passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without iniury they may carry me into my Country and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councel for my ouer burdened Soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thee who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiance of so gentle a Knight as thou art but withall my hart pardon thee my death wishing thou mayest continue honorable and yet hereafter to remember me When the Prince saw him in such debilitie he was exceeding sorowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combate he would haue dealt much worse with him During these speeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commanded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was gifor their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to the Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the fielde into the Citie euen with such triumphant glory as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not onely ouercome their enemies but restore the Country that is well neere ruinated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combate the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at king Perions Courte and before shee would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward seeing him returne with so honorable a victory she shewed her selfe and taking him aside said Knight may it please you to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie neere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and keeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is onely yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall finde your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whom only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosel said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell seeing shee tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that beheld him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former Traunce thus speaking What now my Lord Take you the Message in so ill part that comes from the onely Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to find you Ah Ladie quoth he on my faith I knew not what you sayd to me for euen as you began to speak I felt the paine to renewe in mee which heretofore you haue seene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is needlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer from me for I know more of your affayres and my Ladies then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you neede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittaine appointing all things in such order as at your arriual you may remaine there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainly knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then shee thinkes you will be and seeing being ignorant of your Linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your Nobilitie you should labour to increase your Fame if you can And then againe shee gaue him the Letter saying Take here the Letter wherein your Name is written and which you had hanging about your necke at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast beene kept by her who hath my heart in her custodie and for whom I haue so often assayed to die yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I seeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender value is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauor the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deaths which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefite O highest God when shall I see the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agreeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his Name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir when I had done my Message to returne with all speed to her that sent me to you therefore be thinke your selfe if you will command me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with mee two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct you whither you please In obeying-you sayd the Damosell I trust I doe seruice to my Ladie Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returued to the King and Agraies who stayed for him him at the entrance of the Citie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the streetes Then came the Queene with her Ladyes Gentle-women to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrkesom to behold yet were they to bee healed without any great daunger of his person For this night the king desired that he and Agraies would supp with him but the Prince making his excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosel to whom he did all the honour that could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good Newes shee brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euety one but most with her whom he caused to stay attending his dispositiō till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a strange occasion which was cause of his longer abode in Gaule then hee expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you hereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI How the
Truely you may spare this labour replyed Amadis for at this time I haue no neede of your helpe When the other heard this answer hee imagined that Amadis mocked him which made him come and lay holde on the bridle of his horse saying By God Sir you shall answere my demand otherwise I meane to breake your pate I know not what thou canst doe quoth Amadis but I will dispatch my selfe of thee by combate and that way resolue thee in thy request for rash mindes must haue rough medicines and such as seeke to knowe more then they neede often feele more then they would So fetching their carrire the Knight shiuering his Launce in pieces but Amadis sent both horse and man to the ground and with such violence as the Knights legge was broken in the fall and Amadis had leasure to follow his iourney this was the man you heard of before that made Galaors Squire goe looke his maisters horse But now to proceede with Amadis who tarryed not to helpe the Knight vp againe such speed made he after his intent as at length hee ouer-tooke him that led away the Damosell comming neere him thus spake Forbeare Sir I pray ye and wrong the Ladie no more What wrong haue I done her answered the Knight The most shamefullest saide Amadis could be deuised What quoth the Knight you would then chastise me No Sir answered Amadis but aduise ye by reason for your owne benefit I heare yee well enough said the Knight but you may returne as wise as you came Is it true quoth Amadis then stepping to the Squire that led the Damosels Palfray he stearnely sayd Villaine let the woman alone or thou dyest the death The Squire being affraid fled away which the knight seeing and being very angry thereat hee came to Amadis with these words Beleeue me Sir you command very audatiously but if I know not how to charme such brauers let armour neuer come on my backe againe So placing their Launces in their rests they brake their staues in the encounter but the knight was cast headlong out of his faddle and before he could recouer him selfe againe Amadis stood ready with his sword to take his life which he perceiuing and that he must bee forced to beg his pardon thus spake Gentle Sir take pittie on mee and looke what offence I haue committed by any hard dealing shall be amended by better vsage Sweare then sayd Amadis neuer to wrong Lady or Damosell against her will With all my heart replied the Knight and as Amadis was comming to receiue his oath the villaine thrust his sword into his horse belly which made him presently fall downe dead and Amadis vnderneath in very great danger so that before he could get vp againe the knight deliuered him many cruell strokes saying By God Sir now shall I deerely teach ye how you enterprise another time to correct your better At length Amadis recouered footing and gaue his enemy such a blow through the sight of his helmet as cut the one side of his face cleane away wherewith he was so astonnied that he fell to the ground when Amadis setting his foote on him quickly seperated his heade from his shoulders The night induring all this while yet comfortably lightned by faire Cynthia whereby the Damosell sawe the death of her aduersary which made her fall at the princes feete with these wordes Alas worthy knight the God of heauen not I must require this honourable kindnesse for without your helpe much better had death beene to mee then life yet let mee request this further curtesie no more but your company to a Castle not far hence where I shall be in safety to my owne desire and to trauell alone thither will be dangerous for mee Nor shall you faire Damosell sayd Amadis be in such feare for I will not leaue yee till you be where you would so hee willed Gandalin to bring him the knights horse and to helpe the Damosell on her palfray afterward they rode as shee conducted them Of many matters they conferred by the way shee acquainting him with the whole history of the dead knight whole death you haue heard how Galaor reuenged And comming into a meddowe by a riuers side they alighted from their horses betaking themselues to sleepe a little because it was night shee lying on a mantle that Gandalin spread for her and Amadis leaning on his helmet as his best pillowe But as they all thus slept it chanced a knight came riding by who sawe them and without making any noyse with the great end of his Launce hee iogged the Damosell till she awaked When shee behelde him on horse-backe thinging it was Amadis that conducted her shee started vp as one halfe asleepe demanding if it pleased him to departe Yea marry quoth the knight and taking her by the hand mounted her vp behinde him Why doe ye so said the Damosell your Squire might helpe mee to mine owne horse without troubling you in this māner It were needlesse answered the knight for seeing a booty is so well offered I meane to haue the carriage of it my selfe These wordes made the Damosell suspect her selfe deceiued and looking backe shee behelde where Amadis lay fast asleepe wherefore she cryed out so loud as she could Ah helpe me Sir quoth shee for heere is one I knowe not will forcibly carry mee away When the knight heard what a noyse shee made hee gaue the spurres to his horse riding away in a maine gallop but Amadis awaking and not seeing the Damosell was greatly displeased hashly calling Gandalin to bring him his horse afterward hee posted the same way the knight had taken At length hee got a sight of them marking their entrance into a thicket of trees where he mistooke his way in such sort as hee knew not which side of the woode to take when though hee was one of the most patient men in the world he conceiued this griefe marueilous vnkindly saying to himselfe Now may the Damosel well report that I haue done her as much shame as succour for if I defended her from one forcer by my sloathfulnesse I haue left her in the power of one worse then he Thus riding in and out among the brambles offering much iniutie to his horse at length he heard the winding of a horne which made him follow the sound there-of imagining the knight did it for his pleasure Soone after hee espied a strong Castle on the top of a mountayne and approaching neere perceiued it was begirt with a high wall whereon were many great Towers and the gate made sure with mighty barres As hee was seeking some place of enterance the watch discrying him said What man at so late an houre commeth armed so neere I am a strange knight answered Amadis What would you haue sayde the watch I seeke for one quoth Amadis who not long since tooke a Damosell from mee Wee sawe none such answered the watch Hereupon Amadis passed further and discerned a little doore
owne blood then the bruite Beasts are to their contraries Notwithstanding all their brutish qualities yet be they neuer so vnnatural to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledg there-of to commit so great wrong not onely against your selfe impitious father or mee a woefull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agrieued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladies wherefore the King commanded them to their chambers The Queene seeing the might not preuaile fell in a swoune but by her Ladies she was conueighed thence the King giuing charge on paine of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My daughter quoth hee I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can help it By this time the newes came to O◅a how her Father had consented to her departure whereat shee fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladies reputing her dead indeede thought best to acquaint the King therewith yet by forced remedies shee reuiued againe breathing forth many dolorous sighes Now the most of the women seueted themselues some neare and some further from her because shee should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony heart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speech and faintly vttered these regreets Full wel quoth shee doe I well beholde mine owne ruine Ah sweete friend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my heart foretolde mee euen at the very houre of thy departure Ah cursed bee that houre because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these rydings I feare being vnable to endure them thou wilt die immediately yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the onely refuge to the vnfortunate seest thou not me foremost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumph ouer thee in dealing so extreamely as shee can with me albeit I knowe thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therefore and let her not get such preeminence on mee in despight as it were of thy authority Adiew then sweete friend for neuer shall wee see each other more in this life at these wordes shee fell in a swoune againe When the King saw shee tarryed so long hee sent to cōmand her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadly agony and staying till she was recouered againe as shee began to renew her moanes he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When shee heard this message shee arose hauing her heart so sealed vp with griefe as it seemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke shee came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete sayde My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with mee Faire Daughter quoth hee I must accomplish my promise These speeches prouoked her former paines when the King grieuing to behold the sight therof turned his head aside saying to the knight See my friend here is the gift you demand and the onely thing in the world I most loue but intend you to carry her hence alone My Lord sayd the knight she shall be accompanied with two Gentlemen and their Squires which were in my company when you made mee this promise at Windsore more may I not allowe vntill hee haue her vnto whom I am constrained to deliuer her Yet let her haue the company of this Damosell saide the King for it were vnseemely she should bee alone among so many men Well quoth the knight for one woman it matters not So taking the Princesse in his armes shee being scant reuiued from her swoune he set her vp on horse-backe caused a Squire to sit behind her on the horse who might hold her fast lest she should fall and a very sad countenance shewed the knight saying there was none in the Court more sorrowfull then himselfe After the Damosell of Denmarke was mounted the King intreated her not to leaue his daughter whatsoeuer happened And while they were thus preparing the Princesse looking woefully about her a tall knight well armed came among them who not taking off his helmet or saluting the company tooke Orianaes horse by the bridle This was Arcalaus the enchanter and came in this sort lest he should bee knowen soone after he commanded the Squire to ride away with her which the Princesse perceiuing and seeing there was no other remedy deliuering a sigh as if her heart would haue split shee sayde Ah my deere friend in a happlesse houre for you was the boone granted because it will bee both your death and mine Herein shee meant Amadis whom shee gaue leaue to depart with the Damosell yet the standers by vnderstood it of her father and her selfe Thus departed Oriana with them that conducted her who rode apace till they were entred the Forrest neere at hand and the King himselfe was mounted on horse-backe to conduct his daughter somewhat on the way as also to forbid any rescue from following according to his former promise But the Princesse Mabila standing at a windowe to see this sad and pensiue separation could come no nearer to Oriana her heart was so surprised with griefe yet by hap shee espyed Dardan the Dwarffe that serued Amadis making speed after the Princesse on horse-backe when calling him to her she saide Dardan if thou loue thy Master stay not any where till thou acquaint him with this mishappe if now thou faile him it may returne to thine owne daunger for this is the time of greatest necessity By God Madame answered the Dwarffe I will with all diligence performe my duty So giuing the spurres to his horse hee galloped the same way his Master rode with the Damosell But leaue wee him posting and tell what now happened to King Lisuart who accompanied his Daughter to the entrance of the Forrest causing all such to returne as followed him Euen in the houre of his trouble a Damosell came to him mounted on a swift Palfray with a sworde hanging about her neck and a Launce richly painted hauing the point gilded ouer after shee had saluted him she thus spake My Lord God increase your ioy and make you willing to performe what you haue promised me at Windsore in the presence of all your worthy knights At these wordes the King knew her remembring it was she that sayde
I adore When the Faire Forlorne heard him hee presently knewe that it was Famongomad who was wont to cut off the heads of all those that hee might take and to shed their blood before an Idoll that hee had in the burning lake by whose counsell hee was gouerned in all his affaires although hee then had no desire to fight as well because he would not faile to be at Mirefleur according as Oriana had willed him as also because he was wearie and tyred with the encounter that he had had against the ten knights yet knowing the persons that were in the cart amongst whom was Leonor the Kings daughter her Gentlewomen and the ten knights that hee had ouerthrowne hee determined either to die or deliuer theÌ„ knowing what grief the losse of her sister would be vnto Oriana whom Famongomad and his sonne did take at vnawares and all the rest of her traine in a manner as soone as the Faire Forlorne had left them and in this sort they had bound and fettered them in the cart that they might afterwards most cruelly put them to death For this cause hee willed Enil to giue him his armes My Lord sayd he doe you not see these diuels that are comming towards vs For Gods sake let vs begone and hide vs from them then may you arme your selfe at ease for I would not tarry their comming for all the wealth in London I will doe better if I may sayd the Faire Forlorne I will first try my fortune and although thou doest thinke them diuels thou shalt see them slaine by one onely knight for their life is so odious before God that hee will giue mee the strength to reuenge as I hope all those miserable cruelties which they from day to day doe commit Alas my Lord sayde Enil you will wilfully lose your selfe seeing that if twenty of King Lisuart his best Knights had vnder-taken that which you alone thinke to doe yet might they hardly escape with honor Care not thou for that answered hee if I should let such an aduenture passe before mine eyes and not bee an actor therein I were vnworthy euer to come into the company of good and vertuous men and therefore whatsoeuer may chance thereof I care not This said he left Enil weeping and went vnto that side where he might easily beholde Mirefleur because the remembrance of Oaiana was still present before him and he bagan to say O my Lady and onely hope neuer did I enterprise any aduenture the which I haue not by your means atchiued and now that I knowe you are so neere vnto mee and that it is for a thing that so much importeth you forsake mee not I pray you in this extreamity Herewithall he imagined that his strength was redoubbled and setting apart all feare hee went toward the cart and said vnto the Dwarffes stay you base slaues for you shall all die and your maisters also When the Gyant heard these threats hee entred into such fury that the smoke proceeded from his eyes in such sort as it seemed they had beene on a fire and hee did shake his bore-speare with such force that he almost doubled both ends together Then hee answered the Faire Forlorne Vnhappy and vnfortunate wretch how durst thou bee so bold to come before me Yet hee made as though he heard him not but couched his Launce and setting spurres to his horse he smote the Gyant a little beneth the wast with such strength as pearcing the ioynts of his harnesse the Launce entred into his tripes with such exceeding force that passing quite through it hit against the hinder part of the saddie and broke the giâ—â—s of the horse ouerthrowing both 〈◊〉 and saddle euen in a momentâ—… uerthelesse before the Gyants â—allâ— he couched his bore speare thinking to haue hit the Faire Forlorne but it missed him stroke thorow his horses flankes wherefore he feeling that hee was wounded to death did very himbly alight downe and although that Famongomad was in like sort deadly wouÌ„ded with the great rage that hee felt hee rose vp and with both his hands hee pulled forth the trounchon of the Launce that stucke in his body and threw it at the Faire-Forlorne with such extreame fury that hee thought to haue ouer-throwne him and so greatly did he straine himselfe to hurle the same that the tripes came out of his belly and he tumbled ouer and ouer Therewithall he cried Basigant my deere son reuenge the death of thy sorrowfull Father if thou canst At this crye Basigant approched holding a weighty bill wherewithall hee thought to haue strooken the Faire Forlorne but he stepped aside and the blow passed by so forcibly that if it had hit him it had clouen him quite asunder Then the Faire Forlorne being very ready and expert stretched forth his arme and stroke the Gyant so great a blowe that hee cut the one halfe of his legge away although that with the great fury wherein hee remained hee could not as then feele it but lifted vp his bill the which turned in his fist which was a happy chance for the Faire Forlorne who receiued the blowe vpon his Shielde within the which it entered so farre that the Gyant could not pull it forth And as hee striued to get it out hee raised him vpon his stirrops to haue the more strength By the meanes where of the sinues of his legge which were cut a sunder fayled him wherewithal he felt such great greefe that not being able to keep his sadle he kissed the ground with his nose and in falling the Faire Forlorne stroke him another blow vpon his right arme so that he was forced to forsake his bill and leaue it in the power of his enemy Notwithstanding his hart was so great that hee rose vp againe and drew forth his sword that was maruailous long with the which he layed at the Faire Forlorne with all his strength and hee strained himselfe so much that the blood issued froÌ„ his wounds in such great aboundance that all his strength fayled him and he fel down together with his blow which lighted vpon the stones wherewith the sword brake in two pieces The which the Faire Forlorne perceiuing hee stepped aside and set his hands vnto the bill in such sort that by force hee pulled it out of his shield wherewith he stroke so great a blow vpon the Giants helmet that he made it flie from his head but the Giant with that little remainder of his sword that hee yet helde pared away the top of his helmet together with a little of the skin and haire of his head the which blow if he had stroken somewhat lower hee had cut his head off Therewithal they that were in the cart thought that the Faier Forlorne had beene wounded to death and himselfe was so astonished that hee thought his dayes to bee ended wherefore desiring to bee reuenged hee gaue him such another great blowe with the bill that hee cut off his eare
that he may be well receiued of you all and obey him as your true and naturall Lord for wel am I assured that he wil in â—…eat you with loue gentlenes These requests were presently answered by one for theÌ„ all who said Hither shall he be most hartely welcome because we hope that he to whom we shall be vassailes and Subjects will cherish and fauour vs in stoâ—â— whereof the other vsed vs as villaines and slaues and you being the conquerour we hold for our only deliuerer All things thus debated and accorded Galaor departed thence with his company returning to the Hermitage where the Hermit attended for happy newes but he was not alittle glad to see Galaor come with such successe wherefore he thus spake My son daily are you bound to praise the diuine bounty whose loue hath giuen you grace to execute this notable vengeance On the morrow after he had receiued the good mans benediction he set forward on hias way one of the Damosels intreted him that he would suffer her to trauaile in his company whereto right willingly he gaue consent And I quoth the other must take another way in that I had not come thus farre but onely to behold the issue of the combat which I haue seene with such content as I must needs make coÌ„mendable reporte thereof to other so shall I not faile to do in the Court of King Lisuart whether now I go to finde a brother of mine gone thether before me Faire Damosell answered Galaor if you meete a yong Knight who beareth in his Shield a couple of Lions I pray ye say to him that the Gentleman to whom not long since he gaue the order of Knight-hood doth humly salute him adding this withall how he endeuoureth to honor the order and when they both shall meate he will acquainte him with such matter betweene them as yet perhaps he knoweth not So tooke the Damosell her leaue of Galaor who afterward thus began to commune with the other You know Lady that I haue finished the combate with the Giant and you saide to me before I began it how the Knight himselfe should know what she is that sent you thether Very true answered the Damosell but if you would be resolued therein follow me and within fiue daies I will shew you her That shall not let me said Galaor thus rode they on together so long till at length they came to a forked way and Galaor who rid muzing before thought she had followed him but she arrested behind a little and when she hoped to ouer-take him againe it was her hap to take the wrong way This chanced at the entrance of the Forrest of Braganda which seuereth the Countries of Claire and Gresca where long he had not erred but he heard a voice thus calling to him Ah good Knight help me Galaor turning his head to see what was the cause I thinke quoth one of his Squires it should be the Damosell that departed from vs. What said Galaor hath she left vs Yea truely answered the Squire she tooke the way leading on the left hand Beleeue me quoth he I had very little care of her hastly without taking his Helmet hauing only his Shield and Lance he galopped so fast as he could to the place where he heard the voice and hard at hand he espied fiue men on foote armed with Croslets and Halberds and a Dwarffe on horse-back who cruelly laied on the Damosell with a staffe When Galaor approched neere them hee came to the Dwarffe saiyng Thou villainous and deformed creature soone shall I send thy soule to the Diuell and running fiercely against him with his Launce threw him against the ground maruailously amazed Then came the other eagerly vppon him compassing him on euery side but to the first he gaue such a grieting with his Launce as he lay sprangling on the earth Another of them buckled close to him laying load on his Shield with his Halberd but at length he pierced his Lance quite through his body When the other three saw this massacre they ranne away so fast as they could ouer-thwart the Forrest and Galaor not able to ouertake them returned backe againe to the Dwarffe who being gotten on horse-back fled away after the other crying Accoursed Knight in haplesse houre hast thou misused my men for thou shalt dy an euill death Galaor seeing the Dwarffe laboured so hard as he could to saue himselfe would follow him no further but went to see if his Launce were vnbroken which he had left in the body of the dead man and finding it sound as it was before gaue it to his Squire saying to the Damosell Ride now before me and I will guard you better then I haue done So tooke they the way againe they had left that brought them to a Riuer named Braz which could not be passed at the foord now rode the Damosell somewhat farre before Galaor finding the passage so ready as she went ouer before he came In meane while he staied the returne of the boate he espied the Dwarffe come after him crying Villainous traitour thou art dead if thou deliuer not the Damosell thou tookest from me Little account did Galaor make of his words but looking backe he saw three Knights come after the Dwarffe well mounted one of the three thus speaking to the rest It were great dishonor for vs to set all three together vpon one man and as for my selfe I thinke scorne to be assisted by any Hauing so said with a full course he ran against the Prince who likewise was ready to entertaine him and they encountred in such sorte as the Knight pierced Galaors Armour making him feele the naked pointe of his Launce but Galaor bad him so brauely welcome casting him from his saddle with such might as he lay on the ground not able to stirre whereat the other twaine were so abashed that they ranne against the Prince the one failing and the other breaking his Lance which Galaor determining to reuenge stroke his Launce into the sight of the last Knights Helmet as he made it fall from his head and he hauing lost his stirrops ready to lye along Meane while the second who had not broken returned against Galaor sped in meeting Now albeit the encounter was with great vigour yet escaped the armour on either side Hauing thus galantly shiuered their staues they drew forth their swords beginning a fierce and cruell combat and while the fight endured the Dwarffe without ceasing cryed to his men Looke well that he escape not but kill him least he get away Then Galaor comming neere him who had lost his Helmet reached him such a stroke on the head as he tumbled downe dead before him And when the third saw his companion slaine being affraid of him-selfe he turned his back and away but Galaor pursued him so neere that he gaue him a blow betweene the neck and the shoulders which brought off a great many plats of his Armour
circumstance of their deaths hereat he was very much abashed then falling to their cheer they begiled the time with sundry pleasant deuises yet Amadis could thinke of nothing else but how he might make his arriuall knowne to Oriana wherefore they were no sooner risen from the table but he tooke Gandalin aside and thus began My friend thou must of necessity goe to the Court and labour secretly to finde the Damosel of Denmarke to whom thou shalt report that I am here attending to heare from her what I shall do Gandalin with all possible speed departed and the better to execute his enterprise he went on foote when being come to the Pallace not long had hee stayed till he saw her he looked for who was as busie as he in the selfe-same cause yet at the first she knew him not but quickly remembred she had seene him in Gaule with Amadis and embracing him demanded where his Maister was Why Lady quoth Gandalin did not you see him to day it was hee that vanquished proud Dardan and hath with drawne himselfe to the Forrest to heare from his mistresse dâ—sâ—…g you by me to let him vnderstand what he must do Right welcomâ— said the Damosell is he into this Country being the man desired aboue all othes but my Lady must needes see thee therefore follow me If any one aske who thou art say thou bringest letters to Oriana from the Queen of Scots and likewise thou art come to look for Amadis who is arriued heere as thou hast heard by these meanes thou mayest come to her without heere-after suspition Thus was Gandalin conducted into the Queenes chamber where the Princesse Oriana was to whom the Damosell of Denmarke came and speaking some-what loude sayd Madame heere is a Squire sent to you from the Queene of Scots Oriana weening she had said true arose to wel-come him but when she knew Gandalin the vermillion collour arose in her cheeks and was so ouer-come with ioy as shee knew not well what countenance to vse yet Gandalin as well aduised set his knee to the ground saying Madame the Queene my Mistresse heartily saluteth you as the Lady she loueth and esteemeth aboue all other of her Kinred desiring to heare some newes from you for here she greetes you with all that she doth know Then gaue he her a Letter which he had seigned hauing nothing written therein but the superscription on the out-side where-upon she went aside with Gandalin to one of the Windowes making shewe to heare the rest of his charge but she demaunded where he had left his master Madame answered Gandalin he with-drew himselfe into the Forrest so soone as he had conquered DardaÌ„ Good friend said Oriana tell me by the faith thou bearest to him how he fareth Euen so faire Princesse quoth Gandalin as the man that is altogether yours he liueth onely by remembrance of you and yet suffereth such anquish in his soule as neuer Knight endured by the onely feare he susteineth least hee should not be yours mistrusting his owne deserts for so high a seruice His greatest hope is in your princely kindnesse and knowing him so long as alsowhat he is that you will not forget him Wherefore I beseech yee Madame take compassion on him appoint a meeting together then resolue him make me a happie messenger and discharge your selfe of your deuoire for hitherto hath hee endured such sorrow as no man is able to suffer the like Often haue I seene him thinking on you so farre beyond himselfe as he hath fallen downe dead in a manner before mee so that I haue imagined noting the abundance of his teares his poore heart to be distilled into water through the conduits of his eyes If he should die ye offered him great wrong for he is yours easily can ye not finde another so worthy of you Nor need you doubt but if you graunt the houre of lengthning his life he will surpasse in Chiualrie the best Knight that euer bare Armes wherein if he be happy by his vertue yet hath he mishap to counterpoâ—se the same onely through the passions he endureth for you If now you will not deigne to afford him remedy much better had it beene for him that fortune had let him preish in the sea to the mercy whereof in his cradle coffin he was commited then after his preseruation by such strange meanes to suffer him dye by a worse shipwrack then the other But if his dismall starres wil not diuert this danger happy might he haue accounted himselfe if he had neuer come to the knowledge of his parents whose griefe likewise he greatly increaseth to see him so consume dye before his day being vnable to diuine or vnderstand the cause thereof Gandalin all this while accompained his words with such teares and often among breathed foorth so many mournefull sighes as would haue enforced the very Rocks to rueth but perceiuing Oriana was touched to the quicke he began againe in this manner Ah gentle Madame consent not to the death of such a Seruant of yours and so good a Maister of mine for beside the common losse which will be great in you alone shall consist the fault more-ouer you shall maculate that perfect beautie with the high condemned staine of crueltie and ingratitude Here did he knit vp his perswasion attending an answere from the Princesse but shee was not able to deliuer one word so vehemently was her heart surprized and ouer-come and holding downe her head let fall wonderfull streames of teares downe her daintie checkes which enforced her to turne on the other side least she should be discried then when as Gandalin would haue begun againe she stayed him with a piercing sigh saying Ah my friend I pray thee say no more vnlesse thou be willing to see me die here presently Now stood shee silent a prettie while often wringing and straining her fingers with griefe then setting apart all dissimulation she softly thus spake The assurance thou giuest me of thy masters loue is highly pleasing and agreeable to me but the passion thou sayest he endureth tormenteth me to the very death so that I feele both his paine mine owne Ah God let me not be the occasion of death to a man so high and precious of desert as hee is rather let me worke mine owne death for if he die I may not liue one houre Thou art come to tell me his painefull trauaile now thou mayest goe to let him vnderstand mine which if thou knewest so wel as thou doest thy maisters instead of blaming me with crueltie thou wouldst rather iudge me vnfortunate and if I vse any crueltie it is against my selfe whom I haue depriued of rest pleasure and well-neere life it selfe The lesse succour can I giue to mine owne destresse because as it often happeneth to our sects when thinking to draw neere such as we desire we are furthest off and seeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so
thereof My Lord quoth she that tooke him by the hand when hee was enchanted mine Aunt Vrganda sent me to the Castle of Arcalaus by whose meanes we came thither and you were recouered Heauen shielde from euill that good Lady answered Amadis who hath so many waies bound me her obedient seruant and you faire Damosels the messengers of this fauour haue you any thing else wherein to cōmand me No my Lord said they take you the way you left and wee wil returne from whence we came Fare well sweet Virgins replied Amadis remember my humble duty to the health of your Mistresse telling her she knowes right well I am her Knight In this manner rode the Damozels one way and Amadis another wherefore wee must now tell what happened to Arcalaus since his departure from the Castle of Valderin CHAP. XXI How Arcalaus brought newes to the Court of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and regreets especially the Princesse Oriana SVch speede made Arcalaus after his departure from Valderin where he left Amadis enchanted hee being as I haue saide clad in his armor and mounted on his horse that the tenth day following hee arriued neer the court of king Lisuart who was riding abroade in the fields to take the aire accōpanied with his Lords along the forrest side They seeing Arcalaus come a far off hauing on the armor of Amadis imagining it was hee indeede diuers rode before to welcome him but when they came more neere they found thēselues deceiued by reasō Arcalaus had his head and hands vnarmed wherefore without saluting the Gentlemen he stepped to the King with these words Sir I come to acquite a promise wherein I stand bound namely to let you vnderstand how I haue slaine a Knight in battaile that some-time bare these armes And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne prayse which were more honorable for me being reported by another in mine absence yet am I constrained to do no lesse seeing the couenant was betweene me him whom I haue slaine viz. that the conquerour should dispoyle the vanquished of his head and present it before you as this day Full loth was I to be so cruell because hee tolde mee hee was your Queenes Knight commonly called Amadis of Gaule and so hee named himselfe whom I vanquished As for me Sir I tolde him in truth that I was Arcalaus whom fortune hath graced with such singuler fauour for I haue slaine the man some-time owner of this armour and horse which as a testimony of my victory I brought with mee Ah God sayde the King is then the most vertuous and accomplished Knight in the world dead you lowring heauens why began ye so braue to course in him and now on such a sudden to cut it off These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares both in the King and his royall company which Arcalaus perceiuing not speaking any thing else returned the same way he came feigning himselfe likewise very sad and grieued but you must thinke he went not without great store of curses euery one instantly desiring God to send him an euill and speedy death which with their Swordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him themselues but that they heard howe Amadis was slaine by an accorded battaile The King being ouercome with pensiuenesse and sorrow returned to the Towne where these newes were so opened to euery one that at length the Queene and her Ladyes heard thereof which presently conuerted their former pleasures in to mourning At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke where hearing the sudden clamour and noyse she commanded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof Alas good Lady too soone was it brought to her for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart and more to afflict this gentle Princesse the other Ladyes came weeping into her chamber saying Ah Madame what tongue can deliuer this wonderfull mishap yet durst she not good Lady bee too forward in enquiring the manner thereof least the cinders of her affection might be discouered and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her she sayde Alas he is dead it can not be otherwise It is true madame answered the Damosell but what remedy you must not likewise dy for company These words made Oriana fall into a swoune which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding thought shee had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila saying Helpe Madame my mistresse dyeth She being come saw that shee neither moued or breathed doubted least life had taken leaue indeed wherefore she commanded the Damosell to shut the dore to the end her loue all this while so well concealed might not breake foorth into open suspition Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more libertie as also bathing her temples and pulses with vineger cold water she recouered againe when deliring a faint figh with a feeble voise she thus spake Ah sweete friends hinder me not in the way of death if you desire my rest and would haue God find him another world who knew not how to liue one day without me Ah flower and mirrour of chiualrie thy death is insupportable not to me alone but to the whole world who is replete with griefe for thee because they haue lost him who in bounty prudence hardines and all other vertues did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire And were yet any feeling in thee I am certaine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life but for my loue enduring by thy misse maruailous afflictions for thou hast left such honor in the world behinde thee conquering so incomparable reputation in this short time of thy life that rekoning thy merites thou diedst possessed with many yeeres Thus liuest thou in place immortall I remaining heere alone after thee can giue but wounding and vnthankfull speeches Ah cruell death sufficed it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered steele but thou must kill him out-right with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone see reason proceede frō her that did thee wrong who beeing the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equall loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together wee likewise might haue inioyed one sepulchre After these words she swounded againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenance as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes being discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the body Mabila desparing of any life left in her was so surprised with griefe that shee was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the Princesse walking some-what aside by
such braue viuacity of spirit as his enemy found he had a hard taske in hand At this instant an other knight chanced to passe by who seeing the combattants so â—ierce against each other determined to expect who should depart with victorie and placing himselfe by the Damosell demanded if shee knew them or the cause of their quarrel I must needes know them answered the Damosell because I set them together as you see and this good hap is not a little pleasing to mee for it is impossible but one of them must die nor doe I greatly care which of them it be but if both end together my ioyes would bee the greater Now trust me said the Knight full well doe you manifest a wicked disposition practising for your pleasure the death of two such braue men whose health and safety you rather ought to desire then imagine such a disloyall thought toward them but tell me I pray ye what reason you haue to hate them so That can I sufficiently quoth she He whose shielde is most defaced is the onely man of the world to whom mine Vncle Arcalaus wisheth most harme he being named Amadis And the other that combats with him is Galaor who not long since slew the chiefest man I loued It so fel out that Galaor hereâ—ofore made me promise of any thing I would request and because this day I was most affectionate to his death I haue brought him to deale with fuch a one as will hardly permit him to escape with life For I knew the other to bee one of the best Knights in the World on whom this Dwarffe which you see attendeth I therefore desired Galaor to giue the little villaines head being perswaded Amadis would rather die then suffer it Thus the one to deliuer me my request and the other for his Dwarffes defence are fallen into the extreamitie of their liues which doth me good at the heart to behold By my conscience Damosell replyed the Knight I neuer thought such malice had remained in a woman of your sort and I beleeue assuredly being yet so yong if longer you liue you will accustome your self to such vilainie as this you begin withall whereby you shall infect the ayre and the other elements to the disaduantage of the honest and vertuous Ladies liuing at this day But to shielde them from such danger and these two good Knights whom treacherously thou wouldest should kill each other I will make a Sacrifice of thee according to thy deserts then lifting vp his Sword he smote her head quite from her shoulders that it fell on the ground at her horse feete saying Take the reward of thy merits for the loue I beare to thine Vnckle Arcalaus who kept me his prisoner till the vertuous Knight Amadis deliuered me then running to the combatants he cryed out aloud Holde Lord Amadis hold your hand for the man you fight against is your brother Galaor When Amadis heard these words he threw down his Sword and Shield to the earth and embracing Galaor said Alas my friend my brother rightly may I be tearmed the most vnhappy Knight in the world offering you such outrage as I haue done Galaor amazed at this aduenture knew not what to say but seeing how Amadis humbled himselfe on his knee he fell downe likewise desiring pardon reputing himselfe wonderfull vnfortunate in wronging thus his Lord and brother then Amadis weeping with inward conceite of ioy thus answered Noble brother and my friend I esteeme the passed perill well imployed because it beareth witnes of what we are able to doe So taking off their helmets to refresh themselues they heartily thanked the Knight that rhus caused their acquaintance whereupon he told them all what the Damosell said the execution hee committed on her Now trust me quoth Galaor neuer was false strumpet more rightly serued and now am I dischargd of the promise I made her All the better for mee said the Dwarffe and thereby haue I saued my head yet I meruaile why shee should hate me so much in respect I neuer saw her till now to my knowledge Then did Galaor at large discourse what happened betweene him the Damosell and her friend as you haue heard already rehearsed but the Knight that seperated them seeing their Armour all couered with blood thus spake to them My Lords your Armours deliuer testimony enough how discourteously your Swords haue intreated your bodies wherefore me thinks long tarrying in this place will but endanger your wounds let me request ye then to mount on horseback and accompany me to the Castle whether you shall not onely be welcome but finde helpe for your hurts by one skilfull therein Wee will not refuse your gentle offer said Amadis Let vs set forward then answered the Knight and happy shall I thinke my selfe in doing any seruice that may be liking to you for you Lord Amadis deliuered mee from the cruell imprisonmeÌ„t as neuer poor knight endured the like Where was it I pray replied Amadis At the castle quoth he of Arcalaus the enchanter wheÌ„ you restored so many to liberty How are you named said Amadâ—…lays answered the Knight and because my Castle is cleped Carsanta I am often tearmed Balays of Carsanta therefore my Lords vse mee and mine as your owne Brother said Galaor seeing the Knight reputeth himselfe so much bounden to you let vs goe with him In short time they arriued at the Castle of Balays where they found Gentlemen and Ladeies that courteously entertained them by reason Balays had sent them word before how he brought with him the two best Knights in the world Amadis who deliuered him from the strong prison of Arcalaus and his noble brother Galaor For this cause were they welcommed much more honourably and brought into a goodly chamber to bee vnarmed where likewise stood two costly beds and a table furnished with soueraigne medicins for their wounds the cure whereof two Ladies being Neeces to Balays vndertooke for they were very learnedly skilled in Chirurgery Now did they imploy their vttermost cunning to recoÌ„pence Amadis for his worthy pains in restoring their Vnckle from the slauerie of Arcalaus so that within few daies they felt themselues indifferently amended and almost able to beare their Armour as they did before Here-upon Amadis comming with his brother Galaor declared how to seeke him he departed from the Court of King Lisuart promising not to returne without his company wherefore he intreated him to yeelde no denâ—all in respect no Princes Court was better frequented with Chiualrie nor could he finde more honour in any other place My Lord quoth Galaor I intend to accomplish what you please to command me albeit I desire not as yet to be knowne among men of account first would I haue my deedes giue some witnesse how desirous I am to imitate your proceedings or else to die in this religious affection Certes brother answered Amadis for this matter you neede not abandon the place seeing your renown is already greater
