vntill the moon began to shine and then they knew that they were in a great meddow in which they beheld many Pauillions set vp and people sporting all about them Then said the Gentlewoman vnto Amadis Sir because I see my father you may if it please you come faire and softly and I will goe before to aduertise him of your coÌ„ming that he may do you that honour as you deserue So saying shee gallopped her horse vntill shee came vnto the tents where she alighted Then shee tolde her father how these foure knights had followed her hauing a desire to trie the aduentures of the Firme Island which he vnderstanding came to meete them and receiued them very courteously afterwards hee led them vnto one of the Pauillions where they rested vntill their supper was ready When they were set downe the gouerner of the Isle discoursed vnto them the aduentures of such Knights and Ladyes which had proued the arch of loyall louers and the other nouelties thereof vntill it was time to goe to rest Whereupon they all with-drew themselues and when day appeared they mounting all on horse-back rode so long that they came to a place which was in breadth no more then a bow shoot of firme ground and all the rest was water And they went on in this straight vntill they came into the entrie of the Island the which was onely fiue leagues in breadth and seuen in length There might they see the sumptuous Pallace of Apolidon whose gates were open and as they drew neerer they perceiued more then an hundred targets or shields placed in three rankes the most parte leaning against two postes and tenne other nailed a little ouer them But there were three which were very high aboue the rest fastned vpon another post which stood forwarder then the first yet did they likewise differ in height for the highest was a faddom aboue the middle-most and the middlemost was a cubit ouer the lowest Then Amadis demanded why they were thus ranked Truely answered the gouernour according to the vallour and knight-hood of those which would haue entred the forbidden chamber their shields are honoured and these which you see neerest the ground belonged to such Knights which could not come neere the brasen piller but these tenne that are higher came vnto it they which ought these two other shields which you see seperated and placed aboue the rest haue done more for they haue passed the piller yet could they not come neere the other of marble as the other hath done whose shield is therfore placed aboue these two which are so much esteemed Then Amadis approched more neere to see if he might know any of them for there was none of them but had written vpon them the names of such as heretofore did owe theÌ„ and he cast his eye vpon the lowermost of the three which hung by themselues ouer the other tenne which had in a field Sables a Lyon Or fanged and armed Argent with a Cheife Gules this hee knewe to boe the shield of Arcalaus Then hee beheld the two vppermost the lower bearing in a field Azure a knight Argent cutting off the head of a Gyant the which hee remembred to bee the shield of king Abies of Ireland who prooued this aduenture two yeares before that Amadis did kill him in Gaule The third which was aboue all the rest had a fielde Azure three Flowers or which he could not know without reading the superscription which sayd This is the shield of Don Quedragant brother to king Abies of Ireland the which was set ouer all the others within these twelue dayes For Quedragant behaued himselfe so valiantly that he came vnto the Marble piller whereunto none other had before approached He by chance passed by the Firme-Island in seeking for Amadis with an intent to fight with him and to reuenge the death of King Abies his brother Much amazed was Amadis seeing the shields of so many good Knights which had all fayled in their purposed enterprise and hee greatly feared least hee might performe as little as they For this cause hee and his company with-drew themselues to goe towarde the arch of loyall louers the which was shewed vnto them Agraies suddenly alighted and approaching neere the forbidden place hee with an indifferent high voice thus spake Loue if eâ—er I haue beene constant let mee now be remembred This sayde hee passed on and entred vnder the arch Then the copper Image began to sound so sweetely as it greatly reioyced the hearers and Agraies stayed not but went on vntill hee came vnto the Pallace where the pictures of Apolidon and Grimanesa were which seemed vnto him as if they had been aliue And he came neer vnto the Iasper piller wherein he beheld two lines written The first contayned Madanil sonne to the Duke of Burgoine hath passed vnder the arch of loyall louers and ended that aduenture The other was the name of Don Bruneo de bonne mer or of the lucky Sea sonne to Vaillades Marques of Troques Scant had he read the last line but he beheld a third which coÌ„tained This is the name of Agraies son to Languines King of Scotland This Madanil loued Aquinda Countesse of Flanders Don Bruneo Melicia daughter to King Perion of Gaule When Amadis did see that his Cosen was entred without any let at all hee sayde vnto his brethren Will not you proue the aduenture as hee hath done No answered they for we are not so much subiect vnto this passion that wee deserue to make tryall of our loyalty Seeing then that you bee twaine keepe you one another company and I will accompany Lord Agraies if I can Then he boldly entered vnder the arch and as hee passed the copper Image sounded vpon his horne another sound far more melodious then hee yet before had done Moreouer in stead of fire and sâ—inking flame that it cast forth against the disloyall louers flowers and sweete leaues came forth of his horne in such abundance that the place were all couered therewith But for all this Amadis stayed not but passed on euen hard vnto the Images of Apolidon and Grimanesa the which seemed vnto him so well formed as they wanted nothing but speech When Agraies which was entered before perceiued him he came to him and sayde My Lord and Cosen me thinkes we should not hence-forth hide our loues from one another But Amadis without any answere tooke him by the hand and walking together they beganne to discourse of the excellency of the place In the meane season Galaor and Florestan displeased with staying so long for them did intreate Isania the Gouernour of the Isle to shew them vnto the forbidden chamber the which he did Whereupon Florestan sayde vnto Galaor my Lord are you determined to try yourselfe No answered hee for I neuer desired to prooue such enchantments I pray you then sayde Florestan to sport you whilest I haue tryed this aduenture Then commending him-selfe to God with his shield
