vnto whom he saide Goe helpe my Lady who is in a greate perplexitie for a thing which is now too late to be remedied and if shee hath mis-done the punishment is of due vnto her Herewithall he departed leauing the women much amazed for they knew not the cause of this inconuenience much lesse how they might reâ—… the same neuerthelesse they vsed her in such sort that shee came againe vnto her selfe and casting forth a sigh she saide with a feeble and low voice Ah wicked woman that I am wheÌ„ with so great wrong I haue depriued him of life whom in this world I most loued And seeing it is out of my power now to reuoke that mischiefe wherâ—of I am the repentant causer I beseech you friend to take my lament in satisfaction of the hurt which I haue purchased vnto you with the sacrifice which I shall make of mine owne life to follow you vnto the death so the ingratitude which I haue committed against your loyaltie shall bee manifested your selfe reuenged and I punished And as shee thought to haue proceeded further her speech failed her againe wherewith Mabila and the Gentlewoman were more abashed then before so that they called Durin to know what heauie newes hee had brought vnto Oriana who wholly declared it vnto them Let me alone theÌ„ said Mabila for I know wel how to remedy this matter Hereupon they vnlaced her and bestirreth them so well that she brought her to life againe then Mabila demanded of her how she did Gentle friend answered she farre better then I desire So as I rather desire death then life for now I do nought else but languish Wherefore Madame said Mabila do you thinke my Cosin so inconstant that hee will not willingly excuse the iniurie that you haue done vnto him knowing that extreame loue rather then any other thing constrained you thereunto And if he be gone as Durin hath tolde you it is but to passe away part of his melancholy tarrying vntill his innocency bee knowne vnto you But I am certaine if it pleased you to call him back againe that he is as ready to obey you as euer he was And behold what you shall doe intreate him by a Letter that hee take no regard vnto that which you did command him by Durin and that which you did was suddenly after a false report made vnto you of him and therefore will him to come vnto you to Mireflâ—re where you stay for him to amend your fault at his discretion Ah my Cosin answered Oriana do you think that he will euer vouchsafe either to respect me or make one steppe for me But do you thinke saide Mabila that the loue he beareth to you is of so little force that he will not bee farre more glad to recouer your good fauour then he hath beene sorry to be by you forsaken I am verily assured that to die he will not displease you And to accomplish this matter well it behoueth the Damosell of Denmarke to vndertake the charge to finde him out because he knoweth her and putteth his trust in her Well answered Oriana I am content to be aduised by you So shee tooke paper and inke and as they had determined she did write vnto Amadis afterwards the Letter was giuen to the Damosel of Denmark with expresse commandement to passe first into Scotland thinking that he might be there with Gandales rather theÌ„ in any other place And the better to colour their enterprise they aduised the Damosell to tell the Queene that Mabila sent her towards the Queene of Scotland her Mother to vnderstand some news from her With the which the Queen was well pleased and gaue her a Letter and tokens to present vnto her Thus was the Gentlewoman dispatched who departed with Durin her brother and Enil the Cosin of Gandales And so long they rode till they came vnto a port towne called Vegill which separateth great Brittaine from the Realme of Scotland There they tooke shipping and they had the winde so faire that the sixt day following they landed in the Citty of Poligez Then tooke they their way toward the Knight Gandales whom they met a hunting but when he beheld the Damosell of Denmarke knowing that she was a stranger he stayed enquiring of her what she did seek in that Countrey Your selfe answered she towards whom two Princesses your friends haue commanded me to come to present from them certain presents which I carry vnto the Queene of Scotland GentlewomaÌ„ said he may it please you to tell me their names yea willingly sir said she the one is my Lady Oriana daughter to the mighty king Lisuart the other the Princesse Mabila whom you know well enough Ha said Gandales you are most luckily here arriued and they haue reason to accompt me their most humble seruant for so I am I pray you most heartily to come and alight at my house then to morrow we will go together to see the Queene in the meane while doe mee this pleasure as to tell me how Amadis doth The Gentlewoman was herewith much astonished seeing that she had missed of her purpose notwithstanding dissembling her sorrow she answered Gandales that he was not returned to the Court since he departed thence to reuenge Briolania and it is thought that he is come into these parts with his cosin Agraies to see the Scottish Queene his Aunt and you also for this cause the Queene and other Ladies of his kindred and deere friends gaue me in charge to deliuer him a Letter which will be very welcome vnto him I am sure And the Gentlewoman said thus much because she knew certainly that although Amadis would hide him froÌ„ knowing that she brought him news from Oriana others yet hee would change his minde to speake with her I would said Gandales that he were here for I haue a long time greatly desired to see him Thus talking together at the last they arriued at the Castle of Gandales where hee feasted the Gentlewoman three dayes and the fourth day following hee conducted her vnto the Court where she deliuered to the Scottish Queene the Letters and presents which the Queene Brisena had sent vnto her CHAP. VIII How Don Guillan the Pensiue did bring vnto the Court of King Lisuart the Shield Armour and Sword of Amadis which he had found lying by the Fountaine of the plaine field AFter that Don Guillan the Pensis was departed from the Fountaine where he found Amadis his Armour he rode six daies before he ariued in the Court of King Lisuart And he ordinarily carried the shield of Amadis about his necke and neuer tooke it off except when hee was constrained to fight then he tooke his owne fearing to deface the other And as he rode he met with two knights Cosins to Arcalaus who incontinently knew the shield of Amadis and they thought Guillan to be he Wherefore they who hated him to the death determined to assaile him and said one to another euen
then these two who as yet had not learned them But this new Knight being thoroughly furnished and ready to his iourney by his Ladies consent would in thanking the company take a more secret conge of Oriana And she who for his sudden parting felt new passions in her heart yet neuerthelesse dissembling thē tooke him by the hand and walking aside thus spake Gentleman of the sea you will be gone then but first I pray ye tell me whether you be the Sonne of Gandales or no for according to the good opinion I haue of you I thinke you to be issued of better place Then rehersed he all that King Languines had told him wherein she conceiued very great pleasure which done they committed each other to God So departed the Prince from this company and right-soone found Gandalin who attended for him at the Kings lodging dore with the rest of his Armes and his Horse whereon he mounted and left the Citie vnseene of any because as yet it was not day so rod they on till they came into a Forrest Now is the greatest part of the day spent before they would refresh themselues in any place but hunger constrained them to feede on such viandes as Gandalin had brought with him from the Citie During this time they heard in the Wood on their right hand the voyce of some one which seemed to them very doleful wherefore the Prince rode presently that way where he foūd a knight dead and hard by him another in little better case for he was so wounded that he had no hope to liue As for the partie that so cried it was a woman who lay vpon the knight pressing him so sore as made his hart to faile him and which was worst of all the villanous woman to cause his death the sooner cruelly thrust her hands into his wounds But when the wounded knight espied the Prince so well as he could he craued succor saying Ah gentle Sir for Gods sake suffer me not to be thus murthered by this ribaud Greatly was the Prince abashed at this wicked dealing and therefore very roughly thus spake Woman withdraw your selfe for you doe the thing not beseeming you or your like She as one ashamed retired and the Knight full of anguish fell in a swoune which made the Prince very desirous to know what he was but fearing that he had already yeelded his breath quickly alighted vsed such good meanes as reuiued him againe when he began to cry Ah I am dead good friends bring me to some place where I may haue councell for my soule Take courage answered the Prince for you shal haue what you demand but I pray ye tell me what fortune brought ye hither or where is he that hath thus hardly intreated ye It is said the Knight through this wicked woman who albeit I was rich and puissant yea far much more then she I made choise for the good loue I bare her and espoused her as my wife neuerthelesse she discourtebus creature forgetting the good and honor I had done her hath sundry times abandoned her honest regarde namely this night past with this Knight here dead whom I hauing neuer before seene by chance yesterday he came to me and this last night thus villanously abused me where taking him with the head we had a combate together wherein as you see he lost his life But when this strumpet saw I had slaine him fearing I would do as much to her she fell at my feete and desired pardon whereto I easily condiscended prouided that she offended no more Hereupon I intreated her to bind vp my wounds but she perceiuing how grieuously I was hurt and brought into very weake estate through ouer-much losse of my bloud to reuenge the adulterous villaines death she assaied to kill me outright and to make me languish the more in dying cruelly she thrust her hands into my wounds so that well I perceiue I cannot long liue Therefore I beseech ye good Sir helpe me to an Hermitage which is neere at hand where I shall find some religious man to comfort me in the agonie of my Soule Such compassion tooke the Prince on him as he and Gandalin taking him in their armes caried him on a Horse to the Hermitage in meane while the wretched woman stole away priuily and a little before she fearing that her Husband would be reuenged on her sent for helpe to three of her bretheren who dwelled not far from that place giuing them to vnderstand which way they should come In her wandring they met with her and she had no sooner espied them but she thus cried out Ah helpe me good bretheren for heere before is a theese who hath slaine this Knight which lieth heere and hath beside so wounded my Husband as there is no hope of life left in him let him not therefore escape ye not he that is in his company because the one is as deepe in the euill as the other Such like speeches vsed this Harlot that by the death of the Prince and Gandalin her treason might be couered therefore that her Husband should not dy alone with her will she shewed them the Gentleman of the sea euen as he returned from the Hermitage where he left the wounded Knight Here-upon the three bretheren too light of beleefe galloped toward him crying Traitour thou art but dead You lye villaines answered the Prince for right well shall I defend my selfe from such traitours as you are Bestirre thy selfe then said the bretheren for thou hast offended vs all three and we all wil be reuenged on thee if we may By good hap the Prince had his Sheeld and Launce ready and his Helmet very well laced wherefore without any further answere he sharply charged them and meeting with the first pearced through both his Sheeld and arme and withall threw his Horse him so fiercely against the ground as his right shoulder was broken in the fall in like manner was one of the Horses legges so that neither the one or other could rise At this encounter he brake his Launce wherefore he suddenly drew his Sword and addressing himselfe to the other twaine gaue one of them such a forcible stroke as slicing through his Armour entred the flesh to the very bone on his shoulder likewise so that therewith he fell from his saddle Being thus dispatched of two he came to the third and saluted him with such a sound blow on the Helmet as the poore Gentleman was constrained to imbrace the necke of his Horse thereby to sheeld himselfe from falling finding himselfe as greatly amazed as the other were Here-upon the woman that brought them thether fled away which the Prince perceiuing cried to Gandalin that he should stay her in meane while the first Knight hauing recouered himselfe vsed these speeches to the Prince We know not Sir whether this fight hath beene for right or wrong For right it could not be answered the Prince vnlesse you thinke I haue done