a proffer to smite off his heade which Grouenesa seeing cryed Ah gentle Knight haue pittie on him and mee together With aboundance of teares trickling downe her cheekes shee came and fell at the feete of Amadis shewing the affection of her request and her inwarde griefe to beholde her Vncles death all which Amadis well noting feigned himselfe more willing to kill him then before saying If your suite were reasonable I would consent thereto but hee hath so wronged mee and without occasion as I cannot bee satisfied but with the losse of his head Alas my Lord quoth shee for Gods sake demand some other satisfaction for I will doe whatsoeuer you please to redeeme his life Lady answered Amadis there be but two things which may saue his life first the deliuerance of the Damosell againe to mee secondly that you sweare to me as a loyall Lady to meet me at the first open Court held by king Lisuart and there to graunt a boone I shall desire of you Gasinan beholding the danger of his life saide to her Faire Niece suffer me not thorough your default to die but take compassion on mee and promise the knight faithfully what he shall demand which shee presently did wherefore Amadis permitted him to arise said to the Lady I assure yee Madame the suite I must obtayne of you gaine-saith nothing of my promise coÌ„cerning Amadis for I will accomplish it to my vttermost see then no default bee made on your behalfe In sooth my Lord quoth shee I will performe my duty effectually knowing well such men ought to bee honoured for vertue in whom so singular prowesse is apparant much lesse then neede any doubt be made of any thing preiudiciall tomy vnstayned report Be bolde thereof sayd Amadis then was the Damosell sent for and shee being come Amadis demanded if shee would accompany him any further Worthy Sir answered the Damosell I will doe what you please to command mee in respect I haue beene so painefull to you as while I liue I am yours in all obedience But were it your liking considering the affection Gasinan beares mee as hee would rather hazard the combate then deliuer mee albeit by treachery hee carried mee away I gladly could afford to stay with him By heauen faire Damosell replyed Gasinan most true and sincere is my affection towarde you and as I request yee not to forsake mee so doe I desire your good opinion You haue chosen Damosell one of the best knights in the worlde sayd Amadis and seeing you like each other so well with all my heart I leaue yee together They both thanked him very humbly intreating hee would rest himselfe there certaine dayes but hee would returne to his brother Galaor whom hee left vnder the tree by the dead knight by meanes whereof he excused his departure and mounting on horse-backe commanded Gandalin to carry the broken peeces of his sword with him By hap Gasinan ouer-heard him wherefore hee presented him with his sworde which hee accepted and a Launce that Grâ—â—enesa gaue him then leauing the Castle hee tooke the way againe toward the tree where hee hoped to finde Galaor and Balays CHAP. XXIX How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor lose his horse BAlays of Carsaâ—ta offended as you haue heard with the Knightes iniurious pranckes to Galaors horse followed him so fast as possibly hee could but the other had gotten so farre before as Balays heard no tydings of him neuerthelesse hee rode on till about mid-night when hee heard a voyce a long by a Riuers side And shaping his course thither hee found there fiue theeues well armed with Croslets and Hatchets who villainously would force a Damosell one of them dradging her by the hayre of the head in a straite way on the mountaine and the other beating her forwarde with great staues Balays seeing them vilely abuse her entred among them saying Trayterous murderers dare you so boldly lay holde on a Damosell let her alone else shall you die according to your deserts Then running fiercely at one of them his Launce passed quite thorow his body so that he fell downe dead without any mouing Wherupon the other foure would reuenge their companions death altogether inuironed Balays with such sharp assaults as one of them smote downe his horse vnder him yet Balays dismayed nothing thereat but beeing couragiously resolued quickely recouered footing and drawing his sworde layde so fiercely about him that another of them fell downe headlesse at his feet In briefe two more of them accompanied their fellowes in like fortune when the last seeing hee could not preuent like doome fell on his knees before Balays saying Good my Lord haue compassion on me for if I die in this wicked life I haue so long vsed vndoubtedly both body and soule will perish together Since thou doest answered Balays so willingly acknowledge thy fault thy life I giue thee to the ende thy repentance hereafter may make amends for al faithfully hee kept promise with Balays for soone after he became a religious Hermit spending the rest of his dayes in great deuotion But now returneth Balays to the Damosell who being not a little glad she was so happily deliuered gaue him thankes for the succour shee found in such necessity and hee requesting to know how shee happened into this daunger shee thus begun Hauing occasion Sir to trauell in these parts in the narrow way on the mountaine they staied mee it beeing the common place for their theeuish assaults and after they had slaine my seruants they brought mee into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciously deliuered me Her modest behauiour in speech and comely beauty made Balays to waxe somewhat enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very loath to parte with yee but seeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where wee may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindnesse that wee may not lose so good an oportunitie I know not Sir quoth shee how you are minded but had they compelled mee to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde mee excused contrariwife if I should willingly grant you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might then serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewed your selfe a well disposed knight let mee intreate yee to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duty you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberly hee repented that hee had offered her such vndecent wordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied mee yet pardon me for attempting so bad a suite in respect it is no lesse seemely for knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue done And albeit at the first we imagine it a great conquest to obtayne of them what
hee to deuise how by faire speech and falshood he might take the king crauing a parle with him whereto king Arban willingly agreed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought til now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised knights in the world but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I think withall that what you doe is for the safetie of your honor Herein you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will bee but the losse of you and your men in respect king Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proofe whereof euen he that slew him will ere long send me his head Sith fortune then hath dealt so hardly with him and I at this instant am the greatest Lord in this countrey dare you denie to make me king Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall entreate you so well as any Prince in my Realm suffering you still to enioy the countrey of Norwales and particularly beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered king Arban full wel doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy treacherie in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue mee become a traitour to his friends as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doe the worst thou canst thy villainie onely will take vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put thereto What said Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me frō sitting as king in London Neuer shall traitour replied Arban bee king of London by Gods leaue while the most honourable king of the world liueth I called for thee quoth Barsinan in respect of thine owne good because I fauoured thee more then any other imagining thou wert of sound discretion but as I haue said I finde my selfe deceiued wherefore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despite of thee I will reigne king in great Brittain Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will keepe thee frō such climbing as if the king my maister were here personally present Then began the assault afresh king Arban with-drawing himselfe to harden his men being maruailously offended at Barsinans words Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood hee brauely on his defence many being slaine and sore wounded neuerthelesse he was euer-more formost in the fight and last in the retreits which was caused by the night ensuing Nor neede wee doubt considering the puissance of Barsinan and they fewe on the contrary side but king Arban would take his aduantage in resistance by compelling them to narrow streets where foure on a side could hardly deal together which turned to the great disaduantage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with resh supply still encouraged his men The retreit being founded and either side with-drawne King Arban seeing his souldiers sore wearied by the hotte skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indeede hee came and comforted them in this manner My louing companions and friends this day haue you worthily fought as none of you but deserueth estimation among the most forward men in the world and hauing begun so well I hope you will proceede better and better Remember the cause of your fight not onely to maintaine your good king but your owne liberty against a tirant traitour and what worse who would buy his vsurping in this Kingdome with the blood of you your wiues and children Saw y ou not how he vsed them hee tooke in the Tower Beholde you not the end of his purpose which is to ruinate this noble Realme that hath by diuine prouidence beene so long time preserued and euer-more continued in reputation flourishing with loyal subiects to their Prince Heard you not the flattering perswasions which the Rebell vsed before the assault thinking to cōquervs by his golden tongue In vaine is his labour I am right well assured that no one of you but will die a thousand deathes before he shall conceiue any other minde in you I see by your resolued countenances if I should thinke or say otherwise I were a monstrous offender for if he haue more men then wee wee haue more hearts of courage then he which forbiddeth all accasions of dismaying setting before your eyes the famous account you shal liue in hereafter By their looks you might diserne at their retire how vnwillingly they wil be to trie you againe and respect not the traiterous words of Barsinan our king liueth and will right speedily come to succout vs. In meane while I intreat as my friendly companions let nothing dismay your hope but continue as you haue begun with famous resolutiō that is more honourable to die for liberty then to enioy a life by thraldome and slauerie vnder a wicked iniurous and traiterous Prince When the king had ended his oration there was no one in the company how sore hurt soeuer he was but would couragiously encounter Barsinans power and bid him brauely good-morrow next day in the Tower wherewith the king not a little contented returned to the Queenes lodging his face couered with sweate and his armour all bloody by reason of fiue woundes he receiued in fight The Ladyes seeing him in such pittious plight were maruailously abashed especially the Queene who well neere dead with griefe and fear together then as a woman in middest of despaire she said Alas deer Nephew what shall wee doe wee are all but dead Madame answered king Arban all will go well if God be pleased in vaine doe you thus discomfort your selfe for I hope to heare good tydings of the King and his traytours that seeke to vsurpe the kingdome by your good and loyall subiects shall receiue deserued punishment God grant it quoth she but you are so wounded as I thinke it impossible for you to bee at the battell if Barsinan come to morrow againe nor can our men doe anything without you Be not you troubled therewith Madame replyed king Arban for while my soule sucks her spirit from the ayre I will not forsake my charge So bidding her good night hee went to haue his wounds dressed and afterward turned to his souldiers merrily passing the night among them Barsinan on the other side got into the Tower of London which he had wonne and numbring his men found that his power was greatly weakened yet would hee make no shew thereof for dismaying the rest but shewing a dissembling countenance thus spake to them My friends it sufficeth that I haue shewen mine enemies what you are and they if I think good to stand at my mercy wherfore I am determined without any further losse of you to rest our selues fiue or sixe dayes till Arcalaus send me the head of king Lisuart and then the sight therof wil make thē not dare to resist mee any longer but in hope of
friend Presently came out of a valley a knight brauely prauncing well armed who said to Florestan What moues you sir to touch my Lady I cannot think she is yours answered Florestan seeing shee entreateth mee to cary her hence away Albeit shee would quoth the knight yet I thinke it not at this time so conuenient because I haue defended her from better then you are I know not how well you haue defended replied Florestan but she shall goe with me if I can helpe it By God sir answered the other you must first talk with the knights of this valley and feele how safely they can keepe such as they loue So placing their Lances in their rests they ran couragiously against each other the knight breaking his staffe but Florestan smot his shield so strongly against his helmet as the lace brake and his head was bare but worst of all he fel so heauily vpon his sword that with his weight brake in two pieces Florestan finished his carrire hauing his Launce whole and sound when turning againe to the knight hee saw that he moued neither hand or foote wherefore punching him with his Lance vpon the stomack said Pillard thou art dead if thou yeeld not The knight being recouered froÌ„ his traunce beholding the present danger of his life desired mercy which Florestan granted so he would freely resigne the Damosell She is at your pleasure replied the knight but cursed bee the houre when first I saw her For by her folleys she hath oftentimes endangered my life Florestan leauing him came to the Damosell saying Faire Lady now you are mine You haue so nobly won me quoth she as I remaine at your disposition As they were departing thence one of the other Damosels thus spake Alas sir will you seperate so good company it is a yeere and more since wee haue liued together and we would be loth now to depart in this manner If you please to accompany her answered Florestan I can be content to conduct you together and more I hope you will not request because I meane not to leaue my conquest I thinke not my selfe so foule replithe other damosel but some good knight may enterprise as great an aduenture for me mary it is to be doubted whether such hardinesse remaine in you or no. Why Lady quoth Florestan thinke you that feare can make me leaue ye I promise you on my faith but that I would not forcibly cary you away you should presently goe with me but if your will be so good let my squire helpe you vp on your hackney Which she did the dwarfe cryed againe as he did for the first whereupon another knight came immediatly foorth and alter him a squire bearing two Launces the knight vsing these words to Florestan You haue sir already won one Lady and not cÌ„ontent with her you seeke for another but now in one instant you must loose them both and your head I doubt to keepe them company because you beeing of no better race are vnworthy a Lady of so high calling Thou vauntest very much answered Florestan yet haue I two knights of my linage whom thou nor three such as thou art may bee thought worthy to serue Thy coÌ„mendations extend very far sayde the knight yet am I to meddle with none but thee who hast got a Lady from him that could not defend her but she must be mine if I conquer thee else by vanquishing me thou shalt be maister of them both together Now thou speakest reason quoth Florestan defend thy Lady well or without doubt shee will fall to my share So giuing the spurres to their horses they committed this controuersie to be tryed by the Lance when though the Prince failed in the race and the other brake his staffe very manfully yet being angry at his mis-hap at the second course he seÌ„t the knight so violently to the ground as hee thought euery bone of him was broken in pieces Thus was he safely possessed of the second Damosell and very loth hee was to leaue the third there alone but shee beholding their host that conducted them thither spake to him in this manner My friend I would aduise ye to bee gone because you know these two knights cannot resist him will presently come then if you be taken you are sure to dy the death Beleeue mee Lady quoth hee I meane now to see the end of all for my horse is quick of pace and my tower strong enough to defend me from him Well looke to your selues said the Damosell you bee but three and one of you vnarmed but if he were it might not auaile him When Florestan heard how shee praised him that was to come he was more desirous to cary her away then before onely because hee would haue a fight of him and therefore bad his Squire to set her on horse-backe as he did the other when the Dwarffe in the oliue tree deliuered these wordes Beleeue me Sir knight in an euill houre came this boldnesse on you for presently commeth one who will reuenge his companions Foorth of the valley came a knight in gilt armour mounted on a lusty bay courser the man resembling a Giant in proportion and reputed to be of incredible strength After him followed two Squires armed each of them carying a hatchet in his hand and so soone as he came neere Florestan he thus spake Stay knight fly not for by flight thou art not able to saue thy life better is it for thee to dye like a good knight then a coward especially when by cowardise thou caâ—st not escape Florestan hearing such menaces of death contemning likewise a man of no value incenced with anger hee returned this answere Monster Beast Diuell or whatsoeuer thou art reason I see thou wantest so little do I esteeme thy prodigall words that I thinke thou hast no better weapons to fight withall I greeue saide the Knight that I cannot haue my fill in reuenge on thee but I would foure of the best of thy linage were here with thee for mee to slice off their heads as I wil do thine Look to thine owne thou wert best answered Florestan for I hope I am sufficient to excuse them and bee their Lieutenant in this matter on thee Thus sundring themselues in rage and fury they met together that the beating of their horses hoous made the earth to groan and the breach of their Launces made a terrible noise but the great knight lost his stirrops and had fallen to the ground if by catching hold about his horse necke hee had not escaped As Florestan helde on his course hee caught a hatchet from one of the squires wherewith he smote him quite beside his horse and by time he returned the Knight had recouered his seate againe and the hatchet which the other Squire held Now begins a dreadfull combat betweene them such cruell strokes being giuen at each other with their hatchets as though their helmets were of right trusty steele yet they
be do follow me Truly answered Gandalin me thinks you are farre enough out of the way besides your horse is so wearie as if you let him not rest a little it is impossible for him to beare you any longer I pray thee said he in weeping do what thou shalt thinke best for whether I stay or goe my sorrows are remediles Eate then a little of this bread which I haue brought for your sustenance answered Gandalin but he refused it What will you then do said he shall I tell you whereupon I studied euen now It is all one to me answered Amadis I thinke on nothing so much as my death Then hearken vnto me if it please you said Gandalin I haue long time mused vpon the letter which Oriana sent vnto you as also vpon the words which the knight vttered against whom you did fight and so consequently vpon the lightnesse and inconstancy where-with women are endued for seeing she hath changed her loue and your selfe for a stranger shee witnesseth very well what trust a man should repose in such as she is and on the other side when I consider her vertues I thinke it in a manner impossible that she should so farre forget her selfe But it may be that in your absence some false report of you hath been made vnto her whereby she hath conceiued this displeasure against you the concealing whereof so much the more increased her grief Notwithstanding seeing you are assured that you neuer offended her although she haue beene too credulous yet in the end the truth will be knowne and thereby your innocency the more apparant it seemeth vnto me that you should not thus despaire seeing that shee may repent her folly and acknowledge the wrong which she hath done vnto you in such sort as requiring pardon for her misconceit she may make you amends with more ioy contentment then you euer yet enioyed together therfore inforce your selfe to eate that you may be able hereafter to preserue your life but if you do wilfully suffer the same thus to be lost you shall also loose all the good honor that euer you may or can hope for in this world Hold thy peace said Amadis for thou hast so shamefully and wickedly lied as I know no man which would not be displeased to heare thee thus to accuse her because that so wise a Princesse neuer did amisse at any time and if I die I haue well deserued it seeing that she shall be obeied and satisfied euen vntill my death And be thou assured if I did not thinke that thou speakest this onely with intent thereby to asswage my sorrow I would presently strike thy head from thy shoulders for the offence which thou hast done vnto me and take heed that henceforth you commit not the like fault When he had so said he arose vp in a great rage and walked vp along the riuer so pensiue that he knew not what way he should take Which Gandalin perceiuing fearing his anger and thinking also that he would not goe farre he let him alone and laid him downe to sleepe his eyes beeing very heauie with watching When Amadis was returned vnto him and perceiued him so sound asleepe hee would not wake him but took his owne horse and sadled him then did he hide the bridle and harnesse of Gandalins horse in the bushes to the end when he awaked he might not follow him Then he armed himselfe and mounted on horse-backe coasting ouer the top of the mountaine Thus without any stay at all hee rode till it was within foure houres of the sun setting discending then into a great plaine where there were two high trees and vnder them a faire fountaine commonly called The fountaine of the plaine field to which hee went to water his horse And as he approched neere the fountaine he beheld a religious man clothed poorly in a garment made of gotes haire hauing his beard and head all white who was watering his Asse Amadis saluted him asking him if he were a Priest Truely said the olde man it is more then forty yeeres since I first said Masse The gladder am I thereof said Amadis Then he alighted took his saddle and bridle from his horse who finding himselfe at liberty began to run towards the Forrest Amadis minding not to follow him but threw off all his armour which done he kneeled at the olde mans feete who taking him vp by the hand made him sit downe by him beholding him well he thought him to bee the fairest Gentleman that euer he saw although hee was pale and wan hauing his face all bedewed with teares whereat the Hermit was moued with so great compassion that hee sayde vnto him Knight you seeme to bee full of sorrow and if your griefe proceede from the repentance of any sinne that you haue committed In truth my son you are very happy and if it bee for any temporall losse then I thinke seeing your youth and the estate wherein you haue liued vnto this present you shold not thus vēxe your selfe but pray for forgiuenesse Then hee gaue him his blessing saying Goe too now confesse your sins Here-upon Amadis began to tell the whole discourse of his life without letting any thing passe Truely saide the holy man seeing that you are discended of so high a birth you ought to bee the more vertuous yet you must not dispaire for any tribulation that may happen vnto you cheefely for this that proceedeth from the occasion of a woman who is as easily won as she is lightly lost Wherefore my son I councell you to forget such vanities and henceforth to banish the thought of such a miserable manner of life from you for it will not onely be yrkesome vnto you but also euery vertuous person will condemne you for it Ah father answered Amadis I am now in such extreamitie that it is impossible I should liue any long time wherefore I humbly pray you to receiue mee into your company and to comfort my poore soule for that little time which it hath to remain in this vnhappy body When the good olde man heard him speake with such affection he sayde vnto him I promise you my friend it is ill done of you who are a knight yet young and of a comely stature to fall into such desparie seeing that women cannot continue their loue but by presence of those whome they loue for by nature they are quickly forgetfull and light of beleefe especially where any thing is reported vnto them of such as haue fondly yeelded them-selues to them who when they think to haue nothing but ioy and contentment do finde themselues plunged in all sorrow and tribulation as you now feele by experience Wherefore I pray you henceforth to be more vertuous and constant and seeing you are borne a Kings son and likely to gouerne a Kingdome returne to the world for it should be a great hurt to loose you in this sort and I cannot presume what she might bee
promised not to forsake him During this coÌ„ference Mabila sent to seeke Gandalin for shee would speake with him before shee went to Mirefleur who came vnto her and as soone as hee did see her he could not possibly refraine from weeping nor she likewise Afterwards hauing some-what eased their hearts with their exceeding teares Gandalin spake first saying vnto Mabila Alas Madame what wrong hath Oriana offered not onely to you hut vnto all your lignage together causing you to lose the best Knight in the world Ah how ingratefull hath she shewed her selfe vnto you for the seruice which you haue done vnto her and that which is yet worst of all she hath wronged him that neuer offended her either in word or thought wherefore I may well say that God hath very ill bestowed vpon her that great beauty and other excellent gifts where-with he hath endued her seeing they are gouerned and ouer-ruled with so great treason and yet I am well assured that none hath lost more then she Gandalin my friend answered Mabila I pray thee put that thought forth of thy minde for thou art ouer-much deceiued seeing that all which my Lady Oriana hath done hath beene for the griefe and displeasure that she coÌ„ceiued for one word which was ouer-lightly reported vnto her through which she hath conceiued some occasion of iélousie imagining that thy maister had forgotten her and that the affection which he did beare vnto her was turned and bestowed vpon another Notwithstanding she did neuer imagine that her letter written in choller should haue beene of such consequence nor that so much hurt should haue proceeded thereof but shee committed this fault as one that was caryed away with too extreame loue which fault is the more pardonable in her for the repentance which she hath endured euer since Ayâ—… saide Gandalin how was the discreete vnderstanding of my Lady and you abused at that time iâ—â—gining that my maister could only but thinke to commit so hainous 〈◊〉 fault against her whom before hee should haue offended hee would haue suffered himselfe to be buried quick vnder the ground and I pâ—… you Madam tel me if it please you the roote of this mischiefe and what was that vnhappy worde which so troubled the vertue spirit of you both to caâ—…e the death of the most perfect Knight that euer was borne Ardan the Dwarffe answered Mabila thinking to speake for the aduantage of Amadis was the occasion of all this mischiefe Then she recited vnto him at large the whole discourse of the three peeces of the sword as you haue heard in the first booke And assure thee Gandalin said she that neither the Damosell of Denmarke nor I were euer able to driue it from the fantasie of Oriana but that she was forsaken by him so as shee still perceiuing that shee was coÌ„traried by the Damosell of Denmarke and me did hide her selfe from vs and vnawares to vs both she wrot vnto him that vnhappy letter which Durin did bring him by the which is sprung the whole sourse of this mischiefe Whereof shee hath since that time often enough repented her for from the first houre that she did heare of Amadis his losse shee hath receiued so great sorrow and griefe that it is impossible to receiue any more and neuerthelesse we haue been in a manner very glad of her punishment seeing that she hath not yet feared to procure his displeasure that of her hath so well deserued All this discourse did Oriana heare who was in her wardrobe and perceiuing that they had changed then talke shee came forth as if she had heard nothing at all And as shee would haue spoken vnto Gandalin the teares distilled from her eyes and she began to tremble so extreamely that she fell downe all along vpon the floore crying Gentle Gandalin if thou art the same that thou shouldest be vnto thy maister reuenge vpoÌ„ me forth-with the greate miserie which vniustly he endureth Madam answered hee what would you haue mee to do I pray thee said she kill me and since I haue most iniuriously caused his death thou oughtest not in reason to defer the reuenge thereof for I am sure he wold haue done more for thee Saying so her speech failed and shee swouned as though she had bin departed But Mabila accustomed to such qualms did releeue her with a present and fit remedy that when she came to her selfe againe she cried wringing her hands Ah Gandalin thou doest mee great wrong thus long to defer my end I would to God that thy father were in thy place I am sure that hee would bestir himselfe better theÌ„ thou doest Madame answered Gandalin God defend me from such disloyalty I should truely play the part of the notablest villaine in the world if I should but onely thinke such a thought much more if I should commit two so great treasons one against you and the other against my Lord who cannot liue one only houre after you And I would neuer haue thought that so wicked couÌ„sell should haue had any place within your spirit for the incertainty that you haue of my maister his death who could haue hardly endured this wrong which you now in these words haue offered him without endangering his life for death commeth not but at the will and pleasure of God who hath not bestowed these fauours vpon him euer since his natiuitie that for any iniurie that you haue done vnto him he will permit that he should yet die Many other reasons and perswasions did Gandalin vse to Oriana which gaue great ease to her matirdom by means where-of she said vnto him Gandalin my friend I am determined to morrow morning to depart vnto Mirefleur to expect either life or death according to the newes which the Damosell of Denmarke shall bring vnto me And because I shall remaine there some long time I pray thee vnder the colour of seeing Mabila to come and visit vs often-times for me thinkes my sorrow decreaseth when I doe see thee Madame answered Gandalin I am ready to obey you in whatsoeuer it shall please you to command mee This said he tooke his leaue of her and as he departed from thence he passed by where the Queene was who caused him to be called and then shee saide vnto him Gandalin my friend wherfore didst thou forsake thy maister Madame answered he it was sore against my will and to my great griefe Then hee rehersed the manner how hee departed from the hermitage and the complaints and lamentations that he made especially he declared what his manner and behauiour was when he found him in the bottom of the valley which moued the Queene vnto such pittie that shee shed luke warme teares thereat Whereunto Gandalin taking good heed said vnto her Madam your highnesse hath reason to lament the losse of my Lord for hee was your graces most humble seruant Nay rather my good friend and protector answered she and I would it were the Lords
and contentment then before knowing that he was so neere that ioy which hee should receiue with his Lady Oriana In this cogitation remained the Faire Forlorne vntill after sun set when hee mounted on horseback and came vnto the place that Durin had assigned him where he fouÌ„d him together with Gandalin who stayed there for him to take his horse TheÌ„ he alighted down demanded of them what the ladies were doing my Lord answered Gandalin they are on the other side in the gardeÌ„ where they haue already staied for you more then foure houres Help me then to get vp The which they did and hee being vpon the wall beholding Oriana and Mibila on the other side hauing not so much patience as to stay for their helpe he leaped from the top of the wall downe to the ground and as hee would haue kneeled to haue done his dutie the Princesse ran to embrace him and in kissing him she was like to haue fallen in a swound betweene his armes But who could imagine the pleasure that they yeelded the one vnto the other Amadis hee trembled like a leafe not being able to speake one Word holding his mouth close vnto Orianaâ—s who as it were in an extasie did behold him with such an eye that it made them both twaine to liue and die together In this sort they remained more then a good quarter of an houre and euen vntill that Mabila smiling said vnto Oriana Madam I pray you at the least before my cosin do die let vs haue a sight of him if it please you Soft and faire answered Oriana let mee a while alone with him and then you shall after-wards haue him at your pleasure Herewithall Amadis saluting Mabila said vnto her My good Cosin this is not the first day that you haue knowne how much I am yours I beleeue you well sir but my Lady would haue you wholly to her selfe Alas said she haue I not reason seeing that I alone was likely by my fault to haue beene the causer of his losse Beleeue me deere friend the griefe which you felt and the teeres that you haue shed by the fault that I committed shall be now both acknowledged and thorowly recompenced Madam said Amadis you haue neuer been at any time but the procurer of all my happinesse and fauor and if I haue felt any tribulation I and not you haue been the causer thereof therefore haue I iustly sustained whatsoeuer sorrow I haue suffered Alas sweete loue answered Oriana when I thinke vpon the estate wherein Corisanda and the Damosell of Denmarke did finde you and the abundance of teares and lamentations that continually distilled from your eyes as they haue told me I assure you that yet my mind is troubled therwith Madam said hee the teares wherof you speake were no teares for long before the comming of Corisanda to the poore Rock the spring whereof was dried vp but it was an humor proceeding from my heart the which did so continually burne in your loue that being constrained by the force of the flame it did draw vp to the eyes that moysture which nature had placed about the heart to preserue it and to giue it life and I beeleue that if the Damosell of Denmarke had stayed from bringing me that reliefe which I receiued of her in steede of teares which distilled from mine eyes the soule it selfe had departed Sweete loue said the Princesse I know well that I committed a great errour in writing that letter which Durin did bring to you but you should then haue remembred how that all women are weake and very light of beleefe especially in things wherein they are affectioned and wherein by too extreame loue they are often times carried away made suspitious euen as I haue beene against you wherefore the greater that mine offence is the greater praise shall you win in pardoning me the which I beseech you to do being ready to receiue such punishment therefore as it shall please you to giue vnto me and to satisfie you at your owne discretion Alas Madam said Amadis it is I that should demand pardon of you for if I should die for your loue most pleasant would that death be vnto me But this much I assure you that I had neuer beene able to haue resisted this great sorrow that I haue suffered had it not beene that my martiredome was eased knowing the pleasure which you would receiue in the same that it tooke such force vnto it as death was not of sufficient power in any sort to bring it to an end Let vs leaue off this talke for this time said Mabila you haue both suffered wrong determine therefore henceforth how it may be recompensed and now to eschue the vapours of the night which may be vnto you somewhat hurtfull let vs retire vnto some couert I like your counsell well answered Oriana Therewithall Amadis was brought into her chamber and presently Mabila and the Damosel of Denmarke knowing that they should do them a pleasure to leaue them alone went forth faining to goe about some other affaires Then the princesse requested Amadis to sit downe in a chayre couered with veluet which stood in a corner of the chamber and she stood leaning vpon him that shee might at more ease kisse him and hang about his necke whereupon he being ouercome with an extream amorous passion left off his wonted modesty thrusting one of his hands into Oriana her prettie breasts and the other towards the place by him most affected where-with Oriana halfe ashamed in stretching her selfe along because she would not looke in his face saide vnto him My deere loue I beleeue that the hermit of the poore Rock taught you not this lesson Madame answered hee I beseech you to pardon my rashnesse takeing pitty of me and seeing that both time and place is so fauourable vnto vs be not you more contrary vnto me then they but suffer mee to continue that fauour wherof by your good grace I haue taken possession when I deliuered you from the handes of Arcalaus My ioy answered Oriana you know that I am so wholly yours that you cannot dispose of your selfe more then of me neuerthelesse how may I possibly at this time satisfie your desire seeing that your Cosin and the Damosel of Denmarke are so neere vnto vs Alas said he they haue hitherto been the cause of my life and now since they haue farther assisted me do you thinke that they will desire my death Assure you Madam that they are already so well acquainted with our affections especially the Damosell of Denmarke that although they haue not seen them effected yet it mny be they haue presumed as much and more therfore I beseech you in acquiting you of your promise to succour me Which said hee gaue such large scope vnto his passions that notwithstanding all the faint resistance that Oriana could make against him hee had that of her which he most desired tasting together of the sweete fruit which
the Faire Forlorne seeing that his blow had so well profited as that therewithall hee had slaine such a Gyant and deliuered the King in like sort hee began to cry aloud Gaule Gaule here is Amadis who is yet aliue So saying hee entred amongst the thickest of his enemies who had in a manner lost their hearts by seeing two of the principallest of their army in that sort to be slaine especially knowing that Amadis whom they long before thought to bee dead was present to their confusion And had not Gandaturiell one of the strongest Gyants in their troupe encouraged them againe they had then surely turned their backs but hee valiantly made head against his enemies which being perceiued by Amadis who was desirous to reuenge his brother Galaor whom hee imagined to bee dead he thrust himselfe amongst his enemies and entred into the thickest of the presse so farre that there he had remained without the ayd which King Lisuart brought vnto him who had recouered his horse and there were in his companie Bruneo Florestan Guillan Laâ—asin Galuanes Olinas and Don Grumedan who carryed his standard which was cut asunder betweene his armes All those seeing Amadis in so great danger although the most part of them were very sorely wounded had such exceeding ioy when they knewe that it was hee that they bestirred them in such sort as notwithstanding all the resistance that these Irishmen could make they gaue ayde vnto Amadis and passing on further they found Agraies Palomir Branfil and Dragonis manfully fighting on foote against those that had throwne them downe Yet they were so neerely driuen that they could not any longer withstand the force of their enemies although they had already slaine more then sixe as well Gyants as Irishmen which would haue ouer-runne them and without doubt they had beene so handled had not these succours come vnto them So that they which would haue forced them had enough to doe to defend themselues because that Amadis in spight of them made them to recoyle backe and that in such sort as with the ayde of his troupe hee was the meane that his Cosen Agraies and his fellowes did remount their horses Then the forces of King Lisuart encreased and the Irish troupes decreased who dispairing of all helpe had recourse vnto their vessels which were afloate hard by the shoare to saue their booty if Fortune had not contradicted them but Amadis pursuing the victory chased them with such fury that the most part of the vanquished desired rather to be buried amidst the waues of the Sea then on the shoare which was so died and watered with their blood The which Gandaturiell perceiuing being esteemed amongst all the Gyants one of the stoutest without any feare at all of his death which hee saw ready prepared for him desiring before the end of his dayes to bee reuenged bearing his head somewhat lowe and holding his sharp sword in his hand he would haue stroken at king Lisuart but Florestan stepped before him who hit him so sound a knock with his sword vpon the Helmet that hee made it flie from his head and the King who was hard at hand seeing him bare diuided his pate into two parts Then was there a great slaughter of the Irishmen for they were all now ouerthrowne by Amadis Florestan and Agraies who persued them euen into the Sea where they were swallowed vp with waues wherewith king Lisuart and his people retyred And because that Amadis had marked the place where hee had seene Galaor stroken downe hee prayed his Cosen Agraies others that they would helpe him to finde him amongst the dead Neuerthelesse they had not found him without the helpe of Florestan who knew him by a greene sleeue which hee did weare wrought full of white flowers but hee was so couered with blood dust that they could scant knowe him And I doe not knowe so hard a heart which had then seene the mone that Amadis did make for him that would not haue burst forth into teares for he beholding him in this estate fell down all along vpon him Whereby his wounds did open against which the congealed blood was already setled and I thinke that Amadis had died vpon him if twelue Damosels had not by chaunce come thither suddenly who were very richly attyred and had caused a rich bed to bee brought by their Esquires these finding Amadis so desperate sayde vnto him My Lord wee are come hither to seeke your brother Galaor and if you will euer see him aliue suffer vs to carry him presently away otherwise there is no Chyrurgion in all Great Brittaine that is able to heale him Herewithall Amadis was greatly ashamed because the Damosels had found him in that order and although that hee knew them not yet hearing them speak of his brothers health hee determined seeing the extreame perill wherein he was not to refuse their request though it was to his extreame griefe And therefore he answered them my faire gentlewomen may in please you to tell vs whither you will carry him Not now said they but if you will desire to haue him liue giue him vnto vs without any longer delay otherwise wee will be gone Alas answered he I pray let mee followe you You may not and yet for your sake wee are coÌ„tent that Ardan the Dwarffe and his Esquire shall accompanie him Then they layd him vpon the bed all armed as hee was they caused him forthwith to be carried into the ship from whence they were come which was yet close to the shoare Afterwards they returned againe vnto king Lisuart to entreate him that hee would giue them king Cildadan who lay among the dead and to induce him thereunto they shewed vnto him that although Fortune had fauoured him in this exployt yet hee should not exteÌ„d his cruelty vpon his enemy The which the King considering permitted them to carry him away dead or aliue wherefore the Damosels took him vp and carried him away with Galaor and so soone as they came into the ship they set sayle hauing the winde so faire that suddenly they were out of all mens sight Thus king Lisuart remayned coÌ„querour ouer his enemies going quite through the field to find out as well such of his owne people as those of his enemies that were not yet thoroughly dead to cause them carefully to bee looked vnto by skilfull Surgeons And as hee went from one place to another hee met with Amadis whose face was all to be blubbered with tears vnto whom he had not as yet spoken since his returne and seeing him so heauy after he had knowne the cause of his mone hee shewed an euident signe of the sorrow that he sustayned for Galaors sake whoÌ„ hee loued as dearely as himselfe not without cause for from the first day that hee receiued him for one of his knights he alwaies serued him faithfully neuer forsaking him for any warre or debate that happened betweene his maiesty Amadis as hereafter
