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

CHAPTER 25.

The History saith, that Giontes after he left Grasandor proceeded to Rome, and by his diligence and that of the Emperor, the fleet was soon equipped and the ten thousand Knights embarked, and they set sail, and arrived safely in the haven near Windsor. When King Lisuarte heard of his arrival, he rode with the Kings Cildadan and Gasquilan, and many other good men to receive him, and they embraced each other with great joy. King, said the Emperor, if you have received any wrong or grievance for my sake, I am here to satisfy your honour with double victory. And as I alone have been the cause of this, I would you would allow that I alone might take vengeance, that the punishment which I inflict may be an example to all, that none may dare offend a man so powerful as I. The King answered, My good Lord and Friend, you and your people are now weary of your voyage, let them recover from their fatigue; in the mean while we shall learn tidings of our enemies, and when that is known, you shall take what counsel pleaseth you. The Emperor would have marched on without delay, but Lisuarte, who better knew what was necessary, detained him, for he was well aware, that on this battle every thing depended. So they remained eight days in the camp receiving the forces who every day came in.

One day as the Emperor and the Kings, and many Knights in their company, were riding in the fields near the camp, they saw a Knight approach, and a Squire with him carrying his arms. If any one asks who this Knight was, I answer that he was the good Knight Enil, the nephew of Don Gandales. When he came to the camp, he asked if Arquisil were there, who was kinsman to the Emperor; he was answered yes, and that he was then riding with the Emperor. Enil then rode up to the company, who were now halting by a brook side and talking about the battle: he humbly saluted them, and they on their part bade him welcome, and asked what he would have. Enil answered, Sirs, I come, from the Firm Island, with the bidding of my Lord the noble Knight Amadis of Gaul, son of King Perion, to a Knight called Arquisil. Arquisil answered, I am he whom you seek. Then said Enil, Arquisil, Amadis of Gaul sends to say, that when he was at the Court of King Tafinor of Bohemia, calling himself the Knight of the Green Sword, on the day after his battle with Don Garadan, he entered into the lists with you and your companions, and you were made his prisoner, and by him set at liberty on your promise as a true Knight, that you would return and put yourself into his power whenever he required it; he now by me calls upon you to fulfil your word, as so good a man and of so high a lineage ought. Certes, Knight, answered Arquisil, what you say is true; it only remains to be assured, that he who called himself the Knight of the Green Sword is Amadis of Gaul. Certain Knights who were present said, that without doubt it was so. Then Arquisil said to the Emperor, You have heard, Sir, what this Knight demands, I can no ways excuse myself, but must perform that which I owe; he gave me my life, and prevented the other Knights from killing me, who were well inclined to do it. I beseech you, Sir, be not displeased at my going, for if I should fail in my promise, you, powerful and great as you are, ought neither to have me in your company, nor acknowledge me for your kin. The Emperor, with his wonted want of temper, cried out, You Knight who come hither on the part of Amadis, tell him he ought to be quite satisfied with offering me those little insults which little men can offer to the great: and that the time is come when I shall show him who I am, and what I can do. Tell him that he can no where escape me, not even in that Den of Thieves where he lurks; he shall soon make seven-fold restitution! You, Arquisil, do as you are required; it will not be long before I shall put this man by whom you were taken into your hands, that you may have your will of him.

When Enil heard this, he grew angry and fearlessly replied, I ween, Sir, Amadis knows what you can do already, for he met you once as an Errant Knight, not as a great prince, and you did not depart from him quite so easily! But now, as you come in another manner, so in another manner will he meet you: let them who know the past remember it! God only knows the future. At this King Lisuarte was fearful lest the Knight should receive some hurt at the Emperor's command, which would greatly have displeased him, as indeed what had been said had done; for it was his manner to be rigorous in deed, but fair in speech; so to prevent more, he took the Emperor by the hand and said, Let us go to our tents, for it is time to sup; and let this Knight enjoy the freedom which Embassadors use to and ought to possess. The Emperor then went away, as much in anger as though what had passed had been with his peer.

