THE ANCIENT FAMOVS And Honourable History of Amadis de Gaule DISCOVRSING THE ADVENTVRES Loues and Fortunes of many Princes Knights and Ladies as well of Great Brittaine as of many other Kingdomes beside c. Written in French by the Lord of Essars Nicholas de Herberay Ordinarie Commissarie of the Kings Artillerie and his Lieutenant thereof in the Countrie and gouernment of Picardie c. Printed at London by NICHOLAS OKES 1619. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR PHILLIP HERBERT Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our dread Soueraigne King James Lord Baron of Sherland Earle of Mountgomerie and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter c. HAuing already presented your Honour with the Third and Fourth Bookes of this famous History of Amadis de Gaule and standing engaged by my promise to translate so many more of them as time and your noble acceptance shall thereto enable me finding also those two imprinted parts to appeare as a body without an head because these former Bookes are the guide and dirction to them all I haue now finished them and therefore make a fresh representation of them all foure to your Honour The fift sixt seuenth and eight Bookes being already in good forwardnesse of translation with as much expedition as possible may bee and your worthy encouragement for their proceeding shall very shortly present themselues before you in the best habit that mine ability can put vpon them It is not vnknwne to your honour that the manifolde impressions of this history the Bookes thereof being now come to be fiue and twentie in number and printed in places farre distant a sunder through neglect in the publishers or defect of the Bookes which are perfect indeede many false volumes haue flowne abroade and the world thereby very much abused But by the helpe of that worthy Lady I haue had such Bookes as were of the best editions and them as I haue already begun I intend to follow In the meane time Noble Lord accept of these foure Bookes I beseech you and defend them from the venomous tongue of foule mouthde detraction burying all my imperfections heerein committed in the vrgent importunitie of that worthy Lady by whom I haue thus boldly presumed the rest will beare me blamelesse against your least mislike Your Honours in all duty A. M. THE FIRST BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE Discoursing the Aduentures and Loue of many Knights and Ladies as well of the Realme of great Brittaine as sundry other Countries c. CHAP. I. Of whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knights as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following thereon SOone after the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ there reigned in little Brittaine a King named Garinter enstructed in the lawe of veritie and highly adorned with many laudable vertues hauiug a Noble Ladye to his Wife by whome he had two beautifull Daughters The eldest beeing maried with Languines King of Scotts was commonly called the Lady of the Garland because the King her Husband taking great pleasure to behold the golden tresses of her haire would haue them no otherwise couered then with a faire circle or chaplet of flowers Languines enioying by his Queene Agraies and Mabila of whom this present History often maketh mentioÌ„ The other yongest Daughter to this King Garinter was named Elisena very much excelling the eldest in beauty though she had been ofteÌ„times desired in mariage by sundry Princes and great Lords yet as then she had no wil thereto but for her solitary and holy life was commonly called of euery one The lost Virgin in deuotion considering that in a person of such estate endued with such excellent beauty and solicited by so many great Princes this strickt religion was not conuenient King Garinter being sumewhat in yeeres for recreatioÌ„ tooke pleasure in Hunting wheÌ„ at one time amoÌ„g other it happened that hauiug appointed a meeting neere one of his Cities called Alyma a Hart was put forth in pursuite whereof himselfe wandred very farre wherefore seeing he had lost both his people and game commending himselfe to God he began to make sumwhat the more hast til hauing trauersed first one way and then another at the very entrance into a Wood he saw two Knights fighting against one Soone had he knowledge of the twaine in that they were his owne Subiects of whome he had heard sundry complaintes but slender order was taken in the cause by reaâ—on of the great alliance they had in the Country as also for that they kept themselues still in this greatforrest Who the third should be he meruailed and for that time he so well liked the valour of the one Knight as he feared not what might happen to the other twaine wherefore he withdrew himselfe a little further into the Forrest because he might the better beholde the issue of the fight which sorted to such effect as by the strength of the one Knight both the other were vanquished and slaine The King beholding what had happened came forth of the Wood when the Knight seeing one so neere him alone thus demaunded Gentle Sir what Country is this where Knightes errant are thus assayled by robbers and theeues Let this be no wonder to you Sir answered the King for this Country yeelds as others doe both good and bad as for them that thus assaulted you they haue done diuers villainous outrages not only in this Wood which hath been their accustomed receptacle but likewise in many other places and cheefely against their Lord King who could not execute iustice on them in that they were allyed to the best houses in this Realme And where may I find the King you speake of said the Knight for I am come to seeke him to bring him newes from a great friend of his Happen what shall answered Garinter I will tell ye so much as I know vnderstand then for a truth that I am the man you aske for At these words the Knight tooke off his Helmet and throwing downe his Sheeld ran to embrace him saying that he was King Perion of Gaule who of long time had been desirous to know him Greatly were these Kings contented that their meeting was in such fortunate manner and conferring together on many matters they tooke the waye through the Wood toward the Citie where they thought â—o find the Hunters but suddenly a Hart ranne before them which with some danger had escaped the toyles wherfore the Princes gallopped after the Deere hoping to kil it ere they gaue ouer But it fell out otherwise for in the pursuitâ— as they came into the thickest of the Wood a chased Lyon ran before them which in their sight seazed on the Hart and hauing with his strong pawes torne it in peeces turned againe when running furiously against the two Princes he watched his aduantage as if they had angred him which the King
Damosell as without longer stay she iourned toward Gaule and executed her enterprise whereof heereafter you shall vnderstand more But not to discontinue the purposed voyage of Oriana after that Languines had prouided all things necssary for the same Oriana Mabila their company were imbarqued theÌ„ taking leaue of the King Queene at the sea side they set saile hauing the winde so prosperous as in few daies they landed in great Brittaine where they were all right worthyly wellcommed Heereof doth the author at this time make no more mention because he meaneth to tell ye what happened to the Gentleman of the see hauing left him at the Knights Castell that was vanquished by Galpan in the Damosels charge who attended his wounds which in fifteene daies were almost thorowly healed Notwithstanding despising rest determined to set on his way so that on a Sunday morning taking leaue of his hoste and his gentle Chirurgion he mounted on Horse-backe accompanied onely with Gandalin who neuer would forsake him and not farre from the Castle they entred a great Forrest It was now about the moneth of Apâ—â—ll when the Birdes tune their Notes most pleasantly and that all Trees Herbes and Flowers declare the comming of the Spring time this delightsome change made him remember her who aboue all other flowred in excellent beautie and for whom abandoning his libertie Loue hath taken him captiue so that in these thoghts he thus somewhat loud parled with himselfe Ah poore Gentleman of the Sea without Parents or Lands that thou canst auouch how durst thou lift thy heart so high as to loue her who is beyond all other in beautie bounty and birth Ah wretch as thou art oughtest thou not to consider by these three things wherein she is most perfect the best Kinght in the world may not be so hardy as to thinke of louing her And thou poore vnknowne art wrapt in a labirinth of folly louing and dying not daring to tell it or make shew thereof In this complaint was the Gentleman of the Sea so carryed away as forgetting all other matters hee rode crosse the forrest a long space with his Helmet closed till at length lifting vp his head hee behelde a Knight well mounted in the wood by him who long had kept company to heare his sadde discourse When the knight sawe the Prince had discryed him for that cause held his peace he approched neerer him with these words Beleeue me knight it seems you more loue your Friend then shee doth you when in commending her you dispraise your selfe and for ought I vnderstand by your speeches you are no such man as ought to pretend loue therefore it is necessarie I should know who shee is to the end I may supply your defect and serue her Sir knight answered the Prince you haue some reason for these speeches yet hap what shall you can know no more then you doe and I can assure yee that by louing her you can get no aduantage So doe not I beleeue sayd the knight for a man ought to conceiue glory in trauaile or any danger in the seruice of so faire a Ladie seeing that in the end he cannot but gaine his long looked for recompence wherefore hee that loueth in so high a place as you doe should not be agreeued at any thing that happeneth When the Prince heard him speake so sensibly imagining hee vsed these wordes to comfort him he was of better cheere and came more neere to him to continue this talk but the Knight sayd Keepe yee backe for either by friend-ship or force you must tell mee what I haue demaunded Now trust me answered the Prince it shall not be so Goe too then quoth the knight see what wil happen thereon and defend your selfe With right good will sayde the Prince So gan they lace their Helmets taking likewise their Shieldes and Lances but as they seuered them-selues for the Ioust a Damosell came and spake in this manner Knights I pray you forbeare a while and tell mee one thing before the combate if you can for such is my haste as I haue no leasure to tarry the end of your fight At these words they stayed them-selues demanding of her what she desired I would fame quoth shee heare some news of a Knight called the Gentleman of the Sea And what would you with him said the Prince I haue brought him tydings answered the Damosell from Agraies Sonne to the King of Scotland Attend a little replyed the Prince and I will tell ye so much as I know of him All this time was the Knight of the Forrest ready for the Ioust and much offended at her that came to stay them wherefore hee called to the Prince to gaurd him-selfe giuing him such an attaint in the encounter as his Launce slew in pieces but the Prince met him full as both Horse and Man were thrown to the ground when the Horse being more nimble then his Maister seeing him selfe at libertie ran about the field yet the Prince found the meanes to take him againe and bringing him to the dismounted knight sayd Heere Sir take your Horse and hence-forth desire not to know any thing against a mans will The knight would not refuse his gentlenesse forhe found him-selfe so shaken with his fall as hee could hardly follow to catch him again in meane while he assayed to remount on his Horse the Prince left him comming to the Damosell that stayed for him demaunding if she knew the man she enquired after No truely quoth she I did neuer see him but Agraies told me that he would presently make himselfe knowne so soone as I should say that I came from him He did not deceiue you therein answered the Prince therfore ye must vnderstand I my selfe am the man and with these words he vnlaced his Helmet when the Damosell saw his face she said In truth now doe I verily beleeue it for your beauty I haue heard very much commended Then tell me quoth the Prince where haue you left Agraies Hard by a Riuer not farre hence sayd she where he staieth with his Troupe attending a fit winde for Passage into Gaule and is very desirous before he go any further to know if you will beare him companie With all my heart replyed the Prince ride then before and conduct mee the way So rode he on with the Damosell and in some short time after they came neer the place where Agraies and his Armie were encamped but yet before they arriued there they heard behinde them one cry Stay knight for thou must tell me what I demanded The Prince turning backe behold the knight whoÌ„ he so lately dismounted and another that bare him company wherfore hee stayed to take his Armes Now were they so neere the Prince Agraies Campe and he as they all might see the Tourney hauing a farre off noted the Princes comming maruailing what he was that so gallantly managed his Horse and to say sooth hee was in his time a
