VIII.

"Seize-seize him !"-loud the King doth scream-" There are a thousand here

ye

fear?

Let his foul blood this instant stream-What! Caitiffs, do
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 faulchion 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, Condé, 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 turn'd upon his heel, and smiling pass'd away—
Long rued Alphonso and his realm the jesting of that day.

THE

MAIDEN TRIBUTE.

THE reign of King Ramiro was short, but glorious. He had not been many months seated on the throne, when Abderahman, the second of that name, sent a formal embassy to demand payment of an odious and ignominious tribute, which had been agreed to in the days of former and weaker princes, but which, it should seem, had not been exacted by the Moors while such men as Bernardo Del Carpio, and Alphonso the Great, headed the forces of the Christians. This tribute was a hundred virgins per annum. King Ramiro refused compliance, and marched to meet the army of Abderahman. The battle was fought near Albayda, (or Alveida,) and lasted for two entire days. On the first day, the superior discipline of the Saracen chivalry had nearly accomplished a complete victory, when the approach of night separated the combatants. During the night, Saint Iago stood in a vision before the King, and promised to be with him next morning in the field. Accordingly, the warlike apostle made his appearance, mounted on a milk-white charger, and armed cap-a-pee in radiant mail, like a true knight. The Moors sustained a signal defeat, and the Maiden Tribute was never afterwards paid, although often enough demanded. Such is, in substance, the story, as narrated by Mariana, (see Book vII. chap. 13,) who fixes the date of the battle of Alveida in the year eight hundred and forty-four, being the second year after the accession of King Ramiro.

Mr Southey says, that there is no mention of this battle of Alveida in the three authors who lived nearest the time; but adds, that the story of Santiago's making his first appearance in a field of battle on the Christian side, is related at length by King Ramiro himself, in a charter granting a perpetual tribute of wine, corn, &c. to the Church of Compostello. Mr Southey says, that the only old ballad he has seen in the Portuguese language, is founded upon a story of a Maiden Tribute. See the Notes to his Cid, p. 377.

THE

MAIDEN TRIBUTE.

I.

THE noble King Ramiro within the chamber sate,
One day, with all his barons, in council and debate,
When, without leave or guidance of usher or of groom,
There came a comely maiden into the council-room.

II.

She was a comely maiden-she was surpassing fair.
All loose upon her shoulders hung down her golden hair;
From head to foot her garments were white as white may be ;
And while they gazed in silence, thus in the midst spake she.

III.

"Sir King, I crave your pardon, if I have done amiss

In venturing before ye, at such an hour as this;
But I will tell my story, and when my words ye hear,

I look for praise and honour, and no rebuke I fear.

D

IV.

"I know not if I'm bounden to call thee by the name

Of Christian, King Ramiro; for though thou dost not claim

A heathen realm's allegiance, a heathen sure thou art,

Beneath a Spaniard's mantle thou hidest a Moorish heart.

V.

"For he who gives the Moor-King a hundred maids of Spain,
Each
year when in its season the day comes round again;
If he be not a heathen, he swells the heathen's train—
'Twere better burn a kingdom than suffer such disdain.

VI.

"If the Moslem must have tribute, make men your tribute-money,
Send idle drones to teaze them within their hives of honey;
For when 'tis paid with maidens, from every maid there spring
Some five or six strong soldiers, to serve the Moorish King.

VII.

"It is but little wisdom to keep our men at home,

They serve but to get damsels, who, when their day is come, Must go, like all the others, the proud Moor's bed to sleep inIn all the rest they're useless, and nowise worth the keeping.

VIII.

"And if 'tis fear of battle that makes ye bow so low,

And suffer such dishonour from God our Saviour's foe,

I pray you, sirs, take warning,-ye'll have as good a fright,

If e'er the Spanish damsels arise themselves to right.

IX.

"'Tis we have manly courage, within the breasts of women,
But ye are all hare-hearted, both gentlemen and yeomen."-
-Thus spake that fearless maiden; I wot when she was done,
Uprose the King Ramiro and his nobles every one.

X.

The King call'd God to witness, that, come there weal or woe, Thenceforth no maiden-tribute from out Castile should go ;"At least I will do battle on God our Saviour's foe,

And die beneath my banner before I see it so."—

XI.

A cry went through the mountains when the proud Moor drew near,
And trooping to Ramiro came every Christian spear;
The blessed Saint Iago, they called upon his name ;—
That day began our freedom, and wiped away our shame.