they heard:--

VIII.
"Go up, go up, thou blessed ghost, into the arms of God;
Go, fear not lest revenge be lost, when Carpio's blood hath flowed;

IX.
"The steel that drank the blood of France, the arm thy foe that shielded,
Still, Father, thirsts that burning lance, and still thy son can wield it."

BERNARDO AND ALPHONSO.

The incident recorded in this ballad may be supposed to have occurred
immediately after the funeral of the Count of Saldenha. As to what was
the end of the knight's history, we are left almost entirely in the
dark, both by the Chronicle and by the Romancero. It appears to be
intimated, that after his father's death, he once more "took service"
among the Moors, who are represented in several of the ballads as
accustomed to exchange offices of courtesy with Bernardo.

I.
With some good ten of his chosen men, Bernardo hath appeared
Before them all in the palace hall, the lying King to beard;
With cap in hand and eye on ground, he came in reverend guise,
But ever and anon he frowned, and flame broke from his eyes.

II.
"A curse upon thee," cries the King, "who comest unbid to me;
But what from traitor's blood should spring, save traitors like to thee?
His sire, Lords, had a traitor's heart; perchance our Champion brave
Made think it were a pious part to share Don Sancho's grave."

III.
"Whoever told this tale the King hath rashness to repeat,"
Cries Bernard, "here my gage I fling before THE LIAR'S feet!
No treason was in Sancho's blood, no stain in mine doth lie--
Below the throne what knight will own the coward calumny?

IV.
"The blood that I like water shed, when Roland did advance,
By secret traitors hired and led, to make us slaves of France;--
The life of King Alphonso I saved at Roncesval,--
Your words, Lord King, are recompense abundant for it all.

V.
"Your horse was down--your hope was flown--I saw the falchion shine,
That soon had drunk your royal blood, had not I ventured mine;
But memory soon of service done deserteth the ingrate,
And ye've thanked the son for life and crown by the father's bloody fate.

VI.
"Ye swore upon your kingly faith, to set Don Sancho free,
But curse upon your paltering breath, the light he ne'er did see;
He died in dungeon cold and dim, by Alphonso's base decree,
And visage blind, and stiffened limb, were all they gave to me.

VII.
"The King that swerveth from his word hath stained his purple b