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. III. (Book 3)

How King Perion parting from little Brittaine, trauelled on his iourney, ha∣uing his heart filled with griefe and melancholie.

KIng Perion being on his way to∣ward Gaule, as al∣ready hath beene recited, entred in∣to a marueilous melancholy, as well for the greefe wherein he had left his Elisena, to whom in his hart he wished well: as also for his doubtfull dreame, being in such sorte as you haue heard. So long rode he in this heauines, till he ari∣ued in his country, and soone after he sent for all his great Lords as al∣so the Prelates of his Realme, gi∣uing them expresse charge, to bring with them the most learned Clarks in their Countryes, and this he did, to the end they might ex∣pound his dreame. When his vas∣sailes had made knowne his will,

not only those he sent for, but ma∣ny other came to the court, shew∣ing the desire they had to see him, & their readines to obey his com∣mand: for they did so loue and re∣uerence him, as oftentimes (being fearefull to loose him) they were for him in very great greefe and sorrow, thinking on the dange∣rous perils, that in chiualry (to win honor) he hazarded himselfe, so that they would more gladly haue had him dayly with them, which could not be, because his hart was discontented, til by armes he had brought the greatest ad∣uentures to end.

The Lordes and Princes thus assembled, the King conferred with them on the estate and af∣fairs of the Realme, but it was with so sad countenance as could be: for the occasion of his dreame made him so pensiue, as his Sub∣iectes (being abashed thereat) were in meruailous doubtes, not∣withstanding, after he had giuen them to vnderstand his will, and appointed all requisite matters in order, he gaue them leaue to de∣parte, sending each one home to his house, only staying with him three Astrologers, reputed the most skilfull in those actions, and therefore he made choise of them. These men he called into his chap∣pell, there causing them solemne∣ly to sweare & promise, that with-out feare of any thing, how dan∣gerous soeuer it were, they should interprete to their vttermost, and truely expresse what he would de∣clare to them, whereupon he told them his dream, as hath bin already before rehearsed: then one of them being named Vngan the Piccard, the most experte of them all, thus answered. My Lord, dreames are vaine thinges, and for such ought to be esteemed: notwithstanding, seeing it is your pleasure that some account should be made of yours, giue vs some time to consider thereon. It liketh me wel, said the king, within 12 daies look that you make ine answer. But to the end they should not disguise or co••∣ceale the truth from him, he c••••∣sed them to be sepereted, so that during the time agreed vpon, they might neither see to speake together: wherefore to their vt∣termost they trauailed in what they had promised the King, so that the day being come, when they should render an occompt of their labour, he first tooke Albert of Champaigne aside, and said to him. Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised, to tell me what thou hast found by thy skill. Sir answered Albert, let then the rest be called into your presence, for before them will I tel ye. Well hast thou aduised, said the King whereupon they were sent for, af∣terward Albert thus began. My opinion is, my Lord, that the clo∣sed Chamber, and him whom you saw enter by the secret dore, signi∣fieth this Realme which is close & well guarded: notwithstanding by some right thereto, some one shall come to take it from you. And like as he thrust his handes into your sides, renting forth thence your hart, and afterward threw it into the Riuer: euen so shall your Townes and Castles both more & lesse, be priuily stolen from you, and put into his hand from whom you shall not easily recouer them. And what meaneth the other hart, said the King, which I dreamed should remain with me, and yet he said, that soone after I should lose it, against the will of him that took the first from me? It seemeth by

