CHAP. I. How Esplandian sleeping in the great serpent , when hee awaked , he found himselfe to bee at the foot of the rocke of the Enchauntresse , and what happened vnto him .

ESplandian that had fallen asléepe in the serpent by meanes of the melodious noise of trumpets , that the sixe Gentlewomen sounded along the shoare , after he had receiued the order of knighthood , as it hath ben declared vnto you in the end of our fourth booke , when hee awaked was much abashed that he saw not any of the company that were there present when the Giant Balan dubbed him knight , but found himselfe alone betwéene the wings of that monstrous beast , at the foot of a rocke vnknowne to him , which rocke was so high , that hee thought it impossible to climbe vp , but hee was persuaded that Vrganda la Descogneue ( whose workes and enterprises were most wonderfull ) had ordained it to be so , and therevpon he comforted himselfe , going down into the body of the ship ( where the day before that great assemblie had ben ) but he found no man ; and séeking further , hee went into the chappel , where hee espied Sergil his squire fast sléeping , and hard by him two old men with rols on their heads , apparrelled like Turkes : with that he went to Sergil , and with his foot gaue him such a thrust , that on a sodain he started vp , and speaking to his maister ( as though hee had neuer séene him before ) asked him what he meant , whereat Esplandian began to laugh , and said vnto him : Good God , Sergil , hast thou ben in my company all thy life time , and knowest mee no better ? and taking him by the hand , he drew him in such maner to him that therewith hee awaked , much ashamed to haue committed such a fault : whereof séeking to excuse himselfe , hee said vnto his maister , By my faith sir , I was so fast asléepe when you called me , that I neither remembred you nor my selfe , and I am now more abashed then I was before to think how I fel into so sound a sléepe : That cannot I tel ( answered Esplandian ) although as much hath happened vnto me . Then he told him that hee had slept , and when he awaked he found himselfe alone betwéene the wings of the Serpent , without any of the company that were with him when hee receiued the order of knighthood , and now ( said he ) we are arriued at the foot of the highest rocke that euer I saw , and withall it is so hard and difficult to climbe vp , that I can find neither path nor way how to doe it , yet haue I beheld it long , but ( as I perceiue ) it is enuironned with the sea in such manner , that considering the scituation of the place , I certainly beléeue it is the rocke of the Enchauntresse , whereof in times past thou hast heard by Amadis my father . And as they were in this manner speaking , Sergil heard the two old men snort ( that as yet they had not once perceiued ) and demanded of Esplandian if he knew them not : As God helpe me no ( said Esplandian ) for as farre as I remember I neuer saw them before , but I iudge that Vrganda hath left them here to helpe vs if we néed . I pray you said Sergil let vs awake them : then hee called them so lowd that they rose vp , Esplandian asking them who brought them thether , but they made signes that they could not speake . It was then about twelue of the clocke , and Esplandian would willingly haue eaten if he had found meat , and said vnto Sergil , Friend , neuer in all my life had I so good an appetite to eat as I haue now , but I doubt we shall find no victuals in the ship , I pray thée Sergil let vs go sée , for as I perceiue , if we trust vnto these dumbe men , we are like to fare but hardly : but the dumbe men perceiued well what he meant : wherefore going out of the chappell they entred into a chamber that ioined to the hall , from whence they presently returned , bringing with them such quantity of meate that Esplandian and Sergil were neuer better satisfied in all their liues : hauing dined & the tables vncouered , they went vnto the place where Esplandian had slept , from whence hee shewed Sergil the rocke whereof hee had told him before , saying : Assure thy selfe Sergil , séeing the serpent stirreth not from hence , it is a signe that I must goe vpon this high rock to sée if there be any aduentures , and if I can bring them to an end I know not ( answered Sergil ) what you will doe , but if you trust to the coun●ell of our dumbe men we shall stay long ynough here before we haue any wordes of them . Let vs land ( said Esplandian ) and with that hee made signes to the old men , that they should haise out the boat , wherevnto they willingly obeied : which done , the first that entred was Sergil , then Esplandian ( armed in the same armour he ware when the great Balan dubbed him knight ) and rowing with their oares they made towards the rocke , at the foot whereof they descended out of the boat , leauing the two dumbe men alone in the serpent , and as they were looking for a way to get vp , they found the same path that Amadis and Gransador had taken when they went vp to sée the strange aduentures that the Enchaunteresse had left there , and they had not trauelled long , but that Sergil perceiued his maister to want a sword , ( for of all other armour he was wel furnished when hee receiued the order of knighthood onely of a sword ) wherefore he said vnto him : sir , I know not whether you meane to goe , but if we passe forward , and that vpon the top of this rock , if you find any dangerous aduenture , you haue nothing to defend your selfe withall , but if you will beléeue me , you shall rather take an oare out of our boat , for oftentimes the stoutest man is ouercome , not for want of courage or stomacke to resist , but for want of weapons to defend himselfe , and with that hee went backe vnto the boat , and bringing one of the oares with him , gaue it to his maister , in which maner they began to mount vpon the rocke not without great paine , the way