then sweetly kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Country then you imagine therefore I pray ye be not vnmindfull of this place So arose Elisena and went to her Chamber with Darioletta leauing the king alone not a little contented with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signifie he became desirous to returne to his owne Country where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences himselfe likewise in former times tooke great pleasure therein and vnderstood sundry rules thereof Neuerthelesse he soiourned ten dayes with king Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunt The ten dayes being spent king Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to depart and therefore tooke his leaue of the Court but as he wold haue mounted on horsebacke he perceiued that he wanted his good Sword whereat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fairest in the world yet durst he not demand it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena should thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his Chamber In these thoughts accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came intreated him to be mindfull of the great griefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the solemne promise he had made her Alas my deere friend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to see her in meane while I commend her to you as mine owne proper hart Then taking from his finger a Ring semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great greefe but encrease it so that if she had not beene comforted by Darioletta without doubt she had then finished her dayes but so well she perswaded her to take good hope that by the alligations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothly to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes whereof she not onely lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mis-hap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable lawe that any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her selfe from death This sharpe and cruell custome endured til the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that Country which he reuoked at the time as be killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betweene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady could not be absolued by ignoraunce thereof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Sword God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the worlde because it was done so secretly as you haue heard See here the distresse wherein King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she wold giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the prompritude of this yong Knng that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also seeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therefore he was the harder to be found Thus dispairing of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true friend and onely Lord. But at that instant the great and puissant maker of all thinges by whose permssion this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such councell as she onely should remedie these occurrances in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber-vault seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer whereto one might easily discend by a little Iron dore this Chamber by the aduice of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to coÌ„tinue her accustomed solitary life and would haue none other companion then Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous greefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heereupon was the keye of the Iron dore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherefore beeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference she requited councell what should be done with the fruit that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta Mary it must suffer to redeeme you Oh poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I coÌ„sent to the death of the creature begoten by the only man of the worlde whome most I loue offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth saide Elisena although I dye beeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue we this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great folly to hazard the safety of that which hereafter may be the onely cause of your losse and your friend likewise for well you knowe that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue you dying no longer can he liue that so dâ—erâ—ly loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of all three where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand seeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boards of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherein to put the infant with the clothes the Sword which she kept then did she giue them together in such sorte as the water should haue no place to enter This beeing done made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing there-of to Elisena vntil the time of child-birth approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know
to whom he seemed no lesse beautyfull then he did to the Queene wherefore he commanded Gandales to fetch him for when I goe hence quoth he I will take him with me and haue him brought vp with mine one Son In sooth my Lord answered Gandales he is yet to yong to leaue his Mother but hauing brought him presented him to the King who said Faire Child will ye go with me to the Court My Lord answered the Childe I will goe whether you please if my brother shall goe with me And I quoth Gandalin will not tarry here without him I perceiue my Lord said Gandales that if you take the one you must needes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him said My Son I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I do their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My childe that so soone beginnest to proue fortunate now I see thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thee if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for suffer that the words of Vrganda the vnknowne spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to see the time of those great meruailes promised thee in Armes The King who noted Gandales seeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beleeue me I neuer thought you had bene such a foole as to weepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you thinke for and if it please you to know the truth I will presently tell ye heere before your Queene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the sea and in what equipage and he had proceeded with that which Vrganda foretold him but that he remembred the oath he tooke Now my Lord said Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage Whē the King heard this he esteemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the child he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing god hath done so much for him as to preserue him frō so great a danger that now we be diligent in his education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Queene so please you he shal be mine during his young yeeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on the next morning the King would set forward wherefore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the yong Gentleman of the sea whom she commanded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a cheerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery ore so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now doth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion his new freind Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard being in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosphers the exposition of his dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing thereof As he thus sadly spent his dayes it chanced that another Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to know that King Garinter her Father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pitty her in that the King of Scots would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garinter was Perion somewhat sorrowfull but yet he comforted himselfe by thinking he should goe to see his friend towards whom he had not diminished one iot of his affection wherefore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your Mistresse that without staying one whole day I shall be in short time with her The Damosell well pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so speedily as he ariued in little Brittaine where he heard newes that king Languines had already gotten all the cheefe of the Country except those Cities which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed himselfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgments and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming feasting of one another the King told her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kindred and Subiects which she did with all diligence could be deuised as also with so great contentation as her heart might desire for herein only consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scots and how to accomplish this King Perion was already arriued with his Sister he sent immediatly for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in doing honor and wel-come to the King his brother At his comming he was gratiously receiued by King Perion and after by embracings they had saluted each other and the nuptials likewise thorowly ended the kings determined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauailing toward Gaule with his Queene Elisena somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh himselfe along by a Riuer side while the tentes were erecting he rode softly alone by the waterbancke imagining how he might know the truth whether Elisena had a child aaccording as his Philosophertold him in expounding his dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without any regarde he came to an Hermitage which was neere at hand wherefore finding him-selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horse to a tree that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very antient religious man who comming to meete him said Knight is it true that king Perion is marryed to our kings daughter yea verily answered the king Praised be God said the good Hermit for I know certainly that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replied the king Euen from her owne mouth said the good olde man The king then hoping he shoud heare of him the thing which he most desired to know said I pray ye Father tell me what
you 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 recoūted 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 her singuler 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 But the little Galaor being two yeeres and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the king his father soiourning not farre from the sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a 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 whom she loued as her owne life and in this extreame dollour she remembred 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 place 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 the 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 yong 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 kepta 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 embarqued to execute 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 shalt
made to me Madame quoth he I know in my selfe so small deseruing toward you that I account my selfe vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should thinke I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to cōmand me What said shee haue you so base a mind such smal estimatiō of your selfe Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replied the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the king your father left you in this Country if you remember and when the Queene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours onely I reputed my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes said Oriana you tooke her words to better end then at that time she meant them which I take in good part and am content it shall be so No sooner had she thus said but the Prince was ouercome with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew thereof but said she would goe to the Queene to doe what he had desired and returned soone after telling him that her griefe was for the Queene of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would go succor her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death said he for without your gracious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these words Oriana smiled saying Seeing then you are mine I grant you to be my Knight and you shall aide the Queenes sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thanks telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose hands so pleased you to intreate it I would more willingly receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that said she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner grant it So presently she went to her and told what she and the Gentleman of the sea had concluded to attaine his Knight-hood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistance in the sute Mabila who loued the Prince very well thus answered I assure ye sister there shal be no want in me for so well doth the Gentleman deserue as would make one do much more then this for him wherefore let him be ready this night in the Queens Chappell then when time shall serue we will go with our women to accompany him and I will send for the King mine Vncle which shall be somewhat before the breake of day that he may come see me and he being come to vs you and I will moue him in the matter which I hope he will grant vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherefore they sent for the Prince and tolde him al the platforme they had laid who humbly thanking them wold prouide all things ready for him-selfe and therefore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine armour so closely as you can into the Queenes Chappell because I hope this night to receiue mine order and for I must right soone depart hence I would know if you haue any will to beare me company Beleeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I depart from ye Of these words was the Prince so glad that the teares stood in his eyes with ioy Well said he prouide all things ready as I told ye wherein Gandalin failed not for ere supper he tooke such order as all was done vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretly into the Chappell where he armed himselfe except the head hands So staying there for the Ladies King Perion he fel on his knees before the Alter desiring God to be his aide not onely in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortal passiōs The night being come the Queen with-drawne the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their womē came to the chappel where the Gentlemā of the sea attended Mabila hauing sent for K. Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My L. seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hither I pray you grant Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be loath saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thanke him whom whē he beheld so faire he thought all the world could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame doth it please you to command me any thing Not cōmand my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of knight-hood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altar When the king saw him he wondred at his goodly stature and said to him My friend would you receiue the order of Knight-hood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it done said the King who giue you grace so well to proceede therein as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spur and dubbing him with his Sword thus spake Now haueye the Order appertaining to a Knight but I would oppertunity had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor notwithstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renowne shall supply what wanteth here in performance Afterward King Perion took leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him then set on his way toward Gaule cōmending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimony of these louers sweete desires If it seeme to the Reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answer that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which thinke themselues most expert in those pleasing and amorous actions haue beene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not only he depriued them of speech but of iudgment also
be answered the Prince vnlesse you thinke I haue done wrong in succouring the husband to this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dy When the three Knights heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had bene abused by their sister wherefore they thus replied In sooth my Lord so please you to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assurance so to doe said the Prince yet will I not acquit ye from the combate Then he that first spake rehersed all the words of their sister according as hath beene already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villanie disguised in such sorte for she hath done far otherwise as you may vnderstand by her husband himselfe who being nere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at hand Seeing it hath so fallen out said the three bretheren dispose of vs as they that remain at your mercy And mercy shall ye haue answered the Prince if first ye will loyally sweare to me that you will cary this woman and her husband to the Court of King Languines there before him recite al that hath happened saying withall how you were thereto constrained by a yong Knight that sent ye thether who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this mis-deed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to performe wherefore commending them to God he rode away leauing them together CHAP. VI. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentle-man of the sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knights the Gentle-man of the sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not ridden long till they saw two Damosels come toward them by two sundry waies who addressed them-selues to meete together which when they had done they entred into communication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and whē they were come to the Prince she with the Launce aduanced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three dayes it will stand ye in good steed as therewith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these words thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shal be quoth she euen so as I haue said and this present I was desirous to bring ye as a beginning of recompence for two fauours I hope to receiue by you the first whereof shall be When one of your best friends shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue whereby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath done these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doe my friend Full well I known quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you must note was Vrganda the vnknowne When the other Damosell who heard the words saw her forsake her company she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doe wherefore she said My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conueneient I would gladly for a while abide with ye deferring a iourny that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demand of whence she was where-to she replied that she was of Denmarke And that himselfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assurance thereof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country speech whereupon he said If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tell me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I see her till now I met her on the way and then she said to me that the Launce she caried she would giue to the best Knight in the world desiring me withall to let you vnderstand after her departure that she bare you great affection and how she was named Vrganda the vnknowne Ah God quoth he how infortunate am I ◅ot knowing her if I forbare now presently to follow her you must thinke Lady the cause is that I cannot find her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the dark euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chanced that they met with a Squire who demanded where they intended to find lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith said the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you cannot long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct you to a Castle belonging to my father who shall do you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosel thinking this councel good desired the Prince to accept there-of which he did therefore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them derectly forth of the way because he had neuer seene the combates of Knights errand and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought thē to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could the Prince take no rest all the night for thinking on the Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gone and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire said he would bring them againe into their way acquainting the Prince as he rode with the custome of the Castell which being very neere at hand he shewed them the Castell standing very strong and pleasantly for before it ran a huge swift Riuer and no passage thereto but ouer a long draw-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence thereof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needs passe thether by the bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsaull passage March on then said the Prince wherewith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the sea remaining behind entred into such thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well neere forgotten himselfe but at length he heard the noyse of sixe Halberders armed with Corslets and Helmets who at the entrance of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oath that she should neuer beare loue to hir friend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland against King Perion which she refusing cried to the Prince for his assistance This clamour made him forget his musing when adressing himselfe to the Palliardes he said Traiterous villaines who commanded you to lay hands on this Lady
being in my charge In speaking these words he came to the chiefest of the sixe from whom right-soone he caught his hatchet and gaue him such a stroke therewith as he fell to the ground All the other together presently set vpon him but one of thē he sliced to the very teeth and sooner after another bare him company with the losse of his arme When the three that were left saw their companions so handled they tooke themselues to flight and the Prince followed them so neere as one of them left his legge behinde him the other twaine he let go returning where he left the Damosel to whom he said Now boldly go on and like euill fortune may they haue that encourage any villany to lay forsible hand on Lady or Damosell She being assured by these words went on with the Prince and his Squires but ere they had gone any thing far they heard a great noyse tumult within the Castell Me thinkes Sir said the Damosel I heare a meruailous murmuring within this Fortresse therefore I would aduise ye to take the rest of your armour Goe on quoth the Prince and feare not for where Ladies are euill entreated who ought euery where to goe in safety there hardly abideth any man of valew In sooth said she if you doe not what I haue desired I will not passe any further and so much shee perswaded him that at length he laced on his Helmet afterward he went into the Castell at the entrance whereof he met a squire weeping who said Ah God why will they murder without cause the best knight in the world alas they wold inforce him to promise what is impossible for him to accomplish These words of the Squire could not stay the Prince for he saw King Perion who had so lately Knighted him very hardly vsed by two Knights who with the helpe of ten armed Halberders had round beset him saying sweare if not thou diest Greatly did it grieue the Prince to see such out-rage offered to King Perion wherefore he thus called to them Traiterous villaines what moues you to misuse the best Knight in the world by heauen you shall all die for him At these words one of the Knights left the King and taking fiue Halberders with him came to the Prince saying It likewise behoueth you to sweare if not you can escape no better then an other What quoth he shal I then sweare against my will by Gods leaue it shall not be so Then they of the Castell cryed to the Porter that he should shut the gate wherefore the Prince now saw he must stand vpon his defence whereupon hee ran fiercely against the Knight charging him in such sorte as he fell downe dead ouer the crupper of his Horse for in the fall he brake his necke Which the Prince beholding not tarring any longer with the Halberders came to the other knight that combated with K. Perton piercing his Launce quite through his body so that he accompanied the first in fortune King Perion seeing himselfe thus succoured so cheered vp his hart as he did much better then before against his enemies causing them by sharpe strokes of his Sword to retire in meane while the Gentle-man of the sea being on Horse-backe ranne among them and scattered them tumbling one downe heere and another there so that at length by the aid of the king they were all slaine except certaine that fled away on the top of the walles But the Prince alighted and followed them whereat they were so affrighted as they cast themselues downe headlong frō the wals only two got them into a Chamber where they thought to remaine in safetie notwithstanding he pursued them so neer as he buckled pel mel with them But within the Chamber on a bed lay an ancient knight whose vnweldy age had taken from him the vse of his legges to them that came in he vsed these speeches Cowardly villaines frō whom run ye so shamefully From a knight answered one of them who hath plaide the Diuell in your Castell for he hath slaine your two Nephewes and all our companions As thus he spake the Prince caught him by the head saying Tell me villaine where is the Lord of this place o◠esse thou diest The poore man seeing himselfe in such perill shewed him the old knight lying on the bed but when the Prince saw him so old and decrepite he blamed him in this manner Thou wretched olde man hath death already seazed on thy bones and yet doost thou cause such a wicked custome to be maintained heere Well dooth thine age excuse thee from bearing Armes yet shall I giue thee thy desert belonging to such a villaine With these words he made offer to smite off his head Wherefore the affrighted olde man cried Alas my Lord for Gods sake mercy None at all quoth the Prince thou art dead if thou swearest not to me that while thou liuest such like treason shall be no more maintained in this place whereto the olde knight right gladly tooke his oath Now tell mee saide the Prince wherefore hast thou heeretofore kept this custome heere For the loue of King Abies of Ireland answered the Knight who is mine Nephew and because I cannot aid him with my person in his warre I was desirous to succour him with such Knights errand as passed this way False villaine answered the Prince what haue Knights errand to do with thy desire so spurning the bed with his foote threw it downe and the olde Knight vnderit where commending him to all the Diuels he left him and comming downe into the Court tooke a Horse which was one of the slaine Knights and bringing it to the King said Mount your selfe my Lord for it little likes me to stay any longer here where such bad people haue their habitation The king presently went to Horse-bake and so they rode together out of the Castell but the Prince fearing least the king should know him would by no meanes take off his Helmet notwithstanding as they rode along the king thus spake to him I pray ye Sir knight tell me of whence you are that haue succoured me when I was so neere my death warranting me also hereafter frō the enimies of this place shewing your selfe a good friend to Ladies and knights errand As for me I am the same man against whom they kept this straight passage importing the cruell oath for which you combated My Lord answered the Prince I am a knight desirous to do you any seruice Beleeue me quoth the king that haue I already well perceiued for hardly should I haue found so good a friend to helpe me yet will I not giue ouer till I know ye Alas my Lord said he that will little profit ye Notwithstanding quoth the King I pray ye take off your Helmet which he would not do but put downe his Beuer a little Whē the king saw that his intreatie would not preuaile he desired the Damosell to obtaine so much for him
What said Galaor am I to denie you any thing except you would with-hold mee from seeking honor My sonne answered the Gyant I rather desire thy happy proceeding therein and that which I would haue appertaineth thereto Demand then what you will said Galaor for I graunt it Faire Sonne quoth the Gyant heretofore you haue heard mee complaine of the Gyant Albadan who by treason slewe my Father and yet forcibly detaineth from me the Rocke of Galteres which iustly doth belong to me I pray ye to take reuenge on my behalfe for no other then you may doe it remember how well I haue nourished and vsed you as also my true and vnfained loue which is such as I will yeeld my person euen to the death for safetie of yours This matter said Galaor you need not request but command me to doe it as for my selfe I desire you to rest content till with Albadan I haue tryed this difference seeing it concerneth you so neere Beside heereof you may bee perswaded that if I escape with life I shall continue euermore in readinesse to accomplish any thing else for your honour and profit in which deuoire the whole circuit of my time is bound as witnesse of the dutie I owe to you therefore without any longer trifling let vs set forward to him with whom I must try my fortune So tooke they the way to the rocke of Galteres but before they had trauailed farre Vrganda ouer-tooke them and being acquainted with each other she said to Galaor Know yee gentle Sir who hath this day made you Knight That doe I Madame answered Galaor euen the best knight that euer I heard of It is very true quoth she yet is hee of greater esteeme then you thinke but I would haue you to know his name then called she Gandalaz the Gyant saying Gandalaz doest not thou know that this knight whom thou hast nourished is the Sonne to king Perion and his Queene Elisena and how by such like wordes I bad thee take him since which time thou hast beene his Foster father It is very true answered the Gyant Now then Galaor my friend said Vrganda the man that made thee knight is thy brother and elder then thou by two yeers wherefore when thou seest him giue him honour and labour to resemble him in hardinesse and kindship May it be possible replyed Galaor that King Perion is my Father and Queene Elisena my mother and I the brother to so good a knight Doubt not thereof quoth shee for it is so Praised be God said Galaor now may I assureye that I am in greater care thē before nor wil I make any spare of my life seeing it is necessary I should resemble him you talke of Thus returned Vrganda the same way shee came and the Gyant with Galaor rode on as they purposed the Prince demanding of the Gyant what the Lady was that had communed with them It is quoth hee Vrganda the vnknown as she nameth her selfe because she often trans-formeth and maketh her selfe vnknowne As thus they deuised together they came to a Riuers side where they would refresh themselues and by reason the heate of the day was very vehement they caused a Tent to bee erected where long they had not sitten but they beheld two Damosels comming toward them by two seuerall wayes and met together directly before the Pauillion So soone as they espied the Gyant they would haue fledde but Galaor came to assure them and curteously caused them to returne demanding afterward whether they trauailed I goe quoth one of them by the commandement of my Mistresse to see a strange fight which one onely Knight hath enterprised in Combate against the strong Gyant at the Rocke of Galteres to the ende I may bring her true tidings there-of When the other Damosell heard her say so she thus replyed I am amazed at your speeches is there any knight in the word dare venter on such follie Certes said the first it is most true Beleeue me answered the other although my occasions be else-where I am content to stay and goe with you to see a matter so incredible Hereupon they would haue taken leaue of Galaor but hee said to them Make no hast faire Damosels but tarrie if you please and we wil beare ye companie where-to they condiscended as well for the good grace they noted in this new Knight as also in respect of his amiable countenance which made them take great pleasure in beholding him then Galaor walking with the Giant aside said Father I could wish that you would goe no further with vs but let me goe with these Damosels to accomplish what I haue promised this hee spake because hee would not be knowne what hee was or that his enterprise should bee suspected by them whereto the Gyant vnwillingly did accord So rode Galaor with the Damosels and three Squires the Giant left him to beare his Armour making such speede in their iourney that they arriued within two Miles of the Rocke of Galteres where they lodged in the little Cottage of an Hermite to whom Galaor imparted some of his secret thoughts but when hee reuealed that hee came for the Combate the good Hermit abashed thereat discoursed with him in this manner My Sonne who hath aduised thee to this boldnes seeing there is not in all this Countrey ten such Knights as dare assaile the Gyant so fearefull and monstrous is he to behold and you being but yong to hazard your selfe in this danger aduenture the losse both of bodie and soule because such as wilfully seeke their owne death are very homicides of themselues Father answered Galaor God worke his will with mee for by no meanes may I let passe mine enterprise Greatly was the good man mooued to compassion so that the teares be deawed his milke-white beard beeing able to make no other answere but thus If not my Sonne I desire God to assist yee seeing you will giue no better credite to me Good Father quoth Galaor be mindfull of mee in your deuout Prayers and thus till next morning they spent the night Galaor hauing armed himselfe went to the Rocke which was not farre from the Hermitage for there might be easily discerned the Fortresse great Towers which deliuered good marke of a most strong Castle When one of the Damosels saw they approched so neere she demaunded of Galaor if he knew the Knight that should performe the Combate I thinke quoth he I haue seene him some-time but tell me I pray yee from what place are you come to behold this pastime And what is the Lady that sent you None must know so much sayd the Damosell but the Knight him-selfe which dealeth in the Combate Thus continued their talke till they arriued at the Castle of Albadan the gate wherof they found fast shut but Galaor stepping thereto called the Porter at which noise two menshewed themselues ouer the Porch demaunding of him what he would haue Goe quoth Galaor and say to Albadan that heere
so perplexed as he could not answere wherefore Gandalin tooke him by the arme saying My Lord see you not what a great traine maketh toward vs At these words he came to himselfe beginning to sigh and lifting his eyes to heauen said Gandalin if in this loue I were maister of my strength as I am in diuers other actions neither shouldest thou haue neede to aduertise me nor my selfe be without councell so much as I am But I feele my selfe so oppressed as all the enemies in the world cannot bring me to such extremity as this ouer ruling passion doth therefore I pray thee talke to me of the felicity a man shall enioy in death for other may I not taste and practise no meanes of my life seeing the contrary doth surmount it What my Lord answered Gandalin esteeme you the victory ouer your selfe so difficult after so many conquests of stout and bold strangers Why do you not think that peraduenture she loueth you well for whom you endure such assaults and happily by as great reason as you loue her your persoage prowesse beauty and nobility of linage can they deserue lesse then the good grace of the most rare and exellent Lady in the world let these humours my Lord repell your desperations Further hee would haue proceeded but Amadis brake him off in anget saying Wretch darest thou blaspheme so much as to say that he who hath merited no conditiō in the world may be equalled with so perfect a thing as is my Lady enter no more into such tearmes if thou wilt not haue me thine enemy and so loose my conuersation Well well said Gandalin I pray ye wipe your eyes least those that come hitherward perceiue you haue wept What answered Amadis comes their any body Yea mary quoth Gandalin and now they be at hand here-with he shewed him the Knights the Ladyes who were hard by them by time Amadis was mounted Then as though hee had stayed for their companie hee saluted them and riding among the traine hee beheld a Ladie very comely and beautifull who wept very grieuously where-upon hee left the rest and rode with her saying Madame God comfort yee and giue you ioy In sooth answered the Lady and thereof haue I need in that as now it is very farre from mee which except Heauen fauour me with better grace I am vtterly out of hope euer to see againe And so high a Maiestie said Amadis can prouide therefore when he pleaseth Not-withstanding if you were so contented I gladly would know the cause of your sadnesse Beleeue mee my friend quoth she all that euer I enioy in this world consisteth in the tryall of a Combate By these wordes hee knew this to be the Lady of whom the Damosels had tolde him before wherefore hee enquired further if as yet shee had found a knight on her behalfe No truely sayd the Lady and which greiueth mee most of all to morrow must my delay bee exterminate What will ye then doe answered Amadis What would you that I should doe quoth shee but lament and loose all vnlesse by hap I finde one in the Kings Court who mooued thereto by charitable compassion will courteously defend the right of a desolate widow Such fortune sayd Amadis shall I pray may befall yee for I should not be a little glad thereof as well for your owne sake as also because I neuer thought well of your aduersarie I thanke ye gentle Sir quoth she to God I commit the reuenge of my wrong So passed on the Ladie and Amadis turning bridle rode backe to the Pauillion where he found the Damosels who were already returned from the towne and presently they told him how Dardan was come into the field with full resolution to doe his deuoire And trust me sayd Amadis it was my happe to meet the distressed Lady euen the same whom the case concerneth heere-with hee declared all the talke they had together But now is the houre of quiet come and each one went to rest till the point of day when the Damosels being risen came to tell Amadis how they would goe before to the Towne and send him worde when Dardan was readie Not so quoth Amadis I will not bee farre behinde yee but let one ride before to aduertise me when Dardan shews himselfe in the field After he was armed they went all to horse-backe and being come to the issue of the Forrest he sayd to the Damosels Now may you goe if you please for I will not depart this place till I heare some newes from you Away they went when Amedis alighting tooke off his Helmet to refresh himselfe No sooner did the Sunne appeare in the East but the King came to the place appointed for the Combate which was without the Towne hard by the Walles where Dardan not long after shewed himselfe in such manner and equipage as an ambitious man vseth to gaine goods honour also like an amourous Champion to maintaine the quarrell of his beloued who to countenāce him with the greater fauor was queintly led by the reines of his Palfray thē presenting himselfe before the king on his knees he sayd My Lord according to the ordinance by you appointed this Ladie and I humbly beseech ye that the goods may be deliuered her as is no more then reason for if any Knight oppose him selfe against her heere am I readie for the Combate The king then called for the Ladyes defendant but she poore soule appeared alone Why Lady quoth the King are you vnprouided of a Champion that you come without any to defend your right So helpe me God answered she weeping I am my Lord forsake of all except you grant me mercie Great compassion had the King on her for he knew her to be very vertuous but he could not together order reason and the Law In the meane while Dardan who thought no resistāce would come sate downe in the middest of the field attending the third houre which was the time according to the custome when the King would pronounce sentence to the Conquerour but one of the Damosels seeing nowe the needefull time made haste to let Amadis vnderstand what want of his presence was in the field For this cause he immediately mounted on horse-backe and being armed as appertained commanded the Damosell and his Squire to goe some other way for he would not be seene by any from whence he came assuring them that if he were Victor hee would returne againe to the Tent. So departed Amadis alone riding on a braue white Courser as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke in Gaule and arriued at the place where Dardan held the world in wonder of him The king and his Nobles seeing him come from the Forrest stood somewhat in doubt of him for hee carryed such a gallant and Knightly counteuance as promised a-farre off that his enemie should finde him of hautie disposition which made the King aboue all other desirous to know him and thinking she for whose
falleth it out with â—ee by thy maister whom fortune hath euer kept mee furthest from but God knowes my good wil hath alway beene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefs and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Doe then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him know how hee shall behaue him-selfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the window where they talked saying Returne to thy master and tell him that this night he must secertly come to the place thou seâ—st remember this withall how the chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and Hodge in and there is a crosse barred window neere the ground where-through we may easily discerne ech other and talk together for his Cozin is acquainted with mine affaires nor is it necessarie they should bee concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger shee thus proceeded Deliuer him this token from mee as the onely Iewell I most esteem and ere thou goest thou shalt see the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discreet as she will easily vnderstand thee yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tydings from her mother Here-upon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whom the Queene of Scots her mother had sent to her but when she saw it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore Oriana went to the Queene leauing them in deepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Queene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this Countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Son to the King of Gaule of whom you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Queen The Squiâ—e saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since hee heard that he was heere and now he maruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Queene right glad would I be to see so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many Countres wherefore I assure ye if he doe come hither hee shall finde here such honourable entertainment as he shal haue no cause to depart in haste Of his Prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I know little but what common bruite hath blazed abroad but heereof I am certaine how hee was one of the most braue yong Gentle-men that euer I saw when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his master were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge hee gaue me to salue you on his behalfe The name of Heauen be for euer praysed quoth shee hauing preserued our Kins-man from such exceeding danger and now sent him hither so honourably Ah Madam said Gandalin hee were happy indeed if the force of loue made him not in worse case then dead for Gods sake therefore doe you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he finde no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how hee cannot with greater desire employ mee then I haue to doe him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commanded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Queene my mother thou mayest come and speak with vs at al times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreams as hee had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight hee had of his Ladie at the Combate encreased such a desire in him to see her at more libertie as euery houre seemed to him longer then a yeare When hee saw that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes hee came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matters should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerfull couÌ„tenance told him that he brought no fadde tydings and rushing into the matter at first said My Lord God make yee as constant as you haue cause to be conteut for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouer-whelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and know that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your self Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the very trueth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the window and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a change of conntenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that hee made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and the other seemed insatiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull Companion I thought my self altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that duty belongs more necessarily to thee because by thy diligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preferued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commuanded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her self shewed it me Ah God sayd Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me Away from me now all sorrowe and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin See here a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honourable loue to you so he gaue him the Ring which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire Ring that hast beene so happy as to be caried and accounted deere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of much inferiour honor yet hast thou not changed thy mistresse for both thou and â—…re hers and she doth compasse my heart hith greater force theÌ„ thou canst possibly binde in my finger Let vs leaue this talk answered Gandalin and returne to the
