The third booke of Amadis de Gaule Containing the discords and warres which befell in Great Brittaine, and there about, occasioned by the bad counsell, which King Lisuart receiued from Gandandell and Brocadan, against Amadis and his followers: whereby many good knights (afterward on either side) cruelly concluded their liues. VVritten in French by the Lord of Essars, Nicholas de Herberay ... Translated into English by A.M.

CHAP. VI. (Book 6)

How newes was brought to King Lisuart, of the Romans foyle and ouer-throwe, and how his daughter Oriana was taken from them; where at he grieued greatly.

THE end of the third Booke related to you, how King Lisuart de∣liuered his daughter to the Romans, against the opinion of all his Councel. And she being on Shipboard, well ap∣pointed with Ships for the conuoy; set on to Sea. Afterward, beeing returned to his Chamber, more sad in soule, than appeared by his out∣ward behauiour: his melancholie encreased more & more vpon him, to see himselfe so meanely accom∣pained, & in worse manner then he was w•…•…re especi∣ally, when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 came & told him, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was very ill, through griefe and sorrow mighti∣ly seazing on her. Hereupon, hee went to see her, where not finding his daughter, nor the other Ladies and Gentlewomen, that vsually kept her company: his secret con∣ceit of griefe began more plainely to expresse it selfe, so that the tears trickled downe his reuerend beard.

No sooner was hee entred the Chamber, but the Queene behol∣ding him, fell downe in a swoone: yet hauing good helpe about her, quickly she came to her selfe again. Then the King embraced her in his armes, and to comfort her, spake in this manner. Madame, I was perswaded, that your vertue and

wisedome would preuaile against this womanish weakenesse: especi∣ally, those matters (about which you thus afflict your selfe) being brought to so good an end, that our daughter may iustly stile her selfe, one of the greatest Princesse in all Europe. Wherefore I pray you be better comforted, and if you will not doe it for your owne sake: yet let it be done for mine, otherwise, you will giue mee occasion to mis∣conster worse than I doe. The Queen, well vnderstanding all that hee saide, would expresse no out∣ward appearance thereof, but sigh∣ed without any intermission: which mooued the King to such compas∣sion, as he could not refraine from weeping. But because hee would not be noted hee went downe into the garden, where he walked sadly alone by himselfe: till such time as King Arban came vnto him, who not seeming to perceiue the Kings sorrow, said. Sir, your huntsmen willed mee to tell you, that they haue found (in this neare neigh∣bouring Forrest) the greatest Hart that euer was seene: may it please you (to morrowe) to goe see the pastime? yes, with all my heart an∣swered the King.

As thus they continued talking, diuerse Knights came thither, who to alter him from his melancholie disposition: fell into diuersitie of discourse, some of hunting, others of hawking, so that all the rest of the day, they talked of nothing else. But the next morning, as they were readie to mount on horseback, for∣tune, who is seldome satisfied with any passed misfortunes, brought a new occasion of much greater sor∣rowe. For, some of the Romanes which had escaped from the pri∣sons in the Enclosed Isle: presented themselues before the King, in very sory and base garments, declaring at large all their disaster, his daugh∣ters surprisal, & death of the Prince Saluste Quide.

You may now imagine, whether these bad tidings amazed him, or no, notwithstanding, declaring constancie, & vnconquerable wis∣dome: hee made shew of little or no distaste at all, but answered, as if the matter concerned him a great way off. Friends (quoth hee) I am sorrie for the death of the Prince Saluste Quide, and the mishap be∣fallen to you: but for the wrong done mee by them of the Enclosed Isle, I haue been vsed to receiue (& oftentimes to returne also) the like Alarums, knowing well enough how to reuenge greater iniuries. Be of good cheere, and at my returne from hunting, I will further consi∣der on your businesse. Then calling for one of the masters of the house-holde, hee commanded them to giue them good entertainement.

