Emperour let me therefore entreate yee faire Sir to aduise vs what you thinke meetest for our answere because the seuerall opinions of our Lords heere present are so different as wee know not which to elect for our best course Then he related to him in order all circumstances that had passed among them without omission of the least particle and the knight of the greene Sword returned him this answere Sir I am sure you can sufficiently vnderstand that the end and issue of such attempts are onely in the hand of Heauen and not guided or directed by the iudgment of man but in regard you would haue mine opinion in this case I will acquaint yee with my very vttermost power and ability If then Sir I had but one Castell onely and an hundred knights at my commaund and were besieged by such an enemy whose power twise exceeded mine If heauen affoorded mee so much happinesse to cause him condiscend to a peacefull conclusion vnder haxard of mine owne strength I should confesse my self beholding to him Neuerthelesse honourable Lords speaking to the other Barons and knights there present whatsoeuer I preferre as best in this case forbeare not you to counsell the King according to the fidelity wherein you stand bound and obliged to him Onely my most humble request is that hee would so much honor mee as to ranke mee among their number that shall be appointed for fight Let me tell you Sir replyed the King that I now call to minde what I heard once reported concerning King Perion of Gaule hauing the like occasion in hand as ours now is against King Abies of Ireland who forcibly had taken from him a great part of his kingdome Hee was deliuered by a single Combate which a young knight not aged fully eighteen yeares vndertooke against the said King Abies who was reckoned among the very best and boldest knights in the whole world yet was he slaine and King Perion put in possession of all hee had formerly lost But aboue all as a matter most deseruing note hee then knew him to be his owne Sonne that had wonne for him that worthy victory then tearmed the Gentleman of the Sea and afterward called Amadis de Gaule Thus our Lord in one day bestowed on him two mighty blessings by the recouery both of his kingdome and Son Wherefore then in the like case should not I imitate so worthy a man as King Perion and essay to deliuer my people out of those great tribulations as haue afflicted them by a warre so long and tedious Well may I graunt the Combat of twelue of my knights against as many of the enemy in regard that I am perswaded of them as by the help of heauen and the right of Iustice being on our side they will beare away the honour of victory What is your opinion Knight of the greene Sword Sir answered he I neuer had knowledge of that Amadis yet I long time frequented the Country of Gaule where it hath beene my good happe to see two of his brethren who are no way inferior to him in prowesse and I haue heard likewise that according as you haue declared so it fortuned to King Perion Now as concerning the fight of twelue to twelue whereas your Maiesty hath resolued before God I speake it had I beene in your place I should haue done the like Nay moreouer Sir if Garadan had demaunded a much lesse number let him be now assured he should not haue beene denyed were it to the aduenturing mine owne person against his And if it pleased you but to tell him as much I would willingly hazard my life to abate his pride that prates so contemptibly of all men else presuming vpon his owne vaine glory I hold it better quoth the King that you should be twelue equally in number and therefore I will bethinke my selfe to finde out eleuen of the best knights in my kingdome that may accompanie you in this attempt For which the knight of the greene Sword thanked him This being done the King returned to Garadan and spake thus Lord Garadan you haue demaunded the Combate of twelue to twelue and I haue yeelded thereunto vnder those conditions before offered and to morrow is the day if you are as ready as wee will be By my soule Sir answered Garadan you yeeld mee the greatest contentment that euer could happen to me and I could wish if it were possible that your men were as ready as those that aduenture for the Emperour Garadan replied the knight of the greene Sword so the King were so pleased and you possessed with the like desire of the Combate as heere you appeare to make shew of I would answere your heate this very instant houre What quoth Garadan doest thou doubt that I will flye from thee were I sure to be Emperour of Rome I would refuse that dignity rather then the offer thou hast made me For if I haue not man-hood sufficient whereby to ouer-come thee and take thy head from thy shoulders before it be night I will willingly forfeite mine owne in the Field The like hope of successe replyed the knight of the Dwarfe haue I ouer thee let vs then without longer trifling the time see whom Fortune will allow the best fauour vnto So both withdrew thence to arme themselues returning againe within a short while after and to the knights that accompanied Garadan thus he spake If euer you beheld a braue encoūter at the launce doe but obserue with what skill and dexterious iudgment I shall giue entertaine to this bold companion that dare make tryall of his poore fortune against me and repute me neuer to weare Helmet on my head if I doe not deliuer his head to the Emperour and leaue the Country quiet not suffering any of you to lay hand to weapon While Garadan held on these brauing speeches the knight of the greene Sword being at the other end of the Field cryed out aloud to him to defend himselfe Then couering themselues with their Shields couching their Launces and giuing spurre to their Coursers they ranne against each other with such violence that the knight of the greene Sword was halfe amazed But Garadan fell to the ground so farre lost in himselfe that hee lay a long while vnable to moue either hand or foote for the launce had pierced thorow his arme which did put him to intollerable anguish Then the knight of the greene Sword perceiuing him in such a strange perplexitie alighted from his horse to see whether hee were dead or no and as hee came neere him Garadan being restored from his trance started vp quickly laying hand to his Sword as if he had felt no harme at all Now beganne a very fierce and cruell battaile betweene them and it could not easily be iudged which side had the better because each stood so stiffely to the other as it mooued no meane admiration in the beholders And had it not beene for Garadans much enfeebling by the great abundance of
preuailed against him By meanes whereof I was 〈◊〉 after â—restored to my rights all which I must and doe confesse to hold of you for euer as being wholly yours and my selfe also And you pleased then to honour mee so much with your presence that you came into my Great Rosier where wee conferring together in the delightfull Arbours you gathered the floure of my virginity as wee were sporting in cropping sweet Roses whereas the place was and yet is most plentifully abounding Neither am I able to say whether loue would haue it so or my beauty prooued the maine occasion but wel I wot your command was so potent ouer me and I so feeble in resistance that before you departed hence you left me conceiued of this young Gentleman endued with such faire forme and feature as it appeared that Nature was well pleased to compleate him perfect in all excellence thereby to deface all remembrance of our sinne committed Wherefore Sir receiue him as your owne being of Royall seede both by you and my selfe which verily perswadeth me that he will prooue a valiant man as retayning in him part of your famous prowesse and part of the exceeding loue wherein he was conceiued at such time as you gaue me this Ring which I send ye heere enclosed likewise in the testimony of the faithfull promise you then made to your humble seruant Celinda Daughter to King Hegide who kisseth the hand of your Royall Maiestie When King Lisuart had read and re-read ouer this Letter word by word he perfectly called to minde all that the Princesse had there set downe albeit it was long time before his soiourning in the kingdome of Denmarke where as a wandring Knight he performed such actions of Armes as he wonne the loue of the Infanta Brisenna whom after-ward he married according as formerly hath beene declared Notwithstanding hee determined to make no account at all of Norandell though he knew him to be his naturall Sonne vntill hee perceiued how he would beare himselfe and deserued by his deedes to prooue such a one as he desired As he continued in these priuate considerations a goodly Hart pursued by a ful cry of Hounds passed hard by him and the Huntsmen followed on so closely that there the Deere lost his life In regard whereof the King was willing to giue ouer further sporting and commaunded the Huntsmen to beare the Hart to the Queenes Tent. Afterward being set at the Table Galaor and King Cildadan keeping him company all dinner while hee had but little conference with them for thinking still on Celinda and her Letter sent him Dinner being ended he tooke Galaor aside and as they walked thus discoursed with him My worthy friend so much doe I relye vpon your fidelitie and loue as I hold you to bee the onely man in the world to whom I dare make knowne my very intimate secrets And setting aside those matters of no meane importance which during the time of your absence haue happened to me I will onely acquaint yee with an especiall accident this day befalne me So deliuering him the Letter which Celinda had sent hee willed him to peruse what it contained Galaor reading it ouer aduisedly perceiued therby that Norandell was Sonne to the King whereat conceiuing no little ioy he returned this answere Assuredly Sir if you tooke such paines for your faire friend in mine opinion she is no way behinde ye in honorable recompence hauing broght ye such a goodly Son as will proue a worthy man and a valiant knight in Armes Nor let the concealment heereof be irkesome to ye because when you shall please to make it knowen it will redound to your great ioy and honour And if it agreed with your good liking to let me enioy him as my companion what seruices heereaster I shall doe for you I will account to bee most worthily imployed What quoth the King would you trouble your selfe with a Boy affoording him at the first so great an honour not knowing his temper or how he will carry himselfe It is well knowne that there is not any knight in Great Brittaine but he will repute himself much happy to haue such grace as you offer him Sir quoth Galaor it is the first request that euer I made to yee and I humbly desire that I may not be denied On my faith quoth the King if you honor him so much you shal highly oblige him to you and doe me also an especiall fauour And no mean glory to my selfe replyed Galaor for he being Son to so famous a 〈◊〉 cannot faile to bee one of the best knights in the world Doe then quoth the King as shall 〈◊〉 best And as they held on this discourse the Queene came in wâ—… made them breake off and shee being accompanied with King Cildadan Norandell and many other knights continued familiar conference together till Galaor entred into thes speeches Sir you know that by the custome heere vsed in this kingdome of Great Brittaine no new made knight ought to refuse any knight Lady or Damosell the first demand they shall make vnto him You say very true Sir answered the King ther wherefore doe you moue tâ—…stion Because Sir replyed 〈◊〉 am a knight and I would 〈◊〉 Norandell to graunt what I shall require of him to wit that for one whole yeare he and I may be fellowes and companions not any way to be sundered or deuided except death or imprisonment shall enforce it When Norandell heard this hee was no lesse amazed then well pleased for he very well knew that Galaor was esteemed one of the best knights in that Court and that the king affoorded much more honour to him then any other that kept him company and thereupon he thus replied My Lord Galaor it may easily bee discerned by your demaund in how many obligations of dutie you would haue mee bound vnto you in wishing that grace to mee which I much rather ought to haue begged of you And this I dare assure yee that not onely doe I graunt what you haue desired namely my company but also I giue my selfe wholly yours and require that in that nature you would receiue and accept me Beleeue me quoth king Cildadan you haue both reason in these seuerall requests you Lord Galaor in vrging such a fauour and you likewise yong Norandell in granting it for if heauen bee pleased therewith as we need not vse any doubt it will redound to the honour and benefit of either At this very instant the King receiued intelligence that his Army was to depart very speedily wherefore the next morning hee rode to the City and riding alone by him-selfe he called Galaor to him telling him He was well contented that his daughter Oriana should know Norandell to be his sonne and her Brother 〈◊〉 shee should the better loue and respect him but yet hee wâ—… haue it reuealed to her very secretly Sir answered Galaor I am perswaded that it will not a little please her and therefore
