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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9761-0.txt b/9761-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4661113 --- /dev/null +++ b/9761-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6847 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Leila, Complete, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Leila, Complete + The Siege of Granada + +Author: Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +Release Date: March 17, 2009 [EBook #9761] +Last Updated: August 28, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEILA, COMPLETE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + + + +LEILA + +OR, + +THE SIEGE OF GRANADA + +By Edward Bulwer Lytton + + + + + +BOOK I. + + + +CHAPTER I. THE ENCHANTER AND THE WARRIOR. + +It was the summer of the year 1491, and the armies of Ferdinand and +Isabel invested the city of Granada. + +The night was not far advanced; and the moon, which broke through +the transparent air of Andalusia, shone calmly over the immense and +murmuring encampment of the Spanish foe, and touched with a hazy light +the snow-capped summits of the Sierra Nevada, contrasting the verdure +and luxuriance which no devastation of man could utterly sweep from the +beautiful vale below. + +In the streets of the Moorish city many a group still lingered. Some, as +if unconscious of the beleaguering war without, were listening in quiet +indolence to the strings of the Moorish lute, or the lively tale of +an Arabian improrvisatore; others were conversing with such eager +and animated gestures, as no ordinary excitement could wring from the +stately calm habitual to every oriental people. But the more public +places in which gathered these different groups, only the more +impressively heightened the desolate and solemn repose that brooded over +the rest of the city. + +At this time, a man, with downcast eyes, and arms folded within the +sweeping gown which descended to his feet, was seen passing through the +streets, alone, and apparently unobservant of all around him. Yet this +indifference was by no means shared by the struggling crowds through +which, from time to time, he musingly swept. + +“God is great!” said one man; “it is the Enchanter Almamen.” + +“He hath locked up the manhood of Boabdil el Chico with the key of his +spells,” quoth another, stroking his beard; “I would curse him, if I +dared.” + +“But they say that he hath promised that when man fails, the genii will +fight for Granada,” observed a third, doubtingly. + +“Allah Akbar! what is, is! what shall be, shall be!” said a fourth, with +all the solemn sagacity of a prophet. Whatever their feelings, whether +of awe or execration, terror or hope, each group gave way as Almamen +passed, and hushed the murmurs not intended for his ear. Passing through +the Zacatin (the street which traversed the Great Bazaar), the reputed +enchanter ascended a narrow and winding street, and arrived at last +before the walls that encircled the palace and fortress of the Alhambra. + +The sentry at the gate saluted and admitted him in silence; and in a few +moments his form was lost in the solitude of groves, amidst which, +at frequent openings, the spray of Arabian fountains glittered in the +moonlight; while, above, rose the castled heights of the Alhambra; and +on the right those Vermilion Towers, whose origin veils itself in the +furthest ages of Phoenician enterprise. + +Almamen paused, and surveyed the scene. “Was Aden more lovely?” he +muttered; “and shall so fair a spot be trodden by the victor Nazerene? +What matters? creed chases creed--race, race--until time comes back to +its starting-place, and beholds the reign restored to the eldest faith +and the eldest tribe. The horn of our strength shall be exalted.” + +At these thoughts the seer relapsed into silence, and gazed long and +intently upon the stars, as, more numerous and brilliant with every +step of the advancing night, their rays broke on the playful waters, and +tinged with silver the various and breathless foliage. So earnest was +his gaze, and so absorbed his thoughts, that he did not perceive the +approach of a Moor, whose glittering weapons and snow-white turban, rich +with emeralds, cast a gleam through the wood. + +The new comer was above the common size of his race, generally small and +spare--but without attaining the lofty stature and large proportions +of the more redoubted of the warriors of Spain. But in his presence and +mien there was something, which, in the haughtiest conclave of Christian +chivalry, would have seemed to tower and command. He walked with a +step at once light and stately, as if it spurned the earth; and in the +carriage of the small erect head and stag-like throat, there was +that undefinable and imposing dignity, which accords so well with our +conception of a heroic lineage, and a noble though imperious spirit. The +stranger approached Almamen, and paused abruptly when within a few steps +of the enchanter. He gazed upon him in silence for some moments; and +when at length he spoke it was with a cold and sarcastic tone. + +“Pretender to the dark secrets,” said he, “is it in the stars that +thou art reading those destinies of men and nations, which the Prophet +wrought by the chieftain’s brain and the soldier’s arm?” + +“Prince,” replied Almamen, turning slowly, and recognising the intruder +on his meditations, “I was but considering how many revolutions, +which have shaken earth to its centre, those orbs have witnessed, +unsympathising and unchanged.” + +“Unsympathising!” repeated the Moor--“yet thou believest in their effect +upon the earth?” + +“You wrong me,” answered Almamen, with a slight smile, “you confound +your servant with that vain race, the astrologers.” + +“I deemed astrology a part of the science of the two angels, Harut and +Marut.” + + [The science of magic. It was taught by the Angels named in the + text; for which offence they are still supposed to be confined to + the ancient Babel. There they may yet be consulted, though they are + rarely seen.--Yallal’odir Yahya. + --SALE’S Koran.] + +“Possibly; but I know not that science, though I have wandered at +midnight by the ancient Babel.” + +“Fame lies to us, then,” answered the Moor, with some surprise. + +“Fame never made pretence to truth,” said Almamen, calmly, and +proceeding on his way. “Allah be with you, prince! I seek the king.” + +“Stay! I have just quitted his presence, and left him, I trust, with +thoughts worthy of the sovereign of Granada, which I would not have +disturbed by a stranger, a man whose arms are not spear nor shield.” + +“Noble Muza,” returned Almamen, “fear not that my voice will weaken the +inspirations which thine hath breathed into the breast of Boabdil. Alas! +if my counsel were heeded, thou wouldst hear the warriors of Granada +talk less of Muza, and more of the king. But Fate, or Allah, hath +placed upon the throne of a tottering dynasty, one who, though brave, +is weak--though, wise, a dreamer; and you suspect the adviser, when you +find the influence of nature on the advised. Is this just?” + +Muza gazed long and sternly on the face of Almamen; then, putting his +hand gently on the enchanter’s shoulder, he said-- + +“Stranger, if thou playest us false, think that this arm hath cloven the +casque of many a foe, and will not spare the turban of a traitor!” + +“And think thou, proud prince!” returned Almamen, unquailing, “that I +answer alone to Allah for my motives, and that against man my deeds I +can defend!” + +With these words, the enchanter drew his long robe round him, and +disappeared amidst the foliage. + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE KING WITHIN HIS PALACE. + +In one of those apartments, the luxury of which is known only to the +inhabitants of a genial climate (half chamber and half grotto), reclined +a young Moor, in a thoughtful and musing attitude. + +The ceiling of cedar-wood, glowing with gold and azure, was supported +by slender shafts, of the whitest alabaster, between which were open +arcades, light and graceful as the arched vineyards of Italy, +and wrought in that delicate filagree-work common to the Arabian +architecture: through these arcades was seen at intervals the lapsing +fall of waters, lighted by alabaster lamps; and their tinkling music +sounded with a fresh and regular murmur upon the ear. The whole of one +side of this apartment was open to a broad and extensive balcony, +which overhung the banks of the winding and moonlit Darro; and in the +clearness of the soft night might be distinctly seen the undulating +hills, the woods, and orange-groves, which still form the unrivalled +landscapes of Granada. + +The pavement was spread with ottomans and couches of the richest azure, +prodigally enriched with quaint designs in broideries of gold and +silver; and over that on which the Moor reclined, facing the open +balcony, were suspended on a pillar the round shield, the light javelin, +and the curving cimiter, of Moorish warfare. So studded were these +arms with jewels of rare cost, that they might alone have sufficed +to indicate the rank of the evident owner, even if his own gorgeous +vestments had not betrayed it. An open manuscript, on a silver table, +lay unread before the Moor: as, leaning his face upon his hand, +he looked with abstracted eyes along the mountain summits dimly +distinguished from the cloudless and far horizon. + +No one could have gazed without a vague emotion of interest, mixed +with melancholy, upon the countenance of the inmate of that luxurious +chamber. + +Its beauty was singularly stamped with a grave and stately sadness, +which was made still more impressive by its air of youth and the +unwonted fairness of the complexion: unlike the attributes of the +Moorish race, the hair and curling beard were of a deep golden colour; +and on the broad forehead and in the large eyes, was that settled and +contemplative mildness which rarely softens the swart lineaments of the +fiery children of the sun. Such was the personal appearance of Boabdil +el Chico, the last of the Moorish dynasty in Spain. + +“These scrolls of Arabian learning,” said Boabdil to himself, “what do +they teach? to despise wealth and power, to hold the heart to be the +true empire. This, then, is wisdom. Yet, if I follow these maxims, am I +wise? alas! the whole world would call me a driveller and a madman. Thus +is it ever; the wisdom of the Intellect fills us with precepts which it +is the wisdom of Action to despise. O Holy Prophet! what fools men would +be, if their knavery did not eclipse their folly!” + +The young king listlessly threw himself back on his cushions as he +uttered these words, too philosophical for a king whose crown sate so +loosely on his brow. + +After a few moments of thought that appeared to dissatisfy and disquiet +him, Boabdil again turned impatiently round “My soul wants the bath of +music,” said he; “these journeys into a pathless realm have wearied it, +and the streams of sound supple and relax the travailed pilgrim.” + +He clapped his hands, and from one of the arcades a boy, hitherto +invisible, started into sight; at a slight and scarce perceptible sign +from the king the boy again vanished, and in a few moments afterwards, +glancing through the fairy pillars, and by the glittering waterfalls, +came the small and twinkling feet of the maids of Araby. As, with +their transparent tunics and white arms, they gleamed, without an echo, +through that cool and voluptuous chamber, they might well have seemed +the Peris of the eastern magic, summoned to beguile the sated leisure +of a youthful Solomon. With them came a maiden of more exquisite beauty, +though smaller stature, than the rest, bearing the light Moorish lute; +and a faint and languid smile broke over the beautiful face of Boabdil, +as his eyes rested upon her graceful form and the dark yet glowing +lustre of her oriental countenance. She alone approached the king, +timidly kissed his hand, and then, joining her comrades, commenced +the following song, to the air and very words of which the feet of the +dancing-girls kept time, while with the chorus rang the silver bells of +the musical instrument which each of the dancers carried. + + AMINE’S SONG. + + I. + Softly, oh, softly glide, + Gentle Music, thou silver tide, + Bearing, the lulled air along, + This leaf from the Rose of Song! + To its port in his soul let it float, + The frail, but the fragrant boat, + Bear it, soft Air, along! + + II. + With the burthen of sound we are laden, + Like the bells on the trees of Aden,* + When they thrill with a tinkling tone + At the Wind from the Holy Throne, + Hark, as we move around, + We shake off the buds of sound; + Thy presence, Beloved, is Aden. + + III. + Sweet chime that I hear and wake + I would, for my lov’d one’s sake, + That I were a sound like thee, + To the depths of his heart to flee. + If my breath had his senses blest; + If my voice in his heart could rest; + What pleasure to die like thee! + + *[The Mohammedans believe that musical bells hang on the trees of + Paradise, and are put in motion by a wind from the throne of God.] + + +The music ceased; the dancers remained motionless in their graceful +postures, as if arrested into statues of alabaster; and the young +songstress cast herself on a cushion at the feet of the monarch, and +looked up fondly, but silently, into his yet melancholy eyes,--when a +man, whose entrance had not been noticed, was seen to stand within the +chamber. + +He was about the middle stature,--lean, muscular, and strongly though +sparely built. A plain black robe, something in the fashion of the +Armenian gown, hung long and loosely over a tunic of bright scarlet, +girdled by a broad belt, from the centre of which was suspended a small +golden key, while at the left side appeared the jewelled hilt of a +crooked dagger. His features were cast in a larger and grander mould +than was common among the Moors of Spain; the forehead was broad, +massive, and singularly high, and the dark eyes of unusual size and +brilliancy; his beard, short, black, and glossy, curled upward, and +concealed all the lower part of the face, save a firm, compressed, and +resolute expression in the lips, which were large and full; the nose +was high, aquiline, and well-shaped; and the whole character of the +head (which was, for symmetry, on too large and gigantic a scale as +proportioned to the form) was indicative of extraordinary energy and +power. At the first glance, the stranger might have seemed scarce on +the borders of middle age; but, on a more careful examination, the deep +lines and wrinkles, marked on the forehead and round the eyes, betrayed +a more advanced period of life. With arms folded on his breast, he stood +by the side of the king, waiting in silence the moment when his presence +should be perceived. + +He did not wait long; the eyes and gesture of the girl nestled at the +feet of Boabdil drew the king’s attention to the spot where the stranger +stood: his eye brightened when it fell upon him. + +“Almamen,” cried Boabdil, eagerly, “you are welcome.” As he spoke, he +motioned to the dancing-girls to withdraw. “May I not rest? O core of my +heart, thy bird is in its home,” murmured the songstress at the king’s +feet. + +“Sweet Amine,” answered Boabdil, tenderly smoothing down her ringlets as +he bent to kiss her brow, “you should witness only my hours of delight. +Toil and business have nought with thee; I will join thee ere yet the +nightingale hymns his last music to the moon.” Amine sighed, rose, and +vanished with her companions. + +“My friend,” said the king, when alone with Almamen, “your counsels +often soothe me into quiet, yet in such hours quiet is a crime. But what +do?--how struggle?--how act? Alas! at the hour of his birth, rightly +did they affix to the name of Boabdil, the epithet of _El Zogoybi_. [The +Unlucky]. Misfortune set upon my brow her dark and fated stamp ere yet +my lips could shape a prayer against her power. My fierce father, whose +frown was as the frown of Azrael, hated me in my cradle; in my youth +my name was invoked by rebels against my will; imprisoned by my father, +with the poison-bowl or the dagger hourly before my eyes, I was saved +only by the artifice of my mother. When age and infirmity broke the +iron sceptre of the king, my claims to the throne were set aside, and +my uncle, El Zagal, usurped my birthright. Amidst open war and secret +treason I wrestled for my crown; and now, the sole sovereign of +Granada, when, as I fondly imagined, my uncle had lost all claim on +the affections of my people by succumbing to the Christian king, and +accepting a fief under his dominion, I find that the very crime of El +Zagal is fixed upon me by my unhappy subjects--that they deem he would +not have yielded but for my supineness. At the moment of my delivery +from my rival, I am received with execration by my subjects, and, driven +into this my fortress of the Alhambra, dare not venture to head my +armies, or to face my people; yet am I called weak and irresolute, when +strength and courage are forbid me. And as the water glides from yonder +rock, that hath no power to retain it, I see the tide of empire welling +from my hands.” + +The young king spoke warmly and bitterly; and, in the irritation of his +thoughts, strode, while he spoke, with rapid and irregular strides along +the chamber. Almamen marked his emotion with an eye and lip of rigid +composure. + +“Light of the faithful,” said he, when Boabdil had concluded, “the +powers above never doom man to perpetual sorrow, nor perpetual joy: +the cloud and the sunshine are alike essential to the heaven of our +destinies; and if thou hast suffered in thy youth, thou hast exhausted +the calamities of fate, and thy manhood will be glorious, and thine age +serene.” + +“Thou speakest as if the armies of Ferdinand were not already around my +walls,” said Boabdil, impatiently. + +“The armies of Sennacherib were as mighty,” answered Almamen. + +“Wise seer,” returned the king, in a tone half sarcastic and half +solemn, “we, the Mussulmans of Spain, are not the blind fanatics of the +Eastern world. On us have fallen the lights of philosophy and science; +and if the more clear-sighted among us yet outwardly reverence the forms +and fables worshipped by the multitude, it is from the wisdom of policy, +not the folly of belief. Talk not to me, then, of thine examples of the +ancient and elder creeds: the agents of God for this world are now, +at least, in men, not angels; and if I wait till Ferdinand share the +destiny of Sennacherib, I wait only till the Standard of the Cross wave +above the Vermilion Towers.” + +“Yet,” said Almamen, “while my lord the king rejects the fanaticism of +belief, doth he reject the fanaticism of persecution? You disbelieve +the stories of the Hebrews; yet you suffer the Hebrews themselves, that +ancient and kindred Arabian race, to be ground to the dust, condemned +and tortured by your judges, your informers, your soldiers, and your +subjects.” + +“The base misers! they deserve their fate,” answered Boabdil, loftily. +“Gold is their god, and the market-place their country; amidst the tears +and groans of nations, they sympathise only with the rise and fall of +trade; and, the thieves of the universe! while their hand is against +every man’s coffer, why wonder that they provoke the hand of every man +against their throats? Worse than the tribe of Hanifa, who eat their +god only in time of famine;--[The tribe of Hanifa worshipped a lump of +dough]--the race of Moisa--[Moses]--would sell the Seven Heavens for +the dent on the back of the date-stone.”--[A proverb used in the Koran, +signifying the smallest possible trifle]. + +“Your laws leave them no ambition but that of avarice,” replied Almamen; +“and as the plant will crook and distort its trunk, to raise its +head through every obstacle to the sun, so the mind of man twists and +perverts itself, if legitimate openings are denied it, to find its +natural element in the gale of power, or the sunshine of esteem. These +Hebrews were not traffickers and misers in their own sacred land when +they routed your ancestors, the Arab armies of old; and gnawed the flesh +from their bones in famine, rather than yield a weaker city than Granada +to a mightier force than the holiday lords of Spain. Let this pass. My +lord rejects the belief in the agencies of the angels; doth he still +retain belief in the wisdom of mortal men?” + +“Yes!” returned Boabdil, quickly; “for of the one I know nought; of +the other, mine own senses can be the judge. Almamen, my fiery kinsman, +Muza, hath this evening been with me. He hath urged me to reject the +fears of my people, which chain my panting spirit within these walls; he +hath urged me to gird on yonder shield and cimiter, and to appear in the +Vivarrambla, at the head of the nobles of Granada. My heart leaps high +at the thought! and if I cannot live, at least I will die--a king!” + +“It is nobly spoken,” said Almamen, coldly. + +“You approve, then, my design?” + +“The friends of the king cannot approve the ambition of the king to +die.” + +“Ha!” said Boabdil, in an altered voice, “thou thinkest, then, that I am +doomed to perish in this struggle?” + +“As the hour shall be chosen, wilt thou fall or triumph.” + +“And that hour?” + +“Is not yet come.” + +“Dost thou read the hour in the stars?” + +“Let Moorish seers cultivate that frantic credulity: thy servant sees +but in the stars worlds mightier than this little earth, whose light +would neither wane nor wink, if earth itself were swept from the +infinities of space.” + +“Mysterious man!” said Boabdil; “whence, then, is thy power?--whence thy +knowledge of the future?” + +Almamen approached the king, as he now stood by the open balcony. + +“Behold!” said he, pointing to the waters of the Darro--“yonder stream +is of an element in which man cannot live nor breathe: above, in the +thin and impalpable air, our steps cannot find a footing, the armies of +all earth cannot build an empire. And yet, by the exercise of a little +art, the fishes and the birds, the inhabitants of the air and the water, +minister to our most humble wants, the most common of our enjoyments; +so it is with the true science of enchantment. Thinkest thou that, while +the petty surface of the world is crowded with living things, there is +no life in the vast centre within the earth, and the immense ether that +surrounds it? As the fisherman snares his prey, as the fowler entraps +the bird, so, by the art and genius of our human mind, we may thrall +and command the subtler beings of realms and elements which our material +bodies cannot enter--our gross senses cannot survey. This, then, is my +lore. Of other worlds know I nought; but of the things of this world, +whether men, or, as your legends term them, ghouls and genii, I have +learned something. To the future, I myself am blind; but I can invoke +and conjure up those whose eyes are more piercing, whose natures are +more gifted.” + +“Prove to me thy power,” said Boabdil, awed less by the words than by +the thrilling voice and the impressive aspect of the enchanter. + +“Is not the king’s will my law?” answered Almamen; “be his will obeyed. +To-morrow night I await thee.” + +“Where?” + +Almamen paused a moment, and then whispered a sentence in the king’s +ear: Boabdil started, and turned pale. + +“A fearful spot!” + +“So is the Alhambra itself, great Boabdil; while Ferdinand is without +the walls and Muza within the city.” + +“Muza! Darest thou mistrust my bravest warrior?” + +“What wise king will trust the idol of the king’s army? Did Boabdil fall +to-morrow by a chance javelin, in the field, whom would the nobles and +the warriors place upon his throne? Doth it require an enchanter’s lore +to whisper to thy heart the answer in the name of ‘Muza’?” + +“Oh, wretched state! oh, miserable king!” exclaimed Boabdil, in a tone +of great anguish. “I never had a father. I have now no people; a little +while, and I shall have no country. Am I never to have a friend?” + +“A friend! what king ever had?” returned Almamen, drily. + +“Away, man--away!” cried Boabdil, as the impatient spirit of his rank +and race shot dangerous fire from his eyes; “your cold and bloodless +wisdom freezes up all the veins of my manhood! Glory, confidence, human +sympathy, and feeling--your counsels annihilate them all. Leave me! I +would be alone.” + +“We meet to-morrow, at midnight, mighty Boabdil,” said Almamen, with his +usual unmoved and passionless tones. “May the king live for ever.” + +The king turned; but his monitor had already disappeared. He went as he +came--noiseless and sudden as a ghost. