Chapter XXXII: Of the King's Death

Soon after, the King's approaching death was revealed to me; for, behold, as I was praying in the church of Vienne, I fell into a trance, as I was singing psalms, and saw innumerable companies of soldiers pass before me by the Lorraine road. A certain one, black as an Ethiop, followed them, of whom I inquired whither he was going, and received for answer that he was awaiting the death of Charles to take possession of his soul. "I conjure you, then," said I, "by the name of the Lord Jesus, to return when you have completed your errand." When I had rested some time, and begun to explain the psalms, behold they returned back, and, speaking to the same person I before addressed, I inquired whom he had been seeking, and was answered, "the Gallician;" but the stones and timber of the churches he founded balanced so greatly in his favour, that his good works outweighed his bad, and his soul was snatched from us, and at this the demon vanished. Thus I understood Charles died that day, and was carried into the bosom of God and St. James. But as I had requested him, before we parted at Vienne, to send me notice of his decease in case it preceded mine, being then grievously sick, and remembering his promise, he encharged a certain learned soldier to bring me word the moment he died. What more need I add? The messenger arrived on the fifteenth day after it happened. He had, indeed, been grievously afflicted with illness from the hour he left Spain, and suffered still more in mind than in body for the friends he lost on the unfortunate 16th of June. On the same day that I saw the vision, namely, on the 5th of February, in the year of our Lord 814, he departed this life, and was sumptuously buried in the round church of St. Mary, which he had himself built; and this sign I was credibly informed happened yearly for three years together before his death,--"The Sun and Moon became dark, and his name, Charles the Prince, inscribed on the church, was totally obliterated of itself; and the portico likewise, between the church and the palace, fell to the very foundation." The wooden bridge also which he built six years before over the Rhine at Mentz was destroyed by fire, self-kindled. And the same day, as a traveller was on his journey, he saw a great flame, like the flame of a funeral pile, pass from right to left before him; which terrifying him greatly, he fell from his horse, but was presently relieved by his friends.

We therefore believe that he now enjoys the crown of the blessed martyrs, whose labours he imitated, whose pattern and example he followed. Whereby we may understand, that whoever builds a church to God's glory, provides for himself a residence in his kingdom. For this cause was Charles snatched from the hands of demons, and borne by good angels to heavenly habitations.

BALLAD ROMANCE TOUCHING THE DAYS OF CHARLEMAGNE AND OF THE CID CAMPEADOR WITH THE BALLAD OF COUNT ALARCOS

_FROM THE SPANISH BALLADS TRANSLATED BY_ JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

THE MOOR CALAYNOS 57 THE ESCAPE OF GAYFEROS 61 MELISENDRA 63 THE MARCH OF BERNARDO DEL CARPIO 67 LADY ALDA'S DREAM 69 THE ADMIRAL GUARINOS 71 THE COMPLAINT OF THE COUNT OF SALDENHA 75 THE FUNERAL OF THE COUNT OF SALDENHA 76 BERNARDO AND ALPHONSO 78

PART II.

THE YOUNG CID 81 XIMENA DEMANDS VENGEANCE 83 THE CID AND THE FIVE MOORISH KINGS 84 THE CID'S COURTSHIP 85 THE CID'S WEDDING 87 THE CID AND THE LEPER 88 BAVIECA 90 THE EXCOMMUNICATION OF THE CID 92

PART III.

COUNT ALARCOS AND THE INFANTA SOLIS 94