life but for Angriote and Florestan who thrust in betweene them and as they laboured in his defence king Lisuarts Sword entred the flanke of Florestans horse so that hee fell downe dead vnder him But Florestan quickly reuenged this iniury for in recouering himselfe he so hought king Lisuarts horse that he was glad to forgo his Stirrops and in dismounting gaue such a stroake to Florestan on the head that both astouned shreudly wounded him Notwithstanding Florestan was not thus to bee discouraged but beholding the king ready againe to charge him with his Sword he vnder-ranne the blow and catching him about the midle seazed his Sword by which meanes he might easily haue slaine him if he would but he refused that aduantage so freely offered him which afterward prooued to his owne harme Galaor beholding the king in so great danger rushed suddenly in and without respect to brother or any other kinsman behaued him-selfe so boldly that in despight of Florestan he recouered the king out of his hands and remounted him on horsebacke againe by the helpe of Norandell Grumedan and some others which gaue fresh encouragement to the knights of Great Brittaine so that they which before fled away with feare stood to it now more resoluedly then euer So turning head vpon their enemies who hauing lost Florestan and Quedragant that were among the dead bodies became so weakened in their strength as they were constrayned to retire for euen Galuanes himself was so grieuously wounded as hee was no longer able to sit on horse-backe Neuerthelesse like a discreete and hardie knight vntill his people had gained the hill he stood vpon his best guard wiâ—… Palomir Elian Branfill Enill and Sarquiles who were all in the end taken prisoners And had it not beene for Dragonis who forcibly recouered Galuanes he had remained among the rest Thus the king obtayned the victory by vertue of his courage and the fauour of Florestan who hauing him in his power became enemy to his owne good fortune For she is such an inconstant Mistresse as will haue no man to let slip aduantage against his contrarie lest shee turne her backe and frowne at his folly as she did to Florestan For if hee had slaine king Lisuart when in heate of blood with tollerable excuse hee might haue done it the honor of the day had falne to him and his friends assuredly which therefore thus hee lost to their shame and confusion as formerly hath beene related Galuanes his associats being retired among the mountaines keeping very circumspectly al the wayes passages king Lisuart commanded the retreat to be sounded and pitched his Tents in the same place where hee had wonne the victory But as Galaor returned from pursuit of his enemy hee espyed his Brother Florestan and Quedragant lying among the slaughtered bodies whereat he conceiued such inward griefe that he was ready to fall beside his horse Being alighted and perceiuing in them no motion of life at all his complaints were so pitifull and extreame that euery eye did much compassionate him and the King was made acquainted with his heauy case Whereupon immediatly hee mounted on horse-back not for any good-will to Florestan or Quedragant but onely to comfort Galaor whom hee loued most intirely And yet notwithstanding all his malice he considered as he rode along what daunger Florestan did thrust himselfe into on the day of battaile against King Cildadan and that but for him he had beene wounded to death by Gandacuriel as already hath beene at large declared In remembrance whereof he desired to saue his life if possible it might be and therefore so soone as he came to them he commanded their bodies to be carried into one of his Tents and that his own Phisitions and Chirurgions should look diligently to their wounds Vpon sight and search made according to their skill and experience they found their hurts to bee very dangerous but not deadly for at their first dressing they found such hopefull signes of recouery that they vndertook within certain dayes to warrant their cure Galaor on this comfortable peÌ„rswasion left them to their rest and quiet and went to the King who was set in Councell demaunding the opinion of his knights what further was to be done against his enemies declaring what daunger might ensue by admitting them to gather fresh supply and strength and that it would be both honour and profit to â—old on still the pursuit of victory For quoth hee I am very certaine that Agrayes is gone to leuie men in little Brittaine and that hee will come quickly with new assistance wherefore I hold it most necessary speedily to follow on them not suffering them to take hart or breathing and hauing now so good meanes to doe let vs take the benefit of so apt an oportunity To this aduice all the knights condiscended without contradiction in any one and hereupon it was resolued that each man should bee in readines the next morning so soone as the Trumpet gaue forth summons which was performed accordingly But they met with stouter resistance then they expected for Dragonis with so small a company of men as he had with him had so fortified the passage and maintained it so manfully that a great number of them were sore wounded before they could get the least meanes of entrance Notwithstanding in the end he was faine to leaue it and seeke for safety in the Fortresse of the Burning Lake but thither he was pursued and there besieged both by Sea and land to keep them off the Towne from issuing forth and to cut off all hope of succour which they continually awayted from little Brittaine But because it would be a matter too prolixe and tedious to report all the skirmishes and attempts which they had against each other during the siege and it being a thing very litle appertaining to out history which tendeth onely to the actions of Amadis who remained now in Gaule with his Father King Perion Let it suffise yee that after the siege had continued 3 moneths and more two things were the cause of bringing them to accorde The one because they of the Towne had receiued Letters from Agrayes that hee lay sicke in little Brittaine by which meanes he could not leuy competent forces to their expectation The other because King Lisuart reciued aduertisement from his Vncle Count Argamont that seuen of his neighbour Kings had made great prouision for the inuading of his kingdome which required such care as needfully therto belonged This aduice likewise gaue further intelligence that Archalaus the Enchanter was the onely meanes heereof because he had perswaded them to this attempt vpon the aduantage of King Lisuarts absence at the Burning Lake and the small store of knights remaining then in Great Brittaine When King Lisuart heard these newes hee consulted with his thoughts what was best to be done and after much discourse with his owne minde he concluded to take composition with Galuanes if hee would but
some Scots among them and six hundred light horse to sallie forth and skirmish vnder the Ensigne of Bâ—anâ—â—ll For the battaile Gastâ—les was Coronall of fiue hundred foote almost all Greekes making a battalion separately of seauenteene hundred Archers who were so industrious in vse of the Turkie bow that at each loose they could deliuer fiue Arrowes together ouer whom Libeâ— â—â—phew to Maâ—ter Elisabet was Captaine and Commander King â—â—rion with Gaudales followed theÌ„ attended with eighteene hundred horse accoasted by Brian with the reâ—eguard of 15 hundred Knights for the more part of Spaine sustained by three thousand foot of whom Sadamon had the conduct Then as apointed to supply and â—uccour as also to re-enforce and help at all needfull occasions such as were most oppressed Tiron with seuen hundred horse and Madaran for guarding the bagage followed with fiue hundred foot This being thus ordayned euery man was coÌ„manded to attend his Colours make ready for departure earely the next morning But now not to swerâ—e far from our purpose and from that which Archâ—laâ—â— all this while laboured to compasse you must vnderstand that so soon as he receiued credible information that the Kings Pâ—rion Lisuâ—rt marched one against the other hee suddenly sent away Garin sonne to Grumell who waâ—â—lame by Amadis when hee holpe Oriâ—â—â— as you haue heard in the first Booke of this History giuing him expresse charge to stay in no place by day or night vntill â—ee had aduertised King Aranigne and others of his league and combination of this their proceeding and that with all possible speede they should set forward their Armie and enter into the kingdome of Great â—rittaine where he would attend them with his troupes Garin obeying the command of Archalaus trauailed so expeditiously that hee ariued in the great Citie of Araâ—igâ—e of which place all the Kings ruling that countrie took their names and there hee found the man hee was directed vnto He acquainted him with the cause of his comming thither and did the like to others to whom hee had the same employment and they hauing their Armies in readinesse concluded to make their generall meeting before the towne of Califan in the countrie of Sansuega there they encamped together to take shipping from thence as accordingly they did so that vpoÌ„ the day apointed they found their power to consist of twelue thousand and more Setting sayle away they prepared directly for Great Brittaine where they landed neare vnto a Castle which appertained to Archalans who there waited their comming with six hundred Knights all deadly enemies to King Lisuart and Amadis After they had refreshed them-selues some two or thre dayes hauing receiued aduertisement what haste King Lisuart made against them of the Enclosed Isle they dislodged away marching on forward by easie daies iourneyes The aâ—antguard was conducted by the King of the Profound Isle with sixe hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred foot the charge wherof was giuen to Barsiuan a young Knight as yet and very aduenterous King Aranigne led the main battaile accompanied with fifteen hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred bold voluntaries vâ—der conduct of six Knights near kinsmen to Brâ—nâ—ayer whoÌ„ Amadis vanquished in the battaile of the seuen Kings and came now expresly from the Isle Sagâ—â—arie as hoping to reuenge the death of their kiâ—sman To Archalaâ—s was giuen charge