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. XX. (Book 20)

How Brunco de Bonne Mer did fight with Madamaine the ambitions, brother to the Damosell iniurious, and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King, for which cause hee and many others (that were desirous to follow him) departed from the Court.

THe next day after the combate was ended between Amadis and Ardan (as hath beene related heretofore) the iniurious Damosell came and presented herselfe before the king, beseeching his Maiesty to send him that should fight with her brother, whom according vnto promise shee had caused to come thither. For (sayd the Damosell) although my brother be conque∣rour and cannot take that reuenge of his enemies as the friends of Ardan may rest satisfied for his death, yet will it bee some small comforth vnto them notwithstan∣ding. Now Brunco: was there pre∣sent, who (without making stay, answered to the rash speeches of the foolish woman) said vnto the the King. If it like your Maiesty, I am the man she speaketh of, and seeing that her brother is come hither as shee saith, if it be your pleasure and his will, wee shall quickly know if hee be such a gal∣lant as hee vaunteth. Vnto the which the King condiscended. Wherefore they both went imme∣diatly to arme them, and anon af∣ter they entred into the field, whi∣ther they were accompanied with certaine knights their friends. They beeing then in the place as∣signed for that purpose, the Trum∣pets sounded to warne them to be∣gin the combate. Forthwith they charged their Launces, and set∣ting spurres to their horses, they ranne the one against the other such force that their Launces flew into shiuers, & encountring each other with their shieldes and bo∣dies, Madamain lost his stirrops, and was vnhorsed, & Brunco woun∣ded in the left side. Notwithstan∣ding so soone as hee had finished his carreer, hee turned himselfe to his enemy, and saw that he had al∣ready recouered his feet, and held his sword in his hand in a readines to defend himselfe: but as Brunco drew neere to charge him, he sayd to him: Sir knight alight, or else assure you that I will kill your horse. Truely sayd Brunco, at your choyce bee it, for it is all one to me, to ouercome you on foote or on horsebacke. When Madamain saw that his wish came to a good end, being as he thouhgt stronger then his enemy, who was but little, and himselfe in a manner a Gyant, he was most glad thereof, and sayd to Brunco, It were better for you to alight, and then you should soon make profe whether you were able to effect that which you make brags of: well quoth Brunco, & so withdrawing himselfe he alighted & left his horse, then he tooke his shield & set hand to his sword, ap∣proaching vnto Madamain, who like a valiant & stout knight recei∣ued him coragiously. They began to lay on load the one at the other both of thē pretending to get the victory, which was the cause that

neither shield nor armour of how good temper soeuer, was able to withstand their blowes, for they hacked them to peeces, so that the field in many places was couered with peeces of their shields. Now if the knights did assaile one ano∣ther with great hardinesse, their horses did no lesse, for they set vp∣pon one another, and with their feete and teeth fighting together, they did ioyne in such sort, that the most part of the lookers on, were more intentiue to the com∣bate of the beasts, then the fight of the knights. Notwithstanding Ma∣damain his horse in the ende had the worse, being constrained to leape ouer the barriers, and to run away. This gaue a great presump∣tion to euery man to imagine that Brunco should obtaine the victory, and so it fell out, for hee pursued Madamain so neere, and brought him to that extreamity, that being almost out of breath, he sayd vnto Brunco. I doe beleeue considering the rage thou art in, that thou ima∣ginest the day will not bee long e∣nough to end our quarrell. How∣beit, if thou doest consider, that thy armour is almost vnriuited, thou shalt finde that it were better for thee to rest thy selfe, then to assaile mee so vndiscreetly as thou doest, and therefore I being vnwil∣ling to vse thee so rigourously as thou deseruest, I am content to giue thee leaue to take breath, that we may afterwards begin the fight more hotly then before. Bru∣nco answered, thou declarest in plaine tearmes that which is need∣full for thy selfe. Wherefore I pray thee as lustie as thou art, not to spare mee a whit. Art thou ig∣norant of the occasion of our combate? Knowest thou not that either thy head or mine must cease this strife? I doe assure thee that I am no more determined to listen vnto thy preaching: wherefore if thou determine not to dy present∣ly, looke to thine owne defence, better then thou hast done here-tofore. Immediately without any further disputations hee assailed Madamain afresh, but hee was al∣ready so weake (as not being able so much as to defend Brunco his blowes) hee drew himselfe by lit∣tle and little to the top of a Rock, euen to the place where Amadis had cast the body of Ardan into the Sea. And there Brunco thrust him so rudely downe, that he sent him to be buried in the Sea, but before hee came to the bottome, his body was torne in twenty seue∣rall peeces. Which the iniurious Damosell perceiuing, she entred into such fury and dispaire, that as a mad woman shee ranne vnto the place where Ardan and Madamain were throwne downe headlond, where finding Madamain his sword, she set it to her breast, cry∣ing so loud that all the companie heard her, Seeing that Ardan the flower of chiualrie, & my brother haue chosen their graue in this raging Sea, I will beare them com∣panie. And so casting herselfe downe headlong, she was imme∣diately couered with the water. Then Brunco (mounting on horse-backe againe) was conducted by the King and many other knights to the lodging of Amadis, where hee desired to keep him company, in whose honour hee had vnderta∣ken the combate. And because that the Queene Briolania percei∣ued that Amadis was not like to be cured in a short space, nor to accompany her as hee had promi∣sed, she tooke her leaue of him to goe see the singularities of the

