The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc

shouting out the bad news about the capture of the kings, and the loss of the armada and all its men. When Tirant reached port, he found many of hi

ing the captain, he did see a new ship from the armada. When he followed the ship, it fled and stopped at an island that was nearly unpopulated. The wind was against it,

s to search for him. And they found him coming back with his prize. When the captain g

nerous and courageous. And he accomplished singular acts i

to meet him. But before going, he sent one messenger to the emperor and another to the camp, and then everyone r

he could. And there was nothing Tirant wanted more, because he wanted to see t

rely covered with rich satin cloths. And he had a cenotaph placed in the center of the marketplace, covered with brocade and silk, for himself, the empress, the princess and all the maidens. And from the cenotaph to the end of the bridge where they would disembark, he h

nd Caramany on his right, the King of Upper India on his left, and all the barons in front. They were met by a

to kiss his hand. But the Caramany answered that he would not; then Tirant immediately dealt him such a hard blo

e going to kiss his feet and his

'd show you what it means to come close to a king. You still don't know how far my power extends. But I swear to you by our ho

dealt the blow too, knelt on the hard ground and kissed his hand and foot. The

nd they went to the great church of Saint Sophia. Tirant took

hen my father was emperor of Rome, in those days when I was wooed by a thousand suitors. If I had seen you, out of

things, and when they got to

e would like to play too. She thinks that if you ha

out and asked the ca

that they felt a

sea voyage has ma

not be permanently injured. Tirant followed the doctors' advice, and the emperor visited him every day, and told the empress and his dau

survived if they fell into their hands. How the Christians suffered when they thought about Tirant not being there, and that they would have to go out and fight without him. Not even wise Diafebus or Lord Agramunt could save their lives by placing themselves in the most dangerous positions during the battles. And they all cr

ess had finished her hours, and she and the princess and other ladies went to T

ctors, "he'll be able to w

nt, and she fell to the floor in a swoon. When the maidens saw her lying on the floor they raised such a cry

ed her daughter's head in her lap, and was crying and wailing so that the entire palace heard her, and her face and clothing we

in such a state that you'll be

the princess because of the outcry the men and women were making. He got up quickly, sick as

he went to his rooms with the empress, and the doctors went with him because they saw that he was exhausted from what had happened to

the world. I heard shouts, and as soon as I thought of Your Majesty I said to myself, 'If something

ess quick

ught of your love. Love already has more power over me than I would like. I beg you to

ers, and told Tirant to put hi

ring me consolation a

hen Tirant left, very content. When he was in the emperor's chambers, and the doctors saw him, th

esty, the emperor, for anything in the world. When I saw you leaving my si

sultan sent ambassadors to the camp to deal with Tirant. When they arrived the captain was not there, and they were disappoin

e the King of Armenia was with them as an ambassador, and he was the brother of the Grand Carama

, the Grand Caramany, with his mighty sword, and the King of Upper India who was with him, if you would like to give him to us, we will pay three times his weight in gold as ransom. And we will give you one and a half times the weight of the King of Upper India. Let us come to the third item: If Your Excellency would like a treaty of peace (with no iniquity or ill will; but only peace and love), he will think of you as a father, and you can think of him as a son. And as a token of that peace you would give him your daughter, Carmesina, as his wife-under

out of love and consideration for the Moorish sultan and the Grand Turk, he would sig

he princess's chamber, with ma

inst his daughter? To think that so much beauty, virtue and grace, along with greatness of lineage, wi

ss quickly

like and not one of them is really a wife, because they can leave them whenever they wish. Forget all those thoughts, virtuous knight, and trust yo

chamber and he met Plaerdemavida. He asked he

radise. The more a person sees what he loves, the more he wants it. That's why I think it's more delightful to see something than to imagine it. Come in if you'd like: you'll find her dressed

tell me in all truth if the empress o

of us: You for going in, and me for letting you go. I know that the princess doesn't want your love for

found the princess combing her hair.

without my permission: if the emperor knew about this he could charge y

aw Tirant playing with their lady that way they were silent, but when they saw Tirant putting his hand under her skirt they came to her aid. While they were frolick

y talked about the celebrations they were planning, until a maiden came with the Hours. Then the empress got up and withdrew to one side of the room to say the Hours. The princess was afraid the empress might see him, and did not dare move. When the princess had finished

or and a chamberlain coming directly to the princess's chamber. When Tirant saw them passing thro

me. The emper

and then go into one that's even worse. I told you what w

mperor came in, as he often did, he would not see him. When the emperor came into the chamber he found his daughter combing her hair. He stayed there until she had fi

