The ancient, famous and honourable history of Amadis de Gaule Discoursing the aduentures, loues and fortunes of many princes, knights and ladies, as well of Great Brittaine, as of many other kingdomes beside, &c. Written in French by the Lord of Essars, Nicholas de Herberay, ordinarie commissarie of the Kings artillerie, and his lieutenant thereof, in the countrie and gouernment of Picardie, &c.

CHAP. XXI. (Book 21)

How Arcalaus brought newes to the Court of King Lisuart, that Amadis was dead, which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and re∣greets, especially the Princesse Oriana.

SVch speede made Ar∣calaus after his depar∣ture from Valderin, where he left Amadis enchanted, hee being (as I haue saide) clad in his armor, and mounted on his horse: that the tenth day following, hee arriued neer the court of king Lisuart, who was riding abroade in the fields to take the aire, accōpanied with his Lords along the forrest side. They seeing Arcalaus come a far off, ha∣uing on the armor of Amadis, ima∣gining it was hee indeede, diuers rode before to welcome him: but when they came more neere, they found thēselues deceiued, by reasō Arcalaus had his head and hands vnarmed, wherefore without salu∣ting the Gentlemen, he stepped to the King with these words. Sir, I come to acquite a promise where∣in I stand bound, namely to let you vnderstand, how I haue slaine a Knight in battaile, that some-time bare these armes. And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne prayse, which were more ho∣norable for me, being reported by another in mine absence: yet am I constrained to do no lesse, seeing the couenant was betweene me & him whom I haue slaine: viz. that the conquerour should dispoyle the vanquished of his head, and present it before you as this day. Full loth was I to be so cruell, be∣cause hee tolde mee hee was your Queenes Knight, commonly cal∣led Amadis of Gaule, and so hee na∣med himselfe whom I vanquished. As for me Sir, I tolde him in truth that I was Arcalaus, whom fortune

hath graced with such singuler fa∣uour: for I haue slaine the man, some-time owner of this armour and horse, which as a testimony of my victory I brought with mee. Ah God, sayde the King, is then the most vertuous and accompli∣shed Knight in the world dead? you lowring heauens, why began ye so braue to course in him, and now on such a sudden to cut it off? These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares, both in the King and his royall company, which Ar∣calaus perceiuing, not speaking a∣ny thing else, returned the same way he came, feigning himselfe likewise very sad and grieued: but you must thinke he went not with-out great store of curses, euery one instantly desiring God, to send him an euill and speedy death, which with their Swordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him themselues, but that they heard howe Amedis was slaine by an accorded battaile.

The King being ouercome with pensiuenesse and sorrow, returned to the Towne, where these newes were so opened to euery one, that at length the Queene and her La∣dyes heard thereof, which present∣ly conuerted their former plea∣sures in to mourning. At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke, where hearing the sud∣den clamour and noyse, she com∣manded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof. Alas good Lady, too soone was it brought to her, for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis, but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart: and more to afflict this gentle Princesse, the other Ladyes came weeping into her chamber, saying. Ah Madame, what tongue can deliuer this won∣derfull mishap? yet durst she not (good Lady) bee too forward in enquiring the manner thereof, least the ••cinders of her affection might be discouered: and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her, she sayde. Alas! he is dead, it can not be otherwise. It is true ma∣dame, answered the Damosell, but what remedy? you must not like∣wise dy for company. These words made Oriana fall into a swoune, which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding, thought shee had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings, whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila, saying. Helpe Madame, my mistresse dyeth. She being come, saw that shee neither moued or breathed, doubted least life had taken leaue indeed, where∣fore she commanded the Damo∣sell to shut the dore, to the end her loue all this while so well concea∣led, might not breake foorth into open suspition. Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more liber∣tie, as also bathing her temples and pulses with vineger & cold water, she recouered againe, when deli∣ring a faint sigh, with a feeble voise she thus spake. Ah sweete friends, hinder me not in the way of death, if you desire my rest, and would haue God find him another world, who knew not how to liue one day without me. Ah flower and mir∣rour of chiualrie, thy death is in∣supportable not to me alone, but to the whole world, who is replet•• with griefe for thee, because they haue lost him who in bounty, pru∣dence, hardines, and all other ver∣tues, did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire. And were yet any feeling in thee, I am cer∣taine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life, but for my loue, en∣during

