His castle hall was covered with banners, cimeters, and
Moslem helms, the trophies of his prowess. Don Munio was, moreover,
a keen huntsman, and rejoiced in hounds of all kinds, steeds for the
chase, and hawks for the towering sport of falconry. When not
engaged in warfare, his delight was to beat up the neighboring
forests; and scarcely ever did he ride forth, without hound and
horn, a boar-spear in his hand, or a hawk upon his fist, and an
attendant train of huntsmen.
His wife, Dona Maria Palacin, was of a gentle and timid nature,
little fitted to be the spouse of so hardy and adventurous a knight;
and many a tear did the poor lady shed, when he sallied forth upon his
daring enterprises, and many a prayer did she offer up for his safety.
As this doughty cavalier was one day hunting, he stationed himself
in a thicket, on the borders of a green glade of the forest, and
dispersed his followers to rouse the game, and drive it toward his
stand. He had not been here long, when a cavalcade of Moors, of both
sexes, came prankling over the forest lawn. They were unarmed, and
magnificently dressed in robes of tissue and embroidery, rich shawls
of India, bracelets and anklets of gold, and jewels that sparkled in
the sun.
At the head of this gay cavalcade rode a youthful cavalier, superior
to the rest in dignity and loftiness of demeanor, and in splendor of
attire; beside him was a damsel, whose veil, blown aside by the
breeze, displayed a face of surpassing beauty, and eyes cast down in
maiden modesty, yet beaming with tenderness and joy.
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