CHAPTER 29.
You have heard who this Gasquilan was, and in what manner he became King of Sweden. This King was enamoured of a Princess who was called the fair Pinela, and by her father's death became Lady of the Strong Island, which was near Sweden. She, because, Gasquilan was of the race of the Giants, and in himself proud and overbearing, would never encourage his hope; but because her chiefs feared him, and she herself saw no other remedy to prevent his love from changing into exceeding hatred, she devised this means. She told him that it was her determination, and what she had promised to her father at the time of his death, never to marry any other than the best Knight in the world; to find who this might be, she had dispatched messengers into all foreign parts, and the tidings they had all brought
back was, that a Knight called Amadis of Gaul was the bravest and best Knight in the world, who undertook and atchieved adventures which no other dared attempt. If, therefore, he who was so strong and courageous would seek out this Amadis, and conquer him, she would then fulfil her promise to her father, and make him master of herself and her kingdom, fully believing that he would then have no peer. This she did, in the hope that Gasquilan, strong as he was, was no ways equal to Amadis.
When the Squire had brought him this answer, he exclaimed, My friend, you tell me what I most desire to hear; every thing is now as I wished, and I shall win the love of my Lady, for I am that Gasquilan whom you know. Then he called for his arms, which were after this fashion; the field of his surcoat and bever was murrey, bearing griffins or; his helmet and shield were burnished and bright as a mirror; and on his shield he had a griffin griping a heart in his talons, wrought in gold, and fastened to the shield with golden nails, and garnished with jewels; by the griffin he gave to understand the great rigour and cruelty of his Lady, and that as that heart was pierced by his talons, even so his heart suffered from its mortal
desires. He took a strong lance, whose iron was long and bright, and going before the Emperor, besought him not to let his troops begin the attack till he had performed one joust with Amadis, as he had agreed with him; and he bade the Emperor not hold him as a Knight, if he did not in the first encounter rid him of his enemy. The Emperor, who knew Amadis better than he did, because he had proved him, thought within himself that this was more easily conceited than performed. So Gasquilan advanced forward between the armies, who both halted to witness this signal encounter between two such Knights.
Amadis was ready to give him his welcome; he knew him to be a brave Knight, yet, because he was so arrogant and vain-glorious, cared little for his valour; for when such men as he are in their greatest need, then God breaks their pride; he turned his horse toward him, and covered himself with his shield, and giving the spur rode at him with all his force. Gasquilan did the same, driving at full speed; their lances flew up in shivers, their shields and bodies met with such force, that all the beholders imagined that they would both be dashed to pieces. Gasquilan was driven from his saddle with such force, that being of huge
bulk, and falling upon the hard earth, his right arm broke, and he lay stunned and like a dead man. The horse of Amadis had his shoulder broken, and he himself was somewhat stunned, yet not so much but that he leaped from his horse before the beast fell, and went on foot toward Gasquilan to see whether he was dead.
When the Emperor saw Gasquilan lying for dead, and Amadis on foot, he called out to Floyan to advance and help the King of Sweden. Don Quadragante seeing them come on, cried out, Attack them, Sir, and leave not a man of them alive! Both sides then hastened to encounter; but Gandalin, who saw his master on foot, and was fearful for his safety, rode the foremost to help him, and seeing Floyan in the front of his battle encountered him so rudely, that Floyan fell, and he himself lost his stirrups, but kept his seat. Both parties now strove to horse their Knights, and Quadragante dismounted four Romans before he broke his lance, and the horse of the first was given by Angriote to Amadis; mean time the Romans carried Gasquilan, who was now recovering his senses, out of the field. Gavarte of the Perilous Vale, and Landin followed the path of Quadragante; these Knights were used to