had slaine my seruantes they brought me into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciouslye deliuered me Her modest behauiour in spéeche and comely beauty made Balays to wexe some-what enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very lothe to parte with ye but séeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where we may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindenes that we may not loose so good an oportunitie I knowe not Sir quoth she how you are minded but had they compelled me to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde me excused contrari-wise if I should willingly graunt you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might thē serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewen your selfe a well disposed Knight let me intreat ye to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duety you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberlye he repented that he had offred her such vndecent woordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied me yet pardon me for attempting so bad a sute in respect it is no lesse séemely for Knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue doone And albeit at the first we imagin it a great conquest to obtaine of them what we most desire yet when wiselye and discreetly they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are woorthy no praise they be euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more estéeme your succour to mine honor then my life because the difference betwéene them is farre incomparable Well saide Balays what will you now I shall doo for you Let vs leaue these dead carkasses replyed the Damosell and goe where we may stay till day light I like your councell answered Balays if I had another horsse but béeing now destitute I know not what to doo We will ride on my horsse saide the the Damosell till we finde other remedie so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested them-selues till Sunne rising and then they went to horsse-back againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the Knight who caused Galaors horsse to escape awaye from him he asked the Damosell what shoulde become of her My Lorde quoth she not farre hence is a house whether when you haue brought me you may departe to what place you please As thus they rode communing togither he sawe a Knight come toward him carying his legge on his horsses necke but drawing néerer he put foote in stirrope couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell bothe from the horsse after-ward he vsed these spéeches In sooth Lady I am sorye for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue doone ye I will bring ye-where you shall be contented because hee that hath the charge of you is vnwoorthye to haue so faire a creature in his custodye Ere this had Balays recouered him selfe and knowing him to be the Knight he sought for he drewe his swoord saying By thee villayne haue I lost my horsse and my companyon thou hast in like sorte abused now finding me vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but bothe for him and my felfe will I be reuenged on thée else let me be thought vnwoorthy of my order What quoth the Knight art thou one of them that mocked me as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockery on thée Héer-upon they presentlye fell to the combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemye got him vnder foote when renting the Helmet from his head he tooke his life as raunsome for his villainye and breaking his swoord in péeces layde them by him then mounting on his horsse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their waye toward the trée where he left Galaor But because their stomackes well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holye life who bestowed on them such chéere as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her frō the théeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slayne her seruants and she destitute of help whereof the holye women were very glad by reason those théeues did much harme in that countey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell tooke their leaue and comming to the trée met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherfore they concluded no more to sunder them-selues vntill they arriued at King Lisuartes Courte By this time the night drew on apace wher-upon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her fréendly offer went with her being there entertained and vsed very honourablye Early in the morning arming them-selues they thanked their gentle hoste his daughter framing their course toward Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented the horsse to Galaor which he wun from the Knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath therby CHAP. XXX ¶ How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heeretofore declared the ioy and content of the good King Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely mind he concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificent Court as all his auncestors in great Brittayne neuer did the like Which Oliuas perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the Duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cozin germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring he might haue iustice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other Knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two Knights more beside himselfe he would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other Knights Warning héereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclamation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should be readie at the Cittie of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroad by the Quéene to aduertise the Ladyes and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resort came to the Court where all kind of pastimes and sports were inuented without respect of fortunes mallice any way who commonly in great assembly of states when
to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the Knights and Ladyes in the place appointed for the ceremonyes of the day where sitting downe in two chayres of state the King called his Knights about him the Queene her Ladyes with whome she communed Now had his Maiestie giuen order that néerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norgalles well armed holding his Swoord readye drawen and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald he commaunded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady very richly attired and with her twelue other Damosels in like brauerie For in those dayes the great Lords and Ladyes were wunt to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betwéene them this faire Lady addressed her spéeches to the King deliuering them in fourme following My Lord most humbly I beséeche yée to graunt me audience and giue me reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiestie meaning Amadis Long time haue I béene requested by Angriote d' Estrauaus to be his Wife who I am assured is in this royall presence héereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why he kept y e vale of the Pines how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abādon Armes Neuerthelesse quoth she they departed fréends and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife whereof when I attained knowledge I withdrew my selfe to a Castell of mine where I kept such a strong guard and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange Knight to enter there without licence but that Knight comming thither vanquished my gardants and hath vtterly abollished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised me to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chaunced an vnhappie combate betwéene him and this Knight mine Unckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiestie held open Court I should héere present my selfe to graunt a request he must demaund of me To satisfye my promise I am come hither and desire to knowe what he will commaund me at which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the combates therefore am I ready héere to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she perfourme her owne promise On my conscience quoth she if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you knowe I am ready to fulfill my offer demaund what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so déerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what manner of demaund is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would