passage not a little wondring where and how shee had found it Approching neerer to her in threatning manner hee thus spake to her Cruell beast who made thee so bold to offer iniurie to a creature sent by God into the world to doe him seruice and honour It is no food for thee or thy whelpes The Lyonnesse seemed to bee fearefull and euen as if she had vnderstood the commaund of Nascian couched downe presently on the ground and moouing her eares and taile in louing manner layde downe the infant and beganne to lick it Then the good olde man tooke it vp in his armes and in blessing it said Alas little Babe thy mother that hath thus vnmercifully left thee is well worthy to be curssed of God The childe beganne to cry and make much moane which mooued the aged man to such compassion that the teares streamed aboundantly downe his reuerend beard And not knowing how to quiet it with any present sustenance concluded in the end to driue the Lyonnesse into her denne and there to suckle it among her whelpes which as hee did hee said I commande thee by the power of God to whom all things liuing doe owe obedience that thou giue nourishment to his creature and to bee as carefull of it as to any of thine owne The Lyonnesse made no refusall but suffred the child to suck so long as it listed and then the Hermit taking it from her carried it a long with him louingly to his Hermitage Presently hee sent for his Sister to come to him to aduise what should be done with the child and his young Nephew was dilligent in the businesse but fortune was so contrarie that hee found not his mother at home because the day before shee and her husband was gon to a village somewhat farre off so as they could not be returned in the space of eight whole dayes During which time Nascian found himselfe much encombred for hee was but badly acquainted with the office of a Nursse and therefore finding no other remedie till they were returned he made his best meanes by the Lyonnesse as also a faire Ewe that had newly eaned and these holpe to foster our poore forsaken infant But returning now to Durin thinking to finde the child at the fountaine where he had left it he was greatly astonished when he perceiued his purpose defeated Neuerthelesse he so earnestly endeuoured to know what was become of it that at last he found the tracke of the Lyonnesse which had carried it thence and presuming that she had deuoured it in mournfull teares he returned to his Sister She vnderstanding this haplesse fortune fell downe as one entranced and breathing forth many pittifull lamentations 〈…〉 ssed the houre of her owne birth hauing lost thus all her hope and comfort wretch that I am quoth she what shall I doe where shall I bestow my selfe what answere shall I make to my Lady when shee heares of this misfortune O deare God wouldst thou permit so yong a creature to perish that neuer in it selfe offended thee It is I that am iustly worthy of the seuearest punishment and I would that this mishap had falne vpon my selfe for life is now but loathsome to mee Sweet Babe thy Father euen as yong as thou beganne to proue the dangers of this world and yet our Lord in his great goodnesse pleased to preserue him But thy mis-fortune is much more strange then his because when he was left to the mercie of the waues Gandales in a happy houre met with him and afterward did foster him as euery one well knoweth But alas little darling thou didst fall into the mercy of a brute beast that had no more pitty then his owne nature gouerned and so didst thou finish thy dayes before they were wel neere begunne These lamentations were sleeped in many floods of teares Durin being no way able to comfort her because for a long while death more appeared in her then life NotwithstaÌ„ding he knew so wel how to manage arguments of reason that hauing somewhat preuailed ouer her passion he thus spake to her Sister it may so fall out that heauen hath beene gracious to him in pitty for many other haue beene borne away by wilde beasts and yet afterward attained to great perfection Therefore the best way is to comfort your selfe for you may doe yet many seruices to the Princesse and to Lord Amadis who in loosing you shall sustaine a double losse What would you aduise me quoth shee to do marie this answered Durin that we mounting both vpon your horses 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ce to Mirefleure and soiouâ—â—e there two or three dayes before wee doe returne to Court. And when your Lady enquireth concerning her childe you may tell her listening somwhat to the counsell of Mabila that he is in the gouernment of a very good Nurse This aduice being allowed for good they departed thence taking the direct roade way to Mirefleure where they remained for a time before they would returneâ— to the Court and there let vs leaue them we going backe againe to the good olde Hermite About tenne dayes after hee had sent for his Sister shee came vnto him accompanied onely with her husband Then he declared to her how and in what manner he did find the childe in the deuouring mouth of the Lyonesse carying it as food for her young ones but by Gods permission hee recouered it from her and awayâ—â—g for the time of her comming to him the Lyonnesse and an Ewe had suckled and nourished it Wherefore Sister quoth he questionlesse our Lord hath reserued it for his seruice preseruing it from such dreadfull danger in which respect let me entreate you to prouide for it hereafter and bring it vp till it bee capable of such learning as I will teach him And if it be the will of Heâ—uen to blesse him with long life I make no doubt but he will prooue a worthy man and acknowledge the good which wee shall doe for him Then the Hermite brought her where the Infant lay sleeping vpon a bedde of leaues and mosse and shee no sooner saw him but his very appearance pleased her beyond measure and she asked of him what was his name In troth quoth he that is as yet vnknowne to me but to cleare vs of all doubt I will presently baptiâ—e him And so hee willed her to vnswaddle him and she espying the Caracters vnder his brests shewed them to the Hermite He bestowed such paines to vnderstand them that hee found this word Esplandian in Latine letters but his skill reached not so far as the Greeke Hereupon perswading himselfe that he brought his name from his mothers wombe hee would not rob him of it but confirmed it by Baptisme naming him Esplandian and so was he afterward knowne in many strange Countries where he broght to end many great aduentures as we shall reade heere-after But for the present wee spare to speake of them let it therefore suffise ye that the child being christened
caried not this comfort farre for Bruneo ioyned with him suddenly and reached him such a mighty stroake on the Helmet as made him sit staggerring on his horse by which aduantage catching fast holde on his Gorget hee drew him so strongly to him that downe hee fell to the ground amazedly There lay the Knight shaking quaking while Bruneo diuerse times couruetted his horse ouer him euen as if hee meant to tread him in peeces as indeede hee had done but that he cryed out to him for mercy Arise then said Bruneo and see if thy companion be dead or no. The Knight beeing full of paine rose quakingly vp and comming to the other tooke off his Helmet when receiuing ayre hee began to breath Lift him vp saide Bruneo into thine owne saddle and sit behinde to supporte him vppe which the Knight accordingly did Then looking about hee sawe that the young Prince his guide were fled but they returned againe vpon fight of the victory and being come to him hee said to the Kings sonne My Lord heere I present you two prisoners aduise with your selfe whether I shall pardon them or put them to death before your face for more terrour to the rest that followe the treacherous Duke their Master Sir Knight replyed the Prince they should not pay penance for this offence I pray you send them backe to the Campe where if they will become ours I will cause them to be as well respected as lies in my power to doe This aduise was wel liked by Bruneo and much did hee commend the wisedome and good minde of the young Prince wherfore vpon receipt of their fidelity they rode together to the Citie Aumenta where they were no sooner ariued but the inhabitants knew both the guide their young Lord. Wherupon in a very small time all the people assembled about him to kisse his hand and offred him the very vttermost of their power whereof Bruneo being very ioyfull spake vnto them in this manner worthy Citizens the loue which you haue shewen to this young Prince your true and lawfull Lord bindeth him to you in endeared affection so long as hee shall liue and the trust which he reposeth in you should binde you to loue and honour him You see hee is but young and hath small meanes to expell the enemy out of your limits and that enemie as you all well knowe murdered by treason your late good and royall King Since when vsurping on the kingdome hee hath besieged the chiefest Cittie and keepeth his strength as yet so near about it that without your ayde it is in danger of vtter spoyle and ruine with all the noble Citizens and good Knights abyding therein Wherefore worthie Lords and Citizens now that occasion so louingly offers herselfe by returne of the Queene your