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
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
Amadis as to their new Lord vnder whom they hoped not onely to liue in peace and rest but also hereafter to stretch their Dominions euen ouer their bordering neighbours and further Then euery one might view the rare deuises of this palace amongst which there was a wardrobe whether Apolidon his Lady did most commonly withdrawe themselues so beautifull and sumptuous as it was not onely impossible to make the like but also it was thought very strange and wonderfull how any man might imagine that hee could build so rare a peece of worke seeing that they which were within might see what any man did without very easily but they which were without could not perceiue any thing that was within the same Thus was the firme Island conquered by Amadis which had beene a thousand yeeres and more without a Lord since Apolidon had there set vp his inchantments and the next day the people came from all parts of the Island to offer their dutie and homage vnto their new Lord who receiued them curteously I leaue you then to imagine whether Amadis had occasion to be glad and content or no. They which haue oftentimes bin crossed with aduersitie may better iudge therof thē any others can for they know how to beare and when to bewaile their misfortunes more orderly then such who are accustomed with all prosperity happinesse Neuerthelesse I know not whether of these two extreamities are more cōmendable for the one commonly draweth vnto it an intollerable vaine glory and pride most damnable the other a continual care fraught with desperation very dangerous Therefore euery wise man considering there is nothing parmanent will neither bee proud with the prosperity that fauoureth him nor appaled for any aduersitie that befalleth him but he will swim vprightly as in a calm Sea betweene them both without abusing the one or affrighted with the other The which Amadis could not doe when inconstant fortune made him taste these poysons which for him shee prepared euen in the midst as hee thought of all his prosperities And euen as shee beyond all measure fauoured him holding him vp by the chinne in all chances that hapned to him without crossing him in any thing whatsoeuer in like sort did shee turne her face from him and brought him into such perplexity and sorrow that neither force of armes the continuall remembrance of his Lady nor the magnanimitie of his heart were once sufficient to procure him remedy but onely the grace and mery of our Lord God who in pittie regarded him after hee had sometime remained in the rocke of aduersitie in sorrow and tribulatiou as you may vnderstand from the which hee deliuered him and placed him in greater ease and contentment then before as by the sequel of this historie you shall perceiue You haue heard in the first booke of Amadis in what anguish the Princesse Oriana was for the false report of Ardan the Dwarffe at such time as hee returned backe from his maister to fetch the pieces of the sword which Gandalin had forgotten behinde him at his departure from the Court and how she sostered vp in her minde the hate which she had conceiued against Amadis not being able to accept any councell either from Mabila or the Damosell of Denmarke wrongfully suspected him of falshood who thought on nothing but only how he might serue and honour her with all faithfulnesse Now it resteth to shew vnto you what happened thereof Know you then that from the day wherein this ielousie was first imprinted in her it increased in such sort as it wholly made her forget her accustomed manner of life thinking thence forth on nothing so much as how she might sufficiently reuenge her on Amadis who had as she thought so grieuously offended her And hereupon seeing hee was absent and that shee could not declare vnto him by word of mouth the anguish of her soule shee determined to let him vnderstand it by writing So as one day amongst others beeing alone in her chamber shee tooke pen in hand and writ this letter which ensueth The letter of the Princesse Oriana to Amadis MY intolerable passions proceeding from so many causes compelleth my weake hand to declare by this letter that which my sorrowfull heart can no longer 〈◊〉 from thee Amadis of Gaule most disloyall and pertured louer-For sieing the disloyaltie and inconstancie wherewith thou hast abused mee who am infortunate and frustrate of all good ha◠onely in louing thee abone all things in the world which is now very apparent cheefely in that sowrongfully thou forsookest vs to go with her who considering her young yeeres and indiscretion cannot haue that kindenesse in her either to fauour or entertaine thee I haue also determined for euer to banish from mee this exceeding loue which I did bare vnto thee seeing my sorrowfull heart can finde no other reuenge And although I would take