The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc

y gave their chargers to the pages and mounted other horses. Within a short time they reached the soldiers. Each kn

l midnight, and he sent men along the road to see if they heard soldiers or anything else. Tirant kept watch over the camp, moving from place to place. At the hour of midnight

men to saddle their horses and to hold mass. Then the entire camp would arm themselves and quickly mount. At dawn they would all be ready to leave. They kept

be seen, but he did not do it secretly enough to avoid being heard. And the first to be notified that soldiers had gone into the city of Pelidas was the Grand Turk, but he did not know ho

ell, and they rode out as secretly as they could, and drew near the cam

at one end, and the G

n they had looked the situation over very carefully, they ret

unted, Tirant went to the square where he fou

saw four of the camp guards. For each guard you bring to me alive I'll give you five hundred

ly. They left at night so no one would see them, and w

h branches? The Moors are certain to come here to drink around no

n came out they saw the Moors on top of the hill. As the sun grew hotter they became thirsty

nk and are full of water: that way

hen they saw that they could not catch him they shot at him with a crossbow. The arrow pierced his side, and he fell to the ground. They cut off his head and stuck it to the point

the men go out of the city in order, both the foot soldiers and those riding horses. Behind them came three thousand men with the mares.

sultan and the other toward the Grand Turk. Then the camp horses noticed the mares: some got loose, others broke their halters, and others tore out t

e of the horses, Tirant came and fell on part of it with half his men. Then the Duke of

Tirant pursued them relentlessly, and he and his men killed everyone they caught, giving quarter to no one. All tho

dge where they could cross safely. When the sultan and some of his men had crossed over and they saw the Christians close behind, they

e amounts of gold and silver, clothing, weapons and many jewels. When they had taken everything, they put their booty in the town. The duke left soldiers to guard it, and he gave orders that if Tirant or any

other. Tirant took the helmet off his head and gave it to a page, and all the other captains did the same. When they were close to the duke, Tirant dismounted and walked up to him, paying him great honor. The duke did not move at all except to put his hand on his head without saying a word. This made all

aid to t

re there are very beautiful trees and you would be near the

ke ans

r you. I prefer to go t

ut I said what I did out of kindne

turned his horse about without a wor

e of his knights to the duke, and wh

h him. He knows that your lordship will have better food here, but you can have hi

hing!" said the duke. "Tel

ghtily. When the emissaries had mounted

o come and eat with me, I would

entire camp, what could you offer him? You couldn't giv

answere

ckens, capons, part

listen to him anymore,

gone, a knight

u would serve his captain food for chickens and drink for oxen. Do you know wh

understand. Those foreigners are very haughty. If I had underst

he sat down to dine with the dukes, co

his own. When the time came to say mass, Tirant courteously sent word to the duke to see if he would like to come to mass. The duke haughtily answered no, but the other grandees came very happily. After mass they

illustrious dukes, counts and marquis have sent us here. We want y

said

ignorant people! How could you think I would do such a thing when we h

nd the captain and the grandees holding a meeting in the council t

orses: an insult like t

the tent and armed himsel

nder penalty of death, should mount their horses. Then he went up and down, seizing the knights, and he begged the dukes and

d take the clothing from all the dead bodies they found and to keep it. Some of the

m for the captain's ring. Tirant removed his glove, took off the ring and gave it to him. Diafebus halted for a moment even though the others were pressing forward, and he stopped on

d his horse about, dug in his spurs and galloped a

ore the emperor,

e good news. Gi

he ring, and told him all about the battle, and how the

a signal for safe-conduct. When they were inside the tent the ambassadors were welcomed by the captain and all the o

the Grand Turk and the five kings here under my power and command, with another ten who are in my own land, that if you ask me for a lasting peace or a treaty of six months, we will offer you our "white face" to show o

assadors to explain their embassy. One of the ambas

deaths you brought to our soldiers, you imprisoned a small child, the brother in law of our sovereign lord, the great sultan, his wife's brother, along with many other virtuous knights.

