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. VI. (Book 6)

How Don Galaor, Florestan and Agraies, vndertooke the search of Ama∣dis: who hauing left his Armour, changed his name, and withdrew himselfe to an hermitage, in the company of a very old hermit, there to liue solitarily.

I Haue of late told you that when Amadis de∣parted from the firme Island, it was so secret∣ly, that Galaor, Flore∣stan, Agraies and others, neuer per∣ceiued any thing thereof: you haue also heard the oath which he had taken of Isania the gouernour, that he should not declare any thing which he had seene, vntill the next morning when maffe was ended: the which Isania performed. For the day following, when the Lords were ready to sit downe at the Ta∣ble, they perceiued that Amadis was absent: and enquiring for him, Isania told them that they should know after dinner where hee was become. Thereupon they sat down thinking that he was gone somwhe∣ther for his pleasure. After the Ta∣bles were taken vp, Isania said vnto thē. My lords the misfortune of my Lord Amadis is far worse then you thinke it is, as I shall presently de∣clare vnto you. Then he recited in what order he deparded from thē, the great sorrow wherein hee was, and what he had commanded him to say vnto them, especially how he had disposed of the Island, and he earnestly intreated thē not to fol∣low him, seeing that he hoped for no remedy of his misery: For his death was not to bee preuented. When they heard these pittifull news, there was not any of them whose eyes were not filled with teares, and they began to make a most sorrowfull lamentation. But Galaor made the greatest moane of all, saying. If I may releeue him from distresse, the best knight in the world shall not in this sort die. Although he hath commanded vs to stay, yet shall he not be obeyed for me at this time: but I will seeke vntil I shal haue found him, & wil know who hath wronged him, that I may eyther reuenge it, or die in the quarell. Beleeue me answered Agraies, we will not be far behinde you: and if we cannot remedy his misfortune by force of courage, or counsell, yet at the least we will al∣together die with him for compa∣ny. Moreouer said Isania, he desi∣reth you my Lord Galaor to make Gandalin a knight, and take Ardan his dwarff into your seruice, whom he recommendeth vnto you. Then Galaor called the Dwarff, and said vnto him: Ardan, thy master hath forsaken vs, and willed that thou shouldst be mine, assure thee that so long as I liue, I will not leaue thee for his sake. How? answered the Dwarffe, is my Lord dead then? So saying, he fel down where he stood, and began to teare his haires, ma∣king so great sorrow as it was won∣derfull, & said: I might well be coū∣ted a traytor to liue after my Ma∣ster, wherwithal he had slain himself if they had not takē heed vnto him. Florestan his heart was so ouerchar∣ged with griefe that he could ney∣ther weep, nor speak, but sit leuing as if he had been in a traunce. And