Knight of the comlyest grace that euer was seen where he stroue to hide himselfe he was soonest discouered by reason of his brauery in horseman-ship The two Knights ran together in full course against him breaking their Lances in pieces on his shield but the Prince meeting him that had the foile in the forrest threw him again froÌ„ his saddle so roughly as in the fall he brake his arme the grief whereof made him lie still as if he had bin dead When he perceiued he was so well rid of one hee drew his sword came to the other giuing him such a stroke on his Helmet as the Sword entringlin hee puld it backe with such force that the laces brake wherby he broght it quite froÌ„ his head vpoÌ„ his sword then he lifted vp his arme to haue smitten him but the knight quickly clapt his Shield before In mean while the Prince got his sword into his left hand which hee could doe very hardly and with his right hand tooke holde on his enemies shield renting it violently from about his necke and afterward gaue him such a blow on the head as in great amazement hee fell to the ground Thus did hee leaue him there with his companion and rod with the Damosell to the Tents of Agraies who hauing seen the conclusion of this quarrell meruailing what he was that had so soone ouer-come two knights therefore when he came towardes him hee went foorth to meete him and so soone as they knew each other you need not make no doubt of their kinde salutations Soone after the Prince alighted and by Agraies was conducted into his Tent to be vnarmed but first hee gaue commandement that the knights dismounted in the fielde should bee brought thither where they were no sooner ariued but Agrais thus spake to them Beleeue mee my friends you attempted great folly to meddle with this Knight You say true my Lord answered hee whose arme was broken yet once to day I saw him in such plight as I little thought of any such resistance Afterward he declared all that happened in the Forrest and the communication they had together yet he omitted the Princes complaints because hee stood in feare to displease him During the repitition of these matters the patience of the one and boldnesse of the other was entercoursed among them and all that day they soiourned there but on the morrow Morning they mounted on horse-backe shaping their course to Palingues a right good City on the frontires and the outmost part of Scotland where they found shipping and embarqued them-selues toward Gaule The winde seruing according to their desire in fewe dayes they landed in the Hauen of Galfrin and marching thence in seemely order with-out any hinderance they came to the Castle of Baldain where King Perion was befieged hauing already lost great number of his people When he was aduertised of this succour you must imagine him comforted thereby and their welcome to bee good and gracious chiefly by the Queene Elisena who hauing knowledge of their arriuall sent to entreat her Nephew Agraies to come visite her which he did being accompanied with the King and the Gentleman of the Sea and two other knights of good account But you must note that king PerioÌ„ knew not the prince at the first sight yet at the length he called him to remeÌ„brance that it was the same man whom he had knighted and afterward saued his life at the Castle wherefore thus he spake My deare friend on my faith I had forgotten ye you are most welcome to this place for your presence giueth assurance that I neede feare this warre no further hauing the onely Knight of the world so neere mee Dread Lord answered the Prince God giue me grace to serue you accordingly for perswade your selfe that while these troubles endure I will make no spare of my person As thus they deuised they entred the Queenes Chamber when the King taking the Prince by the hand presented him to her saying Madame this is the good Knight of whom here-tofore I tolde ye he defeÌ„ded me from the greatest danger that euer I was in and therefore I pray ye let no spare of curtisie be made to him here but giue him the best entertainment the time will affoord The Queene aduanced herselfe to embrace him but he fell on his knee with these wordes I am seruant Madame to the Queen your sister and froÌ„ her I come to serue you with 〈◊〉 obedience as to her owne person Right graciously did the good Lady giue him thankes yet little thought she that he was her Sonne for she imagined the sea had deuoured him yet was the Princes presence at that very instant so pleasing to her as her eyes could not be satisfied with beholding him and through a secret mouing of nature she wished more good to him theÌ„ any in the troupe At this time likewise was her remembrance solicited with the former losse of her two ChildreÌ„ whose yeeres she thought would haue equaled the Princes if God had preserued them these occasions vrged the teares in her eyes Thus wept she for him that nature touched her withall and yet vnknowen was in her presence but when the Prince beheld her so sorrowfull he reputed it to the reason of the warre begun wherefore hee said Madame I hope with the aide of God your King and the fresh supply we haue brought in shorte time to recouer your ioy and for mine owne part trust me I will make no spare Heauen prosper ye answered the Queene with happy successe for you are the Queene my sisters Knight I wil that ye prouide no other lodging but abide here with vs and all things shall be appointed for yee to your owne contentment Such was their conference together vntill Agraies would goe refresh himselfe wherfore taking leaue for that night he went to his lodging where it was prouided and gladly would the Prince haue followed him but the Queene with held him by such importunity as he was coÌ„strained now to remaine in his vnknowne mothers custody Right soone was the news of this fresh succour brought to K. Abies of Ireland Daganel his Cozin who made very small account thereof because in those times was King Abies accounted for one of the best Knights that euer was heard of and in respect of his hot desire to the fight determined seeing new aide was come to his enimy very quickly to bid him battaile and for this cause he said before all his people there present If King Perion were so gentle acoÌ„panion as to come see vs I had rather he would do it to day then to morrow Assure your selfe answered Daganel he is nothing so hasty as I thinke for hee feareth you to much albeit he maketh little show thereof Know you said Galâ—â— Duke of Normandy by what means we may thereto constraine him First let vs make an ambush of the greater part of our Army which shall remaine with the King in
Amadis as to their new Lord vnder whom they hoped not onely to liue in peace and rest but also hereafter to stretch their Dominions euen ouer their bordering neighbours and further Then euery one might view the rare deuises of this palace amongst which there was a wardrobe whether Apolidon his Lady did most commonly withdrawe themselues so beautifull and sumptuous as it was not onely impossible to make the like but also it was thought very strange and wonderfull how any man might imagine that hee could build so rare a peece of worke â—…ing that they which were within might see what any man did with-out very easily but they which were without could not perceiue any thing that was within the same Thus was the firme Island conquered by Amadis which had beene 〈◊〉 thousand yeeres and more without a Lord since Apolidon had there set vp his inchantments and the next day the people came from all parts of the Island to offer their dutie and homage vnto their new Lord who receiued them curteously I leaue you then to imagine whether Amadis had occasion to be glad and content or no. They which haue oftentimes bin crossed with aduersitie may better indge therof theÌ„ any others can for they know how to beare and when to bewaile their misfortunes more orderly then such who are accustomed with all prosperity happinesse Neuerthelesse I know not whether of these two extreamities are more coÌ„mendable for the one commonly draweth vnto it an intollerable vaine glory and pride most damnable the other a continual care fraught with desperation very dangerous Therefore euery wise man considering there is nothing parmanent will neither â—ee proud with the prosperity that fauoureth him nor appaled for any aduersitie that befalleth him but he will swim vprightly as in a calm Sea betweene them both without abusing the one or affrighted with the other The which 〈◊〉 could not doe when inconstant fortune made him taste these persons which for him shee prepared euen in the midst as hee thought of all his prosperities And 〈◊〉 as shee beyond all measure 〈◊〉 red him holding him vp by the chinne in all chances that hapned to him without crossing him in any thing whatsoeuer in like sort did shee turne her face from him and brought him into such perplexity and sorrow that neither force of armes the continuall remembrance of his Lady nor the magnanimitie of his heart were once sufficient to procure him remedy but onely the grace and mery of our Lord God who in pittie regarded him after hee had sometime remained in the rocke of aduersitie in sorrow and tribulatiou as you may vnderstand from the which hee deliuered him and placed him in greater ease and contentment then before as by the sequel of this historie you shall perceiue You haue heard in the first booke of Amadis in what anguish the Princesse Oriana was for the false report of Ardan the Dwarffe at such time as hee returned backe from his maister to fetch the pieces of the sword which Gandalin had forgotten behinde him at his departure from the Court and how she sostered vp in her minde the hate which she had conceiued against Amadis not being able to accept any councell either from Mabila or the Damosell of Denmarke wrongfully suspected him of falshood who thought on nothing but only how he might serue and honour her with all faithfulnesse Now it resteth to shew vnto you what happened thereof Know you then that from the day wherein this ielousie was first imprinted in her it increased in such sort as it wholly made her forget her accustomed manner of life thinking thence forth on nothing so much as how she might sufficiently reuenge her on Amadis who had as she thought so grieuously offended her And hereupon seeing hee was absent and that shee could not declare vnto him by word of mouth the anguish of her soule shee determined to let him vnderstand it by writing So as one day amongst others beeing alone in her chamber shee tooke pen in hand and writ this letter which ensueth The letter of the Princesse Oriana to Amadis MY intolerable passions proceeding from so many causes compelleth my weake hand to declare by this letter that which my sorrowfull heart can no longer hide from thee Amadis of Gaule most disloyall and periured louer-For sieing