shal lay vpon me for in him only remaineth the disposition of things to come for which cause my good friend I assure you that I will bee present in this battaile for because I would be partaker of all the good honor or hurt that may happen vnto those which shall accōpany me Greatly did Galaor like of the kings magnanimous determinations and answered him beleeue me it is not for nothing that your Maiesty is estemed the most vertuous and valiantest Prince of the world and if all kings could as well represse the counsell of those who disswade them from their haughtie enterprises none durst be once so bold as to say any thing vnto them but that which should bee for their honour and glory but now your Maiesty may bee pleased to see what Vrganda hath written vnto me Herewithall he began to reade his Letter wherein was contained this which ensueth Vnto you Don Galaor of Gaule most valiant and hardie Knight I Vrganda the Vnknowne doe send all hearty salutations as she who both loueth and esteemeth you I will that you should vnderstand that which must happen vnto you in this cruell battell betweene the two kings Lisuart and Cildadan If you be there be you sure that in the end thereof your large and strong members shall want power to assist your inuincible heart at the departure from the Combat your head shall bee in his power who with the three blowes that he shall strike shall remaine conqueror In faith said the king if the contents of the Letter be true and that you bee in this conflict you see your death prepared which should bee a great losse considering your valiant beginning in deeds of armes therefore I shall so order the matter as at this time you shall be excused from thence It may please your Maiesty answered Galaor I now do very wel perceiue that the counsell which euen now I deliuered vnto you hath displeased your Maiesty when seeing mee sound and able of body you would perswade me to a matter so greatly to my dishonour God forbid that I should herein obey you Gentle friend said the king you speake both vertuously and valiantly for the which I thanke you and for this time let vs leaue off this talke and my aduice is that none do see our Letters for it may bee they may cause some feare astonishment euen in the hearts of those that doe thinke themselues to bee most hardy and valiant By this time they were come so neere vnto the Citty that they entred vnder the gate thereof as the king looked behinde he beheld two knights armed at all points whose horses were ouer-trauelled weary and their armour all to broken in such sort that it was very easy to be perceiued that they had been at some bickering One was Brunco de Bon'Mer and the other Branfil his brother who came of purpose vnto king Lisuart to be of the number of those hundred knights which should bee in the battaile if it pleased him to accept of them But by the way Brunco had beene aduertised how the aduenture of the Sword was atchieued where-with he was meruailous displeased that he came no sooner because hee would haue tried his fortune therein as he had done vnder the Arch of loyall louers the which he had passed and for the firm and constant loue that he did beare vnto Melicia sister vnto Amadis hee did verily beleeue that no such like aduenture might escape him these two knights being come neer did their dutie vnto the king who receiued the very courteously Then said Brunco it may please your Maiesty we haue beene aduertised of a battell which you haue agreed to be executed by a few knights so much the rather ought they to be selected and chosen men For this cause if it would please your highnesse to doe vs this honor that we might be of the same number your Maiesty may bee assured that wee would bee very desirous to serue you The King who had many times beene aduertised of the prowesse of these twaine especially of the valour of Don Brunco who for a yong knight was as much esteemed as any other that might be found accepted of them very willingly and thanked them for their good will Now did not Brunco as yet know Galaor but at the same instant they entred into such acquaintance and familiarity together that vntill the Battell was finished they parted not asunder And as the king entred into his lodging Enil came before him with the head of Lindoraq which did hang by the hayre at the paitrill of his horse and he had in his hand the shield and fingers of Arcalaus the Enchanter by meanes whereof before he was come neer the Palace a great number of people did follow him to know what newes he did bring Afterwards being come into the kinges presence hee declared vnto him the message that the faire Forlorne had sent by him wherewith he was no lesse glad then amased at so many good and blessed chanses that euery day happened and proceeded from this strange knight and hee remained a great while praising extolling him without ceasing In like sort Filipinel who had been to giue defiance vnto the Giants at the same instant approched he recited the names and sirnames of those which were appointed to be in the battell of king Cildadan amongst whom there were found many strong Giants and other knights of great worth who were all embarked already and how before that foure dayes were past they would all take landing in the bay of Vega where the battell was to be foughten then hee told the king how he had found at the burning Lake which stands in the Isle of Mongasa king Arban of North wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux prisoners vnto Grumadaca wise vnto Famongomad who caused them to suffer infinit miseries and calamities whipping them euery day most cruelly so that their bodies were wounded all ouer and they wrote a letter vnto the king which Filipinel deliuered vnto him the tenure whereof ensueth Vnto the most high and mighty Prince Lisuart king of great Brittaine and to all our Friends and Allies within his Dominions We Arban once king of North wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux now detained in dolorous prison doe let you know that our misfortune more cruell then death it selfe hath brought vs into the power of the most pittilesse Grumadaca wife to Famongomad who in reuenge of the death of her Husband and Sonne doth daily cause vs to bee tortured with so many and strange torments that it is impossible to bee imagined so as euery houre wee desire the abridging of our daies that thereby we might bee released of our dolors But this mischieuous womā the more to lengthen our paine deferreth our death as much as she may the which with our owne hands we had effected but that the feare of the losse of our soules withheld vs. And for as much as we are at this
deseruing toward you that I account my selfe vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should thinke I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to cōmand me What said shee haue you so base a mind such smal estimatiō of your selfe Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replied the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the king your father left you in this Country if you remember and when the Queene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours onely I reputed my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes said Oriana you tooke her words to better end then at that time she meant them which I take in good part and am content it shall be so No sooner had she thus said but the Prince was ouercome with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew thereof but said she would goe to the queene to doe what he had desired and returned soone after telling him that her griefe was for the Queene of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would go succor her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death said he for without your gracious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these words Oriana smiled saying Seeing then you are mine I grant you to be my Knight and you shall aide the Queenes sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thanks telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose hands so pleased you to intreate it I would more willingly receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that said she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner grant it So presently she went to her and told what she and the Gentleman of the sea had concluded to attaine his Knight-hood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistance in the sute Mabila who loued the Prince very well thus answered I assure ye sister there shal be no want in me for so well doth the Gentleman deserue as would make one do much more then this for him wherefore let him be ready this night in the Queens Chappell then when time shall serue we will go with our women to accompany him and I will send for the King mine Vncle which shall be somewhat before the breake of day that he may come see me and he being come to vs you and I will moue him in the matter which I hope he will grant vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherefore they sent for the Prince and tolde him al the platforme they had laid who humbly thanking them wold prouide all things ready for him-selfe and therefore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine armour so closely as you can into the Queenes Chappell because I hope this night to receiue mine order and for I must right soone depart hence I would know if you haue any will to beare me company Beleeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I depart from ye Of these words was the Prince so glad that the teares stood in his eyes with ioy Well said he prouide all things ready as I told ye wherein Gandalin failed not for ere supper he tooke such order as all was done vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretly into the Chappell where he armed himselfe except the head hands So staying there for the Ladies King Perion he fel on his knees before the Alter desiring God to be his aide not onely in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortal passiōs The night being come the Queen with-drawne the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their womē came to the chappel where the Gentlemā of the sea attended Mabila hauing sent for K. Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My L. seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hither I pray you grant Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be loath saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thanke him whom whē he beheld so faire he thought all the world could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame doth it please you to command me any thing Not cōmand my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of knight-hood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altar When the king saw him he wondred at his goodly stature and said to him My friend would you receiue the order of Knight-hood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it done said the King who giue you grace so well to proceede therein as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spur and dubbing him with his Sword thus spake Now haue ye the Order appertaining to a Knight but I would oppertunity had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor notwith-standing according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renowne shall supply what wanteth here in performance Afterward King Perion took leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him then set on his way toward Gaule cōmending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimony of these louers sweete desires If it seeme to the Reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answer that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which thinke themselues most expert in those pleasing and amorous actions haue beene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not only he depriued them of speech but of iudgment also it is necessary for such persons to vse greater words
