Chivalry -- Fiction; Knights and knighthood -- Fiction; Romances, Spanish -- Translations into English
In the morning they apparalled themselves richly, and having heard
mass mounted on palfreys and rode to receive Madasima. Don Bruneo of
Bonamar went with them and his brother Branfil, and Enil, who was a
goodly Knight and of great worth, and of chearful heart, so that he
was beloved and esteemed by all, so they were eight companions. And as
they drew nigh the tents they saw Madasima coming, and Ardan Canileo
and their company. Madasima was arrayed in black, mourning for her
father and brother, but her beauty was so lively and excellent that
it was a marvel, and her Damsels went near her all drest in the same
cloth. Ardan Canileo led her bridle, and there came the old Giant and
his sons, and the nine Knights who were to be hostages. As they drew
near to each other the Knights made their obeisance, and she in like
manner bowed to them with good semblance; then Amadis approached her
and said, Lady, if you are praised it is with great reason I see, and
happy ought he to be esteemed who is allowed to honour and serve you;
that would I willingly do in what it might please you to command me.
Ardan Canileo, who looked at him and saw how handsome he was, so that
he had seen none like him, was nothing pleased at this. Knight, quoth
he, give back, and dare not speak to one whom you know not. It is that
we may know her and serve her, replied Amadis, that we are come. And
who are you? cried Ardan scornfully; let me know if you are worthy to
serve her? Such as I am, quoth Amadis, I have the will to serve her,
and shall not cease to have that will, however unworthy I may be, and
since you ask who I am, tell me who are you?—I am Ardan Canileo, who
can better serve her in a day than you can in your whole life, though
you were of twice your worth.—That may well be: but your great service
would not proceed from so good a heart as my trifling one, this is
plain from your pride and evil mind. Know that I am Amadis of Gaul of
whom you have demanded battle. If I have offended and grieved that Lady
by doing that which without great shame I could not have left undone,
right willingly would I atone for it by some good service. Ardan
Canileo answered, if you dare perform your promise, certainly she shall
receive atonement with your head which I will give her. That amends,
quoth Amadis, she shall not have with my good pleasure, but she shall
receive a greater; for I will break off your marriage. No man can so
lack judgment as to hold it good that your beauty and hers should be
united! At this Madasima being nothing displeased, laughed a little,
and her Damsels likewise, but Ardan became so wroth that his whole body
shook, and his face became so exceeding terrible, that many thought
Amadis was nothing in comparison with him, and that this would without
doubt be his last battle, and the last day of his life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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