New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS
TIE cUEyALIER BAYARD.

What Poetry is to Prose is this biography Oh "o
Chevalier Bayard to the memoir OF any Soiulei y,
modern date. Based on facts. If 1t be no' iao'
throughout it reads like the old romancet OF cn'V
airy except that it lacks the supernatural eien'o'
by which they are largely distinguished ~ 10 N,il
emit perlaps for us to make real to ourselves 'no
man Bavard ne il is difficult for MS to MAKE re Ino
age In which he lived; but II we couu "o oo'i,'
might rob us Of some of the conpiacehcS WIN H0H
we regard ourselves and our own tlmes "nio VIC
are not disposed to regret, with BURKE uaV TUG "so
of ehiyalry is past believe that u might DC s'uu
led To advantage far as manly virtue ana proves
are concerned, and that its heroes are nearer the
Ideal Of true HefOism tnah any VI y" hei0o'' N0A'
Bonaparte down.
The Cheyalier Bayard was as thorough hero OF
romance as Amadis de Gaul, Palmerin of England
or any of the mythical knights of the past. Born IN
the Chateau Bayard III 476, while Louis the Eleventh
was on the throne Of France, lie died at Blagras'
near Milan in 1924 iuthe reign Of Francis the First
From bOyhood he seems to have had passion for
arms for when his father Aymand Tcrrail feeling
that his end was not far off sent for his four chill
dren to ask them what professions they chose and
the eldest declared his wish to live with his parents
as long as they lived and to enjoy his inheritance
peaceably afterward Bayard, the second son, spoke
after his brother and lin the words of the Loyal Ser
yant) with spirit astonishing in so young said
that holding so glorious and illustIiOus name-a
name unsullied and untaTnished by numerous anees-
tors who had borne it, and who had glorihed 1t by
Incompatible feats of aTms-he begged leave to try
and initiate them. The father was moved to tears
by the zeal and earnestness of the boy. MY soD,"
said he You already in face and figure Ike your
grandfather, who one of the most accomplished
gentlemen of his time am rcjoiced at your resolu-
tion ana will do all can TO forward your WISHES
by placing you In the house of some prince where you
L, III Il al
knight" The Bishop of Grenoble his uncle, was
sent for, and by his aid Bayard equipped and
mounted US became young chevalier There was O
tender leave-taking, his good mother mixing her
tears and her kisses with wholesome advice Then,
provided with purse and little trunk containing
his linen he and his uncle took their way to Cham
berry, where the youth presented to the Duke OF
Savoy who was glad to receive him into his house
hold. Six months later he was presented by the
Duke to the King, Charles the Eighth. who was
charmed with him and committed him to the Count de
Lgny, who placed him among his pages and at the
end of three years, when Bayard was seventeen
made him man-at-arms in his company, and gen.
Ieman of his house. with three hundred hyres O
year
From this time to the day of his death the life Of
Bayard was one long scene of warfare. To naIrate
IL would be to narrate the history of the period,
which was of perpetual strife and unrest France
was at war with Italy, anl Italy was at war with
France; hithcr and thther TO and fro the surge of
battle rolled. To-day they sat down before city,
tomorrow they stormed fortress. Up and down
went men-at arms, Bayard among them, whose bust
ness it was TO tempt the enemy into Oh ambush, or,
failing in that to thunder upon him, visor down and
lance in rest.
They Quilted not their harness bright,
Neither by day nor yet by night;
With corsiet laced.
PillOwed on buckler cold and hard;
They carved ut the meal
With gloves Of steel,
And they drank the red wine through the helmet
barred"
There was scarcely battle OF note between the
French and Italians, and the French and Spanards,
N which Bayard did not figure aud win renown.
From man-at-arms he soon became one Of the great
Captains of the time. Others were as brave as he,
no doubt. but of no other was it said that he was
sans peur et sans Teprocke He was brave even TO
Tashness. without being rash. Three qualities"
says the Loyal Servant marked him for perfect
soldier-he was o greyhound for attack, wild boar
in defense and wolf in retreatp What most dis
tnguished him. after yalor, was knightly courtesy.
snd more than knigbtly generosity. If money
bestowed upon him. as 1t often was, he divided it
among his companions, not merely when lie was a
prosperous gentleman" aud could afford it, but
when he was o simple man-at-ar1ns as poor as he
was obscure.
ThirtS 1ears of battle passed, and Bayard's last
hour was at hand. The French we've IN retreat be-
fore the Spanlards, who pressed them hard Bayafd
aud his small force which defended the artillery aud
the flags made so many vigorous charges the
snemy that he obliged those who were pursuing him
to fall back the body of their army after which
he returned with bis men-at-arms, with as calm an
air. says the chrOncler, and composed step us if
be had been walking in q garden He mounted
49,, N .Io.l, ,,,N l,o,
bus was fired the stone of which struck him across
the loins, aud completely fractured his spine When
he felt the blow, he cried out "Jesusw then " o
God am slain" lie kissed tie cross hilt Of his
sword, for q crucifx Then. says the Loyal Ser
want, he waxed quite pale, one swOoning, and
nearly fell but still had strength enough TO grasp
his saddle-bow and remained in this posture till his
steward helped him TO dismOunt aud placed him
snder tree SO that" said he, Il may have my
face toward the enemy" His steward remained be-
side him in teams, as well his other servants
There being no priest present. Bayard confessed to
his steward, whom he begged TO leave him where he
was because he could not be moved without feeling
acute pain. Let devote the short time that re-
mains to me to thinking Of my conscience. l beg
you all to leave for fear that should be made
prisoners and that would be another grief for me-"
80 said the noble knight. thinking more of others
IhaB of himself, and sending bis respects to my
lords the princes Of France and to all the gentlemen
and captains
But now came the Marquis of Pescara the Spanish
General who wept with the rest. Would to God.
Lord Bayard, that might have given all tho blood
I could loso without dying. to have taken you
prisoner in good health You shall know how much
have always esteemed your person, your bravery.
he hot and hat