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. V. (Book 5)

Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis, and what happened vnto him, before he fought with him.

SEeing that it falleth out so fit, I will de∣clare vnto you (be∣fore I passe any fur∣ther) the estate of the amorous Knight, of whom wee spake euen now. You must knowe that hee was called Patin, brother to Don Sidon the Emperor of Rome, and hee was the best knight that was to be found in all Romania. By meanes whereof he was feared and famous through all the Empire, chiefly because hee was to succeed in his brothers dignitie, for there was none more neare the same then hee, and the Emperour was already so olde, that hee neuer ho∣ped to haue any heire. Now this Patin was one day talking with the Queene of Sardinia, named Sarda∣mira, one of the fairest Ladies in the world, whom hee loued ex∣treamely. And as hee gaue her to vnderstand what feruency and tor∣ment hee endured in ouer-louing her, she answered him: My Lord, I assuredly beleeue that which you tell mee, and the better to witnesse the same, I let you know that there is no prince liuing for whō I would do more then for you, nor whom I would more willingly take for hus∣band: because I know your good parts, and the high knight-hood wherewithall you are so famoused. These speeches bred so great pre∣sumption in the heart of Pa••in, as besides that hee was by nature one of the proudest Gentlemen in the world, hee entred into such glory, that he answered h••••: Madame, I

hane heard that King Lisuart hath a daughter esteemed the fairest Princesse in the worlde, but for the loue of you I will goe into Great Brittaine, there to mainteine a∣gainst all men, that her beauty is not cōparable to yours: the which I alone will prooue in combate a∣gainst two of the best knights that dare say the contrary: whom if I cannot ouercome, I will that King Lisuart doe cause my head to bee cut off. In good faith my Lord, an∣swered the Queene, I am of a con∣trary opinion: for if the Princesse haue any beauty in her, it nothing impaireth that which God hath bestowed vpon mee, if any beauty there bee: and me thinks that you haue other means more fit to make known your prowesse in all places. Hap what may hap answered hee, I will doe it for your loue, to the end that euery one may knowe that as you are the fairest Lady in the world, so you are beloued of the valiantest Knight aliue. Hereupon continuing in this minde, within a while after hee tooke leaue of the Queene, and passed into Great Brittaine accompanied onely with two Esquires. Then hee enquired where he might find King Lisuart, vnto whose Court he shortly after came: and because hee was more richly armed then wandering knights were accustomed to bee, the King thought him to be some great personage: For this cause hee receiued him most honoura∣bly, appointing him into a cham∣ber to shift himselfe. When he was vnarmed hee returned to the King who stayed for him, marching with such grauity, as those that beheld (seeing his comely stature) iudged him to bee of great courage. But the King tooke him by the hand, and conferring together hee sayde vnto him, gentle friend, I pray you thinke it not strange, if I desire to know who you are, because I may the more honor you in my Court. It may please your Maiesty, answe∣red Patin, I am not come into this countrey, to hide mee, but rather to make my selfe knowne as well vnto your Highnesse as vnto all o∣thers: I am that Patin brother to the Emperour which humbly be∣seecheth you to enquire no further of my affaires, vntill I haue seen my Lady Oriana your daughter. When the King heard that, he embraced him, and in excusing his ignorance he sayd to him. My good Cosen, I am maruailous glad of the honour that you haue done me, In cōming thus to visit me in my owne coun∣trey, assuring you that since you are desirous to see my daughter, she shall not onely be shewed vnto you, but likewise the Queene, and all her trayne. And so long they continued their talke, vntill they had couered for supper. Then the King caused him to sit next vnto him, where hee found himselfe compassed with so great a number of knights, as hee much marualled thereat: and began to despise the Court of the Emperour his bro∣ther, as also of all other Princes in respect of this which hee saw. Af∣ter the tables were taken vp, it be∣ing time to goe to rest, the King cōmanded Don Grumedan to bring Patin to his lodging and to shew him all the honor and good enter∣tainment hee could. So for that night they departed, vntill the next morning that hee came and found the King hearing diuine seruice, af∣ter the which hee was conducted to the Ladies, who receiued him curteously: for at his comming the Queen took him by the hand, pray∣ing him to sit betweene her, & her

