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
kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Country then you imagine therefore I pray ye be not vnmindfull of this place So arose Elisena and went to her Chamber with Darioletta leauing the king alone not a little contented with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signifie he became desirous to returne to his owne Country where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences himselfe likewise in former times tooke great pleasure therein and vnderstood sundry rules thereof Neuerthelesse he foiourned ten dayes with king Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunt The ten dayes being spent king Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to depart and therefore tooke his leaue of the Court but as he wold haue mounted on horsebacke he perceiued that he wanted his good Sword whereat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fairest in the world yet durst he not demand it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena should thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his Chamber In these thoughts accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came intreated him to be mindfull of the great griefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the solemne promise he had made her Alas my deere friend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to see her in meane while I commend her to you as mine sowne proper hart Then taking from his finger a Ring sembleble to another that he had he sent it to the desolate louer in treating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great greefe but encrease it so that if she had not beene comforted by Darioletta without doubt she had then finished her dayes but so well she perswaded her to take good hope that by the alligations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came some-what better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothly to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes whereof she not onely lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mis-hap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable lawe that any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such forte could no way excuse her selfe from death This sharpe and cruell custome endured til the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that Country which he reuoked at the time as he killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betweene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady could not be absolued by ignoraunce thereof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Sword God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the worlde because it was done so secretly as you haue heard See here the distresse wherein King Perion left his Elisena which gâ—â—dly she wold giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the promptitude of this yong King that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also seeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therefore he was the harder to be found Thus dispairing of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true friend and onely Lord. But at that instant the great and puissant maker of all thinges by whose permssion this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such councell as she onely should remedie these occurrances in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber-vault seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer whereto one might easily discend by a little Iron dore this Chamber by the aduice of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to coÌ„tinue her accustomed solitary life and would haue none other companion then Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous greefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heereupon was the keye of the Iron dore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape with-out danger Wherefore beeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference she required councell what should be done with the fruite that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta Mary it must suffer to redeeme you Oh poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I coÌ„sent to the death of the creature begoten by the only man of the worlde whome most I loue offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth saide Elisena although I dye beeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue we this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great folly to hazard the safety of that which hereafter may be the onely cause of your losse and your friend likewise for well you knowe that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue you dying no longer can he liue that so deerely loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of all three where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand seeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boards of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherein to put the infant with the clothes the Sword which she kept then did she giue them together in such sorte as the water should haue no place to enter This beeing done made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing there-of to Elisena vntil the time of child-birth approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know not quoth
iniury they may carry me into my Country and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councel for my ouer burdened Soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thee who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiance of so gentle a Knight as thou art but withall my hart pardon thee my death wishing thou mayest continue honotable and yet hereafter to remember me When the Prince saw him in such debilitie he was exceeding sorowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combate he would haue dealth much worse with him During these speeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commanded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was gâ—for their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to the Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the fielde into the Citie euen with such triumphant glory as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not onely ouercome their enemies but restore the Country that is well neere ruinated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combate the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at king Perions Courte and-before shee would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward seeing him returne with so honorable a victory she shewed her selfe and taking him aside said Knight may it please you to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie neere concerneye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and keeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is onely yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall finde your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whom only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosel said hauing taken the Letter he â—et it fall being readie himselfe to â—eare it companie which the Damosell seeing shee tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that beheld him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former Traunce thus speaking What now my Lord Take you the Message in so ill part that comes from the onely Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to find you Ah Ladie quoth he on my faith I knew not what you sayd to me for euen as you began to speak I felt the paine to renewe in mee which heretofore you haue seene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is needlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer from me for I know more of your affayres and my Ladies then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you neede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittaine appointing all things in such order as at your arriual you may remaine there in the Court vntill more a mply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainly knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then shee thinkes you will be and seeing being ignorant of your Linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your Nobilitie you should labour to increase your Fame if you can And then againe shee gaue him the Letter saying Take here the Letter wherein your Name is written and which you had hanging about your necke at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast beene kept by her who hath my heart in her custodie and for whom I haue so often assayed to die yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I seeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender value is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauor the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deaths which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefite O highest God when shall I see the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agreeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his Name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir when I had done my Message to returne with all speed to her that sent me to you therefore be-thinke your selfe if you will command me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with mee two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct you whither you please In obeying you sayd the Damosell I trust I doe seruice to my Ladie Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returned to the King and Agraies who stayed for him him at the entrance of the Citie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the streetes Then came the Queene with her Ladyes Gentle-women to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrkesom to behold yet were they to bee healed without any great daunger of his person For this night the king desired that he and Agraies would supp with him but the Prince making his excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosel to whom he did all the honour that could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good Newes shee brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euety one but most with her whom he caused to stay attending his dispositioÌ„ till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a strange occasion which was cause of his longer abode in Gaule then hee expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you hereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by
euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowne to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode backe the same way she came and the King into the Citie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to keepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honour and happie comming there were Knightly Tourneys daily vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Gyant had carryed away his brother Galaor wherefore hee determined happen what might to goe seeke him and if possible hee could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he entreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemies that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittaine because he was loath to remaine idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Queen yet by opportunitie hee obtained permission for his Voyage nor could they all haue power to with hold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Herevpon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarqing himselfe at the neerest Port of the Sea where by good happe he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittaine landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient City of that Countrey where hee heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obey sance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demanded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marry is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any shipping there for my speedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither sayd Amadis In sooth replyed the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whom King Perion not long since had knowne to bee his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruaile hereat for hee thought these newes had not been so farre spread abroad wherefore hee demaunded how she heard thereof I know it qouth she from her to whom the most secret things of all are manifest for she knew Amadis before he knew himselfe or that his Father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what shee is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowne She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which shee now standeth in feare to loose Beleeue me Damosell answered Amadis seeing she who may command euery one doth now please to employ Amadis I assure ye it is needlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seek and therefore let vs goe whither you thinke conuenient What sayd the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct yee where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII How the Gyant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dubbe him Knight mette with his brother Amadis by whose hand hee would bee Knighted and no other THe Gyant of whom sundry times we haue spoken heereto-fore causing yong Galaor to bee instructed in managing horses all other exercises beseeming a