CHAPTER 12.
King Lisuarte was at table; the cloths were removed, and Galaor, Florestan, and Agrayes, were about to take their leave and conduct Corisanda to her island, when there came a strange Knight into the palace, all armed except his head and hands, and with him two Squires, and he carried in his hand a letter sealed with five seals, which on his knees he presented to the King, saying, let this be read, and then I will say for what I am come. Lisuarte saw that it was a letter of credence, and bade him speak his errand. Then said the Knight, King, I defy thee on the part of Famongomadan, the Giant of the Boiling Lake; Cartadaque, his nephew, Giant of the Defended Mountain; and Madanfabul, his marriage-brother, the Giant of the Vermillion Tower; and for Quadragante, brother of King Abies, and Arcalaus the Enchanter: they tell thee that thy death, and the death of allwho call themselves thine is in their hands, for they are coming against thee on King Cildadan's side. Howbeit, if thou wilt give thy daughter Oriana to Madasima, the fair daughter of Famongomadan, to be her damsel and servant, they will not injure thee, nor be thine enemies, but will give her in marriage when it is time to Basagante, Madasima's brother, who doth well deserve to be Lord of her and thy land. Therefore, King, look to thy choice! such peace, or such war! Lisuarte smiled when he began to reply, as one who set at nought the defiance. Knight, said he, better is a dangerous war, than a dishonourable peace: a bad account should I render to Him, who hath placed me in this high rank, if for lack of heart I should so shamefully debase it! Tell them I would rather chuse war with them all the days of my life, and death in that war at last, than consent to the peace they offer! Tell me where I may send a Knight to carry them this answer? They may be found, replied the Embassador, in the Boiling Lake, which is in the Isle of Mongaza. I know not the manner of these Giants, quoth Lisuarte, whether a Knight can go amongst them safely? That, replied he, doubt not; where Don Quadragante is present, no wrong can be committed: I will be his warrant. In God's name! saidLisuarte, now tell me who you are?—Landin, the son of Quadragante's sister. We are come to revenge the death of King Abies of Ireland, and greatly it grieves us that we cannot find him who slew him, neither know we whether he be alive or dead. Quoth Lisuarte, I would you did know him to be alive and well! all would then be right. I know wherefore you say thus, replied Landin; you think him the best Knight living, but, be I what I may, you shall find me in the battle with King Cildadan, and see what I can do against you. I had rather have you in my service, answered Lisuarte; but there will not be wanting those who will oppose you there.
Meantime Florestan's anger was rising. Knight, said he, I am a stranger in this country, and not vassal to the King, so that there is no quarrel between us for what you have said to him, nor do I undertake it because there are many Knights in his household. But, you say, you seek for Amadis, and cannot find him; that I believe is not to your loss! but if it please you to do battle with me, who am Don Florestan, his brother, let it be with this condition: if you are conquered, you shall give over the pursuit of vengeance; if I am slain, your wrath will in part be satisfied, for whateversorrow you feel for the loss of King Abies, that and much greater would Amadis endure for my death. Landin replied, Don Florestan I perceive you have a heart for battle, but I cannot satisfy you now, being bound to return with this embassy on an appointed day, and also having pledged myself to undertake no enterprize before the battle; but, if I come from that field alive, I will meet you in the lists. Landin, quoth Florestan, you answer like a good and honourable Knight, as you are bound to do; let it be as you have said. And he gave his gloves in gage to the King, and Landin gave the lappets of his armour; and the day for their combat was fixed for the thirtieth after the battle. Lisuarte then sent a Knight called Filispinel with Landin to carry his reply, and they departed together.
When they were gone, the King said to Galaor, and Florestan, and their cousin Agrayes, you shall see something that will please you! and he sent for his daughter Leonoreta to come with her little damsels and dance before him, as she used to do; a thing which he had never ordered, since the news that Amadis was lost. She came, and the King said to her, Daughter, sing now the song which Amadis, being your Knight, made for yourlove. So the child and the other young damsels began to sing.
Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.I lost my liberty when I did gazeUpon those lights which set me in a maze,And of one free am now become a thrall,Put to such pain thou serv'st thy friends withal;And yet do I esteem this pain a pleasure,Endured for thee whom I love out of measure.Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.I little joy in any other's sight,My heart is thine, thyself my chief delight.But yet I see the more that I do love,More smart I feel, more pain, more grief I prove.Well! let Love rage, though he be angry ever,I'll take my loss for gain, though I gain never.Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.And though to you I manifest my woes,My martyrdom, my smart, another knows;One unto whom I secretly invoke,Who is the cause of this my fire, my smoke.She hath a salve to cure my endless grief,And only she may yield me some relief.Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me[188:A]rebelling.
Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.
Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,
For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.
I lost my liberty when I did gazeUpon those lights which set me in a maze,And of one free am now become a thrall,Put to such pain thou serv'st thy friends withal;And yet do I esteem this pain a pleasure,Endured for thee whom I love out of measure.Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.
