Crown upon her head in remembrance whereof she hath ever sithence born the like device Who from henceforth shall be so strongly fixed in your heart that you shall never give stroke with sword nor launce but you will remember her Which she said in respect of the princess Leonorine Daughter to the Emperor of Constantinople that by destiny was appointed onely unto him And opening the pack she pulled out a Helmet Shield Haubert and a Caparison for a horse all of white imbroidered with crowns of gold and set with Diamonds and Pearls which he most willingly received saying to the Gentlewoman I pray you in my behalf give Urganda hearty thanks for the great honor and much good she hath continually done unto me assuring her that wheresoever I become she hath a knight of me ready to obey her and that for the love of her will bear these Arms as long as it pleaseth her Be it so in the name of God said she but before long time be past you shall have another mistriss that will constrain you to do greater matters for she shall ravish both your heart and liberty in such manner that you should loose overmuch if at sometimes you loose not your self for her And to conclude I tell you that my mistriss féeleth her self as yet so much bound and beholding to my Lord Amadis your father because that by his means she recovered her friend that during her life she wil use al the means she can to do him pleasure and you likewise for his sake And as she delivered the message unto him Carmelle came thither and hearing her speak in that manner answered her and said Gentlewoman I pray you tell your mistriss from me that she hath great cause to recompence them well by whom she enjoyed her friend she loveth so entirely and tell her I know many to whom if such chance should happen that would not fail to acknowledge it with the price of their dearest blood and their souls likewise if néed were In faith said the gentlewoman I knot not in whose behalf you speak it but I know assuredly you touch me at the quick which she uttered with so good a grace that the king could not refrain to smile having in times past felt the fury of love when he first saw the Quéen in the country of Denmark Yet he changed his countenance asking the Gentlewoman from whence that musick came that he heard in the morning before break of day My lord said she being sometimes in greater passions then willingly I would I pass my melancholly humors with a Lute that I have especially when I cannot sléep which as I think was it you heard What company have you in the Serpent said the King None said she but Esplandians Squire that I found in a manner dead for the desire he had to hear news of his master to whom also I have brought the goodliest white horse and the best harnaised that ever was séen which my mistriss sendeth him likewise Did she command you to say nothing else unto me said the King Yes my lord said she she sendeth you word that at my arrival here you and he should enter into this ship that of it self will bring you into great Britain and that the fortunes that not long since happened unto you are snares the world setteth to intrap those it séeketh to deceive séeming to joyn gréen and flourishing age with that which already is dryed up and withered And further willeth you to put in effect that which in your self you have determined â—â— do which was to forsake his Kingly estate and live a solitary life but he wondered much that Urganda knew it yet he made no shew thereof but speaking to the Gentlewoman he said Your mistriss bindeth me daily more and more unto her being well assured that without her help I could hardly have found any to have brought me into my country Wherefore I pray you tell her that whatsoever I have is at her commandment and as touching my determination which as soon as I conceited in my minde I perceived it was known to her being at home if God giveth me life I mean to put in execution My Lord said she she prayeth you to commend the kéeping of this Castle to Talanque and Ambor not taking any with you but Esplandian Sergil and master Elizabeth knowing for certain that hereafter they shall do such things that their renown will spread throughout the world Wherewish my Lord I will take my leave and return again to her with the dumb men that shall guide me in this little Barque God have you in his keeping said the King Then the Gentlewoman with her two Marriners entered into the Barque that brought Esplandian thither and setting sayl put to Sea CHAP. XIII How King Luisart imbarqued himself in the great Serpent and of the message Esplandian sent by Carmelle unto the Princess Leonorine daughter to the Emperor of Constantinople THe Gentlewoman that brought the message with the two dumb men imbarqued and put to Sea far from the Rock King Luisart and the rest went unto the Castle where he stayed not long for according to the advice Urganda had given him he desired Ambor and Talanque with Libee and the rest of the company to keep the Castle promising with all speed to send them provision of all things necessary whereof they wanted But when Esplandian saw there was no remedy but of force he must obey the King much displeased to depart so far from the borders of Constantinople where he hoped to finde her whereof master Elizabeth had brought him the first news he took his faithful servant Carmelle aside and said unto her My good friend I was in mind never to falsifie the promise I have made you nor the gift you required at my hands nevertheless trusting more in you then any other I pray you take it not in evil part if to save my life I send you to a place whither I thought to have gone my self in person but it pleaseth the King as you well know that I shall bear him company My Lord said she I most humbly thank you for the honor it pleaseth you to shew me swearing unto you by the living God that I take no pleasure but in fulfilling your desire wherefore I pray you fear not to command me what you think good for whatsoever may happen thereby I will be obedient unto you during my life My good friend said Esplandian imbracing her I will one day recompence your good will and séeing you are minded to do me so much favor you must then take your journey to Constantinople on message to the Princess Leonorine the Emperors daughter to whom having presented my most humble and harty commendations you shall on my behalf say How that at such time as I received the order of Knighthood I was commanded by my lord Amadis my father to repair to her fathers court there to discharge him of the promise he made unto
she had determined before with that she Gandalin and Enil landed and went unto the Emperor whom they saluted most honorably but Carmelle did him no reverence for as it is said before she estéemed not of any man living how great a Prince soever he were but only of Esplandian she and Gandalin were known in Constantinople by reason of their being there before Wherefore the Emperor received Gandalin very courteously and with smiling countenance said unto him Friend Gandalin although your presents hath procured great melancholly in my minde remembring I have often séen you here with the man that in all Christendom I most entirely love whom I am utterly perswaded I shall never sée again yet you are heartily welcome and I pray you tell me how doth the knight with the Gréen Sword My Lord said Gandalin it is long since I left him to come into this country nevertheless I am assured wheresoever he is he is a prince ready to do your Grace any pleasure he can In good faith said the Emperor I believe it well and I am glad of the honor I understand he hath received at the hands of King Luisart that voluntarily hath deposed himself of all Princely dignity to invest him therewith My Lord said Enil that is true I can assure your Grace thereof as one that was present as his Coronation and although I could wish king Amadis the Monarch of all the world Truly when I beheld the gesture and humble countenance of good King Luisart I could not refrain wéeping for compasâ—â—on I had to sée him and not I onely but all the people that beheld him I pray you Sir knight said the Emperor shew me how it was for that all wise men are bound not onely to enquire of all vertuous actions but also to imitate them as néer as possibly they may with that Enil shewed him at large the whole order of the same as you heard it before Whereat the Emperor holding down his head mused for a while and then said I am certainly perswaded it will be long before we finde a better Prince then king Luisart is or one that hath passed his yong years with more wisdâ—◠〈◊〉 magnanimity of courage and as I understand both fortune and vertue have béen favorable unto him fortune in giving him force to overcome and obtain honor against divers misfortunes and hard adventures that she her self had prepared for him and vertue for that in the end of his days she hath set him in the way to enter into paradise And leaving that discourse he changed purpose and spake to Carmelle of whom in jest he asked if she were still tormented with the extream passions of love towards Esplandian as she had béen in times past My Lord said she if there be any change since I spake with you it is that the love servitude affection I bear unto him are augmented in me and daily more and more increase Whereat every man began to laugh In good faith said the Emperor we may then very wel perswade our selves that you came not to our Court to move any of our Gentlewomen to love the good knight your master although he should expresly command you to do it My Lord said she you judge as in reason it ought to be nevertheless I take so great a pleasure in serving him to his contentment that I will except no service whatsoever and to speak truth my arrival here is to ask your Grace a gift neither gold nor silver but onely that it would please you to go unto the haven to sée a present that my Lord Esplandian sendeth to the princess Leonorine as her knight In good truth said the Emperor you require a thing at our hands that we should rather desire at yours Come then my Lord said she for I may not stay long here With that the Emperor accompanied of divers Noble men went unto the haven and being there entred into Carmelles ship she shewed him the christal tomb then that of azure stone and lastly the Image of Jupiter whereat the Emperor stayed longer to behold it than the rest not so much for the richness thereof as to read the prophecy it held and having read it was not a little abashed which Carmelle perceiving spake unto him and said My Lord all this you sée hath continued above two hundred years in the broken palace of the inchantress yet in all that time not any knight how valiant soever he were could ever conquer the same nor yet so much as sée it until my lord Esplandian arrived there that is become Lord and possessor of the same as you now behold Truly said the Emperor it is the goodliest present that ever I saw and worthy the greatest admiration for although it be of incomparable riches yet do I estéem it of no value in respect of the great science and wonderful knowledge that was in her to whom it first belonged as she maketh it well appear by the threatnings she used against us in this table God grant all may fall out better than I doubt it will My Lord said Carmelle although it be such as you estéem it yet do I fear that my Lady your Daughter will not make so much account thereof that in recompence of the same she will acquit the good knight Amadis and the master that I serve of the promise they have made unto her I know not that said the Emperor but I am well assured that no earthly treasure can be comparable unto the valor and vertue of your master neither will I ever give my consent that Leonorine shall make that exchange as desiring the company of Esplandian much more than to have all the treasures in the world within my coffers and with good reason for that the wickedest person living on the earth may be rich of gold and silver but not of vertue which is not abundant unto any but to thâ—se that séek it wherefore if you think good carry your presents back again for Esplandian cannot be acquitted unto us but onely by his presence My Lord said Carmelle I am commanded to leave them with the Princess Leonorine whether it be upon that condition or not and if it be your pleasure séeing she is not come hither with you I will cause it to be carryed into her chamber My daughter said the Emperor is with her mother the Empress about a mile hence to take the air when she cometh home you may present it unto her and assure your self she will not refuse it not so much for the value thereof as for the good I wish to him that sent it her as she knoweth full well Wherewith he departed out of the ship and being a land walked to wards his pallace not without much talk with his knights and noble men touching the excellency of the tomb Which the more they spake of the more they estéemed it in such manner that they all acknowledged never in their lives to have séen so rich nor so
able to resolve his doubt then Urganda was caused her to go into the closet where the Emperess with the Princess Leonorine Quéen Minoresse and no more stayed for her they five being together the Emperor caused the Image of Jupiter to be brought thither which done he said unto Urganda Madam I pray you do me so much pleasure as to declare if it be possible what are the meaning of the Letters that this Image holdeth With that Urganda read it and having considered thereof she said unto the Emperor My Lord the great knowledge and skill that this Idol hath foreshowen shall in time to come be lost is already happened for as you know the power of Jupiter and of other gods hath béen suppressed and abolished by the coming of Iesus Christ and as touching these words The bondslave of the bond of slavery shall be burried here and life restored by him that suffered death These are hard and obscure tearmes yet will I declare them to your Grace as well as possibly I may With that Leonorine and Quéen Minoresse thought she would have spoken of the Knight Esplandian that had béen put into a Cedar Chest as you heard before wherewith they being surprised with a deadly fear began to behold each other in most pitiful manner which Urganda well perceiving intending to ease their mindes continued her discourse in this manner My Lord said she this Prophecy was written concerning Matroco Lord of the Castle of the defended mountain who as you know was always a Pagan till his latter day that he became a Christian whereby long time he continued a bond-slave of the bond of slavery for such ought the Sect of Idolatry to be named but Esplandian perceiving his repentance suffered him to be buried in the hermitage where as yet Carmelles father doth remain who since that time hath so much honored the Giants body that she hath buried his bones within the Cedar Chest that you Madam said she to Leonorine if you do remember gave unto her And touching these lines which contain these words That life shall be restored by him that suffered death that is likewise to be understood of him for that loosing this transitory life he hath obtained the eternal in Abrahams bosom so great grace hath he receiv'd at the hands of God by the merit of his Sons passion in whom he did believe as I said before and so my Lord said she you have heard what I can say as touching this strange Prophecy Ey but said the Emperor what means the rest My Lord said she I can tell you no more of it than can my Lady your daughter or Quéen Minoresse but so much I can assure you that in short time you shall sée it come to pass and if in any point it concerneth you the best is it will all fall out to greater good of your soul than to any power or worldly glory wherewith for this present I pray you content your self I truly said the Emperor and so will I always do for so my soul be well I estéem not the misery or torments of my body And with that he left Urganda with the Empress went into the Hall where great number of Knights and Gentlemen stayed for him with whom he passed the rest of the day in all pleasant delights mean time fortune by little and little began to play her part and to spread the nets wherewith she meant to inclose that troop thereby to work the envy and great tribulations that afterward fell upon them the beginning whereof was such as you shall hear About a mile without the City the Emperor had built a sumptuous Palace called Vaelbeniatnof as like to that of Apollidon in the Firm Isle as well could be devised which place was compassed with a Park furnished with all things requisite for mans delight whither he meant to lead the Ladies with Esplandian and his company as also king Armato to feast them in the same and for that purpose within thrée days after their arrival they departed from the City of Constantinople and went to Vaelbeniatnof going into the park wherein they found the hunters and at their first entrance a great Hart was singled out which in the end after long chace was killed almost before the Ladies and going further they espyed a Bore so fiercely hunted by dogs that they made him turn and with his Tusks stroke the dogs that none durst set upon him but at the last one of the hunters strake him in the throat and so he died so long this sport endured that supper time drew on wherefore the Lords and Ladies entring into the pallace found the tables covered and sitting down were served in most sumptuous manner and having supped they began to dance which continued till midnight minding the next day to begin their sport again but fortune minding to bear a part did so trouble the feast that she gave them well to understand how she can work in all things at her pleasure for the next day about evening the Knights and Ladies being in the Park some talking with those to whom they bare affections and contenting their mind with such devises as love to pass the time in pleasure put into their heads others running about and taking pleasure to gather flowers and do as most delighted them Melie from whom till then they could not hear one word went unto Urganda and before them all spake unto her and said Madam I marvel if it be so that your learning and skill be such as is reported why you make no sport unto this company Melie said Urganda where you are present I will not undertake to do it before you but you should rather do it being well assured that the Emperor would be thankful for the same If it pleaseth him said she I am content upon condition that after me you do the like or better if you can Truly said the Emperor it is but reason and I pray you both to do it My Lord said Melie then command Urganda to lend me a book that I was wont to have whereon the picture of Medea and her name written over it doth stand then shall you behold some of mine art and if Urganda never knew it before she may learn it now of me In good faith said Urganda that will I not deny you with that she called one of her Gentlewomen willing her to fetch the book mean time Melie took King Armato by the hand and making as though she would speak a word with him they walked a while together then they sat them down hard by the place where the Empress and the Ladies were talking with each other and staying till the thing Melie had requested were brought unto her she having it in her hand opened the book and then began to read making certain signs with her eyes lifted up to heaven and calling Urganda prayed her to come thither saying she should sée that she never had séen before Urganda not
Of the great displeasure King Luisart took for the departure of the black Knight and what conference he had with Arcabonna Mother to Matroco touching her unfortunate life THe black Knight being departed out of the Castle he had newly conquered and the prisoners entred therein among the rest King Luisart knew master Elizabeth wherefore he rose up sitting by Arcabonna Matrocos Mother who as then leaned on her lap and went to imbrace him asking him what fortune had brought him thither at that time to save the Giants life being in so great extremity And it pleaseth your Grace said he once this day I did not think he would have had so much néed of my help as he now hath But as I understand by a Knight that I méet going down the hill he is in great danger of his life Nevertheless for the honor of him that commanded me to help him I will do the best I can I pray you do so said the King Then master Elizabeth caused Matroco to be softly layed upon his bed and being unarmed searched his wounds and perceiving them to be deadly would not for that time do any thing unto them but stanch their bléeding leaving the rest till he had slept wherein he was newly fallen In the mean time King Luisart not forgetting what master Elizabeth at his coming in had said unto him asked him what was become of the black Knight and it pleaseth your Grace said he as we entred into the Castle I met him going secretly from hence and not minding to return again By Saint Mary said the King have I received so great aid at his hands and am I so unfortunate that he should depart from hence without knowing him Truly I am sorry I stayed here to sée what would become of Matroco if I had not I would surely have followed him and with much importunity have craved his name Master Elizabeth said he will you upon your faith tell me truly whether you know him or not If it be so if you will do me any pleasure hide it no longer from me for I never had so great desire to know any Knight not onely for the aid he hath done me but for the valiant enterprise at this present atchieved by him Your grace shal pardon me if it pleaseth you said master Elizabeth for it is true that I know him wel but if I tell you any more I should do him wrong for he hath expressely forbidden me to do it I sée well said the King you will but increase the desire I have to know him that is worse by the same means bereave me of all hope ever to sée him again With that they entred into the Hal where they méet Arcabonne half dead with sorrow whom the King in courteous manner prayed to stay a while asking her how her son did He doth said she as one in whom I have as little hope of life as of the other that lyeth dead in the court to say the truth it séemeth that fortune hath wholly bent her self against me not ceasing continually to heap sorrow upon sorrow to make me desperate Notwithstanding I know full well how to be revenged and that is in dispight of her and her cruelties to bereave my self of life whereof she shall lose her power which by good reason I cannot well prolong séeing she hath not spared me one hour of rest since she first began still playing her part in tormenting me but of all other my misfortunes none hath grieved me so much as the force of this Knight by whose power said she unto the King I sée thée now delivered out of my hands and from the cruel torments I had prepared for thée if accursed fortune had not withstood them Madam said the King I pray you declare unto me the cause of this your great malice towards me and whether at any time I have done you wrong or injury whereby I should deserve it that will I shew thée said Arbaconne not therein to do thée pleasure but rather to grieve thée more when thou shalt know and understand that I was born and bred in the same country wherein to my great despight thou hast raigned overlong for there I and Arcalaus my brother by father and mother were doth begotten and brought up in the art of Nigromancy which oftentimes we have practised and put in effect therewith to torment divers persons that never did offend us In the which art as age and knowledge increased I growing very expert in the end became acquainted with Cartadaque as then Lord of this Castle and with him I grew in so great familiarity that he married me and with him ever sithence have dwelt here in this Castle where not long after I was delivered of a Son called Lindoraque after that of another named Matroco that now lyeth in this bed and lastly of the third called Frerion whom thou hast slain and my brother also that went to help Argantes the Porter of this Castle And being thus married unto such a husband as Cartadaque was so much feared and redoubted in all places and having thrée of the most valiant and worthy knights to my sons that ever lived I was so elevated in pride and so little estéemed of cruel fortune that I thought it unpossible for her to work me any woe But by tract of time I found it otherwise for by little and little she hath wholly changed my joy into most grievous sorrow and wilt thou know how Then I think thou doest yet remember the discord that long sithence happened betwéen thée and Childadan King of Ireland and of the battel wherein thou overcamest him where my deceased husband minding to be present expresly departed from hence thither and as accursed fortune would took my son Lindoraque with him and having travelled many countries at the last arrived at the place where my brother stayed for them travelling all thrée together with full purpose and intent to do thée all the injury they could and they had scarce entered into a forrest not far from London but they méet a Knight as then surnamed Le Beautenebreux riding in company of a Gentlewoman that ware on her head a Call all set with strange flowers whom my Son as accursed fortune would liked so well that with a great desire to have her to present unto the Lady Madasine his love commanded one of his Squires to go fetch her to him which the Knight called Le Beautenebreux whereof I speak would not permit but sent the messenger back again well beaten wherewith my Son being moved thought to have her by force but it fell out otherwise for him for at the first encounter the Knight with one blow with his Sword thrust him into the body whereof he died and as much had chanced to his Vncle Arcalaus if his horse had not saved him by running away having first lost four of his fingers on the right hand Yet fortune not contenting her self with this mischief
