The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc

peror of Constantinople had sent him, telling about certain troubles. He s

ed of cities, towns and castles, the dearest possession I had in this world was killed - my first born son who was my consolation, and a guardian of the holy Catholic faith - doing battle against the infidel, to his great honor and glory and to mine, And as a greater misfortune, he was killed by his own men. That sad, painful day was the perdition of the imperial house and of my honor. It is known to me and is common knowledge that in your court you have a valiant knight, whose name is Tirant lo Blanc; he belongs to the brotherhood of that singular order of chivalry said to be founded on that glorious saint, the fath

was finished, and Tirant h

orld. I place my trust in your generosity, and so I dare to beg you on behalf of the Emperor of Constantinople and myself. And

had said this,

an only do as much as a man can do; that is plain to God and to the whole world. And I am even more astonished at that great emperor-who has passed over all the excel

chance, their honor should be examined, among the emperors, kings, and expert knights, the prize, honor and glory would be given to yo

commands and advises

, "I w

. And when the king told the emperor's ambassadors that Tirant was willing to

ch day to the crossbowmen, and a ducat to the soldiers. And since there were not enough men in Sicily, they went on t

ll the men on board, they let a favorable wind fill the sails, and they sailed quickly o

entire city resound. The emperor went up on a great cenotaph to watch the galleys come in. When Tirant learned where the emperor was, he had two large flags of the King of Sicily brought out, and one of his own. He had

y humbled themselves so lowly before him. When the emperor saw this,

tform where the emperor was. As soon as Tirant saw him he knelt to the ground, along with all his men, and when they reached the middle of the platform they bowed aga

letter from the King of Sicily. After the emperor ha

that everyone will know how grateful I am to you, I am bestowing on yo

peror's will he accepted the rod and the captaincy, and kissed his hand. The trumpets and minstrels began to play by order of the emperor, and

ck to the palace, and they passed by a very beautiful lodging t

chambers so that you can rest a few days f

nered as to leave you? My consolation is to accompany You

h at what Tirant had sa

the palace, allow me to go and pay my respects to th

he hand and led him to the empress's chamber. They found her in the following condit

captain who has come t

in a very

l. He is

nt s

I must believe that the one

Empire has the power to open windows, and to look everyone in the face,

ead so that her face was uncovered, and when he saw her face he knelt to the ground and kissed her foot and then her hand. She held a rosary in her hand, made of gold and enamel; she kissed it and then had the captain kiss it. Then he saw a bed with black curtains. The infanta was reclining on the bed, dressed in a black satin skirt and covered with

windows. And it seemed as though all the women were coming out of a long period of captivity: they

holy Catholic faith. Instead you should praise and give thanks to the immense goodness of God, our Lord, because He gave him to you and it was His wish to take him from you for His own good, and He has placed him in the glory of paradise. The second reason they are sad is because all the Moors are so nearby tha

or. "It is my wish and my command that men as

were contemplating the great beauty of Carmesina. As the windows had been closed it was very w

d her from the room. The captain took the empress's arm, and they went into the other room which was very nicely decorated and completely covered with works of art depicting the following love-stories: Floris a

be as many wondrous things

g, the great beauty of the princess

the bed. It was not long before someone came to ask him if he wished to dine. Tirant said he did not, and that he had a head

what's the matter. I'll be

only thing wrong is that the

n the archive of all your good and bad fortune, and now are you keepi

aid Tirant. "I have never felt

look Diafebus in the face, and no other

in l

nderstood why, because Tirant had always reprimanded all of his kinsmen and all his friend

u may be sure that no one can resist it. And so, my captain, the more intelligent a man is, the m

t, because the emperor had planned it. But Tirant could not eat. The others thought he was still feeling the ill effects of the sea. And

ng by, and sent word for them to come up. Diafebus and the other knight went up to the emperor's rooms, and found him with all the ladies. The emperor asked what h

mperor begged Diafebus to tell him about all the celebrations that had taken place in England with the marriage of the king to