of the rereguard with 5 huÌ„dred horse and fifteen hundred foot And because the young Duke of Bâ—stroâ—e arived there with the latest with some number of light horse hee was apointed for discouery preuention gf way-layings In this order they entred vpon King Lisuâ—â—ts Land by the closâ—â—â— and most hidden waies they could chuse as fearing to be seen vntill they had brought their enterprise to conclusion CHAP. XVII How Gandalin Squire to Amadis and Lafinde Squire to Bruneo de bone Mer were made Knights And of the battaile betweene the two Kings Lisuart and Perion WE haue declared here-tofore that Gandalin had order giuen him by Amadis passing into Gaule to entreate the Queene his mother to send Melitia to keep company with Oriana which King Perion wel allowed of but beholding Galaor still so sickly she was loath shee should depart vntill he were a little stronger Wherefore Gandalin remained there for her conduct so soon as Galaors danger were past which happened within a short while after Hereupon the Queene caused her to bee embarked well accompanied with Ladies and Gentlewomen hoping shee should as yet finde King Perion in the Enclosed Isle But he was departed thence before her ariuall to the no little griefe of Gandalin because he hoped to receiue his Knighthood before the battell should be fought therfore because he might the sooner attain therto he departed theÌ„ce and without staying in any place ceased not tilâ— he came to the camp When Amadis saw him he demanded what was become of his Sâ—ster My Lord quoth hee shee is at this instanâ— in the Enclosed Isle with the faire Princesse Oriana and humbly commends her selfe to your gracious fauour And my brother Galaor said Amadis is he yet recouered Hee findes himselfe answered Gandalin in much better estate then formerly hee did but yet continueth so weake as hee is not able to leaue his Chamber and come into the open ayre Afterward hee reported all that to him which you haue heard alreadie and said Beleeue me Gandalin thy rydings doe not please mee a little and I am glad thou art returned in so apt a season in regard I hope wee shall haue the battaile before three dayes be fully expired That made me make such haste replyed Gandalin for you knowe my earnest desire to bee knighted and I can neuer receiue it at a more conuenient time nor euer shew my selfe worthie of so great an honor as now And credit me my Lord that but for the knowledge I now haue of your easre sparing mee hauing Madame Oriana in your owne power I would not haue vsed these speeches Wherefore most humbly I desire you to grant mee that this battaile may not bee fought vntill I may bee comprehended therein and that I may reach my longing expectation Amadis sitting silent a while at length thus answered Gandalin the fulfilling of thy request is so irksome to mee that it piâ—â—ceth my very 〈◊〉 and therefore if it were possible I would acquit my selfe thereof Notwithstanding finding it to bee very reasonable I will soâ— aside all passion to please thee only being sorry that wee are in such a place where I can get no Armes to giue thee and to doe beside what else is requisite and answerable to thy deseruing My Lord said Gandalin your brother hath out of his especiall grace herein furnished mee for at my parting from him he knowing my determination gaue mee his owne Armour and the very best horse hee had moreouer he would haue bestowed his Sword on mee but I tolde him that you had promised to giue me
ought to take in good part and allowe of very worthily Neuerthelesse the election of an Emperour is of such importance as it is good reason to acquaint the other Romaine Captaines therewith to morrow we will send to them all and haue the matter in deliberation thâ—â— will wee answere Amadis what wee thinke best Flamyan did according to his speeches and after they were all assembled hee reuealed the occasion of their meeting and the request of Amadis for Prince Aâ—quisâ—… By right of linage quoth he the Empire â—s his More-ouer hee is wise hardy and vertuous what is to bee resolued vpon that either we may excuse or yeeld to Amadis in his request Euery man answered according to his minde but in the ende Arquisill was named Emperour wherof Amadis was soone aduertised and all the other Prince and Lords were well pleased there with especially the Kings Lisuart Perâ—on and Cildadan who with goodly troupes on the day following went and conducted him to the Church where before all the people hee was proclaimed Emperour of the Romaines and at dinner Amadis serued as his Cup-taster Gastilles as Pantler and Agraies as Caâ—uer After the tables were withdrawne King â—…suâ—rt beeing seated some-what beneath him reporting what aduentures had happened to him since he was crowned King of great Brittaine fell into discourse what good turnes and seruices hee had receiued by Amadis and proceeded on so farre therein that he said to him before them all Lord Amadis albeit very few can be ignorant in what you haue done for me since your first ariuall in my Court when you vâ—â—quisâ—ed Ardan the Pâ—oude so will I not now spare to speake somewat else for reasons which hereafter will be better vnderstood Then particularly he reported all the maâ—… which would be tedious to trouble you with againe But quoth hee for many high worthie seruices Lord Amadis I giue you my daughter Oriana as your wife leauing her as mine heire after my decease to my kingdome of Great Brittaine Then Amadis more glad and highly pleased then euer before falling on his knee most humbly thanked him Well Sonne said the King let it not offend you if I entreat olde Nascian to tell the Emperour how Esplandian was begotten and whose Son hee is that euery one may know how the marriage of you and Oriana was long since contracted The Hermite beeing present to satisfie the Kings request declared all the precedent fortunes and the promise past betweene Amadis and the Princesse whereby Esplandian became his sonne We neede make no doubt concerning the inwarde ioy of the noble youth beeing ignorant till then whose sonne he was Wherupon King Lisuart called him and auouched him for his Grand-child before them all to the no little contentment of Amadis who knowing the Emperours minde how desirous hee was to enioy Orianaes sister in mariage spake thus to king Lisuart Sir seeing you haue giuen mee that which aboue all things else in this world I most desired let mee likewise most humbly entreate you to giue the Princesse Leonora to the Emperour and then his ioy will be equall to mine By my troth answered the King this good motion shall neuer be denied if hee will haue it so Then I take your highnesse at your word replied Arquisill And I giue her you quoth the King with all mine heart Moreouer I will bring her with me to the Enclosed Isle that both these mariages may bee there accomplished together To morrow I purpose to parte hence for Vindilisore where she keepeth company with my Queen In the meane while you may expect mee at the Pallace of Apolidon whither my kingly brother may send for Galaor and because nothing else may be omitted to compleate our ioy and contentment I will send for my Cosen Galuanes Madasima The Marshalls of the lodgings appertaining to the Kings Lisuart and Perion gaue present order for their departure the one side to the Enclosed Isle and the other to Vindilisore CHAP. XXIIII How King Lisuart ariued at Vindilisore where his Queen Brisenia attended his comming whom soone after he caused to remoue thence and with her daughter Leonora accompany him to the Enclosed Isle AFter that King Lisuart was dislodged from the Citie of Lubania accompanied with the rest of his Armie hee iournied so expeditiously that hee ariued at Vindilisore where his Queene Brisenia expected his comming according to former intelligence sent her And although hee was greatly perplexed in minde seeing his reputation much impaired by those disfouours receiued from fortune notwithstanding the agreement hee had made with Amadis yet neuerthelesse like a wise and iudicious Prince hee dissembled his griefe shewing much better outwarde carriage then otherwise willingly hee would haue done And his owne knowledge was no meane incitation thereto by hourely pressing his conscience with a sensible apprehension that hee had beene the onely cause of shedding ouer-prodigally so much Christian blood vnder an vniust colour of reuenge which he preferred before all counsell and aduice giuen him by the Princes and Lords of his Land wherewith our Lord being iustly offended had scourg'd him with there rods not to make him murmur or gruge against him but rather to thank him for inflicting no heauier vengeaÌ„ce on him In meditation of these matters hee went to the Queenes lodgings and she being before aduertised by Brandoynas of all that had happened in his voyage welcommed him most graciously and looking vpon young Esplandian who followed next to the King folding him in her armes sweetly kissing him thus she spake My worthie sonne blessed bee the houre of thy birth hauing in thy young dayes done such seruice to the King as but by thy good aduise as I haue vnderstood he had neuer seene his owne kingdome any more Madame answered the King I hope seeing hee hath begun so well not any one houre shall passe him but will encrease in him both will and power of proceeding on better better For I assure you that beside the right of nature which iustly incites mee to wish him well no day can passe ouer my head but I must needs confesse a perticuliar affection to him for the great happinesse I enioy by him While thus the King and Queen conferred together concerning Esplandian the other Princes and Lords were kindely entertained by the Ladies Gentlewomen who beeing curious in inquiry how the fights had beene performed betweene the Kings people and them belonging to Amadis were a long while without any other language But when they heard of the purposed marriages that they must likewise goe to the Enclosed Isle this raised much more pleasure in them then the recitall of colde feares and Alarums whereon they wholly conferred before For now one made full account to try the Arch of loyall louers others the Defended chamber and the other singularities in the Isle and in these delightes they spent the whole day But the houre of rest beeing come the King withdrew into the
