to manifest himselfe in any sort vnto the Damosell of Denmarke who sayd vnto him My friend I haue been enformed by the Hermit that you are a knight and because all Gentlewomen are greatly bound vnto good knights for the benefits and pleasures that they commonly receiue at their hands in defending them and deliuering them from many and great dangers I had a great desire before I departed to see you to giue vnto you such prouisions as are in my ship that shall be necessarie for your health Notwithstanding he answered her nothing neither did hee any other thing but lament and sigh and because that in that little Cell wherein hee remayned there was little light the Gentlewoman did not know whether hee were a dying or no. Whereupon she was ware of a window which she opened by the light whereof shee might behold him more at ease but all the while that she beheld him hee neuer cast his eyes off from her neuerthelesse hee spake not one word but sighed without ceasing like vnto a wight whose heart was ouercharged with woe which moued the Damosel to exceeding pittie And comforting him in the best sorte she could by chance shee espied a scarre which he had vpon his face with a blow that Arcalaus the Enchanter had giuen him when hee rescued Oriana as hath beene recited in the first Booke Wherefore shee thought in her minde that without doubt this was Amadis whom shee â—ought and at the instant shee did know that he was euen the same for the same cause shee being grealy amased cryed out Alas what do I see My Lord you are he that hath made me haue many a weary iourney to find you this sayd she embraced him Alas my Lord sayd shee it is now high time to extend both pitty and pardon vnto her who procured thereunto by some sinister report hath brought you to this great extreamitie beleeue me doth now iustly endure a life worse then death then did she deliuer him the Letter that Oriana had written vnto him Hold sayd she your Lady sendeth you this and commandeth you by me that if you be the same Amadis that you were woâ—t to be and hee whoÌ„ she so much loueth that forgetting all passed faults you come vnto her to the Castle of Mirefleur where a full satisfaction shall bee made vnto you for the sorrowes and anguishes which you haue suffered for your ouer feruent loue Here withall was the Faire Forlorne so greatly rauished that it was a long time before hee could answer one word but hee tooke the Letter which hee kissed without ceasing and afterwards put it next vnto his heart saying O poore heart so long time passioned that hardly hast thou beene able to resist such a tempest notwithstanding the abundance of teares which thou so continually hast distilled that it hath almost brought thee euen to the point of death receiue now this medicine the which only is conuenient for thy health and come forth of this darknes which so long hath blinded thee taking thy strength againe vnto thee to serue her that of her owne free grace causeth thee to reuiue Then opened hee the Letter which contayned The Letter of Oriana to Amadis IF great faults committed by enmitie acknowledged afterwards by humility are worthy of pardon what ought those to bee which are caused by too much abundance of loue Neuerthelesse my loyall friend I will not deny but that I haue deserued exceeding punishment for I ought to haue considered that at such times when any are in the greatest prosperity and mirth then fortune commeth and ouerthroweth them into sorrow and misery furthermore I ought to haue remembred me of your exceeding vertue and honesty which was neuer yet found faulty and most of all though I had died yet should I not haue forgotten the great seruitude of my pensiue heart which proceedeth from no other cause but onely from the same wherein your owne is tyed being certaine that so soone as any flame had beene therein quenched mine had as suddenly beene there-withall acquainted in such sort as the care which it hath had to aswage the mortall desires thereof hath been the onely cause to encrease the same But I haue done amisse like vnto them who being in the top of their felicity and most assured of the loue of those by whom they are beloued not being able to comprehend in them so much good become iealous and suspicious more by their owne imagination then by any reason ouer shadowing this bright happinesse with tha cloud of impatience beleeuing the report of some men it may bee wicked slanderers of small credit and vitious sooner then the witnesse of their owne conference and certaine experience Therefore my constant friend I beseech you bartely to receiue this Damosell â—as beeing sent from her who acknowledgeth in all humility the great fault which she hath committed against you who shall better then my letter acquaint you with the extremitie of my life where of you ought to haue pittie not for any of mine own desert but for your owne reputation who are neither accounted cruell nor desirous of reuenge where you finde repentance and submition especially seeing that no penance may proceede from you more rigorous then that which I my selfe haue ordained for me and the which I doe bâ—re patiently hoping that you will release it restoring vnto me your good fauour and my life together which thereupon dependeth Herewithall a new ioy possessed the minde of the Faire Forlorne and hee quite banished the continuall melancholy which had so long tormented him neuerthelesse the perplexity wherein Oriana remained in expecting newes from him with held part of pleasure wherefore he praied the Damosell of Denmarke to aduise her selfe what she had to do for I feele my selfe said he so farre beside my selfe that I can thinke vpon no other thing but vpon the new restitution of my life which I haue receiued by your meanes I am of the opinion answered the Damosell seeing that these in my company do not know you to tell them that for pittie sake I will cary you to the Firme Island only to see if by changing the aire you may also change your malady the which was accordingly performed Notwithstanding the Faire Forlorne before his departure declared vnto the Hermit how the Gentlewoman had so long sought for him that now they were heere casually met together onely by meere chance and the storme which had brought her vnto the poore Rock And for this cause my father saide he I am constrained to leaue you and to follow her assuring you that so long as I liue I shall neuer forget the good which you haue done for mee for without your good help I had perished both body and soule And seeing that by your deuout praires as I beleeue I haue beene preserued hitherto I most humbly beseech you to haue your poore guest still in remembrance And moreouer to do so much for me that hereafter you would
THE ANCIENT FAMOVS And Honourable History of Amadis de Gaule DISCOVRSING THE ADVENTVRES Loues and Fortunes of many Princes Knights and Ladies as well of Great Brittaine as of many other Kingdomes beside c. Written in French by the Lord of Essars Nicholas de Herberay Ordinarie Commissarie of the Kings Artillerie and his Lieutenant thereof in the Countrie and gouernment of Picardie c. Printed at London by NICHOLAS OKES 1619 TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR PHILLIP HERBERT Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our dread Soueraigne King James Lord Baron of Sherland Earle of Mountgomerie and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter c. HAuing already presented your Honour with the Third and Fourth Bookes of this famous History of Amadis de Gaule and standing engaged by my promise to translate so many more of them as time and your noble acceptance shall thereto enable me finding also those two imprinted parts to appeare as a body without an head because these former Bookes are the guide and dirction to them all I haue now finished them and therefore make a fresh representation of them all foure to your Honour The fift sixt seuenth and eight Bookes being already in good forwardnesse of translation with as much expedition as possible may bee and your worthy encouragement for their proceeding shall very shortly present themselues before you in the best habit that mine ability can put vpon them It is not vnknwne to your honour that the manifolde impressions of this history the Bookes thereof being now come to be fiue and twentie in number and printed in places farre distant a sunder through neglect in the publishers or defect of the Bookes which are perfect indeede many false volumes haue flowne abroade and the world thereby v◅ much abused But by the helpe of that worthy Lady I haue had such Bookes as were of the best editions and them as I haue already begun I intend to follow In the meane time Noble Lord accept of these foure Bookes I beseech you and defend them from the venomous tongue of foule mouthde detraction burying all my imperfections heerein committed in the vrgent importunitie of that worthy Lady by whom I haue thus boldly presumed the rest will beare me blamelesse against your least mislike Your Honours in all duty A. M. THE FIRST BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE Discoursing the Aduentures and Loue of many Knights and Ladies as well of the Realme of great Brittaine as sundry other Countries c. CHAP. I. Of whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knights as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following thereon SOone after the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ there reigned in little Brittaine a King named Garinter enstructed in the lawe of veritie and highly adorned with many laudable vertues hauiug a Noble Ladye to his Wife by whome he had two beautifull Daughters The eldest beeing maried with Languines King of Scotts was commonly called the Lady of the Garland because the King her Husband taking great pleasure to behold the golden tresses of her haire would haue them no otherwise couered then with a faire circle or chaplet of flowers Languines enioying by his Queene Agrates and Mabila of whom this present History often maketh mentiō The other yongest Daughter to this King Garinter was named Elisena very much excelling the eldest in beauty though she had been oftētimes desired in mariage by sundry Princes and great Lords yet as then she had no wil thereto but for her solitary and holy life was commonly called of euery one The lost Virgin in deuotion considering that in a person of such estate endued with such excellent beauty and solicited by so many great Princes this strickt religion was not conuenient King Garinter being sumewhat in yeeres for recreatiō tooke pleasure in Hunting whē at one time amōg other it happened that hauiug appointed a meeting neure one of his Cities called Alyma a Hart was put forth in pursuite whereof himselfe wandred very farre wherefore seeing he had lost both his people and game commending himselfe to God he began to make sumwhat the more hast til hauing trauersed first one way and then another at the very entrance into a Wood he saw two Knights fighting against one Soone had he knowledge of the twaine in that they were his owne Subiects of whome he had heard sundry complaintes but slender order was taken in the cause by reason of the great alliance they had in the Country as also for that they kept themselues still in this greatforrest Who the third should be he meruailed and for that time he so well liked the valour of the one Knight as he feared not what might happen to the other twaine wherefore he withdrew himselfe a little further into the Forrest because he might the better beholde the issue of the fight which sorted to such effect as by the strength of the one Knight both the other were vanquished and slaine The King beholding what had happened came forth of the Wood when the Knight seeing one so neere him alone thus demaunded Gentle Sir what Country is this where Knightes errant arc thus assayled by robbers and theeues Let this be no wonder to you Sir answered the King for this Country yeelds as others doe both good and bad as for them that thus assaulted you they haue done diuers villainous outrages not only in this Wood which hath been their accustomed receptacle but likewise in many other places and cheefely against their Lord King who could not execute iustice on them in that they were allyed to the best houses in this Realme And where may I find the King you speake of said the Knight for I am come to seeke him to bring him newes from a great friend of his Happen what shall answered Garinter I will tell ye so much as I know vnderstand then for a truth that I am the man you aske for At these words the Knight tooke off his Helmet and throwing downe his Sheeld ran to embrace him saying that he was King Perion of Gaule who of long time had been desirous to know him Greatly were these Kings contented that their meeting was in such fortunate manner and conferring together on many matters they tooke the waye through the Wood toward the Citie where they thought to find the Hunters but suddenly a Hart ranne before them which with some danger had escaped the toyles wherefore the Princes gallopped after the Deere hoping to kil it ere they gaue ouer But it fell out otherwise for in the pursuite as they came into the thickest of the Wood a chafed Lyon ran before them which in their sight seazed on the Hart and hauing with his strong pawes torne it in peeces turned againe when running furiously against the two Princes he watched his aduantage as if they had angred him which the King Perion
the earth and the Queene also who is one of the wisest Ladies that liueth Then shee called Amadis saying vnto him My Lord Amadis come neer and I will tell you to ease you of the trauaile that you should haue in seeking of Galaor that your brother is well and so throughly healed that you shall see him heere very shortly therefore leaue off your determined search of him for hee is in such a place as all the men in the world can neuer finde him Madame answered Amadis when hee was demanded of me by the Damosels that carried him away I imagined that he should be saued by you and that no other but Vrganda would haue vndertaken such an enterprise which hath euer since put mee in good hope without the which I thinke I had beene dead For this one thing I am sure of that there is no knight in the world more bound to Lady or gentlewoman then I am to you for the which I am not able to yeeld you such condigne thanks as I doe owe and you deserue but you know very well that Amadis his life shall neuer be spared to do you seruice Madame said the king will it please you to come and rest you in my Pallace Your Maiesty answered Vrganda shall pardon me for I will remayne this night in my galley and to morrow I wil doe whatsoeuer it shal please you but Amadis Agraies Bruneo and Guillan shall keepe mee companie because I knowe they are as amorous as my selfe and their companie will be a meanes to driue away all melanchollie Doe what you will said the King for you shall be obeyed Then he caused the people to returne vnto the Citty and he himself bidding Vrganda good night departed leauing for her guard a number of archers vpon the sands the next morning the Queene sent vnto Vrganda twelue of her owne hacknies richly trapped vpon the which shee and her women entred into the Cittie and Vrganda rode in the midst of the foure knights which she had ouernigh detained to keep her companie They intertained her with diuerse discourses by the way wherein she tooke so great pleasure that shee said vnto them Beleeue meâ— it would bee a long time before should be wearie of so good companie as this of yours is for I assure you that I finde you all foure so agreeable to my nature that you are particularly euen all one with my selfe for if I bee in loue you are no lesse holding Ladies in most great estimation And this saide Vrganda because that shee languished with extreame loue which shee did beare vnto the faire Knight of whom in our first booke wee haue mentioned vnto you Their conference was no sooner ended when they approached neere vnto the Pallace but the King who there had staied came forth to meete them and as hee embraced Vrganda bidding her heartily welcome she looked round about her vpon the companie and beheld a great number of knights in each place Whereuppon she sayd me thinks your Maiesty is now royally accompanied not onely for the multitude of great personages that are with you but especially for the loue which I am sure they do beare vnto you for which you ought greatly to praise God For the Prince that is beloued of his subiects may be sure to maintaine his estate in great safety therefore your Maiesty must endeauour to entertaine and vse them Kingly that your fortune which hitherto hath fauoured you do not forsake you if you doe otherwise and aboue all things take heede of false reports seeing that it is the very poyson and ruine of such Princes as giue credit vnto them And as the King would haue brought her to her chamber she said vnto him may it please your Maiesty that I may first goe and doe my duty to the Queene I with all my heart gentle Lady answered hee I am sure that shee will be most glad to see you as shee that hath greatly desired to honour and please you Herewithall hee conducted her where the Ladies were and so soone as the Queene did see her she rose vp and kissed her saying that she was exceeding welcome then shee made her sit downe betweene Oriana Briolania whom Vrganda had neuer yet seene and shee found that Briolania was the fairest Lady in they world if Oriana by her excellency had not blemished her beauty and to speake truth there was great difference betweene them two Then Vrganda sayde vnto the Queene Madame I doe now finde that true which I haue euer heard reported Which is that the King was more accompanied with worthy knights then any other Christian Prince and you also attended vpon by the fairest Ladies on the earth for hee which conquered the Firm-Island being a better knight then Apolidon the famous victory which so lately hath beene obtayned against King Cildadan by the effusion of the blood of so many Gyants as there dyed are sufficient witnesses of the one and I am sure to proue the other it will easily be granted vnto me that vnder the firmament it is not possible to finde fairer Ladies then these two heere pointing to Oriana and Briolania but if your Court hath this preheminence it is yet honoured for one thing and farre more recommendable which is the loyalty wherein loue is there maintayned as well to be seene by the proofe of the burning sword and the kerchiefe beset with flowers which aduenture was performed in your presence When Oriana heard her goe so farre in her talke her heart beganne to tremble and she became sorry and pensiue fearing least Vrganda would speake more in disclosing the secresie betweene Amadis and her But Amadis who was present knowing the wisedome of her that knew all things and the doubt of Oriana hee approached vnto her whispering thus in her eare I assure you Madame that Vrganda is ouer discreete to speake any thing foolishly or vnaduisedly And therewithall hee turned vnto the Queene saying vnto her Madame your grace may demaund if it please you of Vrganda what she was that gained the kerchiefe I pray you sayd the Queene tell vs that By my faith answered Vrganda there is great cause why Amadis should know better what shee was then I for shee followed him and after-ward hee deliuered her from the hands of Arcalaus the enchanter and from Lindoraq his Nephew not without great daunger of his person Madame sayd Amadis it was impossible that I should either know her of my selfe better then you did seeing that you knowe that shee desiring to remaine vnknowne would neuer vncouer her face before me yet from you nothing may bee so well concealed that is not at your pleasure reuealed Truely answered Vrganda for your sake I will presently declare vnto you as much as I know The Dâ—…ell whose loyalty is so knowne is no maide for shee is a faire 〈◊〉 aboue all others most excellent and for the same cause did shee conquer the kerchiefe so renowined especially through
the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the mind of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answer My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other things ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shal be satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dolour then you are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you do not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke that your words proceeded from no loyall hart nor to credit any thing you say hereafter The King whome loue had already depriued of liberty to vnite him selfe with Elisena to the end that hee might be adorned with the great gratious fruite which afterwarde happened as shal be recited vnto ye tooke his Swoord and setting his right hand on the Crosse there-of saide these wordes I sweare by this Crosse and on this Sword wherewith I receiued the order of Knighthood to do what you faire Damosell shall commaund mee at all times and when soeuer your mistresse Elisena shal be thereto aduised Be you then frollicke merrye answered Darioletta for I shall likewise accomplish what I haue promised And at that instant shee returned to the Princesse declaring to her what shee had concluded with king Perion wherewith the amorous Lady was so pleased as she had vtterly lost her former countenance and incessantly embracing Darioletta thus demaunded My deere friend when will the hower come that I shall holde betweene mine armes my Lord whom thou hast giuen me I shall tel ye answered the Damosell you know that in the Chamber where King Perion lodgeth there is a doore on the Garden side which your father sundry times vsed for his recreatiō which at this present is couered with the cloth of Arras but I haue the key thereof wherfore at night when euery one is at rest we may easily there enter vnseene of any and when needfull time of returne cometh my selfe will call ye When Elisena heard this deuice she was highly contented therewith yet breathing forth a sighe she said Alas my faithfull friend how shall we bring this to passe seeing my father is determined to lodge with King Perion if he perceiue vs we shal be both in very great danger Refer that doubt to me answered Darioletta I shal easily prouide for this matter wherupon for this time they brake off conference because the tabels were couered for Supper And in like manner as the feasting began in the morning so now it continued till the tables beeing voyded each one prepared himself to rest Now a little before Darioletta went to King Perions Squire thus saide to him Gentle Squire my friend I pray ye tel me in good faith whether you be a Gentleman or no why aske ye answered the Squire For the desire I haue said the Damosell to know one thing of you which I entreat ye by the faith you owe to God and to the King your Maister not to hide from me By Saint Mary quoth he I will tell you what you please to aske prouided that it be not to the domage of my Lord. Herein saide the Damosell will I consent with ye for I would not demaund any thing of you that should giue him displeasure nor were it reasonable that you should acquaint me with any such matter but I desire to know who is the Lady he loueth most perfectly The king my Maister quoth the Squire loueth all ingenerall and I assure ye that I know no one to whom he beareth such affection as you speake of While they were thus talking the King Garinter came who seeing Darioletta conferring with King Perions Squire demanded what shee had to do with the Gentleman In sooth my Lord quoth she he telles me that the King his Maister is wont to lye alone and therefore I thinke he loueth not to haue any company When Garinter vnderstood that he went presently to King Perion saying My noble Brother there are certaine affaires suddenly befallen me and likewise I must rise somewhat early in the morning which hath made me thinke that not to trouble you the best way is that I breake company from lodging with ye My Lord answered king Perion do as shall seeme best to your liking this answer appeared to king Garinter conformable with that the Damosell had said wherefore right soone he commaunded his bed to be fetcht from king Perions Chamber When Darioletta heard there-of shee imagined their affaires would fall out the better and therefore returned to Elisena acquainting her with all that had passed betweene the two kinges In good faith quoth she I now beleeue that seeing God hath granted so good a beginning our enterprise which at this present seemeth a great sin wil hereafter redound to his seruice but tell me what wee shall do for the great ioy which I haue hath taken from me the most healthfull parte of my iudgement Madam said Darioletta this night will wee execute what we haue determined seeing the doore whereof you knowe is certainly open To my selfe I keep it answered Elisena to you only I commit the charge to prouide when the hower shall permit and so they remained attending for the fauourable time CHAP. II. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was lodged THe time being com when each one most commonly betake themselues to rest Darioletta who for the contentment of her Mistresse had vsed extreame diligence came and tolde her Madame now is the time to finish our enterprise then let vs go if you please When Elisena heard what she saide you must thinke she gaue no occasion to be reproued with slothfulnes but hastily arose without tarrying casting only a mantle about her shoulders went forward and afterward they both entred the Garden The time was then calme gratious the Moone faire and splendant giuing cleere light to the two Ladyes but surely the one had more cause of content then the other who gladly would haue tasted this good hap or such an other for her selfe if she could any way haue compast the meane so much she gaue in outward apearance as Elisena perceiued well that she wanted but the executor to performe the same for Darioletta feeling in her spirit the case at hand which shee should receiue whom shee conducted could not but very plesantly iest dally with her Mistresse breaking many a bitter sigh among as though she were to participate in Elisenaes future good fortune to whom she saide Alas Madame how happy
