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 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."
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.