and go with us into the castle where we will confer of all things with some better leisure Which he agréed unto wherewith he some of the principal captains of his army entred into the knights boat and with them went up into the castle where being arrived Gastilles that knew king Armato desired Esplandian before he did any thing else that he might sée him wherewith he brought him to the chamber where he sate as pensive as any man could be Gastilles did him honor as to his estate appertained But king Armato would hardly look upon him but said unto him Gastilles I marvel much why the Emperor your master contrary to his faith and promise hath broken the peace agréed upon betwéen us and for a thing so little importing him as this place doth whereunto he never had any right as you well know But I perceive from whence the same procéedeth because he would every man should know she little faith and less loyalty that is in him which I shall one day make him know full well if ever I escape out of this prison My Lord said Gastilles your honor saved the Emperor my master hath in him all the parts that belong unto a wise vertuous and hardy Prince such as he is and it séemeth unto me under your correction that by good and just cause he hath done no more then he might do séeing it is evident that this castle hath bin conquered by Christian knights whom he is bound to favor with all the aid he can not onely to defend our Law or because they have desired his aid as being the first and greatest Monarch in the world but to sustain the right that both he and his Predecessors have alwayes pretended to these Marches And where you threaten to make him féel the small Loyalty whereof you accuse him at other times heretofore you have met each other with your Forces where you sped so hardly that I rather believe you speak in choler then with reason especially considering the estate wherein you are at this present Gastilles said Armato although I were dead I have sufficient number of Captains and good Soldiers in my Countrey to revenge my Cause and a son likewise that is not born to endure the injury done unto his father and thus much I assure thée that if I thought him to be other I would stay him with mine own hands as soon as I should sée him My Lord said Esplandian that Prince Knight or Gentleman that useth such unfit spéech as you do now is commonly holden for a man of no capacity especially when he is in a place where humility rather then threatnings would become him better Have you already forgotten the prison wherein you are and in the hands of those that have so small occasion to wish you well My lord vertue is never better known to be in man but then when he is in most distress Wherefore if until this time you have not known what constancy doth mean learn hereafter to discern the same using words worthy your estate and not such nor so injurious as you have uttered unto my Lord Gastilles who in this place representeth the person of an Emperor a greater lord then you in whose mercy your life or death consisteth for we are all his souldiers ready to do him service The king perceiving well that he had done them wrong and fearing to be hardlier used then he was accustomed to be said unto Esplandian Sir Knight I pray you pardon my impatience considering with your self the great grief and melancholy humor wherein I am when I that was wont to be feared redoubted of all the Princes in Asia am now constrained to obey the will and pleasure of my greatest enemies which unto me is so extream grief that I die each day a hundred times because I cannot die But Esplandian answered not one word but leaving him with his guard taking Gastilles by the hand led him into one of his best chambers where they supped The next day they assembled all together and after many matters propounded it was agréed among them according to Frandalos advice that they should enter into Turky being as then in great perplexity as well for the taking of king Armato as for the overthrow of his Army as it shall be shewed unto you hereafter for at this time we will cease to speak thereof returning to shew you of King Luisart that during this time for the most part held his Court in the City of London CHAP. XXVIII How the greatest part of the Knights that used to be at King Luisarts Court returned unto their own houses and of the Coronation of Amadis and Oriane at London YOu have heard before of the Combate betwéen Esplandian and Amadis his father and how after long time of their abode at Mirefleur staying the healing of their wounds Esplandian desiring to return unto the Castle of the defended Mountain took his leave of king Luisart the like did divers of the knights that as then were at court as Galaor king of Sobradise Agraies Gransador Balan Galuanes Angriote d'estrauaulx some to sée their wives others to tast the ease and pleasant rest of their mansion houses whereby it hapned the Court was less replenished with knights than it had béen in long time before especially by reason of the news they heard from the castle the defended mountain whither divers young knights travelled to aid Esplandian King Luisart therefore so meanly accompanied as I said before being very old and decrepit began to be melancholy and to have the palsie setting aside all hunting hawking arms and chivalry or any other pleasure whatsoever And with a remembrance of death so much abhorred all things past present and to come that he estéemed them vain and altogether transitory whereby he determined to depose himself of all kingly estate and government of his Realm to pass the rest of his time in a solitary and religious maner especially when he called to mind the great perils from whence he had escaped and above all his last most dangerous and cruel imprisonment Nevertheless for a time he kept it secretly until one night he being a bed with the Quéen where they lay talking of the fickleness of this world he discovered his whole mind unto her and how he determined to make Amadis his son King and Governor of his Country to the end he might fréely and without any interruption withdraw himself to this castle of Mirefleur where by Gods help he meant to live a solitary life The Quéen that was one of the wisest and devoutest ladies in her time confirmed him so well in his opinion that they agreed to return to London there to accomplish their pretence And the next day they departed from Mirefleur accompanied of Amadis Gransador and others and coming to London after they had remained there a certain time the Quéen sent for all the nobility who being arrived at the court caused a scaffold to be made in
by the bridle bareheaded brought her to Esplandian and his company that did her great honor knowing her to be a Kings Daughter wife to so great a Prince With that she asked Frandalo which of them was Esplandian Madam said he pointing unto him here he is ready to do you any service that he can as he hath assured me But when she perceived him to be so yong and of so great beauty she was abashed to think how nature had furnished him with so many good perfections especially of so great and incomparable force whereof he had the commendation among the most valerous Knights wherewith she said unto Frandalo In good faith I have heard him commended in divers places for one of the best Knights living in the world and of mine own knowledge I have séen him considering his yong years so that if he abound as much in courtesie as he doth in valor and beauty I think him to be the bravest Gentleman that may be found which I shall presently sée if he grant me one request Madam said Esplandian blushing at the praises she used in respect of him If I do it not you shall be the first that ever I refused gift unto all my life and considering your great beauty and most courteous behavior how should it be possible for me to disobay your will I pray you then sir knight said she to pardon the poor people that are within the Temple grant them unto me with leave to send them where I shall think good not hurting them any more In good truth madam said Esplandian you shall not be refused for so small a matter and I will do so much with the other Knights that they shall give consent as also to your own liberty and the Giant Forons to guide you where it pleaseth you which Frandalo did most earnestly at your hands before you arrived here And for his sake look what else you will command at our hands we are ready to perform it with all our hearts For the which the Princess Heliaxe thanked him most heartily turning to Frandalo said unto him Sir Knight the good that you and your companions do unto me shal never be forgotten on my part but I will by all means séek to acknowledge the same although presently I cannot do iâ— wherefore if it pleaseth you cause your souldiers to retire that these poor distressed people may come forth according to your promise In the mean time I will go comfort them for I am in doubt most part of them are rather dead then living with that she desired Carmelle to bear her company they two going to the Temple gate which they found fast shut and rampired up then she called so loud that some of them spake unto her but never did men by pardon from their Prince brought back again from the Gibbet more rejoyce nor were better comforted then they when they knew her thinking the Prince Alphorax had made some agréement with their enemies Wherefore they opened a little wicket whereat she and the Gentlewoman enrered into the Temple they sking the Princess how it was her chance to come thither in so good a time to succor them that looked for no other favor then most cruel death My friends said she I have done so much with the Christians by Frandalos means whom I have known lâ—ng time that they are content to let you issue forth your lives saved and go where it pleaseth you and my self likewise that had fallen into their hands as well as you wherefore chuse whither you will follow me to Tesifant where my lord Alphorax is who for my sake will shew you all the favor and câ—urtesie he may When the poor people understood the agréement made for them by the Princess Heliaxe they all agréed to go with her and not forsake her giving her most hearty thanks for the good she had wrought them Then said Heliaxe let those that have armor put it off and come all forth with me Then sâ—e being accompanied in that manner came unto Esplandian and shewed him great numbers of women little children that stood about her said unto him I pray you sir knight behold the good whereof you are the cause and think what dammage it had béen if these poor filty souls had suffered death for no offence wherein you are worthy great commendations And yet said she smiling while I live I shall not forget the small account you made of me when Frandalo and you found me before my pavillion after the overthrow of my Knights Wherefore Madam said Esplandian I marvel said she why you ask me such a question séeing you might well conceive what grief I had in mind yet did you not so much as once salute me or use word unto me in good truth it was but discourteously done of you Madam said he I beséech you pardon me for the fault I committed in your behalf was not done for want of bringing up but fearing to bréed some jealousie in Frandalos mind séeing him so much affected to do you service together with the good countenance you shewed unto him although you had lost your men This excuse said Heliaxe is not to be accepted neither shall you escape so easily therewith which she spake with so good a countenance that her seeming to be offended contented all the company wherefore Esplandian said unto her Madam I am content to make amends for this great fault or to do what pennance it pleaseth you The pennance said she that you shall have shall be that according to the promise of mercy you have made unto these poor people as also of favor in mine own behalf you give us leave to go unto the City of Tesifant to my husband that for the same we think the better of you Madam said Esplandian you have already understood our minds wherefore you may freely go whither it pleaseth you and I my self will be your guide if it be your pleasure With that Heliaxe gave them many thanks and taking her leave got upon her palfrey and being accompanied of Foron with a great number of the poor people took the way that went to Tesifant Frandalo going with her above a league and more and further would have gone although he were wounded in divers places of his body but she desired him to go back again For said she although like a good courteous knight you have had the means not onely to serve me bâ—t also to save the life of me and mine it may be I shall not have so the like to do the same for you if you fall into my Lord Alphorax hands who as I think e're now is advertised of my misfortune whereby I am in doubt he is already in the field with great number of men to succor me And if it should be so I know him so impatient that if he méet with you being already moved with the loss of Alfarin as alsâ— the injury my Knights have received and my self
deny that which they have most deeply engraved in their hearts and mindes and not without good cause for that the thing which redoundeth to your praise and commendations as you think which is the manifesting of your love bréedeth to them a certain spot in their honor which oftentimes they can not easily deface Wherefore it is more than expedient to observe this modesty and constancy in us not that I mean to restrain my self unto this law séeing that all my glory and felicity dependeth upon you in such manner that I desire no greater happiness in this world then that the love and dutiful obedience I bear unto you should be published and made known unto the world to the end that all those that shall hear of your great valor and my mean estate may know my great good fortune to have the mean to serve you as I do Wherefore my lord in my opinion you ought to take the spéeches Gastilles hath written unto you to be used by the Lady Leonorine in good part and greatly to your advantage for I dare warrant you on mine honor that your affections are both alike and to say the truth she hath behaved her self most wisely to dissemble the matter so well as she hath done in the Emperors presence I deny not but she hath some cause to be impatient considering the message I delivered unto her in your behalf but that is easie to be cured and although the love she hath born you so long time should be wholly extinguished which I can hardly believe even as a bâ—ne that is broken in two pieces and set together again is stronger in that place than in any other part so being there and in her company shall win that you finde broken and by that means make it stronger than ever it was before Therefore I am of advice that fulfilling her desire you go unto her and that as soon as possibly you may Alas Carmelle said Esplandian what good or what service did I ever do unto her thereby to have deserved at her hands the least favor among an infinite number I have received from her Especially by the report of your own mouth If therefore she hath just occasion to be offended with me having offended her so much can I hope for any other at her hands than méer disdain and mortal hatred My Lord said Carmelle I am a woman and know the nature of women better than you do or then all the men in the world besides I pray you therefore believe me and go and sée her and if so be she entertain you not according to your desire then never give credit to my words again In faith my good companion said the King of Denmark Carmelle giveth you so good and wise counsel that either you ought to give credit to her spéech or else wholly drive this fantasie out of your minde considering as is most true that sometimes and very often how much the more fervent and extream the love of a woman is so much the sooner is it dead and wholly extinguished for that their inconstancy is such and so great that for the least occasion in the world they are over ready to love and much more inconsiderately do they forget the same again not that I accuse the Princess Leonorine of so great lightness but to say the truth as commonly we finde and for my part I know not upon what occasion you ground your love whereby you should make so much account of her séeing that she never saw you nor you her but are only content to conceive well of each other upon a certain ronown that hath spred abroad set forth the great perfections that are reported to be in you both which in truth may be compared to a fire made of straw that is no sooner kindled but presently consumed wherefore be not then so much abashed if the Princes Leonorine shew her self at this present so smally affected towards you for those that love most déerly do oftentimes fall into discourtesses and coldness of affection that they disdain or at the least in the twinkling of an eye wholly forget those that for a long time they have loved most intirely and that for their sakes shall have hazarded their lives in most dangerous adventures Did you never hear how Brisarde behaved her self in regard of Troilus after the destruction of Troy she loved him so well that she would néeds die in his arms when she was constrained to forsake him the Gréeks thinking verily she would have slain her self and yet was she scarse issued out of Troy but she wholly forgot her love Troilus and transported that vehement love she had born him all her life to Diomedes King of Thrace O God What inconstancy what lightness what foundation upon a sandy ground was that This unconstant woman among other precious ornaments given her by Troilus her friend had a pair of perfumed gloves which within one hour after her captivity she gave unto her new friend Diomedes in token of the love and amity she bare unto him What had Troilus said then if he had bin present would he have believed her I think not And what a point of honesty I pray you did Cliteninestra shew unto her husband when in steed of welcoming him home at his coming from the siege of Troy where he had remained ten years together she caused him cruelly to be murdered by Egistus her ruffian But will you hear more examples of the like matter and as he began to procéed Esplandian said unto him My good friend I pray you do not this wrong unto my lady Leonorine but let me here your counsel how I may from henceforth govern my self to satisfie her desire Go and sée her said the king and if you think good I will bear your company Shall we go and leave our companions said Esplandian that will I never do wherefore said the King are not Frandalo Manley and the rest of their company strong enough to defend the town in your absence I am of advise that you send presently for them give them to understand that by reason of certain news you have of late received you must be constrained to leave them for the space of eight or fiftéen days and in like sort dispatch Gastilles squire and write unto his master that you thank him heartily for the good remembrance he hath had of you and that with all spéed you will send a messenger expresly unto the Emperor with an answer to that it hath pleased him to command to be written unto you in the mean time I will take order to prepare a ship to bring us to the castle the defended mountain where we will imbarque our selves in the great Serpent that will not faile as I think to bring us unto Constantinople and determine with your self what company you mean to take with you My good friend said Esplandian do as you think good I am content to hazard my life in your hands It
and so hardly handled that the force you shall from henceforth use against them shall more be holden for a kinde of cruelty than any chivalry Nevertheless if my request may take no place with you do as you think good Souldan said Norandel if they acknowledge it at our hands and ask us mercy they shall not fail to have it for it was never our custom to use force to such as could not stand against us Content your selves said he that I that am their Lord yield you the victory and I pray you therefore shew mercy unto them swearing unto you by my crown if you do them so much good that while I live I will not be unmindful of the same With that the ten Christian Knights went out of the field and mounon their horses took their way unto the City where the Emperor stayed for them for he had séen the issue of the combate and now they returned victors but he heard not what words had past betwéen them till they being lighted off their horses told him what was done for the which he praised God estéeming more of them for their courtesie they had shewen unto the enemy CHAP. L. How Queen Calafre came to aid the Pagans and of the marvellous assault that she gave to the City of Constantinople THe renown of this War undertaken by the Kings Taborlans Souldans Califfes and Princes dwelling in Tartaria India Arabia and other countries in the East against the Emperor and his Empire of Constantinople was spread so far abroad that it was known to the puisant Quéen Calafre reigning in Califorine a most fertile and pleasant country confining on the head of the river Borisleness hard by the foot of the Riffee mountains This country whereof I speak was sometimes peopled with good Knights and men of all quarters but the women upon malice devised a means to kill them all establishing a law among themselves that from that time forwards they would acknowledge for Lady and Quéen one of their own country wâ—men governing themselves as the Amazons used to do Whereby it was not lawful for any of them to use the company of men above once or twice a year upon the days and times by them appâ—inted when they went of their own country and used their neighbors help with whom God knoweth if they found not means to make them pay the usury of the time lost in such sort that most of them returned home with childe but the bringing up of their children was far different for the maiden children were kept alive burning their right paps but not the men children for as soon as they were born they put them to death having agréed not to suffer one alive or else so few that they very easily might overcome them For this cause oftentimes they warred against the Tartarians bâ—rdering on their country putting them to great trouble by divers and continual invasions as well by sea as by land In their laws and customes they observed so great rigour as that if any man by casualty or otherwise fell into their hands he proved for food unto a great number of grissons nourished among them when they were yong being so tame and gentle that never any hauk knew better the Faulkoners lure then those gentle birds knew the voice of her that ordinarily fed them To come unto the point this quéen of Califorine being a woman of great spirit valiant hardy yong fair and of good behavior hearing of the wars undertaken against the Christians was desirous to be there not for any ill she wished them but onely for to know them and to sée their country that bare so great renown And for that cause she assembled great numbers of the principal Ladies of her country shewing them what honor they might obtain in that voyage which may peradventure be such said she that by our force and great prowess we may greatly augment our Empire being feared and redoubted of each man and not continue always buried among these mountains as they in times past did of whom at this present we now possess and injoy the place The Quéen in this sort could so well perswade them that they moved with a marvellous desire to go with her presently prepared their ships and set sail for Thracia with so good and prosperous a winde that the tenth day after the assaults of Constantinople they arrived in the army of Armato where they were honorably received and after divers spéeches used by the Souldan of Liquy and other Princes of the camp unto the Quéen of Califorine specially touching their determination concerning that great enterprise she being sorry they had done so little against the town desired them that she might once have leave to try her fortune against it by means that she would use And the better to induce them thereunto she told them she had fifty Griffons that would not fail being let out of their cages to seize upon the Christians without hurting of her women because they knew them and had béen nourished with them And while they take their flight said she I will give such an assault against the town that without doubt we will inforce the same for if the Emperors souldiers appear but to defend the walls my Griffons shall be ready to carry them clean away as the Merlin doth the Lard But to the end said she your men receive no hurt let them abide within their tents till they be shut into their cages When King Armato and the Souldan of Liquie heard the great zeal and affection she shewed to imploy her forces as also the invention that she had they all agréed that the next day after she should do what liked her Whereupon she sent presently to her that kept the Griffons that she should give them nothing for to eat of all that day that when they meant to use them at the assault they might gréedier and further sent word by sound of drum that all her companies should be ready the next day early in the morning to give assault unto the City Quéen Calafre having in this manner provided for her enterprise at the time appointed all her women armed according to their manner the most part of them bearing bows ran with great fury unto the walls and with their ladders began to mount up with that the alarm went about the city all men running to defend the same and as they were some upon the walls and other places of defence the Quéen made sign to let the Griffons loose which being hungry and flying over the town seized upon such as they could find abroad wherewith the Emperors souldiers were in so great fear that most part of them that fought forsook the walls to hide themselves Alas what pity was it to sée soldiers citizens knights and others yea women and little children and all whatsoever they could get into their claws taken up into the air and sometimes having taken them up they let them fall upon the stones whereby
