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Romance and Poetry: Amadis

In "Amadis of Gaul" is a pretty story in connection with precious stones. "King Lisurate was so content with the tidings of Amadis and Galavor which the dwarf had brought him, that he determined to hold the most honourable court that had ever been held in Great Britain. Presently three knights came through the gate, two of them armed at all points, the third, unarmed, of good stature and well proportioned, his hair grey, but of a green and comely old age. He held in his hand a coffer, and having enquired which was the king, dismounted from his palfrey, and kneeled before him, saying, 'God preserve you, sir, for you have made the noblest promise that ever king did, if you hold it.' 'What promise was that?' quoth Lisuarte. 'To maintain chivalry in its highest honour and degree. Few princes now-a-days labour to that end, therefore are you to be commended.' 'Certes, knight, that promise shall hold while I live.' 'God grant you life to complete it,' quoth the old man, 'and because you have summoned a great court to London, I have brought something here which becomes such a person for such an occasion.' Then he opened the coffer and took out a crown of gold, so curiously wrought, and set with pearls and gems that all were amazed at its beauty, and it well appeared it was only fit for the brow of some mighty lord. "'Is it not a work which the most cunning artists would wonder at?' said the old knight. Lisuarte answered, 'In truth it is so.' 'Yet,' replied the knight 'it hath a virtue more to be esteemed than its rare work and richness. Whatever king hath it on his head shall always increase his honour; this it did for him for whom it was made till the day of his death; since then no king hath worn it; I will give it to you, sir, for one boon.' "'You, also, lady,' said the knight, 'should purchase a rich mantle that I bring,' and he took from the coffer the richest and most beautiful mantle that ever was seen, for besides the pearls and precious stones with which it was beautified, there were figured on it all the birds and beasts in nature, so that it looked like a miracle. "'On my faith,' said the queen, 'this cloth could only have been made by that lord that can do everything.' 'It is the work of man,' replied the old knight, 'but rarely will one be found to make its fellow. It should belong to wife rather than maiden, for all that wear it shall never have dispute with her husband.' Britna answered, 'If that be true it is above all price. I will give for it whatsoever you ask.' And Lisuarte bade him demand what he would for the mantle and crown."

In the "Cento Novelle Antiche," a composition prior to that of the "Decameron" of Boccaccio, is the story of a Greek king who is informed by one of the most learned of his subjects, whom he had imprisoned, that there was a worm in one of his most precious jewels. The gem being dashed to pieces the animal is found, and the captive gratified with a whole loaf each day. At length the king asks him, "Whose son am I?" He is answered that he sprang from a baker; a piece of unexpected intelligence, which is confirmed by the queen-mother on her being sent for, and compelled by threats to confess the truth. Being finally asked how he came to know all these things, the wise man replies that the heat of the gem had suggested his answer, and he had discovered his majesty's pedigree from the gifts of bread he had received for this and other answers.

A similar story to this is in the "Arabian Tales," where three sharpers introduce themselves to a sultan, the first as a skilful lapidary, to whom a precious stone is shown, in which he declares there is a flaw; the jewel being cut in two a blemish is discovered.

Another story is taken from the "Gesta Romanorum," where the Emperor Leo commands three statues of females to be made; one has a golden ring on her finger, pointing forwards; another, the ornament of a golden beard; the third, a golden cloak and purple tunic: whoever should steal any of these ornaments was to be punished by an ignominious death. (See "Gower's Confessio Amantis," lib. v.) Among the romantic episodes in connection with precious stones, which abound in the pages of old travellers, none can exceed in interest those recorded by the famous Messer Marco Polo (died 1323), who spent six-and-twenty years in exploring the Asiatic continent; first of Europeans, he penetrated into the Celestial Empire, into India, across the Ganges, and into the great Indian Archipelago--regions previously unknown to Europe, and concealed in the deep shadows of ignorance, superstition, and fable. What he saw, he described with simplicity and exactness. Later research has but confirmed his accuracy, and in so doing justified his fame. "He was the creator," says Malte-Brun, "of the modern geography of Asia; he was the Humboldt of the thirteenth century; and his travels will always remain--monumentum aere perennius--an imperishable monument of his genius, truthfulness, and courage."