when he recouered his speech, he said vnto his fellowes: my Lords, it is no time for vs to weepe nor la∣ment when we should rather inde∣uour to succour my Lord Amadis: let women waile, but let manly mindes conioyne together, & de∣uise how we may prouide a remedy for so great a mischiefe. As for me, I thinke that without longer delay we should all to horseback, making as great speede as we may to finde him, then we may know if there be any meanes to cure his malady: for the time passeth, his sorrow increa∣seth, and he still goeth farther from vs. The Lord Isania (as he saith) hath brought him some part of his way, he may shew vs then which path he hath taken, but if we shall longer tarry, wee may lose him, without hope euer to see him a∣gaine. Therefore my Lords I pray you let vs make hast to follow him. Vnto the which they all agreed, & caused their horses to be presently brought. Then Isania conducted them to the place where Amadis had left him, and from thence they rode till they came whereas Patin lay wounded, whom they beheld lying vpon the ground, whilest his two esquires did cut down boughs and poles, to make him a litter: for he was so feeble with the losse of his blood, that he could not sit on horseback, nor answere one onely word vnto the knights who saluted him, and enquired of him, what he was that had done him such out-rage: but he made a signe that his Squires should tell them. Where-upon Galaor came, and demanded the matter of them, they answered him that he had iousted against a knight which came from the Firme Island, by whom hee was ouer-throwne at the first encounter, and how that afterwards thinking to reuenge him with his Sworde, he sped so illas they might perceiu by his hurt. What is become of the knight, said Galaor. By our faith an∣swered the squires, we know not, for we were not present at the cō∣bat. Notwithstauding we do think that we did meete him in our com∣ming hither, and he did ride ouer the forrest so fast as his horse could run, hauing none following him but one Squire, who wept bitterly carrying after him his Armour and shield, vpon the which were 2. Ly∣ons sables, in a field Ore. In faith said Florestan it is he whom we doe seeke. Shew vs therefore what way he tooke, the which they did. Then the knights went after him, and so long they rode, vntill they came to a crosse way, where they staid to aduise what was best to be done: for there was not any body that might tell them any newes of that which they sought: and therefore they determined to separate them-selues, promising one vnto another to meete at the Court of king Lis∣uart, vpon S. Iohns day next ensu∣ing: but if by that time they heard no news of Amadis, then they would determine further what to do in the matter, thus taking leaue of each other, they departed with weeping: and afterward they did what they might, but it was all in vaine, although they had ridden through many strange countries in which they found many great accidents & perilous aduentures. But you must know, that so soone as Amadis had sent Durin away, he set spurres vnto his horse, neyther caring, nor determining what way he should take, & he went euen as fortune guided him: in the end hee came to the bottom of an obscure valley, ful of vnderwood & bushes which place he thought most com∣modious

to hide himselfe from be∣ing found out of any that might follow him. Here did he alight, letting his horse goe where hee would, but vnbridled him not: then he sate down by the side of a brook, which descended from the moun∣taine, and tooke a little water to refresh him withall. By this time Gandalin had ouertaken him, who had stayed behinde to deliuer Pa∣tin his Sword, who finding Amadis laid all along vpon the grasse, so still that he heard not one word to proceede from him: hee durst not say any thing to him, but sate downe hard by him, and within a while after Amadis rose vp, and be∣holding Gandalin laide vpon the ground by him, hee pushed him with his foote saying, sleepest thou Gandalin? By my faith sir no, an∣swered he, for in stead of sleeping, I thought vpon two things which concerne you greatly, the which (if it please you) I will declare, if not, I will hold my peace. Go to rise said Amadis, and take our hor∣ses, for I will get me gone, because I should be very sory to be found of those (who it may be) do follow me. Truly answered Gandalin, me thinks you are farre enough out of the way: besides your horse is so wearie, as if you let him not rest a little, it is impossible for him to beare you any longer. I pray thee said he, (in weeping) do what thou shalt thinke best, for whether I stay or goe, my sorrows are remediles. Eate then a little of this bread which I haue brought for your sus∣tenance, answered Gandalin, but he refused it. What will you then do said he, shall I tell you whereupon I studied euen now? It is all one to me answered Amadis, I thinke on nothing so much as my death. Then hearken vnto me if it please you, said Gandalin, I haue long time mused vpon the letter which Oriana sent vnto you, as also vpon the words which the knight vtte∣red against whom you did fight, and so consequently vpon the lightnesse and inconstancy where-with women are endued: for see∣ing she hath changed her loue and your selfe for a stranger, shee witnesseth very well what trust a man should repose in such as she is: and on the other side, when I consider her vertues, I thinke it in a manner impossible, that she should so farre forget her selfe. But it may be that in your absence, some false report of you, hath been made vnto her, whereby she hath conceiued this displeasure against you, the concealing whereof so much the more increased her grief. Notwithstanding, seeing you are assured that you neuer offended her, although she haue beene too credulous, yet in the end the truth will be knowne, and thereby your innocency the more apparant, it seemeth vnto me that you should not thus despaire, seeing that shee may repent her folly, and acknow∣ledge the wrong which she hath done vnto you, in such sort as re∣quiring pardon for her misconceit, she may make you amends with more ioy & contentment then you euer yet enioyed together: & ther∣fore inforce your selfe to eate, that you may be able hereafter to pre∣serue your life, but if you do wil∣fully suffer the same thus to be lost, you shall also loose all the good & honor that euer you may or can hope for in this world. Hold thy peace said Amadis, for thou hast so shamefully and wickedly lied, as I know no man which would not be displeased to heare thee thus to ac∣cuse her, because that so wise a

Princesse neuer did amisse at any time: and if I die, I haue well deserued it, seeing that she shall be obeied and satisfied euen vntill my death. And be thou assured, if I did not thinke that thou speakest this, onely with intent thereby to asswage my sorrow: I would pre∣sently strike thy head from thy shoulders, for the offence which thou hast done vnto me, and take heed that henceforth you commit not the like fault.

