King Perion was arrived. Languines went to welcome him, as one who
knew how to do honour to all, and, after they had saluted, he asked
how it was that he came so unexpectedly. "I come to seek for
friends," replied Perion, "of whom I have more need than ever; for
King Abies of Ireland wars upon me, and is now, with all his power, in
my country; and Daganel, his half-brother, is with him; and both
together have collected such a multitude against me that I stand in
need of all my friends and kinsmen; for I have lost many of my people
in battle already, and others whom I trusted have failed me."
"Brother," replied Languines, "your misfortunes grieve me not a
little, and I shall aid you the best I can." Agrayes, who was already
knighted, now came and knelt before his father, saying, "Sir, I beg a
boon." The which being granted,--for King Languines loved him as
himself,--he pursued, "I request that I may go to defend the queen, my
aunt." "And I grant it," answered Languines; "and you shall be as
honourably and well accompanied as may be."
This while had the Child of the Sea been looking earnestly at Perion,
not as his father, for of that he knew nothing, but because of his
great goodness in arms, of which he had heard the fame; and he desired
to be made a knight by his hand, rather than by any man in the world.
To attain this purpose, he thought best to entreat the queen; but her
he found so sad that he would not speak to her, and going to where
Oriana was, he knelt before her, and said, "Lady Oriana, could I know
by you the cause of the queen's sadness?" Oriana's heart leaped at
seeing him whom she most loved before her, and said to him, "Child of
the Sea, this is the first thing ye ever asked of me, and I shall do
it with a good will."--"Ah, lady! I am neither so bold nor worthy as
to ask anything from one like you, but rather to obey what it pleases
you to command." "What!" said she. "Is your heart so feeble?"--"So
feeble, that in all things towards you it would fail me, except in
serving you like one who is not his own, but yours." "Mine!" said she.
"Since when?"--"Since _it pleased you_." "How _since it pleased
me_?"--"Remember, lady, the day whereon your father departed, the
queen took me by the hand, and leading me before you, said, 'I give
you this child to be your servant'; and you said _it pleased you._ And
from that time I have held and hold myself yours to do your service:
yours only, that neither I nor any other, while I live, can have
command over me." "That word," said she, "you took with a meaning that
it did not bear; but _I am well pleased_ that it is so." Then was he
overcome with such pleasure that he had no power to answer; and
Oriana, who now saw the whole power that she had over him, went to the
queen, and learnt the cause of her sadness, and, returning to the
Child of the Sea, told him that it was for the queen, her sister, who
now was so distressed. He answered, "If it please you that I were a
knight, with your aid, I would go and aid the queen, her sister."
"With my leave! And what without it? Would you not then go?"--"No,"
said he; "for without the favour of her whose it is, my heart could
not sustain itself in danger." Then Oriana smiled, and said, "Since I
have gained you, you shall be my knight, and you shall aid the sister
of the queen." The Child of the Sea kissed her hand--"The king, my
master, has not yet knighted me; and I had rather it should be done by
King Perion at your entreaty." "In that," said she, "I will do what I
can; but we must speak to the Princess Mabilia, for her request will
avail with her uncle."
Mabilia, who loved the Child of the Sea with pure love, readily
agreed. "Let him go," said she, "to the chapel of my mother, armed at
all points, and we and the other damsel will accompany him; and when
King Perion is setting off, which will be before daybreak, I will ask
to see him; and then will he grant our request, for he is a courteous
knight." When the Child of the Sea heard this, he called Gandalin, and
said to him, "My brother, take all my arms secretly to the queen's
chapel, for this night I think to be knighted; and, because it behoves
me to depart right soon, I would know if you wish to bear me company."
"Believe me," quoth Gandalin, "never, with my will, shall I depart
from ye." The tears came in the eyes of the Child at this, and he
kissed him on the face, and said, "Do, now, what I told you." Gandalin
laid the arms in the chapel, while the queen was at supper; and, when
the cloths were removed, the Child of the Sea went there, and armed
himself, all save his head and his hands, and made his prayer before
the altar, beseeching God to grant him success in arms, and in the
love which he bore his lady.
