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

CHAPTER 11.

All these messengers had now departed save only Gandalin; he went to the garden wherein the Tower stood, and where as you have heard no man permitted to enter without the especial leave of the Princess; the entrance being kept only by women. He coming to the garden gate bade those within say to Mabilia that Gandalin was preparing to sail for Gaul, and would speak with her before his departure. When Mabilia repeated this to Oriana, she was right glad of Gandalin's coming, and gave orders that he should be admitted. So he having entered, fell on his knees before her and kissed her hand, and then said to Mabilia according as his Master had commanded him. Upon that Mabilia said aloud to Oriana that all might hear, Gandalin is going to Gaul, what now will you say to the Queen and to my cousin Melicia? Oriana replied that she should rejoice to have the opportunity of sending to them, and then she went and joined Mabilia and Gandalin as they were talking apart. Ah friend Gandalin, said she, what think you of my froward fortune! the thing in the world which I have most desired, is to be where thy Master should never be out of my sight, and now that fate has thrown me into his power, we are so circumstanced that both for his honour and for my own I dare not see him! If you could know what my heart suffers because of this, sure am I that you would pity me. Now tell him this, to comfort him, and to excuse me, and tell him to devise some means that he and the other Knights may visit me, and that we may talk in presence of all without suspicion. Ah Lady, Gandalin replied, great reason have you to give comfort to that Knight! much greater sorrow would you feel than you now suffer if I could tell you what he has endured in the fortunes that we have passed through; the feats in arms which he atchieved are such that no other could have performed, or even in his heart imagined them, in such straits hath his absence from you placed him. But it is useless now to talk thus; do you only shew kindness to him, for verily I believe that your life depends on his. My true friend, quoth Oriana, that you may truly say; without him life would be to me far more grievous than death. But go tell him what I have said. Howbeit before he went, Oriana said to him in a loud voice, that she would write to Queen Elisena and to the Princess Melicia, and Gandalin requested that she would speedily send the letters, for the other Messengers were already departed, and he alone remained.

Then Gandalin went to Amadis and told him all that Oriana had said. Amadis after he had mused awhile replied; I will tell you how this may be brought about. Go to Agrayes, and tell him you have spoken with his sister Mabilia on account of your journey to Gaul, and that she hath said it would be well if he could bring the Knights to see and encourage Oriana, for her situation is so serious and so strange that she needs all encouragement. But tell me concerning her, did she seem sorrowful? Gandalin replied, You Sir, well know her fortitude, and that she will discover nothing but the virtue of her noble heart, yet certes doth her appearance savour more of sadness than of joy. Then Amadis, raising his hands to heaven, exclaimed, O Lord Almighty let it please thee that I may be able to serve this my Lady to her full honour, and for my death or life let that betide as it will. Take you no fear for that Sir, quoth Gandalin, for as God hath in all other adventures favoured you above any other Knight, so will he now in this which you with so great justice have undertaken.

With that Gandalin repaired to Agrayes, and said to him as he had been directed. Agrayes replied, this which my sister says is reasonable, and shall be done; and if it has not been done before, it was only because these Knights knew it was the pleasure of Oriana to live in retirement for her honour's sake. We will go speak of it to my cousin Amadis. So he went to Amadis, who answered him as one that had known nothing of the business before. Agrayes then went to the Knights and represented to them that it would be well if they visited Oriana to encourage her, for in perils like these even the brave sometimes needed encouragement, how much more then would feeble women stand in need of such comfort? So they agreed that on the following evening they would clad themselves in goodly arms, and mount their palfreys; having their swords girded on all adorned with gold, and in this array proceed to the apartment of Oriana. Of this Agrayes sent intimation to Oriana, and she sent to Queen Sardamira and to Grasinda and for the other Dames and Damsels of her company, that they should make ready to receive them.