enemies so that this day might be well called a sorrowfull and dismall day for those that were in this conflict the which continued so long vntill the most part of the day was past yet none of them had so much time as once to breath and yet it was so hot that there was neither horse not Knight that was not weary exrteamly trauailed for some lay vpon the ground and the most part of the rest in little better case were so weake that they could scant sit vpon their horses At the same time the Faire Forlorne fearing least the losse should fall vpon their fide begā to shew al his force and strength and he lighted vpon neuer an Irishman nor giant but that hee drew the blood from his body Close by his side did King Lisuart ride who did well shew the great prowesse that remained in him and hee was not ignorant of what consequence the end of this battaile was for loosing the victory thereof he lost his dignity his life and honor by meanes whereof without sparing his person hee was entred in amongst his enemies hauing his right arme all dyed with the blood of those whose liues had passed by the edge of his sword On the otherside Agraies Galaor Florestan hauing from the beginning seen the great force and high Knight-hood that the Faire Forlorne had executed vpon his enemies they who of long time did maligne him determined either to dye or to make knowne vnto euery one that they could also fight as well or better then hee so that this emulation was partly the cause of the animating of them so far that they all had likely to haue lost their liues for Galaor chafed like a Lion that is pursued came rushing in among the Giants and encountred Cartadaque of the inuincible mountaine who already with his battaile axe had ouerthrown at his feete six of king Lisuarts knights although that hee was wounded vpon the shoulder with a blowe that Florestan had giuen him whereby hee lost much of his blood then Galaor came vnto him and with all his strength hee gaue him so great a blowe vpon the head that hee cleft his helmet and the sword passing down along cut of his eare and the helue of his axe close vnto his fist Wherefore the Giant finding himselfe disfurnished of his weapon ran vpon Galaor and lifted him vp with such force that hee tooke him vp from his horse crushing him betweene his armes so streightly that one might easily haue heard his bones cracke Neuerthelesse the Gyant could not sit so sure in his saddle but that hee was forced to fal to the groūd with his burthē wherfore Galaor which yet held his sword in his hand foūd the meanes to thrust him in the beuer of his helmet and it entred so farre into his head that hee there withall yeelded vp the Ghost But Galaor was so tyred that after hee was gotten vp from vnder Cartadaque he had not power to pull his sword from the place wherein hee had thrusted it and that which was worst he was so crouded with the presse of people that hee was likely to haue died vnder the horses feet for many good knights both of the one and of the other side hauing seene the encounter betweene him and the Gyant and the perill of them both were approached of purpose to succour them by meanes whereof the battaile was then very great and maruailous hot for King Cildadan suddenly came to that place who ouerthrew all those hee found in his way and had not the Faire Forlorne beene who with one blowe of his sworde stroke him off his horse Galaor had there surely died or beene taken but when hee beheld King Cildadan on foot beside him he princely seased his sword which hee held and began to defend himselfe and that so valiantly as mauger all his enemies hee made them giue him roome Notwithstanding hee had ouerchafed himselfe so much in this last bickering that hee was quite out of breath and hee fell downe flat vpon the earth There was the Gyant Gandalac who had fostered him vp in his infancy hee seeing him fall was so angry that with great rage hee buckled with Albadanor another Gyant and so many strokes they gaue vnto each other with their clubs that they their horses were ouerthrowne where-with Albadanor had his arme broken and Gandalac his legge But they were not alone that were thus ill intreated for one might haue seene more then six score knights lying vpon the ground and yet was not halfe the day spent Then Mandafabull the Gyant of the Isle of the red Tower who had beene appointed not to depart from the little hill wheee hee remayned vntill the extreamity of the battaile seeing so many knights dead scattered and wounded thought that he might well end this enterprise and that it were very easie for them to defeate the rest by meanes whereof hee began to runne right vnto that place where was the greatest presse crying vnto his knights Take heed that none escape away aliue let all passe by the edge of the sword as for mee I haue vowed to take King Lisuart in hand for hee is mine dead or aliue This cry was heard of euery one especially of the Faire Forlorne who returned from taking of a fresh horse which one of the nephewes vnto his host had reserued for him and fearing that the Gyant would doe as hee said hee came and stepped before the King with Agraies Florestan Brunco de Bonne Mer Branfil Guillan the Pensif and Enil who had all day long behaued himselfe so valiantly that hee was had in very great reputation Now was Mandafabull better seconded then he thought for as hee approached neere vnto the esquadron of King Lisuart Sarmadan the Leonnois Vncle to King Cildadan one of the best knights of his stocke came foorth of the troupe and running against the Faire Forlorne he hit him so right a blow through his shield that he wounded him yet not very much and in passing by the Faire Forlorn did hit him such a thwart blow with his sword vpon the beuer of his helme that he cut both his eyes and the halfe of his visage off throwing him downe starke dead vpon the ground Herewithall Mandafabull and those that were with him beeing mad angry entered pell mell among King Lisuart his knights with such furie that mauger their resistance Mandafabull took hold of the King by the coller and lifted him from his horse carrying him vnder his armes right vnto his shippes But the faire Forlorne was ware of it who ran after him and ouertooke the Gyant hitting him so forcibly with his sworde vpon the arme that hee cut it off hard by the elbow and the blowe sliding downe wounded the King in such sort that the blood sell downe vpon the ground Then Mandafabull with the great griefe that hee felt gaue a loud cry and without going any further he fell downe dead in the place where-upon