royali Mistresse who hath brought with her three Knights of the Enclosed Isle whereof I am one conclude among your selues to reuenge such iniuries as you haue receiued by the traytor and doe so much that your legittimate Lords may be re-seated in their rights And this I dare assure you if you will follow me that I shall haue the meanes to surprise both him and his Army yea vtterly to ouerthrowe them only by the helpe of my companions who are alreadie within the Cittie and they will not faile to issue foorth so soone as I shall giue them the signall As thus hee continued on his Oration there ariued two peasants who came in great hast from the camp to aduertise theÌ„ of this citie for certaine That the besieged knights and Cittizens had made a fallie forth in the night vpon the Watch whom they had slaine as also a great number more before they could bee any way succoured Moreouer that the Duke himselfe was beaten downe from his horse taken led away prisoner into the Cittie by two strange knights as the report went Hereof said these fellows there neede no doubt to be made because we were in the camp when the Allarm was giuen where we were constrayned to abide by reason of the turbulent night which hindered vs from selling our victualls But wee were neuer in such a feare and not without great reason considering that the Souldiers were and yet are so mightily terrified as they ranne away confusedly striuing who shall get him-selfe first farthest off So helpe mee God said Bruneo these are happy newes Now bestirre your selues my friends let vs forth-with part hence and pursue them in the rere that wee may the sooner send them packing At these words euery man cryed to Armes but Bruneo vpon better aduice deferred this hast vntill the euening to the end they might come vpon them vnprouided in the meane while they went to receiue some sustentation that they might the better march away in the night His adâ—uice was geeerally allowed and they all resolued to liue and die with him Hereupon the houre for their departing being come they were all marshalled in order and each battalion appointed marching on in good order towards the Campe and about break of day they came neere it within a quarter of a league Then Bruneo by fiering of a Beacon gaue a signall to them of the Cittie aduertising them thereby what hee intended But the Dukes watch perceiuing it presently sent intelligence to their Captaines who doubting some immediat danger and not forgetting the precedent night and great losse caused their bagge and baggage closely to bee trussed vp and raysed their siedge so speedily as they were gone three leagues off before any knowledg could be had of them or where they were But so soone as these newes came to Angriote and Bruneo they and their people mounted on horse-backe to follow them finding them very conueniently driuing all their luggage before them then they beganne to skirmish each against other and although the harquebuziers kept themselues behind with the greater part of the Horse yet were they so sharpely charged by them of the Cittie that they fell from their ranckes and ranne into great disorder By meanes wherof very many lost their liues a great number were taken prisoners and more had receiued much greater damage but that they rallied them-selues together againe and kept in a fast combination Angriote well obseruing this and calling to minde that the pursuite of a desperat enemie causeth often times the losse of a battaile already wonne commanded retreate to bee sounded and the rather beecause darke night approached So returning backe to the Cittie each man betooke himselfe to rest till the next morning concluding then to goe visit the Queene who as you haue already heard remained still aboard her Shippe in expectation of tydings from the Knights of the Enclosed Isle and of her sonnes Accordingly they came thither to her finding her so oppressed with melancholy as no woman possibly could be more But when she saw them in so good disposition vnderstanding also the surprisall of her enemie and dissipation most ruinous of his Campe her soule became
Mariners hoysed their Sayles whereon the windes bestowed their breath so bountifully as they soone lost sight of the Enclosed Island and on the sixt day following about day-breake in the morning they arriued at the Burning Lake where they secretly prepared Bridges and Boates for their easier and speedie landing For they well knew that the Count Latin was there with a great troupe of Knights for defence of the place and notwithstanding all their diligence they were discouered by the watch and intelligence was quickly carried to the Counte and Gâ—ldar de Rascuil who instantly armed their men came to encounter their enemies on the Sea-shore At their meeting there fel an hard conflict on either side the one for landing the other for withstanding and doe what they could the knights of the Enclosed Isle were beaten back to their Shippes Which being noted by Florestan Galuanes Agrayes Orlandin and some others of them they leaped forth into the water and in despight of the Countes people they got landing For they were followed by their friends with such fury as the other side retired falling into a confused rout Which the Counte perceiuing he drew backe faire softly not doubting but to enter the Towne at his owne pleasure But immediatly newes were brought him that the inhabitants had reuoked and that but one Port onely was kept for him Beside that Dandasida Sonne to the aged Giâ—…sse which the day before had beene brought prisoner into the Castle with about twenty other Gentlemen of the Towne had broken open the prisons as the guards laboured to supply the fight at the Sea-side and they haue quoth hee that brought the tidings broken all in peeces striking vp an Alarum in the Towne where the inhabitants haue slaine all them that you left to defend it This report was so dreadfull to the Count Latin and all his followers that they intended to turne backe and flie into the mountaines but considering at length that they might saue themselues by the Port kept yet purposely for them and so fall to some composition with their enemies they resolued on that course and made their retreate Whereupon Galuanes would not pursue them any further but caused his people to draw backe attending till the rest of the army might bee safely landed And as hee was taking order for his campe a Knight came to him being sent from Dandaside to aduertise him that without all further question he and his should bee Lords of the towne and Castle if they pleased to come with their imedeat succour For the Count and his troupes held no more but one sillie Port where they contended to recouer what they had lost and might easily bee disposed of at his pleasure Galuanes wanted no dilligence vpon this aduantage but setting on with his Armie marched directly towards the Towne conducts my Madasima all the way to quicken loue and spirit in his Subiects who came to welcome them with all honour and reuerence Thus the Knights of the Enclosed Isâ—and made their entrance and while the Ladies were conuaied to the Castle Galuanes calced a Councell for bâ—tter direction of what was further to be done and vâ—â—er expelling all his enemies because it appeared that they endeuoured to fortefie their Port which they held Agrayes spake first saying If my aduise bee worthy allowance I would not admit them the least leisure to repaire their decaied fortune but presently begin our assaut so liuely that not a man should possibly escape My Lord Agrayes answered Florestan wee shall doe much better if it like all our company without any further hazard of our men to send them a summons of yeelding them-selues to vs which perhaps they wil gladly accept and it will redound more to our honour then if we proceeded otherwise This opinion was generally commended and Aâ—griâ—â—â— and Grâ—â—â—te appointed as messengers to the Count where giuing 〈◊〉 to vnderstand what they had in charge and assuring him withall that if he did not sodainely yeeld that was the very day of assault and none would then bee admitted to mercie the Count was soone perswaded to submission especially all the rest that tooke part with him beholding their present condition of daunger no meane number of their fellowes being cruelly wounded and the whole Country already reuolted from them Therefore they rather chose to embrace the mercie of such worthy Knights then fondly to stand on the strength of our poore Porâ— or further to tempt their fortune by seeking safety abroade among Country Boores and Peazants This also was well liked by the Knights of the Isle for they were almost all wounded or so shrewdly shaken in the fight which lasted all the day that few were able to endure their Armes Howbeit this ioy was of no long continuance because well nâ—â—re in the same instant newes 〈◊〉 that King Arban of Northwailes and Gasquilan King of Swetia were entred on the Isle with more then a thousand Knights on the behalfe of King Lisuart which fell out to their no little amazement Neuerthelesse they concluded to stand vpon their best defence maintayning the place with their vtmost power and forbearing to fight vntill they had recouered better ability But because wee would not stray too far from Amadis and what ensued to him at his returne