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. XXXIX. (Book 39)

How Amadis came to the succour of the City of London, when it was in this distresse.

NOt long agoe we left Amadis in the wood, familiarly deuising with the Princesse O∣riana, thinking on no∣thing but their sweete contentati∣on: and among other discourse, Amadis intreated her to tell him, what speeches Arcalaus had with her by the way. On my faith Sir, quoth she, he confounded my sen∣ses with perswading mee to re∣ioyce, saying. Before fiue dayes were expired, I should raigne as Queene in Great Brittaine, enioy∣ing Barsinan to my husband: him-selfe likewise should be chiefe Go∣uernour and Maister of his house, in recompence of the seruices hee did for him, in giuing him my fa∣thers head, and mee to be his wife. Ah heauens, sayde Amadis, what treason is this in Barsinan, who shewed himselfe such a friend to the king? God shield hee doe no wrong to the Queene. In sooth, I greatly doubt it, replyed Oriana, it were good therefore wee hasted to see. With all my heart, quoth A∣madis: so mounting on horse-backe, they rode toward London, meeting many knights by the way that followed the King, whom still hee directed in their course, certi∣fying them that Galaor was gone likewise in his search. Within a while after, Oriana espied Don Gru∣medan an auncient knight of ho∣nour to the Queene, and twenty knights more with him, who all that night had searched the Forrest for the king: but when hee sawe her, the teares stoode in his eyes with ioy, desiring to heare some newes of the King her father. Cre∣dit mee Sir, quoth shee, not farre from the Citie were we sundered, when God ordayned so well for me, that Amadis deliuered me frō the villaines, and ransomed mee with the price of their liues. They were vnwise to resist, saide Grume∣dan, when you had so good a Champion: but I pray you my Lord, what is become of your bro∣ther? Euen in the same place, an∣swered Amadis, where they sepa∣rated the father from the daughter: we seuered our selues, hee posting after the King, and I followed Ar∣calaus, who led away Madame O∣riana. The better hope haue I of his succour, quoth Grumedan, see∣ing so good a knight hath taken it in hand.

Hereupon, Amadis tolde him the horrible treason of Arcalaus and Barsinan: Let me therefore in∣treate yee, quoth hee, to conduct the Princesse leasurably after, while I make haste before least the Queen be distressed, because I doubt the traytor will her offer iniury. I think it likewise expedient, that you cause all the knights to returne you meete withall: for if the King should bee reskewed by multi∣tude of men, there is enow be∣fore already, and more then needs. So leauing his Lady with Don Grumedan, hee made all the haste hee could towarde London, ••uer••a∣king the Squire by the way that came from the king, who told him all the newes of his deliuerance, which was no little ioy to Amadis,

