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part10-第1部分
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Legend of Don Munio Sancho de Hinojosa。
IN THE cloisters of the ancient Benedictine convent of San
Domingo; at Silos; in Castile; are the mouldering yet magnificent
monuments of the once powerful and chivalrous family of Hinojosa。
Among these reclines the marble figure of a knight; in complete armor;
with the hands pressed together; as if in prayer。 On one side of his
tomb is sculptured in relief a band of Christian cavaliers;
capturing a cavalcade of male and female Moors; on the other side; the
same cavaliers are represented kneeling before an altar。 The tomb;
like most of the neighboring monuments; is almost in ruins; and the
sculpture is nearly unintelligible; excepting to the keen eye of the
antiquary。 The story connected with the sepulchre; however; is still
preserved in the old Spanish chronicles; and is to the following
purport:
IN old times; several hundred years ago; there was a noble Castilian
cavalier; named Don Munio Sancho de Hinojosa; lord of a border castle;
which had stood the brunt of many a Moorish foray。 He had seventy
horsemen as his household troops; all of the ancient Castilian
proof; stark warriors; hard riders; and men of iron; with these he
scoured the Moorish lands; and made his name terrible throughout the
borders。 His castle hall was covered with banners; cimeters; and
Moslem helms; the trophies of his prowess。 Don Munio was; moreover;
a keen huntsman; and rejoiced in hounds of all kinds; steeds for the
chase; and hawks for the towering sport of falconry。 When not
engaged in warfare; his delight was to beat up the neighboring
forests; and scarcely ever did he ride forth; without hound and
horn; a boar…spear in his hand; or a hawk upon his fist; and an
attendant train of huntsmen。
His wife; Dona Maria Palacin; was of a gentle and timid nature;
little fitted to be the spouse of so hardy and adventurous a knight;
and many a tear did the poor lady shed; when he sallied forth upon his
daring enterprises; and many a prayer did she offer up for his safety。
As this doughty cavalier was one day hunting; he stationed himself
in a thicket; on the borders of a green glade of the forest; and
dispersed his followers to rouse the game; and drive it toward his
stand。 He had not been here long; when a cavalcade of Moors; of both
sexes; came prankling over the forest lawn。 They were unarmed; and
magnificently dressed in robes of tissue and embroidery; rich shawls
of India; bracelets and anklets of gold; and jewels that sparkled in
the sun。
At the head of this gay cavalcade rode a youthful cavalier; superior
to the rest in dignity and loftiness of demeanor; and in splendor of
attire; beside him was a damsel; whose veil; blown aside by the
breeze; displayed a face of surpassing beauty; and eyes cast down in
maiden modesty; yet beaming with tenderness and joy。
Don Munio thanked his stars for sending him such a prize; and
exulted at the thought of bearing home to his wife the glittering
spoils of these infidels。 Putting his hunting horn to his lips; he
gave a blast that rung through the forest。 His huntsmen came running
from all quarters; and the astonished Moors were surrounded and made
captives。
The beautiful Moor wrung her hands in despair; and her female
attendants uttered the most piercing cries。 The young Moorish cavalier
alone retained self…possession。 He inquired the name of the
Christian knight; who commanded this troop of horsemen。 When told that
it was Don Munio Sancho de Hinojosa; his countenance lighted up。
Approaching that cavalier; and kissing his hand; 〃Don Munio Sancho;〃
said he; 〃I have heard of your fame as a true and valiant knight;
terrible in arms; but schooled in the noble virtues of chivalry。
Such do I trust to find you。 In me you behold Abadil; son of a Moorish
alcayde。 I am on the way to celebrate my nuptials with this lady;
chance has thrown us in your power; but I confide in your magnanimity。
Take all our treasure and jewels; demand what ransom you think
proper for our persons; but suffer us not to be insulted nor
dishonored。〃
When the good knight heard this appeal; and beheld the beauty of the
youthful pair; his heart was touched with tenderness and courtesy。
〃God forbid;〃 said he; 〃that I should disturb such happy nuptials。
My prisoners in troth shall ye be; for fifteen days; and immured
within my castle; where I claim; as conqueror; the right of
celebrating your espousals。〃
So saying; he dispatched one of his fleetest horsemen in advance; to
notify Dona Maria Palacin of the coming of this bridal party; while he
and his huntsmen escorted the cavalcade; not as captors; but as a
guard of honor。 As they drew near to the castle; the banners were hung
out; and the trumpets sounded from the battlements; and on their
nearer approach; the draw…bridge was lowered; and Dona Maria came
forth to meet them; attended by her ladies and knights; her pages
and her minstrels。 She took the young bride; Allifra; in her arms;
kissed her with the tenderness of a sister; and conducted her into the
castle。 In the mean time; Don Munio sent forth missives in every
direction; and had viands and dainties of all kinds collected from the
country round; and the wedding of the Moorish lovers was celebrated
with all possible state and festivity。 For fifteen days; the castle
was given up to joy and revelry。 There were tiltings and jousts at the
ring; and bull…fights; and banquets; and dances to the sound of
minstrelsy。 When the fifteen days were at an end; he made the bride
and bridegroom magnificent presents; and conducted them and their
attendants safely beyond the borders。 Such; in old times; were the
courtesy and generosity of a Spanish cavalier。
Several years after this event; the king of Castile summoned his
nobles to assist him in a campaign against the Moors。 Don Munio Sancho
was among the first to answer to the call; with seventy horsemen;
all stanch and well…tried warriors。 His wife; Dona Maria hung about
his neck。 〃Alas; my lord!〃 exclaimed she; 〃how often wilt thou tempt
thy fate; and when will thy thirst for glory be appeased!〃
〃One battle more;〃 replied Don Munio; 〃one battle more; for the
honor of Castile; and I here make a vow; that when this is over; I
will lay by my sword; and repair with my cavaliers in pilgrimage to
the sepulchre of our Lord at Jerusalem。〃 The cavaliers all joined with
him in the vow; and Dona Maria felt in some degree soothed in
spirit; still; she saw with a heavy heart the departure of her
husband; and watched his banner with wistful eyes; until it
disappeared among the trees of the forest。
The king of Castile led his army to the plains of Salmanara; where
they encountered the Moorish host; near to Ucles。 The battle was
long and bloody; the Christians repeatedly wavered; and were as
often rallied by the energy of their commanders。 Don Munio was covered
with wounds; but refused to leave the field。 The Christians at
leng
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