When he had so said, he arose vp in a great rage, and walked vp along the riuer, so pensiue that he knew not what way he should take. Which Gandalin perceiuing, (fea∣ring his anger, and thinking also that he would not goe farre) he let him alone and laid him downe to sleepe, his eyes beeing very heauie with watching. When Amadis was returned vnto him, and per∣ceiued him so sound asleepe, hee would not wake him, but took his owne horse and sadled him, then did he hide the bridle and harnesse of Gandalins horse in the bushes, to the end when he awaked he might not follow him. Then he armed himselfe and mounted on horse-backe, coasting ouer the top of the mountaine. Thus without any stay at all, hee rode till it was within foure houres of the sun setting, dis∣cending then into a great plaine, where there were two high trees, and vnder them a faire fountaine, commonly called, The fountaine of the plaine field: to which hee went to water his horse. And as he approched neere the fountaine, he beheld a religious man clothed poorly in a garment made of gotes haire, hauing his beard and head all white, who was watering his Asse. Amadis saluted him, asking him if he were a Priest. Truely, said the olde man, it is more then forty yeeres since I first said Masse. The gladder am I thereof, said Amadis. Then he alighted & took his saddle and bridle from his horse, who fin∣ding himselfe at liberty, began to run towards the Forrest, Amadis minding not to follow him, but threw off all his armour, which done, he kneeled at the olde mans feete, who taking him vp by the hand, made him sit downe by him: & beholding him well, he thought him to bee the fairest Gentleman that euer he saw, although hee was pale and wan, hauing his face all bedewed with teares: whereat the Hermit was moued with so great compassion, that hee sayde vnto him. Knight, you seeme to bee full of sorrow, and if your griefe pro∣ceede from the repentance of any sinne that you haue committed, In truth my son you are very hap∣py: and if it bee for any temporall losse, then I thinke (seeing your youth, and the estate wherein you haue liued vnto this present, you shold not thus vexe your selfe, but pray for forgiuenesse. Then hee gaue him his blessing, saying. Goe too, now confesse your sins. Here-upon Amadis began to tell the whole discourse of his life, with-out letting any thing passe. Truely, saide the holy man, seeing that you are discended of so high a birth, you ought to bee the more vertu∣ous: yet you must not dispaire for any tribulation that may happen vnto you, cheefely, for this that proceedeth from the occasion of a woman, who is as easily won as she is lightly lost. Wherefore my son, I councell you to forget such vani∣ties, and henceforth to banish the thought of such a miserable man∣ner of life from you, for it will not onely be yrkesome vnto you, but