in good part the wrong which thou proferest me yet should it bee a great folly for mee to desire the welfare of such an vnthankfull man for the faithfull louing of whom I hate both my selfe all other things Alas I now perceiue very well but it is too late that most vnluckely I enthraled my liberty to a person so ingratefull seeing that in recompence of my continuall sighs and passions I finde my selfe deceiued and shamefully abused wherefore I charge thee neuer to come in my presence nor vnto any place where I doe remayne be thou assured that I neuer loued thee so exceedingly but now by thy ill deserts I hate thee farre more extreamely Packe thee henceforth else where and try if thou canst with thy falsified faith and hony speech abuse others as vnhappy as my selfe and neuer hope that hereafter any of thy excuses shall preuatle with mee but without further desire to behold thee I will bewaile the rest of my sorrowfull life with aboundance of teares the which shall neuer cease but by the end of Her who forceth not to die but onely because thou art her murderer This Letter being sealed Oriana called a young Esquire brother to the Damosell of Denmarke in whom shee greately trusted and commanded him very expressely without staying one onely houre that hee should goe finde out Amadis in the Realme of Sobradisa and then presently deliuer this Letter which shee had written to him but chiefly that hee should marke his countenance whilst he read the same and that he should bring backe no answere though Amadis would giue it him CHAP. III. How Durin departed to goe toward Amadis vnto whom hee deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt happened thereby WHen Durin had at large vnderstood the will of the Princesse he mounted on horse backe and hasted him so well that the tenth day following hee arriued in the great City of Sobradisa where hee found the new Queene Briolania whom hee thought to be the fairest Lady that euer he had seene except the Princesse Oriana Then did he tell her how he
him by discharging him from your presence yet will hee not faile to be there knowing that it is a thing of great importance both vnto the King you not that hee will presume to come before you but hee will make himselfe knowne in place where hee may doe you seruice in hope that you will pardon him for the fault that he neuer did noâ— euer thought to doe God grant sayd Oriana that thy words proue true And as they were in these discourses there came a Gentle-woman who told Oriana that the Damosel of Denmarke was ariued and shee hath brought vnto you many faire presents Then feare hope seased vpon the Princesse heart in such sort that without power to answer one worde shee began to tremble the which Maâ—ila perceiuing she answered the Gentlewoman friend will her to come in hither all alone The gentlewoman returned to performe her charge but in the meane time beleeue mee neither Mâ—bila nor Gandalin knew how to behaue theÌ„selues beeing either hopelesse of the good or fearefull of the bad newes that the Damosell of Denmarke might bring Who shortly after entered in with the countenance of a person more pleasant then pensiue and after her duty done vnto Oriana shee presented her with a Letter from Amadis saying vnto her Madame my Lord Amadis recommendeth him must huÌ„bly vnto your good grace whom I haue found as this Letter written with his owne hand will assure you Oriana receiued the Letter and as she thought to haue opened it her spirit was so rauished with exceeding ioy as all the parts of her body remained without any power or ability once to moue or stirre because they would supply no other office but to participate in this most happy newes so that Oriana therewithall fell down in the place where she stood But very suddenly shee was raised vp againe she opened the Letter wherein shee found the ring that she sent vnto Amadis by Gandalin at the same time that hee fought with Dardan at Winsore which she presently knew Wherefore in kissing it shee sayd so loud that she might easily be heard O ring diuinely kept blessed be hee that euer did make thee so fortunate giuing from hand to hand all the pleasure that may bee desired then put she it vpon her finger and beganne to reade the Letter And when she beheld the sweet words that Amadis vsed the the thanks that he did yeeld vnto her for the careful remembrance that she had of him by the which he was raised from death to life there was neuer any woman more ioyfull and casting her eyes vp to heauen shee said O God of heauen and earth creator of all things praised be thy holy name because thou hast vouchsased in mercy to looke vppon mee by the diligence of this Gentlewoman Herewithall shee withdrew her selfe apart and tooke the Damosell of Denmarke by the hand saying vnto her I pray you faire Lady tel me how you did find him how long you haue bin together and the place where you