good wil hath alway beene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefs and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Doe 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 know how hee shall behaue him-selfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the window where they talked saying Returne to thy master and tell him that this night he must secertly come to the place thou seest 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 window neere the ground where-through we may easily discerne ech other and talk together for his Cozin is acquainted with mine affaires nor is it necessarie they should bee concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger shee thus proceeded Deliuer him this token from mee as the onely Iewell I most esteem and ere thou goest thou shalt see the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discreet as she will easily vnderstand thee yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tydings from her mother Here-upon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whom the Queene of Scots her mother had sent to her but when she saw it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore Oriana went to the Queene leauing them in deepe 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 Queene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this Countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Son to the King of Gaule of whom you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Queen The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since hee heard that he was heere and now he maruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Queene right glad would I be to see 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 Countres wherefore I assure ye if he doe come hither hee shall finde here such honourable entertainment as he shal haue no cause to depart in haste Of his Prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I know little but what common bruite hath blazed abroad but heereof I am certaine how hee was one of the most braue yong Gentle-men that euer I saw when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his master were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardun and expresse charge hee gaue me to salue you on his behalfe The name of Heauen be for euer praysed quoth shee hauing preserued our Kinsâ—man from such exceeding danger and now sent him hither to honourably Ah Madâ—… said Gandalin hee were happy indeed if the force of loue made him not in worse case then dead for Gods sake therefore doe you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he finde 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 hee cannot with greater desire employ mee then I haue to doe him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commanded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Queene my mother thou mayest come and speak with vs at al 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 extreams as hee had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight hee had of his Ladie at the Combate encreased such a desire in him to see her at more libertie as euery houre seemed to him longer then a yeare When hee saw that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes hee came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matters should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerfull couÌ„tenance told him that he brought no sadde tydings and rushing into the matter at first said My Lord God make yee 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 Ouer-whelmed 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 know that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your self Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the very trueth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the window and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a change of conntenance 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 hee 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 the other seemed insatiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull Companion I thought my self altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that duty belongs more necessarily to thee because by thy diligence 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 commuanded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her self shewed it me Ah God sayd Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me Away from me now all sorrowe and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin See here a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honourable loue to you so he gaue him the Ring which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire Ring that hast beene so happy as to be caried and accounted deere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of much inferiour honor yet hast thou not changed thy mistresse for both thou and I are hers and she doth compasse my heart hith greater force theÌ„ thou canst possibly binde in my finger Let vs leaue this talk answered Gandalin and returne to the Damosels who tarry for vs in the Tent but you must dissemble conningly for if they see you altered
to whom he seemed no lesse beautyfull then he did to the Queene wherefore he commanded Gandales to fetch him for when I goe hence quoth he I will take him with me and haue him brought vp with mine one Son In sooth my Lord answered Gandales he is yet to yong to leaue his Mother but hauing brought him presented him to the King who said Faire Child will ye go with me to the Court My Lord answered the Childe I will goe whether you please if my brother shall goe with me And I quoth Gandalin will not tarry here with-out him I perceiue my Lord said Gandales that if you take the one you must needes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him said My Son I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I do their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My childe that so soone beginnest to proue fortunate now I see thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thee if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for suffer that the words of Vrganda the vnknowne spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to see the time of those great meruailes promised thee in Armes The King who noted Gandales seeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beleeue me I neuer thought you had bene such a foole as to weepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you thinke for and if it please you to know the truth I will presently tell ye heere before your Queene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the sea and in what equipage and he had proceeded with that which Vrganda foretold him but that he remembred the oath he tooke Now my Lord said Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage Whē the King heard this he esteemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the child he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing god hath done so much for him as to preserue him frō so great a danger that now we be diligent inhis education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Queene so please you he shal be mine during his young yeeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on the next morning the King would set forward wherefore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the sea whom she commanded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a cheerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now doth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion his new freind Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard being in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosphers the exposition of his dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing thereof As he thus sadly spent his dayes it chanced that another Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to know that King Garinter her Father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pitty her in that the King of Scots would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garinter was Perion somewhat sorrowfull but yet he comforted himselfe by thinking he should goe to see his friend towards whom he had not diminished one iot of his affection wherefore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your Mistresse that without staying one whole day I shall be in short time with her The Damosell well pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so speedily as he ariued in little Brittaine where he heard newes that king Languines had already gotten all the cheefe of the Country except those Cities which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed himselfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgments and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming feasting of one another the King told her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kindred and Subiects which she did with all diligence could be deuised as also with so great contentation as her heart might desire for herein only consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scots and how to accomplish this King Perion was already arriued with his Sister he sent immediatly for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in doing honor and wel-come to the King his brother At his comming he was gratiously receiued by King Perion and after by embracings they had saluted each other and the nuptials likewise thorowly ended the kings derermined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauailing toward Gaule with his Queene Elisena somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh himselfe along by a Riuer side while the tentes were erecting he rode softly alone by the waterbancke imagining how he might know the truth whether Elisena had a child according as his Philosophertold him in expounding his dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without any regarde he came to an Hermitage which was neere at hand wherefore finding him-selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horse to a tree that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very antient religious man who comming to meete him said Knight is it true that king Perion is marryed to our kings daughter yea verily answered the king Praised be God said the good Hermit for I know certainly that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replied the king Euen from her owne mouth said the good olde man The king then hoping he shoud heare of him the thing which he most desired to know said I pray ye Father tell me what you