also euery vertuous person will condemne you for it. Ah father, answered Amadis, I am now in such extreamitie, that it is impossible I should liue any long time, where∣fore I humbly pray you to receiue mee into your company, and to comfort my poore soule, for that little time which it hath to remain in this vnhappy body. When the good oldeman heard him speake with such affection, he sayde vnto him, I promise you my friend, it is ill done of you, who are a knight, yet young and of a comely stature, to fall into such desparie, seeing that women cannot continue their loue, but by presence of those whome they loue: for by nature they are quickly forgetfull, and light of beleefe, especially where a∣ny thing is reported vnto them of such as haue fondly yeelded them-selues to them, who when they think to haue nothing but ioy and contentment, do finde themselues plunged in all sorrow and tribulati∣on, as you now feele by experience. Wherefore I pray you henceforth to be more vertuous and constant: and seeing you are borne a Kings son, and likely to gouerne a King∣dome, returne to the world, for it should be a great hurt to loose you in this sort: and I cannot presume what she might bee that brought you into this extreamitie, seeing that although shee were a woman so requisit as shee could not bee e∣qualled, yet for her such a man as you are to be cast away. Father, an∣swered Amadis, I aske not your counsell herein, for I now neede it not, but for my soules sake I de∣sire you henceforth to receiue mee into your company, which if you refuse to do, I see no other reme∣dy for me, but to die amongst the beasts of this forrest. The old man seeing him so resolute, had such compassion of him, as the teares fell down his long white beard, and answered him: Alas my son, my a∣biding in a desert place, and I liue a life too strickt for you, my Her∣mitage is at the least seuen leagues within the sea, vpon the top of a poore Rock: vnto the which no li∣uing creature can come vnlesse it bee at the beginning of the spring time. Notwithstanding, I haue al∣ready remained thirty yeeres there, exempted from all worldly plea∣sure, liuing onely vpon such small almes, which some people of this Countrey doe bestow vpon me. I promise you father, saide Amadis, it is the life which I desire, and I once intreat you, that you would giue me leaue to go with you. The which the Hermit at the last gran∣ted, notwithstanding, that he had a long time denied him. Heere-withall Amadis kissed his feete, saying: father command whatsoe∣uer you shall please, for to my po∣wer I will euer obay you. Then the Hermit saide his euening seruice, after the which (because hee had eaten nothing all day) hee tooke out of his wallet a little bread, and fish dried in the sun, which was gi∣uen vnto him: and willed Amadis to eate with him, but he refused it, although he had beene three daies without tasting any sustenance. Wherefore the hermit saide vnto him: My sonne you haue promised to obey me, doe this then which I command you, and eat, for if you should die in this obstinacie, your soule should be in very great dan∣ger. For this cause Amadis durst not denie him, but did eat a very little, for hee fighed continually, not being able to forget the great sorrow wherein he remained. Af∣ter he had taken this small refrecti∣on,

the good old man spread his cloake abroad and laid him downe thereon, and Amadis at his feete, who was a great while before hee could take any rest, tumbling and tossing himselfe as a person ill at ease, neuerthelesse in the end, be∣ing heauie with long watching, he fell asleepe: and hee dreamed that hee was locked in a chamber so darke, that he could see no light at all, neyther could he finde any way to come out thereof, wherewith he greatly lamented: moreouer hee thought that his Cozin Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke came vnto him, hauing before them a became of the Sun, which gaue a great light in so darke a place: they taking him by the hand said vnto him, My Lord, come forth from hence, if it please you, and follow vs into the palace, the which he did. But at his comming forth, he thought that he did see Oriana in∣uironed with a great slame of fire, which made him so afraid, that hee cried out helpe, helpe, my Lady O∣riana burneth: and therewithall he leaped into the fire to saue her. Then he tooke her in his armes, comming through the flame a∣gaine without any hurt at all: af∣terwards hee carried her into a gar∣den, the greenest and pleasantest that he had seene. At the lowde cry which Amadis did make, the good Hermit awaked, and taking him by the hand, hee asked him, what he ailed? Father, answered he, I haue euen now in my sleepe felt such exceeding paine, that I meruaile I am not dead. Your cry hath witnessed the same, said hee, but let vs rise, for it is time to de∣part. Then he got vpon his Asse, and tooke the way toward the Her∣mitage, and Amadis followed him a foote, talking together of many things, at the last he prayed him to giue him one gift, which should not bee hurtfull vnto him, the which the old man granted, I pray you then said Amadis, that so long as we are together, you would not tell any man who I am: and hence-forth to giue mee another name, such as it shall please you: then af∣ter my death you may tell my bre∣thren of me, that they may come fetch my body, and carry it into Gaule. Your life and death, an∣swered the hermit, are in the hands of God, therefore speake no more thereof, for therein you offend him very grieuously: and therefore see∣ing you know him, loue him, and serue him as you are bound to do, he wil succour and helpe you: not∣withstanding what other name wil you haue? Such as it shall please you to giue me, said Amadis. And as they talked together, the olde man had his eye continually vp∣on him, and the more he looked on him, the fayrer he thought him to be: but he did see him so full of griefe as he determined to giue him a name conformable to his ex∣cellency, and agreeable to his me∣lancholy. Whereupon he said vnto him: my Sonne you are yong and of a faire complexion, notwith-standing your life is obscure, by reason of your sorrow, therefore my will is that you bee called the Faire F••rlorne. Wherewith Ama∣dis was contented, liking very well of the Hermet his deuise, who not without great occasion had impo∣sed that name vpon him. And e∣uen as they were ouertaken with the night, they came vnto the Sea side, where they found a little boa•• which the day before was come to seeke the Hermet at his hermitage, wherein they imbarked, and within a small time after tooke landing at