is the Prince by whom this night you shall receiue such pleasure You say true answered Elisena but what thinke you not that fortune is as fauourable to me as to him for if I be faire is not he one of the most perfect men that hath beene heard of either in personage good grace or hardines assure thy selfe Darioletta my friend that I imagine myselfe so happy as I thinke it is impossible for me to be more therfore let vs make hast I praye thee These words she vttered with such affection that she trembled like the little leafe on the high tree and as she ended those speeches they arriued at the Chamber doore where King Perion was lodged who for the strangnes of this new amorous flame as also the hope he had in Darioletta had not as yet taken any rest Neuerthelesse beeing as then wearye with trauaile ouercome with sleepe began euen as they opened the doore to slumber and dreamed that one entred his chamber at a false dore without knowledge who it should be but he thought that he thrust his hands into his sides and rent forth his hart afterward he saw him throw it into the Riuer when the king saide Wherfore commit ye such cruelty This is nothing at all answered hee that did this outrage for with you shall remaine another hart which I must take from ye against my wil. In great feare he suddenly awaked making the signe of the Crosse commended himselfe to God Now had the Ladyes opened the dore entred the Chamber wherfore he hering the noyse suspected some treason especially by reason of his feareful dreame lifting vp his head beheld thorow the curtans the dore open wherof he knew nothing and afterward by the light of the Moone he saw the shadowe of the Ladyes that were entred For this cause in feare he started out of bed tooke his Sword and went to the place where he had seene them but when Darioletta saw him so affrighted she spake to him in this manner What shal be done here Do you draw armes against vs that come to you with so slender defence the king who quickly knew them especially Elisena whom hee so much desired threw his Sword to the ground and casting a mantle about him which lay neere at hand in great affection hee came to her whom he loued better then him-selfe kissing embracing shewing the best countenance could be deuised which Darioletta seeing as one iealous and enuious of such fauour said to Elisena Now are you somewhat better contented for in my iudgement although till this time you defended your selfe from many And he likewise hath withstood sundry assaultes notwithstanding at this present neither the one or orher of you hath force or meane which way any longer to warrant or defend your selues As thus she spake she looked where the king had throwen his Sword which she took vp as a witnesse of the oath and promise he made her concerning the future mariage of Elisena and himselfe then shutting the dore after her she went into the Garden and so the king remained alone with his faire freind whom after many amourous embracings infinite kissings and execution of delights he behelde verily perswading himselfe that all the beauty of the world was in her reputing himselfe much more then happy that the heauens had allowed him so good an aduenture See now how it chaunced to this Princesse that for so long time in the cheefest flower of her youth beeing requested by so many mighty Princes and great Lordes she had withstood all to remaine in the liberty of a Maiden now won in lesse space then one day and at such time as her fancie in her one thinking was farthest off from such matters Thus Loue breaking the strong bandes of her holye and chast life caused a sudden alteration of her purpose making her soone after of a faire virgen a faire woman seruing for example to many other who assaying to withdraw their thoughtes from worldly things despising the great beauty wherwith nature hath endowed them tender youth which maketh them ignorant of the plesures delights in their Fathers Courts whereof sometime they might haue tasted yeelde themselues for saluation of their soules in poore and religious houses thereto in offering their free will vowing themselues to the subiectiō of others hoping to passe their time without any renowne or glory of this world Certes such Ladyes ought with great sollicitude to stop their eares close their eyes and giue themselues to continuall deuoute contemplatiōs prayers accepting them as their true and singular pastimes as to such they are and aboue all they should exempt themselues from sight of Parents neighbours and freinds because oftentimes the talk and frequenting of such procureth achange of their holy chast will and not without cause haue I made this little discourse for it is to the end that it happen not to them as it did vnto the faire Princesse Elisena who so long labored in thought to preserue her selfe yet notwithstanding in one only moment seeing the beauty and good grace of King Perion changed her will in such sorte as without the aduise discretiō of Darioletta who would couer the honor of hir Mistresse vnder the mantle of mariage you may see she was at the poynt to fal into the very lowest parte of all dishonor As it hath happened to many other of whom hath commonly beene heard speech who not keeping them selues from what I haue saide before haue beene taken bad enough and taken will be if they admit no better foresight Now then are these two louers in their solace Elisena demanding of the king if his departure should be shortly or no. Wherfore Madame do you aske said king Perion Because quoth she this happy fortune that with so great delight hath giuen ease to our affectionate desires doth threaten me already with extreame anguish sorrow which by your absence I shall receiue and feare it will rather cause my sudden death then long life Haue no doubt thereof saide the king for although my body is seperated from your presence my hart for euer shal remain with ye which shall giue strength to vs both to you to suffer and to me by my speedye returne These two contented louers are thus deuising when she that had bin the cause of their meeting seeing it was time to call her mistresse who by this pleasure forgot her selfe in her louers armes entred the Chamber speaking somewhat loude saide Madme I know that heretofore you thought my company more agreeable then you doe at this present but it is needfull that you arise and let vs goe for the time calleth vs. When the King heard her knowing that perforce it must be so he played Darioletta to walke into the Garden and to bring him word in what corner the winde sat in meane while he tooke his amourous conge with such reciprocall pleasure as you that loue may easily iudge
then sweetly kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Country then you imagine therefore I pray ye be not vnmindfull of this place So arose Elisena and went to her Chamber with Darioletta leauing the king alone not a little contented with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signifie he became desirous to returne to his owne Country where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences himselfe likewise in former times tooke great pleasure therein and vnderstood sundry rules thereof Neuerthelesse he soiourned ten dayes with king Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunt The ten dayes being spent king Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to depart and therefore tooke his leaue of the Court but as he wold haue mounted on horsebacke he perceiued that he wanted his good Sword whereat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fairest in the world yet durst he not demand it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena should thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his Chamber In these thoughts accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came intreated him to be mindfull of the great griefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the solemne promise he had made her Alas my deere friend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to see her in meane while I commend her to you as mine owne proper hart Then taking from his finger a Ring semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great greefe but encrease it so that if she had not beene comforted by Darioletta without doubt she had then finished her dayes but so well she perswaded her to take good hope that by the alligations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothly to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes whereof she not onely lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mis-hap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable lawe that any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her selfe from death This sharpe and cruell custome endured til the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that Country which he reuoked at the time as be killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betweene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady could not be absolued by ignoraunce thereof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Sword God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the worlde because it was done so secretly as you haue heard See here the distresse wherein King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she wold giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the prompritude of this yong Knng that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also seeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therefore he was the harder to be found Thus dispairing of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true friend and onely Lord. But at that instant the great and puissant maker of all thinges by whose permssion this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such councell as she onely should remedie these occurrances in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber-vault seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer whereto one might easily discend by a little Iron dore this Chamber by the aduice of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to coÌ„tinue her accustomed solitary life and would haue none other companion then Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous greefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heereupon was the keye of the Iron dore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherefore beeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference she requited councell what should be done with the fruit that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta Mary it must suffer to redeeme you Oh poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I coÌ„sent to the death of the creature begoten by the only man of the worlde whome most I loue offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth saide Elisena although I dye beeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue we this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great folly to hazard the safety of that which hereafter may be the onely cause of your losse and your friend likewise for well you knowe that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue you dying no longer can he liue that so dâ—erâ—ly loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of all three where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand seeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boards of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherein to put the infant with the clothes the Sword which she kept then did she giue them together in such sorte as the water should haue no place to enter This beeing done made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing there-of to Elisena vntil the time of child-birth approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know
not quoth she This shal be to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue need Beleeue me answerd Elisena weeping but little doe I care for any thing that may happen for I feele my selfe too neere the losse of my good 〈◊〉 my ioy Very soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of trauaile which was to her very strange troublesome oppressing her hart with sundry bitter passiōs yet notwithstanding al her yrksome plunges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatly fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty without danger of her person gaue her in deliuerance a faire Son which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it seemed to hero wonderfull feature and happy would she haue reputed him had he not bene borne to hard fortune where-to Darioletta was constrained to send him for the redemption of the sorrowfull mother and therefore she deferred it not But euen as before was concluded she wrapped the infant in riche clothes and afterward brought it with the Cofer to Elisena which when the good Lady sawe she demanded what she would do therewith Madame quoth she herein shall your little Sonne be put then will I send it forth on the water and if it please God he may escape and liue Alas my sweete infant saide Elisena how full of danger is thy destiny In meane while Darioletta tooke inke and parchment and writ therein these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King by these words without time she meant that she thought his death to be neere at hand and the name of Amadis was of great reuerence in that Country because of a Saint there so called to whom this little infant was recōmended The letter beeing written and sealed was couered and wrapped in silke then with a little golden Chaine fastened about the Childes necke with the Ring that King Perion sent Elisena at his departure Each thing thus appointed Darioletta came to the wofull mother and in her sight put the Childe into the Chest laying by him the King his Fathers Sword which he threw on the ground the first night he came to Elisena and this is the cause wherefore the Damosell had so well kept it then after the Mother had kist her Sonne as her last farewell the Cofer was made fast very arteficially and Darioletta opening the iron dore commending the babe to the heauenly protection she set it on the water the course whereof beeing very speedy full soone caried the Cofer into the Sea which was lesse then halfe a mile from the place Now began the breake of day to appeare and the little infant followed his fortune now throwne heere then there according as the boystrous waues pleased but by the will of the highest who when he pleaseth makes impossibilities easie caused it so to fall out that at the same time as this was done a Scottishe Ship sayled on the Sea wherein was a Gentleman named Gandales who from little Brittaine sailed with his wife into Scotland she hauing beene lately deliuered of a sonne called Gandalin The morning was both calme cleere wherefore Gandales might easilye perceiue the Chest floting on the waues which he presently sent out for thinking it to be some matter of great value then the Mariners casting forth a Skiffe made toward the Cofer and tooke it vp when they had brought it to Gandales he got open the couer and beholding the goodly infant within as also the rich clothes wherein it was wrapped he suspected that it came from no meane place as he gathered by the ring the good Sword So taking it in his armes he was filled with such compassion as he began to cursse the mother thereof who through feare had forsaken so cruelly such a beautifull creature and carefully did he cause al things to be kept which he found in the Cofer desiring his wife that this infant might be nourished as his owne Sonne She was heerewith very wel contented and so the two children were equally fostered together for neuer had yong Amadis suckt the teat but so soone as it was giuen him by his new nursse he made no refusall thereof but being very thirstie sucked very hartily whereat Gandales and his wife were exceeding glad Now had they the time so fauourable as shortly they landed in Scotland neere to a Citie named Antallia and soone after they came to their owne Country where little Gandalin and the Childe found in the sea were nourished together And because Gandales forbad his seruāts to vse any speech of his good hap requesting the like of the Mariners to whom the ship belonged and were to saile els where the two children were esteemed bretheren by such as were ignorant of their fortune CHAP. III. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauelled on his iourney hauing his heart filled with griese and melancholie KIng Perion being on his way toward Gaule as already hath beene recited entred into a marueilous melancholy as well for the greefe wherein he had left his Elisena to whom in his hart he wished well as also for his doubtfull dreame being in such sorte as you haue heard So long rode he in this heauines till he ariued in his country and soone after he sent for all his great Lords as also the Prelates of his Realme giuing them expresse charge to bring with them the most learned Clarks in their Countryes and this he did to the end they might expound his dreame When his vassailes had made knowne his will not only those he sent for but many other came to the court shewing the desire they had to see him their readines to obey his command for they did so loue and reuerence him as oftentimes being fearefull to loose him they were for him in very great greefe and sorrow thinking on the dangerous perils that in chiualry to win honor he hazarded himselfe so that they would more gladly haue had him dayly with them which could not be because his hart was discontented til by armes he had brought the greatest aduentures to end The Lordes and Princes thus assembled the King conferred with them on the estate and affairs of the Realme but it was with so sad countenance as could be for the occasion of his dreame made him so pensiue as his Subiectes being abashed thereat were in meruailous doubtes notwithstanding after he had giuen them to vnderstand his will and appointed all requisite matters in order he gaue them leaue to departe sending each one home to his house only staying with him three Astrologers reputed the most skilfull in those actions and therefore he made choise of them These men he called into his chappell there causing them solemnely to sweare promise that without feare of any thing how dangerous soeuer it were they should interprete to their vttermost and truely expresse what he would declare to them whereupon he told them his dream as hath bin already before rehearsed then one of them being
paine for when all liuing creatures goe about it if I list they shall loose their labour In good faith Madame answered Gandales I now make no doubt thereof yet I beseech ye to be mindefull of the Gentleman who is forsaken of all but my selfe Doe not you trouble your selfe therewith said Vrganda this forsaking wil be a recouering of much more My loue to him in greater then you can imagine being she that shortly intendes to receiue by him two aydes which no other can giue me In recompence whereof I will giue him two likewise wherewith he shall thinke himselfe highly satisfied Let this suffise ye for this time because of necessitie I must be gone aduising ye that you shal see me againe sooner then you thinke for At these wordes the Damosell departed and Gandales who had not all this while regarded the Knight against whom he fought seeing him now bare-headed reputed him one of the goodlyest Gentlemen that euer he had seene who after he had taken vp his Sheeld and laced on his helmet followed the Damosel wherefore for this time we will let them goe continuing what happened to Gandales Vrganda being departed he returned toward his Castel meeting by the way with the Lady whō Vrganda had caused to be chased frō her friend and this sorrowfull woman was heard by a Fountaine where she wept lamented very bitterly when she espyed him that came toward her she easily knew him wherefore she thus spake Is it possible Sir Knight that the wicked creature whom you succoured hath done so much as to let you liue wicked she is not answered Gandales but wise and vertuous and if you be otherwise I will make you deny these foolish wordes Ah God said the Lady how can the villaine deceiue euery one How hath she deceiued you replied Gandales Alas quoth the Lady she hath taken from me the faire Knight that should be mine and so may I well say seeing he would be more content to be with me then with her This is meere folly answered Gandales for in mine opinion both you she doe loue without reason How euer it be said the Lady if I can I will be auenged You trauile in vaine quoth he thinking to iniurie her that knowes it not onely before you execute it but when you imagine it In sooth answered the Lady this afternoone ye may be gone when you please and neuertheles it often happeneth that those which thinke they know most by presumption fall into the greatest dangers Gandales seeing her so impatient commending her to God followed his way thinking more of the yong Gentlemans affaires then what the Lady had spoken to him Being come to his Castell and seeing the little boy come running towards him he tooke him vp in his armes and louingly embracing him remembred what Vrganda had saide to him which made the teares stand in his eyes with ioy saying within himselfe Faire Childe I pray God I may liue so long as to see thee such a one as I hope for At this time the yong Prince was about three yeeres olde who seeing his Lord weepe as one moued with compassion he wiped his eyes which made Gandales imagine great humanity in him and that as the childe grew in age strength so waxed he in will the better to helpe him if he had occasion Wherefore thence forward he was very carefull of him deuising all meanes for his best education and compayning continually with his play fellowe Gandalin he took very great delight in shooting He being come to the age of sixe yeeres King Languines and his Queene riding through the Country came to Gandales Castell where they were royally feasted but before they there ariued Gandales being aduertised of their comming caused the yong Prince and his companions to be hid in a backe Chamber fearing that in respect of his beauty and good grace the King would be desirous to take him away with him or else that the childrē would be troublesome to the house But it fortuned that the Queene being lodged in one of the highest roomes in the Castell as she looked forth at a windowe which was on that side where the Children were she espied the yong Prince and his play-fellowes drawing their bowes and marking him very well she liked him aboue all the other taking great pleasure to behold his countenance thinking he was Sonne to the Lord of the house yet being doubtfull and not seeing any of whom she might aske the questiō she thus called to her Ladyes Come and behold the fairest yong creature that euer was seene At these words they al came running and soone after the Childe being drye left his bowe by his companions going to drinke at a conduit pipe which was hard by in meane while one of them that was bigger then the Prince tooke vp his bow to draw it but Gandalin would not suffer him whereupon a great strife full betweene them and Gandalin being the weakest cryed out Gentleman of the sea come helpe me When the Prince heard him he left his draught and ran to him that misused his brother taking his bowe from him giuing him therewith a great stroke ouer the head saying In an euill hower varlet dost thou outrage my brother The other not content therewith came to the Prince they fought together yet he that began the noyse was glad to run thence and by the way met their Gouernour who said Whether runnest thou Maister quoth he the Gentleman of the sea will beate me then the Gouernour cōming to the Prince rigorously threatned him saying What are you already so bolde to beate your companions you shall be talked withall by and by for it When the Prince heard his threatning he fell downe on his knees saying If you will appoynt that I shall be beaten more gladly will I take it then suffer my brother to be wronged in my presence With these words the teares trickled downe his cheekes which moued pity in the Gouernour wherefore he thus answered If euer you doe so againe I will make ye weepe in an other sorte The Queene who had heard and seene all the debate was greatly abashed wherefore they called the little boy the Gentleman of the sea CHAP. IIII. How King Languines caryed away with him the Gentleman of the sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales WHile the Queene thus beheld the Gentleman of the sea the King entred her Chamber accompanied with Gandales of whom she presently demanded if that faire yong Sonne were his Yea Madame answered Gandales And quoth she why suffer you him to be called the Gentleman of the sea Because Madame said he that at returne of my last voyage into little Brittayne he was borne vpon the sea Truely quoth she he resembles you but little this was her opinion because the Prince was exellent faire and Gandales somewhat heard fauoured yet a most gentle companion It chanced during these speeches that the King cast his eye on the little Prince
