De la pelea que ovo don Carnal con la Quaresma (estrofas 1067-1127): Old Spanish-English verse-English prose

Old Spanish verse text from Juan Ruiz, El libro de buen amor, edited by Alberto Blecua, Cátedra, 1996, ests. 1067-1127.

1067) Acercándose viene un tiempo de Dios santo:
Fuime para mi tierra por folgar algund quanto;¹
dende a siete días era Quaresma tanto;²
puso por todo el mundo miedo e grand espanto.

Estando en la mesa con Don Jueves Lardero,
truxo a mí dos cartas un ligero trotero;³
dezirvos he las notas (servos [é] tardinero,
ca, las cartas leídas, dilas al mensajero):⁴

«De mí, santa Quaresma, sierva del Salvador,
enbïada de Dias a todo pecador,
a todos los açiprestes e clérigos sin amor,
salud en Jhesu Christo fasta la Pasqua Mayor.

1070) »Sabed que me dixieron que ha çerca de un año
que anda Don Carnal sañudo, muy estraño,⁵
astragando mi tierra, faziendo mucho dapño,
vertiendo mucha sangre, de lo que más me asaño.⁶

»E por aquesta razón, en vertud de obediençia,
vos mando firmemente, so pena de sentençia,
que por mi e por mi Ayuno e por mi Penitençia
que lo desafiedes luego con mi carta de creençia.⁷

»Dezidle de todo en todo que,⁸ de oy en siete dias,
la mi persona mesma e las conpañas mías
iremos pelear con él e con sus porfías:⁹
tengo que non se nos tenga en¹⁰ las carneçerías.

»Dadla al mensajero, esta carta leída,
liévela por la tierra, non la traya escondida,
que non diga su gente que non fue aperçebida.
Dada en Castro de Ordiales,¹¹ en Burgos resçebida.»¹²

Otra Carta traía abierta e sellada,
una concha muy grande de la carts colgada:
aquél era el sello de la dueña nonbrada
la nota es aquésta, a Carnal fue enbïada:¹³

«De mí, Doña Quaresma, justiçia¹⁴ de la mar,
alguaçil de las almas que se han de salvar
a ti, Carnal goloso,¹⁵ que te non coidas fartar,
enbíote el Ayuno por mi desafiar:¹⁶

»desde oy en siete dias, tú e tu almohalla¹⁷
que seades conmigo en canpo, a la batalla;
fasta el Sábado Santo darvos he lid sin falla:
de muerte o de lisión non podrás escapalla.»¹⁸

Leí amas las cartas, entendí el ditado,¹⁹
vi que venía a mí el un fuerte mandado,
ca non tenía amor nin era enamorado;
a mí e a mi huésped púsonos en coidado.

Do tenia a Don Jueves por huésped a la mesa,
levantóse bien alegre, de lo que non me pesa,
diz: «Yo só el alférez contra esta malapresa:²⁰
yo justaré con ella, que cada año me sopesa.»²¹

Diome muy muchas graçias por el mi buen conbid,²²
fuese e yo fiz mis cartas; dixele al Viernes: «Id
a Don Carnal mañana e todo esto le dezit
que venga aperçebido²³ el martes a la lid.»

1080) Las cartas resçebidas, Don Carnal argulloso,
mostró en sí esfuerço, pero estava medroso:
non quiso dar respuesta, vino a mi acuçioso,²⁴
troxo muy grand mesnada como era poderoso.²⁵

Desque vino el dia del plazo señalado,
vino Don Carnal ante: está muy esforçado,²⁶
de gentes bien guarnidas²⁷ muy bien aconpañado:
serié Don Alexandre de tal real pagado.²⁸

Pusso en la delantera muchos buenos peones:
gallinas e perdizes, conejos e capones,
ánades e lavancos²⁹ e gordos ansarones;
fazían su alarde çerca de los tizones.³⁰

Éstos traían lanças de peón delantero,
espetos muy conplidos³¹ de fierro e de madero;
escudávanse todos con el grand tajadero:³²
en la buena yantar³³ estos vienen primero.

En pos los escudados están los ballesteros:
las ánsares çeçinas,³⁴ costados de cameros,
piernas de puerco fresco, los jamones enteros;
luego en pos de aquéstos están los cavalleros:

las puestas³⁵ de la vaca, lechones e cabritos
allí andan saltando e dando grandes gritos;
luego los escuderos, muchos fresuelos fritos,
que dan de las espuelas a los vinos bien tintos.³⁶

Traýa buena mesnada rica de infançones:
muchos buenos faisanes, los loçanos pavones,
venían muy bien guarnidos, enfiestos los pendones,³⁷
traýan armas estrañas³⁸ e fuertes guarniçiones;

eran muy bien labradas, tenpradas³⁹ e bien finas,
ollas de puro cobre traýan por capellinas,⁴⁰
por adáragas calderas, sartenes e cozinas:⁴¹
real de tan grand preçio⁴² non lo tlenen las sardinas.

