"The worth," quoth Amadis, "lies in a good heart, not in a good appearance. Happy dole hath he whom God has gifted with both. You have judged the one, judge the other as you shall see it deserves when put to proof."
Seven days they travelled without adventure, and Amadis, as he drew nearer, wore his helmet that he might not be known. On the eighth, as they were passing the foot of a mountain, they met a knight upon a large bay horse, so huge in stature that he appeared to be a giant, and two squires carrying his arms.
He cried out with a loud voice to Amadis: "Stop, sir knight, till you have told me what I want to know."
Amadis looked at the stranger's shield, and seeing there golden flowers in a field azure, he knew it was Don Quadragante, brother to King Abies of Ireland and his own deadly foe. Yet, remembering Famongomadan, he would willingly now have avoided battle; as also, because he was on his way to Oriana, and feared lest the great prowess of this knight should cause him some delay. Howbeit he stopt, and bade Enil give him his arms, if they were wanted.
"God protect you!" quoth Enil. "He looks to me more like a devil than a knight."
"He is no devil," said Amadis, "but a right good knight, of whom I have heard heretofore."
By this time Quadragante was come up, and said to him: "Knight, you must tell me if you belong to the household of King Lisuarte."
"Because I have defied him and all his household, and kill all of them whom I meet."
Amadis felt his anger rising, and replied: "You are one of those who hath challenged him?"
"I am; and I am he who will do to him and his all the evil in my power."
"My name is Don Quadragante; and I am brother to that King Abies who was foully slain by an unknown knight of Lisuarte's."
"Certes, Don Quadragante, notwithstanding your high lineage and your great prowess in arms, this is great folly in you to defy the best king in the world. They who undertake more than they can effect are rather rash than hardy. I am not this king's vassal, nor am I of his land, but for his goodness my heart is disposed to serve him, so that I may account myself among those whom you have defied; if you chuse battle with me, you may have it; if not, go your way."