thou see quoth she At what time the two braâ—ches of one tree shall be ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should find him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these meanes remained little Calaor in the holy mans charge and there he staied so long till he was of yeeres to receiue the order of Knight-hood as hereafter shal be recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a king named Falangris who dying without children left one of his bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires then prompt at armes and Knightly chiualry being called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the king of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North parts And albeit she had bene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not consent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one himselfe and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in hiâ— geâ—tâ—e hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittaine knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeed in the Realme for he being in a strange country whereby his hauty deeds and chiualry he was maried in so good a place therefore they pispatched their Ambasladours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest himselfe therein CHAP. V. How King Lisuart sayling by sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his Subiects desire for his short returne prouided his equipage by Sea being aided and assisted by the king of Denmarke his father in law and afterward set saile toward great Brittaine And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new king of great Brittaine accompanied with the Queene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yeeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therefore during the time of her aboad in Denmarke she was commonly called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana being not vsed to trauaile on the sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her father fearing a worse mis-hap intreated the king of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did king Languines and his Queene accept this charge wherefore king Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to sea where weighing Anckers and hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where being arriued before he could abide in quiet as in such occasions it often falleth out certaine rebels were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so speedily send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the author leaueth the new King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yeeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and for his good grace both of the Queene and the other Ladies was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath beene already declared the yong Princesse Oriana daughter to King Lisuart was left with the Queene of Scots to refresh her selfe till the King her father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies could be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame henceforth so please you shall the Gentleman of the sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherefore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindnsse in his spirite as during life he ment to serue nor loue any other and therefore for euer bequeathed to her his heart but so well it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betweene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge thereof thought him-selfe vnworthy so great good reputing it a very bold enterprise to thinke thereon which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblance The yong Princesse who was of the fame minde and also in like paine forbare to talke more with him then any other thereby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers doing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which most they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting each other with this amorous affectioÌ„ Soone after this yong vnknowne Prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes receiue the order of Knighthood he said to himselfe If once I were a Knight I would do such exployts as should deserue the fauour of my Lady or die in the attempt And in this destre one day finding king Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these speeches My Lord might it stand with your pleasure I gladly would receiue my Knight-hood When the King heard him seeing his yong yeeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the sea Do you thinke your selfe already strong enough for such a weightie charge In sooth it is an easie thing to receine honor but to maintaine it as behooueth 〈◊〉 may be is more hard then you esteeme so that oftentimes a right good hart is troubled therewith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doe more better is death to him then a shamefull life therefore by mine aduise I would haâ—e you yet a while to forbeare The Prince not contented with this answere replied I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doe all that appertaineth to Chiualrie I would not haue beene so bold to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue beene hitherto nourished most humbly I beseech ye to grant me this petition that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to seeke else where for obtaining my suite The king highly esteemed the courage of the youth and doubting least he would depart indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentle-man that I wil do it wheÌ„ I see it necessary for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what else belongeth Yet tell me faire Sir to whome if I resused would you go for your order To King Perion said the Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Queene who maketh me beleeue that he will not denie me when I shall let him vnderstand how shee hath nourished me and that I
Knight suffer ye so to do Yea mary Sir replied the Prince he is now become more patient for hee hath endured the losse of his head When the Knight heard of Galpans death he presently alighted from his Horse and ran to kisse the Princes feete but he would not suffer him yet could he not hold him from embracing his Sheeld saying Ah Gentle Knight how highly am I indebted to you you are to this place the most wellcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue wee this talke said the Prince say where I may quickly finde some remedy for my wounds In my house answered the knight abideth a Neece of mine who shal heale your hurts better then any other So riding on they arriued at the castle where being dismounted they walked into the great hall the Knight reporting by the way how Galpan had kept him from bearing Armes one whole yeere and a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call himselfe while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he seeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterwarde he caused the Prince to be vnarmed and laid in a sumptuous bed where his wounds were dilligently attended by the Lady who assur ed him in short timeto make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfully to do CHAP. VIII How the third day after the Gentleman of the sea departed from king Languines the three Knights came to the Court bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince left the Court of King Languines where hee receiued the order of Knight-hood the three Knights came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath beene already recited At their arriuall they presented him before the King letting him vnderstand the cause of their comming and deliuering their prisoner on the new Knights behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King meruaile at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednes could haue harboured in her notwithstanding he thanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any body else knew that the Gentlman of the sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was hee aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought hee was gone to visite his father Gandales thē the King turning to the knight in the Litter said Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithful as your wife hath beene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doe therein as it shal like your maistey as for me I will neuer consent that the thing I most loue should die This said the Knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with thē their brother in the Litter leauing their sister to receiue iustice by the Kings appointmēt who after their departure called for her said Womā thy malice hath bene too great in respect of thy husbands kindnes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they heereafter offend not in the like and so he commanded her to be burned aliue The execution being doone the King was in greater pensiuenesse then before because he knew not who the new knight should be that parting so suddenly from his Court but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the sea afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherefore he said to the King It may be my Lord a yong Knight with whom the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when wee came thither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord quoth the Squire but hee is both yong and very beautyfull beside I saw him do such rare deeds of Chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if I liue he will proue one of the best Knights in the world Then discoursed he at large euery action as also how hee deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his taile his desire to know him increased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happily can tel ye more tydings of him for it was my chance to meet them together Of what Damosell speakest thou said the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittaine to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and hee demanded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Whereupon she declared so much as she knew cheefely the occasion wherefore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the onely Knight in the world but in sooth quoth shee I know not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God said the King how may it be Now was Oriana voyde of all doubting for shee well knew it was her Gentleman of the sea but shee was so grieued with the news which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as shee well knew not whom she might cōplaine to for the king her father sent her word how she should prepare her self in readinesse to come to him so soon as his Ambassadours should bee sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Country then there whether she should now goe against her mind not onely in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by being far thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardly afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easily compasse it In these melancholly thoughts was the amourous Princesse and the King on the other side in dayly musing what he might be that sent the foure Knights with the wicked woman whom the fire had consumed But fiue or sixe dayes after these matters were thus passed as the King was conferring with his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the king his Vnccle there entred a Damosell who falling on her knee before all the assembly framed her speeches to Agraies in this manner May it please ye my Lord that in the presence of his highnes and this assembly I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus proceeded This Helmet thus broken and battered as ye see I present ye in place of Galpans head as a token to you from a new Knight to whom in my iudgment it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why hee sends it you is for that Galpan vilainously abused a Damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King
Damosels who tarry for vs in the Tents but you must dissemble conningly for if they see you altered from your wonted mellanchollie it may be some hinderance to your determination So they brake off coÌ„munication and went into the Pauillion where Amadis notwithstanding Gandalins councell could not but shew himselfe pleasantly disposed whereat the Damosels were verie glad because such behauiour better beseemed him then his former pensiuenes When the houre of rest was come each one went to his accusttomed lodging and soone after Amadis seeing the time commodious for his enterprise arose and found Gandalin who had already prepared for their iourney wherefore being armed they mounted on horse-backe taking the most conuenient way for their purpose to the Towne When they came to the Garden which Oriana had before shewed Gandalin they alighted and tied their horsses at a tuft of trees nere adioyning afterward they went through a hole which a water-course had made in the Garden wall and approched the window where Oriana lay faire and softly did Amadis knock thereon with his finger she not yet sleeping who expected his comming and when she heard the louing signall of her friend she awaked Mabila saying Sweete sister I thinke your cosin knocketh at the window My cosin answered Mabila it may be so but you haue greater intrest in him then I or all other of his linage together Mabila presently arose and lighted a waxe taper which she had hid for the nonce when Oriana likewise was got out of bed they came together and opened the casement where they found Amadis no more attending then hec was attended If they were then well pleased it were folly to inquire for all the contentments in the world might not be compared to the ioy of seeing each other And without question they had two inducing reasons thereto for beside the nourishment they receiued together in their yonger yeeres and their first amity continued by the rememberance and good opinion they had of each other their beauty and perfections were so correspondent as if they had neuer seene one another till that very instant yet had they cause enough to loue together Oriana had on such braue attire beseeming the night as set the heart of her loue on fire for vnder a fine dainty white frontlet appeared the rarest golden tresses of haire that euer nature made and about her shoulders she had a mantle of figured cloth of gold imbroidered all ouer with rich and costly flowerts as it might beseeme the greatest Maiestie in the world And for her selfe a thing more faire was impossible to be found the inward conceite of her present comfort decked her face with such a heauenly beauty as it seemed that nature in pride of her art made this piece to excell all other in perfection I will leaue you then to consider on the iudgement of Amadis who when she was nothing so glorious in fairenes thought her worthy the loue of the best Knight in the world now if he stood mute blame him not hauing the only iewell of his heart before him and therefore she to breake off this silence first spake in this manner My Lord if I haue giuen you the liberty contrary to my duty and custome to see me in this place at an houre so vnfitting you must commit the offence to the security which our former nurturing together loyally promised and likewise to the good opinion of your great vertues siâ—ce that time encreased which hath conquered no lesse fauour in me then honor and renowne in all other places Amadis to auoide further silence thought it better to let his speeches passe at aduenture then by holding his peace to be reputed vnworthy this happines or not so feruently touched with loue as she was to exclude all which doubts he thus replied Madame I account my selfe not so much fauoured by fortune in any thing else as honored at my first entrance into your seruice euen the very highest tipe of grace she could affoord me nor do I feele my selfe so beholding to my vertues as I rest double bound to theÌ„ that report so wel of me But when both these benefits shall be excluded yet is my loue and seruice to you so affectionate as they can deserue no lesse then this secret gentlenes and wheÌ„ you shall allow me more ample courtesie it may command a stricter bond of duty but not affection for that is already so substantially grounded that the vttermost good you can do me is neither able to augment it or the sharpest vnkindnes diminish it I know not whether it be seemely for a man to coÌ„fesse the extremities he hath infinite times endured by this passion the very least griefe I receiued hath beene the losse of rest and banishment of sleepe froÌ„ mine eyes and yet to afflict me with greater torment my spirit hath seene in a dreame what it vncessantly desired How many times hath it happened to me in thinking on you to be so coÌ„founded that such as haue seene me reputed me not only depriued of common since but euen of very life it selfe What moman what child well beaten hath euer powred forth so many teares as I poore Knight haue done yea my very chiefest enterprises huae I sprinckled withall for your sake not as feeling my selfe a happy subiect in loue but rather too little merit of my selfe and much lesse hope This fauour proceeding froÌ„ you in deigning to heare me is greater then euer I durst hope for and so farre doth it surmount my passions as I cannot expresse the least part of my ioy my tongue likewise seemeth as vnprofitable ignorant of his office hauing bin so long from seruing me to you But aboue all this impuissance in speech shall on my behalfe testifie to you what all the words in the world cannot deliuer with sufficient truth for as all other beauty in coÌ„parison of yours is nothing so before mine affection al the other habilities of my soule vanish away and become of no reckoning Will you theÌ„ good madame with your courtesie supply my insufficiencie and with pittie giue me both life and my selfe and conserue that which else cannot be vnlesse it be yours onely These words vttered Amadis with such interruption of sighes and teares as witnessed he had no intent of feigning but rather knew how to suffer then speake wherewith Oriana moued to compassion thus answered I make no doubt deere friend but you loue me in respect of the pains you haue taken for me as also by what you haue now tolde me and though I should haue no signe thereof by speech or ought else yet am I â—…ent to beleeue because my heart hath no other deâ—…e but heerein concerneth greatest contentment And yet the torment I see you in with impacience troubleth my quiet for you being assured by sufficient proues and especially this that I loue ye me thinks you should haue no further cause of so seuere affliction but rather ought to temper your
