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

CHAPTER 37.

When King Lisuarte had left his bed, and was sufficiently recovered, and all the other wounded Knights had been healed by the skill of that great master Helisabad, the King on a day summoned all the Kings and Chiefs of both armies to the church of the Monastery, and addressed them in this manner, Honourable Kings and renowned Knights, I need not call to your remembrance the things which have now befallen us, for ye also were present; and if an end had not been found to them, we also who are living, should have been among the dead. Leaving this then apart, and knowing the great evil to the service of God and to our own person and kingdom if they had gone on, I have detained the noble King Perion of Gaul and all the Princes and Knights of his army, that I may speak in their presence, and in yours. Then turning to Amadis, he said, Brave Sir Amadis of Gaul, it is not my custom to praise a man in his presence, nor is it your inclination to be praised; but I must call to the remembrance of these Knights all that hath passed between you and me, since you first abode at my court as the Knight of Queen Brisena my wife; these things were notorious to all, but they must see that I also acknowledge them, and that there is a good cause for the guerdon which I design to bestow. After you had defeated Dardan the Proud in my presence, and given me your brother Don Galaor to be my Knight, which was the best gift that ever yet was made to any King, I and my daughter Oriana were entrapped by the wicked Enchanter Arcalaus, and led away without any means of defence; for my Knights were all withheld by the word which I had given; so that she and I were in danger of death or cruel prison, and my kingdom in hazard of being lost. Then did you and Galaor, returning from adventure on which the Queen had sent you, put your lives upon the chance to help us, and we were both rescued, and our enemies slain or put to flight, and immediately after the Queen my wife was succoured by you, and Barsinan, the father of this Lord of Sansuena, defeated, who besieged her in our city of London; so that as with great treachery and imminent danger I had been taken, I was by you with honour saved, to the safety of my kingdom. Again, when the battle of the Hundred Knights on each side was appointed between me and King Cildadan who is here present; before the day arrived you rid me of the enmity of this Knight Don Quadragante, and slew Famongomadan and Basagante, the fiercest giant of all the islands in the sea, and rescued my daughter Leonoreta with all her ladies and ten of my bravest Knights, when all my power could not have saved them. In the battle, such were the Giants and Knights whom King Cildadan brought against me, that I could not have won the victory but for you, who slew with one blow the brave Sardaman the Lion, and with another delivered me from Madanfabul of the Vermilion Tower, who had disabled me, and plucked me from the saddle to carry me on board his ship. You then conquered that most valiant and renowned Ardan Canileo the Terrible, to the great honour of my court; for no where else could be found one, nor two, nor three, nor four Knights, who dared meet him in the lists. All this it may be said you were bound to perform, being in my service, and for your honour. I will, therefore, relate what you have done, since, by my fault, who gave ear to evil counsellors, rather than by yours, you left my house like an enemy. At that time when we were at the greatest enmity, you and the King your father, and Don Florestan your brother came to my help when King Aravigo with the six Knights and so great a power was come up against me, and chiefly by the power of ye three, though I had many good Knights on my part, I obtained such victory as secured my person and kingdom, in greater honour than before, though reasonably then because of our quarrel, you might have fought against me. And now at the end, I know that after the second battle, it was you who held back, whereby I and mine were saved from the danger in which we stood, as they all knew; of the last danger I need not speak, for the blood of our wounds is yet flowing, and the souls which we there let loose, have not yet had time to find a resting place. Now then, Sirs, what guerdon can be equal to such services? none but this, that reserving all my honours so long as I shall live my kingdoms, which have so often been protected by his hand, should be given him in marriage with my daughter Oriana; and that as without my knowledge they are already joined in marriage by their own consent, so now that I do know it, I acknowledge them as my children, and the successors of my kingdom.

When Amadis heard the consent which the King had thus publickly given to his marriage, he knelt before him, and per-force kissed his hand, saying, All that you have said in my praise, Sir, might well have been excused; for considering the honours and favours which I and my lineage have received from you, we were bound to these and far greater services; for this, therefore, Sir, I will return you no thanks; but for the last favour, not the inheritance of your kingdom, but for the gift of your daughter Oriana, I will serve you while I live with more obedience and affection than ever son served his father, or vassal his lord. At that King Lisuarte right lovingly embraced him, and replied, and you also shall find in me the same love as in the father that begot you. All they who were present marvelled greatly that the King had so entirely laid aside his former enmity. Whether or no they were pleased, I may be excused from saying; and they asked one of the other, what the King might mean by saying, that Amadis and the Princess were already joined in marriage; as from the time she had been taken on the sea by him they had perceived no such thing, and far less before: but then the King called upon the holy man Nasciano to relate all, that they might know with what justice Amadis had rescued her from the Romans, and also that the King was without fault in delivering her up to the Emperor, being ignorant of her marriage; and that if Oriana had then plighted herself without her father's knowledge, great cause and reason was there that she should so do. The good man then related it over as he had done to Lisuarte in the tent. But when Child Esplandian heard who were his parents, it need not be asked if he were pleased or not! The Hermit knelt with him before both the Kings and before his father, and made him kiss their hands, and they gave him their blessing.

Then Amadis said to King Lisuarte, Sir, as from hence forward, it will be my pleasure to do you service, so am I now constrained to ask favours of you; and the first is that you would be pleased to give your daughter Leonoreta to the Emperor of Rome to wife; and to beseech him to accept her, that we may be both your sons. The King thought it well to accept this alliance with Arquisil, and promised him his daughter, whom he was well contented to receive. King Lisuarte then asked King Perion if he had any news of Galaor, and King Perion told him how Gandalin had brought tidings that he was somewhat better. I tell you, quoth Lisuarte, that though he is your son, I do not love him less than as a son; if it had not been for these differences, I would have gone to see him in his sickness. I beseech you send for him, if he be in a state to come. I must go forthwith to Windsor where I have ordered the Queen to meet me; and for the honour of Amadis, I and the Queen, and my daughter Leonoreta will join you in the Firm Island, to be present at his marriage, and at the Emperor's, and we will see the wonders which Apolidon left there; and greatly would it please me if Don Galaor should be there, for I have long desired to see him. Agrayes then besought the King to send for his uncle Don Galvanes and Madasima and bring them in his company; this the King promised, and said that he would depart on the morrow and return as speedily as might be, that all the Knights and their people might return to their own countries; and it was determined that all the fleets should be made ready in the haven of the Firm Island, that they might depart from thence.