said he, "I come in the name of Almanzor fuse a challenge? How could he deceive to defy to the combat of death Gonsalvo of the wishes of his sovereigns-the hope of Cordova. To-morrow morning at daylight, the army, and sacrifice his duty, his country in presence of our army, the prince of Granada will await him in the plain."

Gonsalvo uttered a cry which the queen supposed proceeded from joy, and without giving him time to reply

and his glory to love? Oppressed with these opposing feelings, he withdrew from the crowd around him and retired in company with Lara. Then throwing himself into the arms of his faithful friend, he bathed his

Herald," said she, "Gonsalvo accepts face with tears and repeated a thousand the challenge. Ferdinand will conduct the times the oath he had made his beloved to

combat in person. We pledge our royal word. Go bear my response."

She then turned to Gonsalvo, who endeavored to conceal from her eyes the confusion which agitated him

avoid a combat with Almanzor. He mentioned the insuperable obstacle which victory would oppose to his marriage with the princess-the grief, the rage of Muley-Hassan, the threat of Zulema to smother her love forever if he should shed the blood of her bro

"Column of my throne," said she, "my prayers have been heard at last. When this ther. barbarian killed my son-in-law, I besought "She will cease to love me," said he in the All-Powerful to deliver him into your despair; "my friend you cannot comprehands. He has heard the prayer. Rejoice hend, you cannot conceive the misfortunemy daughter! the death of Alfonso will be the horrible misfortune of being no longer revenged."

Ferdinand approved her sentiments and shared her feelings. He unbelted his terrible sword, the same which in the hands of the Cid, had avenged his country and his father, conquered Ximena and Valencia, and which the sovereigns of Arragon had preserved as a precious treasure.

"Oh thou," said he to Gonsalvo, "so much like to Rodrigo, receive this his sword. To me it descended with my crown, to thee, it belongs for thy valor. Let this steel punish the murderer of Alfonso, cause the triumph of Spain and remain forever afterwards in your hands, the most worthy to bear it."

beloved by Zulema. I could endure her absence, I could endure tortures, all the torments of jealousy-I could drag along my unhappy life, waiting an entire century for the happiness of seeing her but a moment, but to fail in my plighted faith, to cause her tears to flow, to bring upon myself her hatred. Great God! the hatred of Zulema. No, my friend, I will die first-I prefer to give up my barren glory. Kill me with your own hand that I may not commit so horrible a crime."

Lara heard him in silence; he had no need to remind Gonsalvo of what was due to his country; his tears manifested that he had All the chiefs applauded-all surrounded not forgotten it. Lara embraced him, pressthe hero, predicted his victory, announced ed him to his heart, and fearing a refusal, the fall of Granada, when it lost its defen- proposed with timid voice to fight for him. der, and giving themselves up in advance to The hero rejected the offer, which humiliathe joy of seeing him triumph over a rival ted his valor and alarmed his friendship. in glory, they showed that their generous The danger of a combat with Almanzor is hearts could admire without being jealous. great. Gonsalvo cannot yield it. Gonsalvo Gonsalvo confused and dejected could scarce- expose the life of the friend most loved by ly respond to the queen, to Ferdinand, and him. He shuddered at the idea. He ento his companions-was about to declare joined Lara not again to mention it-repenthat Zulema had saved his life-that he was ted of having explained himself too freely, bound to this princess by the strongest ties and resolved to perform his duty. He med-that her brother was to him a sacred ob-itated how he might employ all his strength, ject. But honor, severe honor, that idol of all his skill to preserve his own life without great souls, the honor which counts for no- taking that of his enemy. thing, the afflictions of tender hearts impos

When he had conceived this chimerical ed silence on the hero. How could he re- hope the night was far advanced-the two

friends had retired to sleep, when suddenly You would not have permitted me to lower they were awakened by one of the soldiers myself in the eyes of my country and merit who was on guard at the gatesits contempt. But calm your heart. My

"Great Captain," said he, "a wandering lance and my sword shall only serve to-morminstrel of Spain, singing the exploits of row for my defence. I will die rather than heroes and the afflictions of faithful lovers, take the life of Almanzor. I will die happy wishes to speak to you. He is alone and for honor and for Zulema." beyond the entrenchments."

