that hee should be the cause of perpetuall peace between him and Amadis as euen already in a manner hee saw performed and hauing discoursed all this in his minde thus hee answered Nascian Father albeit I had set downe my rest for death all mine with me or to haue the vpper hand in this warre yet seeing how matters haue happened I will follow your counsell and I entreat you most affectionately to worke so well with Amadis that hee may listen to peace which for my part I put into your hands to the end that you may hereafter testifie before God with what dutie I submit my selfe in this case These wordes were so pleasing to the good old Hermite as weeping for meere ioy hee fell before the Kings feet saying O most happy Prince the Lord almighty quite you for this kindnesse and blesse you with long and prosperous life The King taking him by the hand raising him vp said Father I wil perform what I haue promised you without any manner of reuocation Neuerthelesse I would haue al men to know that neither feare or defect of courage hath hereunto constrained mee but reason only and in such nature as you haue reuealed to mee Wherefore it shall be fitting for you to go into King Perâ—ons Campe before the truce bee fully ended to the ende that according to what you shall certifie me I may stand vpon my guard Sir said Nascian if God so please I will neither eate nor drinke till I haue spoken with Amadis and let me entreate leaue for my departure because occasion now frankly offers herselfe to me Hauing thus spoken the King hee returned to the Knights where they found Esplandian newly there ariued from Queene Brisena who had sent him from Vindilisore to King Lisuart only to vnderstand of his health whom when Nascian beheld hee knew him presently yet wondred to see him of so taule stature very neare ready to vndergo Armes which made him with meer ioy runne and embrace him But the young gentleman was much amazed to see the olde man so wonderfull kinde to him hauing wholly forgotten him and therefore blushed strangely notwithstanding soone after he both remembred the Hermite and his hermitage and falling on his knees before him kissed his hand when the olde man folding him in his armes said Beloued childe of God blessed be the houre of thy birth and praised bee the name of our Lord for prospering thee to such estate wherein I now see thee During this discourse the standers by were much amazed to see this holy man vse Esplandian so louingly and the King himselfe be-but newly aduertised that hee was grandfather to him mooued with a fatherly affection felt such ioy in his soule as neuer at any time hee receiued more So that the hatred which he formerly bare to Amadis and his friends became suddenly changed into amity extraordinary and hee demanded of the youth from whence he came Esplandian well enstructed by nature kissing a packet of Letters in his hand humbly presented them to the King answering thus Sir the Queene my Mistresse sent mee to you as there more at large you may be certified Then the King opened the letters wherein among other matters shee earnestly entreated him that by all meanes hee would listen to peace if hee might doe it with his honour After hee had ouer-read the Letters hee shewed them to Nascian saying Beholde good father it seems that my Queen knows already what is intended betweene you and me Sir said the Hermite shee counselleth you wisely and if God be so pleased that which shee so earnestly desireth shall bee put in execution before this yong gentleman returnes to her againe Wherefore let mee craue of your Maiesty to let him goe along with mee in companie to the end that during my trauaile I may conuerse with him the more easily Let it be so then answered the King for it is my will that hee shall not leaue you so long as you would haue him with you The Hermite most humbly thanked the King and presently mounted on his Asse as Esplandian did on his horse attended only by Sergill his companion who had come along thither with him So they departed thence taking the way towards King Perion and all that while the good olde man conferred with Esplandian euen till they were ariued at the watch There they were stayed to knowe wherefore they came and what they demanded but when they vnderstood that Nascian came to speake with Lord Amadis they conducted them both to his Tent and there presented them vnto him Here you must consider that he had neuer before seene the reuerend olde man and therefore knew not what he should thinke or what businesse hee might haue with such a person Looking likewise on Esplandian he had as little knowledge of him albeit hee had formerly spoken to him on the same day when he combated the Romanes on the behalfe of faire Grasinda when he being then very young begged the liues of the two Knights that else had been slaine by Amadis But Quedragant who had taken better notice of him when hee met him at his last returne from Great Brittaine went and embraced him saying Faire Sir you desired me and Brian also not long since to doe your commendations to the Greek Knight which wee accordingly performed and here he is himselfe to iustifie that wee failed not therein These wordes gaue assured testimony to Amadis that hee to whom Quedragant spake was his sonne which made him feele inwardly inestimable ioy And then the young Gentleman came and did him reuerence not as a sonne to his father beeing yet ignorant of him but as to the onely Knight of the world by whom he had hope to haue his knighthood so conceu ed in him on the very same day hee combated the Emperours Knights Notwithstanding the differences happening between the Knights of the Enclosed Isle and them of Great Brittain raised a wounderfull doubt in him that he should not attaine to his intention Then Amadis embracing him demanded if King Lisuart had granted leaue for his comming to him My Lord quoth he this good olde father Nascian will acquaint you with the reason of his comming to you Obserue here that Amadis had often heard of this Hermite who was reputed generally for a most holy man of life wherefore going to him hee said Father I pray you pardon mee for I knew you not at your entrance but now I vnderstand more of you and the honour that is due to you by desert Honour replied the Hermit be giuen to God only I am his poore humble seruant who in his feare desires to speake alone with you in secret if it shall please you but to heare me Yes on my faith answered Amadis And so taking him by the hand they went aside by themselues and Nascian began in this manner with him Sonne before you vnderstand the cause which hath mooued mee to come see you I
Lady â—…hom they meant al good to had thus deceiued them But that which redoubled the sorrowes of Amadis and Florestan was to behold their aged Father in such danger now vpon the very ending of his dayes this mooued them to such compassion as they could not refrain from weeping Neuerthelesse hee being a wise and vertuous Prince beganne not onely to be of courage but also to comfort them in this manner How now my Sonnes are yee so soone daunted at the dissemblings of Fortune are yee now to learne her mutabilities vpon my faith I did euer hold ye to be more strong and constant Let mee entreate one fauour from yee to lay no more affliction on me then I am possessed of already For your extremity of sadnesse doth so ouer weigh my soule as that is sufficient onely to be my death Therefore resume your wonted courage and let vs put our trust in God he is almighty and able to free vs from this place committing all care to him and resting perswaded of his prouidence But who could euer haue imagined that escaping the dangers in so bloody a Battaile we should fall into such an accident by the persuasions onely of a silly woman and vnder the couller of such a dumbe deuice Therefore louing Sonnes seeing we are not in case to dispose of our selues setting apart all naturall pitty and compassion which either you can haue of me or I of you let vs be patient and not mislike our fortune which we are not able any way to mend Amadis and Florestan hearing their Father speake with such a chearefull and constant resolution it appeared to them that they were disburdened of the heauiest load of their disaster and therfore concluded to reioyce in all tribulations whatsoeuer should happen vnto them And so they spent all the rest of the day without receiuing either meat or drinke till somewhat late in the euening at which time Archalaus came to them againe and opened the window accompanied with Danarda and two auncient knights bearing in their hands faire lighted Torches and calling to his prisoners he said Knights you that sleep so soundly at ease is not your appetite yet stirring to eate some good meate if you could come by it Sir answered Florestan if you were pleased to giue vs any By my soule replyed Archalaus I haue no will to giue yee any but rather to take meate from ye if ye had it Notwithstanding because ye shall not bee altogether discomforted to delight ye a little I haue some good tidings to tell yee whereof perhaps you will be ioyfull This euening two Squires and a dwarfe came hither making enquiry after certaine knights bearing Armes of Serpents them haue I also taken into my custody and allowed them as faire a lodging as yours is but if they tell me not to morrow morning of whence and what you are you cannot imagine a death more cruell then that I will put them to Heerein Archalaus did not dissemble with them for they in the Shippe perceiuing that not any of them returned againe sent forth Gandalin the Dwarfe and Orpheus the Arras-weauer to vnderstand what was become of them arriuing by chance at the same Castell where their Lords and Maisters were imprisoned The three knights hearing these newes were greatly discontented and not without especiall cause for they stood in doubt lest torment or some other meanes should cause them disclose whatthey would haue concealed Yet Amadis making no outward shew thereof returned this answere to Archalaus Trust me Sir when you shall know of whence and what we are I am well assured that you will allow vs better wel-come then hitherto you haue done For your selfe being a knight as wee are and perhaps heretofore falne into the trecheries of Fortune as now we are would finde the fauour of a friend as we could affoord the like to you stood you in the like necessity as we do And if any mater of manhood be in vs me thinks that might well instruct yee aboue all things else to offer vs no wrong How now Sir answered Archalaus haue yee learnde to prate so boldly you shall finde who it is that holdes dispute with ye and whether I offer ye wrong or right And let this bee your comfort that like fauous as I would vse to Amadis de Gaule were he in my power the very same and no other will I extend to you Vncle said Dinarda if you meane to send their heades to King Aranigne doe it not vntill seuerity of famine haue caused their death for suffering them to liue somewhile in misery death will then appeare the more welcome to them Beleeue me Niece quoth he it is well aduised and I am content to allow there-of whereupon hee said vnto them that they should haue some small mater of feding prouided they must resolue him whether hunger or thirst most offend them answere therefore on your faith which is the most irk esome to yee Seeing said King Perion you coniure vs so powerfully I could like well to haue meate but thirst doth afflict vs in much extreamer manner So quoth Archalaus I haue a piece of fat Lard which hath lien in powder aboue these three moneths that I am sure will quenche your thirst Presently it was brought and hee hurling it in at the grate said There take it friends make good cheare with it and say not now but you are kindly entertained So they departed leauing a Damosell at the window to listen what speeches should passe betweene them Much talke had she heard concerning the feature of person and manly prowesse of him that wore the golden Helmet especially that in the late battell against King Aranigne hee had declared such deeds of Armes as no knight else could performe the like This raised in her great pitty and compassion and for his sake she prouided a Flagon of wine and water which letting down softly to them she said Gentlemen be secret in this fauour I send ye and as I may I will defend ye from perishing The knights returned her most hartie thankes so shutting fast the window she bade them go to such rest as that foule place would assoord them Now concerning the entertainment of Gandalin and the two other that sought after King Perion and his company being falne into the hands of Archalaus as hath bin said already be it knowne to yee that they were suddenly shut vp in a darke vault ouer the Chamber where the supposed dumbe Lady had formerly lodged their Masters There they found two knights and a Damosell wife to the elder of the knights who had long time beene kept there as prisoners who declared to the Squires that by the window of their prison they saw three knights bearing Armes of Serpents brought in thither and very worthy welcome giuen them at the first Neuerthelesse quoth one of them at length they were let down into a deepe Dungeon by the most horrid treason that euer was heard of for the Bedde