Firme-Island, wherefore Amadis commanded Enil to conduct her, and to desire Isania the Gouernor thereof, to doe her all the honour, and giue her the best entertaine∣ment hee could deuise. So Briola∣nia departed, bidding Oriana fare∣well, assuring her that she should be aduertised what happened vn∣to her in trying the aduentures of the Island, but shee was no sooner gone from the Court, when it see∣med that Fortune endeauoured the ruine of the kingdom of great Brittaine, which bad so long time liued in happinesse. Yea euen king Lisuart himselfe, who (forgetting not onely the seruices hee had re∣ceiued of Amadis, of his kindred and friends, but especially the ad∣uice and counsell of Vrganda) li∣stened to flatterers, two ancient knights of his house, to whom (vn∣der the colour of the long educa∣tion they had receiued, as well of the King Falangris his eldest bro∣ther, as of himselfe) hee gaue cre∣dit, beleeuing their vntrothes which he ought not to haue done, as you shall presently vnderstand. These two of whom I speake as wel by reason of their ancient age, as of a kinde of hypocrisie, cloa∣ked with wisedome, tooke more paines to seeme good and vertu∣ous, then to bee so in deede, by meanes whereof they entred into great authority, and were often-times called and made priuie to the most secret affaires of their Lord, one of them was named Bro∣cadan, and the other Gandandell. This Gandandell had two sonnes, who before the comming of Ama∣dis and of his followers into great Brittaine, were esteemed two of the most hardiest knights in all the countrey, notwithstanding the prowesse and dexteritie of the o∣ther, did abate the renowne▪ of those whom I speake of. Whe••s▪ at their father was so displeased, that forgetting the feare of God, the faith which hee ought to his Prince, and the honour which all men of honesty ought to be end•…•…∣ed withall, determined not onely to accuse Amadis, but likewise all those whom hee esteemed a•• his friends, and did conuerse withall, hoping to build his treason in such sort, that by the ruine of so many good knights, he would worke his owne & his friends profit. Where∣fore finding the King on a time at leasure, hee vsed speeches of like substance vnto him. It may please your Maiesty, I haue all my life long desired to bee faithfull vnto you, as to my King and naturall Lord, euen as my duty bindeth mee, and will yet continue, if it please God, for besides the ••ath of fidelity which I haue swerne unto you, you haue of your gracious fauour heaped so many be•…•… vpon mee; that it I should not counsell you, in that which did concerne••y our royall Maiesty, I should commit a great fault both towardes God and men. In consi∣deration whereof if it like your Maiesty, after I had long weighed with my selfe that which I will de∣clare vnto you, I haue often repen∣ted that I deferred the matter so long, not for any malice I beare vnto any man (as God is my wit∣nesse) but onely for the damage which I see ready to ensue, if your Maiesty do not speedily and wise∣ly seeke remedy to preuent it. Your Maiesty knoweth that of long time there hath beene great controuer∣sie betweene the kingdomes of Gaule and great Brittaine, because that the Kings your predecessors, haue alwaies pretended title of