But Arquisil took Enil to his tent and showed him much honour; and they rode together like friends to the Firm Island. When they were near the camp and Arquisil saw so great a force, for the succours from the Emperor of Constantinople were now arrived, he marvelled greatly, yet gave he no sign of wonder. Enil took him to the tent of Amadis, by whom he was courteously received. There he remained four days, and Amadis shewed him the army and all those noble Knights, the fame of whose prowess was gone abroad through all the world. Much was he astonished to behold so mighty a power, but in particular to behold so many good Knights, for he well knew that if any disaster should befall the Emperor, it would be by their means, for of the rest he thought little, and would have felt no fear of them if they had not had such leaders. Well too did he perceive that his Lord the Emperor needed great force to give them battle, and he thought himself an unhappy man to be held prisoner at such a time; for if he had heard afar off that such a battle was to be waged, he would have hastened to bear a part, and now it would be in his sight even, and yet he could not be there! For this he accounted himself the most unfortunate man in the world, and the tears ran down his cheeks; and in this great grief he resolved to prove the virtue and nobleness of Amadis. So when the brave Amadis was with many other Knights in the tent of King Perion, and Arquisil with them, because the place of his prison had not been appointed, he rose up and said to the King, May it please you, Sir, to hear me before these Knights, and Amadis of Gaul. The King said, willingly, and bade him speak. Then Arquisil related how he had been conquered by Amadis, and on what terms taken to mercy; but now, quoth he, if Amadis will deal towards me with that generosity which he hath ever shown, and permit me in this great battle to serve my Lord the Emperor, I promise before you and all these Knights, if I escape with life, to yield myself up into his hands again. Amadis, who had listened to him standing to shew him more honour, replied, Arquisil, my good Sir, if I regarded the intolerable arrogance of your Emperor I might justly requite it with cruelty to all his people; but his fault is not yours, and the time is hard at hand, when the virtue of each of us shall be put to proof: I give you therefore leave to be in the battle, and if you survive it, and are in no danger, come in ten days after to this island.

Thankfully did Arquisil acknowledge that noble treatment, and he took his horse and arms, and departed, and arrived without let or hindrance at the Emperor's camp. Now I would have you know, that the reason why all these Knights performed such long journeys without meeting any adventure, was, because they heeded nothing but to prepare for the great battle, and would therefore meddle with nothing of less moment that might keep them from it. When Arquisil came to the camp, he spoke with the Emperor apart, and told him how Amadis had dealt with him, and what a mighty power was there assembled, and the names of all the good Knights who were come to his succour: and be assured, said he, that so soon as they know you have moved on, they will advance to meet you. Arrogant as the Emperor was, yet when he heard this from so good a Knight, and one who he knew would speak nothing but what was true, he was dismayed, as they use to be whose courage lies more in words than in actions, and he wished he had never been brought into this quarrel. He had expected that Amadis never could have raised a force to oppose him and King Lisuarte, and that they should have blocked him up by sea and by land, so that, either by famine or treaty, he might recover Oriana, and vindicate his honour. But thenceforward the hope and confidence which he expressed was more than in truth he felt, and he conformed himself more to the advice of King Lisuarte and his good men.

Fifteen days they remained in the camp, mustering their forces, which were found to be as follows: the Emperor brought ten thousand horsemen; King Lisuarte six thousand five hundred; Gasquilan King of Sweden eight hundred; King Cildadan two hundred. When all was ready the army were ordered to march; the Emperor divided his host into three divisions; the first, of two thousand five hundred Knights, he gave to Floyan, the brother of Salustanquidio; the second, with a like number, to Arquisil; the other five thousand he reserved for his own command, and he requested King Lisuarte to let him be in the van, to which the King assented, though he would far rather have taken that post himself, for he thought little of the Romans, and feared that they might by their confusion occasion some great loss; howbeit to do the Emperor honour, he consented, which in such a case was ill done, for then all affection should be laid aside, and nothing but reason consulted. King Lisuarte made two divisions of his force, the one, of three thousand Knights, he gave to King Arban of North Wales, and with him he appointed Norandel to go, and Don Guilan the Pensive, and Cendil of Ganota, and Brandoyuas; three thousand of his Knights he gave to King Cildadan and King Gasquilan, which, with their own thousand, made another division; of the rest he took charge himself; his standard he gave to the good Don Grumedan, who, with great sorrow and heaviness of heart, reflected on that ill exchange which King Lisuarte had made, to make such men his enemies and chuse such for his friends! All this being thus ordered, the army moved on behind the baggage, which went forward that the camp might be pitched.