as Fortune best pleased to direct him and the King with his company returned home to the Court he called for Galaor and Norandel with whom he discoursed in this maner You haue betaken your selues to a strange kinde of quest wherein I am certaine you will haue but slender successe except it be in this kingdome And therefore account your comming hither to be fortunate in that I can shorten your long-intended trauaile Know then that the knights you seeke after were none other then Amadis Florestan and my selfe So he declared the whole manner of their enterprise and how at the very instant of their proceeding Vrganda the Vnknowen sent them the coate Armours with the Serpents the golden Helmet for Amadis the white for himselfe and the greene for Florestan shewing all instantly to them and what harme had happened to them in the battel Sir said Galaor heauen hath bin very fauourable to vs considering our long-intended time of trauaile onely to enter the Combate with them and make knowne to the whole world beside in extinguishing their glory that one of vs deserueth asmuch as the best of them Yea quoth the King but it is much better to fall out thus as now it doth Then he reported to them how in their returning from the battell they chanced to bee imprisoned by Archalaus and in what vngentle manner he vsed them That villain answered Galaor not long after escaped out of my hands by a most queint and cunning treachery Relating at large how they met with him their courtesie to the Damosels and their treason afterward at the Castell of Ambades The King walked thence with them to his owne Chamber where all the Armours were whereof they had spoken which they presently knew as hauing well obserued them in the battell Norandel importuning the King so earnestly that he frankly gaue him them Afterward hauing remained there about the space of fourteene dayes they obtayned leaue to part thence and passing into Great Brittaine arriued at the Court of King Lisuart who not a little glad of their comming instantly sent for them to vnderstand what had befalne them in their quest Sir said Norandel wee haue brought ye happy newes and answerable to your owne desire In testimony whereof behold heere the Armes of them that perfourmed such worthy seruice for you and in such a time of vrgent necessity This white Helmet was then worne by King Perion and your selfe saw him in the place where it cost many the price of their liues This greene Helmet belonged to the gentle knight Florestan who well declared how hardily hee could handle his Sword And this of gold appertained to Amadis whom deeds of arms cannot be seconded by any for by his assistance the benefit of the battaile redounded to you but the honour thereof to his immortall glory How could they quoth the King come so conueniently to helpe vs Heereupon Norandel discoursed from point to point how euery thing had happened without the least omission to the great contentment of all the hearers Beleeue me said the King I perceiue that King Perion hath bin long time your fauourer and him I neuer saw out of his Armes albeit I greatly desire to know him You shall then know answered Norandel a wise vertuous and most magnanimious Prince And on my faith quoth Grumedan his Sonnes come not behind him in any of his best parts These words were hardly pleasing to the King though hee made no outward shew thereof but falling from this maner of discourse hee departed thence leauing Galaor and Norandel to whom Oriana and Mabila instantly comming they deliuered most kinde commendations to them both from Queene Elisena and the Princesse Mabila Declaring afterward that Amadis was departed from Gaule into farre distant Countreyes to seeke after straunge aduentures which tydings made them very sorrowfull because they feared to heare no newes of him in a long while after CHAP. VII How Esplandian was neurished by the old Hermite Nascian And what aduentures happened to Amadis in the meane while changing his knowne name and calling himselfe the Knight with the greene Sword ESplandian hauing attayned to the age of foure yeares or thereabout Nascian well knowing that now it was fit time to begin his instruction in vertuous exercises sent to his Sister that she should bring the childe to him which shee accordingly did The Hermit perceiuing his growth to be beyond the ordinary stature of such young yeares besides his beauty and commendable forme conceiued in his minde that heauen had thus preserued him to some especiall end so that if formerly hee presumed of his future happines he gaue more credit now thereto then euer he had done endeauouring by all meanes possible to haue him taught all commendable qualities fit for the knowledge of a Gentle-man embracing kissing and vsing him as if he had bin his owne naturall Sonne And surely it was not without great reason because the childe had alwayes declared as apparant signes of loue to him and rather more then to his Nurse whose brests hee suckt In regard whereof Nascian concluded to keep him still sending his Sister home to her owne house yet requiring the company of one of her Sonnes that might bee as a play-fellow to Esplandian who had suckt with him of the same milke whereto shee willingly condiscended From that time forward the Hermit was their sole guide and gouernour they liuing there in the nature of brethren and for their dayly delight and exercise he would send them to hunt in the Forrest so that at one time among other they rising earely in the morning to finde some game Esplandian waxing faint and weary sate downe by a Riuer side and fell asleepe The Lyonnesse whereof we haue formerly spoken comming thither and finding this new kind of prey smelling at his face began to fawne and moue his taile pleasingly euen as if Nature had made an especiall interdiction of touching or doing any harme to the creature which her selfe had before bin partly a Nurse vnto And appeared to know him so perfectly that had bin a while suckled with her milke as instantly without offering the least violence she couched down at his feete smelling and licking his hands and garments Which when his wakingcompanion perceiued being ouer-come with feare he ranne home to the Hermit crying to him that he had left his brother with a great dogge that would eate him as hee lay sleeping on the banke of a Riuer he not hauing any power to wake him The holy Hermite dearely affecting Esplandian grew doubtfull of his safety and commaunded his young Nephew to bring him where he left him which presently he did Drawing neere to the place he beheld the Boy and the Lyonnesse playing together when Esplandian beholding the Hermite saide vnto him Father doth this goodly dog belong to vs. Sonne answered Nascian shee is sent of God to whom onely all things appertaineth Truely Father replyed Esplandian I should well like his abyding with vs
any counsell that comes from you because if I should doe otherwise it will be the ending of my dayes Well vnderstood Melicia to what effect this answere tended yet would â—hee not seeme to yeeld any apparant note thereof but hauing concluded his first dressing sayd my Lord Brunco for my sake I pray yee receiue a little sustenance and afterward take some rest if you can Then calling for such foode as shee knew meerest for him and with a hand more white then Alablaster making it ready for his eating she quickened such delicate apprehensions in his soule that his eye went farre beyond his appetite So commanding euery one to depart the Chamber that the least noyse might nor offend him she said You haue promised mee that you will essay some repose let me see how obedient you will be herein till such time as I come to visite you againe Then her selfe departing she called Lasinde Bruncos Esquire and said vnto him Friend you know better then any other your Maisters conditions make demaund therefore of such things as you thinke fittest for him The Squire was not now to learne what entercourse of affection had passed betweene them and therefore presuming more boldly in his owne wit then one lesse skilfull hee returned her this answere Madame I wish no worse to my worthy Maister then that good fortune would conduct him to some such place where he might make acknowledgement of the fauours you affoord him But it appeares to me that such as are desirous to recouer a wounded body first of all they should apply helpe to the place principally offended Which kinde of Physick instructeth me to entreate your pittie to my poore Maister who endureth not so much paine by the hurt so lately receiued as by a disease of greater antiquity and you that are the onely cause can best minister the mittigation Friend quoth shee I can tell how to helpe an infirmity wherewith I am acquainted but secret soares are quite out of my curing Trust me Madame replied the Squire if the one seeme plaine to you the other is no lesse apparrant for you are not ignorant that the extremitie of his affection to you was the maine motiue why he went to behold the Images of Apolidon and Grimanese in the Enclosed Island Lasinde quoth shee they that become sicke by such a strange meanes had neede haue much time to compasse their amendment without vrging any other remedy then that which experience shall repute most necessarie And so she left the Squire who went forthwith and acquainted his Lord with all the conference that had past betweene him and the Infanta Melicia wherewith hee was not any way displeased perswading himselfe that she had thus discreetly answered reposing as yet but slender confidence in the Squire And like as true louers often vse to doe he conuerted all to his owne best aduantage being much better contented then euer heretofore and thanking God that Andadones hurting him had fauoured him with such an extraordinary felicity For vnder the happie fortune of this wound he oftentimes enioyed her gracious companie without whom life was most tedious to him Some few dayes after Amadis Galaor and King Cildadan walking together Galaor perceiuing the nere approch of King Perion hee went vnto him with these words Sir I most humbly entreate your Princely aduise in a matter something questionable with mine owne iudgement You know my Lord quoth hee to his Brother Amadis that you gaue me to King Lisuart commanding me to serue him and that I should be wholy his whereof I made him faithfull promise and you likewise Now beholding how great a differeÌ„ce hath happened betweene you two during the time of my absence I finde my selfe very strangely perplexed considering what errour I may commit by taking part with him against you as also how iustly I may be blamed by him forsaking him in a time of such vrgent necessity Wherefore most Royall father I humbly craue your opinion in this case to preuent my dishonour on either side and that reason may bee preferred before mine owne will Sonne answered King Perion you may not fayle to follow your Brother against a King so head-strong and vngratefull for if you gaue your selfe to his seruice against all men yet your brothers cause caâ—ies an exception herein in which respect you may well forgoe your attendance on him not onely because hee declares himselfe to Amadis in his owne person a deadly enemy but also to all his kinred and friends amongst whom you ought to hold the prime place Sir replied Galaor it appeares to me vnder correction that I shall greatly forget my selfe and runne into no meane blamefull imputation by withdrawing my seruice from him before his owne permission to that purpose for seeing in the times of peace hee gaue mee honour and good entertainment what will be noysed abroade of mee to forsake him when affaires of importance be fall him Well knew Amadis whereto the speeches of Galaor aimed and that hee had no will to keepe him company wherefore formalizing him-selfe answerable to his Brothers fantasie hee thus answered him Brother although we both stand highly obliged to obey the councell and commaund of the King our father yet I will humbly desire his pardon in telling my minde concerning your intention Seeing you are so earnestly addicted to returne into Great Brittan and to continue in the seruice of King Lisuart it likes mee well that you should doe so For in the case that concerneth our difference I doubt not but â—â—w many good Knights soeuer shall come to attend him God who is a iust Iudge will in the end make him know what wrong he hath done vs and his ouer-great ingratitude especially to mee that haue honoured him with so many well deseruing seruices Therefore may it so please our Kingly father hee may licence your departure for I am contented with it Why then quoth the King God be your guide and I will rest in this hope that you may one day be the meanes of compounding peace in so vnhappy a warre Thus Galaor obtayned his desire for departure and because King Cildadan would shape some honest excuse to goe along with him hee began in this manner My Lords it is sufficiently knowen to you all to what issue the battaile came which I had against King Lisuart who only by your meanes got the glorie of the day to my no little disaduantange for such honor as in Iustice appertained to mee conuerted to my great confusion in regard that by the couenants on either side concluded before I was constrained for a limitted time to acknowledge him as my Commander and to serue him 〈…〉 with all my knights which was no meane griefe in me to accomplish But valuing mine honor much dearer then life I yeelded to controule and checke mine owne will and according to my promise to bring him a number of my subiects in his assistance whereof already he hath giuen mee summons and no
