Lisuarte took with him King Cildadan, and King Gasquilan, and all his people, and in five days arrived at his town of Windsor, being more chearful in semblance than in heart, for though he well knew that both his daughters were now honourable disposed, yet it was after he had been conquered, and the glory all appertained to Amadis; but he was now advanced in years, and grieved to behold so much slaughter, and as he had heretofore regarded so inordinately the glories of the world that he had forgotten the state of his own soul, so now he felt that God had justly thus chastised him. He took Esplandian by the hand, and led him to the Queen, who had already learnt all that had past from Brandoyuas. When he entered, the Queen knelt to him, and would have kissed his hand, but he drew her toward him and
embraced her lovingly as one whom he loved with his whole heart; and while the other Dames and Damsels kissed the King's hand, Brisena took Child Esplandian, who was kneeling before her, in her arms, and kissed him often times, and said, O my fair and fortunate child, blessed be the hour in which thou wast born! and the blessing of God and my blessing be upon thee! The King of Sweden and King Cildadan then came and saluted her, and she courteously, as was her manner, welcomed them and the other Knights. By this it was supper time, and the two Kings and many other Knights, sate at table with the King, where they were plentifully served with various meats, as was the custom and beseemed the board of such a man. After they had supped, King Lisuarte gave order that these Knights should be lodged in the Palace, and he and the Queen retired to their chamber, and when they were in bed, the King said, Dame, if peradventure you marvelled at what you have heard concerning your daughter Oriana and Amadis of Gaul, so also did I, for certes any such thought was far from us. I am only grieved that we knew it not, for then all these deaths and losses might have been spared. But now that it is come to our knowledge there is no remedy but that
Oriana should remain with the husband whom she has chosen, and setting aside all animosity, to acknowledge the truth, there is no Emperor or Prince this day in the world who can equal him; and Leonoreta will be Empress of Rome. You must therefore get ready, for I freely promised Amadis to do him honour, that we would go to him in the Firm Island, and there you must put on a chearful countenance, and forbear to speak of what has past. The Queen then kissed his hand, because he had thus controuled the pride and anger of his heart, and told him, she would obey, and that since he had two such sons, he should give thanks to God, notwithstanding the manner had not been according to his own will. So on the morrow they gave order for their departure.
CHAPTER 39.
The history saith, that King Perion and his companions returned in good array as they had come; the Emperor always lodged in the same tent with Amadis, and slept in the same bed; and all his people, and tents, and accoutrements, were under the care of Brondajel of the Rock, as his High Steward, as he had been to the Emperor Patin. When they arrived at the Firm island, they found Oriana and all her company in the garden, so fair, and so richly attired, that it was a wonder to behold, and you would have thought that they did not look like earthly persons, but as if God had made them in Heaven and sent them there. The joy that they then had to see themselves met together again, in safety, and being now certain of peace, cannot in any manner be expressed. King Perion went first, and they whom it behoved humbly
saluted him, and the others kissed his hand. Amadis led the Emperor to Oriana. Agrayes, and Florestan, and Quadragante, and Don Brian of Monjaste, went to Queen Sardamira, and Olinda, and Grasinda; Don Bruneo to his beloved Lady Melicia; and the other Knights to the other Princesses and Damsels. Then Amadis took Gastiles the nephew of the Greek Emperor, and Grasandor the son of the King of Bohemia, and led them to his Cousin Mabilia, and said, My good Lady, take these Princes and honour them: and she with that took them by the hand, and seated herself between them. At this was Grasandor greatly pleased; for as we have told you, on the first day that he saw her his heart was disposed to her love.
Thus were all the Knights conversing with the Damsels as it pleased them, except Amadis, who greatly desired to speak with Oriana, and could not, by reason of the Emperor. So he took Queen Briolania by the hand, and led her toward him, and said to him, Sir, speak to this Lady and keep her company. The Emperor then looked round, for till now he had not taken his eyes from Oriana, and when he saw the Queen how fair she was, and also those other Ladies, how excellent
above all others that ever he had seen, he said to Amadis, Truly, Sir, I believe that these Ladies were not born into the world like other women, but that the wise Apolidon made them by his great art, and left them here in this Island, where you found them; I cannot think but that either they or I must be enchanted, for if you should seek such another company in the whole world, it could not be found. Amadis at this embraced him laughingly, and asked him if he had seen no such company in any Court? Certes, he replied, neither have I, nor has any other one, except it were in the Court of Heaven. At this time King Perion, who had been talking with the fair Grasinda, came up, and taking Queen Briolania by the hand, said to the Emperor, Good Sir, if it please you, let you and I be with this fair Queen, and Amadis talk with Oriana, which I believe will be greatly to his pleasure. So Amadis then full joyfully went to his Lady, and seating himself with her apart, said, O Lady, with what services can I requite you, that by your consent our loves are now made known? Oriana answered, It is now, Sir, no longer time that you should proffer such courtesies, or that I should receive them. I am now to follow and observe your will with that obedience which wife owes to husband,