From city walls or mountain hold,
Hasting Bernardo's camp to fill.

We see, in this ballad, the instinctive habits of thinking entertained by the Spaniards in regard to the French, displayed in all their intensity. There is another description of the same occasion; and both of them strikingly applied to Napoleon's invasion of the Peninsula, and were at that time constantly in the mouths of the Spaniards.

Con los mejores de Asturias.

Leading Asturia's best and bravest
Marshalled in file and rank,
Bernardo sallies forth from Leon,
To war against the Frank,

Who comes, invited by Alfonso,
To seize the Spanish throne,

Deeming, perchance, that none are worthy

To mount it, of Spain's own.

Marching his host two leagues from Leon,

He halts upon a plain,

And thus, in strains of martial courage,
He loud harangues the train.

'Hear me, ye gallant men of Leon,

'Who high and low disdain

'To be or bear the name of villain,—
'Hidalgos, each, of Spain.

'Ye go, Alfonso's faithful liegemen,
'To guard your lives and lands,
To drive beyond España's borders
'The Gaul's invading bands.

'Resolved, no haughty foreign masters
'Shall here their claim advance,
'Nor Leon's valiant sons inhabit
'A fragment of their France.

'Resolved, that time nor tide shall alter
'Your ancient blazonry,

'The grim-faced lions of your scutcheon,
To gaudy fleurs-de-lis.

'Resolved, as were your Gothic fathers,
'No panic of an hour

'Shall force you tamely to surrender
'Your freedom and your power.

'Who dare not fight three foemen,
'Depart ;-we need not them :
'Their comrades, though in number lessened,
'The Gallic host can stem.

'Should I, and they who love Bernardo,
'But one to four remain,

'All France we challenge to the combat
'In the good cause of Spain.'

And furiously the spur Bernardo
Dashed in his destrier's flank,
Shouting, 'España's brave hidalgos,
'Follow me to the Frank.'

Bernardo accordingly marches the Leonese to Zaragoza, where they join forces with the troops of the Moorish King Marsilio, commanded by Bravonel, and pursue the Franks to the defiles of the Pyrenees.

Hallaronse en Roncesvalles.

The squadrons fought in Roncesval,
Spaniard and Frank and Moor:

In the chronicle of Turpin it is related, that when the French received the onset of the Spaniards, Roland sounded his magic horn to recall the Emperor, and preserve his rear-guard from destruction. Its blast was heard even at Saint-Jean-Piedde-Port, where Charlemagne lay with his army; but the traitor Ganelon induced the Emperor to disregard the summons. Hereupon Roland, losing all hope, seeks to break his celebrated sword, Durandal or Durindana, that it may not fall into the hands of the Moors. He furiously strikes at lofty trees, at the rocks themselves; but nothing can withstand the enchanted blade, wielded by so powerful an arm. Oaks are cut down, the rocks fly into fragments, but Durandal remains entire. At length, Roland buries the sword almost to the hilt in a solid rock, and by a violent struggle succeeds

in snapping asunder its blade. Having done this, he sounds his horn once more, not in demand ro expectation of succor, but to announce to the Christians that his last hour is come; and he does it with so much force, that his veins burst in the effort, and he falls bathed in his own blood.

Bernardo led back the victorious legions of his countrymen to Leon, where King Alfonso received them with suitable demonstrations of welcome. In honor of the triumph, bull-fights and other national games were commanded, while the Cortes of the kingdom held their session.

All the grandees and ricoshomes of Leon are present in the Cortes and jousts. Bernardo alone is absent; for he is now preparing to urge the great object of his exertions and sacrifices, the liberation of his father from the castle of Luna. Missing him, who was the ornament and glory of the realm,him whom all eyes sought to behold,—some of the nobles embraced the occasion to promise him their services with the King, if he would honor the Cortes and festivities by his presence. He attends accordingly, and bears off the palm of chivalry in the tournament, as he had in the battle field; and thus pleads his father's cause to Alfonso.

En el castillo de Luna.

'Lord King, in Luna's dungeon keep
'Ye hold my captive sire,' he cries;

'By thee alone a felon deemed,
'But guiltless in all other eyes.
6*

VOL. I.

'Its walls are weary to behold
'So long the prisoned cavalier,
'Who entered there in life's gay prime,
'Which now is withered, old, and sear.

'If aught of crime, which he hath done,

'Ask that Don Sancho's blood should flow,

Enough, I trow, myself have shed,

'In battling with Alfonso's foe.

'Your sister's only son am I :

"Bethink you of Ximena's fame
'Dooming Bernardo's sire to chains,

'You brand her with a wanton's name.

'Lord King, I seek not to offend :

'My suit is clear, my plea is known :— 'Ye hold my sire in prison-bonds,

'Whilst I am fighting for your throne.'

But Alfonso is inexorable. He alleges that he is bound by solemn oaths to hold the Count of Saldaña his prisoner for life. Bernardo concludes to try the effect of loyalty and public services a little longer; resolving, after that, to prefer one final request to the King, and if this be refused, to hurl defiance at his head. In pursuance of this resolution, he faithfully serves Alfonso for a while in his wars with the Saracens. But, finding that no greatness of services availed him, he lost all patience, and fortifying himself, with a chosen band of followers, in the castle of El Carpio, he made incursions continually into the territory of Leon, burning, pillaging, and cutting down every thing before him, until the King was obliged to lay siege to him in his strong hold.