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
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
me Such was the speedy dispatch of the Damosell as without longer stay she iourned toward Gaule and executed her enterprise whereof heereafter you shall vnderstand more But not to discontinue the purposed voyage of Oriana after that Languines had prouided all things necssary for the same Oriana Mabila their company were imbarqued thē taking leaue of the King Queene at the sea side they set faile hauing the winde so prosperous as in few daies they landed in great Brittaine where they were all right worthyly wellcommed Heere of doth the author at this time make no more mention because he meaneth to tell ye what happened to the Gentleman of the sea hauing left him at the Knights Castell that was vanquished by Galpan in the Damosels charge who attended his wounds which in fifteene daies were almost thorowly healed Notwithstanding despising rest determined to set on his way so that on a Sunday morning taking leaue of his hoste and his gentle Chirurgion he mounted on Horse-backe accompanied onely with Gandalin who neuer would forsake him and not farre from the Castle they entred a great Forrest It was now about the moneth of Aprill when the Birdes tune their Notes most pleasantly and that all Trees Herbes and Flowers declare the comming of the Spring time this delightsome change made him remember her who aboue all other flowred in excellent beautie and for whom abandoning his libertie Loue hath taken him captiue so that in these thoghts he thus somewhat loud parled with himselfe Ah poore Gentleman of the Sea without Parents or Lands that thou canst auouch how durst thou lift thy heart so high as to loue her who is beyond all other in beautie bounty and birth Ah wretch as thou art oughtest thou not to consider by these three things wherein she is most perfect the best Kinght in the world may not be so hardy as to thinke of louing her And thou poore vnknowne art wrapt in a labirinth of folly louing and dying not daring to tell it or make shew thereof In this complaint was the Gentleman of the Sea so carryed away as forgetting all other matters hee rode crosse the forrest a long space with his Helmet closed till at length lifting vp his head hee behelde a Knight well mounted in the wood by him who long had kept company to heare his sadde discourse When the knight sawe the Prince had discryed him for that cause held his peace he approched neerer him with these words Beleeue me knight it seems you more loue your Friend then shee doth you when in commending her you dispraise your selfe and for ought I vnderstand by your speeches you are no such man as ought to pretend loue therefore it is necessarie I should know who shee is to the end I may supply your defect and serue her Sir knight answered the Prince you haue some reason for these speeches yet hap what shall you can know no more then you doe and I can assure yee that by louing her you can get no aduantage So doe not I beleeue sayd the knight for a man ought to conceiue glory in trauaile or any danger in the seruice of so faire a Ladie seeing that in the end he cannot but gaine his long looked for recompence wherefore hee that loueth in so high a place as you doe should not be agreeued at any thing that happeneth When the Prince heard him speake so sensibly imagining hee vsed these wordes to comfort him he was of better cheere and came more neere to him to continue this talk but the Knight sayd Keepe yee backe for either by friend-ship or force you must tell mee what I haue demaunded Now trust me answered the Prince it shall not be so Goe too then quoth the knight see what wil happen thereon and defend your selfe With right good will sayde the Prince So gan they lace their Helmets taking likewise their Shieldes and Lances but as they seuered them-selues for the Ioust a Damosell came and spake in this manner Knights I pray you forbeare a while and tell mee one thing before the combate if you can for such is my haste as I haue no leasure to tarry the end of your fight At these words they stayed them-selues demanding of her what she desired I would faine quoth shee heare some news of a Knight called the Gentleman of the Sea And what would you with him said the Prince I haue brought him tydings answered the Damosell from Agraies Sonne to the King of Scotland Attend a little replyed the Prince and I will tell ye so much as I know of him All this time was the Knight of the Forrest ready for the Ioust and much offended at her that came to stay them wherefore hee called to the Prince to gaurd him-selfe giuing him such an attaint in the encounter as his Launce flew in pieces but the Prince met him full as both Horse and Man were thrown to the ground when the Horse being more nimble then his Maister seeing him selfe at libertie ran about the field yet the Prince found the meanes to take him againe and bringing him to the dismounted knight sayd Heere Sir take your Horse and hence-forth desire not to know any thing against a mans will The knight would not refuse his gentlenesse for he found him-selfe so shaken with his fall as hee could hardly follow to catch him again in meane while he assayed to remount on his Horse the Prince left him comming to the Damosell that stayed for him demaunding if she knew the man she enquired after No truely quoth she I did neuer see him but Agraies told me that he would presently make himselfe knowne so soone as I should say that I came from him He did not deceiue you therein answered the Prince therfore ye must vnderstand I my selfe am the man and with these words he vnlaced his Helmet when the Damosell saw his face she said In truth now doe I verily beleeue it for your beauty I haue heard very much commended Then tell me quoth the Prince where haue you left Agraies Hard by a Riuer not farre hence sayd she where he staieth with his Troupe attending a fit winde for Passage into Gaule and is very desirous before he go any further to know if you will beare him companie With all my heart replyed the Prince ride then before and conduct mee the way So rode he on with the Damosell and in some short time after they came neer the place where Agraies and his Armie were encamped but yet before they arriued there they heard behinde them one cry Stay knight for thou must tell me what I demanded The Prince turning backe behold the knight whō he so lately dismounted and another that bare him company wherfore hee stayed to take his Armes Now were they so neere the Prince Agraies Campe and he as they all might see the Tourney hauing a farre off noted the Princes comming maruailing what he was that so gallantly managed his Horse
be do follow me Truly answered Gandalin me thinks you are farre enough out of the way besides your horse is so wearie as if you let him not rest a little it is impossible for him to beare you any longer I pray thee said he in weeping do what thou shalt thinke best for whether I stay or goe my sorrows are remediles Eate then a little of this bread which I haue brought for your sustenance answered Gandalin but he refused it What will you then do said he shall I tell you whereupon I studied euen now It is all one to me answered Amadis I thinke on nothing so much as my death Then hearken vnto me if it please you said Gandalin I haue long time mused vpon the letter which Oriana sent vnto you as also vpon the words which the knight vttered against whom you did fight and so consequently vpon the lightnesse and inconstancy where-with women are endued for seeing she hath changed her loue and your selfe for a stranger shee witnesseth very well what trust a man should repose in such as she is and on the other side when I consider her vertues I thinke it in a manner impossible that she should so farre forget her selfe But it may be that in your absence some false report of you hath been made vnto her whereby she hath conceiued this displeasure against you the concealing whereof so much the more increased her grief Notwithstanding seeing you are assured that you neuer offended her although she haue beene too credulous yet in the end the truth will be knowne and thereby your innocency the more apparant it seemeth vnto me that you should not thus despaire seeing that shee may repent her folly and acknowledge the wrong which she hath done vnto you in such sort as requiring pardon for her misconceit she may make you amends with more ioy contentment then you euer yet enioyed together therfore inforce your selfe to eate that you may be able hereafter to preserue your life but if you do wilfully suffer the same thus to be lost you shall also loose all the good honor that euer you may or can hope for in this world Hold thy peace said Amadis for thou hast so shamefully and wickedly lied as I know no man which would not be displeased to heare thee thus to accuse her because that so wise a Princesse neuer did amisse at any time and if I die I haue well deserued it seeing that she shall be obeied and satisfied euen vntill my death And be thou assured if I did not thinke that thou speakest this onely with intent thereby to asswage my sorrow I would presently strike thy head from thy shoulders for the offence which thou hast done vnto me and take heed that henceforth you commit not the like fault When he had so said he arose vp in a great rage and walked vp along the riuer so pensiue that he knew not what way he should take Which Gandalin perceiuing fearing his anger and thinking also that he would not goe farre he let him alone and laid him downe to sleepe his eyes beeing very heauie with watching When Amadis was returned vnto him and perceiued him so sound asleepe hee would not wake him but took his owne horse and sadled him then did he hide the bridle and harnesse of Gandalins horse in the bushes to the end when he awaked he might not follow him Then he armed himselfe and mounted on horse-backe coasting ouer the top of the mountaine Thus without any stay at all hee rode till it was within foure houres of the sun setting discending then into a great plaine where there were two high trees and vnder them a faire fountaine commonly called The fountaine of the plaine field to which hee went to water his horse And as he approched neere the fountaine he beheld a religious man clothed poorly in a garment made of gotes haire hauing his beard and head all white who was watering his Asse Amadis saluted him asking him if he were a Priest Truely said the olde man it is more then forty yeeres since I first said Masse The gladder am I thereof said Amadis Then he alighted took his saddle and bridle from his horse who finding himselfe at liberty began to run towards the Forrest Amadis minding not to follow him but threw off all his armour which done he kneeled at the olde mans feete who taking him vp by the hand made him sit downe by him beholding him well he thought him to bee the fairest Gentleman that euer he saw although hee was pale and wan hauing his face all bedewed with teares whereat the Hermit was moued with so great compassion that hee sayde vnto him Knight you seeme to bee full of sorrow and if your griefe proceede from the repentance of any sinne that you haue committed In truth my son you are very happy and if it bee for any temporall losse then I thinke seeing your youth and the estate wherein you haue liued vnto this present you shold not thus vēxe your selfe but pray for forgiuenesse Then hee gaue him his blessing saying Goe too now confesse your sins Here-upon Amadis began to tell the whole discourse of his life without letting any thing passe Truely saide the holy man seeing that you are discended of so high a birth you ought to bee the more vertuous yet you must not dispaire for any tribulation that may happen vnto you cheefely for this that proceedeth from the occasion of a woman who is as easily won as she is lightly lost Wherefore my son I councell you to forget such vanities and henceforth to banish the thought of such a miserable manner of life from you for it will not onely be yrkesome vnto you but also euery vertuous person will condemne you for it Ah father answered Amadis I am now in such extreamitie that it is impossible I should liue any long time wherefore I humbly pray you to receiue mee into your company and to comfort my poore soule for that little time which it hath to remain in this vnhappy body When the good olde man heard him speake with such affection he sayde vnto him I promise you my friend it is ill done of you who are a knight yet young and of a comely stature to fall into such desparie seeing that women cannot continue their loue but by presence of those whome they loue for by nature they are quickly forgetfull and light of beleefe especially where any thing is reported vnto them of such as haue fondly yeelded them-selues to them who when they think to haue nothing but ioy and contentment do finde themselues plunged in all sorrow and tribulation as you now feele by experience Wherefore I pray you henceforth to be more vertuous and constant and seeing you are borne a Kings son and likely to gouerne a Kingdome returne to the world for it should be a great hurt to loose you in this sort and I cannot presume what she might bee
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
the habit and estate whereunto I am called such speeches as these become me not at all neuerthelesse knowing that it is for your good I am sure that I doe not amisse in this counselling a person so comfortlesse as you are Here-with all the Faire Forlorne fell vpon the ground to kisse his feete reioysing that he had happened into the company of a person so holy that knew how to comfort him so well in his aduersity desiring very heartily that whatsoeuer the holy man had told him might so come to passe and he said vnto the Hermit my Father seeing it hath pleased you to do me so much good as to expound this dreame I pray you likewise to tell me the meaning of one other which I dreamed the night before I came from the firm-Island Then did hee recite it word by word vnto him Whereupon the aged man answered him My son by this you may plainely see that which already is happened vnto you for I assure you that the place ouer shaddowed with trees where you thought that you were the great nūber of people which at the first made such great ioy about you signifieth the firm Island which you haue conquered to the great pleasure of al the inhabitants thereof But the man which came vnto you with a boxe full of bitternes is the messenger of the Lady that gaue you the letter and your selfe doth know better then any other whether he brought you bitternesse or no by the discourse which he had with you The sorrow which afterwards you did behold in the persons which before were so ioyfull are they of the Isle who at this present are very heauy for your absence The apparell which you threw off are the teares which you haue shed The stony place wherin you entred inuironed with water this rock witnesseth to you what it is The religious mā that did speake vnto you in an vnknown lāguage is my selfe who do instruct you in holy writ which you neither vnderstand nor can comprehend Father answered the Fair-Forlorn I know verily that you say the truth which giueth me great hope of that which you haue declared of the other but the continuall griefe and melancholie wherein I liue hath already ouer-mastered mee that I beleeue if the good which you promise vnto me do not the sooner case my care death will first seize vpon my sorrowfull corps Notwithstanding the Hermit knew how to perswade him so wel that from thenceforth he shewed a little merrier countenance then before he had done and began to turne his sorrow to some solace vsing to angle for fish with two Nephwes of the olde man that kept him company Neuerthelesse the most part of the time he with-drew himselfe into a secret place hard by the sea side which was ouer-shadowed with diuerse sorts of trees and there oftentimes he cast his sight vnto the Firme-Island which put him in remembrance of those fauours whereunto fortune had called him the wrong that Oriana did vnto him hee hauing neuer offended Alas saide he haue I deserued this entertainment to be banished without hauing offended so much as in thought Truely deere friend if my death were agrieable vnto you you haue meane enough to giue it me more speedily without making mee thus to liue in languishing The onely deniall of your good grace the very first day that you accepted me for your knight had beene sufficient at that time to haue made me die a thousand deathes Many other lamentations did the Faire Forlorne