and would make vse of him in our hunting When the reuerent man heard him speake so confidently he grew as resolute in perswasion and going neerer to Esplandian saw him kisse the Lyonnesse euen as familiarly as shee had bin a Spaniell Heereupon the Hermite said vnto him Sonne would you giue her somewhat to eate Yea Father answered Esplandian if I had any thing to giue her With that the Hermit tooke out of his Scrip the legge of a Deere which a Hunter had bestowed on him and giuing it to the Lad he threw it to the Lyonnesse saying Heere Dogge eate this The Lyonnesse tooke it and while shee was feeding on it Esplandian played with her eares pawes and taile euen as familiarly as himselfe pleased the beast offering him no other dislyking then if hee had bin one of her whelpes Such perfect knowledge did she take of him and euen by naturall instinct loued him so dearely as she followed him thence to the Hermitage and from that time forward would neuer willingly leaue his company except when she went to seeke some prey which she would also bring home with her euen as if she had beene a houshold seruant And both the Laddes grew into such familiarity with her that they would leade her oftentimes in a Leasse on hunting with them as if she had bin a Greyhound for game Which Nascian well noting prouided them Bowes fit fot their strēgth wherewith they continually vsed to kill Harts Hindes Roe-bucks and such like sending still the Lyonnesse after such game as they had wounded But heere wee purpose now to leaue them for a while returning to Amadis who being departed from Gaule entred the Country of Alemaigne where he perfourmed such rare actions of Chiualry that euery tongue talked onely of him and there he was commonly called the knight with the greene Sword or the knight of the Dwarfe because Ardan still attended on him and there he spent foure whole yeares before he returned to the Enclosed Island not hearing any tydings from his Oriana which was his very greatest affliction because hee found no pains labor or ill successe any way comparable to the want of her presence So long he trauailed from one part to another that about the beginning of the Spring-time he arriued in Bohemia neere to King Tafinor on whom Patin the Emperour of Rome made sharpe warre who hated Amadis more then any man else for the reason formerly declared in the second Booke Hee ryding purposely toward the camp King Tafinor who for a time had taken truce with his enemy was then flying his Gerfaulcon at a Heron which fell at the horse feete of Amadis Now because none of the horse-men could come at her in regard of the moist and marshie ground hindering them the knight of the greene Sword alighted and tooke her vp demaunding the Falconers if they were displeased thereat And they answered no. Soon after came the King who had coasted all along the Riuer for passage and seeing the knight so compleatly armed stood in some suspition of himself till he further noted the greene scabberd of his Sword being the same which he had in lone of the ancient knight as hath bin formerly declared The King had many times heard much fame of his prowesse and was so well pleased with his happy arriuall that he entreated his company to the City which Amadis denied him not but ryding along with him the King thus spake Sir I haue a long while desired that I might be but worthy of such a companion as you seeme to be My Lord answered Amadis the liberal renown of you and your bounty which makes you famous in many kingdomes drewe me hither onely to offer you my seruice if any way it may be acceptable to yee because I haue heard that you are warred on by a potent Prince that giues ye no meane molestation You say very true replied the King but I trust in heauen and by the meanes of your helpe to see a short issue out of these troubles Fortune hauing so conueniently guided you hither By this time they were arriued at the Palace where the King commanded he should be lodged and Grasandor his Sonne to keepe him company Now in regard that the truce taken betweene the two Armies was vpon the point of ending each side stood on their best defence and the seuerall Campes prepared for all attempts whatsoeuer King Tafinor walking one day abroade to vnderstand some tydings from the enemy hee beheld afarre off twelue knights come riding towards him and as they drew neerer he knew the Shield of Garadan borne by his Squire himselfe being a neere kinsman to the Emperour and they came not to fight but to parlee The King bare little affection to this Garadan because hee procured and raised this warre and well he knew that his comming was but to occasion some fresh grieuance which made stearne anger mount vp into his face so that hee could not forbeare but said Ah trecherous villaine thou hast already done me so many mischiefes that I haue iust occasion to hate thee so long as I liue Sir answered the Knight of the greene Sword it may be he commeth to yee for some good end therefore it shall well become ye now to dissemble all passion entertayning them with good lookes not taking offence at any thing they say in regard they come to yee as Ambassadours from the Emperour their Maister Kinde friend quoth the King I allow of your good aduice and wil be directed thereby though it is no meane griefe to me to haue so great an enemy neere me Scarcely were these words ended but Garadan and his troupe saluted the King who gaue them kinde welcome desiring them that before any speeches passed they would goe along with him to him to his Palace But Garadan made refusall shewing himselfe as brauely proud and presumptuous as formerly he was wont to do speaking thus King Tafinor thou must vnderstand the occasion of our comming to thee and before thou partest from this place thou must make vs answere such as shall seeme best to thy selfe without aduice or consulting with any one but thy selfe For in thee onely lyeth the conclusion of two things wherewith I am to acquaint thee from the Emperour otherwise assure thy self before three dayes can be passed ouer the battel will fall out to be so cruell and bloody as it exceedeth all possibility but thou and thy Country will bee vtterly lost With these wordes he deliuered him a Missiue of credence for further confirmation of his speeches Beleeue me Lord Garadan answered the King I hope that the Emperour and you wil be more kinde to me then appeareth by your message wherefore deferre no further time but deliuer the remainder of your Commission that I may yeeld you satisfaction to my power Garadan hearing the King to answere so mildely began somewhat to qualifie his owne choller replyed thus King Tafinor the Emperour my Maister hauing power sufficiently to
preuaile against yea vtterly to ruinate a more potent Prince then you are being desirous to make an end of this warre to prouide for other his more necessary occasions makes tender to you of two conditions whereby you may enioy peace if you please or else not First if Combate may be performed of an hundred of your knights against as many of his or a thousand to a thousand the conquerors leauing the vanquished in such case as to them shall seeme best Or if you finde this demaund to be ouer-great hee is content to allow of twelue against twelue of which number I meane my selfe to be one who doe thinke my selfe able to fight with sixe of your knights although your selfe made one in person Therefore of these two elections chuse which shall appeare the easiest to you for otherwise be well assured that setting aside all other affaires his Army shall neuer part from this Country till you be wholly vanquished which will be very speedily because you are not able long to withstand his potent proceedings Don Garadan answered the knight of the greene Sword were you to speake to a King of much lesse merit yet deseruing more respect and reuerence mee thinkes you should bee more mindfull of your owne behauiour in vsing such proud threatnings concerning your selfe ill beseeming a Gentleman appertayning to so great a Prince Notwithstanding he may make you what answere shall like him albeit in mine opinion he should first vnderstand what assurance you can make of your seuerall offers if hee consent to your demaunds When Garadan heard the knight of the greene Sword speake so resolutely in the Kings presence hee maruayled greatly what he should be and looking on him with a disdainfull eye he said Beleeue me knight it appeareth well by your language but much more by your boldnes that you are not onely a stranger in these parts but also to all honour and ciuility And it amazeth me that the King will suffer yee to speake so sottishly in his presence Neuerthelesse if his opinion of you be so good as not to disallow what you haue said let him first consent to my demaunds and then I will answere him as I see occasion Goe you on quoth the King with the rest of your message for whatsoeuer the knight of the greene Sword hath spoken on my behalfe shall bee maintayned if in our power it lye to perfourme it Garadan became now more amazed then formerly he had beene perceiuing that the man whom he had inburied in wordes was the knight with the greene Sword whose renowne had already spred it selfe thorow all Countries and made his stout heart somewhat to tremble Neuerthelesse he held it as his chiefest happinesse that hee should haue now so apt an occasion to combate with him for he was so ouer-weening and vaine-glorious that he made no doubt of preuayling against him and that very easily Which ydle fond opinion caused him to lose all the honour and high reputation wherein he had liued till that time promising himselfe an assurance of victory which afterward fell to his enemy And waxing more chollericke then before he returned this answere to the knight of the greene Sword Seeing that the King giues you such power and authority why are yee so slow in electing the fight Because answered the knight of the Dwarfe it is a matter of such importance as well deserueth to haue the aduice of the Princes and Ladies of this kingdome And it would highly content mee if the King pleased so much to honour mee as to entertaine me for one of the twelue hundred or thousand that are to bee appointed for this fight for no man can bee more desirous then I am to doe any seruice against you on whom I would not onely aduenture my best blood but serue for him in any place where he shall please to imploy mee My deare friend replyed the King I most heartily thanke you and will not refuse the offer you haue made me but doe request withall that you would make election of the fights in my behalfe according as you shall iudge it best and for our most aduantage In good sooth Sir replyed the knight of the green Sword therein you shall pardon mee if you please for you haue about yee so many good knights all louing and respectfull of your honour that if you demaund their aduice in this case their counsell will be both faithfull and honourable Neuerthelesse before you shall faile in this or any other matter that Garadan can vrge presume vpon my loyalty and ready seruice Onely let me entreate your Maiesty to demaund what power he hath receiued from his Maister to warrant the offers already proposed and accordingly you may shape your answere for the acceptance or refusall Saucie companion answered Garadan I know thy meaning well enough as seeking how to shrinke backe and shunne all the offers made for fight If you knewe mee well said the knight of the Dwarfe it may be you would hold better estimation of me then rashly your rash opinion seemeth to deliuer And doe not thinke it straunge that I gaue such aduice to the King as you haue heard for if your seuerall offers should afterward bee disallowed or disclaymed they may bee the cause of stearner warre then yet hath beene in steed of a milder purchasing peace Garadan could no longer forbeare but drew a Letter forth of his sleeue sealed with thirty faire Seales in the middest of all which Seales stood that that belonged to the Emperour And deliuering it to the King he bade him to consider on a speedie answere By my faith quoth the King seeing you are in such great haste you shall be answered before you part from this place So withdrawing thence calling some of the chiefest Lords of the company he entreated them to aduise him particularly what were best to be done in this vrgent necessity Then each man deliuered his opinion which fell out to be different and contrary because some approued the fight of an hundred against an hundred and others of twelue to twelue but the greater number temporized and gaue the like counsell for continuance of warre in manner and forme as it had beene begunne For quoth they to hazard a kingdome vpon the strength of so few men is a matter very dangerous And moreouer it appeareth by Garadans owne words that the Emperour himselfe first beginneth to grow weary of this warre and it may be is so ouerpressed in other places as he will be thereby enforced to withdraw his forces and leaue vs in peace against his owne will Sir said Count Galtines it were very expedient in my minde to craue the counsell of the knight of the greene Sword Now was not he present at this assembly and therefore hee was immediately sent for and being come the King thus spake vnto him My worthy Friend you haue heard at large the speeches of Don Garadan to mee so commanded as he saith by his Maister the