regiment to make me super-intendent and cheefe maister of your house-holde That will I answered Barsiinan with any thing else thou shalt desire Marke then the platforme quoth Arcalaus You know how King Lisnart hath openly published this feast of september to holde open Court whether you must goe well accompained with knights then shall I order the matter in such sort that I will carry away the King prisoner no man aliue being able to succour him in like manner will I carry thence his Daughter whom you shall take to wife and afterward will I send ye the Kings head Thus in respect the Princesse is right heire to the Crowne and you enioying her in Mariage being well accompanied with Knights as I tolde ye easily may you make seizure on the Realme nor shall you finde any to speake against it In sooth answered Barsinan if such an enterprise might sort to effect I would make thee more rich and mighty then euer were any of thy linage as also the chiefe cōmander my house It sufficeth said Arcalaus your selfe shall soone perceiue that seldom I enterprize any thing but it comes to passe then faile not to bee present in the assembly at London So came the traytour Barsinan to King Lisuart seighning his intent to do him honor wherefore the King sent many of his knights entertaining him as a most noble friend appointing his lodging and all things else necessary for him and being with the King in his pallace he entred into these speeches My Lord vnderstanding what royall magnificence you meane to keepe in your Court as also the good Knights and braue men were here to be seene this day I intended to honour you with my person not as your vassaile or subiect holding my Countrey of God and by the Sword but as your good neighbour and friend if you please Trust me quoth the King you do me very great pleasure and honour and I thanke you for this gentle paines that you would bee seene in so good company assuring you Lord Barsinan and my friend this courtesie shall bee remembred in what I may for I make very especiall account of you Your Maiesty dealeth very kindely with me replied Barsinan and I protest on my faith to bee ready in councelling your affaires for the best according as I haue a long time desired See how the traytor lied in euery word but the good king misdoubting nothing requited his offer with many thankes and to do him the greater honour appointed his lodging in his owne Palace himselfe and his Queene going forth of the Citty with their Tents and Pauilions immagining he could not do too much for the traitour And first he acquainted him with the whole enterprize and wherefore he caused this great assembly declaring the names Sir names of the best commended Knights their haughty prowesse and resolutions among whom hee forgot not Amadis and Galaor whose hardines was impossible to be equalled they two being accomplished with all the vertues required in Chiualrie When the king was withdrawn to his Tents and Barsinan to the Pallace he began to consider on the strength of his Maiesty as also the loue and obeysance so many great Princes shewed him which made him vnable to enioy and rest and often times he repented his foolish enterprize seeing how hard is would proue in execution Now he minded to alter his determination when sodainely another opinion entred his braine so that wauering vp and downe in his thoughts he could not resolue one any certainety On the next morning he came to the King who was now clothed in his royall ornaments because it was the first day of open Court and he commended one to goe to the Queene willing her to send him the Crown he had of the Knight and shee to clothe her selfe in the sumptuous mantle Hereupon she presently sent for the Cofer and opening it found nothing therein whereat she was greatly amazed considering shee trusted no body with the key thereof but her owne selfe and euermore carried it about her But knowing not how to remedie this mishap shee acquainted the King therewith who in great displeasure came to her saying I meruaile Madam you haue kept so badly the Iewel which would haue so greatly honoured this time considering vnder what condition it was left with vs. On my faith my Lord quoth she I know not what to say I found the Cofer fast lockt and none but my selfe hath kept the key of it But in a dreame this last night me thought a Damosell willed mee to shew it her which I did afterward she demanded the key and I gaue it her when opening the Coffer shee tooke forth the Mantle and the Crowne locking it againe and laying the key where I tooke it This done she put the Mantle about her and the Crowne on her head they beseeming her so well as I receiued great pleasure in beholding her and thus she spake That her selfe or she from whom she came before fiue dayes should rule in the Countrie of a mighty King who at this time laboured to defend it and to conquer it from other Hereupon I demanded what shee was and she answered You shall know at the time I haue spoken of So she vanished from me with the Crowne and the Mantle but on my faith I know not if this vision came to me sleeping or whether it be of truth The King was now in greater meruaile then before willing her to dissemble the matter and not to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the knights and Ladies in the place appointed for the ceremonies of the Day where sitting down in the 2. chayres of state the King called his Knights about him and the Queene her Ladies with whom she communed Now had his Maiesty giuen order that neerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norwales well armed holding his Sword ready drawne and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald hee commanded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady vere richly attired and with her twelue other Damosells in like brauery for in those dayes the great Lords and Ladies were wont to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betweene them this fayre Lady adressed her speeches to the King deliuering them in forme following My Lord most humbly I beseech you to grant me audience and giue mee reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiesty meaning Amadis Longtime haue I beene requested by Angriot d'Estrauaus to be his wife who I am assured is in this royall presence hereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why hee kept the vale of the Pines and how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abandon Armes Neuer thelesse quoth she they departed friends
the flame signifieth the great pleasure which you shall both haue at your meeting Truely my Son I know that seeing the habit and estate whereunto I am called such speeches as these become me not at all neuerthelesse knowing that it is for your good I am sure that I doe not amisse in this counselling a person so comfortlesse as you are Here-with all the Faire Forlorne fell vpon the ground to kisse his feete reioysing that he had happened into the company of a person so holy that knew how to comfort him so well in his aduersity desiring very heartily that whatsoeuer the holy man had told him might so come to passe and he said vnto the Hermit my Father seeing it hath pleased you to do me so much good as to expound this dreame I pray you likewise to tell me the meaning of one other which I dreamed the night before I came from the firm-Island Then did hee recite it word by word vnto him Whereupon the aged man answered him My son by this you may plainely see that which already is happened vnto you for I assure you that the place ouer shaddowed with trees where you thought that you were the great nuÌ„ber of people which at the first made such great ioy about you signifieth the firm Island which you haue conquered to the great pleasure of al the inhabitants thereof But the man which came vnto you with a boxe full of bitternes is the messenger of the Lady that gaue you the letter and your selfe doth know better then any other whether he brought you bitternesse or no by the discourse which he had with you The sorrow which afterwards you did behold in the persons which before were so ioyfull are they of the Isle who at this present are very heauy for your absence The apparell which you threw off are the teares which you haue shed The stony place wherin you entred inuironed with water this rock witnesseth to you what it is The riligious maÌ„ that did speake vnto you in an vnknown laÌ„guage is my selfe who do instruct you in holy writ which you neither vnderstand nor can comprehend Father answered the Fair-Forlorn I know verily that you say the truth which giueth me great hope of that which you haue declared of the other but the continuall griefe and melancholie wherein I liue hath already ouer-mastered mee that I beleeue if the good which you promise vnto me do not the soonâ—â— ease my care death will first seize vpon my sorrowfull corps Notwithstanding the Hermit knew how to perswade him so wel that from thenceforth he shewed a little merrier countenance then before he had done and began to turne his sorrow to some solace vsing to angle for fish with two Nephwes of the olde man that kept him company Neuerthelesse the most part of the time he with-drew himselfe into a secret place hard by the sea side which was ouer-shadowed with diuerse sorts of trees and there oftentimes he cast his sight vnto the Firme-Island which put him in remembrance of those fauours whereunto fortune had called him the wrong that Oriana did vnto him hee hauing neuer offended Alas saide he haue I deserued this entertainment to be banished without hauing offended so much as in thought Truely deere friend if my death were agrieable vnto you you haue meane enough to giue it me more speedily without making mee thus to liue in languishing The onely deniall of your good grace the very first day that you accepted me for your knight had beene sufficient at that time to haue made me die a thousand deathes Many other lamentations did the Faire Forlorne euery day make in this solitary place wherein he tooke so great pleasure that oftentimes hee there passed away both the day and the night so as one time finding himselfe more frollick in his minde then of a long time he had beene hee made this song following Sith that the victory of right deseru'd By wrong they do withhold for which I seru'd Now â—ith my glory thus hath had a fall Glorious it is to end my life withall By this my death likewise my woes release My hope my ioy m'inflamed loue doth cease But euer will I minde my during paine For they to end my glory and my gaine My selfe haue murthered and my glory slaine Thus the Faire Forlorne passed away the time waiting vntill fate or better fortune should bring him forth of this miserie But it happened that one night lying vnder the trees as hee was accustomed about the breake of day hee heard very nigh him the sound of a most sweete instrument wherein he tooke so great pleasure that he gaue attentiue eare thereunto a good while amazed notwithstanding from whence it might proceede Knowing the place to bee solitary that no other there remained but the hermit his two Nephewes and himselfe wherefore he rose vp without making any noyse at all and approched more neere to see what it might be Then he beheld two young Gentlewomen sitting by a fountaine who tuning their voyses to the sound of a lute did sing a most pleasant song neuerthelesse fearing to trouble their mirth hee stood still a great while without being by them perceiued Afterwards he came forth and disclosed himselfe saying vnto them Truely Gentlewomen your musicke hath made me this day to loose Matins for the which I am very sorry When these women heard him speake hauing not seen him at all vntill that time they were much afraide Norwithstanding one of them more bold then her fellow answered him My friend we did not thinke to offend you with this our mirth but seeing we haue so luckily found you tell vs if it please you who you are and how this desert place is called In truth faire Gentlewomen saide the Faire Forlorne this place is called the poore Rock wherein there liueth an Hermit vpon the top thereof in his little hermitage As for me I am a poore man that keep him company doing great and hard penance for the sin and wickednesse which I haue committed Gentle friend answered they may we finde in this place for two or three dayes onely any house wherein we may place at ease a Lady both rich mighty so tormented with loue that she is euen at deaths dore therewith Trust me said he there is no other lodging in this Rock but the little cabinet wherein the Hermit doth lie and one other that I do sleepe in some-time but if the Hermit will lend you mine I am content to do you a pleasure to lie in the meane time abroad in the fields as I commonly vse to do The Gentlewoman gaue him hearty thankes and bidding him good morrow they departed towards a Pauilion within the which the Faire Forlorne beheld a most beautifull Lady vpon a bed Wherupon he knew that the same was shee of whom they told him But looking farder off he did see foure armed men walking by the Sea side who scouted abroad whilest fiue
