BY ROBERT SOUTHEY 1872.  uch speed made Arcalaus in the armour and
on the horse of him whom he had enchanted, that on the tenth day he met King
Lisuarte riding abroad in the morning to take the air,
accompanied with a great train. They seeing the
horse and arms of Amadis were greatly rejoiced, and
rode on to welcome him; but coming nearer, they
saw that it was not he for whom they looked, for
Arcalaus had his head and hands unarmed, and they
were greatly amazed. Arcalaus came before the king
and said, I come, sir, to acquit a promise wherein I
stand bound, to let you understand how I have slain a
knight in battle. And albeit I must be content to
declare mine own praise, which were more honourable
for me being reported by another in mine absence, yet
am I constrained to do no less, for the covenant was
between me and him whom I have slain, that the
conqueror should cut off the other's head, and present.
himself before you as this day. If he slew me, I told
him it was Arcalaus whom he would slay ; and much
was I grieved when he said that he was the queen's
knight, and by name Amadis of Gaul. In this guise
came he to his death, and I remain with the honour
of the battle.Holy Mary! exclaimed the king, is the best knight in the world slain? and with that they all began to lament. But Arcalaus turned back by the way he came, and all cursed him and besought God that he might speedily die an evil death, which they with their own swords would at once have given him but for his own tale, how Amadis was slain in an accorded battle. Forthwith the king returned in heavy affliction. The news spread and reached the queen's house, and she and all her ladies lamented, for greatly was Amadis beloved by all; but Oriana hearing their lamentation sent the Damsel of Denmark to enquire its cause, who presently returned beating her face, and with a wild cry looked at Oriana. Ah, lady! what a grief- what a misery! So that Oriana trembled from head to foot, and exclaimed, Holy Virgin, if Amadis should be dead! The damsel answered, Ah me, he is dead! and with that Oriana's heart died away within her, and she fell. Then ran the damsel to Mabilia tearing her hair, Help, help, for my lady is dying. Mabilia, though her own grief was so great that greater none could be, yet not for that did she neglect what remedy might profit; she took the princess in her arms, and poured [1] cold water on her face, and bade the damsel fasten the door of the chamber, that none might see her in that passion. She recovering her senses, exclaimed, Ah friends, let me die and be at rest: why would ye make me so faithless that I should live even an hour after him! What though his dwelling be in the cold earth, where all love ceaseth, yet greater shall be our loves when in the other world we are united! and then again she swooned; her long hair hanging to the ground, her hands clenched upon her breast that Mabilia thought that she was indeed dead, and cried, Oh God ! let me die also, since they whom I loved best are gone. For God's sake, dear lady, quoth the damsel, let not your good sense fail you now, when it is so needed. Roused by these words Mabilia recovered herself; they placed Oriana in bed, and poured water again upon her face and upon her breast, so that she revived. Take heart, said Mabilia, and do not so readily believe such tidings; that knight may have borrowed the arms of Amadis, or stolen them: who shall vouch for his truth? But Oriana had fixed her eyes upon the window where first she talked with Amadis, and in a faint and feeble voice exclaimed, How bitter is the remembrance that thou excitest! long as thou shalt last, never will two others discourse in thee with such pure and perfect truth! Think you, said Mabilia, that if I believed his death I should have power to comfort you? and thus with such consolation all that day they strove to cheer her who would not be comforted ; and the night was worse than the day, and oftentimes they feared that she would never see the morning. But the next day, at the hour when they were about to lay the napkins before the king, Brandoyuas entered the palace, leading Grindalaya, and they both went and knelt before the king. He who greatly esteemed him, and had been troubled for his long absence, enquired where he had tarried. Sir, said he, in a dungeon whence I should never have come out but for the good knight Amadis, who delivered me and this lady, and many others, doing there such deeds of arms as only he could have atchieved. And he would there have been slain by the worst treason that ever was known, by the traitor Arcalaus, if two damsels had not helped him, who surely must not a little have loved him. Lisuarte at this, rose instantly from table; Tell me, my friend, by the faith which you owe to God and to me, is Amadis alive? By that faith, replied Brandoyuas, I left him alive and well not ten days ago! Then was there such joy that greater could not be. The king sent Grindalaya to Brisena, and well was she welcomed for her tidings. The damsel of Denmark soon heard it, and hastened to Oriana, and restored her from death to life; and Mabilia sent for Grindalaya that they might hear the whole from her own mouth, and the princesses would suffer her to eat no where but at their own table, that she might relate it more at length. On her return to the queen's apartment, she found King Arban, of North Wales, who dearly loved her. Then was there such joy as cannot be expressed; and King Arban told Brisena how she was daughter to King Ardroyd of Serolys; and Brisena, as well for her high rank as for the good tidings she had brought, besought her to remain in her court; to the which she was nothing loth. Brisena also sent for Grindalaya's sister. Aldeva: this was she who was the friend of Galaor, and for whose sake he had been so persecuted by the dwarf. So there were great rejoicings in the court of King Lisuarte. [1] The English translation says, she unlaced her garments to give her more liberty, and bathed her temples and pulses with vinegar and cold water. |