 Book 4, Chapter 16-18, of Amades of Gull, this is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by Anna Simon. Amades of Gull by Vasco de Lubeira, translated by Robert Southey. Book 4, Chapter 16. How it fortune that Don Quaregante and Brian of Monchastre lost themselves at sea, and by adventure found Queen Broyolania, and of what befell them. After Don Quaregante and Don Brian had parted from Don Grumadan, they proceeded to the shore, and there embarked to carry their tidings to the firm island. The first day they voyaged on with prosperous weather, but at night the sea began to rage, and so great a tempest arose that the sailors lost all command of the ship, and they were driven they knew not wither, expecting to be swallowed up by the waves. Thus they drove along all night in sufficient fear, for in dangers like these neither arms nor courage avail ought, and when the day broke and the sailors could look about them, they found they were near the kingdom of Subradisa, where the fair Queen Broyolania reigned. At this time was the storm abated, and as they were about to turn to their right course, they saw on the right a ship marvelously great. Now as their ship was so swift and manageable that they apprehended no danger, even though this should prove an enemy, they resolved to wait her coming up, and when she drew nearer, they thought they had never seen so goodly a ship, nor so large, nor so richly ornamented, for the sails were all of silk, and every part was covered with rich cloths, and they could see upon the deck knights and damsels all bravely attired. Much did Don Quaragant and Don Brian marvel at this sight, and they could not imagine who came in her, so they put out a boat, and sent the squire to ask whose ship it was. The squire did as he was commanded, and one of the knights answered that Queen Broyolania was aboard, on her way to the firm island. God be thanked, quoth the squire, that they who sent me to ask will be right glad of such tidings. Good squire, cried the damsels, tell us if it please you who be they. Ladies, he replied, there are two knights who are voyaging to the same port as yourselves, but by the fortune of the sea have been driven hither, where what they have here met will well requite them for their fatigue. They will make themselves known as soon as I return, therefore I need say no more. Full joyful were those knights when the squire returned and told them into what company they had fallen, and they brought their ship nearer to the other vessel. And when they were come nigh the damsels knew them, having seen them when they were with their mistress at the court of King Lusuarte, so they ran joyfully to tell the queen how they had met two knights, great friends of Amadis, Don Quaragante and Don Brian of Monchaste. She, hearing this, went out from her apartment to bid them welcome, for she had heard from her high steward, Tanteles, how these knights had been sent from the firm island to Lusuarte. By the time she came out they were already on board and went to kiss her hand, but not suffering that she put one arm round each, and thus a while embraced them, saying, Sirs, am I good friends, I thank God for this meeting, then which nothing could have delighted me more, unless I had been to have seen Amadis of Gaul, whom as you know I am so much in duty bound to love. Now tell me how you've sped. They then told her all that had passed, and how no hope of any accord with King Lusuarte remained, and how they'd been driven by the storm. But now, said they, we think ourselves happy to have been so driven, since we can now serve and protect you on your voyage. I too, replied the Queen, had my fears during that storm, for, Sirs, I thought we never could have outlived it, but my ship is large and stout, and my anchors and cables strong, and pleased God that we neither dragged nor broke at them. I knew from my high steward Tanteles that you were gone on this embassy, and knowing how fortunate King Lusuarte had been, judged that he would continue to presume upon his fortunes. I've therefore summoned all my vassals, and called upon my friends for help, and having left Tanteles to assemble and conduct the force, thought that it would be well meantime to go visit the Princess Oriana at the firm island, and abide with her the chance which it may please God to send us. This is the reason why you have met me here, and I'm right glad that we shall proceed together. Lady Mine, replied Don Brian, from one so fair as you, and of such high degree, nothing but what is virtuous and noble can be expected, and such we find in your doings. The Queen then desired that they would order their vessel to keep company with hers, and they themselves remain on board with her, so they were well lodged on board Queen Brealania's ship and ate at her table, and thus they sailed pleasantly over the seas. Now you must know that when the uncle of his Queen Brealania, Abysios, was slain with his two sons by Amades and Agraeus, in vengeance for the death of his brother, whom he treacherously killed, he had yet another son left, who, being but a child, was by a night carefully brought up. This son was now a young knight of great hardyhood and prowess, and had in many encounters been proved, and though for a long time he was so young that he thought of nothing but following arms and increasing his honour, yet now certain servants of his father had told him that he ought to take vengeance for his death, and either recover the kingdom which by right was his, or else procure such compensation as might be worthy of his birth. So this young knight, who was called Trion, was now always ruminating on what these servants told him, and watching fair occasion to put in practice his desires, and now knowing how Amades, whom he regarded as the main let of his ambition, was engaged with King Lizorta, he thought he would have no leisure to direct his attention to anything but his own great danger. He, therefore, having understood the departure of Queen Briolania, and that she went with so small a company that she had in her ship not more than twenty men at arms, and among them none of great prowess, he went out from a castle which he possessed, which castle was all that Obisius possessed before he murdered his brother, and gathered together his friends, not telling them for what enterprise, and having collected fifty men at arms and certain archers and crossbowmen, besides, he fitted out two ships and put to sea, with design to take the queen and to obtain from her a share of the kingdom, or if he saw a favourable opportunity, recovered the whole. He knew the cause she was steering, and one evening came out to intercept her. The sailors, seeing these two ships coming toward them, told the queen. Immediately Don Quarragante and Don Brian went on deck, and seeing that the ships were bearing down upon them, gave order that the man should arm. This the man did, though with little apprehension of danger, and continued to hold their cause. The others were now come so nigh that their voices might be heard. Then Trion called out aloud, Knights who are in yonder ship tell Queen Briollania that her cousin Trion is here, and would speak with her, and bid her order her people to make no resistance, for else not one of them shall escape death. When the queen heard this, she was greatly dismayed, and said, Sirs, this is the greatest enemy that I have in the world, and he would not venture upon this without great cause, and a strong company. My good lady, replied Quarragante, take you no fear. Please, God, we will soon chastise his folly. He then ordered answer to be made, that if Trion would come alone to see the queen, he should willingly be admitted. Since this is your answer, quoth Trion, I shall come against your will. Then he ordered a knight who had been one of his father's servants to bear it down in the one vessel, and board the queen's ship on one side, and he would do the same on the other. Done Brian, seeing the ships separate, guessed what was their purpose, and bade Quarragante with half the men look to the defense on one side, as he would on the other. Accordingly thus it was done, and done Quarragante had the sight with Trion himself attacked, and Brian was opposed to the other knight. Quarragante then bade his people stand forward, so that he might not be seen, and he told them not to prevent Trion from entering if he should attend it. A none the ship was hotly attacked on both sides, for the assailants, knowing nothing of these knights of the firm island, thought that no resistance could be made which could be any way dangerous. Immediately Trion, who was full of confidence and eager for success, leaped on board. The queen's people gave way as they had been directed, and then Quarragante, seeing him fairly on board, then came forward. He, as you have heard in the second part of this history, was huge of stature, and when Trion beheld him, he well knew that he was not such an enemy as he had expected to meet, how by it his heart did not fail, and he made at him bravely. They gave each other such strokes that fire fled from their helmets and swords, but Don Quarragante was a stronger man, and laid on such a load that Trion's sword dropped from his hand, and he fell upon his knees. Quarragante then looked round, and seeing that the enemies were crowding on board, he bade his men take charge of that knight, and went among the other assailants. The first whom he met, he smote so soundly on the head that he had no need of a surgeon. The others, seeing their leader taken and this other knight slain, and how manfully Quarragante was besturing himself among them, strove to get back into their own ship, so that in their fear some were drowned, and many were slain, and the rest driven out of the vessel. Quarragante then looked and saw that Don Brian was on board the other ship, making great slaughter among his enemies, and he sent more of his men to his assistance, waiting himself to see if the attack would be renewed. With this help Don Brian speedily became master of the other vessel, for it already slain the knight who commanded her, and the men now cried out for mercy, so they gave orders that no further slaughter should be made. All this while was Queen Briollania and her women in their cabin, on their knees beseeching God to preserve them. Presently one of her people came, and said, Come out, lady, and see how treonous made prisoner, and all his men defeated, for these knights of the firm island have done such wonders in arms as no others could have achieved. When the Queen heard this, she was as rejoiced as you may well suppose, and she lifted up her hands and said, Blessed be the Lord Almighty, that at such a time, and for such a purpose, he sent me these knights. But from Amades and his friends, nothing but good fortune can befall me. She then went out and said, Don Queregante, greatly am I beholden to God and to you for this service. Certus, both my person and kingdom, are in great peril. He answered, My good lady, here is your enemy, command that justice may be done upon him. When treon heard this, he feared for his life, and knelt down before her, saying, Mercy, lady, that I may not be slain. I beseech you, remember your own goodness, and that I am of your blood, and that, though I have now offended, I may yet hereafter serve you. To this the Queen, who because of her noble nature had compassion on him, replied, Treon, not for your own dessert, I will save your life till I have consulted with these knights concerning you, and she ordered him to be secured in an apartment. By this Don Brian of Monchasta came up, and the Queen embraced him and asked how he fared. Right well, he replied, and full