struggling; he trampled him under his horse's feet and then rode

away.

That night they lodged in a forest, in the tent of some hunters whom they found. The damsel was a fair damsel, and what passed between them is not to be written. She told him that she was the daughter of Teloys the Fleming, to whom King Lisuarte had given the county of Clara, and of a lady who was his leman; the lord of that castle had seized her because she would not accept of him for a husband. Where shall I conduct you said Galaor, for I have far to travel. -To the monastery, where my mother dwells. So she guided Galaor there, and right gladly was he welcomed, and the more when they heard what feats of arms he had wrought; and there, at the request of the ladies of the convent, Galaor remained.

CHAP. XVII. Of the things which happened to Agrayes after the war of Gaul.

FTER Agrayes had returned from the war of

Gaul, he prepared to cross to Norway, where was his Lady Olinda. One day, when he was hunting, he came to a high rock upon the seashore, and there arose a sudden storm, and he saw a ship in great peril, wherewith he being moved to pity, kindled up great fires as the night came on, that the light might direct them, and there he himself awaited to see the end. At last, by the skill of the mariners, and above all by the mercy of the true God, the ship that was so often at the point of perishing, took safe harbour. There landed from it some damsels; Agrayes sent his huntsmen to assist them, and lodged them in his hunting-huts. The mariners meantime took their

suppers round the fires that he had kindled, and there fell asleep. The prince after some time went to the apartment where the damsels were, and coming to the door he saw them seated round a fire, and among them the fair princess, his Lady Olinda, daughter of the King of Norway. Amazed at seeing her, he exclaimed Holy Mary, help me! the lady of my heart! Great joy was there at that meeting, and full happily did those lovers, thus unexpectedly met, pass the night together. Six days they remained there, concealing their loves so well, that none save her damsels knew what passed. At the end of that time the weather abated. Olinda told him she was on her way to Great Britain, to live with Queen Brisena, and there Agrayes promised to follow, since he had no reason to visit Norway, and at Lisuarte's court he should find his cousin Amadis, and enjoy his lady's company. So they parted, and Olinda took ship again, and arrived safely at the Island of Windsor.

Now remained Agrayes on the shore giving many a long look after the ship, till having lost sight of it he returned to Briantes, where the king his father sojourned, and finding there his uncle Galvanes, who was called Lackland, he proposed to him to visit King Lisuarte's court, for there, said he, we may gain honour and fame, which cannot be done in this land. To this Galvanes willingly assented, for he had no lordship to detain him, and they took leave of Languines, and embarked with their squires and horses, and sailed prosperously till they reached the town called Bristol. There they landed, and proceeded on through a forest till they met a damsel, who enquired if that way led to the rock of Galtares. They told her no, and asked why she went thither. To seek a good knight, who

Damsel, said

will remedy the trouble I endure. Agrayes, you go wrong, for at that rock you will only find the great giant Albadan, and if you take sorrow to him he will double it. But, said she, the knight whom I seek hath slain Albadan in single fight.Certes, damsel, you tell us wonder! how, quoth Galvanes, for never knight fought singly with a giant, save only King Abies of Ireland, who fought with one, himself being armed and the giant naked, by which advantage he slew him; yet was this undertaking thought a madness: your speeches then sound not to any likelihood, for this Albadan is the fiercest giant in all the islands of the sea. Sirs, said the damsel, this knight hath slain him; and then she related how the battle had been, and that the knight's name was Don Galaor, son of the King of Gaul. Ah, damsel, quoth Agrayes, you tell me the news in the world that rejoices me most! to hear of my cousin, whom I held as rather dead than alive; but what would you have with him?-Sir, I seek his aid in behalf of a damsel who is imprisoned on his account, by the accusation of a dwarf, the most villainous creature that ever was born; and then she told him what had passed with Galaor and the dwarf, but concerning Aldeva's love she said nothing; and because the damsel will not confess what the dwarf hath avouched, the Duke of Bristol hath sworn that within ten days she shall be burnt alive; and this is a great grief to the other ladies, lest the damsel for fear of death should accuse any of them that for her sake Galaor came into the castle, and four days of the ten are now past. Agrayes answered, since it is so, you need travel no farther; guide us thither, and we will perform what Galaor should do, if not in strength yet

eat.

in good will. So she turned back, and they arrived at the duke's castle the day before the execution should be. The duke was then at table; they dismounted, and entered the hall where he was, armed as they were; and he saluted them, and bade them Sir, said they, we must first declare the cause of our coming. And Don Galvanes then proceeded: Duke, you detain a damsel prisoner upon the false and wicked accusation of a dwarf. We beseech you to deliver her, because she hath no way misdone; and if it be needful to prove her innocence let come two others to maintain his quarrel, for we are ready as her defenders. You say much! quoth the duke, and with that called for the dwarf, and asked him what reply he would make. Sir, said he, I have a champion who will prove the truth of what I say; and he called a knight, who was his nephew, but so strong and large of limb, that he did not look to be of the same kin, and he presented himself to do battle for the accuser. The duke rose from his meal to see the fight. I shall not, . said he, determine the damsel's fate by the issue of this battle. Sir, said Agrayes, you have imprisoned her upon the dwarf's accusation, and if I defeat his champion you are bound in right to acquit her. I have told you my mind, replied the duke.

Agrayes, tarrying for no more words, turned his horse, running a brave career against the dwarf's knight; they brake their staves gallantly in the encounter, meeting likewise so furiously with their bodies that they were both laid along the ground; yet quickly they recovered, and unsheathed their swords, and delivered fierce and cruel strokes to each other; their swords were sharp, and the knights valiant and haughtily disposed, by means whereof their armour, hel

mets and shields were in a short time made of slender resistance. At length the dwarf's nephew gave back and said, we have combated enough, and it appears to me that neither the knight, whose cause you have undertaken, is guilty, nor yet the dwarf my uncle to blame, for otherwise the battle could not have lasted so long : if it please you, then, let them both be held as loyal. Certes, quoth the prince, the knight is a loyal knight, but the dwarf is a false dwarf and a wicked, and I will not leave you till your own mouth confess him so. The battle was then renewed, but the dwarf's nephew was now so sorely pressed, that the duke returned lest he should see his death, and said aloud as he went, Henceforth I swear to take vengeance upon all knights errant. A foolish war hast thou denounced, quoth Galvanes, against errant knights, who go about to redress wrong!

By this time his antagonist was at the feet of Agrayes, who plucked off his helmet and struck at his face with the hilt of his sword, saying, confess the disloyalty of the dwarf towards the knight. Ah, gentle knight, quoth he, do not slay me! I own that he for whom you combat is good and loyal, and I promise to gain the damsel's release; but for God's sake do not make me say that the dwarf is false, for he is my uncle and he bred me up. At these words all the assistants marvelled, and Agrayes was moved to pity. He replied, let be the dwarf! but for you, who are a good knight, I release you, provided you will do your uttermost to deliver the damsel.

While this past the duke got near the castle, but Galvanes laid hold on his bridle, and pointed where his champion lay at the prince's feet; he is slain or conquered! what say you of the damsel ?-Knight,