Thomas Lodge - Broadview Press Publisher's Blog

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Robert devout in his follies, Emine detained with
fancies, Behenzar sailing to Babylon, who with
such expedition followed his business that with a
prosperous wind he arrived in Assyria, and so
hastily posted to Bagdet. 1 What there ensued the
chapter following shall declare.
[In the next chapter, the Soldan arrives in Italy
with a huge army and, after having burned and
sacked many Italian towns and cities, besieges
Rome. Although the Emperor heads a force made
up of brave princes from a number of Christian
countries, he is soundly defeated by the Soldan,
losing 1,700 men.]
Of the Great Moan that Was Made
Throughout Rome for the Loss of the Christians,
and How Emine the Next Day of
Battle Gave Robert the Devil a Rich White
Armour and Shield, with a White Horse,
Who Rescued the Emperor, and Did Wonderful
Deeds of Arms. [Chapter 15].
Great was the moan through all Rome for the
Christians’ ruin, many the tears of the mothers
bemoaning their sons, many the sighs of the
daughters weeping for their fathers. There was no
house in the city which solemnized not some
funeral, and happy was he in his misfortune whose
son had been most forward. 2 But among all the
mestfull 3 families, the Emperor’s court was most
unfortunate, where instead of rich spoils the
imperial chambers were replenished with dead and
wounded bodies, and confusion, seeming to have
elected her habitation in that place, began to infect
every particular person with his poison. The
Empress, bathed in tears, had her eyes almost
choked up with weeping, and Emine, the flower of
beauty, seemed like the rose overwashed with
overlirant shows; her crimson stains became pale
1 Bagdet Baghdad, then the capital of Assyria (encompassed by
much of present-day Iraq).
2 forward courageous.
3 mestfull mestive: mournful.
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and bleak colors; so much doth sorrow alter both
the inward and outward abilities.
Robert, aggrieved in heart to see these discontents,
groaned in mind though he dissembled 4
mirth, practicing all means possible to delight the
Emperor, to move laughter to the Empress, to
content Emine. Fain 5 would he have enterprised
arms, but he durst not, fearing it was prejudicial to
his vow, and so much courage wrought in his heart
that espying his confessor one day, who by reason
of these wars had withdrawn himself into the city,
he by signs showed his desires to do the Emperor
service. The good old man falling on his neck
blessed him, and confidently persuaded him thereunto
(so his desire were not for vainglory sake, but
for the honour and in the name of Christ). Robert
resolved herein became more frolic, moving great
pleasure in the princes by kissing their swords and
playing with their arms.
Many battles were there fought, wherein he
would fain have been present. One day among the
rest, at such time as the princes issued out to
battle, Emine called Robert up into the top of a
high turret, from whence they might behold all the
manner of the conflict. But, alas, the day was fatal
to the Christians, and the cries of them that fled
pierced the very heavens. Robert, not able to
endure these massacres, wept bitter tears for
anger, and seeing Emine discontent made signs
unto her for armour. She, by divine instinct somewhat
ascertained of his intent, secretly with her
own hands armed him in a rich, white armour of
her father’s (which he used in his youth), giving
him a fair sword and shield, and, shutting his
beaver, 6 close 7 commanded that a horse should be
given him. The grooms of the Emperor’s stable
gave him a fierce and stout steed of self-like
colour as his arms were of, on which speedily
mounting he issued forth of the gates, gathering
together the scattered troops, and entered the
thickest of the Saracens with such fury that before
4 dissembled feigned, pretended.
5 Fain willingly, eagerly.
6 beaver the visor of a war helmet.
7 close secretly, covertly.