to the Enclosed Island with Bruneo wee will leaue these Gallants in expectation of their enemies to tell you that which next succeeded CHAP. II. How Amadis being in the Enclosed Island enquired of Gandales tidings concerning the Court of King Lisuart determining to passe into Gaule with Brunco to shake off his melancholly And of those aduentures which happened to him by a tempest that threw him vpon the Sad Island AFter that the Army by Sea had set saile and Amadis quite lost the sight of them hee and Bruneo returned into the Enclosed Island and because hee had no leisure to enquire of Gandales newes from the Court of King Lisuart by reason of his friends so sodaine departing the very same day walking alone in the garden hee called Gandales vnto him and entreated him to tell him if he saw the Queene and his Cousine Mabila Beleeue me Sir answered Gandales I spake with them both for ought I could perceiue they beare you very kinde affection especially the Queene who desires you by all possible meanes to make your peace with the King Then presenting him the Letter which Mabila had written he further said Madame Oriana and your Cousine Mabila commend them-selues very louingly to you and are much grieued at the hard opinion the King holds of you and Madame Oriana praies yee to remember what kindnesse and respect you some times found in the Court of the King her father and the Letter sent yee by your Cousine will acquaint yee more at large with other tidings Then Amadis turning his backe on Gandales doubting the alteration of his countenance opened the Letter and saw that his linage encreased Oriana being so neere the time
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
the ruin of so beautifull a place without any meanes in me to helpe it As they rode on the way at the entrance of a neere neighbouring Forrest they espied two knights refreshing themselues by the brim of a goodly Spring or Fountaine who seeing the Litter attended by fiue knights and two Damosels they imagined that some wounded body was therin where upon they made toward it to be resolued which when Archalaus perceiued he said Go bid yonder high-way spies come to me and if they make any deniall hew them in pieces but be carefull that you doe not tel them who I am lest they flye away with feare Heere you must note that these two thus sent for by Archalaus were Galaor and his companion Norandel to whoÌ„â—hen the other knights came fiercely they commaunded them to lay downe their Armes and come speake with him that was in the Litter What saucie Sir is hee said Galaor that would haue vs disarme our selues and then come to him You shall know no more then you doe replyed one of the other knights but if yee vse any longer contesting we wil make ye come to him with cudgelling I would laugh at tha tsaid Norandel I am sure you meane not as you say That shal appeare quoth they and so ranne against them but Galaor and Norandel vnhorsed the first two they met withall albeit they all fiue gaue the encounter together and yet could not stirre them in their saddles The fight grew fell and fierce betweene them but the knights belonging to Archalaus were not able to endure the blowes of the other two who tooke such order with them that three of them were slaine out tight and the other fled into the wood to saue themselues whom they resused to follow lest he in the Litter should get away from them in the meane while To the Litter they came found Archalaus left all alone because they that kept him company had quite forsaken him vpon the soile flight of the siue knights only there was a Boy remaining who guided the horses of the Litter Archalaus was not a little amazed to see him-selfe in the power of strangers who might well be reuenged on him for the outrage done them neuerthelesse be thinking himselfe on a sudden subtile shift he saluted them in very humble manner But they being iustly moued with choller comming neere and offering to strike him said Treacherous thiefe is this thy maner of behauiour to knights errant seeking their death that neuer offended theeâ— I sweare by heauen this is the last outrage thou shalt doe to any man liuing Galaor hauing spoken these words lifted vp his arme to smite him but Archalaus in great feare cryed out Alas my Lords for Gods sake mercy Mercy quoth Galaor If Grumedan iudge thee worthy of mercy thou mayest perhaps haue it otherwise not for to him shalt thou goe and by him shall thy vill any be sentenced Worthy Lords answered Archalaus you cannot doe me a greater pleasure then bring mee to my Cousin Grumedan who knowes me to bee another manner of man then you imagine me It is not vnknowne to him that at all times I haue laboured serued and honored Knights errant such as I now perceiue you are When Galaor and Norandel heard him speake so honestly and named Grumedan to be his kinseman they were halfe offended with themselus that they had giuen him such rough language and answered him thus What moued you then to send vs such an iniurious command by your men In good faith my Lords quoth he if you please but to heare me I will acquaint you with the whole truth Know then that as I not long since crossing the For est of the Black Lake I met with a Damosell who made complaint vnto me of a great wrong done her by a knight which my duty and order binding me to repairâ—e I pursued him according to her direction and entring the Combate with him before the Count of Ganceste soyled him But it chanced afterward as I returned hometo my Castell that villaine Traytour which first of all you slew accoÌ„panied with two other knights who lay closely ambushed to entrap me watching their fittest oportunity did all set vpon me and would forcibly compell me to make them Lords and Commanders of mine owne dwelling What shall I more say to ye They followed mee with such violence as notwithstanding all I could doe in my best defence they tooke me and sed me prisoner to a Fortresse not farre hence where they long time detayned mee in the most iniurious manner could be deuised not permitting so much as the dressing of such wounds as I had receiued in fight against them and are heere apparant to your view With these words hee shewed them diuers skarres and hurts And because quoth he they stood in feare lest I should escape froÌ„ them and go to the Court of good King Lisuart there to require ayde and instice of the gentle knight Amadis de Gaule or of his noble Brother Galaor by the suitherance of my Cousin Don Grumedan this very day they had me along with them in this Litter because I was not able to endure trauaile on horse-back purposing to carry me God knowes whether doubting the friendship and helpe of my honourable kinsmen that laboured to release mee out of their thraldome some few dayes since In which respect they no sooner espied you but thinking you to lye in waite for the same occasion they made no conscience in abusing you as they had done mee in most rigorous maner Worthy Sir replied Galaor on the faith of a knight by this discours of yours they were truely villaines For you being kinsman to one of the best-deseruing men in the world your wrongs haue bin too great and vnsufferable But let me entreat you to tell vs your name and to pardon the iniurie wee haue likewise done ye being ignorant of whence and what you were I am named quoth Archalaus Branfiles and know not whether you haue heard of me heere to fore or no. Yes that I haue and vnderstand your merit among the very best answered Galaor in doing all honorable courtesies to knights errant at what time soeuer you can compasse the meanes as Don Grumedan himselfe hath many times told me I am glad of it quoth Archalaus and seeing you haue receiued knowledge of me let me in kindnesse obtaine so much fauour at your hands as to take off your Helmets and to tell me your names that I may returne thankes to my Cousin Grumedan for your extraordinary curtesie This knight saide Galaor my deare friend and companion is called Norandel and he is Sonne to King Lisuart And I am Galaor brother to Amadis de Gaule Happy man that I am answered Archalaus dissemblingly lifting vp his eyes to heauen could any greater felicity befall me then to bee thus relieued with two of the best knights in the world This conference he continued the longer taking good note and obseruation of
