Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical settingVaeth, Joseph Anthony
History
Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical setting
Vaeth, Joseph Anthony
Martorell, Joanot, -1468. Tirant lo Blanch
After this disastrous defeat of the Moors, the sultan and all the
men who had been able to escape with him found refuge in the city of
Bellpuig, which was four leagues distant from that in which the King of
Egypt was slain. The imperial forces did not attack the sultan’s army,
but confined their operations for the time to recapturing some of the
other places that had recently been taken by the enemy. The emperor
accompanied the troops from Sicily, who succeeded in recovering several
cities. (Chap. 159)
After the emperor’s return to the castle of Mal Vehi, where he lived
during his visit to the camp, he asked Tirant to recommend some one
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the Constable. The name of
Diaphebus was suggested. And it was the pleasure of the emperor to
appoint Diaphebus Constable of the Empire. Then he turned to Tirant
and said: “And you I shall make the Earl of Sent Angel.” But Tirant
declined the honor, and this greatly displeased His Majesty. And the
Capita Major, not wishing to wound the feelings of the aged monarch,
said that since whatever belonged to Diaphebus was his, and whatever
was his belonged to Diaphebus, he would accept the earldom, but that
the title should be bestowed on his friend, the newly appointed
Constable. The princess was very curious to know why he would not
accept the title, and in his reply to her question, he told her that
he would never accept any title as long as he lived except that of
emperor—either that or none. (Chap. 161)
The appointment of Diaphebus as Constable, and his elevation to the
dignity of Earl of Sent Angel, were celebrated with great splendor.
But Tirant was sad during the festivities. The princess noticed this,
and she asked what grieved him so. He answered that he was filled with
sorrow because she was about to return to Constantinople. Carmesina
told this to Stephania, and they invited Tirant and Diaphebus to visit
them secretly that night. When the visitors came, all the attendants
and companions of the princess were asleep, with the exception of Plaer
de mi Vida, who was wide awake with curiosity, although she pretended
to be sleeping. She heard and saw all that happened, and the next
morning she told Carmesina and Stephania that she had had a wonderful
dream during the night. Being asked to relate it, she told all about
the secret visit of Tirant and Diaphebus. And then she added, with a
sigh, that she regretted deeply that Hypolite and she had not been
invited to the party. (Chaps. 162-163)
That same day the emperor and all who had come with him returned to
Constantinople. The heart of the princess was heavy when the time came
for her to leave Tirant. She veiled her face in order that no one might
see her tears. (Chap. 163)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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