Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-02-03
Setett YUstrp.
From Graham's Magazine
COUNT CANDESPINA'S STANDARD
A BALLAD.
By GEORGRH. BOXER.

the way OF S0r1a ana OSma, Win powerful at
my and having been met by the queens forces
both parties encamped near Sepulveda, and pre-
pared to give battle. This engagement, callet
from the field where it took place de Ia Espind
(The Field of Thorns, is one of the most famous
of that age. The dastardly Count of Lara fled a
the first shock, and Joined the queen at Burgos
where she was anxiously awaiting the issue bu
the brave Count of Candespina Gomez Gonzalez
stood his ground to the last, and died on th'
field of battle. His standard-be bearer, gentleman
Of the house of Olea after having his horse killed
under him, and both hands cut off by sabre
strokes, fell beside his master, still claspng th'
standard with his arms, and repeating his war
cry.-Mad. anita Georges annals of the Queen:
Of Spain.
Scarce were the splintered lances dropped,
Scarce were the swords drawn out,
Ere recreant Lara, sick with fear.
Had wheeled his steed about.
His courser reared, and plunged, and neighed
Loathing the fight to yield,
But the coward spurred him to the bone
And drove him from the field.
Gonzalez in his stirrups rose,-
Turn, turn, thou traitor knight
Thou bold tongue in a lady's bower,
Thou bastard in fight
But vainly rnshaRt Gomez cried
Across the waning fray,
Pale Lara and his craven band
To Burgos secured away.
Now, by the God above me, sirs,
Better we all were dead,
Than = single knight among ye oil
Should ride where Lara led
Let ye who fear to follow me,
As yon traitor, turn and fly;
For lead ye not to win a field,
lead 70 forth to die.
olea, plant my standard here
Here, on this little mound;
Here raise the war-cry ofthy house,
Make this our rallying ground.
Forget not, as thou hop'st for grace,
The last care shall have
Win be to hear thy battle-cry.
And see that standard wave.
Down on the ranks of Aragon
The bold Gonzales drove,
And Oiea raised the battle-cry.
And waved the flag above.
Slowly Gonzalez little band
Gave ground before the foe.
But not An inch Of the field was won
Without deadly blow;
And net An inch Of the 6eid was won
That did not draw tear
Frsm the widowed wives Of Aragon,
That fatal news to hear.
Backward and backward Gomez fought,
And high DER the clashing steel.
Palmer and palmer rose the cry
0les for CASTLE.
Backward fought Gomez, step by step,
Till the cry was close at hand,
Till his dauntless standard shadowed him,
And there he made stand
Mace, sword, and axs rang on Hrs mail
Yet be moved not where he stood,
Though each gaping joint of armour ran
A stream Of purple blood.
As pierced with countless wounds he fell.
The STANDARD. caught his eye,
And he smiled, like An infant hushed asleep.
To hear the battle-cry-
Now, one by one, the wearied knights
Had fallen, or basely flown;
And on the mound, where his post was fixed
Oiea stood alone.
Yield up thy banner, gallant knight,
Thy lord lies on the plain.
Thy duty has been nobly done,
would not see the slain.
Spare pity, King Of Aragon,
would not hear the lie :;
My lord is looking down from heaven,
To see his standard fly.
Yield madman, yield thy horse is down,
Thou hast not lance nor shield:
Fly! will grant thee time. This flag
Can neither fly nor yield.
They girt the standard round about,
Avail Of flashing steel,
But still they heard the bsttle-cry-
Olea for CsStile!