and would make vse of him in our hunting When the reuerent man heard him speake so confidently he grew as resolute in perswasion and going neerer to Esplandian saw him kisse the Lyonnesse euen as familiarly as shee had bin a Spaniell Heereupon the Hermite said vnto him Sonne would you giue her somewhat to eate Yea Father answered Esplandian if I had any thing to giue her With that the Hermit tooke out of his Scrip the legge of a Deere which a Hunter had bestowed on him and giuing it to the Lad he threw it to the Lyonnesse saying Heere Dogge eate this The Lyonnesse tooke it and while shee was feeding on it Esplandian played with her eares pawes and taile euen as familiarly as himselfe pleased the beast offering him no other dislyking then if hee had bin one of her whelpes Such perfect knowledge did she take of him and euen by naturall instinct loued him so dearely as she followed him thence to the Hermitage and from that time forward would neuer willingly leaue his company except when she went to seeke some prey which she would also bring home with her euen as if she had beene a houshold seruant And both the Laddes grew into such familiarity with her that they would leade her oftentimes in a Leasse on hunting with them as if she had bin a Greyhound for game Which Nascian well noting prouided them Bowes fit fot their strēgth wherewith they continually vsed to kill Harts Hindes Roe-bucks and such like sending still the Lyonnesse after such game as they had wounded But heere wee purpose now to leaue them for a while returning to Amadis who being departed from Gaule entred the Country of Alemaigne where he perfourmed such rare actions of Chiualry that euery tongue talked onely of him and there he was commonly called the knight with the greene Sword or the knight of the Dwarfe because Ardan still attended on him and there he spent foure whole yeares before he returned to the Enclosed Island not hearing any tydings from his Oriana which was his very greatest affliction because hee found no pains labor or ill successe any way comparable to the want of her presence So long he trauailed from one part to another that about the beginning of the Spring-time he arriued in Bohemia neere to King Tafinor on whom Patin the Emperour of Rome made sharpe warre who hated Amadis more then any man else for the reason formerly declared in the second Booke Hee ryding purposely toward the camp King Tafinor who for a time had taken truce with his enemy was then flying his Gerfaulcon at a Heron which fell at the horse feete of Amadis Now because none of the horse-men could come at her in regard of the moist and marshie ground hindering them the knight of the greene Sword alighted and tooke her vp demaunding the Falconers if they were displeased thereat And they answered no. Soon after came the King who had coasted all along the Riuer for passage and seeing the knight so compleatly armed stood in some suspition of himself till he further noted the greene scabberd of his Sword being the same which he had in lone of the ancient knight as hath bin formerly declared The King had many times heard much fame of his prowesse and was so well pleased with his happy arriuall that he entreated his company to the City which Amadis denied him not but ryding along with him the King thus spake Sir I haue a long while desired that I might be but worthy of such a companion as you seeme to be My Lord answered Amadis the liberal renown of you and your bounty which makes you famous in many kingdomes drewe me hither onely to offer you my seruice if any way it may be acceptable to yee because I haue heard that you are warred on by a potent Prince that giues ye no meane molestation You say very true replied the King but I trust in heauen and by the meanes of your helpe to see a short issue out of these troubles Fortune hauing so conueniently guided you hither By this time they were arriued at the Palace where the King commanded he should be lodged and Grasandor his Sonne to keepe him company Now in regard that the truce taken betweene the two Armies was vpon the point of ending each side stood on their best defence and the seuerall Campes prepared for all attempts whatsoeuer King Tafinor walking one day abroade to vnderstand some tydings from the enemy hee beheld afarre off twelue knights come riding towards him and as they drew neerer he knew the Shield of Garadan borne by his Squire himselfe being a neere kinsman to the Emperour and they came not to fight but to parlee The King bare little affection to this Garadan because hee procured and raised this warre and well he knew that his comming was but to occasion some fresh grieuance which made stearne anger mount vp into his face so that hee could not forbeare but said Ah trecherous villaine thou hast already done me so many mischiefes that I haue iust occasion to hate thee so long as I liue Sir answered the Knight of the greene Sword it may be he commeth to yee for some good end therefore it shall well become ye now to dissemble all passion entertayning them with good lookes not taking offence at any thing they say in regard they come to yee as Ambassadours from the Emperour their Maister Kinde friend quoth the King I allow of your good aduice and wil be directed thereby though it is no meane griefe to me to haue so great an enemy neere me Scarcely were these words ended but Garadan and his troupe saluted the King who gaue them kinde welcome desiring them that before any speeches passed they would goe along with him to him to his Palace But Garadan made refusall shewing himselfe as brauely proud and presumptuous as formerly he was wont to do speaking thus King Tafinor thou must vnderstand the occasion of our comming to thee and before thou partest from this place thou must make vs answere such as shall seeme best to thy selfe without aduice or consulting with any one but thy selfe For in thee onely lyeth the conclusion of two things wherewith I am to acquaint thee from the Emperour otherwise assure thy self before three dayes can be passed ouer the battel will fall out to be so cruell and bloody as it exceedeth all possibility but thou and thy Country will bee vtterly lost With these wordes he deliuered him a Missiue of credence for further confirmation of his speeches Beleeue me Lord Garadan answered the King I hope that the Emperour and you wil be more kinde to me then appeareth by your message wherefore deferre no further time but deliuer the remainder of your Commission that I may yeeld you satisfaction to my power Garadan hearing the King to answere so mildely began somewhat to qualifie his owne choller replyed thus King Tafinor the Emperour my Maister hauing power sufficiently to
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
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
dinner our Knight accompanied with many Lords and Gentlmen rode into the Forrest There they met with great store of wilde beasts who being well nere spent with running made backe againe vpon the pursuing Houndes But as our Knight earnestly followed a Hart which had escaped from the toyles both hee and Gandalin were strayed so far into the woods as they were enforced to spend the whole night there by not knowing how to recouer againe their way of entrance And as they traced from one side to another at length they came neere to a very beautifull Fountaine enuironed round about with trees of such heighth as it was impossible almost to meet with taller There they resolued to abide till the next morning wherefore alighting from their horses they first watered them and after tooke off their bridles to let them graze And because our Knight could not so soone betake himselfe to rest hee walked along vnder the faire-spreading trees and discerned somewhat neere him a white horse lye dead all couered with fresh-bleeding woundes which hee had lâ—tely receiued Moreouer he heard the voyce of a man complayning very lamentably as one that felt intollerable paine and anguish but being vnable to discerne from whence it proceeded by reason that the night was so darke and cloudie he drew as neere to the clamour as he could to listen the cause why he thus complayned Then the voyce seemed louder to his attention then before and he could easily vnderstand the deliuery of these speeches Ab miserable man vnfortunate Bruneo de bonne Me now thou dost too plainly perceiue that thou art enforced to finish thy dayes and all thy affectionate desires wherewith thy loyall heart hath beene so long time afflicted Ah Amadis de Gaule my worthy Lord neuer more shalt thou see thy faithfull companion Bruneo for in the quest of thee according as thy well-beloued Sister Melicia commanded me I fell into the hands of Traytours who haue wrought my death without the ayd or succour of any friend to helpe me O vnkinde Fortune vtter enemy to my felicity thou hast throwen me so farre off from all remedy as I haue not so much as the meanes whereby I might make knowen my disaster to any one that should reuenge my wrongs which were no meane comfort to mee in this wofull case and the more contentedly would my poore soule part out of this wretched world Ah Melicia floure and mirrour of all vertuous perfections this night thou losest the most loyall seruant that euer Lady or Gentle-man had for my whole life-time was deuoutly dedicated onely to obey and please you in all faithfull seruices And vpon my soule if you well consider it perhaps you will finde this lesse extreame for you being assured that you shall neuer meete with any other so constant to you as your Bruneo Now doth the lampe of my life beginne to burne dimbe and my afflicted heart loseth all his forces wherewith by your remembrance onely I haue heeretofore performed many manly deedes of Armes and Chiualrie Now therefore I must needes recommend it to you entreating you so to fauour and respect it as neuer sinning against you in loyaltie Death that hath seazed on me thou shewest thy selfe too sharp and rigorous to me in robbing me of all my happines all my ioy and pleasure in one instant Nor doe I expressely blame thee for depriuing me of my life but because thou couldst not permit mee before my death to accomplish the charge imposed by Melicia on me which was to find out her brother Amadis Heere he paused awhile but presently proceeded on