CHAPTER 1.

You have heard in the third book of this great history how King Lisuarte against the will of all his subjects great as well as little, delivered up his daughter Oriana to the Romans, and how by Amadis and his companions of the Firm Island she was from them rescued; now we will tell you what ensued. When Amadis had left the vessel where the Princess was he went through the fleet to give orders concerning the prisoners and the spoils, coming near the ship where Salustanquidio lay dead he heard a great lamentation, for the people and the Knights of that Prince were making moan over him, and relating all his praises and greatness so that Agrayes and they who had won the ship could neither quiet them, nor remove them from the body. Amadis therefore ordered that they should all leave the vessel, and he gave command [2]that the body should be placed in a coffin, and that such burial should be given him as befitted such a Lord, for albeit he was his enemy, he had died like a good man in his master's service.

The noise of this lamentation was so great that it reached the ship wherein was Oriana; but so soon as Queen Sardamira heard that it was for Salustanquidio's death, forgetting all her former grief, she wrung her hands and threw herself upon the ground, and began to exclaim, O generous prince and of high lineage, the light and the mirror of the whole Roman Empire, what a grief and a calamity will it be to all who love thee when they shall hear the tidings of thy unhappy and disastrous end, and what grief wilt thou feel O Emperor when thou shalt learn the death of this thy cousin, who was the strong shield of thine empire, and the destruction of thy fleet, and the disgraceful loss of thy Knights. Either thou must tamely submit to this loss and remain the most dishonoured Prince in the world, or else prepare to avenge it, putting thy state and person to great peril and doubtful issue, for by all that I have seen since my entering Great Britain in an unhappy hour, sure am I that there is no Prince or Power however great against

whom these Knights [3]would fear to wage war. Alas, my afflicted heart grieveth more for the living who will suffer in this quarrel, than for these dead whose share of the evil is past! But then Oriana and Mabilia raised her up and comforted her the best they could.

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CHAPTER 2.

Amadis and his Knights now assembled on board Florestan's vessel, and there resolved that they should forthwith make sail for the Firm Island, according to their own opinion and the pleasure of Oriana; they then placed all the prisoners in one ship and appointed Gavarte of the Perilous Valley, and Landin the Nephew of Don Quadragante with a body of Knights to guard them: and the spoils they placed in another ship under the care of Don Gandales the foster-father of Amadis, and Sadamon, who were two prudent and trusty Knights; their own force they divided among the other vessels in the manner that they had first embarked, and then they deputed Don Bruneo of Bonamar and Angriote of Estravaus to inform Oriana that they were ready to obey her and to request her commands. These two Knights went on board [5]her ship and kneeling before her said, good Lady all these Knights who are here assembled at your rescue, inform you that the fleet is now ready for your service, and desire to know your will that they may fulfill it. My

true friends, replied Oriana, I should not desire to live if I thought that it would never be in my power to requite the love ye have all shown me, but I trust in God that as I have the will, so will he one day give me the power to show my gratefulness. Say to the Knights that what has been before determined should now be put in practice, that is, to go to the Firm Island, there we can take farther counsel, and there I hope that these difficult and painful beginnings will come to a good end.

When the two Knights had carried back this answer to their companions they bade all their trumpets sound, and joyfully and with loud clamours the fleet began to move on. Joyfully and courageously did these Knights go their way, being of one accord and resolved not to give over the enterprize which they had begun, till they should have well and happily concluded it, for they were all of high lineage and of great prowess, and the knowledge that their cause was just now greatly heartened them, and they even rejoiced to see [6]themselves thus engaged against two such powerful princes, for be the issue what it would, they were sure by the contest to acquire a fair fame and leave behind them a remembrance which should endure for ever. Certes whoso had seen them in that gallant fleet, how proudly they sailed on, so armed and with such a company, would have weened that they were the train of some great Emperor, and of a truth scarcely could there be found in the household of any Prince how great soever, so goodly a company of Knights, high

born, and so approved in arms. Seven days they sailed along, and then took port in the haven of the Firm Island, and there discharged the cannon for joy; the Islanders in alarm, seeing so great a fleet, took arms and ran to the beach, but then they knew the banners and device of Amadis their Lord. Forthwith the boats were put out, and Don Gandales landed to prepare the apartments and order that a bridge of boats should be made from the shore, that Oriana and her Ladies might by that means land.