soueraigntie thereunto. And al∣beit that for some time this quar∣rell hath linedead, notwithstan∣ding it is likely that those of that Countrey (calling to minde the warres and domages they haue en∣dured by your subiects) haue se∣cretly determined to take reuenge thereof. And in my opinion, Ama∣nis who is chiefe and principall a∣mongst them all, is not come into this Countrey, but to practise and gaine your people: who (ioyned with the forces which he may easi∣ly land heere) will so trouble you, that it will be hard for you to resist them. And I beseech you to con∣sider whither the likelyhood there-of bee not already very apparent. Moreouer your Maiestie may bee pleased to consider that he of whō I speake, and those of his aliance likewise, haue done mee so much honour and pleasure, that both I and my children are greatly boun∣den vnto them, and were it not that you are my soueraigne Lord. I would in no wise pleake against A∣madis, but in those things which concerne your person, let mee ra∣ther receiue death, then that I spare any man liuing were he mine own sonne. You haue receiued Amadis with so great number of his parents and other strangers into your Court (like a good and liberall Prince as you are) that in the end, their traine will become greater then your owne, wherefore if it like your Maiesty, it were good to fore-see this matter before the fire bee kindled any further. When the King heard Gandandel speake in this sort, he became very pensiue, and afterwards answered him: In faith louing friend, I beleeue that you aduertise mee as a good and faithfull subiect, neuerthelesse see∣ing the seruices that they of whom you speake haue done vnto me, I cannot be perswaded in my mind, that they would procure or ima∣gine any treason against me. May it please your Maiesty, answered he, that is it which deceiueth you, for if they had heretofore offended you, you would haue beene ware of them as of your enemies, but they can wisely cloake their pre∣tended treason, colouring it with an humble speech, accompanied with some small seruices, wherein they haue employed themselues, watching a time of more fit oper∣tunity. The King turned his head on the one side without answering any farther, because there came some Gentlemen vnto him, neuer∣thelesse Gandandel being as yet ig∣norant how the King had taken his aduertisement, he practised with Brocadan, and drew him vnto his league, declaring vnto him the whole discourse which he had with the King, assuring him that if they might banish Amadis and his a∣lies, that from thenceforth they two alone should gouerne the king and his Realme peacebly. Brocadan receiuing this counsell for good, did afterwards imprint in the King his minde so great iealosie, and sur∣pition against Amadis and his fel∣lowes, as from that day hee hated them in so strange a sort, that hee could not in a manner abide to see them, forgetting the great serui∣ces performed by them, as well when he and Oriana were deliuered from the hands of Arcalaus, as af∣terwards in the battaile against King Cildadan, and in many other places heretofore recited. Truely if this King had well remembred the counsell and aduise which hee had receiued of Vrganda, hee had not so farre digressed from the bounds of reason, although that

the like malady doth often haunt al Princes, when they take not heed of falling into the like accidents and danger as King Lisuart did. Who giuing credit to the deceit∣full words of these traitors, did ne-uer afterwards visit (as hee was ac∣customed) Amadis and the others that were wounded, whereat they were not a little abashed, but to doe them the more dispite he sent for Madasima and other pledges, vnto whom he sayde, that if within eight dayes the Isle of Mongaza were not yeelded vnto him accor∣ding to their promise, that then hee would suddainly cause their heads to be smitten off. When Ma∣dasima heard this rigorous con∣straint, neuer was woman more a∣fraid, considering, that in perfor∣ming the will of the King, shee should remaine poore and vtterly dishereted, and on the other side, denying to satisfie his behest, shee did see her death prepared, so that she was in such perplexitie, as not being able to answere him, she had recourse vnto her teares. Where∣fore Andangell the old Gyant an∣swered the King, saying. If it please your Maiestie, I will go with those whom you shall appoint to send, vnto the mother of Madasima, and I will deale with her in that sort, as shee shall accomplish your will, yeelding the Countrey and places which you demand, otherwise your Maiestie may doe your plea∣sure with vs. This the King liked well of, and euen that day he sent him with the Earle Latin, and cau∣sed Madasima and her women to bee carryed back to their accusto∣med prison, whether they were brought by diuers Gentlemen. Whom she moued greatly to pit∣tie her estate, by the complaints and sorrowfull lamentation that she made vnto them, praying eue∣ry one of them particularly to la∣bour in her behalfe vnto the King, so that there was not one a∣mongst them all, who promised not to doe for her as much as possi∣bly they could, especially Don Gal∣uanes, who at that time held her by the arme, beholding her with such an eye, as hee became of her ena∣moured, and said vnto her: Ma∣dame, I am sure that if it would please you to accept mee for your husband, the King would freely be∣stow vpon vs all the right that he pretendeth in your Countrey. I beleeue also that you are not ig∣norant of my nobility, being bro∣ther to the King of Scotland, and that by me your authoritie shall not be deminished. For the rest, assure your selfe that I will vse you as you are worthy. Now Mada∣sima had known him of long time, & she was assured that he was one of the best Knights in the world. Wherefore accepting the offers of Galuanes, shee fell downe at his feete, most humbly thanking him for the good and honour which he did offer vnto her, and euen then was the marriage betweene them agreed vpon, the which afterward Galuanes laboured to effect to his vttermost power. And the better to accomplish it, some few dayes after he came vnto Amadis and A∣graies, making them acquainted with that which you haue heard, and Agraies said vnto him: Vnkle, I know very well that loue hath no respect of persons, sparing neither young nor olde, and seeing that you are become one of his sub∣iects, we will beseech the King so much in your behalfe, that you shall enioy your desired loue, therefore determine to behaue your selfe like a lusty champion for