t rep

oner, I'll give him to you and forty more along with him. As for the other part of

d them to go with the ambassadors to s

essed all the gr

quest of the sultan and the Turk. Do you think we

uke of Mace

r to the imperial crown. It's my advice and my demand that we grant them the six-month truce they're aski

uke of Macedonia-for they were at odds with each other because e

r's benefit, and for the well being of the entire empire a

d accept a truce, bu

of

Tiran

hat's been spilled is because of your might, and that's the reason they're asking for peace or for a six- month truce. Because during that time, gentlemen, you know that they'll be waiting for the Genoe

acedonia spok

truce, I do, and I'll make one. And I

the emperor has ordered. If you try to do that, I'll h

nd he left the tent and went to his camp,

eside their camp, Tirant set up a canopy, with

dukes and lords, low on the right. And they were served splendidly with chickens and capons, pheasant, rice and couscous, and many othe

ouncil tent, and Tirant gav

they face Mecca and swear in the presence of all the good knights that in six months they and all

s peace, wait for the fifteenth day of the moon. For on that day such a multitude

go to Constantinople that night with many soldier

t joy. Diafebus delivered four thousand three hundred prisoners to the emperor on Tirant's behalf so that the Greeks would see his virtue and great generosity. The emperor

her chambers. There was nothing Diafebus wanted more than to be able to talk to her and to S

heart captive? When will the time come that I can see him and have him near me with

us ans

at famous knight's sadness to joy if he had heard th

pleased by what Diaf

tephan

up my skirt I would lift up my blouse for him, and I would satisfy him in every way I could. If Your Highness takes some foreign king, how do you know that he won't give you a life of pain? And if you want someone from this land, I'll talk against my father. Because with his rank he should be your husband, but when you want to play, he'll be snoring; and when you wa

, delighted at what

ebus

th: if it were Tirant's good fortune for the princ

you that if fortune had the princess become Tiran

r grace as Tirant has been to the princess who, with her beauty and dignity, deserves to rule

o grant you anything without the command of my lady who has rai

, devoutly and with humility, as if she were a saint in paradise, to permit him to k

o lean toward mercy no matter how much you are begged. I

id the princess. "Don't as

g these pleasant word

him go quickly

fraid that they were Genoese, stopped Diafebus from going that day, and had many men board their own ships and galleys in port. W

e sea, waiting for them. When they met they recognized each other, and Diafebus paid them great honor. Together the

Your Majesty as captain-general of all the empire, the Grand Master of Rhodes has sent two thousan

ne forward to take a well- defended plaza, and they heard the loud pounding of bombards. When Tirant saw a part of the wall broken, he dismounted and gave battle on foot, and he went s

nd they lost all hope. After Ricart had taken Tirant to safety, he ag

out mercy, and so they were all given the terrible knife. The Prior of Saint John arrived in time for the attack on the villa, and his men shared in the booty, an

ly: he could barely speak because of the great pain he felt in his head. The doctors came, and they took sheep's h

d said they would. They came up next to a bridge, with their encampment remaining on one side, and Tirant's camp on the othe

to the top of a hill, very close to the river, where there were springs of pure water and large expanses of meadowland. At times all the bombards fired together. And although i

at the large number of men on horseback and on foot. There w

cky ground and a castle. When the sultan had conquered all that land, he saw that bridge, but Lord Malvei, the gentleman who was lord of the two castles, would never make a pact with him, no matter how much he promised. For he never wanted to deny or be ungrateful to God or to

and his son the other. They each had thirty horsemen, and with the war they had become very wealthy. The son, whose name was Hippolytus, beca

hey reached across the river. And they put those beams underneath the stone bridge, and from one beam to another they nailed heavy joists, and over the joists they nailed wooden slabs. It was smooth from one en

who had already gone across. When Tirant saw the Turkish soldiers crossing, the men in his camp were very disheartened, but he encouraged them and raised their spirits. He had the trumpets blown so that everyone wo

en Tirant saw that they were near, he crossed over the stone bridge and waited for them. The Moors, seeing them on the other side, quickly returned to their wooden bri

on for t

uncil, and the Ki

of you can stay on the other side, and at the same time that I engage them in battl

nobles praised the wi

the sulta

have even fewer. You take half our men, and I will take the other half. And whoever engages them

discussi

other half and crossed the bridge. When Tirant saw how the

xactly wha

t been, and he had the foot soldiers climb a hill that was in line with the head of the bridge. When the foot soldiers were up, he had the men with weapons also go up, one squadron behind the other. The sultan, who was on that side, seeing that almost all the men had gone up the side of the hill

