CHAP. XX.

THe Hermite being re∣turned backe to King Lisuart, gaue him to vnderstand, all that he had agreed on with king Perion: assuring him withall, that hee would make them good friends, before hee parted from them. For I left him (quoth hee) with a purpose, to conferre with the chiefe of his Army, to winne them thereto, if hee can. Father, saide the King, hee dealeth most wisely therein, to the ende that none of them should receiue discontent∣ment: And for my part, I meane to doe the like, as you shall presently see performed. Then hee went to see Gasquilan, who (as yet) kept his bed, with the extreame paine of his broken arme, receiued when he en∣countred with Amadis. There hee Page  92 sent for king Cildadan, and some o∣ther chiefe Commanders in his Campe, to whom hee declared, what speeches had past betweene the Hermite Nascian and him, ten∣ding wholly to peace and concord; concealing (neuerthelesse) matters concerning Amadis and his daugh∣ter. Finally, hee acquainted them with the answere of king Perion, re∣quiring their further counsell in the businesse.

But first of all (quoth hee to Ar∣quisill) seeing you now holde the place of the deceased Emperour, my brother, for whom (in part) this warre was begun; we are to vnder∣stand your minde. My Lord, an∣swered Arquisill, if the Emperour were now liuing, wee that are his vassailes, ought to serue him as well in warre as peace: but hee beeing dead; with the finishing of his daies, all command hee had ouer vs, is likewise concluded. Neuer∣thelesse, wee will yet doe for you, as for him, so that your seruice (what lieth in vs) shall no way bee tardied, while you thinke good to make vse of vs. Notwithstanding, if king Perion be inclined to peace, I beleeue, they that affect your ho∣nour, as they ought to doe, will counsell you alwaies to accept ther∣of: prouided, that it bee no way hurtfull for you. For you may easily consider (at the very first view) that fortune stands not for you & yours, and if wee linger on further, it may prooue worse then hitherto it hath done for vs.

My Lord, said the King of Swe∣tia, if peace may bee treated with your enemie, I would aduise you not to refuse it: considering the most of your people are wounded, others sicke and crazed, and a long turce is now very needfull, if a re-enforcement bee thought expedi∣ent, after a sufficient time of rest. By all means possible, said the King, let vs bee deliuered out of this paine, for king Perion (on his side) hath chosen two Knights, to accord all our differences: And I will no∣minate two other, which shall bee you Arban king of Norwales, and Guillan le Pensif, who haue well vn∣derstood how al matters happened, from the beginning to this day. In the meane while, I will send backe Nascian to king Perion, to entreate him, to withdrawe his Campe a daies iourney backwarde: and wee will meet in the Citie of Lubania, for conference during the time of peace.

Such was their resolution, wher∣upon, king Lisuart, quickely re∣turned to Nascian, to whom hee declared all that was agreed vpon; praying him most affectionately, to finish the businesse hee had be∣gun. Sir, quoth hee, I will obey whatsoeuer you shall command me, and hauing spoken with king Perion: you shall know the houre for your departure hence, & when the Armie must dislodgh. So de∣parting from him, hee went to A∣madis, who no sooner sawe him, but hee demanded of him, what newes he brought backe: and whe∣ther king Lisuart continued in his former determination, or no? The Hermit let him vnderstand all, and for the better proceeding in this case, thought it fit; that both the Campes should be further diuided from each other, then now they were: whereunto king Perion easily condescended, and it was confir∣med likewise by generall consent. Hereupon, carely the next mor∣ning, euery man trussed vp his bag and baggage, and the Campes fell Page  93 back seuen miles and more. Where wee will now leaue them planting their Tents, to tell you, what end the enterprise of king Arauigne sor∣ted to, who but awaited a conue∣nient time, to surprise one or both the Armies.