haue left him By my faith Madam answered the Damosell after my departure from you I ariued in Scotland where I remained certaine dayes without hearing any news of him by meanes whereof beeing as it were voide of hope to satisfie your desire I tooke shipping intending to returne vnto you but wee had so sore a tempest vpon the Sea that mauger all our Mariners the ship was driuen vnto the poore Rocke where my Lord Amadis theÌ„ remained Whom at the first sight we did not know for he was changed in name habite and countenance and hee was likely to haue died in our presence when in a manner hee was not succoured by any of vs. Notwithstanding in the end I was ware of a wound that he had vpon the face the which was heretofore giuen vnto him by Arcalaus wherby I still suspected that it should be he and in the end hee manifested himselfe vnto me And continuing her discourse shee recited wholly all that which you haue heard in the beginning of this History Then loue pitty assailed the heart of the Princesse in so strange a manner that she entreated the Gentlewoman to speake no more of the troubles of Amadis but onely to tell her how hee did at that present Madame answered shee I haue left him in the Forrest staying to heare some newes from you And how may wee secretly send vnto him saide Oriana for if you returne vnto him so suddainly there might some matter bee suspected For the same occasion answered the damosel I haue brought with me Durin whome I will send back when it shall please you faining that I haue forgot parte of the presents that I brought vnto Mabila It is very well aduised said the Princesse Afterwards shee declared vnto her how Corisanda gaue vnto them the first hope that Amadis was not dead and that hee it was that named himselfe the Faire Forlorne It is true answered the Damosell and hee is yet so called neither is hee determined to change his name vntill hee haue first seene you except you command him the contrary That shall then be very shortly saide Oriana for his cosin and I haue taken such order that hee may come hither when it shal please him and not be perceiued by any body We haue the key of this gardeÌ„ by the which the way shal be easie and secret for him the which wee will send vnto him by Durin therefore call him vnto vs to tell him what Amadis must doe at his hither arriuall Hereupon Durin came vnto them Oriana shewing him the garden said vnto him Durin doest thou see this orchard Amadis must enter into it ouer the corner of this wall when hee is once in heere are the keyes of the dore thorow which he must come vnto vs the which thou shalt carry vnto him and shall further aduertise him whatsoeuer thy sister shall tell thee in my behalfe Which said she departed leauing them together and as soone as she was entred into a great Hall shee forthwith sent vnto the Damosell willing her to bring those presents which the Scottish Queene had sent vnto her Mabila the which she did But as shee vnfolded the cloâ— wherein they were wrapped as if shee had suddainly bethought her selfe she cried Alas Madam I haue left the tokens that were sent vnto Mabila there as we did lie the last night and if Durin do not speedily returne they may be in dangar to be lost now Durin knew the matter well enough and therefore hee made as though hee were vnwilling and on the other side Mabila faining to be very angry said vnto him Durin my good friend will you do me this pleasure to returne and fetch that which your sister hath forgotten Madam answered he I will do whatsoeuer you shall please but by my faith I could bee very well content that it would please you to appoint some other to doe it because of the toyle that we
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 â—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 theÌ„ 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 theÌ„ 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
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
knights ready to begin the search of Amadis according to the appointment of Galaor and Florestan and therefore she was determined not to depart from Queene Brisena vntil they were returned again neyther would she nor her women bee apparrelled with other Garments then of black cloth vntill he were found for such weeds did she weare at such time as hee did make her Queene and now would shee neuer change her manner of life if he were lost In your iudgment said Oriana is she so faire as the report goeth of her So helpe me God answered the Damosell except your grace she is the fairest woman and of the best behauiour that euer I did see shee was very sorry when she heard of your sicknesse and shee sendeth you word by me that she will come and doe her dutie vnto you so soone as you shall thinke conuenient Truely said Oriana I am more desirous to see her then any other that I doe know Madam answered the faire Forlorne beleeu me she