this tract it will guide yee thither for I must needs after my fellow to the Fountaine where wee must dresse the venison which wee haue gotten this morning Then the King left him and ascending vp the Rocke espied on the height thereof the poore dwelling of Nascian so enuironed with great bushes as well witnessed the wonderfull solitude of the good Hermite Alighting from his horse he entred into the first room where hee found the holy man vpon his knees clothed in a religious habit and reading in a Booke of deuotion which hee gaue not ouer at his arriuall but hauing finished his prayers hee arose demaunding of the King what he sought for Father quoth he not long since as I crossed the Forrest I met with a goodly childe leading a Lyonnesse in a leashe I pray ye for courtesies sake to tell me what he is for at the very first sight of him my minde gaue me that he is issued from some good place While the King continued on this speech the Hermite so heedfully obserued him that hee knew him as being the man to whom he had done many seruices during the time that he followed Armes In regard whereof falling down humbly vpon his knees hee craued pardon for his error in not giuing him such entertainment as beseemed so great a Maiestie But the King raysing him vp tooke him by the hand saying Good Father will you not resolue me concerning the young childe which I mentioned to ye Assure your selfe vpon my faith that the knowledge you may giue me of him cannot but redound to his great benefit Sir answered the Hermite our Lord hath hitherto shewen great signes of loue to that childe and seeing hee hath so carefully kept him as I shall relate vnto ye it stands with good reason that you as a King should loue defend him in such sort as no harme or displeasure should bee offered him You haue as appeareth by your speeches an carnest desire to know what he is In trueth Sir during the time that I haue nourished him he may be tearmed mine albeit it is not yet fully sixe yeares since I tooke him from the teeth of a Lyonnesse that was carrying him to her whelpes Wherein our Lord apparantly declared that hee is the preseruer of all his creatures because the beast neuer did him harme but onely suckled it among her yong ones so that by the milke of her and of a little Ewe which then I had I compassed the meanes of fostring him for more then a moneth In expectation still of mine owne Sister Mother to the other yong Lad that keepes him companie who afterward comming to me she became so good a Nurse and Gouernesse to him that thankes be giuen to our Lord for it I am perswaded he is one of the goodliest creatures this day liuing And one thing more strange then all the rest I am to tell yee vnderstand Sir that as I was about to baptize him my Sister hauing taken off very rich clothes wherein he was swadled shee shewed me a letter vnder his right pappe as white as snow contayning the word Esplandian and on the other side directly against his heart were other carracters as redde as blood which I could neuer vnderstand because they are neither Latine nor of our language Now in regard of that name which at his birth it seemes he brought with him into the world I haue euer-more since caused him to be called Esplandian accordingly In good faith Father saide the King you haue tolde me wonders but seeing you found him in such fort as you say it is to be presupposed verily that he was borne not far off from this Countrie That know not I answered Nascian neither couet I to vnderstand more then what our Lord hath permitted Well then quoth the King to morrow good Father I pray you meete me at the Fountaine of the seauen Beeches where I shall be with my Queene and a goodly company of Ladies Bring Esplandian the Lyonnesse and your young Nephew with you to whom I intend some good for his Father Sergils sake whom I somtime knew to be a good knight Sir replyed the holy man I am bound to doe what you haue enioyned mee and desire of God that all may be to his honour and glory The King giuing him the good morrow rode thence and arriued at his Tents about midday Now because none there knew what was become of him each man was diligent in enquiry after him and although his most intimate familiars desired to know where hee had bin yet would he reueale nothing but commaunded to couer for dinner As he was ready to sit downe at the Table Grumedan came to tell him that the Queene entreated him to see her Tent before dinner about some nouell occurrences lately happening Whereupon hee went thence to her and being alone by themselues shee told him that as they came ryding from the Citty a very beautifull Damosell mounted vpon a light ambling Hobbie and conducted onely by a Dwarfe presented her selfe before her And she being very sumptuous in her apparell rode by all my Ladies and women â—quoth the Queene not vouchsafing one word to them vntil such time as she came before mee when she gaue me this Letter telling me that you and I must reade it this day before dinner because thereby wee should bee acquainted with admirable matters And no sooner had shee spoken that word but she rode away from me so fast as her horse could gallop without permitting me the least leysure of any answere So she gaue the King the Letter sealed with an Emerauld chased in golde with these words engrauen about it This is the Seale of Vrganda the vnknowne Then opening the Letter the King read the contents following The Letter of Vrganda the vnknowne to the mightie King Lisuart MOst high and powerfull Prince Vrganda the vnknowne who loues and desires to doe you any seruice doth aduise and councell you to your great benefit that at such time as a Gentleman nourishea by three diuers Nurses shall appeare before your Maiestie you would embrace entertaine loue and dearely respect him for he is the cause of your quiet by deliuering you from the greatest danger wherein euer you were He is deriued from blood royall on both sides and partaketh somewhat in the natures of those creatures that gaue him sucke By the first of them he shall be so strong and magnanimous as hee will darken all the valour of the very best Knights that haue gone before being neuerthelesse so milde and gentle that hee will be loued and esteemed of all men occasioned by the nourishment receiued from his second Nurse As for the third beleeue it Sir that neuer was Gentleman of better spirit more Catholique and compleate in all good conditions so that he shall addict himself to actions pleasing to God auoyding all vaine affaires wherein the most of other Knights doe commonly spend their time And that which exceedeth all the
when he offers to speake he may well be laught at for his foolish babbling Indeed Sir quoth the Emperour I onely am the cause of all this contending and therefore we must needs make an end together The amends said our knight is too much made already my Lord prouided that I may remaine in your good conceit and that you will remember me hereafter Let me tell ye Sir answered the Emperor that heereof you cannot fail nor in any satisfaction that I can make ye although you should stand obstinat against the permissioÌ„ Now albeit the Emperour spake these words in iest yet followed a time that they fell out to good earnest as you will finde more at large in the fourth Booke following Sir knight said Leonorina I know that I haue done you wrong and seeing it is not in my power at this present to make you a sufficient amends I beseech you to accept this Ring euen with as good a heart as I was desirous to know of you all that I demaunded Taking it from off her finger he stepped forward to giue it him but in steed of the Iewell he tooke her by the hand saying Madame this white and delicate hand is more worthy to be kissed then any other that I haue seene within this yeares compasse and the Ring may well repute it selfe happy to be circled with so high an honor therfore pardon me I pray ye and suffer me to kisse it All this Sir quoth she cannot hinder the Ring to bee yours so she presented it to him again whereof he durst make no refusall but in setting one knee to the ground took it sweetly kissed her hand Assure your selfe Sir said she that you haue so excellent a stone as I esteeme it to bee the onely one of that kinde albeit I haue the very like in the Crowne which you gaue me backe againe which two stones indeed should be but one So help me God replied our knight it is not to be admired that a thing so rare should bee in the power of the worlds choycest Lady for like as such a precious Iewell is not easily come by as hardly I think can all the East yeeld another to go beyond you either in wisdome knowledge and all good graces else therefore this Iewell is only fit for you before any other With that the Emperor stept in saying Let me tell ye Sir when you know from whence it came you wil make much greater estimation of it if you obserue the excellency of the Ring you will find it worthy of right good keeping For it is of an Emerauld as faire as possible can be and the rest is a Rubie of two colours by nature the one red as blood the other white as snow Then know Sir that Apolidon my Grand-father whose renown hath long time circled the whole earth though I know not whether as yet it came to your ears holding the place that now I doe among many other singular things giuen him by Filipane King of India he sent him twelue Crownes the very richest that could be seene And although they were of inestimable value yet there was one to be prized aboue all the rest and that is it which my daughter presented you first wherin the stone being whole was then enchased But Apolidon finding it to be so strange caused it to be cut in twain leauing one of the parts in the Crowne which he gaue to his Queen wife Grimenesa whoÌ„ he loued so dearely as more loyall louers were neuer heard of kept the other moitie for himselfe which hee wore so long as he liued in this Ring and which I pray you keepe for her sake that gaue it you with so good a heart And if at any time you haue occasion to part with it let it be to some one of your kinred to the end that if Fortune conduct him into these parts hee may know and serue the Lady that gaue it you if she stand in need thereof And so it came to passe after-ward for it fell into the power of Esplandian who for the loue of her some short while after performed many deedes of Chiualry as you shall vnderstand in the fift Booke Sir answered our knight I haue often heard speech of that Apoliaon who builded the Arche of loyall Louers in the Firme Iâ—â—and where I my self haue bin trauailing through the country of Great Brittaine there also I saw the figures of him and his