paines in that through the vnion of our spirits I feele no lesse then you do your selfe If you will not appease them for your owne sake I pray ye let it be done for mine the rather that we may the oftner meete if you please publiquely when such sadnes will but discouer what wee most willingly would keepe vnknowne whereby may arise two great inconueniences and be a meane to hinder the thing we chiefest desire Sweete Lady answered Amadis I haue such felicitie in seeing and hearing you as wanting strength enough to vnder-prop the burden of so especiall contentation I am faine to fall downe vnder it experimenting no lesse the paine of not accustomed pleasure then the other beside of continuall pâ—…siuenes which makes me wonder that I cannot dye heere in this solace If then I haue offended you by this transportation pardon it in your owne selfe who brought me to this happy mis-fortune and likewise gaue me this hurtfull medicine suffer me then yet longer to vse it that in the assurance of your grace I may by little and little learne to support it and attaine the knowledge of liuing content excusing my apprenti-shood in this felicity being yet scant skilfull enough how to vse it Loue is sicknesse and be it fauourable or contrary it cannot be without passion working the like affect in other which you reproue in me Well haue you said my friend answered Oriana how you are as yet but an Apprentise and so you shew very well by your words prouing that loue cannot be without passion I hope to see the time when you attaining greater and more perfect knowledge therein then yet you haue shall be in higher tranquility of minde which it may be you thinke cannot be had in this world Nor shall it not happen to you by admiration of that which now you most loue and is likewise of farre more lesse account but by the fruition of the thing wherein felicity consisteth the knowledge whereof vniteth and lifteth the spirits so high as heauen And albeit I am yet so yong in yeeres and discretion as I cannot be exempt from the ill you complaine on yet am I not vnprouided of desire to hasten the time when we shall liue together merry contented Ah Madame said Amadis the hope of that happy day shall make mee passe this mournfull life in patience supporting for your honor my inward paines so couertly as I can bearing the outward with what courage possible I may but I beseech ye do me the fauour as to tell mee when it will be Well perceiued Oriana that he had not thorowly vnderstood her meaning wherefore in smiling she said It is already begun but the dazling of your eyes will not let you see it Heere-with Amadis became very pensiue holding his eyes stedfastly fixed on her and she to change his sadnes tooke 〈◊〉 by the hand thorow the window which Amadis kissed a thousand times without any word passing betweene them and Mabila 〈…〉 she came to them saying 〈◊〉 you forgot your selues Amadis lifting vp his head courteously saluted her she doing the like to him and after sundry speeches of wellcome as also how long they desired to see him Mabila demaÌ„ded what length of time he intended to stay in the Court So long as it shall please Madame Oriana answered Amadis It must be thâ—â— continually quoth Oriana and you shall grant it if the King request it Sweete Madame answered Amadis if it please his Maiestie so much to honor me I will obey both him and you yet will I dissemble strangnes a while All the better replied Mabila and in the meane time I pray ye visit vs often Longer they would haue continued in talke but Gandalin gaue them warning how the day appeared wherefore he said to Amadis My Lord me thinkes you are importunate but then you must needs accuse the day Amadis gaue no eare to him for he proceeded on still with his deuise but Oriana perceiuing Gandalin said 〈◊〉 thus spake to Amadis Now goe my Lord if you please for it is 〈◊〉 forget not your promise Then taking her by the hand and kissing it he went to horse-backe returning to the wood where he left the Damosels who had by entreaty earnestly perswaded him to goe deliuer their cosin that the King held captiue vntill such time shee presented her Champion as you haue heard wherefore after they had â—ested till morning they returned to the Towne in the greatest fauour and expectation of the world CHAP. XVI How Amadis made himselfe knowne to King Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his Court of whom he was honorably receiued and feasted EArely the next morning Amadis armed himselfe and mounting on horse backe rode presently to the Towne accompanied with the two 〈◊〉 where being arriued they â—…ght him to their cosins lodging when the good Lady knowing her worthy â—…pion falling on her knees before him sayd My Lord all the goods I haue you gaue me for of you I hold them and no other dispose therefore of them as you please â—ut Amadis brake her off in this maner Come Lady let vs goe before the King to the end he may acquit you and I returne where vrgent affaires call me so taking off his Helmet hee rode on to the Pallace with the three Ladyes The people knowing him to be the man that ouer came Dardan made such thronging in the streetes to see him as the king was giuen to vnderstand thereof and he reioycing at his comming honored him so much as he came to meete and receiue him on the way thus speaking to him Worthy knight hither are you so wel-come as may be deuised because we haue beene very desirous to see you Amadis noting this gracious entertainment setting his knee to the ground thus answered The God of Heauen giue your Maiestie a long and happie life then the king taking him by the hand caused him to arise saying Right glad am I to haue knowledge of you being a knight of so excellent deseruing these wordes enforced Amadis to blush yet he replyed in this manner My Lord to desire the Ladyes discharge whom you caused to be detained I am bold to come before your Highnesse and seeing she hath answered the Law according to your appointment hereafter I hope she may enioy her libertie yet till this present she knew not who maintained her quarrell against Dardan While the King Amadis thus conferred together a great number of people gathered about theÌ„ some commending his beautie other his gallant youth and all in generall his famous Chiualrie in that hee being so young had the power to vanquish Dardan who was redoubted feared through all Brittaine By this time sundry speeches past betweene him and the King where-among he dissembled his speedie departure to prouoke a desire in him to stay him and thus spake Amadis Dread Lord seeing the Ladie is free I desire leaue for my returne againe but if in ought
from his shoulders This is quoth hee the rewarde of thy treacheries done to Anthebon and payment for thy treason in the action of his death The daughter of Anthebon being present at this deede hauing heard Galaor often name her father fell on her knees before him with these words Alas my Lord you haue bouÌ„d me in such duty to you as neuer shall I be able to requite your paines my selfe being of such simple and slender ability but the good will I haue to recompence this benefit hath imprinted daily prayers in my heart to God for you hauing so iustly reuenged the death of my father and the wrongfull forcing of this traytour Galaor curteously taking her vp embracing her in his armes thus answered On my faith faire friend hee were a man of little sence that would offer displeasure to such a one as you are seeing you much bettet deserue to be loued and serued then with griefe or fauour to bee offended but tell mee haue you any more enemies in this Castle No Sir replyed the Damosell those which remaine are to doe you honour and obeysance Let vs goe then quoth hee to let in two Damosels who were my guides hither from your Lady mother So taking him by the hand shee commanded the gate to bee opened the two Damosels entered leading Galaors horse but when they sawe their yong Mistresse they humbly made her reuerence demanding if her fathers death were reuenged to her desire Yea verily quoth shee I thanke God and this knight who hath done that many other could not doe It was now the vehement hot time of the day wherefore Galaor tooke off his helmet to refresh himselfe when the Lady seeing him so young and beautifull as also so valiant in deedes of armes began to bee touched with loue and setting aside both feare and bashfulnesse shee began to imbrace and kisse him saying My honorable Lord friend more cause haue I to loue you then any other creature liuing In good faith quoth he and I loue you likewise as well in respect of your beauty and good grace as also for your deceased fathers sake he and I being borne in one Countrie May if it please ye Sir sayde shee to tell mee your name Such as are acquainted with mee answered the Prince tearme mee Galaor In sooth my Lord quoth shee often haue I heard my father speake of Sir Amadis your brother and of you likewise saying you were the sons to the King of Gaul his liege Lord and Soueraigne As thus they deuised they entered alone into a chamber while the Damosels with the rest were pouiding viands wherefore Galaor seeing time and place so commodious to request the loue of her that vsed him so kindly shee being a Lady young fresh and faire named Brandueta himselfe likewise actiue and desirous of such sweete baytes thus spake Madame if Palingues loued you as I haue heard hee had great reason for it knowing you to bee such a one as I see you are for my selfe who haue so little acquaintance with you am already so deepe in deuotion to your gracious nature as I would repute my selfe happy if you granted me the fauour I desire accepting mee as your friend and seruant The Lady not one iot behinde him in amorous affection shaped him this answere I haue tolde yee my Lord that I loue you more then any other liuing creature therefore you 〈…〉 sured how mâ—… you in all things whatsoeuer â—…ring these speeches Galaor still held his loue in his armes kissing and toying with her so pleasantly as Diana soone after lost her interest in the maiden whereto Brandueta yeelded with greater contentment then all her former resistances to Palingues from whom shee kept her virginity so long that shee was now content to bestow it on the French Prince and hee hauing a good stomacke to such dainty dyet made her loue him the better for it while she liued But see an vnhappy inconuenience after many mabracings and amorous conferences as they would once more haue besieged the Footresse of loue the Damosels came to tell them that dinner was ready wherefore though loath they were forced to leane off accompanying the Damosels to the place where the tables were couered which was vnder a Gallery inuironed with trees As they sate at the table and discoursed of many matters among other things Brandueta declared to him how Palingues standing in feare of him and his brother Amadis caused this Castle to be kept so strongly considering that her Father Anthebon was of Gaule and king Perions subiect the sooner would they assay to worke reuenge for his death For this reason quoth she hee allowed no other entrance then by the basket into this Castle where I haue liued in maruailous griefe and sorrowe as neuer shall I desire to tarry here longer therefore right gentle Lord and friend might it so like you without any longer stay I would gladly see my mother who will not bee a little glad of my returne and yours likewise Galaor was very well contented and thoughâ—… were late yet got they to horse-backe departing from the Castle but for all their haste they were two houres benighted which brake no square in respect of the good newes the good Lady with all her family ioyfully receiuing them with all honourable meanes could bee deuised beside the comforted widow cast herselfe at his feete vsing these speeches Worthy Lord both I and mine are bound to you for euer referring to your disposition whatsoeuer wee enioy because you are the restorer confirmer of all I thank you Madame answered Galaor for your friendly offers but where no desert is the requitall must of force be farre more easie Now the greater part of the night beeing spent they brake off talke and bequeathed themselues to rest and Galaor being alone in his chamber remembred his louely breakefast before dinner with his new friend who likewise was so deepe in consideration thereof that shee could wish such another ere supper and whether she did or no iudge you For no sooner knew she euery one to bee in bedde but secretly shee came to Galaors chamber where shee had no churlish speeches to driue her away but most dainty sweete and gracious entertainement what else they did I know not but shee tarryed there till morning and then returned vnseene of any CHAP. XXVII How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosel met another Knight with whom he combated and what happened to him afterward YOu haue heard what haste Amadis made after the Damosell whom the knight led away perforce bearing and misusing her very cruelly but hee happened to meet with another Knight who demanded of him why he rid so fast What haue you to do answered Amadis whether it be my pleasure to ride fast or soft In good faith said the knight Ispeake it as one willing to helpe you if you be offered wrong by any that you may goe in better asurance if you bee affraid
together and she proceeded on this manner I entreate yee Sir to resolue me if you knowe a Knight that is named Amadis Why aske ye Lady quoth hee Because replyed shee all the guard you found in this Castle was appointed for him and assure your selfe if hee entred heere hee neuer should depart hence againe if first hee denyed not a promise that he made What was it answered Amadis I wil tel ye Sir said she on this condition that with your vttermost indeauor you will cause him to acquite it either by Armes or otherwise by reason hee hath not done it iustly In sooth Madame quoth hee if Amadis hath promised any thing wherein hee is to bee touched I will if I can cause him to discharge it Shee who vnderstood not to what ende hee thus spake answered as followeth I heartily thank ye Sir wherefore vnderstand that Amadis promised Angriote d'Estrauâ—â—s how hee would procure his Ladies liking to him and yet shee neuer could loue him in all her life this is a matter against all right seeing forced affection is no loue but dolour and misery then according to your promise you must labour to cause Amadis reuoke this vnreasonable offer Now trust mee Madame replyed the Prince you say right well I will endeauour to make him acquite you These wordes procured many thankes from her shee not comprehending his meaning heerein for hee hoped to accomplish his promise both to Angriote and her without derogating either to one or other as you hereafter shall vnderstand But Madame saide hee are you shee whom Angriote loueth so Yea truely quoth shee I know him very well answered Amadis that hee is one of the best Knights in the world and me thinkes there is no Lady or Gentlewoman so rich or faire but might thinke herselfe happy and fortunate to haue such a Knight as he Neuerthelesse what I say is not to exempt my selfe from the promise I made ye for I will perform it if I can because hee is a much better Knight then Amadis albeit he made him that gentle offer CHAP. XXXIII How Amadis combated with the Knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him WHile thus they were deuising together there entred another Knight of large proportion and strong all armed except with his helmet and gauntlets who thus spake to Amadis It is tolde me Sir knight that you demaund a Damosell which I brought hither yester night and how I did it against her will but assure your self she would more willingly goe with mee then stay with you therfore you may be ashamed thus to quarrel noâ— haue I any reason to deliuer her againe to you I would faine see her answered Amadis It must bee then saide the Knight whether I will or no but if you will maintaine that I haue wronged her and she ought not to be mine I presently will approoue the contrarie on your person by combat Thou canst not please mee better quoth Amadis and in this cause will I stand not onely against thee but resolutely against all other that by right she appertayneth not to thee if willingly she gaue not her consent Let vs see then saide the Knight which of vs shall haue her This man of whom we speake was Vncle germaine to Angriotes Ladie named Gasinan shee louing and honouring him aboue all her other kinred for hee was the best Knight of his race wise and discreete so that shee was altogether gouerned by his counsell A goodly horse beeing brought forth for him hee laced on his helmet and stood prouided to enter the combate which Grouenesa the Lady perceiuing shee came to her Vncle with these wordes Certes my Lord it were better you should forbeare this difference because I would bee sory any harme should come to either of you in respect you Vncle are the only man of the world whom I am most bound to loue and this knight I haue greatest hope in for he hath promised to deale with Amadis as hee shall acquite the offer made to Angriote What Neece answered Gasinan thinke you that hee or any his like can disswade the most gentle Knight on the earth from accomplishing his promise I know not quoth shee what you imagine of him but I repute him one of the best in the worlde otherwise hee could not haue entered heere by strength of Armes as hee did Say you so replyed Gasinan you praise him ouer much for passing the defended gates when men of such mean account had them in charge I say not this but that hee may be a gentle Knight yet I hope to take him forth a new lessen and a better then he if he were here in witnesse of my wordes your selfe shal presently be iudge seeing him vanquished and my selfe peaceably possessed of the Damosel we quarrell for Herewith the Lady left them and they giuing the spurres to their horses brake their Lances gallantly in the encounter and with such fury met their bodies that Gasinan was dismounted hauing a shrewd fall against the ground yet he arose quickly and drawing his sworde stood by a Marble pillar in the middest of the Court thinking Amadis could there little endoâ—ge him being on horse-backe and hee on foote When Amadis sawe how his enemy dallied with him he waxed very angry and striking fiercely at him by mishap his sworde lighted short on the pillar and so was broken in three peeces now grew he into greater choller and seeing in what danger hee was vnprouided of a weapon to defend himselfe withall hee leaped from his horse so quickely as hee could when Gasinan thus spake to him Knight thou â—eest thy death at hand if thou grant not the Damosell to be mine Nor will I yeelde thereto saide Amadis vnlesse herselfe doe first consent Thou shalt see quoth Gasinan how deere this foolish humor will cost thee With these wordes he deliuered him many sharpe stroakes but Amadis awarded them very cunningly so that the most of them were bestowed in vaine rather wearying his enemy then doing him any harme And so long endured the combate as the beholders were not a little amazed thereat wondering that Gasinan got not the victorie all the while considering what aduantage hee had of the Prince but Amadis concluded with himselfe being thus extreamely handled to hazard rather a speedy conquest then a lingring shame and therefore ranne violently vpon Gasinan getting fast holde about his body so suddenly as he had scant leasure to lift his armes for resistance but was constrained to let fall his sworde and struggle with Amadis who griped him terribly so stroue they to ouerthrow each other But Amadis threw him with such might against the Marble pillar that hee was not able to stirre hand or foot and afterward taking vp Gasinans sword brake the buckles of his helmet then catching him by the head hee sayd Knight thou hast offered mee great wrong since my sworde brake but now shall I bee reuenged on thee then made hee
a proffer to smite off his heade which Grouenesa seeing cryed Ah gentle Knight haue pittie on him and mee together With aboundance of teares trickling downe her cheekes shee came and fell at the feete of Amadis shewing the affection of her request and her inwarde griefe to beholde her Vncles death all which Amadis well noting feigned himselfe more willing to kill him then before saying If your suite were reasonable I would consent thereto but hee hath so wronged mee and without occasion as I cannot bee satisfied but with the losse of his head Alas my Lord quoth shee for Gods sake demand some other satisfaction for I will doe whatsoeuer you please to redeeme his life Lady answered Amadis there be but two things which may saue his life first the deliuerance of the Damosell againe to mee secondly that you sweare to me as a loyall Lady to meet me at the first open Court held by king Lisuart and there to graunt a boone I shall desire of you Gasinan beholding the danger of his life saide to her Faire Niece suffer me not thorough your default to die but take compassion on mee and promise the knight faithfully what he shall demand which shee presently did wherefore Amadis permitted him to arise said to the Lady I assure yee Madame the suite I must obtayne of you gaine-saith nothing of my promise coÌ„cerning Amadis for I will accomplish it to my vttermost see then no default bee made on your behalfe In sooth my Lord quoth shee I will performe my duty effectually knowing well such men ought to bee honoured for vertue in whom so singular prowesse is apparant much lesse then neede any doubt be made of any thing preiudiciall tomy vnstayned report Be bolde thereof sayd Amadis then was the Damosell sent for and shee being come Amadis demanded if shee would accompany him any further Worthy Sir answered the Damosell I will doe what you please to command mee in respect I haue beene so painefull to you as while I liue I am yours in all obedience But were it your liking considering the affection Gasinan beares mee as hee would rather hazard the combate then deliuer mee albeit by treachery hee carried mee away I gladly could afford to stay with him By heauen faire Damosell replyed Gasinan most true and sincere is my affection towarde you and as I request yee not to forsake mee so doe I desire your good opinion You haue chosen Damosell one of the best knights in the worlde sayd Amadis and seeing you like each other so well with all my heart I leaue yee together They both thanked him very humbly intreating hee would rest himselfe there certaine dayes but hee would returne to his brother Galaor whom hee left vnder the tree by the dead knight by meanes whereof he excused his departure and mounting on horse-backe commanded Gandalin to carry the broken peeces of his sword with him By hap Gasinan ouer-heard him wherefore hee presented him with his sworde which hee accepted and a Launce that Grâ—â—enesa gaue him then leauing the Castle hee tooke the way againe toward the tree where hee hoped to finde Galaor and Balays CHAP. XXIX How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor lose his horse BAlays of Carsaâ—ta offended as you haue heard with the Knightes iniurious pranckes to Galaors horse followed him so fast as possibly hee could but the other had gotten so farre before as Balays heard no tydings of him neuerthelesse hee rode on till about mid-night when hee heard a voyce a long by a Riuers side And shaping his course thither hee found there fiue theeues well armed with Croslets and Hatchets who villainously would force a Damosell one of them dradging her by the hayre of the head in a straite way on the mountaine and the other beating her forwarde with great staues Balays seeing them vilely abuse her entred among them saying Trayterous murderers dare you so boldly lay holde on a Damosell let her alone else shall you die according to your deserts Then running fiercely at one of them his Launce passed quite thorow his body so that he fell downe dead without any mouing Wherupon the other foure would reuenge their companions death altogether inuironed Balays with such sharp assaults as one of them smote downe his horse vnder him yet Balays dismayed nothing thereat but beeing couragiously resolued quickely recouered footing and drawing his sworde layde so fiercely about him that another of them fell downe headlesse at his feet In briefe two more of them accompanied their fellowes in like fortune when the last seeing hee could not preuent like doome fell on his knees before Balays saying Good my Lord haue compassion on me for if I die in this wicked life I haue so long vsed vndoubtedly both body and soule will perish together Since thou doest answered Balays so willingly acknowledge thy fault thy life I giue thee to the ende thy repentance hereafter may make amends for al faithfully hee kept promise with Balays for soone after he became a religious Hermit spending the rest of his dayes in great deuotion But now returneth Balays to the Damosell who being not a little glad she was so happily deliuered gaue him thankes for the succour shee found in such necessity and hee requesting to know how shee happened into this daunger shee thus begun Hauing occasion Sir to trauell in these parts in the narrow way on the mountaine they staied mee it beeing the common place for their theeuish assaults and after they had slaine my seruants they brought mee into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciously deliuered me Her modest behauiour in speech and comely beauty made Balays to waxe somewhat enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very loath to parte with yee but seeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where wee may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindnesse that wee may not lose so good an oportunitie I know not Sir quoth shee how you are minded but had they compelled mee to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde mee excused contrariwife if I should willingly grant you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might then serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewed your selfe a well disposed knight let mee intreate yee to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duty you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberly hee repented that hee had offered her such vndecent wordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied mee yet pardon me for attempting so bad a suite in respect it is no lesse seemely for knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue done And albeit at the first we imagine it a great conquest to obtayne of them what
but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside ech one reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing left euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwithstanding seeing you are the best King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ve then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would faine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere them which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete no ◅gnorant what medicines should be applied to passionate mindes after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else-where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to confer with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him frō the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most deerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing you which if
