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. XXX.

How the marriages of Amadis with Oriana, and the other Princes, and Ladies, Were solemnly Celebrated in the Enclosed Isle: Where, the selfe same day, Oriana made proofe of the Arch of loyall Louers, and like∣wise of the Defended Chamber.

THe day being appoyn∣ted, when the amorous knights should receiue from their Ladies, the fruite of their longing expectation, and that the mariages so long time delayed, were come to the pointe of celebration: the holy man Nascian prepared himselfe for that office, and after the solemnity in such cases vsed, a comming from Masse, Amadis spake thus to King Lisuart. My Lord, most humbly I begge one boone of you, which rea∣sonably you cannot deny me. Son and my best friend (quoth hee) I grant it with all my heart, what so∣euer it bee. Then I entreate you sir said Amadis, command Madam O∣riana your daughter, before wee sit downe to dinner, to make proofe of the Arch of loyall Louers, as also of the Defended Chamber: Whereto she would not (as yet) by any means listen, by all entreaties made vnto her. Howbeit, I haue such confi∣dence in her loyaltie, and likewise in her excelling beautie: that shee will obtaine the honor of the place, whereinto (for more then a hun∣dred yeares) neyther Lady, or Gentlewoman could bee so happy as to enter. And hereof I doe so much the rather assure my selfe, ha∣uing often times seene the statue of Grimanesa, which is portrayed in hir chiefe and most eminent perfection neuerthelesse, I am verily perswa∣ded, shee neuer was equall to your daughter. And therefore by her meanes, wee may all enter this day into Apolidons Chamber, and there finish the solemnitie of this festi∣uall.

Sonne answered King Lisuart, these are matters not appertaining to me, and it is to bee doubted, that such an enterprise as this is, may in∣duce some trouble or molestation, in so worthy an assembly as heere are met together. For we see many times, desire to compasse a case of importance, may dimme both the eyes and vnderstanding of the at∣tempter, and that in such sort, as he may mistake one thing for another, and so runne riot from all course of reason, whereby he seemed (at first) to make his entrance. My Lord, said Amadis, I still containe my for∣mer opinion, and that the successe, will be answerable to my desire: free from all harme or offence, but ra∣ther to the content of all this com∣panie. Well, quoth the King, your will shall be fulfilled. So hee called Oriana, whom the kings Perion, and Cildadan (Bride-like) guyded by eyther hand, and thus hee spake to her. Daughter your husband hath requested a boone of mee, which I haue granted, although I greatly doubt, that very hardly (in my opi∣nion) it will bee accomplished ac∣cording to his hope; neuerthelesse, you know that I haue alwayes kept my word, and therefore aduise your selfe, in doing that you shall bee enioyned.

Oriana being not a little ioyfull to heare the King her father speake so familliarly; performing very

great reuerence to him, thus reply∣ed. My gracious Lord and father, commande what you please, I am∣ready to obey you. Then daugh∣ter (quoth the King) before you sit downe as a Bride at the table, you must essay the aduenture, of the Arch of loyall louers, and likewise that of the Defended Chamber; this is the boone I haue granted to A∣madis. When these wordes wher heard by the other Ladies, a secret murmur ran suddenly among them; some for the loue they bare to O∣riana, fearing least shee should not finish so high an enterprise, and to her honour: others more addicted to selfe conceit, made promise to them of going beyond her. Not∣withstanding, this striuing had but a small continuance, because the King had a hand in the businesse, and he well knowing, that Olinda and Melicia, were desirous to ac∣companie his daughter in her for∣tune; entreated them thereto very earnestly.

But theire choyce friends, and new married husbands, were of a quite contrarie minde, and labou∣red to alter them from this humor, fearing their falling into danger, of loosing that, which they were not able to winne themselues: and therefore, they desired no such tri∣all, but were satisfied with enioy∣ing their long expectation. By the faith I beare to God, said the King, you can no way mislike their for∣wardnesse, but rather should high∣ly allowe thereof: because, for ought I can perceiue, they couet to make testimonie of their loyalty, by better meanes then you your selues are able to iudge of, and it is my minde, that they shall make their proofe, before my daughter Oriana do attempt it.

