Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/75

49 RESOLUTION OF THE SPANIARDS. 49 awarded the honors of the day to Bayard, the min- chapter strels as usual began to pour forth triumphant '■ — strains in praise of the victor ; but the good knight commanded them to desist, and, having first pros- trated himself on his knees in gratitude for his victory, w^alked slowly out of the lists, expressing a wish that the combat had had a different termin- ation, so that his honor had been saved. ^^ In these jousts and tourneys, described with suf- ficient prolixity, but in a truly heart-stirring tone, by the chroniclers of the day, we may discern the last gleams of the light of chivalry, which illumin- ed the darkness of the middle ages ; and, although rough in comparison with the pastimes of more polished times, they called forth such displays of magnificence, courtesy, and knightly honor, as throw something like the grace of civilization over the ferocious features of the age. While the Spaniards, cooped up within the old ^'|'^^|^,,°' town of Barleta, sought to vary the monotony of '^"^'• their existence by these chivalrous exercises, or an occasional foray into the neighbouring country, they suffered greatly from the want of military stores, food, clothing, and the most common necessaries of life. It seemed as if their master had abandon- ed them to their fate on this forlorn outpost, without a struggle in their behalf. ^^ How different from 21 Brantome, CEavres, torn. vi. 22, apud Collection des Mfemoires Discours sur les Duels. — D'Au- — Giovio, Vitae Illust. Virorum, p. ton, Hist, de Louys XII., part. 2, 240. chap. 27. — Ulloa, Vita di Carlo V., 22 According to Martyr, the be- fol.ll. — Memoires de Bayard, chap, sieged had been so severely pressed VOL. Til. 7