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. II. (Book 2)

How Amadis, Galaor, Florestan, and Agraies, hauing taken leaue of the faire Briolania, to returne vnto King Lisuart, were carried into the Firme-Island to proue the arch of Loyall louers, and the other aduen∣tures in the same.

IN the end of the first Book you haue heard how Amadis and A∣graies remayned a while in the great Ci∣tie of Sobradisa, vntill their wounds were healed that they receiued in the battell against Abiseos and his two sonnes: moreouer how Gala∣or & Don Florestan came thither af∣terward, & with what entertainmēt they were receiued. Now to con∣tinue our History you must know, That not all the hurts which Ama∣dis had, nor any dangers which hee doubted, no nor all the kinde en∣tertainements of Briolania, were once able to expell the continuall remembrance of the beautifull Princesse Oriana forth of his mind: but as her rare perfections seemed continually to shine before his eyes, so did his desire to beholde her againe, dayly increase. Thus hee endured an exceeding tor∣ment which the more he thought to hide, the more it appeared: yet was the cause thereof vnknow∣en, for euery one iudged diuers∣ly thereof, as a passion finely dis∣sembled, proceeding from some excellent thing, the which hee could well sustaine but better con∣ceale. In the end not being able to supporte this long absence, which depriued him from the sight of her, that wrought this his hap∣pie torment, hee with his friends tooke leaue of the Queene of So∣bradisa, with an intent to returne to the Court of King Lisuart. Notwithstanding they had no•• rode farre on their way, but for∣tune offered them an occasion of longer stay, as you shall heare. It happened that by chaunce com∣ming neere vnto an Hermitage, they perceiued a Gentlewoman (accompanied with other women, & foure Esquires) comming forth of a Church. Wherefore Amadis and his fellowes being desirous to knowe what shee was, rode before and saluted her most curteously: and shee which was the chiefest re∣soluted them, and demanded whi∣ther they were going, Gentlewo∣man sayd Amadis, wee are going to the Court of King Lisuart, whi∣ther (if it please you, so that it be not out of your way) wee will beare you company. I thanke you heartily sayde the Gentlewoman, my iourney is another way. But because I thinke you be wandring knight, who commoly search for great aduentures, I desire to know if any of you will go to the Firme-Island, to behold such strange and maruailous things as there are to be seene. For I am the daughter of him that is Gouernour there-of, vnto whom I am presently go∣ing. Faire Lady, answered Ama∣dis, I haue oftentimes heard of the wonders of this Island, and I should account my selfe happy if I might prooue them as I de∣sire, but I repent that I aduen∣tured them no sooner. By my faith sayd shee, you neede not bee so sory for your slacknesse: for there

hath beene a number such as you, who haue had the like desire to aduenture themselues, yet did they not thinke their comming thither so sweete, as they found their de∣parture thence sowre. I make no doubt thereof replyed Amadis, because I haue heard so much: but tell mee, shall wee goe out of our way any thing farre, if we fol∣lowe you? Two dayes iourney at the most, answered the Gentlewo∣man. I beleeuee sayd Amadis, that hee which will see the arch of loy∣all louers, must turne vpon the left hand and keep along the Sea side: vnder which arch no man that hath falsified his first loue, may passe. You say true sayd she, and you may also there behold many other sights more strange.

Then Agraies enflamed with de∣sire to see such rare things, sayd vnto his fellowes: My maisters I know not what you meane to doe, but sure I intend to accompany this Gentlewoman, if it please her, and I will prooue the won∣ders which shee hath tolde vs of. If you bee so loyall sayde shee, that you may passe vnder the en∣chanted arch, you shall finde be∣yond the same, both many nouel∣ties which will greatly please you, and also you shall beholde the I∣mages of Apolidon and Grimanesa, who built that wonderfull place: and that (which more is) you shall see your owne name written vpon a Iasper stone, without perceiuing by whom it is done. All the bet∣ter sayde Agraies, I will if I can make the third that there hath en∣tered.

