The White Knight: Tirant Lo BlancMartorell, Joanot
General
The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc
Martorell, Joanot
Adventure and adventurers -- Fiction; Adventure stories; Knights and knighthood -- Fiction
"'Oh, what a wonder it is,' said the knight who was lying on the
ground, 'when men are victorious because of luck, or someone
else's misfortune. Then they're loose with all kinds of words.
I am the knight of Muntalt, reproachless, loved and feared by
many, and I have always had mercy on men.'
"'I want to use these things you've mentioned in your favor,'
said Tirant, 'because of your great virtue and goodness. Let us
go before the king, and on your knees, at my feet, you will have
to ask me for mercy, and I will forgive you.'
"In a great rage the knight began to speak:
"'God forbid that I should commit an act that's so shameful to me
or mine, or to that eminent lord of mine, Count William of
Warwick, who gave me this bitter order of chivalry. Do whatever
you please with me, because I would rather die well than live
badly.'
"When Tirant saw his ill will, he said:
"'All knights who want to use arms to acquire renown and fame are
cruel, and have their seat in the middle of hell.'
"He pulled out a dagger and stuck the point of it in his eye, and
with his other hand he gave a mighty blow to the hilt of the
dagger that made it come out the other side of his head. What a
valorous knight this one was, preferring death to shame and the
vituperation of the other knights!
"After some days it happened that their Majesties, the king and
queen, were resting in a meadow near the river, dancing and
enjoying themselves. A relative of the queen, named Fair Agnes,
was there. She was the daughter of the Duke of Berri, and the
most graceful maiden I have ever seen. My lord, on that day this
Fair Agnes wore a very pretty bauble between her breasts. When
the dances were over, in the presence of the king and queen and
all the knights, Tirant went up to the genteel lady and kneeling,
he said:
"'My lady, knowing of your great worth in lineage as well as
beauty, grace and wisdom, and all the other virtues that can be
found in a body more angelical than human, I would like to serve
you. I would consider it a great favor if you gave me the bauble
you're wearing between your breasts. If you give it to me, I
will accept it and wear it in your honor and service. And I
swear before the altar and on the order of chivalry, to combat a
knight on foot or on horseback, to the death, armed or unarmed.'
"'Oh Holy Mary be with me!' said Fair Agnes. 'You want to joust
to the death for such a small thing of so little value? So that
you will not lose the prize of your good works and the order of
chivalry, I shall willingly consent in the presence of the king
and the queen. Take the bauble with your own hands.'
"Tirant was very happy with the reply of Fair Agnes. Since the
bauble was tied on with her dress straps, it could not be removed
without untying them, and when he did, his hands could not help
touching her breasts. Tirant took the bauble in his hand and
kissed it. Then he fell to his knees, and said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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