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. I. (Book 1)

The Description of the firme Island. Who made the inchantments, and placed those great riches which were found in the same.

THere was a King in Greece, who was married vnto the Emperours daugh∣ter of Cōstantinople, by whom hee had two sonnes, excelli•…•… in all perfe∣ction, both of body and minde. Especially the eldest (named Apo∣lidon) who was so well brought vp and conditioned, that hee found not his equall in any vertuous qua∣lity wherein he exercised himselfe. This Apolidon studied all sciences, wherein he profited so much, that hee was not onely counted one of the best knights in the world, but also surpassed all men of his time for wisedome: excelling them in learning, as farre as the moone ex∣ceedeth the starres in light, and chiefly in the art of Nigromancy, by the which he brought to passe many great matters, which seemed beyond the capacity of men. Now was the King (father of these two young Princes) most mighty in lands, and wealthy in treasure: but very weake in body by reason of his age. Wherefore knowing the end of his daies to approach, he would before his death, make partition of all his goods vnto his children, because no contention or debate should happen betweene them af∣ter his decease. And for that end he appointed the kingdome to A∣polidon, being his eldest sonne and heire, the other he inuested with all his riches, and moneable goods, among which there was many ex∣cellent bookes, of inestimable va∣lue. Yet the youngest nothing li∣king this partition, beway led his estate vnto the King, beseeching him most humbly to consider, that his patrimony being so small, hee was not onely left poore, but in a manner disinherited. Then the a∣ged father perceiuing the discon∣tentment of his sonne (being the thing hee most feared) was excee∣ding sorrowfull, but yet would he not alter that which hee had done, without the consent of Apolidon: who beeing aduertifed thereof,

came vnto him, and in the presence of his brother saide thus. It may please your Maiestie, I heard with∣in these few dayes that my brother is not content with that portion, which it hath pleased you to ap∣point vnto him: and therefore be∣cause I knowe how grieuous the same is vnto you, seeing the bro∣therly loue betwixt him and mee likely to be broken: I most humbly beseech your highnesse, to take all that againe which it hath pleased you to giue vnto mee, and dispose therof as it shal seeme best to your owne minde, for I shall thinke my selfe thrise fortunate, to doe any thing that may breede your soules felicity, and very well apaid, with that which to him was appointed.

When the King behelde the bounty of his sonne Apolidon, and the obedience hee shewed vnto him, hee was therewithall so plea∣sed and exceeding ioyfull, that his soule (knowing it, could not leaue his body in greater contentment) fled vp into heauen: leauing his two sonnes in such friendship as he desired. Notwithstanding, after the body was buried, and all ac∣customed funerall rights ended, Apolidon caused certaine shippes to he rigged and furnished for the sea, wherein being embarked, with diuerse Gentlemen of his friends, seeing the winde and weather fa∣uour them, he commanded the an∣kers to bee waied, and the sailes to be let fall; the which were incon∣tinently filled with so stiffe a gale, as in lesse then one houre they were past the countrey of Greece. And yet Apolidon had not derter∣mined to bond his course vnto a∣ny certaine coast: but following his fortune, driuen by the winde, he discouered the Countrey of Ita∣lie, whereunto approching, he lan∣ded in a certaine port thereof. The Emperour Sindan beeing •…•…∣sed of his landing, sent many great Lords vnto him, to request him to come to Rome: where hee should be as royally entertained as might be deuised. To which request Apo∣lidon willingly condiscended, and beeing there already arriued, the Emperour receiued him with ho∣nor, yet although at his comming hee determined to soiou••••e no more then eight daies with him, hee changed his purpose, and re∣mained there a longer season: in which time he accomplished such haughty deedes of armes, and be∣haued himselfe so worthily, that a∣mongst the Romans he gained the reputation of the best knight in the world: and obtained the loue of a young Princesse, the one••••e sister to the Emperour, named Grim••••∣sa, the fairest Lady then li••ing. And although that their loue was alike, yet was this faire Lady so streightly looked vnto, that neither could her affection bee satisfied, nor the common desire of them both bee performed. Wherefore one day consulting more priuat∣ly, then they euer yet before had done, loue wrought such a consent in them, as they agreede to depart vnto such a place, where they might without controle, enioy the fulnesse of their content▪ so as what they secretly intended, they as suddenly executed. For euen as they had appointed it, so the faire Grimanesa came forth one night to meete her loue Apolidon, who stay∣ed for her at the water-side, hauing prepared shippes ready for their flight, and wherein they presently embarqued themselues. Then by force of the winde, they were in few dayes driuen to arriue at the foote of the Firme-Island, which

