I may doe your Maiestie any seruice I am the man readie to bee commaunded and you the Prince whom most I desire to honour Good Friend quoth the King your departure must not be so soone except you delight to displease me God forbid answered Amadis in respect my endeauour is altogether to obey you Doe you thinke sayd the King it is any obedience if I may not entreat a longer stay In sooth my Lord quoth Amadis you may and shall command for in greater matters then this I will not offend ye Goe then and vn-arme you replyed the King and speaking these wordes him-selfe tooke him by the hand conducting him to a sumptuous chamber where he left him to take some refection with Arban King of Norgalles and the Duke of Glocester whom he commanded to keepe him companie for King Lisuart was a Prince that especially fauoured and honoured strange Knights Hauing left Amadis thus worthily accompained he went to the Queene and tolde her in what manner hee had stayed the good Knight who ouercame Dardan But doe yee my Lord quoth she know his name No verily answered the King for in respect of the promise I made him I durst not demaund that question of him It may be sayd the Queen he is the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule I would it might fall out so well answered the King Doe you know quoth the Queene who may put vs out of this doubt euen the Squire that talked with Mabila who came to search him in your Court and said how hee was aduertised of his arriuall in this Countrey long before Immediately the King caused Gandalin to be called and without declaring any thing to him thus spake Follow me for I must shew a Knight to thee that I may bee resolued if thou know him or no. Gandalin attended on the King entring the chamber where Amadis was and Gandalin viewing him very earnestly feigned to haue seene him long time since then setting his knee to the ground sayd Ah my Lord great trauaile haue I endured to finde you since I departed from the Scottish Court Gandalin my good friend right heartily art thou will-come to mee what newes doest thou bring None but good my Lord answered Gandalin all your noble Friendes are in perfect health commending them-selues to your Excellencie but hence-forth Sir you must conceale your selfe no longer then turning to the King â—e thus proceeded Mightie King hee that hath beene so long time vnknown is this braue Prince the famous Amadis Sonne to the inuincible king Perion of Gaule and then came his Fathet to vnderstand so much when he slewe in combate the puissant King Abies of Ireland by meanes whereof he recouered his Realme which was well-neere lost By these deuises was Amadis discoured and better wel-commed then before for till theÌ„ he was not knowne but through his famous deedes the renowne whereof was euery-where blazed abroad and now was hee so well honoured for his vertue as his Noblenesse required So spent they the whole day in honourable Feasting vntill such time as each one with-drew him-selfe when king Lisuart commanded the King of Norgalles that he should lodge in Amadis chamber afterward when they were alone to sound his minde vnderstand by all meanes possible if he would consent to remaine in his seruice Thus leauing them together hee returned to the Queene and to her thus spake Madame hardly shall I cause Amadis to stay as mine nor can I tell which way to compasse it albeit I neuer had greater desire to any Gentle-man of long time for the high account is helde of him would cause mee to bee much more feared and redoubted My Lord quoth the Queene graunt him any thing he shall demaund and doe your selfe present him what you imagine will best please him Hee requesteth nothing of me replyed the king for if he did I would consent thereto more willingly then he could desire Me thinkes it were good sayd the Queene to entreat him first by some other of our Court if they cannot preuaile will him to come see mee your daughter and our Cozin Mabila they likewise shall solicite the matter for they knew him when hee serued them as a Squire Then shall we let him vnderstand how all the Knights here are yours and none but thinks him-selfe honoured thereby him will we desire to be one of the Company that you may enioy his seruice when need shall require This will be a good meane answered the king to procure his stay and if he will not be wonne by you we may well iudge him of lesse ciuility theÌ„ Chiualry Now because it waxed some-what late the King bade his Queene good-night went to his Chamber On the other side the king of Norgalles perswaded his new-come guest that he would abide in the Court of king Lisuart but Amadis could so cunningly dissemble that he altogether disguised the chiefe point of his desire and might not by all these entreaties be wonne When he perceiued he laboured in vaine on the Morrow-morning hee brought him to the king of whom Amadis made offer to take his leaue But the king answered him in this manner My good friend you should haue done me pleasure not to depart so soone yet can I not constraine ye to tarrie against your will but my Queene would gladly see you before your departure Nor will I goe my Lord answered Amadis before I haue done my dutie to her where-upon taking him by the hand he brought him into her Chamber and thus spake to her See heere Madam king Perions Sonne of Gaule who is come to salute you before his departure In sooth my Lord answered the Queene he doth mee great honour and he is very heartily wel-come hither Then Amadis stepping to her fell on his knee to kisse her hand but she caused him to rise and sit downe by her when the king perceiuing they would enter into further talke with drew himselfe to discourse with his knights while they conferred together In mean while the Queene courteously entertained Amadis but the other Ladies and Gentle-women who had heard such fame of his beautie and excellent perferfections beganne to eye him very diligently maruailing that Nature had so enriched him with the onely thing they most desired Now knew Amadis by their countenances what iudgement they held of him yet durst he not turne his head aside fearing least seeing his Oriana by some sudden mutation hee might reueale what carefully he couetted to hide And as he continued in this perplexitie the Princesse Mabila came and did him reuerence where-upon the Queene the better to compasse her intent called her daughter who dissembled as if she scant knew him and thus shee spake to her Faire daughter remember you not the sonne of king Perion of Gaule who serued you well while he was your Squire and yet may doe if it please him now he is a Knight in soothe you must al assist me in desiring him to grant mee one
Amadis mounted againe perceiuing Angriote already on horse-backe ready to reuenge his brothers iniurie and a Squire came to the Prince bringing him a Launce which he presented him withall from Angriote Soone after they encoūtered so galantly as their Launces flew in pieces without any further harme and ending their carrire Amadis quickly drew his sword turning to Angriote who thus spake Make not such hast Knight to combate with the sword because thou shalt haue time enough for that anon this he sayd in respect he reputed him-selfe the best at the sword that might be found But I pray thee quoth he let vs iust till our Launces faile or one of vs be sent to the earth Knight answered Amadis I haue weighty busines else-where and may not trifle time with tarrying heere What said Angriote thinkest thou to escape me so light ly I promise thee it is the least part of my thought yet I pray thee let vs try one course more Amadis was content and taking such Launces as each of them liked finished the Iust with such violence as Angriote was cast downe and his horse vpon him Amadis leaping from his saddle saw that a small trunchion of a Launce had a little entred his body yet scorning any shame should be deserned on his side fighting for the honor and beauty of his Goddesse Oriana snatching forth the trunchion and marched with his sword drawne against Angriote who seeing him come sayd I see Sir Knight thou art very young and me thinkes before it be worse with thee thou wert better to confesse my Lady fairrer then thine Then should I lye very fowlly answered Amadis and by my will I shall not dissent so farre from the truth These speeches enkindled collor on either side which made them charge ech other with such vigour as not onely they that beheld them but euen themselues were driuen into doubts thinking it impossible to endure so extreamely And to say sooth the cause was hard for Amadis vndertooke the honor of his Lady for which hee could rather chuse a thousand deathes then she should loose one iot of her excellence and this opinion still whetted on his courage that Angriote was compelled to diuers simple shifts to auoyde the fierce assaults of his valiant enemy who had wounded him in twenty seuerall places and he perceiuing his death at hand stepped aside thus speaking to Amadis Beleeue mee Sir Knight there is more valour in thee then I imagined Yeelde thy selfe sayd Amadis so shalt thou do wisely seeing thou art already brought into such danger for with the finishing of our combate thy life will likewise end which can be no pleasure at all to me in that I esteeme of thee better then thou weenest These words he vsed as well for the braue Chiualrie he noted in Angriote as also the great honestie he shewed to the Lady in his possession whereupon Angriote returned this answer It is reason I should yeeld my selfe to the best Knight in the world and the like all other to doe that beare armes Beleeue me then gentle Knight I not so much sorrow for my foyle as the wrackfull chance threatned to me by loosing this day the onely thing in the world I most loue That shall you not quoth Amadis if I can helpe it beside the Lady should shew her selfe very ingratefull if she acknowledge not your honorable paines in her defence and it cannot be but she will requite ye with the good you haue deserued As for me I promise ye to imploy my vttermost hability in causing her consent thereto so soone as I shall returne from a search I haue now in hand My Lord sayd Angriote in what place may I hereafter finde you In the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis where hy Gods helpe I meane shortly to be So tooke he leaue of Angriote who gladly would haue had him in his Castle but he might not be hindered of his iourney Thus doth Amadis followe the Dwarfe who guided him fiue daies without any aduenture shewing him at length a meruailous strong and pleasant Castle saying Sir within yonder hold you must performe the promise you made me And I will doe it for thee answered Amadis if it confist in my power I am in good hope thereof quoth the Dwarffe in respect I haue seene some proofe of your fortune but know ye Sir how the place is named No verily sayd Amadis for till now I was neuer in this Country It is called Valderin replied the Dwarffe and thus deuising they came neere the Castle when the Dwarffe willed him to take his Armes Why saide Amadis shall we haue any such neede Yea mary quoth the Dwarffe for they suffer none to come forth that enter so lightly Amadis buckled on his helmet riding in before the Dwarffe and Gandalin following after then looking on euery side they could see no creature This place sayd Amadis is not inhabited where is the request thou saidst I should do for thee Credit me Sir sayd the Dwarffe I haue some-time seene heere a most braue Knight and the strongest in Chiualrie that euer I saw who in that porch killed two Knights one of them being my maister him hee put to death very cruelly without regard of fauour or mercy In reuenge whereof I would desire that traytors head which I haue long failed in obtaining because all such as I brought hither haue lost their liues or remaine here in captiuity Thou doest the part of a loyall seruant answered Amadis yet oughtest thou to bring no Knight hither before thou tell him against whom he shall fight My Lord quoth the Dwarffe the man is knowne well enough and reputed for one of the best Knights in the world therefore when I haue named him I could not meet with any so hardy as to reuenge my cause Belike then thou knowest his name said Amadis Yea my Lord replied the Dwarffe he calleth himselfe Arcalaus the enchanter Amadis hereupon went further in looking round about if hee might see any body but all was in vaine wherefore to rest his horse he staied there till euening saying to the Dwarffe What wilt thou I shall doe now it is so late Alas my Lord quoth he the night being so neere at hand me thinkes it were good wee departed hence Nay trust me answered Amadis I wil not budge hence till the knight come or some other that can tell me tidings of him But I dare not tarry sayd the Dwarffe least Arcalaus chance to know me and imagine I practise the meanes of his death Yet shalt thou beare me cōpany replied Amadis as I will not excuse my selfe from the promise I haue made thee As thus they cōmuned Amadis espied a Court somewhat more backward where-into he entred and found no body but he saw a darke place vnderneath and certaine steps leading into the earth Gandalin got holde on the Dwarffe who would haue run away and Amadis tooke great pleasure to beholde his trembling speaking thus merily to him Feare
King his presence all that day after vntill the next morning when they attended vpon him as hee rode into the fields The King beeing halfe a league from the Cittie he behelde comming toward him the knights of the Firme-Island for the deliuery of Madasima and her Damosels being come somewhat neere they all did their duties to his Maiestie Then Galuanes who marched for-most took vpon him to speake for all his fellowes saying vnto the King If it like your Maiestie wee being all of vs well assured of your accustomed vertue are come to demand iustice of your grace for Madasima and her Damosels and to defend their right if by force of armes it is defensible My friends answered hee seeing that you haue already set vp your Tents in this place if you thinke good you may heere abide for this day and to morrow you may come vnto mee to aduise vpon that which shall be reasonable to bee done If it please your highnesse said Brian of Moniasta wee all are assured that accorto your ancient royall behauiour iustice shall not bee denied vnto vs and if wee finde it otherwise it is rather by the counsaile of some wicked traitors that are about you then any of your owne motion Brian Brian saide the King I am well assured that if you had beleeued your father you would neither haue departed from my seruice as you haue done neither would you in this sort haue helde argument against mee The argument which I do hold against your Maiestie said Brian is not for any il will or that I would not performe any dutifull seruice for your grace for I know well that in time you will acknowledge that which I say true And where your Maiestie doth tell me that if I had beleeued my father I would not haue forsaken you sauing the reuerence of your Maiestie I did neuer forsake you for I neuer did belong vnto you but I onely came into your house to seeke my cofin Amadis who so long as hee was yours so long had I a desire to serue you and neuer did I whilst I there remained offend you Well well answered the King wee will debate of this another time more at large Which said he bad them good night and depaâ—ted for it was already somewhat late Heeretofore you haue heard how the King had the day before after dinner taken vp Gandandel and Broquadan who beeing very heauie did consult a great while how they might with honour finish theyr wicked enterprise for the next morning the twelue Knights of the Fâ—rme-Island met the King at Church who after seruice was ended called Broquadan and Gandandel vnto whom he said You haue of long time counsailed me to put Madasima and her Damosels to death beeing our prisoners and that in their behalfe I should heare no iust fication whatsoeuer Therefore you must now make answere vnto that which these 12 Knights will maintaine Then Imosell of Burgoine stepped forth saiyng vnto the King If it like your Maiestie I and my fellowes are come into your Court to beseech you most humble that you would extend your iustice and mercy to Madasima and her Damosels Whereupon Gandandel stepped forth and answered My Lord Iâ—â—sel you request that iustice should bee extended to Madasima and so farre as I perceiue you twelue wil maintaine that they ought to be heard in their iustifications but by the faith that I owe vnto the King if he consent thereunto he doth amisse considering vnder what condition they are entred into his prison Beleeue me Gandandel said Imosel had you held your peace you had done but your duty for the king hath not yet commanded you to speak also because you know that by the custome of great Brittaine no woman ought to suffer death except it bee in two cases the one for Leze maiestie the other for treason But there is not any in this company who knoweth not how these poore women were brought into the king his hands more by compulsion then their owne consent Therefore we beseech your Maiesty and you my Lords all to consider of the matter for reason and pittie are most fit to be vsed therein You are to blame answered Gandandel to request a thing so vnreasonable and seeing it hath pleased the king to heare vs both let him order the matter as to his maiesty shall seem most conuenient Then the king caused euery one to depart called some of the most principall of the realme vnto him and amongst others his Vncle the Earle Argamont an auncient mostvertuous Prince vnto whom he said Good Vncle I pray you and all the rest also to counsell me vpon this controuersie But there was not any that would speake their opinion before they had heard the king Seeing it is so sayde the king you shal presently know mine opinion It seemeth vnto me Imosel of Burgondie hath both reasonable and wisely spoken and that the Damosels ought to be heard what they they can say in their own defence Truely if it like your Maiesty sayd the old Earle you speak like a vertuous king and it is not possible to giue a righter iudgement of which opinion they were all Wherefore he commanded Gandandel â—roquadan to bee sent for and in the presence of the knights of the Firme-Island hee gaue the same sentence for the which they humbly thanked his maiesty beseeching him that Madasima her women might be set at liberty For we hope said they to haue them acquited either by reason or arms It is well saide answered the king who sent for the Damosels to come vnto him and afterward said vnto them Looke vp Ladies behold these Gentlemen which will defend your right will you be coÌ„tent to put your quarrell and aduenture your liues vpoÌ„ their force Alas if it like your Maiesty answered Madasima seeing it pleaseth them to affoord vs this good wee doe put our liues into their hands and your good mercy Trust mee Madame saide Imosel If there bee any heere which will gainesay that you are not deliuered and set at liberty behold me ready to proue the contrarie if there be twelue together of the like opinion wee are twelue likewise that wil hazard our liues for yours Therewithall the king did cast his eyes vpon GaÌ„dandel and Broquadan and he perceiued that they hanged downe their heads looking vpon the ground so much amased that they were not able to answer one word wherefore the king saide vnto the knights of the Isle My Lords I pray you to withdraw your selues for this day and to morrow you shall haue answere of those with whom you are to deale Where-upon they all departed and presently after the king called apart Broquadan Gandandel vnto whoÌ„ he said come hither you knowe that many times you haue solicited me to put these poore Damosels to death perswading mee that it was iust and reason so to doe and that if need were you your sons would maintain this counsaile vnto
named Vngan the Piccard the most experte of them all thus answered My Lord dreames are vaine thinges and for such ought to be esteemed notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that some account should be made of yours giue vs some time to consider thereon It liketh me wel said the king within 12 daies look that you make me answer But to the end they should not disguise o◠conceale the truth from him he caused them to be seperated so that during the time agreed vpon they might neither see or speake together wherefore to their vttermost they trauailed in what they had promised the King so that the day being come when they should render an occompt of their labour he first tooke Albert of Champaigne aside and said to him Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised to tell me what thou hast found by thy skill Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tel ye Well hast thou aduised said the King whereupon they were sent for afterward Albert thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whom you saw enter by the secret dore signifieth this Realme which is close well guarded notwithstanding by some right thereto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting forth thence your hart and afterward threw it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles both more lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whom you shall not easily recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he said that soone after I should lose it against the will of him that took the first from me It seemeth by this answered Albert that some other shall inuade your Country as the first did yet constrained more by force of another that commanded him to do so then by any will thereto in himselfe thus see ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now said the king to the second named Antalles tel vs your aduise Me thinkes Sir quoth he that Albert hath very well saide and I am of his opinion except in this for ought I can learne as the cause sheweth me that what he saith shall happen is already effected by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed thereat seeing there is not as yet any part of your Realme lost if you do loose any thing hereafter it must be by such a one as loueth you decrely When the king heard this he nodded his head for it seemed to him that he came neere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more thē the other fel into a laughter which he was sildome wont to doe because he was a man very sad and melancholly yet by chance the King perceiued it wherefore he said Maister Vngan my friend now remaineth none but you say boldly what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into things which is not necessary to be knowne to any other then your selfe therefore let these giue place a while if you please At these words they with-drew themselues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty saw me ere while to laugh it was at one word which little you thinke on yet it is true and will you know what It was that which Antalles said that what he found by your dreame was already happened by the person that best loueth ye Now shall I reueale what you keepe in secret and thinke that none knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue already accomplished your will and she whom you loue is surpassing faire then tolde he all the gests and fashions of her as if she had bene there present But as for the chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what it meaneth and how she whome you loue desirous to deliuer her heart and yours from griefe and sadnesse came to ye entring your chāber by the false dore that was hid from you The hands that opened your sides is the conuinction of you twaine then the heart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Son or a Daughter Now tell me said the King what meaneth the casting thereof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therefore neuer labour for further knowledge thereof Yet would I said the King faine vnderstand it and therefore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseech ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shal reueal you wilnot be displeased with her who loueth you so loyally That promise do I faithfully make thee said the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that heart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessity be forsaken And the other said the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue another childe who shall be caryed away against the will of her that caused the losse of the first Thou hast told me strange things said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast told me concerning the Lady I loue For things ordeined and appoynted by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gaine-say or remedy and therefore men of wisdome should neuer be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacity of men farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue bin so curious to vnderstand referre all things to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the end of them to his honor and glory and thus in mine opinion you ought to set downe your rest The King was highly contented with Vngan and so esteemed of him that from thēce forward he had him neere his person by meanes whereof he receiued many great fauours Now it happened that at that instant as the king parted from the Philosophers a Damosell presented her selfe before him right costly in garments and faire in beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfrey the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these wordes made the good Prince more sad pensiue then he was before For this time the Auther leaueth this purpose returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whom he made to be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherefore in short time he grew and became so faire that all which
am her seruant It is true quoth the King but for this present haue a little patience and when time serueth you shal be honorably knighted in meane while he gaue charg that all his needfull accouâ—rements for the cause should be prouided Now did the king aduertise Gandales heereof who was so contented therewith as he soone dispatched a Damosell toward the yong Prince by whome he sent the Sword the Ring and the letter couered with waxe which he found in the chest he tooke out of the sea Such speede made the Damosell as she came to the Prince at what time he was sporting with Oriana and the other Ladies while the Queene slept At that instant was he in such a sollemne thought of Oriana as not daring to lift vp His eyes to behold her said within himselfe Ah God why hast thou endued this Lady with such exellent beauty that vnhappy I should suffer so extreame passions by louing her Ah mine eyes too high did ye looke when ye beheld her of whome you are not worthy but if the worst happen death shall satisfie this timeritie whereto my hart for her is humbled In this thought he was like to fall downe so had he forgotten and ouergone himselfe when a page came to him saying Gentleman there is a strange Damosell attending without who hath brought you certaine presents and would speake with ye When she who loued him heard this message her hart began to tremble in such sorte as being not able to endure this new flame she called to the Prince saying I pray ye stay heere and let the Damosel come in that we may haue the sight of what shee hath brought which he did the Damosell being entred thus spake to him My Lord your good friend Gandales saluteth you as the man whom he onely loueth and hath sent ye this Ring this waxe this Sword which he desireth ye for his sake to keepe while you liue The Prince hauing receiued the presents laid the Ring and waxe aside to behold the Sword which being without a sheath was wrapped in a fine linnen cloth whereat he greatly meruailed and while he was musing thereon Oriana tooke the waxe thinking it to be some other thing and said Beleeue me Gentleman for my part I would haue this waxe You may haue it if you please Madame quoth he but me thinkes this faire Ring were better for ye I will haue nothing but this waxe said Oriana and so tooke it During these discourses the King came who said to the Prince What thinke ye of that Sword My Lord quoth he I find it a very faire one but I maruaile wherefore it hath no scabbard It is said the King very neer fifteene yeeres since it had one hauing so said he laid it aside proceeding thus You would be a Knight and know not whether you ought to be one or no therefore it is necessary that you vnderstand what you are and I to tell you so much as I know Heereupon he declared how he was found in a chest on the sea with the Sword the Ring as you haue already heard I beleeue my Lord quoth the Prince that for your pleasure you vse this inuention because the Damosell when she entred said that my good friend Gandales sent me these presents but I think she fayled in her words and would haue said my father Gandales Notwithstanding my Lord if it be so as you haue rehersed I am not displeased thereat except in not knowing of whence I am nor they me yet do I thinke my selfe a Gentleman for my hart perswades me of no lesse Now therefore it is more necessary that I be Knighted then before to the end I may labour to become such a one as may acquire honor and reputation seeing I haue no parents by whom I may be named not knowing what I am When the King heard him speake so vertuously he esteemed much better of him then before thinking him-selfe that he could not but be a man of calling and hardy As thus they were deuising a Gentleman came to the King and said My Lord King Perion your brother is come to the Court The King very glad thereof departed to receiue his brother embracing him thus spake I see my good brother you meant to take me vnprouided for little did I thinke of your so sudden arriual in this country Noble brother answered King Perion I come to request the ayd of my friends because I haue more neede of them at this time then euer I had for Abies King of Ireland threatneth me with strong warre and is with great puissance entred my Kingdome so that he and Dagauel his Cozin haue laid very seuere siedge to me And which is worst of all Fortune hath so hardly dealt with me that certaine whome I trusted haue forsaken me and the greatest part of my other friends are ouerthrown in the skirmishes we haue had together so that now I come to request your succour in this extreame needeâ— Truely brother answered Languines you may be sure thereof and your mis-fortune grieueth me not a little but I wil prouide therefore so well as I can Agraies who was newly knighted being hot and ready to Armes hauing heard the reâ—uest of his Vnckle and the grant the King his father had made him of assistance came and fell on his knee before him saying I beseech ye father let me obtaine one boone at your hands The King who loued him as himselfe answered Demand what thou wilt for it shall not be denied thee I desire your sufferance quoth Agraies that I may go to Gaule to aid the Queene my Aunte In good faith said the King well content am I 〈◊〉 in good equipage shalt thou goe and strongly accompanied When the Gentleman of the sea heard this determination he was more earnest to compasse his enterprise then before and seeing king Perion was present he could not glut his eyes with beholding him onely for the good reporte he had heard of him for he thought not then of any affinitie or parentage but would rather be Knighted by his hand then any other in respect of his high hautghy deedes of Armes And to attaine his purpose he thought best to entreat the Queene hoping that if she would doe so much for him as to moue the King her brother therein she shold not be gainlaid and for he saw her so sad that he durst not speake to her he boldly went to Ortana and setting his knee to the ground said I pray ye Madame tell me what causeth the Queene to be so pensiue Oriana beholding the man before her whom she loued in her very Soule albeit neither he or any other knew it was surprized whith such vehemency of loue as she could hardly tell how to dissemble it yet thus she answered Gentleman of the sea and my friend I will take paine to know then shall I tell ye with all my hart seeing it is the first request that euer ye
made to me Madame quoth he I know in my selfe so small deseruing toward you that I account my selfe vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should thinke I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to cōmand me What said shee haue you so base a mind such smal estimatiō of your selfe Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replied the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the king your father left you in this Country if you remember and when the Queene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours onely I reputed my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes said Oriana you tooke her words to better end then at that time she meant them which I take in good part and am content it shall be so No sooner had she thus said but the Prince was ouercome with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew thereof but said she would goe to the Queene to doe what he had desired and returned soone after telling him that her griefe was for the Queene of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would go succor her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death said he for without your gracious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these words Oriana smiled saying Seeing then you are mine I grant you to be my Knight and you shall aide the Queenes sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thanks telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose hands so pleased you to intreate it I would more willingly receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that said she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner grant it So presently she went to her and told what she and the Gentleman of the sea had concluded to attaine his Knight-hood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistance in the sute Mabila who loued the Prince very well thus answered I assure ye sister there shal be no want in me for so well doth the Gentleman deserue as would make one do much more then this for him wherefore let him be ready this night in the Queens Chappell then when time shall serue we will go with our women to accompany him and I will send for the King mine Vncle which shall be somewhat before the breake of day that he may come see me and he being come to vs you and I will moue him in the matter which I hope he will grant vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherefore they sent for the Prince and tolde him al the platforme they had laid who humbly thanking them wold prouide all things ready for him-selfe and therefore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine armour so closely as you can into the Queenes Chappell because I hope this night to receiue mine order and for I must right soone depart hence I would know if you haue any will to beare me company Beleeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I depart from ye Of these words was the Prince so glad that the teares stood in his eyes with ioy Well said he prouide all things ready as I told ye wherein Gandalin failed not for ere supper he tooke such order as all was done vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretly into the Chappell where he armed himselfe except the head hands So staying there for the Ladies King Perion he fel on his knees before the Alter desiring God to be his aide not onely in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortal passiōs The night being come the Queen with-drawne the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their womē came to the chappel where the Gentlemā of the sea attended Mabila hauing sent for K. Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My L. seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hither I pray you grant Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be loath saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thanke him whom whē he beheld so faire he thought all the world could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame doth it please you to command me any thing Not cōmand my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of knight-hood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altar When the king saw him he wondred at his goodly stature and said to him My friend would you receiue the order of Knight-hood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it done said the King who giue you grace so well to proceede therein as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spur and dubbing him with his Sword thus spake Now haueye the Order appertaining to a Knight but I would oppertunity had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor notwithstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renowne shall supply what wanteth here in performance Afterward King Perion took leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him then set on his way toward Gaule cōmending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimony of these louers sweete desires If it seeme to the Reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answer that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which thinke themselues most expert in those pleasing and amorous actions haue beene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not only he depriued them of speech but of iudgment also