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE LOVERS. + +When Muza parted from Almamen, he bent his steps towards the hill that +rises opposite the ascent crowned with the towers of the Alhambra; +the sides and summit of which eminence were tenanted by the luxurious +population of the city. He selected the more private and secluded +paths; and, half way up the hill, arrived, at last, before a low wall +of considerable extent, which girded the gardens of some wealthier +inhabitant of the city. He looked long and anxiously round; all was +solitary; nor was the stillness broken, save as an occasional breeze, +from the snowy heights of the Sierra Nevada, rustled the fragrant leaves +of the citron and pomegranate; or as the silver tinkling of waterfalls +chimed melodiously within the gardens. The Moor’s heart beat high: a +moment more, and he had scaled the wall; and found himself upon a green +sward, variegated by the rich colours of many a sleeping flower, and +shaded by groves and alleys of luxuriant foliage and golden fruits. + +It was not long before he stood beside a house that seemed of a +construction anterior to the Moorish dynasty. It was built over low +cloisters formed by heavy and timeworn pillars, concealed, for the most +part by a profusion of roses and creeping shrubs: the lattices above +the cloisters opened upon large gilded balconies, the super-addition +of Moriscan taste. In one only of the casements a lamp was visible; the +rest of the mansion was dark, as if, save in that chamber, sleep kept +watch over the inmates. It was to this window that the Moor stole; +and, after a moment’s pause, he murmured rather than sang, so low and +whispered was his voice, the following simple verses, slightly varied +from an old Arabian poet:-- + + Light of my soul, arise, arise! + Thy sister lights are in the skies; + We want thine eyes, + Thy joyous eyes; + The Night is mourning for thine eyes! + The sacred verse is on my sword, + But on my heart thy name + The words on each alike adored; + The truth of each the same, + The same!--alas! too well I feel + The heart is truer than the steel! + Light of my soul! upon me shine; + Night wakes her stars to envy mine. + Those eyes of thine, + Wild eyes of thine, + What stars are like those eyes of thine? + +As he concluded, the lattice softly opened; and a female form appeared +on the balcony. + +“Ah, Leila!” said the Moor, “I see thee, and I am blessed!” + +“Hush!” answered Leila; “speak low, nor tarry long I fear that our +interviews are suspected; and this,” she added in a trembling voice, +“may perhaps be the last time we shall meet.” + +“Holy Prophet!” exclaimed Muza, passionately, “what do I hear? Why this +mystery? why cannot I learn thine origin, thy rank, thy parents? Think +you, beautiful Leila, that Granada holds a rouse lofty enough to disdain +the alliance with Muza Ben Abil Gazan? and oh!” he added (sinking the +haughty tones of his voice into accents of the softest tenderness), +“if not too high to scorn me, what should war against our loves and our +bridals? For worn equally on my heart were the flower of thy sweet self, +whether the mountain top or the valley gave birth to the odour and the +bloom.” + +“Alas!” answered Leila, weeping, “the mystery thou complainest of is as +dark to myself as thee. How often have I told thee that I know nothing +of my birth or childish fortunes, save a dim memory of a more distant +and burning clime; where, amidst sands and wastes, springs the +everlasting cedar, and the camel grazes on stunted herbage withering +in the fiery air? Then, it seemed to me that I had a mother: fond eyes +looked on me, and soft songs hushed me into sleep.” + +“Thy mother’s soul has passed into mine,” said the Moor, tenderly. + +Leila continued:--“Borne hither, I passed from childhood into youth +within these walls. Slaves ministered to my slightest wish; and those +who have seen both state and poverty, which I have not, tell me that +treasures and splendour, that might glad a monarch, are prodigalised +around me: but of ties and kindred know I little: my father, a stern and +silent man, visits me but rarely--sometimes months pass, and I see him +not; but I feel he loves me; and, till I knew thee, Muza, my brightest +hours were in listening to the footsteps and flying to the arms of that +solitary friend.” + +“Know you not his name?” + +“Nor, I nor any one of the household; save perhaps Ximen, the chief of +the slaves, an old and withered man, whose very eye chills me into fear +and silence.” + +“Strange!” said the Moor, musingly; “yet why think you our love is +discovered, or can be thwarted?” + +“Hush! Ximen sought me this day: ‘Maiden,’ said he, ‘men’s footsteps +have been tracked within the gardens; if your sire know this, you will +have looked your last on Granada. Learn,’ he added, in a softer voice, +as he saw me tremble, ‘that permission were easier given to thee to wed +the wild tiger than to mate with the loftiest noble of Morisca! Beware!’ +He spoke, and left me. O Muza!” she continued, passionately wringing her +hands, “my heart sinks within me, and omen and doom rise dark before my +sight!” + +“By my father’s head, these obstacles but fire my love, and I would +scale to thy possession, though every step in the ladder were the +corpses of a hundred foes!” + +Scarcely had the fiery and high-souled Moor uttered his boast, than, +from some unseen hand amidst the groves, a javelin whirred past him, +and as the air it raised came sharp upon his cheek, half buried its +quivering shaft in the trunk of a tree behind him. + +“Fly, fly, and save thyself! O God, protect him!” cried Leila; and she +vanished within the chamber. + +The Moor did not wait the result of a deadlier aim; he turned; yet, in +the instinct of his fierce nature, not from, but against, the foe; his +drawn scimitar in his hand, the half-suppressed cry of wrath trembling +on his lips, he sprang forward in the direction the javelin had sped. +With eyes accustomed to the ambuscades of Moorish warfare, he searched +eagerly, yet warily through the dark and sighing foliage. No sign of +life met his gaze; and at length, grimly and reluctantly, he retraced +his steps, and quitted the demesnes; but just as he had cleared the +wall, a voice--low, but sharp and shrill--came from the gardens. + +“Thou art spared,” it said, “but, haply, for a more miserable doom!” + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER. + +The chamber into which Leila retreated bore out the character she had +given of the interior of her home. The fashion of its ornament and +decoration was foreign to that adopted by the Moors of Granada. It had +a more massive and, if we may use the term, Egyptian gorgeousness. +The walls were covered with the stuffs of the East, stiff with gold, +embroidered upon ground of the deepest purple; strange characters, +apparently in some foreign tongue, were wrought in the tesselated +cornices and on the heavy ceiling, which was supported by square +pillars, round which were twisted serpents of gold and enamel, with +eyes to which enormous emeralds gave a green and lifelike glare: various +scrolls and musical instruments lay scattered upon marble tables: and +a solitary lamp of burnished silver cast a dim and subdued light around +the chamber. The effect of the whole, though splendid, was gloomy, +strange, and oppressive, and rather suited to the thick and cave-like +architecture which of old protected the inhabitants of Thebes and +Memphis from the rays of the African sun, than to the transparent heaven +and light pavilions of the graceful orientals of Granada. + +Leila stood within this chamber, pale and breathless, with her lips +apart, her hands clasped, her very soul in her ears; nor was it possible +to conceive a more perfect ideal of some delicate and brilliant Peri, +captured in the palace of a hostile and gloomy Genius. Her form was of +the lightest shape consistent with the roundness of womanly beauty; and +there was something in it of that elastic and fawnlike grace which a +sculptor seeks to embody in his dreams of a being more aerial than those +of earth. Her luxuriant hair was dark indeed, but a purple and glossy +hue redeemed it from that heaviness of shade too common in the tresses +of the Asiatics; and her complexion, naturally pale but clear and +lustrous, would have been deemed fair even in the north. Her features, +slightly aquiline, were formed in the rarest mould of symmetry, and her +full rich lips disclosed teeth that might have shamed the pearl. But +the chief charm of that exquisite countenance was in an expression of +softness and purity, and intellectual sentiment, that seldom accompanies +that cast of loveliness, and was wholly foreign to the voluptuous and +dreamy languor of Moorish maidens; Leila had been educated, and the +statue had received a soul. + +After a few minutes of intense suspense, she again stole to the lattice, +gently unclosed it, and looked forth. Far, through an opening amidst the +trees, she descried for a single moment the erect and stately figure of +her lover, darkening the moonshine on the sward, as now, quitting his +fruitless search, he turned his lingering gaze towards the lattice of +his beloved: the thick and interlacing foliage quickly hid him from +her eyes; but Leila had seen enough--she turned within, and said, as +grateful tears trickled clown her cheeks, and she sank on her knees upon +the piled cushions of the chamber: “God of my fathers! I bless Thee--he +is safe!” + +“And yet (she added, as a painful thought crossed her), how may I pray +for him? we kneel not to the same Divinity; and I have been taught to +loathe and shudder at his creed! Alas! how will this end? Fatal was the +hour when he first beheld me in yonder gardens; more fatal still the +hour in which he crossed the barrier, and told Leila that she was +beloved by the hero whose arm was the shelter, whose name is the +blessing, of Granada. Ah, me! Ah, me!” + +The young maiden covered her face with her hands, and sank into a +passionate reverie, broken only by her sobs. Some time had passed in +this undisturbed indulgence of her grief, when the arras was gently +put aside, and a man, of remarkable garb and mien, advanced into the +chamber, pausing as he beheld her dejected attitude, and gazing on her +with a look on which pity and tenderness seemed to struggle against +habitual severity and sternness. + +“Leila!” said the intruder. + +Leila started, and and a deep blush suffused her countenance; she dashed +the tears from her eyes, and came forward with a vain attempt to smile. + +“My father, welcome!” + +The stranger seated himself on the cushions, and motioned Leila to his +side. + +“These tears are fresh upon thy cheek,” said he, gravely; “they are the +witness of thy race! our daughters are born to weep, and our sons to +groan! ashes are on the head of the mighty, and the Fountains of the +Beautiful run with gall! Oh that we could but struggle--that we could +but dare--that we could raise up, our heads, and unite against the +bondage of the evil doer! It may not be--but one man shall avenge a +nation!” + +The dark face of Leila’s father, well fitted to express powerful +emotion, became terrible in its wrath and passion; his brow and lip +worked convulsively; but the paroxysm was brief; and scarce could she +shudder at its intensity ere it had subsided into calm. + +“Enough of these thoughts, which thou, a woman and a child, art not +formed to witness. Leila, thou hast been nurtured with tenderness, and +schooled with care. Harsh and unloving may I have seemed to thee, but I +would have shed the best drops of my heart to have saved thy young years +from a single pang. Nay, listen to me silently. That thou mightest +one day be worthy of thy race, and that thine hours might not pass +in indolent and weary lassitude, thou hast been taught lessons of +a knowledge rarely to thy sex. Not thine the lascivious arts of the +Moorish maidens; not thine their harlot songs, and their dances of lewd +delight; thy delicate limbs were but taught the attitude that Nature +dedicates to the worship of a God, and the music of thy voice was tuned +to the songs of thy fallen country, sad with the memory of her wrongs, +animated with the names of her heroes, with the solemnity of her +prayers. These scrolls, and the lessons of our seers, have imparted to +thee such of our science and our history as may fit thy mind to aspire, +and thy heart to feel for a sacred cause. Thou listenest to me, Leila?” + +Perplexed and wondering, for never before had her father addressed her +in such a strain, the maiden answered with an earnestness of manner +that seemed to content the questioner; and he resumed, with an altered, +hollow, solemn voice: + +“Then curse the persecutors. Daughter of the great Hebrew race, arise +and curse the Moorish taskmaster and spoiler!” + +As he spoke, the adjuror himself rose, lifting his right hand on high; +while his left touched the shoulder of the maiden. But she, after gazing +a moment in wild and terrified amazement upon his face, fell cowering +at his knees; and, clasping them imploringly, exclaimed in scarce +articulate murmurs: + +“Oh, spare me! spare me!” + +The Hebrew, for such he was, surveyed her, as she thus quailed at his +feet, with a look of rage and scorn: his hand wandered to his poniard, +he half unsheathed it, thrust it back with a muttered curse, and then, +deliberately drawing it forth, cast it on the ground beside her. + +“Degenerate girl!” he said, in accents that vainly struggled for calm, +“if thou hast admitted to thy heart one unworthy thought towards a +Moorish infidel, dig deep and root it out, even with the knife, and to +the death--so wilt thou save this hand from that degrading task.” + +He drew himself hastily from her grasp, and left the unfortunate girl +alone and senseless. + + + + +CHAPTER V. AMBITION DISTORTED INTO VICE BY LAW. + +On descending a broad flight of stairs from the apartment, the Hebrew +encountered an old man, habited in loose garments of silk and fur, +upon whose withered and wrinkled face life seemed scarcely to struggle +against the advance of death--so haggard, wan, and corpse-like was its +aspect. + +“Ximen,” said the Israelite, “trusty and beloved servant, follow me to +the cavern.” He did not tarry for an answer, but continued his way with +rapid strides through various courts and alleys, till he came at length +into a narrow, dark, and damp gallery, that seemed cut from the living +rock. At its entrance was a strong grate, which gave way to the Hebrew’s +touch upon the spring, though the united strength of a hundred men could +not have moved it from its hinge. Taking up a brazen lamp that burnt in +a niche within it, the Hebrew paused impatiently till the feeble steps +of the old man reached the spot; and then, reclosing the grate, pursued +his winding way for a considerable distance, till he stopped suddenly by +a part of the rock which seemed in no respect different from the rest: +and so artfully contrived and concealed was the door which he now +opened, and so suddenly did it yield to his hand, that it appeared +literally the effect of enchantment, when the rock yawned, and +discovered a circular cavern, lighted with brazen lamps, and spread with +hangings and cushions of thick furs. Upon rude and seemingly natural +pillars of rock, various antique and rusty arms were suspended; in +large niches were deposited scrolls, clasped and bound with iron; and +a profusion of strange and uncouth instruments and machines (in which +modern science might, perhaps, discover the tools of chemical invention) +gave a magical and ominous aspect to the wild abode. + +The Hebrew cast himself on a couch of furs; and, as the old man entered +and closed the door, “Ximen,” said he, “fill out wine--it is a soothing +counsellor, and I need it.” + +Extracting from one of the recesses of the cavern a flask and goblet, +Ximen offered to his lord a copious draught of the sparkling vintage of +the Vega, which seemed to invigorate and restore him. + +“Old man,” said he, concluding the potation with a deep-drawn sigh, +“fill to thyself-drink till thy veins feel young.” + +Ximen obeyed the mandate but imperfectly; the wine just touched his +lips, and the goblet was put aside. + +“Ximen,” resumed the Israelite, “how many of our race have been +butchered by the avarice of the Moorish kings since first thou didst set +foot within the city?” + +“Three thousand--the number was completed last winter, by the order +of Jusef the vizier; and their goods and coffers are transformed into +shafts and cimiters against the dogs of Galilee.” + +“Three thousand--no more! three thousand only! I would the number had +been tripled, for the interest is becoming due!” + +“My brother, and my son, and my grandson, are among the number,” said +the old man, and his face grew yet more deathlike. + +“Their monuments shall be in hecatombs of their tyrants. They shall not, +at least, call the Jews niggards in revenge.” + +“But pardon me, noble chief of a fallen people; thinkest thou we shall +be less despoiled and trodden under foot by yon haughty and stiff-necked +Nazarenes, than by the Arabian misbelievers?” + +“Accursed, in truth, are both,” returned the Hebrew; “but the one +promise more fairly than the other. I have seen this Ferdinand, and his +proud queen; they are pledged to accord us rights and immunities we have +never known before in Europe.” + +“And they will not touch our traffic, our gains, our gold?” + +“Out on thee!” cried the fiery Israelite, stamping on the ground. “I +would all the gold of earth were sunk into the everlasting pit! It is +this mean, and miserable, and loathsome leprosy of avarice, that gnaws +away from our whole race the heart, the soul, nay--the very form, +of man! Many a time, when I have seen the lordly features of the +descendants of Solomon and Joshua (features that stamp the nobility of +the eastern world born to mastery and command) sharpened and furrowed by +petty cares,--when I have looked upon the frame of the strong man bowed, +like a crawling reptile, to some huckstering bargainer of silks and +unguents,--and heard the voice, that should be raising the battle-cry, +smoothed into fawning accents of base fear, or yet baser hope,--I have +asked myself, if I am indeed of the blood of Israel! and thanked the +great Jehovah that he hath spared me at least the curse that hath +blasted my brotherhood into usurers and slaves” + +Ximen prudently forbore an answer to enthusiasm which he neither shared +nor understood; but, after a brief silence, turned back the stream of +the conversation. + +“You resolve, then, upon prosecuting vengeance on the Moors, at +whatsoever hazard of the broken faith of these Nazarenes?” + +“Ay, the vapour of human blood hath risen unto heaven, and, collected +into thunder-clouds, hangs over the doomed and guilty city. And now, +Ximen, I have a new cause for hatred to the Moors: the flower that I +have reared and watched, the spoiler hath sought to pluck it from my +hearth. Leila--thou hast guarded her ill, Ximen; and, wert thou not +endeared to me by thy very malice and vices, the rising sun should have +seen thy trunk on the waters of the Darro.” + +“My lord,” replied Ximen, “if thou, the wisest of our people, canst not +guard a maiden from love, how canst thou see crime in the dull eyes and +numbed senses of a miserable old man?” + +The Israelite did not answer, nor seem to hear this deprecatory +remonstrance. He appeared rather occupied with his own thoughts; and, +speaking to himself, he muttered, “It must be so: the sacrifice is +hard--the danger great; but here, at least, it is more immediate. It +shall be done. Ximen,” he continued, speaking aloud; “dost thou feel +assured that even mine own countrymen, mine own tribe, know me not as +one of them? Were my despised birth and religion published, my limbs +would be torn asunder as an impostor; and all the arts of the Cabala +could not save me.” + +“Doubt not, great master; none in Granada, save thy faithful Ximen, know +thy secret.” + +“So let me dream and hope. And now to my work; for this night must be +spent in toil.” + +The Hebrew drew before him some of the strange instruments we have +described; and took from the recesses in the rock several scrolls. +The old man lay at his feet, ready to obey his behests; but, to all +appearance, rigid and motionless as the dead, whom his blanched hues +and shrivelled form resembled. It was, indeed, as the picture of the +enchanter at his work, and the corpse of some man of old, revived from +the grave to minister to his spells, and execute his commands. + +Enough in the preceding conversation has transpired to convince the +reader, that the Hebrew, in whom he has already detected the Almamen of +the Alhambra, was of no character common to his tribe. Of a lineage that +shrouded itself in the darkness of his mysterious people, in their day +of power, and possessed of immense wealth, which threw into poverty the +resources of Gothic princes,--the youth of that remarkable man had been +spent, not in traffic and merchandise but travel and study. + +As a child, his home had been in Granada. He had seen his father +butchered by the late king, Muley Abul Hassan, without other crime than +his reputed riches; and his body literally cut open, to search for the +jewels it was supposed he had swallowed. He saw, and, boy as he was he +vowed revenge. A distant kinsman bore the orphan to lands more secure +from persecution; and the art with which the Jews concealed their +wealth, scattering it over various cities, had secured to Almamen the +treasures the tyrant of Granada had failed to grasp. + +He had visited the greater part of the world then known; and resided for +many years at the court of the sultan of that hoary Egypt, which still +retained its fame for abstruse science and magic lore. He had not in +vain applied himself to such tempting and wild researches; and had +acquired