faire Grimenesa with many other singularities which are there at this present Perhaps then quoth the Emperour you know the knight that conquered the Enchanted Palace whereof I heard so much report Sir said he I haue diuers times spoken with him and hee cals himselfe Amadis Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who is talked of in many places It is he that was found floting on the water whereupon hee was tearmed the Gentleman of the Sea In a plaine field of battell he vanquished Abies the most potent King of Ireland and there the King his father and his mother knew him to be their Sonne On my soule said the Emperour but that I am perswaded that so great a Lord would not vndertake so long a iourney I should thinke it were your selfe that you speake of and I should hardly bee altered otherwise Our knight made him no aunswere at all but changing into other conference at length they brake off and sixe whole dayes he remayned in Constantinople during which time neuer had man more honourable entertainment And because the time drew neere of his promised returne to Grasinda againe he purposed to take his leaue causing his Ship to be in a readinesse and finding the Emperour at conuenient leysure hee thus closed with him Sir you haue bestowed so much honour and respect vpon me as I can come in no place wheresoeuer but you may boldly say that I am your seruant ready to obey all your commaunds as often as you shall please to imploy me And because I intend shortly to bee in the marches of Romania according to a solemne promise made I most humbly beseech you to licence my departure Worthy Friend answeced the Emperour if it were possible that you could afford longer abiding heere you might doe me an infinite pleasure but seeing your promise hath so strictly engadged you God forbid that I should cause you or any other to falsifie your word Sir said our knight I dare assure you that my honour will bee highly wrongd in doing otherwise as it is well knowne to Master Elisabet therefore I entreat you to detaine mee no longer Well then quoth the Emperour I am contented prouided that without any contradiction you graunt mee three dayes longer stay Your will bee done Sir saide our knight seeing it is your pleasure to haue it so The saire Princesse Leonorina nor being present at this parlie shee sent for him into her chamber and being in the midst of her Ladies she said vnto him Sir you haue graunted the
to you he enuied all other knights errant as wee did the like in loue to him Thus haue I declared the whole truth to you and humbly entreate you without any respect to mine offence to graunt mee mercy beyond all merit Our Knight beganne to be compassionate answering The mercy thou shalt haue is not to abridge the punishment thou hast iustly deserued but in hope that thou wilt become an honester man hereafter then hitherto thou hast bin in this regard thy life is spared But if thou fall to thine old byas assure thy selfe time will fitte me with a sharper reuenge r then now I can or will take on thee So leauing him they rode directly towardes the Towne and falling from one discourse to another our knight demanded of Angriote what newes he had brought out of Great Brittaine He resolued him all things that hee could and told him among other matters that a reuerend Hermite named Nascian had giuen King Lisuart one of the very goodliest young Gentlemen that euer was seene whom he recouered in his swadling clothes out of the teeth of a Lionnesse carying him for food to her young ones Also how the Queene had giuen him to the Princesse Oraina to serue her quoth he with my Sonne Ambor but there is very great difference betweene them because Ambor is mightily deformed and the other an incomparable creature You may quoth Amadis report of your Sonne as you please but if hee carry resemblance with his Father he wil proue a man of extraordinary merit To women let vs leaue beauty and faire feature who are curious and inquisitiue after such nicities would to God your Sonne were of age to follow me then should I require him of you and that very earnestly to keepe company with Gandalin on whom I purpose to bestow knighthood so soone as I shall returne into Gaule Trust mee Sir said Angriote Gandalin doth well deserue much at your hands and if my Sonne were so happy as you wish him my hopes would mount farre higher then as yet they can doe Falling from this into other talke Amadis demaunded how long since he and Bruneo had iourneyed together Since our departure from Great Brittaine answered Angriote we neuer abandoned one anothers company for any fight or Combat whatsoeuer could happen till yesterday and yet notwithstanding we haue ended many straunge and dangerous aduentures albeit all of them inferiour to your high fortune against that deuilish Monster Endriagus according as wee haue thereof bin aduertised Wherfore I beseech you to let me vnderstand how and in what maner you fought together We must referre that replyed Amadis till some more apt and conuenient leysure because we now are neere to the Towne and that will require a much larger discourse then the shortnesse of the way will permit vs. By this time they were arriued at Gransidaes Palace who hauing heard tydings of their comming came very kindly to welcome them conducting them to the Chamber where Bruneo lay who beganne to finde himselfe better and better by such good meanes as Master Elisabet had vsed to him But when hee saw them all three so well met together he was not a little ioyfull praising God for such a fortunate successe And as they parled on their passed aduentures our Knight of the Greene Sword declared to them the promise which he had made to Grasinda and what shipping shee prepared for passage into Great Brittaine whereof they were all exceeding ioyfull in regard of their long-desired returne thither In the meane while Bruneo grew to able strength and being in disposition to endure the Seas all things weare readily fitted for the voyage Grasinda and they going aborde with such a conuenient company as was thought meet So hoysing sayle they launched foorth into the Deepe where they were so assisted by successefull windes as in very few dayes they lost all sight of the Islands of Romania CHAP. XIII How the Queene Sardamira with the other Embassadours from the Emperour Patin arriued at the Court of King Lisuart hoping at their returne to beare thence the Princesse Oriana with them And of that which happened to certaine Romane Knights offering iniury to a Knight errant THe Embassadors from the Emperour Patin being come to King Lisuarts Court they were entertayned by him most honourably hauing vnderstood the occasion that drew them from Italie into Great Brittaine After audience graunted to their Embassie he told them that he would call a Councell of all his Lords together and then they should haue an answere yet hee gaue them this comfort that hee made no doubt but they should returne to the Emperour their Masters contentment At this time was not Oriana in the Court for hauing vnderstood the cause of their comming she feigned her selfe sick to auoyde all meanes of speaking with them and therfore was retired to Mirefleur The Queene Sardamira vpon this hopefull procrastination determined to go see the Princesse making her intention knowen to the King who liked well â—…of and for her better conuoy gaue the good olde Knight Grumedan charge of her On the morrow following shee set forth from the Court to let the Princesse vnderstand how the Emperour affected her dearely how honourably hee would receiue her and what rare singularities shee should see in Rome But herein she was much deceiued because her very meere remembrance of Amadis gaue her more sweete content in soule then any thing else in the world could doe Now was the season of the yeare exceedingly hot in which regard the Queene for her better refreshing on the way sent diuers of her seruants before to pitch her Tents neere a little Riuer that ran along within three miles of Mirefleure There she alighted accompanied with Grumedan and many Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen of her owne country among whom were fiue Romaine Knights who imagined so well of themselues as none in Great Brittaine could come neere them Being within their Tents their fiue Shields were hanged without at the entrance and their Launces likewise leaning against them which was a signall according to the custome obserued among Knights errant or trauayling that no one might passe by before them without triall of the Combate and these enstructions they receiued from Grumedan To whom they made answere that they would essay themselues against those of Great Brittaine to let them well know that they had better skill then they both in breaking a Launce and handling a Sword We shall see replied Grumedan how it will goe with you and yet I dare assure yee there may some such passe 〈◊〉 as will finde yee worke enough to doe As thus they held on their discourse they espied a farre off a Knight comming which was the gentle Prince Florestan who in vaine had trauayled through many countries to finde his Brother Amadis And now very pensiuely hee was riding to King Lisuarts Court hoping to heare some better news by the Romaines that so lately came thether as had beene told him by
him demanding how his Master fared My Lord quoth hee I left him at the Enclosed Isle in very sound health God be thanked for it and in good hope to see you shortly assuring you it will be no little griefe to him when hee shall heare of your long sicknesse As thus they discoursed Norandell entred the Chamber who knowing GaÌ„dalin asked if Amadis were come thither No my good Lord said he I left him at the pallace of Apolidon where hee refresheth him selfe after his many trauailes in Almaigne Romania and Constantinople My deare friend Gandalin quoth Galaor I pray thee tell mee what thou maist Gandalin declared all his Masters trauailes at large to the no little maruaile of the hearers especially when hee told all the manner of the fight with the monster Endriagus Alas said Galaor when shall I see him Soon enough answered Norandell if you would take some paines to recouer your health Beleeue it quoth Galaor I will do my vtmost endeauour not only for my health but to ease my longing desire to see him My Lord said Gandalin the King gaue me charge not to holde you with any long discourse in regarde of your feeble condition wherefore I pray you to spare my absence now and to morrowe I will keepe you longer company So Gandalin left them and returned to the King whom hee found studying on the businesse for his sonne Amadis and because hee would keep his purpose secret he determined to send Norandell into Great Brittaine although hee was but newly come to his friend hearing what a long sicknesse hee had Hereupon the next morning hee sent for him and euen as if instantly he had heard some nouell aduertisement hee said vnto him Worthy friend this day I haue receiued newes whereby for ought I can perceiue the King your father hath an enterprise in hand wherein your seruice may much auaile him and therefore I would aduise you to go to him But let me entreate you not to talke hereof to Galaor considering in what weake estate he is and it may bee greatly offensiue to him Sir answered Norandell I would bee loath to doe any thing hurtfull to him and humbly thanke your Highness for your good couÌ„sell to morrow with your leaue I meane to part hence and this day I meane to keep him company Changing this kind of discourse they fell to talke of other matters till Norandel withdrew to his friend Galaor speaking to him in this maner My honourable companion I promised King Lisuart when I parted from him to see him againe within a moneth after wherefore let not my departure so soone bee displeasing to you because I am thereto enforced and so much the rather in regarde I see that the worst is already past with you and you are much better amended then before Moreouer the small time of my Knighthoods employment many others may highly misinterpret by my so long remayning idle and hurle diuerse blamefull aspertions on me which I am sure will be but little pleasing to you knowing that you loue mine honour as deare as your owne Neuerthelesse if your sicknesse should holde on in any long continuance which heauen forefend I promise to see you againe so soon as possibly I can Galaor was much disconted at Norandels wordes because hee tooke great delight in his company notwithstanding thus hee