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 Gandalin, that such news should not reach him; and though you have forbidden him your sight, yet he may be present there, thinking then to merit pardon for a fault which he never committed, nor thought to commit. While they were thus communing, a little girl came running in, Lady, here is the Damsel of Denmark, and she brings noble presents for you! At this her heart trembled, and sunk within her, so that she could not speak, and she was altogether so agitated as one who expected life or death from the messenger who was coming. Mabilia answered for her: tell the Damsel to come to us alone, that we may speak with her in private. This she said that there might be none to witness Oriana's agitation; but she herself and Gandalin were dismayed, not knowing what was to come. The Damsel entered with a chearful countenance, and kneeling before Oriana gave her a letter; here, Lady, are tidings of joy! I have fulfilled all your commands: read, and see if Amadis have not written it with his own hand. The letter fell from Oriana's hand, she trembled so with exceeding joy: she opened it, and found in it the ring which she had sent by Gandalin to Amadis, the day