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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A71328	The ancient, famous and honourable history of Amadis de Gaule. [books 1 and 2] Discoursing the aduentures, loues and fortunes of many princes, knights and ladies, as well of Great Brittaine, as of many other kingdomes beside, &c. Written in French by the Lord of Essars, Nicholas de Herberay, ordinarie commissarie of the Kings artillerie, and his lieutenant thereof, in the countrie and gouernment of Picardie, &c.; Amadís de Gaula (Spanish romance). Book 1-2. English.	Pyott, Lazarus.; Munday, Anthony, 1553-1633.	1619 (1619)	STC 544_copy2; ESTC S106806	494,517	445

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 appea●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 pro●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 ente●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

THE ANCIENT FAMOVS And Honourable History of Amadis de Gaule DISCOVRSING THE ADVENTVRES Loues and Fortunes of many Princes Knights and Ladies as well of Great Brittaine as of many other Kingdomes beside c. Written in French by the Lord of Essars Nicholas de Herberay Ordinarie Commissarie of the Kings Artillerie and his Lieutenant thereof in the Countrie and gouernment of Picardie c. Printed at London by NICHOLAS OKES 1619 TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR PHILLIP HERBERT Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our dread Soueraigne King James Lord Baron of Sherland Earle of Mountgomerie and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter c. HAuing already presented your Honour with the Third and Fourth Bookes of this famous History of Amadis de Gaule and standing engaged by my promise to translate so many more of them as time and your noble acceptance shall thereto enable me finding also those two imprinted parts to appeare as a body without an head because these former Bookes are the guide and dirction to them all I haue now finished them and therefore make a fresh representation of them all foure to your Honour The fift sixt seuenth and eight Bookes being already in good forwardnesse of translation with as much expedition as possible may bee and your worthy encouragement for their proceeding shall very shortly present themselues before you in the best habit that mine ability can put vpon them It is not vnknwne to your honour that the manifolde impressions of this history the Bookes thereof being now come to be fiue and twentie in number and printed in places farre distant a sunder through neglect in the publishers or defect of the Bookes which are perfect indeede many false volumes haue flowne abroade and the world thereby v●… much abused But by the helpe of that worthy Lady I haue had such Bookes as were of the best editions and them as I haue already begun I intend to follow In the meane time Noble Lord accept of these foure Bookes I beseech you and defend them from the venomous tongue of foule mouthde detraction burying all my imperfections heerein committed in the vrgent importunitie of that worthy Lady by whom I haue thus boldly presumed the rest will beare me blamelesse against your least mislike Your Honours in all duty A. M. THE FIRST BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE Discoursing the Aduentures and Loue of many Knights and Ladies as well of the Realme of great Brittaine as sundry other Countries c. CHAP. I. Of whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knights as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following thereon SOone after the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ there reigned in little Brittaine a King named Garinter enstructed in the lawe of veritie and highly adorned with many laudable vertues hauiug a Noble Ladye to his Wife by whome he had two beautifull Daughters The eldest beeing maried with Languines King of Scotts was commonly called the Lady of the Garland because the King her Husband taking great pleasure to behold the golden tresses of her haire would haue them no otherwise couered then with a faire circle or chaplet of flowers Languines enioying by his Queene Agrates and Mabila of whom this present History often maketh mentiō The other yongest Daughter to this King Garinter was named Elisena very much excelling the eldest in beauty though she had been oftētimes desired in mariage by sundry Princes and great Lords yet as then she had no wil thereto but for her solitary and holy life was commonly called of euery one The lost Virgin in deuotion considering that in a person of such estate endued with such excellent beauty and solicited by so many great Princes this strickt religion was not conuenient King Garinter being sumewhat in yeeres for recreatiō tooke pleasure in Hunting whē at one time amōg other it happened that hauiug appointed a meeting neure one of his Cities called Alyma a Hart was put forth in pursuite whereof himselfe wandred very farre wherefore seeing he had lost both his people and game commending himselfe to God he began to make sumwhat the more hast til hauing trauersed first one way and then another at the very entrance into a Wood he saw two Knights fighting against one Soone had he knowledge of the twaine in that they were his owne Subiects of whome he had heard sundry complaintes but slender order was taken in the cause by reason of the great alliance they had in the Country as also for that they kept themselues still in this greatforrest Who the third should be he meruailed and for that time he so well liked the valour of the one Knight as he feared not what might happen to the other twaine