n a place none of

ff all the mattresses covering him. Then he jumped up and caught the princess

Your Majesty is so superior to all women in knowledge and discretion tha

perfect as you say I am. That light shining in your eyes is

and that he could not touch her with his hands, he stretched out his leg and put it under her skirt so that his shoe touched her where it should not, and

n he had the stocking and shoe that had touched the princess embroidered wi

r been seen before. And on that foot he wore no armor, but only on the left foot. As a crest for his helmet, he wore four golden rods, the

and much more so with the ladies. And he changed clothes every day, but he al

roidered stocking on one foot but not on the other, is

were on their way to Pera. And the princess said t

and the empress nearly sat on my head? Afterward your father came in, and you hid me in the little chamber under the mattresses, and when they were gone, while I was playing with Your Highne

ill bears the marks. But the day will come when, just as you have one leg embroidered today, you

e quickly dismounted from his horse, saying that his gloves

race was granted

n less than an hour, and they turned out to be French. Their captain was a cousin of Tirant. He had been a page to the king, and the king had made him Viscount of Branches. This viscount had decided to come and help his cousin in his battles against the in

ed a knight and unless he wore silk or brocade or gold trappings. The Duke of Pera was captain of half the men, and Tirant commanded the other half. So that each would know who the other wa

at they were not doing well, he entered the fray with his lance poised, and he went against another knight so ferociously that he thrust his lance completely through him and it came o

de into the fray to separate the men, because he saw that tempers were rising, and many were wounded. After all the knights had disarmed themselves, they went to the palace. There

ng day, after mass, they all went to the market place which was as nicely decorated as it had been the fir

will not permit me to do things against His holy catholic faith, like giving my daughter as wife to a man who is outside our law. For all the t

ambassadors stood up and took thei

staying near the princess because he saw that the end of the truce was approaching. The emperor indicated that he wanted the captain to be in camp to take char

ive him the satisfaction he wanted. The princess

n my bed? Just to imagine it is great infamy. If I gave in to you, I couldn't hope that it would not be known. Wha

words which showed how little she loved him. For he thought he had prog

ghter Carmesina by the hand. They went upstairs together to the treasure-to

m, and he realized that Widow Repose had overheard his secret, and everything he had said to her. Tira

ugh Stephanie already has many possessions and great wealth, I would like to give her even more. I would give Widow Repose a duke or count or mar

ant for herself and f

se said to

urself. I know how to

she turned to

at a lord he is, except the one I adore day and night. He has not killed me yet, but he has

se finished, Pl

ou remember that pleasant night in the castle of Malvei when I was dreaming? You saw how mercifully you dealt with that situation. I'm only trying to tell you that we'll all help you in this affair. And I know what the solution is: you have to mix in a little force, because your fear-which comes from ignorance-stops you from using it. It's a terrible thing for maidens to have to say those awful words: 'I like it.' I'll work as hard as I can for you in this a

e at Plaerdemavida's jokes,

d of hiding your advances toward Hippolyt

your nature to be good at first, and then bad afterward. You're like the ocean: when someone starts to go in the water it seems soft, and th

and led him out of the room, and they talked at great length about the

cess wanted to go to bed,

would be amazed. He took me aside and told me things about Your Excellency t

ent into a tiny chamber where no one could overhear them. First the Widow told her what Tirant had said to all the ladies, and how h

thers, but he is more shameless and daring. If Your Highness kn

d the princess, "and d

ays even more: that he didn't come to this land to fight, and that he has been hurt too many times because of his misfortune of knowing you and your father. Do you think, my lady, that that way of talking is proper for knights? Look at what he thinks of the honor of Your Excellency and the emperor, who have granted him so many benefits and honors. Anyone who says things like that should burn in flames! Do you know what other things he says? That he doesn't love any woman alive, unless it's for her wealth. He says many other wicked things too. I remember he told me that if he ever had another night like that one in Malvei, even if he made you a thousand promises, he wouldn't keep any of them. With your consent or by force, he would take you, and then he would say to you, 'You evil woman, I don't thank you, now that I've had my pleasure.' Oh, my lady, my heart cries blood when I think of all the terrible things he said about Your Highness! That's why, my lady, I want to give you some advice even though you haven't asked m

ith tears flowing from her eye

uld ever have thought that words like these could come from the mouth of such a virtuous knight? What have I done to him, to make him want the deaths of my father and my mother and their miserable daughter? Oh, Tirant! What happened to the love we shared? What crime did I commit for you

But hearing the call

little sleep tonight with the great hate I h

dow an

't say a word about this to anyo

id the princess.

