light vpon Vnderstand then sir that hee is Sonne to the fierce Giant Mandaffabull the same man that Amadis when hee tearmed himselfe the Bright Obscure slew and on the very day when the king my Master and he of Great Brittaine fought a hundred against a hundred wherein perished many other Giants all neighbours to this countrie and kinsemen to Balan whom you now enquire for By the death of his father he became and yet remayneth Lord of the Red Island where hee maketh his aboade at this instant it being one of the most fertill Islands in all the Easterne Sea and of the greatest reuenues by meanes of the frequent resort of strange Marchants that land there at all times of whom hee exacts an infinite tribute Now sir you are to obserue beside that if his father was valiant and not meanely experienced in Armes His sonne exceedeth him in all things only crueltie excepted For looke how much the one was a Tyrant and most inhumane the other is so much the more mild peaceable and gracious so that it appeareth almost a miracle in nature to see men issued of one the same linage to be so different in their qualities In this point I must tell you a generall opinion that this faire demeanour became hereditarie to him only by vertue of his mother who was one of the most modest benigne and affable Ladies then to be seene farre differing herein from the other Giantesse wife to Famongomad and her owne sister shee beeing the most foule deformed sluttish and vnhansome creature that euer was seen of her kind Whereby may bee collected that two such contrarie complexions seldome haue power to agree together being deriued from such discordant nature Notwithstanding the reason hereof in my poore opinion may be thus rendred that vertue most commonly is a companion with beauty and comely feature but is a meer stranger to vgly deformity and base disposition Now Sir I am further to tell you that it is more then twenty yeares since I was appointed Gouernour of the Isle where you found me therefore I can speake to you the more vnderstandingly as a man most frequent in knowledge of any thing you can demand of me For since the yongest years of the King my maister I neuer went out of this Climate by reason of the faithfull trust reposed in me especially in those daies when the rich golden Sunne shone not so aboundantly on him as in later times it hath done For by his prowesse and other high deseruings he married the daughter to King Abies of Ireland who was slaine by Amadis when hee entitled himselfe by the name of the gentleman of the Sea or the like kinde of appellation Beleeue mee Sir saide Amadis you haue done me a great pleasure so well to acquaint mee with the conditions of Balan whom I could wish for mine owne benefit to be of another kinde of Character then you haue now described him to me For if hee had beene indued with such plenty of vices as you haue giuen him to mee in vertues hee cannot expect when time shall serue for our meeting any hope in his owne ability of strength And let mee tell you till this instant I neuer stood in feare of his vtter-most power albeit I cannot now well resolue what to thinke of my selfe in a case of such strange contrariety Neuerthelesse come what can more precious to mee is mine honour then my life And let mee further entreate you to tell mee if hee be married and whence he had his wife In good faith quoth the Knight neuer man had better fortune in marriage then he enioying one of the most virtuous Ladies that can be she being daughter to Gandalack Lord of the Rocke of Galtares by whom he hath a sonne aged as I imagine about fifteen yeares Very sorrie was Amadis when he vnderstoode for a certaintie what alliance was between Balan Gandalack whom he loued dearely for the nourishing which his brother Galaor had of him in the time of his infancie and he could wel haue wished that this combate might haue been against some other person although it should fall out more doubtfull and dangerous to him But if it were against his owne brother hee could not now denie it in regarde of his promise passed to Darioletta And so long they held on discourse that darke night ouer-tooke them yet they sayled on merrily still till somewhat â—arely the next morning they discouered the Island with the red Tower whereby the whole countrey had her name because in the midst thereof was a goodly Castle builded enuironed with great Towers and such walles as were of no meane maruell to be seen Then the Knight seeing Amadis take some delight in beholding theÌ„ said Sir this Castle which you see yonder was not built as this day noâ— more then an hundred since but as you now see it so doe ancient Histories speake of it that he who first founded it was named Ioseph sonne to that Ioseph of Aramathia who brought the Sangreal into Great Brittaine at such time as the whole land consisted of Paganes But by his meanes the most part of the people conuerted to the faith of Iesus Christ not without suffering many incursions of hostile enemies that dayly came in vpon them grieuously molested them from time to time To preuent this annoyance this Tower was thus erected in manner as you now beholde it but after-wards as all things haue their changes with the alteration of times if fell into the hands of Giants who tooke great paines to re-people the Isle with worshippers of Idols excluded all them that honoured the true God Neuerthelesse our Lord prouided so wel for them that in despite of their enemies they still continued heere though not in so great a number or enioying such libertie as formerly they had yet partly by paying great taxations and tributes and other of lesse ability by continuall seruitudes to the Giants vntill such time as Balan came to bee Lord thereof who as I haue alreadie tolde you is debonnaire vertuous and of Catholique religion whereby hee is very naturally beloued of all his subiects Now although the Knight declared all these good qualities and many more in the Giant to Amadis yet all were but as fuell to fire enflaming him so forwardly that hee entreated him to goe before and to let the Giant vnderstand that a Knight of the Enclosed Isle was come thither with a Ladie whose sonne he had slaine and kept her husband daughter seruants prisoners And if by combating with him and vanquishing him they might be deliuered hee reque sted security against all men but himselfe otherwise let him not aduenture to come neare the Port because the challenger held it as his refuge The Knight forthwith entred into a small Skiffe leauing Amadis and his company at the hauen in expectation of his returne So soon as he came near the Giant he knew him as one whoÌ„ he had many times seene
bee partakers of your venison All this young discourse was deliuered with so good a grace and such pleasing life of gesture by Esplandian that it procured much loue and admiration enterchanged with smiles and amiable regardes In good sadnesse said the King his gentle nature is not to be wondered at for by that which hath bin declared to me by him who hitherto was his foster-father faire destiny hath made large promises to him Therefore good Father quoth he to Nascian to the end that euery one heere present may vnderstand the trueth of his rare fortune I pray you once more to discourse that wherewith you acquainted me yesterday Sir answered the Hermite it is now more then fiue years since I found the childe in the mouth of this Lyonnesse carrying it to her young ones newly whelpt and I am verily perswaded that hee was not then fully a naturall day old Then hee declared the manner of his swadling clothes what countenance the Lyonnesse expressed when she first gaue him sucke and the care hee had all the while of his thus nourishing in expectation of his Sisters comming All this discourse was diligently listened vnto by Oriana Mabtla and the Damosell of Denmarke well knowing by the Hermites relation that Elplandian was vndoubtedly the Son to Amadis the Princesse which caused such pleasing contentment in them all that they knew not well how to dissemble it Old Father quoth the King to the Hermite you told me yesterday that seeing our Lord had hitherto so graciously preserued the childe I ought to haue care of him in his following-dayes wherefore if it like you to leaue him with me and his young companion likewise I will cause them to bee so commendably educated that if God be so pleased they shall both proue worthy men good knights and I desire that I may preuaile with you in this request Sir answered the Hermite they are yours seeing you are so desirous to haue them and I will heartily pray vnto our Lord God to endue them with such grace as they may hereafter do you some acceptable seruice Then he gaue them his blessing with these words My Sonnes seeing the King hath done ye so much honour to allow yee entertainment in his Court take paines to be obedient and pleasing to him The good olde man shed teares in great abundance during the time of this short sweete counsell when the King said vnto him Graue Father make no doubt but I wil so gouerne them that they shall become such men as I haue promised ye Then I beseech ye Sir said the Queene to the King that you would referre them to my direction till they bee more fitting for your seruice and your Daughter shall haue Esplandian and my selfe will haue care of Sergil Bee it as you please Madame answered the King I commit them both to your disposition Thus the childe was deliuered into his owne mothers gouerning who accepted him more gladly then any gift in the world that else could haue beene giuen her and long time hee continued with her vnknowen to any but those Ladies that were best acquainted with her most priuate occasions Now before Nascian departed thence she would needes be confessed by him wherupon vnder shrift she gaue him to vnderstand that Esplandian was sonne to her and Amadis and in what manner hee was lost by his carriage to nurse Beleeue mee Daughter answered the Hermite our Lord must needes be offended with you in offering such iniury to your owne soule thorow an inordinate and volupruous desire especially you being borne of so great parents and ought to be a miâ—… and example to all the other people aboue whom it hath pleased him to aduance yee Deare Father quoth she I know wel that I haue most grieuously sinned notwithstanding that which I haue done was as a woman to her husband for at the instant we affianced our souls mutually together Heereupon she reported how Archalaus had led her away and how shee was after succoured by Amadis according as already hath beene related in the precedent History Then the Hermit was reasonably well satisfied accounting the offence so much the lesse being vndergone with so good a condition for after this confession the effect followed because by this meanes though some long while before Nascian made peace with the King and Amadis being on the very point of entring into a sharpe and cruell battaile as you shall vnderstand more at large in the fourth Book following But Oriana hauing done pennance according as Nascian had appointed her he tooke leaue of the King and the whole Court to returne home to his Hermitage taking the Lyonnesse along with him and the King went back to the Citty to take order there for his further affaires CHAP. IX How the knight of the greene Sword being departed from King Tafinor of Bohemia came into the marches of Romania where hee met with Grasinda in the fieldes accompanied with many Gentle-men Ladies and Damosels Especially with a Knight named Brandasi dell who would compell him by force of Armes to come speake with the Ladie Grasinda and of the Combate they fought together YOu haue heeretofore heard how the knight of the greene Sword departing from King Tafinor tooke his way towardes the parts of Romania where hee made his abode no long time but had perfourmed so many worthy deedes of Armes that euery Prouince was filde with his praises But it was not without mighty sufferance of melancholy by continuall thinking on his Princesse Oriana It happened vpon one day among others that crossing the Country hee ariued at a Port or Hauen of the Sea whereupon was planted a Towne in the most pleasing manner of situation that euer hee had seene it being called Sarâ—… And because the houres of the day were not sufficiently spent he would not as yet make entrance but turned his course on euery side to make the better discouery at his owne best aduantage where obseruing the Sea coaste hee beganne to remember Gaule from whence it was now aboue two yeares since he parted which proued such an encreasing of his â—â—rrowes that the â—â—â—res trickled downe his cheekes amaine As hee continued in this pensiue humour he espyed a troupe of knights Ladies and Gentle-women comming towardes him among whom there was one more beautifull and goodly as it seemed to him then any of the rest for ouer her head was borne a Canopie of white taffata fastened to foure roddes of yron to keepe her from the heate of the Sun which was then very piercing and violent But because hee tooke no delight at that time to bee seene in such companie being so deuoutly addicted to solitude he kept off so farre as hee could from all resort that hee might with better disposition thinke on the former fauours he had receiued in Great Britaine Beholding this troupe to draw neerer and neerer hee wandred aloofe off yet was he not strayed so â—â—â—re but hee perceiued a comely Damosell comming
Court of King Lisuart there to maintaine against all commers that she was a fairer woman than the choicest Virgin in all that countrie Then hee related at large how all things had past especially his Combate about that cause against the Romanes who meerely in presumption vndertooke the fight but spedde according to their deserts And indeede Sir quoth hee they thought that they cōtended against a Greeke Knight so that before they entered the Combate they made little account of him speaking it publikely that neuer Greek durst be so bolde as to deale with a Roman man to man but easily should vanquish him as they had done many other before But the successe fell out contrary to their expectation for they were foyled one after another and indeede with no more then resistance of cōmon course Beleeue me saide the Emperour I reioyce in all his happie fortunes and credit it assuredly that if I had meanes whereby to doe him any pleasure hee should well knowe that I am his friend to my vttermost power Sir answered Master Elisabet your gracious offer can neuer shewe it selfe in a more needfull season and now hee doth most humbly require it Say you so said the Emperour let me know how Then Master Elisabet proceeded thus Sir after hee had abated the Ramanes daring pride he withdrew himselfe to the Enclosed Isle which is his owne by iust title and there he found a great number of Knights ready bound for the Sea in succour of Madame Oriana eldest daughter to King Lisuart whom against her will he would haue married to the Emperour of Rome and quite dis-inherited her to aduance his youngest daughter Leonara contrary to all aduice and opinion not only of the Princes and Lords of his land but also of his subiects in generall Whereof Lord Amadis beeing aduertised hee highly commended their enterprise so that on the day ensuing they put forth to Sea and hulled about the straites for them that had the Princesse in charge Manfully were they assayled after a long and fierce conflict vanquished taken prisoners and the Ladies thus rescued conuayed to the Enclosed Isle where now they abide at this present Neuerthelesse they sent Ambasdours to King Lisuart as well to let him vnderstand vpon what occasion they had thus rescued his daughter as also to entreate her home acceptation againe without sending her any more so farre from him considering the great wrong hee did therein to him selfe But as they doubted so it came to passe for without any regard to their honest offer hee stood mainely on his owne strength and would haue that by force which they tendered him freely For this cause Sir my Lord Amadis and all his worthy band of Knights with him do humbly entreate you holding the prime place among Christian Princes being Gods deputie and minister to maintaine right and iustice especially when such a vertuous Princesse is so highly wronged that you would be pleased to send them some succour wherein you shall binde them all to you while they liue or can bee imployed any way in your seruice with their vttermost paines All this while the Emperor lending an attentiue care to Master Elisabets wordes sate very pensiue as considering that hardly would this enterprise be ended without a long and doubtfull warre For hee well knew that King Lisuart was a Prince of vndauntable spirit and the Emperour of Rome was a man immeasurably proude too much opinionate of his owne fortune On the other side knowing what iust occasion the Knights of the Enclosed Isle had to rescue Oriana in so deep distresse and how highly him selfe stood obliged to Amadis not onely for the monster Endriagus death but also for taking such pains as to come see him in Constantinople and what bountifull offers hee had made him beside he resolued to send him succour with all speed speaking thus to Master Elisabet My worthy good friend Lord Amadis shall haue of mee his owne desire and such an Army will I send him as both Patin and King Lisuart shall well know how dearly I respect and esteeme him These royall words were so pleasing to all the Knights there present especially to Gastilles as presently hee fell vpon his knees saying Sir if euer I did you any acceptable seruice I most humbly entreate you that in recompence of all you would please to permit me that I may be one in the number of them apointed for this honourable succour for I neuer vndertooke any voyage that could bee more welcome to me than this Nephew answered the Emperour you the Marquesse Saluder shall goe together in my steede and therefore giue order that such shipping bee made ready as is needfull for passage to the Enclosed Isle with ten-thousand approoued warriours which shall goe with you Sir said Maister Elisabet I must needs returne speedily into Romania where Grasinda my Mistresse hath already taken order for an Army of men leauied in this cause and them to passe along with mee thither Wherefore may it please you to licence my departure to the end that in due time I may crosse the Seas and embarke our forces to ioyne with theirs Friend replied the Emperour rest your selfe here some two or three dayes and afterwarde depart at your owne pleasure CHAP. XII How Gandalin ariued in Gaule And of the speeches betweene him and King Perion GGandalin being parted from the Enclosed Isle preuailed so well by his diligence that in few dayes he ariued in Gaule euen at the place where King Perion as then soiourned who was not a little ioyfull to see him as being assured that hee brought some tydings of his sonne whom hee had not seene in six yeares and more Hereupon hee sent immediately for him and he hauing done such dutie as became him deliuered his Letters from Amadis declaring that he had left him in the Enclosed Island Now in regarde other matters of moment were referred to his report the King demanded of him what newes hee had to impart to him Sir said Gandalin my Lord and all his honorable companions stand in great need of succour from you What is the matter replied the King Then Gandalin without omitting any thing reuealed the whole businesse as you haue heard before discoursed Hereat the King was much amazed howbeit hee made no outward shew thereof and gaue command beside not to vse any speech of these newes especially to Galaor because as yet hee was very weake by reason of a disease hanging long vpon him But quoth hee if he demand wherefore thou art come hither tell him it was to vnderstand of my health and to morrowe I will take order according as thy Master hath required Galaor had immediate intelligence that Gandalin was come to Court wherefore hee sent to request the King that Gandalin might come to him to tell him some tydings of his brother Amadis And although hee was in such weake estate that hee could hardly support himselfe yet hee arose and embraced
Asse ryding directly towards King Lisuart His aged trauaile was not so speedy but that the two Armies had fought twice together according as you haue already heard and hee came thither on the day before the second truce was finished As hee passed by the Campe he saw on euery side the interment of many slaughtered bodies whereat hee was so grieued that falling into teares and lifting vp his eyes and hands to heauen hee said O my Lord God for the honour of thine owne great name I humbly beseech thee to take pittie on this people and grant mee grace that I may pacifie this great disorder Passing on further hee came neare to the Tent of King Lisuart who quickly espied him and immediately knew him whereupon hee went to welcome him for he held this man of holy life in high esteem and well considered that but vpon some great occasion he would not haue left his Hermitage take so great iourney to him whereupon as hee embraced him hee said Good father you are welcome then taking him by the hand he led him into his pauillion and seating him by himselfe in a chaire of veluet hee commanded all to depart and leaue them two alone together and afterwardes fell into this discourse Holy father I know you haue not vndertaken so tedious a trauaile and ill agreeing with your age but vpon some vrgent necessity wherein I humbly desire you to resolue me You haue great reason Sir answered Nascian to conceiue so of me for vndoubtedly extreamity of yeares and the condition whereunto it hath pleased our Lord to call mee may well excuse me from beeing seene among men of blood Neuerthelesse considering the harme that may ensue I haue not feared the danger of my person as hoping to performe a seruice acceptable to God and wholesome to your soule Let me then tell you Sir that being some few daies since in the Hermitage whereunto happy chance was your guide when you and I conferred together concerning the most strange nourishing of Esplandian I vnderstood the occasion of this warre attempted by you against Amadis and his friends Yet am I well assured that you cannot accomplish what you would doe namely marrie my Ladie your daughter to the Emperour of Rome by which enterprise many grieuous mischances haue already happened not onely because it is not agreeable to the greatest and meanest of your kingdome as many times already hath beene told you but for some other reason Sir beside concealed from you yet manifest to mee and against which by Gods lawe you cannot contrarie Knowe then Sir that Madame Oriana your daughter is already vnited in marriage to another as heauen hath appointed and stands well pleased to haue it so The King beeing much amazed to heare the olde man speake in this manner coniectured immediately that weakenesse of braine begot this kinde of language that hee was troubled in his vnderstanding or else had beene misinformed of that which he spake where-upon hee said vnto him How father my daughter was neuer married to my knowledge neither did I euer purpose to giue her to any other then to the Romane Emperour to whome I promised her accounting it for her honour and benefit And God is my witnesse that I neuer intended to dis-inherit her as many haue inconsiderately immagined but only to combine alliance with so great a Lord by meanes whereof he and I so vnited together Christian faith might be the more augmented And therfore my intention beeing iust mee thinkes I should not be therin blamed Sir answered the Hermite that which I haue tolde you concerning some matters hidden from you yet to mee apparant I will presently declare vnto you for from none other then my selfe can you know them Vnderstand then my Lord that the selfe same day when by your command I came to the Forrest where for more delight of the Ladies then present with you your Tents were erected for view of the sporte I knowe not whether you remember it or no I brought you young Esplandian who presented you the Lionesse that gaue him suck at the first The same day the Princsse Oriana your daughter was confessed by me tolde mee in her confession that she had promised mariage to Amadis de Gaule at such time as he deliuered her from the Enchanter Archalaus to whom you had giuen her a little before that the Damosell by whom you were enchanted had brought your state and person into the greatest danger that could bee possible from which Galaor freed you And beleeue it to be very likely that our Lord himselfe gaue consent to the mariage for Esplandian is the issue thereof and of him Vrganda the Vnknowen foretolde many maruailes as you your selfe doe very well know Now in my poore iudgement you should not be displeased there-with considering that Amadis is the sonne of a King and accounted in all places to be one of the best and most gracious Knights in all the world I would aduise you Sir that in shewing your selfe to be such as you euer haue beene you should defend the honour and conscience of your daughter and making an end of this warre call her home again to you vse her hereafter as reason requireth In so doing our Lord will be well pleased with you who else will doubtlesse bee offended with you for the effusion of so much blood which you haue caused to be shedde vpon no occasion When the King had all this while listned to this discourse he shewed himselfe to be very pensiue and at last saide Good father is it possible that my daughter should bee married to Amadis Yes truely replied Nascian hee is her husband and Esplandian is your grandchilde O God quoth the King how ill hath it been for mee that I could not know this matter till now vpon my faith many good Knights had yet beene liuing which now to my no little griefe are dead Alas father why could not you sooner haue reuealed this I might not doe it answered the Hermite for it was tolde mee in confession and if now I haue made it knowne to you thinke it is done by such permission as I receiued from the Princesse your daughter for otherwise you had neuer heard it from mee But she is therewith well contented as well for the clearing of her soule as also to take away all occasion from you of further sinning herein through ignorance At that very instant meere conceit in the King presented before the eyes of his soule the seuerall seruices hee had receiued by Amadis and his kâ—â—â—ed and such they were as hee had not then beene liuing but only by them hauing so many times â—olpen him in very serious affaires Desert in Amadis pleaded iustly for his daughter and a greater gift if hee could bestow it on him and so much the rather because the Emperor to whom he had promised her was dead and beside Vrganda had tolde him many wonders concerning Esplandiâ—â— but aboue all the rest