Vinieron muchos gamos e el fuerte javalí:
«Senor», diz, «non me escuses de aquesta lid a mí,
que ya muchas vegadas lidié con Don Alí:⁴³
usado só de lid, sienpre por ende valí.»

Non avía acabado de dezir bien su verbo,
ahévos adó⁴⁴ viene muy Iigero el çiervo:
«Omíllome»,⁴⁵ diz, «señor, yo el tu leal siervo,
por te fazer serviçio ¿non fui por ende siervo?»⁴⁶

1090) Vino presta e ligera al alarde la liebre:
«Senor», diz, «a la dueña yo le metré la fiebre,⁴⁷
dalle he sarna e diviesos, que de lidiar no’l mienbre;⁴⁸
más querría mi pelleja quando alguno le quiebre.»⁴⁹

Vino el cabrón montes con corços e torcazas,⁵⁰
deziendo sus bramuras⁵¹ e muchas amenazas:
«Señor», diz, «a la duefia, si conmigo la enlazas,
non te podrá enpesçer con todas sus espinaças.»⁵²

Vino su paso a paso el buey viejo lindero:⁵³
«Senor», diz, «a herrén me echa oy el yuguero:⁵⁴
non só para afrue en carrera nin ero,⁵⁵
mas fágote serviço con la carne e cuero.»⁵⁶

Estava Don Toçino con mucha otra çeçina,
çidiérbedas⁵⁷ e lomos, finchida la cozina,⁵⁸
todos aperçebidos para la lid marina;
la dueña fue maestra: non vino tan aína.⁵⁹

Como es Don Carnal muy rico enperador⁶⁰
e tiene por todo el mundo poder como señor,
aves e animalias, por el su grand amor,
vinieron muy omildes, pero an grand temor.⁶¹

Estava Don Carnal ricamente assentado
a messa mucho farta, en un rico estrado;⁶²
d’esas muchas vïandas era bien abastado;⁶³
delante sí juglares como omne mucho onrado.

Estava delante d’él su alférez homil,
el inojo fincado, en la mano el barril:⁶⁴
tañía a menudo con él el añafil;⁶⁵
parlava mucho el vino, de todos alguaçiI.⁶⁶

Desque vino la noche, mucho después de çena,
que tenía cada uno ya la talega llena
para entrar en fazienda⁶⁷ con la dueña serena,
adormeciéronse todos después de la ora buena.⁶⁸

Essa noche los gallos con grand miedo estovieron,
velaron con espanto, nin punto non dormieron;⁶⁹
non avía maravilla, que sus mugeres perdieron;
por ende se alboroçaron,⁷⁰ del roído⁷¹ que oyeron.

Faza⁷² la medianoche, en medio de las salas,
vino Doña Quaresma, diz: «Señor, tu me valasl»;
dieron bozes los gallos, batiendo de las alas,
fueron a Don Carnal aquestas nuevas malas.

1100) Como avía el buen omne sobramucho comido,
con la mucha vïanda mucho vino bevido,
estava apesgado⁷³ e estava adormido;
por todo el su real entró el apellido.⁷⁴

Todos amodorridos fueron a la pelea,
pusieron las sus azes, ninguno non pletea;⁷⁵
la conpaña⁷⁶ del mar las sus armas menea:
viniéronse a ferir⁷⁷ deziendo todos: «iEal»

El primero de todos que ferió a Don Carnal,
fue el puerro⁷⁸ cuellealvo e feriólo muy mal;
fízole escopir flema: esto fue grand señal;
tovo Doña Quaresma que era suyo el real.

Vino luego en ayuda la salada sardina,
firió muy reziamente a la gruesa gallina:
atravesósle en el pico, afogóla aína;⁷⁹
después a Don Carnal falsól la capellina.⁸⁰

Vinién las grandes mielgas⁸¹ en esta delantera,
los verdeles e xibias guardan la costanera;⁸²
buelta⁸³ es la pelea de muy mala manera:
cayé de cada cabo mucha buena mollera.

De parte de Valençia venían las anguillas,
salpresas e trechadas, a grandes manadillas,
davan a Don Carnal por medio de las costillas;
las truchas de Alverche⁸⁴ dávanle en las mexillas

Aý andava el atún como un bravo león,
fallós con Don Tozino, díxol mucho baldón;⁸⁵
si non por Dona Çeçina, que’l desvió el pendón,
diérale a Don Lardón⁸⁶ por medio del coraçón.