solate. They were running here and there, crying and moaning, with sad, woeful coun

this, with the aid of Our Lord and His Holy Mother, Our Lady, I

of his with instructions about what he should tell the emperor. When he reached the city, he dismounted and left his horse, indicating

poor man they c

emperor quickly came out of his chambers. When Albi saw the emperor he fell to th

sion of the empire from that famous and illustrious nobleman, the Duke of Macedonia, to give it to a vile foreigner who has led himself and all the men in the camp to their destruction, and has run away, and we don't know where he is. This is what the person who

r. And he went into his chambers

idens. Rumors of the bad news ran throughout the city, and everyone broke into loud wailing for the friends and

d, and just as they had agreed, he signaled by hitting them together. When Lord Malvei heard the signal, he opened the gates of the bridge. Tirant went in, and found everything that had been prepared. First he had a great deal of oil and tar poured into a wooden bucket, along with pitch and quicklime and other things that would help make a fire, and he gathered a good deal of dry wood, and he had it all spread on

se, he first waited until the fire reached the bridge, and then he went across, and many men followed him. And if the two men had followed the captain's orders and waited to light the fire, all would have been killed or taken pris

his way back to his troops. He found nearly all of them mounted, wanting

ow. Tomorrow we will have

ened, Tirant had a very tight

tten across. In their desperat

blown, and everyone mounted. They had the carts and the pages brought out, and all the me

of the Turks, took the ring from Ti

what are

ebus

the emperor. They haven't h

"send word to him that we need flo

ng. He went into the palace, and it was worse: their faces were scratched, their clothing torn. Of all those who saw him, no one said

cognized the emperor's chamberlain, and he

appiness, how dare you com

t know what is making everyone sad here. Let me talk to

chamber where he found the emperor with his daughter and the maidens,

t lo Blanc, is at the door. His name is Pyramus, and I am certain he has

mpero

d if I find him or any of his master's men, I will have

the princess's heart grew twofold. For no matter how much ha

told Pyramus about t

mus

any of his men. If the emperor will not listen to me, tell the princess to come out

and talk to him, but that she was not to let him come inside the chamber. When the princess came o

. I'm very astonished because I don't know what has caused this, and no one I've asked has been willing to tell me. If His Majesty

in her eyes she told him everything the duke's squire had said. When Py

me if the truth isn't that Tirant has been victorious and caused the sultan to flee, and burned down the bridge, and

ere is the captain's se

yramus brought in, and as soon as he heard the news from his lips, he had all the bells in the city rung, and everyone went to the church, and there they gave praise and thanks to God, Our Lord, and to His Holy Mother, for the victory that had been achieved. When they returned to the palace, the emperor had

that they could not carry on the battle. So to choose the lesser

assador to Tirant once more. He put a rag on the end of a lance, and when Tirant saw it, he answe

sparing our lives, you would be regarded as glorious among your

hey certainly needed it. Then the captain met with all the great lords, and they agreed with

wish to harm them as much as I could, I'll be satisfied if they will bring all their offensive and defensive weapons to the middle of that mea

the captain, and went back and

rmed, to the foot of the mountain, and there he gave them food in abundance while his men kept them guarded. Then Tirant went down to them and seized the Christian dukes, counts and knights, among them, and he had them come with him up to his camp. He made them go into a tent, and they were well-ser

soners this way unt

was put in charge of them, and they set out. The constable had the sails raised, and with a favorable wind they reached the port of Constantinople in only a few days. The emperor and all the ladies were at the windows, watching the vessels as t

cing the prisoners under heavy guard, the emperor had the constable go into this chambers where the empress

ill be here, with the noblemen t

there still more?" And his ha

risoners, while his trumpets and tambourines played. The emperor and

o kiss his hand, and then did the same to the empress and the princess. After he had embraced all the ladies, he turned back to the emperor and gave

ound her with all the maidens. When the princess saw him, she got up to go

has condemned to a stronger prison than the

they might hear him. But she took him by the hand and they went to a

noble knight, and the lack of liberty

he princes

s as the vassal of your lord, and I return hi

n and saw Diafebus deeply involved in con

sight to see how these maidens like to h

ss and the princess. When they were in the market-place they saw a large cenotaph that the emperor had made, entirely covered with cloth of gold and silk. When al

