The black knight, or, The wandering Bohemian

Chapter I

A noble knight, borne on a noble steed, journeyed amid the hills of Castile. He was clad in mail from head to heel, and polished helm, and cuirass of steel flashed in the sun. His visor was down as when with lance in rest he rushed to meet the infidel Moor. Upon the crest of his helmet he wore the favour of his lady-love, according to the usage of that period His broad baldrick was studded with stones of value, and a blade of costly fabric depended therefrom, whose jewelled hilt displayed thf form of the holy cross A. formidable battle* axe swung at his saddle bow : woe to the knight who should feel its weight. The horseman waf of a goodly size ; his features could not be seen. Proud and noble in his bearing, and fearless* withal, he bestrode a powerful white steed, which carried him gallantly )bedient to tha gauntletted hand that shook the rein. Tha strength to endure and the lightning of speed were in the beautiful limbs. He went forward at an easy pace. A little in the rear of tb# knight rode the squire. Like his master, he was clad in mail, though of a texture less costly. He was of lighter figure, and his years apparently fewer in numher. His visor was up and displayed features young and handsome. Gracefully he sat his steed, and light and easy was his air. He bore the shield and lance, and displayed the penon of his lord with beseeming pride.

"Who comes hither, Garcia?" sajd the knight, pointing to a horseman away in the distance.

*' Some seems he like a knight of Calatrava," was Garcia's reply.

"His sombre appearance would favour the idea, good Garcia; and yet methinks he has not a monkish bearing."

"True, sir knight, and yet as he approaches, I see nought to hinder him from being a knight of the order of Calatrava. And look you, my master, he wears no favour of lady bright in his towering crest."

" By my lady ! he rides gallantly, whoever he be. I would give a purse of gold to break a lance with the stranger knight, be he gentle or be he simple. He is encased in plate and mail of a dark brown hue, and of tried steel stuff, I'll ■warrant." ,t

"Note you his haughty crest, SirHaro?' asked the squire.

*' Yes, by my soul ! it towers above all other 1 have seen, as in defiance. I am not pleased with the stranger's crest, Don Garcia. See you the heraldry upon his shield ? "

"Ay, Sir Haro. I see a knight iu full

THE WANDERING EOHEMIAN. 5

armour, with a dagger in his hand, and his foot upon the neck of his prostrate foe."

"I must measure swords with this proud knight, if kingly courtesy will allow."

The stranger approached.

"A fair day to you, sir knight," said Haro.

"And a fair day to you if your interests be fair — and a knight of such goodly seeming can have no foul intent," replied the stranger, gravely, yet with equal courtesy, and yet with an air that did not exactly please Sir Haro.

"Whence comest thou, sir knight? to what order dost thou belong? and what art thou called ? " interrogated Sir Haro,

" I come from whence I list — I go wherever there are wrongs to redress or lovely women to protect. I am of the order of Calatrava. I am called the knight of the Iron Crest. My face is towards Burgos, in Old Castile."

"Now, by my faith, thou art wrong, proud knight of the Iron Crest. Thj' face is towards Leon, and thy horse's tail towards Castile."

"Then thou shalt set me right, courteous sir. But whence comest thou, thy order and thy name ? "

" I come from Leon, x am a knight of the order of the Golden Spur. I journey towards Castile to tourney. I am called the Knight of the Steel Cross. I am under a vow to break five lances for the honour of lady love."

" And thou wilt do it right gallantly, I trow. I will joust with thee, sir knight of the Steel Cross, and verily, thou wilt do me honour thereby— for who is not honoured by an encounter with a true knight and a hidalgo ? "

*S THE BLACK KHIGHTJ OB,

" I accept thy courtesy as gratefully as it is given, thou of the Iron Crest. I know not thy estate or thy name, whether thou art a hidalgo or what not ; but if thou art not, thy birth belies thy seeming."

"My deeds shall prove to thee what I am, thou of the Steel Cross and the bold front."