Your Highness to think that because I'm a relative of Tirant I would favor him. I will tell you what truly happened. And as proof, I

y read the acts and they saw that Tirant had been the best of all the knights. The emperor was very pleased, and his daughter Carmesina even more so, as were all the ladies who were listening

did for a half hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. Diafebus wa

young knights have a greater

stayed behind, and the

o another room where they could enjoy themselves, since they had be

may go wherev

manship. When the princess was in the hall, she drew apart from the others with Diafebus, and they began t

e request of the valiant King of Sicily, or because of the letters your father, the emperor, sent to the King of Sicily. And Your Highness should not imagine that we have come to test ourselves in the exercise of arms, or because of the beau

to me? Shall I grow vain, thinking that all of you have com

this land to see the daughter of the emperor, whom he desired to see more than anything in the world. And the first

ep in thought, and could not speak. She was half beside herself, her angelic face bl

things until the emperor wished to dine. Diafebus excused himself, approached th

es of mine and keep them for yourse

r to her and did

princess, he wanted very much for him to come back so that he could have new

do you bring me of the lad

ntire conversation. Then Tirant was happier than if he had been given a kingdom, and he recuperate

was a young lady whom the princess loved deeply, because they had been raised together from the time they were very small, and they were both the same age. When she saw that the princess had gon

y his manners, and the words that come out of his mouth are delightful. I think he is more courteous and agreeable than anyone I have ever known. Who wouldn't love a man like that? And to thi

anie

ng his extraordinary feats of chivalry, there is no lady or mai

in, along with Widow Repose, who was very concerned with Carmesina since she h

bout the great celebrations and honors that were giv

se and other things so that the princess

and he carried the gold captain's stick. All the rest of his countr

in the emperor was dressing and the princess was combing his hair. Then she brought him wate

d finished dressing

as the illness you were s

tirely by the ardor of the sea, for the winds of

ied before the em

ers if they behave as they should; instea

adfastly at Tirant, smiling at him so t

ether, talking as they went, and the princess to

e yesterday I have not

tell you? We've had o

y that you und

n are of less worth than the French? In this land all wome

e are more content having conver

incess, "you will soon see the truth, and

nied the emperor to the great church of Saint Sophia, and then left him there saying prayers, and returned to the palace to be with the empress and Carmesina. When he was in the great hall he found his cousin Diafebus there, surrounded

they talked of many things. Then the empress came out, and she took Tirant aside and asked him about

over the others. There were many counts and marquis there, men of high

my side except my

nt would much rather have been near the princess than near the

ghness, how sp

nfant

you sa

oidered with large pearls, and the sentimental heart of Tirant brings what it ne

k. When he felt his cloak being tugged, he stopped, and Dia

the stone is

ad, or have you lost your senses?" Are you so shameles

tices or sees anything, and I could say the Pater

et, Ovid, who speaks of true love in all his books. If you knew what tree the fruits of love and h

were many dukes and counts, and they all gave him the honor of being first because of his station. He said mass on his knees, and when the princess saw him kneeling on the ground, she took one of the brocade pillows that had been placed there for her, and gave it to one of th

d gazed at the striking beauty of the princess, he let his mind play over all the ladies and maidens he could remember seeing, and he thought to himself that he had never

ached their quarters he went into his chamber and fell upon the bed, thinking of the princess's great beauty. And her beautiful features only served to make him

n they saw their lady. And the flattery and honor she paid you-more than to all the great lords there. And then she presented the brocade pillow to you

us' comforting words he

l be returned. This is what torments me most, and makes my heart colder than ice. I ha

ed Tirant was, he would not l

d, what would happen to you and the rest of us? He would say that you fell in love with his daughter the day you arrived in order to br

of his good friend and relative. He thought for a moment, and then got out of bed and w

were very delicately decorated. They also had an ingenious lock so that when the key was removed no one could see where it opened. Diafebus wrapped the Hours

within a few days. And he also sends Your Highness these Hours. If you don't

at their uniqueness. "This," said the emperor, "

happy because the Hours were so beautiful, and also

aptain and the minstrels, and had a small party? The m

Isabel, the Queen of Hungary who, for my sins, is absent from my sight? And since my son died I hav