many of those secrets now perhaps lost for ever to the +world. We do not mean to intimate that he attained to what legend and +superstition impose upon our faith as the art of sorcery. He could +neither command the elements nor pierce the veil of the future-scatter +armies with a word, nor pass from spot to spot by the utterance of +a charmed formula. But men who, for ages, had passed their lives in +attempting all the effects that can astonish and awe the vulgar, could +not but learn some secrets which all the more sober wisdom of modern +times would search ineffectually to solve or to revive. And many of +such arts, acquired mechanically (their invention often the work of a +chemical accident), those who attained to them could not always explain, +not account for the phenomena they created, so that the mightiness of +their own deceptions deceived themselves; and they often believed they +were the masters of the Nature to which they were, in reality, but +erratic and wild disciples. Of such was the student in that grim cavern. +He was, in some measure, the dupe, partly of his own bewildered wisdom, +partly of the fervour of an imagination exceedingly high-wrought and +enthusiastic. His own gorgeous vanity intoxicated him: and, if it be an +historical truth that the kings of the ancient world, blinded by their +own power, had moments in which they believed themselves more than +men, it is not incredible that sages, elevated even above kings, should +conceive a frenzy as weak, or, it may be, as sublime: and imagine that +they did not claim in vain the awful dignity with which the faith of the +multitude invested their faculties and gifts. + +But, though the accident of birth, which excluded him from all field for +energy and ambition, had thus directed the powerful mind of Almamen to +contemplation and study, nature had never intended passions so fierce +for the calm, though visionary, pursuits to which he was addicted. +Amidst scrolls and seers, he had pined for action and glory; and, +baffled in all wholesome egress, by the universal exclusion which, in +every land, and from every faith, met the religion he belonged to, the +faculties within him ran riot, producing gigantic but baseless schemes, +which, as one after the other crumbled away, left behind feelings of +dark misanthropy and intense revenge. + +Perhaps, had his religion been prosperous and powerful, he might have +been a sceptic; persecution and affliction made him a fanatic. Yet, true +to that prominent characteristic of the old Hebrew race, which made them +look to a Messiah only as a warrior and a prince, and which taught them +to associate all their hopes and schemes with worldly victories and +power, Almamen desired rather to advance, than to obey, his religion. He +cared little for its precepts, he thought little of its doctrines; but, +night and day, he revolved his schemes for its earthly restoration and +triumph. + +At that time, the Moors in Spain were far more deadly persecutors of the +Jews than the Christians were. Amidst the Spanish cities on the +coast, that merchant tribe had formed commercial connections with +the Christians, sufficiently beneficial, both to individuals and to +communities, to obtain for them, not only toleration, but something of +personal friendship, wherever men bought and sold in the market-place. +And the gloomy fanaticism which afterwards stained the fame of the great +Ferdinand, and introduced the horrors of the Inquisition, had not yet +made it self more than fitfully visible. But the Moors had treated this +unhappy people with a wholesale and relentless barbarity. At Granada, +under the reign of the fierce father of Boabdil,--“that king with the +tiger heart,”--the Jews had been literally placed without the pale of +humanity; and even under the mild and contemplative Boabdil himself, +they had been plundered without mercy, and, if suspected of secreting +their treasures, massacred without scruple; the wants of the state +continued their unrelenting accusers,--their wealth, their inexpiable +crime. + +It was in the midst of these barbarities that Almamen, for the first +time since the day when the death-shriek of his agonised father rang in +his ears, suddenly returned to Granada. He saw the unmitigated miseries +of his brethern, and he remembered and repeated his vow. His name +changed, his kindred dead, none remembered, in the mature Almamen, the +beardless child of Issachar, the Jew. He had long, indeed, deemed it +advisable to disguise his faith; and was known, throughout the African +kingdoms, but as the potent santon, or the wise magician. + +This fame soon lifted him, in Granada, high in the councils of the +court. Admitted to the intimacy of Muley Hassan, with Boabdil, and the +queen mother, he had conspired against that monarch; and had lived, +at least, to avenge his father upon the royal murderer. He was no less +intimate with Boabdil; but steeled against fellowship or affection for +all men out of the pale of his faith, he saw in the confidence of the +king only the blindness of a victim. + +Serpent as he was, he cared not through what mire of treachery and fraud +he trailed his baleful folds, so that, at last, he could spring upon +his prey. Nature had given him sagacity and strength. The curse of +circumstance had humbled, but reconciled him to the dust. He had the +crawl of the reptile,--he had, also, its poison and its fangs. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE LION IN THE NET + +IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of +Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier. The old man +found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed +his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the +person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon +of the Vermilion Tower. Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the +vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent +hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be +assigned for the outrage. + +The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the +vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory. + +“Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will? Thou +hast my orders; there are my signet and the firman: obedience or the +bow-string!” + +Never before had Boabdil so resembled his dread father in speech and +air; the vizier trembled to the soles of his feet, and withdrew in +silence. Boabdil watched him depart; and then, clasping his hands in +great emotion, exclaimed, “O lips of the dead! ye have warned me; and to +you I sacrifice the friend of my youth.” + +On quitting Boabdil the vizier, taking with him some of those foreign +slaves of a seraglio, who know no sympathy with human passion outside +its walls, bent his way to the palace of Muza, sorely puzzled and +perplexed. He did not, however, like to venture upon the hazard of the +alarm it might occasion throughout the neighbourhood, if he endeavoured, +at so unseasonable an hour, to force an entrance. He resolved, rather, +with his train to wait at a little distance, till, with the growing +dawn, the gates should be unclosed, and the inmates of the palace astir. + +Accordingly, cursing his stars, and wondering at his mission, Jusef, and +his silent and ominous attendants, concealed themselves in a small copse +adjoining the palace, until the daylight fairly broke over the awakened +city. He then passed into the palace; and was conducted to a hall, where +he found the renowned Moslem already astir, and conferring with some +Zegri captains upon the tactics of a sortie designed for that day. + +It was with so evident a reluctance and apprehension that Jusef +approached the prince, that the fierce and quick-sighted Zegris +instantly suspected some evil intention in his visit; and when Muza, in +surprise, yielded to the prayer of the vizier for a private audience, +it was with scowling brows and sparkling eyes that the Moorish warriors +left the darling of the nobles alone with the messenger of their king. + +“By the tomb of the prophet!” said one of the Zegris, as he quitted the +hall, “the timid Boabdil suspects our Ben Abil Gazan. I learned of this +before.” + +“Hush!” said another of the band; “let us watch. If the king touch a +hair of Muza’s head, Allah have mercy on his sins!” + +Meanwhile, the vizier, in silence, showed to Muza the firman and the +signet; and then, without venturing to announce the place to which he +was commissioned to conduct the prince, besought him to follow at once. +Muza changed colour, but not with fear. + +“Alas!” said he, in a tone of deep sorrow, “can it be that I have fallen +under my royal kinsman’s suspicion or displeasure? But no matter; proud +to set to Granada an example of valour in her defence, be it mine to +set, also, an example of obedience to her king. Go on--I will follow +thee. Yet stay, you will have no need of guards; let us depart by a +private egress: the Zegris might misgive, did they see me leave +the palace with you at the very time the army are assembling in the +Vivarrambla, and awaiting my presence. This way.” + +Thus saying, Muza, who, fierce as he was, obeyed every impulse that the +oriental loyalty dictated from a subject to a king, passed from the hall +to a small door that admitted into the garden, and in thoughtful silence +accompanied the vizier towards the Alhambra. As they passed the copse in +which Muza, two nights before, had met with Almamen, the Moor, lifting +his head suddenly, beheld fixed upon him the dark eyes of the magician, +as he emerged from the trees. Muza thought there was in those eyes a +malign and hostile exultation; but Almamen, gravely saluting him, passed +on through the grove: the prince did not deign to look back, or he might +once more have encountered that withering gaze. + +“Proud heathen!” muttered Almamen to himself, “thy father filled his +treasuries from the gold of many a tortured Hebrew; and even thou, too +haughty to be the miser, hast been savage enough to play the bigot. Thy +name is a curse in Israel; yet dost thou lust after the daughter of our +despised race, and, could defeated passion sting thee, I were avenged. +Ay, sweep on, with thy stately step and lofty crest-thou goest to +chains, perhaps to death.” + +As Almamen thus vented his bitter spirit, the last gleam of the white +robes of Muza vanished from his gaze. He paused a moment, turned away +abruptly, and said, half aloud, “Vengeance, not on one man only, but a +whole race! Now for the Nazarene.” + + + + + +BOOK. II. + + + + +CHAPTER I. THE ROYAL TENT OF SPAIN.--THE KING AND THE DOMINICAN--THE VISITOR AND +THE HOSTAGE. + +Our narrative now summons us to the Christian army, and to the tent +in which the Spanish king held nocturnal counsel with some of his more +confidential warriors and advisers. Ferdinand had taken the field with +all the pomp and circumstance of a tournament rather than of a campaign; +and his pavilion literally blazed with purple and cloth of gold. + +The king sat at the head of a table on which were scattered maps and +papers; nor in countenance and mien did that great and politic monarch +seem unworthy of the brilliant chivalry by which he was surrounded. His +black hair, richly perfumed and anointed, fell in long locks on either +side of a high imperial brow, upon whose calm, though not unfurrowed +surface, the physiognomist would in vain have sought to read the +inscrutable heart of kings. His features were regular and majestic: and +his mantle, clasped with a single jewel of rare price and lustre, and +wrought at the breast with a silver cross, waved over a vigorous and +manly frame, which derived from the composed and tranquil dignity of +habitual command that imposing effect which many of the renowned +knights and heroes in his presence took from loftier stature and ampler +proportions. At his right hand sat Prince Juan, his son, in the first +bloom of youth; at his left, the celebrated Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, +Marquess of Cadiz; along the table, in the order of their military rank, +were seen the splendid Duke of Medina Sidonia, equally noble in aspect +and in name; the worn and thoughtful countenance of the Marquess de +Villena (the Bayard of Spain); the melancholy brow of the heroic Alonzo +de Aguilar; and the gigantic frame, the animated features, and sparkling +eyes, of that fiery Hernando del Pulgar, surnamed “the knight of the +exploits.” + +“You see, senores,” said the king, continuing an address, to which his +chiefs seemed to listen with reverential attention, “our best hope of +speedily gaining the city is rather in the dissensions of the Moors +than our own sacred arms. The walls are strong, the population still +numerous; and under Muza Ben Abil Gazan, the tactics of the hostile army +are, it must be owned, administered with such skill as to threaten very +formidable delays to the period of our conquest. Avoiding the hazard +of a fixed battle, the infidel cavalry harass our camp by perpetual +skirmishes; and in the mountain defiles our detachments cannot cope with +their light horse and treacherous ambuscades. It is true, that by +dint of time, by the complete devastation of the Vega, and by vigilant +prevention of convoys from the seatowns, we might starve the city into +yielding. But, alas! my lords, our enemies are scattered and numerous, +and Granada is not the only place before which the standard of Spain +should be unfurled. Thus situated, the lion does not disdain to serve +himself of the fox; and, fortunately, we have now in Granada an ally +that fights for us. I have actual knowledge of all that passes within +the Alhambra: the king yet remains in his palace, irresolute and +dreaming; and I trust that an intrigue by which his jealousies are +aroused against his general, Muza, may end either in the loss of that +able leader, or in the commotion of open rebellion or civil war. Treason +within Granada will open its gates to us.” + +“Sire,” said Ponce de Leon, after a pause, “under your counsels, I no +more doubt of seeing our banner float above the Vermilion Towers, than I +doubt the rising of the sun over yonder hills; it matters little whether +we win by stratagem or force. But I need not say to your highness, that +we should carefully beware lest we be amused by inventions of the enemy, +and trust to conspiracies which may be but lying tales to blunt our +sabres, and paralyse our action.” + +“Bravely spoken, wise de Leon!” exclaimed Hernando del Pulgar, hotly: +“and against these infidels, aided by the cunning of the Evil One, +methinks our best wisdom lies in the sword-arm. Well says our old +Castilian proverb: + + ‘Curse them devoutly, + Hammer them stoutly.’” + +The king smiled slightly at the ardour of the favourite of his army, but +looked round for more deliberate counsel. “Sire,” said Villena, “far be +it from us to inquire the grounds upon which your majesty builds +your hope of dissension among the foe; but, placing the most sanguine +confidence in a wisdom never to be deceived, it is clear that we should +relax no energy within our means, but fight while we plot, and seek to +conquer, while we do not neglect to undermine.” + +“You speak well, my Lord,” said Ferdinand, thoughtfully; “and you +yourself shall head a strong detachment to-morrow, to lay waste +the Vega. Seek me two hours hence; the council for the present is +dissolved.” + +The knights rose, and withdrew with the usual grave and stately +ceremonies of respect, which Ferdinand observed to, and exacted from, +his court: the young prince remained. + +“Son,” said Ferdinand, when they were alone, “early and betimes should +the Infants of Spain be lessoned in the science of kingcraft. These +nobles are among the brightest jewels of the crown; but still it is +in the crown, and for the crown, that their light should sparkle. +Thou seest how hot, and fierce, and warlike, are the chiefs of +Spain--excellent virtues when manifested against our foes: but had we no +foes, Juan, such virtues might cause us exceeding trouble. By St. +Jago, I have founded a mighty monarchy! observe how it should be +maintained--by science, Juan, by science! and science is as far removed +from brute force as this sword from a crowbar. Thou seemest bewildered +and amazed, my son: thou hast heard that I seek to conquer Granada by +dissensions among the Moors; when Granada is conquered, remember that +the nobles themselves are at Granada. Ave Maria! blessed be the Holy +Mother, under whose eyes are the hearts of kings!” Ferdinand crossed +himself devoutly; and then, rising, drew aside a part of the drapery +of the pavilion, and called; in a low voice, the name of Perez. A grave +Spaniard, somewhat past the verge of middle age, appeared. + +“Perez,” said the king, reseating himself, “has the person we expected +from Granada yet arrived?” + +“Sire, yes; accompanied by a maiden.” + +“He hath kept his word; admit them. Ha! holy father, thy visits are +always as balsam to the heart.” + +“Save you, my son!” returned a man in the robes of a Dominican friar, +who had entered suddenly and without ceremony by another part of the +tent, and who now seated himself with smileless composure at a little +distance from the king. + +There was a dead silence for some moments; and Perez still lingered +within the tent, as if in doubt whether the entrance of the friar would +not prevent or delay obedience to the king’s command. On the calm +face of Ferdinand himself appeared a slight shade of discomposure and +irresolution, when the monk thus resumed: + +“My presence, my son, will not, I trust, disturb your conference with +the infidel--since you deem that worldly policy demands your parley with +the men of Belial.” + +“Doubtless not--doubtless not,” returned the king, quickly: then, +muttering to himself, “how wondrously doth this holy man penetrate into +all our movements and designs!” he added, aloud, “Let the messenger +enter.” + +Perez bowed, and withdrew. + +During this time, the young prince reclined in listless silence on his +seat; and on his delicate features was an expression of weariness which +augured but ill of his fitness for the stern business to which the +lessons of his wise father were intended to educate his mind. His, +indeed, was the age, and his the soul, for pleasure; the tumult of the +camp was to him but a holiday exhibition--the march of an army, the +exhilaration of a spectacle; the court as a banquet--the throne, the +best seat at the entertainment. The life of the heir-apparent, to the +life of the king possessive, is as the distinction between enchanting +hope and tiresome satiety. + +The small grey eyes of the friar wandered over each of his royal +companions with a keen and penetrating glance, and then settled in the +aspect of humility on the rich carpets that bespread the floor; nor did +he again lift them till Perez, reappearing, admitted to the tent the +Israelite, Almamen, accompanied by a female figure, whose long veil, +extending from head to foot, could conceal neither the beautiful +proportions nor the trembling agitation, of her frame. + +“When last, great king, I was admitted to thy presence,” said Almamen, +“thou didst make question of the sincerity and faith of thy servant; +thou didst ask me for a surety of my faith; thou didst demand a hostage; +and didst refuse further parley without such pledge were yielded to +thee. Lo! I place under thy kingly care this maiden--the sole child of +my house--as surety of my truth; I intrust to thee a life dearer than my +own.” + +“You have kept faith with us, stranger,” said the king, in that soft and +musical voice which well disguised his deep craft and his unrelenting +will; “and the maiden whom you intrust to our charge shall be ranked +with the ladies of our royal consort.” + +“Sire,” replied Almamen, with touching earnestness, “you now hold the +power of life and death over all for whom this heart can breathe a +prayer or cherish a hope, save for my countrymen and my religion. This +solemn pledge between thee and me I render up without scruple, without +fear. To thee I give a hostage, from thee I have but a promise.” + +“But it is the promise of a king, a Christian, and a knight,” said the +king, with dignity rather mild than arrogant; “among monarchs, what +hostage can be more sacred? Let this pass: how proceed affairs in the +rebel city?” + +“May this maiden withdraw, ere I answer my lord the king?” said Almamen. + +The young prince started to his feet. “Shall I conduct this new charge +to my mother?” he asked, in a low voice, addressing Ferdinand. + +The king half smiled: “The holy father were a better guide,” he +returned, in the same tone. But, though the Dominican heard the hint, he +retained his motionless posture; and Ferdinand, after a momentary gaze +on the friar, turned away. “Be it so, Juan,” said he, with a look meant +to convey caution to the prince; “Perez shall accompany you to the +queen: return the moment your mission is fulfilled--we want your +presence.” + +While this conversation was carried on between the father and son, +the Hebrew was whispering, in his sacred tongue, words of comfort and +remonstrance to the maiden; but they appeared to have but little of the +desired effect; and, suddenly falling on his breast, she wound her +arms around the Hebrew, whose breast shook with strong emotions, and +exclaimed passionately, in the same language, “Oh, my father! what have +I done?--why send me from thee?