Each knight received his shield and lance from the squire, and addressed himself to the encounter. They were now in an open space, not unfavourable to the trial of strength and skill. They wheeled their steeds and galloped away in opposite directions, with an ease and gracefulness that showed them familiar with the joust and tourney, and all deeds of prowess. The charger of the stranger knight was of noble breed, and prided himself, apparently, in bearing his noble burden. He was of ebon blackness, and like that of Sir Haro, powerful in frame, and unexceptionable in limb. When they had put a suitable distance between them, they turned their horses' heads, and with lancej in rest rushed to the encounter. They met! midway, and Sir Haro was nearly hurled from his horse by the shock. The Knight of the Iron Crest maintained his seat like a statue of stone. At the second course, the lance of Sir Haro was shivered upon theshirld of the stranger knightj while his helmet was borne from his head byl the skill of the latter.

"By St Jago !" cried Garcia, to the squire Of Mm of the Iron Crest, " Your master hath done a noble feat : he hath struck the crest of Sir Haro's helmet with his lance, and driveuf it from his head. Never before have my eyes witnessed such a wonder. Weil may he be called the Knight of the Iron Crest."

Saying this, he galloped to his master with another lance. At the third course both knights put forth their prowess in such a manner that horses and riders rolled in the dust.

The squires hastened to their respective masters, and assisted them to rise and mount. Neither was much hurt. They journeyed together towards Castile in seeming good faith, but the pride of Sir Haro was deeply wounded, despite his courteous bearing. He had prided himself highly on his knightly prowess, and deemed there was not a lance in Castile that could match him. It was true that he had not now been vanquished, but he had been matched ; and though he felt some admiration for the unknown knight, he was deeply mortified. There was, moreover, a deep and yet romantic mystery about the Knight of the Iron Crest that perplexed him not a little. Whatever thoughts he cherished, he studiously concealed them from the knight, and they beguiled the weariness of the way by conversing of knightly deeds — the wars of Ferdinand with the Moors, and the contemplated siege of Seville When within a few leagues of Castile, the unknown took a courteous leave of Sir Haro, and pricked away over the plain in another direction. Leaving the latter for the present, we will follow the Knight of the Iron Crest.

The knight rode rapidly through an uneven and broken country, until the sun waned low in the heavens. As its last crimson beams were departing, he drew rein and dismounted in a deep valley, where his squire assisted him to lay aside that portion of his armour that might encumber him in walking. Stripped of his plated armour, he stood in a simple haubergeon and hood of mail.

"Tarry thou here, Don Kodrigo, and if I return not ere another sunset, seek me yonder." And the knight pointed towards a towering cliff of rocks in the dim distance.

"The duty of the true squire is to serve his lord, and at his master's side, and between him and peril. Suffer me to attend thee, like a loyal sqnire," answered Don Rodrigo.

"Not now, Kodrigo. My good sword shall find its place between me and peril. It never failed in the hour of need."

"But see, thou of the Iron Crest, the shadows of night have gathered, and the times art full of diikigvr. These wilds are infested with hordes of banditti. Thou mayest meet them in an evil hour, and fall by an ignoble hand

thou mayest perish like a base born, and nc

hidalgo."

"I fear noujint. Rortrigo. My strong arm is a match for the robber host."

The kjight af Caiatrava, strode away toward the cliff of rocks in the distance. His path thereto lay through forest and dark pass, foi he approached it not by the beaten path. He paused more than once to find his way through the tangled underwoad and stinted shrubbery. As the shades of night fell deeper and deeper, these pauses were more frequent and protracted. At length the knight found himself completely bewildered, and wandered on not knowing whither. Chance or fortune at length favoured him. He suddenly emerged from the thick woods, and stood beneath the high walla of a castle raised upon the very summit of a iliff. It was doubtless the residence of seme feudal lord. He clambered up the ascent with much toil and difficulty, for he took not the accustomed way, but approached it by the rear. The castle was surrounded by a high wall. The knight examined the right wing. At a window far above gleamed a light. The discovery seemed to give him pleasure. Leaning against the wall, he sang in a voice rich and manly : —

" I come from the land of the infidel Moor, My blood hath drunk deep of the Mussulman's

gore ; The foes of the Christian have fallen in fight, The Saracen flies from the steel-covered knight ; He quakes when he sees him with sharp lance

in rest, And shuns the bold knight of the dark Iron

Crest.