euery day make in this solitary place wherein he tooke so great pleasure that oftentimes hee there passed away both the day and the night so as one time finding himselfe more frollick in his minde then of a long time he had beene hee made this song following Sith that the victory of right deserued 〈◊〉 they do withhold for which I serued Now 〈◊〉 my glory thus hath had a fall 〈◊〉 it is to end my life withall By 〈…〉 is my death likewise my woes release My 〈…〉 loue doth cease But euer 〈…〉 my during paine For 〈…〉 my glory and my gaine My selfe haue 〈◊〉 and my glory slaine Thus the Faire Forlorne passed away the time waiting vntill fate or better fortune should bring him forth of this miserie But it happened that one night lying vnder the trees as hee was accustomed about the breake of day hee heard very nigh him the sound of a most sweete instrument wherein he tooke so great pleasure that he gaue attentiue eare thereunto a good while amazed notwithstanding from whence it might proceede Knowing the place to bee solitary that no other there remained but the hermit his two Nephewes and himselfe wherefore he rose vp without making any noyse at all and approched more neere to see what it might be Then he beheld two young Gentlewomen sitting by a fountaine who tuning their voyses to the sound of a lute did sing a most pleasant song neuerthelesse fearing to trouble their mirth hee stood still a great while without being by them perceiued Afterwards he came forth and disclosed himselfe saying vnto them Truely Gentlewomen your musicke hath made me this day to loose Matins for the which I am very sorry When these women heard him speake hauing not seen him at all vntill that time they were much afraide Norwithstanding one of them more bold then her fellow answered him My friend we did not thinke to offend you with this our mirth but seeing we haue so luckily found you tell vs if it please you who you are and how this desert place is called In truth faire Gentlewomen saide the Faire Forlorne this place is called the poore Rock wherein there liueth an Hermit vpon the top thereof in his little hermitage As for me I am a poore man that keep him company doing great and hard penance for the sin and wickednesse which I haue committed Gentle friend answered they may we finde in this place for two or three dayes onely any house wherein we may place at ease a Lady both rich mighty so tormented with loue that she is euen at deaths dore therewith Trust me said he there is no other lodging in this Rock but the little cabinet wherein the Hermit doth lie and one other that I do sleepe in some-time but if the Hermit will lend you mine I am content to do you a pleasure to lie in the meane time abroad in the fields as I commonly vse to do The Gentlewoman gaue him hearty thankes and bidding him good morrow they departed towards a Pauilion within the which the Faire Forlorne beheld a most beautifull Lady vpon a bed Wherupon he knew that the same was shee of whom they told him But looking farder off he did see foure armed men walking by the Sea side who scouted abroad whilest fiue others did take their rest and he also perceiued a shippe at Anchor well appointed The Sun was already vp when he heard the Hermitage bell to ring which
perceiuing in laughter saide You shall not be such a glutton maister Lyon but you shall leaue vs parte of the game And herewith presently he alighted because his Horse would not come nere the beast so drawing his Swoord and clasping his sheeld on his arme not regarding the cryes of King Garinter who laboured to disswade him from the attempt he marched to the Lyon who for defence of his pray ran eagerly against the King and so betweene them began a new warre But the Lyon being quicke and nimble did so much as he got his enemy vnder him yet was the Kinges heart so good that albeit he was in very great perill of his person he was not abashed one iotte but turned himselfe in such sorte as he thrust his Swoord into the belly of the beast which at that instant fel downe dead before him The King seeing what had happened was so ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he said within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best Knights in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their king had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Venison laid on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Queene was immediatly aduertised of king Perions arriuall and therefore made speedy prouision of all things necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their coming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences done on all sides the two kinges sat downe so did the Queene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had loue secretly ambushed himselfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quick and thence forwarde hold a sure conquest of her The like in king Perion who thought of nothing but a friendly entertainment yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearcing regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesse but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong king and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that hower he had his hart francke and free without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner tyme they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with drawen whē the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherefore Elisena arose to follow her but as she stepped forward she let fall a Ring which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her thinke on other matters Now was king Perion somewhat neer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes meete together as the king had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her Ring Wherevpon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a sweete regard humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doe you for my whole life time shal be imployed to obey you Cōstrained was Elisena without answering him to follow the Queen her mother so surprized altered as very neere she had forgoten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguish shee went and discouered the same to a faithful Damoselof hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councel her how she might safely know if King Perion had not elsewhere placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showne her might proceed from force of that impression which had so lately seazed on her hart The Damosell meruailing at this so sudden mutatiō in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her piteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherewith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye he hath lest no place in your iudgement where counsell or reason may be entertained and therefore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obey you I shall do what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretiō and great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garments for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I performe this seruice and you gentle Squire may goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Country made no deniall but willingly suffered her to take the Garments whereupon she entred the Chamber where she found the King laid on his bed who seeing her enter and knowing well it was she whom he had seene to conferre with Elisena most priuatly in whom aboue al other she put chiefest trust he thought that she wold not come in that sort to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he said Faire friend what demand ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I said the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this country I was free from all passions and doubted nothing but of aduentures that might happen to Knights errand but now I know not in what sort entring this Court by some one of your Ladyes haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell know how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my selfe happy by doing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you wil promise me said the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say boldly your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my friend quoth he I giue you to vnderstand that at what time I beheld the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamely tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I find not remedy for my greefe
beheld him meruailed thereat but one day among other it happened that Gandales rode to sport himselfe in the fields arming himselfe as became a good Knight for he had dayly accompanied the king Languines at such time as he searched after aduentures and albeit the king discontinued Armes yet Gandales would oftentimes exercise himselfe and as he rode he met with a Damosell that thus speake to him Ah Gandales if many great personages were aduertised of what I know certainly I assure thee they would cause thee to loose thy head Wherefore quoth he Because said the Damosell thou nourishest their death in thy house The knight knew not the woman that thus talked with him but you must vnderstand how she was the same that said to king Perion that when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should lose her flower yet notwithstanding he was farre from the matter because he knew not whereof she spake and therefore thus replyed For Gods sake Damosell I pray ye tell me on what occasion you vse these speeches Beleeue me Gandales qooth she I haue tolde thee nothing but truth At these wordes she departed from him leauing him very sad and pensiue yet long he did not continue in these thoughts but he saw her returne againe in great hast thus crying calling Ah Gandales for Gods sake succor me then Gandales turning about beheld a knight follow her with his Sword drawne wherefore he gaue his horse the spurres to meete him and placed himselfe for the defence of the Damosell then comming to him that pursued her he said Stay thou bad aduised knight what moueth thee thus trecherously to outrage Ladyes What now answered the other doest thou hope to saue her who by trumpery hath made me loose both body and soule That meddle not I withall said Gandales but I will defend her to my power well knowing that Ladyes ought not to be corrected in this manner albeit they did deserue it We shal presently see that answered the knight and so gallopped to the place from whence he came which was a little thicket of trees where stayed a very beautyfull Lady who when she saw him returne came forth bringing him a Sheeld and a strong Launce which he tooke and without longer tariance returned to his enemy Gandales being a sterne knight would not refuse him whereupon they met together in such sorte as their launces were broken no their Sheelds and they with their horses cast to the ground yet quickly did they recouer footing when began betweene them a meruailous combate which worse would haue bin but that she which desired succor of Gandales stepped betweene them saying Stay Gentlemen fight no more At these wordes the Knight who before pursued her went back then said the Damosell to him Come now and aske pardon of me Most willingly answered the Knight then throwing his Sword and Sheeld down came and humbled himselfe on both his knees before her whereat Gandales was greatly amazed afterward the Damosell said to the Knight Goe coÌ„mand the Lady vnder the trees that she get her away immediatly vnlesse thou shalt take her head from her shoulders To this charge the Knight yeelded himselfe obedient and to her whom he loued more then himselfe by sudden change from loue to hatred he came and angerly said Trayterous woman I know not how I shall defend my selfe from killing thee presently Well perceiued the poore Lady that her friend was enchanted and that contestation would nothing at all profit her wherefore incontinent she mounted on her palfray and rode away making the most grieuous sorrow that euer was heard and there remained she whom Gandales had defended speaking to him in this manner You haue Sir done so much for me as I shall be beholding to you while I liue and now you may depart at your pleasures for if the knight offended me I haue pardoned him with all my heart As touching your pardon answered Gandales I haue nothing to doe therewith for my selfe I will end the Combate or he shall hold him-selfe vanquished It behoueth that you acquite him said the Damosell seeing that if you were the best Knight in the world easily can I make him ouercome yee Do therein what you can replyed Gandales but I will not acquite him except you first declare to me wherefore euen now you said that I kept the death of many people in my house Then will I rather tell ye quoth she because I loue you both He as mine owne Soule you as my defender albeit constraint cannot make me doe it so taking him aside she said You shall sweare to me as a loyall Knight that no other shall know it by you vntill such time as I command it hereof he made her faithfull promise Know then said the Damosell that he whom you found in the Sea shall one day be the flower of chiualdry and shall cause the very strongest to stoope he shall enterprise and with honor finish what other shall faile off and such deedes of armes shall he doe as no one thinkes can be begun or ended by the strength of one man The proud shall he make humble and gracious being cruell and pittilesse as also benigne and amiable to the debonaire this Knight most loyally will maintaine loue and shall effect in place answerable to his magnanimitie Moreouer I assure thee Gandales that he is the Sonne of a King and without doubt all this will happen which I haue told thee but if thou keepe it not secret it may returne thee more harme then good Madame answered Gandales I pray ye tell me where I may meete with you hereafter to conferre with you on the affaires of this infant That must you not know by me said the Damosell or any other Yet tell me your name quoth Gandales if so it be your pleasure By the faith you beare to the thing you most loue in the world replyed she you coÌ„â—ure me so as you shall know it albeit the thing that most I loue is he that wisheth me least good and would you know what he is it is the Knight against whom ere while you combated notwithstanding I will not leaue to intreat him at my pleasure without he being able to remedy him-selfe My name is Vrganda the vnknowne and to the end you may remember me an other time beholde me well at this present At that instant she who shewed her selfe to Gandales faire yong and fresh as one of eighteene yeeres became so olde and ouer spent as he meruailed how she could sit on her horse if then he was stricken into admiration you may iudge But when she had beene a prittie while in that state she tooke out of a little bottell which she caryed a certaine vnguent wherewith she rubbed her face right soone recouered her former countenaunce saying to Gandales What iudge ye now Sir thinke you to finde me hereafter against my will vsing all the dilligence you can deuise neuer therefore put your selfe to such
