The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-03-13
VOL. XII.---NO. 10.
The CheyaIier Bayard.
KNIGHT OF THE oLDEN TIME.

KNIGHT OF THE 0LDEN TIME.
This incident in the life of the Che
Waller Bayard-the pride of French chlv-
airy, and the knight without fear aud re.
proach-is taken from the sketches of
Venetian History, forming part of Mar.
rays Family Library but the original is
found in the memoirs of the Ohevalier by
his secretary. In 1912, Brescia, -four
ishing town in the north of Italy, and at
that time belonging to the Venetian Ter
ritory, was taken, after bloody resist
ance, by the French under CASTOR de
Folk. Bayard, in leading on the troops
to the assault, received very severe
wound in the thigh, by pike. After the
capture of the city, the narrative thus
proceeds j
Bayard meantime was placed upon
door torn from its hinges, and carried to
the best looking house at hand. Its own
er was rich gentleman, who had sought
asylum IN neighboring monastery; aud
his lady and two daughters, young ladies'
of extraordinary beauty, had concealed
themselves beneath some straw 10 gran
airy "under the protection of our Lord"
The mother, when she Leard the knock
ing at the wicket, opened it, "as awaiting
the mercy of God with constancy )" aud
Bayard, Notwithstanding his own great
pain, observing her piteous agony, incon-
tinently placed sentinels at the gate, aud
ordered them to prohibit all entrance,
we'll knowing that his name was watch
word of defence. He then assured the
dame of protection, inquired into her con-
dition, ard dispatching some archers for
her husbands relief, received him cour-
teously, and entreated him to believe that
be lodged none other than friend. His
wound confined him for five weeks, nor
was it closed when he remounted his horse
and rejoined his comrades.
Before his departure, the lady of the
house--still considering herself and fami-
y as prisoners, and her mansion the
lawful property of her guest, yet perceiv-
ing his gentleness of demeanor- thought
to prevail on him to compound for mod.
crate ransome and having placed two
thousand five hundred ducats in basket,
she besought his acceptance on her knees.
Bayard raised her at the moment, asked
her the sum, and seated her beside HIM
SELF He then assured her that had she
presented him with three hundred thou
sand crowns, they would not crafty him
so much as the good cheer which he had
tasted under her roof and he requested
permission to bid adieu to her daughters.
"The damsels," says he chronicler,
"were fair, virtuous and well trained, and
had afforded much pastime to the cheval-
Ter during his illness, by their choice sing.
ing, playing on the lutte and spinnet, aud
their much cunning needlework."
When they entered the chanb i ey
thanked him with deep gratitudt a. lie
guardian Of their honor and the good
knight, almost weeping at their gentle
ness and humility, answered "Fair
maidens, so you are doing that which it is
rather my part to do-to thank you for
the good company which you have afford
ed NE, and for which l am greatly bound
and obliged to you. You know that we
knight Adventures are i'll provided with
goodly toys for lady's eyes and for my
part am sorely grieved not to be better
furnished, in order that l might offer you
some love token, as is your due. But
your lady mother here has given me two
thousand FIVE hundred ducats, which lay
on that table, and / present each Of you
with one thousand as an aid in your mar
riage portions for my recompense l ask
no more than that you will be pleased to
pray God for my welfare" Then turning
to the lady of the house, he continued,
"thesc remaining five hundred ducats 1
take, madam, to my own use and | re-
quest you to distribute them among the
nuns who have been pillaged, and whose
necessities no one can better know than
yourself and herewith take my leave"
After having dined, as he quilted his
chamber to take the horse, the two fair
damsels met him, each bearing little Of
fering which she had worked during his
confinement. One consisted of two rich
bracelets, woven with great taste from her
own beautiful hair and fine gold and sill
yer threads the other was a crimson sat-
in purse, EN- broidered with much subtili.
ty. Greatly did the brave knight thank
them for this last courtesy, saying that
such presents from so lovely hands we're
worth ten thousand crowns then gal
lantly fastening the bracelet on his arm
and the purse on his sleeve, he vowed to
wear them both for the honor of their do
nors while life endured and SO he
mounted and rode away.
The Miller and the Camel.