de for jeopardy,--I'll save you though I die!

"Stand, noble steed! this hour of need,--be gentle as a lamb;
I'll kiss the foam from off thy mouth,--thy master dear I am,--
Mount, Juan, mount; whate'er betide, away the bridle fling,
And plunge the rowels in his side.--My horse shall save my King!

"Nay, never speak; my sires, Lord King, received their land from yours,
And joyfully their blood shall spring, so be it thine secures;
If I should fly, and thou, my King, be found among the dead,
How could I stand 'mong gentlemen, such scorn on my gray head?

"Castile's proud dames shall never point the finger of disdain,
And say there's one that ran away when our good lords were slain!
I leave Diego in your care,--you'll fill his father's place;
Strike, strike the spur, and never spare--God's blessing on your Grace!"

So spake the brave Montanez, Butrago's lord was he;
And turned him to the coming host in steadfastness and glee;
He flung himself among them, as they came down the hill,--
He died, God wot! but not before his sword had drunk its fill.

From the Spanish.
Translation of JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART.

* * * * *

HAKON'S DEFIANCE.

FROM "HAKON JARL."

[Olaf Trygvesoen from Ireland is trying to introduce Christianity, and
reclaim his father's kingdom, in Norway, and has invaded the realm of
Earl Hakon, a formidable heathen usurper, who, after defeat in battle,
unsuccessfully attempts to have King Olaf assassinated by Thorer
Klake, one of his adherents. But Olaf slays Klake, and now visits
Hakon, lying hid in a peasant's hut.]

_Enter_ OLAF TRYGVESOeN, _muffled up in a gray cloak,
with a broad hat on his head._

HAKON [_without looking up_].--
My valiant Thorer Klake, hast come at last?
Hast been successful? Dost thou bring to me
What thou didst promise? Answer, Thorer Klake.

OLAF.--All things have happened as they should, my lord;
But pardon Thorer that he does not come
And bring himself King Olaf's head to thee--
'Twas difficult for him. Thor knows he had
A sort of loathing that himself should bring it,
And so he sent me.

HAKON.--Well, 'tis good; away,
And deeply bury it in the dark earth.
I will not look on it myself: my eye
Bears not such sights,--they reappear in dreams.
Bury the body with it. Tell thy lord
That he shall come at once.

OLAF.--He is asleep.

HAKON.--Asleep?

OLAF.--A