againe thus Alas this commaund was the very first that euer she did put me in trust withall and now as I too plainly perceiue must bee the last also Whereby I feele a double torment for if I could haue had the meanes to satisfie her heerein my trauaile though ending in death I should haue esteemed happy And that deare Mistresse is my chiefest affliction that my dayes are cut off before I had the power to acknowledge the infinitie of gracious fauours by you bestowed on me but rest you well assured and on my soul I protest it that I neuer stood in feare of death in whose face I haue oftentimes hazarded my fortunes but grieue to finishe my life thus in louing you too affectionately Then a heart-breaking sigh interrupted his speech which yet againe he quickly recouered saying Ah my deare friend Angriote Estrauaux where art thou now how hast thou forsaken me Thou hast maintained this quest with mee a long time together and now in need hast left me not affording mee any comfort or succour And yet I haue little reason to blame thee because my selfe was the meanes of our separation this day to both our great misfortunes that sundered vs from euer meeting any more Then began he to sigh extremely and the coldnesse of his stomack breaking foorth many hickoâ—… among innumerable sighes made a strange confusion of his words â—ollowly vttered In regard whereof our Knight who had well vnderstood all these wofull complaints could not refrain from teares neuerthelesse going at last to the place where he lay he thus spake to him My kind friend Bruneo what dismall mishap hath thus befalne thee I pray thee be of good cheare and put thy trust in our Lord God who hath done so much both for thee and me as to conduct mee to this place where I will compasse some meanes to helpe thee Bruneo conceipted in himselfe that these wordes came from his Squire Lasinde whom he had sent to seeke some Religious man by whom hee might be confest before his death wherefore he thus answered Alas my deare Lasinde thou hast tarâ—…d too long for I feele my fainting in such forwardnesse that I cannot accomplish now what I purposed Therefore let me entreate thee that so soone as my soule hath forsaken this her sad habitation thou wouldst returne into Gaule to faire Melicia whom when thou hast acquainted with my mischance present her the rightsleeue of my shirt thus tincturde in my true heart-blood and seauen letters foulded vp therein which I haue alwayes hitherto kept as carefully as mine own life And because strength fayleth me doe thou supply out the rest that should be said assuring her that the griefe she will conceiue for my misfortune by thinking her selfe to be the cause thereof sending me in search of her Brother Amadis did more torment me then any torture else could doe Why how now deare friend answered our knight doest thou thinke me to be Lasinde thy Squire why man I am thy companion Amadis for whose sake thou art falne into this great danger Therefore take heart man be of good comfort and I will bring thee to so worthy a man as shall restore thee to health againe very speedily Now albeit Bruneo was so weake by the great aboundance of blood which he had lost as hee was no longer able to speake yet knowing Amadis by his voyce
of the Greene Sword perceiuing he gaue his horse the spurre and before any blow was smitten came among them saying to Angriote who had not till then seene him To them my noble companion to them and feare not but heauen will defend thee in all extreamities Much amazed but yet greatly comforted was Angriote seeing the Knight of the Green Sword whom by notice of his Armes he imagined to be Bruneo and as he purposed to make him answer our knight ranne against his enemies meeting first with Brandasidel hee that formerly would haue forced him to ride with his face backward to the horse tayle compell him to come to Grasinda who thought him to be the most absolute Knight in al the Islands of Romania as already you haue heard but his Launce gaue him such a sound salutation betweene his Helmet and the Cuirats as caried him quite out of his sadle and there hee lay entranced on the ground The other three charged Angriote all together against whom he maintained his cause so stoutly as his courage gaue perfect apparance of it selfe And now beganne the fight betweene two to three manfully performed on either side but in the end our knight of the greene Sword and Angriote had such aduantage as they were glad to turne their backes because the best man among them all fell down to the ground Which the other two beholding they were quite out of heart and flying thwart the Forrest as Fortune best guided them the one chaunced into a maâ—isâ—e where hee was drowned while Angriote hewed the other in pieces This being done hee purposed to follow his companion whom still hee conceiued to be Bruneo albeit his stroakes and rare Chiualry vrged a contrary suspition and hee knew not what to imagine till hee beheld Amadis returning towards him who had then put off his Helmet to take the aire by which means Angriote knew him Then as one much amazed he rode to him and stretching forth his armes louingly embraced him saying My worthy Lord what high good happe befell me to meet you so luckily considering that but by your assistance I had doubtlesse bin dead By my faith Sir quoth our Knight you owe many thankes to Lasinde who was the cause of our happy meeting for he perswaded me that you were gone to a neere adioyning Monasterie for cure of a wound receiued in your legge Indeed Sir said Angriote such was my determination and thitherward I went till these Traytours came to assaile me But know you what is become of Brunco I am perswaded hee is either dead or in very great daunger Be of good cheare man replyed our Knight I hope his greatest perill is past for I lately left him in the caâ—e of one of the best Chirurgions in the world Then he reported in what maner he found him and what complaints he made exspecting nothing else but death whereby I perfectly vnderstand quoth hee what tedious trauailes you both haue endured onely in the search of me for which while I liue I stand highly obliged to you I would it were in my power quoth Angriote to let you know how much more I could find in my heart to doe for you then should you well perceiue that this which you please to terme trauaile is nothing else but pleasure and delight to me And let me tell you that I liue not but onely by your meanes for you holpe me to the wife which I haue now married without whose comfort I had no longer breathed Leaue we this talke said our knight till some fitter time and let vs goe see whether yonder dismounted varlets bee dead or no or else to put them out of their paine So they returned to the place of encounter and found one of them offering to rise but the Knight of the Green Sword going neere him made a proffer to smite him saying Trayterous villaine how duâ—st thou vpon no occasion assault any Knight errant that neuer did thee the least displeasure Confesse the truth or else thou diest Before God Sir â—â—swered Angriote this is one of them that so cruelly wounded our friend Brunco and to prooue it true I left him with him and two other Knights beside that came to seeke succour for their Sister as they said that should bee burned most shamefully But them-selues afterward confessed the treason to me in returning from a place where at the same instant I was desired to deliuer the Son of an ancient Knight who was kept prisoner by diuers villaines Which I did setting him at libertie and imprisoning the other in his steed by which occasion I and Bruneo were sundered whom since I neuer saw Is not this true speake wretch but hee answered not a word lying still with his eyes fast fixed on the ground Heereupon the Knight of the Greene Sword called to Lasinde saying Alight from thy horse and smite off his head Lasinde presently dismounted and as he lifted vp his arme to strike the other cried out Alas Sir for Gods sake take pitty on me and I will tell you the trueth instantly Make haste then said Angriote or another shall bee hastier with thee then thou wouldst haue him to be Then by litle and litle hee began to relate what had happened saying Vnderstand my Lords I and my companions being aduertised that two Knights errant were newly arriued in this Country to enquire after the knight of the Greene Sword we resolued to kill them as thinking by that meanes to doe displeasure to him whom they desired to finde because we hate him deadly And in regard wee feared to set on them both together we deuised to sunder them by misinforming them as already you haue heard But when we came to the Fountaine of the high Beeches he whom we conducted in pretence of deliuering the condemned Lady suffered his horse to water there and as hee let loose the reynes of his bridle we ran vpon him giuing him so many hurts with our Swords and Axes before hee had the least meanes of defending himselfe that he fell down dead as we supposed for he appeared not to moue any limbe Villaine answered Amadis durst thou commit such detestable treason vnder colour of thy hatred to me How Sir quoth the other are you the Knight of the Greene Sword Looke villaine said Amadis and see it heere hanging by my side Then Sir quoth the other you may partly hold me excused because what I haue done was by the perswasion of a kinseman of mine whom you haue slaine and heere you may behold him lying at my feete A yeare is not yet fully expired since he receiued by you the greatest shame that any man could haue and his name was Brandasidel whom I know not whether you remember as yet or no. You made him mount vpon his horse with his face backward and to hold the taile in steed of a bridle with his Shield renuersed and so presented him to Grasinda Heereat hee conceiued such displeasure that in meere malice
