Chapter 12 - Page 2

general rout. He collected the remnant of the
troops, formed them into a battalion, and retreated in tolerable order
to his camp. That camp was well fortified by intrenchments and a broad
ditch. Thither the fugitives hastened, and by degrees all that
remained of the Moorish army was brought together there.
The Emperor might perhaps that night have crushed his enemy
entirely; but not thinking it prudent to expose his troops, fatigued
as they were, to an attack upon a camp so well fortified, he contented
himself with encompassing the enemy with his troops, prepared to
make a regular siege. During the night, the Moors had time to see
the extent of their loss. Their tents resounded with lamentations.
This warrior had to mourn a brother, that a friend; many suffered with
grievous wounds, all trembled at the fate in store for them.
There were two young Moors, both of humble rank, who gave proof at
that time of attachment and fidelity rare in the history of man.
Cloridan and Medoro had followed their prince, Dardinel, to the wars
of France. Cloridan, a bold huntsman, combined strength with activity.
Medoro was a mere youth, his cheeks yet fair and blooming. Of all
the Saracens, no one united so much grace and beauty. His light hair
was set off by his black and sparkling eyes. The two friends were
together on guard at the rampart. About midnight they gazed on the
scene in deep dejection. Medoro, with tears in his eyes, spoke of
the good prince Dardinel, and could not endure the thought that his
body should be cast out on the plain, deprived of funeral honors. "O
my friend," said he, "must then the body of our prince be the prey
of wolves and ravens? Alas! when I remember how he loved me, I feel
that, if I should sacrifice my life to do him honor, I should not do
more than my duty. I wish, dear friend, to seek out his body on the
battlefield, and give it burial, and I hope to be able to pass through
King Charles's camp without discovery, as they are probably all
asleep. You, Cloridan, will be able to say for me, if I should die
in the adventure, that gratitude and fidelity to my prince were my
inducements."
Cloridan was both surprised and touched with this proof of the young
man's devotion. He loved him tenderly, and tried for a long time every
effort to dissuade him from his design; but he found Medoro determined
to accomplish his object or die in the endeavor.
Cloridan, unable to change his purpose, said, "I will go with you,
Medoro, and help you in this generous enterprise. I value not life
compared with honor, and if I did, do you suppose, dear friend, that I
could live without you? I would rather fall by the arms of our enemies
than die of grief for the loss of you."
When the two friends were relieved from