others did take their rest and he also perceiued a shippe at Anchor well appointed The Sun was already vp when he heard the Hermitage bell to ring which made him go vp thither Where he found the Hermit making him ready to goe to seruice vnto whom he tolde that there were people newly arriued in the Rock and that if it were his pleasure hee would willingly goe call them to heare Mattins Goe then answered the Hermit and I will stay for them And as he went downe the Rocke he met the Lady whom the knights carried toward the hermitage wherefore he returned to helpe to make ready the Hermit who seeing the Lady was come began seruice Then the Faire Forlorne being amongst the women began to remember the time when he was in the Court of king Lisuart and of the pleasure hee was won to haue with the Princesse Oriana there-withall he began to weepe so bitterly that the Gentlewomen perceiued it and did very much wonder thereat Notwithstanding they thought that it was for the contrition of his sinnes and seeing him young fayre and comely they could not thinke what to presume thereof When the Hermit had made an end of seruice they came to salute him praying him for Gods sake to lend them some little chamber for their Lady who was wearie of the Sea and extreamely sicke wherein she might take her rest for a day or twaine In truth faire Ladies answered he there are here no more then two small Cabinets in one of them I remaine and if I can so long as I liue neuer woman shall come therin and the other is for this poore man which doth such great penance wherein sometimes he sleepeth and I would be very sory that he should bee put out thereof against his will Father said the Fare Forlorne do not let for me to doe them a pleasure for I am very well content for this time to haue no other lodging then vnder the Trees Well said the hermit let it be so a Gods name Then the Faire Forlorne conducted them vnto his Cabinet where the Gentlewomen set vp a rich bed for their Mistresse who was forthwith carried thither And because it was told the Faire Forlorne that her sicknesse proceeded of extreame loue he tooke more heede to her behauiour then to any of the rest and he perceiued that her eyes were still full of Teares and her â—ighs were at commandement Wherefore hee drew the two Gentlewomen apart whom in the morning hee had found playing on the Lute earnestly entreated them to tell the occasion of the great sicknesse that their Mistresse sustained Friend answered they if you marke her well you shall find that she is very faire although that now her disease hath abated a great part of her beauty for shee hath neither comfort nor ioy by reason of the absence of a knight that shee goeth to seeke in the house of King Lisuart whom she so feruently loueth that if short time doe not graunt some ease to her passion it is impossible that her life should continue long When the Faire Forlorn heard king Lisuart named hee could not refraine from teares and hee had a greater desire then before to know the name of the knight that she loued therefore he requested them very earnestly to tell him his name in good sooth answered the Gentlewoman hardly may you knowe him for hee is not of this countrey yet is hee esteemed the best knight in the world next vnto two other of his kin Alas my faire gentlewoman sayd hee for Gods sake name him vnto me and the two other whom you so much exâ—oll Truely answered they we are contented vpon this condition that first when wee haue done you doe tell vs whether you bee a knight or not and afterward your name I am content therewith sayde the Faire Forlorne so great is my desire to knowe that which I demand of you Then one of them sayd vnto him the knight which this Lady loueth is called Don Florestan brother to the good Knight Amadis of Gaule and to Don Galaor and hee is the sonne of King Perion of Gaule and of the Countesse of Salandria You say true answered hee and I verily beleeue that you cannot say so much good of him as hee deserueth What sayde the Gentlewomen doe you know him then It is not long sayd he since I did see him in the house of Queen Briolanie for whom his brother Amadis and his Cosen Agraies did fight against Abiseâ—s and his two sonnes and thither hee with his brother Galaor arriued some fewe dayes after the combate and I thinke him to be one of the fairest knights in the worlde As couâ—â—rning his prowesse I haue many times heard Don Galaor himselfe speake thereof who fought a combate with him as hee sayde This combate sayde shee was the cause that hee left my Lady in the selfe same place where they first knew one another I thinke then answered the Faire Forlorne that shee is called Corisanda You say true sayd the Gentlewomen In truth answered he I am no lesse sory for her sicknesse then before for I knowe Florestan to bee so wise and of so good behauiour that I am sure hee will doe all that which she shall coÌ„mand him God grant it sayd shee but seeing wee haue satisfied you acquire you of your promise and tell vs who you are Gentlewoman answered the Faire Forlorne I am a knight who haue heretofore had more pleasure in the vanities of the worlde then now I haue for the which I heere abide sharpe penance my name is the Faire Forlorne By my truth said one of them you haue taken a good course if you are able therein to continue And because there is no reason now to leaue our Mistresse all alone in this her great melancholy wee bid you farewell and doe goe vnto her to passe away the time with such musicke as you did heare this morning Then the Faire Forlorne departed but hee was presently called backe againe for as soone as the gentlewomen had played two or three songs they rehearsed vnto Corisanda all that hee had saide of Florestan and that the poore man which did penance had seen him not many dayes before Wherefore she sent to pray him to come vnto her and in the meane while shee sayde vnto her women assure you this Hermit that knoweth Florestan must needs be some great personage disguised At the same instant the Faire Forlorne was come and she sayd vnto him my friend my women tell me that you know Don Florestan and that you doe very well loue him I pray you by the holy order that you professe to tell me what acquaintance you haue had with him and where you did last see him Then the Faire Forlorne told her more of him then hee had tolde vnto the Gentlewomen and how hee knew very well that he and his brethren with their Cosen Agraies had beene in the Firme-Island for he had there left them and
bee yeelded vnto him and to no other For this cause it may please your Maiesty seeing my Lord Amadis is heere present that first you will discharge mee of that which I haue promised vnto him vnder a contrary name and as for him I remit all the euill will that I did beare vnto him for the death of my late deceased brother king Abies and I doe further intreate him to accept mee for his companion and perpetuall friend Sir Quedragant answered the King you speake like a prudent and wise knight for what prowesse or courage soeuer a Gentleman hath if hee bee not gouerned by counsell reason he is not worthy that any man should make account of him You are sufficiently knowne for one of the best knights in the world yet you may be assured that the fellowship which you demand of Amadis shal in no sort deminish your praise renowne you two continuing in mutuall amity together and you may beleeue that hee will bee very glad to accept of the offer which you doe make vnto him Is it not true gentle friend sayd the King vnto Amadis If it like your Maiesty answered he Quedragant is so worthy a knight that his fame is spread abroad in many places and seeing that it pleaseth him to chuse mee for his consort I doe thankefully accept his kind offer Herewithall they embraced and so long did their friendshippe thenceforth continue that it was neuer seperated but by death At the same time was Florestan Landin before the King purchasing their leaue to enter into the field according to their appointed agreement a good while before in maintenance of Amadis his quarrell against Quedragant but when they saw them friends their combate was finished and their hatred conuerted into amity wherewith Landin was exceeding glad for hee had already proued Florestan in the iourney against king Cildadan and seene his valour and prowesse Thus were these quarrels ended how much the Court had here-tofore been troubled by so much was the ioy and pastime thereof increased neuerthelesse the King hauing not forgotten the miserie wherein king Arban of Northwales and Angriota de Estrauaux remayned after he had some few dayes stayed with the Ladies he vndertooke their deliuerance and the better to effect the same hee determined to passe into the Isle of Mongaza to set them at liberty wherewith hee made his knights acquainted Then Amadis answered him your Maiesty doth know that my brother Galaor hath beene lost in your seruice therefore I beseech you to excuse mee from accompaning your grace in this voyage for if God please my cosins and I will goe seeke him as it is reason and so soone as we haue found him I assure your Maiesty that incontinently wee will follow vnto that place where wee shall heare your grace abideth Friend Amadis answered the King I promise you of my faith that I my selfe would willingly accompany you so sorry am I for Galaor but you know the present affaires that I haue whereby I am in truth to bee excused yet neuerthelesse I am well pleased with your departure both when you list and with such companie as you like Here-withall there rose vp more then a hundred of the most approoued knights who did all sweare the search of Galaor For saide they hardly may we vndertake a worthier or more strange aduenture they preuailed with the King so much that they got leaue to depart the next morning CHAP. XVIII How the euening ensuing the King being risen from the table walking about the galleries of his Pallace he beheld two great fires vpon the Sea that came directly towards the Cittie NOw it happened the same day after the King had supped as hee walked along a gallerie being almost bed-time hee beheld two strange fires vpon the Sea which came with great swiftnesse directly towards the Cittie Wherewith he was greatly amased because hee thought it very difficult that water and fire should continue together especially when hee beheld in the midst of these fires a galley at the mast whereof were many great burning torches so that