wherefore he withdrew himselfe a little further into the Forrest because he might the better beholde the issue of the fight which sorted to such effect as by the strength of the one Knight both the other were vanquished and slaine The King beholding what had happened came forth of the Wood when the Knight seeing one so neere him alone thus demaunded Gentle Sir what Country is this where Knightes errant arc thus assayled by robbers and theeues Let this be no wonder to you Sir answered the King for this Country yeelds as others doe both good and bad as for them that thus assaulted you they haue done diuers villainous outrages not only in this Wood which hath been their accustomed receptacle but likewise in many other places and cheefely against their Lord King who could not execute iustice on them in that they were allyed to the best houses in this Realme And where may I find the King you speake of said the Knight for I am come to seeke him to bring him newes from a great friend of his Happen what shall answered Garinter I will tell ye so much as I know vnderstand then for a truth that I am the man you aske for At these words the Knight tooke off his Helmet and throwing downe his Sheeld ran to embrace him saying that he was King Perion of Gaule who of long time had been desirous to know him Greatly were these Kings contented that their meeting was in such fortunate manner and conferring together on many matters they tooke the waye through the Wood toward the Citie where they thought to find the Hunters but suddenly a Hart ranne before them which with some danger had escaped the toyles wherefore the Princes gallopped after the Deere hoping to kil it ere they gaue ouer But it fell out otherwise for in the pursuite as they came into the thickest of the Wood a chafed Lyon ran before them which in their sight seazed on the Hart and hauing with his strong pawes torne it in peeces turned againe when running furiously against the two Princes he watched his aduantage as if they had angred him which the King Perion

Damosels who tarry for vs in the Tents but you must dissemble conningly for if they see you altered from your wonted mellanchollie it may be some hinderance to your determination So they brake off cōmunication and went into the Pauillion where Amadis notwithstanding Gandalins councell could not but shew himselfe pleasantly disposed whereat the Damosels were verie glad because such behauiour better beseemed him then his former pensiuenes When the houre of rest was come each one went to his accusttomed lodging and soone after Amadis seeing the time commodious for his enterprise arose and found Gandalin who had already prepared for their iourney wherefore being armed they mounted on horse-backe taking the most conuenient way for their purpose to the Towne When they came to the Garden which Oriana had before shewed Gandalin they alighted and tied their horsses at a tuft of trees nere adioyning afterward they went through a hole which a water-course had made in the Garden wall and approched the window where Oriana lay faire and softly did Amadis knock thereon with his finger she not yet sleeping who expected his comming and when she heard the louing signall of her friend she awaked Mabila saying Sweete sister I thinke your cosin knocketh at the window My cosin answered Mabila it may be so but you haue greater intrest in him then I or all other of his linage together Mabila presently arose and lighted a waxe taper which she had hid for the nonce when Oriana likewise was got out of bed they came together and opened the casement where they found Amadis no more attending then hec was attended If they were then well pleased it were folly to inquire for all the contentments in the world might not be compared to the ioy of seeing each other And without question they had two inducing reasons thereto for beside the nourishment they receiued together in their yonger yeeres and their first amity continued by the rememberance and good opinion they had of each other their beauty and perfections were so correspondent as if they had neuer seene one another till that very instant yet had they cause enough to loue together Oriana had on such braue attire beseeming the night as set the heart of her loue on fire for vnder a fine dainty white frontlet appeared the rarest golden tresses of haire that euer nature made and about her shoulders she had a mantle of figured cloth of gold imbroidered all ouer with rich and costly flowerts as it might beseeme the greatest Maiestie in the world And for her selfe a thing more faire was impossible to be found the inward conceite of her present comfort decked her face with such a heauenly beauty as it seemed that nature in pride of her art made this piece to excell all other in perfection I will leaue you then to consider on the iudgement of Amadis who when she was nothing so glorious in fairenes thought her worthy the loue of the best Knight in the world now if he stood mute blame him not hauing the only iewell of his heart before him and therefore she to breake off this silence first spake in this manner My Lord if I haue giuen you the liberty contrary to my duty and custome to see me in this place at an houre so vnfitting you must commit the offence to the security which our former nurturing together loyally promised and likewise to the good opinion of your great vertues si●ce that time encreased which hath conquered no lesse fauour in me then honor and renowne in all other places Amadis to auoide further silence thought it better to let his speeches passe at aduenture then by holding his peace to be reputed vnworthy this