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
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
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
some Scots among them and six hundred light horse to sallie forth and skirmish vnder the Ensigne of Bâ—anâ—â—ll For the battaile Gastâ—les was Coronall of fiue hundred foote almost all Greekes making a battalion separately of seauenteene hundred Archers who were so industrious in vse of the Turkie bow that at each loose they could deliuer fiue Arrowes together ouer whom Libeâ— â—â—phew to Maâ—ter Elisabet was Captaine and Commander King â—â—rion with Gaudales followed theÌ„ attended with eighteene hundred horse accoasted by Brian with the reâ—eguard of 15 hundred Knights for the more part of Spaine sustained by three thousand foot of whom Sadamon had the conduct Then as apointed to supply and â—uccour as also to re-enforce and help at all needfull occasions such as were most oppressed Tiron with seuen hundred horse and Madaran for guarding the bagage followed with fiue hundred foot This being thus ordayned euery man was coÌ„manded to attend his Colours make ready for departure earely the next morning But now not to swerâ—e far from our purpose and from that which Archâ—laâ—â— all this while laboured to compasse you must vnderstand that so soon as he receiued credible information that the Kings Pâ—rion Lisuâ—rt marched one against the other hee suddenly sent away Garin sonne to Grumell who waâ—â—lame by Amadis when hee holpe Oriâ—â—â— as you haue heard in the first Booke of this History giuing him expresse charge to stay in no place by day or night vntill â—ee had aduertised King Aranigne and others of his league and combination of this their proceeding and that with all possible speede they should set forward their Armie and enter into the kingdome of Great â—rittaine where he would attend them with his troupes Garin obeying the command of Archalaus trauailed so expeditiously that hee ariued in the great Citie of Araâ—igâ—e of which place all the Kings ruling that countrie took their names and there hee found the man hee was directed vnto He acquainted him with the cause of his comming thither and did the like to others to whom hee had the same employment and they hauing their Armies in readinesse concluded to make their generall meeting before the towne of Califan in the countrie of Sansuega there they encamped together to take shipping from thence as accordingly they did so that vpoÌ„ the day apointed they found their power to consist of twelue thousand and more Setting sayle away they prepared directly for Great Brittaine where they landed neare vnto a Castle which appertained to Archalans who there waited their comming with six hundred Knights all deadly enemies to King Lisuart and Amadis After they had refreshed them-selues some two or thre dayes hauing receiued aduertisement what haste King Lisuart made against them of the Enclosed Isle they dislodged away marching on forward by easie daies iourneyes The aâ—antguard was conducted by the King of the Profound Isle with sixe hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred foot the charge wherof was giuen to Barsiuan a young Knight as yet and very aduenterous King Aranigne led the main battaile accompanied with fifteen hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred bold voluntaries vâ—der conduct of six Knights near kinsmen to Brâ—nâ—ayer whoÌ„ Amadis vanquished in the battaile of the seuen Kings and came now expresly from the Isle Sagâ—â—arie as hoping to reuenge the death of their kiâ—sman To Archalaâ—s was giuen charge of the rereguard with 5 huÌ„dred horse and fifteen hundred foot And because the young Duke of Bâ—stroâ—e arived there with the latest with some number of light horse hee was apointed for discouery preuention gf way-layings In this order they entred vpon King Lisuâ—â—ts Land by the closâ—â—â— and most hidden waies they could chuse as fearing to be seen vntill they had brought their enterprise to conclusion CHAP. XVII How Gandalin Squire to Amadis and Lafinde Squire to Bruneo de bone Mer were made Knights And of the battaile betweene the two Kings Lisuart and Perion WE haue declared here-tofore that Gandalin had order giuen him by Amadis passing into Gaule to entreate the Queene his mother to send Melitia to keep company with Oriana which King Perion wel allowed of but beholding Galaor still so sickly she was loath shee should depart vntill he were a little stronger Wherefore Gandalin remained there for her conduct so soon as Galaors danger were past which happened within a short while after Hereupon the Queene caused her to bee embarked well accompanied with Ladies and Gentlewomen hoping shee should as yet finde King Perion in the Enclosed Isle But he was departed thence before her ariuall to the no little griefe of Gandalin because he hoped to receiue his Knighthood before the battell should be fought therfore because he might the sooner attain therto he departed theÌ„ce and without staying in any place ceased not tilâ— he came to the camp When Amadis saw him he demanded what was become of his Sâ—ster My Lord quoth hee shee is at this instanâ— in the Enclosed Isle with the faire Princesse Oriana and humbly commends her selfe to your gracious fauour And my brother Galaor said Amadis is he yet recouered Hee findes himselfe answered Gandalin in much better estate then formerly hee did but yet continueth so weake as hee is not able to leaue his Chamber and come into the open ayre Afterward hee reported all that to him which you haue heard alreadie and said Beleeue me Gandalin thy rydings doe not please mee a little and I am glad thou art returned in so apt a season in regard I hope wee shall haue the battaile before three dayes be fully expired That made me make such haste replyed Gandalin for you knowe my earnest desire to bee knighted and I can neuer receiue it at a more conuenient time nor euer shew my selfe worthie of so great an honor as now And credit me my Lord that but for the knowledge I now haue of your easre sparing mee hauing Madame Oriana in your owne power I would not haue vsed these speeches Wherefore most humbly I desire you to grant mee that this battaile may not bee fought vntill I may bee comprehended therein and that I may reach my longing expectation Amadis sitting silent a while at length thus answered Gandalin the fulfilling of thy request is so irksome to mee that it piâ—â—ceth my very 〈◊〉 and therefore if it were possible I would acquit my selfe thereof Notwithstanding finding it to bee very reasonable I will soâ— aside all passion to please thee only being sorry that wee are in such a place where I can get no Armes to giue thee and to doe beside what else is requisite and answerable to thy deseruing My Lord said Gandalin your brother hath out of his especiall grace herein furnished mee for at my parting from him he knowing my determination gaue mee his owne Armour and the very best horse hee had moreouer he would haue bestowed his Sword on mee but I tolde him that you had promised to giue me
the ancient Adage Grumedan answered king Lisuart smiling I know very wel that whosoeuer contests with you in matters concerning the honour of Amadis shall finde worke enough to doe but much more to defende himselfe if extreamity should question the case by weapons Sir said Amadis Lord Grumedan hath reason to wish mee well for he hath neither friend or kinsman that oweth him more dutie and obedient seruice then I doe and for such a one I am certaine he will acknowledge and esteeme me By this time king Perion drew nearer and nearer and thereupon king Lisuart made forth to meete him whereof Amadis aduertised him by Durin wherefore he commanded his men to march a slowe pace and taking Gastiles Grassandor Brian de Moniaste and Tiron with him left Agraies to conduct the troupes because king Perion wel knew the ill-will he bare to king Lisuart and feared least discourteous language might passe between them at their meeting whereby the purposed peace should bee quite made frustrate So the two Kings went to meete each other giuing the spurre to their horses and embraced together very louingly king Perion speaking thus to king Lisuart My Lord and brother me thinkes your Armour is much impaired since you departed from the camp albeit I am well assured it lay not rusting in your Armourie while the fight lasted betweene your men and mine And for ought I haue heard they that brought it thus out of fashion haue receiued a payment beyond their expectation and little to their liking So they haue answered king Lisuart thankes be giuen therefore to God and the good helpe that you Amadis and these other Knights brought mee in so vrgent a necessitie as I am sure you haue heard already In good