The Sun Over Breda

this series will clarify that mystery.2 But now, almost four centuries after all that happened, we know that Inigo Balboa did not lie and that Captain Alatriste was—and still is—on the canvas of The Surrender of Breda.

—The Editor

 

A SELECTION FROM

A POETRY BOUQUET

BY VARIOUS LIVELY MINDS

OF THIS CITY

Printed in the XVIIth century, lacking the printer’s mark, and conserved in the Condado de Guadalmedina section of the Nuevo Extremo Ducal Archive and Library, Seville

DON FRANCISCO DE QUEVEDO

Inscription to the Marques Ambrosio Spinola,

Commander of Catholic Forces in Flanders

Sinon, Ulysses, and the Trojan HorseWon the day in Troy with treachery,Whereas in Ostend, leading your troops,It was your sword that crushed the enemy.

As your squads approached their wallsFrisia and Breda foresaw their destiny;Facing your might, the heretic gave way Hisbanners struck, his pennon a mockery.

You subjected the PalatinateTo benefit the Spanish monarchy,Your ideals countering their heresy.

In Flanders, we badly missed your gallantry,E’en more in Italy…and now this eulogyAmid sorrow we dare not contemplate.

THE CABALLERO OF THE YELLOW DOUBLET

To Inigo Balboa, in his later years

’Pon my oath, no difference can I find’Twixt the young Basque known for his diligenceAnd the hidalgo once a Flanders soldier:That lad gave good account of his existence.

Hearing tales about your dashing swordsman,The orb, envisioning that experience,The flashing blade, the valiant adventure,With military tears bemoans his absence.

His valor was your fortune and your glory,And wonder at the days you lived with himWill be the one reaction to your story.

Because of you, thwarting oblivion,His memory will not be lost through time:Diego de Alatriste, Capitan!

DEFENSE OF THE GARRISON AT TERHEYDEN:

AN EXCERPT FROM ACT III OF THE FAMOUS PLAY

THE SIEGE OF BREDA

by Don Pedro Calderon de la Barca

D. FADRIQUE BAZAN:Oh, if only Henry would marchThis way, engage the SpanishIn this place, a happy dayIt would be for our intentions!

D. VINCENTE PIMENTEL:We are not so fortunate, senor,As to be granted such a blessing.

ALONSO LADRON, CAPTAIN:I would venture that he will joinWith those fat flinflones, the German guard,With whom he is comfortably allied.We are told that when they hear our“Santiago! Close in for Spain!”Even though they know the nameAnd know he is our patron saintAnd one apostle of the twelve,They believe we call the devil,And that without discriminationWe summon devils as well as saints,And that all come to our aid.

D. FRANCISCO DE MEDINA:If Henry leads his troops alongThe Antwerp road, the ItaliansWill be waiting to engage him.

The bugle sounds “To Arms”

D. FADRIQUE:It seems that they are readyingFor battle.

ALONSO:God’s bones!It will be these same ItaliansWho glory in the occasionWhile we Spanish will be watchingWithout a fight!

D. FADRIQUE:Say not so! Allow Colonel de la DagaTo choose for you a numberOf the loyal men of SpainThat in the furor of the battleThey may show what swordplay is!

DON GONZALO FERNANDEZ DE CORDOBA:They would disobey?

DON FADRIQUE:Not at all!This is a place and time in whichThe man who does not draw his bladeWill cease to call himself a man,And less, a Spaniard.

D. GONZALO:ObedienceIs in war what most confinesAnd makes a prison for a soldier:More praise and more renown are wonBy one who docilely enduresThan by fervor in the fray.

D. FADRIQUE:But were the greater glory notObedience, what prisons wouldThere be that could contain us?

ALONSO:Withal, these Flemish caballerosShould not draw my ire, forIf the tercios be broken,I shall have to fight today.Though I be hanged tomorrow.

Drum rolls

D. VICENTE:Either way is an offense!

Drum rolls

D. FADRIQUE:How fine the voices of the drumsAnd trumpets sound accompanyingThe stirring cadence of the cannon!

D. FRANCISCO DE MEDINA:By heaven, the enemy has fought throughThe Walloons’ last defense!

Drum rolls

D. FADRIQUE:And now draw nigh the Italian lines!

ALONSO:Oh, those accursed flinflones.When our friends combat that foeTheir squads will not prevail.

D. GONZALO:Look, there, see de la Daga…

ALONSO:Aside(Slanderously, Jinalasoga)

D. GONZALO:See how proudly he succumbsAlong with his brave Spaniards,Resisting to the very end.

Drum rolls

DON FADRIQUE:I am so schooled and practiced inThe matter of obedienceThat when I hear that first command,My blade lies quiet in its sheath!They say the man who stands in placeRather than fight, is the one whoBetter fulfills his obligations!

D. VICENTE:The garrison now lies in ruins.Do you not hear the voices?By God, I now believe thatHe will enter the town tonight!

ALONSO:How mean you?

D. FADRIQUE:The town?Obedience will forgive me,He must not enter.

D. VICENTE:Let us attack,Whether the general be discontentedOr resigned.

D. GONZALO:Oh, caballeros,Lose everything, but do not counterYour instructions.

D. FADRIQUE:We do not failOur obligations, but there are timesThat force a different effort, whenAn order broken is not broken.

D. VICENTE:But, look, there, attend the action,What one man daringly attempts.Muted, the wind stops blowing,The sun is halted in its path.Do you not see the ItalianSergeant-Major, standing againstHenry’s boldly advancing army?With his cries he animatesHis gallant men, and togetherThey forestall the squadsOf the enemy. We must giveThis triumph an eternal name:Carlos Roma, you are most worthy,Deserving that your king shouldHonor you with New World lands,With appointments, and with glory.And now with sword and buckler, soldiersAre erupting onto the field.And following their example, the ItaliansSpring into action. Let themEnjoy the glory and it be weWho witness. For here our envy may beSeen as noble, as too our praise.Spain, which in far greater numberHas been victorious in her battles,Has no reason to omitThe name of Italy from this triumph,For it is they who are the victors.

D. FRANCISCO DE MEDINAThere is another victoryBefore us, another triumph,Which is the rescue of our bannerFrom capture and from offense.This has been done by those fewBrave and valiant Spaniards, theyWho here escorted ColonelDe la Daga, and who restrainedSo fiercely the English troops with theirAmazing, brash, and bold assault.

D. GONZALO:Who was he, then, who led them,Fierce Mars and noble Hector?

ALONSO:Diego Alatriste y Tenorio,The “Captain” is an honoraryTitle, fittingly won amidThe clamor and the roar of cannon.

D. GONZALO:On such an august day as thisMay Alatriste in renownYield only to brave Carlos Roma.Who, along with his men,The king will generously rewardFor being victors in Terheyden.

D. FADRIQUE:In defeat and disarray.The Flemish are retreating,