** I've fought for fair lady— I've battled for thee, But, maiden, thy thoughts have dwelt never on

me ; Thine eye never saw me, and never thine ear In the past heard the tones thou art listening to

hear; Yet I've battled for thee with stout lance in rest, I am known as the knight of the dark Iron Crest.

* I'm found in the tourney — I'm found in the

field, When there's danger to dare— a good sword to

wield.

SO THE BLACK KNIGHT; OB,

There'll be tilting to-morrow at gallant Castile, And bold knights in harness, and lances in rest, Look out for the knight, of the dark Iron Crest."

But who heard the words of the doughty knight ? Fell they upon the ear of lady bright ? Awoke they gentle thoughts in the heart of blushing beauty ? or died they away on the dark night and echoing walls? The daughter of Don Lopez de Guzman was no unwilling listener to the strain. Well might Donna Maria bend her beautiful head in breathless attention, for never was song more gallantly sung. She raised the window gently, and not a word was lost. The deep rieh tones awoke a strange echo in her heart, and undefinable thoughts sprang up therein Her pulses came faster when the song was ended. But why sighed Donna Maria, the peerless ? and why wished she to list that lay again ?

Ask him deeper versed in woman than I. How many questions arose to her lips warm from the heart— questions she could not answer ! Who was the singer ? He was a knight, evidently — but was he gentle or was he simple? And then the heart thoughts of Donna Maria whispered that he was noble — a true hidalgo — a genuine son of chivalry. She gathered up the words of the song She learned therefrom that she had never known the Knight of the Iron Crest ; yet how strangely familiar his voice; sometimes fell on her ear. Here was romance and mystery in keeping with the age of chivalry, bu-t with all this there came a painful shadow from the past. She hesitated no longer ; she tore the rich scarf from her neck, and threw it from the window. The next moment the breeze bad borne it to the eager hand of the k; ightly etranger, and she regretted what she had done. She saw him press it to his lips, bow almost to the earth, and his noble figure disappeared down the descent, and amid the trees. That nigbt Donna Maria dreamed of the knight of Calatrava, and of a gallant youth who knelt at her feet on a bright summer day, long, long ago, when ihe birds sang and the sun shone.

Chapter II. Toe Tourney

On the following day, dames and damsels and gallant knights, trooped to the listed plain. It was a goodly array, and many grey-headed old men who had done their devoir years ago, in the tourney and in the battle-field, vowed by their patron saint they had never seen the like in Old Castile. There were cavaliers there whose steel armour shone like the sun, and ladies that were peerless in beauty, and barbed steeds whose gay housings swept the ground. 'I rumpets- Bounded, and many shields with their various heraldry were displayed at the entrance of tents prepared fcr the reception of knights. Donna Maria was there, and the Quken of Beauty. It was hers to awird the several prizes to the victors. The galleries were filled with the loveliest daughters of Spain, and many a lady bright looked about for her chosen cavalier — her favour upon his lance or helm, or across his breast. Many ribbons fluttered at

12 THE BLACK KNTCHT :

OR, lance-heads, placed there by fair fingers, and gay scarfs were worn over polished steel cuirass and gemmed baldrick. When the trumpet sounded, and the knights rode into the lists followed by their squires, the heart of Donna Maria beat with an unwonted pulse, and she looked with expectant eyes amid the press for her scarf, which should mark the Knight of the Iron Crest. The cavaliers met at headlong speed, and there was a clang of steel, and a shivering of lances. Riders were hurled from their saddles, and barbed horses rolled with their riders in dust.

But there was one knight there whose name and lineage were unknown ; who performed such feats of skill as were never seen in Castile. He struck the helmet of a knight upon the crest with such force as sent it rolling away in the dust, It was the helm of Sir Haro. The unknown wore a crimson scarf over his broad baldrick— the favour of Donna Maria, and in him she knew the knight of Calatrava.

