[45] Biographical and Critical Miscellanies, by W. H. Prescott, Esq.
[46] With one foot already in the stirrup, and in the anguish of death, noble Señor I write to you.
[47] It must, however, be borne in mind that the Gregorian Calendar had not at that period been introduced in England.
EL BUSCAPIÉ.
Wherein is related what befel the author when
he travelled to Toledo, in company with a
student whom he met on the road.
It happened, once on a time, that being on my way to Toledo, just as I was approaching the Toledana Bridge, I descried advancing towards me a student mounted on a most villainous-looking nag. The poor animal was blind of one eye, and not much better than blind of the other; neither was he very sound in the legs, if I might judge from the numerous reverences he made as he wearily moved onward. The student gravely saluted me, and I with all due courtesy returned his greeting. He spurred his poor nag with the intention of advancing more expeditiously, but the miserable animal was so worn out by old age and hard usage, that it was piteous even to behold him.
The rider whipped his horse, but the horse, heedless of the blows, showed no disposition to quicken his pace. He turned a deaf ear to all the commands of his master, who, in truth, might as well have shouted down into the depths of the well of Airon, or up to the summit of Mount Cabra.
This contest between horse and rider had proceeded for some time, to my no small diversion, when, at length, the descendant of Babieca,[48] as though suddenly roused by the severe treatment to which he was subjected, seemed determined not to proceed another foot. In proportion as he was urged to advance, he appeared resolved to stand stock still, or, rather, he shewed more disposition to go backward than forward.