Ancient Spanish ballads; historical and romantic. Tr. by J. G. Lockhart, esq.

80 THE DEATH OF QUEEN BLANCHE. and fierce temper being stung to madness by what he considered an unjustifiable interference with his domestic concerns, immediately gave orders for the poisoning of Blanche in her prison. In the old French Memoirs of Du Guesclin a much more improbable story is told at great length. The Queen Blanche, according to this account, had been banished to the Castle of Medina Sidonia, - the adjoining territory being assigned to her for her maintenance. One of her vassals, a Jew, presumed to do his homage in the usual fashion, that is, by kissing Blancle on the cheek, ere his true character was suspected either by her or her attendants. No sooner was the man known to be a Jew, than he was driven from the presence of the Queen with every mark of insult; and this sunk so deeply into his mind, that he determined to revenge himself, if possible, by the death of Blanche. He told his story to Maria de Padilla, who prevailed on the King to suffer him to take his own measures; and he accordingly surprised the castle by night, at the head of a troop of his own countrymen, and butchered the unhappy lady. The ballad itself is, in all likelihood, as trustworthy as any other authority; the true particulars of such a crime were pretty sure to be kept concealed.] " MARIA DE PADILLA, be not thus of dismal mood, For if I twice have wedded me, it all was for thy good; But if upon Queen Blanche ye will that I some scorn should show, For a banner to Medina my messenger shall go, - The work shall be of Blanche's tears, of Blanche's blood the ground; Such pennon shall they weave for thee, such sacrifice be found." Then to the Lord of Ortis, that excellent baron, He said, "Now hear me, Ynigo, forthwith for this begone." Then answer made Don Ynigo, " Such gift I ne'er will bring, For he that harmeth Lady Blanche doth harm my lord the King." Then Pedro to his chamber went, - his cheek was burning red, - And to a bowman of his guard the dark command he said. The bowman to Medina passed; when the Queen beheld him near, " Alas! " she said, " my maidens, he brings my death, I fear."