cause hee came knew his name he called and demanded of her the question Dread Lord answered the Ladie I neuer saw the man before nor doe I know what he is By this time was Amadis entred the field when doing reuerence to the king and the Ladyes without longer stay he came to Dardan demauuding if hee were the man that would maintaine the quarrell of her for whom the poore Ladie was put to such trouble because quoth hee I am come in her defence and also to keepe promise with thee What didst thou promise me replyed Dardan That I would see thee in the day-time said Amadis wettest thou when It was at such a time as thou being whitled with wine or glorie or else the trust thou hadst in thy strong Castle speakest so out-ragiously to me stāding without wearied both with trauaile hunger And therefore doe I make the lesse account of thee answered Dardan but cause her to come hither for whom thou wilt doe such a doubtie deed to know if she will accept thee as her Champion and afterward doe the vtter-most thou canst When the King saw they talked so long together he would haue heard what they said but the good Widdow came and to her Dardan thus spake Dame this Knight would maintaine thy right wilt thou submit all to what he can doe With all my heart quoth she seeing it pleaseth him to stand so much my Friend and God speed him no otherwise then my cause is iust Whē the two knights were at the very point to combate the King perceiued that Amadis Shield was bruised in two places both with strokes of the Sword and point of the Launce wherefore he sayd to such as stood neere him that if the Knight demanded another shield he would gladly giue him one but Amadis was so hot in desire to reuenge himselfe and the Ladie that he listened to nothing but the Combate Thus the Ladyes accord being receiued the two Champions tooke their carrire against each other so roughly as their Launces pierced their Armour and flew in pieces without any other harme as yet but when their bodies met Dardan was sent to the ground yet it happened so wel for him as holding fast the reines of his horse he recouered himselfe more nimbly and mounted againe as one both valiant and branely disposed boldly setting hand to his Sword Whē Amadis saw him so quickly vp againe in such readinesse for his owne defence hee approached to him when began such a battaile betweene thē as euery one present maruailed thereat On all sides were placed the inhabitants of the Towne and many other that came farre off as well on mightie Scaffolds in the fielde as also on the towers and walles of the Castle but aboue the rest the Queene was there present with her Ladies most desirous to behold who should beare away the honour of this cruell Combate for they seemed two so gallant companions as it was hard at first sight to iudge the better Such were the rigorous strokes deliuered on either side that sparkes of fire flew foorth of their Helmets and Armonr their Shields cut in pieces and their blood colouring the groūd which mooued exceeding compassion in the Regardants who seemed copartners in their danger according as ech one fauoured the wel-fare of his Friend but the two Champions gaue no respect there to because their desire was to make knowne both to the Ladyes and themselues the man deseruing highest account When King Lisuart saw them endure so long he sayd aloud that hee neuer beheld a more singular Combate pursured with greater courage and man-hood wherefore he determined not to depart vntill he had seene the finall issue thereof permitting them to proceed as themselues pleased And to the ende quoth hee that the Conquerour may bee dignified with more then accustomed honour I will cause his deserts to be liuely carued in Marble at the entrance of my Pallace to prouoke the like perfection in all other that are desirous to follow Armes In such manner as you haue heard continued the two Knights a lone time the standers by being not able to discerne who had the better for without taking breath or rest their fury continued as thogh their strength had more and more encreased But Amadis who by chance turning his head to the place where the Ladyes stood espyed his faire Mistresse louely Oriana whereby hee felt his vertue augmented in such sort that hee was as fresh and lustie as if but then he entred the field imagining he was become more then a man Now followed hee the fight with such cruell extreames as in short time he dissolued the doubt who should be superiour for Dardan not-withstanding all his defence was constrained to draw backe seeking how to escape the wreakefull strokes of his enemie which without ceasing wounded his bodie in many places his horse likewise no longer able to endure stumbled so often till at length he set both his knees to the ground which made Dardan thinke it better to fight on foot wherefore he sayd to Amadis Knight our horses are wearie and faile vs by reason we cannot doe as we would and if we were on foot me thinks in short time the doubt would be descided These wordes did Dardan speake so loud as the King and his Lords easily heard them wherat Amadis seemed ashamed thus answering Althought it be vnhonourable in a Knight to forsake his horse so long as he can keepe him yet since thou thinkest to combate better on foot then on horse-back we will a light and defend thy selfe well for thou shalt haue need Here with they dismounted assailing ech other so furiously as if but now they begun the Combat shewing more sharpe cruelty then before they had done yet Amadis euer-more kept the aduantage commonly deliuering two strokes for one which made Dardan doe nothing but defend his enemies blowes who compelled him to turne reqoile as himselfe pleased so that ech one accounted him very neere vanquished blaming him because hee kept not still on horse-back But as he turned here and there flying the slicing Sword of Amadis he was driuen vnder the Ladies Scaffold which made them cry Dardan can hold out no longer he is ouer-come if he enter the Combate againe Yet for all this Amadis would not leaue him but pressed him still with such pursuite as hee brought him hard by the Queens Scaffold when she and all the Ladies sayd Without question Dardan is dead At this clamour Amadis vnderstood the voyce of the Damosel of Denmarke and lifting vp his head espyed her standing by the Princesse Oriana by means wherof he became so farre beside him-selfe as hee set the point of his Sword to the ground forgetting not onely the daunger wherein he was but also stood amazed at the sight of his Mistres Which when Dardan beheld he tooke heart afresh and charged his enemie so brauely that if he had longer continued he would haue gone away Conquerour
