CHAPTER IV
TIRANT ENTERS THE SERVICE OF THE EMPEROR OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Tirant had been back in Sicily only a week when
the king called him into his presence and read to him
a letter which he had received from the Emperor of Constantinople.
In this letter the emperor described the
sad state of affairs in the empire, and he begged the king
to ask Tirant to come to his assistance. Tirant was
pleased to go, since it was the king's wish that he should.
The ruler of Sicily ordered eleven ships to be fitted out
and provided with all things necessary for the expedition.
When all was ready Tirant sailed for Constantinople
with his small fleet, and on his arrival the gloom of the
city was changed to joy. Tirant, Diaphebus, Ricart,
together with the other knights, disembarked and went
to the emperor to do him homage. His Imperial Majesty
immediately appointed Tirant Commander-in-chief
of his army, and Administrator of Justice. The latter
wished to decline these high positions, but finally accepted
them to please the emperor. Heralds then proclaimed
throughout the city that Tirant lo Blanch was appointed
Capita Major by His Imperial Majesty. When Tirant
went to pay his respects to the empress and the infanta,
he found them dressed in mourning and afflicted with
great grief, for the prince, the only son of the emperor,
had recently fallen in battle. He suggested that in order
to give courage to the people, and to inspire them with
confidence in regard to the final outcome of the war
with the Moors, gloom and despair ought to give way to