faith said king Perion I haue all my lifetime desired that my children might bee yours in peace and true amity I hope replied king Lisuart that so they shall be before wee parte and our kindnesse neuer to faile especially on my behalfe But seeing Prince Agraies not to be one among them hee enquired expresly for him hauing vnderstood his hatred towards him and desirous to reconcile him and make him his friend if possible it might be Whereupon king Perion made answere that hee stayed behinde as a conduct to the rest of the Armie which followed I pray you Sir said king Lisuart that hee may bee sent for because I purpose not to parte from this place before I haue both seene and embraced him My Lord answered Amadis then I my selfe will goe for him It is well aduised quoth king Lisuart because hee will doe more for you then any other whatsoeuer So Amadis rode directly to Agraies whom hee met not farre off and tolde him what you haue heard already earnestly entreating him that forgetting all discontentment hee would goe with him and giue king Lisuart so good lookes as could be My Lord and Cosen said Agraies you know that my liking or disliking lasteth vpon your pleasure and I heartily desire that the succour which you haue giuen him of whom you speake may be better acknowledged then all the better acknowledged then all the former haue been And further I assure you I am content to requit all the wrongs done to you mee and many more meerely offered in despite of you and without any occasion at all Then they rode on together to King Lisuart who so soone as he saw Agraies left all the rest going to embrace him saying Cosen doe you thinke this embracing as dangerous to me as that was which you gaue mee on the day of our last being together Before God Sir replied Agraies I hope to find this much better then the other for I was neuer to my knowledge in the like danger We will talke therof said the King at better leasure But now you see the king my brother tarries for vs let vs goe conduct him to Lubania where I will make you all the best entertainement I can So they returnd to king Perion and tooke the way towards the Citie King Lisuart had receiued diuers wounds in his bodie but the Chirurgions hauing seene them gaue him hope of speedy recouery yet hee kept his bed ten daies together beeing often visited by the Princes and Lords of his owne country as also the other who to delight him had almost no other talke but of the tricks and stratagems of Archalauâ— by meanes whereof hee compassed his purposes especially when hee carried the Princesse Oriana away prisoner and after-warde King Perion Amadis and Florestan by the subtiltie of Dinarda also in what sorte hee escaped from Galaor and Norandell faining himselfe to bee Branfiles Cosen-germaine to Grumedan But most of all his proiect plotted by the helpe of Arauigne against them all which surely had preuailed but that Amadis was the onely hinderance Such accidents answered king Lisuart doe often come to passe by such wicked wretches as hee is who dare endanger themselues in doing euill and therein make their most delight finding the entrance sweete and easie onely by the instigation of the Diuell who depriues them of all apprehension concerning what dishonour may happen to them beside misery of life which makes death much more welcome to them then life can be As Arauigue himselfe hath now some cause to confesse being in the power of his chiefest enemies and may well serue as an example to all other that are to be taxed with the like vice As hee ended these wordes the good olde Hermite Nascian came to them who had softly followed after king Perion and finding the Princes in such peaceable quietnesse praised God for it and the good aduice of young Esplandian causing Amadis to depart so speedily when hee came to the rescue of king Lisuart as king Perion made knowen before them all In troth saide king Lisuart I would gladly know who gaue the youth so good counsell Sir replied Esplandian my father Nascian sent mee to you to tell you what hee had concluded with king Perion but I could not finde you in the Campe wherfore Sergill I passing on further discouered the Armie of king Arauigne as they descended downe the mountaine Then I called to mind what I heard the Queene my Mistresse say at my parting from her that hee was your enemy and fearing what afterwards happened to you I made haste to aduertise Lord Amadis to the end hee might giue you succour as he did Before God sweet youth saide king Lisuart I shall not while I liue forgette so great a blessing happening to mee And folding Esplandian in his arms sweetly kissed him on the cheeke At that time king Gasquilan was brought thither in a Litter hauing softly followed as beeing vnable to sit on horsebacke by reason of the shrewd fall hee had when he would needes trie his manhood against Amadis on the first day when the two battailes met Into a reserued chamber hee was conducted by some of the chiefe in the companie especially Amadis who came saluted him saying
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
best to doe Madame answered Grasandor I haue resolued with my selfe to trauaile in quest of him and if by good fortune wee may meete together wee shall 〈◊〉 more easily passe all good or harme that can betide vs. And one thing I daâ—e promise yee that no place shall containe me aboue one night vntill I can heare tydings of him Oriana and all the other Ladies liked this motion very well only Mabila excepted who all that night could not refraine from teares Notwithstanding her sorrowes could not stay Grasandor but carely in the morning he armed himselfe and after hee had heard Masse taking leaue of the Princesse and the whole company hee went aboard a Barque with two Squires and his horse only and none else but the Mariners to conduct him So â—etting saile not knowing which way to direct their course they sayâ—â—d all that day and night not meeting with any shippe or vessell to 〈◊〉 them tydings of what they sought for The second night ensuing they passed close by the Isle of the â—…ta but such was the 〈…〉 they could not discouer it 〈…〉 uens were then so darke and 〈…〉 die So parting from that Coast and by the Island of the Red Tower also about the breake of day they descried a broad strand oâ— hauen where Grasandor would needes goe on shoare to vnderstand what countrie it was for it appeared very pleasing to him and plentifully planted with all kindes of Trees Taking his Armes and accompanied with his two squires on foot he went vp into the Countrie giuing charge first to the Marâ—â—ers to part away from thence if they heard no other â—â—dings from him So they â—ourneyed on a large part of the day not meeting any one whom they might speake vnto whereâ—â— â—…andor did not a little mâ—râ—ailâ— considering the â—ertilitie of the soyle and how well it stood planted in many places Being entred into a very thicke wood and following a guyding track therein he came to a goodly cleare fountaine where hee alighted from his Horse and feede on such viands as 〈◊〉 Squires had there for him and they being wearie with trauailing on foote aduised him to returne backe to his â—…que So helpe me God quoth he I will neuer endure the repâ—… that being so farre entred into a Countrie I returned without some satisfaction of my desire Whereupon the Squires left him and â—ee went on still by the track of the wood till he came into a narrowe vailey so 〈◊〉 set with trees as hardly could the beames of the Sunne gaâ—… any passage through them In the 〈◊〉 of this vale there stood a small Monasterie where beeing desirous to enter hee dismounted from his horse and â—astening him to the ring of the dore went into the Church to say his orisons beseeching God deuourely to guide him in such sort that this enterprise which hee had vndertaken might chiefly redound to his honor and glorie and lastly to some happy issue of his paines Continuing thus on his knees before the Alter there came in a white Monke to whom hee called saying Good father tell me what land is this and to whom it appertaineth Sâ—â— Knight answered the Monke this is the â—…dome of Ireland but searcely at this time in obeysance to the King because not faâ—re off from this place there hues a Knight named â—…en with two other of his brethren mightie 〈◊〉 and powerfull in Armes who by fauour of a Fortresse whereto they make their common retreate haue vtterly ruinated all these parts and forcibly excluded all the inhabitants which vsually made their abiding about this mountain Growing on thus still from bad to worse thy commit an infinite number of euills thefts and spoyles without making spare of my passenger no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Knights eâ—…ant if they can 〈…〉 of any But will you vnderstand how they execute their villanie They 〈◊〉 continualiy all three together and when they heare of any one comming their way two presently goe and closely hide themselues while the third stands ready for the sight But if hee chance to prooue too weake then comes forth the other two brethren to succour him and kill the partie that is assaulted And euen but yesterday it chanced that two of my holie brethren returning homeward with such almes as is in charitâ—e giuen vs to liue vpon they saw these three villaines altogether and so