When Amadis vnderstood the determination of his Cosen, hee was desirous to follow him, for he knew his loyalty to bee firme both in deed and thought, which by all likelihood did promise him the maistry of the adueneure, before all others. But yet hee dissembled his intention, and sayde vnto his brethren, My friends although we are not amourous, as is my Lord Agraies, yet me thinkes we should for this once doe as hee doth, and keepe him companie. Let vs goe sayd Galaor, and I hope that all will fall out as wee desire, to our glory and our honour: heereupon they followed the Gentlewoman. Then Florestan, who had neuer be∣fore heard what the Firme-Island was, being alone with Amadis, sayde vnto him. My Lord, I per∣ceiue you know all the wonders of this place, whereunto wee are go∣ing, whereof I neuer heard any speech, although I haue trauailed many farre countries. Truely an∣swered Amadis, that which I know, I learned of a young Prince, my very good friend, named Arban of Norwales, who hath prooued ma∣ny strange aduentures, and chiefly these of the Firme-Island, which he could not atchieue, but was cō∣strained to returne with some dis∣grace. This Gentlewoman dwel∣leth in the place, of whom you may vnderstand as much as you desire to knowe. Wherefore Don Flore∣stan came vnto her, and intreated her very earnestly, that seeing the lenght of their way ministered thē occasion of conference together, shee would bee pleased to recite vnto him, all that which she knew of the Island. I will very willing∣ly declare vnto you (sayde shee) that which I haue learned of such, as by their owne reports were well acquainted with the place, and the wonders thereof. Then shee rehearsed the particularities of all that which hath beene before declared: whereat the

more they admired, the more were they encouraged to aduen∣ture the enterprise of those strange things, wherein so many valiant men had receiued the foyle. Thus together they rode so long, that night comming, they were in doubt to go astray, vntill the moon began to shine: and then they knew that they were in a great meddow, in which they beheld ma∣ny Pauillions set vp, and people sporting all about them. Then said the Gentlewoman vnto Amadis, Sir, because I see my father, you may if it please you, come faire and softly, and I will goe before to aduertise him of your cōming, that he may do you that honour as you deserue. So saying, shee gal∣lopped her horse, vntill shee came vnto the ••ents, where she alighted. Then shee tolde her father, how these foure knights had followed her, hauing a desire to trie the ad∣uentures of the FirmeIsland, which he vnderstanding, came to meete them, and receiued them very courteously: afterwards hee led them vnto one of the Pauillions, where they rested vntill their sup∣per was ready. When they were set downe, the gouerner of the Isle discoursed vnto them the aduen∣tures of such Knights and Ladyes, which had proued the arch of loy∣all louers, and the other nouelties thereof, vntill it was time to goe to rest. Whereupon they all with-drew themselues, and when day appeared, they mounting all on horse-back, rode so long, that they came to a place which was in breadth no more then a bow shoot of firme ground, and all the rest was water. And they went on in this straight, vntill they came into the entrie of the Island, the which was onely fiue leagues in breadth, and seuen in length. There might they see the sumptuous Pallace of Apolidon, whose gates were open: and as they drew neerer, they per∣ceiued more then an hundred ••a••∣gets or shields, placed in three rankes, the most parte leaning a∣gainst two postes, and tenne other nailed a little ouer them. But there were three which were very high a∣boue the rest, fastned vpon another post which stood forwarder then the first, yet did they likewise dif∣fer in height, for the highest was a faddom aboue the middle-most, and the middlemost was a cubit ouer the lowest. Then Amadis demanded, why they were thus ranked. Truely, answered the gouernour, according to the val∣lour and knight-hood of those which would haue entred the for∣bidden chamber, their shields are honoured: and these which you see neerest the ground, belonged to such Knights which could not come neere the brasen piller; but these tenne that are higher came vnto it, & they which ought these two other shields, which you see seperated and placed aboue the rest, haue done more: for they haue passed the piller, yet could they not come neere the other of marble, as the other hath done, whose shield is therfore placed aboue these two, which are so much esteemed. Then Amadis approched more neere to see if he might know any of them, for there was none of them, but had written vpon them the names of such as heretofore did owe thē: and he cast his eye vpon the low∣ermost of the three, which hung by themselues ouer the other tenne: which had in a field Sa∣bles a Lyon Or, fanged and a••∣med Argent, with a Cheife Gules: this hee knewe to bee the

