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

CHAPTER 42.

King Lisuarte, when all things were ready for his departure, set forth with Queen Brisena, and the Princess Leonoreta, and his High Steward King Arban of North Wales, and King Cildadan, and Don Galvanes, with Madasima his wife, who were now come from Mongaza, and other Knights; but King Gasquilan had returned to his own country. They travelled on till they came within four leagues of the Firm Island, where they rested one night. When Amadis heard that they were so near, it was resolved that all the Knights of the Island, and all the Dames and Damsels should go meet them two leagues out. On the following day the Knights therefore went out, and all the Queens, with Queen Elisena and their company. What dresses they wore, and what riches, and how their palfreys were caparisoned, memory is not equal to relate nor write; but neither before nor since was there ever such a company of Knights so highly born, and of such prowess, and of such Princesses and fair Damsels, assembled in the world. When King Lisuarte saw such a company, and coming towards him, he guessed who they were, and hastened to meet them, and he and King Perion and the Emperor embraced. Amadis was somewhat behind, talking with his brother Galaor, and when he came near the King he alighted, though the King called out to him to keep his seat, but he notwithstanding went up to him on foot, and kissed his hand per-force; and then went on to Queen Brisena, whose bridle Child Esplandian was leading, the Queen bent downward to embrace him, but he took her hands and kissed them. When Galaor, who was so weak that he could scarcely sit on horseback, came near, King Lisuarte went to embrace him, and they both wept, and the King held him thus for a while, and could not speak; some said, that this feeling was for joy at their meeting, but others thought it was for the remembrance of all that had passed, and for grief that they had not been together when their hearts so greatly desired it; you may assign it to which cause you please, but in either case it proceeded from the great love which they bore to one another.

Oriana made towards the Queen her mother: after Queen Elisena had saluted her, and when her mother saw the thing in the world that she loved best, she took her in her arms, and if the Knights had not supported them they would both have fallen; and Brisena kissed her eyes and her face saying, O my child, God in his mercy grant that your beauty which has brought upon us such trouble and such dangers, may remedy all and bring about peace and happiness for ever more! but Oriana could only weep for joy, and made no answer. Queen Briolania and Sardamira now came up and took her from her mother's arms, and they spake to the Queen and all the other Ladies afterward, with that courtesy which was due to one of the best and most honourable Queens in the world. Leonoreta came to kiss her sister's hand, but Oriana embraced her and kissed her; and then all the other Dames and Damsels of Brisena's Court joyfully accosted Oriana, whom they loved better than themselves, for she was the noblest Lady of her time, and the most affable, and for that reason was she so beloved by all who knew her.

Thus is the meeting described, not as it was, for that would be impossible, but as is convenient for the order of the book. They now proceeded all together toward the Island. When Queen Brisena saw so goodly a company of Knights, and how they all looked to Amadis, he thinking himself the most honoured who was nearest him, she was astonished thereat, and though till now she had thought there was no household in the world equal to King Lisuarte's, she now thought that his Court was in comparison like that of a poor Count: she marvelled how a Knight who had nothing but his arms and his horse could have attracted such state, and though he was the husband of her daughter, yet could she not help envying him, desiring that power and dignity for her husband, and afterward for Amadis by inheritance; howbeit she concealed this feeling, and went with a cheerful countenance, though in her heart she was disturbed. Thus as they went along Oriana could not keep her eyes from Esplandian, and the Queen seeing this, said, Daughter, let this Child lead you. Oriana then stopped, and the Child came humbly to kiss her hand; she longed to kiss him, but was obliged to refrain now. Then Mabilia drew near him, and said, My friend, I must have a share of your embraces; at this he looked round with so sweet a countenance that it was marvellous to behold, and they went on with the Child between them, talking to him, who answered them so well, that they looked at each other, and Mabilia said, was not this nice food for the Lioness and her cubs? For God's sake, cried Oriana, do not remind me of that! His father, replied Mabilia, underwent no less a peril when he was in the sea, but God preserved him to be what you behold him, and in like manner has preserved the son to excel him and all others in the world. At this Oriana smiled from her heart, and answered, true Sister mine, you are tempting me to see which I would have the best! I will not tell you! only God make them each without equal in his time, as till now they have been.

