Page:Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical setting (IA cu31924026512263).pdf/132

 emperor saw that it was not in his power to retain him, he wept and all the court wept with him. Then he brought forth his treasures and bade Guy to take whatever might please him, but he would accept nothing. Guy's companions, however, were in a receptive mood, and the emperor gave them whatever they desired. And Guy departed for England, leaving the hearts of the emperor, the princess, and the people of Constantinople filled with woe.

For an account of Tirant's activities while in the service of the Greek emperor, we beg to refer the reader to the analysis. We shall, however, call his attention to the following striking similarities between Tirant lo Blanch and Guy of Warwick. In both these works the empire is described as being in desperate straits. Guy went to Constantinople with one hundred knights; Tirant, with one hundred and forty. In both books the only son of the emperor was slain. In the English romance, Esclandar promised to his lady-love, the sultan's daughter, the head of Guy; in the Catalan work, the King of Egypt expressed his intention of sending to his lady-love, the Grand Turk's daughter, the head of Tirant. Tirant addressed his soldiers on various occasions, as did Guy before the Greeks attacked the enemy. Guy, although never formally appointed leader of the imperial army, was intrusted with the defense of Constantinople; Tirant was in full command of the forces of the emperor. Morgadour cherished hopes of marrying the daughter of His Imperial Majesty, harbored envy and ill will against Guy, and tried to bring about his death; the Duke of Macedonia was one of Carmesina's suitors, hated Tirant, and treacherously attacked him from behind in the midst of battle. In both works the bells were rung when there was cause for rejoicing. Both Guy and Tirant were always successful in their encounters with the enemy. In Guy of Warwick and in Tirant lo Blanch the emperor