Listen," said the princess, "I am but a The enamored Gonsalvo who thought that weak woman, little instructed in the barbaall the world must speak of Zulema, arose rous laws which guide heroes in their comhurriedly, besought his friend not to accom- bats. Perhaps I might recall to mind your pany him, and proceeded to the gates with oaths and ask if honor, the sacred honor of the soldier. Scarcely had he reached the wall pure souls, which is not always the honor of when he discovered at a distance a minstrel warriors, does not prohibit the directing of enveloped in an ample coat near to the ditch, your sword against the brother of your lover singing a sweet melody to the attentive sen--from failing in your most sacred promises, tinels. The sound of the voice which Gon- from causing the death of my virtuous fathsalvo seemed to recognise, and the mystery er in sorrow and despair. But I adore you which surrounded the stranger excited the Gonsalvo, and everything that contributes to curiosity of the hero. He ordered the gates your glory is honorable in my eyes. Fear to be opened and advanced to address him. not that I come here to give counsels unBy the light of the moon, he recognized worthy of your valor-to abuse the power I Amina, the faithful slave of Zulema. He may possess over you to request a disgraceuttered a cry of joy and hastened to inquire ful act. No! Gonsalvo, fear it not. I have for the object of his love. come to swear to you again that you are the only object I have ever loved, that until my

"Good Heavens!" interrupted the hero,

"She is in that grove," responded the slave, pointing to a wood which could be last moments of life I will love but you. I seen from the foot of the wall. "To see come certain of my death to say to you for and speak to you she has left Granada; by the last time her order I have come thus disguised to seek and conduct you to her presence. The hero" do you wish.. went on, left far behind the slave who was to guide him, ran, arrived at the grove, saw the princess and threw himself at her feet. He wished to speak, but tears interrupted his words, he pressed her beloved hand to his lips, but Zulema gently withdrew it, and strengthening her voice, said to him:

"What have I heard? What horrible rumor is it which has obliged me to leave Granada to seek you alone by night, in this deserted grove, to neglect for you my duty to my father, to my country and myself? Is it true that the sword presented by me must pierce the breast of Almanzor?"

"I wish you to hear me, to understand my unhappy position, and yourself judge, if I can support life. It is due to you to give an account of the motives which influence me to put an end to that life which belongs to you alone. Learn what has passed. Learn that from the summit of happiness I have been suddenly thrown into the abyss of misery. I have spoken to my father-1 have told him all—I have moved his tender heart. Secretly advised that the impious. Alamar had dared again to threaten me, we were about to leave Granada and to fly forever from Boabdil. A ship loaded with our "Zulema," answered Gonsalvo, "afflict riches was to have borne us to Sicily. There not an unhappy man. Almanzor invited me you could have come as soon as peace or a to the contest. My sovereigns accepted his truce would have permitted you to leave your challenge. My sovereigns and all the army sovereigns. There contented among Chrishave placed their cause in my hands. Can tians professing your own holy religion which I refuse? Ought I to make known our se- has so long been mine, I would have plightcrets or give them cause to suspect my cour-ed my faith before your altars. My beloved age? No, you would not have permitted it? father had given his consent. There, tran

....

quil, unknown, forgotten by the world, occu- Time passed, the hour approached, he forpied only in our pleasures, in making that got . . . . when suddenly his eyes fell upon worthy old man happy, in enjoying those his sword, the sword of the Cid presented by sweet pleasures which pure souls can only his sovereign. He remained motionless; the enjoy together, we would have seen our ra- name, the great name which came to his pid days flow by, the few days which heav- memory, the purpose for which it was given en grants to mortals in tenderness and hap--the blood of the father of Ximena, which piness. At the moment when I was intoxi- Rodrigo had shed notwithstanding his love, cated with the charm of this hope, it was all in a moment recalled to Gonsalvo the dutold me that to-morrow you were either to ties in which he was about to fail. Shame kill my brother or receive death at his hands. colored his face and a cold sweat ran through Do not deceive yourself Gonsalvo! Do not his limbs. The image of Lara offered itself believe that you can with Almanzor, shun to his vision, Lara who waited for him, who death without giving it. My brother as va- answered to the army for the glory of his liant as yourself, as well skilled in your ter- friend-the morning was already advanced rible art, has promised to die or kill you. Gonsalvo uttered a piercing cry, My brother complies with his words; his placed in the arms of Amina the beloved cause is better than yours; he wishes to body which he sustained, took the hand of liberate his country-you wish to enslave it; Zulema, pressed it to his lips, left her hastihe fights to save his wife-you fight to lose ly, returned, recommended her to the care of your beloved, to render impossible forever her slave, again took the beloved hand which that marriage now so difficult, the hope of he bathed with his tears, summoned all his which consoled me and supported my exis- strength, tore himself at last from her side tence. If fortune is equal, if heaven is and afraid to turn his face, hastened towards just, you will be conquered, And do you Santa Fe. think I could survive it? If you triumph, I He had scarcely left the grove when he ought to abhor you, but death is more easy. heard voices and groans, and saw a troop of Adieu, then, unhappy friend, adieu since I borsemen, wandering through the wood and can yet give you the sweet name of friend, filling the air with mournful cries. The unspeak to you, look at you, press without happy Bereberes whom Zora had left in Coscrime that beloved hand which I hoped to tama, uneasy about the fate of the young unite with mine, that hand which within a bride, had been seeking her since the previshort hour may Adieu Gonsalvo, ous day, and had just learned that she had adieu forever." been killed near the walls of the Christian In pronouncing these words a trembling City. Penetrated with grief, burning with seized upon her; she loosed with an ef- the desire of vengeance, they had scarcely fort, the hand of Gonsalvo, and sobbing seen Gonsalvo, when thirsting for Spanish ed adieu, attempted to leave but fell down blood, they united to attack him. The hero senseless. The hero raised her, the slave drew his sword and placing himself under hastened to assist her-but nothing could the shelter of a tree to defend himself against restore her to herself, and already the first so many, maintained on foot, without helmet light of morn began to brighten on the hori- the dangerous combat. Numbers fell bezon. Gonsalvo beside himself, intoxicated neath his blows, but he was compelled to fly with love-perceived the dawning of the from tree to tree, and in despair saw that a day but could not leave the princess. He new enemy succeeded each one he conquersaw her pallid, lifeless, her head fallen, her ed. Time advanced, the sun was now brilhair dishevelled. He sustained her in his liant in the Heavens. Gonsalvo redoubled arms-he felt on his tremulous hands the tears which yet flowed from the eyes of Zulema. His reason abandoned him, and he thought no longer of the appointed combathe thought only of his beloved-he saw but Zulema in the universe.