teares into his eyes and altogether praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to meete with his Parents being all this while vnknowne to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demanded of him if hee had no other name thē that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three daies past since I knew there-of for as I came from the Combat against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in waxe when I was found in the sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and herewithall he shewed the letter to the Queene which she full well knew so soone as she saw it Beleeue me said the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis de Gaule It was not long before the bruite hereof was spread through the city that the good famous knight was sonne to King Perion and the Queen Elisena wherefore if euery one reioyced you must thinke the Prince Agrates was not sorry for they were found to bee Cozin germames Among the rest the Damosell of Deamarke had knowledge here-of wherefore considering what comfort this would bee to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to return toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good Newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whom aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to her Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you can not so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shedde so many teares These wordes caused the teares to trickle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the Heauens may safely conduct ye yet let mee entreat your friendly remembrance commanding the vttermost of my endeauours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so endebted to my gracious Mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuerthelesse you may say to her that right soon shall I come to shew my obedience and in like Armor will I be clad as when you saw me combate with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily know me if I cannot compasse the meane to speake with you in this manner departed the Damosel of Denmark On the other side Agrates seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside sayd Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate heart will allow me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to command me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonour she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speed and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the onely cause of my parting with you Now must you note heere-withall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the king of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this yong Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tel ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without lād because al the portiō his father left him was onely a poore Castle for the rest he had spent in following armes entertaining Gentle-men whereupon he had the Sirname of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agrates had with Amadis of whō he requested to know where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin qouth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visite the Court of king Lasuart where I haue heard Chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honour then in the kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may command mein their seruice euē as your self or any other as well in respect of our alliance together as also for the gracious entertainment I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies took his leaue beeing Honourably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the fields he saw a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his Horse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell some-time sayd vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she sayd true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whom thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the Flower of Ireland and such a one as that Countrey shall neuer haue his like Vntill time the good brother of the Ladie must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be broght thither the tribute of other Countryes and he must die by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the onely thing of the world which most he loueth And so it hap ned by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that Countrey whom Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demanded of King Marke of Corne wall his Vncle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the onely thing of the world that hee most loued Now must thou be mindefull hereof sayd the Damsel to the King for Vrganda my Mistresse so cōmandeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whom she gaue the Launce commendeth him-selfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce
circumstance of their deaths hereat he was very much abashed then falling to their cheer they begiled the time with sundry pleasant deuises yet Amadis could thinke of nothing else but how he might make his arriuall knowne to Oriana wherefore they were no sooner risen from the table but he tooke Gandalin aside and thus began My friend thou must of necessity goe to the Court and labour secretly to finde the Damosel of Denmarke to whom thou shalt report that I am here attending to heare from her what I shall do Gandalin with all possible speed departed and the better to execute his enterprise he went on foote when being come to the Pallace not long had hee stayed till he saw her he looked for who was as busie as he in the selfe-same cause yet at the first she knew him not but quickly remembred she had seene him in Gaule with Amadis and embracing him demanded where his Maister was Why Lady quoth Gandalin did not you see him to day it was hee that vanquished proud Dardan and hath with drawne himselfe to the Forrest to heare from his mistresse dâ—sâ—…g you by me to let him vnderstand what he must do Right welcomâ— said the Damosell is he into this Country being the man desired aboue all othes but my Lady must needes see thee therefore follow me If any one aske who thou art say thou bringest letters to Oriana from the Queen of Scots and likewise thou art come to look for Amadis who is arriued heere as thou hast heard by these meanes thou mayest come to her without heere-after suspition Thus was Gandalin conducted into the Queenes chamber where the Princesse Oriana was to whom the Damosell of Denmarke came and speaking some-what loude sayd Madame heere is a Squire sent to you from the Queene of Scots Oriana weening she had said true arose to wel-come him but when she knew Gandalin the vermillion collour arose in her cheeks and was so ouer-come with ioy as shee knew not well what countenance to vse yet Gandalin as well aduised set his knee to the ground saying Madame the Queene my Mistresse heartily saluteth you as the Lady she loueth and esteemeth aboue all other of her Kinred desiring to heare some newes from you for here she greetes you with all that she doth know Then gaue he her a Letter which he had seigned hauing nothing written therein but the superscription on the out-side where-upon she went aside with Gandalin to one of the Windowes making shewe to heare the rest of his charge but she demaunded where he had left his master Madame answered Gandalin he with-drew himselfe into the Forrest so soone as he had conquered DardaÌ„ Good friend said Oriana tell me by the faith thou bearest to him how he fareth Euen so faire Princesse quoth Gandalin as the man that is altogether yours he liueth onely by remembrance of you and yet suffereth such anquish in his soule as neuer Knight endured by the onely feare he susteineth least hee should not be yours mistrusting his owne deserts for so high a seruice His greatest hope is in your princely kindnesse and knowing him so long as alsowhat he is that you will not forget him Wherefore I beseech yee Madame take compassion on him appoint a meeting together then resolue him make me a happie messenger and discharge your selfe of your deuoire for hitherto hath hee endured such sorrow as no man is able to suffer the like Often haue I seene him thinking on you so farre beyond himselfe as he hath fallen downe dead in a manner before mee so that I haue imagined noting the abundance of his teares his poore heart to be distilled into water through the conduits of his eyes If he should die ye offered him great wrong for he is yours easily can ye not finde another so worthy of you Nor need you doubt but if you graunt the houre of lengthning his life he will surpasse in Chiualrie the best Knight that euer bare Armes wherein if he be happy by his vertue yet hath he mishap to counterpoâ—se the same onely through the passions he endureth for you If now you will not deigne to afford him remedy much better had it beene for him that fortune had let him preish in the sea to the mercy whereof in his cradle coffin he was commited then after his preseruation by such strange meanes to suffer him dye by a worse shipwrack then the other But if his dismall starres wil not diuert this danger happy might he haue accounted himselfe if he had neuer come to the knowledge of his parents whose griefe likewise he greatly increaseth to see him so consume dye before his day being vnable to diuine or vnderstand the cause thereof Gandalin all this while accompained his words with such teares and often among breathed foorth so many mournefull sighes as would haue enforced the very Rocks to rueth but perceiuing Oriana was touched to the quicke he began againe in this manner Ah gentle Madame consent not to the death of such a Seruant of yours and so good a Maister of mine for beside the common losse which will be great in you alone shall consist the fault more-ouer you shall maculate that perfect beautie with the high condemned staine of crueltie and ingratitude Here did he knit vp his perswasion attending an answere from the Princesse but shee was not able to deliuer one word so vehemently was her heart surprized and ouer-come and holding downe her head let fall wonderfull streames of teares downe her daintie checkes which enforced her to turne on the other side least she should be discried then when as Gandalin would haue begun againe she stayed him with a piercing sigh saying Ah my friend I pray thee say no more vnlesse thou be willing to see me die here presently Now stood shee silent a prettie while often wringing and straining her fingers with griefe then setting apart all dissimulation she softly thus spake The assurance thou giuest me of thy masters loue is highly pleasing and agreeable to me but the passion thou sayest he endureth tormenteth me to the very death so that I feele both his paine mine owne Ah God let me not be the occasion of death to a man so high and precious of desert as hee is rather let me worke mine owne death for if he die I may not liue one houre Thou art come to tell me his painefull trauaile now thou mayest goe to let him vnderstand mine which if thou knewest so wel as thou doest thy maisters instead of blaming me with crueltie thou wouldst rather iudge me vnfortunate and if I vse any crueltie it is against my selfe whom I haue depriued of rest pleasure and well-neere life it selfe The lesse succour can I giue to mine owne destresse because as it often happeneth to our sects when thinking to draw neere such as we desire we are furthest off and seeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so
garments to be brought and put about her wherefore hee that brought the lights ran for a scariet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the iaylor and cast it about the Ladies shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her forth of the darke prison saying She should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose his life before and passing by where the iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many woūds and torments haue you giuen me and diuers in this Castle without desert althought your bodies at this instant cānot receiue cōdigne vēgance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame saide Amadis while I go to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custody so passing on to the port-cullis he met the Souldier that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalaus demandeth where the Knight is that entred heere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the torch before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fal which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Villaine fearest thou being in my guarde goe on Thē assending the staires they came into the open Court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cleare and the weather faire but the Lady feeling the aire and beholding the heauens was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knees before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almighty protect thee and require the good I haue receiued by thee deliuering me from comfortlesse darkenesse Amadis looking round about for Gandalin and finding him not searing he had lost him wherefore he saide If the best Squire in the world be dead I will take such reuenge for his death may I but find his murderer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouer-come with griefe hee heard one crie wherefore hee ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great piece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthy stinking sauours neere him he espied Gandalin tied to a tree toward whom hee was going to vnbinde him but hee saw the Dwarffe had greatest need of help wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his feete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer entreated thee thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming forth of the Castle as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he staied ul day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanied with two of the Souldiers the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place where-into he saw a horse led which Amadis being desirous to see came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it fly open finding the horse there ready sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castle by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarffe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demanding what the King was she loued so deerly and for whom she had sustained such iniury Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whom I loue so loyally this diuelish enchanter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his presēce imagining the griefe here-of would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succor by reason of the traiterous villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke cloud enuironed me which hindred them from following mee to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought mee forth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you spake of It is King Arban of Norwales answered the Lady whom it may be you know I know him right well replied Amadis for he is one whom I deerly loue and now do I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appeared when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a window who thus demanded Art thou he that didst kill my iaylor my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so treacherously putteth knights to death abusing likewise both Ladyes and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard of As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldnes in asking me what I can do whether it bee wrong or right Herewith hee went from the window and not long after came downe into the Court being well armed mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knights in the world yet no Gyant wherefore when Amadis behelde him of such stature hee doubted not of his great force and strength Arcalous perceiuing hee eyed him so much demāded what moued him so to doe I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldest be a man of exquisite Chiualrie but thy peruerse and humaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me sayde Arcalaus I thinke my selfe highly beholding to fortune who hath brought thee hither to make mee such a smooth sermon but all this will not helpe thee therefore defend thy selfe So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their Shields as the shiuers flewe vp into the aire and with such violence met their horses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose with their swordes began a bloudy combate wherein desire of victorie and hauty resolution of vncōquerable courage made thē continue a long time till Arcalaus retiring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thee I may yet commend thy boldnes in entring heere My death answered Amadis is in the hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary of helping thee
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