Emperour let me therefore entreate yee faire Sir to aduise vs what you thinke meetest for our answere because the seuerall opinions of our Lords heere present are so different as wee know not which to elect for our best course Then he related to him in order all circumstances that had passed among them without omission of the least particle and the knight of the greene Sword returned him this answere Sir I am sure you can sufficiently vnderstand that the end and issue of such attempts are onely in the hand of Heauen and not guided or directed by the iudgment of man but in regard you would haue mine opinion in this case I will acquaint yee with my very vttermost power and ability If then Sir I had but one Castell onely and an hundred knights at my commaund and were besieged by such an enemy whose power twise exceeded mine If heauen affoorded mee so much happinesse to cause him condiscend to a peacefull conclusion vnder haxard of mine owne strength I should confesse my self beholding to him Neuerthelesse honourable Lords speaking to the other Barons and knights there present whatsoeuer I preferre as best in this case forbeare not you to counsell the King according to the fidelity wherein you stand bound and obliged to him Onely my most humble request is that hee would so much honor mee as to ranke mee among their number that shall be appointed for fight Let me tell you Sir replyed the King that I now call to minde what I heard once reported concerning King Perion of Gaule hauing the like occasion in hand as ours now is against King Abies of Ireland who forcibly had taken from him a great part of his kingdome Hee was deliuered by a single Combate which a young knight not aged fully eighteen yeares vndertooke against the said King Abies who was reckoned among the very best and boldest knights in the whole world yet was he slaine and King Perion put in possession of all hee had formerly lost But aboue all as a matter most deseruing note hee then knew him to be his owne Sonne that had wonne for him that worthy victory then tearmed the Gentleman of the Sea and afterward called Amadis de Gaule Thus our Lord in one day bestowed on him two mighty blessings by the recouery both of his kingdome and Son Wherefore then in the like case should not I imitate so worthy a man as King Perion and essay to deliuer my people out of those great tribulations as haue afflicted them by a warre so long and tedious Well may I graunt the Combat of twelue of my knights against as many of the enemy in regard that I am perswaded of them as by the help of heauen and the right of Iustice being on our side they will beare away the honour of victory What is your opinion Knight of the greene Sword Sir answered he I neuer had knowledge of that Amadis yet I long time frequented the Country of Gaule where it hath beene my good happe to see two of his brethren who are no way inferior to him in prowesse and I haue heard likewise that according as you haue declared so it fortuned to King Perion Now as concerning the fight of twelue to twelue whereas your Maiesty hath resolued before God I speake it had I beene in your place I should haue done the like Nay moreouer Sir if Garadan had demaunded a much lesse number let him be now assured he should not haue beene denyed were it to the aduenturing mine owne person against his And if it pleased you but to tell him as much I would willingly hazard my life to abate his pride that prates so contemptibly of all men else presuming vpon his owne vaine glory I hold it better quoth the King that you should be twelue equally in number and therefore I will bethinke my selfe to finde out eleuen of the best knights in my kingdome that may accompanie you in this attempt For which the knight of the greene Sword thanked him This being done the King returned to Garadan and spake thus Lord Garadan you haue demaunded the Combate of twelue to twelue and I haue yeelded thereunto vnder those conditions before offered and to morrow is the day if you are as ready as wee will be By my soule Sir answered Garadan you yeeld mee the greatest contentment that euer could happen to me and I could wish if it were possible that your men were as ready as those that aduenture for the Emperour Garadan replied the knight of the greene Sword so the King were so pleased and you possessed with the like desire of the Combate as heere you appeare to make shew of I would answere your heate this very instant houre What quoth Garadan doest thou doubt that I will flye from thee were I sure to be Emperour of Rome I would refuse that dignity rather then the offer thou hast made me For if I haue not man-hood sufficient whereby to ouer-come thee and take thy head from thy shoulders before it be night I will willingly forfeite mine owne in the Field The like hope of successe replyed the knight of the Dwarfe haue I ouer thee let vs then without longer trifling the time see whom Fortune will allow the best fauour vnto So both withdrew thence to arme themselues returning againe within a short while after and to the knights that accompanied Garadan thus he spake If euer you beheld a braue encoūter at the launce doe but obserue with what skill and dexterious iudgment I shall giue entertaine to this bold companion that dare make tryall of his poore fortune against me and repute me neuer to weare Helmet on my head if I doe not deliuer his head to the Emperour and leaue the Country quiet not suffering any of you to lay hand to weapon While Garadan held on these brauing speeches the knight of the greene Sword being at the other end of the Field cryed out aloud to him to defend himselfe Then couering themselues with their Shields couching their Launces and giuing spurre to their Coursers they ranne against each other with such violence that the knight of the greene Sword was halfe amazed But Garadan fell to the ground so farre lost in himselfe that hee lay a long while vnable to moue either hand or foote for the launce had pierced thorow his arme which did put him to intollerable anguish Then the knight of the greene Sword perceiuing him in such a strange perplexitie alighted from his horse to see whether hee were dead or no and as hee came neere him Garadan being restored from his trance started vp quickly laying hand to his Sword as if he had felt no harme at all Now beganne a very fierce and cruell battaile betweene them and it could not easily be iudged which side had the better because each stood so stiffely to the other as it mooued no meane admiration in the beholders And had it not beene for Garadans much enfeebling by the great abundance of
the second Booke that Patin being then no more then a meane knight without any great estate or possession liued onely in hope to bee heereafter Emperour of Rome when the death of his brother happened who had no procreated heire of his body This perswasion in respect of his loue to the Queene Sardamira whom he most intirely affected made him vndertake the voyage of Great Brittaine where he was most honourably entertained by King Lisuart especially after he knew him to be the Emperors brother There he grew forgetfull of his first loue beholding the beauty and comely graces of the Princesse Oriana whom he requested in mariage of the King her Father Vpon the answere made him he determined to shewe himselfe among the most valiant spirits in searche of straunge aduentures and combatting all errant knights he should meet withall Crossing through the Forrest whereas then Amadis was despairing of euer seeing his Oriana any more in regard of his banishment signified to him by Durin brother to the Damosell of Denmarke he beganne to sing the praises of the Princesse and to glorifie himselfe in the loue she bare him in his opinion At which time Amadis and he fought together where Patin was conquered and sore wounded in the head in regard whereof he returned to Rome without going backe to King Lisuarts Court leauing his marriage in suspence till some other time But it fell out so well for him that so soone as he was there arriued the Emperour his brother left his life leauing him sole heire to the Empire Whereupon he had far greater desire then before to finish the affection he had begunne hoping by reason of the great dignity whereto he was now aduanced he should the more easily compasse his long-desired marriage Which the sooner to effect he sent Ambassadours to King Lisuart with a new request of his daughter in marriage heereto were appointed Saluste Quide Prince of Calabria Brondariel de Roce the great Maister the Archbishop of Tarente and the Queene Sardamira accompanied with a gallant troupe of knights Ladies and Gentlewomen to bring home the Princesse Oriana as they hoped But matters happened to another end as heereafter more at large shall be related to you CHAP. X. How within some while after the Knight of the greene Sword had hoysed saile into the maine Sea and had quite left the Islands of Romania By hard fortune he was cast vpon the Deuils Island where he fought with a Monster named Endriagus THe Mariners hauing set their sayles with full intent for Constantinople so soone as they had lost sight of the Isles of Romania the Sea exalted it selfe in such sort and grew to such a dreadfull tempest that notwithstanding all paines the Mariners could take for best guiding and gouerning the Ship it was so tost with contrary windes and waues as very many times they were in manifest peril of shipwrack And being out of all further hope safety not appearing so much as in a glimpse of assurance they attended onely the mercy of God and continued in this extreamity the space of 8 dayes without knowing where or in what part they were For the tempest of winde haile and raine was so thick and continuall as it seemed that heauen and earth and the Sea would meete together But at length the Ship was throwen on Shoare about two houres before day and with such violence as they feared it would be split for it was driuen out of the Sea on drye land Notwithstanding they sustayned no harme at all which gaue them better hope then formerly they had so that when bright day appeared they knew themselues to bee in the deuils Island which by reason of a straunge Monster there abyding was so dispeopled as no liuing creature repayred thither Then a new feare seazed on them and now they despaired of their liues more then before so that they were euen ready to throw them-selues into the deepe when the knight of the greene Sword demanded of them what might be the reason of this terror Alas Sir quoth they where doe you imagine wee are landed what gulfe what shipwrack could haue beene worse to vs then this Now wee are in compasse of the Deuils power who in the forme of a cruell Monster ruinates all this Country How said the knight I see nothing yet that should thus amaze ye therefore tell me I pray ye what deuill or Monster is it that workes this great despaire in ye Then Maister Elisabet lesse dismayed then any of the rest spake for them al saying Vnderstand Sir that this Island wheron our disaster hath brought vs was not long since in the possession of a Giant the most bloody Tyrant that liued in all the Isles he had to wife an honourable Lady as wise milde and vertuous as hee was wicked and cruell of whom he begot a daughter named Brandaginda that was in her time one of the goodliest Ladies in the world And although many great Lords and men of high merite would gladly haue enioyed her in marriage yet notwithstanding the rigour of the Giant was so extreme as he still kept them off because by no meanes hee would haue her to marry In regard where-of this Mayden encreasing in yeares and those desires that would faine experiment what happinesse it was to liue with a man knowing withall that her father had set downe his resolution neuer to bestow her as a wife on any man preuailed so much by insinuating blandishments and incestuous demonstrances that she drew him to affect her and had his company carnally But that which was much worse shee machinated the death of her owne mother that the more boldly and without feare she might liue still in this horrid incest wherto the Giant gaue quick consent This Mayde that was perceiuing her selfe to grow great with childe one day as her mother and shee walked together in an Orchard passing by a deepe Well she thrust her therein so rudely as she brake her neck in the fall Now because the people began to murmure the Giant told them that he vnderstood by three of his gods one in the likenesse of a Griffon the other as a Lyon and the third in the shape of a man that of him and his daughter should bee borne a creature so much to be respected and feared through all the Countrie that none of his neighbours should dare to attempt any harme against him And vnder this colour he openly married his wicked daughter who within no long time after was deliuered of a Monster in such manner as I shall shew vnto ye It was so full of haire on the face feete and hands as it appeared to be a Beare all the rest of the body was couered ouer with scailes so hard and strong as no arroâ—…ot from a Bow could pierce them beside they were so broad great that they extended quite ouer the backe defending it like so many Shields so that no instrument of yron could enter thorow them From vnder
so much forget himselfe to deliuer her to the Romanes And she had solemnely vowed betweene God and her soule that she should be no sooner on Ship-bord but she would throwe her selfe into the Sea and this was her finall conclusion Very well vnderstood Florestan that this close-couched Enigma concerned her selfe whereupon he thus replied Madame God being all made of mercy will neuer bee vnmindefull of them that put their trust in him for as yet hee neuer did and doubtlesse he will not now beginne with so desolate a Damosell As for my Lord Amadis assure your selfe that he is in perfect health continually in quest of strange aduentures so that his famous deeds in farre distant Countries renownes his name in all parts of the world All these words were ouer-heard by the Queene Sardamira and perceiuing that they spake of Amadis she said to Oriana God keepe him from the Emperours fingers for hee is the onely man in the world that he hateth most next to another Knight who soiourned some while in the Court of King Taffinor of Bohemia This Knight I now speake of not much aboue a yeare since ouer-came in open field the most gentle Knight Garadan the onely man in all the Romaine Armie except the noble Prince Saluste Quide who is now come into this Countrie to the King your Father to conclude a marriage betweene his Lord and you And hee beares him this hatred for causing the ouer throw of eleuen other Knights beside whose hope was to reuenge the iniurie done to their friend on the day following the Combate with the first knight being appointed so many to so many This misaduenture so dismayed the whole Romaine Armie that the Emperor was compelled according to a former-made couenant to raise his Campe and to render back to King Taffinor whatsoeuer he had conquered from him Afterward so briefly as she could the Queene reported the whole manner of the seuerall fights and to what issue they sorted as you haue heard already at large So helpe me God Madame answered Florestan although your Emperour should neuer looue him yet there are many other worthy men that wishe him all true happinesse and honour and in my poore opinion Lord Amadis needes not care for his malice Notwithstanding make knowen to vs faire Queene if you can the name of the man so much commended by your selfe Vnderstand Sir quoth she one while he cals him-selfe the Knight with the Greene Sword and another while the Knight of the Dwarfe albeit I am verily perswaded that neither the one or the other is his true name indeed But because hee weares a Sword that hath a scabberd of greene colour and a Dwarfe doth ordinarily attend on him these names haue therefore beene imposed on him and vsually he makes answere to them When Florestan heard these wordes he was very ioyfull knowing for a certaintie that it was Amadis the like did Oriana who had noted the same reportes before by many And because shee was now some hinderance to her that she could not haue any longer priuate conference shee arose thus speaking to the Queene Sardamira Madame in regard of your tedious iourney this day you cannot chuse but be weary wherefore a place of repose is more conuenient for you Then shee conducted her into a goodly Chamber and there leauing her to her owne desseignes went downe into the Garden accompanied with Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke to whom shee declared all her former intelligence concerning the knight of the Green Sword whom they knew assuredly to be Amadis On my faith Madame said Mabila if it be so let mee tell you the Dreame which I had this last night past Me thought that wee were in a Chamber close shut vp and that we heard a great tumultuous noise without which made vs fearefull beyond measure but your Amadis suddenly comming thither brake the doore calling for you out aloud Then I shewing you to him me thought hee tooke you by the hand and so brought vs forth placing vs in a very strong Tower saying to vs Abide heere without any dread or terror and therewithall I happened to wake This makes mee verily beleeue that hee will set you at libertie and free you from their power that hope to haue you hence Deare Friend and Cousin answered Oriana you giue mee great hope and comfort and if I were worthy of such a happinesse I could desire our Lord to heare your good wishes otherwise that wee might both dye in one instant Forbeare such words replyed Mabila for he that is aboue all fortunes whatsoeuer will send you at his good pleasure a better issue out of all troubles then you can wish or imagine But conferre with Florestan and earnestly desire him and his friends to doe their best endeauour to breake the Kings intention that no such conclusion may passe for currant Now let me tell you that Galaor had already done so much as was possible for him not by any aduertisement or entreaty vrged to him on the Princesses behalfe but because he plainely perceiued what shame would ensue by disinheriting Oriana for the aduancement of her Sister Leonora For some day or two before Florestans arriuall at Mirefleure King Lisuart being returned from hunting tooke Galaor aside as they rode on the way thus speaking to him My louing friend I haue euermore found such fidelitie in you and reposed such trust in your counsell as I neuer intend to conclude any mater of importance without imparting it first to you You vnderstand what honour the Emperour hath done me and his embassage so lately sent me requesting to haue my daughter Oriana as his wife wherein as I conceiue our Lord hath wrought most graciously both for her and me because he is the onely potent and redoubted Prince at this day liuing in all Christendome In which respect hee being thus allied with me I shall neuer haue any neighbour or enemy that dare presume any way to offend me and I shal be more respected and dreaded then euer any King of Great Brittaine heeretofore hath beene Moreouer it is a matter almost impossible to seeke any better prouision for her for shee being wife to so mightie an Emperour Leonora shall afterward remaine sole Lady of my Dominions which otherwise may happen to be diuided to our no little detriment and danger And yet let me tell you I purpose not to doe any thing in this case without the aduice of the Lords and Knights of my Court but more especially of you whom I coniure by the loue and affection you haue alwayes borne me to tell me freely your opinion and without any dissimulation Much amazed was Galaor to heare the King vse such language perceiuing apparantly heereby that he meant wholly to disinherite his eldest Daughter and right heire to aduantage the second For this cause he stood a long while very pensiue without answering so much as a word till the King began again thus to rouse him Come Sir
first to bee done before I present my selfe to the Ladies of this Country Then Master Elisabet called for a Skiffe which instantly was broght whereinto they entred and as they made towards the Shoare they esspied a Ship lying at Anker Herevpon our Greeke Knight being desirous to know who was in it commaunded the Mariners to get neere it which being done Angriote called to them in the Shippe demaunding whence they were whether they were bound and who was aboord Surely Sir replyed our Patrone our Shippe is come from the Enclosed Isle and heere are two Knights aboord who will gladly tell ye what you desire to know When our Greeke Knight heard speech of the place whereto he was so much affected and that two of his companions were there his heart leapt with ioy and Angriote continuing his questions desired the Patrone to cause the two Knights to come vp on the Deck and in the meane while to tell him how they were named That may not I doe answered the Patrone lest they should grow discontented with me but I will call them vp to you and performed his word accordingly Then they came vp on the Orelop and Angriote saluting them demanded if they knew where King Lisuart lay Trust me Sir answered one of them wee will gladly instruct you in any thing we can but first we would entreate you to resolue vs in one matter if it consist in your power for which wee haue vndertaken this voyage and purpose not to soiourne in any place vntill wee can be therein satisfied If wee know it said Angriote you may be well assured that we will not conceale it from you Sir Knights quoth the other haue you heard any newes of a Knight named Amadis de Gaule in search of whom many of his friends haue endured much paines and trauaile and haue left few places without enquirie These wordes did so touch our Greeke Knight with ioy and compassion that hee could not refraine from teares considering what affection so many worthy men did beare him and what sorrowes they suffered for his sake First tell me said Angriote what and who you are and afterward you shall vnderstand so much as I know Then the other who all this while had bin silent stepping forward said Such as know me call me Dragonis and this my companion is named Enill both resolued to ore-run the whole Ocean and question Port by Port vntill we finde the men wee speake of Gentlemen quoth Angriote God be your speed and for your sakes I will gladly enquire of our Shippes wherein are straungers of many Nations what they can say to this demand of yours Our Greeke knight vrged him to this answer because hee would not be knowen so soone Angriote then began again saying I pray you Sir where may we finde King Lisuart and what newes is in his Court Sir answered Dragonis he is now in a certain City of his called Tagades an excellent Port of the Sea confronting Normandie And there is a great assembly of his knights sitting in coūsell about a motion made by the Emperour of Rome to enioy his Daughter Oriana in mariage wherto no one will giue consent Already there are arriued many Romanes to conuey her thence with them among whom is the Prince Salusta Quide Duke of Calabria other the greatest Lords of the Empire beside a worthy traine of Ladies and Gentlewomen and shee is already called Empresse of Rome But she mournes incessantly for it is much against her mind that this marriage should be so much as talked of We may well imagine that this was more then Greek to our Greek Knight for neuer was man strooken into such an astonishment especially vnderstanding the great regrates and grieuances of the Princesse Notwithstanding his spirits recouering chearefull vigour and being resolued withall that it was quite against her consent and contrary to the liking of the Lords of Great Brittaine hee might the more easily helpe her by Sea or Land wherein hee would not faile the very meanest Gentle-woman in the world Much greater duty then he owed to her without whose grace and fauour hee could not liue one houre as he was verily perswaded in his soule And highly thanked God for vouchsafing his arriuall in a time so opportune that hee might doe her any seruice As not doubting but to compasse the height of his attempt getting her into his power and without any blame by her and to ouercome all his misfortunes together And here in his soule he read a lecture to his Ladie discoursing his bitter sufferings and languishments the paines and perils by him endured since the time he saw her last and now the catastrophe of all contentment after a more then Herculean labour Now said Angriote to Dragonts you are sure that the Romaines are already come about this businesse On my faith quoth he it is yet but foure dayes since wee parted from the Enclosed Isle on the very same day there arriued Quedragant Landin his Nephew Garnate of the Dreadfull Dale Mandacian of the Siluer Bridge and Helye the Deliberate who came to know of Florestan Agraies when they should begin the quest of Amadis de Gaule And because Quedragant purposed to send to the Court of King Lisuart to vnderstand there some tidings by strangers Florestan made him answere that it wold be but lost labor in regard that himselfe had made the like question could know nothing But wee heard by one of his Squires that there happened some difference between them which he corrected in such sort as he is much commended in all places for it I pray you Sir quoth Angriote tel vs what is that Florestan He is answered Dragonis one of the sons of king Perion of Gaule who sufficiently resembleth the goodnes and worth of his two other brethren Hereupon at large he recited the contention between him the Romanes in presence of the Queene Sardamira how his Squire after-ward came to the Enclosed Isle with their Shields wheron in bloody caracters was written each mans name And because they were so shreudly handled by Florestan the Queene sent after to entreate him to be her conduct to Mirefleure whether shee went to see the Princesse Oriana These newes were highly pleasing to the Greeke Knight his associates neuerthelesse when he heard him name Mirefleure his hart began to tremble remēbring what delight and pleasure hee had there somtime receiued Wherfore with-drawing himself aside he called Gandalin to him saying My friend Gandalin thou hearest as wel as I these tidings concerning Oriana doest know withal that if they should take effect I could not liue one houre after therefore let me preuaile with thee to doe one thing which I will aduise thee and this it is Goe thou with Ardan to Grasinda and tell her that you two with these other Knights heere present will trauaile to finde out Amadis de Gaule Being come to the Knights secretly tell them that I am heere
