Mediaeval Tales Part 11

II.

"A curse upon thee," cries the King, "who comest unbid to me; But what from traitor's blood should spring, save traitors like to thee?

His sire, Lords, had a traitor's heart; perchance our Champion brave Made think it were a pious part to share Don Sancho's grave."

III.

"Whoever told this tale the King hath rashness to repeat,"

Cries Bernard, "here my gage I fling before THE LIAR'S feet!

No treason was in Sancho's blood, no stain in mine doth lie-- Below the throne what knight will own the coward calumny?

IV.

"The blood that I like water shed, when Roland did advance, By secret traitors hired and led, to make us slaves of France;-- The life of King Alphonso I saved at Roncesval,-- Your words, Lord King, are recompense abundant for it all.

V.

"Your horse was down--your hope was flown--I saw the falchion shine, That soon had drunk your royal blood, had not I ventured mine; But memory soon of service done deserteth the ingrate, And ye've thanked the son for life and crown by the father's b.l.o.o.d.y fate.

VI.

"Ye swore upon your kingly faith, to set Don Sancho free, But curse upon your paltering breath, the light he ne'er did see; He died in dungeon cold and dim, by Alphonso's base decree, And visage blind, and stiffened limb, were all they gave to me.

VII.

"The King that swerveth from his word hath stained his purple black, No Spanish Lord will draw the sword behind a Liar's back; But n.o.ble vengeance shall be mine, an open hate I'll show-- The King hath injured Carpio's line, and Bernard is his foe."

VIII.

"Seize--seize him!"--loud the King doth scream--"There are a thousand here-- Let his foul blood this instant stream--What! Caitiffs, do ye fear?

Seize--seize the traitor!"--But not one to move a finger dareth,-- Bernardo standeth by the throne, and calm his sword he bareth.

IX.

He drew the falchion from the sheath, and held it up on high, And all the hall was still as death:--cries Bernard, "Here am I, And here is the sword that owns no lord, excepting heaven and me; Fain would I know who dares his point--King, Conde, or Grandee."

X.

Then to his mouth the horn he drew--(it hung below his cloak) His ten true men the signal knew, and through the ring they broke; With helm on head, and blade in hand, the knights the circle brake, And back the lordlings 'gan to stand, and the false king to quake.

XI.

"Ha! Bernard," quoth Alphonso, "what means this warlike guise?

Ye know full well I jested--ye know your worth I prize."-- But Bernard turned upon his heel, and smiling pa.s.sed away-- Long rued Alphonso and his realm the jesting of that day.

PART II.

THE YOUNG CID.

The Ballads in the Collection of Escobar, ent.i.tled "Romancero e Historia del muy valeroso Cavallero El Cid Ruy Diaz de Bivar," are said by Mr.

Southey to be in general possessed of but little merit. Notwithstanding the opinion of that great scholar and poet, I have had much pleasure in reading them; and have translated a very few, which may serve, perhaps, as a sufficient specimen.

The following is a version of that which stands fifth in Escobar:--

Cavalga Diego Laynez al buen Rey besar la mano, &c.

I.

Now rides Diego Laynez, to kiss the good King's hand, Three hundred men of gentry go with him from his land, Among them, young Rodrigo, the proud Knight of Bivar; The rest on mules are mounted, he on his horse of war.

II.

They ride in glittering gowns of soye,--He harnessed like a lord; There is no gold about the boy, but the crosslet of his sword; The rest have gloves of sweet perfume,--He gauntlets strong of mail; They broidered caps and flaunting plume,--He crest untaught to quail.

III.

All talking with each other thus along their way they pa.s.sed, But now they've come to Burgos, and met the King at last; When they came near his n.o.bles, a whisper through them ran,-- "He rides amidst the gentry that slew the Count Lozan."--

IV.

With very haughty gesture Rodrigo reined his horse, Right scornfully he shouted, when he heard them so discourse,-- "If any of his kinsmen or va.s.sals dare appear, The man to give them answer, on horse or foot, is here."--

V.

"The devil ask the question!" thus muttered all the band;-- With that they all alighted, to kiss the good King's hand,-- All but the proud Rodrigo, he in his saddle stayed,-- Then turned to him his father (you may hear the words he said).

VI.

"Now, light, my son, I pray thee, and kiss the good King's hand, He is our lord, Rodrigo; we hold of him our land."-- But when Rodrigo heard him, he looked in sulky sort,-- I wot the words he answered they were both cold and short.

VII.

"Had any other said it, his pains had well been paid, But thou, sir, art my father, thy word must be obeyed."-- With that he sprung down lightly, before the King to kneel, But as the knee was bending, out leapt his blade of steel.

VIII.

The King drew back in terror, when he saw the sword was bare; "Stand back, stand back, Rodrigo, in the devil's name beware, Your looks bespeak a creature of father Adam's mould, But in your wild behaviour you're like some lion bold."

IX.

When Rodrigo heard him say so, he leapt into his seat, And thence he made his answer, with visage nothing sweet,-- "I'd think it little honour to kiss a kingly palm, And if my fathers kissed it, thereof ashamed I am."--

X.

When he these words had uttered, he turned him from the gate, His true three hundred gentles behind him followed straight; If with good gowns they came that day, with better arms they went; And if their mules behind did stay, with horses they're content.