my vassals, who dearly love her, but I will not for that depart from my promise: make ready your vessels, and on the third day I will deliver her into your charge; but when you have her on board, see that ye do not permit her to quit her cabin, lest some evil should happen. Brondajel answered, all shall be done Sir as you command; and though it be now grievous to my Lady the Empress, to depart from this land, where her friends are, yet when she beholds the greatness of Rome, and how Knights and Princes will then humble themselves before her, she will soon be well satisfied, and ere long Sir, we shall write to you such tidings. The King smiled, and embraced him, saying, I believe that ye are such as will soon make her regain her chearfulness. Salustanquidio who was now recovered, besought him to send Olinda with his daughter, and he being a King promised to take her to wife when she arrived: at this the King was well pleased, and praised Olinda, saying, that for her virtues and great beauty, she well deserved to become a Queen.
The next day they stored their ships, and Magalin and his brethren presented themselves before the King, and said to Don Grumedan, the day of your shame is come, for to-morrow is the term
which you in your folly appointed for the combat; hope not to avoid it, for that can only be done by your confessing yourself conquered; you shall now pay for your insolence, as one who have more years than wisdom. Don Grumedan who was almost beside himself at this menace rose up to answer, but the King who knew his temper, when his honour was concerned, said to him, I beseech you Don Grumedan, for my sake say nothing in reply, but make ready for the battle; you know better than any one else, that these matters are not to be decided by words, but by deeds. Sir, said he, I will obey you; to-morrow I will be in the field with my companions, and then shall the worth or the no-worth of each be known. The Romans then retired, and the King calling Don Grumedan apart, asked of him, who have you to help you against these Knights? for they appear to me strong and courageous. Sir, quoth the old man, I have God to help me, and this body, and this heart, and these hands, which he hath given me. If Don Galaor should arrive before tierce to-morrow, I shall have him, for I know he will maintain my cause, and then I care not for a third; if he does not come, I will fight them all three, one after another, if that may be allowed. The King replied, do you not see that the challenge was
three against three? and they will not alter it: as God shall help me, I grieve to see that you have no comrades such as you need in this great danger. Sir, cried the old Knight, fear not for me; God will help whom he pleases; I go against pride with courtesy and fair dealing, and that which is pleasing to God will bear me out. If Don Galaor should not come, and none other of your Knights should offer themselves, I will take the two best of my own. Nay, replied Lisuarte, such assistants could not avail you; I will advise you better my friend: I will secretly adventure my body with you in the battle, for you have often thrust yourself into extreme perils for me, and ungrateful should I be, if I did not risque my life and honour for you in return; and while he said this he embraced the old Knight and wept. Don Grumedan kissed his hand and answered, this is indeed the greatest favour I ever received from you, and more than any services can ever have deserved; but this must not be, and God forbid that a King like you should commit such a fault, for you are King, and Lord, and Judge, and must deal by strangers in this case, even as by your own subjects. Since it is so then, said Lisuarte, I can only pray to God to help you.
Don Grumedan then went to his lodging and ordered two of his Knights to prepare to assist him in this battle; but I tell you that courageous and practised as he was, his heart was bursting, for these men were not such as were needed in such a combat; yet so good a heart had he, that rather would he have died, than have done or said any thing that might shame him; and he shewed no fear. That night he passed in St. Mary's Chapel, and on the morrow heard mass there with great devotion, beseeching God that he might perform this battle to his honour, or if it was his pleasure, that his days should then come to an end, to have mercy on his soul. Then with a good courage he called for his armour; he put on his breast-plate which was strong and white, and over it a coat-armour of his own colours, which were murrey with white swans: before he had finished arming himself, there came in the fair Damsel who had been Embassadress to Grasinda and the Greek Knight, and with her two other Damsels and two Squires. She bore in her hand a goodly sword, with rich accoutrements, and enquired for Grumedan, to whom she said, Sir, the Greek Knight, who loves you for what he has heard of you since he came into this land, and because he knows you have to do battle with the Romans, has left two right good Knights,
those whom you have seen in his company, and requests you to take no others as your comrades in this combat, but accept them on his faith without fear; and he sends you also this good sword, which has been tried as you beheld, when he struck the stone pillar with it, chasing that Roman. A joyful man was Don Grumedan at hearing this, knowing his own danger, and that they who were in the company of the Greek Knight, must be good men. Damsel, said he, God prosper the Greek Knight, who is thus courteous to me, whom he knows not; and God grant that I may one day requite him. She replied, Sir, you would truly esteem him if you knew him, and so will you these his comrades, when you have tried them. Go now forth, for you will find them waiting for you at the lists.
Don Grumedan drew the sword which had been sent him; and he saw how bright it was, and that it bore no mark of the mighty blow it had given, and he blest it, and girded it on instead of his own. And he mounted the horse which Florestan had given him when he won it from the Romans, and rode out, appearing like a comely and brave old man. He and the two other Knights courteously greeted each other, but he could not discover who
they were, and then they entered the lists to the great joy of all who loved Don Grumedan, to see him in such company. The King marvelled much that these Knights having no cause, and not knowing Don Grumedan, should place themselves in such danger; and seeing the Damsel Embassadress he sent for her, and said, Damsel why have these Knights of your company taken up the quarrel of one whom they know not? Sir, she replied, the good as well as the worthless are known by their feats: and the Greek Knight having heard of the worth of Don Grumedan, and how this battle was appointed, and that few of your good Knights were at this time present, left here his companions to be his help-mates; such men are they, that before noon be passed, the arrogance of the Romans shall yet be humbled lower, and the honour of your Knights well maintained. Glad was the King at this, for he feared greatly for Don Grumedan, and in his heart he thanked the Greek Knight more than he in words expressed.
The three Knights entered the lists, and placed themselves at one end, Don Grumedan being between the other twain: presently King Arban of North Wales and the Count of Clara came in as judges on their part; and Salustanquidio and