super-intendent and cheefe maister of your house-holde That will I answered Barsiinan with any thing else thou shalt desire Marke then the platforme quoth Arcalaus You know how King Lisnart hath openly published this feast of september to holde open Court whether you must goe well accompained with knights then shall I order the matter in such sort that I will carry away the King prisoner no man aliue being able to succour him in like manner will I carry thence his Daughter whom you shall take to wife and afterward will I send ye the Kings head Thus in respect the Princesse is right heire to the Crowne and you enioying her in Mariage being well accompanied with Knights as I tolde ye easily may you make seizure on the Realme nor shall you finde any to speake against it In sooth answered Barsinan if such an enterprise might sort to effect I would make thee more rich and mighty then euer were any of thy linage as also the chiefe cōmander my house It sufficeth said Arcalaus your selfe shall soone perceiue that seldom I enterprize any thing but it comes to passe then faile not to bee present in the assembly at London So came the traytour Barsinan to King Lisuart feighning his intent to do him honor wherefore the King sent many of his knights entertaining him as a most noble friend appointing his lodging and all things else necessary for him and being with the King in his pallace he entred into these speeches My Lord vnderstanding what royall magnificence you meane to keepe in your Court as also the good Knights and braue men were here to be seene this day I intended to honour you with my person not as your vassaile or subiect holding my Countrey of God and by the Sword but as your good neighbour and friend if you please Trust me quoth the King you do me very great pleasure and honour and I thanke you for this gentle paines that you would bee seene in so good company assuring you Lord Barsinan and my friend this courtesie shall bee remembred in what I may for I make very especiall account of you Your Maiesty dealeth very kindely with me replied Barsinan and I protest on my faith to bee ready in councelling your affaires for the best according as I haue a long time desired See how the traytor lied in euery word but the good king misdoubting nothing requited his offer with many thankes and to do him the greater honour appointed his lodging in his owne Palace himselfe and his Queene going forth of the Citty with their Tents and Pauilions immagining he could not do too much for the traitour And first he acquainted him with the whole enterprize and wherefore he caused this great assembly declaring the names Sir names of the best commended Knights their haughty prowesse and resolutions among whom hee forgot not Amadis and Galaor whose hardines was impossible to be equalled they two being accomplished with all the vertues required in Chiualrie When the king was withdrawn to his Tents and Barsinan to the Pallace he began to consider on the strength of his Maiesty as also the loue and obeysance so many great Princes shewed him which made him vnable to enioy any rest and often times he repented his foolish enterprize seeing how hard it would proue in execution Now he minded to alter his determination when sodainely another opinion entred his braine so that wauering vp and downe in his thoughts he could not resolue one any certainety On the next morning he came to the King who was now clothed in his royall ornaments because it was the first day of open Court and he commanded one to goe to the Queeene willing her to send him the Crown he had of the Knight and shee to clothe her selfe in the sumptuous mantle Hereupon she presently sent for the Cofer and opening it found nothing therein whereat she was greatly amazed considering shee trusted no body with the key thereof but her owne selfe and euermore carried it about her But knowing not how to remedie this mishap shee acquainted the King therewith who in great displeasure came to her saying I meruaile Madam you haue kept so badly the lewel which would haue so greatly honoured this time considering vnder what condition it was left with vs. On my faith my Lord quoth she I know not what to say I found the Cofer fast lockt and none but my selfe hath kept the key of it But in a dreame this last night me thought a Damosell willed mee to shew it her which I did afterward she demanded the key and I gaue it her when opening the Coffer shee tooke forth the Mantle and the Crowne locking it againe and laying the key where I tooke it This done she put the Mantle about her and the Crowne on her head they beseeming her so well as I receiued great pleasure in beholding her and thus she spake That her selfe or she from whom she came before fiue dayes should rule in the Countrie of a mighty King who at this time laboured to defend it and to conquer it from other Hereupon I demanded what shee was and she answered You shall know at the time I haue spoken of So she vanished from me with the Crowne and the Mantle but on my faith I know not if this vision came to me sleeping or whether it be of truth The King was now in greater meruaile then before willing her to dissemble the matter and not to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the knights and Ladies in the place appointed for the ceremonies of the Day where sitting down in the 2. chayres of state the King called his Knights about him and the Queene her Ladies with whom she communed Now had his Maiesty giuen order that neerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norwales well armed holding his Sword ready drawne and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald hee commanded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady vere richly attired and with her twelue other Damosells in like brauery for in those dayes the great Lords and Ladies were wont to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betweene them this fayre Lady adressed her speeches to the King deliuering them in forme following My Lord most humbly I beseech you to grant me audience and giue mee reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiesty meaning Amadis Long time haue I beene requested by Angriot d'Estrauaus to be his wife who I am assured is in this royall presence hereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why hee kept the vale of the Pines and how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abandon Armes Neuer thelesse quoth she they departed friends and Amadis sollemnely
promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife whereof when I attained knowledg I withdrew my selfe to a Castle of mine where I kept such a strong guarde and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange knight to enter there without licence but that knight comming thither vanquished my guardants and hath vtterly abolished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised mee to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chanced an vnhappy combat betweene him and this knight mine Vnckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiesty held open Court I should here present my selfe to grant a request he must demand of me To satisfie my promise I am come hither and desire to know what he will command me At which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the Combats therefore am I ready here to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to A◅iote prouided she performe her owne promise On my conscience quoth shee if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you know I am ready to fulfill my offer demand what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so deerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what maner of demand is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would marry with such a one as is well worthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth knight quoth shee this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replied Amadis but I will performe it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote herein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must needes confesse your selfe satisfyed hee gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renouned Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now do I wel perceiue that art not cuning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue done my vttermost to escape Angriote not onely for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chast and single I would not bring my liberty into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come neerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and rich he is a yong and braue disposed knight as you are rich in goods and possessions euen so is he in bounty and vertue not onely in deedes of Armes but in all other good qualities beseeming a knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heereupon shee stepped to the Queene saying Madam you are esteemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall do Faire friend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angrtote had gotten among the good he well deserueth not onely to bee aboundant in riches but to bee loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis think you not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned mee of folly but making tryall of his valour and hardinesse yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinkes the iustice of the cause commands that not only my selfe but all such as are acquainted with him ought to labor in seeking remedy for you both in him the extreame passions hee endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse griefes known to you Now trust me Sir quoth shee such prayse haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then truth wherefore following your counsell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall command mee Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to do my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my Soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then here I giue her you replied Amadis on this condition that you shall be forth-with married together and continue in honourable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commandement Presently the King called for the Bishoppe of Salerne who conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Citty and there the wedding was solemnized with great ioy and Triumphs wherefore wee may well say that not men but God appoynteth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which Angriote euer-more bare to this selfe-willed Lady For albeit hee had her in his custodie neuer did he meane dishonorablie against her but by vertuous cogitations bridled vnlawfull desire onely to expresse how intirely he loued her and by obeying her seueere charge lost his life wel-neare when he combatted with Amadis CHAP. XXXIII How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertayning of Chiualrie AFter the end of this mariage which by diuersity of opinions caused much talke as commonly it happeneth in such cases the King commanded silence againe by his Herauld when euery one being attentiue to heare what he would say he thus began My friends no one of you is ignorant of the heauenly fauour toward me by appointing me the greatest earthly Lord that liueth this day in the Isles of the. Ocean Wherefore I thinke it conuenient that as wee in this countrey are the chiefe so should we be second to no other Prince in rendring immortall thankes by good and vertuous workes whereon we are now minded to determine In this respect I intreate command albeit Kings are the heads of their Monarchies you the members that you would altogether take aduise and giue mee counsell euen from your consciences what you thinke most expedient for mee to do as well for the benefit of my Subiects as also for our estate And I assure ye I am minded to beleeue your opinions as proceeding frō loyall and saithfull subiects wherfore
againe I desire ye that without feare each one would in particular and generally aduise what we ought to doe as matter most commendable Herewith he held his peace and Barsinan Lord of Sansuegua was intreated by all the assistants to speake his opinion which they did for no other reason but because the King would haue euery one honour him whereupon after many excuses on his own behalfe he arose from his seate making humble reuerence thus spake seeing it liketh you I should first declare my censure I desire the King and this company to pardon my ignorance being vnworthy of this honorable and gracious fauor But me thinks vnder submission to his pleasure and better aduise of al you my Lords that wee should with-draw our selues a while from the presence of his Maiesty where we may more freely conceiue our seuerall humors This answer was generally well liked wherefore the King and Queene left them together walking into another of their Pauillions then Seroloys the Fleming Countie of Clare began in this manner You haue all heard my Lords the good zeale the King hath to the gouernement not only of the coÌ„mon wealth in his Realm but particularly to the honorable encrease of Chiualry which he desireth to continue in greater preeminence then euer it hath beene And therefore my Lords humbling my selfe to better opinion I thinke it good to supply the intent of our King that wee all ought to counsell him to strengthen himselfe with men and money for they are the sinnews of warre and peace whereby all Kings on the earth are maintained in their puissant authority For it is most certaine that treasure is for Souldiers and men at armes by whome Kings reigne nor ought it for any cause to bee else-where dispended without committing of true sacrilidge for these affairts are termed holy causing the state to liue in tranquility and winne glorious conquests of such as seeke to inuade them Beside to attaine the better thereto his Maiestie must seeke meanes to get all the knights he can heare of as well strangers as other entreating them with liberality to send his renowne on winges through the world which will fetch from the furthest parts men to his seruice in hope of condigne recompence to their labour By their aid he may easily make himselfe Monarch of al the Princes by Eeast and West for it hath neuer beene read or heard that any Prince could make himselfe great except by the assistance of valiant aâ—d hardy Knights hauing bought their vallour in braue attempts I tearme it bought by fauouring honoring and distributing their treasure among them that they may receiue no occasion of dislike but with vnconquerable resolution to pursue victorie As he would haue proceeded in further perswasion the greater part of the Lords seemed to allow of his opinion afferffing that better conncell could not bee giuen which when Barsinan heard he requested audience for him-selfe and hauing grant thereof he intended to reuerse this first aduise because he might very hardly else goe forward with his secret purpose the silence being made Barsinan thus begins It seemeth by your countenance my Lords that the County of Clares opinion is a grounded truth for I see the most part of you auerre the same not hauing heard any thing to the contrary notwithstanding I hope to make it knowne to you all and to the king himselfe hereafter how much I desire to be friend him you and the whole Realme The county of Clare hath laid before you that the King your maister ought to strengthen himselfe by the multitude force of strange knights whom he would haue called from all parts of the world in sooth if his opinion were to bee credited and you your selues bound to follow it I am certaine in short time their number would be such as your king who is a good Prince and liberall would not only congratulate them with what he was wont to bestow on you but likewise take your owne from you and giue to them for naturaly matter of nouelty and neuer seene before is most pleasing Hereupon it followeth that whatsoeuer seruice you performe bee it of neuer so high esteemation yet shall you fall into his disdaine and obliuion and strangers lift you from the seats which now do promise your securest quiet Therefore my Lords before you conclude this matter is of so great importance as you all ought to bee aduised by good and descreete deliberaâ—ion in your graue iudgements I hope there is no one in all this assembly that will presume I speake otherwise then reason and the good loue I beare yee doth admonish me for I thanke God I am such a one as neede to regard the greatest Prince my neighbor no more then he doth me but considering I am in so noble compay and haue here receiued such fauour and honour I rather desire God is my witnesse I had neuer beene borne then to flatter men with vaine perswasions You must therefore my Lords diligently fore-see least afterward you repent with too much leysure And heere he paused for the murmour was so great among them as they hardly gaue him time to conclude because the most part of them that accorded to the first opinion were now changed and helde with Barsinan by meanes whereof they could determine nothing but it was appointed how the king should bee acquainted with this controuersie that hee might set downe some better order and after it had againe beene debated in his presence hee thus spake vnto them all My honourable friends I am sure that the loue you beare me your forward desire in doing mee seruice hath brought you into these intricate difficulties and I thinke there is no one of you all but hath spoken so neere to truth as is possible whereby your iudgements are so sound and good as better cannot bee heard from any Notwithstanding it is a thing most sure and certaine that the Kings of the earth are not esteemed great by the number of places in their possession but by the quantity and multitude of their people ouer whom they rule and command For what can one king alone do it may be much lesse theÌ„ the simplest of his subiects and beside it shal seem a matter aboue his power to gouerne maintain his estate without people let him abound in neuer so much wealth nor can these transitorie gifts of fortune be better imployed then distributed among such as well deserue them Whereby I gather how euery man of good iudgement will say that good counsell and strength of men is the very treasure indeede If yet you will haue better instance hereof looke on the liues of great Alexander strong Iulius Caesar gentle Hannibal and many other whose names beare the title of immortality they by the treasure of men and not mony were made Kings Emperours Monarchs for they could bountifully distribute their coyne to such as they well knew had best deserued it and likewise would vse them
in this distresse especially the three Ladyes of whom we spake so lately whose cheekes were bedewed with whole fountaines of teares and wofull Oliuia seemed rather dead then liuing But had he long continued in this extreamity her latest houer must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewes with such puissant strokes as well declared his hardy courage Oliuas all this while was in such case by reason of the sore wound the Duke gaue him that he could hardly defend himselfe which the Duke perceiuing hee left his Nephew with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slaine him Agraies stepped betweene thē hauing dispatched his enemie of his head and hindred the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tel which way to turne him Don Galuanes likewise hauing slaine the other Nephew came to assist Agraies against the Duke who seeing his life at the latest exigent turned his horse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the helmet as hee fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ranne flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his necke was broken with dragging along Hereupon Agraies left him returning to his vncle to know how he fared Very well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it grieueth mee that Oliuas is dead for hee lieth still and moueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these words wherefore commanding the Duke and his Nephewes bodyes to be throwne foorth of the field they came both to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his wounds not to be mortall they bound them vp so well as they could saying Friend Oliuas be of good cheere for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt wee not of your health because wee finde little danger in your hurts Alas my Lords quoth Oliuas my heart fainteth and albeit I haue beene heeretofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to knowe whether hee were dead or no and when it was tolde him how hee wanted nothing but speedy cure hee commanded him to bee honourably caryed into the Citie and his own cirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which he did promising to deliuer him well againe within few daies Thus euery one returned disputing diuersly on the end of the Combat and according to their particular affections so that soone after the Queene who was one of the best Ladies in the world was aduised to send for the wife to the deceased Duke that in the Court shee might weare away the cause of her melancholly and to dispatch this businesse shee sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Neece Aldena with her whereof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the friend and beloued of the Dutchesse Not long after she and her Neece arriued at the Court where they were right nobly feasted and entertayned Thus the King spent the time in the Citty of London accompanied with many great Lords knights and Ladies because the fame was blazed throught the world of his honourable courtesie to strange Knights which drew an exceeding number to his court whom he rewarded very bountifully hoping by their meanes not onely to confirme his Realme in peace but likewise to conquere other which some-time had beene subiect and tributary to his Crown yet through the pusillanimity and negligence of the Kinges his predecessors were lost and discontinued their former obedience CHAP. XLI How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the Kings death who was Father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed HEretofore it hath beene declared how Amadis being with Briolania promised to reuenge the King her Fathers death against Abiseos and his two Sonnes which in one year after he should performe being accompanied with two other Knights Also how when he tooke his leaue of her shee gaue him a Sword because his owne was broken desiring him to weare it for her sake which Sword was afterward broken at the Ladies Castle who was the beloued of Angrioted Estrauaus when he combatted with Gasinan and commanded Gandalin to bring away the peeces thereof which occasioned great harme not long after not by any fault of him but by the indiscretion of Dardan the Dwarffe who imagined his master loued the faire Briolania in respect he offered himselfe to be her Knight One day therefore Amadis being with King Lisuart euermore delighting with his Lady Oriana to the no little contentation of thē both Loue who often-times prouoketh his Subiects would no longer continue them in so great ease but rayse some cinders of diuision wherby they might receiue discontentment For this cause he made Amadis remember his promise to Briolania that he should combat Abiseos within one yeare the end whereof was now at hand and being loth to faile therein he sought all conuenient meanes to take his leaue of the Princesse Oriana determining to acquaint her with the whole cause in what sort Briolania was disinherited of her fathers kingdom such were his discourses on her behalf that although Oriana was loth to grant what hee demanded or to permit his absence from her yet being ouercome with compassion she restrained her will and in middest of her sorrow said Deere friend I know well that your speeches are reasonable but the wrong you do me aloweth no excuse Yet in respect I loue ye as you are well assured it is conuenient I should preferre your honor before mine own pleasure You haue promised as you tell me to succour a disinherited Lady I am content seeing there is no other remedy though my consent be with greater griefe then you weene for my minde is perswaded some mischiefe will happen to me by this voyage Madam answered Amadis vnwilling am I to giue you any occasion of dislike or to attempt any thing against your minde rather could I wish neuer to haue beene borne Let Briolania then pardon my tarrying for I hold my selfe sufficiently excused seeing my departure is not agreeable to you Not so sweete friend replyed Oriana I am willing you shall go but make a speedy returne I pray you With twenty kisses was this separation sealed and shee desired him to acquaint the Queene there with that this iourney might be shaddowed vnder her commandement which he did and on the morrow departed with Galaor and Agraies when they had not ridden past halfe a Mile but he asked Gandalin if hee had brought with him the peeces of the Sword that Briolania gaue him when hee left her No my Lord answered Gandalin Returne then quoth Amadis to the Dwarffe and when thou hast them make what speede thou canst to ouertake