euer was heard of then sound not your speeches to any likely-hood for this Gyant surpasseth all other in strength cruelty Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath done no lesse then I told ye wherewith she 〈◊〉 the whole manner thereof they reputing it strange and almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew the Knights name His name quoth she is Galaor son to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withal naming my Cosin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing Hereupon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Gyant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of Chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his ayde on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was born hereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath beene already declared to you yet she cōcealed the louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir sayde she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great griefe to the other Ladyes doubting least shee through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castle more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Seeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will performe what Galaor should doe if not in strength yet in good will and therefore be you our guide to the place The Damosel turned her haqueney and led them with such speede to the Dukes Castle that they arriued there the day before the execution should be Now was the Duke set down to dinner when the two Knights entring the great hall humbly saluted him when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that hee should presently know the cause of their comming where-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false and disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered seeing she hath no way mis-done and if it be needfull to proue her innocency by battaile let come two other to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defēders Wel haue you sayd replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knights challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behoueth thee to find some defence for thy selfe For that I am not to seek my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the truth of what I haue said Here-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephew so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other father to him he sayd I pray ye Nephew maintain my quarrell against these two Knights Scarse had he thus spoken but his Nephew returned this answer to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyal Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the false Damosell brought hither It may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in Combate he dealt villainously the Damosell ought to dy because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes Chamber Agraies who found himselfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped forth with this answer In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but wee auouch he hath done no wrong if the Duke please this difference shall be soone decided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the damosel ought to be deliuered the Dwarfe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the cōtrary replied the Dwarffes Champion then calling for his armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle Courser and turning to Agraies who presented him the Cōbare thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whō this quarrell begā too high a price should I set on thy folly We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou canst doe but I am assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reasō then do I leaue thee to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on truth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was done when seeing the Knights prepared to execute their speeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place apointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies being obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Performe the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosel be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not been offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherefore if my fortune make mee Conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde you what I meane to doe said the Duke and otherwise it shall not be Agraies tarrying for no more wordes turned his horse running a braue carrire against the Dwarfes Knight and in the encounter brake their staues gallantly meeting likewise so furiously with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered themselues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to each other their Swordes being verie sharpe the Knights valiant and hautily disposed by means where-of their Armour Helmets and sheeldes were in short time made of slender resistance yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephew had stil the better of his enemy if then he had before esteemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he so to doe notwithstanding hee was so hot and vigorous as often-times he seemed out of breath which made euery one imagine regarding his violence that hee could not long endure But in him it proued farre otherwise for the longer the Combate endured his courage and strength the more increased by reason whereof he became the Conquerour as shall hereafter be declared The Nephew to the Dwarffe found him-selfe so hardly handled as he drew back a little thus speaking to Agraies Me-thinkes Sir Knight wee haue made proofe enough of what we are able to performe