and desire them with thee to returne to the Enclosed Isle Finding there Quadragant and Agrayes entreate them from me to keep them-selues there together vntil the time of my arriuall which shall be by Gods helpe within eight dayes little more or lesse Say also to my Brother Florestan and to thy father Gandales that I would haue them to take order for prouiding so many Shippes and other Vessels in a readinesse as they can procure For I purpose to be seene shortly in a place where if they be so pleased I would gladly request their company and thou knowest sufficiently Gandalin what diligence is required in a case so important as this is wherefore once more I desire thee not to bee slow or tardie heerein Then he called the Dwarfe to him and said Ardan goe with Gandalin and follow those instructions which he shall giue thee from mee So Gandalin according to his Masters commaund went to Grasinda in this maner Madame quoth he we two are determined to leaue the Greeke Knight and goe abord this Shippe because wee would trauaile along with these two Knights in the searche for Amadis de Gaule Therefore good Madame consider with your selfe if you haue any seruice to comand vs returning you most humble thankes for your manifold fauours done vs without any merite at all on our behalfe The like they said to the Greeke Knight Angriote and Brunco and so went aboorde the Shippe to Dragonis Heere I must tell ye that Angriote was made acquainted with this intention wherefore to palliate and conceale it the more cleanely he called to Dragonis saying Sir Knight this Squire and Dwarfe are desirous to keepe you company in your quest of Amadis de Gaule because as themselues say they somtime serued him Dragonis and Enili knew them immediatly which made them the more willing to accept their company entertaining them with very kinde and louing respect but much more welcome were they when they vnderstood what Gandalin tolde them which made them weigh Anker presently and set on towards the Enclosed Isle The like did our Greeke Knight and his company hoping that day to take harbour in the neerest Hauen to Tagades where as then King Lisuart kept his Court. Heere were assembled with him most of the worthiest Lords in his kingdome whom purposely he had called together to conclude the marriage of his Daughter Oriana with the Emperour But they respecting the good and welfare of the Realme as it became loyall and true Counsellers to doe were all of a quite contrary opinion shewing him by many sound and probable reasons that hee went against all right and equitie committing his chiefe Heire into the subiection of a presumptuous and giddie-headed stranger who as they approued by precedent examples might as quickly grow in hatred to her as he was haire-brained in his ouer-sudden affection All which notwithwanding the King would not listen to but alleage still such peremptorie reasons meete and conuenient for such a Prince as will allow nor like any aduice but his owne In which regard Count Argamont absented himselfe from this meeting to a Castell of his owne which was some two dayes iourney from the Court notwithstanding he was sent for againe and againe and so much importuned as he was brought thither in a Litter hee being so weake and impotent by age as hee was not able to sit on horse-backe The King being aduertised of his comming neere the Court mounted on horsebacke to meet him and the next day hee sate in councell among his Lords deliuering diuers considerations for maintenance of his former opinion till at length speaking to Argamont thus hee said Honorable Vncle you are sufficiently acquainted with the occasion why I haue called together this great assembly which plainly is for mariage of my daughter with the Emperour of Rome a matter by him most earnestly labored and desired Wherefore let mee entreate you first to tell mee what you conceite thereof to the end that these Lords may the more freely afterward acquaint mee with their seuerall opinions A long while the old Earle excused him-selfe till being vrged thereto by the Kings expresse commaund after some alligations for his owne defence he spake as followeth My Lord seeing it is your pleasure that I should speak my minde in this noble assembly concerning the Emperours marriage with the Princesse Oriana I most humbly beseech you to receiue in good part what I shall say I know it to be treason in as high a degree to dissemble with a Prince in matter of good counsell as otherwise to offend against his royall person and therefore without any clouding or dissembling credit what I speake in my poore aduice albeit I haue often enough told it you before Sir you know that Madame Oriana your eldest Daughter ought to succeede you and by iust reason is heire to the Countries which God and Fortune hath giuen to your charge whereto by the right of Nature she hath more true title then euer you had or could pretend For it fell to you onely by the death of King Falaugris who was but your Brother and shee is your owne Daughter and the eldest Therefore consider with your selfe that if the like had beene done to you which now you purpose to the Princesse Oriana you could not haue bin at this day so great a Lord as you are Why should you exile her as it were hence to plant my Niece Leonora in her place considering shee neuer offended you to our knowledge And if you thinke that by marrying her to the Emperour Patin you shall thereby make her a greater Princesse and most happily prouided for in your imagination Beleeue me my Lord you come very farre short of your account For you are not ignorant that if they haue children together she suruiuing the Emperour shall but simply remaine Dowager of Rome in steed of being after you Lady and Queene of this kingdome Nay which is much more doe you thinke that your Subiects will euer agree thereto I am perswaded in my soule if they should say yea it were against the Religion of their soules And therefore Heauen fore-fend that I should tell you otherwise then my conscience assures me to be true albeit I know to my no litle griefe that let vs alleage whatsoeuer we can you will be gouernde by your own fancie Wherfore most humbly I desire you to pardon what I haue said being compeld thereto by your seuere iniunction against which may bee no gain-saying Then he sate silent and the King gaue order that euery man should deliuer his minde but they all agreed with the opinion of Count Argamont which the King perceiuing he thus replyed My Lords I haue fully vnderstood your seueral iudgements all which notwithstanding how can I with mine honour reuocate what I haue already promised to the Emperours Ambassadours Therein quoth the Count and the rest you may doe as you please for wee haue discharged our dutie By this time the day
me Perhaps he brings me such good newes as may be very pleasing to me Madame quoth he the King hath commaunded vs on our liues that no one may come neere your person much lesse speak with you vntill you come to him The Squire returned his answere to his Master in the meane while Giontes misdoubting that hee must needes try the Combate made him ready for it As readily came the Knight who stiled himselfe the Greene Knight into the fielde and both giuing the spurre to their horses met together so furiously that their Launces flew in pieces and Giontes his horse being shouldered fell to the ground with his Maister vnder him so that he could not readily recouer himselfe Whereupon the Greene Knight trotting to him desired him once more that hee would permit him to speake with Oriana By my faith Sir answered Giontes if you do it is much against my will and by this mis-fortune of my horse Hardly had he concluded these words but the Greene knight heard Sadoce crying that hee should stand vpon his guard Wherefore leauing Giontes he ranne against the other and failed in the attaint which Sadoce did not but met him so manfully that his Launce flew in infinit pieces The Greene knight angry at his misse took another Lance and giuing his horse the spurre met Sadoce so powerfully that hee cast him quite out of his saddle Which Lazanor seeing and hoping to bee reuenged for his two companions couched his Launce against the Greene Knight with full perswasion to vnhorse him but they encountred so furiously with their bodies that Lazanors arme was broken and hee sate so amazedly on his horse as hee had not the power to stay him till hee had runne out his whole race because the Greene Knight in his passage by him had pluckt the bridle off his head and seeing him runne in that confused manner he fell a laughing at him Then came he to Oriana and humbly saluting her shee imagined him to be Amadis wherefore raysing her selfe in the Litter she welcomde him very graciously Then the Knight gaue her a Letter speaking thus to her Madame Agrais and Florestan doe duteously commend themselues to your acceptance and haue expresly sent me to you to bring you their mindes contained in that writ Wherefore consider with your selfe if you will command me any seruice to them for I must returne to them with all possible speed being well assured that although I am a man of slender valour yet they may stand in neede of my helpe before their enterprise will be ended Now trust me Sir quoth she they may well faile of meeting with a better Knight then you are witnes the paines you haue taken to speake with me But good Sir seeing you haue done so much for mee vouchsafe to let me know who you are to the end that I the more thankefully remember you heere-after when better I may performe it Madame they that know mee said he doe tearme me Garnate of the Dreadfull Dale whose griefe is not a little for your fathers vnkindnes and cruelty to you Notwithstanding hardly will he bring his purpose to passe it will first cost the liues of many good Knights who for your sake will defend you to their vttermost power Ah my deare friend Garnate quoth she I pray GOD giue mee the meanes whereby I may acknowledge this wonderfull loyaltie Madame said he I haue all my life-time desired to doe you some seruice as one that is your most humble seruant and now I must needes take my leaue of you For he saw the Queene Sardamira comming neere who beholding Oriana aduisedly imagined her lookes to be more chearefull and her present disposition much altered from the former whereupon she said Madame I doe not know the Knight that spake with you but he hath handled your guards as roughly as Florestan did them that had the charge of me so that now they need not mocke one another I know not whether it be the misfortune of the way or through their owne want of courage but well I wot that I neuer saw two worthier knights then this and Florestan Oriana faintly smyling answered I saw not how yours were dealt withall but as for these heere it seemes that they met with one who knew well enough how to chastise their harshnesse As they held on this merry mocking Giontes and the two other came towards them so much ashamed of themselues as they durst not hold vp their heads to looke them in the faces But setting on toward Tagades Oriana called Mabila into the Litter to her as desirous to haue her company So being together they closely read the Letter whereby Florestan aduertised the Princesse that Gandalin and Ardan the Dwarfe to Amadis were both arriued at the Enclosed Isle where they exspected their Master within eight dayes following according as hee had sent word thither and Galuanes Agraies beside many more good Knights were all purposely there met together onely to lend her succour so soone as they should haue intelligence of her shipping away to bee sent for Rome wherefore in the meane time she should comfort her selfe and be of good courage as now she had no other cause These newes were so welcome to both the Ladies as nothing else possibly could be more and they imagined that either they were newly reuiued from death to life or deliuered out of a darke dungeon into an incompatable glorious light And all the way as they rode along they could finde no other argument of talke neither so much as thinke on any thing else but only to reade and re-reade the Letter ouer and ouer which questionlesse they did an hundred times But being come to the Court new sorrow ouer mastered this iocund solace fearing lest the Knights of the Enclosed Isle should not be able to execute their enterprise Now so soone as Oriana was alighted she went to her own lodgings neuer going to the Queenes her Mother according as she was wont to doe making an excuse that she was not wel Whereof the King receiuing knowledge hee went to see her accompanied onely with Arban King of North wales No sooner was he entred the chamber but shee thrâ—w her selfe at â—is feet and euen as it were â—…wning her selfe in teares with a trembling voyce thus she spake Alas my King and Father for Gods sake remember your defolate daughter in compassion and bee not lesse fauourable to her then al your life-time you haue beene to meane Ladies Gentlewomen in requiring your ayde and assistance Ah my worthy Lord and Father when Archalaus led you away prisoner it was for the fame of your great goodnes in helping her that thereto vrged you And can it be possible that now you should forget so rare a vertue that euermore was most familiar with you will you deale worse with me then euer you did with any liuing body I haue heard that you will send me to the Emperor of Rome with intent that
I should be his wife But if you compell me thereto you shall commit a most haynous sinne for it must bee done in despight of my selfe and I am certaine that I shall sooner consent to mine owne death Deare Daughter answered the King think you that I respect not your good honor as I ought to doe Father quoth she I know not how you vnderstand my good honor but this I can assure you that if you separate me from you you will be an homicide to your owne blood Then she fell into such sighes and teares as the King was enforced to forsake the Chamber and leaue her shee moned so much pity in him Then Arban King of Northwales stept to her and hoping to comfort her said Madame you haue alwayes hitherto bin esteemed wise it appeares that now you will wander from that good reputation Do not you know that there is due remedie for all things It may be the King wâ—ll better aduise himselfe if you knew which way he might be won thereto Ah my royall Cousin answered she seeing Fortune is so aduerse to me determines to worke her vttermost malice on me depriuing you many more of al means of succouring me by force of arms wherein you haue past through infinit dangers to deliuer afflicted Ladies Damosels from tribulations let me then at least entreate you to helpe me with your good word in counselling the King from doing me such shame except he intends to tempt God and constraine that happinesse which alwayes to this instant hath attended on him vtterly to forsake and abandon him leauing in steed thereof all mischiefe and misery For Gods sake therefore returne againe to him and find some meanes to bring him hither once more with mine olde noble Vncle Count Argamont and Don Grumedan to the end that you three together may the better preuaile with him In vttering these words the wofull Princesse was so grieuously afflicted that she seemed rather dead then aliue for she fell downe on the ground in a swoune which King Arban seeing he departed out of the Chamber while Mabila and other Ladies who were then about her might minister some helpe to her in this extremity He went to the King and told him all that Oriana had said to him which moued him to such compassion as his inward distraction might be very easily discerned Notwithstanding for all the perswasions he could vrge vnto him he would not goe to her vntill Count Argamont and olde Grumedan were so earnest with him that at last he yeelded And as they entred into her Chamber they be held her former traunce as yet to continue wherefore he went neerer to her and taking her in his armes said Deare Daughter speake to me but she moued neither hand nor foote but lay as if she had bin dead At length by the helpe of Vineger and cold water her spirits came to her again she breathing forth a vehement sigh able to breake a strong heart in sunder seeing her Father so nere said vnto him An my deare father take pity on me Sweet child quoth he what wouldst thou haue me do Sir said she before you send me away from you I beseech you consider what harmes will ensue For neuer will I see Rome rather shall the Sea deliuer me from that hell and so shall you be the cause of two euils together First of my disobedience to you onely by your selfe enforced Next of the dismall homicide which your daughter must and will acte vpon her selfe By which meanes in thinking to combine alliance and loue with the Emperour he knowing my destruction wrought in the meere despight of him she shall receiue iust occasion of eternal hatred to you and not he alone but all such as shall heare of so lamentable a disaster So that looke how much you haue been renowned through the world for a benigne mercifull and vpright Prince so much the more will you then bee condemned for the most cruell pâ—…lesse and yron hearted man that euer â—…ed Pardon me deare Sir the extremity of my aâ—â—â—ction makes me speake what I doe which if you conceite to be vttered too vnreuerently take such due vengeance on my indiscretion as best shall like your selfe for you can inflict no paine or torment on mee so grieuous as that which already you haue prepared for me in depriuing me of your fatherly presence Daughter quoth he I vnderstand you very well your mother shall tell you what I am determined to do therfore do not thus discomfort your self but be of good cheare and perhaps you shall haue your own desire The King made her this promise because his heart was oppressâ—d with sorrow as he could not speak any longer And indeed the Queene then came in who beholding her Daughter in such wofull condition was much amazed thereat for Oriana no sooner saw her Mother but she fell into a swoun againe In which time the King left the Chamber committing her to the care of women who were not a little busie about her After the was somewhat recouered as the Queene demaunded how she fared the wofull Oriana opening her eies which in a manner were quite drown'd in teares beganne to looke vpon her very ruefully and with a voyce meerely forced said Alas deare Mother my present estate is much better then it should be or I in heart could wish it for Death now is my onely desire and thereto my spirit soly inclineth seeing my selfe vtterly forsaken of the King you Your intent is to send me to Rome but the voyage I shall make will not be halfe so far because I will leaue you my body whereof you haue disposed against all reason render my spirit to God who wholly hath souerainge power ouer it The Queene being moued with much compassion replyed thus Sweet Daughter the King loues you so dearely as he thinkes on nothing else but what may be for your good and best aduantage wherefore should you then thus torment your selfe Why Madame Mother answered Oriana doe you think this banishment of mine so aduantageous for me Why doe you say that the King my Father loues me shewing himselfe more mercilâ—… to me then euerany father did to his child Here you must vnderstand that during this woefull conference betweene the Queene and her Daughter the King was walking in his Garden accompanied with very few Count Argomâ—nt seeing him very pensiue and melancholy considering on what the Princesse had said vnto him conceited with himselfe that now he was become better aduised whereupon he went to him saying My Lord I think my selfe a most happy man that I can compasse any occasion to tell you that which duty bindeth me to doe knowing you a wise and vertuous Prince easie to vnderstand what good is got by euill meanes Neuerthelesse my late commiseration of your Princely Daughters present estate constrayneth me now to remember you of that which I heeretofore haue said concerning her And I humbly
beseech you so much as a man may doe that before you send her so farre hence you would maturely consider it and iudge thereof without any partiall affection For as we commonly see that a wise man seldome fals into any errour when he is guided and led by reason euen so we discerne the contrary when he pâ—esumeth so much vpon himselfe that he will allow of no counsell but out of his owne braine then he falles into greater dangers then all his after-wit can recouer as by wofull experience hath bin obserued in many Princes You see my Lord what extremitie your Daughter Oriana is in and if you well consider thereon you may easilie iudge what inconuenience may happen to her person by an inward violent-conceiued despaire which afterward all your life-time you may at leysure repent Beyond all this you will runne into an vnauoydable blame not only of strangers but euen of your owne subiects and thereby grow hatefull to them whereon must needes ensue many mis-fortunes Therefore beleeue the counsell of them that solie desire the good benefit and honour of you and your kingdome whereby no perill what-soeuer can happen to you in so doing but if it should fall out otherwise yet you stand clearely excused and they bound to prepare all possible remedies These considerations my royall Maister do importune my soule with endlesse imprecations that you would vse a fatherly pitty and please these Ambassadors by some other means then the precious price of your daughters blood Vncle quoth the King these words haue moued too much therefore if you meane to please me vse no more of them So turning from him he espied the Prince Saluste Quide and Brandaiell enter the Garden who being come neerer called them to him saying Lords my daughter is now come to court and she is somewhat sickly but I trust she will be better amended to morrow Sir answered Brandatell we gladly would haue her deliuered to vs so soone as may stand with your liking because the Emperour our Master exspects her day by day according as he hath written to you You know replyed the King that I haue conseâ—ted to his request against the whole opinion of the knights of my Court yea and contrary to her will too Notwithstanding I haue done it in regard of the Emperors vertues and the hope I haue of her honorable respect and entertainment In the meane while forbeare a little that she may forget what shee must forsake and prouide your shipping in a readines for this next weeke ensuing I will deliuer her to you fully furnished My Lord answered the Prince Saluste Quide it is not to bee wondred at if at the first she mouâ—ne for parting from you but I am well assured that so soone as she shall be arriued at Rome beholding so many great Lords to giue her obeysance the triumphes prepared to welcome her and aboue all the choyce loue and respect of the Emperour to her her ancient breeding will easily bee forgotten Moreouer if you please to grace Olinda with her company I meane to make her my wife so soone as she comes there because I finde her to be a wise and vertuous Lady Beleeue me quoth the King I wishe it might bee so And then he entred into a large discourse of such especiall vertues remaining in her as more could not be found in any Lady By this time the Tables were couered for dinner in the midst wherof they that intended to combate with Grumedan came and presented themselues speaking thus to King Lisuart Sir you know what words were vsed some few dayes past by Lord Grumedan to the great disgrace of the Romanes so that Prince Saluste and we with him do come to challenge him the combate Because hee shall well know that it ill becomes such an old dotard as he is to make comparison with knights of Rome therefore if you be so pleased it shall be performed tomorrow for it grieues vs that he should remaine so long vnpunished Don Grumedan hearing himselfe thus abused beganne to change colour and as hee was about to make answere the king seeing him in choler arose and said to him Grumedan you haue euermore hitherto beene wise and temperate especially in speech let mee then request you to conceale your displeasure and onely answere to the combat which these Knights doe vrge you to Sir said Grumedan seeing it is your will it shall be so and to morrow I will not faile to meete them in the field according to my promise where I hope to reuenge the wrong they haue done mee in your presence So the King rose from the Table and went into his Chamber with Grumedan demaunding there of him where were they whom he had chosen to take his part Sir said he first I know the right on my side and if Galaor come to morrow as I think he will I am well assured that hee will beare me companie but if hee come not then will I fight with them all three one after another That may not be answered the king for you haue consented to three against three and so the oath remaines before me recorded which makes me stand in great doubt of you because they are young and strong you aged and weake and without any to helpe you Sir said Grumedan God who hateth pride and presumption wherewith they are too much enflated can prouide helpe when it is least looked for But if the worst should happen I know two of mine owne kinsemen that wil not deny to ayde me against them were they farâ—e better knights then they are The King pausing a while suddenly said I haue considered otherwise for you I will disguise my selfe and second you in the cause for assure your selfe you and I shall well hold out against them all three God forbid Sir answered Grumedan that you should so endanger your royall person for me Why said the King in better place I can neuer doe it and neuer else can I iustly acknowledge the manifold seruices you haue done for me hazarding your life in so many seuerall dangers onely for the defence of me and my Realme Sir quoth he the present demonstration of your gracious goodnes towardes me hath so farre enlarged the obligation of my duty to you that if I could dye a thousand deathes in your seruice I should yet confesse my selfe more indebted to you â—ut neuer feare man replyed the king my heart hath yet courage enough and this arme is endued with sufficient strength to maintaine a quarrell of greater moment Pardon me Sir said Grumedan neuer will I giue consent thereto considering what wrong you shall doe to your selfe you being a king of vpright iustice should deale as truely with a stranger as him that is your familiar friend Well quoth the King seeing you are so earnest I will vrge it no further although it goes much against my minde goe then and prouide for your busines for you haue no time now of trifâ—ing delaying
