blow betwéene the neck and the shoulders which brought off a great many plates of his Armour Now did the run-awayes feare more and more encrease whē he felt his enemy so néere at hand wherefore the better to saue himselfe he cast his Shéeld back ouer his shoulders and fled away faster then he did before which Galaor perceiuing would follow him no longer but hastily returned thinking to take the Dwarffe and binde his legs to a trée from which the Dwarffe kept himselfe well enough for he had gotten more ground in running away then y e other Héere vpon he came to the first that he dismounted who hauing some-what recouered himselfe Galaor thus spake to him In sooth your misfortune grieueth me more then your fellowes doth for like a good Knight you came alone to me albeit I know not on what occasion in respect I neuer offended ye as I remember It is very true answered the Knight notwithstāding you must not◠what the Dwarffe said to vs how you had beaten him slaine his men taken a Lady perforce from him that was in his company Beleeue me quoth Galaor shewing him the Damosell on the other side of the Riuer he falsely lyed and were it that I had brought her away perforce she would not tary for me so willingly as she doth but she vnhappily straying in this Forrest the Dwarffe met with her offering to leade her away against her will and because she would not obey him he gaue her many cruell strokes with a staffe Ah traitour that he is answered the Knight for this villainy shall I reward him if euer we méete againe And because Galaor found the Knight in so good sort he holpe to take his horsse that had escaped desiring him to punish the Dwarffe for his treason This done he entred the boat and past the water afterward he and the Damosell rode on their way she shewing him soone after a Castell néere at hand which stood very brauely on the top of a Mountaine saying Héere will be the best lodging we shall finde this night and alighting from their horsses they were entertained there with meruailous courtesie it being the dwelling of the Damosels mother Soone after was the Prince vnarmed and then the Damosell came to him in this manner To the end my Lord I may kéepe promise with ye if you please to stay héere till I returne which credit me shall be very spéedily I will bring ye newes of her whome you desire to see I am content answered Galaor prouided that you make no tariance because I haue affaires of importance elsewhere Let it suffise replied the Damosell you shall see me againe sooner then you imagine And so she departed vsing such diligence as Galaor was not displeased with her stay At her returne they mounted on horsseback and rode together crosse the Forrest which when they left the night ouertooke them whereupon the Damosell forsaking the out-right way turned aside and by time the greater part of the night was spent they arriued at a verie faire Citie named Grandares where comming to a Castell gate the Damosell said Now let vs alight and follow me for héere will I shew you her I promised but leaue not your weapons and Armour because one can scant tell what may happen The Damosell went before and Galaor followed her till they came néere the wall Get vp héere sayd the Damosell and I will goe on the other side to attend you With much adoo he ascended the wall by reason of his weightie Armor as also being troubled with his Sheeld and Helmet When the Damosell saw he was amounted she entred the Pallace to guide him as she had begun in meane while Galaor was discended and sate hard by a posterne that entred a Garden where he taryed so long till the Damosell came and opened the dore with one of her companyons but ere he entred they thus spake Although you haue attained thus farre yet before you passe any further you must néedes tell vs whose Sonne you are Let that alone answered Galaor for I haue such a Father as till the time of better hap I am content not to name him Neuerthelesse quoth one of thē it is very necessary we should know for it shall not be any way to your hinderance I am answered Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule and the Quéene Elisena and it is not sire dayes past since I could not tell ye so much Stay then said the Damosell so they caused him to be vnarmed casting a mantle about his shoulders and afterward went on the first Damosell going before and the other comming behinde him In this manner they entred the Pallace passing through a chamber where many Ladyes and Gentlewomen were in bed and if any one demaunded who went by so late the Damosels his guides made answere for him Thus not perceiued by any they came to another chamber wherein when Galaor entred he saw sitting on a gorgious bed a most beautifull Lady with an Iuory combe kembing her faire locks but when she espied Galaor she presently cast on her head a chaplet of flowers and came to receiue him whome the Damosels had brought saying My friend you are right hartely welcome being the best Knight in the world that I knowe And you Madame quoth he are most happily found being the fairest Lady that euer I sawe Then the Damosell that had guided him thither thus spake My Lord sée heere my mistresse now am I discharged of the promise I made ye and if you would haue me say any more she is named Aldena daughter to King Serolys and because the wife to the Duke of Bristoya is Sister to her mother she nourisheth her héere as her owne daughter And you Madame quoth she to the young Princesse haue héere present as I can assure ye the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule wherefore you being both the children of Kings excelling in beauty and natures perfections if you loue together no one dare blame ye Héerewith she went presently foorth of the chamber and making fast the dore after her left the two louers alone by which meanes they spent this night so amorously as they that haue tasted like fortune may conceiue and therefore neede I make no further talke thereof But the hower being come when Galaor should depart he was warily aduised thereof by the Damosels who brought him to the place where ouer-night he had left his armour and after he was inuested therein as he ought to be he went along the Garden againe where-through he came in And as neuer any good chaunceth without some mishap attending thereon so now came it to passe for there found he the Dwarffe ambushed that had so misused him before as you haue heard who no sooner espied him but he cryed out Beléeue me Sir Royster vnwise wast thou to enter héere for thou dyest and the traytresse that did conduct thée Come foorth Knights come foorth héere is a man that secretly came from out the Dukes