lenced, and the followi

idel, and taking up arms have united with them in waging war against Christianity. They are deserving of great punishment, and of being removed from the order of chivalry and disinherited by the nobility from which they are d

a similar fashion. Then they had the men rise from the ground, and they were brought up to the cenotaph where they we

ice, and let us sh

ied to the emperor and knelt at his feet, begging him not to have the squire killed so that wicked people could not say that it was done because he had spoken badly about his captain. When the princess saw

at has been handed down by the general council

them, and she stealthily removed the ring from h

m to be so cruel as to sentence

mpero

e his death sent

the constable. The squire was already on the ladder, about to be executed, and Diafebus grabbed him and took him to his lodgi

somed to other places to be sold: Venice, Sicily, Rome and Italy.

or took as much gold from his treasury as he had received from the r

or had retired, and he went to the princess's chamber. The first one

ate man alive if you would accept me as your closest

e emperor wished to speak with him. Diafebus begged Stephanie to wait

chamber and found his lady deep in thought and with tears in her eyes, because she knew that the emperor summoned him only to

re tower, wearing a blouse and a skirt of white damask, her hair falling down to her shoulders be

incess. "I don't care what happens in you

mavida

le we were in the tower. We should have known he'd be here! She was here with the thing she loves most. I tell you, if I had a lover, I'd play with him too, the way both of you do.

that in the next battle I take pa

ay for a long while.

no one will see them-half the load of gold a horse can carry so that he may spend it as he wishes. And when it is gone, I will give him even more. I don't want him or his men to lack for anything. Also, an aunt of mine

ard the princess uttering words fi

n Tirant. So I beg you, on behalf of that famous knight and then on beh

ove that she could not contain h

orious knight, Tirant. And since I must imitate Your High

she wrote out a document that she placed in her

ess to allow him to kiss her. But the princess

l part of the fruit! From now on, find yourself another brother and servant to be at your side. And don't imagine for a minute that I'll say anything to Tirant on your b

amber and told Diafebus that he should

just come from our lodging, a

and led him through the palace, reminding both

ebus was! I don't think he'll want to do anything for

y will," sa

mavida

ou raise a ruckus over a kiss! What's wrong with kissing? In France it doesn't mean anything more than a handshake. If he wanted to kiss you, you should have let him. And you should have done the same even if he

princess went to her room and begge

lly will leave just th

d even if he doesn't, because of his love for me, many others will g

Your Highness. It would be better if you went yourself on the pretext of s

. When he had finished, she took Diafebus aside and plea

ave. If you give me what I'm asking for, then you can com

ne who holds my heart captive,"

hand. Then he went over to Stephanie and kissed

anie

y lady, I have kissed you, I give you my permission

ouching her nipples and everything else that he could. His hands then found the document, a

ere," said Stephanie, "a

document from Diafeb

us of Muntalt, to take you as my husband and lord. And looking toward our marriage, I bring you the duchy of

ie of Ma

cousin, and this was his only child. When he died, he left the duchy to her, stating in his will that it was to be given to her when she was th

iden was fourt

eave of the emperor and all the ladies, and especially of Stephanie, begging her to think of hi

very glad to see them. Diafebus and the cons

d lost, between the dead and those taken prisoner, more than one hundred thousand men. In their anger they held counsel to decide how th

, counts, and all the Christians, and they gathered in the middle o

e. Then, when he's here, we'll fight. If you see me getting the better of him, leave us alone, and I will kill him. But

hen the council was over, the King of Egypt we

Christian law was better than the Mohammedan sect, and he decided to go back to the Christian faith. He did it the following way. He prepared his arms and a good horse, and set out for the bridge of stone were Lord Malvei was. When he was an arrow shot away, he p

ecome a Christian, and that he wanted to talk to the great captain. They agreed that he should return the following day and that Lord Malvei would advise

at me. I spurred my horse on and caught up to him and knocked him to the ground. Then I dismounted and prepared to kill him. On his knees he begge

ck tomorrow and find out if they intend to fight more,

d and paid reverence to Lord Malvei and his son, and then embraced Lady Malvei, and gave honor to the Moor. The Moor told him that he wante

