The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc

. He couldn't find them as quickly as he wanted because they were all with the emperor and his daughter. When they had taken care of the emperor they took everything they needed fo

consciousness, she ope

ead? Tell me quickly, I beg you. Becaus

hter, could not understand her, and she asked what she had said. Th

ncess is asking i

her eyes close

asked if the one who

answered in

she said: "She's delirious. This illness has the effect of turning

went with the viscount and the duke.

ost so much. You are dead! Dead! For anyone who has fallen from as great a height as you cannot hope to live long.

ant to say anything more for fear of the maidens who were nearby. The doctors left quickly without sayin

rations Tirant fainted three times, and each time they had to revive him. The doctors treated him as best they could the first time and said that under no circumstances should he be move

een injured, and we went to

mpero

w was h

where his horses are so that Monday morning everyone would be ready to leave. He was rid

r. "Tirant has no lack of troubles.

doctors advised against it, so he decided to stay. He went to the princess's chambers to ask about her illness and to explain what had happened to Tirant. What gr

going to see Tirant, he called to them to wait. Then he mounted and went with them and saw their second treatment. From what he saw he under

my hope in your leadership. I had envisioned the blood of those cruel enemies of mine and of the holy Catholic faith being shed by the strength of y

weakl

s who can take on the enemy right now. But it only seems right to me, since you are pressing m

ry happy, and he took his leave and returned t

our captain. How is he? Is he near

ncess and the maidens the

e's in a bad way. The bones in his leg are sticking out through the skin, and

end his days while he's on the road? How could he help the soldiers? Do you want to put his life and the entire empire in danger too? No, my lord; that's no way to fig

y were waiting for him, and they all agreed from wh

vening and the duke and all the others had gone back to the city, and without anyone knowing of it except Hippolytus, Tirant ordered the viscount and

rry it on their shoulders, they left for the encampment. Before he left he ordered them to tell everyone who came from the city that since he had not been able to sleep at night he was resti

one. They quickly mounted their horses and rode after him, and they sent word to the emperor, telling how his capt

od, he carries o

he had passed out on the road five times, they reprimanded th

we will all be lost and no one will ever hear of us again. You deserve the worst sort of reprimand. If I had no fear of God or felt no sense of worldly shame, I'

e doctor he gave

outrageous act of this doctor who put t

save his miserable skin, but it gained him nothing because when he reached him he brought the swo

here he was being given everything he needed. When the emperor saw Tirant's condition he took great pity and had all his doctors come there to see how his

eld council there and they decided that since Tirant could

all the men, and since they will only serve one and a half mon

hat he would do it imm

with great care. When he is ten years old they teach him to ride and to fence. Then they teach him to fight, and throw a lance. And last, they teach him how to butcher, so that he will get used to cutting up meat and will not be afraid of spilling blood. This makes them cruel, and when they are in battle and capture Christians, they quarter them and haven't the slightest feeling of pity about flesh or bl

t rep

is most Holy Mother, Our lady, that, even if there were twice as many as there are, wi

eror commended Tirant to God, and ordered the doct

nt stayed in the hermitage, waiting for the doctors to give him permission to go into the city. Lord Agramunt who never wanted to leave him alone, remained with him, for he said that he had left his country only for love of him, and that he would not leave him while he was injured. Hippolyt

for what she had done, and wanted to shut her up in a dark room to have her do p

has stolen your virginity. Your father wants me to be your stepmother, and I can assure you that when I am I'll punish you. When tha

ery angry, and told h

dy, I want to leave Your Highness' service, an

ing the Widow of Montsant, who was in the court, in charge, and without saying a wo

gone, she was very upset and wanted her to return. S

her he forgot his pain. When Plaerdemavida went up to him and saw how much his appea