being so difficult , the aire hote , and Esplandian heauily armed . Notwithstanding they ceased not to trauaile day and night , till they arriued at the Hermitage , where the image of brasse stood with a scrole of writing at his féet ( as you haue read in the fourth book ) which as then they could not discerne by reason it was darke , wherfore they determined to passe the night vnder the gate , not entering any further , for it was extreame whote . Then Esplandian put off his helmet , and laying downe his shield , eate such meate as his Squire had brought with him : which done , lying downe vpon the grasse he slept till the morning that he and Sergil entered into the chappell , where they beheld the image and the writing , but neither of them could read it because the letters were in Gréek , which they vnderstood not . Then Esplandian determining to goe further , said to Sergil , Friend , it is best for you to stay here till I come againe , for if this be the rocke where my father & Gransador ( whether it weare by fortune or willingly ) did once arriue , I remember I haue heard them tell , that in Summer the aire is so whote therein that it bréedeth many venomous beasts , whereby thou mightest receiue some harme , being no better armed than thou art , but as for mee thou knowest I am predestined to those aduentures that other men haue failed to accomplish , which putteth me in hope either that I shall not liue long , or I shal accomplish the things that are foreshewed of me , and by that meanes shall conquer the sword and the treasure , that for certaine is said to be in an old pallace within this rocke . What , said Sergil , Doe you think that although I should die a thousand deaths I would refuse to goe with you ? No by my faith , for I know that without your company life wil be irksomer to me then a thousand deaths if a man could indure so many . Friend answered Esplandian I beléeue it wel , neuerthelesse if any inconuenience should happen vnto thée , besides the blame I might receiue thereby , thy deede would be more estéemed folly , then done of any courage : but not to me that haue both armor and shield to fight against the strongest enemy that may bee found , wherefore I pray thée once againe doe as I would haue thée . Wherewith Sergil perceiuing no remedy , turned his head aside and began to wéepe . In the mean time Esplandian laced on his helmet , and hanging his shield about his necke with the oare on his shoulder , kept on the pathes that at the last brought him to the top of the rocke , and being there hee went towards the broken castle , where hee perceiued the other Image with the table that she held in her left hand , the contents whereof he could no more vnderstand then that of the Hermitage , wherfore without longer staying he passed forward towards the chamber where the treasure lay , being continually guarded by a most great and horrible serpent : and as hee went néerer to it , he perceiued the gates to be of hard stone , where there was a sword so farre thrust in , that nothing but the handle could be séene , wherewith he thought it to be the same whereof he had heard , and being moued with great desire to haue it , he determined ( although he had but a staffe to defend himselfe ) to assaile the beast , whatsoeuer happened thereby . And to the same end with a bold courage he set forwards , but the serpent ( that as then slept ) awaked , and looking with a cruell countenance vpon Esplandian , began to hisse , and cast out fire at he● mouth as if shee would deuour him . Neuerthelesse Esplandian couered with his shield went néere vnto her , and with his oare gaue her such a blow betwéene the eares , that with the force hee vsed , it had almost fallen out of his hands . Notwithstanding the beast made towards him so furiously that she ouerthrew him on the ground and troad vpon his belly , whereat hée was not a little abashed , but perceiuing what danger hee was in , sodainly ●art vp , and by little and little got to the gate wherein the sword stucke , which at the last hee laid hold vpon , and with both hands drew it to him with such force that he puld it out : and with that the gates opened with so fearefull a noise , that presently the serpent fell dead vpon the ground , and Esplandian was so astonished that he knew not what hee did , but it was no meruel for that Sergil that staied in the hermitage , farre from thence was in the greatest feare that euer he had , and besides the saylers that as then sayled along the coast , thought verely the rocke would haue fallen into the sea , so great was the noise at the opening of the gate . Meane time Esplandian lay in a swoune till midnight following that he opened his eies , when he saw a great brightnesse in the place , perceiuing the serpent dead and the inchanted sword lying by his side , which hee tooke in his hand , and rising vp entred into the chamber , in the middle wherof he saw a tombe shining brighter then fire , and vpon it a great lion of brasse , holding in his right paw the scabberd of the sword , from whence the great brightnesse issued , and in his left a roll of letters written in Latine , The contents whereof doe follow .

CHAP. II. How Esplandian hauing read the writing contained in the roll that the Lyon held , tooke the shining scabberd , and what speech hee and Sergil had together .

THe fearefull cries at the time of the great constraint , shal force thee ( O thou Knight that hast conquered the sword ) to returne againe to conquer the great treasure wherby thy ioy shal be restored in such sort , that the kindled flames , by whose beames thou shalt farre off be wounded ( shal bee extinguished , & content thy selfe with this glorious conquest thou hast made : for that variable fortune had aduanced thee before all others , and thou hast obtained the honor whervnto so many good knights could neuer attaine , notwithstanding all their Prowesse .