Knight found him so capeable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeere hee was growne meruailous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whom hee most willingly would receiue his order of Knight-hood Notwith-standing before the Gyant mooued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this maner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would bee so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my son answerd the Gyant you haue reasō for your words yet tell me by whō you would receiue your Order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if so it like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Wel haue you aduised sayd the Gyant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire and strong Castle named Bradoid seated on the toppe of a mountaine enuironed about with Fennes and Marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the Marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long Causey being so broad that two Chariots might well meet together on it and at the entrance of the Causey was a draw-bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Heere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly Elme trees where-under the Gyant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shield two Lyons rampant and because the bridge was drawne vp hee could passe no further but called with a loude voyce to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing sayd to the Gyant My Lord if it please you I would grady see what this Knight will doe here Soone after they espyed at the further end of the Causey by the Castle side two other Armed Knights accompanied with tenne Halberders who came and demaunded of the knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not sticke for that answered hee that would enter cause you the bridge to bee let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twaine more hasty then his companion aduanced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carreer against the knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both Horse and man to the ground The friend to the dismounted knight thinking to reuenge his iniury gaue forth to meete him and failing in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountered with their bodies as the knight of the Castle fell into the water
before nor knowne but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside echone reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arâ—…s was thought to bedead and graciously did the King encertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming she vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damofell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galâ—…er and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on hi I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing lest euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he sell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albert such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwith-standing seeing you are the bâ—… King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will yet then be his Madame quoth Galator me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you consenting because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlemen would saine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere the 〈◊〉 which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete not ignorant what medicines should be applied to passion are minde after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and how leauing Agraies to court him Oliuia they being set she merily 〈◊〉 began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to conser with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him froÌ„ the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as hashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most decrely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quier if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griese without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing
you not depart this night These words she spake because she intended to scale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to another whither soone after Madasima repaired she being young beautifull and aduenturously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling-ladders to the walls quickly got possession of the Forte And so well liked shee these amorous skirmishes as afterward she reported in many places how she ne-uer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did shee but in hope of his speedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honour she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis and Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as hereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were friendly entertained in an hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rashly and vnadaisedly FOure dayes after Amadis Galaor departed from the Court the ancient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Queene as you haue heard when falling on his knee before the King he began in this manner I maruell my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not the Crowne I left with you And you Madame quoth he to the Queene is it possible you should make so slender account of the sumptuous mantle I gaue you in charge not deigning aâ—…yet to proue it or how it will become ye When the King heard his words knowing they were lost he sate a good while without any answere which made the knight thus begin againe On my faith I am glad you like theÌ„ not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue granted my demand and happely it would proue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beseech ye my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer here At which words the King seemed much offended and not being able any longer time to conceale his hidden anger earnestly fixing his eyes vpon him which were then ouer clouded with a discontented brow he brake forth into these following speeches Know knight that whatsoeuer promises I haue made to thee are like those decrees which stand registred in the booke of Fate immutable and thou shalt finde that I will keepe them inuiolable Although I must confesse for the which I am heartily sorry not so much for my selfe who am a partner with thee in the losse as for thy sake who committed them to my trust that both the Crowne and Mantle are vtterly lost how or by what meanes I cannot relate would heauens would please to be so propitious as to bring to light this deede of darkenesse then should my now troubled heart finde comfort and you your wished desire Which till then cannot rest contented my much perplexed minde would then bee at peace which now is at ciuill Warres and intestine contention within me At which words not being able any further by his tongue the hearts best interpreter both for ioy and griefe to expresse himselfe he abruptly paused partlie moued thereunto by the knight who gaue a loud shrike saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now comes the time I so much feared bringing with it my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must after all those miseries finish mine olde age in the most sore cruell death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which moued the most constant to pitty his griefe and the King himself ouercom with coÌ„passion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speede any thing the worse for my losse you must be satisfied whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfuly promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demand what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I know my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and Mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnesse I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to bee deliuered if I had I would acquit you of the griefe I know you will endure granting me the thing I must of necessitie demand but now it may not be otherwise except you infringe your faith loyaltie Rather will I lose my Kingdome replied the King then make apromise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy minde I thanke your Maiesty quoth the knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perform'd or I satisfied hauing a reward now and taken from me anon Great reason said the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my Mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughte Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewells or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her 〈…〉 sustaine harme by your vnhappie losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmur against the knight perswading the king to deny his word but he rather 〈…〉 death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere hee made them Be not offended my good friends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiâ—diciall to me as the breach of my promise for if the one be enuious the other is iniurious and to be â—…ned euery way The proofe is ready if Subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care will they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this knight therefore must haue my daughter and I will deliuer her according to my promise Hereupon he sent for her but the Queene being present all this while little thought the king would so forget his fatherlie loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter shee good Lady fell at the kings feete when weeping as a Mother for the losse of her Childe she said What will ye doe my My Lord will ye bee more inhumane to your owne blood then the bruite Beasts are to their contraries Notwithstanding all their
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
not on the time how day wasted night ensued whether Gandalin were returned or the Damosell awake all these things were now cast into obliuion They imaginâ—â— to haue viands good store being thâ—â— delighted the one with the other which seemed more delicious to them then all the Nectar or Ambrasia of Iupiter Yet at length they remembred themselues somewhat better when hearing the Damosell and Gandalin so neare them their pastime ended and taking each other by the hand walked among the trees to take the ayreâ— in the meane while Gandalin and the Damosell spread a cloath on the grasse and set thereon such victuals as they had Now though there wanted rich cup-boords of plaâ—◠〈◊〉 were in the houses of King Lisuart and Perion as also the solemnity of great seruices yet the fortunate entertaynement at this time was held by them of higher estimation During their repast as they â—…garded the woods and fountaines they began to esteem it no strange matter why the Gods sometime forsooke the heauens to dwell in groues and delightful Forrests Iupiter they imagined wise when he followed Europa 〈◊〉 and his other friends Beside Apollo had reason to become a Shepheard for the loue of Daphne and the daughter of Admetus They being willing to imitate their example wished continually to tarry there without returning to the Pallace and royaâ—… pompe reputing the Nymphes of the woods most happy Goddesses excelling such as remayned in the walled Cities Pitty were it to trouble these louers in their amorous deuises wherefore wee will leaue them and see what happened to Galaor following the search of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXVII How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison GAlaor parting from his brother Amadis in such sort as you heard followed the way whereby the King was led prisoner and making great haste in respect of his earnest desire to ouer-take him had minde of nothing else hee met by the way As thus hee continued gallopping hee saw a Knight well armed come riding towarde him who maruelling why the Prince vsed such extreame diligence when hee came neare him sayd Stay a while knight and tell mee what affaires cause you make such speed Forbeare Sir I pray yee answered Galaor for by my tarrying may happen too great an inconuenience By God sayde the knight you must not so escape for you shall tell mee whether you will or no. I may not trifle the time quoth Galaor and so rode on still without any tariance Nay Gallant replyed the knight I will bee resolued in my demaund though to your cost Hereupon hee posted after Galaor still exclaiming on him with hard words weening he fled away for feare of him and often-times hee thought to smite him with his Launce but the Prince euermore eâ—caped his attempt yet his horse beeing â—ore wearied hindered him very much when the knight ouer-taking him thus spake Infamous palliard and without heart of these three things chuse the best either to combate returne or answere my demaund Now trust me sayd Galaor the easiest of these three is hard to mee wherein you make no shew of curtesie for returne I may not and if I combate it must be against my will But if you desire to know the cause of my haste followe me and you shall see for I should â—arry too long in telling it and happely you would scant beleeue mee so horrible and disloyall is the deed which compelleth me to this impatience Beleeue mee quoth the knight I will follow thee three whole dayes onely to see whether thou lyâ—st or no. Thus Galaos held on his way the knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile wheÌ„ they espied two other knights the one being on foote running to catch his horse and the other gallopping away so fast