in the army Whereof the Souldan and Quéen Calafie being advertised determined together to write unto them the contents whereof do follow Rodrigue Souldan of Liquie mortal enemy to the enemies of our gods and Calafre Queen of Califorine a country most rich and abundant in Gold and precious Stones give you Amadis de Gaule King of Great Brittain and your son Knight of the great Serpent to understand that the occasion of our arrival in these countries hath been for these two causes The one in hope to destroy all Christendom and the other to prove if we may 〈◊〉 from you the renown that is spread abroad of you to be the two best Knights living in the world for we account our selves for such as that if you will accept the combate of your persons against ours we will evidently make it known that our valor is no less then yours And to the end the glory of the victors may be known the vanquished shall remain in their powers to dispose of them as they shall think convenient Advise your selves therefore to answer us herein by this our messenger to whom we have given charge to declare unto you if you refuse this combate that from henceforth we shall have just occasion to attribute to our selves the advantage of the praises and endless glories that fortune heretofore hath given you and to esteem of you as meanly in time to come as you have been highly renowned heretofore This Letter given to the Gentlewoman that bare the first to Norandel she went unto the Christians camp and being advertised which was Amadis tent entered therein as he sat talking with king Luisart Esplandian and other good knights Where knéeling on the ground she asked which of them was the knight of the great Serpent and his father Amadis spake unto her and said Gentlewoman I am the one and this is my Son Is it your pleasure to speak with us The gentle woman casting her eye upon Esplandian marvelling at his great beauty spake said In good faith king Amadis I verily believe that this is he for I have heard him in divers places esteemed for the same that now I do behold in him Gentlewoman said Amadis if you came into our camp onely to sée him you now have your desire That hath not bin only the cause said she but to bring this letter which the Souldan of Liquie and quéen Calafre send unto you both wherefore having read it I pray you return an answer With that Amadis having taken it in his hand the Gentlewoman departed out of the rent attending their resolution King Amadis having read it shewed it to King Luisart and the rest that were in presence wherewith there a rose great controversie among them concerning the refusal or acceptation of the combate for that the most part of them were of advise it should not be accepted shewing divers great and evident reasons to confirm the same as the greater number of enemies they had before them ready to give them battel and if it happen said they that fortune should be contrary to King Amadis and Esplandian in whom partly consisteth our hope such hard chance would bréed great fear in divers men that are now very willing and ready to do the best they can Others held the contrary saying that it would be shame unto them all for that refusal onely would much incourage the enemy but they were of this opinion that it might well be required that the number of the combatants might be greater In good truth said Amadis be it of two against two twenty against twenty or of greater number the victory is in the hands of God Wherefore in refusing thereof I should do my self wrong and cause a great blemish to all Christendom that would not be defaced in long time after Besides I have great hope of Gods help herein for whose faith and honor I have undertaken this voyage When Esplandian heard his fathers mind he spake boldier and said That he would take that combate upon himself alone not onely against the Souldan and the Quéen but against two others more with them rather then it so should be refused whereupon it was concluded that Amadis and he would fight and sending for the messenger into the tent Amadis said unto her Gentlewoman you shall tell the Souldan and the Quéen that I and my son are content to do as they require wherefore set them chuse what arms they will and for the place it shall be betwéen their camp and ours assuring them on the faith of a King that not one of our soldiers shall once remove how soever we spéed which we desire likewise at their hands and if it be their desire to have the combate fought this day we are content to do it With that the Gentlewoman returned and coming to the Souldans tent she declared her message unto them being such as you have heard whereof the Souldan was glad but especially the Quéen for the great desire she had to sée Esplandian whereof she asked the Gentlewomen what she thought of him Madam said she I have in my life time seen many men and women that nature had indued with great beauty but by the gods I confess it is all but painting in regard of that I have found in him for he is so fair and beautiful that the more I think thereon so much the more it maketh me conceive such beauty to be rather divine them humane That is much said the Queen I know not said the Gentlewoman what you mean by that word Much but I am well assured if you had seen him as I did that you would say as much as I do and it may be more Truly said the Queen before I enter in combate with him I will first see him unarmed and speak with him not as an enemy to an enemy but as friends commonly do one unto the other Madam said the Souldan seeing it is your desire it were good our Gentlewoman went again unto them to desire them to give you leave to come and visit them in their camp not to procure them any cause of envy but to do them honor and for that cause to desire their safe conduct This counsel seemed good unto the Queen and without longer staying she sent the Gentlewoman back again unto Amadis and Esplandian whom she found yet in the Tent whereas she left them With that she told them what her message was and the great desire the Queen had to see them before they entred into combate King Amadis could not refrain laughing to hear the Gentlewoman express the affection her mistress had asking king Luisart what he thought therein Son said he deny not her request for I assure you since our coming hither I have heard the Queen to be esteemed a wise and beautiful Princess You hear our answer said Amadis to the Gentlewoman let the Queen come hither when she thinketh good for she shall be heartily welcome With that the Gentlewoman returned to the
THE FIFTH BOOK OF THE Most Pleasant and Delectable HISTORY OF AMADIS De GAULE Containing the first Part of the most strange valiant and worthy Acts of ESPLANDIAN Son to Amadis De Gaule As his strange sayling in the Great Serpent the Winning of his Sword the Conquest of the Castle of The Defended Mountain His Warres with Armato King of Turky his Love to Leonorine Daughter to the Emperor of Constantinople with divers Services done in her behalf The Besieging of Constantinople by the Turks and Pagans with their Overthrow by the Princes His Marriage with Leonorine his Investing in the Empire of GREECE And lastly His Inchantment with divers other Princes in the Pallace of Apollidon devised by Vrganda London Printed by T. J. for Andrew Kembe at St Margarets-Hill in Southwark and Charls Tyus at the Three Bibles on London-Bridge 1664. THE PRINTER TO THE READER Courteous Reader IT is not long since I printed the History of Palladine of England in the Advertisement whereof I promised the sudden publishing of this which is now perfected and I now intend to proceed in the performance of what I therein further promised which was not onely to proceed in the printing and publishing of more Parts of this History but also in publishing that so much desired and long-expected Piece called The Second Part of Don Bellianis of Greece which I now assure you is in the Press and will be finished about a month hence And the Author of that hath proceeded not onely in continuing that History in a third Part which I am confident will be very pleasant and delightful but also in translating more parts of this excellent History which shall all be published with all convenient expedition And now Gentle Reader hoping that the Book-seller and my self shall receive so good Encouragement in these Pieces already published that we shall not have occasion to repent our selves of our pains cost and trouble which is all intended for thy delight I remain thine in all friendship T. J. THE FIFTH BOOK OF AMADIS DE GAULE Containing part of the valiant Acts of Esplandian his Son and others CHAP. I. How Esplandian sleeping in the great Serpent when he awaked he found himself to be at the foot of the Rock of the Enchauntress and what happened unto him ESplandian that had fallen asleep in the Serpent by means of the melodious noise of trumpets that the six Gentlewomen sounded along the shoar after he had received the order of Knighthood as it hath béen declared unto you in the end of our fourth book when he awaked was much abashed that he saw not any of the company that were there present when the Giant Balan dubbed him Knight but found himself alone betwéen the wings of that monstrous beast at the â—oot of a rock unknown to him which rock was so high that he thought it impossible to climb up but he was perswaded that Urganda la Descogneve whose works and enterprises were most wonderful had ordained it to be so and thereupon he comforted himself going down into the body of the ship where the day before that great assembly had béen but he found no man and séeking further he went into the chappel where he espied Sergil his squire fast sléeping and hard by him two old men with rolls on their heads apparelled like Turks with that he went to Sergil and with his foot gave him such a thrust that on a sudden he started up and speaking to his master as though he had never seen him before asked him what he meant whereat Esplandian began to laugh and said unto him Good God Sergil hast thou béen in my company all thy life time and knowest me no better and taking him by the hand he drew him in such manner to him that therewith he awaked much ashamed to have committed such a fault whereof séeking to excuse himself he said unto his master By my faith sir I was so fast asléep when you called me that I neither remembered you nor my self and I am now more a bashed then I was before to think how I fell into so sound a sléep That cannot I tell answered Esplandian although as much hath happened unto me Then he told him that he had slept and when he awaked he found himself alone betwéen the wings of the Serpent without any of the company that were with him when he received the order of Knighthood and now said he we are arrived at the foot of the highest rock that ever I saw and withal it is so hard and difficult to climb up that I can finde neither path nor way how to do it yet have I beheld it long but as I perce give it is environed with the Sea in such manner that consider in the scituation of the place I certainly believe it is the Rock of the Enchauntress whereof in times past thou hast heard by Amadis my father And as they were in this manner speaking Sergil heard the two old men snort that as yet they had not once perceived and demanded of Esplandian if he knew them not As God help me no said Esplandian for as far as I remember I never saw them before but I judge that Urganda hath left them here to help us if we need I pray you said Sergil let us awake them then he called them so loud that they rose up Esplandian asking them who brought them thither but they made signs that they could not speak It was then about twelve of the clock and Esplandian would willingly have eaten if he had found meat and said unto Sergil Friend never in all my life had I so good an appetite to eat as I have now but I doubt we shall find no victuals in the ship I pray the Sergil let us go sée for as I perceive if we trust unto these dumb men we are like to fare but hardly but the dumb men perceived well what he meant wherefore going out of the chappel they entred into a chamber that joined to the hall from whence they presently returned bringing with them such quantity of meat that Esplandian and Sergil were never better satisfied in all their lives having dyned and the tables uncovered they went into the place where Esplandian had slept from whence he shewed Sergil the rock whereof he had told him before saying Assure thy self Sergil séeing the serpent stirreth not from hence it is a sign that I must go upon this high rock to sée if there be any adventures and if I can bring them to an end I know not answered Sergil what you will do but if you trust to the counsel of our dumb men we shall stay long enough here before we have any words of them Let us land said Esplandian and with that he made signs to the old men that they should hoise out the boat whereunto they willingly obeyed which done the first that entred was Sergil then Esplandian armed in the same armour he ware when the great Balan dubbed him
this glorious Conquest thou hast made for that variable fortune hath advanced thee before all others and thou hast obtained the honor whereunto so many good Knights could never attain notwithstanding all their prowess Esplandian having read and again perused the Contents of the writing for a time stood musing thereon and in the end perceived thereby that although he had brought the Adventure of the Sword unto an end yet he should be constrained to attend the time appointed according to the Contents of the Writing nevertheless he knew not the meaning thereof being as then at liberty and free from all passions of love Notwithstanding the cruel tyrant Love afterward obtained so great a Conquest against him that he made him fall in love with her that he never had séen nor never was in her company as reading further in this History you shall at large perceive Then he laid hand upon the scabberd and put the Sword in it thanking God devoutly for the grace he had obtained After that he went divers times about the Tomb to sée if he could open it without breaking but he perceived the christal from whence issued part of the brightness to be covered with another plate coloured like azure so wonderfully wrought that it would scarce be judged whether it were marble mettal or any other stuff whereupon he left off his enterprize and returned into the hall where the dead Serpent lay but as then neither the Sword nor the Scabberd yielded any such brightness as before they did because it was day Then going out he went down again towards the Hermitage where he had left his Squire who being melancholly and amazed at the long absence of his master fearing some danger happened unto him was gone out of the Hermitage to séek him and he had not travelled far but he perceived him coming with the sword by his side whereat he made such joy that being yet far from him he cryed out and said O my lord blessed be God that hath given you so good a beginning whereat every man shall wonder Friend said Esplandian he hath yet done more for me then thou wouldest think and with that he began from point to point to shew him the danger wherein he was and being in that discourse it waxed dark even then when they arrived at the Hermitage wherefore they determined not to travel any further that night but layed them down under the next trées they came unto still speaking of the strangeness of the place whereat Sergil being more abashed then before could not refrain to say As God help me Master by good reason you may be esteemed a better Knight then Amadis your father that came into this place and saw the Image at the Hermitage the writing that standeth upon the Arch of stone the Serpent the Sword that stuck in the gate where you found it and the shining Tomb yet durst he never prove any of these adventures and he said true for Amadis knew well by the Contents of the Letters written in Gréek that those adventures were ordained for his Son Esplandian and therefore undertook them not but all others onely Gransador and Urganda knew it not till then but although Sergil thought to please his Master using such words in his commendation yet Esplandian took it not so well saying I pray thée Sergil never use such spéeches for if the prowess and knightly adventures of my Father had béen as well employed to the advancing of the Christian faith as they were to win and obtain honor in this world I think his like would not be found but having passed his youth in things so vain and transitory doubtless his glory is the less not that I presume in any thing to accuse him and God forbid I should yet is he known in so many places to be so valiant a Knight that whosoever he be can second him may well estéem himself happy among the happyest wherefore I pray thée let us talk of other matters Thus sometimes talking and other whiles sléeping day began to appear when they rose up taking their way towards the Sea-side descending down the Rock till they came where the two dumb men stayed for them one within the ship the other in a little bark wherein Esplandian entred according to the sign the dumb man had made and Sergil went into the Serpent and with that they departed and the bark sailed so swiftly that in short space they left the sight one of the other But we will leave Sergil with his dumb man making extream sorrow to sée himself bereaved of his Masters presence and will shew you of Esplandian that from this time forwards shall be called the Bâ—ack Knight by reason of the arms he bare who being in the little bark with his conducter sailed so long that they took landing néer the Port where King Lisuart lay prisoner CHAP. III. How the bark wherein the black Knight and the dumb man sailed arrived in the borders of Turky hard by the place called The defended Mountain and of the discourse that an hermite and the Knight had together TEn days and as many nights together the Black Knight and the dumb man sailed on the Sea not knowing in what parts they were for if he had enquired of his guide it had béen but labor lost the eleventh day they discovered a great and pleasand Island where the Knight being wearied with the impetuosity of the waves desired his guide to put his bark on shoar but he regarding not his words thrust it néer unto a high Rock by nature cut in such manner that it séemed a wall purposely made for the defence thereof and the country was so full of woods and bushes that it might be estéemed unhabitable Then the dumb man shewed him a path that led him up to the Rock and made him a sign to go thither wherewith he issued out of the Barque armed at all points and began to mount up the weather was then extream hot whereby the Knight was so chased in his harness that he was constrained to put off his Helmet and carry it in his hand till he perceived a little Hermitage among the bushes and before it stood a high cress which pleased him well not onely for the hope he had to finde some one of whom he might enquire in what country he was but because he was assured that there dwelt a Christian and with that he perceived a man apparelled like an Hermit so old and withered that his long white beard hung down to his girdle carrying in his hand a pitcher of water that he had drawn out of a fountain not far from thence and was passing by when the Knight spake unto him saying Father God save you which when the good man heard he was in so great amase that for fear his pitcher fell out of his hand and brake in pieces Nevertheless by little and little he came to himself again and perceiving him that spake unto him answered and said My
Son it is now twenty years past sithence I left the pleasures of this world and forsook my native soyl to obtain the grace of God and that which most abasheth me is that since the time whereof I speak I never found man that as yet saluted me in this manner and I think verily you are a stranger in these countries or else your spéech and apparel disguiseth you much Father said the Knight true it is I am a stranger brought hither by such means that I neither know the country where I am nor any man or woman inhabiting therein for you are the first creature that I met since I arrived here of whom I might enquire assuring you that when I perceived this cross it rejoyced my heart for it is the arms of the Master that I serve What sayed the Hermit do you then know the vertue thereof I answered the Knight that I do being well assured that upon the like cross our Redéemer whereof I speak suffered death and passion Alas said the holy man you say true praised be his holy name that once before I die hath given me the grace to let me see a man of this side the Sea that beliveth in him assuring you sir Knight that you and I are onely the two creatures in this country that are christians for all the rest are Pagans and Idolaters And as he would have proceeded further his speech failed him doubting that he to whom he spake was but a fantasie or shadow of a man but at the last he waxt bolder in manner of conjuration asked him if he were a mortal man or not Mortal answered the Knight that I am for certain and withal a sinner which displeaseth me much and if it abasheth you at this present to sée me here I am my self no less abashed to see you for without doubt the manner of my arrival in this country hath been such and so strange that I can render you no reason thereof but if you know the country wherein we are I beseech you good Father tell it me to put me out of doubt Gladly said the Hermit and with that he took him by the hand and led him to his Hermitage and there sitting down together upon a log of wood the old man began to speak in this manner and said Now sir Knight tell me I pray you what country man you are Father said he Great Britain is the country where in my youth I was born bred I know not if ever you were acquainted therewith How long is it said the Hermit since you came from thence It is fiftéen days and more since I was there said the Knight Did you never know King Lisuart said the Hermit that in my time raigned therein Yes truly said the Knight for I have seen him many times how did he when you came from thence said the Hermit That can I not certainly shew said the Knight for he was lost and led away from thence but by whom or in what manner no man can tell notwithstanding the great pain and diligence divers of his Knights have used to finde him out When the Hermit heard that he seemed very pensive which the Knight perceiving thought in his mind that he could tell him some news whereupon he began to behold him well in the face to see if he changed colour with that the Hermit that well perceived the Knights meaning said unto him Truly Sir Knight not without cause have I enquired so much touching King Lisuart but before I will shew you my reason why you shall understand that I am of great Britain as well as you where as yet the greatest part of my kindred are living whom I forsook at the same time that a Giant Lord of this country married with a Lady who as then I served and with her passed the Sea not onely hoping to reap some reward of my former service but as yong men are moved with a great desire to sée strange countries but it fortuned that my Mistriss being forsaken of God as soon as she arrived in this country left his holy law to receive the law of her husband wherefore considering with my self that by reason as well of my natural weakness as by often frequenting the company of these country men I might fall into some error I determined to withdraw my self into this place wherein I have endured much pain misery to the great danger of my life by reason of the controversie betwéen the law of Iesus Christ which I hold and the law of the Pagans that séek daily to destroy it that without the favor of my mistriss that would not suffer them to displease me I had not lived so long as I have done among them but when it pleaseth God I wil depart hence and return again into mine own country now you have heard how I have hitherto lived I pray you sir Knight said he shew me your adventures and who hath brought you into this place from whence very hardly you will ever be able to return again but rather are in danger of most cruel death or to indure the most horrible imprisonment that ever was heard of which would grief me much not onely for the great beauty and young years that I perceive to be in you but for that you are my native countryman Father answered the Knight you have done me great pleasure to shew me the manner of your life and bringing up nevertheless before I satisfie your request tell me if it pleaseth you wherefore when you spake of King Lisuart you seemed so sad which made me conjecture that you know something touching him Son said the Hermit you shall understand that a daughter of mine servant to the Lady whereof I spake not long since came hither to sée me and told me that her mistriss returning from great Britain whither she went to deliver a brother of hers out of prison brought with her very secretly a Knight of great estimation as she said nevertheless I cannot assure you who it is but as I have learned since they say the two Giants sons were much pleased therewith which maketh me doubt considering the news you have shewed me touching King Luisart that he is most likely to be the man for she is so well séen in the art of Nigromancy and Magick that oftentimes she procureth mischief unto those that never offended her And in what country are we now said the Knight You are between the Marches of Turky and Greece said the Hermit for this mountain parteth both the countries but it is so strong not onely by nature but by art that neither of the two Princes of those countries what force soever they brought hither could never win it And now a Giant son unto my Lady and mistriss and one of the most strongest and puissant Knights in the East parts as many of his neighbors whose goods he hath by force usurped and that in despight of the Emperor or any other contradicting the same
