Knights and knighthood -- Poetry; Romances, English
In his stead, Torrent was elected king by all the noblemen of the
empire, and took the crown. But forty days after this, he quitted
his realm, having intrusted two knights with its government, and
passed to the Holy Land at the head of a large force. There he
fought fifteen years against the infidels, conquered several
towns, and got immeasurable treasures as booty. The king of
Jerusalem, hearing about Torrent’s deeds, and anxious for his own
security, sent his son Leobertus, with an army of 50,000 men,
against Torrent. A pitched battle began, but it was for a long
time doubtful to which side victory would incline, till at last
the two chiefs encountered. The son vanquishing his father decided
the fate of the battle. Torrent was conveyed as a prisoner to
Jerusalem, and thrown into a dungeon. There he lay above a year,
till he was once overheard complaining his misfortunes by his son,
who, touched with pity, prevailed upon the king to set Torrent at
liberty. In this new state Torrent soon found an opportunity to
show his valour and skill in arms, when a grand tournament was
held at Jerusalem. There he proved sole victor over all the
knights, and got the chief prize. The king of Nazareth, who had
assisted at this joust, telling his folk at home who had won the
prize, described the arms and escutcheon of the valiant knight. By
these Desonelle recognized her beloved spouse. At her request the
king called princes and knights from all parts of the world to a
great tournament. The kings of Jerusalem, Greece, Leobertus,
Antony fice Greffoun, and Torrent answered the call. Before an
illustrious assembly of mighty princes and noble ladies, all of
whom were surpassed by Desonelle in beauty and grace, the
tournament began. Leobertus and Antony excelled in it, but the
chief was Torrent, who performed wonders in the joust, vanquishing
all valiant adversaries. The next morning Desonelle could no
longer brook reserve, and was about to discover herself to
Torrent; but overwhelmed with joy she fainted, when she had
scarcely uttered the first words of greeting. It was not till
midday that she was able to tell Torrent and the other knights her
fates and those of her children. Then parents and children
passionately embraced on recognizing each other. At Torrent’s
request, all of them, with the kings of Nazareth, Jerusalem, and
Greece, and many attendants, sailed for Portugal. There the
nuptials of Torrent with Desonelle were celebrated with a great
round of splendid festivities. Torrent was finally elected Emperor
of Rome, and reigned a long time gloriously. He lies there buried
in a fair abbey.
A benediction finishes the romance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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