The Chevalier Bayard and Madame de Randan. A Tale, of the fifteenth century. at twenty years of age, and was incon- arms. After thefe fhort reflections the two knights fat for fome time filent; frange thoughts were paffing in their minds, for they were both in love. It was the firft inftant of their pation, and that inftant is certainly fometimes very embarrailing. "It would be a meritorious act, faid Palice, to touch the heart of fo fair and accomplished a lady." "Certainly, faid Bayard, and highly honourable" and they relapied again into fi lence. They looked at each other, and perceived that they were rivals. . Let there, however, be no difference between us, faid Palice. Let us fwear hy St Dennis, that whofoever shall be the unfucceisful lover, fhall immediately yie d without complaiut; and that is a third fhal: enter the lifts the discarded candidate fhall affift the other, and be his com panion in arms. Let us promife, on the faith of true knights, to relate our fuc cels without referve." "I fwear," faid Bayard. They embraced and feparated. The Chevalier Bayard, at the age of thirty, had already attained the appellation of Bayard the dauntlefs and irreproachable. Palice was proud of having been named with univerfal applaufe to the command of the army at Ravenna. These two preux chevaliers, who acted a confpicuous part in the field, were hardly known at court, and they refigned to the gentle Bonnivet and many others, the intire poffeffion of court favour, conThe one took the road on the right tent themselves with military fame. Bon- hand, the other that on the left, but nivet, however, fometimes courted the both directed their fteps to the hotel of converfation of Palice and Bayard; his the fair widow. Bayard hat already frigid foul came to warm itself at the fire fet his foot within the threshold of her which animated them when they talked gate, when he faw Palice coming. He of honour, and loyalty, and deeds of had all his life been above suspicion or Bonnivet repayed them with reproach. Enter, my Friend, 1aid he tales of galantry, with the news and to Palice, you are my fenior; good anecdotes of the court. The fair wi-night and fuccets to you; I will redow had her turn. "What think you," "turn to-morrow. At thef: words he faid he one day to the knights, of Ma- retired, and Palice was announced to the dame de Randan?" By this hand," widow. faid Bayard, "I never faw fo fair a "dame." "Befhrew, me, added Palice, but it is too much to weep fo long for "the dead." "Dont you know, replied Bonnivet, that I have undertaken to put a fpeedy termination to her widowhood yes, indeed, the fair wi dow, let me tell you in confidence, will not be difpleafed when I attempt to dry her tears." "Thou art a vain creature, faid Palice." "He is a braggart," rejoined Bayard. Very well, gentlemen, faid Bonnivet, oblerve the end," and he took his leave. What a ftrange man, faid Palice, is this Admiral Bonnivet! When I confider, replied Bayard, his behaviour to a lady of high rank, into whofe chamber he introduced himself by a frata3 I VOL. XII. No. 72. How fhall I defcribe Ma lame de Randan. She wore a grey robe; her air was unpowdered, and concealed beneath an immenfe hood which covered her face. A fmall machine for weaving filk lace ftood before her, and a young berl, who was reading certain felect pages from the ftory of Godfrey of Boulogne, was often interrupted by the widow with many a figh. This was the Helen for whom theie two brave Chevaliers were about to contend. She acknowledged the honour of the Captain's vifit, but it made her neither more talkative nor more at eafe. "You fee before you, faid Palice, a true kright who has juft devoted himfelf wholly to your fervice." "How fay you! faid he, with fur prize." It is true, fair lady : my hand, my heart, I lay at your feet." At this the widow wept and was filent. Palice was affected and had almoft fhd tears. The girl by a fign, brought forward the picture of M. de Randan, and the widow, as her only answer, pointed with her in ger to this infeription, I love him ftill. Palice interpreted this dumb refufal, and took his leave for that time by declaring that he would never ceafe imploring God to difpofe her heart to forget the dead, and to have pity on the living. Bayard waited his return with a degree of impatience. "Alas! faid Palice, he was all in tears, the fhewed me the portrait of her husband, and I have been obliged to retire without hope!" Bayard knew the worth of Palice and did not flatter himself." I will go however to-morrow, faid he, and you shall know the event." The interview between our Chevalier and the widow was not altogether the fame. Bayard was younger than Palice and his fame was greater. The beauteous widow wept ; fhe fhewed the portrait,hut fhe listened to Bayard; and when he faid to her, Madam, I will return--fhe replied in a low voice," you will do me a great kindness." The Chevalier related to Palice the converfation faithfully. You will be the happy man, faid the captain; fhe "did not speak half fo much to me."Palice made another attempt. The widow was ftill in tears, the picture was again prefented. Baya.d returned; and while Palice was always treated in the fame way, the Chevalier was making advances daily. The fair widow began to turn her eyes now and then to her mirror. There was however no change of drefs, no kind looks; but the wept no more, and always prolonged the converfation, by queftions that demanded long anfwers, which the Chevalier never gave with