[90] [The actors in a bull-fight consist of three or four classes: the _chulos_ or footmen, the _banderilleros_ or dart-throwers, the _picadores_ or horsemen, the _matadores_ or _espadas_ the executioners. Each bull-fight, which lasts about twenty minutes, is divided into three stages or acts. In the first act the _picadores_ receive the charge of the bull, defending themselves, but not, as a rule, attacking the foe with their lances or _garrochas_. In the second act the _chulos_, who are not mounted, wave coloured cloaks or handkerchiefs in the bull's face, and endeavour to divert his fury from the _picadores_, in case they have been thrown or worsted in the encounter. At the same time, the _banderilleros_ are at pains to implant in either side of the bull's neck a number of barbed darts ornamented with cut paper, and, sometimes, charged with detonating powder. It is _de rigeur_ to plant the barbs exactly on either side. In the third and final act, the protagonist, the _matador_ or _espada_, is the sole performer. His function is to entice the bull towards him by waving the _muleta_ or red flag, and, standing in front of the animal, to inflict the death-wound by plunging his sword between the left shoulder and the blade. "The teams of mules now enter, glittering with flags and tinkling with bells, whose gay decorations contrast with the stern cruelty and blood; the dead bull is carried off at a rapid gallop, which always delights the populace."--_Handbook for Spain_, by Richard Ford, 1898, i. 67-76.] [91] {70} "The croupe is a particular leap taught in the manège."--[MS.] [_Croupe_, or _croup_, denotes the hind quarters of a horse. Compare Scott's ballad of "Young Lochinvar"--"So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung." Here it is used for "croupade," "a high curvet in which the hind legs are brought up under the belly of the horse" (_N. Eng. Dict._, art. "Croupade.")] [92] {71} ["Brast" for "burst" is found in Spenser (_Faërie Queene_, i. 9. 21. 7), and is still current in Lancashire dialect. See _Lanc. Gloss._ (E. D. S. "brast").] [93] [One bull-fight, one matador. In describing the last act Byron confuses the _chulos_ or cloak-waving footmen, who had already played their part, with the single champion, the matador, who is about to administer the _coup de grâce_.] [dd] ----_he lies along the sand._--[MS. erased.] [de] _The trophy corse is reared--disgusting prize_. or, _The corse is reared--sparkling the chariot flies_.--[MS. M.] [94] [Compare Virgil, _Æneid_, viii. 264-- "Pedibusque informe cadaver Protrahitur. Nequeunt expleri corda tuendo--"] [95] {72} "The Spaniards are as revengeful as ever. At Santa Otella, I heard a young peasant threaten to stab a woman (an old one, to be sure, which mitigates the offence), and was told, on expressing some small surprise, that this ethic was by no means uncommon."--[MS.]