--why intrust thy child to the stranger? +Spare me, spare me!” + +“Child of my heart!” returned the Hebrew, with solemn but tender +accents, “even as Abraham offered up his son, must I offer thee, upon +the altars of our faith; but, O Leila! even as the angel of the Lord +forbade the offering, so shall thy youth be spared, and thy years +reserved for the glory of generations yet unborn. King of Spain!” + he continued in the Spanish tongue, suddenly and eagerly, “you are a +father, forgive my weakness, and speed this parting.” + +Juan approached; and with respectful courtesy attempted to take the hand +of the maiden. + +“You?” said the Israelite, with a dark frown. “O king! the prince is +young.” + +“Honour knoweth no distinction of age,” answered the king. “What ho, +Perez! accompany this maiden and the prince to the queen’s pavilion.” + +The sight of the sober years and grave countenance of the attendant +seemed to re-assure the Hebrew. He strained Leila in his arms; printed a +kiss upon her forehead without removing her veil; and then, placing her +almost in the arms of Perez, turned away to the further end of the tent, +and concealed his face with his hands. The king appeared touched; but +the Dominican gazed upon the whole scene with a sour scowl. + +Leila still paused for a moment; and then, as if recovering her +self-possession, said, aloud and distinctly,--“Man deserts me; but +I will not forget that God is over all.” Shaking off the hand of the +Spaniard, she continued, “Lead on; I follow thee!” and left the tent +with a steady and even majestic step. + +“And now,” said the king, when alone with the Dominican and Almamen, +“how proceed our hopes?” + +“Boabdil,” replied the Israelite, “is aroused against both his army +and their leader, Muza; the king will not quit the Alhambra; and this +morning, ere I left the city, Muza himself was in the prisons of the +palace.” + +“How!” cried the king, starting from his seat. + +“This is my work,” pursued the Hebrew coldly. “It is these hands that +are shaping for Ferdinand of Spain the keys of Granada.” + +“And right kingly shall be your guerdon,” said the Spanish monarch: +“meanwhile, accept this earnest of our favour.” So saying, he took from +his breast a chain of massive gold, the links of which were curiously +inwrought with gems, and extended it to the Israelite. Almamen moved +not. A dark flush upon his countenance bespoke the feelings he with +difficulty restrained. + +“I sell not my foes for gold, great king,” said he, with a stern smile: +“I sell my foes to buy the ransom of my friends.” + +“Churlish!” said Ferdinand, offended: “but speak on, man, speak on!” + +“If I place Granada, ere two weeks are past, within thy power, what +shall be my reward?” + +“Thou didst talk to me, when last we met, of immunities to the Jews.” + +The calm Dominican looked up as the king spoke, crossed himself, and +resumed his attitude of humility. + +“I demand for the people of Israel,” returned Almamen, “free leave to +trade and abide within the city, and follow their callings, subjected +only to the same laws and the same imposts as the Christian population.” + +“The same laws, and the same imposts! Humph! there are difficulties in +the concession. If we refuse?” + +“Our treaty is ended. Give me back the maiden--you will have no further +need of the hostage you demanded: I return to the city, and renew our +interviews no more.” + +Politic and cold-blooded as was the temperament of the great Ferdinand, +he had yet the imperious and haughty nature of a prosperous and +long-descended king; and he bit his lip in deep displeasure at the tone +of the dictatorial and stately stranger. + +“Thou usest plain language, my friend,” said he; “my words can be as +rudely spoken. Thou art in my power, and canst return not, save at my +permission.” + +“I have your royal word, sire, for free entrance and safe egress,” + answered Almamen. “Break it, and Granada is with the Moors till the +Darro runs red with the blood of her heroes, and her people strew the +vales as the leaves in autumn.” + +“Art thou then thyself of the Jewish faith?” asked the king. “If thou +art not, wherefore are the outcasts of the world so dear to thee?” + +“My fathers were of that creed, royal Ferdinand; and if I myself desert +their creed, I do not desert their cause. O king! are my terms scorned +or accepted?” + +“I accept them: provided, first, that thou obtainest the exile or death +of Muza; secondly, that within two weeks of this date thou bringest me, +along with the chief councillors of Granada, the written treaty of the +capitulation, and the keys of the city. Do this: and though the sole +king in Christendom who dares the hazard, I offer to the Israelites +throughout Andalusia the common laws and rights of citizens of Spain; +and to thee I will accord such dignity as may content thy ambition.” + +The Hebrew bowed reverently, and drew from his breast a scroll, which +he placed on the table before the king. “This writing, mighty Ferdinand, +contains the articles of our compact.” + +“How, knave! wouldst thou have us commit our royal signature to +conditions with such as thou art, to the chance of the public eye? The +king’s word is the king’s bond!” + +The Hebrew took up the scroll with imperturbable composure, “My child!” + said he; “will your majesty summon back my child? we would depart.” + +“A sturdy mendicant this, by the Virgin!” muttered the king; and then, +speaking aloud, “Give me the paper, I will scan it.” + +Running his eyes hastily over the words, Ferdinand paused a moment, and +then drew towards him the implements of writing, signed the scroll, and +returned it to Almamen. + +The Israelite kissed it thrice with oriental veneration, and replaced it +in his breast. + +Ferdinand looked at him hard and curiously. He was a profound reader of +men’s characters; but that of his guest baffled and perplexed him. + +“And how, stranger,” said he, gravely,--“how can I trust that man who +thus distrusts one king and sells another?” + +“O king!” replied Almamen (accustomed from his youth to commune with and +command the possessors of thrones yet more absolute),--“O king! if thou +believest me actuated by personal and selfish interests in this our +compact, thou has but to make, my service minister to my interest, and +the lore of human nature will tell thee that thou hast won a ready and +submissive slave. But if thou thinkest I have avowed sentiments less +abject, and developed qualities higher than those of the mere bargainer +for sordid power, oughtest thou not to rejoice that chance has thrown +into thy way one whose intellect and faculties may be made thy tool? If +I betray another, that other is my deadly foe. Dost not thou, the lord +of armies, betray thine enemy? The Moor is an enemy bitterer to myself +than to thee. Because I betray an enemy, am I unworthy to serve a +friend? If I, a single man, and a stranger to the Moor, can yet command +the secrets of palaces, and render vain the counsels of armed men, have +I not in that attested that I am one of whom a wise king can make an +able servant?” + +“Thou art a subtle reasoner, my friend,” said Ferdinand, smiling gently. +“Peace go with thee! our conference for the time is ended. What ho, +Perez!” The attendant appeared. + +“Thou hast left the maiden with the queen?” + +“Sire, you have been obeyed.” + +“Conduct this stranger to the guard who led him through the camp. He +quits us under the same protection. Farewell! yet stay--thou art assured +that Muza Ben Abil Gazan is in the prisons of the Moor?” + +“Yes.” + +“Blessed be the Virgin!” + +“Thou hast heard our conference, Father Tomas?” said the king, +anxiously, when the Hebrew had withdrawn. + +“I have, son.” + +“Did thy veins freeze with horror?” + +“Only when my son signed the scroll. It seemed to me then that I saw the +cloven foot of the tempter.” + +“Tush, father, the tempter would have been more wise than to reckon upon +a faith which no ink and no parchment can render valid, if the Church +absolve the compact. Thou understandest me, father?” + +“I do. I know your pious heart and well-judging mind.” + +“Thou wert right,” resumed the king, musingly, “when thou didst tell +us that these caitiff Jews were waxing strong in the fatness of their +substance. They would have equal laws--the insolent blasphemers!” + +“Son!” said the Dominican, with earnest adjuration, “God, who has +prospered your arms and councils, will require at your hands an account +of the power intrusted to you. Shall there be no difference between His +friends and His foes--His disciples and His crucifiers?” + +“Priest,” said the king, laying his hand on the monk’s shoulder, and +with a saturnine smile upon his countenance, “were religion silent in +this matter, policy has a voice loud enough to make itself heard. The +Jews demand equal rights; when men demand equality with their masters, +treason is at work, and justice sharpens her sword. Equality! these +wealthy usurers! Sacred Virgin! they would be soon buying up our +kingdoms.” + +The Dominican gazed hard on the king. “Son, I trust thee,” he said, in a +low voice, and glided from the tent. + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE. + +The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen +pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city. He was now in +a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from +amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and +breathless in the still morning air. As, emerging from this jungle, if +so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human +countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark +eyes fixed upon his own. + +He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp +whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, +ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, +in the garb of peasants. + +“Well, my masters,” said Almamen, calmly, as he encountered the wild +savage countenances that glared upon him, “think you there is aught to +fear from the solitary santon?” + +“It is the magician,” whispered one man to his neighbour--“let him +pass.” + +“Nay,” was the answer, “take him before the captain; we have orders to +seize upon all we meet.” + +This counsel prevailed; and gnashing his teeth with secret rage, Almamen +found himself hurried along by the peasants through the thickest part of +the copse. At length, the procession stopped in a semicircular patch of +rank sward, in which several head of cattle were quietly grazing, and a +yet more numerous troop of peasants reclined around upon the grass. + +“Whom have we here?” asked a voice which startled back the dark blood +from Almamen’s cheek; and a Moor of commanding presence rose from the +midst of his brethren. “By the beard of the prophet, it is the false +santon! What dost thou from Granada at this hour?” + +“Noble Muza,” returned Almamen--who, though indeed amazed that one whom +he had imagined his victim was thus unaccountably become his judge, +retained, at least, the semblance of composure--“my answer is to be +given only to my lord the king; it is his commands that I obey.” + +“Thou art aware,” said Muza, frowning, “that thy life is forfeited +without appeal? Whatsoever inmate of Granada is found without the walls +between sunrise and sunset, dies the death of a traitor and deserter.” + +“The servants of the Alhambra are excepted,” answered the Israelite, +without changing countenance. + +“Ah!” muttered Muza, as a painful and sudden thought seemed to cross +him, “can it be possible that the rumour of the city has truth, and that +the monarch of Granada is in treaty with the foe?” He mused a little; +and then, motioning the Moors to withdraw, he continued aloud, “Almamen, +answer me truly: hast thou sought the Christian camp with any message +from the king?” + +“I have not.” + +“Art thou without the walls on the mission of the king?” + +“If I be so, I am a traitor to the king should I reveal his secret.” + +“I doubt thee much, santon,” said Muza, after a pause; “I know thee for +my enemy, and I do believe thy counsels have poisoned the king’s ear +against me, his people and his duties. But no matter, thy life is spared +a while; thou remainest with us, and with us shalt thou return to the +king.” + +“But, noble Muza----” + +“I have said! Guard the santon; mount him upon one of our chargers; he +shall abide with us in our ambush.” While Almamen chafed in vain at his +arrest, all in the Christian camp was yet still. At length, as the sun +began to lift himself above the mountains, first a murmur, and then a +din, betokened warlike preparations. Several parties of horse, under +gallant and experienced leaders, formed themselves in different +quarters, and departed in different ways, on expeditions of forage, or +in the hope of skirmish with the straggling detachments of the enemy. Of +these, the best equipped, was conducted by the Marquess de Villena, and +his gallant brother Don Alonzo de Pacheco. In this troop, too, rode many +of the best blood of Spain; for in that chivalric army, the officers +vied with each other who should most eclipse the meaner soldiery in +feats of personal valour; and the name of Villena drew around him +the eager and ardent spirits that pined at the general inactivity of +Ferdinand’s politic campaign. + +The sun, now high in heaven, glittered on the splendid arms and gorgeous +pennons of Villena’s company, as, leaving the camp behind, it entered a +rich and wooded district that skirts the mountain barrier of the +Vega. The brilliancy of the day, the beauty of the scene, the hope and +excitement of enterprise, animated the spirits of the whole party. +In these expeditions strict discipline was often abandoned, from the +certainty that it could be resumed at need. Conversation, gay and loud, +interspersed at times with snatches of song, was heard amongst the +soldiery; and in the nobler group that rode with Villena, there was even +less of the proverbial gravity of Spaniards. + +“Now, marquess,” said Don Estevon de Suzon, “what wager shall be between +us as to which lance this day robs Moorish beauty of the greatest number +of its worshippers?” + +“My falchion against your jennet,” said Don Alonzo de Pacheco, taking up +the challenge. + +“Agreed. But, talking of beauty, were you in the queen’s pavilion last +night, noble marquess? it was enriched by a new maiden, whose strange +and sudden apparition none can account for. Her eyes would have eclipsed +the fatal glance of Cava; and had I been Rodrigo, I might have lost a +crown for her smile.” + +“Ay,” said Villena, “I heard of her beauty; some hostage from one of the +traitor Moors, with whom the king (the saints bless him!) bargains for +the city. They tell me the prince incurred the queen’s grave rebuke for +his attentions to the maiden.” + +“And this morning I saw that fearful Father Tomas steal into the +prince’s tent. I wish Don Juan well through the lecture. The monk’s +advice is like the algarroba;--[The algarroba is a sort of leguminous +plant common in Spain]--when it is laid up to dry it may be reasonably +wholesome, but it is harsh and bitter enough when taken fresh.” + +At this moment one of the subaltern officers rode up to the marquess, +and whispered in his ear. + +“Ha!” said Villena, “the Virgin be praised! Sir knights, booty is at +hand. Silence! close the ranks.” With that, mounting a little eminence, +and shading his eyes with his hand, the marquess surveyed the plain +below; and, at some distance, he beheld a horde of Moorish peasants +driving some cattle into a thick copse. The word was hastily given, the +troop dashed on, every voice was hushed, and the clatter of mail, and +the sound of hoofs, alone broke the delicious silence of the noon-day +landscape. + +Ere they reached the copse, the peasants had disappeared within it. The +marquess marshalled his men in a semicircle round the trees, and sent +on a detachment to the rear, to cut off every egress from the wood. This +done the troop dashed within. For the first few yards the space was more +open than they had anticipated: but the ground soon grew uneven, rugged, +and almost precipitous, and the soil, and the interlaced trees, alike +forbade any rapid motion to the horse. Don Alonzo de Pacheco, mounted +on a charger whose agile and docile limbs had been tutored to every +description of warfare, and himself of light weight and incomparable +horsemanship--dashed on before the rest. The trees hid him for a moment; +when suddenly, a wild yell was heard, and as it ceased uprose the +solitary voice of the Spaniard, shouting, “_Santiago, y cierra_, Espana; +St. Jago, and charge, Spain!” + +Each cavalier spurred forward; when suddenly, a shower of darts and +arrows rattled on their armour; and upsprung from bush and reeds, and +rocky clift, a number of Moors, and with wild shouts swarmed around the +Spaniards. + +“Back for your lives!” cried Villena; “we are beset--make for the level +ground!” + +He turned-spurred from the thicket, and saw the Paynim foe emerging +through the glen, line after line of man and horse; each Moor leading +his slight and fiery steed by the bridle, and leaping on it as he issued +from the wood into the plain. Cased in complete mail, his visor down, +his lance in its rest, Villena (accompanied by such of his knights as +could disentangle themselves from the Moorish foot) charged upon the +foe. A moment of fierce shock passed: on the ground lay many a Moor, +pierced through by the Christian lance; and on the other side of the foe +was heard the voice of Villena--“St. Jago to the rescue!” But the brave +marquess stood almost alone, save his faithful chamberlain, Solier. +Several of his knights were dismounted, and swarms of Moors, with lifted +knives, gathered round them as they lay, searching for the joints of the +armour, which might admit a mortal wound. Gradually, one by one, many of +Villena’s comrades joined their leader, and now the green mantle of +Don Alonzo de Pacheco was seen waving without the copse, and Villena +congratulated himself on the safety of his brother. Just at that moment, +a Moorish cavalier spurred from his troop, and met Pacheco in full +career. The Moor was not clad, as was the common custom of the Paynim +nobles, in the heavy Christian armour. He wore the light flexile mail of +the ancient heroes of Araby or Fez. His turban, which was protected by +chains of the finest steel interwoven with the folds, was of the most +dazzling white--white, also, were his tunic and short mantle; on his +left arm hung a short circular shield, in his right hand was poised +a long and slender lance. As this Moor, mounted on a charger in whose +raven hue not a white hair could be detected, dashed forward against +Pacheco, both Christian and Moor breathed hard, and remained passive. +Either nation felt it as a sacrilege to thwart the encounter of +champions so renowned. + +“God save my brave brother!” muttered Villena, anxiously. “Amen,” said +those around him; for all who had ever witnessed the wildest valour in +that war, trembled as they recognised the dazzling robe and coal-black +charger of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. Nor was that renowned infidel mated with +an unworthy foe. “Pride of the tournament, and terror of the war,” was +the favourite title which the knights and ladies of Castile had bestowed +on Don Alonzo de Pacheco. + +When the Spaniard saw the redoubted Moor approach, he halted abruptly +for a moment, and then, wheeling his horse around, took a wider circuit, +to give additional impetus to his charge. The Moor, aware of his +purpose, halted also, and awaited the moment of his rush; when once +more he darted forward, and the combatants met with a skill which called +forth a cry of involuntary applause from the Christians themselves. +Muza received on the small surface of his shield the ponderous spear +of Alonzo, while his own light lance struck upon the helmet of the +Christian, and by the exactness of the aim rather than the weight of the +blow, made Alonzo reel in his saddle. + +The lances were thrown aside--the long broad falchion of the Christian, +the curved Damascus cimiter of the Moor, gleamed in the air. They reined +their chargers opposite each other in grave and deliberate silence. + +“Yield thee, sir knight!” at length cried the fierce Moor, “for the +motto on my cimiter declares that if thou meetest its stroke, thy +days are numbered. The sword of the believer is the Key of Heaven and +Hell.”--[Such, says Sale, is the poetical phrase of the Mohammedan +divines.] + +“False Paynim,” answered Alonzo, in a voice that rung hollow through his +helmet, “a Christian knight is the equal of a Moorish army!” + +Muza made no reply, but left the rein of his charger on his neck; the +noble animal understood the signal, and with a short impatient cry +rushed forward at full speed. Alonzo met the charge with his falchion +upraised, and his whole body covered with his shield; the Moor bent--the +Spaniards raised a shout--Muza seemed stricken from his horse. But the +blow of the heavy falchion had not touched him: and, seemingly without +an effort, the curved blade of his own cimiter, gliding by that part +of his antagonist’s throat where the helmet joins the cuirass, passed +unresistingly and silently through the joints; and Alonzo fell at once, +and without a groan, from his horse--his armour, to all appearance, +unpenetrated, while the blood oozed slow and gurgling from a mortal +wound. + +“Allah il Allah!” shouted Muza, as he joined his friends; “Lelilies! +Lelilies!” echoed the Moors; and ere the Christians recovered their +dismay, they were engaged hand to hand with their ferocious and swarming +foes. It was, indeed, fearful odds; and it was a marvel to the Spaniards +how the Moors had been enabled to harbour and conceal their numbers in +so small a space. Horse and foot alike beset the company of Villena, +already sadly reduced; and while the infantry, with desperate and savage +fierceness, thrust themselves under the very bellies of the chargers, +encountering both the hoofs of the steed and the deadly lance of the +rider, in the hope of finding a vulnerable place for the sharp Moorish +knife,--the horsemen, avoiding the stern grapple of the Spaniard +warriors, harrassed them by the shaft and lance,--now advancing, now +retreating, and performing, with incredible rapidity, the evolutions of +Oriental cavalry. But the life and soul of his party was the indomitable +Muza. With a rashness which seemed to the superstitious Spaniards like +the safety of a man protected by magic, he spurred his ominous +black barb into the very midst of the serried phalanx which Villena +endeavoured to form around him, breaking the order by his single charge, +and from time to time bringing to the dust some champion of the troop by +the noiseless and scarce-seen edge of his fatal cimiter. + +Villena, in despair alike of fame and life, and gnawed with grief for +his brother’s loss, at length resolved to put the last hope of the +battle on his single arm. He gave the signal for retreat; and to protect +his troop, remained himself, alone and motionless, on his horse, like +a statue of iron. Though not of large frame, he was esteemed the best +swordsman, next only to Hernando del Pulgar and Gonsalvo de Cordova, in +the army; practised alike in the heavy assault of the Christian warfare, +and the rapid and dexterous exercise of the Moorish cavalry. There +he remained, alone and grim--a lion at bay--while his troops slowly +retreated down the Vega, and their trumpets sounded loud signals of +distress, and demands for succour, to such of their companions as might +be within bearing. Villena’s armour defied the shafts of the Moors; and +as one after one darted towards him, with whirling cimiter and momentary +assault, few escaped with impunity from an eye equally quick and a +weapon more than equally formidable. Suddenly, a cloud of dust swept +towards him; and Muza, a moment before at the further end of the field, +came glittering through that cloud, with his white robe waving and his +right arm bare. Villena recognised him, set his teeth hard, and putting +spurs to his charger, met the rush. Muza swerved aside, just as the +heavy falchion swung over his head, and by a back stroke of his own +cimiter, shore through the cuirass just above the hip-joint, and the +blood followed the blade. The brave cavaliers saw the danger of their +chief; three of their number darted forward, and came in time to +separate the combatants. + +Muza stayed not to encounter the new reinforcement; but speeding across +the plain, was soon seen rallying his own scattered cavalry, and +pouring them down, in one general body, upon the scanty remnant of the +Spaniards. + +“Our day is come!” said the good knight Villena, with bitter +resignation. “Nothing is left for us, my friends, but to give up our +lives--an example how Spanish warriors should live and die. May God and +the Holy Mother forgive our sins and shorten our purgatory!” + +Just as he spoke, a clarion was heard at a distance and the sharpened +senses of the knights caught the ring of advancing hoofs. + +“We are saved!” cried Estevon de Suzon, rising on his