happines or not so feruently touched with loue as she was to exclude all which doubts he thus replied Madame I account my selfe not so much fauoured by fortune in any thing else as honored at my first entrance into your seruice euen the very highest tipe of grace she could affoord me nor do I feele my selfe so beholding to my vertues as I rest double bound to thē that report so wel of me But when both these benefits shall be excluded yet is my loue and seruice to you so affectionate as they can deserue no lesse then this secret gentlenes and whē you shall allow me more ample courtesie it may command a stricter bond of duty but not affection for that is already so substantially grounded that the vttermost good you can do me is neither able to augment it or the sharpest vnkindnes diminish it I know not whether it be seemely for a man to cōfesse the extremities he hath infinite times endured by this passion the very least griefe I receiued hath beene the losse of rest and banishment of sleepe frō mine eyes and yet to afflict me with greater torment my spirit hath seene in a dreame what it vncessantly desired How many times hath it happened to me in thinking on you to be so cōfounded that such as haue seene me reputed me not only depriued of common since but euen of very life it selfe What moman what child well beaten hath euer powred forth so many teares as I poore Knight haue done yea my very chiefest enterprises huae I sprinckled withall for your sake not as feeling my selfe a happy subiect in loue but rather too little merit of my selfe and much lesse hope This fauour proceeding frō you in deigning to heare me is greater then euer I durst hope for and so farre doth it surmount my passions as I cannot expresse the least part of my ioy my tongue likewise seemeth as vnprofitable ignorant of his office hauing bin so long from seruing me to you But aboue all this impuissance in speech shall on my behalfe testifie to you what all the words in the world cannot deliuer with sufficient truth for as all other beauty in cōparison of yours is nothing so before mine affection al the other habilities of my soule vanish away and become of no reckoning Will you thē good madame with your courtesie supply my insufficiencie and with pittie giue me both life and my selfe and conserue that which else cannot be vnlesse it be yours onely These words vttered Amadis with such interruption of sighes and teares as witnessed he had no intent of feigning but rather knew how to suffer then speake wherewith Oriana moued to compassion thus answered I make no doubt deere friend but you loue me in respect of the pains you haue taken for me as also by what you haue now tolde me and though I should haue no signe thereof by speech or ought else yet am I ●…ent to beleeue because my heart hath no other de●…e but heerein concerneth greatest contentment And yet the torment I see you in with impacience troubleth my quiet for you being assured by sufficient proues and especially this that I loue ye me thinks you should haue no further cause of so seuere affliction but rather ought to temper your

I may doe your Maiestie any seruice I am the man readie to bee commaunded and you the Prince whom most I desire to honour Good Friend quoth the King your departure must not be so soone except you delight to displease me God forbid answered Amadis in respect my endeauour is altogether to obey you Doe you thinke sayd the King it is any obedience if I may not entreat a longer stay In sooth my Lord quoth Amadis you may and shall command for in greater matters then this I will not offend ye Goe then and vn-arme you replyed the King and speaking these wordes him-selfe tooke him by the hand conducting him to a sumptuous chamber where he left him to take some refection with Arban King of Norgalles and the Duke of Glocester whom he commanded to keepe him companie for King Lisuart was a Prince that especially fauoured and honoured strange Knights Hauing left Amadis thus worthily accompained he went to the Queene and tolde her in what manner hee had stayed the good Knight who ouercame Dardan But doe yee my Lord quoth she know his name No verily answered the King for in respect of the promise I made him I durst not demaund that question of him It may be sayd the Queen he is the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule I would it might fall out so well answered the King Doe you know quoth the Queene who may put vs out of this doubt euen the Squire that talked with Mabila who came to search him in your Court and said how hee was aduertised of his arriuall in this Countrey long before Immediately the King caused Gandalin to be called and without declaring any thing to him thus spake Follow me for I must shew a Knight to thee that I may bee resolued if thou know him or no. Gandalin attended on the King entring the chamber where Amadis was and Gandalin viewing him very earnestly feigned to haue seene him long time since then setting his knee to the ground sayd Ah my Lord great trauaile haue I endured to finde you since I departed from the Scottish Court Gandalin my good friend right heartily art thou will-come to mee what newes doest thou bring None but good my Lord answered Gandalin all your noble Friendes are in perfect health commending them-selues to your Excellencie but hence-forth Sir you must conceale your selfe no longer then turning to the King ●e thus proceeded Mightie King hee that hath beene so long time vnknown is this braue Prince the famous Amadis Sonne to the inuincible king Perion of Gaule and then came his Fathet to vnderstand so much when he slewe in combate the puissant King