King his presence all that day after vntill the next morning when they attended vpon him as hee rode into the fields The King beeing halfe a league from the Cittie he behelde comming toward him the knights of the Firme-Island for the deliuery of Madasima and her Damosels being come somewhat neere they all did their duties to his Maiestie Then Galuanes who marched for-most took vpon him to speake for all his fellowes saying vnto the King If it like your Maiestie wee being all of vs well assured of your accustomed vertue are come to demand iustice of your grace for Madasima and her Damosels and to defend their right if by force of armes it is defensible My friends answered hee seeing that you haue already set vp your Tents in this place if you thinke good you may heere abide for this day and to morrow you may come vnto mee to aduise vpon that which shall be reasonable to bee done If it please your highnesse said Brian of Moniasta wee all are assured that accorto your ancient royall behauiour iustice shall not bee denied vnto vs and if wee finde it otherwise it is rather by the counsaile of some wicked traitors that are about you then any of your owne motion Brian Brian saide the King I am well assured that if you had beleeued your father you would neither haue departed from my seruice as you haue done neither would you in this sort haue helde argument against mee The argument which I do hold against your Maiestie said Brian is not for any il will or that I would not performe any dutifull seruice for your grace for I know well that in time you will acknowledge that which I say true And where your Maiestie doth tell me that if I had beleeued my father I would not haue forsaken you sauing the reuerence of your Maiestie I did neuer forsake you for I neuer did belong vnto you but I onely came into your house to seeke my cofin Amadis who so long as hee was yours so long had I a desire to serue you and neuer did I whilst I there remained offend you Well well answered the King wee will debate of this another time more at large Which said he bad them good night and depaâ—ted for it was already somewhat late Heeretofore you haue heard how the King had the day before after dinner taken vp Gandandel and Broquadan who beeing very heauie did consult a great while how they might with honour finish theyr wicked enterprise for the next morning the twelue Knights of the Fâ—rme-Island met the King at Church who after seruice was ended called Broquadan and Gandandel vnto whom he said You haue of long time counsailed me to put Madasima and her Damosels to death beeing our prisoners and that in their behalfe I should heare no iust fication whatsoeuer Therefore you must now make answere vnto that which these 12 Knights will maintaine Then Imosell of Burgoine stepped forth saiyng vnto the King If it like your Maiestie I and my fellowes are come into your Court to beseech you most humble that you would extend your iustice and mercy to Madasima and her Damosels Whereupon Gandandel stepped forth and answered My Lord Iâ—â—sel you request that iustice should bee extended to Madasima and so farre as I perceiue you twelue wil maintaine that they ought to be heard in their iustifications but by the faith that I owe vnto the King if he consent thereunto he doth amisse considering vnder what condition they are entred into his prison Beleeue me Gandandel said Imosel had you held your peace you had done but your duty for the king hath not yet commanded you to speak also because you know that by the custome of great Brittaine no woman ought to suffer death except it bee in two cases the one for Leze maiestie the other for treason But there is not any in this company who knoweth not how these poore women were brought into the king his hands more by compulsion then their owne consent Therefore we beseech your Maiesty and you my Lords all to consider of the matter for reason and pittie are most fit to be vsed therein You are to blame answered Gandandel to request a thing so vnreasonable and seeing it hath pleased the king to heare vs both let him order the matter as to his maiesty shall seem most conuenient Then the king caused euery one to depart called some of the most principall of the realme vnto him and amongst others his Vncle the Earle Argamont an auncient mostvertuous Prince vnto whom he said Good Vncle I pray you and all the rest also to counsell me vpon this controuersie But there was not any that would speake their opinion before they had heard the king Seeing it is so sayde the king you shal presently know mine opinion It seemeth vnto me Imosel of Burgondie hath both reasonable and wisely spoken and that the Damosels ought to be heard what they they can say in their own defence Truely if it like your Maiesty sayd the old Earle you speak like a vertuous king and it is not possible to giue a righter iudgement of which opinion they were all Wherefore he commanded Gandandel â—roquadan to bee sent for and in the presence of the knights of the Firme-Island hee gaue the same sentence for the which they humbly thanked his maiesty beseeching him that Madasima her women might be set at liberty For we hope said they to haue them acquited either by reason or arms It is well saide answered the king who sent for the Damosels to come vnto him and afterward said vnto them Looke vp Ladies behold these Gentlemen which will defend your right will you be coÌ„tent to put your quarrell and aduenture your liues vpoÌ„ their force Alas if it like your Maiesty answered Madasima seeing it pleaseth them to affoord vs this good wee doe put our liues into their hands and your good mercy Trust mee Madame saide Imosel If there bee any heere which will gainesay that you are not deliuered and set at liberty behold me ready to proue the contrarie if there be twelue together of the like opinion wee are twelue likewise that wil hazard our liues for yours Therewithall the king did cast his eyes vpon GaÌ„dandel and Broquadan and he perceiued that they hanged downe their heads looking vpon the ground so much amased that they were not able to answer one word wherefore the king saide vnto the knights of the Isle My Lords I pray you to withdraw your selues for this day and to morrow you shall haue answere of those with whom you are to deale Where-upon they all departed and presently after the king called apart Broquadan Gandandel vnto whoÌ„ he said come hither you knowe that many times you haue solicited me to put these poore Damosels to death perswading mee that it was iust and reason so to doe and that if need were you your sons would maintain this counsaile vnto
to whom he seemed no lesse beautyfull then he did to the Queene wherefore he commanded Gandales to fetch him for when I goe hence quoth he I will take him with me and haue him brought vp with mine one Son In sooth my Lord answered Gandales he is yet to yong to leaue his Mother but hauing brought him presented him to the King who said Faire Child will ye go with me to the Court My Lord answered the Childe I will goe whether you please if my brother shall goe with me And I quoth Gandalin will not tarry here without him I perceiue my Lord said Gandales that if you take the one you must needes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him said My Son I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I do their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My childe that so soone beginnest to proue fortunate now I see thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thee if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for suffer that the words of Vrganda the vnknowne spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to see the time of those great meruailes promised thee in Armes The King who noted Gandales seeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beleeue me I neuer thought you had bene such a foole as to weepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you thinke for and if it please you to know the truth I will presently tell ye heere before your Queene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the sea and in what equipage and he had proceeded with that which Vrganda foretold him but that he remembred the oath he tooke Now my Lord said Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage Whē the King heard this he esteemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the child he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing god hath done so much for him as to preserue him frō so great a danger that now we be diligent in his education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Queene so please you he shal be mine during his young yeeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on the next morning the King would set forward wherefore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the yong Gentleman of the sea whom she commanded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a cheerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery ore so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now doth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion his new freind Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard being in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosphers the exposition of his dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing thereof As he thus sadly spent his dayes it chanced that another Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to know that King Garinter her Father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pitty her in that the King of Scots would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garinter was Perion somewhat sorrowfull but yet he comforted himselfe by thinking he should goe to see his friend towards whom he had not diminished one iot of his affection wherefore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your Mistresse that without staying one whole day I shall be in short time with her The Damosell well pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so speedily as he ariued in little Brittaine where he heard newes that king Languines had already gotten all the cheefe of the Country except those Cities which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed himselfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgments and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming feasting of one another the King told her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kindred and Subiects which she did with all diligence could be deuised as also with so great contentation as her heart might desire for herein only consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scots and how to accomplish this King Perion was already arriued with his Sister he sent immediatly for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in doing honor and wel-come to the King his brother At his comming he was gratiously receiued by King Perion and after by embracings they had saluted each other and the nuptials likewise thorowly ended the kings determined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauailing toward Gaule with his Queene Elisena somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh himselfe along by a Riuer side while the tentes were erecting he rode softly alone by the waterbancke imagining how he might know the truth whether Elisena had a child aaccording as his Philosophertold him in expounding his dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without any regarde he came to an Hermitage which was neere at hand wherefore finding him-selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horse to a tree that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very antient religious man who comming to meete him said Knight is it true that king Perion is marryed to our kings daughter yea verily answered the king Praised be God said the good Hermit for I know certainly that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replied the king Euen from her owne mouth said the good olde man The king then hoping he shoud heare of him the thing which he most desired to know said I pray ye Father tell me what
cut and mangled them very pittifully Many times was Florestan enforced to staggering by the mighty blowes of his monstrous enemy yet at length the Prince smote at him so furiously as he was faine to lie along vpon his horse neck when redoubling his stroake betweene the helmet and the brigandine he parted his head from his shoulders Being thus cōqueror of all the Damosells and they not a little meruailing at this strange victory the Knight who had beene their host the night before spake to Florestan My Lord this Damosell haue I long time loued and she me with like affection but for the space of this yeare more the great knight whom last you slue hath forcibly detained her yet beeing now recouered by your worthy prowesse I beseech ye Sir I may enioy her againe If it be so as you say answered Florestan my pains haue stood you in some steede at this time but against her will neither you or any other can get her from me Alas my Lord quoth the Damosell no one but he hath right to my loue then sunder not them that should liue together Nor will I said Florestan you are Lady at your owne liberty and may depart with your friend when you please They both requited him with manifold thanks then taking leaue of Galaor Florestan the knight rides home ioyfully with his new conquered Lady The other two Damosells desired the Princes to accompany thē to their Ants house which was not far off Galaor questioning with thē by the way why they were kept in such sort at the Fountaine where-to one of the Damosells thus replied Vnderstand my Lord that the great Knight who was slaine in the combat loued the Lady which your host carried away with him but she despised him aboue all other fancying no other then him who now enioys her But in respect this knight was so puissant as none in this country durst contend with him he kept her violently whether she would or no yet offering her no iniury because he loued her deerely and one day among other he thus spake to her faire Mistresse to the end I may compasse your gentle affection and be esteemed of you the only knight in the world listen what I will do for your sake There is a Knight named Amadis of Gaule accounted the onely man for valour this day liuing who slew a Cozin of mine in the Court of king Lisuart a knight of great fame called Dardan the proud him for your sake will I seeke and by cutting off his head conuert all his glory to mine owne commendation But till I compasse what I haue said these two Ladies meaning vs and these two knights of my linage shall attend on you and each day conduct you to the fountaine of Oliues which is the only passage for knights errant through this Countrey if any dare be so bold to cary you thence there shall you see many braue combats what the honor of your loue can make me do to cause the like opinion in you towards me as your diuine prfections haue wrought in me to you Thus were wee taken and giuen to the two Knights who were first dismounted and with them we haue abode the space of one whole yere in which time many combats they fought for vs yet neuer conquered till this present In sooth Lady answered Galaor the knights intent was too high for him to accomplish because he could not deale with Amadis and escape the Fortune now fallen vpon him but how was he named He called himselfe Alimias quoth she and had not ouer-weening pride too much ruled him he was a most gentle courteous Knight By this time were they come to their Aunts Castle where Galaor and Florestan found gracious entertainement the old Lady being very glad to see her Neeces as also to vnderstand the death of Alimias After they had taken leaue of the friendly Ladies they iourney toward the Realme of Sobradisa where they heard before they entred the Citty how Amadis and Agraies had slaine Abiseos and his Sonnes by meanes whereof Briolania ruled as a peaceable Queene which news highly contented them made them reioyce for their happy fortune To the palace they come vnknown of any till they were brought to Amadis Agraies whose wounds were already indifferently recured and they deuising with the Queene at her arriuall Here you must note how the Damosell that conducted Galaor to finde Florestan left them after the combat and comming before to her Mistresse told her and Amadis how Galaor and Florestan knew each other and what issue their combat had which made Amadis very kindely to embrace them both and Florestan offered on his knee to kisse his hand which Amadis would not permit but causing him to arise sate downe communed of their aduentures past But one day among other the new enstalled Queen Briolania after many honorable feastings she had made thē seeing these foure knights determined to depart considering the good she had receiued by Amadis and Agraies that she being before a disinherited Princesse was by their meanes restored to her Kingdome beholding likewise the wheele of fortune turned and how such personages were not alone to aide and defend her Countrey but puissant enough of themselues to be Kings and mighty Lords falling on her knees before them first rendring thankes to God who had done her such grace as to regard her in pitty continuing her discourse she said Thinke my Lords these mutations are the meruailes of the Almighty which are admirable to vs held of great accoūt but to him they are in manner nothing Let vs see if it be good then to shun Signories riches which to obtaine we take such paine and trauaile and to keepe endure innumerable anguishes and distresse as superfluous therefore vtterly to deiect them because they are torments of body soule vncertaine and haue no permanence As for my selfe I say no but affirme that they being lawfully begotten modestly vsed according to Gods appointment they are in this world rest pleasure and ioy and the way to bring vs to eternall glory The end of the first Booke A Table for the ready finding of the Chapters Contayned in this Booke directing by the Number to euery seuerall Leafe CHAPTER 1. OF whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were the Combat betweene Perion and two Knights as also how hee fought with a Lion that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following thereon Fol. 1. Chap. 2. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the chamber where King Perion was lodged Fol. 6. Chap. 3. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauailed on his iourney hauing his heart filled with griefe and melancholy Fol. 12. Chap. 4. How King Languines carried away with him the Gentle-man of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales Fol. 19. Chap. 5. How King Lisuart sayling by the Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured
ended his song hee alighted vnder a tusted tree planted by the high way side thinking there to passe the rest of the night but worse happened to him then he hoped for Gandalin which had heard what hee sayde of Oriana doubting that Amadis had not marked it because his minde was otherwise occupied sayde vnto Durin It were best for mee to goe to my Master to know what hee intendeth to doe Then came hee forth of the bush where he was hidden beheld Amadis that sought for his horse to depart frō thence who as he looked here there he espied Gandalin When not knowing him at the first he cryed Who art thou that commest to surprise me speake and hide thy selfe no longer My Lord answered he I an Gandalin who will helpe you to finde your horse if so it please you When Amadis heard this Ah said hee how durst you persume to follow me hauing so expresly forbidyou beleeue mee thou hast greatly displeased mee let mee see thee no more but depart or else be sure thou shalt die My Lord answered Gandalin mee thinkes you should forget this manner of behauiour and bethinke you how to reuenge the foolish speeches which euen now were vttered by a knight who is not yet far from you for they are greatly to your disaduantage This sayde Gandalin to pacifie his displeasure towardes him that hee might bee the more incensed against the other I did heare him as well as you sayd he and therefore am I content to seeke rest else-where and to depart from hence where all misfortune doth follow me What sayd Gandalin is this all that you are determined to doe What wouldst thou more said he That you fight with him answered Gandalin to make him confesse his presumption I beleeue sayd hee thou wouldest say otherwise seeing thou knowest very well that I neither haue spirit heart not any force hauing lost all in losing her who gaue me life so as now I am no better then a dead man neither is there in Great Brittaine any knight so cowardly that could not easily ouercome mee if I should combate with him so haplesse and hopelsse am I. Trust me answered Gandalin you are in a great errour thus to suffer your heart to saint to let your courage faile euen whē it should most serue you to aduance the honour of her who so neerely toucheth you What report will Durin make here of thinke you who hath heard and seene all and is greatly abshed that now you behaue your selfe no better How sayd Amadis is Durin here I truely sayd Gandalin wee came both together and I beleeue hee followeth you thus to declare your manner of behauiour vnto her that sent him vnto you Get thee gone sayd Amadis thou vrgest mee too much Yet when hee thought that Durin should returne to Oriana his heart was so inflamed that hee called for his armes and mounting on his horse he went toward the knight whom hee found layd vnder the tree holding his horse by the bridle Then Amadis in a great rage sayde vnto him Sir knight who so greatly extollest thy fortune in loue I beleeue that against all right thou hast receined that good that loue hath doue for thee if good it may be tearmed and that thou neuer deseruedst it the which I wil proue with the losse of thy head What art thou answered the other that speakest so audaciously dost thou think that I am fauoured of the fairest Lady in the worlde for any other cause but onely for my valour and high knighthood wherewith I will make thee presently confesse that loue hath reason to fauour me and that it is not for thee to speake thereof It is but thy opinion sayde Amadis but thou must knowe that in despight of thee I am hee who hath least occasion to praise loue because hee hath so vildely deceiued me that I wil neuer dayes in my life put any trust in him knowing how falsely and treacherously he commonly vseth those that most faithfully do serue him And because I haue sufficiently prooued it I will maintaine that he can neuer be so faithfull as I haue found him false That it is so let vs see whether hee hath gained more in thee then he hath lost in me Then the knight mounted on his horse and beeing ready to fight he answered Vnhappy knight depriued of all good and banisht iustly from loue beeing vnworthy of his fauor get thee from my presence for I should commit a most horrible fact to lay my hands vpon such a vild miserable fellow So saying he turned his horse to haue fled away if Amadis had not staied him in calling him Villaine wilt thou then defend thy loue which so highly thou prisest onely with thy countenance and so get thee gone because thou wouldest fly the combat Trust me answered the other thou art in a right opinion for it is true that I haue no desire to proue my selfe against a person of so small desert but seeing thou wouldest that I should breake thy head I am content and if thy heart will serue defend it if thou canst Herewithall they ran one against the other with such force as their Lances flew to shiuers pearcing their shields quite thorough neuerthelesse their armour being good strong staied the stroke yet the knight fell to the ground carrying the raines of his horse with him wherefore he rose again lightly The which Amadis beholding he said vnto him Truely knight if the right which you pretend in so faire a friend bee not better maintained with your sword then it hath beene with your staffe Loue hath made but a bad choyce of you for a valiant champion your Lady a far worser match in lighting vpon such a carpet knight He made no account at all of these reproaches but boldly drew out his sword and comming neere to Amadis laid at him so lustily that hee had beene wounded if with his shield hee had not well warded himselfe wherein his sword was so farre entred that he could not pul it forth again but was forced to let go his holde leauing it sticking fast in the shield of Amadis Who lifted himselfe vp in his stirrops hitting him so sound a blow vpon his head-peece that it pearced euen vnto the quick the blow gliding downe it lighted vpon his horse neck wounded him to the death falling downe in the place and his master vnder him all astonied But Amadis seeing him arise said vnto him Gentle louer I am of the minde that Cupid henceforth should erect a trophie for the high prowesse which you haue shewed in his seruice that as long as you liue you should not cease to sing his praises declare those benefits which vpon you hee hath bestowed As for mee I will goe secke my fortune else where So he set spurres to his horse as he departed he beheld Gandalin Durin when cōming neere them he tooke Durin by the hand and sayd vnto him Friend
God both to grant you the victory against these traitors that haue in such inhumane sort tormented vs and also that he will bée pleased to haue mercy vpon our soules Great sorrow and compassion had the King for the losse of these 2. knights neuerthelesse seeing that for the present hee could in no sort remedie their misfortun he dissembled his griefe shewing as good a countenance as hee could because he would in no sort discourage the other Gentlemen there present he set before their eyes the accidents whereinto many others had fallen for the maintenance of their Honour of Knighthood from the which many times they haue with great glory and honour escaped But assure you my friends said the King that if wee doe gaine the Battaile I will take such reuenge hereof that the rumor thereof shall fill the eares of all the people in the World Therefore they who are appointed to goe with mee let them bee ready to morrow for I will depart to goe meete mine enemies And according as it was appointed so was all performed CHAP. XVI How that after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana back againe to Mirefleur he departed that he might be in the battel with King Lisuart and what happened vnto him THree dayes did the faire Forlorne remain with Oriana after the gayning of the sword and Kerchiefe and the fourth day following about midnight hee tooke his leaue of her and being armed at all points he rode all the night long Now had hee commanded Enil to goe and stay for him at a Castle scituated at the foote of a Hill neere vnto the which the Battaile was to be foughten and it belonged vnto an ancient knight named Abradan for in his house were all aduentrous knights often-times honoured and serued when they came thither to lodge And the same night did the faire Forlorne passe hard by king Lisuart his Campe not being perceiued at all afterwards hee rode so long that vpon the 5. day following he came vnto Abradan his house where he found Enil which was there ariued but a little before greatly was the faire Forlorne feasted by his Host and as they were talking together there entred in two of his nepheus that were returned from the place where the combat should be who assured them that already King Cildadan and his troop were there arriued and had set vp their Tents and Pauillions hard by the sea side In like sort Don Grumeda and Giontes Nephew to king Lisuart were there come with whom a Truce was concluded vpon eyther part to bee holden vntill the day of the battaile and that neyther of the two Princes should enter into the Combat with any more then one hundred knights in his company according as it was promised and sworne by them Nephewes said the host what do you thinke of the Irish-men whom God confound Vncle answered one of them they haue with them so many Giants that if God doe not miraculously assist our good king beleeue me it is impossible for him to withstand them Herewithall the teares fell from their Vncles eies and he said I hope that God will protect the best and iustest king in the world from falling into the hands of such wicked people Mine host answered the faire Forlorne be not afraid as yet for it happeneth out very often that courage and equity ouerthroweth the pride and presumption of the strongest But I pray you goe vnto the king and tell him that there is lodged in your house a knight called the Faire Forlorne and that hee desireth his Maiesty to send word by you when the day of the battaile shall be What sayd the olde man are you hee that of late did send Don Quedragant vnto his Court and slew Famongomad and his son when they had taken my Lady Lenor and her knights beleeue mee Sir if euer I did any pleasure vnto aduenturous knights I doe euen at this present acknowledge me throughly to be recompenced my house beeing now honoured with your presence and I will not faile to accomplish that which it hath pleased you to command me Then he mounted vpon his horse and tooke with him his two Nephewes and rode vntill hee came where king Lisuart was encamped within halfe a league of his enemies vnto whom he declared the message of the Faire Forlorne at the which all the company did greatly reioyce And the King answered seeing that we haue the Faire Forlorne on our side I doe also hope that wee shall haue the honor of the our enterprise And now see the number of one hundred knights very well furnished had wee but one knight more It may please your Maiesty said Grumedan you now haue the aduantage for the Faire Forlorne is well worth fiue This speech did nothing at all please Galaor Florestan nor Agraies for they hated the Faire Forlorne vnto death for the wrong which they thought he did vnto Amadis neuerthelesse they held their peace and Abradan hauing receiued his answere of the King returned to his guest vnto whom he recited the pleasure that euery one receiued at the newes that he brought from him and of the hundred knights there was no more then one missing but that they were all assembled The which beeing vnderstood by Enil hee did so much that he found his Master apart and falling downe vpon his knees he sayd vnto him My Lord although my seruice vnto you hath not beene such as it should and therefore haue I nothing at all deserued yet am I so bolde at this time to request one gift of you which I beseech you most humbly to graunt vnto mee Demand it sayd hee and rise vp My Lord sayd Enil I pray you thē make mee knight to the end that I may goe vnto the King to entreat his Maiesty that hee will bee pleased to accept of mee for the last knight of his number Friend Enil sayd the Faire Forlorne me thinkes that thou shouldst beginne to try thy prowesse in a place lesse dangerous then this battaile will bee not because I would deferre to make thee knight but in that I know it is too waighty a charge for thee My Lord sayde Enil I knowe that in all my life I cannot haue a better meanes to gaine honour for if I die amongst so many men of worth my reputation shall bee thereby encreased and if I may escape my renowne shall be perpetuall hauing been one in number with a hundred of the best knights in the world The Faire Forlorne hearing Enil speake so vertuously with a kind pittie that he had of him he ruminated these words to himselfe Thou dost well shew thy selfe to bee a kinsman vnto the good knight Gandales my second father Then hee answered Enil if thou haue so great a desire to proue thy self such a one as thou sayest I will no longer disswade thee And therewithall he presently went vnto his host and entreated him to giue him an armour for his Esquire who desired to bee made a knight
but so soone as the King beheld him hee turned his head from him his fellowes not vouchsafing so much as once to looke vpon them Then Gandandel who was hard by them seeing the Kings countenance came to embrace Amadis saying vnto him that hee was glad of his recouery But by my faith sayd he I am very sory that the king vseth you no better notwithstanding now you may know whether the aduertisements that I gaue you were false or not Amadis answered him not one word but came vnto Angriota Bruneo who thinking that hee had not marked the couÌ„tenance which the King shewed vnto them aduertised him thereof There is no cause answered Amadis that you should take it in ill part seeing that very often a man is intentiue vnto some thing whereon his minde is set that hee taketh no heed vnto that which others doe it may be that the king mused vppon some other matter when wee saluted him therefore let vs returne and speake vnto his Maiesty for that which Galuanes entreated vs. Herewithall they approached vnto him and Amadis sayde vnto the King Although if it please your Maiestie that I haue not here-tofore done you that seruice that I desire yet haue I presumed trusting in your good bounty to request one gift of your highnesse which can not but turne greatly to your honour moreouer you shall binde those vnto your Maiestie whom you may pleasnte with your gacious grant At this time was Gandandel present who playing the hypocrite as he was accustomed very malapertly took vpon him to speake and answered Amadis Truly if it bee so as you say the King ought not to denie your suâ—e If it like your highnesse saide Amadis the gift which I and my fellowes here present do besech your high-to grant vnto vs is that it would please you to bestow vpon the Lord Galuanes the Isle of Mongaza for the which he shall yeeld you fealty and homage in marying with Madasima by the which fauour your grace shall both aduance a poore Prince and extend your pitty vnto one of the fairest Gentle-women in the world When Brocadan and Gandandel heard this demand they looked vpon the King making a signe vnto him that hee should not grant it to them Yet neuerthelesse it was a great while before hee spake considering the deserts of Don Galuanes and the seruices which hee had receiued of him in many places especially how that Amadis had conquered with the price of his blood the land which he required for another neuerthelesle hee gaue no eare vnto him although by verture hee was bounden to condiscend vnto a request so resonable yet hee thus answered Amadis That man is ill aduised who requesteth a thing that cannot bee granted I speake this because of you my Lord Amadis who doe entreate mee for that which within these fiue dayes I haue bestowed as a gift vpon my youngest daughter Leonor This excuse had the King fayned of set purpose to refuse Galuanes whereupon Amadis who was greatly discontented with the slender entertainment that he shewed vnto them knowing that this was but an excuse hee could not so much command him-selfe as to hold his peace but that he said vnto the King Your Maiestie doth very well manifest that the seruices which for you we haue done haâ—e beene little pleasing vnto you and lesse profitable for vs. And therefore if these my companions will bee ruled by me wee will hence-forth bethinke vs what to doe Beleeue me my Nephew answered Galuanes you say true and those seruices are very ill imployed which are done vnto those that haue no desire to acknowledge them and therefore euery man of courage ought to beware for whom he aduenture him-selfe My Lords answered Amadis blame not the King for not granting that which hee hath promised vnto another and let vs onely entreat him that he will be pleased to permit that Galuanes may marry with Madasima And if he grant this fauour I will giue vnto him the Firme-Island Madasima answered the King is my prisoner and if she deliuer not vnto mee the land which she hath promised me shee shall lose her head before the moneth be past By my faith saide Amadis had your Maiestie answered vs more kindly you had done vs no wrong at all if at the least you had a desire in any sort to thinke well of vs. If my entertainement like you not answered the King the world is large enough to finde out some other that may vse you better Truely this word hardly digested turned afterward into a greater consequence then the King thought it would who perceiued shortly after by Brocadan and his companion how hurtfull a thing hatefull and vncourteous speech is as the forgetting of good and his honour is oftentimes the ouerthrow both of a king and realm Amadis was so displeased with this farewell that he said vnto the king If it like your Maiesty I haue hitherto thought that there was neither King nor Prince in the world more indued with vertuous and honourable qualities then you neuerthelesse we now by proofe perceiue the contrary Therefore seeing you haue changed your ancient good custome by the aduise of some latter bad counsell wee will goe seeke out another manner of life Do answered the king what you will for you know my minde Saying so hee rose vp in a great rage and went vnto the Queene vnto whom he imparted the whole discourse that he had with Amadis and his companions and how hee was dispatched of them where-with hee was very glad I am in great doubt said the Queene least this your pleasure doe not hereafter turne you to displeasure for you are not ignorant from the first day that Amadis and his confederats entred into your seruice how your affaires haue alwaies prospered better and better so as if you consider that which they haue done for you you shall finde that they haue deserued no such answere as you haue made vnto them Besides when it shall bee manifest vnto others what they both haue done and can doe and the little account you doe make of them for their deserts they may hereafter hope for no better at your handes and therefore will they desist to employ themselues for you reputing them fooles that shall do but the least seruice for so vngratefull a man Tell mee no more of it said the king for it is done but if they make their complaint vnto you tel them that long since I haue giuen that land which they required of me to our daughter Leonor as I did tell them I will doe it answered the Queene seeing it is your pleasure and God grant that all may turne to the best But you must vnderstand that after Amadis and those in his company had seene in what sort the King had left them they went forth of the Palace and as they went to their lodging they concluded to say nothing thereof vnto their friends vntill the next morning against which time