glad that it has been my good fortune to do you any service. One wound I have received, but thank God it is not dangerous. He then showed her how an arrow had gone through his shield and part of his arm. The Queen then, with her fair hands, drew out the arrow as gently as she could, and helped to disarm him, and he was cured as he had often been of worse wounds. Glad were they all of their victory, and they saw Treon's ship was making her escape as fast as she could, and not staying to pursue her, they held their course for the firm island. When they entered the haven, it so happened that Amades, with the most part of the knights, were riding on their pilferies in the plain below the castle, as they were want to do, and seeing these ships put the land, they rode to the shore to know what they were. Presently they met the squires of Quaraganta and Don Brian, coming to announce their arrival, and when they reached the shore they bade their friends welcome, and Don Brian said, speaking from the ship, We are come back richer than we went, but as for you poor people you are shut up here. At that they all laughed, and bade him show the riches of which he was so proud. A boat then put out, and they and the Queen entered it, and were put to land. Then all the knights alighted, and went to kiss her hand, but she lovingly embraced them. Amades then came, and would have kissed her hand, but she lovingly embraced him, and held him so long as if she would never have let him go, and the tears ran down her cheeks for pure joy at seeing him. For since the battle with King Lizerte and King Kildadan, when she was at Fenusa she had never seen him, and though she had now no thought of ever having him for her husband, yet he was the knight in the world whom she loved best, and for whose sake she would willingly risk her person and her kingdom, and when she let him go she could scarcely speak for joy. Many things do I owe to God, Lady, said Amades, that he has brought me where I can once more see you, whom I have so much desire to see, and at this time are you more welcome than ever, for great pleasure will the sight of you be to these knights, and yet greater to your friend the Princess Oriana, for I believe there is no other person in the world whose coming would so much rejoice her as yours. She answered, For this reason, my good Lord, have I left my kingdom, chiefly to see you, which was the thing in the world that I most desired. God knows the sorrow which I endured so long a time that I could learn no tidings of you, earnestly as I inquired. And now, as soon as my high steward brought me your letter, I then thought it best to come with all speed to see you and that noble lady of whom you speak, for now is the time that all her friends and servants should manifest the love they bear towards her, but in great danger should I have been had it not been for the sucker of these knights as they will inform you. By this were all her women and attendants landed, and they placed her on such a palfrey as was becoming such a personage, and proceeded towards the tower where Oriana dwelled. Greatly was that princess delighted to hear of her arrival, and she desired Mabilia and Grazinda and the other princesses to go and meet her in the garden, while she and Queen Sardamira remained to receive her in her apartment. Queen Sardamira, seeing how much they were all rejoiced at this news, said to Oriana, Who is this whose coming is matter of so great joy? A queen, replied she, the fairest in her person as well as the goodliest in her fame that lives as you shall presently see. When Briollania came to the garden gate and saw so many ladies and in such attire she marveled much, and thought herself happy that she had resolved to come there, and turning to the knights she said, Good sirs, God be with you, these ladies will now release you of your charge. And smiling sweetly she alighted, and went in, and then the gate was closed. Those ladies then courageously saluted her, and Grazinda was greatly surprised at her exceeding beauty, in so much that had she not seen Oriana she would have surely thought that no woman in the world could be her peer. So they led her to the tower, and when she and Oriana saw each other they met with open arms, and embraced each other with great love. Then Oriana led her to Queen Sardamira, saying, Lady Queen, speak to the Queen Sardamira, and honour her for she well deserves it. So they with great courtesy saluted each the other, each observing such demeanor as became her high rank. They then seated themselves on the Estrado, Oriana being between them, and the other ladies seated around. Good my lady, said Oriana, great courtesy is this that you should come to visit me from so far a land, and much do I thank you, for such a journey would not have been undertaken but for great love. Lady, replied the Queen, ungrateful should I deserve to be accounted, if at this time I had not manifested to all the world the desire I have to do you honour and service, especially as the business so nearly concerns amities of goal to whom you know how greatly I am beholden. I have left Tantales to collect all the foes of my dominions, and meanwhile believe that I ought to come and bear you company till this business was ended, which may please our Lord to end as you would desire. May he do so in his mercy, replied Oriana. I hope Don Quaraganta and Don Brian will bring good tidings of some accord with my father. But Briollania, knowing that in truth they brought none, did not reply. Thus they continued in discourse till at length the damsel of Denmark said, Remember, lady, that the Queen has just come from her voyage and will be glad to sup and retire to rest. It is time that you should take her to your apartment as she is to be your guest. Oriana, then having asked if all was ready, took leave of Queen Sardimira and Grisinda who went to their apartments and went with Briollania to her chamber. When they were alone Briollania asked who was that goodly lady with Queen Sardimira and being told it was Grisinda and all that she had done for Amades. Wretched that I am, she replied, that I should not have known this when she accosted me. Now I pray you when we have sucked, let her be sentful, that I may honour her as she deserves for the good service she rendered Amades. So after they had sucked the damsel of Denmark went for Grisinda and Briollania courageously excused herself that she had not with more kindness saluted her not knowing the great help which Amades had from her received and as they conversed together Grisinda told them how she had first known Amades when under the name of the knight of the green sword he had wrought such achievements in Romania and throughout all Germany. I was so well pleased with him said she that though I was so great a lady in that land and he appeared only a poor errant knight I should have been well content to take him in marriage I should have thought no queen in the world equal to me in good fortune but seeing him so thoughtful and overcome by so deep a melancholy I suspected that the cause could be nothing but love and therefore I asked Gandalin who knew the drift of my question and at one time denied it and then told me that he suspected it might be so. This he said to divert me from any further thought of that which could not be brought to pass and for that I thanked him much and from that hour entertained such thoughts no longer. Briollania hearing this smiled at Oriana and said me things lady this knight spreads this disorder farther than we imagine remember what he told us at the castle of Miraflores so thus they communed till it was the hour of rest Grisina then took leave and Briollania slept in a bilia in a bed which was made near Orianas Chapter 17 Of the answer which Don Quaraganta and Brian of Malhasta brought from King Lizuarte and what all those knights resolved upon On the morrow all the knights assembled to hear Maas and to learn what answer Don Quaraganta and Don Brian brought from Lizuarte When they were met together after Maas Quaraganta said Good sirs, our answer was so brief that I have nothing to say except that you ought to thank God that with so great justice and reason you may gain great renown and prove the virtue of your noble hearts King Lizuarte will listen to nothing but rigor He then related all that past and how he knew that the king had sent to the emperor of Rome and to all his friends for aid At this Agrius answered who was nothing grieved at this issue and had so long moderated his anger only in compliance with Oriana Sir Tess Good sirs, I always thought it would be more difficult to obtain security for the princes and maintain our own honors than to raise help for the war and for my own part I will now tell you that I am better pleased to have war than that we should have made a court which might have easily been broken For King Lizuarte and the emperor are powerful princes and can at any time soon collect their forces which we who derive our succour from many and distant places cannot so easily bring together better therefore is open war than so dangerous a peace They all exclaimed at this that what Agrius said was true and that they ought to assemble their army without delay and give Lizuarte battle in his own kingdom Now had Amadeus all along been fearful lest a court should have been made with the king for though his honor would have been secured thereby yet should he have been obliged to deliver up Oriana who would in that case have again been where he could have no means to see her and that to him would have been worse than death so that what the ambassador and Agrius said rejoiced him more than if he had been made lord of the world Sir my cousin Kwathi, your actions have been full chivalrous and greatly ought we who are of your litige to thank God that we have among us a knight like you so able to defend his honor in danger and to increase it in counsel as you and these chiefs have so well determined it only remains for me to follow your will Agriotta of Estravaus who was a brave knight and of good heart and who truly loved Amadeus rightly judged that though he said nothing of his opinion yet was he well pleased that no a court had been made and this he thought proceeded from his love of danger and arms not suspecting the true cause he therefore said Sirs you ought all to be well contented with the result of this embassy for war is not only safer than peace but more to our honor and we shall leave a fame behind us in this world as immortal as our souls will be in the next let us then lose no time in summoning all our force so having thus determined they all went to their meal Chapter 18 how master Elizabeth arrived at the land of Grisinda and from thence went to Constantinople with a bidding of Amadeus and how he sped such good speed had master Elizabeth on his voyage that he arrived safely at the land of his lady Grisinda and there having summoned all the chiefs of the land he produced his powers and entreated them to fulfill their lady's will they all replied that they should with good will accomplish it and forthwith gave order to assemble horsemen and archers and crossbowmen and equipped with vessels they had and said about building others when the master saw how actively they made these preparations he left a young knight by name of Libio who was his nephew to superintend the armament and put to sea himself and went to Constantinople when he arrived at the palace they told him the emperor was talking with his good man so he went in and knelt down and kissed the emperor's hand who received him courageously as one whom he knew and held for a good man the master then gave him the letter of Amadeus but when the emperor learned that