Abies of Ireland by meanes whereof he recouered his Realme which was well-neere lost By these deuises was Amadis discoured and better wel-commed then before for till thē he was not knowne but through his famous deedes the renowne whereof was euery-where blazed abroad and now was hee so well honoured for his vertue as his Noblenesse required So spent they the whole day in honourable Feasting vntill such time as each one with-drew him-selfe when king Lisuart commanded the King of Norgalles that he should lodge in Amadis chamber afterward when they were alone to sound his minde vnderstand by all meanes possible if he would consent to remaine in his seruice Thus leauing them together hee returned to the Queene and to her thus spake Madame hardly shall I cause Amadis to stay as mine nor can I tell which way to compasse it albeit I neuer had greater desire to any Gentle-man of long time for the high account is helde of him would cause mee to bee much more feared and redoubted My Lord quoth the Queene graunt him any thing he shall demaund and doe your selfe present him what you imagine will best please him Hee requesteth nothing of me replyed the king for if he did I would consent thereto more willingly then he could desire Me thinkes it were good sayd the Queene to entreat him first by some other of our Court if they cannot preuaile will him to come see mee your daughter and our Cozin Mabila they likewise shall solicite the matter for they knew him when hee serued them as a Squire Then shall we let him vnderstand how all the Knights here are yours and none but thinks him-selfe honoured thereby him will we desire to be one of the Company that you may enioy his seruice when need shall require This will be a good meane answered the king to procure his stay and if he will not be wonne by you we may well iudge him of lesse ciuility thē Chiualry Now because it waxed some-what late the King bade his Queene good-night went to his Chamber On the other side the king of Norgalles perswaded his new-come guest that he would abide in the Court of king Lisuart but Amadis could so cunningly dissemble that he altogether disguised the chiefe point of his desire and might not by all these entreaties be wonne When he perceiued he laboured in vaine on the Morrow-morning hee brought him to the king of whom Amadis made offer to take his leaue But the king answered him in this manner My good friend you should haue done me pleasure not to depart so soone yet can I not constraine ye to tarrie against your will but my Queene would gladly see you before your departure Nor will I goe my Lord answered Amadis before I haue done my dutie to her where-upon taking him by the hand he brought him into her Chamber and thus spake to her See heere Madam king Perions Sonne of Gaule who is come to salute you before his departure In sooth my Lord answered the Queene he doth mee great honour and he is very heartily wel-come hither Then Amadis stepping to her fell on his knee to kisse her hand but she caused him to rise and sit downe by her when the king perceiuing they would enter into further talke with drew himselfe to discourse with his knights while they conferred together In mean while the Queene courteously entertained Amadis but the other Ladies and Gentle-women who had heard such fame of his beautie and excellent perferfections beganne to eye him very diligently maruailing that Nature had so enriched him with the onely thing they most desired Now knew Amadis by their countenances what iudgement they held of him yet durst he not turne his head aside fearing least seeing his Oriana by some sudden mutation hee might reueale what carefully he couetted to hide And as he continued in this perplexitie the Princesse Mabila came and did him reuerence where-upon the Queene the better to compasse her intent called her daughter who dissembled as if she scant knew him and thus shee spake to her Faire daughter remember you not the sonne of king Perion of Gaule who serued you well while he was your Squire and yet may doe if it please him now he is a Knight in soothe you must al assist me in desiring him to grant mee one

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 perswasiōs 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 ●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 contemplatiō 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

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 Famong●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 Famong●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 thē 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 Gentlewomē 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

King his presence all that day after vntill the next morning when they attended vpon him as hee rode into the fields The King beeing halfe a league from the Cittie he behelde comming toward him the knights of the Firme-Island for the deliuery of Madasima and her Damosels being come somewhat neere they all did their duties to his Maiestie Then Galuanes who marched for-most took vpon him to speake for all his fellowes saying vnto the King If it like your Maiestie wee being all of vs well assured of your accustomed vertue are come to demand iustice of your grace for Madasima and her Damosels and to defend their right if by force of armes it is defensible My friends answered hee seeing that you haue already set vp your Tents in this place if you thinke good you may heere abide for this day and to morrow you may come vnto mee to aduise vpon that which shall be reasonable to bee done If it please your highnesse said Brian of Moniasta wee all are assured