comprehend her woordes for she saide That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should holde their gouernement in Gaule and their hartes in great Brittaine and from thence they should goe to deuoure the beastes of other Countries but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these woordes I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification heereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the King hauing commended the holye man to God returned to his Tentes where he saluted his Quéene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his minde was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracinges the King by an apte meane recounted to her what his Astrologers had saide on his dreame earnestlye desiring her to tell him whether she had any Childe by him or no. When the good Ladye heard this she was surprised with shame in such sort as willingly she could haue wished her self dead and therfore altogether denyed the trueth so that at this time the King might not knowe what hee desired On the morrowe they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queene was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath béene héeretofore rehearsed the King bare her singuler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realm then he was wunt to doo so that not long after the Quéen brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia But the little Galaor being two yeeres and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the King his Father soiourning not farre from the Sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a windowe toward the Garden where was theÌ„ the Queene with her Sonne and Ladyes sporting there entred at a posterne doore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge and mighty Mace When the companye of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whome he tooke in his armes and in a laughter saide By my faith the Damosell saide true So without dooing any thing els taking away the Childe returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowful Queene who sawe her sonne caryed away forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but wheÌ„ she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguishe she was for her Sonne in crying saide Ah help me Mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she took it to see him caried away whom she loued as her owne life and in this extreame dollour she remembred her other Sonne throwen into the Sea wherfore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who sawe all this in the place where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Sonne at last came to y â— Queen finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the moste greeuous moue in the Worlde regreting this newe losse by whome she before hoped to vnderstand of her firste and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that behelde her All this while the King laboured to perswade her wherby at last she reobtained the reason y t before was absent wherupon the King saide Madame we must thanke God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidentlye sée hath happened the effecte of my Dreame wherof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Hencefoorth therfore feare not to declare what is become of the firste for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these woordes the mournefull Mother forgetting none of the faulte committed tolde him the mis-fortune of her firste borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it thorowe feare of death according as was the lawe of the Countrey In good faith Madame answered the King well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therfore I pray ye to take their desteny so discreetly as you may for I trust in God that séeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to affoorde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that wee shall heare good tidinges of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the yong Prince was of the Countreye of Leonâ—â— Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherin he had two strong places He was not a bloodye man as manye other were but of gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doo great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the Winde as hee arriued in his Countrey which hee had caused â—o be peopled with Christians and there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whome he went saying Father take this Childe and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a Knight for I assure ye he is the Sonne of a King and a Quéene Ah saide the Hermite why haue ye doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who moste vnhappilye killed my Father as you knowe and at this present forcibly holdes from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me beeing thus embarqued to execute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who saide Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be doone by the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demaunded by her faith whether she tolde me true or no. That shalt thou sée quoth she At what time the two braunches of one tree shalbe ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should finde him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these means remained little Galaor in the holy mans charge and there he staide so long till he was of yéers to receiue the order of Knighthood as héerafter shalbe recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a King named Falangris who dying without Children left one of his
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