cheefe Fortresses of the Countrey all which he found so well fortified and furnished as from that time forward hee nothing feared the power of the Emperor if he shold attempt war against him for the taking away of his sister Afterwards by the perswasion of Grimanesa he caused to be builded in that place one of the fairest places that was to be found in all the Isles of the Ocian the which he beautified so gorgeously and furnished so righly that the greatest monarch of the earth would haue found it a very difficult matter to haue builded the like But it chaunced that fifteene daies after his there arriuall the Emperour of Constantinople his vnckle died without heirs of his body by meanes whereof they of the Countrey dispatched Embassadors vnto Apolidon to beseech him to take vpon him the Empire the which hee willingly accepted being as most men are neuer contented with their estate but still desirous of change especially of a pettie Island for an Empire Yet Grimanesa sorrie to leaue so pleasant an Island did most instantly entreat her Lord that before their departure in remembrance of the pleasure which they had enioyed in this Palace the first witnesse of the full fruition of their loues hee would worke such a meanes by his Art and great knowledge that from thence forth none might bee Lord thereof except hee were as good a Knight as he and as true in loue as hee was Truely Madame answered Apolidon I will doe more for your loue then so for not onely no man shall enter into this Pallace except he be such a one as you haue sayde but further no Lady nor Gētlewoman shall set her foote therein vnlesse she be as faire and excellent in all perfections as your selfe Then at the entrie of an Orchard planted with diuerse sorts of trees he caused a vault to bee made ouer the which hee placed the image of a man made of copper holding a horne as though hee would winde it and vpon the gate of this Pallace he set vp his owne and Grimanesa her picture so artificially wrought that they seemed verie liuely right ouer against which he planted an high stone of Iasper and about half a bow shoot off towards the garden hee set a piller of iron fiue cubits high These things beeing in this sort framed hee asked Grimanesa if she knew what hee had done No surely answered shee I will tell you then presently sayde Apolidon assure your selfe Madame that no man nor woman which hath falsified their first loue shall passe vnder this vault for if they aduenture to enter the same the image which you see shall blowe such a terrible blast shall cast through this horne such a flame stench that it shall be impossible for them to passe on further moreouer they shall bee cast forth with such force that they shall bee throwne downe and remayne in a swound before the vault But if it chance that any loyall louer man or woman doe assay this aduenture the image shall sound a tune so melodious as it shall greatly delight the hearers there may such faithfull louers passe without any impechment Furthermore they may beholde our portraytures their own names writtē in this Iasper yet shall they not know by whom they were ingrauen For tryall whereof if it please you wee will proue the same forthwith Then hee tooke Grimanesa by the hand and passing vnder the arch the Image of copper beganne to sound marueilous sweetly but when they came to the Iasper stone they beheld their names newly ingrauen therein which greatly pleased Grimanesa And to beholde what would be the successe of such as followed them they called certaine Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to make tryall of the aduenture but as they thought to haue passed thorough the vault the Image blew such a hideous blast and cast forth fire smoake and flame so horrible that they all fell downe in a swound were throwne foorth most rudely Wherewith Grimanesa began to laugh knowing that they were in more dread then danger thanking Apolidon most heartily for that which hee had done for her sake But yet my Lord sayde she what shall become of this rich chamber in which you and I haue enioyed such great cōtentment You shall knowe by and by said hee Then caused hee two other pillers to bee brought one was of Marble which hee had placed within fiue paces of the chamber and the other of Brasse was set fiue paces before that Afterwards he said to Grimanesa Madame henceforth there shall neither man nor woman enter into this chamber vntill that hee who shall surpasse mee in prowesse and knight-hood or she which shall excell you in beauty bee first entered into the same but when fortune shall bring hither those which shall be worthy of a place so excellent all men after-wards without any let may therein enter Then he wrote vpon the piller of Brasse these words Euery knight which shall make proofe of this aduenture shall passe some further then other according as they excell each other in chiualrie courage Vpon the Marble piller thus Let no man aduenture to passe this piller to enter the chamber except hee passe Apolidon in knighthood And ouer the entry of the chamber Hee which shall enter herein shall exceed Apolidon in armes and shall succeed him as Lord of this countrey Before any man could come neere the chamber hee must of force touch the two pillers there trie his manhood He likewise ordayned that they should bee disarmed which hereafter should aduenture to passe vnder the arch of faithfull louers if they receiued the repulse and that all such should bee driuen forth of the Island as false and disloyall men but such as were faithfull should bee entertertayned with all honour and seruice that might be deuised Such as aduentured to passe the pillers to enter the forbidden chamber if they did not passe the Brasen piller they should bee vsed neither better nor worse then those which were false in loue If by chance they went beyond it because there should bee a difference betweene them and the others their swordes onely should bee taken from them And if there came any better knight which attayned not vnto the Marble piller hee should lose but his shield yet if hee passed on further and entered not the chamber his spurres onely should be taken from his heeles And touching the Ladies and Gentlewomen married or vnmaried which should proue the aduenture of constant louers if they were repulsed hee willed that they should be constrayned to tell their names that they might be written vp at the entry of the vault with the iust number of paces that each of them had entred forward in the same When the time is come said Apolidon that this Isle shall recouer such a Lord as is promised vnto it these enchantments shall no more be hurtfull vnto any and the place shall be free for all men but yet it shall not bee so for
Amadis as to their new Lord vnder whom they hoped not onely to liue in peace and rest but also hereafter to stretch their Dominions euen ouer their bordering neighbours and further Then euery one might view the rare deuises of this palace amongst which there was a wardrobe whether Apolidon his Lady did most commonly withdrawe themselues so beautifull and sumptuous as it was not onely impossible to make the like but also it was thought very strange and wonderfull how any man might imagine that hee could build so rare a peece of worke seeing that they which were within might see what any man did without very easily but they which were without could not perceiue any thing that was within the same Thus was the firme Island conquered by Amadis which had beene a thousand yeeres and more without a Lord since Apolidon had there set vp his inchantments and the next day the people came from all parts of the Island to offer their dutie and homage vnto their new Lord who receiued them curteously I leaue you then to imagine whether Amadis had occasion to be glad and content or no. They which haue oftentimes bin crossed with aduersitie may better iudge therof thē any others can for they know how to beare and when to bewaile their misfortunes more orderly then such who are accustomed with all prosperity happinesse Neuerthelesse I know not whether of these two extreamities are more cōmendable for the one commonly draweth vnto it an intollerable vaine glory and pride most damnable the other a continual care fraught with desperation very dangerous Therefore euery wise man considering there is nothing parmanent will neither bee proud with the prosperity that fauoureth him nor appaled for any aduersitie that befalleth him but he will swim vprightly as in a calm Sea betweene them both without abusing the one or affrighted with the other The which Amadis could not doe when inconstant fortune made him taste these poysons which for him shee prepared euen in the midst as hee thought of all his prosperities And euen as shee beyond all measure fauoured him holding him vp by the chinne in all chances that hapned to him without crossing him in any thing whatsoeuer in like sort did shee turne her face from him and brought him into such perplexity and sorrow that neither force of armes the continuall remembrance of his Lady nor the magnanimitie of his heart were once sufficient to procure him remedy but onely the grace and mery of our Lord God who in pittie regarded him after hee had sometime remained in the rocke of aduersitie in sorrow and tribulatiou as you may vnderstand from the which hee deliuered him and placed him in greater ease and contentment then before as by the sequel of this historie you shall perceiue You haue heard in the first booke of Amadis in what anguish the Princesse Oriana was for the false report of Ardan the Dwarffe at such time as hee returned backe from his maister to fetch the pieces of the sword which Gandalin had forgotten behinde him at his departure from the Court and how she sostered vp in her minde the hate which she had conceiued against Amadis not being able to accept any councell either from Mabila or the Damosell of Denmarke wrongfully suspected him of falshood who thought on nothing but only how he might serue and honour her with all faithfulnesse Now it resteth to shew vnto you what happened thereof Know you then that from the day wherein this ielousie was first imprinted in her it increased in such sort as it wholly made her forget her accustomed manner of life thinking thence forth on nothing so much as how she might sufficiently reuenge her on Amadis who had as she thought so grieuously offended her And hereupon seeing hee was absent and that shee could not declare vnto him by word of mouth the anguish of her soule shee determined to let him vnderstand it by writing So as one day amongst others beeing alone in her chamber shee tooke pen in hand and writ this letter which ensueth The letter of the Princesse Oriana to Amadis MY intolerable passions proceeding from so many causes compelleth my weake hand to declare by this letter that which my sorrowfull heart can no longer 〈◊〉 from thee Amadis of Gaule most disloyall and pertured louer-For sieing the disloyaltie and inconstancie wherewith thou hast abused mee who am infortunate and frustrate of all good ha◠onely in louing thee abone all things in the world which is now very apparent cheefely in that sowrongfully thou forsookest vs to go with her who considering her young yeeres and indiscretion cannot haue that kindenesse in her either to fauour or entertaine thee I haue also determined for euer to banish from mee this exceeding loue which I did bare vnto thee seeing my sorrowfull heart can finde no other reuenge And although I would take in good part the wrong which thou proferest me yet should it bee a great folly for mee to desire the welfare of such an vnthankfull man for the faithfull louing of whom I hate both my selfe all other things Alas I now perceiue very well but it is too late that most vnluckely I enthraled my liberty to a person so ingratefull seeing that in recompence of my continuall sighs and passions I finde my selfe deceiued and shamefully abused wherefore I charge thee neuer to come in my presence nor vnto any place where I doe remayne be thou assured that I neuer loued thee so exceedingly but now by thy ill deserts I hate thee farre more extreamely Packe thee henceforth else where and try if thou canst with thy falsified faith and hony speech abuse others as vnhappy as my selfe and neuer hope that hereafter any of thy excuses shall preuatle with mee but without further desire to behold thee I will bewaile the rest of my sorrowfull life with aboundance of teares the which shall neuer cease but by the end of Her who forceth not to die but onely because thou art her murderer This Letter being sealed Oriana called a young Esquire brother to the Damosell of Denmarke in whom shee greately trusted and commanded him very expressely without staying one onely houre that hee should goe finde out Amadis in the Realme of Sobradisa and then presently deliuer this Letter which shee had written to him but chiefly that hee should marke his countenance whilst he read the same and that he should bring backe no answere though Amadis would giue it him CHAP. III. How Durin departed to goe toward Amadis vnto whom hee deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt happened thereby WHen Durin had at large vnderstood the will of the Princesse he mounted on horse backe and hasted him so well that the tenth day following hee arriued in the great City of Sobradisa where hee found the new Queene Briolania whom hee thought to be the fairest Lady that euer he had seene except the Princesse Oriana Then did he tell her how he
to rest him and vnarmed himselfe herewithall he beheld a very aged man clothed with a religious habit who tooke him by the hand as if he had pittied his trauaile spake to him certain words in a strange language which he did not vnderstand being in this trouble he awaked Vpon this dreame Amadis mused a great while thinking that oftentimes they foreshow some thing that followeth because he did see part of that which hee had dreamed to fall out Thus hee came to the gate where Gandalin and Isania stayed his with furniture there armed himselfe afterwards he mounted vpon his horse keeping neither way nor path vntill he came neere vnt an Hermitage then he demanded of Isania what place that was My Lord answered hee this Chappel is dedicated to the Vrgin Marie wherein oftentimes are diuerse strange miracles wrought For which cause Amadis allighted from his horse entred into the Church and kneeling downe with great deuotion hee made his prayers to God The which being ended hee rose vp called Gandalin to him whom he held a long time embraced in his armes not being able to speake one word yet in the end he thus said vnto him My deere Gandalin thou and I haue beene fostered vp with one milke and alwaies brought vp together and I neuer felt any paine or sorrow wherein thou hast not had thy part Thy father tok me vp in the sea whē I was yet but a small thing beeing but newly borne the very night before afterward he caused thy mother to cherish mee as tenderly as if I had their deeriest childe Now haue I oftentimes tried thy loyalty knowing very wel what seruice thou hast done for me the which I did hope in time with the fauour of God to haue recompensed but this great mis-fortune is fallen vpon me the which I feele more sharpe and cruell then death it selfe especially seeing I am constrained to forsake thee hauing no other thing to bestow vpon thee but the Isle which I haue newly conquered which I do giue thee commanding Isania with my other subiects vpon that faith and homage which they haue sworne vnto me to receiue thee as their Lord so soone as they shall be assured of my death Yet is it my wil that thy father and mother shal enioy the same during their liues and afterwards it shall remaine vnto thee which is in recompence of the good I haue receiued of thē whom I thought to haue better rewarded according to their deserts and my desire And as for you Lord Isania I pray you that of the fruits and reuenues of this Isle which of long time you haue had in your keeping you should build here in this place a Monestarie in the honor of the virgin Mary and to endow it with so much liuing as thirtie religious men may hence-forth liue vpon the same Ah my Lord said Gandalin I neuer forsooke you for any trauaile or perill which hitherto you haue suffered neither yet will I leaue you if God be pleased and if you dye I will not liue after you neither for all the world will I lose you Therefore you may if it please you bestowe this gift vpon my Lords your brethren seeing I will not haue it neither do I desire it in any sort Holde thy peace said Amadis let me heare these words no more vnlesse thou desirest to displease me but do as I would haue thee for my bretheren may prouide far greater liuings for thē and their friends then this small thing which I doe giue vnto thee But touching you my deere friend Isania it very greatly grieueth me that I haue not the means to gratulate you according to your deserts notwithstanding I leaue you amongst so many of my good friends as they shall supply that which I cannot I pray you my Lord answered hee suffer mee onely to accompany you that I may be partaker of any wealth or woe that shall happen to you Wherein you shall fully shew mee your loue and I rest satisfied to my liking My deere friend saide Amadis I doubt not but that you would follow with a good will notwithstanding my miseric is so excessiue as besides my maker none can ease it whome onely I humbly beseech to bee my conductour for I will haue no other companion And therefore Gandalin if thou desirest Knight-hood holde take it presently with my armour which I doe giue thee for since thou hast heeretofore so well kept them it is reason they should now serue thee considering how little I shall hereafter need them if not thou maiest receiue this honour of my brother Galaor vnto whom my Lord Isania here shall in my behalfe make request to the same ende and I entreate thee to serue him euen as faithfully as thou hast serued mee For my loue vnto him is so great as amongst all my most afflictions I shall bewaile his absence because I haue euermore foūd him an hūble obedient a louing brother You shall further request him to take into his seruice Ardan my Dwarffe whom I recommend vnto him to the Dwarffe say that I will him to serue my brother dilligently This sayd both hee and those to whom he spake burst forth into aboundance of teares comming vnto them he embraced them saying Now my friends seeing I neuer hope to see you any more I entreate you to pray to God for mee and vpon your liues I charge you that none of you doe follow mee Then hee got vpon his horse set spurres to his sides and galloped from them remembring not at his departure to take either Launce shield or helmet with him Thus he entred into a desert place at the foot of a mountaine taking no other way but whither his horse would carry him and so long hee rode vntill the most parte of the night was now spent when the horse entred into a little brook enuironed with many trees where he would haue drunken But as hee passed on further Amadis was strucken on the face with certaine branches of trees so rudely as it wakened him out of his study and therewithall looking vp hee perceiued that hee was in a couert and solitary place beset with store of thick bushes which greatly reioyced him because hee thought hee should very hardly bee found out in this thicket There he alighted tyed his horse and sate him downe vpon the grasse the better to meditate vpon his melancholy but hee had wept so long and his braines were so light that at the last hee fell asleepe CHAP. IIII. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which he had left behinde then found him sleeping how he fought against a Knight whom he did ouercome AMadis beeing departed Gandalin who remayned in the Hermitage with Isania Durin as you haue heard began to make the greatest lamentation in the world and said Although he hath forbidden mee to follow him yet will I not stay
for any thing behinde him at least I will carry him his armour I will gladly beare you companie for this night sayd Durin I would to God we might finde him in better case then hee was at his departure Then they tooke their leaue of Isania and getting to horse-backe they followed the same way that Amadis had tooke coasting heere and there about the wood so long till fortune brought them where hee lay When his horse sented their horses hee began to neigh whereby Gandalin knew his Master was not farre off wherefore the more secretly to behold his countenance hee allighted comming so neere vnto him as he might easily behold where he slept hard by the riuer side whereupon he stood close watching when he should awake he had not staied long before his slumber left him Then he suddenly started vp as if hee had been frighted At that instant was the Moon withdrawne by the daies approach yet sate hee still on the grasse beginning his moane in a most strange and pittifull manner and bitterly weeping he burst out into these words Alas fortune too inconstant sickle why hast thou first aduanced mee and afterwards ouerthrowne me Now I well perceiue thou canst doe more hurt in one houre then thou wilt do good in a thousand yeares for if heretofore thou haste giuen me any pleasure or ioy thou hast now in a moment cruelly robbed me of all leauing me in bitter tormeÌ„ts far worse then death and seeing thou wast minded so to serue mee why hast thou not at the least made the one equal with the other because thou knowest that if heeretofore thou didst bestow vpon me any contentment yet was it euermore mingled with great sorrowe In like sort shouldst thou reserue for me some sparke of hope with this cruelty wherewith thou now tormentest me executing vpon me an incomprehensible thing in the thought of those whom thou fauourest who because they feele not this mischiefe doe thinke those riches glories and honours which vnto them thou lendest to bee euerlasting But they forget that besides the troublesom trauels which their bodies doe suffer for the keeping thereof how their soules are in danger to perish therefore For by thy flatteries wanton intisemeÌ„ts thou vtterly ouerthrowest them in the end compellest them to enter into the labyrinth of all desolation from whence they are neuer able to depart And quite contrary are thy aduersities for so much as if a man doe resist theÌ„ patiently flying greedy couetousnes disordinate ambition he is lifted out of this vilde place into perpetuall glory Notwithstanding I beeing most vnfortunate could not chuse this good seeing that if all the world were mine and should bee taken from me by thee yet hauing only the good grace of my Mistris it should be sufficient to make me as mighty as the greatest monark the which I also lacking how is it possible for me in any sort to liue Therefore in fauour and recompence of my loyalty I beseech thee not to giue mee a languishing death but if thou art appointed to ende my dayes doe it without delay taking compassion of him whose longer life thou art ignorant how irkesome it is This sayd hee fell downe backward vpon the grasse and was as silent as if he had beene in a swound Then within a while after hee cryed Ah louely Oriana you haue wounded me deadly in banishing me discurteously for I will neuer transgresse your coÌ„mandements what danger soeuer may happen mee seeing that if therein I failed my life also were thereby finished notwithstanding for as much as I wrongfully receiue my death the more extream is my dolor But seeing that with my end you shall rest satisfied I neuer esteemed my life at so high a price but I wold if it were possible change it into a thousand deaths to afford you neuer so little pleasure In like sort since it liketh you to execute your anger against me I am very well content if for my affliction you may hence-forth liue at your ease for whether soeuer my Soule flyeth it shall receiue most quiet when it shal know that you remaine contented And vntill mine innocencie shall bee known vnto you I will endeauor to finish the rest of my sorrowfull daies in all bitternesse and displeasure and being dead my spirit shal lament the griefe which wil happen vnto you for the wrong which you haue done to me specialy wanting power to succour you O king Perion my Lord and father how little occasion shall you haue to bewaile my death when you shall neither know the same nor the cause thereof But because that knowing the same it would bee to you a griefe intollerable and yet it could be no mittigation of my torment I pray that my misfortune may to you neuer be manifest least the same should abridge the remainder of your dayes which yet are not determined Then after a small pause he cryed O my second father Galuanes truely I do greatly grieue that my aduerse Fortune doth not permit me to discharge that great bond in which to you I am bound for if my father gaue me life you preserued the same in deliuering me from the danger of the Sea being launched forth into his mercilesse waues euen when I had but newly left my mothers womb and afterwardes I was by you as carefully cherished as if I had beene your deerest childe I am assured good King Arban that you will greatly bewaile my sorrowfull â—nd yet valiant Angriotta d'Estauaux Guillan and a number of my other friends shall assist you to bemone his death who euer loued and held you deere Ah good cosin Mabila what haue I deserued of you or of the Damosel of Denmark that by you I am abandoned when I haue most neede of your ayde Haue you so many times preserued my life doe you now without desert make me pay tribute for my receiued pleasure in consenting to my miserable death Beleeue mee if need were deare friends for your sakes would I bee sacrificed and yet you make no conscience to forsake mee which maketh mee verily to beleeue that you haue denied mee your coÌ„fort heauen and earth haue desired my confusion which shall the lesse grieue me in that I see no remedy Gandalin and Durin hearing these lamentations of Amadis the were so much agrieued therewith that they wept as bitterly as hee yet durst they not shew themselues because hee had so straitly charged them not to follow him But Amadis ceased not his mone vntill hee heard a knight who passed hard by him singing this song LOue sacred Loue 〈…〉 I remaine To thee for 〈◊〉 exceeding bounteous grace On earth what Gentleman may 〈◊〉 like game Beloued thou makest me in euery place Happy such â—aâ— when loue â—…pect me Nâ—…d I Ladâ—… me To witnesse 〈…〉 Sweet Sard 〈…〉 Whom 〈…〉 Anâ— sort 〈…〉 〈◊〉 was 〈…〉 〈…〉 retire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daugâ—ter of a 〈…〉 Whom 〈…〉 My 〈◊〉 is great 〈…〉 But to enioy 〈…〉 Hauing
