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. XLII.

How Galaor went with the Damosell after the Knight that dismounted him and his companions in the Forrest, whom when he found, they com∣bated together, and afterward in the sharpest point of their combat, they knew each other.

FOur daies together, rode Galaor with the Damosell, seeking the Knight that vnhorsed him in the Forrest, for which he was so ouercome with anger, as euery knight hee mee withall deerely felt it, because in combat many receiued their death. Then espying a faire Ca∣stle on the top of a high moun∣taine, the Damosell told him, there was no other place neere where they might lodge that night: wher∣fore he being glad to accept there-of, they came to the Castle, fin∣ding many Gentlemen and Ladies sporting together, among whom was a Knight aged about three∣score yeares, who taking Galaor by the hand, did him all the honour might be deuised. My Lord, quoth, Galaor, your courtesie to vs is so great, that albeit we were determi∣ned

to passe further on our way, yet for your sake we are content to stay with you this night. Then the knight conducted Galaor, into a faire Chamber, leauing the Damo∣sell among the other Ladies; and after the Prince was vnarmed, the knight spake to him in this man∣ner. Here Sir may you rest and take your ease, calling for any thing you stand in neede of: for God knows I haue vsed such enter∣tainement not onely to you, but to all knights errant that passed this way, because some time I haue beene as now you are. Yet hath nature giuen mee two Sonnes, whose onely delight is in search of aduentures, but now they lie sicke in their beds, beeing cruelly woun∣ded by a Knight, who with one Launce cast them both from their Saddles. But they were so asha∣med at this foyle, as they mounted againe and purfued the knight, o∣uertaking him as hee entred a Barque to passe the water, where my Sonnes said to him, that in re∣spect he had iousted so well, they would trie his fortune in combat with the Sword: but the knight made answere he could not now intend it, yet would they needes presse him so farre, as to hinder his entrance into the Barque. Where-upon a Lady being in his compa∣ny said, they wronged her ouer-much to stay her Knight: but they were not to depart, til he had com∣bated with them at the Sword. See∣ing it will be no otherwise replied the Lady, he shall enter fight with the better of you both, on condi∣tion, that if he be conqueror, the other do forbeare the Combat. They answered, if the one were vanquished, the other would re∣uenge his foyle, which when the Knight heard, he was so angry, as he bad them both come together, in respect they were importunate and would not rest contented. In the triall, one of my sons sustained the worst, wherefore his brother seeing him in such perill, stroue to reskue him from death: yet all was in vaine, for the knight handled them so roughly, as he left them like dead men in the field, and af∣terward passed away in the Barque. No sooner heard I of this mishap, but I sent for my Sonnes, & home were they brought in this daunge∣rous plight: but that you may giue credit to my words, behold here their Armour cut and man∣gled, as I thinke the like stroakes neuer came from any mans hand. Galaor maruailing at this discourse, demanded what Armes the conquering knight bare: when he was answered, his Shield to be of vermilion colour, with two black Lions figured therein: By these tokens Galaor knew him, that it was the same man he trauailed to finde, which made him demand of his friendly host, if he had no further knowledge of the Knight. No verily Sir, quoth the auncient Gentleman. For this night, an∣swered Galaor, let vs take our rest, and to morrow I intend to seeke the man you talke of. For already I haue trauiled foure daies in his search: but if I meete with him, I hope to reuenge the iniuries of your Sonnes, and o•…•… like•…•… whom he hath offended, or else 〈…〉〈…〉 will cost the price of my life 〈…〉〈…〉 could rather wish said the Knight, that leauing this perillous enter prise, you would take some other course, seeing my two Sonnes haue beene so hardly intreated, their own wilfull folly being cause thereof. So breaking off talke, Ga∣laor took hir rest till the next mor∣ning,