Esplandian hauing read and again perused the contents of the writing , for a time stood musing thereon , and in the end perceiued thereby , that although hee had brought the aduenture of the sword vnto an end , yet he should be constrained to attend the time appointed ( according to the contents of the writing ) neuerthelesse hee knew not the meaning thereof , being as then at libertie and frée from all the passions of loue . Notwithstanding the cruell Tyrant Loue , afterward obtained so great a conquest against him , that hee made him fall in loue with her that hee neuer had séene , nor neuer was in her company , as reading further in this history you shall at large perceiue . Then he laied hand vpon the scabbard , and put the sword into it , thanking God deuoutly for the grace he had obtained . After that he went diuers times about the tombe to sée if he could open it without breaking , but he perceiued the christall , from whence issued part of the brightnesse to be couered with another plate coloured like azure , so wonderfully wrought that it would scarse bée iudged whether it were marble , mettall , or any other stuffe : whereupon he left off his enterprise , and returned into the hall where the dead serpent lay , but as then neither the sword nor the scabberd yéelded any such brightnesse as before they did , because it was day : Then going out hée went downe againe towards the Hermitage where hee had left his Squier , who being melancholy and amased at the long absence of his maister , ( fearing some danger happened vnto him ) was gone out of the Hermitage to séeke him , and he had not trauelled farre , but hee perceiued him comming with the sword by his side , whereat he made such ioy , that being yet farre from him , he cried out and said , O my lord , blessed bee God that hath giuen you so good a beginning wherat euery man shal wonder . Friend ( said Esplandian ) he hath yet done more for mee then thou wouldest thinke , and with that hee began from point to point to shew him the danger wherein he was , and being in that discourse , it waxed darke euen then when they arriued at the Hermitage : wherefore they determined not to trauel any further that night , but laied them downe vnder the next trées they came vnto , still speaking of the strangenesse of the place : whereat Sergil being more abashed then before , could not refraine to say : As God help me Maister , by good reason you may bée estéemed a better knight then Amadis your father , that came into this place , and saw the Image at the Hermitage , the writing that standeth vpon the arch of stone , the serpent , the sword that stuck in the gate where you found it , and the shining tombe , yet durst he neuer proue any of these aduentures , and hée saied true , for Amadis knew well by the contents of the letters written in Gréeke , that those aduentures were ordained for his sonne Esplandian , and therefore vndertooke them not , but all others , onely Gransador and Vrganda knew it not til then , but although Sergil thought to please his master vsing such words in his commendation , yet Esplandian tooke it not so well , saying : I pray thée Sergil neuer vse such spéeches , for if the Prowesse and knightly aduentures of my Father had ben as well employed to the aduancing of the Christian faith as they were to win and obtaine honour in this world , I thinke his like would not be found , but hauing passed his youth in things so vaine and transitory , doubtlesse his glory is the lesse , not that I presume in any thing to accuse him , and God forbid I should , yet is hee knowne in so many places to bee so valiant a knight , that whosoeuer he be can second him may well estéeme himselfe happy among the happiest , wherefore I pray thée let vs talk of other matters . Thus sometimes talking and other whiles sléeping , day began to appeare , when they rose vp , taking their way towards the sea side , descending downe the rocke , till they came where the two dumbe men staied for them , one within the ship , the other in a little barke , wherein Esplandian entred , according to the sign the dumb man had made , and Sergil went into the serpent , and with that they departed , and the barke sayled so swiftly , that in short space they left the sight one of the other . But we will leaue Sergil with his dumbe man , making extream sorrow to sée himselfe bereaued of his maisters presence , and will shew you of Esplandian that from this time forwards shal be called the blacke knight , by reason of the armes hee bare , who being in the little barke with his conducter , sayled so long that they took landing néere the Port where king Lisuart lay prisoner .

CHAP. III. How the barke wherein the black Knight and the dumbe man sailed , arriued in the borders of Turkie hard by the place called La montaigne defendu , and of the discourse that an hermite and the Knight had together .

TEnne daies and as many nights together the black knight and the dumbe man sayled on the sea , not knowing in what parts they were , for if he had enquired of his guide , it had ben but labor lost : the eleuenth day they discouered a great & pleasant Island , where the knight being wearied with the impetuosity of the waues , desired his guide to put his barke on shoare , but he regarding not his words , thrust it néere vnto a high rocke , by nature cut in such manner , that it séemed a wall purposely made for the defence thereof : and the countrey was so 〈◊〉 of woods and bushes , that it might be estéemed vnhabitable . Then the dumbe man shewed him a path that led him vp to the rocke , and made him a signe to goe thether , where with he issued out of the barke , armed at all points , and began to mount vp , the weather was then extreame hote , whereby the knight was so chased in his harness , that he was constrained to put off his helmet & carry it in his hand , till he perceiued a little Hermitage among the bushes , & before it stood a high crosse , which pleased him well , not only for the hope he had to find some one of whom hee might enquire in what countrey hee was , but because hee was assured that there dwelt a Christian , and with that hée perceiued a man apparrelled like an Hermite , so old and withered that his long white beard hung downe to his girdle , carrying in his hand a pitcher of water , that he had drawne out of a fountaine not farre from thence , and was passing by when the knight spake vnto him , saying : Father , God saue you , which when the good man heard , he was in so great a mase , that for feare his pitcher fell out