you are more than mad if you think I will do otherwise with her than I have resolved and sworn. -And what have you sworn? That she shall be burnt to-morrow unless she confess for whom she introduced the knight into my palace. What! will you not deliver her? No, quoth the duke, and if you tarry longer in this land I shall find you also employment here! As he said this, certain of his attendants came up. Galvanes then let loose the bridle ;-You threaten us, and you I will not release the damsel as right is, therefore I defy you on my own behalf, and for all errant knights! And I defy you and all, replied the duke; in an evil hour shall any of you come here! Greatly enraged was Agrayes at hearing what had passed: a man like this, quoth he, from whom no right can be obtained, should not be the lord of a land. Then he cried to the dwarf's nephew, remember what thou hast promised; and with that he and his uncle departed. It was now about vespers, and they entered the forest of Arunda. Nephew, said Galvanes, let us lie in wait here for the duke or some of his people! So they turned aside from the path into a thicket, and dismounted, and sent their squires into the town for what things were needful, and there they remained that night.

The duke meantime in great wrath sent for the damsel, and bade her look to her soul, for she should be burnt to-morrow unless she confessed; but she would disclose nothing. The dwarf's nephew then knelt down, and told the duke what he had promised to Agrayes, and besought him for God's sake to release the damsel; but the duke swore he would rather lose his whole estates than break the vow he had sworn; and the knight was greatly troubled, for

he hoped to have discharged himself of his fealty. In the morning, the duke called again for the damsel; Chuse, said he, the truth or the fire! one or the other! She replied, you must do your will, but against all right! Then he commanded two knights and twelve men at arms to take charge of her, and he himself mounted his horse with only a truncheon in his hand, and went with them to burn the damsel at the forest edge; and when they arrived and all was ready, he said, Now set fire to her, and let her die in her obstinacy! All this Galvanes and his nephew saw, and as they were already armed they mounted, and commanded one of their squires to attend to nothing but the damsel, but to place her in safety; and then they rode towards the smoke. But now had the damsel so great a fear, that she cried out, Sir, I will confess ! and the duke came nigh to hear her, when he saw Don Galvanes and Agrayes come galloping up, and they cried out, deliver the damsel! His two knights were lightly dismounted, and his men at arms slain or maimed, and he himself fled full speed towards the town, and Galvanes shouted after him, Stay, sir duke, and make proof of the enemies whom you have defied !

The duke speedily armed himself and collected all his company, and sallied out to pursue them; and coming to the forest he divided them into parties of five, and sent them different ways. He himself with his five companions had the lot to find whom he sought. Now nephew, quoth Galvanes, show your worth! In the combat the duke encountered Agrayes; Agrayes made a blow at him that only struck his vizor, but it went through and sheared his nose clean away; and the duke, who thought he had been slain,

turned bridle and galloped away. The prince then turned to his uncle's assistance, and soon forced the two knights, who still kept their saddles, to make the best use of their horses in flight.

This battle won," they asked the damsel if there was any place of lodging near. Yes, said she, I know the dwelling of a knight hard by, named Olivas, a mortal enemy to the duke; and she guided them there, where Olivas gave then the better welcome for what had happened. The morrow morning as they were about to depart, Olivas said to them, Sirs, the duke slew my cousin treacherously, and I shall accuse him for his death before King Lisuarte; and for this I beseech your advice, and your aid as errant knights who redress wrong, if need should be. That did the knights readily promise, and Olivas accompanied them to Windsor.

CHAP. XVIII.-Of the news which Amadis had of Don Galaor his brother, and how he departed from the court of King Lisuarte to go in quest of him.

NE day when Amadis was talking with the Queen Brisena, there came a damsel into the palace, who knelt before her and said, Madam, is there a knight here who bears the lions? The queen, perceiving that she meant Amadis, answered, what would you with him?-I bring him tidings of a new knight, who hath made a braver beginning of chivalry than did ever knight before in all the islands. Say you so said Brisena; now then tell your tale, for here is the knight whom ye seek. Then said the damsel to Amadis, Sir, the fair child whom you knighted, before the castle of Bradoyd,

where you conquered the two knights of the bridge, and the three of the causey, and took the lord of the castle, and delivered by force of arms Urganda's friend, saluteth you by me, as being the man whom he reputeth his lord, and bids me say that he will strive to be a good man, or die in the attempt; and when he shall be such in prowess, he will tell you more of his affairs than you yet know; but if he fail to become such a one as you could esteem, he will still be silent. Then came tears into the eyes of Amadis, so that all the dames and damsels saw he was weeping, for he remembered his brother. Meanwhile the queen, desirous to hear what deeds of prowess the new knight had performed said to the damsel, I pray you continue your message, and tell us that brave beginning of chivalry you speak of. The damsel then related what she had seen at the rock of Galtares, which, when she had done, the queen asked Amadis if he knew who the knight was! and Amadis told her it was his brother.

But

But Oriana, who sate too far off to hear what was said, was greatly displeased to see Amadis in tears, and she said to Mabilia, Call your cousin that we may know what hath happened; and when he came to them, she asked him, angrily, from whom the damsel could bring him news that should draw tears? when he told her, she cried, Pardon me, my lord, that I suspected where there was no cause. Ah, lady, he replied, how can I pardon you who have never offended; but if it please you, may I go and seek my brother? And this he said because he greatly desired to see him, and because he wished to seek adventures wherein renown might be won. Oriana answered, as God shall help me, I should heartily rejoice to see th knight here, and I freely permit you to seek him; but

let it seem as if you went at the queen's command. Amadis then went to the queen, and said, I would, lady, that we had that knight in the king's company; yet, if he be not sought, it will be long before he will come. In God's name, replied Brisena, seek him then, but when you have found him forthwith return here.

On the morrow Amadis heard mass, and departed with only Gandalin. Towards the close of the second day, as he rode thro' a forest, he met a lady with two damsels and four esquires, and there was a litter with them, and they were all loudly lamenting. Lady, said Amadis, what have you in this litter? I have all my care and my sorrow, said she; a knight, my husband, who is wounded I fear to death. Then he approached the litter, and lifting a cloth that covered him beheld a goodly knight, but his face was all bruised and swoln, and it had many wounds. Sir knight, said he, from whom have you received this injury? but the knight turned his head a little, and made no reply. The lady answered, From a knight who keeps a bridge upon this road, and who hath thus wounded him in hatred to King Lisuarte, upon whom and all his companions he hath vowed revenge for the death of Dardan. Lady, said Amadis, lend me one of your squires, to guide me to him, for since for my sake your husband has been so wronged, it behoves me to avenge him. Ah, good knight, said she, God prosper you! So they each went their way, and Amadis rode on till he came to the bridge, and he saw the knight playing at tables with another, but quickly leaving his pastime, he mounted on horseback and rode towards Amadis, and cried, Stay, sir knight, you pass not the bridge till you have sworn! Sworn what? quoth Amadis.-Whether you are of King Lisuarte's household; if so, you shall

The