protest before God this dealing of King Lisuart is both vile and dishonourable yea and so farre off from common reason that I had rather die a thousand deathes if it were possible for me then not to be reuenged and already I haue acquainted the King my Father herewith that he may prouide some remedie for it In the meane while let me entreate you al my honorable Lords and friends to lend me your assistance especially you whom this iniurie toucheth as neerely as my selfe it being offered not only to the person of my Sister your Cousin and neere kinred but also to Olinda others for whom according to our solemne oath and promise as my Lord Amadis hath well remembred wee ought in duty to steppe forth and stand as their protectors and defenders Lords said Quedragant as for my selfe I am ready to depart when it shall please the company and if I make any spare of my paines let me be excluded from all good opinion and I beleeue there is no man heere among vs but he will say as much as I haue done For if wee hazard our liues often and vpon little or sleight occasion we haue great reason now to aduenture further and not to be sparing of our very vttermost endeauour How say ye my friends haue I not spoken the trueth Then euery one answered that no danger or death should cause any deferring but it required quicke and speedy diligence to keepe the Romanes from passing through the straites of the Mediterranean Sea before any fight were made vpon them Easily quoth Amadis shal we make this prouision for to morrow morning wee will be all well shipt and winne the way before them which was set downe for a full resolue Now Grasinda was present at all this conference and she to giue them the more encouragement said Before God Gentlemen your enterprise is high and worthy of the greatest commendation considering that beside the good you shall doe to her whose helpe and rescue you intend you shal giue example to many other worthy Knights either of this or any other strange Country that heereafter by your imitation they suffer no shame or wrong to be done to any Lady or Gentlewoman whatsoeuer Wherein you will make your selues so memoratiue to them that she or they that now liue or shal many hundreds of yeares hereafter will sing rare Peans of your praises Madame answered Amadis God enable vs to effect our enterprise according as I know you heartily wish it In the meane while if you be so pleased you shal remain here in the company of Ysanie the good old Gouernour of this Island who shall be as obedient to you as to my selfe Maister Elisabet must go with me because I repose great trust in him My Lord quoth she you may dispose of me and mine according as to you seemeth best Amadis humbly thanked her and gaue command that euery man should bee prepared to go aboord those Ships by breake of day which Agraies and Florestan had there readily furnished according as they had order sent them by Gandalin Then the next day being all embarqued they set saile directly for Great Brittaine hoping to meet with the Romans as afterward they did CHAP. XVIII How King Lisuart deliuered his Daughter Oriana to the Ambassadors of the Emperour and other Ladies with her to be conueyed to Rome And how they were soone after rescued by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle THe day being come according to King Lisuarts promise that he would deliuer his Daughter to the Romanes to be conducted to the Emperour hee continuing constant in his wilful opinion without any possibility of alteration either of pitty to her importunity vsed by the Queene and all the graue aduice of his Lords to the contrary To effect the full issue of his owne humour he went to her Chamber where sitting downe by her and taking her by the hand thus he spake Daughter you haue euermore shewen your selfe obedient to my will neuer vsing any contradiction will you now hold on in the same mind according as Reason doth require You haue put on a sad and melancholy disposition at the marriage which I haue determin'd for you whereat I am not a little amazed Do you imagine that I would doe any thing but for your benefite and honor or can you conceipt any euill in clination in me towards you I sweare to you vpon my faith that the loue I beare you is so certaine as I do no lesse grieue for your farre absence from me then you can doe your selfe But you doe well know that it is impossible to prouide such an happines for you neerer home Wherefore I pray you that in vsing your wonted wisdome and discretion you would shew a more chearefull countenance reioyce in the great fortune ordained for you being wife to the greatest Prince in the world If you doe besides the high estimation generally to be made of you you shall glad your fathers soule who grieues at your strange alteration as no man possibly can doe more During all these speeches Oriana had her spirits so contracted that she was not able to shed a teare and therefore as a woman out of sense of her own sorrow seeing there was now no further remedy for her with a bolde and stedfast resolution thus shee replied My Lord you haue then for ought I can otherwise perceiue resolued on my mariage to the Emperor but therein happily you haue committed one of the greatest errors that any Prince aliue can doe For first so long as my life lasteth I shall neuer loue the husband you haue chosen for mee and next I am very certaine as oftentimes I haue told you already that I shall neuer see Rome rather shall the fishes vse their mercy to me then I will goe to a home that is my hell or dwel where I can haue no affection or desire And I am of the minde that you could not be heereto induced or perswaded but onely in the loue you beare to my Sister being desirous to leaue your inheritance to her and make mee heire to all the miseries in the world Neuerthelesse God who is iust will neuer suffer this your vnreasonable purpose to take effect sooner he will marry mee to my death When the King heard Oriana answere in this manner pitty and anger mixing themselues together made him likewise change his former language and thinking to win her by menaces said You play the foole with me and you will not yeeld for all the entreaties I can make but if you dallie thus with me any longer insteed of wiuing you to the Emperour I will wed you to the Tower and where you shall see neither Sunne nor Moone My Lord quoth she you can not commit me to a more hatefull prison then Rome and you shall doe me a great grace to make me an euerlasting dweller in your Tower Then arose the King very highly displeased and leauing her went to the Queene
Queene Sardamira sent to entreate Florestan to be her conduct to Mirefleure to Oriana Because he had so curstly handled the Knights that kept her company as they were able to follow her no further Fol. 138. Chapter 15. How the Knight of the Greene Sword who afterward stiled himselfe the Grecke Knight Bruneo de bonne Mer and Angriote Estrauaux embarqued themselues in the company of the faire Grafinda and of that which happened to them afterward Fol. 147. Chapter 16. How the Greeke Knight and his confederates conducted the faire Grasinda to the place where the Combates were to bee performed And of that which ensued thereâ—â— Fol. 159. Chapter 17. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter Oriana to Court that he might deliuer her to the Romanes And of that which happened to a Knight of the Enclosed Isle But more especially of the Combate which Don Grumedan had with them that defied him Fol. 166. Chapter 18. How King Lisuart deliuered his Daughter Oriana to the Ambassadours of the Emperour and other Ladies with her to be conuayed to Rome And how they were soone after resiued by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle Fol. 181. FINIS THE FOVRTH BOOKE Of Amadis de Gaule WHEREIN IS AMPLY DECLAred what end and successe the Warre had begun betweene King Lisuart and the Knights of the Enclosed Isle With the Marriages and aliances there-upon ensuing to the high contentment of many Louers and their faire Friends Written in French by the Lord of Essars Nicholas de Herberay Commissarie in Ordinarie for the Kings Artillerie and his Lieutenant in the Countrie and Gouernement of Picardie vnder Monsieur de Brissac Great Master and Captaine Generall of the said Artillerie Translated into English by A. M. LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES dwelling in Foster-lane 1618. TO THE TR VLY NOBLE AND VERTVOVS GENTLEMAN SIR PHILLIP HERBERT Knight Earle of Montgomerie Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter c. WIth the same deuotion and integrity of vnspotted affection most Noble Lord I present to your gracious acceptance this fourth Booke of Amadis de Gaule encouraged thereto by that truly vertuous Lady who hath promised to stand betweene me and your dis-fauour in presuming so boldly as herein I haue done The fift and sixt Bookes are shortly to succeed vpon your Honorable acceptation of these and whatsoeuer else remaineth in my poore power either in these or the like imployments are dedicated soly to your Noble seruice Your Honors in all duty A. M. The Printer to the Reader HAuing finished these two Bookes of Amadis de Gaule the third and fourth somewhat longer delayed then was at the first intended I am to intreate thy gentle fauour courteous Reader for such slips and errors as haue escaped mee in the Printing and where Sence shall seeme lame or defectiue in any place to helpe it with thy better vnderstanding as considering that not wilfully but rather vnwillingly those faults haue escaped the Presse By Michaelmasse Tearme next ensuing I haue made promise of the first and second Bookes of Amadis and so consequently the following parts as God and thy kinde fauour shall therein further me Till when accept these a speedie spurre to hasten on the other Thine to be commanded N. O. THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE Wherein is amply discoursed what end the warre had begun betweene King Lisuart and the Knights of the Enclosed Isle with the alliances and mariages therevpon ensuing to the no little contentment of many Louers and their faire friends Of the great sorrow made by the Queene Sardamira after she vnderstood the death of the Prince Saluste Quide And of the arriuall of Oriana in the Enclosed Isle CHAP. 1. BY the discourse of our Third Booke it hath beene declared to you how King Lisuart deliuered his daughter Oriaana to the Emperours Ambassadours contrary to the opinion of all the Princes and Lords of his Kingdome and that she with the other Ladies and Damosels that kept her companie were rescued by Amadis and his friends the nauie of the Romains vanquished Brandaiell de Rocque taken prisoner the Marques of Ancona the Archbishop of Tarente and many more beside Great was this ouerthrow wherein none of them escaped but was eithen slaine or taken prisoner After the conflict was fully ended and all the Ladies brought together Amadis euermore to conceale discreetly his loue and Orianaes went into hir Ship leauing Angriot and some other Knights to keepe company with the women I Passing from Ship to Ship to make such prouision as was thought necessary hee came neere to that wherein Agraies was and there hee heard the most woefull noyse that could be demaunding what might be the reason thereof answere was made him that the Romaines bewayled the death of the Prince Saluste Quide without any meanes of pacification Herevpon Amadis gaue command that the body lying still vpon the Orelope should be put into a Coffin till they might giue it buriall when they came to land Then they that before made such ruefull lamentation being now bereaued of the body encreased their cries and clamours so loude that they were heard by the Queene Sardamira who sat close by the Princesse Oriana When shee vnderstood the cause of their complaining she was suddenly surprised with such extreame sorrow as shee fell downe on the ground and weeping bitterly said Alasse Fortune hath now apparantly declared that her mallice extendeth not onely to the ruine of vs miserable captiues but also to destroy the Emperour and his whole Empire Ah poore Prince mishap hath had too much domination ouer thee Alasse what losse and what sorrow for euer will they endure that deerely loued thee when they shall heare of thine vnfortunate end I know not how thy maister himselfe is able to support this greefe I rather beleeue that he shall no sooner heare of these sad newes but he will immediatly die with extremity of impatience surely not without great reason hauing lost so many goodly Ships such a power of worthy men and a Prince of such admirable expectation Then turning to the Princesse Oriana shee thus proceeded Nay Madame his losse of you is the the greatest matter of all other whom he more desireth then any thing else in the world and for whom he will raise such rough and strange warres as will cost the deare liues of infinite famous and renowned Knights which cannot be long delayed except thou O Emperour doe shew thy selfe the most childish and cowardly minded Prince that euer any mother brought into the world During these lamentations she lay still vpon the ground her armes foulded one within another and meerely drowning her selfe in teares which mooued Oriana to such compassion as being ouercome with weeping shee was feigne to with-draw thence Whereupon Mabila being more strong constant then any of the rest came to the Queene and said In good faith Madame in mine opinion it ill becomes a Princesse so wise and well quallified as you haue
Brian said Madame if you please to coÌ„mand any thing to the King your father or to your mother the Queen wee are appointed from this companie to depart for Great Brittaine about your businesse Now was Amadis withdrawn aside with Mabila while Agraies coÌ„ferred with Olinda and Florestan and Angriote with Grasinda And well we may conceiue that Amadis was in a strange perplexity seeing her so neare him whom hee loued aboue all creatures in the world and yet hee durst not so much as speake to her but regarded her with a stedfast eye whereto her eye also seemed to make answere euen as if an imparlance had passed between them which made his words to Mabila to sauour of idle and fond imperfection But shee well knowing the Saint of his deuotion to cure him of his ouer-awing fit bethought herselfe of the most honest meanes that could be both to quicken him and recouer some spirit likewise in Oriana saying soddenly Madame you promised Gandalin yester day that you would write to Queene Elisena and to Melicia and for ought I heare to the contrary he is presently to depart and you haue forgot your letters Oriana who vnderstood well enough at what marke shee aymed answered Let him come hither and by word of mouth I will as well satisfie him as if I had troubled him with my Letters Then one of the Damosels arose and going foorth of the Chamber called for Gandalin who presently entred with her Well had hee beene instructed by Amadis concerning what hee was to doe if the Princesse would speake with him before this company wherefore beeing come where she was hee made her an humble reuerence and then to his Master who talked all this while as I formerly told you with Mabila It was not long before Oriana who sate between Quedragant and Brian arose and taking Brian by the hand said to him I pray you Cosen to witnesse with mee what message I shall send by Gandalin to the Queene of Gaule and her daughter Melicia to the end that you may report it to the King my father if hee inquire any such matter of you In the meane while Lord Quedragant if so hee be pleased shall abide with the Queene Sardimira who knowes well enough how to entertaine him But Brian who was one of the most gentle and courteous Knights liuing would not follow her but with an amiable smile thus answered Madame you must pardon me for beeing appointed as I haue told you to goe to the King about your businesse my friends heere may grow suspitious of me and stand in doubt that I may be so subborned by your gracious speech as I shall shew my selfe more milde and tractable to him then consists in my commission and the charge I haue receiued from them Nay Sir replied Oriana heare but the reason why I would haue you acquainted with this message It is to no other end but by hearing mine owne tongue to relate my hearts tribulations wich I desire should bee knowen not onely in Great Brittaine but likewise in all countries of the world you would bee the more indulgent to mediate my peace and to deliuer al these Ladies from imprisonment And if you were affected to any one amongst them her vertue might preuaile against any sterne deliberation Oriana deliuered these wordes with such a gracious demeanour as they all tooke delight to heare and behold her Especially Brian who although he was young faire and of goodly forme yet was hee more addicted to follow Armes then loue and fewe Knights were more actiue then hee to handle his launce and sword for the defence of iniured Ladies whensoeuer they stood in need of his help Whereby hee became a friend to all in generall and did them infinite particular seruices which being desirous that Oriana should take knowledge of thus hee answered By my faith Madame you may esteeme of mee as you please but if I should long tarrie in so good company I greatly feare I should soone lose that which I haue alwaies held as mine owne since first I had knowledge of my selfe Therefore I had need to get me further off and leaue my roome to Lord Amadis your Cosen they may serue you for witnesses if they be so plâ—â—â—sed At these wordes euery one 〈◊〉 led for he retired with such a grace as declared some bashfulnesse of what hee had spoken leauing Oriana close by Amadis who neuer had any priuate conference with her since his departure from King Lisuarts seruice But now seeing opportunity so graciously fauour him as he might freely speake what hee vvould hee was so vtterly lost in ioy that â—â—e stood trembling as one vnable to vtter a vvord But Oriana laying her right hand vpon his arme caught holde vvith her other vpon his hand locking it fast in hers to testifie the vigour of her affection said Deer friend though no greater happinesse in this vvorld can befall mee then continually to enioy your â—…ed presence yet it hath been no mean discomfort to mee that beeing so neare one to another â—â—e houe bin barred from such a blessing Neuerthelesse I accoumpt my selfe highly beholding to fortune for deliuering me into your power as all my life time I haue desired and wherewith I hope also neuer to part so long as my soule shall liue in this body for it had as I thinke neuer beene created but only to be dedicated in seruice and obedience vnto you yet I knowe very well that we frequenting one with another as sometimes we did in Great Brittaine mine honour may receiue endamagement for the newes of my surprizall is alreadie so diâ—ulged that if wee dissemble not our priuate passions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereby may ensue vnto vs. Therefore I hold it better to gouerne our selues rather by discretion then the lauish power of fond affection which if wee doe we may may alwaies presume that the charitable deed you haue done is no more than the commendable custome among all good Knights that make no spare of their liues to succour afflicted persons especially women so badly vsed as I haue beene And beleeue mee sweete friend if herein you will not follow my counsell by weening to borrow some stolne delight and contentment we shall but formalize an imagâ—…e happinesse lose that vtterly which the wise attending for time will vndoubtedly bring vs. Madame answered Amadis I neuer had any other thought but how I might best bee obedient to yâ—â— neither shall haue any other so 〈◊〉 as I liue because I haue no other maintainance for this poore life of 〈◊〉 But let mee be regarded in your pittie for if you thus 〈◊〉 â—p your sâ—lfe and suffer me to see you no oftner then I doe it is impossible but that the melancholie which ouer-masters mee will hasten my death very suddenly I doe not vrge those priuâ—… which your gracious fauours affordâ—â— me in Great Brittaine or that euery eye sâ—â—uld discern then but 〈◊〉 â—…ght may sometime befrend
is so vrgently required by very strong reason then ought they to afforde it your daughter whom they haue knowne and well thought on so long a time Beleeue it my Lord they can receiue no shame by the deed and your selfe will confesse in the end that their attempt shold not bee displeasing to you they presuming it may be that you haue beene greatly importuned to this marriage and yeelded thereto against your liking I well perceiue quoth the King that you are not much offended with the matter but rather you can both like and allow thereof but I sweare by God I will make them dearely repent it So rising in a great rage hee flung out of the chamber entring into his owne sound there King Arban Grumedan and Guillan le Pensif who went not from him till hee had tolde them all the conference betweene him and the Queene and what an answere she made him Now because they saw him much incensed they thought good to conceale what the meant to say and mildely by little little brake off these speeches But it chanced on the morrowe following that as the Queene came from hearing Masse Durin brother to the damosell of Denmarke fell on his knee before her and presented her a Letter which Oriana had written to her as followeth CHAP. VII A Letter sent by the Princes Oriana beeing in the Enclosed Isle to the Queene her Mother MAdame although you cannot but be alreadie aduertised of my misfortune such as it is yet I thought it â—…ient to let you knowe part of my mournings And as a beginning to this Letâ—er I beseech you most humbly to consider how mishap hath continually followed mee since my banishment from your Countrie from the King my father and you also than which nothing could be more â—â—â—some to me Neuerthelesse not so satisfied I was burried by such a tempest that the Romans which conducted mee beeing ouercome wee were brought to the Enclosed Isle by them who knowing the wrong done vnto vs hazarded their liues to stay our passage any further And because I stand in doubt that such a matter will not be pacified betweene my father and them without great effusion of blood except you Madame haue some respect thereto I thought fit to send this bearer to you entreating you for the honor of God to take compassion on your poore desolate daughter and worke so much with the King that I may returne againe to him and reobtaine his â—…ed fauour hauing no way offended him except hee be displeased that I haue beene too obedient to him for therein onely I confesse my selfe culpable and not otherwise For the rest to tell you how they in whose power I am and the Ladies with me are minded they haue sent Ambassadours to my father as well to knowe how hee likes their succour giuen mee as also to mediate his pittie towards mee Herein Madame according as I haue giuen charge to Durin hee will further instruct you at his arriuall and lend a helping hand to plant peace if you can to such a dangerous warre begun by misfortune for her sake who remaineth Your most humble and obedient Daughter Oriana After the Queene had aduisedly read and re-read ouer this Letter but not without teares shee said to Durin that shee would speake with the King and afterwards giue him an answere And as shee was enquiring of him what entertainement Oriana and her company had in the Enclosed Isle the King came whom shee withdrawing into her Cabinet casting her selfe downe at his feet weeping bitterly shee thus spake to him Alas Sir for the honour of God take compassion on your daughter and read if you please this Letter which she hath sent me The King seeing the Queen so drowned in teares tooke her vp from the ground and receiuing the Letter from her read the contents thereof then to appease the extreamitie of her passions hee thus answered Madame the Ambassadours will soone be here that are sent from thence haue patience till I haue heard them speake They may perhaps giue me such satisfaction as the iniurie which I haue receiued will bee forgotten And they may bring such a message as I will rather consent to mine owne ruine and desolation of all mine estates than to peace Much better doe I affect to die with honour poore and disinherited than to liue amighty King miserably wretched faint-hearted clowded with the teares of you and your daughter Wherefore speake no more hereof to me except you purpose to offend me And so leauing her hee departed out of the chamber Afterward she called for Durin and said vnto him Friend Durin returne to my daughter Oriana and tell her that I can send her no answere vntill the Ambassadors shal be arriued here for the King till then knowes not how to determine on his businesse But assure her I will essay all possible meanes to do what she hath desired me And say I entreate her alwaies to fixe her owne honour before her eyes without which I shall desire her death Bid her remember that a wise and discreet soule is best discerned in aduersitie and not in the flattering times of prosperity And seeing our Lord hath suffered her to bee borne a Princesse and the daughter of so great a King reason doth require that vertue should bee more familier with her than with a body of baser condition in all aduersities whatsoeuer that can happen to her Alwaies committing the managing of her chiefest affaires to God whom I hartily pray to blesse her preserue her in his â—ase protection vntill such time as we shall meet againe together Durin being thus dispatched by the Queene tooke his way towards the Enclosed Isle and some few daies after his departure as the King was sitting downe to dinner in the great Hall an Esquire suddenly entred who gaue him a Letter of credence which when hee had read hee demanded of the Squire of whence and what hee was Sir answered the Squire I am seruant to Quedragant of Ireland who hath sent me to you about such a businesse as I will relate if you please to heare mee Honest friend said the King speak your pleasure Sâ—… quoth the Squire my Master Brian de Moniaste being sent from the Enclosed Isle are landed in your countrie to acquaint you with some especiall matters from Lord Amadis de Gaul and other Knights that are in his company But before they passe any further or come neare your Court they send you word by mee vnder your gracious fauor that they require safe conduct for their comming Otherwise they are determined to publish their message in all parts of your Land and in other kingdomes beside before they make returne to them that sent theÌ„ Wherefore Sir aduise your selfe and send them your intention Well knewe the King whereat the message aymed and therefore he thought it not conuenient that they should proclaime their cause thorough his kingdome a matter not to be done but
their enmity you must vnderstand that King Lisuart sending his eldest daughter for Rome hauing giuen her as wife to the Emperour Amadis de Gaule one of them who in your last lost battaile termed himselfe Knight of the Serpent and then wore as you well remember a golden helmet with a great many more met the Romans on the Sea set vpon them and ouercomming them slew the Prince Saluste Quide a near kinsman to the Emperour The rest were taken prisoners with the Ladies Gentlewomen whom they conueyed to the Enclosed Isle where as yet they keepe them Now indeede I cannot certainely resolue you what matter mooued them to begin this warre but I am well assured that King Lisuart in reuenge of this iniury gathers as great an Army together as hee can And Amadis hath sent into all parts for succour purposing to stand vpon his owne defence if he shall be assailed During these busie troubles Sir you haue an excellent occasion if you please to shew them as subtill a sleight as euer was done setting vpon them as I haue directed you And because at the very first sight you may discerne your victory to be certaine I will worke so much that Barsinan Lord of Sansuegna sonne to him whom the King burned at London and likewise all they of the linage of Dardan the Proude whom Amadis foyled at Vindolisore shall come to your aide with the King of the Profound Isle Wherfore perswade your selfe that being assisted with so great a number of good Knights there is no doubt to be made but you shall reach the height of your desire My worthy good friend Archalaus answered the King Aranigne you tell mee great matters and although I was fully determined neuer more to tempt fortune she hauing shewen me such slender fauor in times past yet me thinks it were a great folly to foreslowe such occasions as freely come to offer themselues for the augmentation of my honour and profit For if in such cases attempts managed by reason haue as happy issue as men can wish the fruit of such a labour is well gathered when desert holds vp the lappe to receiue it But if it should fall out otherwise yet at least that must be performed wherto all men stand bound by vertue for maintenance of their authority which is not to be valued by passed misfortunes as when a happy houre presents it selfe they should refuse to embrace it as declaring themselues to be dastardly minded and voide of all courage and magnanimitie Seeing then wee are so forward in tearms let it suffice that I faithfully credit you and desire you while I am prouiding mine Army to take order for the rest sending to Barsinan and our other friends for their effectuall ioyning with vs. Archalans hauing heard this resolution made no long stay with King Aranigne but taking leaue of him iournied so diligently that hee ariued in the countrie of Sansuegna where hee found Barsinan To him he tolde all the passed conference setting before his iudgement what an execrable iniurie King Lisuart had done to his father suffering to bee burned aliue by a tower from the toppe where-of afterward hee caused his brother Gandandell to bee throwne downe whom Guillan le Pensif had taken prisoner And doe you think quoth he that had it not been for this Amadis de Gaule but Barsinan your father had peaceably beene King of Great Brittaine But that villaine came and after hee had rescued Oriana from mee caused all the rest of my enterprise to bee vtterly voide But now you haue time conuenient to bee reuenged therfore except you will shew your selfe dull base minded delay no longer considering that King Aranigne is ready to assist you Easily did Barsinan beleeue all that hee had said and promised to appeare in field so soone as any need required So Archalaus departed thence to the King of the Profound Isle and gaue to him the very same instructions Hauing obtained what he desired he returned homeward and crossing the countrie aduised all the kindred of Dardan the Proude to be in a readiness to depart away when they should be commanded But at this instant our History speakes no more there-of but returnes to the fortunes of Quedragant and Brian being vnder saile for the Enclosed Isle CHAP. XI How Quedragant and Brian sayling on the Sea by a sudden and vnexpected tempest were cast so farre out of their course that hauing lost all knowledge of land they met accidentally with Queen Briolania And what happened to them QVedragant and Brian beeing on the maine Seas shaped their cōpasse for the Enclosed Isle but vpon a sudden the windes began to blow so stearnely and such a violent tempest arose as the best man of courage among them made little account of escaping seeing their saile yardes and tacklings broken in peeces and with such impetuous gusts of contrarie windes as trusting neither to stearne or any hope else but the mercy of God only and the waues they expected sinking euery minute So long they ran this disasterous fortune that the dead darke night ouer-tooke them with extreame thunders and flashes of lightning which was their best meanes for seeing one another till day-breake appeared the windes grew appeased and the Sea by little and little indifferently calmed Now they could plainely perceiue that they were cast farre enough out of their course for they discouered the coast of Sobradisa and as they were preparing thither they espied a goodly great Shippe sayling towardes them which they determined to call to to knowe who was aboard her Comming more neare they beheld vpon the decke diuerse Ladies and Gentle-women and some Knights among them discoursing together where-upon before they would presume any further they put forth a Frigate commanding one of their Squires to goe know of whence what they were The Squire performed his charge and going aboard the Ship humbly saluted such as he saw there saying Lords and Ladies there are Gentlemen in yonder ship who in curtesie desire to vnderstand what you are and whither you are bound Honest friend answered one of them say that the Queene of Sobradisa is here and longs to be at the Enclosed Isle These newes Sir answered the Squire will be very welcome to two Knights that sent mee to you who are also bound for the selfe same place Honest Squire sayde the Queene tell vs then their names if you may do it Indeed Madame quoth hee I stand charged to the contrary But thus much I dare tell you that they tooke shipping in Great Brittaine to returne to the Pallace of Apolidon where they had been before now if fortune had not hindred their voyage But I am very certaine that their ioy for meeting with you will make them forget all their passed danger wherefore I will returne againe to them and tell them what I haue heard of you So saying he went back to the Ship from whence hee came and declared to Quedragant Brian his answere
