hauing vanquished me by force which I certainely know to be wholly subiect to fortune but the imprisonment wherof 〈◊〉 complain is the wherin my hart hath inclosed it self hath the only mouing by the sole beauty fauor I haue found in the new most happy emperor estéeming my selfe to be such that I haued leauing my law to accept of yours to haue had him for my lord and husband although my hope by little and little began to deminish when I perceiued the Princes Leonorine to bee more recommended in all perfections then any that euer I heard of or euer haue séene so that speaking against my selfe it had béene impossible to finde a more equall match nor more conformable one vnto the other then the marriage of them together which maketh me beléeue that fortune extendeth wholy to eternise this my passion wherein I will if I can so much impeach her that forgetting my first affection and if it wil please him to giue me another husband worthy my estate I will accept it willingly together with baptisme and the law of Christ which you doe hold When the Emperour Esplandian saw her good pretence he began to comfort her in the best manner hee could and calling Talanque a faire lusty and wel disposed Gentleman hee saied vnto the Quéene Madame this Gentleman I offer vnto you is my cousin and son vnto King Galaor one of the best knights as I thinke liuing in the world I pray you at my request refuse him not for your lord and husband assuring you that I knowe no Princesse how great soeuer she be liuing in the world but might content her selfe with him The Quéene beheld him with so good affection that shee easily beléeued Esplandian and saied vnto him Vpon your word my lord I wil accept of him and from this time forward yéeld my selfe to bée his wife and will for his sake doe so much that the Island wherin I and others my predecessors would not suffer a man to liue shal from henceforth be gouerned by him as other countries are by their Kings and Princes And because her sister Liâ—â—e was not at that assembly but with her ships lying in the straights as Quéen Calafre had commaunded her as you heard before shee desired the Emperour to send for her who presently sent the admirall Tartarie to fetch her she being come and hauing heard her sisters mind easily agréed thereto and by the same meanes was married to Manely the wise both espoused at one time and being baptised caused all their armie to do the like which done not long after those newe married couples taking their leaues of the Kings Princes Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Court they imbarked themselues Manely hauing with him the vessels wherein Childadan his father arriued in the east and Talanque those of king Galaor which they caused to bee sraighted laden with all things necessary for so strange a country And setting saile for Californie not without great trouble which in the end they ouercame they arriued in safety where afterward they had many battels with their neighbors bordering about them whom they ouercame augmenting their dominions with many great lands territories But because the subiect of our history is not further to intreat of them we will for this present leaue theÌ„ to goe on with that which afterward was done in the city of Constantinople You heard before of the loue of Norandel and quéen Minoresse that daily increased in theÌ„ more more which the Empresse knowing ful well caused them to be married together the emperor giuing to Norandel the castle La montaigne defendu with the townes of Alfarin Galatia for the which he recompenced Frandalo with the rich fertile and well peopled isle's of Galatines Mean time the Emperor Esplandian not forgetting the imprisonment of Vrganda one day among the rest not long before the princes of the West imbarked theÌ„selues to return into their countries hee shewed theÌ„ in what sort Melie had taken her away by inchantment caried her to the great citty of Tesifant where she held her prisoner in a great tower desiring them most earnestly to giue him counsel what he might do therin Son said king Amadis it were good you sent vnto Armato to offer him for her the souldan of Liquie that is your prisoner if he refuse you so to doe we will enter into his country and fetch her thence by force Wherevnto they all agréed so that without longer delay Carmelle was sent to Tesifant imbarking her self with four squires thrée gentlewomeÌ„ with a good wind arriued at the castle La montaigne defendu where she remained certain daies staying for king Armatos pasport which by one of her womeÌ„ she sent to fetch who fouâ—â— Armato as melancholy as might be féeling as yet his fortune past specially the death of his son Alphorax which without ceasing he coÌ„tinually lamented With that the gentlewoman gaue him to vnderstand the cause of her arriual wherwith he was so wel pleased that presently hee caused Carmelles safe conduct to bee made and giuing it to the messenger said vnto her My friend returne vnto your mistresse and assure her from mee that shée may come vnto my court as often as it pleaseth her remembring well the pleasures she shewed vnto me during my imprisonment The gentlewomaÌ„ thanked him most hartily and returned to Carmelle who within few daies after went to Tesifant to Armato where shee declared at large the effect of her embassage which heard by king Armato and considring