Marjorie Bowen

Name: The Great Emprise
Author: Marjorie Bowen

The Great Emprise (1910)

Summary

“The Great Emprise”, published in 1910, is a work by Marjorie Bowen. It explores elements such as Maryon, Johan of Gaunt and Blaunche.

Quotes from The Great Emprise (Marjorie Bowen)

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ Johan of Gaunt hesitated a moment, with a challenging expression in his violet eyes, then passed on disdainfully, and in a blind and absorbed passion of hopelessness and bitterness he stared at the arms of England, carved in the wall at the end of the gallery, and traced with his forefinger the threads of gold in the arras that hung over the door. When he looked round again, almost fearfully, he saw that Sir Maryon, with an anxious face, was pacing up and down the shining boards, and that the two princes were whispering together over the chess-board. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ Would he have asked if he had known—anything?”
“Here he approaches,” said Prince Lyon with a little smile. “Maybe because the Lady Blaunche comes this way from the chapel—does he know that already? Ah, dan Cupid!”
“Oh, peace!” murmured Johan in a tone of anguish; he turned his dark head and gazed passionately at the two knights who were entering the long gallery.
Sir Hew was a tall and well-favoured man, but his son, Sir Maryon, though well enough, was over fair and had a look of weakness; but to Johan's jealous eyes he loomed a very Phœbus, scattering light and conquering. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ As good as dead—for what have I but my honour? And have I not vowed, and has not Sir Hew, my father, vowed that I must have grace for that blow or be shamed?”
“I will not fight with you,” said Johan of Gaunt hastily. “Go your ways for me.”
Sir Maryon bewailed himself.
“It may not be—-my father has vowed—if I were disgraced now I must leave the court and the brightest lady I have ever seen.”
“Ah!” said Johan of Gaunt darkly.
“Certes, she is the phænix of all ladies,” continued Sir Maryon, “and even that bird of Araby was not so rare——” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ Prince Thomas hesitated.
“I do think the Lady Blaunche does not put such value on dragons——” he ventured.
His brother interrupted him with a heavy and sorrowful speech.
“I am an unworthy knight. I would I was like our brother Edward, he knows the way of chivalry, but I have much to learn. I would rather be lying dead, with the ravens pecking my eyes, than be the scorn of my cousin Blaunche.”
“She cannot scorn you,” said Prince Thomas stoutly.
“Alas! alas!” answered Johan. “I have disgraced myself.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ Sir Maryon bent his head, and Johan of Gaunt went on his knees; when his prayer was ended he rose up and was going his way, but Sir Maryon came after him and goaded him.
“No true knight are you, Sir Johan, if you refuse to fight with me—and I shall go back and speak of it before the King and before the Lady Blaunche.”
“For one new come to court you are very easy with my cousin’s name,” returned Johan. “And I will fight since you will not be satisfied another way.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ Johan of Gaunt rose swiftly.
“Sir Maryon says he overthrew me?”
“Yes; in the fields behind St. Peter’s church. Ah, Johan!”
The elder Prince was all bewildered, for he had never considered a lie possible to any but a varlet; a very great rage burnt in his blood; he put his hand to his brow and strode from the chamber, little Thomas fearfully after him. They reached the supper hall and found it full of company.
The great King sat at the head of the board, and Sir Hew stood beside him: before them was Sir Maryon, white and erect. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ You have begun to learn, not when you overthrew Sir Maryon, but when you passed his lie, and it was a better thing than the conquest of dragons; so be not destroubled, for I have taken you to be my knight. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ I wot my heart is sad for his woe, and that I shall never be holy nor full of chivalry; nor are there any longer dragons nor great beasts by way of whom a man may come to honour, and so I am miserable, being a scorn in the eyes of my cousin Blaunche. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ So he lamented himself, and presently looked round, wildly hoping a strange, grim beast might come out of the wood.
“For I must do,” he said, “some great emprise.”
But he saw nothing wonderful—only Sir Maryon coming, clad in full armour, across the long grass. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Marjorie Bowen, The Great Emprise (1910)

“ The longest-living author of this work died in 1952, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 71 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works. ”

Marjorie Bowen

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