as hee could Hee on foot was Cosen germaine to the knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other knight had beene dismounted knowing his kinsman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistance in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the knight you see before three dayes together hereto hee added all the speeches betweene Galaor and him In sooth replied his Cosen hee should seeme by your wordes the greatest coward in the world else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therefore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniury and beare you company to the ende I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten knights that conducted the King they riding vppe a narrow straite â—iue before him fiuâ—…hinde Now did he fully resolue to die or purchase his deliuerance for hee was so offended to see the King bound with chaines as hee imagined himselfe able to conquer them all as many more if they had been there whereupon he thus cryed to them Traytours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the world With these wordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his body hee fell downe dead beside his horse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the for most fiue to guard the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found themselues very much deceiued for though the Princes horse by reason of his sore trauell often stumbled and thereby put him in danger of falling yet laide hee such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanied the first and the other twaine were brought into hard extreamity Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kings together entring couragiously among the thickest shewing most rare and haughty chiualry When the two Cosens that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with maruell the one sayd to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for hee is the most hardy knight that euer I saw except the world shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him die in this extreamity lest the beauty of chiualry bee gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantly thrust themselues into the skirmish deliuering such friendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt himselfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispersed and hee had leasure to take a little breathing but wondering whence this aide should proceed hee fell to worke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cosen to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded hee purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horse got one of the slaine knightes swordes where-with hee resisted his enemies brauely As the cosin to Arcalaus followed his intent
brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea Fol. 33. Chap. 7. How the Gentleman of the Sea combatted with the guarders of Galpans Castle and after-ward with his Brethren and in the end with Galpan himselfe Fol. 39. Chap. 8. 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 Fol. 43. Chap. 9. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Court of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the combat with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule Fol. 55. Chap. 11. How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisona his Mother Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him knight met with his brother Ama. by whose hād he would be knighted and by no other Fol. 66. Chap. 13. How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Fol. 76. Chap. 14. How after Amadis departed from Vrganda the Vnknowne he arriued at a Castle where it chanced to him as you shall reade in the discourse Fol. 81. Chap. 15. How King Lisuart caused asepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after he was found and knowne Fol. 91. Chap. 16. How Amadis made himselfe knowne to King Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his Court of whom he was honorably receiued and feasted Fol. 100. Chap 17. What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis Fol. 108 Chap. 18. How Amadis tarrying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidings of his brother Galaor Fol. 206. Chap. 19. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferior in beauty to Angriotes choyce F. 122 Chap. 20. How Amadis was inchanted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how after-ward he escaped the inchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda Fol. 131 Chap. 21. How Arcalaus brought news to the Court of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana Fol. 136. Chap. 22. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monastery where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him F. 141 Chap. 23. How Amadis departed from the Ladies Castle and of the matters which were occurrent to him by the way Fol. 150. Chap. 24. How King Lisuart being in the chase saw a farre off three knights armed comming toward him and what followed thereupon F. 154. Chap. 25 How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them Fol. 159. Chap. 26. How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whom hee found slaine on the bed vnder the Tree Fol. 164. Chap. 27 How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whom he combatted and what happened to him afterward Fol. 168 Chap. 28. How Amadis combatted with the Knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him Fol. 174. Chap. 29. How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor loose his Horse Fol. 176. Chap. 30. How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time Fol. 179. Chap. 31. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward Fol. 182 Chap. 32. How King Lisuart departed from Windsore to the good Citty of London there to hold open and royall Court Fol. 185. Chap. 33. How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie F. 191 Chap. 34. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to Court cloathed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuart in a cause whereby shee had beene wronged Fol. 195. Chap. 35. How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly Fol. 201. Chap. 36. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners wherefore they made hast to giue them succour Fol. 209. Chap. 37. How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison Fol. 216. Chap. 38. How news came to the Queene that the King was taken and how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained long time after-ward Fol. 227. Ch. 41. How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sons to reuenge the kings death who was father to the faire Briolania and of that which followed Fol. 230. Chap. 42. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the Knight that dismounted him and his companions in the Forrest whom when hee found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest point of their combat they knew each other Fol. 235 Chap. 43. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Petion on the faire Daughter to the County of Zealand Fol. 240. Chap. 44. How Galaor and Florestan riding towards the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damosels at the Fountaine of Oliues Fol. 248. FINIS THE SECOND BOOKE Of Amadis de Gaule CONTAINING THE DESCRIPtion Wonders and Conquests of the Inclosed or Firme-Island As also the triumphes and troubles of Amadis in the pursuit of his fayrest Fortunes Moreouer the manifold Victories hee obtained and admirable seruices by him performed for King Lisuart And his notorious ingratitude towards him which was the first occasion of the broyles and fatall warres that no small time continued betweene him and Amadis Translated out of French by A. M. TAM ROBVR TAM ROBOR NI-COLIS ARBOR IOVIS 1610. LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES dwelling in Foster-lane 1619. TO THE RIGHT HONORAble Sir Phillip Herbert Earle of Mountgomerie And Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter AMadis in his first Booke kissing your noble hand the second followeth to finde the like fauour encouraged thereto by your euer knowne most honourable nature and affable graces affoorded to the very meanest deseruers The third and fourth Bookes successiuely ensue to make vp the first volume of so famous an history till foure more may in the like manner be finished to present themselues to you their gracious
before the King and deliuered vnto him a Letter sealed with fiue seales hee said vnto him It may please your Maiesty to command this Letter to be read that you may vnderstand the cause of my comming vnto you Then the king tooke the Letter and read it and because it referred to the knights report he answered him thus Friend you may performe your charge when it shall please you Hereupon the knight rose vp and said aloude King Lesuart I defiâ— thee and all thy allies in the behalfe of the mighty Princes Famangomad Giant of the burning Lake Cartadaque his Nephew Giant of the inuincible Mountaine Mandafabull his brother in Law Gaint of the vermillian Tower Don Quedragant brother to the late deceassed King of Abies of Ireland and Arcalaus the enchaunter who doe all send thee word by me that they haue sworne the death of thee and thine And the better to accomplish this their enterprise they will all come in the aid of king Cildadan be of the number of his hundred knights who will assuredly destory thee Notwithstanding if thou wilt giue thy daughter and heire Oriana vnto the faire Madasima daughter to the most redoubted Pamaâ—gomad to serue her for her Gentlewoman they will let thee liue in peace and be thy friends for they will marry her with the Prince Bafigant who doth well deserue to be Lord both of thy Land and Daughter also Therefore King Lisuart chuse thee of these two conditions the best either peace which I aduise thee to except or the most cruell warre that may happen vnto thee hauing to doe with such mighty and redoubted Princes When the King had long giuen eare vnto him to shew that he made small account of such threats he smiling thereat answered him Trust mee Knight they that gaue thee this commission doe thinke farre amisse of me for I haue all my life time thought a dangerous warre better then a shamefull peace because I were worthy of great reprehension both of God and man being King ouer such a mighty nation if I should now through base cowardise suffer them to bee afflicted with cruelty Wherefore returne and tell them that I had rather desire all the daies of my life that warre which they do threaten me withall and in the end to die in battaile then to accord vnto a peace so much to my dishonor And because that I desire to know their mind at large I will send a Knight of mine owne with you who shall in like sort declare vnto them my whole intention and yet I know not if by their lawes all Embassadors or messengers are as free from danger with them as they are with Christian Princes If it please your Maiestie said the knight that he shal go with me I will bee his warrant and will coÌ„duct him vnto the burning lake which is in the Isle of Mongaza where they are assembled with the rest of the hundred to come and meet with you assuring you that wheresoeuer Don Quedragant abideth he will neuer suffer wrong to be done vnto any Truely answered the King hee sheweth himselfe therein to bee a noble Prince but tell mee if it please you what your name is Sir answered hee I am called Landin Nephew to Don Quedragant who am come with him to reuenge the death of King Abies of Ireland mine vnckle neuerthelesse wee could neuer yet meete with him that did slay him and further we doe not well know whether hee bee dead or not I beleeue you well answered the king and I would you did certainely know him to be liuing and that he were here for all the rest would go forward well enough I know well said Landin wherefore your grace saith so you esteeme him to be the best knight in the world neuethelesse I hope to bee in the battaile which is prepared for you and there to performe such worthy deedes of armes to your disaduantage that it may be you will change your opinion By our Lady answered the King I am sorry for that I had a great deale rather that you had a desire to remaine in my seruice notwithstanding this much I tell you that there you shall finde those that can tell how to answere you well enough And you sayde the Knight many other that will pursue you euen vnto shamefull death Wheâ— Florestan heard him speake so boldly and to the preuidence of Amadis his coller was mooued therewithall and hee saide vnto Landin Knight I am a stranger in this Countrey and none of the Kings subiects so that for any thing which you haue saide vnto him I haue no occasion to answer you chiefely because that here are present so many Knights my betters ouer whome I will not in any sort insult Neuerthelesse seeing that you cannot finde Amadis which is as I think for your great profit I am ready to fight with you and will in his stead defend the quarrel that you haue against him And to the end that you may the better know me I am his brother Florestan who doe offer vnto you the combat vpon this condition that if I can ouercome you shall be bound to giue ouer the quarrel that you haue against him and if you ouercome mee reuenge part of your anger on moe Yet thus much by the way you must not thinke it strange that I haue beene so forward in the matter for I haue no lesse cause to sustaine his quarrell against you he being absent then you haue to maintaine that of King Abies whose nephew you are being very well assured that my Lord Amadis is of power sufficient to reuenge me if Fortune permit you to haue the aduantage ouer me My Lord Florestan answered Landin so farre as I perceiue you haue a desire to fight but I cannot satisfie you at this time being in no sort at mine owne disposition as well for the affaires which by another I am appointed to discharge as also for that I did promise before my departure from those Lordes thaâ— haue called me into their company not to enterprize any matter before the Battaile that might hinder me to assist and do my best endeuour therein and therefore at this present hold me excused vntill the battaile be ended then I promise you to accept the combat which you demand and sooner I cannot intend it Beleeue me said Florestan you speake like a worthy Knight for those that haue the like charge that you now haue ought to forget and denie the fulfilling of their owne will to satisfie those from whom they are sent otherwise they might bee blamed seeing that although you should get the victory of this combat to your honour yet it might be that their be foreslowed thorow your stay and hinderance because they doe all repose themselues vpon your charge therefore I am content to defer it vntill the time that you require and because you shall not afterwards faile behold here is my gage At the same instant he threw downe his gloue and Landin