De parte de Bayona venién muchos caçones,⁸⁷
mataron las perdizes, castraron los capones;
del río de Henares venían los camarones,
fasta en Guadalquivir ponían sus tendejones.⁸⁸

Alli con los lavancos lidian barvos e peçes;
diz la pixota⁸⁹ al puerco: «¿Dó estás, que non paresces?⁹⁰
Si ante mí te paras, darte he lo que mercesçes;
çiérrate en la mesquita, non vayas a las prezes.»⁹¹

Allí vino la lixa⁹² en aquel desbarato,
traýa muy duro cuero con mucho garavato,
a costados e a piernas dávales negro rato:
ansí trava[va] d’ellos como si fuese gato.

1110) Recudieron⁹³ deI mar, de piélagos e charcos,
conpañías mucho estrañas e de diversos marcos:⁹⁴
traýan armas muy fuertes e ballesteros arcos:
más negra fue aquésta que non la de Alarcos.⁹⁵

De Sant Ander vinieron las bermejas langostas,
traýan muchas saetas en sus aljavas postas,⁹⁶
fazían a Don Carnal pagar todas las costas:
las plazas que eran anchas fazíansele angostas.

Fecho era el pregón del año jubileo,
para salvar sus almas avian todos desseo:
quantos son en la mar venían al torneo;
arenques e vesugos vinieron de Bermeo.

Andava ý la utra con muchos conbatientes,
feriendo e matando de las carnosas gentes;
a las torcazas matan las sabogas valientes,⁹⁷
el dolfín⁹⁸ al buey viejo derribóle los dientes.

Sávalos e albures e la noble lanplea
de Sevilla e de Alcántara venian a levar prea;⁹⁹
sus armas cada uno en Don Carnal enplea:
non le valía nada deçeñir la correa.¹⁰⁰

Bravo andava el tollo, un duro villanchón:¹⁰¹
tenian en la su mano grand maça de un trechón,¹⁰²
dio en medio de la fruente al puerco e al lechón,
mandó que los echasen en sal de Villenchón.¹⁰³

El pulpo a los pavones non les dava vagar,¹⁰⁴
nin aún a las faisanes non dexava bolar,
a cabritos e a gamos queríalos afogar:¹⁰⁵
coma tiene muchas manos, con muchos puede lidiar.

Allí lidian las ostias con todos los conejos;¹⁰⁶
con la liebre justavan los ásperos cangrejos;
d’ella e d’ella parte danse golpes sobejos:¹⁰⁷
de escamas e de sangre van llenos los vallejos.

Alli lidia el conde de Laredo muy fuerte,¹⁰⁸
congrio çeçial e fresco, mandóle mala suerte,
a Don Carnal seguiendo, llegándol a la muerte:·
estava mucho triste, non falla que’l confuerte.¹⁰⁹

Tomó yaquanto esfuerço¹¹⁰ e tendió su pendón,
ardiz e denonado,¹¹¹ fuese contra Don Salmón;
de Castro de Urdiales llegava esa saçón:¹¹²
atendiól el fidalgo,¹¹³ non le dixo de non.

1120) Porfiaron grand pieça e pasaron grand pena;¹¹⁴
si a Carnal dexaran, diérale mal estrena,¹¹⁵
mas vino contra él la gigante ballena:
abraçóse con él, echólo en la arena.

Las más de sus conpañas éranle ya fallesçidas:¹¹⁶
muchas d’ellas murieron e muchas eran foídas;
pero, ansí apeado,¹¹⁷ fazia grandes acometidas,
defendióse quanto pudo con manos enflaqueçidas.¹¹⁸

Como estava ya con muy pocas conpañas,
el javalín e el çiervo fuyeron a las montañas;
todas las otras reses fuéronle muy estrañas:¹¹⁹
los que con él fincaron¹²⁰ non valian dos castañas.

Si non fuese la çeçina con el grueso toçino,
que estava amarillo, de días mortezino,¹²¹
que non podia de gordo lidiar sin el buen vino,
estava muy señero,¹²² çercado e mesquino.

La mesnada del mar fízose un tropel:
fincaron las espuelas, dieron todos en él,
matar non lo quisieron, ovieron duelo d’el:
a él e a los suyos metieron en un cordel.¹²³

Troxiéronlos atados porque non escapasen,
diéronlos a la dueña ante que se aforrasen;¹²⁴
mandó Doña Quaresma que a Carnal guardasen
e a Doña Çeçina con el Toçino colgasen.

Mandólos colgar altos, bien como atalaya,
e que a descolgallos ninguno ý non vaya;
luego los enforcaron de una viga de faya;
el sayón va deziendo: «Quien tal fizo, tal aya.»¹²⁵

1127) Mandó a Don Carnal que’l guardase el Ayuno
e que lo toviesen ençerrado ado non lo vea ninguno,
si non fuese doliente o confesor alguno,¹²⁶
e que’l diesen a comer al día manjar uno.