shield of Arcalaus. Then hee be∣held the two vppermost, the lower bearing in a field Azure, a knight Argent, cutting off the head of a Gyant, the which hee remembred to bee the shield of king Abies of Ireland, who prooued this aduen∣ture, two yeares before that Ama∣dis did kill him in Gaule. The third which was aboue all the rest, had a fielde Azure, three Flowers, or which he could not know without reading the superscription, which sayd, This is the shield of Don Que∣dragant brother to king Abies of Ireland, the which was set ouer all the others within these twelue dayes. For Quedragant behaued himselfe so valiantly, that he came vnto the Marble piller, whereunto none other had before approa∣ched. He by chance passed by the Firme-Island, in seeking for Ama∣dis, with an intent to fight with him, and to reuenge the death of King Abies his brother.

Much amazed was Amadis see∣ing the shields of so many good Knights, which had all fayled in their purposed enterprise, and hee greatly feared least hee might per∣forme as little as they. For this cause, hee and his company with-drew themselues, to goe towarde the arch of loyall louers, the which was shewed vnto them. Agraies suddenly alighted, and approach∣ing neere the forbidden place, hee with an indifferent high voice thus spake, Loue if euer I haue beene constant, let mee now be remem∣bred. This sayde, hee passed on, and entred vnder the arch. Then the copper Image began to sound so sweetely, as it greatly reioyced the hearers: and Agraies stayed not, but went on vntill hee came vnto the Pallace where the pictures of Apolidon and Grimanesa were, which seemed vnto him, as if they had been aliue. And he came neer vnto the Iasper piller, wherein he beheld two lines written. The first contayned Madanil sonne to the Duke of Bargoine, hath passed vn∣der the arch of loyall louers, and ended that aduenture. The other was the name of Don Bruneo de bon∣ne mer, or of the lucky Sea, sonne to Vaillades, Marques of Troques. Scant had he read the last line, but he beheld a third, which cōtained: This is the name of Agraies son to Languines King of Scotland. This Madanil loued Aquinda Countesse of Flanders: & Don Bruneo, Melicia daughter to King Perion of G••••le. When Amadis did see that his Co∣sen was entred without any let at all, hee sayde vnto his brethren. Will not you proue the aduenture as hee hath done? No, answered they, for we are not so much sub∣iect vnto this passion, that wee de∣serue to make tryall of our loyalty. Seeing then that you bee twaine, keepe you one another company, and I will accompany Lord A∣graies if I can. Then he boldly en∣tered vnder the arch, and as hee passed, the copper Image sounded vpon his horne another sound, far more melodious then hee yet be∣fore had done. Moreouer, in stead of fire and stinking flame, that it cast forth against the disloyall lo∣uers, flowers and sweete leaues came forth of his horne, in such a∣bundance, that the place were all couered therewith. But for all this Amadis, stayed not, but passed on euen hard vnto the Images of A∣polidon and Grimanesa, the which seemed vnto him so well formed, as they wanted nothing but speech. When Agraies which was entered before, perceiued him, he came to him and sayde, My Lord

and Cosen, me thinkes we should not hence-forth hide our loues from one another. But Amadis without any answere, tooke him by the hand, and walking toge∣ther, they beganne to discourse of the excellency of the place. In the meane season Galaor and Florestan displeased with staying so long for them, did intreate Isania (the Go∣uernour of the Isle) to shew them vnto the forbidden chamber: the which he did.

