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. VII. (Book 7)

A Letter sent by the Princes Oriana, beeing in the Enclosed Isle, to the Queene her Mother.

MAdame, although you cannot but be (alreadie) aduertised of my misfor∣tune, such as it is: yet I thought it •…•…ient to let you knowe part of my mournings. And as a beginning to this Let••er, I beseech you most humbly to consider, how mishap hath continually followed mee, since my banishment from your Countrie, from the King my father, and you also, than which nothing could be more ••••••some to me. Neuer∣thelesse, not so satisfied, I was burri∣ed by such a tempest, that the Ro∣mans (which conducted mee) beeing ouercome: wee were brought to the Enclosed Isle, by them, who (know∣ing the wrong done vnto vs) hazar∣ded their liues, to stay our passage any further. And because I stand in doubt, that such a matter will not be pacifi∣ed betweene my father and them, without great effusion of blood, except you Madame, haue some respect there∣to: I thought fit to send this bearer to you, entreating you (for the honor of God) to take compassion on your poore desolate daughter, and worke so much with the King, that I may re∣turne againe to him, and reobtaine his •…•…ed fauour, hauing no way of∣fended him, except hee be displeased, that I haue beene too obedient to him, for therein onely I confesse my selfe culpable, and not otherwise. For the rest, to tell you, how they (in whose power I am and the Ladies with me) are minded: they haue sent Ambassa∣dours to my father, as well to knowe, how hee likes their succour giuen mee, as also, to mediate his pittie towards mee. Herein Madame, according as I haue giuen charge to Durin, hee will further instruct you at his ar∣riuall, and lend a helping hand, to plant peace (if you can) to such a dangerous warre begun by misfortune; for her sake, who remaineth:

Your most humble and obedient Daughter, Oriana.

After the Queene had aduisedly read, and re-read ouer this Letter, but not without teares: shee said to Durin, that shee would speake with the King, and afterwards giue him an answere. And as shee was enquiring of him, what entertaine∣ment Oriana and her company had in the Enclosed Isle: the King came, whom shee withdrawing into her Cabinet, & casting her selfe downe at his feet, weeping bitterly, shee thus spake to him. Alas Sir, for the honour of God take compassion on your daughter, and read (if you please) this Letter which she hath sent me. The King seeing the Queen so drowned in teares, tooke her vp from the ground, and receiuing the Letter from her, read the con∣tents thereof: then to appease the extreamitie of her passions, hee thus answered, Madame, the Am∣bassadours will soone be here, that are sent from thence, haue patience till I haue heard them speake. They may (perhaps) giue me such satis∣faction, as the iniurie which I haue receiued will bee forgotten: And they may bring such a message, as I will rather consent to mine owne ruine, and desolation of all mine e∣states, than to peace. Much better doe I affect to die with honour, poore and disinherited; than to liue amighty King, miserably wretched & faint-hearted, clowded with the teares of you and your daughter. Wherefore, speake no more hereof to me, except you purpose to of∣fend me; And so leauing her, hee departed out of the chamber.

Afterward, she called for Durin, and said vnto him. Friend Durin, returne to my daughter Oriana, and tell her, that I can send her no an∣swere, vntill the Ambassadors shal be arriued here, for the King (till then) knowes not how to determine on his businesse. But assure her, I will essay all possible meanes, to do what she hath desired me. And say, I entreate her, alwaies to fixe her owne honour before her eyes, with∣out which, I shall desire her death. Bid her remember, that a wise and discreet soule, is best discerned in aduersitie, and not in the flattering times of prosperity. And seeing our Lord hath suffered her, to bee borne a Princesse, and the daughter of so great a King; reason doth re∣quire, that vertue should bee more familier with her, than with a body of baser condition, in all aduersi∣ties (whatsoeuer) that can happen to her. Alwaies committing the managing of her chiefest affaires to God: whom I hartily pray to blesse her, & preserue her in his ••ase pro∣tection, vntill such time as we shall meet againe together.

Durin being thus dispatched by the Queene, tooke his way towards the Enclosed Isle, and some few daies after his departure, as the King was sitting downe to dinner in the great Hall: an Esquire suddenly entred, who gaue him a Letter of credence, which when hee had read, hee de∣manded of the Squire, of whence, and what hee was. Sir, answered the Squire, I am seruant to Quedra∣gant of Ireland, who hath sent me to you about such a businesse, as I will relate, if you please to heare mee. Honest friend, said the King, speak your pleasure. S•…•… (quoth the Squire) my Master, & Brian de Mo∣niaste, being sent from the Enclosed Isle, are landed in your countrie, to acquaint you with some especiall matters, from Lord Amadis de Gaul, and other Knights that are in his company, But before they passe a∣ny further, or come neare your Court, they send you word by mee (vnder your gracious fauor) that

they require safe conduct for their comming. Otherwise, they are de∣termined, to publish their message in all parts of your Land, and in o∣ther kingdomes beside, before they make returne to them that sent thē. Wherefore Sir, aduise your selfe, and send them your intention.

