they might go and revenge the great treason; for they were now so near the Firm Island that they might safely depart this they obtained; and taking with them the Queen of Dacia, who would needs go herself with them, saying that her presence would be of great avail, they parted company from Queen Elisena.

Queen Elisena and Don Galaor proceeded, and arrived safely at the Firm Island. When their coming was known, the king her husband, and his sons, and the emperor took horse, and went with all the other knights to receive her. Oriana also would have gone with all her company; but the king sent to request her not to take that trouble, saying that he would presently bring the queen to her. After Amadis had kissed his mother's hand, he embraced Don Galaor, and asked him how he fared; Better, quoth Galaor, and better I shall be, since the quarrels between you and King Lisuarte are at an end. So they proceeded toward the garden, and there Oriana was ready with the queens and all her company in rich attire to receive her. When she went in, Oriana and the Queens Sardamira and Briolania hand in hand knelt down to her with that obedience which they owed to their true mother; and the queen embraced them, and kissed them, and raised them up. Then came up Mabilia, and Melicia, and Grasinda, and all the other ladies, and kissed her hand, and led her to her apartment. When Don Galaor appeared, I cannot tell you the love which Oriana showed him; for, except Amadis, there was no knight in the world whom she loved so well, both for his brother's sake, and because her father Lisuarte so truly loved him, and he had served the king so faithfully. Amadis took Queen Briolania

by the hand, and said to him, Sir brother, I trust to you this fair queen, whom you have seen heretofore. Don Galaor, without delay, received her, as one noways abashed at seeing women. Sir, quoth he, I hold it a great favour in you that you give her to me, and in her that she will accept me as her own. The queen said nothing; but her face coloured, and became more beautiful. Galaor had not seen her since she went to Lisuarte's court to look for Amadis, when she was very young; but now she was in the perfection of her age and beauty; and so fair did she appear to him, that though he had seen and toyed with many women, yet his heart was never surrendered in pure true love to any but this fair queen; and she on her part, knowing how excellent a knight he was, transferred to him all the great affection she had once felt for his brother Amadis; so that they lived ever after the happiest and most honourable life that can be devised.

When Queen Elisena had been thus received and lodged with the other dames and damsels where only King Perion was permitted to enter; for so it was determined, till King Lisuarte should arrive, and all the marriages be performed in his presence; the knights went to such pastimes as they liked best, especially those who affected the chace, for about a league from the island, on the firm land, there were the goodliest trees and thickets, which, because the land was kept well, were all full of venison, and wild boars, and rabbits, and other wild beasts, whom they killed with dogs and nets, or from on horseback. For hawking also, there were hares, and partridges, and water fowl; so that it may be said that in that little corner were collected the flower of all the chivalry in

the world, and all the beauty that could be found upon earth, and all fitting sports and pastimes whereof you have heard, as well the natural ones, as what Apolidon had made by his enchantments.

CHAP. XLI.-Of what happened to Don Bruneo of Bonamar and Angriote of Estravaus and Branfil, in the succour which they brought to the Queen of Dacia.

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O joyful was the Queen of Dacia for the aid which she had obtained, that it was some time before she asked the knights who they Good lady, quoth Angriote, so little will you know us, that the knowledge of our names will neither lessen nor increase your hope of help from us. These two knights are brethren, the one is Don Bruneo of Bonamar, the other Branfil. Don Bruneo, by his spouse, is brother to that Amadis of Gaul whom you were seeking. My own name is Angriote of EstraWhen the queen heard that, she exclaimed, O good sirs, now do I thank God that I have found you! for your renown is every where gone abroad. They who told me of the great wars between Amadis and King Lisuarte, told us also of the best knights who were there engaged, and I well remember your names among the best. Thus they continued their voyage till they reached the kingdom, and then it was resolved that the queen should remain on shipboard, till she saw what success they had; and they, taking their horses and arms and their squires, and two knights unarmed, who were in the queen's company,

to guide them, took their way toward the city wherein the princes were besieged, which was a good day's journey from the shore, and they bade their squires carry with them food and barley for the horses, that they might not enter any inhabited place. They rode on till evening, and then rested awhile upon the skirts of a forest, and gave their horses to eat, then mounted again, and continued their way, till about an hour before day-break they arrived at the camp. As covertly as they could, they reconnoitred it to see where was the weakest part, that they might break through; and having done that, they bade their squires, and the two knights, to use their endeavour, while they were fighting, to reach the town. Accordingly they three charged upon ten knights whom they found before them; at the first encounter each overthrew his man, and they broke their lances, and then laid about them so manfully with their swords, that the other knights, thinking they were attacked by a greater number, began to fly, crying out for help! Now, quoth Angriote, let us leave them and get to the walls; this they did; the uproar had brought some of the besieged to the ramparts, who knew the two knights, and without delay opened a portal and admitted them.

The princes hearing the outcry, hastily arose, and when they heard that these knights were come to their help, and that the queen their mother was living, of whom before they had heard no tidings, whether she were alive or dead, they were greatly rejoiced, and the town's-people also took heart; so the knights were lodged in the palace, and disarmed, and then went to rest. Meantime there was a great uproar in

the duke's camp, the whole army were alarmed, and it was day before the tumult subsided. The duke questioned the knights, and they said they had seen about eight or ten horsemen, though they believed there had been more, and that they had entered the town; upon this he said they must be some of the country; and I will enquire who they are; and if I can learn, they shall lose their lands. He then bade the army disarm, and retire to their quarters.

After Angriote and his companions had slept awhile, they rose and heard mass with the young princes, and then required them to summon all their people, that they might see what was their force. When this was done, they said it was enough to resist the numbers of the duke, and they three took counsel together, and resolved, that when it was night an attack should be made upon the besiegers, and Don Bruneo, at the same time, attempt to escape on another side with the youngest prince, and go to certain places in that district which were well affected, but had been compelled to supply the duke's camp, because they saw their king slain, and that the queen was fled, and the princes besieged. Among them, it was thought, Don Bruneo might collect some succours, when they were encouraged by his presence, and the sight of the prince; the which if he could do, he should make certain signals, and they would sally by night, while he at the same time attacked the camp.

When the night was far advanced, Angriote and Branfil, and all the people of the town, sallied out, and Don Bruneo and the prince went out on the other side, as had been agreed. Angriote and Branfil led the way along a lane between gardens which they had noted by