CHAPTER 25.
The History saith, that Giontes after he left Grasandor proceeded to Rome, and by his diligence and that of the Emperor, the fleet was soon equipped and the ten thousand Knights embarked, and they set sail, and arrived safely in the haven near Windsor. When King Lisuarte heard of his arrival, he rode with the Kings Cildadan and Gasquilan, and many other good men to receive him, and they embraced each other with great joy. King, said the Emperor, if you have received any wrong or grievance for my sake, I am here to satisfy your honour with double victory. And as I alone have been the cause of this, I would you would allow that I alone might take vengeance, that the punishment which I inflict may be an example to all, that none may dare offend a man
so powerful as I. The King answered, My good Lord and Friend, you and your people are now weary of your voyage, let them recover from their fatigue; in the mean while we shall learn tidings of our enemies, and when that is known, you shall take what counsel pleaseth you. The Emperor would have marched on without delay, but Lisuarte, who better knew what was necessary, detained him, for he was well aware, that on this battle every thing depended. So they remained eight days in the camp receiving the forces who every day came in.
One day as the Emperor and the Kings, and many Knights in their company, were riding in the fields near the camp, they saw a Knight approach, and a Squire with him carrying his arms. If any one asks who this Knight was, I answer that he was the good Knight Enil, the nephew of Don Gandales. When he came to the camp, he asked if Arquisil were there, who was kinsman to the Emperor; he was answered yes, and that he was then riding with the Emperor. Enil then rode up to the company, who were now halting by a brook side and talking about the battle: he humbly saluted them, and they on
their part bade him welcome, and asked what he would have. Enil answered, Sirs, I come, from the Firm Island, with the bidding of my Lord the noble Knight Amadis of Gaul, son of King Perion, to a Knight called Arquisil. Arquisil answered, I am he whom you seek. Then said Enil, Arquisil, Amadis of Gaul sends to say, that when he was at the Court of King Tafinor of Bohemia, calling himself the Knight of the Green Sword, on the day after his battle with Don Garadan, he entered into the lists with you and your companions, and you were made his prisoner, and by him set at liberty on your promise as a true Knight, that you would return and put yourself into his power whenever he required it; he now by me calls upon you to fulfil your word, as so good a man and of so high a lineage ought. Certes, Knight, answered Arquisil, what you say is true; it only remains to be assured, that he who called himself the Knight of the Green Sword is Amadis of Gaul. Certain Knights who were present said, that without doubt it was so. Then Arquisil said to the Emperor, You have heard, Sir, what this Knight demands, I can no ways excuse myself, but must perform that which I owe; he gave me my life, and
prevented the other Knights from killing me, who were well inclined to do it. I beseech you, Sir, be not displeased at my going, for if I should fail in my promise, you, powerful and great as you are, ought neither to have me in your company, nor acknowledge me for your kin. The Emperor, with his wonted want of temper, cried out, You Knight who come hither on the part of Amadis, tell him he ought to be quite satisfied with offering me those little insults which little men can offer to the great: and that the time is come when I shall show him who I am, and what I can do. Tell him that he can no where escape me, not even in that Den of Thieves where he lurks; he shall soon make seven-fold restitution! You, Arquisil, do as you are required; it will not be long before I shall put this man by whom you were taken into your hands, that you may have your will of him.
When Enil heard this, he grew angry and fearlessly replied, I ween, Sir, Amadis knows what you can do already, for he met you once as an Errant Knight, not as a great prince, and you did not depart from him quite so easily! But now, as you come in another manner, so in
another manner will he meet you: let them who know the past remember it! God only knows the future. At this King Lisuarte was fearful lest the Knight should receive some hurt at the Emperor's command, which would greatly have displeased him, as indeed what had been said had done; for it was his manner to be rigorous in deed, but fair in speech; so to prevent more, he took the Emperor by the hand and said, Let us go to our tents, for it is time to sup; and let this Knight enjoy the freedom which Embassadors use to and ought to possess. The Emperor then went away, as much in anger as though what had passed had been with his peer.