Spanish fiction -- Translations into English; Spanish poetry -- Translations into English
vengeance for Timbrio's wrong, without regarding the danger I incurred,
but only that of Timbrio, to see if I could set him free or follow him
to the life beyond, fearing but little to lose mine, I laid hand on my
sword; and, with more than ordinary fury, forced my way through the
confused crowd, till I came to where Timbrio was. He, not knowing if
so many swords had been unsheathed on his behalf, was watching what
was going on with perplexed and anguished mind, until I said to him:
"Where, Timbrio, is the strength of your valorous breast? What do you
hope, or what do you wait for? Why not avail yourself of the present
opportunity? seek, true friend, to save your life whilst mine forms a
shield against the injustice, which I think is being done you here."
These words of mine and Timbrio's recognition of me caused him to
forget all fear and to break the bonds or fetters from his hands; but
all his ardour would have availed little, had not the priests, moved
with compassion, aided his wish. These seized him bodily, and despite
those who sought to hinder it, entered with him into a church hard by,
leaving me in the midst of all the officers of justice, who with great
persistence endeavoured to seize me, as at last they did, since my
strength alone was not capable of resisting so many strengths combined;
and with more violence than in my opinion my offence deserved, they
took me to the public gaol, wounded with two wounds. My boldness and
the fact that Timbrio had escaped increased my fault, and the judges'
anger; they, weighing carefully the crime committed by me, deeming it
just that I should die, straightway pronounced the cruel sentence and
awaited another day to execute it. This sad news came to Timbrio there
in the church where he was, and as I afterwards learned, my sentence
caused him more emotion than his own death-sentence had done; and to
free me from it, he again offered to surrender himself once more to
the power of the law; but the priests advised him that that was of
little avail, nay rather, was adding evil to evil and misfortune to
misfortune, since his surrender would not bring about my release, for
that it could not take place without my being punished for the fault
committed. Not a few arguments were needed to persuade Timbrio not to
give himself up to justice; but he calmed himself by deciding in his
mind to do for me next day what I had done for him, in order to pay
me in the same coin or die in the attempt. I was informed of all his
intentions by a priest who came to confess me, through whom I sent him
word that the best remedy my calamity could have was that he should
escape and seek with all speed to inform the viceroy of Barcelona of
all that had happened, before the judges of that place should execute
judgment on him. I also learned the reason why my friend Timbrio was
consigned to bitter punishment, as the same priest I have mentioned
to you told me; it was that, as Timbrio came journeying through the
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