thus she spake to her Faire Daughter remember you not the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who serued you well while he was your Squire yet may do if it please him now he is a Knight in sooth you must all assist me in desiring him to graunt me one request And know ye what it is quoth she to Amadis the King earnestly intreateth you to remaine in his Court and yet as I vnderstand you haue no will to affoord him so small a fauour We shall see anon if Ladyes hold greater priuiledge in Knights then men do therefore we all ioyne together in one sute that you would be Knight to my Daughter and my selfe and likewise to them whome you sée in this faire company And if you will do so much for vs you shall deliuer vs from séeking support in any other who happily cannot be to agréeable so vs for well we know if you be our Knight we shall surpasse all them that attend on the King The Ladyes were before aduertised what they should do in this case wherefore they flocked about him altogether and with signes of earnest supplication confirmed the Quéenes request especially Oriana who gaue him a signe that he should consent but he very wisely dissembled it although he had no other desire in the world wherefore the Quéene séeing him so slowe in answering as if she would haue pressed him thereto said Well Sir Amadis what shall we be denied Madame replied Amadis what is he that dare do otherwise then graunt your will and these Ladies present séeing you are the most honorable Quéene of the world and they likewise deserue the highest point of seruice therefore Madame by your commaundement and the Princesse Oriana as also these other Ladyes who are loth to be denied I am content to tarry with you yet vnder this condition that I will do nothing but for you only and if I accomplish any seruice for the King it shall be yours and none of his Then as our Champion answered the Queene all we accept you and these glad tidings she soone sent to the King who was so highly pleased therewith that he commaunded the King of Norgaâ—les to goâ— and beare him company and himselfe for ioy went presently to him when taking him in his armes he said Gentle Knight right glad am I of your consent to the Queene and for my part be you well assured that my desire is to intreate ye according to your deserts Amadis on his knee humbly thanked him albeit he only stayd by the commandement of Oriana and no such other matter as he feigned to the Quéene For this time the Author leaueth Amadis returning where he left the Prince Galaor who being departed from the Duke of Brystoyaes Castell where the villainous Dwarffe vnhappily discouered him all that day he wandered in the Forrest of Arinida not meeting any one to direct him a more ready way yet toward euening he sawe a Squire come toward him mounted on a right good Courser Now had Galaor receiued a certaine wound by one of the thrée Knights that assailed him as you haue heard which by reason of dallying with his new fréend the night past began to fester and ranckle verie much and féeling himselfe not halfe currant he said to the Squire My fréend knowest thou where I may finde cure for a small wound I haue What if I do answered the Squire yet will I not company any such coward as thou art because it were to my shame and discredit if I should Enough of that said Galaor tell me where I may find helpe for my wound Rather quoth the Squire would I séeke one to giue thée another Shew me the way answered Galaor and I will aduenture what thou fearest me withall I may chuse said the Squire except I list Day thou shalt do it quoth Galaor by fréendship or force By force replyed the Squire thinkest thou I will do any thing for so bad and false a Knight as thou art When Galaor heard him speak so imperiously he drew his Sword making shew as if he would smite off his head saying Uillaine thou shalt conduct me else will I send thy soule to all the Deuils The Squire being affrayd thus answered Séeing thou enforcest me I will bring thée to a place where thy folly shall be chastised and my outrage reuenged Heerewith he rode before leauing the right way Galaor following some distance behinde im and by tune they had ridden the length of a mile they came to a Fortresse seated in a pleasant valley brauely enuironed about with trees the Squire then pointing him to the place said Now mayst thou let me goe for heere I hope will be reuenged the iniurie thou hast done me Goe thy way to all the Deuils replyed Galaor for I haue enough of thy company Scant wilt thou like my conducting said the Squire before thou departest from this Castell wherewith he turned bridle and away but Galaor followed the path that guided to the Castell which in his iudgement was but newly edified and being come to the Gate he sawe within a Knight armed mounted on horsseback attended on by fiue Halberders prouided to forbid entraunce into the Castell who comming to him demaunded if he were the man that abused their Squire I know not answered Galaor whether he be your Squire or no but hither am I come by the conduct of a varlet the most audacious Roge that euer I knewe It may be so replyed the Knight of the Castell but what would you haue in this place Sir quoth Galaor I am fore wounded and seeke for one to giue me helpe Enter then said the Knight Galaor rode in but presently the Knight and his Souldiours very fiercely assailed him yet the first that came before him thinking to strike at his head with his Halberd was followed so néere as Galaor snatched his weapon out of his hand giuing the Knight such a wound therewith that he fell downe dead Then entring among the other he gaue them so many rough and sharpe charges as in the end thrée of them were slaine outright the other two fled so fast as they could into the Castell and Galaor would haue pursued them but that his Squire cryed to him My Lord take your Armes for within me thinks I heare a great rumour of people my self 〈◊〉 take this hatcheâ— to assist ye if you stand in neede and although I am vnworthie the order of â—hwalrâ—e yet will defend my Lord to my vttermost habilitie so threwe he downe the hatchet taking vp a Halberd and a Sheeld belonging to one of them that were slaine Assure thy selfe answered Galaor so soone as I finde him that gaue me Knighthood thou shalt for thy forwardnes likewise haue â—â—iâ—e So passing further they sawe two other armed Knights come foorth and ten Souldiours with them who were brought out at the gate by the other that fled away Now was the Squire that conducted Galaor to this Castell standing shewing him selfe at
heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortened by my death whereof you are the only cause As she vttered these woords she offered to stab her selfe with the Swoord when the King suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impacient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madame for I am content to satisfye your will Héereupon he kindly embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallifyed and at that instant she conceiued with child the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all spéed he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visite an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as she rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfray she being soone after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her séeing what had happened bringing the child to the mother said Madame as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some present remedie while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horsseback she rode apace to her Ladyes Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to bée very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speed wherein the Lady and her child were brought to her Castell secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knewe his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custodie where he was nourished till the age of eighteen yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who dayly enstructed him in managing Armes and all braue quallities beseeming a man of value He being growen of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to y e Countie his Grandfather who gaue him his Knighthood not knowing what he was and returning againe with his motherly Nursse by the way she brake with him in this maner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parentage but credit my woords you are the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his Daughter that gaue you your order of Knighthood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your Fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed Knights in the world Madame quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his Sonne wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull Nursse that I will trauaile to finde my Father and not make my selfe knowen to any one till my deedes declare me woorthy to be his Sonne Not long after he departed from the old Lady and accompanyed with two Squires iournyed to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres perfourming such hautie deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best Knight in all those partes When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowen to the King his Father but comming into great Brittayne he heard the fame of Amadis to be meruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by Armes as his bretheren had done whome he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the Forrest as you heard and afterward combatted with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castell of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who stayed with faire Briolania fiue dayes together preparing their Armour and euery thing in order which béeing doon they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunte certaine waiting Gentle-women and Squires to doo them seruice by the way When they drew néere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castell of an ancient Lady named Galumba who some-tune liued in Briolanias Fathers Courte and there they were welcommed very honourablye yet whether Briolania trauayled thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but meruaile which made her request to be satisfied therin Briolanias Aunte tolde her how Amadis was one of the best Knightes in the worlde and had promised to reuenge the murdered Kings death likewise how he discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and afterward ouer-came the rest in the Castell at what time the Lyons escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make reporte his companion must néeds be of some estimation and wel may they bring your enterprise to end considering the trueth and iustice of the cause but take héed least the traiterâ—us King woorke some treason against them That is the chéefest pointe of my feare answered Briolania wherfore we came to craue your aduise héerin Héer-upon she wrot a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then calling a Damosell after she had giuen her instructions she bad her make haste in deliuering the letter Presentlye went the Damosell to horsse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos with his two Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these thrée must the combate be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and helde more by tirannie then any consent in the subiectes The Damosell entred the Pallace on horsse-back when diuers Knightes came to her requesting her to alight but she made answer she would not till she saw y e King and that he commaunded her to leaue her palfray Soon after came the King accompanied with his two sonnes and many great Lordes and after she had saluted him he boldely bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your commaund on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crown said the King I warrant your safetie wher-upon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you gréets you with this letter which may openly be read before this royall company and I after-ward receiue answere for my discharge When the King heard the name of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong he did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damoselles woordes The most of the Lordes there present who sometime were subiectes to the slaughtered King seeing the messenger of their lawfull Quéene indéed pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited in their harts desired of God to plague the treason doone to her Father Proceede Damosell