I lost my liberty when I did gaze
Upon those lights which set me in a maze,
And of one free am now become a thrall,
Put to such pain thou serv'st thy friends withal;
And yet do I esteem this pain a pleasure,
Endured for thee whom I love out of measure.
Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,
For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.
I little joy in any other's sight,My heart is thine, thyself my chief delight.But yet I see the more that I do love,More smart I feel, more pain, more grief I prove.Well! let Love rage, though he be angry ever,I'll take my loss for gain, though I gain never.Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.
I little joy in any other's sight,
My heart is thine, thyself my chief delight.
But yet I see the more that I do love,
More smart I feel, more pain, more grief I prove.
Well! let Love rage, though he be angry ever,
I'll take my loss for gain, though I gain never.
Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,
For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling.
And though to you I manifest my woes,My martyrdom, my smart, another knows;One unto whom I secretly invoke,Who is the cause of this my fire, my smoke.She hath a salve to cure my endless grief,And only she may yield me some relief.Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,For thee I feel strange thoughts in me[188:A]rebelling.
And though to you I manifest my woes,
My martyrdom, my smart, another knows;
One unto whom I secretly invoke,
Who is the cause of this my fire, my smoke.
She hath a salve to cure my endless grief,
And only she may yield me some relief.
Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling,
For thee I feel strange thoughts in me[188:A]rebelling.
You should know by what occasion Amadis made this song for the Princess Leonoreta. One day, as he was talking with Queen Brisena, Oriana, Mabilia, and Olinda, told Leonoreta to go and ask Amadis to be her Knight, and that he would then serve her and no one else. The little girl went to him, and did so; and Amadis, smiling, took herin his arms, and placed her on the estrado. Since you would have me be your Knight, said he, give me some jewel in token that you hold mefor yours; and then she took from her head a gold clasp set with gems, and gave it him. All began to laugh at seeing how verily she believed the jest, and Amadis, being thus chosen her Knight, made for her this song. And when she and her damsels sung it they were dressed alike, having garlands on their heads, and garments of the same costliness and fashion as Leonoreta wore. She was a fair princess, albeit not so fair as Oriana, who had no peer, and afterwards she became Empress of Rome, and her twelve little damsels were all daughters of Counts and noble chiefs. So having sung their song, they knelt before Lisuarte, and then returned to the Queen.
Galaor and Florestan and Agrayes then asked the King permission to guard Corisanda home. He took them aside and said, Friends! there are no other three in the world in whom I have the same confidence as in you. This battle is to be the first week in August, and you hear who are coming against me, and they will bring others with them, who are brave and terrible in arms, and are also of the nature and blood of the Giants: therefore, I request you not to undertake any adventure that may delay you from being there to aid me, for with your aid, and the justice of my cause, I trustin God, my enemies, powerful as they are, will be put to shame. Sir, said they, this command was not needed: as Errant Knights, our wish is to be in danger, to be where, being conquerors, we may win the renown which we seek; or, if conquered, come to the end for which we were all born: we will presently return. So they took their leave, and departed with Corisanda.
Gandalin, who saw them depart, went to Miraflores, and related to Oriana and Mabilia all that had past. Now, quoth Oriana, is Corisanda in all happiness, for she hath with her Don Florestan, whom she loves. God ever continue her joy! for she is a good Lady. And then she herself began to weep, and cry, Lord God, let me see Amadis again, if it be but for a day!—Gandalin greatly pitied her, but he affected anger, and said, Lady, you will make me stay away from Miraflores, for here are we looking for good tidings, and you will make us thus unhappy! Oriana wiped away her tears: Do not reproach me, Gandalin! I would do otherwise if I could; but, whatever semblance I should put on, my heart is always weeping! But tell me, what will become of the King my father, since Amadis will not be in the battle? He cannot so have hidden himself, replied Gandalin,that such news should not reach him; and though you have forbidden him your sight, yet he may be present there, thinking then to merit pardon for a fault which he never committed, nor thought to commit. While they were thus communing, a little girl came running in, Lady, here is the Damsel of Denmark, and she brings noble presents for you! At this her heart trembled, and sunk within her, so that she could not speak, and she was altogether so agitated as one who expected life or death from the messenger who was coming. Mabilia answered for her: tell the Damsel to come to us alone, that we may speak with her in private. This she said that there might be none to witness Oriana's agitation; but she herself and Gandalin were dismayed, not knowing what was to come. The Damsel entered with a chearful countenance, and kneeling before Oriana gave her a letter; here, Lady, are tidings of joy! I have fulfilled all your commands: read, and see if Amadis have not written it with his own hand. The letter fell from Oriana's hand, she trembled so with exceeding joy: she opened it, and found in it the ring which she had sent by Gandalin to Amadis, the day whereon he fought with Dardan at Windsor, the which she knew well and kissed it many times, and said, blessed be the hour in which thouwert made, that art transferred with such joy from one hand to another! So when she had read the letter, and blest God with lifted hands for his mercy, she made the Damsel relate how she had found him. Greatly were they pleased at her wisdom in leaving a part of the presents with Amadis; now then, said they, produce the rest before those who are here, and say how you have forgotten the others, that we may send for them.