When the queen had retired, Oriana and Mabilia went with the other
damsels to accompany him, and Mabilia sent for Perion as he was
departing; and, when he came, she besought him to do what Oriana, the
daughter of King Lisuarte, should request. "Willingly," said King
Perion, "for her father's sake." Then Oriana came before him; and when
he saw her how fair she was, he thought there could not be her equal
in the world. She begged a boon, and it was granted. "Then," said she,
"make this my gentleman knight." And she showed him to Perion kneeling
before the altar. The king saw him how fair he was, and approaching
him, said, "Would you receive the order of knighthood?"--"I would."--
"In the name of God, then! And may He order it that it be well
bestowed on you, and that you may grow in honour as you have in
person." Then, putting on the right spur, he said, "Now are you a
knight, and may receive the sword." The king took the sword, and gave
it to him, and the Child girded it on. "Then," said Perion, "according
to your manner and appearance, I would have performed this ceremony
with more honours; and I trust in God that your fame will prove that
so it ought to have been done." Mabilia and Oriana then joyfully
kissed the king's hands, and he, commending the Child of the Sea to
God, went his way.
THE SPANISH CHRONICLE OF THE CID
The Cid, who was as actual individual, is the Arthur and Roland of the
Spaniards, the great hero of mediaeval Spain. The Chronicles, based on
heroic songs and national traditions of the struggle with the Moors,
pictures for us the life of an old and haughty nation, proud in arms.
It was compiled in the reign of King Alfonso the Wise, who reigned
between 1252 and 1284, and was translated into English by Robert
Southey in 1808.
In the stories here given, Southey's rich and descriptive English has
been retained, the condensation being secured by omitting long,
tedious passages.
WHY DON SANCHO ATTACKED HIS NEIGHBORS
By Robert Southey
History relates that after the death of King Don Ferrando of Spain,
the three kings, his sons, Don Sancho, Don Alfonso and Don Garcia,
reigned each in his kingdom, according to the division made by their
father. Don Ferrando had divided into five portions (one for each of
the sons and one for each of the two daughters, Donya Urraca and Donya
Elvira) that which should all by right have descended to Don Sancho as
the eldest son.
Now, the kings of Spain were of the blood of the Goths, which was a
fierce blood, for it had many times come to pass among the Gothic
kings, that brother had slain brother. From this blood was King Don
Sancho descended, and he thought that it would be a reproach to him if
he did not join together the three kingdoms under his own dominion,
for he was not pleased with what his father had given him, holding
that the whole ought to have been his. And he went through the land
setting it in order, and what thing soever his people asked, that did
he grant them freely, to the end that he might win their hearts.
When King Don Sancho of Navarre, nephew of Don Ferrando, saw that
there was a new king in Castille, he thought to recover the lands
which had been lost when the king, his father, was defeated and slain
in the mountains of Oca. And now seeing that the kingdom of Ferrando
was divided, he asked help of his uncle Don Ramiro, King of Aragon;
and the men of Aragon and of Navarre entered Castille together. But
King Don Sancho gathered together his host, and put the Cid at their
head; and such account did he give of his enemies, that he of Navarre
was glad to lay no farther claim to what his father had lost. The King
of Castille was wroth against the King of Aragon, that he should thus
have joined against him without cause; and in despite of him he
marched against the Moors of Zaragoza, and laying waste their country
with fire and sword, he came before their city, gave orders to assault
it, and began to set up his engines. The Moors seeing that they could
not help themselves, made such terms with him as it pleased him to
grant, and gave him hostages that they might not be able to prove
false. They gave him gold and silver and precious stones in abundance,
so that with great riches and full honourably did he and all his men
depart from the siege.
Greatly was the King of Aragon displeased at this which King Don
Sancho had done. He required he should yield unto him all the spoil
which the King of Zaragoza had given him, else should he not pass
without battle. King Don Sancho, being a man of great heart, made
answer that he was the head of the kingdoms of Castille and Leon, and
all the conquests in Spain were his. Wherefore he counselled him to
waive his demand, and let him pass in peace. But the King of Aragon
drew up his host for battle, and the onset was made, and heavy blows
were dealt on both sides, and many horses were left without a
master. And while the battle was yet undecided, King Don Sancho riding
right bravely through the battle, began to call out Castille!