I think of your injury, because I am to blame for all the harm that h

igh Tira

f you were, I would pardon you not just once but a thousand times, because I know how much affection you've always had

as grown weak, and she probabl

she was very happy to do him such a

elated to the old witch who brings only harm to those who love her. With a false expression of compassion on her face she told her: 'My lady, I saw Tirant lower himself by a rope, and half-way down it broke; and he fell from such a height that he was smashed to pieces.' And she began to wail very loudly. When the princess heard the news she could say only, 'Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,' th

hing she and the princes

you: Whether or not to show that she is bothered by your injury. Because she says that if she sm

t rep

g her? Her Majesty would do me a great favor if she would just gran

mavida

l work with her so that she'll give you an answer. T

of Plaerdemavida entered the chamber. When they saw her they told h

force me to serve her. I wa

o go back. But I don't imagine the captain will be happy if the princess's will

"that my lady will be served in every w

felt in his leg he could not write as well as he wanted to, b

s me feel twice as much pain, because if I lost Your Majesty I would lose everything. You must know that in you all perfection is cont

princess knew that she was coming, she ran t

hat made you so angry tha

"Your Excellency swept me from your

mbers. She turned to the men who had brought her, and thanke

the same thing happens between brothers or sisters? Even if you and I had words, that's no reason for you to be angry with me

won't listen to me or anyone else. She was the cause of all this trouble. I remember that night when my lord Tirant broke his leg and Your Highness fa

Tell me about Tirant: How is he? When can I see him? The happines

cy make him sigh and grieve. You can be sure that no one deser

ily, and when she had read it

you brought so much pain to your princess. The sound of my last words was carried to the ears of Widow Repose, and the empress c

ned to Tirant, he gave him the letter. Tirant was very pleased to get it. He had

ave been in love with you. But I give thanks to God for allowing me to know a maiden who is so full of perfection. And I see full well that no on

incess as he had been commanded, and the princess took it, very pleased. As the empress came to see her daughter at that moment, she could not read it immediately. But when she saw that the empress was engage

th about Tirant's illness, th

knight as Tirant must bring grief to all his relatives. I have been suffering greatly too. At

s quickly

surprise me in Your Majesty: you sleep alone, and no one says a word to you. That's what is making my face so thin, not Tirant's illness. Everyday I ask Our

f love. She thought also that since Plaerdemavida had said many times that she loved Hippolytus, she must be the one he

s bringing you

here, where I am, don't let Your Majesty think

," said the empress, "I wou

grief," said Hippolytus, "t

listen to what another wants to say. And the loftie

nd it's not clothing that I can remove." "I'm not lacking in knowledge," said the e

e senses," said Hipp

id the empress. "Why don't you say w

ellence, and the fifth is the knowledge of truth. It is Your Majesty whom

of his shame he did not dare turn around. Hippolytus thought to himself that if she asked him why he didn't stop he would say he did not

, thinking about what H

so that he would not have to face the empress again. But he had to return to the palace for the princess's reply. He went into her chambers and found her on Plaerd

that I will make arrangements with the emperor for us to go and see him one day this week, and

ytus a

m all the harm you have caused him you could tell him just

ncess r

e answered. Plaerdemavida, pull out three hairs from my head, and give them to Hippolytus so that he will

den who had a love-sick swain, and who was in love with him, would give him a bouquet of perfumed flowers or a hair or two from her head, and the poor fellow considered himself very fortunate. I know very well that my lord Tirant would like to take hold of you in bed, naked or in your nigh

father and my mother, and if you press me, I nearly forgot God; and I wanted to offer him my body along with everything I own. The second one stands for all the grief he is

round, and tears burst from her eyes and ran down her breasts. When Hippolytus saw that

is lost, more than ten thousand soldiers will be lost, and they will be sorely needed to bring the war to a successful conclusion. Look how many men the King of Sicily has at the service of Your Highness; and the

in Tirant's favor,

ll, and you would be deserving of eternal praises in this life. But Your Excellency is like a person who smells the odor of meat but does not taste it. If Your Highness would taste its sweetness and the pleasure it brings in this instance, when you died you would rise again in glorious renown. But my lady, since I see that you don't love my lord Tirant, there's no reason for you to love any of his men. There will come a time when you will cry over him and his friends, and you'll tear