with gracious behauiour as they might be termed Lords both in heart and hand the only meane that made them be serued with fedelity Therefore my good friends I desire you all euen in the most intire affection I can vse that you assist me to your vttermost in recouery of good Knights either of our owne or strangers promising you by the faith and word of a king so honorably to entreate and esteeme of them as both they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my nobleÌ„ friends that the better we bee accompanied the more we shall be feared of our enemies our state in greater safety and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new friends cannot make vs forgetfull of our olde let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yeelde and consent thereto Againe I entreat ye and expressely command that each of you presently name such to me as you know happely they being yet vnknowne to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may bee the better affected to our seruice likewise we entreat them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire withdrawing him-selfe into the appointed Hall where many Tables were prouided which he commanded to bee well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawne againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good friends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must grant me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particularly know the seruice you haue done me and you â—ast such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Hereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the kings request except Amadis because he was the Queenes knight and al this while was she present at these matters wherefore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord seeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honour your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doe the like to the Ladies and Gentle-women of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentle-men after you shall not deny mee considering that in semblable company good things deserue to bee demanded and granted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answer my friends shall we make the Queene shall we agree to her demand Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a princesse so vertuous Seeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine whatsoeuer she asketh At these words the Queene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hence-forth you would doe such honour to Ladies and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrells against all such as would molest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some suite to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most neede to be holpen This granted hereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wont to do them iniurie meeting them in the fields and knowing they haue such knights as you are for their protect ours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gaine-say it wee will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a law inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII How while this great and loyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to the Court cloathed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged MEane while this honorable company thus continued free from all danger and mis-hap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delights there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knees before the King thus spake My Lord ech one is merry but my poore selfe who am so crossed with griefe and sorrow as death were the best friend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These wordes were dipt in such aboundance of teares as the King being moued therewith to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to relieue your sadnesse but tell me who is the cause thereof Dread Lord quoth she my Father and Vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whom they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him said the King Because he vanted replied the Damosel that he alone would combat with them and so proud he grew in speeches as at length he defied them Not long after they meeting one day together the knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and vncle could not indure the iniurie but falling to the combat the knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she said procured his comming to maintain a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers being her great enemy wherfore seeing him dead she caused the conquerors to be taken put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my father and vncle often told her that they would performe for her what the knight should haue done But she answered how shee well knew they were not sufficient for the cause therefore should neuer be released vntill they deliuered her two knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whoÌ„ they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doe Know you not Damosell said the King against whom they shoulde combat or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue seene my father and vncle cruelly put in prison where their friends caÌ„ compas no meanes to see them Herewith she began again to weep that euery one pittied to behold her which made the king aske her if the place were far off In fiue daies my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone returned Now trust me said the king you shall not want your ioy for two knights wherefore looke among al these gallants and chuse such as you best fancy My Lord replied the Damosell I am a stranger and know not any one in this Court But
owne blood then the bruite Beasts are to their contraries Notwithstanding all their brutish qualities yet be they neuer so vnnatural to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledg there-of to commit so great wrong not onely against your selfe impitious father or mee a woefull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agrieued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladies wherefore the King commanded them to their chambers The Queene seeing the might not preuaile fell in a swoune but by her Ladies she was conueighed thence the King giuing charge on paine of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My daughter quoth hee I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can help it By this time the newes came to O◅a how her Father had consented to her departure whereat shee fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladies reputing her dead indeede thought best to acquaint the King therewith yet by forced remedies shee reuiued againe breathing forth many dolorous sighes Now the most of the women seueted themselues some neare and some further from her because shee should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony heart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speech and faintly vttered these regreets Full wel quoth shee doe I well beholde mine owne ruine Ah sweete friend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my heart foretolde mee euen at the very houre of thy departure Ah cursed bee that houre because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these rydings I feare being vnable to endure them thou wilt die immediately yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the onely refuge to the vnfortunate seest thou not me foremost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumph ouer thee in dealing so extreamely as shee can with me albeit I knowe thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therefore and let her not get such preeminence on mee in despight as it were of thy authority Adiew then sweete friend for neuer shall wee see each other more in this life at these wordes shee fell in a swoune againe When the King saw shee tarryed so long hee sent to cōmand her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadly agony and staying till she was recouered againe as shee began to renew her moanes he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When shee heard this message shee arose hauing her heart so sealed vp with griefe as it seemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke shee came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete sayde My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with mee Faire Daughter quoth hee I must accomplish my promise These speeches prouoked her former paines when the King grieuing to behold the sight therof turned his head aside saying to the knight See my friend here is the gift you demand and the onely thing in the world I most loue but intend you to carry her hence alone My Lord sayd the knight she shall be accompanied with two Gentlemen and their Squires which were in my company when you made mee this promise at Windsore more may I not allowe vntill hee haue her vnto whom I am constrained to deliuer her Yet let her haue the company of this Damosell saide the King for it were vnseemely she should bee alone among so many men Well quoth the knight for one woman it matters not So taking the Princesse in his armes shee being scant reuiued from her swoune he set her vp on horse-backe caused a Squire to sit behind her on the horse who might hold her fast lest she should fall and a very sad countenance shewed the knight saying there was none in the Court more sorrowfull then himselfe After the Damosell of Denmarke was mounted the King intreated her not to leaue his daughter whatsoeuer happened And while they were thus preparing the Princesse looking woefully about her a tall knight well armed came among them who not taking off his helmet or saluting the company tooke Orianaes horse by the bridle This was Arcalaus the enchanter and came in this sort lest he should bee knowen soone after he commanded the Squire to ride away with her which the Princesse perceiuing and seeing there was no other remedy deliuering a sigh as if her heart would haue split shee sayde Ah my deere friend in a happlesse houre for you was the boone granted because it will bee both your death and mine Herein shee meant Amadis whom shee gaue leaue to depart with the Damosell yet the standers by vnderstood it of her father and her selfe Thus departed Oriana with them that conducted her who rode apace till they were entred the Forrest neere at hand and the King himselfe was mounted on horse-backe to conduct his daughter somewhat on the way as also to forbid any rescue from following according to his former promise But the Princesse Mabila standing at a windowe to see this sad and pensiue separation could come no nearer to Oriana her heart was so surprised with griefe yet by hap shee espyed Dardan the Dwarffe that serued Amadis making speed after the Princesse on horse-backe when calling him to her she saide Dardan if thou loue thy Master stay not any where till thou acquaint him with this mishappe if now thou faile him it may returne to thine owne daunger for this is the time of greatest necessity By God Madame answered the Dwarffe I will with all diligence performe my duty So giuing the spurres to his horse hee galloped the same way his Master rode with the Damosell But leaue wee him posting and tell what now happened to King Lisuart who accompanied his Daughter to the entrance of the Forrest causing all such to returne as followed him Euen in the houre of his trouble a Damosell came to him mounted on a swift Palfray with a sworde hanging about her neck and a Launce richly painted hauing the point gilded ouer after shee had saluted him she thus spake My Lord God increase your ioy and make you willing to performe what you haue promised me at Windsore in the presence of all your worthy knights At these wordes the King knew her remembring it was she that sayde
hee hee had and while the horse fed Amadis demaunded to whom the Castle belonged To a knight called Grumen sayde the Hermit Cosen germaine to proud Dardan who was slaine at the Court of king Lisuart which makes mee the rather coniecture that he will lodge such as are enemies to so good a Prince Good father replied Amadis I beseech you haue minde of mee in your prayers and now shew me the nearest way to the Castle Which the Hermite did when Amadis mounting on horse-backe tooke his leaue following the way hee was directed Not long after he got a sight of the Castle which was compassed with strong Towers and high wals wherefore so closely as hee could hee approached neare it where hee heard what ioy they made for the arriuall of Arcalaus whē marking how many gates of issue it had hee found there was no more but one wherefore tying his horse where he might not be seen he hid himselfe so conueniently as none could passe in and out but he must needs see them thus was hee glad to watch there all that night At the breake of day doubting lest the watch of the Castle should descry him hee entered a little thicket where long hee had not staied but hee sawe a knight come forth on a little hill before the Castle looking all about if he could discerne any ambush which done hee went in againe and very soon after Arcalaus with his foure companions issued forth well armed conducting the two Ladies whom Amadis well knew so soone as hee sawe them Heereupon hee fell downe on his knee and prayed that God would strengthen him in this enterprise then looking to the well guiding of his horse and that euery part of his Armour were as it ought to be taking his Launce hee mounted tarrying till they passed by him But because this place was vnfit for the combate hee intended to suffer them enter on the plaine neere at hand still keeping himselfe in the thicket and so neer did Arcalaus with his company passe by Amadis as hee heard the Princesse Oriana thus complaine Alas sweet friend quoth she great reason haue you to bid mee adiew when I would permit you to goe succour her that seemed the most wofull woman in the world for I feare this shall bee our last conge and neuer may you see me againe because death giueth such due attendance as it is impossible for me to escape These words were of such vertue that albeit Amadis could not refraine from teares yet did they so liuely inflame his heart as ouer-reaching them ere they knew any thing hee thus spake to them You lye false traitours for these Ladyes shall passe no further The voyce of Amadis was quickly knowne by Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke when imagining themselues already reskewed their mindes were ioyfully cheered especially to see their conductours so suddenly amated But Arcalaus perceiuing how Amadis out-raged his friends approched more neere him and Amadis well knowing him from the rest met him so brauely as hee sent him headlong to the ground thē entring among the other foure hee gaue such a charge to Grumen the Lord of the Castle where they lodged that his Launce passed quite through his body and breaking therein he fell downe dead from his horse Now drew he the sword the Queene sent him wherewith he laide so valiantly about him as his enemies were cleane dismaied in their hope whē they beheld Arcalaus not yet recouered whose power they reputed able to ouer-throw an armie As hee continued the combate with them the Damosell of Denmarke seeing the friends of Arcalaus fight so timorously and himselfe lie still as one in a traunce she sayd to Oriana Madame beholde how your Amadis honoureth your loue see you not how he hath vsed Arcalaus and our hoste in sooth wee are already succoured for these other villaines can holde out no longer Ah happy Amadis quoth Oriana the mirrour of all vertue and chiualrie heauen giue thee grace to finish our deliuerance with victorie ouer these malicious traitours When the Squire who had the charge of Oriana as you heard vnderstood that shee named Amadis he was in such feare as presently hee leaped from the horse saying By my faith I might full well be reputed a foole to tarry for such blowes as my companions haue and with these words he run away so fast that hee neuer looked behinde if any pursued him In this time Amadis had dispatched three of the knights and the fourth misdoubting like lot would fal to him trusted to his horse legges for safetie of himselfe but as Amadis followed him he heard the Princesse giue a loude crye when looking backe hee saw that Arcalaus had got her with him on horse backe and gallopped away so fast as hee could Hereupon hee let goe the knight to helpe Oriana ouer-taking Arcalaus ere hee got much ground and lifting his sword to strike at him hee doubted least he should hurt the Princesse but turning to the other side he gaue him such a wound on the shoulder as he was glad to let fall Oriana that himselfe might escape more lightly for he knew if Amadis laid hold on him al the treasure in the world could not saue his life When Amadis saw himselfe sure of his Lady hee still pursued the cowardly run-away saying Tarry Arcalaus tarry and thou shalt see if Amadis be dead according as thou lyedst not long agoe But Arcalaus had no leasure to answere hee rather tooke his shield from his neck and threw it to the ground because nothing might hinder his horse in running At length as Amadis strook at him the blowe fell short on the horse buttock and the beast feeling himselfe wounded made greater haste away then he did before leauing Amadis very farre behinde who earnestly desired the death of Arcalaus but seeing all his labour was in vaine and doubting least some harme might happen to his Mistresse to lose her againe by negligence hauing by hardy valour so well recouered her he turned back againe and attayning the place where she stayed for him hee alighted from his horse then falling on his knee humbly kissed her hand saying Madame heauen hath affoorded mee more grace in strengthening me to succour you then euer it did to any other knight for I was out of hope to see you againe But she good Lady remained still so passionate in respect of her vngentle vsage as also affrighted with feare when Arcalaus let her fall that she could returne no answer but gaue him thankes by many kind embracings By this time the Damosell of Denmarke came to them and by the way found the sword of Arcalaus which shee bringing to Amadis thus spake See heere my Lord a very faire sword Right soone did Amadis know it to bee the same was found with him on the Sea which Arcalaus took from him when he lay enchanted being not a little glad hee had recouered it While many affable speeches passed betweene them Amadis