the disloyaltie and inconstancie wherewith thou hast abused mee who am infortunate and frustrate of all good hap onely in louing thee abâ—ne all things in the world which is now very apparent cheefely in that sowrongfully thou for sookest vs to go with her who considering her young yeares and indiscretion cannot haue that kindenesse in her either to fauour or entertaine thee I haue also determined for euer to banish from mee this exceeding loue which I did bare vnto thee seeing my sorrowfull heart can finde no other reuenge And although I would take in good part the wrong which thou proferest me yet should it bee a great folly for mee to desire the welfare of such an vnthankfull man for the faithfull louing of whom I hate both my selfe all other things Alas I now perceiue very well but it is too late that most vnluckely I enthraled my liberty to a person so ingratefull seeing that in recompence of my continuall sighs and passions I finde my selfe deceiued and shamefully abused Wherefore I charge thee ne-uer to come in my presence nor vnto any place where I doe remayne be thou assured that I neuer loued thee so exceedingly but now by thy ill deserts I hate thee farre more extreamely Packe thee henceforth else where and try if thou canst with thy falsified faith and hony speech abuse others as vnhappy as my selfe and neuer hope that hereafter any of thy excuses shall preuaile with mee but without further desire to behold thee I will bewaile the rest of my sorrowfull life with aboundance of teares the which shall neuer cease but by the end of Her who forceth not to die but onely because thou art her murderer This Letter being sealed Oriana called a young Esquire brother to the Damosell of Denmarke in whom shee greately trusted and commanded him very expressely without staying one onely houre that hee should goe finde out Amadis in the Realme of Sobradisa and then presently deliuer this Letter which shee had written to him but chiefly that hee should marke his countenance whilst he read the same and that he should bring backe no answere though Amadis would giue iâ— him CHAP. III. How Durin departed to goe toward Amadis vnto whom hee deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt happened thereby WHen Durin had at large vnderstood the will of the Princesse he mounted on horse backe and hasted him so well that the tenth day following hee arriued in the great City of Sobradisa where hee found the new Queene Briolania whom hee thought to be the fairest Lady that euer he had seene except the Princesse Oriana Then did he tell her how
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
neuer since had seene them Ah sayd she I beleeue that you are something a kinne vnto him seeing the great good you report of him Madame answered the Faire Forlorne I loue him intirely as well for his valour as also for that his father made me knight which maketh me the more bounden vnto his children and I am very sory for the newes that I haue hard of Amadis before I did come vnto this desert What are they sayd Corisanda Truely answered hee comming hither I met with a Gentlewoman at the entry of a Forrest which sung a pleasant song for the tune but very pittifull by reason of the matter that it contayned Then I enquired of her who made it and shee answered me that it was a knight vnto whō God if it bee his pleasure send more ioy then hee had when hee made it for his song doth very wel witnesse that his griefe proceeded from too extreame loue And because I liked it wel I remained with the Gentlewoman so long vntill I had learned it moreouer she did assure me that Amadis did make it and that he did shew her the song at that time when by his melancholy hee was most maistered I pray you sayde Corisanda teach it vnto these two Gentlewomen for by that which you say loue held him then in as great bondage as he now holdeth me I will doe it answered hee both for the honour of him and also of you althought it be a thing farre vnseemely for me to do Herewithall he withdrew the Gentlewomen a part and taught them the song with the tune there-of wherein they tooke great pleasure because the Faire Forlorne did sing it with a lamentable and soft voyce which yeelded more harmony and aptnesse both to the tune and the matter then he could if hee had beene at more liberty in body and minde and the Gentle-women learned it so cunningly that many times after they did sing it before their Mistris who tarried foure dayes in the poore Rocke the fift shee embarqued But before she departed shee demanded of the Faire forlorne whether hee would remaine any long time in that place Madame answered he nothing but my death shall drawe me from hence I doe much maruaile sayde Corisanda what mooueth you to doe so yet seeing that you are in such a minde I will in no sorte disswade yon from it so saying she entred into her ship with her companie bidding the Hermit farewel Then setting saile the winde was so fauourable that in fewe dayes after they landed in Great Brittaine and arriued in the Citie of London where at that time King Lisuart remayned Who knowing of her arriuall hee together with his Queene receiued her royally The King to honour her the more caused her to bee lodged in his owne Pallace And some few dayes after as they were discoursing together the Queen sayd vnto her Good Cosen the King charged mee to tell you that hee taketh your comming hither to fee him so thankefully that if you haue any thing to doe with him he will imploy his best meanes to pleasure you Madame answered Corisanda I giue the King most humble thankes and your grace also there is nothing that importuneth mee more then the absence of Don Florestan whom I thought to haue found in this Court Cosen sayde the Queene wee haue at this time no other newes of him but that hee is gone in search of his brother Amadis who of late is lost we not knowing the cause thereof Then shee tolde her how hee had wonne the Firme-Island and that after-wardes hee departed secretly from his fellowes especially the manner how Don Guillan did finde his armour and what diligence hee had vsed to vnderstand what was become of him When Corisanda did see that shee was frustrate of her intention and vnderstood the losse of Amadis the teares stood in her eyes saying Alas what wil become of my Lord and friend Florestan I am sure considering the loue that he beareth vnto his brother that if hee cannot finde him he will lose himselfe so that I shall neuer while I liue see him any more the Queene comforted her so well that shee receiued some hope to heare news from him very shortly Now Oriana was by who had heard all this talke and the loue that Corisanda did beare vnto Don Florestan brother to Amadis for which cause shee had the more desire to doe her honour so as she and Mabila did ordinarily keepe her company taking great pleasure to heare her recite the loue that passed betwixt her and her friend the cause of their parting and the trauell which afterwardes shee had endured in hope to finde him And as shee made this discourse she remembred her of the time when shee remayned in the poore Rocke where shee found a knight doing penance who during her abode there taught a song vnto her women which Amadis had made being in great melancholy as the companion of the Hermit had assured her Madame answered Mabila I pray you seeing your Gentlewomen haue learned it cōmaund them to sing it before my Lady Oriana for I shall bee very glad to heare it seeing it is made by Amadis who is mine owne Cosen Beleeue mee sayd Corisanda I am very well content assuring you that it cānot better please you then it will delight me because of the neernesse of the linage that is betwixt my Lord Florestan him Then shee sent for the Gentlewomens Lutes who played and did sing the song of Amadis so sweetely that it ministred both mirth mone vnto the Ladies which vnto them listened ioy to the eare cōtent for the melody and griefe to the minde in feeling his passion that was so grieuously pained But Oriana whom it most of all touched tooke more heede vnto the matter then the musicke knowing the mischiefe whereof she was cause and the great reason that Amadis had to complaine Where-upon shee was suddenly stricken with so great sorrow that she went into a wardroabe ashamed for the teares that had issued from her eyes in so good a company from which she could not abstain Notwithstanding as shee withdrew her selfe Mabila to couer this fault sayd vnto Corisanda So farre as I perceiue Oriana is not well wherefore I am cōstrained to leaue your company at this time and to goe helpe her neuerthelesse if it pleased you I would willingly knowe what was the behauior of him that taught your Gentlewomen the song and wherefore he remayned in the poore Rocke for no doubt hee did then knowe what was become of Amadis Then Corisanda rehearsed vnto her in what sorte they did finde him and the talke he had with her but sayd shee I did neuer see a man more pensiue nor more faire considering the miseries he endured Mabila very suddenly began to suspect that it was Amadis himselfe who being so far from all hope had chosen such a solitary place because hee would not be seene of any liuing wight and at
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
haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man herein shall I greatly fault and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But seeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye know what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise said to me at the time you came first into this country yet spake she to me so darkely as I neuer knew well how to comprehend her words for she said That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should hold their gouernment in Gaule and their hearts in great Brittaine and from thence they should go to deuoure the beastes of other Countryes but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these words I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification hereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the king hauing commended the holy man to God returned to his tents where he saluted his Queene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his mind was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracings the king by an apt meane recouÌ„ted to her what his Astrologers had said on his dreame earnestly desiring her to tel him whether she had any Child by him or no. When the good Lady heard this she was surprised with shame in such sorte as willingly she could haue wished her selfe dead and therefore altogether denied the truth so that at this time the king might not know what he desired On the morrow they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queen was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath bene heretofore rehearsed the king bare hersinguler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realme then he was wont to doe so that not long after the Queene brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia Bâ—…e little Galaor being two yeeâ—… and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the king his father soiourning not farre from the sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a window toward the Garden where was then the Queene with her son Ladies sporting there entred at a postern dore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge mighty Mace When the company of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whom he tooke in his armes and in a laughter said By my faith the Damosell said true So without any thing else taking away the Child returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowfull Queene who saw her son caryed away Forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but when she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguish she was for her Sonne in crying said Ah helpe me mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she tooke it to see him caried away 〈…〉 she loued as her owne