BY ROBERT SOUTHEY 1872.  madis and Galaor were within two leagues
of London when they saw Ardan the dwarf
coming towards them as fast as horse could
gallop. Never trust me, quoth Amadis, if he comes
not with the news of some great mishap to seek us.
Presently the dwarf came up and related all his
tidings, and how Oriana was carried away. Holy
Mary, help me! cried Amadis: which way did they
take her?- By the city is the nearest road. Amadis
immediately spurred his horse, and galloped amain
towards London, so confounded with the terror of
this news that he never spoke a word to Galaor, who
followed him full speed. They passed close by the
town without stopping a minute, only Amadis enquired
of all he saw which way the Princess had been taken;
but as Gandalin passed under the windows where the
queen and her ladies were, the queen called him, and
threw the king's sword to him, which was the best
sword that ever knight girded on: Take it to your
master, quoth she, and God speed hirn with it! and
tell Galaor that the king went from hence with a
damsel this morning, and is not yet returned, and we
know not where she has led him. Gandalin took the
sword and rode as fast as he could after Amadis, who
coming to a brook missed the bridge in his hurry, and
forcing the horse to leap, the tired animal fell short
into the mud; then Gandalin came up to him and
gave him the sword, and the horse which he himself
rode. Presently they turned aside from the road
to follow the track of horsemen, and there they
saw some woodmen, who asked them if they came
from London, for if a knight and a damsel be missing
there, said they, we have seen an adventure; and then
they told them what they had beheld. Who is it
that has taken them? quoth Amadis ; for he knew it
was Lisuarte by the description. They answered,
The damsel who led the knight here called loudly for
Arcalaus. Lord God! quoth Amadis : let me but
find that traitor! The woodmen then told them how
the party had separated, and said that one of the five
knights who went with the damsel was the biggest
knight they had ever seen. Amadis knew that that
was Arcalaus; and bidding Galaor follow where the
king went, he spurred on after Oriana. By sunset
the horse could carry him no farther, and he being
greatly distressed, saw a little to the right of the
road a knight lying dead, and a squire by him holding
his horse. Who slew that knight? cried Amadis. A
traitor that passed by, carrying the fairest damsel in
the world by force, and he slew my master only for
asking who they were, and here is no one to help me
to remove the body. -My squire shall help you: give
me your master's horse: I promise to give you two better in return. . He told Gandalin to follow him after
the body was disposed of, and gallopped on. Towards
day-break he came to a hermitage in a valley, and asked
the hermit if he had seen five knights pass carrying
with them two damsels? Do you see yonder castle? he
replied: my nephew tells me that Arcalaus the enchanter is lodged there, and with him two fair damsels
whom he hath taken by violence. By God the very
villain whom I seek! He hath done much evil in
this land, replied the hermit. God remove him or
mend him! Then Amadis asked him if he had any
barley for his horse; and while the horse was feeding,
enquired who was the lord of the castle. Grumen,
said the good man, cousin to Dardan who was slain
in Lisuarte's court, and therefore the king's enemies
put up there. Now God be with you, father! quoth
Amadis; I beseech you remember me in your prayers!
which way to the castle?- Amadis followed the path
which the good man had pointed out, and came up to
it, and saw that the wall was high and the towers
strong. He listened and could hear no sound within,
and that pleased him, for he knew that Arcalaus was
not gone forth; and he rode round, and saw that it
had only one issue. Then he retired among some
crags, and, dismounting, stood holding the bridle, and
with his eyes fixed upon the gate, like one who had
no will to sleep. By this the morning broke, and he
removed farther across a valley to a hill that was well
wooded, for he feared that if those of the castle saw
him they would suspect there were others at hand,
and therefore not come out. Presently the gate
opened, and a knight came out, and went to a high
eminence and looked all round; then returned into
the castle. It was not long before he saw Arcalaus
and his four companions come out, all well armed, and
among them Oriana. Ah, God! quoth he, now and
for ever help me in her defence! They drew near
him, and he heard Oriana say, Dear friend, I shall
never see thee more, for I go to my death. The tears
came into his eyes; he descended the hill as fast as
he could, and came after them into a great plain, and
then cried, Arcalaus! traitor! it becomes not one like
thee to carry away so excellent a lady! Oriana knew
the voice, and shook all over; but Arcalaus and the
other ran at him. He took his aim at Arcalaus, and
bore him right over the crupper; then turned his
horse and smote at Grumen, so that the point and
part of the stave of the spear came out at his back,
and he fell down dead, and the spear broke in him.