to Sea On the other side Landin who was secretly sent by Quedragant into Ireland found meanes to speake with the Queen who hauing vnderstood the cause of his comming to her called some of her trustiest seruants and commanded them that in the closest manner they could deuise they should gather a power of men to goe to her Vncle in the Enclosed Isle And although shee bare but little loue to Amadis hauing alwaies in memory the death of King Abies her father yet much more did shee hate King Lisuart for the yearely tribute he compelled her husband King Cildadan to pay Wherefore shee resolued helpe the one in hope to confound the other But now our History speaketh no more concerning her but leads you to another matter touching King Lisuart who had sent Guillan le Fensif to the â—…rour and other messengers to other friends to bee supplied in his purposed warre CHAP. XIII How Guillan le Pensif ariued at the Emperours Court of Rome Philipinell in Suâ—tia and Brandoynas in Ireland GVillan le Pensif being dispatched from King Lisuart had such speedie sayling taruaile as in lesse than three weekes hee landed in the nearest port to Rome Then taking horse according to the custome of the Knights of Great Brittaine he rode on to the Emperour who was then accompanied with a great number of Princes and Lords purposely sommoned to Court for the entertainement of Madame Oriana whose ariuall hee expected euery day For the Prince Saluste Quide and Brandaiell de Reque had written to him that King Lisuart had deliuered her to them and that they were continually vpon their parting towards him When the Emperour beheld Guillan he knew him immediately because he had seene him many times before and thinking hee brought him some newes of his long expected wish demanded where hee had left the Prince Saluste Quide and the rest of the traine Sir quoth hee King Lisuart my Master hath sent this Letter to you command that it may be read to you and then you shall be further satisfied in your demand then the Emperour tooke the Letter and although it contained some particular priuate credence yet he would needes haue it publiquely read and that hee in like manner should deliuer what hee had to say Sir said Guillan my Master King Lisuart greets you thus that in regarde of your perpetuall loue and alliance hee was well content according to the request made to him by your Ambassadours to giue you as wife Madame Oriana his eldest daughter principall heare And thereupon after many difficulties debated among the Princes Lords and Subiects of his Realme hee deliuered her to their hands who had power to receiue her on your behalfe but it came to passe that Lord Amadis de Gaule and diuerse others his complices well prouided with shipping lay as scouts in the way assayled them in their passage and after a long fight the Prince Saluste Quide was slame and most of the rest of your people led as prisoners to the Enclosed Isle where as yet they detaine Madame Oriana the Queen Sardamira and same others that were in their company Notwithstanding after-ward to make amends for the offence committed they sent Ambassadours to his Maiesty offring him diuerse good conditions which he would not accept before he vnderstood your minde because the iniury concerneth you as much or rather more than him Wherefore he commanded me to tell you that if you meane to reuenge this wrong hee will bring a good and sufficient Army into the field prouided that you for your part will doe the like And so your powers being ioyned together he and you shall easily drawe them to such reason as shall bee best liking to your selues When the Emperour had heard this neuer was man in greater choller and very apparantly he did declare it for like one improuident and vnfurnished of all foresight he began to sweare and euen enter into a meere lunacy saying to Guillan You know what is done returne to your Master and tell him I shall neuer enioy any rest vntill I be ioyned with him and with such a power as those Rake-hells of the Enclosed Isle shall well know how highly they haue offended me Sir answered Guillan you cannot come so soone as you shall finde the King my Master and his Army readie Haste home then answered the Emperour and make no longer tarying here Thus was Guillan constrained to get him gone without almost the leasure of receiuing any sustenance whereat hee was not a little offended especially for his slender entertainement and he made no long tarrying from Great Brittaine to make his complaint thereof to King Lisuart Beeing embarqued on the Sea he sayled directly to Vindilisore where hee landed not long after finding the King there expecting his ariuall to whom hee declared all that the Emperour had said and what small discretion hee bewrayed before so many Princes Lords And beleeue it Sir quoth he vndoubtedly that if they which come in his company haue as slender braines as hee neuer were seene men more vnmeet for warre nor worse gouerned then they will bee If they will be aduised by mee said the King I hope wee shall not be beaten for want of good guiding for they beeing mingled among vs we shall both help them and they vs. It shall suffice me that they be speedy in their comming because I haue this day receiued aduertisement that the Emperour of Constantinople and the Kings of Gaule Scotland Bohemia and Spaine doe enter Armes for the ayde of Amadis I heare also that King Aranigne with Archalaus and Barsinan do muster men from all parts but what their intent is I know not and therefore I holde it conuentent that wee should first bid our enemy battaile before hee win time to come vpon vs. Which wee may easily doe if they proceede not against the Romanes for Brandoynas is newly ariued from Ireland who assureth me that hee left King Cildadan mustring his forces and in forwardnesse to ioyne with vs. Philipinell likewise is comming home from Suetia and hath certified mee by his Letters that King Gasquilan will not faile to bee here within fifteene dayes with such a band of worthy Knights as are soundly setled in resolution As for the rest leauied heere at home in mine owne countries you may see all-ready more than fiue thousand trouping together in the next meddowe so that before a moneth be expired we shall be fully ready for marching hence But what of Galuanes said Guillan is he for you or no No answered the King hee hath entreated mee by Brandonynas that hee may at this time stand exempted Desiring rather to redeliuer vp the Isle of Mongoza into my hands then to go against Amadis and his Nephew And knowing that in other occasions hee may doe mee good seruice I am content to holde him excused So three weekes and more were passed ouer yet no newes heard either of the Emperour or of his Armie Whereat the King
humoured when I consider mine owne instant miserie For well you know that if the King my fathers power and this belonging to your kinsman doe but once ioyne or meete together it will prooue to the ruine of the one or other or perhaps of both together Which were an vnrecouerable mischiefe to me as well for the dutie which nature commandeth in mee to my father as also the affection I beare to Amadis How then can I any way haue coÌ„tentment would God I were deade rather than I should liue to see such mighty inconueniences With these words the teares streamed aboundantly from her faire eyes Why how now Madame saide Mabila doe you thinke that our Lord hath forgotten you I dare promise you hee will no more leaue you now then hitherto hee hath done if you repose your trust in him For your innocence is generally knowne and that against your will this great a doe hath beene begun therefore neuer grieue your selfe so much because it may fall out the worse for you and be offensiue likewise to my noble Cosen and all the other worthie Knights who desire nothing more than to doe you seruice All this while King Perion since his ariuall had not seene the Princesse Oriana wherefore after this pleasant battaile was ended he demanded of Agraies if hee could compasse the meanes to speak with her because hee would gladly doe her reuerence Agraies made him answere that hee would worke the way for him and presently went to the Princesse acquainting her with King Perions desire Hee shall be most graciously welcome quoth she whensoeuer it pleaseth him to come But deare Cosen what is your opinion of my misfortunes Am not I the most vnhappy creature in the world to see so many great Princes and good Knights troubled and all about my business Madame said hee we are all yours and there is not a man among vs that will not gladly with a good heart be employed in your seruice and all account their paines sufficiently rewarded if you but vouchsafe to accept it Alas Sir answered she I know not how I shal any way be thankfull to you all for this great grace but I will entreate our Lord to requite it Madame replied Agraies if you dislike not what wee doe would be a little more cheerfully humorous then hitherto you haue been you should binde vs all in much more dutie to you Beleeue it Cosen quoth shee I will 〈◊〉 with my paâ—… much as possibly I can And because I vnderstand that the 〈◊〉 to the King of 〈◊〉 is also 〈◊〉 â—riued I pray you to let him come along with King Perion So Agraies tooke leaue of her and went to seeke the King of Gaule and Grassandor to whom hee declared that Oriana attended their coÌ„ming and that they should be most kindly welcome Wherefore without any further delaying they went vnto her accompanied with Amadis Florestan and diuerse others Entring into the Princesse chamber shee attended on by the other Ladies and Gontlewomen went to entertaine them And then King Perion who had not seene or spoken to her since shee aboad with the Queene of Scots demanded of her whether shee knew him or no. My Lord quoth she although I neuer saw you more then once yet I do well remember the request you granted mee when you made your sonne Amadis Knight It is true answered the King and seeing you were the cause of the first honour that euer he receiued I hold it reasonable that hee should bee thankfull therefore to you so long as he enioyeth life While thus they talked together Grassandor conferred with Mabila whom hee found so discreetly wise and endued with such singular graces as thence forward he grew enamoured of her so that he married her as you shall read hereafter In the meane space Queen Briolania discoursing with Quedragant shee said vnto him Sir but for our former intelligence of your mornings battaile neuer had women beene in the like terrour and amazement How Madame answered Quedragant was it more dreadfull then the late attempt of your Cosen Tiron No by my faith said shee for then I expected nothing else but death and but for you I had been in the greatest danger that euer could happen to any Lady or Gentlewoman but thanks be to God and your good succor I now haue time to be fully reuenged Madame saide Brian your beauty and vertue doe plainely deliuer that you haue no power to take any such reuenge as you speak of but rather speakes pardon in the fairest language and presumes of more loyalty in him hereafter then precedent times haue warranted from him Truely Sir quoth she I could well like of so good an inclination in him and if you think it meet wee will send for him immediately to vnderstand how his minde is affected assuring you that it would be no little ioy to me if I could kindly reconcile him in regarde he is young my very neare kinsman and of better spirit as I thinke then euer was in his father or other brethren Madame replied Brian you could neuer speake more vertuously then now you do I pray you send for him to the end if hee stand so addicted hee may promise fidelity to you in the presence of so many good Knights as now are here It liketh me well answered she for hee is prisoner to you two and none of mine and therefore dispose of him as you please Instantly was Tiron sent for who being come before so great a company expected no other arrest then death and therefore was not a little amazed when hee heard Briolania thus speake to him Tiron these two Gentlemen whom you know well enough haue entreated mee to shew you mercy and I am well enclined thereto neuer minding the treason of your deceased father against me prouided that you deliberate and promise mee hence-forward to follow vertue as zealously as your life hither to hath beene lewde and wicked Also to make amends for the wrong you haue done mee and endeauour to become a loyall faithfull seruant and doing so I will not vse you as a prisoner but as my Cosen and nearest kinsman Therefore tell mee presently without any dissimulation how you stand resolued for being issued from the royall blood of a King you should highly shame your selfe to deliuer now such wordes as hereafter should not be effectually performed Alas Madame quoth hee if you please to take pitty on me while I liue I will neuer more offend you and therfore I most humbly entreat you euen for Gods sake to forgiue mee As for my fathers transgressions I cannot yeeld you any reason for them considering I was then so young as all remembrance of him is quite bereft me But for mine owne particular I protest and promis to you Madam that I wil be iust faithfull to you if you please to forget my former errour towards you which rather was the guilt of my youth then any other willing sinne If
one of those which you receiued in Greece from Queene Menoressa well then said Amadis seeing it is so it shall be fittest for you that the night before you goe to the battel you performe the watch in the King my fathers Chappell in the morning I will present you Armed to him according as to order appertayneth because I holde it impossible to receiue your knighthoode from a wortheir man Vpon my faith my Lord quoth Gandalin I neuer had any other desire but to receiue it from your selfe Be it said Amadis as you please Lasiuda Squire to Brunâ—â— replied Gandalin not long since tolde me that his Master had likewise yeelded to his knighthâ—od and that hee and I should performe our watch together and so be companions in the battaile Aâ—adis answered him not a word but went into the Kings Tent who had giuen order that the Campe should march on earely the next morning because his scouâ—es and spies had assured him that the enemie approached neare So marched the two Armies each against other and on the third day following they came in sight halfe a mile off and there encamped performing many aduenterous skirmishes as well on horsebacke as on foot especially the Romanes who still pressed them of the Enclosed Isle to fight because they found the place aduantageable for them But King Perion vnderstood their meaning well enough fortefying his Campe with great trenches defending all passages with his artilery Thus they maintained them-selues three daies together skirmishing well-neare from morning to night and longer time they had thus temporised but that they receiued information how Archalaus had induced King Aranigne to the leuying of a powerfull Army and marched on speedily to encounter with them Hereupon the two Camps grew iealous of one another not knowing to whether side they inclined for King Lisuart imagined they came in ayde of Amadis and Amadis presumed the like for King Lisuart and this was their onely motiue of their falling to fight according as you shall heare hereafter But before it came so to passe Gasquilan King of Swetia who had expressely left his courtrie to fight with Amadis sent a Trompet to him who being come into his presence spake in this manner Lord Amadis the King of Swetia my Master sends you worde by mee that at such time as King Lisuart vndertook the warre against Galuaues in the Isle of Mongoza he then departed from his kingdome with intention onely to approue his manhood against you not for any hatred or malice hee beares you but onely in regarde of your great fame and renowne And being no way able to meet with you he was enforced being then wounded to returne home againe frustrated of his expectation And hee had not now left his owne lande againe but that hee was aduertised by King Lisuart of your vndertaking this hardy enterprise And continuing still in his former deliberation hee entreates you in meere curtesie that to morrowe you would breake three Lances with him for if you delay it till the day of battaile hardly shall you approue your selues each against other according to his honourable desire Trompet answered Amadis I haue long since heard of this which thou tellest me and of thy Masters earnest desire and doe also verily beleeue that it proceeds from true magnanimity of spirit in him Now although there is great difference betweene my actions and the fame noysed abroad of mee yet I am well contented that hee should holde such reputation of me as he doth and knowing him to bee no lesse then he is I could rather wish that his proofe of mee might be in some such place where hee might receiue more seruice by me My Lord said the Trompet he well remembers how matters past between you and Madraque the Giant of the Sadde Island and albeit they concerned him somewhat neare as a sonne to a father yet being aduertised of the curtesie you extended towards him hee reputeth you rather worthie of commendation then any manner of reuenge So this desire in him of triall with you is not for any enuiâ— he beares to your iust reputation but only thus that if hee happen to preuaile hee shall winne that which by no meanes else he could attaine vnto If hee sâ—staine the â—oylâ— yeâ— hâ—â— will holde his eâ—… the lesse the worlde beeing so 〈◊〉 ently informed of your maniâ—odâ— victories not only against the â—ery â—toutest and strongest Giants but likewise against most cruell and supernaturall beasts Depart then replied Amadis and to morrow morning thy Master shall fiâ—de me here ready on this plaine to accomplish his pleasure and so the Tromper returned thence before we passe any further I wil reporte the principall cause which mooued this great Prince Gasquilan to trauaile through so many countries onely to approoue him selfe against Amadis In the third Booke of our History hath been related to you that he was the soâ—ne of Madraque and of the sister to Laucine King of Swetia which Laucine dying without heires Cosquilan beeing knowne in many places to bee one of the most gentle Knights that the worlde yeelded was called by them of Swetia and elected to bee their King Afterward he fell in loue with a yong and beautifull Princesse named Pinela who was both an heire and orphane by death of her father and mother and many lands Seigneuries bordering and adioyning to them of Gasquilin belonged to her as her right and inheritance His extreamity in affection to her prouoked him to vndertake many bolde aduentures which hee worthily effected not without great perill to his person neuerthâ—lâ—sse kindnesse in her was but coole to him in regarde hee was deriued from a Giant so proude and cruell as by no meanes thee would accept him for her husband notwithstanding his most earnest and honest pursuâ—e Whereat Gasqâ—ilâ—â— growing discontented threatned intire â—…ine and detestation both of her and hers which one of her faithfull subiects fearing aduised her to vse a little dissimulation and to temporise hereon so well as shee could She lent such liking to this perswasion that at one time among many other Gasquilan vsing his wonted opportunities with goodly discourse protestations as louers in like afflictions can easily performe she as a Lady discreet and quicke of apprehension answered him in this manner My Lord seeing Heauen hath endowed mee with such riches as I now enioy no dread of danger or of death it selfe can make mee falsifie the promise I made to my deceased father which was neuer to marrie but vpon one especiall condition What was that sayde Gasquilan I solemnely swore quoth she to him before hee died neuer to ioyne in marriage but with the best Knight in the world if it lay in my power to winne him and although he were neuer so poore yet I would haue no other husband Hereupon I made diligent inquisition who might be this only man of men and haue receiued credible intelligence that Amadis de Gaule cannot be seconded
would set before your eyes the great obligations wherein you are indebted to our Lord to the ende that you may henceforth encline your selfe to do such things as are best pleasing to him I make no doubt but am well assured you haue often heard how in the very first daies of your life you were forsaken of all friends and giuen ouer to the mercie of the Sea in a matter of small defence and without any other guarde but God by whose goodnesse you fell into their hands who afterwardes gaue you nourishment euen vntil you came to be a Knight and the most compleate knowne at this day For our Lord hath induâ—d you with strength to gaine the maistery of many Giants Monsters Tyrants and most cruell beasts whereby your renowne hath extended it selfe into all partes of the worlde Now seeing he hath enriched you with so many great graces mee thinkes it is no more then reason that you should acknowledge him for your soueraign Lord and labour in thankefulness to him by humbling your selfe before his face for otherwise all the fauours hee hath bestowen vpon you will turne but to your shame and disgrace Sonne you see how olde and decrepit I am nature almost decaied in mee Notwithstanding I haue not feared to vndertake so long a iourney to you because I heard euen in mine owne poore Hermitage the discord betweene you and King Lisuart with whom I haue lately spoken and found him to be such a man as a good Prince and minister of God ought to bee and ready if nothing keep you to the contrary to listen to peace which me thinkes you ought not to refuse as well for the quiet of your conscience as for the safety of your person And to the end that you may make no disguising of your affections let me assure you that I know more of your most intimate affaires then you imagine I doe for Madame Oriana vnder the seal of confession hath tolde mee a chiefe secret concerning you both When Amadis heard him speake so plainely hee knew well enough that he spake nothing but the truth wherefore hee thus answered Father if I could serue my God according to his graces and mercies bestowed on mee I might well esteeme my selfe the most happie Knight in the worlde But beeing a grieuous sinner as I am preferring too often mine owne pleasure before his glory I must needs faile as other men doe to my no little griefe Yet I hope knowing mine owne defects to behaue my selfe better then heretofore I haue done Humbly beseeching you good father not to feare or defer in telling me what you best thinke I ought to doe that may bee most acceptable to him for I will therein obey you to my vttermost power Ah my good sonne quoth he you do enough in taking this wholsome way whereby I hope to bee your guide not only for the tranquility of your countrie but also for the good of many soules Then he recounted to him how hee had trauelled to the Enclosed Isle where hee had conuersed with Oriana and by her consent was sent to King Lisuart and acquainted him with all hee had in charge especially the troth-plight marriage of them both the issue where-of was Esplandian And beleeue me childe quoth the Hermite the King hath heerein carried himselfe so vertuously and takes all in such good part that if you fall not off I hope to vnite a perpetuall alliance betweene you Now you may diuine whether Amadis heard these tydings gladly or no but I dare assure you they were so welcome to him as hee had no power to dissemble his inward ioy but presently returned this answere to the Hermite If it shall please the King to accept me as his sonne I promise you good father that hee shall finde me so tractable to him as I will be diligent in doing him any seruice There remaineth no more then replied the Hermite but that you both may speake together therefore aduise with your selfe both how and when it may most conueniently bee done Let me tell you answered Amadis I would haue you first go to King Perion my father and tell him the cause of your comming to me likewise your owne opinion that king Lisuart will now accept those offers which lastly were made to him in Great Brittaine on our behalfe by Quedragant and Brian de Moniaste concerning the Princesse Oriana if they might be once more tendered to him Say moreouer you are well assured that hee shall finde him reasonable and a Prince of peace euen as any other what-soeuer in the world And you may tell him that you haue spoken with me but I haue referred all to his disposition For the honour of God said the good olde man I pray you without any longer delaying to let me be brought where hee is Father replied Amadis my selfe therein will serue as a guide to you and for so good an occasion Vpon these tearmes they went instantly to King Perion who being aduertised of Nascians comming came to welcome him but beholding Esplandian with him he could not guesse who hee should be only hee appeared to be a very goodlie creature as any he had euer looked on in his life wherefore he demaunded of the Hermite whether he were his son or no Sir quoth hee hee is partly mine as beeing a foster father to him in his younger yeares and our Lord bestowed him on me almost miraculously It is very true answered the King if this be hee to whom the Lionesse gaue sucke at his beginning as I haue often heard and of whom Vrganda the Vnknowen hath foretolde many wounders and among the rest that he shal be the cause of planting peace and amity between King Lisuart and my sonne Amadis which I pray God induâ— him with grace to doe And beleeue mee seeing such faire fruit is to fal from his fortune hee well deserues to be both beloued and esteemed In truth answered the Hermite this is hee of whom you speake and when you haue further knowledge of him you will affect him more then you imagine as at better leasure I shal hereafter tell you Then hee called Esplandian and commanded him to doe reuerence to the King when the young Gentle man setting his knee to the ground would haue kissed the Kings hand but hee tooke him in his armes saying Gentle Sir you are so faire and vertuously quallified that such as see you or haue euer heard of you doth both loue and highly esteeme you And I am perswaded you will proue so worthie a man that Knighthood were very desertfully bestowed vpoÌ„ you Esplandian hearing himselfe so coÌ„mended began to grow somewhat bashfull thereat and perceiuing the King to blush likewise desired to know of the Hermite if he could tell whose sonne hee was Sir said Nascian to the King this young man as yet knoweth not any thing concerning his owne demand and as for my selfe I am very certaine that hee hath neither father or mother from whom as yet