reply will be: 'Oh Lord, full of mercy and pity! You Who are so merciful, forgive me!' And the guardian angel will make you say these words: 'It is true, Lord, that I loved a knight who was very virtuous in arms, whom Your Holy Majesty sent to us to rescue Your Christian people from the hands of the infidel. I loved him and I held him in great devotion, and I wanted him for a husband, as my beloved. And I had a maiden in my service whose name was Plaerdemavida, who always gave me good advice and I did not want to accept it. She put him in my bed one night and, like a

ssed through a room where the empress was, and at that moment Hippolytus would have liked to have been a day's journey away. When she saw him she smiled and looked at him fondly. Then she got up from where she was sitting and app

ld Hippolytus of the great valor the emperor had shown when they brought him the news that his son had died. The

because I bore him to die. It is the law of nature to r

council, and Hippolytus remained with the empress. When she saw that he wa

lips could express it. I beg you to tell me who made you say what you did. Tell me if it came from your master

kly replied, lo

nd shame were battling within me. Afterward I sighed, and I saw that Your Highness was laughing pleasantly at my sigh. My lady, I beg you not to make me say anything further, but command me to do anything dang

ality; it doesn't differentiate between people in high and low positions. You can be sure that no m

p his courage, and i

om telling you my feelings until now, since you are the most excellent of all things excellent. But if love makes me speak indis

press

s so great. If it became known, what would they say about me? That I've fallen in love with my grandson. Any maiden would be overjoyed

en up from where he was sitting. He went over to the emp

k to the princess, but he spoke wit

e empress about for so long?

polytus. "She was just a

ft without a reply from the princ

e days since I

d while we were out walking we talked about you. Everyone intends to come see you. That'

nt s

very go

gged them to take him to the ci

e city than I could here in ten. Do you know why? I was born

emperor then rode to where the captain was, and Tirant was taken to

the city often visited him. But the empress, who was warned by one of her maidens she trusted much more than the others, seldom left her daughter alone when she was in Ti

out Tirant now, and re

very day there were fierce battles, and many men from both sides were killed. Each day the emperor wrote to them to tell them how Tirant was, and to encourage them. He told

, and the princess entertained him. And do not think that Tirant wanted to be healed very soon; this was because of the lovely sight that he had daily of the pri

ould not talk to the princess without being overheard by t

e. Start talking to her about whatever you think will please her most

agreed, and went to the empr

, and I beg you to grant me a boon that will increase my honor and my fame. I

said

press

of this to the emperor or to anyone, you will have everything you like. In the still of night wait for me quietly on the roof nea

fraid of, and the empress told him that to think of e

and don't worry abo

ytus a

py to do everything You

ss left Tirant's lodgings with all the other ladies

visit the

asantly. Afterward the empress stood up, feeling th

e maidens and keep y

s to have the stewards come, as she wanted to change the

come here, and I want to entertain him a li

with linens of silk brocade. Then she had t

saying she had a headache, and in everyone'

s want me to call the docto

in such a way that the emperor does not find out, s

ound it very rapid, because she hoped to do battle with

few sweetened hemp-seeds with a glass of malmsey:

do much of that with my illness. The way I'm feeling

us right away. Or if you wish we'll stand watch at the door to your ch

o this all

the whole bed to myself, and I don't want any of you looking at m

ess was so obedient that she ate a large box of them. Then she had her bed sprinkled with perfume, and she had civet put on the shee

g room was a door that opened out to the roof where Hippolytus was. When she got out of bed Eliseu

ss get out of bed? A

but I forgot to say the devout pray

eu s

ou be so kind as

n reverence to the three Kings of the Orient, that just as they were guided and guarded while they were watching and sleeping, and when they were in the hands of King Herod,

ippolytus crouched down so that no one would see him. That made her very pleased as she thought that her honor would be safe. When Hippolytus saw her, he got up quickly and went to her. He knelt on the ground and kissed her han

ut I will not go to your chamber until m

ay her on the floor, and there the

y. Hippolytus, with great joy, gave her true peace, a

the great perfection I've found in Your Majesty, I don't

s, smiling

not complain about you, or even less about God

us go to bed, and there we will speak of other matters that will

that she was like a maiden, and that she possessed as much beauty as can be found in this world. Her daughter, Carmesina, resembled her in many ways, but not in all, for this lady's beauty, in her time, surpass