cruelly dealing with one gentle Knight that after they had wounded him in many places of his body they would likewise haue smitten off his head but for the earnest entreatie of those two Religious men by whose importunity they left him and sâ—ffered them to bring him hither where hee is yet liuing His friendly companion afterwarde happened hither likewise who grieuing for the others ill fortune departed hence euen but a very little before your ariuall Gone is hee to finde these wretched traytours to combate them with dangerous hazard of his life I pray you father said Grasandor to shewe mee the wounded Knight Very willingly replyed the Monke So hee conducted him to a â—…le Cell where he lay and so soone as they saw eithers face they presently knewe one another For the wounded man was 〈◊〉 Cosen to Landâ—n and Nephew to Don Quedragant who had beene present in many worthie actions during the waires betweene King Lasuart and Amadts but especially in the companie of Grasandor He finding him in this woefull estate grew very sorrowfull and after some few speeches together 〈◊〉 spake in this manner I beseech you noble Lord goe helpe my Cosen â—andâ—n who is ridden after those traytours that dealt with mee thus vpon baâ—e aduantage Because I am perswaded that your speedy ayd perhaps may saue his life for they are three and will all set vpon him together if hee chance to meete with them But where may I soonest said Grasandor finde him You shall replied Eâ—… come to a little turning track in this valley which will guide you 〈◊〉 vpon the plaine in the 〈◊〉 whereof standeth a strong 〈◊〉 and thither the 〈◊〉 vse to withdraw themselues after any such treachery committed By these wordes Grasander well perceiued that the Religious man had truly informed him wherfore commending Eliseo into 〈◊〉 protection and the 〈…〉 care of his health foorthwith â—ee tooke horâ—e and gallopped so speedily as he could directly as the Monke had formerly enstructed him No sooner was hee past the valley but hee espied the Casâ—le and Landin before the gate crying out aloude to them within but he could not vnderstand what he 〈…〉 was not as then â—â—me neare 〈◊〉 nough and therefore 〈…〉 among the trees and 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 the successâ— of his 〈…〉 With in a while after 〈…〉 bridge to be let downe 〈◊〉 â—â—awe come forth of goodly stature and well appointed He hauing spoken some few wordes to Landin they sundred themselues farre from each other giuing the carriere to the◠〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then launces that all the valâ—â—y gaue an ecchoing novse thereof and
preuaile against yea vtterly to ruinate a more potent Prince then you are being desirous to make an end of this warre to prouide for other his more necessary occasions makes tender to you of two conditions whereby you may enioy peace if you please or else not First if Combate may be performed of an hundred of your knights against as many of his or a thousand to a thousand the conquerors leauing the vanquished in such case as to them shall seeme best Or if you finde this demaund to be ouer-great hee is content to allow of twelue against twelue of which number I meane my selfe to be one who doe thinke my selfe able to fight with sixe of your knights although your selfe made one in person Therefore of these two elections chuse which shall appeare the easiest to you for otherwise be well assured that setting aside all other affaires his Army shall neuer part from this Country till you be wholly vanquished which will be very speedily because you are not able long to withstand his potent proceedings Don Garadan answered the knight of the greene Sword were you to speake to a King of much lesse merit yet deseruing more respect and reuerence mee thinkes you should bee more mindfull of your owne behauiour in vsing such proud threatnings concerning your selfe ill beseeming a Gentleman appertayning to so great a Prince Notwithstanding he may make you what answere shall like him albeit in mine opinion he should first vnderstand what assurance you can make of your seuerall offers if hee consent to your demaunds When Garadan heard the knight of the greene Sword speake so resolutely in the Kings presence hee maruayled greatly what he should be and looking on him with a disdainfull eye he said Beleeue me knight it appeareth well by your language but much more by your boldnes that you are not onely a stranger in these parts but also to all honour and ciuility And it amazeth me that the King will suffer yee to speake so sottishly in his presence Neuerthelesse if his opinion of you be so good as not to disallow what you haue said let him first consent to my demaunds and then I will answere him as I see occasion Goe you on quoth the King with the rest of your message for whatsoeuer the knight of the greene Sword hath spoken on my behalfe shall bee maintayned if in our power it lye to perfourme it Garadan became now more amazed then formerly he had beene perceiuing that the man whom he had inburied in wordes was the knight with the greene Sword whose renowne had already spred it selfe thorow all Countries and made his stout heart somewhat to tremble Neuerthelesse he held it as his chiefest happinesse that hee should haue now so apt an occasion to combate with him for he was so ouer-weening and vaine-glorious that he made no doubt of preuayling against him and that very easily Which ydle fond opinion caused him to lose all the honour and high reputation wherein he had liued till that time promising himselfe an assurance of victory which afterward fell to his enemy And waxing more chollericke then before he returned this answere to the knight of the greene Sword Seeing that the King giues you such power and authority why are yee so slow in electing the fight Because answered the knight of the Dwarfe it is a matter of such importance as well deserueth to haue the aduice of the Princes and Ladies of this kingdome And it would highly content mee if the King pleased so much to honour mee as to entertaine me for one of the twelue hundred or thousand that are to bee appointed for this fight for no man can bee more desirous then I am to doe any seruice against you on whom I would not onely aduenture my best blood but serue for him in any place where he shall please to imploy mee My deare friend replyed the King I most heartily thanke you and will not refuse the offer you haue made me but doe request withall that you would make election of the fights in my behalfe according as you shall iudge it best and for our most aduantage In good sooth Sir replyed the knight of the green Sword therein you shall pardon mee if you please for you haue about yee so many good knights all louing and respectfull of your honour that if you demaund their aduice in this case their counsell will be both faithfull and honourable Neuerthelesse before you shall faile in this or any other matter that Garadan can vrge presume vpon my loyalty and ready seruice Onely let me entreate your Maiesty to demaund what power he hath receiued from his Maister to warrant the offers already proposed and accordingly you may shape your answere for the acceptance or refusall Saucie companion answered Garadan I know thy meaning well enough as seeking how to shrinke backe and shunne all the offers made for fight If you knewe mee well said the knight of the Dwarfe it may be you would hold better estimation of me then rashly your rash opinion seemeth to deliuer And doe not thinke it straunge that I gaue such aduice to the King as you haue heard for if your seuerall offers should afterward bee disallowed or disclaymed they may bee the cause of stearner warre then yet hath beene in steed of a milder purchasing peace Garadan could no longer forbeare but drew a Letter forth of his sleeue sealed with thirty faire Seales in the middest of all which Seales stood that that belonged to the Emperour And deliuering it to the King he bade him to consider on a speedie answere By my faith quoth the King seeing you are in such great haste you shall be answered before you part from this place So withdrawing thence calling some of the chiefest Lords of the company he entreated them to aduise him particularly what were best to be done in this vrgent necessity Then each man deliuered his opinion which fell out to be different and contrary because some approued the fight of an hundred against an hundred and others of twelue to twelue but the greater number temporized and gaue the like counsell for continuance of warre in manner and forme as it had beene begunne For quoth they to hazard a kingdome vpon the strength of so few men is a matter very dangerous And moreouer it appeareth by Garadans owne words that the Emperour himselfe first beginneth to grow weary of this warre and it may be is so ouerpressed in other places as he will be thereby enforced to withdraw his forces and leaue vs in peace against his owne will Sir said Count Galtines it were very expedient in my minde to craue the counsell of the knight of the greene Sword Now was not he present at this assembly and therefore hee was immediately sent for and being come the King thus spake vnto him My worthy Friend you haue heard at large the speeches of Don Garadan to mee so commanded as he saith by his Maister the