Page:Omniana 2.djvu/234

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224
OMNIANA.

the spirit in which it is written could have been learnt. This can only be understood from a few specimens. The hermit, Count William, having knighted his young son, stops in the midst of a battle, and gives him a Moor of unusual stature, whom he had taken prisoner, that the boy may try his hand at killing him. This proves a long piece of butchery for the urchin; when, however, he has at last accomplished it, the Count throws him upon the dead body, and rubs his face upon it, till his eyes and cheeks are covered with blood, and makes him dip his hands in the wounds, et cosi lo rincorò, incarnandolo nel sangue di quel Moro. An English knight, and a right brave one, having been overpowered by Tirante in a tournament, refuses to kneel down and beg his life, as the conqueror requires. "'God forbid, (he says) that I should ever do an act of such dishonour; . . do with me as you think fit; I would rather die bravely