Like our own Robert the Bruce, the great Spanish hero is represented as exhibiting, on many occasions, great gentleness of disposition and compassion. But while old Barbour is contented with such simple anecdotes as that of a poor laundress being suddenly taken ill with the pains of childbirth, and the king stopping the march of his army rather than leave her unprotected, the minstrels of Spain, never losing an opportunity of gratifying the superstitious propensities of their audience, are sure to let no similar incident in their champion's history pass without a miracle. I. He has ta'en some twenty gentlemen, along with him to go, For he will pay that ancient vow he to Saint James doth owe; To Compostella, where the shrine doth by the altar stand, The good Rodrigo de Bivar is riding through the land. II. Where'er he goes, much alms he throws, to feeble folk and poor; Beside the way for him they pray, him blessings to procure; For, God and Mary Mother, their heavenly grace to win, His hand was ever bountiful: great was his joy therein. III. And there, in middle of the path, a leper did appear; In a deep slough the leper lay, none would to help come near. With a loud voice he thence did cry, "For God our Saviour's sake, From out this fearful jeopardy a Christian brother take."-- IV. When Roderick heard that piteous word, he from his horse came down; For all they said, no stay he made, that noble champion; He reached his hand to pluck him forth, of fear was no account, Then mounted on his steed of worth, and made the leper mount. V. Behind him rode the leprous man; when to their hostelrie They came, he made him eat with him at table cheerfully; While all the rest from that poor guest with loathing shrunk away, To his own bed the wretch he led, beside him there he lay. VI. All at the mid-hour of the night, while good Rodrigo slept, A breath came from the leprous man, it through his shoulders crept; Right through the body, at the breast, passed forth that breathing cold; I wot he leaped up with a start, in terrors manifold. VII. He groped for him in the bed, but him he could not find, Through the dark chamber groped he, with very anxious mind; Loudly he lifted up his voice, with speed a lamp was brought, Yet nowhere was the leper seen, though far and near they sought. VIII. He turned him to his chamber, God wot, perplexèd sore With that which had befallen--when lo! his face before, There stood a man, all clothed in vesture shining white: Thus said the vision, "Sleepest thou, or wakest thou, Sir Knight?"-- IX. "I sleep not," quoth Rodrigo; "but tell me who art thou, For, in the midst of darkness, much light is on thy brow?"-- "I am the holy Lazarus, I come to speak with thee; I am the same poor leper thou savedst for charity.