When they reached the Firm Island, King Lisuarte and Brisena were lodged in Oriana's apartment, and King Perion, and Elisena, and Sardamira, and Oriana, with all the brides that were to be, in the upper story of the Tower. The tables were spread under the covered walks in the garden, and supplied with such abundance of food and wine, and fruit, that it was a wonder to behold the plenty. Don Quadragante took King Cildadan to his lodgings, and thus did all the other Knights, each taking one of King Lisuarte's company whom he loved best. Amadis took for his guests King Arban of North Wales, and Don Grumedan, and Don Guilan the Pensive. Norandel went with his great friend Don Galaor. But the joy which Agrayes had to see his Uncle and Madasima cannot be related or imagined, for he loved and reverenced him like his own father; and he took Don Galvanes to his own lodging, and placed Madasima with Oriana and his sister. Child Esplandian had for his companion the King of Dacia, who was of his own age, and became his great friend.

After the Knights had rested themselves two days, they began to give order respecting the marriages, that they might return each to his own land. So as they were talking together under the trees beside the fountain, of a sudden they heard a great uproar without the garden, and were told that the strangest and most dreadful thing was coming across the sea that had ever been seen. Immediately all the Knights went to horse and rode down to the Coast, and the Queens and other Ladies went up to the top of the Tower, and they saw the blackest and most fearful smoke upon the sea that could be imagined; presently the smoke began to clear away, and they saw in the middle of it, a serpent much bigger than the biggest ship in the world, his wings were more than an arrow's flight asunder, and his tail curled up higher than a tower, and the head and the mouth, and the teeth, were so huge, and the eyes so terrible, that none could endure to look at them, and that black smoke which rose as high as Heaven was the breath of his nostrils, and his snortings and hisses were so terrible, that it seemed as if the sea would have burst asunder, and he spouted the water from his mouth so far and so fiercely, that if any ship, how great soever, had come near, it would have been sunk. The Kings and the Knights, brave as they were, looked at one another, and knew not what to say, nor what resistance they could possibly make. The great serpent drawing nearer, flew round and round as if in mirth, and clapped his wings so loudly, that the rustling of the scales was heard for half a league around; at that the horses all took fright, so that the Knights having no power to curb were obliged to alight, and some said it behoved them to arm themselves; but while they were all thus amazed, they saw a boat let down from the side of the serpent, all covered with cloth of gold, and in it was a Dame, having on each side of her a child richly clad, upon whose shoulders she was leaning, and two dwarfs marvellously ill-favoured; and in this manner the boat came towards the land. Never trust me, quoth Lisuarte, if this be not Urganda the Unknown!

When the boat came near, they knew it was she, for she manifested herself to them in her own natural shape, in which she was seldom, for, for the most part she assumed other appearances, seeming sometimes an old woman, at others like a girl. She landed, and approached to kiss the King's hand, but he embraced her, and so also did the Kings Perion and Cildadan; and then she turned to the Emperor and said, Good Sir, though you know me not, I know you, and shall be your friend, and you must remember me whenever you need my help, for though you may think my dwelling place is far from your country, it would be for me no labour to perform the whole journey in a day. Courteously did the Emperor thank her, saying, that he had gained more in gaining her good will, than by great part of his dominions. She then looked at Amadis, and said, I must not lose your embrace, noble Knight! though now you will regard little what such as we can do! Good Lady, quoth he, my will will always be to serve you for the great favours which I have received at your hands, but my power will alway be weak to requite them. Then having saluted her other friends, she proceeded to the garden gate, and there giving the two fair children into Esplandian's care, she went in, and was so well received as never other woman was in other place. She looked round, and seeing all that goodly company, exclaimed, O my heart! see what thou wilt hereafter, thou wilt feel it like solitude, after having in one day seen the best Knights in the world, and the fairest and most honourable Queens and Damsels that ever were born, and the truest love? So she besought leave of the Queen that she might be Oriana's guest; and there she was honoured of them as though she had been the Lady of all.