and the Prince Garinto and the three Knights, and they brought the Duke, in such evil plight as he was upon a horse without a saddle. And the trumpet sounded, and the Prince was proclaimed King of Dacia, and Angriote and Don Bruneo placed upon his head a crown of gold, set with pearls and precious stones. Then were there great sports and rejoicings made for the rest of the day, to the great shame and sorrow of the Duke, whom all the people reviled; but those Knights besought the Queen to send the Duke away, or else they would depart, for they would not see such insults offered to any prisoner in their presence. Upon this the Queen remanded him to prison, seeing that it displeased the Knights. She now besought them to accept certain rich jewels; but they said they would take no reward for what they had done, only as they had heard that the greyhounds and spaniels of that land were excellently good, if it pleased her they would take some for their sports in the Firm Island. More than forty were then brought them, and they chose such as they liked best.
When the Queen saw that they would depart, she said to them, my good friends, since ye would not take my jewels ye must needs take one which
I value above all others in the world, and that is the King my son, whom ye shall present in my name to Amadis, that in his company he may be instructed in all good things that beseem a Knight, as God hath already abundantly provided him with temporal goods; and tell him that if my son should live to years sufficient, he shall receive knighthood more honourably from his hand than from any other living; and that for his own sake, and for yours, who have recovered me my kingdom, it is at his and your disposal. For this honour they thanked the Queen as she deserved, and without delay embarked, the Queen going with them to the shore; and on her return she had the Duke hanged, that all might behold what fruit the flowers of treason produce.
They sailed on till they reached the Firm Island, and then sent to tell Amadis that the young King of Dacia was in their company. Amadis and Agrayes went out to meet him, and they courteously bade him welcome, and lodged him with Don Bruneo, till he should have companions suitable to his age.
CHAPTER 42.
King Lisuarte, when all things were ready for his departure, set forth with Queen Brisena, and the Princess Leonoreta, and his High Steward King Arban of North Wales, and King Cildadan, and Don Galvanes, with Madasima his wife, who were now come from Mongaza, and other Knights; but King Gasquilan had returned to his own country. They travelled on till they came within four leagues of the Firm Island, where they rested one night. When Amadis heard that they were so near, it was resolved that all the Knights of the Island, and all the Dames and Damsels should go meet them two leagues out. On the following day the Knights therefore went out, and all the Queens, with Queen Elisena and their company. What dresses they wore, and what riches,
and how their palfreys were caparisoned, memory is not equal to relate nor write; but neither before nor since was there ever such a company of Knights so highly born, and of such prowess, and of such Princesses and fair Damsels, assembled in the world. When King Lisuarte saw such a company, and coming towards him, he guessed who they were, and hastened to meet them, and he and King Perion and the Emperor embraced. Amadis was somewhat behind, talking with his brother Galaor, and when he came near the King he alighted, though the King called out to him to keep his seat, but he notwithstanding went up to him on foot, and kissed his hand per-force; and then went on to Queen Brisena, whose bridle Child Esplandian was leading, the Queen bent downward to embrace him, but he took her hands and kissed them. When Galaor, who was so weak that he could scarcely sit on horseback, came near, King Lisuarte went to embrace him, and they both wept, and the King held him thus for a while, and could not speak; some said, that this feeling was for joy at their meeting, but others thought it was for the remembrance of all that had passed, and for grief that they had not been together when their hearts so greatly desired it; you may assign it to which cause you please, but
in either case it proceeded from the great love which they bore to one another.