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
Morgadour, the imperial steward, who aspired to the hand of the
emperor’s daughter, became envious of the honors won by Guy, and his
jealousy and hatred increased in proportion as the realization of his
hopes grew less and less probable. He plotted to remove his rival by
suggesting to the emperor that Guy and Heraud be sent as ambassadors
to the sultan to make a proposal of peace. The steward well knew that
if they should go, they would never return. The emperor was willing to
make a proposal of peace to the enemy, but unwilling that Guy should go
on this dangerous mission. However, Guy insisted upon going. He entered
the tent of the sultan defiantly, and proposed to him that he select
a champion to represent the Saracens. Guy himself would defend the
cause of the emperor. If the sultan’s champion should win, the Greeks
were to pay tribute to the sultan and acknowledge him as their lord.
If, however, he should be vanquished, the infidels should leave the
country. The sultan’s answer to the proposal was an order to his men to
take and slay the insolent ambassador. Thereupon the latter drew his
sword and cut off the sultan’s head, seized it, and hurried away on
his steed. He was pursued and attacked by a multitude of Saracens, but
they were unable to take or to slay him. When Guy reached the city, he
gave the head to the emperor, and
Whan thei of the Citee wiste of his comynge
For ioye they ganne all the belles rynge.[43]
[43] Caius MS., p. 235.
The following day, the emperor said to Guy:
Gij, make the redi;
Tomorwe thou schalt mi doughter weddi.[44]
[44] _Ibid._, p. 240.
And so the next day Guy and his companions went to the church, where
they met the imperial family. The archbishop was there to perform the
marriage ceremony. The emperor addressed Guy with these words:
Mi douhter ich giue the here,
And thritti castels with hir also,
With the worthschip that lith ther-to
And half my lond ich giue the,
Befor mi barons that here be.
Thou schalt ben emperour after me:
Biforn them all y graunt it the.[45]
[45] Auchinleck MS., p. 238.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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