euer was heard of then sound not your speeches to any likely-hood for this Gyant surpasseth all other in strength cruelty Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath done no lesse then I told ye wherewith she 〈◊〉 the whole manner thereof they reputing it strange and almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew the Knights name His name quoth she is Galaor son to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withal naming my Cosin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing Hereupon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Gyant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of Chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his ayde on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was born hereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath beene already declared to you yet she cōcealed the louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir sayde she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great griefe to the other Ladyes doubting least shee through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castle more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Seeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will performe what Galaor should doe if not in strength yet in good will and therefore be you our guide to the place The Damosel turned her haqueney and led them with such speede to the Dukes Castle that they arriued there the day before the execution should be Now was the Duke set down to dinner when the two Knights entring the great hall humbly saluted him when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that hee should presently know the cause of their comming where-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false and disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered seeing she hath no way mis-done and if it be needfull to proue her innocency by battaile let come two other to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defēders Wel haue you sayd replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knights challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behoueth thee to find some defence for thy selfe For that I am not to seek my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the truth of what I haue said Here-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephew so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other father to him he sayd I pray ye Nephew maintain my quarrell against these two Knights Scarse had he thus spoken but his Nephew returned this answer to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyal Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the false Damosell brought hither It may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in Combate he dealt villainously the Damosell ought to dy because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes Chamber Agraies who found himselfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped forth with this answer In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but wee auouch he hath done no wrong if the Duke please this difference shall be soone decided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the damosel ought to be deliuered the Dwarfe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the cōtrary replied the Dwarffes Champion then calling for his armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle Courser and turning to Agraies who presented him the Cōbare thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whō this quarrell begā too high a price should I set on thy folly We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou canst doe but I am assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reasō then do I leaue thee to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on truth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was done when seeing the Knights prepared to execute their speeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place apointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies being obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Performe the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosel be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not been offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherefore if my fortune make mee Conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde you what I meane to doe said the Duke and otherwise it shall not be Agraies tarrying for no more wordes turned his horse running a braue carrire against the Dwarfes Knight and in the encounter brake their staues gallantly meeting likewise so furiously with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered themselues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to each other their Swordes being verie sharpe the Knights valiant and hautily disposed by means where-of their Armour Helmets and sheeldes were in short time made of slender resistance yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephew had stil the better of his enemy if then he had before esteemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he so to doe notwithstanding hee was so hot and vigorous as often-times he seemed out of breath which made euery one imagine regarding his violence that hee could not long endure But in him it proued farre otherwise for the longer the Combate endured his courage and strength the more increased by reason whereof he became the Conquerour as shall hereafter be declared The Nephew to the Dwarffe found him-selfe so hardly handled as he drew back a little thus speaking to Agraies Me-thinkes Sir Knight wee haue made proofe enough of what we are able to performe
giuen expresse charge to one of their Squires to haue a speciall care of the Damosels safety slyly left their ambush beholding the poore maiden readie for the fire when shee perceiuing her present daunger cryed to the Duke that she would tell what he desired onely to delay the time of her death The Duke beleeuing shee intended as she sayd came to her when suddenly he espied Agraies and Galuanes gallopping toward him calling so lowd that hee might easily heare them Duke now shalt thou be forced to deliuer the Damosel At these words were all the Dukes Knights greatly astonished yet prepared they for their owne defence where-upon began between them a fierce and cruel fight Now though Agraies and Galuanes were alone against so many yet did they so brauely behaue themselues as at the first on set they quailed the greater part of them before they could deuise which way to turne themselues whereaâ— the Duke was so amazed that fearing his owne death was neere at hand he with-drew himselfe behind his men yet Caluanes perceiued it wherefore he cryed to him Trayterous Duke This day thou beginnest to feele the warre thou didst enterprise against Knights errant then rushing through the preasse hee minded to charge the Duke but he retyred aside willing his Knights to kill their enemies horses which they on foote might easily compasse In briefe these two Champions shewed such chiualrie on their foot-men as they were vanquished and driuen to flight the most of them so cruelly wounded that they were scant able to keepe themselues on horse-backe in their escaping away and the Duke who was better mounted then any of them made such haste as hee brought the first newes hereof to the towne being eagerly pursued awhile by Galuanes but when hee saw it was in vaine he returned to the Forrest where hee found his Nephew and the Squires with the Damosell Such was the rescue of the poore mayden shamefull foyle of the Duke who being arriued at the Towne caused with all speed a great number to arme them-selues returning to the Forrest to reuenge their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thinking to finde the Knights there as yet but they were dislodged wherefore â—…ling of their purpose they dispersed themselues in seuerall troupes by fiue and fiue in a company to â—ecke them the Duke likewise being one in the search haiug foure of the best knights hee could make choyce off And as they rode along in a valley he espâ—ed the Knights conducting the Damosell wherefore hee sayd to his men Behold my Friends the Traytours wee haue to deale withall let vs set on them before they get leysure to escape for if they gaine but a sight of vs they will run away faster then euer wee did But Galuanes espyed them ere they came neere and shewed them to his Nephew Agraies who hee thought was ouer-wearyed with the last assault which made him say Wee already haue felt what these villaâ—â—es can doe but now must we warily defend our selues that we may be no more followed in this 〈◊〉 I know the Duke to be he comes â—…most if good hâ—p beâ—ail vs I hope he shall haue his payment first of all be now good Nephew mindfull of your wonted courage hauing passed through greater dangers then this can bee Why 〈◊〉 quoth Agraies in time of perill doe you thinke I wil forget my sâ—ite especially being in your companie Dreame of no such matter I pray yee but let vs serue these as we did their companions By time hee had thus spoken the Duke gaue the spurres to his horse and comming neere them sayd I am sorry villaines you should dye so honourably but afterward I meane to hang yee by the heeles on the toppes of these trees Galuanes and Agraies buckled close with them shewing how much they despised such shamefull buriall on the other side the Duke and his knights stucke to it closely especially himselfe to whom Agraies came and angerly reached him such a blow with his sword beneath the sight of his helmet as quite cut away the nostâ—â—ils from his face The Duke imagining himselfe wounded to the death turned his backe and fled Agraies following him but seeing he could not ouer-take him hee commended him to all the deuils returning to succour Galuanes whom the other foure had very sore laboured yet did he hold out so courageously as none of them durst come neere him for one was tumbled head-long from his horse not shewing any motion of life was left in him Agraies being now come from pursuing the Duke buckled so closely with the first he met as he fell downe depriued of life so that there remained but two who found themselues too weake to vphold the honour of the vanquished and therefore trusted to the speede of their horses following the first run-away toward the Forrest by which meanes they escaped the fury of Agraies and Galuanes they suffering them to enioy that benefit returned where the Damosell attended for them of whom they demanded if any Towne or place of lodging were neere Gentlemen quoth shee I know the dwelling of a Knight hard by named Oliuas who is a mortall enemie to the Duke by reason he slew a cosin of his which makes me thinke he will the better welcome vs. Be you our guide thither said Galuanes and so she was they being very kindly entertained there especially when he knew what had happened On the morrow they tooke their leaue of Oliuas but calling them aside he thus spake Gentlemen the Duke treacherously killed a cosin germaine of mine who was a good Knight wherefore I am determined to accuse and combate with him before King Lisuart Now since I vnderstand you are Knights errant and such as know how or else your selues can redresse the wrongs offered to the vnable yea by them who without care of God or their honor durst proceed so farre In sooth answered Galudnes you are deepely bound to prosecute the murder being committed in such shamefull manner we will assist ye in your quarrel on so iust a cause if the Duke wil bring any Knights to maintaine his wrong we will be for you for so little account makes he of vs that he hath openly giuen vs defiance Most heartliy I thank ye replied the Knight and for this cause I will goe with yee if you please Content quoth they Here-upon Oliuas armed himselfe and so they rode together to Windsore where they had good hope to find King Lisuart CHAP. XVIII How Amadis tarying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tâ—dings of his brother Galaor BY the discourse past you haue vnderstood how Amadis after he had in open field foyled ouer-come the audacious proud Dardan was stayed in King Lisuart Court by the Ladies request expressely to be the Queenes Knight his entertainment by the King fauour and manifolde other courtesies you haue likewise heard It now came so to passe that as he was one day among the Ladyes a Damosel entred
the Queenes Chamber who falling on her knees before the Queene said Madame is not a Knight heere that beareth azured Lyons in his Armes The Queene perceiuing she meant Amadis answered Damosell what would you with him Madame quoth she I haue brought him tidings of a new Knight who hath begun in deeds of Armes so rarely as euer did any You speake very much answered the Queene but you perhaps being acquainted with none but him thinke therefore he is beyond all other It may be so replied the Damosell yet when you vnderstand what he hath accomplished I thinke your selfe will agree to my saying I pray ye then quoth the Queene tell vs what he is When I see the good Knight answered the Damosell hee who carryeth such estimation from all other I will tell him in your presence and other newâ— which I am charged to acquaint him withall The Queene was now more desirous to know him then before wherefore shewing her Amadis she sayd See here Damosell the man you aske for Madame quoth she in respect you speake it I beleeue it for a Queene of such state as you are is free from beguiling then comming to Amadis she thus proceeded My Lord the young Gentle-man whom not long since you Knighted before the castle of Bradoid when you vanquished the two Knights on the bridge and the other on the cawsey where you took the Maister thereof prisoner and deliuered by force of armes the friend to Vrganda most humbly saluteth you by me being the man whom he reputeth as his Lord giueth you to know how he endeuoureth to reach the height of honor which he will attaine or dye in the attempt likewise when he shall performe some-what worthy the name of Chiualrie he will acquaint you with more then yet you know vntill which time hee shrowds it in silence Amadis soon remembered she spake of his brother wherefore with ioy the teares dewed his cheekes and the Ladies well noting this alteration maruailed thereat especially Oriana who as you haue heard heereto-fore was grounded in such affection toward him as she was well neer depriued of power to dissemble it In meane while the Queene desirous to heare what deedes of prowesse the new Knight had performed sayd to the Damosell I pray ye continue your message tell vs the braue beginning of chiâ—alrie you speake of Madame quoth she the first place where he made proofe of himselfe was at the Rock of Galteres where hee combated with the great and terrible Gyant Albâ—… whome in open field hand to hand he euercame and slew hereto she added the manner of the fight assuring her that she had seene the same Greatly were all the hearers abashed at these newes but aboue all the rest the Queene who demanded of the Damosell if shee knew whither he trauailed from thence Madame quoth she I parted from him soone after leauing him in the company of a Damosell who came from her mistresse to seeke him because she was desirous to know him at which time he went with her since I neuer saw him What thinke you heere of Sir Amadis sayd the Queene do not you know of whence he is Yes truely Madame answered Amadis although I can say but little herein I thinke he be mine owne brother for so Vrganda not long since assured me Doubtlesse quoth the Queene the fortune of you both is admirable I maruaile how you could come to the knowledge of your Parents or they of you yet would I be glad to see that Knight in the Kings seruice While theft speeches endured Oriana who sate farre from the Queene and heard none of these newes was in such greefe to see Amadis shed teares as being vnable to conceale the same she sayd to Mabila I pray ye faire friend call your cosin Amadis that we may know what hath happened to cause him mourne Mabila made a signe to Amadis to come and when he was with them Oriana shewing her selfe some-what griened thus began Sir Amadis it may full well be sayd that by some Lady you are now moued to pittie I pray ye tell vs what she is and from whence this Damosell brought you these tydings Amadis quickely perceiued his Mistresses disease wherefore hee declared all that the Damosell told the Queene which appeased the iealousie of her hote Louer and made this shew more amiable conntenance thus speaking to Amadis Alas my Lord I must intreat you to pardon the fault raised onely by false suspition against you I promise ye Madame quoth he there is no cause of pardon nor did my heart euer thinke amisse against you but could you like thereof that I should goe seeke him the Damosell departed from and bring him hither with me to serue you for this I am assured if I bring him not it will be very hard to get him hither Beleeue mee answered Oriana I would gladly wish so good a knight in his company and therfore you shal doe well to goe seeke him yet before you depart acquaint the Queene herewith that she may imagine how by her commandement onely you enterprise this iourney Humbly did Amadis regratiate his Mistresse and according to her counsell hee went to the Queene to whom he began in this manner It were good in mine opinion Madame that the King had this knight likewise to attend on his seruice Certes quoth shee I would it might be so if it were possible If you will grant me leaue said Amadis to goe finde him I haue no doubt of bringing him hither otherwise I know you shall hardly see him till hee haue made himselfe knowne in many other places You doe very much for the king quoth she if hee doe come neuerthelesse I referre it to your owne discretion Thus Amadis obtained licence to depart which hee did very early the next Morning hauing no other company then Gandalin and spending most part of the day ryding through the Forrest he saw a Lady come toward him accompanyed with two Damosels and foure Squires who weeping very grieuously conducted a knight in a Litter whereat Amadis being abashed demaunded what mooued them to be so sorrowfull and what he was they had in the Litter He is quoth the Ladie the onely cause of my care and pensiuenesse my Lord and Husband who is wounded in such sort as I feare his death Amadis aduanced him-selfe to behold the man and lifting vp the couerture of the Litter saw a Knight lye there of goodly personage but of his face hee could make no iudgement by reason it was cruelly cut and mangled whereupon hee called to him saying My friend who hath thus wronged thee yet did the Knight make no answere which made him goe to the Lady againe and aske her the question Gentle Sir quoth shee a knight that keepeth a Bridge not farre hence did it who as we passed by sayd to my Lord how hee must sweare whether he were of king Lisuarts court or no which made my husband demand
Amadis mounted againe perceiuing Angriote already on horse-backe ready to reuenge his brothers iniurie and a Squire came to the Prince bringing him a Launce which he presented him withall from Angriote Soone after they encoūtered so galantly as their Launces flew in pieces without any further harme and ending their carrire Amadis quickly drew his sword turning to Angriote who thus spake Make not such hast Knight to combate with the sword because thou shalt haue time enough for that anon this he sayd in respect he reputed him-selfe the best at the sword that might be found But I pray thee quoth he let vs iust till our Launces faile or one of vs be sent to the earth Knight answered Amadis I haue weighty busines else-where and may not trifle time with tarrying heere What said Angriote thinkest thou to escape me so light ly I promise thee it is the least part of my thought yet I pray thee let vs try one course more Amadis was content and taking such Launces as each of them liked finished the Iust with such violence as Angriote was cast downe and his horse vpon him Amadis leaping from his saddle saw that a small trunchion of a Launce had a little entred his body yet scorning any shame should be deserned on his side fighting for the honor and beauty of his Goddesse Oriana snatching forth the trunchion and marched with his sword drawne against Angriote who seeing him come sayd I see Sir Knight thou art very young and me thinkes before it be worse with thee thou wert better to confesse my Lady fairrer then thine Then should I lye very fowlly answered Amadis and by my will I shall not dissent so farre from the truth These speeches enkindled collor on either side which made them charge ech other with such vigour as not onely they that beheld them but euen themselues were driuen into doubts thinking it impossible to endure so extreamely And to say sooth the cause was hard for Amadis vndertooke the honor of his Lady for which hee could rather chuse a thousand deathes then she should loose one iot of her excellence and this opinion still whetted on his courage that Angriote was compelled to diuers simple shifts to auoyde the fierce assaults of his valiant enemy who had wounded him in twenty seuerall places and he perceiuing his death at hand stepped aside thus speaking to Amadis Beleeue mee Sir Knight there is more valour in thee then I imagined Yeelde thy selfe sayd Amadis so shalt thou do wisely seeing thou art already brought into such danger for with the finishing of our combate thy life will likewise end which can be no pleasure at all to me in that I esteeme of thee better then thou weenest These words he vsed as well for the braue Chiualrie he noted in Angriote as also the great honestie he shewed to the Lady in his possession whereupon Angriote returned this answer It is reason I should yeeld my selfe to the best Knight in the world and the like all other to doe that beare armes Beleeue me then gentle Knight I not so much sorrow for my foyle as the wrackfull chance threatned to me by loosing this day the onely thing in the world I most loue That shall you not quoth Amadis if I can helpe it beside the Lady should shew her selfe very ingratefull if she acknowledge not your honorable paines in her defence and it cannot be but she will requite ye with the good you haue deserued As for me I promise ye to imploy my vttermost hability in causing her consent thereto so soone as I shall returne from a search I haue now in hand My Lord sayd Angriote in what place may I hereafter finde you In the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis where hy Gods helpe I meane shortly to be So tooke he leaue of Angriote who gladly would haue had him in his Castle but he might not be hindered of his iourney Thus doth Amadis followe the Dwarfe who guided him fiue daies without any aduenture shewing him at length a meruailous strong and pleasant Castle saying Sir within yonder hold you must performe the promise you made me And I will doe it for thee answered Amadis if it confist in my power I am in good hope thereof quoth the Dwarffe in respect I haue seene some proofe of your fortune but know ye Sir how the place is named No verily sayd Amadis for till now I was neuer in this Country It is called Valderin replied the Dwarffe and thus deuising they came neere the Castle when the Dwarffe willed him to take his Armes Why saide Amadis shall we haue any such neede Yea mary quoth the Dwarffe for they suffer none to come forth that enter so lightly Amadis buckled on his helmet riding in before the Dwarffe and Gandalin following after then looking on euery side they could see no creature This place sayd Amadis is not inhabited where is the request thou saidst I should do for thee Credit me Sir sayd the Dwarffe I haue some-time seene heere a most braue Knight and the strongest in Chiualrie that euer I saw who in that porch killed two Knights one of them being my maister him hee put to death very cruelly without regard of fauour or mercy In reuenge whereof I would desire that traytors head which I haue long failed in obtaining because all such as I brought hither haue lost their liues or remaine here in captiuity Thou doest the part of a loyall seruant answered Amadis yet oughtest thou to bring no Knight hither before thou tell him against whom he shall fight My Lord quoth the Dwarffe the man is knowne well enough and reputed for one of the best Knights in the world therefore when I haue named him I could not meet with any so hardy as to reuenge my cause Belike then thou knowest his name said Amadis Yea my Lord replied the Dwarffe he calleth himselfe Arcalaus the enchanter Amadis hereupon went further in looking round about if hee might see any body but all was in vaine wherefore to rest his horse he staied there till euening saying to the Dwarffe What wilt thou I shall doe now it is so late Alas my Lord quoth he the night being so neere at hand me thinkes it were good wee departed hence Nay trust me answered Amadis I wil not budge hence till the knight come or some other that can tell me tidings of him But I dare not tarry sayd the Dwarffe least Arcalaus chance to know me and imagine I practise the meanes of his death Yet shalt thou beare me cōpany replied Amadis as I will not excuse my selfe from the promise I haue made thee As thus they cōmuned Amadis espied a Court somewhat more backward where-into he entred and found no body but he saw a darke place vnderneath and certaine steps leading into the earth Gandalin got holde on the Dwarffe who would haue run away and Amadis tooke great pleasure to beholde his trembling speaking thus merily to him Feare
this time Hauing put on the armor of Arcalaus he demanded of Grindaloya what was become of Gandalin and the Dwarffe she tolde him they were imprisoned Euill befall the villaine that so hardly vsed them sayde Amadis and Lady quoth he to Ar◅ wife vpon your life looke to the safetie of this noble woman till I returne Comming fourth into the Court it was a pastime to see how Arcalaus seruants fled his sight but Amadis let them run and went to the darke vncomfortlesse prisons which were filled with captiues Now to tel ye in what distressed manner they were you must note the place was a vault of an hundred toyses long yet no more thē one foote and a halfe in breadth without aire or light and which was worst of all so ful of prisoners as they could scantly stand one by another Amadis called Gandalin who being in a manner dead hearing his maisters voyce began to tremble yet thinking it was not he because he verily imagined him to be dead entred into diuers doubts of himselfe whither hee dreamed or was enchanted All this while Amadis greatly grieued because Gandalin made no answer wherefore he called aloud againe Gandalin where art thou why dost thou make me trauaile so much speake I pray thee When he saw for all this Gandalin answered not he asked the other prisoners if a Squire so lately brought in there was dead or aliue but the Dwarffe remembering the voyce of Amadis cryed out Alas my Lord we are both heere together aliue as yet albeit we haue often enough wished for death Then Amadis caused candles to bee lighted at the lamp which hung at the entrance of the dungeon commanding them all to come forth to their no little ioy and comfort seeing themselues deliuered from such miserable seruitude and when they came into the open Court they fell on their knees before the Prince thanking God and him for this happie benefit Amadis beholding their faces so pale wan and ouer-spent seeming rather bloudlesse ghostes then liuing creatures was moued to exceeding compassion especially they being an hundred and fifty prisoners in all and thirty of them were Knights at Armes as he cast his eye euerie where among thē hee made more account of one then all the rest who notwithstanding his sicknes and debility seemed of braue and comely constitution and he perceiuing that Amadis noted him so much stepped to him in this manner Who shall we say my Lord hath done vs this grace by deliuering vs frō so long wretched thraldome Such as know me answered the Prince doe call me Amadis of Gaule Sonne to King Perion Knight to the Queene Brisana and domisticall seruant to king Lisuart her husband in search of a Knight I was brought hither by this Dwarffe to whom I made promise in a sute he had In sooth my Lord replied the other I am a Knight likewise and seruant to the same King who knoweth me full well as likewise the most in his Court doe with whom I haue been seene in greater honor then now I am because euer since my departure from the Court I haue liued in the miserie from which you redeemed me How may I call your name saide Amadis Brandoyuas answered the Knight Full well did the Prince remēber that he had heard report of him in the Court wherefore courteously embracing him he sayde Right glad am I my stars so fauoured me to deliuer you these other frō such a hellish place and though I neuer saw you til this present yet oft haue I heard the King and his Barrons talke of your Chiualrie your long absence beeing no little griefe to them The rest of the prisoners cōfessed their bounden dutie to him desiring him to appoint them what they should doe hee willing them to shape their course whether they thought best My Lord quoth they albeit we know not what seuerall Countryes may harbour vs yet will we still continue your deuoted seruants to attend on you when and wheresoeuer need shall require So each one kissing his hand they tooke their leaue limiting their iournys as they thought good not any of them tarying with Amadis but Brandoyuas Now go they to the wife of Arcalaus Amadis thus speaking to her Lady for your sake and these other Gentlewomen I forbeare to set this Castle on fire albeit the euill behauiour of your husband is sufficient warrant therefore but in regarde of the courtesie Knights owe to Ladies I am content to remit all at this time Alas my Lord quoth she heauen beareth record of the griefe my soule hath endured through the behauiour of Arcalaus my husband yet could I do nothing but shew obedience as beseemed a wife to her wedded Lord with intercession for his change notwithstāding I remaine at your disposition What I will doe answered Amadis I haue already toldeye it now remaineth that at my request you giue this Lady Grindaloya honorable attirements because her birth and behauiour deserueth no lesse in like manner I would haue an Armour for this Knight to requite his own which was taken from him and a horse as beseemeth one of his profession If you mislike of my demand doe more or lesse as you thinke good but so◅ owne part I will haue hence the armour of Arcalans in liew of mine and his horse by reason mine own was better yet must I tell ye withall that hee hath taken a sword from me more worth then all the rest Sir answered the Lady your request is so reasonable that beyond the power you alone haue heere I stand bound in dutie to fulfill your commandement Then sent she for the same armour belonged to Brandoyuas and caused a horse to be deliuered him as for the Lady she brought her into her chamber where she clothed her in most sumptuous accoustrements and returning to Amadis desired him to eate somewhat before he departed whereto he willingly condiscended Now was the best viandes brought foorth so short warning might affoord but Grindaloya was in such hast to be gone as she was loth to be troubled with any whereat Amadis and Brandoyuas merily smiled especially at the Dwarffe who looked so pale and wan with feare that it was impossible for him to offer one word which made Amadis thus to iest with him Tell mee Dwarffe wilt thou that we tarry heere till Arcalaus come and I to giue thee the suite thou desirest In sooth my Lord quoth the Dwarffe so deere hath the request cost me I made to you as while I liue neither of you or any other will I craue the like for Gods sake then let vs be gone ere the Diuell come againe for I cannot stand on the leg he hung me by beside my nose is so full of sulphurous and stinking smels as neuer shall I giue ouer sneezing till I die The Dwarffes words made them all laugh hartely and after they had repasted Amadis bidding Arcalaus wife farwel moūted on horse-back with his company the Lady thus speaking at his
departure I shall pray Sir Knight that God may send peace between my husband and you Beleeue me Lady quoth he though I neuer care for it with him yet shall it remaine twixt you and me because you deserue it So fortuned it after-ward these words tooke effect and highly profited the good Lady as in some part of this history you shall heare recited Now are they departed from the Castle of Arcalaus riding till the night ouer-tooke them lodging at a Ladyes place fiue leagues thence where they were entertained with very gracious welcome and on the morrow after they had thanked their friendly host as they rode together Amadis thus communed with Brandoyuas Courteous Sir I trauaile in search of a Knight as here-tofore I told ye imagining it will be little pleasure to you to follow me it were not amisse then if we parted In sooth Sir answered Brandoyuas I gladly would goe to King Lisuarts court notwithstanding if you thinke it good I will keepe ye company Little neede shall I haue thereof answered Amadis I thanke ye because I must be cōstrained to wander alone so soone as I haue brought this Lady into such safety as she thinkes meete My Lord quoth she I will accompany this Gentleman if you please seeing he trauaileth to the Court of King Lisuart and there I hope to finde him for whom I was prisoner who I am assured will be glad of my deliuerance Now trust me answered Amadis very well sayde goe then together and God be your guid Thus are they seperated now remaining none with Amadis but Gandalin the Dwarffe of whom the Prince likewise demanded what he meant to do Mary be your trusty seruant sayde the Dwarffe if you like so well as I. I am well pleased replied Amadis and thou shalt doe what thou wilt thy selfe In sooth my Lord quoth the Dwarffe seeing you released me I would gladly remaine in your seruice for I know not where I may be halfe so well the man and the maister being both agreed they tooke their way as fortune liked to conduct them Not farre had they trauailed but they met one of the Ladyes that rescued him from enchantment at Arcalaus Castle shee weeping and mourning very grieuously which mouing Amadis to pitty her complaints made him demand the cause thereof A Knight who rideth not farre before quoth she hath taken from me a little casket wherein is matter of great cōsequence yet no way able to pleasure him for such things are therein as within these three dayes one in my company and my selfe restored from death the best Knight in the world and shee likewise of whom I tell ye is violently caryed away by another Knight who is ridden before intending to force her Heere you must obserue that the Damosell now talking with Amadis knew him not by reason his helmet beuer couered his face but when he heard how her casket was taken from her hee neuer left gallopping till he ouer-tooke him to whom hee thus spake Knight you deale not courteously giuing this Lady cause thus to complaine of you and me-thinkes you should do a great deale better to deliuer the casket againe you tooke from her but when the Knight heard him hee fell in a great laughter Why do ye thus laugh Sir sayd Amadis I laugh at you answered the Knight whom I thinke scant wise in giuing councell to him that demands it not the lesse hope may you haue in speeding in your suite It may be quoth Amadis you care not for my words yet it were good to deliuer the thing is none of yours Belike you threaten me thē sayde the Knight Not you Sir answered Amadis but your ouer-much boldnes in vsing force where it ought not to be Is it true quoth the Knight with these words hee set the casket aside in a tree and returning to Amadis sayd If your brauery be such in deedes as it seemeth in words come teach mee know it and receiue the law So giuing the spurres to their horses they encountred together in such sorte as the Knight being dismoūted his horse fel so heauily on him that he was not able to rise againe in meane while Amadis fetched the cofer and deliuering it to the Damosell sayd Take your owne faire Lady tarry here till I bring your companion Presently he posted after the other Knight ouer-taking him at a thicket of trees where he had tyed both his horse and the Ladies trayling her by the haire of the head into the wood there to commit his villainous desire but Amadis cryed to him aloude in this manner Of an euill death maist thou dye traytor that wrongest a Lady in this sorte without offending thee As the Knight strougled with her to get her into the wood hee looked vp and saw Amadis whereupon he left her making speede to his weapons and mounted on horseback then approching neere the Prince hee sayd By my hand Knight in haplesse time for thee didst thou hinder me of my will Such a will answered Amadis as distaineth honor both men and beasts despise If I take not reuenge for it quoth the knight then let me neuer weare armour againe The world therein shall sustaine a great losse replied Amadis of one addicted to such villainy that seeks to force Ladies who ought in all liberty and honor to be defended and so they bee by all loyall Knights With a braue course they met together when though the knight brake his lance yet was hee hurled against the ground so violently as the weight of his armour and strength of his fall made him lye trembling in a trance Which Amadis perceiuing to rid him out of his paine altogether he trampled on his belly with his horse feete saying Thus shalt thou loose thy desire of forcing Ladyes And as for you faire soule I hope heereafter you are rid from any danger of him The more am I to thank you my Lord quoth she would God my companion who hath lost her casket were as well deliuered as I am She was the first I met withall answered Amadis wherefore first of all I succored her so well as shee hath recouered what was taken from her and beeholde where my Squire conducteth her hither-ward Now because the heat was some-what violent Amadis put off his helmet to take the ayre when the Damosell immediately knew him for it was shee that at his returne from Gaule conducted him to Vrganda the vnknowne when by Chiualry he deliuered her friend at the Castle of Bradoy◠which made her remember him and so did Amadis her when alighting they embraced each other the like courtesie he shewed to the other Damosell Alas quoth they had we but dreamed on such a defender no villain could haue wronged vs halfe so much On my faith said Amadis the help you gaue me within these three daies may not be compared with this matter of no validitie for I was in greater extreamity thē you but how could you possibly vnderstand
her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let mee not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two from me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames shee was maruailously abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned shee spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wont to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further danger if shee reuiue againe Come I pray yee succour her for now is the time of greatest neede and let these lamentations be referred till another time Mabila perceiuing the Damosell saide true wherefore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenesse some hope of life to bee expected they lifted her vpon the bed when soon after her spirites returned to their office and to qualifie this agonie they could deuise no better means then to busie her eares with some or other speeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speake to vs. Madame saide the other your Amadis is yet aliue and well At the name of Amadis shee opened her eyes turning her head here and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sigh started vp saying Alas sweete friend where is he We vnderstand quoth shee that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wont to vaunt of himselfe without cause feeding himselfe with false praise of deceiuing Knights Why saide Oriana haue I not heard that hee brought his horse and armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as wel be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to try out constancy then finding vs thus weakely disposed hee should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you thinke so simply Madam that Amadis could be ouercome by one and no better a knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of himselfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he finde you not onely dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to griefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by malice can do and thus you both shall die one for another When Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her friend if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the truth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amorously conferred when first he ariued at her fathers Court and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah window the witnesse of my abādoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whom thou causest me remember and by whose gracious words both thou and I were made happy Of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou indure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue done which fayling mee now giueth me strange and insupportable torments to bee my companions and hence-forth shall my sad spirit remaine in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then shee had done in this manner Why Madam thinke you if I held these babling newes for truth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sort the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite all the world to weepe then want consolation for you who stand in such neede thereof But I see so slender appearance of beleefe as I will not before time require repute you vnfortunate because discomforting our selues without asurance The euill hereby may be amended and the good made much more worse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time beene shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he bee dead I care not though our loue were openly knowne for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladies all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demanded for Oriana she answered that she accompanied Mabila whom she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her griefe for her Cosin Amadis Thus was the princesses secret sadnesse couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults between doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoynas entred the palace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew them for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knees before the king were quickly called to remembrance his maiesty thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue tarryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath bin the cause whereout had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen liberty to me this Lady and many more by such deedes of Armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue been deliuered Yet was he once in danger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damosels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whom hee verily thought to be dead What my friend quoth he by the faith thou owest to God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demanded such a questiō Because sayd the King Arcalaus yesterday tolde vs he had slaine him heere-with he declared his speeches and the manner how What a traiterous villaine is that replied Brandoyuas but worse is befalne him then he weeneth as yet hereto he added what passed betweene Amadis Arcalaus as already you haue heard whereby each one forsooke the sorrow of the former false newes the King presently commanding that Grindaloya should be conducted to the Queene that shee might vnderstand these happy tidings Into the Queenes chamber is she brought and the Damosell of Denmarke hearing her reporte ran with all speede to the Princesse Oriana who hearing by her the truth of all the passage of her speech was stopt for a long time seeming as one confounded with enchantment thinking in these newes shee gaue her the bag or that she dreamed them but when she recouered the vse of her tongue she thus answered the
kill him or put him to some notorious shame For this cause he taryed in a Pauilion erected by him on the plaine and no sooner came she to Galaor but thus she spake Gentlemā to the end I might not faile in my promise I forsooke your cōpany a while only to see if the man you looke for were in the place I left him or no there haue I found him little thinking on your coming and in yonder Pauilion may you speake with him at pleasure As thus they deuised together they came to the Tent wherefore Galaor alighted to enter but the Knight meeting him at the doore said Sir knight what moueth thee to come in here without licence trust me it is but little for thy profit because thou must here leaue the rest of thine Armour or die presently Thou mayst be therein deceiued answered Galaor and the wordes of such a wretch as thou art cannot feare me This reply very angerly incensed the Knight lifting vp his sword to smite the Prince on the head but Galaor cunningly escaped the blowe giuing his enemy such a stroake on the top of his helmet as made him sit one knee to the ground then quickly laying hold on him got the helmet beside his head spurning him so strongly with his feete that therewith hee fell on his face to the earth When the Knight beheld himselfe in such danger he called with a loud voice to the Damofell for succor where-upon she stepped to Galaor saying that hee should holde his hand for this was the boone he promised to giue her But he being in extream choller gaue no eare to her speeches bringing the Knight into such estate as hee left no vitall motion in him whereat the Damosell being ready to despaire breathed forth many grieuous lamentations saying Alas wretch that I am too long haue I trifled time for in seeking to beguile another my selfe am worthiely requited with deceite And thou traytor quoth shee to Galaor who hast thus cruelly put him to death heauen send thee a more worse and haplesse end for by thee haue I lost my only felicity in this world for which bee well assured it shall cost thee thy life because thou hast broken promise with mee and in such a place will I demand reuenge on thee as nothing but thy death shal expiate my anger wert thou a Knight of greater hardinesse then thou art if then thou make refusall there I shall haue more then iust occasion to publish in all places the pusillanimity of thy faint hearted courage Faire Damosell answered Galaor if I had thought his death would haue beene so grieuons to you I could haue spared part of my displeasure though iustly hee deserned no lesse but you spake when it was too late The worse for thee replyed the Damosell because thy death shall recompence his Galaor seeing shee continued her threatning speeches without any further answere left her lacing on his helmet mounting on the horse the dead Knight tooke from him and hauing ridden a pretty while hee looked backe to see if the Damosell followed him when perceiuing her hard at his horse heeles demanded of her whither shee trauailed With thee answered the Damosell and neuer will I leaue thee till I haue found opportunity to request the boone thou didst promise me which shal be the losse of thy head by some euill death Me thinkes it were better sayde Galaor for you to take some other satisfaction of me and happily might bee more pleasing to you Not any thing else quoth shee thy soule shall accompany his whom thou hast slaine else neuer shalt thou accomplish what thou hast promised mee Well well answered Galaor I must stand to the hazard of that as I may thus quarreling they rode on three dayes together and entered the Forrest of Angaduze an aduenture there happening to them whereof the Author hereafter maketh mention But now he returneth againe to Amadis who taking his leaue of Vrgandaes Damosels as you haue heard before recited rode on till about noone time when issuing forth of the Forrest hee saw on a plaine a very faire Castell whereout came a goodly Chariot so brauely equiped as euer he beheld any it being drawen by two braue red steedes which were couered with imbroydered crimson sattin as it made a very dainty and seemely shew The Chariot was guarded by eight armed Knights yet Amadis being desirous to see who was in it drew somewhat neere to lift vp the rich couering but one of the Knights came to him with these rough wordes Keepe backe Sir Knight and bee not so bold to come thus neere What I doe answered Amadis is for no harme Whatsoeuer it bee replyed the other trouble your selfe no further in respect you are not worthy to see what is here couered for if you enterprise the like againe it will value your life because thou must deale with all in this troupe and some such one is amongst vs as is able alone to get the maistrie of thee more easily then may wee altogther vse thee as we list I know not sayd Amadis the Knights valour you speake of but hap good or bad I will see what is in the Chariot Herewith hee tooke his Armes which the two Knights seeing that rode formost they ran both against him the one breaking his Launce and the other missing but Amadis sped otherwise for the first very easily hee cast from his saddle the other he threw both horse and man to the ground Then Amadis went towarde the Chariot yet was he stayed by two other Knights one of them being likewise dismounted and with his sword hee gaue the other such a welcome on the pate as hee was glad to keep himselfe from falling by catching fast holde about his horse necke when the other foure sawe their companions so vsed by one Knight they maruailed not a little and being willing to reuenge their iniury altogether fiercely charged Amadis With this last assault hee found himselfe sore combred for one of them tainted him in the shield and another in his armour as hee escaped hardly from beeing ouerthrowne notwithstanding hee held out valiantly deliuering such stroakes to the first he met as hee fell beside his horse in a swoune The three that remayned turned their faces seeking which way they might soonest hurt him but hee snatched a Launce from one of them which yet remayned whole and met one with such a full carriere that piercing quite thorough his throate hee fell to the ground and gaue vp the Ghost After his death he came to another of them and with his sword smote the helmet from his head when seeing hee was a very ancient knight hauing his head and beard so white as snowe mooued with pittie he friendly thus spake Father henceforth it were good you left the vse of armes to younger then your selfe seeing you haue liued so long without gayning honour or commendation marry your age doth now excuse yee In good faith answered the Knight your