was then inhabited by a mighty Giant, whereof Apolidon and those in the ship were ignorant. Where-upon thinking they were in a place of safety, came on shoare, and ••ents and Pauilions were set vp, where∣in they might refresh them: for Grimanesa (who was not vsed to trauaile by sea) was as wearie as might be. But at that instant when they thought themselues most se∣cure, the Giant which had disco∣uered them, took them so suddain∣ly, that Apolidon had scant so much leisure, as to arme himselfe: where-with Grimanesa was so amazed, that she was ready to die for feare: for the Giant taking her by the hand, said vnto Apolidon. Base slaue, although I am not accustomed to be kind vnto any, yet am I content for this once, to suffer thee to fight against me alone, on this conditi∣on, that if thou be ouercome, this faire Lady shall be mine, and then afterwards I shall cause thee to bee hanged vpon the pole of this tent. When Apolidon heard that by figh∣ting with such a monster, he might both saue himselfe & his mistresse: his hart was so great, as he thought it a very easie matter to ouercome him: and esteemed himselfe happy, that fortune had offered him so fit an occasion, as to make known vn∣to Grima••esa how much was his courage, and how great was his Knight-hood. Wherefore with-out longer delay the combate be∣gan betweene them, the which la∣sted but a while, for the Giant was pursued so valiantly, as hee fell downe back-ward. Then Apolidon streight stepped ouer him and cut off his head. Which the inhabi∣tants of the Isle vnderstanding, they all came and offered them-selues vnto him; becheeching him to remaine with them, and to bee their Lord and protector. Vnto this their request he condiscended: wherefore they conducted him with great triumph to the cheefe Fortresses of the Countrey, all which he found so well fortified, and furnished, as from that time forward hee nothing feared the power of the Emperor, if he shold attempt war against him for the ta∣king away of his sister. Afterwards by the perswasion of Grimanesa he caused to be builded in that place, one of the fairest places that was to be found in all the Isles of the Oci∣an: the which he beautified so gor∣geously, and furnished so righly, that the greatest monarch of the earth would haue found it a very difficult matter to haue builded the like. But it chaunced that fifteene daies after his there arriuall, the Emperour of Constantinople (his vnckle) died without heirs of his body; by meanes whereof, they of the Countrey dispatched Embassadors vnto Apolidon to beseech him to take vpon him the Empire, the which hee wil∣lingly accepted, being (as most men are) neuer contented with their estate, but still de∣sirous of change, especially of a pettie Island, for an Empire. Yet Grimanesa sorrie to leaue so pleasant an Island, did most instantly entreat her Lord, that before their departure, (in re∣membrance of the pleasure which they had enioyed in this Palace, the first witnesse of the full fruition of their loues) hee would worke such a meanes by his Art and great knowledge, that from thence forth, none might bee Lord thereof, except hee were as good a Knight as he, and as true in loue as hee was. True∣ly, Madame, answered Apolidon,

I will doe more for your loue then so: for not onely no man shall en∣ter into this Pallace except he be such a one as you haue sayde, but further, no Lady, nor Gētlewoman shall set her foote therein, vnlesse she be as faire, and excellent in all perfections as your selfe. Then at the entrie of an Orchard (planted with diuerse sorts of trees) he cau∣sed a vault to bee made: ouer the which hee placed the image of a man made of copper, holding a horne, as though hee would winde it: and vpon the gate of this Pal∣lace he set vp his owne and Grima∣nesa her picture, so artificially wrought that they seemed verie liuely: right ouer against which, he planted an high stone of Iasper, and about half a bow shoot off, to∣wards the garden hee set a piller of iron fiue cubits high.