Whereupon Florestan sayde vn∣to Galaor, my Lord, are you de∣termined to try your selfe? No, an∣swered hee, for I neuer desired to prooue such enchantments. I pray you then sayde Florestan, to sport you whilest I haue tryed this ad∣uenture. Then commending him-selfe to God, with his shield vpon his arme, & his sword in his hand, hee marched right towardes the forbidden place. But he went not farre forward, when hee felt him-selfe layd at so sore, and so often ouercharged with the stroakes of Launces and swords, as hee verily beleeued that no man was able long to suffer them: notwithstan∣ding bearing his head lowe (mau∣ger all the resistance) he marched forward, laying about him heere and there, but knewe not vpon whom. Yet he thought that which hee did hit, were so well armed, as his sworde could in no sort hurt them, and hee passed the piller of Brasse, euen hard vnto the other of Marble, against the which hee fell downe, not being any longer able to stand vp: for hee felt him-selfe so wearie, and bruised with the forcible blowes which hee had suffered, that he thought he should die. And in the same instant he was so rudely lifted forth of the place, that hee lost all his vnderstanding: wherewith Galaor was so displea∣sed, that he thought himselfe wor∣thie of blame if he did not reuenge his wrong. And therefore hee be∣tooke him to his armes, and ranne right vnto the forbidden chamber: yet his haste was not so great, but that hee was as suddenly resisted & smitten, and so violently layde a••, as very hardly hee came vnto the Marble piller, against the which hee leaned, thinking to take breath. Notwithstanding the stroakes which on all partes lighted vpon him, were so many and so weighty, that hee was inflamed with rage in such sort as hee went on somewhat further, hoping yet to withstand them. Then did he imagine his e∣nemies to bee so many, that for e∣uery one blowe hee had before, he now thought that hee receiued twaine, so as his strength quite fai∣led him, and hee fell downe on the ground a great deale more weake then Florestan was.

All this while Amadis and A∣gaies beholding the pleasantnesse of the place wherein they were en∣tered, perceiued a new writing in the Iasper piller, which contained: This is Amadis of Gaule, the con∣stant louer, sonne to King Perion. At the same instant was Galaor throwne foorth from the pillars, wherewith the Dwarffe began to cry: Out alas, my Lord Galaor is dead. This voyce was heard of A∣madis and Agraies, who presently came forth to see what the matter was, and they asked the Dwarffe what moued him to cry so loud. My Lord answered hee, I beleeue your two brethren are dead, in prouing the aduenture of the for∣bidden chamber: for they haue beene so rudely repulsed, as see where they lie without moouing hand or foot.

Trust mee saide Amadis worse could not haue happened to thee. Then he went vnto them, and hee found them so sorely bruised, that they lay speechlesse. But Agraies (thinking because fortune had fa∣uoured him vnder the arch of loy∣all louers, that shee would bee as fauourable vnto him against the perill of the chamber) without staying to beholde his Cosens any longer, hauing his shield vpon his arme, and his sworde naked in his hand, bearing his head lowe, hee ran right to the brasen piller, yet had hee not marched farre beyond it, when hee felt so many blowes, that hardly could hee resist them. But his heart was so great, as mau∣ger all lets, he passed euen vnto the marble piller, and there was hee constrained to stay, hauing no power at all to stand any longer v∣pon his feet, being so astonied that hee lost his remembrance, and hee was as rudely cast out as his Co∣sens had beene before, the which Amadis perceiuing, beeing much displeased, hee began to curse the houre of that their fond enterprise: and approaching vnto Galaor, who was now come to himselfe, he said. In troth brother I perceiue I must of force followe, though I should die therein. Ah my Lord, answe∣red Galaor, it should suffice you to take warning by our example, I beseech you flie such diuelish for∣ceries, for nothing but mischiefe can come from them. Come what will, saide Amadis, accursed may I be, if I faint in the matter. Then drawing his sword, hee well coue∣red him with his shield, and ha∣uing first made his deuout prayers vnto God, hee cryed, O my deare Lady Oriana, from you onely pro∣ceedeth all the strength and cou∣rage that euer I had: I beseech you now not to forget him, who so constantly craueth your ayde and good assistance. Which sayd, hee ranne so lightly towards the cham∣ber as in spight of all impeach∣ments hee came without taking breath, euen vnto the first piller, althought hee felt so many strokes light vpon him, that hee did thinke hee fought with more then a thou∣sand knights together: yet his courage so much increased with the onely remembrance of Oriana, that there were neuer any knight before which could come neere him. Then was there heard the voyces of an infinite number, say∣ing: If this knight do not end this aduenture, neuer may any knight performe the same. But for all these things hee left not to pursue his fortune, for the further he went, the more encreased his desire to approach the chamber: so as not∣withstanding the force of the Di∣uels, or inuisible company which gaue him many sore and heauy strokes, hee gained the entry of the chamber, from whence he beheld a hand and an arme couered with green wosted to come forth, which drew him in. And presently there was heard another voyce, which sayde: Welcome is the gentle knight that exceedeth him in armes, which established so many maruailes in this place, who in his time was second to none, but this surpasseth him, and therefore the signiory of this Island of right be∣longeth to him, hauing aboue all other deserued it. He which had seene this hand, would haue iud∣ged it to haue beene the hand of a very ancient mā, it was so withered: the which vāquished away so soon as Amadis was entred into the chā∣ber, where he felt himselfe so fresh, and in so good estate, as if he had