" said Hippolytus. "Is it be

more. At first I thought of you as a good man, and now I find you much better and more valiant.

ppolytus. "Why should I

ess, "you have fallen in

lytus, "no one knows ho

e truth when she told the doctors that she would sleep very little that night. Now, tired from staying awake, they slept, for the new day had arrived. When the day was fully upon them the maiden Eliseu, who was completely dressed

ossess the delights of this bed!" Then she thought that no one would be so bold as to enter there against the empress's will. She tried as hard as she could to see who it was, but it was impossible be

o that you will not make any noise, becau

empress was. The maiden went to the door and said the lady w

ctors, "until Her Majesty awaken

She was filled with indecision until the emperor knocked on the chamber door. The maiden, upset

known king? I pray to God Almighty that I will see him with a crown of fire on his head. If he is a duke I hope to see him end his days in prison. If he is a marquis, I hope to see his hands and feet eaten. If he i

did not understand the maiden's words, but he did understand her tone of voice. And so that no one would recognize him, he put his head under the blan

ery moment. And if I cannot speak to you, or you to me, forgive me with all your heart, as I do you, because now I see t

n in a situation like this before. Young as he was, he joined the empress, serving her up tears instead of advice and a

rtyr before Your Majesty,

heard no noise whatsoever,

my son. I will delay them, and

our Majesty even if t

es over. I will give

Your Highness, and I

faith," sai

nt to the chamber door to see if she could hear soldiers or some other bad sign. Through a small crack in the door she saw the emperor and the doctors

you to go into that sitting room until I can mak

ent to you than if you had bought me as a captive, but don't as

what Eliseu told me, at all. There would

and the doctors went to her bed and asked about her illness and how she had spent the night. The empress answered that her headache and

l even better. But in this world a person cannot be completely happy: with the painful awakening this maiden has given me, my spirit is in more anguish than I can sa

mpero

what was it that yo

ress an

unding me, the two of them caught up my hands and kissed them, and they wanted to kiss my feet, but I would not let them. And as we sat on the roof we exchanged many words which gave me great delight, and they were so many and so delicious that they will always remain in my heart. Afterward we entered the chamber, and I held him by the hand. My son and I got into bed, and I put my right arm around his shoulders, and his mouth kissed my breasts. I have never had such a pleasant sleep. And my son said to me, '

emperor, "that all her ta

nt mouth was touching my breasts; and the dreams you have in the morning often come true. I think he

"put this madness out of your

r my health and pleasure, let me rest a lit

ould leave and we let her sleep, because if we take this pleasure

ber except Eliseu. When the doors were closed the empres

rt. Stay in that sitting room until we have slept a little. I shall favor you more highly than all the others, and I will marry you to

l do it. Otherwise I wouldn't stoop to the floor to pick up a needle for him. I tell you, since the time I saw him lying next to Your Majesty, I have

ytus a

I want to love you and do more for you tha

," said Eliseu, "but

nything that b

me for Vespers when they got up, and they found the maiden still crying. When she saw them coming into the sitting room

aiden, "Your Majesty

I'd tell anybody an

second thing, have n

way I can, out of co

est

d. Then she commanded the chamber doors to be opened. Soon her daughter was there, along with

in serving Hippolytus, and she gave him some pheasants to eat. And when he did not want to eat, she begged him on behalf o

eaten lunch. After she had dressed she went to chapel to hear mass, and there was a great dispute

e asked him to leave, telling him to return to her chamber another day after he had rested, and he could take her as he

n on your head before many years have passed. Now, for love of me, wear this. Since it w

d, thanked her, and kissed he

ite jewel to give it to me? If it were mine I would give it to Your

ress an

r refuse what you

you command my life? Wh

may enter this sitting room and find you here. Go now, and let thi

s that the doctors would not let him go as often as he would have liked. The emperor often asked them how many days it would be before he would be entirely well so that he could leave for battle. They told

eaving soon, she thought that she might be able to persuade him to take her along to the camp with the excuse that she would serve him there.

