to dispose of as you please, and as a sign that his words were true. Much do I thank him, quoth that Damsel, and of a truth he hath bravely won them, yet had I rather he had left his own horse than that he should give me these four. You must procure better Knights than these, replied the Squire, if you would gain that. But, said the Damsel, marvel not if I wish well to my friends rather than to a stranger; howbeit, because of the goodly gift which he has sent me, I repent that I said ought to offend so good a man, and will amend it as he may require. With this answer the Squire returned to Don Florestan, who went then to the Round Chapel to wait there for Grumedan's answer, for this chapel was in the way to the Firm Island, and he being resolved not to enter Lisuarte's court, was going thither to hang the Roman shields there, and to hear if Gandales knew any thing of his brother.
Now when Don Grumedan had delivered his bidding to the Queen she listened willingly and said, this Don Florestan,—is he son of King Perion and the Countess of Selandia?—The same, and one of the best Knights in the world.—I tell you then Don Grumedan that the sons of the Marquis of Ancona speak wonders of his deeds in arms, and of
his prudence and courtesy, and they may well be believed for they were his companions in the wars which he had at Rome, where he abode three years, when he was a young Knight, but they dare not speak his praise before the Emperor, who loves him not. Do you know, said Grumedan, why the Emperor does not love him?—Because of his brother Amadis, replied Sardamira, of whom the Emperor complains, because he won the Firm Island by arriving there before him, and so deprived him of the honour which he should else have won. Certes Lady, quoth Grumedan, he complains without reason, for in that Amadis saved him from great shame; trust me it is for another adventure that the Emperor hates him.—By the faith you owe to God, Don Grumedan, tell me the reason.—Do not you be displeased then Lady! and then he told her how Amadis and he had met in the forest, and of their battle. Thereat was Queen Sardamira well pleased, and she made him relate it three times; truly, said she, the Emperor hath reason enough to dislike him.
CHAPTER 14.
Well pleased was Queen Sardamira to hear how the Emperor had been vanquished by Amadis, because that journey which El Patin made to Great Britain, was for her love, as he at that time loved her much, and she laughed to think how he had concealed this adventure. Lady, said Grumedan, tell me what message you will send to Don Florestan. She, after pondering awhile replied, you see in what plight my Knights are left, they can neither protect me nor themselves, and must stay here to recover. I would wish Don Florestan therefore to guard me with you. Grumedan answered, I tell you Lady that so courteous is he that whatever Dame or Damsel should ask of him that would he do; how much more for one like you, to whom he hath
to make atonement for a fault?—Give me then a guard to guide my Damsel. He gave her four Squires, and she giving a letter of credence to her Damsel, told her secretly what she should say. The Damsel mounted her palfrey, and rode more than apace till she reached the Round Chapel, where she found Florestan talking with the Hermit. Her face was uncovered, so that the Knight knew her, and welcomed her courteously. She gave him the letter and said, the Queen hath bade me say that you have left her Knights in such plight that they are unable to guard her, and therefore as this hindrance comes from you she requests you to guard her to Miraflores, whither she goes to see Oriana. I thank your Lady, replied Florestan, for thus commanding me; we will go from hence so as to reach her tent by day-break. Well was the Damsel pleased with the gentle demeanour of Florestan, for he was comely and debonair, and in all things such as beseemed one of such high degree. So there they took their supper together, and the Damsel was lodged that night in the hermitage, and Florestan slept under the trees with his Squires, and soundly did he rest after the fatigue of the day. When it was time his Squires awakened him, and they and the Damsel accompanied him to the tent where they arrived full early. She went straight
to the Queen, and Florestan to Grumedan's tent, who was preparing to hear mass, and he seeing Florestan embraced him joyfully. The Queen, said he, desires you for her guard, and methinks she has made no bad bargain in losing her own Knights and gaining you in their stead. In truth, replied Florestan, I am right glad to serve her, and the more so since it will be in your company, whom I had not seen so long. God knows, replied the old Knight, how I rejoice to see you. What have you done with the shields which you won?—I have sent them to the Firm Island, that your friend Don Gandales may hang them where they may be seen by all comers, and where the Romans may seek them, if they are disposed to recover them. In that case, said Grumedan, the Island will soon be well stored with their shields and arms.
They now came to the Queen's tent. Florestan would have kissed her hand, but she laid it on the sleeve of his mail, to show how gladly she welcomed him. Don Grumedan then sent the wounded Knights to the nearest town that they might be healed of their wounds; this done Queen Sardamira mounted her palfrey, which was as white as snow, the saddle and trappings were all wrought with gold, she herself was most richly habited, and