u like, or I will go back to the camp and tell you what is happening every day. No one in all our camp knows what is go

ise Lord Malvei as often as he could abo

them to the sultan. For he likes to eat these things, and with this as

of Malv

ive them

ats brought in a box, and ga

ws about the Christians. He replied that his frie

ur camp site. And sir, I was gi

So he went and told Lord Malvei everything he knew, and Lord Malvei kept

n up, he ordered a messenger to take it to Tirant, t

, King of Egypt, to you, Tirant lo

ge. We will do combat until one of us is dead, so that I may present your head to my lady. If you wish to answer this letter, give

eastern shore, the first d

of E

unsel in his tent, h

er in the fo

after, I will be on the eastern shore, before your camp, with all the power to do battle if you should wish

t lo B

approaching, and when they had docked he learned that they came from Sicily, and that they were bringing four

him. It happened then that this son fell ill, and died. When his father, the King of Sicily, learned of his death he was very sad. The other son who had become a friar, did not want to leave the religious life to be king after the death of his fath

is kingdom pleaded with him not to go that year, because the queen was with child. Seeing their great opposition, he decided to stay. He sent in his place, as captain, the Duke of Mes

ad been given lodgi

n't, they'll kill each other some day. Since this sort of thing has happened twice already, we have to

dered all his men t

the empress. "Are you

peror

icily are here, and

's servants qui

incess was asleep, Stephanie came

ing able to see you makes us sure we'll defeat the Turks.' So, my lady, when I woke up I came here to tell Your Highness that, if you wis

incess

ise, and don't s

and then she went to

gotten up, an

e without me because of your age, for I love you more than anyone, and if Your Majesty got sick I could serve you and be at your bedside, because I know your nature better than anyone. The second reason is that it's nature's

d to dissuade her, but wh

ou want it so much, I

people. In her company were sixty of the most beautiful and elegant maidens in the entire court. She made Stephanie the commander, while the Duke of Pera's daughter, Saladria, had the position of marshal. Comtesina was lord

y homage to the emperor. He told him all about Tirant and the virtuous acts that he did every day, and the princess was very pleased to hear the praises of Tirant. Lord

with his daughter and with the barons of Sicily. Tirant kept it secret until the following day so that no one w

tely decorated. Tirant earnestly charged Diafebus to stay behind some rocks about a league from the enemy camp, and for him and his men not to show themselves even if they saw th

Duke of Macedonia who refused to obey any of the captain's orders. The emperor's flags were in the middle. The Duke of Sinop was at the end of one wing, and the Duke of Pera was

behind the crossbowmen. The Turks were last of all, and they had more than four hundred bombards. They thought that with the bombards they would kill more than seven hundred men. When all the men were in place the King of Egypt sent a messenger to Tirant to thank him for keeping his promise, and to tell him that he would kill him or take him

manded one wing, turned his men toward the flags in a very slow and orderly way, so that their backs were to the enemy. At the other end of the wing was the Duke of Sinop, and he held his men steady. When the men under the Duke of Pera had turned and were in order again, Tirant signaled with the small banner, and the men under t

g away! They're

overings so that their horses could run more swiftly. From time to time Tirant turned and saw all the men coming, wave after wave, in confusion, and so he was unconcer

le was lost. All that night the maidens did not take off their clothes, and prayed earnes

a stone's throw apart from the one next to it. When the Turks saw them stop, they realized they had been tricked. Tirant ordered the Duke of Pera to attack first, and he charged into the enemy. Wh

tion. And when they met, it was with such force that both they and their horses fell to the ground. They both got up bravely, and slashed at each other with their swords. But so many men were fighting aground them that they could not fight well. Then the Turks helped their king mount again. Pyramus went in front of the king so Tirant could mount, and the others

the ground, and many knights from both sides were being killed or wounded. It was a startling sight to see. Tirant attacked

im. The King of Egypt asked them to leave the others and try to kill only Tirant. And with this accord they returned to the battle. While Tirant was

trying to kill one of the

ed toward him, but only the King of Egypt and the King of Cappadocia were able to reach him. The