receiued neither blow nor trauell in comming thither. Wherefore hee tooke his shield from his neck, sheathed his sword, and to Oriana he ascribed the glory, for the great honour which he had gotten: for hee imagined that all his strength proceeded onely from her, and no other. The most part of the Inha∣bitants in the Isle, with many other strangers had seene the prowesse he had showne, and how the hand brought him into the chamber: especially hauing heard by the words of the voyce, the soueraign∣ty of the countrey was attributed to him, for which cause they all re∣ioyced very greatly. But none were so ioyfull as Galaor and his fellows, who in stead of emulation, (where-with they might wrongfully haue beene suspected) they were all so glad of the good and honour of A∣madis, as if the like had chanced particularly to euery one of them: and they caused themselues to bee carried to him in the chamber, where they were thoroughly and presently healed by the vertue of the place. Thither likewise came Isania Gouernour of the countrey, accompanied with many of the in∣habitants, who all did their duty vnto Amadis, as to their new Lord, vnder whom they hoped not onely to liue in peace and rest, but also hereafter to stretch their Domini∣ons euen ouer their bordering neighbours and further. Then e∣uery one might view the rare deui∣ses of this palace: amongst which there was a wardrobe (whether A∣polidon & his Lady did most com∣monly withdrawe themselues) so beautifull and sumptuous, as it was not onely impossible to make the like, but also it was thought very strange and wonderfull, how any man might imagine that hee could build so rare a peece of worke? •…•…∣ing that they which were within, might see what any man did with-out very easily, but they which were without could not perceiue any thing that was within the same. Thus was the firme Island conque∣red by Amadis, which had beene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thousand yeeres and more without a Lord, since Apolidon had there set vp his inchantments: and the next day the people came from all parts of the Island to offer their dutie and homage vnto their new Lord, who receiued them curte∣ously. I leaue you then to imagine whether Amadis had occasion to be glad and content or no. They which haue oftentimes bin crossed with aduersitie may better indge therof thē any others can: for they know how to beare, and when to bewaile their misfortunes, more orderly then such who are accu∣stomed with all prosperity & hap∣pinesse. Neuerthelesse I know not whether of these two extreamities are more cōmendable: for the one commonly draweth vnto it an in∣tollerable vaine glory, and pride most damnable: the other a conti∣nual care fraught with desperation, very dangerous. Therefore euery wise man (considering there is no∣thing parmanent) will neither ••ee proud with the prosperity that fa∣uoureth him, nor appaled for any aduersitie that befalleth him: but he will swim vprightly as in a calm Sea betweene them both, without abusing the one, or affrighted with the other. The which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could not doe, when inconstant fortune made him taste these per∣sons, which for him shee prepared, euen in the midst (as hee thought) of all his prosperities. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as shee beyond all measure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 red him, (holding him vp by the