why he would know Because said the knight no friend of his shall passe here but I will kill him What is the occasion of your hatred replyed my husband I wish so much ill quoth the knight to that vngracious king as I would gladly haue him in my power to take vengeance on him at my pleasure and in despight of him heacefoorth shall I slay all such as are belonging to him Because he keepeth a knight that killed the valiant Daodan for whose sake I meane to deale in such sort as the king and his wel-willers shall receiue by me infinite displeasures and dishonours When my husband heard him as one agreeued at his villainous speeches he answered Know thou that I am one of his Court his vowed seruant who neither for thee or any other will deny him Highly displeased was the knight of the Bridge with this answere and without any more wordes charged my husband so that betweene them grew a cruell combate but in the end my Lord was brought into this hard extreamity and farre more worse in the knights opinion for hee reputed him to be slaine out-right coÌ„manding vs within three dayes to carry him before king Lisuart to despight him withall Lady quoth Amadis I pray you lend me one of your Squires who can shew me the knight when I come where he is for seeing your husband hath been so wronged for my sake it behoofeth me more then any other to reâ—enge the same What said the Lady are you hee for whose cause he so hateth the king Yea verily answered Amadis and if my hap prooue so good hee shall neuer heereafter abuse any other Ah gentle Knight quoth shee I will pray for your prosperous successe Afterward shee gaue him one of her Squires and committing him to GOD rode on with her husband and Amadis neuer stayed till hee came to the Bridge where hee sawe the knight playing at Tables with another but quickly leauing his pastime being ready armed hee mounted on horse backe calling for Amadis in this manner Holla holla Sirra I forbid ye to passe any further till yee haue swome What shall I sweare answered Amadis Whether thou be of king Lisuarts Court or no said the Knight for if thou belong to him heere must thou leaue thy head behinde thee It is a question quoth Amadis if thou canst doe so much but I assure thee I belong to the Queene his wife euer since not long agoe Since when replyed the knight since a disinherited Lady sayd Amadis came hither for her right But thou art not hee quoth the knight that foughtest the Combate for her I am the man answered Amadis who wonne her peace By my head said the knight now shalt thou loose thine if I can for thou didst kill the onely honour of my linage I killed him not said Amadis but made him discharge her of his outragious demand and afterward he became a murtherer of himselfe All this cannot profit thee quoth the knight for by thee and no other he dyed now for his sake shalt thou loose thy life Hereupon they gaue the spurres to their horses and breaking their Lances brauely met so furiously with their bodies as the knight of the Bridge was thrown to the ground whereof he was not a little ashamed but by reason the helmet of Amadis was vnlaced in the running while hee amended it the knight had leisure to mount him-selfe againe and to giue his enemie two or three strokes with the sword before he had time to draw out his All which afterward hee very well requited for striking full at his head hee brake away the skirts of his helmet and redoubling his blow meâ—â—e so directly with his necke as his head hung downe behinde his shoulders his soule passing to the Author of his pride and cruelty When his gardants of the bridge sawe him thus slaine they trusted to their heeles yet Amadis would not follow theÌ„ but returned to the Squire that coÌ„ducted him thither willing him to make haste to his Lady and let her vnderstand how he had reuenged her husbands iniurie which he immediately did not sparing the worthy attaints at Sword and Launce which he had seene Amadis bestow on the Knight of the bridge Amadis hauing there no more to do issuing forth of the Forrest entred on a large goodly plaine brauely beautified with violets sweete hearbs and all other deuises of natures tapistrie which presently prouoked the remembrance of his Oriana riding on in diuers amorous thoughts he saw come toward him an euill fauoured Dwarffe on a simple Palfrey whoÌ„ he called to know from whence he came My Lord quoth the dwarfe I come from the house of the couÌ„tie of Claire Hast thou not seene a young Knight sayd Amadis named Galaor No truely answered the Dwarffe but I know where within three dayes I can shew you the best Knight that euer bare Armes in these parts When Amadis heard this thinking hee had meant his brother he sayd I pray thee my friend conduct me to the place where I may see him With all my heart replied the Dwarffe on condition you will graunt me one request and goe with me whither I shall guide ye The great desire he had to finde his brother made him soone consent Come with me then quoth the Dwarffe and I will bring ye where you shall behold the good Knight So rode they on till darke night ouertooke them which the Dwarffe perceiuing he sayd to Amadis My Lord hard by is a Castle where we may lodge this night for there is a Lady who will friendly welcome vs. Thither they rode and had kinde entertainment when supper being ended Amadis was brought to lodge in a sumptuous bed but he could take no rest his thoughts so hammered on the perfection of his mistresse And taking leaue the next morning of their friendly hostesse continued on their iourney till about mid-day when they saw two Knights fighting against one then Amadis approching to them said Gentlemen may it please ye to pause a while and tell mee on what occasion your quarrell ariseth At these words they ceased one of the two thus replied It is because this Knight maintaineth that he alone is as able as we two together to bring a hauty enterprise to end In sooth sayd Amadis your difference is very slender for the bounty of the one diminisheth no iot of the other The Knights perceiuing he spake the truth ended their strife demanding of Amadis if hee knew the Knight in King Lisuarts Court who coÌ„bated for the iniured widdow whereby the good Knight Dardan was slaine Why aske ye quoth Amadis Because said the Knights we would gladly meete with him I know not answered Amadis whether your meaning be good or bad yet is it not long since I saw him in the Court of King Lisuart Hauing so sayd he rode on his way when the three Knights hauing conferred a little together they began to gallop after him he no sooner