next morning at their returne from church hee caused the twelue knights of the Firme-Island to bee called vnto whom he said My friends you may carry away with you the Damosels which you demand when it shall please you for I set them at liberty because that this night the Earle Latin hath written vnto me that he hath the Isle of Mongaza in his hands and that the olde Giantesse is deceased If any were glad here-of you may beleeue that the two traitors Broquadan and Gandandel were nothing sorry for as much as they did perceiue that if this had not happened their treason had bid discouered TheÌ„ Imosel answered the king If your Maiestie doe but Madasima right shee must not remaine poor nor disinherited seeing your grace knoweth that children are bound to obey their parents as shee hath done more by feare then free will And so if it please your Maiesty vsing your accustomed liberality you should shewe her some grace and fauour shewing thereby an example to all other vertuous and couragious Princes to do the like Imosel sayde the king let it suffice you that the Damosels are at liberty for I cannot reuoke the gift which I haue made to my daughter Leonor of the land which you demand I most humbly beseech your Maiestie answered Galuanes to haue pitty vpon her and mee who at this preseÌ„t ought to hold the place descended froÌ„ her ancestors of whom shee is the lawfull inheretrix especially of the land which you doe take from her and if it please your highnesse in remembrance of the seruices which I haue done vnto you you may restore them vnto vs to hold them of your grace by fealty and homage I haue said enough my Lord Galuanes answered the king that which is done cannot be vndone Trust me answered he seeing I can neither haue right nor reason of you I will trie if I may get it some other way Doe what you can said the king I am in good hope seeing I haue won if froÌ„ greater then you to desend it against those that are lesse theÌ„ they Sir answered Galuanes he which got it for you hath bin very badly recoÌ„pensed therefore Care not you for that saide the King if he of whom you speake dare but aduenture to aide you I dare bee so bolde as to withstand him and to make him beshrew himselfe Agraies hearing these threats was exceeding angry and in great choller answered Sir although my Lord Amadis was neuer other theÌ„ a waÌ„dring knight yet did he that good for you which as yet you neuer recompensed for he hath many times defended you and deliuered you from death Florestan did well perceiue that Agraies entred into farther tearmes then was fit hee should for which cause he a little pulled him back and said vnto the king Sir although you be a king and a great Lord yet it may be you shall finde somewhat to do to vse my Lord Amadis in such sort as you threaten him By my faith said Brian Amadis hath done you too many seruices to be thus badly requited especially he being sonne vnto a Prince as worthy as your selfe Soft and faire Don Brian saide the king we know wel enough that you are one of his friends I am and so ought to be said Brian for euery one knoweth that I am his cosin german and therefore it were a shame not to succour him in his neede Truely answered the King for the same cause doe I hold you excused And as they were in these tearmes Angriotta de Estrauaux Sarquiles his Nephew came before the King who beeing armed at all points did their duty vnto his Maiestie but when the knights of the Firme-Island did beholde them they greatly wondered for they knew nothing at al of this their enterprise Then Angriotta with a loud voice began his speech in this manner May it please your Maiestie my Nephew and I heere preseÌ„t do beseech your grace to cause two traitors that are in your Court Broquadan and Gandandel to appeare before your Maiestie vnto whom I will declare the treason which they haue done against you Much affrighted was Broquadan and his companion hearing Angriotta speake after this manner who continuing his speech saide If it like your highnesse these two wicked persons of whom I speake without respect or feare of God or men haue faisly accused my Lord Amadis other of a matter wherein they neuer so much as in thoght offended By means whereof I dare well say that you haue banished from you the best Knights that euer entered into Great Brittaine therefore if those traitours dare maintaine that they be not such as I tearme theâ—â— I alone by the help of God and the edge of my sword will make them confesse it And if they ought to bee excused by reason of their age there is neither of them both which hath not a sonne of long time bearing armes and well enough esteemed of amongst the Knights of your court against whom I will fight if they will maintain the quarrell of their wicked fathers Most mighty soueraigne answered Gandandel doth not your grace see the boldnes of this proud iniurious fellow who is come into this countrey to no other end but onely to shame the Gentlemen of your court By my faith if your Maiestie would haue beleeued me long agoe so soone as hee had entred into your Realme hee should haue bin hanged vp vpon the first tree that he had come vnto but seeing that your grace doth suffer him you must not hereafter be abashed if Amadis in his owne person doe come euen hither to iniurie your owne selfe Notwithstanding thus much I protest that by the liuing God if I were as young now as when I began to enter into the seruice of the late deceased king your brother vnto whom I haue done many great seruices I am well assured that Angriotta durst not so much as haue dreamed to vtter halfe these iniurious words of me as hee hath proferred now before your Maiesty But the gallant doth well know that I am olde and erased as well by the great number of my aged yeeres as by the infinit wounds which I haue receiued in a manner in all the parts of my body in the warres of your predecessors witnes wherof are yet these relikes Saying so he 〈…〉 his breast vpon the which were many scarres apparrantly to be â—…ne Villaine said Angriotta 〈…〉 thinke to defend thee with the cloquence of thy tongue But by the faith of a Knight if the King do but iustice vnto vs both hee shall apparrantly perceiue thy great treason There-with all Sarquiles stepped forth and kneeling downe hee said vnto the King It is long since I did aduertise your Maiestie that so soone as my Lord Angriotta heere present should come vnto your Court I would let you vnderstand that which with my two eares I did hear spoken by the mouth of these two traitors heereupon hee recited word by word the
At what time the two branches of one tree shall be ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should find him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these meanes remained little Galaor in the holy mans charge and there he staied so long till he was of yeeres to receiue the order of Knight-hood as hereafter shal be recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a king named Falangris who dying without children left one of his bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires then prompt at armes and Knightly chiualry being called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the king of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North parts And albeit she had bene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not consent to the othâ—… which he would prouide 〈…〉 sing one himselfe and so 〈…〉 her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in hiâ—… hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittaine knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeed in the Realme for he being in a strange country whereby his hauty deeds and chiualry he was maried in so good a place therefore they pispatched their Ambassadours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest himselfe therein CHAP. V. How King Lisuart sayling by sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his Subiects desire for his short returne prouided his equipage by Sea being aided and assisted by the king of Denmarke his father in law and afterward set saile toward great Brittaine And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new king of great Brittaine accompanied with the Queene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yeeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therefore during the time of her aboad in Denmarke she was commonly called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana being not vsed to trauaile on the sea found her selfe some-what weary and her father fearing a worse mis-hap intreated the king of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did king Languines and his Queene accept this charge wherefore king Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to sea where weighing Anckers and hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where being arriued before he could abide in quier as in such occasions it often falleth out certaine rebels were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so speedily send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the author leaueth the new King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yeeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and for his good grace both of the Queene and the other Ladies was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath beene already declared the yong Princesse Oriana daughter to King Lisuart was left with the Queene of Scots to refresh her selfe till the King her father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies could be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame henceforth so please you shall the Gentleman of the sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherefore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindnsse in his spirite as during life he ment to serue nor loue any other and therefore for euer bequeathed to her his heart but so well it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betweene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge thereof thought him-selfe vnworthy so great good reputing it a very bold enterprise to thinke thereon which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblance The yong Princesse who was of the same minde and also in like paine forbare to talke more with him then any other thereby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers doing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which most they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting each other with this amorous affectioÌ„ Soone after this yong vnknowne Prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes receiue the order of Knighthood he said to himselfe If once I were a Knight I would do such exployts as should deserue the fauour of my Lady or die in the attempt And in this desire one day finding king Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these speeches My Lord might it stand with your pleasure I gladly would receiue my Knight-hood When the King heard him seeing his yong yeeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the sea Do you thinke your selfe already strong enough for such a weightie charge Iâ—… sooth it is an easie thing to receiue honor but to maintaine it as behooueth it may be is more hard then you esteeme so that oftentimes a right good hart is troubled therewith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doe more better is death to him then a shamefull life therefore by mine aduise I would haue you yet a while to forbeare The Prince not contented with this answere replied I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doe all that appertaineth to Chiualrie I would not haue beene so bold to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue beene hitherto nourished most humbly I beseech ye to grant me this petition that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to seeke else where for obtaining my suite The king highly esteemed the courage of the youth and doubting least he would depart indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentle-man that I wil do it wheÌ„ I see it necessary for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what else belongeth Yet tell me faire Sir to whome if I refused would you go for your order To King Perion said the Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Queene who maketh me beleeue that he will not denie me when I shall let him vnderstand how shee hath nourished me and that I am her seruant It is true
