The Project Gutenberg eBook of Amadis of Gaul, Vol. IV. of IV., by Vasco Lobeira.

CHAPTER 6.

Great reason is there that the cause wherefore all these Knights were so ready and desirous to expose themselves to such danger for this Lady's sake should be known, and not remain in oblivion. Was it peradventure for the bountiful favours which they had from her received? Or was it because they knew the secret of her love with Amadis and for this reason were so zealous to serve both him and her? Certes I tell you that neither the one nor the other of these reasons was that which so disposed them to her service. For though she was of such high rank, yet had it never been in her power to shew her bounty, for she possessed nothing more than a poor Damsel, and as for what regarded her love for Amadis you have already read in this great history with what secrecy that was concealed. But a cause there must have been, and would you know what it was? Why this Princess was the gentlest, and of the best breeding, and of the most courtesy, and the most affable and humble that lived in those times, and ever was disposed to honour and demean herself to every one according to his merits, and this is a net and a bond whereby the great who act thus can bind many to their service that would else be little bound to serve them.

Now after Don Brian of Monjaste had thus spoken and had accosted Queen Sardamira, and the other princesses and the Lady Grasinda, Agrayes and Florestan addressed Oriana and respectfully told her what the Knights had deputed them to say, the which she well approved, leaving them to follow their own judgment in these affairs, of which Knights could better judge than women; but she besought them ever to bear in mind an inclination and desire to be at peace with her father, if so be that could be brought about to their honour, for her sake and for her reputation. This done, Oriana leaving Florestan and Don Brian in talk with Queen Sardamira, took Agrayes by the hand, and leading him apart said, good Sir, and my true brother Agrayes, albeit the confidence, and trust which I have in Amadis and in all these noble Knights is very great, yet have I greater confidence in you, being brought up in the house of the King your father, and having been so cherished by the Queen your mother, who gave me Mabilia to be my companion, and such a friend hath she been that I may well say that as to God I owe the gift of life, so to her do I owe the preservation of it, which but for her prudence and consolations would ere this have been lost, more especially since for my ill hap the Romans came to my Father's house. For her sake and for the remembrance of all these things will I reveal to you, what I keep secret from all else, but for the present I only beseech you, that laying aside all wrath and resentment against my Father, you would labour to bring about peace and concord between him and your cousin Amadis, for you know that by reason of their great spirits and the enmity which hath so long endured between them, they will not lightly yield to persuasion; but if by your endeavour this could be brought about, not only would the death of so many good men as else must perish be prevented, but my fair name and honour, which may else be called in question, will be thus manifestly justified.

To this Agrayes courteously and humbly made answer, with great reason may and ought I to assent to all Lady that you have said. The wish of my father and of my mother is by all their means, to increase your honour and dignity, as by their deeds shall soon appear: for my sister Mabilia and myself I need only say, that all our actions show how entirely we desire your service. True it is Lady, that I above all others am most displeased with the King your father, for I have witnessed all the great and signal services which have been wrought for him by Amadis and by all us of his lineage, as is to all the world notorious, and I also was witness to the thanklessness and ingratitude wherewith he requited us. For never did we ask of him other guerdon than the Island of Mongaza for my uncle Don Galvanes, which Island was won, to the great honour of his court, and to the more imminent danger of his life, who was the winner, than man can think or express, as you my good Lady beheld with your own eyes. Yet neither did that avail, nor all our service, nor the great deserts of my uncle, that we could procure so small a meed, which should then have remained in the King's vassalage, instead thereof he rejected our supplication, as though instead of his servant, he had been his enemy. I cannot therefore deny but that in my heart I should rejoice to serve against him till he should be reduced to such a state, that all the world might see how greatly to his loss he had wronged and insulted us. But as man obtains favour in the sight of God in proportion as he curbs, and conquers his own will for his service; so Lady will I for your sake practise this self-denial, and repress my own anger, that by this difficult service you may see how truly I desire to obey you, but I must do this warily, lest it should intimidate others to see me acting the mediator, whom they know to be so earnest in the quarrel. So I beseech you let it be, replied Oriana, and good friend act to this intent in what manner you think best. Having ended this talk they returned to the company. But Agrayes could hardly refrain his eye from fixing upon Olinda whom he loved so well, that by that love he had been enabled to pass under the Arch of True Lovers, howbeit remembering his high birth and duties, he now represt his inclinations, till it should be seen how all these things would end. So having conversed together awhile, the Knights cheering the Ladies, who women-like were affrayed by all these preparations, they returned to their companions with the answer of Oriana. Then without delay they began to put in execution what they had resolved, and send Embassadors to King Lisuarte, and the office was unanimously assigned to Don Quadragante and Don Brian of Monjaste, as two Knights well befitting such an embassy.