answered vpon my faith albeit you haue great occasion to doe as you say yet your absence from mee will cause no meane griefe Neuerthelesse preferring your honor before my pleasure I am content to let you goe when you will desiring you most earnestly to doe my humble duty to the King assuring him that so long as life remaines in this body hee shall finde me his loyall and faithfull seruant So embracing each other very affectionately they parted but not without wette eyes Norandels Ship lying ready for him and hauing taken leaue of King Perion and his Queene the windes and Seas were so fauourable to him as in few dayes he landed in the port of Vindilisore where King Lisuart was preparing his Armie for the Enclosed Isle No sooner had Norandell set saile but King Perion mustered men from all parts and made shipping likewise ready for their passage to the Enclosed Isle so speedily as might be In the meane while Lasinde the Squire to Bruneo beeing come to the Marquesse diligently executed his commission and by pleasing perswasions compassed his intention also with Branfill who seeing his father somewhat slowe and tardie in the businesse cast himselfe at his feet saying My Lord I would I had beene with my brother to haue fought with the Romanes surely I should haue reputed it for one of the fairest fortunes that euer in this life can befall me But seeing my best starres haue fayled mee therein most humbly I entreat you in recompence of that losse to giue mee leaue to goe thither with such succor as you shall please to send I dare assure you father that it will be both for your honor and your sonnes who as you well know haue long time been much bounden to Amadis and his friends Sonne quoth he I am well contented and seeing you haue such desire to warre you shall haue Knights good store to beare you company As indeed hee had for while Branfill was fitting all things in due order for him selfe his father gaue charge for the other expedition of Souldiers Here you must likewise obserue that the good olde Gouernour Ysanio who was sent to King Taffinor of Bohemia found â—here very gracious entertainement knowing that hee came from the Knight of the greene Sword For after hee had deliuered his Letters and his further message fully vnderstood the King said vnto him I promise you Sir vpon my faith I will not fayle him in so serious a businesse but he shall haue all that hee can require Then he called his sonne Grasandor to whom hee declared all that Ysanio had tolde him and the cause of his comming demanding of him if hee would vndertake the voyage for the aide of Amadis who had called him selfe Knight of the greene Sword My Lord quoth he the greatest desire I haue in this world is to enioy the company of so good a Knight and I desire it of you most entirely But because I cannot leauy your army so soon may it please you to let mee goe on before accompanied onely with Twentie Knights then Count Galtines may follow mee and bring the rest with him Beleeue mee answered the King I am well contented and do allow of your aduice for beeing in so worthie a company your vertues will bee greatly encreased And I confesse my selfe so highly beholding to him that hee may well rest assured hee shall wholly dispose of mee and mine For which kindnesse â—sanio humbly thankt him and concluded to attend on Galtines to cause him make the more haste In the meane while Grasander embarked himselfe accompanied onely with twenty Knights and parting from the port put on
Asse ryding directly towards King Lisuart His aged trauaile was not so speedy but that the two Armies had fought twice together according as you haue already heard and hee came thither on the day before the second truce was finished As hee passed by the Campe he saw on euery side the interment of many slaughtered bodies whereat hee was so grieued that falling into teares and lifting vp his eyes and hands to heauen hee said O my Lord God for the honour of thine owne great name I humbly beseech thee to take pittie on this people and grant mee grace that I may pacifie this great disorder Passing on further hee came neare to the Tent of King Lisuart who quickly espied him and immediately knew him whereupon hee went to welcome him for he held this man of holy life in high esteem and well considered that but vpon some great occasion he would not haue left his Hermitage take so great iourney to him whereupon as hee embraced him hee said Good father you are welcome then taking him by the hand he led him into his pauillion and seating him by himselfe in a chaire of veluet hee commanded all to depart and leaue them two alone together and afterwardes fell into this discourse Holy father I know you haue not vndertaken so tedious a trauaile and ill agreeing with your age but vpon some vrgent necessity wherein I humbly desire you to resolue me You haue great reason Sir answered Nascian to conceiue so of me for vndoubtedly extreamity of yeares and the condition whereunto it hath pleased our Lord to call mee may well excuse me from beeing seene among men of blood Neuerthelesse considering the harme that may ensue I haue not feared the danger of my person as hoping to performe a seruice acceptable to God and wholesome to your soule Let me then tell you Sir that being some few daies since in the Hermitage whereunto happy chance was your guide when you and I conferred together concerning the most strange nourishing of Esplandian I vnderstood the occasion of this warre attempted by you against Amadis and his friends Yet am I well assured that you cannot accomplish what you would doe namely marrie my Ladie your daughter to the Emperour of Rome by which enterprise many grieuous mischances haue already happened not onely because it is not agreeable to the greatest and meanest of your kingdome as many times already hath beene told you but for some other reason Sir beside concealed from you yet manifest to mee and against which by Gods lawe you cannot contrarie Knowe then Sir that Madame Oriana your daughter is already vnited in marriage to another as heauen hath appointed and stands well pleased to haue it so The King beeing much amazed to heare the olde man speake in this manner coniectured immediately that weakenesse of braine begot this kinde of language that hee was troubled in his vnderstanding or else had beene misinformed of that which he spake where-upon hee said vnto him How father my daughter was neuer married to my knowledge neither did I euer purpose to giue her to any other then to the Romane Emperour to whome I promised her accounting it for her honour and benefit And God is my witnesse that I neuer intended to dis-inherit her as many haue inconsiderately immagined but only to combine alliance with so great a Lord by meanes whereof he and I so vnited together Christian faith might be the more augmented And therfore my intention beeing iust mee thinkes I should not be therin blamed Sir answered the Hermite that which I haue tolde you concerning some matters hidden from you yet to mee apparant I will presently declare vnto you for from none other then my selfe can you know them Vnderstand then my Lord that the selfe same day when by your command I came to the Forrest where for more delight of the Ladies then present with you your Tents were erected for view of the sporte I knowe not whether you remember it or no I brought you young Esplandian who presented you the Lionesse that gaue him suck at the first The same day the Princsse Oriana your daughter was confessed by me tolde mee in her confession that she had promised mariage to Amadis de Gaule at such time as he deliuered her from the Enchanter Archalaus to whom you had giuen her a little before that the Damosell by whom you were enchanted had brought your state and person into the greatest danger that could bee possible from which Galaor freed you And beleeue it to be very likely that our Lord himselfe gaue consent to the mariage for Esplandian is the issue thereof and of him Vrganda the Vnknowen foretolde many maruailes as you your selfe doe very well know Now in my poore iudgement you should not be displeased there-with considering that Amadis is the sonne of a King and accounted in all places to be one of the best and most gracious Knights in all the world I would aduise you Sir that in shewing your selfe to be such as you euer haue beene you should defend the honour and conscience of your daughter and making an end of this warre call her home again to you vse her hereafter as reason requireth In so doing our Lord will be well pleased with you who else will doubtlesse bee offended with you for the effusion of so much blood which you haue caused to be shedde vpon no occasion When the King had all this while listned to this discourse he shewed himselfe to be very pensiue and at last saide Good father is it possible that my daughter should bee married to Amadis Yes truely replied Nascian hee is her husband and Esplandian is your grandchilde O God quoth the King how ill hath it been for mee that I could not know this matter till now vpon my faith many good Knights had yet beene liuing which now to my no little griefe are dead Alas father why could not you sooner haue reuealed this I might not doe it answered the Hermite for it was tolde mee in confession and if now I haue made it knowne to you thinke it is done by such permission as I receiued from the Princesse your daughter for otherwise you had neuer heard it from mee But she is therewith well contented as well for the clearing of her soule as also to take away all occasion from you of further sinning herein through ignorance At that very instant meere conceit in the King presented before the eyes of his soule the seuerall seruices hee had receiued by Amadis and his kâ—â—â—ed and such they were as hee had not then beene liuing but only by them hauing so many times â—olpen him in very serious affaires Desert in Amadis pleaded iustly for his daughter and a greater gift if hee could bestow it on him and so much the rather because the Emperor to whom he had promised her was dead and beside Vrganda had tolde him many wonders concerning Esplandiâ—â— but aboue all the rest
would set before your eyes the great obligations wherein you are indebted to our Lord to the ende that you may henceforth encline your selfe to do such things as are best pleasing to him I make no doubt but am well assured you haue often heard how in the very first daies of your life you were forsaken of all friends and giuen ouer to the mercie of the Sea in a matter of small defence and without any other guarde but God by whose goodnesse you fell into their hands who afterwardes gaue you nourishment euen vntil you came to be a Knight and the most compleate knowne at this day For our Lord hath induâ—d you with strength to gaine the maistery of many Giants Monsters Tyrants and most cruell beasts whereby your renowne hath extended it selfe into all partes of the worlde Now seeing he hath enriched you with so many great graces mee thinkes it is no more then reason that you should acknowledge him for your soueraign Lord and labour in thankefulness to him by humbling your selfe before his face for otherwise all the fauours hee hath bestowen vpon you will turne but to your shame and disgrace Sonne you see how olde and decrepit I am nature almost decaied in mee Notwithstanding I haue not feared to vndertake so long a iourney to you because I heard euen in mine owne poore Hermitage the discord betweene you and King Lisuart with whom I haue lately spoken and found him to be such a man as a good Prince and minister of God ought to bee and ready if nothing keep you to the contrary to listen to peace which me thinkes you ought not to refuse as well for the quiet of your conscience as for the safety of your person And to the end that you may make no disguising of your affections let me assure you that I know more of your most intimate affaires then you imagine I doe for Madame Oriana vnder the seal of confession hath tolde mee a chiefe secret concerning you both When Amadis heard him speake so plainely hee knew well enough that he spake nothing but the truth wherefore hee thus answered Father if I could serue my God according to his graces and mercies bestowed on mee I might well esteeme my selfe the most happie Knight in the worlde But beeing a grieuous sinner as I am preferring too often mine owne pleasure before his glory I must needs faile as other men doe to my no little griefe Yet I hope knowing mine owne defects to behaue my