sion. I think he realizes that he will be leaving soon, and he wants to see if he can commit some treachery against Your Highness. He is thinking to himself: If he can do it, well an

him, and we'll see if there is some treachery in his he

find out what's really in his heart, you

out, called a p

is here, in this chamber, and i

anyone to go with him. The Widow was watching carefully to see when he would come, and as soon as she saw him

rist enlightened his disciples, so you spread light to everyone whenever you are in the palace, and as soon as you leave we feel sad. The princess told

drawing room,

e, I thank you very much for saying that. Take this chain as proof of my affection, I beg yo

dow an

ting and bitter grief. Are you so blind that you can't see the dishonest things that are plotted and carried out in this palace? It all seems so vile and abominable to me that I won't agree to any of it. That's why they don't like me. I know for a fact that you're not highly regarded the way you should be. Tell me

who is the woman who would perform

ou don't understand what's so clear. I've tried to find a time when we wouldn't be interrupted by anyone to reveal my pain to you. It seems

not hesitat

what you are asking because your words are filled with so much love. But my fr

she no longer has any honor, and she has none of her father's or her mother's honor either. She could have satisfied her appetites honestly with a valiant and virtuous knight like you, or with many others who are in love with her, but the

simply fables, because I'll let you see it with your own eyes. She has made me live with this enormous pain for a long time. How many kinds of herbs have I gone to pick, and then placed them inside her to destroy the fetus in her infamous stomach! Oh wretch, the poor t

l the melanchol

. I beg you, virtuous lady, show me the cause of my pain, because otherwise I couldn't believe words that sound so unre

ng this conversation the emperor came into the chamber, and when he saw Tirant, he took him by the hand, and

planned won't succeed. But I'll make him give in to me

. Then, feigning laughter, she showed her the

is latest whim. He wants to bring a galley h

to think a great deal about Tirant and how deeply she loved him, and of the gifts that he gave to her ladies because of her. The thought of how much she loved him made her reflect deeply, a

ted for Tirant,

l the princess, even in jest, what I said to you. Before twenty-f

you will have complete confidence in me, I promise by the blessed Saint

ned he saw the Wid

y daughter to go to the orchard right

or had sent the order to the camp for two thousand lancers to come and accompany the captain. When th

use the captain is here; I'll let my

s love doubled in strength. The princess was dressed that day in a skirt of white damask. At that moment her hands were struggling with the cord of her skirt, and she seemed to b

res neither docto

itting, and taking a companion and two squires along as

k of flesh color according to my instructions? It should be over a fine, black skin that would look like Lauseta, the gardener of our or

a great deal of work right now. However, if you pay me well

ducats in gold so that he would do a good job. And he

to him to talk to him. The Widow, who had returned by now, was watching Tirant, and she made a sign to him so that he would notice that his lady was talking to the

th! No matter what she says or does, no one can tell me that the princess would do such a terr

emperor called a ma

er to call the captain and tell him that she wants him to leave for the camp so

nt back to strolling through the garden. When she was near the emperor she called to Tirant and told him that she was tired, and she asked him to take her arm so they c

ke to have a little pity on me, let it allow me to have only a part of my desire, because then I wi

kept her pain se

lways been with you in spirit. I have always loved you and looked on you as a god, and I can tell you that as my age increases so does my love. And now the time ha

hat he could conquer the entire world, and he wanted to tell his cousin Diafebus, the Duke of Macedonia, about it, because he thought everyone would feel just as delighted as he did. And as a gr

aithful and true to you and never to f

e ground to kiss her hands because he was more afrai

ter your great victory, we will take that sweet, delicious fruit of love which

ing voice,

d that every hour I wait seems like a thousand years. I

th a kind face,

o keep myself from losing what I will never be able to recover. I beg you, let us leave this conversation so the

between them and the emperor, and protected them from everyone's view. When the

t are you thi

eror an

n our Church of Santa Sofia, and for every castle, villa and city he has conquered, I want that many standards placed around the high altar with Tiran

m, saying it would be a very good thing to do. When they had made their calculations they found tha

discussing these things, he did not want to be present, and he went

o out to the great hall.