well deserueth that you should shew her all the honour you may although heretofore you haue wrongfully sustayned some griefe for her sake gentle loue said the Princesse for Gods sake let vs speake no more of passed melancholies for I am assured that I did thinke amisse You shall yet be better assured answered he by the testimony that you shall receiue of those Iewels which we shall gaine the which will henceforth quite extinguish all those vnhappy fancies that you haue conceiued against me if they should chance to returne againe into your thought increasing in you the opinion of that zeale and dutie which I doe owe and beare vnto you My Lord said Oriana I am well assured that the kerchiefe shall make you beleeue that what wrong soeuer you receiued of me proceeded of no other cause but by the extreame loue which I did beare vnto you we shall see shortly said the Damosell of Denmarke what will happen For the king hath granted your request by Enil In this sort did Oriana and the test of her company passe away the time vntill the day came wherein they must depart to make triall of that which you haue heard which caused her to rise about midnight attiring her as the faire Forlorne had deuised and hee likewise was armed at all points that done they passed through the garden and came to the place where Gandalin held their horses in readines Then mounted they vpon them taking their way toward the Forrest right vnto the Fountaine of the three channels But there Oriana thinking vpon the enterprise which she went about foreseeing the inconuenience and danger thereof not onely if she were disclosed but also how if she failed in gaining the kerchiefe Amadis might haue iust cause to suspect her and by that meanes she might loose that good reputation which shee had gotten with him Herewithall she began to repent her forwardnesse and to tremble so extreamly that the faire Forlorne perceiued it who said vnto her Madam had I thought you would haue been so ill at ease with this voyage I sweare vnto you that I would rather haue died then haue brought you out of doores therefore if it please you let vs returne againe to Mirefleur So saying he turned his horse head neuerthelesse Oriana considering that by her an aduenture so recommendable should bee deferred changed her minde and answered him I beseech you sweete loue not to take any heede vnto the feare that a timerous woman may haue in the middest of this great wood but vnto the vertue and valor that remaineth in you Very sorry was the faire Forlorne because hee had spoken in such sort vnto her doubting lest he had offended her and he said vnto her Madam seeing that your discretion hath surmouted my â—olly I beseech you to pardon me for I assure you my meaning was not to speake any thing that should be offensiue vnto you As they had ended their conference they came vnto the fountaine being yet an houre from day where they had not long stayed before Enil came vnto them whereat they were very ioyfull Then the faire Forlorne saide vnto Oriana Madame behold the Esquire which I promised you to send vnto king Lisuart by whose answere we may determin what to do In faith my Lord answered Enil he sendeth you by me all the assurance that you demand and further he aduertiseth you that the triall of the aduenture beginneth this day after his Maiesties comming from the Chappell All the better said the faire Forlorne wee shall then haue no great cause of stay Hereupon hee gaue him his shield and launce and without putting off his Helmet at all they tooke the right way to London the people had already heard that the knight which did ouercome the Giants should come vnto the kings lodging they said one to another Heauens shield the faire Forlorne from all mischiefe for he is worthy of great praise and most happy may that Lady thinke her selfe to whom he remaineth a seruant These words might Oriana vnderstand very well wherewith she was not a little ioyfull knowing that she was Lady Mistris of him whom so many people did both loue honor afterward they came and alighted at the Palace where they found the king Queen Ladies and a great number of knights already assembled all together in a great hal to make trial who should gaine the old mans Iewels And as soon as they knew of the arriuall of the Faire Forlorne the King rose vp with his traine to receiue them wherefore the Faire Forlorne kneeling down would haue kissed his hands but the K. lifted him vp saying vnto him My good friend you are most hartily welcome hither where you shall be as free as you would wish for you haue done as much seruice for me in so small a time as euer any knight performed either for King or Prince The Faire Forlorne answered not one word but onely bowed himselfe to his maiestie in signe of thankes and without stepping one foote from Oriana whom he held by the hand they came towards the Ladies who did all salute them very