one would haue iudged the vessell had beene all on fire This wonder did astonish the people so much that in a manner they came all forth of the Cittie presuming that seeing the Sea was not able to quench this fire it was impossible to defend the Cittie from being burnt to ashes if the same once tooke hold thereof wherefore the King as fearfull as the rest mounted vpon his horse and came forth with them vpon the sands And as hee came neere the water side he did see that the most part of all the knights were already arriued and amongst the rest was Amadis Euil and Guillan who were at that time so neere the galley which was hard at shore that he thought it impossible for them to escape from the fire thereof Hereupon he set spurres to his horse because hee tooke on exceedingly with the noyse that was made and whether hee would or no hee brought him close to the galley side vpon the which shortly after he saw a cloth lifted vp which couered it and a Damosell appeared clothed in white silke that held a small Coser of gold in her hand which she opened then shee tooke out of it a burning taper which she cast into the Sea and presently the two great fires vanished away so suddenly that it was not perceiued what was become of them Wherwith all the people were maruailous glad seeing that they were out of danger for there remained no more light then that of the torches which burned vpon the mast of the galley with the brightnesse whereof all the shoare receiued light Then the galley was plainly perceiued which was decked with many garlands of floures instrumēts began to sound very sweetly Herewithal there apeared vpō the poupe twelue Damosels richly apparelled euery one of thē hauing a chaplet of roses vpon their head and a rod of gold in their hands And she marched forth first of all that had throwne the raper into the Sea who comming a shoare did her duty vnto the King and he receiued her very kindely saying vnto her Madame in satisfaction of the feare wherewith your fire affrighted vs tell vs if y◅ please who you are although wee alreadie surmise that we know you well enough Your Maiestie answered she is of such a valiant courage that it is impossible to terrifie you with so small a thing yet the fires which you haue seene were ordayned to no other ende but for the safety of my women and me when we are determined to goe by Sea For the rest if you thinke mee to bee Vrganda the vnknowne your thought is true and I am expresly come into these parts to visit you as the best Prince in the earth and the Queene also who is one of the wisest Ladies that liueth Then shee called Amadis saying vnto him My Lord Amadis come neer and I will tell you to ease you of the
beheld him meruailed thereat but one day among other it happened that Gandales rode to sport himselfe in the fields arming himselfe as became a good Knight for he had dayly accompanied the king Languines at such time as he searched after aduentures and albeit the king discontinued Armes yet Gandales would oftentimes exercise himselfe and as he rode he met with a Damosell that thus speake to him Ah Gandales if many great personages were aduertised of what I know certainly I assure thee they would cause thee to loose thy head Wherefore quoth he Because said the Damosell thou nourishest their death in thy house The knight knew not the woman that thus talked with him but you must vnderstand how she was the same that said to king Perion that when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should lose her flower yet notwithstanding he was farre from the matter because he knew not whereof she spake and therefore thus replyed For Gods sake Damosell I pray ye tell me on what occasion you vse these speeches Beleeue me Gandales qooth she I haue tolde thee nothing but truth At these wordes she departed from him leauing him very sad and pensiue yet long he did not continue in these thoughts but he saw her returne againe in great hast thus crying calling Ah Gandales for Gods sake succor me then Gandales turning about beheld a knight follow her with his Sword drawne wherefore he gaue his horse the spurres to meete him and placed himselfe for the defence of the Damosell then comming to him that pursued her he said Stay thou bad aduised knight what moueth thee thus trecherously to outrage Ladyes What now answered the other doest thou hope to saue her who by trumpery hath made me loose both body and soule That meddle not I withall said Gandales but I will defend her to my power well knowing that Ladyes ought not to be corrected in this manner albeit they did deserue it We shal presently see that answered the knight and so gallopped to the place from whence he came which was a little thicket of trees where stayed a very beautyfull Lady who when she saw him returne came forth bringing him a Sheeld and a strong Launce which he tooke and without longer tariance returned to his enemy Gandales being a sterne knight would not refuse him whereupon they met together in such sorte as their launces were broken no their Sheelds and they with their horses cast to the ground yet quickly did they recouer footing when began betweene them a meruailous combate which worse would haue bin but that she which desired succor of Gandales stepped betweene them saying Stay Gentlemen fight no more At these wordes the Knight who before pursued her went back then said the Damosell to him Come now and aske pardon of me Most willingly answered the Knight then throwing his Sword and Sheeld down came and humbled himselfe on both his knees before her whereat Gandales was greatly amazed afterward the Damosell said to the Knight Goe coÌ„mand the Lady vnder the trees that she get her away immediatly vnlesse thou shalt take her head from her shoulders To this charge the Knight yeelded himselfe obedient and to her whom he loued more then himselfe by sudden change from loue to hatred he came and angerly said Trayterous woman I know not how I shall defend my selfe from killing thee presently Well perceiued the poore Lady that her friend was enchanted and that contestation would nothing at all profit her wherefore incontinent she mounted on her palfray and rode away making the most grieuous sorrow that euer was heard and there remained she whom Gandales had defended speaking to him in this manner You haue Sir done so much for me as I shall be beholding to you while I liue and now you may depart at your pleasure for if the knight offended me I haue pardoned him with all my heart As touching your pardon answered Gandales I haue nothing to doe therewith for my selfe I will end the Combate or he shall hold him-selfe vanquished It behoueth that you acquite him said the Damosell seeing that if you were the best Knight in the world easily can I make him ouercome yee Do therein what you can replyed Gandales but I will not acquite him except you first declare to me wherefore euen now you said that I kept the death of many people in my house Then will I rather tell ye quoth she because I loue you both He as mine owne Soule you as my defender albeit constraint cannot make me doe it so taking him â—side she said You shall sweare to me as a loyall Knight that no other shall know it by you vntill such time as I command it hereof he made her faithfull promise Know then said the Damosell that he whom you found in the Sea shall one day be the flower of chiualdry and shall cause the very strongest to stoope he shall enterprise and with honor finish what other shall faile off and such deedes of armes shall he doe as no one thinkes can be begun or ended by the strength of one man The proud shall he make humble and gracious being cruell and pittilesse as also benigne and amiable to the debonaire this Knight most loyally will maintaine loue and shall effect in place answerable to his magnanimitie Moreouer I assure thee Gandales that he is the Sonne of a King and without doubt all this will happen which I haue told thee but if thou keepe it not secret it may returne thee more harme then good Madame answered Gandales I pray ye tell me where I may meete with you hereafter to conferne with you on the affaires of this infant That must you not know by me said the Damosell or any other Yet tell me your name quoth Gandales if so it be your pleasure By the faith you beare to the thing you most loue in the world replyed she you coÌ„iure me so as you shall know it albeit the thing that most I loue is he that wisheth me least good and would you know what he is it is the Knight against whom ere while you combated notwithstanding I will not leaue to intreat him at my pleasure with-out he being able to remedy him-selfe My name is Vrganda the vnknowne and to the end you may remember me an other time beholde me well at this present At that instant she who shewed her selfe to Gandales faire yong and fresh as one of eighteene yeeres became so olde and ouer spent as he meruailed how she could sit on her horse if then he was stricken into admiration you may iudge But when she had beene a prittie while in that state she tooke out of a little bottell which she caryed a certaine vnguent wherewith she rubbed her face right soone recouered her former countenaunce saying to Gandales What iudge ye now Sir thinke you to finde me hereafter against my will vsing all the dilligence you can deuise neuer therefore put your selfe to
Knight wee haue made proofe enough of what we are able to performe in these affaires wherefore I am of the opinion that he whose quarrell I vndertake the other for whom you entred fight are not â—â—â—lty in any thing wherewith they are charged otherwise our combate could not thus long haue indured but victory wouldful to 〈…〉 of vs. Wel hast thou sayd answered Agraies that the Knight for whom I venter is iust and loyall but the Dwarffe is a villaine and a 〈◊〉 nor will I suffer thoe to rest till with thine own mouth thou coÌ„fesse as much defend thy selfe therefore better then thou hast done These angry wordes did somewhat eleuate the Dwarffes Knights courage but he had lost so much bloud that he was no longer able to holde out by meanes whereof Agraies took his pleasure on him because the other did nothing but defend his strokes which when the Duke beheld by reason he fauoured him he was highly displeased and to shun the sight of his death departed toward his Castle swearing thence-forward to worke reuenge for him on all Knights errant by doing them all the shame he could possibly deuise He being in this furie spake so loude as Galuanes ouerheard him wherefore he thus answered Duke thou doost enterprise a great war especially against such as are known to more worthy Lords the thou art seeking thus to smother vp the blame of others As thus he contended with the Duke the Dwarffes champion fell at Agraies feete who immediatly snatching off his Helmes caught him by the head giuing him many blowes with the hilts of his Sword on the face saying Confesse the disloyalty of the Dwarffe otherwise thy life is at an end Ah gentle Knight quoth he giue me my life for I truely confesse that hee who you sight for is vertuous and loyall promise withall to gaine the Damosels release from imprisoÌ„ment but for Gods sake I desire ye let me not reprooue the Dwariffe mine Vnckle with treason These words were by all the assistance easily vnderstood which mouing Agraies to pitrie he thus answered For the Dwarffe I will do nothing but for you being a good Knight I grant the fauour of your discharge prouided that you labour to your vttermost for the Damosels release from prison according as you haue faithfully promised All this while the Duke heard none of these words because hee was gone somewhat further off but Galuanes laid hold on his horse bridle saying By God Duke you shall not departe hence vntill you haue seene he extreamity of your Champion for he is either dead or vanquished what answer then make ye concerning the Damosels right the treacherous