fufficient precifion. "Tell me, "faid the, one day, the ftory of your "being made prifoner in Milan by Lu"dovic." "I was, faid Bayard, at the head of a party of French; we were met by a party of Italians who attacked us vigorously: both fides were fo animated that the one did not know they were retreating nor the other that they were advancing, till we were at the gates of Milan where the cry of turn, turn, was repeatedly and eagerly uttered. I, who was intent upon victory, was deaf to the cry and thoughtlessly purfued into the heart of the city. Immediately foldiers and citizens and the very women attack ed me; but a brave fellow, who had always defended himself from my strokes furrounded me with his party and took me prifoner. Ludovic had feen my behaviour from his window and fent for me. "What brought you hither, Chevalier?" said he." The defire of victory, I antwered.-And did you expect to take Milan alone?"-" No, my Lord, but I thought I had been followed by my comrades."-"Though you had, you could not have fucceeded."-" They were wifer than I; they are free and am a prifoner."-" What is the ftrength of the French Army ?" "We never reckon by numbers; but I can affure you the foldiers are all chofen men before whom your's will never stand."-"That time will determine; a battle will prove their valour.”—“Would to God it were to-morrow,and that I were free." “You are free; I like your freedom,and your courage; if you have any thing further to afk of me it fhall be granted." I fell at his feet and befought him to pardon the rudeness of my replies. I begged my horfe and my arms and took leave. Thus ended my adventure at Milan. It was eafy for Ludovic to give me back my liberty; but that which I have loft with you it is impoffible to recover.” Palice was informed of this long converfation; for Bayard faithful to his oath concealed nothing from him. The next vifit he paid the widow he thought to make his court by detailing the circumftances of the battles he had fought from Marignan to Ravenna; but his labour was loft; what interested the fair widow when told by Bayard, was infipid when related by Palice. This at lat he perceived. "The honour of this conqueft, faid he, is yours, Chevalier; I yield and retire. If a third rival appears, behold me your companion in arms." The fair widow grew infenfibly enamoured of Bayard; and his converfation, which at firft was only a pleasure became at laft a neceffity. She had quit ted her grey attire,and had gradually refumed her former drefs. One would have faid that the certainty of being belov ed infpired her with the wish to please. She took a fancy to re-appear at court, with a view of observing whether she did not ftill retain the pre-eminence over all the beauties there. Bayard was the only man who forgave the widow her return to the world, and he was accordingly always called at Court the Lady of the Chevalier. Spain having at that time renewed trucc truce with France, the ambaffidors of that power were received at Paris with the greatest pomp. The entertainments given by Francis correfponded with the idea which the Spaniards, entertained of his magnificence. The widow was one of thofe who were chofen to figure in the ballets, and he was always the most applauded. One of the noble Spaniards who attended the embaffy, became ena. moured of her. But all his ferenades, and other efforts of gallantry were fruitlefs, and Don Alonzo foon learnt, that the heart, which appeared to him impregnable, had a weak fide which lay open to Bayard. The high reputation of his rival di! not intimidate him. The more of difficulty and of danger that appeared but flimulated him the more to the attempt. Don Alonzo accordingly challenged Bayard to fingle combat, which the latter did not refufe. Judges were appointed, and Palice had the guard of the lifts. The news of the duel was foon fpread, and the Spaniards,confidering Don Alonzo as the champion of their country, were anxious for his fate; while the French made vows for the triumph of Bayard; and thus a private quarrel became almoft a national concern. But who can defcribe the grief of the widow? She was the innocem caufe of the combat, and accufed herfelf for having appeared beautiful in the eyes of Don Alonzo. How interefting a moment was this for the foul of our Chevalier, who heard the foft confeffion, which he had never dared to afk for, now uttered amidft a profufion of tears, of fighs and fobbings! He wiped away her tears and fpoke comfort to her. As a pledge of love the tied round his arm a ribband, and gave him a picture. It was a Cupid removing a widow's veil and wiping off her tears with leaves of rofes. The Chevalier received this picture on his knees, and after having killed it a thoufand times, and a thousand times kiffed the fair hand that gave it, he placed it in his bofom, and took his leave. Palice led his friend to the lifts, mounted on a ftately courfer; but the Spaniard chufing to fight on foot the Chevalier difmounted the judges diftributed the arms to each, and both before engaging fell down on their knees to recommend themfelves to God. Then rifing and making the fign of the crofs they proceeded to the combat. I fhall not detain the reader with a particular account of the prowefs and ad 431 drefs of the refpective combatants, nor with a defcription of the hopes and fears that agitated their friends. Let it be sufficient to fay that, after an obstinate and bloody encounter, the Chevalier Payard flew his opponent and came off