Castille! and charged the main body so fiercely that by fine force he
broke them; and when they were thus broken, the Castillians began
cruelly to slay them, so that King Don Sancho had pity, and called to
his people not to kill them, for they were Christians. Then King Don
Ramiro being discomfited, retired to a mountain, and King Don Sancho
beset the mountain round about, and made a covenant with him that he
should depart, and that the King of Zaragoza should remain tributary
to Castille; and but for this covenant the King of Aragon would then
have been slain, or made prisoner.
In all these wars did my Cid demean himself after his wonted manner;
and because of the great feats which he performed the king loved him
well, and made him his Alfarez, [Footnote: A standard bearer] so that
in the whole army he was second only to the king. And because when the
host was in the field it was his office to choose the place for
encampment, therefore was my Cid called the Campeador. [Footnote: One
who is remarkable for his exploits]
DON GARCIA DEFIES DON SANCHO
By Robert Southey
While King Don Sancho was busied in these wars, King Don Garcia of
Galicia took by force from Donya Urraca his sister a great part of the
lands which the king their father had given her. When King Don Sancho
heard what his brother had done he was well pleased thereat, thinking
that he might now bring to pass that which he so greatly desired; and
he assembled together his Ricos-omes [Footnote: Noblemen, grandees.] and
his knights, and said unto them, The king my father divided the
kingdoms which should have been mine, and therein he did unjustly; now
King Don Garcia my brother hath broken the oath and disherited Donya
Urraca my sister; I beseech ye therefore counsel me what I shall do,
and in what manner to proceed against him, for I will take his kingdom
away from him. Upon this Count Don Garcia Ordonez arose and said,
There is not a man in the world, sir, who would counsel you to break
the command of your father, and the vow which you made unto him. And
the king was greatly incensed at him and said, Go from before me, for
I shall never receive good counsel from thee. The king then took the
Cid by the hand and led him apart, and said unto him, Thou well
knowest, my Cid, that when the king my father commended thee unto me,
he charged me upon pain of his curse that I should take you for my
adviser, and whatever I did that I should do it with your counsel, and
I have done so even until this day; and thou hast always counselled me
for the best, and for this I have given thee a county in my kingdom,
holding it well bestowed. Now then I beseech you advise me how best to
recover these kingdoms, for if I have not counsel from you I do not
expect to have it from any man in the world.
Greatly troubled at this was the Cid, and he answered and said, Ill,
sir, would it behove me to counsel you that you should go against the
will of your father. You well know that when I went to him, after he
had divided his kingdoms, how he made me swear to him that I would
always counsel his sons the best I could, and never give them ill
counsel; and while I can, thus must I continue to do. But the king
answered, My Cid, I do not hold that in this I am breaking the oath
made to my father, for I ever said that the partition should not be,
and the oath which I made was forced upon me. Now King Don Garcia my
brother hath broken the oath, and all these kingdoms by right are
mine: and therefore I will that you counsel me how I may unite them,
for from so doing there is nothing in this world which shall prevent
me, except it be death.
Then when the Cid saw that he could by no means turn him from that
course, he advised him to obtain the love of his brother King Don
Alfonso, that he might grant him passage through his kingdom to go
against Don Garcia: and if this should be refused he counselled him
not to make the attempt. And the king saw that his counsel was good,
and sent his letters to King Don Alfonso beseeching him to meet him at
Sahagun. When King Don Alfonso received the letters he marvelled to
what end this might be: howbeit he sent to say that he would meet
him. And the two kings met in Sahagun. And King Don Sancho said,
Brother, you well know that King Don Garcia our brother hath broken
the oath made unto our father, and disherited our sister Donya Urraca:
for this I will take his kingdom away from him, and I beseech you join
with me. But Don Alfonso answered that he would not go against the
will of his father, and the oath which he had sworn. Then King Don
Sancho said, that if he would let him pass through his kingdom he
would give him part of what he should gain: and King Don Alfonso
agreed to this. And upon this matter they fixed another day to meet;
and then forty knights were named, twenty for Castille and twenty for
Leon, as vouchers that this which they covenanted should be faithfully
fulfilled on both sides.