by thy misse maruailous af∣flictions: for thou hast left such honor in the world behinde thee, conquering so incomparable re∣putation in this short time of thy life, that (rekoning thy merites) thou diedst possessed with many yeeres. Thus liuest thou in place immortall, I remaining heere a∣lone after thee, can giue but woun∣ding and vnthankfull speeches. Ah cruell death, sufficed it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered steele, but thou must kill him out-right with thy cure∣lesse stroke? well, in respect it is so, offend not thy selfe my loue, for thou shalt soone see reason pro∣ceede frō her that did thee wrong, who beeing the cause, will beare thee company in death. And I may iustly challenge him of wrong, see∣ing equall loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte: where hauing affoorded our ending together, wee likewise might haue inioyed one sepulchre. After these words she swounded a∣gaine in Mabilaes armes, and in such manner altered her counte∣nance, as they reputed her verily dead, her faire and golden lockes being discheueled, her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion, euen as when the soule hath taken his flight, from the body. Mabila desparing of any life left in her, was so surprised with griefe, that shee was constrained to leaue the Da∣mosell alone with the Princesse, & walking some-what aside by her selfe thus lamented. Incompre∣hensible wisdome, let mee not liue to endure these trauailes, seeing thou hast taken these two from me whom I loued as my life. But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two ex∣treames, shee was maruailously a∣bashed: yet as one wise and well gouerned, shee spake in this man∣ner to the Princesse Mabila. Why Madame? when were you wont to abuse your honourable vertues? is it now time to forget your selfe? will you thus consent to the death of my Lady? you rather ought to aide and comfort her, then thus to forsake her, and procure her fur∣ther danger if shee reuiue againe. Come I pray yee succour her, for now is the time of greatest needs, and let these lamentations be refer∣red till another time. Mabila per∣ceiuing the Damosell saide true, wherefore she came to Oriana, and feeling by her warmenesse some hope of life to bee expected, they lifted her vpon the bed, when soon after her spirites returned to their office: and to qualifie this agonit, they could deuise no better means, then to busie her eares with some or other speeches. Why Madame? quoth one, will ye leaue vs? at least yet speake to vs. Madame saide the other, your Amadis is yet aliue and well. At the name of Amadis, shee opened her eyes, turning her head here and there as if she looked for him: which good humour Mabila desirous to continue, proceeded thus. Amadis commeth Madame, and shortly you shall see him. Ori∣ana giuing a great sigh, started vp, saying. Alas sweete friend, where is he? We vnderstand, quoth shee, that he is in very good health, and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings, is wont to vaunt of himselfe without cause, feeding himselfe with false praise of decer∣uing Knights. Why? saide Oriana, haue I not heard that hee brought his horse and armour? A matter of nothing, answered Mabila, they may as wel be borrowed or stolne, or he (happily) sent with that false

allarme, to try our constancy: then finding vs thus weakely dis∣posed, hee should haue had the thing he desired. I would not haue you thinke so simply Madam, that Amadis could be ouercome by one and no better a knight then he, nor were it reason to credit a com∣mender of himselfe, bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation: I am assured that Amadis will come ere long, and if he finde you not onely dead in a manner, but thus giuen ouer to griefe: it will cost his life, so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe, what wicked feigning by malice can do, and thus you both shall die one for another, When Oriana re∣membred, how by this meane she might be the death of her friend, if by good hap he yet enioyed life, and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the truth•• she tooke courage, casting her eye on the windowe, where many times Amadis and she had amorously conferred, when first he ariued at her fathers Court, and intercepting a number of for∣ced sighes, thus spake. Ah window, the witnesse of my abādoned plea∣sures, how piercing is the doubt of him whom thou causest me re∣member, and by whose gracious words both thou and I were made happy? Of this I am certaine, that neuer canst thou indure so long as two so loyall louers might (by thee) enioy such delight as he and I haue done: which fayling mee now, giueth me strange and insup∣portable torments to bee my com∣panions, and hence-forth shall my sad spirit remaine in bitter sadnes, vntill the comming of him or my death. Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past, laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then shee had done, in this manner. Why Madam? thinke you if I held these babling newes for truth, I could haue the power to comfort you in this sort, the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little, but rather I should incite all the world to weepe, then want consolation for you, who stand in such neede thereof. But I see so slender appearance of beleefe, as I will not before time require, re∣pute you vnfortunate, because dis∣comforting our selues without a∣surance: The euill hereby may be amended, and the good made much more worse, especially it will be the meane of disconering, what hath so long time beene shaddow∣ed in secret. Alas, quoth Oriana, if he bee dead, I care not though our loue were openly knowne for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing.

