The compassion which I then had upon thy youth and comeliness, hath since occasioned me many and great troubles, and has at length brought me to such state, that it behoveth me to ask thy mercy. Amadis replied, if I should have mercy, wouldst thou cease to commit those great iniquities and cruelties to which thou hast been accustomed? No, quoth he, for my age so long addicted thereto by its own will, cannot now give up what hath so long been its delight; but necessity, whose strong curb can change all customs from good to evil, and from evil to good, would make me do that in my age, which my youth in liberty neither would nor could. What necessity, replied Amadis, could I lay thee under, if I set thee free? Arcalaus answered, I would give thee up my castles and all my lands, to increase which I have done so much ill to my conscience and fame, and would reserve no more than it might please you, for your virtue, to allow me; for at present I can do nothing else. It might be that this pressure, and your great goodness would work that change in me, which reason hitherto hath not been able to effect. Then Amadis replied, Arcalaus, if I have any hope that thy disposition can be amended, it is only from the knowledge which thou thyself hast that thou art a
wicked sinner. Take courage, therefore, in this consolation; it may be this prison of the body which thou so much dreadest, may be the key to release thy soul, which thou hast had so long enthralled. Then he would have left him; but Arcalaus cried out, Amadis, look at this unhappy King! a little while ago, and he was on the point of becoming one of the greatest Princes in the world, and in a moment, fortune, which had been so favourable, beat him down, and placed him in this cruel captivity. Let him be an example to thee, and to all who have, or desire to have, honour and dominion; and remember that to conquer and to pardon is the character of great spirits. Amadis did not answer, because he was his prisoner, and this reason was against him, that he, though by his arms and his enchantments had conquered many, had never spared; howbeit he knew that what he had now said was spoken well.
As soon as they returned to the monastery, Amadis called for Ardian his Dwarf, and bade him go to the Firm Island, and tell Oriana and her company all that had taken place; and he gave him a letter for Ysanjo, wherein he bade him send all the Roman prisoners. Well pleased was the Dwarf to carry this news, because he hoped from
it great honour and much profit. He mounted his horse, and rode by day and by night with little respite till he arrived. Oriana had heard of the two battles, and that the Emperor of Rome was slain, and how the good man Nasciano had made a truce, but she knew nothing more, and was now very sorrowful that he could not bring about peace; and she did nothing now but tell her beads and make offerings and romerias to all the churches in the island, and continually pray for peace. Now when she heard that the Dwarf had arrived and brought tidings for her, her heart was greatly disturbed, fearing what he might tell her both of her father and Amadis; but he, as soon as he saw her, said, Lady, I ask for albricias (the reward of good tidings) not according to what I am, but according to what you are, and what the tidings are that I bring. Oriana answered, my friend Ardian, it seems things go well with your master, but tell me if my father is living? Living? Lady, quoth the Dwarf, alive and well, and happier than ever he was! Holy Mary! cried Oriana, tell me all, and if ever God gives me any good, I will make thee happy in this world. But when she heard all that had befallen, she knelt down, and lifted her hands and said, O Lord Almighty, the helper of all that be in need, blessed
be thy holy name! and blessed be that fair child who hath been the occasion of all this good; I am bound to love him better than any one can think! They who heard her, thought she said this because of the succour which Esplandian had procured for the King, but it proceeded from the bowels of a mother.
Queen Briolania and Melicia then asked him concerning Child Esplandian, what manner of youth he was, and how the King requited his service. Good Ladies, he answered, I was with Amadis in the King's chamber, when Esplandian went to kiss the King's hand for the favours which he promised him; and I saw the King draw him closer, and lay his hand upon his head and kiss his eyes. And as for his beauty, I tell you, that though he is a man, and you think yourselves full handsome, if he were before you, you would hide yourselves and not dare be seen. It is well then, said they, that we are shut up here, where he cannot see us. Oh, quoth the Dwarf, however you were shut up, you and all fair Ladies would go far to seek him. At that they all laughed merrily. But Oriana, looking at Queen Sardamira, bade her be of good cheer, for when the Lord was thus helping her sorrows, she also would not be
forgotten. The Queen thanked her, and asked Ardian what was become of those unhappy Romans who were with King Lisuarte? he told her that he had seen Arquisil talking in friendship with Amadis, and that her brother Flamineo was hurt, but not badly.
When Ysanjo had read the letter of Amadis, he took the Roman chiefs from the tower where they were held prisoners, and gave them horses, and all things fitting for the journey, and sent his own son and other persons to guide them; and the other prisoners, who were about two hundred, he released also, and sent them to Amadis. When they arrived at the Monastery, they kissed the King's hand, who received them kindly and with good cheer. But when they saw Arquisil, neither he nor they could refrain from tears. Amadis courteously received them, and taking them apart without Arquisil, he said, good Sirs, I sent for you, that as things appear to be drawing to a happy end, ye might be present, being men of whom reasonably much account should be taken; and also to tell you, that I have Arquisil's promise to return to prison, at my discretion, as probably you have heard. But considering the lineage from which he is sprung, and his own nobleness,
I resolved to confer with you, that as there is no other to whom the empire can of right belong, ye should take him for your Emperor, in doing which ye would do two things: first, ye would discharge your duty, by giving to the Empire so good a Knight, who is the right heir, and who would bestow great honours upon you; and secondly, as to what relates to your own captivity and his, for without delay ye should be at liberty to return into your own country, and I would always be your good friend as long as it pleased you; for I love Arquisil as though he were my own brother. Upon this the Roman Lords desired Brondajel of the Rock to speak for them: We are much beholden to you, Sir Amadis, said he, for this gracious speech. But this is a weighty business, and the consent of so many wills is necessary, that we cannot reply till we have consulted with the Knights who are here; for though little account may be made of them, yet in this, Sir, they are of great importance, for they possess cities, and towns, and fortresses, in the Empire, and many offices, which concern the election; if it please you, therefore, let us see Flamineo, and we will summon the rest in his presence, and then we shall be enabled deliberately to answer. Amadis upon this said, they had answered like good
Knights, and he besought them that there might be no delay; incontinently those Lords went to horse, and rode into the town, which by this time was cleared of the dead, for King Lisuarte had summoned the people of the surrounding districts to bury them.