by breake of day But as hee had a purpose to repose himself a while the remembrance of his Princesse Oriana ouertook him in his priuate meditations pressing him with extraordinary passions as he had no power to refraine from teares speaking thus to himselfe Alas sweet friend when shall I see the time that I may once more be so happy as to embrace you in mine armes Loue thou hast lifted mee to the highest felicity that euer loyall hart could attaine vnto But how looke how much my glory is vnmatchable in fauour the like height it carrieth in tribulation and torment for the more desirous I am to see ye the further of still my cruell starres doe send me And that which is my greatest hell of all is a grounded feare that my absence shall either betray me to forgetfulnesse or bring you to the entertainment of a new loue Then suddenly he beganne to reprehend himselfe saying Whence should this idle opinion proceede in me Deare sweete I haue found you so firme and constant that I doe commit a sinne in thinking amisse of you And such is the assured proofe of your fidelitie that the smallest sinister doubt is but mine owne shame For well I know that as my whole life is dedicated to your obedience so you can neuer haue iust occasion to wish me ill or couet any vnkinde reuenge on me except you take your selfe to be offended in being more intirely and constantly affected by me then any man else in the world can doe And yet I cannot tell whether Loue be desirous to punish me because in disdaining all other I made my selfe so wholly yours as many haue been by me neglected and discourteously refused But well I wot that my thoughts are so familiar in your heart and your matchlesse beauty so diuinely caractred and engrauen in mysoule as I may assuredly resolue that time will set a period to all oppressions either by my end or your accustomed loyaltie Spending thus the night in sighs and teares euen vntill the morning appeared he commaunded Gandalin to rise and being armed hee went to Church where he found the King at his deuotions Hauing heard Masse the King tooke him by the hand and leading him somwhat aside said My dearest friend seeing you stand resolued to part from me let me first tell yee that ye haue a King and a kingdome wholly at your command and heereof take knowledge wheresoeuer you shall come Me thinkes you should deferre no longer to let me know of whence and what you are promising you vpon the faith and word of a King that by me you shall not any way be discouered except it may bee done with your consent Sir answered the knight let me entreate yee heerein not to wrong me for I am minded neuer to disclose my selfe to any one except by force I shall be thereto compelled Then you doe me a great displeasure quoth the King God shield me replyed the knight from offending so good and gracious a Prince I will rather dispense with my vow and tell ye Sir I am that Amadis of Gaule Sonne to King Perion whose name you remembred when you agreed to the Combate of twelue knights to twelue By the faith I beare to God said the King my heart did alwayes perswade me so and rest your selfe assured that this knowledge of you is more acceptable to me then any thing else whatsoeuer in the world can bee Blessed be the Father and Mother that haue yeelded the world so worthy a man by whom so many people haue receiued both profite and pleasure Now was the King much more desirous of his longer stay but that Amadis most instantly vrged the contrary whereto he durst not make refusall Wherefore mounting on horsebacke by a goodly company he was conducted forth of the Citty and there being commended to all good successe hee tooke his way towards Romania seeking after strange aduentures as Fortune pleased to direct him CHAP. VIII How King Lisuart hunting in the Forrest where hee had left the Ladies accidentally met with a young Damosell who shewed him the way to the Hermitage where the good Hermite Nascian made his abyding And how the infant long time after was knowne to bee the Sonne of Amadis and Oriana IN the gay season of Mayes flourishing moneth King Lisuart hauing long soiourned in one place was entreated by the Ladies that hee would guide them forth on hunting wherto he very willingly condiscended and presently commaunded his huntsmen to prepare their toyles in the next adioyning Forrest and to erect their Tents by the Fountaine of the seauen Beech trees which was the most pleasing place in all the wood and best agreeing with the time Not farre off thence was the Hermitage where Nascian the holy man nourished Esplandian as already hath beene declared to yee It happened on the same day when the King had left the Ladies in their Pauilions hee so long pursued a Hart sore hunted and escaped from the toyles that he was enforced to take vp into the highest of the Forrest all along the side of a great hill very well couered with brakes and bushes So soone as he had attayned to the toppe there-of on the other side he espied a young Gentleman descending hastily aged as it might bee about fiue or sixe yeeres leading a Lyonnesse in a leashe who seeing the Hart so hotly chased hee let her loose after him and shee pursued with such speed that she tooke him downe before the King The young youth glad of so good successe ran a pace to the fall of the Deere and another childe that was his companion where seazing on the veneson hee tooke out a knife to cut his throate Then winding a horne very loud two little Bratches which ordinarily vsed to follow him came presently to him and both they and the Lyonnesse had their fees of the game This done hee tooke and coupled them in a leashe and hauing done the like to the Lyonnesse crossed again ouerthwart the wood The King seeing them make haste away from him was very desirous to know what they were and comming forth of the place where he had hid himselfe to note the behauiour of these children called to the young Gentleman who instantly stayed vntill such time as the King came to him vsing these words Prettie childe I pray thee tell me what thou art and where is thy dwelling Sir knight answered the youth Nascian the Hermite hath hitherto nursed me and as I thinke is father both to me and this my companion This answere made the King very pensiue for he could not comprehend in his thoughts that Nascian being aged and decrepit as also reputed for a man of most sanctified life should or could haue a childe so young and goodly wherefore as one couetous of further information hee demaunded where the Hermitage stood It stands quoth the youth on the top of this Rocke and shewing him a littly path lest him saying If it shall please yee to follow
is so vrgently required by very strong reason then ought they to afforde it your daughter whom they haue knowne and well thought on so long a time Beleeue it my Lord they can receiue no shame by the deed and your selfe will confesse in the end that their attempt shold not bee displeasing to you they presuming it may be that you haue beene greatly importuned to this marriage and yeelded thereto against your liking I well perceiue quoth the King that you are not much offended with the matter but rather you can both like and allow thereof but I sweare by God I will make them dearely repent it So rising in a great rage hee flung out of the chamber entring into his owne sound there King Arban Grumedan and Guillan le Pensif who went not from him till hee had tolde them all the conference betweene him and the Queene and what an answere she made him Now because they saw him much incensed they thought good to conceale what the meant to say and mildely by little little brake off these speeches But it chanced on the morrowe following that as the Queene came from hearing Masse Durin brother to the damosell of Denmarke fell on his knee before her and presented her a Letter which Oriana had written to her as followeth CHAP. VII A Letter sent by the Princes Oriana beeing in the Enclosed Isle to the Queene her Mother MAdame although you cannot but be alreadie aduertised of my misfortune such as it is yet I thought it â—…ient to let you knowe part of my mournings And as a beginning to this Letâ—er I beseech you most humbly to consider how mishap hath continually followed mee since my banishment from your Countrie from the King my father and you also than which nothing could be more â—â—â—some to me Neuerthelesse not so satisfied I was burried by such a tempest that the Romans which conducted mee beeing ouercome wee were brought to the Enclosed Isle by them who knowing the wrong done vnto vs hazarded their liues to stay our passage any further And because I stand in doubt that such a matter will not be pacified betweene my father and them without great effusion of blood except you Madame haue some respect thereto I thought fit to send this bearer to you entreating you for the honor of God to take compassion on your poore desolate daughter and worke so much with the King that I may returne againe to him and reobtaine his â—…ed fauour hauing no way offended him except hee be displeased that I haue beene too obedient to him for therein onely I confesse my selfe culpable and not otherwise For the rest to tell you how they in whose power I am and the Ladies with me are minded they haue sent Ambassadours to my father as well to knowe how hee likes their succour giuen mee as also to mediate his pittie towards mee Herein Madame according as I haue giuen charge to Durin hee will further instruct you at his arriuall and lend a helping hand to plant peace if you can to such a dangerous warre begun by misfortune for her sake who remaineth Your most humble and obedient Daughter Oriana After the Queene had aduisedly read and re-read ouer this Letter but not without teares shee said to Durin that shee would speake with the King and afterwards giue him an answere And as shee was enquiring of him what entertainement Oriana and her company had in the Enclosed Isle the King came whom shee withdrawing into her Cabinet casting her selfe downe at his feet weeping bitterly shee thus spake to him Alas Sir for the honour of God take compassion on your daughter and read if you please this Letter which she hath sent me The King seeing the Queen so drowned in teares tooke her vp from the ground and receiuing the Letter from her read the contents thereof then to appease the extreamitie of her passions hee thus answered Madame the Ambassadours will soone be here that are sent from thence haue patience till I haue heard them speake They may perhaps giue me such satisfaction as the iniurie which I haue receiued will bee forgotten And they may bring such a message as I will rather consent to mine owne ruine and desolation of all mine estates than to peace Much better doe I affect to die with honour poore and disinherited than to liue amighty King miserably wretched faint-hearted clowded with the teares of you and your daughter Wherefore speake no more hereof to me except you purpose to offend me And so leauing her hee departed out of the chamber Afterward she called for Durin and said vnto him Friend Durin returne to my daughter Oriana and tell her that I can send her no answere vntill the Ambassadors shal be arriued here for the King till then knowes not how to determine on his businesse But assure her I will essay all possible meanes to do what she hath desired me And say I entreate her alwaies to fixe her owne honour before her eyes without which I shall desire her death Bid her remember that a wise and discreet soule is best discerned in aduersitie and not in the flattering times of prosperity And seeing our Lord hath suffered her to bee borne a Princesse and the daughter of so great a King reason doth require that vertue should bee more familier with her than with a body of baser condition in all aduersities whatsoeuer that can happen to her Alwaies committing the managing of her chiefest affaires to God whom I hartily pray to blesse her preserue her in his â—ase protection vntill such time as we shall meet againe together Durin being thus dispatched by the Queene tooke his way towards the Enclosed Isle and some few daies after his departure as the King was sitting downe to dinner in the great Hall an Esquire suddenly entred who gaue him a Letter of credence which when hee had read hee demanded of the Squire of whence and what hee was Sir answered the Squire I am seruant to Quedragant of Ireland who hath sent me to you about such a businesse as I will relate if you please to heare mee Honest friend said the King speak your pleasure Sâ—… quoth the Squire my Master Brian de Moniaste being sent from the Enclosed Isle are landed in your countrie to acquaint you with some especiall matters from Lord Amadis de Gaul and other Knights that are in his company But before they passe any further or come neare your Court they send you word by mee vnder your gracious fauor that they require safe conduct for their comming Otherwise they are determined to publish their message in all parts of your Land and in other kingdomes beside before they make returne to them that sent theÌ„ Wherefore Sir aduise your selfe and send them your intention Well knewe the King whereat the message aymed and therefore he thought it not conuenient that they should proclaime their cause thorough his kingdome a matter not to be done but
