love. So the child and the other young damsels began to sing. Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling, I lost my liberty when I did gaze Upon those lights which set me in a maze, Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling, I little joy in any other's sight, My heart is thine, thyself my chief delight. More smart I feel, more pain, more grief I prove. And though to you I manifest my woes, Who is the cause of this my fire, my smoke. Leonor, sweet Rose, all other flowers excelling, * For thee I feel strange thoughts in me rebelling, You should know by what occasion Amadis made this song for the Princess Leonoreta. One day, as he was talking with Queen Brisena, Oriana, Mabililia, and Olinda, told Leonoreta to go and ask Amadis to be her Knight, and that he would then serve her and no one else. The little girl went to him, and did so; and Amadis, smiling, took her * The song of Amadis has suffered much in this second translation, this "shadow of a shade." VILLANCICO. Leonoreta, fin roseta, fin roseta, no me meta en tal cuyta vuestro amor. Sin ventura yo en locura me meti; en vos amar es locura que me dura, sin me poder apartar, o hermosura sin par, que me da pena y dulzor, in his arms, and placed her on the estrado. Since you would have me be your Knight, said he, give me some jewel in token that you hold me fin roseta, no me meta en tal cuyta vuestro amor. De todas las que yo veo servir otra sino a vos; do no me puedo partir, Aunque mi quexa parece otra es la matadora, sin yo selo merecer, que muerto biva so tierra. for yours; and then she took from her head a gold clasp set with gems, and gave it him. All began to laugh at seeing how verily she believed the jest, and Amadis, being thus chosen her Knight, made for her this song. And when she and her damsels sung it they were dressed alike, having garlands on their heads, and garments of the same costliness and fashion as Leonoreta wore. She was a fair princess, albeit not so fair as Oriana, who had no peer, and afterwards she became Empress of Rome, and her twelve little damsels were all daughters of Counts and noble chiefs. So having sung their song, they knelt before Lisuarte, and then returned to the Queen. Galaor and Florestan and Agrayes then asked the King permission to guard Corisanda home. He took them aside and said, Friends! there are no other three in the world in whom I have the same confidence as in you. This battle is to be the first week in August, and you hear who are coming against me, and they will bring others with them, who are brave and terrible in arms, and are also of the nature and blood of the Giants: therefore, I request you not to undertake any adventure that may delay you from being there to aid me, for with your aid, and the justice of my cause, I trust in God, my enemies, powerful as they are, will be put to shame. Sir, said they, this command was not needed: as Errant Knights, our wish is to be in danger, to be where, being conquerors, we may win the renown which we seek; or, if conquered, come to the end for which we were all born: we will presently return. So they took their leave, and departed with Corisanda. Gandalin, who saw them depart, went to Miraflores, and related to Oriana and Mabilia all that. had past. Now, quoth Oriana, is Corisanda in all happiness, for she hath with her Don Florestan, whom she loves. God ever continue her joy! for she is a good Lady. And then she herself began to weep, and cry, Lord God, let me see Amadis again, if it be but for a day!-Gandalin greatly pitied her, but he affected anger, and said, Lady, you will make me stay away from Miraflores, for here are we looking for good tidings, and you will make us thus unhappy! Oriana wiped away her tears: Do not reproach me, Gandalin! I would do otherwise if I could; but, whatever semblance I should put on, my heart is always weeping! But tell me, what will become of the King my father, since Amadis will not be in the battle? He cannot so have hidden himself, replied Ganda |