the poore Rock, so called because of the barrennesse of the place, as the old man had declared to him. Who continuing his discourse, said, Sonne I haue heretofore fol∣lowed the world as you haue done, and my name was Andahod, assu∣ring you that during my young yeeres, I studied many vaine scien∣ces: but in the end being wearie thereof, I withdrew my selfe into this poore place, where I haue al∣ready remained thirty yeeres and more, and neuer departed thence vntill yeesterday, that I was at the buriall of my sister, who died with∣in these few dayes. When the Faire Forlorne came into this Solitary place, he was exceeding glad: ho∣ping that in a very short time his sadnesse and his life would both end at once. Thus he remained in the company of the hermit, con∣suming his youth with weeping and continuall lamentations, set∣ing at naught all worldly honours, especially the glory which he had gotten in fighting with Galpan, A∣bies King of Ireland, Dardan the proud, and many others whom he had ouercome, and he began to despise in himselfe all vanities, considering the variablenesse of Fortune. who not long before had so highly aduanced him, that hee had entred into the forbidden Chamber of Apolidon, as in the be∣ginning of the History hath beene mentioned. But if he had beene demanded what moued him so to do, what would hee (thinke you) haue answered? no other thing (as I guesse) but that the displeasure of a weake woman, had brought him to this extremity: he would haue tried to colour his fault by the ex∣amples of the strong and valiant Hercules, Sampson, the wise Salo∣mon, Virgill, and an infinit num∣ber of other great and vertuous personages which haue all faln in∣to the like misery, being no more able to resist the same then he. And Amadis would haue thought their misfortunes sufficient to shaddow his miserie, and yet it is quite con∣trary: for their example might haue warned him to haue shunned the like folly. Was it likely then that Fortune would bring him out of his calamity, he being thus o∣uercome for so small a cause, and to bestow vpon him afterwards more fauours and victories then e∣uer she had done before? me think∣eth that she should not: neither yet had she done it, if those things by her executed against him, had not turned to the profit of the persons whom she would fauour, whose liues depended vpon Amadis his safety, whom she tormented in such sort, as it seemed she had more compassion vpon them, then care of him, as your selfe may iudge. Be∣cause that Amadis being as it were brought vnto the period of his life, (when he least hoped of remedie) euen then was he restored vnto his former estate by such meanes, as shal be hereafter recited vnto you. But to the end that we stray not too farre from the order of our hi∣story, you must first vnderstand that which happened to Gandalin after he awaked and found neither Amadis nor his horse: who rising vp in a fright, misdonbted that which was happened, and looked in all places thereabout, notwith-standing he could see nothing but Trees and Bushes. By meanes whereof he began to cry and call, yet no body answered him but the Eccho which resounded thorow the valley: whereby he knew well that Amadis was departed. For this cause he began to make a most