of the day carryed so farre from remembrance of any thing else as they thought not on the time how day wasted night ensued whether Gandalin were returned or the Damosell awake all these things were now cast into obliuion They imagined to haue viands good store being thus delighted the one with the other which seemed more delicious to them then all the Nectar or Ambrofia of Iupiter Yet at length they remembred themselues somewhat better when hearing the Damosell and Gandalin so neare them their pastime ended and taking each other by the hand walked among the trees to take the ayre in the meane while Gandalin and the Damosell spread a cloath on the grasse and set thereon such victuals as they had Now though there wanted rich cup-boords of plan as were in the houses of King Lisuart and Perion as also the solemnity of great seruices yet the fortunate entertaynement at this time was held by them of higher estimation During their repast as they regarded the woods and fountaines they began to esteem it no strange matter why the Gods sometime forsooke the heauens to dwell in groues and delightful Forrests Iupiter they imagined wise when he followed Europa 10 and his other friends Beside Apollo had reason to become a Shepheard for the loue of Daphne and the daughter of Admetus They being willing to imitate their example wished continually to tarry there without returning to the Pallace and royall pompe reputing the Nymphes of the woods most happy Goddesses excelling such as remayned in the walled Cities Pitty were it to trouble these louers in their amorous deuises wherefore wee will leaue them and see what happened to Galaor following the search of King Lâ—suart CHAP. XXXVII How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison GAlaor parting from his brother Amadis in such sort as you heard followed the way whereby the King was led prisoner and making great haste in respect of his earnest desire to ouer-take him had minde of nothing else hee met by the way As thus hee continued gallopping hee saw a Knight well armed come riding towarde him who maruelling why the Prince vsed such extreame diligence when hee came neare him sayd Stay a while knight and tell mee what affaires cause you make such speed Forbeare Sir I pray yee answered Galaor for by my tarrying may happen too great an inconuenience By God sayde the knight you must not so escape for you shall tell mee whether you will or no. I may not triâ—le the time quoth Galaor and so rode on still without any â—ariance Nay Gallant replyed the knight I will bee resolued in my demaund though to your cost Hereupon hee posted after Galaor still exclaiming on him with hard words weening he fled away for feare of him and often times hee thought to smite him with his Launce but the Prince euermore escaped his attempt yet his horse beeing sore wearied hindered him very much when the knight ouer-taking him thus spake Infamous palliard and without heart of these three things chuse the best either to combate returne or answere my demaund Now trust me sayd Galaor the easiest of these three is hard to mee wherein you make no shew of curtesie for returne I may not and if I combate it must be against my will But if you desire to know the cause of my haste followe me and you shall see for I should tarry too long in telling it and happely you would scant beleeue mee so horrible and disloyall is the deed which compelleth me to this impatience Beleeue mee quoth the knight I will follow thee three whole dayes onely to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaos held on his way the knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile wheÌ„ they espied two other knights the one being on foote running to catch his horse and the other gallopping away so fast as hee could Hee on foot was Cosen germaine to the knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other knight had beene dismounted knowing his kinsman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistance in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the knight you see before three dayes together hereto bee added all the speeches betweene Galaor and him In sooth replied his Cosen hee should seeme by your wordes the greatest coward in the world else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therefore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniury and beare you company to the ende I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten knights that conducted the King they riding vppe a narrow straite fiue before him fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to die or purchase his deliuerance for hee was so offended to see the King bound with chaines as hee imagined himselfe able to conquer them all as many more if they had been there whereupon he thus cryed to them Traytours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the world With these wordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his body hee fell downe dead beside his horse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the for most fiue to guard the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found themselues very much deceiued for though the Princes horse by reason of his sore trauell often stumbled and thereby put him in danger of falling yet laide hee such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanied the first and the other twaine were brought into hard extreamity Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kings together entring couragiously among the thickest shewing most rare and haughty chiualry When the two Cosens that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with maruell the one sayd to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for hee is the most hardy knight that euer I saw except the world shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him die in this extreamity leâ—t the beauty of chiualry bee gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantly thrust themselues into the skirmish deliuering such friendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt himselfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispersed and hee had leasure to take a little breathing but wondering whence this aide should proceed hee fell to worke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cosen to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded hee purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horse got one of the slaine knightes
swordes where-with hee resisted his enemies brauely As the cosin to Arcalaus followed his intent the king gaue his horse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp hee fell downe back-ward yet the Knight recouered himselfe and Galaor seeing one fight with the king came to assist him when snatching off his helmet hee would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the king would not suffer him saying hee should liue and dye a theefe The two cosins who were named Don Guilan and Ladasin pursued another knight whome they slew and returning backe againe they knew the king which stroke them into no little maruaile because they heard nothing of his mis-fortune then alighting from their horses they took off their helmets and did him reuerence when hee knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My friends you haue succoured me in a needefull time for which I may liue to requiâ—e you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to each other I lost you both especially you Lord Guilan your minde being else-where made you forget me These words caused a modest blush in Don Guilan beause the king disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one â—ot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainment she gaue him tasting together the fruit of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and dayly conceiued such strange suspition thereof as it procured the iniurie was done to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the garden at his returne from faire Aldena whereby the Damosell was in danger of burning as the history here-tofore hath declared to you But while the king thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had got the Nephew of Arcalaus beside his horse and tyed the chaine about his neck the king was bound withall then taking the best horses belonged to the dead knights they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the king how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the king to require him with many thankes that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessity But my Lord quoth Don Guilâ—â— my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who oftentimes makes mee to forget my selfe a knight encountred with mee and by force of his Lance cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the king I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladies yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are the greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladasin which was not farre thence whither soon after came Galaors squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the king how his brother Amadis was gone to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mis-hap being published iu the Cittie might raise some coÌ„motion amoÌ„g the people Credit me quoth the king seeing Amadis vndertooke to follow my daughter I will not as yet account her lost if the traytor Arcalaus worke no new villany by his enchantments but as concerning my happy deliuerance I like well that my Queen should vnderstand thereof Whereupon Ladasin called a Squire whom the king presently sent to the Court as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the king coÌ„muning with the Nephew of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinsman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to be king of Great Brittain Hereupon the king concluded to make the more haste thinking to finde Barsinan as yet at London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the City of London I If you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poor labouring men not knowing the king Oriana seeing how iniuriously they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide them-selues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were king Lisuarts and his daughters Whereupon so soone as the two knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring through the Citty especially among the knights as they presently armed themselues and mounted on horse backe in such troupes as the fields were quickly couered with men horses At this time was king Arban of Norwales talking with the Queene little thinking on any mis-fortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayde My Lord you tarry heere triâ—â—ing too long arme your selfe quickely followe the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Citie how certaine villaines haue carried the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed king Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Queene heard these vnhappy tydings not able to vndergoe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but king Arban hauing more minde on the King left her in her Ladies armes hasting with all speed hee could to horse-backe When he was setting foot in stirrop hee heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castle whereby hee gathered they were betraied wherefore hee caused the Queenes lodging to bee guarded and returning to the Citie sawe euery one ready in Armes when chusing so many as hee pleased as also two hundred well approoued knights hee sent two of the cheefest to the Tower of London to vnderstaÌ„d the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his traine killing and casting ouer the walls al that he met Herein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the knights and men of account were gone to succour the king Highly displeased was king Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the king had been betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences that might happen he ordained his men in battaile placing good watch about the Queenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take the Queen as hee had done the tower but he met with stronger resist theÌ„ he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan took a prisoner by whoÌ„ he was aduertised how king ArbaÌ„ wold with-stand him euen to the death Now began
gracious Patrone Your Honours euer to be commanded A. M. THE SECOND BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE CHAP. I. The Description of the firme Island Who made the inchantments and placed those great riches which were found in the same THere was a King in Greece who was married vnto the Emperours daughter of Cōstantinople by whom hee had two sonnes excelling in all perfection both of body and minde Especially the eldest named Apolidon who was so well brought vp and conditioned that hee found not his equall in any vertuous quality wherein he exercised himselfe This Apolidon studied all sciences wherein he profited so much that hee was not onely counted one of the best knights in the world but also surpassed all men of his time for wisedome excelling them in learning as farre as the moone exceedeth the starres in light and chiefly in the art of Nigromancy by the which he brought to passe many great matters which seemed beyond the capacity of men Now was the King father of these two young Princes most mighty in lands and wealthy in treasure but very weake in body by reason of his age Wherefore knowing the end of his daies to approach he would before his death make partition of all his goods vnto his children because no contention or debate should happen betweene them after his decease And for that end he appointed the kingdome to Apolidon being his eldest sonne and heire the other he inuested with all his riches and moueable goods among which there was many excellent bookes of inestimable value Yet the youngest nothing liking this partition bewayled his estate vnto the King beseeching him most humbly to consider that his patrimony being so small hee was not onely left poore but in a manner disinherited Then the aged father perceiuing the discontentment of his sonne being the thing hee most feared was exceeding sorrowfull but yet would he not alter that which hee had done without the consent of Apolidon who beeing aduertised thereof came vnto him and in the presence of his brother saide thus It may please your Maiestie I heard within these few dayes that my brother is not content with that portion which it hath pleased you to appoint vnto him and therefore because I knowe how grieuous the same is vnto you seeing the brotherly loue betwixt him and mee likely to be broken I most humbly beseech your highnesse to take all that againe which it hath pleased you to giue vnto mee and dispose therof as it shal seeme best to your owne minde for I shall thinke my selfe thrise fortunate to doe any thing that may breede your soules felicity and very well apaid with that which to him was appointed When the King behelde the bounty of his sonne Apolidon and the obedience hee shewed vnto him hee was therewithall so pleased and exceeding ioyfull that his soule knowing it could not leaue his body in greater contentment fled vp into heauen leauing his two sonnes in such friendship as he desired Notwithstanding after the body was buried and all accustomed funerall rights ended Apolidon caused certaine shippes to he rigged and furnished for the sea wherein being embarked with diuerse Gentlemen of his friends seeing the winde and weather fauour them he commanded the ankers to bee waied and the sailes to be let fall