courteously You may imagine if the young Princesse were not now in some feare to be discouered being in such an assembly for the Queene her mother stepped vnto her looking her stedfastly in the face although it was couered with a laune and she said vnto her Gentlewoman I do not know who you are for to my knowledge I did neuer see you neuerthelesse for the loue of this knight in whose custody you are that hath done the king so great sernice assure you that in this place shal be shewed vnto you all the honour and seruice that possibly may bee For the which the Faire Forlorne humbly thanked her Maiestie but Oriana without speaking one word held her head down continually Therewithall the king and all his knights withdrew them to one side and the Queene and her Ladies to the other And in the meane time the Faire
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 depaâ—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 Fâ—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 Iâ—â—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 â—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 coÌ„tent to put your quarrell and aduenture your liues vpoÌ„ 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 GaÌ„dandel 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 whoÌ„ 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
is a Knight who is sent from Gandalaz to defie him and if he come not out the sooner he will shew himselfe of lesse valour then reputation You haue reason sayd one of them in mockage but he will quickly bring a remedie for your chollor if you doe not helpe it your selfe by running away So departed the Watch-men to enforme the Gyant of these Newes and when the Damosels vnderstood that Galaor him-selfe must execute the enterprise being terrified with amazement they sayd Ah my Lord you attempt a matter of ouer-much folly would God you might speed so well as with honor to accomplish an enterprise of such consequence As for me quoth one of them I dare tarrie no longer with ye for I shall die at the sight of the Monster with whom you haue to deale Damosels sayd hee seeing you may not be assured heere depart I pray ye to the Hermitage where we lodged this last night and if I dye not in fight I will not be long from ye Beleeue me replyed the other Damosell what-soeuer happen I will not goe for I determine to see the ende The boldnesse of the one made them both tarrie yet did they sunder themselues by the Forrest side because the Gyant should not see them and hoping the better to escape away if the Knight sped not well CHAP. XIII How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rocke of Galteres SOone was the Giant aduertised of these newes wherefore not long after he came forth of the Castell moūted on a horse proportionable to such a huge body for it seemed an elephant he on his back made ample resemblance of a huge Colossus or like a mountaine mouing rather then a man Armed he was in plates of iron so long as from his throate they couered all the saddle on the horse hauing on his head a bright shining Helmet and in his hand a mighty iron Mace being the weapon where-with hee commonly vsed to fight Wonderfully affraide were the Squires and the Ladies that beheld him and Galaor was not so assured but hee stood some-what abashed notwithstanding he resolued so couragiously as the neerer he approched the lesse account he made of his huge enemies Mace When the Giant saw him come marching so brauely toward him he said I maruaile demie man how thou darest with such boldnesse tarry thy death he that sent thee hither might either borow thy courage or thou his corpulence but he intended I should breake my fast before the houre of dinner came Galaor somewhat discontented with these despisings thus answered Thinkest thou huge beast that thy barking can aduantage thee or hinder me my confidence is in him who abated the pride of the great Philistine and can likewise deliuer thee more base and vile thē the dust Exceeding angry was the Giant at these words wherefore without any more talke he lifted vp his Mace to strike seeming in his marching as though a Tower had beene caried about but Galaor being prompt nimble stooped his Launce and with a rough cariere of his horse attainted him on the stomacke so brauely as he caused the mighty Poliphemus forgoe one of his stirrops his Launce therewith shiuering in pieces in the aire At this encounter the Giant thought to haue stroken him downe with his Mace but he was too roughly and suddenly staied whereby his blow was giuen in vaine for the Mace which was heauie and comparable to a huge beame in bignes being deliuered with ful force of both his armes fel downe so weightily as the Giant himselfe was not able to hold it whereby it lighted on the head of his owne horse so peazantly as being feld there-with dyed presantly vnder him the Giant tarying a good while