The course was right bravely run ; and well each cavalier did his devoir. The beholders rent the air with their high acclaims. When the sports were broken off for the day, a diamond ring was awarded the stranger knight, and he received it at the hands of Donna Maria, queen of beauty.

Next came jousting, and Sir Haro entered the list on prancing steed, and challenged any knight for the love of fair lady to joust three courses with the spear, three strokes with the sword, three with a dagger, and three with battle-axe. There waa a momentary pau

Sir Haro was a bold knight, and expectation was at its height. Not long were they kept in doubt. The trumpet sounded, and a herald proclaimed the Knight of the Iron Crest, who rode gracefully round the lists, greeted on every hand by the smiles and encouraging glances of dame and damsel. The first encounter ended as on another occasion, by the unhelming of Sir Haro and the breaking of the lances. The sword trial was most obstinate, as were the strokes with daggers, which were concluded without any obvious advantage to either. And now the gallant cavaliers grasped their formidable battle-axes, and gave terrible blows, which resounded upon their armour like those dealt upon an anvil by some sturdy son of Vulcan. In this, the Iron Crest displayed fearful skill and superiority. He wielded the mighty instrument as if it had been a reed ; it gleamed in bright circles over his head, and falling upon the helm of Sir Haro, felled him to the earth, and he was borne senseless from the lists.

Again the Knight of Cala«rava was hailed with high acclaims, and kneeling at the feet of Donna Maria, received the reward of valour. After this the squires jousted, and the sports were closed for the day ; but not closed wera the wounds Sir Haro had received. In the joust of the squires, the squire of the unknown — Doa Rodrigo— distinguished himself in a striking manner, inasmuch as he overthrew all who opposed him, notwithstanding his extreme youth. As he knelt at the feet of beauty to receive the reward of gallantry, he was permitted to press the fair hand to his lips. A proud feeling of triumph swelled his heart as he rode from the lists. Great deeds were in his thoughts, and the old nobles of Castile said, " We will yet hear from Don Eodrigo."

At an early hour in the morning the sports were renewed, and went forward with much good-will. At the close of the tourney, a Knight of Leon, of known prowess, entered the lists, and challenged any knight to joust with him to the utterance, with sharp lances, for the love of lady fair. Instantly a stranger cavalier sprang into the lists. A herald proclaimed him as the "Black Knight," whose lance was ever sharp, and- whose sword was never rebutted. A simple crescent was upon his shield for emblazonry, and it was dinted in many places, showing much ■ervice. Judging from his appearance, he was young in years, and trained to martial deeds ; but his visor being down the matter of his age was left in doubt. His armour was in striking contrast to all in the list ; it was of ebon blackness. Never a knight entered the lists who demeaned himself better. Familiar was he with the rein and saddle, and the ladies of Castile laid the " Black Knight " was a hidalgo born.

"He sits a horse like a king ! " cried Ferdi- Jland, in admiration. 'Were he a cousin I should fear for my crown. And see ! the bright eyes of the dames and maidens of my court are upon him Gtod grant he may do his devoir as Bobly as he sits a horse."

He waved his hand gracefully to the ladies, bowed low to the king, and dressed his lance to the rest. It was a joust to the utterance, and a prayer went up from many hearts that the

THE WANDERING BOHEMIAH. li

Black Knight might ride unhurt from the lists. Instead of putting his horse upon his metal, he galloped at an easy pace to meet his adversary. The beholders marvelled at his careless air. When within a few yards of his man, his steed bounded forward like the wind, and piercing shield and cuirass, his lance head was buried deep in the bosom of the Knight of Leon. The latter was borne away wounded to the death. Ladies sighed, for he of Leon was a brave man. The victor waved his bloody lance, shook the rein, and swept round the lists challenging any knight to the utterance. It was accepted, and another knight was takea out wounded.

"This must not be," cried the king, and closed the joust.