perceiuing in laughter saide You shall not be such a glutton maister Lyon but you shall leaue vs parte of the game And herewith presently he alighted because his Horse would not come nere the beast so drawing his Swoord and clasping his sheeld on his arme not regarding the cryes of King Garinter who laboured to disswade him from the attempt he marched to the Lyon who for defence of his pray ran eagerly against the King and so betweene them began a new warre But the Lyon being quicke and nimble did so much as he got his enemy vnder him yet was the Kinges heart so good that albeit he was in very great perill of his person he was not abashed one iotte but turned himselfe in such sorte as he thrust his Swoord into the belly of the beast which at that instant fel downe dead before him The King seeing what had happened was so ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he said within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best Knights in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their king had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Venison laid on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Queene was immediatly aduertised of king Perions arriuall and therefore made speedy prouision of all things necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their coming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences done on all sides the two kinges sat downe so did the Queene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had loue secretly ambushed himselfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quick and thence forwarde hold a sure conquest of her The like in king Perion who thought of nothing but a friendly entertainment yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearcing regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesse but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong king and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that hower he had his hart francke and free without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner tyme they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with drawen whē the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherefore Elisena arose to follow her but as she stepped forward she let fall a Ring which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her thinke on other matters Now was king Perion somewhat neer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes meete together as the king had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her Ring Wherevpon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a sweete regard humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doe you for my whole life time shal be imployed to obey you Cōstrained was Elisena without answering him to follow the Queen her mother so surprized altered as very neere she had forgoten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguish shee went and discouered the same to a faithful Damoselof hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councel her how she might safely know if King Perion had not elsewhere placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showne her might proceed from force of that impression which had so lately seazed on her hart The Damosell meruailing at this so sudden mutatiō in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her piteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherewith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye he hath lest no place in your iudgement where counsell or reason may be entertained and therefore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obey you I shall do what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretiō and great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garments for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I performe this seruice and you gentle Squire may goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Country made no deniall but willingly suffered her to take the Garments whereupon she entred the Chamber where she found the King laid on his bed who seeing her enter and knowing well it was she whom he had seene to conferre with Elisena most priuatly in whom aboue al other she put chiefest trust he thought that she wold not come in that sort to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he said Faire friend what demand ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I said the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this country I was free from all passions and doubted nothing but of aduentures that might happen to Knights errand but now I know not in what sort entring this Court by some one of your Ladyes haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell know how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my selfe happy by doing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you wil promise me said the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say boldly your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my friend quoth he I giue you to vnderstand that at what time I beheld the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamely tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I find not remedy for my greefe
named Vngan the Piccard the most experte of them all thus answered My Lord dreames are vaine thinges and for such ought to be esteemed notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that some account should be made of yours giue vs some time to consider thereon It liketh me wel said the king within 12 daies look that you make me answer But to the end they should not disguise o◠conceale the truth from him he caused them to be seperated so that during the time agreed vpon they might neither see or speake together wherefore to their vttermost they trauailed in what they had promised the King so that the day being come when they should render an occompt of their labour he first tooke Albert of Champaigne aside and said to him Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised to tell me what thou hast found by thy skill Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tel ye Well hast thou aduised said the King whereupon they were sent for afterward Albert thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whom you saw enter by the secret dore signifieth this Realme which is close well guarded notwithstanding by some right thereto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting forth thence your hart and afterward threw it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles both more lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whom you shall not easily recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he said that soone after I should lose it against the will of him that took the first from me It seemeth by this answered Albert that some other shall inuade your Country as the first did yet constrained more by force of another that commanded him to do so then by any will thereto in himselfe thus see ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now said the king to the second named Antalles tel vs your aduise Me thinkes Sir quoth he that Albert hath very well saide and I am of his opinion except in this for ought I can learne as the cause sheweth me that what he saith shall happen is already effected by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed thereat seeing there is not as yet any part of your Realme lost if you do loose any thing hereafter it must be by such a one as loueth you decrely When the king heard this he nodded his head for it seemed to him that he came neere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more thē the other fel into a laughter which he was sildome wont to doe because he was a man very sad and melancholly yet by chance the King perceiued it wherefore he said Maister Vngan my friend now remaineth none but you say boldly what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into things which is not necessary to be knowne to any other then your selfe therefore let these giue place a while if you please At these words they with-drew themselues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty saw me ere while to laugh it was at one word which little you thinke on yet it is true and will you know what It was that which Antalles said that what he found by your dreame was already happened by the person that best loueth ye Now shall I reueale what you keepe in secret and thinke that none knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue already accomplished your will and she whom you loue is surpassing faire then tolde he all the gests and fashions of her as if she had bene there present But as for the chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what it meaneth and how she whome you loue desirous to deliuer her heart and yours from griefe and sadnesse came to ye entring your chāber by the false dore that was hid from you The hands that opened your sides is the conuinction of you twaine then the heart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Son or a Daughter Now tell me said the King what meaneth the casting thereof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therefore neuer labour for further knowledge thereof Yet would I said the King faine vnderstand it and therefore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseech ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shal reueal you wilnot be displeased with her who loueth you so loyally That promise do I faithfully make thee said the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that heart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessity be forsaken And the other said the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue another childe who shall be caryed away against the will of her that caused the losse of the first Thou hast told me strange things said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast told me concerning the Lady I loue For things ordeined and appoynted by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gaine-say or remedy and therefore men of wisdome should neuer be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacity of men farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue bin so curious to vnderstand referre all things to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the end of them to his honor and glory and thus in mine opinion you ought to set downe your rest The King was highly contented with Vngan and so esteemed of him that from thēce forward he had him neere his person by meanes whereof he receiued many great fauours Now it happened that at that instant as the king parted from the Philosophers a Damosell presented her selfe before him right costly in garments and faire in beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfrey the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these wordes made the good Prince more sad pensiue then he was before For this time the Auther leaueth this purpose returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whom he made to be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherefore in short time he grew and became so faire that all which
thou see quoth she At what time the two braâ—ches of one tree shall be ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should find him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these meanes remained little Calaor in the holy mans charge and there he staied so long till he was of yeeres to receiue the order of Knight-hood as hereafter shal be recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a king named Falangris who dying without children left one of his bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires then prompt at armes and Knightly chiualry being called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the king of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North parts And albeit she had bene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not consent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one himselfe and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in hiâ— geâ—tâ—e hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittaine knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeed in the Realme for he being in a strange country whereby his hauty deeds and chiualry he was maried in so good a place therefore they pispatched their Ambasladours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest himselfe therein CHAP. V. How King Lisuart sayling by sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his Subiects desire for his short returne prouided his equipage by Sea being aided and assisted by the king of Denmarke his father in law and afterward set saile toward great Brittaine And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new king of great Brittaine accompanied with the Queene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yeeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therefore during the time of her aboad in Denmarke she was commonly called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana being not vsed to trauaile on the sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her father fearing a worse mis-hap intreated the king of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did king Languines and his Queene accept this charge wherefore king Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to sea where weighing Anckers and hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where being arriued before he could abide in quiet as in such occasions it often falleth out certaine rebels were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so speedily send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the author leaueth the new King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yeeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and for his good grace both of the Queene and the other Ladies was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath beene already declared the yong Princesse Oriana daughter to King Lisuart was left with the Queene of Scots to refresh her selfe till the King her father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies could be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame henceforth so please you shall the Gentleman of the sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherefore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindnsse in his spirite as during life he ment to serue nor loue any other and therefore for euer bequeathed to her his heart but so well it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betweene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge thereof thought him-selfe vnworthy so great good reputing it a very bold enterprise to thinke thereon which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblance The yong Princesse who was of the fame minde and also in like paine forbare to talke more with him then any other thereby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers doing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which most they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting each other with this amorous affectioÌ„ Soone after this yong vnknowne Prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes receiue the order of Knighthood he said to himselfe If once I were a Knight I would do such exployts as should deserue the fauour of my Lady or die in the attempt And in this destre one day finding king Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these speeches My Lord might it stand with your pleasure I gladly would receiue my Knight-hood When the King heard him seeing his yong yeeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the sea Do you thinke your selfe already strong enough for such a weightie charge In sooth it is an easie thing to receine honor but to maintaine it as behooueth 〈◊〉 may be is more hard then you esteeme so that oftentimes a right good hart is troubled therewith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doe more better is death to him then a shamefull life therefore by mine aduise I would haâ—e you yet a while to forbeare The Prince not contented with this answere replied I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doe all that appertaineth to Chiualrie I would not haue beene so bold to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue beene hitherto nourished most humbly I beseech ye to grant me this petition that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to seeke else where for obtaining my suite The king highly esteemed the courage of the youth and doubting least he would depart indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentle-man that I wil do it wheÌ„ I see it necessary for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what else belongeth Yet tell me faire Sir to whome if I resused would you go for your order To King Perion said the Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Queene who maketh me beleeue that he will not denie me when I shall let him vnderstand how shee hath nourished me and that I
made to me Madame quoth he I know in my selfe so small deseruing toward you that I account my selfe vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should thinke I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to cōmand me What said shee haue you so base a mind such smal estimatiō of your selfe Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replied the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the king your father left you in this Country if you remember and when the Queene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours onely I reputed my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes said Oriana you tooke her words to better end then at that time she meant them which I take in good part and am content it shall be so No sooner had she thus said but the Prince was ouercome with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew thereof but said she would goe to the Queene to doe what he had desired and returned soone after telling him that her griefe was for the Queene of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would go succor her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death said he for without your gracious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these words Oriana smiled saying Seeing then you are mine I grant you to be my Knight and you shall aide the Queenes sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thanks telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose hands so pleased you to intreate it I would more willingly receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that said she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner grant it So presently she went to her and told what she and the Gentleman of the sea had concluded to attaine his Knight-hood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistance in the sute Mabila who loued the Prince very well thus answered I assure ye sister there shal be no want in me for so well doth the Gentleman deserue as would make one do much more then this for him wherefore let him be ready this night in the Queens Chappell then when time shall serue we will go with our women to accompany him and I will send for the King mine Vncle which shall be somewhat before the breake of day that he may come see me and he being come to vs you and I will moue him in the matter which I hope he will grant vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherefore they sent for the Prince and tolde him al the platforme they had laid who humbly thanking them wold prouide all things ready for him-selfe and therefore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine armour so closely as you can into the Queenes Chappell because I hope this night to receiue mine order and for I must right soone depart hence I would know if you haue any will to beare me company Beleeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I depart from ye Of these words was the Prince so glad that the teares stood in his eyes with ioy Well said he prouide all things ready as I told ye wherein Gandalin failed not for ere supper he tooke such order as all was done vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretly into the Chappell where he armed himselfe except the head hands So staying there for the Ladies King Perion he fel on his knees before the Alter desiring God to be his aide not onely in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortal passiōs The night being come the Queen with-drawne the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their womē came to the chappel where the Gentlemā of the sea attended Mabila hauing sent for K. Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My L. seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hither I pray you grant Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be loath saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thanke him whom whē he beheld so faire he thought all the world could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame doth it please you to command me any thing Not cōmand my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of knight-hood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altar When the king saw him he wondred at his goodly stature and said to him My friend would you receiue the order of Knight-hood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it done said the King who giue you grace so well to proceede therein as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spur and dubbing him with his Sword thus spake Now haueye the Order appertaining to a Knight but I would oppertunity had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor notwithstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renowne shall supply what wanteth here in performance Afterward King Perion took leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him then set on his way toward Gaule cōmending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimony of these louers sweete desires If it seeme to the Reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answer that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which thinke themselues most expert in those pleasing and amorous actions haue beene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not only he depriued them of speech but of iudgment also
be answered the Prince vnlesse you thinke I haue done wrong in succouring the husband to this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dy When the three Knights heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had bene abused by their sister wherefore they thus replied In sooth my Lord so please you to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assurance so to doe said the Prince yet will I not acquit ye from the combate Then he that first spake rehersed all the words of their sister according as hath beene already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villanie disguised in such sorte for she hath done far otherwise as you may vnderstand by her husband himselfe who being nere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at hand Seeing it hath so fallen out said the three bretheren dispose of vs as they that remain at your mercy And mercy shall ye haue answered the Prince if first ye will loyally sweare to me that you will cary this woman and her husband to the Court of King Languines there before him recite al that hath happened saying withall how you were thereto constrained by a yong Knight that sent ye thether who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this mis-deed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to performe wherefore commending them to God he rode away leauing them together CHAP. VI. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentle-man of the sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knights the Gentle-man of the sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not ridden long till they saw two Damosels come toward them by two sundry waies who addressed them-selues to meete together which when they had done they entred into communication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and whē they were come to the Prince she with the Launce aduanced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three dayes it will stand ye in good steed as therewith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these words thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shal be quoth she euen so as I haue said and this present I was desirous to bring ye as a beginning of recompence for two fauours I hope to receiue by you the first whereof shall be When one of your best friends shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue whereby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath done these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doe my friend Full well I known quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you must note was Vrganda the vnknowne When the other Damosell who heard the words saw her forsake her company she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doe wherefore she said My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conueneient I would gladly for a while abide with ye deferring a iourny that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demand of whence she was where-to she replied that she was of Denmarke And that himselfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assurance thereof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country speech whereupon he said If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tell me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I see her till now I met her on the way and then she said to me that the Launce she caried she would giue to the best Knight in the world desiring me withall to let you vnderstand after her departure that she bare you great affection and how she was named Vrganda the vnknowne Ah God quoth he how infortunate am I ◅ot knowing her if I forbare now presently to follow her you must thinke Lady the cause is that I cannot find her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the dark euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chanced that they met with a Squire who demanded where they intended to find lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith said the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you cannot long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct you to a Castle belonging to my father who shall do you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosel thinking this councel good desired the Prince to accept there-of which he did therefore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them derectly forth of the way because he had neuer seene the combates of Knights errand and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought thē to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could the Prince take no rest all the night for thinking on the Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gone and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire said he would bring them againe into their way acquainting the Prince as he rode with the custome of the Castell which being very neere at hand he shewed them the Castell standing very strong and pleasantly for before it ran a huge swift Riuer and no passage thereto but ouer a long draw-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence thereof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needs passe thether by the bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsaull passage March on then said the Prince wherewith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the sea remaining behind entred into such thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well neere forgotten himselfe but at length he heard the noyse of sixe Halberders armed with Corslets and Helmets who at the entrance of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oath that she should neuer beare loue to hir friend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland against King Perion which she refusing cried to the Prince for his assistance This clamour made him forget his musing when adressing himselfe to the Palliardes he said Traiterous villaines who commanded you to lay hands on this Lady
whereto she condiscended tooke the Prince by the hand saying I beseechye Sir grant the king what he hath requested He seeing her importunate took off his Helmet when presently the king knew him that it was the same man he had knighted at the Ladies motion wherefore embracing him he said Right glad am I to know so deere a friend My Lord quoth the Prince I knew you so soone as I came to the Castell to be the man that gaue me mine order of knight-hood wherewith so please it God I meane to serue you while your warre continueth in Gaule willingly I would not be knowne by any one till your troubles be finished You ha ue already said the King done so much for me as I rest bounden to you while I liue allowing you to dispose of me and mine and if as you say you come into Gaule you shall augment with aduauntage the honor due to you then iustly may I tearme the hower happy that it was my fortune to make so good a Knight Such like words vsed King Perion litle thinking how neere they were allied together thus they rode deuising till at length they came to a double way when he demanded of the King which of those waies pleased him to take This on the left hand answered the King because it guideth directly to my Country God haue you then in his keeping said the Prince for I must needes ride this other way I pray ye quoth the King remember your comming into Gaule as you promised me for the hope I haue in you hath abridged part of my sorrow and giueth me assurance withall that by your meanes I shall recouer my losse So tooke they leaue of each other the king toward Gaule and the Prince in company with the Damosell and Gandalin but because she had now seene what she desired namely the proofe of the Launce which Vrganda gaue him she wold trauaile no further out of her way but turning to the Prince said I haue hetherto my Lord with right good will kept ye company because the Lady that gaue ye the Launce said she brought it to the best knight in the world and surely I haue seene so much as I stand in no doubt of her speeches wherefore I shall now shape my course to find her I am sent to as before I tolde ye I pray ye Lady quoth he tell me what she is It is said she the Princesse Oriana Daughter to king Lisuart of great Brittaine When he heard her named whom he loued so deerely his hart began to tremble in such sorte as he had fallen beside his Horse but that Gādalin staied him yet fetching a great sigh said Ah God my hart faileth me the Damosell thinking some sudden sicknes was the cause thereof would haue had him vnarmed but hee tolde her it was needlesse for he was oftentimes wont to feele such passions The Squire who all this while had beene their guide tooke leaue of the Prince as king the Damosell if her way lay toward the Courte of King Languines which she affirming he said he would accompany her thether because hee had busines of some importance there So hauing courteously saluted each other they returned the same way they came the Prince rode on with Gandalin to seeke aduentures Heere leaueth the Author to tel ye what happened to Galaor whom the Giant caried away and gaue in keeping to the aged Hermet as already you haue heard By this time had Galaor attained the age of sixteene yeeres meruailously encreasing in stature comely perfection hauing no other exercise then reading on a Booke which the olde man lent him discoursing the deeds of Armes of sundry ancient Knights Heerein he tooke so great pleasure as on this occasion as also by a naturall instinct he was desirous to be Knighted neuerthelesse he knew not whether by right such honor appertained to him Very earnestly he questioned thereon with the Hermet but the holy man who knew right well that so soone as he receiued the order he should combate against the Giant Albadan his eyes being filled with teares he thus answered My soone much better were it for you to labour in the safetie of your soule then to aduenture on the order of Knight-hood which is to be maintained with wonderous trauaile Father quoth Galaor very hardly shall I follow the calling which I take against my will but in that whereof my hart hath made choyse if God grant me good successe will I aduance his seruice for there-out may I not be during life The good Hermit who then well perceiued his grounded resolution replied Certes my Sonne seeing you are determined to follow Armes I can well assure ye that through fault of high linage you neede not dispaire of good hap in respect you are son to a King and Queene but keepe that to your selfe and let not the Giant know how I told ye so much When Galaor heard this he was exceedingly contented saying to the Hermit In sooth Father the care I haue had all my life time to be a Knight hath beene very great but now I thanke God and you I am rid thereof for by that you haue tolde me I cannot misse ofit The Hermit noting his earnest affection doubted least soone after he would be gone wherefore he gaue the Giant to know his Schollers forwardnes as also how his constitution did now very well serue him being wonderfull desirous of his knight-hood and therefore he should now deale in the cause as best himselfe pleased No sooner was the Giant enformed hereof but presently he got him to Horse-backe and rode to the Hermit with whom he found Galaor of more large stature then his yeeres expressed very comely and beautyfull in euery parte whereupon he thus spake to him I vnderstand Sonne that you would be a Knight to follow Armes truely you shall prepare your selfe to go with me when time serueth and your desire shal be honorably satisfied Father answered Galaor heerein consisteth the summe of mine affection so not long after the Giant departed from the Hermit taking Galaor with him who falling on his knee before the reuerent olde man desired that as he had fatherly nourshed him so still he would remember him in his deuout orisons The holy man with the teares tricling downe his cheekes kissed and blessed him then mounted Galaor on Hors-back and followed the Giant who brought him home to his Castell where for certaine time he practised to combate at Armes as also brauely to manage Horses hauing all things conuenient for the same and two maisters very expert therein When he had continued a yeere at these exercises the Giant seeing him worthy to receiue honor strong enough to endure chiualrie disposed thereon as you shall read hereafter Now againe doth the Author leaue him and discourseth of that which chanced to the Gentleman of the sea who after he departed from King Perion and the Damosell rod two daies together without any
Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisena his Mother IN the beginning of this Historie it hath beene recited how King Perion gaue his Queene Elisena being then in little Brittaine a Ring like another that commonly hee wore and these two Rings were of such an vniforme as there was no difference to bee discerned betweene them Likewise ye haue vnderstood how when the yong Prince was put vpon the water this Ring was fastened about his necke which Gandales kept till time he sent it by the Damosell a little before he was knighted with the Sword and the waxe Now had the King sundry times demaunded of the Queene for the Ring who made him diuers doubtfull answers and in the end sayd she had lost it But it came to passe that as the Prince walked with Orianaes Damosell which commonly he was wont to do yong Melicia daughter to king Perion passed by him weeping when the Prince staied her saying Faire friend why weepe ye Ah my Lord quoth the Princesse I haue euen now lost a Ring which the King my Father gaue me to keepe while he slept Weepe not so faire Virgin answered the Prince you shall haue another of me to giue him So taking his owne Ring from his finger he gaue it her When she beheld it thinking it was the same she had lost she said Ah my Lord haue you found it wherewith I am not a little glad for I haue all this while sought it What nowe quoth the Prince this is not your Ring In mine opinion it is answered Melicia or the onely thing of the world that most resembles it So much the better said the Prince for more easily will it be iudged the same you lost Herewith went Melicia to the Kings Chamber and finding him awake he asked her for his Ring then gaue she him the same she had of the Prince which the King put on his finger thinking it was his owne But soone after as he walked through the Gallary he espied in a corner lying the other Ring which he gaue his daughter before to keepe and taking it vp he compared them together where-upon he remembred that one of these two was the same he sometime gaue the Queene so he asked of Melicia where she had the Ring The yong Princesse affraid of beating durst not lye but thus answered My Lord and Father your Ring I lost and as I searched for it I met with the Gentleman of the sea who because he saw me weepe gaue me one of his which I deliuered you in stead of your owne and if that be not it I know not where it is When the King heard this he presently conceiued suspition betweene his Queene and the Prince imagining in respect of his beauty how she was fallen into some dishonest liking of him and therefore had giuen that token Hereupon he went to the Chamber where she was and shutting the dore sate downe by her not speaking one word a good space but silently fixed his eyes on the ground then breathing forth a passionate sigh he said I will not maruaile any longer Madame why you would neuer make me any certaine answer when I demanded for the Ring Igaue ye in little Britaine you haue lost it in such a place where you would be loath I should know of it but hardly can you conceale affection when it proceedeth to such effects The Gentleman of the sea inconsideratly gaue it to Melicia little thinking that it came at the first from me and thereby do I know what he suspecteth not and your selfe would I should not vnderstand When the Queene who already by his countenance saw he was troubled heard what he had said she now determined not to dissemble with him in any thing but summarily made a true discourse of her child-birth And not without teares she recounted to him how standing in feare of the king her father as also the seuere law vsed in his Kingdome she was constrained to commit her sonne to the mercy of the sea and in his cradle coffin put with him both the Ring sword what else hath bene already declared Confounded was the king with maruaile when he heard the whole truth and presently imagined the Prince might bee his first sonne whom God had so miraculously preserued wherefore he said to the Queene According to your circumstances reuealed it may be that he who is vnknowne to vs is our sonne and the rather I coniecture so by the name he beareth of the sea Ah God said the Queen may it fall out so haply I beseech ye my Lord send presently for him and we will desire him to tell vs of whence he is Let vs go then quoth the King to seeke him So went they to his Chamber where they found him sleeping wherefore without making any noyse he approched nere the bed espied his Sword which he tooke and after he had well viewed it knew it to be the same he esteemed so much and wherewith he had finished many famous aduentures whereupon he said to the Qeuene On my faith this is the sword I left in the Chamber of the King your Father the first night we were acquainted together and now do I the better beleeue what you haue said vnto me Ah God said the Queene let vs suffer him sleepe no longer for my hart cannot endure this weighty burden herewith she tooke him by the hand and awaked him saying My Lord sleepe no more at this time for other accasions calleth you Easily was the Prince raised from sleepe but whē he beheld the Queene weeping as one amazed thereat he said Madame from what occasion proceede these teares is there any thing I may do ye seruice in to remedy them Noble friend quoth the Queene you onely may quallifie my griefe by your words in telling me whose sonneyou are So God helpe me Madame answered the Prince I know not for by strange aduenture was I found in the sea The good Lady was then so ouercome with ioy as not onely speech but vitall sence was taken from her and she fell downe in a swoune which the Prince perceiuing quickly ranne to recouer her saying What aile ye Madame further could he not imagine on the cause of this alteration Ah my sonne quoth she now know I better then thy selfe who thou art The King likewise was so caried away with ioy and admiration as he stood not able to speake a word now was it hard to iudge which of these three felt greatest contentation but the mother throwing her armes about the Princes neck said Now may I boldly dare to kisse in safetie hauing beene so long depriued of thysight and knowledge highly am I beholding to the deuine bounty who hath fauoured the offence I committed through feare which was in deliuering thee to the courtisie of the waters and see heere thy Kingly father that begot thee With these words the Prince fell at their feete extreame ioy reducing the
I should deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowne to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode backe the same way she came and the King into the Citie with Amadis his Soune so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to keepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honour and happie comming there were Knightly Tourneys daily vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what maner the Gyant had carryed away his brother Galaor wherefore hee determined happen what might to goe seeke him and if possible hee could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he entreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemies that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittaine because he was loath to remaine idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Queen yet by opportunitie hee obtained permission for his Voyage nor could they all haue power to with hold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Herevpon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarqing himselfe at the neerest Port of the Sea where by good happe he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittaine landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient City of that Countrey where hee heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demanded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marry is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any shipping there for my speedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither sayd Amadis In sooth replyed the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whom King Perion not long since had knowne to bee his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruaile hereat for hee thought these newes had not been so farre spread abroad wherefore hee demaunded how she heard thereof I know it qouth she from her to whom the most secret things of all are manifest for she knew Amadis before he knew himselfe or that his Father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what shee is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowne She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which shee now standeth in feare to loose Beleeue me Damosell answered Amadis seeing she who may command euery one doth now please to employ Amadis I assure ye it is needlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seek and therefore let vs goe whither you thinke conuenient What sayd the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct yee where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII How the Gyant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dubbe him Knight mette with his brother Amadis by whose hand hee would bee Knighted and no other THe Gyant of whom sundry times we haue spoken heereto-fore causing yong Galaor to bee instructed in managing horses all other exercises beseeming a Knight found him so capeable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeere hee was growne meruailous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whom hee most willingly would receiue his order of Knight-hood Notwithstanding before the Gyant mooued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this maner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would bee so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my son answered the Gyant you haue reasō for your words yet tell me by whō you would receiue your Order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if so it like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Wel haue you aduised sayd the Gyant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire and strong Castle named Bradoid seated on the toppe of a mountaine enuironed about with Fennes and Marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the Marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long Causey being so broad that two Chariots might well meet together on it and at the entrance of the Causey was a draw-bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Heere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly Elme trees where-under the Gyant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shield two Lyons rampant and because the bridge was drawne vp hee could passe no further but called with a loude voyce to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing sayd to the Gyant My Lord if it please you I would glady see what this Knight will doe here Soone after they espyed at the further end of the Causey by the Castle side two other Armed Knights accompained with tenne Halberders who came and demaunded of the knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not sticke for that answered hee that would enter cause you the bridge to bee let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twaine more hasty then his companion aduanced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrier against the knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both Horse and man to the ground The friend to the dismounted knight thinking to reuenge his iniury gaue forth to meete him and failing in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountered with their bodies
deale of trauaile to king Lisuart to whom I am going for the same cause My friend replied the knight you shall do your selfe ouer-much wrong to leaue so good an occasion by the best king in the world for so poore a knight errand as I am My Lord quoth Galaor the great state of the king can put no such strenght into me as I haue seene performed by you in the late Combats therefore so please it you accomplish in me my earnest desire I can be much better content answered the knight to grant any other thing you will demand for such authority appertaineth not to me nor to you likewise is it so honorable As thus they stood on these tearmes Vrganda vnlooked for came to thē where-with the knight of the Lions was very glad and she hauing as yet not heard any of their talke thus spake to her champion What is your opinion of this Gentleman Me thinks quoth he a brauer person was neuer seene but he requireth such a thing of me as is neither in him or me conuenient What is it said Vrganda That I quoth he should giue him the order of knight-hood and yet he is now in trauaile with determination to request the same of the famous king Lisuart Certainly answered Vrganda to make him stay will be a greater cause of euill to him then good and I will councel him not to desist from his former motion for you ought nor to deny him seeing I can assure ye that honor will be better imployed by him then any other in all the Isles of the sea except one Seeing it is so replied the knight in the name of God let it be done goe we then to some Church to performe the vigill It shall be needlesse quoth Galaor to stand about such matters now in that I come not vnprouided of them already It suffiseth then answered the Knight so put he on his right spurre and embracing him said You are now a knight wherefore take the honor of the sword by whom you shall thinke it more conuenient Do you then giue it me said Galaor if you please for by no other will I receiue it with my will Then he called a Squire that held a sword ready but Vrganda stepped before saying No no you shall haue a better take that which hangeth on yonder tree and you shall finde it farre more faire and good Heere-with they looked vpon the tree yet saw it not wherefore they all began to smile and she doing the like said to them In sooth it is almost ten yeeres since it first was hanged there yet no passenger by euer saw it looke better about the tree for sure you cannot but easily behold it Now did they all perceiue it tied to a branch of the tree euen as though it had but euen then beene hanged there and by it was a Scabberd couered with gold shewing most fine and curious Worke-manship on it The Knight of the Lyons tooke it downe and afterward girded it about Galaor saying So faire a Sword beseemeth a knight so formall and thinke shee hated you not who of so long time hath kept it for you Most cheerefully did Galaor giue her thankes and the knight likewise thus speaking to them I beseech ye to hold me excused for I am constrained presently to depart from ye and were it not I must goe where I am attended no companie in the world would I desire more then yours therefore I desire ye Sir to tell me where I may find ye at my returne In the Court of king Lisuart answerd the knight where I shal be very glad to see you and because it is no long time since I was knighted I am the more desirous of some abode there to attaine honour as you cannot chuse but doe the like if you come hither Certes said Galaor to that place will I shortly follow ye and Madame quoth he to Vrganda you haue so strictly bound me to your seruice as may it please you to account me your knight I am readie wheresoeuer you shall command mee So departed he from them returning to the Gyant who stayed for him by the Riuer side where hee had hid himselfe least he should bee seene But now you must here obserue that as Galaor thus deuised with Vrganda and the Knight one of the Damosels that was in Galaors company had conference with her that attended on Vrganda of whō at large shee vnderstood how the knight of the Lyons was Amadis Son to king Perion of Gaule whose cōming thither Vrganda had caused to deliuer by force of Armes her friend that there was kept prisoner for by inchantmēt she could not compasse it by reason the Ladie of the Castle was too cunning in that Arte and there had first enchanted him in despight of her fearing no way to loose him againe but by knightly chiualrie On this occasion the custome there was appointed which Amadis ended and restored as you haue heard the man for whom they came thither and hee by the Damosell Neece to the Ladie of the Castle that in enchaunted furie would haue leapt into the Riuer was conducted to this place So soone as Galaor had left Vrganda shee demaunded of Amadis if he knew the man to whom hee gaue the Order of Knight-hood No truely Madame quoth he In sooth answered Vrganda it is great reason you should knowe what he is for he beareth so braue a minde that if you both should meet without further knowledge there might happen betweene yee great inconuenience Therefore I giue ye to vnderstand how he is your owne brother both by father and mother and the very same whom the Gyant caryed away being then but two yeeres old and a halfe now he is of so goodly stature as you haue seene for whose sake and yours likewise I haue a long time kept the Sword where-with I assure ye he shall do more in exploits of Armes then euer any knight did in Great Brittaine Amadis concieued hereat such inward ioy as the teares trickled downe his cheekes wherefore he said to Vrganda I beseech ye Madame tell mee where I may finde him It is not necessarie quoth she that as yet you should seeke him Why said Amadis is he then constrained to accomplish some predestinate matter before I may finde him Yea verily answered Vrganda and it is not so easie to know as you may imagine Long time thus continued their conference till Vrganda would depart alone with her friend so she commended Amadis to God who presently tooke his way toward Windsore where at this time King Lisuart soiourned Our Historie at this time pauseth of him continuing what hapned to Galaor the new Knight who beeing arriued where the Gyant stayed for him thus spake Father I am now thanks bee to God and him you sent me to a confirmed knight My sonne quoth the Gyant I am not a little glad thereof and seeing it is so well effected will yee graunt mee one request
Now did the run-awaies feare more more encrease when he felt his enemy so neere at hand wherefore the better to saue himselfe he cast his shield back ouer his shoulders fled away faster then he did before which Galaor perceiuing would follow him no longer but hastily returned thinking to take the Dwarffe and binde his legs to a tree from which the Dwarffe kept himselfe wel enough for he had gotten more ground in running away then the other Here-upon he came to the first that he dismoūted who hauing some-what recouered himselfe Galaor thus spake to him Insooth your misfortune grieueth mee more then your fellowes doth for like a good Knight you came alone to me albeit I know not on what occasion in respect I neuer offended ye as I remember It is very true answered the Knight notwithstanding you must note what the Dwarffe sayd to vs how you had beaten him slaine his men and taken a Lady perforce from him that was in his companie Beleeue me quoth Galaor shewing him the Damosell on the other side of the Riuer he falsly lyed and were it that I had brought her away perforce she would not tarry for me so willingly as shee doth but she vnhappily straying in this Forrest the Dwraffe met with her offering to leade her away against her will and because she would not obey him he gaue her many cruel strokes with a staff Ah Traitour that he is answered the knight for this villainie shall I reward him if euer wee meete againe And because Galaor found the Knight in so good sort he holpe to take his horse that had escaped desiring him to punish the Dwarff for his treason This done he entred the boate and past the water afterward hee and the Damosell rode on their way shee shewing him soone after a Castle neere at hand which stood very brauely on the toppe of a Mountaine saying Here will be the best lodging we shall finde this night and alighting from their horses they were entertained there with maruailous curtesie it being the dwelling of the Damosels mother Soone after was the Prince vnarmed and then the Damosell came to him in this manner To the ende my Lord I may keepe promise with yee if you please to stay heere till I returne which credite me shal be very spedily I will bring ye newes of her whom you desire to see I am content answered Galaor prouided that you make no tarriance because I haue affaires of importance else-where Let it suffice replyed the Damosell you shall see me againe sooner then you imagine And so she departed vsing such diligence as Galaor was not displeased with her stay At her returne they mounted on horse-backe and rode together crosse the Forrest which when they left the night ouer-tooke them whereupon the Damosell forsaking the out-right way turned aside and by time the greater part of the night was spent they arriued at a very faire Citie named Grandares where comming to a Castle gate the Damosell sayd Now let vs alight and follow me for here will I shew you her I promised but leaue not your weapous and Armour because one can scant tell what may happen The Damosell went before and Galaor followed her till they came neere the wall Get vp heere said the Damosell and I will goe on the other side to attend you With much adoe he ascended the wall by reason of his weightie Armor as also beeing troubled with his Shield and Helmet When the D◅osell saw hee was amounted shee entred the Pallace to guide him as she begun in meane while Galaor was discended and sate hard by a Posterne that entred a Garden where he tarryed so long till the Damosell came and opened the doore with one of her companions but ere hee entred they thus spake Although you haue attained thus farre yet before you passe any further you must needs tell vs whose sonne you are Let that alone answered Galaor for I haue such a Father as til the time of better happe I am content not to name him Neuerthelesse quoth one of them it is very necessarie we should know for it shall not be any way to your hinderance I am answered Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule and the Queene Elisena and it is not sixe dayes past since I could not tell yee so much Stay then said the Damosell so they caused him to be vn-armed casting a Mantle about his shoulders and afterward went on the first Damosell going before and the other comming behinde him In this manner they entred the Pallace passing through a chamber where many Ladies and Gentlewomen were in bed and if any one demaunded who went by so late the Damosels his guides made answere for him Thus not perceiued by any they came to another Chamber wherein when Galaor entred he saw sitting on a gorgious bedde a most beautifull Ladie with an Iuory combe kembing her faire locks but when she espied Galaor she presenly cast on her head a Chaplet of Flowers and came to meete him whom the Damosels had brought saying My Friend you are right heartily welcome being the best knight in the word that I know And you Madame quoth he are most happily found being the fairest Ladie that euer I saw Then the Damosell that had guided him thither thus spake My Lord see here my Mistresse now am I discharged of the promise I made ye and if you would haue me say any more she is named Aldena daughter to king Serolys and because the wife to the Duke of Bristoya is sister to her mother she nourisheth her here as her owne daughter And you Madame quoth shee to the young Princesse haue here present as I can assure yee the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule wherefore you being both the children of Kings excelling in beautie and natures perfections if ye loue together no one dare blame ye Here-with she went presently foorth of the chamber and making fast the doore after her left the two loues alone by which meanes they spent this night so amorously as they that haue tasted like fortune may conceiue and therefore meed I make no further talke thereof But the houre being come when Galaor should depart he was warily aduised thereof by the Damosels who brought him to the place were ouer-night hee had left his Armour and after hee was inuested therein as hee ought to be he went along the Garden againe where-through he came in And as neuer any good chanceth without some mishap attending thereon so nowe came it to passe for there found he the Dwarffe ambushed that had so misused him before as you haue heard who no sooner espied him but hee cryed out Beleeue me Sir Royster vnwise wast thou to enter heere for thou dyest and the traiteresse that did conduct thee Come foorth Knights come foorth here is a man that secretly came out of the Dukes Chamber It was no time then for Galaor to sleepe but lightly getting vp the wall cast him-selfe on the other
paines in that through the vnion of our spirits I feele no lesse then you do your selfe If you will not appease them for your owne sake I pray ye let it be done for mine the rather that we may the oftner meete if you please publiquely when such sadnes will but discouer what wee most willingly would keepe vnknowne whereby may arise two great inconueniences and be a meane to hinder the thing we chiefest desire Sweete Lady answered Amadis I haue such felicitie in seeing and hearing you as wanting strength enough to vnder-prop the burden of so especiall contentation I am faine to fall downe vnder it experimenting no lesse the paine of not accustomed pleasure then the other beside of continuall pâ—…siuenes which makes me wonder that I cannot dye heere in this solace If then I haue offended you by this transportation pardon it in your owne selfe who brought me to this happy mis-fortune and likewise gaue me this hurtfull medicine suffer me then yet longer to vse it that in the assurance of your grace I may by little and little learne to support it and attaine the knowledge of liuing content excusing my apprenti-shood in this felicity being yet scant skilfull enough how to vse it Loue is sicknesse and be it fauourable or contrary it cannot be without passion working the like affect in other which you reproue in me Well haue you said my friend answered Oriana how you are as yet but an Apprentise and so you shew very well by your words prouing that loue cannot be without passion I hope to see the time when you attaining greater and more perfect knowledge therein then yet you haue shall be in higher tranquility of minde which it may be you thinke cannot be had in this world Nor shall it not happen to you by admiration of that which now you most loue and is likewise of farre more lesse account but by the fruition of the thing wherein felicity consisteth the knowledge whereof vniteth and lifteth the spirits so high as heauen And albeit I am yet so yong in yeeres and discretion as I cannot be exempt from the ill you complaine on yet am I not vnprouided of desire to hasten the time when we shall liue together merry contented Ah Madame said Amadis the hope of that happy day shall make mee passe this mournfull life in patience supporting for your honor my inward paines so couertly as I can bearing the outward with what courage possible I may but I beseech ye do me the fauour as to tell mee when it will be Well perceiued Oriana that he had not thorowly vnderstood her meaning wherefore in smiling she said It is already begun but the dazling of your eyes will not let you see it Heere-with Amadis became very pensiue holding his eyes stedfastly fixed on her and she to change his sadnes tooke 〈◊〉 by the hand thorow the window which Amadis kissed a thousand times without any word passing betweene them and Mabila 〈…〉 she came to them saying 〈◊〉 you forgot your selues Amadis lifting vp his head courteously saluted her she doing the like to him and after sundry speeches of wellcome as also how long they desired to see him Mabila demaÌ„ded what length of time he intended to stay in the Court So long as it shall please Madame Oriana answered Amadis It must be thâ—â— continually quoth Oriana and you shall grant it if the King request it Sweete Madame answered Amadis if it please his Maiestie so much to honor me I will obey both him and you yet will I dissemble strangnes a while All the better replied Mabila and in the meane time I pray ye visit vs often Longer they would haue continued in talke but Gandalin gaue them warning how the day appeared wherefore he said to Amadis My Lord me thinkes you are importunate but then you must needs accuse the day Amadis gaue no eare to him for he proceeded on still with his deuise but Oriana perceiuing Gandalin said 〈◊〉 thus spake to Amadis Now goe my Lord if you please for it is 〈◊〉 forget not your promise Then taking her by the hand and kissing it he went to horse-backe returning to the wood where he left the Damosels who had by entreaty earnestly perswaded him to goe deliuer their cosin that the King held captiue vntill such time shee presented her Champion as you haue heard wherefore after they had â—ested till morning they returned to the Towne in the greatest fauour and expectation of the world CHAP. XVI How Amadis made himselfe knowne to King Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his Court of whom he was honorably receiued and feasted EArely the next morning Amadis armed himselfe and mounting on horse backe rode presently to the Towne accompanied with the two 〈◊〉 where being arriued they â—…ght him to their cosins lodging when the good Lady knowing her worthy â—…pion falling on her knees before him sayd My Lord all the goods I haue you gaue me for of you I hold them and no other dispose therefore of them as you please â—ut Amadis brake her off in this maner Come Lady let vs goe before the King to the end he may acquit you and I returne where vrgent affaires call me so taking off his Helmet hee rode on to the Pallace with the three Ladyes The people knowing him to be the man that ouer came Dardan made such thronging in the streetes to see him as the king was giuen to vnderstand thereof and he reioycing at his comming honored him so much as he came to meete and receiue him on the way thus speaking to him Worthy knight hither are you so wel-come as may be deuised because we haue beene very desirous to see you Amadis noting this gracious entertainment setting his knee to the ground thus answered The God of Heauen giue your Maiestie a long and happie life then the king taking him by the hand caused him to arise saying Right glad am I to haue knowledge of you being a knight of so excellent deseruing these wordes enforced Amadis to blush yet he replyed in this manner My Lord to desire the Ladyes discharge whom you caused to be detained I am bold to come before your Highnesse and seeing she hath answered the Law according to your appointment hereafter I hope she may enioy her libertie yet till this present she knew not who maintained her quarrell against Dardan While the King Amadis thus conferred together a great number of people gathered about theÌ„ some commending his beautie other his gallant youth and all in generall his famous Chiualrie in that hee being so young had the power to vanquish Dardan who was redoubted feared through all Brittaine By this time sundry speeches past betweene him and the King where-among he dissembled his speedie departure to prouoke a desire in him to stay him and thus spake Amadis Dread Lord seeing the Ladie is free I desire leaue for my returne againe but if in ought
I may doe your Maiestie any seruice I am the man readie to bee commaunded and you the Prince whom most I desire to honour Good Friend quoth the King your departure must not be so soone except you delight to displease me God forbid answered Amadis in respect my endeauour is altogether to obey you Doe you thinke sayd the King it is any obedience if I may not entreat a longer stay In sooth my Lord quoth Amadis you may and shall command for in greater matters then this I will not offend ye Goe then and vn-arme you replyed the King and speaking these wordes him-selfe tooke him by the hand conducting him to a sumptuous chamber where he left him to take some refection with Arban King of Norgalles and the Duke of Glocester whom he commanded to keepe him companie for King Lisuart was a Prince that especially fauoured and honoured strange Knights Hauing left Amadis thus worthily accompained he went to the Queene and tolde her in what manner hee had stayed the good Knight who ouercame Dardan But doe yee my Lord quoth she know his name No verily answered the King for in respect of the promise I made him I durst not demaund that question of him It may be sayd the Queen he is the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule I would it might fall out so well answered the King Doe you know quoth the Queene who may put vs out of this doubt euen the Squire that talked with Mabila who came to search him in your Court and said how hee was aduertised of his arriuall in this Countrey long before Immediately the King caused Gandalin to be called and without declaring any thing to him thus spake Follow me for I must shew a Knight to thee that I may bee resolued if thou know him or no. Gandalin attended on the King entring the chamber where Amadis was and Gandalin viewing him very earnestly feigned to haue seene him long time since then setting his knee to the ground sayd Ah my Lord great trauaile haue I endured to finde you since I departed from the Scottish Court Gandalin my good friend right heartily art thou will-come to mee what newes doest thou bring None but good my Lord answered Gandalin all your noble Friendes are in perfect health commending them-selues to your Excellencie but hence-forth Sir you must conceale your selfe no longer then turning to the King â—e thus proceeded Mightie King hee that hath beene so long time vnknown is this braue Prince the famous Amadis Sonne to the inuincible king Perion of Gaule and then came his Fathet to vnderstand so much when he slewe in combate the puissant King Abies of Ireland by meanes whereof he recouered his Realme which was well-neere lost By these deuises was Amadis discoured and better wel-commed then before for till theÌ„ he was not knowne but through his famous deedes the renowne whereof was euery-where blazed abroad and now was hee so well honoured for his vertue as his Noblenesse required So spent they the whole day in honourable Feasting vntill such time as each one with-drew him-selfe when king Lisuart commanded the King of Norgalles that he should lodge in Amadis chamber afterward when they were alone to sound his minde vnderstand by all meanes possible if he would consent to remaine in his seruice Thus leauing them together hee returned to the Queene and to her thus spake Madame hardly shall I cause Amadis to stay as mine nor can I tell which way to compasse it albeit I neuer had greater desire to any Gentle-man of long time for the high account is helde of him would cause mee to bee much more feared and redoubted My Lord quoth the Queene graunt him any thing he shall demaund and doe your selfe present him what you imagine will best please him Hee requesteth nothing of me replyed the king for if he did I would consent thereto more willingly then he could desire Me thinkes it were good sayd the Queene to entreat him first by some other of our Court if they cannot preuaile will him to come see mee your daughter and our Cozin Mabila they likewise shall solicite the matter for they knew him when hee serued them as a Squire Then shall we let him vnderstand how all the Knights here are yours and none but thinks him-selfe honoured thereby him will we desire to be one of the Company that you may enioy his seruice when need shall require This will be a good meane answered the king to procure his stay and if he will not be wonne by you we may well iudge him of lesse ciuility theÌ„ Chiualry Now because it waxed some-what late the King bade his Queene good-night went to his Chamber On the other side the king of Norgalles perswaded his new-come guest that he would abide in the Court of king Lisuart but Amadis could so cunningly dissemble that he altogether disguised the chiefe point of his desire and might not by all these entreaties be wonne When he perceiued he laboured in vaine on the Morrow-morning hee brought him to the king of whom Amadis made offer to take his leaue But the king answered him in this manner My good friend you should haue done me pleasure not to depart so soone yet can I not constraine ye to tarrie against your will but my Queene would gladly see you before your departure Nor will I goe my Lord answered Amadis before I haue done my dutie to her where-upon taking him by the hand he brought him into her Chamber and thus spake to her See heere Madam king Perions Sonne of Gaule who is come to salute you before his departure In sooth my Lord answered the Queene he doth mee great honour and he is very heartily wel-come hither Then Amadis stepping to her fell on his knee to kisse her hand but she caused him to rise and sit downe by her when the king perceiuing they would enter into further talke with drew himselfe to discourse with his knights while they conferred together In mean while the Queene courteously entertained Amadis but the other Ladies and Gentle-women who had heard such fame of his beautie and excellent perferfections beganne to eye him very diligently maruailing that Nature had so enriched him with the onely thing they most desired Now knew Amadis by their countenances what iudgement they held of him yet durst he not turne his head aside fearing least seeing his Oriana by some sudden mutation hee might reueale what carefully he couetted to hide And as he continued in this perplexitie the Princesse Mabila came and did him reuerence where-upon the Queene the better to compasse her intent called her daughter who dissembled as if she scant knew him and thus shee spake to her Faire daughter remember you not the sonne of king Perion of Gaule who serued you well while he was your Squire and yet may doe if it please him now he is a Knight in soothe you must al assist me in desiring him to grant mee one