English verse text from The Book of Good Love, trans. Elisha K. Kane, privately printed, 1933.

The Fight which Sir Carnival Had with Lady Lent

1067) Season consecrate to God was now approaching near,
And hence, to rest awhile, I went into my homeland dear.
Dour Lent was just a week away, and its duration drear
Inspired throughout the whole wide world misgivings, dread, and fear.

While I was dining at my table with Sir Thursday fat,
A nimble messenger brought me two letters where I sat
Which I shall tell you all about if you can wait for that,
For written in those letters was disclosed this caveat.

“From me, your holy Lady Lent, the liege of your Creator.
Sent down to sinners here from God as His administrator.
To each archpriest and clerical who is no fornicator.
Be greetings in the name of Jesus Christ ’till Easter Greater.

1070) “Know ye that I have been advised that for a year at least
Sir Carnal has been strangely wroth, and like a very beast
Has wasted my domains, and damage more he has increased
By shedding blood in quantities–this has my rage released.

“Now therefore, for this reason, and in virtue of my power,
I do command you strictly under pain of sentence dour,
That for me and my penitence, and for my fastings sour,
You do defy him with my writ of Christian faith this hour.

“So tell him clearly, out and out, that ere a week shall amble,
That I in person with my host will make his belly wamble,
For I shall fight the brute and all the routs that with him ramble;
I trust no one will strike at us in butcher shop or shamble.

“Once read, return this letter to the messenger with care,
Nor let its summons be concealed-broadcast It everywhere
So that no folk can make excuse that they were unaware;
At Castro de Urdiales issued–ln Burgos noted there.”

An open letter, too, there was which had a seal attached,
A conch-shell, fine and very large, and well for such like matched,
It was the seal of Lady Lent who had the writ dispatched
And this is what there was inside–’twas all for Carnal scratched.

“From Lady Lent, Chief Magistrate and Justice of the Sea,
High Constable of Pious Souls who shrived and saved would be,
To you, hog-bellied guzzler, Carnal, to stop your gorging spree,
I send this summons of my fast–come, fight it out with me!

“Be present just one week from date with all your arms and host
Upon the camp and field of war assembled at this post,
For on the holy Sabbath day I’ll fight you, and I boast
You either shall surrender arms or else give up the ghost.”

I read both letters, understanding all therein contained,
And I perceived that I was through a dread command constrained,
Though I, that time, was not in love, nor had a leman gained:
Both I myself, and guest as well, were by the missal pained.

My guest the good Sir Thursday was who then sat at my board
Yet he got up so cheerfully it did much joy afford,
Said he, “I am the adjutant against this dame abhorred
And I’ll as champion battle her–each year she tests my sword.”

Thereat he did with many thanks my kindness well requite
And went away. I drew a brief, and said to Friday’s knight,
“Go find Sir Carnal on the morrow. Tell him this forthright,
That he must come prepared on Tuesday for a bloody fight.”

1080) Then insolent Sir Carnal. having read the letters, made
A show of summoning his strength, although he was afraid.
He did not deign to make reply but speedily arrayed,
Since he was very powerful, a mighty cavalcade.

No sooner had the time arrived upon the day agreed,
Than to the field Sir Carnal came with all that he could lead
Of troopers, well and heavy armed, with all the men they’d need
King Alexander would have loved to have such pomp indeed.

As soldiery on foot to hold his foremost battle line,
He set his pullets, partridges. his hares and capons fine,
And wild and tame ducks so they might with his fat geese combine;
Then in review he passed them all where roasting fires could shine.

The lances which they carried, as the outpost fighting men,
Were mighty spits of iron and wood. sharp pointed as a pen.
While everyone was shielded with a platter for, I ken,
The first course in a feast is oft a dish of hare or hen.

Behind these bearers of the shield. the arbalasters were,
That is, the geese, dried beef, and sides of mutton stript of fur,
Next hams entire and legs of pork, unsalted I aver,
And then behind these stood the knights, each with his golden spur.

They were the luscious cuts of beef, of goat and suckling pig,
That reared and snorted here and there with cries and squealings big;
Just after them I saw their squires, the smart fried cheeses sprig
Which goad a man to ruddy wine ’till he takes many a swig.

He also had a goodly troop of lords of royal birth,
Full many pheasants it contained and proud peacocks of worth,
All bearing crests and gorgeous plumes–of pomp there was no dearth,
And they were clad in armor strong, the strangest on the earth.

For it was armor wondrous wrought, adorned and tempered fine;
The helmets all were copper pots which did their pates enshrine,
The shields were kettles, frying pans, and plates of odd design
Indeed, Dame Lent’s sardines could ne’er in such equipment shine.

