Not knowing what she might want, Tirant went quickly. When he
was there, the queen smiled and had him sit at her side. Then
she said softly:
"My eyes have found their lost light, and when I raise my head I
see you as lord of the world, for heaven and earth and all things
that God has created obey you. That night when you brought us
out of the terrible prison, I found such pleasure in your
virtuous appearance, so handsomely formed, that I detested my
betrothed and could not continue to look at him.
I beg you, sir, do me the honor of ruling this land at my side."
Tirant was astonished, and he immediately replied:
"It fills me with great love to serve you, but I must confess my
sin: I have been in love with a maiden of high esteem for a long
while, as she has been with me. If I should betray her love, it
would be worse than death to me. And there is one more reason
that I must not forget: you are a Moor and I am a Christian, and
our marriage would not be lawful."
With tears in her eyes, the queen replied:
"You say that I am a Moor and you are a Christian, and that such
a marriage is impossible.
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