ant, and the king plunged his lance into the duke's chest with such force t

leg was on the saddlebow Lord Agramunt plunged a lance into his thigh, and it came out the other side. The wound left him in great pain, and he fell to the ground. When Tirant saw him stretched out on the ground like that he ran toward him, but with all the men fighting he could not reach him. The king stood up again and picked up a lance that he found lying on the ground

ke my horse,

moving away from the thick of battle little

will y

ytus a

kill me, my love for you is such t

others. It was much later, while he was still fighting, that he encountered the King of Cappadocia. When this king saw him he went out to meet him, and with his sword he slightly cut the hand that held the ax

ame up and

rtally wounded and is near death, be merciful

enough by de

nt s

my who has done everything possible to k

rom all the blood that had been spilled. Tirant mounted his horse again, and when the Turks saw their king killed, they fell upon him in great numbers, trying to kill him. Tirant was badly wounded, and was again k

ble battle, and by now it

Tirant for putting hi

's left me here as though I weren't good for anything. But by God, I want part of the

d very boldly. The Turks saw so many men coming out (when they

because he was slightly wou

losing. I think it's better

em and killed many of them. This battle lasted from daybreak until three hours aft

ers, and he felt so much pain from the wound in his thigh that he had to leave the sultan and his men, and stop there. When Tirant arrived it was nearly dark. They stayed in camp until the following day. That evening they all had their wounds attende

, the Marquis of Saint George rode around the entire city and came to the Jewish quarter. There he called out to a Jew named Jacob. When the Jew heard the marquis' voice, he realized it was

had already defeated all the Turks, and that he had the King of Egypt trapped in a thicket of trees where he was continuing to fight, wounded as he was. When the marquis had captured the king, he sent word to the capt

, he would allow no celebrations to take p

killed the sultan and taken prisoner all the great dukes

changed into relief because Lord Malvei sent one of his men on horseback for news of the battle. He

the Moorish camp they found all the tents with all the wealth inside, and the men wanted to loot them, but the emperor would not allow it. In

e. She rode toward him and quickly dismounted and went into the tent where the little blac

w I have been a valiant lady-knight, who went bol

others were very amuse

re show himself out of shame. When the emperor heard of the glori

s from Diafebus, I fea

eturn to the castle of Malvei, she sent a man to find out w

m you. For I have heard that you may be dead.

happened to you, I

for the messenger and asked him about the emperor and the virtuous princess. The messenger told him everything that had happened in t

r lordship, as soon

sed, and he ordered

r. And Diafebus rod

castle heard that Diafebus had come, and the maidens quickly went to see him-espec

w many men were kill

account, because the captain has had all their bodies gathered and buried. We found the Duke of Macedonia dead from a lance wound, and the Duke of Babylonia, the Marquis of Ferrara, and the Mar

d him. Diafebus remained there, pretending he was ill, and the emperor had him taken care

fe, but for two weeks he kept to his room, crying over the battle they had lost, and lamenting the death of the King of Cappadoci

go? If I can talk to my friend, I'

ery much, in front of a

he Moors couldn't see him, he took off the jubbah and sat on it while he rode. When the Christian spies along the road saw him, they thought he was one of the

, you would have taken them all, for their horses were too tired to go on. They had to stop halfway along the road to Bellpuig and spend the night: many w

ave any o

And they say for a certainty that the Grand Caramany is on them with fifty thousand soldiers and horsemen, and that

those seven ships

d has been against them, and the

urned to the sultan, he told him about the death of the King of Egyp

make port. Tirant returned quickly, and learned that the emperor, along with all the barons from Sicily, had gone out to conquer the many villas and castles nearby. Then he and the Duke of Pera left with a party of soldiers, and he left the rest with the Marquis of Saint George as th

ur Highness to give him safe- conduct so

oesn't the good captain know that we are

on't think that Plaerdemavida was displeased to see Hippo

in no way limit your freedom to come and go as

Duke of Pera by one hand, and Tirant by the other, and sat between them. And they spoke of many things. They talked about how t

er prisoner, saying: "Do you think that when I've been in hard- fought battles t

lk to the lady of the castle and to Widow Repose, telling them about the battles they had won under Tirant's leadership. And Widow Repose's love

as told you to lay down your weapons. In faith, that shirt you are wearing is well trampled. I saw it