Then came some buck beer, and besides a mighty mountain boar;
Who cried, “Sir, I’II not be exempt from serving in this corps,
For many times against the Jews my pigs have served in war
And therefore, being used to battle, conquer evermore.”

Yet scarcely had they said their say and mustered in their clan,
When lo, behold a nimble stag up to Sir Carnal ran,
“I bow before you, lord,” said he, “I am your loyal man,
For was I not a vassal made to be your partisan?”

1090) Then swift and prompt to that assemblage dashed the willing hare,
Quoth he, “I’ll give to Lady Lent a strange disease to bear,
A fever dread with boils and itch for which she will not care,
But when the chills take hold of her she’ll want my fur to wear.”

Thereafter came the mountain goat, roe deer and ring-dove, too,
With bleatings bellicose with threats and warlike hullabaloo.
The goat said, “Lord, if I top Lent the way I’d like to do
Not she nor all her fishy things will ever trouble you.”

With slow and plodding steps arrived an old ox, sleek and stout,
Who bawled, “I’m given only fodder by the stable lout,
And be not nourished for the fray on battlefield or route,
But I can do you service with my meat and hide throughout.”

Sir Bacon stood there ‘mid a crowd, with Sausage, Salted Beef,
Fine Loins, and Choicest Cuttings, from his culinary fief,
All garnished for the fight marine. Yet from her ocean reef
Not quickly Lady Lent arrived, of all her fishes chief.

Now inasmuch as Carnal was an emperor of note,
Who exercised the power of lord o’er regions most remote,
The varied animals and birds who did upon him dote,
Came humbly, and with fear, because of rumors wild afloat.

Sir Carnal, full of majesty, sat down in rich array
To loaded tables in his hall ‘mid sumptuous display;
In front of him some minstrels were that for a king might play,
And there were lavish viands stocked against a distant day

Before him was his standard bearer with a humble mien
On bended knee, while In his hand he held a huge canteen
And often blew the Moorish flute which made a shrilling keen,
But wine, the bailiff of them all, talked loud, and so obscene.

At last, when dead of night arrived, long after they had dined,
And every man had filled his paunch nor left a scrap behind,
Their bedtime past, each fell asleep, but with determined mind
To battle lady Lent, and give her many cuts unkind.

That night the rooster sentries walked their posts with wild surmise
Or fearfully they stood their guard and never shut their eyes,
For since the day their wives were slain to make up chicken pies,
The smallest noises made them start and crow with dread surprise.

About the middle of the night, down through the banquet halls
Charged Lady Lent-the roosters crowed, “God save us from these brawls”
And beat their wings and cock-a-doodle-dooed their battle calls,
Untll Sir Carnal heard the racket from their hellish squalls.

1100) But since that good old toper knight had eaten over much,
And with the salted meats had taken wine in measures such
As flddle-faddled all his wits and left him in their clutch,
Quite unexpected burst the call to battle through his hutch.

Yet dazed and boozy-groggy out they started for the clash,
But when their battle line was ready, none felt battle rash.
Then with their shining armor swept Lent’s sea men with a splash,
And shouting, “Die!” they struck at them with many a grievous gash.

The foremost of them all who smote Sir Carnal was the leek,
A hoary headed wight, forsooth, who did so dourly pique
Sir Carnal that he coughed up phlegm which seemed a lucky streak.
So Lady Lent concluded all the loot was hers to seek.

Thereat a salted sardine came and rendered her his aid
By dealing to Sir Rooster such a hearty accolade
Upon the bill, he choked to death by swallowing the blade;
Then, afterwards, he smote Sir Carnal, splitting his cockade.

Some monstrous dogfish at that instant charged the foremost rank,
While both their allies, grey and green, were guarding either flank,
And thus the tide of war was turned by Lent’s grim foemen lank
Who left, from bashed out skulls, a mess of bloody brains that stank.

Some eels from near Valencia’s coast came wriggling to the fray
In squirming masses, dried and salted, blocking Camal’s way;
They flayed his rib bones mightily and made him lose the day
As fine Alberche trout upon his flanks brought disarray.

The gamy Tunny fish fought like a veritable lion,
For he transfixed Sir Lard and smote Sir Bacon, Carnal’s scion,
So hard, that had not Lady Beef preserved that sorry cion
By warding off the blows he took, he’d now be up in Zion.

More dogfish from Bayona came, with war lust agitated;
They killed Sir Carnal’s partridges; the capons they castrated,
While from the brook Henares, where the crayfish best are rated,
To far up clear Guadalquivir, the shrimps in camp awaited.

Right there against the ducks some barbels made a bloody row;
A hake cried out unto a hog, “Where hide you, Lady Sow?
Come stand against me for I swear I’ll stick it to you now,
Or lock you up inside a mosque, since prayers you disavow.”