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
then these two who as yet had not learned them But this new Knight being thoroughly furnished and ready to his iourney by his Ladies consent would in thanking the company take a more secret conge of Oriana And she who for his sudden parting felt new passions in her heart yet neuerthelesse dissembling thē tooke him by the hand and walking aside thus spake Gentleman of the sea you will be gone then but first I pray ye tell me whether you be the Sonne of Gandales or no for according to the good opinion I haue of you I thinke you to be issued of better place Then rehersed he all that King Languines had told him wherein she conceiued very great pleasure which done they committed each other to God So departed the Prince from this company and right-soone found Gandalin who attended for him at the Kings lodging dore with the rest of his Armes and his Horse whereon he mounted and left the Citie vnseene of any because as yet it was not day so rod they on till they came into a Forrest Now is the greatest part of the day spent before they would refresh themselues in any place but hunger constrained them to feede on such viandes as Gandalin had brought with him from the Citie During this time they heard in the Wood on their right hand the voyce of some one which seemed to them very doleful wherefore the Prince rode presently that way where he foūd a knight dead and hard by him another in little better case for he was so wounded that he had no hope to liue As for the partie that so cried it was a woman who lay vpon the knight pressing him so sore as made his hart to faile him and which was worst of all the villanous woman to cause his death the sooner cruelly thrust her hands into his wounds But when the wounded knight espied the Prince so well as he could he craued succor saying Ah gentle Sir for Gods sake suffer me not to be thus murthered by this ribaud Greatly was the Prince abashed at this wicked dealing and therefore very roughly thus spake Woman withdraw your selfe for you doe the thing not beseeming you or your like She as one ashamed retired and the Knight full of anguish fell in a swoune which made the Prince very desirous to know what he was but fearing that he had already yeelded his breath quickly alighted vsed such good meanes as reuiued him againe when he began to cry Ah I am dead good friends bring me to some place where I may haue councell for my soule Take courage answered the Prince for you shal haue what you demand but I pray ye tell me what fortune brought ye hither or where is he that hath thus hardly intreated ye It is said the Knight through this wicked woman who albeit I was rich and puissant yea far much more then she I made choise for the good loue I bare her and espoused her as my wife neuerthelesse she discourtebus creature forgetting the good and honor I had done her hath sundry times abandoned her honest regarde namely this night past with this Knight here dead whom I hauing neuer before seene by chance yesterday he came to me and this last night thus villanously abused me where taking him with the head we had a combate together wherein as you see he lost his life But when this strumpet saw I had slaine him fearing I would do as much to her she fell at my feete and desired pardon whereto I easily condiscended prouided that she offended no more Hereupon I intreated her to bind vp my wounds but she perceiuing how grieuously I was hurt and brought into very weake estate through ouer-much losse of my bloud to reuenge the adulterous villaines death she assaied to kill me outright and to make me languish the more in dying cruelly she thrust her hands into my wounds so that well I perceiue I cannot long liue Therefore I beseech ye good Sir helpe me to an Hermitage which is neere at hand where I shall find some religious man to comfort me in the agonie of my Soule Such compassion tooke the Prince on him as he and Gandalin taking him in their armes caried him on a Horse to the Hermitage in meane while the wretched woman stole away priuily and a little before she fearing that her Husband would be reuenged on her sent for helpe to three of her bretheren who dwelled not far from that place giuing them to vnderstand which way they should come In her wandring they met with her and she had no sooner espied them but she thus cried out Ah helpe me good bretheren for heere before is a theese who hath slaine this Knight which lieth heere and hath beside so wounded my Husband as there is no hope of life left in him let him not therefore escape ye not he that is in his company because the one is as deepe in the euill as the other Such like speeches vsed this Harlot that by the death of the Prince and Gandalin her treason might be couered therefore that her Husband should not dy alone with her will she shewed them the Gentleman of the sea euen as he returned from the Hermitage where he left the wounded Knight Here-upon the three bretheren too light of beleefe galloped toward him crying Traitour thou art but dead You lye villaines answered the Prince for right well shall I defend my selfe from such traitours as you are Bestirre thy selfe then said the bretheren for thou hast offended vs all three and we all wil be reuenged on thee if we may By good hap the Prince had his Sheeld and Launce ready and his Helmet very well laced wherefore without any further answere he sharply charged them and meeting with the first pearced through both his Sheeld and arme and withall threw his Horse him so fiercely against the ground as his right shoulder was broken in the fall in like manner was one of the Horses legges so that neither the one or other could rise At this encounter he brake his Launce wherefore he suddenly drew his Sword and addressing himselfe to the other twaine gaue one of them such a forcible stroke as slicing through his Armour entred the flesh to the very bone on his shoulder likewise so that therewith he fell from his saddle Being thus dispatched of two he came to the third and saluted him with such a sound blow on the Helmet as the poore Gentleman was constrained to imbrace the necke of his Horse thereby to sheeld himselfe from falling finding himselfe as greatly amazed as the other were Here-upon the woman that brought them thether fled away which the Prince perceiuing cried to Gandalin that he should stay her in meane while the first Knight hauing recouered himselfe vsed these speeches to the Prince We know not Sir whether this fight hath beene for right or wrong For right it could not be answered the Prince vnlesse you thinke I haue done
wrong in succouring the husband to this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dy When the three Knights heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had bene abused by their sister wherefore they thus replied In sooth my Lord so please you to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assurance so to doe said the Prince yet will I not acquit ye from the combate Then he that first spake rehersed all the words of their sister according as hath beene already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villanie disguised in such sorte for she hath done far otherwise as you may vnderstand by her husband himselfe who being nere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at 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
came to the chiefest of the sixe from whom right-soone he caught his hatchet and gaue him such a stroke therewith as he fell to the ground All the other together presently set vpon him but one of thē he sliced to the very teeth and soone after another bare him company with the losse of his arme When the three that were left saw their companions so handled they tooke themselues to flight and the Prince followed them so neere as one of them left his legge behinde him the other twaine he let go returning where he left the Damosel to whom he said Now boldly go on and like euill fortune may they haue that encourage any villany to lay forsible hand on Lady or Damosell She being assured by these words went on with the Prince and his Squires but ere they had gone any thing far they heard a great noyse tumult within the Castell Me thinkes Sir said the Damosel I heare a meruailous murmuring within this Fortresse therefore I would aduise ye to take the rest of your armour Goe on quoth the Prince and feare not for where Ladies are euill entreated who ought euery where to goe in safety there hardly abideth any man of valew In sooth said she if you doe not what I haue desired I will not passe any further and so much shee perswaded him that at length he laced on his Helmet afterward he went into the Castell at the entrance whereof he met a squire weeping who said Ah God why will they murder without cause the best knight in the world aias they wold inforce him to promise what is impossible for him to accomplish These words of the Squire could not stay the Prince for he saw King Perion who had so lately Knighted him very hardly vsed by two Knights who with the helpe of ten armed Halberders had round beset him saying sweare if not thou diest Greatly did it grieue the Prince to see such out-rage offered to King Perion wherefore he thus called to them Traiterous villaines what moues you to misuse the best Knight in the world by heauen you shall all die for him At these words one of the Knights left the King and taking fiue Halberders with him came to the Prince saying It likewise behoueth you to sweare if not you can escape no better then an other What quoth he shal I then sweare against my will by Gods leaue it shall not be so Then they of the Castell cryed to the Porter that he should shut the gate wherefore the Prince now saw he must stand vpon his defence whereupon hee ran fiercely against the Knight charging him in such sorte as he fell downe dead ouer the crupper of his Horse for in the fall he brake his necke Which the Prince beholding not tarring any longer with the Halberders came to the other knight that combated with K. Perion piercing his Launce quite through his body so that he accompanied the first in fortune King Perion seeing himselfe thus succoured so cheered vp his hart as he did much better then before against his enemies causing them by sharpe strokes of his Sword to retire in meane while the Gentle-man of the sea being on Horsebaeke ranne among them and scattered them tumbling one downe heere and another there so that at length by the aid of the king they were all slaine except certaine that fled away on the top of the walles But the Prince alighted and followed them whereat they were so affrighted as they cast themselues downe headlong frō the wals only two got them into a Chamber where they thought to remaine in safetie notwithstanding he pursued them so neer as he buckled pel mel with them But within the Chamber on a bed lay an ancient knight whose vnweldy age had taken from him the vse of his legges to them that came in he vsed these speeches Cowardly villaines frō whom run ye so shamefully From a knight answered one of them who hath plaide the Diuell in your Castell for he hath slaine your two Nephewes and all our companions As thus he spake the Prince caught him by the head saying Tell me villaine where is the Lord of this place or else thou diest The poore man seeing himselfe in such perill shewed him the old knight lying on the bed but when the Prince saw him so old and decrepite he blamed him in this manner Thou wretched olde man hath death already seazed on thy bones and yet doost thou cause such a wicked custome to be maintained heere Well dooth thine age excuse thee from bearing Armes yet shall I giue thee thy desert belonging to such a villaine With these words he made offer to smite off his head Wherefore the affrighted olde man cried Alas my Lord for Gods sake mercy None at all quoth the Prince thou art dead if thou swearest not to me that while thou liuest such like treason shall be no more maintained in this place whereto the olde knight right gladly tooke his oath Now tell mee saide the Prince wherefore hast thou heeretofore kept this custome heere For the loue of King Abies of Ireland answered the Knight who is mine Nephew and because I cannot aid him with my person in his warre I was desirous to succour him with such Knights errand as pasfed this way False villaine answered the Prince what haue Knights errand to do with thy desire so spurning the bed with his foote threw it downe and the olde Knight vnder it where commending him to all the Diuels he left him and comming downe into the Court tooke a Horse which was one of the slaine Knights and bringing it to the King said Mount your selfe my Lord for it little likes me to stay any longer here where such bad people haue their habitation The king presently went to Horse bake and so they rode together out of the Castell but the Prince fearing least the king should know him would by no meanes take off his Helmet notwithstanding as they rode along the king thus spake to him I pray ye Sir knight tell me of whence you are that haue succoured me when I was so neere my death warranting me also hereafter frō the enimies of this place shewing your selfe a good friend to Ladies and knights errand As for me I am the same man against whom they kept this straight passage importing the cruell oath for which you combated My Lord answered the Prince I am a knight desirous to do you any seruice Beleeue me quoth the king that haue I already well perceiued for hardly should I haue found so good a friend to helpe me yet will I not giue ouer till I know ye Alas my Lord said he that will little profit ye Notwithstanding quoth the King I pray ye take off your Helmet which he would not do but put downe his Beuer a little Whē the king saw that his intreatie would not preuaile he desired the Damosell to obtaine so much for him whereto she condiscended tooke the Prince