thee therefore I am content to do thy will but we have no light to see Care you not for that said he for I will provide you light and with that he pulled of the taffata that covered the scabberd of his Sword whereby there was so great a brightness in the place as if the Sun had shone therein Then they descended into a Cave where the Knight perceived King Lisuart lie upon a couch of straw with a great collar of Iron about his neck and fetters on his legs whereby he indured no little pain whereat he was so grieved that for sorrow the tears ran down his eyes yet would he not disclose himself unto him neither once utter what he thought but without making himself known said unto him Noble King you have been overlong within this filthy place rise up I pray you and follow me When the King heard him speak in that manner he made no other account but to end his days at that time wherewith he could not refrain to weep and speaking unto the old Lady asked her if she knew him For said he since I entred into this place I never saw any Knight nor any one that spake unto me but that little sustenance I had was let down at a hole from the top of this dungeon Then she answered him and in great despite said Thou accursed King if I had not known thee I would never have taken pains to fetch thee so far from hence as I have done cursed be the time when first I took it upon me for thou onely art the cause of my great sorrow and the sole instrument of my bereaved joys In faith Lady said the King I know not what you mean am very sorry for your heaviness for I never sought but to do honor and pleasure unto all Ladies and Gentlewomen that desired the same and for them have I oftentimes enterprised many dangerous adventures to the great peril and hazard of my life and if it hath happened otherwise unto you it is altogether unknown to me and wholly against my will wherefore I beseech you be not offended with me but tell me where I am and in whose power I now remain a prisoner in so great misery for by my soul I know it not neither can I so much as conceive which way I came into this place onely I remember that to second a Gentlewoman that a villain would have forced I entered into a tent but what happened unto me after that I know not but that now I finde my self lying on straw like a thief with Irons on my legs King said she the short time of thy continuance in this darkness hath not satisfied as I well hoped it would the great mischief I do wish thée and that for good cause séeing that by thée onely I have indured so much sorrow that if the heart and bowels were taken out of my body they would be found as burning hot as flaming fire and especially for the new displeasure I have now conceived to sée thée so soon delivered out of my hands being in good hope by thy long imprisonment to satisfie my losses past but yet I am deceived for that fortune hath now made me pay the usury of my forepassed joys having given thée into my hands from wheâ—ce by the exquisite force of this devil incarnate thou arâ— now delivered who having put to death the Guardians of this Castle and slain mine own Son hath constrained me to bring him unto thée which I never thought he could have done much less that ever I should have yielded unto his request knowing the wrath of a woman not to have any bridle or means of mittigation until her desired revenge hath wrought the effect and so had it happened unto thée without the force of this my enemy but in despight both of him and thée with mine own hands I will slay my self if my accursed fortune bereave me not the sooner of my wretched days Cursed be both thou and thy King thou now hast found said she unto the Knight Now take him and do thy pleasure with him I pray you then Lady said he unlose his Irons and help me to lead him up with that she took the keys out of her pocket and opened the locks of his chains whereby the King rose up upon his féet and embracing the Knight said unto him What great good or pleasure sir Knight did I ever do you whereby you should purchase this liberty unto me By my soul I swear that besides the honor you have obtained in this place you have so much bound me unto you that during my life I shall never forget your courtesie wherefore if you love me let me know your name Noble King said the Knight whosoever I am I account my self happy if in any sort I may be able to do you service as for the rest pardon me if it pleaseth you and let us go out of this Cave thanking God that oftentimes sendeth scourges unto those he loveth as in his heavenly wisdom he thinketh convenient thereby to kéep them in obedience unto him The King perceiving well by the Knights words that he desired not to be known and for the same cause kept his Helmit on his head therefore he determined not to move him any more but with that they went all thrée out of the Cave and came into a goodly hall when the Sun began to go down CHAP. V. How that after King Luisart was delivered out of prison Matroco Frerions elder brother with his Ships arrived at the foot of the Rock called The Defended Rock and of the Battel between the said Matroco and the black Knight KIng Luisart the black Knight and the Lady being entred into the hall as they looked out at the windows into the Sea there entred a Gentlewoman and doing reverence unto the Lady she said Madam your Son Matroco with his Ships is even now arrived at the foot of the Kock and with him great numbers of other vessels that he hath taken upon the Seas What is your pleasure to say unto him When the Lady heard her she waxed pale and with tears in her eyes answered her and said I would to God he were as far from hence as he is néer for my heart giveth me he will spéed in the like manner that others have done before him And as she spake King Luisart and the Knight looked into the sea and perceiving the Giants Fléet surging on the shoar out of wind and weather among the which they knew Elizabeth Libee his nephew and divers others that were bound in Chains making great sorrow but none of Mattocos men durst set foot on land having already béen advertised by some of the Castle of the great misfortune happened therein and for the same cause stayed so long without till the Giant espyed at the windows the Knight and the King looking upon them wherewith in a great rage he cryed unto the black Knight whom he perceived all armed and said
me think you that for fear of death I will refuse to do that whereunto by Knighthood I am bound No no likewise what reason or what excuse should move me being as I am both fresh and well disposed to refuse the Combate alone against one simple Knight I deny not Madam but confess that affection causeth you to use these words and shew the nature of a woman but you must conceive and think with your felf that I answer you as it becometh me prefeirving mine honor before your tears wherefore I beseech you suffer me to take the small vengeance I can upon the villain that hath so much offended me Matroco said the Knight thou reckonest before thine host I would not for al the gold in the world lose such an occasion offered as I now have both for mine honor and advantage Believe me that neither thy mothers tears nor the duty thou owest unto her as being her childe can by any means prolong the end of thee or me if without dissimulation thou dost not by oath promise and assure me to live in as good sort from this time forwards as in times past thou hast lived wickedly Wherefore it were better for thée to make me know by effect the Prowess thou vauntest thy self to have and for me to let thée sée the courtesie which it may be thou shalt finde at my hands if I overcome thée When the Lady perceived that her prayers could take no place she left them and the two Knights began to run one upon the other so bravely and with such fury that King Luisart beholding them thought he never saw so cruel a battel and the which abashed him more was that he could not presume how or in what manner the black Knight had found him in so strange a place and yet he knew him not sometime he thought him to be Amadis but when he remembred the love he bare unto the Lady Oriana that he had newly married he was otherwise perswaded and likewise he remembred very well the Combates he had séen Amadis De Gaule make at Windsore against Dardan le Superbe and after that with Ardan Canile wherein he used all his forces yet were they not comparable to those of the black Knights who as then found himself as fresh and well disposed to fight as if he had not fought all the day before Again when he thought it to be his nephew Esplandian for that Urganda had foreshewed many wonderful things of him he was soon disswaded from that opinion by reason be left him with the Queen his Mother not once séeking to receive the order of Knighthood and although that since his departure out of Britain he might have obtained that honor yet did he estéem it impossble for Esplandian to do so valiantly at the first Further Urganda had always prophesied of him that the first valiant acts he should atchieve should be renowned and spoken of by his strange and fearful navigation in the great Serpent wherein he should be imbarqued and for the black knight he knew he arrived there in a little Barque unfurnished whereby he esteemed it unlikely to be his nephew Esplandian But he thought he never had séen so valiant and and hardy a Knight for the longer he fought the more he wearied and labored Matroco Nevertheless he continued fighting for the space of two hours together before it could be judged who should have the victory but in the end the Giant feeling himself wounded in so many places his armor altogether broken and his shield half cloven in two began to mistrust his own force Wherefore stepping back he stayed his hand and said Knight I pray thee let us breath our selves a while and hear what I will offer thee which cannot be other then to thy honor and advantage With that the Knight stood still and Matroco began to speak saying I wonder sir Knight what moved thee to venture in this manner upon this Rock wherein never any but thy self durst enterprise to come during my Fathers life neither yet sithence that by his death I have been Lord thereof and besides this thy enterprise wherein thou hast done the thing that all others feared to do before thee thou hast also slain three of my friends whereof two of them as I think were the best Knights in their time living on the earth whereby I have just cause to hate thee more then any man living But when I call to minde that thou hast done therein like a valiant and hardy Knight I have some reason to pardon thee and to esteem thee for one of the valiantest Champions that ever I saw in all my life although I have both proved and vanquished many others longer practised in arms and stronger then thy self Wherefore if the onely cause of thy arrival in this place was to deliver the King that looketh on us I am content thou take and lead him hence in safety and for the same cause likewise I quit thee of the combate upon condition that without longer sojourning here thou shalt presently depart out of this castle that belongeth unto me When the black Knight had â—eard him be answered him and said Giant as far as I perceive thou esteemest it a great enterprise that I have done to come hither and finde thee here within thy Castle where by me those that thou so much lamentest have been slain but if thou knowest the master that I serve to whom as duty bindeth me I am obedient thou shouldst presently perceive and plainly see this enterprise by thee estéemed much to be nothing in comparison of that he is able to do and bring to pass for that from him onely and none other procéedeth all whatsoever I have done whereby of good right the glory belongeth unto him and to the contrary you that are idolaters serve thâ—se that are accustomed to rock and lull you asléep in all kind of vices cruelties outrages thefts murthers and infinite other wickedness which for a time do prosper with you whereby you live in honor riches and all worldly pleasures and so are nusted in all filthiness but surely such manner of life may well be compared to buildings erected upon the sands that cannot continue long but are most sure to have an evil end even then when they are esteemed to be at the top of all their worldly felicity like as it happened unto Lucifer and his fellows whereof it may be thou hast heard spoken Nevertheless if thou wilt acknowledge thy former life and of a wicked wretch as thou hast always lived become a vertuous Knight and as thou hast béen most cruel and inhumane become courteous and pitiful forsaking thy vain and foolish faith to believe in my God who is the most true and mighty Lord of all Lords I will not onely pardon thée the Combate whereof thou hast the worst but will leave thée thy castle frée unto thy self so wil be thy friend upon condition nevertheless that from hence forth both thou
prepared me a wose for my husband who for his valour and prowess was feared and redoubted throughout all Asia and Europe was cruelly slain by the same murtherer of Lindoraque upon the same day the battel was fought if thou canst remember it whereby ever sithence I remained a widdow with my other Sons as then very young and tender of age with whom I have passed the greatest part of my days most extreamly wéeping and lamenting with continual sadness which had been more grievous unto me had it not béen for the hope I conceived of their valour and prowess But to come to the point of my discourse time and reason having in a manner suppressed my forepassed sorrows news was brought me of the last victory thou didst obtain by the prowess of the Knight named Le Beautenebreux now as it is said called Amadis de Gaule likewise of my brothers imprisonment wherewith I was so grieved that respecting not my old years I took upon me to travel into Britain hoping by some means to get him out of thy hands But before I arrived there I had certain news of his delivery nevertheless considering with my self the fore-passed injuries I have received by thy kinsmen namely by that wicked wretch Amadis De Gaule I determined before my return hither to finde the means to make him know that small good will I bear him But having imployed all my art and finding it in vain to work any further therein against him by reason of a ring he beareth daily on his finger given him by that wicked enchantress Urganda I determined to prove my skill which could not take effect in him against thee being advertised of thy often riding to hunt with very few in thy company where I made thée sée one of my Gentlewomen and a villain that would deflower her whom thou thoughtest to succour and if thou now remembrest me I am the very same thou foundest in the pavillion following after him that fled before thee and there thou remainedst inchanted from whence we carryed thee into our Barque and without knowledge unto any but mine own servants thou wast brought hither by Sea with full deliberation to cause thée languish in prison in the mean time with the help of my allies and friends thy country should be invaded but I find my self deceived For that this place which never was conquered by any power whatsoever the Kings of Turky or the Emperors of Constantinople could ever bring against it in less then one day is both conquered and taken by one simple Knight with the loss of my two Sons and others esteemed Paragons among the best Knights in the world whereby it may clearly be perceived that by means of thy captivity there is much more mischief happened unto me then sorrow to thy person While Arcabonne made this long discourse the King that still beheld her in the face remembred well it was she to whom he spake in the pavillion wherefore he said unto her In good faith Madam I now believe you better then at the first yet me thinketh you do me wrong to make me bear the burthen of another mans offence Thinkest thou so said she No truly for thy imprisonment onely had wrought great damage unto divers men but to me and mine great profit and advantage It might be so answered the King notwithstanding I will not cease to do you all the favor and pleasure that I can In the mean time I pray you take your adversity with as great constancy as you may By my soul said she thou speakest at thy pleasure and therewith in a great fury she went into Matroco's Chamber leaving the King that had not eaten all that day wherefore he called master Elizabeth and the other company that mean time had prepared his meat and sitting down to supper they discoursed of the talk he and Arcabonne had together till it was time to go to rest when the King went to bed leaving Libee to guard the Castle CHAP. VII How the Giant Matroco died whereat Arcabonne was in such a fury that having failed to kill King Luisart she threw her self headlong out of a window into the sea KIng Luisart was not fully asléep but he was forced to awake by means of a cry of a woman that he heard making great lamentation wherefore starting up and calling master Elizabeth and the rest of his company he took a Hatchet which he had layed under the bolster of his Bed and went to sée what it meant and as he passed through the Hall he perceived Arcabonne coming towards him covered onely with a Mantle wringing her hands and tearing of her hair making great sorrow Wherewith the King went to her asking her what she meant Alas said she that which I most feared and ever sithence yesterday most assuredly expected is fallen out and as she uttered those words she pulled out a naked sword that she bare under her arm wherewith she meant to kill the King But as fortune would he perceived the blow coming and stepped aside and with the force of the blow the sword hitting upon the pavement fell out of the old womans hands wherewith the King stepped upon it and when he stooped to take up Arcabonne perceiving the chamber door where master Elizabeth was to be open she ran thither and threw her self out of a window into the sea the King followed her not but went into the chamber where Matroco lay and perceiving him to be dead came forth again into the Hall where he met master Elizabeth that told him news of Arcabonnes death In good truth said he there is no extremity like to that of a woman behold I pray you with what fury she was possessed for as I issued out of the Chamber I met her and thinking with fair spéeches and good perswasions to comfort her she failed not much to kill me with this sword that I have in my hand and as they beheld it the King knew it to be the same he wore when he was inchanted which pleased him so well that he said Ha good sword the best and faithfullest companion that ever man had how many victories have I had by thy means and what combates and adventures have I brought to an end by thy help And by great misfortune having lost thée thou knewest me for being in a mad womans hands that with thée would have slain me thou hast not onely denied her that favor but hast fallen out of her hands to return again unto him that never while his arm is able to wield thée will forsake thée Now said he to Libee if we chance to be assaulted we have wherewith to defend us Truly said master Elizabeth I believe all those that could hurt us in this place are either dead or fled away wherefore I am of opinion in the morning to bury them that are slain mean time expecting some means whereby we may return into your Graces country we will enquire what is become of the black
the order of Knighthood my companion and I were never in any place where we have had any great occasion to try our forces You lie fasely said he that accused them I know you better then you think I do and to justifie the same said he to Frandalo the Gentlewoman that you now hold prisoner will satisfie you more By my great God said Frandalo you shall then dearly buy it You will do no more then you can said Manely and for my part I assure you I am well content séeing you will have it to be so that you say we have slain your cousin although it be not so Nevertheless the glory thereof will redound to us in your behalf and it may be death to you said Frandalo And therewith caused the Gentlewoman to be called up who perceiving the Knights armed in like arms Talanque and Ambor had said Alas what may this mean these arms belâ—nged to two Knights great friends unto my lord and master For Gods sake Gentlemen I pray you tell me said she how you came by them for if they of whom I speak were here they would not leave me long in this captivity Gentlewoman said the King if it pleaseth you to name them and that in any sort we are acquainted with them whereby the bond of amity may bind us for their sakes assure your self we will not fail to do for you the best that possibly we may The one said she is called Talanque and the other Ambor companions to the Knight which I serve Manely hearing that answered her presently and said Gentlewoman tell us I pray you when we depart from hence where we may finde them My lords said she if you can do so much with this Giant that he grant me liberty I will conduct you thither and shew you strange adventures they have done which I am sure if they be your friends will like you well With that Manely desired the Giant Frandalo to give the Gentlewoman liberty but he séeing him so earnestly intreat began to laugh and said unto him Before you escape out of my hands it may be her intreaty for you will much more avail with me then yours for her shall do In the mean time I will provide you both of an honorable estate within my Gallies making you Knights of the order of mine eares with divers others that have béen there long time You speak at your ease said Manely being in a place for your advantage so do not we that expect not any favor either on land or sea having neither boat nor victuals to receive us but if you be the man you boast your self to be either come out to fight with us or else send us a boat and which of us two you chose shall come and heal you of the pride that maketh you so hardly know your self Vpon condition nevertheless that you alone shall fight with him and as fortune favoreth the combattants the gentlewoman shall go with him that remaineth victor Content said Frandalo although I know full well I shall win but little honor to fight against such lacquies as you are which he said in respect the eldest of the two Knights had not above seventéen years of age wherewith he cal'd for his shield and entring into the Barque he took from the Gentlewoman went on land where calling the two Knights unto him he said Children pity your own yong years and rather yield your selves unto me otherwise you are both dead without all remedy Thou art mad said Manely we are yet strong and in good health and how estéemest thou us to be dead that were never sick In good truth I hope before the cake be parted to make thée King of the unhappy wretches Wherefore choose either me or my companion to fight with thée mean time the other shall enter into thy Barque to kéep the gentlewoman thou hast refused me Alas poor man said Frandalo it appeareth well thou knowest not what is good for thée for if two of the best Knights in all Asia had undertaken this combate against me I would make no more account of them then a wolf doth of the shéep By reason then you that are such beardless boys what can you look for at my hands We look to break thy idly head said Manely Truly said Frandalo séeing thou hast so good a courage I will give thée the honor to fight with me for the last that ever thou shalt have And if thou thinkest good send thy companion to entertain the Gentlewoman for as I suppose he is better made for such a matter With that Manely took the King of Denmark aside and said unto him You have heard Frandalos words I pray you grant me the combate and go you into the ship and as it pleaseth God to prosper me do after what you shall think convenient The king of Denmark perceiving it in vain to strive entring presently into the boat wherewith the Giant landed and with the same boarded the ship wherein the Gentlewoman was With that the two knights prepared themselves to fight but before any blows striken Manely said to Frandalo Giant I pray thée leave us the Gentlewoman her Barque and before thou spéedest worse we give thée leave to sayl where thou thinkest good Art thou afraid already said Frandalo Ask me mercy and I will save thy life otherwise be thou assured I wil hang both thée and thy companion upon the top of these high trées Defend thy self then said Manely wherewith they covered themselves with their shields and began the combate though as it séemed far unequal for that Frandalo on his mothers side issued from the strongest race of Giants in all Turky of his father of the valiantest knights in all the world And Manley yong unexpert in arms having never béen in fight but when he succored Urganda yet the valiant blood of Childadan king of Ireland his father wrought such force in him that he had rather die then indure the least spot of dishonor and well perceived Frandalo he had not to deal with a childe as he estéemed but rather a Knight hardy as a Lion and one that used him in such manner that his shield being hewed and his armor all unbuckled at every stroke he drew blood from his body in such abundance that the grass was died therewith whereat those in the ship were much abashed especially the king of Denmark that never thought to finde such prowess in his friend Manely but the Gentlewoman that knew Esplandians force as likewise their 's she left in the castle on the mountain séeing Manely and his companion armed in the like arms made her full account if they were of the Ferm Isle Frandalo could not long resist Wherefore she said to the King of Denmark In good faith sir knight I am well assured it will not be long before I be delivered for Frandalo waxeth very weak sée you not how he beginneth to recoil You poor slaves said she what think you
