The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
Children's literature
Now Don Rodrigo Frojaz and his brethren and the knights who were with
them had resolved to make straight for the banner of the King of
Castille. And they broke through the ranks of the Castillians, and
made their way into the middle of the enemy's host, doing marvellous
feats of arms. Then was the fight at the hottest, for they did their
best to win the banner, and the others to defend it; the remembrance
of what they had formerly done, and the hope of gaining more honours,
heartened them; and with the Castillians there was their king, giving
them brave example as well as brave words. The press of the battle was
here, and the banner of King Don Sancho was beaten down, and the king
himself also, and Don Rodrigo made way through the press and laid
hands on him and took him. But in the struggle he lost much blood, and
perceiving that his strength was failing, he sent to call the King Don
Garcia with all speed. And as the king came, the Count Don Pedro
Frojaz met him and said, An honourable gift, sir, hath my brother Don
Rodrigo to give you, but you lose him in gaining it. And tears fell
from the eyes of the king, and he made answer and said, It may indeed
be that Don Rodrigo may lose his life in serving me, but the good name
which he hath gained, and the honour which he leaveth to his
descendants, death cannot take away. Saying this, he came to the place
where Don Rodrigo was, and Don Rodrigo gave into his hands the King
Don Sancho his brother, and asked him three times if he was discharged
of his prisoner; and when the king had answered Yes, Don Rodrigo said,
For me, sir, the joy which I have in your victory is enough; give the
rewards to these good Portugueze, who with so good a will have put
their lives upon the hazard to serve you, and in all things follow
their counsel, and you will not err therein. Having said this he
kissed the king's hand, and lying upon his shield, for he felt his
breath fail him, with his helmet for a pillow, he kissed the cross of
his sword in remembrance of that on which the Son of God had died for
him, and rendered up his soul into the hands of his Creator. This was
the death of one of the worthy knights of the world, Don Rodrigo
Frojaz. In all the conquests which King Don Ferrando had made from the
Moors of Portugal, great part had he borne, insomuch that that king
was wont to say that other princes might have more dominions than he,
but two such knights as his two Rodrigos, meaning my Cid and this good
knight, there was none but himself who had for vassals.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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