mary with such a one as is well woorthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth Knight quoth she this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replyed Amadis but I will perfourme it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote héerein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must néedes confesse your selfe satisfyed he gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renowmed Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now doo I well perceiue that art nor cunning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue doone my vttermost to escape Angriote not only for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chaste and single I would not bring my libertie into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come néerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and riche he is a young and braue disposed Knight as you are riche in goods and possessions euen so is he in bountie and vertue not only in déedes of Armes but in all other good quallities beséeming a Knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heere-upon she stepped to the Quéene saying Madame you are estéemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall doo Faire fréend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote hath gotten among the good he well deserueth not only to be aboundant in riches but to be loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis thinke not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned me of folly but making triall of his valour and hardines yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinks the iustice of the cause commaunds that not only my self but all such as are acquainted with him ought to labour in seeking remedie for you both in him the extreame passions he endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse greefes knowen to you Now trust me Sir quoth she such praise haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then trueth wherefore following your councell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall commaund me Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to doo my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then heere I giue her you replyed Amadis on this condition that you shall be foorthwith maryed together and continue in honorable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commaundement Presently the King called for the Bishop of Saleme wha◠conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Cittie and there the wedding was sollemnized with great ioy and Triumphes wherefore we may well say that not men but God appointeth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which
of you you may therby easily induce him to loue vnder that cerimonye draw him to doo what your selfe shall desire In sooth replyed Madasima I will assay to know if he be such a one as you report him to be Doo Madame quoth he and you shall finde him one of the fairest Knightes that euer you behelde Héer you must note that the Knight no sooner left Galaor when he went to the Lady but he tooke occasion thus to talke with his brother You see my Lord the estate wherin we are which requireth some notable dissimulation at our handes I beseech ye therfore moderate your anger because alreadie it endangereth our liues and for a while follow my direction By heauen brother answered Amadis death had béen very welcome to me but since you wish me to be gouerned by you I am content desiring the conseruation of our honors which beeing lost we are vnworthye to liue Further they could not proceed because Madasima came and interrupted them when calling him aside and faire day was displayed on the earth his beautye and good grace so especially contented her as she became surprised with his loue which she shaddowed vnder demaunding how he fared Madame saide Galaor I fare wursse then you should were you in my power as I am in yours for I would doo you what seruice and pleasure possible I could and you vse the contrarye to me I hauing giuen no occasion of offence reason willeth I should rather be your Knight to loue and honor you then your prisoner thus vnkindely bound as I am And surely I cannot but meruaile heerat considering the simple conquest you haue therby vse then such rigour to vs as women so diuinely adorned are wunt to doo Madasima hearing his gentle language was more and more enflamed with his loue yet striung to dissemble it she merily said Tell me faire Sir if I chuse you as my fréend and deliuer you from prison will you for my sake leaue the seruice of King Lisuart and afterward tel him how you did it by my meanes With all my hart Lady answered Galaor and to perfourm it you shal haue what oathe you please both of me and my companyon for he will doo no more thē I request him Credit me quoth Madasima if before this companye you will promise to obey me presently you shal enioy your liberty Beholde me ready replyed Galaor Yet is not this enough answered Madasima for you shall sweare it in the presence of a Ladye where I am intended to lodge this night in meane while you must assure me not to departe my companye We will not on my faith Madame quoth Galaor and calling Amadis caused him to affirme as much wher-upon they were vnbound and set at libertie their Squires likewise as fréendly vsed and mounting on their owne horsses rode at their ease as they did before But Madasima Galaor still continued their amorous discourses till they arriued at a Castle named Albies the Lady wherof receiued them very honourably in respect of great fréendship betweene Madasima and her Néedlesse were it to tell ye of their good cheere it could not but be answerable to the time and company but after supper Madasima demaunded of Galaor if he meant to keepe his promise he made her by the way What else Madame quoth he prouided you be so good as your woord to me Make no doubt ther-of replyed Madasima then framing her spéeches to the Lady of the Castell and also to two Knightes that were her Sonnes she proceeded in this manner My good fréends I pray you hear a couenaunt betwéen me these two Gentlemen because heer-after you maye be my witnesses They are my prisoners and vnder these conditions I haue released them that one of them shall continue my freend and bothe of them forsake the seruice of King Lisuart telling him how for my sake and in despight of him they haue doone it Heer-upon I intreate this fauour at your handes as to meete me at the Courte of that wretched King on the day they must declare this message to see how contentedly he will take it but if they fulfill not their promise hence-foorth you shall publishe in all places the heinous offence by them committed and ten daies I giue them to execute this charge I am wel pleased said the Lady of the Castell to doo a greater matter for you then this if they as willinglye consent therto We praye you quoth Galaor not to faile héerin for we haue promised and will performe it Receiue then your libertie answered Madasima yet must you not departe this night these woordes she spake because she intended to seale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to an other whether soone after Madasima repaired she beeing young beautifull aduenterously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling ladders to the walles quicklye got possession of the Forte And so well liked she these amorous skirmiges as afterward she reported in many places how she neuer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did she but in hope of his spéedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honor she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as héereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were fréendly entertained in an Hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV ¶ How King Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly FOure dayes after Amadis and Galaor departed from the Court the auncient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Quéene as you haue heard when falling on his knée before the King he began in this manner I meruaile my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not y e 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 as yet to prooue 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 them not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue graunted my demaund and happily it would prooue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beséeche yée my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer héere Now was the King