stirrups. While +he spoke, the dashing stream of the Moorish horse broke over the little +band; and Estevon beheld bent upon himself the dark eyes and quivering +lip of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. That noble knight had never, perhaps, till +then known fear; but he felt his heart stand still, as he now stood +opposed to that irresistible foe. + +“The dark fiend guides his blade!” thought De Suzon; “but I was shriven +but yestermorn.” The thought restored his wonted courage; and he spurred +on to meet the cimiter of the Moor. + +His assault took Muza by surprise. The Moor’s horse stumbled over the +ground, cumbered with the dead and slippery with blood, and his uplifted +cimiter could not do more than break the force of the gigantic arm of De +Suzon; as the knight’s falchion bearing down the cimiter, and alighting +on the turban of the Mohammedan, clove midway through its folds, +arrested only by the admirable temper of the links of steel which +protected it. The shock hurled the Moor to the ground. He rolled under +the saddle-girths of his antagonist. + +“Victory and St. Jago!” cried the knight, “Muza is--” + +The sentence was left eternally unfinished. The blade of the fallen Moor +had already pierced De Suzoii’s horse through a mortal but undefended +part. It fell, bearing his rider with him. A moment, and the two +champions lay together grappling in the dust; in the next, the short +knife which the Moor wore in his girdle had penetrated the Christian’s +visor, passing through the brain. + +To remount his steed, that remained at band, humbled and motionless, +to appear again amongst the thickest of the fray, was a work no less +rapidly accomplished than had been the slaughter of the unhappy Estevon +de Suzon. But now the fortune of the day was stopped in a progress +hitherto so triumphant to the Moors. + +Pricking fast over the plain were seen the glittering horsemen of the +Christian reinforcements; and, at the remoter distance, the royal banner +of Spain, indistinctly descried through volumes of dust, denoted that +Ferdinand himself was advancing to the support of his cavaliers. + +The Moors, however, who had themselves received many and mysterious +reinforcements, which seemed to spring up like magic from the bosom of +the earth--so suddenly and unexpectedly had they emerged from copse +and cleft in that mountainous and entangled neighbourhood--were not +unprepared for a fresh foe. At the command of the vigilant Muza, they +drew off, fell into order, and, seizing, while yet there was time, the +vantage-ground which inequalities of the soil and the shelter of the +trees gave to their darts and agile horse, they presented an array which +Ponce de Leon himself, who now arrived, deemed it more prudent not to +assault. While Villena, in accents almost inarticulate with rage, was +urging the Marquess of Cadiz to advance, Ferdinand, surrounded by the +flower of his court, arrived at the rear of the troops and after a few +words interchanged with Ponce de Leon, gave the signal to retreat. + +When the Moors beheld that noble soldiery slowly breaking ground, and +retiring towards the camp, even Muza could not control their ardour. +They rushed forward, harassing the retreat of the Christians, and +delaying the battle by various skirmishes. + +It was at this time that the headlong valour of Hernando del Pulgar, who +had arrived with Ponce de Leon, distinguished itself in feats which yet +live in the songs of Spain. Mounted upon an immense steed, and himself +of colossal strength, he was seen charging alone upon the assailants, +and scattering numbers to the ground with the sweep of his enormous +two-handed falchion. With a loud voice, he called on Muza to oppose him; +but the Moor, fatigued with slaughter, and scarcely recovered from the +shock of his encounter with De Suzon, reserved so formidable a foe for a +future contest. + +It was at this juncture, while the field was covered with straggling +skirmishers, that a small party of Spaniards, in cutting their way to +the main body of their countrymen through one of the numerous copses +held by the enemy, fell in at the outskirt with an equal number of +Moors, and engaged them in a desperate conflict, hand to hand. Amidst +the infidels was one man who took no part in the affray: at a little +distance, he gazed for a few moments upon the fierce and relentless +slaughter of Moor and Christian with a smile of stern and complacent +delight; and then taking advantage of the general confusion, rode +gently, and, as he hoped, unobserved, away from the scene. But he was +not destined so quietly to escape. A Spaniard perceived him, and, from +something strange and unusual in his garb, judged him one of the Moorish +leaders; and presently Almamen, for it was he, beheld before him the +uplifted falchion of a foe neither disposed to give quarter nor to +hear parley. Brave though the Israelite was, many reasons concurred to +prevent his taking a personal part against the soldier of Spain; and +seeing he should have no chance of explanation, he fairly puts spurs to +his horse, and galloped across the plain. The Spaniard followed, gained +upon him, and Almamen at length turned, in despair and the wrath of his +haughty nature. + +“Have thy will, fool!” said he, between his grinded teeth, as he griped +his dagger and prepared for the conflict. It was long and obstinate, for +the Spaniard was skilful; and the Hebrew wearing no mail, and without +any weapon more formidable than a sharp and well-tempered dagger, was +forced to act cautiously on the defensive. At length the combatants +grappled, and, by a dexterous thrust, the short blade of Almamen pierced +the throat of his antagonist, who fell prostrate to the ground. + +“I am safe,” he thought, as he wheeled round his horse; when lo! +the Spaniards he had just left behind, and who had now routed their +antagonists, were upon him. + +“Yield, or die!” cried the leader of the troop. + +Almamen glared round; no succour was at hand. “I am not your enemy,” + said he, sullenly, throwing down his weapon--“bear me to your camp.” + +A trooper seized his rein, and, scouring along, the Spaniards soon +reached the retreating army. + +Meanwhile the evening darkened, the shout and the roar grew gradually +less loud and loud---the battle had ceased--the stragglers had joined +their several standards and, by the light of the first star, the +Moorish force, bearing their wounded brethren, and elated with success, +re-entered the gates of Granada, as the black charger of the hero of +the day, closing the rear of the cavalry, disappeared within the gloomy +portals. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE HERO IN THE POWER OF THE DREAMER. + +It was in the same chamber, and nearly at the same hour, in which +we first presented to the reader Boabdil el Chico, that we are again +admitted to the presence of that ill-starred monarch. He was not alone. +His favourite slave, Amine, reclined upon the ottomans, gazing with +anxious love upon his thoughtful countenance, as he leant against the +glittering wall by the side of the casement, gazing abstractedly on the +scene below. + +From afar he heard the shouts of the populace at the return of Muza, and +bursts of artillery confirmed the tidings of triumph which had already +been borne to his ear. + +“May the king live for ever!” said Amine, timidly; “his armies have gone +forth to conquer.” + +“But without their king,” replied Boabdil, bitterly, “and headed by a +traitor and a foe. I am meshed in the nets of an inextricable fate!” + +“Oh!” said the slave, with sudden energy, as, clasping her hands, she +rose from her couch,--“oh, my lord, would that these humble lips dared +utter other words than those of love!” + +“And what wise counsel would they give me?” asked Boabdil with a faint +smile. “Speak on.” + +“I will obey thee, then, even if it displease,” cried Amine; and +she rose, her cheek glowing, her eyes spark ling, her beautiful form +dilated. “I am a daughter of Granada; I am the beloved of a king; I will +be true to my birth and to my fortunes. Boabdil el Chico, the last of +a line of heroes, shake off these gloomy fantasies--these doubts and +dreams that smother the fire of a great nature and a kingly soul! +Awake--arise--rob Granada of her Muza--be thyself her Muza! Trustest +thou to magic and to spells? then grave them on they breastplate, write +them on thy sword, and live no longer the Dreamer of the Alhambra; +become the saviour of thy people!” + +Boabdil turned, and gazed on the inspired and beautiful form before him +with mingled emotions of surprise and shame. “Out of the mouth of woman +cometh my rebuke!” said he sadly. “It is well!” + +“Pardon me, pardon me!” said the slave, falling humbly at his knees; +“but blame me not that I would have thee worthy of thyself. Wert thou +not happier, was not thy heart more light and thy hope more strong when, +at the head of thine armies, thine own cimiter slew thine own foes, and +the terror of the Hero-king spread, in flame and slaughter, from the +mountains to the seas. Boabdil! dear as thou art to me-equally as I +would have loved thee hadst thou been born a lowly fisherman of the +Darro, since thou art a king, I would have thee die a king; even if my +own heart broke as I armed thee for thy latest battle!” + +“Thou knowest not what thou sayest, Amine,” said Boabdil, “nor canst +thou tell what spirits that are not of earth dictate to the actions and +watch over the destinies, of the rulers of nations. If I delay, if I +linger, it is not from terror, but from wisdom. The cloud must gather +on, dark and slow, ere the moment for the thunderbolt arrives.” + +“On thine own house will the thunderbolt fall, since over thine own +house thou sufferest the cloud to gather,” said a calm and stern voice. + +Boabdil started; and in the chamber stood a third person, in the shape +of a woman, past middle age, and of commanding port and stature. Upon +her long-descending robes of embroidered purple were thickly woven +jewels of royal price, and her dark hair, slightly tinged with grey, +parted over a majestic brow while a small diadem surmounted the folds of +the turban. + +“My mother!” said Boabdil, with some haughty reserve in his tone; “your +presence is unexpected.” + +“Ay,” answered Ayxa la Horra, for it was indeed that celebrated, and +haughty, and high-souled queen, “and unwelcome; so is ever that of your +true friends. But not thus unwelcome was the presence of your mother, +when her brain and her hand delivered you from the dungeon in which your +stern father had cast your youth, and the dagger and the bowl seemed the +only keys that would unlock the cell.” + +“And better hadst thou left the ill-omened son that thy womb conceived, +to die thus in youth, honoured and lamented, than to live to manhood, +wrestling against an evil star and a relentless fate.” + +“Son,” said the queen, gazing upon him with lofty and half disdainful +compassion, “men’s conduct shapes out their own fortunes, and the +unlucky are never the valiant and the wise.” + +“Madam,” said Boabdil, colouring with passion, “I am still a king, nor +will I be thus bearded--withdraw!” + +Ere the queen could reply, a eunuch entered, and whispered Boabdil. + +“Ha!” said he, joyfully, stamping his foot, “comes he then to brave the +lion in his den? Let the rebel look to it. Is he alone?” + +“Alone, great king.” + +“Bid my guards wait without; let the slightest signal summon them. +Amine, retire! Madam--” + +“Son!” interrupted Ayxa la Horra in visible agitation, “do I guess +aright? is the brave Muza--the sole bulwark and hope of Granada--whom +unjustly thou wouldst last night have placed in chains--(chains! Great +Prophet! is it thus a king should reward his heroes)--is, I say, Muza +here? and wilt thou make him the victim of his own generous trust?” + +“Retire, woman?” said Boabdil, sullenly. + +“I will not, save by force! I resisted a fiercer soul than thine when I +saved thee from thy father.” + +“Remain, then, if thou wilt, and learn how kings can punish traitors. +Mesnour, admit the hero of Granada.” Amine had vanished. Boabdil seated +himself on the cushions his face calm but pale. The queen stood erect +at a little distance, her arms folded on her breast, and her aspect knit +and resolute. In a few moments Muza entered alone. He approached the +king with the profound salutation of oriental obeisance; and then stood +before him with downcast eyes, in an attitude from which respect could +not divorce a natural dignity and pride of mien. + +“Prince,” said Boabdil, after a moment’s pause, “yestermorn, when I +sent for thee thou didst brave my orders. Even in mine own Alhambra thy +minions broke out in mutiny; they surrounded the fortress in which thou +wert to wait my pleasure; they intercepted, they insulted, they drove +back my guards; they stormed the towers protected by the banner of +thy king. The governor, a coward or a traitor, rendered thee to the +rebellious crowd. Was this all? No, by the Prophet! Thou, by right my +captive, didst leave thy prison but to head mine armies. And this day, +the traitor subject--the secret foe--was the leader of a people who defy +a king. This night thou comest to me unsought. Thou feelest secure from +my just wrath, even in my palace. Thine insolence blinds and betrays +thee. Man, thou art in my power! Ho, there!” + +As the king spoke, he rose; and, presently, the arcades at the back of +the pavilion were darkened by long lines of the Ethiopian guard, each of +height which, beside the slight Moorish race, appeared gigantic; stolid +and passionless machines, to execute, without thought, the bloodiest +or the slightest caprice of despotism. There they stood; their silver +breastplates and long earrings contrasting their dusky skins; and +bearing, over their shoulders, immense clubs studded with brazen nails. + +A little advanced from the rest, stood the captain, with the fatal +bowstring hanging carelessly on his arm, and his eyes intent to catch +the slightest gesture of the king. “Behold!” said Boabdil to his +prisoner. + +“I do; and am prepared for what I have foreseen.” The queen grew pale, +but continued silent. + +Muza resumed-- + +“Lord of the faithful!” said he, “if yestermorn I had acted otherwise, +it would have been to the ruin of thy throne and our common race. The +fierce Zegris suspected and learned my capture. They summoned the troops +they delivered me, it is true. At that time had I reasoned with them, it +would have been as drops upon a flame. They were bent on besieging thy +palace, perhaps upon demanding thy abdication. I could not stifle their +fury, but I could direct it. In the moment of passion, I led them from +rebellion against our common king to victory against our common foe. +That duty done, I come unscathed from the sword of the Christian to bare +my neck to the bowstring of my friend. Alone, untracked, unsuspected, I +have entered thy palace to prove to the sovereign of Granada, that +the defendant of his throne is not a rebel to his will. Now summon the +guards--I have done.” + +“Muza!” said Boabdil, in a softened voice, while he shaded his face with +his hand, “we played together as children, and I have loved thee well: +my kingdom even now, perchance, is passing from me, but I could almost +be reconciled to that loss, if I thought thy loyalty had not left me.” + +“Dost thou, in truth, suspect the faith of Muza Ben Abil Gazan?” said +the Moorish prince, in a tone of surprise and sorrow. “Unhappy king! I +deemed that my services, and not my defection, made my crime.” + +“Why do my people hate me? why do my armies menace?” said Boabdil, +evasively; “why should a subject possess that allegiance which a king +cannot obtain?” + +“Because,” replied Muza, boldly, “the king has delegated to a subject +the command he should himself assume. Oh, Boabdil!” he continued, +passionately--“friend of my boyhood, ere the evil days came upon +us,--gladly would I sink to rest beneath the dark waves of yonder river, +if thy arm and brain would fill up my place amongst the warriors of +Granada. And think not I say this only from our boyish love; think not +I have placed my life in thy hands only from that servile loyalty to a +single man, which the false chivalry of Christendom imposes as a sacred +creed upon its knights and nobles. But I speak and act but from one +principle--to save the religion of, my father and the land of my birth: +for this I have risked my life against the foe; for this I surrender my +life to the sovereign of my country. Granada may yet survive, if monarch +and people unite together. Granada is lost for ever, if her children, at +this fatal hour, are divided against themselves. If, then, I, O Boabdil! +am the true obstacle to thy league with thine own subjects, give me at +once to the bowstring, and my sole prayer shall be for the last remnant +of the Moorish name, and the last monarch of the Moorish dynasty.” + +“My son, my son! art thou convinced at last?” cried the queen, +struggling with her tears; for she was one who wept easily at heroic +sentiments, but never at the softer sorrows, or from the more womanly +emotions. + +Boabdil lifted his head with a vain and momentary attempt at pride; +his eye glanced from his mother to his friend, and his better feelings +gushed upon him with irresistible force; he threw himself into Muza’s +arms. + +“Forgive me,” he said, in broken accents, “forgive me! How could I have +wronged thee thus? Yes,” he continued, as he started from the noble +breast on which for a moment he indulged no ungenerous weakness,--“yes, +prince, your example shames, but it fires me. Granada henceforth shall +have two chieftains; and if I be jealous of thee, it shall be from an +emulation thou canst not blame. Guards, retire. Mesnour! ho, Mesnour! +Proclaim at daybreak that I myself will review the troops in the +Vivarrambla. Yet”--and, as he spoke his voice faltered, and his brow +became overcast, “yet stay, seek me thyself at daybreak, and I will give +thee my commands.” + +“Oh, my son! why hesitate?” cried the queen, “why waver? Prosecute thine +own kingly designs, and--” + +“Hush, madam,” said Boabdil, regaining his customary cold composure; +“and since you are now satisfied with your son, leave me alone with +Muza.” + +The queen sighed heavily; but there was something in the calm of Boabdil +which chilled and awed her more than his bursts of passion. She drew her +veil around her, and passed slowly and reluctantly from the chamber. + +“Muza,” said Boabdil, when alone with the prince, and fixing his large +and thoughtful eyes upon the dark orbs of his companion,--“when, in +our younger days, we conversed together, do you remember how often that +converse turned upon those solemn and mysterious themes to which the +sages of our ancestral land directed their deepest lore; the enigmas +of the stars--the science of fate--the wild searches into the +clouded future, which hides the destines of nations and of men? Thou +rememberest, Muza, that to such studies mine own vicissitudes and +sorrows, even in childhood--the strange fortunes which gave me in my +cradle the epithet of El Zogoybi--the ominous predictions of santons +and astrologers as to the trials of my earthly fate,--all contributed to +incline my soul. Thou didst not despise those earnest musings, nor our +ancestral lore, though, unlike me, ever more inclined to action than +to contemplation, that which thou mightest believe had little influence +upon what thou didst design. With me it hath been otherwise; every event +of life hath conspired to feed my early prepossessions; and, in this +awful crisis of my fate, I have placed myself and my throne rather under +the guardianship of spirits than of men. This alone has reconciled me to +inaction--to the torpor of the Alhambra--to the mutinies of my people. +I have smiled, when foes surround and friends deserted me, secure of +the aid at last--if I bided but the fortunate hour--of the charms of +protecting spirits, and the swords of the invisible creation. Thou +wonderest what this should lead to. Listen! Two nights since (and the +king shuddered) I was with the dead! My father appeared before me--not +as I knew him in life--gaunt and terrible, full of the vigour of health, +and the strength of kingly empire, and of fierce passion--but wan, calm, +shadowy. From lips on which Azrael had set his livid seal, he bade me +beware of thee!” + +The king ceased suddenly; and sought to read on the face of Muza the +effect his words produced. But the proud and swarthy features of the +Moor evinced no pang of conscience; a slight smile of pity might have +crossed his lip for a moment, but it vanished ere the king could detect +it. Boabdil continued: + +“Under the influence of this warning, I issued the order for thy arrest. +Let this pass--I resume my tale. I attempted to throw myself at the +spectre’s feet--it glided from me, motionless and impalpable. I asked +the Dead One if he forgave his unhappy son the sin of rebellion alas! +too well requited even upon earth. And the voice again came forth, and +bade me keep the crown that I had gained, as the sole atonement for the +past. Then again I asked, whether the hour for action had arrived! and +the spectre, while it faded gradually into air, answered, ‘No!’ ‘Oh!’ +I exclaimed, ‘ere thou leavest me, be one sign accorded me, that I have +not dreamt this vision; and give me, I pray thee, note and warning, +when the evil star of Boabdil shall withhold its influence, and he may +strike, without resistance from the Powers above, for his glory and his +throne.’ ‘The sign and the warning are bequeathed thee,’ answered the +ghostly image. It vanished,--thick darkness fell around; and, when once +more the light of the lamps we bore became visible, behold there stood +before me a skeleton, in the regal robe of the kings of Granada, and +on its grisly head was the imperial diadem. With one hand raised, it +pointed to the opposite wall, wherein burned, like an orb of gloomy +fire, a broad dial-plate, on which were graven these words, BEWARE--FEAR +NOT--ARM! The finger of the dial moved rapidly round, and rested at the +word beware. From that hour to the one in which I last beheld it, it +hath not moved. Muza, the tale is done; wilt thou visit with me this +enchanted chamber, and see if the hour be come?” + +“Commander of the faithful,” said Muza, “the story is dread and awful. +But pardon thy friend--wert thou alone, or was the santon Almamen thy +companion?” + +“Why the question?” said Boabdil, evasively, and slightly colouring. + +“I fear his truth,” answered Muza; “the Christian king conquers more +foes by craft than force; and his spies are more deadly than his +warriors. Wherefore this caution against me, but (pardon me) for thine +own undoing? Were I a traitor, could Ferdinand himself have endangered +thy crown so imminently as the revenge of the leader of thine own +armies? Why, too, this desire to keep thee inactive? For the brave every +hour hath its chances; but, for us, every hour increases our peril. If +we seize not the present time,--our supplies are cut off,--and famine is +a foe all our valour cannot resist. This dervise--who is he? a stranger, +not of our race and blood. But this morning I found him without the +walls, not far from the Spaniard’s camp.” + +“Ha!” cried the king, quickly, “and what said he?” + +“Little, but in hints; sheltering himself, by loose hints, under thy +name.” + +“He! what dared he own?