Then King Don Sancho gathered together a great host. He sent Alvar
Fanez, the cousin of the Cid, to King Don Garcia, to bid him yield up
his kingdom, and if he refused to do this to defy him on his part.
When King Don Garcia heard this he was greatly troubled, and he said
to Alvar Fanez, Say to my brother that I beseech him not to break the
oath which he made to our father; but if he will persist to do this
thing I must defend myself as I can. He called his chief captains
together and they advised him that he should recall Don Rodrigo
Frojaz, for having him the realm would be secure, and without him it
was in danger to be lost. So two hidalgos [Footnote: A man belonging
to the lower nobility, a gentleman by birth] were sent after him, and
they found him in Navarre, on the eve of passing into France. But when
he saw the king's letters, and knew the peril in which he then stood,
setting aside the remembrance of his own wrongs, like a good and true
Portuguese, he turned back, and went to the king. In good time did he
arrive, for the captains of King Don Sancho had now gained many lands
in Galicia and in the province of Beira, finding none to resist them.
When Don Rodrigo heard this and knew that the Castillians were
approaching he promised the king either to maintain his cause, or die
for it. He ordered the trumpets to be sounded, and the Portugueze
sallied, and a little below the city the two squadrons met. The
Portugueze fought so well, and especially Don Rodrigo, and his
brothers, that at length they discomfited the Castillians, killing of
them five hundred and forty, of whom three hundred were knights, and
winning their pennons and banners. Howbeit this victory was not
obtained without great loss to themselves; for two hundred and twenty
of their people were left upon the field, and many were sorely
wounded, among whom, even to the great peril of his life, was Don
Rodrigo Frojaz, being wounded with many and grievous wounds.
DON GARCIA TAKES DON SANCHO PRISONER
By Robert Southey
A sorrowful defeat was that for King Don Sancho, and he put himself at
the head of his army and hastened through Portugal to besiege his
brother in Santarem.
The Portugueze and Galegos took counsel together what they should do.
Don Rodrigo Frojaz said unto the king that it behoved him above all
things to put his kingdom upon the hazard of a battle; for his brother
being a greater lord of lands than he, and richer in money and more
powerful in vassals, could maintain the war longer than he could, who
peradventure would find it difficult another year to gather together
so good an army as he had now ready. For this cause he advised him to
put his trust in God first, and then in the hidalgos who were with
him, and without fear give battle to the king his brother, over whom
God and his good cause would give him glorious victory. Now when the
two hosts were ready to join battle, Alvar Fanez came to King Don
Sancho and said to him, Sir, I have played away my horse and arms; I
beseech you give me others for this battle, and I will be a right good
one for you this day; if I do not for you the service of six knights,
hold me for a traitor. And the king ordered that horse and arms should
be given him. So the armies joined battle bravely on both sides, and
it was a sharp onset; many were the heavy blows which were given on
both sides, and many were the horses that were slain at that
encounter, and many the men. Now my Cid had not yet come up into the
field.
Now Don Rodrigo Frojaz and his brethren and the knights who were with
them had resolved to make straight for the banner of the King of
Castille. And they broke through the ranks of the Castillians, and
made their way into the middle of the enemy's host, doing marvellous
feats of arms. Then was the fight at the hottest, for they did their
best to win the banner, and the others to defend it; the remembrance
of what they had formerly done, and the hope of gaining more honours,
heartened them; and with the Castillians there was their king, giving
them brave example as well as brave words. The press of the battle was
here, and the banner of King Don Sancho was beaten down, and the king
himself also, and Don Rodrigo made way through the press and laid
hands on him and took him. But in the struggle he lost much blood, and
perceiving that his strength was failing, he sent to call the King Don
Garcia with all speed. And as the king came, the Count Don Pedro
Frojaz met him and said, An honourable gift, sir, hath my brother Don
Rodrigo to give you, but you lose him in gaining it. And tears fell
from the eyes of the king, and he made answer and said, It may indeed
be that Don Rodrigo may lose his life in serving me, but the good name
which he hath gained, and the honour which he leaveth to his
descendants, death cannot take away. Saying this, he came to the place
where Don Rodrigo was, and Don Rodrigo gave into his hands the King
Don Sancho his brother, and asked him three times if he was discharged
of his prisoner; and when the king had answered Yes, Don Rodrigo said,
For me, sir, the joy which I have in your victory is enough; give the
rewards to these good Portugueze, who with so good a will have put
their lives upon the hazard to serve you, and in all things follow
their counsel, and you will not err therein. Having said this he
kissed the king's hand, and lying upon his shield, for he felt his
breath fail him, with his helmet for a pillow, he kissed the cross of
his sword in remembrance of that on which the Son of God had died for
him, and rendered up his soul into the hands of his Creator. This was
the death of one of the worthy knights of the world, Don Rodrigo
Frojaz. In all the conquests which King Don Ferrando had made from the
Moors of Portugal, great part had he borne, insomuch that that king
was wont to say that other princes might have more dominions than he,
but two such knights as his two Rodrigos, meaning my Cid and this good
knight, there was none but himself who had for vassals.