with himself that for Vrganda hée might recouer one of his greatest friends therby cause the Christian Princes for a time to refrain the ouerrunning of his country sent presently for Melie desiring her in all affection for his sake to grant to his desire the pleasure of the Christians considring the offer made by theÌ„ was both aduantage vnto him his Melie desirous to please Armato brake her inchantments without delay Vrganda was deliuered vnto Carmelle vpon condition that shee being arriued in the city of Constantinople should likewise set the Souldan of Liquie at liberty which she swore and promised to do which done taking their leaue of Armato they trauelled so long that they came vnto the castle La montaigne defendu where Vrganda caused theÌ„ to leaue Carmelles ship to enter into the great serpent that as yet she found there which presently of it selfe began to saile as it had alwaies done before Vrganda was in prison in such manner that without impeachment they arriued in the Hauen of Constantinople where the Princes and lords being on shoare descended to the water side to receiue Vrganda And thinking to bring her to the pallace she desired the to stay there til a prophesie were accoÌ„plished that should be done before the sun went down which they agréed vnto not onely to please her mind but likewise desiring to sée what it should be
but in fulfilling your desire wherefore I pray you feare not to command mée what you thinke good for whatsoeuer may happen thereby I will bee obedient vnto you during my life My good friend said Esplandian imbracing her I wil one day recompence your good will séeing you are minded to do me so much fauour you must then take your iourney to Constantinople on message to the Princesse Leonorine the Emperours doughter to whom hauing presented my most humble and harty commendations you shall on my behalfe say How that at such time as I receiued the order of knighthood I was commanded by my lord Amadis my father to repaire to her fathers court there to discharge him of the promise hee made vnto her which was either to returne againe to doe her seruice or to send one of his linage thether in his place Neuerthelesse considering with my selfe his great valour and Prowesse and the great beauty that is reported to bee in her which my small desert in regard of him that gaue me the commandement I am afraid to vndertake the same Notwithstanding it hath pleased her by maistee Elizabeth to put mee in mind thereof although while breath is in my body I will neuer faile to be her knight And to the end shee may giue credite to your message you shal present this ring vnto her which she knoweth well as being the same she gaue vnto my father to put him in remembrance of his promise My lord saied she I will fulfill your commandement but if you goe so far from hence where shal I find you when I come backe again In this place said Esplandian whether I will returne as soone as I haue brought the king into great Brittaine Then calling Libee hee commanded him that presently after hee had set saile hee should cause a ship to be prepared for Carmelle to goe on message where he would send her that done hee went to finde the king and maister Elizabeth that staied for him in the Serpent the which presently vpon his entring therein of her self began to set forwards with such spéede that in short space they left the coast of Turkie and the twentith day after they discouered the Ferme Isle where she staied which those of the country perceiuing aduertised Amadis and the rest of the company who in great hast ran vnto the Hauen but they were no sooner come thether when they espied the king Esplandian maister Elizabeth and Sergil landing out of a little boat Wherewith being all abashed but much more pleasod stepped forwards to receiue theÌ„ and after many imbracings and salutations on either part Amadis presented the Giant Balan to the king whom as yet hee had neuer séene and therewith set forward towards the pallace of Apolidon wherof Oriane and the rest of the ladies hauing intelligence the great sorrow that so long time they had vsed for his absence was conuerted into ioy which much more increased when the king in presence of them all rehearsed the manner how Esplandian deliuered him out of Arcabonnes hands and the great Prowesse he shewed against Matroco Frerion and Arcalaus their vncle Oriane knew wel the great desire and much gréefe the Quéene had because shee heard no newes of the king wherefore the same day shee sent her danish Gentlewoman to aduertise her of his arriuall who made such hast that within sixe daies after shee arriued at London at such time the Quéene sat downe to dinner CHAP. XIIII How King Luisart departed from the Ferme Isle accompanied of diuers knights Ladies and Gentlewomen and being neere London in a forrest they met with foure knights that sent to ask four courses with their launces against Esplandian THrée daies king Luisart continued in the Ferme Isle and the fourth day hee determined to goe see the Quéene and to the same end with all the company of knights ladies and gentlewomen he set forwards towards London and trauailed so fast that they were within a daies iourney of the cittie And as they entred into a forrest where they vsed commonly to chase the Hart they saw in the high way foure knights well mounted armed at all points each his Esquire