before he could recouer himselfe againe Yet the horse being of courage did oftē striue to get vp but Galaor thrusting his sword into his belly caused him at length to lie there still enough but in the end the Giant did the like to Galaors horse and he seeing in what great danger now he was by his wonted dexterity quickly got footing Then approching his enemy drew the sword Vrganda had giuen him wherewith watching when the Giant lifted his Mace he gaue such a stroke at it where he held his hands as breaking the stoke in pieces he left but little length for the Giant to holde it by yet he made shift to buffet Galaor there-with in such sorte as he was constrained to set one hand to the ground to sustaine himselfe But all this did no iot astonish him for comming to the Gyant who yet kept play with the remander of his Mace which by wary escapes the Prince still preuented he gaue a stroke at him with so full force as cleane cut away the left arme from his shoulder and the sword passing further with like strength met the Giants leg so directly that it wounded him through the flesh with a wide gaping wound to the very bone Feeling great paine by both these maimes he cried out aloud Ah vnhappy wretch that I am to be thus ouercome by the strength of one man Being in extreame rage he sought to fasten hold on the body of Galaor but the sore wound on his leg would let him stand no longer constraining him to fall on his knees to the ground as the Prince aproch't to him he thought with his other arme to pull him down but Galaor perceiuing his intēt stroke at him againe smot off his hand Now was the Giant despoiled of all force being so wounded and ouer-trauailed withal that he was no longer able to endure by which meanes Galaor more easily parted his head frō his sholders which he deliuered his Squires to cary with him Whē the Damosels beheld this famous conquest they left their ambush came to regard this maruaile saying to Galaor In sooth worthy Knight great good nurture hath beene bestowed on you by your educator for as we haue here-tofore heard he hath the profit and vengeance and you the honor exceeding all As they were about to rerurne they saw ten Knights come forth of the castle chained together who cried to him Come my Lord come take this place seeing you haue done him dead that so miserably detained vs prisoners What thinke you said Galaor to the Damosels may we soiourne here this after noone Truely quoth they we thinke nothing to the contrary So went they into hhe Castle where Galaor discharged the prisoners soone after viands for dinner was brought him and his company by the seruants When they had refreshed them-selues and at their pleasure visited the Fortresse the subiects inhabiting the Rock came all to him and would haue done him honor as to their Lord but he by no meanes would accept thereof for he tolde them that what he had done was on the behalfe of Gandalaz to whom that place by right appertained And I quoth he as bound to him by duty came hither to prepare his lodging therefore I pray ye
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
vpon his arme his sword in his hand hee marched right towardes the forbidden place But he went not farre forward when hee felt him-selfe layd at so sore and so often ouercharged with the stroakes of Launces and swords as hee verily beleeued that no man was able long to suffer them notwithstanding bearing his head lowe mauger all the resistance he marched forward laying about him heere and there but knewe not vpon whom Yet he thought that which hee did hit were so well armed as his sworde could in no sort hurt them and hee passed the piller of Brasse euen hard vnto the other of Marble against the which hee fell downe not being any longer able to stand vp for hee felt himselfe so wearie and bruised with the forcible blowes which hee had suffered that he thought he should die And in the same instant he was so rudely lifted forth of the place that hee lost all his vnderstanding wherewith Galaor was so displeased that he thought himselfe worthie of blame if he did not reuenge his wrong And therefore hee betooke him to his armes and ranne right vnto the forbidden chamber yet his haste was not so great but that hee was as suddenly resisted smitten and so violently layde at as very hardly hee came vnto the Marble piller against the which hee leaned thinking to take breath Notwithstanding the stroakes which on all partes lighted vpon him were so many and so waighty that hee was inflamed with rage in such sort as hee went on somewhat further hoping yet to withstand them Then did he imagine his enemies to bee so many that for euery one blowe hee had before he now thought that hee receiued twaine so as his strength quite failed him and hee fell downe on the ground a great deale more weake then Florestan was All this while Amadis and Agraies beholding the pleasantnesse of the