The dreadful tale! I told him of my vow; Of obstinate will perverse, the which, with pride And shame and self-reproach, doth sometimes make A woman's tongue, her own worst enemy, Run counter to her dearest heart's desire, . . In that unhappy mood did I resist Old Barret tells the story as Ancient Pistol would have done: "In Ulit's time there regalized in Spain One Roderick, king from the Gothians race't; A piece by Nature quaintly symmetrized, Despon It is thus related in the fabulous Chronicle:que el Rey ovo descubierto su coraçon à la Cava, no era ča que la no requiriesse una vez ó dos, y ella se defendia out buena razon: empero al cabo como el Rey no pensava essa como en esto, un dia en la siesta embio con un doazel ye por la Cava; y ella vino á su mandado; y como en essa tora no avia en toda su camara otro ninguno sino elios todos tres el cumplio con ella todo lo que puso. Empero tanto sabed que si ella quisiera dar bozes que bien fuera oyda de la reyua, mas callosse con lo que el Rey quiso fazer."— P. 1. c. 172. In this fabulous Chronicle Roderick's fall is represented as the work of his stars:-"Y aunque à las vezes pensara e gran yerro en que tocava, y en la maldad que su coraçon, ava cometido, tanto era el ardor que tenia que lo olvidarat da, esto acarreava la malandança que le avia de venir, y la struycion de España que avia de aver comienço para se haze”, y quiero vos dezir que su constelacion no podia escusar que esto no passasse assi; y ya Dios lo avia dexado en su discre cion; y el por cosa que fuesse no se podia arredrar que no topasse en ello."— P. I. c. 164. "Certes," says the fabulous Chronicler," he was a Lord o greater bounty than ever had been seen before his time. - Be used to say, that if all the world were his, he would rather lose it than one friend; for the world was a thing which, if were lost, might be recovered; but a friend, once lost, cosid never be recovered for all the treasure in the world And because he was thus bountiful, all those of Spain were ! kewise and they had the fame of being the most liberal met in the world, especially those of the lineage of the Goths Never a thing was asked at his hands, whether great or smail, to which he could say no; and never king nor other grist lord asked aid of him that he denied, but gave them of ins treasures and of his people as much as they needed. doubt not, but that if fortune had not ordered that in his tuber the lineage of the Goths should be cut off, and Spain stroyed, there was no king or emperor whom he would not have brought into subjection; and if the whole world, anghe to be placed in the power of one man (speaking of writt things), there never was, nor will be, a man deservt.gi possess it, save he alone. But as envy is the beginning of al evil, and saw how great was the goodness of this king be never rested till she had brought about that things should be utterly reversed, even till she had destroyed him. Os great damage to the world will it be when God shall entert that so much bounty, and courage, and frankness, and do should be destroyed for ever! All nations ought to themselves in wretched weeds one day in the week to me for the flower of the world, and especially ought the people of Spain to make such mourning."— Chronica del Rey Dam Ra drigo, p. 1. c. 55. And again, when the last battle is approaching, be prasm All his most earnest prayers to let the power With kindling warmth his suit, like one whose life My cruel self-reproaches, nor my grief, Whom I loved best. Dost thou recall that curse? The reins to wrath too long,.. because I wrought So should be: 'tis his rightful punishment; ... His hand, and pointed where Siverian lay For whom they mourn with anguish unallay'd, Venturing towards her an imploring look, One whose stern virtue, feeling in itself Of weakness and of guilt. I wrong'd thee, Father!.. the king:"Y el Rey era el mas esforçado hombre de coraçon que nunca se oyo dezir: y el mas franco de todo lo que podia aver; y preciava mas cobrar amigos que no quanto tesoro pudiesse estar en su reyno, hasta el día que creyo el consejo del traydor del conde Don Julian; y á maravilla era buen cavallero que al tiempo que el no era rey, no se hallava cavallero que á la su bondad se ygualasse, y tanto sabed que sino por estas malandanças que le vinieron, nunca cavallero al mundo de tales condiciones fue; que nunca á el vino chico ni grande que del se partiesse despagado á culpa suya."— Pl. 1. c. 213. The manner in which Florinda calls upon her father to revenge her is curiously expressed by Lope de Vega:. "Al escrivirle tiemblan pluma y mano, Llega el agravio, la piedad retira, "No son menos las letras que soldados, Los ringlones yleras y esquadrones, Que al son de los suspiros van formados Haciendo las distancias las diciones: Los mayores caracteres, armados "Breve processo escrive, aunque el sucesso Jerusalen Conquistada, 1. 