They showed Durin to what part of the garden-wall he was to bring Amadis, and he kissed Oriana's hands for sending him upon this errand, which might atone for what unwittingly he had carried before. It was agreed that Mabilia should publicly ask him to go; but he feigned himself little contented at the bidding, and said, angrily, to Mabilia, for you, Lady, I will go, but not for the Queen or Oriana, for I have had great hardships in this journey for their pleasure. Friend Durin, said Oriana, you should not upbraid us with your services, so that we shall not thank you for it. Your thanks, replied he, I believe will be worth about as much as my service! however, said he to Mabilia, since you desire it, I will set out to-morrow. He then took leave, and went with Gandalin to the town to sleep; and Gandalin bade him rememberhim to his cousin Enil, and tell him, said he, to come and see me as soon as he can, for I have much to say to him, and request him while he continues with that Knight, to see if he can learn any news of Amadis. This he said that Amadis might be the better disguised, and that he might not want a pretext to send Enil away. So Durin mounted his palfrey the next morning and departed.
FOOTNOTES:
[188:A]The song of Amadis has suffered much in this second translation, this "shadow of a shade."VILLANCICO.Leonoreta, fin roseta,blanca sobre toda flor,fin roseta, no me metaen tal cuyta vuestro amor.Sin ventura yo en locurame meti;en vos amar es locura⁂que me dura,sin me poder apartar,o hermosura sin par,que me da pena y dulzor,fin roseta, no me meta⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.De todas las que yo veono desseoservir otra sino a vos;⁂bien veo que mi desseoes devaneo,do no me puedo partir,pues que no puedo huyrde ser vuestro servidor,no me meta, fin roseta⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.Aunque mi quexa parecereferirse a vos senora,otra es la vencedora,⁂otra es la matadora,que mi vida desfallece,aquesta tiene el poderde me hazer toda guerra;aquesta puede hazer,sin yo selo merecer,⁂Que muerto biva so tierra.
[188:A]The song of Amadis has suffered much in this second translation, this "shadow of a shade."
VILLANCICO.
Leonoreta, fin roseta,blanca sobre toda flor,fin roseta, no me metaen tal cuyta vuestro amor.Sin ventura yo en locurame meti;en vos amar es locura⁂que me dura,sin me poder apartar,o hermosura sin par,que me da pena y dulzor,fin roseta, no me meta⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.De todas las que yo veono desseoservir otra sino a vos;⁂bien veo que mi desseoes devaneo,do no me puedo partir,pues que no puedo huyrde ser vuestro servidor,no me meta, fin roseta⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.Aunque mi quexa parecereferirse a vos senora,otra es la vencedora,⁂otra es la matadora,que mi vida desfallece,aquesta tiene el poderde me hazer toda guerra;aquesta puede hazer,sin yo selo merecer,⁂Que muerto biva so tierra.
Leonoreta, fin roseta,blanca sobre toda flor,fin roseta, no me metaen tal cuyta vuestro amor.
Leonoreta, fin roseta,
blanca sobre toda flor,
fin roseta, no me meta
en tal cuyta vuestro amor.
Sin ventura yo en locurame meti;en vos amar es locura⁂que me dura,sin me poder apartar,o hermosura sin par,que me da pena y dulzor,fin roseta, no me meta⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.
Sin ventura yo en locura
me meti;
en vos amar es locura
⁂que me dura,
sin me poder apartar,
o hermosura sin par,
que me da pena y dulzor,
fin roseta, no me meta
⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.
De todas las que yo veono desseoservir otra sino a vos;⁂bien veo que mi desseoes devaneo,do no me puedo partir,pues que no puedo huyrde ser vuestro servidor,no me meta, fin roseta⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.
De todas las que yo veo
no desseo
servir otra sino a vos;
⁂bien veo que mi desseo
es devaneo,
do no me puedo partir,
pues que no puedo huyr
de ser vuestro servidor,
no me meta, fin roseta
⁂en tal cuyta vuestro amor.
Aunque mi quexa parecereferirse a vos senora,otra es la vencedora,⁂otra es la matadora,que mi vida desfallece,aquesta tiene el poderde me hazer toda guerra;aquesta puede hazer,sin yo selo merecer,⁂Que muerto biva so tierra.
Aunque mi quexa parece
referirse a vos senora,
otra es la vencedora,
⁂otra es la matadora,
que mi vida desfallece,
aquesta tiene el poder
de me hazer toda guerra;
aquesta puede hazer,
sin yo selo merecer,
⁂Que muerto biva so tierra.