the knight of the green sword was that Amadeus of goal of whom he had heard so much he said master I must complain of you if you knew the name of this knight and did not tell me for I am vexed that a man of such high lineage and so renowned should come to my court and be by me honoured as only a knight errant sir replied the master I swear by my holy orders that I never knew who he was till he left off the title of the Greek knight and discovered himself to Grazina how quothed the emperor did he call himself the Greek knight after he went from hence what cried the master have you not heard of the great things which the Greek knight achieved and then he related how he had won the crown for Grazina and in what manner he had quelled the pride of the Romans who despised him thinking him to be a Greek right glad were all they who were present to hear such tidings now then said the emperor deliver your bidding with that master Elisabeth related all that had fallen out and besought him on the part of Amadeus that if King Lizwater instead of coming to reasonable accord should come against him with the emperor of Rome and a great power he would be pleased to assist him in defending the wrong princes he being one of the principal ministers whom God appointed to maintain justice upon earth when the emperor heard this he saw that it was a weighty matter for he knew the worth of King Lizwater and how highly he prized his honour and he knew also the haughtiest spirit of El Patin how much more he was guided by pride than by reason yet considering the justice of the cause and how Amadeus had travelled so far to see him and the promise he had made albeit it were made lightly and with no such meaning as was now given to it and calling to mind also the wrongs he had formally received from the emperor of Rome he replied you have told me great things master and from a good man like you it is to be believed since then the brave Amadeus had need of my sucker I will give it him as fully as I promised even as the word of so great a man given to so renowned a knight ought to be accomplished I never yet began thing which I did not carry through to the end then were all day rejoiced who heard and above all gastolas the nephew of the emperor who knelt down and we saw that he might go with this sucker good nephew replied the emperor I am well pleased that you should and I command you and the Marquis Saladier to take charge of providing such a fleet as becomes my rank and if need be you shall go in it and give battle to the emperor of Rome you may well think how master Elizabeth rejoiced to receive such an answer sir said he for what you said I kiss your hand on the part of the night who sent me and for myself who bears the embassy being such as I am I kiss your feet now then I pray you for I have much to do give me leave to depart and if the emperor of Rome should send his forces do you dispatch yours in time to meet them go in God's name master replied the emperor leave the rest to me if need be you shall see who I am and how I esteem Amadeus the master then took leave and returned to the land of his lady Grisinda end of book full chapter 18 book full chapters 19 to 24 of Amadeus of Gull this is a lipovox recording all lipovox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit lipovox.org recording by Anna Simon Amadeus of Gull by Vasco de L'Ober translated by Robert Southey book full chapter 19 how Gandolin arrived in Gull and spake with King Perion out of the answer which he had joyfully was Gandolin welcomed in Gull because the good tidings which he brought of Amadeus of whom for a long time nothing had been known presently he took King Perion apart and told all that he had been sent to say now because this king was so brave that he feared no danger how great so ever especially if it regarded this his son who was like a shining mirror in the world and whom he so dearly loved he replied Gandolin what you desire shall speedily be done and if he should see your lord before I see him say to him that I should not have held him for a night if he had suffered that wrong to go unredressed for such enterprises are appointed for such hearts as his I say unto you that if King L'Izuarte will not be brought a reason it shall be to his own loss but take heed that you say nothing of this to my son Galaur who is here so ill that we've often thought him more dead than alive and even now he's in great danger nor to his comrade Norandel who has come hither to see him for I will communicate it to him Gandolin replied I will bear it in mind and glad am I that you have thus forewarned me go now to him said the king and tell him news of his brother Gandolin then went to Galaur's chamber whom he found so weak and sick that he wondered at seeing him and he knelt down to kiss his hand then Galaur looked and knew that it was Gandolin and the tears came into his eyes for joy welcome friend Gandolin what news brings thou of my lord and brother Amades sir replied the squire he remains well and in health in the firm island and knows nothing of your malady neither did I till my lord the king told me thereof I came hither by his command to inform the king and queen of his return and greatly will he be troubled when he learns what plight you are in whom he loves and esteems more than any other of his lineage Noradel then came up and embraced him and asked for Amades Gandolin said to him the same as he had told Galaur and he related some of the adventures which he had achieved in the islands of Romania and in those foreign parts thereabout sir quothed Noradel to Don Galaur reason is it that at such news you should take heart and shake off your sickness that we may go see this night as God shall help me he is so excellent at night that all day you have any worth in them ought to think little of the toil of the longest journey to see him while they were thus talking the king came in and taking Noradel by the hand after some talk let him out of the chamber my good friend then said he it behoves you without delay to go to the king your father for by what I learn he will stand for help and of all his friends but say nothing of this to your friend Galaur for it would excite in him such agitation that much harm might come of it seeing how weak he is Noradel answered the advisor of so good a man as you ought to be followed without enquiring to its cause I will take leave of Galaur tonight and put to sea tomorrow for my ship is ready this the king did that Noradel might fulfil his duty to watch his father so that he might not see the preparations for war which were going on that day were they more in hope of Don Galaur by reason of the joy he had for the tidings of his brother Gandalin also said to the queen what Amadis had bidden him and she replied that she would do all that he desired but Gandalin my friend said she I am much troubled at this news for my son must now be in great care and hereafter in great danger of his person fear nothing lady Gandalin made answer he will raise such false that neither king Lysorte nor the emperor of Rome will dare attack him may it please God Kwathchee that it be so when night came Noradel said to Don Galaur sir I must now depart for as your illness is so lingering and I can nothing profit you it is better that I should attend to other things you know it is not long since I have been a knight nor have I yet gained honour to be esteemed a man of worth by good man the news of your manity called me from a quest which I'd undertaken when I left the king my father's house and I must now go where I am needed God knows this parting grieves me but if it please him while I am performing this from which I cannot be excused you will recover and then I will return to you and we will go together to seek adventures at this Galaur's side with exceeding sorrow since it must be so you must obey the will of God and if perchance you go to the court of my lord your father kiss his hand for me and tell him that I remain at his service though as you see more dead than alive Noradel then took his leave and on the morrow sailed to great prison chapter 20 how Lassindo the squire of Don Brunio of Bonamar went with the bidding of his master to the Marquis and to Brownfield and of what he did with them Lassindo the squire of Don Brunio of Bonamar arrived where the Marquis sojourned and when he delivered his master's bidding to him and to Brownfield so grieved was Brownfield that he had not been with those knights at the rescue of Oriana that he feigned would have killed himself so he knelt down to his father and earnestly and treated him to do what his brother requested the Marquis who was a good knight and who knew the great friendship which his sons bore to Amades and all his lineage and the honour which they had thereby gained made answer trouble not yourself my son for I will completely do what he desires and if need be will send you to him with such succour that yours shall not be the worst company there for this Brownfield kissed his hand and orders were then immediately given to prepare a fleet and forces for this Marquis was a great lord and wealthy and had many good knights in his lordship and many soldiers all well equipped Chapter 21 How Isango went with the bidding of Amades to the good king of Bohemia and of the good success which he met with When Isango the knight of the firm island arrived in the kingdom of Bohemia and gave a letter of Amades to King Tafinor there is no man can tell the pleasure which the king felt you are welcome here knight said he and I thank God for the message which he have brought me you shall see with what good will I receive it and whether or not the trouble of your journey was well employed then he called for his son Grassendor and said to him Sir, read this letter which the knight of the green sword has sent me for you were witness of the service which he did me and how he delivered me from the most cruel and perilous war in which ever king was engaged in which by reason of the great power and unreasonable pride of a Roman emperor both you and I should have been undone and be like brought to death but for his sucker and know that this knight is that Amades of Gole of whom such renown is gone abroad through all the world as soon as Grassendor had read the letter and heard the bidding of Isango he said oh sir, what joy it is to my heart that this noble knight should now stand in need of your help and see the sense and the gratitude which you feel for his past services I beseech you let Count Galtiness remain to lead the sucker and give me leave to go immediately with twenty knights to the firm island for it will be greatly to my honour to be in company of such knights as are there assembled so if you wish it replied the king and God sent you a good voyage and that we with our whole kingdom may repay him the sucker which he with his single person afforded us so Prince Grassendor the heir of King Tafener of Bohemia chose out twenty knights and put to sea and sailed towards the firm island Chapter 22 How London, the nephew of Don Quaragante arrived in Ireland and spake secretly with the queen as he had been enjoined to do and when she heard of the great discord albeit she knew that her father King Aebius of Ireland had been slain by the hand of Amades as it is written in the first part of his history and though she bore in her heart that enmity which in such cases is usual yet she considered it was better to remedy present evils than resent the past and she thought it was a good idea and she thought it was a good idea than resent the past therefore she spake with those whom she trusted and so devised that great aid was made ready for her uncle Don Quaragante without the knowledge of King