t to the emperor, who asked him to dance with his daughter, Carmesina. The dancing lasted nearly till evening when the emperor wanted to dine. Th

m, the emperor and his daughter. The rest ate at other tables. When the meal was over there was dancing. After they had d

council, and he told his daughter to be t

en so that you will know how it is conducted? After

run and to hear Tirant talk. And when everyone was

oese ships, coming from Tuscany and Lombardy, have reached the port of Aulis, filled with soldiers, hors

off his ca

ainst the Genoese wh

. I am

Go to where my judgment seat is. I want you to sit on it, lis

he council named Montsa

aincy, and it is his privilege since he is closer to the throne. Second, it should not be given to a foreigner who has no official position in the empire. Third, before the sold

te the knight's foolish word

icked Christian. It is my command that Tirant, who is our captain now, be above all our captains: he deserves it because of his virtue and shining chivalry. The Duke of Macedonia, who is cowardly and inep

ad throughout the city that anyone having a complaint against anyone else should go to the

e with a complaint, and made judgments on them all. For from the time the Grand Tu

r presented the captain with eighty-three large and beautiful horses, and many suits of armor. Tirant had Diafebus come up first so he c

n he was with her he did not dare talk to her about anything concerning love. And the day for his departure wa

time when all the others would be resting. When Tirant received his lady's command, he was the happiest man in the world. He

his beginning, even though I don

them she was very happy. She stood up and took Tirant's hand, and made him sit next to her. Then Diafebus took Stephanie by one arm and Wid

e to this land at the bidding of the King of Sicily, because he had confidence in your merits.

t ans

ou are telling me, I kiss your hands and feet, and I

Repose and Stephanie. To satisfy the captain they begged her to allow him to kiss her hand. She did it this way: not wanting to let him kiss the back of her hand, she

led people wickedly. It is well known that he killed that valiant knight, my brother. When my brother was fighting courageously against the enemy, he came up behind him and cut the straps of his helmet so that his head woul

e empress and her daughter as steward and cup-bearer, since this was his privilege as captain. When Tirant saw that the meal was nearly o

knight, which is most honorable, to die

a word more. T

to ask my mother. Everyone knows it's

so softly that they could barely hear him. Without another word he got up an

ad said. In the morning, while the emperor was at mass with all the la

o Cyprus to bring back provisions. D

mpero

ne hundred miles ou

aving, she called Diafebus and asked him to give Tirant the message that after he had eaten he should c

was about time, they went to the palace and found the emperor talking to his daughter. The emperor saw them coming and sent for his minstrels, and they danced for a good while. Af

you, seeing how disturbed you are. Tel

is forcing me to tell you, I c

g more, and lo

he lady that is causing you so much pain? If I

n his sleeve, drew ou

u will see here can b

thinking she would find a portrait of some woman in the mirror. But she saw only her o

tephanie came in. They found the princess sitting with the mirror in her han

had declared his love for her, and she said

have I ever found such a graceful declarati

epose a

into his house nearly out of charity, and who was thrown out by that famous king of Sicily, along with other forei

ent into her chambers nearly crying. Stephanie went with her, tel

seen me doing something really bad? I believe she would have sent out a crier to advertise it in the court and t

that he dances, jousts, or goes into battle for her love. The second is profitable, and it is when some gentleman or knight of ancient and virtuous lineage loves a maiden and sways her to him with gifts. The third is vicious, when the maiden loves the gentleman or knight f

left her. While they were talking the empress asked where her daughter was, since she had not seen he

ncess, "all day long to

n her knees, and k

day Tirant sai

palace, I beg you, an

d out how she felt

mass. When it was over Diafebus went up to the pr

"he left his lodging to go

d on me! He declared his love for me with a mirror. Just l

. "Tirant brought a flaming log

ger and better one that gives much more warmth than the one you're talking about. It's a log called L

let us take some of yours which is good and dry, and some of ours which

it isn't a good idea to ma

ber. Then Diafebus took his leave and went back to his lodging

p, so he and Diafebus went to the palace. Through a window Step

r knights ar

efore her. The princess returned his greeting with a less pleasant expression than u

tell me what you are thinking. I don't believe I hav

ealed. What will people say about you when they hear of this? That the emperor's daughter, who is in such a lofty position, has been courted by his captain whom h

caught up to her, took hold of her shawl, and begged her to listen to him. Stepha