hee hath receiued any great fauours Neuerthelesse our Lord hath hitherto preserued him and gaue him me at the first to loue and instruct him as mine owne childe At these wordes the King began to conceiue that hee would not conferre any further with him before so many by-standers therefore tooke him aside but the Hermite changed his discourse saying I beseech you Sir to beleeue that considering the condition whereto I haue been long time called and so many aged yeares already ouer-gone me I would not haue forsaken my Cell to bee seene among warres and contentions had it not been that my slacknes in so important a businesse might haue procured much euill wherewith our Lord would haue been highly offended And his displeasure would not only haue extended it selfe to you the people assembled in both these Campes but also to many other vnskilfull in the discords betweene you and King Lisuart with whom I haue already conferred so well perswaded him to peace as hee is ready both to listen thereto and to entertaine it according as I haue imparted to Lord Amadis your sonne who wholly referreth all to you Therefore I desire you Sir that preferring the good and tranquile estate of so many people before priuate spleens and passions not to disdaine what is freely offered you and which you ought rather striue to purchase Father replied King Perion God is my witnesse what griefe I haue endured for matters that are alreadie past with the losse of so many worthie men and how gladly I would haue gone another way if King Lisuart would haue listened thereto But hee alwaies carried so high a hand as notwithstanding all remonstrances made to him by our Ambassadours especially in reguarde of Madame Oriana whom hee sought to disinherite he made no account of vs at all presuming so much vpon himselfe that by the ayde of the Romane Emperour hee would ouer-run the whole worlde By this meanes hee made refusall not only to admit this difference to iustice but likewise contemned all hearing thereof Neuerthelesse if hee will yet submit to reason I dare repose such trust in my followers as they will bee ordered by mine aduice I haue euermore descanted on this discourse proceeding from no other occasion but whereto hee stands bound by right of nature and to his owne blood So that if hee will yet repeale the princesse his daughter into his former gracious fauour and not marrie her to any other person not onely to her and his owne people but to all them that know or heare thereof wee will deliuer her to him and continue his kinde friends if hee bee as desirous as wee Sir answered the good old man if God bee so pleased all this will come to passe Therefore if you thinke it conuenient elect two Knights on your behalfe to determine the differences where-about so many harmes haue alreadie happened King Lisuart shall likewise nominate two other for him and I standing in the midst between them will labour to ende all strife and contention Bee it so quoth the King Sir said Nascian I will not sleep before I hope to speed with such successe as the effects shall be answerable to your owne desire Instantly hee tooke leaue of him and the rest returning whence he came to finish what he had begun And presently King Perion sommoned all the chiefe of his Armie together speaking to them in this maner Lords endeared friends as we are bound to put our goods and persons in danger not onely for the defence of our honour but also to maintaine equity iustice so are wee likewise obliged to set aside all hatred and passion to reconcile our selues with our enemie when of himselfe hee profers vs peace For although it cannot be gaine-saied but that the beginning of warre may goe on without offence to God yetnotwithstanding in the end if through rash opinion fantisie and want of knowledge we estrange our selues from reason that which at the first appeared honest conuerts it selfe into iniustice And doe not thinke that I vse these speaches to you without cause Nascian a holy Hermite well knowen to the most part of you came lately to mee as you sawe to practise peace betweene vs and our enemie where-to King Lisuart is willing to yeeld if you mislike not Neuerthelesse I would not giue him any resolution till first I heard your deliberations For to mee it seemeth very reasonable that as you haue been made partakers of toyle and trauaile so should you also be of ease and tranquility And therefore I pray you that without any dissimulation you would all aduise for the best and God will therin further your counsell For my selfe according to the opinion of olde Nascian I holde it very meet that wee should make choyce of two Knights amongst vs and giue them ample power to determine with two other appointed by King Lisuart of all differences whereby this warre receiued originall Albeit I desire not to be credited in this case but rather will allowe of such aduise as you conceiue fittest for the good of all together Hereupon Angriote d' Estreuaus first presented himselfe of whom the King required his opinion Sir said hee you haue beene chosen chiefe of this enterprise as well for the dignity of a king shining in you as for the fauour and esteeme generally helde of you whereby you may resolue on the businesse of this warre as it shall seeme best vnto your selfe Notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that I shall first speake my minde I like it well vnder correction that if peace be presented vs by our enemy wee ought to accept it For as it falles out it is to our no meane aduantage hauing not onely the better of him already but Madame Oriana also in our owne power for whose cause wee first entred into the field Now for the naming two choyce men among vs to accord as you say all differences I know none more meet for such a businesse then the Lords Quedragant Brian de Moniaste They at the first vnderwent this charge when they were sent into Great Brittaine to excuse vs to King Lisuart for that which we had done in rescuing his daughter from the Romanes and I am peswaded they will vndertake the same charge againe if they were thereto entreated Now because this aduise found generall allowance Brian and Quedragant yeelded presently thereto whereat king Perion was highly pleased hoping the warre so hotly begun would by these meanes be calmely ended CHAP. XX. How Nascian returned towards King Lisuart with the answere heâ—receiued from King Perion THe Hermite being returned backe to King Lisuart gaue him to vnderstand all that he had agreed on with king Perion assuring him withall that hee would make them good friends before hee parted from them For I left him quoth hee with a purpose to conferre with the chiefe of his Army to winne them thereto if hee can Father saide the King hee dealeth most wisely therein
ought to take in good part and allowe of very worthily Neuerthelesse the election of an Emperour is of such importance as it is good reason to acquaint the other Romaine Captaines therewith to morrow we will send to them all and haue the matter in deliberation thâ—â— will wee answere Amadis what wee thinke best Flamyan did according to his speeches and after they were all assembled hee reuealed the occasion of their meeting and the request of Amadis for Prince Aâ—quisâ—… By right of linage quoth he the Empire â—s his More-ouer hee is wise hardy and vertuous what is to bee resolued vpon that either we may excuse or yeeld to Amadis in his request Euery man answered according to his minde but in the ende Arquisill was named Emperour wherof Amadis was soone aduertised and all the other Prince and Lords were well pleased there with especially the Kings Lisuart Perâ—on and Cildadan who with goodly troupes on the day following went and conducted him to the Church where before all the people hee was proclaimed Emperour of the Romaines and at dinner Amadis serued as his Cup-taster Gastilles as Pantler and Agraies as Caâ—uer After the tables were withdrawne King â—…suâ—rt beeing seated some-what beneath him reporting what aduentures had happened to him since he was crowned King of great Brittaine fell into discourse what good turnes and seruices hee had receiued by Amadis and proceeded on so farre therein that he said to him before them all Lord Amadis albeit very few can be ignorant in what you haue done for me since your first ariuall in my Court when you vâ—â—quisâ—ed Ardan the Pâ—oude so will I not now spare to speake somewat else for reasons which hereafter will be better vnderstood Then particularly he reported all the maâ—… which would be tedious to trouble you with againe But quoth hee for many high worthie seruices Lord Amadis I giue you my daughter Oriana as your wife leauing her as mine heire after my decease to my kingdome of Great Brittaine Then Amadis more glad and highly pleased then euer before falling on his knee most humbly thanked him Well Sonne said the King let it not offend you if I entreat olde Nascian to tell the Emperour how Esplandian was begotten and whose Son hee is that euery one may know how the marriage of you and Oriana was long since contracted The Hermite beeing present to satisfie the Kings request declared all the precedent fortunes and the promise past betweene Amadis and the Princesse whereby Esplandian became his sonne We neede make no doubt concerning the inwarde ioy of the noble youth beeing ignorant till then whose sonne he was Wherupon King Lisuart called him and auouched him for his Grand-child before them all to the no little contentment of Amadis who knowing the Emperours minde how desirous hee was to enioy Orianaes sister in mariage spake thus to king Lisuart Sir seeing you haue giuen mee that which aboue all things else in this world I most desired let mee likewise most humbly entreate you to giue the Princesse Leonora to the Emperour and then his ioy will be equall to mine By my troth answered the King this good motion shall neuer be denied if hee will haue it so Then I take your highnesse at your word replied Arquisill And I giue her you quoth the King with all mine heart Moreouer I will bring her with me to the Enclosed Isle that both these mariages may bee there accomplished together To morrow I purpose to parte hence for Vindilisore where she keepeth company with my Queen In the meane while you may expect mee at the Pallace of Apolidon whither my kingly brother may send for Galaor and because nothing else may be omitted to compleate our ioy and contentment I will send for my Cosen Galuanes Madasima The Marshalls of the lodgings appertaining to the Kings Lisuart and Perion gaue present order for their departure the one side to the Enclosed Isle and the other to Vindilisore CHAP. XXIIII How King Lisuart ariued at Vindilisore where his Queen Brisenia attended his comming whom soone after he caused to remoue thence and with her daughter Leonora accompany him to the Enclosed Isle AFter that King Lisuart was dislodged from the Citie of Lubania accompanied with the rest of his Armie hee iournied so expeditiously that hee ariued at Vindilisore where his Queene Brisenia expected his comming according to former intelligence sent her And although hee was greatly perplexed in minde seeing his reputation much impaired by those disfouours receiued from fortune notwithstanding the agreement hee had made with Amadis yet neuerthelesse like a wise and iudicious Prince hee dissembled his griefe shewing much better outwarde carriage then otherwise willingly hee would haue done And his owne knowledge was no meane incitation thereto by hourely pressing his conscience with a sensible apprehension that hee had beene the onely cause of shedding ouer-prodigally so much Christian blood vnder an vniust colour of reuenge which he preferred before all counsell and aduice giuen him by the Princes and Lords of his Land wherewith our Lord being iustly offended had scourg'd him with there rods not to make him murmur or gruge against him but rather to thank him for inflicting no heauier vengeaÌ„ce on him In meditation of these matters hee went to the Queenes lodgings and she being before aduertised by Brandoynas of all that had happened in his voyage welcommed him most graciously and looking vpon young Esplandian who followed next to the King folding him in her armes sweetly kissing him thus she spake My worthie sonne blessed bee the houre of thy birth hauing in thy young dayes done such seruice to the King as but by thy good aduise as I haue vnderstood he had neuer seene his owne kingdome any more Madame answered the King I hope seeing hee hath begun so well not any one houre shall passe him but will encrease in him both will and power of proceeding on better better For I assure you that beside the right of nature which iustly incites mee to wish him well no day can passe ouer my head but I must needs confesse a perticuliar affection to him for the great happinesse I enioy by him While thus the King and Queen conferred together concerning Esplandian the other Princes and Lords were kindely entertained by the Ladies Gentlewomen who beeing curious in inquiry how the fights had beene performed betweene the Kings people and them belonging to Amadis were a long while without any other language But when they heard of the purposed marriages that they must likewise goe to the Enclosed Isle this raised much more pleasure in them then the recitall of colde feares and Alarums whereon they wholly conferred before For now one made full account to try the Arch of loyall louers others the Defended chamber and the other singularities in the Isle and in these delightes they spent the whole day But the houre of rest beeing come the King withdrew into the
Queenes chamber where being alone by themselues hee began in this maner Madame if you found your selfe much amazed when you heard the matters concerning your daughter and Amadis beleeue no lesse of me when I heard the first newes thereof And by that which I knew afterwarde both you and I were farre off from our reckonning For perswade your selfe it is no little disturbance to my minde that I could not know these things before the scandall was discouered and nothing euer touched mee so nearely especially the losse of so many worthie Knights who had now beene liuing and perished in these vnhappy wars which breeds in me such remorse of conscience as you or any other will hardly credit but matters already past are ouer-late to bee remedied Wherefore I purpose now that what yet remaineth to be done shall bee performed with our very vttermost honour Forgetting the offence of our daughter who made choyce of a husband at her owne pleasure yet one that well deserues her a better For I neuer saw any Knight errant that could winne himselfe so many friends or haue such a multitude of Kings Princes and potent Lords at his comande whereby it plainely appeareth that Fortune is diposed to preferre him before any other And because at my parting from Lubania I promised to bring you with mee to the Enclosed Isle there to consummate the mariage betweene her and him I pray you giue order for all things which you thinke requisite in such cases Also for the conduct thither of your daughter Leonora whom vpon his owne request I haue giuen as wife to the new Emperour Very ioyfull was the Queene to see the King so well disposed especially towardes her daughter Oriana which was the thing shee most desired In regard whereof and to maintaine him in this good minde she saide Sir it seemeth to mee that heauen hath beene very gracious to you and me bestowing such alliance on vs in fauour of whom their friends shall for euer hereafter be ours What else remaineth to bee done referre all to mee for all shall bee ordered to your contentment Hereupon earely the next morning shee sent for Arban King of Norwales Great maister of the Kings housholde to whom she gaue the charge of all CHAP. XXV How King Perion and his companie tooke their way towardes the Enclosed Isle And of that which they did before King Lisuart came thither to them AFter that they of Great Brittaine were gone from Lubania King Perion and his Armie marched backe to the Enclosed Isle where Oriana expected their comming newly aduertised by Gandalin what conclusion was made with king Lisuart So soone as they were there ariued they went to see her and Amadis presented the Emperour Arquisill to her whom she had neuer seene before saying Madame as yet you know not this Knight but he is in good hope to be nearer in kinred to you then you imagine By these words she plainely vnderstood that he was the Emperour wherefore raising her selfe shee went and did him reuerence as hee did the like to her with a very Princely grace said Madame I am so much beholding to Lord Amadis that both you and hee may dispose of me and whatsoeuer is in my power at your pleasure My Lord answered the Princesse I know what who you are wherefore I most humbly beseech you that hence forward you would reckon mee as one of your best sisters and kinde friends During this time Agraies Florestan Quedragant Brian gaue curteous salutaions to Queene Sardamira Grasinda and Olinda and Bruneo de bone Mer to his most dearely affected Melicia But Amadis obseruing Grasandor sonne to the King of Bohemia standing by the Infanta Mabila so rauished in soule with loue to her that accustomed feare in such affaires closed vp his mouth not daring to deliuer so much as on ewoâ—d caused him to call his Cosen and thus he rounded her in the eare Madame you know that Grasandor loues you more theÌ„ himself yet you appear ouermuch to neglect him I pray you speake to him for well I knowe that you beeing sicke of the same disease and many times in the like extreamity would euen gladly as hee finde ease in the like tormenting affliction therefore to your mercy I recommend him Shee knowing that Amadis was shot in the same place where this loue-sicke paine oppressed her euen as violently to another as shee to Grasandor began to blush in such strange manner as all present did apparantly perceiue it and ghest at the cause of her alteration Yet to couer it so well as shee could she made answere to Amadis that shee would obey his commande And he taking her by the hand weÌ„t with her to Grasandor presently saying See Sir heere is a Lady that findes fault with seeing you so melanchollie Let me intreate you my Lord to yeeld her some reason how and from whence your affliction ensueth and so hee left them together Grasandor finding opportunity to fauour him and that now he might freely vtter his minde to her between hope and feare kindnesse and constraint thus hee began Madame it seemes to mee that Lord Amadis findes the same passions in mee as him selfe suffered when loue allured him at the first to like Madame Oriana And to speake no more then truth when I thinke to impart my oppressions to you the three principall organes of my life are in most strange and vnusuall distemper namely mine eyes my heart and my tongue For so soone as mine eyes can but gaâ—…e a sight of you they incite speech onely to tell you the cause of my griefe but all in vaine Then my tongue hoping to supply that defect openeth my mouth but feare preuailing quickly closeth it vp againe If then my heart be in heauy martyrdome I leaue to your owne iudgement speaking as it doth by continuall fighing And finding it selfe vn-furnished of all helping meanes checks mine eyes for bringing home the first tydings of your bright beauty Then they in excusing their errour promise to performe the tongues office because it is dumbe in your presence and by outward appearance shewing it selfe pitifull would begge of you mercy and remedy While Grasandor continued these complaints Amadis not knowing how he should raise the siege the Emperor still talking with Oriana saw Queene Briolania enter the chamber whom hee going to kisse called the Emperour saying My Lord you haue not yet seen all the beauties in this goodly beauty as here Queene Briolania may testifie to you Before God quoth hee you say very true So leauing Oriana to salute the Queene she seemed so faire in his eye and her behauiour so gracious that hee vsed these wordes to her I am perswaded Madame that Apolidon in creating the singularities of this place left them in such rich perfection only for the honour of excelling Ladies For I can repute them no other then immortall and make men tractable to abide heere all their life time among such
Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Son quoth she to Galaor we will part hence this next ensuing weeke in the meane while take order for shipping and all things needefull for our voyage And therefore presently sent for sailers who hauing vnderstood his pleasure made immediate prouision of the very best Ship the King had and went aboarde the sixt day following Not farre had they sailed from the coast of Gaule but they descried a vessell on the Sea well fitted with the winde and making nimble speed the Pilot or Master striking saile so soone as hee espyed the Queenes shippe Whereupon the Knights of the Enclosed Isle thinking them to be Coursaires or Pirates forthwith armed themselues and to vnderstand the truth sent one of their Squires in a Squiffe towardes them to demand of whence they were and whither they intended The Squire drawing neare vnto them called out aloude vnto them saying Hoe aboard there they in the Shippe here not farre off from you in kindnesse sent to knowe what you are and whither you are bound My friend quoth a knight standing on the Decke there is a Ladie of honour in this vessell whose voyage tendeth to the Enclosed Isle Beleeue mee Sir replied the Squire then shee hath met with company if she be so pleased for they that sent mee to you are sayling thither and you may safely come aboard them Which words being ended he returned to them he came from In the meane space that knight that was aboue went downe to the Ladie and acquainted her with the Squires message by meanes wherof shee sent one in a Frigate presently away to vnderstand the truth and whether vpon the Squires words shee might safely come to them or no and so went nearer to the Queenes Ship where Angriote being first of all seene the other Knight spake thus vnto him Sir a Squire of yours not long since came to vs to know what wee were and whither our trauaile intended Wee gaue him answere that wee were bound directly for the Enclosed Isle and thither hee said was likewise your intention now Sir because wee haue in charge a Princeste of great esteeme we pray you giue vs some assurance of your companie Knight answered Angriote if you please to come aboord of vs the Ladie you talke of shall finde a Queene heere who wil gladly welcome her into her company and giue her as gracious entertainment as shee can desire to haue Sir said the knight I heartily thanke you for her and this I dare assure you that hauing heard her cause and the reason of her trauailing thus on the Sea you will so much compassionate her case as not to deny her your helpe if shee require it of you So taking leaue hee returned to the other vessell which presently came and ioyned with the Queens Then came vp a Ladie in a garment of black cloath shewing both she and all her companie very sad and disconsolate lookes whereat Angriote who well obserued them was much abashed reputing her by her countenance to bee a Lady of good discent and reputation And courteously saluting her demanded if shee pleased to ascend and visit the Queene Sir Knight quoth shee I will doe what shall please you neuerthelesse I pray you name her to me and them that are in her companie Madam said Angriote she is the Queene of Gaule my Lord Galaor her sonne is with her and three other knights of the Enclosed Isle whither we are sayling Then will I attend vpon her and you thither replied the Lady So Angriote supporting her by the hand brought her into the Queenes Cabin and shee hauing vnderstood all that you haue heard already welcommed her most gratiously but the Lady â—…ing much oppressed with griefe fell downe at her feete intending to kisse them which the Queene would not permit put raysed her gently desiting to know the cause of her sorrow Madam quoth shee though now I am left quite naked of all fortunes blessings and fauours hauing no other comfort or repose but only the recytall of my misfortunes yet you may beleeue mee that I was not long time since a â—…dy of great qualitie and married to the disceaâ—ed King of Dacia by whom I had two Sonnes and one only infortunate daughter and so much the more infortunate in hir Birth by being the death of the King hiâ— Father and the totall ruine of mee and her brethren for you must vnderstand Madam that after shee was married to the Duke of â—…tia one of the greatest neighbouring Princes to my Countrie by how much the day of her Bridall was pleasing by so much the more was this mariage wretched and miserable For very soone after the solemnitie the Duke my new sonne in Law beeing yong and ambitious of rule conspired the death of my husband and of my two other children the eldest of them hauing not as then attained to the age of fourteene yeares According to his proiect so did he performe it vpon my Lord appointing a day pretending an honest visitation of vs accompanied with a great number of his people which as hee said were brought with him for our greater honour the King my husband no way misdoubting the premeditated treason rode foorth to meete him and as hee embraced him tâ—… villaine drewe a pocket-dagger and cruely murdered him Both my sonnes in a faire fortunate hoâ—â—e for them came riding a good distance behinde their father and heairng of this bloody tumult returned in a maine gallop backe to the Citie where the traytor holds them as yet sharply besieged Then was I absent in a pilgrimage to our Ladie at a very ancient Church builded on the top of a high Promoâ—â—oâ—â—e and there I was aduertised of my mis-hap If then I was in woefull extreamâ—…y or no be you my iudge good Madame considering I in a moment found my selfe vtterly destitute of all remâ—â—â—e and forsaken of any hope so that but for the comfort and aduise giuen mee by these two Knights which keepe me company I had not liued one only houre They called to remeÌ„brance one nan ed Amadis de Gaule who is said to be the refuge and support of all afflicted Ladies neuer denying them his assistance Whereupon I haue attempted this long voyage to finde him at the Enclosed Isle where hee is affirmed certainely to be with a great number of other good Knights his companions in Armes When the wrong done me by this wicked sonne in lawe shall be knowne to that noble Lord and his other friends how extreamly hee maintaines the siege against mine owne naturall sonnes I hope hee and they will take compassion on me and giue mee such succour as by meanes thereof I shall expell the enemy out of my countrie for my subiects attend nothing else but to vndertake Armes against him they want but only a comamnder to leade them Greatly was the Queen mooued to pittie hearing the misfortunes which besell the Queene of Dacia and the three Knights were so nearly