A bulldog shark, to join the carnage, swam up streams and brooks,
Completely armed in hide of mail, embossed with grappling hooks,
So that his foemen’s ribs and legs were writ to Satan’s books
For like a cat he all impaled upon his barbed crooks.

1110) From everywhere–from salty ocean, puddle, sea, and pool
Came, helter-skelter, companies of many a garish school,
All armed with bows and arbalasts and every battle tool-
‘Twas worse than at Alarcos when the Moors made Christians pule.

From off the coast of Santander squirmed choice vermillion eels
Who carried countless darts and arrows in their quiver creels;
They made Sir Carnal pay the scot for all his gorging meals,
Until what part of him was fat grew slim as his ideals.

A proclamation ordered then a year of jubilee
Whereby all fish might save their souls through Christian recipe
By killing Carnal-hence a host forsook their native see
To join the herrings in a holy, hot crusading spree.

A certain doughty fish kept fighting there with many knights,
A-laying right and left and killing most of Carnal’s wights.
The valiant shad slew flocks of thrush, but greatest of all sights
Was when Sir Dolphin broke old Ox’s teeth in little mites.

Some shad and dace conducted by a lamprey of birth,
From Seville and Alcantara came hunting loot of worth,
And each drove in Sir Camal’s guts their weapons without mirth,
Nor did lt help to loose his belt and void a little earth.

A spotted dogfish bravely strode like some stout hearted boor,
And brandished in his brawny hands a mace-like truncheon dure
With which he bashed a suckling pig and stunned a sow mature,
Then straight in strong Valencian brine he soaked the twain to cure.

An octopus no time the peacocks gave to strut around,
Nor let the pheasants take to wing and soar above the ground,
But strangled goats, and kids, and hams where’er they could be found,
For since he had so many arms he could a lot surround.

The oysters, too, for battle with the timid cronies thrilled,
Meanwhile the armored crayfish jousted with some rabbits skllled,
And here and there, with mighty blows, Sir Camal’s troops were killed,
While fish scale armor and red blood the valley bottoms filled.

There grimly battled those who hailed Laredo suzerain,
The fresh and sun-dried conger eels-they wrought such grievous pain
Upon Sir Carnal, pressing him and hacking him amain,
That he was saddened unto death, nor comfort could attain.

Yet ne’ertheless he rallied strength and raised his battle flag,
All rash and fierce from desperation, spurring on his nag.
He charged upon Sir Salmon who from Urdlales’ crag
Had just arrived. That noble fish did not for combat lag.

1120) But hard and hot and long and oft some cruel buffets struck.
Yet had not others come, Sir Carnal might have changed his luck,
For lo, a most gigantic whale came lumbering like a truck
And closing in upon him bore him down into the muck.

The greater part of Carnal’s band already had been hurt;
A goodly number wounded were and many bit the dirt,
Still Carnal, though unhorsed, afoot, did desperately exert
Himself upon his own defense, with hands almost inert.

Then since few troops supported him, for worse his fortunes changed;
The stag and boar deserted him and o’er the mountains ranged,
While every head of cattle in his army grew estranged,
And those who did remain with him were measly and bemanged.

Indeed if It were not for damsels Beef and Bacon Fat
Who deathly yellow pale, were much too fleshy for the spat,
Because they could not fight without wine-bibbing by the vat,
He would have been alone, harassed, and wretched as a rat.

Thereat the sea food company assembled in a troop,
And driving spurs into their mounts, rushed on him with a swoop.
They did not try to kill him, pitying the nincompoop,
Wherefore they bound Slr Carnal and the members of his group.

Then keeping watch lest they escape, those wights with fetters fraught
Were handed o’er to Lady Lent as soon as they were caught.
That dame commanded straight that Carnal be to prison brought
While damsels Beef and Bacon Fat should have a gallows wrought.

Upon a scaffold, watch tower high, she said they should be strung,
Forbidding all to cut them down as loftily they swung.
Thus from a beechwood wine press beam, with gibbets they were flung:
The hangman cried, “Who does the like, will also here be slung!”

1127) Sir Carnal was commanded then to keep the lenten fast,
And where no one could come to him he was in prison cast.
None saw him but the priests and sick who meatless could not last
And Carnal there each whole long day got only one repast.

English prose text from The Book of Good Love, trans. Rigo Mignani and Mario A. Di Cesare, SUNY P, 1972.

The season sacred to the Lord was drawing near, so I returned to my own place to rest for a while. It was seven days before Lent–that time which caused fear and dread throughout the whole world. I was at home with Sir Thursday the Fat when a messenger ran in, bringing me two letters. Even though it’s a long story, I will summarize for you what they contained, because after I had read the letters, I returned them to the messenger.