victorious. upon his knees and returned thanks to He immediately threw himself God, three times kiffing the ground. He was led away in triumph with the found of trumpets to the church, again to give thanks for his victory, and thence he proceeded to the fair widow. but one who could paint her charming No one can paint the jy of this lady eyes and her whole perfon. All was foul, and all, even her very fighs, was joy. From this moment love united their hearts with his frongeft bonds. a crowd of importunate lovers, now be Madame de Randan, fur ounded with gan to dread the effects of her beauty. The life of Bayard was become fo dear to her that the could not think of expofing it again to another hazard. fequeftered manfion that belonged to her fo delicate, will perhaps be aftonished alone; the ladies of thefe times are difOur widow was occupied with Bayard tracted with fo many lovers that they can afford to one but a fmall portion of fenfibility; and this diftraction no doubt is the fafeguard of their honour. But alas! when one thinks of none but one, how neceffary does that one become! efpecially when that one is a Bayard! The lady departed for her retirement needlefs to fay, did not remain behind in the country, and the Chevalier, it is They arrived in great ftate at Fertę where magnificent preparations had been made for their reception; the old foldiers welcomed the gallant Chevalier with honeft hearts and military honours, while the young girls, of all the neighbouring villages, in their helt array, fented her with flowers. came out to meet the widow and preHow happy were our two lovers! 312 How How fhort did the days appear to them, thofe days which others think fo tedious in the country! Reading, and rural amufements were their most serious bufinefs. In fhort, the widow confented to be a widow no longer. She had fworn hover to relinquish the name of Monf. de Randan. She could not break her onth. Her marriage therefore with Bayard as performed in private, and long remained a fecret. To judge of the happiness of this fond pair, it is neceflary to have feen them. Madame de Randan had brought the Chevalier a daughter, defined to inherit her mother's beauty, and her father's honour. To fee Bayard, like another Hector, take off his helmet not to frighten with its black and foreading plumes, the little infant which his wife, in an extacy of conjugal love and maternal affection, held out to him; to fee Bayard, the, flower of chivalry, and the dread of the foes of France, lying on the green fod, with a little child on his knees playing with the hilt of his fword-one must be a father one's felf to conceive it. One day as he was amufing himself in this way, his friend Palice came to fummon him to the field. He was not furprised to find Bayard thus employed. People in thofe day's had not deviated from nature fo far as we have, and there is a penetrating charm which attends every action referable to her. The captain faw at once how matters flood. "This is your daughter, Chevalier, faid he what a charming little innocent!" and he lifted her up, and preffed her to his heart. Bayard blufhed. "I give you joy, my brave friend, faid Palice; allow me to pay my refpectato your wife"-Madame de Randan was in fome confufion, but the foon recovered herself, and accepted the falutations of the captain with a good grace. "You are going, faid fhe, to take the Chevalier from me, and to lead him to the field of dan "To the field of honour, Madam."-"The king's will thall be obeyed," returned the with a figh. She went immediately and prepared with her own hands the field equipage of the Chevalier, and the communicated to Boudin, his faithful fquire, the fecret of dreffing all forts of wounds, with a box of medecines carefully made up from herbs of fovereign virtue by herself. ger," - Bayard departed. Let us pafs over the adicus. In the firft battle he was wounded at the beginning of the action: he was carried off the field and taken to the houle of perfons of quality, whofe fears he calmed by his difcourfe, and by the precaution of placing two foldiers as a guard, to whom he gaye a prefent of eight bundred crowns as an indemnification for the pillage of the houfe to which they were intitled. When his impatience to join the army rather than his cure, which was not compleated, determined him to depart, the miftrefs of the houfe threw her felf at his feet. The right of war faid fhe, makes you mafter not only of our property but of our lives; and you have faved our honour; we hope however from your generofity, that you will not treat us with rigour, and that you will accept of a prefent more fuited to our fortune than to our gratitude. At the fame time, the prefented him with a box full of golden ducats. Bayard looked at her, and afked how many there were. "Two thousand five hundred, my Lord, faid the, but if you are not fatisfied, we will do every thing in our power to procure fomething more." No, Madam, faid Bayard, I will accept of no money; the care you have taken of me is beyond any recompence I can make to you; I only ask your friendship and beg you to accept of mine.”