selfe better then heretofore I haue done Humbly beseeching you good father not to feare or defer in telling me what you best thinke I ought to doe that may bee most acceptable to him for I will therein obey you to my vttermost power Ah my good sonne quoth he you do enough in taking this wholsome way whereby I hope to bee your guide not only for the tranquility of your countrie but also for the good of many soules Then he recounted to him how hee had trauelled to the Enclosed Isle where hee had conuersed with Oriana and by her consent was sent to King Lisuart and acquainted him with all hee had in charge especially the troth-plight marriage of them both the issue where-of was Esplandian And beleeue me childe quoth the Hermite the King hath heerein carried himselfe so vertuously and takes all in such good part that if you fall not off I hope to vnite a perpetuall alliance betweene you Now you may diuine whether Amadis heard these tydings gladly or no but I dare assure you they were so welcome to him as hee had no power to dissemble his inward ioy but presently returned this answere to the Hermite If it shall please the King to accept me as his sonne I promise you good father that hee shall finde me so tractable to him as I will be diligent in doing him any seruice There remaineth no more then replied the Hermite but that you both may speake together therefore aduise with your selfe both how and when it may most conueniently bee done Let me tell you answered Amadis I would haue you first go to King Perion my father and tell him the cause of your comming to me likewise your owne opinion that king Lisuart will now accept those offers which lastly were made to him in Great Brittaine on our behalfe by Quedragant and Brian de Moniaste concerning the Princesse Oriana if they might be once more tendered to him Say moreouer you are well assured that hee shall finde him reasonable and a Prince of peace euen as any other what-soeuer in the world And you may tell him that you haue spoken with me but I haue referred all to his disposition For the honour of God said the good olde man I pray you without any longer delaying to let me be brought where hee is Father replied Amadis my selfe therein will serue as a guide to you and for so good an occasion Vpon these tearmes they went instantly to King Perion who being aduertised of Nascians comming came to welcome him but beholding Esplandian with him he could not guesse who hee should be only hee appeared to be a very goodlie creature as any he had euer looked on in his life wherefore he demaunded of the Hermite whether he were his son or no Sir quoth hee hee is partly mine as beeing a foster father to him in his younger yeares and our Lord bestowed him on me almost miraculously It is very true answered the King if this be hee to whom the Lionesse gaue sucke at his beginning as I haue often heard and of whom Vrganda the Vnknowen hath foretolde many wounders and among the rest that he shal be the cause of planting peace and amity between King Lisuart and my sonne Amadis which I pray God induâ— him with grace to doe And beleeue mee seeing such faire fruit is to fal from his fortune hee well deserues to be both beloued and esteemed In truth answered the Hermite this is hee of whom you speake and when you haue further knowledge of him you will affect him more then you imagine as at better leasure I shal hereafter tell you Then hee called Esplandian and commanded him to doe reuerence to the King when the young Gentle man setting his knee to the ground would haue kissed the Kings hand but hee tooke him in his armes saying Gentle Sir you are so faire and vertuously quallified that such as see you or haue euer heard of you doth both loue and highly esteeme you And I am perswaded you will proue so worthie a man that Knighthood were very desertfully bestowed vpoÌ„ you Esplandian hearing himselfe so coÌ„mended began to grow somewhat bashfull thereat and perceiuing the King to blush likewise desired to know of the Hermite if he could tell whose sonne hee was Sir said Nascian to the King this young man as yet knoweth not any thing concerning his owne demand and as for my selfe I am very certaine that hee hath neither father or mother from whom as yet
rauishing beauties Now did Amadis steppe into the Emperours place so soone as hee was gone from Oriana feigning to doe him a great fauour in helping him to conferre with Queene Briolania But he had a quite contrary meaning and did it to no other end but that the rest of his friends should talke with their Ladies while hee might be alone with her whom hee most desired For hee had not conuersed familiarly with the Princesse since her ariuall in the Enclosed Isle wherefore finding time and place sufficiently commodious he beganne with her in this manner Madame I haue thought all my life time hitherto that no possibility remained in mee for acknowledgement of those great and gracious fauours which so long a while I haue receiued by your meanes only And last of all in being the cause that aged Nascian reuealed to the King your father what right wee had each in other whereby your sonne and mine became knowen to him and peace confirmed between them of Great Brittaine and vs. As for my selfe I shall stand much more obliged to you now then euer heretofore And therefore aduisedly consider what else remaineth for me to doe for I assure you I shall take no little delight in doing whatsoeuer you commande me When Oriana heard him deliuer such speeches hauing before her eyes what dutie euery woman of honour and discretion oweth to her husband shee thus answered My Lord in my poore opinion you doe both your selfe and me wrong and therefore I pray you speake to me henceforward as to your huÌ„ble wife seruant and not after those kind of phrases wheÌ„ I was no other then your friend Furthermore let mee humbly entreat you to tell me in what condition you left the King my father and how I am now esteemed of him Madame said Amadis if outward lookes may be true euidences I neuer saw man declare more contentment then he deliuered when we were together Albeit I coniecture considering his ineuitable danger in our last encounter when he hoped to recouer you from vs by meer force his thoughts are otherwise quite different Yet hee dissembles it so wisely as possibly can bee euen to hurle shame vpon himselfe and excusing what hath past betweene you and mee fully resolued as hee saith to bee more cheerefully disposed then euer hitherto he hath been Where-upon hee is returned backe to Vindilisore to fetch the Queene and your sister Leonora whom he hath promised in marriage to the Emperour Oriana was not a little glad of these newes saying My Lord these are matters of no meane comfort especially that I haue recouered my fathers grace againe for next to you I loue him aboue any man liuing notwithstanding all the hard sufferings as well you know hee hath put me to But further I pray you tell mee what is your opinion of Esplandian By my faath Madame quoth hee by his carriage and behauiour he plainely declares himselfe to bee yours And if good Nascian could haue preuailed hee had brought him hither to you But the King would needs haue him goe with him to please the Queene because shee knowes him not yet to bee her Grand-childe So breaking off this discourse King Perion who had all this while entertained Grasinda with talke tooke leaue of her and the company because it drew neare supper time Wherefore withdrawing thence into his owne lodging Amadis followed him there looking forth at a windowe till the tables were furnished hee thus spake Seeing sonne it hath pleased God that you haue ended all troubles with so great honour let the whole glory be ascribed to him and while you liue acknowledge thankfulnesse to your friends who to help you in so serious a business haue made no spare of their liues and goods which bindes you the more to loue and honour them recoÌ„pencing their kindnesse so much as in you lieth Considering that without their assistance it is most certaine you had beene in great danger not only of your liues losse but also of your honour which I account a thousand times dearer And because it is no more then reason that like as they haue beene pertakers of all paines and perils so they ought to be of pleasure and contentment which you haue receiued by their meanes let it therfore be no meane part of your care to respect them in especial manner by distributing such booty among them as is in your hands the Kings Aranigne Barsinan others being your prisoners Moreouer such as you knowe affected to those Ladies which keepe companie with the Princesse Oriana let them haue equal coÌ„tentment with your selfe by espousing them to whom their fancies are enclined For which cause I deliuer into your power your sister Melitia to giue her to him whom you thinke worthiest of her You haue likewise your Cosen Mabila and the Queen Briâ—lania to whom you stand highly obliged Grasinda also and the Queen Sardamira who haue suffered a great parte of Orianaes sorrowes me thinks they should participate in her fairest fortune and be aduanced as you think meetest Assuring you that the greatest comfort I can haue in mine aged yeares is to see your brethren Galaor and Florestan married that before I depart this life I may reioyce in issue from you all Consider hereof I pray you aduisedly further what I haue said to your vttermost power My Lord answered Amadis I will doe all that lies in me to please both you them It is enough quoth the King And so all things beeing aptly ordered they sate downe to supper In the morning a sudden summons was sent to all the chiefe Knights for an immediate meeting and when they were assembled Amadis entred into these speeches Honourable Gentlemen friends the great and labourious trauaile which you haue endured in these late warres doth very well deserue that now you should giue ease and respite to your spirits and in regarde of the deare debt wherein I stand engaged to you to essay my vttermost meanes to let you enioy those beatitudes which I know are pleasing to euery man among you For as by your most gracious assistance afforded in my very neerest extreamity I haue attained to that which I esteemed aboue all things else in the world namely the peaceable enioying of my long loued Oriana Euen so I beseech you with all my heart that each man would instantly declare if hee stand affected to any Ladie or Gentlewoman heere for I assure you on the faith of a Knight to preuaile so farre as I can with them that they shall not easily deny what I entreat on their friends behalfe Moreouer you know that king Aranigne Barsidan and many other beside are our prisoners defying those gracefull vertues whereto the order of knighthood truely tyed them and exercising so much as in them lay all cruelties and tyranny In regarde whereof they are not worthie of any ransome but iustly punishable for the grieuousnesse of their treasons and therefore I thinke it fit that
