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. VIII.

How King Lisuart called a Councell, concerning what hee intended to do against the Knights of the Enclosed Isle. And what resolution was agreed vpon.

After that Quedragant & Brian were departed from the Court, King Lisuart found himselfe wonderfully discōten∣ted, seeing such weightie occasi∣ons to grow more and more vpon him: he intended on the morrow to call a Councell, only of Arban, King of Norwales, Grum den, and Guillan le Pensit; who being mette together, the King beganne in this manner. Honourable friends, you know what iniurie I haue receiued by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle, and what shame I should do to my selfe, in suffering them to passe vn∣punished. Neuerthelesse, not to shunne the way which all Princes should take, doing nothing with∣out counsell and deliberation: I would first bee aduised by you, in what manner I should shape my reuenge, that hereafter they may remain an example to such as dare enter into the like attempts against mee. Full well you knowe, how dangerous it is to vse delay in such actions, and of what consequence my occasion is: therefore I pray you, let vs consider together on some redresse, and euery man free∣ly speake his minde.

Arban King of Norwales, was the first that answered, speaking thus. Sir, seeing you are resolued to make warre against Amadis and those of his league, accounting it vnmeete, to accept the offer made you by them: it is expedient to consider,

that the managing of the matter may bee so ordered, as the glory must remaine to you. For although we holde it vndoubtedly, that vic∣torie consisteth in the hand of hea∣uen onely, God giuing it when, where, and how hee pleaseth, and commonly, agreeing with the iu∣stice of the cause: yet diligent pro∣uidence is not to bee neglected, in all such cases, as are required, be∣fore any enterprise be attempted, or any contempt made of the enemie. It is good to imagine, that he may prooue able enough to finde you play sufficient, if fortune looke fa∣uourably on his cause: considering, that when men are too confident, either of their owne right, or trust∣ing to their owne strength: it pro∣cureth their ruine and totall destru∣ction, through ouer-bolde pre∣sumption, albeit the victorie were their due.

Fauour me Sir to tell you, that if you well consider, with whom you haue to deale: mee thinkes, an ad∣uantageable peace were more ho∣nourable for you, than a hazardous and doubtfull warre, falling out more strangely then can bee imagi∣ned. You know Amadis, and the rest (by whom hee is backt and sup∣ported) to bee all good Knights, men of great spirit, and all of them nearely alyed to Kings and potent Princes, who will not faile them for any disaster, or death it selfe. You know also, on the other side, that the most part of your subjects, neuer liked or thought well of the deliberation (meerly made by your selfe) for marrying your daughter to the Emperour, the onely motiue and occasion of this warre. And therefore, you may be well assured, that how soeuer they beare it with a smooth brow, and rankerous spleen inwardly: they can be easily con∣tented, that all should goe but bad∣ly on your side, by not following their liking; howbeit, I make no doubt, but that they will serue you in all loyalty.

You haue said well, answered the King, but wee are not now to stand vpon these tearmes. I doe not craue your counsell, whether I should de∣termine peace or warre: but only would know of you, by what means I may be best reuenged. Sir (quoth hee) by my former speeches, you may easily knowe that. Assemble your forces & send to your friends for assistance: especially to the Em∣perour of Rome, because this case concerneth him, as nearely as you. Afterward, your Army beeing rea∣dy, march on (without any dally∣ing) towardes them whom you meane to assault. But before you doe this, it were good (in mine op∣pinion) to practice some meanes, whereby you may call home some that are farre off from your seruice, partly through discontentment, & partly by wrongs offered. I vrge this motion, because if they be not willing to ayde you; they should not resolue to offend you. For, be∣ing forth of your Land, it would fal out dangerous, if they should con∣spire and bend themselues against you, if Fortune doe lowre that day vpon you. For, many times it comes to passe, that distastes and dissents led by length of time, doe soonest make their outward appea∣rance, when his power (against whom the conspiracy is meant) growes weake & decayed. Where∣fore Sir, this is one of the chiefest points, whereof you are maturely to consider.