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CHAPTER 3.

Now when the fair Grasinda heard of the coming of the fleet and of all that had befallen, she made ready to receive Oriana, whom of all persons in the world she most desired to see, because of her great renown that was every where spread abroad. She therefore wished to appear before her like a Lady of such rank and such wealth as indeed she was; the robe which she put on was adorned with roses of gold, wrought with marvellous skill, and bordered with pearls and precious stones of exceeding value, this robe till now she had never worn, having reserved it to wear when she should make trial of the Forbidden Chamber. On her goodly hair she would wear no other adornment than the crown which the Greek Knight her champion had challenged for her, and won for her from all the Damsels in King Lisuarte's court. [8]She rode a white palfrey, whose trappings were all curiously wrought with gold, in this guise had she resolved, if her good fortune was such that she should accomplish the proof of the Forbidden Chamber, to return to King

Lisuarte's court, and there make herself known to Queen Brisena and to her daughter Oriana, and to the other Princesses and damsels, and from thence to return with great glory to her own country; but the issue was far otherwise than she hoped and imagined, for fair as of a truth she was, yet was not her beauty equal to the beauty of Queen Briolania, who had attempted that adventure and failed therein. In this rich attire did that Lady go forth from her apartment, and with her all her dames and damsels all richly apparelled, ten of her Knights on foot led her reins, and with this array she proceeded to the shore. The Bridge of Boats had now been joined, it reached to the ship on board of which was Oriana, and Grasinda waited by the end of the Bridge to salute her as she landed.

Oriana now came out of her cabin, apparalled in a manner more beseeming decency and her present fortune, than for the advancement and display of her beauty. She seeing Grasinda thus ornamented [9]awaiting her at the bridge-end, enquired of Don Bruneo if that was not the Dame who had come to her Father's court, and won the crown from the Damsels. Bruneo replied, that it was the same, and bade Oriana accost and salute her honourably, according to her deserts, for she was one of the worthy Dames of the world; and then he related what honours and good offices Amadis and himself and Angriote had from her received. To this Oriana answered, reasonable is it then that you and your friends should love and honour her, and thus will I do. Then Don Quadragante and Agrayes each took the Princess by the hand, and Don Florestan and Angriote led Queen Sardamira. Amadis alone led Mabilia, Olinda went between Don Bruneo and Dragonis; and in like manner the other Damsels and Knights proceeded from the vessel. When Oriana came near the end of the bridge,

Grasinda alighted and knelt down and took her hand to kiss it, but Oriana drew it back, and embraced her with much love, as one whose nature it was to be affable and nothing proud, where pride beseemed her not. But Grasinda seeing her exceeding beauty how far it was beyond all the praises that she had heard thereof, wondered and was greatly astonished, for she had not believed that such beauty was possible in any mortal creature, and in [10]this wonder she remained still on her knees, though Oriana would have raised her; good Lady, quoth she, now may I well give thanks to God that you were not in your father's court at the season of my arrival there; for had you been there though my champion was assuredly the best in the world, a Knight of little prowess would have discomfited him in your behalf, if God as it be said, defends the right; with that she looked at Amadis, pardon me Sir, if I wrong you in saying this, but my eyes never before beheld the like of what they now see. Amadis was full joyful to hear his Lady's

praise; unreasonable would it be, he replied, if I should think ill of what you have said, or complain of so manifest a truth! But Oriana was abashed at hearing herself thus praised, and her thoughts were more upon her present fortune then her own beauty. She therefore answered, I cannot my Lady, reply to you, for should I contradict your words that would be discourtesy to one like you, and to assent to them would in me be shame and folly, only I would have you know, that such as I am, I should rejoice to do aught for your honour, that is in the power of a poor disherited princess like me. She then begged Agrayes would lead Grasinda to Olinda and accompany her, leaving her with only Quadragante.