his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies will ye not see your sister whom you loue so deerly Yes Madam quoth he â—o it please you to giue me lâ—… with he arose and came 〈…〉 who stepping forward to meet him you must think Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcoÌ„med him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia louing him as you haue heard ouermastring her will with reason as a most wise well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand a while asunder from all the rest Yet did Agrates keep neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any answere to his sister She being ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this suddaine mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with each others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauor them with more libery feigning a desire to speake with her Vnckle Galuanes which she prettily coloured in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Vnckle may come hither because it is long time since I saw him and I haue some that to acquaint him with all secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agrates whereupon he went to the Queene thus spake Madam if you could spare mine vnckle a little you might doe his Neece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good said the Queene at which words Galuanes went with him which Mabila seeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Fayre Neece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye do you like Scotland or this Countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the window because I haue many things to tell ye which were needelesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they being of such importance as they are These words shee vttered smiling and with a marueilous good grace cheefely because her brother might court his friend alone And well said Neece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes bee kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes whereof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone When the Prince perceiuing hee had liberty to speake trembling in aboundance of affection he began thus Madam to accomplish your commandement when you parted from mee as also to satisfie my heart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gratious contentment conueyed thereto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my Faith that being neere your person my spirits feele themselues viuified in such sort as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therefore I desire ye if it bee your pleasure to limit mee some better hap hereafter in place where I may often see and doe you seruice And as hee would haue proceeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the griefe you endure we being absent one from another as no other proofe is required then what mine owne heart doth plainely testifie smothering a displeasure worse then death it selfe whereto oftentimes I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerefull hope rebacke this despaire how one day our loue shall meet together with happy contentation And perswade your selfe that I daily trauaile in remeÌ„brance of our mutuall loue meane while sweete friend remporize and dismay not Mistresse sayde Agrates you haue already so bouÌ„d me to you as I must in duty temporize till time you please but I desire yee to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortifie mee withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shall haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer will I faile yee be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteeme yee whereby I may striue to loue you more then any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine onely And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioy therein for it cannot bee without recital of your haughty courage chiualry yet my heart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer bold venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare himselfe so praised vayled his lookes and shee loath to offend him altred her speech demanding what hee was determined to doe On my faith Madam quoth he I wil do nothing but what you please to coÌ„mand me I will then sayd Oliuia that hence-forth you keep company with your Cosen Amadis for I knowe hee loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to bee one of this Court deny it not Beleeue me Madam answered Agrayes both you and such good counselling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I wil more credite with mine affaires then my honourable Cosen Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing hnowledge of him in her fathers kingdome of Denmark where hee performed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her auncient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Queene and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertayned him maruailous kindely as well for Amadis sake whom hee loued as also the curtesie hee shewed her in Scotland when king Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cosen we haue daily desired your presence heere especially your sister who not many dayes since was in great grief by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truly you would haue wondered therat Good reason had she Madam quoth Agraies to be sorrowful and not she alone but all the rest of his linage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cosen dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue
be Lady you can tell me who hath caryed away the dead knight that lay vnder the tree not farre hence If you wil promise me quoth she to reuenge his death which is an exceeding great griefe to many I will resolue you therein I will not stick for that answered Galaor for it seemeth by your words it is an act of iustice to do it Very true said the Damosell mount vp before me on my Palfary and I shall direct ye to your desire WheÌ„ they had ridden about two miles shee shewed him a maruailous faire castle and alighting at the gate she bad him enter But remember quoth she what you haue promised And because I haue solicited you heereto I pray yee let me vnderstand your name I am called Galaor quoth hee and thinke you shall heereafter finde mee in king Lisuarts Court then any where else I am satisfied said the Damosell to God I commend yee then thee turned bridle and rode away but Galaor entred tâ—…stle where he found the dead laid in the middest of the Court by him stood many making great lamentation Neuerthelesse Galaor approching neere and stepping to an anciant knight demanded of him what the dead knight was Sir answered the olde man while hee liued hee was such a one as all the world may bemone his mis-fortune Do you know his name saide Galaor He is called Anthebon replied the other one of the most vertuous Gentlemen that euer liued in Gaul When Galaor heard he was a subiect to king Perion his father his heart began to storme and as hee pittied him the more so his desire encreased to reuenge his death whereupon hee entreated the knight to acquaint him with the truth of this tragicall accident Sir quoth he this infortunate Gentleman which you see was in respect of his bounty and vertue maryed to a wife who now lamenteth for him she being the Lady of this Castle In time they had a very faire daughter and she growing in yeeres was beloued by a knight our too neere neighbour but the young Damosell euer hated him and aboue all other could not abide him Where-of he getting intelligence determined by some meane or other to steale her hence and being so resolued forgetting God as also his owne honour watched when this goodknight as customely he vsed should goe to the cornered street there to sucour such as often were distressed because it is the most dangerous place in this countrey Knowing him thus to bee from home the disloyall wretch entred this Castle and finding the maiden in comâ—…y of her mother with diuerse Gentlewomen heere disporting mauger them all forcibly hee tooke her away before wee could fall the bridge to succâ—r her Hereupon as wee afterward vnderstood shee did nothing day and dight but grieuously mourne despising all the inticing blandishments the knight vsed to her which in the end displeased him so much as hee began in this sort to reprooue her Lady you know that I loue yee with all my heart desiring onely to haue the like of you meaning no otherwise then honorably to make you my wife but you scornefully disdaine me albeit I am discended of a more noble house then your father is which maketh mee maruell very much what should moue you thus to bee mine enemy In good faith I will tell yee quoth shee I heretofore made promise to my mother and such is still my deliberation that I would neuer match with any husband if hee were not so good a knight and comparable with my father in chiualry for which shee made choyce of him among all otâ—er knights to which wordes he thus answered By heauen I see you loue me now for â—re it bee long I will make sufficient proofe that I am a better man at armes then he Within a while after hee left his Castle beeing well mounted and armed placing himselfe vnder the tree where you sawe this knight dead to what intent I cannot tell but vnhappily the Lord of this Castle came that way hauing left his horse and Armour because hee onely intended to take the ayre The cowardly wretch seeing what aduantage hee had of him and remembring the promise hee made his Lady thought it place commodious to get him reputation and no witnesses by to report the contrary so without giuing him warning or speaking one word to him stealing behinde him smote his Launce thorough his necke as you heere beholde Thus vnprouided of defence likewise suddenly and most villainously was this good knight slain and yet the blody traytour not satisfied alighting from his horse gaue him many needlesse cruell woundes with his sworde and so despitefully left him there In good faith answered Galaor the deede is monstrous vnable to passe without common reprehension but seeing you haue vouchsafed mee this fauour I pray ye tell me why was he afterwarde laide on such a costly bed vnder the tree Because it being a continuall passage for knights errant said the olde man to try if any would be so honourably prouoked as to reuenge an act of such sâ—ame and contempt after wee had acquainted them with this sad discouse I found him alone at the tree replyed Galaor what was the cause then you left him so Your demaund is not amisse â—quoth the olde man for foure Squires were euer wont to guarde him but because the knight who did the murther came and threatened to kill them we were coÌ„strained to bring away the body hither I maruell sayde Galaor that I heard not the noyse it may well bee sayd I slept soundly Are you he replyed the old man whom we found leaning asleep on your helmet The very same man answered Galaor Why did you rest so homely there quoth the old man To reuenge his death sayd Galaor if by reason I might doe so much Ah worthy Sir answered the old man heauen grant the finishing thereof to your honour then taking him by the hand he brought him to the bed whereon the dead man lay thus speaking to the sorrowfull Lady Madame this knight saith to his power he will reuenge the death of your Lord. Alas gentle knight quoth she the God of heauen keepe you in that good minde for I can finde no kinred or friend in this countrey who will doe so much for me because my Lord was a stranger yet whlie he liuid euery one shewed great friendship in lookes but now their kindnes is cold enough Lady answered Galaor in respect both he and I were borne in one countrie my desire is the greater to reuenge his death Are you said the Lady the sonne to King Perion of Gaule whom my deceased Lord often told me was in king Lisuarts Court Neuer came I there Madame replyed Galaor in all my life but tell me what he is that did this treason and in what place I may find him Gentle Lord quoth she you shall be conducted thither if you please neuerthelesse I stand in doubt considering the perill you will mislike the enterprise as
many others haue done who were heretofore accompanied thither Herein Madame said Galaor is the difference between good and bad yet if you will allow mee so much as you did them that made refusal happily I may speede better then they did The Lady noting his honourable disposition called two of her Damosels commanding them to conduct Galaor to the knight that held her daughter perforce In footh Madame sayd the Prince little credite shall you haue by sending me on foote my owne horse I lost not long since in the woode by hard fortune I pray ye then let mee haue another on this condition that if I reuenge not your cause I may sland bound to deliuer him againe You shall haue one Sir answered the Lady for I hope by your prowesse not onely our possessions shall remaine at your disposing but our selues likewise your obedient seruants CHAP. XXVI How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whom he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree THus departed Galaor 〈◊〉 conduct of the two Damosels who leading him the neerest way through a Forrest at the further side therof shewed him a Castle beeing the place whither they were commanded to bring him whereupon they thus spake to the Prince Beholde my Lord at this Fortresse you may reuenge the murdered Knights death Tell me his name replyed Galaor Hee is called Palingues answered the Damosels Being now come hard by the Castle they saw the gate was fast which made Galaor call out aloud whereat an armed Knight came on the battlements demanding what he sought for I would enter the Castle answered Galaor This gate quoth hee is appointed to no other end but for the comming forth of such as remaine heere within Which way shall I enter then said Galaor I will shew you quoth the Knight But I doubt I shall trauell in vaine and that you dare not come to vs. Now trust mee replied Galaor I would faine haue beene within long since Wee shall quickly see that sayd the Knight if your hardinesse be such as you make shew of alight from your horse and come neer the Castle wall Which Iaor did giuing his horse to the Damosels went to the place where hee was appointed Then came the Knight againe and another with him seeming of greater stature then his companion they two winding a winche about ouer the wall let downe a basket with a cord saying to the Prince If you will enter here the passage by the basket is this high way But if I put my selfe therein answered Galaor will yee promise to draw me vp in safety Yea truely quoth they albeit afterwarde wee will not warrant yee Crediting their wordes hee entered the basket saying Drawe mee vp for on your honest promise I aduenture Herewith they beganne to winde vp the basket which the Damosels seeing marueling not a little at Galaors hardinesse sayde Ah good Knight God shield thee from treason for doubtlesse thou shewest a gentle and valiant heart By this time the Knights had drawen him vp taking him and the basket in at the top afterwards the knights thus began with him Gentleman it is necessary you sweare to aide the Lord of this Castle against such as would quarrell with him for the death of Anthebon otherwise you neuer shall depart hence What sayd Galaor Did one of you twaine kill him Why demand you replyed the other Because quoth hee I am come to let the murderer knowe how hee hath committed a deed of horrible treason Come yee for that intent sayd they now surely you might haue beene a great deale better aduised Darest thou threaten vs and art in our custody alas wee must haue another manner of account at thy hands we must chastice the folly wherewith thy braine is troubled then drawing their swordes they layde vpon him very furiously When Galaor sawe himselfe thus wronged both in words and deeds hee entred into such choller as quickely hee made them feele the edge of his sword so that the Damosels might easily heare the clanching of the stroakes on the Armour for the two knights were strong and vigorous and Galaor well mooued with hot displeasure Ah God quoth one of the Damosels harke how the worthy knight dealeth with the traytors let vs not depart hence till wee see some end thereof All this while Galaor so laboured his enemies with such sharpe charges as their hearts began somewhat to despaire for to one of them hee gaue such a blow on the helmet as his sword entred three fingers deepe into his headafterard hee buffeted him with the hilts of his sword that hee made him fall on his knees to the ground In meane space the other spared not Galaor but layd loade on him to reuenge his companion whose head the Prince had now seuered from his shoulders and comming to the other the coward began to turne his backe running downe the staires faster then euer hee came vp but Galaor followed so nimbly that laying holde on him hee made him sure for euer letting downe the basket againe to drawe vp any more knights on the wals Now because the Prince knewe not Palingues and doubting one of these twaine to be he he threw them ouer the battlements to the Ladies bidding them to looke on them afterward to resolue him but they answered they were so mangled as they could not iudge of them and they were perswaded that Palingues was neither of these twaine Whereupon Galaor went downe into the Castle and as hee looked euery where about him he espied a faire young Lady who cryed aloud Palingues Palingues is this the great chiualry for which thou wouldest be renowned now thou flyest like a cowardly and faint hearted knight yet sayest thou wert a better man at armes then my murdered father whom thou killedst as thou vauntest in combate hand to hand In sooth what euer I doubted is now come to passe why dost thou not attend this Knight who looketh for thee if there be any manly heart or spirit in thee shew it now in need when thy life depends thereon At these words Galaor looked more aside and espied Palingues well armed who was opening the doore of a Tower to saue himselfe wherefore he stepped to him saying Beleeue mee Knight this flying wil little aduantage thee and lesse the strong holde thou wouldest enter into for thou must answer the life of good Anthebon whose death thou diddest compasse by monstrous villany Palingues seeing there was no other remedy turned and fiercely smote at Galaor his sworde entring so farre into the Princes shield as he was not able to pull it out againe by meanes whereof Galaor reached him such a blowe that therewith his right arme was cut quite from his body the griefe whereof so pained him as hee ran into the chamber where the Ladie was thinking by this poore shift to defend his life But Galaor getting hold on his legges dragged him along on his backe out againe and with his sworde smote his head
from his shoulders This is quoth hee the rewarde of thy treacheries done to Anthebon and payment for thy treason in the action of his death The daughter of Anthebon being present at this deede hauing heard Galaor often name her father fell on her knees before him with these words Alas my Lord you haue bouÌ„d me in such duty to you as neuer shall I be able to requite your paines my selfe being of such simple and slender ability but the good will I haue to recompence this benefit hath imprinted daily prayers in my heart to God for you hauing so iustly reuenged the death of my father and the wrongfull forcing of this traytour Galaor curteously taking her vp embracing her in his armes thus answered On my faith faire friend hee were a man of little sence that would offer displeasure to such a one as you are seeing you much bettet deserue to be loued and serued then with griefe or fauour to bee offended but tell mee haue you any more enemies in this Castle No Sir replyed the Damosell those which remaine are to doe you honour and obeysance Let vs goe then quoth hee to let in two Damosels who were my guides hither from your Lady mother So taking him by the hand shee commanded the gate to bee opened the two Damosels entered leading Galaors horse but when they sawe their yong Mistresse they humbly made her reuerence demanding if her fathers death were reuenged to her desire Yea verily quoth shee I thanke God and this knight who hath done that many other could not doe It was now the vehement hot time of the day wherefore Galaor tooke off his helmet to refresh himselfe when the Lady seeing him so young and beautifull as also so valiant in deedes of armes began to bee touched with loue and setting aside both feare and bashfulnesse shee began to imbrace and kisse him saying My honorable Lord friend more cause haue I to loue you then any other creature liuing In good faith quoth he and I loue you likewise as well in respect of your beauty and good grace as also for your deceased fathers sake he and I being borne in one Countrie May if it please ye Sir sayde shee to tell mee your name Such as are acquainted with mee answered the Prince tearme mee Galaor In sooth my Lord quoth shee often haue I heard my father speake of Sir Amadis your brother and of you likewise saying you were the sons to the King of Gaul his liege Lord and Soueraigne As thus they deuised they entered alone into a chamber while the Damosels with the rest were pouiding viands wherefore Galaor seeing time and place so commodious to request the loue of her that vsed him so kindly shee being a Lady young fresh and faire named Brandueta himselfe likewise actiue and desirous of such sweete baytes thus spake Madame if Palingues loued you as I haue heard hee had great reason for it knowing you to bee such a one as I see you are for my selfe who haue so little acquaintance with you am already so deepe in deuotion to your gracious nature as I would repute my selfe happy if you granted me the fauour I desire accepting mee as your friend and seruant The Lady not one iot behinde him in amorous affection shaped him this answere I haue tolde yee my Lord that I loue you more then any other liuing creature therefore you 〈…〉 sured how mâ—… you in all things whatsoeuer â—…ring these speeches Galaor still held his loue in his armes kissing and toying with her so pleasantly as Diana soone after lost her interest in the maiden whereto Brandueta yeelded with greater contentment then all her former resistances to Palingues from whom shee kept her virginity so long that shee was now content to bestow it on the French Prince and hee hauing a good stomacke to such dainty dyet made her loue him the better for it while she liued But see an vnhappy inconuenience after many mabracings and amorous conferences as they would once more haue besieged the Footresse of loue the Damosels came to tell them that dinner was ready wherefore though loath they were forced to leane off accompanying the Damosels to the place where the tables were couered which was vnder a Gallery inuironed with trees As they sate at the table and discoursed of many matters among other things Brandueta declared to him how Palingues standing in feare of him and his brother Amadis caused this Castle to be kept so strongly considering that her Father Anthebon was of Gaule and king Perions subiect the sooner would they assay to worke reuenge for his death For this reason quoth she hee allowed no other entrance then by the basket into this Castle where I haue liued in maruailous griefe and sorrowe as neuer shall I desire to tarry here longer therefore right gentle Lord and friend might it so like you without any longer stay I would gladly see my mother who will not bee a little glad of my returne and yours likewise Galaor was very well contented and thoughâ—… were late yet got they to horse-backe departing from the Castle but for all their haste they were two houres benighted which brake no square in respect of the good newes the good Lady with all her family ioyfully receiuing them with all honourable meanes could bee deuised beside the comforted widow cast herselfe at his feete vsing these speeches Worthy Lord both I and mine are bound to you for euer referring to your disposition whatsoeuer wee enioy because you are the restorer confirmer of all I thank you Madame answered Galaor for your friendly offers but where no desert is the requitall must of force be farre more easie Now the greater part of the night beeing spent they brake off talke and bequeathed themselues to rest and Galaor being alone in his chamber remembred his louely breakefast before dinner with his new friend who likewise was so deepe in consideration thereof that shee could wish such another ere supper and whether she did or no iudge you For no sooner knew she euery one to bee in bedde but secretly shee came to Galaors chamber where shee had no churlish speeches to driue her away but most dainty sweete and gracious entertainement what else they did I know not but shee tarryed there till morning and then returned vnseene of any CHAP. XXVII How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosel met another Knight with whom he combated and what happened to him afterward YOu haue heard what haste Amadis made after the Damosell whom the knight led away perforce bearing and misusing her very cruelly but hee happened to meet with another Knight who demanded of him why he rid so fast What haue you to do answered Amadis whether it be my pleasure to ride fast or soft In good faith said the knight Ispeake it as one willing to helpe you if you be offered wrong by any that you may goe in better asurance if you bee affraid
together and she proceeded on this manner I entreate yee Sir to resolue me if you knowe a Knight that is named Amadis Why aske ye Lady quoth hee Because replyed shee all the guard you found in this Castle was appointed for him and assure your selfe if hee entred heere hee neuer should depart hence againe if first hee denyed not a promise that he made What was it answered Amadis I wil tel ye Sir said she on this condition that with your vttermost indeauor you will cause him to acquite it either by Armes or otherwise by reason hee hath not done it iustly In sooth Madame quoth hee if Amadis hath promised any thing wherein hee is to bee touched I will if I can cause him to discharge it Shee who vnderstood not to what ende hee thus spake answered as followeth I heartily thank ye Sir wherefore vnderstand that Amadis promised Angriote d'Estrauâ—â—s how hee would procure his Ladies liking to him and yet shee neuer could loue him in all her life this is a matter against all right seeing forced affection is no loue but dolour and misery then according to your promise you must labour to cause Amadis reuoke this vnreasonable offer Now trust mee Madame replyed the Prince you say right well I will endeauour to make him acquite you These wordes procured many thankes from her shee not comprehending his meaning heerein for hee hoped to accomplish his promise both to Angriote and her without derogating either to one or other as you hereafter shall vnderstand But Madame saide hee are you shee whom Angriote loueth so Yea truely quoth shee I know him very well answered Amadis that hee is one of the best Knights in the world and me thinkes there is no Lady or Gentlewoman so rich or faire but might thinke herselfe happy and fortunate to haue such a Knight as he Neuerthelesse what I say is not to exempt my selfe from the promise I made ye for I will perform it if I can because hee is a much better Knight then Amadis albeit he made him that gentle offer CHAP. XXXIII How Amadis combated with the Knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him WHile thus they were deuising together there entred another Knight of large proportion and strong all armed except with his helmet and gauntlets who thus spake to Amadis It is tolde me Sir knight that you demaund a Damosell which I brought hither yester night and how I did it against her will but assure your self she would more willingly goe with mee then stay with you therfore you may be ashamed thus to quarrel noâ— haue I any reason to deliuer her againe to you I would faine see her answered Amadis It must bee then saide the Knight whether I will or no but if you will maintaine that I haue wronged her and she ought not to be mine I presently will approoue the contrarie on your person by combat Thou canst not please mee better quoth Amadis and in this cause will I stand not onely against thee but resolutely against all other that by right she appertayneth not to thee if willingly she gaue not her consent Let vs see then saide the Knight which of vs shall haue her This man of whom we speake was Vncle germaine to Angriotes Ladie named Gasinan shee louing and honouring him aboue all her other kinred for hee was the best Knight of his race wise and discreete so that shee was altogether gouerned by his counsell A goodly horse beeing brought forth for him hee laced on his helmet and stood prouided to enter the combate which Grouenesa the Lady perceiuing shee came to her Vncle with these wordes Certes my Lord it were better you should forbeare this difference because I would bee sory any harme should come to either of you in respect you Vncle are the only man of the world whom I am most bound to loue and this knight I haue greatest hope in for he hath promised to deale with Amadis as hee shall acquite the offer made to Angriote What Neece answered Gasinan thinke you that hee or any his like can disswade the most gentle Knight on the earth from accomplishing his promise I know not quoth shee what you imagine of him but I repute him one of the best in the worlde otherwise hee could not haue entered heere by strength of Armes as hee did Say you so replyed Gasinan you praise him ouer much for passing the defended gates when men of such mean account had them in charge I say not this but that hee may be a gentle Knight yet I hope to take him forth a new lessen and a better then he if he were here in witnesse of my wordes your selfe shal presently be iudge seeing him vanquished and my selfe peaceably possessed of the Damosel we quarrell for Herewith the Lady left them and they giuing the spurres to their horses brake their Lances gallantly in the encounter and with such fury met their bodies that Gasinan was dismounted hauing a shrewd fall against the ground yet he arose quickly and drawing his sworde stood by a Marble pillar in the middest of the Court thinking Amadis could there little endoâ—ge him being on horse-backe and hee on foote When Amadis sawe how his enemy dallied with him he waxed very angry and striking fiercely at him by mishap his sworde lighted short on the pillar and so was broken in three peeces now grew he into greater choller and seeing in what danger hee was vnprouided of a weapon to defend himselfe withall hee leaped from his horse so quickely as hee could when Gasinan thus spake to him Knight thou â—eest thy death at hand if thou grant not the Damosell to be mine Nor will I yeelde thereto saide Amadis vnlesse herselfe doe first consent Thou shalt see quoth Gasinan how deere this foolish humor will cost thee With these wordes he deliuered him many sharpe stroakes but Amadis awarded them very cunningly so that the most of them were bestowed in vaine rather wearying his enemy then doing him any harme And so long endured the combate as the beholders were not a little amazed thereat wondering that Gasinan got not the victorie all the while considering what aduantage hee had of the Prince but Amadis concluded with himselfe being thus extreamely handled to hazard rather a speedy conquest then a lingring shame and therefore ranne violently vpon Gasinan getting fast holde about his body so suddenly as he had scant leasure to lift his armes for resistance but was constrained to let fall his sworde and struggle with Amadis who griped him terribly so stroue they to ouerthrow each other But Amadis threw him with such might against the Marble pillar that hee was not able to stirre hand or foot and afterward taking vp Gasinans sword brake the buckles of his helmet then catching him by the head hee sayd Knight thou hast offered mee great wrong since my sworde brake but now shall I bee reuenged on thee then made hee
leaue of him returning the same way shee came whereat euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimity as whatsoeuer happened hee would not be reprooued with cowardice and so dearely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deaths then to see him suffer any mishap or iniury Wherupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuerience to alter the promise hee had so lightly made shewing it was not beseeming his Maiesty to deale with ffaires of knights and Gentlemen he being placed in authoritie ouer them While they stood on these tearmes there entred three knights two of them being very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for hee was a man of ancient yeares as seemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull colour then commonly hath been noted in a man of age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This knight carryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demanding for the King the Gentle-men shewed where hee sate making him way to his Maiesty before whom hee fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is king Lisuart for within these few dayes hee hath made the most worthy promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to be performed but I would faine knowe your meaning heerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honour a matter wherein now a dayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Heerein you were tolde truth sayde the King and you may bee well assured that I will doe my vttermost to aduance the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your countrie to be ready at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you heere a thing with mee which such a king as you are ought most royally to receiue Then opening the Cofer hee took forth a Crowne of gold so sumtuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and pretious stones as neuer was seene a more costlier Iewell euery one being of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mighty Lord. When the king had long and earnestly beheld it he was very desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the knight perceiuing saide This Crowne my Lord is of such workemanship as no ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be esteemed for the king that keepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the king who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no king but you that euer saw it but if you like it so well I will make ye a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some danger to lose All this while was the Queene in place earnestly wishing that the king her husband might haue it where-upon she saide to the king Me-thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demandeth Madame quoth the knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buy it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was seene for beside the precious stones wherewith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sorts of beasts and birds which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rate and curious piece of worke not wrought as I thinke by humaine capacity You say true Madame replied the knight for the like hereof is not to bee found yet may not the riches compare with the property and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maried Ladies then any other because shee that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of cheef regard answered the Queen if it haue any such indeede I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grew she maruailous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betweene the king and her wherefore she sayde to the knight Say Sir how do you estimate this mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseech you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the hands of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of griefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedy while I liue and because I know not well the valew of these iewels I will leaue them in your costody vntill the day you holde open Court at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demand In meane while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue sayd you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust me sayd the king seeing you repose such confidence in mee assure your selfe to haue whatsoeuer you request or else they shall bee restored againe It suffiseth quoth the knight thē turning to the Lords he thus proceeded Worthy Lords you haue all heard what the king hath promised me that he will restore the mantle the crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me whatsoeuer I shall demād So much his Maiesty hath said replied the Lords we are witnesses thereof Adiew then answered the ancient Knight for perforce I must returne to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But here you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knights which conducted the old man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his helmet open and seemed a young man the other held downe his head as loth to bee knowne being of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kings Court might bee equalled with him So departed they againe all three together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kings custody CHAP. XXXI How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays being all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Court of King Lisuart where they were wel-commed with exceeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowne
but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside ech one reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing left euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwithstanding seeing you are the best King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ve then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would faine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere them which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete no ◅gnorant what medicines should be applied to passionate mindes after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else-where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to confer with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him frō the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most deerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing you which if
escape the death Wherefore shee was content to conceale them in respect of the offence she should commit by causing the death of two so good knights beside shee repented her vnhonorable iourney which now she could no way remedie but only by keping their names vnknown They being thus prisoners to the Lady she entred into these speeches Knights you may see in what estate I hold ye and there is no meane but one for deliuerance which I will acquaint ye withall mary if you doe not fulfill it in steed of giuing you liberty I will cause you to be inclosed in such a dolorous prison as shall be worse to you then death it selfe Lady answered Amadis the matter may be such that we shall easily consent thereto and in some sort againe we will rather die then obey you I know not quoth the Lady how you may conceiue thereof but I can assure ye that if you promise mee not to forsake the seruice of King Lisuart and to go tell him at your departure hence how you do it by commandement of Madasima Lady of Gantasi who enuies his welfare because he keepeth one in his court that slew the most renowned Knight Dardan you neuer shale escape this mereilesse captiuity Madame said Galaor if you do this thinking thereby to offend king Lisuart you much abuse your selfe for we are two poore knights who haue no other riches then our Armour and Horse and hee hath such store of redoubted Seruants as he will little care whether you imprison vs or no yet shall it bee such a shame to vs as you can neuer imagine the like because wee are vnable to do it What quoth she loue you better to spend your life time in a most miserable prison then to forsake the seruice of the most disloyall king liuing Now trust me Madame answered Galaor but ill beseems you these bad speeches for he is one of the best Princes in the World and against any knight I will maintaine that neuer was disloyalty found in him In lucklesse time for thee said Madasima hast thou vttered thy loue wherewith shee commanded their hands to be bound That shall I do replied a knight and cut off their heads if you please Hereupon he laid hold on Amadis who was so offended thereat as he lifted his fist to giue him a blow on the eare but the knight escaping Amadis caught him about the middle throwing him so violently against the ground that he thought his heart was broken for he lay still and moued not Now grew the Lady and her knights into such anger with Amadis as presently they would haue slaine him and he had not escaped but that an ancient knight stepped before him with his Sword drawne vsing such threatnings and other behauiour as he caused them all to goe forth of the Pauillion yet could he not defend him so well but Amadis was wounded on the right shoulder Then stepped the auncient knight to Madasima with these wordes By God Madame you deale like a very vnreasonable Woman causing your people in your presence to murder two knights after they haue yeelded themselues your prisoners Why Sir quoth she did you not see their presumptuous boldnesse especially this varlet who before my face hath so vsed this Man as he is not able to rise againe Madame replied Galaor we rather chuse to die then any other but your selfe shall binde vs for you by nature are gentle and courteous and we as prisoners wil shew obeysance to you Seeing you say so answered Madasima I will binde you my selfe hereupon she bound their hands with strong cords and presently taking downe the Tents they departed thence Amadis and Galaor being set on horses without Saddles and led along by two Sâ—rgeants as for Gandalin and Galaors Squire they followed on foot hauing their hands bound behinde them in manner as if they had gone to hanging and thus were they constrained to trauaile al night through the Forrest But Amadis was weary of his life not so much for his hard vsage in respect he could gouerne himselfe with wonderfull patience but for the matter Madasima would enforce them to the refusall whereof gaue hope of no better vsage at her hand but for euer to be depriued of his faire Oriana And contrarywise if he consented he should in like manner be banished from her presence being compelled to serue king Lisuart no longer these two extremitys troubled his thoughts which the ancient knight well perceiued that saued their liues yet he imagined the cause to proceede from his hurt and was moued to pitty him for the Damosell had told him that he was one of the best knights in the world Here you must obserue how the Damosell was the ancient knights Daughter and repented her treason in deceiuing them seeing how discourteously they were intreated which made her earnestly to perswade her father to practise some meane for their safety for quoth she if they be put to death perpetuall shame will attend on my life Haue pitty then good Father on them and me in respect the one is famous Amadis of Gaule and the other his brother Gaiâ—or who slew the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Full wel knew the knight the cause why his Daughter brought them and therefore pittied their vsage the more deuising how he might compasse the meanes to shielde them from death which was neere at hand so comming to Amadis he thus spake Be of good cheere Sir Knight for I hope by the helpe of God ere long to deliuer you from this cruell Lady and if your wound offend ye I will perswade her to let you haue some cure When Amadis heard him speake so friendly knowing likewise it was the Man who deliuered him from them that would haue slaine him hee thus answered Father I haue no Wound which greatly annoyeth me but I haue more cause to complaine of the Damosell she hath brought vs hither by the falsest treacherie in the World I know very well saide the Knight you haue beene deceiued and can tell what you are better then you weene which makes mee the more carefull in seeking your good Therefore I shall giue you profitable counsell if you will accept it But did the Lady know you you should die without any remedy because nothing might serue else to expiaâ—e her wrath beleeue then what I say and put it in practise You are fayre young and of gallant stature beside Madasima hath beene told how you are one of the best Knights in the World whereby shee conceiueth good opinion of you now must you cunningly close with her requesting shee would accept you as her husband or perpetuall friend for she is a woman not to refuse you if you can neuer so little dissemble with her But what you doe do quickly because at that place whither we are now going she intends to send one of her seruants to King Lisuarts Court whose errand 〈◊〉 onely to enquire your names for she that conducted you â—ither