be answered the Prince vnlesse you thinke I haue done wrong in succouring the husband to this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dy When the three Knights heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had bene abused by their sister wherefore they thus replied In sooth my Lord so please you to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assurance so to doe said the Prince yet will I not acquit ye from the combate Then he that first spake rehersed all the words of their sister according as hath beene already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villanie disguised in such sorte for she hath done far otherwise as you may vnderstand by her husband himselfe who being nere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at hand Seeing it hath so fallen out said the three bretheren dispose of vs as they that remain at your mercy And mercy shall ye haue answered the Prince if first ye will loyally sweare to me that you will cary this woman and her husband to the Court of King Languines there before him recite al that hath happened saying withall how you were thereto constrained by a yong Knight that sent ye thether who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this mis-deed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to performe wherefore commending them to God he rode away leauing them together CHAP. VI. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentle-man of the sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knights the Gentle-man of the sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not ridden long till they saw two Damosels come toward them by two sundry waies who addressed them-selues to meete together which when they had done they entred into communication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and whē they were come to the Prince she with the Launce aduanced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three dayes it will stand ye in good steed as therewith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these words thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shal be quoth she euen so as I haue said and this present I was desirous to bring ye as a beginning of recompence for two fauours I hope to receiue by you the first whereof shall be When one of your best friends shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue whereby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath done these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doe my friend Full well I known quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you must note was Vrganda the vnknowne When the other Damosell who heard the words saw her forsake her company she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doe wherefore she said My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conueneient I would gladly for a while abide with ye deferring a iourny that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demand of whence she was where-to she replied that she was of Denmarke And that himselfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assurance thereof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country speech whereupon he said If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tell me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I see her till now I met her on the way and then she said to me that the Launce she caried she would giue to the best Knight in the world desiring me withall to let you vnderstand after her departure that she bare you great affection and how she was named Vrganda the vnknowne Ah God quoth he how infortunate am I ◅ot knowing her if I forbare now presently to follow her you must thinke Lady the cause is that I cannot find her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the dark euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chanced that they met with a Squire who demanded where they intended to find lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith said the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you cannot long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct you to a Castle belonging to my father who shall do you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosel thinking this councel good desired the Prince to accept there-of which he did therefore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them derectly forth of the way because he had neuer seene the combates of Knights errand and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought thē to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could the Prince take no rest all the night for thinking on the Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gone and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire said he would bring them againe into their way acquainting the Prince as he rode with the custome of the Castell which being very neere at hand he shewed them the Castell standing very strong and pleasantly for before it ran a huge swift Riuer and no passage thereto but ouer a long draw-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence thereof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needs passe thether by the bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsaull passage March on then said the Prince wherewith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the sea remaining behind entred into such thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well neere forgotten himselfe but at length he heard the noyse of sixe Halberders armed with Corslets and Helmets who at the entrance of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oath that she should neuer beare loue to hir friend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland against King Perion which she refusing cried to the Prince for his assistance This clamour made him forget his musing when adressing himselfe to the Palliardes he said Traiterous villaines who commanded you to lay hands on this Lady
whereto she condiscended tooke the Prince by the hand saying I beseechye Sir grant the king what he hath requested He seeing her importunate took off his Helmet when presently the king knew him that it was the same man he had knighted at the Ladies motion wherefore embracing him he said Right glad am I to know so deere a friend My Lord quoth the Prince I knew you so soone as I came to the Castell to be the man that gaue me mine order of knight-hood wherewith so please it God I meane to serue you while your warre continueth in Gaule willingly I would not be knowne by any one till your troubles be finished You ha ue already said the King done so much for me as I rest bounden to you while I liue allowing you to dispose of me and mine and if as you say you come into Gaule you shall augment with aduauntage the honor due to you then iustly may I tearme the hower happy that it was my fortune to make so good a Knight Such like words vsed King Perion litle thinking how neere they were allied together thus they rode deuising till at length they came to a double way when he demanded of the King which of those waies pleased him to take This on the left hand answered the King because it guideth directly to my Country God haue you then in his keeping said the Prince for I must needes ride this other way I pray ye quoth the King remember your comming into Gaule as you promised me for the hope I haue in you hath abridged part of my sorrow and giueth me assurance withall that by your meanes I shall recouer my losse So tooke they leaue of each other the king toward Gaule and the Prince in company with the Damosell and Gandalin but because she had now seene what she desired namely the proofe of the Launce which Vrganda gaue him she wold trauaile no further out of her way but turning to the Prince said I haue hetherto my Lord with right good will kept ye company because the Lady that gaue ye the Launce said she brought it to the best knight in the world and surely I haue seene so much as I stand in no doubt of her speeches wherefore I shall now shape my course to find her I am sent to as before I tolde ye I pray ye Lady quoth he tell me what she is It is said she the Princesse Oriana Daughter to king Lisuart of great Brittaine When he heard her named whom he loued so deerely his hart began to tremble in such sorte as he had fallen beside his Horse but that Gādalin staied him yet fetching a great sigh said Ah God my hart faileth me the Damosell thinking some sudden sicknes was the cause thereof would haue had him vnarmed but hee tolde her it was needlesse for he was oftentimes wont to feele such passions The Squire who all this while had beene their guide tooke leaue of the Prince as king the Damosell if her way lay toward the Courte of King Languines which she affirming he said he would accompany her thether because hee had busines of some importance there So hauing courteously saluted each other they returned the same way they came the Prince rode on with Gandalin to seeke aduentures Heere leaueth the Author to tel ye what happened to Galaor whom the Giant caried away and gaue in keeping to the aged Hermet as already you haue heard By this time had Galaor attained the age of sixteene yeeres meruailously encreasing in stature comely perfection hauing no other exercise then reading on a Booke which the olde man lent him discoursing the deeds of Armes of sundry ancient Knights Heerein he tooke so great pleasure as on this occasion as also by a naturall instinct he was desirous to be Knighted neuerthelesse he knew not whether by right such honor appertained to him Very earnestly he questioned thereon with the Hermet but the holy man who knew right well that so soone as he receiued the order he should combate against the Giant Albadan his eyes being filled with teares he thus answered My soone much better were it for you to labour in the safetie of your soule then to aduenture on the order of Knight-hood which is to be maintained with wonderous trauaile Father quoth Galaor very hardly shall I follow the calling which I take against my will but in that whereof my hart hath made choyse if God grant me good successe will I aduance his seruice for there-out may I not be during life The good Hermit who then well perceiued his grounded resolution replied Certes my Sonne seeing you are determined to follow Armes I can well assure ye that through fault of high linage you neede not dispaire of good hap in respect you are son to a King and Queene but keepe that to your selfe and let not the Giant know how I told ye so much When Galaor heard this he was exceedingly contented saying to the Hermit In sooth Father the care I haue had all my life time to be a Knight hath beene very great but now I thanke God and you I am rid thereof for by that you haue tolde me I cannot misse ofit The Hermit noting his earnest affection doubted least soone after he would be gone wherefore he gaue the Giant to know his Schollers forwardnes as also how his constitution did now very well serue him being wonderfull desirous of his knight-hood and therefore he should now deale in the cause as best himselfe pleased No sooner was the Giant enformed hereof but presently he got him to Horse-backe and rode to the Hermit with whom he found Galaor of more large stature then his yeeres expressed very comely and beautyfull in euery parte whereupon he thus spake to him I vnderstand Sonne that you would be a Knight to follow Armes truely you shall prepare your selfe to go with me when time serueth and your desire shal be honorably satisfied Father answered Galaor heerein consisteth the summe of mine affection so not long after the Giant departed from the Hermit taking Galaor with him who falling on his knee before the reuerent olde man desired that as he had fatherly nourshed him so still he would remember him in his deuout orisons The holy man with the teares tricling downe his cheekes kissed and blessed him then mounted Galaor on Hors-back and followed the Giant who brought him home to his Castell where for certaine time he practised to combate at Armes as also brauely to manage Horses hauing all things conuenient for the same and two maisters very expert therein When he had continued a yeere at these exercises the Giant seeing him worthy to receiue honor strong enough to endure chiualrie disposed thereon as you shall read hereafter Now againe doth the Author leaue him and discourseth of that which chanced to the Gentleman of the sea who after he departed from King Perion and the Damosell rod two daies together without any
teares into his eyes and altogether praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to meete with his Parents being all this while vnknowne to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demanded of him if hee had no other name thē that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three daies past since I knew there-of for as I came from the Combat against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in waxe when I was found in the sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and herewithall he shewed the letter to the Queene which she full well knew so soone as she saw it Beleeue me said the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis de Gaule It was not long before the bruite hereof was spread through the city that the good famous knight was sonne to King Perion and the Queen Elisena wherefore if euery one reioyced you must thinke the Prince Agrates was not sorry for they were found to bee Cozin germames Among the rest the Damosell of Deamarke had knowledge here-of wherefore considering what comfort this would bee to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to return toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good Newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whom aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to her Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you can not so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shedde so many teares These wordes caused the teares to trickle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the Heauens may safely conduct ye yet let mee entreat your friendly remembrance commanding the vttermost of my endeauours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so endebted to my gracious Mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuerthelesse you may say to her that right soon shall I come to shew my obedience and in like Armor will I be clad as when you saw me combate with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily know me if I cannot compasse the meane to speake with you in this manner departed the Damosel of Denmark On the other side Agrates seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside sayd Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate heart will allow me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to command me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonour she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speed and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the onely cause of my parting with you Now must you note heere-withall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the king of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this yong Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tel ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without lād because al the portiō his father left him was onely a poore Castle for the rest he had spent in following armes entertaining Gentle-men whereupon he had the Sirname of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agrates had with Amadis of whō he requested to know where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin qouth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visite the Court of king Lasuart where I haue heard Chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honour then in the kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may command mein their seruice euē as your self or any other as well in respect of our alliance together as also for the gracious entertainment I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies took his leaue beeing Honourably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the fields he saw a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his Horse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell some-time sayd vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she sayd true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whom thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the Flower of Ireland and such a one as that Countrey shall neuer haue his like Vntill time the good brother of the Ladie must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be broght thither the tribute of other Countryes and he must die by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the onely thing of the world which most he loueth And so it hap ned by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that Countrey whom Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demanded of King Marke of Corne wall his Vncle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the onely thing of the world that hee most loued Now must thou be mindefull hereof sayd the Damsel to the King for Vrganda my Mistresse so cōmandeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whom she gaue the Launce commendeth him-selfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce
I should deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowne to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode backe the same way she came and the King into the Citie with Amadis his Soune so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to keepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honour and happie comming there were Knightly Tourneys daily vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what maner the Gyant had carryed away his brother Galaor wherefore hee determined happen what might to goe seeke him and if possible hee could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he entreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemies that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittaine because he was loath to remaine idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Queen yet by opportunitie hee obtained permission for his Voyage nor could they all haue power to with hold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Herevpon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarqing himselfe at the neerest Port of the Sea where by good happe he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittaine landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient City of that Countrey where hee heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demanded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marry is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any shipping there for my speedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither sayd Amadis In sooth replyed the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whom King Perion not long since had knowne to bee his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruaile hereat for hee thought these newes had not been so farre spread abroad wherefore hee demaunded how she heard thereof I know it qouth she from her to whom the most secret things of all are manifest for she knew Amadis before he knew himselfe or that his Father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what shee is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowne She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which shee now standeth in feare to loose Beleeue me Damosell answered Amadis seeing she who may command euery one doth now please to employ Amadis I assure ye it is needlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seek and therefore let vs goe whither you thinke conuenient What sayd the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct yee where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII How the Gyant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dubbe him Knight mette with his brother Amadis by whose hand hee would bee Knighted and no other THe Gyant of whom sundry times we haue spoken heereto-fore causing yong Galaor to bee instructed in managing horses all other exercises beseeming a Knight found him so capeable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeere hee was growne meruailous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whom hee most willingly would receiue his order of Knight-hood Notwithstanding before the Gyant mooued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this maner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would bee so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my son answered the Gyant you haue reasō for your words yet tell me by whō you would receiue your Order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if so it like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Wel haue you aduised sayd the Gyant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire and strong Castle named Bradoid seated on the toppe of a mountaine enuironed about with Fennes and Marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the Marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long Causey being so broad that two Chariots might well meet together on it and at the entrance of the Causey was a draw-bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Heere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly Elme trees where-under the Gyant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shield two Lyons rampant and because the bridge was drawne vp hee could passe no further but called with a loude voyce to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing sayd to the Gyant My Lord if it please you I would glady see what this Knight will doe here Soone after they espyed at the further end of the Causey by the Castle side two other Armed Knights accompained with tenne Halberders who came and demaunded of the knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not sticke for that answered hee that would enter cause you the bridge to bee let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twaine more hasty then his companion aduanced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrier against the knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both Horse and man to the ground The friend to the dismounted knight thinking to reuenge his iniury gaue forth to meete him and failing in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountered with their bodies
her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let mee not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two from me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames shee was maruailously abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned shee spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wont to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further danger if shee reuiue againe Come I pray yee succour her for now is the time of greatest neede and let these lamentations be referred till another time Mabila perceiuing the Damosell saide true wherefore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenesse some hope of life to bee expected they lifted her vpon the bed when soon after her spirites returned to their office and to qualifie this agonie they could deuise no better means then to busie her eares with some or other speeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speake to vs. Madame saide the other your Amadis is yet aliue and well At the name of Amadis shee opened her eyes turning her head here and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sigh started vp saying Alas sweete friend where is he We vnderstand quoth shee that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wont to vaunt of himselfe without cause feeding himselfe with false praise of deceiuing Knights Why saide Oriana haue I not heard that hee brought his horse and armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as wel be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to try out constancy then finding vs thus weakely disposed hee should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you thinke so simply Madam that Amadis could be ouercome by one and no better a knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of himselfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he finde you not onely dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to griefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by malice can do and thus you both shall die one for another When Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her friend if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the truth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amorously conferred when first he ariued at her fathers Court and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah window the witnesse of my abādoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whom thou causest me remember and by whose gracious words both thou and I were made happy Of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou indure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue done which fayling mee now giueth me strange and insupportable torments to bee my companions and hence-forth shall my sad spirit remaine in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then shee had done in this manner Why Madam thinke you if I held these babling newes for truth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sort the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite all the world to weepe then want consolation for you who stand in such neede thereof But I see so slender appearance of beleefe as I will not before time require repute you vnfortunate because discomforting our selues without asurance The euill hereby may be amended and the good made much more worse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time beene shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he bee dead I care not though our loue were openly knowne for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladies all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demanded for Oriana she answered that she accompanied Mabila whom she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her griefe for her Cosin Amadis Thus was the princesses secret sadnesse couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults between doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoynas entred the palace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew them for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knees before the king were quickly called to remembrance his maiesty thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue tarryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath bin the cause whereout had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen liberty to me this Lady and many more by such deedes of Armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue been deliuered Yet was he once in danger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damosels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whom hee verily thought to be dead What my friend quoth he by the faith thou owest to God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demanded such a questiō Because sayd the King Arcalaus yesterday tolde vs he had slaine him heere-with he declared his speeches and the manner how What a traiterous villaine is that replied Brandoyuas but worse is befalne him then he weeneth as yet hereto he added what passed betweene Amadis Arcalaus as already you haue heard whereby each one forsooke the sorrow of the former false newes the King presently commanding that Grindaloya should be conducted to the Queene that shee might vnderstand these happy tidings Into the Queenes chamber is she brought and the Damosell of Denmarke hearing her reporte ran with all speede to the Princesse Oriana who hearing by her the truth of all the passage of her speech was stopt for a long time seeming as one confounded with enchantment thinking in these newes shee gaue her the bag or that she dreamed them but when she recouered the vse of her tongue she thus answered the
leaue of him returning the same way shee came whereat euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimity as whatsoeuer happened hee would not be reprooued with cowardice and so dearely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deaths then to see him suffer any mishap or iniury Wherupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuerience to alter the promise hee had so lightly made shewing it was not beseeming his Maiesty to deale with ffaires of knights and Gentlemen he being placed in authoritie ouer them While they stood on these tearmes there entred three knights two of them being very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for hee was a man of ancient yeares as seemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull colour then commonly hath been noted in a man of age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This knight carryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demanding for the King the Gentle-men shewed where hee sate making him way to his Maiesty before whom hee fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is king Lisuart for within these few dayes hee hath made the most worthy promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to be performed but I would faine knowe your meaning heerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honour a matter wherein now a dayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Heerein you were tolde truth sayde the King and you may bee well assured that I will doe my vttermost to aduance the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your countrie to be ready at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you heere a thing with mee which such a king as you are ought most royally to receiue Then opening the Cofer hee took forth a Crowne of gold so sumtuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and pretious stones as neuer was seene a more costlier Iewell euery one being of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mighty Lord. When the king had long and earnestly beheld it he was very desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the knight perceiuing saide This Crowne my Lord is of such workemanship as no ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be esteemed for the king that keepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the king who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no king but you that euer saw it but if you like it so well I will make ye a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some danger to lose All this while was the Queene in place earnestly wishing that the king her husband might haue it where-upon she saide to the king Me-thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demandeth Madame quoth the knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buy it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was seene for beside the precious stones wherewith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sorts of beasts and birds which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rate and curious piece of worke not wrought as I thinke by humaine capacity You say true Madame replied the knight for the like hereof is not to bee found yet may not the riches compare with the property and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maried Ladies then any other because shee that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of cheef regard answered the Queen if it haue any such indeede I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grew she maruailous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betweene the king and her wherefore she sayde to the knight Say Sir how do you estimate this mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseech you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the hands of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of griefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedy while I liue and because I know not well the valew of these iewels I will leaue them in your costody vntill the day you holde open Court at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demand In meane while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue sayd you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust me sayd the king seeing you repose such confidence in mee assure your selfe to haue whatsoeuer you request or else they shall bee restored againe It suffiseth quoth the knight thē turning to the Lords he thus proceeded Worthy Lords you haue all heard what the king hath promised me that he will restore the mantle the crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me whatsoeuer I shall demād So much his Maiesty hath said replied the Lords we are witnesses thereof Adiew then answered the ancient Knight for perforce I must returne to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But here you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knights which conducted the old man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his helmet open and seemed a young man the other held downe his head as loth to bee knowne being of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kings Court might bee equalled with him So departed they againe all three together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kings custody CHAP. XXXI How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays being all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Court of King Lisuart where they were wel-commed with exceeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowne
perceiuing you should assuredly die if her mistresse knew the names of you both disguised the matter so wiâ—h her as she said she forgot to aske your names onely thus perswading her that you were two of the very best Knights in the World The daunger thorowly considered I sweare to you by the faith of a Christian that I can deuise no better meane for your deliuerance then this I haue told ye and shall I say more If you do it not worse will come to you then you suspect But Amadis loued the Princesse Oriana so doâ—â—ely as he rather desired death then to hazard himselfe in such a composition whereupon he thus replyed I thanke you Sir hartily for your great kindnesse but I haue no such authoritie ouer my selfe as will permit me to proceede so far though your Lady her selfe intreated neuer so deepely yet liberty nor life can perswade me Alas Sir answered the Knight I wonder you will not consider how neere your death is It is all one to me quoth Amadis but if you will deale herein with my brother he is a knight more braue and beautifull then I am happely hee wil consent to follow your deuise Presently he left Amadis and comming to Galaor deliuered the whole discourse he did to his brother Which he liking very well made this reply Good Father if you could bring it to passe that the Lady would accept me as her friend my companion and I were for euer at your command Referre the matter to me quoth the Knight immediatly will I goe to her and hope to strike it dead on her behalfe So departing from Galaor hee went to Madasima who rode formost and thus began to breake with her Madame you carry two prisoners with you but you doe not know what they are Why aske you me such a question answered Madasima Because the one of them quoth the knight is esteemed the best knight that euer bare Armes and the most accomplished in all other good gifts Is he not then named Amadis said she whose death I haue so long desired No Madame answered the Knight I speake of him which rideth next vs whose youth and beauty had you well regarded your selfe would say you haue been too outragious in iniurie What though he be your prisoner it is not for any offence committed against you but onely through the hatred you beare to another all which you may yet redresse in much better sort then you began considering if he conceiued liking of you you may thereby easily induce him to loue and vnder that ceremony draw him to do what your selfe shall desire In sooth plyed Madasima I will assay to know if he be such a one as you report him to be Do Madame quoth he and you shall finde him one of the fairest Knights that euer you beheld Here you must note that the Knight no sooner left Galaor when he went to the Ladie but he tooke occasion thus to talke with his brother You see my Lord the estate wherein we are which requireth some notable dissimulation at our hands I beseech ye therefore moderate their anger because alreadie it endangereth our liues and for a while follow my direction By Heauen brother answered Amadis death had beene very welcome to mee but since you wish me to be gouerned by you I am content desiring the conseruation of our honours which being lost we are vnworthie to line Further they could not proceede because Madasima came and interrupted them when calling him aside and faire day was displayed on the earth his beautie and good grace so especially contented her as she became surprized with his loue which she shaddowed vnder demanding how he fared Madame said Galaor I fare worse then you should were you in my power as I am in yours for I would do you what seruice and pleasure possible I could and you vse the contrarie to me I hauing giuen no occasion of offence reason willeth I should rather be your knight to loue and honour you then your prisoner thus vnkindelie bound as I am And surelie I cannot but meruaile hereat considering the simple conquest you haue thereby vse then such rigor to vs as women so diuinelie adorned are wont to do Madasima hearing his gentle language was more and more enflamed with his loue yet striuing to dissemble it she merrilie said Tell me faire Sir if I chuse you as my friend and deliuer you from prison will you for my sake leaue the seruice of King Lisuart and afterward tell him how you did it by my meanes With all my heart Lady answered Galaor and to performe it you shall haue what oath you please both of mee and my companion for he will doe no more then I request him Credit me quoth Madasima if before this company you wil promise to obey me presentlie you shall enioy your libertie Behold me ready replied Galaor Yet is not this enough answered Madasima for you shall sweare it in the presence of a Ladie where I am intended to lodge this night In meane while you must assure me not to depart my company We will not on my faith Madame quoth Galaor and calling Amadis caused him to affirme as much whereupon they were vnbound and set at libertie their â—quires likewise as friendlie vsed and mounting on their owne horses rode at their ease as they did before But Madasima and Galaor still continued their amorous discourses till they arriued at a Castle named Albies the Lady where-of receiued them very honourably in respect of great friendshippe betweene Madasima and her Needelesse were it to tell you of their good cheere it could not but be answerable to the time and company but after supper Madasima demanded of Galaor if he meant to keepe his promise he made her by the way What else Madame quoth he prouided you be so good as your worde to me Make no doubt thereof replyed Madasima then framing her speeches to the Lady of the Castle and also to two knights that were her Sonnes she proceeded in this manner My good friends I pray you heare a couenant betweene me and these two Gentlemen because hereafter you may be my witnesses They are my prisoners and vnder these conditions I haue released them that one of them shall continue my friend and both of them forsake the seruice of King Lisuart telling him how for my sake and in despight of him they haue done it Hereupon I intreate this fauour at your hands as to meete me at the Court of that wretched King on the day they must declare this message to see how contentedly he will take it But if they fullfill not their promise hence-forth you shall publish in all places the heynous offence by them committed and ten dayes I giue them to execute this charge I am well pleased said the Lady of the Castle to doe a greater matter for you then this if they as willingly consent thereto We pray you quoth Galaor not to faile herein for we haue promised
fauour will yeeld themselues Each of you therefore reioyce and be of good cheere for when I am King right richly will I reward you all So went they to rest till the next morning when Barsinan being armed mounted on horse-backe with twenty knights in his company and came to a Port which one of king Arbans knights kept who seeing this troupe presently sounded an allarme But Barsinan sent him word how hee came to parle onely and desired truce beside for six houres whereof king Arban was immediatly aduertised who granted the truce Barsinan required likewise for fiue dayes Conditionally that he should offer no violence to any house in the City or practise any entrance during the limited time beside if the King returned in that space the difference should bee left to his disposition Barsinan was contented with these conditions because hee accounted king Lisuarts death certaine whereupon hee saide to Arban I hope this little truce will be an entrance into a perpetuall peace betweene vs for I dare assure yee king Lisuart is dead and his daughter must be my wife as within these fiue dayes ensuing you shall euidently see What quoth king Arban thou hast then put him to death and couldst thou deale so treaterously with him that gaue thee such honourable entertainement in his Court rather will I presently die then continue one houre of peace with thee get thee gone therefore quickly or I will send thee hence in peeces Is it true quoth Barsinan well mayest thou threaten me but it is in me to make thee repent it Thus returned hee to his souldiers acquainting them with his honest offers to king Arban and the audacious answere he returned for them CHAP. XXXIX How Amadis came to the succour of the City of London when it was in this distresse NOt long agoe we left Amadis in the wood familiarly deuising with the Princesse Oriana thinking on nothing but their sweete contentation and among other discourse Amadis intreated her to tell him what speeches Arcalaus had with her by the way On my faith Sir quoth she he confounded my senses with perswading mee to reioyce saying Before fiue dayes were expired I should raigne as Queene in Great Brittaine enioying Barsinan to my husband him-selfe likewise should be chiefe Gouernour and Maister of his house in recompence of the seruices hee did for him in giuing him my fathers head and mee to be his wife Ah heauens sayde Amadis what treason is this in Barsinan who shewed himselfe such a friend to the king God shield hee doe no wrong to the Queene In sooth I greatly doubt it replyed Oriana it were good therefore wee hasted to see With all my heart quoth Amadis so mounting on horse-backe they rode toward London meeting many knights by the way that followed the King whom still hee directed in their course certifying them that Galaor was gone likewise in his search Within a while after Oriana espied Don Grumedan an auncient knight of honour to the Queene and twenty knights more with him who all that night had searched the Forrest for the king but when hee sawe her the teares stoode in his eyes with ioy desiring to heare some newes of the King her father Credit mee Sir quoth shee not farre from the Citie were we sundered when God ordayned so well for me that Amadis deliuered me frō the villaines and ransomed mee with the price of their liues They were vnwise to resist saide Grumedan when you had so good a Champion but I pray you my Lord what is become of your brother Euen in the same place answered Amadis where they separated the father from the daughter we seuered our selues hee posting after the King and I followed Arcalaus who led away Madame Oriana The better hope haue I of his succour quoth Grumedan seeing so good a knight hath taken it in hand Hereupon Amadis tolde him the horrible treason of Arcalans and Barsinan Let me therefore intreate yee quoth hee to conduct the Princesse leasurably after while I make haste before least the Queen be distressed because I doubt the traytor will her offer iniury I think it likewise expedient that you cause all the knights to returne you meete withall for if the King should bee reskewed by multitude of men there is enow before already and more then needs So leauing his Lady with Don Grumedan hee made all the haste hee could towarde London ouertaking the Squire by the way that came from the king who told him all the newes of his deliuerance which was no little ioy to Amadis hearing the fortunate successe of his brother Galaor There met hee with another likewise who made report of Barsinans dealings at London wherefore entring the Citie so couertly as hee might the first hee met withall was king Arban of whom hee was louingly embraced and welcommed with request of what newes he brought None but good answered Amadis and such as you are desirous to heare but because I doubt the Queene is scant merry let vs goe see her for happely shee will bee glad of our comming So rode they to the Court together Amadis still keeping the Squire with him that came from the king and when they entered the Queenes presence Amadis falling on his knee beganne in this manner Madame this Gentleman left the King well this morning and at liberty whereof his Maiesty certifieth you by him my selfe likewise not long since left your daughter with Don Grumedan and very shortly they will be with you But because I vnderstand that Barsinan molesteth you with trechery suffer vs I pray you to goe see what hee can doe When the Queen heard these ioyfull tydings her inwarde content tooke away the liberty of of her speech nor could she doe any thing but lift her hands eyes to heauen applauding his name from whence this good proceeded and by gestures deliuering some signe of thankes to Amadis At length hauing ouercome this delightfull passion and intending to question further concerning these newes the allarme was sounded wherefore king Arban and Amadis hyed to the barres where they found Barsinans men giuing an eager charge as hoping to conquer the contrarie part But Amadis thrusting himselfe for-most caused the bars to be taken down and accompanied with king Arban brake in couragiously vpon the enemy a noble president to their souldiers who beeing cheered by this onset tooke heart and followed Now wexed the skirmish to be hot indeed so that on both sides very many were slaine which Barsinan perceiuing trusting in his multitude to suppresse the weaker part came formost himselfe in person thinking now hee saw the barres open to driue his aduersaries backe againe into the Citie When Amadis noted his forwardnesse he stepped backe changed his Creast and Shield with a simple mercinary souldier yet reseruing his Launce which with a strong carreer pierced thorough his Armour and wounding Barsinan brake in peeces in his flesh Then drawing his sword he gaue him such a stroke
Durin I see my misfortune so strange and my sorrow so intollerable as of force I must die which God grant it may be without delay for death onely will giue rest and ease to this torture which vexeth mee Salute from me the Princesse Mabila and thy good sister the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom thou mayst declare my cruel death which I suffer with as great wrōg as euer any knight suffered Before the which I would to God I had the meanes to doe them any seruice in recompence of the duty I doe owe them for all the good they haue done and the fauours they haue purchased for mee Then hee beganne his moane weeping so bitterly as Durin therewith had his heart so stopped with woe that hee was not able to answer one word Wherfore Amadis embraced him and committed him to God At that instant began the day to appeare when Amadis perceiuing that Gandalin followed him hee sayd vnto him if thou determinest to come with me take heede vpon thy life that thou turne me not from any thing which I shall say or doe otherwise I pray thee forthwith to turne another way that I may see thee no more Beleeue me Sir sayd Gandalin I wil do whatsoeuer shal please you Then Amadis deliuered him his armor to bear cōmanding him to pul the sword forth of his shield to cary it to the amorous knight CHAP. V. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him SEeing that it falleth out so fit I will declare vnto you before I passe any further the estate of the amorous Knight of whom wee spake euen now You must knowe that hee was called Patin brother to Don Sidon the Emperor of Rome and hee was the best knight that was to be found in all Romania By meanes whereof he was feared and famous through all the Empire chiefly because hee was to succeed in his brothers dignitie for there was none more neare the same then hee and the Emperour was already so olde that hee neuer hoped to haue any heire Now this Patin was one day talking with the Queene of Sardinia named Sardamira one of the fairest Ladies in the world whom hee loued extreamely And as hee gaue her to vnderstand what feruency and torment hee endured in ouer-louing her she answered him My Lord I assuredly beleeue that which you tell mee and the better to witnesse the same I let you know that there is no prince liuing for whō I would do more then for you nor whom I would more willingly take for husband because I know your good parts and the high knight-hood where withall you are so famoused These speeches bred so great presumption in the heart of Patin as besides that hee was by nature one of the proudest Gentlemen in the world hee entred into such glory that he answered her Madame I haue heard that King Lisuart hath a daughter esteemed the fairest Princesse in the worlde but for the loue of you I will goe into Great Brittaine there to mainteine against all men that her beauty is not cōparable to yours the which I alone will prooue in combate against two of the best knights that dare say the contrary whom if I cannot ouercome I will that King Lisuart doe cause my head to bee cut off In good faith my Lord answered the Queene I am of a contrary opinion for if the Princesse haue any beauty in her it nothing impaireth that which God hath bestowed vpon mee if any beauty there bee and me thinks that you haue other means more fit to make known your prowesse in all places Hap what may hap answered hee I will doe it for your loue to the end that euery one may knowe that as you are the fairest Lady in the world so you are beloued of the valiantest Knight aliue Hereupon continuing in this minde within a while after hee tooke leaue of the Queene and passed into Great Brittaine accompanied onely with two Esquires Then hee enquired where he might find King Lisuart vnto whose Court he shortly after came and because hee was more richly armed then wandering knights were accustomed to bee the King thought him to be some great personage For this cause hee receiued him most honourably appointing him into a chamber to shift himselfe When he was vnarmed hee returned to the King who stayed for him marching with such grauity as those that beheld seeing his comely stature iudged him to bee of great courage But the King tooke him by the hand and conferring together hee sayde vnto him gentle friend I pray you thinke it not strange if I desire to know who you are because I may the more honor you in my Court It may please your Maiesty answered Patin I am not come into this countrey to hide mee but rather to make my selfe knowne as well vnto your Highnesse as vnto all others I am that Patin brother to the Emperour which humbly beseecheth you to enquire no further of my affaire vntill I haue seen my Lady Oriana your daughter When the King heard that he embraced him and in excusing his ignorance he sayd to him My good Cosen I am maruailous glad of the honour that you haue done me In cōming thus to visit me in my owne countrey assuring you that since you are desirous to see my daughter she shall not onely be shewed vnto you but likewise the Queene and all her trayne And so long they continued their talke vntill they had couered for supper Then the King caused him to sit next vnto him where hee found himselfe compassed with so great a number of knights as hee much marualled thereat and began to despise the Court of the Emperour his brother as also of all other Princes in respect of this which hee saw After the tables were taken vp it being time to goe to rest the King cōmanded Don Grumedan to bring Patin to his lodging and to shew him all the honor and good entertainment hee could So for that night they departed vntill the next morning that hee came and found the King hearing diuine seruice after the which hee was conducted to the Ladies who receiued him curteously for at his comming the Queen took him by the hand praying him to sit betweene her her daughter Oriana whom at that instant he beheld with such an eye as the loue which before he did beare vnto the Queene Sardamira was wholly changed vnto her beeing captiuated with her excellent beauty and goodly grace You may iudge then how he would haue esteemed her if he had seene her in the time of her perfect health which was now much decaied by reason of this new iealousie which she had conceiued against Amadis which made her looke leane pale and wan but these defaults could nothing quench the heate of the fire already kindled in the heart of Patin who was so far beside him-selfe that hee determined to beseech the king to bestow her vpon him in
that brought you into this extreamitie seeing that although shee were a woman so requisit as shee could not bee equalled yet for her such a man as you are to be cast away Father answered Amadis I aske not your counsell herein for I now neede it not but for my soules sake I desire you henceforth to receiue mee into your company which if you refuse to do I see no other remedy for me but to die amongst the beasts of this forrest The old man seeing him so resolute had such compassion of him as the teares fell down his long white beard and answered him Alas my son my abiding in a desert place and I liue a life too strickt for you my Hermitage is at the least seuen leagues within the sea vpon the top of a poore Rock vnto the which no liuing creature can come vnlesse it bee at the beginning of the spring time Notwithstanding I haue already remained thirty yeeres there exempted from all worldly pleasure liuing onely vpon such small almes which some people of this Countrey doe bestow vpon me I promise you father saide Amadis it is the life which I desire and I once intreat you that you would giue me leaue to go with you The which the Hermit at the last granted notwithstanding that he had a long time denied him Heere-withall Amadis kissed his feete saying father command whatsoeuer you shall please for to my power I will euer obay you Then the Hermit saide his euening seruice after the which because hee had eaten nothing all day hee tooke out of his wallet a little bread and fish dried in the sun which was giuen vnto him and willed Amadis to eate with him but he refused it although he had beene three daies without tasting any sustenance Wherefore the hermit saide vnto him My sonne you haue promised to obey me doe this then which I command you and eat for if you should die in this obstinacie your soule should be in very great danger For this cause Amadis durst not denie him but did eat a very little for hee sighed continually not being able to forget the great sorrow wherein he remained After he had taken this small refrection the good old man spread his cloake abroad and laid him downe thereon and Amadis at his feete who was a great while before hee could take any rest tumbling and tossing himselfe as a person ill at ease neuerthelesse in the end being heauie with long watching he fell asleepe and hee dreamed that hee was locked in a chamber so darke that he could see no light at all neyther could he finde any way to come out thereof wherewith he greatly lamented moreouer hee thought that his Cozin Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke came vnto him hauing before them a beame of the Sun which gaue a great light in so darke a place they taking him by the hand said vnto him My Lord come forth from hence if it please you and follow vs into the palace the which he did But at his comming forth he thought that he did see Oriana inuironed with a great flame of fire which made him so afraid that hee cried out helpe helpe my Lady Oriana burneth and there withall he leaped into the fire to saue her Then he tooke her in his armes comming through the flame againe without any hurt at all afterwards hee carried her into a garden the greenest and pleasantest that he had seene At the lowde cry which Amadis did make the good Hermit awaked and taking him by the hand hee asked him what he ailed Father answered he I haue euen now in my sleepe felt such exceeding paine that I meruaile I am not dead Your cry hath witnessed the same said hee but let vs rise for it is time to depart Then he got vpon his Asse and tooke the way toward the Hermitage and Amadis followed him a foote talking together of many things at the last he prayed him to giue him one gift which should not bee hurtfull vnto him the which the old man granted I pray you then said Amadis that so long as we are together you would not tell any man who I am and hence-forth to giue mee another name such as it shall please you then after my death you may tell my brethren of me that they may come fetch my body and carry it into Gaule Your life and death answered the hermit are in the hands of God therefore speake no more thereof for therein you offend him very grieuously and therefore seeing you know him loue him and serue him as you are bound to do he wil succour and helpe you notwithstanding what other name wil you haue Such as it shall please you to giue me said Amadis And as they talked together the olde man had his eye continually vpon him and the more he looked on him the fayrer he thought him to be but he did see him so full of griefe as he determined to giue him a name conformable to his excellency and agreeable to his melancholy Whereupon he said vnto him my Sonne you are yong and of a faire complexion notwithstanding your life is obscure by reason of your sorrow therefore my will is that you bee called the Faire Forlorne Wherewith Amadis was contented liking very well of the Hermet his deuise who not without great occasion had imposed that name vpon him And euen as they were ouertaken with the night they came vnto the Sea side where they found a little boat which the day before was come to seeke the Hermet at his hermitage wherin they imbarked and within a small time after tooke landing at the poore Rock so called because of the barrennesse of the place as the old man had declared to him Who continuing his discourse said Sonne I haue heretofore followed the world as you haue done and my name was Andahod assuring you that during my young yeeres I studied many vaine sciences but in the end being wearie thereof I withdrew my selfe into this poore place where I haue already remained thirty yeeres and more and neuer departed thence vntill yeesterday that I was at the buriall of my sister who died within these few dayes When the Faire Forlorne came into this Solitary place he was exceeding glad hoping that in a very short time his sadnesse and his life would both end at once Thus he remained in the company of the hermit consuming his youth with weeping and continuall lamentations seting at naught all worldly honours especially the glory which he had gotten in fighting with Galpan Abies King of Ireland Dardan the proud and many others whom he had ouercome and he began to despise in himselfe all vanities considering the variablenesse of Fortune who not long before had so highly aduanced him that hee had entred into the forbidden Chamber of Apolidon as in the beginning of the History hath beene mentioned But if he had beene demanded what moued him so to do what would hee thinke you haue answered no other
God both to grant you the victory against these traitors that haue in such inhumane sort tormented vs and also that he will bée pleased to haue mercy vpon our soules Great sorrow and compassion had the King for the losse of these 2. knights neuerthelesse seeing that for the present hee could in no sort remedie their misfortun he dissembled his griefe shewing as good a countenance as hee could because he would in no sort discourage the other Gentlemen there present he set before their eyes the accidents whereinto many others had fallen for the maintenance of their Honour of Knighthood from the which many times they haue with great glory and honour escaped But assure you my friends said the King that if wee doe gaine the Battaile I will take such reuenge hereof that the rumor thereof shall fill the eares of all the people in the World Therefore they who are appointed to goe with mee let them bee ready to morrow for I will depart to goe meete mine enemies And according as it was appointed so was all performed CHAP. XVI How that after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana back againe to Mirefleur he departed that he might be in the battel with King Lisuart and what happened vnto him THree dayes did the faire Forlorne remain with Oriana after the gayning of the sword and Kerchiefe and the fourth day following about midnight hee tooke his leaue of her and being armed at all points he rode all the night long Now had hee commanded Enil to goe and stay for him at a Castle scituated at the foote of a Hill neere vnto the which the Battaile was to be foughten and it belonged vnto an ancient knight named Abradan for in his house were all aduentrous knights often-times honoured and serued when they came thither to lodge And the same night did the faire Forlorne passe hard by king Lisuart his Campe not being perceiued at all afterwards hee rode so long that vpon the 5. day following he came vnto Abradan his house where he found Enil which was there ariued but a little before greatly was the faire Forlorne feasted by his Host and as they were talking together there entred in two of his nepheus that were returned from the place where the combat should be who assured them that already King Cildadan and his troop were there arriued and had set vp their Tents and Pauillions hard by the sea side In like sort Don Grumeda and Giontes Nephew to king Lisuart were there come with whom a Truce was concluded vpon eyther part to bee holden vntill the day of the battaile and that neyther of the two Princes should enter into the Combat with any more then one hundred knights in his company according as it was promised and sworne by them Nephewes said the host what do you thinke of the Irish-men whom God confound Vncle answered one of them they haue with them so many Giants that if God doe not miraculously assist our good king beleeue me it is impossible for him to withstand them Herewithall the teares fell from their Vncles eies and he said I hope that God will protect the best and iustest king in the world from falling into the hands of such wicked people Mine host answered the faire Forlorne be not afraid as yet for it happeneth out very often that courage and equity ouerthroweth the pride and presumption of the strongest But I pray you goe vnto the king and tell him that there is lodged in your house a knight called the Faire Forlorne and that hee desireth his Maiesty to send word by you when the day of the battaile shall be What sayd the olde man are you hee that of late did send Don Quedragant vnto his Court and slew Famongomad and his son when they had taken my Lady Lenor and her knights beleeue mee Sir if euer I did any pleasure vnto aduenturous knights I doe euen at this present acknowledge me throughly to be recompenced my house beeing now honoured with your presence and I will not faile to accomplish that which it hath pleased you to command me Then he mounted vpon his horse and tooke with him his two Nephewes and rode vntill hee came where king Lisuart was encamped within halfe a league of his enemies vnto whom he declared the message of the Faire Forlorne at the which all the company did greatly reioyce And the King answered seeing that we haue the Faire Forlorne on our side I doe also hope that wee shall haue the honor of the our enterprise And now see the number of one hundred knights very well furnished had wee but one knight more It may please your Maiesty said Grumedan you now haue the aduantage for the Faire Forlorne is well worth fiue This speech did nothing at all please Galaor Florestan nor Agraies for they hated the Faire Forlorne vnto death for the wrong which they thought he did vnto Amadis neuerthelesse they held their peace and Abradan hauing receiued his answere of the King returned to his guest vnto whom he recited the pleasure that euery one receiued at the newes that he brought from him and of the hundred knights there was no more then one missing but that they were all assembled The which beeing vnderstood by Enil hee did so much that he found his Master apart and falling downe vpon his knees he sayd vnto him My Lord although my seruice vnto you hath not beene such as it should and therefore haue I nothing at all deserued yet am I so bolde at this time to request one gift of you which I beseech you most humbly to graunt vnto mee Demand it sayd hee and rise vp My Lord sayd Enil I pray you thē make mee knight to the end that I may goe vnto the King to entreat his Maiesty that hee will bee pleased to accept of mee for the last knight of his number Friend Enil sayd the Faire Forlorne me thinkes that thou shouldst beginne to try thy prowesse in a place lesse dangerous then this battaile will bee not because I would deferre to make thee knight but in that I know it is too waighty a charge for thee My Lord sayde Enil I knowe that in all my life I cannot haue a better meanes to gaine honour for if I die amongst so many men of worth my reputation shall bee thereby encreased and if I may escape my renowne shall be perpetuall hauing been one in number with a hundred of the best knights in the world The Faire Forlorne hearing Enil speake so vertuously with a kind pittie that he had of him he ruminated these words to himselfe Thou dost well shew thy selfe to bee a kinsman vnto the good knight Gandales my second father Then hee answered Enil if thou haue so great a desire to proue thy self such a one as thou sayest I will no longer disswade thee And therewithall he presently went vnto his host and entreated him to giue him an armour for his Esquire who desired to bee made a knight
