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FROM THE
SPANISH VERSION
OF
GARCIORDONEZ DE MONTALFO,
BY
ROBERT SOUTHEY,
VOL. Ill,
Sfmatiis of 0unl
\\
b^
m9i^€^ ^<B>Me^^9l.
IN FOUR VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
LONDON :
Printed by N. Biggs, Crane-court, Fleet-streee,
JOR T. N. LONGMAN AND O. REES^ PATER*
NOSTER ROW,
1803.
SK
V.3
AM AD IS of GAUL.
15ooh tlje (Stjifb.
CHAPTER 1.
So soon as King Lisuarte knew that Angriote and
his nephew were so far healed of their wounds
that they could ride, he sent to bid them quit
his kingdom, and not enter it again at their
peril. Of this those Knights complained loudly
to Don Grumedan and their other friends, es-
pecially Don Brian of Monjaste and Gavarte
of the Perilous Valley, who said that since the
King had so forgotten their past services, they
would give him cause to remember tlie future.
They then struck their tents and departed for the
Firm Island. On the tliird day of tlielr journey
they found Gandeza in a chapel, the neice of Bro-
cadan, she who had concealed her lover Sarquiles
where he overheard all the treason, and who had
now fled for fear. Great joy had they in finding
her, and above all Sarquiles who loved her truly,
and taking her \^-ith him he continued his way,
vox. III. A
o.
Gmmedan and his friends after tliey had ridden
out witli the Knights of the Firm Island on their
departure, returned to Lisuarte, and told him what
had passed. He who was already much grieved
for the victory of Angriote, not for any regret for
the slain, whom he knew to be evil like their
parents, but because it was a triumph to Amadis,
became now more enraged. Forbearance, said he,
is for the most part a profitable thing, but at times
it is tlie cause of great mishap, and so hath it been
with me. If I had Mithdrawii my favour from
these Knights, tliey would not have dared say that
which they have said, nor have approached my
court, nor even entered ray dominions. But they
shall pay for their folly ! I will send and defy
tliem, and Amadis with them, and see whetlier
their pride can save them. King Arban of North-
Wales who traly desired tlie \\'elfare of the King
replied. Sir you should look well to tiiis before
you do as you have said, because of the great
valour of these Knights and because God hath
shown the justice of their cause, else w ould not
Angriote, good Knight as he is, have so acquitted
himself against two such enemies, nor Sarquiles
have .so come off from Adamas. The good cause
which they maintained gave them tlie victor)' ;
therefore I should think it well that they returned
to your service, for poor profit is it for a King to
war with his subjects when he can avoid it : the
blood that is shed, and the wealtli tliat is expended
on botli sides, is tlae King's loss, and he gains no
lionour in victory. From such strife ^reat evils
often arise : tlic neighbouring Kings and Chiefs
who had been before kept in aw^e, take courage
and recover more tlian they had lost ; and what is
more to be feared, tlie vassals cease to respect their
Lord, who should rule them mildly, as a good
shepherd controuls his flock ; for if he oppresses
them more than they can bear, it oftentimes
chances, that where tlie first broke out the rest
follow, and when the fault is at last discovered, it
is difficult to amend it. Now Sir is tlie time to
amend what has been done amiss. Amadis is so
gentle and so kindly disposed to you, that you may
lightly recover him and all who follow him.
You say well, quoth Lisuarte, but I will not give
them that which I liave already given to my daugh-
ter Leonoreta, and great as his power may be, it
is notliing to miae ! so say no more, but prepare
arms and horses to serve me, and let Cendil of
Ganota go to-morrow and defy those of tiie Firm
Island. In God's name ! tliey all replied ; he will
appoint what seemelh good to him, and -we will
serve you,
A2
'You must know that Gandandel and Brocadan
\\'hen they saw their sons slaiti, and that they were
undone in diis world and in tlie next, receiving
that due reward wlvich sxich. as them escape in our
days, (tor God reseires them eitlier in his mercy
that they may repent, or for his justice, that if they
continue in sin they may pay for all without re-
demption,) they took their dead sons, and with
their wives and household embarked in two ves-
sels with the curses of all who beheld them, and
went their way, and this history will not mention
them more ; but we may rcasonabl)' believe that
tliey who have grown old in v ickedness will die
in it, unless it pleases God, more for his riiercy
tlian their deserts,, to turn their hearts in time.