This pleased Amadis extraordi∣narily, knowing wel that they could not enter into the Defended Cham∣ber, before her: and this disfauour to them, would be the higher aug∣mentation of her honour. So Me∣licia and Olinda, went on towardes the Arch of loyall louers, vnder which they passed without any im∣peachment. Then the Brazen Sta∣tue began to sound so melodiously, as euery one tooke great delight to heare it; but especially Agraies and Bruneo aboue all the rest. Go∣ing on further, the two ladies en∣tred into the Garden, where they beheld the Statues of Apolidon and Grimanesa. As they were busily loo∣king on them, they espied Orania almost vnder the Arch, looking behinde her, if Amadis followed her: and instantly, such an amiable blush mounted vppe into her face, that with her owne naturall pale complexion, made her appeare most sweetly beautifull.

No sooner was she iust vnder the vault of the Arch, but the Image soūded, much more harmonious & pleasing, then euer before had been heard by any: casting forth of his Trumpet, Gilliflowers, Pinkes, Dai∣sies, Colonbines, Pauuces, and a thousand other kinde of flowers, the most oderiferous that euer were smelt. Then entring into the Gar∣den, Melicia and Olinda called her, to shew her the figures of Apolidon and Grimanesa: but she was alrea∣die come to the Iasper piller, where shee found all their names newly engrauen, but could not ghesse how, or by what meanes. Herupon she called them to see what shee had done, and thence they returned to the Images, which they found to be so ingeniously framed, as no∣thing wanted, but life it selfe, and speech: especially that of Grima∣nesa, which seemed so exceeding

faire, as Oriana grew distrustfull, of her entrance into the Defended Chamber.

But this doubt had no long la∣sting, for shee going neare to the Venus made of Agate (only to take water of the fountaine) the Statua put forth her right hand, presen∣ting her the Apple, while, snatch∣ing away the most excellent pearle, hanging in her eare, she made the like tender of it with the other hand. Now, albeit her two com∣panions loued her very singularly, yet could they not preuaile ouer their owne passions: but (behol∣ding this extraordinary fauour) some secret sparks of enuy took fire against her: yet she beeing willing to leaue nothing vnperfected, went to the Dedalus, in the midst where-of (as I haue alreadie tolde you) was the Colossus of Brasse, holding the Lanterne, where the diuine fire was kept by the Serpents, who looking on Oriana, beganne faw∣ningly to moue their tailes, and bow downe their heads, in signe of humiliation.

By this meanes, without any o∣ther hinderance, shee passed on to the midst of the Labirinth, & there beheld (at her owne pleasure) the theft of Prometheas, which in the presence of the three Ladies, vani∣shed away, and neuer was after-warde seene by any one, nor the Serpents neither. Wherefore the Ladies returned backe againe, to the place where the Knights, and other of the company attended for them. If now their amorous friends were in the maine height of con∣tentment; iudge you faire Ladies, that haue made proofe of loues sweetest fauours. For mine owne parte. I would gladly make you be∣leeue, that they all felt such a hea∣uen of happinesse, as I could herti∣ly wish to my selfe. Now listen what followeth, and (perhaps) you shall heare matters, no lesse pleasing and delightfull.

The Ladies hauing ended these aduentures, ás you haue lately heard, Grasinda, beeing much of∣fended, that shee had not followed on with them: concluded in her selfe, to approue that of the Defen∣ded Chamber, before any of the o∣ther, and thereupon, comming to Amadis, spake thus. My Lord, al∣though my beauty cannot satisfie mine owne desire: yet it is not so distrustfull of it selfe, but it dare es∣say the aduenture of the staires, or ascending to the Defended Chamber. For if that be likewise ended, with∣out some of my paines imploiment; all my life time (afterward) will be but irkesome and tedious to mee. Therefore, let come what can or may, if I obtaine entrance, my minde will bee satisfied: but if I meete with repulse, others haue had the like fortune before mee. Ma∣dame, answered Amadis, it ap∣peares to me, that defect of beauty should no way be your hinderance, much lesse any want of good will: so that, if you like to beleeue mee, you may passe them before any o∣ther, who (by this meanes) may well be releeued by you, and spare their labor in attempting entrance.

Grasinda imagining that Amadis spake as hee thought, deferred no further, but blessing herselfe with the signe of the crosse: went on di∣rectly to the first degree, which ea∣sily shee ascended. But when she came to that of Marble, she was re∣pulsed backe so rudely, that shee lay along vpon the ground, vnable to mooue either hand or foote. Which Quedragant beholding, ran to her, and lifted her vp gently in his armes: not without much pit∣tying

her estate, albeit hee was well assured that his infirmitie would turne to nothing. Neuerthelesse, such was his deare affection to her, as hee most misdoubted her owne danger by conceit.

