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

CHAPTER 23.

Such speed did Don Guilan the Pensive make, that in twenty days after his departure from Great Britain he arrived at Rome. He found the Emperor Patin ready with a great train, and great preparations to receive Oriana, whom he every day expected, for his cousin Salustanquidio and Brondajel of the Rock had written to inform him they were dispatched, so that he had made ready for her reception, and marvelled much at their long delay. Don Guilan armed as he was at all points, except his head and hands, entered the Palace, and knelt before the Emperor and kissed his hand, and gave him the letter which he had brought. The Emperor knew him well, having often seen him in the house of King Lisuarte, at what time he returned there badly wounded, with the stroke which Amadis had given him by night in the forest, as you have heard in the second book of this history; and he said to him, you are welcome Don Guilan, I suppose you are come with your Lady Oriana, tell me where she and all my people tarry? Sir, replied the Knight she and your people are in a place neither befitting them nor you! read this letter and then I will tell you more than you expect to hear. When the Emperor had read the letter, being impatient by nature, he exclaimed, now tell me before all these what you have to say, for I can have patience no longer.

But when Don Guilan had finished his speech he exclaimed, O wretched Emperor of Rome, if thou dost not chastise this, thou deservest not to live another hour in this world! and then he turned to the Knight and said, is it certain that Oriana is taken away and my cousin slain? Certain beyond all doubt, replied Don Guilan, all has passed as I have told you. Go back again Knight, then said the Emperor, and tell the King your Master, that I take upon myself this injury and the vengeance due: and that he need do nothing more than look on and behold what I will do, for if I wished to be allied with him, it was not to give him care or trouble, but to revenge him in any wrong that might be wrought him. Sir, said Don Guilan, you make answer like a mighty Prince as you are, and a Knight of great courage, yet you will have to do with such men that all King Lisuarte's force will be needed as well as yours. The King my Master hath ever till now taken full satisfaction from those who have wronged him, and so he will continue to do. Since you have given me so good a dispatch I will return without delay, and see that all things needful be made ready. With that he took his leave and went his way, not well content in heart, for he was a right noble and well-conditioned Knight, and when he saw how arrogantly, and with how little thought that Emperor spake, it grieved him to the heart to see the King his Master allied with such a man, from whose company, unless by great good fortune, nothing but shame and loss of honour was to be expected. And many times he lamented as he went along, the great loss which King Lisuarte had suffered by his own fault, in losing Amadis and all those good men of his lineage who for the sake of Amadis had formerly been in his service, and were now become his enemies.

After much toil he reached Great Britain, and told the King that the Emperor was preparing to set forth with all speed. God grant Sir, said he, that your alliance with this man may be to your honour, for as God shall help me, I am little pleased with his arrogance, and can expect nothing good from any force which hath such a Leader. The King answered, Don Guilan I rejoice at your safe return! having you and such as you in my service, we need nothing more than the forces of the Emperor, for you are well able to direct both him and me; but since he hath given you such an answer we must take care to be so prepared, that when he arrives, he shall not think so much of his own power as he now does. So with all diligence King Lisuarte prepared his forces, for he knew that his enemies were assembling aid from all parts, and that the Emperor of Constantinople, and the King of Bohemia, and King Perion of Gaul, and many other Princes were raising men to send to the Firm Island, and happy he thought himself if they should not seek him in his own land. He likewise knew how King Aravigo and Barsinan Lord of Sansuena were arming, and he knew not for what purpose. At this time Brandoyuas returned, and said that King Cildadan of Ireland was preparing to obey his summons, but that Don Galvanes requested he would not call upon him to act against Amadis and his nephew Agrayes; but if the King would not be so content, he besought him to set him free from his homage, and take back the Island of Mongaza, as had been stipulated, that so long as he held it he should be the King's vassal, and when he chose to be so no longer, he might give up the Island and remain free. The King though his necessity was so great, yet saw that Don Galvanes spake with reason, and sent to tell him he might remain in peace, for though he could not serve him in this quarrel, there might come a time when he might make amends.

Moreover tidings soon came by Filispinel, that King Gasquilan of Sweden had well received the embassy, and had promised to come aid the King, and fight with Amadis, which he had so long desired to do. The King therefore knowing what preparations were now made, called for Giontes and said to him, Nephew you must needs go with all speed to the Emperor Patin, and tell him I am well pleased with what he hath said to me by Don Guilan, and that I am going to my court at Windsor, because it is near the port where he will land: there I shall assemble my force, and he will find me encamped, expecting his arrival. Say that I beseech him to come as speedily as possible, for if at first we can exceed our enemies in number, much of the aid which they expect will fail. Do not you, nephew, leave Rome till he comes himself, for that will hasten him. Then Lisuarte departed for Windsor, and Giontes put to sea.