mary Sir replied the Prince he is now become more patient for hee hath endured the losse of his head When the Knight heard of Galpans death he presently alighted froâ—… his Horse and ran to kisse the Princes feete but he would not suffer him yet could he not hold him from embracing his Sheeld saying Ah Gentle Knight how highly am I indebted to you you are to this place the most wellcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue wee this talke said the Prince say where I may quickly finde some remedy for my wounds In my house answered the knight abideth a Neece of mine who shal heale your hurts better then any other So riding on they arriued at the castle where being dismounted they walked into the great hall the Knight reporting by the way how Galpan had kept him from bearing Armes one whole yeere and a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call himselfe while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he seeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterwarde he caused the Prince to be vnarmed and laid in a sumptuous bed where his wounds were dilligently attended by the Lady who assur him in short time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfully to do CHAP. VIII How the third day after the Gentleman of the sea departed from king Languines the three Knights came to the Court bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince lest the Court of King Languines where hee receiued the order of Knight-hood the three Knights came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath beene already recited At their arriuall they presented him before the King letting him vnderstand the cause of their comming and deliuering their prisoner on the new Knights behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King 〈◊〉 at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednâ—â— could haue â—…boured in her notwithstanding herthanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any body else knew that the Gentlman of the sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was hee aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought hee was gone to visite his father Candales theÌ„ the King turning to the knight in the Litter said Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithful as your wife hath beene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doe therein as it shal like your maistey as for me I will neuer consent that the thing I most loue should die This said the Knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with the their brother in the Litter leauing their sister to receiue iustice by the Kings appoint meÌ„t who after their departure called for her said WomaÌ„ thy malice hath bene too great in respect of thy husbands kindnes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they heereafter offend not in the like and so he commanded her to be burned aliue The execution being doone the King was in greater pensiuenesse then before because he knew not who the new knight should be that parting so suddenly from his Court but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the sea afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherefore he said to the King It may be my Lord a yong Knight with whom the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when wee came thither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord quoth the Squire but hee is both yong and very beautyfull beside I saw him do such rare deeds of Chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if I liue he will proue one of the best Knights in the world Then discoursed he at large euery action as also how hee deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his taile his desire to know him increased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happily can tel ye more tydings of him for it was my chance to meet them together Of what Damosell speakest thou said the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittaine to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and hee demanded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Whereupon she declared so much as she knew cheefely the occasion wherefore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the onely Knight in the world but in sooth quoth shee I know not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God said the King how may it be Now was Oriana voyde of all doubting for shee well knew it was her Gentleman of the sea but shee was so grieued with the news which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as shee well knew not whom she might coÌ„plaine to for the king her father sent her word how she should prepare her self in readinesse to come to him so soon as his Ambassadours should bee sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Country then there whether she should now goe against her mind not onely in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by being far thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardly afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easily compasse it In these melancholly thoughts was the amourous Princesse and the King on the other side in dayly musing what he might be that sent the foure Knights with the wicked woman whom the fire had consumed But fiue or sixe dayes after these matters were thus passed as the King was conferring with his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the king his Vncâ—…le there entred a Domosell who falling on her knee before all the assembly framed her speeches to Agraies in this manner May it please ye my Lord that in the presence of his highnes and this assembly I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus proceeded This Helmet thus broken and battered as ye see I present ye in place of Galpans head as a token to you from a new Knight to whom in my iudgment it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why hee sends it you is for that Galpans vilainously abused a Damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand
tSpan◠Forrest of Baldain then you Lord Daganel and my selfe will go with the rest to present our selues it breake of day before the Cittie I am certaine that being descried by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether wil take hart and not faile to come running forth vpon vs. When we see them approch we will dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his company then our enemies pursuing assured victory in their own conceit wil seeke aduantage by our shamefull retire so be takē thēseues in the snare Very well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthy Duke giue order that all things bee done as you haue appointed Now might ye there behold armed men on Horse-backe the Souldiers mustring the drums thundering and the Trumpets cheerefully founding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings Commandement failed in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandie shewed themselues with their Squadron before the Towne Little did King Perion at that time thinke of any such enterprise but altogether refreshed his succour and honoured the Prince by whō he had found such friend-ship And to make some shew of his affection towardes him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they foūd him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered hee had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually hee thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared withall the slender means he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound griefe as he expected no other remedie but death The Queene desirous to know the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance berayweth some inward displeasure hath any one heere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to bee tormented in sleepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoured the ambush and the enemies were very neere the Citie where presently he commanded to doraine the Armie Now was each one ready to horse-backe especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Citie gate where they found Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe forth thinking he should tarrie too long from the fight for he was one of the hardiest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could bee found so that if good aduise had beene as ready with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue beene found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who seeing their enemies to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnesse to assaile such an vneaquall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horse crying aloud Beshrow him that tarrieth any longer seeing them hee is to deale withall shall we not venter So saying he gallopped toward his enemies in like manner did the Gentleman of the Sea and the rest of their traine who without any order of marching ran among them and were immediatly mingled together He whom the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandie whō he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouer-threw both man and horse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword as a chafed Lyon entred the preasse shewing such deeds of Armes as none durst with-stand him for he ouer-threw all that encountred him killing some outright chining and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel saw his men in such disorder by the meanes of one Knight he got the most of them together so well as he could and round about beset the Prince to beate him downe which they had done but that Agraies perceiuing it came with his troupe to rescue him At their arriual you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent and shields scatred on the ground making a great conflict disorder amongst the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the cōtrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualry as he found before him not any resistance each one was so abashed at his behauiour and Agraies aboue the rest shewed that his arme was not benummed for the more to hearten and cheere vp his men he cryed aloude to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst what great damage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horse and so to make him fall among the crowde but he was deceiued for the Prince comming to him let fall so mightie a stroke on his Helmet as rent it cleane from off his head and so remained Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the very braines whereupon his men seeing him slaine they that had the best horses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued them-selues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victory discouered the rereguard that came from the Forrest marching in very great haste toward him shewing by their countenance a reuenge of their losse wherefore ioyning together they cryed Set on them men of Ireland see that none of them escape vs but let vs enter pell-mell in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surpized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not beene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie men themsolues being sore wearyed their horses so ouer-laboured as they could hardly indure their burden Beside they knew king Abias was there in persō being as you heard before accounted one of the best knights in the world and for this cause the most part of the Gaules began to tremble But the Gentle-man of the Sea foreseeing the disorder was like to ensue came perswaded them rather to die then loose one iot of their honour and reputation saying My friends and companions be of good cheere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with the people astonnied halfe ouercome let vs not make change with them taking their feare and deliuering our victorie for if they but onely
for your coÌ„bat It had bin needlesse answered the Prince for I haue no wound I thanke God that can keepe me from the Combate Right soone were the Chirurgions commanded to looke thereon and they found it greater in shew then danger In the meane while supper was prepared during which time they had much talke of the accidents that day past vntill the houre of rest came when each one departed till the next morning Which being come after they had serued God the king sent a rich goodly Armour to the Prince of better proofe and strength then that hee had on the day before wherewith he armed himselfe and hauing taken leaue of euery one mounted on Horse-backe in company of the King who bare his Helmet the Prince Agraies his Sheeld wherein was portrayed two azured Lions in a golden field rampant the one against the other as if they both inteÌ„ded murder another Prince carried his Launce In this equipage he set forward to the field where the King of Ireland attended his comming well armed and mounted on a goodly blacke Courser but because King Abies had in former time fought hand to hand with a Giant and vanquished him with the losse of his head therefore he brought to the Combate the like figure in his Shield describing the whole order as the deede was done On either side resorted thither a number of people placing themselues for most conuenient sight of the Combate And now were the Champions entred the lysts each one couragiously resoluing against his enemy wherefore without longer tarying lacing downe the sight of their Helmets and commending them-selues to God they gaue the spurres to their horses meeting together so furiously both with Launce body and horse as their staues flew in shiuers yet piercing their Armour and both were laid along in the field But heat of hart and desire of conquest made them recouer footing quickly and plucking forth the spields of their Launces wherewith they were wounded set hand to Sword beginning such a strange and cruell fight as each one was amazed to see them endure so much For this fight was not equally matched in respect the Prince was but yong well proportioned and of a reasonable height but King Abies was so great as he neuer found any knight that exceeded him a handfull euery way being withall so strongly made that he was rather to be accounted a Giant theÌ„ a man yet was he highly loued reuerenced of his subiects for the vertue and prowesse which remained in him albeit he was too much audatious and proud Now were these Champions so animated against each other as well for honor as the consequence of the Combate that without any stay for breathing they layde on such load as their strokes resounded the fight of twentie men together And well they witnessed no great good will betweene them for there might ye see the earth tainted with their blood the pieces of their Shields the plate of their Armour scattered abroad and their Helmets so bruised that by reason their Armes being so squandered they were vnable to hold out their strokes for euery blow caused the blood to gush out abundantly yet were they of such inuincible courage as they seemed to feele none of this annoyance Hereupon they maintained such brauery the one against the other as it could not be iudged who had the better or worse notwithstanding about the houre of three the Sunne gaue an exceeding warme and violent heate whereby they found themselues so chased in their Armour as they began to waxe somewhat feeble especially King Abies insomuch as hee was constrained to retire backe thus speaking to the Prince I see thee very neere failing and my selfe am likewise out of breath if thou thinke it good let vs rest awhile for afterward we may more easily finish