Truly, said the King, I know that you haue spoken to the purpose, & will do therein what I can. Sir, said Grumedan, Amadis hath bin (here-tofore)

so well accepted in your Court, as no man posibly could be more: and I could heartily wish, that those villaines which caused this so long separation, had neuer been borne into the world. And although I am his friend in∣tirely, so shall I bee no enemy to you, if you desist from beeing his. Wherefore, according to the ad∣uice giuen you by King Arban: it were good, that (aboue all other things) you reconcile them to you that pertake with him, winning their hearts and willes by little and little: as easily you may doe, gi∣uing them good lookes and graci∣ous language. Then hauing the help of Rome, and other your allies, as the Kings of Ireland Suetia, I make no question, but you may (with little ease) attaine to your in∣tention, euen according to your owne minde.

But my good Lord, said Guillan, before any matter at all be attemp∣ted, it were good to know, if those men may bee resolued on, whom you haue named. Are you sure that the Emperour will meddle in the cause? He is a man of very slen∣der faith, and as ill affected of his owne people, as can be. Are you certaine also, that the King of Suc∣tia will doe as you say? If his Ma∣iestie were so pleased. Ambassa∣dours should be sent to them spee∣dily, to entreate their fauour in this case, shewing them apparantly: that if reuenge for such a wrong were iustly inflicted, it would with-draw any from attempting the like. In good sadnesse, saide the King, you haue very well aduised, and be∣cause you (Lord Guillan) doe suf∣ficiently vnderstand the businesse: I pray you take the charge vpon you to the Emperor, for I know no Knight more able to preuaile with him, then you are. Sir, saide Guil∣lan, I was not borne but for your seruice, when, and where you shall please to commande mee. Make ready then (quoth the King) to morrow you shall haue Letters of credence only, and the rest remaine to your owne report.

So they arose from Councell, and each man returned to his lod∣ging, till the next morning: when the King sending for Guillan, saide vnto him. Lord Guillan, according to our conclusion yester-day, you must depart towards the Emperor, and with as much expedition as may be. To him make knowne, how matters haue come to passe, that hauing deliuered my daughter to his Ambassadours: shee was af∣terwards surprised from them, and forcibly carried to the Enclosed Isle, his men all slaine, or taken priso∣ners, whereof hee ought to haue re∣spect, this iniury redounding as much to him as me. If he offer aid, and will leuy an Army to be reuen∣ged: say, that on my part shall be no defailance, in any thing my power can stretch vnto. If you find him willing to proceed effectually, returne againe with all possible dili∣gence: that our enemies may haue no leasure to fortifie themselues, as I am certaine they intend to doe.

Sir, answered Guillan, God giue me grace to accomplish your will in this, and any thing else you shall please to employ mee in. Worthy friend said the King, there are your Letters of credence, and if it bee possible, set away to morrow mor∣ning early, for one of my best Ships is made ready for you, and waites your comming in the hauen. Sir, replied Guillan, there shall bee no want of duty in me. And so ta∣king his leaue, and giuing order for his further affaires, he went aboard,

and set away. The very same day Brandoynas also was dispatched for Galuanes, in the Isle of Mongaza, and from thence into Ireland, to King Cildadan, to make ready so many men as he could. Philipinell was sent to Gasquilan,, King of Sue∣tia, who sometime came into Great Brittaine, to approue his manhood against Amadis. King Lasuart sent him word, that if his spleene as yet continued: hee should now haue better meanes then euer, because the warre was intended against him.

So farre did these newes fly a∣broad, that they came to the vnder∣standing of Archalaus the Enchan∣ter, to his no little ioy and comfort; intending (by this occasion) the vt∣ter ruine of King Lisuart, and like∣wise, of Amadis. And for his spee∣dier attaining thereto, he went pre∣sently to King Aramyne: who hea∣ring of his ariuall, gaue him most royall entertainement, presuming peremptorily, that hee would not come into his countrie, but vpon some very vrgent occasion. Beeing priuately seated together, Archalaus thus began.

Sir, some few dayes since, I re∣ceiued credible information, that King Lisuart and Amadis de Gaule (two of the deadliest enemies you haue) are fallen vpon such a quar∣rell: as, without any hope of peace euer to come betweene them, they muster men for a maine battell, out of which they cannot escape, but with the finall destruction of the one, or other, & (perhaps) of them both together. And because occa∣sion doth expressely call you, as wel to reuenge your former losses in times past, as also to extend your limits, by peaceable making your selfe King of Great Brittaine: me thinkes you should not delay the mustering of your men, and sum∣moning all your friends together, that while they cauill, & maintaine their quarrell so farre off, you may take so apt an aduantage, and make an easie entrance into Brittaine. If they chance to meet, and fight the field; then, without giuing the least leasure to the conqueror, to breath or refresh his followers: you may set vpon him so opportunately, and bid him so hot an vnexpected bat∣taile, as none of them can escape with life.