Well knewe the King whereat the message aymed, and therefore he thought it not conuenient, that they should proclaime their cause thorough his kingdome, a matter not to be done, but to his high dis∣honour. Considering, all Ambas∣sadours ought to haue security, as being a case sacred and inuiolable, and the Prince that should offer them iniurie, were farre vnworthy the name and office hee beares: wherefore very graciously, thus he answered the Squire. My friend, say to them that sent you hither, they may safely come to my Court, and I will gladly heare their mes∣sage to me. The Squire hauing this answere, returned presently to his Master, who (with Brian de Monia∣ste, being aduertised of the Kings minde) forthwith went a shoare, & iourneyed so expeditiously, that on the third day following, they ar∣riued at King Lisuarts Court, be∣fore whom they presented them-selues, as hee was newly risen from dinner.

He knew them so soone as he be∣held them, being men whom he had often seen, wherefore he welcomed them graciously: and all pressed a∣bout the King, to heare their em∣bassie, when Quedragant, setting his knee to the ground, beganne thus. Sir it is a very laudable ver∣tue, & worthie the highest commen∣dations among Kings and Princes, patiently to heare and vnderstand, such matters as strange Ambassa∣dours haue in charge to deliuer them, being wholly dispossessed of passion: because, if the Embassie fall out to their contentment, they will receiue the more ioy thereby, and the Ambassadours shall be the better fauoured and entertained. Contrariwise, if they speake mat∣ters displeasing to them, yet so to palliate and conceale their anger: that their answere may come graci∣ously from them, in regard of the condition and office they beare.

At these words he arose, and sit∣ting downe by his fellow before the King, proceeded thus. Sir, I pray you pardon mee, that I haue vsed this induction to you, which I sweare vpon my faith was not done, in any doubt of the assurance you pleased to grant vs: but in due and iust commendation, of the vertue of so good a Prince, that so freely gaue vs entrance into his king∣dome.

Now Sir, the occasion of our comming to your Maiestic, is, by command of the best Knight that e∣uer yet was knowne, Amadis de Gaule, and generally, on the behalfe of all them, that are with him in the Enclosed Isle, who thus (by vs) ac∣quaint you with their minds. Trauer¦sing starnge & far remote coūtries, in search of aduentures, according as all other Knights errant vse to doe, especially to succour the weak & distressed, whan outrage (against all reason) is offered them: they were aduertised by many, that you Sir, being guided by a light and in∣ordinate will, rather then vpright iustice and equity, was desirous (contrary to the counsell of all your best friends) to disinherit (with the greatest shame in the world) Ma∣dame Oriana, your eldest daughter, & giue her as wife (against her will) to the Emperour Patin. So that, neither taking compassion on her,

nor her incessant teares & moanes, much lesse regarding the end of such an enterprise, and manifest dis∣like of all your subiects: you vio∣lently deliuered her to them, that had no reason to request her of you.

And because such matters of fact and iniustice, are not only dis∣pleasing to God, but to all such as heare thereof: it pleased the hand of heauen, to make vs instruments of redresse in such a deepe necesity, and that the Romanes, who had the conduct of her and the other La∣dies, should fall into our hands, and standing on their defence a∣gainst vs, bee vanquished, some ••••aine, and others taken prisoners. Now Sir, for her and the Ladies, I must tell you, that (at this instant) they are in the Enclosed Isle, with a good and sufficient company of Knights, determined to honour them so much as they possible may. For their intent neuer was to of∣fend you, or them: but to main∣taine equitie, and keep them from force or violence, according as your selfe (sometime) made them sweare at Vindolisore.

Let mee therefore entreate you, that preferring vertue and reason, before choller and passion, you would be pleased, to receiue home againe your daughter Oriana, and hereafter to entreate her, not as a stranger, but as a father should his childe, without sending her farre from you, or your countrie: where-of, if God be so pleased, shee is to be Lady and Queene after you. If you thinke your selfe iniured, and will not grant to their request: that yet you would not deny her your gracious fauour, but accepting her into your Court, as she was wont to bee; to take such reuenge on them afterwards (if you thinke it meet) as you can. For thus much Sir, I must assure you, that if you purpose to assayle them; they will defend themselues as best they may. Be therefore well aduised on your answere, for in your hands you haue both warre and peace.

