BY ROBERT SOUTHEY 1872.  madis, Galaor, and Balays, continued their
course till they reached the house of King
Lisuarte, and so great was the general
desire to see them that scarcely could they make way
thro' the thronged streets, or enter the palace. They
were soon disarmed; and, when the two brethren
were seen, how fair they were, and of what young
years, all who beheld them cursed Arcalaus for the
heart he had to devise their deaths. Forthwith the
king led them to Brisena's chamber; when Amadis
past the door and beheld Oriana, his heart leaped;
and she who, albeit the tidings of his safety had reached
her, still feared he was dead because of her exceeding
love, could not now refrain from tears, and lingered
behind her mother to controul that passionate feeling.
But Amadis, taking his brother by the hand, knelt
before Brisena and said, Here, lady, is the knight
whom you bade me seek. She answered, And he is
right welcome! and then embraced the brethren.
Madam, quoth Lisuarte, you should divide them with
me; as Amadis is your knight, give me Galaor for
mine. She answered, Never yet was so great a boon
granted in Britain! but you deserve it, being the
noblest of all her kings: what say you, sir Galaor?
will you be the king's knight? Galaor replied,
Methinks whatever so great a king demandeth should be granted: you have me here to obey you in this
and every other respect, so far as it be with the will of
my lord and brother Amadis, for I will do nothing
against his command. I am well pleased, quoth she,
that you will obey him, for he is mine. I beseech
you, brother, then, said Amadis, do what the queen
desires ; and Galaor then bade her dispose of him as
she would. My lord, quoth she, I give you Don
Galaor, and I beseech you love him as he deserves. The king then seated himself by Brisena, and they talked with Galaor. Mabilia, who was apart with Oriana and Olinda, because they three were the noblest damsels, seeing Amadis with Agrayes, called to her brother, and bade him bring that knight nearer, for they greatly desired to see him. They then came up, and she knowing what remedies their hearts required, placed Agrayes beside Olinda and Amadis by Oriana, and being herself in the middle, said, Now am I between the four persons in the world whom I love best. When Amadis saw himself near his lady his heart leaped. She welcomed him, and putting out her hands between the lace of her mantle, took his hands and pressed them as if she would have embraced him, and said, My friend, what agony that traitor made me endure! Never was woman in such danger, and certes never with such reason; for never had any one so great a loss as I should suffer in losing you; for as I am better beloved than all others, so is it my good fortune to be beloved by him who excels all others. Amadis, who heard himself thus praised, could make no reply, for so beautiful did she appear that the words died upon his lips ; but she whose eyes were fixed upon him said, Dear friend, how should I not love you above all others, for all love and esteem you, and you love me; reason is it then that better than all other I should love you. Lady, then, replied Amadis, I beseech you rather pity the death which I daily endure for your sake! that which they told you had befallen me would be my consolation and rest: were it not for the strong desire my heart has to serve you, that heart could not resist its sorrows, but would sink under them; not that I fail to confess that one thought from you repays my pain, but something more is required, and without which it will soon bring me to my end. And then the tears started in his eyes. Dear friend, said Oriana, for God's sake talk not of your death! it makes my heart sink, for I could not live an hour after you, and only desire to live for you. What you say I well believe, loving as much as you do; and let come what will I promise you, that if fortune offer us no means of rest, my weak courage shall find one, though the displeasure of my father and mother should follow, which would be more endurable than these fears and this suspence. Amadis could not answer ; but he sighed from his heart. She took his hand, Friend, I will perform this promise ; meantime do not quit the court. At this time the queen called to Amadis, and made him sit near Galaor. The dames and damsels of the court meantime talked only of the two brethren, how God had made them as surpassing in beauty as in deeds of arms and all goodness : they thought Galaor of the fairer complexion; but Amadis had crisp, auburn locks, and more colour in his face, and was the larger limbed. When the tables were ready, Amadis and Galaor were placed at one table by the king's command, with Galvanes Lackland and Agrayes, and no others; and as these four knights had sate atthe same board, so afterwards did they partake of many the same dangers ; and although Don Galvanes was akin to none of them except Agrayes, yet Amadis and Galaor always called him uncle, and he called them his nephews, whereby his honour was afterwards greatly increased. |