euer was heard of then sound not your speeches to any likely-hood for this Gyant surpasseth all other in strength cruelty Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath done no lesse then I told ye wherewith she 〈◊〉 the whole manner thereof they reputing it strange and almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew the Knights name His name quoth she is Galaor son to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withal naming my Cosin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing Hereupon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Gyant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of Chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his ayde on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was born hereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath beene already declared to you yet she cōcealed the louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir sayde she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great griefe to the other Ladyes doubting least shee through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castle more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Seeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will performe what Galaor should doe if not in strength yet in good will and therefore be you our guide to the place The Damosel turned her haqueney and led them with such speede to the Dukes Castle that they arriued there the day before the execution should be Now was the Duke set down to dinner when the two Knights entring the great hall humbly saluted him when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that hee should presently know the cause of their comming where-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false and disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered seeing she hath no way mis-done and if it be needfull to proue her innocency by battaile let come two other to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defēders Wel haue you sayd replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knights challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behoueth thee to find some defence for thy selfe For that I am not to seek my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the truth of what I haue said Here-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephew so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other father to him he sayd I pray ye Nephew maintain my quarrell against these two Knights Scarse had he thus spoken but his Nephew returned this answer to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyal Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the false Damosell brought hither It may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in Combate he dealt villainously the Damosell ought to dy because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes Chamber Agraies who found himselfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped forth with this answer In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but wee auouch he hath done no wrong if the Duke please this difference shall be soone decided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the damosel ought to be deliuered the Dwarfe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the cōtrary replied the Dwarffes Champion then calling for his armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle Courser and turning to Agraies who presented him the Cōbare thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whō this quarrell begā too high a price should I set on thy folly We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou canst doe but I am assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reasō then do I leaue thee to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on truth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was done when seeing the Knights prepared to execute their speeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place apointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies being obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Performe the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosel be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not been offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherefore if my fortune make mee Conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde you what I meane to doe said the Duke and otherwise it shall not be Agraies tarrying for no more wordes turned his horse running a braue carrire against the Dwarfes Knight and in the encounter brake their staues gallantly meeting likewise so furiously with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered themselues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to each other their Swordes being verie sharpe the Knights valiant and hautily disposed by means where-of their Armour Helmets and sheeldes were in short time made of slender resistance yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephew had stil the better of his enemy if then he had before esteemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he so to doe notwithstanding hee was so hot and vigorous as often-times he seemed out of breath which made euery one imagine regarding his violence that hee could not long endure But in him it proued farre otherwise for the longer the Combate endured his courage and strength the more increased by reason whereof he became the Conquerour as shall hereafter be declared The Nephew to the Dwarffe found him-selfe so hardly handled as he drew back a little thus speaking to Agraies Me-thinkes Sir Knight wee haue made proofe enough of what we are able to performe
heard them but turned againe then doubting they inded some harme to him he clasped on his Helmet and his Shield yet had he no Lance nor they likewise Alas my Lord quoth the Dwarffe what will ye doe consider you not they be three and you alone What matters that answered Amadis if they assayle me without reason why by good right I must assay for mine owne defence On these speeches they came to him in this manner Sir knight we would demaund one thing of you which we desire ye not to denie otherwise you may not so easily escape vs. The sooner shall I grant it quoth Amadis if it bee reasonable Tell vs then as you are a loyall Gentleman where you imagine we may find him that slew Dardan Hee who could doe no lesse then speake the trueth thus replyed I am hee albeit I would haue you thinke that I doe not so soone fulfill your request in respect of adding any praise to my selfe When the knights heard him they cryed altogether Ah traytour thou dyest and drawing their swords set violently vpon him Amadis offended to see him-selfe thus assailed by them whom ere-while he had so friendly pacified resisted them with such resolute courage as at the first stroke he smote one of their armes from the body the griefe whereof made him fall beside his horse the secōd also felt his sword so peizantly that hee cleft his head to the very teeth and sent to keepe his fellow company When the third beheld their bad successe hee put the spurres to his horse and got him away but Amadis being not so well mounted let him escape returning to Gandalin and the Dwarffe who thus spake Credite me my Lord hence-foorth will I trust better to your wordes then I did let vs therefore make haste hence if you please So riding along at length the Dwarffe shewed him in a pleasant valley two high Pine-trees neere which was a Knight mounted on a lustie Courser and two other whom not long before hee had vanquished they running to catch their horses there strayed about the field And looking againe hee espied another knight lay leaning on his helmet hauing his shield by him and twentie Launces reared against the Pines with two spare horses likewise ready furnished My Lord quoth the dwarffe doe you see the Gentleman that leaneth on his Helmet What then sayd Amadis He is replyed the Dwarffe the good Knight I promised to shew you Knowest thou his name quoth Amadis He nameth himselfe answered the Dwarffe Angriote distranans and is the best knight that I haue heard report of Tell mee then said Amadis why he keepeth there so many Launces I can therein answered the Dwraffe full well resolue ye listen then a while He loueth a Ladie of this countrey who hateth him aboue all other neuerthelesse he hath preuailed so much by fight as her parents were constrained to giue him her After he had gotten her into his power he thought himselfe the happiest man in the world but shee tolde him he should wade into no such fond opinion because hee tooke a yong Ladie against her will And albeit quoth shee perforce you haue enioyed me yet while I liue neuer shall I loue ye if you do not performe one thing for me What Lady answered Angriote is it within compasse of my puissance That is it said she Cōmand then sweete Madame replied Angriote for I will accomplish it euen to the death The Lady whose euill will was toward him exceeding great thinking to appoint him a place most conuenient for his death or else to get him there so many enemies as her Parents might enioy better assistance to take her from him intreated him and his brother to guard this vale of Pines against all knights errant that shold passe this way causing them by force of Armes to take an oath how they should afterward trauaile to King Lisuarts Court there to confesse her more beautifull thē the Ladyes they loued And if it so fell out that the brother to Angriote whome you see on horse-back were vanquished and could endure the combate no further then Angriote should keepe this passage alone during the space of one whole yeere 〈◊〉 this cause they depart not hence all the day time and at night returne to a Castle on the mountaine you see at hand hauing already maintained their enterprise three moneths in all which time Angriote neuer set hand to Sword against any Knight because his brother hath stil beene conquerour Trust me said Amadis I beleeue thou sayest true and so I heard in the Court of King Lisuart where not long since a Knight arriued who confessed Angriotes Lady to be more faire then his friend and me thought he called her name Grouonesa Very true quoth the Dwarffe but now seeing you are resolued remember your promise to me and bare mee company as you sayd you would With right good will answered Amadis which is the way Euen ouer this vale replied the Dwarffe but because of this hinderance as yet I thinke wee shall very hardly passe Care not thou for that sayd Amadis so giuing his horse the spurres he rode on and soone after he met a Squire who thus spake to him Go no further Gentleman if you will not grant the Lady vnder the Pine to be more beautifull then your Mistresse Neuer will I yeelde to such a slander replied Amadis without force or extreame constraint Returne then sayd the Squire otherwise you must combate with the twaine you see before If they assaile me quoth Amadis I must defend my selfe so well as I can so vsing no more words he rode on forward CHAP. XIX How Amadis combated against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladyes were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyce WHen Angriots brother saw him comming he tooke vp his weapons and met him saying Beleeue me Knight you haue committed folly in not graunting what our Squires gaue you warning of you must therfore enter combate with me As for the combate answered Amadis I like it much better then to confesse the greatest lye in the world I know well sayd the Knight you must do it with disaduantage in an other place And trust me quoth Amadis I thinke not so Stand on your owne defence then replied the Knight wherewith they gaue the carrire against each other meeting together so furiously as the knight was vnhorssed yet held he fast the raines of his bridle till they brake in his hand which caused him to fall on his necke to the ground where hee lay without remembrance of himselfe or any other Heereupon Amadis alighted and pulling the Helmet from his head perceiuing that he was in a sound wherefore he buffetted him in such sorte as he came to himselfe againe Thou art but dead sayd Amadis if thou yeeld not thy selfe my prisoner When the Knight saw the naked sword ouer his head fearing his death he yeelded Then
departure I shall pray Sir Knight that God may send peace between my husband and you Beleeue me Lady quoth he though I neuer care for it with him yet shall it remaine twixt you and me because you deserue it So fortuned it after-ward these words tooke effect and highly profited the good Lady as in some part of this history you shall heare recited Now are they departed from the Castle of Arcalaus riding till the night ouer-tooke them lodging at a Ladyes place fiue leagues thence where they were entertained with very gracious welcome and on the morrow after they had thanked their friendly host as they rode together Amadis thus communed with Brandoyuas Courteous Sir I trauaile in search of a Knight as here-tofore I told ye imagining it will be little pleasure to you to follow me it were not amisse then if we parted In sooth Sir answered Brandoyuas I gladly would goe to King Lisuarts court notwithstanding if you thinke it good I will keepe ye company Little neede shall I haue thereof answered Amadis I thanke ye because I must be cōstrained to wander alone so soone as I haue brought this Lady into such safety as she thinkes meete My Lord quoth she I will accompany this Gentleman if you please seeing he trauaileth to the Court of King Lisuart and there I hope to finde him for whom I was prisoner who I am assured will be glad of my deliuerance Now trust me answered Amadis very well sayde goe then together and God be your guid Thus are they seperated now remaining none with Amadis but Gandalin the Dwarffe of whom the Prince likewise demanded what he meant to do Mary be your trusty seruant sayde the Dwarffe if you like so well as I. I am well pleased replied Amadis and thou shalt doe what thou wilt thy selfe In sooth my Lord quoth the Dwarffe seeing you released me I would gladly remaine in your seruice for I know not where I may be halfe so well the man and the maister being both agreed they tooke their way as fortune liked to conduct them Not farre had they trauailed but they met one of the Ladyes that rescued him from enchantment at Arcalaus Castle shee weeping and mourning very grieuously which mouing Amadis to pitty her complaints made him demand the cause thereof A Knight who rideth not farre before quoth she hath taken from me a little casket wherein is matter of great cōsequence yet no way able to pleasure him for such things are therein as within these three dayes one in my company and my selfe restored from death the best Knight in the world and shee likewise of whom I tell ye is violently caryed away by another Knight who is ridden before intending to force her Heere you must obserue that the Damosell now talking with Amadis knew him not by reason his helmet beuer couered his face but when he heard how her casket was taken from her hee neuer left gallopping till he ouer-tooke him to whom hee thus spake Knight you deale not courteously giuing this Lady cause thus to complaine of you and me-thinkes you should do a great deale better to deliuer the casket againe you tooke from her but when the Knight heard him hee fell in a great laughter Why do ye thus laugh Sir sayd Amadis I laugh at you answered the Knight whom I thinke scant wise in giuing councell to him that demands it not the lesse hope may you haue in speeding in your suite It may be quoth Amadis you care not for my words yet it were good to deliuer the thing is none of yours Belike you threaten me thē sayde the Knight Not you Sir answered Amadis but your ouer-much boldnes in vsing force where it ought not to be Is it true quoth the Knight with these words hee set the casket aside in a tree and returning to Amadis sayd If your brauery be such in deedes as it seemeth in words come teach mee know it and receiue the law So giuing the spurres to their horses they encountred together in such sorte as the Knight being dismoūted his horse fel so heauily on him that he was not able to rise againe in meane while Amadis fetched the cofer and deliuering it to the Damosell sayd Take your owne faire Lady tarry here till I bring your companion Presently he posted after the other Knight ouer-taking him at a thicket of trees where he had tyed both his horse and the Ladies trayling her by the haire of the head into the wood there to commit his villainous desire but Amadis cryed to him aloude in this manner Of an euill death maist thou dye traytor that wrongest a Lady in this sorte without offending thee As the Knight strougled with her to get her into the wood hee looked vp and saw Amadis whereupon he left her making speede to his weapons and mounted on horseback then approching neere the Prince hee sayd By my hand Knight in haplesse time for thee didst thou hinder me of my will Such a will answered Amadis as distaineth honor both men and beasts despise If I take not reuenge for it quoth the knight then let me neuer weare armour againe The world therein shall sustaine a great losse replied Amadis of one addicted to such villainy that seeks to force Ladies who ought in all liberty and honor to be defended and so they bee by all loyall Knights With a braue course they met together when though the knight brake his lance yet was hee hurled against the ground so violently as the weight of his armour and strength of his fall made him lye trembling in a trance Which Amadis perceiuing to rid him out of his paine altogether he trampled on his belly with his horse feete saying Thus shalt thou loose thy desire of forcing Ladyes And as for you faire soule I hope heereafter you are rid from any danger of him The more am I to thank you my Lord quoth she would God my companion who hath lost her casket were as well deliuered as I am She was the first I met withall answered Amadis wherefore first of all I succored her so well as shee hath recouered what was taken from her and beeholde where my Squire conducteth her hither-ward Now because the heat was some-what violent Amadis put off his helmet to take the ayre when the Damosell immediately knew him for it was shee that at his returne from Gaule conducted him to Vrganda the vnknowne when by Chiualry he deliuered her friend at the Castle of Bradoy◠which made her remember him and so did Amadis her when alighting they embraced each other the like courtesie he shewed to the other Damosell Alas quoth they had we but dreamed on such a defender no villain could haue wronged vs halfe so much On my faith said Amadis the help you gaue me within these three daies may not be compared with this matter of no validitie for I was in greater extreamity thē you but how could you possibly vnderstand
such braue viuacity of spirit as his enemy found he had a hard taske in hand At this instant an other knight chanced to passe by who seeing the combattants so â—ierce against each other determined to expect who should depart with victorie and placing himselfe by the Damosell demanded if shee knew them or the cause of their quarrel I must needes know them answered the Damosell because I set them together as you see and this good hap is not a little pleasing to mee for it is impossible but one of them must die nor doe I greatly care which of them it be but if both end together my ioyes would bee the greater Now trust me said the Knight full well doe you manifest a wicked disposition practising for your pleasure the death of two such braue men whose health and safety you rather ought to desire then imagine such a disloyall thought toward them but tell me I pray ye what reason you haue to hate them so That can I sufficiently quoth she He whose shielde is most defaced is the onely man of the world to whom mine Vncle Arcalaus wisheth most harme he being named Amadis And the other that combats with him is Galaor who not long since slew the chiefest man I loued It so fel out that Galaor hereâ—ofore made me promise of any thing I would request and because this day I was most affectionate to his death I haue brought him to deale with fuch a one as will hardly permit him to escape with life For I knew the other to bee one of the best Knights in the World on whom this Dwarffe which you see attendeth I therefore desired Galaor to giue the little villaines head being perswaded Amadis would rather die then suffer it Thus the one to deliuer me my request and the other for his Dwarffes defence are fallen into the extreamitie of their liues which doth me good at the heart to behold By my conscience Damosell replyed the Knight I neuer thought such malice had remained in a woman of your sort and I beleeue assuredly being yet so yong if longer you liue you will accustome your self to such vilainie as this you begin withall whereby you shall infect the ayre and the other elements to the disaduantage of the honest and vertuous Ladies liuing at this day But to shielde them from such danger and these two good Knights whom treacherously thou wouldest should kill each other I will make a Sacrifice of thee according to thy deserts then lifting vp his Sword he smote her head quite from her shoulders that it fell on the ground at her horse feete saying Take the reward of thy merits for the loue I beare to thine Vnckle Arcalaus who kept me his prisoner till the vertuous Knight Amadis deliuered me then running to the combatants he cryed out aloud Holde Lord Amadis hold your hand for the man you fight against is your brother Galaor When Amadis heard these words he threw down his Sword and Shield to the earth and embracing Galaor said Alas my friend my brother rightly may I be tearmed the most vnhappy Knight in the world offering you such outrage as I haue done Galaor amazed at this aduenture knew not what to say but seeing how Amadis humbled himselfe on his knee he fell downe likewise desiring pardon reputing himselfe wonderfull vnfortunate in wronging thus his Lord and brother then Amadis weeping with inward conceite of ioy thus answered Noble brother and my friend I esteeme the passed perill well imployed because it beareth witnes of what we are able to doe So taking off their helmets to refresh themselues they heartily thanked the Knight that rhus caused their acquaintance whereupon he told them all what the Damosell said the execution hee committed on her Now trust me quoth Galaor neuer was false strumpet more rightly serued and now am I dischargd of the promise I made her All the better for mee said the Dwarffe and thereby haue I saued my head yet I meruaile why shee should hate me so much in respect I neuer saw her till now to my knowledge Then did Galaor at large discourse what happened betweene him the Damosell and her friend as you haue heard already rehearsed but the Knight that seperated them seeing their Armour all couered with blood thus spake to them My Lords your Armours deliuer testimony enough how discourteously your Swords haue intreated your bodies wherefore me thinks long tarrying in this place will but endanger your wounds let me request ye then to mount on horseback and accompany me to the Castle whether you shall not onely be welcome but finde helpe for your hurts by one skilfull therein Wee will not refuse your gentle offer said Amadis Let vs set forward then answered the Knight and happy shall I thinke my selfe in doing any seruice that may be liking to you for you Lord Amadis deliuered mee from the cruell imprisonmeÌ„t as neuer poor knight endured the like Where was it I pray replied Amadis At the castle quoth he of Arcalaus the enchanter wheÌ„ you restored so many to liberty How are you named said Amadâ—…lays answered the Knight and because my Castle is cleped Carsanta I am often tearmed Balays of Carsanta therefore my Lords vse mee and mine as your owne Brother said Galaor seeing the Knight reputeth himselfe so much bounden to you let vs goe with him In short time they arriued at the Castle of Balays where they found Gentlemen and Ladeies that courteously entertained them by reason Balays had sent them word before how he brought with him the two best Knights in the world Amadis who deliuered him from the strong prison of Arcalaus and his noble brother Galaor For this cause were they welcommed much more honourably and brought into a goodly chamber to bee vnarmed where likewise stood two costly beds and a table furnished with soueraigne medicins for their wounds the cure whereof two Ladies being Neeces to Balays vndertooke for they were very learnedly skilled in Chirurgery Now did they imploy their vttermost cunning to recoÌ„pence Amadis for his worthy pains in restoring their Vnckle from the slauerie of Arcalaus so that within few daies they felt themselues indifferently amended and almost able to beare their Armour as they did before Here-upon Amadis comming with his brother Galaor declared how to seeke him he departed from the Court of King Lisuart promising not to returne without his company wherefore he intreated him to yeelde no denâ—all in respect no Princes Court was better frequented with Chiualrie nor could he finde more honour in any other place My Lord quoth Galaor I intend to accomplish what you please to command me albeit I desire not as yet to be knowne among men of account first would I haue my deedes giue some witnesse how desirous I am to imitate your proceedings or else to die in this religious affection Certes brother answered Amadis for this matter you neede not abandon the place seeing your renown is already greater
then mine if so be I haue any at all yea it is darkened by the illustrate splendour of your Chiualrie Ah my Lord replyed Galaor neuer disguise matters in this order with me seeing not in deedes no not so much as in thought am I able to reach the height of such honour Leaue we then this talke said Amadis for our kingly father maketh no difference of vertue betweene vs but will ye know what I haue presently deuised I see well we must stay here longer for our health then otherwise we would for which tause I intend if you thinke good to send my Dwarff before to King Lisuarts Court that he may aduertise the Queene of our stay and so soone as we are able to trauaile we meane not to tarry long from her Doe as you please answered Galaor Presently was the Dwarffe dispatched thence who made such good speed in his iourney as within few dayes he arriued at Windsore where King Lisuart was then accompanied with many good Knights CHAP. XXIIII How King Lisuart being in the chase saw a â—…e off three Knights armed comming toward him and what followed thereupon IT chanced on a certaine day that King Lisuart summoned a meeting in Windsore Forrest which was well stored with red Deere and all other game needefull for hunting And as he was in chase of a Hart hee espied a good distance from him three armed Knights to crosse the way wherfore he sent a Squire to them with request that they would come vnto him vpon this message they immediatly obeyed returning with the Squire to the King and when they drew neere him he quickly knew Galuanes because he had seen him many times before when embracing him the King bad him hartily welcom and the rest in his company likewise for he was a Prince that most graciously entertayned all Knights especially strangers then hee demanded what the other were My Lord quoth Galuanes this young Prince is my Nephew Agraies son to the king of Scottes and one of the best Knights in the world I dare assure ye the other is Oliuas whom your Maiesty hath well knowne heretofore The King embraced them very louingly saying to Agraies Faire Cozin I must needes take this gentlenesse very kindely that you would voutchsafe to see me As for you sir Oliuas I thought you had forgotten vs confidering the long time since you were here and in sooth it is a matter very displeasant to mee when so good a Knight as you are would so absent himselfe Dread Lord answered Oliuas my earnest affaires kept mee hence against my will which hath made me the more negligent in your seruice and yet I am not free from them as if you please I shall let ye vnderstand Then he reported how Galuanes and Agraies came to his Castle by meanes of the Damosell that conducted them thither whom they very worthily deliuered from death likewise how the Duke of Bristoya treacherously slew his Cozin for which hee humbly craued Iustice with free liberty to combat before his Maiesty where he doubted not to make him confesse his treason After the King had well pondered his discourse and vnderstood the hard dealing of the Duke he was highly discontented for he knew Oliuas Cozin to bee a good Knight whereupon he thus answered Beleeue mee seeing the Duke hath committed such a fault you request iustice of me assure your selfe to obtaine it and I will send for him to come iustifie it in person Presently the King gaue ouer hunting returning with the 3 knights to his court conferring on many matters by the way among which the King demanded of Galuanes why the Duke of Bristoya would haue burned the Damosell whom they reskued Because Sir quoth he she brought a knight named Galaor into his pallace and as we vnderstand it was in the night time and no other reason had hee to alledge Why said the king Amadis is gone to seeke Galaor but since his departure wee were put in a terrible feare by Aâ—calaus who said hee had slâ—ine him But are you certaine sir answered Agraies that he liueth Yea indeede quoth the king Brandâ—yuas and Grindaloâ—a came hither since then and they gaue vs such credible testimony of his welfare as I may full well assure ye thereof for loth am I to offend any other because no one can desire his good and honour more then I doe It is the argument af your good nature replyed Agraies likewise in respect of his bounty and valour hee deserueth to be loued of you euen with like affection as good men wish to their like By this time are they come to the Court where these news were quickly brought to the Queene which reioyced very many especially faire Oliuiâ— who loued Agraies deereâ— then her selfe and the Princesse Mabila his sister was not sorry for as shee came from the Queenes chamber she met Oliuia who thus spake to het You cannot chuse Madam but bee well pleased with your Brothers comming Very true quoth Mabila for I loue him as mine owne heart Desire then I pray ye the Queene said Oliuia to send for him to her chamber to the end we may haue the meane to confer with him together so shall the pleasure of you both be fully satisfied That shall I doe answered Mabila so going to the Queenes chamber she thus spake to her Maiesty It were good Madam you should see my brother and mine Vnckle Galuâ—â—es in respect they are come hither to honour you with theâ—r seruice Sweete friend said the Queene I take it very gently that you haue so well aduâ—sed me for I promise ye I am very desirous to see them wherewith she sent one of her Ladies to the King desiring him that they mâ—gâ—t come to her which he liking very well said Gentlemen my Queene is desirous to see you all three let me then request your consent herein You must iudge if Agraies liked this motioÌ„ because he certainely knew to finde there the princesse Oliuia the choice Lady and Mistresse of his heart But when they came among the Ladies their entertainement was good and gracious especially by the Queene herselfe who caused them to sit downe by her as meaning matter of more priuate conference Many familiar speeches were enter coursed betweene them and practising by all meanes to welcom them honourably for she was the onely Queene of the world that soonest could win the hearts of Gentlemen and therein tooke no little pleasure by means where-of she was loued of most and least being reputed the most vertuous Lady liuing Now had Oliuia made choice of her place next Mabila thinking Agraies would soonest come to his sister when he left the Queene but while hee beguiled the time with her his eye glanced on the obiect of his heart which he being vnable to dissemble was compelled to a sodaine alteration of countenance and could not withdraw his lookes from the Adamant of his thonghts which the Queene somwhat noted yet imagined
his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies will ye not see your sister whom you loue so deerly Yes Madam quoth he â—o it please you to giue me lâ—… with he arose and came 〈…〉 who stepping forward to meet him you must think Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcoÌ„med him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia louing him as you haue heard ouermastring her will with reason as a most wise well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand a while asunder from all the rest Yet did Agrates keep neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any answere to his sister She being ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this suddaine mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with each others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauor them with more libery feigning a desire to speake with her Vnckle Galuanes which she prettily coloured in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Vnckle may come hither because it is long time since I saw him and I haue some that to acquaint him with all secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agrates whereupon he went to the Queene thus spake Madam if you could spare mine vnckle a little you might doe his Neece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good said the Queene at which words Galuanes went with him which Mabila seeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Fayre Neece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye do you like Scotland or this Countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the window because I haue many things to tell ye which were needelesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they being of such importance as they are These words shee vttered smiling and with a marueilous good grace cheefely because her brother might court his friend alone And well said Neece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes bee kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes whereof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone When the Prince perceiuing hee had liberty to speake trembling in aboundance of affection he began thus Madam to accomplish your commandement when you parted from mee as also to satisfie my heart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gratious contentment conueyed thereto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my Faith that being neere your person my spirits feele themselues viuified in such sort as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therefore I desire ye if it bee your pleasure to limit mee some better hap hereafter in place where I may often see and doe you seruice And as hee would haue proceeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the griefe you endure we being absent one from another as no other proofe is required then what mine owne heart doth plainely testifie smothering a displeasure worse then death it selfe whereto oftentimes I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerefull hope rebacke this despaire how one day our loue shall meet together with happy contentation And perswade your selfe that I daily trauaile in remeÌ„brance of our mutuall loue meane while sweete friend remporize and dismay not Mistresse sayde Agrates you haue already so bouÌ„d me to you as I must in duty temporize till time you please but I desire yee to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortifie mee withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shall haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer will I faile yee be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteeme yee whereby I may striue to loue you more then any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine onely And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioy therein for it cannot bee without recital of your haughty courage chiualry yet my heart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer bold venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare himselfe so praised vayled his lookes and shee loath to offend him altred her speech demanding what hee was determined to doe On my faith Madam quoth he I wil do nothing but what you please to coÌ„mand me I will then sayd Oliuia that hence-forth you keep company with your Cosen Amadis for I knowe hee loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to bee one of this Court deny it not Beleeue me Madam answered Agrayes both you and such good counselling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I wil more credite with mine affaires then my honourable Cosen Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing hnowledge of him in her fathers kingdome of Denmark where hee performed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her auncient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Queene and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertayned him maruailous kindely as well for Amadis sake whom hee loued as also the curtesie hee shewed her in Scotland when king Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cosen we haue daily desired your presence heere especially your sister who not many dayes since was in great grief by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truly you would haue wondered therat Good reason had she Madam quoth Agraies to be sorrowful and not she alone but all the rest of his linage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cosen dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue
be Lady you can tell me who hath caryed away the dead knight that lay vnder the tree not farre hence If you wil promise me quoth she to reuenge his death which is an exceeding great griefe to many I will resolue you therein I will not stick for that answered Galaor for it seemeth by your words it is an act of iustice to do it Very true said the Damosell mount vp before me on my Palfary and I shall direct ye to your desire WheÌ„ they had ridden about two miles shee shewed him a maruailous faire castle and alighting at the gate she bad him enter But remember quoth she what you haue promised And because I haue solicited you heereto I pray yee let me vnderstand your name I am called Galaor quoth hee and thinke you shall heereafter finde mee in king Lisuarts Court then any where else I am satisfied said the Damosell to God I commend yee then thee turned bridle and rode away but Galaor entred tâ—…stle where he found the dead laid in the middest of the Court by him stood many making great lamentation Neuerthelesse Galaor approching neere and stepping to an anciant knight demanded of him what the dead knight was Sir answered the olde man while hee liued hee was such a one as all the world may bemone his mis-fortune Do you know his name saide Galaor He is called Anthebon replied the other one of the most vertuous Gentlemen that euer liued in Gaul When Galaor heard he was a subiect to king Perion his father his heart began to storme and as hee pittied him the more so his desire encreased to reuenge his death whereupon hee entreated the knight to acquaint him with the truth of this tragicall accident Sir quoth he this infortunate Gentleman which you see was in respect of his bounty and vertue maryed to a wife who now lamenteth for him she being the Lady of this Castle In time they had a very faire daughter and she growing in yeeres was beloued by a knight our too neere neighbour but the young Damosell euer hated him and aboue all other could not abide him Where-of he getting intelligence determined by some meane or other to steale her hence and being so resolued forgetting God as also his owne honour watched when this goodknight as customely he vsed should goe to the cornered street there to sucour such as often were distressed because it is the most dangerous place in this countrey Knowing him thus to bee from home the disloyall wretch entred this Castle and finding the maiden in comâ—…y of her mother with diuerse Gentlewomen heere disporting mauger them all forcibly hee tooke her away before wee could fall the bridge to succâ—r her Hereupon as wee afterward vnderstood shee did nothing day and dight but grieuously mourne despising all the inticing blandishments the knight vsed to her which in the end displeased him so much as hee began in this sort to reprooue her Lady you know that I loue yee with all my heart desiring onely to haue the like of you meaning no otherwise then honorably to make you my wife but you scornefully disdaine me albeit I am discended of a more noble house then your father is which maketh mee maruell very much what should moue you thus to bee mine enemy In good faith I will tell yee quoth shee I heretofore made promise to my mother and such is still my deliberation that I would neuer match with any husband if hee were not so good a knight and comparable with my father in chiualry for which shee made choyce of him among all otâ—er knights to which wordes he thus answered By heauen I see you loue me now for â—re it bee long I will make sufficient proofe that I am a better man at armes then he Within a while after hee left his Castle beeing well mounted and armed placing himselfe vnder the tree where you sawe this knight dead to what intent I cannot tell but vnhappily the Lord of this Castle came that way hauing left his horse and Armour because hee onely intended to take the ayre The cowardly wretch seeing what aduantage hee had of him and remembring the promise hee made his Lady thought it place commodious to get him reputation and no witnesses by to report the contrary so without giuing him warning or speaking one word to him stealing behinde him smote his Launce thorough his necke as you heere beholde Thus vnprouided of defence likewise suddenly and most villainously was this good knight slain and yet the blody traytour not satisfied alighting from his horse gaue him many needlesse cruell woundes with his sworde and so despitefully left him there In good faith answered Galaor the deede is monstrous vnable to passe without common reprehension but seeing you haue vouchsafed mee this fauour I pray ye tell me why was he afterwarde laide on such a costly bed vnder the tree Because it being a continuall passage for knights errant said the olde man to try if any would be so honourably prouoked as to reuenge an act of such sâ—ame and contempt after wee had acquainted them with this sad discouse I found him alone at the tree replyed Galaor what was the cause then you left him so Your demaund is not amisse â—quoth the olde man for foure Squires were euer wont to guarde him but because the knight who did the murther came and threatened to kill them we were coÌ„strained to bring away the body hither I maruell sayde Galaor that I heard not the noyse it may well bee sayd I slept soundly Are you he replyed the old man whom we found leaning asleep on your helmet The very same man answered Galaor Why did you rest so homely there quoth the old man To reuenge his death sayd Galaor if by reason I might doe so much Ah worthy Sir answered the old man heauen grant the finishing thereof to your honour then taking him by the hand he brought him to the bed whereon the dead man lay thus speaking to the sorrowfull Lady Madame this knight saith to his power he will reuenge the death of your Lord. Alas gentle knight quoth she the God of heauen keepe you in that good minde for I can finde no kinred or friend in this countrey who will doe so much for me because my Lord was a stranger yet whlie he liuid euery one shewed great friendship in lookes but now their kindnes is cold enough Lady answered Galaor in respect both he and I were borne in one countrie my desire is the greater to reuenge his death Are you said the Lady the sonne to King Perion of Gaule whom my deceased Lord often told me was in king Lisuarts Court Neuer came I there Madame replyed Galaor in all my life but tell me what he is that did this treason and in what place I may find him Gentle Lord quoth she you shall be conducted thither if you please neuerthelesse I stand in doubt considering the perill you will mislike the enterprise as
a proffer to smite off his heade which Grouenesa seeing cryed Ah gentle Knight haue pittie on him and mee together With aboundance of teares trickling downe her cheekes shee came and fell at the feete of Amadis shewing the affection of her request and her inwarde griefe to beholde her Vncles death all which Amadis well noting feigned himselfe more willing to kill him then before saying If your suite were reasonable I would consent thereto but hee hath so wronged mee and without occasion as I cannot bee satisfied but with the losse of his head Alas my Lord quoth shee for Gods sake demand some other satisfaction for I will doe whatsoeuer you please to redeeme his life Lady answered Amadis there be but two things which may saue his life first the deliuerance of the Damosell againe to mee secondly that you sweare to me as a loyall Lady to meet me at the first open Court held by king Lisuart and there to graunt a boone I shall desire of you Gasinan beholding the danger of his life saide to her Faire Niece suffer me not thorough your default to die but take compassion on mee and promise the knight faithfully what he shall demand which shee presently did wherefore Amadis permitted him to arise said to the Lady I assure yee Madame the suite I must obtayne of you gaine-saith nothing of my promise coÌ„cerning Amadis for I will accomplish it to my vttermost see then no default bee made on your behalfe In sooth my Lord quoth shee I will performe my duty effectually knowing well such men ought to bee honoured for vertue in whom so singular prowesse is apparant much lesse then neede any doubt be made of any thing preiudiciall tomy vnstayned report Be bolde thereof sayd Amadis then was the Damosell sent for and shee being come Amadis demanded if shee would accompany him any further Worthy Sir answered the Damosell I will doe what you please to command mee in respect I haue beene so painefull to you as while I liue I am yours in all obedience But were it your liking considering the affection Gasinan beares mee as hee would rather hazard the combate then deliuer mee albeit by treachery hee carried mee away I gladly could afford to stay with him By heauen faire Damosell replyed Gasinan most true and sincere is my affection towarde you and as I request yee not to forsake mee so doe I desire your good opinion You haue chosen Damosell one of the best knights in the worlde sayd Amadis and seeing you like each other so well with all my heart I leaue yee together They both thanked him very humbly intreating hee would rest himselfe there certaine dayes but hee would returne to his brother Galaor whom hee left vnder the tree by the dead knight by meanes whereof he excused his departure and mounting on horse-backe commanded Gandalin to carry the broken peeces of his sword with him By hap Gasinan ouer-heard him wherefore hee presented him with his sworde which hee accepted and a Launce that Grâ—â—enesa gaue him then leauing the Castle hee tooke the way againe toward the tree where hee hoped to finde Galaor and Balays CHAP. XXIX How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor lose his horse BAlays of Carsaâ—ta offended as you haue heard with the Knightes iniurious pranckes to Galaors horse followed him so fast as possibly hee could but the other had gotten so farre before as Balays heard no tydings of him neuerthelesse hee rode on till about mid-night when hee heard a voyce a long by a Riuers side And shaping his course thither hee found there fiue theeues well armed with Croslets and Hatchets who villainously would force a Damosell one of them dradging her by the hayre of the head in a straite way on the mountaine and the other beating her forwarde with great staues Balays seeing them vilely abuse her entred among them saying Trayterous murderers dare you so boldly lay holde on a Damosell let her alone else shall you die according to your deserts Then running fiercely at one of them his Launce passed quite thorow his body so that he fell downe dead without any mouing Wherupon the other foure would reuenge their companions death altogether inuironed Balays with such sharp assaults as one of them smote downe his horse vnder him yet Balays dismayed nothing thereat but beeing couragiously resolued quickely recouered footing and drawing his sworde layde so fiercely about him that another of them fell downe headlesse at his feet In briefe two more of them accompanied their fellowes in like fortune when the last seeing hee could not preuent like doome fell on his knees before Balays saying Good my Lord haue compassion on me for if I die in this wicked life I haue so long vsed vndoubtedly both body and soule will perish together Since thou doest answered Balays so willingly acknowledge thy fault thy life I giue thee to the ende thy repentance hereafter may make amends for al faithfully hee kept promise with Balays for soone after he became a religious Hermit spending the rest of his dayes in great deuotion But now returneth Balays to the Damosell who being not a little glad she was so happily deliuered gaue him thankes for the succour shee found in such necessity and hee requesting to know how shee happened into this daunger shee thus begun Hauing occasion Sir to trauell in these parts in the narrow way on the mountaine they staied mee it beeing the common place for their theeuish assaults and after they had slaine my seruants they brought mee into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciously deliuered me Her modest behauiour in speech and comely beauty made Balays to waxe somewhat enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very loath to parte with yee but seeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where wee may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindnesse that wee may not lose so good an oportunitie I know not Sir quoth shee how you are minded but had they compelled mee to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde mee excused contrariwife if I should willingly grant you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might then serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewed your selfe a well disposed knight let mee intreate yee to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duty you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberly hee repented that hee had offered her such vndecent wordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied mee yet pardon me for attempting so bad a suite in respect it is no lesse seemely for knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue done And albeit at the first we imagine it a great conquest to obtayne of them what
we most desire yet when wisely and discreetely they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are worthy no praise they bee euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more esteeme your succour to mine honour then my life because the difference betweene the is farre incōparable Well said Balays what will you now I shall do for you Let vs leaue these dead carcasses replyed the Damosell and goe where wee may stay till day light I like your counsell answered Balays if I had another horse but being now destitute I know not what to doe We will ride on my horse saide the Damosell till wee finde further remedy so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested themselues till Sunne rising and then they went to horse backe againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the knight who caused Galaors horse to escape away from him hee asked the Damosell what should become of her My Lord quoth shee not farre hence is a house whither when you haue brought mee you may depart to what place you please As thus they rode communing together he sawe a knight come towarde him carrying his legge on his horses necke but drawing neerer he put foote in stirrop couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell both from the horse afterward he vsed these speeches In sooth Lady I am sorie for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue done ye I will bring yee where you shall be contented because he that hath the charge of you is vnworthy to haue so faire a creature in his custody Ere this had Balays recouered himselfe and knowing him to bee the knight he sought for hee drew his sworde saying By thee villaine haue I lost my horse and my companion thou hast in like sorte abused now finding mee vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but both for him and my selfe will I be reuenged on thee else let mee be thought vnworthy of my order What quoth the knight art thou one of them that mocked mee as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockerie on thee Heereupon they presently fell to combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemy got him vnder foot when renting his helmet from his head hee tooke his life as ransome for his villany and breaking his sword in peeces layd them by him then mounting on his horse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their way toward the tree where he left Galaor But because their stomacks well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holy life who bestowed on them such cheer as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her from the theeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slaine her seruants and shee destitute of helpe whereof the holy women were very glad by reason those theeues did much harme in that countrey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell took their leaue and comming to the tree met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherefore they concluded no more to sunder themselues vntill they arriued at King Lisuarts Court By this time the night drew on apace whereupon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her friendly offer wene with her beeing there entertayned and vsed very honourably Early in the morning arming thēselues they thanked their gentle host his daughter framing their course towarde Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented his horse to Galaor which he won from the knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath thereby CHAP. XXX How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heretofore declared the ioy and cōtent of good king Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely minde hee concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificient Court as all his ancestors in Great Brittaine neuer did the like Which Oliues perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cosen germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring hee might haue iustice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two knights more beside himselfe hee would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other knights Warning hereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclaymation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should bee ready at the Citty of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroade by the Queene to aduertise the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resorte came to the Court where all kindes of pastimes and sporres were inuented without respect of fortunes malice any way who commonly in great assemblie of states when least they thinke of her variable changings often telleth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attryred entered the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demanding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiesty him-selfe the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well do you seem a King by your porte and countenance yet may it bee doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you see and hereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Mee thinkes my Lord answered the Damosell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doe desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make mee such a liberall offer I hope one day to try the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must bee assembled many valiant men who shll know by the promise you haue made me how worthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualry is honoured by you Damosell sayde the King so much as effects may better my wordes so much the more will it glad me to see good store of hardy knights there present My Lord quoth shee if effects answere your wordes I shall haue great reason to bee contented So tooke shee
leaue of him returning the same way shee came whereat euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimity as whatsoeuer happened hee would not be reprooued with cowardice and so dearely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deaths then to see him suffer any mishap or iniury Wherupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuerience to alter the promise hee had so lightly made shewing it was not beseeming his Maiesty to deale with ffaires of knights and Gentlemen he being placed in authoritie ouer them While they stood on these tearmes there entred three knights two of them being very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for hee was a man of ancient yeares as seemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull colour then commonly hath been noted in a man of age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This knight carryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demanding for the King the Gentle-men shewed where hee sate making him way to his Maiesty before whom hee fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is king Lisuart for within these few dayes hee hath made the most worthy promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to be performed but I would faine knowe your meaning heerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honour a matter wherein now a dayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Heerein you were tolde truth sayde the King and you may bee well assured that I will doe my vttermost to aduance the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your countrie to be ready at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you heere a thing with mee which such a king as you are ought most royally to receiue Then opening the Cofer hee took forth a Crowne of gold so sumtuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and pretious stones as neuer was seene a more costlier Iewell euery one being of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mighty Lord. When the king had long and earnestly beheld it he was very desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the knight perceiuing saide This Crowne my Lord is of such workemanship as no ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be esteemed for the king that keepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the king who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no king but you that euer saw it but if you like it so well I will make ye a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some danger to lose All this while was the Queene in place earnestly wishing that the king her husband might haue it where-upon she saide to the king Me-thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demandeth Madame quoth the knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buy it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was seene for beside the precious stones wherewith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sorts of beasts and birds which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rate and curious piece of worke not wrought as I thinke by humaine capacity You say true Madame replied the knight for the like hereof is not to bee found yet may not the riches compare with the property and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maried Ladies then any other because shee that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of cheef regard answered the Queen if it haue any such indeede I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grew she maruailous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betweene the king and her wherefore she sayde to the knight Say Sir how do you estimate this mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseech you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the hands of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of griefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedy while I liue and because I know not well the valew of these iewels I will leaue them in your costody vntill the day you holde open Court at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demand In meane while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue sayd you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust me sayd the king seeing you repose such confidence in mee assure your selfe to haue whatsoeuer you request or else they shall bee restored againe It suffiseth quoth the knight thē turning to the Lords he thus proceeded Worthy Lords you haue all heard what the king hath promised me that he will restore the mantle the crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me whatsoeuer I shall demād So much his Maiesty hath said replied the Lords we are witnesses thereof Adiew then answered the ancient Knight for perforce I must returne to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But here you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knights which conducted the old man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his helmet open and seemed a young man the other held downe his head as loth to bee knowne being of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kings Court might bee equalled with him So departed they againe all three together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kings custody CHAP. XXXI How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays being all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Court of King Lisuart where they were wel-commed with exceeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowne
but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside ech one reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing left euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwithstanding seeing you are the best King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ve then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would faine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere them which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete no ◅gnorant what medicines should be applied to passionate mindes after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else-where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to confer with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him frō the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most deerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing you which if
you grant me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanied with such aboundance of teares as was no small griefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to mee for should you die I were vnable to liue one houre after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine owne case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeauour can compasse no meane to yeelde vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen bee it hate of Father Mother Kinred Friends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weighty burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martyrdome of our hearts may easily bee discouered No doubt these wordes were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such cheerefull life to his hope that hee was rauished with inwarde conceit thereof when shee seeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Queen must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honour the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Queene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladies to censure on the brethren but they resembled each other so like as little difference could bee discerned betweene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect amongst all Knights both in beauty noblenesse bounty and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispt and faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go see her daughter and the other Ladies when he regarding the excellent beaury of Oriana imagined such another was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of colour he suspected her to be the onely cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was hee welcommed among the Ladies and diuerse familiar speeches passed betweene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his vnckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII How King Lisuart departed from Windsore to the Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath been declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittaine soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falaugris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countries to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might bee named Knights of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunate king forgot the author of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happy Realme fell into persecution and the illustrous state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might know how he onely is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall here vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing coÌ„cluded to hold the most royal and stately Court that euer king did in the Realme of great Brittayne commanded that on the 5. day following all the Lords of his Kingdom should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualâ—ie which he intended to maintaiue with all honour might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yelde him obeysance began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his estate and person in danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to keepe his Court at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendance especially so many young Gentlewomen beeing there present some to regard the magnificeuce of the Court other to do seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewist for greater maiestie of his Court ordained that none of this assembly should lodge in the Cittie but to erect their Pauillions in the fields and meddowes along the banckes that hemmed in the faire riuer of Thames least the extreame heate might be hurtfull to them all which being done according to appointment the fields seemed as a most royall Camp or as if the greater part of the world were there assembled But because the king arriued there two or three daies before the feast he went to his Pallace accompanied onely with his Queene Amadis Galaor Agraies Don Galuanes and certaine other his most fauoured the rest kept themselues in their tents according as the herbingers had in quarters limited them With sundry sorts of pastimes was the King entertained which continued till fortune enuying his felicitie changed them into griefe tears by the meanes of a Lord no subiect to the King but his nerrer neighbour then friend named Barsinan a man opulent in riches and endued with few vertues as may be gathered by the matter ensuing This Barsinan was Lord of a Countrey called Sansuegua and very familiar with Arcalans the enchanter who not long before came to him and conferred with him in this manner My Lord quoth hee the great desire I haue to doe you seruice hath made me inuent the meane if you like thereof to deliuer in short time the Realme of great Brittaine quietly into your hands without much hazarding your person or any great expence When Barsinan who was a very ambitious man heard the wordes of Asculaus who promised to make him King if he would he thus replied In good faith my deere friend Arcalaus if thou canst performe the thing thou vauntest of no feare shall hinder me to hazard my person much lesse will I reckon of expence if I see any likely-hood in the compassing It is a thing saide Arcalaus very easie to bee done and presently shall you vnderstand by what meanes prouided that you sweare to me after you are seated in the regiment to make me
with gracious behauiour as they might be termed Lords both in heart and hand the only meane that made them be serued with fedelity Therefore my good friends I desire you all euen in the most intire affection I can vse that you assist me to your vttermost in recouery of good Knights either of our owne or strangers promising you by the faith and word of a king so honorably to entreate and esteeme of them as both they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my nobleÌ„ friends that the better we bee accompanied the more we shall be feared of our enemies our state in greater safety and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new friends cannot make vs forgetfull of our olde let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yeelde and consent thereto Againe I entreat ye and expressely command that each of you presently name such to me as you know happely they being yet vnknowne to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may bee the better affected to our seruice likewise we entreat them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire withdrawing him-selfe into the appointed Hall where many Tables were prouided which he commanded to bee well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawne againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good friends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must grant me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particularly know the seruice you haue done me and you â—ast such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Hereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the kings request except Amadis because he was the Queenes knight and al this while was she present at these matters wherefore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord seeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honour your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doe the like to the Ladies and Gentle-women of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentle-men after you shall not deny mee considering that in semblable company good things deserue to bee demanded and granted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answer my friends shall we make the Queene shall we agree to her demand Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a princesse so vertuous Seeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine whatsoeuer she asketh At these words the Queene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hence-forth you would doe such honour to Ladies and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrells against all such as would molest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some suite to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most neede to be holpen This granted hereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wont to do them iniurie meeting them in the fields and knowing they haue such knights as you are for their protect ours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gaine-say it wee will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a law inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII How while this great and loyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to the Court cloathed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged MEane while this honorable company thus continued free from all danger and mis-hap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delights there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knees before the King thus spake My Lord ech one is merry but my poore selfe who am so crossed with griefe and sorrow as death were the best friend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These wordes were dipt in such aboundance of teares as the King being moued therewith to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to relieue your sadnesse but tell me who is the cause thereof Dread Lord quoth she my Father and Vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whom they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him said the King Because he vanted replied the Damosel that he alone would combat with them and so proud he grew in speeches as at length he defied them Not long after they meeting one day together the knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and vncle could not indure the iniurie but falling to the combat the knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she said procured his comming to maintain a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers being her great enemy wherfore seeing him dead she caused the conquerors to be taken put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my father and vncle often told her that they would performe for her what the knight should haue done But she answered how shee well knew they were not sufficient for the cause therefore should neuer be released vntill they deliuered her two knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whoÌ„ they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doe Know you not Damosell said the King against whom they shoulde combat or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue seene my father and vncle cruelly put in prison where their friends caÌ„ compas no meanes to see them Herewith she began again to weep that euery one pittied to behold her which made the king aske her if the place were far off In fiue daies my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone returned Now trust me said the king you shall not want your ioy for two knights wherefore looke among al these gallants and chuse such as you best fancy My Lord replied the Damosell I am a stranger and know not any one in this Court But
and will performe it Receiue then your libertie answered Madasima yet must you not depart this night These words she spake because she intended to seale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to another whither soone after Madasima repaired she being young beautifull and aduenturously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling-ladders to the walls quickly got possession of the Forte And so well liked shee these amorous skirmishes as afterward she reported in many places how she neuer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did shee but in hope of his speedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honour she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis and Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as hereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were friendly entertained in an hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rashly and vnaduisedly FOure dayes after Amadis Galaor departed from the Court the ancient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Queene as you haue heard when falling on his knee before the King he began in this manner I marueil my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not the Crowne I left with you And you Madame quoth he to the Queene is it possible you should make so slender account of the sumptuous mantle I gaue you in charge not deigning as yet to proue it or how it will become ye When the King heard his words knowing they were lost he sate a good while without any answere which made the knight thus begin againe On my faith I am glad you like thē not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue granted my demand and happely it would proue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beseech ye my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer here At which words the King seemed much offended and not being able any longer time to conceale his hidden anger earnestly fixing his eyes vpon him which were then ouer clouded with a discontented brow he brake forth into these following speeches Know knight that whatsoeuer promises I haue made to thee are like those decrees which stand registred in the booke of Fate immutable and thou shalt finde that I will keepe them inuiolable Although I must confesse for the which I am heartily sorry not so much for my selfe who am a partner with thee in the losse as for thy sake who committed them to my trust that both the Crowne and Mantle are vtterly lost how or by what meanes I cannot relate would heauens would please to be so propitious as to bring to light this deede of darkenesse then should my now troubled heart finde comfort and you your wished desire Which till then cannot rest contented my much perplexed minde would then bee at peace which now is at ciuill Warres and intestine contention within me At which words not being able any further by his tongue the hearts best interpreter both for ioy and griefe to expresse himselfe he abruptly paused partlie moued thereunto by the knight who gaue a loud shrike saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now comes the time I so much feared bringing with it my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must after all those miseries finish mine olde age in the most sore cruell death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which moued the most constant to pitty his griefe and the King himself ouercom with cōpassion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speede any thing the worse for my losse you must be satisfied whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfuly promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demand what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I know my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and Mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnesse I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to bee deliuered if I had I would acquit you of the griefe I know you will endure granting me the thing I must of necessitie demand but now it may not be otherwise except you infringe your faith loyaltie Rather will I lose my Kingdome replied the King then make apromise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy minde I thanke your Maiesty quoth the knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perform'd or I satisfied hauing a reward now and taken from me anon Great reason said the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my Mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughter Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewells or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her as I sustaine harme by your vnhappie losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmur against the knight perswading the king to deny his word but he rather desired death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere hee made them Be not offended my good friends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiudiciall to me as the breach of my promise for if the one be enuious the other is iniurious and to be shunned euery way The proofe is ready if Subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care will they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this knight therefore must haue my daughter and I will deliuer her according to my promise Hereupon he sent for her but the Queene being present all this while little thought the king would so forget his fatherlie loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter shee good Lady fell at the kings feete when weeping as a Mother for the losse of her Childe she said What will ye doe my My Lord will ye bee more inhumane to your