Madasima is a woman, not likely to bee pleased with a kisse onely By my faith (answered Amadis) my Lord Galuanes, the King in my o∣pinion, will not refuse vs, and I promise you that so soone as I am able to walke, your Nephew and I will goe vnto his Maiesty to en∣treat that which you demand. But you must vnderstand that whilest these things were in doing, Gādan∣dell the better to couer & dissem∣ble the treason which he had con∣spired, did goe oftentimes to see and visit Amadis, so that one time amongst the rest hee sayd to him: my Lord, it is long since you saw the King. What is the cause there-of answered Amadis? Because saide Gandandel, by his counte∣nance it seemeth hee beareth you no great good will. I know not answered Amadis, yet to my knowledge I neuer offended him. For this time they passed no far∣ther, vntill at another instant this traytour came againe to see him, shewing vnto him a better coun∣tenance then he was accustomed, saying: my Lord, I told you the o∣ther day, that I thought by the speeches which I heard the King speake of you, that his friendship was not so firme vnto you as it was wont to be, and because that I and mine are so greatly bound vnto you, for the pleasures which you haue done vnto vs, I will tru∣ly let you vnderstand how the King hath a very bad opinion of you, and therefore looke vnto it. So many times did hee repeat this and the like matter vnto Amadis, that hee began to suspect least hee had layd some snare to entrap him in, whereby the King might con∣ceiue some euill opinion of him. And therefore one day when Gan∣dandel perseuered in his aduertise∣ments, Amadis being very angry, answered him: My Lord Gandan∣del, I doe greatly wonder what mooueth you to vse this speech so often vnto me, seeing that I did neuer thinke vpon any thing but onely wherein I might doe the King seruice? And I cannot be∣leeue that a Prince so vertuous as hee is, would euer suspect mee for a thing which I neuer committed. Wherefore neuer breake my head more with such follies, for I take no pleasure therein. For this cause Gandandel durst neuer after that speake any more thereof vnto him, vntill that Amadis beeing healed, went vnto the Court, but so soone as the King beheld him hee turned his head from him & his fellowes, not vouchsafing so much as once to looke vpon them. Then Gandan∣del who was hard by them seeing the Kings countenance, came to embrace Amadis, saying vnto him, that hee was glad of his recouery. But by my faith sayd he, I am very sory that the king vseth you no bet¦ter, notwithstanding now you may know whether the aduertisements that I gaue you were false or nor. Amadis answered him not one word, but came vnto Angriota & Brunco, who thinking that hee had not marked the coūtenance which the King shewed vnto them, ad∣uertised him thereof. There is no cause answered Amadis, that you should take it in ill part, seeing that very often a man is intentiue vnto some thing whereon his minde is set, that hee taketh no heed vnto that which others doe, it may be that the king mused vp∣pon some other matter when wee saluted him, therefore let vs re∣turne and speake vnto his Maiesty for that which Galuanes entreated vs. Here withall they approached