of his hand and brake in péeces . Neuerthelesse by little and little he came to himselfe againe , and perceiuing him that spake vnto him , answered and said , My sonne , it is now twenty years past fithence I left the pleasures of this world , and forseek my natiue soile to obtaine the grace of God , and that which most abasheth mée is , that since the time whereof I speake I neuer found man that as yet saluted mee in this manner , and I thinke verely you are a stranger in these countries , or els your spéech and apparell disguiseth you much . Father ( said the knight ) true it is I am a stranger , brought hether by such meanes , that I neither know the country where I am , nor any man or woman inhabiting therin , for you are the first creature that I met since I arriued here , of whom I might enquire , assuring you that when I perceiued this crosse it reioiced my heart , for it is the armes of the maister that I serue . What saied the Hermit , doe you then know the vertue thereof ? I , answered the knight , that I doe , being well assured that vpon the like crosse our Redéemer ( whereof I speak ) suffered death and passion . Alas saied the holy man , you say true , praised be his holy name , that once before I die he hath giuen me the grace to let me sée a man on this side the sea that beléeueth in him , assuring you sir knight that you and I are onely the two creatures in this country that are Christians , for all the restare Pagans and idolaters . And as he would haue procéeded further , his spéech failed him , doubting that hee to whom hee spake , was but a fantasie or shadow of a man , but at the last he waxt bolder , and in maner of coniuration asked him if he were a mortall man or not ? Mortall ( answered the knight ) that I am for certain , and withall a sinner , which displeaseth mee much , and if it abasheth you at this present to sée mee here , I am my selfe no lesse abashed to sée you : for without doubt the manner of my arriuall in this countrey hath béen such and so strange , that I can render you no reason thereof , but if you know the countrey where in wée are , I beséech you good Father tell it me to put me out of doubt . Gladly ( said the Hermite ) and with that he tooke him by the hand , & led him to his Hermitage , and there sitting downe together vpon a log of wood , the old man began to speake in this maner , and said , Now sir knight , tell mee I pray you what countryman you are , Father ( said he ) Great Brittaine is the countrey where in my youth I was borne and bred , I know not if euer you were acquainted therewith : How long is it said the Hermite since you came from thence ? It is fiftéene daies & more since I was there said the knight , did you neuer know king Lisuart ( saied the Hermite ) that in my time raigned therin ? Yes truly ( said the knight ) for I haue séene him many times : how did hee when you came from thence said the Hermite ? That can I not certainely shew said the knight , for hée was lost and led away from thence , but by whom or in what manner no man cantell , notwithstanding the great paine and diligence diuers of his knights haue vsed to find him out . When the Hermite heard that , he séemed very pensiue , which the knight perceiuing , thought in his mind that hee could tell him some newes , where vpon he began to behold him well in the face to sée if hée changed colour , with that the Hermite ( that well perceiued the Knights meaning ) said vnto him . Truly Sir Knight , not without cause haue I enquired so much touching King Lisuart , but before I will shew you my reason why , you shal vnderstand that I am of great Brittaine as well as you , where as yet the greatest part of my kindred are liuing , whome I forsooke at the same time that a Gyant lord of this country married with a lady who as then I serued , and with her passed the sea , not only hoping to reape some reward for my former seruice , but ( as yong men are moued ) with a great desire to sée strange countries , but it fortuned , that my mistresse being forsaken of God , as soone as shee arriued in this countrey , left his holy law to receiue the law of her husband , wherefore considering with my self , that by reason as wel of my natural weakenesse , as by often frequenting the company of these countrymen I might fal into some error , I determined to withdraw my selfe into this place , wherein I haue endured much paine and misery , to the great daunger of my life , by reason of the controuersie betwéene the law of Iesus Christ , which I hold , and the law of the Pagans that séeke daily to destroy it , that without the fauour of my mistresse that would not suffer them to displease me , I had not liued so long as I haue done among them , but when it pleaseth God I wil depart hence , and returne again into mine own country , now you haue heard how I haue hetherto liued , I pray you sir knight ( said hee ) shew mee your aduentures , and who hath brought you into this place from whence very hardly you will euer be able to returne again , but rather are in danger of most cruell death , or to indure the most horrible imprisonment that euer was heard of , which would gréeue me much , not only for the great beauty and young yeares that I perceiue to be in you , but for that you are my natiue countryman . Father answered the knight , you haue done mee great pleasure to shew me the manner of your life and bringing vp , neuerthelesse before I satisfie your request , tell mee ( if it pleaseth you ) wherfore when you spake of king Lisuart you séemed so sad , which made mee coniecture that you know some thing touching him . Sonne ( said the Hermit ) you shall vnderstand that a doughter of mine , seruant to the lady whereof I spake , not long since came hether to sée me , and told mee that hee mistresse returning from great Brittaine , whether shee went to deliuer a brother of hers out of prison , brought with her very secretly a knight of great estimation as shee said , neuerthelesse I cannot assure you who it is : but as I haue learned since , they say the two Giants sonnes were much pleased therewith , which maketh mee doubt , considering the newes you haue shewed mee touching king Luisart , that he is most likely to be the man , for shée is so well séene in the art of Nigromancy and Magicke , that oftentimes shee procureth mischief vnto those that neuer offended her . And in what countrey are wee now ( said the knight ? ) You are betwéene the marches of Turky and Gréece said the Hermite , for this mountaine parteth both the countries , but it is so strong , not onely by nature , but by art , that neither of the two Princes of those countries , what force soeuer they brought hether , could neuer win it . And now a Giant ( sonne vnto my lady and mistresse ) and one of the most strongest and puissant knights in the East parts , ( as many of his neighbours , whose goods hee hath by force vsurped , and that in despight of the Emperour , or any other contradicting the same haue proued ) is lord thereof . Where dwelleth hee ( sai●d the knight ? ) Aboue vpon the rock ( said the Hermite ) in a castle which he hath most strongly fortefied , and is kept with all diligence and care by a Giant one of his brethren , with others , of as good condition as themselues , and which is more , it is not possible to come néer the castle , but by a little path way whereon the sea continually beateth , at the end whereof there is a pair of staires cut out of the rocke , whereby you mount vp till you come to an yron gate , where a villaine , in whom the lord of the castle putteth his trust , watcheth continually , for there is no other entery , but onely the great gate that is defended with strong platformes and great Towers , in the middle whereof there is a dore so straight , that a man on horsebacke can hardly enter therein , and that way most commonly those of the castle doe vse to issue forth . Before it bee night said the knight , I meane to sée what manner of place it is , & if I can I will know who it is , that was so lately brought thether . God kéepe you from thence ( saied the Hermite ) for thereby you will either procure your owne death , or at the least perpetuall imprisonment . Happen what may ( said the knight ) I wil proue what fortune it shall please God to send mee . That were but ill done of you ( said the Hermite ) for that men are bound to imploy their forces only in things that stand with reason and possibilitie thereby to reap a benefit by their labors , otherwise they are to be estéemed desperat fools , & not valiant & hardy knights aduenturing ( without due respect ) not only their bodies , but their souls which are of greater price , and Christ himselfe hath by example plainely shewed it vnto vs , for when the Deuil came and tempted him , bidding him doe certain things , which in déed ( as he was Christ ) were possible , but as be was man were impossible to doe , hee answered him that hee should not tempt the Lord his God . So my good sonne ( said hee ) I would aduise you to desist from so vnreasonable an enterprise . You may preach what you will to persuade me to the contrary ( said the knight ) but I must do that where vnto I am called , which is to prooue my selfe in those aduentures that in mans iudgement séeme impossible : otherwise those that haue foreshewed of me , should not onely haue trauelled in vaine , but bee estéemed liers and fooles . If then their sayings bee true , what greater honour can I obtain then bringing most wonderful aduentures to an end , I may from henceforth therby restrain the rage and fury of such men as hurt , and do iniury vnto others , contrary to the laws of God and man ? And if they be found liers I had rather they shold be reproued for their want of knowledge then I accused of any point of cowardise . And if the worst fal out I will imploy my force against such accursed people , ( members and ministers of the deuill ) whom by the help of God I shal ouercome : and I beléeue and am certainely persuaded ( that if I die in those aduentures ) hee will receiue my soule into his heauenly ioy . The Hermite meruailed much to heare the blacke knight speake so wisely , and with so great a courage , neuerthelesse the great beautie and yoong yeares hée perceiued him to haue , moued him to so great compassion , that the teares ranne downe his eies , and therewith he saied , Ha good knight , hee in whome thou trustest , preserue thée and send thée long life , and séeing thou art resolutely determined to passe forward , I pray thée deferre the time for this night , for it is already so late , that although thou shouldest haue time inough to get vnto the gate before the sunne goeth downe yet shalt thou find it shut as it is accustomed to be , wherevpon the Knight kept the Hermite company till the next day in the morning .

CHAP. IIII. How the blacke knight went vp the rocke , where by force of armes he slue three Giants , and dliuered king Luisart out of prison .

AT the Hermites request the knight stayed and ●are him company all night , who entertained him in the best manner hee could , where after they had supped , they laied them downe vpon a little straw till day began to appear , when they rose vp , and the knight hauing said his praiers in the chappell , being armed at all points , tooke his leaue of the Hermite , that brought him a great part of his way , and had gone further but he feared the Giants . Wherfore committing him to God , hee tooke his leaue and returned . Being gone , the knight trauailed so fast , that hauing coasted along the sea shore , and passed the side of a great and thick forrest , he descended into the goodliesh meddow that e●er was séene , from whence hee perceiued the castle , scituated vpon the top of a high rocke , and making towards it , hee came t●● long bridge , finding no other way vnto it , at the end whereof was a broad causie paued , with stone , & the sea ●●●ting continually against the towers , out of the windowes hee espied two knights , one as hee thought was a Giant , the ladies sonne ▪ Notwithstanding hee stayed not , but tooke his way on the left hand and ●ounting vp the steppes , came to a marble gate kept by a knight all arme● , that before he came at him cried as loud as hee could , saying , Thou accursed wretch , the colour of thy armor fore sheweth not so much sorrow and griefe as here thou shalt receiue confusion . What deuill was bee that sent thée hether being so yoong ? Meane time the knight by little and little got vp the hill , making as if hee heard him not , for hee had worke inough to looke to himselfe , the way was strait and vneasie to passe , and therefore hée bare his helmet vnder his arme . But when hée approched the gate and heard the other continue in his brauery , he answered him and said , He that is afraid commonly threatneth a fa●●● o●● , as then b●e some , but if thou desirest to know the cause o●●●y comming , open mee the gate , and thou shalt sée if I can satisfie thy desire . With that the Porter came downe , ( and while the knight put on his helmet ) hee opened the gate , and looking out cried with a loud voice , come in thou vnhappy creature to the place where you 〈◊〉 any straunger had good entertainement . Then the blacke knight went in , and entred into a vaut , meane time the gate was that whereby the place séemed very darke , for there entred no light but only by a little hole that came through the rocke , and as he passed forward , the Porter that was behind , staying him , saied vnto him Villaine , leaue thy armour here , and I will bring thée where the lords of the castle shall reward thée according to thy desertes . It were better ( saied the knight ) without so much trouble to bring mee thether , in as I am , and I will follow thée . But I will not ( saied he ) least I lose too much by thée , for then my companion will haue thy armour , which by right is mine , and with that he lifted vp his hatchet , thinking to cleaue his head , whereat the blacke knight stept backe , and with his sword gaue him such a blow , that hee ouerthrew him on the ground , and stepping vpon him , thrust him into the body , and as hee had done , there entered at the gate ( that went out of the vaut ) a villaine all armed , who thinking to speak to the Porter , with a rude and churlish voice , said Argantes , why stayest thou so long to bring vp that accursed wretch that euen now entred at the gate ? Be content a while ( said the black knight ) I will bée there soone inough both for thée and those that sent thée , if the gates be open . With that he villaine perceiued himselfe to be deceiued , for he espied Argantes dead vpon the ground , wherefore without longer staying he turned his backe , and pulling the dore after him left the knight shut ●nto the vaut , whereat he was abashed , fearing to be famished for want of meat , but it fell out otherwise , for not long after he saw the gate opened , whereat there entred a Giant armed all in gréene , who perceiuing the partie dead , and the knight that had slaien him standing by him , was in such a rage , that he saied vnto him . Thou accursed wretch , I am much abashed how thou hast thus intangled thy selfe within this place , from whence while thou liuest thou shalt neuer bée able to escape , but when thou hast indured along and most hard imprisonment , shalt bee constrained to end thy miserable daies with a thousand cruell torments that are prepared for thée . Art thou at that point ( saied the knight ) I hope rather before wee depart to make thée beare this villaine company , that at my entring spared not to threaten me as thou doest now . What ( saied the Giant ? ) I assure thée I loued this dead knight as well as I loue my selfe , and now I find him in this manner slaine before mine eies , yet art thou not afraid to boast thereof : By my head ( said hee ) thou shalt déerely buy it . Behold I pray thée answerd the knight , how thy vnhappy fortune followeth thée at once , here before thy face thou séest thy friend dead , and by the same meanes thou shalt likewise loose the soule out of thy body , which the deuill hath waited for since thou first beganst to lead an euill life , That shall soone bee séene ( said the Giant ) and with that they encountered , and at their méeting laid vpon each other so fiercely , that with the noise they made , it séemed tenne knights fighting together : and so long they continued the combate , that in the end the Giant waxed faint , which hee perceiuing , hauing lost the greatest part of his shield , and in a maner all his blood , hée began to flie , and the black knight after him so fast , that before hee could get out of the vaut with one blow that claue his head to the téeth hée slew him in the place . And as the knight stepped forth , hee met two Squires that came to sée the combat , who perceiuing the knight with his sword bloody in his hand , asked him what was become of their guard . I haue dealt with them ( said hee ) as it hath pleased God to dispose ? And how is that ( saied they ) to send them both ( saied the knight ) an vnhappy end of their wretched liues , that their soules might bee tormented in the euerlasting paines of hell . With that they looked in and perceiued Argantes on the one side , and the Giant on the other as yet shaking their legs with the panges of death : whereat they had so great feare , that in great hast they presently retired , crying with a lowd voice , Come foorth my lords , come forth ; for your vncle and the Porter are both slaine , wherewith at the gate of the dungeon there appeared another Giant vnarmed , very yoong and of a huge stature , named Frerion , who perceiuing the blacke knight marching so boldly towards him , held the dore half shut , and with a loud voice spake vnto him and said , By my fathers soule thou must surely be some deuill disguised in humane shape , otherwise it had beene vnpossible for thée to haue slaien two of the best knights in the world , and in despight of them to enter thus farre within the castle , but of one thing am I well assured , that what paine or torment soeuer I shall cause thée to indure , I cannot bee reuenged of the least wrong and iniury I haue receiued at thy handes . Thou brufish & vnreasonable beast ( said the knight ) thou art surely worse than he of whom thou speakest , for that he being already iudged of God , hath neither mean to repent his wickednes nor hope of saluation , but thou to whom it hath pleased God to giue sence and reason to knowe both good and euill , doest still perseuere in thy wickednesse , making of vice a vertue , in such manner that by good right I may better tearme thée a deuill then those that are wearied and waxe melancholy to haue so long attended for thy accursed soule , which I will shortly send them if thou come forth into this court , or let mee enter in . Then stay ( said Frerion ) and thou shalt sée how I will teach thée to preach in other sort , and with that hee shut the dore and went in to arme him , meane time the blacke knight sate downe vpon a marble stone , and he had not rested long , but the Gyant came againe , who bringing a great cimitere vpon his shoulder , would haue issued at the gate , when the knight spake vnto him , saying . Stay a little I pray thée before thou commest foorth , and graunt me one request which in right thou canst not well deny mee , for although neither courtesie nor any part thereof did euer lodge within thy breast , that habite of knighthood wherewith thou art inuested , ought more to mooue thée to humanity then thy nature of it selfe affordeth . Aske what thou wilt ( saied the Giant ) and it may be thou shalt be refused , both thou and I ( said