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hearing the fortunate successe of his brother Galaor. There met hee with another likewise, who made report of Barsinans dealings at London, wherefore entring the Ci∣tie so couertly as hee might, the first hee met withall was king Ar∣ban, of whom hee was louingly embraced and welcommed, with request of what newes he brought. None but good, answered Ama∣dis, and such as you are desirous to heare: but because I doubt the Queene is scant merry, let vs goe see her, for happely shee will bee glad of our comming. So rode they to the Court together, Ama∣dis still keeping the Squire with him that came from the king, and when they entered the Queenes presence, Amadis falling on his knee, beganne in this manner. Ma∣dame, this Gentleman left the King well this morning, and at li∣berty, whereof his Maiesty certi∣fieth you by him: my selfe likewise (not long since) left your daugh∣ter with Don Grumedan, and very shortly they will be with you. But because I vnderstand that Barsinan molesteth you with trechery, suffer vs I pray you to goe see what hee can doe. When the Queen heard these ioyfull tydings, her inwarde content tooke away the liberty of of her speech, nor could she doe any thing but lift her hands & eyes to heauen, applauding his name from whence this good procee∣ded, and by gestures deliuering some signe of thankes to Amadis. At length hauing ouercome this delightfull passion, and intending to question further concerning these newes: the allarme was soun∣ded, wherefore king Arban and A∣madis hyed to the barres, where they found Barsinans men giuing an eager charge, as hoping to con∣quer the contrarie part. But Ama∣dis thrusting himselfe for-most, caused the bars to be taken down, and accompanied with king Ar∣ban, brake in couragiously vpon the enemy, a noble president to their souldiers, who beeing chee∣red by this onset, tooke heart and followed. Now wexed the skir∣mish to be hot indeed, so that on both sides very many were slaine, which Barsinan perceiuing, & tru∣sting in his multitude to suppresse the weaker part, came formost himselfe in person, thinking (now hee saw the barres open) to driue his aduersaries backe againe into the Citie. When Amadis noted his forwardnesse he stepped backe, & changed his Creast and Shield with a simple mercinary souldier: yet reseruing his Launce, which with a strong carreer pierced tho∣rough his Armour, and wounding Barsinan, brake in peeces in his flesh. Then drawing his sword, he gaue him such a stroke on the hel∣met, as hee was astonied therewith, and redoubling his blowe, cut his right arme quite from his shoul∣der: when Barsinan (feeling himself so wounded) would haue retyred backe, to saue himselfe by the speed of his horse, but hee fell to the ground as depriued of his sences. Wherefore Amadis left him, and set vpon the rest, who beeing vnable to endure these hotte as∣saults, likewise beholding their Lord dismounted: took thēselues to flight for safety of their liues, yet were they so closely followed, as the most part of them were slain in the field, and some few of them escaped into the Tower, causing the bridge to be quickly drawen vp after them.

Hereupon Amadis returned where he left Barsinan & because he

was not yet dead, commanded he should be carried to the Queenes lodging, there to bee kept till the Kings returne: and as hee would haue put vp his sword, hee sawe it soyled with blood, wherefore in wiping it, hee saide: Thou trustie sworde, in a happy houre was the knight born to whom thou belon∣gest: and as thou art one of the best in the world, so is thy Master the most vertuous Prince liuing. He vsed these words, because it ap∣pertained to King Lisuart, and was sent him from the Queene by Gan∣dalin, as you heard before: but now returnes hee with king Arban to the Queenes lodging, to com∣fort her with newes of happie vi∣ctory.

All this while the King is hasting toward London, giuing order to returne all the knights hee met by the way, among whom were A∣graies, Galuanes, Soliua••, Galdan, Di∣nada••s, and Bernas: all which were highly in the Kings fauour, as men of vertue and no small deseruing: and his Maiesty hauing imbraced them, said. My noble good friends, you had almost lost mee, but God bee thanked, you haue recouered mee againe, by the helpe of these three worthy knights Galaor, Gui∣lan, and Ladasin. In sooth my Lord, answered Dinadans, so soon as your mishap was knowen in the Citie, each one prepared to bring you succour. I knowe my good Nephew, quoth the king, that I am greatly beholding to you all: but I pray you take good store of these knights, and post with speed to as∣sist the Queene, for I doubt she is in no little danger. This Dinadans was one of the best knights of the kings linage, and well esteemed a∣mong men of account, as well in respect of his vertues, as also his braue behauiour in chiualry: so according to the kings command, he rode away presently very braue∣ly accompanied.

The king likewise followed an indifferent pace, lest his Nephew should stand in need of helpe, and by the way he ouertooke D•••• Gru∣medan with his daughter Oriuna. How ioyfull this meeting was, you may easily conceiue, that the sepa∣ration was not so grieuous, but this was as gladsome. Grumedan told his Maiesty, how Amadis left the Princesse with him, while hee rode before to assist the Queene: thus with repetition of many mat∣ters, they beguiled the time till they atriued as London, where hee vnderstoode the successe of Barsi∣nans enterprise, and how valiantly King Arban had resisted him, not forgetting the worthy behauiour of Amadis, in taking him prisoner and discomfiting his men, except a few that saued themselues in the Tower.