vnto him, and Amadis sayde vnto the King. Although, if it please your Maiestie, that I haue not here-tofore done you that seruice that I desire, yet haue I presumed (trust∣ing in your good bounty) to re∣quest one gift of your highnesse, which can not but turne greatly to your honour, moreouer you shall binde those vnto your Maiestie, whom you may pleasure with your gacious grant. At this time was Gandandel present, who playing the hypocrite (as he was accustomed) very malapertly took vpon him to speake, and answered Amadis. Tru∣ly if it bee so as you say, the King ought not to denie your sute. If it like your highnesse, saide Amadis, the gift which I and my fellowes here present, do besech your high∣to grant vnto vs, is, that it would please you to bestow vpon the Lord Galuanes the Isle of Mongaza, for the which he shall yeeld you fe∣alty and homage, in marying with Madasima, by the which fauour your grace shall both aduance a poore Prince, and extend your pit∣ty vnto one of the fairest Gentle-women in the world. When Broca∣dan and Gandandel heard this de∣mand, they looked vpon the King, making a signe vnto him that hee should not grant it to them. Yet ne-uerthelesse it was a great while be∣fore hee spake, considering the de∣serts of Don Galuanes, and the ser∣uices which hee had receiued of him in many places, especially how that Amadis had conquered with the price of his blood, the land which he required for another, ne-uerthelesse hee gaue no eare vnto him, although by verture hee was bounden to condiscend vnto a re∣quest so resonable, yet hee thus answered Amadis.

That man is ill aduised who re∣questeth a thing that cannot bee granted. I speake this because of you my Lord Amadis, who doe en∣treate mee for that which within these fiue dayes I haue bestowed, as a gift vpon my youngest daugh∣ter Leonor. This excuse had the King fayned of set purpose to re∣fuse Galuanes, whereupon Amadis who was greatly discontented with the slender entertainment that he shewed vnto them, know∣ing that this was but an excuse, hee could not so much command him-selfe as to hold his peace, but that he said vnto the King. Your Maie∣stie doth very well manifest that the seruices which for you we haue done, haue beene little pleasing vnto you, and lesse profitable for vs. And therefore (if these my companions will bee ruled by me) wee will hence-forth bethinke vs what to doe. Beleeue me my Ne∣phew, answered Galuanes, you say true, and those seruices are very ill imployed, which are done vnto those that haue no desire to ac∣knowledge them, and therefore e∣uery man of courage ought to be∣ware for whom he aduenture him-selfe. My Lords, answered Amadis, blame not the King for nor gran∣ting that which hee hath promised vnto another, and let vs onely en∣treat him that he will be pleased to permit that Galuanes may marry with Madasima. And if he grant this fauour, I will giue vnto him the Firme-Island. Madasima (an∣swered the King) is my prisoner, and if she deliuer not vnto mee the land which she hath promised me, shee shall lose her head before the moneth be past.

By my faith, saide Amadis, had your Maiestie answered vs more kindly, you had done vs no wrong at all, if at the least you had a

desire in any sort to thinke well of vs. If my entertainement like you not answered the King, the world is large enough to finde out some other, that may vse you better. Truely this word hardly digested, turned afterward into a greater consequence, then the King thought it would, who perceiued shortly after by Brocadan and his companion, how hurtfull a thing, hatefull and vncourteous speech is, as the forgetting of good and his honour, is oftentimes the o∣uerthrow both of a king and realm Amadis was so displeased with this farewell, that he said vnto the king. If it like your Maiesty, I haue hi∣therto thought that there was nei∣ther King nor Prince in the world more indued with vertuous and honourable qualities then you, ne-uerthelesse we now by proofe per∣ceiue the contrary. Therefore see∣ing you haue changed your anci∣ent good custome, by the aduise of some latter bad counsell, wee will goe seeke out another manner of life. Do answered the king, what you will, for you know my minde. Saying so, hee rose vp in a great rage, and went vnto the Queene, vnto whom he imparted the whole discourse that he had with Amadis and his companions, and how hee was dispatched of them, where-with hee was very glad. I am in great doubt said the Queene, least this your pleasure doe not hereaf∣ter turne you to displeasure, for you are not ignorant, from the first day that Amadis and his con∣federats entred into your seruice, how your affaires haue alwaies prospered better and better, so as if you consider that which they haue done for you, you shall finde that they haue deserued no such answere as you haue made vnto them. Besides when it shall bee manifest vnto others what they both haue done and can doe, and the little account you doe make of them for their deserts, they may hereafter hope for no better at your handes, and therefore will they desist to employ themselues for you, reputing them fooles, that shall do but the least seruice for so vngratefull a man. Tell mee no more of it said the king, for it is done, but if they make their com∣plaint vnto you, tel them that long since I haue giuen that land which they required of me to our daugh∣ter Leonor, as I did tell them. I will doe it answered the Queene, see∣ing it is your pleasure, and God grant that all may turne to the best.