this, answered Albert, that some o∣ther shall inuade your Country as the first did, yet constrained more by force of another that comman∣ded him to do so, then by any will thereto in himselfe: thus see ye (my Lord) all that I can tell ye. Now said the king to the second named Antalles, tel vs your aduise. Me thinkes Sir, quoth he, that Al∣bert hath very well saide, and I am of his opinion, except in this, (for ought I can learne, & as the cause sheweth me) that what he saith shall happen, is already effected, & by the person that most loueth ye: notwithstanding I am greatly a∣mazed thereat, seeing there is not as yet any part of your Realme lost, & if you do loose any thing here∣after, it must be by such a one as loueth you deerely. When the king heard this, he nodded his head, for it seemed to him, that he came neere the marke: but Vngan the Piccard, who knew much more thē the other, fel into a laughter, which he was sildome wont to doe, be∣cause he was a man very sad and melancholly, yet (by chance) the King perceiued it, wherefore he said. Maister Vngan my friend, now remaineth none but you, say bold∣ly what you haue gathered. My Lord, quoth he, peraduenture I haue seene into things, which is not necessary to be knowne to any other then your selfe, & therefore let these giue place a while, if you please. At these words they with-drew themselues, leauing the King and Vngan alone, who thus spake.

If your Maiesty saw me ere while to laugh, it was at one word which little you thinke on, yet it is true, and will you know what? It was that which Antalles said, that what he found by your dreame was alrea∣dy happened, & by the person that best loueth ye: Now shall I re∣ueale what you keepe in secret and thinke that none knowes but your selfe. You loue (my Lord) in such a place, where you haue already accomplished your will, and she whom you loue is surpassing faire, then tolde he all the gests and fa∣shions of her, as if she had bene there present. But as for the cham∣ber you found shut, you know Sir, full well what it meaneth, and how she whome you loue, desirous to deliuer her heart and yours from griefe and sadnesse: came to ye, en∣tring your chāber by the false dore that was hid from you. The hands that opened your sides, is the con∣uinction of you twaine: then the heart taken from ye, sheweth that she hath by you a Son or a Daugh∣ter. Now tell me said the King, what meaneth the casting thereof into the Riuer? My Lord, quoth he, that nothing concerneth you, therefore neuer labour for further knowledge thereof. Yet would I, said the King, faine vnderstand it, and therefore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen. Seeing you will needes haue it, an∣swered Vngan, I beseech ye Sir as∣sure me while you liue, for any thing that I shal reueal, you wilnot be displeased with her who loueth you so loyally. That promise do I faithfully make thee, said the King. In good sooth Sir, quoth Vngan, that heart that you saw throwen into the water, is the first infant she shall haue by you, who must of necessity be forsaken. And the other, said the King, that shall remaine with me, what meaneth that? You may, answered Vngan, vnderstand by the one, desseigne of the other, which is, that she shall conceiue another childe, who

shall be caryed away against the will of her, that caused the losse of the first. Thou hast told me strange things, said the King, and would God the mis-fortune of my Chil∣dren were not so true, as what thou hast told me concerning the Lady I loue. For things ordeined and appoynted by the highest, answe∣red Vngan, none knoweth how to gaine-say or remedy, and therefore men of wisdome should neuer be sad or reioyce at them, because of∣tentimes the Lord disposeth mat∣ters beyond the capacity of men & farre otherwise then they expect. For this cause my Lord, forgetting all that I haue said, and which you haue bin so curious to vnderstand: referre all things to God, desiring him in these your affaires and all o∣ther, to limit the end of them to his honor and glory, and thus (in mine opinion) you ought to set downe your rest. The King was highly contented with Vngan, and so esteemed of him, that from thēce forward he had him neere his per∣son, by meanes whereof he recei∣ued many great fauours. Now it happened, that at that instant as the king parted from the Philosophers, a Damosell presented her selfe be∣fore him, right costly in garments and faire in beauty, thus speaking. Vnderstand King Perion, that when thou recouerest thy losse, the King∣dome of Ireland shall loose her flower. So giuing her Palfrey the bridle, and the King not able to stay her, she rode away: these wordes made the good Prince more sad & pen∣siue then he was before.

