the town, and I, and Arcalaus, and the King of the Deep Island, will remain with our forces here, and let us all attack the enemy without delay, before the darkness comes on, for we shall have but two hours more of the Sun. If we do not carry the city in this attack, we will fall back, and the army may take their rest till day-break, and then we will again assail; but I myself promise to you all, that I will never take enjoyment till I have them in my power; on the word of a King I promise, that his death or mine shall befal to-morrow. At this were all those Lords greatly encouraged and rejoiced; and as King Aravigo had sworn, even so also did they swear: forthwith they ordered food to be dealt, and made their men eat and drink, and told them that now they were on the point of becoming rich and fortunate, if their own want of courage did not prevent them. This done, Barsinan, and the Duke of Bristol, with half the army, went to the other side of the town, and the other half remained, and they all alighted now, and at the sound of the trumpet prepared for the assault.
King Lisuarte, when he escaped into the town, took no rest, for he saw his destruction was at hand, yet, though he knew that the place could
not long be defended, he determined to do his best till his ill fortune was fulfilled, and die like a Knight, rather than fall into the hands of his mortal enemies. The townsmen brought food to him and his soldiers, and when he had ate, he placed his Knights and all the people of the town on such parts of the wall as were weakest, telling them, that, under God, their safety and lives were in their own hands and hearts; but such men were they, that they needed no one to make them do their duty, for every one expected to die like the King his master. Presently the enemy came fiercely on, like conquerors, covered with their shields, with lances they who had them unbroken, others sword in hand, and the archers and cross-bowmen behind. They within received them with stones, and arrows from their bows and arbalists; the wall was low, and in some places broken, so that they joined battle almost as though they had been in the plain. Yet, what with the little defence the place afforded, and more with the great courage of the besieged, the assailants soon lost their first confidence, and fell back; but others kept up the assault. King Aravigo and all the other captains, who were still on horseback, ceased not to urge their people on, and they themselves rode up to the walls, and with their lances
thrust at those who were on the bulwarks; so that King Lisuarte's place of refuge would soon have been entered, if it had not pleased God that the night came on with great darkness. Then the assailants withdrew as they were commanded, the wounded were dressed; and the enemy placed themselves all round the town, setting strict watch, and surely they thought that the first assault at day-break would end the enterprize.
CHAPTER 36.
When Amadis and his companions went forward before King Perion, he hastened eagerly to be in time for the succour, and that his Lady Oriana might know that, with reason or without it, he always had her present to his eyes, to serve her. But the way was long; for from the place where he set out, to the field where the two great battles had been fought, was five leagues, and from thence to Lubayna eight, thirteen leagues in all, so that march as fast as they could, they were three leagues from the town when night overtook them. Amadis had ordered his guides to keep always toward the mountain, that the enemy might not retreat to any strong position; but the darkness came on, and the guides were confounded, and knew not where they were, nor where the town lay, nor whether they had past it.
When Amadis heard this, though he was the most patient man in the world, and the one who upon all occasions could best repress his anger, he could not now refrain from often cursing himself and his evil fortune, so that there was no man who dared speak to him. Don Quadragante, who was also greatly grieved because of King Cildadan, with whom he was so nearly allied, and whom he loved so well, went up to him and said, good Sir, be not so greatly disturbed, for God knows what is best; if it please him that, by this, help should be afforded to those Kings and Knights who are so much our friends, he will guide us to them; but if his will be otherwise, no one hath power to act against it. And certes as it fell out, if they had not thus gone astray, the issue would not have been so honourable for them, as you shall hear.
Being thus perplexed, Amadis asked the guides if they were near the mountain, and they replied they must needs be near it, for by his command they had inclined that way; he then bade Gandalin go, with one of the guides, and seek a way up, for if the army were encamped he would see their fires. Gandalin kept to the left, on which hand the mountain lay, and after some time found that he was at the foot of the mountain, and getting