But you must vnderstand, that after Amadis and those in his com∣pany had seene in what sort the King had left them, they went forth of the Palace, and as they went to their lodging they concluded to say nothing thereof vnto their friends vntill the next morning, against which time they would pray them all to meete together, and that then they would take counsell what was best to be done. And at the same instant Amadis sent Durin to tell the Princesse Ma∣bila that he would (if it were possi∣ble) the night following speake with Oriana about some matter of importance newly fallen out. In this sort the day passed, and the night approched, being alreadie apparrelled in his sable weede: wherefore at such time as euery one was in their soundest sleepe, Amadis called Gandalin, and came vnto that place by the which hee commonly entred into the cham∣ber of Oriana, who stayed for him according to the message which

shee had receiued by Durin, where being arriued, without acquain∣ting her at the first with any thing that might displease her, after they had a little while discoursed plea∣santly together, Mabila & the Da∣mosell of Denmark (who were desi∣rous to sleep, or it may be not be∣ing able to endure that heat where-with loue did pricke them, seeing the kissings & embracings where-with these two louers entertained one another) sayd vnto them, the bed is bigge enough for you two, and the darknesse fit for your de∣sires, it is now late, lie you downe if it please you, and afterwardes talke together as much as you wil. Madame said Amadis vnto Oriana, by my faith their counsell is very good. It is best for vs then to be∣leeue them answered shee, and therewithall hauing nothing vpon her but a cloake cast about her, she had quickly gotten her in between a paire of sheets, and as shee layd her downe close in her bed, hee lent so neere vnto her ouer the beds side, that after the curtains were drawne (not to encrease his passion, but to redouble his plea∣sure) a wax taper being onely ligh∣ted vp in the chamber, they began to kisse and embrace each other so incessantly, that remaining in this great ease, their spirits entertained a double delight, by the sweet sol∣lace which their metamorphosed soules did mutially receiue from the outward parts of their lippes, being brought at the same instant into such an extasie, that they were thereby vnable to speake one worde, vntill the Damosell of Denmarke (thinking that Amadis had beene asleepe) pulled him by the garment, saying. My Lord you may lightly take colde, get you into the bed if it please you. With this waking as it were forth of a sound sleepe, hee fetched a deepe sigh. Alas deare loue sayd the Princesse, should you not be as well at your ease if you were laid downe in the bed by mee, as to take so much paine and hurt your selfe. Madame (answered he) seeing it pleaseth you so to com∣mand me, I will not make it dain∣tie to straine a little curtesie with you.

No sooner had hee sayde these wordes, but that hee threwe him-selfe starke naked betweene the Princesse her armes, then begunne they againe their amorous sports, performing with cōtentment that thing which euery one in the like delight doth most desire: after-wardes they began to conferre of diuers matters, vntill that Oriana demāded of him wherefore he had sent her word by Durin that he had somewhat of great importance to tell her. Madam answered he, I wil declare it vnto you, seing that you desire to know it, although I am sure it will be both strange & grie∣uous vnto you, neuertheles I must of necessity aduertise you thereof, because it is of so great cōsequēce. You must vnderstand therefore Madame, that the King your fa∣ther yesterday did speake vnto A∣graies, Galuanes, & me in such dis∣curteous sort, that thereby we wel perceiued little good hee wisheth vs, afterwards he recited vnto her word by word, of all that had hap∣pened, & how in the end the king rising vp in a great rage, told them that the worlde was large enough for them to goe seeke some other place where they might bee better requited then of him. And for this cause Madame sayde Amadis, wee must of force doe what hee hath commaunded, otherwise