--Muza, what were those hints?” + +The Moor here recounted the interview with Almamen, his detention, his +inactivity in the battle, and his subsequent capture by the Spaniards. +The king listened attentively, and regained his composure. + +“It is a strange and awful man,” said he after a pause. “Guards and +chains will not detain him. Ere long he will return. But thou, at least, +Muza, are henceforth free, alike from the suspicion of the living +and the warnings of the dead. No, my friend,” continued Boabdil, with +generous warmth, “it is better to lose a crown, to lose life itself, +than confidence in a heart like thine. Come, let us inspect this magic +tablet; perchance--and how my heart bounds as I utter the hope!--the +hour may have arrived.” + + + + +CHAPTER IV. A FULLER VIEW OF THE CHARACTER OF BOABDIL.--MUZA IN THE GARDENS OF HIS +BELOVED. + +Muza Ben Abil Gazan returned from his visit to Boabdil with a thoughtful +and depressed spirit. His arguments had failed to induce the king to +disdain the command of the magic dial, which still forbade him to +arm against the invaders; and although the royal favour was no longer +withdrawn from himself, the Moor felt that such favour hung upon a +capricious and uncertain tenure so long as his sovereign was the slave +of superstition or imposture. But that noble warrior, whose character +the adversity of his country had singularly exalted and refined, even +while increasing its natural fierceness, thought little of himself in +comparison with the evils and misfortunes which the king’s continued +irresolution must bring upon Granada. + +“So brave, and yet so weak,” thought he; “so weak, and yet so obstinate; +so wise a reasoner, yet so credulous a dupe! Unhappy Boabdil! the stars, +indeed, seem to fight against thee, and their influences at thy birth +marred all thy gifts and virtues with counteracting infirmity and +error.” + +Muza,--more perhaps than any subject in Granada,--did justice to the +real character of the king; but even he was unable to penetrate all its +complicated and latent mysteries. Boabdil el Chico was no ordinary man; +his affections were warm and generous, his nature calm and gentle; and, +though early power, and the painful experience of a mutinous people and +ungrateful court, had imparted to that nature an irascibility of temper +and a quickness of suspicion foreign to its earlier soil, he was easily +led back to generosity and justice; and, if warm in resentment, was +magnanimous in forgiveness. Deeply accomplished in all the learning +of his race and time, he was--in books, at least--a philosopher; and, +indeed, his attachment to the abstruser studies was one of the main +causes which unfitted him for his present station. But it was the +circumstances attendant on his birth and childhood that had perverted +his keen and graceful intellect to morbid indulgence in mystic +reveries, and all the doubt, fear, and irresolution of a man who pushes +metaphysics into the supernatural world. Dark prophecies accumulated +omens over his head; men united in considering him born to disastrous +destinies. Whenever he had sought to wrestle against hostile +circumstances, some seemingly accidental cause, sudden and unforeseen, +had blasted the labours of his most vigorous energy,--the fruit of his +most deliberate wisdom. Thus, by degrees a gloomy and despairing cloud +settled over his mind; but, secretly sceptical of the Mohammedan creed, +and too proud and sanguine to resign himself wholly and passively to the +doctrine of inevitable predestination, he sought to contend against +the machinations of hostile demons and boding stars, not by human but +spiritual agencies. Collecting around him the seers and magicians +of orient-fanaticism, he lived in the visions of another world; and, +flattered by the promises of impostors or dreamers, and deceived by his +own subtle and brooding tendencies of mind, it was amongst spells and +cabala that he thought to draw forth the mighty secret which was to free +him from the meshes of the preternatural enemies of his fortune, and +leave him the freedom of other men to wrestle, with equal chances, +against peril and adversities. It was thus, that Almamen had won the +mastery over his mind; and, though upon matters of common and earthly +import, or solid learning, Boabdil could contend with sages, upon those +of superstition he could be fooled by a child. He was, in this, a kind +of Hamlet: formed, under prosperous and serene fortunes, to render +blessings and reap renown; but over whom the chilling shadow of another +world had fallen--whose soul curdled back into itself--whose life had +been separated from that of the herd--whom doubts and awe drew back, +while circumstances impelled onward--whom a supernatural doom invested +with a peculiar philosophy, not of human effect and cause--and who, with +every gift that could ennoble and adorn, was suddenly palsied into that +mortal imbecility, which is almost ever the result of mortal visitings +into the haunted regions of the Ghostly and Unknown. The gloomier +colourings of his mind had been deepened, too, by secret remorse. For +the preservation of his own life, constantly threatened by his unnatural +predecessor, he had been early driven into rebellion against his father. +In age, infirmity, and blindness, that fierce king had been made a +prisoner at Salobrena by his brother, El Zagal, Boabdil’s partner in +rebellion; and dying suddenly, El Zagal was suspected of his murder. +Though Boabdil was innocent of such a crime, he felt himself guilty +of the causes which led to it; and a dark memory, resting upon his +conscience, served to augment his superstition and enervate the vigour +of his resolves; for, of all things that make men dreamers, none is so +effectual as remorse operating upon a thoughtful temperament. + +Revolving the character of his sovereign, and sadly foreboding the ruin +of his country, the young hero of Granada pursued his way, until his +steps, almost unconsciously, led him towards the abode of Leila. He +scaled the walls of the garden as before--he neared the house. All +was silent and deserted; his signal was unanswered--his murmured song +brought no grateful light to the lattice, no fairy footstep to the +balcony. Dejected, and sad of heart, he retired from the spot; and, +returning home, sought a couch, to which even all the fatigue and +excitement he had undergone, could not win the forgetfulness of slumber. +The mystery that wrapt the maiden of his homage, the rareness of their +interviews, and the wild and poetical romance that made a very principle +of the chivalry of the Spanish Moors, had imparted to Muza’s love for +Leila a passionate depth, which, at this day, and in more enervated +climes, is unknown to the Mohammedan lover. His keenest inquiries had +been unable to pierce the secret of her birth and station. Little of the +inmates of that guarded and lonely house was known in the neighbourhood; +the only one ever seen without its walls was an old man of the Jewish +faith, supposed to be a superintendent of the foreign slaves (for no +Mohammedan slave would have been subjected to the insult of submission +to a Jew); and though there were rumours of the vast wealth and gorgeous +luxury within the mansion, it was supposed the abode of some Moorish +emir absent from the city--and the interest of the gossips was at this +time absorbed in more weighty matters than the affairs of a neighbour. +But when, the next eve, and the next, Muza returned to the spot equally +in vain, his impatience and alarm could no longer be restrained; he +resolved to lie in watch by the portals of the house night and day, +until, at least, he could discover some one of the inmates, whom he +could question of his love, and perhaps bribe to his service. As with +this resolution he was hovering round the mansion, he beheld, stealing +from a small door in one of the low wings of the house, a bended and +decrepit form: it supported its steps upon a staff; and, as now entering +the garden, it stooped by the side of a fountain to cull flowers and +herbs by the light of the moon, the Moor almost started to behold a +countenance which resembled that of some ghoul or vampire haunting the +places of the dead. He smiled at his own fear; and, with a quick and +stealthy pace, hastened through the trees, and, gaining the spot where +the old man bent, placed his hand on his shoulder ere his presence was +perceived. + +Ximen--for it was he--looked round eagerly, and a faint cry of terror +broke from his lips. + +“Hush!” said the Moor; “fear me not, I am a friend. Thou art old, +man--gold is ever welcome to the aged.” As he spoke, he dropped several +broad pieces into the breast of the Jew, whose ghastly features gave +forth a yet more ghastly smile, as he received the gift, and mumbled +forth, + +“Charitable young man! generous, benevolent, excellent young man!” + +“Now then,” said Muza, “tell me--you belong to this house--Leila, the +maiden within--tell me of her--is she well?” + +“I trust so,” returned the Jew; “I trust so, noble master.” + +“Trust so! know you not of her state?” + +“Not I; for many nights I have not seen her, excellent sir,” answered +Ximen; “she hath left Granada, she hath gone. You waste your time +and mar your precious health amidst these nightly dews: they are +unwholesome, very unwholesome at the time of the new moon.” + +“Gone!” echoed the Moor; “left Granada!--woe is me!--and +whither?--there, there, more gold for you,--old man, tell me whither?” + +“Alas! I know not, most magnanimous young man; I am but a servant--I +know nothing.” + +“When will she return?” + +“I cannot tell thee.” + +“Who is thy master? who owns yon mansion?” + +Ximen’s countenance fell; he looked round in doubt and fear, and then, +after a short pause, answered,--“A wealthy man, good sir--a Moor of +Africa; but he hath also gone; he but seldom visits us; Granada is not +so peaceful a residence as it was,--I would go too, if I could.” + +Muza released his hold of Ximen, who gazed at the Moor’s working +countenance with a malignant smile--for Ximen hated all men. + +“Thou hast done with me, young warrior? Pleasant dreams to thee under +the new moon--thou hadst best retire to thy bed. Farewell! bless thy +charity to the poor old man!” + +Muza heard him not; he remained motionless for some moments; and then +with a heavy sigh as that of one who has gained the mastery of himself +after a bitter struggle, the said half aloud, “Allah be with thee, +Leila! Granada now is my only mistress.” + + + + +CHAPTER V. BOABDIL’S RECONCILIATION WITH HIS PEOPLE. + +Several days had elapsed without any encounter between Moor and +Christian; for Ferdinand’s cold and sober policy, warned by the loss he +had sustained in the ambush of Muza, was now bent on preserving rigorous +restraint upon the fiery spirits he commanded. He forbade all parties of +skirmish, in which the Moors, indeed, had usually gained the advantage, +and contented himself with occupying all the passes through which +provisions could arrive at the besieged city. He commenced strong +fortifications around his camp; and, forbidding assault on the Moors, +defied it against himself. + +Meanwhile, Almamen had not returned to Granada. No tidings of his fate +reached the king; and his prolonged disappearance began to produce +visible and salutary effect upon the long-dormant energies of Boabdil. +The counsels of Muza, the exhortations of the queen-mother, the +enthusiasm of his mistress, Amine, uncounteracted by the arts of the +magician, aroused the torpid lion of his nature. But still his army and +his subjects murmured against him; and his appearance in the Vivarrambla +might possibly be the signal of revolt. It was at this time that a +most fortunate circumstance at once restored to him the confidence and +affections of his people. His stern uncle, El Zagal--once a rival for +his crown, and whose daring valour, mature age, and military sagacity +had won him a powerful party within the city--had been, some months +since, conquered by Ferdinand; and, in yielding the possessions he held, +had been rewarded with a barren and dependent principality. His defeat, +far from benefiting Boabdil, had exasperated the Moors against their +king. “For,” said they, almost with one voice, “the brave El Zagal never +would have succumbed had Boabdil properly supported his arms.” And +it was the popular discontent and rage at El Zagal’s defeat which had +indeed served Boabdil with a reasonable excuse for shutting himself +in the strong fortress of the Alhambra. It now happened that El Zagal, +whose dominant passion was hatred of his nephew, and whose fierce nature +chafed at its present cage, resolved in his old age to blast all his +former fame by a signal treason to his country. Forgetting everything +but revenge against his nephew, who he was resolved should share his own +ruin, he armed his subjects, crossed the country, and appeared at the +head of a gallant troop in the Spanish camp, an ally with Ferdinand +against Granada. When this was heard by the Moors, it is impossible +to conceive their indignant wrath: the crime of El Zagal produced an +instantaneous reaction in favour of Boabdil; the crowd surrounded the +Alhambra and with prayers and tears entreated the forgiveness of +the king. This event completed the conquest of Boabdil over his own +irresolution. He ordained an assembly of the whole army in the broad +space of the Vivarrambla: and when at break of day he appeared in full +armour in the square, with Muza at his right hand, himself in the flower +of youthful beauty, and proud to feel once more a hero and a king, the +joy of the people knew no limit; the air was rent with cries of “Long +live Boabdil el Chico!” and the young monarch, turning to Muza, with +his soul upon his brow exclaimed, “The hour has come--I am no longer El +Zogoybi!” + + + + +CHAPTER V. LEILA.--HER NEW LOVER.--PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST INQUISITOR OF SPAIN.--THE +CHALICE RETURNED TO THE LIPS OF ALMAMEN. + +While thus the state of events within Granada, the course of our story +transports us back to the Christian camp. It was in one of a long line +of tents that skirted the pavilion of Isabel, and was appropriated to +the ladies attendant on the royal presence, that a young female sat +alone. The dusk of evening already gathered around, and only the +outline of her form and features was visible. But even that, imperfectly +seen,--the dejected attitude of the form, the drooping head, the hands +clasped upon the knees,--might have sufficed to denote the melancholy +nature of the reverie which the maid indulged. + +“Ah,” thought she, “to what danger am I exposed! If my father, if +my lover dreamed of the persecution to which their poor Leila is +abandoned!” + +A few tears, large and bitter, broke from her eyes, and stole unheeded +down her cheek. At that moment, the deep and musical chime of a bell was +heard summoning the chiefs of the army to prayer; for Ferdinand invested +all his worldly schemes with a religious covering, and to his politic +war he sought to give the imposing character of a sacred crusade. + +“That sound,” thought she, sinking on her knees, “summons the Nazarenes +to the presence of their God. It reminds me, a captive by the waters of +Babylon, that God is ever with the friendless. Oh! succour and defend +me, Thou who didst look of old upon Ruth standing amidst the corn, and +didst watch over Thy chosen people in the hungry wilderness, and in the +stranger’s land.” + +Wrapt in her mute and passionate devotions, Leila remained long in +her touching posture. The bell had ceased; all without was hushed and +still--when the drapery, stretched across the opening of the tent, was +lifted, and a young Spaniard, cloaked, from head to foot, in a long +mantle, stood within the space. He gazed in silence, upon the kneeling +maiden; nor was it until she rose that he made his presence audible. + +“Ah, fairest!” said he, then, as he attempted to take her hand, “thou +wilt not answer my letters--see me, then, at thy feet. It is thou who +teachest me to kneel.” + +“You, prince.” said Leila, agitated, and in great and evident fear. “Why +harass and insult me thus? Am I not sacred as a hostage and a charge? +and are name, honour, peace, and all that woman is taught to hold most +dear, to be thus robbed from me under the pretext of a love dishonouring +to thee and an insult to myself?” + +“Sweet one,” answered Don Juan, with a slight laugh, “thou hast learned, +within yonder walls, a creed of morals little known to Moorish maidens, +if fame belies them not. Suffer me to teach thee easier morality and +sounder logic. It is no dishonour to a Christian prince to adore beauty +like thine; it is no insult to a maiden hostage if the Infant of Spain +proffer her the homage of his heart. But we waste time. Spies, and +envious tongues, and vigilant eyes, are around us; and it is not often +that I can baffle them as I have done now. Fairest, hear me!” and this +time he succeeded in seizing the hand which vainly struggled against +his clasp. “Nay, why so coy? what can female heart desire that my love +cannot shower upon thine? Speak but the word, enchanting maiden, and I +will bear thee from these scenes unseemly to thy gentle eyes. Amidst +the pavilions of princes shalt thou repose; and, amidst gardens of the +orange and the rose, shalt thou listen to the vows of thine adorer. +Surely, in these arms thou wilt not pine for a barbarous home and a +fated city. And if thy pride, sweet maiden, deafen thee to the voice of +nature, learn that the haughtiest dames of Spain would bend, in envious +court, to the beloved of their future king. This night--listen to me--I +say, listen--this night I will bear thee hence! Be but mine, and no +matter, whether heretic or infidel, or whatever the priests style thee, +neither Church nor king shall tear thee from the bosom of thy lover.” + +“It is well spoken, son of the most Christian monarch!” said a deep +voice; and the Dominican, Tomas de Torquemada, stood before the prince. + +Juan, as if struck by a thunderbolt, released his hold, and, staggering +back a few paces, seemed to cower, abashed and humbled, before the eye +of the priest, as it glared upon him through the gathering darkness. + +“Prince,” said the friar, after a pause, “not to thee will our holy +Church attribute this crime; thy pious heart hath been betrayed by +sorcery. Retire!” + +“Father,” said the prince,--in a tone into which, despite his awe of +that terrible man, THE FIRST GRAND INQUISITOR OF SPAIN, his libertine +spirit involuntarily forced itself, in a half latent raillery,--“sorcery +of eyes like those bewitched the wise son of a more pious sire than even +Ferdinand of Arragon.” + +“He blasphemes!” muttered the monk. “Prince, beware! you know not what +you do.” + +The prince lingered, and then, as if aware that he must yield, gathered +his cloak round him, and left the tent without reply. + +Pale and trembling,--with fears no less felt, perhaps, though more vague +and perplexed, than those from which she had just been delivered,--Leila +stood before the monk. + +“Be seated, daughter of the faithless,” said Torquemada, “we would +converse with thee: and, as thou valuest--I say not thy soul, for, alas! +of that precious treasure thou art not conscious--but mark me, woman! as +thou prizest the safety of those delicate limbs, and that wanton beauty, +answer truly what I shall ask thee. The man who brought thee hither--is +he, in truth, thy father?” + +“Alas!” answered Leila, almost fainting with terror at this rude and +menacing address, “he is, in truth, mine only parent.” + +“And his faith--his religion?” + +“I have never beheld him pray.” + +“Hem! he never prays--a noticeable fact. But of what sect, what creed, +does he profess himself?” + +“I cannot answer thee.” + +“Nay, there be means that may wring from thee an answer. Maiden, be +not so stubborn; speak! thinkest thou he serves the temple of the +Mohammedan?” + +“No! oh, no!” answered poor Leila, eagerly, deeming that her reply, in +this, at least, would be acceptable. “He disowns, he scorns, he abhors, +the Moorish faith,--even,” she added, “with too fierce a zeal.” + +“Thou dost not share that zeal, then? Well, worships he in secret after +the Christian rites?” + +Leila hung her head and answered not. + +“I understand thy silence. And in what belief, maiden, wert thou reared +beneath his roof?” + +“I know not what it is called among men,” answered Leila, with firmness, +“but it is the faith of the ONE GOD, who protects His chosen, and shall +avenge their wrongs--the God who made earth and heaven; and who, in an +idolatrous and benighted world, transmitted the knowledge of Himself +and His holy laws, from age to age, through the channel of one solitary +people, in the plains of Palestine, and by the waters of the Hebron.” + +“And in that faith thou wert trained, maiden, by thy father?” said the +Dominican, calmly. “I am satisfied. Rest here, in peace: we may meet +again, soon.” + +The last words were spoken with a soft and tranquil smile--a smile in +which glazing eyes and agonising hearts had often beheld the ghastly +omen of the torture and the stake. + +On quitting the unfortunate Leila, the monk took his way towards the +neighbouring tent of Ferdinand. But, ere he reached it, a new thought +seemed to strike the holy man; he altered the direction of his steps, +and gained one of those little shrines common in Catholic countries, and +which had been hastily built of wood, in the centre of a small copse, +and by the side of a brawling rivulet, towards the back of the king’s +pavilion. But one solitary sentry, at the entrance of the copse, guarded +the consecrated place; and its exceeding loneliness and quiet were a +grateful contrast to the animated world of the surrounding camp. The +monk entered the shrine, and fell down on his knees before an image of +the Virgin, rudely sculptured, indeed, but richly decorated. + +“Ah, Holy Mother!” groaned this singular man, “support me in the trial +to which I am appointed. Thou knowest that the glory of thy blessed Son +is the sole object for which I live, and move, and have my being; but at +times, alas! the spirit is infected with the weakness of the flesh. Ora +pro nobis, O Mother of mercy! Verily, oftentimes my heart sinks within +me when it is mine to vindicate the honour of thy holy cause against the +young and the tender, the aged and the decrepit. But what are beauty +and youth, grey hairs and trembling knees, in the eye of the Creator? +Miserable worms are we all; nor is there anything acceptable in the +Divine sight but the hearts of the faithful. Youth without faith, age +without belief, purity without grace, virtue without holiness, are only +more hideous by their seeming beauty--whited sepulchres, glittering +rottenness. I know this--I know it; but the human man is strong within +me. Strengthen me, that I pluck it out; so that, by diligent and +constant struggle with the feeble Adam, thy servant may be reduced into +a mere machine, to punish the godless and advance the Church.” + +Here sobs and tears choked the speech of the Dominican; he