light vpon Vnderstand then sir that hee is Sonne to the fierce Giant Mandaffabull the same man that Amadis when hee tearmed himselfe the Bright Obscure slew and on the very day when the king my Master and he of Great Brittaine fought a hundred against a hundred wherein perished many other Giants all neighbours to this countrie and kinsemen to Balan whom you now enquire for By the death of his father he became and yet remayneth Lord of the Red Island where hee maketh his aboade at this instant it being one of the most fertill Islands in all the Easterne Sea and of the greatest reuenues by meanes of the frequent resort of strange Marchants that land there at all times of whom hee exacts an infinite tribute Now sir you are to obserue beside that if his father was valiant and not meanely experienced in Armes His sonne exceedeth him in all things only crueltie excepted For looke how much the one was a Tyrant and most inhumane the other is so much the more mild peaceable and gracious so that it appeareth almost a miracle in nature to see men issued of one the same linage to be so different in their qualities In this point I must tell you a generall opinion that this faire demeanour became hereditarie to him only by vertue of his mother who was one of the most modest benigne and affable Ladies then to be seene farre differing herein from the other Giantesse wife to Famongomad and her owne sister shee beeing the most foule deformed sluttish and vnhansome creature that euer was seen of her kind Whereby may bee collected that two such contrarie complexions seldome haue power to agree together being deriued from such discordant nature Notwithstanding the reason hereof in my poore opinion may be thus rendred that vertue most commonly is a companion with beauty and comely feature but is a meer stranger to vgly deformity and base disposition Now Sir I am further to tell you that it is more then twenty yeares since I was appointed Gouernour of the Isle where you found me therefore I can speake to you the more vnderstandingly as a man most frequent in knowledge of any thing you can demand of me For since the yongest years of the King my maister I neuer went out of this Climate by reason of the faithfull trust reposed in me especially in those daies when the rich golden Sunne shone not so aboundantly on him as in later times it hath done For by his prowesse and other high deseruings he married the daughter to King Abies of Ireland who was slaine by Amadis when hee entitled himselfe by the name of the gentleman of the Sea or the like kinde of appellation Beleeue mee Sir saide Amadis you haue done me a great pleasure so well to acquaint mee with the conditions of Balan whom I could wish for mine owne benefit to be of another kinde of Character then you haue now described him to me For if hee had beene indued with such plenty of vices as you haue giuen him to mee in vertues hee cannot expect when time shall serue for our meeting any hope in his owne ability of strength And let mee tell you till this instant I neuer stood in feare of his vtter-most power albeit I cannot now well resolue what to thinke of my selfe in a case of such strange contrariety Neuerthelesse come what can more precious to mee is mine honour then my life And let mee further entreate you to tell mee if hee be married and whence he had his wife In good faith quoth the Knight neuer man had better fortune in marriage then he enioying one of the most virtuous Ladies that can be she being daughter to Gandalack Lord of the Rocke of Galtares by whom he hath a sonne aged as I imagine about fifteen yeares Very sorrie was Amadis when he vnderstoode for a certaintie what alliance was between Balan Gandalack whom he loued dearely for the nourishing which his brother Galaor had of him in the time of his infancie and he could wel haue wished that this combate might haue been against some other person although it should fall out more doubtfull and dangerous to him But if it were against his owne brother hee could not now denie it in regarde of his promise passed to Darioletta And so long they held on discourse that darke night ouer-tooke them yet they sayled on merrily still till somewhat â—arely the next morning they discouered the Island with the red Tower whereby the whole countrey had her name because in the midst thereof was a goodly Castle builded enuironed with great Towers and such walles as were of no meane maruell to be seen Then the Knight seeing Amadis take some delight in beholding theÌ„ said Sir this Castle which you see yonder was not built as this day noâ— more then an hundred since but as you now see it so doe ancient Histories speake of it that he who first founded it was named Ioseph sonne to that Ioseph of Aramathia who brought the Sangreal into Great Brittaine at such time as the whole land consisted of Paganes But by his meanes the most part of the people conuerted to the faith of Iesus Christ not without suffering many incursions of hostile enemies that dayly came in vpon them grieuously molested them from time to time To preuent this annoyance this Tower was thus erected in manner as you now beholde it but after-wards as all things haue their changes with the alteration of times if fell into the hands of Giants who tooke great paines to re-people the Isle with worshippers of Idols excluded all them that honoured the true God Neuerthelesse our Lord prouided so wel for them that in despite of their enemies they still continued heere though not in so great a number or enioying such libertie as formerly they had yet partly by paying great taxations and tributes and other of lesse ability by continuall seruitudes to the Giants vntill such time as Balan came to bee Lord thereof who as I haue alreadie tolde you is debonnaire vertuous and of Catholique religion whereby hee is very naturally beloued of all his subiects Now although the Knight declared all these good qualities and many more in the Giant to Amadis yet all were but as fuell to fire enflaming him so forwardly that hee entreated him to goe before and to let the Giant vnderstand that a Knight of the Enclosed Isle was come thither with a Ladie whose sonne he had slaine and kept her husband daughter seruants prisoners And if by combating with him and vanquishing him they might be deliuered hee reque sted security against all men but himselfe otherwise let him not aduenture to come neare the Port because the challenger held it as his refuge The Knight forthwith entred into a small Skiffe leauing Amadis and his company at the hauen in expectation of his returne So soon as he came near the Giant he knew him as one whoÌ„ he had many times seene
without any iniury or disgrace done vnto him And to morrow thou shalt better see the disposition of thy father and gouerne thy selfe thereto accordingly for I dare assure thee that hee is in no perill of life True it is that without my request first propounded for him and the Knights affection to Gandalacke thy grandfather as him-selfe assured me he had smitten off his head therfore follow my counsell and better will befall thee then thou art aware of I will doe so answered Brauor if my mother shall allow of your aduise Goe then said the Knight to know her minde and in the meane while let euery man withdraw himselfe Brauor commanded his people to depart and keepe themselues farre enough off from the Caue least they should any way offend Amadis in the time of his going to the castle Where comming to his mother he declared all that the knight had said to him and how for the loue of Gandalack hee that had vanquished his father refused to kill him When she heard what her sonne had saide she presently imagined that he was Galaor whom shee affected as her own brother because they had been nursed together at the Rock of Galtares Whereupon she wished her Sonne to follow the Knights aduise for his father began much to mend By this meanes Amadis remained in peace yet standing still vpon his guard least hee should againe bee aslaulted by them of the Castle who stood still as his besiedgers but a great distance off from him CHAP. XXXIIII How Darioletta perceiuing Amadis to bee in such danger made great â—oaâ—e and lamentation And how Balan and hee were made friends WHen Darioletta perceiued Amadis to be besieged on all sids without any meanes of ayd or succour she began to grieue and lament very earnestly and in her weeping vsed these words Wretched and vnfortunate woman that I am must the only best knight in the world lose his life and by mine occasion How dare I hereafter appeare in the presence of the King his Father the Queene or any other of his friends knowing what harm I haue procured to him Miserable woman and much more miserable then I am able to tearme my selfe If I was once the meanes of sauing his life by inuenting that strange kind of cradle wherein hee was committed to the rude Seas mercy how farre vnkinde and contrarie am I now to him in causing the end of his dayes when I most expected and hoped for helpe by him Alas how misguided were my sences from reason and vnderstanding at the time when I met him on the Sea shoare and would not suffer him so much as turne back to the Castle of Apoliaon to take his leaue of madam Oriana and from whence hee might haue brought some other Knights with him by whom in this extreamity he should haue beene well supported Who therfore deserues iustly to be punished but only my selfe hated and despised of all good luck and performing the part of a light headed and indescreete Woman trusting ouer much to mine owne rash opinion All this while did Amadis beholde Dariolettaes sadde complaynings and how often times shee heaued vp her hands to heauen as requiring comfort onely from thence yet could he not vnderstand any one word she spake but enioyed this benefit of seeing her by light of fire made by them that watched him and for their better wearing away the cloudie night which also gaue him some feeling of her wofull condition and so afflicted him in soule as hee resolued to die or get out of the rocky caue because the nights obscuritie woulde therein more auaile him then day light could doe or delaying time till the morning Beside coÌ„sidering the doubtfull issue of his present estate it appeared plainlie to him that hee could not escape thence without eyther death or taking being ouer wearied with weight of his Armes want of naturall rest and extreamitie of hunger all of these beeing no meane enemies to any hopefull expectation Only his best helpe in this necessity was that he saw his guardes begin to nodde and sleepe and therefore so softly as he could and by little and little hee offered to steale out of the Caue hoping so to compasse his peace Well was this obserued by the Knight of the Infanta Island who considering what danger he might fall into what speeches had past betweene Brauor and the Gyants wife all tending to his good and safetie ranne presently to him and stayed him euen against his will as it were saying Sir Knight I pray you to befrend me so much as but to heare me before you aduenture any farther whereat Amadis stood still to listen what he would say and the other declared to him how hee had conditioned a truce with Brauor vpon hope of the Giants recouerie who already appeared to be out of perill and told him beside what you haue formerly heard Amadis hereat was very ioyfull beleeuing him to be an honest and kinde man that would bring him so good news and that no dread of death could cause him to inuent them where-upon he thus answered Courteous Knight for this time I both credit and will follow your counsell swearing to you by mine order of knight-hood wherein already I haue spent ten yeares seruice that I had much rather be hewn in peeces then the Lady for whom I haue contended with Balan should not be fully satisfied in her demaunde Both you and shee replied the Knight shall haue all that you can desire For I know Balan to be such a man as makes more account of his worde then hee doth of his life During this time the Gyant lay on his bedde not able to vtter a worde but panted extraordinarily as one that endured a strange kinde of perplexitie in his stomack wherby his breath began greatly to faile him and still one while after another he shewed with his left hand and poynted to the place where hee was most payned Which his Chirurgeons perceiuing who durst not as yet take off his garments as fearing much to stirre him they aduentured to obserue the place whereto he signed and found by present apparance that hee had great reason so to doe for more then the palme of a hands breadth round vpon the stomacke the flesh and bones were quashed and meerly broken as it were whereupon they applyed immediatly so many oyles vnguents and other helpefull remedies that before breake of day speech came to him againe and hee demanded what was become of the Knight and the Ladie Then the truth of all was tolde him for none of them durst tell a lie in his hearing which made him to call for his sonne Brauor and all the rest that kept Amadis so sharpely besieged and beeing come before him he began in this manner to his sonne Infamous villaine durst thou presume to falsifie my worde in any thing that I had promised Slaue as thou art what honour or what aduantage could redound to thee by so base a deed as thou
