could tell them in as sparkling a manner as she did, the faces and eyes of those young persons who read this book might shine the same. But, as that cannot be, we will try only to show a little who and what this great personage was. СНАРТER XIII. THE STORY OF THE CID. ABOUT the year 1025, there was born in Spain a child who was named Rodrigo Diaz. He was often called, however, Ruy, instead of Rodrigo. His father was a count, and his mother was a countess: so he was of noble birth. But, as he grew up, his father did not seem to know of the high-spirited and valiant temper which had been born also with the boy, until a singular incident happened to bring it to light. The count his father, who was an old man, had been greatly insulted by another count, which insult was felt very bitterly; and he became, in consequence, very sad and disconsolate. At length, he called all his sons to him, determining to tell them what dishonor had happened to him; but, as they approached him one by one, he seized their hands so strongly, pressing and wringing them in his distress, that, when it came Rodrigo's turn, he was forced to call out, "Let go!" and, with eyes flashing fire, he exclaimed, that, if it were anybody but his father, he would not submit to such treatment! His father, instead of being displeased, as one would suppose, was, on the contrary, quite filled with delight; for he felt that now he had a son who could repair the dishonor he had received. When he explained it to him, the young son was indeed fired with indignation that his old father should have been treated with such disgrace: and his first exploit was to seek the guilty offender, and bring him to punishment for his crime; in which he succeeded. For those were the days of chivalry and knight-errantry, when "knights" sought with their own hands to redress wrongs, and punish the guilty; but now we submit all these things to the law, or, in the Christian manner, forget and forgive them, passing them over in silence. The old count was made very happy by this exploit of his young hero, as now his honor was redeemed; and, instead of sitting any longer silent and sad at home for very shame, he arose, and went forth with all his retinue to meet and salute the king, -King Ferdinand of Castile. There were three hundred brave knights in his train, and the brave Rodrigo was honored in riding with them; indeed, he was more honored than all the rest, as will be seen by these verses: "All these knights on mules are mounted; Ruy a war-horse doth bestride: All wear gold and silken raiment; All are girt with jewelled falchions; All wear gloves with perfume scented; All wear caps of gorgeous colors; Ruy, a casque of temper good." *We must remember that Rodrigo had the name also of Ruy; and here the latter is used. The author is indebted for this and all the remaining quotations to the translations in Lockhart's "Romance of the Cid." As they thus went on, the king was seen approaching; and every one of the knights alighted to kneel before him, and to kiss his hand, excepting the bold youth himself. There he sat upon his charger, never offering to dismount; which so displeased his father, that he called upon him to alight, and salute the king. He replied as he had done before, that, if it were anybody but his father who commanded him, he would not do it; but he would not disobey him. Unfortunately, however, as he set out to kneel before the monarch, his sword accidentally flew out of its sheath, and almost struck against the king. The king was greatly startled, supposing for the moment, as he knew the proud spirit of the youth, that it was purposely done; and he exclaimed to him loudly, "Begone from my presence!" Rodrigo was also startled by this, and was vexed and provoked, too, that he had been obliged to kiss the hand of the sovereign; and, very angry, he sprang upon his horse, and turned and rode away, and all the three hundred knights with him. |