6. f. 138. I remember but one of the old poets who has spoken with compassion of Florinda: It is the Portugueze Bras Garcia Mascarenhas, a writer who, with many odd things in his poem, has some fine ones. "Refresca em Covilham a gente aflita, Nam se sabe que nome entam a honrava; Muyto deposis foy Cava Julia dita, Por nascer nella a desditada Cava. Nam a deslustra, antes a acredita Filha que a honra mais que hum Rey presava ; Viriato Tragico, Canto ii. St. 118. XL. COUNT PEDRO'S CASTLE. TWELVE weary days with unremitting speed, Cautious with course circuitous they shunn'd The embattled city, which in eldest time Thrice-greatest Hermes built, so fables say, Now subjugate, but fated to behold Ere long the heroic Prince (who passing now Of rout and death through many an age of blood. How then, Alphonso, did thy eager soul Chide the slow hours and painful way, which seem'd Lengthening to grow before their lagging pace! Youth of heroic thought and high desire, "Tis not the spur of lofty enterprize That with unequal throbbing hurries now The unquiet heart, now makes it sink dismay'd; His soul is sick with hope. So near his horne, As earth from heaven. Sorrow in these long months Or what if at his flight the bloody Moor Just then that faithful servant raised his hand, From whom to learn if time or chance had wrenght Is it the spoiler's work? At yonder door Return'd to tell the symbols of good hope, Fronting the gate the standard-bearer holds Doth aught of fear find utterance, though perchance But, Pedro, thou art calm; thou dost not share XIL THE VOW. ALWAYS I knew thee for a generous foe, Our ancient houses, that those happy days, Her smiles had been its daily food of love. I need not tell thee what Alphonso is,.. Already had that hope, Here, in thy presence, thus we pledge our hands! Strange hour to plight espousals! yielding half To superstitious thoughts, Favinia cried, And these strange witnesses!.. The times are strange, With thoughtful speech composed her Lord replics, And what thou seest accords with them. This day Is wonderful; nor could auspicious Heaven With fairer or with fitter omen gild Our enterprize, when strong in heart and hope We take the field, preparing thus for works Unwillingly Peace! he replied: thou know'st there is no choice, Of piety and love. I did not raise the storm; I cannot turn Its course aside! but where yon banner goes Even as he spake, the astonish'd troop set up A shout of joy which rung through all the hills. Alphonso heeds not how they break their ranks And gather round to greet him; from his horse Precipitate and panting off he springs. Pedro grew pale, and trembled at his sight; Favinia claspt her hands, and looking up To Heaven as she embraced the boy, exclaim'd, Lord God, forgive me for my sinful fears; Unworthy that I am,.. my son, my son ! I yielded to my people's general voice, To shine amid the pageantry of war, Where Odoar by his counsel might direct Then looking to his men, he cried, Bring forth The armour which in Wamba's wars' I wore... Alphonso's heart leapt at the auspicious words. Count Pedro mark'd the rising glow of joy,.. Doubly to thee, Alphonso, he pursued, This day above all other days is blest, From whence as from a birth-day thou wilt date Thy life in arms! Rejoicing in their task, The servants of the house with emulous love The sword, his comrade lifts the helm on high: 1 In the valuable history of this king by a contemporary writer, the following character of the French is given: "Hujus igitur gloriosis temporibus, Galliarum terra altrix perfidiæ infami denotatur elogio, quæ utique inæstímabili infidelitatis febre vexata, genita a se infidelium depasceret membra. Quid enim non in illa crudele vel lubricum? ubi conjuratorum conciliabulum, perfidiæ signum, obscenitas operum, fraus negotiorum, venale judicium, et quod pejus his omnibus est, contra ipsum Salvatorem nostrum et Dominum, Judæorum blasphemantium prostibulum habebatur. Hæc enim terra suo, ut ita dixerim, partu, perditionis suæ sibimet præparavit excidium, et ex ventris sui generatione viperea eversionis suæ nutrivit decipulam. Etenim dum multo jam tempore his febrium diversitatibus ageretur, subito in ea unius nefandi capitis prolapsione turba infidelitatis adsurgit, et conscensio perfidiæ per unum ad plurimos transit." -S. Julian, Hist. Wambæ, § 5. España Sagrada, vi. 544. 