hee hee had and while the horse fed Amadis demaunded to whom the Castle belonged To a knight called Grumen sayde the Hermit Cosen germaine to proud Dardan who was slaine at the Court of king Lisuart which makes mee the rather coniecture that he will lodge such as are enemies to so good a Prince Good father replied Amadis I beseech you haue minde of mee in your prayers and now shew me the nearest way to the Castle Which the Hermite did when Amadis mounting on horse-backe tooke his leaue following the way hee was directed Not long after he got a sight of the Castle which was compassed with strong Towers and high wals wherefore so closely as hee could hee approached neare it where hee heard what ioy they made for the arriuall of Arcalaus whē marking how many gates of issue it had hee found there was no more but one wherefore tying his horse where he might not be seen he hid himselfe so conueniently as none could passe in and out but he must needs see them thus was hee glad to watch there all that night At the breake of day doubting lest the watch of the Castle should descry him hee entered a little thicket where long hee had not staied but hee sawe a knight come forth on a little hill before the Castle looking all about if he could discerne any ambush which done hee went in againe and very soon after Arcalaus with his foure companions issued forth well armed conducting the two Ladies whom Amadis well knew so soone as hee sawe them Heereupon hee fell downe on his knee and prayed that God would strengthen him in this enterprise then looking to the well guiding of his horse and that euery part of his Armour were as it ought to be taking his Launce hee mounted tarrying till they passed by him But because this place was vnfit for the combate hee intended to suffer them enter on the plaine neere at hand still keeping himselfe in the thicket and so neer did Arcalaus with his company passe by Amadis as hee heard the Princesse Oriana thus complaine Alas sweet friend quoth she great reason haue you to bid mee adiew when I would permit you to goe succour her that seemed the most wofull woman in the world for I feare this shall bee our last conge and neuer may you see me againe because death giueth such due attendance as it is impossible for me to escape These words were of such vertue that albeit Amadis could not refraine from teares yet did they so liuely inflame his heart as ouer-reaching them ere they knew any thing hee thus spake to them You lye false traitours for these Ladyes shall passe no further The voyce of Amadis was quickly knowne by Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke when imagining themselues already reskewed their mindes were ioyfully cheered especially to see their conductours so suddenly amated But Arcalaus perceiuing how Amadis out-raged his friends approched more neere him and Amadis well knowing him from the rest met him so brauely as hee sent him headlong to the ground thē entring among the other foure hee gaue such a charge to Grumen the Lord of the Castle where they lodged that his Launce passed quite through his body and breaking therein he fell downe dead from his horse Now drew he the sword the Queene sent him wherewith he laide so valiantly about him as his enemies were cleane dismaied in their hope whē they beheld Arcalaus not yet recouered whose power they reputed able to ouer-throw an armie As hee continued the combate with them the Damosell of Denmarke seeing the friends of Arcalaus fight so timorously and himselfe lie still as one in a traunce she sayd to Oriana Madame beholde how your Amadis honoureth your loue see you not how he hath vsed Arcalaus and our hoste in sooth wee are already succoured for these other villaines can holde out no longer Ah happy Amadis quoth Oriana the mirrour of all vertue and chiualrie heauen giue thee grace to finish our deliuerance with victorie ouer these malicious traitours When the Squire who had the charge of Oriana as you heard vnderstood that shee named Amadis he was in such feare as presently hee leaped from the horse saying By my faith I might full well be reputed a foole to tarry for such blowes as my companions haue and with these words he run away so fast that hee neuer looked behinde if any pursued him In this time Amadis had dispatched three of the knights and the fourth misdoubting like lot would fal to him trusted to his horse legges for safetie of himselfe but as Amadis followed him he heard the Princesse giue a loude crye when looking backe hee saw that Arcalaus had got her with him on horse backe and gallopped away so fast as hee could Hereupon hee let goe the knight to helpe Oriana ouer-taking Arcalaus ere hee got much ground and lifting his sword to strike at him hee doubted least he should hurt the Princesse but turning to the other side he gaue him such a wound on the shoulder as he was glad to let fall Oriana that himselfe might escape more lightly for he knew if Amadis laid hold on him al the treasure in the world could not saue his life When Amadis saw himselfe sure of his Lady hee still pursued the cowardly run-away saying Tarry Arcalaus tarry and thou shalt see if Amadis be dead according as thou lyedst not long agoe But Arcalaus had no leasure to answere hee rather tooke his shield from his neck and threw it to the ground because nothing might hinder his horse in running At length as Amadis strook at him the blowe fell short on the horse buttock and the beast feeling himselfe wounded made greater haste away then he did before leauing Amadis very farre behinde who earnestly desired the death of Arcalaus but seeing all his labour was in vaine and doubting least some harme might happen to his Mistresse to lose her againe by negligence hauing by hardy valour so well recouered her he turned back againe and attayning the place where she stayed for him hee alighted from his horse then falling on his knee humbly kissed her hand saying Madame heauen hath affoorded mee more grace in strengthening me to succour you then euer it did to any other knight for I was out of hope to see you againe But she good Lady remained still so passionate in respect of her vngentle vsage as also affrighted with feare when Arcalaus let her fall that she could returne no answer but gaue him thankes by many kind embracings By this time the Damosell of Denmarke came to them and by the way found the sword of Arcalaus which shee bringing to Amadis thus spake See heere my Lord a very faire sword Right soone did Amadis know it to bee the same was found with him on the Sea which Arcalaus took from him when he lay enchanted being not a little glad hee had recouered it While many affable speeches passed betweene them Amadis
still comforting his dismayed Mistris and shee reioycing in her louely friend Gandalin arriued who had sought his Master all that night and happily found him there with his Lady Now minded they to tarry no longer in this place wherfore making choyce of the knights horses to their owne liking they all mounted Amadis leading Orianaes Palfray by the bridle and shee rehearsing to him by the way what iniury the dead knights had done her as in her life time she neuer endured the like Madame answered Amadis much greater griefe haue I suffered by a liuing creature yet lesse to be feared then the dead who can doe no harme but beauty onely hath hazarded my life Albeit Oriana well knew his meaning yet shee demanded who was the cause thereof Euen you Madame quoth he who hold mee in a life more irkesome then death My Lord said the Princesse neuer with my consent did you sustaine any harme and very sorie would I be you should thinke mee so vnkinde for rather could I affoord to ease your griefe were it in my power to compasse the meane Ah Madame replyed Amadis as by you onely I took my hurt so from you onely must I haue my help and reason reputes it a matter of great inconuenience that such rare perfections should cause so rough passions But if you be indued with such pitty as the rest of your excellencies do plainly promise you will not beholde that in me which you grieue to see in your chiefest enemies euen death gentle Princesse who in my torments awaiteth on me forbearing to strike beeing conquered with this hope that did opportunity and place serue your passed promise shold ease your thoughts and deliuer me from this weighty oppression But see how sweete occasion fauoureth vs and fortune stands aloose from hindering our content doe not you then good Madame let slip this gracious offer when time and place challenge it at your hand considering the argument is vrgent and being now loytered may hardly be againe so well recouered Oriana not so much for these reasons as because her pain was equall with his had not he begun the motion her selfe would haue solicited the same thus answered Great is the force of your perswasioÌ„s but greater the vnfained loue I beare you which hath such authority ouer me as when you shall haue least occasion to demand I am content and constrained to obey yea to repose such a thing in your trust as very hardly can I holde fast in my thoughts Yet I desire you albeit you see me not stored with prouidence that you will carefully mannage our enterprise by warie keeping it from knowledge or suspect rather submitting our selues to the highest displeasure then common reproofe which is containd within no limits Sufficient protestation made Amdais hereof but little batterie needed when the hole was won and riding through a verie thick wood the Princesse became desirous of sleepe because the night before she enioyed no rest whereupon shee acquainted Amadis therewith saying shee must needes sleepe ere she went any further â—Hee beeing no vnprofitable counseller and seeing a daintie plot by a riuers siue shaddowed with boughes from the heate of the sunne aduised her to rest there awhile and dismounting from their horses hee thus spake So please you Madame in this place we may stay till the heate be gone and you rest in tarying for the cold euening in meane space I will send Gandalin to the Towne to bring some viands to refresh vs withall Your reason is good saide Oriana but how shall hee come by meate He shall leaue his horse in pawne answered Amadis and returne on foote Yet I quoth Oriana haue a better helpe then that hee shall sell this ring which can doe vs no better seruice then now in our neede So pulling the ring from her finger she gaue it to Gandalin who taking his leaue as hee came by his Maister saide So good time lost will neuer bee had againe Amadis knew his meaning well enough yet made he no shew thereof but vnarmed him-selfe and Oriana spreading the Damosels mantle on the grasse laide her downe vpon it the Damosell likewise went aside into the wood where shee fell soundly asleepe by reason she watched all the night before Thus remained Amadis alone with his mistresse so glad of her gentle grant and the fauourable houre at hand as hee could not withdraw his eyes from comfort which made him delay time in needelesse gazing In the end though his hands had beene slow in vnarming him all his other members were in better state for not one of them but did his duty The heart was rauished in thoughts the eye in contemplatioÌ„ of excellent beauty the mouth with sweete kisses the armes with kinde embracings and no one mal content in any poynt except the eyes which wished themselues in number like the starres in heauen for their better ability in function thinking they could not sufficiently beholde so diuine an obiect In great paine were they likewise because they were hindered from the pride of beauty for the Princesse held her eyes closed as well to disguise her desire of sleepe as also for the discreet shame conceiued by this pleasure so that shee durst not boldly looke on him she most loued Hereupon carelesly spreading her armes abroad as though she slept in deed and by reason of the exceeding heate leauing her gorget open two little alablaster bowles liuely shewed themselues in her bosome so faire and sweetly respiring as Nature neuer shewed more curious workmanshippe Now Amadis forgetting his former bashfulnesse seeing Fortune allowed him so quaint a fauour let loose the reines of amorous desire with such aduantage as notwithstanding some weak resistance of the Princesse she was enforced to prooue the good and bad together which maketh friendly maidens become faire women Dainty was the good grace and subtiltie of Oriana in shadowing her surpassing pleasure with a feminine complaint of Amadis boldnesse shewing in countenance such a gracious choller contented displeasure as in stead of consuming time in excuses Amadis resaluted her with sundry sweet kisses as also another cause to chide if she wold But she being loth to mixe angry speeches with amiable sollace or with frowning lookes to crosse an equall content thought it better to commend the controule of so kinde a louer and therefore continued this pleasing recreation as neither party receiued occasion of mislike rather with kisses which are counted the seales of loue they chose to confirm their vnanimity then otherwise to offend a resolued patience Ah how many repetitions made Oriana of the paines she suffered in expectation of this day confessing those priuate particularities which none but she her desire were acquainted withall How many matters likewise alleadged Amadis expressing thereby his singular contentment and credible assurance of his perpetuall faith now reckoning all his trauels well imployed more then sufficiently recompensed In these discourses and pleasures they spent most part
fauour will yeeld themselues Each of you therefore reioyce and be of good cheere for when I 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 required 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 thee 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 frō 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 Arcalans 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 ouertaking 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
vntill the moon began to shine and then they knew that they were in a great meddow in which they beheld many Pauillions set vp and people sporting all about them Then said the Gentlewoman vnto Amadis Sir because I see my father you may if it please you come faire and softly and I will goe before to aduertise him of your coÌ„ming that he may do you that honour as you deserue So saying shee gallopped her horse vntill shee came vnto the tents where she alighted Then shee tolde her father how these foure knights had followed her hauing a desire to trie the aduentures of the Firme Island which he vnderstanding came to meete them and receiued them very courteously afterwards hee led them vnto one of the Pauillions where they rested vntill their supper was ready When they were set downe the gouerner of the Isle discoursed vnto them the aduentures of such Knights and Ladyes which had proued the arch of loyall louers and the other nouelties thereof vntill it was time to goe to rest Whereupon they all with-drew themselues and when day appeared they mounting all on horse-back rode so long that they came to a place which was in breadth no more then a bow shoot of firme ground and all the rest was water And they went on in this straight vntill they came into the entrie of the Island the which was onely fiue leagues in breadth and seuen in length There might they see the sumptuous Pallace of Apolidon whose gates were open and as they drew neerer they perceiued more then an hundred targets or shields placed in three rankes the most parte leaning against two postes and tenne other nailed a little ouer them But there were three which were very high aboue the rest fastned vpon another post which stood forwarder then the first yet did they likewise differ in height for the highest was a faddom aboue the middle-most and the middlemost was a cubit ouer the lowest Then Amadis demanded why they were thus ranked Truely answered the gouernour according to the vallour and knight-hood of those which would haue entred the forbidden chamber their shields are honoured and these which you see neerest the ground belonged to such Knights which could not come neere the brasen piller but these tenne that are higher came vnto it they which ought these two other shields which you see seperated and placed aboue the rest haue done more for they haue passed the piller yet could they not come neere the other of marble as the other hath done whose shield is therfore placed aboue these two which are so much esteemed Then Amadis approched more neere to see if he might know any of them for there was none of them but had written vpon them the names of such as heretofore did owe theÌ„ and he cast his eye vpon the lowermost of the three which hung by themselues ouer the other tenne which had in a field Sables a Lyon Or fanged and armed Argent with a Cheife Gules this hee knewe to boe the shield of Arcalaus Then hee beheld the two vppermost the lower bearing in a field Azure a knight Argent cutting off the head of a Gyant the which hee remembred to bee the shield of king Abies of Ireland who prooued this aduenture two yeares before that Amadis did kill him in Gaule The third which was aboue all the rest had a fielde Azure three Flowers or which he could not know without reading the superscription which sayd This is the shield of Don Quedragant brother to king Abies of Ireland the which was set ouer all the others within these twelue dayes For Quedragant behaued himselfe so valiantly that he came vnto the Marble piller whereunto none other had before approached He by chance passed by the Firme-Island in seeking for Amadis with an intent to fight with him and to reuenge the death of King Abies his brother Much amazed was Amadis seeing the shields of so many good Knights which had all fayled in their purposed enterprise and hee greatly feared least hee might performe as little as they For this cause hee and his company with-drew themselues to goe towarde the arch of loyall louers the which was shewed vnto them Agraies suddenly alighted and approaching neere the forbidden place hee with an indifferent high voice thus spake Loue if eâ—er I haue beene constant let mee now be remembred This sayde hee passed on and entred vnder the arch Then the copper Image began to sound so sweetely as it greatly reioyced the hearers and Agraies stayed not but went on vntill hee came vnto the Pallace where the pictures of Apolidon and Grimanesa were which seemed vnto him as if they had been aliue And he came neer vnto the Iasper piller wherein he beheld two lines written The first contayned Madanil sonne to the Duke of Burgoine hath passed vnder the arch of loyall louers and ended that aduenture The other was the name of Don Bruneo de bonne mer or of the lucky Sea sonne to Vaillades Marques of Troques Scant had he read the last line but he beheld a third which coÌ„tained This is the name of Agraies son to Languines King of Scotland This Madanil loued Aquinda Countesse of Flanders Don Bruneo Melicia daughter to King Perion of Gaule When Amadis did see that his Cosen was entred without any let at all hee sayde vnto his brethren Will not you proue the aduenture as hee hath done No answered they for we are not so much subiect vnto this passion that wee deserue to make tryall of our loyalty Seeing then that you bee twaine keepe you one another company and I will accompany Lord Agraies if I can Then he boldly entered vnder the arch and as hee passed the copper Image sounded vpon his horne another sound far more melodious then hee yet before had done Moreouer in stead of fire and sâ—inking flame that it cast forth against the disloyall louers flowers and sweete leaues came forth of his horne in such abundance that the place were all couered therewith But for all this Amadis stayed not but passed on euen hard vnto the Images of Apolidon and Grimanesa the which seemed vnto him so well formed as they wanted nothing but speech When Agraies which was entered before perceiued him he came to him and sayde My Lord and Cosen me thinkes we should not hence-forth hide our loues from one another But Amadis without any answere tooke him by the hand and walking together they beganne to discourse of the excellency of the place In the meane season Galaor and Florestan displeased with staying so long for them did intreate Isania the Gouernour of the Isle to shew them vnto the forbidden chamber the which he did Whereupon Florestan sayde vnto Galaor my Lord are you determined to try yourselfe No answered hee for I neuer desired to prooue such enchantments I pray you then sayde Florestan to sport you whilest I haue tryed this aduenture Then commending him-selfe to God with his shield
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 the 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 sogreatly troubled him that he had not yet seene the end But casting his eye vpon the superscritioÌ„ which contained these words She who forreth not to die but onely because then art her murtherer Hee then fetched so deepe a sigh as if his soule had parted from his body and therewithall 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 excellentest 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 vn till 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 maâ—ing 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
to rest him and vnarmed himselfe herewithall he beheld a very aged man clothed with a religious habit who tooke him by the hand as if he had pittied his trauaile spake to him certain words in a strange language which he did not vnderstand being in this trouble he awaked Vpon this dreame Amadis mused a great while thinking that oftentimes they foreshow some thing that followeth because he did see part of that which hee had dreamed to fall out Thus hee came to the gate where Gandalin and Isania stayed his with furniture there armed himselfe afterwards he mounted vpon his horse keeping neither way nor path vntill he came neere vnt an Hermitage then he demanded of Isania what place that was My Lord answered hee this Chappel is dedicated to the Vrgin Marie wherein oftentimes are diuerse strange miracles wrought For which cause Amadis allighted from his horse entred into the Church and kneeling downe with great deuotion hee made his prayers to God The which being ended hee rose vp called Gandalin to him whom he held a long time embraced in his armes not being able to speake one word yet in the end he thus said vnto him My deere Gandalin thou and I haue beene fostered vp with one milke and alwaies brought vp together and I neuer felt any paine or sorrow wherein thou hast not had thy part Thy father tok me vp in the sea whē I was yet but a small thing beeing but newly borne the very night before afterward he caused thy mother to cherish mee as tenderly as if I had their deeriest childe Now haue I oftentimes tried thy loyalty knowing very wel what seruice thou hast done for me the which I did hope in time with the fauour of God to haue recompensed but this great mis-fortune is fallen vpon me the which I feele more sharpe and cruell then death it selfe especially seeing I am constrained to forsake thee hauing no other thing to bestow vpon thee but the Isle which I haue newly conquered which I do giue thee commanding Isania with my other subiects vpon that faith and homage which they haue sworne vnto me to receiue thee as their Lord so soone as they shall be assured of my death Yet is it my wil that thy father and mother shal enioy the same during their liues and afterwards it shall remaine vnto thee which is in recompence of the good I haue receiued of thē whom I thought to haue better rewarded according to their deserts and my desire And as for you Lord Isania I pray you that of the fruits and reuenues of this Isle which of long time you haue had in your keeping you should build here in this place a Monestarie in the honor of the virgin Mary and to endow it with so much liuing as thirtie religious men may hence-forth liue vpon the same Ah my Lord said Gandalin I neuer forsooke you for any trauaile or perill which hitherto you haue suffered neither yet will I leaue you if God be pleased and if you dye I will not liue after you neither for all the world will I lose you Therefore you may if it please you bestowe this gift vpon my Lords your brethren seeing I will not haue it neither do I desire it in any sort Holde thy peace said Amadis let me heare these words no more vnlesse thou desirest to displease me but do as I would haue thee for my bretheren may prouide far greater liuings for thē and their friends then this small thing which I doe giue vnto thee But touching you my deere friend Isania it very greatly grieueth me that I haue not the means to gratulate you according to your deserts notwithstanding I leaue you amongst so many of my good friends as they shall supply that which I cannot I pray you my Lord answered hee suffer mee onely to accompany you that I may be partaker of any wealth or woe that shall happen to you Wherein you shall fully shew mee your loue and I rest satisfied to my liking My deere friend saide Amadis I doubt not but that you would follow with a good will notwithstanding my miseric is so excessiue as besides my maker none can ease it whome onely I humbly beseech to bee my conductour for I will haue no other companion And therefore Gandalin if thou desirest Knight-hood holde take it presently with my armour which I doe giue thee for since thou hast heeretofore so well kept them it is reason they should now serue thee considering how little I shall hereafter need them if not thou maiest receiue this honour of my brother Galaor vnto whom my Lord Isania here shall in my behalfe make request to the same ende and I entreate thee to serue him euen as faithfully as thou hast serued mee For my loue vnto him is so great as amongst all my most afflictions I shall bewaile his absence because I haue euermore foūd him an hūble obedient a louing brother You shall further request him to take into his seruice Ardan my Dwarffe whom I recommend vnto him to the Dwarffe say that I will him to serue my brother dilligently This sayd both hee and those to whom he spake burst forth into aboundance of teares comming vnto them he embraced them saying Now my friends seeing I neuer hope to see you any more I entreate you to pray to God for mee and vpon your liues I charge you that none of you doe follow mee Then hee got vpon his horse set spurres to his sides and galloped from them remembring not at his departure to take either Launce shield or helmet with him Thus he entred into a desert place at the foot of a mountaine taking no other way but whither his horse would carry him and so long hee rode vntill the most parte of the night was now spent when the horse entred into a little brook enuironed with many trees where he would haue drunken But as hee passed on further Amadis was strucken on the face with certaine branches of trees so rudely as it wakened him out of his study and therewithall looking vp hee perceiued that hee was in a couert and solitary place beset with store of thick bushes which greatly reioyced him because hee thought hee should very hardly bee found out in this thicket There he alighted tyed his horse and sate him downe vpon the grasse the better to meditate vpon his melancholy but hee had wept so long and his braines were so light that at the last hee fell asleepe CHAP. IIII. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which he had left behinde then found him sleeping how he fought against a Knight whom he did ouercome AMadis beeing departed Gandalin who remayned in the Hermitage with Isania Durin as you haue heard began to make the greatest lamentation in the world and said Although he hath forbidden mee to follow him yet will I not stay
for any thing behinde him at least I will carry him his armour I will gladly beare you companie for this night sayd Durin I would to God we might finde him in better case then hee was at his departure Then they tooke their leaue of Isania and getting to horse-backe they followed the same way that Amadis had tooke coasting heere and there about the wood so long till fortune brought them where hee lay When his horse sented their horses hee began to neigh whereby Gandalin knew his Master was not farre off wherefore the more secretly to behold his countenance hee allighted comming so neere vnto him as he might easily behold where he slept hard by the riuer side whereupon he stood close watching when he should awake he had not staied long before his slumber left him Then he suddenly started vp as if hee had been frighted At that instant was the Moon withdrawne by the daies approach yet sate hee still on the grasse beginning his moane in a most strange and pittifull manner and bitterly weeping he burst out into these words Alas fortune too inconstant sickle why hast thou first aduanced mee and afterwards ouerthrowne me Now I well perceiue thou canst doe more hurt in one houre then thou wilt do good in a thousand yeares for if heretofore thou haste giuen me any pleasure or ioy thou hast now in a moment cruelly robbed me of all leauing me in bitter tormeÌ„ts far worse then death and seeing thou wast minded so to serue mee why hast thou not at the least made the one equal with the other because thou knowest that if heeretofore thou didst bestow vpon me any contentment yet was it euermore mingled with great sorrowe In like sort shouldst thou reserue for me some sparke of hope with this cruelty wherewith thou now tormentest me executing vpon me an incomprehensible thing in the thought of those whom thou fauourest who because they feele not this mischiefe doe thinke those riches glories and honours which vnto them thou lendest to bee euerlasting But they forget that besides the troublesom trauels which their bodies doe suffer for the keeping thereof how their soules are in danger to perish therefore For by thy flatteries wanton intisemeÌ„ts thou vtterly ouerthrowest them in the end compellest them to enter into the labyrinth of all desolation from whence they are neuer able to depart And quite contrary are thy aduersities for so much as if a man doe resist theÌ„ patiently flying greedy couetousnes disordinate ambition he is lifted out of this vilde place into perpetuall glory Notwithstanding I beeing most vnfortunate could not chuse this good seeing that if all the world were mine and should bee taken from me by thee yet hauing only the good grace of my Mistris it should be sufficient to make me as mighty as the greatest monark the which I also lacking how is it possible for me in any sort to liue Therefore in fauour and recompence of my loyalty I beseech thee not to giue mee a languishing death but if thou art appointed to ende my dayes doe it without delay taking compassion of him whose longer life thou art ignorant how irkesome it is This sayd hee fell downe backward vpon the grasse and was as silent as if he had beene in a swound Then within a while after hee cryed Ah louely Oriana you haue wounded me deadly in banishing me discurteously for I will neuer transgresse your coÌ„mandements what danger soeuer may happen mee seeing that if therein I failed my life also were thereby finished notwithstanding for as much as I wrongfully receiue my death the more extream is my dolor But seeing that with my end you shall rest satisfied I neuer esteemed my life at so high a price but I wold if it were possible change it into a thousand deaths to afford you neuer so little pleasure In like sort since it liketh you to execute your anger against me I am very well content if for my affliction you may hence-forth liue at your ease for whether soeuer my Soule flyeth it shall receiue most quiet when it shal know that you remaine contented And vntill mine innocencie shall bee known vnto you I will endeauor to finish the rest of my sorrowfull daies in all bitternesse and displeasure and being dead my spirit shal lament the griefe which wil happen vnto you for the wrong which you haue done to me specialy wanting power to succour you O king Perion my Lord and father how little occasion shall you haue to bewaile my death when you shall neither know the same nor the cause thereof But because that knowing the same it would bee to you a griefe intollerable and yet it could be no mittigation of my torment I pray that my misfortune may to you neuer be manifest least the same should abridge the remainder of your dayes which yet are not determined Then after a small pause he cryed O my second father Galuanes truely I do greatly grieue that my aduerse Fortune doth not permit me to discharge that great bond in which to you I am bound for if my father gaue me life you preserued the same in deliuering me from the danger of the Sea being launched forth into his mercilesse waues euen when I had but newly left my mothers womb and afterwardes I was by you as carefully cherished as if I had beene your deerest childe I am assured good King Arban that you will greatly bewaile my sorrowfull â—nd yet valiant Angriotta d'Estauaux Guillan and a number of my other friends shall assist you to bemone his death who euer loued and held you deere Ah good cosin Mabila what haue I deserued of you or of the Damosel of Denmark that by you I am abandoned when I haue most neede of your ayde Haue you so many times preserued my life doe you now without desert make me pay tribute for my receiued pleasure in consenting to my miserable death Beleeue mee if need were deare friends for your sakes would I bee sacrificed and yet you make no conscience to forsake mee which maketh mee verily to beleeue that you haue denied mee your coÌ„fort heauen and earth haue desired my confusion which shall the lesse grieue me in that I see no remedy Gandalin and Durin hearing these lamentations of Amadis the were so much agrieued therewith that they wept as bitterly as hee yet durst they not shew themselues because hee had so straitly charged them not to follow him But Amadis ceased not his mone vntill hee heard a knight who passed hard by him singing this song LOue sacred Loue 〈…〉 I remaine To thee for 〈◊〉 exceeding bounteous grace On earth what Gentleman may 〈◊〉 like game Beloued thou makest me in euery place Happy such â—aâ— when loue â—…pect me Nâ—…d I Ladâ—… me To witnesse 〈…〉 Sweet Sard 〈…〉 Whom 〈…〉 Anâ— sort 〈…〉 〈◊〉 was 〈…〉 〈…〉 retire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daugâ—ter of a 〈…〉 Whom 〈…〉 My 〈◊〉 is great 〈…〉 But to enioy 〈…〉 Hauing
ended his song hee alighted vnder a tusted tree planted by the high way side thinking there to passe the rest of the night but worse happened to him then he hoped for Gandalin which had heard what hee sayde of Oriana doubting that Amadis had not marked it because his minde was otherwise occupied sayde vnto Durin It were best for mee to goe to my Master to know what hee intendeth to doe Then came hee forth of the bush where he was hidden beheld Amadis that sought for his horse to depart frō thence who as he looked here there he espied Gandalin When not knowing him at the first he cryed Who art thou that commest to surprise me speake and hide thy selfe no longer My Lord answered he I an Gandalin who will helpe you to finde your horse if so it please you When Amadis heard this Ah said hee how durst you persume to follow me hauing so expresly forbidyou beleeue mee thou hast greatly displeased mee let mee see thee no more but depart or else be sure thou shalt die My Lord answered Gandalin mee thinkes you should forget this manner of behauiour and bethinke you how to reuenge the foolish speeches which euen now were vttered by a knight who is not yet far from you for they are greatly to your disaduantage This sayde Gandalin to pacifie his displeasure towardes him that hee might bee the more incensed against the other I did heare him as well as you sayd he and therefore am I content to seeke rest else-where and to depart from hence where all misfortune doth follow me What sayd Gandalin is this all that you are determined to doe What wouldst thou more said he That you fight with him answered Gandalin to make him confesse his presumption I beleeue sayd hee thou wouldest say otherwise seeing thou knowest very well that I neither haue spirit heart not any force hauing lost all in losing her who gaue me life so as now I am no better then a dead man neither is there in Great Brittaine any knight so cowardly that could not easily ouercome mee if I should combate with him so haplesse and hopelsse am I. Trust me answered Gandalin you are in a great errour thus to suffer your heart to saint to let your courage faile euen whē it should most serue you to aduance the honour of her who so neerely toucheth you What report will Durin make here of thinke you who hath heard and seene all and is greatly abshed that now you behaue your selfe no better How sayd Amadis is Durin here I truely sayd Gandalin wee came both together and I beleeue hee followeth you thus to declare your manner of behauiour vnto her that sent him vnto you Get thee gone sayd Amadis thou vrgest mee too much Yet when hee thought that Durin should returne to Oriana his heart was so inflamed that hee called for his armes and mounting on his horse he went toward the knight whom hee found layd vnder the tree holding his horse by the bridle Then Amadis in a great rage sayde vnto him Sir knight who so greatly extollest thy fortune in loue I beleeue that against all right thou hast receined that good that loue hath doue for thee if good it may be tearmed and that thou neuer deseruedst it the which I wil proue with the losse of thy head What art thou answered the other that speakest so audaciously dost thou think that I am fauoured of the fairest Lady in the worlde for any other cause but onely for my valour and high knighthood wherewith I will make thee presently confesse that loue hath reason to fauour me and that it is not for thee to speake thereof It is but thy opinion sayde Amadis but thou must knowe that in despight of thee I am hee who hath least occasion to praise loue because hee hath so vildely deceiued me that I wil neuer dayes in my life put any trust in him knowing how falsely and treacherously he commonly vseth those that most faithfully do serue him And because I haue sufficiently prooued it I will maintaine that he can neuer be so faithfull as I haue found him false That it is so let vs see whether hee hath gained more in thee then he hath lost in me Then the knight mounted on his horse and beeing ready to fight he answered Vnhappy knight depriued of all good and banisht iustly from loue beeing vnworthy of his fauor get thee from my presence for I should commit a most horrible fact to lay my hands vpon such a vild miserable fellow So saying he turned his horse to haue fled away if Amadis had not staied him in calling him Villaine wilt thou then defend thy loue which so highly thou prisest onely with thy countenance and so get thee gone because thou wouldest fly the combat Trust me answered the other thou art in a right opinion for it is true that I haue no desire to proue my selfe against a person of so small desert but seeing thou wouldest that I should breake thy head I am content and if thy heart will serue defend it if thou canst Herewithall they ran one against the other with such force as their Lances flew to shiuers pearcing their shields quite thorough neuerthelesse their armour being good strong staied the stroke yet the knight fell to the ground carrying the raines of his horse with him wherefore he rose again lightly The which Amadis beholding he said vnto him Truely knight if the right which you pretend in so faire a friend bee not better maintained with your sword then it hath beene with your staffe Loue hath made but a bad choyce of you for a valiant champion your Lady a far worser match in lighting vpon such a carpet knight He made no account at all of these reproaches but boldly drew out his sword and comming neere to Amadis laid at him so lustily that hee had beene wounded if with his shield hee had not well warded himselfe wherein his sword was so farre entred that he could not pul it forth again but was forced to let go his holde leauing it sticking fast in the shield of Amadis Who lifted himselfe vp in his stirrops hitting him so sound a blow vpon his head-peece that it pearced euen vnto the quick the blow gliding downe it lighted vpon his horse neck wounded him to the death falling downe in the place and his master vnder him all astonied But Amadis seeing him arise said vnto him Gentle louer I am of the minde that Cupid henceforth should erect a trophie for the high prowesse which you haue shewed in his seruice that as long as you liue you should not cease to sing his praises declare those benefits which vpon you hee hath bestowed As for mee I will goe secke my fortune else where So he set spurres to his horse as he departed he beheld Gandalin Durin when cōming neere them he tooke Durin by the hand and sayd vnto him Friend
Durin I see my misfortune so strange and my sorrow so intollerable as of force I must die which God grant it may be without delay for death onely will giue rest and ease to this torture which vexeth mee Salute from me the Princesse Mabila and thy good sister the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom thou mayst declare my cruel death which I suffer with as great wrōg as euer any knight suffered Before the which I would to God I had the meanes to doe them any seruice in recompence of the duty I doe owe them for all the good they haue done and the fauours they haue purchased for mee Then hee beganne his moane weeping so bitterly as Durin therewith had his heart so stopped with woe that hee was not able to answer one word Wherfore Amadis embraced him and committed him to God At that instant began the day to appeare when Amadis perceiuing that Gandalin followed him hee sayd vnto him if thou determinest to come with me take heede vpon thy life that thou turne me not from any thing which I shall say or doe otherwise I pray thee forthwith to turne another way that I may see thee no more Beleeue me Sir sayd Gandalin I wil do whatsoeuer shal please you Then Amadis deliuered him his armor to bear cōmanding him to pul the sword forth of his shield to cary it to the amorous knight CHAP. V. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him SEeing that it falleth out so fit I will declare vnto you before I passe any further the estate of the amorous Knight of whom wee spake euen now You must knowe that hee was called Patin brother to Don Sidon the Emperor of Rome and hee was the best knight that was to be found in all Romania By meanes whereof he was feared and famous through all the Empire chiefly because hee was to succeed in his brothers dignitie for there was none more neare the same then hee and the Emperour was already so olde that hee neuer hoped to haue any heire Now this Patin was one day talking with the Queene of Sardinia named Sardamira one of the fairest Ladies in the world whom hee loued extreamely And as hee gaue her to vnderstand what feruency and torment hee endured in ouer-louing her she answered him My Lord I assuredly beleeue that which you tell mee and the better to witnesse the same I let you know that there is no prince liuing for whō I would do more then for you nor whom I would more willingly take for husband because I know your good parts and the high knight-hood where withall you are so famoused These speeches bred so great presumption in the heart of Patin as besides that hee was by nature one of the proudest Gentlemen in the world hee entred into such glory that he answered her Madame I haue heard that King Lisuart hath a daughter esteemed the fairest Princesse in the worlde but for the loue of you I will goe into Great Brittaine there to mainteine against all men that her beauty is not cōparable to yours the which I alone will prooue in combate against two of the best knights that dare say the contrary whom if I cannot ouercome I will that King Lisuart doe cause my head to bee cut off In good faith my Lord answered the Queene I am of a contrary opinion for if the Princesse haue any beauty in her it nothing impaireth that which God hath bestowed vpon mee if any beauty there bee and me thinks that you haue other means more fit to make known your prowesse in all places Hap what may hap answered hee I will doe it for your loue to the end that euery one may knowe that as you are the fairest Lady in the world so you are beloued of the valiantest Knight aliue Hereupon continuing in this minde within a while after hee tooke leaue of the Queene and passed into Great Brittaine accompanied onely with two Esquires Then hee enquired where he might find King Lisuart vnto whose Court he shortly after came and because hee was more richly armed then wandering knights were accustomed to bee the King thought him to be some great personage For this cause hee receiued him most honourably appointing him into a chamber to shift himselfe When he was vnarmed hee returned to the King who stayed for him marching with such grauity as those that beheld seeing his comely stature iudged him to bee of great courage But the King tooke him by the hand and conferring together hee sayde vnto him gentle friend I pray you thinke it not strange if I desire to know who you are because I may the more honor you in my Court It may please your Maiesty answered Patin I am not come into this countrey to hide mee but rather to make my selfe knowne as well vnto your Highnesse as vnto all others I am that Patin brother to the Emperour which humbly beseecheth you to enquire no further of my affaire vntill I haue seen my Lady Oriana your daughter When the King heard that he embraced him and in excusing his ignorance he sayd to him My good Cosen I am maruailous glad of the honour that you haue done me In cōming thus to visit me in my owne countrey assuring you that since you are desirous to see my daughter she shall not onely be shewed vnto you but likewise the Queene and all her trayne And so long they continued their talke vntill they had couered for supper Then the King caused him to sit next vnto him where hee found himselfe compassed with so great a number of knights as hee much marualled thereat and began to despise the Court of the Emperour his brother as also of all other Princes in respect of this which hee saw After the tables were taken vp it being time to goe to rest the King cōmanded Don Grumedan to bring Patin to his lodging and to shew him all the honor and good entertainment hee could So for that night they departed vntill the next morning that hee came and found the King hearing diuine seruice after the which hee was conducted to the Ladies who receiued him curteously for at his comming the Queen took him by the hand praying him to sit betweene her her daughter Oriana whom at that instant he beheld with such an eye as the loue which before he did beare vnto the Queene Sardamira was wholly changed vnto her beeing captiuated with her excellent beauty and goodly grace You may iudge then how he would haue esteemed her if he had seene her in the time of her perfect health which was now much decaied by reason of this new iealousie which she had conceiued against Amadis which made her looke leane pale and wan but these defaults could nothing quench the heate of the fire already kindled in the heart of Patin who was so far beside him-selfe that hee determined to beseech the king to bestow her vpon him in