Kildadan thus as you've heard were all these various forces raised and ready when they should be needed having such goodwill and eagerness as they who would be conquerors Chapter 23 How Don Guillaume the pensive went to Rome with the bidding of King Lisuarte and of what he did in his embassy to the Emperor Patyn Such speed did Don Guillaume the pensive make that in twenty days after his departure from Great Britain he arrived at Rome he found the Emperor Patyn ready with a great train and great preparations to receive Oriana whom he every day expected for his cousin Salaston Cudio and Bronner Hull of the Rock to inform him they were dispatched so that he had made ready for her reception and marveled much at our long delay Don Guillaume armed as he was at all points except his head and hands entered the palace and knelt before the Emperor and kissed his hand and gave him the letter which he had brought the Emperor knew him well having often seen him in the house of King Lisuarte at what time he returned there badly wounded with the stroke which Amidis had given him on the night in the forest as you've heard in the second book of this history and he said to him you're welcome Don Guillaume I suppose you're come with your Lady Oriana tell me where she and all my people tarry Sir replied the night, she and your people are in a place neither befitting them nor you read this letter and then I will tell you more than you expect to hear when the Emperor had read the letter being impatient by nature he exclaimed now tell me before all these what you have to say for I can have patience no longer but when Don Guillaume had finished his speech he exclaimed O wretched Emperor of Rome if thou dost not chastise this thou deservest not to live another hour in this world and then he turned to the night and said is it certain that Oriana is taken away by the slain certain beyond all doubt replied Don Guillaume all has passed as I've told you go back again night then said the Emperor and tell the King your Master that I take upon myself this injury and the vengeance due and that he need do nothing more than look on and behold what I will do for if I wished to be allied with him it was not to give him care or trouble any wrong that might be wrought him Sir said Don Guillaume you make answer like a mighty Prince as you are and a Knight of Great Courage yet you will have to do with such men that all King Lizard's force will be needed as well as yours the King my Master has ever till now taken full satisfaction from those who have wronged him and so he will continue to do since you have given me so good a dispatch I will return without delay and see that all things needful be made ready with that he took his leave and went his way not well content in heart for he was a great noble and well conditioned Knight and when he saw how arrogantly and with how little thought that Emperor spake it grieved him to the heart to see the King his Master allied with such a man from whose company unless by great good fortune nothing but shame and loss of honour was to be expected and many times he lamented as he went along the great loss which King Lizard had suffered by his own fault in losing Amadeus and all those good men of his lineage who for the sake of Amadeus had formerly been in his service and were now become his enemies after much toil he reached Great Britain and told the King that the Emperor was preparing to set forth with all speed God grant sir said he that your alliance with this man may be to your honour for as God shall help me I am little pleased with his arrogance and can expect nothing good from any force which hath such a leader the King answered Don Guion I rejoice at your safe return having you and such as you in my service we need nothing more than the forces of the Emperor for you are well able to direct both him and me but since he hath given you such an answer we must take care to be so prepared that when he arrives he shall not think so much of his own power as he now does so with all diligence King Lizard prepared his forces for he knew that his enemies were assembling aid from all parts and that the Emperor of Constantinople and the King of Bohemia and King Perion of Gaul and many other princes were raising men to send to the firm island and happy he thought himself in the land he likewise knew how King Aravigo and Barson and Lord of Sansuena were arming and knew not for what purpose at this time Brannoyas returned and said that King Kildarren of Ireland was preparing to obey his summons but that Don Galvanas requested he would not call upon him to act against Amadeus and his nephew Agraeus but if the King would not be so content he besought him to set him free from his homage and take back the island of Mungasa as had been stipulated that so long as he held it he should be the King's vassal and when he chose to be so no longer he might give up the island and remain free the King, though his necessity was so great yet saw that Don Galvanas spake with reason and sent to tell him he might remain in peace for though he could not serve him in this quarrel at this time when he might make amends moreover Tidings soon came by Phyllis Penel that King Gaskrion of Sweden had well received the embassy and had promised to come aid the King and fight with Amadeus which had so long desired to do the King therefore knowing what preparations were now made called for Guyentes and said to him, nephew you must need to go with all speed and tell him I am well pleased with what he had said to me by Don Gryon and that I am going to my court at Windsor because it is near the port where you will land there I shall assemble my force and he will find me encamped expecting his arrival say that I beseech him to come as speedily as possible for if at first we can exceed our enemies in number much of the aid which they expect will fail do not you nephew leave room till he comes himself for that will hasten him then Lisvarte departed for Windsor and Guyentes put to sea Chapter 24 How Grasandor son of the King of Bohemia met Guyentes and what passed between them you have heard how Prince Grasandor had embarked with twenty knights for the firm island now it is so fortunate that he fell in by night with the ship which carried Guyentes on his embassy to Rome and gave orders to his men to bear up to her that he might see who was on board Guyentes having none other than mariners with him and certain of his servants could make no resistance and was brought before Grasandor who asked him who he was he replied a knight of King Lisvarte going with his bidding to the Emperor of Rome if for curtsy you will release me that I may proceed on my way I shall hold myself obliged for you have neither cause nor reason to detain me Grasandor answered knight I expect soon to be against the king you speak of in aid of Amadeus of Gaul and I am therefore not bound to treat any of his people well yet shall I deal courageously with you and will let you depart provided you tell me your name and what is your embassy to the Emperor it would be to my honour and to my master's service said Guyentes if I were not asked that question but my embassy is public and I shall do my duty in avowing it my name is Guyentes King Lisvarte is my uncle I go to bring the Emperor and all his force as speedily as can be to go with the king my uncle against those who have carried away his daughter Oriana now it please you let me depart you have spoken like a knight replied Grasandor I set you free and come quickly with the force you are to bring for you will find those whom you seek ready Guyentes then went his way and Grasandor immediately sent one of his knights in a vessel which he brought with him to the king his father to tell him what he had learnt and request him to observe when the Emperor departed and then without delay he found galtiness with the sucker for much to their honour would it be if they should arrive the first Grasandor then sailed on and arrived without let or danger at the port of the firm island when the islanders saw a ship come in they informed Amades who forthwith sent to know who came in her but when he heard it was Prince Grasandor son to the king of Bohemia he greatly rejoiced and took with him Don Cuadragante and Agaes and rode to welcome him when they met they embraced each other like true friends and Grasandor after their greeting told him how he had met Guyentes and had sent to bit the suckers proceed without waiting for father summons if all our friends Cuadragante help us with the like goodwill little need we fear this danger then they rode to the castle and Amades took Grasandor to his apartment and gave order that his company should be well lodged and provided and he sent to inform all his knights of the prince's arrival that they might go welcome him forthwith they all repaired to the apartment of Amades being clad richly in the dress of war as they were ever accustomed to be when in time of rest and when Grasandor saw so many knights whose fame was so spread abroad he thought himself greatly honoured to be in their company now when it was known to what end Guyentes had been sent to Rome messengers were dispatched without delay for all the sucker and because it would be tedious to relate how they all severally sped in their embassy we will only tell you that they all arrived and that all the suckers embarked and sailed to the firm island the good king Perion brought three thousand knights King Tafinar of Bohemia sent one thousand five hundred knights with Count Galtiness Tantalus brought one thousand two hundred from Queen Briollania six hundred came with Bran Phil the brother of Don Brunio six hundred from Ireland with Don Quaregantes nephew London King Laracin of Spain sent two thousand to his son Don Brian of Monchaste Don Gandales came from Scotland with fifteen hundred for Agrius the emperor of Constantinople sent eight thousand with his nephew Gasteles all these came to the firm island but the first to arrive was King Perion by reason that his kingdom lay the nearest if he was well received by his sons and by all those chiefs need not be said by his advice it was resolved that all the forces of the island should go out and pitch their tents upon a plain that lay below the castle which abounded with springs and was surrounded with trees and so soon as any suckers arrived they were immediately there and camped but who can tell when they were all assembled what knights and horses and arms were there Cirtus you may well believe that never in memory of man was such knights and so many assembled together on behalf of any prince but Arianna did nothing but weep and curse her ill fortune that would occasion so great destruction unless it pleased God in his mercy to provide some remedy all those ladies who were in her company consult her the best they could saying that neither she nor they who served her could stand accused to God or to the world and I'll bet she was loathe they made her go up to the top of the tower from whence she could see the plain and all the people who were and camped there and when she beheld the plain covered with people and so many glittering arms and so many tents she thought all the world were up in arms then while the others were all wondering at the site Mabilia seeing that none could hear her said what think you is there another in the world who has such a servant and friend as you Arianna answered ah lady my true friend what shall I do my heart cannot bear this on one side is he who is the light of my eyes and the consolation of my poor heart without whom I could not live and on the other is my father to whom cruel as I have found him I cannot but feel that true love which as his child I owe him read