st wearied out of all
patience by the cruelty of which his father was the victim, determined
to quit the Court of his King, and seek an alliance among the Moors.
Having fortified himself in the Castle of Carpio, he made continual
incursions into the territory of Leon, pillaging and plundering wherever
he came. The King at length besieged him in his stronghold, but the
defence was so gallant, that there appeared no prospect of success;
whereupon many of the gentlemen in Alphonso's camp entreated the King to
offer Bernardo immediate possession of his father's person, if he would
surrender his castle.

Bernardo at once consented; but the King gave orders to have Count
Sancho Diaz taken off instantly in his prison. "When he was dead they
clothed him in splendid attire, mounted him on horseback, and so led him
towards Salamanca, where his son was expecting his arrival. As they drew
nigh the city, the King and Bernardo rode out to meet them; and when
Bernardo saw his father approaching, he exclaimed,--'O God! is the Count
of Saldana indeed coming?'--'Look where he is,' replied the cruel King;
'and now go and greet him whom you have so long desired to see.'
Bernardo went forward and took his father's hand to kiss it; but when he
felt the dead weight of the hand, and saw the livid face of the corpse,
he cried aloud, and said,--'Ah, Don Sandiaz, in an evil hour didst thou
beget me!--Thou art dead, and I have given my stronghold for thee, and
now I have lost all.'"

I.
All in the centre of the choir Bernardo's knees are bent,
Before him for his murdered sire yawns the old monument.

II.
His kinsmen of the Carpio blood are kneeling at his back,
With knightly friends and vassals good, all garbed in weeds of black.

III.
He comes to make the obsequies of a basely slaughtered man,
And tears are running down from eyes whence ne'er before they ran.

IV.
His head is bowed upon the stone; his heart, albeit full sore,
Is strong as when in days bygone he rode o'er Frank and Moor;

V.
And now between his teeth he mutters, that none his words can hear;
And now the voice of wrath he utters, in curses loud and clear.

VI.
He stoops him o'er his father's shroud, his lips salute the bier;
He communes with the corse aloud, as if none else were near.

VII.
His right hand doth his sword unsheath, his left doth pluck his beard;--
And while his liegemen held their breath, these were the words