that brought you into this extreamitie seeing that although shee were a woman so requisit as shee could not bee equalled yet for her such a man as you are to be cast away Father answered Amadis I aske not your counsell herein for I now neede it not but for my soules sake I desire you henceforth to receiue mee into your company which if you refuse to do I see no other remedy for me but to die amongst the beasts of this forrest The old man seeing him so resolute had such compassion of him as the teares fell down his long white beard and answered him Alas my son my abiding in a desert place and I liue a life too strickt for you my Hermitage is at the least seuen leagues within the sea vpon the top of a poore Rock vnto the which no liuing creature can come vnlesse it bee at the beginning of the spring time Notwithstanding I haue already remained thirty yeeres there exempted from all worldly pleasure liuing onely vpon such small almes which some people of this Countrey doe bestow vpon me I promise you father saide Amadis it is the life which I desire and I once intreat you that you would giue me leaue to go with you The which the Hermit at the last granted notwithstanding that he had a long time denied him Heere-withall Amadis kissed his feete saying father command whatsoeuer you shall please for to my power I will euer obay you Then the Hermit saide his euening seruice after the which because hee had eaten nothing all day hee tooke out of his wallet a little bread and fish dried in the sun which was giuen vnto him and willed Amadis to eate with him but he refused it although he had beene three daies without tasting any sustenance Wherefore the hermit saide vnto him My sonne you haue promised to obey me doe this then which I command you and eat for if you should die in this obstinacie your soule should be in very great danger For this cause Amadis durst not denie him but did eat a very little for hee sighed continually not being able to forget the great sorrow wherein he remained After he had taken this small refrection the good old man spread his cloake abroad and laid him downe thereon and Amadis at his feete who was a great while before hee could take any rest tumbling and tossing himselfe as a person ill at ease neuerthelesse in the end being heauie with long watching he fell asleepe and hee dreamed that hee was locked in a chamber so darke that he could see no light at all neyther could he finde any way to come out thereof wherewith he greatly lamented moreouer hee thought that his Cozin Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke came vnto him hauing before them a beame of the Sun which gaue a great light in so darke a place they taking him by the hand said vnto him My Lord come forth from hence if it please you and follow vs into the palace the which he did But at his comming forth he thought that he did see Oriana inuironed with a great flame of fire which made him so afraid that hee cried out helpe helpe my Lady Oriana burneth and there withall he leaped into the fire to saue her Then he tooke her in his armes comming through the flame againe without any hurt at all afterwards hee carried her into a garden the greenest and pleasantest that he had seene At the lowde cry which Amadis did make the good Hermit awaked and taking him by the hand hee asked him what he ailed Father answered he I haue euen now in my sleepe felt such exceeding paine that I meruaile I am not dead Your cry hath witnessed the same said hee but let vs rise for it is time to depart Then he got vpon his Asse and tooke the way toward the Hermitage and Amadis followed him a foote talking together of many things at the last he prayed him to giue him one gift which should not bee hurtfull vnto him the which the old man granted I pray you then said Amadis that so long as we are together you would not tell any man who I am and hence-forth to giue mee another name such as it shall please you then after my death you may tell my brethren of me that they may come fetch my body and carry it into Gaule Your life and death answered the hermit are in the hands of God therefore speake no more thereof for therein you offend him very grieuously and therefore seeing you know him loue him and serue him as you are bound to do he wil succour and helpe you notwithstanding what other name wil you haue Such as it shall please you to giue me said Amadis And as they talked together the olde man had his eye continually vpon him and the more he looked on him the fayrer he thought him to be but he did see him so full of griefe as he determined to giue him a name conformable to his excellency and agreeable to his melancholy Whereupon he said vnto him my Sonne you are yong and of a faire complexion notwithstanding your life is obscure by reason of your sorrow therefore my will is that you bee called the Faire Forlorne Wherewith Amadis was contented liking very well of the Hermet his deuise who not without great occasion had imposed that name vpon him And euen as they were ouertaken with the night they came vnto the Sea side where they found a little boat which the day before was come to seeke the Hermet at his hermitage wherin they imbarked and within a small time after tooke landing at the poore Rock so called because of the barrennesse of the place as the old man had declared to him Who continuing his discourse said Sonne I haue heretofore followed the world as you haue done and my name was Andahod assuring you that during my young yeeres I studied many vaine sciences but in the end being wearie thereof I withdrew my selfe into this poore place where I haue already remained thirty yeeres and more and neuer departed thence vntill yeesterday that I was at the buriall of my sister who died within these few dayes When the Faire Forlorne came into this Solitary place he was exceeding glad hoping that in a very short time his sadnesse and his life would both end at once Thus he remained in the company of the hermit consuming his youth with weeping and continuall lamentations seting at naught all worldly honours especially the glory which he had gotten in fighting with Galpan Abies King of Ireland Dardan the proud and many others whom he had ouercome and he began to despise in himselfe all vanities considering the variablenesse of Fortune who not long before had so highly aduanced him that hee had entred into the forbidden Chamber of Apolidon as in the beginning of the History hath beene mentioned But if he had beene demanded what moued him so to do what would hee thinke you haue answered no other
the habit and estate whereunto I am called such speeches as these become me not at all neuerthelesse knowing that it is for your good I am sure that I doe not amisse in this counselling a person so comfortlesse as you are Here-with all the Faire Forlorne fell vpon the ground to kisse his feete reioysing that he had happened into the company of a person so holy that knew how to comfort him so well in his aduersity desiring very heartily that whatsoeuer the holy man had told him might so come to passe and he said vnto the Hermit my Father seeing it hath pleased you to do me so much good as to expound this dreame I pray you likewise to tell me the meaning of one other which I dreamed the night before I came from the firm-Island Then did hee recite it word by word vnto him Whereupon the aged man answered him My son by this you may plainely see that which already is happened vnto you for I assure you that the place ouer shaddowed with trees where you thought that you were the great nūber of people which at the first made such great ioy about you signifieth the firm Island which you haue conquered to the great pleasure of al the inhabitants thereof But the man which came vnto you with a boxe full of bitternes is the messenger of the Lady that gaue you the letter and your selfe doth know better then any other whether he brought you bitternesse or no by the discourse which he had with you The sorrow which afterwards you did behold in the persons which before were so ioyfull are they of the Isle who at this present are very heauy for your absence The apparell which you threw off are the teares which you haue shed The stony place wherin you entred inuironed with water this rock witnesseth to you what it is The religious mā that did speake vnto you in an vnknown lāguage is my selfe who do instruct you in holy writ which you neither vnderstand nor can comprehend Father answered the Fair-Forlorn I know verily that you say the truth which giueth me great hope of that which you haue declared of the other but the continuall griefe and melancholie wherein I liue hath already ouer-mastered mee that I beleeue if the good which you promise vnto me do not the sooner case my care death will first seize vpon my sorrowfull corps Notwithstanding the Hermit knew how to perswade him so wel that from thenceforth he shewed a little merrier countenance then before he had done and began to turne his sorrow to some solace vsing to angle for fish with two Nephwes of the olde man that kept him company Neuerthelesse the most part of the time he with-drew himselfe into a secret place hard by the sea side which was ouer-shadowed with diuerse sorts of trees and there oftentimes he cast his sight vnto the Firme-Island which put him in remembrance of those fauours whereunto fortune had called him the wrong that Oriana did vnto him hee hauing neuer offended Alas saide he haue I deserued this entertainment to be banished without hauing offended so much as in thought Truely deere friend if my death were agrieable vnto you you haue meane enough to giue it me more speedily without making mee thus to liue in languishing The onely deniall of your good grace the very first day that you accepted me for your knight had beene sufficient at that time to haue made me die a thousand deathes Many other lamentations did the Faire Forlorne euery day make in this solitary place wherein he tooke so great pleasure that oftentimes hee there passed away both the day and the night so as one time finding himselfe more frollick in his minde then of a long time he had beene hee made this song following Sith that the victory of right deserued 〈◊〉 they do withhold for which I serued Now 〈◊〉 my glory thus hath had a fall 〈◊〉 it is to end my life withall By 〈…〉 is my death likewise my woes release My 〈…〉 loue doth cease But euer 〈…〉 my during paine For 〈…〉 my glory and my gaine My selfe haue 〈◊〉 and my glory slaine Thus the Faire Forlorne passed away the time waiting vntill fate or better fortune should bring him forth of this miserie But it happened that one night lying vnder the trees as hee was accustomed about the breake of day hee heard very nigh him the sound of a most sweete instrument wherein he tooke so great pleasure that he gaue attentiue eare thereunto a good while amazed notwithstanding from whence it might proceede Knowing the place to bee solitary that no other there remained but the hermit his two Nephewes and himselfe wherefore he rose vp without making any noyse at all and approched more neere to see what it might be Then he beheld two young Gentlewomen sitting by a fountaine who tuning their voyses to the sound of a lute did sing a most pleasant song neuerthelesse fearing to trouble their mirth hee stood still a great while without being by them perceiued Afterwards he came forth and disclosed himselfe saying vnto them Truely Gentlewomen your musicke hath made me this day to loose Matins for the which I am very sorry When these women heard him speake hauing not seen him at all vntill that time they were much afraide Norwithstanding one of them more bold then her fellow answered him My friend we did not thinke to offend you with this our mirth but seeing we haue so luckily found you tell vs if it please you who you are and how this desert place is called In truth faire Gentlewomen saide the Faire Forlorne this place is called the poore Rock wherein there liueth an Hermit vpon the top thereof in his little hermitage As for me I am a poore man that keep him company doing great and hard penance for the sin and wickednesse which I haue committed Gentle friend answered they may we finde in this place for two or three dayes onely any house wherein we may place at ease a Lady both rich mighty so tormented with loue that she is euen at deaths dore therewith Trust me said he there is no other lodging in this Rock but the little cabinet wherein the Hermit doth lie and one other that I do sleepe in some-time but if the Hermit will lend you mine I am content to do you a pleasure to lie in the meane time abroad in the fields as I commonly vse to do The Gentlewoman gaue him hearty thankes and bidding him good morrow they departed towards a Pauilion within the which the Faire Forlorne beheld a most beautifull Lady vpon a bed Wherupon he knew that the same was shee of whom they told him But looking farder off he did see foure armed men walking by the Sea side who scouted abroad whilest fiue others did take their rest and he also perceiued a shippe at Anchor well appointed The Sun was already vp when he heard the Hermitage bell to ring which
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 whoÌ„ 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 tâ—…â—our comming hither to see â—im â—o thâ—nkefully 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 tâ—…kes 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 hee 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 feeing your Gentlewomen haue learned it coÌ„maund 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 caÌ„not 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 coÌ„tent 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 wâ—… so great sorrow that she went into a wardroabe ashamed for the teâ—â—eâ— that had issued from her eyes iâ—… good a company from which she could not abstaâ— Notwithstanding as shee withdrew her selfe Mabila to couer this fault sayd vnto Corisanâ—a So farre aâ— I perceiue Oriana is not well wherefore I am coÌ„strained to leaue your company at this tâ—â—e 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 not 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 the same instant shee departed towardes Oriana whom shee found weeping bitterly Vnto whâ— with a smiling countenance shee sayd Madame in seeking after newes sometimes one learneth
doe your best to reforme the Monestary which I haue caused to be builded in the Firme-Island as heere tofore I haue tolde you the which the holy man promised to accomplish and with the teares in his eyes blessed the Faire Forlorne who without longer stay went aboord with the Damosell of Denmarke The sailes were no sooner horsed and the ship lanched out into the main but they had so stiffe a gale in their poupe that within a fewe daies after they arriued in a port of great Brittaine he not being as yet knowne by any other but the Damosell Then came they on shoare and tooke their ready way towardes Mirefleur where Oriana stayed their comming being well aduised to amend the fault that she had made And the Damosell in riding together with the Faire Forâ—â—rne sayd What ioy will my Ladie receiue when she shall beholde you belecue mee that neuer woman was in a more desperate case then she when she â—…stood by 〈◊〉 the â—…t at you had in 〈◊〉 her Lettâ—r 〈◊〉 assure you that shee was 〈◊〉 haue 〈◊〉 I doe greatly wonder how â—â—ee hath beene abâ—… vntill this time to suppâ—… the 〈◊〉 which â—he yet possesseth And you neede not to doubt but that Mabila and I were greatly troubled for none of vs did know that my hrother was sent vnto you and my Lady had expresly charged him that in no sort hee should tell vs thereof which had like vâ—to haue beene the cause of 〈◊〉 â—â—ischiefe then is yet happened Beleeue me said the Faire Forâ—â—â—ne I was neuer in greater danger 〈◊〉 death and I doe maruell whereâ—… 〈◊〉 framed this imagination that shee hath conceiued against me seeing that I neuer thought to doe any thing which might displease her and although I should haue so faâ—…e forgotten my selfe yet did I not deserue such a cruell Letter as shee did write vnto mee For although I make not those bragges hipocrisies that a number can doe yet doe not I forget to measure the fauours and graces which I haue receiued at her â—â—nd and were not this thought 〈◊〉 in bad ground I am sure she would not be suspicious of the fruit thereof seeing that both the one and the other are wholly dedicated to serue and obey her Alas when Corisanda arriued in our Hermitage I did then verily think that my ende was come the good Lady bewailed her passion which she indured in louing my brother Plo restan too vehemently and I died with displeasure to bee so wrongfully banished by Oriana Hâ—â— many paâ—â—es what 〈◊〉 what intollerable torments haue I suffered in the poore Rocke without receiuing consolation from any liuing creature but the good Hermit who perswaded mee to patiâ—… Alas what hâ—…d pâ—…â—â—ne I indured for her whâ—…m I neuer offended beleeue me Damo 〈◊〉 I was so exceeâ—… troubled that euery houre I dâ—…red death and as often did I feare to lose my life But I pray you imagine the despaire wheren I remayned when I shewed vnto the Gentlewomen of Corisanda the song that I made in my greatest tribulation And as hee would haue proceeded in discoursing his dolours the Damosell of Denmarke sayd vnto him in good faith so farre as I perceiue you haue both indured much sorrow one for another and therefore you must forget what is past and amend what is to come With these and such like discourses thy arriued neere vnto a Nunnery which was in the midst of the forrest foure dayes iourney from London Doe 〈◊〉 know sayd the Damosell what I have thought vpon I thinke it for the best you doe tarry heere to rest your selfe and I will go vnto my Lady to tell her of your arriuall which done I will send Durin backe againe to let you know what you are to do Not withstanding I thinke it best that Enil should not yet know who you are no more then he now doth that hee should tarry heere with you to serue you but Durin already vnderstandeth somewhat of the affaires betwixt Oriana you wherefore you neede not feare to disclose your selfe vnto him Here-upon they called him and the Damosell of Denmarke sayd vnto him Brother you were partly cause of the losse of Amadis by the Letter which you carried to him and yet so farre as I perceiue you haue not hither to knowne him but doe you thinke it possible that this Hermite may be my Lord Amadis and neuerthelesse it is he without doubt but take heede vpon your life that he be not disclosed by you neither to Enil nor any other when Durin knew that his sister sayde true neuer was man more amazed then hee in the meane while they entered into the Nunnery where the Damosell called Enil and sayd vnto him Enil I pray thee tarry with this knight vntill hee haue a little recouered his strength and in the meane season my brother and I will depart about certaine busines that wee haue to doe By Saint Mary answered Enil I will obey whatsoeuer you shall commaund mee Then they departed and the Faire Forlorne remayned in the Nunnerie for the occasion aboue rehearsed CHAP. XI How Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed from the Firme-Island to goe seeke Amadis of whome they could heare no tydings at all where-upon they all returned vnto the Court of King Lisuart IT hath beene heretofore tolde you that Golaor Florestan and Agraies departed froÌ„ the Firme-Iland to begin the search of Amadis who was secretly departed from them You must now vnderstand that after they had trauayled thorough many strange countries wherein they performed many worthy deedes of armes and perillous aduentures without hearing any newes of Amadis seeing that their time approached wherein they promised one another to meete in the Court of King Lisuart they determined to returne thither and they all did meete euen vpon Saint Iohns day earely in the morning at an Hermitage hard by London according as they had appointed And the first that came thither was Galaor Agraies next and shortly after Florestan accompanied with Gandalin Glad were they all to see each other in health but so sorrowfull for the little good that they had done in this enterprise as the teares fell from their eyes Where-upon Gandalin shewing the dutie of a good and faithfull seruant said vnto them Beleeue me Lords all your teares cannot bring him whoÌ„ you desire to finde except it be by another diligent search which you may a fresh vndertake And allthough that you haue already done your best endeauour yet ought you not to thinke much of your labour but seeke him better then euer you did seeing that you are assured thoroughly what hee would haue done for euery one of you particularly if fortune had offered any occasion Now then if behooueth you to doe the like for him for if you doe lose him in this sort it shall not onely bee the losse of the most gentle knight in the world but of the neerest kinsman that you haue and ouer and besides it will be vnto you
a great blemish Therefore my Lords I beseech you in performing the duty of a brother a friend and a companion to begin his search a fresh without sparing therein at all either time or toile This perswasioÌ„ did Gandalin make in weeping so extreamly that it greatly putied the three knights to behold him so as they concluded after they had beene in the Court if they heard not news of Amadis to begin a new pursuit to compasse the whole world about till they had found him and vpon this determination after they had heard diuine seruice they departed from the hermitage and tooke the way towards London But as they approched nere vnto the Cittie they were ware of the King who was already in the fields accompanied with many noble men and valiant knights for hee celebrated that day with all magnificence because that vpon the same he was crowned peaceable king of great Brittaine which was the principall occasion that many knights came to serue him Who beholding Galaor and his fellowes comming towards them shewed the king thereof and they in the mean season were hard at hand But because Florestan had neuer before seene such an assembly Galaor said vnto him Brother behold the king Now had they all three their head-pieces off wherefore some in the company did know them all forth-with except Flotestan the King imbraced them demanding how they fared Then Florestan 〈◊〉 to kisse his hands the which he refused And because he was the Gentleman that did most of all resemble Amadis and that heretofore he had heard speaking of him he began to suspect that it was his brother and therefore he saide vnto Galaor I beleeue that this is your brother Florestan It is he indeede if it please your Maiestie who hath a great desire to doe you seruice Ah said the king I would Amadis were now heere that I might see you all three together what saide Galaor hath your grace heard 〈◊〉 newes of him No saide the king but what haue you heard It may please your Maiestie answered he wee haue all three sought him a whole yeere yet haue we done no good but lost our labour and we did thinke to haue found him here in your Court wherefore seeing your grace hath certified me to the contrary I am in worse hope of his recouery then before So am not I saide the king for I am perswaded the heauens haue not endued him with such perfections to forsake him after this manner which maketh me to beleeue that we shall very shortly heare some tidings of him WheÌ„ they had ended their talke they entred into the Cittie where the Queene and the other Ladies were incontinently aduertised of their arriuall wherewith they were as glad as might bee especially Olinda the friend to Agraies who very lately was aduertised that he had passed vnder the arch of faithfull louers and shee expected his comming with as great deuotion as Corisanda did the arriuall of Florestan Then Mâ—… imagining to do Orianâ— a pleasure 〈◊〉 to aduertise her but she 〈◊〉 â—wordh-drawn iâ—to â—…er where shee sawe her â—…ing her head vpon one of hâ—r hâ—â—ds and reading in a booke to whom she saide Madame will you please to come downe to see Galaor Agrâ—… and Florestan who are now newely heere arriued WheÌ„ she heard her speake nothing of Amadis a new feare strook at her heart so that she knew not what to doe and the teares distilled from her eyes in such aboundance that her speech failed Neuerthelesse in the end not beeing able to dissemble her griefe shee answered Mabila my cosin and sweet friend how would you haue me to go see them in good sooth I haue not my minde so well setled that I may dissemble or hide that which in their presence I ought to doe Moreouer mine eyes are ouerswollen with much weeping and that which worse is it is impossible for to behold those whom I did neuer see but in the company of your cosin whom I haue so highly offended Heerewithall her heart was likely to haue left her sorrowfull body and she cryed My God how doe you permit mee wretched woman to liue being so worthy of death Ah my deere loue I doe now feele a double griefe for your absence seeing Galaor the rest to returne without you whome you loued as deere as your selfe who knowing the iniury and wicked act that I haue coÌ„mitted against you shall haue iust cause to procure my ruine whereunto I consent with a good will seeing that so vnaduisedly I haue beene the meanes of your losse Herewithall she had fallen downe all along if Mabila who streight espied it had not staied her vp saying vnto her Madame will you alwaies continue these strange passions I know well that in the end you will publish that to your shame which we doe most desire should be kept secret Is this the constancy which you ought to haue especially seeing that day by day we expect to heare good newes by the Damosell of Denmarke Alas answered shee you speake at your pleasure is it possible that shee may finde him hauing the charge but to seek him onely in Scotland seeing that his brethren haue in a manner compassed all the West without hearing any newes at all of him You abuse your selfe saide Mabila it may bee that they had found him but that hee kept himselfe secret from them the which he wil neuer do froÌ„ your Gentlewoman knowing that she is priuie to both your loues And therefore be of good cheere vntill her returne and then doe as you shall thinke good and for this time let vs goe if it please you towards the Queene who demandeth for you Well answered Oriana I am content to doe what you will Then shee dried her eyes and went in the Queenes chamber into the which the three knights were already entred who seeing her comming did their duty vnto her at the same time the King held Galaor by the hand vnto whom he said behold I pray you how your good friend Oriana is impaired since you did last see her In good faith answered Galaor your Maiestie saith true and I would with all my heart that I might doe her any pleasure that might purchase her former health Herewithall Oriana smiled saying vnto Galaor God is the only comforter of all men so that when his pleasure is my health shall bee restored and your losses recouered which no doubt are great for so deere a brother Amadis was vnto you And I would that the trauell which you haue taken to seeke him in farre countries had brought some fruit as well for the good of you and yours as also for the seruice of the King my father vnto the which hee was wholly adicted Madame answered Galaor I trust that wee shall very shortly heare some newes of him because he is the knight that I haue euermore seene most valiantly to resist all extremities God grant it said Oriana but I pray you cause Don Florestan to
pleasure that wee might heare such speedy newes from him as might giue vs cause to reioyce And as they talked together Gandalin cast his eye vpon Florestan who was talking with Corisanda whome Gandalin knew not but hee thought her to be one of the fairest Ladies that euer he had seene therefore hee beseeched the Queen to tell him who shee was the which shee did and the occasion wherefore shee was come into great Brittaine as also the loue which she did beare vnto Florestan for whose sake she staied at the Court if she doe loue him said Gandalin shee may well vaunt that her loue is imployed vpon him in whome all bounty remaineth and he is such a one that hardly may his equal be found in all the world and moreouer Madame I assure you that if your grace did know him so well as I you would not esteeme any knight more then he for he is of a most valiant heart and high resolution He seemeth to be such a one answered the Queen further-more hee is of so good a grace and alied to so many good knights that it is impossible but that hee should bee such a gentle knight as thou hast reported him to be In the meane season Florestan entertained his Lady and Mistris whom he loued most feruently not without a cause for shee was passing faire a rich Lady and alied to the noblest houses in all great Brittaine Who hauing remained yet some few dayes in the Court after his returne shee determined to depart and taking her leaue of the king and Queene she took her iourney toward her own countrey Two whole daies together did Florestan accompany her who promised her that so soone as he heard any newes of Amadis and that the battaile was past betwixt the two Kings Lisuart and Cildadan if he remained aliue hee would come vnto her to tarry with her a long time then taking his leaue of her hee returned vnto the Court But you must vnderstand that Oriana who had not forgotten her determination of going to Mirefleur departed the next morning with her traine where shee had not long remained but that she perceiued the amendment of her health and with the same her hope increased to see him whom shee so greatly desired And because that the king had appointed that during her aboade in that place of Mirefleur the gate should continually bee kept and that no body should enter thereinn Oriana foreseeing for the great desire shee had that it should be so the comming of Amadis shee sent to tell the Abbesse that shee should send vnto her the keyes of the Nunnerie gardens to walke thither sometimes for her recreation the which shee accomplished which were hard adioyning to the Castle but yet inclosed with very high walles And one day as Oriana walked there accompanied onely with Mabila seeing the place fauourable and fit for her purpose as if Amadis were returned she began to thinke of him in such sort and vpon the pleasure she should receiue by his presence that in speaking to herselfe she sayd Ah my onely hope my sollace and my intire refuge wherefore art thou not beere with mee seeing at this present I haue the meanes both to giue vnto thee and also to receiue of thee such case and contentment as we haue so oftentimes desired to receiue one of another At the least I wil not depart from hence vntil I haue wholy satisfied the hurt which by my ouer-great folly I haue procured vnto you but I will here attend your comming And if Fates or fortune doe permit mee to beholde you here shortly I promise you sweete loue to giue you the sure contentment that your seruent loue hath promised vnto you a long time but if my misfortune shall bee an hinderance vnto your speedy returne your only absence shall bee the meanes to hasten my end wherefore I beseech you to take pitty on this my weakenesse and to succour mee for I liue and yet languish in extreame bitternesse And seeing that euer hitherto you haue beene obedient vnto mee without contradicting me in any sort now the necessity beeing such I pray you by that power which you haue giuen mee ouer you that you would come to deliuer mee from death which I feele to approach and tarry not otherwise your delay will cause you ouer late to repent my vnhappy end In this sort did she speak as if Amadis had beene present when Mabila brake off her thought and Oriana changing her talke sayd to her Cosen seeing that wee haue the keyes of this place it were best that Gandalin should make some other like vnto them to the ende that your Cosen beeing returned may goe and come hither when as often as hee shall please It is wel aduised answered Mabila And as they were consulting there was one of the Porters sayd to Mabila Madam Gandalin is without who desireth to speake with you Let him come in answered Oriana for he hath beene brought vp with vs a long time and also he is foster brother vnto Amadis whom God preserue God so doe sayde the Porter it were a great damage that so good vertuous a knight should sustaine any hurt Then went he forth to goe seeke Gandalin and in the meane time Oriana said vnto Mabila I pray you see how your Cosen is beloued and esteemed of all men yea euen of the basest sort of people that are in a manner voyde of all vertue it is true answered Mabila Then Oriana sayde what would you haue mee doe but die hauing beene the onely cause of the ruine of him who is more worth then all the men in the world and who did better loue me then his owne selfe Ah accursed be the houre wherein I was borne seeing that by my folly and light suspition I haue done vnto him so great and so much wrong Madame answered Mabila I pray you forget these imaginations and onely arme you with hope for all this which you both say and doe serueth in no sort to ease your dolour Herewithall Gandalin entred in whom Oriana caused to sit downe by her and after some conference which they had together she recited how she had sent the Damosell of Denmark to seeke Amadis vnto whom shee had written a Letter containing that which you haue heard and what words also she had giuen her in charge to say vnto him therefore said the Princesse in thy opinion doest thou thinke that he will pardon me Madame answered Gandalin Me thinks you are little acquainted with his heart for I am sure for the least word that is in the letter hee will teare himselfe into an hundreth peeces for you if you do but onely command him by more likelyhood may you imagin whether he will be glad to come see you yea or no. And be you assured that seeing the Damosel of Denmarke hath vndertaken the charge to finde him that she will sooner accomplish the same then all the persons in the world
King Lisuart or not Why so sayd the Faire Forlorne Because sayde he that I am mortall enemy to him and all his and when I shall either knowe or meete with any of thē I will cause them to die an euill death if I may The Faire Forlorne was so greatly enflamed with rage to heare him thus to menace especially the King and all his Knights that hee answered Quedragant You then are one of them that haue defied that good King I am euen the same sayde hee that will doe all the iniuric that possibly may bee done both to him and his And how are you called answered the Faire Forlorne Don Quedragant sayde hee Trust me Don Quedragant answered the Fair Forlorne although you are a valiant Knight and descended of a Royall linnage yet haue you enterprised an exceeding great folly in defying thus the most mighty and best King in the worlde for euery discreete knight ought to attempt no more then hee may well effect seeing that they who doe once passe the bonds of their ability and power are to bee accounted more haire-braind then hardy and more vaine-glorious then valiant the which is no better then folly As for mee I am no subiect but rather a straunger vnto the King against whom your quarrell is yet haue I alwaies had a desire to doe him what seruice I could and therefore you may account mee of the number of those whom you doe defie and combate with mee if you list otherwise followe on your way Beleeue mee sayde Quedragant I thinke the little experience you haue of mee maketh you to vtter these braues notwithstanding I would very willingly know your name I am called answered hee the Faire Forlorne but I thinke for the small renowne that yet is blased abroade of mee you doe now knowe mee as well as you did before And although I am a straunger yet haue I heard that you doe seeke Amadis of Gaule neuerthelesse I beleeue it were most for your profit not to meete with him considering but what I haue heard reported of him What sayd Quedragant dost thou thinke better of him vnto whom I doe wish so much hurt then of mee Trust mee thou shalt repent it therefore defend thee if thy heart will suffer thee Although answered the Faire Forlorne that against another I would haue bin content for this time to haue excused mee from the combate yet will I very gladly vndertake it against you for the threatnings presumptions that you doe offer vnto me This sayd they ran one against the other with so great force that the horse of the Faire Forlorne was likely to haue list the groūd with his nose himselfe was wounded in the right breast with the shiuer of a Launce and Don Quedragant vnhorsed and wounded betweene the ribbes Yet hee rose vp againe lightly and drew his sword running against the Faire Forlorne whom hee tooke vpon a sudden whilest that hee was busie in mending and setting his helmet right and before that hee was aware Quedragant slew his horse vnder him but the Faire Forlorne feeling him to founder alighted downe Then hee being exceedingly vexed for so vilde a part hee sayd vnto Quedragant knight it seemeth that you haue neuer done any valiant deeds of armes in that you haue so villainously slaine my horse it might haue sufficed you to haue wreaked your anger on mee and not vpon a poore beast Neuerthelesse I am in good hope that the wrong which you haue done both to him and mee shall redound vpon your owne head Don Quedragant answered him not one word but couering him with his shield he came and layd at the Faire Forlorne who in a short time made him feele how well hee could repay whatsoeuer was lent vnto him and to heare them fight one would haue iudged that more then tenne knights had been fighting together Then ioyned they so close that they left their weapons and fell to wrastling endeauouring to throw one another downe but that was impossible for them wherefore they let goe their holde and without any breathing they betooke them againe to their blades and layd loade one vpon the other so couragiously that their Esquires beholding that cruell combate did thinke it impossible but that they should both twaine die by the hands of each other And thus they continued from three of the clocke in the afternoone vntill it grewe towardes night without either resting them or speaking together but euen at the same instant Don Quedragant was so wearie and faint that his heart failed him and he fell downe in this place By meanes where-of the Faire Forlorne stepped vnto him as hee pulled off his helme to strike off his head Quedragant taking ayre beganne to breath the which the Faire Forlorne perceiuing although hee was ready to performe with his arme the reuenge that he meant to take of his enemy hee stayed his blow the sworde being ready to lop off any limme vpon the which falling downe it might chaunce to light and hee sayde vnto Quedragant it is hight time for thee to think vpon the health of thy soule for thou art but a dead man Whō Quedragant perceiued that he was in such daunger hee was so astonished that hee answered vnto the Faire Forlorne Alas if I must die yet at the least let mee first be confessed If thou wilt liue any longer said the Faire Forlorne yeelde thy selfe vanquished and promise to performe all that I shall commaund thee I will willingly fulfill what-soeuer shall please you answered Don Quedragant although I am not vanquisned for hee is not ouercome that without shewing one iot of cowardise hath defended his quarrell euen with the losse of his breath and vntill that he did fall at his enemies feet but he onely is ouercome that for want of heart feareth to doe what he may Truely said the Faire Forlorne you speake the very truth and I am very glad that I haue learned so much of you Goe to sweare to me thē to obey my cōmandement The which Quedragant did But the Faire Forlorne called his Esquires to witnesse and then sayd I will that at your departure from hence you goe vnto the Court of king Lisuart from whence you shal not depart vntill the same Amadis that you seeke bee there arriued Then you shall yeelde your selfe vnto his mercy pardoning him for the death of your brother King Abies of Ireland for that as I haue heard they both of their owne free will challenged each other and had Combate together so as this reuenge ought not to bee pursued Moreouer I will that you giue ouer the challenge that you haue made against 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
with halfe of his face with the which he yeelded vp the ghost During all this combate the Princesse Leonor and all her company were deuoutly praying for the good successe of the Faire Forlorne who seeing that he was dispatched of Basigant turned vnto Famongâ—mad who had behelde the death of his sonne for whome hee made so great mone that he was likely to haue gone mad And although that hee was likewise at the point of death yet notwithstanding hee had throwne his helmet from his head holding both his hands before his wound to keepe in his blood that thereby he might prolong his life the more to blaspheme God and his saints not being sorry for his death as he said but because that he had not in his life time destroyed al the churches wherein he had neuer entred And he cryed as loud as he could Ah thou God of the christians it is thon alone that hast wrought the meanes that both I and my sonne who were mighty inough to ouer-throwe one hundred of the best knights in the world are slaine by the hand of a most wretched and feeble villaine And as hee would haue proceeded in his his blasphemy the Faire Forlorne stroke off his head from his shoulders saying Receiue thy reward for all thy cruelties which thou hast committed against a number of people And spurning him vpon the belly with his foote hee said Now get thee vnto all the Deuils who haue long expected thy comming Then he tooke vp Basigant his Helmet and threw downe his owne which was broken Enil in like sort brought vnto him Famongâ—mad his horse vpon the which he mounted and came both to vnbinde the prisoners and to doe his duty vnto the Princesse Leonor who gaue him great thankes for his good helpe In like sort so did all the rest of the company Now had the Giants tyed all their horses at the tayle of the Cart wherefore the faire Forlorne went to seeke out the Princesse her Palfrey the which he brought and mounted her vpon the same commanding all the rest to take euery one their owne horse and to get them to London and to carrie vnto king Lisuart the bodies of the two Giants and Basigant his horse which will serue him well in the battaile against king Cildadan But the Knights answered him sir who shall wee say hath done this good for vs you shall tell the king said he that it is a strange knight who is called the faire Forlorne and you may both declare vnto him at large the cause of the combat that I had with the Giants as also the great desire that I haue to doe his Maiesty all the seruice I may whether it be against king Cildadan or any other herewithall they layed both the bodies in the Cart but they were so great that their legs trayled along vpon the ground more then six foote and taking leaue of the faire Forlorne they went towardes London praising God and the good knight that preserued them from death But by the way Leonor and the yong Gentlewomen that were with her forgeting their passed perill made them garlands of flours which they set vpon their heads in entring into the Citty theÌ„ the people wondring to see the Giants followed the Cart euen vnto the castle to vnderstand who had done such valiant deedes of armes The king did already know that his daughter was arriued and how shee brought with her two dead Giants wherefore he went downe into the Court with the Queen and many knights Ladies and Gentlewomen with them to see what the matter was the which the Princesse Leonor recited vnto him together with all that you haue already heard whereat euery one wondred And euen as shee had ended her discourse in came Don Quedragans who yeelded him prisoner into the kings hands as being sent thither by the faire Forlorne the which increased in all the assistants farther desire to know him that lately had done so many knightly deeds And the king said in good faith I doe greatly meruaile what he may be but is there none of you that doe know him And it was answered him no saying that Corisanda Lady and friend to Don Florestan had found in the poore Rock as heretofore she had declared vnto many a sick knight that was named the faire Forlorne I would said the king that he were in this company beleeue mee that he should not depart from vs for any thing that hee would demand of me CHAP. XIIII How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his aduenture hee went vnto the Fountaine of the three Chanels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom hee remained eight daies together and at the same time there arriued in the Court of King Lisuart an ancient Gentleman bringing with him two lewels of singular vertue whereby the faithfull louer from the fayned might be tried the which Amadis and Oriana determined to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neyther be knowne of the king nor any other AFter that the Princesse Leonor and her trayne had taken their leaue of the Faire Forlorne he returned towards the Gentlewomen whom hee had found hard by the fountaine who hauing seene the victory which hee had atchieued had already forsaken the bushes came to meete him Then he commanded Enil to get him to London vnto Gandalin and that during his abode there he should cause such another armor as that of his owne was to be made for him because they were all to broken and battered with the blowes that he had receiued in the former combats moreouer that he should not faile to returne vnto the fountaine of the three chanels vpon the eight day following Thus Enil departed from him and on the other side the Faire Forlorne hauing taken his leaue of the GentlewomeÌ„ rode through the Forrest and they tooke their right way to Mireflure where being arriued they declared to Oriana and Mabila the dangerous combat and glorious victory that was performed in their presence by a knight called the Faire Forlorne When Oriana knew for truth that he was so neere vnto her castle ioy and extreame pleasure accompanied with a most feruent desire entred into her immagination in such sort that vntil she had him in her armes she neuer lost sight of the high way that led from the Forrest by the which he was to come By this time was the Faire Forlorne alighted from his horse hard by a little Riuer staying vntill it were night for he would not be seene by any at his entring into Mireflure Then hee put off his Helmet and laide him downe vpon the grasse and there-withall hee began to thinke vpon the instabilitie of Fortune and vpon the miserable despaire wherein not long before he remained when with his owne hands he was ready to haue effected his death and also how he was not only now restored to his former felicitie but also aduanced to greater honour glory
that I doe manifestly perceiue that fortune is wholly determined to aduance him as the the force which hee did shew in this last battaile can sufficiently witnesse the honour whereof ought wholly to 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 Cofer 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 mas◠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 taper 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 you 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