Agraies, who all this while stood talking with Olinda, spake thus vnto her. Faire beautie, though madam Grasinda hath had such ill successe: yet you may reuenge her wrong, & therefore neuer feare, but proceede on boldly. So, kissing her, he tooke her by the hand, and conducting her very neere to the steppe of cop∣per: she passed it as easily as Grasin∣da had done before her. But as the one was beaten backe, weening to get ouer the marble staire, so the o∣ther found no better fortune, but was suddenly surprised by the tres∣ses of her hayre, and throwne to the ground very disgracefully. By meanes whereof, Melicia aduanced her selfe, and, euen as if her heart and feete had flown together, shee passed ouer the two formost staires: whereby they which obserued it, were verily perswaded, that this ad∣uenture was only dedicated to her, and to none other.

Now beganne Oriana to grow very suspitious, which lasted but a little while: for very soone after, she was worse repulsed then any of the former, and so shaken, that Bruneo, thinking her verely to be dead, be∣gan to greeue very extremely. Not∣withstanding, they that were well acquainted with the sight of such accidents, did nothing else but laugh: knowing for a certaine, that these feares were but signes of bet∣ter assurance. There remayned now no more of the foure Ladies, to gaine (by proofe) the supremacy of beautie, for entrance into the En∣chanted Chamber, but only Oriana: And shee standing somewhat neere to Amadis, smiling, thus hee spoke to her. Madam, I know well enough that this honor is only due to you, and many times I haue assured your of it: therfore, pursue you for∣tunate promise, and stand in dread of no danger whatsoeuer.

At these words, he left the Prin∣cesse, and she, proceeding unto the stayres, passed them all without a∣ny difficultie, but when shee drew neere to the doores entrance, shee seemed to feele an infinite number of armes and handes, which very strongly and mainely resisted her. Neuerthelesse, shee was not a iote discouraged, but defended her selfe vertuously turning euery way to a∣ny resistance; and in meere despight of any impeachment, made free her passage, yet much out of breath. But when shee coulde no longer sustaine her selfe, the hand which first fauoured Amadis (as you haue already heard in the beginning of the second Booke) drew her plea∣santly in. Then an infinite of hu∣maine voyces were heard, singing so loud as they were easilie vnder∣stood. Blessed bee the ariuall of that only and excellent Lady, none the like since Grimanesa, and yet goeing be∣yond her in all beauties, in regard whereof, she is worthie of the most va∣liant Knight, that euer bare armes this hundred yeares, and more; with whom she may here henceforward, li••e at her owne pleasure, according as best shall seeme to her selfe.

Instantly the chamber doore flew open, and Oriana entred there∣into so highlie satisfied, as the com∣maund of the whole world could not more content her. Which when Ysanio, the Gouernour of the Isle perceiued, hee plainely published before them all. This day is the consummation of the Enchantments, which Apolidon left heere to perpe∣tuate

his memorie: But seeing this Lady hath entered the Chambers all o∣thers may follow without any hin∣drance. Hereupon all the rest, as well Knights, ••s Ladies and Gentle-women followed in after her, and there beheld all the singularities, which haue beene already related to you, in the beginning of this fourth Booke; about which they spent so long pleasing time, as they quite forgot when they should goe to dinner. But the master of the houshould came to king Perion, and told him, that their meate was neere spoyling: Wherefore, he tooke O∣riana by the hand, and led her into the great dining Hale, where a roy∣all Feast was ready for them: there they sate downe at each Table, ac∣cording as the master of the Cere∣monies called them by name, and were serued with the most exquisite cheare, that could bee possibly de∣uised.

No sooner were the tables with-drawne, but they fell to dauncing, and so spent out the day, till they couered for supper, which being en∣ded, masques, and mummeries came in, continuing so long among the Ladies: till the Queenes of great Brittaine and Gaule withdrew the new married couples. Amadis had prepared his lodging in the De∣fended Chamber, where he meant to rest with his long loued Ortana: the like preparation was made for the Empresse, and the other brides. In the meane while, Amadis disroabed himselfe, to meete with her in loue∣ly embracings, whom hee had so long time desired, and by infinite trauailes dearely deserued. And be∣ing now alone by themselues, no doubt but they made proofe, of the greatest delights loue could affoord which feare had kept thē from long before. And if they were well plea∣sed wee must needes thinke no lesse of Brunco and Melicia, and also of the other amorous combatants, dis∣playing now their colours in the face of Venus.