let vs goe on to the Pallace of Apolidon where the Ladies doe attend your comming for they are already aduertised of your ariuall and there we may much better conferre together With all my heart quoth shee and calling the two young Squires forth of the Frigate placing the one on her right hand and the other on her left she went on with the King and troupe then calling Esplandian to her thus shee spake I promise you faire youth I haue had better remembrance of you then you can imagine And beholde I haue brought hither these two Gentlemen to keepe company with you because you will stand in much need of their helpe when you shall bee in the greatest heate of all your businesse Wherefore hence forwarde I pray you to affect them euen as deare as your sefe Then perceiuing the Ladies cōming to meet them shee gaue ouer talking to doe them reuerence and as shee kissed each after other comming to Oriana shee spake out so loude as all might heare her Beleeue me Madame neuer was I better pleased then being in such cōpanie for hardly can elsewhere be found such store of bright beauties enriched with all rarietie of choyce perfections Madame answered Queene Brisena no doubt but your words would be very true if all here were such as you speake of So taking her by the hand she conducted her into her chamber where the Knights left them that they might conuerse more priuately together CHAP. XXIX Of the conference which Amadis had with his Cosen Dragonis in giuing him the kingdome of the Profound Isle and the Princesse Estoilleta to wife whom he had loued a long time DRagonis was not with Amadis when he made partition of king Arauignes countries and them belonging to the other prisoners but followed a Damosell that guided him from the Monastarie of Lubania to fight with Angriffort Lord of the Deep Gulffe who kept her father in prison to compell him surrender vp a Castle belonging to him And the Combate was wonderfull between them for Angriffort was the most hardy and valiant Knight then liuing in all that countrie Notwithstanding Dragonis had the victory and made him promise to meete him at the Enclosed Isle within twentie daies next ensuing there to craue mercy of the Princesse Oriana This Dragonis that we speake of was young actiuely disposed and an excellent warriour as hee well declared in the Isle of Mongoza when King Lisuart came thither to assault Galuanes For the more part of his confederates beeing defeated and fled he kept a narrow passage with very few men and performed there such deedes of Chiualrie as hee became famous thereby all his life time after Now he could not come to Amadis so soone but at his returne from the Deepe Gulffe he went to Galuanes and being both together they receiued Letters from king Lisuart whereby Galuanes was requested to come beare him company according as formerly hee had made promise By this meanes Dragonis and he iourneyed thither together and so soon as they were come to the Enclosed Isle Amadis remembring what good seruices his Colen Drogonis had done for him in the late foughten battailes what wrong should be offered him if hee did not pertake in the like pleasures and contentments equall with his other companions being alone by them-selues together thus hee spake to him Cosen since such time as you left vs diuerse marriages haue been cōcluded on of the chiefest knights here present and those gracious Ladies whom they haue so long time intirely affected Moreouer by generall aduice and consent the countries belonging to king Arauigne Barsinan and our other prisoners haue beene diuided and you therein forgotten by reason of your absence Yet there is further consideration had of you as you shall presently vnderstand I haue beene lately aduertised by a Squire that since our parting for Lubania the King of the Profounde Island being grieuously wounded before died on the Sea some fewe dayes after sayling homeward from recouerie of his health In which respect his kingdome shall become yours and likewise you shall enioy in marriage the beautifull Estoilletta by you long time beloued meerely as due desert she being a faire wise and vertuous Princesse descended from Kings by eyther side and as deerely esteemed by Oriana as any that I know mee thinkes that for your own contētment no better satisfaction can be made you Then to enioy her whom you loue and esteeme as choysely as your selfe Dragonis being not a little pleased to heare Amadis speake in this manner knew not at the first what answere to make For he was once purposed to goe along with Brunco and Quedragant in conquest of those lands which Amadis had diuided to them and from thence to seeke after strange aduentures in Sardaignia then to ioyne with king Florestan and assistt him in his serious affaires Notwithstanding considering how Amadis affected him and what zealous care hee shewed on his behalfe he promised to obey him Whereupon the next day following hee and Estoilletta were affianced together in presence of all the Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen to generall ioy on euery side expecting the long lookt for day when these marriages should bee celebrated and accomplished The same night Amadis desired of King Lisuart the Dukedome of Bristoy for Guillan le Pensif who gladly granted it and the widdow to the deceased Duke also for whose sake he had so much suffered as thereby he got the name of Pensiue CHAP. XXX How the marriages of Amadis with Oriana and the other Princes and Ladies Were solemnly Celebrated in the Enclosed Isle Where the selfe same day Oriana made proofe of the Arch of loyall Louers and likewise of the Defended Chamber THe day being appoynted when the amorous knights should receiue from their Ladies the fruite of their longing expectation and that the mariages so long time delayed were come to the pointe of celebration the holy man Nascian prepared himselfe for that office and after the solemnity in such cases vsed a comming from Masse Amadis spake thus to King Lisuart My Lord most humbly I begge one boone of you which reasonably you cannot deny me Son and my best friend quoth hee I grant it with all my heart what soeuer it bee Then I entreate you sir said Amadis command Madam Oriana your daughter before wee sit downe to dinner to make proofe of the Arch of loyall Louers as also of the Defended Chamber Whereto she would not as yet by any means listen by all entreaties made vnto her Howbeit I haue such confidence in her loyaltie and likewise in her excelling beautie that shee will obtaine the honor of the place whereinto for more then a hundred yeares neyther Lady or Gentlewoman could bee so happy as to enter And hereof I doe so much the rather assure my selfe hauing often times seene the statue of Grimanesa which is portrayed in hir chiefe and most eminent perfection neuerthelesse I am verily perswaded shee neuer was
whosoeuer aduenters it shall perish without any remedy And for as much said shee to Amadis as you detaine in prison that wicked wretch Archalaus surnamed the enchaunter who at all times hath practised to worke you mischiefe and will hereafter attempt the like behold here are two Rings the one for you and the other for Madam Oriana the vertue of them is such as they that haue them or weare them none of his enchantments can hurt them or any in their company so being as he continueth in captiuity And therfore let me aduise you to haue him straightly kept and in a strong Cage of Iron where he may bee seene of all to the end that liuing in such miserie hee may die a thousand times a day For death is much more cruell in so prolonging a mans life then when he quickly makes an end of him in a moment Madam answered Amadis I well perceiue that you depriue mee of all hope of euer satisfying the fauours that I haue receiued from you and which day by day you still heape vpon me Lord Amadis quoth she you did so much for me when by your meanes I receiued my friend from the Castle at the Causey where you gaue knight-hood to your brother Galaor as I hold my selfe sufficiently recompenced for all that I haue done or can do hereafter in your behalfe Hauing thus spoken shee tooke her leaue of the whole companie and mounting vpon a Palfray brought thither ready for her shee rode to the port where the two Dwarfes awaited her comming Thither did all the Knights conduct her vntill shee entred into her Frigot which suddenly was wrapt in so black a cloude as they lost the fight of her and of the serpent also which lay houering halfe a league off and shewed not it selfe till three dayes after But the darkenesse being vanished away they beheld it in the same place where Vrganda left it at the first So the Knights â—…urning to the Pallace of Apolidon continued out their feasting which lasted yet eight dayes longer In the meane while the Emperour Arquisil sent to prepare the shipping which his predecessour Patin brought with his Armie to Vindilasore and they being come thither his people were imparked and the next day following for the earnest desire he had to be at Rome there to bee lawfully crowned hee went aboard with his Empresse Florestan and the Queene Sardamira The winde sitting fairely for them the weighed Anchors and hoysed sayles so that in short while they were a great way off from the coast of Brittaine crossing the straites of Gibraltare entred into the Leuant Sea where wee will leaue them sayling returning to King Lisuart and the rest in the Enclosed Isle the more part whereof prepared them-selues for the kingdome of Arauigne But others more affecting their ease made account of repayring home to their owne houses especially King Lisuart Neuerthelesse before hee dislodged thence knowing well how faithfull King Cildadan had been to him so long as all his serious affaires endured hee did the parte of a most magnanimous and bountifull Prince towardes him and before all them of the Enclosed Isle remitted the tribute hee paide him to the losse of many worthy knights hearts that had formerly serued him more by constraint then any inclination of good will So taking leaue of them all hee returned