King Lisuarte then having assembled together all
the great Lords of his court, and tlie Knights of low-
er degree, complained to them of Amadts and his
friend, and besought them to redress his VTongs,
as he did theirs. They all replied tliat Uiey would
serve him in what he should command. He then
called Cendil of Ganota, and bade him to horse
and carry a letter of credence to the Firm Island, and
defy Amadis for me, and all those Kniglits with
him who will support the cause of Don Galvanes.
lell them to be-^are of me, for ^\•here\•er 1 liud
them I will destroy their lives and fortune. Don
Cendil took his bidding and departed.
After some days the King went to one of his
to^\'ns which because it was so abundantly fur-
nished witli all things pleasant was called GracG-
donia. This removal greatly pleased Oriana, for
her time now drew nigh, and this vvas near I\Iira-
flores, so that she thought herself safer thei-e than
in any other place. Meantime the Knights who
escorted Madasima continued their way, till
when they were within two leagues of the Firm
Island they met with two thousand and tliree
hundred Knights who had come out to meet
them. Well were they then received, and Ama-
dis courteously welcomed Madasima, and embra-
ced Angriote many times, for Florestan had sent
tidings of tlie battle, Wh'.le they were thus re-
joicing they saw Don Cendil of Ganota come
riding down the mountain, but he beholding so
large a company and knowing that tliey had all
forsaken tlie King's service, tlie tears came into his
eyes, for he was a right loyal servant to Lisuarte.
Howbeit he put on the best couiitenance he could,
being a fair Knight, and of great valour and discre-
tion, and rode up to them and asked for Amadis,
by \%'hom and by the rest he was honourably wel-
A 3
6
corned as he deserved to be. Sir^ said he, let this
letter be read. That behig done, Amadis rephcd,
it is your credential j now speak yonr embassy.
Sir Amadis, quoth he, my Lord the King hath
sent me to defy you and those of your lineage, and
tliose who are here present, and those who mean
to attempt tlie Isle of JMongaza, and he warns you
henceforward to defend your lands and possessions
and persons, for he will destroy all if he can, and
he Enys you may be excused from seeking adven-
tures in his country, for whomsoever of ye he
finds there he will slay. Quadi-agante answered,
Don Cendil you have said your bidding and have
therein done right ; but for your master -who
threatens our lives and lands, let these Knights
reply to him as they think good ; for me — tell him
that King as he is, I regard my poor life as much
as he can value his mighty one j that in birth I
yield noticing to him, being of as royal blood on
loth sides as himself, and since I must defend
mvsclf from him, bid him defend himself from me.
But Amadis wished tliat a milder answer should
be returned, and he said, Don Quadragante, Sir,
let this Knight take one answer for you and all.
We have heard the embassy, and we will take
counsel how to reply ; and you, Don Cendil, may
tell tlie King that he m ill find it difficult to per-
form what he threatens. Come with us to the Frrni
Island meantime, and try the Arch of True Lovers,
for if you atchieve it you will find better favour
from your mistress. Sir, quoth Don Cendil, I
will go witli you if it please, but of my loves you
shall know nothing. They then rode thither, but
when Cendil beheld the Island, and its strength,
and the abundance of all things therein, he knew
that not all the force in the world could injure it.
So Amadis took him to his home, and lodged
him honourably, for Don Cendil was of high
lineage.
-o-
The next day the Knights assembled and resolved
to defy King Lisuarte by a Knight called Sadamon,
who came in the company of Dragonis and
f alomir. These two brethren were sons of Gra-
sugis. King of Low Germany, by Saduva, King
Perion's sister. And they and all tlie otlier sons
of Counts and Kings who were tliere, had brought
forces there from their father's laud, and vessels
wlierein to pass over to tlie Island of Mongaza,
To this Sadamon they gave a letter of credence
signed witli all their names, and they said to him,
tell King Lisuarte since he defies and thi'eatens us,
to defend himself. With fair weather we shall
go against tlie island of Mongaza, and if he is the
a4
8
mighty Lord he says^ we sliall soon prove his
strength and our own. If he rephes aught to this^
answer him hke a good Knight, and if God pleases
we will maintain it. Then Amadis spake witli his
foster-father Don Gandales and said, you must go
from me to King Lisuarte, and without fear tell
him I care little for his defiance and less for his
threats than he believes. Tell him that if I had
foreseen how thanklessly he would requite my
services, I would not have encountered such dan-
gers for his sake j for tliat power and dominion
wherewith he now menaces me and my friends
and kinsmen hath been supported and preserved by
the blood of my body, I trust in God this will
be all amended, more by my power than liis incli-
nation. But say to him that as I won for him the
island of Mongaza he shall not lose it by me ; nor
will I ever offend him in any place where the
Queen shall be, for tlie honour which she deserves.