King Don Garcia being desirous to be in the pursuit himself, delivered
his brother into the hands of six knights that they should guard him,
which he ought not to have done. And when he was gone King Don Sancho
said unto the knights, Let me go and I will depart out of your country
and never enter it again; and I will reward ye well as long as ye
live; but they answered him, that for no reward would they commit such
disloyalty, but would guard him well, not offering him any injury,
till they had delivered him to his brother the King Don Garcia. While
they were parleying Alvar Fanez came up, he to whom the king had given
horse and arms before the battle; and he seeing the king held
prisoner, cried out with a loud voice, Let loose my lord the king: and
he spurred his horse and made at them; and before his lance was broken
he overthrew two of them, and so bestirred himself that he put the
others to flight; and he took the horses of the two whom he had smote
down, and gave one to the king, and mounted upon the other himself,
for his own was hurt in the rescue; and they went together to a little
rising ground where there was yet a small body of the knights of their
party, and Alvar Fanez cried out to them aloud, Ye see here the king
our lord, who is free; now then remember the good name of the
Castillians, and let us not lose it this day. And about four hundred
knights gathered about him. And while they stood there they saw the
Cid Ruydiez coming up with three hundred knights, for he had not been
in the battle, and they knew his green pennon. And when King Don
Sancho beheld it his heart rejoiced, and he said, Now let us descend
into the plain, for he of good fortune cometh: and he said, Be of good
heart, for it is the will of God that I should recover my kingdom, for
I have escaped from captivity, and seen the death of Don Rodrigo
Frojaz who took me, and Ruydiez the fortunate one cometh. And the king
went down to him and welcomed him right joyfully, saying, In happy
time are you come, my fortunate Cid; never vassal succoured his lord
in such season as you now succour me, for the king my brother had
overcome me. And the Cid answered, Sir, be sure that you shall recover
the day, or I will die; for wheresoever you go, either you shall be
victorious or I will meet my death.
By this time King Don Garcia returned from the pursuit, singing as he
came full joyfully, for he thought that the king his brother was a
prisoner, and his great power overthrown. But there came one and told
him that Don Sancho was rescued and in the field again, ready to give
him battle a second time. Bravely was that second battle fought on
both sides; and if it had not been for the great prowess of the Cid,
the end would not have been as it was: in the end the Galegos and
Portugueze were discomfited, and the King Don Garcia taken in his
turn. And the King Don Sancho put his brother in better ward than his
brother three hours before had put him, for he put him in chains and
sent him to the strong castle of Luna.
When King Don Sancho had done this he took unto himself the kingdom of
Galicia and of Portugal, and without delay sent to his brother King
Don Alfonso, commanding him to yield up to him the kingdom of Leon,
for it was his by right. At this was the King of Leon troubled at
heart; howbeit he answered that he would not yield up his kingdom, but
do his utmost to defend it. Then King Don Sancho entered Leon, slaying
and laying waste before him, as an army of infidels would have done;
and King Don Alfonso sent to him to bid him cease from this, for it
was inhuman work to kill and plunder the innocent: and he defied him
to a pitched battle, saying that to whichsoever God should give the
victory, to him also would he give the kingdom of Leon: and the King
of Castille accepted the defiance, and a day was fixed for the battle.
Both kings were in the field that day, and full hardily was the battle
contested, and great was the mortality on either side, for the hatred
which used to be between Moors and Christians was then between
brethren.