Again the Black Knight bowed to the lords and ladies all, and upon his fearless steed swept from the listed plain, bearing with him the ring awarded by the ladies, and presented by the queen of beauty. A murmur of admiration followed his departing steps. Long did the ladies of Castile remember him of the crescent. Minstrels of that day caught up the theme, wove it in the song of the Black Knight, who came like a meteor, and disappeared as he came.

SONG OF THE BLACK KNIGHT.

«' Ye gallants of Castile — ye maidens so bright, Have ye seen — have ye heard of the ebon black

knight.

Who came like the Simoom who went like the

wind!

There are many hearts breaking that knight

left behind.

"His armour was blacker than woman's dari

it- eye'

His figure was knightly, his bearing was high;

His arm was a tried one, and sure was hill

blade, When he rode to the lists, when he bathed foi

maid.

** He bowed to the nobles, he bowed to the king He smiled on the ladies who formed the brighl

ring; With his stout lance in rest he dashed over th<

plain ; His foeruan shall ne'er* mount his good steed

again.

"That knight did his devoir most nobly and

well ; And fair ladies sighed for the gallants wh«

fell; But longer they sighed for the matchless blacl

knight Who blazed fo" a moment then vanished frott

sight."

But he wao not the only one who woi laurels there. The Iron Crest came in for ai equal share of honour, and it was a questioit who had acquitted himself most gallantly ; bu( Donna Maria decided in favour of him who worf her favour — a favour imprudently given.

That very night, while the thousands of Castile were sleeping, the king was in confli dential converse with the Knight of the Iroi Crest. They spoke of a deep conspiracy, which, if successful, was to throw open the gates ol

A1IB WAJSDJ5RING BOHEMIAN 1*

Aieon and Castile and bring down the myriads of the Moslem power upon the Christians. The Crescent was to rise and the Cross to sink. Among the suspected persons, the king named Lopez de Guzman and Don Diego de Haro. The knight started and turned pale when Ferdinand named Lopez de Guzman. His emotion did not escape the eye of his royal master.

•'By St Jago ! sir knight, I more than half doubt thy good faith," cried the monarch, laying his hand upon his sword.

The bold knight turned his head from his sovereign and passed his hand over bis eyes. The words of the king had grieved him. Twas but an instant that his face was averted ; he turned again to the king, and throwing aside his mail, offered his breast to the monarch.

"Now, by heavens! I have wronged thee, my kinsman," he cried, and strained the knight to his royal bosom.

" Thou hast wronged me, my liege, but like a generous monarch, thou hast more than righted me. One would almost wish to be wronged by Ferdinand, so noble is his repentance, so generous his nature," replied the knight, with a sad smile, pressing the hand of his master to his lips.

" Thou art a true m»3*my kinsman, and there is no boon thy sovereign will not grant thee- Forgive if the cares of governing a turbulent people makes him hasty and suspicion*. This being a king is not the height of humaa happiness."

The king sighed and continued—

"But this conspiracy, which I have good reason to suppose is on foot, troubles me not a little. These rebellious spirits are the curses of kings. Assist me, good Alfonso, to sift this matter to the bottom. Keep an eye upon Sir Haro and De Guzman. Let them be marked men. I have read mischief in their eyes. Situated somewhere mid the dark hills of Spain, tradition says there is an old castle ; it has the reputation of being infested by banditti. From what I have learned from a wandering Bohem-1 Ian, this has been the resort of the conspirators, Penetrate the mountain fastnesses, and lay its secrets bare. When this is done, seek your sovereign."

" Did the Bohemian give thee no clue to this castle ? "

" None, save that it was away to the north."

" Knowest thou where the Bohemian mayj be found, my liege ? "

" Ask the king if he knows the way of the wind, or the path of the flying cloud. He is of! the race that have no abiding place. Like) birds of passage they are here to-day and away in another region to-morrow."

" Send forth a herald, my liege, and let th« Bohemian be found."

