--- title: Defence of the Convent of St. George By Pelistes. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Defence of the Convent of St. George By Pelistes., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: For three long and anxious months did the good knight Pelistes and his cavaliers defend their sacred asylu --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/25/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/) / Defence of the Convent of St. George B… # Defence of the Convent of St. George By Pelistes. Defence of the Convent of St. George By Pelistes. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 58 sentences and 1413 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. For three long and anxious months did the good knight Pelistes and his cavaliers defend their sacred asylum against the repeated assaults of the infidels.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") The standard of the true faith was constantly displayed from the loftiest tower, and a fire blazed there throughout the night, as signals of distress to the surrounding country.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") The watchman from his turret kept a wary look out over the land, hoping in every cloud of dust to descry the glittering helms of Christian warriors.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") The country, however, was forlorn and abandoned, or if perchance a human being was perceived, it was some Arab horseman, careering the plain of the Guadalquivir as fearlessly as if it were his native desert.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") By degrees the provisions of the convent were consumed, and the cavaliers had to slay their horses, one by one, for food.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") They suffered the wasting miseries of famine without a murmur, and always met their commander with a smile.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Pelistes, however, read their sufferings in their wan and emaciated countenances, and felt more for them than for himself.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") He was grieved at heart that such loyalty and valour should only lead to slavery or death, and resolved to make one desperate attempt for their deliverance.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Assembling them one day in the court of the convent, he disclosed to them his purpose.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") “Comrades and brothers in arms,” said he, “it is needless to conceal danger from brave men.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") Our case is desperate: our countrymen either know not or heed not our situation, or have not the means to help us.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") There is but one chance of escape; it is full of peril, and, as your leader, I claim the right to brave it.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") To-morrow at break of day I will sally forth and make for the city gates at the moment of their being opened; no one will suspect a solitary horseman; I shall be taken for one of those recreant Christians who have basely mingled with the enemy.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") If I succeed in getting out of the city, I will hasten to Toledo for assistance.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") In all events I shall be back in less than twenty days.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Keep a vigilant look out toward the nearest mountain.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") If you behold five lights blazing upon its summit, be assured I am at hand with succour, and prepare yourselves to sally forth upon the city as I attack the gates.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Should I fail in obtaining aid, I will return to die with you.”[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") When he had finished, his warriors would fain have severally undertaken the enterprise, and they remonstrated against his exposing himself to such peril; but he was not to be shaken from his purpose.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") On the following morning, ere the break of day, his horse was led forth, caparisoned, into the court of the convent, and Pelistes appeared in complete armour.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Assembling his cavaliers in the chapel, he prayed with them for some time before the altar of the holy Virgin.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Then rising, and standing in the midst of them, “God knows, my companions,” said he, “whether we have any longer a country; if not, better were we in our graves.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Loyal and true have ye been to me, and loyal have ye been to my son, even to the hour of his death; and grieved am I that I have no other means of proving my love for you, than by adventuring my worthless life for your deliverance.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") All I ask of you before I go, is a solemn promise to defend yourselves to the last like brave men and Christian cavaliers, and never to renounce your faith, or throw yourselves on the mercy of the renegado Magued, or the traitor Julian.”[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") They all pledged their words, and took a solemn oath to the same effect before the altar.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Pelistes then embraced them one by one, and gave them his benediction, and as he did so his heart yearned over them, for he felt towards them, not merely as a companion in arms and as a commander, but as a father; and he took leave of them as if he had been going to his death.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") The warriors, on their part, crowded round him in silence, kissing his hands and the hem of his surcoat, and many of the sternest shed tears.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") The grey of the dawning had just streaked the east, when Pelistes took lance in hand, hung his shield about his neck, and, mounting his steed, issued quietly forth from a postern of the convent.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") He paced slowly through the vacant streets, and the tramp of his steed echoed afar in that silent hour; but no one suspected a warrior, moving thus singly and tranquilly in an armed city, to be an enemy.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") He arrived at the gate just at the hour of opening; a foraging party was entering with cattle and with beasts of burthen, and he passed unheeded through the throng.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") As soon as he was out of sight of the soldiers who guarded the gate, he quickened his pace, and at length, galloping at full speed, succeeded in gaining the mountains.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Here he paused, and alighted at a solitary farm-house to breathe his panting steed; but had scarce put foot to ground when he heard the distant sound of pursuit, and beheld a horseman spurring up the mountain.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Throwing himself again upon his steed, he abandoned the road and galloped across the rugged heights.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") The deep dry channel of a torrent checked his career, and his horse, stumbling upon the margin, rolled with his rider to the bottom.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Pelistes was sorely bruised by the fall, and his whole visage was bathed in blood.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") His horse, too, was maimed and unable to stand, so that there was no hope of escape.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") The enemy drew near, and proved to be no other than Magued the renegado general, who had perceived him as he issued forth from the city, and had followed singly in pursuit.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well met, señor alcayde!” exclaimed he, “and overtaken in good time.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Surrender yourself my prisoner.”[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Pelistes made no other reply than by drawing his sword, bracing his shield, and preparing for defence.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Magued, though an apostate, and a fierce warrior, possessed some sparks of knightly magnanimity.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Seeing his adversary dismounted, he disdained to take him at a disadvantage, but, alighting, tied his horse to a tree.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The conflict that ensued was desperate and doubtful, for seldom had two warriors met so well matched or of equal prowess.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Their shields were hacked to pieces, the ground was strewed with fragments of their armour, and stained with their blood.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") They paused repeatedly to take breath; regarding each other with wonder and admiration.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Pelistes, however, had been previously injured by his fall, and fought to great disadvantage.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") The renegado perceived it, and sought not to slay him, but to take him alive.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Shifting his ground continually, he wearied his antagonist, who was growing weaker and weaker from the loss of blood.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") At length Pelistes seemed to summon up all his remaining strength to make a signal blow; it was skilfully parried, and he fell prostrate upon the ground.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") The renegado ran up, and, putting his foot upon his sword, and the point of his scimitar to his throat, called upon him to ask his life; but Pelistes lay without sense, and as one dead.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Magued then unlaced the helmet of his vanquished enemy, and seated himself on a rock beside him, to recover breath.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") In this situation the warriors were found by certain Moorish cavaliers, who marvelled much at the traces of that stern and bloody combat.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Finding there was yet life in the Christian knight, they laid him upon one of their horses, and, aiding Magued to remount his steed, proceeded slowly to the city.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") As the convoy passed by the convent, the cavaliers looked forth and beheld their commander borne along bleeding and a captive.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Furious at the sight, they sallied forth to the rescue, but were repulsed by a superior force, and driven back to the great portal of the church.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") The enemy entered pell-mell with them, fighting from aisle to aisle, from altar to altar, and in the courts and cloisters of the convent.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") The greater part of the cavaliers died bravely, sword in hand; the rest were disabled with wounds and made prisoners.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") The convent, which was lately their castle, was now made their prison, and in after-times, in commemoration of this event, was consecrated by the name of St. George of the Captives.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Expedition of Magued Against Cordova.—defence of the Patriot Pelistes.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/24/) - next →: [Meeting Between the Patriot Pelistes and the Traitor Julian.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/26/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)