The King, being mightily insen∣sed, thus replyed. Gentlemen, be∣cause vertue doth seldome keepe company, with temerarious Orati∣ons, nor audacious answers, both the one and the other beeing farre insufficient, to whet on or animate cowardly mindes: I will not holde you with any long delay, or vse many words, when few may suffice. But my patience being greater to∣wards you, than it needs to be, let mee tell you, that this attempt done by them of the Enclosed Isle: I know to bee executed more vpon presumption, than any magnani∣mitie of courage, •…•…standing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the braue wordes by you deliuered. So that what height of honour you imagine to be wonne thereby: any man of good iudgement and dis∣cretion, will rather check and fouly condemne it. For, it is a matter of no great difficultie, to put in disor∣der, or to ouercome such persons, as trauaile by Land or Sea without all dread or suspition, especially, when men repute themselues to be among their friends. As for your proposed remonstrance, for recal∣ling home my daughter Oriana, and neuer more to send her farre from mee: this is no matter, whereof I am not to yeelde any account to you, but to God only, who (next to himselfe) hath constituted me So∣ueraigne in this kingdome, to go∣uerne both it and the people. Ther∣fore I doe not meane, to allowe o•• any peace with them, vntill they haue made due reparation, of the iniurie I haue receiued by them:

then I will consider on their moti∣on, and not before.

Sir, said Brian, wee haue no fur∣ther commission to you, or to en∣quire after any other businesse; what else is to bee done, let each side consider thereon as they think good. But God only knoweth the occasion, that made vs enterprise what wee haue done, for the fre∣dome of your vertuous daughter: and vpon that point wee rest, and craue leaue for our departure. Go in Gods name, said the King. Thus were the Ambassadours dispacht, Grumedan bringing them aboue a mile out of the Citie, sayde vnto them. Before God Gentlemen, I am much grieued at this new dis∣aster, I alwaies did hope, to see you (one day) as welcome againe to this Court, as euer you haue been: but now I am verily perswaded, that our long expected peace will come too late (except our Lord helpe it) considering the minde of Amadis. Nor did I imagine him to bee in the Enclosed Isle, because we heard newes, that hee was vtter∣ly lost foure yeares agoe: and now it amazeth mee not a little, that he should be so suddenly found again, and giue such succour to Madame Oriana.

Lord Grumedan, answered Bri∣an, the King (it may be) will know in time, both what we are, and what seruices we haue done him: And if he attempt any thing against vs, hee will finde the issue to be more sharp and sower, than the entrance was pleasing or delightsome. As for Lord Amadis, you sawe him not long since in this Court, when hee conquered the Crowne from the Romans, that maintained the beauty of the maides of Great Brit∣taine, to bee more excellent than the Ladies that came with him. Saint Mary! said Grumedan, what doe you tell me? Is it possible, that Amadis was the Greek Knight? Be∣leeue it, answered Brian, it was he, and none other. By my soule, said Grumedan, I now well perceiue, that I am a man of very poore iudg∣ment, seeing I might then haue wel assured my selfe, that it was hard for any man to doe what he did; I may doubt whether I haue eyes & vnderstanding. But faire Sir, seeing you haue already done so much for me, let mee further entreate you to tell mee: who they were that lent assistance on my day of Combat? Who? answered Brian, smiling, why two of your very dearest friends: Angriote d' Estrauaus, and Brunco de bonne Mer. In good sad∣nesse (quoth Grumedan) if I had knowne them, I should haue war∣ranted my victorie more certaine than I did: and am well content to confesse now, that the honour of the day is more iustly due to them, than to me, and all my life time, I am a friend and seruant to Amadis, and to you likewise, mine honour reserued.

As thus they rode on deuising to∣gether, they met with Esplandian, newly returned from hawking, with Ambor, sonne to Angriote d' Estra: uaus, carrying a Spar-hawke on his fist: and comming somewhat neare them, Brian de Moniaste, demanded what he was. This is (answered Gru∣medan) the young Gentleman Es∣plandian, of whom the wise Vrgan∣da hath spoken so many maruailes. I haue heard of him, sayd Brian, heretofore. I pray you cause him to stay a while, that wee may the better beholde him. Which Grume∣dan did, for, as hee was passing by them, hee called to him, saying. Come hither Sir, see heere the friends of the Greeke Knight, who

(at your request) pardoned the Em∣perours Knights: at least wise, send him some commendations, from your selfe. My Lord, answered Es∣plandian, I humbly entreate them to pardon me, I knew them not: but for my loue to that good Knight, I would gladly haue the meanes to doe him any seruice, and if they please to kisse his hand on my behalfe, they shall binde me to them all my life time.

Faire Sir, saide Brian, that office shall be mine, and I will doe it with a glad soule: albeit hee hath chan∣ged his name since you last saw him, for now hee is called Amadis de Gaule: Amadis de Gaule answe∣red Esplandian, surely I cannot think it, because I heard that he was dead: whereat I conceiued no little grief, for the renowned prowesse re∣ported to be in him. It is he doubt∣lesse, said Quedragant. Then Sir I dare assure you. replied Esplandian, I am not so forie for the losse of my hawke this day (though I loued her dearely) as I am ioyfull to heare what you haue tolde me: because, if I may liue to grow great, I will begge so earnestly of the Queene, that she shall not deny mee to goe see him, and to receiue my Knight-hood from his hand, if hee shall please so much to honor me. Sweet youth, said Brian, God blesse and prosper you. And so they tooke leaue each of other: Brian and Que∣dragant following their way to the Enclosed Isle, and Grumedan and Es∣plandian returning to the Court.