Tell him this, and that as he desires my enmity,
he shall have it in such sort, tliat all he now feels
shall be forgotten. Don Gandales, said Agrayes,
strive to see the Queen, and kiss her hand for me,
and tell her to send me my sister Mabilia, for see-
ing on what terms we are with the King, she
should not remain in his court. At this was Ama-
dis sorely grieved, for rather tlian see INIabilia
9
separated from Oriana he would liave had his own
heart taken from lii.s breast ; yet could he not
gainsay, lest the secret of Iiis love should be
discovered.
The Knights departed with Don Cendil of Ganota,
ten days they lode and then arrived at the court
"where King Lisuarte, knowing tlieir errand, ho-
nourably bade them welcome, and having read
their letter bade them speak. Sir Sadanion, Sir,
quoth Gandales, will deliver you the bidding of the
Knights, I come witli words from Amadis to
you, and from Agi'ayes to the Queen, if it })lcase
you that I may see her. It pleases me well, re-
plied Lisuarte, and much pleasure will she iiave
in seeing you, for you served her daughter Oriana
well while she abode in your countr}-, for which
I thank you. INIany thanks, quoth Gandales, and
God knoA\-s if I should delight to serve you, and
if it troubles me to do otherwise. Lisuarte an-
swered, I believe you. But trouble not yourself
for doing that whereto you are bound. Jn the
service of him whom you fostered, to act other-
wise would be to your shame. Then Sadamon
delivered the defiance, and when he said that the
Knights expected no peace till he restored the
island to Don Gal vanes and Madasiraa, the King.-
a5
10
replied, tliat peace will come late if they wait for it !
May I never be held a King if I do not break their
pride ! Sir, quoth Sadamon, thus far is my em-
bassy, what else I may say is of myself. I tell
you. Sir, that he must be of great prowess and
power who can break tlie pride of those Knights ;
and you will find it harder tlian you imagine.
Don Gandales then delivered tlie bidding of Ama-
dis, and when he related how Amadis would not
go against the island of Mongaza which he had
won for Lisuarte, nor yet war upon him in any
place where the Queen should be, all present
spake of it as being honourably and right loyally
done, and so the King licld it. 'I'hen the King
bade the Embassadors disarm themselves and come
to tablCj for it was time to take food. And lie
made them sit at a table opposite his own, with his
nephew Giontes, and Guilan the Pensive, and other
good Knights who were placed there in honour of
their prowess. The King grew chcarful at his
meal, and he ordered all tlie Knights ^vho were
there to prepare for going to the island of Mon-
gaza, and said that if need were, he would himself
iK-'conipany them. When the cloths were re-
moved, Don Gmmedan led Gandales to the Queen,
t?lvo wished to sec hun, whereat Oriana and M:i-
If
bilia rejoiced, because from him they should have
tidings of Amadis. The Queen welcomed him
right lovingly, and made him sit before her by
Oriana, and asked him if he knew the damsel
beside him, for he had served her well ? Lady,
quoth he, happy am I to have served her, and
hsppy should I be to serve her again, or you Lady,
and so would I the King, were it not against Ama-
&s ray Lord and my foster-child : he bade me
l^iss your hand for him as for one who is much
grieved that he is dri^'en from your service. And
I do tlie same for Agrayes, who beseeches you to
send him his sister JMabilia, for as he and Don
Galvanes are no longer in the King's f ivour, it is
not meet that she should remain in his house.
When Oriana heard this she was greatly troubled^
and the tears came, for she could not bear it j for
she loved her in her heart, and now aC tliis se<ison
fcnew not what to do if she should be taken away.
Mabilia exclaimed, ah how cruel- wiU your father
and mother be to me, if tliey separate me from
you ! Do not weep, cried Gandales, you shall be
taken to your aunt. Queen Eliseaa of Gaul, tlian
whom, except her before whom we stand, there
is not a more honourable Lady ; and there shall you
see your cousin Melicia, who- greatly desires your
coming. Don Gtindales, quoth Brisena, I am-
a6
12
troubled at what Agrayes demands-, and will spenk
with the- Kin^ thereon j if he takes my counsel
the Princess shall not be dismissed, till she is mar-
ried as beseems her rank. Let it be determined
soon tlicn, said Gandales, for I cannot tarry. The
Queen then sent for Lisuarte, and Oriana knowing
that her remedy was in his will, went to him and
fill on her knees and said. Sir, you know what
honours I received in the house of the King of
Scotland, and how when }'ou sent for me, tliey
gave me their daughter Mabilia, and to my shame
would it be if I did ncjt sliew my gi-atitude to her.