Away rode King Lisuart and his traine, declaring a iocond spirit all the way, euen till hee was well en∣tred into the Forrest: where he con∣tinued three whole daies, pulling downe many a goodly Deare. On the fourth day, he returned to the citie, and comming to the Queens lodgings, shewed himselfe much more cheerefull, then euer hee was since his daughters departure. So soone as hee was entred his Cham∣ber, hee commanded euery one to auoide: and sitting downe in a chaire by her, thus he began. Ma∣dame, in matters of slender conse∣quence, which ensue by accident, men may haue some cause, to ex∣presse passion and melancholy: but as they proceede from •…•…iall grounds, so ought they to bee for∣gotte with as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remedie. But when a man shall bee offended by

some one, not only in his person and goods, but in his honour and reputation: then it agrees with good reason, not only to declare passion and melancholie, but also to practice all meanes of prouisi∣on, to take vengeance on him that committed the offence, and to let the world vnderstand be∣side, how highly the greatnesse of the case hath mooued him to impa∣tience.

I speake not this to you without cause: you haue declared a sorrow too apparant, for the absence of your daughter, according to the naturall inclination of mothers: and yet notwithstanding, I should account my selfe happy, by a con∣ceiued hope, of soone forgetting such griefe. But in the tayle (as we vse to say) is the venomous sting hidden, and the end of actions doe approue their good, or euill: and therefore I must tell you, that such an iniury hath lately been done me, and toucheth me so neare, as I shall neuer take rest, till I haue satisfactiō answerable to my desire. The Romans that had the conducting of your daughter, are discomfited, the Prince Saluste Quide slaine, Oriana, and all the other Ladies in her com∣pany, taken prisoners, by the knights of the Enclosed Isle: who imagine themselues not meanely happy by such a victorie, hauing done (as they thinke) more than euer any men did in great Brittaine. And because the same thereof will soone spread it self thorow the world, it is very requisite, that you should dis∣semble sorrow, and vse more pru∣dence than passion. In so doing, you shall remaine highly commen∣ded, our enemies daunted, and I extraordinarily contented, hoping to prouide so well in this case, as your honour and mine shall be suf∣ficiently defended.

When the Queene had heard these newes, she sate very pensiue, not speaking a word. And as shee was one of the wisest, and best ad∣uised Ladies in the world, & dear∣ly louing to her husband: so could she suddenly consider, that it was more necessarie, to procure peace betweene the King, and the Knights of the Enclosed Isle, then to sharpen his fierce spleen against them, theirs being also as hotte towards him, whereupon she returned him this answer.

My Lord, you haue conceited (as best pleased your selfe) of my inward affliction, for the separati∣on of me and my daughter. But as concerning the fauour done her by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle, if you doe but well consider the time, when you were a Knight errant, like vnto them, and what you your selfe haue done in the like cases: you would gently excuse them, in the greater part of their enterprise. Doe you thinke, that hauing heard the lamentable moanes she made, euen commonly noised in euery countrie, how (in meere despight of her) you would marry her to the Emperour: that this would not mooue them to lend her ayde? No man better than your selfe doth know, that nothing is more com∣mended by God and man, then helpe and succour giuen to wron∣ged Ladies, especially when it is so vrgently required: by very strong reason then, ought they to afforde it your daughter, whom they haue knowne and well thought on so long a time. Beleeue it my Lord, they can receiue no shame by the deed, and your selfe will confesse in the end, that their attempt shold not bee displeasing to you: they presuming (it may be) that you haue

beene greatly importuned to this marriage, and yeelded thereto a∣gainst your liking.

I well perceiue (quoth the King) that you are not much offended with the matter, but rather you can both like and allow thereof: but I sweare by God, I will make them dearely repent it. So, rising in a great rage, hee flung out of the chamber, & entring into his owne, sound there King Arban, Grume∣dan, and Guillan le Pensif, who went not from him, till hee had tolde them all the conference betweene him and the Queene, and what an answere she made him. Now, be∣cause they saw him much incensed, they thought good, to conceale what the meant to say, and milde∣ly (by little & little) brake off these speeches. But it chanced on the morrowe following, that as the Queene came from hearing Masse, Durin, brother to the damosell of Denmarke, fell on his knee before her, and presented her a Letter, which Oriana had written to her, as followeth.