Durin I see my misfortune so strange and my sorrow so intollerable as of force I must die which God grant it may be without delay for death onely will giue rest and ease to this torture which vexeth mee Salute from me the Princesse Mabila and thy good sister the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom thou mayst declare my cruel death which I suffer with as great wrōg as euer any knight suffered Before the which I would to God I had the meanes to doe them any seruice in recompence of the duty I doe owe them for all the good they haue done and the fauours they haue purchased for mee Then hee beganne his moane weeping so bitterly as Durin therewith had his heart so stopped with woe that hee was not able to answer one word Wherfore Amadis embraced him and committed him to God At that instant began the day to appeare when Amadis perceiuing that Gandalin followed him hee sayd vnto him if thou determinest to come with me take heede vpon thy life that thou turne me not from any thing which I shall say or doe otherwise I pray thee forthwith to turne another way that I may see thee no more Beleeue me Sir sayd Gandalin I wil do whatsoeuer shal please you Then Amadis deliuered him his armor to bear cōmanding him to pul the sword forth of his shield to cary it to the amorous knight CHAP. V. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him SEeing that it falleth out so fit I will declare vnto you before I passe any further the estate of the amorous Knight of whom wee spake euen now You must knowe that hee was called Patin brother to Don Sidon the Emperor of Rome and hee was the best knight that was to be found in all Romania By meanes whereof he was feared and famous through all the Empire chiefly because hee was to succeed in his brothers dignitie for there was none more neare the same then hee and the Emperour was already so olde that hee neuer hoped to haue any heire Now this Patin was one day talking with the Queene of Sardinia named Sardamira one of the fairest Ladies in the world whom hee loued extreamely And as hee gaue her to vnderstand what feruency and torment hee endured in ouer-louing her she answered him My Lord I assuredly beleeue that which you tell mee and the better to witnesse the same I let you know that there is no prince liuing for whō I would do more then for you nor whom I would more willingly take for husband because I know your good parts and the high knight-hood where withall you are so famoused These speeches bred so great presumption in the heart of Patin as besides that hee was by nature one of the proudest Gentlemen in the world hee entred into such glory that he answered her Madame I haue heard that King Lisuart hath a daughter esteemed the fairest Princesse in the worlde but for the loue of you I will goe into Great Brittaine there to mainteine against all men that her beauty is not cōparable to yours the which I alone will prooue in combate against two of the best knights that dare say the contrary whom if I cannot ouercome I will that King Lisuart doe cause my head to bee cut off In good faith my Lord answered the Queene I am of a contrary opinion for if the Princesse haue any beauty in her it nothing impaireth that which God hath bestowed vpon mee if any beauty there bee and me thinks that you haue other means more fit to make known your prowesse in all places Hap what may hap answered hee I will doe it for your loue to the end that euery one may knowe that as you are the fairest Lady in the world so you are beloued of the valiantest Knight aliue Hereupon continuing in this minde within a while after hee tooke leaue of the Queene and passed into Great Brittaine accompanied onely with two Esquires Then hee enquired where he might find King Lisuart vnto whose Court he shortly after came and because hee was more richly armed then wandering knights were accustomed to bee the King thought him to be some great personage For this cause hee receiued him most honourably appointing him into a chamber to shift himselfe When he was vnarmed hee returned to the King who stayed for him marching with such grauity as those that beheld seeing his comely stature iudged him to bee of great courage But the King tooke him by the hand and conferring together hee sayde vnto him gentle friend I pray you thinke it not strange if I desire to know who you are because I may the more honor you in my Court It may please your Maiesty answered Patin I am not come into this countrey to hide mee but rather to make my selfe knowne as well vnto your Highnesse as vnto all others I am that Patin brother to the Emperour which humbly beseecheth you to enquire no further of my affaire vntill I haue seen my Lady Oriana your daughter When the King heard that he embraced him and in excusing his ignorance he sayd to him My good Cosen I am maruailous glad of the honour that you haue done me In cōming thus to visit me in my owne countrey assuring you that since you are desirous to see my daughter she shall not onely be shewed vnto you but likewise the Queene and all her trayne And so long they continued their talke vntill they had couered for supper Then the King caused him to sit next vnto him where hee found himselfe compassed with so great a number of knights as hee much marualled thereat and began to despise the Court of the Emperour his brother as also of all other Princes in respect of this which hee saw After the tables were taken vp it being time to goe to rest the King cōmanded Don Grumedan to bring Patin to his lodging and to shew him all the honor and good entertainment hee could So for that night they departed vntill the next morning that hee came and found the King hearing diuine seruice after the which hee was conducted to the Ladies who receiued him curteously for at his comming the Queen took him by the hand praying him to sit betweene her her daughter Oriana whom at that instant he beheld with such an eye as the loue which before he did beare vnto the Queene Sardamira was wholly changed vnto her beeing captiuated with her excellent beauty and goodly grace You may iudge then how he would haue esteemed her if he had seene her in the time of her perfect health which was now much decaied by reason of this new iealousie which she had conceiued against Amadis which made her looke leane pale and wan but these defaults could nothing quench the heate of the fire already kindled in the heart of Patin who was so far beside him-selfe that hee determined to beseech the king to bestow her vpon him in
repaire vnto his Court as also to encourage all such as follow armes to take example by him that was owner of them who by his high knight-hood hath gained the chiefest reputation amongst all those that euer buckled cuirasse on their backs When the Queene vnderstood such news of Amadis neuer was any Lady more sorrowful and answered Guillan It is great pitty for the losse of so good a Knight for I am sure that many at this day do liue which will be sorry for his losse and I giue you most hearty thankes for that which you haue done for him and me together assuring you that those which will put themselus forward to find him shall giue me and all other Ladies cause to wish them wel for his sake which was so much at their commandement But if the Queene for these newes was any whit sorry the king and those of his company were no lesse sad yet was it nothing to the griefe which Oriana sustained For if before she was vexed for the great fault which she had committed at that instant her paine redoubled with so great a melancholy that it was impossible for her to stay there any longer but she withdrew her selfe into her chamber And casting her downe vpon her bed she began to cry Ah wicked woman that I am I may now well say that all the felicity that euer I had is but a plaine dreame and my torment is a very certaine truth seeing that if I receiue any contentment It is onely by the dreames which do nightly solicit me for when I awake all froward Fortune afflicteth my poore spirit so as if the day be vnto me a grieuous martyrdome the darkenesse only bringeth me pleasure and comfort because in my sleepe I thinke that I am before my sweete friend but being awake and quite depriued of that great ioy maketh me too much to feele his absence Ah my eyes no more eies but floods of teares you are much abused seeing that being shut you onely behold him that contenteth you and no sooner opened but all the torment in the world commeth at once to blinde them at the least this death which I feele so neere at hand shall deliuer me from this care and you sweete friend shall be reuenged of the most ingratefull woman that euer was borne Then like a furious woman shee rose vp determining to throw her selfe headlong from the window downe to the ground but Mabila who had followed her preuenting such an inconuenience stayed her setting before her the infamy which she might get if it were but known that she were so minded and more-ouer she did assure her that Amadis would shortly returne saying vnto her How now Madam where is the constancy of a Kings daughter and that wisedome for which you are so much renowned Haue you already forgotten the mischiefe that was likely to haue happened vnto you by meanes of the false newes that Arcalaus brought vnto the Court this last yeare And now because Guillan hath found my Cosins armes is it therefore likely that he should be dead Beleeue me you shall see him againe shortly he wil come vnto you so soone as hee hath seene your Letters This Counsell was authorised with such perswasine reasons that Oriana apeased part of her tormēt But yet these newes so greately troubled her minde that had it not beene for the wisedome of Mabila who often times perswaded her to be quiet there had happened a merueilous incōnenience but in the end shee knew so well how to preuaile with her that she resolued vpon this that the Gentlewoman of Denmark would bring him againe And as they were in these tearmes one came to tell them that the knights and Gentle-women which Guillan had deliuered from prison were arriued wherefore Mabila seeking to with-draw Oriana from fancies brought her where the Queene was vnto whom the two Gentlewomen that had kept the shield of Amadis recited the lamentation which they had seene an Esquire make when he knew the Armour and Shielde that Guillan had found vpon the side of the Fountaine of the plaine field The King was likewise present in whose eyes stood a floud of Teares thinking assuredly that Amadis was dead Then Ladasin and his fellows were seene to come in who brought with them Gandalod prisoner together with the other knight whom they presented vnto the king on the behalfe of Guillan declaring vnto him both the manner of the Combat the talke that passed betweene Gandalod and Guillan and also how that during their incounter the knights that were in the deepe dungeon of his tower had found the meanes to deliuer themselues Is this true said he to Gandalod I caused not long since thy father to be burned in this citty for his great treason and thou shalt likewise be there hanged with thy companion because thou hadst conspired my death Then forthwith he commanded them to bee hanged ouer the Citty wales right ouer against the place where Barsinan was burned as it hath been recited vnto you CHAP. IX How the Faire Forlorne being in the poore Rocke with the Hermit there arriued a ship in the which was Corisanda who sought for her friend Florestan and of that which happened vnto them ONe day the Faire Forlorne being set hard by the Hermit neere vnto the dore of their little house the olde man said vnto him I pray you my son tel me the dream that you had when you awaked on a suddaine sleeping hard by me neere vnto the Fountaine of the plaine field Truely father answered he I will willingly tell it you and I most humbly beseech you likewise to let mee vnderstand be it for good or bad what you thinke thereof Afterwards hee recited the dreame in such sort as you haue heard keeping onely the names of the Gentlewomen secret Then the Hermet remained a good while pensiue when he beholding the Faire Forlorne he began to smile and said vnto him My child I assure you that you haue now more cause to reioyce then euer you had but yet I would haue you know how I vnderstand it The darke chamber in the which you thought your selfe to be out of which you were not able to comforth signifieth this great tribulation wherein you now are The Gentlewomen which afterwardes opened the doore vnto you are some of your friends that continually solicit your cause vnto the Lady whom you so feruently loue with whom they haue so much preuailed that they shall withdraw you from this place The Sunne-beame which went before them are Letters of reconciliation that she sendeth vnto you by meanes whereof you shall leaue me The fire that inuironed this lady sheweth the great loue together with the sad laments that she maketh for your absence as well as you doe for hers And by the faire garden whereunto you did beare her drawing her forth of the flame signifieth the great pleasure which you shall both haue at your meeting Truely my Son I know that seeing
Faire Forlorne I loue him intirely as well for his valour as also for that his father made me knight which maketh me the more bounden vnto his children and I am very sory for the newes that I haue hard of Amadis before I did come vnto this desert What are they sayd Corisanda Truely answered hee comming hither I met with a Gentlewoman at the entry of a Forrest which sung a pleasant song for the tune but very pittifull by reason of the matter that it contayned Then I enquired of her who made it and shee answered me that it was a knight vnto whoÌ„ God if it bee his pleasure send more ioy then hee had when hee made it for his song doth very wel witnesse that his griefe proceeded from too extreame loue And because I liked it wel I remained with the Gentlewoman so long vntill I had learned it moreouer she did assure me that Amadis did make it and that he did shew her the song at that time when by his melancholy hee was most maistered I pray you sayde Corisanda teach it vnto these two Gentlewomen for by that which you say loue held him then in as great bondage as he now holdeth me I will doe it answered hee both for the honour of him and also of you althought it be a thing farre vnseemely for me to do Herewithall he withdrew the Gentlewomen a part and taught them the song with the tune there-of wherein they tooke great pleasure because the Faire Forlorne did sing it with a lamentable and soft voyce which yeelded more harmony and aptnesse both to the tune and the matter then he could if hee had beene at more liberty in body and minde and the Gentle-women learned it so cunningly that many times after they did sing it before their Mistris who tarried foure dayes in the poore Rocke the fift shee embarqued But before she departed shee demanded of the Faire forlorne whether hee would remaine any long time in that place Madame answered he nothing but my death shall drawe me from hence I doe much maruaile sayde Corisanda what mooueth you to doe so yet seeing that you are in such a minde I will in no sorte disswade yon from it so saying she entred into her ship with her companie bidding the Hermit farewel Then setting saile the winde was so fauourable that in fewe dayes after they landed in Great Brittaine and arriued in the Citie of London where at that time King Lisuart remayned Who knowing of her arriuall hee together with his Queene receiued her royally The King to honour her the more caused her to bee lodged in his owne Pallace And some few dayes after as they were discoursing together the Queen sayd vnto her Good Cosen the King charged mee to tell you that hee tâ—…â—our comming hither to see â—im â—o thâ—nkefully that if you haue any thing to doe with him he will imploy his best meanes to pleasure you Madame answered Corisanda I giue the King most humble tâ—…kes and your grace also there is nothing that importuneth mee more then the absence of Don Florestan whom I thought to haue found in this Court Cosen sayde the Queene wee haue at this time no other newes of him but that hee is gone in search of his brother Amadis who of late is lost we not knowing the cause thereof Then shee tolde her how hee had wonne the Firme Island and that after-wardes hee departed secretly from his fellowes especially the manner how Don Guillan did finde his armour and what diligence hee had vsed to vnderstand what was become of him When Corisanda did see that shee was frustrate of her intention and vnderstood the losse of Amadis the teares stood in her eyes saying Alas what wil become of my Lord and friend Florestan I am sure considering the loue that he beareth vnto his brother that if hee cannot finde him he will lose himselfe so that I shall neuer while I liue see him any more the Queene comforted her so well that shee receiued some hope to heare news from him very shortly Now Oriana was by who had heard all this talke and the loue that Corisanda did beare vnto Don Florestan brother to Amadis for which cause shee had the more desire to doe her honour so as she and Mabila did ordinarily keepe her company taking great pleasure to heare her recite the loue that passed betwixt her and hee friend the cause of their parting and the trauell which afterwardes shee had endured in hope to finde him And as shee made this discourse she remembred her of the time when shee remayned in the poore Rocke where shee found a knight doing penance who during her abode there taught a song vnto her women which Amadis had made being in great melancholy as the companion of the Hermit had assured her Madame answered Mabila I pray you feeing your Gentlewomen haue learned it coÌ„maund them to sing it before my Lady Oriana for I shall bee very glad to heare it seeing it is made by Amadis who is mine owne Cosen Beleeue mee sayd Corisanda I am very well content assuring you that it caÌ„not better please you then it will delight me because of the neernesse of the linage that is betwixt my Lord Florestan him Then shee sent for the Gentlewomens Lutes who played and did sing the song of Amadis so sweetely that it ministred both mirth mone vnto the Ladies which vnto them listened ioy to the eare coÌ„tent for the melody and griefe to the minde in feeling his passion that was so grieuously pained But Oriana whom it most of all touched tooke more heede vnto the matter then the musicke knowing the mischiefe whereof she was cause and the great reason that Amadis had to complaine Where-upon shee was suddenly stricken wâ—… so great sorrow that she went into a wardroabe ashamed for the teâ—â—eâ— that had issued from her eyes iâ—… good a company from which she could not abstaâ— Notwithstanding as shee withdrew her selfe Mabila to couer this fault sayd vnto Corisanâ—a So farre aâ— I perceiue Oriana is not well wherefore I am coÌ„strained to leaue your company at this tâ—â—e and to goe helpe her neuerthelesse if it pleased you I would willingly knowe what was the behauior of him that taught your Gentlewomen the song and wherefore he remayned in the poore Rocke for no doubt hee did then knowe what was become of Amadis Then Corisanda rehearsed vnto her in what sorte they did finde him and the talke he had with her but sayd shee I did neuer see a man more pensiue not more faire considering the miseries he endured Mabila very suddenly began to suspect that it was Amadis himselfe who being so far from all hope had chosen such a solitary place because hee would not be seene of any liuing wight and at the same instant shee departed towardes Oriana whom shee found weeping bitterly Vnto whâ— with a smiling countenance shee sayd Madame in seeking after newes sometimes one learneth