life â—…s extreame dollour she 〈…〉 her other Sonne throwne into the sea wherefore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who saw all this in the pâ—…ce where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Son at last came to the Queene finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the most grieuous mone in the world regreeting this new losse by whom she before hoped to vnderstand of the first and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that beheld her All this while the king laboured to perswade her whereby at last she reobtained the reason that before was absent whereupon the king said Madame we must thank God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidently see hath happened the effect of my dreame whereof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Henceforth therefore feare not to declare what is become of the first for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these words the mournefull mother forgetting none of the fault committed told him the mis-fortune of her first borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it throw feare of death according as was the law of the Country In good faith Madame answered the king well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therefore I pray ye take their desteny so secretly as you may for I trust in God that seeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to afforde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that we shall heare good tidings of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the young Prince was of the Country of Leonois Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherein he had two strong places He was not a bloudy man as many other were but of a gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doe great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the wind as he arriued in his country which he had caused to be peopled with Christians there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whom he went saying Father take this child and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a knight for I assure ye he is the son of a king and a Queene Ah said the Hermet why haue you doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who most vnhappily killed my father as you know and at this present forcibly holds from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me being thus embatqued to exccute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who said Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be done by the son to king Perion of Gaul who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demanded by her faith whether she told me true or no. That shlat thou see quoth she
tSpan◠Forrest of Baldain then you Lord Daganel and my selfe will go with the rest to present our selues it breake of day before the Cittie I am certaine that being descried by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether wil take hart and not faile to come running forth vpon vs. When we see them approch we will dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his company then our enemies pursuing assured victory in their own conceit wil seeke aduantage by our shamefull retire so be takē thēseues in the snare Very well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthy Duke giue order that all things bee done as you haue appointed Now might ye there behold armed men on Horse-backe the Souldiers mustring the drums thundering and the Trumpets cheerefully founding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings Commandement failed in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandie shewed themselues with their Squadron before the Towne Little did King Perion at that time thinke of any such enterprise but altogether refreshed his succour and honoured the Prince by whō he had found such friend-ship And to make some shew of his affection towardes him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they foūd him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered hee had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually hee thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared withall the slender means he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound griefe as he expected no other remedie but death The Queene desirous to know the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance berayweth some inward displeasure hath any one heere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to bee tormented in sleepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoured the ambush and the enemies were very neere the Citie where presently he commanded to doraine the Armie Now was each one ready to horse-backe especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Citie gate where they found Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe forth thinking he should tarrie too long from the fight for he was one of the hardiest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could bee found so that if good aduise had beene as ready with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue beene found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who seeing their enemies to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnesse to assaile such an vneaquall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horse crying aloud Beshrow him that tarrieth any longer seeing them hee is to deale withall shall we not venter So saying he gallopped toward his enemies in like manner did the Gentleman of the Sea and the rest of their traine who without any order of marching ran among them and were immediatly mingled together He whom the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandie whō he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouer-threw both man and horse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword as a chafed Lyon entred the preasse shewing such deeds of Armes as none durst with-stand him for he ouer-threw all that encountred him killing some outright chining and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel saw his men in such disorder by the meanes of one Knight he got the most of them together so well as he could and round about beset the Prince to beate him downe which they had done but that Agraies perceiuing it came with his troupe to rescue him At their arriual you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent and shields scatred on the ground making a great conflict disorder amongst the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the cōtrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualry as he found before him not any resistance each one was so abashed at his behauiour and Agraies aboue the rest shewed that his arme was not benummed for the more to hearten and cheere vp his men he cryed aloude to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst what great damage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horse and so to make him fall among the crowde but he was deceiued for the Prince comming to him let fall so mightie a stroke on his Helmet as rent it cleane from off his head and so remained Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the very braines whereupon his men seeing him slaine they that had the best horses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued them-selues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victory discouered the rereguard that came from the Forrest marching in very great haste toward him shewing by their countenance a reuenge of their losse wherefore ioyning together they cryed Set on them men of Ireland see that none of them escape vs but let vs enter pell-mell in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surpized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not beene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie men themsolues being sore wearyed their horses so ouer-laboured as they could hardly indure their burden Beside they knew king Abias was there in persō being as you heard before accounted one of the best knights in the world and for this cause the most part of the Gaules began to tremble But the Gentle-man of the Sea foreseeing the disorder was like to ensue came perswaded them rather to die then loose one iot of their honour and reputation saying My friends and companions be of good cheere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with the people astonnied halfe ouercome let vs not make change with them taking their feare and deliuering our victorie for if they but onely
them what we most desire yet when wisely and discreetely they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are worthy no praise they hee euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more esteeme your succour to mine honour then my life because the difference betweene thē is farre incōparable Well said Balays what will you now I shall do for you Let vs leaue these dead carcasses replyed the Demosell and goe where wee may stay till day light I like your counsell answered Balays if I had another horse but being now destitute I know not what to doe We will ride on my horse saide the Damosell till wee finde further remedy so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested themselues till Sunne rising and then they went to horse backe againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the knight who caused Galaors horse to escape away from him hee asked the Damosell what should become of her My Lord quoth shee not farre hence is a house whither when you haue brought mee you may depart to what place you please As thus they rode communing together he sawe a knight come towarde him carrying his legge on his horses necke but drawing neerer he put foote in stirrop couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell both from the horse afterward he vsed these speeches In sooth Lady I am sorie for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue done ye I will bring yee where you shall be contented because he that hath the charge of you is vnworthy to haue so faire a creature in his custody Ere this had Balays recouered himselfe and knowing him to bee the knight he sought for hee drew his sworde saying By thee villaine haue I lost my horse and my companion thou hast in like sorte abused now finding mee vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but both for him and my selfe will I be reuenged on thee else let mee be thought vnworthy of my order What quoth the knight art thou one of them that mocked mee as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockerie on thee Heereupon they presently fell to combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemy got him vnder foot when renting his helmet from his head hee tooke his life as ransome for his villany and breaking his sword in peeces layd them by him then mounting on his horse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their way toward the tree where he left Galaor But because their stomacks well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holy life who bestowed on them such cheer as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her from the theeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slaine her seruants and shee destitute of helpe whereof the holy women were very glad by reason those theeues did much harme in that countrey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell took their leaue and comming to the tree met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherefore they concluded no more to sunder themselues vntill they arriued at King Lisuarts Court By this time the night drew on apace whereupon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her friendly offer went with her beeing there entertayned and vsed very honourably Early in the morning arming thēselues they thanked their gentle host his daughter framing their course towarde Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented his horse to Galaor