iniury offered her by the Dwarfe What saide the Duke thinkest thou I will breake mine oath or do any otherwise then I haue determined I know not quoth Galuanes what conclusion you haue appointed Mary this replied the duke that she shal be to morrow morning burn'd if she tell not what moued her to cause the Knight come hither whoÌ„ she conducted Why quoth Galuanes will ye not then deliuer her No said the Duke and if thou prouide not for thy speedy departure out of my Country thou shalt well know that thou hast displeased me Is it true answered Galuanes doe ye threaten me contrarie to all equity and will not discharge the Damosell so honourably iustified By heauen henceforth I desie thee as well on mine own behalfe as all other Knights errant whatsoeuer Very well quoth the Duke the like do I to thee and al such as thou resemblest So went the Duke into his Castle and Galuanes returned in an exceeding chafe to Agraies but reioycing at his Nephewes glorious victory he somewhat quallified his angry choller yet did he tel him all the Dukes menaces and what defiance had passed on either side wherewith Agraies was very much moued chiefely for the wrong he threatned to the Damosell whereupon he thus replied In sooth my Lord and Vncle it is against all reason that such a pailiard as the Duke possessed of so great a signorie should cary so vile and bad a minde Hauing thus spoken he called for his horse which being brought him he mouÌ„ted thereon speaking thus to the vanquished Knight My friend remember your promise accomplish it so soon as you can that the Damosell may he released from her imprisonment In good faith quoth he I will performe my vttermost hability therein So rode away Agraies and Galuanes toward the Forrest of Arinida where wheÌ„ they entred Galuanes thus beganâ— You know Nephew that I haue defied the Duke in respect of the iniurie he offered vs but if I might giue aduise I would thinke it good for vs to ambush our selues a while in this wood where we may easily take him or some of his I promise ye saide Agaies I like well your counsell wherefore without passing any further they made choyce of a little thicket where they alighted sending their Squires to the Towne to prouide them victuals On the other side the Duke as you haue heard being with-drawn to his Castle grewe into such displeasure against the Damosel as he thought presently to send her to the fire where-upon he called for her willed her for to haue minde of her soule because the next morning shee should bee burned if quickly she declared not the truth of the Knight but all these threatnings could not drawe one word from her Now because the vanquished Knight had promised Agraies to labour for her deliueraÌ„ce to the Duke so soone as hee returned from the field hee came and fell on his knees before the Duke beseeching him most instantly to graunt what he had promised on the Ladies behalfe But the Duke by all meanes excused the matter saying he had sollemnely vowed she should dye if she reuealed not the thing he was desirous to know Therefore quoth he I will rather consent to the ruine of my whole Estate then in one iotte to the breach of my oath In this manner was the Knight denyed and the next morning very earely he sent â—â—r the Damosell to whom hee spake thus as followeth Thou lowd and disobedient woman now make choice of the fire or resolue me in the matter I haue demanded for one of them thou must doe My Lord quoth shee you may appoint what you thinke good but if I die in this manner it will be against all law and reason Presently he committed her to two Sergeants at Armes accompanied with ten Knights well prouided for their defence and for the more suretie that shee should not be rescued himselfe mounted in person on a goodly great horse then leauing the towne along they ride thorow the fieldes by the Forrest side and being come to the place prepared for execution he commanded foorth-with she should be throwne into the fire saying Let the stubborne Strumpet die in her obstinacie But Agraies and Galuanes being ready armed to aduenture their fortune discerned when the troupe came from the
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
and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife wherof when I attained knowledg I withdrew my selfe to a Castle of mine where I kept such a strong guarde and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange knight to enter there without licence but that knight comming thither vanquished my guardants and hath vtterly abolished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised mee to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chanced an vnhappy combat betweene him and this knight mine Vnckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiesty held open Court I should here present my selfe to grant a request he must demand of me To satisfie my promise I am come hither and desire to know what he will command me At which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the Combats therefore am I ready here to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she performe her owne promise On my conscience quoth shee if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you know I am ready to fulfill my offer demand what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so deerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what maner of demand is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would marry with such a one as is well worthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth knight quoth shee this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replied Amadis but I will performe it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote herein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must needes confesse your selfe satisfyed hee gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renouned Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now do I wel perceiue that art nor cuning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue done my vttermost to escape Angriote not onely for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chast and single I would not bring my liberty into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come neerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and rich he is a yong and braue disposed knight as you are rich in goods and possessions euen so is he in bounty and vertue not onely in deedes of Armes but in all other good qualities beseeming a knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heereupon shee stepped to the Queene saying Madam you are esteemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall do Faire friend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote had gotten among the good he well deserueth not onely to bee aboundant in riches but to bee loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis think you not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned mee of folly but making tryall of his valour and hardinesse yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinkes the iustice of the cause commands that not only my selfe but all such as are acquainted with him ought to 〈◊〉 in seeking remedy for you both in him the extreame passions hee endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse griefes known to you Now trust me Sir quoth shee such prayse haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then truth wherefore following your counsell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall command mee Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to do my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my Soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then here I giue her you replied Amadis on this condition that you shall be forth with married together and continue in honourable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commandement Presently the King called for the Bishoppe of Salerne who conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Citty and there the wedding was solemnized with great ioy and Triumphs wherefore wee may well say that hot men but God appoynteth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which Angriote euer-more bare to this selfe-willed Lady For albeit hee had her in his custodie neuer did he meane dishonorablie against her but by vertuous cogitations bridled vnlawfull desire onely to expresse how intirely he loued her and by obeying her seueere charge lost his life wel-neare when he combatted with Amadis CHAP. XXXIII How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertayning of Chiualrie AFter the end of this mariage which by diuersity of opinions caused much talke as commonly it happeneth in such cases the King commanded silence againe by his Herauld when euery one being attentiue to heare what he would say he thus began My friends no one of you is ignorant of the heauenly fauour toward me by appointing me the greatest earthly Lord that liueth this day in the Isles of the Ocean Wherefore I thinke it conuenient that as wee in this countrey are the chiefe so should we be second to no other Prince in rendring immortall thankes by good and vertuous workes whereof we are now minded to determine In this respect I intreate command albeit Kings are the heads of their Monarchies you the members that you would altogether take aduise and giue mee counsell euen from your consciences what you thinke most expedient for mee to do as well for the benefit of my Subiects as also for our estate And I assure ye I am minded to beleeue your opinions as proceeding frō loyall and
God hauing in other places deliuer'd me frō many perils wil not suffer me to perish by so bad woman as she is I desire yee my Lord quoth she to tell mee their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible say de the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde yee truth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had known them and in sooth the deede might bee reckoned ominous if two such worthy persons had perished Yet when she shall knowe hereof sayd the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. How King Lisuart held open Court in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remayned there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Court in all magnificence many noble personages being there assembled as wel strāgers as others hoping now to make little stay but to return home to their owne houses yet the greater part of them aboad with the King in like manner did sundry worthy Ladies accompany the Queene Among other knights attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cosen Ladasin who as I haue sayde were very good knights but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very fewe were found in the Realme of Great Brittaine that carried more account for deeds of Armes and all other graces beseeming a knight setting aside his musing and melancholy By meanes whereof fewe or none could bee pleasant with him or haue any words from him in company but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughts in such sort with his Lady as hee had minde of none but her And shee of whom wee speake was endued with singular beauty being named Brandalisia sister to the Kings wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in marriage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was arriued at the Court to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and beeing in the presence of many great Lords the Duke beganne in this manner Sir you haue commanded my appearance here this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiesty concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth mee withall whereof I hope sufficiently to cleare my selfe by the rightfull iudgement your selfe shall giue and hee rest condemned like a varlet as hee is for here am I ready to approue against