daughter Oriana, whom at that in∣stant he beheld with such an eye, as the loue which before he did beare vnto the Queene Sardamira, was wholly changed vnto her, beeing captiuated with her excellent beau∣ty and goodly grace. You may iudge then how he would haue e∣steemed her if he had seene her in the time of her perfect health, which was now much decaied by reason of this new iealousie which she had conceiued against Amadis which made her looke leane, pale, and wan: but these defaults could nothing quench the heate of the fire already kindled in the heart of Patin, who was so far beside him-selfe, that hee determined to be∣seech the king to bestow her vpon him in mariage: making account that it would be easily granted, considering his birth and high e∣state. Hereupon he tooke leaue of the Ladies, and returned towards the King, who was ready to sit downe to dinner, the which being ended hee went aside towards a window, and calling Patin vnto him, they talked long together. Af∣terwards falling from one matter to another, Patin said vnto him. It may please your maiesty, yester∣day I promised to tel you•• so soone as I had seene my Lady Oriana your daughter) what moued me to come from Rome into Great-Brit∣taine, I beseech you not to bee of∣fended if I haue taken so far a iour∣ney, to come in person to require her of you in mariage. I haue cho∣sen her as wel to haue your alliance as also for the beauty and good grace which remaineth in her. I am sure you are not ignorant (con∣sidering the place from whence I am descended, & the great meanes which cannot faile me, as one day to be Emperor of Rome) that if I would else where set my liking, there is no Prince this day liuing, which would not be very glad to receiue mee for his sonne in law. Good cosin, answered the king, I thanke you for the kindnesse and honour you do offer me, but the Queene hath alwaies promised O∣riana that she shal neuer be maried against her will, wherefore before wee grant you any thing, we must know of her how she will bee con∣tent therewith: this the King sayd because he would not discon∣tent Patin, for he was not minded to bestowe his daughter vpon any Prince or Lord that should carry her forth of the land. Patin was sa∣tisfied with these wordes, and ex∣pecting some other answere of the King, hee stayed fiue dayes at the Court, yet the king neuer spake to Oriana thereof, although he as∣sured him that hee had done as much as he could, to cause her consent thereto, but he could in no sort preuaile with her. There∣fore win her your selfe if you can, said he, and pray her to doe that which I shall command her. Then Patin came vnto her and said. Ma∣dame I am to desire a request of you, that shall be both honorable and profitable for you, the which I pray you not to deny me. My Lord (answered the princesse) there is no reason to refuse the grant, being such a reasonable request as you assure me it is, therefore if it please you, defer not to declare it vnto me. I beseech you, said Patin, to o∣bey whatsoeuer the king your Fa∣ther shall command you. Oriand (who vnderstood not his mea∣ning) answered him. You may bee assured Sir, that I should be very sorry to do otherwise. This answere wonderfully contented Patin, for he now assuredly thought Oriana

to be his, and said vnto her, Madam I haue determined to go thorough this countrie to seeke strange ad∣uentures, and I hope to performe so high deeds of Arms, as you shall shortly heare news of my prowes, so much to mine aduantage, as very easily you will cōdiscend vnto that which the king will command you for the loue of me. Herewithall he tooke leaue of her, manifesting at this time his intention vnto her no farther, and returned vnto the king vnto whom he declared the answer of Oriana, together with the desire he had to proue himselfe against al wandring Knights. Do as it please you, answered the king, notwith-standing I would aduise you to de∣sist from such an enterprise: for you shall finde many strange and very dangerous aduentures, with a great number of knights well exer∣cised in armes, who may happily in some sort displease you. If they be valiant and hardy, said he, I hope they shall not finde any faintnes or cowardlines in me, as my deedes hereafter may witnes. Wel, answe∣red the king. Do what you shall thinke best. Thus Patin departed in the hope which he had to enioy O∣riana, for the loue of whom he had framed this song, which he sung when fortune brought him neere the place where Amadis made his mone, who vsed him as you haue heard. But now we will leaue him, and recount vnto you what hap∣ned to Durin, who hauing left Ama∣dis, returned the next way passing by the place where Patin lay woun∣ded, who had taken off his Helmet for the grief of his woūd, hauing al∣ready lost such store of blood, that his face and armour was all stained and couered therewith. He behol∣ding Durin, said to him, Gentle-man, my friend, tell me where I may finde a place to cure my wounds. Truly answered hee, I know no place but one, and those whom you shall finde there, are so sorrowfull, that I beleeue they can∣not looke vnto you. Wherefore? said Patin. For a Knight (quoth Durin) who newly hath wonne the place that I tell you of, and seen the images of Apolidon and his Lady, which till then no other might be∣hold: since when he is departed thence secretly in such melancho∣ly, as his death is greatly feared Be∣like said Patin, you speake of the Firme Island. True (quoth Durin.) What said Patin, is it conquered already? certes, I am heartily sorry, for I was going thither, with inten∣tion to proue my selfe, hoping to haue won the same. Durin smiled, and answered him, Truely knight if there be no more prowesse hidden within you, then that which you haue now manifested, I thinke in stead of honour, you might there haue gotten shame and infamy. Patin thinking himselfe iniuried rose vp, and thought to haue taken hold of ••he raines of Durins horse: but Durin turned from him: here∣fore Patin seeing hee was farre e∣nough from him, hee called him againe and said. I pray you faire sir, tell what he is that hath gotten this famous conquest. Then tell me first what you are, answered Durin. I will not stick for that, said Patin, I am sir Patin, brother to the Emperour of Rome.

God bee praised, answered Durin: Yet so farre as I see you are of higher birth then bounty, and your courage is as slender as your Courtesie is small: Witnesse the speech which of late you had with the Knight that you enquire after, who is the very same that euen now went

from you, whom I beleeue (consi∣dering how hee hath handled you) you will grant that he is wor∣thy of such a victory, and not Patin whom he hath vanquished. This said, he set spurres to his horse, ta∣king the right way vnto London, in full purpose to recite vnto the Princesse Oriana all that hee had seene and heard of Amadis.