extraordinarily ioyfull as triumphing in the very highest happinesse the world could yeeld her And the Princes her sonnes with the three Knights came neare vnto her to kisse her hand which shee would not suffer but embraced them very graciously declaring no meane thankfulnesse for her happy fortune Afterwarde they conuayed her into a rich Litter purposely brought for her iourney and so coÌ„ducted her to the Pallace in most royall manner where shee was no sooner alighted but she commanded the Duke to be brought before her as accordingly it was performed And albeit shee had resolued with her thoughts not to execute any reuenge vpon him but euen in meere pittie to forget and forgiue all yet considering what shamefull wrongs she had suffered and the murder of the King her husband so fresh in her soule shee commanded him presently to the â—ibbet But the Knights of the Enclosed Isle were not therewith contented and therefore in most gracious and modest manner tolde her that they neuer tooke any prisoner to mercy to whom after-warde they vsed any molestation Wherefore they desired her to containe her purpose till their departure and then to doe what shee thought fitte and as her Councell should best aduise her requiring also fauour for their departure Shee fearefull to offend such honorable high deseruing friends returned this answere Nay my Lords thinke not but I will doe whatsoeuer you commande mee yet notwithstanding you must needes grant me to stay heere with mee eight or tenne daies more In which time I hope to compasse the Coronation of my sonne and then to send him along with you to Lord Amadis if you will but honour me so much as to bee his conuoy thither Madame quoth they wee are all herewith heartily contented Hereupon she sent presently to one of the Masters of the houshold giuing him charge to see all things fitting in readinesse as were belonging to such a solemnitie and in him there wanted not any dilligence The day of triumph being come the young King accompanied with the Princes of his blood the Knights of the Enclosed Isle multitudes of noble Personages more rode maiestically to the Cathedrall Church where they heard solemne and diuine seruice Afterward he was conducted to a goodly Theater most magnificently adorned and there by sound of Trumpets and voyce of the Heralds he was openly proclaimed King he throwing much golde and siluer among the people crying three seuerall times Largesse Largesse Largesse giuen by the most mighty and magnanimous Prince Garinter king of Dacia As foure of the chiefest Dukes in the kingdome conducted him to the place where the royall feast was prepared the Trumpets and Clarions sounded on all sides so that for the space of three whole daies and nights together the people ceased not from making Bonfires and other signes of ioyfull triumphing As also the Nobility of the Court had Maskes Tourneies Dances and such like pastimes which had continued much longer if Angriote and his companions would haue stayed there But they earnestly importuned the Queene to licence their departure which much against her minde she was enforced to grant and before their embarquing thus she spake to theÌ„ Noble Gentlemen although it is impossible for me in any dutie to requite what you haue done for mee without any merite at all on mine owne behalfe yet is so falles out at this season that running into a farther debt I am to solicite you with a second request and wherein I desire you not to deny mee You know very well that I neuer sawe Lord Amadis de Gaule for whose sake you did partly as I imagine vndertake this long voyage which hath fallen out most fortunate to mee and to your endlesse honour for euer Now I haue not any thing more deare in esteeme then the new created King my son who as I haue already tolde you I desire to send to the Enclosed Isle to liue among so many good knights as are there vntill he come to yeares fit for knighthood hoping that a nouell kind of breeding there will highly aduantage him and that then Lord Amadis will deale so honourably with him as to bestow knighthood on him with his owne hand Wherefore once more I entreate you to take him with you and deliuer him to Lord Amadis as a present from me Madame answered Bruneo I faithfully promise you that with all my heart I will performe it and further I dare assure that hee will be very welcome thither Take order then for his equipage because wee would aboard to morrow the winde now sitting so prosperously for vs. Heereupon the Queene hauing fitted all things necessary for her sonne with a very honourable traine conducted him to the Shippe and there committing him to God and the Knights louing care away they sayled discouering in fewe dayes the coaste of the Enclosed Isle But before they landed they sent to Amadis to let him vnderstand that the king of Dacia was in their companie beeing purposely sent thither to him and to remaine vnder his gouernement Which caused Amadis immediately to take horse and accompanied with many of the knights conducted him to the lodging of king Perion CHAP. XXVIII How King Lisuart his Queene Brisena and their Daughter Leonora departed from Vindilisore to goe for the Enclosed Isle according as it was concluded on at their setting from Lubania NOt long since it was told you that the same day as King Lisuart came to his Queene hee acquainted her with his promise made to Amadis and some others beside entreating her likewise most earnestly to take order for all things fitting her owne preparation and her daughter Leonora â—whom hee had affianced by his worde to the Emperour and that they might set away the next weeke following In the meane while he sent to Galuanes and Madâ—sima to come to beare him company in this vaoyage as accordingly they did Soone after they set on forward and at the end of eight dayes came within lesse then foure leagues of the Pallace of Apolidon Whereof when king Perion and the rest were aduertised they mounted on horse backe with the Ladies and Gentlewomen ryding not farre before they mette them Many embracings past on either side but Amadis and Galaor alighted so soone as they came to King Lisuart only to kisse his hand which hee would not suffer but embracing them in his armes desired themto mount themselues againe King Perion who came one of hindemost gaue the spurre to his horse and gallopped to meete king Lasuart who came in the like manner towards him and they both embraced very louingly together In the meane space Oriana went to the Queene her mother and doing her very humble reuerence she entertayned her so graciously as no woman liuing could doe more As the Queene Elisena Briolanta Sardamira and all the other Ladies saluted each other the Emperour Arquesill came and alighted from his horse to kisse and welcome them Then the knights of great Brittaine went among
let vs goe on to the Pallace of Apolidon where the Ladies doe attend your comming for they are already aduertised of your ariuall and there we may much better conferre together With all my heart quoth shee and calling the two young Squires forth of the Frigate placing the one on her right hand and the other on her left she went on with the King and troupe then calling Esplandian to her thus shee spake I promise you faire youth I haue had better remembrance of you then you can imagine And beholde I haue brought hither these two Gentlemen to keepe company with you because you will stand in much need of their helpe when you shall bee in the greatest heate of all your businesse Wherefore hence forwarde I pray you to affect them euen as deare as your sefe Then perceiuing the Ladies cōming to meet them shee gaue ouer talking to doe them reuerence and as shee kissed each after other comming to Oriana shee spake out so loude as all might heare her Beleeue me Madame neuer was I better pleased then being in such cōpanie for hardly can elsewhere be found such store of bright beauties enriched with all rarietie of choyce perfections Madame answered Queene Brisena no doubt but your words would be very true if all here were such as you speake of So taking her by the hand she conducted her into her chamber where the Knights left them that they might conuerse more priuately together CHAP. XXIX Of the conference which Amadis had with his Cosen Dragonis in giuing him the kingdome of the Profound Isle and the Princesse Estoilleta to wife whom he had loued a long time DRagonis was not with Amadis when he made partition of king Arauignes countries and them belonging to the other prisoners but followed a Damosell that guided him from the Monastarie of Lubania to fight with Angriffort Lord of the Deep Gulffe who kept her father in prison to compell him surrender vp a Castle belonging to him And the Combate was wonderfull between them for Angriffort was the most hardy and valiant Knight then liuing in all that countrie Notwithstanding Dragonis had the victory and made him promise to meete him at the Enclosed Isle within twentie daies next ensuing there to craue mercy of the Princesse Oriana This Dragonis that we speake of was young actiuely disposed and an excellent warriour as hee well declared in the Isle of Mongoza when King Lisuart came thither to assault Galuanes For the more part of his confederates beeing defeated and fled he kept a narrow passage with very few men and performed there such deedes of Chiualrie as hee became famous thereby all his life time after Now he could not come to Amadis so soone but at his returne from the Deepe Gulffe he went to Galuanes and being both together they receiued Letters from king Lisuart whereby Galuanes was requested to come beare him company according as formerly hee had made promise By this meanes Dragonis and he iourneyed thither together and so soon as they were come to the Enclosed Isle Amadis remembring what good seruices his Colen Drogonis had done for him in the late foughten battailes what wrong should be offered him if hee did not pertake in the like pleasures and contentments equall with his other companions being alone by them-selues together thus hee spake to him Cosen since such time as you left vs diuerse marriages haue been cōcluded on of the chiefest knights here present and those gracious Ladies whom they haue so long time intirely affected Moreouer by generall aduice and consent the countries belonging to king Arauigne Barsinan and our other prisoners haue beene diuided and you therein forgotten by reason of your absence Yet there is further consideration had of you as you shall presently vnderstand I haue beene lately aduertised by a Squire that since our parting for Lubania the King of the Profounde Island being grieuously wounded before died on the Sea some fewe dayes after sayling homeward from recouerie of his health In which respect his kingdome shall become yours and likewise you shall enioy in marriage the beautifull Estoilletta by you long time beloued meerely as due desert she being a faire wise and vertuous Princesse descended from Kings by eyther side and as deerely esteemed by Oriana as any that I know mee thinkes that for your own contētment no better satisfaction can be made you Then to enioy her whom you loue and esteeme as choysely as your selfe Dragonis being not a little pleased to heare Amadis speake in this manner knew not at the first what answere to make For he was once purposed to goe along with Brunco and Quedragant in conquest of those lands which Amadis had diuided to them and from thence to seeke after strange aduentures in Sardaignia then to ioyne with king Florestan and assistt him in his serious affaires Notwithstanding considering how Amadis affected him and what zealous care hee shewed on his behalfe he promised to obey him Whereupon the next day following hee and Estoilletta were affianced together in presence of all the Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen to generall ioy on euery side expecting the long lookt for day when these marriages should bee celebrated and accomplished The same night Amadis desired of King Lisuart the Dukedome of Bristoy for Guillan le Pensif who gladly granted it and the widdow to the deceased Duke also for whose sake he had so much suffered as thereby he got the name of Pensiue CHAP. XXX How the marriages of Amadis with Oriana and the other Princes and Ladies Were solemnly Celebrated in the Enclosed Isle Where the selfe same day Oriana made proofe of the Arch of loyall Louers and likewise of the Defended Chamber THe day being appoynted when the amorous knights should receiue from their Ladies the fruite of their longing expectation and that the mariages so long time delayed were come to the pointe of celebration the holy man Nascian prepared himselfe for that office and after the solemnity in such cases vsed a comming from Masse Amadis spake thus to King Lisuart My Lord most humbly I begge one boone of you which reasonably you cannot deny me Son and my best friend quoth hee I grant it with all my heart what soeuer it bee Then I entreate you sir said Amadis command Madam Oriana your daughter before wee sit downe to dinner to make proofe of the Arch of loyall Louers as also of the Defended Chamber Whereto she would not as yet by any means listen by all entreaties made vnto her Howbeit I haue such confidence in her loyaltie and likewise in her excelling beautie that shee will obtaine the honor of the place whereinto for more then a hundred yeares neyther Lady or Gentlewoman could bee so happy as to enter And hereof I doe so much the rather assure my selfe hauing often times seene the statue of Grimanesa which is portrayed in hir chiefe and most eminent perfection neuerthelesse I am verily perswaded shee neuer was
answered Darioletta you haue but one only meanes whereby to relieue mee in this vrgent extremitie and that is instantly to goe with mee whether I shall conduct you Amadis pausing hereon a while suddenly replied how Lady I haue no armes to fight withall but my Sword only and this bugle about my neck this hound in my leash I hope you will allow me some better fournishing then they are As for Armes replied Darioletta deferre no further dallying but vnâ—ase this dead Knight and put them on for if you stand on any trifling it redounds not only to my death but also such another as you loue as well if not more deerely then you doe me Speaking these words she drowned her faire cheekes in teares and held Amadis fast about the legs not suffering him to stirre from her whereby hee became so moued to pitty that he yeelded to her request Foreseeing very well that if hee returned back to Oriana hardly hee should gaine leaue to goe along with the Lady and as their necessity vrgently required Whereupon arming himselfe with the Armes of the dead knight and taking vp his Shield he entred into the barke As they were puting off from the shoare one of the huntsemen came to whom Amadis called saying friend goe seeke Lord Grasandor and tell him that I am constrained in meere pittie to goe with this Lady whom I met on the Sea-sands but ere while euen in such mournefull manner as thou beholdest her Pray him to pardon me and to intreate as much for me of Oriana not to be offended with my suddaine departure but rather to allow thereof because I could no way excuse it but to my great reproach and dishonour For thy selfe I pray thee giue buriall to that dead knights body in recompence of his Armes which I haue taken from him Scarcely had he ended these words but a lustie gale of winde filled the Sailes and in a moment they were so farre off from Land as Amadis could not heare the huntsmans answere As they sayled on Amadis seeing the Ladie to take no truce with her teares earnestly entreated her to relate whither she intended to conduct him and also the occasion of her mourning whereto gladly she yeelded beginning in this manner Vnderstand Lord Amadis that at such time as the Queen your mother departed from Gaule trauailing towardes the Enclosed Isle according as the King your father had sent for her she sent a Lackey to my husband in little Brittaine where hee was gouernour of your lands willing him that both he and I should meete her at the Pallace of Apolidon where the marriages of you my Lords your brethren were to be solemnised My husband ioying not a little hereat and my selfe much more suddenly prouided a good Ship wherein wee imbarqued our selues with my sonne whom you sawe dead on the sands and also my daughter hoping to bestowe her on Madame Melicia your sister But night comming on vs the waues and windes were suddenly tempestuously mooued so that by their extreame violence the sailes rudder and tacklings of our Shippe were all split in sunder Our Pilot also was so distracted in minde as all knowledge of his Compasse or Quadrant vtterly forsook him wherby it came to passe that our Ship remayning at mercie of the waues and weather we were driuen vpon the Red Island vtterly vnknowne to any of vs where the Giant Balan abydeth of whom you haue heretofore heard there we landed At that very instant we were enclosed seazed on by the Guards of the Port and forcibly brought before the Giant who presently demanded of vs if wee had euer a Knight in our companie My husband made answere that both hee and his sonne had long since vndergone that order It behooueth then saide the Giant that according to the custome of this countrie you fight with mee one after an other and if you can holde out but an houre only you and yours shall goe free but otherwise you must remaine my prisoners and therfore make choyce of which you thinke fittest for you And one thing I will acquaint you withall before hand that performing your manhoode as true Knights ought to doe you shall finde so much the more loue courtesie in me but if through faintnesse of courage you faile in any the least point whereto the honour of Chiualrie bindeth you I will vse yee like villaines and cowards and lay you where neither Sunne or Moone can be seene and so you shall remaine ten yeares together My husband hearing these threatnings and obseruing the high stature of the Giant could warrant no assurance of himselfe Neuerthelesse knowing what it was to faile any way forgetting all feare hee replied Basely are they bred quoth he and ill is Armes bestowed on them that through dread of danger shall refuse to fight for their owne liberty Nowitstanding what assurance shall we haue of your promise if wee maintaine an houres fight against you according as you haue proposed Nothing else said the Giant but my worde onely which neuer was or euer shall bee broken for any good or ill that can befall mee For rather will I consent not onely to mine owne death but likewise to my sonnes and kinred and seruants beside as alreadie I haue made them to swear and promise Before God answered my husband cause our horses to bee restored vs and the Armes belonging to my sonne and mee and then begin the combate when thou pleasest The Giant commanded them to be deliuered But my sonne too rash and ill aduised desired of his father that he might begin the first fight which being granted him he was so ill intreated by the Giant that euen in the first encounter he ouerthrew him so mainely and his horse vpon him that both their neckes were broken in the fall Whereat my husband beeing offended thinking to reuenge the losse of his sonne ran against Balan and brake his Lance manfully on his Shield yet the Giant stirred no more at the shock then if his bodie had beene a huge and strong Tower But as my husband perfected his carrire hee tooke him by the arme and in despight of all hee could doe to the contrarie lifted him out of his saddle and carried him into his Castle without any more harme done to him but shutting him vp in a chamber and I and my daughter with him Pondering there on our great misfortune hauing lost the life of my sonne my husband daughter and my selfe imprisoned and our seruants no way able now to sted vs I fell into sad complaints and spake so loude as it seemed that the Giant heard me All good king Perion said I if thou or any of thy sonnes were heere I am sure our wrongs would bee quickly reuenged but I knowe you are all too farre hence When the Giant had heard my wordes and the Kings name hee demanded of me what knowledge I had of him and whether he was the father to one named Amadis de
hast done was it in thy power to recall my life if death had pleaded possion of it Or how canst thou excuse this treason in pursuing that villanie which thou hast so impudently begunne against a worthy Knight who had not entred vpon my land but vnder the assurance of my worde Didst thou euer know hitherto that for any thing hapning to me I was any way false or iniurious in my promise Haue I not euermore iustly kept my word to my power as valuing it farre aboue thee or the deare esteeme of mine owne life By the faith I beare to God but that nature somewhat speakes for thee thou shouldest instantly bee hanged ouer my Castle wall as an example to all such villaines as thou art enemies to truth and vertue Take him take the wretch binde him hand and foote and so bear him to the Knight then tell him from mee thus I haue sent the traytour that not only abused him but mee much more and say I entreate him to take such vengeance on him for vs both as hee hath worthily deserued Not any man among them durst euer contradict what hee had cammanded wherfore Brauor was presently seased on strictly bound and so carried thence to Amadis But his mother fearing least such seuerity might be fall him as Balan had vrged and knowing also what wrong the Knight had receiued departed secretly out of the chamber and ranne after her sonne Neuerthelesse she was not so swift of foot but Brauor was presented to Amadis before shee came and in such manner as the Giant had appointed Whereof notwithstanding Amadis made small account but pardoned him honourably and vntied his bonds himselfe euen as the good Ladie came to him whom she presently knew for hee had taken off his Helmet because it was ouer burdenous to him but shee could not imagine how he would deale with her sonne Brauor wherefore shee threw her selfe at his feet and weeping said Alas Lord Amadis doe you not know me Now albeit he very wel remembred her and that shee was the sister to Gandalack yet for a while he would not let her perciue so much but somewhat fiercely answered Ladie I know not who or what you are and desire neuer to come among such bad and wicked people as I haue mette withall in this place Alas Sir said shee if you thinke it meet that I shall conceale your name I am well contented to doe it neuerthelesse I know you to bee Lord Amadis de Gaule brother to Galaor whom I so dearly affect as in honour of him and for his sake I humbly entreate you to pittie and pardon my sonne These wordes moued his noble heart to such coÌ„passion as he could no longer dissemble his displeasure but taking the Lady gently from the ground he thus spake to her Madame my brother my selfe haue receiued such benefits curtesies from Gandalack your Father as I would hazard my person to any perill yea euen to my very latest gaspe to doe him the best seruice consisting in my power or any of his friends for his sake But as concerning your Sonne these men here present know right well that I pardoned him before you could come to begge it of me nay more I vnbound him with mine owne hands before your arriuall without desiring any other reuenge on him but only on such as maintaine wicked and vnlawfull customes Among whom I name your â—usband as the chiefest man whose knowledge of my name I care not for because he may hold himselfe well assured that I will neuer depart froÌ„ this Isle vntil he haue satisfied the lady that came hither with me And therfore if he be so iust and true of his word as he would haue it appeare by open publication let him meete mee in place conuenient for vs both and then he shall know whether he was carried away from mee by right or wrong after I had obtained the mastery ouer him Againe she fell vpon her knees saying beleeue me sir hee will doe you reason in any thing you can demand of him as you may well perceiue that hee was vtterly ignorant in that which his people haue done contrary to his worde For then hee had neither sence nor vnderstanding which may well serue in his excuse Wherefore I sweare to you vpon my faith that if you please to goe along with me to him because he cannot by any meanes come to you before you part one from another I doubt not but you will bee reconciled louing friends Madam answered Amadis I haue not any susption of you But I greatly doubt the condition of Gyants who are coÌ„monly little gouerned by reasoÌ„ but carried away only by furie and crueltie It is true Sir quoth shee and yet notwithstanding I know his goodnesse to bee such as you may well cred it him on mine assurance Your word â—hen answered Amadis shall be my warrant And so I will goe along with you So lacing on his helmet fastening his shield about his neck and grasping his Sword fast in his fist he entred the Castle with the wife to Balan who quickly had aduertisement of their arriuall and therfore requested the knights presence in his chamber No sooner were they entred but the Giant raysed himselfe on his bed so well as hee could saying that he was most heartily welcome Balan answered Amadis I know not how thou meanest but I haue iust occasion to complaine of the villanie offered me by thy men being come vpon thy words warrant to combat with thee and vrge reason for thy wrong to the Lady that conducted me hither And albeit I had the better of thee yet cowardly they assaulted me although I thinke it was not done by thy command being then in disposition not to doe it But be it howsoeuer seeing thy Iustice vpon thine owne Sonne I acquit both thee and them also but not in the case of right appertayning to the Lady for death it selfe cannot hinder me from my duty in her behalfe which makes mee the more louingly dersie thee to giue her contentment Otherwise I must bee constrayned to finish vpon thy Bodie that which I haue already begunne a matter much displeasing to mee for Gandalacks sake whom I dearely affect esteem to whom as I am enformed thou art nearely allied in some nature of affinity Knight replyed Balan although my extreamity of griefe is such to see my selfe vanquished by one Knight only as death would be a thousand times more welcome to me yet both these are of no value at all with me in regard of that dishonour acted by my sonne and seruants And did my strength so much fauour me as but to execute mine owne determinations thou shouldest sufficiently perceiue how farre the power of my word extendeth For the instant I could doe no lesse or yeeld thee any better testimony of my truth then deliuer him into thy power that began so foule and iniurious an offence albeit he is of no meane esteem both to me