wee should greatly preiudice our honours, remaining against his wil in his seruice, seeing that he might presume that wee had no other place to goe vnto, where we might be entertained, therefore I beseech you not to be offended, if in obey∣ing him I am constrained to leaue you for a season. You know what power you haue ouer mee, and that I am as much yours as you can wish, more-ouer I know very well that if I should gaine any bad repu∣tation, you are she that would bee most offended therewith, so much am I sure that you doe loue and e∣steeme mee, which maketh mee a∣gaine to entreate you to allow of my departure, and to giue mee leaue, vsing your accustomed con∣stancy and vertue. Alas, answered shee, my deere loue, what doe you tell me? Madame, if it please God the King heereafter will acknow∣ledge the wrong that he hath done vnto vs, and I shall bee as well wel-come vnto him as euer I haue bin. Gentle friend, answered the Prin∣cesse, you do much amisse to com∣plaine of my father, for if he hath receiued any good from you, it was for my loue, & by the commande∣ment that I gaue vnto you, and not for his sake, for I alone did bring you hither, and was the cause that you remained with him. And there∣fore it is not hee that must recom∣pence you, but I, vnto whom you belong. It is very true that hee hath alwaies thought otherwise, for which hee is the more to bee blamed for answering you so vn∣discreetly. And although that your departure is the most grieuous thing that could happen to me (be∣ing a matter of constraint) I am content to fortifie my selfe, and to prefer reason before the delights and pleasures which I receiue by your presence. Therefore will I frame my will to your liking, be∣cause I am sure that in what place soeuer you shall bee, your heart (which is mine) shall remaine with mee, as pledge of the power which you haue giuen me ouer your selfe, and yet moreouer, my father in losing you shall know by those few that he shall haue left, what he hath lost by you. Madame, said Amadis, the fauour which you shew vnto me is so great, that I esteeme it no lesse then the redemption of mine owne life. For you know that e∣uery vertuous man ought to haue his honour in such estimation, that hee ought to preferre it before his owne life. In like sort Madam, seeing that to conserue it I must of force depart from you, doe thus much if it please you for mee, as (during my absēce) to let me heare very often from you: And to hold mee alwaies in your good fauour, as he who was neuer borne but on∣ly to obay and serue you. And true∣ly whosoeuer had seene the Prin∣cesse then, when Amadis took this sorrowfull farwell, he might easily haue bin witnes of the passiō which she indured. Neuerthelesse Amadis seeing the day constrained him to depart (in kissing her sweetly) hee rose vp, leauing her so ful of sorrow & heauines, that although shee dis∣sembled as well as shee could, this her extreame greefe, yet had shee not so much power ouer her selfe, but that shee awaked Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke with her loud sighes, who thinking her to bee taken with some new disease came hastily vnto her, and found that Amadis was already apparrel∣led. Then they demanded of him, what moued Oriana in such ex∣treame sort to complaine. Amadis tolde them the whole discourse in

what sort hee was constrained to forsake the court, and the seruice of the king, wherefore my louing friends said he, I pray you to go & comfort my Lady. Which said, he tooke his leaue of them, and de∣parted, leauing al the three Ladies accompanied onely with sorrow, and extreame passion. Now you must know that so soon as Agraies and Galuanes were come vnto A∣madis his lodging, they sent vnto all their friends particularly, to in∣treate them to meet there the next morning, the which they accor∣dingly performed, then they went altogether to the Church to heare seruice, at their returne from whence, they all walking in a great field, Amadis began to speake vn∣to them in this manner: My Lords because that some one may wrongfully blame my Lord Gal∣uanes, Agraies, me, & some others here present, for leauing the king his seruice (as wee are determined to do) they and I haue thought good to let you vnderstand what is the occasion thereof. I beleeue that there is not any in this com∣pany that knoweth not whether since our arriuall in great Brittaine the authority of a Prince bee in∣creased or diminished. Wherfore without spending the time in re∣hearsing the seruices which wee haue done vnto him, for the which we had great hope to haue recei∣ued (besides his good will) a great reward, I will declare vnto you particularly, with what ingrati∣tude he vsed vs yesterday, & euē as, fortune which is mutable & incon∣stant, doth often times ouerthrow all things, so hath hee changed his conditions, eyther by some bad counsaile which he hath receiued, or for some sleight occasion wher∣of we are ignorant. But this much I am sure, that my Lord Galuanes did desire vs to bee a meanes for him vnto his Maiesty not past eight or ten daies since, that hee would bee pleased to permit him to marry with Madasima, and in so doing, to suffer him likewise to in∣ioy her lands, vpon this condition that he should hold them of him, and of his Crowne, by fealty and homage, the which wee promised to performe. By meanes wherof, so soone as I was able to goe, I and o∣thers in this company did make this request vnto him, but he with-out any regard eyther vnto vs that were sutors, or vnto him for whom we sued, who is (as euery on know∣eth) brother vnto the King of Scot∣land, as valiant and hardy a knight as possible may be, & such a one as in the late battell against king Cil∣dadan hath not spared his life, but hath done as much as any other that was there, he hath not only re∣fused our requests, but also giuen vs such iniurious words, as were far vnfit and vnworthy such a king. And notwithstanding at the be∣ginning wee made small account thereof, vntill hee said vnto vs all (as we shewed vnto him some rea∣sons for our request) that we shold goe seeke else where for such a one as would acknowledge, and better esteeme of vs then he did, and that the world was wide enough, with-out importuning him any further. Therefore my fellows and friends since that being in his seruice, wee haue beene euer dutifull vnto him, so for my part I am yet very well content in this case not to dis∣please him and to get mee forth of his countrie.