sorrowfull lamentations, determi∣ning to follow him, and to doe what he could to find him againe, which that he might the better ac∣complish; hee returned where hee had left his horse, the which hee found, hauing neither saddle nor bridle vpon him, which made him almost beside himselfe. But as hee fretted and sought from one place to another, in the middest of the bushes hee espied the harnesse of his horse, which he sought, where∣fore incontinently he sadled him, and mounted vpon him, gallop∣ping through the forrest not knowing which way to take: and in this frensie he rode fiue daies to∣gether without any stay at all, but at the side of the villages, where he onely taried to enquire after Ama∣dis. Notwithstanding, he could heare no newes of him till the sixt day, that he entred into a meddow wherein was a fountaine, hard by the which Amadis had left his ar∣mour. There he beheld a Pauillion set vp, and two Gentlewomen, vn∣to whom hee came, asking them if they had seene a knight passe by, bearing in his shield two Lions sa∣bles, in a field Or. Wee haue not seene the knight which you de∣mand after, answered they, but we did finde his shield and the rest of his armour vpon the brinke of this fountaine. When Gandalin heard this, hee cryed out mainely, and ••earing his haire, he said weeping; Ay me, is he dead. Alas what mis-fortune is hapned, the best knight in the world, is he lost? heerewith∣all did hee encrease his laments so strangely, as both the Gentlewo∣men had great compassion vpon his miserie: Alas my Lord, sayde hee, how badly haue I kept you: truely I am worthy to bee accoun∣ted the most wicked esquire that liueth on the earth, hauing so lewd∣ly forsaken you, and you who were wont to be the defence and refuge of all distressed persons, haue now nor coūcel nor cōfort of any liuing wight, no not of me caitife as I am, that through my great fault and sluggishnesse, haue left you in your greatest neede, euen when I ought best to haue serued you. No soner had he said these words, but that hee fell downe in a swound: which when the Gentlewomen behelde, they cryed: Alas this e∣squire is dead, and therewithall they ran vnto him, but hee moued not in any sort. Neuerthelesse, they bestirred them so well, as they brought him againe to himselfe, & afterwards they sayd vnto him: my friend, you are to blame thus to de∣spaire for a thing whereof you are yet vncertaine. It were more con∣uenient for you to goe seeke your maister, seeing that the vertuous (as you ought to bee) do encrease their strength, euen when aduersi∣tie most assaileth them. Gandalin knew that they sayde true, and for the same cause he determined (fol∣lowing their counsell) to trauaile so long from place to place, vntill he had newes of Amadis. But I pray you Gentlewomen, answered hee, tell me where you haue found his armour? That will wee willingly, said they: Wee were of late in the company of Don Guillan the pea∣siue, who within these few dayes past, deliuered vs from the prison of Gandinas the malicious, with more then twentie other Ladies and Gentlewomen, behauing him-selfe so valliantly, that he hath bro∣ken the wicked custome of the Ca∣stle, and constrained the Lord thereof to sweare, neuer more to maintaine the same. And because euerie one had liberty to goe whe∣ther

they would, my fellow and I haue followed him vnto this place, and wee haue already stayed here this foure daies, because that when we came hither first, Guillan kn••w the armour of him whom you en∣quire after, which were left vpon the side of the fountaine. And I promise you that neuer knight was more sorrowful then he, for as soon as he beheld them, hee alighted from his horse saying. Beleeue me this place is farre vnworthy to hold the shield of the best Knight in the world. Then did hee take it vp from the ground, and hanged it vp∣on this Tree. Which done hee mounted againe vpon his horse, commanding vs expressely that we should keepe it vntill hee had found the Knight to whom it ap∣pertained: And to that end we did set vp these Pauilions which you see. Notwithstanding after we had kept the same three whole dayes, he returned, and arriued but yesterday very late hauing no news of him at all, and very early this morning he commanded his Esquires to take the rest of his Ar∣mour which were here found, and he tooke off his owne shield, to hang about his necke, the other which we did keepe. In the doing whereof he wept bitterly and said. Truly shield thou makest a bad ex∣change of thy Master, for me: af∣terwards he told vs that he went to the Court of king Lisuart to pre∣sent those spoyles vnto Queene Brisena, being assured that shee would be no lesse sorrowfull then he, for the sad mischance, and wee likewise do follow after him, to thanke the Queene for the good which Guillan hath done for vs, for her sake, as he hath commanded vs to do. Then Gandalin bid them farewell, assuring them, that hee would finde him, vpon whom his death or life depended, or else hee would end his daies in the seeking of him.