" A happj thought ; it shall be done, Alfonso, with a right good- will. "

On the following morning a herald weni forth and cried that the wandering Bohemias who recently had speech with the king should leek his presence without delay. On the second day the Bohemian made his appearance ; he Was covered with rags, and maintained a sullen lilence when in the presence of the king. Gold uras put into his hand, and he finally agreed, induced by the promise of a large reward, to conduct the knight to the mysterious castle.

Chapter III. The Insult. — The Blow

Twas night at Castile. There was hilarity and music at the palace of the king. The knightsand nobles of the land were there, and happy in the smiles of beauty. Among the revellers •were Lopez de Guzman, Diego de Haro, Alfonso de Vivar, Don Eodrigo, son of the latter, Count Lozano, and other distinguished names. Count Lozano was a brave knight, of tried prowess, but hasty and imperious. His loyalty had been more than doubted by his sovereign, on the occasion of several revolts which had disturbed the tranquillity of the realm. Between him and the aged Vivar, a very strong friendship had never subsisted. The latter was now well stricken in years, and the white frost of many winters lay upon his head, and the deep tracesof time's finger were observable upon his visage. He was frank and honest — true to his country — true to his kinfe The wars of the Cross with the Crescent were subjects of conversation. Various opinions were advanced in relation to the final success of the Christian arms. Lozano was inflamed with wine.

" The Cross shall recede and the Crescent shall advance. The Koran shall usurp the Bible, the Prophets, the Christ," cried Lozano.

" Not so," said de Vivar, mildly. *' Thou

20 TIIE BLACK KNIGnT; OB,

art filled with with wine, Count Lozano. Th Cross shall rise above the Crescent."

" Thou art in thy dotage, de Vivar. Thd shouldst leave such matters to younger an clearer heads," retorted Lozano, insolently.

The old knight felt the insult. Bending foi ward, and looking steadily into the face of Los ano, lie replied :

" Unle s there be traitors among us, Lozam the Crescent can never be exalted above tl Cross."

" Who spoke of. traitors, old man? Whi mean y u ? '" cried the count fiercely.

'• I mean as I affirmed, rash count — tt Cross can only fall by treachery."

"Beware how thou dost tempt me, lest forget thy age, dotard. I am no traitor."

"I said not that thou wert; and yet mf words stung thee sorely. In turn, I bid the* beware, * ount Lozano. Thou art too sensitiw for a true man."

The Count sprang forward, and dealt the oil man a vile blow. Instantly a score of sword leaped from their scabbards, and many voice itried shame. All was confusion ; and ther would have been blood shed in that goodly com. pany, hai not the youthful Kodrigo sprang for word and claimed the right to redress hi: father's wrong with his own hand.

The tumult was hushed. Vivar declared ii his pleasure that his youngest son, Rodrigo should retrieve his honour. But there was onlj one subject in connection therewith which wa deeply embarrassing to the youthful Rodrigo The count had a daughter — Ximena — with whos charms he was enamoured. How could he meet the father of the maiden he loved in deadly combat ! But the wrong of Vivar must be redressed, though the father of Ximena fall and the young dream of love be broken forever. That night was one of sleeplessness and distraction to Kodrigo. He dwelt upon the stern duty he was to perform on the morrow. He saw his aged parent writhing beneath an insult which nothing but blood could wash away. He saw the father of Ximena stretched lifeless and bleeding by his own hand, and heard the lamentations of the beautiful loved one. More than once he was on the point of throwing himself upon his own sword, and leaving the wrong to be redressed by an older brother. But no — his duty was plain, and he scorned to shrink therefrom. Should he prove the victor— which he doubtednot— Ximena would turn with horror from the slayer of her father. He should hear no more the soft music of Ximena's tones — sun himself no more in the light of Ximena's eyes.

Long ere the bright morning dawned, Kodrigo stole from his chamber, and sought the mansion of Lozano. He wished to be near Ximena once again without feeling that he was abhorred — that there was no place for him in her young heart. He sat down beneath her window, and abandoned himself to melancholy reflections. In the silence of his own chamber he had woven his thoughts in song, and now in tones of sadness he sang them, while every note seemed to wake up an echo of sorrow io the deserted Btreets of Castile :—