the which were incontinently filled with so stiffe a gale as in lesse then one houre they were past the countrey of Greece And yet Apolidon had not dertermined to bend his course vnto any certaine coast but following his fortune driuen by the winde he discouered the Countrey of Italie whereunto approching he landed in a certaine port thereof The Emperour Sindan beeing aduertised of his landing sent many great Lords vnto him to request him to come to Rome where hee should be as royally entertained as might be deuised To which request Apolidon willingly condiscended and beeing there already arriued the Emperour receiued him with honor yet although at his comming hee determined to soiourne no more then eight daies with him hee changed his purpose and remained there a longer season in which time he accomplished such haughty deedes of armes and behaued himselfe so worthily that amongst the Romans he gained the reputation of the best knight in the world and obtained the loue of a young Princesse the onelie sister to the Emperour named Grimanesa the fairest Lady then liuing And although that their loue was alike yet was this faire Lady so streightly looked vnto that neither could her affection bee satisfied nor the common desire of them both bee performed Wherefore one day consulting more priuatly then they euer yet before had done loue wrought such a consent in them as they agreede to depart vnto such a place where they might without controle enioy the fulnesse of their content so as what they secretly intended they as suddenly executed For euen as they had appointed it so the faire Grimanesa came forth one night to meete her loue Apolidon who stayed for her at the water-side hauing prepared shippes ready for their flight and wherein they presently embarqued themselues Then by force of the winde they were in few dayes driuen to arriue at the foote of the Firme-Island which was then inhabited by a mighty Giant whereof Apolidon and those in the ship were ignorant Where-upon thinking they were in a place of safety came on shoare and tents and Pauilions were set vp wherein they might refresh them for Grimanesa who was not vsed to trauaile by sea was as wearie as might be But at that instant when they thought themselues most secure the Giant which had discouered them took them so suddainly that Apolidon had scant so much leisure as to arme himselfe where-with Grimanesa was so amazed that she was ready to die for feare for the Giant taking her by the hand said vnto Apolidō Base slaue although I am not accustomed to be kind vnto any yet am I content for this once to suffer thee to fight against me alone on this condition that if thou be ouercome this faire Lady shall be mine and then afterwards I shall cause thee to bee hanged vpon the pole of this tent When Apolidon heard that by fighting with such a monster he might both saue himselfe his mistresse his hart was so great as he thought it a very easie matter to ouercome him and esteemed himselfe happy that fortune had offered him so fit an occasion as to make known vnto Grimanesa how much was his courage and how great was his Knight-hood Wherefore without longer delay the combate began betweene them the which lasted but a while for the Giant was pursued so valiantly as hee fell downe back-ward Then Apolidon streight stepped ouer him and cut off his head Which the inhabitants of the Isle vnderstanding they all came and offered them-selues vnto him becheeching him to remaine with them and to bee their Lord and protector Vnto this their request he condiscended wherefore they conducted him with great triumph to the
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
ended his song hee alighted vnder a tusted tree planted by the high way side thinking there to passe the rest of the night but worse happened to him then he hoped for Gandalin which had heard what hee sayde of Oriana doubting that Amadis had not marked it because his minde was otherwise occupied sayde vnto Durin It were best for mee to goe to my Master to know what hee intendeth to doe Then came hee forth of the bush where he was hidden beheld Amadis that sought for his horse to depart frō thence who as he looked here there he espied Gandalin When not knowing him at the first he cryed Who art thou that commest to surprise me speake and hide thy selfe no longer My Lord answered he I an Gandalin who will helpe you to finde your horse if so it please you When Amadis heard this Ah said hee how durst you persume to follow me hauing so expresly forbidyou beleeue mee thou hast greatly displeased mee let mee see thee no more but depart or else be sure thou shalt die My Lord answered Gandalin mee thinkes you should forget this manner of behauiour and bethinke you how to reuenge the foolish speeches which euen now were vttered by a knight who is not yet far from you for they are greatly to your disaduantage This sayde Gandalin to pacifie his displeasure towardes him that hee might bee the more incensed against the other I did heare him as well as you sayd he and therefore am I content to seeke rest else-where and to depart from hence where all misfortune doth follow me What sayd Gandalin is this all that you are determined to doe What wouldst thou more said he That you fight with him answered Gandalin to make him confesse his presumption I beleeue sayd hee thou wouldest say otherwise seeing thou knowest very well that I neither haue spirit heart not any force hauing lost all in losing her who gaue me life so as now I am no better then a dead man neither is there in Great Brittaine any knight so cowardly that could not easily ouercome mee if I should combate with him so haplesse and hopelsse am I. Trust me answered Gandalin you are in a great errour thus to suffer your heart to saint to let your courage faile euen whē it should most serue you to aduance the honour of her who so neerely toucheth you What report will Durin make here of thinke you who hath heard and seene all and is greatly abshed that now you behaue your selfe no better How sayd Amadis is Durin here I truely sayd Gandalin wee came both together and I beleeue hee followeth you thus to declare your manner of behauiour vnto her that sent him vnto you Get thee gone sayd Amadis thou vrgest mee too much Yet when hee thought that Durin should returne to Oriana his heart was so inflamed that hee called for his armes and mounting on his horse he went toward the knight whom hee found layd vnder the tree holding his horse by the bridle Then Amadis in a great rage sayde vnto him Sir knight who so greatly extollest thy fortune in loue I beleeue that against all right thou hast receined that good that loue hath doue for thee if good it may be tearmed and that thou neuer deseruedst it the which I wil proue with the losse of thy head What art thou answered the other that speakest so audaciously dost thou think that I am fauoured of the fairest Lady in the worlde for any other cause but onely for my valour and high knighthood wherewith I will make thee presently confesse that loue hath reason to fauour me and that it is not for thee to speake thereof It is but thy opinion sayde Amadis but thou must knowe that in despight of thee I am hee who hath least occasion to praise loue because hee hath so vildely deceiued me that I wil neuer dayes in my life put any trust in him knowing how falsely and treacherously he commonly vseth those that most faithfully do serue him And because I haue sufficiently prooued it I will maintaine that he can neuer be so faithfull as I haue found him false That it is so let vs see whether hee hath gained more in thee then he hath lost in me Then the knight mounted on his horse and beeing ready to fight he answered Vnhappy knight depriued of all good and banisht iustly from loue beeing vnworthy of his fauor get thee from my presence for I should commit a most horrible fact to lay my hands vpon such a vild miserable fellow So saying he turned his horse to haue fled away if Amadis had not staied him in calling him Villaine wilt thou then defend thy loue which so highly thou prisest onely with thy countenance and so get thee gone because thou wouldest fly the combat Trust me answered the other thou art in a right opinion for it is true that I haue no desire to proue my selfe against a person of so small desert but seeing thou wouldest that I should breake thy head I am content and if thy heart will serue defend it if thou canst Herewithall they ran one against the other with such force as their Lances flew to shiuers pearcing their shields quite thorough neuerthelesse their armour being good strong staied the stroke yet the knight fell to the ground carrying the raines of his horse with him wherefore he rose again lightly The which Amadis beholding he said vnto him Truely knight if the right which you pretend in so faire a friend bee not better maintained with your sword then it hath beene with your staffe Loue hath made but a bad choyce of you for a valiant champion your Lady a far worser match in lighting vpon such a carpet knight He made no account at all of these reproaches but boldly drew out his sword and comming neere to Amadis laid at him so lustily that hee had beene wounded if with his shield hee had not well warded himselfe wherein his sword was so farre entred that he could not pul it forth again but was forced to let go his holde leauing it sticking fast in the shield of Amadis Who lifted himselfe vp in his stirrops hitting him so sound a blow vpon his head-peece that it pearced euen vnto the quick the blow gliding downe it lighted vpon his horse neck wounded him to the death falling downe in the place and his master vnder him all astonied But Amadis seeing him arise said vnto him Gentle louer I am of the minde that Cupid henceforth should erect a trophie for the high prowesse which you haue shewed in his seruice that as long as you liue you should not cease to sing his praises declare those benefits which vpon you hee hath bestowed As for mee I will goe secke my fortune else where So he set spurres to his horse as he departed he beheld Gandalin Durin when cōming neere them he tooke Durin by the hand and sayd vnto him Friend
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
a great blemish Therefore my Lords I beseech you in performing the duty of a brother a friend and a companion to begin his search a fresh without sparing therein at all either time or toile This perswasioÌ„ did Gandalin make in weeping so extreamly that it greatly putied the three knights to behold him so as they concluded after they had beene in the Court if they heard not news of Amadis to begin a new pursuit to compasse the whole world about till they had found him and vpon this determination after they had heard diuine seruice they departed from the hermitage and tooke the way towards London But as they approched nere vnto the Cittie they were ware of the King who was already in the fields accompanied with many noble men and valiant knights for hee celebrated that day with all magnificence because that vpon the same he was crowned peaceable king of great Brittaine which was the principall occasion that many knights came to serue him Who beholding Galaor and his fellowes comming towards them shewed the king thereof and they in the mean season were hard at hand But because Florestan had neuer before seene such an assembly Galaor said vnto him Brother behold the king Now had they all three their head-pieces off wherefore some in the company did know them all forth-with except Flotestan the King imbraced them demanding how they fared Then Florestan 〈◊〉 to kisse his hands the which he refused And because he was the Gentleman that did most of all resemble Amadis and that heretofore he had heard speaking of him he began to suspect that it was his brother and therefore he saide vnto Galaor I beleeue that this is your brother Florestan It is he indeede if it please your Maiestie who hath a great desire to doe you seruice Ah said the king I would Amadis were now heere that I might see you all three together what saide Galaor hath your grace heard 〈◊〉 newes of him No saide the king but what haue you heard It may please your Maiestie answered he wee haue all three sought him a whole yeere yet haue we done no good but lost our labour and we did thinke to haue found him here in your Court wherefore seeing your grace hath certified me to the contrary I am in worse hope of his recouery then before So am not I saide the king for I am perswaded the heauens haue not endued him with such perfections to forsake him after this manner which maketh me to beleeue that we shall very shortly heare some tidings of him WheÌ„ they had ended their talke they entred into the Cittie where the Queene and the other Ladies were incontinently aduertised of their arriuall wherewith they were as glad as might bee especially Olinda the friend to Agraies who very lately was aduertised that he had passed vnder the arch of faithfull louers and shee expected his comming with as great deuotion as Corisanda did the arriuall of Florestan Then Mâ—… imagining to do Orianâ— a pleasure 〈◊〉 to aduertise her but she 〈◊〉 â—wordh-drawn iâ—to â—…er where shee sawe her â—…ing her head vpon one of hâ—r hâ—â—ds and reading in a booke to whom she saide Madame will you please to come downe to see Galaor Agrâ—… and Florestan who are now newely heere arriued WheÌ„ she heard her speake nothing of Amadis a new feare strook at her heart so that she knew not what to doe and the teares distilled from her eyes in such aboundance that her speech failed Neuerthelesse in the end not beeing able to dissemble her griefe shee answered Mabila my cosin and sweet friend how would you haue me to go see them in good sooth I haue not my minde so well setled that I may dissemble or hide that which in their presence I ought to doe Moreouer mine eyes are ouerswollen with much weeping and that which worse is it is impossible for to behold those whom I did neuer see but in the company of your cosin whom I haue so highly offended Heerewithall her heart was likely to haue left her sorrowfull body and she cryed My God how doe you permit mee wretched woman to liue being so worthy of death Ah my deere loue I doe now feele a double griefe for your absence seeing Galaor the rest to returne without you whome you loued as deere as your selfe who knowing the iniury and wicked act that I haue coÌ„mitted against you shall haue iust cause to procure my ruine whereunto I consent with a good will seeing that so vnaduisedly I haue beene the meanes of your losse Herewithall she had fallen downe all along if Mabila who streight espied it had not staied her vp saying vnto her Madame will you alwaies continue these strange passions I know well that in the end you will publish that to your shame which we doe most desire should be kept secret Is this the constancy which you ought to haue especially seeing that day by day we expect to heare good newes by the Damosell of Denmarke Alas answered shee you speake at your pleasure is it possible that shee may finde him hauing the charge but to seek him onely in Scotland seeing that his brethren haue in a manner compassed all the West without hearing any newes at all of him You abuse your selfe saide Mabila it may bee that they had found him but that hee kept himselfe secret from them the which he wil neuer do froÌ„ your Gentlewoman knowing that she is priuie to both your loues And therefore be of good cheere vntill her returne and then doe as you shall thinke good and for this time let vs goe if it please you towards the Queene who demandeth for you Well answered Oriana I am content to doe what you will Then shee dried her eyes and went in the Queenes chamber into the which the three knights were already entred who seeing her comming did their duty vnto her at the same time the King held Galaor by the hand vnto whom he said behold I pray you how your good friend Oriana is impaired since you did last see her In good faith answered Galaor your Maiestie saith true and I would with all my heart that I might doe her any pleasure that might purchase her former health Herewithall Oriana smiled saying vnto Galaor God is the only comforter of all men so that when his pleasure is my health shall bee restored and your losses recouered which no doubt are great for so deere a brother Amadis was vnto you And I would that the trauell which you haue taken to seeke him in farre countries had brought some fruit as well for the good of you and yours as also for the seruice of the King my father vnto the which hee was wholly adicted Madame answered Galaor I trust that wee shall very shortly heare some newes of him because he is the knight that I haue euermore seene most valiantly to resist all extremities God grant it said Oriana but I pray you cause Don Florestan to