place wherein they were entered perceiued a new writing in the Iasper piller which contained This is Amadis of Gaule the constant louer sonne to King Perion At the same instant was Galaor throwne foorth from the pillars wherewith the Dwarffe began to cry Out alas my Lord Galaor is dead This voyce was heard of Amadis and Agraies who presently came forth to see what the matter was and they asked the Dwarffe what moued him to cry so loud My Lord answered hee I beleeue your two brethren are dead in prouing the aduenture of the forbidden chamber for they haue beene so rudely repulsed as see where they lie without moouing hand or foot Trust mee saide Amadis worse could not haue happened to thee Then he went vnto them and hee found them so sorely bruised that they lay speechlesse But Agraies thinking because fortune had fauoured him vnder the arch of loyall louers that shee would bee as fauourable vnto him against the perill of the chamber without staying to beholde his Cosens any longer hauing his shield vpon his arme and his sworde naked in his hand bearing his head lowe hee ran right to the brasen piller yet had hee not marched farre beyond it when hee felt so many blowes that hardly could hee resist them But his heart was so great as mauger all lets he passed euen vnto the marble piller and there was hee constrained to stay hauing no power at all to stand any longer vpon his feet being so astonied that hee lost his remembrance and hee was as rudely cast out as his Cosens had beene before the which Amadis perceiuing beeing much displeased hee began to curse the houre of that their fond enterprise and approaching vnto Galaor who was now come to himselfe he said In troth brother I perceiue I must of force followe though I should die therein Ah my Lord answered Galaor it should suffice you to take warning by our example I beseech you flie such diuelish forceries for nothing but mischiefe can come from them Come what will saide Amadis accursed may I be if I faint in the matter Then drawing his sword hee well couered him with his shield and hauing first made his deuout prayers vnto God hee cryed O my deare Lady Oriana from you onely proceedeth all the strength and courage that euer I had I beseech you now not to forget him who so constantly craueth your ayde and good assistance Which sayd hee ranne so lightly towards the chamber as in spight of all impeachments hee came without taking breath euen vnto the first piller althought hee felt so many strokes light vpon him that hee did thinke hee fought with more then a thousand knights together yet his courage so much increased with the onely remembrance of Oriana that there were neuer any knight before which could come neere him Then was there heard the voyces of an infinite number saying If this knight do not end this aduenture neuer may any knight performe the same But for all these things hee left not to pursue his fortune for the further he went the more encreased his desire to approach the chamber so as notwithstanding the force of the Diuels or inuisible company which gaue him many sore and heauy strokes hee gained the entry of the chamber from whence he beheld a hand and an arme couered with green wosted to come forth which drew him in And presently there was heard another voyce which sayde Welcome is the gentle knight that exceedeth him in armes which established so many maruailes in this place who in his time was second to none but this surpasseth him and therefore the signiory of this Island of right belongeth to him hauing aboue all other deserued it He which had seene this hand would haue iudged it to haue beene the hand of a very ancient mā it was so withered the which vāquished away so soon as Amadis was entred into the chāber where he felt himselfe so fresh and in so good estate as if he had receiued neither blow nor trauell in comming thither Wherefore hee tooke his shield from his neck sheathed his sword and to Oriana he ascribed the glory for the great honour which he had gotten for hee imagined that all his strength proceeded onely from her and no other The most part of the Inhabitants in the Isle with many other strangers had seene the prowesse he had showne and how the hand brought him into the chamber especially hauing heard by the words of the voyce the soueraignty of the countrey was attributed to him for which cause they all reioyced very greatly But none were so ioyfull as Galaor and his fellows who in stead of emulation where-with they might wrongfully haue beene suspected they were all so glad of the good and honour of Amadis as if the like had chanced particularly to euery one of them and they caused themselues to bee carried to him in the chamber where they were thoroughly and presently healed by the vertue of the place Thither likewise came Isania Gouernour of the countrey accompanied with many of the inhabitants who all did their duty vnto