he arriued at a very goodly Fortresse that appertained to a Gentleman named Galpan This Galpan was then the most valiant Knight in all that Country and therefore was greatly feared of all his Neighbours yet did he there maintaine an abhominable and wicked custome forgetting God who was cheefely to be honored bequeathed his endeuours to the seruice of the Diuell For he constrained all Ladies and Damosells that passed by his Castell to enter in where vilainously he tooke his pleasure of them and not contented therewith enforced them to sweare that while they liued they should beare affection to none but him if any denied he caused them cruelly to be put to death Likewise he compelled such Knights as trauailed that way to combate one alone against his two bretheren but if they were vanquished he would force the conquerour to deale with himselfe he being the most hardy knight in al those parts If it happened that he brought the into any debilitie he would take from them all they had turning them away on foote after he had made them sweare to name them-selues while they liued the vanquished by Galpan otherwise hee would depriue them of life But God displeased with the cruelty which so long time he had vsed to the hurt of many good people would now alter this great inconuenience and that Galpan with his complices should receiue guerdō to their deserts making them an example to all other as you shall heare presently recited CHAP. VII How the Gentleman of the sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his bretheren and in the end with Galpan himselfe BY this time the Gentlemam of the sea is come nere the castle where he saw a Lady comming towards him greatly afflicted hauing no other company then a Squire and a Page This sorrowfull woman breathed forth many griueous sighes shewing a violent kind of warre betweene her hands and the golden tresses of her haire which she discheueled and rent very pitifully Hereat was the Prince not a little amazed and willing to know what moued her to these extreames he came to her with these speeches Faire Gentlewomā I pray ye tel me the cause of your sorrow Ah my Lord qd shee death would be now right welcome to me being the onely friend to beare me company for such is my misfortune as teares are more conueniēt for me then rememberance of the cause In sooth Lady saide the Prince if in any respect I can do ye good you shall find me ready withall my hart Being sent Sir quoth the Damosell by my mistresses commandement to a yong Knight a man of some account in these parts and passing along this way foure cruell villaines set vpon me and whether I would or no brought me into this Castel where a traiterous Knight dishonorably forced me compelling me after-ward to sweare that I should ne-uer loue any friend but him This complaint moued the Prince to great admiration and thus he answered Follow me Lady for your iniury shal be reuenged if God giue me leaue Heereupon the Damosell immediatly went with him and by the way he desired her to tell him what the man was to whom she was sent If you reuenge my wrong quoth she I will tell ye but I can assure ye he is such a one as will be right sory when he hears of my misusage Great reason said the Prince hath he so to do and as thus they communed together they came to the place where shee shewed him the foure Gardants to whom he presently said Disloyall varlets wherefore haue ye abused this Lady as she trauailed on her iournie Because quoth they wee stood in no feare of you but if you get ye not the sooner your entertainment shal be worse then hers was Without any more talking he drew his Sword and comming to one that heaued his hatchet against him quite cut away the right arme from his body then turning to another cleft him ouer the face to the very eares When the rest saw their companions thus mained they fled away so fast as they could running through a by way along a Riuer side but the Prince making no shew of pursuing them wiped his Sword and put it vp againe then comming to the Damosell bad her go forward My Lord quoth she hard by is a gate where I found two armed Knights attending Well said he and I shall find them when I come thether So rode they on as the Prince entred the base court he saw the Dungeon dore open and an armed Knight on Horse-back come forth after whom they within let downe a Port-cullis and shut the dore againe then the Knight of the Castell aduancing himselfe very boldly thus spake to the Prince Poore wretch too soone art thou come hether to receiue shame and dishonor Dishonor quoth Prince tush these are but words leaue what shall happen to the presence of God who only is skilfull therein and tell if thou be the villaine that did force this Lady No answered the Knight but if it were I what then I meane quoth the Prince to reuenge her wrong if I can Go to said the Knight I shall see then what kinde of reuendge you vse So giuing the Spurrs to his Horse ran as fiercely as he could against the Prince yet he failed in the attaint but the Prince meeting him with full carire gaue him such a greeting with his Launce through the Sheeld as the armour being vnable to resist it let passe the yron through both his shoulders whereby he fell downe dead in the place Hauing with-drawne his Launce prepared him-selfe for another that came to succor the first who pearcing quite through the Princes Sheeld left the head of his Launce in his armour which was of sufficiēt profe but in the encounter he met his enimie so derectly as he rent his Helmet from his head casting him so violently off his Saddle as hee was able to sit no more on Horse-backe The Knight seeing himselfe thus vnarmed cried for some other to come helpe him whereupon three Halberders issued forth to whom he said Looke well my friendes that this man escape vs not At these words they ranne all three violently on the Prince and buckled so neere him as they slew his Horse betweene his leggs whereby he was constrained to fight on foote and so offended was he thereat that hauing recouered himselfe he smote his Launce through the Knights head which made him presently yeeld the ghost And now he bestirres himselfe against the other three who cowardly stealing behinde him woūded him on the shoulder whereby he lost a great quantity of his bloud but full well he recompensed the villaine that did it letting forth the deerest bloud he had in his body by cleauing him with his Sword as it bad beene an Axe The other two terrified heer-with ranne vp into a long Gallery crying Come my Lord come quickly for we are all vanquished In meane while the Prince seeing his
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
death he yeelded Then Amadis mounted againe perceiuing Angriote already on horse-backe ready to reuenge his brothers iniurie and a Squire came to the Prince bringing him a Launce which he presented him withall from Angriote Soone after they encouÌ„tered so galantly as their Launces flew in pieces with-out any further harme and ending their carrire Amadis quickly drew his sword turning to Angriote who thus spake Make not such hast Knight to combate with the sword because thou shalt haue time enough for that anon this he sayd in respect he reputed him-selfe the best at the sword that might be found But I pray thee quoth he let vs iust till our Launces faile or one of vs be sent to the earth Knight answered Amadis I haue weighty busines else-where and may not trifle time with tarrying heere What said Angriote thinkest thoâ— to 〈…〉 I promise 〈◊〉 it i◠〈◊〉 least part of my thought yet I pray thee let vs try one course more Amadis was content and taking such Launces as each of them liked finished 〈◊〉 Iust with such violence as Angri I â—â—e was cast downe and his horse vpon him Amadis leaping from his saddle saw that a small trunchion of a Launce had a little entred his body yet scorning any shame should be deserned on his side fighting for the honor and beauty of his Goddesse Oriana snatching forth the trunchion and marched with his sword drawne against Angriote who seeing him come sayd I see Sir Knight thou art very young and me thinkes before it be worse with thee thou wert better to confesse my Lady faiâ—…r then thine Then should I lye very fowlly answered Amadis and by my will I shall not dissent so 〈◊〉 from the truth Those speeches enkindled collor on either side which made them charge ech other with such vigour as not onely they that beheld them but euen themselues were driuen into doubts thinking it impossible to endure so extreamely And to say sooth the cause was hard for Amadis vndertooke the honor of his Lady for which hee could rather chuse a thousand deathes then she should loose one iot of her excellence and this opinion still whetted on his courage that Angriote was compelled to diuers simple shifts to auoyde the fierce assaults of his valiant enemy who had wounded him in twenty seuerall places and he perceiuing his death at hand stepped aside thus speaking to Amadis Beleeue mee Sir Knight there is more valour in thee then I imagined Yeelde thy selfe sayd Amadis so shalt thou do wisely seeing tho 〈…〉 art already brought into such danger for with the sinishing of our combate thy life will likewise end which can be no pleasure at all to me in that I esteeme of thee better then thou weenest These words he vsed as well for the braue Chiualrie he noted in Angriote as also the great honestie he shewed to the Lady in his possession whereupon Angriote returned this answer It is reason I should yeeld myselfe to the best Knight in the world and the like all other to doe that beare armes Beleeue me then gentle Knight I not so much sorrow for my foyle as the wrackfull chance threatned to me by loosing this day the onely thing in the world I most loue That shall you not quoth Amadis if I can helpe it beside the Lady should shew her selfe very ingratefull if she acknowledge not your honorable paines in her defence and it cannot be but she will requite ye with the good you haue deserued As for me I promise ye to imploy my vttermost hability in causing her consent thereto so soone as I shall returne from a search I haue now in hand My Lord sayd Angriote in what place may I hereafter finde you In the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis where by Gods helpe I meane shortly to be So tooke he leaue of Angriote who gladly would haue had him in his Castle but he might not be hindered of his iourney Thus doth Amadis followe the Dwarfe who guided him fiue daies without any aduenture shewing him at length a meruailous strong and pleasant Castle saying Sir within yonder hold you must performe the promise you made me And I will doe it for thee answered Amadis if it confist in my power I am in good hope thereof quoth the Dwarffe in respect I haue seene some proofe of your fortune but know ye Sir how the place is named No verily sayd Amadis for till now I was neuer in this Country It is called Valderin replied the Dwarffe and thus deuising they came neere the Castle when the Dwarffe willed him to take his Armes Why saide Amadis shall we haue any such neede Yea mary quoth the Dwarffe for they suffer none to come forth that enter so lightly Amadis buckled on his helmet riding in before the Dwarffe and Gandalin following after then looking on euery side they could see no creature This place sayd Amadis is not inhabited where is the request thou saidst I should do for thee Credit me Sit sayd the Dwarffe I haue some-time seene heere a most braue Knight and the strongest in Chiualrie that euer I saw who in that porch killed two Knights one of them being my maister him hee put to death very cruelly without regard of fauour or mercy In reuenge whereof I would desire that traytors head which I haue long failed in obtaining because all such as I brought hither haue lost their liues or remaine here in captiuity Thou doest the part of a loyall seruant answered Amadis yet oughtest thou to bring no Knight hither before thou tell him against whom he shall fight My Lord quoth the Dwarffe the man is knowne well enough and reputed for one of the best Knights in the world therefore when I haue named him I could not meet with any so hardy as to reuenge my cause Belike then thou knowest his name said Amadis Yea my Lord replied the Dwarffe he calleth himselfe Arcalaus the enchanter Amadis hereupon went forther in looking round about if hee might see any body but all was in vaine wherefore to rest his horse he staied there till euening saying to the Dwarffe What wilt thou I shall doe now it is so late Alas my Lord quoth he the night being so neere at hand me thinkes it were good wee departed hence Nay trust me answered Amadis I will not budge hence till the knight come or some other that can tell me tidings of him But I dare not tarry sayd the Dwarffe least Arcalaus chance to know me and imagine I practise the meanes of his death Yet shalt thou beare me coÌ„pany replied Amadis as I will not excuse my selfe from the promise I haue made thee As thus they coÌ„muned Amadis espied a Court somewhat more backward where-into he entred and found no body but he saw a darke place vnderneath and certaine steps leading into the earth Gandalin got holde on the Dwarffe who would haue run away and Amadis tooke great pleasure to beholde his trembling speaking thus
