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

CHAPTER 8.

After Amadis had dispatched the Master he called for Tantiles who was High Steward to the fair Queen Briolania, and said to him, my good friend, I would now that you should take that trouble and concern for me, which I would take in whatever concerned you. You see in what manner my honour is now staked, how greatly it may now be increased, or otherwise tarnished; go then to your Lady and tell her all that you have witnessed, and that it behoves her to summon all her friends and vassals that they may be ready when need shall be; say to her that what so nearly concerns me, concerns her all also, for she knows that in losing me, she would lose her servant. Tantiles answered, this will I do without delay, and make you no doubt but that there could nothing happen so to rejoice the Queen my Mistress, as to learn that she can now make manifest the great love and good will with which she will perform whatever you can require from her kingdom. Be you sure that when the time comes I shall be ready to return with such array as such a Lady ought to send to him, from whom under God, she has received her kingdom. He then received his letters of credence, and incontinently put to sea.

Then Amadis took Gandalin apart and said, friend Gandalin whether or no I need the aid of my friends and kinsmen in this necessity wherein perforce I have placed myself, you well can judge. Sorely therefore as I shall feel your absence, yet it is now expedient that you should depart from me. You know we have resolved to call upon all our friends for succour, and though I have good hope in many to whom I have rendered good service, as you know, and trust that they will now repay the debt of gratitude which they owe me, yet have I most confidence in King Perion my father, that he, whether reason or not were on my side will hasten to my help. You are the man who can best and most fully explain the whole to him, and shame and sorrow would it be to him if I who am his son and his eldest son, could not give these two Princes their fit answer when they come up against me! But before you go, speak with my Cousin Mabilia and learn whether she hath any bidding to her aunt or to my sister Melicia, and speak also with my Lady Oriana, for mine she is, and though she be secret toward all other, to only you will she discover what may be her will. Meantime I will make ready your letter of credence, and therein I will request that Melicia may come hither to be in Oriana's company. So shall her virtues and great beauty be seen by many, as they have already been heard of. All this Gandalin promised to perform.

Meantime Agrayes spake with Don Gandales, the fosterer of Amadis, and sent him to Scotland for aid, nor was there need to write by him, for so many years had he been trusted and found trustworthy, that he was rather regarded like a counsellor and kinsman than as a vassal; and he with all diligence and earnestness prepared to perform this embassy, because it nearly concerned Amadis, whom above all others in the world he most loved.