it which deceiueth you for if they had heretofore offended you you would haue beene ware of them as of your enemies but they can wisely cloake their pretended treason colouring it with an humble speech accompanied with some small seruices wherein they haue employed themselues watching a time of more fit opertunity The King turned his head on the one side without answering any farther because there came some Gentlemen vnto him neuerthelesse Gandandel being as yet ignorant how the King had taken his aduertisement he practised with Brocadan and drew him vnto his league declaring vnto him the whole discourse which he had with the King assuring him that if they might banish Amadis and his alies that from thenceforth they two alone should gouerne the king and his Realme peacebly Brocadan receiuing this counsell for good did afterwards imprint in the King his minde so great iealosie and suspition against Amadis and his fellowes as from that day hee hated them in so strange a sort that hee could not in a manner abide to see them forgetting the great seruices performed by them as well when he and Oriana were deliuered from the hands of Arcalaus as afterwards in the battaile against King Cildadan and in many other places heretofore recited Truely if this King had well remembred the counsell and aduise which hee had receiued of Vrganda hee had not so farre digressed from the bounds of reason although that the like malady doth often haunt al Princes when they take not heed of falling into the like accidents and danger as King Lisuart did Who giuing credit to the deceitfull words of these traitors did neuer afterwards visit as hee was accustomed Amadis and the others that were wounded whereat they were not a little abashed but to doe them the more dispite he sent for Madasima and other pledges vnto whom he sayde that if within eight dayes the Isle of Mongaza were not yeelded vnto him according to their promise that then hee would suddainly cause their heads to be smitten off When Madasima heard this rigorous constraint neuer was woman more afraid considering that in performing the will of the King shee should remaine poore and vtterly dishereted and on the other side denying to satisfie his behest shee did see her death prepared so that she was in such perplexitie as not being able to answere him she had recourse vnto her teares Wherefore Andaugell the old Gyant answered the King saying If it please your Maiestie I will go with those whom you shall appoint to send vnto the mother of Madasima and I will deale with her in that sort as shee shall accomplish your will yeelding the Countrey and places which you demand otherwise your Maiestie may doe your pleasure with vs. This the King liked well of and euen that day he sent him with the Eearle Latin and caused Madasima and her women to bee carryed back to their accustomed prison whether they were brought by diuers Gentlemen Whom she moued greatly to pittie her estate by the complaints and sorrowfull lamentation that she made vnto them praying euery one of them particularly to labour in her behalfe vnto the King so that there was not one amongst them all who promised not to doe for her as much as possibly they could especially Don Galuanes who at that time held her by the arme beholding her with such an eye as hee became of her enamoured and said vnto her Madame I am sure that if it would please you to accept mee for your husband the King would freely bestow vpon vs all the right that he pretendeth in your Countrey I beeleeue also that you are not ignorant of my nobility being brother to the King of Scotland and that by me your authoritie shall not be deminished For the rest assure your selfe that I will vse you as you are worthy Now Madasima had known him of long time she was assured that he was one of the best Knights in the world Wherefore accepting the offers of Galuanes shee fell downe at his feete most humbly thanking him for the good and honour which he did offer vnto her and euen then was the marriage betweene them agreed vpon the which afterward Galuanes laboured to effect to his vttermost power And the better to accomplish it some few dayes after he came vnto Amadis and Agraies making them acquainted with that which you haue heard and Agraies said vnto him Vnkle I know very well that loue hath no respect of persons sparing neither young nor olde and seeing that you are become one of his subiects we will beseech the King so much in your behalfe that you shall enioy your desired loue therefore determine to behaue your selfe like a lusty champion for Madasima is a woman not likely to bee pleased with a kisse onely By my faith answered Amadis my Lord Galuanes the King in my opinion will not refuse vs and I promise you that so soone as I am able to walke your Nephew and I will goe vnto his Maiesty to entreat that which you demand But you must vnderstand that whilest these things were in doing Gādandell the better to couer dissemble the treason which he had conspired did goe oftentimes to see and visit Amadis so that one time amongst the rest hee sayd to him my Lord it is long since you saw the King What is the cause there-of answered Amadis Because saide Gandandel by his countenance it seemeth hee beareth you no great good will I know not answered Amadis yet to my knowledge I neuer offended him For this time they passed no farther vntill at another instant this traytour came againe to see him shewing vnto him a better countenance then he was accustomed saying my Lord I told you the other day that I thought by the speeches which I heard the King speake of you that his friendship was not so firme vnto you as it was wont to be and because that I and mine are so greatly bound vnto you for the pleasures which you haue done vnto vs I will truly let you vnderstand how the King hath a very bad opinion of you and therefore looke vnto it So many times did hee repeat this and the like matter vnto Amadis that hee began to suspect least hee had layd some snare to entrap him in whereby the King might conceiue some euill opinion of him And therefore one day when Gandandel perseuered in his aduertisements Amadis being very angry answered him My Lord Gandandel I doe greatly wonder what mooueth you to vse this speech so often vnto me seeing that I did neuer thinke vpon any thing but onely wherein I might doe the King seruice And I cannot beleeue that a Prince so vertuous as hee is would euer suspect mee for a thing which I neuer committed Wherefore neuer breake my head more with such follies for I take no pleasure therein For this cause Gandandel durst neuer after that speake any more thereof vnto him vntill that Amadis beeing healed went vnto the Court
and wealthy full of faire women store of forrests and many riuers fit for hauking furthermore diuers as well of our acquaintance as of strangers wil come and visit vs besides in our neede if we shall want any aide and that king Lisuart will attempt any enterprise against vs we shall bee supported by my father from the Countrey of little Brittaine and from Scotland especially from the Realm of Sobradisa the which the Queene Briolania will wholly yeelde into our hands at all times when wee shall please Seeing that you are in these tearmes answered Quedragant now may you know those which do loue your coÌ„pany from those which doe not By my faith said Amadis I am of the opinion if any loue his owne particular profit that hee should not forsake so good a Master yet those which will follow mee shall neither fare better nor worse then mine owne selfe And as they thus consulted in the meddow the king happened to come by them accompanied with Gandandell and many other knights and seeing them together he did passe on making as though he saw them not Then caused he a cast of Iackes or Hobbies to be let flie at a Larke and after hee had a while solaced himselfe with this pastime hee returned backe vnto the Citty without speaking eyther to Amedis or any other in his companie CHAP. XXI How Amadis with many others his confederats for sooke the seruice of King Lisuart and went as well to proue the aduentures of the Arch of loyall Louers as also of the forbidden chamber WHen Amadis did see that the king perseuered still in the euill opinion which he had conceiued against him and his according to his former determination at his coming forth of the meddow he went vnto the court and he found the king ready to sit downe to dinner Then approching vnto him he said may it please your Maiesty if in any thing I haue offended your grace God and your selfe can witnesse assuring you that although the seruices which I haue done vnto you haue beene very small yet the will which I haue had to acknowledge the benefits and honour which it hath pleased you to bestow vpon mee hath beene exceeding great You tell me that I should seeke abroad for one that would better requite me then you giuing me therby to vnderstand the small desire you haue that I should obey you not that I will depart from you as my liege Lord and Soueraign for I was neuer subiect to you nor any other Prince God only excepted but I take leaue of you as of him who hath done me great good and honour and vnto whom I doe be are affectionate loue and desire of seruice Scant had hee spoke this word when suddenly these in like sort did take their leaues viz. Galuanes Agraies Dragonis Palomir Bruneo de Bon'Mer Branfill his brother Angriotta d'Estrauaux Grindonan his brother Pinores his Cosin and Don Quedragant who stepped before all the rest saying vnto the King Your Maiesty knoweth that I neuer had come nor remayned in your Court but at the instance and request of Amadis willing and desirous to bee his friend for euer and seeing that by his occasion I became yours by the like reason will I now leaue your seruice and hereafter forsake you for what hope may I haue that my small seruices shall bee regarded when his being so many and great are so badly requited without remembrance how greately you are indebted vnto him in deliuering you from the handes of Mandafabull and for the victory also which you haue obtained of king Cildadan with the price of his blood and other of his kindred I could well remember you of the good turne which he did vnto you when hee deliuered you and your daughter Oriana as I haue many times heard it said from the hands of Arcalaâ—s and now of late my Lady Leonor whom Famangomad and Basigant his sonne the crullest giants in the world had taken prisoner with intent to put her to death for which cause the ingratitude which now you shew vnto him is so great that it quite depriueth you from all knowledge of the truth And therefore he ought to make no lesse account of this his short farewell then of the slow reward hee hath receiued for the seruices past As for me I am determined to follow him and to forsake your court togither with him Whereunto the king replied Don Quedragant your tongue doth well declare the little loue you beare vnto me yet notwithstanding mee thinks you are not so tied nor alied vnto Amadis as in accusing me you should excuse him as you do but your thought is otherwise you say more then you thinke Your Maiesty may speake what you please said Quedragant like a mighty Lord as you are neuerthelesse you much mistake mee in thinking me to be a dissembler or a counterfeiter of leasings as a number of others about you are by whom I am sure that in the end you shall finde your selfe but badly serued Moreouer before many dayes be past you shall perceiue who are the friends of Amadis Which said hee retired and Landin stepped forth saying to the king may it please your Maiestie I haue not found one in all your court that was able to giue any ayde or comfort to my wrongs but onely my Lord Amadis whom I now do see ready to depart from your seruice for the wrong that you haue done vnto him for which cause not desiring to forsake him nor my Vncle Don Quedragant also I do take my leaue of you Truly Landin answered the king so far as I perceiue wee are assured that henceforth you haue no desire to remaine with vs. Beleeue mee if it like your Maiesty said he looke what they are so will I bee for during my life will I obey them At that instant there stood in a corner of the hall whispering together Don Brian of Moniasta a most renowned knight sonne to King Ladasan and to one of the sisters to king Perion of Gaule Vrlandin son to the Earle of Orlanda Grandores and Madansill of Pont d'argent Listoran of the white Tower Ledaâ— of Fryarqua Tantilies the haughty and Don Grauat de Val Craintif All these came vnto the king and said Your Maiesty may be pleased to vnderstand that the occasion of our comming hither was to see Amadis and his brethren and to be their friends if it were possible And euen as they were cause of the seruice that you haue receiued of vs they also shall bee the meanes that we will forsake you and we do take leaue of your grace to keepe them company When the king perceiued that hee was so suddenely forsaken of such a great number of good knights hee was highly displeas'd for very spight he would not permit Amadis to goe take his leaue of the Queene who as much as in her lay did wholy oppose her selfe against the counsell of Gandandell and his companion And therefore Amadis intreated
the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the mind of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answer My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other things ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shal be satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dolour then you are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you do not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke that your words proceeded from no loyall hart nor to credit any thing you say hereafter The King whome loue had already depriued of liberty to vnite him selfe with Elisena to the end that hee might be adorned with the great gratious fruite which afterwarde happened as shal be recited vnto ye tooke his Swoord and setting his right hand on the Crosse there-of saide these wordes I sweare by this Crosse and on this Sword wherewith I receiued the order of Knighthood to do what you faire Damosell shall commaund mee at all times and when soeuer your mistresse Elisena shal be thereto aduised Be you then frollicke merrye answered Darioletta for I shall likewise accomplish what I haue promised And at that instant shee returned to the Princesse declaring to her what shee had concluded with king Perion wherewith the amorous Lady was so pleased as she had vtterly lost her former countenance and incessantly embracing Darioletta thus demaunded My deere friend when will the hower come that I shall holde betweene mine armes my Lord whom thou hast giuen me I shall tel ye answered the Damosell you know that in the Chamber where King Perion lodgeth there is a doore on the Garden side which your father sundry times vsed for his recreatiō which at this present is couered with the cloth of Arras but I haue the key thereof wherfore at night when euery one is at rest we may easily there enter vnseene of any and when needfull time of returne cometh my selfe will call ye When Elisena heard this deuice she was highly contented therewith yet breathing forth a sighe she said Alas my faithfull friend how shall we bring this to passe seeing my father is determined to lodge with King Perion if he perceiue vs we shal be both in very great danger Refer that doubt to me answered Darioletta I shal easily prouide for this matter wherupon for this time they brake off conference because the tabels were couered for Supper And in like manner as the feasting began in the morning so now it continued till the tables beeing voyded each one prepared himself to rest Now a little before Darioletta went to King Perions Squire thus saide to him Gentle Squire my friend I pray ye tel me in good faith whether you be a Gentleman or no why aske ye answered the Squire For the desire I haue said the Damosell to know one thing of you which I entreat ye by the faith you owe to God and to the King your Maister not to hide from me By Saint Mary quoth he I will tell you what you please to aske prouided that it be not to the domage of my Lord. Herein saide the Damosell will I consent with ye for I would not demaund any thing of you that should giue him displeasure nor were it reasonable that you should acquaint me with any such matter but I desire to know who is the Lady he loueth most perfectly The king my Maister quoth the Squire loueth all ingenerall and I assure ye that I know no one to whom he beareth such affection as you speake of While they were thus talking the King Garinter came who seeing Darioletta conferring with King Perions Squire demanded what shee had to do with the Gentleman In sooth my Lord quoth she he telles me that the King his Maister is wont to lye alone and therefore I thinke he loueth not to haue any company When Garinter vnderstood that he went presently to King Perion saying My noble Brother there are certaine affaires suddenly befallen me and likewise I must rise somewhat early in the morning which hath made me thinke that not to trouble you the best way is that I breake company from lodging with ye My Lord answered king Perion do as shall seeme best to your liking this answer appeared to king Garinter conformable with that the Damosell had said wherefore right soone he commaunded his bed to be fetcht from king Perions Chamber When Darioletta heard there-of shee imagined their affaires would fall out the better and therefore returned to Elisena acquainting her with all that had passed betweene the two kinges In good faith quoth she I now beleeue that seeing God hath granted so good a beginning our enterprise which at this present seemeth a great sin wil hereafter redound to his seruice but tell me what wee shall do for the great ioy which I haue hath taken from me the most healthfull parte of my iudgement Madam said Darioletta this night will wee execute what we haue determined seeing the doore whereof you knowe is certainly open To my selfe I keep it answered Elisena to you only I commit the charge to prouide when the hower shall permit and so they remained attending for the fauourable time CHAP. II. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was lodged THe time being com when each one most commonly betake themselues to rest Darioletta who for the contentment of her Mistresse had vsed extreame diligence came and tolde her Madame now is the time to finish our enterprise then let vs go if you please When Elisena heard what she saide you must thinke she gaue no occasion to be reproued with slothfulnes but hastily arose without tarrying casting only a mantle about her shoulders went forward and afterward they both entred the Garden The time was then calme gratious the Moone faire and splendant giuing cleere light to the two Ladyes but surely the one had more cause of content then the other who gladly would haue tasted this good hap or such an other for her selfe if she could any way haue compast the meane so much she gaue in outward apearance as Elisena perceiued well that she wanted but the executor to performe the same for Darioletta feeling in her spirit the case at hand which shee should receiue whom shee conducted could not but very plesantly iest dally with her Mistresse breaking many a bitter sigh among as though she were to participate in Elisenaes future good fortune to whom she saide Alas Madame how happy
it is necessary for such persons to vse greater words then these two who as yet had not learned them But this new Knight being thoroughly furnished and ready to his iourney by his Ladies consent would in thanking the company take a more secret conge of Oriana And she who for his sudden parting felt new passions in her heart yet neuerthelesse dissembling thē tooke him by the hand and walking aside thus spake Gentleman of the sea you will be gone then but first I pray ye tell me whether you be the Sonne of Gandales or no for according to the good opinion I haue of you I thinke you to be issued of better place Then rehersed he all that King Languines had told him wherein she conceiued very great pleasure which done they committed each other to God So departed the Prince from this company and right-soone found Gandalin who attended for him at the Kings lodging dore with the rest of his Armes and his Horse whereon he mounted and left the Citie vnseene of any because as yet it was not day so rod they on till they came into a Forrest Now is the greatest part of the day spent before they would refresh themselues in any place but hunger constrained them to feede on such viandes as Gandalin had brought with him from the Citie During this time they heard in the Wood on their right hand the voyce of some one which seemed to them very doleful wherefore the Prince rode presently that way where he foūd a knight dead and hard by him another in little better case for he was so wounded that he had no hope to liue As for the partie that so cried it was a woman who lay vpon the knight pressing him so soore as made his hart to faile him and which was worst of all the villanous woman tocause his death the sooner cruelly thrust her hands into his wounds But when the wounded knight espied the Prince so well as he could he craued succor saying Ah gentle Sir for Gods sake suffer me not to be thus murthered by this ribaud Greatly was the Prince abashed at this wicked dealing and therefore very roughly thus spake Woman withdraw your selfe for you doe the thing not beseeming you or your like She as one ashamed retired and the Knight full of anguish fell in a swoune which made the Prince very desirous to know what he was but fearing that he had already yeelded his breath quickly alighted vsed such good meanes as reuiued him againe when he began to cry Ah I am dead good friends bring me to some place where I may haue councell for my soule Take courage answered the Prince for you shal haue what you demand but I pray ye tell me what fortune brought ye hither or where is he that hath thus hardly intreated ye It is said the Knight through this wicked woman who albeit I was rich and puissant yea far much more then she I made choise for the good loue I bare her and espoused her as my wife neuerthelesse she discourteous creature forgetting the good and honor I had done her hath sundry times abandoned her honest regarde namely this night past with this Knight here dead whom I hauing neuer before seene by chance yesterday he came to me and this last night thus villanously abused me where taking him with the head we had a combate together wherein as you see he lost his life But when this strumpet saw I had slaine him fearing I would do as much to her she fell at my feete and desired pardon whereto I easily condiscended prouided that she offended no more Hereupon I intreated her to bind vp my wounds but she perceiuing how grieuously I was hurt and brought into very weake estate through ouer-much losse of my bloud to reuenge the adulterous villaines death she assaied to kill me outright and to make me languish the more in dying cruelly she thrust her hands into my wounds so that well I perceiue I cannot long liue Therefore I beseech ye good Sir helpe me to an Hermitage which is neere at hand where I shall find some religious man to comfort me in the agonie of my Soule Such compassion tooke the Prince on him as he and Gandalin taking him in their armes caried him on a Horse to the Hermitage in meane while the wretched woman stole away priuily and a little before she fearing that her Husband would be reuenged on her sent for helpe to three of her bretheren who dwelled not far from that place giuing them to vnderstand which way they should come In her wandring they met with her and she had no sooner espied them but she thus cried out Ah helpe me good bretheren for heere before is a theefe who hath slaine this Knight which lieth heere and hath beside so wounded my Husband as there is no hope of life left in him let him not therefore escape ye nor he that is in his company because the one is as deepe in the euill as the other Such like speeches vsed this Harlot that by the death of the Prince and Gandalin her treason might be couered therefore that her Husband should not dy alone with her will she shewed them the Gentleman of the sea euen as he returned from the Hermitage where he left the wounded Knight Here-upon the three bretheren too light of beleefe galloped toward him crying Traitour thou art but dead You lye villaines answered the Prince for right well shall I defend my selfe from such traitours as you are Bestirre thy selfe then said the bretheren for thou hast offended vs all three and we all wil be reuenged on thee if we may By good hap the Prince had his Sheeld and Launce ready and his Helmet very well laced wherefore without any further answer he sharply charged them and meeting with the first pearced through both his Sheeld and arme and withall threw his Horse him so fiercely against the ground as his right shoulder was broken in the fall in like manner was one of the Horses legges so that neither the one or other could rise At this encounter he brake his Launce wherefore he suddenly drew his Sword and addressing himselfe to the other twaine gaue one of them such a forcible stroke as slicing through his Armour entred the flesh to the very bone on his shoulder likewise so that therewith he fell from his saddle Being thus dispatched of two he came to the third and saluted him with such a sound blow on the Helmet as the poore Gentleman was constrained to imbrace the necke of his Horse thereby to sheeld himselfe from falling finding himselfe as greatly amazed as the other were Here-upon the woman that brought them thether fled away which the Prince perceiuing cried to Gandalin that he should stay her in meane while the first Knight hauing recouered himselfe vsed these speeches to the Prince We know not Sir whether this fight hath beene for right or wrong For right it could not
being in my charge In speaking these words he came to the chiefest of the sixe from whom right-soone he caught his hatchet and gaue him such a stroke therewith as he fell to the ground All the other together presently set vpon him but one of thē he sliced to the very teeth and sooner after another bare him company with the losse of his arme When the three that were left saw their companions so handled they tooke themselues to flight and the Prince followed them so neere as one of them left his legge behinde him the other twaine he let go returning where he left the Damosel to whom he said Now boldly go on and like euill fortune may they haue that encourage any villany to lay forsible hand on Lady or Damosell She being assured by these words went on with the Prince and his Squires but ere they had gone any thing far they heard a great noyse tumult within the Castell Me thinkes Sir said the Damosel I heare a meruailous murmuring within this Fortresse therefore I would aduise ye to take the rest of your armour Goe on quoth the Prince and feare not for where Ladies are euill entreated who ought euery where to goe in safety there hardly abideth any man of valew In sooth said she if you doe not what I haue desired I will not passe any further and so much shee perswaded him that at length he laced on his Helmet afterward he went into the Castell at the entrance whereof he met a squire weeping who said Ah God why will they murder without cause the best knight in the world alas they wold inforce him to promise what is impossible for him to accomplish These words of the Squire could not stay the Prince for he saw King Perion who had so lately Knighted him very hardly vsed by two Knights who with the helpe of ten armed Halberders had round beset him saying sweare if not thou diest Greatly did it grieue the Prince to see such out-rage offered to King Perion wherefore he thus called to them Traiterous villaines what moues you to misuse the best Knight in the world by heauen you shall all die for him At these words one of the Knights left the King and taking fiue Halberders with him came to the Prince saying It likewise behoueth you to sweare if not you can escape no better then an other What quoth he shal I then sweare against my will by Gods leaue it shall not be so Then they of the Castell cryed to the Porter that he should shut the gate wherefore the Prince now saw he must stand vpon his defence whereupon hee ran fiercely against the Knight charging him in such sorte as he fell downe dead ouer the crupper of his Horse for in the fall he brake his necke Which the Prince beholding not tarring any longer with the Halberders came to the other knight that combated with K. Perton piercing his Launce quite through his body so that he accompanied the first in fortune King Perion seeing himselfe thus succoured so cheered vp his hart as he did much better then before against his enemies causing them by sharpe strokes of his Sword to retire in meane while the Gentle-man of the sea being on Horse-backe ranne among them and scattered them tumbling one downe heere and another there so that at length by the aid of the king they were all slaine except certaine that fled away on the top of the walles But the Prince alighted and followed them whereat they were so affrighted as they cast themselues downe headlong frō the wals only two got them into a Chamber where they thought to remaine in safetie notwithstanding he pursued them so neer as he buckled pel mel with them But within the Chamber on a bed lay an ancient knight whose vnweldy age had taken from him the vse of his legges to them that came in he vsed these speeches Cowardly villaines frō whom run ye so shamefully From a knight answered one of them who hath plaide the Diuell in your Castell for he hath slaine your two Nephewes and all our companions As thus he spake the Prince caught him by the head saying Tell me villaine where is the Lord of this place o◠esse thou diest The poore man seeing himselfe in such perill shewed him the old knight lying on the bed but when the Prince saw him so old and decrepite he blamed him in this manner Thou wretched olde man hath death already seazed on thy bones and yet doost thou cause such a wicked custome to be maintained heere Well dooth thine age excuse thee from bearing Armes yet shall I giue thee thy desert belonging to such a villaine With these words he made offer to smite off his head Wherefore the affrighted olde man cried Alas my Lord for Gods sake mercy None at all quoth the Prince thou art dead if thou swearest not to me that while thou liuest such like treason shall be no more maintained in this place whereto the olde knight right gladly tooke his oath Now tell mee saide the Prince wherefore hast thou heeretofore kept this custome heere For the loue of King Abies of Ireland answered the Knight who is mine Nephew and because I cannot aid him with my person in his warre I was desirous to succour him with such Knights errand as passed this way False villaine answered the Prince what haue Knights errand to do with thy desire so spurning the bed with his foote threw it downe and the olde Knight vnderit where commending him to all the Diuels he left him and comming downe into the Court tooke a Horse which was one of the slaine Knights and bringing it to the King said Mount your selfe my Lord for it little likes me to stay any longer here where such bad people haue their habitation The king presently went to Horse-bake and so they rode together out of the Castell but the Prince fearing least the king should know him would by no meanes take off his Helmet notwithstanding as they rode along the king thus spake to him I pray ye Sir knight tell me of whence you are that haue succoured me when I was so neere my death warranting me also hereafter frō the enimies of this place shewing your selfe a good friend to Ladies and knights errand As for me I am the same man against whom they kept this straight passage importing the cruell oath for which you combated My Lord answered the Prince I am a knight desirous to do you any seruice Beleeue me quoth the king that haue I already well perceiued for hardly should I haue found so good a friend to helpe me yet will I not giue ouer till I know ye Alas my Lord said he that will little profit ye Notwithstanding quoth the King I pray ye take off your Helmet which he would not do but put downe his Beuer a little Whē the king saw that his intreatie would not preuaile he desired the Damosell to obtaine so much for him
is Galpan ouercome by the hand of one man beleeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Worthy Lord answered she he onely of whom I speake hath done him to death after hee had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reueng their foile himselfe combated hand to hand with the Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonor hee lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Court yet doubting the corrupt fauour thereof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victory this Helmet may suffiise Vndoubtedly said the king to al there present it it the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs My Lord quoth she I obtained it by exceeding importunity for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the King to rid vs of all other doubtes He nameth himselfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the sea When the King heard this he was greatly abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus spake By my faith I am assuredly perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him neede not be ashamed thereof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I needed not to haue done seeing Chiualry is in him already so well accomplished Then Araies taking occasion to speake demanded of the Damosell where he might meet with his gentle friend My Lord quoth she he humbly commendeth him-selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thether Good newes faire Damosell said Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may find him there with my good will shall I neuer leaue his company You haue reason so to do answered the Damosel for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must thinke it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertly as the watchfullest eye could not descerne it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was Knighted when at length he was aduertised that the Ladyes attending on the Queene could tell better then anybody els which with much a do he obtained of them Then may the Gentle-man of the sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtisie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too yong for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteously wellcomed the Damosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him letters from a Lady that deerely loued him of whome the History hereafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Army trauailing toward Gaule to his Vnckle King Perion CHAP. IX How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Court of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladyes and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers court with his troup three Ships of great Brittaine tooke port in Scotland wherein as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred knights of king Lisuarts as also many Ladyes and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Being arriued at the Court of king Languines they were very graciously entertained especially Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardy knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his Ambassadge which was harty thanks froÌ„ king Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreatance of the Princesse his daughter he requested now to haue her home Mabila his daughter with her to whom he would do all the honor could be deuised Right thankfully did king Languines accept this offer and was content that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine dayes soiourned Galdar and his traine in Scotland during which time they were most honorably feasted and in this while the king prepared other Ships to accompany the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherefore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewels the waxe which she had taken from the Gentleman of the sea This gaue her such a remembrance of him as the teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her hands so that the waxe which shee held in them suddenly brake she espied the letter enclosed therein which so soone as she vnfolded she found there writteÌ„ these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes shee conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenance and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was esteemed at the most but the son of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therefore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her on whom she intirely trusted thus spake My good friend I will declare one thing to ye which no other then mine owne hart and you shall know therefore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madam answered the Damosell seeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willingly shall I dye theÌ„ faile therein wel may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to mee shal be altogether kept secret executed to my power TheÌ„ so it is deere friend said Oriana that you must needs go seek the Gentle-man of the sea whom you shall find at the warres in Gaule and if you chance to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall find his name therein wâ—â—tteÌ„ on the day that he was cast into the sea whereby I know him to be the son of a king which ought inspite him with higher courage hardines to encrease the same hee hath already so well begun You shall likewise tel him how the king my father sent for me and therefore I am gone toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquaint him withall and when hee returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limitting al things in such sorte as he may liue in my fathers Court vntill he receiue other commandemeÌ„t of
Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisena his Mother IN the beginning of this Historie it hath beene recited how King Perion gaue his Queene Elisena being then in little Brittaine a Ring like another that commonly hee wore and these two Rings were of such an vniforme as there was no difference to bee discerned betweene them Likewise ye haue vnderstood how when the yong Prince was put vpon the water this Ring was fastened about his necke which Gandales kept till time he sent it by the Damosell a little before he was knighted with the Sword and the waxe Now had the King sundry times demaunded of the Queene for the Ring who made him diuers doubtfull answers and in the end sayd she had lost it But it came to passe that as the Prince walked with Orianaes Damosell which commonly he was wont to do yong Melicia daughter to king Perion passed by him weeping when the Prince staied her saying Faire friend why weepe ye Ah my Lord quoth the Princesse I haue euen now lost a Ring which the King my Father gaue me to keepe while he slept Weepe not so faire Virgin answered the Prince you shall haue another of me to giue him So taking his owne Ring from his finger he gaue it her When she beheld it thinking it was the same she had lost she said Ah my Lord haue you found it wherewith I am not a little glad for I haue all this while sought it What nowe quoth the Prince this is not your Ring In mine opinion it is answered Melicia or the onely thing of the world that most resembles it So much the better said the Prince for more easily will it be iudged the same you lost Herewith went Melicia to the Kings Chamber and finding him awake he asked her for his Ring then gaue she him the same she had of the Prince which the King put on his finger thinking it was his owne But soone after as he walked through the Gallary he espied in a corner lying the other Ring which he gaue his daughter before to keepe and taking it vp he compared them together where-upon he remembred that one of these two was the same he sometime gaue the Queene so he asked of Melicia where she had the Ring The yong Princesse affraid of beating durst not lye but thus answered My Lord and Father your Ring I lost and as I searched for it I met with the Gentleman of the sea who because he saw me weepe gaue me one of his which I deliuered you in stead of your owne and if that be not it I know not where it is When the King heard this he presently conceiued suspition betweene his Queene and the Prince imagining in respect of his beauty how she was fallen into some dishonest liking of him and therefore had giuen that token Hereupon he went to the Chamber where she was and shutting the dore sate downe by her not speaking one word a good space but silently fixed his eyes on the ground then breathing forth a passionate sigh he said I will not maruaile any longer Madame why you would neuer make me any certaine answer when I demanded for the Ring Igaue ye in little Britaine you haue lost it in such a place where you would be loath I should know of it but hardly can you conceale affection when it proceedeth to such effects The Gentleman of the sea inconsideratly gaue it to Melicia little thinking that it came at the first from me and thereby do I know what he suspecteth not and your selfe would I should not vnderstand When the Queene who already by his countenance saw he was troubled heard what he had said she now determined not to dissemble with him in any thing but summarily made a true discourse of her child-birth And not without teares she recounted to him how standing in feare of the king her father as also the seuere law vsed in his Kingdome she was constrained to commit her sonne to the mercy of the sea and in his cradle coffin put with him both the Ring sword what else hath bene already declared Confounded was the king with maruaile when he heard the whole truth and presently imagined the Prince might bee his first sonne whom God had so miraculously preserued wherefore he said to the Queene According to your circumstances reuealed it may be that he who is vnknowne to vs is our sonne and the rather I coniecture so by the name he beareth of the sea Ah God said the Queen may it fall out so haply I beseech ye my Lord send presently for him and we will desire him to tell vs of whence he is Let vs go then quoth the King to seeke him So went they to his Chamber where they found him sleeping wherefore without making any noyse he approched nere the bed espied his Sword which he tooke and after he had well viewed it knew it to be the same he esteemed so much and wherewith he had finished many famous aduentures whereupon he said to the Qeuene On my faith this is the sword I left in the Chamber of the King your Father the first night we were acquainted together and now do I the better beleeue what you haue said vnto me Ah God said the Queene let vs suffer him sleepe no longer for my hart cannot endure this weighty burden herewith she tooke him by the hand and awaked him saying My Lord sleepe no more at this time for other accasions calleth you Easily was the Prince raised from sleepe but whē he beheld the Queene weeping as one amazed thereat he said Madame from what occasion proceede these teares is there any thing I may do ye seruice in to remedy them Noble friend quoth the Queene you onely may quallifie my griefe by your words in telling me whose sonneyou are So God helpe me Madame answered the Prince I know not for by strange aduenture was I found in the sea The good Lady was then so ouercome with ioy as not onely speech but vitall sence was taken from her and she fell downe in a swoune which the Prince perceiuing quickly ranne to recouer her saying What aile ye Madame further could he not imagine on the cause of this alteration Ah my sonne quoth she now know I better then thy selfe who thou art The King likewise was so caried away with ioy and admiration as he stood not able to speake a word now was it hard to iudge which of these three felt greatest contentation but the mother throwing her armes about the Princes neck said Now may I boldly dare to kisse in safetie hauing beene so long depriued of thysight and knowledge highly am I beholding to the deuine bounty who hath fauoured the offence I committed through feare which was in deliuering thee to the courtisie of the waters and see heere thy Kingly father that begot thee With these words the Prince fell at their feete extreame ioy reducing the
as the knight of the Castle fell into the water where he was drowned and the conquerour rode on which the Halberders seeing presently drew vp the bridge againe after him When the Damosels saw he was thus closed in they cryed out aloud vnto him that he should returne as he was about so to do he espied three other Knights well armed come toward him who very audaciously thus spake Vnhappy was the houre to thee whē thou didest passe this bridge for thou shalt dye in this water where he is drowned that was of greater reputation then thou art Here with they all three together ran against him and met him so firmely as his Horse was like to haue fallen ouer backward yet hauing broken their Launces on him he was at this encounter wounded in two places neuerthelesse one of them he met in such order as his armour vnable to resist the pointe of the Launce pierced through with such violence that the trunchion still remained in his body This done couragiously he drew his sword adressing himselfe to the other twaine and they in like manner against him where-upon began a dangerous Combate betweene them but he with the Lions in his Shield doubting his death laboured so much as he could to ouer-come his enemies giuing one of them such a stroke on the right arme as being cut from the body it fell sword and all to the ground wherefore feeling himselfe thus wounded he galopped with all speed to the Castell crying Helpe my friends helpe your Lord who is in danger of killing When the Knight of the Lions heard that he with whom he must yet deale was the Lord of the Castell he deliuered him such a rigorous blow on the Helmet as made him loose his stirrops and ready to fall had he not got hold about the neck of his Horse in this staggering the Knight of the Lions rent his Helmet from his head and he perceiuing himselfe vnarmed thought to escape by flight as the other did but his enemy got betweene him and the Castell saying Thou art dead if thou yeeld not thy selfe my prisoner Alas answered the amazed Knight I am dead indeede if you please but as you are a Gentleman take pitty on me for I doe yeeld my selfe your vanquished Suddenly the Knight of the Lions looking about espied other Knights and armed men on foote that came in great hast from the castell to succour their Lord wherefore he stepped to his conquered prisoner and holding his sword against his throate said Command thy men to returne else shalt thou presently die Then he who faw his life in such perill cryed to them made a signe with his hand that if they loued him they should returne where-upon they beholding their Lords life at his enimies swords pointe obeyed his command with all possible speed Yet is not this enough said the conquerour cause now the bridge to be let downe which he did and they came both forth on the causey where the Ladyes taried but when the Knight of the Castell beheld them and that one of them was Vrganda the vnknowne Ah my Lord quoth he if you keepe me not from this Lady I am but dead Nay beleeue me answered the Knight that will not I do but rather am to deale with thee as shee shall command me then stepping to Vrganda he said Madame see here the Lord of the Castell what is your pleasure I shall do with him Smite off his head answered Vrganda if he will not deliuer you my friend whom he keepeth in prisō Here-with he lift vp his sword to feare him when the Knight falling on his knee cried Ah my Lord kill me not I will obey whatsoeuer she commandeth Dispatch it quickly then said the Knight of the Lions So caled the Lord to one of the halberders within saying Go to my brother and tell him if euer he intend to see me aliue let him quickly cause the imprisoned Knight to come hither and the Damosel that brought him with her Right soone was the messenger gone on this errand returning immediatly with the Damosell and the Knight to whom the Knight of the Lions thus spake Thanke this Lady who hath done so much for ye and truely great cause you haue to loue her in that she hath taken wonderfull paines to deliuer you from this thraldome I do loue her answered the restored Knight and so will continue better then I haue done heretofore But before he could finish these words Vrganda ran and embraced him the like did he to her afterward the conquerour demanded what should be done with her that brought him thither It is necessary that she dy replied Vrgà da to let her know the price of so hainous an offence Presently was the poore Damosel so strangely enchanted as she ran skipping ouer the marrish quag-mires and turning backe againe would haue throwne her selfe into the water had not the knight of the Lions intreated Vrganda to pardō her trespasse for this time Prouided saide Vrganda that she returne no more to offend me otherwise she shall pay for altogether Whē the Lord of the Castle saw the Damosell was remitted at his request who ouer-came him he thus spake My Lord I haue performed what hath bin commanded therefore I pray ye giue me leaue to depart from her that neuer loued me In sooth answered Vrganda for honor of him by whom you make your suite I am content and you may returne He being gone the Knight of the Lions who yet maruailed by what occasion the Damosell was driuen into that furie asked what moued her so to do Ah my Lord quoth she me thought one came round about me and would haue burned me with a lighted torch therefore to saue my selfe I sought to leape into the water At these words the Knight fell into a laughter saying Your folly hath beene ouer great faire Damosel to worke her ill who knowes how to reuenge it Galaor stood and had seene all these things where-upon he thus spake to the Giant Beleeue me father I very much desire that this worthy man should giue me my order for if King Lisuart be renowned it is for his possessions but this Knight deserues it by his strength and valour I am well content answered the Giant go and request it of him if he deny you the fault is his owne So Galaor went forward accompanied with foure squires and two Damosels ◠when comming to the Knight of the Lions he found him yet vnder the trees At his arriuall he was curteously receiued by the Knight who reputed him one of the most comely Gentlemen that euer he had seene afterward Galaor thus began Gentle Sir I am come to entreat a fauour at your hand Truely answered the Knight if your request be reasonable it will the sooner be granted My suite Sir quoth Galaor is for nothing else but that it might please you to giue me the order of knight-hood and in so doing you shall saue me a great
that he may be well receiued of you all and obey him as your true and naturall Lord for wel am I assured that he wil in â—…eat you with loue gentlenes These requests were presently answered by one for theÌ„ all who said Hither shall he be most hartely welcome because we hope that he to whom we shall be vassailes and Subjects will cherish and fauour vs in stoâ—â— whereof the other vsed vs as villaines and slaues and you being the conquerour we hold for our only deliuerer All things thus debated and accorded Galaor departed thence with his company returning to the Hermitage where the Hermit attended for happy newes but he was not alittle glad to see Galaor come with such successe wherefore he thus spake My son daily are you bound to praise the diuine bounty whose loue hath giuen you grace to execute this notable vengeance On the morrow after he had receiued the good mans benediction he set forward on hias way one of the Damosels intreted him that he would suffer her to trauaile in his company whereto right willingly he gaue consent And I quoth the other must take another way in that I had not come thus farre but onely to behold the issue of the combat which I haue seene with such content as I must needs make coÌ„mendable reporte thereof to other so shall I not faile to do in the Court of King Lisuart whether now I go to finde a brother of mine gone thether before me Faire Damosell answered Galaor if you meete a yong Knight who beareth in his Shield a couple of Lions I pray ye say to him that the Gentleman to whom not long since he gaue the order of Knight-hood doth humly salute him adding this withall how he endeuoureth to honor the order and when they both shall meate he will acquainte him with such matter betweene them as yet perhaps he knoweth not So tooke the Damosell her leaue of Galaor who afterward thus began to commune with the other You know Lady that I haue finished the combate with the Giant and you saide to me before I began it how the Knight himselfe should know what she is that sent you thether Very true answered the Damosell but if you would be resolued therein follow me and within fiue daies I will shew you her That shall not let me said Galaor thus rode they on together so long till at length they came to a forked way and Galaor who rid muzing before thought she had followed him but she arrested behind a little and when she hoped to ouer-take him againe it was her hap to take the wrong way This chanced at the entrance of the Forrest of Braganda which seuereth the Countries of Claire and Gresca where long he had not erred but he heard a voice thus calling to him Ah good Knight help me Galaor turning his head to see what was the cause I thinke quoth one of his Squires it should be the Damosell that departed from vs. What said Galaor hath she left vs Yea truely answered the Squire she tooke the way leading on the left hand Beleeue me quoth he I had very little care of her hastly without taking his Helmet hauing only his Shield and Lance he galopped so fast as he could to the place where he heard the voice and hard at hand he espied fiue men on foote armed with Croslets and Halberds and a Dwarffe on horse-back who cruelly laied on the Damosell with a staffe When Galaor approched neere them hee came to the Dwarffe saiyng Thou villainous and deformed creature soone shall I send thy soule to the Diuell and running fiercely against him with his Launce threw him against the ground maruailously amazed Then came the other eagerly vppon him compassing him on euery side but to the first he gaue such a grieting with his Launce as he lay sprangling on the earth Another of them buckled close to him laying load on his Shield with his Halberd but at length he pierced his Lance quite through his body When the other three saw this massacre they ranne away so fast as they could ouer-thwart the Forrest and Galaor not able to ouertake them returned backe againe to the Dwarffe who being gotten on horse-back fled away after the other crying Accoursed Knight in haplesse houre hast thou misused my men for thou shalt dy an euill death Galaor seeing the Dwarffe laboured so hard as he could to saue himselfe would follow him no further but went to see if his Launce were vnbroken which he had left in the body of the dead man and finding it sound as it was before gaue it to his Squire saying to the Damosell Ride now before me and I will guard you better then I haue done So tooke they the way againe they had left that brought them to a Riuer named Braz which could not be passed at the foord now rode the Damosell somewhat farre before Galaor finding the passage so ready as she went ouer before he came In meane while he staied the returne of the boate he espied the Dwarffe come after him crying Villainous traitour thou art dead if thou deliuer not the Damosell thou tookest from me Little account did Galaor make of his words but looking backe he saw three Knights come after the Dwarffe well mounted one of the three thus speaking to the rest It were great dishonor for vs to set all three together vpon one man and as for my selfe I thinke scorne to be assisted by any Hauing so said with a full course he ran against the Prince who likewise was ready to entertaine him and they encountred in such sorte as the Knight pierced Galaors Armour making him feele the naked pointe of his Launce but Galaor bad him so brauely welcome casting him from his saddle with such might as he lay on the ground not able to stirre whereat the other twaine were so abashed that they ranne against the Prince the one failing and the other breaking his Lance which Galaor determining to reuenge stroke his Launce into the sight of the last Knights Helmet as he made it fall from his head and he hauing lost his stirrops ready to lye along Meane while the second who had not broken returned against Galaor sped in meeting Now albeit the encounter was with great vigour yet escaped the armour on either side Hauing thus galantly shiuered their staues they drew forth their swords beginning a fierce and cruell combat and while the fight endured the Dwarffe without ceasing cryed to his men Looke well that he escape not but kill him least he get away Then Galaor comming neere him who had lost his Helmet reached him such a stroke on the head as he tumbled downe dead before him And when the third saw his companion slaine being affraid of him-selfe he turned his back and away but Galaor pursued him so neere that he gaue him a blow betweene the neck and the shoulders which brought off a great many plats of his Armour
Now did the run-awaies feare more more encrease when he felt his enemy so neere at hand wherefore the better to saue himselfe he cast his shield back ouer his shoulders fled away faster then he did before which Galaor perceiuing would follow him no longer but hastily returned thinking to take the Dwarffe and binde his legs to a tree from which the Dwarffe kept himselfe wel enough for he had gotten more ground in running away then the other Here-upon he came to the first that he dismoūted who hauing some-what recouered himselfe Galaor thus spake to him Insooth your misfortune grieueth mee more then your fellowes doth for like a good Knight you came alone to me albeit I know not on what occasion in respect I neuer offended ye as I remember It is very true answered the Knight notwithstanding you must note what the Dwarffe sayd to vs how you had beaten him slaine his men and taken a Lady perforce from him that was in his companie Beleeue me quoth Galaor shewing him the Damosell on the other side of the Riuer he falsly lyed and were it that I had brought her away perforce she would not tarry for me so willingly as shee doth but she vnhappily straying in this Forrest the Dwraffe met with her offering to leade her away against her will and because she would not obey him he gaue her many cruel strokes with a staff Ah Traitour that he is answered the knight for this villainie shall I reward him if euer wee meete againe And because Galaor found the Knight in so good sort he holpe to take his horse that had escaped desiring him to punish the Dwarff for his treason This done he entred the boate and past the water afterward hee and the Damosell rode on their way shee shewing him soone after a Castle neere at hand which stood very brauely on the toppe of a Mountaine saying Here will be the best lodging we shall finde this night and alighting from their horses they were entertained there with maruailous curtesie it being the dwelling of the Damosels mother Soone after was the Prince vnarmed and then the Damosell came to him in this manner To the ende my Lord I may keepe promise with yee if you please to stay heere till I returne which credite me shal be very spedily I will bring ye newes of her whom you desire to see I am content answered Galaor prouided that you make no tarriance because I haue affaires of importance else-where Let it suffice replyed the Damosell you shall see me againe sooner then you imagine And so she departed vsing such diligence as Galaor was not displeased with her stay At her returne they mounted on horse-backe and rode together crosse the Forrest which when they left the night ouer-tooke them whereupon the Damosell forsaking the out-right way turned aside and by time the greater part of the night was spent they arriued at a very faire Citie named Grandares where comming to a Castle gate the Damosell sayd Now let vs alight and follow me for here will I shew you her I promised but leaue not your weapous and Armour because one can scant tell what may happen The Damosell went before and Galaor followed her till they came neere the wall Get vp heere said the Damosell and I will goe on the other side to attend you With much adoe he ascended the wall by reason of his weightie Armor as also beeing troubled with his Shield and Helmet When the D◅osell saw hee was amounted shee entred the Pallace to guide him as she begun in meane while Galaor was discended and sate hard by a Posterne that entred a Garden where he tarryed so long till the Damosell came and opened the doore with one of her companions but ere hee entred they thus spake Although you haue attained thus farre yet before you passe any further you must needs tell vs whose sonne you are Let that alone answered Galaor for I haue such a Father as til the time of better happe I am content not to name him Neuerthelesse quoth one of them it is very necessarie we should know for it shall not be any way to your hinderance I am answered Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule and the Queene Elisena and it is not sixe dayes past since I could not tell yee so much Stay then said the Damosell so they caused him to be vn-armed casting a Mantle about his shoulders and afterward went on the first Damosell going before and the other comming behinde him In this manner they entred the Pallace passing through a chamber where many Ladies and Gentlewomen were in bed and if any one demaunded who went by so late the Damosels his guides made answere for him Thus not perceiued by any they came to another Chamber wherein when Galaor entred he saw sitting on a gorgious bedde a most beautifull Ladie with an Iuory combe kembing her faire locks but when she espied Galaor she presenly cast on her head a Chaplet of Flowers and came to meete him whom the Damosels had brought saying My Friend you are right heartily welcome being the best knight in the word that I know And you Madame quoth he are most happily found being the fairest Ladie that euer I saw Then the Damosell that had guided him thither thus spake My Lord see here my Mistresse now am I discharged of the promise I made ye and if you would haue me say any more she is named Aldena daughter to king Serolys and because the wife to the Duke of Bristoya is sister to her mother she nourisheth her here as her owne daughter And you Madame quoth shee to the young Princesse haue here present as I can assure yee the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule wherefore you being both the children of Kings excelling in beautie and natures perfections if ye loue together no one dare blame ye Here-with she went presently foorth of the chamber and making fast the doore after her left the two loues alone by which meanes they spent this night so amorously as they that haue tasted like fortune may conceiue and therefore meed I make no further talke thereof But the houre being come when Galaor should depart he was warily aduised thereof by the Damosels who brought him to the place were ouer-night hee had left his Armour and after hee was inuested therein as hee ought to be he went along the Garden againe where-through he came in And as neuer any good chanceth without some mishap attending thereon so nowe came it to passe for there found he the Dwarffe ambushed that had so misused him before as you haue heard who no sooner espied him but hee cryed out Beleeue me Sir Royster vnwise wast thou to enter heere for thou dyest and the traiteresse that did conduct thee Come foorth Knights come foorth here is a man that secretly came out of the Dukes Chamber It was no time then for Galaor to sleepe but lightly getting vp the wall cast him-selfe on the other
paines in that through the vnion of our spirits I feele no lesse then you do your selfe If you will not appease them for your owne sake I pray ye let it be done for mine the rather that we may the oftner meete if you please publiquely when such sadnes will but discouer what wee most willingly would keepe vnknowne whereby may arise two great inconueniences and be a meane to hinder the thing we chiefest desire Sweete Lady answered Amadis I haue such felicitie in seeing and hearing you as wanting strength enough to vnder-prop the burden of so especiall contentation I am faine to fall downe vnder it experimenting no lesse the paine of not accustomed pleasure then the other beside of continuall pâ—…siuenes which makes me wonder that I cannot dye heere in this solace If then I haue offended you by this transportation pardon it in your owne selfe who brought me to this happy mis-fortune and likewise gaue me this hurtfull medicine suffer me then yet longer to vse it that in the assurance of your grace I may by little and little learne to support it and attaine the knowledge of liuing content excusing my apprenti-shood in this felicity being yet scant skilfull enough how to vse it Loue is sicknesse and be it fauourable or contrary it cannot be without passion working the like affect in other which you reproue in me Well haue you said my friend answered Oriana how you are as yet but an Apprentise and so you shew very well by your words prouing that loue cannot be without passion I hope to see the time when you attaining greater and more perfect knowledge therein then yet you haue shall be in higher tranquility of minde which it may be you thinke cannot be had in this world Nor shall it not happen to you by admiration of that which now you most loue and is likewise of farre more lesse account but by the fruition of the thing wherein felicity consisteth the knowledge whereof vniteth and lifteth the spirits so high as heauen And albeit I am yet so yong in yeeres and discretion as I cannot be exempt from the ill you complaine on yet am I not vnprouided of desire to hasten the time when we shall liue together merry contented Ah Madame said Amadis the hope of that happy day shall make mee passe this mournfull life in patience supporting for your honor my inward paines so couertly as I can bearing the outward with what courage possible I may but I beseech ye do me the fauour as to tell mee when it will be Well perceiued Oriana that he had not thorowly vnderstood her meaning wherefore in smiling she said It is already begun but the dazling of your eyes will not let you see it Heere-with Amadis became very pensiue holding his eyes stedfastly fixed on her and she to change his sadnes tooke 〈◊〉 by the hand thorow the window which Amadis kissed a thousand times without any word passing betweene them and Mabila 〈…〉 she came to them saying 〈◊〉 you forgot your selues Amadis lifting vp his head courteously saluted her she doing the like to him and after sundry speeches of wellcome as also how long they desired to see him Mabila demaÌ„ded what length of time he intended to stay in the Court So long as it shall please Madame Oriana answered Amadis It must be thâ—â— continually quoth Oriana and you shall grant it if the King request it Sweete Madame answered Amadis if it please his Maiestie so much to honor me I will obey both him and you yet will I dissemble strangnes a while All the better replied Mabila and in the meane time I pray ye visit vs often Longer they would haue continued in talke but Gandalin gaue them warning how the day appeared wherefore he said to Amadis My Lord me thinkes you are importunate but then you must needs accuse the day Amadis gaue no eare to him for he proceeded on still with his deuise but Oriana perceiuing Gandalin said 〈◊〉 thus spake to Amadis Now goe my Lord if you please for it is 〈◊〉 forget not your promise Then taking her by the hand and kissing it he went to horse-backe returning to the wood where he left the Damosels who had by entreaty earnestly perswaded him to goe deliuer their cosin that the King held captiue vntill such time shee presented her Champion as you haue heard wherefore after they had â—ested till morning they returned to the Towne in the greatest fauour and expectation of the world CHAP. XVI How Amadis made himselfe knowne to King Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his Court of whom he was honorably receiued and feasted EArely the next morning Amadis armed himselfe and mounting on horse backe rode presently to the Towne accompanied with the two 〈◊〉 where being arriued they â—…ght him to their cosins lodging when the good Lady knowing her worthy â—…pion falling on her knees before him sayd My Lord all the goods I haue you gaue me for of you I hold them and no other dispose therefore of them as you please â—ut Amadis brake her off in this maner Come Lady let vs goe before the King to the end he may acquit you and I returne where vrgent affaires call me so taking off his Helmet hee rode on to the Pallace with the three Ladyes The people knowing him to be the man that ouer came Dardan made such thronging in the streetes to see him as the king was giuen to vnderstand thereof and he reioycing at his comming honored him so much as he came to meete and receiue him on the way thus speaking to him Worthy knight hither are you so wel-come as may be deuised because we haue beene very desirous to see you Amadis noting this gracious entertainment setting his knee to the ground thus answered The God of Heauen giue your Maiestie a long and happie life then the king taking him by the hand caused him to arise saying Right glad am I to haue knowledge of you being a knight of so excellent deseruing these wordes enforced Amadis to blush yet he replyed in this manner My Lord to desire the Ladyes discharge whom you caused to be detained I am bold to come before your Highnesse and seeing she hath answered the Law according to your appointment hereafter I hope she may enioy her libertie yet till this present she knew not who maintained her quarrell against Dardan While the King Amadis thus conferred together a great number of people gathered about theÌ„ some commending his beautie other his gallant youth and all in generall his famous Chiualrie in that hee being so young had the power to vanquish Dardan who was redoubted feared through all Brittaine By this time sundry speeches past betweene him and the King where-among he dissembled his speedie departure to prouoke a desire in him to stay him and thus spake Amadis Dread Lord seeing the Ladie is free I desire leaue for my returne againe but if in ought
and bequeatheth thy body to so innumerable mischiefes as a present perishing of soule and altogether But seeing thou wouldest so gladly know my name I am commonly called Amadis of Gaule Knight to the Queene Brisana let vs now then chat no longer but fall to the combate for on my parte I promise no more resting A calaus aduancing his Shield came with foming fury against Amadis who knew full well how to welcome him and such eager strokes past on either side as their shields were scattered in pieces about them likewise many plates of their Armour Now was it about the third houre wheÌ„ Arcalaus hauing sustained great losse of his bloud was forced to send vp and down before his enemy and seeing the imminent death before his eyes fled to that part of the Castle where he came out yet Amadis by close pursuit still continued his feare whereupon he stept into a chamber at the dore whereof stood a Lady beholding the combate and he was no sooner encred the roome but be caught vp another sword turning his face â—o Amadis saying Enter this chaÌ„ber to make an end of our combate The open Court answered Amadis is more spacious and conuenient I will not come foorth quoth Arcalaus for thy pleasure What saide Amadis thinkest thou so slily to escape so placing his shield before he entred the chamber but as hee lifted vp his sword to strike he was depriued of strength and the vse of his members so that hee fell to the ground as he had beene dead Yea mary said Arcalaus this is the way to make thee dye as I desired sleepe then till I wake thee How say you Lady quoth he to her that stood by am I not in your opinion well reuenged on him Indeed saide she he is now altogether at your commandement Presently he vnarmed him Amadis not feeling any thing was done to him afterward Arcalaus put on himselfe the Princes Armour thus speaking to the Lady Madame looke on perill of your life that no one remoue him hence vntill his soule haue forsaken his body then hee intended to iourney to the court where each one seeing him in the Armour of Amadis might thinke he had slaine him But now the sorrowfull Lady so lately deliuered from prisoÌ„ made such mone as would haue melted a heart of Adamant and what Gandalins countenance was you may easily iudge when Arcalaus sawe the Lady lament he sayde Dame seeke some other to deliuer you from prison for I haue dispatched your hardy Chamhion These wordes made Gandalin in such despare as he fell downe like one sencelesse and Arcalaus called the Lady to him in this manner Come hither mistresse and you shall see him dead that durst so boldely combate with me When he had shewed him to her he demaÌ„ded if he were not now quiet enough The comfortlesse Lady seeing him in such estate wanted no teares to expresse the aboundance of her griefe and withall Ah God quoth she how yiksome will the reporte of his death be to many then Arcaldus calling his wife sayde So soone as this wretch is dead imprison this Lady where she was before for I will go to the Court of King Lisuart and there declare how I combated with Amadis by couenant that the conquerour should cut off the head of the vanquished and within fifteene daies following to publish his victory openly in great Brittaine By these meanes none shal quarrel with me about his death and I shall obtain the greatest glory in the world hauing ouercome him that conquered everyone TheÌ„ went he where he left Gandalin and the Dwarffe commanding them to be locked vp in a prison but Gandalin who wished death thinking his maister was dead indeede would not goe with him desiring some one to kil him and to enforce Arcalaus doe him so much fauour reuiled him with names of traitour villaine hauing slaine the most loyall knight in the world Arcalaus made no account of his words but beecause he would not goe willingly he dragged him by the eares and thrust him into the dungeon saying If I presently kill thee thou shouldest endure no more paine but heere thou shalt suffer worse then death So mounted Arcalaus on the horse of Amadis and accoÌ„panied with three Squires rode toward the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XX. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward escaped the enchantments by the ayde of Vrganda GRindaloya the Lady deliuered by Amadis from prison made such excessiue lamenrations for him as euery one pittied her shee thus speaking to the wife of Arcalaus and the rest in the company Ah faire Ladies beholde yee not the beauty of this braue Gentle-man who in so young yeeres was the onely Knight in the world mis-hap attend on such who by enchantment iniurie men of vertue O soueraigne creator why doost thou suffer so bad minded people to liue The wife of Arcalaus who though her husband was addicted to shamelesse crueltie yet she being of gracious and pittifull disposition grieued in her very soule to beholde his dealings and continually praied for his amendmeÌ„t comforting the wofull Lady so well as she could As thus they were deuising together they saw two other Ladyes enter the chamber each one bringing in her hand good store of candles lighted which they set round about on the cantons of the chamber finding Amadis thus lying before the wife of Arcalaus and the rest they being not able to lift or stirre him Then one of the Ladyes so lately there arriued tooke out of a little casket she carried a Booke whereon she began to reade and diuers times another voyse answered her As thus she continued her lecture many other voyces were heard as they imagined them more then an hundred then came another book flying into the chamber seeming as if the winde caryed it and fell downe at her feete that reade she pulling it in foure parts burned it at the foure corners of the chamber where the candles stood This done she returned to Amadis and taking him by the right hand said Lord Amadis arise you haue slept too long vneasily Immediately Amadis awaked and rising vp thus spake Alas where am I I maruaile that I am aliue Beleeue me Sir answered the Lady such a one as you are must not dye in this sorte rather wil the heauens permit that they who haue deserued it shall dy by your hand Herewith the two strange Ladyes not saying any more returned the same way they came leauing Amadis much amazed at this aduenture and looking about for Arcalaus but he was aduertised by Grindaloya how he was gone to the court of King Lisuart clad in his Armour and mounted on his horse to reporte that he had slaine him in combate Indeede I felt quoth Amadis when he vnarmed me but on my faith methought I dreamed and seeing he is gone with my armour I will make his to serue me at