his company the Lady thus speaking at his departure I shall pray Sir Knight that God may send peace between my husband and you Beleeue me Lady quoth he though I neuer care for it with him yet shall it remaine twixt you and me because you deserue it So fortuned it after-ward these words tooke effect and highly profited the good Lady as in some part of this history you shall heare recited Now are they departed from the Castle of Arcalaus riding till the night ouer-tooke them lodging at a Ladyes place fiue leagues thence where they were entertained with very gracious welcome and on the morrow after they had thanked their friendly host as they rode together Amadis thus communed with Brandoyuas Courteous Sir I trauaile in search of a Knight as here-tofore I told ye imagining it will be little pleasure to you to follow me it were not amisse then if we parted In sooth Sir answered Brandoyuas I gladly would goe to King Lisuarts court notwithstanding if you thinke it good I will keepe ye company Little neede shall I haue thereof answered Amadis I thanke ye because I must be cōstrained to wander alone so soone as I haue brought this Lady into such safety as she thinkes meete My Lord quoth she I will accompany this Gentleman if you please seeing he trauaileth to the Court of King Lisuarts and there I hope to finde him for whom I was prisoner who I am assured will be glad of my deliuerance Now trust me answered Amadis very well sayde goe then together and God be your guid Thus are they seperated now remaining none with Amadis but Gandalin the Dwarffe of whom the Prince likewise demanded what he meant to do Mary be your trusty seruant sayde the Dwarffe if you like so well as I. I am well pleased replied Amadis and thou shalt doe what thou wilt thy selfe In sooth my Lord quoth the Dwarffe seeing you released me I would gladly remaine in your seruice for I know not where I may be halfe so well the man and the maister being both agreed they tooke their way as fortune liked to conduct them Not farre had they trauailed but they met one of the Ladyes that rescued him from enchantment at Arcalaus Castle shee weeping and mourning very grieuously which mouing Amadis to pitty her complaints made him demand the cause thereof A Knight who rideth not farre before quoth she hath taken from me a little casket wherein is matter of great cōsequence yet no way able to pleasure him for such things are therein as within these three dayes one in my company and my selfe restored from death the best Knight in the world and shee likewise of whom I tell ye is violently caryed away by another Knight who is ridden before intending to force her Heere you must obserue that the Damosell now talking with Amadis knew him not by reason his helmet beuer couered his face but when he heard how her casket was taken from her hee neuer left gallopping till he ouer-tooke him to whom hee thus spake Knight you deale not courteously giuing this Lady cause thus to complaine of you and me-thinkes you should do a great deale better to deliuer the casket againe you tooke from her but when the Knight heard him hee fell in a great laughter Why do ye thus laugh Sir sayd Amadis I laugh at you answered the Knight whom I thinke scant wise in giuing conncell to him that demands it not the lesse hope may you haue in speeding in your suite it may be quoth Amadis you care not for my words yet it were good to deliuer the thing is none of yours Belike you threaten me thē sayde the Knight Not you Sir answered Amadis but your ouer-much boldnes in vsing force where it ought not to be Is it true quoth the Knight with these words hee set the casket aside in a tree and returning to Amadis sayd If your brauery be such in deedes as it seemeth in words come teach mee know it and receiue the law So giuing the spurres to their horses they encountred together in such sorte as the Knight being dismoūted his horse fel so heauily on him that he was not able to rise againe in meane while Amadis fetched the cofer and deliuering it to the Damosell sayd Take your owne faire Lady tarry here till I bring your companion Presently he posted after the other Knight ouer-taking him at a thicket of trees where he had tyed both his horse and the Ladies trayling her by the haire of the head into the wood there to commit his villainous desire but Amadis cryed to him aloude in this manner Of an euill death maist thou dye traytor that wronest a Lady in this sorte without offending thee As the Knight strougled with her to get her into the wood hee looked vp and saw Amadis whereupon he left her making speede to his weapons and mounted on horseback then approching neere the Prince hee sayd By my hand Knight in haplesse time for thee didst thou hinder me of my will Such a will answered Amadis as dis◅th honor both men and beasts despise If I take not reuenge for it quoth the knight then let me neuer weare armour againe The world therein shall sustaine a great losse replied Amadis of one addicted to such villainy that seeks to force Ladies who ought in all liberty and honor to be defended and so they bee by all loyall Knights With a braue course they met together when though the knight brake his lancs yet was hee hurled against the ground so violently as the weight of his armour and strength of his fall made him lye trembling in a trance Which Amadis perceiuing to rid him out of his paine altogether he trampled on his belly with his horse feete saying Thus shalt thou loose thy desire of forcing Ladyes And as for you faire soule I hope heereafter you are rid from any danger of him The more am I to thank you my Lord quoth she would God my companion who hath lost her casket were as well deliuered as I am She was the first I met withall answered Amadis wherefore first of all I succored her so well as shee hath recouered what was taken from her and beaholde where my Squire conducteth her hither-ward Now because the heat was some-what violent Amadis put off his helmet to take the ayre when the Damosell immediately knew him for it was shee that at his returne from Gaule conducted him to Vrgand the vnknowne when by Chiualry he deliuered her friend at the Castle of Bradoyd which made her remember him and so did Amadis her when alighting they embraced each other the like courtesie be shewed to the other Damosell Alas quoth they had we but dreamed on such a defender no villain could haue wronged vs halfe so much On my faith said Amadis the help you gaue me within these three daies may notbe compared with this matter of no validitie for I was in greater extreamity thē you
mislike the enterprise as many others haue done who were heretofore accompanied thither Herein Madame said Galaor is the difference between good and bad yet if you will allow mee so much as you did them that made refusal happily I may speede better then they did The Lady noting his honourable disposition called two of her Damosels commanding them to conduct Galaor to the knight that held her daughter perforce In sooth Madame sayd the Prince little credite shall you haue by sending me on foote my owne horse I lost not long since in the woode by hard fortune I pray ye then let mee haue another on this condition that if I reuenge not your cause I may stand bound to deliuer him againe You shall haue one Sir answered the Lady for I hope by your prowesse not onely our possessions shall remaine at your disposing but our selues likewise your obedient seruants CHAP. XXVI How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whom he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree THus departed Galaor â—n conduct of the two Damosels who leading him the noerest way through a Forrest at the further side therof shewed him a Castle beeing the place whither they were commanded to bring him whereupon they thus spake to the Prince Beholde my Lord at this Fortresse you may reuenge the murdered Knights death Tell me his name replyed Galaor Hee is called Palingues answered the Damosels Being now come hard by the Castle they saw the gate was fast which made Galaor call out aloud whereat an armed Knight came on the battlements demanding what he fought for I would enter the Castle answered Galaor This gate quoth hee is appointed to no other end but for the comming forth of such as remaine heere within Which way shall I enter then said Galaor I will shew you quoth the Knight But I doubt I shall trauell in vaine and that you dare not come to vs. Now trust mee replied Galaor I would faine haue beene within long since Wee shall quickly see that sayd the Knight if your hardinesse be such as you make shew of alight from your horse and come neer the Castle wall Which laor did giuing his horse to the Damosels went to the place where hee was appointed Then came the Knight againe and another with him seeming of greater stature then his companion they two winding a winche about ouer the wall let downe a basket with a cord saying to the Prince If you will enter here the passage by the basket is this high way But if I put my selfe therein answered Galaor will yee promise to draw me vp in safety Yea truely quoth they albeit afterwarde wee will not warrant yee Crediting their wordes hee entered the basket saying Drawe mee vp for on your honest promise I aduenture Herewith they beganne to winde vp the basket which the Damosels seeing marueling not a little at Galaors hardinesse sayde Ah good Knight God shield thee from treason for doubtlesse thou shewest a gentle and valiant heart By this time the Knights had drawen him vp taking him and the basket in at the top afterwards the knights thus began with him Gentleman it is necessary you sweare to aide the Lord of this Castle against such as would quarrell with him for the death of Anthebon otherwise you neuer shall depart hence What sayd Galaor Did one of you twaine kill him Why demand you replyed the other Because quoth hee I am come to let the murderer knowe how hee hath committed a deed of horrible treason Come yee for that intent sayd they now surely you might haue beene a great deale better aduised Darest thou threaten vs and art in our custody alas wee must haue another manner of account at thy hands we must chastice the folly wherewith thy braine is troubled then drawing their swordes they layde vpon him very furiously When Galaor sawe himselfe thus wronged both in words and deeds hee entred into such choller as quickely hee made them feele the edge of his sword so that the Damosels might easily heare the clanching of the stroakes on the Armour for the two knights were strong and vigorous and Galaor well mooued with hot displeasure Ah God quoth one of the Damosels harke how the worthy knight dealeth with the traytors let vs not depart hence till wee see some end thereof All this while Galaor so laboured his enemies with such sharpe charges as their hearts began somewhat to despaire for to one of them hee gaue such a blow on the helmet as his sword entred three fingers deepe intothis head afterard hee buffeted him with the hilts of his sword that hee made him fall on his knees to the ground In meane space the other spared not Galaor but layd loade on him to reuenge his companion whose head the Prince had now seuered from his shoulders and comming to the other the coward began to turne his backe running downe the staires faster then euer hee came vp but Galaor followed so nimbly that laying holde on him hee made him sure for euer letting downe the basket againe to drawe vp any more knights on the wals Now because the Prince knewe not Palingues and doubting one of these twaine to be he he threw them ouer the battlements to the Ladies bidding them to looke on them afterward to resolue him but they answered they were so mangled as they could not iudge of them and they were perswaded that Palingues was neither of these twaine Whereupon Galaor went downe into the Castle and as hee looked euery where about him he espied a faire young Lady who cryed aloud Palingues Palingues is this the great chiualry for which thou wouldest be renowned now thou flyest like a cowardly and faint hearted knight yet sayest thou wert a better man at armes then my murdered father whom thou killedst as thou vauntest in combate hand to hand In sooth what euer I doubted is now come to passe why dost thou not attend this Knight who looketh for thee if there be any manly heart or spirit in thee shew it now in need when thy life depends thereon At these words Galaor looked more aside and espied Palingues well armed who was opening the doore of a Tower to saue himselfe wherefore he stepped to him saying Beleeue mee Knight this flying wil little aduantage thee and lesse the strong holde thou wouldest enter into for thou must answer the life of good Anthebon whose death thou diddest compasse by monstrous villany Palingues seeing there was no other remedy turned and fiercely smote at Galaor his sworde entring so farre into the Princes shield as he was not able to pull it out againe by meanes whereof Galaor reached him such a blowe that therewith his right arme was cut quite from his body the griefe whereof so pained him as hee ran into the chamber where the Ladie was thinking by this poore shift to defend his life But Galaor getting hold on his legges dragged him along on his backe out againe and with