when taking leaue of the an∣cient knight, he rode away with the Damosell, who brought him to the place of passage in the Barque: where crossing the water to the o∣ther side, they came to a very beau∣tifull Castle, whither the Damo∣sel rode before, aduising the Prince to stay her returne. She taryed not long, but comming back againe, brought another Damosel with her of excellent beauty, and ten men beside all on horse-back: after the faire Gentlewoman had saluted Galaor, she said. Sir, this Damosell that came in your company, telleth me, how you seeke a knight, who beareth two black Lyons in a ver∣million shield, and are desirous to know his name: this is very cer∣taine, that you nor any other can finde him for three yeeres space, but onely by force of armes, a mat∣ter not so easie to be accompli∣shed by you, for perswade your selfe, his like is not to be found in all the Isles of great Brittaine. La∣dy, quoth Galaor, yet will I not giue ouer his search, although hee con∣ceale him selfe in this sort: and if I meete with him, it shall like mee better to combate with him, then to know my demand by any other way. Seeing then, answered the Damosell, your desire is such, I will shew you him within three dayes ensuing, for this Gentlewo∣mans sake, being my cosin, who ac∣cording to her promise hath ear∣nestly entreated me. Galaor requi∣ted her with many thankes, and so they trauailed on, arriuing in the euening at an arme of the Sea, where they found a Barque ready for passage to a liule Island, and certaine mariners in it, who made them all sweare, if they had any more then one knight in their cō∣pany. No, credit me, replied the Damosell: hereupon they set sayle and away. Then Galaor demanded of the Damosell, the reason why they tooke such an oath. Because, quoth she, the Lady of the Isle whither we goe, hath so ordained it, that they shall let passe but one knight at one time: and no other must they bring till his returne, or credible intelligence of his death. What is hee, saide Galaor, that vanquisheth or killeth them? The selfe same knight you seeke, answe∣red the Damosell, whom the La∣dy hath kept with her more then halfe a yeere, intirely louing him: and the cause of this affection proceedeth from a Tourney, which not long since hee maintained in this countrey, for the loue of her and another faire Lady, whom the knight (being a stanger here) con∣quered, defending her cause with whome he now is, and euer since shee bare him such affection, as without grant of his loue she wold haue dyed. Sometime hee is desi∣rous to seeke after strange aduen∣tures, but then the Lady to detaine him still in this place, causeth such knights as come hither to passe one after another against whom he combateth, and not one hath yet returned vnuanquished: such as die in fight are there interred, and the foyled sent back againe, des∣poyled of their horse and armes, which the knight presenteth to his Lady, shee being one of the fairest creatures in the world, named Co∣risanda, and the Isle Brauisande. Know you not the cause, said Gala∣or, wherefore the knight went not many dayes since, to a Forrest where I found him, and kept the passage there fifteene dayes toge∣ther, against all such as trauailed that way? Yes mary, quoth the Da∣mosel, he promised a boone to a

Lady before he came hither, wher∣fore she intreated him to keep the Forrest for the space of fifteene dayes: yet hardly hee got licence of his faire Mistresse, who allowed him but a moneth to stay and re∣turne.

By this time they were landed, and come before a goodly Castle, where stood a pillar of Marble, with a horne hanging on it, which the Damosell bad him winde, and the Knight would come forth at the sound thereof. After he had giuen a good blast, certaine Pa∣ges came forth of the Castle, who set vp a Pauilion in the middest of the field, and six Ladies (soone af∣ter) came walking forth one of them seeming by her gesture and countenance, to be commander of the rest, taking her place accor∣dingly in the Tent. I maruaile, said Galaor, the knight tarryeth so long, I desire one of you to will the Lady send for him, because busines else-where of great importance, forbiddeth me to trifle time here in vaine. One of the Damosells ful∣filled his request. What? answe∣red Corisanda, maketh he so small account of our Knight? thinketh hee so easily to escape from him? hath he such mind of other affaires before hee see the end of this at∣tempt? indeede I thinke he shall returne sooner then he expecteth, but with slender aduantage for him to bragge of: then calling a Page, she said. Goe and bid the strange Knight come forth. The Page quickly did his message, and soone after, the Knight came forth on foote, being all armed except with his Helmet, which was brought af∣ter him with his Launce, and ano∣ther Page leading his Courser: when he came before his Lady, she said. Behold Sir, here is a braue Knight, who thinketh lightly to o∣uercome you, & accounteth him-selfe assured of the victory: I pray you let him know the price of his folly. After these wordes she kis∣sed and embraced him, but Galaor noting all these misteries, thought he tarried too long from the com∣bat: at length the Knight being mounted, they prepared themselus to the cariere, and breaking their Launces in the encounter, were both wounded. Galaor presently drew his Sword, but the knight in∣treated him to loust once more. With all my heart, replyed Galaor, yet I am sory my horse is not so good as yours, for if it were: I could be content not to giue ouer till one of vs lay along on the ground, or all these Launces bro∣ken in peeces. The Knight made him no answere, but commanded a squire to bring them other staues, and meeting together, Galaors horse was almost down: the knight likewise lost his stirrops, be∣ing glad to catch holde by the mane of his horse, whereat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one somewhat a shamed, he said to Ga∣laor. You are desirous to combat with the Sword, which I haue de∣ferred, not for any doubt of my selfe, but onely to spare you, not∣withstanding, we must needs now try the issu thereof.