Thus debating and deuising to∣gether, the two Ladies all that day kept their chamber, not suffering any other to come in, for when the Damosell of Denmarke (who pas∣sed often in and out) was deman∣ded for Oriana, she answered that she accompanied Mabila, whom she would not suffer to part from her, by reason of her griefe for her Cosin Amadis. Thus was the prin∣cesses secret sadnesse couered, all night she being vnable to take any rest, such were her assaults be∣tween doubt and despaire, not for∣getting any thing that past be∣tweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres. But on the mor∣row about dinner time, Brandoy∣uas entred the palace, leading Grin∣daloya in his hand, which gaue great ioy to such as knew them, for of long time they could not ima∣gine what was become of them: they falling on their knees before the king, were quickly called ••ore∣membrance,

his maiesty thus spea∣king. Sir Brandoyuas, how chaunce you haue tarryed so long from vs? Alas my Lord, quoth he, impri∣sonment hath bin the cause, where∣out (had not the good Knight A∣madis of Gaule, giuen liberty to me, this Lady and many more, by such deedes of Armes as are vnspeaka∣ble) we could neuer haue been de∣liuered. Yet was he once in danger of tarying there himselfe, by the villainous coniurations and sorce∣ries of Arcalaus: but he was succou∣red by two Damosels, who deliue∣red him from all the exorcismes. When the King heard him name Amadis, whom hee verily thought to be dead? What my friend? quoth he, by the faith thou owest to God and me, is Amadis liuing? Yea my good Lord, answered Brandoyuas, it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition: but may it like you to tell me, why you demanded such a questiō? Because, sayd the King, Arcalaus yesterday tolde vs he had slaine him: heere-with he declared his speeches, and the manner how. What a traite∣rous villaine is that? replied Bran∣doyuas, but worse is befalne him then he weeneth as yet: hereto he added what passed betweene Ama∣dis & Arcalaus, as already you haue heard, whereby each one forsooke the sorrow of the former false newes, the King presently com∣manding, that Grindaloya should be conducted to the Queene, that shee might vnderstand these happy tidings.

Into the Queenes chamber is she brought, and the Damosell of Denmarke hearing her reporte, ran with all speede to the Princesse O∣riana, who hearing by her the truth of all, the passage of her speech was stopt for a long time, seeming as one confounded with enchant∣ment, thinking in these newes shee gaue her the bag, or that she drea∣med them, but when she recoue∣red the vse of her tongue, she thus answered the Damosell. Alas my friend, did I raue? or toldest thou me that Grindaloya testified to the Queene, how Amadis is not dead? In good faith, quoth the Damosel, I came but euen now from her highnes chamber, where Grinda∣loya declared how Arcalaus had de∣ceiued thē. Happy bee this houre, sayde Oriana, but I pray thee goe tell my mother, that Mabila en∣treates her to sende the Lady to comfort her: which she did, retur∣ning right soone with Grindaloya to Oriana. I leaue to imagine whe∣ther shee were well entertained or no, with all the modest courtesies so glad tidings deserued, likewise whether Oriana and Mabila gaue her audience, when she recounted Amadis deedes of armes at Valde∣rin, the misery of her and many o∣ther, the danger whereinto he fell afterward by the enchantments of Arcalaus, from which hee was de∣liuered by two strange Damosels. The discourse hereof so pleased & contented them, that I think Grin∣daloya had an endlesse taske in the reporting, for Oriana must heare euery thing often redoubled. But repeating the dangers of Amadis, and the misery from which he de∣liuered the poore captiues, caused teares so thick as winters haile to trill downe her cheekes. Thus tari∣ed Grindaloya all day wiih the two Princesses, and had not so soone departed, but that shee was aduer∣tised, how that King Arban of Nor∣wales, (who loued her deerely) ex∣pected her returne in the Queenes chamber. Good reason had she to take leaue of Oriana, and seeke him

from whom shee suffered such sorrow: But when these loyall lo∣uers met together, each one was delighted so substantially, as Grin∣daloya thought her griefes well re∣compenced. Now because the Queene vnderstood, how shee was daughter to King Ardroyd of Se∣ralis, and all her miseries had been for the loue of king Arban: with instant intreaty shee procured her stay in the Court, doing her all the honour and fauour could be deui∣sed. Grindaloya was not curious in granting the Queenes request, be∣cause king Arban was partaker in the same suite: by this occasion the Queene was aduertised, that shee had a maruailous faire sister na∣med Aldena, who was nourished in the Duke of Bristoyaes castle, which made her presently dispatch a Gentleman thither, with request that the Dutchesse would send her to the Court. This Aldena was the friend to Galaor, shee for him suffered such iniurie by the Dwarff as you haue heard before discour∣sed. We haue a long time con∣tinued with Amadis, now let vs re∣turne againe to Galaor, leauing King Lisuart in hope to see him soone in his Court, whom Arca∣laus said he had slaine in combat.