“From me, Lady Lent, servant of God, whom He has sent to every sinner, to all archpriests and clergy without love–salvation in Jesus Christ until Easter:

“You should know that I have been informed that, for almost a year, Sir Carnival, in rage and fury, has been going about pillaging my land, wreaking havoc and, what angers me most, shedding much blood. For this reason, I order you most solemnly under obedience and in pain of judgment, to challenge him with my credentials, in my name and in that of Fast and Penance. Make it perfectly clear to him that in seven days I myself and my troops shall come to do battle against him and bis arrogance. I do not believe that he will remain in the butcher shops. After you have read this letter, return it to the messenger to carry throughout the land without concealing it, so that bis people may not say the message was not seen. Given in Castro Urdiales 75 and received in Burgos.”

The other letter which the messenger brought had a large shell hanging from it like a seal; it was the seal of the lady. This is the message she sent to Sir Carnival: “From me, Lady Lent, Justice of the sea, Guardian of the souls that desire to be saved, to you, gluttonous Carnival, who think of nothing but gorging yourself, I send Fast to challenge you in my name.

“Seven days hence, you and your army shall come to do battle with me in the field. I will fight you without fail. until Holy Saturday, and you will not be able to avoid death or prison.”

I read both letters and understood their meaning. I realized that the order was even stricter for me since I had no mistress and I was not in love. My guest and I were both upset. Sir Thursday, my guest, got up happily from my table–for which I am glad–and said: “I am the standard-bearer against that wretch, and I will have to joust with her. Every year she makes trial with me.”

He thanked me heartily for the fine repast and departed. I wrote my letters and then told Friday, “Go to Sir Carnival tomorrow and inform him of all this so that on Tuesday he will come to the fight forewarned.”

When he had received the letters, the proud Sir Carnival bared his teeth, though he was really afraid. He had no desire to answer but he came, anxiously, leading a huge army, for he was a powerful man. On the appointed day he was there, the defiant Sir Carnival, surrounded on all sides with armed men; mighty Alexander himself would have been pleased with such a following. In his vanguard he had ranged excellent foot soldiers: Hens and Partridges, Rabbits and Capons, Ducks domestic and wild, and fat Geese were mustered near the embers. They bore their lances like front-line men, huge skewers of iron and wood. For shields they had plat ters; at any proper feast, they are the first course. After these shield-bearers came the bowmen: salted Geese, Mutton Loins, fresh Legs of Pork, and whole Hams. And following them came the knights: Beef quarters, suckling Pigs and Kids, gamboling and squealing. Then came the squires: many Cream Cheeses that ride and spur dark red wines.

A rich train of noblemen came next: Pheasants and proud Peacocks all well garnished, their banners upright, bearing frightful weapons and fierce armor. Their weapons were well wrought, well tempered, and fine: for helmets they wore pots made of pure copper; for shields, cauldrons, pans, and kettles. Certainly the Sardines do not have an army of such value. Many Deer arrived, and the great Wild Boar who said: “Sir, you must not leave me out of this battle, because I have already set to many times with Ali. I am accustomed to fighting and have al ways been good at it.”

The Boar had hardly finished speaking when the Deer came, very swiftly. “Sir, I, your loyal serv ant, salute you,” he said. “Am I not a hermit in order to serve you?”

The Hare came, very willing, to the muster. “Sir,” she said, “I will bring a fever on that lady; I will bring on the itch and boils, so that she will not even remember the fight. She will want to have my skin when one of them breaks out on her.”

Then came the Wild Ram, accompanied by Roe-deer and Doves, flaunting his courage and hurling about threats. “My Lord,” said he, “if you throw the lady at me, she will do you no harm for all her fish bones.”

Slow and plodding, the old, loyal Ox arrived. “Sir,” he said, “I am good only for pasture or the plough; I am not fit to battle on the road or in the field. But I can serve you with my meat and my hide.”

Sir Bacon came in a full pot with many a Corned Beef, Rib and Pork Loin. They were all ready for the fierce battle. But the lady knew her trade and did not show up too soon.

Since Sir Carnival is a very wealthy emperor and has lordly power over the world, the birds and animals came very humbly, but with great fear. Sir Carnival was sitting majestically at a full table on a noble dais, with jesters before him as befits a great man. A lavish feast was set before him. At his foot knelt the humble standard-bearer, one hand on the wine barrel, playing away at his trumpet. The Wine, as sergeant-at-arms, was speaking for all of them. At nightfall, long after they had all filled their bellies at the feast, they said “Goodnight” and comfortably went to sleep to rest for the battle with the lady.

That night, the Roosters were filled with fear and kept a frightened vigil without once closing their eyes. But that is not strange, since they had lost their wives. Every noise they heard made them jump with fright.

