While the armies were thus employed Gandalin arrived, who had taken Melicia to the Firm Island, and had since hastened with his utmost speed to come up before the battle. The reason was this: you know that Gandalin was the son of the good Knight Don Gandales, and the milk-brother of Amadis. From the day on which Amadis, then calling himself the Child of the Sea, was made a Knight, he knew that they were not brothers, though till then they had ever thought themselves such, and from that hour Gandalin had always attended him as his Squire. Now, though he had often besought his master to make him a Knight, yet
Amadis could never have resolution to do that, which by reason he ought to have done, and to which he was greatly bound, for his father's sake who fostered him, and for his own being the best Squire that ever served a Knight; yet because Gandalin knew the secret of his love and was his only comforter, and the only one with whom he could talk about Oriana, he could not bear to lose him, as he must have done, had he knighted him; for then Gandalin must needs have gone his way to seek adventures and gain the praise of prowess. But now that Amadis had his Lady Oriana in his power, and was resolved not to part with her except he lost his life, Gandalin knew that he might reasonably demand knighthood, more especially on so great and signal an occasion as this battle; for greatly as he desired it, he had never much urged the point, knowing how necessary he was to his master. So having now delivered the bidding of Queen Elisena, and related his tidings he took him aside and said—the reason, Sir, why I have so long ceased to ask knighthood at your hand with that earnestness which would have become me, has been my great desire to serve you, and my knowledge how necessary I was to your comfort. For this reason I have
forborne to act as became my good birth, and suffered my honour to be neglected; but now, Sir, that she for whom you have endured so much is in your power, there is no excuse either to satisfy myself or others why I should longer forbear to seek the order of knighthood. Now I beseech you give it me, for you know, otherwise, what shame and lasting dishonour it will be to me if it be now withheld.
When Amadis heard him speak thus, he was so troubled, that for a while he could not reply. At length he said, O my true friend and brother, it is as grievous for me to fulfil what you require as though my heart were plucked from my body; and if with any reason I could dissuade you, I would strive with all my might so to do; but your demand is so just, that it cannot be denied; and I am grieved that I did not provide such arms and horse for the occasion as you deserve. Then Gandalin knelt down to kiss his hand; but Amadis raised him, and embraced him, and wept over him, to think of the solitude he should endure for his loss. Sir, quoth Gandalin, Don Galaor in his great courtesy, knowing my desire, hath given me his horse and arms, of which, he said, he had no
need in this malady; I thanked him and took the horse, which is a good one, and the breast-plate and helmet, but not the other arms; for they ought to be what beseem a young Knight; and those, therefore, I had made while I remained with him. He offered me his sword also; but I told him, Sir, that you would give me one of those which Queen Menoresa gave you in Greece. Since it is so, replied Amadis, do you watch your arms the night before the battle in the chapel of my father's tent; and in the morning when we are about to encounter the enemies, the King my father shall knight thee: you know that no better man can be found, nor one from whose hand you could receive more honour in the ceremony. Sir, quoth Gandalin, what you say is true; it would be hard to find another Knight like the King; but I will receive Knighthood from no hand but yours. Lasindo, Don Bruneo's Squire, has told me that his master has promised to knight him, and we two will watch our arms together. God grant that I may fulfil the duties of knighthood, and manifest the teaching which I have from you received.
Two days did the armies remain within sight of
each other, fortifying their camps and preparing all things for the battle. On the second day at evening, the spies of King Aravigo arrived at the top of the mountains, and from thence beheld how both hosts were encamped below. When King Aravigo and the other leaders heard this, they sent their scouts back to observe all that should pass, and they themselves took possession of all the passes of the Sierra, and so stationed themselves, that if need were, they could with little danger retreat by the mountains to the sea, and there embark. But their doings had not been so secret that King Lisuarte had not heard how so great an army had landed in his dominions; and though he knew not to what end they came, nor whitherward they marched, he had given orders to secure all the stores, and drive away all the cattle thereabout, and that the peasantry should go to the fortified towns, and he had left certain Knights to defend them. King Perion also had heard of them, and was alarmed at the tidings, but neither did he know where they now were: thus had they put both parties in fear. Now had they remained three days, and the Emperor Patin became impatient of longer delay, desirous, either vanquished or victor, to
return to his own country. Amadis also and Agrayes and Don Quadragante and the other Knights besought Perion to come to battle, that God might decide the cause. The King was as desirous as they, but had delayed thus long that all things might be ready: he now made proclamation that all should hear mass at dawn and arm themselves, and every man then repair to his own Captain, for the battle would be waged. The same order was issued in the other camp: so when the dawn appeared, the trumpets sounded so loud and clear that they were heard in both camps as though they had been in concert. The Knights began to arm and saddle their horses; and they heard mass in the tents, and mounted; and each went to his proper standard.
Who is he that hath such thought and memory, though he had seen this sight and given it all his attention, that he could relate or write of the arms and horses with their devices, and the Knights who were there embattled? Certes the man would be a fool and devoid of understanding who could think to do this. Leaving, therefore, the general description, something shall be said here of the particular; and we
will begin with the Emperor of Rome who was strong of body and courageous, and would have been a right good Knight, if his little discretion and great pride had not marred him. His armour was all black, helmet and shield and surcoat; except that on the shield he bore the figure of a damsel from her girdle upward made to the likeness of Oriana, well wrought in gold and garnished with pearls and precious stones, and fastened to the shield with nails of gold; and on his black surcoat he had a golden chain-work woven, which device he swore never to lay aside till he had Amadis in chains, and all those who had been with him at the rescue of Oriana. He was on a goodly horse and of great size, and his lance in his hand, and thus he rode out of the camp. Next after him came Floyan the brother of Salustanquidio: he bore for his arms black and yellow quartered, and nothing more; he was a good Knight and greatly esteemed by his own party. Arquisil was behind him bearing arms of azure and argent powdered with roses of gold. The arms of Lisuarte were black with white eagles; and he bore one Eagle on his shield without any adornment; but those arms came out of the field with great honour by reason of what their lord did