Your Majesty answered that it was better to die well than badly. I knew that if I did not let you know of my suffering, one night they would find me dead in the corner of my room, and if I did tell you, I would co

chamber to go to his lodging. When the princess saw him leaving so disconsolately, she began to cry u

. Poor me, what shall I do? I think he is going to kill himself. That's

ant and beg him for me not to do anything, f

ie took a maiden with her and went to Tirant's lodging, which was very near the palace. She wen

his clothes to place his body in the grave. Stephanie threw herself

at are you trying to

all that just to te

her. He did this because she was a maiden who served the emperor's daughter, and even more becau

t rep

o life in glorious fame, for people will say that Tirant lo Blanc died of love for the most beaut

aidens, named Plaerdemavida. She took a veil and put it over her head so she would not be recognized, and went down the stairs to the garden. With the garden door

you, do not keep them in your heart. I want you to forget e

ith so much love, he was the happie

n made, my lady, I p

d let him kis

im kiss my eyes and my forehead if he promises me, up

cess told Plaerdemavida to have all the other maidens come, and in a short time they were all in the garden, and Widow Repose with them. She had seen all the moves and suffered deeply because of

lodging, but they didn't find you

d me Your Highness was sleeping. So that I wouldn't awaken you

!" said the emperor. "We must hol

eror had the emissary come forward, and said that everyone should know the bad news because it was not somethi

thousand four hundred, more or less, together in a part of the water. The Duke of Macedonia, a very haughty man of little intelligence as his actions show, had the trumpets blow so that everyone would mount their horses. The constable and the others, who know more about war than he does, prot

uke had only gone one mile upstream all his men would have been able to get across without getting wet. The enemy drew back a little so that the men would come across, and they pretended to retreat to a small hill there, and the duke used all his forces to try to take them. When the men in

quis of Italy and Lombardy who were mercenaries. As soon as the sultan heard the news he gave himself the title of Emperor of Greece, and said he would not lift the siege until he had taken th

must look into what we s

nt s

your honor, how many me

ight a

, those who were drowned and those taken prisoner, we'

mpero

ence for God and love of me, so that you can leave in fifteen o

t have left in twenty days? In that time the enemy could attack

many men there might be in the ene

e, and are cruel, ferocious men. In our opinion and according to wha

ity. All those who have hired themselves out, and those who want to, should go to the Im

ty, and many of the townsfolk, both men and women, gathered in the market square. Some were crying for their brothers, others for their sons, some for their friends and relatives, and still others for the destruction of the empire. Most of the empire was lost, and the hope of the emperor and those around him was placed only

death. All the maidens and even the emperor noticed, an

"I've had a bad stoma

him some medicine. When the emperor saw that Tirant w

aid about you? In my opinion, it would be a good idea, because

dy answered her

d from you. I prefer to die near Your Majesty and in my own land than

screet and loving words from h

essed with a great procession and celebration. All the

e letters for him to give to the Duke of Macedonia and a few others. As soon as the foot soldiers and those on horseback were outside the city, Ti

aw Tirant, she call

dy to leave. I pray that God wil

r her words. And he kissed her hand as a t

Tirant, before you leave? Tell me if there

avor of giving me this blouse you are wearing, because it is closest to

happy to give you my blouse, my jewels, my clothes, and everything I have. But it

ere she found Tirant joking with the maidens. She took him aside and gave him the blouse, kissing it many t

ll be right back, that I've gone to a

nd he found Diafebus and Ricart there. They had come back to

adies. When they went upstairs they found the emperor waiting for the captain t

of arms is this th

f you knew what was in it,

uch to know about it

ve it to me, and she is the most beautiful maiden in the world. I'm not s

mpero

t of arms was ever accomplis

as a knight, that in my first battle I w

e her. And he had the two knights sit at another table with all the ladies and maidens. The