our enterprise And thus much I tell thee although I haue no cause or desire to fauour thee that I hold better opinion of thee then any knight that euer I combated withal moreouer it displeaseth me that I had an occasion to see thee much more that I am so long in conquering thee whereby I might take vengeance for his death whom most I loued in the world and as thou didst slay him in open battaile so likewise will I ouercome then in sight of both our Campes King Abies replyed the Pincâ— I now 〈◊〉 it displeaseth thee that thou canst 〈◊〉 no more harme entering so like a Tytant as thou didst to 〈◊〉 this Countrey And as it often happeneth that he which delighâ—… in euill can neuer broke any other saour so hope I to reward the◠〈◊〉 well for thy paines as thou shalâ— confesse thou hast wronged these people Beside thus much I aduise thee before hand that I shall giue thee as little leisure or respite as thou hast giuen them who haue tasted thy crueltie therefore sticke close to thy tackling and defend thy selfe against the Knight whom thou reputest fayling The King then taking his Sword and what was left of his Shield thus answered Well mayst thou cursse the beldnesse that made thee enter these Lystes for hence thou shalt not escape without losse of thy head Doe what thou canst said the Prince for thou shaltrest no more till thou or thine honour be dead Herewith more cruelly the before they began againe their Combat as if they had euen then entred the field albeit king Abioâ—… so expert by reason of his long exercise in Armes that he know right well how to defend and offend neuerthelesse the lightnes hardines and promptitude of the Prince made him in the end forget all his industrie for hee was closely followed at an inche as he lost altoâ—her the rest of his Shield by which means the Prince could endomage him farre better then before whereof he failed not and in so many places withall that the blood streamed downe his Armour in meâ—…lous aboundance causing him by little and little to lose his strength and being in this agony staggering from one side to another hee could not deuise what to do to escape the pursuing sword of his enemy Seeing himselfe now deuoyd of all hope he concluded either soone to dye or haue the victory and taking his sword in both hands he ran with all his might against the Prince and pierced it so farre into his Shield as he was not able to pul it forth againe Which when the Prince beheld he gaue him such a furious stroke on the left leg that being quite cut from the rest the King was enforced to fall downe and right soone did the Prince set foote vppon him rearing violently his Helmet from his head saying Thou art dead King Abies if thou doest not yeeld thy lelfe vaÌ„quished Beleeue me I am dead answered tht King not vanquished alone but of both the one and other my ouer-weening hath beene the onely cause Notwithstanding since it is so come to passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without
contented So tooke shee leaue of him returning the same way shee came whereat euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimity as whatsoeuer happened hee would not be reprooued with cowardice and so dearely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deaths then to see him suffer any mishap or iniury Wherupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuerience to alter the promise hee had so lightly made shewing it was not beseeming his Maiesty to deale with faires of knights and Gentlemen he being placed in authoritie ouer them While they stood on these tâ—…mes there entred three knights two of them being very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour as all for hee was a man of ancient yeares as seemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull colour then commonly hath been noted in a man of age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This knight carryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demanding for the King the Gentle-men shewed where hee sate making him way to his Maiesty before whom hee fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is king Lisuart for within these few dayes hee hath made the most worthy promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to be performed but I would faine knowe your meaning heerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honour a matter wherein now a dayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Heerein you were tolde truth sayde the King and you may bee well assured that I will doe my vttermost to aduance the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your countrie to be ready at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you heere a thing with mee which such a king as you are ought most royally to receiue Then opening the Cofer hee took forth a Crowne of gold so sumâ—â—ously embelished with Orientall Pearles and pretious stones as neuer was seene a more costlier Iewell euery one being of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especially mighty Lord. When the king had long and earnestly beheld it he was very desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the knight perceiuing saide This Crowne my Lord is of such workemanship as no ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be esteemed for the king that keepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the king who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no king but you that euer saw it but if you like it so well I will make ye a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some danger to lose All this while was the Queene in place earnestly wishing that the king her husband might haue it where-upon she saide to the king Me-thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demandeth Madame quoth the knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buy it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was seene for beside the precious stones wherewith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sorts of beasts and birds which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rate and eurious piece of worke not wrought as I thinke by humaine capacity You say true Madame replied the knight for the like hereof is not to bee found yet may not the riches compare with the property and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maried Ladies then any other because shee that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of cheef regard answered the Queen if it haue any such indeede I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grew she marueilous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betweene the king and her wherefore she sayde to the knight Say Sir how do you estimate this mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseech you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the hands of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of griefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedy while I liue and because I know not well the valew of these iewels I will 〈◊〉 them in your costody vntill the day you holde open Court at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demand In meane while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue sayd you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust me sayd the king seeing you repose such confidence in mee assure your selfe to haue whatsoeuer you request or else they shall bee restored againe It suffiseth quoth the knight the â—…ning to the Lords he thus proceeded Worthy Lords you haue all heard what the king hath promised me that he will restore the mantle the crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me whatsoeuer I shall demâ—d So much his Maiesty hath said replied the Lords we are witnesses thereof Adiew then answered the ancient Knight for perforce I must returne to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But here you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knights which conducted the old man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his helmet open and seemed a young man the other held downe his head as loth to bee knowne being of so tall and mighty stature at no Knight in the Kings Court might bee equalled with him So departed they againe all three together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kings custody CHAP. XXXI How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays being all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Court of King Lisuart where they were wel-commed with exceeding my because Galaor was neuer there
faith Damosel I haue now more neede of ioy then euer I had notwithstanding I am readie to accomplish any thing I promised you It is the only thing my Lord quoth she of my returne to you being the most loyall King in the world wherefore humbly I intreate yee presently to reuenge my cause on a knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content there-with the villaine violently tooke mee away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is hee enchanted as hee cannot bee done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of Great Brittaine giue him a wound with this Launce and another with this sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Ladie of whom hee had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for shee hateth him aboue all others for which cause she gaue mee this sword and Lance whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it bee done but by you onely who are the chiefe and most vertuous man in this countrey wherefore as you promised mee before so valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often tolde him that by this day I would bee prouided of a knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending onely for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for hee little thinketh that I haue the Sworde and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agreement together if hee remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniury but if he be vanquished hee must doe what I command him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when hee had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels sworde about him leauing his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company hee rode on with her shee carrying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayde My Lord take your helmet for this is he you must deale withall which the King quickly did approaching neare the knight sayd Proud Traytour defend thy selfe and thy lawlesse Iust So couching their Launces they encountred together where the King perceiued how his painted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his sword to charge the knight but at the first strok the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hee imagined himself betraied for the knight did what he pleased to him But as hee would haue killed his horse the King being quick nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such â—ore they strugled together as they both fell to the ground the knight vnderneath and the King vpon him by meanes whereof hee got his sword from him and vnlacing his helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shee could Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cosen quickely or else hee dies When the King heard her name Arcalaus hee looked vp and sawe ten braue knights come running vnto him the one of them vsing these wordes King Lisuart spare the knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one houre If I die answered the King so shall you all for mee like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not onely sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did hee recouer himselfe very quickely like one resolued to defend his life albeit hee sawe death present before his eyes But being vnable to resist so many at length they got sure holde on him when renting off his helmet his shield they bound him fast with a double chaine Afterward they set him on a simple horse two knights still holding the ends of the chain and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmark but the knight against whom the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus sayde Beholde Cosen kin Lisuart is ours A very good priâ—e answered Arcalaus henceforth shall his enemies haue no cause to dread him Villaine quoth the King well know I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my words if thou darest combate with me By God sayde Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all speed to London and say to Lord Barsinan that hee must execute what I willed him for I haue begunne indifferently if hee can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Citie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore hee sayde to his Cosen Take tenne knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prison at Daguanell these other foure shall keepe mee companie for I will leade Oriana to mount Alâ—iâ— where I will shew her strange and wonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboade beeing one of the strongest and fairest in the worlde thus the ten knights carryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certainely if heere wee consider the properties of fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more towardes great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well shee witnessed by king Lisuart euen in the time when hee intended most honourably to bee twharted with such a contrary chance For at one instant hee sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemies his Daughter and heire to his kingdome taken from him and all his estate in danger of ruine Hee that was wont to be honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a theefe by a villainous enchanter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this day are called to the greatest honours in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wife Prince yet the diuine ordenance suffred him to fall in these dangers to the end hoâ— might remember how al creatures remaine at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time hee was brought so lowe as might be and afterwarde restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners
preparing their armour and euery thing in order which being done they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunt certaine waiting Gentlewomen and squires to doe them seruice by the way When they drew neere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castle of an ancient Lady named Galumba who sometime liued in Briolanias fathers Court and there they were welcomed very honouarbly yet whether Briolania trauailed thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but maruaile which made her request tobe satisfied therein Briolanias Aunt tolde her how Amadis was one of the best knights in the world and had promised to reuenge the murthered kings death likewise how hee discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and after-ward ouercame the rest in the Castle at what time the Lions escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make report his companion must needes be of some estimation and well may they bring your enterprise to end considering the truth and iustice of the cause but take heede least the traiterous king worke some treason against them That is the chcefest pointe of my fear i answered Briolania wherfore wee came to craue your aduise herein Heereupon shee wrote a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then caling a Damosell after shee had giuen her instructions she bad her make hast in deliuering the letter Presently went the Damosell to horse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos and his Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these three must the Combat be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and held more by tyranny then any consent in the Subiects The Damosell entred the Palace on hors-back when diuerse knights came to her requesting her to alight but she made answere she would not til she saw the king and that hee commanded her to leaue her Palfrey Soone after came the king accompanied with his two Sonnes and many great Lords and after shee had saluted him hee boldly bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your command on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crowne said the king I warrant your safety whereupon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you greetes you with this letter which may openly bee read before this royall company and I afterward receiue answere for my discharge whē the king heard openly the nāe of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong hee did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damosells words The most of the Lords there present who sometime were subiects to the slaughtered king seeing the messenger of their lawfull Queene indeede pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited and in their hearts desired of God to plague the treason done to her Father Proceede Damosell quoth the king and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdred my Ladies Father and vniustly keepe her from her inheritance wherefore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sons would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme shee sends you word by me if still you stand vpon such triall shee will bring two knights hither who shal in combat maintaine her cause making you know your disloyalty and treason committed Darison eldest Sonne to the king hearing his Father menaced in this sort grew into great choller and as one moued with despight he arose when without the kings consent hee thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two knights with her men resolued to fight on her behalfe here do I accept the combat for my father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lords to send hee my head in requitall of her fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speake as a knight of haughtie mind yet may I doubt these words to proceed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenance but if you will request the king to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a heart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldly make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiesty said the Damosell to giue my Ladies knights assurance that for any mishap you may receiue in the Combat they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three And if you purchase them such a safe conduct they shall bee here within three dayes at the vttermost Darison falling on his knee before the King said You heare my Lord the Damosells demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiesly in the presence of all these great Princes and Lords humbly therefore I beseech you seeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduantage the presuming knights who dare aduenture in the cause of foolish Briolania will imagine themselues conquerors and vs dismaide faint-hearted Cowards hauing openly published that if any one will touch your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combat of vs three you intend to be purged And albeit you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolish knights of King Lisuarts Court who by their ouer-weening and aspiring thoughts make high acompt of their owne deedes in the contempt of others The King who loued Darison as himselfe though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and thereby made him feare the combat granted them safe conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two knights and such as came in their company Here is to be considered that the period of this traitours Fortune was now limited and the iustauenger of all wrongs pointed out rewarde for the treason of him and his Sonnes as in this discourse may bee euidently seene The Damosel seeing her message had taken such effect as shee desired said vnto them Make your selues ready for to morrow with-out fayle shall this difference bee desided So mounting on her Palfrey she returned to the Castle of Galumba where being arriued before the knights and Ladies she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish knights of king Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into these speeches By God there are such in company of that good king as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so low as they list but I thinke his choller ouer-mastred him when he vttered words of such great indiscretion Trust
him because he is the knight that I haue euermore seene most valiantly to resist all extremities God grant it said Oriana but I pray you cause Don Florestan to come neere vnto vs that I may more plainely beholde him for I haue beene tolde that hee is the knight that doth most resemble your brother Amadis Whereupon Galaor called him and he came saluted Oriana who rooke him by the hand they three sate downe together Then the Princesse imagined that she did verily beholde him who beeing absent from her shee had day and night before her eyes and therefore shee began to blush and change her colour Now had Mabila in like sort withdrawn her selfe together with Olinda to giue a better occasion vnto her brother Agraies more priuately to speake vnto her and therewithall hee seeing them in a place so conuenient came and saluted them then at their request he sate downe betweene them in taking Olinda secretly by the hand And she who did languish for his loue was the gladdest that might be being sure of his constancy by the proofe which he had made passing vnder the arch of loyall louers in the Firme-Island in recompence whereof she would willingly haue giuen him better intertainement if she durst But the presence of so many witnesses took from them not onely the familiarity which otherwise they would haue giuen the one to the other but also the facility and liberty of speech so that their eyes onely serued to supply this default which they imploied therein according to the affections of their passioned harts And as they were in these pleasant tearms there was heard from the chamber as if it had been the voyce of some oppressed with grief wherfore the king would needs know who it was It may please your Maiesty answered an Esquire it is Gandalin the Dwarffe who no sooner beheld the shield and armour of Amadis but they made and yet continue the strangest lamentation that possibly may be What sayde the King is Gandalin here He is if it like your Maiesty answered Florestan It is very neere two monethes since I did finde him at the foot of the hill of Sanguin as hee was seeking his Maister and because I did tell him that I had already sought him in euery place hee was content to come with me In good faith said the King I haue alwaies esteemed Gandalin for such a one as now he sheweth himselfe to be for I did neuer see any Esquire to loue his Master better then hee doth When Oriana heard these words especially how that Gandalin was returned without Amadis she was in such a perplexity that shee was likely to haue swouned betweene Florestan his armes who not knowing the cause of her sudden passion and fearing to affright the King and the company called Mabila who forthwith doubted such a mischance Wherefore leauing Agraies alone with Olinda shee came vnto Oriana and caused her secretly to depart into her chamber and to lie downe vpon her bed where shee remained not long but that rising vp as it were almost beside her selfe shee sayd vnto Mabila Cosen you knowe that since our comming to this Cittie there hath passed neuer a day wherein wee haue not receiued â—ore displeasure Therefore I am determined to withdrawe my selfe for a certaine time vnto my Castle of Mirefleur for my heart telleth me that in changing the ayre I shall also change my afflictions and that my troubled spirit shall there finde rest Madame answered Mabila I am of the same opinion to the end that when the Damosell of Denmarke doth returne you may more priuately speake with her and pleasure him that shee I hope shall bring with her the which would be very hard yea almost impossible to doe in this place As you loue mee then sayd Oriana let vs not carry any longer for I am sure the King and Queene will very willingly giue vs leaue Now you must vnderstand that this place of Mirefleur was a little Castle most pleasantly seated two leagues from London built vpon the side of a hill and compassed vpon the one side with the Forrest and vpon the other with many Orchards full of all sorts of trees and pleasant flowers moreouer it was inuironed with many great Fountaines which watered it on all parts And because that once the King being there on hunting with the Queene seeing that his daughter tooke great pleasure in the place hee bestowed it vpon her and afterwards she caused a Nunneâ—ie to bee builded within a bow shot thereof whereunto she some-times went to recreate her selfe But that I may not degresse ouer farre from my first discourse Oriana according as she had determined came and demanded leaue of the King and Queene for her departure the which was easily granted vnto her and therefore shee purposed to depart the next day very earely in the morning And because that Galaor and his coâ—sorrs would in like sort returne to make a new search for Amadis finding the King at leasure they sayd vnto him If it please your Maiesty wee were greatly to be blamed if wee should any longer deferre the seeking of Amadis because my fellowes and I haue sworne neuer to rest in any place before wee haue heard of him therefore it may please your grace to giue vs leaue to depart to morrowe to doe our endeauours My friends answered the King I pray you deferre your departure yet a fewe daies longer in the meane season I will cause thirty knights to depart from hence who shall goe begin this voyage for I haue great neede of such knights as you are for an enterprise which is happened vnto me the which importeth me greatly both in goods and honour it is a battaile which I haue appointed against King Cildâ—dâ—â— of Ireland who is a strong and mighty Prince And to let you vnderstand the cause of this warre Cildadan hath married one of the daughters of King Abies whom Amadis slew in Gaule And although time our of minde the realme of Ireland hath euer beene tributarie vnto the King of Great Brittaine neuerthelesse to haue an occasion of quarrell this Cildadan refuseth the payment thereof and sendeth me word that he will put one hundred of his knights in battaile against the like number of mine vpon this condition that if he be ouercome he will redouble the tribute which I doe demand of him otherwise he will hence-forth remaine free and acquitted the which I haue condiscended vnto So my friends I doe most earnestly entreat you euen as you loue mee not to forsake mee in this my greatest neede knowing assuredly that my enemies are strong and determined to worke my displeasure but by your good helpe and the right that we haue we shal easily ouercome them then shall you goe seeke out Amadis as you haue determined and you shall take as many of my knights with you as you please When they heard this request which the King did make vnto them there was not