^Moreover she is my comfort .'uul help in my sick-
ness and sufferings, and now Agrayes has sent for
her ! If you take her from me, you will do me
the \\'orst cruelty that ever was inflicted, and for
no cause } for she is not yet repaid for the honours
I received from her father. INIabilia knelt before
him and held up her hands to beseech him that she
might not be taken away, for grief would kill her;
and then she clung to Oriana. But Lisuarte, \vha
was of a kind heart and of great discretion, an-
swered, think not you my child Mabilia be-
cause tliere is discord between your house and
Diine, tliat I should forget you, or cease to receive
i!nd honour any of your lineage who would chuse
to ser,-c me. I sh:ill not leave to lo\c one for
13
the sake of another, much less you ! you shall not
depart till you have been recompensed as you de-
serve. She would have kissed his hand, but he
raised her up, and made her and Oriana sit down,
and sate himself between them. He would do ill
who should part ye. Ladies ! quolh Don Gandales,
and so shall I tell Agrayes, and be he pleased or
not, all will think tiiat good which the King does,
and ye yourselves desire. Now tlien I must depart.
God be with you, replied Lisuarte. Say to Am.a-
dis that in what he says of tlie island of Mongaza
I well understand him, it is for his own profit more
than for my honour, and as I understand it, so do I
thank him ; henceforth each must do what he can.
And then he left the Queen's apartment. Don
Gandales, said Brisena, do not you attend to the
angry words of the King, nor of Amadisj but
strive ever if you can to reconcile diem, as I shall
do. Salute Amadis for me, and tell him I tliank
him for ^\•hat he said that he would not attack any
place where I might be, and beg him to grant my
request when I shall make one. So she com-
mended him to God, and prayed that there might
be peace between her husband and Amadis ; and
Gandales took his leave. Then Uie Princesses cal-
led him, and Oriana said, Don Gandales, Sir, my
true friend, greatly ara 1 grieved that I cannot
14
recompence yon for the service which you have
done me ; but the times will not permit me now,
nor have 1 wherewitli to repay you, but if it
please God I may one day do what is my duty and
desire. This enmity troubles me ; they are of
such hearts tliat much evil must follow unless it
please God to remedy it. I trust he will. Saluje
Amadis for me, and tell him I beseech him to re-
member all that past here ; and bear with the
present, and give way for the future to my father,
who still values and loves him. Then said Ma-
bilia, commend me kindly to my Lord and Cousin^
Amadis, and to Agrayes my Lord and Brother^ and
to the right good Don Galvanes, my Uncle ; andi
tell them- to liave no concern for me, nor to trouble
themselves to separate me from my Lady Oriana,
for this trovible would be lost, and I would rather
die than leave her ; and give this letter to Amadis,
tell him he will find in it all I have to say, and I
believe he will receive great consolation thereby.
Gandales then sainted them and departed, and took,
his way with Sadcimon..
As they left the town they saw a gaeat force which;
the King had prepared to go against tlie island of
Mongaza, and h'.'.d now drawn up in their sight, that
they might terrify those of the Firm IsLmd by the
report thereof. The Chiefs were the good Knight
15
King Arban of NortliWales, andGasquilan the Bold,
son of Madarque, tlie fierce Giant of the Dolorous
Isle, by a sister of Lancino King of Sweden. This
Gasquilan tlie Bold was so strong and valiant ui
arms, that when King Lancino died without an
heir, all they of his kingdom held it good to chuse
him for their King. But when he heard of the
war between King Lisuarte and Amadis, he left Swe-
den to be present in tlie battle^ and to prove him-
self in combat against Amadis, by command of a
Lady whom he loved. The which how it fell out
shall be recorded hereafter. Gandales and Sada-
mon notliing afraid at beholding so great a force,
rode on till they arrived at the firm Island, and
having disarmed went into a fair garden,, where
Amadis and the Knights awaited them, and there
delivered they their bidding, and declared all^ that
they had seen, and also of the coming of King Gas-
quilan, because he desired to prove himself against
Amadis and the otiier Knights. Gavarte of the
Perilous Valley said tlien, he will find able masters
here to cure his longing sickness, Don Flo-
restan and Don Quadragants ; and if they should
be otherwhere employed, I v/ill offer to him my
body, for pity would it be if he should travel so
far in vain. Don Gavarte, said Amadis, if I
were longing sick, I would rather forsake all
15
physic and only hope in God, than taste your
emulsions and electuaries. Nay, Sir, quoth
Brian, of Alonjaste, you are not sick like he who
comes to seek us, and we ought to remedy him,
that be may report in his own land wh::t leeches
are to be found here for such ailments. At this
tliey laughed awhile, and then Aniadis asked if
there were any .there who knew Gasquilan ?