hast done was it in thy power to recall my life if death had pleaded possion of it Or how canst thou excuse this treason in pursuing that villanie which thou hast so impudently begunne against a worthy Knight who had not entred vpon my land but vnder the assurance of my worde Didst thou euer know hitherto that for any thing hapning to me I was any way false or iniurious in my promise Haue I not euermore iustly kept my word to my power as valuing it farre aboue thee or the deare esteeme of mine owne life By the faith I beare to God but that nature somewhat speakes for thee thou shouldest instantly bee hanged ouer my Castle wall as an example to all such villaines as thou art enemies to truth and vertue Take him take the wretch binde him hand and foote and so bear him to the Knight then tell him from mee thus I haue sent the traytour that not only abused him but mee much more and say I entreate him to take such vengeance on him for vs both as hee hath worthily deserued Not any man among them durst euer contradict what hee had cammanded wherfore Brauor was presently seased on strictly bound and so carried thence to Amadis But his mother fearing least such seuerity might be fall him as Balan had vrged and knowing also what wrong the Knight had receiued departed secretly out of the chamber and ranne after her sonne Neuerthelesse she was not so swift of foot but Brauor was presented to Amadis before shee came and in such manner as the Giant had appointed Whereof notwithstanding Amadis made small account but pardoned him honourably and vntied his bonds himselfe euen as the good Ladie came to him whom she presently knew for hee had taken off his Helmet because it was ouer burdenous to him but shee could not imagine how he would deale with her sonne Brauor wherefore shee threw her selfe at his feet and weeping said Alas Lord Amadis doe you not know me Now albeit he very wel remembred her and that shee was the sister to Gandalack yet for a while he would not let her perciue so much but somewhat fiercely answered Ladie I know not who or what you are and desire neuer to come among such bad and wicked people as I haue mette withall in this place Alas Sir said shee if you thinke it meet that I shall conceale your name I am well contented to doe it neuerthelesse I know you to bee Lord Amadis de Gaule brother to Galaor whom I so dearly affect as in honour of him and for his sake I humbly entreate you to pittie and pardon my sonne These wordes moued his noble heart to such coÌ„passion as he could no longer dissemble his displeasure but taking the Lady gently from the ground he thus spake to her Madame my brother my selfe haue receiued such benefits curtesies from Gandalack your Father as I would hazard my person to any perill yea euen to my very latest gaspe to doe him the best seruice consisting in my power or any of his friends for his sake But as concerning your Sonne these men here present know right well that I pardoned him before you could come to begge it of me nay more I vnbound him with mine owne hands before your arriuall without desiring any other reuenge on him but only on such as maintaine wicked and vnlawfull customes Among whom I name your â—usband as the chiefest man whose knowledge of my name I care not for because he may hold himselfe well assured that I will neuer depart froÌ„ this Isle vntil he haue satisfied the lady that came hither with me And therfore if he be so iust and true of his word as he would haue it appeare by open publication let him meete mee in place conuenient for vs both and then he shall know whether he was carried away from mee by right or wrong after I had obtained the mastery ouer him Againe she fell vpon her knees saying beleeue me sir hee will doe you reason in any thing you can demand of him as you may well perceiue that hee was vtterly ignorant in that which his people haue done contrary to his worde For then hee had neither sence nor vnderstanding which may well serue in his excuse Wherefore I sweare to you vpon my faith that if you please to goe along with me to him because he cannot by any meanes come to you before you part one from another I doubt not but you will bee reconciled louing friends Madam answered Amadis I haue not any susption of you But I greatly doubt the condition of Gyants who are coÌ„monly little gouerned by reasoÌ„ but carried away only by furie and crueltie It is true Sir quoth shee and yet notwithstanding I know his goodnesse to bee such as you may well cred it him on mine assurance Your word â—hen answered Amadis shall be my warrant And so I will goe along with you So lacing on his helmet fastening his shield about his neck and grasping his Sword fast in his fist he entred the Castle with the wife to Balan who quickly had aduertisement of their arriuall and therfore requested the knights presence in his chamber No sooner were they entred but the Giant raysed himselfe on his bed so well as hee could saying that he was most heartily welcome Balan answered Amadis I know not how thou meanest but I haue iust occasion to complaine of the villanie offered me by thy men being come vpon thy words warrant to combat with thee and vrge reason for thy wrong to the Lady that conducted me hither And albeit I had the better of thee yet cowardly they assaulted me although I thinke it was not done by thy command being then in disposition not to doe it But be it howsoeuer seeing thy Iustice vpon thine owne Sonne I acquit both thee and them also but not in the case of right appertayning to the Lady for death it selfe cannot hinder me from my duty in her behalfe which makes mee the more louingly dersie thee to giue her contentment Otherwise I must bee constrayned to finish vpon thy Bodie that which I haue already begunne a matter much displeasing to mee for Gandalacks sake whom I dearely affect esteem to whom as I am enformed thou art nearely allied in some nature of affinity Knight replyed Balan although my extreamity of griefe is such to see my selfe vanquished by one Knight only as death would be a thousand times more welcome to me yet both these are of no value at all with me in regard of that dishonour acted by my sonne and seruants And did my strength so much fauour me as but to execute mine owne determinations thou shouldest sufficiently perceiue how farre the power of my word extendeth For the instant I could doe no lesse or yeeld thee any better testimony of my truth then deliuer him into thy power that began so foule and iniurious an offence albeit he is of no meane esteem both to me
and his mother But seeing this submission cannot coÌ„tent thee command what else thou wouldest haue and it shall be granted For matters past betweene thee and me answered Amadis I am sufficiently satisfied but not in the wrongs that concerne the Lady I am ready replied the Giant to suffer any such condemnation as thou thinkest best whereby to please both her and thee with this consideration that the vnrecouerable life of her sonne stands out of my reach and therefore must needes bee answered by some thing remayning in my power First of all then said Amadis my will is that thou deliuer her husband her daughter and all their attendants out of thy prisons Next in steed of her sonne flaine by thee condemne thy sonne to make her amends by present marriage of her daughter For lâ—t mee tell thee â—â—lan her husband is as good a â—â—ntleman as thy selfe and as sufficiently enriched with meanes euen so faire as hee is gouernour of all those countries which the King my father commands in the lesser Brittaine When Balan heard him speake in that manner he began to obserue him more iâ—… then before and thus replyed I pray thee in curtesie withouâ—â—…onger delay to tell mee 〈◊〉 â—…e and thy fathers 〈…〉 father answered Aâ—… is the King of Gaule and I am his 〈◊〉 Amadis At these wordes the Giant lifted vp his head saying Is it possible that thou shouldâ—… be â—…s who slew my father It is very true quoth he for I beeing in ayde of King Lâ—… and perceiuing him to bee in vnauâ—ydable daâ—ger of death I slew a 〈◊〉 who was reported to bee thy father Before God answered Balan it can nâ—uer enter into my vnderstanding how thou durst bee so bolde as to presume so sarre into my â—…diction but only by my euer knâ—… hâ—â—orable renowne of keeping my faith and worde inuiolate in any cause whatsoeuer Or else the meer magnanimity of thy soule which neuer made reckoning of the very greatest perill but fuâ—thered thee in the haughtiest enterprises is thy continuall good guiding Angell And therefore seeing fortune is so fauourable to thee it were against reason that I should contradict her in thy happinesse hauing made so deare a proofe thereof my selfe already As concerning my sonne I giue him freely tâ—… thee to be disposed of at thy pleasure not in any fauourable respect of mee but as beseemeth a villaine that durst presume to breake his fathers faith For no goodâ—â—sse else can now remaine in him but what his conâ—…ce may well learnâ—â—…f thee as â—â—â—ing a true teacher 〈…〉 â—â—â—dodoning him so great an offence Then reaching forth his hand Amadis meeting it gently with his hee thus proceeded The husband to this Lady her daughter and all the prisoâ—ers else in my custodie shall forth with bee released accouâ—… the very fayrest fortune 〈…〉 did or can befall mee to be â—…ed as thy friend and so I bâ—…h thee to accept me That will I with all my heart answered Amadis And embracing him as he lay said I am so farre engaged in seruice to thy Father in Law Gandalack as for his sake onely I hold it an Article of my dutie to loue thee truely And as a beginning of our aâ—…e let mee entreate and perswade thee to cease and giue ouer this wicked custome which both against God and reason thou hast heere so long time maintained Also forgiue thy Sonne Brauor whose error rather ensued by folly of youth then otherwise commanding him withall that to morrow hee marrie this Ladies daughter that so wee both may stand discharged of our promises Where-to Balan gladly condescended and Darioletta with her husband were also well pleased and satisfied And not without great reason and much to our purpose doth our Historie speake of this mariage For from them two issued a Sonne named Galeote that married one of the daughters to Galuanes and the faire Giantesse Madasima whence descended the second Balan succeding euermore from father to Son in this Island of the Red Tower Vntill it came to the gentle knight Segurades brother to the knight that came to the court of â—ing Arthur being aged aboue sixscore yeares he hauing in regard of his age for borne the vse of Armes the space of twentie yeares did yet without the helpe of any Launce vnhorse all the famous knights that came to Câ—melâ—t This Segurades whereof I now speake was in the time of king Vtâ—r Pendragon Father to king Arthur and left one only Sonne Lord of this Island who was named Brauor le Bran who was slaine by Sir Tristram de Lyons as he conducted fayre â—seult wife to King Marke into Cornewall Of this Brauor le Brun issued the valiant Galehaut le Brun Lord of the farre remote Isles a great friend to Sir Lancelot du Lake as you may well remember if you haue read the histories of the Round Table where mention is made of the Bruns who descended all from the stock of Balan With whom we wil leaue Amadis attending the curing of his Wounds to tell you what happened to Grasandor after the hunts-man had done his message to him and knew assuredly that he was embarqued thence with the Lady his conducter CHAP. XXXV How Grasandor followed in the quest of Amadis and what aduentures happened to him in his trauatie NOt long since you read that Amadis being entred the Barque of the Ladie who purposely came thither to seeke him one of the Huntsmen came along the shoare to whom he called commanding him to bury the dead Knight and acquaint Grasandor with the reason of his so sudden departure Which being imparted to Grasandor hee was a long time pensiue maruailing what aduenture had befallen him to drawe him so farre off from him and Madame Oriana Hereupon giuing ouer further pursuing the game he desired him to conduct him where the dead Knight lay and being there ariued hee sawe him lie along quite disarmed but neither Shippe or sayle could hee disâ—â—ne on the Sea So carrying the dead body into an Abbey neare adioyning which Amadis had founded Grasandor returned to Oriana whom hee found with the Infanta Mabila and the other Ladies who seeing him enter without Amadis demanded whence hee came thus all alone From point to point hee related the whole aduenture according as hee had receiued it from the hunts-man yet with some regarde as fearing to afflict her ouer much whom it most concerned I meane Madame Oriana whose heart was so seuerely shut vp with griefe as shee could not for a long while vtter one word But when her soule had wonne more liberty then shee thus answered Surely I am perswaded that seeing hee hath leâ—â— you and taken no farewell oâ— meâ— hee departed not but vpon some very great occasion By my faith Madame replied Grasandor I 〈◊〉 of your minde for hee sent me word by the Huntsman that I should excuse his absence to you Alas quoâ—h the Princesse I know not what excuse to allow of neither what wee are