Thomas Lodge - Broadview Press Publisher's Blog
Thomas Lodge - Broadview Press Publisher's Blog
Thomas Lodge - Broadview Press Publisher's Blog
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1070<br />
1075<br />
1080<br />
1085<br />
sins, in thought of his father, in consideration of<br />
his country. And now came there to his mind how<br />
for six years and more he had lived an abject life,<br />
unworthy his estate, the thought whereof so much<br />
abashed him that it is impossible to reckon up his<br />
perplexities. Then called he to mind the kind<br />
affections of Emine, and his soul bemoaned that<br />
so perfect a person should have so palpable an<br />
imperfection. Now applied he the cause thereof to<br />
the Emperor’s sin, 1 accompting the virgin happy,<br />
that by her want of speech escaped from many<br />
occasions of offence. Then recorded he the effusion<br />
of Christian blood, and of mere compassion<br />
in middest of that thought he wept most bitterly,<br />
when the poor kind beast licked up his tears. In<br />
this sort spent he the night in consideration of<br />
many things, and in conclusion of the adventure 2<br />
of his life for the safety of Christendom.<br />
[During the second day of the battle, Robert (in<br />
his disguise as the white knight) is praised for his<br />
valour by the Emperor. Fleeing from the thirty<br />
knights the Emperor has appointed to uncover his<br />
true identity, Robert is wounded in the thigh by<br />
one of them who believes that the wounded man’s<br />
agony will give him away later at court. Robert,<br />
however, conceals his pain and successfully<br />
resumes his role as the Emperor’s fool. He<br />
deceives everyone except the faithful Emine.<br />
Hearing that the Emperor has promised the hand<br />
of Emine to the man who proves himself the<br />
white knight, the Soldan, availing himself of<br />
magical aid, arrives at court on an exact duplicate<br />
of Robert’s horse, wearing an exact duplicate of<br />
Robert’s armour. After being baptized by the<br />
Pope, the Soldan’s marriage to Emine is planned<br />
for the next day. Although Emine weeps and tries<br />
to get her father to understand that Robert is the<br />
kingdom’s true saviour, she finally agrees (out of<br />
filial love and duty) to wed the Soldan. His oath<br />
still binding him, Robert finds himself helpless to<br />
1 to the Emperor’s sin In sixteenth-century England, a child’s physical<br />
handicaps (such as deafness, blindness, lameness, etc.) were often<br />
believed to be a punishment for the sins of its parent(s).<br />
2 adventure adventuring; hazard, risk.<br />
T HOMAS L ODGE<br />
1090<br />
1095<br />
1100<br />
1105<br />
1110<br />
24<br />
intervene as the wedding party approaches the<br />
altar.]<br />
How the Soldan Entered the City of Rome<br />
in His Disguise and Made His Claim to<br />
Emine, Who Should Have Been Betrothed<br />
unto Him, and What Miraculous Chance<br />
Did thereupon Ensue. [Chapter 17].<br />
Robert among the rest, in a new fool’s attire, was a<br />
special attendant, and oftentimes his heart earned 3<br />
and his soul sighed to see that another should<br />
enjoy his title. Fain 4 would he have spoken, but<br />
religious zeal closed his lips. In brief, when the<br />
solemn service was accomplished, the Pope in all<br />
solemnity presented himself in his pontificalibus 5 to<br />
couple these two magnificent princes together.<br />
Emine was brought forth, the Soldan addressed,<br />
the ceremonies were begun, and the soothfastness<br />
was to be plighted, 6 when (lo, the wondrous works<br />
of almighty God!) Emine at such time as their<br />
hands should have been joined violently drew hers<br />
backward, and inspired by divine providence (after<br />
she had been dumb from her infancy thitherto 7 )<br />
she began thus:<br />
“Unhallowed pagan, who to perform thy lust<br />
counterfeitest religion and to attain my love hast<br />
coined a lie! Know thou that thou canst dissemble<br />
with the world, thou canst not be hidden from<br />
God. With what face, false Soldan, canst thou<br />
claim another’s right? Or entitle thyself to that<br />
honour which thy betters have deserved? It lies<br />
not in that weak hand to contain such hardiness, in<br />
that faint breast to enact such forwardness,<br />
neither, wert thou able in firmness, couldst thou<br />
reach to that honour wanting 8 faith. It was not<br />
man, ye princes; it was no human power, dread<br />
3 earned yearned, longed for.<br />
4 Fain willingly, with pleasure.<br />
5 pontificalibus the dress and accoutrements appropriate to his position<br />
as pope (Latin, “pontificalibus, -e,” adjective).<br />
6 soothfastness was to be plighted the pledging of one’s truth and faith<br />
in marriage; the marriage vows were about to be made.<br />
7 thitherto i.e., up until this point.<br />
8 wanting lacking