home to his country And the same day they remayned there with Amadis as well for the purposed warre in Sansuega as else-where held a Councell wherein was decreed that Don Quedragant Bruneo de bonne Mer Agraies Angriote d' Estrauaus and Brian de Moniaste should go together with them that were left of the Scots Irish and Spanish by whose helpe the countries of Arauigne and Sansuega beeing neighbours and butting one vpon another might be the sooner conquered And beecause the countrie of the Profound Isle confined on the kingdome of Sobradisa Galaor should grant supply of vittailes and passage to his Cosen Dragonis and his Armie which consisted of Gaules and Bohemians with the people that Galuanes could bring from the Isle of Mongoza Hereupon such as were named and set downe for the warre took shipping on the sixt day following and the rest returned home to their countries King Perion to Gaule King Cildadan to his Queene and Gastilles to Constantinople But Amadis and Grasandor kept them-selues at the Enclosed Isle with Oriana Melicia Grasinda Mabila Esplandian and the King of Dacia in expectation of newes from them that were gone thence with so great a power CHAP. XXXII How Amadis went away alone to reuenge the knights losse whom a Ladie had brought dead in a small Barke And of that which happened to him AMadis and Grasandor voide as it appeared to them of all trouble or offence hauing them in their company whom they most esteemed tooke no other care but how to spend their time in all pleasure and delight But Fortune vtter enemy to any mans ease and quiet when shee likes to play her changing prankes had prepared a new occasion for them of sorrow and sadnesse as presently you shall vnderstand One day among other when these two Knights were gone to hunt the Hart as Amadis held his hound in a leash for his best aduantage of the game hee espied a farre off from the coaste a small Barke on the Sea yet making towardes land imagining it should haue some strange occasion therin hee descended downe the Rocke to see what might ensue But before he could goe low enough the Barke was close at the shoare and a Ladie came foorth thereof and one Mariner who with much labour drew forth a dead Knight yet wholly armed Amadis made a stay somewhat short of them to trie what would ensue of this sad beginning hiding himselfe behind a â—ush for his better shelter and long he had not tarried there but he saw the Mariner and the Ladie lay the Knight along vpon the Sands placing his shield vnder his head This caused Amadis to conceale â—…lse no longer but going towards them the Lady presentlie knew him Whereupon suddenly throwing her selfe at his feete and fountaines of teares flowing from hiâ— eyes she spake thus Alas Lord Amadis take pittie on a poore woman and for the honor of Knight-hood giue her succour for I am shee that first laid hand on you because the Queene your mother had no other helpe then my poore selfe when you were borne into the World moreouer I can well tell you that all the harmes I suffer at this present hath happened to mee by the loue I haue alwaies carried to you Amadis seeing her so woe begon and euen meerely drowned in teares as it were could not know her at the first sight but looking on her more aduisedly heâ— remembred her to be Darioletta of whome wee haue spoken in the beginning of the first Booke and tooke so great compassion on her as raysing her vp very graciously he promised to assist her to his vttermost power Alas Sir
walking one day without any other Armes but only his Sworde and Crosse-bow hee disâ—â—rned somewhat farre off a Dâ—…ell making towardes him mounted on a seemely Pâ—lâ—rey ryding mainly on the brâ—dle as if the had beeâ—e nearly pressed and purâ—â—â—d comming neare to him hee demanded of her the 〈…〉 Ah my Lord 〈…〉 sâ—… such man as wâ—ll succâ—… siâ—… of mâ—… and him wheâ—e 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 came thâ—… so 〈…〉 together till 〈◊〉 a very thick wood the King 〈…〉 man vâ—â—â—med holding a Damosell by the tresses of her haire strâ—…ng to cast her downe vpon the ground But she resisted him so strongly as shee forth his Sword he said 〈…〉 leaue the Dâ—moâ—ell free from violence or 〈…〉 The maâ—… be feareful â—an oâ—… the wood and with such 〈◊〉 as all the paines the King tooke admitted 〈…〉 meanes of ouerâ—… the 〈◊〉 being 〈…〉 hindred 〈…〉 tâ—ees and bushes so that indeed hee could vse no diligence Wherupâ—â— lighting from his horse hee 〈…〉 after him 〈◊〉 hee came 〈◊〉 a great meadowe in the midst whereof was a Pâ—…on â—râ—â—â—â—d and thereinto he 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 enter Wherefore he went directly thither and comming neare a Damosel presented her selfe vnto him desiring to know why he ran so expeditiously Damosell answered the King â—…ne is entred into this Tent who not long since would haue â—…ed a Gentlewoman in the wood I come hither to giue him chastisâ—â—ent for his lewdnesse â—â—ter Sir quoth thee and if any such be there as you 〈◊〉 after I will deliuer him to you 〈◊〉 hardly can I endure that wrong 〈…〉 should be offered to any woman whatsoeuer hauing all my life time loâ—ed honouâ— and 〈◊〉 Vpon thâ—se words the King went onward but at his first step within the Tent hee fell downe in such strange manner as he was quite bereâ—t of all knowledge vnderstanding Soone after the other two Dâ—mosels which he had left behind him came thither also and taking vp the â—ent immediately carried the King 〈…〉 a Shippe awayting there 〈…〉 for him at the Sâ—◠〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 they hoâ—… 〈◊〉 sayle without any discouery â—f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Kings Bow 〈◊〉 being 〈◊〉 behinde and making what haste hee could after him 〈◊〉 found the horse and not his Master neuer was man in such wofull extreamity fearing the mishappe that 〈◊〉 befallen him He sought about for him in euery place bâ—t neither 〈◊〉 nor way yeelded 〈◊〉 any 〈…〉 wherupon disconsolate out of all hope seeing the night stealing fast vpon him he returned backe to the Citie and without speaking to any person entred into the Queenes chamber reporting to her in what manner King Lisuart had left him and afterward could heare no tyding of him Not a little amazed was the Queene when shee heard of this strange and vnexpected accident which made her fall downe into a trance but her Ladies and Gentle-women being at hande cut her laces and quickly recouered life in hir againe Then sending for King Arban and Cendill de Ganote shee told them all that the Kings Bow-bearer had imparted to hir But they fearing further to offend her seemed to make smal account of it perswading her that the Forrest being long and large and very thickly set with huge Woodes hee might there loose himselfe for a while yet afterwardes returne well enough home No neuer said the Queen His horse to be found and no news of him what answere you to that Madam quoth King Aâ—ban it appeares very likely that the trees and bushes standing so thick as no meane hinderance to his sport hee therefore left his horse These words did somewhat comfort the Queene but yet her opinioÌ„ went quite contrary to his saying and therefore making a shew of some other businesse they returned to their lodgings to Arme them-selues and aduising other Knights there present to follow them they entred into quest of the King But all was in vaine for they could heare no tidings of him so remayned the Queene in sadnes till the next morning when Grumedan and Giontes being returned from their voyage came to see her She demanded of them if they had met with the king No truely Madam quoth they neither did wee know of his losse till some of the Citty acquainted them therewith but we intend to follow in the search of him On my faith said she I finde my selfe in such affliction of minde as I must needes goe with you for abiding heere alone I shall die with extreamity of sorrow But if eyther wee can finde him or heare any news of him it will shorten my griefe otherwise it will be some ease to mee to endure any toyle or trauell whatsoeuer rather then desolately continue here So she sent for two Palfrayes her selfe mounting vpon the one and the wife to Brandoynas on the other riding on in quest of the King with the two knights From place to place they trauailed but they could heare no news at all and on the third day following they met with King Arban very pensiue and his Horse so wearie as hardly was hee able to goe Then the Queene asked him if hee had heard any thing of the King Madam quoth hee euen as much as when I left you only I stand in doubt that he is surprized by some treason and carried out of this countrie Long agoe it is since I foresaw and suspected this accident and if he would haue been ruled by mee this had neuer happened to him I euermore disswaded him yea with teares and entire intreaties neuer to wander so alone in doubtfull and deceiuing Forrests where infinite vnlooked for daungers lie hid but hee would neuer like my aduise As hee would haue proceeded on further the Queene fell downe in a swound from her Horse But Grumedan suddenly alighting tooke her vp in his Armes and speech soone after came to hir againe when deliuering a very vehement sigh shee said False and deceitfull Fortune hope of the miserable and cruell enemy to the prosperous haue I now any occasion to speake well of thee If in times past thou madest mee Lady of many Kingdomes honoured and obeyed by worldes of people but aboue all the rest marâ—… mee to a mighty and vertuous Kings in one meere moment thou hâ—…ly vndone mee thou hast robde mee of all my ioyes in him because on him only depended all my comfort life and honor And therfore I know right wel that thou makest a triumph of my tormenâ—â— and enforcest too deare an intrest for all the former 〈◊〉 thou didst lend me But why dâ—e I complaine on thee hauing so long time seene and obserued that this is only thy true behauiour death is farr more powerfull then thou art and hee can ende thy vtmost malliâ—â— inflâ—cted on mee which beeing my chiefest hope and Anker-holde I will comfort my selfe therein and victoriously vaunt ouer thee Thus the wofull Queen sate weeping and lamenting with such violent passions and anguishes as they that were about her durst nor open their moâ—thes to