— A moderation fo unufual affected the lady more with furprise than with joy. She threw herself again at the Chevalier's feet and faid she would not rife if he did not accept of that proof of her gratitude. "Since you will have it fo, faid Bayard, I will not refufe you; but cannot I have the honour of faluting your daughters be fore I go?" When they came in he thanked them for their attention to him, for their company and their kind endea vours to amufe him in his diftrefs. "I would willingly teftify my acknowledgements to you, faid he; but military men feldom have any jewels fit for perfons of your fex. Your mother has made me a prefent of two thousand five hundred ducats; I hope each of you will accept of a thoufand as an addition to your dowry. I deftine the remaining five hundred to the Nuns of this city who have been plundered, and I beg you will take the tronble to fee them properly diftributed,” It was thus that Bayard endeavoured to foften the horrors of war. But while he thus did honour to his country, and was glorioufly fhedding his blood for the fate there were not wanting perfons at court who were forming plots against his domeftic peace. Certain favourites who remained with Francis I. in a fhameful inactivity, and who attacked, at their pleature, pleasure, the reputations of the brave and the beautiful, did not fpare the fair inhabitant of the Caftle of Ferte. Francis chid their calumny in that quarter, but ftill he believed more of it than he ought to have believed. He loved the fex, and Madame de Randan was fo beautiful that he grew defirous of seeing her, and as he was an amiable, a gallant prince, and a king, was it not natural for him to indulge fome pleasing hopes? but as he was ever courteous, he wrote the lady a letter informing her of his intention to pay her a vifit with only two attendants. The lady anfwered refpe&fully, and the Monarch foon arrived atthe castle, where he found her ready to receive him without the court. As foon as he faw her he difmounted, took off his hat, and coming up, pulled off his glove, then kiffing the hand fhe prefented to him, led her into the cafte. lier's own hand. The king read it. "I "know faid fhe, and I am happy in "thinking, that it was not the wife of " Bayard whom you meant to feduce." "No Madam, replied Francis, no; upon the honour of a gentleman, juftice "fhall be done to your reputation. I I have been impof d on, but I "fhall repair my fault. Bayard shall "always find a fecond in me when "the honour of his fair fpoufe is attack❝ed." own So faying he fummoned his attendants and mounted his horfe; "Gentlemen "faid he, as he took leave of the lady, "I have been paying a vifit to the wife "of the Chevalier Bayard; Honni foit "qui mal y penfe," The lady latisfied with the manner in which this vifit had terminated, waited with impatience for the return of the Chevalier; but alas! fhe was never to fee him more. Innumerable faults, committed in that compaign by Bonnivet, to whom the king had given the command of the army, made it neceffary for the troops to abandon their enterprife. The flower of the French army was given in charge to Bayard, in order to fecure their retreat, which he effected, but at the expence of his own life. He was mortally wounded by the fhot of a mufquct, then used for the first time; and having fallen from his horfe he was carried to a little diftance and laid at the foot a tree. After the first compliments had paffed and the king had refreshed himself with a flight collation, the two noblemen who attended him, on various pretences, withdrew. Francis immediately began to addrefs the widow in a tone of gellantry, and nobody knew better how to affume the Monarch or the lover as occafion required. But, on finding in the prefent cafe an unexpected refiftance, he threw himself at the lady's feet. "Sire, faid fhe, bursting into tears, "you muft have a very contemptuous opinion of "me when you put yourfe in that humble pofture before me. Have you Here, with his face turned to the e"forgotten that I am the widow of nemy and his eyes fixed on the crofs of "Monf. de Randan who formerly ren- his fword, he recommended himself to "dered you fuch fignal fervices?" The heaven and patiently waited his end. But king, piqued at this unexpected apoftro- did be forget Madame de Randan? No: phe, forgot for a moment the refpect he he dictated a letter to Boudin; his always thewed to the fex-" And have whole foul, tender and full of those virtues you, Madam, faid he, not forgotten that dignified the character of the antiM. de Randan?" Thefe words brought ent cavaliers, was poured forth in that a blush into the cheeks of the lady. letter. "Take, faid he, take the name "Ah Sire, faid fhe, what have you been "of Bayard, and thus honour the re"told of me?" "Madam," faid he, "mory of a true knight who has loved inftantly aware of his imprudence, and "you while he lived, and who was all affuming as much respect as poffible," his life without fear and irreproach"I have been told that you are as vir-❝able, ever zealous for glory, faithful. "tuous as you are fair." "I know "to his king and true to his love." "Sire, returned the, that it is to other "reports of me that I am indebted for the honour of this vifit; you have been flattered, you have been impofed upYes, Sire, you have been impofed it is true I have forgotten M. de Randan; the Chevalier de Bayard is now my husband." At these words The opened a cafket and took out the contract of marriage written by the Cheva ❝ on. ❝ upon; The conftable of Bourbon, as he was in purfuit of the fugitiv, paffed by him and was deeply affected with his fate. "I am not to be pitied, faid this brave man; I die in the performance of my duty; but it is you who deferve pity, who are in arns againft your country, your king, your friends, your oath, your honour and your intereft," At this moment a page arrived from the king with |