CHAPTER XIX
OF SIR PARIDELL AND OTHERS
It was, in truth, a great deliverance that Britomart had worked for the Lady Amoret. Nevertheless this same lady was somewhat in doubt how she should bear herself to her deliverer. For, on the one hand, she was well aware that all her love and homage was due to Sir Scudamore, nor was there aught in her heart that hindered her from rendering it. It should be told indeed that she was not only betrothed to this same Scudamore, but verily wedded, only it had come to pass on the very wedding-day, when the guests were somewhat overtaken with wine, that the enchanter Busyrane had entered the palace, and, under cover of a jest, had carried her away into captivity. So now she said to herself:
“This is a very noble knight, and it irks me to show him any discourtesy; yet, on the other hand, I fear me much lest I should seem in any wise disloyal to my own dear lord,” for she knew not that Britomart was a maid. And Britomart, on her part, desiring that the secret should not be known, bore herself with a certain freedom. Nothing unseemly did she say or do; but none had guessed her to be what she was.
As they journeyed together they came to a castle, where a great company of knights and ladies had assembled to hold a tournament. Now it was a custom of tournament that every knight entering the lists bore the colours of some lady, and averred that she was the fairest of all ladies, and that he would prove it with spear and sword. Thus it came to pass that when the knights were gathered together, and the master of the ceremony asked of each his lady’s name, a certain young and lusty knight cried out, “My lady is the fair Amoret, and that I will avow with spear and sword.”
When Britomart heard these words she was not a little wroth; nevertheless she dissembled her anger, and said only, “I am loath to make strife; but this young man must needs make good his words!” So they jousted together, and the knight was easily overthrown, being thus made to suffer for coveting that which was not his. But Britomart, seeing that he was a brave man, and being herself as courteous as she was strong, cast about how she could save his honour. She said, therefore, to the master of the ceremony: “Let me have this knight for my champion.” And as she spoke she doffed her helmet, and her golden hair, which had been cunningly coiled up within, fell down to her very feet. All that stood by, both ladies and knights, were not a little amazed.
Some said, “This is wrought by magic!” others, “This is Bellona’s self that has come among mortal men.” As for the young knight, he worshipped her as though she were divine, and the fair Amoret, all her doubts being removed, was knit to her in the closest bonds of affection and tenderness.
The next morning they departed together from the castle, the one ever cherishing in her heart the thought of Sir Artegall and the other of Sir Scudamore. After a while they were aware of two knights riding towards them, having each a lady at his side; ladies, indeed, they were not, save in outward appearance, for one was the false Duessa, the other was called Até, which name by interpretation is Strife, than whom there is no more baleful creature under the sun, and she has her dwelling hard by the gates of hell. Many ways are there by which a man may go into that place, but none by which he may come forth. And the walls on every side are hung with the rent robes and broken sceptres of kings, shivered spears and shields torn in twain, spoils of Babylon and of Rome, relics of great empires that have been and are no more. Até herself was hideous to behold, if one could see her as she was in truth. But now she was fair to look at, for she had put on, as can all evil things, the semblance of beauty.
The knight who rode by her side was a certain Blandamour, gallant and strong, and most expert in arms, but of a fickle and inconstant heart; and he that was companion to the false Duessa was Sir Paridell. When Sir Blandamour saw from afar Britomart and Amoret, he said to Sir Paridell: “See you, my friend, that knight with a lady by his side? There is a fair adventure for you!” But Sir Paridell, for now they were near enough to discern the fashion of Britomart’s arms, perceived that this knight bore the like scutcheon to one by whom he had of late been worsted in battle; nor was he minded to tempt his fate again.
“I know that knight full well, Sir Blandamour,” he said; “he proved his skill on me, and I count it folly when he who has escaped a danger challenges it again.”
“Then I,” replied Sir Blandamour, “will try my fortune; take you, meanwhile, this dame in charge.” And he laid his spear in rest and charged. Britomart, on her part, made ready to receive him, and gave him an uncouth welcome. Scarce had they met than he found himself lying helpless on the ground. Meanwhile his conquering adversary rode on, not deigning so much as to say a single word.