his efforts-attempted to possess himself of a horse, but the Numidian coursers fled and recognized no voice but their masters! He attempted to open a passage through their lances, but the Bereberes, light as air, approached and pressed him in on every side.

In the meantime the valiant Almanzor, at centre to Nuñez. He stationed himself with break of day had sought his armor. Weak the Knights of Calatrava in front of king from his wounds, but sustained by his vir- | Boabdil. tues, and by his love of country, he fancied Isabel from the heights of the wall anihe had regained all his strength, and he had mated the soldiers with her presence, and never felt more ardor. He clothed himself waited only for Gonsalvo to give the last sigin a brilliant breast-plate, covering it with a nal. Lara uneasy, looked around without coat-of-mail impenetrable to the sharpest daring to ask for him, ran over the ramparts, sword. His head was girded with a turban observed Almanzor alone, waiting and seeklined with a triple plate of steel, and secur- ing for his enemy. Gonsalvo's name was ed with a chain of the same metal; a pur- called and no one responded. The Moors ple garment descended to his middle, from burst forth into abusive acclamations-the whence hung by broad rings of gold, a scim- Spaniards were surprised; the sovereigns, etar tempered in Damascus. He took his lance and shield and before leaving his tent, bent his knee before the Eternal Being

the chiefs, the soldiers complained loudly, and both sides in concert accused Gonsalvo. Lara became disconsolate, he burned with "Oh God of victory and justice," said he wrath-they had dared to outrage his friend. in a loud voice, "who lookest into the depths He would listen no longer; he hastened to of the hearts of men, thou knowest the in- the tent where the hero had left his armor, tention which animates me; thou knowest put it on hurriedly, took his famous shield that it is for thy Holy Law, for thy worship, with the device of the Phoenix-mounted which our enemies wish to destroy, for my the horse of Gonsalvo and closing his visor, country which they wish to enslave, that to- rode into the enclosure and placed himself day I go forth to contend with their most before Almanzor. formidable warrior. Grant that my strength may equal my courage.

The Castilians uttered cries of joy-the Make thy soldier Moors preserved silence. Almanzor pre

worthy of thy cause and sustain him with pared himself—the trumpets sounded. thy powerful arm. If my hour has come, if As two fierce eagles from the North and my work is finished, God of mercy preserve from the South, striking the air with rapid my dear wife, guard her from the heights of wing, rush against each other when they thy throne and sustain her. Oh Allah! I meet, so met the heroes in the middle of the will not complain of death if Moraima is enclosure; their horses fell at the shock. They permitted to survive.” immediately arose and approached each othWhen he had pronounced these words the er sword-in hand. Steel was cut by steel; hero arose with a tranquil air, walked off fire sparkled from their armor. The Moor, with a firm step, mounted his restive horse, larger and more adroit, repeated his terrible held by four slaves, and calmly directed his blows more frequently. The Spaniard stroncourse to the place of combat. The Moor- ger and better armed defended himself more ish army, commanded by Boabdil, Muley- skilfully. Neither lost ground-each sought Hassan and Alamar, followed him and form- weak places in the armor of his antagonist. ed their squadrons on the plain. The old They menaced the breast-advanced, retirMuley mounted upon a fiery horse, embraced, all in the same moment. Always opposed his generous son, and though unable to ing their shields, always penetrating each speak was understood. The venerable old other's intentions, they eluded and preventman retired to conceal his tears, and the ed their execution, and neither could imgreat Almanzor, in the middle of the enclo- prove himself of the movement he had foresure, with a haughty air awaited his enemy. seen. The eye could scarcely follow the The Spaniards also left their city. Ferdi swords, which now raised, now lowered, ofnand commanded the army in person. He ten crossed, but did not strike. As yet no formed a front of the same extent as that of blood flowed, victory was uncertain, and fathe Moors-divided his cavalry into two tigue alone could declare it. The impatient squadrons forming wings under the command Almanzor who was willing to die, provided of Aguilar and Medina, and entrusted the he could triumph threw away his shield, re