chamber, Stephanie saw

eal of pleasure listening to the Widow-you've been with

egan to cry bitterly. When the Widow had gone, Stephan

and take care that this

id not reply, but drew close to her as she usually did. All that night

ot up, ill, because

e forced hersel

about her tears and crying all night long, he was very surprised

ike to tell me what is wron

reat emotion that he felt, and the prince

my grief. And don't think that it doesn't cost me a gr

t the princess had told him, and he felt distressed. He could not eat, and did not want to leave his chamber until the constable went to the palac

t at night? If it weren't for the Widow, I would have had him in her chambers, not once,

h Widow Repose, and Stephanie could not talk to her. The emperor, knowing that the constable was there, thou

and we will see how she is, because

o wished to go. They found the princess playing cards with the Widow, withdrawn to a corner of

Your Majesty, my illne

nd much more so when he saw her in such a good mood. They spoke of many things, and the princess

, but to lose hope of having the princess, and for him to love th

regret that all the men had to leave for the camp. Tirant and his men got ready as quickly as they could. While Stephan

angrier. All those who make appearance

to talk but she

ing face to everyone, including Tirant, because she knew tha

dia, or what he did to the King of Egypt. If everyone in the world went into battle, he would certainly be the only one to win honor

mpero

have brought me, and I beg you to do the same from n

, and saw that the princess had brought the

rha

, into a room where he found the High Constable, Stephanie and Pl

what are you

e if you go away. Because the empress said to me last night, 'Stephanie, you are in love.' I blushed and shamefully lowered my eyes. That was a sign of assent, since I was silent, because at first I didn't know what love was, except

emperor, in the presence of the empress and the princess, to give his consent to

aren't here? There won't be any celebration or danci

eren't any at the engagement?" said Tirant, "L

at this was a good time to tell the emperor. So he went over to the emperor, and

f the maiden Stephanie of Macedonia to my singular brother, the Count of Sant Angel and the High

peror

r to my daughter here so that s

the emperor had gone so quickly, she assumed that he did not approve of the marriage, and she left t

agreed, and she answered that she would be very happy to. They immediately called all the court to Stephanie's betrothal. They all gathered in the great hall, along with a cardinal who had been summoned to marry

ebrated with dances a

e wedding to take pla

re would not be delay

re held with jousts a

happy except poor

the window where the bride was sleeping, and they meowed all night long. After Plae

eard some loud cries. I am really afraid that he may have killed your dear niece, or at least hurt h

the two of them went to the door of the bridal chamber and listened. Wh

shout that delightful 'Oh!') and your even greater haste are over. It's a great pleasure, if you listen to what the maidens say. Since you're so quiet, that's a sign that you've

to be quiet, and no

d Plaerdemavida. "I want th

say that he was hurting her and for h

ie. Her words don't come from the heart. They s

Plaerdemavida's delicious remarks. Then, when

ed cats out there? Pu

hey won't le

mavida

dn't you know that I can get l

warmed by the things you say. I swear to you by the Almighty that i

age who told her that the emperor was at the door of the bridal chamber. Then she went there and foun

me-that if he didn't already have a wife he would have no one but me. An

ing to the emperor: "And you, you blessed saint, what do you want another wife for? To give h

r chambers happily, and the empress

nd the bride. They took them to the main church where they heard mass with great honor. W

of the duchy of Macedonia, and they displayed the flags of that duchy. On his head th

kes, counts and marquis, and many others on horseback, rode around the entire city. Afterward they all went outside the city to a beautiful meadow where there was a s

the spring and baptized him again, giving him the title of Duke

uke of Macedonia, of the g

s separated into two groups, and each knight took the most beautiful lady or the one that was most to his liking. They held them with the reins of the horses they were riding on. And each of them, in order, rode forward: first those of hi

emperor went to the top of a high tower. He had a great horn blown that could be heard more than a league away, and when the knights heard the horn, they all set out on the road to Pera. Th

had been taken prisoner fled to

up to a different side. When the knights were separated, each sought out his lady, and they could not find them. Then they began to say that the other knights had taken them prisoner, and each of them complained to the empress and the princess

eir lady, along with the ones they had won. They answered that they would not leave for anything in the world. They wanted their share of what was due to them, as they had placed themselves in such grave danger of death. After this, they held combat on foot inside the palace, and it was a delicious sight to see, for some were falling here and others there. Others delivered marvelous blows with their axes, and whoever lost his axe could not fight again, nor

scount of Branches. They went to kiss the foot and hand of the emperor, thanking him for the great kindness he had done th

ong with the duchy of Macedonia, so that you would be more united with the crown of the Empire of Greece, and I would have given you many other things. At the time that I offered it, you did not want to be a count; instead you gave it to yo

t rep

and friends. As an inheritance of my own I want nothing more than a horse

y Tirant's words. Turning to

a knight with as muc

e I will see him