This gruff dog, in dreadful mockery,
To his horse's tail had tied
The adored Ave Maria,
As was but too soon descried.
At the camp arrived, he shouted,
"Who will so fool-hardy be
As to fight me? I defy you
All,—come one, come two, come three!"
Out the Alcayde of Los Doncelos,
Out the Count of Cabra stept,
Both brave men, whose active falchions
In the scabbard seldom slept.
Out came Gónzalo Fernandez,
Out Martin Galindo came,
With the bold Portocarrero,
Palma's lord of mickle fame.
Out he stept too who so frankly
Fetched the glove midst lions thrown,
Frankly fetched it forth, the gallant
Manuel Ponce de Leon.
With them ev'n King Don Fernando
Rides, exclaiming, "Forward, ho!
Soon we'll teach the ruffian whether
We dare fight with him or no!"
On they rode, rejoiced to hear him
Praise his vassals so, and each
Begged that he that useful lesson
To the infidel might teach.
Garcilasso too, a stripling
Brave and daring, with great glee
Rode with them, and begged the battle,
Begged it on his bended knee.
"You're too young, good Garcilasso,
You're yet much too young to die;
There are numbers in my kingdom
Fitter far the fight to try."
Deeply vexed at this refusal,
Much confused the youth withdrew,
But put on strange arms in secret,
So that none his person knew.