on the helmet as hee was astonied therewith and redoubling his blowe cut his right arme quite from his shoulder when Barsinan feeling himself so wounded would haue retyred backe to saue himselfe by the speed of his horse but hee fell to the ground as depriued of his sences Wherefore Amadis left him and set vpon the rest who beeing vnable to endure these hotte assaults likewise beholding their Lord dismounted took theÌ„selues to flight for safety of their liues yet were they so closely followed as the most part of them were slain in the field and some few of them escaped into the Tower causing the bridge to be quickly drawen vp after them Hereupon Amadis returned where he left Barsinan because he was not yet dead commanded he should be carried to the Queenes lodging there to bee kept till the Kings returne and as hee would haue put vp his sword hee sawe it soyled with blood wherefore in wiping it hee saide Thou trustie sworde in a happy houre was the knight born to whom thou belongest and as thou art one of the best in the world so is thy Master the most vertuous Prince liuing He vsed these words because it appertained to King Lisuart and was sent him from the Queene by Gandalin as you heard before but now returnes hee with king Arban to the Queenes lodging to comfort her with newes of happie victory All this while the King is hasting toward London giuing order to returne all the knights hee met by the way among whom were Agraies Galuanes Soliuan Galdaâ— Dinadaâ—s and Bernas all which were highly in the Kings fauour as men of vertue and no small deseruing and his Maiesty hauing imbraced them said My noble good friends you had almost lost mee but God bee thanked you haue recouered mee againe by the helpe of these three worthy knights Galaor Guilan and Ladasin In sooth my Lord answered Dinadaâ—s so soon as your mishap was knowen in the Citie each one prepared to bring you succour I knowe my good Nephew quoth the king that I am greatly beholding to you all but I pray you take good store of these knights and post with speed to assist the Queene for I doubt she is in no little danger This Dinadaâ—s was one of the best knights of the kings linage and well esteemed among men of account as well in respect of his vertues as also his braue behauiour in chiualry so according to the kings command he rode away presently very brauely accompanied The king likewise followed an indifferent pace left his Nephew should stand in need of helpe and by the way he ouertooke Don Grumedan with his daughter Oriana How ioyfull this meeting was you may easily conceiue that the separation was not so grieuous but this was as gladsome Grumedan told his Maiesty how Amadis left the Princesse with him while hee rode before to assist the Queene thus with repetition of many matters they beguiled the time till they arriued at London where hee vnderstoode the successe of Barsinans enterprise and how valiantly King Arban had resisted him not forgetting the worthy behauiour of Amadis in taking him prisoner and discomfiting his men except a few that saued themselues in the Tower Here would it aske a worlde of time to report the ioy pleasure and contentment betweene the King and Queen at their meeting likewise the mothers comfort hauing recouered her daughter againe but as your iudgements can better conceiue then I set downe matter aboue the reach of common capacity so doe I leaue it to you and proceed to the King Who to terrifie the traytours thus gotten into holde besieged them seuerally and to dishearten them the more brought Barsinan Arcalaus Nephew before the walles where before all the people they confessed their treason Which being done a great fire was made wherein they were aliue consumed but when they in the Tower beheld this spectacle and that they were in great want of victals they yeelded themselues to the Kings mercy the most part of theÌ„ being for examples sake hanged on the battlements and the rest set at liberty vpon humble submission Yet this matter bred very great trouble afterward betweene them of Great Brittaine Sansuegua for the sonne of Barsinan being a good knight vexed king Lisuart with contagious warre as in the History hereafter at large is mentioned After the King had escaped these misfortunes the former ioyes and pastimes beganne againe during which time the Lady and her two sonnes the messengers of Madasima who were witnesses when Galaor and Amadis promised to forsake king Lisuarts seruice arriued at the Court. When the two Princes were aduertised thereof they went and friendly entertained her shee saying Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming are you determined to keepe your promise We are quoth they and will not breake our couenant with Madasima but presently will performe it before the King Entring the great Hall the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiesty deliuering these speeches My Lord I am come to your Court to see if these two knights will obserue a couenant which in my presence they made to a Lady What was it answered the King A matter that will scant like you quoth the Lady or any such as beare you affection and thereto shee added the whole circumstance Wherat the King waxing somewhat offended told Galaor that hee had very much wronged him My Lord replyed Galaor it was better to do so then be trecherously slaine for had wee beene knowne neither you nor all the world could haue saued our liues but let not your Maiesty be offended for the remedy shall be more ready then you expect In accomplishing my promise to Madasima of Gantasi my Lord I take my leaue of you departing altogether from your seruice certifying you that it is her will to doe you this displeasure and worse if she should compasse it for the extreame mallice she beareth to you Amadis affirmed what his brother had done then Galaor turning to the Lady her two sonnes sayd Haue we not now accomplish our promise Yes truely quoth the Lady wee must needs auouch so much You may then returne when you please answered Galaor but tell Madasima she did not so much as she weened as you may perceiue by the present effect Now my Lord quoth he to the King we haue fulfilled our promise to Madasima and because in graunting her earnest desire the time was not limited how long we should leaue your seruice we may enter thereinto againe when you please to command so that we are yours as faithfull as before When the King and all that were present heard what had past they reioyced exceedingly esteeming Galaor Amadis well aduised herein where-upon the King thus spake to the Lady According to her great treason vnder shaddowe of good meaning they are bound to no more then they haue accomplished for to deceiue the deceiuer is no deceit And say to Madasima seeing she hateth me so
cheefe Fortresses of the Countrey all which he found so well fortified and furnished as from that time forward hee nothing feared the power of the Emperor if he shold attempt war against him for the taking away of his sister Afterwards by the perswasion of Grimanesa he caused to be builded in that place one of the fairest places that was to be found in all the Isles of the Ocian the which he beautified so gorgeously and furnished so righly that the greatest monarch of the earth would haue found it a very difficult matter to haue builded the like But it chaunced that fifteene daies after his there arriuall the Emperour of Constantinople his vnckle died without heirs of his body by meanes whereof they of the Countrey dispatched Embassadors vnto Apolidon to beseech him to take vpon him the Empire the which hee willingly accepted being as most men are neuer contented with their estate but still desirous of change especially of a pettie Island for an Empire Yet Grimanesa sorrie to leaue so pleasant an Island did most instantly entreat her Lord that before their departure in remembrance of the pleasure which they had enioyed in this Palace the first witnesse of the full fruition of their loues hee would worke such a meanes by his Art and great knowledge that from thence forth none might bee Lord thereof except hee were as good a Knight as he and as true in loue as hee was Truely Madame answered Apolidon I will doe more for your loue then so for not onely no man shall enter into this Pallace except he be such a one as you haue sayde but further no Lady nor Gētlewoman shall set her foote therein vnlesse she be as faire and excellent in all perfections as your selfe Then at the entrie of an Orchard planted with diuerse sorts of trees he caused a vault to bee made ouer the which hee placed the image of a man made of copper holding a horne as though hee would winde it and vpon the gate of this Pallace he set vp his owne and Grimanesa her picture so artificially wrought that they seemed verie liuely right ouer against which he planted an high stone of Iasper and about half a bow shoot off towards the garden hee set a piller of iron fiue cubits high These things beeing in this sort framed hee asked Grimanesa if she knew what hee had done No surely answered shee I will tell you then presently sayde Apolidon assure your selfe Madame that no man nor woman which hath falsified their first loue shall passe vnder this vault for if they aduenture to enter the same the image which you see shall blowe such a terrible blast shall cast through this horne such a flame stench that it shall be impossible for them to passe on further moreouer they shall bee cast forth with such force that they shall bee throwne downe and remayne in a swound before the vault But if it chance that any loyall louer man or woman doe assay this aduenture the image shall sound a tune so melodious as it shall greatly delight the hearers there may such faithfull louers passe without any impechment Furthermore they may beholde our portraytures their own names writtē in this Iasper yet shall they not know by whom they were ingrauen For tryall whereof if it please you wee will proue the same forthwith Then hee tooke Grimanesa by the hand and passing vnder the arch the Image of copper beganne to sound marueilous sweetly but when they came to the Iasper stone they beheld their names newly ingrauen therein which greatly pleased Grimanesa And to beholde what would be the successe of such as followed them they called certaine Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to make tryall of the aduenture but as they thought to haue passed thorough the vault the Image blew such a hideous blast and cast forth fire smoake and flame so horrible that they all fell downe in a swound were throwne foorth most rudely Wherewith Grimanesa began to laugh knowing that they were in more dread then danger thanking Apolidon most heartily for that which hee had done for her sake But yet my Lord sayde she what shall become of this rich chamber in which you and I haue enioyed such great cōtentment You shall knowe by and by said hee Then caused hee two other pillers to bee brought one was of Marble which hee had placed within fiue paces of the chamber and the other of Brasse was set fiue paces before that Afterwards he said to Grimanesa Madame henceforth there shall neither man nor woman enter into this chamber vntill that hee who shall surpasse mee in prowesse and knight-hood or she which shall excell you in beauty bee first entered into the same but when fortune shall bring hither those which shall be worthy of a place so excellent all men after-wards without any let may therein enter Then he wrote vpon the piller of Brasse these words Euery knight which shall make proofe of this aduenture shall passe some further then other according as they excell each other in chiualrie courage Vpon the Marble piller thus Let no man aduenture to passe this piller to enter the chamber except hee passe Apolidon in knighthood And ouer the entry of the chamber Hee which shall enter herein shall exceed Apolidon in armes and shall succeed him as Lord of this countrey Before any man could come neere the chamber hee must of force touch the two pillers there trie his manhood He likewise ordayned that they should bee disarmed which hereafter should aduenture to passe vnder the arch of faithfull louers if they receiued the repulse and that all such should bee driuen forth of the Island as false and disloyall men but such as were faithfull should bee entertertayned with all honour and seruice that might be deuised Such as aduentured to passe the pillers to enter the forbidden chamber if they did not passe the Brasen piller they should bee vsed neither better nor worse then those which were false in loue If by chance they went beyond it because there should bee a difference betweene them and the others their swordes onely should bee taken from them And if there came any better knight which attayned not vnto the Marble piller hee should lose but his shield yet if hee passed on further and entered not the chamber his spurres onely should be taken from his heeles And touching the Ladies and Gentlewomen married or vnmaried which should proue the aduenture of constant louers if they were repulsed hee willed that they should be constrayned to tell their names that they might be written vp at the entry of the vault with the iust number of paces that each of them had entred forward in the same When the time is come said Apolidon that this Isle shall recouer such a Lord as is promised vnto it these enchantments shall no more be hurtfull vnto any and the place shall be free for all men but yet it shall not bee so for
to rest him and vnarmed himselfe herewithall he beheld a very aged man clothed with a religious habit who tooke him by the hand as if he had pittied his trauaile spake to him certain words in a strange language which he did not vnderstand being in this trouble he awaked Vpon this dreame Amadis mused a great while thinking that oftentimes they foreshow some thing that followeth because he did see part of that which hee had dreamed to fall out Thus hee came to the gate where Gandalin and Isania stayed his with furniture there armed himselfe afterwards he mounted vpon his horse keeping neither way nor path vntill he came neere vnt an Hermitage then he demanded of Isania what place that was My Lord answered hee this Chappel is dedicated to the Vrgin Marie wherein oftentimes are diuerse strange miracles wrought For which cause Amadis allighted from his horse entred into the Church and kneeling downe with great deuotion hee made his prayers to God The which being ended hee rose vp called Gandalin to him whom he held a long time embraced in his armes not being able to speake one word yet in the end he thus said vnto him My deere Gandalin thou and I haue beene fostered vp with one milke and alwaies brought vp together and I neuer felt any paine or sorrow wherein thou hast not had thy part Thy father tok me vp in the sea whē I was yet but a small thing beeing but newly borne the very night before afterward he caused thy mother to cherish mee as tenderly as if I had their deeriest childe Now haue I oftentimes tried thy loyalty knowing very wel what seruice thou hast done for me the which I did hope in time with the fauour of God to haue recompensed but this great mis-fortune is fallen vpon me the which I feele more sharpe and cruell then death it selfe especially seeing I am constrained to forsake thee hauing no other thing to bestow vpon thee but the Isle which I haue newly conquered which I do giue thee commanding Isania with my other subiects vpon that faith and homage which they haue sworne vnto me to receiue thee as their Lord so soone as they shall be assured of my death Yet is it my wil that thy father and mother shal enioy the same during their liues and afterwards it shall remaine vnto thee which is in recompence of the good I haue receiued of thē whom I thought to haue better rewarded according to their deserts and my desire And as for you Lord Isania I pray you that of the fruits and reuenues of this Isle which of long time you haue had in your keeping you should build here in this place a Monestarie in the honor of the virgin Mary and to endow it with so much liuing as thirtie religious men may hence-forth liue vpon the same Ah my Lord said Gandalin I neuer forsooke you for any trauaile or perill which hitherto you haue suffered neither yet will I leaue you if God be pleased and if you dye I will not liue after you neither for all the world will I lose you Therefore you may if it please you bestowe this gift vpon my Lords your brethren seeing I will not haue it neither do I desire it in any sort Holde thy peace said Amadis let me heare these words no more vnlesse thou desirest to displease me but do as I would haue thee for my bretheren may prouide far greater liuings for thē and their friends then this small thing which I doe giue vnto thee But touching you my deere friend Isania it very greatly grieueth me that I haue not the means to gratulate you according to your deserts notwithstanding I leaue you amongst so many of my good friends as they shall supply that which I cannot I pray you my Lord answered hee suffer mee onely to accompany you that I may be partaker of any wealth or woe that shall happen to you Wherein you shall fully shew mee your loue and I rest satisfied to my liking My deere friend saide Amadis I doubt not but that you would follow with a good will notwithstanding my miseric is so excessiue as besides my maker none can ease it whome onely I humbly beseech to bee my conductour for I will haue no other companion And therefore Gandalin if thou desirest Knight-hood holde take it presently with my armour which I doe giue thee for since thou hast heeretofore so well kept them it is reason they should now serue thee considering how little I shall hereafter need them if not thou maiest receiue this honour of my brother Galaor vnto whom my Lord Isania here shall in my behalfe make request to the same ende and I entreate thee to serue him euen as faithfully as thou hast serued mee For my loue vnto him is so great as amongst all my most afflictions I shall bewaile his absence because I haue euermore foūd him an hūble obedient a louing brother You shall further request him to take into his seruice Ardan my Dwarffe whom I recommend vnto him to the Dwarffe say that I will him to serue my brother dilligently This sayd both hee and those to whom he spake burst forth into aboundance of teares comming vnto them he embraced them saying Now my friends seeing I neuer hope to see you any more I entreate you to pray to God for mee and vpon your liues I charge you that none of you doe follow mee Then hee got vpon his horse set spurres to his sides and galloped from them remembring not at his departure to take either Launce shield or helmet with him Thus he entred into a desert place at the foot of a mountaine taking no other way but whither his horse would carry him and so long hee rode vntill the most parte of the night was now spent when the horse entred into a little brook enuironed with many trees where he would haue drunken But as hee passed on further Amadis was strucken on the face with certaine branches of trees so rudely as it wakened him out of his study and therewithall looking vp hee perceiued that hee was in a couert and solitary place beset with store of thick bushes which greatly reioyced him because hee thought hee should very hardly bee found out in this thicket There he alighted tyed his horse and sate him downe vpon the grasse the better to meditate vpon his melancholy but hee had wept so long and his braines were so light that at the last hee fell asleepe CHAP. IIII. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which he had left behinde then found him sleeping how he fought against a Knight whom he did ouercome AMadis beeing departed Gandalin who remayned in the Hermitage with Isania Durin as you haue heard began to make the greatest lamentation in the world and said Although he hath forbidden mee to follow him yet will I not stay
mariage making account that it would be easily granted considering his birth and high estate Hereupon he tooke leaue of the Ladies and returned towards the King who was ready to sit downe to dinner the which being ended hee went aside towards a window and calling Patin vnto him they talked long together Afterwards falling from one matter to another Patin said vnto him It may please your maiesty yester-day I promised to tel you so soone as I had seene my Lady Oriana your daughter what moued me to come from Rome into Great-Brittaine I beseech you not to bee offended if I haue taken so far a iourney to come in person to require her of you in mariage I haue chosen her as wel to haue your alliance as also for the beauty and good grace which remaineth in her I am sure you are not ignorant considering the place from whence I am descended the great meanes which cannot faile me as one day to be Emperor of Rome that if I would else where set my liking there is no Prince this day liuing which would not be very glad to receiue mee for his sonne in law Good cosin answered the king I thanke you for the kindnesse and honour you do offer me but the Queene hath alwaies promised Oriana that she shal neuer be maried against her will wherefore before wee grant you any thing we must know of her how she will bee content therewith this the King sayd because he would not discontent Patin for he was not minded to bestowe his daughter vpon any Prince or Lord that should carry her forth of the land Patin was satisfied with these wordes and expecting some other answere of the King hee stayed fiue dayes at the Court yet the king neuer spake to Oriana thereof although he assured him that hee had done as much as he could to cause her consent thereto but he could in no sort preuaile with her Therefore win her your selfe if you can said he and pray her to doe that which I shall command her Then Patin came vnto her and said Madame I am to desire a request of you that shall be both honorable and profitable for you the which I pray you not to deny me My Lord answered the princesse there is no reason to refuse the grant being such a reasonable request as you assure me it is therefore if it please you defer not to declare it vnto me I beseech you said Patin to obey whatsoeuer the king your Father shall command you Oriana who vnderstood not his meaning answered him You may bee assured Sir that I should be very sorry to do otherwise This answere wonderfully contented Patin for he now assuredly thought Oriana to be his and said vnto her Madam I haue determined to go thorough this countrie to seeke strange aduentures and I hope to performe so high deeds of Arms as you shall shortly heare news of my prowes so much to mine aduantage as very easily you will coÌ„discend vnto that which the king will command you for the loue of me Herewithall he tooke leaue of her manifesting at this time his intention vnto her no farther and returned vnto the king vnto whom he declared the answer of Oriana together with the desire he had to proue himselfe against al wandring Knights Do as it please you answered the king notwithstanding I would aduise you to desist from such an enterprise for you shall finde many strange and very dangerous aduentures with a great number of knights well exercised in armes who may happily in some sort displease you If they be valiant and hardy said he I hope they shall not finde any faintnes or cowardlines in me as my deedes hereafter may witnes Wel answered the king Do what you shall thinke best Thus Patin departed in the hope which he had to enioy Oriana for the loue of whom he had framed this song which he sung when fortune brought him neere the place where Amadis made his mone who vsed him as you haue heard But now we will leaue him and recount vnto you what hapned to Durin who hauing left Amadis returned the next way passing by the place where Patin lay wounded who had taken off his Helmet for the grief of his wouÌ„d hauing already lost such store of blood that his face and armour was all stained and couered therewith He beholding Durin said to him Gentle-man my friend tell me where I may finde a place to cure my wounds Truly answered hee I know no place but one and those whom you shall finde there are so sorrowfull that I beleeue they cannot looke vnto you Wherefore said Patin For a Knight quoth Durin who newly hath wonne the place that I tell you of and seen the images of Apolidon and his Lady which till then no other might behold since when he is departed thence secretly in such melancholy as his death is greatly feared Belike said Patin you speake of the Firme-Island True quoth Durin What said Patin is it conquered already certes I am heartily sorry for I was going thither with intention to proue my selfe hoping to haue won the same Durin smiled and answered him Truely knight if there be no more prowesse hidden within you then that which you haue now manifested I thinke in stead of honour you might there haue gotten shame and infamy Patin thinking himselfe iniuried rose vp and thought to haue taken hold of the raâ—…es of Durins horse but Durin turned from him herefore Patin seeing hee was farre enough from him hee called him againe and said I pray you faire sir tell what he is that hath gotten this famous conquest Then tell me first what you are answered Durin I will not stick for that said Patin I am sir Patin brother to the Emperour of Rome God bee praised answered Durin Yet so farre as I see you are of higher birth then bounty and your courage is as slender as your Courtesie is small Witnesse the speech which of late you had with the Knight that you enquire after who 〈◊〉 the very same that euen now went from you whom I beleeue considering how hee hath handled you you will grant that he is worthy of such a victory and not Patin whom he hath vanquished This said he set spurres to his horse taking the right way vnto London in full purpose to recite vnto the Princesse Oriana all that hee had seene and heard of Amadis CHAP. VI. How Don Galaor Florestan and Agraies vndertooke the search of Amadis who hauing left his Armour changed his name and withdrew himselfe to an hermitage in the company of a very old hermit there to liue solitarily I Haue of late told you that when Amadis departed from the firme Island it was so secretly that Galaor Florestan Agraies and others neuer perceiued any thing thereof you haue also heard the oath which he had taken of Isania the gouernour that he should not declare any thing which he had seene vntill the next morning when masse was
that brought you into this extreamitie seeing that although shee were a woman so requisit as shee could not bee equalled yet for her such a man as you are to be cast away Father answered Amadis I aske not your counsell herein for I now neede it not but for my soules sake I desire you henceforth to receiue mee into your company which if you refuse to do I see no other remedy for me but to die amongst the beasts of this forrest The old man seeing him so resolute had such compassion of him as the teares fell down his long white beard and answered him Alas my son my abiding in a desert place and I liue a life too strickt for you my Hermitage is at the least seuen leagues within the sea vpon the top of a poore Rock vnto the which no liuing creature can come vnlesse it bee at the beginning of the spring time Notwithstanding I haue already remained thirty yeeres there exempted from all worldly pleasure liuing onely vpon such small almes which some people of this Countrey doe bestow vpon me I promise you father saide Amadis it is the life which I desire and I once intreat you that you would giue me leaue to go with you The which the Hermit at the last granted notwithstanding that he had a long time denied him Heere-withall Amadis kissed his feete saying father command whatsoeuer you shall please for to my power I will euer obay you Then the Hermit saide his euening seruice after the which because hee had eaten nothing all day hee tooke out of his wallet a little bread and fish dried in the sun which was giuen vnto him and willed Amadis to eate with him but he refused it although he had beene three daies without tasting any sustenance Wherefore the hermit saide vnto him My sonne you haue promised to obey me doe this then which I command you and eat for if you should die in this obstinacie your soule should be in very great danger For this cause Amadis durst not denie him but did eat a very little for hee sighed continually not being able to forget the great sorrow wherein he remained After he had taken this small refrection the good old man spread his cloake abroad and laid him downe thereon and Amadis at his feete who was a great while before hee could take any rest tumbling and tossing himselfe as a person ill at ease neuerthelesse in the end being heauie with long watching he fell asleepe and hee dreamed that hee was locked in a chamber so darke that he could see no light at all neyther could he finde any way to come out thereof wherewith he greatly lamented moreouer hee thought that his Cozin Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke came vnto him hauing before them a beame of the Sun which gaue a great light in so darke a place they taking him by the hand said vnto him My Lord come forth from hence if it please you and follow vs into the palace the which he did But at his comming forth he thought that he did see Oriana inuironed with a great flame of fire which made him so afraid that hee cried out helpe helpe my Lady Oriana burneth and there withall he leaped into the fire to saue her Then he tooke her in his armes comming through the flame againe without any hurt at all afterwards hee carried her into a garden the greenest and pleasantest that he had seene At the lowde cry which Amadis did make the good Hermit awaked and taking him by the hand hee asked him what he ailed Father answered he I haue euen now in my sleepe felt such exceeding paine that I meruaile I am not dead Your cry hath witnessed the same said hee but let vs rise for it is time to depart Then he got vpon his Asse and tooke the way toward the Hermitage and Amadis followed him a foote talking together of many things at the last he prayed him to giue him one gift which should not bee hurtfull vnto him the which the old man granted I pray you then said Amadis that so long as we are together you would not tell any man who I am and hence-forth to giue mee another name such as it shall please you then after my death you may tell my brethren of me that they may come fetch my body and carry it into Gaule Your life and death answered the hermit are in the hands of God therefore speake no more thereof for therein you offend him very grieuously and therefore seeing you know him loue him and serue him as you are bound to do he wil succour and helpe you notwithstanding what other name wil you haue Such as it shall please you to giue me said Amadis And as they talked together the olde man had his eye continually vpon him and the more he looked on him the fayrer he thought him to be but he did see him so full of griefe as he determined to giue him a name conformable to his excellency and agreeable to his melancholy Whereupon he said vnto him my Sonne you are yong and of a faire complexion notwithstanding your life is obscure by reason of your sorrow therefore my will is that you bee called the Faire Forlorne Wherewith Amadis was contented liking very well of the Hermet his deuise who not without great occasion had imposed that name vpon him And euen as they were ouertaken with the night they came vnto the Sea side where they found a little boat which the day before was come to seeke the Hermet at his hermitage wherin they imbarked and within a small time after tooke landing at the poore Rock so called because of the barrennesse of the place as the old man had declared to him Who continuing his discourse said Sonne I haue heretofore followed the world as you haue done and my name was Andahod assuring you that during my young yeeres I studied many vaine sciences but in the end being wearie thereof I withdrew my selfe into this poore place where I haue already remained thirty yeeres and more and neuer departed thence vntill yeesterday that I was at the buriall of my sister who died within these few dayes When the Faire Forlorne came into this Solitary place he was exceeding glad hoping that in a very short time his sadnesse and his life would both end at once Thus he remained in the company of the hermit consuming his youth with weeping and continuall lamentations seting at naught all worldly honours especially the glory which he had gotten in fighting with Galpan Abies King of Ireland Dardan the proud and many others whom he had ouercome and he began to despise in himselfe all vanities considering the variablenesse of Fortune who not long before had so highly aduanced him that hee had entred into the forbidden Chamber of Apolidon as in the beginning of the History hath beene mentioned But if he had beene demanded what moued him so to do what would hee thinke you haue answered no other
they did first sow in the Forrest at such time as Gandalin was gone to seeke for some victuals for them as you haue heard in the first booke And although that Oriana made refusal thereof at the first yet Amadis vsed her so courteously that before they departed from the place they determined to continue their sport whilst they had so good oportunity and from thenceforth not to bee in any doubt eyther of Mabila or the Damosell of Denmarke Eight whole dayes did Amadis remaine at Mirefleur with Oriana leading a life as pleasantly as they could wish during all the which time he was not seene of any except of those that were the meanes of his bringing thither as it hath beene tolde you for all the day long hee was close with the Ladies in the chamber and when the euening approched they came forth into the garden where often times after many amorous discourses Amadis alayed the heate of his fire by the sweete embracings of Oriana at the musick of the birds who chanting out their pleasant notes were witnesses of the pleasure that these two louers receiued vnder the shade of the little young Trees wherewith this place was sufficiently stored Now did Gandalin euery day go and come from London to Mireflure to bring newes from the Court so that one time amongst others hee told Amadis that the Armour which by Enil he had caused to bee made for him would bee very shortly finished Moreouer hee told him that the King was in great doubt for the battaile which he had enterprised against king Cildadan for the most part of those that hee had to deale withall were cruell Giants and without reason and therefore hee had stayed Galaor Florestan Agraies and Don Galuanes to assist him in that encounter Who said Gandalin are so angry for the famous report that is spread abroad of the Faire Forlorne to the disprayse of Amadis as if they had not already passed their promise to the king seeking not to enterprise any combat or voyage before the battaile they had beene already vpon their way to haue sought him out to fight with him and they secretly giue it out that if they doe escape aliue they will not rest vntil they haue both found him and fought with him In good faith answered Amadis they shall see me the sooner if God please but it shal be after another manner then they hope for wherefore do thou returne to the Court and I arne if any thing hath since happened Herewithall Gandalin departed who went directly to London where hee found the king ready to sit downe to dinner and euen as they were taking vp the Table there entred in a very antient Gentleman attended vpon with two Esquires apparrelled both in one liuery This old mans beard was shauen and the hayre of his head was white with age who came and kneeled before the king and saluting him in the Greeke tongue in which countrie he was borne hee said vnto him It may please your Maiesty the high renowne that is spread in all parts of the world of the knights Ladies and Gentle-women that are in your Court hath beene the only cause that enforced me to addresse my iourney hither to see if in the same I may finde that which this threescore yeeres I haue sought in diuerse countries farre and neere to small purpose Therefore most renowned Prince I beseech your Maiesty to be pleased that to finish my trauaile I may make a proofe of the knights Ladies and Gentle-women in this assembly the which as I thinke will neyther be hurtfull nor displeasing eyther to your Maiesty or to any other Then all the Lords that were present desired to see a thing so rare intreating the king to grant his request the which he easily condiscended vnto therewithall the ancient Gentleman tooke from one of his Esquires a little cofer of Iasper which he did carrie which was in length about three cubits and in breadth a shaftmont and it was garnished with Gold and the most curious damaske worke in the World this little cofer he opened afterward he tooke out of it a Sword so strange as the like was neuer seene the scabberd therof was made of two bright shining bones and as greene as any fine Emeraud so as the blade was to be seene through it not after the manner of other blades for the one halfe of it shewed meruailous bright and the other seemed as if it burned being as red as fire and it hanged in a Belt of the same stuffe as the scabberd was of so cunningly made that any man might easily gird it about him This Sword the Gentleman did hang about his necke that hee might likewise take out of the cofer a kercheif the one halfe where-of was be set with floures as fresh and greene as if they had beene euen then newly gathered and the other halfe was couered with other violets as withered and dry as if they had beene ten yeeres in the Sun neuerthelesse both the one the other seemed to spring from one and the selfe same roote wherewithal the king being abashed demanded of him how these things might bee If it like your maiesty answered the old man this sword cannot bee drawne forth of the scabbard but onely by that knight that amongst all louers is the most constant and that doth best loue his Lady and as soone as hee shall haue it in his hands that part which burneth shall become as cleere and bright as the rest so as the blade shall bee all of one colour In like sort if this kerchiefe bestrewed with so many flowers be set vpon the head of such a Ladie or Gentlewoman that doth loue her husband or friend with the like constantnesse the withered and drie floures shall appeare againe of a most fresh and liuely colour and your Maiesty may be pleased to know that I cannot be made a Knight but by the hands of this perfect louer that shall draw forth this Sword neyther may I take armes but of her that shall deserue this pretious kercheife For this cause haue I these threescore yeeres continually sought in many strange Countries for those by whom I ought to receiue knight-hood but yet hitherto I haue trauailed in vaine now prosecuting my voyage in a manner for my last refuge I am come into your Court imagining that euen as it farre exceedeth the Courts of all other Emperors and kings so I might in like sort in the same find that which in all others I haue failed of I pray you saide the king let mee know the reason why the fire that remaines in the one halfe of this blade doth not burne the scabbard It may please your Maiesty answered the olde man betwixt Tartaria and India there is an arme of the Sea which is so hot that the water thereof beeing meruailous greene boiles as if it were vpon the fire and in the same there is brought forth a kinde of Serpents more great then Crocodiles
