“I am Ruy Diaz, · the champion of Bivar;
Strike amongst them, Gentlemen, · for sweet mercies’ sake!”
There where Bermuez fought · amidst the foe they brake,
Three hundred bannered knights, · it was a gallant show.
Three hundred Moors they killed, · a man with every blow;
When they wheeled and turned, · as many more lay slain;
You might see them raise their lances · and level them again.
There you might see the breast-plates · how they were cleft in twain,
And many a Moorish shield · lie shattered on the plain,
The pennons that were white · marked with a crimson stain,