his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies will ye not see your sister whom you loue so deerly Yes Madam quoth he â—o it please you to giue me lâ—… with he arose and came 〈…〉 who stepping forward to meet him you must think Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcoÌ„med him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia louing him as you haue heard ouermastring her will with reason as a most wise well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand a while asunder from all the rest Yet did Agrates keep neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any answere to his sister She being ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this suddaine mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with each others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauor them with more libery feigning a desire to speake with her Vnckle Galuanes which she prettily coloured in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Vnckle may come hither because it is long time since I saw him and I haue some that to acquaint him with all secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agrates whereupon he went to the Queene thus spake Madam if you could spare mine vnckle a little you might doe his Neece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good said the Queene at which words Galuanes went with him which Mabila seeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Fayre Neece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye do you like Scotland or this Countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the window because I haue many things to tell ye which were needelesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they being of such importance as they are These words shee vttered smiling and with a marueilous good grace cheefely because her brother might court his friend alone And well said Neece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes bee kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes whereof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone When the Prince perceiuing hee had liberty to speake trembling in aboundance of affection he began thus Madam to accomplish your commandement when you parted from mee as also to satisfie my heart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gratious contentment conueyed thereto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my Faith that being neere your person my spirits feele themselues viuified in such sort as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therefore I desire ye if it bee your pleasure to limit mee some better hap hereafter in place where I may often see and doe you seruice And as hee would haue proceeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the griefe you endure we being absent one from another as no other proofe is required then what mine owne heart doth plainely testifie smothering a displeasure worse then death it selfe whereto oftentimes I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerefull hope rebacke this despaire how one day our loue shall meet together with happy contentation And perswade your selfe that I daily trauaile in remeÌ„brance of our mutuall loue meane while sweete friend remporize and dismay not Mistresse sayde Agrates you haue already so bouÌ„d me to you as I must in duty temporize till time you please but I desire yee to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortifie mee withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shall haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer will I faile yee be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteeme yee whereby I may striue to loue you more then any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine onely And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioy therein for it cannot bee without recital of your haughty courage chiualry yet my heart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer bold venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare himselfe so praised vayled his lookes and shee loath to offend him altred her speech demanding what hee was determined to doe On my faith Madam quoth he I wil do nothing but what you please to coÌ„mand me I will then sayd Oliuia that hence-forth you keep company with your Cosen Amadis for I knowe hee loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to bee one of this Court deny it not Beleeue me Madam answered Agrayes both you and such good counselling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I wil more credite with mine affaires then my honourable Cosen Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing hnowledge of him in her fathers kingdome of Denmark where hee performed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her auncient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Queene and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertayned him maruailous kindely as well for Amadis sake whom hee loued as also the curtesie hee shewed her in Scotland when king Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cosen we haue daily desired your presence heere especially your sister who not many dayes since was in great grief by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truly you would haue wondered therat Good reason had she Madam quoth Agraies to be sorrowful and not she alone but all the rest of his linage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cosen dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue
be Lady you can tell me who hath caryed away the dead knight that lay vnder the tree not farre hence If you wil promise me quoth she to reuenge his death which is an exceeding great griefe to many I will resolue you therein I will not stick for that answered Galaor for it seemeth by your words it is an act of iustice to do it Very true said the Damosell mount vp before me on my Palfary and I shall direct ye to your desire WheÌ„ they had ridden about two miles shee shewed him a maruailous faire castle and alighting at the gate she bad him enter But remember quoth she what you haue promised And because I haue solicited you heereto I pray yee let me vnderstand your name I am called Galaor quoth hee and thinke you shall heereafter finde mee in king Lisuarts Court then any where else I am satisfied said the Damosell to God I commend yee then thee turned bridle and rode away but Galaor entred tâ—…stle where he found the dead laid in the middest of the Court by him stood many making great lamentation Neuerthelesse Galaor approching neere and stepping to an anciant knight demanded of him what the dead knight was Sir answered the olde man while hee liued hee was such a one as all the world may bemone his mis-fortune Do you know his name saide Galaor He is called Anthebon replied the other one of the most vertuous Gentlemen that euer liued in Gaul When Galaor heard he was a subiect to king Perion his father his heart began to storme and as hee pittied him the more so his desire encreased to reuenge his death whereupon hee entreated the knight to acquaint him with the truth of this tragicall accident Sir quoth he this infortunate Gentleman which you see was in respect of his bounty and vertue maryed to a wife who now lamenteth for him she being the Lady of this Castle In time they had a very faire daughter and she growing in yeeres was beloued by a knight our too neere neighbour but the young Damosell euer hated him and aboue all other could not abide him Where-of he getting intelligence determined by some meane or other to steale her hence and being so resolued forgetting God as also his owne honour watched when this goodknight as customely he vsed should goe to the cornered street there to sucour such as often were distressed because it is the most dangerous place in this countrey Knowing him thus to bee from home the disloyall wretch entred this Castle and finding the maiden in comâ—…y of her mother with diuerse Gentlewomen heere disporting mauger them all forcibly hee tooke her away before wee could fall the bridge to succâ—r her Hereupon as wee afterward vnderstood shee did nothing day and dight but grieuously mourne despising all the inticing blandishments the knight vsed to her which in the end displeased him so much as hee began in this sort to reprooue her Lady you know that I loue yee with all my heart desiring onely to haue the like of you meaning no otherwise then honorably to make you my wife but you scornefully disdaine me albeit I am discended of a more noble house then your father is which maketh mee maruell very much what should moue you thus to bee mine enemy In good faith I will tell yee quoth shee I heretofore made promise to my mother and such is still my deliberation that I would neuer match with any husband if hee were not so good a knight and comparable with my father in chiualry for which shee made choyce of him among all otâ—er knights to which wordes he thus answered By heauen I see you loue me now for â—re it bee long I will make sufficient proofe that I am a better man at armes then he Within a while after hee left his Castle beeing well mounted and armed placing himselfe vnder the tree where you sawe this knight dead to what intent I cannot tell but vnhappily the Lord of this Castle came that way hauing left his horse and Armour because hee onely intended to take the ayre The cowardly wretch seeing what aduantage hee had of him and remembring the promise hee made his Lady thought it place commodious to get him reputation and no witnesses by to report the contrary so without giuing him warning or speaking one word to him stealing behinde him smote his Launce thorough his necke as you heere beholde Thus vnprouided of defence likewise suddenly and most villainously was this good knight slain and yet the blody traytour not satisfied alighting from his horse gaue him many needlesse cruell woundes with his sworde and so despitefully left him there In good faith answered Galaor the deede is monstrous vnable to passe without common reprehension but seeing you haue vouchsafed mee this fauour I pray ye tell me why was he afterwarde laide on such a costly bed vnder the tree Because it being a continuall passage for knights errant said the olde man to try if any would be so honourably prouoked as to reuenge an act of such sâ—ame and contempt after wee had acquainted them with this sad discouse I found him alone at the tree replyed Galaor what was the cause then you left him so Your demaund is not amisse â—quoth the olde man for foure Squires were euer wont to guarde him but because the knight who did the murther came and threatened to kill them we were coÌ„strained to bring away the body hither I maruell sayde Galaor that I heard not the noyse it may well bee sayd I slept soundly Are you he replyed the old man whom we found leaning asleep on your helmet The very same man answered Galaor Why did you rest so homely there quoth the old man To reuenge his death sayd Galaor if by reason I might doe so much Ah worthy Sir answered the old man heauen grant the finishing thereof to your honour then taking him by the hand he brought him to the bed whereon the dead man lay thus speaking to the sorrowfull Lady Madame this knight saith to his power he will reuenge the death of your Lord. Alas gentle knight quoth she the God of heauen keepe you in that good minde for I can finde no kinred or friend in this countrey who will doe so much for me because my Lord was a stranger yet whlie he liuid euery one shewed great friendship in lookes but now their kindnes is cold enough Lady answered Galaor in respect both he and I were borne in one countrie my desire is the greater to reuenge his death Are you said the Lady the sonne to King Perion of Gaule whom my deceased Lord often told me was in king Lisuarts Court Neuer came I there Madame replyed Galaor in all my life but tell me what he is that did this treason and in what place I may find him Gentle Lord quoth she you shall be conducted thither if you please neuerthelesse I stand in doubt considering the perill you will mislike the enterprise as
but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside ech one reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing left euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwithstanding seeing you are the best King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ve then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would faine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere them which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete no ◅gnorant what medicines should be applied to passionate mindes after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else-where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to confer with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him frō the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most deerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing you which if
and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners wherefore they made haste to giue them succour WE haue before declared by what meanes Amadis and Galaor escaped from Madasima the Lady of Gantasi who would haue put them to death if shee had knowne their names likewise how they tooke their way toward London as men right ioyful of their good successe But by the way they met Dardan the Dwarffe so fast as horse could gallop whereupon Amadis thus spake to Galaor Brother me thinks my seruant Dardan commeth toward vs and doubtlesse about some matter of importance for do you not see what speed he maketh By this time Dardan brake off their talke rehearsing euery thing that happened since their departure but when hee tolde how the Princesse Oriana was carried from the Court against her will and what sorowfull lamentations she made Amadis entered into a despairing fury demanding which way they went that had her in charge In sooth my Lord answered Dardan they rode thorough the Forrest which lieth on the otherside of the City Without more words Amadis gaue the spurres to his horse galloping amaine toward London so confounded with the terrour of these newes as he could not speake to his brother Galaor who left him not but followed at hand Thorow the City they ride not making any stay enquiring which way they took that led away the Princesse euery one shewed it him very readily As Gandalin came posting after his Lord it was his hap to passe by the Queenes lodging where shee standing at a window ouer-come with griefe espied Gandalin whom she called to her and asked where he left his Master Madame quoth he he is gone after thē that haue away the Princesse Stay a little I pray thee said the Queen thē sent she for the Kings sword which was accounted one of the best in the world saying I desire thee carrie this sword to Amadis and tell him the King forsooke it this morning he being gone with a Damosell to combate for her she hath giuen him another sword as yet we heare no tydings of him either when he wil returne or whither he is gone Gandalin hauing receiued the sword set away with speed after his maister whose impatience vrging him to more hast then care of his iourney made him ride so farre into a foule slough as he was faine to alight ere hee could get foorth againe And leading his horse by the bridle to escape the mire Galaor Gandalin ouer-took him acquainting him with the Queenes message and deliuering the sword she sent him When hee heard how the King was likewise gone his desire of speede encreased to giue him succour but his horse was so wearied with striuing in the bogge as hee was constrained to take Gandalins which trauailed much worse then his owne yet with the helpe of his spurres he made him goe At length they found the tracke of horses and by good hap met with certaine poore labouring men whom they asked if they met not any by the way Yes my Lord quoth one of them wee met certaine men leading a knight and two Ladyes albeit wee durst not shew our selues but kept vs hidden in the thickest of the wood for doubtlesse they besome bad people hereto they added such a description of the prisoners as they easily gathered them to be the King and Oriana betraied But tell me good friends saide Amadis know you none of the other for the prisoners are the King and his daughter In sooth replied the poore man wee are altogether ignorant what they are yet we heard one that led the horse of the fairer Lady often-times name Arcalaus Now trust mee quoth Amadis to his brother it is the villaine that enchanted me Oh that it might be my hap to finde him Gentle-men said the man ten of them went this way on the right hand with the Knight prisoner and fiue more this way on the left hand with the Ladyes Brother quoth Amadis to Galaor I beseech ye to follow the King least worse befall him then we can remedy and I will after the Princesse Oriana So shaking hands in equall resolution they parted the seuerall waies but Amadis found his horse so ouer labored as he was able tohold out no longer Being thus hindered by chance he looked aside and sawe where a Knight lay slaine with a Squire standing by holding his horse whereupon Amadis stepped to him demanding who committed that murther A traitour hath done it answered the Squire who is not yet gone very farre and leadeth with him the fairest Lady in the world no other reason had he for my maisters death but because he asked what the Lady was What wilt thou do sayd Amadis tarrying heere I stay Sir quoth he till some one come who may helpe me with my maisters body to some buriall and afterward I intend to seeke my fortune If thou answered Amadis wilt giue me the horse thou holdest I wil leaue thee mine and my Squire to helpe thee and one day will I giue thee two better beside The squire was cōtent whē Amadis mounting on the horse commanded Gandalin to help him bury his maisters body and after-ward to follow him the same way he rode Thus Amadis hies so fast as horse can run and espying an hermitage went to see if any body were within at his call the hermit came foorth of whom he asked if he saw not fiue Knights passe by leading two Ladyes No verily answered the olde father but do you not enquire for a Castle which is not far from this place Why aske yee such a question quoth Amadis Because a Nephew of mine tolde mee saide the Hermit how Arcalaus the enchanter is going thither and two Ladies with him whom hee carryeth perforce Ah Father replyed Amadis you name the traytour I looke for Trust me Sir quoth the Hermit hee hath done many mischieues in this countrey would God wee were either rid of him or else his life amended but haue you no bodie to helpe you No body but God and my selfe answered Amadis Why Sir sayd the Hermit you tell mee they bee fiue in company and you but one beside Arcalaus is counted one of the best knights in the world and with whom few or none dare meddle Whatsoeuer hee bee quoth Amadis I am certaine hee is a disloyall traytour and they no lesse that keep him company what lesse cause then haue I to feare him for God is iust in whom is onely my confidence I pray you Sir replyed the Hermite knowe you of whence the Ladies be One of them said Amadis is the Princesse Oriana daughter and heire to the vertuous king Lisuart the other is a Lady attending on her The God of heauen answered the Hermite further your intent that so good a Princesse may not be long in such a wretches custody If you haue any prouender Father quoth Amadis I desire you giue my horse a little The Hermit brought forth such as
still comforting his dismayed Mistris and shee reioycing in her louely friend Gandalin arriued who had sought his Master all that night and happily found him there with his Lady Now minded they to tarry no longer in this place wherfore making choyce of the knights horses to their owne liking they all mounted Amadis leading Orianaes Palfray by the bridle and shee rehearsing to him by the way what iniury the dead knights had done her as in her life time she neuer endured the like Madame answered Amadis much greater griefe haue I suffered by a liuing creature yet lesse to be feared then the dead who can doe no harme but beauty onely hath hazarded my life Albeit Oriana well knew his meaning yet shee demanded who was the cause thereof Euen you Madame quoth he who hold mee in a life more irkesome then death My Lord said the Princesse neuer with my consent did you sustaine any harme and very sorie would I be you should thinke mee so vnkinde for rather could I affoord to ease your griefe were it in my power to compasse the meane Ah Madame replyed Amadis as by you onely I took my hurt so from you onely must I haue my help and reason reputes it a matter of great inconuenience that such rare perfections should cause so rough passions But if you be indued with such pitty as the rest of your excellencies do plainly promise you will not beholde that in me which you grieue to see in your chiefest enemies euen death gentle Princesse who in my torments awaiteth on me forbearing to strike beeing conquered with this hope that did opportunity and place serue your passed promise shold ease your thoughts and deliuer me from this weighty oppression But see how sweete occasion fauoureth vs and fortune stands aloose from hindering our content doe not you then good Madame let slip this gracious offer when time and place challenge it at your hand considering the argument is vrgent and being now loytered may hardly be againe so well recouered Oriana not so much for these reasons as because her pain was equall with his had not he begun the motion her selfe would haue solicited the same thus answered Great is the force of your perswasioÌ„s but greater the vnfained loue I beare you which hath such authority ouer me as when you shall haue least occasion to demand I am content and constrained to obey yea to repose such a thing in your trust as very hardly can I holde fast in my thoughts Yet I desire you albeit you see me not stored with prouidence that you will carefully mannage our enterprise by warie keeping it from knowledge or suspect rather submitting our selues to the highest displeasure then common reproofe which is containd within no limits Sufficient protestation made Amdais hereof but little batterie needed when the hole was won and riding through a verie thick wood the Princesse became desirous of sleepe because the night before she enioyed no rest whereupon shee acquainted Amadis therewith saying shee must needes sleepe ere she went any further â—Hee beeing no vnprofitable counseller and seeing a daintie plot by a riuers siue shaddowed with boughes from the heate of the sunne aduised her to rest there awhile and dismounting from their horses hee thus spake So please you Madame in this place we may stay till the heate be gone and you rest in tarying for the cold euening in meane space I will send Gandalin to the Towne to bring some viands to refresh vs withall Your reason is good saide Oriana but how shall hee come by meate He shall leaue his horse in pawne answered Amadis and returne on foote Yet I quoth Oriana haue a better helpe then that hee shall sell this ring which can doe vs no better seruice then now in our neede So pulling the ring from her finger she gaue it to Gandalin who taking his leaue as hee came by his Maister saide So good time lost will neuer bee had againe Amadis knew his meaning well enough yet made he no shew thereof but vnarmed him-selfe and Oriana spreading the Damosels mantle on the grasse laide her downe vpon it the Damosell likewise went aside into the wood where shee fell soundly asleepe by reason she watched all the night before Thus remained Amadis alone with his mistresse so glad of her gentle grant and the fauourable houre at hand as hee could not withdraw his eyes from comfort which made him delay time in needelesse gazing In the end though his hands had beene slow in vnarming him all his other members were in better state for not one of them but did his duty The heart was rauished in thoughts the eye in contemplatioÌ„ of excellent beauty the mouth with sweete kisses the armes with kinde embracings and no one mal content in any poynt except the eyes which wished themselues in number like the starres in heauen for their better ability in function thinking they could not sufficiently beholde so diuine an obiect In great paine were they likewise because they were hindered from the pride of beauty for the Princesse held her eyes closed as well to disguise her desire of sleepe as also for the discreet shame conceiued by this pleasure so that shee durst not boldly looke on him she most loued Hereupon carelesly spreading her armes abroad as though she slept in deed and by reason of the exceeding heate leauing her gorget open two little alablaster bowles liuely shewed themselues in her bosome so faire and sweetly respiring as Nature neuer shewed more curious workmanshippe Now Amadis forgetting his former bashfulnesse seeing Fortune allowed him so quaint a fauour let loose the reines of amorous desire with such aduantage as notwithstanding some weak resistance of the Princesse she was enforced to prooue the good and bad together which maketh friendly maidens become faire women Dainty was the good grace and subtiltie of Oriana in shadowing her surpassing pleasure with a feminine complaint of Amadis boldnesse shewing in countenance such a gracious choller contented displeasure as in stead of consuming time in excuses Amadis resaluted her with sundry sweet kisses as also another cause to chide if she wold But she being loth to mixe angry speeches with amiable sollace or with frowning lookes to crosse an equall content thought it better to commend the controule of so kinde a louer and therefore continued this pleasing recreation as neither party receiued occasion of mislike rather with kisses which are counted the seales of loue they chose to confirm their vnanimity then otherwise to offend a resolued patience Ah how many repetitions made Oriana of the paines she suffered in expectation of this day confessing those priuate particularities which none but she her desire were acquainted withall How many matters likewise alleadged Amadis expressing thereby his singular contentment and credible assurance of his perpetuall faith now reckoning all his trauels well imployed more then sufficiently recompensed In these discourses and pleasures they spent most part
of the day carryed so farre from remembrance of any thing else as they thought not on the time how day wasted night ensued whether Gandalin were returned or the Damosell awake all these things were now cast into obliuion They imagined to haue viands good store being thus delighted the one with the other which seemed more delicious to them then all the Nectar or Ambrofia of Iupiter Yet at length they remembred themselues somewhat better when hearing the Damosell and Gandalin so neare them their pastime ended and taking each other by the hand walked among the trees to take the ayre in the meane while Gandalin and the Damosell spread a cloath on the grasse and set thereon such victuals as they had Now though there wanted rich cup-boords of plan as were in the houses of King Lisuart and Perion as also the solemnity of great seruices yet the fortunate entertaynement at this time was held by them of higher estimation During their repast as they regarded the woods and fountaines they began to esteem it no strange matter why the Gods sometime forsooke the heauens to dwell in groues and delightful Forrests Iupiter they imagined wise when he followed Europa 10 and his other friends Beside Apollo had reason to become a Shepheard for the loue of Daphne and the daughter of Admetus They being willing to imitate their example wished continually to tarry there without returning to the Pallace and royall pompe reputing the Nymphes of the woods most happy Goddesses excelling such as remayned in the walled Cities Pitty were it to trouble these louers in their amorous deuises wherefore wee will leaue them and see what happened to Galaor following the search of King Lâ—suart CHAP. XXXVII How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison GAlaor parting from his brother Amadis in such sort as you heard followed the way whereby the King was led prisoner and making great haste in respect of his earnest desire to ouer-take him had minde of nothing else hee met by the way As thus hee continued gallopping hee saw a Knight well armed come riding towarde him who maruelling why the Prince vsed such extreame diligence when hee came neare him sayd Stay a while knight and tell mee what affaires cause you make such speed Forbeare Sir I pray yee answered Galaor for by my tarrying may happen too great an inconuenience By God sayde the knight you must not so escape for you shall tell mee whether you will or no. I may not triâ—le the time quoth Galaor and so rode on still without any â—ariance Nay Gallant replyed the knight I will bee resolued in my demaund though to your cost Hereupon hee posted after Galaor still exclaiming on him with hard words weening he fled away for feare of him and often times hee thought to smite him with his Launce but the Prince euermore escaped his attempt yet his horse beeing sore wearied hindered him very much when the knight ouer-taking him thus spake Infamous palliard and without heart of these three things chuse the best either to combate returne or answere my demaund Now trust me sayd Galaor the easiest of these three is hard to mee wherein you make no shew of curtesie for returne I may not and if I combate it must be against my will But if you desire to know the cause of my haste followe me and you shall see for I should tarry too long in telling it and happely you would scant beleeue mee so horrible and disloyall is the deed which compelleth me to this impatience Beleeue mee quoth the knight I will follow thee three whole dayes onely to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaos held on his way the knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile wheÌ„ they espied two other knights the one being on foote running to catch his horse and the other gallopping away so fast as hee could Hee on foot was Cosen germaine to the knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other knight had beene dismounted knowing his kinsman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistance in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the knight you see before three dayes together hereto bee added all the speeches betweene Galaor and him In sooth replied his Cosen hee should seeme by your wordes the greatest coward in the world else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therefore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniury and beare you company to the ende I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten knights that conducted the King they riding vppe a narrow straite fiue before him fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to die or purchase his deliuerance for hee was so offended to see the King bound with chaines as hee imagined himselfe able to conquer them all as many more if they had been there whereupon he thus cryed to them Traytours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the world With these wordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his body hee fell downe dead beside his horse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the for most fiue to guard the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found themselues very much deceiued for though the Princes horse by reason of his sore trauell often stumbled and thereby put him in danger of falling yet laide hee such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanied the first and the other twaine were brought into hard extreamity Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kings together entring couragiously among the thickest shewing most rare and haughty chiualry When the two Cosens that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with maruell the one sayd to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for hee is the most hardy knight that euer I saw except the world shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him die in this extreamity leâ—t the beauty of chiualry bee gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantly thrust themselues into the skirmish deliuering such friendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt himselfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispersed and hee had leasure to take a little breathing but wondering whence this aide should proceed hee fell to worke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cosen to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded hee purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horse got one of the slaine knightes