me my Lord answered Briolania you cannot say or doe so much against these traytours as they iustly deserue You know what vilanie they did to the king my Father and how long time they haue disinherited me 〈…〉 let pitty then preuaile on my behalfe seeing in God and you I haue reposed my selfe with assured hope of sufficient reuenge Amadis whose heart was submisse to vertue and all gentlenesse moued with compassion said Madam if God be so pleased ere to morrow at night your sorrow and sadnesse shall be conuerted into pleasure and content herupon they concluded to set forward very early the next morning which made them depart to their chambers except Briolania who sat conferring with Amadis on many matters when often times she thought to motion marriage between him and her but suspecting by his continuall sighs as also the teares streaming from his eys that some other Lady was cause of these passions she kept silence and taking her leaue bad him good uight On the morrow they go all to horse-back comming to the Cittie of Sobradisa their arriuall was very welcome to many who seeing the Daughter of their late soueraigne Lord and knowing the monstrous treacherie of his brother they instantly desired her prosperous successe because they bare her singuler affection Abiseos remembring the wrong hee had done her and his bloody treason so vnnaturally committed seemed terrified in countenance because the worme of conscience reuiued his heinous offence yet hauing beene so long abstinate and indurate in his sinne thought fortune would now assure his quietnes and confirme his estate to continue in tranquility But when he saw how the people flocked about her not shewing any reuerence to him and his sonnes albeit they were royally accompained with Lords hee exclamed on them in this manner Ah wretched and bad minded people I see what comfort you take by the presence of this Girle and how your sences are caryed away with her now may I well iudge you rather could except her as your soueraigne she beeing a woman not capable of such an office then I that am a hardy knight Her weaknesse you may note because shee hath in so long time gotten but two knights who are come to receiue an ignominious death which in sooth I cannot chuse but pittie When Amadis heard these taunting words he was so enraged as if the blood would haue gushed from his eyes and raising himselfe on his stirrops that euery one might heare him hee thus answered Abiseos it may bee easily discerned that the arriuall of the Princesse is scant pleasing to thee in respect of thy horrible treason committed murdering her father thy eldest brother but if thou haue any feeling of vertue art repentant for thy foule mis-deed yeeld to her what thou hast vniustly vsurped so shall I discharge thee of the combate prouided thou aske God forgiuensse and vse such repentance as be seemeth a sin so hainous that by losing honour in this world thou mayst seeke the saluation of thy soule hereafter Darison prouoked to anger by these speeches aduanced himselfe before his father had leisure to reply hee preuented him in this manner Thou foolish Knight of King Lisuarts Court hardly can I endure thy iniurous words to my father in my presence but I am content to defer them till we proceede to the effect of thy demand then shall I take such vengeance for them as I desire for when thy heart shal faint in time of neede weening to saue thy life by flight if thou make not good hast I will so chastise thee as each one shall pittie thy miserable estate This is too long a processe said Agraies to defend thy fathers treason withall goe arme thy selfe and come to the combate as thou didst promise then shalt thou see if fortune bee so fauourable to giue thee the victory which thou reckonest assured if she doe otherwise perswade thy selfe both thou and thine shal haue the meed of your wicked derseruing Say what thou wilt answered Darison ere long thy iniurious tongue puld from thy head shall be sent to the court of thy maister king Lisuart that such as behold thy worthy punishment may be afraid to hazard the like by their liberall language So calling for their armour the king and his two sons were quickly armed then mounting on horse-backe they went to the place appointed for Combats Where-upon Amadis and Agraies lacing their Helmets tooke their Shields and Launces and afterward entred the field Then Dramis who was the youngest brother yet a Knight so valiant as two of the best in that Countrey durst not deale with him in Combat said to his Father My Lord where your Maiesty and my brother are present wel may I be excused from speech but now effects must shew it otherwise by such strength as Heauen hath enabled me withall therefore I desire to try my Fortune with the Knight who hath so wronged you and if I kill him not at the first taint of the Launce neuer shall Armor come on my back againe but if I meete him not so right as I desire he shall haue but little respite of life for at the first stroake of my Sword I will dispatch him Many heard the words of young Dramis and esteemed highly of his enterprize nor did they greatly doubt the performance considering what deedes of Armes they had seene him accomplish Now place they their Launces in their rests and Dramis prepared himselfe against Amadis who met him so full in the cariere as his heart brake in his belly and he fell to the ground so waightily as if it had beene the fall of an Oxe Get thee to all the Diuels said Dardan the Dwarffe my master is very well rid of thee but me thinks his threatning hath lighted on himselfe which commonly falls out so with such great crackers Agraies and Darison brake their Launces in the encounter but no other harme happened betweene them as yet When Abiseos saw his Son Dramis was dead he was meruailously displeased and intended to reuenge his death on Amadis where-upon he gaue forth to meete him and piercing his Launce thorow the Princes shield gaue him a fore hurt on the Arme which made the beholders doubt that Amadis could hold out no longer If then the young Princesse Briolania was dismaide it were in vaine to demand the question for now her heart dreaded further mishap but he who could not be daunted with common wounds drew the sword which he recouered from Arcalaâ—s giuing Abiseos such a sound greeting therwith on the head as made him coutch his neck to his shoulders and the Sword sliding downe vpon his right arme gaue him a wound to the very bone by means whereof Abiseos found himselfe so distressed and amazed that hee fell down from his horse as it were in a Trance Now did the people meruaile not a little to see Amadis at two stroakes ouerthrow two such puissant Knights esteemed amongst them the best in the World
but hee was already so weake as not being able so much as to defend Brunco his blowes hee drew himselfe by little and little to the top of a Rock euen to the place where Amadis had cast the body of Ardan into the Sea And there Brunco thrust him so rudely downe that he sent him to be buried in the Sea but before hee came to the bottome his body was torne in twenty seuerall peeces Which the iniurious Damosell perceiuing she entred into such fury and dispaire that as a mad woman shee ranne vnto the place where Ardan and Madamain were throwne downe headlond where finding Madamain his sword she set it to her breast crying so loud that all the companie heard her Seeing that Ardan the flower of chiualrie my brother haue chosen their graue in this raging Sea I will beare them companie And so casting herselfe downe headlong she was immediately couered with the water Then Brunco mounting on horse-backe againe was conducted by the King and many other knights to the lodging of Amadis where hee desired to keep him company in whose honour hee had vndertaken the combate And because that the Queene Briolania perceiued that Amadis was not like to be cured in a short space nor to accompany her as hee had promised she tooke her leaue of him to goe see the singularities of the Firme-Island wherefore Amadis commanded Enil to conduct her and to desire Isania the Gouernor thereof to doe her all the honour and giue her the best entertainement hee could deuise So Briolania departed bidding Oriana farewell assuring her that she should be aduertised what happened vnto her in trying the aduentures of the Island but shee was no sooner gone from the Court when it seemed that Fortune endeauoured the ruine of the kingdom of great Brittaine which bad so long time liued in happinesse Yea euen king Lisuart himselfe who forgetting not onely the seruices hee had receiued of Amadis of his kindred and friends but especially the aduice and counsell of Vrganda listened to flatterers two ancient knights of his house to whom vnder the colour of the long education they had receiued as well of the King Falangris his eldest brother as of himselfe hee gaue credit beleeuing their vntrothes which he ought not to haue done as you shall presently vnderstand These two of whom I speake as wel by reason of their ancient age as of a kinde of hypocrisie cloaked with wisedome tooke more paines to seeme good and vertuous then to bee so in deede by meanes whereof they entred into great authority and were often-times called and made priuie to the most secret affaires of their Lord one of them was named Brocadan and the other Gandandell This Gandandell had two sonnes who before the comming of Amadis and of his followers into great Brittaine were esteemed two of the most hardiest knights in all the countrey notwithstanding the prowesse and dexteritie of the other did abate the renowne of those whom I speake of Wheâ—s at their father was so displeased that forgetting the feare of God the faith which hee ought to his Prince and the honour which all men of honesty ought to be endâ—…ed withall determined not onely to accuse Amadis but likewise all those whom hee esteemed aâ— his friends and did conuerse withall hoping to build his treason in such sort that by the ruine of so many good knights he would worke his owne his friends profit Wherefore finding the King on a time at leasure hee vsed speeches of like substance vnto him It may please your Maiesty I haue all my life long desired to bee faithfull vnto you as to my King and naturall Lord euen as my duty bindeth mee and will yet continue if it please God for besides the â—ath of fidelity which I haue swerne unto you you haue of your gracious fauour heaped so many beâ—… vpon mee that it I should not counsell you in that which did concerneâ—y our royall Maiesty I should commit a great fault both towardes God and men In consideration whereof if it like your Maiesty after I had long weighed with my selfe that which I will declare vnto you I haue often repented that I deferred the matter so long not for any malice I beare vnto any man as God is my witnesse but onely for the damage which I see ready to ensue if your Maiesty do not speedily and wisely seeke remedy to preuent it Your Maiesty knoweth that of long time there hath beene great controuersie betweene the kingdomes of Gaule and great Brittaine because that the Kings your predecessors haue alwaies pretended title of soueraigntie thereunto And albeit that for some time this quarrell hath linedead notwithstanding it is likely that those of that Countrey calling to minde the warres and domages they haue endured by your subiects haue secretly determined to take reuenge thereof And in my opinion Amanis who is chiefe and principall amongst them all is not come into this Countrey but to practise and gaine your people who ioyned with the forces which he may easily land heere will so trouble you that it will be hard for you to resist them And I beseech you to consider whither the likelyhood there-of bee not already very apparent Moreouer your Maiestie may bee pleased to consider that he of whoÌ„ I speake and those of his aliance likewise haue done mee so much honour and pleasure that both I and my children are greatly bounden vnto them and were it not that you are my soueraigne Lord. I would in no wise pleake against Amadis but in those things which concerne your person let mee rather receiue death then that I spare any man liuing were he mine own sonne You haue receiued Amadis with so great number of his parents and other strangers into your Court like a good and liberall Prince as you are that in the end their traine will become greater then your owne wherefore if it like your Maiesty it were good to fore-see this matter before the fire bee kindled any further When the King heard Gandandel speake in this sort he became very pensiue and afterwards answered him In faith louing friend I beleeue that you aduertise mee as a good and faithfull subiect neuerthelesse seeing the seruices that they of whom you speake haue done vnto me I cannot be perswaded in my mind that they would procure or imagine any treason against me May it please your Maiesty answered he that is it which deceiueth you for if they had heretofore offended you you would haue beene ware of them as of your enemies but they can wisely cloake their pretended treason colouring it with an humble speech accompanied with some small seruices wherein they haue employed themselues watching a time of more fit opertunity The King turned his head on the one side without answering any farther because there came some Gentlemen vnto him neuerthelesse Gandandel being as yet ignorant how the King had taken his aduertisement he practised with Brocadan and drew him