But in this which has happened, unless you, under God have compassion upon me; not I alone but numberless others who have no fault herein, must miserably end their lives. For it has pleased God, who knew the wrong and cruelty that have been done me, that the Knights of the Firm Island met and destroyed the Roman fleet, and carried me and all my Dames and Damsels to the Firm Island, where I am now treated with the same reverence and decorum, as if I was in your royal house. And because they are about to send certain Knights to the King my father, with intention to procure peace, if any concession may be made in my favour, I have thought it well to write thus before they can arrive, beseeching you by the tears which I now am shedding and do perpetually shed, that you will in goodness intreat the King my father to have pity on me, and consider the service of God more than the glories and honours of this world, and not put his own fortunes upon hazard, for he knows better than any other, the great force and injustice that he has done to me, nothing deserving it.
Having read this letter the Queen told Durin not to return till she gave him an answer, but that she must first speak to the King. And Durin then
told her that the Princesses and Dames and Damsels who were in her Lady's company, all sent to kiss her hands. Brisena then sent to request the King to come alone to her chamber, that she might speak with him. So soon as he entered she fell on her knees before him, weeping, and said, Sir, read this letter which your daughter Oriana has sent, and have mercy upon her and upon me. The King raised her up by the hand; and took the letter and read it, and then that he might give her some contentment he said, since Oriana writes that these Knights are about to send Embassadors to me, peradventure the Embassy may be such as to satisfy for the wrong received. If it should prove otherwise, you must consider that it is better to support our honour with danger, than by avoiding danger, to suffer that it should be tarnished. He then entreated her to put her trust in God and cease to afflict herself, and having said this, left the apartment.
The Queen then called for Durin, and said to him, friend Durin go tell my daughter that till these Knights arrive and their embassy be known, I can give no answer, for the King her father can come to no resolution, but if any means of peace can be found out, I will with all my power labour to
procure it, and greet her lovingly from me; and greet from me likewise all her Dames and Damsels. Tell her also, that now is the time when she must show what she is, chiefly by regarding her own good fame, without which nothing to be valued would be left her, and also by enduring affliction as becomes one of her high rank; for where God hath bestowed rank there also hath he allotted cares and troubles proportionately greater. I pray God to protect her, and restore her to me with honour. So Durin kissed her hand and departed; but little profit came of this journey, nor did Oriana receive any hope from her mother's message.
Now the history saith that one day when King Lisuarte having heard mass, was preparing to eat with his chiefs in the palace hall; there came in a Squire and presented a letter of credence to him. The King took and read, and then asked him what he would have, and from whom he came? Sir he replied, I am the Squire of Don Quadragante of Ireland, and come to you with his bidding. Lisuarte answered, say then what you would have, and I shall willingly listen. The Squire made answer, Sir, Don Quadragante and Don Brian of Monjaste are come into your kingdom with the bidding of Amadis and the other Princes
and Knights who are with him in the Firm Island, this they send to notify to you, before they enter your court; if they may safely appear before you, they will come and deliver their embassy, but if not, they will publish it abroad, and return thither from whence they came. Therefore Sir, give me answer as it may please you, that they may not be delayed. Having heard this King Lisuarte remained awhile without replying, as every great man ought to do, that he may have time to consider; but reflecting that no inconvenience could follow from receiving an embassy from his enemies and that it would discover little moderation if he refused, he said to the Squire, tell these Knights that they may come to my court, with full security; and that I will listen to what they have to say.
With this answer the Squire returned. Don Quadragante and Don Brian hearing this landed from their vessel, being armed in goodly arms, and on the third day they reached the town wherein the King then sojourned, at such time as he had finished his meal. As they rode through the streets great was the concourse of people to look at them, for they knew them well, and said to each other. Cursed be the traitors whose villainy hath made our
Lord the King lose these good Knights and so many others from his company. But some among them who knew better how it had been, laid all the fault upon the King, because he submitted his prudence to the counsel of scandalous and envious men. Thus they rode along, and having entered the outer court of the Palace they there dismounted, and went in where the King was, and courteously accosted him, and he on his part received them with courteous demeanour.
Don Quadragante then thus addrest him, it becomes great Princes patiently and without passion to hear the Messengers who are sent to them, for if the Embassy should content them, then will they have reason to rejoice that they received it graciously, and if otherwise the remedy is to be found in a courageous heart and brave resolution, not in angry words. It becomes Embassadors also respectfully to deliver what they have in charge without fear of any danger that may on that account betide them. The cause of our coming to you King Lisuarte, is by order and request of Amadis of Gaul and the other good Knights who are in the Firm Island. They send to tell you, that they seeking adventures abroad to uphold the right and redress wrong, did hear from many,