that you, following your own will instead of reason and justice, and regarding neither the serious admonition of your nobles, nor the tears of your people, and not having your duty to God before your eyes, determined to disinherit your daughter Oriana, the lawful successor to these your kingdoms after your decease, that you might give them to your younger daughter in her stead. Moreover not regarding her intreaties and lamentations, that you without mercy delivered her up to the Romans, to be wife to the Emperor, against all right and against her own consent, and against the inclination of all your people. But as things like these are notorious to God, and he it is who gives the remedy, it pleased him that we should hear of this wrong, and that we should redress it, with no will or design to commit injury ourselves, but seeking to remedy what wrong had been committed, which without shame we could not have forborne to do. We therefore having vanquished the Romans, have carried the Princess your daughter to the Firm Island, with the reverence and respect due to her nobleness and royal birth, and there we have left her in the company of many noble Ladies and Knights of high degree. Now therefore as our intention was only to serve God and uphold the right, these Knights send
to exhort you, that you will appoint some means whereby this noble Princess may be secured from any farther such manifest wrong, and restored to your love as heretofore. If peradventure you bear any resentment against us for what we have done, let that remain for its season. For it is not reasonable the certain right of her cause should be confounded with our quarrel.
When Don Quadragante had finished his speech, the King answered him after this manner, Knight because angry words and severe answers, neither increase courage, nor make the weak heart strong, my answer shall be brief, and given with more patience than your demand deserves. Ye have done that which in your judgement was most for your honour, with overweening pride and with arrogant strength, for little glory is it to rob and conquer those who were voyaging securely as they thought, and with no fear. Ye did not bear in memory that I, being God's Lieutenant, am accountable to him and to none other for my actions. When amends shall have been taken for this, it will be time enough to talk of the accord which you propose; farther speech would be useless now. Don Brian of Monjaste then answered, nothing more then remains, now that we know
your will, but that each of us prepare for that which behoves our honour. With that they took their leave, and went to horse, and Don Grumedan with them whom the King had commanded to accompany them out of the town.
When Grumedan saw that he was out of the King's presence, he said to these Knights, my good Sirs, I am greatly grieved at this which I have witnessed, for knowing the prudence of the King and the noble nature of Amadis and of all ye, I had good hope that this might have come to good end; but it is all clean contrary to what I hoped, and so must be till it please God to bring about peace and concord. But I pray you tell me how comes it that Amadis is now in the Firm Island, for it is long since any tidings have been known of him, though his friends were perilously seeking him in foreign lands. Don Brian made answer, I need not say much to you Don Grumedan concerning our quarrel with the King, certes, we should rejoice if setting that aside, some means might be found to right the Princess Oriana, but since he will proceed according to his anger rather than his reason, he shall find the upshot more difficult than the commencement. But as for what my good Sir, you ask concerning Amadis, you must
know that till he came to this court calling himself the Greek Knight in the company with that Lady for whom he vanquished the Romans, and won the crown of the Damsels, we none of us knew tidings concerning him. Saint Mary help me! quoth Grumedan, was that Greek Knight Amadis?—Without doubt he was. Now then, replied the old man I will tell you that I think myself a man of poor understanding, for I ought to have known that he who performed such feats in arms could be no other than Amadis. And I beseech you, who were the two Knights whom he left to help me against the Romans?—Your friends Angriote of Estravaus, and Don Bruneo of Bonamar.—God-a-mercy! if I had known that, I should not have feared the battle as I did. In truth then I gained but little honour there, for with such helpers, I should not think it much to conquer twice the number of such foes. I believe by your courage Don Grumedan, said Quadragante, that you alone would have been sufficient. Be I what I may, replied the old man, ye have my love and true good will with ye, and God grant that this business may yet end well.
By this they had gone out of the town and some little beyond it, then as Grumedan was about to
bid them farewell, the fair Child Esplandian came up to them returning from his sport, and with him Ambor, the son of Angriote of Estravaus. He rode upon a goodly palfrey and well caparisoned, which Queen Brisena had given him, and he was richly clad, for the King and Queen liberally provided him with all things, both by reason of his great beauty, and also because of what Urganda the Unknown had written concerning him; and he carried upon his fist a goshawk. So coming up they gave each to other the good-day! and Don Brian asked of Grumedan who the fair Child was. He is called Esplandian, and was reared in a marvellous manner, said the old Knight, and strange things hath Urganda prophecied concerning him. Is this he? quoth Quadragante, we in the Firm Island have heard much talk of this child, I pray you call him back. Don Grumedan then called to him for he was passing on. Come hither said he, and send some bidding to the Greek Knight, who in courtesy to you spared the lives of the Romans. Esplandian turned back and answered, right glad should I be to learn tidings of that noble Knight and know where I could send my thanks, as you say, and as he truly deserves.—These Knights, are going whether he now is. He tells you
truth, said Don Quadragante; we will carry your bidding to him, who when he was here was called the Greek Knight: but is now called Amadis. What, cried Esplandian, is he the Amadis of whom all men speak so highly?—Even so—In truth highly ought he to be esteemed! and his gentleness and courtesy are not less worthy praise than his valour. I went up to him when he was in wrath, and yet he did not for that do me the less honour, nor refuse to grant me the lives of those Knights who had greatly incensed him. I thank him truly, and would to God there may come a time, when I may with the like honour requite him for it. Much were those Knights pleased to hear how well the Child spake. God make you a good man, quoth Don Bruneo, as good fair Child, as he hath made you fair. I thank you, the Child replied. But if God hath reserved any worth for me; I would it were in me now that I might be able to serve my Lord the King, who now needs the service of all his people. God be with you Sirs! so he and Don Grumedan took their leave, and those Knights proceeded to their ships.