present so extreamely wounded that wee are no longer able to resist our deaths we send you this Letter written with our blood by the which wee beseech God both to grant you the victory against these traitors that haue in such inhumane sort tormented vs and also that he will bee pleased to haue mercy vpon our soules Great sorrow and compassion had the King for the losse of these 2. knights ne-uerthelesse seeing that for the present hee could in no sort remedie their misfortun he dissembled his griefe shewing as good a countenance as hee could because he would in no sort discourage the other Gentlemen there present he set before their eyes the accidents whereinto many others had fallen for the maintenance of their Honour of Knighthood from the which many times they haue with great glory and honour escaped But assure you my friends said the King that if wee doe gaine the Battaile I will take such reuenge hereof that the rumor thereof shall fill the eares of all the people in the World Therefore they who are appointed to goe wâ—… mee let them bee ready to 〈◊〉 row for I will depart to goe meete mine enemies And according as it was appointed so was all performed CHAP. XVI How that after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana back againe to Mirefleur he departed that he might be in the battel with King Lifuart and what happened vnto him THree dayes did the faire Forlorne remain with Oriana after the gayning of the sword and Kerchiefe and the fourth day following about midnight hee tooke his leaue of her and being armed at all points he rode all the might long Now had hee commanded Enil to goe and stay for him at a Castle scituated at the foote of a Hill neere vnto the which the Battaile was to be foughten and it belonged vnto an ancient knight named Abradan for in his house were all aduentrous knights often-times honoured and serued when they came thither to lodge And the same night did the faire Forlorne passe hard by king Lisuart his Campe not being perceiued at all afterwards hee rode so long that vpon the 5. day following he came vnto Abradan his house where he found Enil which was there ariued but a little before greatly was the faire Forlorne feasted by his Host and as they were talking together there entred in two of his nepheus that were returned from the place where the combat should be who assured them that already King Cildadan and his troop were there arriued and had set vp their Tenâ—… and Pauillions hard by the sea side In like sort Don Grameda and Giâ—…tes Nephew to king Lisuart were there come with whom a Truce was concluded vpon eyther part to bee holden vntill the day of the battaile and that neyther of the two Princes should enter into the Combat with any more then one hundred knights in his company according as it was promised and sworne by them Nephewes said the host what do you thinke of the Irish-men whom God confound Vncle answered one of them they haue with them so many Giants that if God doe not miraculously assist our good king beleeue me it is impossible for him to withstand them Herewithall the teares sell from their Vncles eies and he said I hope that God will protect the best and iustest king in the world from falling into the hands of such wicked people Mine host answered the faire Forlorne be not afraid as yet for it happeneth out very often that courage and equity ouerthroweth the pride and presumption of the strongest But I pray you goe vnto the king and tell him that there is lodged in your house a knight called the Faire Forlorne and that hee desireth his Maiesty to send word by you when the day of the battaile shall be What sayd the olde man are you hee that of late did send Don Quedragant vnto his Court and slew Famongomad and his son when they had taken my Lady Lenor and her knights beleeue mee Sir if euer I did any pleasure vnto aduenturous knights I doe enen at this present acknowledge me throughly to be recompenced my house beeing now honoured with your presence and I will not faile to accomplish that which it hath pleased you to command me Then he mounted vpon his horse and tooke with him his two Nephewes and rode vntill hee came where king Lisuart was encamped within halfe a lengue of his enemies vnto whom he declared the message of the Faire Forlorne at the which all the company did greatly reioyce And the King answered seeing that we haue the Faire Forlorne on our side I doe also hope that wee shall haue the honor of the our enterprise And now see the number of one hundred knights very well furnished had wee but one knight more It may please your Maiesty said Grumedan you now haue the aduantage for the Faire Forlorne is well worth fiue This speech did nothing at all please Galaor Florestan not Agraies for they hated the Faire Forlorne vnto death for the wrong which they thought he did vnto Amadis neuerthelesse they held their peace and Abradan hauing receiued his answere of the King returned to his guest vnto whom he recited the pleasure that euery one receiued at the newes that he brought from him and of the hundred knights there was no more then one missing but that they were all assembled The which beeing vnderstood by Enil hee did so much that he found his Master apart and falling downe vpon his knees he sayd vnto him My Lord although my seruice vnto you hath not beene such as it should and therefore haue I nothing at all deserued yet am I so bolde at this time to request one gift of you which I beseech you most humbly to graunt vnto mee Demand it sayd hee and rise vp My Lord sayd Enil I pray you the make mee knight to the end that I may goe vnto the King to entreat his Maiesty that hee will bee pleased to accept of mee for the last knight of his number Friend Enil sayd the Faire Forlorne me thinkes that thou shouldst beginne to try thy prowesse in a place lesse dangerous then this battaile will bee not because I would deferre to make thee knight but in that I know it is too waighty a charge for thee My Lord sayde Enil I knowe that in all my life I cannot haue a better meanes to gaine honour for if I die amongst so many men of worth my reputation shall bee there by encreased and if I may escape my renowne shall be perpetuall hauing been one in number with a hundred of the best knights in the world The Faire Forlorne hearing Enil speake so vertuously with a kind pittie that he had of him he ruminated these words to himselfe Thou dost well shew thy selfe to bee a kinsman vnto the good knight Gandales my second father Then hee answered Enil if thou haue so great a desire to proue thy self snch a one as thou sayest I will no
of his knights he alwaies serued him faithfully neuer forsaking him for any warre or debate that happened betweene his maiesty Amadis as hereafter shall bee rehearsed vnto you But the King desirous to manifest the force of his vertue the better to comfort his knights all wounded as hee was lighted from his horse to imbrace Amadis who kneeled down to shew his duty vnto his Maiesty My deere friend sayd king Lisuart you are most happily met I know now very well that without your ayde the realme of Great Brittaine had beene in no small danger and I pray you be not so heauy for the losse of your brother seeing that the Damosels haue assured you of his health In this sorte want king 〈◊〉 comforting of Amadis whom hee caused to mount on horse-backe and afterwards hee brought him into his tent where there was brought somewhat for them to eat because he would depart the next day he appointed ouer night that the dead should bee buried in a Monestarie hard by the place where the battaile was giuen vppon the which place hee had bestowed great riches to cause them to pray for him In like sort hee dispatched a knight to goe in haste to aduertise the Queene of the victory that hee had gotten ouer his enemies and the next morning he tooke his way toward the Câ—â—y of Gonata which was about foure leagues off where hee remayned vntill he and his people were â—ealed While these things were iâ— doing the Queene Brialâ—… got leaue of Queene Brisena that she might goe to Mirefleur to visit Oriana hauing a great desire to see her because she was renowned through all the world for her most excellent beauty Of whose comming Oriana being aduertised she caused the place to bee decked vp as well as possibly it might be and she receiued her most honorably but when she beheld her to beâ—â—â— faire the suspition that shee had conceiued against Amadis was not so thoroughly mortified but that it somewhat reuiued againe in her notwithstanding all the proof that she had had of him eyther by his passing thorough the Arch of loyall louers or by his winning of the olde mans sworde beleeuing assuredly that it was a thing impossible that any man could be so constant as hee might forbe are from louing a creature so beautifull as Briolania was On the other side Briolania verily thought that the often sighes of Amadis in her presence proceeded of no other cause but the affection which hee did beare vnto Oriana for shee was the most rare Princesse and of the sweetest grace that euer shee had seene Thus were these two Ladies suspitious one of another and they remayned together discoursing of diuerse matters agreeable to their affections especially of the vertues and perfections of Amadis But Oriana the better to diue into the thought of Briolania sayde vnto her I doe much maruaile gentle Cosen considering the bond wherein you are tyed vnto Amadis as also seeing that hee is decsended from Emperours and the sonne vnto the king of Gaule that you haue not chosen him for your husband Madame answered Briolania beleeue me I should haue thought my self most happy if the same might haue beene brought to passe but yet of one thing I can assure you the which I pray you to keepe as secret as it deserueth Many times did I motion such a matter vnto him but his continuall sighes did presently yeelde me an answere in his behalfe yet could I neuer vnderstand in what place his loue was so setled so couert and secret is hee in all his affections neuerthelesse let him be whatsoeuer hee will be he shall dispose of me and all that mine is for euer as he shall thinke good Exceeding glad was Oriana to vnderstand these newes by the which shee appeased her new conceiued iealousie against Amadis and sayd vnto Briolania I doe greatly maruaile what shee is whom hee loueth as you say and there is no doubt but that he is 〈◊〉 of the number of these louers by the testimony which the image of the enchanted Arch hath declared of him for according vnto that which hath been recited vnto me it shewed more for him then euer it did for any that there before had passed He loueth without doubt answered Briolania but it is so secret that non may knowe what or where she is In this sort did the two Princesses passe away their time still talking of Amadis during their aboad in the Castle of Mirefleur from whence within a fewe dayes after they departed to go towards Fenusa to see the Queene Brifena where she stayed for King Lisuart who was very glad to see her daugter returne in so good health There they had newes of the victory that the King had against the Prince of Ireland where with their ioy redoubled and God was highly praised but when Queen Briolania knew that he which was called the Faire Forlorne was Amadis of Gaul neuer was there woman more ioyful then she And although that Oriana and Mabila knew the cause thereof very well as you haue heard yet did they dissemble the matter and seemed to wonder thereat no lesse then the rest by meanes whereof Briolania did often times say thus vnto them would you euer haue suspected that Amadis would haue thus disguised himselfe taken a strange name amongst his deerest friends desiring thereby to extinguish his owne renowne by the great prowesse that hee performed vnder the title of a stranger By my faith answered Oriana if hee returne with the King wee must know of him wherefore hee did it and also what shee was that gained the kerchiefe with him I assure you said Briolania that we will not â—â—icke to demand it of him and I beleeue he will willingly tell vs. CHAP. XVII How King Cildadan and Galaor were vnawares to themselues carried away by twelue Damosels and one of them was put into a strong Tower inuironed with the Sea and the other in a garden inclosed with high wals where they thought they had beene in prison and of that which happened there vnto them NOw wee will rehearse vnto you the entertaynement that was made vnto King Cildadan and Galaor whom the Gentlewomen had put into the ship and they were carried and so well looked vnto that the third day following they began to amend for vntill then they had lost all manner of feeling and remembrance And Galaor found himselfe to bee layd in a chamber within a garden furnished in the most sumptuous order that euer he had seene the which was supported vp with foure Marble pillers inuironed notwithstanding with great gates of iron through the which he might easily see from his bed where hee lay all the circuit of the garden the which was closed about with high walles not hauing any entrance into it but one little dore couered ouer with plates of iron whereby he thought that hee was in prison Then did he begin to feele such great griefe in his wounds that
