and are now on the point of becoming the most honourable prince in the world, would you stay and spare them now? Amadis replied, Sir cousin, I would spare our own people, lest in the darkness they should slay one another; as for the enemy, I hold them as conquered, for they can make no defence. But Agrayes, who well knew what was his intention, exclaimed, Since you will not conquer, you ought not to command, and you deserve always to be an errant knight, since at such a time you suffer compassion to overcome you; but do as you please! Then King Perion on one side, with Don Quadragante, who was nothing sorry for the resolution, because of King Cildadan, with whom he was so nearly connected, and whom he loved so well; and Amadis and Gastiles on the other side, began to recall the troops, which they did with little difficulty, for it was now night. King Lisuarte, who had no hope of recovering the field, and was resolved to die rather than be conquered, was greatly astonished to see these knights withdraw their troops, and well knew that this was not done without some great cause, and he stood still to see what would come of it. Now when King Cildadan beheld what the enemies were about, he said to Lisuarte, I believe these people do not pursue us that they may do us honour; since it is so, let us secure our retreat, and go to rest, for it is time. This accordingly they did, for King Arban of North Wales, and Don Guilan the Pensive, and Arquisil, and Flamineo, brought off the Romans; and thus then this great battle ended, as you have heard.

Now because the beginning of all this great history was founded upon the love of King Perion and Queen Elisena, by whom this knight Amadis was begotten, from

whose love for his lady Oriana all this great outcry hath proceeded, although it may appear somewhat from the purpose, yet reasonable it is, that for this reason, and for the excuse of those who love like them, it should be said how the strength of love is above the strength of all other things; seeing that in such an affair as this, so famous in all the world, where so many nations were assembled, and there was so great slaughter, and the honour of victory was so great, love had such power above anger and rage, and pride, and old hatred, that this knight forwent the glory of the greatest victory in the world, whereby his enemies were saved, as you have heard, for, beyond all doubt, the destruction of King Lisuarte and all his people was then in the hand of Amadis. But it is not reasonable that this should be attributed to any other than that Lord who is the helper of all things; and we may well believe, that it was permitted by Him for the sake of the great peace and concord which ensued after this great enmity, as you shall hear.

The armies being thus separated, and having retired to their camps, truce was made for two days, because the dead were so many. What trouble there was in burying them, and what mourning was made, I may

be excused from relating, because the death of the emperor made all other losses be, as it were, forgotten, and because it would be tedious.

CHAP. XXXI.-How King Lisuarte sent the body of the Emperor of Rome to a monastery, and how he spake with the Romans.

HEN King Lisuarte came to his tent, he besought King Cildadan to alight and disarm

there, that before they rested they might give order respecting the body of the emperor; then weary and bruised as they were, they went to the tent where the emperor lay dead, and found his knights making dole over him; for albeit, he was so proud, yet was he so liberal of his gifts and favour that that covered many of his faults. The two kings then besought all these knights to go rest themselves, saying, that they would see the body disposed of as it ought; and then they gave orders to the officers of his household to prepare the body that it might be carried a day's journey to a monastery near the town of Lubayna, from whence it might be removed at leisure to the chapel of the emperor at Rome. They then returned to the tent, and then they supt, and it seemed with a chearful countenance; but there was one who was troubled in his spirit, and that was king Lisuarte; for by the great advantage the enemies had gotten in the two former battles, he knew that when the truce expired, there was no hope for him, but either he must be dishonoured and vanquished, or what he was more certain of, slain.

On the morrow the emperor and Floyan were carried to the monastery, and Lisuarte and King Cildadan went to the emperor's tent, and called together Arqui

sil and Flamineo and the chief knights among the Romans, and said to them, My good friends, God only can tell the grief I feel for this loss, and the desire I have to revenge it; but the past is without remedy, and we must show that the death of a prince is not the destruction of all his people. If all others should forsake me, I will not depart from this place, except either conqueror, or dead; do ye, therefore, call to mind what you are, and we may yet recover what advantage we have lost, to our great glory. To this, Arquisil, who was now the chief in rank as well as courage, being next in succession to the empire, replied, It is notorious to all the world what signal things the Romans have atchieved, being among other nations like the morning star among other stars. Since we are of so great a nation, do not you King Lisuarte believe, but that we will fearlessly follow the example of our forefathers and therefore, for myself and for these chiefs I offer, when this truce is at an end to take the front of the battle, and to resist the enemy, even with more heart and courage than if our lord the emperor were present. Greatly were they all contented with this brave speech of Arquisil: King Lisua rte then said to Cildadan, Good sir, since we have found such resolution in the Romans, which I did not expect, and since they have now so good a knight as Arquisil to lead them, we also should lay aside all fear, and take this chance as we ought: for myself, I tell you, that after the truce, there shall be nothing but battle; and if God does not give me victory, I do not wish him to give me life; for death would be more desirable. Now, though King Cildadan was always grieved at heart to think that he was tributary to King Lisuar te, yet being

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so good a knight, and regarding his oath and promise more than his own will and pleasure, he replied, I am rejoiced, sir, by what the Romans say, and still more at beholding your resolution; for things like these, are the touchstones by which virtue is proved. For myself, be assured, that living or dead, where you are, there shall my body be found also. From that hour King Lisuarte resolved, let his fortune be what it might, to release Cildadan from his vassalage for that good will which he manifested to die in his defence.

CHAP. XXXII.-How when the holy hermit Nasciano knew of this great quarrel between the kings, he set about making peace.

ASCIANO, the holy man who had brought up Esplandian, heard of the great discord.

between the kings, and what danger they were in, whether by a special revelation of God, or by rumour that reached him is not known, for the hermitage wherein he had dwelt forty years, was in so remote a part of the forest, that scarcely ever traveller passed that way. He being sick, besought God to give him strength, that he might go to the Firm Island, to obtain Oriana's consent, without which it could not be done, that he might reveal the secret of her love to Amadis, which he might safely do, she being not in her father's power, and whereby he trusted to bring about peace. So being somewhat recovered, though still very weak and infirm, he mounted his ass, and took with him two men of the village where his sister dwelt, and with much labour