The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
Children's literature
he drank of the wine and rested awhile. And afterwards they gave him
other arms, and a horse that was a right good one, and went with him
to the lists.
Then Don Arias Gonzalo called for another son, whose name was Diego
Arias, gave him his blessing and went with him to the lists. And the
judges took the reins of the two champions and led them each to his
place, and went out and left them in the lists. And they ran against
each other with such force that both shields failed, and in another
career they brake their lances. Then laid they hand on their good
swords, and delivered such blows that their helmets were cut away, and
the sleeves of the mail. And at length Diego Arias received such a
blow near the heart that he fell dead. And Don Diego Ordonez went to
the bar and laid hold on it, and cried out to Don Arias Gonzalo, Send
me another son, for I have conquered two, thanks be to God. Then the
judges came and said that the dead knight was not yet out of the
lists, and that he must alight and cast him out. Don Diego Ordonez did
as they had directed him, and then went and laid hand upon the bar
again. And then the judges came to him, and led him to the tent, and
disarmed him, and gave him the three sops and the wine, as they had
done before.
Then Don Arias Gonzalo, in great rage called for his son Rodrigo
Arias, who was a good knight, right hardy and valiant, the elder of
all the brethren. And Don Arias said unto him, Son, go now and do
battle with Diego Ordonez, to save Donya Urraca your lady, and
yourself, and the Council of Zamora; and if you do this, in happy hour
were you born. Then Rodrigo Arias kissed his hand and answered,
Father, I thank you much for what you have said, and be sure that I
will save them, or take my death. And he took his arms and mounted,
and his father gave him his blessing, and went with him to the lists;
and the judges took his reins and led him in. And when the judges were
gone out, they twain ran at each other, and Don Diego missed his blow,
but Rodrigo Arias, did not miss, for he gave him so great a stroke
with the lance that it pierced through the shield, and broke the
saddle-bow behind, and made him lose his stirrups, and he embraced the
neck of his horse. But albeit that Don Diego was sorely bested with
that stroke, he took heart presently, and went bravely against him,
and dealt him so great a blow that he broke the lance in him; for it
went through the shield and all his other arms, and great part of the
lance remained in his flesh. After this they laid hand to sword, and
gave each to the other great blows, and great wounds with them. And
Rodrigo Arias gave so great a wound to Diego Ordonez, that he cut his
left arm through to the bone. And Don Diego Ordonez, when he felt
himself so sorely wounded, went against Rodrigo Arias and delivered
him a blow upon the head which cut through the helmet and the hood of
the mail, and entered into his head. When Rodrigo Arias felt himself
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