whole consultations which he had heard whereat al they that were present did greatly wonder to heare such conspiracies repeated And for as much if it like your Maiestie said Sarqailes as they can in no sort excuse them-selues my Lord Angriotta and I will combate with their three sons if they dare maintaine the contrary Now were they present of whoÌ„ they spake who seeing the iniury that was done vnto their aged fathers and that euery one gaue credit to the words of Sarquiles in a great rage they thrust through the prease and falling on their knees before the King they said May it please your Maiestie Angriotta and Sarquiles haue most falsly and wickedly lied in the words which they haue saide before your Maiestie and wheresoeuer or whensoeuer they doe say so they shall lie and therfore it may please you presently to grant vnto vs the combate which they haue demanded Truely answered the King it is now very late but I am content that tomorrow after seruice you shall do that which you can as well on the one part as on the other Then Dâ—…s one of the sonnes of Brâ—quadas by the sister of Gandandel a valiant and expert man at arms but wholly adicted to villany stepped forth saying vnto the King Sauing the reuerence of your Maiestie Sarqâ—â—les hath vniustly and leaudly lied in all that he hath said and I shall be one of them that will maintaine it against him By my faith answered Angriotta if there were a fourth here too he should be as wel handled as I hope thou shalt Go too then saide the King depart you all for this day and to morrow thinke vpon your businesse Afterwards hee called Gâ—â—medan and Giontes his Nephewe and after hee had consulted with them a little while hee commanded Gandandel and Broquadas to come before him vnto whom hee sayde 〈…〉 Come â—…hether you haue so many times declared vnto me that Amadis and his associates had determined to betray me and to vsurpe vpon mee the land of Great Brittaine yet neuerthelesse when it is come to an issue you excuse your selues from the combate setting your sons to maintaine your wickednesse who cannot doe therewithall notwith-standing God is iust by all that I do owe vnto him it is very lewdly spoken of you neuer would I euer haue thought you such as you are May it please your Maiesty answered Gandandel our children seeing vs too slow in our iustification put themselues forward to maintaine the honour of their fathers They had reason sayd Grumedan for hardly could you haue recouered any others no doubt but you are men of little worth or reputation for the Diuell could neuer haue inuented such wickednesse as you haue set abroach so as if the King should cause a thousand such as you are to be hanged yet could hee not holde him satisfied for the treacherie which you haue done vnto him but your children shall beare the punishment for you My Lord Grumedan said they although you wish it so yet shall it not haphen so if God please for our sonnes deliuering vs from shame shall obtaine the victorie with honour You shall see sayd Grumedan what the issue will bee And because this talke continued longer then the King liked hee sent euery man vnto his lodging And the same night those which the next morning were to performe the combate did looke that nothing might be wanting in their armour especially Angriotta and his Nephew who withdrewe them vnto a Chappell where they continued in prayer vntill the day breake And because the King had receiued iniurious speeches by the twelue knights of the Island they went vnto their tents with Madasima and her Damosels where they remained all that night But the day appearing they all mouÌ„ted on horseback came to accompany their fellowes Angriotta and Sarquiles vnto the place of combate there were already arriued the King Princes and Lords with the Queen the other Ladies Thus the combatants entred into the field Angriotta and Sarquiles on the one side Tarin Corian and Damas on the other side Then the trumpets sounded whereupon each of theÌ„ pulled downe the beaueâ— of his helmet and with their Lances in their rests they set spurs to their horses running with such force one against another that Corian and Tarin brake vpon Angriotta Damas vpon Sarquiles but Angriotta hit Corian so sound a stroke with his Launce that he vnhorsed him Then turning his face he saw Tarin ready with his sword in his hand who beholding his brother ouerthrowne came with great rage against Angriotta thinking to strike him vpon the top of the helmet the blow fell short and lighted vpon the head of his horse wherewith hee was grieuously wounded Notwith-standing Angriotta finding that he was neere his enemy he hit him so soundly with his sworde that with the stroke hee vnhorsed him and at the same instant he himselfe perceiued his horse waxed faint with the wound hee had receiued vpon his head forsooke him and leaped on the ground Then with his shield on his arme he came against him whom he had first ouer-throwne who was already risen vp marched against Angriotta And thus began the combate betweene theÌ„ two where shortly after came Tarin in like sorte and Angriotta was to answere them both neuerthelesse he did make knowne that he was not to seeke in such an extreamity for hee had led them so roundly that hee gaue them not so much leasure as to take their breath so that in lesse space then an houre their armour was hacked in peeces they so wounded that the blood ran downe on all parts I beleeue there is none of you all that doth heare this History who vnderstandeth not well enough that Angriotta could not defend himselfe so well but that hee felt some part of the strokes for he was sore wounded in many places yet was it nothing in respect of the others In the meane time Sarquiles whom Damas had in hand began to be ashamed with the ouer great resistance that his enemy made vnto him and for the same cause setting spurs vnto his horse he found the meanes to buckle with his enemy and as they were strugling together and striuing who should fall first Angriotta doubting that his Nephew would haue the worst drew towards him but before hee came neer vnto him Sarquiles and Damas fell down one vpoÌ„ another By this means was their incounter re-enforced because that Angriotta endeauoured to succour his Nephew the others to relieue their kinsman Who being vnder Sarquiles could by no meanes rise vp for Sarquiles held him so short that pulling off his helmet hee thrust his sword into his throat then seeing his enemy dead hee left him there came running vpon Tarin and his companion who were in a manner out of breath ready to yeeld or to ask mercie The which the King Broquadan Gandanâ—el perceiuing they were so sory that they departed Notwithstanding although they
haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man herein shall I greatly fault and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But seeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye know what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise said to me at the time you came first into this country yet spake she to me so darkely as I neuer knew well how to comprehend her words for she said That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should hold their gouernment in Gaule and their hearts in great Brittaine and from thence they should go to deuoure the beastes of other Countryes but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these words I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification hereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the king hauing commended the holy man to God returned to his tents where he saluted his Queene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his mind was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracings the king by an apt meane recouÌ„ted to her what his Astrologers had said on his dreame earnestly desiring her to tel him whether she had any Child by him or no. When the good Lady heard this she was surprised with shame in such sorte as willingly she could haue wished her selfe dead and therefore altogether denied the truth so that at this time the king might not know what he desired On the morrow they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queen was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath bene heretofore rehearsed the king bare hersinguler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realme then he was wont to doe so that not long after the Queene brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia Bâ—…e little Galaor being two yeeâ—… and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the king his father soiourning not farre from the sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a window toward the Garden where was then the Queene with her son Ladies sporting there entred at a postern dore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge mighty Mace When the company of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whom he tooke in his armes and in a laughter said By my faith the Damosell said true So without any thing else taking away the Child returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowfull Queene who saw her son caryed away Forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but when she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguish she was for her Sonne in crying said Ah helpe me mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she tooke it to see him caried away 〈…〉 she loued as her owne life â—…s extreame dollour she 〈…〉 her other Sonne throwne into the sea wherefore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who saw all this in the pâ—…ce where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Son at last came to the Queene finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the most grieuous mone in the world regreeting this new losse by whom she before hoped to vnderstand of the first and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that beheld her All this while the king laboured to perswade her whereby at last she reobtained the reason that before was absent whereupon the king said Madame we must thank God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidently see hath happened the effect of my dreame whereof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Henceforth therefore feare not to declare what is become of the first for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these words the mournefull mother forgetting none of the fault committed told him the mis-fortune of her first borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it throw feare of death according as was the law of the Country In good faith Madame answered the king well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therefore I pray ye take their desteny so secretly as you may for I trust in God that seeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to afforde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that we shall heare good tidings of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the young Prince was of the Country of Leonois Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherein he had two strong places He was not a bloudy man as many other were but of a gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doe great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the wind as he arriued in his country which he had caused to be peopled with Christians there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whom he went saying Father take this child and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a knight for I assure ye he is the son of a king and a Queene Ah said the Hermet why haue you doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who most vnhappily killed my father as you know and at this present forcibly holds from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me being thus embatqued to exccute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who said Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be done by the son to king Perion of Gaul who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demanded by her faith whether she told me true or no. That shlat thou see quoth she
wrong in succouring the husband to this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dy When the three Knights heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had bene abused by their sister wherefore they thus replied In sooth my Lord so please you to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assurance so to doe said the Prince yet will I not acquit ye from the combate Then he that first spake rehersed all the words of their sister according as hath beene already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villanie disguised in such sorte for she hath done far otherwise as you may vnderstand by her husband himselfe who being nere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at band Seeing it hath so fallen out said the three bretheren dispose of vs as they that remain at your mercy And mercy shall ye haue answered the Prince if first ye will loyally sweare to me that you will cary this woman and her husband to the Court of King Languines there before him recite al that hath happened saying withall how you were thereto constrained by a yong Knight that sent ye thether who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this mis-deed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to performe wherefore commending them to God he rode away leauing them together CHAP. VI. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentle-man of the sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knights the Gentle-man of the sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not ridden long till they saw two Damosels come toward them by two sundry waies who addressed them-selues to meete together which when they had done they entred into communication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and wheÌ„ they were come to the Prince she with the Launce aduanced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three dayes it will stand ye in good steed as therewith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these words thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shal be quoth she euen so as I haue said and this present I was desirous to bring ye as a beginning of recompence for two fauours I hope to receiue by you the first whereof shall be When one of your best friends shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue whereby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath done these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doe my friend Full well I know quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you must note was Vrganda the vnknowne When the other Damosell who heard the words saw her forsake her company she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doe wherefore she said My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conueneient I would gladly for a while abide with ye deferring a iourny that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demand of whence she was where-to she replied that she was of Denmarke And that himselfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assurance thereof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country speech whereupon he said If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tell me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I see her till now I met her on the way and then she said to me that the Launce she caried she would giue to the best Knight in the world desiring me withall to let you vnderstand after her departure that she bare you great affection and how she was named Vrganda the vnknowne Ah God quoth he how infortunate am I 〈◊〉 not knowing her if I forbare now presently to follow her you must thinke Lady the cause is that I cannot find her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the dark euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chanced that they met with a Squire who demanded where they intended to find lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith said the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you cannot long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct you to a Castle belonging to my father who shall do you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosel thinking this councel good desired the Prince to accept there-of which he did therefore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them derectly forth of the way because he had neuer seene the combates of Knights errand and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought theÌ„ to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could the Prince take no rest all the night for thinking on the Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gone and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire said he would bring them againe into their way acquainting the Prince as he rode with the custome of the Castell which being very neere at hand he shewed them the Castell standing very strong and pleasantly for before it ran a huge swift Riuer and no passage thereto but ouer a long draw-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence thereof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needs passe thether by the bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsaull passage March on then said the Prince wherewith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the sea remaining behind entred into such a thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well neere forgotten himselfe but at length he heard the noyse of sixe Halberders armed with Corslets and Helmets who at the entrance of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oath that she should neuer beare loue to hir friend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland against King Perion which she refusing cried to the Prince for his assistance This clamour made him forget his musing when adressing himselfe to the Palâ—â—ardes he said Traiterous villaines who commanded you to lay hands on this Lady being in my charge In speaking these words he
Knight of the comlyest grace that euer was seen where he stroue to hide himselfe he was soonest discouered by reason of his brauery in horseman-ship The two Knights ran together in full course against him breaking their Lances in pieces on his shield but the Prince meeting him that had the foile in the forrest threw him again froÌ„ his saddle so roughly as in the fall he brake his arme the grief whereof made him lie still as if he had bin dead When he perceiued he was so well rid of one hee drew his sword came to the other giuing him such a stroke on his Helmet as the Sword entringlin hee puld it backe with such force that the laces brake wherby he broght it quite froÌ„ his head vpoÌ„ his sword then he lifted vp his arme to haue smitten him but the knight quickly clapt his Shield before In mean while the Prince got his sword into his left hand which hee could doe very hardly and with his right hand tooke holde on his enemies shield renting it violently from about his necke and afterward gaue him such a blow on the head as in great amazement hee fell to the ground Thus did hee leaue him there with his companion and rod with the Damosell to the Tents of Agraies who hauing seen the conclusion of this quarrell meruailing what he was that had so soone ouer-come two knights therefore when he came towardes him hee went foorth to meete him and so soone as they knew each other you need not make no doubt of their kinde salutations Soone after the Prince alighted and by Agraies was conducted into his Tent to be vnarmed but first hee gaue commandement that the knights dismounted in the fielde should bee brought thither where they were no sooner ariued but Agrais thus spake to them Beleeue mee my friends you attempted great folly to meddle with this Knight You say true my Lord answered hee whose arme was broken yet once to day I saw him in such plight as I little thought of any such resistance Afterward he declared all that happened in the Forrest and the communication they had together yet he omitted the Princes complaints because hee stood in feare to displease him During the repitition of these matters the patience of the one and boldnesse of the other was entercoursed among them and all that day they soiourned there but on the morrow Morning they mounted on horse-backe shaping their course to Palingues a right good City on the frontires and the outmost part of Scotland where they found shipping and embarqued them-selues toward Gaule The winde seruing according to their desire in fewe dayes they landed in the Hauen of Galfrin and marching thence in seemely order with-out any hinderance they came to the Castle of Baldain where King Perion was befieged hauing already lost great number of his people When he was aduertised of this succour you must imagine him comforted thereby and their welcome to bee good and gracious chiefly by the Queene Elisena who hauing knowledge of their arriuall sent to entreat her Nephew Agraies to come visite her which he did being accompanied with the King and the Gentleman of the Sea and two other knights of good account But you must note that king PerioÌ„ knew not the prince at the first sight yet at the length he called him to remeÌ„brance that it was the same man whom he had knighted and afterward saued his life at the Castle wherefore thus he spake My deare friend on my faith I had forgotten ye you are most welcome to this place for your presence giueth assurance that I neede feare this warre no further hauing the onely Knight of the world so neere mee Dread Lord answered the Prince God giue me grace to serue you accordingly for perswade your selfe that while these troubles endure I will make no spare of my person As thus they deuised they entred the Queenes Chamber when the King taking the Prince by the hand presented him to her saying Madame this is the good Knight of whom here-tofore I tolde ye he defeÌ„ded me from the greatest danger that euer I was in and therefore I pray ye let no spare of curtisie be made to him here but giue him the best entertainment the time will affoord The Queene aduanced herselfe to embrace him but he fell on his knee with these wordes I am seruant Madame to the Queen your sister and froÌ„ her I come to serue you with 〈◊〉 obedience as to her owne person Right graciously did the good Lady giue him thankes yet little thought she that he was her Sonne for she imagined the sea had deuoured him yet was the Princes presence at that very instant so pleasing to her as her eyes could not be satisfied with beholding him and through a secret mouing of nature she wished more good to him theÌ„ any in the troupe At this time likewise was her remembrance solicited with the former losse of her two ChildreÌ„ whose yeeres she thought would haue equaled the Princes if God had preserued them these occasions vrged the teares in her eyes Thus wept she for him that nature touched her withall and yet vnknowen was in her presence but when the Prince beheld her so sorrowfull he reputed it to the reason of the warre begun wherefore hee said Madame I hope with the aide of God your King and the fresh supply we haue brought in shorte time to recouer your ioy and for mine owne part trust me I will make no spare Heauen prosper ye answered the Queene with happy successe for you are the Queene my sisters Knight I wil that ye prouide no other lodging but abide here with vs and all things shall be appointed for yee to your owne contentment Such was their conference together vntill Agraies would goe refresh himselfe wherfore taking leaue for that night he went to his lodging where it was prouided and gladly would the Prince haue followed him but the Queene with held him by such importunity as he was coÌ„strained now to remaine in his vnknowne mothers custody Right soone was the news of this fresh succour brought to K. Abies of Ireland Daganel his Cozin who made very small account thereof because in those times was King Abies accounted for one of the best Knights that euer was heard of and in respect of his hot desire to the fight determined seeing new aide was come to his enimy very quickly to bid him battaile and for this cause he said before all his people there present If King Perion were so gentle acoÌ„panion as to come see vs I had rather he would do it to day then to morrow Assure your selfe answered Daganel he is nothing so hasty as I thinke for hee feareth you to much albeit he maketh little show thereof Know you said Galâ—â— Duke of Normandy by what means we may thereto constraine him First let vs make an ambush of the greater part of our Army which shall remaine with the King in
her neck commanding garments to be brought and put about her wherefore hee that brought the lights ran for a scarlet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the iaylor and cast it about the Ladies shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her forth of the darke prison saying Shâ— should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose before and passing by where the iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many woâ—…s and torments haue you giuen me and diuers in this Castle without desert althought your bodies at this instant caÌ„not receiue coÌ„digne veÌ„gance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame saide Amadis while I go to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custudy so passing on to the port-cullis he met the Souldier that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalans demandeth wheree the Knight is that entred heere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the toreâ— before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fal which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Villaine searest thou being in my guarder goe on TheÌ„ assending the staires they came into the open Court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cleare and the weather faire but the Lady feeling the aire and beholding the heaâ—… was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knees before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almighty protect thee and requite the good 〈◊〉 haue receiued by thee deliuering me from comfortlesse darkenesse Amadis looking round about for Gaudalin and finding him not fearing he had lost him wherefore he saide If the best Squire in the world be dead I will take such reuenge for his death may I but find his 〈◊〉 derer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouer-come with griefe hee heard one crie wherefore hee ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great piece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthy stinking sauours neere him he espied Gandalin tied to a tree toward whom hee was going to vnbinde him but hee saw the Dwarffe had greatest need of help wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his feete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer entreated thee thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming forth of the Castle as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he staied til day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanied with two of the Souldiers the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place where-into he saw a horse led which Amadis being desirous to see came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it fly open finding the horse there ready sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castle by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarffe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demanding what the King was she loued so deerly and for whom she had sustained such iniury Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whom I loue so loyally this diuelish enchanter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his preseÌ„ce imagining the griefe here-of would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succor by reason of the traiterous villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke cloud enuironed me which hindred them from following mee to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought mee forth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you spake of It is King Arban of Norwales answered the Lady whom it may be you know I know him right well replied Amadis for he is one whom I deerly loue and now do I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appeared when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a window who thus demanded Art thou he that didst kill my iaylor my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so treacheroufly putteth knights to death abusing likewise both Ladyes and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard of As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldnes in asking me what I can do whether it bee wrong or right Here with hee went from the window and nor long after came downe into the Court being well armed mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knights in the world yet no Gyant wherefore when Amadis behelde him of such stature hee doubted not of his great force and strength Arcalaus perceiuing hee eyed him so much demaÌ„ded what moued him so to doe I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldest be a man of exquisite Chiualrie but thy peruerse and humaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me sayde Arcalaus I thinke my selfe highly beholding to fortune who hath brought thee hither to make mee such a smooth sormon but all this will not helpe thee therefore defend thy selfe So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their Shields as the shiuers flewe vp into the aire and with such violence met their horses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose with their swordes began a bloudy combate wherein desire of victorie and hauty resolution of vncoÌ„querable courage made theÌ„ continue a long time till Arcalaus retiring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thee I may yet commend thy boldnes in entring heere My death answered Amadis is in the hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary
and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife wherof when I attained knowledg I withdrew my selfe to a Castle of mine where I kept such a strong guarde and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange knight to enter there without licence but that knight comming thither vanquished my guardants and hath vtterly abolished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised mee to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chanced an vnhappy combat betweene him and this knight mine Vnckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiesty held open Court I should here present my selfe to grant a request he must demand of me To satisfie my promise I am come hither and desire to know what he will command me At which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the Combats therefore am I ready here to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she performe her owne promise On my conscience quoth shee if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you know I am ready to fulfill my offer demand what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so deerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what maner of demand is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would marry with such a one as is well worthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth knight quoth shee this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replied Amadis but I will performe it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote herein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must needes confesse your selfe satisfyed hee gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renouned Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now do I wel perceiue that art nor cuning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue done my vttermost to escape Angriote not onely for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chast and single I would not bring my liberty into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come neerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and rich he is a yong and braue disposed knight as you are rich in goods and possessions euen so is he in bounty and vertue not onely in deedes of Armes but in all other good qualities beseeming a knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heereupon shee stepped to the Queene saying Madam you are esteemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall do Faire friend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote had gotten among the good he well deserueth not onely to bee aboundant in riches but to bee loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis think you not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned mee of folly but making tryall of his valour and hardinesse yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinkes the iustice of the cause commands that not only my selfe but all such as are acquainted with him ought to 〈◊〉 in seeking remedy for you both in him the extreame passions hee endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse griefes known to you Now trust me Sir quoth shee such prayse haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then truth wherefore following your counsell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall command mee Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to do my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my Soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then here I giue her you replied Amadis on this condition that you shall be forth with married together and continue in honourable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commandement Presently the King called for the Bishoppe of Salerne who conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Citty and there the wedding was solemnized with great ioy and Triumphs wherefore wee may well say that hot men but God appoynteth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which Angriote euer-more bare to this selfe-willed Lady For albeit hee had her in his custodie neuer did he meane dishonorablie against her but by vertuous cogitations bridled vnlawfull desire onely to expresse how intirely he loued her and by obeying her seueere charge lost his life wel-neare when he combatted with Amadis CHAP. XXXIII How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertayning of Chiualrie AFter the end of this mariage which by diuersity of opinions caused much talke as commonly it happeneth in such cases the King commanded silence againe by his Herauld when euery one being attentiue to heare what he would say he thus began My friends no one of you is ignorant of the heauenly fauour toward me by appointing me the greatest earthly Lord that liueth this day in the Isles of the Ocean Wherefore I thinke it conuenient that as wee in this countrey are the chiefe so should we be second to no other Prince in rendring immortall thankes by good and vertuous workes whereof we are now minded to determine In this respect I intreate command albeit Kings are the heads of their Monarchies you the members that you would altogether take aduise and giue mee counsell euen from your consciences what you thinke most expedient for mee to do as well for the benefit of my Subiects as also for our estate And I assure ye I am minded to beleeue your opinions as proceeding frō loyall and
seene her in the time of her perfect health which was now much decaied by reason of this new iealousie which she had conceiued against Amadis which made her looke leane pale and wan but these defaults could nothing quench the heate of the fire already kindled in the heart of Patin who was so far beside him-selfe that hee determined to beseech the king to bestow her vpon him in mariage making account that it would be easily granted considering his birth and high estate Hereupon he tooke leaue of the Ladies and returned towards the King who was ready to sit downe to dinner the which being ended hee went aside towards a window and calling Patin vnto him they talked long together Afterwards falling from one matter to another Patin said vnto him It may please your maiesty yesterday I promised to tel youâ— so soone as I had seene my Lady Oriana your daughter what moued me to come from Rome into Great-Brittaine I beseech you not to bee offended if I haue taken so far a iourney to come in person to require her of you in mariage I haue chosen her as wel to haue your alliance as also for the beauty and good grace which remaineth in her I am sure you are not ignorant considering the place from whence I am descended the great meanes which cannot faile me as one day to be Emperor of Rome that if I would else where set my liking there is no Prince this day liuing which would not be very glad to receiue mee for his sonne in law Good cosin answered the king I thanke you for the kindnesse and honour you do offer me but the Queene hath alwaies promised Oriana that she shal neuer be maried against her will wherefore before wee grant you any thing we must know of her how she will bee content therewith this the King sayd because he would not discontent Patin for he was not minded to bestowe his daughter vpon any Prince or Lord that should carry her forth of the land Patin was satisfied with these wordes and expecting some other answere of the King hee stayed fiue dayes at the Court yet the king neuer spake to Oriana thereof although he assured him that hee had done as much as he could to cause her consent thereto but he could in no sort preuaile with her Therefore win her your selfe if you can said he and pray her to doe that which I shall command her Then Patin came vnto her and said Madame I am to desire a request of you that shall be both honorable and profitable for you the which I pray you not to deny me My Lord answered the princesse there is no reason to refuse the grant being such a reasonable request as you assure me it is therefore if it please you defer not to declare it vnto me I beseech you said Patin to obey whatsoeuer the king your Father shall command you Oriand who vnderstood not his meaning answered him You may bee assured Sir that I should be very sorry to do otherwise This answere wonderfully contented Patin for he now assuredly thought Oriana to be his and said vnto her Madam I haue determined to go thorough this countrie to seeke strange aduentures and I hope to performe so high deeds of Arms as you shall shortly heare news of my prowes so much to mine aduantage as very easily you will coÌ„discend vnto that which the king will command you for the loue of me Herewithall he tooke leaue of her manifesting at this time his intention vnto her no farther and returned vnto the king vnto whom he declared the answer of Oriana together with the desire he had to proue himselfe against al wandring Knights Do as it please you answered the king notwith-standing I would aduise you to desist from such an enterprise for you shall finde many strange and very dangerous aduentures with a great number of knights well exercised in armes who may happily in some sort displease you If they be valiant and hardy said he I hope they shall not finde any faintnes or cowardlines in me as my deedes hereafter may witnes Wel answered the king Do what you shall thinke best Thus Patin departed in the hope which he had to enioy Oriana for the loue of whom he had framed this song which he sung when fortune brought him neere the place where Amadis made his mone who vsed him as you haue heard But now we will leaue him and recount vnto you what hapned to Durin who hauing left Amadis returned the next way passing by the place where Patin lay wounded who had taken off his Helmet for the grief of his wouÌ„d hauing already lost such store of blood that his face and armour was all stained and couered therewith He beholding Durin said to him Gentle-man my friend tell me where I may finde a place to cure my wounds Truly answered hee I know no place but one and those whom you shall finde there are so sorrowfull that I beleeue they cannot looke vnto you Wherefore said Patin For a Knight quoth Durin who newly hath wonne the place that I tell you of and seen the images of Apolidon and his Lady which till then no other might behold since when he is departed thence secretly in such melancholy as his death is greatly feared Belike said Patin you speake of the Firme Island True quoth Durin What said Patin is it conquered already certes I am heartily sorry for I was going thither with intention to proue my selfe hoping to haue won the same Durin smiled and answered him Truely knight if there be no more prowesse hidden within you then that which you haue now manifested I thinke in stead of honour you might there haue gotten shame and infamy Patin thinking himselfe iniuried rose vp and thought to haue taken hold of â—he raines of Durins horse but Durin turned from him herefore Patin seeing hee was farre enough from him hee called him againe and said I pray you faire sir tell what he is that hath gotten this famous conquest Then tell me first what you are answered Durin I will not stick for that said Patin I am sir Patin brother to the Emperour of Rome God bee praised answered Durin Yet so farre as I see you are of higher birth then bounty and your courage is as slender as your Courtesie is small Witnesse the speech which of late you had with the Knight that you enquire after who is the very same that euen now went from you whom I beleeue considering how hee hath handled you you will grant that he is worthy of such a victory and not Patin whom he hath vanquished This said he set spurres to his horse taking the right way vnto London in full purpose to recite vnto the Princesse Oriana all that hee had seene and heard of Amadis CHAP. VI. How Don Galaor Florestan and Agraies vndertooke the search of Amadis who hauing left his Armour changed his name and withdrew himselfe to an hermitage in the