the knight ) are now on foote , I pray thée then let vs fight in the other court , that those of thy castle may behold the pastime : which hee saied to the end that if he ouercame his enemie as he doubted not therof , they should not shut him out . By my head ( said the Giant ) at the first , I thought thou wouldest haue asked mercy at my handes , which would not much auaile thée : but séeing thy request is no other , I am content to graunt it , although a meanes to flie away were much more aduantage vnto thée , which these high wals will not permit thée , if thou be once inclosed within them . Thou speakest ( said the blacke knight ) as thy nature yéeldeth , and I as vertue bindeth me , for the rest let God worke his will . Come in then ( said Frerion ) and defend thy selfe from mee if thou canst . With that the black knight entred into a faire court pa●●d with white marble , all galleried about and supported with pillers of Purphire , in the middest whereof stoode the portall that entered into the house , where an old lady accompanied of diuers yong gentlewomen stoode looking forth , to whom the Giant went , and knéeling on his knée , said vnto her : Madame , I most humbly beséech you , that neither for good nor euill which may happen vnto me in fighting with this knight , not one of your house bée so bold to help or fauour me in any sort , for I my selfe wil put him to death with this my trenchant blade , and rising vp againe holding his shield before him with his cimiterre in his hand , he marched towards his enemy , who hauing God on his side ( to whom he recommended himselfe ) stood ready to receiue him . Then there began such a combate betwéen them that their blowes séemed two smiths forging vpon their anuiles , séeming like fire that the wind kindleth in the aire , and surely the blacke knight had sped but hardly at that time had it not béene for the armour Vrganda gaue him , that could not bée cut by any weapon , & for the good sword hee conquered in the rocke of the Enchantresse , wh●●ewith hee strooke not one blow , but he drew blood on the Giant ●rerion , who neuerthelesse did meruellously both defend himselfe and assaile his enemy , but by euil fortune as he thought to strike the knight on the right arme , hee started backe , and stepping forwards againe gaue the Giant such a blow vpon the helmet that hee cut away a great péece thereof together with the buckle that made it fast , but although the blow was maruellous great , and in a manner incredible , yet was not the Giant any thing therewith abashed , but still shewed himselfe as fresh as if hee had not fought all the day long : Neuerthelesse the blood in such aboundance issued out of his body , that the white pauement of the court was chaunged into red , and therewith he grew so weake , that it might easily be iudged he had the worst , whereby he stil began to reuile , séeking only to defend himselfe from his enemies blowes , whereat the old lady that beheld them , considering her sonnes extremity , cried out and said , alas my child , is it possible I should sée thée murthered before my face , and therewith in great hast shee ran thether , thinking to part them , but it was too late , for as she began to goe towards them , the Giant felde a● on the ground with two blows that the black knight gaue him , one vpon the head where he was vnarmed , the other right in the middle of his leg , where with hee cut it from his body , whereat the old lady was so gréeued that she swouned in the place , being by her Gentle women carried from thence into hir chamber , where they laied her on a bed , cursing him that was the cause thereof , neuerthelesse hee followed them to the chamber dore , where the old woman ( being reuiued ) perceiuing him to enter , began againe to lament and mourne , and shedding great abundance of teares she said vnto him . Alas thou cruel knight the only bereauer of all my ioy and felicitie , art thou not satisfied yet ? But wilt thou like wise haue my life and my sonnes both ? Then I pray thée with spéed either execute thy wil or else depart from hence , and take what thou thinkest good , permitting mee to liue the rest of my miseraale daies in sorrow and care , with these poor women : but all her intent was to make him enter into the chamber , which was so inchaunted , that no man could passe the threshold of the dore , but presently hee lost all his sences and fell downe v●on the ground , as if hee were dead , but little did the inchauntment ●●aile her against the blacke knight , because the shining sword had such a propertie in it , that no enchantment whatsoeuer could hurt the bearer thereof . Therefore the knight hearing the sorrow the old lady made , hee went into the chamber , speaking courteously vnto her & said , Madame me thinkes you should take the offence I haue committed on your behalfe in much better part , considering such hazards are common vnto knights , desiring to win honour , and therefore I pray you appease your sorrow , and shew mee the knight you brought hether out of great Brittaine . When the old lady perceiued him so farre within the chamber without let , and that he desired to sée the king , she being as it were out of her wits , cried as lowd as she could , and saied , alas vnhappy wretch that I am , what haue I done , for thinking to reuenge another mans death , I haue procured the destruction of mine owne children , and therewith shee sighed in such manner as if her heart would burst within her body , and lamenting that absence of her other son , said : Alas Matroco , where art thou now ? What vnhappy fortune hath thus seperated thée from thy brother and mee ? Surely when thou hearest of his death , and at thy returne shalt find another lord of this castle , I am in doubt thou wilt not haue the patience to put vp so great an iniury , but thinking to reuenge thy selfe I feare this deuill will handle thée in the like sort he hath done the rest , for sure he is no mortall man , for if hee were hee had found more resistance in this place then he hath done . Then speaking vnto the knight she asked him if he knew the man she held in prison , I truly ( saied he ) it is king Lisuart , whereof I am right sorry , being well assured that kings elected of God , ( as hee is ) for the gouernement of his people ought not to be vsed in that manner . Wherefore I would haue you shew me where he is , otherwise , I will doe worse then I haue hetherto done . I know not ( said she ) who thou art , nor by what meanes thou hast so great power , but I am well assured and