thereof I think it will be now or never that you must be frée Whereat they all began to look up perceiving the Giant so weary that recoiling back he said unto Manely Knight thou art not able to resist me long wherefore yield thy self or else thou dyest I grant the like to thée said he if thou wilt deliver us the Gentlewoman and her Barque with all thou tookest from her otherwise thou must do better then hitherto thou hast done if thou mindest not to lose thy head It is too well guarded said the Giant and as he would have spoken more Manely lifted up his sword charging him with greater fury then before Wherewith Frandalo ashamed to sée himself so hardly handled by him whom he made so smal account of put forth all his strength in such maner as at that instant Manely was sore wounded but the more he felt himself hurt the greater grew his courage especially when he felt the blood run within his harness so that with an accustomed fury all fear clean laid aside he set so fiercely on his enemy that he constrained him to turn his back running to wards the Sea wherein he waded to the shoulders and Manely after him but being lower in statute then the Giant could not enter so far into the water as the Giant unless he should have drowned In the mean time four of the saylers entred into the boat and with all spéed went to fetch him aboard wherewith the boat and with all spéed went to fetch him aboard wherewith the slaves brake their chains and with the aid of the King of Denmark set upon the Pirate and others that held Frandalos part whereof the greater number were thrown into the Sea Which Frandalo perceiving thought to spéed no better but he determined by fair means to obtain that which his force had utterly denyed him Wherefore with a weak and féeble voice he called to Manely said Sir knight If I have offended I pray you pardon me for what I have done to you was onely in hope to win the praise that such as haunt arms most commonly desire Wherefore by reason you ought to bear with my unhappy fortune and shew some courtesie in my behalf especially for that I am so wounded that my life cannot be long Frandalo said Manely I grant thée thy request upon condition thou be obedient to my will which the Giant swore to do Then Manely desired the King of Denmark to take him into the ship and give order to the Surgion to cure his wounds which done he prayed him to send the Barque again to fetch him aboard CHAP. XX. How the Knights being in Frandalos ship staying for calm weather desired the Gentlewoman to shew them to whom she appertained and what she had seen done by the Knights whereof she spake THe combate ended as you heard before and the Knights aboard Frandalos Ship staying for calm weather the King of Denmark sitting at the foot of his companions bed who as then was not fully healed of his wounds desired the Gentlewoman to shew him where she had séen Talanque and Ambor My Lords said she being well assured that you are their friends I can certefie you for truth that I left them in good health and in such a place where they have obtained honor and had not so soon forsaken them if at the commandment of the best knight in the world I had not béen sent when Frandalo took me to Constantinople whether if it pleaseth you to bring me I will there shew you what strange things he did I being present till then I pray you crave it not at my hands otherwise you shall do wrong both to him and me God forbid we should said the King with that they called him that accused them Frandalo asking him how he knew them that he durst affirm a thing unto his master which they never once so much as thought The Squire fearing death fell down at their féet and shaking like a leaf said unto them My Lords I beséech you be not abashed if I sought to revenge my master that long since was slain by two Knights wearing the like arms Where was it said Manley Hard by the place said the Squire The defended Mountain where I found this Gentlewoman speaking to a Knight unarmed with whom I left her to go unto Matroco and Frerion but at that instant I understood that a Knight armed all in black had slain them both and conquered their Castle For certain said the King it was Esplandian for he wore such armour and for him onely as I think that victory was reserved With that the Gentlewoman began to smile which Manley perceiving said unto her Gentlewoman I charge you by the faith you owe unto the thing you love best in all the world shew us what you know of him The thing I love best in the world said she is he of whom you speak for the rest require it not at my hands for you hear no more of me before I be in the place where he hath sent me we will bring you thither the sooner said the King of Denmark wherewith he called the Patron of the ship asking him in what time they might be at Constantinople if we have a good winde said he I will bring you thither in less then four days But Frandalo feared that more then any thing in the world for he had robbed so many of the Emperors subjects that he looked for no pardon at his hands Whereupon he desired the two knights rather to cast him into the sea For said he I know if he once lay hold on me he will put me to most cruel death but he shall not said the king rather will we die in your defence for you shall spéed no worse then we Wherewith the Giant thanked them and as they were devising together the winde came good then the Patron caused the ankers to be hoised up and setting sayl put to sea with so prosperous weather that within four days after about break of the day they discovered the City of Constantinople entring into the Haven Then the two knights asked the Gentlewoman what she would do My lords said she I have express commandment from my master to speak unto the Emperor and the lady Leonorine his daughter to whom I pray you let me be conducted and in their presence I will satisfie your request in that you have desired at my hands Wherewith they issued out of the Ship taking Frandalo with them determiming to present him to the Princess Leonorine to whom they went because the Emperor was ridden abroad two miles from thence to chase a Hart and finding one of the Princess Squires at the gate the King of Denmark spake unto him and said companion I pray you tell the Princess that I and this knight have brought a strange lady unto her that if it were her pleasure would gladly speak with her With that the Squire went in and staid not long before he came
again leading them into the Princess chamber where they found her in company of Quéen Minoress with divers other Ladies and Gentlewomen but she was easie to be known among them for in beauty she surpassed them all Manley and the king of Denmark thinking they had never séen a fairer Princess whatsoever men reported of Oriane Olinde or lady Briolaine And as they entred into the chamber she stepped forth to receive them wherewith they knéeled down to kiss her hands the King of Denmark speaking unto her and said Madam we are two knights of the Ferm Isle that by strange adventure were driven into the Mediteranian Sea where we expected nothing else but death but in the end having indured a great tempest for the space of thirty days and as many nights together when our victuals began to fail we landed in an island unhabited where our vessel brake in pieces so that we perceiving nothing but death before our eyes and altogether desperate of any succor by fortune the ship wherein this knight and this Gentlewoman pointing to Frandalo and Carmelle sayled was by the same tempest of weather cast upon the Isle where we not long before had landed where there happened a marvellous combate betwéen him and my companion and my self with some of his Pirates in the ship who by force I overcame and my companion was victorious of the Giant And understanding by this Gentlewoman that she had a message to deliber unto you from a Knight armed all in black whom we sought after we determined to bring her to your presence and withal to salute and honor the Emperor your father in regard of the service that my Lord Amadis oweth unto you whose singular friends and welwillers we are and always will remain And for that at this time we have not any thing besides our selves more worthy the presenting to your Grace then Frandalo our prisoner we most humbly beséech you to receive him into your service and be a means to save his life as we have promised him The Princess Leonorine glad of that present for the renown of the Pirat being accounted a man of great power and experience thanked them most heartily and calling one of her officers she commanded him to entertain the two Knights in the best manner he could as also to look unto Frandalo until the Emperors return who said she will be glad of their arrival specially to understand by them some news of Amadis mean time she kept the Gentlewoman with her CHAP. XXI How Carmelle declared her message to the Princess Leonorine and what conference they had touching Esplandian THerewith the King of Denmark and Manley departed from her presence the Gentlewoman remaining with the Princess that led her into her privy chamber asking her of what place she was and from whom she brought a message unto her Madam said Carmelle being perswaded that as yet you know not him with whom I serve I most humbly beséech your Grace to pardon my holdness if before I name him I give you to understand that whereas he is accounted among the ranck of the most valiant Knights living in the world of whom by reason of his great courtesie and valor he is no less estéemed then feared redoubted of all villains that hear him named Notwithstanding one thing overcometh him and vanquisheth his most couragious heart which is your Grace my goody Lady said she whom he loveth honoreth and desireth to serve while life indureth But knowing not if his service would be accepted of he durst not presume to come himself in person to offer you the same although by him that next after your self may most command him he had express charge to present it unto you as bound thereto by promise And to the end you may give credit to my words he sendeth you this ring which is the very same you gave to Amadis being in this Court if your Grace can call it to remembrance With that Leonorine took it in her hand and beholding it long time she said unto the Gentlewoman Truly this ring was sometimes mine which I gave unto the best Knight now living in the world In faith said the Gentlewoman a better Knight then he hath sent it you again and that is my Lord Esplandian his son I never saw him that I know of said she True it is master Elizabeth told me of a yong Gentleman son to the Knight with the gréen sword that not long since was made Knight in the Ferm Isle Urganda being present and the next day was carryed away in a strange ship of whom as then they could hear no news Madam said Carmelle I know not who the Knight with the gréen sword may be but he whereof I shew you hath had such a beginning in arms that if it be your pleasure to hear it you will be abashed thereat tell it I pray you said the Princess But as the Gentlewoman began to speak one brought the Princess news the Emperor her father was come from hunting and asked for her wherewich she knowing what pleasure her father would take to hear news took Carmelle by the hand and led her into the Emperors Chamber and doing reverence unto him she said My Lord here is a strange Gentlewoman that can tell you news of the good Knight with the gréen sword and of his son likewise of whom master Elizabeth made a long discourse and she hath béen conducted hither by two Knights of the Ferm Isle whereof one of them hath fought with Frandalo and hath presented him unto me and staying your return I have sent them into a chamber to refresh themselves Daughter said the Emperor both they and the Gentlewoman are most heartily welcome My Lord said Carmelle God preserve your grace and without further honor unto him she stood still and help her peace whereat all the company began to smile thinking that want of civility caused her to forget her self But not long after they changed their opinion Carmelle beginning to speak in this maner My Lord I have béen nourished all my life among the best Knights living in the world yet let not your grace find it strange if at the first being in your Majesties presence I have used so little honor to your Grace whereby your Gentlewomen should have cause to laugh at me For that want of understanding how to behave my self in presence of so great a Prince is not the cause thereof but onely the joy I conceive in my self to be a servant unto him whom I more estéem then any man living and I onely hold for my lord and master not knowing any worthier then he And if it pleaseth your Grace to know who it is together with the cause of my arrival in this country I pray you send for the two knights brought that me hither I wil shew such things whereat it may be your Grace will be abashed Gentlewoman said the Emperor you shall therein do me great pleasure Wherewith he commanded a
know by effect how much I estéem this favor at your hands Will you do it said the Emperor I and it pleaseth your Grace said he What is become of your Navy said the Emperor that in times past you held upon the Sea My Lord said Frandalo the windes and tempests that lately happened on the sea hath so scattered them that I can hear no news of them Nevertheless I am of opinion they may easily be brought together wherewith I will do your Grace service if you think good Do it then said the Emperor and that with spéed for I have determined to raise the greatest army that ever hath béen séen therewith to drive Armato king of Turky out of the Frontiers of my Empire whom not long since hath besieged the defended mountain And while my forces are preparing you with the two knights that of late came hither shall go before and using meanes to assemble your men shall in the mean time give the Turkes somewhat to do My Lord said Frandalo God give me grace to do you faithful service then be you ready in the morning said he to depart from hence wherewith he commanded Frandalos ship to be rigged and prepared with al things necessary and finding Manley and the king of Denmark he told them that he had received news from Talanque and Ambor touching the castle of the defended mountain and what he had determined to do as concerning their relief shewing them what had passed betwéen him and Frandalo touching the same Wherefore my good friends said he because I wel perceive the great desire you have to sée your companions me thinketh it were good you imbarqued your selves with him who goeth before to advertise them of the aid I mean to sâ—nd them My lord said Manley it is our whole desires In the morning said the king you shall have your Barque ready and furnished with all things necessary and some other of my ships likewise to second you attending the great army my self doth mean to bring But before their departure he gave them divers rich presents which they refused contenting themselves with the honor and courteous entertainment he had already given them and taking their leave of all the court especially of the Princess Leonorine they took Sea and Carmelle with them hoping to have her masters great good will for the good news she brought him But before we pass further to shew you what became of them I think it not out of our History to leave Esplandian no longer at Mirefleur but shew you what became of him being healed of his wounds CHAP. XXIIII How Esplandian healed of his wounds took leave of King Luisart and all the Court to go unto the Ferm Isle where he left the great Serpent wherein accompanied onely of master Elizabeth and Sergil he imbarqued himself to return unto the Castle of the defended mountain MAny days and nights did Esplandian staying at Mirefleur after the dangerous combate betwéen him and Amadis his father before his wounds were fully healed But in the end having licence of the king others that might command him he took his way towards the Ferm Isle accompanied of master Elizabeth Sergil And travelling without any adventure worth rehearsing at the last they arrived at the palace of Apolidon at the foot whereof they found the great Serpent wherein presently they imbarqued themselves but she removed not from thence till midnight following when she began to sayl so swiftly that the next day they were out of sight of any land and so continued for seven days together the eight day they discovered a goodly country and having a calm wind the Serpent put a shore which Esplandian perceiving determined to land and walk along the coast till he found some one or other that could shew him in what countrey he had arrived And destring master Elizabeth not to depart thence before he came again he Sergil and their two horses entred into a little Boat and taking land they entred so far into the countrey that they came to a little hill at the foot whereof they perceived a goodly meddow and certain houses whereunto they went And they had not ridden far but a Lacquy that kept four horses whereof one was a Bay and greater than the rest came unto Esplandian and speaking to him in the Almain tongue asked him why he went to his own mischief Esplandian that in his youth had learned that Language asked him wherefore Because said the â—acquie that at the next house my master is newly alighted and is at dinner and if he sée you you die therefore Thy master said Esplandian And what doth he He useth said he to kill or put in prison far braver fellows than your self wherefore if you will believe me you shall return again if you mean not to spéed as I have told you But Esplandian staying not passed forward till he came unto the door where he espied a Giant set at dinner and four squires all bare-headed waiting on the board But as soon as the Giant saw him he rose up and leaning on the cloth said unto him Thou unhappy wretch who hath sent thée hither in my presence armed as thou art By my great god Janos I must néeds say thou art a fool or else art weary of thy life Come hither to me and put off thine Armor because thou shalt not have so much pain to go on foot to thy lodging that is prepar'd for thée Forwards you villains said he unto his squires throw him off his horse and carry him to his fellows Wherewith one of them thinking to play the diligent servant ran unto Esplandian to serve him for a Squire but whether Esplandian was offended or for that he had the left stirrop in stead of the right he gave him such a blow on the face with his Gantlet that he felled him to the ground whereat the Giant was in such a rage that he scarce had the patience to arm himself to be revenged Wherefore sending to fetch his great Bay horse mounted thereon Mean time Esplandian lacing his helmet took his sword in hand staying for his enemy that ceased not to threaten him who stayed not long before he came bearing a great lance upon his thigh and so great a cimiter hanging at his sadle how that a strange man would have much ado to list it up But as you sée a Cock holding up his head and standing ready to receive another Cock wherewith he fighteth so Esplandian having felt the injury he had received at the giants hands séeing him approach began to shake his leg ready for to charge his enemy But the Giant called him and said Vassail content thy self with the honor thou hast already gotten by putting me in so great choler that without any regard I have taken arms against so vile and wretched a thing as thou art Flie then from hence without constraining me to do thée any hurt otherwise thou art most sure of death for twenty knights