incess

hat has not had merc

ings, our

and and placed it in

her knees, she bent

nt s

whenever I wished, oh how fortunate I'd be. And I would

ook his hands

your hands to do as they wil

hat the duke and the others would have no reason to gossip, they went with her to her r

rincess wanted to go with them, and they rode until they found the emperor, who was attacking a well f

uncil to decide where they should att

alace with all the prisoners we've taken. The Duke and I will take charge of guarding and c

ror summoned Tirant, and then had the princ

igh Constable, the Count of Bitinua, who is dead, who

knelt a

esty would be pleased

febus, I would consid

is moment on, I grant to Diafebus the office of High Constable. And to you I give the County of Sant Angel, which I

t rep

great honor, but I will accept it only if I can give

do with it afterward, as long as I ha

ssed the emperor's hands

fter mass the emperor put the ring on Diafebus' hand and kissed him on the mouth. Then all the trumpets began to peal very loudly, and a king-

ght, and the duke sat on his left, while the princess sat to the right of the constable. Tirant acted as steward since he was giving the celebration. The ladies ate at other tables, and the bar

ralds, and gave them a thousand ducats. And all the trumpets were pealing,

onstable's banners, jousting before the emperor. They held a beautiful display of arms without getting hur

ce, and they were very well served with many varied dishes. During the entire meal, as Tirant was

? Your face shows that something is

any troubles that the

ing. Your Highness is

in great sadness, kn

yo

emperor to go back to the city with all the prisoners. I've never seen such bad advice given by any man who was in love. But if you would like me t

ve here? I can't find any way to relieve my pain. Sometimes I feel

talk to Stephanie, and see if she can do something to help

reed that when everybody was resting and the maidens were asleep, the two men would come to

e maidens had gone to bed. All the ladies were sleeping with Widow Repo

at the princess did not want to go to sleep, and then she heard her putting per

she tried to stay awake. And when Stephanie came with the candlestick, she closed her eyes and pretended to be sleeping. When Stephanie saw that all the ladies were asleep, she quietly opened the door so that no one would hear her, and she found the two knights already waiti

er hands many times, and they exchanged amorous words. Later, when they felt that it was time for them to go, they sa

ent to the princess's chamber and found her dressing. Stephanie was sitting on the floor, not yet finished dressing

ie, what kind of behavior is this. What's wrong with you? I

lness won't last long. It's only a headache. T

, and our thighs, and sometimes it goes into our secret place. There it brings us a great deal of pain, and it goes up to our head from there. And don't think that this sickness comes often, as the great philosopher Galen says-a very wise doctor, for it only comes once in a lifetime.

ngue. When Plaerdemavida h

g my father taught me that

quickly

ht. I had a

blood. And my lady, if Your Majesty would like, I'll tell you a dream I had last night, as lon

d laughing, she told her to say whatever she liked, that she

rd Tirant and the constable there, waiting. They were dressed in their doublets, with cloaks and swords, and they wore woolen stockings on their feet so they wouldn't make any noise when they walked. When they came in, she put out the light, and went in front, holding the constable's hand. After him came your knight. She was like a blindman's guide, and she put them in your chamber. Your Highness was all perfumed, dressed and not nake

ss laughed

more to y

he whole thing. My lady, you said, 'Tirant, I let you come here so you c

things to each other. Then, in my vision, I saw how he kissed you again and again and untied the cord over your bosom, and that he quickly kissed your breasts. After he had spent some time kissing you he tried to put his hands under your skirts, and you, my good lady, would not permit it. And I think that if you had allowed it his oath would have been in danger. Your Highness said to him, 'The time will come when what you want so much will be given to you, and my virginity, intact, will be yours.' Then he put his face next to yours, and with his arms around your neck, and yours around his, like vines on a tree, he received your loving kisses. Later, s