that I am whichever of these should perish I must be the most unhappy woman that ever lived and then she wept and wrung her hands Mabilia took her hands for God's sake lady desist from this and put your trust in God if evil should come remember that wrongs like yours cannot be lightly remedied and thank God that the sin is not yours Arianna felt the truth of this and was somewhat consoled when King Perion saw all the forces encamped he took both Grasandor and Agraias and said he would go visit Arianna and he bade Amades and on Floristan remain with the army when Arianna heard of the coming of the king she was greatly pleased for she had never seen him since he knighted the child of the sea by her request at the house of King Longuines of Scotland she assembled all her ladies to receive him when he entered her apartment courageously saluted her and she humbly returned the salutation then he addressed the queen's Briollania and Sardamira and all the other princesses and demsels Mabilia then came forward and knelt before him and would have kissed his hand but he drew her toward him and embraced her with exceeding love and said to her Dear niece, I bring many remembrances from the queen your aunt and cousin M'lissia as to one whom they greatly esteem and love Gandalin will tell you the queen's bidding for he remains to come with M'lissia that she may keep company with this lady who so well deserves it then he turned to Arianna and said Good my lady, the same reason that made me feel for your wrongs hath bound me to labour to redress them and for this am I come hither to you take good heart and put your trust in God for he will help you and reinstate you in that greatness which your own virtue and the justness of your cause deserve Arianna, though while he spoke looked earnestly at the king his person was so goodly and he spoke so well that she thought in herself he well deserved to be the father of such sons and that his great renown was but reasonable Sir, she replied what requital can a poor wretched and distressed damsel like me make for what you have said cert as none other than what all those whose injuries you have heretofore redressed have made to tell you that in so doing you are serving God and increasing the great fame which you have already won one thing I beseech you sir do for me try every means to bring about peace with the king my father for this will please God in saving the lives of so many as must needs perish else and it would make me the happiest woman in the world the king answered things are now in such state that this would be very difficult but often times when enmity appears to be at its extreme peace is then procured which could never be obtained before and be sure that if it can be I shall with all good will procure it both for the service of God and for your sake as one whom I so much desired to serve at that Oriana humbly gave him thanks like one in whom virtue abounded more than in any other woman while they were thus in talk Agraeus and Grassandor converse with Queen Briollania and Queen Sardamira and Olinda and the other ladies and when Grassandor saw Oriana and all her company how excellently fair they were above all that ever he had yet seen or heard of so astonished was he that he knew not what to say and he could not but believe that God himself had made them with his own hand and I'll bite that except Melissa who was not there present there was not one who equaled the beauty of Oriana and Queen Briollania and Olinda yet was he so pleased with the gaiety and grace and good humour of Mabilia that from that hour he was never inclined so to love and serve any other woman and thus his heart was taken and the more he looked at her the greater his affection grew as as usual in such occasions he being thus disturbed like a young man who had never before been out of his father's kingdom now desired Agraeus in the names of those ladies who were with Oriana Agraeus named them all to him and told him the greatness of their rank he then asked who Mabilia was for she was talking with King Perion Agraeus replied she was his sister and he did not believe there was a woman in the world of better nature nor more beloved by all who knew her Grassendor upon this was silent and thought in his heart assuredly what Agraeus said was true and so in very deed it was for all who knew the Princess Mabilia loved her for her gentleness and gaiety thus as they were all conversing cheerfully in the hope to cheer Oriana who could feel no joy Queen Briolania said to Agraeus Good sir, am I great friend I have occasioned to speak with Don Corragante and Don Brian of Mohasta before you I recede you let them come hither before you depart immediately Agraeus sent to call them and when they came the Queen let them apart with Agraeus and said you know from what imminent peril I was delivered by you under God and how you gave my cousin Trion into my power whom I now hold prisoner I have been pondering much how to deal with him for on the one hand my uncle who so treacherously slew my father and the seed of so bad a man all to perish lest other like treasons spring up from it on the other hand I remember our nearness of kin and that children often differ greatly from their fathers and that this attack which he made upon me was committed like a young man whom evil counsellors had advised I have not therefore known how to determine and beseech you persons whose prudence always knows what ought to be done to tell me your judgment to this Don Brian of Mahasta replied my good lady your discretion hath so aptly urged all that can be said on this case that there remains nothing to advise except it be to remind you that one of the causes for which great princes are most praised and by which their persons and dominions are most secured is clemency by using which they obey the command of him whose ministers they are and to whom doing their duty they all to refer the consequence it would be well for the deciding one of your doubts to call him here lady by speaking with him you may perhaps form some judgment of what cannot be known in his absence Prielania then requested King Perion not to depart till she had decided with those knights upon a point which nearly concerned her then was Trion brought in he appeared before the queen with much humility yet with such a presence as well showed the great lineage of which he came Trion said the queen to him whether I have caused to pardon you or amades to execute vengeance for the wrong you have done you yourself know you also well know what your father did to mine how by it as these things are past and as I know that you are the nearest of my blood I move not only to have pity upon your youth you having that sense of your fault which you ought to have but also to place you in that rank and honor that instead of an enemy you should become my friend and servant speak therefore before these knights what is your choice and let there come nothing from your lips but that truth which besiems such lineage Trion who had not expected this replied lady as to what touches my father I am by reason of my tender years at the time acquitted for myself certain it is that by my own good will as well as the council of others I would have placed you in such straights and myself in such honor that I might have obtained the rank suitable to my birth but fortune as she was to my father and brethren even so had she shown herself country to me there remains therefore nothing for my remedy but acknowledge that you are the rightful in heritrix of the kingdom of our forefathers and also to acknowledge your great mercy and favor towards me that so I may by my services and your good pleasure obtain what my heart sought to gain from your force the queen answered if you Trion will do as you say and be my loyal vessel I will be to you not as a cousin but even as a sister and you shall receive such favor from me and shall fully satisfy your honor then Trion bent his knee before her and kissed her hand and from that time forward he bore himself so loyally in all things that his authority in the kingdom was almost like her own you are free then said she and I require you to take charge of these my people who are here and to obey the orders of Amades greatly did the knights praise this action of the fair queen and greatly did they honor Trion as in truth he well deserved King Perion and the knights now took leave and returned to the camp and found that Balaise of Carcante had just arrived with twenty knights of his lineage all good men and well armed to serve Amades this Balaise was one of those whom Amades had delivered from the cruel prison of Arcalaus the Enchanter and he it was who cut off the head of the damsel that had engaged Amades and Galaur in fight to destroy each other and Cirtus had it not been for this action of Balaise the one or both would then have died he brought tidings that King Lysorte was in camp near Windsor and that by what he could hear he had about six thousand horsemen with him besides foot soldiers and that the emperor of Rome had arrived with a great fleet and that landed and pitched his camp near the kings Gasquilan king of Sweden also had brought eight hundred good knights and King Kildadan two hundred but he believed they would not advance for fifteen days because they were all wary with the voyage all this Balaise of Carcante could well learn for he held a good castle in a lordship in Lysorte and it was so situated that he could with little trouble learn news of his forces early on the following morning master Helesabad arrived in the haven with Grassaners two hundred knights and archers when Amades knew his arrival he went with Angriote and Don Bruneo to receive them the forces were in camp and Libio the master's nephew with them as their captain they then took the master and led him to King Perion and told who he was and how he had saved Amades from death after the combat with the Andriago and that at this season there could not have been any person whose coming would so profit them the king courtiously welcomed him and said good friend after the battle we must decide the question to whom Amades is most indebted to me who under God produced him from nothing or to you who from death recovered him to life the master kissed his hand and then said pleasantly let it be so sir I will not yield the advantage to you to the question has been searched then he told the king that he was certainly informed how the emperor of Rome had set out with his fleet carrying ten thousand horsemen and that Castellus nephew of the emperor of Constantinople was now on the sea with eight thousand horsemen in aid of Amades and would he believed arrive now in three days end of book four chapter 24 book four chapters 25 to 27 of Amades of Goal this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Anna Simon Amades of Goal translated by Robert Southy book four chapter 25 how the emperor of Rome liberated the great prison and what he and King Lizwater did the history said that Guantes after he left Grazandor proceeded to Rome and by his diligence and that of the emperor the fleet was soon equipped and the ten thousand knights embarked and they set sail and arrived safely in the haven near Windsor when King Lizwater heard of his arrival he rode with the kings kill Dardan and Gasquilan the good men to receive him and they embraced each other with great joy king said the emperor if you have received any wrong or grievance for my sake I am here to satisfy your honor with double victory and as I alone have been the cause of this I would you would allow that I alone might take vengeance the punishment which I inflict may be an example to all that none may dare offend so powerful as I the king