It was midnight when the Lady Lent marched into the middle of the hall and cried, “God be our strength!” The Roosters screamed and flapped their wings, and the evil tidings reached Sir Carnival. But that good man had eaten too much and drunk his fill of wine at the feast, and now he was groggy with sleep. The racket was heard through the whole camp. Drowsy, they all stumbled to the battle, mustering their troops, and no one dared to complain. The host from the sea wielded their weapons and the two armies crashed against each other crying, “Ea!”

First to wound Sir Carnival was whitenecked Leek, hurting him so badly that he spat phlegm, a fearful omen. Lady Lent thought the camp was hers. Salty Sardine came in to help and wounded fat Hen by throwing herself into her bill and choking her, and then she cracked Sir Carnival’s helmet. Great Dogfish charged the front line, while the Clams and the Cuttlefish guarded the flanks. The fighting was chaotic and confused, and many good heads were split open.

From the coast of Valencia came the Eels, marinated and cured, in large crowds; they struck Sir Carnival in midchest, while Trout from Alberche hit him in the jaw. Tuna fought like a fierce lion: he rushed Sir Lard and hurled insults, and if it had not been for Corned Beef, who warded off the lance, Tuna would have wounded Sir Lard through the heart. From the region of Bayona came many Sharks, killing the Partridges and castrating the Capons; from the river Henares came the Shrimp, who pitched their tents as far as the Guadalquivir. Barbels and other fish fought against the wild Ducks, and Merluce cried to Pig, “Where are you? Why don’t you come out? Just show yourself and you’ll get what you deserve. Go lock yourself in the mosque, but don’t go near a church.”

Catfish added to the rout, with his tough skin barbed with hooks; be ripped into Legs and Loins, clawing them as if he were a cat. Strange groups of odd sizes rushed up from the sea, the ocean, the lakes, armed with fierce bows and crossbows. It was a worse rout than that at Alarcos. Red Lobsters flocked from Santander, emptying their heavy quivers and making Sir Carnival pay heavily. The spacious meadows were becoming too small for him.

Because the year of jubilee bad been proclaimed and all were anxious to save their souls, all the creatures of the sea hurried to the joust. Herrings and Sea Breams came from Bermeo; Whale went about with a large corps of fighters, wounding and killing the carnal hosts. The valiant Shad slew the Doves, and Dolphin shattered old Ox’s teeth. Shad and Dace and noble Lamprey came from Seville and Alcantara to get their share. Everyone sharpened his weapons on Sir Carnival, and in vain did he try to loosen his belt.

Dogfish, a tough ruffian, went about madly, brandishing a mace slung from a belt, with which he banged Pig and Suckling in mid-forehead, and then ordered them salted down in Villenchón salt. Squid showed the Peacocks no quarter, nor allowed the Pheasants to fly away: the Kids and the Deer he tried to strangle. With his many arms, he can fight many opponents. There, too, were Oysters battling against Rabbits, and harsh Crabs jousting with Hare. On both sides such tremendous blows were dealt that the ditches were running with blood and scales. Conger Eel, count of Laredo, marinated and fresh, fought fiercely and wrought havoc on Sir Carnival, bearing down very hard on him. Sir Carnival was in despair, finding no comfort anywhere. Rallying his courage, he hoisted the spear; with renewed vigor, he turned against Salmon, who had just come up from Castro de Urdiales. That knight stood his ground, without flinching from the battle. They fought hard and long, and exchanged many wounds. Had Sir Carnival been left alone, be might have finished off Salmon, but giant Whale came at him, embraced him, and threw him down on the sand.

Most of Sir Carnival’s army bad perished; those who could had fled. Even so, afoot, he tried desperately to defend himself with his weak hands. Seeing the host decimated, Wild Boar and Deer fled into the mountains, and then most of the other animals abandoned him there, while those who remained were more dead than alive. Except for Corned Beef and fat Sir Lard, who had turned pale and looked like a corpse and could not fight without a bumper of wine, so fat was he, Sir Carnival was alone, beaten down and surrounded. The sea-host regrouped, then spurred forward and rushed him. But in their pity not wishing to kill him, they tied him and his followers up and brought them bound and under heavy guard before Lady Lent.

Lady Lent ordered that Sir Carnival be imprisoned. As for Lady Corned Beef and Sir Lard, she sentenced them to be hanged as high as sentries in a watchtower, and gave solemn command that no one should cut them down. They were hanged from a beechwood beam, while the executioner intoned, “This is the just punishment for their deeds.”

Lady Lent set Fast to guard Sir Carnival and be his jailer, with orders that no one be allowed to see him, except the confessor if he fell ill, and that he should have only one meal a day.