FOOTNOTES:
[184:A] De donde devemos tomar enxemplo que ningun hombre en esta vida tenga tanta confiança de si mesmo, que dexe de esquivar y apartar la conversacion, y contratacion, no no solamente de las parientas y hermanas, mas de sus proprias hijas, porque esta mala passion venida en el estremo de su natural encendimiento, pocas vezes el juyzio, la conciencia, el temor, son bastantes de le poner tal freno con que la retraer puedan. The moralization is more loathsome than the story.
CHAPTER 11.
Then said Master Helisabad, Sir, you should write to the Emperor and tell him what hath befallen, and we must send to Constantinople for some things needful for you on the way. Master, replied the Knight, I have never seen him and know him not; do you now what seemeth good. So Master Helisabad wrote to the Emperor relating all what had happened, and requesting on the part of the Knight who had recovered the Island for him from the power of that Devil, that he would be pleased to call it thenceforth the Island of St. Mary. This letter he gave to a Squire who was his kinsman, and he forthwith embarked taking with him as many mariners as were needful, and the time being fair in three days they took port at Constantinople. The Squire went straightways
to the palace of the Emperor, whom he found attended by many good men, as befitted one so great, and falling on his knees before him he said, your servant Master Helisabad sends to kiss your feet, and to deliver to you this letter whereby you will receive great pleasure. When the Emperor had read the letter he was greatly astonished and cried out aloud, Knights, such strange tidings are come to me as till now I never heard spoken of! Then drew near to him his nephew Gastiles, son to the Dutchess of Gajaste his sister, who was a good Knight and young, and Count Saluder brother to the fair Grasinda, and the other Knights. Sirs, quoth the Emperor, the Knight of the Green Sword hath slain the Endriago, and if all the world does not marvel at this what shall surprize us? then he showed them the letter, and made the Squire relate every thing more fully as one who had been present. Certes Sir, said Gastiles, this is a great miracle! for I never yet heard tell of mortal man who fought the Devil except the Saints with their spiritual arms, who with their sanctity might well do it. Since such a man is come into your country it would be against reason not to do him great honour. Nephew you say well, replied the Emperor, do you and Count Saluder prepare vessels and go bring him here, and take with you Masters
who may paint the Endriago to the life, for I will have it cast in metal, and the Knight who fought it, both of their natural size, and I will have these images set up upon the spot where the battle was fought, and the whole manner of it written upon a table of Copper, and the name of the Knight. And I will build a monastery there for religious friars, who shall bring that Island again to the service of God, for the people round about have been greatly hurt by the cursed sight of that wicked one.
Right glad were all they to hear the Emperor speak so honourably, and above all Gastiles and the Marquis because they should see the Endriago. So they took shipping and past over to the Island of St. Mary, as it was now to be called. The Green Sword Knight hearing who were come, adorned his apartment the best he could to receive them, and, for he was now able to walk a little in his chamber, went as far as he could to bid them welcome, and made them be seated on the estrados which he had prepared for them, and when he learnt how Gastiles was brother to Grasinda, he thanked him for all the favours he had received from his sister, and above all for the help of Master Helisabad, without whom he must needs have
perished. So when they had delivered their bidding they said they would go see the Endriago. Sirs, said the Master, ye mast take with ye some defence against its poison. Good friend, they replied, in that you must help us; that shall I do, quoth he, and he gave them certain small boxes to smell to while they looked at it. Gandalin went with them to show the place, but when they saw the Endriago they were more than ever amazed, not thinking that there had been such a monster either on earth or in hell, and Gastiles said, we ought not to praise the courage that dared attack such a monster, for it is so great that it is not to be attributed to man but to God alone. The Masters then painted the Endriago to the life for they were singular in their art. Three days they remained seeing that island which was a fair land; on the fourth day they all embarked, and in short time havened at Constantinople under the Emperor's palace. The windows were soon filled, all being eager to see the Knight of the Green Sword, and the Emperor sent horses to the shore for them. At this time had the Knight greatly recovered his beauty as well as strength; he was right richly apparelled in garments which the King of Bohemia had given him, and round his neck was hanging that strange and beautiful Green Sword which he had won by