answered my good lord and friend you and your people are now wary of your voyage let them recover from their fatigue in the meanwhile we shall learn tidings of our enemies and when that is known you shall take what council pleases you the emperor would have marched on without delay but Lizwater who better knew what was necessary for he was well aware that on this battle everything depended so they remained eight days in the camp receiving the forces who every day came in one day as the emperor and the kings and many knights in their company were riding in the fields near the camp they saw a knight approach and a squire with him carrying his arms if anyone asks who this knight was I answer he was with King Enel the nephew of Don Ganderles when he came to the camp he asked if Arquisil were there who was kinsman to the emperor he was answered yes and that he was then riding with the emperor Enel then rode up to the company who are now halting by a brookside and talking about the battle he humbly saluted them and they on their part bait him welcome Enel answered sirs I come from the firm island with the bidding of my lord the noble knight Amadeus of Gaul son of King Perion to a knight called Arquisil Arquisil answered I am he whom you seek then said Enel Arquisil Amadeus of Gaul sensed to say that when he was at the court of King Taffanar of Bohemia he was calling himself the knight of the green sword on the day after his battle with Don Gardan he entered into the lists with you and your companions and you are made his prisoner and by him said at liberty on your promise is a true knight that you would return and put yourself into his power whenever he required it he now by me calls upon you to fulfill your word as so good a man as ought certus knight answered Arquisil what you say is true it only remains to be assured that he who called himself the knight of the green sword is Amadeus of Gaul certain knights who are present said that without doubt it was so then Arquisil said to the emperor you have heard sir what this knight demands I can no ways excuse myself but must perform that which I owe he gave me my life and prevented the other knights from killing me who were well inclined to do it I beseech you sir be not displeased at my going for if I should fail in my promise you powerful and great as you are ought neither to have me in your company nor acknowledge me for your kin the emperor with his wanted wand of temper without doubt you knight who come hither on the part of Amadeus tell him he ought to be quite satisfied with offering me those little insults which little man can offer to the great and that the time is come when I shall show him who I am and what I can do tell him that he can no where escape me not even in that den of thieves where he lurks he shall soon make sevenfold restitution you Arquisil do as you are required it will not be long before I shall put this man by whom you were taken into your hands that you may have your will of him when Enil heard this he grew angry and fearlessly replied I wean sir Amadeus knows what you can do already for he met you once as an errant knight not as a great prince and you did not depart from him quite so easily but now as you come in another manner so in another manner will he meet you let them who know the past remember it God only knows the future at this King Lizwater was fearful as the knight should receive some hurt at the emperor's command which would greatly have displeased him as indeed what had been said had done for it was his manner to be rigorous indeed but fair in speech so to prevent more he took the emperor by the hand and said let us go to our tents for it is time to sup and let this knight enjoy the freedom which ambassadors used to and ought to possess the emperor then went away as much in anger as though what had past had been with his peer but Arquisil took Enil to his tent and showed him much honour and they rode together like friends to the firm island near the camp and Arquisil saw so great a force for the suckers from the emperor of Constantinople were now arrived he marveled greatly yet gave he no sign of wonder Enil took him to the tent of Amades by whom he was courteously received there he remained four days and Amades showed him the army and all those noble knights the fame of whose prowess was gone abroad through all the world he was the astonished to behold so mighty a power but in particular to behold so many good knights for he well knew that if any disaster should befall the emperor it would be by their means for of the rest he thought little and would have felt no fear of them if they had not had such leaders well too did he perceive that as lord the emperor needed great force to give them battle and he thought himself an unhappy man a prisoner at such a time for if he had heard afar off that such a battle was to be weighed he would have hastened to bear apart and now it would be in his sight even and yet he could not be there for this he accounted himself the most unfortunate man in the world and the tears ran down his cheeks and in this great grief he resolved to prove the virtue and nobleness of Amades so when the brave Amades was with the knights in the tent of king Perion and Arquisil with them because the place of his prison had not been appointed he rose up and said to the king may it please you sir to hear me before these knights and Amades of Gaul the king said willingly and made him speak then Arquisil related how he had been conquered by Amades and on what terms taken to mercy but now if Amades will deal towards me with that generosity which he has ever shown and permit me in this great battle to serve my lord the emperor I promise before you and all these knights if I escape with life to yield myself up into his hands again Amades would listen to him standing to show him more honor replied Arquisil my good sir if I regarded the intolerable arrogance of your emperor I might justly requited with cruelty to all his people but his fall is not yours and the time is hard at hand when the virtue of each of us shall be put to proof I give you therefore leave to be in the battle and if you survive it and are in no danger come in ten days after to this island thankfully did Arquisil acknowledge that noble treatment he was able to hold his hands and arms and depart it and arrived without lead or hindrance at the emperor's camp now I would have you know that the reason why all these knights performed such long journeys without meeting any adventure was because they heated nothing but to prepare for the great battle and would therefore meddle with nothing of less moment that might keep them from it when Arquisil came to the camp he spoke with the emperor and what a mighty power was there assembled and the names of all the good knights who were come to his succour and be assured said he that so soon as they know you have moved on they will advance to meet you arrogant as the emperor was yet when he heard this from so good a knight and one who he knew would speak nothing but what was true he was dismayed as they used to be whose courage lies more in words than in actions and he wished he had never been brought into this quarrel he'd expected that Amadeus never could have raised a force to oppose him and King Lizorta and that they should have blocked him up by sea and by land so that either by famine or treaty he might recover Oriana and vindicate his honor but thence forward the hope and confidence which he expressed was more than in truth he felt and he conformed himself more to the advice of King Lizorta and his good man fifteen days they remained in the camp mustering their forces which were found to be as follows the emperor brought ten thousand horsemen King Lizorta six thousand five hundred Gasquilang king of Sweden eight hundred King Kildadan two hundred when all was ready the army were ordered to march the emperor divided his host into three divisions the first of two thousand five hundred knights he gave to Florian the brother of Solestong Credio the second with a light number to Arquicil the other five thousand he reserved for his own command and he requested King Lizorta to let him be in the van to which the king ascended though he would far rather have taken that post himself for he thought little of the Romans and fear that they might by their confusion occasion some great loss how bide to do the emperor honor he consented which in such a case was ill done for then all affection should be laid aside and nothing but reason consulted King Lizorta made two divisions of his force the one of three thousand knights he gave to King Arban of north Wales and with him he appointed Narendel to go and don Guyan the pensive and Sendel of Ganote and Brandoyas three thousand of his knights he gave to King Kildadan and King Gasquilan which with their own thousand made another division of the rest he took charge himself his standard he gave to the good Don Gromedan who with great sorrow and heaviness of heart reflected on that ill exchange which King Lizorta had made to make such man his enemies and choose such for his friends all this being thus ordered the army moved on behind the baggage which went forward at the camp might be pitched Chapter 26 How King Perion advanced with his people against his enemies and how he arrayed his army for the battle the history said that as this King Perion was a knight of great courage and one whom Fortune had always hitherto assisted to uphold his honor and seeing himself broad into such a contest which affected his sons at all his lineage and knowing likewise the great courage of King Lizorta and what a revenge of injuries wrought to him he was for these things he was always pondering on what it behoved him to provide for he was well aware that if the chance went against him that he would not be satisfied with victory but like a mad dog would hunt them out wherever they should retreat and think nothing of any fatigue or difficulty in pursuing them even as he himself should do if he were the conqueror he therefore among other needful things was careful to have trusty persons in those parts where they could observe the movements of the enemy and by them he was now advised how and in what order they were on their march so on the morrow be times he rose and summoned all the chiefs in the night of his lineage and how he thought they should raise their camp and divide their army that every man might know what standard and what leader he was to follow and that having so done they should march to meet the enemy and give them battle in full confidence that they should be victorious in so just a cause to this they all accorded and earnestly they besought that both because of his high rank and of his great courage and discretion he would take the charge of leading and directing them all promising to obey his orders this he accepted well knowing that what they proposed was right and that which he could not reasonably decline then he ordered the council to be carried into effect the camp was raised and the forces all armed and mounted assembled in that wide plain this good king rode in the midst of them on a goodly horse three squires were with him and ten pages all on horseback and all bearing one device whose appointment was to ride about the field of battle and give their horses to such knights as should be and needed them he was now at that age that the most part of his hair and beard was grey his countenance was somewhat flushed with the heat of his armour and somewhat by the thoughts of his heart all knew his courage and the sight of him gave courage to all they lost all fear and made no doubt but that under God such a leader would assuredly give them the victory he