so hath my fortune graciously fauoured me that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Héerewith Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himselfe so praysed by her to whome all commendation was due and féeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words dyed in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to procéede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer sawe you doo highly loue honor and estéeme you and I being she whome you affect most déerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madame answered Amadis your swéete and gentle words are sufficient to make me dye a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time only to excuse my extremity with pittie enduring wursse then death by louing you too vehemētly for if I had dyed as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not knowen you before And albeit the hower of your acquaintance is my intire felicitie yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in dooing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessitie constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value only to encrease my habilitie in seruing you which if you graunt me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as was no small greefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to me for should you dye I were vnable to liue one hower after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine own case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering and cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeuour can compasse no meane to yéeld vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen be it hate of father mother kinred and fréends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weightie burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martirdome of our hearts may easily be discouered No doubt these words were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such chéerefull life to his hope that he was rauished with inward conceit thereof when she séeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Quéene must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honor the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Quéene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladyes to censure on the bretheren but they resembled eche other so like as little difference could be discerned betwéene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect among all Knights both in beautie noblenes bountie and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispe faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go sée her daughter and the other Ladyes when he regarding the excellent beautie of Oriana imagined such an other was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of couller he suspected her to be the only cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was he welcommed among the Ladyes and diuers familiar speéeches passed betwéene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his Unckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII ¶ How King Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath béen declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittayne soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falangris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countryes to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might be named Knightes of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunat King forgot y e authour of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happie Realme fell into persecution and the illustrious state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might knowe how he only is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall héere vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing concluded to hold the most royall and stately Court that euer King did in the Realme of great Brittayne commaunded that on the fift day following all the Lords of his Kingdome should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honor might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yéeld him obeysaunce began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his state and person into danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to kéepe his Courte at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lordes Ladyes and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendaunce especiallye so many young Gentlemen beeing there present some to regarde the magnificence of the Courte other to doo seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewise for greater maiestie of his Courte ordayned that none of this assemblye should lodge in the Citie but to erect their Pauillions in the feeldes and meddowes along the bancks that hemmed in the faire Riuer of Themes least the extream◠heate might be hurtfull to them all which béeing doone according to appointment the feeldes seemed as a most royall Campe or as if the greater parte of the worlde were there assembled But because the King arriued there two or thrée dayes before the feaste he went to his pallace accompanied only with
Galaor chapter XVIII Fol. 92. 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 inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyse chapter XIX Fol. 97. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda chapter XX. Fol. 104. How Arcalaus brought newes to the court of king Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana chapter XXI Fol. 108. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monasterie where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him chapter XXII Fol. 112. How Amadis departed from the Ladies castell and of the matters whiche were occurrent to him by the waye chapter XXIII Fol. 119. How king Lisuart being in the chace sawe a farre off three Knights armed comming toward him and what followed there-upon chapter XXIIII Fol. 122. How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauayle to king Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them chapter XXV Fol. 127. How Galaor reuenged the death of the knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree chapter XXVI Folio 131 How Amadis pursuing the knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whome he combatted and what happened to him afterward chapt XXVII Folio 134 How Amadis combatted with the knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him chapter XXVIII 138. How Balays behaued him-selfe in his enterprise pursuing the knight that made Galaor loose his horsse chapter XXIX Folio 140. How King Lisuart held open court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time chap. XXX Folio 142. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the courte of king Lisuart and what happened to them afterward chapter XXXI Fol. 145. How king Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good cittie of London there to hold open and royall court chapter XXXII Folio 148. 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 chapter XXXIII Folio 152. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of king Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged chapter XXXIIII Folio 155. How king Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly chapter XXXV Folio 161. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that king Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherefore they made haste to giue them succour chapter XXXVI Folio 166. How Galaor rescued king Lisuart from the ten knights that led him to prison chapter XXXVII Folio 172. How newes came to the Queene that the king was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the citty of London chapter XXXVIII Folio 174. How Amadis came to the succour of the cittie of London when it was in this distresse chapter XXXIX Fol. 177. How king Lisuart helde open courte in the cittie of London many daies in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained there long time afterward chapter XL. Folio 181. How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the kings death who was father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed chapter XLI Folio 183. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the knight that dismounted him and his companyons in the forrest whome when he found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest poynt of their combate they knewe eche other chapter XLII Folio 187. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countye of Zealand chapter XLIII folio 191. How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damoselles at the Fountayne of Oliues chapter XLIIII folio 197. FINIS