Listoran of the White Tower, answered, I know
him well ; then told he of what race he came, and
how for his valour he was made King. I once,
said he, encountered him in a Turney at Valtierra,
and we both fell at \he first attaint, horse and man
to earth, but the press was so hot that we could
not finish our combat. That day the part on
which I was, was put to the worst, because the
Knights did not do their duty, and because of the
great strengdi of Gasquilan, who was our mortal
enemy, so tliat the praise was his, and he never
fell that day, save only when we encountered,
Certes, (juoth Amadis, you speak of a great mai>,
who comes like a valiant Knight to make his.
worth known. 1 h U is trae, answered Don Qnad-
rao-ante, but being free to chuse his •side, he ought
to have taken ours, for we are the fewest. lie
has chosen right, said Galvanes, for il'he has joined
17
the many, they are the weakest, and he could
not have proved his prowess unless the worthiest
were against him.
While they thus communed, the Sailors came, and
bade them arm and aboard, for the wind was fair.
They tlien joyfiiUy left the garden, and such was
the press and clamour of people and of the instru-
ments of the fleet, that scarce could they hear each
other. Soon were they armed, and their horses
embarked in the brigantines, and all things needful
put aboard, and they themselves joyfully em-
barjced. Amadis and Don Bruneo of Bonamar
went in a boat among the fleet, and in one vessel
they found Don Florestan and Brian of Mopjaste,
and Don Quadragante and Angriote of Estravaus,
and they went aboard to them, and Amadis em-
braced them, as if it would be long before he
should see them again, and the tears came into his
eyes for the exceeding love he bare them, and for
the solitude he should feel when ihcy were gone.
Good Sirs, quoth he, I rejoice to see you thus
in company. Quadragante answered. Sir, we
have determined to continue by sea and by land,
unless Fortune should separate us ; and they then
shewed him tlicir banner, which was marvellously
18
fair, in which twelve damsels were figured having
white flowers in their hands. Amadis then ex-
horted them to be cautious j and taking leave, he
went through the fleet from ship to ship with
Bruneo and his foster - father Gandales, till
the fleet put to sea, and then he and his comrades
returned.
The ships sailed on, following the vessel whereinr
Galvanes and Madasima led the way, with clarions
and trumpets. 1'he wind was fair, and in seven
days they came before day-light to the Castle of
the Boiling- Lake, which was near the Port. Fordi-
with they armed themselves, and prepared tlie
boats to land, and bridges and planks and mats
of reed to land the horses. All tliis did they as
secretly as they could, because Count Latine and
Gaidar de Rascuil were in the tow n with three hun-
dred Knights. The watchman saw tliem, and
cried out Uiat they were tliere, but he knew not
how many, for it was yet dark. The Count and
Gaidar went up to tlie Castle, and they heard the
noise and stir, and it seemed as of a great com-
pany, and when it was dawn many ships appeared,
and Gaidar exclaimed, surely tliis is Don Galva-
nes aad his friea<ls who are come against us ; God
19
never save me if they land so lightly as they think f
He then armed his people, and went out to the
haven by the town with one part of the force, and
Count Latine went with the others to tlie Castle
port^ where Gal vanes and Agrayes were and their
company. Gavarte of the Perilous Valley went in
the front, and Orlandin, and Osinan of Bm-gundy,
and Madancil of the Silver Bridge. And at the
other port Gaidar found Florestan and Quadra-
gante and Brian of Monjaste and Angriote and
tlieir companions. Then began a cruel and peri-
lous battle, with lances and arrows and stones j so
that many were wounded and slain, and diey of
the land defended the ports till the hour of tierce.
But in tlie bark with Don Florestan there was Enil,
the good Knight of whom you have heard hereto-
fore, and his cousin A morantes of Salvatierra, and
Coman andNicoran, v/ere with Don Brian, and with
Quadragante, Landin, and Orlan the Brave, and
witli Angriote his brother Gradovoy and Sarquiles
his nephew. Florestan cried out, lower the bridge,
that we may ride out among them ! Angriote
answered, why would you venture so rashly ? if
the bridge were down, the water is so deep that
the horses could not reach land without swimming.
Quadragante said the same, but Brian was of Flo-
20
restaii's opinion, and the bridge was lowered, and