garments to be brought and put about her wherefore hee that brought the lights ran for a scariet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the iaylor and cast it about the Ladies shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her forth of the darke prison saying She should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose his life before and passing by where the iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many woūds and torments haue you giuen me and diuers in this Castle without desert althought your bodies at this instant cānot receiue cōdigne vēgance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame saide Amadis while I go to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custody so passing on to the port-cullis he met the Souldier that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalaus demandeth where the Knight is that entred heere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the torch before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fal which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Villaine fearest thou being in my guarde goe on Thē assending the staires they came into the open Court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cleare and the weather faire but the Lady feeling the aire and beholding the heauens was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knees before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almighty protect thee and require the good I haue receiued by thee deliuering me from comfortlesse darkenesse Amadis looking round about for Gandalin and finding him not searing he had lost him wherefore he saide If the best Squire in the world be dead I will take such reuenge for his death may I but find his murderer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouer-come with griefe hee heard one crie wherefore hee ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great piece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthy stinking sauours neere him he espied Gandalin tied to a tree toward whom hee was going to vnbinde him but hee saw the Dwarffe had greatest need of help wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his feete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer entreated thee thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming forth of the Castle as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he staied ul day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanied with two of the Souldiers the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place where-into he saw a horse led which Amadis being desirous to see came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it fly open finding the horse there ready sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castle by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarffe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demanding what the King was she loued so deerly and for whom she had sustained such iniury Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whom I loue so loyally this diuelish enchanter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his presēce imagining the griefe here-of would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succor by reason of the traiterous villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke cloud enuironed me which hindred them from following mee to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought mee forth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you spake of It is King Arban of Norwales answered the Lady whom it may be you know I know him right well replied Amadis for he is one whom I deerly loue and now do I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appeared when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a window who thus demanded Art thou he that didst kill my iaylor my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so treacherously putteth knights to death abusing likewise both Ladyes and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard of As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldnes in asking me what I can do whether it bee wrong or right Herewith hee went from the window and not long after came downe into the Court being well armed mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knights in the world yet no Gyant wherefore when Amadis behelde him of such stature hee doubted not of his great force and strength Arcalous perceiuing hee eyed him so much demāded what moued him so to doe I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldest be a man of exquisite Chiualrie but thy peruerse and humaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me sayde Arcalaus I thinke my selfe highly beholding to fortune who hath brought thee hither to make mee such a smooth sermon but all this will not helpe thee therefore defend thy selfe So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their Shields as the shiuers flewe vp into the aire and with such violence met their horses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose with their swordes began a bloudy combate wherein desire of victorie and hauty resolution of vncōquerable courage made thē continue a long time till Arcalaus retiring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thee I may yet commend thy boldnes in entring heere My death answered Amadis is in the hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary of helping thee