him or any other hee shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deed At these wordes Oliuas arose and with him a great nūber of knights errant all resolued to maintayne this quarrell against the Duke when the King beheld them in such a mutiny hee maruelled whence the cause should proceede when Grumedan speaking for all the rest sayd My Lord because the Duke of Bristoia hath threatened and defied all knights errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it bee so hee hath attempted an ouer fond warre for I thinke there is no knight in the worlde so puissant that will bee induced to such an enterprise But forbeare at this time and offer him no iniury because he is heere to receiue iustice which shall be done according to the counsell of the Princes and Lords present without fauouring any one Then Oliuas falling on his knee before the King beganne in this manner My Lord the Duke who standeth before your Maiesty hath slaine a Cosen germaine of mine hee neuer giuing him occasion of offence wherefore I will iustifie him to bee a villaine and a traytour and will make him confesse it with his owne mouth else shall I kill him and cast him forth of the field The Duke tolde him hee lyed and hee was ready to accomplish what the King and his Court should ordaine wherupon it was determined that this emulation should bee decided by combate which the Duke accepted desiring the King to permit him his two Nephewes in this cause against Oliuas and two other knights This being granted the Duke was very glad thereof for he made such account of his kinsmen as hee thought Oliuas could not bring the like notwithstanding all was deferred till the morrowe following In meane while Don Galuanes asked his Nephew Agraies if hee wold assist Oliuas against the Duke and hee consenting thereto Galuanes came to Oliuas saying Sir Oliuas seeing the Duke is desirous to fight three against three my nephew and I are determined to take your part which when the Duke heard hee remembred that he had defied them in his owne house when Agraies combated with the Dwarffes champion at what time the Damosell should haue beene burned wherefore hee became very pensiue in respect though he esteemed his Nephewes approued good knights yet he repented his wilfull offer gladly would haue excused the matter if hee could being so well acquainted with the behauiour of Galuanes Agraies But considering his promise past before the King and so many noble personages there present hee must of necessity stand thereto wherefore the next morning hee entered the Listes with his Nephewes and Oliuas on the contrarie with his copartners Now were the Ladies standing at the windowes to beholde the issue of this quarrell and among the rest stood Oliuia the faire friend to Agraies who seeing him ready to enter such perill was so dismayed as she could scant tell what countenance to vse By her stood Mabila shee being in no lesse griefe for her Vncle and brother together likewise the Princesse Oriana louing them both in respect of the reasons heretofore declared accompanied the two Ladies in sorrowe fearing their danger but the knights being ready to the combate the King by a Herald commanded the Champions to doe their deuoyre Heereupon with a braue carreer they encountred together Agraies and Galuanes vnhorsing the two Nephewes and albeit Oliuas receiued a wound on the stomacke yet had not the Duke caught hold about his horse neck his fortune had proued as had as his Nephewes Thē drawing their swords they smote so violently against ech other as the standers by wondered at their fiercenes beholding their shields defaced their armour battred coullered with their blood that the victorie hung a long time in suspence For Agraies horse being slaine vnder him brought his life in maruailous hazard because the Duke and one of his Nephews stroue to keep him downe seeking to thrust their swords into his belly or else to smite his head from his shoulders but he was so well armed and of such courage withall as hee held them both play though with exceeding perill Well may you thinke that his friends grieued to see him in this distresse especially the three Ladyes of whom we spake so lately whose cheekes were
preparing their armour and euery thing in order which being done they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunt certaine waiting Gentlewomen and squires to doe them seruice by the way When they drew neere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castle of an ancient Lady named Galumba who sometime liued in Briolanias fathers Court and there they were welcomed very honouarbly yet whether Briolania trauailed thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but maruaile which made her request tobe satisfied therein Briolanias Aunt tolde her how Amadis was one of the best knights in the world and had promised to reuenge the murthered kings death likewise how hee discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and after-ward ouercame the rest in the Castle at what time the Lions escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make report his companion must needes be of some estimation and well may they bring your enterprise to end considering the truth and iustice of the cause but take heede least the traiterous king worke some treason against them That is the chcefest pointe of my fear i answered Briolania wherfore wee came to craue your aduise herein Heereupon shee wrote a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then caling a Damosell after shee had giuen her instructions she bad her make hast in deliuering the letter Presently went the Damosell to horse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos and his Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these three must the Combat be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and held more by tyranny then any consent in the Subiects The Damosell entred the Palace on hors-back when diuerse knights came to her requesting her to alight but she made answere she would not til she saw the king and that hee commanded her to leaue her Palfrey Soone after came the king accompanied with his two Sonnes and many great Lords and after shee had saluted him hee boldly bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your command on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crowne said the king I warrant your safety whereupon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you greetes you with this letter which may openly bee read before this royall company and I afterward receiue answere for my discharge whē the king heard openly the nāe of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong hee did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damosells words The most of the Lords there present who sometime were subiects to the slaughtered king seeing the messenger of their lawfull Queene indeede pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited and in their hearts desired of God to plague the treason done to her Father Proceede Damosell quoth the king and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdred my Ladies Father and vniustly keepe her from her inheritance wherefore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sons would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme shee sends you word by me if still you stand vpon such triall shee will bring two knights hither who shal in combat maintaine her cause making you know your disloyalty and treason committed Darison eldest Sonne to the king hearing his Father menaced in this sort grew into great choller and as one moued with despight he arose when without the kings consent hee thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two knights with her men resolued to fight on her behalfe here do I accept the combat for my father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lords to send hee my head in requitall of her fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speake as a knight of haughtie mind yet may I doubt these words to proceed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenance but if you will request the king to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a heart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldly make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiesty said the Damosell to giue my Ladies knights assurance that for any mishap you may receiue in the Combat they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three And if you purchase them such a safe conduct they shall bee here within three dayes at the vttermost Darison falling on his knee before the King said You heare my Lord the Damosells demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiesly in the presence of all these great Princes and Lords humbly therefore I beseech you seeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduantage the presuming knights who dare aduenture in the cause of foolish Briolania will imagine themselues conquerors and vs dismaide faint-hearted Cowards hauing openly published that if any one will touch your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combat of vs three you intend to be purged And albeit you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolish knights of King Lisuarts Court who by their ouer-weening and aspiring thoughts make high acompt of their owne deedes in the contempt of others The King who loued Darison as himselfe though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and thereby made him feare the combat granted them safe conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two knights and such as came in their company Here is to be considered that the period of this traitours Fortune was now limited and the iustauenger of all wrongs pointed out rewarde for the treason of him and his Sonnes as in this discourse may bee euidently seene The Damosel seeing her message had taken such effect as shee desired said vnto them Make your selues ready for to morrow with-out fayle shall this difference bee desided So mounting on her Palfrey she returned to the Castle of Galumba where being arriued before the knights and Ladies she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish knights of king Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into these speeches By God there are such in company of that good king as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so low as they list but I thinke his choller ouer-mastred him when he vttered words of such great indiscretion Trust