great alarum for Norandel and his company had issued out of the castle with white scarffes about their heads for to be known and had so well surprised the watch about the base court that they had slain them all whereof Armato had intelligence as also that the enemies had gotten the issue of the Portal wherewith he was so moved that in a great rage with very small company he went thither himself Esplandian Frandalo following after as if they had béen of his company But before their arrival Norandel had recovered the pallasadoes of the fortress and there sustained the whole Turkish forces staying Gandalins coming Now the entry of the Court was so narrow that more then thrée men could not pass through it at once whereby those of the castle had in manner as much advantage as their enemies Which Ambor Talanque Gandalin and Libee made them well féel coming likewise upon them for as the king arrived they thrust them clean out of the place whereby they fled in great haste till the Turk himself caused them to stay and séeing him they took courage turning their faces whereby the Skirmish began much hotter then before Armato himself shewing great prowess when Esplandian that was still behind him took him by the middle and in despight of them all carryed him unto the walls of the Castle crying with a loud voice Be of good chear my companions we have taken the King At the which cry the Turkes set so fiercely on them that had it not bin for Frandalo who as yet had not shewed himself they had recovered him again but he jâ—yned himself with Manley Norandel and the rest that sustained the force of all the enemies so valiantly that Esplandian had means to put Armato in sure kéeping and to return again unto the battel before it was ended But it continued not long after for that news was presently carryed to the Camp that the king was prisoner with two of his chief captains taken by Grandalin and the King of Denmark wherewith they were so much abashed that by little and little they began to retire the like did they of the Castle contenting themselves with the booty they had gotten CHAP. XXVII How Armato King of Turky was committed unto the custody of Gandalin and what conference he had with Frandalo THose of the Castle retired as you heard before Esplandian called Gandalin and Libee praying them to look unto King Armato as also to the two Turkish captains and appointing the watch as time required went and laid him down upon his bed not ceasing all the night to think on the spéech Carmelle used him touching the Princess Leonorine whereby he could not fléep till day began to appear when Frandalo and the rest of his Knights entred into his chamber to talk with him not onely as touching the intertainment of their prisoners but of other things that much imported them And as they were in counsel together Grandalin came unto them shewing them that King Armato desired for to speak with them whereupon they went out of the chamber to hear what he would say Frandalo could speak the Arabian tongue better then the rest for that he had served the King of Turks and he knew him very well wherefore Esplandian destred him to speak for all the rest And entring into the Chamber Frandalo went first who knéeling on the ground kissed the Kings hand With that Armato thinking he had béen prisoner asked him where he was taken My Lord said he I am now become a Christian and a Knight of Iesus Christ that hath done me so much grace not long time since to call me to be one of his A Christian said the King is that possible By my soul it maketh me more abashed then the cruel fortune that is now happened unto me for that all Knights following arms ought patiently to bear those hazards that they fall into using necessity as a vertue But thou unhappy wretch that through fear and want of courage haste forsaken our just and holy law wherefore takest thou not a râ—pe and hangest thy self as unworthy to go upon the earth My Lord said he you may say what pleaseth you as being priviledged for the greatness of your estate yet I can assure you I never had so cowardly a heart as you estéem I have but rather account my self happy to have done that I have done Yet will I not refuse to do you service my honor still reserved in any thing I can With that Armato remembred himself and thought he did him wrong wherefore moderating his choler he said unto him Friend Frandalo If it grieveth me to have lost you let it not séem strange unto you séeing now I had greater hope then ever I have had to be served by your means But séeing it is so you know how I have used you heretofore now I pray you if you may do any thing for me to finde the means with your companions that I may be delivered from hence by some reasonable composition My Lord said Frandalo pointing to Esplandian This is he that hath all power and authority in this place both over you and me With that Armato looked upon him and perceiving him so young without a beard thought Frandalo said it to excuse himself wherefore he asked if he mocked him God forbid I should do so my Lord said Frandalo but I pray you believe me for it is true that my Lord Esplandian standing here before you is be and none other that slew Matroco Frerion Arcalaus the inchanter Argantes the Porter of the castle which he conquered as you have béen advertised By my head said the king I would hardly have estéemed him for so brave a man but séeing it is so I pray thée do somewhat with him touching the thing I told you of even now Believe me my lord said Frandalo there shall want no good will in me and with that he had him God morrow and leaving him with his guard they went into the Hall where they found the table ready covered for dinner for it was about noon time But as Esplandian rested ill that night so be made but a mean dinner not being able to withdraw his mind from thinking on the princess Leonorine which was the cause that the Tables being uncovered he went in his chamber without any company onely the king of Denmark whom he loved as himself where being together he began to shew him the cause why be sent Carmelle to Constantinople as also what affection he bare to the Princess Leonorine And to the end said he you be participant of my joy I pray you let us have her here that she may shew us what she learned in her voyage My lord said the king of Denmark if you saw her apparrelled in the gown the Princess gave her I am assured you will scarse know her at the first Will you that I send her word to bring it hither It is well said said Esplandian with that he
many others estéem so much of him considering the small obedience he sheweth to his father for if he were such a Knight as he is reported he had long since come hither to acquit the promise whereunto he is bound which maketh me verily think the spéech Carmelle used of him and all that he hath sent you by word of mouth by my cousin Gastilles are onely but dissimulations And I for my part am not yet determined although he reporteth himself to be my knight to accept him for the same much less to pardon him before he comes in person to excuse his fault then I will consider what I have to do The Emperor that perceived his daughter speak with such a choler therewith to blush more then ordinary could not refrain laughter and said unto her What daughter do you refuse the service of the best Knight in all the world I my Lord said she and so should every master his servant when he flyeth from his presence and obeyeth not his commandments no more then he hath done both yours and mine Truly swéet heart said the Emperor I like you well I would to God that nature had furnished you with a body like unto your heart if she had she had made you a perfect man and not a woman as you are Now nephew you bear my daughters answer I pray you let Esplandian know it that he may make haste hither lest he lâ—se not her good will And although the Emperor spake it as in jest Esplandian took it otherwise when he heard the news by a Squire that Gastilles sent unto him CHAP. XXXII How Frandalo accompanied of fourscore Knights issued out of Alfarin towards Tesifant and of the taking of Eiraca Captain of the Town THe Knights of Great Britain arrived in the Town of Alfarin as you heard before Frandalo and others that were hurt being healed of their wounds Belleris that ceased not continually to hearken after Alphorax was advertised by his spies that he continued in the City of Tesifant which he and Branfil told unto the rest of their company who therewith being somewhat incouraged very earnestly desired Frandalo to lead them forth and bring them to some place where they might lie in ambush to surprise Alphorax or some of his company if they chanced to stray abroad Frandalo not willing to deny them any reasonable request agréed with the consent of Esplandian to depart the next night following and to take with them to the number of fourscore Knights and no more which Esplandian liked well he minding to be one Whereupon those that were appointed for the journey prepared themselves and about Sun-setting issued out of Alfarin Frandalo and Belleris knowing the country so well that they néeded no other guides but travelled strait towards Tesifant and having ridden till eleven of the clock at night they came unto a cross way where Frandalo advised them to divide themselves in two companies willing the Knights that before that time had never bin in Turky to hold close together For said he the wars in these countries are far otherwise then they are in Great Britain where Knights use most commonly to travel alone without company and although they chance sometimes to ride in companies the least occasion that happeneth maketh them separate themselves but here those that use armes travel in great companies together whereby the combates that are fought here most commonly are rather battels then incounters And more then this if thrée hundred Turks chance to surprise one hundred thirty twenty or less number of their enemies they take a pride to put them to death preferring revenge before a certain kind of honor that as I have understood is kept and observed in the West parts where combates are in a manner equal Wherefore my friends said he I pray you seperate not your your selves but march all in a company assuring you that in the place whither we go we shall not faile to finde men sufficient against whom we may imploy our forces and shew what valour is in us I know that within half a mile of Tesifant Alphorax useth oftentimes to lie at a house that he hath caused to be made called Gruobinach where if it be our good fortunes we may chance to finde him wherefore I am of advise that we divide our selves in two companies my nephew Belleris shall take the left hand and lie in ambush néer unto the village of Jentinomele from whence he may easily perceive when any man issueth out of Tesifant and I with Esplandian and the other half of our company will follow this way that bringeth us unto a valley néer to Gruobinach where we will secretly stay if néed require to succor each other where unto they all agréed but before they departed thence they found their enterprise to be far more dangerous than they estéemed it as hereafter you shall hear Belleris and his company leaving Frandalo travelled so long that about two hours before day they met six souldiers whom Belleris saluted in the Arabian language asking them of what place they were My Lord said they we are going to the town of Srasse My good friends said he we travel this night to Tesifant to advertise the prince Alphorax of the great dammage and destruction the Christian dogs continually do and within short space have done unto the country round about for they are issued out of Alfarin and have taken and carryed away all they can find and as yet are abroad not ceasing to execute all tyranny they can devise nevertheless if it pleaseth him to give us aid we know the place of their retreat where we may easily inclose them not one of them shall escape What are you said the Souldiers that bring us these news Friends said Belleris I am Roussan cousin to Eiraca chief captain of Tesifant We can tell you good news of him said the Souldiers wherewith we think you will be well pleased for he is not far from hence being ridden out of Tesifant with two hundred Knights to go unto Falandy to sée the same be not so lightly surprised as Alfarin was But because he willed us to ride before we will stay no longer wherewith they bad them farewel Friends said Belleris the good fortune I wish you I pray God may happen unto you With that the souldiers passed on their way but they had not gone far when Belleris sent after them and fearing they would discover his enterprise caused them to be slain and therewith presently dispatched one of his Squires on message to Frandalo to advertise him of the enemies being abroad with a very strong and huge company whereupon he wished him to joyn with them The Squire made all the haste he could but before the news came to Frandalo Belleris met with Eiraca and his company about the Village of Jentinomele being upon them before they had time to put on their helmets There did the Captain of Tesifant shew himself to be no yong
beginner in arms for that like a valiant and hardy knight he entred among the Christians and being seconded by his men did most valiantly defend themselves and assailed the enemy although at their first encounter ten of their bravest soldiers were unhorsed and overthrown And as Eiraca entered into the prease Norandel and he met together with such force that Norandel was wounded in the left shoulder but not sore hurt and the Captain of Tesifant loosing his stirrops was thrown over his horse with so great strength that with the fall he was forced to lie upon the ground and could remove neither hand nor foot which the Lurks perceiving to relieve their Captain did so valiantly that they overthrew four of the Brittish Knights who nevertheless rose presently again and with their swords in hand thrust so many of the Turks horses into the sides and flancks that in short space more than twenty of the Turks were overthrown likewise and many slain outright at that charge Enil and Gavarte were hurt and the rest so bardly handled that without Frandalos company that came to succor them they had all béen overthrown and in truth they had almost strayed too long but the squire that Belleris sent unto them could not overtake them before they were in the valley where they should have met And although they had heard the sound of their blowes yet did they not suspect any such peril until the squire had done his message wherewith they ranne with all the spéed they could unto the place where Belleris and his companions being out of breath did nothing but recâ—il and defend themselves against their enemies blows that had slain divers of them but that the captain of Tesifant would have them to be taken and presented to the Prince Alphorax Nevertheless Frandalo Esplandian and the rest of their company made them change opinion for when they perceived their companions so hardly matched by the enemy they entered among them with such fury that had it not béen for Eiraca who at that time behaved himself most valiantly they had overthrown the Turks at their first on-set but by reason of the great resistance he made they continued fighting half an hour after wherein he maintained himself so well that Esplandian could never take him before he had overthrown him and pulled off his Helmet wherewith he yielded mean time Frandalo and his companions being in the midst of their enemies laid so well about them staying horses pulling away shields and doing so valiantly that wonder it was to behold them yet did not the Turks once séem abashed but still fought most couragiously until such time they perceived their Captain taken prisoner which caused them to flie and turn their backs but not all of them for there lay more then one hundred and fifty of them dead upon the ground the rest saved themselves by means of the dark night It was then about an hour before day and Frandalo fearing that those of Tesifant hearing of the overthrow would issue forth to cut off their passage presently caused Captain Eiraca to be remounted and all the Christians that wanted horses and with all spéed rode back again to Alfarin not the same way they came but another way somewhat farther about wherein they travelled so long that about Sun-rising they entred into a great wood where they alighted to refresh both themselves and their horses and staying not long there lest they should be surprized they made such spéed that about sun-setting they arrived in the town mean time news came to Tesifant of the overthrow of their men wherewith Alphorax was in such a rage that in a manner he séemed desperate But for this time we have sufficiently discoursed of Martial affairs now me mean to bring Love in place who desiring to minister some comfort to the Princess Leonorine that lived in great pain expecting the arrival of her friend Esplandian caused him to depart from Alfarin to visit her in the City of Constantinople as in the Chapters following you shall hear CHAP. XXXIII Of the great grief Esplandian had understanding by the messenger that Gastilles sent unto him what displeasure the Princess Leonorine had conceived against him YOu heard before how Gastilles shewed the Emperor what Esplandian had done and what message he sent unto him and to the Princess Leonorine as also what answer she made which Gastilles by his Squire writ and sent unto him having charge from the Emperor so to do thereby to procure his spéedier Arrival in Constantinople The Squire with his Letter made such haste that he arrived at Alfarin about five days after the taking of Eiraca and méeting Carmelle at the gate asked her if he might find Esplandian at convenient leisure to deliver him a Letter from Gastilles but Carmelle being subtil suspecting it to be some news from the Princess Leonorine that might move Esplandian who as then séemed discontent answered him said My good friend you can hardly speak with him at this time but fâ—llow me and give me the letter and I will present it unto him and cause him to return you an answer The Squire did as she willed him and followed her to Esplandians lodging where entring into his chamber she found him sitting on his bed talking with the king of Denmark and delivered him Gastilles letter which when he read the tears ran out of his eyes and therewith cast forth a great sigh saying O Lord but Carmelle that beheld him doubting the cause to be as she suspected asked him if he were ill at ease Ill said he I that I am and so ill that I would to God I were dead and look I pray you said he whether I have cause or not wherewith stretching forth his hand he gave Carmelle the letter and turning his face began to make the greatest sorrow in the world but when she had read the contents she estéemed not thereof but said unto Esplandian What my Lord are you abashed at so small a matter By my soul I now perceive very well that the affections and loves of men are far different and much unlike the passions that we simple women endure when we fall into the like extremities and know you how you men do most commonly take pleasure to manifest and make known your love either by word of mouth or outward shews and many times dissemble more than you mean to do and which is worse how much the more the Lady or Gentlewoman you love is of great desert or high linage so much more glory do you take to make it known not onely that you bear her affection but that you are beloved and favored of her above all others which is clean contrary to the nature of women I mean such as may be tearmed wise and of good understanding for how much the greater their parentage is so much more fear they have to manifest their amorous passions in such manner that most commonly hath in word gesture and countenance they outwardly
sufficeth said the King but I pray you speak unto our companions and dispatch the squire With that Esplandian called for ink and paper and wrote unto Gastilâ—es as the king of Denmark had advised him Next day in the morning Frandalo and the rest of the company came into his chamber as they used ordinarily to do and being together devising of divers things Esplandian said unto them My good friends I am constrained to leave your company for the space of fiftéen days or thrée wéeks to go about certain urgent affairs that import me much I will take with me my brother the King of Denmark Gandalin Enil Carmelle and no more I pray you think it not strange for if I were not constrained thereunto I swear unto you of my faith I would not do it There was not any among them that once would ask him whither he went but answering him said That he might go whither it pleased him and that they for their parts would kéep the place till he came again although he staid a whole year before he returned by this means Esplandian by little and little framed himself to take his voyage while the king of Denmark caused the ship that brought the knights of Great Britain thither to be made ready and upon a munday in the morning Esplandian and his company imbarqued themselves to sayl unto the castle the defended mountain but they were no sooner put to sea but the wind falling contrary the Sea rose so high and so furious withal that neither mast sail nor cord could hold but brake all in pieces in which manner they continued for the space of ten days and as many nights so that neither master nor marriners could tell in what part they were for that during that time the clouds were so thick and the mist so great that it made the air so dark and obscure that those that were in the Ship could scarce sée one the other expecting nothing else without the mercy of God then the overthrow of their ship which they thought verily had happened when they arrived at the rock of the Enchantress whereupon they were driwen about thrée of the clock after midnight wherewith the sailers cast anker and going on land stayed till day appeared CHAP. XXXIII How Esplandian and his company went up unto the broken pallace of the Enchanteress and of the strange things they found there ESplandian and his company being on land not knowing the place where they were arrived caused a great fire to be made about the which they thought to lie down and sléep but they heard such a noise from the top of the Rock that they were all abashed with that the winde began to cease and the Sea to wax calm the sky shewing full of Stars and withal the Moon shone so bright that it séemed as light as if it had bin day wherefore Esplandian desirous to know what the noise might be determined to mount up the Rock but he was counselled by his company to stay till the next day in the morning When Esplandian knew it certainly to be the Rock of the Enchantress he said unto the King of Denmark I good truth I think I have béen here before and take it to be the place whither the great Serpent brought me the same day I received the order of Knighthood which putteth me in better hope of our voyage then I had before which he said remembring the scroll with the prophesie that he found in the lions paw Then he told the King of Denmark how he conquered the Sword he bare the death of the Serpent and all that he had séen upon the Rock and it is called said he the Rock of the Enchantress By God said Gandalin you say true for I remember that pursuing after a knight that led a Gentlewoman away I found your father king Amadis and Grandasor here and the knight likewise that I sought that had hidden himself in the old pallace upon this Rock then he told them from point to point what had happened unto him and the great love the knight bare unto the gentlewoman he had carried away by force but said he before we departed she agréed with him and they promised marriage to each other although before that time she hated him most deadly nevertheless understanding that the force he used unto her was onely done for the love he bare her she clean forgot her former hatred changing it to a most excéeding love In good faith said Carmelle as far as I perceive no man ought to despair of any thing he taketh in hand no more will I during my life which she said in respect of Esplandian who in time as she thought might love her and wholly forget the Princess Leonorine And so long they talked that day began to appear then Esplandian said to the King of Denmark Companion I pray you stay here or me while I go up for I will have no body with me but Gandalin and Enil and they shall go with me not that I fear any danger that may happen unto me but onely because they may help me to lift up the tomb whereof I told you even now My Lord said the King I pray you offer me not so much injury for I will not leave you though it cost me my life especially in this place where I have most great desire to sée that I never saw before Séeing it is your pleasure said Esplandian let us go and let our Squires bring some victuals with them if we néed to eat before we come back again which the Squires did wherewith they began to mount up the Rock and travelled so long that about Sun-sitting they came unto the hermitage where the great image was erected whereof you heard before where they stayed all night the next day they travelled again and came unto the lake that ran before the old pallace and because it began to be dark they determined not to travel any further for that time and to say the truth they were weary but all night the serpents that issued out of their holes to drink of the water ceased not to hiss and pass before and about them to assail them which they had not failed to do had it not béen for the vertue of Esplandians Sword whereunto no venomous things might once approach or come néer Nevertheless they rested not but as soon as they might sée rose up and went on their way and pasâ—ng by the ruinated monuments they came unto the palace of the Enchantress where they found the gates shut whereat Esplandian gave so great a blow with his foot that they opened and they entred into the place where the shining tomb stood with the Lion upon it Then Esplandian said unto the thrée Knights In good faith when I was here before I could not lift up this plate I pray you each man prove what you can do then I will sée if I be grown stronger in the back then I was at that time wherewith the