which he won from the knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath thereby CHAP. XXX How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heretofore declared the ioy and cōtent of good king Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely minde hee concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificient Court as all his ancestors in Great Brittaine neuer did the like Which Oliuas perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cosen germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring hee might haue instice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two knights more beside himselfe hee would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other knights Warning hereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclaymation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should bee ready at the Citty of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroade by the Queene to aduertise the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resorte came to the Court where all kindes of pastimes and sportes were inuented without respect of fortunes malice any way who commonly in great assemblie of states when least they thinke of her variable changings often tell leth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attryred entered the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demanding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiesty him-selfe the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well do you so◅ a King by your porte and countenance yet may it bee doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you see and hereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Mee thinkes my Lord answered the Damosell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doe desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make mee such a liberall offer I hope one day to try the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must bee assembled many valiant men who shll know by the promise you haue made me how worthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualry is honoured by you Damosell sayde the King so much as effects may better my wordes so much the more will it glad me to see good store of hardy knights there present My Lord quoth shee if effects answere your wordes I shall haue great reason to bee
you not depart this night These words she spake because she intended to scale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to another whither soone after Madasima repaired she being young beautifull and aduenturously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling-ladders to the walls quickly got possession of the Forte And so well liked shee these amorous skirmishes as afterward she reported in many places how she ne-uer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did shee but in hope of his speedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honour she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis and Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as hereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were friendly entertained in an hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rashly and vnadaisedly FOure dayes after Amadis Galaor departed from the Court the ancient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Queene as you haue heard when falling on his knee before the King he began in this manner I maruell my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not the Crowne I left with you And you Madame quoth he to the Queene is it possible you should make so slender account of the sumptuous mantle I gaue you in charge not deigning aâ—…yet to proue it or how it will become ye When the King heard his words knowing they were lost he sate a good while without any answere which made the knight thus begin againe On my faith I am glad you like theÌ„ not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue granted my demand and happely it would proue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beseech ye my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer here At which words the King seemed much offended and not being able any longer time to conceale his hidden anger earnestly fixing his eyes vpon him which were then ouer clouded with a discontented brow he brake forth into these following speeches Know knight that whatsoeuer promises I haue made to thee are like those decrees which stand registred in the booke of Fate immutable and thou shalt finde that I will keepe them inuiolable Although I must confesse for the which I am heartily sorry not so much for my selfe who am a partner with thee in the losse as for thy sake who committed them to my trust that both the Crowne and Mantle are vtterly lost how or by what meanes I cannot relate would heauens would please to be so propitious as to bring to light this deede of darkenesse then should my now troubled heart finde comfort and you your wished desire Which till then cannot rest contented my much perplexed minde would then bee at peace which now is at ciuill Warres and intestine contention within me At which words not being able any further by his tongue the hearts best interpreter both for ioy and griefe to expresse himselfe he abruptly paused partlie moued thereunto by the knight who gaue a loud shrike saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now comes the time I so much feared bringing with it my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must after all those miseries finish mine olde age in the most sore cruell death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which moued the most constant to pitty his griefe and the King himself ouercom with coÌ„passion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speede any thing the worse for my losse you must be satisfied whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfuly promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demand what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I know my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and Mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnesse I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to bee deliuered if I had I would acquit you of the griefe I know you will endure granting me the thing I must of necessitie demand but now it may not be otherwise except you infringe your faith loyaltie Rather will I lose my Kingdome replied the King then make apromise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy minde I thanke your Maiesty quoth the knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perform'd or I satisfied hauing a reward now and taken from me anon Great reason said the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my Mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughte Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewells or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her 〈…〉 sustaine harme by your vnhappie losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmur against the knight perswading the king to deny his word but he rather 〈…〉 death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere hee made them Be not offended my good friends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiâ—diciall to me as the breach of my promise for if the one be enuious the other is iniurious and to be â—…ned euery way The proofe is ready if Subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care will they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this knight therefore must haue my daughter and I will deliuer her according to my promise Hereupon he sent for her but the Queene being present all this while little thought the king would so forget his fatherlie loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter shee good Lady fell at the kings feete when weeping as a Mother for the losse of her Childe she said What will ye doe my My Lord will ye bee more inhumane to your owne blood then the bruite Beasts are to their contraries Notwithstanding all their
am King right richly will I reward you all So went they to rest till the next morning when Barsinan being armed mounted on horse-backe with twenty knights in his company and came to a Port which one of king Arbans knights kept who seeing this troupe presently sounded an allarme But Barsinan sent him word how hee came to parle onely and desired truce beside for six houres whereof king Arban was immediatly aduertised who granted the truce Barsinan requited likewise for fiue dayes Conditionally that he should offer no violence to any house in the City or practise any entrance during the limited time beside if the King returned in that space the difference should bee left to his disposition Barsinan was contented with these conditions because hee accounted king Lisuarts death certaine whereupon hee saide to Arban I hope this little truce will be an entrance into a perpetuall peace betweene vs for I dare assure yee king Lisuart is dead and his daughter must be my wife as within these fiue dayes ensuing you shall euidently see What quoth king Arban thou hast then put him to death and couldst thou deale so treaterously with him that gaue tâ—…e such honourable entertainement in his Court rather will I presently die then continue one houre of peace with thee get thee gone therefore quickly or I will send thee hence in peeces Is it true quoth Barsinan well mayest thou threaten me but it is in me to make thee repent it Thus returned hee to his souldiers acquainting them with his honest offers to king Arban and the audacious answere he returned for them CHAP. XXXIX How Amadis came to the succour of the City of London when it was in this distresse NOt long agoe we left Amadis in the wood familiarly deuising with the Princesse Oriana thinking on nothing but their sweete contentation and among other discourse Amadis intreated her to tell him what speeches Arcalaus had with her by the way On my faith Sir quoth she he confounded my senses with perswading mee to reioyce saying Before fiue dayes were expired I should raigne as Queene in Great Brittaine enioying Barsinan to my husband him-selfe likewise should be chiefe Gouernour and Maister of his house in recompence of the seruices hee did for him in giuing him my fathers head and mee to be his wife Ah heauens sayde Amadis what treason is this in Barsinan who shewed himselfe such a friend to the king God shield hee doe no wrong to the Queene In sooth I greatly doubt it replyed Oriana it were good therefore wee hasted to see With all my heart quoth Amadis so mounting on horse-backe they rode toward London meeting many knights by the way that followed the King whom still hee directed in their course certifying them that Galaor was gone likewise in his search Within a while after Oriana espied Don Grumedan an auncient knight of honour to the Queene and twenty knights more with him who all that night had searched the Forrest for the king but when hee sawe her the teares stoode in his eyes with ioy desiring to heare some newes of the King her father Credit mee Sir quoth shee not farre from the Citie were we sundered when God ordayned so well for me that Amadis deliuered me froÌ„ the villaines and ransomed mee with the price of their liues They were vnwise to resist saide Grumedan when you had so good a Champion but I pray you my Lord what is become of your brother Euen in the same place answered Amadis where they separated the father from the daughter we seuered our selues hee posting after the King and I followed Arcalaus who led away Madame Oriana The better hope haue I of his succour quoth Grumedan seeing so good a knight hath taken it in hand Hereupon Amadis tolde him the horrible treason of Arcalaus and Barsinan Let me therefore intreate yee quoth hee to conduct the Princesse leasurably after while I make haste before least the Queen be distressed because I doubt the traytor will her offer iniury I think it likewise expedient that you