But because it seemeth vnto mee that this his licence to de∣part doth not onely touch mee, and those vnto whom hee spake,

but all others who are none of his subiects, I thought it good to ac∣quaint you therewith, to the end, that you might bethinke what to doc. Much were these Knights a∣mased at the words of Amadis, con∣sidering that if the great seruises of him and his brethren were so badly requited, that very hardly would that little which they had done be recompensed. Wherefore they determined to forsake the King, and to go seeke their fortune else-where, especially Angriotta de Estranaux, who to draw the rest vn∣to his opinion and to follow Ama∣dis, hee began to say with a loude voyce. My Lords, it is yet no long time since I knew the King, and for that little acquaintance that I haue had with him, I did neuer see a Prince more wise, vertuous and temperate, then he hath bin in his affaires, wherefore I doubt mee greatly, that this which hee hath done vnto Amadis, and to these Lords present, proceedeth nor of his own fancy: but he hath bin in∣cited thereunto by some wicked malicious persō, who hath perswa∣ded him to vse thē in that sort. And because that for these eighteene daies, I haue seen Gandandel & Bro∣cadan very often consulting with him, and that so he hath been more priuat with them then any other, I feare me that they are the men that haue bin the chiefe workers of this mischiefe, for I haue known thē of long time for the most malicious persons in all the world. Therefore I am determined euen this day to demand the combat against them, and to maintain that fasly and wic∣kedly they haue set discord be∣tweene the king and Amadis, and if they will make excuse because of their age, they haue each of them a sonne which of long time haue borne Armes, against whom I a∣lone will fight, if they dare bee so bolde to maintaine the reason of their wicked parents. Ah my Lord Angriotta, answered Amadis, I should bee very sorry that you should hazard your body in a mat∣ter so vncertaine. By my faith, an∣swered Angriotta, I am very sure thereof, and I haue perceiued it of long time, so that if the king would bee pleased to tell but what hee knoweth, hee would affirme them to be such as I say. I pray you Gen∣tle friend, said Amadis, deferre it yet for this time, to the end, that the king may haue no cause to bee dis∣contented, for if those whom you speake of (who haue alwaies shew∣ed to mee a friendly countenance) haue beene so malicious as to play false play behinde my backe, assure you that at length their wickednes shall bee discouered, and their de∣sert recompensed, then shall you haue reason to accuse them. Well, answered Augriotta, although this is against my will, yet I am con∣tent to deferre it, but beleeue mee that heereafter I shall both com∣plaine, and bee reuenged of them well enough.

For the rest, my good friends, saide Amadis, if it pleased the King and Queene to vouchsase to see mee, I am determined to goe forthwith and take my leaue of them, and so to retire vnto the Firme-Island, in hope that those which will follow mee, shall wholly bee pertakers with mee, in all the good and pleasure which there I shall haue. And as you doc know the Co••••trey is pleasant and wealthy, full of faire women, store of forrests, and many riuers fit for hauking, furthermore, diuers as well of our acquain∣tance as of strangers, wil come and

visit vs: besides, in our neede if we shall want any aide, and that king Lisuart will attempt any enterprise against vs we shall bee supported by my father, from the Countrey of little Brittaine and from Scot∣land, especially from the Realm of Sobradisa, the which the Queene Briolania will wholly yeelde into our hands, at all times when wee shall please. Seeing that you are in these tearmes answered Quedra∣gant, now may you know those which do loue your cōpany, from those which doe not. By my faith said Amadis, I am of the opinion if any loue his owne particular pro∣fit, that hee should not forsake so good a Master, yet those which will follow mee shall neither fare better nor worse then mine owne selfe. And as they thus consulted in the meddow the king happened to come by them, accompanied with Gandandell and many other knights, and seeing them together he did passe on, making as though he saw them not.

Then caused he a cast of Iackes or Hobbies to be let flie at a Larke, and after hee had a while solaced himselfe with this pastime, hee re∣turned backe vnto the Citty, without speaking eyther to A∣madis or any other in his compa∣nie.