For this time the Auther le•…•… ueth this purpose, & returneth to speake of the infant, that Gandales caused to be nourished, whom he made to be called the Gentleman of the Sea. Now was he curiously en∣tertained, wherefore in short time he grew and became so faite, that all which beheld him meruailed thereat, but one day among other it happened, that Gandales rode to sport himselfe in the fields, ar∣ming himselfe as became a good Knight: for he had dayly accom∣panied the king Languines, at such time as he searched after aduen∣tures, and albeit the king disconti∣nued Armes, yet Gandales would oftentimes exercise himselfe, and as he rode, he met with a Damosell that thus speake to him. Ah Gan∣dales, if many great personages were aduertised of what I know certainly, I assure thee they would cause thee to loose thy head. Wherefore? quoth he. Because, said the Damosell, thou nourishest their death in thy house. The knight knew not the woman that thus talked with him, but you must vnderstand, how she was the same that said to king Perion, that when he recouered his losse, the King∣dome of Ireland should lose her flower, yet notwithstanding he was farre from the matter, because he knew not whereof she spake, and there∣fore thus replyed. For Gods sake (Damosell) I pray ye tell me, on what occasion you vse these speeches. Beleeue me Gandales, qooth she, I haue tolde thee no∣thing but truth. At these wordes she departed from him, leauing him very sad and pensiue: yet long he did not continue in these thoughts, but he saw her returne a∣gaine, in great hast, thus crying & calling. Ah Gandales, for Gods sake succor me: then Gandales turning about, beheld a knight follow her with his Sword drawne, wherefore he gaue his horse the spurres to meete him, and placed himselfe for the defence of the Damosell,

then comming to him that pursu∣ed her, he said. Stay thou bad ad∣uised knight, what moueth thee thus trecherously to outrage Ladyes? What now? answered the other, doest thou hope to saue her, who by trumpery hath made me loose both body and soule? That meddle not I withall, said Gandales, but I will defend her to my power, well knowing that Ladyes ought not to be corrected in this manner, albeit they did de∣serue it. We shal presently see that, answered the knight: and so gal∣lopped to the place from whence he came, which was a little thicket of trees, where stayed a very beau∣tyfull Lady, who when she saw him returne, came forth, bringing him a Sheeld and a strong Launce, which he tooke, and without lon∣ger tariance, returned to his ene∣my, Gandales being a sterne knight, would not refuse him: whereupon they met together in such sorte, as their launces were broken no their Sheelds, and they with their horses cast to the ground, yet quickly did they recouer footing, when began betweene them a meruailous com∣bate, which worse would haue bin, but that she which desired succor of Gandales, stepped betweene them, saying. Stay Gentlemen, fight no more. At these wordes, the Knight who before pursued her went back, then said the Damo∣sell to him. Come now and aske pardon of me. Most willingly, an∣swered the Knight, then throwing his Sword and Sheeld down, came and humbled himselfe on both his knees before her, whereat Gandales was greatly amazed, afterward the Damosell said to the Knight. Goe cōmand the Lady vnder the trees, that she get her away immediatly, vnlesse thou shalt take her head from her shoulders. To this charge the Knight yeelded himselfe obe∣dient, and to her whom he loued more then himselfe (by sudden change from loue to hatred) he came and angerly said. Trayterous woman, I know not how I shall de∣fend my selfe from killing thee pre∣sently. Well perceiued the poore Lady, that her friend was enchan∣ted, and that contestation would nothing at all profit her: wherefore incontinent she mounted on her palfray, and rode away, making the most grieuous sorrow that euer was heard, and there remained she whom Gandales had defended, speaking to him in this manner. You haue (Sir) done so much for me, as I shall be beholding to you while I liue, and now you may de∣part at your pleasure: for if the knight offended me, I haue pardo∣ned him with all my heart. As touching your pardon, answered Gandales, I haue nothing to doe therewith: for my selfe, I will end the Combate, or he shall hold him-selfe vanquished. It behoueth that you acquite him, said the Damo∣sell, seeing that if you were the best Knight in the world, easily can I make him ouercome yee. Do there∣in what you can, replyed Gandales, but I will not acquite him, except you first declare to me, wherefore (euen now) you said, that I kept the death of many people in my house. Then will I rather tell ye, quoth she, because I loue you both: He as mine owne Soule, & you as my defender, albeit constraint can∣not make me doe it: so taking him ••side, she said. You shall sweare to me as a loyall Knight, that no other shall know it by you, vntill such time as I command it: hereof he made her faithfull promise. Know then, said the Damosell, that he