cause all the knights to returne you meete withall for if the King should bee reskewed by multitude of men there is enow before already and more then needs So leauing his Lady with Don Grumedan hee made all the haste hee could towarde London â—uerâ—aking the Squire by the way that came from the king who told him all the newes of his deliuerance which was no little ioy to Amadis hearing the fortunate successe of his brother Galaor There met hee with another likewise who made report of Barsinans dealings at London wherefore entring the Citie so couertly as hee might the first hee met withall was king Arban of whom hee was louingly embraced and welcommed with request of what newes he brought None but good answered Amadis and such as you are desirous to heare but because I doubt the Queene is scant merry let vs goe see her for happely shee will bee glad of our comming So rode they to the Court together Amadis still keeping the Squire with him that came from the king and when they entered the Queenes presence Amadis falling on his knee beganne in this manner Madame this Gentleman left the King well this morning and at liberty whereof his Maiesty certifieth you by him my selfe likewise not long since left your daughter with Don Grumedan and very shortly they will be with you But because I vnderstand that Barsinan molesteth you with trechery suffer vs I pray you to goe see what hee can doe When the Queen heard these ioyfull tydings her inwarde content tooke away the liberty of of her speech nor could she doe any thing but lift her hands eyes to heauen applauding his name from whence this good proceeded and by gestures deliuering some signe of thankes to Amadis At length hauing ouercome this delightfull passion and intending to question further concerning these newes the allarme was sounded wherefore king Arban and Amadis hyed to the barres where they found Barsinans men giuing an eager charge as hoping to conquer the contrarie part But Amadis thrusting himselfe for-most caused the bars to be taken down and accompanied with king Arban brake in couragiously vpon the enemy a noble president to their souldiers who beeing cheered by this onset tooke heart and followed Now wexed the skirmish to be hot indeed so that on both sides very many were slaine which Barsinan perceiuing trusting in his multitude to suppresse the weaker part came formost himselfe in person thinking now hee saw the barres open to driue his aduersaries backe againe into the Citie When Amadis noted his forwardnesse he stepped backe changed his Creast and Shield with a simple mercinary souldier yet reseruing his Launce which with a strong carreer pierced thorough his Armour and wounding Barsinan brake in peeces in his flesh Then drawing his sword he gaue him such a stroke on the helmet as hee was astonied therewith and redoubling his blowe cut his right arme quite
he was come to seek Amadis but shee tolde him that now two whole dayes were passed since hee and his fellowes were departed towards Great Brittaine since which time she heard that they had taken their way vnto the Firme-Island Whereupon Durin without any longer stay tooke leaue of her and rode so long that he arriued in the Island the same houre that Amadis entred vnder the arch of Loyall louers where hee beheld how the Image had done more for him then for any other knight that euer entered the same before as it was tolde him Now as Amadis together with Agraies returned to the succour of his brethren Durin thought to haue spoken with him but Gandalin entreated him to stay vntill he had tred the perill of the forbiden chamber beeing assured that he brought Letters to him froÌ„ Oriana the which perchance might haue been a meane as he thought to cause him either to forslow or to faile in the achieuing of so great an enterprise for Amadis was so subiect to the Princesse as hee would not only haue left off conquest of the Firme-Island but also of the whole world beside if she had coÌ„manded Wherefore after hee had finished al the strange aduentures and the inhabitants of the Isle had receiued him for their Lord Durin came before him Then Amadis demanded of him what newes was in the Court of King Lisuart My Lord answered Durin I left it euen in the same estate that it was in at your departure And as he would haue proceeded in his speech Amadis tooke him by the hand and went with him alone into a very pleasant Orchard where they walked together then he demanded how he came to the Firme-Island My Lord said he my Lady Oriana sent me vnto you for such affaires as in this letter you shal vnderstaÌ„d the which he gaue vnto him Amadis tooke it and without changing his cheere he turned his face from Durin because hee should not beholde his colour alter for his heart began to leap with great ioy so as he knew not wel how to set his coutenance But this sudden mutation was as soone changed into a great despare because that reading these rigorous lines which pronounced his banishment it stroke so great sorrow to his heart as hee was no longer able to dissemble his griefe but burst out into such vehement weeping that hee was all drowned in teares Then Durin repented that euer hee was the bringer of such heauie letters for although the conteÌ„ts thereof were vnknown vnto him yet because he knew not how to remedy it hee durst not come neere Amadis who was so confounded as hee fell prostrate on the ground and in falling the letters which hee helde did fall foorth of his hand Notwithstanding he presently tooke them vp and began to reade them againe for the beginning had so greatly troubled him that he had not yet seene the end But casting his eye vpon the superscriptioÌ„ which contained these words She who forceth not to die but onely because thou art her murtherer Hee then fetched so deepe a sigh as if his soule had parted from his body and there withall fell downe back-ward Where-with Durin was greatly amazed ran speedily to helpe him but hee found him to moue no more then a dead man Wherefore fearing some greate inconuenience hee thought to haue called Galaor or some other yet fearing that thereby he might be blamed he staed comming vnto Amadis lifted him vp who cryed Oh heauens why do you thus suffer mee to die and haue not deserued it Alas Loyaltie what recompence doost thou offer those that neuer offended thee now I see my selfe forsaken of her for whose sake I would rather suffer a thousand deathes then one of her commandements by mee should be disobeied Then pittifully looking vpon the letter which he had in his hand he sayde Ah happy letter because thou wert written by the excellenâ—est personage this day liuing and yet most vnhappy in that thou procurest the cruell death of the truest louer that euer serued Lady which death that it may bee the sooner I will neuer forsake thee but will place thee in the neerest deerest place that I haue So hee put it in his bosome and asked Durin if hee had ought else to say No answered he Well then saide Amadis thou shalt presently returne with my answere In good sooth my Lord answered Durin shee hath expresly forbidden me to receiue any And what did not Mabila nor thy sister wil thee to say any thing to me No my Lord answered he for they knew not of my departure because my Lady strictly charged mee to acquaint no body therewith Ah God sayd Amadis I see well now that my misery is voyd of remedy Then he rose vp and went to a riuer which passed along by the garden where hee washed his eyes which done he willed Durin to call Gandalin and that hee should come back againe with him alone which hee did but at their returne they found him in a swound againe yet recouering incontinent and seeing Gandalin he said Friend I am vndone therefore go seeke out Isania the Gouernour of this Isle bring him hither alone Then Gandalin ran for him and staied not long vntill they returned together who being come Amadis said vnto him Isania you know the oath you haue sworne vnto me the duty wherein you are vnto mee bound notwithstanding I pray you yet to promise me as you are true knight to keep secret whatsoeuer you shal see me doe vntill to morrow morning after my brethren haue heard diuine seruice and then secretly goe thou and cause the gate of this Castle to be opened which being done let GaÌ„dalin bring thither my horse armour but take heed that none perceiue it and I will follow straight after thee they were no sooner departed from him but he began to remeÌ„ber a dream which he had the night before wherein he thought that being armed and set vpon his horse hee was on the highest part of a peece of land enuironed with diuerse sorts of trees and that round about him were many persons making the greatest ioy in the world then one of them presented him with a box saying Sir taste of that which is herein which he did and hee thought hee did eate of a most bitter meat And as hee cast it from him the raines of his horse did breake whereupon the horse ran vp and downe so that he was not in any sort able for to stay him When he saw he was so farre from this merry company he looked backe and hee thought that hee beheld their great mirth changed into such exceeding mone as it greatly pitttied him willingly would he haue returned backe to assawage their sorrow if hee could haue mastered his horse who at that instant entred into a tuft of trees where hee found a rocke enuironed with water against the which the horse stayed Then hee alighted for the great desire he had
the King and those that serue him without bearing armes heereafter against any one of them All which conditions Quedragant promised to performe although it was to his great griefe Then he commanded his Esquires to prepare a litter for him to carry him vnto London according to his promise In like sort the Faire Forlorne hauing seazed vpon the horse of Quedragant in stead of his owne that was dead deliuered his shield vnto Enil and followed on his way vpon the which hee behelde foure young Gentlewomen that were flying with a Marlin who had both seene the Combate and heard all the talke of the two Knights and for the same cause they spake vnto the Faire Forlorne earnestly entreating to come and lodge in their Castle where hee should bee entertained with all the honor that might bee deuised for King Lisuart his sake vnto whose seruice hee had shewed himselfe so affectionate The which offer of theirs hee refused not for hee was weary with the great trauail he had sustained al the day And as soon as he was come into his lodging they themselues vnarmed him to see if hee were in any sort dangerously wounded but hee had no other hurt than that vpon his brest which was a matter of nothing Three whole daies together did the Faire Forlorne tarry there and then departed riding all day long with-out finding any aduenture and the night following he lodged in a little Inne that stood on the way from whence he departed the next morning very early and about mid-day hee came vnto the top of a small hill from whence he might behold the citty of London and the castle of Mireflear where his Lady Oriana remained Heerewithall he was surprised with exceeding ioy neuerthelesse hee fained as though he knew not the Countrey where hee remained and demanded of Enil if he did know it Yea very well my Lord answered Enil beholde yonder is the citie of London where King Lisuart at this present remaineth In faith saide the Faire Forlorne I would be very sorty that either he or any other should know mee vntill my deedes deserue it and that by my deedes of Armes I might be thought worthy to be in such an assembly Therefore goe thou to see the Esquire Gandalin from whom Durin did of late bring the commendations and see that thou doest wisely enquire what euery one saith of me as lso when the battaile of King Cildadan shall be performed What answered Enil shall I leaue you all alone Care not thou for that sayd he I haue beene many times accustomed to go in that sort yet before that thou doest depart let vs espy together a fit place where thou maist find