the World with him from his mothers wombe and surely in mine opinion they are the very same Notwithstanding if you had not quickned my memorie I should neuer haue thought on it And therefore make no complaint of your Fortune if you faile in this enterprise because for ought I can perceiue you haue begot him that must carrie this honor from you Amadis musing to himselfe while suddenly starting said I am of your minde for so haue I gathered by the Table on the Image of Brasse Return we then back againe quoth Grasandor and leaue the rest to bee ended by him to whom the destenies haue made their promise So we must bee inforced to doe saide Amadis albeit I am somewhat offended that I may not carrie away his sword with mee By my faith replied Grasandor if you should offer to get it your hinderance may be more then you imagine and yet it may fal out not to proue so good a sword as your owne Moreouer when I consider how you obtained it neuer could any Knight attaine to a fairer fortune nor more beseeming a man than yours was then This hee spake in regard that Amadis wonne it by approouing himselfe to bee the most loyall and perfect louer that euer loued according as in the Second booke of this Historie hath been oftentimes declared vnto yee Hereupon they returned backe by the same way they came and passing againe among the Antiquities Amadis stayed there a while better to beholde them The more hee looked on them the more hee commended their rare perfections both in moldings friezes chapters lying among the ruines of those famous buildings And no way could hee turne his eye but he beheld many fractures of singular carued parsonages the very muscles obserued to the life and such perspectiue where occasion required it that in his opinion it relished more of some diuinitie then to be performed by the skill of man in workemanship As hee continued in these meditations a knight armed with a white Armour and holding his sworde ready drawen came to them courteously saluting them as they did the like to him Then he demanded of theÌ„ whether they were of the Enclosed Isle or no We are answered Grasandor but why doe you moue that question Because quoth the other I found a Batque beneath and men therein who tolde mee that two Knights belonging to the Pallace of Apolidon were ascended vp this Rocke but they concealed their names from mee as I did mine from them Nor desire I any thing else but peace and friend-shippe with them beeing casually come hither in pursuite of a knight who by trompery is escaped from mee with a Damosell forcibly carried away by him Friend said Grasandor in courtesie let me entreate you to take off your Helmet or to tell vs your name If you will swear to me replied the Knight whether you know my Lord Amadis or no and that you will doe the like to mee I am well contented otherwise you speake but in vaine By my faith quoth Grasandor we are two of the best friends hee hath and therefore you may well be knowen to vs. So the Knight disarmed his head saying You may now knowe mee well enough if you be such as you haue sworne your selues to mee Hardly had hee concluded his wordes but Amadis ran and caught him in his armes saying Brother Gandalin is it possible that fortune should cause vs to meet in this maner Much amazed was Gandalin to see himselfe thus embraced and by a man vnknowne to him and vnable to coniecture who he should be wherefore Grasandor suddenly said Why how now Gandalin Haue you forgotten your Lord Amadis Amadis answered Gandalin may it bee possible Then falling on his knee whether he would or no hee kissed his hand before Amadis could any way preuent him but then demanded of him how and by what meanes he came thither Beleeue me my Lords replied Gandalin your equalls in loyalty of affection would gladly know as much concerning you as you now demand of me you being as farre from them as this place is from their abyding Neuerthelesse to giue you content I will declare the whole truth vnto you Know then that being with Bruneo and others who are yet in conquering the countries of Arauigne Sansuegua returning from a cruell battayle which the Kings Nephew gaue vs at our entrance and wherein many worthy men lost their liues one day among other a Damosell belonging to the kingdom of Norway attired all in black came into the Tent of Agraies desiring him on her knees in no mean plenty of teares to giue her rescue in a wrong done vnto her Agraies causing her to rise and sit downe by him demanded the cause of her sad complaint and hee would redresse it so much as lay in him to doe Alas Sir quoth she you haue good reason to helpe mee because I am both a subiect and seruant to the King who is father to Madame Olinda your wife for whose sake and honour I desire you to assist mee with one of your Knights for recouery backe of my daughter whom the Lorde of the great Tower on the Sea shoare hath forcibly taken from mee being thereto onely emboldened because I would not giue him her in mariage And my reason is in regarde hee is neither so noble nor descended of so good a house as my husband was but rather is of base and seruile condition vsurping the place he possesseth vpon his neighbours whom he hath since expelled The father to my daughter was brother to Don 〈…〉 honour 〈…〉 of Great Brittaine 〈…〉 I at any meanes for the recoâ—… of her without you because notwithstanding all the earnest entreaties I haue vâ—ed to him the wicked man is so cruelly minded as hee doth dayly deny mee so that my dayes can haue no long continuance except by Armes he be compelled to restore her Damosell answered Agraies why doth not your King do you iustice as in right to him belongeth My Lord quoth she he is so ouerspent in yeares and decayed in bodie as hee is not able to gouerne himself or any other neither doth hee euer come forth of his bedde only through his extreamitie of age and sicknesse The man then you speaks of replyed Agraies is his abyding farre from hence No Sir quoth shee in lesse space then a day and a halfe the winde sitting conueniently wee may by Sea easily sayle thither Then I made tender of my seruice as willing to goe along with the Lady But my Lord Agraies would not consent thereto except I made him faithfull promise of returning backe againe to him after I should haue combated the Knight without attempting any further if with honour I might safely doe it My promise made to that effect and I sufficiently furnished I went aboard with the Damosell in a Barque which shee had purposely brought with her and the Sea was so calme and fauourable to vs that on the morrow about mid-day we
comfort her Only they pitied her distresse and she often looking on Grumedan with an eye that truely spake sorrow froÌ„ her heart saide An Grâ—medan if euer thou didst mee any seruice now when I finde my selfe forsaken of all hope and neuermore to receiue any the least pleasue I pray thee giue ende to my griefes by some sudden way to death which will hee highly welcome to mee especially by thy hand rather then liuing longer iâ— such languisâ—…g as I doe But Grâ—medan to alter 〈◊〉 desperate disposition in her comforted her in the best manner hee could but all would not passe for currant payment it proued rather to encrease her anguish more and more In which regarde both hee and the rest compassed the meanes for conuaying her to the nearest village sending immediately to the Cittie for skilfull Phisitions who found her so feeble and such a debility in her vnderstanding as they stood greatly in doubt of her recouerie Neuerthelesse they expressed their paines so diligently applying such cordialls and other soueraigne comforts as within two daies she began to 〈◊〉 knowledge againe And calling for Grumedan after some few â—…des passing between them hee saide vnto her Beleeue 〈…〉 you doe not well to take 〈◊〉 â—n such sort as you doe considering I haue heard you say an hundred times that the vertue of prudence 〈…〉 not to be discerned in any person but in such as are most solicited with sorrowes and afflictions Whereby plainely appeareth that the counsell you were wonte to giue to others is now most necessarie for your selfe Are you now to learne that Fortune hath two daughters the one called by many Fâ—… the other Infelicity If 〈◊〉 hath kept companie with you all your life time till now and Infelicitie comes to visite you in her steed arme your self as becomes a vertuous Queene with the deâ—encible weapons of courage wisedome and constancy euen to enter the lists with the mother herselfe which will so daunt her vnhappy daughter as shee will â—e 〈◊〉 to follow you any longer but giue you ouer euen in the open 〈◊〉 Consider good Madame what I say vnto you because otherwise I â—oreâ—ee two necare approaching and irreparable accidents threatning danger to you the one is vâ—â—er perdition of your selfe and the other of my Lord the King if at his returne hee findes you dead Say he should be lost why these are but wordes for hee cannot bee so closely hidden but he will be seen And if wee can heare no speedy tidings of him either in this country or else where yet his captiuity in any prison cannot be so strong but by the helpe of your Subiects and fauour of your friends and kinsemen he will be quickly thence deliuered And therfore I beseech you Madam setting aside these sorrows which threaten danger to you you would round engirt your selfe with good Councell and comfort to reach the height of that which is much more needfull for you in this case The Queen liking this discourse yeelded to Grumedans aduise and thereupon purposed to send Brandoynas to Amadis to let him vnderstand the Kings losse and in what extreamity she her selfe was by him she sent this Letter following The Letter from Queene Brisena to Lord Amadis My Lord and Sonne if heretofore the estate of King Lisuart your Father hath beene defended and augmented by your meanes a season better now then euer presents it selfe for your employment considering the perill prepared for him to keepe and preserue all still in perfect condition For some small while since by his enemies as it appeareth most likely he is carried away and imprisoned none of vs knowing where or why which makes mee beleeue that but vpon occasion of a farre greater enterprise this Treason would neuer haue beene vndertaken Now because it is a matter concerning you next to my selfe more then aâ—â— other I haue sent to aduertise you there-of by Brandoynas this bearer who hath seene and vnderstands all and who can acquaint you with my instant aistresse better then I am able to set it downe in wrighting Wherefore I pray you to credit him as my selfe and consider on the rest Your wofull Mother Queene Brisena This Letter written and deliuered to Brandoynas he set on towards Amadis and the Queene with her company went directly to London to call a councell and set all things in order Here you are to vnderstand that soone after the romor of the Kings losse spreâ—d it selfe so liberally in all places that Quedragant Bruneo and the rest being then in Sansuegua had intelligence there-of and they honorably considering what preiudice might redound therby to Amadis if any neede should happen in Great Brittaine concluded on the speedy goeing to the Enclosed Isle to vndertake whatsoeuer hee should command them Here-upon hauing planted Garisons in all needefull places they sayled thence with so faire a winde that they landed at the Pallace of Apolidon the very same day as Brandoynas arriued there As Amadis was comforting Oriana by reason of the news formerly receiued the comming of these Knightes was made known to him but hee being loath to leaue the Princesse alone intreated Grasandor to goe meete them and acquaint them with the occasion of his staying behinde which accordingly he performed finding them in good forwardnesse on the way Then he declared to them what hee had receiued in charge from Amadis desiring them to excuse him if this day did not alow them to see him but early the next morning hee intended to visite them Now because the affaires they came about required some speed dilligence they entred into Councell and Brandoynas was called before them all where amply he declared what he could say concerning the Kings losse and in what dangerous condition hee had left the Quene Many opinions passed among them but at length it was resolued that they all should pursue the quest of him both by Sea and Land hoping Fortune would be no lesse fauourable to them herein then heereto-fore shee had beene in the like attempts Scarcely had they concluded on this deliberation but one of their Squires came and tolde them that a Ladie was come forth of the great Serpent and in their opinion it was Vrgania the Vnknowen If it be shee said Amadis then the case will goe well with vs. So they all set forwarde and met her almost at the Parkes entrance mounted on a goodly Palfrey which her two Dwarffes led by the bridle reines The first she addressed her selfe vnto was Galaor whom shee kindly saluted and all the rest and being in the midst among them she thus began How now Lords did not I lately tell you that I should finde you heere againe assembled in this place about some businesse then vnknowne to you You did Madame answered Galaor I remember it very well so doth Madame Oriana likewise who wil not be a little ioyfull for your ariuall And partly to comfort her quoth shee is the cause of my now comming So they entred
propound it And it fell out so fortunatly that the very same day desire of conference was vrged by the other side with offer of rendring the place Prouided that the king would permit him and his people freely to depart and such prisoners as hee deteyned with an agreement of truce for two whole yeares if he liked to allow thereof Vpon many entercourses passing on either side the offer was accepted and truce concluded so that the King the very same day entred the Towne And as Madasima presented him the keyes humblie casting her selfe at his feete teares streaming abundantly from her eyes she said Alas Sir if euer pitty found place in your Princely brest let it now appeare and take compassion on a poore dis-inherited Lady This humiliation of hers wonne such power in all the knights there present as there was no one of them but gladly made tender of his seruice in her behalfe Especially Galaor who vndertook the mater for her speaking thus to the King Vpon my faith Sir respect in this case is very needfully required and if euer in my life I did yee any acceptable seruice let me now humbly entreate and to my vttermost possibility that for my sake you would be gracious to her Trust me Galaor answered the King if I should recompence your high deseruings the Exchequer of all my vttermost were not able to doe it So calling Galuanes hee thus proceeded Galuanes at the request of Galaor and hoping withall that heereafter you wil acknowledge the fauour I afford ye I giue this Country to you and Madasima which against my liking you haue vsurped and now against your will is to me rendred See therfore that hereafter you declare your selues to bee better aduised both you yours to vse homage fidelity to me according as you ought to do in duty Most humbly did Galuanes giue thankes to the King swearing instantly the oath of alleageance and the Army hauing taken refreshing for the space of seuen or eight daies the King commanded preparation to depart thence So on the Sunday following earely in the morning after Masse they went aboord their Shippes accompanied with Galuanes and many more to take their farewell Ankers being weighed their sayles hoysed they set forth to the maine Sea the windes seruing them so prosperously that in fewe dayes without any disaster they arriued in the Porte and hauen of Graâ—edonia where the Queene and Ladies wayted and attended in expectation of their returne And there for this time will we leaue them together and declare what happened to Amadis who abode in Gaule to heare tydings from them CHAP. V. How Amadis being with his Father King Perion found himselfe subiect to ouermuch melancholy to be so farre sundered from his Oriana And contrarywise Bruneo was highly contented hauing so apt occasision to see and conferre with his Melicia at what time himselfe pleased And of their seuerall enterprises to satisfie their owne humours and fancies AFter that King Cildadan and Galaor had left Amadis in Gaule he became much more solitary then euer hee had beene for the company of Bruneo was now grown incoÌ„patible to him being so diuersly intreated in their affections Because Bruneo enioyed almost whatsoeuer his soule desired beholding daylie the Princesse Melicia whom he so dearely affected that all things else slipt beside his remembrance On the contrary Amadis being so far distant from his Oriana all pleasures whatsoeuer were to him irkesome and tedious which caused him to refraine all company the better to conforme himselfe to solitude It chanced on a day being walking alone his Squire onely excepted in the Forrest and neare to the Sea side hee cast his eye towards Great Brittain and espyed a Ship making in to the Port which Ship hee supposed to come from London whereupon hee presently commanded Gandalin to goe know of whence it was and hee seated himself in the meane while vnder a spreading Tree to enter into his wonted lamentations Leaning his head vpon his left arme and sending a pittious looke towards the Country where formerly he had found such sweete entertainment breathing foorth a vehement sigh thus he began Poore vnfortunate Amadis is it possible for thee to continue long in this torment Alas if Loue heeretofore was fauourable to thee he now makes thee pay too deare vsury for it What said I Loue O no it is not Loue not is Loue the cause thereof but mine owne mis-fortune that being enuious of thy sweete ease and felicity forged and enforced the Kings discontentment therby to be thy vtter ruine by losse of her sight on whom depended thy life and onely happines which is a burden more vnsupportable for thee to beare then if a thousand deathes were imposed on thee together But no beatitude is destinied to me and I may well bee ashamed to wishe it considering Oriana would be too much offended thereby Why then shall I couet any such euill she neuer affoording mee but grace and fauour For the very least sadnesse that I can suffer shee feeles it euen as sensibly as mine owne soule These complaints were accompanied with such floods of teares that maine riuolets ranne downe his cheekes leauing him vnable along while to vtter foorth one word As hee continued in these passions a dart flewe hard by his eare whereof hee tooke no care so much was his minde addicted elsewhere But Gandalin returning then towards him espied in a bushie thicket a Giantesse of immeasurable stature preparing to let flye another dart at his Master whereupon hee cryed out aloud to him and Amadis suddenly starting demanded the reason of his clamour Why Master quoth he doe yee not see yonder deuil that endeauors to wound yee And so shewed him the Giantesse towards whom Amadis directed his steppes but she fled away thwart the Forrest running as swiftly as a Hart and in her flight recouered Amadis his horse whereon mounting her selfe she thus cryed out Know Amadis that I am thine ancient enemy Andadone the Giantesse of the Sad Isle who tels thee plainely that if I cannot compasse mine intent yet time shall let thee know how much I loue thee When Amadis perceiued that it was a woman whom hee had pursued he would follow her no further but commaunded Gandalin to doe it and to kill her if he could Gandalin obeyed his Lords command and laboured earnestly till he ouer-tooke her In which time as Amadis was sitting downe againe vnder the tree with intent to recommence his former complaints hee espyed Enill otherwise called Durin whom Gandalin had found abord the Ship that his Master had sent before to enquire of Whereupon Amadis ranne and embraced him demaunding what good newes hee had brought from Great Brittaine My Lord quoth he Madame Oriana most kindly commends her selfe to ye and sends ye this Letter which instantly he deliuered to him Amadis perceiuing that she reposed trust in Enill bade him discouer what she had further commaunded him My Lord answered Enill
she intirely entreateth you that you would grieue so little as possible may be in this Country and not to depart hence vntill you shall heare further tydings from her And she also certifies you by me that your linage is encreased by the birth of a gallant sweet Sonne which my Sister and I haue conueyed to safe nursing but he w̄as wary enough in discouering the maner of his losse Great was the ioy and comfort of Amadis to vnderstand such pleasing newes from Oriana howbeit her command that he should not part thence was somewhat irksome to him because it might bee presumed by sinister iudgments that either neglect or lack of courage had driuen him to this retired kinde of life Neuerthelesse happen whatsoeuer might to him hee concluded not to transgresse a iote of her charge and command As Enill had ended his discourse Gandalin returned who had slaine the Giantesse and brought her head hanging at his saddle bow Amadis was very glad to behold it and desired to know in what manner he had done it My Lord quoth Gandalin I pursuing her very closely and shee gallopping on the horse which she had stollen from you as hoping to shippe her selfe before I should ouertake her the poore horse was so weake in the backe being ouercharged with the loade of so huge a deuill as I imagined hee had broken his neck with falling downe vnder her At which apt opportunity I instantly arriued and before she had power to recouer her selfe I was her deaths-man as this testimony there-of may well witnesse to ye By my troth said Amadis this will bee a goodly present for Bruneo therfore wee will returne to the Court and there shalt thou haue the honour of deliuering it As for thee my deare friend Enill without being seene any where else I would haue thee returne to my gracious Princesse and giue her to know that I most humbly thanke her for her Letter as also for thy further message from her But yet I entreate her to take some pitty and respect on mine honor in compelling me to leade an idle life here Neuerthelesse I will be obedient to her in any thing and all my dayes are dedicated solely to her seruice And yet I very well know that no man can by vertue winne himselfe such renowne and reputation but time and mens malice will disgrace him on the very least occasion offered Goe then in Gods Name to whose safe protection I commend thee and doe my humble duty to my sacred Goddesse So returned Enill to his Shippe and Amadis to the Court to his friend Bruneo who was much better healed of his late receiued hurt then of his old loue-sicke languishing the fire whereof still more and more encreased the flame of his torment Which he well perceiuing and that he could not as yet reach the height of his intent without much losse of time and hard endeauour as a purgation to such slothful negligence and the better to enlarge his knighthoods reputation he resolued to visite strange Countries in search of aduentures and to accomplish such actions of Armes that his fame might speake it selfe in all places Hereupon so soone as the Giantesse head had bin shewen him Amadis and he walking aside together he thus spake Trust me my Lord the youth of my yeares and the slender esteem whereinto I haue hitherto liued especially among knights of fame and merit doth instantly incite me to forsake this loytring life of ease and pleasure and vndergoe another more painful yet profitable to ranke my selfe with men of so high estimatiō And therfore I humbly besech you that if you haue any disposition to seeke after aduentures you would be pleased to accept of my company or else to licence my departure alone for I must bee gone to morrow morning very earely When Amadis heard these words and remembred the iniunction so strictly imposed on him by the Letter from Oriana which Enill formerly had brought him he grew extreamely offended yet both dissembling his distemper and excusing himselfe to Bruneo he thus answered Beleeue me deare Friend I haue all my life-time beene desirous of such company as yours being well assured that nothing but honour and happines could then happen to me But the conference I haue had so lately with the King and his strict imposition for my not leauing his Country as yet abridgeth me of your association then which nothing can be more displeasing to me Wherefore I desire you to hold me excused not doubting but that the hand of Heauen will euery where defend ye Bruneo seeing himselfe thus dispatched by Amadis went to visite Melicia whom he acquainted with the reason of his sudden departing entreating her to continue gracious vnto him because hee preferred her fauour before all things else whatsoeuer Melicia discreetly answered him that shee must wholly encline her will according as pleased the King and Queene to dispose of her assuring him neuerthelesse that he was the Gentleman whom before all other shee could willingly accept as her husband if so be it stood as well with their liking As he and shee continued this conference taking gracious and amiable farewells of each other the king entred to whom Bruneo addressing himselfe he declared the occasion of his departure Which the King allowed to bee both good and reasonable and because it grew some-what late and a seasonable houre for rest and repose all was referred till the next morning for more ample parting discourse Bright day no sooner beganne to appeare but Bruneo armed himselfe at all points afterward going to heare Masse deuoutely And as hee was ready to mounte on horsebacke the King and Amadis came to him conducting him forth of the Citie where they committed him to God and all good fortune wherein it seemed he prooued so prosperous that in short time hee finished so many rare aduentures as would require larger scope then heere is limited beside it is not materiall to the purpose which wee labour to continue Returne we therefore to Amadis who hauing already soiourned in Gaule three moneths and an halfe while King Lisuart made his warre in the Isle of Mongaza and his reputation being much diminished by his discontinuance from Armes so that euery tongue babled to his disaduantage especially Ladies and Damosels who came from all parts in quest of him and not finding him returned so highly discontented that they laide on him many blamefull imputations which came continually to his eare Neuerthelesse for any respect in the world whatsoeuer he would not disobey the command of the Princesse Oriana but rather chose to vndergo those taxations of disgrace till King Lisuart returned into Great Brittaine again Who receiued tydings at his arriuall that his enemies were already passed into the Isle of Lionine and euen vpon entrance into his Country Now albeit he appeared to make small reckoning thereof before his own people as being fearefull to distaste them yet afterward his minde was farre otherwise busied But especially