Then he drew the king's sword, and laid about with
such rage and violence, and felt such strength in him
self, that he thought if the whole plain were full of
knights they could not stand before him. We are
succoured! quoth the damsel of Denmark: it is the
fortunate knight! look at the wonders he performeth!
Ah, God protect thee, dear friend ! cried Oriana:
none other in the world can save us. The squire who
had her in his keeping seeing what had passed, cried
out, Certes I shall not wait till those blows come
upon my head which shields and helmets cannot
resist! and he put the princess down, and rode off
full speed. By this Amadis had cut thro' the arm of
another, and sent him away howling with the agony of
death; and he cleft a third down to the neck. The
fourth began to fly, and Amadis was after him, when
he. heard his lady cry: and looking round, saw that
Arcalaus had mounted again, and was dragging her up
by the arm. Amadis soon came up' to them, and
lifting up his sword dared not put forth his strength
lest he should slay both, but with a half-blow he smote
him on the shoulder, and cut away part of the cuirass
and the skin; then Arcalaus let Oriana fall, that he
might escape the better. Turn, Arcalaus, cried Amadis, and see if I be dead as thou hast reported! but
he in fear of death spurred on, and threw his shield
from off his neck for speed. The blow made at him
just reached his loins with the sword-end, and fell
upon the horse's flank and wounded it, so that the
beast rode away more furiously. Amadis, albeit he
so hated the enchanter, did not pursue him further,
lest he should lose his mistress, he turned towards
her, and alighted and knelt before her, and kissed her
hand, saying, Now let God do with me what he will!
I never thought to see you again. She being among
the dead was in great terror, and could not speak, but
she embraced him. The damsel of Denmark going to
hold his horse saw the sword of Arcalaus on the
ground, and admiring its beauty gave it to Amadis;
but he seeing it was right glad thereof, for it was
King Perion's sword which had been placed in his
cradle, and which Arcalaus had taken when he enchanted him. Presently Gandalin came up, who had
travelled all night long: a joyful man was he seeing
how the quest had ended.Amadis then placed Oriana upon the damsel's palfrey, while Gandalin caught one of the loose horses for the damsel, and taking her bridle they left the place of battle. But Amadis as they went along reminded Oriana how she had promised to be his; Hitherto, said he, I have known that it was not in your power to show me more favour than you did; but now that you are at full liberty, how should I support disappointments without the worst despair that ever destroyed man!, Dear friend, quoth she, never for my sake shall you suffer, for I am at your will: though it be an error and a sin now, let it not be so before God.- When they had proceeded about three leagues they entered a thick wood, and about a league farther there was a town. Oriana, who had not slept a wink since she left her father's house, complained of fatigue: let us rest in that valley, said Amadis. There was a brook there and soft herbage; there Amadis took her from her palfrey: The noon, said he, is coming on very hot, let us sleep here till it be cooler, and meantime Gandalin shall go bring us food from the town. He may go, replied Oriana, but who will give him food?- They will give it him for his horse, which he may leave in pledge, and return on foot. No: said Oriana, let him take my ring, which was never before so useful: and she gave it to Gandalin, who, as he went by Amadis, said to him, He who loses a good opportunity, sir, must wait long before he find another. Oriana laid herself down upon the damsel's cloak, while Amadis disarmed, of which he had great need, and the damsel retired farther among the trees to sleep. Then was his lady in his power, nothing loth ; and the fairest damsel in the world became a woman. Yet was their love encreased thereby, as pure and true love alway is. When Gandalin returned, the damsel prepared the food ; and, though they had neither many serving-men, nor vessels of gold and silver, yet was that a sweet meal upon the green grass in the forest. |