greatly satisfied me neuerthelesse I feare mee thou hast said this eyther in choller or to auoide the shame that otherwise thou mightst incur before so many valiant men and therefore it may please the king to assure me that if thou flie before the fight hee will not ayde thee at any time against the kindred of Famangomad Damosel answered the king I promise you I will not Now let vs goe to dinner said Amadis for considering the iourney which you haue made you must needes haue a good appetite to your meate Truely answered she I will go more contented then I hoped for and seeing it hath pleased the king to grant mee that which I requested I assure you that without faile Madasima and her Gentlewomen with the knights shall yeelde themselues prisoners vnto his Maiesty and the Queene so that also hee will bee pleased to warrant Ardan from all the rest of his Court except Amadis from whom I hope he shall carry away the head When Don Brunco heard this hee answered the Damosell I haue many times seene one make account of another mans head when hee hath lost his owne and the like may happen vnto Ardan whom you so much exalt Gentle friend said Amadis I pray you let this Gentle-woman speake at her pleasure for one like vnto her selfe for she and such as resemble her haue liberty to say what they list and often-times more then they know What are you sir answered the Gentle-woman vnto Bruneo that so well can pleade for Amadis I am said he a knight that would willingly beare a part in this enterprise if Ardan Canila had a companion with him By my faith answered she I beleeue that if you did think to bee receiued you would not speake so proudly but you haue already heard that Ardan and Amadis must bee alone without any more which maketh you to speak so haughtily neuerthelesse if you be such a one as you say I am assured that the combat of them two shall be no sooner ended but that I will bring before you a brother of mine that shall teach you to hold your peace and I assure you that hee is as great an enemy vnto Amadis as you professe to bee his friend He shall be very welcome and better entertained said he and tell him hardly that he forget none of his Armour behinde him at his lodging for be he neuer so valiant le will be all little enough for him Herewithall hee threw downe his gloue See here said he my gage take it vp for your brother if hee will alow you to do it and will accept the combat that you haue vndertaken for him The Damosell tooke vp the gloue and afterward vntying from about her head a carquenet of Gold she said vnto the king If it like your Maiesty I accept the combat for my brother against this knight in his absence in witnesse whereof your grace may keepe if it please you these two pledges the which shee gaue vnto him and the king receiued them although hee would willingly haue remitted this quarrell for hee already doubted the other for that he had heard of the valiant deedes of Ardan Canila who neuer did meete as it was saide with any knight in foure yeeres before that durst combat him When the Damosell perceiued that she had executed her commission according vnto her desire she tooke leaue of the Court and went with Amadis who brought her vnto his lodging but it had been better for him that he had beene at that time a sleepe for the courtesie which hee did shew vnto her turned him to so great displeasure that shortly after he was in great danger to haue lost his life Because that he would the more honour this Damosel he brought her into that Chamber wherein Gandalin did bestow his Armour But shee had no sooner set her foote in the same but shee cast her eyes vpon Amadis his good Sword which shee thought was of so strange a fashion that from that time forth she determined to steale it if shee might finde the meanes and to doe the same more cleanly she walked so long about the chamber that as Amadis and his people had their backs towards her she slily drew the sword forth of the scabbard and held it vp close vnder her cloake Afterwards shee presently went forth of the chamber and taking aside one of the Esquires in whom shee most trusted she gaue it vnto him saying doest thou know what thou shalt do run quickly into my ship and hide me this Sword vnder the ballast in such sort that none doe see it vpon thy life The Esquire was diligent and departed Then Amadis entred into talke with the Damosell demanding of her at what houre Madasima would arriue in the Court I beleeue answered she that you may see her and speake with her before the king haue dined but what moues you faire sit to enquire so much after her Because said Amadis I would go meete her vpon the way to doe her honour and seruice to the end that if shee haue receiued any displeasure by mee I may make her such mends as she shall demand of me I know answered she that if thou run not away Ardan Canila shall be he that shall make thee answere the wrong that thou hast done vnto her with the losse of thy head the which hee shall present vnto her for other satisfaction she desireth not to accept I will keepe them both fasting without that if God please said Amadis neuerthelesse if shee will haue any other thing of mee I sweare vnto thee by my faith Damsel that she shall haue it as shee whose good will and fauour I doe most desire Then were the Tables couered dinner was brought in wherefore Amadis causing her to sit downe desirous to leaue her alone said vnto her that the king had sent for him and that shee in the meane time should make good cheere for hee would returne presently againe The Damosell shewed by her countenance that this departure of his did not a little please her and fearing least her theft should be perceiued she made as short a dinner as she could Which ended she rose from the Table and said vnto those that serued her you may tell Amadis that I giue him no thankes at al for the entertainement that he hath shewed me thinking thereby to do me honor and assure him that I am shee that wil purchase as long as the breath remaineth in my Body his death and vtter destruction So God me helpe answered Enil I beleeue it well and according to that which you haue already manifested in my opinion you are the most iniurious woman that I haue seene in all my life Whatsoeuer I am said she I care not for thee and lesse for him and if thou thinkest mee iniurious yet is it not so much as I would be both towards him and thee and for the paines that thou hast taken in seruing mee this day at dinner I would
deuise Wherunto they all agreed so that the day following knowing that she was neere at hand Amadis accompanied with eight of the best knights in King Lisuarts Court mounted on Horse-backe in very good order But they had not long ridden when they did behold her a farre off comming with Ardan Canila who did lead her she was apparrelled all in black mourning as yet for the death of her father whoÌ„ Amadis had slain This sad apparrell did so much grace her that although of her selfe without any other helpe she was esteemed one of the fairest that might be seen yet was her beauty much more encreased by this mourning weede with the which the liuely whitenesse of her face was the more manifested by the grace which this blacke colour added thereunto and her two cheekâ— seemed like two white roses beautified with a naturall rednesse so as euen then those which had conceiued a mortall hate against her for the mischiefe which she procured vnto Amadis were now forced to loue her Behinde her marched the twelue gentlewomen apparrelled with the like attire After them came the old giant and his son followed with nine knights which all came as pledges Great was the entertainement that Amadis shewed vnto her and the rest of her traine and shee in like sort saluted them most courteously Then Amadis approching more neere said vnto her I promise you Madame that if you bee accounted faire and of good behauiour it is not without great cause seeing that I am now my self an eye witnesse of the truth thereof and truly that man ought to thinke himselfe happy whose seruice it shal please you to like of assuring you that I am willing to do you any pleasure and ready to obey your commandements when Ardan Canila heard him speake so courteously although hee was finally fauoured by Madasima hee was ouercome with iealousie and answered Amadis knight stand back and speake not so priuately vnto her whom you know not Sir said Amadis the cause of my comming hither is not onely to be acquainted with her but also to offer vnto her my person and my goods You are no doubt answered he some good fellow and worthy to be by her greatly imployed neuerthelesse faire sir get you gone from her otherwise I will make you know that it is not for so base a companion as you to vse so great familiarity with a woman of so high worth as she is Whatsoeuer I am answered Amadis yet do I desire to serue her notwithstanding your threats for although I am not of that worth as I would be yet shall not the affection that I beare vnto her bee abated by thy malapert boldnesse But sir you that are so lusty who would make me know my duty depart from her for whom willingly I would employ my best meanes tell mee what you are Ardan Canila exceeding angry beholding Amadis with a sterne and scornefull countenance answered him I am Ardan who am better able to increase her welfare and honour in one day then thou canst with the best meanes thou hast doe her seruice in all thy life It may very well be said Amadis notwithstanding I know that this whereof thou vantest shall neuer by thee bee executed so indiscreete and spightfull art thou And because that thou greatly desirest to know whether I am a sufficient man or not know thou that my name is Amadis of Gaule against whom thou desirest to fight and if this Lady be displeased with ought that I haue said vnto her I wil make her such amends therefore as shee shall please to command at my hands By my Gods answered Ardan Canila if thou tarriest the combat the satisfactioÌ„ which she shall take shall be thy head That would displease me meruailously said Amadis but I will giue her a head that shall bee more welcom to her if she please breaking the marriage of you two being so far vnfit one for another for she is faire wise and of courteous behauiour thou deformed foolish churlish Hereat Madasima the Gentlewomen began all to laugh Ardan to be extreamely angry that to behold his countenance and the rage wherein hee was one might easily haue iudged the little good that hee wished to Amadis vnto whom hee answered not one word more yet he ceased not grumbling and gnashing his teeth vntill hee came before the king Then very indiscreetely he began to say King Lisuart behold here the knights that must now enter into your prison according to the promise which yesterday a gentlewoman made vnto you in my behalfe Wherefore if Amadis dare be so bold to do as he hath boasted I am here ready to breake his head What will you doe answered Amadis Thinkest thou my heart so weake or my right so small that I cannot abate the pride of a man so audacious as Ardan is I assure thee that although I had not vndertaken it yet would I combat thee onely to hinder the marriage betweene thee and Madasima And therefore deferre not to deliuer vp these hostages which thou doest brag off for I verily hope to reuenge the good and valiant King Ardan Angriotta for the great wrong they haue receiued during their imprisoÌ„ment I haue brought them along with me said Ardan knowing that you would demand them but I am in good hope to restore them againe into the power of the faire Madasima and to giue her therewithall the mold of thy cap to testifie that it becommeth not such a gallant as thou art to vse mee with such proude and spightfull tearmes and that â—o the executing therof she may receiue the greater pleasure it may please your king to appoint that she may he set in a place hard at hand to the end that she may both plainely see the reuenge thee 〈◊〉 shall take of thee and 〈…〉 where with thou 〈…〉 same instant the 〈…〉 brought and thâ— faire Madasima together with her twelue Gentle women came to doe their humble duties vnto the Queene and by her side was the old Giant his two sons and the nine knights who all fell vpon their knees before the King At the same time euery one did attentiuely beholde th◠〈◊〉 faire Madasima who shewed such an humble countenance that she was greatly esteemed yet could not Oriana cast one good looke vpon her thinking that shee of her owne will did procure the ruine of Amadis for the which none was more sorrowfull then shee But Mabila who was in like sort neerely touched with the matter 〈◊〉 her in hope that God would â—yde him and that her Cosin might as easily ouer throw and vanquish Ardan Canila as hee did the proâ—… Dardan and many other knights both valiant and stout The pledges then being receiued as the custom was both the knights reâ—ired each of them to the place appointed for them staying vntill the time that they should enter into the field the which the king had commanded to bee closed in with paâ—es Then Gandalin
things which one feareth to to lose they beganne to bee in doubt of him whom they all fauoured so as Oriana sayd Alas if God take not pittie vpon Amadis this day will be his last But Mabila presently reproued her saying Madam if you shew not a pleasant countenance vnto my Cosen hee shall be easily vanquished although Ardan strike neuer a stroke Hereupon the trumpets sounded Then Amadis beholding Oriana set spurres vnto his horse and they both met so rudely that their Launces were broken into shiuers encountring together with their shieldes bodies so forcibly that Ardan his horse fell down dead in the place and the other of Amadis had his shoulder broken neuerthelesse Amadis with great lightnesse rose vp although the truncheon of his enemies Lance remained sticking in his vambraces the which hee presently pulled forth and drawing out his sword hee valiantly marched against Ardan Canila who in like sort with great paine was risen vp And as hee stayed to mend his helmet which was some-what shaken with his fall seeing his enemy approach hee made head against him and there began betweene them so cruell an encounter as there was not any man present that did not greatly wonder thereat for with the sparkles of fire which preceeded by their strokes from their helmets they seemed to bee all on fire and by their waighty blowes which with great prowesse were bestowed they mainfested the hate which they did beare vnto each other for there was not one blowe smitten but the blood followed neuerthelesse it seemed that Ardan had the aduantage ouer his enemy as well because of the shield of steele which he had as also for the hurt which hee did with the sword of Amadis which the iniurious Damosell had giuen him But yet Amadis followed him so neare as oftentimes hee brought him out of breath wherewith Ardan was much abashed and hee verly thought that in all his life hee had not found a knight that handled him so rudely especially hee imagined his enemies force to bee redoubled when most of all his impaired Whereat as it were disdaining that hee should so long continue couering him with his shield hee ran vpon Amadis who had all his armour and shield in such sort hacked and broken that he could not wel tel wherewith to defend him any more because that Ardan neuer fastened blowe vpon him but that his flesh fâ—lt it whereby euery one iudged that he would carry away the victory Then was Madasima very sorry hereat for she was a woman of so stout a heart that she would rather haue lost her land and herselfe then to marry him and so long these two knights maintained the combate that euery one did maruaile how they were able to continue But Oriana seeing the pittious estate of Amadis and the danger whereunto hee was brought by the reason that his armour was so broken she was likely to haue sounded she became very pale and out of heart vntill Mabila perceiuing it sayd vnto her Madame it is no time now to leaue Amadis in this perill seeing that if you turne your backe you hasten his end and depriue him of his victory at the least if you cannot beholde him turne your face quite from him At that time was Amadis so sorely pressed by Ardan that Brandoinas one of the iudges sayd vnto Grumenan and Quedragant Truely my Lord Amadis is in great necessity for want of good armour see how his shield is hacked his haubert so broken that in a maner he hath not where-withall to defend one blowe Trust mee you say true answered Grumedan and I am very sorry for it Of my faith sayd Quedragant I haue prooued Amadis when I fought with him but the longer he fighteth the stronger and more inuincible hee waxeth so that it seemeth each houre his force increaseth the which is not so with Ardan as by proofe you may now see by his vnweeldinesse more shall you see before the battaile be ended This speech was heard by Oriana and Mabila where-with they were greatly comforted and because he had seene Oriana almost ready to depart from the window not daining any longer to behold him hee thought shee was displeased for that hee deferred so long to get the victorie of his enemy Whereat hee was so grieued that griping his sworde fast in his fist hee stroke so sound a blow vpon the helmet of Ardan that hee made him bowe one knee to the ground but by mischance his sword broke in three peeces the least whereof remained in his hand Then did hee thinke his life in very great danger there was not any of the beholders that did not suppose him vanquished and Ardan victor who began to lift vp his arme saying so loud that euery one did heare behold Amadis the good sworde which with wrong thou gottest by the which thou shalt receiue a shamefull death See gentle Ladies see look forth of your windowes to behold my Lady Madasima reuenged and say whether I am not worthy of her loue When Madasima heard Ardan make this bragge and seeing that without doubt fortune fauoured him so as according to the promise which her mother had made vnto him she should be constrained to take him for her husband shee came and cast herselfe at the feete of the Queene beseeching her most humbly that it would please her grace to hinder this marriage the which she might iustly doe because that Ardan had sayd vnto her that if hee got not the victory of Amadis in lesse space then the best lackie in the world could run halfe a league that he was coÌ„tent that she should neuer loue him so long as she liued and that now it was more then foure houres since the combate began Gentle Lady answered the Queen I will doe that which shall be reasonable In the meane time Amadis was much astonished and seeing that hee had no meanes to defend himselfe he began to remember that which Vrganda had foretold him which was that if hee were Lord of halfe the world hee would giue it vpon condition that his sworde were in the bottom of some deepe lake Moreouer looking vp towards Oriana he perceiued that to encourage 〈◊〉 shee was come againe to the â—…dow whom when hee had behelâ—… hee thought that hee had recouâ—…ed new force and helpe By meanes whereof hee either determined to die speedily or to be reuenged vppon his enemy suddenly and the better to execute his determination hee leaped vnto his enemy so lightly that before Ardan could strike him hee pulled the shield from his necke and then stepping alittle aside he took vp a truncheon of a Lance that lay in the field and hee thought to haue thrust it thorough the sight of Ardan his helmet but hee went backe and lifting vp his sworde hee stroke so streat a blowe within the shield which Amadis did hold that alalthough it was of fine steele yet did it enter therein more then a great hand
breadth And as hee striued to pull it forth Amadis thrust the head of the truncheon through his arme wherewith hee felt such extreme grief that he forsooke the sword which hee held on the which Amadis presently fastened his hand pulled it forth thanking God for ading him in his greatest need When Mabila beheld the case thus altered shee called Oriana who hauing seen her friend in such extreamity was newly layd downe vpon a bed studying with her selfe what death she might chuse for the speediest if Amadis were vanquished And Mabila sayd vnto her Madame come see how God hath holpeÌ„ vs Ardan without doubt is ouer-come The great ioy which Oriana receiued at these newes made her suddenly to start vp and looking out of the window shee perceiued how Amadis had stroken his enemy 〈◊〉 mighty a blow vpon the shâ—…der that hee separated it from 〈◊〉 necke wherewith he felt sucâ—…guish that hee turned his bâ—… but hee ran not farre before â—…dis stroke him againe and he pursued him so sharpely as that hee made him recoyle backe euen to the top of a Rocke against the which the Sea did beat so that he could goe no farther Then was Ardan Canila brought between two extreamities for on the one side the deepe and vnmericifull waues set before his eyes his vnhappy end on the other side hee perceiued the sharpe sword of his enemy which did no lesse terrifie him Who pursued him so close that he pulled his helmet from his head and lifting vp his arme hee wounded him most cruelly so that hee fell from the top of the Rocke downe into the Sea and was neuer after seene For the which many praised God especiall king Arban of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux because they had seen Amadis in such daunger that they greatly stood in feare of his safety Heerewithall Amadis wiping his sword did put it vp into his scabbard and came whereas the King and the other knights were who in great triumph brought him into his lodging and the more to honour him hee was led between those whom hee had deliuered froÌ„ cruell prison that is to say by Arban King of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux And because they were leane pale and almost spent as well with the euill vsage which they had receiued during their imprisonement as also with the griefe and melancholly that they had taken Amadis was desirous that they should lodge in his chamber where they were so well tended and dyeted by the aid of expert Physitions and cunning Surgeons that they did shortly after recouer their health as by the sequell of our History you may vnderstand CHAP. XX. How Bruneo de Bonne Mer did fight with Madamaine the ambitious brother to the Damosell iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause hee and many others that were desirous to follow him departed from the Court. THe next day after the combate was ended between Amadis and Ardan as hath beene related heretofore the iniurious Damosell came and presented herselfe before the king beseeching his Maiesty to send him that should fight with her brother whom according vnto promise shee had caused to come thither For sayd the Damosell although my brother be conquerour and cannot take that reuenge of his enemies as the friends of Ardan may rest satisfied for his death yet will it bee some small comforth vnto them notwithstanding Now Brunco was there present who without making stay answered to the resh speeches of the foolish woman said vnto the the King If it like your Maiesty I am the man she speaketh of and seeing that her brother is come hither as shee saith if it be your pleasure and his will wee shall quickly know if hee be such a gallant as hee vaunteth Vnto the which the King condiscended Wherefore they both went immediatly to arme them and anon after they entred into the field whither they were accompanied with certaine knights their friends They beeing then in the place assigned for that purpose the Trumpets sounded to warne them to begin the combate Forthwith they charged their Launces and setting spurres to their horses they ranne the one against the other such force that their Launces flew into shiuers encountring each other with their shieldes and bodies Madamain lost his stirrops and was vnhorsed Bruneo wounded in the left side Notwithstanding so soone as hee had finished his carreer hee turned himselfe to his enemy and saw that he had already recouered his feet and held his sword in his hand in a readines to defend himselfe but as Bruneo drew neere to charge him he sayd to him Sir knight alight or else assure you that I will kill your horse Truely sayd Bruneo at your choyce bee it for it is all one to me to ouercome you on foote or on horsebacke When Madamain saw that his wish came to a good end being as he thouhgt stronger then his enemy who was but little and himselfe in a manner a Gyant he was most glad thereof and sayd to Bruneo It were better for you to alight and then you should soon make profe whether you were able to effect that which you make brags of well quoth Brunco so withdrawing himselfe he alighted left his horse then he tooke his shield set hand to his sword approaching vnto Madamain who like a valiant stout knight receiued him coragiously They began to lay on load the one at the other both of theÌ„ pretending to get the victory which was the cause that neither shield nor armour of how good temper soeuer was able to withstand their blowes for they hacked them to peeces so that the field in many places was couered with peeces of their shields Now if the knights did assaile one another with great hardinesse their horses did no lesse for they set vppon one another and with their feete and teeth fighting together they did ioyne in such sort that the most part of the lookers on were more intentiue to the combate of the beasts then the fight of the knights Notwithstanding Madamain his horse in the ende had the worse being constrained to leape ouer the barriers and to run away This gaue a great presumption to euery man to imagine that Bruneo should obtaine the victory and so it fell out for hee pursued Madamain so neere and brought him to that extreamity that being almost out of breath he sayd vnto Bruneo I doe beleeue considering the rage thou art in that thou imaginest the day will not bee long enough to end our quarrell Howbeit if thou doest consider that thy armour is almost vnriuited thou shalt finde that it were better for thee to rest thy selfe then to assaile mee so vndiscreetly as thou doest and therefore I being vnwilling to vse thee so rigourously as thou deseruest I am content to giue thee leaue to take breath that we may afterwards begin the fight more hotly then before
garments to be brought and put about her wherefore hee that brought the lights ran for a scariet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the iaylor and cast it about the Ladies shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her forth of the darke prison saying She should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose his life before and passing by where the iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many woūds and torments haue you giuen me and diuers in this Castle without desert althought your bodies at this instant cānot receiue cōdigne vēgance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame saide Amadis while I go to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custody so passing on to the port-cullis he met the Souldier that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalaus demandeth where the Knight is that entred heere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the torch before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fal which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Villaine fearest thou being in my guarde goe on Thē assending the staires they came into the open Court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cleare and the weather faire but the Lady feeling the aire and beholding the heauens was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knees before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almighty protect thee and require the good I haue receiued by thee deliuering me from comfortlesse darkenesse Amadis looking round about for Gandalin and finding him not searing he had lost him wherefore he saide If the best Squire in the world be dead I will take such reuenge for his death may I but find his murderer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouer-come with griefe hee heard one crie wherefore hee ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great piece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthy stinking sauours neere him he espied Gandalin tied to a tree toward whom hee was going to vnbinde him but hee saw the Dwarffe had greatest need of help wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his feete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer entreated thee thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming forth of the Castle as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he staied ul day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanied with two of the Souldiers the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place where-into he saw a horse led which Amadis being desirous to see came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it fly open finding the horse there ready sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castle by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarffe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demanding what the King was she loued so deerly and for whom she had sustained such iniury Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whom I loue so loyally this diuelish enchanter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his presēce imagining the griefe here-of would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succor by reason of the traiterous villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke cloud enuironed me which hindred them from following mee to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought mee forth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you spake of It is King Arban of Norwales answered the Lady whom it may be you know I know him right well replied Amadis for he is one whom I deerly loue and now do I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appeared when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a window who thus demanded Art thou he that didst kill my iaylor my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so treacherously putteth knights to death abusing likewise both Ladyes and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard of As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldnes in asking me what I can do whether it bee wrong or right Herewith hee went from the window and not long after came downe into the Court being well armed mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knights in the world yet no Gyant wherefore when Amadis behelde him of such stature hee doubted not of his great force and strength Arcalous perceiuing hee eyed him so much demāded what moued him so to doe I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldest be a man of exquisite Chiualrie but thy peruerse and humaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me sayde Arcalaus I thinke my selfe highly beholding to fortune who hath brought thee hither to make mee such a smooth sermon but all this will not helpe thee therefore defend thy selfe So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their Shields as the shiuers flewe vp into the aire and with such violence met their horses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose with their swordes began a bloudy combate wherein desire of victorie and hauty resolution of vncōquerable courage made thē continue a long time till Arcalaus retiring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thee I may yet commend thy boldnes in entring heere My death answered Amadis is in the hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary of helping thee
and bequeatheth thy body to so innumerable mischiefes as a present perishing of soule and altogether But seeing thou wouldest so gladly know my name I am commonly called Amadis of Gaule Knight to the Queene Brisana let vs now then chat no longer but fall to the combate for on my parte I promise no more resting A calaus aduancing his Shield came with foming fury against Amadis who knew full well how to welcome him and such eager strokes past on either side as their shields were scattered in pieces about them likewise many plates of their Armour Now was it about the third houre wheÌ„ Arcalaus hauing sustained great losse of his bloud was forced to send vp and down before his enemy and seeing the imminent death before his eyes fled to that part of the Castle where he came out yet Amadis by close pursuit still continued his feare whereupon he stept into a chamber at the dore whereof stood a Lady beholding the combate and he was no sooner encred the roome but be caught vp another sword turning his face â—o Amadis saying Enter this chaÌ„ber to make an end of our combate The open Court answered Amadis is more spacious and conuenient I will not come foorth quoth Arcalaus for thy pleasure What saide Amadis thinkest thou so slily to escape so placing his shield before he entred the chamber but as hee lifted vp his sword to strike he was depriued of strength and the vse of his members so that hee fell to the ground as he had beene dead Yea mary said Arcalaus this is the way to make thee dye as I desired sleepe then till I wake thee How say you Lady quoth he to her that stood by am I not in your opinion well reuenged on him Indeed saide she he is now altogether at your commandement Presently he vnarmed him Amadis not feeling any thing was done to him afterward Arcalaus put on himselfe the Princes Armour thus speaking to the Lady Madame looke on perill of your life that no one remoue him hence vntill his soule haue forsaken his body then hee intended to iourney to the court where each one seeing him in the Armour of Amadis might thinke he had slaine him But now the sorrowfull Lady so lately deliuered from prisoÌ„ made such mone as would haue melted a heart of Adamant and what Gandalins countenance was you may easily iudge when Arcalaus sawe the Lady lament he sayde Dame seeke some other to deliuer you from prison for I haue dispatched your hardy Chamhion These wordes made Gandalin in such despare as he fell downe like one sencelesse and Arcalaus called the Lady to him in this manner Come hither mistresse and you shall see him dead that durst so boldely combate with me When he had shewed him to her he demaÌ„ded if he were not now quiet enough The comfortlesse Lady seeing him in such estate wanted no teares to expresse the aboundance of her griefe and withall Ah God quoth she how yiksome will the reporte of his death be to many then Arcaldus calling his wife sayde So soone as this wretch is dead imprison this Lady where she was before for I will go to the Court of King Lisuart and there declare how I combated with Amadis by couenant that the conquerour should cut off the head of the vanquished and within fifteene daies following to publish his victory openly in great Brittaine By these meanes none shal quarrel with me about his death and I shall obtain the greatest glory in the world hauing ouercome him that conquered everyone TheÌ„ went he where he left Gandalin and the Dwarffe commanding them to be locked vp in a prison but Gandalin who wished death thinking his maister was dead indeede would not goe with him desiring some one to kil him and to enforce Arcalaus doe him so much fauour reuiled him with names of traitour villaine hauing slaine the most loyall knight in the world Arcalaus made no account of his words but beecause he would not goe willingly he dragged him by the eares and thrust him into the dungeon saying If I presently kill thee thou shouldest endure no more paine but heere thou shalt suffer worse then death So mounted Arcalaus on the horse of Amadis and accoÌ„panied with three Squires rode toward the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XX. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward escaped the enchantments by the ayde of Vrganda GRindaloya the Lady deliuered by Amadis from prison made such excessiue lamenrations for him as euery one pittied her shee thus speaking to the wife of Arcalaus and the rest in the company Ah faire Ladies beholde yee not the beauty of this braue Gentle-man who in so young yeeres was the onely Knight in the world mis-hap attend on such who by enchantment iniurie men of vertue O soueraigne creator why doost thou suffer so bad minded people to liue The wife of Arcalaus who though her husband was addicted to shamelesse crueltie yet she being of gracious and pittifull disposition grieued in her very soule to beholde his dealings and continually praied for his amendmeÌ„t comforting the wofull Lady so well as she could As thus they were deuising together they saw two other Ladyes enter the chamber each one bringing in her hand good store of candles lighted which they set round about on the cantons of the chamber finding Amadis thus lying before the wife of Arcalaus and the rest they being not able to lift or stirre him Then one of the Ladyes so lately there arriued tooke out of a little casket she carried a Booke whereon she began to reade and diuers times another voyse answered her As thus she continued her lecture many other voyces were heard as they imagined them more then an hundred then came another book flying into the chamber seeming as if the winde caryed it and fell downe at her feete that reade she pulling it in foure parts burned it at the foure corners of the chamber where the candles stood This done she returned to Amadis and taking him by the right hand said Lord Amadis arise you haue slept too long vneasily Immediately Amadis awaked and rising vp thus spake Alas where am I I maruaile that I am aliue Beleeue me Sir answered the Lady such a one as you are must not dye in this sorte rather wil the heauens permit that they who haue deserued it shall dy by your hand Herewith the two strange Ladyes not saying any more returned the same way they came leauing Amadis much amazed at this aduenture and looking about for Arcalaus but he was aduertised by Grindaloya how he was gone to the court of King Lisuart clad in his Armour and mounted on his horse to reporte that he had slaine him in combate Indeede I felt quoth Amadis when he vnarmed me but on my faith methought I dreamed and seeing he is gone with my armour I will make his to serue me at
shall bee rehearsed vnto you But the King desirous to manifest the force of his vertue the better to comfort his knights all wounded as hee was lighted from his horse to imbrace Amadis who kneeled down to shew his duty vnto his Maiesty My deere friend sayd king Lisuart you are most happily met I know now very well that without your ayde the realme of Great Brittaine had beene in no small danger and I pray you be not so heauy for the losse of your brother seeing that the Damosels haue assured you of his health In this sorte want king Lisuart comforting of Amadis whom hee caused to mount on horse-backe and afterwards hee brought him into his tent where there was brought somewhat for them to eat because he would depart the next day he appointed ouer night that the dead should bee buried in a Monestarie hard by the place where the battaile was giuen vppon the which place hee had bestowed great riches to cause them to pray for him In like sort hee dispatched a knight to goe in haste to aduertise the Queene of the victory that hee gad gotten ouer his enemies and the next morning he tooke his way toward the Citty of Gonata which was about foure leagues off where hee remayned vntill he and his people were healed While these things were in doing the Queene Brialania got leaue of Queene Brisena that she might goe to Mirefleur to visit Oriana hauing a great desire to see her because she was renowmed through all the world for her most excellent beauty Of whose comming Oriana being aduertised she caused the place to bee decked vp as well as possibly it might be and she receiued her most honorably but when she beheld her to bee so faire the suspition that shee had conceiued against Amadis was not so thoroughly mortified but that it somewhat reuiued againe in her notwithstanding all the proof that she had had of him eyther by his passing thorough the Arch of loyall louers or by his winning of the olde mans sworde beleeuing assuredly that ' it was a thing impossible that any man could be so constant as hee might forbeare from louing a creature so beautifull as Briolania was On the other side Briolania verily thought that the often sighes of Amadis in her presence proceeded of no other cause but the affection which hee did beare vnto Oriana for shee was the most rare Princesse and of the sweetest grace that euer shee had seene Thus were these two Ladies suspitious one of another and they remayned together discoursing of diuerse matters agreeable to their affections especially of the vertues and perfections of Amadis But Oriana the better to diue into the thought of Briolania sayde vnto her I doe much maruaile gentle Cosen considering the bond wherein you are tyed vnto Amadis as also seeing that hee is decsended from Emperours and the sonne vnto the king of Gaule that you haue not chosen him for your husband Madame answered Briolania beleeue me I should haue thought my self most happy if the same might haue beene brought to passe but yet of one thing I can assure you the which I pray you to keepe as secret as it deserueth Many times did I motion such a matter vnto him but his continuall sighes did presently yeelde me an answere in his behalfe yet could I neuer vnderstand in what place his loue was so setled so couert and secret is hee in all his affections neuerthelesse let him be whatsoeuer hee will be he shall dispose of me and all that mine is foreuer as he shall thinke good Exceeding glad was Oriana to vnderstand these newes by the which shee appeaâ—ed her new conceiued iealousie against Amadis and sayd vnto Briolania I doe greatly maruaile what shee is whom hee loueth as you say and there is no doubt but that he is one of the number of these louers by the testimony which the image of the enchanted Arch hath declared of him for according vnto that which hath been recited vnto me it shewed more for him then euer it did for any that there before had passed He loueth without doubt answered Briolania but it is so secret that non may knowe what or where she is In this sort did the two Princesses passe away their time still talking of Amadis during their aboad in the Castle of Mirefleur from whence within a fewe dayes after they departed to go towards Fenusa to see the Queene Brisena where she stayed for King Lisuart who was very glad to see her daugter returne in so good health There they had newes of the victory that the King had against the Prince of Ireland wherewith their ioy redoubled and God was highly praised but when Queen Briolania knew that he which was called the Faire Forlorne was Amadis of Gaul neuer was there woman more ioyful then she And although that Oriana and Mabila knew the cause thereof very well as you haue heard yet did they dissemble the matter and seemed to wonder thereat no lesse then the rest by meanes whereof Briolania did often times say thus vnto them would you euer haue suspected that Amadis would haue thus disguised himselfe taken a strange name amongst his deerest friends desiring thereby to extinguish his owne renowne by the great proâ—esse that hee performed vnder the title of a stranger By my faith answered Oriana if hee returne with the King wee must know of him wherefore hee did it and also what shee was that gained the kerchiefe with him I assure you said Briolania that we will not sticke to demand it of him and I beleeue he will willingly tell vs. CHAP. XVII How King Cildadan and Galaor were vnawares to themselues carried away by twelue Damosels and one of them was put into a strong Tower inuironed with the Sea and the other in a garden inclosed with high wals where they thought they had beene in prison and of that which happened there vnto them NOw wee will rehearse vnto you the enteâ—taynement that was made vnto King Cildadan and Galaor whom the Gentlewomen had put into the ship and they were carried and so well looked vnto that the third day following they began to amend for vntill then they had lost all manner of feeling and remembrance And Galaor found himselfe to bee layd in a chamber within a garden furnished in the most sumptuous order that euer he had seene the which was supported vp with foure Marble pillers inuironed notwithstanding with great gates of iron through the which he might easily see from his bed where hee lay all the circuit of the garden the which was closed about with high walles not hauing any entrance into it but one little dore couered ouer with plates of iron whereby he thought that hee was in prison Then did he begin to feele such great griefe in his wounds that hee hoped for nothing but death Then did hee remember that hee had beene in the battaile but he knew not who had either brought him away
or layd him in a place so strange as this was And no lesse abashed was king Cildadan to see that hee was locked vpon a strong Tower compassed about with the maine Sea although that the chamber wherein hee remayned was most richly hanged and he laid in a good bed Neuerthelesse hee was alone and he thought that he did heare some people talking right vnder the vault but hee could neither perceiue doore nor place where thorough any body might enter into his chamber Wherefore he rose vp and put his head foorth at the window and he could see nothing but the Sea whose waues did beat against the place wherein hee remayned shut vp the which was built vpon the top of a most steep and hard Rocke neither did hee know how hee was brought from the place where hee was smitten downe among the presse of people Notwithstanding hee knew very vell seeing hee was in such a place that he had lost the battaile and that his knights were either all dead or taken but yet he comforted himselfe as well as he could layd him downe againe vpon his bed bewayling greatly the griefe which hee did feele in his wounds Thus was Galaor lying sicke on the other side as hath beene recited who heard the little doore of the garden open which caused him to rise from his bed as well as hee could and hee perceiued a faire Gentlewoman comming vnto him being very richly attired the which did bring with her a knight so olde and crooked that it was wonder how hee could bee able to stand These approching nere vnto Galaor sayd to him through the grates of yron without opening the chamber dore Knight prouide for your soules health for we will not henceforth warrant you Then the Damosell tooke forth two littleboxes one of iron and the other of siluer and shewing them vnto Galaor she sayd vnto him Knight the party which hath caused you to come hither will not that you should die before she doe knowe whether you will accomplish her will or no and in the meane season she will cause your wounds to bee cured Gentlewoman answered Galaor if shee desire that I should do any thing contrary to mine honour I had rather die You may doe sayd she as you list although it is your choyce either to liue or die Herewithall the olde man opened the gate and so soonas they were entred into the chamber the the Gentlewoman presently gaue vnto him the yron boxe willing him to step back the which he did Afterwards she sayde vnto Galaor My Lord I am so sorry for your sicknesse that for to saue your life I will hazard mine owne death and I will declare that which I was put in charge to doe Which is that I should fill these two boxes the one with poyson and the other with oyntment to make you sleepe to the end that when you did awake you might feele such extreame paine that with the rage thereof you might cruely end your life but I haue done cleane contrary for I haue filled them with such a salue that if you vse it but seuen dayes together you shall finde your selfe whole sound and able to mount on horse-backe Then she rubbed his wounds with the oyntment the which was of such vertue that at the same instant his paine was appeased and hee felt such ease that he sayde vnto the Damosell Faire Gentlewoman you doe binde me so greatly vnto you that if euer I come forth from hence you may bee sure that neuer any Gentlewoman was better recompenced by any knight then you shall be by me neuerthelesse if you haue not the meanes to deliuer mee I beseech you at the least doe so much that Vrganda the vnknowne may be aduertised thereof for I haue euer-more had a great confidence in her The Gentlewoman began to laugh and answered him What doe you make such account of Vrganda seeing that hitherto she hath been so carelesse of your wealth or woe I know well sayd he that as she knoweth the secret thoughts of men so is shee not ignorant how much my desire is to serue her Neuer care you for any other Vrganda answered she theâ— me and haue only a good hope eâ—deuouring to hasteâ— your health taking vnto you the courage of a valiant man such as you haue alwaies bin esteemed seeing that you know that man-hood and valour is not onely requisit at combats and dangerous encounters but in other accidents that may suddainly happen like as at this present the caâ—e standeth And for the recompence of the perill that I doe vndertake to heale you and deliuer you from hence I pray you grant vnto me one gift which shall neither be hurtfull not dishonurable vnto you Trust me Damosell sayd hee you shall haue of mee euen whatsoeuer you shall please if it may well and lawfully be performed Goe to then answered shee let this suffice you now vntill it bee time for mee to returne againe to dresse you in the meane season couer you and feigne as if you slept soundly the which hee did Then the Gentle-woman called the olde man and sayd vnto him see how the knight sleepeth the poyson doth now worke vpon him All the better answered the olde man hee which hath brought him hither so farre as I see shall be sufficiently reuenged vpon him and seeing that you haue so well obeyed that which you were commanded I am content henceforth that you doe come without any guard at all to visite him But vse him after this manner fifteene dayes together for at that time they shall come hither who for the iniurie that hee hath done vnto them shall take such satisfaction of him as they please Galaor heard all their talke and hee knewe very well that the old man was his mortall enemie neuerthelesse hee had some hope in the Damosels promise who had assured him that hee should be healed in seauen dayes hoping if so shee did that hee might easily saue himselfe from their hands Hereupon the olde man and the Damosell departed but shee tarried not long before hee did see her returne with two other young virgins exceeding faire who brought victuals vnto Galaor and caused him to eate This done the Damosell commanded the other two to keepe him company and to reade before him some pleasant Histories to keepe him from sleeping in the day time so that Galaor being greatly comforted by the Damosels kinde entertaynement was thoroughly assured that shee would helpe him as shee had promised and so shutting the gate she departed left the two yong Gentlewomen discoursing with him Farre otherwise did it happen vnto king Cildadan who beeing shut vp within a Tower and layd vpon his bed did see a doore of stone to open the which was close fastened in the wall that it seemed as if it had beene the wall it selfe by the which there entred in a gentlewoman of middle age accompanied with two armed knights the which came close to his bed side