looked at Don Quaragante and said, brave knight I entrust the van to you with my son Amadis and Angriotta of Estravaus and Don Gavarte of the perilous veil and Enil and Balais of Carcente and London with the five hundred knights of Ireland and fifteen hundred of my people you, my good nephew Agraeus shall lead the second division with Don Brunio of Bonamar and his brother Branfil and their troops and your own in all sixteen hundred knights you, honorable knight Grassandor shall take the third division and thou, my son Florestan with him and Don Dragones and Lara din of Faharque and Elian the bold and Trion with the people of Queen Briolania who with the forces of King Tafenor will make a company of sixteen hundred knights then he turned to Don Brian of Monchaste you, my good nephew shall have the fourth with your own people and with three thousand of the Greeks so that you shall be five thousand in all and with you Mankyan of the Silver Bridge and Sodomon and Ollandin he appointed Don Ganderles with a thousand to carry what should be most needed he himself took to his charge Dacilus and the remainder of the forces which the emperor of Constantinople had sent and he bade all the army look to the emperor's standard and regarded as though he himself were there in person all being thus appointed the army moved on with the sound of many trumpets and other instruments of war Oriana and the queen and princesses and dames and damsels of her company beheld them and in their hearts be sought God to help or rather if it were his good pleasure to give them peace Chapter 27 how when Archelaus the Enchanter knew that all these forces were collected for battle he in all haste called upon King Aravigo and his companions now Archelaus the Enchanter had as you've heard stirred up King Aravigo and Barsunon Lord of Sansuena and the king of the deep island who had escaped from the battle of the seven kings and all the lineage of Dardan the proud and when he knew that Amades and King Lysorte had collected their forces he dispatched a knight called Garin who was the son of Gromen one of the Enchanters Kinsmen whom Amades slew when he rescued Oriana him he bade rest neither day nor night till he had born intelligence to all those chiefs meantime he himself assembled the Kinsmen of Dardan and all his own forces this Garin came to King Aravigo whom he found in Araviga the two city of all his realm from which all the kings thereof were called Aravigos because great part of their dominions lay in the land of Arabia the king at this news without delay assembled all his forces and they pitched their tents in the plains near Calafan which was a principal town in Sanzuena twelve thousand nights were they in Numba there they prepared their fleet and stored it with food and abundance as men who were going against the strange land and from thence they put to sea and with a fair wind in eight days they arrived at a port in Great Britain where Archelaus had a strong castle Archelaus had with him six thousand good knights who all hated King Lizorta and Amades for having hunted down and slain many of their chiefs and put them to flight themselves like evildoers as they were I cannot tell you the joy there was at this meeting so as Archelaus had learned from his spies that the king and Amades were advancing to meet each other he set forth without delay Barcelona led the van he was a young knight and strong eager to revenge the deaths of his father and of his brother Gandalot and to show his own prowess he had under him archers and crossbowmen and two thousand knights Archelaus who as you may well believe was not inferior to him in great strength and courage that the second division though half his right hand he had could there hardly be found a better knight in arms if his ill deeds had not taken away all the renown which his hardyhood gained he led on six hundred knights and two thousand four hundred whom King Aravigo gave him King Aravigo himself and that other king of the deep island led the third detachment with all the other forces and they had with them six knights all akin to Afania whom Amades slew in the battle of the seven kings as is recorded in the third book of this history these six knights came from a Sagittary island where it is said the Sagittaries at first made their habitation and they were huge in body and strong like those who were descended in a right line from the eugest and most valiant giants that were ever in this world these knights when they heard of such great preparations came by their own good will to revenge the death of that Brontaxar who was a chief of all the lineage and also to prove themselves against those knights of whom such renown was gone abroad for these causes they came to King Aravigo who greatly rejoiced at their coming and besought them to go in his division the which they promised though against their will to have been in the front of the battle at this time the Duke of Bristol arrived he though he had been required by Archelaus would not at first engage thinking what he said was rash and ill advised but when he saw so great a power assembled he then thought at his wisest cause to join them that he might revenge the death of his father whom Don Galvanus and Agaius and Olivas slew and also that he might recover the lands which have been forfeited by his father's death he had conceived that if Lisuarta was put to the worst he should regain his inheritance but if Amadeus was defeated then should he be revenge upon those who had so injured him when King Aravigo and the other chiefs knew who he was they were more joyful of his coming because he was a native of the land and had towns and castles therein and they would have been if a foreigner had joined them with a greater force King Aravigo gave him five hundred knights in addition to his own force and in this array they set forward marching by byways that they might be the more secure end of book 4 chapter 27 book 4 chapter 28 of Amadeus of Gull this is a Libberfox recording recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Libberfox.org recording by Anna Simon Amadeus of Gull by Vasco de Libera translated by Robert Southey book 4 chapter 28 how the Emperor of Rome and King Lisuarta went with all their force towards the firm island to seek their enemies the history said that the Emperor of Rome and King Lisuarta broke up their camp before Winsor and set forth with all that company whereof you've heard they resolved to proceed leisurely that their men and horses might be fresh at the meeting so the first day they proceeded only three leagues and at this pace they continued their progress till they learned that King Perion was on his way to meet them and was then only two days journey distant incontinently King Lisuarta commanded Ladassin the cousin of Don Guillain the Pensive to take fifty nights and keep three leagues before the army he on the third day fell in with the advanced guard of King Perion fourteen nights led by Enail and sent forward for the same precaution both parties then stopped and sent each the tidings not daring to come to an encounter for that had been forbidden them the two armies continued to advance and were now within half a league of each other upon a great and wide plain in either army there were many nights skillful in war that neither in this respect could boast of much advantage over the other and it seemed as if by common accord they set about fortifying their camp with ditches and other means of defence in case they should need such helps in retreat while the armies were thus employed Gandalin arrived who had taken Melissia to the camp and had since hastened with his utmost speed to come up before the battle the reason was this you know that Gandalin was the son of the good knight Don Gandales and the milk brother of Amades from the day in which Amades then calling himself the child of the sea was made a knight he knew that they were not brothers though till then they had ever thought themselves such and from that hour Gandalin had always attended him as his squire now though he had often besought his master to make him a knight yet Amades could never have a resolution to do that which by reason he ought to have done and to which he was greatly bound for his father's sake who fostered him and for his own being the best squire that ever served a knight yet because Gandalin knew the secret of his love and was his only comforter the only one with whom he could talk about Orianna he could not bear to lose him as he must have done had he knighted him for then Gandalin must need to have gone his way to seek adventures and gain the praise of prowess but now that Amades had his lady Orianna in his power and was resolved not to part with her except he lost his life Gandalin knew that he might reasonably demand knighthood more especially on so great and signalling occasion as this battle for greatly as he desired it he had never much urged the point knowing how necessary he was to his master so having now delivered the bidding of Queen Ellicina and related his tidings he took him aside and said the reason sir why I have so long ceased to ask knighthood at your hand with that earnestness which would have become me has been my great desire to serve you and my knowledge how necessary I was for comfort for this reason I have forborn to act as became my good birth and suffered my honour to be neglected but now sir that she for whom you have endured so much is in your power there is no excuse either to satisfy myself or others why I should longer forbear to seek the order of knighthood now I beseech you give it me for you know otherwise what shame in lasting this honour it will be to me if it be now withheld when Amades heard him speak thus he was so troubled that for a while he could not reply at length he said oh my true friend and brother it is as grievous for me to fulfil what you require as though my heart were plucked from my body and if with any reason I could dissuade you I would strive with all my might so to do but your demand is so just that cannot be denied and I am grieved that I did not provide such arms and horse for the occasion as you deserve then Gandalin knelt down to kiss his hand but Amades raised him and embraced him and wept over him to think with a solitude he should endure for his loss sir quoth Gandalin Don Gallor and his great curtsy knowing my desire had given me his horse and arms of which he said he had no need in this malady I thanked him and took the horse which is a good one and the breastplate and helmet but not the other arms for they ought to be what be seem a young knight and those therefore I had made while I remained with him he offered me his sword also but I told him sir that you would give me one of those which Queen Manorisa gave you in Greece since it is so do you watch your arms the night before the battle in the chapel of my father's tent and in the morning when we are about to encounter the enemies the king my father shall knight thee you know that no better man can be found nor one from whose hand you could receive more honour in the ceremony sir quoth Gandalin what you say is true it would be hard to find another knight like the king but I will receive knighthood from no hand but yours Lassindo Don Brunios Squire has told me that his master has promised to knight him and we too will watch our arms together God grant that I may fulfil the duties of knighthood and manifest the teaching which I have from you received two days did the armies remain within sight of each other fortifying their camps and preparing all things for the battle on the second day at evening the spies of King Aravigo arrived at the top of the mountains and from thence beheld how both