Brittayne By this time sundrie spéeches past betweene him and the King where-among he dissembled his spéedie departure to prouoke a desire in him to stay him and thus spake Amadis Dread Lord seeing the Lady is frée I desire leaue for my returne againe but if in ought I may do your Maiestie any seruice I am the man readie to be commanded and you the Prince whome most I desire to honor Good fréend quoth the King your departure must not be so soone except you delight to displease me God forbid answered Amadis in respect my endeuour is altogether to obey you Do you thinke sayd the King it is any obedience if I may not intreate a longer stay In sooth my Lord quoth Amadis you may and shall commaund for in greater matters then this I will not offend ye Goe then and vnarme you replied the King and speaking these woordes him selfe took him by the hand conducting him to a sumptuous Chamber where he left him to take some refection with Arban King of Norgalles and the Duke of Glocester whome he commaunded to kéepe him company for King Lisuart was a Prince that especially fauoured and honored strange Knightes Hauing left Amadis thus woorthely accompanied he went to the Quéene and tolde her in what manner he had staied the good Knight who ouercame Dardan But doo ye my Lord quoth she know his name No verily answered the King for in respect of the promise I made him I durst not demaund that question of him It may be saide the Quéene he is the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule I would it might fall out so well answered the King Doo you know quoth the Quéene who may put vs out of this doubt euen the Squire that talked with Mabtla who came to search him in your Courte and saide how he was aduertised of his arriuall in this Countrye long before Immediatly the King caused Gandalin to be called and without declaring any thing to him thus spake Follow me for I must shew a Knight to thée that I may be resolued if thou know him or no. Gandalin attended on the King entring the Chamber where Amadis was and Gandalin viewing him very earnestly feigned to haue seene him long time since then setting his knee to the ground saide Ah my Lord great trauaile haue I endured to finde you since I departed from the Scottish Court Gandalin my good freend right hartely art thou welcome to me what newes doost thou bring None but good my Lord answered Gandalin all your noble freendes are in perfect health commending them-selues to your excellencie but hence-foorth Sir you must conceale your selfe no longer then turning to the King he thus procéeded Mighty King he that hath beene so long time vnknowne is this braue Prince the famous Amadis Sonne to the inuincible King Perion of Gaule and then came his Father to vnderstand so much when he slewe in combate the puissant King Abies of Ireland by meanes wherof he recouered his Realme which was well néere lost By these deuises was Amadis discouered and better welcommed then before for til then he was not knowen but through his famous déedes the renowne wherof was euery where blazed abroad and now was he so well honoured for his vertue as his noblenes required So spent they the whole day in honorable feasting vntill such time as eche one withdrew him self when King Lisuart commaunded the King of Norgalles that he should lodge in Amadis ChaÌ„ber afterward wheÌ„ they were alone to sound his minde and vnderstand by all meanes possible if he would consent to remain in his seruice Thus leauing them together he returned to the Quéene and to her thus spake Madame hardly shall I cause Amadis to stay as mine nor can I tell which way to compasse it albeit I neuer had greater desire to any Gentleman of long time for the high account is helde of him would cause mée to be much more feared and redoubted My Lord quoth the Quéene graunt him any thing he shall demaund and doo your selfe present him what you imagine will best please him He requesteth nothing of me replied the King for if he did I would consent therto more willingly theÌ„ he could desire Me thinkes it were good saide the Quéen to intreat him first by some other of our Courte and if they cannot preuaile will him to come sée me your Daughter and our Cozin Mabila they likewise shall sollicite the matter for they knew him when he serued them as a Squire Then shall we let him vnderstand how all the Knightes héer are yours and none but thinkes him selfe honored therby him will we desire to be one of the company that you may enioy his seruice when need shall require This will be a good meane answered the King to procure his stay and if he will not be wonne by you we may well iudge him of lesse ciuilitie then Chiualrie Now because it wexed somewhat late the King bad his Quéene good night and went to his Chamber On the other side the King of Norgalles perswaded his new come guest that he would abide in the Court of King Lisuart but Amadis could so cunningly dissemble that he altogether disguised the chéefe poynt of his desire and might not by all these intreties be wun When he perceiued he laboured in vaine on the morrow morning he brought him to the King of whome Amadis made offer to take his leaue but the King answered him in this manner My good fréend you should haue doone me pleasure not to departe so soone yet can I not constraine ye to tarye against your will but my Queene would gladly sée you before your departure Nor will I goe my Lord answered Amadis before I haue doone my dutye to her wherupon taking him by the hand he brought him into her chamber and thus spake to her Sée héere Madame King Perions sonne of Gaule who is come to salute you before his departure In sooth my Lord answered the Queene he dooth me great honor and he is very hartely welcome hither Then Amadis stepping to her fell on his knée to kisse her hand but she caused him to rise and sit downe by her when the King perceiuing they would enter into further talke with-drew himselfe to discourse with his Knights while they conferred together In meane while the Queene â—â—urteously entertained Amadis but the other Ladyes and Gentlewomen who had heard such fame of his beautie and excellent perfections began to eye him very diligently meruailing that nature had so enriched him with the only thing they most desired Now knew Amadis by their countenances what iudgement they held of him yet durst he net turne his head aside fearing least seeing his Oriana by some sudden mutation he might reueale what carefully he coueted to hide And as he continued in this perplexitie the Princesse Mabila came and did him reuerence wherevpon the Quéene the better to compasse her intent called her Daughter who dissembled as if she scant knewe him and