pleasure that wee might heare such speedy newes from him as might giue vs cause to reioyce And as they talked together Gandalin cast his eye vpon Florestan who was talking with Corisanda whome Gandalin knew not but hee thought her to be one of the fairest Ladies that euer he had seene therefore hee beseeched the Queen to tell him who shee was the which shee did and the occasion wherefore shee was come into great Brittaine as also the loue which she did beare vnto Florestan for whose sake she staied at the Court if she doe loue him said Gandalin shee may well vaunt that her loue is imployed vpon him in whome all bounty remaineth and he is such a one that hardly may his equal be found in all the world and moreouer Madame I assure you that if your grace did know him so well as I you would not esteeme any knight more then he for he is of a most valiant heart and high resolution He seemeth to be such a one answered the Queen further-more hee is of so good a grace and alied to so many good knights that it is impossible but that hee should bee such a gentle knight as thou hast reported him to be In the meane season Florestan entertained his Lady and Mistris whom he loued most feruently not without a cause for shee was passing faire a rich Lady and alied to the noblest houses in all great Brittaine Who hauing remained yet some few dayes in the Court after his returne shee determined to depart and taking her leaue of the king and Queene she took her iourney toward her own countrey Two whole daies together did Florestan accompany her who promised her that so soone as he heard any newes of Amadis and that the battaile was past betwixt the two Kings Lisuart and Cildadan if he remained aliue hee would come vnto her to tarry with her a long time then taking his leaue of her hee returned vnto the Court But you must vnderstand that Oriana who had not forgotten her determination of going to Mirefleur departed the next morning with her traine where shee had not long remained but that she perceiued the amendment of her health and with the same her hope increased to see him whom shee so greatly desired And because that the king had appointed that during her aboade in that place of Mirefleur the gate should continually bee kept and that no body should enter thereinn Oriana foreseeing for the great desire shee had that it should be so the comming of Amadis shee sent to tell the Abbesse that shee should send vnto her the keyes of the Nunnerie gardens to walke thither sometimes for her recreation the which shee accomplished which were hard adioyning to the Castle but yet inclosed with very high walles And one day as Oriana walked there accompanied onely with Mabila seeing the place fauourable and fit for her purpose as if Amadis were returned she began to thinke of him in such sort and vpon the pleasure she should receiue by his presence that in speaking to herselfe she sayd Ah my onely hope my sollace and my intire refuge wherefore art thou not beere with mee seeing at this present I haue the meanes both to giue vnto thee and also to receiue of thee such case and contentment as we haue so oftentimes desired to receiue one of another At the least I wil not depart from hence vntil I haue wholy satisfied the hurt which by my ouer-great folly I haue procured vnto you but I will here attend your comming And if Fates or fortune doe permit mee to beholde you here shortly I promise you sweete loue to giue you the sure contentment that your seruent loue hath promised vnto you a long time but if my misfortune shall bee an hinderance vnto your speedy returne your only absence shall bee the meanes to hasten my end wherefore I beseech you to take pitty on this my weakenesse and to succour mee for I liue and yet languish in extreame bitternesse And seeing that euer hitherto you haue beene obedient vnto mee without contradicting me in any sort now the necessity beeing such I pray you by that power which you haue giuen mee ouer you that you would come to deliuer mee from death which I feele to approach and tarry not otherwise your delay will cause you ouer late to repent my vnhappy end In this sort did she speak as if Amadis had beene present when Mabila brake off her thought and Oriana changing her talke sayd to her Cosen seeing that wee haue the keyes of this place it were best that Gandalin should make some other like vnto them to the ende that your Cosen beeing returned may goe and come hither when as often as hee shall please It is wel aduised answered Mabila And as they were consulting there was one of the Porters sayd to Mabila Madam Gandalin is without who desireth to speake with you Let him come in answered Oriana for he hath beene brought vp with vs a long time and also he is foster brother vnto Amadis whom God preserue God so doe sayde the Porter it were a great damage that so good vertuous a knight should sustaine any hurt Then went he forth to goe seeke Gandalin and in the meane time Oriana said vnto Mabila I pray you see how your Cosen is beloued and esteemed of all men yea euen of the basest sort of people that are in a manner voyde of all vertue it is true answered Mabila Then Oriana sayde what would you haue mee doe but die hauing beene the onely cause of the ruine of him who is more worth then all the men in the world and who did better loue me then his owne selfe Ah accursed be the houre wherein I was borne seeing that by my folly and light suspition I haue done vnto him so great and so much wrong Madame answered Mabila I pray you forget these imaginations and onely arme you with hope for all this which you both say and doe serueth in no sort to ease your dolour Herewithall Gandalin entred in whom Oriana caused to sit downe by her and after some conference which they had together she recited how she had sent the Damosell of Denmark to seeke Amadis vnto whom shee had written a Letter containing that which you haue heard and what words also she had giuen her in charge to say vnto him therefore said the Princesse in thy opinion doest thou thinke that he will pardon me Madame answered Gandalin Me thinks you are little acquainted with his heart for I am sure for the least word that is in the letter hee will teare himselfe into an hundreth peeces for you if you do but onely command him by more likelyhood may you imagin whether he will be glad to come see you yea or no. And be you assured that seeing the Damosel of Denmarke hath vndertaken the charge to finde him that she will sooner accomplish the same then all the persons in the world
the which doe flie very lightly by reason of their long wings but they are so infectious that euery one shun them so much as they possible may Notwithstanding when a man findeth any one of them hee esteemeth of him as a thing much worth because they are profitable for diuerse medicines and these Serpents haue a bone that reacheth from the neck to the tayle the which is so great that vpon the same is formed al the whole body which is greene as you see by this scabberd and furniture for as much as they are bred vp as I haue said in this burning sea no heate of any other fire may hurt them Thus hath your Maiesty heard the strangenesse of this sword and of the scabberd now I will tell you of the floures of this kertchiefe In the same Countrie of Tartarie there is also an Island enuironed with the most strange and dangerous gulfe that is in any part of all the Sea By meanes whereof although the floures of these two branches are rare pretious yet there is no maÌ„ so valiant that dare goe to gather them but if it so chance that any one be so madde as to aduenture himselfe therein and if hee may bring them away assure your Maiesty he selleth them at as great a price as he pleaseth for amongst other singular vertues that they haue this is one that whosoeuer doth charily keepe them they doe neuer leaue their greenenesse and liuely colour as you may behold in this kertchiefe And seeing that I haue declared vnto you the excellency of these Iewels it may please your Maiesty likewise to vnderstand who I am and after what sort I came by these thinges I beleeu that you haue many times heard speaking of Apolidon who in his time was one of the best Princes of the Earth he it was that did beautifie the firme Island with many rare and singular things as euery one knoweth my Father was his Brother and king of Ganor who being in loue with the daughter of the king of Canonia did beget me of her And when I was of sufficient age to bee made knight my father commanded me seeing I had been coÌ„ceiued with far more perfect and loyall loue then euer was any other prince that I would not in like sort receiue knight-hood but by the hand of the most faithful louer that might be found in all the World neyther to take armes but from that Lady or Damosell who should loue her husband or friend with the like constancy as the knight doth The which I both promised and swore vnto him to performe thinking to accomplish his will very easily only in going to mine Vncle Apolidon and Grimanesa his wiâ—e towards whom I went neuertheles my misfortune was such that I found Grimanesa dead wherefore Apolidon knowing the cause of my comming was very sorrowfull For Grimanesa being deceassed else where very hardly might I finde as he told me that which I had promised vnto my Father the succession oâ— whose Crowne was denied vnto mee except I were a knight as by the statute and ordinance of his Realme was appointed and therefore mine Vncle willed me to returne vnto Ganor and that within one yeere following I should come againe vnto him during which time hee would endeauour to finde some remedy for the foolish enterprise which I had vndertaken and according to his appointment I returned Then he gaue me this Sword and kerchief by the which I might know those whom I was to finde telling mee that seeing had beene so rash in my promise therefore I should from thenceforth trauaile so long vntil that I finding such a constant knight and Lady had accomplished whatsoeuer my Father was commanded And thus your Maiesty may see the reason of my long trauaile and search therefore if it like your Highnesse you may trie the Sword first and your knights afterward And in like sort the Queene and her Ladies may prooue what shall bee the euent of the kerchiefe and he or she that shall finish these aduentures shall possesse the Iewels as their owne I gaine rest thereby where-of I shal reape the profit and your Maiesty honour and renowne amongst all other Kings and Princes hauing found that in your Court of the which I haue fayled in all other Countries Thus the old man hauing ended his discourse there was not any that were present who did not generally desire to see the matter in proofe and although the king was as desirous to see the triall there-of as any other yet did he defer it off vntil the fift day following vpon the which day was the feast of Saint Iames to be celebrated and the more to make it manifest he sent for a great number of his knights For the more full my Court is said the king the more is the likely-hood to haue this aduenture throughly tryed Vnto the which determination euery one agreed all this discourse did Gandalin heare who by good fortuÌ„e was not 1. houre before arriued at Lon. But so soone as the Conclusion was agreed vpon he got againe to horse-back and rode forthwith to Mireflure where he found the faire Forlorne playing at Chests with Oriana who seeing him returne so suddainly shee demanded of him what new euent was chanced in the Court Madam answered he I am sure that you will bee wonderfull glad to vnderstand what it is And what is it said Ortana then Gandalin recited all the whole discourse of the olde Gentleman with the strangenesse of the sword and kerchiefe as also how the king had put off the proofe thereof vntill the feast day of Saint Iames next ensuing During all this long discourse the Faire Forlorne became more pensiue then hee was accustomed to bee which Oriana straight perceiued neuerthelesse she made no shew thereof vntill Gandalin and the company were departed and that shee came and sat downe vpon the knees of the faire Forlorne Then shee kissing him and hanging about his neck said vnto him My loue I pray you tell mee whereupon you mused whilst Gandalin declared vnto vs the newes at London In faith Madam answered the faire Forlorne if my will were to my wish you and I should all our life time after liue in more rest and contentment then hitherto we haue done for the kerchiefe should be yours and the sword mine and so all suspition and iealousie should neuer more raigne betwixt vs. What sweete loue said she do you doubt that I would not gaine the Kerchiefe if it were by firme loue to be gained No Madame answered he but I did feare because the tryall is to bee made in the king your Father his Court that you would make it difficult to enterprise the same and yet I know that I am able both to carrie you thither and bring you back againe if it please you so that none that doe see vs shall know who we are My Lord said she you know that I will obey you all my life long and that you
they would pray them all to meete together and that then they would take counsell what was best to be done And at the same instant Amadis sent Durin to tell the Princesse Mabila that he would if it were possible the night following speake with Oriana about some matter of importance newly fallen out In this sort the day passed and the night approched being alreadie apparrelled in his sable weede wherefore at such time as euery one was in their soundest sleepe Amadis called Gandalin and came vnto that place by the which hee commonly entred into the chamber of Oriana who stayed for him according to the message which shee had receiued by Durin where being arriued without acquainting her at the first with any thing that might displease her after they had a little while discoursed pleasantly together Mabila the Damosell of Denmark who were desirous to sleep or it may be not being able to endure that heat where-with loue did pricke them seeing the kissings embracings where-with these two louers entertained one another sayd vnto them the bed is bigge enough for you two and the darknesse fit for your desires it is now late lie you downe if it please you and afterwardes talke together as much as you wil. Madame said Amadis vnto Oriana by my faith their counsell is very good It is best for vs then to beleeue them answered shee and therewithall hauing nothing vpon her but a cloake cast about her she had quickly gotten her in between a paire of sheets and as shee layd her downe close in her bed hee lent so neere vnto her ouer the beds side that after the curtains were drawne not to encrease his passion but to redouble his pleasure a wax taper being onely lighted vp in the chamber they began to kisse and embrace each other so incessantly that remaining in this great ease their spirits entertained a double delight by the sweet sollace which their metamorphosed soules did mutially receiue from the outward parts of their lippes being brought at the same instant into such an extasie that they were thereby vnable to speake one worde vntill the Damosell of Denmarke thinking that Amadis had beene asleepe pulled him by the garment saying My Lord you may lightly take colde get you into the bed if it please you With this waking as it were forth of a sound sleepe hee setched a deepe sigh Alas deare loue sayd the Princesse should you not be as well at your ease if you were laid downe in the bed by mee as to take so much paine and hurt your selfe Madame answered he seeing it pleaseth you so to command me I will not make it daintie to straine a little curtesie with you No sooner had hee sayde these wordes but that hee threwe him-selfe starke naked betweene the Princesse her armes then begunne they againe their amorous sports performing with cōtentment that thing which euery one in the like delight doth most desire after-wardes they began to conferre of diuers matters vntill that Oriana demāded of him wherefore he had sent her word by Durin that he had somewhat of great importance to tell her Madam answered he I wil declare it vnto you seing that you desire to know it although I am sure it will be both strange grieuous vnto you neuertheles I must of necessity aduertise you thereof because it is of so great cōsequēce You must vnderstand therefore Madame that the King your father yesterday did speake vnto Agraies