y on tradition, or the authority of certain
poets and dramatic writers, who have perpetuated the tradition in
their works. While this grim and reluctant tranquillity prevailed
along the Christian line, says Agapida, there rose a mingled shout
and sound of laughter near the gate of the city. A Moorish
horseman, armed at all points, issued forth, followed by a rabble,
who drew back as he approached the scene of danger. The Moor was
more robust and brawny than was common with his countrymen. His
visor was closed; he bore a huge buckler and a ponderous lance; his
scimiter was of a Damascus blade, and his richly ornamented dagger
was wrought by an artificer of Fez. He was known by his device to
be Tarfe, the most insolent, yet valiant, of the Moslem
warriors--the same who had hurled into the royal camp his lance,
inscribed to the queen. As he rode slowly along in front of the
army, his very steed, prancing with fiery eye and distended
nostril, seemed to breathe defiance to the Christians.

"But what were the feelings of the Spanish cavaliers when they
beheld, tied to the tail of his steed, and dragged in the dust, the
very inscription, 'AVE MARIA,' which Hernan Perez del Pulgar had
affixed to the door of the mosque! A burst of horror and
indignation broke forth from the army. Hernan was not at hand to
maintain his previous achievement; but one of his young companions
in arms, Garcilasso de la Vega by name, putting spurs to his horse,
galloped to the hamlet of Zubia, threw himself on his knees before
the king, and besought permission to accept the defiance of this
insolent infidel, and to revenge the insult offered to our Blessed
Lady. The request was too pious to be refused. Garcilasso remounted
his steed, closed his helmet, graced by four sable plumes, grasped
his buckler of Flemish workmanship, and his lance of matchless
temper, and defied the haughty Moor in the midst of his career. A
combat took place in view of the two armies and of the Castilian
court. The Moor was powerful in wielding his weapons, and
dexterous in managing his steed. He was of larger frame than
Garcilasso, and more completely armed, and the Christians trembled
for their champion. The shock of their encounter was dreadful;
their lances were shivered and sent up splinters in the air