such braue viuacity of spirit as his enemy found he had a hard taske in hand At this instant an other knight chanced to passe by who seeing the combattants so â—ierce against each other determined to expect who should depart with victorie and placing himselfe by the Damosell demanded if shee knew them or the cause of their quarrel I must needes know them answered the Damosell because I set them together as you see and this good hap is not a little pleasing to mee for it is impossible but one of them must die nor doe I greatly care which of them it be but if both end together my ioyes would bee the greater Now trust me said the Knight full well doe you manifest a wicked disposition practising for your pleasure the death of two such braue men whose health and safety you rather ought to desire then imagine such a disloyall thought toward them but tell me I pray ye what reason you haue to hate them so That can I sufficiently quoth she He whose shielde is most defaced is the onely man of the world to whom mine Vncle Arcalaus wisheth most harme he being named Amadis And the other that combats with him is Galaor who not long since slew the chiefest man I loued It so fel out that Galaor hereâ—ofore made me promise of any thing I would request and because this day I was most affectionate to his death I haue brought him to deale with fuch a one as will hardly permit him to escape with life For I knew the other to bee one of the best Knights in the World on whom this Dwarffe which you see attendeth I therefore desired Galaor to giue the little villaines head being perswaded Amadis would rather die then suffer it Thus the one to deliuer me my request and the other for his Dwarffes defence are fallen into the extreamitie of their liues which doth me good at the heart to behold By my conscience Damosell replyed the Knight I neuer thought such malice had remained in a woman of your sort and I beleeue assuredly being yet so yong if longer you liue you will accustome your self to such vilainie as this you begin withall whereby you shall infect the ayre and the other elements to the disaduantage of the honest and vertuous Ladies liuing at this day But to shielde them from such danger and these two good Knights whom treacherously thou wouldest should kill each other I will make a Sacrifice of thee according to thy deserts then lifting vp his Sword he smote her head quite from her shoulders that it fell on the ground at her horse feete saying Take the reward of thy merits for the loue I beare to thine Vnckle Arcalaus who kept me his prisoner till the vertuous Knight Amadis deliuered me then running to the combatants he cryed out aloud Holde Lord Amadis hold your hand for the man you fight against is your brother Galaor When Amadis heard these words he threw down his Sword and Shield to the earth and embracing Galaor said Alas my friend my brother rightly may I be tearmed the most vnhappy Knight in the world offering you such outrage as I haue done Galaor amazed at this aduenture knew not what to say but seeing how Amadis humbled himselfe on his knee he fell downe likewise desiring pardon reputing himselfe wonderfull vnfortunate in wronging thus his Lord and brother then Amadis weeping with inward conceite of ioy thus answered Noble brother and my friend I esteeme the passed perill well imployed because it beareth witnes of what we are able to doe So taking off their helmets to refresh themselues they heartily thanked the Knight that rhus caused their acquaintance whereupon he told them all what the Damosell said the execution hee committed on her Now trust me quoth Galaor neuer was false strumpet more rightly serued and now am I dischargd of the promise I made her All the better for mee said the Dwarffe and thereby haue I saued my head yet I meruaile why shee should hate me so much in respect I neuer saw her till now to my knowledge Then did Galaor at large discourse what happened betweene him the Damosell and her friend as you haue heard already rehearsed but the Knight that seperated them seeing their Armour all couered with blood thus spake to them My Lords your Armours deliuer testimony enough how discourteously your Swords haue intreated your bodies wherefore me thinks long tarrying in this place will but endanger your wounds let me request ye then to mount on horseback and accompany me to the Castle whether you shall not onely be welcome but finde helpe for your hurts by one skilfull therein Wee will not refuse your gentle offer said Amadis Let vs set forward then answered the Knight and happy shall I thinke my selfe in doing any seruice that may be liking to you for you Lord Amadis deliuered mee from the cruell imprisonmeÌ„t as neuer poor knight endured the like Where was it I pray replied Amadis At the castle quoth he of Arcalaus the enchanter wheÌ„ you restored so many to liberty How are you named said Amadâ—…lays answered the Knight and because my Castle is cleped Carsanta I am often tearmed Balays of Carsanta therefore my Lords vse mee and mine as your owne Brother said Galaor seeing the Knight reputeth himselfe so much bounden to you let vs goe with him In short time they arriued at the Castle of Balays where they found Gentlemen and Ladeies that courteously entertained them by reason Balays had sent them word before how he brought with him the two best Knights in the world Amadis who deliuered him from the strong prison of Arcalaus and his noble brother Galaor For this cause were they welcommed much more honourably and brought into a goodly chamber to bee vnarmed where likewise stood two costly beds and a table furnished with soueraigne medicins for their wounds the cure whereof two Ladies being Neeces to Balays vndertooke for they were very learnedly skilled in Chirurgery Now did they imploy their vttermost cunning to recoÌ„pence Amadis for his worthy pains in restoring their Vnckle from the slauerie of Arcalaus so that within few daies they felt themselues indifferently amended and almost able to beare their Armour as they did before Here-upon Amadis comming with his brother Galaor declared how to seeke him he departed from the Court of King Lisuart promising not to returne without his company wherefore he intreated him to yeelde no denâ—all in respect no Princes Court was better frequented with Chiualrie nor could he finde more honour in any other place My Lord quoth Galaor I intend to accomplish what you please to command me albeit I desire not as yet to be knowne among men of account first would I haue my deedes giue some witnesse how desirous I am to imitate your proceedings or else to die in this religious affection Certes brother answered Amadis for this matter you neede not abandon the place seeing your renown is already greater