in his armes the teares streaming from his eyes with ioy and greeuing to see him so sore wounded doubting least his life was in great danger but when the Lady saw them so good friends and the enmity conuerted into such Humility as one right glad thereof shee said to Galaor Worthy Sir though first you gaue me occasion of great heauinesse yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompenced me So taking each of them by the hand she walked with them into the Castle where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds her selfe skilfull in Chirurgerie cured their wounds Thus remained the two brethren with the rich and beautifull Lady Corisanda who desired their health as her owne wel-fare CHAP. XLIII How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countie of Zealand AT what time King Perion sought after strange Aduentures he ariued in the countrey of Almaigne where he soiourned the space of two yeares accomplishing many braue deedes of Armes the renowne whereof continueth to this day And as he returned toward Gaule hee lodged in the Counties house of Zealand where he was entertained very royally as well in respect of his owne reputation as also because the County himselfe had sometime beene a Knight errant which made him loue all such as followed Armes After supper the King was conducted to his Chamber where being in bed and somewhat wearie with trauaile he sell a sleepe soundly but to shake off this heauinesse he felt himselfe embraced and kissed he knew not by whom when starting vp to arise he was so held down that he could not Why Sir quoth she that thus mastred him take you no pleasure in me who am alone with you the king looking on her by meanes of the light which still burned in his Chamber he discerned her to be a most beautifull Lady wherefore he thus answered I pray you faire friend tell me what you are What soeuer Iam quoth she I loue you exceedingly as one that freely giues her selfe to you In sooth replyed the King I very gladly would know your name You trouble me said the Lady with this importunity yet can I vse no other continence thē you see but it were necessary quoth the king I should know your name if you meane to be my friend Seeing you constraine me thereto answered the Lady know that I am the Counties Daughter who hath so friendly entertained you Now trust me Madam replyed the King you must hold me excused for I had rather die then abuse the man I am so much beholding to Will you then refuse me quoth she well may you bee tearmed the worst nurtured Prince in the world in denying the conquest which all your life time you might haue fayled of You may speake your pleasure answered the King but I will do what is conuenient for your honour and mine and not offend in so foule a manner I shall quoth she cause my Father to thinke himselfe more iniuried by you then if you grant what I desire So starting from the bed she tooke the Kings Sword euen the same which was afterward found with Amadis when he was taken vp on the Sea and drawing it forth she set the point against her heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortned by my death whereof you are the onely cause As she vttered these words she offered to stab her selfe with the Sword when the king suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impatient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madam for I am content to satisfie your will Hereupon hee kindely embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallified and at that instant she conceiued with childe the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all speede he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visit an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as shee rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfrey she being soon after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her seeing what had happened bringing the childe to the mother said Madam as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some pre-present remedy while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horseback she rode apace to her Ladies Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to be very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speede wherein the Lady and her childe were brought to her Castle secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knew his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custody where he was nourished till the age of eighteene yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who daily instructed him in managing Armes and all braue qualities beseeming a man of value He being growne of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to the Countie his Grand-father who gaue him his knight-hood not knowing what he was returning againe with his motherly Nurse by the way she brake with him in this manner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parenatge but credit my words you are the son to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his daughtr that gaue you your order of knight-hood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed knights in the world Madam quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his son wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull nurse that I will trauaile to fiude my father and not make my selfe known to any one till my deedes declare me worthy to be his son Not long after hee departed from the olde Ladie and accompanied with two squires iournied to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres performing such haughty deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best knight in all those parts When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowne to the king his father but comming into great Brittaine hee heard the fame of Amadis to be maruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by armes as his bretheren had done whom he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the forrest as you heard and afterward combated with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castle of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs
was come to seek Amadis but shee tolde him that now two whole dayes were passed since hee and his fellowes were departed towards Great Brittaine since which time she heard that they had taken their way vnto the Firme-Island Whereupon Durin without any longer stay tooke leaue of her and rode so long that he arriued in the Island the same houre that Amadis entred vnder the arch of Loyall louers where hee beheld how the Image had done more for him then for any other knight that euer entered the same before as it was tolde him Now as Amadis together with Agraies returned to the succour of his brethren Durin thought to haue spoken with him but Gandalin entreated him to stay vntill he had tred the perill of the forbiden chamber beeing assured that he brought Letters to him froÌ„ Oriana the which perchance might haue been a meane as he thought to cause him either to forslow or to faile in the achieuing of so great an enterprise for Amadis was so subiect to the Princesse as hee would not only haue left off the conquest of the Firme-Island but also of the whole world beside if she had coÌ„manded Wherefore after hee had finished al the strange aduentures and the inhabitants of the Isle had receiued him for their Lord Durin came before him Then Amadis demanded of him what newes was in the Court of King Lisuart My Lord answered Durin I left it euen in the same estate that it was in at your departure And as he would haue proceeded in his speech Amadis tooke him by the hand and went with him alone into a very pleasant Orchard where they walked together then he demanded how he came to the Firme-Island My Lord said he my Lady Oriana sent me vnto you for such affaires as in this letter you shal vnderstaÌ„d the which he gaue vnto him Amadis tooke it and without changing his cheere he turned his face from Durin because hee should not beholde his colour alter for his heart began to leap with great ioy so as he knew not wel how to set his coutenance But this sudden mutation was as soone changed into a great despare because that reading these rigorous lines which pronounced his banishment it stroke so great sorrow to his heart as hee was no longer able to dissemble his griefe but burst out into such vehement weeping that hee was all drowned in teares Then Durin repented that euer hee was the bringer of such heauie letters for although the conteÌ„ts thereof were vnknown vnto him yet because he knew not how to remedy it hee durst not come neere Amadis who was so confounded as hee fell prostrate on the ground and in falling the letters which hee helde did fall foorth of his hand Notwithstanding he presently tooke them vp and began to reade them againe for the beginning had sogreatly troubled him that he had not yet seene the end But casting his eye vpon the superscritioÌ„ which contained these words She who forreth not to die but onely because then art her murtherer Hee then fetched so deepe a sigh as if his soule had parted from his body and therewithall fell downe back-ward Where-with Durin was greatly amazed ran speedily to helpe him but hee found him to moue no more then a dead man Wherefore fearing some greate inconuenience hee thought to haue called Galaor or some other yet fearing that thereby he might be blamed he staed comming vnto Amadis lifted him vp who cryed Oh heauens why do you thus suffer mee to die and haue not deserued it Alas Loyaltie what recompence doost thou offer those that neuer offended thee now I see my selfe forsaken of her for whose sake I would rather suffer a thousand deathes then one of her commandements by mee should be disobeied Then pittifully looking vpon the letter which he had in his hand he sayde Ah happy letter because thou wert written by the excellentest personage this day liuing and yet most vnhappy in that thou procurest the cruell death of the truest louer that euer serued Lady which death that it may bee the sooner I will neuer forsake thee but will place thee in the neerest deerest place that I haue So hee put it in his bosome and asked Durin if hee had ought else to say No answered he Well then saide Amadis thou shalt presently returne with my answere In good sooth my Lord answered Durin shee hath expresly forbidden me to receiue any And what did not Mabila nor thy sister wil thee to say any thing to me No my Lord answered he for they knew not of my departure because my Lady strictly charged mee to acquaint no body therewith Ah God sayd Amadis I see well now that my misery is voyd of remedy Then he rose vp and went to a riuer which passed along by the garden where hee washed his eyes which done he willed Durin to call Gandalin and that hee should come back againe with him alone which hee did but at their returne they found him in a swound againe yet recouering incontinent and seeing Gandalin he said Friend I am vndone therefore go seeke out Isania the Gouernour of this Isle bring him hither alone Then Gandalin ran for him and staied not long vn till they returned together who being come Amadis said vnto him Isania you know the oath you haue sworne vnto me the duty wherein you are vnto mee bound notwithstanding I pray you yet to promise me as you are true knight to keep secret whatsoeuer you shal see me doe vntill to morrow morning after my brethren haue heard diuine seruice and then secretly goe thou and cause the gate of this Castle to be opened which being done let GaÌ„dalin bring thither my horse armour but take heed that none perceiue it and I will follow straight after thee they were no sooner departed from him but he began to remeÌ„ber a dream which he had the night before wherein he thought that being armed and set vpon his horse hee was on the highest part of a peece of land enuironed with diuerse sorts of trees and that round about him were many persons maâ—ing the greatest ioy in the world then one of them presented him with a box saying Sir taste of that which is herein which he did and hee thought hee did eate of a most bitter meat And as hee cast it from him the raines of his horse did breake whereupon the horse ran vp and downe so that he was not in any sort able for to stay him When he saw he was so farre from this merry company he looked backe and hee thought that hee beheld their great mirth changed into such exceeding mone as it greatly pitttied him willingly would he haue returned backe to assawage their sorrow if hee could haue mastered his horse who at that instant entred into a tuft of trees where hee found a rocke enuironed with water against the which the horse stayed Then hee alighted for the great desire he had
ended his song hee alighted vnder a tusted tree planted by the high way side thinking there to passe the rest of the night but worse happened to him then he hoped for Gandalin which had heard what hee sayde of Oriana doubting that Amadis had not marked it because his minde was otherwise occupied sayde vnto Durin It were best for mee to goe to my Master to know what hee intendeth to doe Then came hee forth of the bush where he was hidden beheld Amadis that sought for his horse to depart frō thence who as he looked here there he espied Gandalin When not knowing him at the first he cryed Who art thou that commest to surprise me speake and hide thy selfe no longer My Lord answered he I an Gandalin who will helpe you to finde your horse if so it please you When Amadis heard this Ah said hee how durst you persume to follow me hauing so expresly forbidyou beleeue mee thou hast greatly displeased mee let mee see thee no more but depart or else be sure thou shalt die My Lord answered Gandalin mee thinkes you should forget this manner of behauiour and bethinke you how to reuenge the foolish speeches which euen now were vttered by a knight who is not yet far from you for they are greatly to your disaduantage This sayde Gandalin to pacifie his displeasure towardes him that hee might bee the more incensed against the other I did heare him as well as you sayd he and therefore am I content to seeke rest else-where and to depart from hence where all misfortune doth follow me What sayd Gandalin is this all that you are determined to doe What wouldst thou more said he That you fight with him answered Gandalin to make him confesse his presumption I beleeue sayd hee thou wouldest say otherwise seeing thou knowest very well that I neither haue spirit heart not any force hauing lost all in losing her who gaue me life so as now I am no better then a dead man neither is there in Great Brittaine any knight so cowardly that could not easily ouercome mee if I should combate with him so haplesse and hopelsse am I. Trust me answered Gandalin you are in a great errour thus to suffer your heart to saint to let your courage faile euen whē it should most serue you to aduance the honour of her who so neerely toucheth you What report will Durin make here of thinke you who hath heard and seene all and is greatly abshed that now you behaue your selfe no better How sayd Amadis is Durin here I truely sayd Gandalin wee came both together and I beleeue hee followeth you thus to declare your manner of behauiour vnto her that sent him vnto you Get thee gone sayd Amadis thou vrgest mee too much Yet when hee thought that Durin should returne to Oriana his heart was so inflamed that hee called for his armes and mounting on his horse he went toward the knight whom hee found layd vnder the tree holding his horse by the bridle Then Amadis in a great rage sayde vnto him Sir knight who so greatly extollest thy fortune in loue I beleeue that against all right thou hast receined that good that loue hath doue for thee if good it may be tearmed and that thou neuer deseruedst it the which I wil proue with the losse of thy head What art thou answered the other that speakest so audaciously dost thou think that I am fauoured of the fairest Lady in the worlde for any other cause but onely for my valour and high knighthood wherewith I will make thee presently confesse that loue hath reason to fauour me and that it is not for thee to speake thereof It is but thy opinion sayde Amadis but thou must knowe that in despight of thee I am hee who hath least occasion to praise loue because hee hath so vildely deceiued me that I wil neuer dayes in my life put any trust in him knowing how falsely and treacherously he commonly vseth those that most faithfully do serue him And because I haue sufficiently prooued it I will maintaine that he can neuer be so faithfull as I haue found him false That it is so let vs see whether hee hath gained more in thee then he hath lost in me Then the knight mounted on his horse and beeing ready to fight he answered Vnhappy knight depriued of all good and banisht iustly from loue beeing vnworthy of his fauor get thee from my presence for I should commit a most horrible fact to lay my hands vpon such a vild miserable fellow So saying he turned his horse to haue fled away if Amadis had not staied him in calling him Villaine wilt thou then defend thy loue which so highly thou prisest onely with thy countenance and so get thee gone because thou wouldest fly the combat Trust me answered the other thou art in a right opinion for it is true that I haue no desire to proue my selfe against a person of so small desert but seeing thou wouldest that I should breake thy head I am content and if thy heart will serue defend it if thou canst Herewithall they ran one against the other with such force as their Lances flew to shiuers pearcing their shields quite thorough neuerthelesse their armour being good strong staied the stroke yet the knight fell to the ground carrying the raines of his horse with him wherefore he rose again lightly The which Amadis beholding he said vnto him Truely knight if the right which you pretend in so faire a friend bee not better maintained with your sword then it hath beene with your staffe Loue hath made but a bad choyce of you for a valiant champion your Lady a far worser match in lighting vpon such a carpet knight He made no account at all of these reproaches but boldly drew out his sword and comming neere to Amadis laid at him so lustily that hee had beene wounded if with his shield hee had not well warded himselfe wherein his sword was so farre entred that he could not pul it forth again but was forced to let go his holde leauing it sticking fast in the shield of Amadis Who lifted himselfe vp in his stirrops hitting him so sound a blow vpon his head-peece that it pearced euen vnto the quick the blow gliding downe it lighted vpon his horse neck wounded him to the death falling downe in the place and his master vnder him all astonied But Amadis seeing him arise said vnto him Gentle louer I am of the minde that Cupid henceforth should erect a trophie for the high prowesse which you haue shewed in his seruice that as long as you liue you should not cease to sing his praises declare those benefits which vpon you hee hath bestowed As for mee I will goe secke my fortune else where So he set spurres to his horse as he departed he beheld Gandalin Durin when cōming neere them he tooke Durin by the hand and sayd vnto him Friend
to manifest himselfe in any sort vnto the Damosell of Denmarke who sayd vnto him My friend I haue been enformed by the Hermit that you are a knight and because all Gentlewomen are greatly bound vnto good knights for the benefits and pleasures that they commonly receiue at their hands in defending them and deliuering them from many and great dangers I had a great desire before I departed to see you to giue vnto you such prouisions as are in my ship that shall be necessarie for your health Notwithstanding he answered her nothing neither did hee any other thing but lament and sigh and because that in that little Cell wherein hee remayned there was little light the Gentlewoman did not know whether hee were a dying or no. Whereupon she was ware of a window which she opened by the light whereof shee might behold him more at ease but all the while that she beheld him hee neuer cast his eyes off from her neuerthelesse hee spake not one word but sighed without ceasing like vnto a wight whose heart was ouercharged with woe which moued the Damosel to exceeding pittie And comforting him in the best sorte she could by chance shee espied a scarre which he had vpon his face with a blow that Arcalaus the Enchanter had giuen him when hee rescued Oriana as hath beene recited in the first Booke Wherefore shee thought in her minde that without doubt this was Amadis whom shee â—ought and at the instant shee did know that he was euen the same for the same cause shee being grealy amased cryed out Alas what do I see My Lord you are he that hath made me haue many a weary iourney to find you this sayd she embraced him Alas my Lord sayd shee it is now high time to extend both pitty and pardon vnto her who procured thereunto by some sinister report hath brought you to this great extreamitie beleeue me doth now iustly endure a life worse then death then did she deliuer him the Letter that Oriana had written vnto him Hold sayd she your Lady sendeth you this and commandeth you by me that if you be the same Amadis that you were woâ—t to be and hee whoÌ„ she so much loueth that forgetting all passed faults you come vnto her to the Castle of Mirefleur where a full satisfaction shall bee made vnto you for the sorrowes and anguishes which you haue suffered for your ouer feruent loue Here withall was the Faire Forlorne so greatly rauished that it was a long time before hee could answer one word but hee tooke the Letter which hee kissed without ceasing and afterwards put it next vnto his heart saying O poore heart so long time passioned that hardly hast thou beene able to resist such a tempest notwithstanding the abundance of teares which thou so continually hast distilled that it hath almost brought thee euen to the point of death receiue now this medicine the which only is conuenient for thy health and come forth of this darknes which so long hath blinded thee taking thy strength againe vnto thee to serue her that of her owne free grace causeth thee to reuiue Then opened hee the Letter which contayned The Letter of Oriana to Amadis IF great faults committed by enmitie acknowledged afterwards by humility are worthy of pardon what ought those to bee which are caused by too much abundance of loue Neuerthelesse my loyall friend I will not deny but that I haue deserued exceeding punishment for I ought to haue considered that at such times when any are in the greatest prosperity and mirth then fortune commeth and ouerthroweth them into sorrow and misery furthermore I ought to haue remembred me of your exceeding vertue and honesty which was neuer yet found faulty and most of all though I had died yet should I not haue forgotten the great seruitude of my pensiue heart which proceedeth from no other cause but onely from the same wherein your owne is tyed being certaine that so soone as any flame had beene therein quenched mine had as suddenly beene there-withall acquainted in such sort as the care which it hath had to aswage the mortall desires thereof hath been the onely cause to encrease the same But I haue done amisse like vnto them who being in the top of their felicity and most assured of the loue of those by whom they are beloued not being able to comprehend in them so much good become iealous and suspicious more by their owne imagination then by any reason ouer shadowing this bright happinesse with tha cloud of impatience beleeuing the report of some men it may bee wicked slanderers of small credit and vitious sooner then the witnesse of their owne conference and certaine experience Therefore my constant friend I beseech you bartely to receiue this Damosell â—as beeing sent from her who acknowledgeth in all humility the great fault which she hath committed against you who shall better then my letter acquaint you with the extremitie of my life where of you ought to haue pittie not for any of mine own desert but for your owne reputation who are neither accounted cruell nor desirous of reuenge where you finde repentance and submition especially seeing that no penance may proceede from you more rigorous then that which I my selfe haue ordained for me and the which I doe bâ—re patiently hoping that you will release it restoring vnto me your good fauour and my life together which thereupon dependeth Herewithall a new ioy possessed the minde of the Faire Forlorne and hee quite banished the continuall melancholy which had so long tormented him neuerthelesse the perplexity wherein Oriana remained in expecting newes from him with held part of pleasure wherefore he praied the Damosell of Denmarke to aduise her selfe what she had to do for I feele my selfe said he so farre beside my selfe that I can thinke vpon no other thing but vpon the new restitution of my life which I haue receiued by your meanes I am of the opinion answered the Damosell seeing that these in my company do not know you to tell them that for pittie sake I will cary you to the Firme Island only to see if by changing the aire you may also change your malady the which was accordingly performed Notwithstanding the Faire Forlorne before his departure declared vnto the Hermit how the Gentlewoman had so long sought for him that now they were heere casually met together onely by meere chance and the storme which had brought her vnto the poore Rock And for this cause my father saide he I am constrained to leaue you and to follow her assuring you that so long as I liue I shall neuer forget the good which you haue done for mee for without your good help I had perished both body and soule And seeing that by your deuout praires as I beleeue I haue beene preserued hitherto I most humbly beseech you to haue your poore guest still in remembrance And moreouer to do so much for me that hereafter you would
him by discharging him from your presence yet will hee not faile to be there knowing that it is a thing of great importance both vnto the King you not that hee will presume to come before you but hee will make himselfe knowne in place where hee may doe you seruice in hope that you will pardon him for the fault that he neuer did noâ— euer thought to doe God grant sayd Oriana that thy words proue true And as they were in these discourses there came a Gentle-woman who told Oriana that the Damosel of Denmarke was ariued and shee hath brought vnto you many faire presents Then feare hope seased vpon the Princesse heart in such sort that without power to answer one worde shee began to tremble the which Maâ—ila perceiuing she answered the Gentlewoman friend will her to come in hither all alone The gentlewoman returned to performe her charge but in the meane time beleeue mee neither Mâ—bila nor Gandalin knew how to behaue theÌ„selues beeing either hopelesse of the good or fearefull of the bad newes that the Damosell of Denmarke might bring Who shortly after entered in with the countenance of a person more pleasant then pensiue and after her duty done vnto Oriana shee presented her with a Letter from Amadis saying vnto her Madame my Lord Amadis recommendeth him must huÌ„bly vnto your good grace whom I haue found as this Letter written with his owne hand will assure you Oriana receiued the Letter and as she thought to haue opened it her spirit was so rauished with exceeding ioy as all the parts of her body remained without any power or ability once to moue or stirre because they would supply no other office but to participate in this most happy newes so that Oriana therewithall fell down in the place where she stood But very suddenly shee was raised vp againe she opened the Letter wherein shee found the ring that she sent vnto Amadis by Gandalin at the same time that hee fought with Dardan at Winsore which she presently knew Wherefore in kissing it shee sayd so loud that she might easily be heard O ring diuinely kept blessed be hee that euer did make thee so fortunate giuing from hand to hand all the pleasure that may bee desired then put she it vpon her finger and beganne to reade the Letter And when she beheld the sweet words that Amadis vsed the the thanks that he did yeeld vnto her for the careful remembrance that she had of him by the which he was raised from death to life there was neuer any woman more ioyfull and casting her eyes vp to heauen shee said O God of heauen and earth creator of all things praised be thy holy name because thou hast vouchsased in mercy to looke vppon mee by the diligence of this Gentlewoman Herewithall shee withdrew her selfe apart and tooke the Damosell of Denmarke by the hand saying vnto her I pray you faire Lady tel me how you did find him how long you haue bin together and the place where you haue left him By my faith Madam answered the Damosell after my departure from you I ariued in Scotland where I remained certaine dayes without hearing any news of him by meanes whereof beeing as it were voide of hope to satisfie your desire I tooke shipping intending to returne vnto you but wee had so sore a tempest vpon the Sea that mauger all our Mariners the ship was driuen vnto the poore Rocke where my Lord Amadis theÌ„ remained Whom at the first sight we did not know for he was changed in name habite and countenance and hee was likely to haue died in our presence when in a manner hee was not succoured by any of vs. Notwithstanding in the end I was ware of a wound that he had vpon the face the which was heretofore giuen vnto him by Arcalaus wherby I still suspected that it should be he and in the end hee manifested himselfe vnto me And continuing her discourse shee recited wholly all that which you haue heard in the beginning of this History Then loue pitty assailed the heart of the Princesse in so strange a manner that she entreated the Gentlewoman to speake no more of the troubles of Amadis but onely to tell her how hee did at that present Madame answered shee I haue left him in the Forrest staying to heare some newes from you And how may wee secretly send vnto him saide Oriana for if you returne vnto him so suddainly there might some matter bee suspected For the same occasion answered the damosel I haue brought with me Durin whome I will send back when it shall please you faining that I haue forgot parte of the presents that I brought vnto Mabila It is very well aduised said the Princesse Afterwards shee declared vnto her how Corisanda gaue vnto them the first hope that Amadis was not dead and that hee it was that named himselfe the Faire Forlorne It is true answered the Damosell and hee is yet so called neither is hee determined to change his name vntill hee haue first seene you except you command him the contrary That shall then be very shortly saide Oriana for his cosin and I haue taken such order that hee may come hither when it shal please him and not be perceiued by any body We haue the key of this gardeÌ„ by the which the way shal be easie and secret for him the which wee will send vnto him by Durin therefore call him vnto vs to tell him what Amadis must doe at his hither arriuall Hereupon Durin came vnto them Oriana shewing him the garden said vnto him Durin doest thou see this orchard Amadis must enter into it ouer the corner of this wall when hee is once in heere are the keyes of the dore thorow which he must come vnto vs the which thou shalt carry vnto him and shall further aduertise him whatsoeuer thy sister shall tell thee in my behalfe Which said she departed leauing them together and as soone as she was entred into a great Hall shee forthwith sent vnto the Damosell willing her to bring those presents which the Scottish Queene had sent vnto her Mabila the which she did But as shee vnfolded the cloâ— wherein they were wrapped as if shee had suddainly bethought her selfe she cried Alas Madam I haue left the tokens that were sent vnto Mabila there as we did lie the last night and if Durin do not speedily returne they may be in dangar to be lost now Durin knew the matter well enough and therefore hee made as though hee were vnwilling and on the other side Mabila faining to be very angry said vnto him Durin my good friend will you do me this pleasure to returne and fetch that which your sister hath forgotten Madam answered he I will do whatsoeuer you shall please but by my faith I could bee very well content that it would please you to appoint some other to doe it because of the toyle that we
and contentment then before knowing that he was so neere that ioy which hee should receiue with his Lady Oriana In this cogitation remained the Faire Forlorne vntill after sun set when hee mounted on horseback and came vnto the place that Durin had assigned him where he fouÌ„d him together with Gandalin who stayed there for him to take his horse TheÌ„ he alighted down demanded of them what the ladies were doing my Lord answered Gandalin they are on the other side in the gardeÌ„ where they haue already staied for you more then foure houres Help me then to get vp The which they did and hee being vpon the wall beholding Oriana and Mibila on the other side hauing not so much patience as to stay for their helpe he leaped from the top of the wall downe to the ground and as hee would haue kneeled to haue done his dutie the Princesse ran to embrace him and in kissing him she was like to haue fallen in a swound betweene his armes But who could imagine the pleasure that they yeelded the one vnto the other Amadis hee trembled like a leafe not being able to speake one Word holding his mouth close vnto Orianaâ—s who as it were in an extasie did behold him with such an eye that it made them both twaine to liue and die together In this sort they remained more then a good quarter of an houre and euen vntill that Mabila smiling said vnto Oriana Madam I pray you at the least before my cosin do die let vs haue a sight of him if it please you Soft and faire answered Oriana let mee a while alone with him and then you shall after-wards haue him at your pleasure Herewithall Amadis saluting Mabila said vnto her My good Cosin this is not the first day that you haue knowne how much I am yours I beleeue you well sir but my Lady would haue you wholly to her selfe Alas said she haue I not reason seeing that I alone was likely by my fault to haue beene the causer of his losse Beleeue me deere friend the griefe which you felt and the teeres that you haue shed by the fault that I committed shall be now both acknowledged and thorowly recompenced Madam said Amadis you haue neuer been at any time but the procurer of all my happinesse and fauor and if I haue felt any tribulation I and not you haue been the causer thereof therefore haue I iustly sustained whatsoeuer sorrow I haue suffered Alas sweete loue answered Oriana when I thinke vpon the estate wherein Corisanda and the Damosell of Denmarke did finde you and the abundance of teares and lamentations that continually distilled from your eyes as they haue told me I assure you that yet my mind is troubled therwith Madam said hee the teares wherof you speake were no teares for long before the comming of Corisanda to the poore Rock the spring whereof was dried vp but it was an humor proceeding from my heart the which did so continually burne in your loue that being constrained by the force of the flame it did draw vp to the eyes that moysture which nature had placed about the heart to preserue it and to giue it life and I beeleue that if the Damosell of Denmarke had stayed from bringing me that reliefe which I receiued of her in steede of teares which distilled from mine eyes the soule it selfe had departed Sweete loue said the Princesse I know well that I committed a great errour in writing that letter which Durin did bring to you but you should then haue remembred how that all women are weake and very light of beleefe especially in things wherein they are affectioned and wherein by too extreame loue they are often times carried away made suspitious euen as I haue beene against you wherefore the greater that mine offence is the greater praise shall you win in pardoning me the which I beseech you to do being ready to receiue such punishment therefore as it shall please you to giue vnto me and to satisfie you at your owne discretion Alas Madam said Amadis it is I that should demand pardon of you for if I should die for your loue most pleasant would that death be vnto me But this much I assure you that I had neuer beene able to haue resisted this great sorrow that I haue suffered had it not beene that my martiredome was eased knowing the pleasure which you would receiue in the same that it tooke such force vnto it as death was not of sufficient power in any sort to bring it to an end Let vs leaue off this talke for this time said Mabila you haue both suffered wrong determine therefore henceforth how it may be recompensed and now to eschue the vapours of the night which may be vnto you somewhat hurtfull let vs retire vnto some couert I like your counsell well answered Oriana Therewithall Amadis was brought into her chamber and presently Mabila and the Damosel of Denmarke knowing that they should do them a pleasure to leaue them alone went forth faining to goe about some other affaires Then the princesse requested Amadis to sit downe in a chayre couered with veluet which stood in a corner of the chamber and she stood leaning vpon him that shee might at more ease kisse him and hang about his necke whereupon he being ouercome with an extream amorous passion left off his wonted modesty thrusting one of his hands into Oriana her prettie breasts and the other towards the place by him most affected where-with Oriana halfe ashamed in stretching her selfe along because she would not looke in his face saide vnto him My deere loue I beleeue that the hermit of the poore Rock taught you not this lesson Madame answered hee I beseech you to pardon my rashnesse takeing pitty of me and seeing that both time and place is so fauourable vnto vs be not you more contrary vnto me then they but suffer mee to continue that fauour wherof by your good grace I haue taken possession when I deliuered you from the handes of Arcalaus My ioy answered Oriana you know that I am so wholly yours that you cannot dispose of your selfe more then of me neuerthelesse how may I possibly at this time satisfie your desire seeing that your Cosin and the Damosel of Denmarke are so neere vnto vs Alas said he they haue hitherto been the cause of my life and now since they haue farther assisted me do you thinke that they will desire my death Assure you Madam that they are already so well acquainted with our affections especially the Damosell of Denmarke that although they haue not seen them effected yet it mny be they haue presumed as much and more therfore I beseech you in acquiting you of your promise to succour me Which said hee gaue such large scope vnto his passions that notwithstanding all the faint resistance that Oriana could make against him hee had that of her which he most desired tasting together of the sweete fruit which