, and washed my heart, my breasts, and my stomach to take away pain. And as my soul looked through the hole I saw how, after a second, Stephanie held out her arms and gave up, in surrender. But still she said: 'Go away, you cruel, unloving

hness to release him from his oath so that he could achieve the glorious triumph that he desired, as his cousin had done. Your Highness refused, and you were victorious in the battle. When they had gone I woke up. I didn't see a thing, not Hippolytus or anyone else, but I began to think that it might really have happened, because I found my breasts and my belly wet with water. My pain increased so much that I began to toss

he constable accompanied them a good league. The emperor told them to go back, and since he had told them once already, they had to do it. After Tirant had taken his leave of the emperor and the barons,

haps

obs and sighs of farewell. She let the veil fall completely over her face so tha

he princess, fell off the horse he was riding. As soon as he had fallen he got up and raised his hand toward the horse, saying that

ror said

you happe

rant t

, and the stirrup broke. But it's nothing to be surprised at, my lord, to see a man fall: a hor

astle of the Lord of Malvei. He ordered the constable and half of the

e, and have them unloaded. And if I see that there isn'

ships' masters and the sailors were very happy at the captain's visit, and th

s because we were afraid they

nt s

they haven't dared to attack. Shall we mak

sels were in port. That night he had all the wheat unloaded. By morning the spy-boat returned with the news that there were seven large ship

Tirant, "I will do everything I can, since they

no attention to them at all. As the ships came into port each of them attacked another ship, and many men jumped aboard the others. Then they attacked the two remaining ships, and since few men were aboard they took them all with very little trouble and without anyone being killed. Then they brought back all the ships loaded with w

about Turkey. They told him that it was true that the Grand Caramany was coming with a great armada, along with the King of Up

him, of high station, and the betrothe

the Tur

Tirant means a robber of goods, or more properly, a thief. And believe me, his actions will do justice to his name. Because according to a letter that the King of Egypt wrote, he didn't dare fight him man to man, and it also said that he was in love with the emperor's daughter.

than you've said, because he's a real thief, and he travels the roads to rob. And you'll certainly see him get the e

you know him well, and you know about th

ead, but Tirant got up quickly and took the sword away from him. And Tirant

tch that traitor, Tirant, the way I've caught many others, I

r would have hanged him. But Tirant took a silk jacket and thirty ducats and gave them to him, and as soon as they were on land, he freed him. Imagine

that he wanted to go to sea. They begged him to allow them to go along. The captain was glad to, precisely because they were from the islands, and they knew how to sail. He gave orders to his captains and had many men go on b

was nearly vespers the ships could be seen from the port. Then the captain's ship moved out in front of all the others. When the Turks saw it they shouted with joy, saying that that ship would soon be theirs. The Grand Caramany had his daughte

amany said to

ou see. I'll give it to yo

he Genoese saw the twelve large ships, they were astonished, wondering where they had come from. Afterward came all the whaling ships, and all the ship's boats; then the fishing boats. The boats that had no mast raised a long staff or an oar, and fastened it down tightly, and at the top of the staff they put

armada of the King of Sicily. When they heard we were here they

to flee and go

and Caramany's ship. When it was nearly noon he reached the ship, and

nd they did not stop day or night. Many men on both ships died, and there were so many broken

g. The eleven ships did not see the captain's ship because he had put out his ligh

enemy ship, and since most of the Turks were now on the other ship and had taken everything except the poop castle, Hippolytus and his men went on board the Turks' ship, and all the dead and wounded Turks and Genoese they found, they threw into the sea. Then they assist

fleeing, and was the first to reach them. He attacked one ship, and while they were in combat another ship arrived. It surrendered immediately, so that he had thr

ghting at noon and continued all night long until the following day. They fought twent

said Tirant, "or

arm by a spear. Then, when he tried to climb t

ion three Turks leaped inside the forecastle, but they we

ressed in a jubbah with gold brocade, and he tied a golden silk rope around her neck. He had the case full of jewelry and all their riches tied

amber, leaving the ship entirely deserted. They lay their heads

Tirant, wounded as he was, went on b

hip, "he's hiding below decks with his head covered, wait

here?" aske

Both of the

said the captain. "I

the Grand Caramany refused to go, saying that he prefer

ng. "Let us go up

se a little force with him. Tirant honored them

the wound in his thigh he could not rem

kindly,

you have killed your daughter and other Moorish women so cruelly and with such inhumanity. They would have fallen into the hands of a man who

said

Caramany

by you or any of your men. And I don't want anyone enjoying my jewelry or my treasure. And don't think you're going to sway my he

e few men he had left between the two ships, and they set sail. He unplugged the ship's scuppers, and such a gush of blood came pouring out that it seemed as though the ship was full of it.