friend Presently came out of a valley a knight brauely prauncing well armed who said to Florestan What moues you sir to touch my Lady I cannot think she is yours answered Florestan seeing shee entreateth mee to cary her hence away Albeit shee would quoth the knight yet I thinke it not at this time so conuenient because I haue defended her from better then you are I know not how well you haue defended replied Florestan but she shall goe with me if I can helpe it By God sir answered the other you must first talk with the knights of this valley and feele how safely they can keepe such as they loue So placing their Lances in their rests they ran couragiously against each other the knight breaking his staffe but Florestan smot his shield so strongly against his helmet as the lace brake and his head was bare but worst of all he fel so heauily vpon his sword that with his weight brake in two pieces Florestan finished his carrire hauing his Launce whole and sound when turning againe to the knight hee saw that he moued neither hand or foote wherefore punching him with his Lance vpon the stomack said Pillard thou art dead if thou yeeld not The knight being recouered froÌ„ his traunce beholding the present danger of his life desired mercy which Florestan granted so he would freely resigne the Damosell She is at your pleasure replied the knight but cursed bee the houre when first I saw her For by her folleys she hath oftentimes endangered my life Florestan leauing him came to the Damosell saying Faire Lady now you are mine You haue so nobly won me quoth she as I remaine at your disposition As they were departing thence one of the other Damosels thus spake Alas sir will you seperate so good company it is a yeere and more since wee haue liued together and we would be loth now to depart in this manner If you please to accompany her answered Florestan I can be content to conduct you together and more I hope you will not request because I meane not to leaue my conquest I thinke not my selfe so foule replithe other damosel but some good knight may enterprise as great an aduenture for me mary it is to be doubted whether such hardinesse remaine in you or no. Why Lady quoth Florestan thinke you that feare can make me leaue ye I promise you on my faith but that I would not forcibly cary you away you should presently goe with me but if your will be so good let my squire helpe you vp on your hackney Which she did the dwarfe cryed againe as he did for the first whereupon another knight came immediatly foorth and alter him a squire bearing two Launces the knight vsing these words to Florestan You haue sir already won one Lady and not cÌ„ontent with her you seeke for another but now in one instant you must loose them both and your head I doubt to keepe them company because you beeing of no better race are vnworthy a Lady of so high calling Thou vauntest very much answered Florestan yet haue I two knights of my linage whom thou nor three such as thou art may bee thought worthy to serue Thy coÌ„mendations extend very far sayde the knight yet am I to meddle with none but thee who hast got a Lady from him that could not defend her but she must be mine if I conquer thee else by vanquishing me thou shalt be maister of them both together Now thou speakest reason quoth Florestan defend thy Lady well or without doubt shee will fall to my share So giuing the spurres to their horses they committed this controuersie to be tryed by the Lance when though the Prince failed in the race and the other brake his staffe very manfully yet being angry at his mis-hap at the second course he seÌ„t the knight so violently to the ground as hee thought euery bone of him was broken in pieces Thus was he safely possessed of the second Damosell and very loth hee was to leaue the third there alone but shee beholding their host that conducted them thither spake to him in this manner My friend I would aduise ye to bee gone because you know these two knights cannot resist him will presently come then if you be taken you are sure to dy the death Beleeue mee Lady quoth hee I meane now to see the end of all for my horse is quick of pace and my tower strong enough to defend me from him Well looke to your selues said the Damosell you bee but three and one of you vnarmed but if he were it might not auaile him When Florestan heard how shee praised him that was to come he was more desirous to cary her away then before onely because hee would haue a fight of him and therefore bad his Squire to set her on horse-backe as he did the other when the Dwarffe in the oliue tree deliuered these wordes Beleeue me Sir knight in an euill houre came this boldnesse on you for presently commeth one who will reuenge his companions Foorth of the valley came a knight in gilt armour mounted on a lusty bay courser the man resembling a Giant in proportion and reputed to be of incredible strength After him followed two Squires armed each of them carying a hatchet in his hand and so soone as he came neere Florestan he thus spake Stay knight fly not for by flight thou art not able to saue thy life better is it for thee to dye like a good knight then a coward especially when by cowardise thou caâ—st not escape Florestan hearing such menaces of death contemning likewise a man of no value incenced with anger hee returned this answere Monster Beast Diuell or whatsoeuer thou art reason I see thou wantest so little do I esteeme thy prodigall words that I thinke thou hast no better weapons to fight withall I greeue saide the Knight that I cannot haue my fill in reuenge on thee but I would foure of the best of thy linage were here with thee for mee to slice off their heads as I wil do thine Look to thine owne thou wert best answered Florestan for I hope I am sufficient to excuse them and bee their Lieutenant in this matter on thee Thus sundring themselues in rage and fury they met together that the beating of their horses hoous made the earth to groan and the breach of their Launces made a terrible noise but the great knight lost his stirrops and had fallen to the ground if by catching hold about his horse necke hee had not escaped As Florestan helde on his course hee caught a hatchet from one of the squires wherewith he smote him quite beside his horse and by time he returned the Knight had recouered his seate againe and the hatchet which the other Squire held Now begins a dreadfull combat betweene them such cruell strokes being giuen at each other with their hatchets as though their helmets were of right trusty steele yet they