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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,