"No care have I for friendship or service of thine; rather will I swear
to the truth as that truth is, and smite thy head from thy shoulders."
Then Arderay swore that his foe had done wrong to the daughter of the
King, and Amis made oath that he lied. Thereupon, incontinent they
drove together, and with mighty strokes strove one against the other
from the hour of tierce till it was nones. And at nones Arderay fell
within the lists; and Amis struck off his head.
The King lamented that Arderay was dead, but rejoiced that his daughter
was proved clean from stain. He gave the Princess to Amis for dame, and
with her, as dowry, a mighty sum in gold and silver, and a city near by
the sea where they might dwell. So Amis rejoiced greatly in his bride;
and returned as quickly as he might to the castle where he had hidden
Amile, his companion. When Amile saw him hastening homewards with many
horsemen, he was sore adread that Amis was overthrown, and made ready
to escape. But Amis sent messages to him that he should return in all
surety, since he had avenged him upon Arderay, and thus, by proxy, was
he married to the daughter of the King. So Amile repaired from that
place, and dwelt with his dame in that city which was her heritage.
Now Amis abode with his wife, but by the permission of God he became a
leper, and his sickness was so heavy upon him that he could not leave
his bed, for whom God loveth him He chasteneth. His wife--who was named
Obias--for this cause hated him sorely, and sought his death many a
time in shameful fashion. When Amis perceived her malice he called to
him two of his men-at-arms, Azonem and Horatus, and said to them--
"Deliver me from the hands of this wicked woman, and take with you my
cup secretly, and bear us to the tower of Bericain."
When they drew near to the castle men came out before them asking of
the sickness and of the man whom they carried there. Then they answered
that this was Amis, their lord, who was a leper, for which cause they
prayed them to show him some pity. But mercilessly they beat the
sergeants, and tumbled Amis forth from the litter in which he was
borne, crying--
"Flee swiftly from hence, if ye care aught for your lives."