The King saluted them but they answered not the gentlewoman lifted vp the couering that he had vpon and looking vpon his wounds she dressed theÌ„ afterwards she gaue him somewhat to eate returned both she and the knights the same way they came not once speaking vnto him When the king beheld their maner of behauiour he beleeued that he was in the prison of such a one where his life was in no great safety neuertheles he took as good comfort vnto him as he could not being able otherwise to remedy his mishap But the gentlewoman that looked vnto Galaor seeing that it was time to dresse him went vnto him and asked him how he fared Passing wel answered Galaor I hope seeing the good beginning of my amendmen that I may be healed within the time that you haue promised There is no doubt thereof said she therefore I will that you promise me as you are a loyall knight not to depart from hence without my leaue otherwise your life may bee in perill of death Galaor did sweare vnto her so to doe beseeching her most instantly to tell him how she was called But she answered him How now Galaor doe you not yet know my name Truely now I am greatly deceiued considering the seruices that heeretofore I haue done for you when you are so forgetfull of me I am called The wise among the wisest saying so shee went forth of the chamber fayning to bee very angry and pulled the dore rudely after her Wherewith Galaor remained more pensiue then before and hee remembred him of the faire sword that Vrganda had giuen vnto him when his brother Amadis made him knight whereby hee suspected that it was she her selfe neuerthelesse hee was in some doubt because that when he saw her first she seemed to bee olde and crooked and this was young faire and in good liking And as he was in this study not being able to sleepe hee turned his head toward the place where the young Gentlewomen were accustomed to sit in keeping him company but in stead of them he perceiued Gasauel his esquire and Ardan the Dwarffe of Amadis at which he was no lesse abashed then ioyfull and he called them because that they slept Who at their awaking seeing their Maister they became no lesse amased then he and they rose vp doing their duty vnto him and hee demanded how they were come thither who answered that Amadis Florestan and Agrates had commanded them to follow him They further declared vnto him in what estate the Damosels tooke him vp for which cause Amadis seeing in what extremity you remained permitted them to carry you away together with King Cildadan What do you say sayd Galaor was Amadis in this assembly My Lord sayd Gasanel it was hee that was called the Faire Forlorne by whose strength and courage the battaile was gayned Then he recited vnto him the manner how he deliuered the King and killed Mandafabull and that then he made himselfe knowne crying Gaul with a loude voyce Thou â—…lest me wonders sayde Galaor but by my faith he was too blame to hide himselfe from mee This was the estate wherein Galaor and Cildadan remained who in few dayes felt so great ease of their wounds that they began to walke about the chamber Wherefore Vrganda in whose power they remained in her vnknowne Island made her selfe knowne vnto them saying vnto them That the feare wherein shee had put them had beene the meanes to effect their health the sooner otherwise they had beene in danger of their liues Afterwards she commanded her two Nieces to be fetched to keepe them company which were daughters vnto King Falangris brother vnto King Lisuart who had begotten vpon them the sister of Vrganda one of them was called Iâ—lianda whome Galaor did shortly after beget with childe of a son that was named Talanqua and afterwards proued a valiant Knight and the other was called Solisa who also had by King Cildadan Manely the Discreete And these two Knights staied with these two Damosels till Vrganda set them at liberty as hereafter it shall be declared vnto you In the meane time King Lisuart Amadis and the other Knights staied at Gonata and after they were healed of their wounds they determined to goe visit the Ladyes which staied for them in the Cirtie of Fenusa of whom they were receiued with great ioy But during their aboad there as Amadis talked with Queen Briolania in the company of Oriana she sayd vnto him My Lord I assure you I was so sorrowfull when it was told mee that you were lost that I can in no sort expresse vnto you the displeasure that I receiued therewith and at the last seeing that you staied so long before you returned I determined to come vnto this Court with a hundred of my Knights to cause the search of you to begin according to the appointment of my Lords your bretheren Neuerthelesse by meanes of the battaile which the King had appointed with King Cildadan my enterprise was stored and that in a good houre seeing that it pleased God so soon to bring you home againe Therefore aduise you now if it please you what you will that I shall doe for you for I will obey you all my life long Madame answered Amadis if you were in any perplexity for mee you had great reason for I am well assured that there is no knight in the world more ready to do you seruice then is Amadis of Gaul But seeing that it pleaseth you to refer all your affaires vpon me I pray you to tarry yet in this Court eight or tenne daies longer vntill we may heare some newes from my brother Galaor in the meane time you shall haue the pastime of a Combate which my brother Florestan must performe against Laudin and afterwards I will conduct you home into your Countrey and from thence I will take my way vnto the Firme-Island where I must needs be I will do saide Briolania what-soeuer it shall please you prouided that you doe tell vnto vs the wonders and nouelties that you haue there seene And as he would haue excused him Oriana tooke him by the hand and saide vnto him My Lord Amadis you haue some-what to doe for we will not leaue you in peace before you haue tolde vs something In faith my Ladies answered hee although I take in hand to reâ—…e the particularities of the whole yet do I finde it impossible neuerthelesse I may truely tell you that the forbidden chamber is the most faire richest in all the world and if it bee not gained by one of you two I verily beleeue that so long as we liue neuer may any other set footing therein Briolania remained a while without answering him in the end she said vnto Amadis truly I doe not thinke that I may deserue to finish such an aduenture yet notwithstanding such as I am if it were not to bee reputed a folly in me I would willingly make proofe thereof Madame answered
the constant loue which she did beare vnto her Lord. She is by birth of the Kings countrey by her Mother an Alien and her continuall abiding is in this Realme where shee liueth so aboundantly that if she wanteth any thing it is onely because shee cannot at all times when shee pleaseth enioy him whom shee loueth better then her selfe further shall you not knowe what she is by me Oriana who feeling he 〈◊〉 touched by Vrganda was not wel contented doubting least shee should haue proceeded further vntill shee held her peace and that the Queen answered truly gentle Ladie you haue so cunningly deciphered her vnto vs that there is not any heere in my opinion the better for her knowledge sauing onely that wee did thinke her a maide and you assure vs that shee is a wife A time will come said she that you shal know her better Herewithall the King who was minded to feast Vrganda came to seeke her that hee might lead her to dinner hee made her sit close beside him afterwards they spent the rest of the day in spotting making good cheare vntill it was time to goe to rest Then Viganda came vnto the Queene to entreate her that shee would be pleased to 〈◊〉 her to lie in Oriana her chaÌ„ber the which shee willingly did grant vnto her Neuerthelesse sayd the Queene I feare that her youthfull behauiour will somewhat disquiet you In faith Madame answered shee her beauty shall be more hurtful vnto many good knights whose prowesse cannot be so great as that it may defend them from sundry perils which they are likely to fall into for her loue for that their deaths will hardly be eschewed if they do not wisely preuent it The Queene could not refraine from laughter and saide vnto Vrganda Hitherto she may be pardoned for any such danger that shee hath as yet brought those vnto of whom you speake and therefore for this time I bid you good night Here-upon the Queene departed and Vrganda was brought vnto the Princesse her lodging where shee found the Queene Briolania and Mabila that kept her companie with whoâ— she discoursed so long of diuerse pleasant matters vntill ouercome of sleep they were constrained to lay them downe Now they were all foure lodged in one chamber together notwithstanding Vrganda perceiuing Briolania and Mabila to be fast asleepe and Oriana awake shee sayd vnto her Madame if you now doe not take your rest for thinking vpon him that day and night doth wake for your loue your quiet and his are both alike I knowe not what you meane answered Oriana but sure I am that loue neuer hindered me from sleepe Vrganda knew very well that she made her this answer because shee would not that Briolania should vnderstand the loue betwixt her and Amadis wherefore she sayd vnto her assure you that I am so carefull that your secrets be not disclosed as I will not offend you with any thing that I speak for I know what is needfull for you better then your selfe Madame answered Oriana you may waken the Gentlewomen that are in this chamber Let me alone for that sayd Vrganda I will rid you straight of this feare Therewithall shee tooke forth a booke which was so little one might haue couered it with his hand and after she had read therein a little while she sayd vnto Oriana let this suffice you that now wee may speake in safety for what noyse soeuer we make they shall not stirre vntill I awake them and if any doe enter into this chamber they shall fall downe vpon the sloute in as sound a sleepe as they and harke how they snort already Heereat Oriana began to laugh and rising forth of her bed shee came vnto Mabila and Briolania whose armes she pulled very rudely but for all that euer she could doe they stirred no more then a stone will you yet see sayd Vrganda the pastime of those that shall come ouer the threshold of your chamber doore call the Damosell of Denmarke who is in this wardrobe which Oriana did And as the Damosell had set her foote in the chamber she fell downe vpon the floure beganne to sleepe and snort more soundly then either Mabila or Briolania Wherefore Oriana went layd her downe by Vrganda and sayde vnto her Madame seeing that you know so much of my affaires I beseech you to tell mee what must happen vnto me How answered VrgaÌ„da do you think the sooner to escape that which is predestined vnto you by being aduertised thereof aforehand You may beleeue that it is not in the power of any mortall man to alter that which God hath appointed vnto him bee it good or bad vnlesse it be by his free will and grace neuerthelesse since you so greatly desie to know your fortune I am content afterwards make your profit thereof as you can Harken now then at such time as your heauinesse shall bee at the highest many good knightsÌ„ shall perish for your loue Then the sâ—…g Lion accompanied with his beast shall come forth of his denne with his loud roaring cries shal in such sort astonish those that shall haue you in keeping that mauger all their force you shall remaine in the pawes of that royall beast who shall throwe from your head the rich crowne that shall no more bee yours Afterwardes this famished beast hauing your body in his power shal beare you into his caue where hee shall feede in such sort as his extreame hunger shall be slaked Therefore my daughter take heed what you do for this which I haue foretold you shall without doubt come to passe By my faith answered Oriana I could haue beene well content to haue forborne this curiosity for the sorrowfull end that is prepared for mee doth trouble all my spirits Faire Lady saide Vrganda another time bee lesse curious to vnderstand that which is beyond your capasitie neuerthelesse oftentimes such things as are misticall and fearefull doe for the most part turne into ioy pleasure and profit therefore be not you discomforted in any sort seeing that you are daughter vnto the best king most vertuous Queene that liueth vpon the earth beeing endued with such excellent beauty that your renowne is spreade ouer all countreies and more-ouer you are beloued of him who is honoured and esteemed more then any other Knight You know as well as I that hee loueth you by the experience not onely of that which hath beene tolde you and you haue made knowne vnto him but also by the aduentures which hee hath brought to passe in your presence therefore you ought to thinke your selfe happy aboue all those that are best beloued being mistresse of him that deserueth by his chiualrie to be Lord of all the world Now it is time to wake the Ladies end our discourse Here-withall shee began to read againe in her booke and at that instant the Ladies that were asleepe began to breath as if they had
Bruneo answered thou declarest in plaine tearmes that which is needfull for thy selfe Wherefore I pray thee as lustie as thou art not to spare mee a whit Art thou ignorant of the occasion of our combate Knowest thou not that either thy head or mine must cease this strife I doe assure thee that I am no more determined to listen vnto thy preaching wherefore if thou determine not to dy presently looke to thine owne defence better then thou hast done here-tofore Immediately without any further disputations hee assailed Madamain afresh but hee was already so weake as not being able so much as to defend Bruneo his blowes hee drew himselfe by little and little to the top of a Rock euen to the place where Amadis had cast the body of Ardan into the Sea And there Bruneo thrust him so rudely downe that he sent him to be buried in the Sea but before hee came to the bottome his body was torne in twenty seuerall peeces Which the iniurious Damosell perceiuing she entred into such fury and dispaire that as a mad woman shee ranne vnto the place where Ardan and Madamain were throwne downe headlond where finding Madamain his sword she set it to her breast crying so loud that all the companie heard her Seeing that Ardan the flower of chiualrie my brother haue chosen their graue in this raging Sea I will beare them companiâ—… And so casting herselfe downe headlong she was immediately couered with the water Then Bruneo mounting on horsâ—backe againe was conducted by the King and many other knights to the lodging of Amadis where hee desired to keep him company in whose honour hee had vndertaken the combate And because that the Queene Briolania perceiued that Amadis was not like to be cured in a short space nor to accompany her as hee had promised she tooke her leaue of him to goâ— see the singularities of the Firme Island wherefore Amadis commanded Enil to conduct her and to desire Isania the Gouernor thereof to doe her all the honour and giue her the best entertainement hee could deuise So Briolania departed bidding Oriana farewell assuring her that she should be aduertised what happened vnto her in trying the aduentures of the Island but shee was no sooner gone from the Court when it seemed that Fortune endeauoured the ruine of the kingdom of great Brittaine which had so long time liued in happinesse Yea euen king Lisuart himselfe who forgetting not onely the seruices hee had receiued of Amadis of his kindred and friends but especially the aduice and counsell of Vrganda listened to flatterers two ancient knights of his house to whom vnder the colour of the long education they had receiued as well of the King Falangris his eldest brother as of himselfe hee gaue credit beleeuing their vntrothes which he ought not to haue done as you shall presently vnderstand These two of whom I speake as wel by reason of their ancient age as of a kinde of hypocrisie cloaked with wisedome tooke more paines to seeme good and vertuous then to bee so in deede by meanes whereof they entred into great authority and were often-times called and made priuie to the most secret affaires of their Lord one of them was named Brocadan and the other Gandandell This Gandandell had two sonnes who before the comming of Amadis and of his followers into great Brittaine were esteemed two of the most hardiest knights in all the countrey notwithstanding the prowesse and dexteritie of the other did abate the renowne of those whom I speake of Whereat their father was so displeased that forgetting the feare of God the faith which hee ought to his Prince and the honour which all men of honesty ought to be endued withall determined not onely to accuse Amadis but likewise all those whom hee esteemed as his friends and did conuerse withall hoping to build his treason in such sort that by the ruine of so many good knights he would worke his owne his friends profit Wherefore finding the King on a time at leasure hee vsed speeches of like substance vnto him It may please your Maiesty I haue all my life long desired to bee faithfull vnto you as to my King and naturall Lord euen as my duty bindeth mee and will yet continue if it please God for besides the oath of fidelity which I haue sworne vnto you you haue of your gracious fauour heaped so many benefiâ—â— a vpon mee that if I should not counsell you in that which did concerne your royall Maiesty I should commit a great fault both towardes God and men In consideration whereof if it like your Maiesty after I had long weighed with my selfe that which I will declare vnto you I haue often repented that I deferred the matter so long not for any malice I beare vnto any man as God is my witnesse but onely for the damage which I see ready to ensue if your Maiesty do not speedily and wisely seeke remedy to preuent it Your Maiesty knoweth that of long time there hath beene great controuersie betweene the kingdomes of Gaule and great Brittaine because that the Kings your predecessors haue alwaies pretended title of soueraigntie thereunto And albeit that for some time this quarrell hath line dead notwithstanding it is likely that those of that Countrey calling to minde the warres and domages they haue endured by your subiects haue secretly determined to take reuenge thereof And in my opinion Amanis who is chiefe and principall amongst them all is not come into this Countrey but to practise and gaine your people who ioyned with the forces which he may easily land heere will so trouble you that it will be hard for you to resist them And I beseech you to consider whither the likelyhood there-of bee not already very apparent Moreouer your Maiestie may bee pleased to consider that he of whoÌ„ I speake and those of his aliance likewise haue done mee so much honour and pleasure that both I and my children are greatly bounden vnto them and were it not that you are my soueraigne Lord I would in no wise pleake against Amadis but in those things which concerne your person let mee rather receiue death then that I spare any man liuing were he mine own sonne You haue receiued Amadis with so great number of his parents and other strangers into your Court like a good and liberall Prince as you are that in the end their traine will become greater then your owne wherefore if it like your Maiesty it were good to fore-see this matter before the fire bee kindled any further When the King heard Gandandel speake in this sort he became very pensiue and afterwards answered him In faith louing friend I beleeue that you aduertise mee as a good and faithfull subject neuerthelesse seeing the seruices that they of whom you speake haue done vnto me I cannot be perswaded in my mind that they would procure or imagine any treason against me May it please your Maiesty answered he that is
it which deceiueth you for if they had heretofore offended you you would haue beene ware of them as of your enemies but they can wisely cloake their pretended treason colouring it with an humble speech accompanied with some small seruices wherein they haue employed themselues watching a time of more fit opertunity The King turned his head on the one side without answering any farther because there came some Gentlemen vnto him neuerthelesse Gandandel being as yet ignorant how the King had taken his aduertisement he practised with Brocadan and drew him vnto his league declaring vnto him the whole discourse which he had with the King assuring him that if they might banish Amadis and his alies that from thenceforth they two alone should gouerne the king and his Realme peacebly Brocadan receiuing this counsell for good did afterwards imprint in the King his minde so great iealosie and suspition against Amadis and his fellowes as from that day hee hated them in so strange a sort that hee could not in a manner abide to see them forgetting the great seruices performed by them as well when he and Oriana were deliuered from the hands of Arcalaus as afterwards in the battaile against King Cildadan and in many other places heretofore recited Truely if this King had well remembred the counsell and aduise which hee had receiued of Vrganda hee had not so farre digressed from the bounds of reason although that the like malady doth often haunt al Princes when they take not heed of falling into the like accidents and danger as King Lisuart did Who giuing credit to the deceitfull words of these traitors did neuer afterwards visit as hee was accustomed Amadis and the others that were wounded whereat they were not a little abashed but to doe them the more dispite he sent for Madasima and other pledges vnto whom he sayde that if within eight dayes the Isle of Mongaza were not yeelded vnto him according to their promise that then hee would suddainly cause their heads to be smitten off When Madasima heard this rigorous constraint neuer was woman more afraid considering that in performing the will of the King shee should remaine poore and vtterly dishereted and on the other side denying to satisfie his behest shee did see her death prepared so that she was in such perplexitie as not being able to answere him she had recourse vnto her teares Wherefore Andaugell the old Gyant answered the King saying If it please your Maiestie I will go with those whom you shall appoint to send vnto the mother of Madasima and I will deale with her in that sort as shee shall accomplish your will yeelding the Countrey and places which you demand otherwise your Maiestie may doe your pleasure with vs. This the King liked well of and euen that day he sent him with the Eearle Latin and caused Madasima and her women to bee carryed back to their accustomed prison whether they were brought by diuers Gentlemen Whom she moued greatly to pittie her estate by the complaints and sorrowfull lamentation that she made vnto them praying euery one of them particularly to labour in her behalfe vnto the King so that there was not one amongst them all who promised not to doe for her as much as possibly they could especially Don Galuanes who at that time held her by the arme beholding her with such an eye as hee became of her enamoured and said vnto her Madame I am sure that if it would please you to accept mee for your husband the King would freely bestow vpon vs all the right that he pretendeth in your Countrey I beeleeue also that you are not ignorant of my nobility being brother to the King of Scotland and that by me your authoritie shall not be deminished For the rest assure your selfe that I will vse you as you are worthy Now Madasima had known him of long time she was assured that he was one of the best Knights in the world Wherefore accepting the offers of Galuanes shee fell downe at his feete most humbly thanking him for the good and honour which he did offer vnto her and euen then was the marriage betweene them agreed vpon the which afterward Galuanes laboured to effect to his vttermost power And the better to accomplish it some few dayes after he came vnto Amadis and Agraies making them acquainted with that which you haue heard and Agraies said vnto him Vnkle I know very well that loue hath no respect of persons sparing neither young nor olde and seeing that you are become one of his subiects we will beseech the King so much in your behalfe that you shall enioy your desired loue therefore determine to behaue your selfe like a lusty champion for Madasima is a woman not likely to bee pleased with a kisse onely By my faith answered Amadis my Lord Galuanes the King in my opinion will not refuse vs and I promise you that so soone as I am able to walke your Nephew and I will goe vnto his Maiesty to entreat that which you demand But you must vnderstand that whilest these things were in doing Gādandell the better to couer dissemble the treason which he had conspired did goe oftentimes to see and visit Amadis so that one time amongst the rest hee sayd to him my Lord it is long since you saw the King What is the cause there-of answered Amadis Because saide Gandandel by his countenance it seemeth hee beareth you no great good will I know not answered Amadis yet to my knowledge I neuer offended him For this time they passed no farther vntill at another instant this traytour came againe to see him shewing vnto him a better countenance then he was accustomed saying my Lord I told you the other day that I thought by the speeches which I heard the King speake of you that his friendship was not so firme vnto you as it was wont to be and because that I and mine are so greatly bound vnto you for the pleasures which you haue done vnto vs I will truly let you vnderstand how the King hath a very bad opinion of you and therefore looke vnto it So many times did hee repeat this and the like matter vnto Amadis that hee began to suspect least hee had layd some snare to entrap him in whereby the King might conceiue some euill opinion of him And therefore one day when Gandandel perseuered in his aduertisements Amadis being very angry answered him My Lord Gandandel I doe greatly wonder what mooueth you to vse this speech so often vnto me seeing that I did neuer thinke vpon any thing but onely wherein I might doe the King seruice And I cannot beleeue that a Prince so vertuous as hee is would euer suspect mee for a thing which I neuer committed Wherefore neuer breake my head more with such follies for I take no pleasure therein For this cause Gandandel durst neuer after that speake any more thereof vnto him vntill that Amadis beeing healed went vnto the Court
they would pray them all to meete together and that then they would take counsell what was best to be done And at the same instant Amadis sent Durin to tell the Princesse Mabila that he would if it were possible the night following speake with Oriana about some matter of importance newly fallen out In this sort the day passed and the night approched being alreadie apparrelled in his sable weede wherefore at such time as euery one was in their soundest sleepe Amadis called Gandalin and came vnto that place by the which hee commonly entred into the chamber of Oriana who stayed for him according to the message which shee had receiued by Durin where being arriued without acquainting her at the first with any thing that might displease her after they had a little while discoursed pleasantly together Mabila the Damosell of Denmark who were desirous to sleep or it may be not being able to endure that heat where-with loue did pricke them seeing the kissings embracings where-with these two louers entertained one another sayd vnto them the bed is bigge enough for you two and the darknesse fit for your desires it is now late lie you downe if it please you and afterwardes talke together as much as you wil. Madame said Amadis vnto Oriana by my faith their counsell is very good It is best for vs then to beleeue them answered shee and therewithall hauing nothing vpon her but a cloake cast about her she had quickly gotten her in between a paire of sheets and as shee layd her downe close in her bed hee lent so neere vnto her ouer the beds side that after the curtains were drawne not to encrease his passion but to redouble his pleasure a wax taper being onely lighted vp in the chamber they began to kisse and embrace each other so incessantly that remaining in this great ease their spirits entertained a double delight by the sweet sollace which their metamorphosed soules did mutially receiue from the outward parts of their lippes being brought at the same instant into such an extasie that they were thereby vnable to speake one worde vntill the Damosell of Denmarke thinking that Amadis had beene asleepe pulled him by the garment saying My Lord you may lightly take colde get you into the bed if it please you With this waking as it were forth of a sound sleepe hee setched a deepe sigh Alas deare loue sayd the Princesse should you not be as well at your ease if you were laid downe in the bed by mee as to take so much paine and hurt your selfe Madame answered he seeing it pleaseth you so to command me I will not make it daintie to straine a little curtesie with you No sooner had hee sayde these wordes but that hee threwe him-selfe starke naked betweene the Princesse her armes then begunne they againe their amorous sports performing with cōtentment that thing which euery one in the like delight doth most desire after-wardes they began to conferre of diuers matters vntill that Oriana demāded of him wherefore he had sent her word by Durin that he had somewhat of great importance to tell her Madam answered he I wil declare it vnto you seing that you desire to know it although I am sure it will be both strange grieuous vnto you neuertheles I must of necessity aduertise you thereof because it is of so great cōsequēce You must vnderstand therefore Madame that the King your father yesterday did speake vnto Agraies Galuanes me in such discurteous sort that thereby we wel perceiued little good hee wisheth vs afterwards he recited vnto her word by word of all that had happened how in the end the king rising vp in a great rage told them that the worlde was large enough for them to goe seeke some other place where they might bee better requited then of him And for this cause Madame sayde Amadis wee must of force doe what hee hath commaunded otherwise wee should greatly preiudice our honours remaining against his wil in his seruice seeing that he might presume that wee had no other place to goe vnto where we might be entertained therefore I beseech you not to be offended if in obeying him I am constrained to leaue you for a season You know what power you haue ouer mee and that I am as much yours as you can wish more-ouer I know very well that if I should gaine any bad reputation you are she that would bee most offended therewith so much am I sure that you doe loue and esteeme mee which maketh mee againe to entreate you to allow of my departure and to giue mee leaue vsing your accustomed constancy and vertue Alas answered shee my deere loue what doe you tell me Madame if it please God the King heereafter will acknowledge the wrong that he hath done vnto vs and I shall bee as well wel-come vnto him as euer I haue bin Gentle friend answered the Princesse you do much amisse to complaine of my father for if he hath receiued any good from you it was for my loue by the commandement that I gaue vnto you and not for his sake for I alone did bring you hither and was the cause that you remained with him And therefore it is not hee that must recompence you but I vnto whom you belong It is very true that hee hath alwaies thought otherwise for which hee is the more to bee blamed for answering you so vndiscreetly And although that your departure is the most grieuous thing that could happen to me being a matter of constraint I am content to sortifie my selfe and to prefer reason before the delights and pleasures which I receiue by your presence Therefore will I frame my will to your liking because I am sure that in what place soeuer you shall bee your heart which is mine shall remaine with mee as pledge of the power which you haue giuen me ouer your selfe and yet moreouer my father in losing you shall know by those few that he shall haue left what he hath lost by you Madame said Amadis the fauour which you shew vnto me is so great that I esteeme it no lesse then the redemption of mine owne life For you know that euery vertuous man ought to haue his honour in such estimation that hee ought to preferre it before his owne life In like sort Madam seeing that to conserue it I must of force depart from you doe thus much if it please you for mee as during my absēce to let me heare very often from you And to hold mee alwaies in your good fauour as he who was neuer borne but only to obay and serue you And truely whosoeuer had seene the Princesse then when Amadis took this sorrowfull farwell he might easily haue bin witnes of the passiō which she indured Neuerthelesse Amadis seeing the day constrained him to depart in kissing her sweetly hee rose vp leauing her so ful of sorrow heauines that although shee dissembled as well as shee