me at thy returne Then they rode on a little further when vpon a sudden they beheld close by the fide of a riuer two pauillions armed in the midst of them a most faire tent Before the which were many knights Ladies sporting and ten other knights armed for their guard and there was ne-uer a pauillion that had not fiue shields hanged vp and as many Lances standing before it Here-withall the Faire Forlorne fearing to bee disturbed of his enterprise would auoid the combate took his way vpon the left hand The which the knights perceiuing called vnto him saying that he must needes giue one stroke with the Launce for the loue of the Ladies But he answered them that at that instant hee had no desire the reunto For sayd he you are fresh and many and I alone and very wearie Beleeue me sayd one of them I thinke rather that you feare to lose your horse And why should I lose him sayd the Faire Forlorne Because sayd the knight hee must haue him that doth throwe you downe I am sure that your losse were more certaine then the gaine that you should get vpon vs. Seeing it is so answered hee I had rather depart then come into any such danger which said he passed on Truly sayd the knights in our iudgements your armes are defended more with faire wordes then valiant deeds so that they may euer bee sound enough to place ouer your Tombe when you are dead yea although you should liue one hundred yeares and more You may thinke of mee what you please answered the Faire Forlorne yet cannot that in any sort deminish my reputation I would it were your pleasure sayd one that stepped somewhat before his fellowes that you would breake onely one staffe with mee I would be accounted a traytor or not in one whole yeare to mount vpon a horse if you departed not by and by to seeke your lodging without yours Sir answered hee it is that which I doe feare and which caused mee to turue out of the high-way At this they all began to laugh and to scoffe him saying behold the valiant champion that spareth himselfe against a battaile yet for all this the Faire Forlorne made no account but followed on his way vntill he came vnto a riuer side but as hee would haue passed ouer he heard a voyce that cryed stay knight stay Then he turned his head and looked backe to see who it was and perceiued a Gentlewoman in very good order moūted vpon a Palfrey comming towardes him who at her arriuall said vnto him Leonor daughter to King Lisuart together with her Gentlewomen doe all desire you to maintain the Iousts against these knights and to shew that you will doe somethign for the Ioue of Ladies How answered hee the daughter of the King is she there I truely answered the Gentlewoman Beleeue me sayde the Faire Forlorne I should be very sory to haue a quarrell with any of her knights for sooner would I doe them seruice for the honour of so faire a Lady Notwithstanding seeing that it is her pleasure that I should otherwise do I am cōtent vpon this condition that they require no more then the Ioust only Hereupon he tooke his shield and Lance and rode straight vnto the pauillions and the Gentlewoman rode before to aduertise the knights thereof Wherefore it was not long before that hee who first of all had threatned the Faire Forlorne that hee would make him to lose his horse offered himselfe to run the first course whom he presently did know for hee did very wel marked him when he gybed at him and he was very glad that he had so good an occasion to bee reuenged Therefore they couched one against the other setting spurs vnto their horses meeting with so great an incounter that the knight broke his staffe to shiuers and the Faire Forlorne hit him so rudely that hee ouerthrewe him to the ground and hee brake one of his thighes with three of his ribs with the griefe whereof hee remayned quite astonished In the meane season Enil ran to take his horse the Faire Forlorne turned vnto him that he had ouerthrown to whom he said Knight if you keepe your worde you must not in one whole yeare come vpon any horsebacke the which you did
I pray you sir deferre not the honour which is by you two due vnto me but if you please as already I haue intreated you make me knight then of this faire Lady according as I am bound I will receiue my Armes Let it be then presently said the faire Forlorne for I am not to tarry long here Therefore Macandon caused forthwith his Armour to be brought where-with he was presently armd puting it vpoÌ„ his white coate according as new knights are wont to doe then the faire Forlorne laying his sword vpon his shoulder and fastning on his right spurre gaue him his order Oriana girded on his Sword which was in like sort brought by his Esquires Which ceremony being finished the Gentlewomen beholding him in that order would in some sort bee reuenged for the flouts which he had giuen them and therefore they all burst into a laughter especially Alâ—… who spake so loud that all might heare her Behold the countenance of this faire Lad how like a young knight hee looketh Surely wee ought all to reioyce because hee shal all his life long seeme as fresh and lusty as now he is How know you that answered Estreletta By his apparrell said she which shall euen last as long as hee Faire Gentlewomen said Macandon I would not change my pleasure for the best of your fauours and if I am not so youthfull as you say yet am I not therefore to bee tearmed lesse discreete but as for you who are yet yong and foolish it were good that you learne to bee more aduised and modest then you are This answere of his pleased the King very well who in he sort liked of the gentlewomens speeches Whilst these thinges were in doing the faire Forlorne was ready to depart when the Queene who knew not her owne daughter said vnto her Gentlewoman although you are not desirous to be knowne in this company yet bethinke you what it will please you to command either of the king or me By my faith Madam answered the faire Forlorne I am as little acquainted with her as you although shee hath beene seauen daies together in my company but for that little that I haue perceiued by her I can assure you that shee is most excellent faire Trust me faire Lady said Briolonia speaking vnto Oriana I know not your name but considering the loyaltie wherewith you are endued if your friend doe affect you with the like constancy as you doe loue him you may well bee tearmed the fairest couple that euer loue vnited together 〈◊〉 Oriana smiled at the words of Briolania when the faire Forlorne tooke his leaue who seeing that the King would leade her towards her horse he said vnto him Your Maiesty hath reason to honour her by whom your Court hath this day beene more highly exalted then euer heretofore by any other Lady it hath beene In good sooth answered the king you say true and therefore I will my selfe conduct her forth of the Citty in the which I could willingly desire that it would please her and you also to make some longer abode Saying so they all mounted on horse-back and the king held the raines of his daughters horse speaking all the way vnto her who answered him not one word againe fearing to bee knowne Galaor in like sort entertained the faire Forlorne But he so much hated him for the reasons before rehearsed that hee could not speake one courteous word vnto him whereat the Faire Forlorne laughed seeing his brothers countenance and thus they rode together a good way from the citty vntill the faire Forlorne said vnto the King I beseech your Maiesty if it please you to passe no further otherwise you may chance to displease this Gentlewoman beleeue me said the King I will rather returne Therewithall he embraced him and said I would sir knight that it liked you to be one of my knights If it please your Maiesty answered he I will willingly bee one of the hundred that shall accompany you against king Cildadan If you do me that fauour said the king I hope that thereby our enemies would be no lesse discouraged then those on our part would be encouraged therefore I intreate you so to bee Thus they departed the king taking his way back to the citty and the faire Forlorne with Oriana towards the Forrest being very ioyfull that they had so well finished that dangerous aduenture But they were no sooner ariued at the Fountaine of the three channels when they beheld an esquire comming towards them mounted vpon a strong horse who at his arriuall said vnto the faire Forlorne knight Arcalaus commandeth thee that thou bring this Gentlewoman vnto him which if thou deniest to accomplish hee saith that he will himselfe come take thy head from thy shoulders And where is Arcalaus Answered the faire Forlorne The Esquire shewed him where hee sate vnder a tuft of Trees together with another knight both twaine armed ready to mount on horseback When Oriana heard this message the poore soule was in such extreame feare that shee was likely to haue fallen from her horse wherefore the faire Forlorne said vnto her How now sweete Lady are you afraid of Arcalaus being in my keeping no no hee threatneth to haue my head and yet he shall quit him-selfe well if hee can saue his owne Then he betook him to his armes said vnto the esquire go return vnto thy master and tell him that I am a strange knight that knoweth him not and therfore I will not do that The esquire returned to Arcalaus who was so mad angry there-with that hee said vnto the other knight which was with him good nephew Lindoraque go take the kerchief from that Damosell for I do giue it to Madasima your loue if he that conducteth her will coÌ„tradict it cut off his head forthwith afterwards hang it vp by the hair vpon the next tree Therewithall Lindoraq went towards the faire Forlorne who had heard all the words of Arcalaus whereupon hee came to meete him And although he seemed to be very great as hee which was the son of Cartadaque the giant of the inuincible mountaine begotteÌ„ vpon one of the sisters of Arcalaus yet did the Faire Forlorne make so little account of him that he said vnto him knight passe no further wherfore answered Lindoraq Because said the faire Forlorne it pleaseth me not Thou wilt bee far more displeased when thou must lose thy head Indeede said the faire Forlorne so I would but thou art more like to lose thine own if thou keep it not the better And without any longer debating hee clapped the spurs to his horse couching his staffe against Lindoraque Lindoraq in like sort against him so that they met one another with such force that their launces hitting in the middest of their shields flew in shiuers Neuerthelesse the faire Forlorne finding Lindoraq at aduantage vnhorsed him and the truncheon of the stasse remained in his body yet did he rise vp