2 The Partidas have some curious matter upon this subject. "Cleanliness makes things appear well to those who behold them, even as propriety makes them seemly, each in its way. And therefore the ancients held it good that knights should be made cleanly. For even as they ought to have cleanliness within them in their manners and customs, so ought they to have it without in their garments, and in the arms which they wear. For albeit their business is hard and cruel, being to strike and to slay; yet notwithstanding they may not so far forego their natural inclinations, as not to be pleased with fair and goodly things, especially when they wear them. For on one part they give joy and delight, and on the other make them fearlessly perform feats of arms, because they are aware that by them they are known, and that because of them men take more heed to what they do. Therefore, for this reason, cleanliness and propriety do not diminish the hardihood and cruelty which they ought to have. Moreover, as is aforesaid, that which appears without is the signification of what they have in their inclinations within. And therefore the ancients ordained that the squire, who is of noble lineage, should keep vigil the day before he receives knighthood. And after midday the squires shall bathe him, and wash his head with their hands, and lay him in the goodliest bed that may be. And there the knights shall draw on his hose, and clothe him with the best garments that can be had. And when the cleansing of the body has been performed, they shall do as much to the soul, taking him to the church, where he is to labour in watching and beseeching mercy of God, that he will forgive Many a time Alphonso from his nurse's lap had stretch'd His infant hands toward it eagerly, Where gleaming to the central fire it bung High in the hall; and many a time had will With boyish ardour, that the day were come When Pedro to his prayers would grant the b His dearest heart's desire. Count Pedro the Would smile, and in his heart rejoice to see The noble instinct manifest itself. Then too Favinia with maternal pride Would turn her eyes exulting to her Lord, And in that silent language bid him mark His spirit in his boy; all danger then Was distant, and if secret forethought fairt Of manhood's perils, and the chance of war, Hateful to mothers, pass'd across her mind, The ill remote gave to the present hour A heighten'd feeling of secure delight. No season this for old solemnities, For wassailry and sport;.. the bath, the bed, The vigil,.. all preparatory rites him his sins, and guide him so that he may demer well in that order which he is about to receive: t that he may defend his law, and do all other thines an as it behoveth him, and that he would be his d keeper in all dangers and in all difficulties. And he TM bear in mind how God is powerful above all things i show his power in them when he listeth, and espec affairs of arms. For in his hand are life and dest and to take away, and to make the weak strong, mita 6 weak. And when he is making this prayer, he mutt his knees bent, and all the rest of the time on foot a he can bear it. For the vigil of knights was not orde be a sport, nor for any thing else, except that they di who go there, should pray to God to protect them, 157 them in the right way, and support them, as we entering upon the way of death."— Part, ii. Th.≈ 2 "When the vigil is over, as soon as it is day, be m to hear mass, and pray God to direct all his feats 15: vice. And afterwards he who is to knight him shall ask him, if he would receive the order of knighthood:he answereth yea, then shall it be asked him, if he will ta tain it as it ought to be maintained; and when he sha promised to do this, that knight shall fasten on 134 order some other knight to fasten them on, accor Lat: manner of man he may be, and the rank which be b And this they do to signify, that as a knight patteh si the right and on the left, to make his horse galios forward, even so he ought to let his actions be forward, swerving on neither side. And then shal ter be girt on over his brial. Formerly it was ordami k when noble men were made knights, they should b» 2 all points, as if they were about to do battle. EZEK held good that their heads should be covered for Dr cover their heads do so for two reasons: the one to bứcthing there which hath an ill look, and for that rest may well cover them with any fair and becoming on The other reason is, when a man hath done some u thing of which he is ashamed. And this in no wise di noble knights. For when they are about to rescive si and so honourable a thing as knighthood, it is not fro they should enter into it with any evil shame. Beltr fear. And when they shall have girded on his sword shall draw it from out the scabbard, and place it in 15: hand, and make him swear these three things: frst. Th shall not fear to die for his faith, if need be; second; |