could this her extreame greefe yet had shee not so much power ouer her selfe but that shee awaked Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke with her loud sighes who thinking her to bee taken with some new disease came hastily vnto her and found that Amadis was already apparrelled Then they demanded of him what moued Oriana in such extreame sort to complaine Amadis tolde them the whole discourse in what sort hee was constrained to forsake the court and the seruice of the king wherefore my louing friends said he I pray you to go comfort my Lady Which said he tooke his leaue of them and dâ—parted leauing al the three Ladies accompanied onely with sorrow and extreame passion Now you must know that so soon as Agraies and Galuanes were come vnto Amadis his lodging they sent vnto all their friends particularly to intreate them to meet there the next morning the which they accordingly performed then they went altogether to the Church to heare seruice at their returne from whence they all walking in a great field Amadis began to speake vnto them in this manner My Lords because that some one may wrongfully blame my Lord Galuanes Agraies me some others here present for leauing the king his seruice as wee are determined to do they and I haue thought good to let you vnderstand what is the occasion thereof I beleeue that there is not any in this company that knoweth not whether since our arriuall in great Brittaine the authority of a Prince bee increased or diminished Wherfore without spending the time in rehearsing the seruices which wee haue done vnto him for the which we had great hope to haue receiued besides his good will a great reward I will declare vnto you particularly with what ingratitude he vsed vs yesterday eueÌ„ as fortune which is mutable inconstant doth often times ouerthrow all things so hath hee changed his conditions eyther by some bad counsaile which he hath receiued or for some sleight occasion wherof we are ignorant But this much I am sure that my Lord Galuanes did desire vs to bee a meanes for him vnto his Maiesty not past eight or ten daies since that hee would bee pleased to permit him to marry with Madasima and in so doing to suffer him likewise to inioy her lands vpon this condition that he should hold them of him and of his Crowne by fealty and homage the which wee promised to performe By meanes wherof so soone as I was able to goe I and others in this company did make this request vnto him but he without any regard eyther vnto vs that were sutors or vnto him for whom we sued who is as euery on knoweth brother vnto the King of Scotland as valiant and hardy a knight as possible may be such a one as in the late battell against king Cildadan hath not spared his life but hath done as much as any other that was there he hath not only refused our requests but also giuen vs such iniurious words as were far vnfit and vnworthy such a king And notwithstanding at the beginning wee made small account thereof vntill hee said vnto vs all as we shewed vnto him some reasons for our request that we shold goe seeke else where for such a one as would acknowledge and better esteeme of vs then he did and that the world was wide enough without importuning him any further Therefore my fellows and friends since that being in his seruice wee haue beene euer dutifull vnto him so for my part I am yet very well content in this case not to displease him and to get mee forth of his countrie But because it seemeth vnto mee that this his licence to depart doth not onely touch mee and those vnto whom hee spake but all others who are none of his subiects I thought it good to acquaint you therewith to the end that you might bethinke what to doe Much were these Knights amased at the words of Amadis considering that if the great seruises of him and his brethren were so badly requited that very hardly would that little which they had done be recompensed Wherefore they determined to forsake the King and to go seeke their fortune else-where especially Angriotta de Estraâ—aâ—x who to draw the rest vnto his opinion and to follow Amadis hee began to say with a loude voyce My Lords it is yet no long time since I knew the King and for that little acquaintance that I haue had with him I did neuer see a Prince more wise vertuous and temperate then he hath bin in his affaires wherefore I doubt mee greatly that this which hee hath done vnto Amadis and to these Lords present proceedeth not of his own fancy but he hath bin incited thereunto by some wicked malicious persoÌ„ who hath perswaded him to vse theÌ„ in that sort And because that for these eighteene daies I haue seen Gandandel Brocadan very often consulting with him and that so he hath been more priuat with them then any other I feare me that they are the men that haue bin the chiefe workers of this mischiefe for I haue known theÌ„ of long time for the most malicious persons in all the world Therefore I am determined euen this day to demand the combat against them and to maintain that fasly and wickedly they haue set discord betweene the king and Amadis and if they will make excuse because of their age they haue each of them a sonne which of long time haue borne Armes against whom I alone will fight if they dare bee so bolde to maintaine the reason of their wicked parents Ah my Lord Angriotta answered Amadis I should bee very sorry that you should hazard your body in a matter so vncertaine By my faith answered Angriotta I am very sure thereof and I haue perceiued it of long time so that if the king would bee pleased to tell but what hee knoweth hee would affirme them to be such as I say I pray you Gentle fâ—iend said Amadis deferre it yet for this time to the end that the king may haue no cause to bee discontented for if those whom you speake of who haue alwaies shewed to mee a friendly countenance haue beene so malicious as to play false play behinde my backe assure you that at length their wickednes shall bee discouered and their desert recompensed then shall you haue reason to accuse them Well answered Angriotta although this is against my will yet I am content to deferre it but beleeue mee that heereafter I shall both complaine and bee reuenged of them well enough For the rest my good friends saide Amadis if it pleased the King and Queene to vouchsafe to see mee I am determined to goe forthwith and take my leaue of them and so to retire vnto the Firme-Island in hope that those which will follow mee shall wholly bee pertakers with mee in all the good and pleasure which there I shall haue And as you doe know the Countrey is pleasant
the auncient knight Don Grumedan to make his excuse vnto her Maiesty Afterwards taking his leaue of the king with great reuerence he retired vnto his lodging with his friends and companions where they found their dinner ready and as soone as the Table was taken vp euery one went to arme him and they trouped altogether in a place where Oriana might behold them and their number was so great as they were thought to be fiue hundred knights and more the most part of them being Sons vnto kings dukes or earles Afterwards in very good order they all passed along hard by the Queenes lodging Then Mabila being in one of the windows called Oriana who was laid vpon her bed as melancholy as might be saying vnto her Madame I pray you forget your heauinesse and come see how many knights you haue at your commandement All the while my cosin was in the seruice of the king your father he was accounted but as a simple wandring knight but no sooner is he departed from him when hee sheweth that hee is a Prince and mighty Lord as you may now behold and if you haue power ouer him by greater reason haue you power ouer all his troope of whom hee is the chiefe and principall Leader Oriana was so greatly comforted with this sight that euer after she was more merry and at better hearts ease In this sort did Amadis and his followers passe through the Citty and there accompanied them king Arban of North Wales Grumedan a knight of honour belonging to the Queene Brandoinas Queuorant Giontes Nephew to the King and Listoran the good iouster All these were very sorry for the departure of so many good knights especially for Amadis who prayed them that in any matter wherein his honour might bee blemished they would shew themselues to be such friends for him as hee esteemed them And although the king without any occasion had conceiued a hate against him yet they should not cease for all that to be his friends without forsaking the seruice of so good a prince and they answered him that excepting their seruice and loyalty in the which they were by duty bounde vnto the king they would bee ready to pleasure him at all times and places when and where he would employ them for the which hee heartilie thanked them Afterwards hee saide vnto them If you finde the king fit to be spoken vnto you may aduertise him that which Vrganda declared to mee in his presence is now accomplished for shee told mee that the recompence which I should haue in gayning Dominions for another should be hate anger and banishment from that place where most I desired to remaine I haue conquered as euery one knoweth with the edg of my sword and the losse of my blood the Isle of Mongaza thereby enlarging the limits of the realme of great Brittaine and notwithstanding al this the king without cause at all hath requited mee with hate but God is iust and will recompence euery one according to his deserts By my faith answered Grumedan I will not faile to let the King know as much as you haue sayde And cursed be Vrganda for prophesing so right which saide they embraced one another and tooke their leaue but Guillan the pensil whose eyes were full of teares said vnto Amadis My Lord you know my occasion and how I cannot of my selfe doe any thing being subiect so the will of another for whose sake I suffer and endure strange greefes and anguishes which is the cause that I cannot follow you for which I am very sorry and ashamed so great a desire haue I to acknowledge the fauour and honour that I haue receiued of you being in your company beseeching you most humbly at this time to holde me excused Now did Amadis vnderstand in what subiection loue did holde him and hee knew very well by himselfe what paine hee might suffer by meanes whereof he answered him My Lord Guillan God forbid that by my occasion you should commit any offence vnto the Lady whom you loue so constantly but I rather counsell you to be obedient vnto her and to serue her as hitherto you haue done and the King likewise being sure that your honour saued you wil be vnto me in all places a faithfull friend and louing companion Heere withall he embraced him taking his leaue Guillan and his fellowes returned vnto the Cittie and Amadis and his followed on their way to the Firme-Island vntill at the last they arriued along by a riuer vpon the side whereof Amadis had sent before to cause his Tents and Pauillions to be armed and set vp There they lodged for that night praising God in that they had so happily been warned of the Kings ingratitude with whom if they had remained any longer space they had but lost their time But Amadis was so heauie for his banishment from Oriana ignorant when he should see her again that he knew not in what sort to dissemble his malancholie and thus they passed away the night vntill the next morning that they had rode forward on their way In the meane time King Lisuart was in his Pallace who after the departure of so great a number of Knights perceiued that he now was but meanly accompanied Then he began to acknowledge the fault which he had committed and to repent him greatly for the words which he said vnto Amadis At the very selfe same time Gandandel and Brocadan were aduertised what Angriotta had said of them whereat they were maruailously abashed fearing least the King and the rest should dislike of the bad counsell which they had giued vnto him neuerthelesse since there was no remedy they determined to passe it ouer and to worke such meanes that neuer any of those Knights who were departed should enter into the King his fauour againe And the better to bring it to passe they both came vnto him saying Your Maiestie ought greatly to praise God that you are so honestly rid of those men who might haue wrought you much mischiefe for your highnesse knoweth there is nothing more dangerous then a secret enemy Wherefore you haue now no other thing to trouble you neither neede you take any care for your affaires because that wee two will take order and warily prouide for any perill that may happen to this Realme When the king heard them speake so audaciously hee looked vpon them with a sowre countenance and answered them I do much meruaile how you dare bee so presumptuous to perswade me that I should leaue vnto you the gouernment not onely of my house but also of my whole realm knowing that you are nothing fit not sufficient for such a charge Doe you imagine that the Princes and Lords of this monarchie will obay you knowing the place from whence you are descended And if you thinke to play the good husbands desiring to enrich mee by sparing of my treasure vpon whom doe you thinke that I may better imploy it then vpon such Gentle-men
or shee that loueth as constantly as Grimanesa and Apolidon that made this enchantment And they must of necessity enter in both together for the first time otherwise let them be assured to die most cruelly and this enchauntment shall last and all the rest of this Island vntill that the knight Lady who do surpasse in loyalty those that made the defences of the forbidden Chamber bee entred in and there haue taken their pleasure Hereupon my Lady caused Isania to be called and tolde him she was glad that she had seen these wonders but shee would yet see the Arch of loyall Louers and the chamber so renowned and in the meane season she desired him to tell her what was meant by the Hart Serpent Dogs and Lions Madame answered Isania I know no other thing thereof but that euery day at those houres and places that you did see them the combats of the beasts are made and the Hart doth alwaies leape downe from the window and the Dogs after who pursue him into a Lake not far from hence where they are hidden and seene no more vntill the next day and houre that the chase beginneth againe as you haue seene it this night past But thus much you shall know that if you were one whole yeere in this Island yet should you not haue time enough to see all the wonderfull things which there are For this cause my Lady and her company mounted on horseback and we came vnto the Palace of Apolidon to see the arch of loyall Louers and the forbidden Chamber Whereunto my Lady was no sooner come but she alighted and approched vnto the Image of copper as she that had neuer falsified her loue and passing vnder there was heard the most sweete and melodious tune in all the world and the Queene passed through euen vnto the place where the portraitures of Apolidon and Grimanesi were which seemed vnto her as though they had been aliue And from thence shee came vnto the piller of Iasper where she saw written these wordes Briolania the daughter to Tagadan king of Sobradisa is the third Damosell that did euerenter into this place But seruice all vpon one occasion and therefore it is reason that all of vs should succor him that hath most need of helpe And although wee had no desire to aide Don Galuanes heere present yet are wee bound to fauour Ladies in all that we can and amongst other Madasima and hers assuring you that through my fault they shall neither haue hurt nor displeasure By my faith said Quedragant you speak vertuously and according to good reason for doing otherwise we should be vnworthy of the name of knights and although I were my selfe alone yet would I seeke aide to execute that which you haue determined knowing that the poore Madasima forsaken of euery one hath freely yeelded her selfe into the King his prisons not by her owne will but by the dutifull obedience which shee desired to shew vnto her mother For which cause if the king pretend any right vnto the lands of the Isle of Mongaza I say hee doth wrong My Lords answered Amadis those things which are debated by sound deliberation doe assuredly come vnto good end you need not doubt that enterprising this which you determine you shall performe it vnto your honour yea although it were more dangerous and difficult then it is neuerthelesse if it please you I will declare what I thinke thereof You doe all conclude so farre as I see to set at liberty the twelue Damosels now prisoners with king Lisuart Therefore I am of the opinion that twelue of you without any more should vndertake this enterprise so euery one of you shall haue one of them and the twelue gentlewomen shall bee particularly bound vnto twelue knights and the rest of this company shall spare themselues and tarry heere to preuent such inconueniencies as may happen Mee thinkes that Galuanes vnto whom this matter doth chiefly appertaine deserueth well to be the first man that shall be named next Agrates his nephewe Florestan my brother Palomir Dragonis Brian Nicoran Orlandid Garnat Imosil brother to the Duke of Burgoine Madansil and Eaderin You twelue are such valiant knights as you may answere twelue others whatsoeuer they bee and King Lisuart cannot deny the combate although it should bee against the chiefest of his Realme considering the houses from which you are descended This counsaile was so well allowed of all that about mid-night following the twelue knights mounted on horse-backe taking their way vnto the Citie of Thassillana in the which the King soiourned CHAP. XXII How Oriana remayned in great perplexity not onely for the departure of Amadis but also because she felt her selfe great with childe and of that which happened to the twelue Knights that were departed from the Firme-Island to deliuer Madasima and her Damosels A Little before it hath beene tolde vnto you how Amadis remained eight daies in Mirefleur with Oriana contenting their affections and desires to the full in such sort as two moneths after or there about the Princesse doubted that she was with childe neuerthelesse for the little experience that she had in such matters she made no account thereof vntill after the departure of Amadis whē the liuely coulour in her face beganne to fade and decay and her stomack waxed very bad and weake so that this doubt was turned into a certaintie wherefore shee determined to acquaint Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke therewith as vnto those whom she esteemed the true treasurers of her secrets For which cause beeing one day withdrawne into her closet hauing her eyes full of teares and her heart oppressed with griefe shee sayd vnto them Alas my deare friends and louing counsellors I do now well perceiue that Fortune wil wholy work my ruine and ouerthrowe You haue seene what inconuenience hath happened of late vnto the person whom I doe most loue in the world and now that which is worst of all the thing which I haue most feared and doubted is lighted vpon mee For certainely I am with child and I know not what I shall doe that I be not discouered and vndone Much abashed were these two Damosels at this neuerthelesse as those which were wise well aduised they dissembled that which they thought thereof And Mabila answered Oriana Take no care Madame God shall prouide well enough for you if it please him but by my faith said shee in smiling I alwaies doubted that vnto such a Saint such an offering would be brought Oriana smiled to see with what a prettie grace Mabila deliuered this pleasant speech answered her For the honour of God doe you both aduise to giue mee some remedy and then you shall see if I cannot requite your frumps As for mee I thinke it best that wee find the meanes to retyre vnto Mirefleur or elsewhere frō the Court staying the time vntill it shall please God to regard me in pitty for I feele my belly to rise
and I see my face already waxen leane Madame sayde the Damosell of Denmarke it is an easie matter to preuent an inconuenience when it is foreseene before it happen I will tell you answered the Princesse whereupon I haue bethought mee It is necessarie that you Damosell doe hazard your life for the sauing of my honour You see that I doe put more trust in you then in any other person that liueth Madame sayde shee you knowe or at the least you should know mee so well that I haue neither life nor honour named Sarquiles Cosen vnto Angrietta de Estranaux being in louâ— with one of the Neeces of Broquadan was by chance hidden behind the Tapestrie of the same chamber staying for some signe or watch word which was to be giuen vnto him by his louing Mistresse hee I say heard all their counsaile whereat hee was wonderfull abashed For which cause incontinently after the traytours were departed hee came foorth from his place where hee had almost all that day beene hidden and the next morning hee armed him and as if he had beene come some farre iourney he entred into the Pallace where the king was vnto whom he came and sayd If it may please your Maiesty I am none of your subiect nor liege man but in requitall of the bringing vp and education that I haue had in your Court I am bound to preserue and defend the honoâ—â— of your Maiesty Wherefore your highnesse may be pleased to bee aduertised that within these three dayes I was in such a place where I heard that Broquadan and Gandandel did not only then conspire but already had committed against God and your grace the greatest treason that might be imagined It is sure that they determined to counsell perswade you to put Madasima and her gentlewomen to death and for the rest I hope if it like your Maiesty before ten dayes be past that their wickednes shal be wholy laid open proued vnto you And because that in maintayning such traitors you haue of late banished my Lord Amadis and many other good knights from your coÌ„pany I am not determined to stay any longer with you and therefore I take my leaue of your grace to goe seeke out my Vncle Angriotta whom if God please you shall see in these parts and I with him determined to auouch by force of armes against these two traytors their vniust conspiracies God be with you answered the king seeing that you haue so great haste Herewithall Sarquiles rose vp leauing the king alone very pensiue for the wordes which hee had said vnto him and some few dayes after he arriued in the Firme-Island as Amadis Angriotta Bruneo and others were walking by the Sea side causing certaine ships to be prepared and rigged to passe into Gaule where king Perion had sent vnto Amadis that he should come for certaine affaires which were lately happened vnto him When Angriotta beheld his Nephew Sarquiles he wondred thereat inquiring of him why hee had left king Lisuart My Lord answered Sarquiles it is for a matter whereat you all this coÌ„panie wil greatly admire Hereupon hee recited vnto them the whole discourse of the practises and counsailes that Broquadan and Gandandel had held vpon the accusation of Amadis his companions Well answered Angriotta I did alwaies thinke so of them And you my Lord said hee vnto Amadis doe now finde that to be true which I haue here-tofore told you But seeing it is so I protest they shall repent their treacherie for I will depart hence tomorrowe morning to goe and fight with them and make them acknowledge their villany Gentle friend answered Amadis the matter being so certaine as it is you haue no reason to deferre the execution of your enterprise and if you had any sooner performed that which you now determine it had beene perchance with lesse assurance then you now haue And after many other discourses they went vnto their lodging vntill the next morning that Angriotta took his leaue of Amadis and accompanied with his Nephew Sarquiles tooke the right way towards great Brittaine where within few dayes after he arriued Now you must vnderstand that euer since the departure of Amadis king Lisuart was so melancholly as no man could be more and hee spent all the day long in studying with himselfe whereof one time aboue all the rest Broquadan and Gandandel seeing him alone very pensiue came vnto him and sayd May it please your Maiesty it seemeth vnto vs that the ouer great care which you take in these your affaires depriueth you of your wonted manner of life and you take matters more to heart then you neede It may wel be answered the king but what meane you to tell me so Is it if it like your Maiesty sayd they for doubt of those that come from the Firme-Island in the defence of Madasima and her Damosels by the faith wee owe vnto God if it please your grace to credit our counsell you and your estate shall be henceforth in greater security then euer yet it hath beene And to bring that to passe commaund the heades of those pledges which you haue this day to bee smitten off Then afterwardes send vnto Galuanes and the rest of his compapanie your enemies that vpon their liues they be not once so hardy as to enter into your countries and if by chance they be already arriued command them foorth-with to depart or otherwise you will cause them to bee cut in peeces When the King heard this wicked speech and vngodly counsaile of theirs hee remembred that which Sarquiles had tolde vnto him therwithall he knew that without doubt these two traytors did with wrong procure the death of these Damosels notwithstanding because he would not at that time amase them hee onely answered this You counsaile mee to things farre vnfitting my estate the one that I should without processe or order of Iustice put Madasima and her Damosels to death and the other that I should forbid froÌ„ my Court those knights that are minded to come thither But if I should doe this which you say I might bee grieuously reproued for it before God who hath by his great bounty and mercy instituted mee King to administer Iustice vnto euery one alike therefore the counsell which you doe giue vnto mee is wicked and vnworthy to be receiued Let it suffice you therefore that I haue already listned vnto you in the accusation which you haue contriued against Amadis whereof I doe greatly repent mee for I neuer receiued of him nor any of his but all honor pleasure seruice wherefore I charge you vpon your liues that you mooue me no more thereof Saying so he rose vp shewing by his countenance that hee was very angry whereat Gandandel and Broquadan were greatly abashed and they were constrained to departe vnto their lodging to determine what was best for theÌ„ to be done seeing that already fortune had maruailously crossed them they came not in the
of the late deceased king your brother vnto whom I haue done many great seruices I am well assured that Angriotta durst not so much as haue dreamed to vtter halfe these iniurious words of me as hee hath proferred now before your Maiesty But the gallant doth well know that I am olde and crased as well by the great number of my aged yeeres as by the infinit wounds which I haue receiued in a manner in all the parts of my body in the warres of your predecessors witnes wherof are yet these relikes Saying so he opned his breast vpon the which were many scarres apparrantly to be seene Villaine said Angriotta thou doest thinke to defend thee with the eloquence of thy tongue But by the faith of a Knight if the King do but iustice vnto vs both hee shall apparrantly perceiue thy great treason There-withall Sarquiles stepped forth and kneeling downe hee said vnto the King It is long since I did aduertise your Maiestie that so soone as my Lord Angriotta heere present should come vnto your Court. I would let you vnderstand that which with my two eares I did hear spoken by the mouth of these two traitors heereupon hee recited word by word the whole consultations which he had heard whereat al they that were present did greatly wonder to heare such conspiracies repeated And for as much if it like your Maiestie said Sarqailes as they can in no sort excuse them-selues my Lord Angriotta and I will combate with their three sons if they dare maintaine the contrary Now were they present of whō they spake who seeing the iniury that was done vnto their aged fathers and that euery one gaue credit to the words of Sarquiles in a great rage they thrust through the prease and falling on their knees before the King they said May it please your Maiestie Angriotta and Sarquiles haue most falsly and wickedly lied in the words which they haue saide before your Maiestie and wheresoeuer or whensoeuer they doe say so they shall lie and therfore it may please you presently to grant vnto vs the combate which they haue demanded Truely answered the King it is now very late but I am content that to morrow after seruice you shall do that which you can as well on the one part as on the other Then Damas one of the sonnes of Broquadan by the sister of Gandandel a valiant and expert man at arms but wholly adicted to villany stepped forth saying vnto the King Sauing the reuerence of your Maiestie Sarquiles hath vniustly and leaudly lied in all that he hath said and I shall be one of them that will maintaine it against him By my faith answered Angriotta if there were a fourth here too he should be as wel handled as I hope thou shalt Go too then saide the King depart you all for this day and to morrow thinke vpon your businesse Afterwards hee called Grumedan and Giontes his Nephewe and after hee had consulted with them a little while hee commanded Gandandel and Broquadan to come before him vnto whom hee sayde Come hether you haue so many times declared vnto me that Amadis and his associates had determined to betray me and to vsurpe vpon mee the land of Great Brittaine yet neuerthelesse when it is come to an issue you excuse your selues from the combate setting your sons to maintaine your wickednesse who cannot doe therewithall notwithstanding God is iust by all that I do owe vnto him it is very lewdly spoken of you neuer would I euer haue thought you such as you are May it please your Maiesty answered Gandandel our children seeing vs too slow in our iustification put themselues forward to maintaine the honour of their fathers They had reason sayd Grumedan for hardly could you haue recouered any other no doubt but you are men of little worth or reputation for the Diuell could neuer haue inuented such wickednesse as you haue set abroach so as if the King should cause a thousand such as you are to be hanged yet could hee not holde him satisfied for the treacherie which you haue done vnto him but your children shall beare the punishment for you My Lord Grumedan said they although you wish it so yet shall it not haphen so if God please for our sonnes deliuering vs from shame shall obtaine the victorie with honour You shall see sayd Grumedan what the issue will bee And because this talke continued longer then the King liked hee sent euery man vnto his lodging And the same night those which the next morning were to performe the combate did looke that nothing might be wanting in their armour especially Angriotta and his Nephew who withdrewe them vnto a Chappell where they continued in prayer vntill the day breake And because the King had receiued iniurious speeches by the twelue knights of the Island they went vnto their tents with Madasima and her Damosels where they remained all that night But the day appearing they all moūted on horseback came to accompany their fellowes Angriotta and Sarquiles vnto the place of combate there were already arriued the King Princes and Lords with the Queen the other Ladies Thus the combatants entred into the field Angriotta and Sarquiles on the one side Tarin Corian and Damas on the other side Then the trumpets sounded whereupon each of thē pulled downe the beauer of his helmet and with their Lances in their rests they set spurs to their horses running with such force one against another that Corian and Tarin brake vpon Angriotta Damas vpon Sarquiles but Angriotta hit Corian so sound a stroke with his Launce that he vn-horsed him Then turning his face he saw Tarin ready with his sword in his hand who beholding his brother ouerthrowne came with great rage against Angriotta thinking to strike him vpon the top of the helmet the blow fell short and lighted vpon the head of his horse wherewith hee was grieuously wounded Notwithstanding Angriotta finding that he was neere his enemy he hit him so soundly with his sworde that with the stroke hee vnhorsed him and at the same instant he himselfe perceiued his horse waxed faint with the wound hee had receiued vpon his head forsooke him and leaped on the ground Then with his shield on his arme he came against him whom he had first ouer-throwne who was already risen vp marched against Angriotta And thus began the combate betweene thē two where shortly after came Tarin in like sorte and Angriotta was to answere them both neuerthelesse he did make knowne that he was not to seeke in such an extreamity for hee had led them so roundly that hee gaue them not so much leasure as to take their breath so that in lesse space then an houre their armour was hacked in peeces they so wounded that the blood ran downe on all parts I belecue there is none of you all that doth heare this History who vnderstandeth not well enough that Angriotta could not defend
if you please I will iâ—treate the Queene to doe me so much grace as to appoint me twaine after her owne minde Doe so said the King if you thinke good then came the Damosell and falling at the Queenes feete proceeded thus Madame you are sayde to bee one of the wisest and most vertuous dames in the world you vnderstand the cause of my mourning and the gracious offer the King hath made me most humbly I beseech ye theÌ„ for the honor of God to take coÌ„passion on a poore Gentlewoman and counsell me which two knights I shall chuse that are best able to support my want Beleeue me Damosell answered the Queen you demand a matter of great importance yet in such sort doe I pittie your cause as I am the more willing to giue you aduise albeit I would be loth to forgoe them twaine whome I could name in this company TheÌ„ shee shewed her Amadis saying This is my knight And pointing to Galaor sayde This other is the Kings yet be they both bretheren and the best Knights as I haue heard this day liuing I desire your Maiestie quoth the Damosell to tell me their names The one sayd the Queene is called Amadis and the other Galaor But by your fauour replied the Damosell is this Amadis the knight so much renowmed I am very certaine Madame so soone as hee and his brother shall arriue where I can bring them my cause will be sufficiently executed therefore I desire you to obtaine mee their company Hereupon the Queen called them saying I beseech yee both to succour this woman who standeth in neede of your assistance Amadis was somewhat slow in answering for he cast his eye on the Princesse Oriana to note if she would like of his departure and she who likewise pittied the womans cause let fall her gloues which was an appointed signall betweene them and thereby he was certified of her consent wherefore hee thus spake to the Queene I am at your disposition Madame to do whatsoeuer you shall command me Go then in Gods name quoth she and returne again with all possible speed without tarying for any thing that may happen Hereto they willingly condescended and taking leaue of her Amadis fained hee would speake to Mabila when comming neere her and Oriana hee sayde to his Goddesse Madame well may I say that the fairest Lady in the world sends mee to succour the most wofull woman I euer did beholde Sweete friend quoth Oriana I repeÌ„t that I gaue you so much libertie because my minde telleth me this attempt will proue some-what dangerous to you which I hope the heauens will powerfully defend I am perswaded Madame answered Amadis that as the wonderfull worke-man of the world hath enriched you with beauty beyond all other women he will not suffer you to feele displeasure by any mis-fortune happening to mee for being yours as I am I imagine my selfe so happy as I thinke no euill can chance to mee if I continue in your gracious fauour If it lay in my power replied Oriana I would reuoke your licence of departure but seeing it may not bee I will remaine in prayer for your prosperous successe So taking leaue of her hee and Galaor went to arme them-selue then doing their humble duty to the king they rode away in company of the Damosell As thus they trauailed about mid-day they entred the fortrest which commonly was called the vnfortunate Forrest because neuer any knight errant entred into it that could escape without some michiefe and so these two bretheren deerely experimented for such mishap befell them as they verily thought to lose their liues Still rode they on without any aduenture till the Mo one begaÌ„ to grace the euening yet would not the Damosell shew any signe of stay which made Amadis aske this question Gentlewoman shall we rest out selues here awhile Yea mary quoth shee here before wee shall finde tents ready prouided and people in them who expect your comming make then a little hast I pray you because I will goe before to aduertise them They were very well content therewith and so the Damo sell left them till soone after they espied the tents where they saw her among other Ladyes and knights who bad theÌ„ welcome at their arriuall and being alighted from their horses they were conducted into a Pauillion hauing seruants standing ready to take their armour which they had no sooner put off but was caryed by them into another roome where-upon Amadis demanded why they did so Because replied the Damosell you must lodge where they haue caryed your armour He imagining shee sayde true made no further enquirie but sate downe with his brother on stooles that stood ready for them attending the houre of supper Not long had they sitten there but fiue knights well armed entred furiously vpon them saying Yeelde your selues else you are slaine When Amadis heard and saw their bad behauiour he knew right well they were betraied and starting vp saide to Galaor By God brother wee are treacherously deceiued Theâ— finding no remedy but present death after they had strugled with the knights who eâ—â—ily might haue taken their liues Aâ—…dis thus spake Ah villaines you haue vs now at too much aduantage deliuer vs our armes and this quarrell shal be otherwise decided These wordes will little profit yee answered the Knights yeeld your selues our prisoners or we will kill ye So may you doe sayd Galaor like traitours as you are and I will maintaine my wordes against two or three of you if you dare deliuer me mine armes We need no such proofe replied the knights but if you contend in further speeches you shall deerely buy them with the losse of your liues Now trust me quoth Amades wee rather will dye then be prisoners to such villaines as you are Herewith one of the knights went foorth and comming to a Lady he said Madame they will not yeelde shall wee kill them Stay awhile quoth she and if they graunt not my will deale as you please with theÌ„ Then came the Lady who was mauaileous beautifull into the tent and shewing the countenance of a very angry woman thus spake to Amadis and Galaor Knights yeeld your selues my prisoners otherwise you must die Brother answerâ—d Galaor it may bee shee will pittie vs let vs yeelde our selues to her And Madame quoth hee wee beseech yee deliuer our horses and armour when if all your seruants can conquer vs wee will bee content to submit our selues but if you dâ—nie vs this reasonable request wee must esteeme the lesse of you and they that deale with vs so discourteously I willgiue no credence to you at this time replyed the Lady but would counsell ye to yeeld your selues to mee Whereto at length they accorded seeing they could no way else saue their liues yet knew she not their names for the Damosell that conducted them thither would not tell her because if her Mistresse vnderstood what they were she knew they might not