These things beeing in this sort framed, hee asked Grimanesa if she knew what hee had done. No sure∣ly, answered shee. I will tell you then presently sayde Apolidon: as∣sure your selfe Madame, that no man nor woman which hath falsi∣fied their first loue, shall passe vn∣der this vault: for if they aduen∣ture to enter the same, the image which you see, shall blowe such a terrible blast, & shall cast through this horne, such a flame, & stench, that it shall be impossible for them to passe on further: moreouer, they shall bee cast forth with such force, that they shall bee throwne downe and remayne in a swound before the vault. But if it chance that any loyall louer, man, or wo∣man, doe assay this aduenture, the image shall sound a tune so melo∣dious, as it shall greatly delight the hearers: & there may such faith∣full louers passe, without any im∣pechment. Furthermore, they may beholde our portraytures, & their own names writtē in this Iasper, yet shall they not know by whom they were in grauen. For tryall whereof if it please you, wee will proue the same forthwith. Then hee tooke Grimanesa by the hand, and passing vnder the arch, the Image of cop∣per beganne to sound marueilous sweetly, but when they came to the Iasper stone, they beheld their names newly ingrauen therein, which greatly pleased Grimanesa. And to beholde what would be the successe of such as followed them, they called certaine Gentlemen, and Gentlewomen to make tryall of the aduenture: but as they thought to haue passed thorough the vault, the Image blew such a hideous blast, and cast forth fire, smoake and flame so horrible, that they all fell downe in a swound, & were throwne foorth most rudely. Wherewith Grimanesa began to laugh, knowing that they were in more dread then danger, than king Apolidon most heartily for that which hee had done for her sake. But yet my Lord, sayde she, what shall become of this rich chamber, in which you and I haue enioyed such great cōtentment? You shall knowe by and by, said hee. Then caused hee two other pillers to bee brought: one was of Marble, which hee had placed within fiue paces of the chamber: and the o∣ther of Brasse, was set fiue paces before that. Afterwards he said to Grimanesa: Madame, henceforth there shall neither man nor wo∣man enter into this chamber, vn∣till that hee who shall surpasse mee in prowesse, and knight-hood, or she which shall excell you in beau∣ty bee first entered into the same: but when fortune shall bring hither those which shall be worthy of a

place so excellent, all men after-wards, without any let may therein enter. Then he wrote vpon the pil∣ler of Brasse, these words: Euery knight which shall make proofe of this aduenture, shall passe some further then other, according as they excell each other in chiualrie & courage. Vpon the Marble piller thus: Let no man aduenture to passe this piller to enter the cham∣ber, except hee passe Apolidon in knighthood. And ouer the entry of the chamber: Hee which shall enter herein, shall exceed Apolidon in armes, and shall succeed him as Lord of this countrey.

Before any man could come neere the chamber, hee must of force touch the two pillers, & there trie his manhood. He likewise or∣dayned that they should bee disar∣med which hereafter should ad∣uenture to passe vnder the arch of faithfull louers, if they receiued the repulse: and that all such should bee driuen forth of the Island, as false and disloyall men: but such as were faithfull, should bee enter∣tertayned with all honour and ser∣uice that might be deuised. Such as aduentured to passe the pillers to enter the forbidden chamber, if they did not passe the Brasen pil∣ler, they should bee vsed neither better nor worse then those which were false in loue. If by chance they went beyond it, because there should bee a difference betweene them and the others, their swordes onely should bee taken from them. And if there came any better knight which attayned not vnto the Marble piller, hee should lose but his shield: yet if hee passed on further, and entered not the cham∣ber, his spurres onely should be ta∣ken from his heeles.

And touching the Ladies and Gentlewomen, married or vnma∣ried, which should proue the ad∣uenture of constant louers, if they were repulsed, hee willed that they should be constrayned to tell their names, that they might be written vp at the entry of ••••e vault, with the iust number of paces that each of them had entred forward in the same.

When the time is come (said A∣polidon) that this Isle shall recouer such a Lord as is promised vnto it, these enchantments shall no more be hurtfull vnto any, and the place shall be free for all men: but yet it shall not bee so for women, vntill the fairest Lady shall first be entred into it, who shall free the passage for all others. Then did hee esta∣blish a Gouernour to receiue the reuenue of the countrey, vntill he should come that deserued it. And shortly after, hauing taken order for all his affaires, his ships being ready, they imbarqued, and had so faire a winde, that within fewe dayes they arriued in Constantino∣ple, where they were most royally receiued.

But because my meaning at this present is onely to continue the deeds of Amadis, I will leaue Apolidon to gouerne his Empire, to declare vnto you what happened vnto the same Amadis, and vnto them which followed him at his departure from the Ci••••y of Sobra∣disa.