seen these wonders but shee would yet see the Arch of loyall Louers and the chamber so renowned and in the meane season she desired him to tell her what was meant by the Hart Serpent Dogs and Lions Madame answered Isania I know no other thing thereof but that euery day at those houres and places that you did see them the combats of the beasts are made and the Hart doth alwaies leape downe from the window and the Dogs after who pursue him into a Lake not far from hence where they are hidden and seene no more vntill the next day and houre that the chase beginneth againe as you haue seene it this night past But thus much you shall know that if you were one whole yeere in this Island yet should you not haue time enough to see all the wonderfull things which there are For this cause my Lady and her company mounted on horseback and we came vnto the Palace of Apolidon to see the arch of loyall Louers and the forbidden Chamber Whereunto my Lady was no sooner come but she alighted and approched vnto the Image of copper as she that had neuer falsified her loue and passing vnder there was heard the most sweete and melodious tune in all the world and the Queene passed through euen vnto the place where the portraitures of Apolidon and Grimanesa were which seemed vnto her as though they had been aliue And from thence shee came vnto the piller of Iasper where she saw written these wordes Briolania the daughter to Tagadan king of Sobradisa is the third Damosell that did euer enter into this place But as my Ladylooked roūd about her in all places she was afraid seeing that she was alone therefore with-out long tarrying there she returned vnto vs that stayed for her and for this time shee would make no farther proofe vntill the 5. day following that shee did put on the richest and costliest apparrell that in al her life she had euer worne letting her hayre hang downe which were the fayrest that euer nature framed shee had vpon her head no more then a border of Gold garnished with many pretious stones the which did become her so well and made her seeme so saire that as well her owne followers as strangers did plainly say that without doubt shee would finish the aduentures of the Isle her eupon recommending her selfe vnto God she entred vpon the forbidden path and passing the brasse piller she came close vnto the other of Marble where she red the Letters that were grauen thereupon afterwards she marched on farther so that euery one did then iudge that shee would enter into the chamber without any difficultie When Oriana heard that Briolania had passed so far she began to blush and change her naturall colour in such sort that one might easily haue knowne the great alteration of her minde fearing that Briolania had passed no farther thereby ending the aduenture of the forbidden chamber But the Damosell proceeding forward in her discourse said you must know that so soone as the Queene came within three paces of the chamber she was taken so rudely by her fair and golden haires that without all respect of pitty shee was throwne out with such force beyond the pillar that she remained in aswond a long time as many others had done before her whereupon wee suddainly tooke her vp and carried her vnto her chamber where shortly after she recouered and she determined the next morning to depart from thence The which she did taking the way to Sobradisa Neuerthelesse shee had before commanded me to come vnto this Court to aduertise you of that which I haue declared Truly Damosell said Oriana the Queene your Mistresse hath done much for me Madam said the Damosell she hath expressely charged me to returne vnto her incontinently wherefore it may please you to giue me leaue to depart Faire Damofel said Oriana you shall see the Queene then to morrow morning you shall depart Well Madame said she I am content to obey you Now about this time Amadis and his fellowes arriued at the Firme-Island where they were most royally entertayned and receiued by all those of the country who were exceeding glad for the recouerie of their new lord whom they had thought to hauebeen lost And after that these knights who had followed Amadis had well viewed the Isle and seene the fertility and the inuincible scituation thereof they iudged that king Lisuart nor any other prince could be of power sufficient as once to dare come and assaile them For besides the force of the country it was furnished with many citties towns and beautified with foure Castles the most sumptuous and magnificent that were in all the world beside In one of them might a man beholde the sport of the Hart chased by the Dogs in the other the Combat betweene the Lions and the Serpent then in the third the tower which made the turning pauillion for foure times a day it turned so fast that those which were therein did thinke that it would sinke Lastly in the sourth was the pastime of the baited Bul who comming foorth of an olde ditch passed ouer the people that stood in his way and did come running with his hornes against a gate of iron with such force that hee ouerthrew it and opened a Tower from whence there came forth an old Ape so wrinkled that his skinne hanged downe on all parts of him the which held a whip wherwith he nimbly chased the Bull euen vnto the ditch from whence he came forth In all these foure Castles did Amadis and his fellowes oftentimes take their pastime for the strange sights that there they sawe And in this sort did these knights passe the time away staying vntill fortune did offer them some new occasion to arme themselues the which shortly after she did for Balais Carsanta whom Amadis had heretofore deliuered from the prisons of Arcalaus came vnto him from the Court of Kings Lisuart who after hee had declared vnto them many nouels hee tolde them how king Lisuart was preparing an armie to passe into the Isle of Mongaza for Grumedaca had made answere vnto the Earle Latin who was sent with the olde Gyant and his sonnes to take possession of the countrey that shee would sooner consent vnto the death of her selfe and all the world before she would yeeld vp the Burning lake and the three strong Castles which shee held and that they should doe with her Daughter Madasima and the other Damosels what they would I pray you saide Agraics tell vs what countenance the King shewed hearing such an answere By my faith answered Balais he is determined to put all to fire and sword if hee be resisted and within a moneth after to cause the heads of the pledges which hee holdeth to be smitten off Truely said Amadis hee may doe what he please but if hee vsed more curtesie it were perchance better for him When Galuanes whom I haue said Cupid had depriued
your Maiesty I am none of your subiect nor liege man but in requitall of the bringing vp and education that I haue had in your Court I am bound to preserue and defend the honour of your Maiesty Wherefore your highnesse may be pleased to bee aduertised that within these three dayes I was in such a place where I heard that Broquadan and Gandandel did not only then conspire but already had committed against God and your grace the greatest treason that might be imagined It is sure that they determined to counsell perswade you to put Madasima and her gentlewomen to death and for the rest I hope if it like your Maiesty before ten dayes be past that their wickednes shal be wholy laid open proued vnto you And because that in maintayning such traitors you haue of late banished my Lord Amadis and many other good knights from your cōpany I am not determined to stay any longer with you and therefore I take my leaue of your grace to goe seeke out my Vncle Angriotta whom if God please you shall see in these parts and I with him determined to auouch by force of armes against these two traytors their vniust conspiracies God be with you answered the king seeing that you haue so great haste Herewithall Sarquiles rose vp leauing the king alone very pensiue for the wordes which hee had said vnto him and some few dayes after he arriued in the Firme-Island as Amadis Angriotta Bruneo and others were walking by the Sea side causing certaine ships to be prepared and rigged to passe into Gaule where king Perion had sent vnto Amadis that he should come for certaine affaires which were lately happened vnto him When Angriotta beheld his Nephew Sarquiles he wondred thereat inquiring of him why hee had left king Lisuart My Lord answered Sarquiles it is for a matter whereat you all this cōpanie wil greatly admire Hereupon hee recived vnto them the whole discourse of the practises and counsailes that Broquadan and Gandandel had held vpon the accusation of Amadis his companions Well answered Angriotta I did alwaies thinke so of them And you my Lord said hee vnto Amadis doe now finde that to be true which I haue here-tofore told you But seeing it is so I protest they shall repent their treacherie for I will depart hence tomorrowe morning to goe and fight with them and make them acknowledge their villany Gentle friend answered Amadis the matter being so certaine as it is you haue no reason to deferre the execution of your enterprise and if you had any sooner performed that which you now determine it had beene perchance with lesse assurance then you now haue And after many other discourses they went vnto their lodging vntill the next morning that Angriotta took his leaue of Amadis and accompanied with his Nephew Sarquiles tooke the right way towards great Brittaine where within few dayes after he arriued Now you must vnderstand that euer since the departure of Amadis king Lisuart was so melancholly as no man could be more and hee spent all the day long in studying with himselfe whereof one time aboue all the rest Broquadan and Gandandel seeing him alone very pensiue came vnto him and sayd May it please your Maiesty it seemeth vnto vs that the ouer great care which you take in these your affaires depriueth you of your wonted manner of life and you take matters more to heart then you neede It may wel be answered the king but what meane you to tell me so Is it if it like your Maiesty sayd they for doubt of those that come from the Firme-Island in the defence of Madasima and her Damosels by the faith wee owe vnto God if it please your grace to credit our counsell you and your estate shall be henceforth in greater security then euer yet it hath beene And to bring that to passe commaund the heades of those pledges which you haue this day to bee smitten off Then afterwardes send vnto Galuanes and the rest of his compapanie your enemies that vpon their liues they be not once so hardy as to enter into your countries and if by chance they be already arriued command them foorth-with to depart or otherwise you will cause them to bee cut in peeces When the King heard this wicked speech and vngodly counsaile of theirs hee remembred that which Sarquiles had tolde vnto him therwithall he knew that without doubt these two traytors did with wrong procure the death of these Damosels notwithstanding because he would not at that time amase them hee onely answered this You counsaile mee to things farre vnfitting my estate the one that I should with-out processe or order of Iustice put Madasima and her Damosels to death and the other that I should forbid frō my Court those knights that are minded to come thither But if I should doe this which you say I might bee grieuously reproued for it before God who hath by his great bounty and mercy instituted mee King to administer Iustice vnto euery one alike therefore the counsell which you doe giue vnto mee is wicked and vnworthy to be receiued Let it suffice you therefore that I haue already listned vnto you in the accusation which you haue contriued against Amadis whereof I doe greatly repent mee for I ne-uer receiued of him nor any of his but all honor pleasure seruice wherefore I charge you vpon your liues that you mooue me no more thereof Saying so he rose vp shewing by his countenance that hee was very angry whereat Gandandel and Broquadan were greatly abashed and they were constrained to departe vnto their lodging to determine what was best for thē to be done seeing that already fortune had maruailously crossed them they came not in the King his presence all that day after vntill the next morning when they attended vpon him as hee rode into the fields The King beeing halfe a league from the Cittie he behelde comming toward him the knights of the Firme-Island for the deliuery of Madasima and her Damosels being come somewhat neere they all did their duties to his Maiestie Then Galuanes who marched for-most took vpon him to speake for all his fellowes saying vnto the King If it like your Maiestie wee being all of vs well assured of your accustomed vertue are come to demand iustice of your grace for Madasima and her Damosels and to defend their right if by force of armes it is defensible My friends answered hee seeing that you haue already set vp your Tents in this place if you thinke good you may heere abide for this day and to morrow you may come vnto mee to aduise vpon that which shall be reasonable to bee done If it please your highnesse said Brian of Moniasta wee all are assured that accorto your ancient royall behauiour iustice shall not bee denied vnto vs and if wee finde it otherwise it is rather by the counsaile of some wicked traitors that are about you