that accorto your ancient royall behauiour iustice shall not bee denied vnto vs and if wee finde it otherwise it is rather by the counsaile of some wicked traitors that are about you then any of your owne motion Brian Brian saide the King I am well assured that if you had beleeued your father you would neither haue departed from my seruice as you haue done neither would you in this sort haue helde argument against mee The argument which I do hold against your Maiestie said Brian is not for any il will or that I would not performe any dutifull seruice for your grace for I know well that in time you will acknowledge that which I say true And where your Maiestie doth tell me that if I had beleeued my father I would not haue forsaken you sauing the reuerence of your Maiestie I did neuer forsake you for I neuer did belong vnto you but I onely came into your house to seeke my cofin Amadis who so long as hee was yours so long had I a desire to serue you and neuer did I whilst I there remained offend you Well well answered the King wee will debate of this another time more at large Which said he bad them good night and depa●ted for it was already somewhat late Heeretofore you haue heard how the King had the day before after dinner taken vp Gandandel and Broquadan who beeing very heauie did consult a great while how they might with honour finish theyr wicked enterprise for the next morning the twelue Knights of the F●rme-Island met the King at Church who after seruice was ended called Broquadan and Gandandel vnto whom he said You haue of long time counsailed me to put Madasima and her Damosels to death beeing our prisoners and that in their behalfe I should heare no iust fication whatsoeuer Therefore you must now make answere vnto that which these 12 Knights will maintaine Then Imosell of Burgoine stepped forth saiyng vnto the King If it like your Maiestie I and my fellowes are come into your Court to beseech you most humble that you would extend your iustice and mercy to Madasima and her Damosels Whereupon Gandandel stepped forth and answered My Lord I●●sel you request that iustice should bee extended to Madasima and so farre as I perceiue you twelue wil maintaine that they ought to be heard in their iustifications but by the faith that I owe vnto the King if he consent thereunto he doth amisse considering vnder what condition they are entred into his prison Beleeue me Gandandel said Imosel had you held your peace you had done but your duty for the king hath not yet commanded you to speak also because you know that by the custome of great Brittaine no woman ought to suffer death except it bee in two cases the one for Leze maiestie the other for treason But there is not any in this company who knoweth not how these poore women were brought into the king his hands more by compulsion then their owne consent Therefore we beseech your Maiesty and you my Lords all to consider of the matter for reason and pittie are most fit to be vsed therein You are to blame answered Gandandel to request a thing so vnreasonable and seeing it hath pleased the king to heare vs both let him order the matter as to his maiesty shall seem most conuenient Then the king caused euery one to depart called some of the most principall of the realme vnto him and amongst others his Vncle the Earle Argamont an auncient mostvertuous Prince vnto whom he said Good Vncle I pray you and all the rest also to counsell me vpon this controuersie But there was not any that would speake their opinion before they had heard the king Seeing it is so sayde the king you shal presently know mine opinion It seemeth vnto me Imosel of Burgondie hath both reasonable and wisely spoken and that the Damosels ought to be heard what they they can say in their own defence Truely if it like your Maiesty sayd the old Earle you speak like a vertuous king and it is not possible to giue a righter iudgement of which opinion they were all Wherefore he commanded Gandandel ●roquadan to bee sent for and in the presence of the knights of the Firme-Island hee gaue the same sentence for the which they humbly thanked his maiesty beseeching him that Madasima her women might be set at liberty For we hope said they to haue them acquited either by reason or arms It is well saide answered the king who sent for the Damosels to come vnto him and afterward said vnto them Looke vp Ladies behold these Gentlemen which will defend your right will you be cōtent to put your quarrell and aduenture your liues vpō their force Alas if it like your Maiesty answered Madasima seeing it pleaseth them to affoord vs this good wee doe put our liues into their hands and your good mercy Trust mee Madame saide Imosel If there bee any heere which will gainesay that you are not deliuered and set at liberty behold me ready to proue the contrarie if there be twelue together of the like opinion wee are twelue likewise that wil hazard our liues for yours Therewithall the king did cast his eyes vpon Gādandel and Broquadan and he perceiued that they hanged downe their heads looking vpon the ground so much amased that they were not able to answer one word wherefore the king saide vnto the knights of the Isle My Lords I pray you to withdraw your selues for this day and to morrow you shall haue answere of those with whom you are to deale Where-upon they all departed and presently after the king called apart Broquadan Gandandel vnto whō he said come hither you knowe that many times you haue solicited me to put these poore Damosels to death perswading mee that it was iust and reason so to doe and that if need were you your sons would maintain this counsaile vnto