University of Virginia Library

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THE STORY OF DON FERNANDO DE VALOR.

At the close of a summer's day, sometime near the end of the fourteenth
century, a party of young knights, seven in number, were returning to their several
countries from attending a great tournament held in the lists of the Moorish
palace of the Alhambra, then occupied by John, king of Castile. This tournament
was held in honor of the nuptials of the Prince with the Infanta, and from
its magnificence had drawn together the flower of the chivalry of many lands.
The company of knights alluded to, consisted of one of Spain, whose castle lay
northward, near the Pyrennees; one of France; one of England; one of Germany;
one of Rome; of a Scottish knight, and a knight of Venice, all journeying
homeward from the jousts, with their esquires and retinues.

At the end of the first day's travel, they pitched their tent near the banks of
a pleasant river; and after having removed their heavier armor, and refreshed
themselves, holding the whilst much pleasant discourse touching the feats of
knighthood that had been done at the tournament, each began to laud the
prowess of the chivalry of his own land. After some dispute, it was agreed between
them that each should recount some achievement of his own knights;
and the palm of knightly honor be awarded to that country which furnished the
knight of greatest prowess and skill in arms. The lot to commence the narration,
fell upon the Spanish knight, whose name was Don Fernando de Valor,
who, though young in years, had performed many deeds of great bravery, both
in the lists and in the field.

The rich Castilian moonlight fell pleasantly upon the group of knights seated
upon the verdant sward before their tent, the door of which was hung with
burnished shields and casques, which gleamed resplendent in its beams, while
their spears and lances were stacked in the gleaming moonshine, on either side
of the entrance. At their feet was the bright stream beside which they were
encamped, moving past in alternate light and shadow, like gliding steel. Behind
them reclined their esquires, and others of their retainers, prepared to
listen to the recounting of deeds of arms, while farther in the rear, beneath a
group of majestic cork trees, were tethered and unharnessed steeds, their steel
saddles and chain armor hanging about upon the branches, or piled upon the
ground. To the south, the lofty Sierras of Granada, shining with snow, rose
sublimely like marble pillars, upholding the sky; and in the midst of this scene,
Don Fernando thus began his story.