treated a few paces, drew with both hands ed through the midst of the lances, inundahis formidable scimetar, and turning, struck ted the ground with blood, sought death, his enemy as if with a thunderbolt, divided provoked it, implored it, and despised it at the shield of Lara, cut through his breast- the same time. Ferdinand, Cortez and plate, and opened in his breast a deep wound Aguilar exceeded themselves on that memofrom which the blood flowed copiously. La- rable day, but their exploits were nothing ra fell on his knee to the ground. The Moor compared with Gonsalvo's. More dreadful elated by hope attempted to follow it up, but than the thunderbolt, he ran through the hos the Spaniard seized the instant when the tile army, scattering death and dismay. He movement of his arms raised his coat-of-mail dispersed, destroyed, immolated whatever from his breast, directed a sure blow to the opposed him-opened a wide path in which spot and left his sword buried in the entrails his victims fell one upon another-spurred of the hero. Almanzor again wounded him on his wearied horse impeded by piles of and Lara fell palpitating on the sand. The armor and dead bodies. prince of Granada, conqueror in the contest, In the midst of the horrid butohery-of remained standing for some moments, trem- the tumult-of the cries of fugitives-the bled, yielded, and fell to the ground by the hero discovered Muley-Hassan attacked by side of Lara, bathed in his own blood. four Spaniards, defending his worn out life. Both attempted to rise, both with weak and pronouncing with sobs the name of his hands sought in vain upon the sand for the son, the name of the son he had lost. This swords they had lost, when a Christian war- sad sight augmented the troubles of Gonsalrior appeared in the camp, uttering cries of vo, and flying to his assistance, dispersed his grief. He advanced rapidly-tore with his his enemies-gave his horse to the old man, spurs the flanks of his dusty horse, and in- placed himself by his side-shielded him voked honor, justice and friendship. The with his body, guided him from among the Castilians thought they recognized by the troop, pointed to Granada in the distance shield, with field of gold, the spirited Lara. and opened for him the road. The Moors believed they beheld a traitor In the meantime, Alamar, the terrible Alcoming up to immolate Almanzor. They amar who had just killed Velasco, Zuñiga, immediately advanced towards him, the Manreza, Giron, Alamar covered with blood Spaniards followed, the two armies approach- presented himself before Gonsalvo. Both ed, attacked each other furiously; blood stopped, both gazed at each other. Neither flowed in rivulets, warriors fell, the plain had seen the other before, but they were was covered with the dead.

mutually recognized by their hatred. GonIt was Gonsalvo, who freed at last from salvo was afoot, and the ferocious African the Bereberes, could find no armor but that urged his horse upon him. The Spaniard of his friend. He saw Lara, raised him from stepped aside, and by a side blow cut the the ground, felt his heart yet palpitate, con- ham-strings of the impetuous animal. Alafided him to the Castilians to bear to Santa mar fell, Gonsalvo struck him, but the serFe. Gonsalvo approached Almanzor-he pent skin coat-of-mail resisted the blows. found him surrounded by the Alabaces. He The hero seized Alamar, pressed him with uttered a cry of grief when he found that all his strength, struggled with and threw he was dead. He kept back a troop of Ar- him on the sand, oppressed him with all the ragonese who were about to attack the weight of his body, was about to suffocate Moors, defended against them the body of him, when the Zegris and Africans came up the hero, protected it, secured the retreat of from every side and united against Gonsalthe Alabaces, who carried it off on their vo. Gonsalvo loosed his victim and alone shields. When they had retired some dis-opposed the multitude. Supported against a tance, he siezed a horse, drew the sword of the mountain of dead bodies, covered with his Cid, threw himself among the troop, led on shield, pierced like a sieve, his foot placed by despair, by love and by anger. He ea upon four Africans, who died biting the earth, gerly exposed himself to perils, attacked, he erected his head, raised his arms, and scattered and routed thick battalions, return-brandishing his brilliant sword, insulted and