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Thus having landed they placed Oriana upon a palfrey, the most richly caparisoned that ever eyes had seen, which Queen Brisena had given her, for her entrance into Rome. Queen Sardamira also, and Grasinda, and all the other Dames and Damsels were mounted; nor could Oriana prevail upon the Knights but that they would proceed on foot and lead the reins, for they knew that whatever honour and service they could manifest to these Ladies would be to their own praise. In this order they entered the Island by way of the Castle, and these Ladies and Oriana were conducted to the Tower in the garden where Don Gandales had ordered their apartments to be made ready, that being the best dwelling in the whole Island; for albeit there were many rich dwellings, of rare workmanship, yet that tower, wherein Apolidon had wrought the enchantments, which were spoken of at length in the second part, had been his favourite place of sojourn, and for that reason he had fabricated it with such skill and such costliness, that the greatest Emperor in the world would

not have ventured to attempt to make the like. In that tower were nine apartments, three on a floor, and though some part was the work of skilful artists, the rest was wrought by the skill and science of Apolidon himself so wonderously [12]that no man in the world could rightly value nor even understand its exceeding rarety. And because it would be long to describe it all at length, I shall only say that the Tower stood in the middle of a garden surrounded with a wall of goodly stone and mortar, and the garden was the goodliest that might be seen by reason of its trees and herbs and fountains of sweet water. Of those trees many were hung with fruit the whole year through, and others bore flowers, and round about the garden by the wall were covered walks, with golden trellis-work through which might all that pleasant greenness be seen, the ground was covered with stones, some clear as the crystal, others coloured like rubies and other precious stones, the which Apolidon had procured from certain Islands in the East, where

jewels and gold and other rare things are produced by reason of the great heat of the sun continually acting. These Islands are uninhabited save only by wild beasts, and for fear of those beasts no man durst ever set foot thereon, till Apolidon by his cunning wrought such spells that it became safe to enter there; and then the neighbouring people being assured of this, took advantage thereof, and ventured there also, and thus the world became stocked with sundry things which it had never before known. To the four [13]sides of the Tower water was brought from the neighbouring mountains by metal pipes, and collected into four fountains, and the water spouted so high from the golden pillars and through the mouths of animals, that it was easy to reach it from the windows of the first story, for it was caught in golden basons wrought in the pillar, and by these four fountains was the whole garden watered.

In this Tower then were the Princess Oriana and all those Ladies lodged, each in her apartment, and there were they well served by Dames and Damsels with all things convenient; but no Knight entered the Tower nor even the Garden; for so Oriana had desired that it should be, and requested the Knights to let it be so, till some terms might be made with the King her father. They all esteemed her the more, and held her the more praiseworthy, saying, that in that, and all things else, their desire was to obey her will. Amadis himself, altho' he had neither pleasure nor comfort except in her presence, was yet well pleased that she had so ordered, for far more than his own death did he fear the least stain upon her honour; and he now consoled himself with the thought that she was now under his protection, and that he would [14]rather die than lose her. The other Knights and Lords and all their people were lodged in the Island, each according to their quality, and abundantly supplied with all things needful for their subsistence

and enjoyment, for though Amadis never appeared abroad but as a poor Errant Knight, he had store of treasure in that Island, not only from the rents and from what he had found there, but of jewels and other precious gifts which his mother and many other Ladies of high rank had given him, all the which he had sent here, and moreover the Islanders themselves who were all rich and honourable men held themselves fortunate to supply him with bread, and meat, and wines, according to his need.

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CHAPTER 4.