Galuanes me in such discurteous sort that thereby we wel perceiued little good hee wisheth vs afterwards he recited vnto her word by word of all that had happened how in the end the king rising vp in a great rage told them that the worlde was large enough for them to goe seeke some other place where they might bee better requited then of him And for this cause Madame sayde Amadis wee must of force doe what hee hath commaunded otherwise wee should greatly preiudice our honours remaining against his wil in his seruice seeing that he might presume that wee had no other place to goe vnto where we might be entertained therefore I beseech you not to be offended if in obeying him I am constrained to leaue you for a season You know what power you haue ouer mee and that I am as much yours as you can wish more-ouer I know very well that if I should gaine any bad reputation you are she that would bee most offended therewith so much am I sure that you doe loue and esteeme mee which maketh mee againe to entreate you to allow of my departure and to giue mee leaue vsing your accustomed constancy and vertue Alas answered shee my deere loue what doe you tell me Madame if it please God the King heereafter will acknowledge the wrong that he hath done vnto vs and I shall bee as well wel-come vnto him as euer I haue bin Gentle friend answered the Princesse you do much amisse to complaine of my father for if he hath receiued any good from you it was for my loue by the commandement that I gaue vnto you and not for his sake for I alone did bring you hither and was the cause that you remained with him And therefore it is not hee that must recompence you but I vnto whom you belong It is very true that hee hath alwaies thought otherwise for which hee is the more to bee blamed for answering you so vndiscreetly And although that your departure is the most grieuous thing that could happen to me being a matter of constraint I am content to sortifie my selfe and to prefer reason before the delights and pleasures which I receiue by your presence Therefore will I frame my will to your liking because I am sure that in what place soeuer you shall bee your heart which is mine shall remaine with mee as pledge of the power which you haue giuen me ouer your selfe and yet moreouer my father in losing you shall know by those few that he shall haue left what he hath lost by you Madame said Amadis the fauour which you shew vnto me is so great that I esteeme it no lesse then the redemption of mine owne life For you know that euery vertuous man ought to haue his honour in such estimation that hee ought to preferre it before his owne life In like sort Madam seeing that to conserue it I must of force depart from you doe thus much if it please you for mee as during my absēce to let me heare very often from you And to hold mee alwaies in your good fauour as he who was neuer borne but only to obay and serue you And truely whosoeuer had seene the Princesse then when Amadis took this sorrowfull farwell he might easily haue bin witnes of the passiō which she indured Neuerthelesse Amadis seeing the day constrained him to depart in kissing her sweetly hee rose vp leauing her so ful of sorrow heauines that although shee dissembled as well as shee
the auncient knight Don Grumedan to make his excuse vnto her Maiesty Afterwards taking his leaue of the king with great reuerence he retired vnto his lodging with his friends and companions where they found their dinner ready and as soone as the Table was taken vp euery one went to arme him and they trouped altogether in a place where Oriana might behold them and their number was so great as they were thought to be fiue hundred knights and more the most part of them being Sons vnto kings dukes or earles Afterwards in very good order they all passed along hard by the Queenes lodging Then Mabila being in one of the windows called Oriana who was laid vpon her bed as melancholy as might be saying vnto her Madame I pray you forget your heauinesse and come see how many knights you haue at your commandement All the while my cosin was in the seruice of the king your father he was accounted but as a simple wandring knight but no sooner is he departed from him when hee sheweth that hee is a Prince and mighty Lord as you may now behold and if you haue power ouer him by greater reason haue you power ouer all his troope of whom hee is the chiefe and principall Leader Oriana was so greatly comforted with this sight that euer after she was more merry and at better hearts ease In this sort did Amadis and his followers passe through the Citty and there accompanied them king Arban of North Wales Grumedan a knight of honour belonging to the Queene Brandoinas Queuorant Giontes Nephew to the King and Listoran the good iouster All these were very sorry for the departure of so many good knights especially for Amadis who prayed them that in any matter wherein his honour might bee blemished they would shew themselues to be such friends for him as hee esteemed them And although the king without any occasion had conceiued a hate against him yet they should not cease for all that to be his friends without forsaking the seruice of so good a prince and they answered him that excepting their seruice and loyalty in the which they were by duty bounde vnto the king they would bee ready to pleasure him at all times and places when and where he would employ them for the which hee heartilie thanked them Afterwards hee saide vnto them If you finde the king fit to be spoken vnto you may aduertise him that which Vrganda declared to mee in his presence is now accomplished for shee told mee that the recompence which I should haue in gayning Dominions for another should be hate anger and banishment from that place where most I desired to remaine I haue conquered as euery one knoweth with the edg of my sword and the losse of my blood the Isle of Mongaza thereby enlarging the limits of the realme of great Brittaine and notwithstanding al this the king without cause at all hath requited mee with hate but God is iust and will recompence euery one according to his deserts By my faith answered Grumedan I will not faile to let the King know as much as you haue sayde And cursed be Vrganda for prophesing so right which saide they embraced one another and tooke their leaue but Guillan the pensil whose eyes were full of teares said vnto Amadis My Lord you know my occasion and how I cannot of my selfe doe any thing being subiect so the will of another for whose sake I suffer and endure strange greefes and anguishes which is the cause that I cannot follow you for which I am very sorry and ashamed so great a desire haue I to acknowledge the fauour and honour that I haue receiued of you being in your company beseeching you most humbly at this time to holde me excused Now did Amadis vnderstand in what subiection loue did holde him and hee knew very well by himselfe what paine hee might suffer by meanes whereof he answered him My Lord Guillan God forbid that by my occasion you should commit any offence vnto the Lady whom you loue so constantly but I rather counsell you to be obedient vnto her and to serue her as hitherto you haue done and the King likewise being sure that your honour saued you wil be vnto me in all places a faithfull friend and louing companion Heere withall he embraced him taking his leaue Guillan and his fellowes returned vnto the Cittie and Amadis and his followed on their way to the Firme-Island vntill at the last they arriued along by a riuer vpon the side whereof Amadis had sent before to cause his Tents and Pauillions to be armed and set vp There they lodged for that night praising God in that they had so happily been warned of the Kings ingratitude with whom if they had remained any longer space they had but lost their time But Amadis was so heauie for his banishment from Oriana ignorant when he should see her again that he knew not in what sort to dissemble his malancholie and thus they passed away the night vntill the next morning that they had rode forward on their way In the meane time King Lisuart was in his Pallace who after the departure of so great a number of Knights perceiued that he now was but meanly accompanied Then he began to acknowledge the fault which he had committed and to repent him greatly for the words which he said vnto Amadis At the very selfe same time Gandandel and Brocadan were aduertised what Angriotta had said of them whereat they were maruailously abashed fearing least the King and the rest should dislike of the bad counsell which they had giued vnto him neuerthelesse since there was no remedy they determined to passe it ouer and to worke such meanes that neuer any of those Knights who were departed should enter into the King his fauour againe And the better to bring it to passe they both came vnto him saying Your Maiestie ought greatly to praise God that you are so honestly rid of those men who might haue wrought you much mischiefe for your highnesse knoweth there is nothing more dangerous then a secret enemy Wherefore you haue now no other thing to trouble you neither neede you take any care for your affaires because that wee two will take order and warily prouide for any perill that may happen to this Realme When the king heard them speake so audaciously hee looked vpon them with a sowre countenance and answered them I do much meruaile how you dare bee so presumptuous to perswade me that I should leaue vnto you the gouernment not onely of my house but also of my whole realm knowing that you are nothing fit not sufficient for such a charge Doe you imagine that the Princes and Lords of this monarchie will obay you knowing the place from whence you are descended And if you thinke to play the good husbands desiring to enrich mee by sparing of my treasure vpon whom doe you thinke that I may better imploy it then vpon such Gentle-men
or shee that loueth as constantly as Grimanesa and Apolidon that made this enchantment And they must of necessity enter in both together for the first time otherwise let them be assured to die most cruelly and this enchauntment shall last and all the rest of this Island vntill that the knight Lady who do surpasse in loyalty those that made the defences of the forbidden Chamber bee entred in and there haue taken their pleasure Hereupon my Lady caused Isania to be called and tolde him she was glad that she had seen these wonders but shee would yet see the Arch of loyall Louers and the chamber so renowned and in the meane season she desired him to tell her what was meant by the Hart Serpent Dogs and Lions Madame answered Isania I know no other thing thereof but that euery day at those houres and places that you did see them the combats of the beasts are made and the Hart doth alwaies leape downe from the window and the Dogs after who pursue him into a Lake not far from hence where they are hidden and seene no more vntill the next day and houre that the chase beginneth againe as you haue seene it this night past But thus much you shall know that if you were one whole yeere in this Island yet should you not haue time enough to see all the wonderfull things which there are For this cause my Lady and her company mounted on horseback and we came vnto the Palace of Apolidon to see the arch of loyall Louers and the forbidden Chamber Whereunto my Lady was no sooner come but she alighted and approched vnto the Image of copper as she that had neuer falsified her loue and passing vnder there was heard the most sweete and melodious tune in all the world and the Queene passed through euen vnto the place where the portraitures of Apolidon and Grimanesi were which seemed vnto her as though they had been aliue And from thence shee came vnto the piller of Iasper where she saw written these wordes Briolania the daughter to Tagadan king of Sobradisa is the third Damosell that did euerenter into this place But seruice all vpon one occasion and therefore it is reason that all of vs should succor him that hath most need of helpe And although wee had no desire to aide Don Galuanes heere present yet are wee bound to fauour Ladies in all that we can and amongst other Madasima and hers assuring you that through my fault they shall neither haue hurt nor displeasure By my faith said Quedragant you speak vertuously and according to good reason for doing otherwise we should be vnworthy of the name of knights and although I were my selfe alone yet would I seeke aide to execute that which you haue determined knowing that the poore Madasima forsaken of euery one hath freely yeelded her selfe into the King his prisons not by her owne will but by the dutifull obedience which shee desired to shew vnto her mother For which cause if the king pretend any right vnto the lands of the Isle of Mongaza I say hee doth wrong My Lords answered Amadis those things which are debated by sound deliberation doe assuredly come vnto good end you need not doubt that enterprising this which you determine you shall performe it vnto your honour yea although it were more dangerous and difficult then it is neuerthelesse if it please you I will declare what I thinke thereof You doe all conclude so farre as I see to set at liberty the twelue Damosels now prisoners with king Lisuart Therefore I am of the opinion that twelue of you without any more should vndertake this enterprise so euery one of you shall haue one of them and the twelue gentlewomen shall bee particularly bound vnto twelue knights and the rest of this company shall spare themselues and tarry heere to preuent such inconueniencies as may happen Mee thinkes that Galuanes vnto whom this matter doth chiefly appertaine deserueth well to be the first man that shall be named next Agrates his nephewe Florestan my brother Palomir Dragonis Brian Nicoran Orlandid Garnat Imosil brother to the Duke of Burgoine Madansil and Eaderin You twelue are such valiant knights as you may answere twelue others whatsoeuer they bee and King Lisuart cannot deny the combate although it should bee against the chiefest of his Realme considering the houses from which you are descended This counsaile was so well allowed of all that about mid-night following the twelue knights mounted on horse-backe taking their way vnto the Citie of Thassillana in the which the King soiourned CHAP. XXII How Oriana remayned in great perplexity not onely for the departure of Amadis but also because she felt her selfe great with childe and of that which happened to the twelue Knights that were departed from the Firme-Island to deliuer Madasima and her Damosels A Little before it hath beene tolde vnto you how Amadis remained eight daies in Mirefleur with Oriana contenting their affections and desires to the full in such sort as two moneths after or there about the Princesse doubted that she was with childe neuerthelesse for the little experience that she had in such matters she made no account thereof vntill after the departure of Amadis whē the liuely coulour in her face beganne to fade and decay and her stomack waxed very bad and weake so that this doubt was turned into a certaintie wherefore shee determined to acquaint Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke therewith as vnto those whom she esteemed the true treasurers of her secrets For which cause beeing one day withdrawne into her closet hauing her eyes full of teares and her heart oppressed with griefe shee sayd vnto them Alas my deare friends and louing counsellors I do now well perceiue that Fortune wil wholy work my ruine and ouerthrowe You haue seene what inconuenience hath happened of late vnto the person whom I doe most loue in the world and now that which is worst of all the thing which I haue most feared and doubted is lighted vpon mee For certainely I am with child and I know not what I shall doe that I be not discouered and vndone Much abashed were these two Damosels at this neuerthelesse as those which were wise well aduised they dissembled that which they thought thereof And Mabila answered Oriana Take no care Madame God shall prouide well enough for you if it please him but by my faith said shee in smiling I alwaies doubted that vnto such a Saint such an offering would be brought Oriana smiled to see with what a prettie grace Mabila deliuered this pleasant speech answered her For the honour of God doe you both aduise to giue mee some remedy and then you shall see if I cannot requite your frumps As for mee I thinke it best that wee find the meanes to retyre vnto Mirefleur or elsewhere frō the Court staying the time vntill it shall please God to regard me in pitty for I feele my belly to rise