long time in my house not like a great Prince and Lord as you are but rather in the nature of a meane Knight errant And you had reason to conceale your selfe from me for if I had so well knowen you then as now I do I should haue strouen with my best endeauour to doe such honour as you iustly deserue Sweete Madame said he neuer vse such words in regard you haue done so much for me as I remaine obliged vnto you while I liue Walking on in this conference they entred into the Palace of Apolidon where they found the Tables couered for dinner and the meate already serued in Scarcely were they set downe but Angriote Bruneo and the Damosell came in before them where we need make no doubt of their hearty welcome And as Amadis had questioned them what issue Grumedans Combate had against the Romanes they related to him that the King was fully minded to deliuer his Daughter to the Emper ours Ambassadours and that within three or foure dayes at the vttermost Heereat Amadis was so moued that his colour presently chaunged as being doubtfull that either they should not haue time enough for her rescue or that they of the Enclosed Isle would not partake with him in such an enterprise against King Lisuart Therefore to feele how they stood affected to his purpose so soone as the dinner was ended falling into much variety of discourse and growing into some reportarie of his long voyage at last thus he beganne with them My worthy and honourable friendes for ought I can perceiue matters are much altred in Great Brittaine since we haue bin out of it and the King hath got him another kinde of humour then he was wont to haue in precedent times For I haue seene and knowen that he would readily more regard the affaires of poore distressed Ladies then matters of most moment concerning himselfe Notwithstanding to my no little amazement he is bent to the destruction of his own naturall daughter that peerelesse Princesse Madame Oriana then whom neuer was childe more diligent and respectiue of her parents then from time to time she hath alwayes declared her selfe And yet as Angriote and Bruneo doe plainly tell me without regard of all this duty and obedience euen in the meere despight of her and contrary to the iudgement of all the Lords of Great Brittaine he hath relegated and confined her to the onely man in the world whom she most hateth which moueth me so much to commiserate her case as if you would both beleeue me and lend me your assistance we would free her from this thraldome and set her at libertie Sighing and pausing a while hee began againe in this maner What-soeuer I haue said my deare-esteemed kinsmen and friends assure your selues that I will not vndertake any thing without your counsell and furtherance And yet wee should all remember the solemne oath we made to the Queene Brisena at the very last Court held in the City of London where wee then sware neuer to suffer wrong to be done to any Lady or Damosell if she required helpe of vs. Shall we now then endure that she shall be captined and vyllie entreated of whom heeretofore we haue receiued so many honorable fauours Shall the Ladies and Virgins of her company be carried away perforce and for euer banished from their owne country Before God I speake it if we doe suffer this haynous indignity we are well worthy of eternall blame without any excuse or pretence to shield vs nay we shall fall into the base reputation of recreant and vnworthy knights regardlesse both of honour and Armes Let vs then aduise here together what you think meetest to be done For as concerning my selfe I determine to deferre a voyage long since by me intended as not many dayes since I made knowen to my Cousin Agraies Florestan and others by Gandalin and now with such Ships as I should finde heere labour so much as lies in me to breake the purpose of King Lisuart and rescue so many wronged Ladies Among whom next to the most wofull Princesse Oriana is vertuous Olinda whom the King in this new-deuised tyranny will compell to marry Saluste Quide albeit vtterly against his owne liking And now Lords let me mooue one matter to you I would gladly know by what autority he can warrant this crueltie to them that are none of his subiects neither borne within any of his Dominions There is my Cousin Mabila sent by the King her father into Great Brittaine not to be confined for Rome but to remaine with the Queene and keep the Princesse Oriana company to whom her loue hath alwayes bin such as neuer could bed greater betweene two Princesses And I much maruall that his whole kingdome doth not reuolt against him or at least some bold and hardy Knight vnder-take the cause to counter check his folly honorably by Armes We see deare friends that no one as yet steppes forth in the action and therefore I would entreate you that according to the ancient commendable custome diligently obserued among alknights errant you would be carefull that such a shamefull and dishonourable deed may not be done In so doing we shall winne more fame and true renowne then euer hitherto we haue done without any euill imputation or sinister misconstruction Tell me then what you thinke here-of to the end that according to some resolued conclusion we may take order for the most expedient execution Then Agraies whom it neerest concerned as well for his Sister as for the honorable affection he bare to Olinda as hath bin declared to you in the first booke answered before them all in this manner I know not where the man is that would be dull or slow in so acceptable an enterprise considering that before you my Lord and Cousin arriued here we were all assembled in this place to make prouision for this in conuenience And now that you finde vs so conformable to your will I am certaine that no man among vs is of any other minde but that Fortune meerely calles vs to vndertake the businesse and promises vs an vndoubted victory For she seemeth weary that she hath fauoured King Lisuart so long a time and he makes no acknowledgment thereof any manner of way Why should hee send my Sister against her wil into a strange countrie Did my Father giue her him to dispose of at his pleasure You all know that soone after our departure from Great Brittaine I demanded her of the Queene but she denyed me sending me word by Gandales that she would keepe and respect her as her owne person Is this then kindship or courtesie to keepe her in such sort as to ouer-throw all her fortunes in the end Mabila hath she no other place of retirement but to the Court of the Emperour Is not the kingdome of SCOTLAND of sufficient opulencie for her breeding and education Striking his hand on his brest with a very small pause he brake forth againe thus I
protest before God this dealing of King Lisuart is both vile and dishonourable yea and so farre off from common reason that I had rather die a thousand deathes if it were possible for me then not to be reuenged and already I haue acquainted the King my Father herewith that he may prouide some remedie for it In the meane while let me entreate you al my honorable Lords and friends to lend me your assistance especially you whom this iniurie toucheth as neerely as my selfe it being offered not only to the person of my Sister your Cousin and neere kinred but also to Olinda others for whom according to our solemne oath and promise as my Lord Amadis hath well remembred wee ought in duty to steppe forth and stand as their protectors and defenders Lords said Quedragant as for my selfe I am ready to depart when it shall please the company and if I make any spare of my paines let me be excluded from all good opinion and I beleeue there is no man heere among vs but he will say as much as I haue done For if wee hazard our liues often and vpon little or sleight occasion we haue great reason now to aduenture further and not to be sparing of our very vttermost endeauour How say ye my friends haue I not spoken the trueth Then euery one answered that no danger or death should cause any deferring but it required quicke and speedy diligence to keepe the Romanes from passing through the straites of the Mediterranean Sea before any fight were made vpon them Easily quoth Amadis shal we make this prouision for to morrow morning wee will be all well shipt and winne the way before them which was set downe for a full resolue Now Grasinda was present at all this conference and she to giue them the more encouragement said Before God Gentlemen your enterprise is high and worthy of the greatest commendation considering that beside the good you shall doe to her whose helpe and rescue you intend you shal giue example to many other worthy Knights either of this or any other strange Country that heereafter by your imitation they suffer no shame or wrong to be done to any Lady or Gentlewoman whatsoeuer Wherein you will make your selues so memoratiue to them that she or they that now liue or shal many hundreds of yeares hereafter will sing rare Peans of your praises Madame answered Amadis God enable vs to effect our enterprise according as I know you heartily wish it In the meane while if you be so pleased you shal remain here in the company of Ysanie the good old Gouernour of this Island who shall be as obedient to you as to my selfe Maister Elisabet must go with me because I repose great trust in him My Lord quoth she you may dispose of me and mine according as to you seemeth best Amadis humbly thanked her and gaue command that euery man should bee prepared to go aboord those Ships by breake of day which Agraies and Florestan had there readily furnished according as they had order sent them by Gandalin Then the next day being all embarqued they set saile directly for Great Brittaine hoping to meet with the Romans as afterward they did CHAP. XVIII How King Lisuart deliuered his Daughter Oriana to the Ambassadors of the Emperour and other Ladies with her to be conueyed to Rome And how they were soone after rescued by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle THe day being come according to King Lisuarts promise that he would deliuer his Daughter to the Romanes to be conducted to the Emperour hee continuing constant in his wilful opinion without any possibility of alteration either of pitty to her importunity vsed by the Queene and all the graue aduice of his Lords to the contrary To effect the full issue of his owne humour he went to her Chamber where sitting downe by her and taking her by the hand thus he spake Daughter you haue euermore shewen your selfe obedient to my will neuer vsing any contradiction will you now hold on in the same mind according as Reason doth require You haue put on a sad and melancholy disposition at the marriage which I haue determin'd for you whereat I am not a little amazed Do you imagine that I would doe any thing but for your benefite and honor or can you conceipt any euill in clination in me towards you I sweare to you vpon my faith that the loue I beare you is so certaine as I do no lesse grieue for your farre absence from me then you can doe your selfe But you doe well know that it is impossible to prouide such an happines for you neerer home Wherefore I pray you that in vsing your wonted wisdome and discretion you would shew a more chearefull countenance reioyce in the great fortune ordained for you being wife to the greatest Prince in the world If you doe besides the high estimation generally to be made of you you shall glad your fathers soule who grieues at your strange alteration as no man possibly can doe more During all these speeches Oriana had her spirits so contracted that she was not able to shed a teare and therefore as a woman out of sense of her own sorrow seeing there was now no further remedy for her with a bolde and stedfast resolution thus shee replied My Lord you haue then for ought I can otherwise perceiue resolued on my mariage to the Emperor but therein happily you haue committed one of the greatest errors that any Prince aliue can doe For first so long as my life lasteth I shall neuer loue the husband you haue chosen for mee and next I am very certaine as oftentimes I haue told you already that I shall neuer see Rome rather shall the fishes vse their mercy to me then I will goe to a home that is my hell or dwel where I can haue no affection or desire And I am of the minde that you could not be heereto induced or perswaded but onely in the loue you beare to my Sister being desirous to leaue your inheritance to her and make mee heire to all the miseries in the world Neuerthelesse God who is iust will neuer suffer this your vnreasonable purpose to take effect sooner he will marry mee to my death When the King heard Oriana answere in this manner pitty and anger mixing themselues together made him likewise change his former language and thinking to win her by menaces said You play the foole with me and you will not yeeld for all the entreaties I can make but if you dallie thus with me any longer insteed of wiuing you to the Emperour I will wed you to the Tower and where you shall see neither Sunne nor Moone My Lord quoth she you can not commit me to a more hatefull prison then Rome and you shall doe me a great grace to make me an euerlasting dweller in your Tower Then arose the King very highly displeased and leauing her went to the Queene