Do what you can answered Ga∣laor, I meane to bee reuenged for your kindnesse in the Forrest: these words made the Knight soone to remember him, saying: You must do no more then you can, and hap∣pily before you depart hence, you may sustaine a foyle worse then the first. Hereupon they fell to the combat, which began and conti∣nued with such fury, as the Ladies, were driuen into wonderfull a∣mazement, yea, themselues were a∣bashed

that they held out so long, hauing their Armour mangled, their Shields defaced, their Bodies sore wounded, and the blood stre∣ming downe vpon their horses: Galaor neuer being in such daun∣ger of his life, but when hee fought with his brother Amadis, which made him carry better opinion of the Knight, and both of them be∣ing glad to breath a while, Galaor entred into these speeches. You see Sir I haue the better of the combat, let me therfore know your name, and why you conceale your selfe so closely: wherein you shall doe me very great pleasure, and wee may continue friends, else worse will ensue then you imagin. Be wel assured answered the knight our strife shall not be ended so ea∣sily, nor am I to bee ouercome so lightly as you weene, beside, I was neuer more desirous to prolong a combat, then I am at this instant, because I neuer met with the knight that tryed me so well: but to you nor any other will I bee knowne, except one Knight who hath power to command me. Be not so opinitiue, replyed Galaor, for I sweare to you by the faith I owe to God, neuer to leaue you till I know whar you are, and why you conceale your selfe so secret∣ly. And I sweare to you, quoth the knight, while breath is in my body you shall not know it by me, and rather would I presently die, then any but two should vnder∣stand what I am: yet I know not them, but they may and shall haue knowledge of me. And what are they, said Galaor, you esteeme so much? Neither will I disclose them to you, answered the knight. Both them and my former demaund, quoth Galaor, I will know, else one of vs shall die, or both together. I am well pleased therewith, replyed the Knight.

So began they to charge each other a fresh, as if they had not fought together before at all: but the strange knight receiued many cruell wounds, which made his strength more and more to faile: and the Lady seeing the great dan∣ger of his life, would suffer him to endure no longer perill, but com∣ming to Galaor, said. Forbeare sir Knight, would God the Barque and Mariners had sunke, before they brought you hither. Lady, quoth Galaor, you ought not to blame me in doing my deuoire a∣gainst this knight, who hath outra∣ged me, & many beside, for which I meane to bee reuenged this day. Forbeare, said the Lady, to wrong him any more, otherwise you may fall into an extremity without any mercy.

It matters not what may happen answered Galiaor: but nothing shall make me giue ouer, vntill he haue satisfied my demand. And what is that? quoth she. He must tell me his name, replyed Galaor, and why so closely hee concealeth himselfe, likewise what the two Knights are of whom he told mee but euen now. Proceede no fur∣ther in combat said the Lady, and I will satisfie your demand. This Gentleman is named Don Florestan, concealing himselfe in this secret manner to finde his two brethren, who are in this country accounted such men at Armes, that albeit hee hath well tried himselfe with you, yet will hee not bee commonly knowne, till he haue accomplished such deedes in chiualrie, as ma de∣serue to equall him with them, who are at this time in King Lisuarts Court, one of them being named Amadis, the other Galaor, and all

three the Sonnes to King Perion of Gaule. Alas, what haue I done? quoth Galaor, heere brother take my Sword, and therewithall the honor of the fight, for I haue of∣fended ouer much. What? said the knight am I then your brother? According to this Ladies spee∣ches, answered Galaor, you are, and I am your brother Galaor. Florestan amazed at this accident, fell on his knee, saying. My Lord, I desire you to pardon me, for this offence in combatting vnknown with you, was caused by no other reason: but that I durst not name my selfe your brother, till I had made some im∣mitations of your noble vertues, Galaor courteously embraced him in his armes, the teares streaming from his eyes with ioy, and gree••∣ing to see him so sore wounded, doubting least his life was in great danger: but when the Lady saw them so good friends, and the en∣mity conuerted into such Humili∣ty, as one right glad thereof, shee said to Galaor. Worthy Sir, though first you gaue me occasion of great heauinesse, yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompe••••ed me. So taking each of them by the hand, she walked with them into the Ca∣stle, where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds, her selfe (skil∣full in Chirurgerie) cured their wounds. Thus remained the two brethren with the rich and beauti∣full Lady Corisanda, who desired their health as her owne wel-fare.