Here would i•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a worlde of time, to report the ioy, pleasure, and conte•…•… betweene the King and Queen at their meeting, likewise the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comfort ha∣uing re•…•…ed her daughter a∣gaine: but as your iudgements can better conceiue then I set downe, matter aboue the reach of com∣mon capacity, so doe I leane it to you, and proceed to the King. Who to terrifie the traytoure thus gotten into holde, besieged them seuerally, and to dishearten them the more, brought Barsinan & Ar∣calaus Nephew before the walles, where before all the people they confessed their treason. Which be∣ing done, a great fire was made, wherein they were aliue consu∣med, but when they in the Tower beheld this spectacle, and that

they were in great want of victals, they yeelded themselues to the Kings mercy, the most part of thē being (for examples sake) hanged on the battlements, and the rest set at liberty vpon humble submis∣sion. Yet this matter bred very great trouble afterward, betweene them of Great Brittaine & Sansue∣gua: for the sonne of Barsinan be∣ing a good knight, vexed king Lis∣uart with contagious warre, as in the History hereafter at large is mentioned.

After the King had escaped these misfortunes, the former ioyes and pastimes beganne againe: during which time, the Lady and her two sonnes (the messengers of Madasi∣ma, who were witnesses when Gala∣or and Amadis promised to forsake king Lisuarts seruice) arriued at the Court. When the two Princes were aduertised thereof, they went and friendly entertained her, shee saying: Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming, are you de∣termined to keepe your promise? We are, quoth they, and will not breake our couenant with Madasi∣ma, but presently will performe it before the King. Entring the great Hall, the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiesty, deliuering these speeches. My Lord, I am come to your Court, to see if these two knights will obserue a couenant, which in my presence they made to a Lady. What was it? answered the King. A matter that will s••ant like you, quoth the Lady, or any such as beare you affection: and thereto shee added the whole cir∣cumstance. Wherat the King wax∣ing somewhat offended, told Galaor that hee had very much wronged him. My Lord, replyed Galaor, it was better to do so, then be treche∣rously slaine, for had wee been a knowne, neither you, nor all the world could haue faued our liues: but let not your Maiesty be offen∣ded, for the remedy shall be more ready then you expect. In accom∣plishing my promise to Madasi∣ma of Gantasi, my Lord I take my leaue of you, departing altogether from your seruice: certifying you that it is her will to doe you this displeasure, and worse if she should compasse it, for the extreame mal∣lice she beareth to you. Amadis af∣firmed what his brother had done, then Galaor turning to the Lady & her two sonnes, sayd. Haue we not now accomplish our promise? Yes truely, quoth the Lady, wee must needs auouch so much. You may then returne when you please, an∣swered Galaor, but tell Madasima, she did not so much as she weened, as you may perceiue by the present effect. Now my Lord, quoth he to the King, we haue fulfilled our pro∣mise to Madasima, and because in graunting her earnest desire, the time was not limited how long we should leaue your seruice: we may enter thereinto againe when you please to command, so that we are yours as faithfull as before. When the King and all that were present heard what had past, they reioyced exceedingly, esteeming Galaor & Amadis well aduised herein: where-upon the King thus spake to the Lady. According to her great treason vnder shaddowe of good meaning, they are bound to no more then they haue accomplish∣ed: for to deceiue the deceiuer is no deceit. And say to Madasima, seeing she hateth me so vnreasona∣bly, she once had thē in her power, who might haue grieued me all my life time: but God hauing in other places deliuer'd me frō many perils wil not suffer me to perish by so bad

woman as she is. I desire yee my Lord, quoth she, to tell mee their names. The one is Amadis, answe∣red the King, and the other his brother Galaor. May it be possible, say de the Lady, that Madasima had Amadis in her power? Credit me, quoth the King, I haue tolde yee truth. Their fortune was good, replyed the Lady, for they might not haue escaped if she had known them: and in sooth the deede might bee reckoned ominous, if two such worthy persons had pe∣rished. Yet when she shall knowe hereof, sayd the King, I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any fur∣ther. With that the Lady tooke her leaue, shaping her course the same way she came.