there. Tirant embraced her, and smiling, he took h

l you all my concerns, and tonight I would speak with Her Majesty. We held hands and solemnly swore that as long as she and I should liv

o Tirant. She thought fo

y? Is your grace unaware of what you have in me? My heart, my body, my will and all my thoughts have no other purpose in this world than to serve your grace. I won't say anything more to y

the emperor. The emperor went into the upper chambers, and Plaerdemavida and the princess entertained themselves and decided what time Tirant sh

ce quickly. He met Plaerdemavida coming down the stairs to his quarters. She told him how

else had ever seen it, and it was the most beautiful dress anyone had ever seen at that time. Her gown was of crimson satin embroidered with pearls. Her mantle was lined with ermine, and on her head she wore a stunning imperial crown. Plaerdemavida and Lady Montblanc took lighted torches in their ha

the most beloved in the w

rant r

your wishes b

e princess was coming in from another door, and they met very happily, and Tirant knelt on the ground, and she did likewise. They remained like this for some time. Then they kissed, and

is battlefield until you are lying in bed together. And I won

own from her head and placed it on Tirant's

s of mankind, and came back to life on the third day by Your own power, in a glorified body, true God and true man! May it please Your most Holy Majesty to allow my lord Tirant to possess this crown, with the title and reign over all the Empire of Greece, after the death o

s got up and took some scales that the empero

mother's and father's consent, or that of the people of Greece. Here I hold some scales of perfection: on the right side

e honor, Tirant took the scale o

now would be too many to mention. For Your Highness practices virtue continually and h

the scale on th

the firmness that it has. And I beg you dearly to speak no more

ncess a

eror say, and my mother, and the entire country who think of me as a saint? What will they say of me? There will be no one who can trust Carmesina. And wh

tand the tears of the prince

her Church commands with the following words: 'If a maiden gives herself in true matrimony, he who is able but does not have copulation after marriage is in mortal sin.' As for me, my lady, if you lo

ow about removing her clothing: he unfastened her

re not in bed is lik

ch a treasure, I do

avida ex

you'll have to wait until morning. Afterward Our Heavenly Father could punish you as a knight unworthy of love. Heaven help you if you should fail at a time like this. Seeing that you were such a polite lover, Our Heav

ncess a

could be so cruel. Up to today I've always thought of you as a mother or a sister, but n

ation, and that Tirant, who had taken off his clothes, was at her side working with the artillery to penetrate the castle, she saw that she could not defend

ke me very angry. Tirant, open the eyes of your understanding, and look at the misfortune that

ent that night and to follow her will. Although all night long the two lovers slept very little, but rather played and found amusement now near the head of the bed and now n

pleasure if this delight could last a year, or never end. Arise, Tirant, lord of the Emp

very relucta

ar that my desire will never be satisf

t of their parting. When he was gone Plaerdemavida was so distraught that she could bear no more. The princ

so much that there was no consummation that I feel I shall die from anger. Bring that skinny, spineless knight to me, and yo

as the most valiant and courteous knight he is, for he has w

Tirant. He also sent word to all the knights and ladies of the city so that they would go to the palace. God knows well that in that instance the princess would have liked more to sleep than to leave her chambers. But for love of T

dred seventy-two flags in front, until they came to the church. Tirant wen

rd, all that I

r scripture reading they put up another one. Finally, when the mass was over, all the flags were in place. Tirant did not want to sit in his usual place, or even next to the emperor. Instead he went into a chapel with his Hours in