and contentment then before knowing that he was so neere that ioy which hee should receiue with his Lady Oriana In this cogitation remained the Faire Forlorne vntill after sun set when hee mounted on horseback and came vnto the place that Durin had assigned him where he fouÌ„d him together with Gandalin who stayed there for him to take his horse TheÌ„ he alighted down demanded of them what the ladies were doing my Lord answered Gandalin they are on the other side in the gardeÌ„ where they haue already staied for you more then foure houres Help me then to get vp The which they did and hee being vpon the wall beholding Oriana and Mibila on the other side hauing not so much patience as to stay for their helpe he leaped from the top of the wall downe to the ground and as hee would haue kneeled to haue done his dutie the Princesse ran to embrace him and in kissing him she was like to haue fallen in a swound betweene his armes But who could imagine the pleasure that they yeelded the one vnto the other Amadis hee trembled like a leafe not being able to speake one Word holding his mouth close vnto Orianaâ—s who as it were in an extasie did behold him with such an eye that it made them both twaine to liue and die together In this sort they remained more then a good quarter of an houre and euen vntill that Mabila smiling said vnto Oriana Madam I pray you at the least before my cosin do die let vs haue a sight of him if it please you Soft and faire answered Oriana let mee a while alone with him and then you shall after-wards haue him at your pleasure Herewithall Amadis saluting Mabila said vnto her My good Cosin this is not the first day that you haue knowne how much I am yours I beleeue you well sir but my Lady would haue you wholly to her selfe Alas said she haue I not reason seeing that I alone was likely by my fault to haue beene the causer of his losse Beleeue me deere friend the griefe which you felt and the teeres that you haue shed by the fault that I committed shall be now both acknowledged and thorowly recompenced Madam said Amadis you haue neuer been at any time but the procurer of all my happinesse and fauor and if I haue felt any tribulation I and not you haue been the causer thereof therefore haue I iustly sustained whatsoeuer sorrow I haue suffered Alas sweete loue answered Oriana when I thinke vpon the estate wherein Corisanda and the Damosell of Denmarke did finde you and the abundance of teares and lamentations that continually distilled from your eyes as they haue told me I assure you that yet my mind is troubled therwith Madam said hee the teares wherof you speake were no teares for long before the comming of Corisanda to the poore Rock the spring whereof was dried vp but it was an humor proceeding from my heart the which did so continually burne in your loue that being constrained by the force of the flame it did draw vp to the eyes that moysture which nature had placed about the heart to preserue it and to giue it life and I beeleue that if the Damosell of Denmarke had stayed from bringing me that reliefe which I receiued of her in steede of teares which distilled from mine eyes the soule it selfe had departed Sweete loue said the Princesse I know well that I committed a great errour in writing that letter which Durin did bring to you but you should then haue remembred how that all women are weake and very light of beleefe especially in things wherein they are affectioned and wherein by too extreame loue they are often times carried away made suspitious euen as I haue beene against you wherefore the greater that mine offence is the greater praise shall you win in pardoning me the which I beseech you to do being ready to receiue such punishment therefore as it shall please you to giue vnto me and to satisfie you at your owne discretion Alas Madam said Amadis it is I that should demand pardon of you for if I should die for your loue most pleasant would that death be vnto me But this much I assure you that I had neuer beene able to haue resisted this great sorrow that I haue suffered had it not beene that my martiredome was eased knowing the pleasure which you would receiue in the same that it tooke such force vnto it as death was not of sufficient power in any sort to bring it to an end Let vs leaue off this talke for this time said Mabila you haue both suffered wrong determine therefore henceforth how it may be recompensed and now to eschue the vapours of the night which may be vnto you somewhat hurtfull let vs retire vnto some couert I like your counsell well answered Oriana Therewithall Amadis was brought into her chamber and presently Mabila and the Damosel of Denmarke knowing that they should do them a pleasure to leaue them alone went forth faining to goe about some other affaires Then the princesse requested Amadis to sit downe in a chayre couered with veluet which stood in a corner of the chamber and she stood leaning vpon him that shee might at more ease kisse him and hang about his necke whereupon he being ouercome with an extream amorous passion left off his wonted modesty thrusting one of his hands into Oriana her prettie breasts and the other towards the place by him most affected where-with Oriana halfe ashamed in stretching her selfe along because she would not looke in his face saide vnto him My deere loue I beleeue that the hermit of the poore Rock taught you not this lesson Madame answered hee I beseech you to pardon my rashnesse takeing pitty of me and seeing that both time and place is so fauourable vnto vs be not you more contrary vnto me then they but suffer mee to continue that fauour wherof by your good grace I haue taken possession when I deliuered you from the handes of Arcalaus My ioy answered Oriana you know that I am so wholly yours that you cannot dispose of your selfe more then of me neuerthelesse how may I possibly at this time satisfie your desire seeing that your Cosin and the Damosel of Denmarke are so neere vnto vs Alas said he they haue hitherto been the cause of my life and now since they haue farther assisted me do you thinke that they will desire my death Assure you Madam that they are already so well acquainted with our affections especially the Damosell of Denmarke that although they haue not seen them effected yet it mny be they haue presumed as much and more therfore I beseech you in acquiting you of your promise to succour me Which said hee gaue such large scope vnto his passions that notwithstanding all the faint resistance that Oriana could make against him hee had that of her which he most desired tasting together of the sweete fruit which
knights ready to begin the search of Amadis according to the appointment of Galaor and Florestan and therefore she was determined not to depart from Queene Brisena vntil they were returned again neyther would she nor her women bee apparrelled with other Garments then of black cloth vntill he were found for such weeds did she weare at such time as hee did make her Queene and now would shee neuer change her manner of life if he were lost In your iudgment said Oriana is she so faire as the report goeth of her So helpe me God answered the Damosell except your grace she is the fairest woman and of the best behauiour that euer I did see shee was very sorry when she heard of your sicknesse and shee sendeth you word by me that she will come and doe her dutie vnto you so soone as you shall thinke conuenient Truely said Oriana I am more desirous to see her then any other that I doe know Madam answered the faire Forlorne beleeu me she well deserueth that you should shew her all the honour you may although heretofore you haue wrongfully sustayned some griefe for her sake gentle loue said the Princesse for Gods sake let vs speake no more of passed melancholies for I am assured that I did thinke amisse You shall yet be better assured answered he by the testimony that you shall receiue of those Iewels which we shall gaine the which will henceforth quite extinguish all those vnhappy fancies that you haue conceiued against me if they should chance to returne againe into your thought increasing in you the opinion of that zeale and dutie which I doe owe and beare vnto you My Lord said Oriana I am well assured that the kerchiefe shall make you beleeue that what wrong soeuer you receiued of me proceeded of no other cause but by the extreame loue which I did beare vnto you we shall see shortly said the Damosell of Denmarke what will happen For the king hath granted your request by Enil In this sort did Oriana and the test of her company passe away the time vntill the day came wherein they must depart to make triall of that which you haue heard which caused her to rise about midnight attiring her as the faire Forlorne had deuised and hee likewise was armed at all points that done they passed through the garden and came to the place where Gandalin held their horses in readines Then mounted they vpon them taking their way toward the Forrest right vnto the Fountaine of the three channels But there Oriana thinking vpon the enterprise which she went about foreseeing the inconuenience and danger thereof not onely if she were disclosed but also how if she failed in gaining the kerchiefe Amadis might haue iust cause to suspect her and by that meanes she might loose that good reputation which shee had gotten with him Herewithall she began to repent her forwardnesse and to tremble so extreamly that the faire Forlorne perceiued it who said vnto her Madam had I thought you would haue been so ill at ease with this voyage I sweare vnto you that I would rather haue died then haue brought you out of doores therefore if it please you let vs returne againe to Mirefleur So saying he turned his horse head neuerthelesse Oriana considering that by her an aduenture so recommendable should bee deferred changed her minde and answered him I beseech you sweete loue not to take any heede vnto the feare that a timerous woman may haue in the middest of this great wood but vnto the vertue and valor that remaineth in you Very sorry was the faire Forlorne because hee had spoken in such sort vnto her doubting lest he had offended her and he said vnto her Madam seeing that your discretion hath surmouted my â—olly I beseech you to pardon me for I assure you my meaning was not to speake any thing that should be offensiue vnto you As they had ended their conference they came vnto the fountaine being yet an houre from day where they had not long stayed before Enil came vnto them whereat they were very ioyfull Then the faire Forlorne saide vnto Oriana Madame behold the Esquire which I promised you to send vnto king Lisuart by whose answere we may determin what to do In faith my Lord answered Enil he sendeth you by me all the assurance that you demand and further he aduertiseth you that the triall of the aduenture beginneth this day after his Maiesties comming from the Chappell All the better said the faire Forlorne wee shall then haue no great cause of stay Hereupon hee gaue him his shield and launce and without putting off his Helmet at all they tooke the right way to London the people had already heard that the knight which did ouercome the Giants should come vnto the kings lodging they said one to another Heauens shield the faire Forlorne from all mischiefe for he is worthy of great praise and most happy may that Lady thinke her selfe to whom he remaineth a seruant These words might Oriana vnderstand very well wherewith she was not a little ioyfull knowing that she was Lady Mistris of him whom so many people did both loue honor afterward they came and alighted at the Palace where they found the king Queen Ladies and a great number of knights already assembled all together in a great hal to make trial who should gaine the old mans Iewels And as soon as they knew of the arriuall of the Faire Forlorne the King rose vp with his traine to receiue them wherefore the Faire Forlorne kneeling down would haue kissed his hands but the K. lifted him vp saying vnto him My good friend you are most hartily welcome hither where you shall be as free as you would wish for you haue done as much seruice for me in so small a time as euer any knight performed either for King or Prince The Faire Forlorne answered not one word but onely bowed himselfe to his maiestie in signe of thankes and without stepping one foote from Oriana whom he held by the hand they came towards the Ladies who did all salute them very courteously You may imagine if the young Princesse were not now in some feare to be discouered being in such an assembly for the Queene her mother stepped vnto her looking her stedfastly in the face although it was couered with a laune and she said vnto her Gentlewoman I do not know who you are for to my knowledge I did neuer see you neuerthelesse for the loue of this knight in whose custody you are that hath done the king so great sernice assure you that in this place shal be shewed vnto you all the honour and seruice that possibly may bee For the which the Faire Forlorne humbly thanked her Maiestie but Oriana without speaking one word held her head down continually Therewithall the king and all his knights withdrew them to one side and the Queene and her Ladies to the other And in the meane time the Faire
from those whose words you shall know to be vniust and peruerse Herewithall she arose from her place and al the company in like fort and shortly after she tooke leaue of the King and of the rest of his court which done she returned into her galley accompanied onely with the foure knights that had conducted her to the Court who hauing seene her embarked returned backe to the Citty but they had no sooner turned their backs when a thicke and great Cloude so ouershaddowed the ship that presently they lost the sight thereof CHAP. XIX How after the departure of Vrganda the king being ready to mount on horse back to execute the enterprise which he had determined to make vpon the burning lake there came before him a Damosell Giantesse to vnderstand whether his Maiesty would be pleased to referre the quarrell that he pretended in this voyage vpon the combat betwixt Ardan Canila and Amadis of Gaule with such conditions as shall bee declared vnto you SOme few dayes after the departure of Vrganda king Lisuart walking vpon the sea sand consulting with his knights about the voiage which hee determined to make vnto the Isle of Mongaza to set at liberty king Arban and Angriotta they beheld a shippe making towards the shoare which cast anchor hard by them Whereupon they all approched to know who or what newes it had brought when suddainely they perceiued two Esquires waiting vpon a Damosell comming forth thereof who was no sooner landed but shee demanded for the king Those vnto whom she spake answered that he was there but they did all wonder at her greatnesse for there was not a man in all the Court whom she exceeded not in height a hand breadth for the rest shee was indifferent faire and well apparrelled Then she approched neer vnto the king to whom she said if it please your Maiesty I am hither come to let you vnderstand that which I am commanded to declare vnto you in the behalfe of some great personages but if it pleased your highnesse I would haue the Queene present Here-withall the king tooke her by the hand and brought her to the Pallace and afterward he sent for the Queene and her Ladies that they might heare what the Damosell would say they being all come the Damosell enquired if Amadis of Gaule lately called the Faire Forlorne were in this company or no. And Amadis vnto whom by chāce she spake answered her that hee was the man ready to doe her any pleasure if she would imploy him notwithstanding for all his courteous speech the Damosell looking vpon him with a sterne countenance began to raile at him saying the lesse do I esteeme thee for thou wast neuer ought worth not neuer shall be and by the effect of this my message all this company may know whether there bee any heart or courage at all in thee then she tooke forth two Letters of credit sealed each of them with a seale of Gold the one of them she presented to the king the other to the Queene But so soone as the king had red his letter he commanded her to declare whatsoeuer she pleased Wherefore shee spake aloude and said It may please your Maiesty Grumadaca the giant of the burning lake and the faire Madasima with the most redoubted Ardan Canila who is at this present with them to protect and defend them against you haue knowne for certaine that you determine to passe into their country to assaile them and because the same cannot bee done without the losse of many worthy men on eyther side they haue deuised a meanes if your maiesty think good to auoid the effusion of blood the losse of diuers valiant knights which is this that the combat of two persons onely shall determine the quarrell betweene you and them vpon the victory of him that shall win the field the one is the valiant and famous Ardan Canila the other Amadis of Gaule here present vpon this condition that if Amadis bee ouercome Ardan may freely cut off his head and carry it with him to the burning lake vnto Madasima and also if fortune proue contrary to the said Ardan that Amadis remaine conqueror the land the countrie that you intend to conquer shal without contradiction be yeelded vp into your hands And moreouer my Lady shall in like sort presently set at liberty king Arban of North Wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux who hath beene a long time her prisoners as you know Therefore if Amadis do loue them as they thinke and doe imagaine he doth let him presently condiscend vnto this Combat for the liberty of two such great friends of his otherwise he may be assured that Ardan to despight him the more will send their heads vnto him for a present very shortly Damosell answered Amadis if I agree to this combat what security shall the king haue for the performance of this your promise I will tell you said she The faire Madasima accompanied with twelue Gentlewomen of great birth shall bee sent as hostages and become the Queenes prisoners vnder this condition that if this which I haue said be not wholly accomplished the king may cause them all to die in what sort hee pleaseth and as touching you I demand no other assurance then this that if you be vanquished Madasima may afterward haue your head without contradiction And to let you know that they from whom I bring this message will not gaine-say that which I haue promised I will yet further cause Andaugel the old giant with his two sons and nine of the chiefest knights of the countrie to enter into the king his prison as pledges for the performance of the former couenāts Truly answered Amadis if the king and Queene haue these persons which you speake of in their power the security is sufficient but yet you shall haue no answere of me vnlesse you first grant to dine with me in my lodging with these two Esquires that attend vpon you I do greatly wonder said shee what moueth thee so instantly to intreate and inuite me to dine in thy company seeing that I hate thee more then any man that I know I am sorry for that said he for I loue you and will willingly doe you all the honour and seruice that I am able but if you will haue an answere grant mee that which I demand of you I do grant it said the Damosell more to take away all occasion from thee to deferre the combat then for any desire that I haue to remaine in thy company I thanke you answered Amadis and because it is reason that I aduentur my person not onely to saue two of my best companions friends from death but also doe my best for the enlarging of the limits and authority of the king and his Realme I accept the combat against Ardan and let the hostages come when it shall please you because for my part so glorious an enterprise shall not be foreslowed Certainly said the Damosell thou hast
in recompence thereof that I had seene you both twaine hanged Saying so she departed and got into her ship very ioyful of the Sword which she had â—…e which so soone as shee was returned back vnto Ardan shee presented vnto him letting him know and Mâ—… also 〈◊〉 Amadis had consented vnto the combat which she had demanded of him Is it true answered Ardan let me neuer bee accounted a knight of any worth if I doe not then bring back againe my Lady to her honour and reputation deliuering henceforth her countrey from the attempts of king Lisuart and if I take not the head of Amadii from off his shoulders in lesse time then the best footeman in the world may haue run halfe a league I am content said he vnto Madasima not to deserue your loue so long as I liue But shee hearing him speake so rashly held her peace and although she greately desired to be reuenged of him for the death of her Father and brother whom Amadis had slaine yet did she so extreamely abhorre Ardan that shee a great deale rather wished his death then his life because hee pretended to marry her For she was exceeding faire and be a deformed villaine and voide of all humanity and this combat was not practised by her meanes but by the perswasion of her Mother who had sent for him for the defence of her Countrie vpon this condition that if he reuenged the death of her husband and sonne she would giue it vnto him and her daughter Madasima in marriage for hee was so feared and had in such reputation that shee thought she could not bestow her daughter better And to let you know his manners and perfections hee was descended from the race of giants borne in a Prouince called Canila the which was in a manner wholly inhabited by such kinde of people notwithstanding hee was somewhat lesse of body then they but not in strength his shoulders were narrow his necke and brest vnreasonable thicke his hands and thighes large his legs long and crooked his eyes holow flat nosed like an Ape his nostrels wide and lothsome his lips great his haire red and thicke bristelled in that sort as very hardly might it be cuâ—led To conclude he was so beset with freckles and blacke spots that his face seemed as though it had been of sundry sorts of flesh hee was of the age of thirty yeeres or thereabout bold and expert in armes furious spitefull and as vncourteous as might bee And yet since hee was twenty and fiue yeeres of age he neuer fought with any Giant or other knight eyther a foote a horseback or at wrestling that was able to resist him whom he did easily not ouercom such was the beauty fashion and gentle behauiour of Ardan Canila When the iniurious Damosell heard Ardan make such large promises vnto Madasima perceiued that shee made no account thereof she tooke vpon her to speake in her behalfe me thinks my Lord that you should thinke the victory very sure on your side seeing that Fortune is so fauourable vnto you and so contrary vnto your enemy as you may well perceiue in that shee hath caused him to lose the best part of his armes And this shee said in respect of the sword which she had stolne By my Gods said Ardan I am more glad of his displeasure for the want thereof then for any good that I hope to receiue thereby for although Amadis had the force of three such as hee is yet were hee not able to withstand the strength of my arme accustomed to tame his betters The next morning very early hee departed accompanied with Madasima and and the rest which should be deliuered vp as hostages according to the promise that the Damosell had made vnto king Lisuart before the Combat was agreed vpon and Canila did assuredly hope that he should easily obtaine the victory By meanes whereof hee departed with great ioy saying vnto those that were with him Amadis is famoused for one of the best knights in the world neuerthelesse I will haue his head if he dare enter into the lists against me and by that meanes my glory shal be the more increased in the ouercomming of him my Lady shall rest well reuenged and I remaine her husband and louer And because he would know before hee entred into the court whether Amadis had repented him or not hee sent the iniurious Damosell before to aduertise the King of their comming and in the meane season hee caused his tents to be set vp somewhat neere the Cittie where King Lisuart did remaine But you must know that incontinently after the Damosell was departed from Amadis his lodging Enil told him thereof therefore because he would prouide all things necessary for his enterprise hee withdrew him vnto his chamber accompanied with some of his most priuat friends and in like sort there came at that instant vnto him Florestan Agraies Galuanes without land and Guillan the pensiue who were altogether ignorant of the enterprise of this new combate But when they were aduertised thereof thinking that it should haue beene performed with a greater number of knights ther was not any of theÌ„ who were not displeased with Amadis in that he had not choseÌ„ theÌ„ to assist him therein especially Guillan who greatly desired to proue his man-hood against ArdaÌ„ Canila for he had heard that he was esteemed for one of the strongest Knights in all the West And as he was about to reprou Amadis in forgetting him FlorestaÌ„ preueÌ„ted him saying vnto his brother So God helpe me my Lord I now doe very wel perceiue the little loue and the small account that you doe make of me in that you would not send for me to be with you in this combate In faith answered Agraies if hee had thought mee any thing worth he would not haue left mee behinde and what of me said Galuanes My Lords answered Amadis I beseech you all to holde mee excused and not to bee displeased with mee assuring you that if it had beene in my choyse to haue elected a companion â—â—ssist mee in this encounter seeing the great prowesse wherewith you are all endued I could not tell which of you to chuse But Ardan desired to fight with mee alone for the hate hee beareth vnto mee and the loue he hath to Madasima and seeing that hee hath so required it I neither could nor ought to refuse it without shewing my selfe to be a recreant and a coward nor I could not make any other answere then that which was agreeable to his demand And when he should haue comprised any more Knights with him where doe you thinke I would haue sought for aâ—d and succour but with you beeing my friends seeing you know how my strength is redoubled when we are together In this sort did Amadis excuse himselfe praying theÌ„ all to beare him company the next day â—o go meete Madasima both to receiue her shew her as much honor as they might