Amadis of Gaul, Vol. 4

by Vasco de Lobeira

a ship come in they informed Amadis, who forthwith sent to know who came in her, but when he heard it was Prince Grasandor, son to the King of Bohemia, he greatly rejoiced, and went to horse, and took with him Don Quadragante and Agrayes, and rode to welcome him. When they met they embraced each other like true friends, and Grasandor after their greeting told him how he had met Giontes, and had sent to bid the succours proceed without waiting for farther summons. If all our friends, quoth Quadragante, help us with the like good will, little need we fear this danger. Then they rode to the Castle, and Amadis took Grasandor to his apartment and gave order that his company should be well lodged and provided, and he sent to inform all his Knights of the Prince's arrival, that they might go welcome him; forthwith they all repaired to the apartment of Amadis, being clad richly in the dress of war, as they were ever accustomed to be when in time of rest; and when Grasandor saw so many Knights whose fame was so spread abroad, he thought himself greatly honoured to be in their company.

Now when it was known to what end Giontes had been sent to Rome, messengers were

dispatched without delay for all the succour, and because it would be tedious to relate how they all severally sped in their embassy, we will only tell you that they all arrived, and that all the succours embarked and sailed to the Firm Island. The good King Perion brought three thousand Knights. King Tafinor of Bohemia sent one thousand five hundred Knights with Count Galtines. Tantiles brought one thousand two hundred from Queen Briolania. Six hundred came with Branfil the brother of Don Bruneo. Six hundred from Ireland with Don Quadragante's nephew Landin. King Ladasin of Spain sent two thousand to his son Don Brian of Monjaste. Don Gandales came from Scotland with fifteen hundred for Agrayes. The Emperor of Constantinople sent eight thousand with his nephew Gastiles. All these came to the Firm Island; but the first who arrived was King Perion, by reason that his kingdom lay the nearest. If he was well received by his sons and by all those Chiefs need not be said. By his advice it was resolved that all the forces of the Island should go out and pitch their tents upon a plain that lay below the Castle, which abounded with springs and was surrounded with trees; and so soon as any succours arrived they were immediately there encamped.

But who can tell when they were all assembled what Knights and horses and arms were there? Certes you may well believe that never in memory of man were such Knights, and so many, assembled together in behalf of any Prince.

But Oriana did nothing but weep and curse her ill fortune that would occasion so great destruction, unless it pleased God in his mercy to provide some remedy. All those Ladies who were in her company consoled her the best they could, saying that neither she, nor they who served her could stand accused to God or to the world. And albeit she was loth, they made her go up to the top of the Tower, from whence she could see the plain and all the people who were encamped there; and when she beheld the plain covered with people, and so many glittering arms, and so many tents, she thought all the world were up in arms. Then while the others were all wondering at the sight, Mabilia, seeing that none could hear her, said, What think you, is there another in the world who hath such a servant and friend as you? Oriana answered, Ah, Lady, my true friend, what shall I do, my heart cannot bear this. On one side is he who is the light of my eyes, and the consolation of my poor heart, without whom I could not live,

and on the other is my father, to whom, cruel as I have found him, I cannot but feel that true love which as his child I owe him. Wretch that I am, whichever of these should perish, I must be the most unhappy woman that ever lived! and then she wept and wrung her hands. Mabilia took her hands, For God's sake, Lady, desist from this, and put your trust in God! if evil should come, remember that wrongs like yours cannot be lightly remedied, and thank God that the sin is not yours. Oriana felt the truth of this, and was somewhat consoled.

When King Perion saw all the forces encamped, he took both Grasandor and Agrayes and said he would go visit Oriana, and he bade Amadis and Don Florestan remain with the army. When Oriana heard of the coming of the King, she was greatly pleased, for she had never seen him since he knighted the Child of the Sea by her request at the house of King Languines of Scotland. She assembled all her Ladies to receive him; the King when he entered her apartment courteously saluted her, and she humbly returned the salutation; then he addressed the Queens Briolania and Sardamira and all the other Princesses

and Damsels. Mabilia then came forward and knelt before him, and would have kissed his hand, but he drew her toward him and embraced her with exceeding love, and said to her, Dear Niece, I bring many remembrances from the Queen your Aunt and from your Cousin Melicia, as to one whom they greatly esteem and love. Gandalin will tell you the Queen's bidding, for he remains to come with Melicia, that she may keep company with this Lady who so well deserves it. Then he turned to Oriana and said, Good my Lady, the same reason that made me feel for your wrongs, hath bound me to labour to redress them, and for this am I come hither. But do you take good heart, and put your trust in God, for he will help you and reinstate you in that greatness, which your own virtue and the justness of your cause deserve. Oriana, the while he spoke, looked earnestly at the King; his person was so goodly, and he spoke so well, that she thought in herself he well deserved to be the father of such sons, and that his great renown was but reasonable. Sir, she replied, what requital can a poor wretched and distressed damsel like me make for what you have said? certes none other than what all those whose injuries you

have heretofore redressed, have made, to tell you that in so doing you are serving God, and increasing the great fame which you have already won. One thing I beseech you, Sir, do for me,—try every means to bring about peace with the King my father, for this will please God in saving the lives of so many as must needs perish else, and it would make me the happiest woman in the world. The King answered, things are now in such state that this would be very difficult; but oftentimes when enmity appears to be at its extreme, peace is then procured which could never be obtained before: and be sure that if it can be, I shall with all good will procure it, both for the service of God and for your sake, as one whom I so much desire to serve. At that Oriana humbly gave him thanks, like one in whom virtue abounded more than in any other woman.

While they were thus in talk, Agrayes and Grasandor conversed with Queen Briolania and Queen Sardamira, and Olinda and the other Ladies; and when Grasandor saw Oriana and all her company how excellently fair they were, above all that ever he had yet seen or heard of, so astonished was he that he knew not what to