fastest possible gallop, and with great ardor, as though
seized with w rath and displeasure, they charged with
lowered lances against the most prominent warriors o f
the Greeks, that is, Menalippe toward Hercules and
Hippolyta toward Theseus. It was clear how angered
they were, for regardless o f the great strength, boldness,
and courage o f these men, so forcefully did these maidens
attack them that each maiden struck down her knight,
horse and all, in one heap. The maidens themselves fell
down on the other side, but as quickly as possible got up
and with drawn swords rushed the two knights. W hat an
honor these maidens must have enjoyed, for they had
unhorsed the two most valiant knights in the world! This
deed would be unbelievable w ithout the testimony o f so
many credible authors. These same authorities, them
selves astounded by this adventure, make special excuse
for Hercules, since, considering his unlimited strength,
they say it could have been his horse’s fault (who was
upset by the great force of the blow) and they maintain
that had he been on foot, he would not have been brought
down. The two knights were ashamed at having been
unhorsed by two maidens. Nevertheless, these women
fought them with their swords; w ith great strength and
for a long time they carried on the battle, but at last—
and this was indeed a marvel, since there had never been
such a pair— the maidens were taken captive.
1.18.5
“ Hercules and Theseus considered themselves so greatly
honored by this capture that they would not have pre
ferred the captured wealth o f an entire city, and so they
then w ent back to their ships to refresh themselves and
to take off their armor, certain that they had performed
superbly. They greatly honored the ladies, and when they
saw that w ithout their arm or on they were so beautiful
and comely, then their joy doubled; they had never
captured prey which pleased them so much, and they
looked at them with great satisfaction.
1.18.6
“ The queen had already advanced on the Greeks with
her army when the news came that the two maidens
The Book o f the C ity o f Ladies
46
had been captured, and she was terribly grieved by this.
But out o f fear that they would do worse to the maidens
whom they held captive if she should attack them, she
halted and sent tw o o f her baronesses with word to the
Greeks, that if they would release the two maidens, she
would send to them as much ransom as they wanted.
Hercules and Theseus received the messengers w ith great
honor and replied in a most courtly manner that if the
queen would make peace with them and promise that
she and her baronesses would never take up arms against
the Greeks, but would be their good friends, that, in turn,
the Greeks would promise to free the maidens w ith no
other ransom except for their arm or, for the Greeks
wanted very much to have this in honor and in perpetual
memory o f this victory which they had won over the
maidens. The queen, because she wished to have her two
highly esteemed maidens returned, was constrained to
make peace with the Greeks. The m atter was discussed,
and it was agreed among them that the queen, completely
unarmed, accompanied by ladies and maidens dressed in
such rich costumes whose equal the Greeks had never
seen, would come to celebrate and to solemnize the peace
w ith them, whereupon there was great rejoicing. But,
nevertheless, it greatly bothered Theseus to give up Hip
polyta, because he loved her with a great devotion. So
much did Hercules ask and petition the queen that she
granted that Theseus could take her into his own country.
The wedding was solemnly celebrated, and then the
Greeks departed. Thus did Theseus m arry Hippolyta,
who later bore a son by him called Hippolytus, a highly
picked knight o f great fame. And when it became known
in Greece that they would have peace with the Amazons,
never had there been greater joy, for there was nothing
they feared as much as the Amazons.”
19. CONCERNING THE QUEEN PENTHESILEA AND HOW
SHE CAME TO THE AID OF TROY.
‘‘The queen O rithyia lived for a long time, and she IA9.1
47
Christine de Pizan