whom you found in the Sea, shall one day be the flower of chiualdry, and shall cause the very strongest to stoope, he shall enterprise, and with honor finish what other shall faile off: and such deedes of armes shall he doe, as no one thinkes can be begun or ended by the strength of one man. The proud shall he make humble and gracious, being cruell and pittilesse, as also benigne and amiable to the debonaire: this Knight most loyally will main∣taine loue, and shall effect in place answerable to his magnanimitie. Moreouer, I assure thee Gandales, that he is the Sonne of a King, and (without doubt) all this will hap∣pen which I haue told thee: but if thou keepe it not secret, it may re∣turne thee more harme then good. Madame, answered Gandales, I pray ye tell me where I may meete with you hereafter, to conferne with you on the affaires of this in∣fant. That must you not know by me, said the Damosell, or any o∣ther. Yet tell me your name, quoth Gandales, if so it be your pleasure. By the faith you beare to the thing you most loue in the world, re∣plyed she you cōiure me so, as you shall know it: albeit the thing that most I loue, is he that wisheth me least good, and would you know what he is? it is the Knight against whom ere while you combated: notwithstanding, I will not leaue to intreat him at my pleasure, with-out he being able to remedy him-selfe. My name is Vrganda the vn∣knowne: and to the end you may remember me an other time, be∣holde me well at this present. At that instant, she who shewed her selfe to Gandales faire, yong and fresh, as one of eighteene yeeres, became so olde and ouer spent, as he meruailed how she could sit on her horse, if then he was stricken into admiration, you may iudge. But when she had beene a prittie while in that state, she tooke out of a little bottell (which she cary∣ed) a certaine vnguent, wherewith she rubbed her face, & right soone recouered her former counte∣naunce, saying to Gandales. What iudge ye now Sir? thinke you to finde me hereafter against my will, vsing all the dilligence you can de∣uise? neuer therefore put your selfe to such paine: for when all liuing creatures goe about it, if I list, they shall loose their labour. In good faith Madame, answered Gandales, I now make no doubt thereof, yet I beseech ye to be mindefull of the Gentleman, who is forsaken of all but my selfe. Doe not you trouble your selfe there-with, said Vrganda, this forsaking wil be a recouering of much more. My loue to him in greaterthen you can imagine, being she that short∣ly intendes to receiue by him two aydes, which no other can giue me. In recompence whereof, I will giue him two likewise, wherewith he shall thinke himselfe highly sa∣tisfied. Let this suffise ye for this time, because of necessitie I must be gone: aduising ye, that you shal see me againe sooner then you thinke for. At these wordes the Damosell departed, and Gandales, who had not all this while regar∣ded the Knight against whom he fought, seeing him now bare∣headed, reputed him one of the goodlyest Gentlemen that euer he had seene: who after he had taken vp his Sheeld, and laced on his hel∣met, followed the Damosel, where∣fore for this time we will let them goe, continuing what happened to Gandales.