Elizabeth wrote not long after the Coronation of Esplandian wherein the prowess and adventures of the Brittish Knights and others remaining at Alfarin are likewise registred and orderly set down For this time content your selves to understand the manner how and in what sort Esplandian and the Princess Leonorine saw each other how afterward Urganda came to Constantinople of the armies both by Land and Sea of the cruel battel betwéen the Turks and Christians which ended our History likewise shall be finished but having many things to describe before I come to that point we will return to Esplandian that was not smally abashed at the long absence of the King expecting from day to day some news of him that had left his company onely for the cause you heard before CHAP. XXXV How Esplandian having stayed Garinter King of Denmarks return about two weeks space and perceiving no news of him determined by the counsel of Carmelle to go in person to the City of Constantinople AFter that Garinter King of Denmark had set saile towards Constantinople as it is said before Esplandians ship arrived at the gulf where he promised to stay they lay at anker for the space of two wéekes not hearing any news of his desired message wherewith he doubted either that the King of Denmark should be drowned or that forturne had carried his vessel some other way wherefore he thought to send one of his marriners to enquire of him But before he did it he determined first to speak with Carmelle and taking her aside said unto her My great friend you know for what cause the King of Denmark left us and the reason of his voyage as also the promise he made unto me to return again with all spéed but we can hear no news of him at all which maketh me assuredly believe either he is dead or that the storm he was in hath cast him in some countrey so far off that he cannot by any means do as he hath promised wherefore I pray you give me your advice what I were best to do for those that are in the like mind that I am although in some things they have their understandings whole and perfect yet are they commonly to séek in that which concerneth them as touching those points My lord said she séeing it is your pleasure to use my counsel I wil tel you truly what I think therein and so much I can assure you that if you should search throughout the world you shall hardly find one that can come néer me in judging the passion wherewith you are molested for the same is in me that is in you and I féel it as well as you do and it may be more but the ease and great contentment I receive by your presence hath given me so many remedies that I delight in my grief and live not but only to cause my sorrow to indure To tell you truth at such time as you began to use spéeches unto me of the king of Denmark I thought upon his long absence and me thinketh it were best we sailed unto Constantinople assuring you that I have devised a means to bring you unto the Princess Leonorine whereby you may both sée and speak with her without being known of any other then her self if you think it good And to bring it to pass we being arrived there it shall be necessary that all those of our ship be advertised if any man asketh for you to say that you stayed in the castle the defended mountain mean time you shall lie in the bottom of the ship and I with Gandalin and Enil will go unto the Emperor to whom I will say that you sent me to the Princess Leonorine to present unto her in your behalf that which you have conquered in the Rock of the Enchantress and for the rest let me alone When Esplandian heard her speak in that manner he beheld her for a while and at last said unto her My good friend I fear not death neither can it be more bitter or sharper unto me then the life I now indure but I fear the dishonor of my Lady and the injury that thereby I might do unto the Emperor who by his courtesie hath so much bound my father unto him as if I should wrong him it would be a blemish to my honor while I live Nevertheless I am content to hazard my self in all the dangers you shall think convenient that is sufifcient said Carmelle I pray you then be merry and make good chear for if ever woman accomplished the thing she took in hand I will bring this to pass Wherewith leaving Esplandian she called the Patron and willed him to set sayl for Constantinople whereunto he obeyed and had so good a winde that within thrée days after they entered into the haven where being arrived Esplandian told his men what by the counsel of Carmelle he had determined to do commanding them expresly not to make it known to any man of his being there but that they should say they left him in the castle the defended mountain For said he I am not now in such estate as I would be to present my self before so great a Prince as the Emperor is And to the end you be not found liars I will stay in the bottom of the ship till you return again then he Carmelle Gandalin and Enil spake together where the gentlewoman shewed them at large how she meant to bring her enterprise to pass I will presently said she cause the tomb we brought from the Rock of the Enchantress to be set up in the same sort we found it upon the hatches of the ship then will I go tell the Emperor that I have one of the singularest things abord that ship that ever was séen and we finde means to bring him hither where I will shew him the Lion with Jupiter and all the rest of the furniture which having séen and perused I will tell him that you send it to the Princess Leonorine He being gone unto his palace you shall go into the Cedar Chest and so will I cause you to be carryed into the princess chamber lying in the same whereof I will secretly advertise her and by this means she may speak to you and you to her what you think good I but said Esplandian â—ell me how I shall come out again I will desire her said she to give me the Cedar Chest therein to bury the body of Matroco that died a Christian wherein you shall be inclosed and to morrow in the morning I will cause you to be brought hither again By God said Gandalin it is the prettiest devise that ever I heard now I confess that I was never but a fool in regard of Câ—rmelle Meddle you not with any thing said she but rest content let me alone to work my will and to the same end let us presently begin then Esplandian went down into the bottom of the ship and the gentlewoman prepared the tomb as
did them wrong and likewise if any man would accuse Leonorine of folly or inconstancy I answer him again that she is most easily to be excused both of the one and the other for although she never had séen Espladian before that time and that in reason she should have known him better before she shewed her self so private unto him you must suppose as it is true that love had of long time before so well ingraven him in her minde that she ceased not to sée him every day with her inward eyes And as Nature had studied to make her most perfect in all perfections whatsoever love had likewise taken pleasure to make her the best beloved and the truest lover that ever was before her time Wherefore it is not to be marvelled if at the first she shewed so good a countenance to her friend considering the pain and grief she had endured since the time Carmelle brought her news These two lovers being thus before each other Esplandian still knéeling séemed to be ravish'd that quéen Minoresse could not refrain to say to Leonorine Madam me thinks you should do well to command the Knight to rise up and lead him into your chamber where you may talk together while the night endureth if you think good but to let him knéel still on the ground in good faith it is not well My good friend said Leonorine he hath fled from us for almost two years together now I mean to kéep him so néer me that she shall not easily escape away with that she took him by the hand to lift him up but he would not stir but said unto her Madam Gastilles not long since sent me word being at Alfarin that you were much offended with me I pray you shew me the cause for if ever I committed fault against you it hath bin onely in loving you with all my heart as I am bound to do Nevertheless if in your advise I séem to have presumed over-much pardon me I pray you and give me what punishment you shall think good My friend said she your absence hath procured me so great cause of grief that I both pray you and command you from henceforth not to absent your self from me long again Madam said Esplandian having with your leave made another voyage to my companions that may think ill of me leaving them in their chiefest néed to come hither for my pleasure I swear unto you of my faith I will never offend you more in that manner or any other way whatsoever I am content to grant you that said she so you return as soon as possible you may And for the rest I will that from henceforth you love me in such sort that not any other but my self shall have power over you and that you be my Knight Now I pray you stand up and I will shew you further of my mind With that Esplandian rose up and Leonorine taking him by the right hand led him into her chamber where she set him a chair and she sat by him there they began to shew the pains each of them had indured in what manner their love did first begin who was the mean thereof and the end whereunto they pretended which was their future marriage In which discourse they grew into such alterations that if quéen Minoresse had not béen there as witness to their talk considering the heat they then were in I think not but in time they would have easily procéeded to a further matter In that manner the two lovers passed the night till day began to appear which Quéen Minoresse perceiving went to Leonorine and said unto her Madam the secretest follies are always best it is almost day and it may be the Empress may send some one of her women or come her self in person to visit you for that yesternight very late it was told her you were not well I pray you give this knight leave to depart and let us shut him in the Chest as we found him at the first Alas how hard were those words unto Esplandian and no less unto the Princess who foreséeing the danger that might fall out if they were sound together said unto him My good friend this happy night that hath favored us so much shall cause you if you think good to remember the promise you have made unto me I pray you let me sée you again as soon as possibly you may And as she ended those words the Quéen that stood as a stout watch heard some body come up the stairs wherewith being in great fear she told the Princess Lenorine which made Esplandian presently go into the other chamber and without having time to take any longer farewel laid himself down into the Cedar Chest yet Leonorine could not abstain but must of force kiss him before he was shut in and as they laid the Christal Plate upon the tomb Carmelle knocked at the door and with her Gandalin and Enil and the rest of the company that the night before had brought him thither With that Quéen Minoresse opened the door and they entering in the chamber Carmelle saw Leonorine that came unto her to whom after she had done her reverence she said Madam I am commanded by him that sent me unto you not to stay any longer here is it not your pleasure to give me leave to depart and cause the chest to be delivered unto me according to your promise Gentlewoman said the Princess I have made you promise thereof and I will kéep it althâ—ugh I had rather it should stay together as it is then to separate it asunder Take it when you will you shall find it in the same place where yesternight you caused it to be set with that the Ladies and gentlewomen being advertised of her rising came into her chamber which hindered Leonorine to speak so secretly with Carmelle as she would have done but onely gave her the key of the chest which she caused to be taken out of the tomb that done Gâ—ndalin and Enil and the two Squires took it up betwéen them and carried it away Leonorine saying to Carmelle I pray you thank the knight in my behalf that hath had me in so good remembrance And find the means if it be possible that according to the promise and messages he hath often sent unto the Emperor part whereof have bin done by your self he will as soon as he can come hither to sée us Madam said she I will do it with all my heart as she that desireth to please serve and obey you Fail not then said the Princess and so God have you in his kéeping That done Carmelle followed them that carried Esplandian leaving Leonorine accompanied both with joy sadness with joy to have séen him that she held dearer then her self and with sadness for his so sudden departure But the hope she had of his spéedy return eased her grief much Carmelle having brought her purpose to pass as you heard before desiring not to omit any thing
be once perceived chiefly for the great good I wish unto him Madam said Gandalin I am well assured he will receive an extream pleasure to hear these news and that he wil leave all things to come hither if you think it good That is my desire said she and I pray him so to do you to perswade him thereunto While they were devising Tartary the Admiral so called of the place of his birth entred into the garden being a man issued of a mean house but advanced unto great authority by his great with valiant courage so that he commanded over all the Grecian seas The Emperor and he talked long time touching Gandalins message concerning aid to be sent unto Galatia and in the end he willed in all haste to prepare thirty gallies Foists with two thousand of the best souldiers he could find to man the same The Admiral Tartary according to his charge executed his Commission in such sort that within six days after he was ready with his navy to set sayl and depart from thence CHAP. XXXIX How Vrganda arrived at Galatia and of the danger wherein she was by the subtilty of Melie the Enchantress THe Admiral Tartary and Gandalin having taken their leaves of the Emperor set sayl and passed the straights of Constantinople and without any adventures arrived at Galatia within one wéek after their departure if they were well received by the Christian Knights it is not to be doubted for their number was so small and so dispersed that they were in doubt to be able to kéep that Town with Alfarin and the Castle the defended mountain But when they saw such aid they were in better hope and having received the Admiral they divided their two thousand men as néed required Mean time Esplandian had no small desire to know of Gandalin if he had spoken with the Princess Leonorine and how she did for the which cause being in his chamber he sent for him Where talking together Gandalin shewed him from point to point what spéeches had passed betwéen the Princess and him not onely before the Emperor but also in the garden And of my faith sir said he you do her wrong considering the good meanes you have both to satisfie her and your self for what excuse soever you can make you are not so sore charged on this side that you may not spare some time to go and sée her which she craveth at your hands That I will do said Esplandian but I must find the means take you care for that said Gandalin and let me go sléep for I never had more néed Go said Esplandian be here again betimes in the morning Wherewith Gandalin took his leave leaving Esplandian alone in great care how he might find some convenient excuse to leave his companions in the extreamity but God provided for him fâ—r the same night about an hour before day as he began to slumber he heard a most pleasant sound of musick which you must understand came out of the great Serpent that he left in the Castle the defended mountain which at that time was arrived before the town of Galatia but little did he think of any such thing or that Urganda had bin therein because he thought her to be in great Britain This mellody continued for the space of half an hour and more which done he heard such a noise of Trumpets Clarigals Phifes and Tabers that sounded so high that the sentinels of the town thought verily the enemies navy had bin arrived before the same to lay siege unto it whereupon they caused an Alarum in the town each man running to the walls being all of that mind till day when they might behold the great Serpent wherein Urganda was all hung with long pennons and streamers whereat Esplandian was so glad that going down unto the Haven he presently entered into a boat with Talanque Manley and diverse other of the principal captains to sée who might be there And rowing néer unto it they knew Urganda that stayed for them on the hatches and stretching forth her arms spake unto them and said My good friends you are most heartily welcome I pray you come up into my ship that I may imbrace you With that Esplandian entred and as he meant to salute Urganda she knéeled on the ground to kiss his féet whereat he being ashamed took her up and said unto her Madam I never thought you would have taken pleasure to mock with me séeing I account my self much more bound to you then to any creature living in the world And therefore for Gods cause if at any time I chance to offend you punish me I pray you in some sort or other Most happy Knight said she The aid I hope for at your hands before many days shall pass moved me to do as I have done wherfore I beséech you take it in good part And with that she embraced him and after him Talanque Manley and all the rest every man doing her great honor desiring her to shew them the cause of her so sudden coming thither My good friends said she you â—â—all know it at some other time when better leisure serveth mean while I am to tell you that it is necessary for you shortly to go unto the City of Constantinople where you shall enter all armed and apparrelled in the same armor I have brought hither for you and thus must I tell you that if you should defer it till another time it would be prejudicial to you all Wherefore I counsel you to do it upon the first day of the next wéek assuring you to be as well received of the Emperor as ever were any knights which your ease and pleasure in his company shall continue until the rolling whéel of fortune turning about shall bring with it many travels passions adventures which shall cause many griefs and sorrows both to you and others And the better to make you believe that al I say is true I tell you that I my self shall fall into two of the greatest dangers of my self that ever I had whether it be here or in another place I know not And which is worse I cannot by any means avoid the same not knowing any cause how nor wherefore it should be so although it be in a manner ready to fall upon me Madam said Esplandian before you shall receive any hurt in our presence we will all lose our lives to succor you My good child said she mans destiny of force must be accomplished But I pray you let us enter into some other talk for this maketh me melancholy Madam said Manley Is it not your pleasure to go into the Town I said she I pray you send for Norandel who at this present I know is at Alfarin and I will give you as great cause to rejoyce as ever you had for that within my ship I have brought the King of Denmark wounded in a combate that he fought against Garlante Lord of the
Urganda made no difficulty thinking verily that if she might once lay hands on her she would use her at her pleasure wherewith she followed her but she was no sooner entered but Melie stepped to her and held her so straight by the threat that she had no means to call Esplandian or any of the rest to help her But they fearing the worst ran in all haste unto the Cave and the first that entred was Talanque and after him Manley and they had no sooner stepped in but they fell down as if they had béen dead and their fall was so great that Esplandian that followed them heard it but he had a remedy about him against all such adventures and that was his good Sword against the which no inchantment whatsoever could ought avail which he first found to be true when he entred into Arcabonnes chamber he perceiving his two companions in such case being much grieved thereat willingly would have relieved them but that he espyed Melie holding Urganda under her knee seeking by all means to strangle her which caused him first to succor her threatning Melie if that she did her hurt she should dearly buy it but for all his threatnings she ceased not to use all the means she could for to destroy her until Esplandian went neer unto her and with his Sword thought to cleave her head Wherewith she began to flie thinking to be safe within the chamber where she wrought her charms but as she stepped upon the threshold of the door Esplandian caught her by the bears skin and whether she would or not held her so fast that she could go no further And as he lifted up his arm to kill her he remembred that he should do wrong thinking it not convenient for a Knight to defile his hands in the blood of a simple woman nor able to resist and surely the thought of his moderated his colour in such sort that he purposed not to do it minding onely to draw her out of the vault wherewith he took her by the hair and pulled her with all his force With that he espyed a great old Ape with two eyes burning like flaming fire that lept upon him for to tear his flesh but he gave him such a blow with his fist betwéen the eyes that he stroke him dead And passing forward brought Melie out of her Cave and leaving her in Frandalos kéeping went in again to sée if Urganda were alive where he found her in such pain that it séemed the soul would depart out of her body whereat he had so great pity that he took her in his arms and set her in the air the like he did to Talanque and Manley who within one quarter of an hour after could not call to mind what had happened unto them but were as whole and as well as ever they were before Wherefore they mounted on their horses taking Melie with them that sat upon Sergils horse and he behind her holding her in his arms lest she should escape And God knows with what joy Urganda shewed them what fear she had bin in which as she said was such that she thought verily to die But said she even as one nail driveth out another so the joy I have of my delivery maketh me in a manner to forget the pain wherein I was And with that they entered into the Town being almost night CHAP. XL. How Carmelle arrived at Tesifante and spake with Heliaxe and of the marvellous combate which Esplandian Frandalo Gandalin Enil fought against three Giants twelve Turkish knights CArmelle travelled so long with the women and children of Galatia that they arrived at Tesifant where they found both their fathers and husbands as many of them as had saved themselves as it is said before Estéem I pray you what grief they had to think upon their exile loss of all their goods surely there is no heart so hard but would have wept with grief to behold great numbers of men and women with divers little children about them and not having any means to give them bread or drink Whereof the Prince Alphorax having news hearing of their sorrow could not refrain to say in presence of them all Ah immortal gods it must néeds be that either for some great sin of me or mine this cruel war is moved in my country O gods immortal let your wrath appease and of your infinite goodness let it rather please you that all the mischief which you send upon these impotent people fall onely upon me that alone have moved your indignatiâ—ns if not then I beséech you give me grace that to your glâ—ry I may drive these cursed Christians enemies of your holy laws out of my country swearing unto you that if you vouchsafe your aides I will make so great a slaughter of them that thereby your wraths shall be appeased if it be so that the small indeavor I have hitherto used to drive them hence be the occasion of your anger towards me Then he asked them how they got away My Lord said he that brought him news a fair gentlewoman named Carmelle as I hear say hath brought them hither and desireth to speak with you and the Princess Heliaxe Lady said Alphorax to his wife do you know her I my Lord said Heliaxe for she bare me company all that day that I fel into Frandalos hands being very ready to do me all the pleasure and service that she could devise wherefore my Lord I pray you let her have that honor and entertainment she deserveth Lady said Alphorax I am wel content therewith With that some of them ran to fetch Carmelle who being come in presence of Alphorax went presently unto the Princess Heliaxe and without salutation said unto her madam you know the lord and master that I serve who onely hath authority over me think it not therefore strange if in any sort I have not humbled my self before the prince Alphorax or to you And to the end Madam that you should know the cause of my arrival here I think the taking of Galatia is not unknown unto you whereof at this present the Christians are Lords and Masters having conquered it from you by force not finding any Garrison therein but a number of women and little children which my Lord Esplandian and his company send unto your Grace committing them unto your good discretion Assuring you their Religion onely excepted they are ready to do you any service that they may Carmelle said the Princess this is not the first favor they have shewed unto me I am of long time so much beholding to them that be it in their adversities or their prosperities I will never be unmindful of the same Nevertheless I am assured that at this day I have not neither yet shall ever have the means to do it as I think unless that variable fortune turn her rowling wheel and abase them as much as now they are advanced then if it so fall out they