by his side bearing their shield and launces for they had their helmets on their heads And with that they perceiued a Gentlewoman comming towards them riding on a palfrey and being néere them speaking to Esplandian she saied Sir knight with the white armes those foure knights you sée in the high way before you send you word by me that they would gladly know the cause why you beare the deuise of crownes wherin if you satisfie their desire in such sort that their honours bee not stained they will from henceforth refraine to inquire the same any more otherwise they giue you by me to vnderstand it were best for you to leaue them or else that you defend them well as being the most honourable deuise that is in all the world When Esplandian heard her speake in that manner in courteous sort he answered her and said Gentlewoman to satisfie their request I pray you tell them that the deuise and the armes I beare was giuen me by Vrganda but for what cause I know not neuertheles I bear them for the loue of her as also that they like me wel and if this content them not tel them mee thinketh the occasion of combate betwéene mee and them is so small that for this time I would desire them to forbeare the same In good faith saied shee smiling you speak with reason for they are knights that séeme to haue much néed of your counsell but notwithstanding good sir I pray you bee not vnprouided for your excuses will not bee receiued Gentlewoman said Esplandian if they assaile me it shall bee against my wil. Truly said she as farre as I perceiue the great beautie that is in you together with the rich armes and goodly horse you ride vpon are worse bestowed then euer was any when you are not ashamed â—â— make an answere so little to your credite Neuerthelesse either you must forsake the way to London and this good company or defend the braue deuise you bear as they haue sent you word The way saied Esplandian is common to all men and out of it for them I will not goe wherefore if they assaile me I must of force defend my self And because the Gentlewoman was not knowne among them they all mused who she might me as also who the foure knights were that sent her to whom shée returned againe Meane time Esplandian laced on his helmet taking his launce in his hand ready to fight if occasion serued Wherewith Amadis and the rest of the company were excéeding glad doubting least the king had spoken in fauour of him when he shewed what he had done but they had not ridden long but one of the four knights came riding softly towards them and about a carriers length from them called to Esplandian and said You sir knight that would not
whereto Frandalo would not giue consent shewing what great paine and trauaile both they and their horses haue endured all that day as also the great number of their enemies in regard of them in such sort said he that if we take vpon vs for to fight with them I am in doubt that thinking to winne honour we shall be counted rash and presumptuous fooles What then said Esplandian will you endure the shame to flie away In good truth said he for my part I had rather endure the hazzard of life or death what euer shall happen Then we will doe thus said Frandalo my squire shall runne vnto Galatia to aduertise Talanque and the rest how we staied behind Meane time I know a bridge not farre from hence whether wée will goe and defend the same till our aid shall come where we cannot be assailed by them all at once otherwise thinke with your selfe what meanes we haue to resist so many men both on horse and foot that come purposely to assaile vs. Let vs goe then said Esplandian wherewith leauing the way on the right hand they turned to the left as Frandalo ledde them and they had not ridden very farre but they came vnto a little riuer somewhat déepe ouer the which there stoode a bridge where they had no sooner arriued but they were presently charged by their enemies especially by one of the Turkes that was most braue and sumptuous and best mounted of them all as béeing their captaine who bearing a great launce in his hand began to crie most vehemently in the Arabian tongue vnto Esplandian and his companions saying You dogges you flye away but by our gods it shall cost you all your liues wherewith Enil that heard his threatnings better than the rest turned his face and set spurres to his horse the Turke and hée méeting so fiercely togither that Enil was hurt in the right arme and the Turke thrust cleane through the body wherewith hee fell presently starke dead vnto the ground Which set his companions in such a rage to sée their champion thus suddainly slaine that they thought to inclose Enil but he found means to recouer the bridge surely whosoeuer had séen the great prowesse of those four champions might with good reason estéeme them as they were specially Esplandian that stroke not one blowe in vaine And although they were but fewe in comparison of their enemies yet they did twice or thrice ouerthrow diuers of the Turkes that séemed boldest to aduenture forward in such sort that had it not béene for the footemen that came vpon them the horsemen had but little preuailed whereat it is not to be maruailed because the greatest part of them were citizens altogither vnexpert in armes and fitter to banket at a table than to guide a horse or breake a lance whereby in lesse than a quarter of an houre the