Vrganda being departed, he re∣turned

toward his Castel, meeting by the way with the Lady, whō Vr∣ganda had caused to be chased frō her friend, and this sorrowfull wo∣man was heard by a Fountaine, where she wept & lamented very bitterly: when she espyed him that came toward her, she easily knew him, wherefore she thus spake. Is it possible, Sir Knight, that the wicked creature whom you suc∣coured, hath done so much as to let you liue? wicked she is not, an∣swered Gandales, but wise and ver∣tuous: and if you be otherwise, I will make you deny these foolish wordes. Ah God, said the Lady: how can the villaine deceiue euery one? How hath she deceiued you; replied Gandales. Alas, quoth the Lady, she hath taken from me the faire Knight that should be mine: and so may I well say, seeing he would be more content to be with me, then with her. This is meere folly, answered Gandales, for in mine opinion, both you & she doe loue without reason. How euer it be, said the Lady, if I can I will be auenged. You trauile in vaine, quoth he, thinking to iniurie her that knowes it, not onely before you execute it, but when you ima∣gine it. In sooth answered the La∣dy, this afternoone ye may be gone when you please: and neuertheles it often happeneth, that those which thinke they know most by presumption, fall into the greatest dangers. Gandales seeing her so impatient, commending her to God, followed his way, thinking more of the yong Gentlemans af∣faires, then what the Lady had spoken to him. Being come to his Castell, and seeing the little boy come running towards him, he tooke him vp in his armes, and lo∣uingly embracing him, remem∣bred what Vrganda had saide to him, which made the teares stand in his eyes with ioy, saying within himselfe. Faire Childe, I pray God I may liue so long, as to see thee such a one as I hope for. At this time the yong Prince was about three yeeres olde, who seeing his Lord weepe, (as one moued with compassion) he wiped his eyes, which made Gandales imagine great humanity in him: and that as the childe grew in age & strength, so waxed he in will, the better to helpe him if he had occasion. Wherefore thence forward, he was very carefull of him, deuising all meanes for his best education, and compayning continually with his play fellowe Gandalin, he took very great delight in shooting.

He being come to the age of sixe yeeres, King Languines and his Queene riding through the Coun∣try, came to Gandales Castell, where they were royally feasted: But before they there ariued, Gan∣dales being aduertised of their comming, caused the yong Prince and his companions to be hid in a backe Chamber, fearing that in respect of his beauty and good grace, the King would be desirous to take him away with him, or else that the childrē would be trouble∣some to the house. But it fortuned, that the Queene being lodged in one of the highest roomes in the Castell, as she looked forth at a windowe, which was on that side where the Children were, she es∣pied the yong Prince and his play∣fellowes drawing their bowes, and marking him very well, she liked him aboue all the other, taking great pleasure to behold his coun∣tenance, thinking he was Sonne to the Lord of the house: yet being doubtfull, and not seeing any of

whom she might aske the questiō, she thus called to her Ladyes. Come and behold the fairest yong creature that euer was seene. At these words they al came running, and soone after, the Childe being drye, left his bowe by his compa∣nions, going to drinke at a conduit pipe, which was hard by: in meane while, one of them that was bigger then the Prince, tooke vp his bow to draw it, but Gandalin would not suffer him, whereupon a great strife fell betweene them, and Gandalin being the weakest, cryed out: Gen∣tleman of the sea, come helpe me. When the Prince heard him, he left his draught, and ran to him that misused his brother, taking his bowe from him, giuing him there-with a great stroke ouer the head, saying: In an euill hower (varlet) dost thou outrage my brother. The other not content therewith, came to the Prince, & they fought together: yet he that began the noyse was glad to run thence, and by the way met their Gouernour, who said: Whether runnest thou; Maister, quoth he, the Gentleman of the sea will beate me: then the Gouernour cōming to the Prince, rigorously threatned him, saying. What; are you already so bolde to beate your companions; you shall be talked withall by and by for it. When the Prince heard his threat∣ning, he fell downe on his knees, saying. If you will appoynt that I shall be beaten, more gladly will I take it, then suffer my brother to be wronged in my presence. With these words the teares trickled downe his cheekes, which moued pity in the Gouernour, wherefore he thus answered. If euer you doe so againe I will make ye weepe in an other sorte. The Queene who had heard and seene all the de∣bate, was greatly abashed, where∣fore they called the little boy, the Gentleman of the sea.