But Amadis albeit he manifested the great courage which in truth he possessed, yet could he not but thoughtfully reflect upon the end of this great business, of which the charge and weight lay upon him: the Princes and Lords and Knights of high degree were many whose lives were adventured with his upon the issue, but when others slept he waked thinking upon what measures he should best pursue. Therefore with the advice of Don Quadragante and of his cousin Agrayes, he summoned all the Knights to council, in the apartment of Quadragante, in a large hall which was one of the richest in the whole Island. There being all assembled, Amadis rose having Master Helisabad whom he ever greatly honoured by the hand, and thus addressed them.

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Noble Princes and Knights, it is known throughout the world how ye, abandoning those delights which ye might have possessed in your own lands, have chosen rather to follow the honourable profession of arms, and encounter all dangers to gain the praise of prowess and redress wrongs, in guerdon of which worthy resolution, good fortune hath now given into your hands this great victory which ye have at present gained. I call it not great as to the conquest of the Romans, for considering what they were, and what ye are, this conquest would be little praise, but because by that victory ye have rescued so great and excellent a Princess, and saved her from the worst wrong that any one of her worth hath for many an age endured, this indeed is to your fair renown and to the service of Almighty God, for in this have ye done that for which ye were born, succouring the oppressed and beating down the evil-doers. But in this, what should most elate us is the defiance which we have thus given to two so high and powerful Princes as are the Emperor of Rome and King Lisuarte, with whom, if they will

not be brought to reason and justice we must perforce have great debate and warfare. Noble Sirs, what then have we to expect? certes nothing but that defending the [17]right and reasonable cause against those who would support injustice, we shall gain yet more victories, such that the whole world shall ring therewith. For if they are so mighty that their power is to be feared, neither are we so destitute of great and powerful Lords, our friends and kinsmen, but that we could lightly so fill these plains with Knights and soldiers, so that no enemies, how many soever they be, could approach within sight of the Firm Island. Now then, Sirs, speak your counsel, not of what behoves us to do, for ye better than I know and feel what is now our duty, but in what manner we can prosecute and carry on what we have so well begun.

With a right good will did they listen to that brave and courteous speech of Amadis, and because in that assembly there were so many who could well reply, all for awhile remained silent, each urging the other to make answer. At length Don Quadragante said, Since ye are all silent Sirs, if it please you I will deliver my advice. Agrayes answered, Sir Quadragante, we all beseech you so to do; for considering who you are, and what great atchievements you have honourably brought to end, it best becomes you of all others to make reply. Don Quadragante thanked him for this honourable [18]praise, and then said to Amadis: Noble Knight, you have spoken right well and to our full contentment; on my part I shall only say what befits our present situation. In what has passed, our object has been not to gratify our own passion and enmity, but to do what we are bound to do as good Knights, succouring Dames and Damsels, who have no strength and no helpers, save only God and such as ye. My counsel is, that ye represent this to King Lisuarte by fitting

messengers, and require him to acknowledge his error, and do justice to his daughter Oriana, the which if he engage to do, and make us secure thereof, we then honourably may and ought to restore her. For ourselves we should make no terms, for if this matter can be ended, I ween he will ask peace of us, and hold himself a happy man if it be granted. Meantime, for we know not what may be the issue of this embassy, let us call upon our kinsmen and friends to assist us, that if King Lisuarte should come to seek us, he may find us not as poor Errant Knights, but as Lords and Princes, ready to give him his welcome.

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CHAPTER 5.

At this reply of Quadragante all were well pleased, for they thought he had left nothing to be said; it was therefore determined that Amadis should send to advise King Perion his father of what had passed and request help, not only from him, but from all his other friends, who would be disposed to give him succour now, in acknowledgement of the great services he had with so much peril, wrought them. Agrayes also it was agreed should send, or go to his father the King of Scotland for the like purpose, and Don Bruneo to the Marquis his father, and to his brother Branfil, and with speed raise all the force he could. Don Quadragante also said that he would send his nephew Landin, to the Queen of Ireland, for he believed that altho' King Cildadan her husband was bound with a certain number of Knights to serve King Lisuarte, yet she would [20]grant permission to her subjects to serve under him, and many good men of his friends and vassals might be expected. In like manner all the other Knights prepared to exert themselves. This