foure knightes had done them great hurt and so much that neither the horsemen nor footmen durst once set forward to enter vpon the bridge till one of them determined to make proofe thereby if it were possible to inclose them round about This Turkes name was Tluacam a valiant and hardy knight as he well shewed before the combat ended for although the water was déepe and the other side hard to clime vp yet he waded through and at diuers times bare eight more of his companions ouer which Frandalo and the rest perceiuing they were constrained to deuide themselues Esplandian and Enil staying at the end of the Bridge where the combat first began Frandalo and Gandalin standing at the other and God knowes what trouble they had for Tluacam desirous to winne honour or to loose his life with his lance in hand charged Gandalin in such sort that both man and horse had like to fallen to the ground and withall he brake his speare wherfore taking his sword in hand striking on both sides and thinking to be seconded by his fellowes put his horse in such a fury that whether he would or not he bare him to the middle of the bridge where thinking to stay the horses féet slid from him whereby both hée and his master fell into the riuer and were drowned whereat the Turkes gaue so great a crie that they séemed madde and bowing downe their heads thinking to acquite their losse vsed all the force they could on both sides the bridge to enter vpon the foure knightes who susteined their assault so brauely that the Turkes at last were forced to recule wherof nine were thrown into the water but Esplandian and his company were so weary that in a manner they could fight no longer With that they perceiued their aid in all hast comming towards them the occasion why they stayed so long was because Frenace Frandalos squire that went to séeke Manely and the rest thinking to find his master where he left him had led them thither but not finding them there supposed them to be gone vnto the bridge and to say truth they arriued in very good time for that Esplandian and his thrée companions were almost cleane out of breath but when they perceiued their aide neuer did poore prisoners that were set at libertie more reioyce nor were better pleased and the Turkes on the contrary side neuer more astonished yet they held close togither determining rather to reuenge their deathes than once to yéeld vnto their enemies so that before the Knightes of Galatia could enter in among them they gaue them much to do although in the end they ouercame them whereby not one escaped aliue to carry newes vnto their friends Enil at the first onset had béen sore wounded as you heard before wherefore hée caused his wounds to be searched the like did the rest of the hurt knights Which done they set forward to Galatia contenting themselues for that day with the victory it had pleased God to send them And comming to the gate they found Vrganda readie to receiue them who knowing how all had past and the daunger wherein Esplandian had béen iestingly saide vnto him In faith my Lord said shée if I were afraid of death when I fell into Melies hands I beléeue you were not in much better case since that I saw you last as I vnderstand by those that know what dommage you were in Madame said he I know I am a mortall man and that my life and death are in the hands of God as it pleaseth him to dispose and I confesse vnto you if wée had not béene succoured that in the end we could not haue endured yet am I well assured that before it had come to passe we had laid so many enemies on the ground that the rest should haue had greater cause to lament their losse than boast of their conquest Vrganda perceiued by Esplandians words that he liked not her spéech whereupon shee said vnto him My Lord pardon me I beséech you and excuse the indiscretion of a woman specially in mée who at this present had forgotten my selfe Madame
said Esplandian you may command me and likewise set me forth for a coward hardy or any other what it pleaseth you to tearme me In which manner talking togither they came vnto his lodging where master Elizabeth newly come from Alfarin visited his wounds and the rest likewise that had cause to vse his helpe CHAP. XLII How the Knights of great Brittaine that were at Galatia imbarked themselues with Vrganda in the great serpent to saile vnto Constantinople and what happened vnto them THe Knightes that had béen hurt at the last encounter for the space of fiftéene daies after were forced to kéepe their chambers vntill their woundes were healed during which time Vrganda tooke great pleasure in reading Melies bookes which Esplandian caused to bée brought vnto her wherein shée found such wonderfull coniurations and deuises of Magicke Art that she was abashed how shée that had had them so long time in her possession knew no more than yet shée did estéeming the Enchantresse Lady to haue béen the perfectest schollar that euer studied in that art as it well appeared by her bookes Now the time approched wherein it was expedient according to the destinies appointed that Esplandian and his companions should goe vnto Constantinople wherefore as soone as their wounds were healed Vrganda caused them to bée assembled and standing in the middest of them all she said vnto them My good friends knowing part of the prosperities and aduersities which the heauens