chinne) in all chances that hap∣ned to him, without crossing him in any thing whatsoeuer: in like sort did shee turne her face from him, and brought him into such perplexity and sorrow, that neither force of armes, the continuall re∣membrance of his Lady, nor the magnanimitie of his heart were once sufficient to procure him re∣medy: but onely the grace, and mery of our Lord God (who in pittie regarded him) after hee had sometime remained in the rocke of aduersitie in sorrow and tribula∣tiou, as you may vnderstand: from the which hee deliuered him, and placed him in greater ease, and contentment then before, as by the sequel of this historie you shall perceiue.

You haue heard in the first booke of Amadis, in what anguish the Princesse Oriana was, for the false report of Ardan the Dwarffe, at such time as hee returned backe from his maister, to fetch the pie∣ces of the sword, which Gandalin had forgotten behinde him at his departure from the Court: and how she sostered vp in her minde the hate, which she had conceiued against Amadis, not being able to accept any councell either from Mabila or the Damosell of Den∣marke, wrongfully suspected him of falshood, who thought on no∣thing but only how he might serue and honour her with all faithful∣nesse. Now it resteth to shew vn∣to you what happened thereof. Know you then that from the day, wherein this ielousie was first im∣printed in her, it increased in such sort, as it wholly made her forget her accustomed manner of life, thinking thence forth on nothing so much, as how she might suffici∣ently reuenge her on Amadis, who had (as she thought) so grieuously offended her. And hereupon see∣ing hee was absent, and that shee could not declare vnto him by word of mouth, the anguish of her soule, shee determined to let him vnderstand it by writing. So as one day amongst others, beeing alone in her chamber, shee tooke pen in hand and writ this letter which en∣sueth.

The letter of the Princesse Ori∣ana to Amadis.

MY intolerable passions procee∣ding from so many causes, compelleth my weake hand to declare by this letter, that, which my sorrow∣full heart can no longer hide from thee Amadis of Gaule, most disloyall, and periured louer-For sieing the dis∣loyaltie and inconstancie wherewith thou hast abused mee (who am infor∣tunate, and frustrate of all good hap, onely in louing thee ab••ne all things in the world) which is now very ap∣parent, cheefely in that sowrongfully thou for sookest vs to go with her, who (considering her young yeares and in∣discretion) cannot haue that kinde∣nesse in her either to fauour or enter∣taine thee: I haue also determined for euer, to banish from mee, this ex∣ceeding loue which I did bare vnto thee, seeing my sorrowfull heart can finde no other reuenge. And although I would take in good part the wrong which thou proferest me, yet should it bee a great folly for mee to desire the welfare of such an vnthankfull man, for the faithfull louing of whom, I hate both my selfe & all other things. Alas I now perceiue very well (but it is too late) that most vnluckely I en∣thraled my liberty, to a person so in∣gratefull, seeing that in recompence of my continuall sighs and passions. I finde my selfe deceiued, and shameful∣ly

abused. Wherefore I charge thee ne-uer to come in my presence, nor vnto any place where I doe remayne: & be thou assured that I neuer loued thee so exceedingly, but now by thy ill deserts I hate thee farre more extreamely. Packe thee henceforth else where, and try if thou canst with thy falsified faith and hony speech, abuse others as vnhappy as my selfe: and neuer hope that hereafter any of thy excuses shall preuaile with mee: but without fur∣ther desire to behold thee, I will be∣waile the rest of my sorrowfull life, with aboundance of teares, the which shall neuer cease but by the end of

Her who forceth not to die, but onely because thou art her murderer.

This Letter being sealed, Oria∣na called a young Esquire brother to the Damosell of Denmarke, in whom shee greately trusted, and commanded him very expressely, without staying one onely houre, that hee should goe finde out Amadis in the Realme of Sobra∣disa, and then presently deliuer this Letter which shee had writ∣ten to him: but chiefly that hee should marke his countenance whilst he read the same, and that he should bring backe no answere, though Amadis would giue i•• him.