same When Quéen Minoresse perceived him so earnest as that in uttering those words she shewed great affection she estéemed in her mind to have sufficient argument that might perswade her to believe his words wherewith she answered him and said My Lord Norandel If you do as you promise I well believe that you say and for the accepting you to be my Knight me thinketh I should do wrong to refuse so small a favor to so courteous a gentleman as you are wherefore I both grant it and desire it of you With that she took a little ring she commonly wore off from her finger giving it unto him for a witness of their new confirmed aliance And had it not bin that the Emperor was ready to go to supper they had no sooner left talking but the Empress went in whereby Quéen Minoresse was constrained to follow after taking Melie and Carmelle with her to whom she did all honor and good entertainment she could devise Supper being done and the tables uncovered the Princess Leonorine that had séen Norandel and Quéen Minoresse talking with so great affection doubted some feathers in the wind wherefore taking her aside said unto her Cousin I believe the knight that entertained you so long told you some news out of Great Brittain or something else that pleased you full well I pray you fair Lady tell me what it was for you were very earnest to harken thereunto How now Madam said she since when I pray you did you learn to mock Call you that mocking said she which is done in earnest I pray God the mockery I mean to you may fall out as I desire it would then shall I at the least have as good advantage at you as you have had at me which would please me well not so much to have a companion in mine own estate as to yield you in exchange the like pleasure I have received at your hands when you first were made acquainted with the love betwéen Esplandian and me Wherefore fear not to utter your minde unto me otherwise I will from henceforth have you in a jealousie for that you have already done or yet would do Madam said the Quéen rather than you should do so I will declare to you the secretest thing I know The Knight said she whereof you speak I know not by what means hath so captivated my minde that I féel the thing in my self which I never thought would have happened unto me And as they that are molested with a continual Ague do finde the taste of water better than the hope of life to them so I likewise that was accustomed not onely to contemn the force of Love but blame all such as yield to his might estéeming their estate rather voluntary than forcible finde my self so much surprised that if God help me not I am in the greatest danger that ever poor woman was What said the Princess think you my Lord Norandel is of so hard a heart and little courtesie as that he would disdain the love of so fair and comely a Lady as you are Do you perceive by him that his minde is placed elsewhere No Madam said she but to the contrary he protested to be wholly mine without any further advantage then that I have accepted him for my knight Truly said Leonorine I am glad thereof and if you had done otherwise he might surely have complained and you much more to have refused so great a good when it is offered without dissimulation else if it be otherwise it is no good but rather a curse I am of this opinion said she that my Lord Norandel would rather die a thousand deaths than bear that minde wherefore determine I pray you to use him well assuring you that I will not fail to succor you in what I may and will do for you as you have done for me So long they talked together that the Emperor and his company risen from the Table came to sée the Ladies Nevertheless neither the Princess nor Quéen Minoresse could have the means to entertain their friends but onely with a look whereby their hearts panting in their bellies were somewhat eased when night approached every man withdrew him to his rest but when Quéen Minoresse found her self alone and in her bed she began to think upon the spéches that Norandel used unto her sometimes determining to assay if by any means she could drive the same out of her mind and then presently changed thoughts and said unto her self Alas was there ever greater constancy in a woman then that I always had until this time Must I now of force yield up the fort that against so many hard assaults I held invincible Alas I now perceive it is of force wherefore it is better presently to séek for remedy then to consume thus secretly as I do Alas what If I chance in this sort to yield unto mine own desire poor soul that I am then do I manifestly perceive the danger wherein I fall and the thraldom that I bring my self into from whence whiâ—e I live I shall never escape Wherefore it were far better for me to bridle mine own affection and command that which commandeth me then do that which hereafter I might repent With that she held her peace and turning on each side like one not well at ease in body nor in mind she had no sooner resolved one thing but presently dissolved it again so great was her inconstancy therein Nevertheless having well debated with her self all the pleasures or displeasures that might chance thereby In the end with a loud voice she uttered these words I know not what may come to pass but Love promiseth me great things Wherefore if the worst fal out and that from henceforth I forget my self he shall bear the blame and not I that will do nothing but under his protection In which opinion she fell a sléep and the next day Norandel and she finding means to talk together they confirmed their love in such sort that they determined to use the same more by wisdom then by passion which those that are in like case ought to follow thereby to attain unto the point of their desired joys which in times past before was commonly called the gracious gifts of Mercy CHAP. XLIIII How Vrganda declared unto the Emperor the signification of the Prophesie that was found in the tomb and of two Dragons that carried her with King Armato and Melie up into the air and set them in the middle of the City of Tesifant YOu heard before how Carmelle in her ship shewed the Emperor the tomb that Esplandian had conquered in the Rock of the Enchantress with the Image of Jupiter and the Prophesie he held within his hand which the Emperor remembred so well that he never ceased to think thereon Whereby the next day after the arrival of that noble company in the City of Constantinople he calling to mind that there could no person be found in all the world better
the end that being united together they may the better preserve both your life and mine And taking a Bracelet of Gold that from her infancy she had always kept she tied it about his right arm And this circle said she being round as you behold it shall without ceasing be witness of our loves serving as a Rampart to this Army which if it pleaseth God in defending it shall so well defend his master that he shall return in as good health as I desire he should Norandel thanked her most heartily mean time Leonorine entertained Talanque Manley and the rest to whom she said My friends I hope the Lord will shew you so much grace that the Victory shall be yours for the Combate you take in hand is not for to defend the honor of a Gentlewoman but the glorious Faith of Christ If therefore it be so the strength procéedeth from him be you then well assured that he will impart so much to you as you shall want Madam said Talanque at other times we have béen at the like feast from whence we have returned to the great expence of those that called us thither as if it be Gods will we hope this day to do the like Wherewith taking their leaves of her they went to finde their horses and being mounted the Emperor with great number of Knights and Gentlewomen brought them to the gate And committing them to God the ten Knights marched bravely to the place of Combat where the Souldan with a great number of his friends met them asking them whom the Emperor had appointed Iudge on their side Souldan said Norandel we desire no other Iudge then your self that are accounted a courteous and most faithful Prince By all my gods said he I had rather die a thousand deaths then you should endure the least injury in the world we believe it well said all the knights With that he caused them to enter into the Lists at one end and the ten Pagans at the other but before they entred into fight he called Norandel and his companions and said unto them My friends I pray you let me shew you what the custom of my Countrey is in such affairs then if you think good you may observe it if not my knights shall kéep your custom if it be indifferent Shew us then said Norandel what it is and if the same be reasonable we will not refuse it You shall understand said he that all knights justle one against one to the end that all men may know the excellency of the Victor And if any one be overthrown he that is on the horse back shall not assail the other before their companions have run out their course Then he that is on horseback shall a light and shall fight it out by dint of sword with him that before was overthrown Because it chanceth oftentimes that the best knights that are fall into such inconvenience onely by the fault and means of bad horses which cause them divers times either to fail in striking of their enemy or else not to run their right course which cannot be excused in thâ—se that are on foot to whom it is permitted to succor each other if néed require Truly said Norandel that custom is well ordained and I and my companions wil observe the same wherewith the Souldan went out of the Lists causing his Heralds to proclaim the fight With that a Pagan stepped forth against Norandel that refused him not but covering himself with his shield they met so fiercely that their spears were broken to their wrests méeting body to body with so great strength that the Pagan fell over his horse tail lying flat upon the ground but Norandel had no hurt onely that his horses shoulder was thrust out of joint so that he lighted off staying till the rest had run their courses as he had promised Then Garvate du Val Craintif ran against one of the other and they charged each other in such sort that their féet failing in their stirrops they were both cast out of their saddles Then Talanque ran against the third Pagan to whom fortune was more favorable then to any of the rest for they ran so well that neither of them once started aside or moved in their saddles and yet brake their spears in many pieces The like chanced to Manley and Ambor but not to Bravor the son of Balan for he hit him that ran against him right in the breast and threw him from his horse And presently therewith Imosil of Burgundy had so great a stroke with a launce that his eyes started in his head and was therewith so much astonished that his horse bare him to the side of the barriers where he fell down flat Elian le delibere and he that ran against him were constrained to hold by their horses mains Listoran of the bridge missed his stroke and his enemy likewise the like happened to Trion and the last that ran with him That done all they that were on horse back lighted down to fight with swords and there began betwéen them such a fight as the like had not béen séen of so few Knights together maintaining themselves so brabely one against the other that the strongest of them was so weary and out of breath that they were constrained to rest And as Norandel leaned upon his Sword which he rested on the ground the bracelet that Minoresse gave him fell downward upon his arm which put him in so good remembrance of her that clean forgetting all the travel he had taken before he spake so loud that every man might hear and said By God sir Knight this rest doth not beséem us many men will from henceforth be in doubt of the great glory that now we mean to win Wherefore let every man shew forth what we can do and let no man spare Wherewith taking the little piece of his shield that rested in his hand and lifting up his arm he gave so great a blow unto his enemy that he made him réel therewith and doubling it strake him so surely on the helmet that with the blow the Turk was forced to knéel down and let his sword fall out of his hand which Norandel seized upon being ready to strike off his head if he had not cried him mercy which Talanque and Manley perceiving imployed their forces in such manner that it might easily be judged they would soon obtain the victory As for Bravor he had already stricken his knight down wherefore he ran to help the rest and Norandel likewise With the which help it soon appeared that they which rested yet to overcome would not long resist for in short space they found themselves in such extremity that unless the Souldan of Liquie had desired the Christian Knights to stay a while they had all died but calling Norandel unto him he said I pray you said qe procéed no further in this combate and content your selves that I account my Knights for vanquished as in truth they are
they landed that they might the better approach the Pagans camp with that they agréed among them that King Childadan and Quedragant should be Generals of the army by Sea and having left sufficient number of men for the furnishing and safe kéeping of their ships their Fléet sailed towards Constantinople hoping to set upon Alphorax and his army by Sea before they should perceive them But it fell out otherwise for the Turks that had spies in all places discovered them not suffering Alphorax to fight desiring him most earnestly onely to kéep the entry of the straits to take all means from the town to be victualled on that side Which King Childadan and Quedragant understanding would not hazard themselves but ankered within half a mile of the enemy staying for king Luisart the Emperor of Rome and those that marched by land mean time giving divers skirmishes to the enemy with their Pinnaces but Alphorax for all that would not leave his hole lying as close as possibly he could on the other side Armato and his company being advertised of the great aid that came towards the town caused their forces to assemble determining to kéep the side of the great sea by the which they might easilier recover victuals as well from Natolia as out of Tartaria The Kings Amadis Perion and others made such haste that the ninth day after they incamped themselves in the sight of Constantinople right before their enemies in a place that séemed most convenient But if the Pagans at the first were much abashed to sée those succors the Emperor and those within the town were not much less doubting it had béen some new forces come against the town for they had not any intelligence of the sending of Gandalin and Enil to the Christian princes that brought with them a multitude both of ships and men as well Knights as others Now to return to the Christians Fléet King Childadan knowing that Alphorax played the fox desired Quedragant having equal power with him to be content that he with threescore Pinnaces might skirmish with him that thereby if it were possible he might provoke him to come out which he agréed unto wherefore setting sail he made towards his enemy so neer that they were ready to fight hand to hand nevertheless Alphorax for that time would not touch the bait but entred farther in the straights wherewith King Childadan retired and came unto the haven of the City making the bravest show that might be séen those of Constantinople perceiving the Handirols and Streamers of Great Brittain and of other Christian Princes made him answer with the like and so high that the noise of the Trumpets Clerons and Tabers was so great that Armato and all the Pagans might easily hear it With that King Childadan was received by the Emperor Norandel and others to whom he shewed what aid was come unto them and what princes had taken the voyage in hand In good faith said the Emperor they bind me for ever unto them yet am I much abashed how they understood of the wars between Armato and me What my Lord said Childadan did Esplandian never tell you thereof No I assure you said the Emperor nor any of his companions as far as I know Is he not in the City said the King In good truth said Norandel he would not leave the castle of the defended mountain minding to keep it if the Pagans came to besiege it Assure your selves said Childadan he will not long stay there before King Amadis sendeth for him for we determine presently to give battel and if he should fail at such a journey it would grieve him ever after Much other talk had the Knights of Constantinople with Childadan and those that bare him company where he stayed till the next day in the morning that he entered into his ships to return unto Quedragant CHAP. LII How Esplandian and the king of Denmark were sent for by Gandalin that went unto the Castle the defended mountain where they stayed attending the succors of the Christian Princes and of a Letter that the Souldan of Liquie and Queen Calafre wrote unto King Amadis and Esplandian KIng Childadan returned to Quedragant as you heard before and the army on land incamped in fight of the enemy Amadis was advertised by those that had bin in the City of Constantinople that Esplandian and the King of Denmark were at the Castle of the defended mountain whereupon he sent Gandalin to fetch them Gandalin took shipping and had so good a winde that without any adventure he arrived there where he declared unto them how King Amadis and almost all the Christian Princes were incamped within half a mile of the Pagans host and al what he and Enil had done concerning their charge And because said Gandalin that our men are determined shortly to give them battel they pray you to come unto them Truly said Esplandian Gandalin my friend you have wrought the matter well and I thank you for the pains that you have taken My Lord said the King of Denmark are you not determined that we go unto them For my part I had rather lose one of mine arms then fail thereof Brother said Esplandian to morrow if it pleaseth God the great serpent shall bring us thither before that time it had always used to sail of it self but as then it failed For when they were entered into it it stirred not whereat Gandalin much abashed could not refrain to say By god this vessel is like to the horse with the white leg that failed us when we have most néed Friend said Esplandian I am surely perswaded that this procéedeth by reason of Urgandas imprisonment who at this time is in Melies power and so well inchanted that her art profiteth her as little as this vessel doth us that moved by her inchantments which at this present hath no means to stir as you may well perceive And Esplandian said true for at the same time the country wherein Urganda dwelt called the unknown Island because it was always invisible was as then discovered and séen of all men With that Gandalin counselled them to enter into the Pinnace which Esplandian the the King of Denmark did and having a good wind sailed towards Constantinople on a sunday in the morning they espied the vessels of king Childadan and Quedragant which not long after they boarded where Esplandian and the King of Denmark were received with great joy after that he went to sée his father and the rest of the Knights that were on land and after an infinite number of imbracings and welcomes on all sides they determined to visit their enemies somewhat nearer whereby many brave skirmishes were made where the women of Quéen Calafre were continually in arms and among the rest a sister of the Quéens named Liote a hardy and valiant Lady that took a Frenchman prisoner which certified the Souldan of Liquie that Amadis de Gaule King of Great Brittain and Esplandian his Son were
and King Childadan that as they had intelligence from the enemy they should set upon their Army by Sea the like word was sent unto the Emperor of Constantinople that he might likewise be prepared and as the four Combatants were ready to strike each other the Souldan called Amadis and Esplandian asking them if they would not swear and kéep promise according to the agréement sent unto them by his gentlewoman that the vanquishers without impeachment should lead away the vanquished I truly said they therefore beware of us With that Amadis made towards the Quéen and the Souldan against Esplandian to whom he gave so great a blow with his launce into the shield that he pierced it through whereby divers thought assuredly he had béen wounded to death but it was not so for the launce passed under his saddle without any further hurt but Esplandian gave him his exchange striking him so fiercely that he made him loose both stirrop and saddle and fall upon the ground with so great might that he rolled twice or thrice before he stayed in such manner that the helmet flew off his head Quéen Calafre ran against King Amadis and he against her and as they were in the middle of their course Amadis turned the butt end of his launce against her passing forward would not strike her yet she held her launce down and strake his horse in the stéel of his forehead and withal they met so strongly body to body that therewith the Quéen fell down and Amadis was constrained to light his horse was so astonished with the truncheon of the launce that stuck within his forehead But the Quéen rose presently and with her sword in hand went towards Amadis the like did the Souldan to Esplandian that had suffered him to take breath and lace his helmet not for any good he wished him but that at the end of his career he espied the princess Leonorine standing on the walls of Constantinople whereat he was so abashed that every man said the Souldan had hurt him in the body Nevertheless within short space after they knew the contrary for he lighted on foot where between them two was fought the most perillous combat that ever was séen for Rodrigue was as valiant a Knight in arms as any in his time but Esplandian handled him in such maner that oftentimes he made him clean forget the subtilties that commonly he used in such affairs and in the end used him so hardly that it might evidently be séen the victory would be his Mean time the Quéen used all her force to overcome King Amadis whom holding in his hand a great truncheon of a launce in stead of a sword gave her such a blow on the crest of her helmet that he made her eyes start within her head Wherewith she being much offended spake unto him and said What sir Knight Do you think me either to be a dog or else a country clown that you séem to beat me with a staff By my head before you escape out of my hands there is no armor you have but will be needful for you to the safegard of your life Calafre said Amadis all my life time I have been a servant unto Ladies and if at this time I should begin with you to shew them illâ— the good that others have received received at my hands would be less esteemed You account me then said the Queen one of that number but you shall presently feel that I am something more with that she took her sword in both hands and in great choller gave him such a blow that she clave his shield in two and thinking to double her stroke Amadis stepped unto her and plucked hers from off her neck with such force that she was constrained to kneel upon the ground Nevertheless she rose presently again and thinking to be revenged used all her force to charge Amadis who turning aside gave her such a blow with his truncheon hard by the ear and therewith made her so astonished that her sword fell out of her hand wherewith he stepped forward and taking her by the helmet said unto her Now you shall be my prisoner whether you will or not as well as the Souldan is prisoner to my son With that the Queen looked aside and perceived that Amadis said true wherefore she said Truly I am your prisoner seeing fortune will have it so and therewith Rodrigue and Esplandian came unto them and they four going out of the lists went unto the Christians camp the Pagans that saw them led away in whom in a manner consisted most of their hope when the camps should joyn in battel made countenance to rescue them which caused the Christians to stand all day in order of battel mean time they agreed among themselves to send the Souldan and the Queen unto Constantinople Gandalin having charge to bring them thither and present them to the Princess Leonorine from Amadis and Esplandian who thanked them most heartily And before he returned again unto the â—amp a souldier of Thrace that had dwelt in Tartaria above twenty year together came and yielded himself unto the Christians and told King Perion and Luisart that their enemies determined the next day in the morning to surprise them before they were aware whereof they advertised the Emperor of Constantinople to the end he might be ready There were in the City forty thousand men whereof he appointed thirty thousand to issue forth upon the enemies rereward as soon as they perceived the battel once begun and gave likewise intelligence to King Childadan and Quedragant that his spies had brought him news that Alphorax had unfurnished his ships of men to strengthen their army on land trusting to the straights which they mean to kéep hoping thereby to sail into the Majorque seas if fortune favor not their enterprise and there it would be good with the other Christian princes advise that they should set upon him and that Frandalo with his Fléet should second them Which news understood by the two Generals of the army by sea they sent unto King Amadis and the rest of the Commanders in the Camp to know their advise whereunto answer was returned that they should follow the opinion of the Emperor of Constantinople which they should execute upon the next day in the morning whereupon Frandalo ceased not all night to make and prepare divers kinds of artificial fires wherewith he made account to burn the most part of Alphorax ships which he did as hereafter you shall hear But to return to King Armato and his forces About an hour before day according to their former determinations they began to march against the Christians thinking to finde them sléeping and thereby to stay their watch before they should have means to set themselves in order of battel Nevertheless they found themselves deceived for they were already set in order of battel standing close with great desire to receive their enemy as they did the Emperor of Rome had