Now Sir, to acquaint you with the cause of their enmity, you must vnderstand, that King Lisuart sen∣ding his eldest daughter for Rome, hauing giuen her as wife to the Em∣perour: Amadis de Gaule (one of them, who in your last lost battaile, termed himselfe Knight of the Ser∣pent, and then wore (as you well remember) a golden helmet) with a great many more, met the Romans on the Sea, set vpon them, and o∣uercomming them, slew the Prince Saluste Quide, a near kinsman to the Emperour. The rest were taken prisoners, with the Ladies & Gen∣tlewomen, whom they conueyed to the Enclosed Isle, where as yet they keepe them. Now indeede I cannot certainely resolue you, what matter mooued them to begin this warre, but I am well assured, that King Lisuart in reuenge of this in∣iury, gathers as great an Army to∣gether as hee can. And Amadis hath sent into all parts for succour, purposing to stand vpon his owne defence, if he shall be assailed.

During these busie troubles, Sir, you haue an excellent occasion (if you please) to shew them as subtill a sleight as euer was done, setting vpon them as I haue directed you. And because (at the very first sight) you may discerne your victory to

be certaine: I will worke so much, that Barsinan, Lord of Sansuegna, sonne to him whom the King bur∣ned at London, and likewise all they of the linage of Dardan the Proude, whom Amadis foyled at Vindolisore, shall come to your aide, with the King of the Profound Isle. Wher∣fore, perswade your selfe, that being assisted with so great a number of good Knights: there is no doubt to be made, but you shall reach the height of your desire.

My worthy good friend Archa∣laus, answered the King Aranigne, you tell mee great matters, and al∣though I was fully determined, ne∣uer more to tempt fortune, she ha∣uing shewen me such slender fauor in times past, yet me thinks it were a great folly, to foreslowe such oc∣casions, as freely come to offer themselues, for the augmentation of my honour and profit. For, if in such cases, attempts managed by reason, haue as happy issue as men can wish: the fruit of such a labour is well gathered, when desert holds vp the lappe to receiue it. But if it should fall out otherwise, yet (at least) that must be performed, wher∣to all men stand bound by vertue, for maintenance of their authority, which is not to be valued by passed misfortunes, as (when a happy houre presents it selfe) they should refuse to embrace it, as declaring themselues to be dastardly minded, and voide of all courage and mag∣nanimitie. Seeing then wee are so forward in tearms, let it suffice, that I faithfully credit you, and desire you (while I am prouiding mine Army) to take order for the rest, sending to Barsinan and our other friends, for their effectuall ioyning with vs.

Archalans hauing heard this re∣solution, made no long stay with King Aranigne: but taking leaue of him, iournied so diligently, that hee ariued in the countrie of San∣suegna, where hee found Barsinan. To him he tolde all the passed con∣ference, setting before his iudge∣ment, what an execrable iniurie King Lisuart had done to his fa∣ther, suffering to bee burned aliue by a tower, from the toppe where-of (afterward) hee caused his bro∣ther Gandandell to bee throwne downe, whom Guillan le Pensif had taken prisoner. And doe you think (quoth he) that had it not been for this Amadis de Gaule, but Barsinan your father, had peaceably beene King of Great Brittaine? But that villaine came, and after hee had re∣scued Oriana from mee, caused all the rest of my enterprise to bee vt∣terly voide. But now you haue time conuenient to bee reuenged, therfore, except you will shew your selfe dull & base minded; delay no longer, considering, that King Ara∣nigne is ready to assist you.

Easily did Barsinan beleeue all that hee had said, and promised to appeare in field, so soone as any need required. So Archalaus de∣parted thence, to the King of the Profound Isle, and gaue to him the very same instructions. Hauing ob∣tained what he desired, he returned homeward, and crossing the coun∣trie, aduised all the kindred of Dar∣dan the Proude, to be in a readiness, to depart away when they should be commanded. But at this instant; our History speakes no more there-of: but returnes to the fortunes of Quedragant and Brian, being vnder saile for the Enclosed Isle.