fell downe ouer ouer so that the truncheon in his body passed further into him with the extreame paine whereof hee gaue vp the Ghost Arcalaus who had seen his Nephew throwne downe did suddenly put his staffe in his rest to reuenge him and running against the faire Forlorne he had surely hit him if hee had not turned some-what out of the way but hee stepped on the one side letting Arcalaus passe by and in his passing he strooke him such a blow ouer the left hand that hee cut off foure of his fingers leauing him no more then his thumbe to hold his shield which he was forced to let fall the great paine whereof enforced him to fly as fast as his horse could run without so much as once looking behind him and the faire Forlorne after him who made all the hast he could to ouertake him Notwithstanding Arcalaus was so wel moūted that in lesse then an houre hee had so far gotten the start that the Faire Forlorne wishing all the diuells in hell to follow him returned againe to Oriana and therewithall hee forthwith commanded Enil to carry the head of Lindoraque and the peece of Arcalaus his hand vnto the king and that he should recite vnto him at large vpon what occasion he was in such sort assailed So Euil departed leauing Amadis and Oriana together who shortly after arriued at Mireflour where they found Gandalin and Durin staying without the garden walls to take their horses when they should come they came to helpe the Princesse down and they told her that Mabila and the Demosell of Denmarke were on the other side of the wall in the Orchard Here-upon they raysed vp a Luther and Oriana mounted vpon it whom the faire Forlorne led by the hand when they were at the top of the wall they beheld Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke lying fast asleepe vpon the grasse very heauy with the feare that they had endured all the day least matters should not sort to so good effect as they wished Then Oriana called them shewing vnto them the Kerchief which she had gotten which so soone as they beheld they presently ran to helpe her downe and when shee was come into the Orchard Mabila said vnto her Madame I neuer had greater dsire to see you returne then I haue had euer since your departure from hence For if you had beene discouered the Damosell I had been but in a bad taking neuerthelesse we determined to arme vs withpatience My good Cosin answered she thankes be to God all goeth well I haue the kerchiefe and your Cosin hath the sword I but thanke our Teares said Mabila by the which they were chiefely gotten My Cosin said the faire Forlorne I will not stick to shedde for you as much blood as you haue for mee done teares whensoeuer you haue neede of me but I pray if you haue any thing to eate bring it into my Ladies chamber for we haue gotten vs good stomacks Herewithal he led Oriana by the hand into the castle Now because wee will not digresse ouer far from that which happened to king Lasuart we will leaue Oriana and her company at Mirefleur to tell you what happened vnto his Maiesty and Galaor as they returned from the faire Forlorne before they came back vnto the citty For a yong Damosell did meete them who deliuered vnto each one of them a letter sent from Vrganda the Vnknowne and without saying any other thing vnto them she turned her horse toward that way from whence shee came Wherefore the king opened his Letter which contayned this that ensueth Vnto you Lisuart king of great Brittaine such health happinesse as beseemeth your Royall Maiesty I Vrganda the Vnknowne your humble seruant doe certifie you that the battell which is appointed betwixt you and king Cildadan shal be one of the most dangerous and cruellest that euer was seene in the which the faire Forlorne who hath newly giuen such great hope vnto your Maiesty shal lose his name by one blow that he shall giue all his valiant deedes shall be quite forgotten and then shall you bee in the greatest extremity that euer you were for many good knights shall lose their liues and you your selfe shal fall into the like danger at that same instant when the faire Forlorne shall draw blood from you neuerthelesse by three blowes which hee shall giue those on his side shall remaine conquerors And be your Maiesty assured that without doubt all this shal happen therfore prouide for al your affairs with good aduise After that the king had read this letter although that he was a stout prince valiant and of a couragious heart yet knowing Vrganda worthie to bee beleeued in all her prophesies he was afraid doubting least the faire Forlorne in whom he most trusted would reuolt vnto the side of the Ireland king and knowing also what danger was likely to ensue hee neuerthelesse dissembled the matter whatsoeuer he though therof And after hee had a long while mused thereupon he declared the whole circumstance of it vnto Galaor saying vnto him My faithfull friend I doe wholly determine to impart this secret vnto you and to none other that I may vnderstand what is your aduise therein Beleeue me if it like your Maiesty answered he considering what Vrganda hath written vnto me I haue more neede of counsell my selfe then to counsell another and if it were possible to conclude a peace betwixt you and the king of Irelana prouided that your honour were not thereby to be impared me thinks it should be for the best or at least if that cannot be it were good that you should not bee present in the battaile For I do see in this Letter two strange accidents likely to fall out the one is that the faire Forlorne shal wound you so cruelly that he shall shed your blood vpon the ground and the other that by three blowes which he shall giue those on his side shal remaine conquerors and by this aduertisement it seemeth that hee shall be against you Truely said the king I am so throughly assured of your good will that I know you doe faithfully and louingly aduise me so as if my trust were not in God who hitherto hath bestowed innumerable fauours vpon me as in chusing mee king ouer his people or if I did not stedfastly belieue that no liuing man is able to with-stand his diuine determination I should haue great reason to bee in doubt but you know that the hearts discretion of kings ought to bee answerable vnto the greatnesse of their estate and calling endeauouring as well to preserue their subiects in safety as to prouide for their owne security And therefore I determine to remit all into the hands of my God and patiently to endure whatsoeuer danger he shal lay vpon me for in him only remaineth the disposition of things to come for which cause my good friend I assure you that I will bee present in
The King saluted them but they answered not the gentlewoman lifted vp the couering that he had vpon and looking vpon his wounds she dressed theÌ„ afterwards she gaue him somewhat to eate returned both she and the knights the same way they came not once speaking vnto him When the king beheld their maner of behauiour he beleeued that he was in the prison of such a one where his life was in no great safety neuertheles he took as good comfort vnto him as he could not being able otherwise to remedy his mishap But the gentlewoman that looked vnto Galaor seeing that it was time to dresse him went vnto him and asked him how he fared Passing wel answered Galaor I hope seeing the good beginning of my amendmen that I may be healed within the time that you haue promised There is no doubt thereof said she therefore I will that you promise me as you are a loyall knight not to depart from hence without my leaue otherwise your life may bee in perill of death Galaor did sweare vnto her so to doe beseeching her most instantly to tell him how she was called But she answered him How now Galaor doe you not yet know my name Truely now I am greatly deceiued considering the seruices that heeretofore I haue done for you when you are so forgetfull of me I am called The wise among the wisest saying so shee went forth of the chamber fayning to bee very angry and pulled the dore rudely after her Wherewith Galaor remained more pensiue then before and hee remembred him of the faire sword that Vrganda had giuen vnto him when his brother Amadis made him knight whereby hee suspected that it was she her selfe neuerthelesse hee was in some doubt because that when he saw her first she seemed to bee olde and crooked and this was young faire and in good liking And as he was in this study not being able to sleepe hee turned his head toward the place where the young Gentlewomen were accustomed to sit in keeping him company but in stead of them he perceiued Gasauel his esquire and Ardan the Dwarffe of Amadis at which he was no lesse abashed then ioyfull and he called them because that they slept Who at their awaking seeing their Maister they became no lesse amased then he and they rose vp doing their duty vnto him and hee demanded how they were come thither who answered that Amadis Florestan and Agrates had commanded them to follow him They further declared vnto him in what estate the Damosels tooke him vp for which cause Amadis seeing in what extremity you remained permitted them to carry you away together with King Cildadan What do you say sayd Galaor was Amadis in this assembly My Lord sayd Gasanel it was hee that was called the Faire Forlorne by whose strength and courage the battaile was gayned Then he recited vnto him the manner how he deliuered the King and killed Mandafabull and that then he made himselfe knowne crying Gaul with a loude voyce Thou â—…lest me wonders sayde Galaor but by my faith he was too blame to hide himselfe from mee This was the estate wherein Galaor and Cildadan remained who in few dayes felt so great ease of their wounds that they began to walke about the chamber Wherefore Vrganda in whose power they remained in her vnknowne Island made her selfe knowne vnto them saying vnto them That the feare wherein shee had put them had beene the meanes to effect their health the sooner otherwise they had beene in danger of their liues Afterwards she commanded her two Nieces to be fetched to keepe them company which were daughters vnto King Falangris brother vnto King Lisuart who had begotten vpon them the sister of Vrganda one of them was called Iâ—lianda whome Galaor did shortly after beget with childe of a son that was named Talanqua and afterwards proued a valiant Knight and the other was called Solisa who also had by King Cildadan Manely the Discreete And these two Knights staied with these two Damosels till Vrganda set them at liberty as hereafter it shall be declared vnto you In the meane time King Lisuart Amadis and the other Knights staied at Gonata and after they were healed of their wounds they determined to goe visit the Ladyes which staied for them in the Cirtie of Fenusa of whom they were receiued with great ioy But during their aboad there as Amadis talked with Queen Briolania in the company of Oriana she sayd vnto him My Lord I assure you I was so sorrowfull when it was told mee that you were lost that I can in no sort expresse vnto you the displeasure that I receiued therewith and at the last seeing that you staied so long before you returned I determined to come vnto this Court with a hundred of my Knights to cause the search of you to begin according to the appointment of my Lords your bretheren Neuerthelesse by meanes of the battaile which the King had appointed with King Cildadan my enterprise was stored and that in a good houre seeing that it pleased God so soon to bring you home againe Therefore aduise you now if it please you what you will that I shall doe for you for I will obey you all my life long Madame answered Amadis if you were in any perplexity for mee you had great reason for I am well assured that there is no knight in the world more ready to do you seruice then is Amadis of Gaul But seeing that it pleaseth you to refer all your affaires vpon me I pray you to tarry yet in this Court eight or tenne daies longer vntill we may heare some newes from my brother Galaor in the meane time you shall haue the pastime of a Combate which my brother Florestan must performe against Laudin and afterwards I will conduct you home into your Countrey and from thence I will take my way vnto the Firme-Island where I must needs be I will do saide Briolania what-soeuer it shall please you prouided that you doe tell vnto vs the wonders and nouelties that you haue there seene And as he would haue excused him Oriana tooke him by the hand and saide vnto him My Lord Amadis you haue some-what to doe for we will not leaue you in peace before you haue tolde vs something In faith my Ladies answered hee although I take in hand to reâ—…e the particularities of the whole yet do I finde it impossible neuerthelesse I may truely tell you that the forbidden chamber is the most faire richest in all the world and if it bee not gained by one of you two I verily beleeue that so long as we liue neuer may any other set footing therein Briolania remained a while without answering him in the end she said vnto Amadis truly I doe not thinke that I may deserue to finish such an aduenture yet notwithstanding such as I am if it were not to bee reputed a folly in me I would willingly make proofe thereof Madame answered
went to 〈◊〉 his masters Armour And as hee would haue taken it downe he perceiued that some one had stoln his good sword forth of the scabberd which had almost made him the for anger seeing the fault that hee had done vnto Amadis towardes whom he ranne and at one beside himself he cryed My Lord I haue so much so grieuously offended you that you haue great reasoâ—… kill me forthwith Why â—answered Amadis art thou foolish or mad My Lord said â—…lin it had beene 〈◊〉 for you that I had died ten yeerâ— ago so much I haue deceiued you in your neede for I haue let your good sword to bee lost the which some body hath stolne since yesterday leauing only the scabbard where it did hang. Is this all thou makest this great stir for answered Amadis beleeue me I â—hought in hearing thee rage in this sort that some body had beene carrying thy Father to his graue Go go neuer care thou for I care not so much for the goodnesse thereof but onely because I did win it so honourably as euery one knoweth and by the meanes of my constancy in loue Yet see thou tell no body thereof but go vnto the Queene and tell her that I intreate her grace if shee haue yet that sword which Guillan found at the fountaine with my armour that she will bee pleased to send it vnto me And if thou meetest Oriana by chance tell her also that I desire her to set her selfe in such a place where I may behold her at my ease when I shall bee in fighting for I shall receiue by her â—ight more force by far theÌ„ she being absent I should So Gandalin departed who did wisely accomplish all that his master had commanded him And as he returned vnto him he met with the Queene Briolania together with Olinda who called him and said vnto him friend Gandalin what doest thou thinke thy master will doe against this deuil that will fight with him what answered he my Ladies doe you doubt that he shall not do wel enough with him I am sure that I haue seene him escape far greater dangers then this which now hee vndertaketh God grant hee may said the Ladies Herewithall hee came vnto Amadis that stayed for him who hauing the Sword that the Queene did send vnto him and being throughly well armed he mounted on horseback And as hee would haue entred into the field the king met him and said vnto him how now my most deer friend this day doe I hope to see some part of your courage to the cost of Ardan Canila In faith if it like your Maiesty answered hee there is a great mischance happened vnto me some one hath robbed me of the best sword that euer knight did weare Is it possible said the king Who hath done you this shrewd turne I know not answered Amadis but whosoeuer hath done it sure I am he is not my friend Truly said the king that is likely but take you no thought therefore for although that I haue made an oath neuer to lend mine in any combat that is made by two knights in my court yet am I content for this time to stretch my conscience so far as to giue it you Nay if it like your Maiesty God forbid that the oath of the best king in the world should be broaken for my sake What will you then do said the king The Queen answered Amadis hath done so much for me as to keep that sword which I left at the fountaine of the plaine field the which Guillan did bring with the rest of my Armour when I became a Hermit And it is the very selfe same which I had when I was cast into the Sea which is so fit for the scabbard of the other which is stolne that it seemeth to bee the very same By the faith that I owe vnto God answered the king I am very glad for by the vertue of this scabbard that is left you shall bee both defended from ouermuch heat or too great cold neuerthelesse the difference is great betweene the two blades but God shall supply this default if it be his pleasure And because it is already very late and that the night approacheth it were better to deferre the combate vntill to morrow morning I will sayde Amadis doe whatsoeuer shall please your Maiesty so that Ardan bee content I will goe send vnto him answered the King whereunto Ardan did easily agree and returned vnto his tents to vnarme himselfe afterwards he caused diuerse sorts of instrumens of musicke to bee brought all the night long both he and his neuer ceased from dancing feasting royalting But all that while was Amadis in the Church deuoutly praying After hee had like a Christian confessed his sinnes he beseeched God to assist and succour him in such sort continued hee vntill about day breake when he withdrew him to his lodging where shortly after the King came vnto him with a great troop of knights Who after they had bidden him good morrow they armed him and brought him with great triumph vnto the Cathedrall Church to heare seruice at his returne from thence Florestan presented him with an excellent faire courser which Corisanda had sent vnto him not long before Then euery one got to horsebacke to accompanie him to the field And Florestan carried Amadis his Launee Bruneo his helmet and Agraies his shield before theÌ„ did the King ride with a white truncheon in his hand he rode on a Spanish Iennet beeing as fine a made horse as proudly paced as any could be seene The Inhabitants of the City and many strangers were already standing all along the barriers the gentlewomen and Damosels placed in the windowes In this sort did Amadis enter into the field into the which he was no sooner come but that he did his dutie vnto the Ladies and amongst them all he spied out Oriana who the more to encrease his courage did put her head forth of the window And smiling kindely vpon him she made a signe vnto him that he should somethings do for her loue wherwith Amadis did imagine that all the force in the world was at that instant placed round about his heart and hee thought that Ardan Canila stayed too long before hee came In the meane time he buckled on his helmet retyred to that part of the field where they appointed Iudges were seated which were Don Grumedan Quedragant Brandoinas And shortly after came Ardan in richly armed mounted vpon a great strong horse and hee had about his neck a shield of fine steele shining as bright as burning glasse At his side did hang the good sworde of Amadis holding in his hand a great huge Launce the which he weelded so strongly that notwithstanding the thicknesse thereof hee shaked it with such force that he made it double in his fist Whereat Oriana Mabila and the other Ladies beholding the sterne countenance of Ardan as it often happeneth in those
you can finde him in one whole yeere vnlesse you be directly guided Faire Damosell said Galaor it may be you know what he is and the place where he abideth On my faith quoth she if I know any thing thereof I meane not to tell it you for neuer will I iniurie so good a Knight Damosell replied Galaor by the affection you beare to the thing you most loue in the World tell vs I pray ye what you know in this matter You coniure me in vaine quoth she for neuer will I discouer his affaires except you deliuer me some good present Demand what you will answered Amadis and you shall haue it on condition you helpe vs to finde the knight I am content replyed the Damosell if first you will tell mee your names and afterward each of you grant me a boone at what time I shall demand them of you With all our hearts quoth Amadis as for our names the one is Galaor the other Agraies and my selfe am Amadis When the Damosell heard this shee was very glad saying Certes my Lord my iourney is shortned for I seeke you Then you haue now found me answered Amadis what is your will with me That you shall know quoth shee when time serueth but do you not remember the combate which you promised to performe for the king of Sobradisaes daughter when shee succoured you by meanes of the Lyons Yes that I doe sayde Amadis and now am I riding toward her Would you then quoth the Damosell follow a knight so hard to be found and the time for the combate beeing neerer then you weene She saith very well my Lord answered Galaor doe you therefore and Agraies proceede on your iourney and I will seeke the knight with this Damosell for neuer shal I rest til I haue found him if it be possible I will be with you before you deale with Abiseos Be it so replied Amadis but she promised vs to tell his name where we may find him His name quoth the Damosell I cannot tell ye for I know it not my selfe and yet I haue beene a moneth with him in which time I haue seene him doe such deedes of armes as without fight thereof I would neuer haue credited but where he is now I can conduct him thither that will goe with me It is all I request answered Galaor Follow mee then quoth she so taking their leaue they seperated themselues Thus Amadis and Agraies hold on their way arriuing within fewe dayes after at the Castle of Torin where they sound the faire Brtolania with the ancient Lady but when Amadis beheld her he found her maruailously changed for if shee were faire when hee first sawe her she now seemed of such excellent perfection 25 except Oriana he reputed her the most beautifull creature in the world whereupon he sayde to Agraies If nature was desirous to expresse her cunning in a creature in this Lady she hath most sufficiently accomplished it My Lord quoth she full long haue we expected your comming for in you consisteth our onely hope Madame answered Amadis by the helpe of God I trust you shall recouer your losse and we will doe our vttermost therein As thus they deuised they entred a faire chamber where mantles were brought to wrap about them and Briolania holp to vnarme Amadis for she could not be satisfied with beholding him because she counted him the fairest knight that euer was seene being now but twenty yeeres of age And so piercingly did hee regard her as long time after she waved amourous so that when she had recouered her Kingdome she wished him sole Lord of her and her countrye together as shall heereafter be declared But Amadis was else-where addicted and gaue sufficient proofe to her that the extreame anguishes hee endured for his Oriana were manifest examples of his stedfastloyalty Neuerthelesse the young Lord of Portugall pitrying faire Brtolania would disguise this historie in another manner describing farre otherwise the loue of her Amadis which report is worthy of no credit For he saith that Brtolania being restored into her Kingdome prouiding for the health of Amadis and Agraics who were wounded she cōtinuing euermore amorous of Amadis seeing by no means shee could winne him to bee her friend tooke aside the Damosell to whome Amadis Galaor and Agraies made the seuerall promises at what time she conducted Galaor to the knight that iousted with them in the Forrest and discouering the chiefest secrets of her Heart to her with aboundance of teares and affectionate sighes requested her counsell and remedy in these amorous passions The Damosell compassionate on her Ladies sicknesse promised to giue her redresse for it whereupon she said to Amadis that the boone she would desire of him was his entrance into the Tower from whence he should not depart vntill he had begotten of Briolania a Sonne or a Daughter Amadis willing to keepe promise with the Damosel yeelded therto yet without any will to touch Briolania whereby he grew into such melancholly as he refused all bodily sustenance and fell into such danger of his person as euery houre he expected death Which being heard in the Court of king Lisuart as also his deadly dangerous extreamitie Oriana loth to lose him sent him word and licence that he should do what the Lady requested Whereupon Amadis considering hee might no way else escape and his gracious Mistresse pittyed him so much he begat a Sonne and a daughter of Briolania whereof she was deliuered of at one labour but this History is altogether false and faigned It might be that Amadis was prisoner in the Tower and Briolania beheld his daily pining away but she desired the Damosell to remit him this boone on condition he should not depart till his brother Galaor returned as willing to comfort her selfe with the sight of him while she attended his brothers ariuall for Galaor espoused her afterward as you shall reade in the fourth booke of this History Let it then suffice at this time that Amadis and Agraies soiourne certain daies in the Castle while all needfull things were ready for their combat CHAP. XLII How Galaor went with the Damosell after the Knight that dismounted him and his companions in the Forrest whom when he found they combated together and afterward in the sharpest point of their combat they knew each other Four daies together rode Galaor with the Damosell seeking the Knight that vnhorsed him in the Forrest for which he was so ouercome with anger as euery knight hee met withall deerely felt it because in combat many receiued their death Then espying a faire Castle on the top of a high mountaine the Damosell told him there was no other place neere where they might lodge that night wherfore he being glad to accept there-of they came to the Castle finding many Gentlemen and Ladies sporting together among whom was a Knight aged about threescore yeares who taking Galaor by the hand did him all the honour might be deuised My
Lord quoth Galaor your courtesie to vs is so great that albeit we were determined to passe further on our way yet for your sake we are content to stay with you this night Then the knight conducted Galaor into a faire Chamber leauing the Damosell among the other Ladies and after the Prince was vnarmed the knight spake to him in this manner Here Sir may you rest and take your ease calling for any thing you stand in neede of for God knows I haue vsed such entertainement not onely to you but to all knights errant that passed this way because some time I haue beene as now you are Yet hath nature giuen mee two Sonnes whose onely delight is in search of aduentures but now they lie sicke in their beds beeing cruelly wounded by a Knight who with one Launce cast them both from their Saddles But they were so ashamed at this foyle as they mounted againe and pursued the knight ouertaking him as hee entred a Barque to passe the water where my Sonnes said to him that in respect he had iousted so well they would trie his fortune in combat with the Sword but the knight made answere he could not now intend it yet would they needes presse him so farre as to hinder his entrance into the Barque Where upon a Lady being in his company said they wronged her ouer much to stay her Knight but they were not to depart til he had combated with them at the Sword Seeing it will be no otherwise replied the Lady he shall enter sight with the better of you both on condition that if he be conqueror the other do forbeare the Combat They answered if the one were vanquished the other would reuenge his foyle which when the Knight heard he was so angry as he bad them both come together in respect they were importunate and would not rest contented In the triall one of my sons sustained the worst wherefore his brother seeing him in such perill stroue to reskue him from death yet all was in vaine for the knight handled them so roughly as he left them like dead men in the field and afterward passed away in the Barque No sooner heard I of this mishap but I sent for my Sonnes home were they brought in this daungerous plight but that you may giue credit to my words behold here their Armour cut and mangled as I thinke the like stroakes neuer came from any mans hand Galaor maruailing at this discourse demanded what Armes the conquering knight bare when he was answered his Shield to be of vermilion colour with two black Lions figured therein By these tokens Galaor knew him that it was the same man he trauailed to finde which made him demand of his friendly host if he had no further knowledge of the Knight No verily Sir quoth the auncient Gentleman For this night answered Galaor let vs take our rest and to morrow I intend to seeke the man you talke of For already I haue trauiled foure daies in his search but if I meete with him I hope to reuenge the iniuries of your Sonnes and other likewise whom he hath offended or else it will cost the price of my life I could rather wish said the Knight that leauing this perillous enterprise you would take some other course seeing my two Sonnes haue beene so hardly intreated their own wilfull folly being cause thereof So breaking off talke Galaor took his rest till the next morning when taking leaue of the ancient knight he rode away with the Damosell who brought him to the place of passage in the Barque where crossing the water to the other side they came to a very beautifull Castle whither the Damosel rode before aduising the Prince to stay her returne She taryed not long but comming back againe brought another Damosel with her of excellent beauty and ten men beside all on horse-back after the faire Gentlewoman had saluted Galaor she said Sir this Damosell that came in your company telleth me how you seeke a knight who beareth two black Lyons in a vermillion shield and are desirous to know his name this is very certaine that you nor any other can finde him for three yeeres space but onely by force of armes a matter not so easie to be accomplished by you for perswade your selfe his like is not to be found in all the Isles of great Brittaine Lady quoth Galaor yet will I not giue ouer his search although hee conceale him selfe in this sort and if I meete with him it shall like mee better to combate with him then to know my demand by any other way Seeing then answered the Damosell your desire is such I will shew you him within three dayes ensuing for this Gentlewomans sake being my cosin who according to her promise hath earnestly entreated me Galaor requited her with many thankes and so they trauailed on arriuing in the euening at an arme of the Sea where they found a Barque ready for passage to a little Island and certaine mariners in it who made them all sweare if they had any more then one knight in their cōpany No credit me replied the Damosell hereupon they set sayle and away Then Galaor demanded of the Damosell the reason why they tooke such an oath Because quoth she the Lady of the Isle whither we goe hath so ordained it that they shall let passe but one knight at one time and no other must they bring till his returne or credible intelligence of his death What is hee saide Galaor that vanquisheth or killeth them The selfe same knight you seeke answered the Damosell whom the Lady hath kept with her more then halfe a yeere intirely louing him and the cause of this affection proceedeth from a Tourney which not long since hee maintained in this countrey for the loue of her and another faire Lady whom the knight being a stanger here conquered defending her cause with whome he now is and euer since shee bare him such affection as without grant of his loue she wold haue dyed Sometime hee is desirous to seeke after strange aduentures but then the Lady to detaine him still in this place causeth such knights as come hither to passe one after another against whom he combateth and not one hath yet returned vnuanquished such as die in fight are there interred and the foyled sent back againe despoyled of their horse and armes which the knight presenteth to his Lady shee being one of the fairest creatures in the world named Corisanda and the Isle Brauisande Know you not the cause said Galaor wherefore the knight went not many dayes since to a Forrest where I found him and kept the passage there fifteene dayes together against all such as trauailed that way Yes mary quoth the Damosel he promised a boone to a Lady before he came hither wherfore she intreated him to keep the Forrest for the space of fifteene dayes yet hardly hee got licence of his faire Mistresse who allowed him but a moneth to stay and returne