I would neuer haue thought that twenty such knights ( as once this day I did estéeme thée ) could euer haue attained to the achieuing of so great an enterprice and much lesse to haue withstood my art as thou hast done , so that considering thereof , I suppose that this thy power procéedeth from him in whom in my yong yeares I did once beléeue , and since that haue forsaken him , to follow the workes of the common enemie of all mankinde , who according to his naturall instinction , hath iustly rewarded me to my desert : therefore it were but folly to denie thée any thing , that art so surely defended by him to whome all thinges are obedient . Follow me then ( said she ) and I will shew thée the king , but as I thinke , it is not he thou séekest . And with that shee rose vp & went into a darke chamber , the knight following her : then she opened an yron gate and said vnto him goe in , and there shalt thou finde the prisoner . Ladie ( saied the knight ) if it were to fight I would not faile to doe your commandement , but if by subtiltie I should be shut in prison , you would laugh at me that I had no more wit but to put my trust in you , wherefore goe you in first , that whatsoeuer happeneth , you may haue your part , I sée well ( saied the lady ) that my labour is in vaine , and all my art is nothing in respect of thée , therefore I am content to doe thy will , but we haue no light to sée . Care you not for that ( saied he ) for I will prouide you light , and with that hee pulled of the taffata that couered the scabberd of his sword , whereby there was so great a brightnesse in the place , as if the sunne had shone therein . Then they descended into a caue , where the knight perceiued king Luisart lie vpon a couch of straw , with a great coller of yron about his necke , and fetters on his legs , whereby he indured no little paine , whereat hee was so gréeued , that for sorrow the teares ranne downe his eies , yet would hee not disclose himselfe vnto him , neither once vtter what hee thought , but without making himselfe knowne , said vnto him . Noble king , you haue beene ouerlong within this filthy place , rise vp I pray you and follow mee . When the king heard him speake in that manner , hée made no other account but to end his daies at that time , wherewith he could not refraine to wéepe , and speaking vnto the old lady , asked her if she knew him : For ( saied hee ) since I entered into this place , I neuer saw any knight nor any one that spake vnto me , but that little sustenance I had was let downe at a hole from the top of this dungeon . Then she answerd him , and in great despight said , Thou accursed king , if I had not knowne thée , I would neuer haue taken paines to fetch thée so farre from hence as I haue done , cursed bee the time when first I tooke it vpon mee , for thou onely art the cause of my great sorrow , and the sole instrument of my bereaued ioies . In faith lady ( saied the king ) I know not what you meane , and am very sorry for your heauinesse , for I neuer sought but to doe honour and pleasure vnto all ladies and Gentlewomen that desired the same , and for them haue I oftentimes enterprised many dangerous aduentures , to the great perrill and hazard of my life , and if it hath happened otherwise vnto you it is altogether vnknown to mee and wholly against my will , wherefore I beséech you bee not offended with me but tell me where I am , and in whose power I now remaine a prisoner in so great misery , or by my soule I know it not , neither can I so much as conceiue which way I came into this place , only I remember that to second a Gentlewoman that a villaine would haue forced , I entered into a tent , but what happened vnto mée after that I know not , but that now I find my selfe lying on straw like a théefe with yrons on my legs . King ( said she ) the short time of thy continuance in this darknes hath not satisfied ( as I well hoped it would ) the great mischief I doe wish thée , and that for good cause , séeing that by thée onely I haue indured so much sorrow , that if the heart and bowels were taken out of my body they would bee found as burning whote as flaming fire , and especially for the new displeasure I haue nowe conceiued to sée thée so soone deliuered out of my hands , being in good hope by thy long imprisonment to satisfie my losses past : but yet I am deceiued , for that fortune hath now made mee pay the vsury of my forepassed ioies , hauing giuen thée into my handes , from whence by the exquisite force of this diuell incarnate ( thou art now deliuered ) who hauing put to death the Gardians of this castle and slaine mine owne sonne , hath constrained mee to bring him vnto thée , which I neuer thought hée could haue done , much lesse that euer I should haue yéelded vnto his request , knowing the wrath of a woman not to haue any bridle , or meanes of mittigation vntill her desired reuenge , hath wrought the effect : and so had it happened vnto thée without the force of this my enemy , but in despight both of him and thée with mine owne handes I will slay my selfe , if my a●cursed fortune bereaue mee not the sooner of my wretched daies , Cursed bée both thou and thy King , thou now hast found ( saied shee vnto the knight , ) Now take him and doe thy pleasure with him I pray you then lady ( said hée ) vnlose his irons , and helpe mee to lead him vp , with that shee tooke the keies out of her pocket , and opened the lockes of his chaines , whereby the King rose vp vpon his féet , and embracing the blacke Knight , saied vnto him , What great good or pleasure sir Knight did I euer doe you , whereby you should purchase this liberty vnto me ? By my soule I sweare , that besides the honour you haue obtained in this place , you haue so much bound me vnto you , that during my life I shall neuer forget your courtesie , wherefore if you loue me let me know your name . Noble King ( said the knight ) whosoeuer I am , I account my selfe happy if many sort I may be able to doe you seruice , as for the rest pardon mee if it pleaseth you , and let vs goe out of this caue , thanking God , that oftentimes sendeth scourges vnto those hee loueth , as in his heauenly wisedome he thinketh conuenient , thereby to kéepe them in obedience vnto him . The King pecreiuing well by the knights words that he desired not to be knowne , and for the same cause kept his helmet on his head , therefore hee determined not to mooue him any more , but with that they went all thrée out of the caue , and came into a goodly hall , when the sunne began to goe downe .