foreshewe vnto you all I came hither specially to sée Esplandian and you of whome I haue receiued great pleat pleasure perceiuing at my arriuall the loue and amitie that is among you with the great desire you haue to accomplish the order of knighthood not for the glory and recompence of this world but onely for the increasing of our faith and the seruice of God that shall reward you for it and to the end you may continue in this forwardnes and that the thing which I pretend may happily fall out I will from henceforth not only imploy my person but my Arte which hath pleased God to lend me wherewith I will aduise you what I shall find conuenient and necessarie for the augmentation of your honours alreadie spread throughout the world which to begin I am of opinion that you all imbarke your selues with me in the great serpent that shall bring vs vnto Constantinople to the Emperour for without him it is impossible that this great enterprise you haue taken in hand can come to good effect as also that hee himselfe before many yéeres are past shall be found in maruellous necessitie and such that he shall account himselfe most happie to haue your aid and with good reason for that in the end both hee and you shall ouercome those hazzards according to your desires Then shall you plainely knowe that this that I foreshew vnto you is most true While Vrganda vsed these wordes all the company stood still intentiue for to heare her and had it not béen that they estéemed her words to be most true they had doubted of the threatnings shée vsed against the Emperour he béeing so great and puissant a Monarch Neuerthelesse the issue of that trouble which shée assured vnto them gaue them some ease and contentation of minde in expectation whereof they made account in the meane time to prooue their strengths and forces that thereby their valour and magnanimitie might be further spread abroad And as touching their voiage to the Emperour as Vrganda gaue them direction it was onely the thing wherevnto Esplandian did aspire hoping that if the warres were openly proclaimed in the Grecian Empire and the Emperours daunger so imminent to shewe such valour and prowesse in martiall exploits that hée would not onely frée and acquite his father of the promise he had made to serue the Ladies but confirme the loue that the princes Leonorine bare vnto him in such sort that he might obtaine her for his wife which caused him to speake for all his companie assuring Vrganda that not one of them but was readie to obey and goe where it pleased her My friends said she then I pray you to morrow in the morning cause your horses to be shipped in my shippe and for armour take you no care I will prouide you thereof so well that ech man shall find himselfe content let it suffice you to imbarke your selues and set saile for often times an enterprise deferred ouer long falleth not out as mē desire it should not for want of good and wise counsell but by the negligēce of those that are appointed to execute the same Thus was their voiage to Constantinople agréed vpon in such sort that all the knights of great Brittaine entred into the great serpent taking with them Frandalo Melie and the captaine of Tesifant that had béen taken prisoner as you heard before leauing the Admirals souldiers for garrison in the towne Which done the ship went forward of it selfe sayling towards the castle La montaigne defendu where being arriued they tooke Armato king of Turkie and his two captaines with them for Vrganda willed them so to doe and sixe daies after the great serpent arriued within halfe a mile of Constantinople where she staied Then Vrganda caused her Knightes to be armed with the armour shée had brought which were white with a red crosse both before and behind most comely to behold They were in all fortie knights whose names are as followeth Esplandian Frandalo Norandel Talanque Manely the wise Ambor of Gandel Grauate of the fearfull valley Gandalin Enil Trion cousin to quéene Briolanie Brauor sonne of the giant Balan Belleris Elion le delibere Licoran of the white Tower Listoran of the siluer bridge Landin of Sariaque Imosil of Burgondie Ledadrin of Ferraque Sarquiles cousin to Angriotes Palomir Branfil Tantiles the proud Galbron sonne of Isamel Carpin his brother Carin of Carante Attalio sonne of Oliuas Bracele sonne of Bandoyuas Garamante sonne of Norgales Amphinio of Almain Brandonie of Fraunce Penatrie of Spaine Flamene his brother Culspicio of Bohemia Amandario of litle Brittaine Siluester of Hungaria Manely of Swethland Galfarie of Italie Galiot of Scotland Amandalie his brother and Calfeur the glorious Being arriued the shippe was presently espied by the citizens which they knewe hauing séene it before when it put them in such feare as you haue heard but hoping for him that vsed ordinarily to saile therein they all ranne vnto the walles and along the shore to sée him land wherwith the noise and rumour was so great that the Emperour had newes thereof béeing as then talking with the ladies Those newes pleased the Princes Leonorine so well that she no sooner heard the great serpent named but she rose vp and went vnto the windowes to sée if shée could espie her loue Esplandian but the ship was somewhat too farre off neither did it mooue from the place whereas it lay Wherfore fearing to be deceiued as she had béen before she began to