hosts were encamped below when King Aravigo and the other leaders heard this they sent their scouts back to observe all that should pass and they themselves took possession of all the passes of the sharer and so stationed themselves that if need were they could with little danger retreat by the mountains to the sea and their embark but their doings had not been so secret that King Lizwater had not heard how so great an army had landed in his dominions and though he knew not to what end they came nor with a ward they marched he had given orders to secure all the stalls and drive away all the cattle there about and at the peasantry should go to the fortified towns and he had left certain knights to defend them King Perrion also had heard of them and was alarmed at the tidings but neither did he know where they now were thus had they put both parties in fear now had they remained three days and the emperor Patton became impatient of longer delay desirous either vanquished or victor to return to his own country Amades also and Agraias and Don Quaraganta and the other knights besought Perrion to come to battle that God might decide the cause the king was as desirous as they but had delayed thus long that all things might be ready he now made proclamation that all should hear Mars at dawn and arm themselves and every man then repair to his own captain for the battle would be waged the same order was issued in the other camp so when the dawn appeared that trumpets sounded so loud and clear that they were heard in both camps as though they had been in concert the knights began to arm and settle their horses and they heard Mars in the tents and mounted and each went to his proper standard who is he that have such thought and memory though he had seen this sight and given it all his attention that he could relate or write of the arms and horses with their devices and the knights who were there and battled Sertas the man would be a fool and devoid of understanding who could think to do this leaving there for the general description something shall be said here of the particular and we will begin with the emperor of Rome who is strong of body and courageous and would have been a right good knight if his little discretion and great pride had not marred him his armour was all black helmet and shield and sircoat except that on the shield he bore the figure of a damsel from her girdle upward made to the likeness of Oriana well wrought in gold and garnished with pearls and precious stones and fastened to the shield with nails of gold and on his black sircoat he had a golden chainwork woven which devise he swore never to lay aside till he had a madise in chains and all those who had been with him at the rescue of Oriana he was on a goodly horse and of great size and his lance in his hand and thus he rode out of the camp next after him came Florian the brother of Salaston Credio he bore for his arms black and yellow coated and nothing more he was a good knight and greatly esteemed by his own party Arquisil was behind him bearing arms of azure and Argent powdered with roses of gold the arms of Lysorte were black with white eagles and he bore one eagle on his shield without any adornment but those arms came out of the field with great honour by reason of what their lord did therein King Kildaran appeared in arms that were entirely black for from the time of his defeat in the Battle of the Hundred whereby his kingdom became tributary to King Lysorte he had never worn others I shall not tell you what arms King Gasquilan of Sweden bore till another time Arbon of North Wales and Don Guyan the pensive and Don Grumadan would wear no arms for show that day but only for use that they might thus show the sorrow they had to behold the king their master placed in so great danger against those who had been in his service and in his household and who had won for him such honour now we will tell you the arms of King Perion and the knights of the other host the helmet and the shield of the king were all of burnished steel and his surcoat was of silk of a bright and vivid colour he rode a goodly steed which his nephew Don Brian of Monchasta had given him being one of twenty which the king's father had sent from Spain to distribute among the knights and in this guise he advanced with the banner of the Emperor of Constantinople Amadeus was armed in green armour as he wore when he slew Famongo Madan and Bathagante his son the two mightiest giants in the world these arms were powdered with lions all Amadeus had much affection for them because he assumed them on his departure from the poor rock and had worn them when he went to Oriana at Mare Flores Don Quaragante wore Murray arms with flowers and wrote one of the Spanish Hoses Don Brunio of Bonamar did not change his device which was a damsel in his shield and a knight kneeling before her Don Florestan the Good Knight and Jouster wore ghouls with golden flowers and rode a Spanish horse the arms of Agraeus were rose colour and in his shield was a damsel's hand holding a heart the good Angraeate wore his usual arms of azure and argent and all the other knights of whom no mention is made this history may not be wearied wore rich arms of what colour they liked best thus they went forth into the field in good Array and when they were all assembled each man under his leader they advanced slowly on at the time of sunrise and the morning shone upon their arms which were new and bright and shone in such guise that it was marvellous to behold at this time Gandalin and Asindo came up in white armour sitting new knights Lasindo went to Don Brunio and Gandalin toward Amades when Amades saw him approach he requested Don Quaraganta to take the command while he knighted his squire then he went to Gandalin and as they were going toward King Perion said to him my true friend I beseech you keep near me in this battle for though you have seen many battles I may think that you want nothing but strength and courage it is not so this is a signal battle and it behoves you to look well to your life and to your honour also and not to give such way to your courage as to let it master your discretion keep near me and I will look to your defence when you shall need help and do you the same by me when you see I require assistance they were now come to where King Perion was to whom Amades said sir Gandalin would be made a knight and it would have pleased me that he should have been made so by your hand but as he wishes to receive the order from me I come to ask that he may receive the sword from you that he may hereafter remember the great honour and by whom it was conferred the king looked at Gandalin and knew the halls of his son Don Galar and various came into his eyes friend Gandalin said he how did you leave Don Galar at your departure greatly recovered from his malady sir replied the squire but in grief and heaviness of heart for he discovered your departure though it was kept so secret but not the cause he besought me to tell him the truth and I told him that by what I had learnt King Langriness of Scotland against certain neighbouring powers I would not tell him the truth in the state where he is the king at this heaved aside from his heart loving his son dearly and believing truly that except Amades there was no better knight in the world neither for arms nor for all the men as that became a knight and he said God grant my good son that I may never behold thy death and I may see the honourably freed from thy great love to King Lizwater that thou mayst be free and at liberty to aid thy brethren and thy lineage then Amades took a sword from Durin brother to the damsel of Denmark and gave it to the king and he himself knighted Gandalin and kissed him and put on his right spear and King Perion fastened on his sword and thus was he knighted by the two best knights that ever bore arms Amades then went back with him to Don Quaragante who to do Gandalin honour came forward and embraced him saying God grant my friend that you may as well fulfil the duties of knighthood as you have manifested all the virtues and good parts of a good squire I believe it will be so for good beginning for the most part bringeth on good end Gandalin humbled himself at this thanking him for the honour Lassindo also was knighted by the hand of his master and Agraias gird on his sword and you may be assured that these twain in this their first assay of arms performed such feats and endured such dangers and such toil that they in this great battle gained honour and the praise of prowess for all the days of their lives it was not long before they saw their enemies advancing to meet them when they were near enough Amades saw that the banner of the Emperor of Rome was in the van and at this he rejoiced to think that the first encounter would be with him for much as he disliked King Lisvarta yet he always remembered how it once dwelt in his court and what honour he had received from him and above all that he was the father of his Lady Oriana for which he had resolved if possible to turn aside from him in the battle that he might not harm him though he well knew that Lisvarta would show him no such curtsy but rather seek his death as a mortal enemy but I tell you that Agraias had a far other intention for all his hope was that he might meet King Lisvarta in the battle and slay him he ever bore in mind the King's ingratitude and had he been in Mungasa and was given to his uncle he could never have consented that he should receive it having been vanquished but would have given him another such lordship in his father's kingdom when they were now so near that they only waited for the trumpets to sound that they might begin the attack they saw a squire come riding full speed from the army who inquired with a loud voice if Amades of Gaul were there Amades beckoned to him in reply and when he approached said I am he, what would you this squire looked at him and thought that in his life he had never beheld so goodly a knight in arms nor who appeared so well on horseback good sir, Quathi of a truth I believe that you are he for your appearance bears testimony to your great renown Gasquilan King of Sweden, my lord and master sends me to tell you that when King Lizvarta made war upon your knights in the island of Mungasa he came to his help in the hope of engaging you in battle not for any enmity which he bears towards you but because of the renown of your great chivalry and now he's come hither for the same intent and said that he would willingly break two or three lances with you before the armies joined battle for after that he may not be able to meet you in the tumult Amades replied good squire tell the king your master that I have before heard of his wish and attributed to no enmity in him but rather to the greatness of his courage albide my deeds are not equal to the fame I am well content that the man of such renown should so esteem me this quarrel is more of will than necessity and I had rather it had been in some other cause more to his own honor and profit but I am ready to do that it may please him sir replied the squire my master knows how you conquered his father the giant of the Dolores island to save kill Dhanan and your brother Galar and though that is nearly concerning him yet because of the great curtsy who are with you used your victory he's more beholden to you than bound to seek revenge it is only for your high renown that he desires to encounter you for the victory would be to his great fame above all other nights in the world and no shame will it be if he should be conquered by him who has conquered so many nights and giants and monsters out of nature tell him quath Ahmadis that I am ready end of book 4 chapter 28