grovelled in +the dust, he tore his hair, he howled aloud: the agony was fierce +upon him. At length, he drew from his robe a whip, composed of several +thongs, studded with small and sharp nails; and, stripping his gown, +and the shirt of hair worn underneath, over his shoulders, applied the +scourge to the naked flesh with a fury that soon covered the green sward +with the thick and clotted blood. The exhaustion which followed this +terrible penance seemed to restore the senses of the stern fanatic. A +smile broke over the features, that bodily pain only released from the +anguished expression of mental and visionary struggles; and, when he +rose, and drew the hair-cloth shirt over the lacerated and quivering +flesh, he said--“Now hast thou deigned to comfort and visit me, O +pitying Mother; and, even as by these austerities against this miserable +body, is the spirit relieved and soothed, so dost thou typify and +betoken that men’s bodies are not to be spared by those who seek to save +souls and bring the nations of the earth into thy fold.” + +With that thought the countenance of Torquemada reassumed its wonted +rigid and passionless composure; and, replacing the scourge, yet clotted +with blood, in his bosom, he pursued his way to the royal tent. + +He found Ferdinand poring over the accounts of the vast expenses of his +military preparations, which he had just received from his treasurer; +and the brow of the thrifty, though ostentatious monarch, was greatly +overcast by the examination. + +“By the Bulls of Guisando!” said the king, gravely, “I purchase the +salvation of my army in this holy war at a marvellous heavy price; and +if the infidels hold out much longer, we shalt have to pawn our very +patrimony of Arragon.” + +“Son,” answered the Dominican, “to purposes like thine fear not that +Providence itself will supply the worldly means. But why doubtest thou? +are not the means within thy reach? It is just that thou alone shouldst +not support the wars by which Christendom is glorified. Are there not +others?” + +“I know what thou wouldst say, father,” interrupted the king, +quickly--“thou wouldst observe that my brother monarchs should assist me +with arms and treasure. Most just. But they are avaricious and envious, +Tomas; and Mammon hath corrupted them.” + +“Nay, not to kings pointed my thought.” + +“Well, then,” resumed the king, impatiently, “thou wouldst imply that +mine own knights and nobles should yield up their coffers, and mortgage +their possessions. And so they ought; but they murmur already at what +they have yielded to our necessities.” + +“And in truth,” rejoined the friar, “these noble warriors should not +be shorn of a splendour that well becomes the valiant champions of the +Church. Nay, listen to me, son, and I may suggest a means whereby, not +the friends, but enemies, of the Catholic faith shall contribute to the +down fall of the Paynim. In thy dominions, especially those newly won, +throughout Andalusia, in the kingdom of Cordova, are men of enormous +wealth; the very caverns of the earth are sown with the impious treasure +they have plundered from Christian hands, and consume in the furtherance +of their iniquity. Sire, I speak of the race that crucified the Lord.” + +“The Jews--ay, but the excuse--” + +“Is before thee. This traitor, with whom thou boldest intercourse, who +vowed to thee to render up Granada, and who was found the very next +morning, fighting with the Moors, with the blood of a Spanish martyr red +upon his hands, did he not confess that his fathers were of that hateful +race? did he not bargain with thee to elevate his brethren to the rank +of Christians? and has he not left with thee, upon false pretences, a +harlot of his faith, who, by sorcery and the help of the Evil One, hath +seduced into frantic passion the heart of the heir of the most Christian +king?” + +“Ha! thus does that libertine boy ever scandalise us!” said the king, +bitterly. + +“Well,” pursued the Dominican, not heeding the interruption, “have you +not here excuse enough to wring from the whole race the purchase of +their existence? Note the glaring proof of this conspiracy of hell. The +outcasts of the earth employed this crafty agent to contract with +thee for power; and, to consummate their guilty designs, the arts that +seduced Solomon are employed against thy son. The beauty of the strange +woman captivates his senses; so that, through the future sovereign +of Spain the counsels of Jewish craft may establish the domination +of Jewish ambition. How knowest thou,” he added as he observed that +Ferdinand listened to him with earnest attention--“how knowest thou but +what the next step might have been thy secret assassination, so that the +victim of witchcraft, the minion of the Jewess, might reign in the stead +of the mighty and unconquerable Ferdinand?” + +“Go on, father,” said the king, thoughtfully; “I see, at least, enough +to justify an impost upon these servitors of Mammon.” + +“But, though common sense suggests to us,” continued Torquemada, “that +this disguised Israelite could not have acted on so vast a design +without the instigation of his brethren, not only in Granada, but +throughout all Andalusia,--would it not be right to obtain from him his +confession, and that of the maiden, within the camp, so that we may have +broad and undeniable evidence, whereon to act, and to still all cavil, +that may come not only from the godless, but even from the too tender +scruples of the righteous? Even the queen--whom the saints ever +guard!--hath ever too soft a heart for these infidels; and--” + +“Right!” cried the king, again breaking upon Torquemada; “Isabel, the +queen of Castile, must be satisfied of the justice of all our actions.” + +“And, should it be proved that thy throne or life were endangered, and +that magic was exercised to entrap her royal son into a passion for a +Jewish maiden, which the Church holds a crime worthy of excommunication +itself, surely, instead of counteracting, she would assist our schemes.” + +“Holy friend,” said Ferdinand, with energy, “ever a comforter, both for +this world and the next, to thee, and to the new powers intrusted to +thee, we commit this charge; see to it at once; time presses--Granada is +obstinate--the treasury waxes low.” + +“Son, thou hast said enough,” replied the Dominican, closing his eyes, +and muttering a short thanksgiving. “Now then to my task.” + +“Yet stay,” said the king, with an altered visage; “follow me to my +oratory within: my heart is heavy, and I would fain seek the solace of +the confessional.” + +The monk obeyed: and while Ferdinand, whose wonderful abilities were +mingled with the weakest superstition, who persecuted from policy, yet +believed, in his own heart, that he punished but from piety,--confessed +with penitent tears the grave offences of aves forgotten, and +beads untold; and while the Dominican admonished, rebuked, or +soothed,--neither prince nor monk ever dreamt that there was an error to +confess in, or a penance to be adjudged to, the cruelty that tortured a +fellow-being, or the avarice that sought pretences for the extortion of +a whole people. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE TRIBUNAL AND THE MIRACLE + +It was the dead of night--the army was hushed in sleep--when four +soldiers belonging to the Holy Brotherhood, bearing with them one whose +manacles proclaimed him a prisoner, passed in steady silence to a huge +tent in the neighbourhood of the royal pavilion. A deep dyke, formidable +barricadoes, and sentries stationed at frequent intervals, testified the +estimation in which the safety of this segment of the camp was held. The +tent to which the soldiers approached was, in extent, larger than even +the king’s pavilion itself--a mansion of canvas, surrounded by a wide +wall of massive stones; and from its summit gloomed, in the clear and +shining starlight, a small black pennant, on which was wrought a white +broad-pointed cross. The soldiers halted at the gate in the wall, +resigned their charge, with a whispered watchword, to two gaunt +sentries; and then (relieving the sentries who proceeded on with the +prisoner) remained, mute and motionless, at the post: for stern silence +and Spartan discipline were the attributes of the brotherhood of St. +Hermandad. + +The prisoner, as he now neared the tent, halted a moment, looked round +steadily, as if to fix the spot in his remembrance, and then, with an +impatient though stately gesture, followed his guards. He passed two +divisions of the tent, dimly lighted, and apparently deserted. A +man, clad in long black robes, with a white cross on his breast, now +appeared; there was an interchange of signals in dumb-show-and in +another moment Almamen, the Hebrew, stood within a large chamber (if so +that division of the tent might be called) hung with black serge. At the +upper part of the space was an estrado, or platform, on which, by a long +table, sat three men; while at the head of the board was seen the calm +and rigid countenance of Tomas de Torquemada. The threshold of the tent +was guarded by two men, in garments similar in hue and fashion to +those of the figure who had ushered Almamen into the presence of the +inquisitor, each bearing a long lance, and with a long two-edged sword +by his side. This made all the inhabitants of that melancholy and +ominous apartment. + +The Israelite looked round with a pale brow, but a flashing and scornful +eye; and, when he met the gaze of the Dominican, it almost seemed as if +those two men, each so raised above his fellows, by the sternness of his +nature and the energy of his passions, sought by a look alone to assert +his own supremacy and crush his foe. Yet, in truth, neither did justice +to the other; and the indignant disdain of Almamen was retorted by the +cold and icy contempt of the Dominican. + +“Prisoner,” said Torquemada (the first to withdraw his gaze), “a less +haughty and stubborn demeanour might have better suited thy condition: +but no matter; our Church is meek and humble. We have sent for thee in a +charitable and paternal hope; for although, as spy and traitor, thy +life is already forfeited, yet would we fain redeem and spare it to +repentance. That hope mayst thou not forego, for the nature of all of us +is weak and clings to life--that straw of the drowning seaman.” + +“Priest, if such thou art,” replied the Hebrew, “I have already, when +first brought to this camp, explained the causes of my detention amongst +the troops of the Moor. It was my zeal for the king of Spain that +brought me into that peril. Escaping from that peril, incurred in his +behalf, is the king of Spain to be my accuser and my judge? If, +however, my life now be sought as the grateful return for the proffer +of inestimable service, I stand here to yield it. Do thy worst; and tell +thy master, that he loses more by my death than he can win by the lives +of thirty thousand warriors.” + +“Cease this idle babble,” said the monk-inquisitor, contemptuously, +“nor think thou couldst ever deceive, with thy empty words, the mighty +intellect of Ferdinand of Spain. Thou hast now to defend thyself against +still graver charges than those of treachery to the king whom thou didst +profess to serve. Yea, misbeliever as thou art, it is thine to vindicate +thyself from blasphemy against the God thou shouldst adore. Confess the +truth: thou art of the tribe and faith of Israel?” + +The Hebrew frowned darkly. “Man,” said he, solemnly, “is a judge of the +deeds of men, but not of their opinions. I will not answer thee.” + +“Pause! We have means at hand that the strongest nerves and the stoutest +hearts have failed to encounter. Pause--confess!” + +“Thy threat awes me not,” said the Hebrew; “but I am human; and since +thou wouldst know the truth, thou mayst learn it without the torture. I +am of the same race as the apostles of thy Church--I am a Jew.” + +“He confesses--write down the words. Prisoner, thou hast done wisely; +and we pray the Lord that, acting thus, thou mayst escape both the +torture and the death. And in that faith thy daughter was reared? +Answer.” + +“My daughter! there is no charge against her! By the God of Sinai and +Horeb, you dare not touch a hair of that innocent head!” + +“Answer,” repeated the inquisitor, coldly. + +“I do answer. She was brought up no renegade to her father’s faith.” + +“Write down the confession. Prisoner,” resumed the Dominican, after a +pause, “but few more questions remain; answer them truly, and thy life +is saved. In thy conspiracy to raise thy brotherhood of Andalusia to +power and influence--or, as thou didst craftily term it, to equal laws +with the followers of our blessed Lord; in thy conspiracy (by what dark +arts I seek not now to know _protege nos, beate Domine_!) to entangle +in wanton affections to thy daughter the heart of the Infant of +Spain-silence, I say--be still! in this conspiracy, thou wert aided, +abetted, or instigated by certain Jews of Andalusia--” + +“Hold, priest!” cried Almamen, impetuously, “thou didst name my child. +Do I hear aright? Placed under the sacred charge of a king, and a belted +knight, has she--oh! answer me, I implore thee--been insulted by the +licentious addresses of one of that king’s own lineage? Answer! I am a +Jew--but I am a father and a man.” + +“This pretended passion deceives us not,” said the Dominican, who, +himself cut off from the ties of life, knew nothing of their power. +“Reply to the question put to thee: name thy accomplices.” + +“I have told thee all. Thou hast refused to answer one. I scorn and defy +thee: my lips are closed.” + +The Grand Inquisitor glanced to his brethren, and raised his hand. +His assistants whispered each other; one of them rose, and disappeared +behind the canvas at the back of the tent. Presently the hangings +were withdrawn; and the prisoner beheld an interior chamber, hung with +various instruments the nature of which was betrayed by their very +shape; while by the rack, placed in the centre of that dreary chamber, +stood a tall and grisly figure, his arms bare, his eyes bent, as by an +instinct, on the prisoner. + +Almamen gazed at these dread preparations with an unflinching aspect. +The guards at the entrance of the tent approached: they struck off the +fetters from his feet and hands; they led him towards the appointed +place of torture. + +Suddenly the Israelite paused. + +“Priest,” said he, in a more humble accent than he had yet assumed, “the +tidings that thou didst communicate to me respecting the sole daughter +of my house and love bewildered and confused me for the moment. Suffer +me but for a single moment to recollect my senses, and I will answer +without compulsion all thou mayst ask. Permit thy questions to be +repeated.” + +The Dominican, whose cruelty to others seemed to himself sanctioned by +his own insensibility to fear, and contempt for bodily pain, smiled with +bitter scorn at the apparent vacillation and weakness of the prisoner: +but, as he delighted not in torture merely for torture’s sake, he +motioned to the guards to release the Israelite; and replied in a voice +unnaturally mild and kindly, considering the circumstances of the scene, + +“Prisoner, could we save thee from pain, even by the anguish of our own +flesh and sinews, Heaven is our judge that we would willingly undergo +the torture which, with grief and sorrow, we ordained to thee. +Pause--take breath--collect thyself. Three minutes shalt thou have +to consider what course to adopt ere we repeat the question. But then +beware how thou triflest with our indulgence.” + +“It suffices--I thank thee,” said the Hebrew, with a touch of gratitude +in his voice. As he spoke he bent his face within his bosom, which he +covered, as in profound meditation, with the folds of his long robe. +Scarcely half the brief time allowed him had expired, when he again +lifted his countenance and, as he did so, flung back his garment. +The Dominican uttered a loud cry; the guards started back in awe. A +wonderful change had come over the intended victim; he seemed to stand +amongst them literally--wrapt in fire; flames burst from his lip, and +played with his long locks, as, catching the glowing hue, they curled +over his shoulders like serpents of burning light: blood-red were his +breast and limbs, his haughty crest, and his outstretched arm; and +as for a single moment, he met the shuddering eyes of his judges, he +seemed, indeed, to verify all the superstitions of the time--no longer +the trembling captive but the mighty demon or the terrible magician. + +The Dominican was the first to recover his self-possession. “Seize the +enchanter!” he exclaimed; but no man stirred. Ere yet the exclamation +had died on his lip, Almamen took from his breast a phial, and dashed +it on the ground--it broke into a thousand shivers: a mist rose over the +apartment--it spread, thickened, darkened, as a sudden night; the lamps +could not pierce it. The luminous form of the Hebrew grew dull and dim, +until it vanished in the shade. On every eye blindness seemed to fall. +There was a dead silence, broken by a cry and a groan; and when, after +some minutes, the darkness gradually dispersed, Almamen was gone. One, +of the guards lay bathed in blood upon the ground; they raised him: he +had attempted to seize the prisoner, and had been stricken with a mortal +wound. He died as he faltered forth the explanation. In the confusion +and dismay of the scene none noticed, till long afterwards, that the +prisoner had paused long enough to strip the dying guard of his long +mantle; a proof that he feared his more secret arts might not suffice to +bear him safe through the camp, without the aid of worldly stratagem. + +“The fiend hath been amongst us!” said the Dominican, solemnly falling +on his knees,--“let us pray!” + + + + +BOOK III. + + + + +CHAPTER I. ISABEL AND THE JEWISH MAIDEN. + +While this scene took place before the tribunal of Torquemada, Leila had +been summoned from the indulgence of fears, which her gentle nature and +her luxurious nurturing had ill-fitted her to contend against, to the +presence of the queen. That gifted and high-spirited princess, whose +virtues were her own, whose faults were of her age, was not, it is true, +without the superstition and something of the intolerant spirit of her +royal spouse: but, even where her faith assented to persecution, her +heart ever inclined to mercy; and it was her voice alone that ever +counteracted the fiery zeal of Torquemada, and mitigated the sufferings +of the unhappy ones who fell under the suspicion of heresy. She had, +happily, too, within her a strong sense of justice, as well as the +sentiment of compassion; and often, when she could not save the accused, +she prevented the consequences of his imputed crime falling upon the +innocent members of his house or tribe. + +In the interval between his conversation with Ferdinand and the +examination of Almamen, the Dominican had sought the queen; and had +placed before her, in glowing colours, not only the treason of Almamen, +but the consequences of the impious passion her son had conceived for +Leila. In that day, any connection between a Christian knight and a +Jewess was deemed a sin, scarce expiable; and Isabel conceived all that +horror of her son’s offence which was natural in a pious mother and a +haughty queen. But, despite all the arguments of the friar, she +could not be prevailed upon to render up Leila to the tribunal of the +Inquisition; and that dread court, but newly established, did not dare, +without her consent, to seize upon one under the immediate protection of +the queen. + +“Fear not, father,” said Isabel, with quiet firmness, “I will take upon +myself to examine the maiden; and, at least, I will see her removed from +all chance of tempting or being tempted by this graceless boy. But she +was placed under the charge of the king and myself as a hostage and a +trust; we accepted the charge, and our royal honor is pledged to the +safety of the maiden. Heaven forbid that I should deny the existence +of sorcery, assured as we are of its emanation from the Evil One; but +I fear, in this fancy of Juan’s, that the maiden is more sinned against +than sinning: and yet my son is, doubtless, not aware of the unhappy +faith of the Jewess; the knowledge of which alone will suffice to cure +him of his error. You shake your head, father; but, I repeat, I will act +in this affair so as to merit the confidence I demand. Go, good Tomas. +We have not reigned so long without belief in our power to control and +deal with a simple maiden.” + +The queen extended her hand to the monk, with a smile so sweet in its +dignity, that it softened even that rugged heart; and, with a reluctant +sigh, and a murmured prayer that her counsels might be guided for the +best, Torquemada left the royal presence. + +“The poor child!” thought Isabel, “those tender limbs, and that fragile +form, are ill fitted for yon monk’s stern tutelage. She seems gentle: +and her face has in it all the yielding softness of our sex; doubtless +by mild means, she may be persuaded to abjure her wretched creed; and +the shade of some holy convent may hide her alike from the licentious +gaze of my son and the iron zeal of the Inquisitor. I will see her.” + +When Leila entered the queen’s pavilion, Isabel, who was alone, marked +her trembling step with a compassionate eye; and, as Leila, in obedience +to the queen’s request, threw up her veil, the paleness of her cheek and +the traces of recent tears appealed to Isabel’s heart with more success +than had attended all the pious invectives of Torquemada. + +“Maiden,” said Isabel, encouragingly, “I fear thou hast been strangely +harassed by the thoughtless caprice of the young prince. Think of it no +more. But, if thou art what I have ventured to believe, and to assert +thee to be, cheerfully subscribe to the means I will suggest for +preventing the continuance of addresses which cannot but injure thy fair +name.” + +“Ah, madam!” said Leila, as she fell on one knee beside the queen, +“most joyfully, most gratefully, will I accept any asylum which proffers +solitude and peace.” + +“The asylum to which I would fain lead thy steps,” answered Isabel, +gently, “is indeed one whose solitude is holy--whose peace is that of +heaven. But of this hereafter. Thou wilt not hesitate, then, to quit the +camp, unknown to the prince, and ere he can again seek thee?” + +“Hesitate, madam? Ah rather, how shall I express my thanks?” + +“I did not read that face misjudgingly,” thought the queen, as she +resumed. “Be it so; we will not lose another night. Withdraw yonder, +through the inner tent; the litter shall be straight prepared for thee; +and ere midnight thou shalt sleep in safety under the roof of one of the +bravest knights and noblest ladies that our realm can boast. Thou shalt +bear with thee a letter that shall commend thee specially to the care of +thy hostess--thou wilt find her of a kindly and fostering nature. And, +oh, maiden!” added the queen, with benevolent warmth, “steel not thy +heart against her--listen with ductile senses to her gentle ministry; +and may God and His Son prosper that pious lady’s counsel, so that it +may win a new strayling to the Immortal Fold!” + +Leila listened and wondered, but made no answer; until, as she gained +the entrance to the interior division of the tent, she stopped +abruptly, and said, “Pardon me, gracious queen, but dare I ask thee one +question?