horse rear and fell back, and before she could recover herself I came up and cut off her head. Amadis then mounted and rode to the town, and sent the head to Don Bruneo that he might see it. When Durin was about to depart, he said, Go to my Lady, my friend, and tell her that I kiss her hand for the letter and for all that you have told me; but beseech her to have regard to my honour, and not make me remain here in sloth, for so would the fair renown which I have attained be soon injured, the cause not being known, and men being more inclined to slander the good than keep their evil tongues silent. So Durin went his way.
Don Bruneo of Bonamar was now healed of his bodily wound, but his love was more kindled by the frequent sight of his Lady Melicia; and considering, that only by performing great feats of arms he could hope to attain so high a Lady, he said one day to Amadis, as they were hunting, for in that did Amadis now pass his time, my time of life, Sir, and the little which I have yet atchieved, command me to change this easy way of life for one whereby I may win more praise of prowess. If you are disposed to seek adventures I will keep you company: if not, give me leave
to set forth to morrow. Greatly was Amadis grieved hereat, for full gladly would he have gone forth with him, but for his Lady's command. Don Bruneo, replied he, I would willingly go in your company, whereby much honour might accrue to me, but the King my father has forbidden it, saying, that my presence is needful here, because of certain affairs; I can therefore only say God be with you. That night Don Bruneo spake with Melicia, and learnt from her, that if it were her parents' will she would cheerfully wed him. He then took leave of her, and on the following morning departed after mass, going where fortune guided him, and many and great feats did he in arms which would here be long to relate.
Thirteen months and a half, while Lisuarte besieged the Castle of the Boiling Lake, Amadis abode thus in Gaul, going to the chase and to the mountain, for to this was he chiefly inclined: meantime his fair renown was obscured, and much debased by all, who blessed the Knights Errant, but cursed him for forsaking arms in the best of his life, when God had so gifted him above all others. Dames and Damsels, who went to him to seek revenge for their wrongs, now finding him not as before, all proclaimed the shame and though he
heard these things, and esteemed himself for this cause very unhappy, yet neither for this nor for worse things would he have disobeyed his Lady. Thus he remained losing his honour, till Lisuarte knowing how King Aravigo, and the six Kings, and Arcalaus the Enchanter, were preparing in the Island of Leonida to pass over into Great Britain, made ready for his defence. But though his great heart and prudence made semblance to think little of this danger, not so did the Queen, but in great trouble spake to all of the loss which the King had brought upon himself, in losing Amadis and his lineage; if they were here, she said, she should think lightly of the peril. Those Knights, however, who had been defeated in the Isle of Mongaza, though they bore no good will to the King, yet seeing Don Galaor with him, and Don Galvanes, who was now his vassal, and that Don Brian of Monjaste, whom the King of Spain, his father, had sent with two thousand Knights to aid Lisuarte, was to be the leader, resolved to go also to his succour in that battle which would be a full perilous one. So Don Quadragante, and Listoran of the White Tower, and Ymosil of Burgandy, and Madansil of the Silver Bridge, and their comrades, made ready, expecting when the Kings would come over from the Island.
One day Mabilia spake with Oriana, and told her it was ill judged not to consider what Amadis might do at this time, perchance he might go against her father, and that would be evil to both, for if either were conquered he would be slain. Oriana acknowledging the truth of this resolved to write to Amadis, not to go against her father, but to take the other side if he pleased, or else remain in Gaul. This letter Mabilia enclosed, and sent by a Damsel who had presents from Queen Elisena. When Amadis received this so glad was he, that certes he could not be gladder, yet was he somewhat troubled, not knowing what to do, for to help King Lisuarte he had no will, and against him he might not be. So with a countenance more chearful than he was wont to show, he went to his father, and they sat together under the shade of some elms near the beach, and talked together of sundry things, but chiefly of the fresh news from Britain. There as they sate they saw a Knight come up upon a weary horse, the arms which the Squire carried were so hacked that the device could not be seen, and his harness was so broken that it was of no defence; the Knight himself was large and well limbed. They rose to receive him honourably as an Errant Knight, but coming near Amadis knew his brother Don
Florestan, and said, Sir, you see here the best Knight next to Don Galaor, whom I know, know that this is your son Don Florestan. Right glad was the King, who had never seen him though he knew his fame; he hastened faster to meet him, and Florestan alighted and knelt down, and would have kissed his hand, but the King raised him and gave him his hand and kissed his mouth. Then took they him to the palace, and made him disarm and wash, and Amadis gave him rich garments which had never been worn; and then it appeared how fair he was, and of how goodly a person, that few were like him; and they led him to the Queen and to Melicia, who received him with such love as one of her own brothers, for not less did she esteem him for his great worth in arms. So in their talk they asked him of the news from Great Britain. Sirs, quoth he, the power of those Kings is so great that I ween King Lisuarte can neither help himself nor his kingdom, whereat seeing how things have been we need not grieve. Son Don Florestan, replied the King, I hold King Lisuarte by all they tell me of him to be such a one, that he will come off with honour from this danger as he has heretofore done; but if it should be otherwise we ought not to rejoice thereat; no King should rejoice at the
destruction of another King, unless he have himself destroyed him for lawful causes, compelling him thereunto. When Amadis and Florestan had retired to their chambers and were alone, Florestan said, I came hither Sir to seek you and tell you of a thing which I have heard every where, and which grieves me to the heart; let it not displease you to be told of it. Brother, replied Amadis, whatever you shall say it pleases me to hear; if it be a thing to be amended, with your counsel I will amend it. Sir, said Florestan, all people speak to your disparagement; they say that you have unhappily forsaken arms, and that for which, above all others, you were born. Amadis smiled and answered, they think of me as they ought not, henceforth I shall do otherwise, and they shall say otherwise.
That night Amadis could not sleep for thinking on two things: what feats of arms he should perform that year, to clean away his reproach, and what he should do in this great battle. To be against Lisuarte his Lady forbade him, and reason forbade him to be for him, because of the wrong which he and his lineage had endured; but at length he resolved to go and assist him for two reasons, because his force was much less in number