BY ROBERT SOUTHEY 1872. 
hile they were thus devising there came in
another knight, large limbed and strong,
compleatly armed, except his head and
hands. Sir knight, quoth he to Amadis, they tell me
you claim a damsel whom I brought here : I did not
force her from you; she chose to come with me, rather
than remain with you, therefore it is no reason that I
should resign her. Shew me then the damsel. It is no reason that I should; if you say otherwise, I am
ready to do battle. Now the name of this knight was
Gasman, uncle to Grovenesa, the lady of the castle ;
and she, who loved him the best of all his kin, and
was altogether governed by his counsel, for he was
the best knight of his race, said to him, I pray you,
uncle, forbear this difference, for if ill befal either of
you it will be to my loss: you are my best friend, and
he hath sworn to make Amadis revoke his promise to
Angriote. Niece, quoth Gasinan, neither he nor any
other can make the best knight in the world revoke
his promise; and for this quarrel, so help me God, as
I will not give up the damsel! They gave spurs to
their horses and met; their spears brake, their shields
and breasts encountered, and Gasinan fell: yet he
arose quickly, and drawing his sword stood by a
strong pillar in the midst of the court, thinking Amadis could little endamage him, while he was on horse
back, and as Amadis drew nigh, he struck at the head
of his horse; but he of Gaul, moved to anger thereby,
made a blow at him with his sword, which fell upon
the pillar, aud cut away a fragment thereof, though
the stone was very hard, but the sword brake in three
pieces. Seeing in what danger he was, he leaped from
his horse ; and Gasinan came at him, saying, Confess
the damsel to be mine, or thou art but dead! That,
quoth Amadis, shall I never do, till she tell me it be
with her good will. And with his shield he warily
received the blows that fell fast upon him, and at
times smote at Gasinan with his broken sword, so that
he twisted the helmet on his head, and made him
often give back. The battle lasted long, to the great
peril of Amadis, for his shield was cut away and his
harness laid open in sundry places; he, knowing his danger, ran suddenly upon Gasinan and grappled with
him, and dashed him against the pillar, so as for a
moment to stun him and make him drop his sword,
which Amadis quickly seized, and cut the laces of his
helmet, saying, Sir knight, you have handled me
hardly and wrongfully, now will I be revenged! and
he lifted his sword as if to slay him. Seeing that,
Grovenesa cried aloud, mercy, good knight, and she
ran towards him; but he seeing her fear, made the
more semblance of anger, saying, He hath so wronged
me that I must have his head. For God's sake, quoth
she, ask any thing else that he may live! Give me,
my damsel, then, said he, and swear that you will go
to the first court which King Lisuarte shall hold, and
there grant me what I shall ask. Swear it, niece!
cried Gasinan, who had now recovered speech:
and suffer me not to be slain! and upon that Grovenesa made the oath. Lady, then, quoth Amadis, I
shall faithfully observe my promise to you: hold you
yours, and fear not that I shall ask ought against your
honour. Then was the damsel sent for, and she
kneeling to Amadis, said, Truly, sir, great pains have
you taken for my sake ; and Gasinan, though he stole
me, must love me well, since he preferred to fight
rather than deliver me. As God shall help me, fair
damsel, cried Gasinan, if you think so you think
rightly: I beseech you stay with me. That will I do,
willingly, she answered, if it please this good knight.
Amadis replied, Certes, you have chosen one of the
best knights in the world ; but if this be not with
your free will, speak now, that I may not be blamed
hereafter. She answered, I thank you truly that you
let me remain. In God's name, quoth he. Then
albeit he was greatly intreated to abide there that
night, he would depart to rejoin Galaor; and mounting horse, he bade Gandalin take with him the pieces
of his sword. Hearing that, Gasinan besought him
to accept his weapon; which, having thankfully accepted, and a lance also from Grovenesa, he rode
away. |