IX. Nor paltry souls are wanting among King Pedro's band, That, now their King is dead, draw near to kiss his murderer's hand. X. The valour of the King that is-the justice of his cause— XI. The murder of the Master,* the tender Infants'† doom, And blessed Blanche's thread of life snapt short in dungeon's gloom, By lips his bounty should have seal'd are blazon'd black abroad. XII. Whom served he most at others cost, most loud they rend the sky, Of dead King Pedro's faithful few-" Alas! our lord lies here!" XIII. But others' tears, and others' groans, what are they match'd with thine, Maria de Padilla-thou fatal concubine! Because she is King Henry's slave, the damsel weepeth sore, Because she's Pedro's widow'd love, alas! she weepeth more. The Master of the order of Saint Iago (see a preceding ballad.) + Two younger brothers, [sons of his father by Leonora de Guzman] who were taken off by Don Pedro, when irritated by the first rebellion of Don Enrique of Transtamara. XIV. "O Pedro! Pedro !" hear her cry-" how often did I say That wicked counsel and weak trust would haste thy life away !" She stands upon her turret top, she looks down from on high, Where mantled in his bloody cloak she sees her lover lie. XV. Low lies King Pedro in his blood, while bending down ye see XVI. The sun shines bright, and the gay rout with clamours rend the sky, XVII. At first, in silence down her cheek the drops of sadness roll, XVIII. In her hot cheek the blood mounts high, as she stands gazing down, The slaughter'd Pedro's marble brow, and lips of livid hue. XIX. With furious grief she twists her hands among her long black hairs, XX. Stop, caitiff tongues !"-they hear her not-" King Pedro's love am I." They heed her not-" God save the King-great Henry !" still they cry. She rends her hair, she wrings her hands, but none to help is near, "God look in vengeance on their deed, my lord lies murder'd here !"— XXI. Away she flings her garments, her broider'd veil and vest, XXII. But none on fair Maria looks, by none her breast is seen,— Save angry Heaven remembering well the murder of the Queen, The wounds of jealous harlot rage, which virgin blood must staunch, XXIII. The utter coldness of neglect that haughty spirit stings, As if a thousand fiends were there, with all their flapping wings; wraps the veil about her head, as if 'twere all a dream The love-the murder-and the wrath-and that rebellious scream; XXIV. For still there's shouting on the plain, and spurring far and nigh, “God save the King—Amen! amen!-King Henry!" is the cry; While Pedro all alone is left, upon his bloody bier, Not one remains to cry to God, " Our lord lies murder'd here!"— THE LORD OF BUTRAGO. [The incident to which the following Ballad relates, is supposed to have occurred on the famous field of Aljubarrota, where King Juan the First of Castille was defeated by the Portuguese. The King, who was at the time in a feeble state of health, exposed himself very much during the action; and being wounded, had great difficulty in making his escape.—The battle was fought A.D. 1385.] 66 I. YOUR horse is faint, my King, my Lord, your gallant horse is sick, His limbs are torn, his breast is gored, on his eye the film is thick ; Mount, mount on mine, oh, mount apace, I pray thee mount and fly! Or in my arms I'll lift your grace-their trampling hoofs are nigh. II. My King, my King, you're wounded sore; the blood runs from your feet, But only lay a hand before, and I'll lift you to your seat: Mount, Juan, for they gather fast-I hear their coming cry; Mount, mount, and ride for jeopardy-I'll save you though I die! |