Lisuart to present those spoyles vnto Queene Brisena being assured that shee would be no lesse sorrowfull then he for the sad mischance and wee likewise do follow after him to thanke the Queene for the good which Guillan hath done for vs for her sake as he hath commanded vs to do Then Gandalin bid them farewell assuring them that hee would finde him vpon whom his death or life depended or else hee would end his daies in the seeking of him CHAP. VII How Durin returned vnto the Princesse Oriana vnto whom he declared the sorrowfull news of Amadis and of the great sorrow which she made after she vnderstood of his despaire DVrin hauing left Patin in the forrest as you haue heard made such great hast to returne vnto Oriana to let her know what he had seen of Amadis as the tenth day following he arriued in the Citty of London But so soone as Oriana perceiued him her heart throbbed in such sort as she was faine to goe into her chamber lay her down vpon her bed before shee would speake vnto Durin and shortly after shee commanded the Damosell of Denmarke to cause him to come in and to see that while she talked with him no other should come where she was Then Durin beeing on his knees before her shee said vnto him Durin my friend by the faith thou owest vnto mee tell mee in what estate thou diddest finde Amadis what was his countenance whilest hee red my Letter and what thou thinkest of the Queene Briolania Madam answered he by my faith I wil tell you the very truth although I am sure that vnto you and others it will seeme in a manner incredible At my departure from hence as it pleased you to command mee I went without any stay vnto the Citty of Sobradisa where I found the Queene Briolania who in my opinion next vnto you is the fayrest princesse of the world and of the best grace There I heard news that my Lord Amadis and his fellows were departed to returne vnto this Court but vpon the way they did meete with a Gentlewoman who carried them vnto the firme-Island to proue the strange aduentures thereof whereupon incontinently I tooke my way thither and there I arriued euen as my Lord Amadis passed the Arch of Loyall-Louers vnder the which none might passe that had in any sort falsified his first Loue. How said she hath he so rashly enterprised such an aduenture hauing his disloyalty so fresh before his eyes I know not Madam answered Durin how you beleeue it but sure I am that it hapned better vnto him then you thinke for seeing that he hath gotten more honour then euer any loyall Knight receiued as many can witnesse by the signes which then appeared And although at that instant Oriana would haue seemed for to dissemble the pleasure which she conceiued of these news yet could she not so cunningly do the same but that with extreame ioy her sudden blushing did increase her beautie for the assurance shee had in the loyaltie of Amadis But Durin continuing his discourse said vnto her Madam he hath yet done greater things for after hee had finished this so strange aduenture he heard news that my Lords Galaor Florestan and Agraies thinking to winne the forbidden Chamber were so rudely repulsed from the marble Pillar that their liues were in great perill by meanes whereof my Lord Amadis desirous to reuenge their wrongs with an inuincible courage he passed through all the gâ—â—ded places and maugre all the inchantments hee entred into the Chamber yet was it not without great danger and trauaile Thus did he win the Signory of the firm Island and al the inhabitants there-of haue already sworne vnto him homage and fealty according to the custome of the Country which is one of the fairest and strongest places in the world And I assure you Madame that it is more then an hundred yeeres since any liuing creature hath passed the pillars but onely my Lord Amadis by whose force and strength we haue seene all the singular things and riches of the pallace of Apolidon and the aduentrous Chamber which is renowned thorow all the parts of the Earth During this discourse of his Oriana was almost rauished with the great ease and pleasure that she conceiued in the hope that one day she should bee Lady and owner of such singuler things to her owne and her louers contentment and said vnto Durin Truly Durin fortune hath beene very fauourable vnto him Ah Madame answered he nay rather too rigorous so as I would to God some other had carried him that vnhappy Letter which you writ I deliuered how said Oriana I pray thee tell me what countenance he shewed in reading it Madame I wil tel you since it pleaseth you answered he although I am sure that you will bee very sort when you shal vnderstand what consequence it turned vnto and the mischiefe it brought vnto the best and faithfullest knight in the world In what sort said she You are the cause of his death answered Durin Out Alas said Oriana what is it thou tellest mee You haue forged the sword that hath wounded him to death and I carried it to him so as we are both his murtherers Then declared hee the whole circumstance and manner how he deliuered the letter and the despaire hee entred into after he had read it so as said Durin he did shortly after that secretly departe from the Pallace of Apolidon with Gandalin Isania the Gouernour of the Isle and me and we brought him vnto an hermitage where hee charged vs steightly to follow him no further then hee mounted on horse-back and taking with him neither Helmet Shield nor Lance he fled ouer a mountaine like vnto a mad man Afterward hee rehersed vnto her all the talke which particularly he had vsed vnto them in taking his leaue of them and Durin made this discourse with so many teares as it was very hard to iudge whether hee or Oriana had the more sorrowfull heart And know you Madame saide hee that after his departure notwithstanding his command to the contrary Gandalin and I followed him and found him asleepe by the side of a fountaine yet his sleepe was not long for suddainly hee awaked and raising himselfe vp he began to make the greatest lamentation in the world bewaling King Perion his father then Mabila and others his friends All this while Gandalin and I hid our selues for feare of his furie by meanes whereof without any impeachment of vs he passed the most part of the night in the like lamentations vntill about the breake of day that there chaunced a knight to come singing a song which he had made for the loue of you the which Durin recited vnto her as also that which happened vnto Patin which so ouer-charged the heart of Oriana that she remained in a swound looking like one that were dead The which Durin fearing he called the Princesse Mabila and the Damosell of Dâ—nmarke
please you defâ—… not to aduise me what you think is 〈◊〉 for mee to doe For your Cosen might bee very angry if hee did know that which I haue 〈…〉 of him Madame answered Mabila seeing you acknowledge your fault you must be better aduised hereafter You haue had experience enough by that which is past what inconuenience may happen vpon so light occasions take heed henceforth then how you commit the like errors Thus were these two Ladies reconciled together as before neuerthelesse shortly after Mabila came vnto Amadis vnto whom she declared all the talke that Oriana had with her reproouing him sharpely for that which he had said to Briolania before her knowing that already she had been suspitious of them both Therefore my good Cosen sayde Mabila endeauour henceforth not to giue her any farther occasion to vse you ill speaking hereafter more discreetely then you haue done especially before my Lady for it is a very hard matter wholly to banish and extinguish iealousie from a woman after it is much rooted in her mind and had it not beene for my sharpe answer vnto her by my faith shee had passed the bounds of reason Sweet Cosen answered Amadis I doe much maruaile at the phantasie of my Lady but yet I doe giue you exceeding great thankes for the counsell that you giue vnto mee although I doe sweare vnto you that whatsoeuer I did speake I thought was wholy for her aduantage And I will tell you how euery one knoweth that Briolania is reputed one of the faired Ladies in the world so as one would thinke her sufficient to enter into the forbidden chamber but this thought is false for I haue seene the Image of Grimanesa vnto whose beauty Briolania in no sorte comes neere wherefore it is most sure that shee shall neuer attaine to this honour the which my Ladie shall obtaine without any difficultie Neuerthelesse if it were first before Briolania had made her try all therein one might say after-ward If she had begun before Oriana that then shee had first atchieued the aduenture by means whereof I was so bold in the presence of my Lady to giue her that counsell which you haue heard Mabila liked well this excuse of Amadis and tolde Oriana thereof who did greatly repent her that shee had spoken so much fearing least Amadis would haue been offended with her and to make amend for this fault which she had committed she sent him word by Mabila that he should come to see her in her lodging where she and Briolania stayd for him the which he did At his coÌ„ming the Ladies tooke him by the hand and made him fit betweene them then they prayed him to tell them the truth of that which they would demand of him wherunto he â—discoÌ„ended Tell vs then sayd Oriana what is the Ladie that gained the kerchief with the flowers when you conquered the burning sword Amadis perceiued well that he was not onely ouertaken but also constrained to tell the truth for which cause he answered Oriana In faith Madame I know no more what she was then you doe although I remained in her company sixe daies together But thus much did I see in her that she had the fairest haire that any Lady or Damosell could possibly haue and shee is besides most beautifull and of a most excellent grace for the rest you know as much as I doe By my faith said Oriana if shee got the kerchiefe with great honour it had bin like afterward to haue cost her very deere as it was tolde mee for without your assistance Arcalaus the enchanter and his Nephew Lindoraq had taken it from her also done her some villany It was not hee answered Briolania if hee be Amadis but another who was called the Faire Forlorne from whom wee must not derogate the honour to attribute it vnto another And although I am greatly bound vnto Amadis yet will I not let to speake the truth of the Faire Forlorne because if the one haue surmounted Apolidon in prowesse by winning of the Firme-Island the same being vnto him an exceeding great reputation so in like sorte was the other worthy of no lesse praise who in one onely day ouerthrew tenne of the best knights in Great Brittain and slew the most redoubted Gyant Famongomad and Basigant his sonne if Amadis did passe vnder the Arch of loyall louers in whose fauour the Images of copper did sound a more melodious tune then it did for any other that euer proued the same aduenture thereby manifesting his loyalty it seemeth in like sort that the Faire Forlorne had as great an aduantage in gaining the the burning sword the which for the space of threescore years no other could draw forth of his scabbard Therfore Madame it is not reason to take away the honour from the Faire Forlorne and without desert to giue it vnto Amadis seeing that both in prowesse and loyalty they may as I thinke equall one another And as they were in these pleasant discourses a Damosell came and told Amadis that the King asked for him because that Don Quedragant and Landin his Nephew were before him to acquite them of the promise that they had made by the meanes whereof Amadis was constrained to leaue the Lady and to goe vnto the Court. By the way hee met with Bruneo and Branfil who followed him they found that Quedragant had begunne his speech vnto the King saying It may please your Maiesty I haue stayed heere for Amadis of Gaule according to the couenant that I made with the Faire Forlorne and now that hee is in the Court I will discharge me of my promise True it is that by force of armes I was constrained to graunt vnto the Faire Forlorn that I should not depart from your company vntill Amadis were returned and then hee being come before your highnesse I should cease all quarrels that I had enterprised against him for the death of king Abies of Ireland my brother and neuer after to demand any thing at his hands therefore and in like sort that I should neuer hereafter beare arms against your Maiesty or any of yours Which matter hath since grieued me more then one would thinke because I could not be present at the battaile the which you had vndertaken against king Cildadan and his followers of the number of whome I thought to haue beene but fortune was so contrary that my intent was turned farre otherwise then I had purposed for the hate which I did beare vnto Amadis is conuerted into a most great amity the which I am determined to holde inuiolable with him if he think it good being assured that I was ouercome by him vnder the name of the Faire Forlorne the which he had taken because hee would not be knowne So that I doe manifestly perceiue that fortune is whollâ— determined to aduance him as the the force which hee did shew in this last battaile can sufficiently witnesse the honour whereof ought wholly to