--it is not of myself.” + +“Speak, and fear not.” + +“My father--hath aught been heard of him? He promised, that ere the +fifth day were past, he would once more see his child; and, alas! that +date is past, and I am still alone in the dwelling of the stranger.” + +“Unhappy child!” muttered Isabel to herself; “thou knowest not his +treason nor his fate--yet why shouldst thou? Ignorant of what would +render thee blest hereafter, continue ignorant of what would afflict +thee here. Be cheered, maiden,” answered the queen, aloud. “No doubt, +there are reasons sufficient to forbid your meeting. But thou shalt not +lack friends in the dwelling-house of the stranger.” + +“Ah, noble queen, pardon me, and one word more! There hath been with me, +more than once, a stern old man, whose voice freezes the blood within my +veins; he questions me of my father, and in the tone of a foe who would +entrap from the child something to the peril of the sire. That man--thou +knowest him, gracious queen--he cannot have the power to harm my +father?” + +“Peace, maiden! the man thou speakest of is the priest of God, and the +innocent have nothing to dread from his reverend zeal. For thyself, I +say again, be cheered; in the home to which I consign thee thou wilt see +him no more. Take comfort, poor child--weep not: all have their cares; +our duty is to bear in this life, reserving hope only for the next.” + +The queen, destined herself to those domestic afflictions which pomp +cannot soothe, nor power allay, spoke with a prophetic sadness which +yet more touched a heart that her kindness of look and tone had already +softened; and, in the impulse of a nature never tutored in the rigid +ceremonials of that stately court, Leila suddenly came forward, and +falling on one knee, seized the hand of her protectress, and kissed it +warmly through her tears. + +“Are you, too, unhappy?” she said. “I will pray for you to _my_ God!” + +The queen, surprised and moved at an action which, had witnesses been +present, would only perhaps (for such is human nature) have offended +her Castilian prejudices, left her hand in Leila’s grateful clasp; and +laying the other upon the parted and luxuriant ringlets of the kneeling +maiden, said, gently,--“And thy prayers shall avail thee and me when thy +God and mine are the same. Bless thee, maiden! I am a mother; thou art +motherless--bless thee!” + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE TEMPTATION OF THE JEWESS,--IN WHICH THE HISTORY PASSES FROM THE +OUTWARD TO THE INTERNAL. + +It was about the very hour, almost the very moment, in which Almamen +effected his mysterious escape from the tent of the Inquisition, that +the train accompanying the litter which bore Leila, and which was +composed of some chosen soldiers of Isabel’s own body-guard, after +traversing the camp, winding along that part of the mountainous defile +which was in the possession of the Spaniards, and ascending a high and +steep acclivity, halted before the gates of a strongly fortified castle +renowned in the chronicles of that memorable war. The hoarse challenge +of the sentry, the grating of jealous bars, the clanks of hoofs upon +the rough pavement of the courts, and the streaming glare of +torches--falling upon stern and bearded visages, and imparting a ruddier +glow to the moonlit buttresses and battlements of the fortress--aroused +Leila from a kind of torpor rather than sleep, in which the fatigue and +excitement of the day had steeped her senses. An old seneschal conducted +her, through vast and gloomy halls (how unlike the brilliant chambers +and fantastic arcades of her Moorish home) to a huge Gothic apartment, +hung with the arras of Flemish looms. In a few moments, maidens, hastily +aroused from slumber, grouped around her with a respect which would +certainly not have been accorded had her birth and creed been known. +They gazed with surprise at her extraordinary beauty and foreign garb, +and evidently considered the new guest a welcome addition to the scanty +society of the castle. Under any other circumstances, the strangeness +of all she saw, and the frowning gloom of the chamber to which she was +consigned, would have damped the spirits of one whose destiny had so +suddenly passed from the deepest quiet into the sternest excitement. But +any change was a relief to the roar of the camp, the addresses of the +prince, and the ominous voice and countenance of Torquemada; and +Leila looked around her, with the feeling that the queen’s promise was +fulfilled, and that she was already amidst the blessings of shelter and +repose. It was long, however, before sleep revisited her eyelids, and +when she woke the noonday sun streamed broadly through the lattice. +By the bedside sat a matron advanced in years, but of a mild and +prepossessing countenance, which only borrowed a yet more attractive +charm from an expression of placid and habitual melancholy. She was +robed in black; but the rich pearls that were interwoven in the sleeves +and stomacher, the jewelled cross that was appended from a chain +of massive gold, and, still more, a certain air of dignity and +command,--bespoke, even to the inexperienced eye of Leila, the evidence +of superior station. + +“Thou hast slept late, daughter,” said the lady, with a benevolent +smile; “may thy slumbers have refreshed thee! Accept my regrets that I +knew not till this morning of thine arrival, or I should have been the +first to welcome the charge of my royal mistress.” + +There was in the look, much more than in the words of the Donna Inez de +Quexada, a soothing and tender interest that was as balm to the heart of +Leila; in truth, she had been made the guest of, perhaps, the only lady +in Spain, of pure and Christian blood, who did not despise or execrate +the name of Leila’s tribe. Donna Inez had herself contracted to a Jew a +debt of gratitude which she had sought to return to the whole race. Many +years before the time in which our tale is cast, her husband and herself +had been sojourning at Naples, then closely connected with the politics +of Spain, upon an important state mission. They had then an only son, +a youth of a wild and desultory character, whom the spirit of adventure +allured to the East. In one of those sultry lands the young Quexada +was saved from the hands of robbers by the caravanserai of a wealthy +traveller. With this stranger he contracted that intimacy which +wandering and romantic men often conceive for each other, without +any other sympathy than that of the same pursuits. Subsequently, he +discovered that his companion was of the Jewish faith; and, with the +usual prejudice of his birth and time, recoiled from the friendship +he had solicited, and shrank from the sense of the obligation he had +incurred he--quitted his companion. Wearied, at length, with travel, he +was journeying homeward, when he was seized with a sudden and virulent +fever, mistaken for plague: all fled from the contagion of the +supposed pestilence--he was left to die. One man discovered his +condition--watched, tended, and, skilled in the deeper secrets of the +healing art, restored him to life and health: it was the same Jew who +had preserved him from the robbers. At this second and more inestimable +obligation the prejudices of the Spaniard vanished: he formed a deep +and grateful attachment for his preserver; they lived together for some +time, and the Israelite finally accompanied the young Quexada to Naples. +Inez retained a lively sense of the service rendered to her only son, +and the impression had been increased not only by the appearance of +the Israelite, which, dignified and stately, bore no likeness to the +cringing servility of his brethren, but also by the singular beauty and +gentle deportment of his then newly-wed bride, whom he had wooed and won +in that holy land, sacred equally to the faith of Christian and of Jew. +The young Quexada did not long survive his return: his constitution +was broken by long travel, and the debility that followed his fierce +disease. On his deathbed he had besought the mother whom he left +childless, and whose Catholic prejudices were less stubborn than those +of his sire, never to forget the services a Jew had conferred upon him; +to make the sole recompense in her power--the sole recompense the Jew +himself had demanded--and to lose no occasion to soothe or mitigate the +miseries to which the bigotry of the time often exposed the oppressed +race of his deliverer. Donna Inez had faithfully kept the promise +she gave to the last scion of her house; and, through the power and +reputation of her husband and her own connections, and still more +through an early friendship with the queen, she had, on her return to +Spain, been enabled to ward off many a persecution, and many a charge +on false pretences, to which the wealth of some son of Israel made +the cause, while his faith made the pretext. Yet, with all the natural +feelings of a rigid Catholic, she had earnestly sought to render the +favor she had thus obtained amongst the Jews minister to her pious zeal +for their more than temporal welfare. She had endeavored, by gentle +means, to make the conversions which force was impotent to effect; and, +in some instances, her success had been signal. The good senora had thus +obtained high renown for sanctity; and Isabel thought rightly that she +could not select a protectress for Leila who would more kindly shelter +her youth, or more strenuously labor for her salvation. It was, indeed, +a dangerous situation for the adherence of the maiden to that faith +which it had cost her fiery father so many sacrifices to preserve and to +advance. + +It was by little and little that Donna Inez sought rather to undermine +than to storm the mental fortress she hoped to man with spiritual +allies; and, in her frequent conversation with Leila, she was at once +perplexed and astonished by the simple and sublime nature of the belief +upon which she waged war. For whether it was that, in his desire +to preserve Leila as much as possible from contact even with Jews +themselves, whose general character (vitiated by the oppression which +engendered meanness, and the extortion which fostered avarice) Almamen +regarded with lofty though concealed repugnance; or whether it was, that +his philosophy did not interpret the Jewish formula of belief in the +same spirit as the herd,--the religion inculcated in the breast of Leila +was different from that which Inez had ever before encountered amongst +her proselytes. It was less mundane and material--a kind of passionate +rather than metaphysical theism, which invested the great ONE, indeed, +with many human sympathies and attributes, but still left Him the +August and awful God of the Genesis, the Father of a Universe though +the individual Protector of a fallen sect. Her attention had been +less directed to whatever appears, to a superficial gaze, stern and +inexorable in the character of the Hebrew God, and which the religion +of Christ so beautifully softened and so majestically refined, than to +those passages in which His love watched over a chosen people, and His +forbearance bore with their transgressions. Her reason had been worked +upon to its belief by that mysterious and solemn agency, by which--when +the whole world beside was bowed to the worship of innumerable deities, +and the adoration of graven images,--in a small and secluded portion of +earth, amongst a people far less civilised and philosophical than many +by which they were surrounded, had been alone preserved a pure and +sublime theism, disdaining a likeness in the things of heaven or +earth. Leila knew little of the more narrow and exclusive tenets of her +brethren; a Jewess in name, she was rather a deist in belief; a deist +of such a creed as Athenian schools might have taught to the imaginative +pupils of Plato, save only that too dark a shadow had been cast over +the hopes of another world. Without the absolute denial of the Sadducee, +Almamen had, probably, much of the quiet scepticism which belonged to +many sects of the early Jews, and which still clings round the wisdom of +the wisest who reject the doctrine of Revelation; and while he had not +sought to eradicate from the breast of his daughter any of the vague +desire which points to a Hereafter, he had never, at least, directed her +thoughts or aspirations to that solemn future. Nor in the sacred book +which was given to her survey, and which so rigidly upheld the unity of +the Supreme Power, was there that positive and unequivocal assurance +of life beyond “the grave where all things are forgotten,” that might +supply the deficiencies of her mortal instructor. Perhaps, sharing +those notions of the different value of the sexes, prevalent, from the +remotest period, in his beloved and ancestral East, Almamen might have +hopes for himself which did not extend to his child. And thus she grew +up, with all the beautiful faculties of the soul cherished and unfolded, +without thought, without more than dim and shadowy conjectures, of the +Eternal Bourne to which the sorrowing pilgrim of the earth is bound. It +was on this point that the quick eye of Donna Inez discovered her faith +was vulnerable: who would not, if belief were voluntary, believe in +the world to come? Leila’s curiosity and interest were aroused: +she willingly listened to her new guide--she willingly inclined to +conclusions pressed upon her, not with menace, but persuasion. Free from +the stubborn associations, the sectarian prejudices, and unversed in the +peculiar traditions and accounts of the learned of her race, she found +nothing to shock her in the volume which seemed but a continuation of +the elder writings of her faith. The sufferings of the Messiah, His +sublime purity, His meek forgiveness, spoke to her woman’s heart; His +doctrines elevated, while they charmed, her reason: and in the Heaven +that a Divine hand opened to all,--the humble as the proud, the +oppressed as the oppressor, to the woman as to the lords of the +earth,--she found a haven for all the doubts she had known, and for the +despair which of late had darkened the face of earth. Her home lost, the +deep and beautiful love of her youth blighted,--that was a creed almost +irresistible which told her that grief was but for a day, that happiness +was eternal. Far, too, from revolting such of the Hebrew pride of +association as she had formed, the birth of the Messiah in the land +of the Israelites seemed to consummate their peculiar triumph as the +Elected of Jehovah. And while she mourned for the Jews who persecuted +the Saviour, she gloried in those whose belief had carried the name and +worship of the descendants of David over the furthest regions of the +world. Often she perplexed and startled the worthy Inez by exclaiming, +“This, your belief, is the same as mine, adding only the assurance of +immortal life--Christianity is but the Revelation of Judaism.” + +The wise and gentle instrument of Leila’s conversion did not, however, +give vent to those more Catholic sentiments which might have scared away +the wings of the descending dove. She forbore too vehemently to point +out the distinctions of the several creeds, and rather suffered them +to melt insensibly one into the other: Leila was a Christian, while she +still believed herself a Jewess. But in the fond and lovely weakness of +mortal emotions, there was one bitter thought that often and often came +to mar the peace that otherwise would have settled on her soul. That +father, the sole softener of whose stern heart and mysterious fates she +was, with what pangs would he receive the news of her conversion! And +Muza, that bright and hero-vision of her youth--was she not setting +the last seal of separation upon all hope of union with the idol of the +Moors? But, alas! was she not already separated from him, and had not +their faiths been from the first at variance? From these thoughts she +started with sighs and tears; and before her stood the crucifix already +admitted into her chamber, and--not, perhaps, too wisely--banished so +rigidly from the oratories of the Huguenot. For the representation of +that Divine resignation, that mortal agony, that miraculous sacrifice, +what eloquence it hath for our sorrows! what preaching hath the symbol +to the vanities of our wishes, to the yearnings of our discontent! + +By degrees, as her new faith grew confirmed, Leila now inclined herself +earnestly to those pictures of the sanctity and calm of the conventual +life which Inez delighted to draw. In the reaction of her thoughts, and +her despondency of all worldly happiness, there seemed, to the young +maiden, an inexpressible charm in a solitude which was to release her +for ever from human love, and render her entirely up to sacred visions +and imperishable hopes. And with this selfish, there mingled a generous +and sublime sentiment. The prayers of a convert might be heard in favour +of those yet benighted: and the awful curse upon her outcast race +be lightened by the orisons of one humble heart. In all ages, in all +creeds, a strange and mystic impression has existed of the efficacy of +self-sacrifice in working the redemption even of a whole people: this +belief, so strong in the old orient and classic religions, was yet more +confirmed by Christianity--a creed founded upon the grandest of historic +sacrifices; and the lofty doctrine of which, rightly understood, +perpetuates in the heart of every believer the duty of self-immolation, +as well as faith in the power of prayer, no matter how great the object, +how mean the supplicator. On these thoughts Leila meditated, till +thoughts acquired the intensity of passions, and the conversion of the +Jewess was completed. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE HOUR AND THE MAN + +It was on the third morning after the King of Granada, reconciled to his +people, had reviewed his gallant army in the Vivarrambla; and Boabdil, +surrounded by his chiefs and nobles, was planning a deliberate and +decisive battle, by assault on the Christian camp,--when a scout +suddenly arrived, breathless, at the gates of the palace, to communicate +the unlooked-for and welcome intelligence that Ferdinand had in the +night broken up his camp, and marched across the mountains towards +Cordova. In fact, the outbreak of formidable conspiracies had suddenly +rendered the appearance of Ferdinand necessary elsewhere; and, his +intrigues with Almamen frustrated, he despaired of a very speedy +conquest of the city. The Spanish king resolved, therefore, after +completing the devastation of the Vega, to defer the formal and +prolonged siege, which could alone place Granada within his power, until +his attention was no longer distracted to other foes, and until, it must +be added, he had replenished an exhausted treasury. He had formed, with +Torquemada, a vast and wide scheme of persecution, not only against +Jews, but against Christians whose fathers had been of that race, +and who were suspected of relapsing into Judaical practices. The two +schemers of this grand design were actuated by different motives; the +one wished to exterminate the crime, the other to sell forgiveness for +it. And Torquemada connived at the griping avarice of the king, because +it served to give to himself, and to the infant Inquisition, a power and +authority which the Dominican foresaw would be soon greater even than +those of royalty itself, and which, he imagined, by scourging earth, +would redound to the interests of Heaven. + +The strange disappearance of Almamen, which was distorted and +exaggerated, by the credulity of the Spaniards, into an event of the +most terrific character, served to complete the chain of evidence +against the wealthy Jews, and Jew-descended Spaniards, of Andalusia; +and while, in imagination, the king already clutched the gold of their +redemption here, the Dominican kindled the flame that was to light them +to punishment hereafter. + +Boabdil and his chiefs received the intelligence of the Spanish retreat +with a doubt which soon yielded to the most triumphant delight. Boabdil +at once resumed all the energy for which, though but by fits and starts, +his earlier youth had been remarkable. + +“Alla Achbar! God is great!” cried he; “we will not remain here till +it suit the foe to confine the eagle again to his eyrie. They have left +us--we will burst on them. Summon our alfaquis, we will proclaim a holy +war! The sovereign of the last possessions of the Moors is in the field. +Not a town that contains a Moslem but shall receive our summons, and we +will gather round our standard all the children of our faith!” + +“May the king live for ever!” cried the council, with one voice. + +“Lose not a moment,” resumed Boabdil--“on to the Vivarrambla, marshal +the troops--Muza heads the cavalry; myself our foot. Ere the sun’s +shadow reach yonder forest, our army shall be on its march.” + +The warriors, hastily and in joy, left the palace; and when he was +alone, Boabdil again relapsed into his wonted irresolution. After +striding to and fro for some minutes in anxious thought, he abruptly +quitted the hall of council, and passed in to the more private chambers +of the palace, till he came to a door strongly guarded by plates of +iron. It yielded easily, however, to a small key which he carried in his +girdle; and Boabdil stood in a small circular room, apparently without +other door or outlet; but, after looking cautiously round, the king +touched a secret spring in the wall, which, giving way, discovered a +niche, in which stood a small lamp, burning with the purest naphtha, +and a scroll of yellow parchment covered with strange letters and +hieroglyphics. He thrust the scroll in his bosom, took the lamp in his +hand, and pressing another spring within the niche, the wall receded, +and showed a narrow and winding staircase. The king reclosed the +entrance, and descended: the stairs led, at last, into clamp and rough +passages; and the murmur of waters, that reached his ear through the +thick walls, indicated the subterranean nature of the soil through which +they were hewn. The lamp burned clear and steady through the darkness of +the place; and Boabdil proceeded with such impatient rapidity, that +the distance (in reality, considerable) which he traversed, before he +arrived at his destined bourne, was quickly measured. He came at last +into a wide cavern, guarded by doors concealed and secret as those which +had screened the entrance from the upper air. He was in one of the many +vaults which made the mighty cemetery of the monarchs of Granada; and +before him stood the robed and crowned skeleton, and before him glowed +the magic dial-plate of which he had spoken in his interview with Muza. + +“Oh, dread and awful image!” cried the king, throwing himself on his +knees before the skeleton,--“shadow of what was once a king, wise in +council, and terrible in war, if in those hollow bones yet lurks the +impalpable and unseen spirit, hear thy repentant son. Forgive, while +it is yet time, the rebellion of his fiery youth, and suffer thy daring +soul to animate the doubt and weakness of his own. I go forth to battle, +waiting not the signal thou didst ordain. Let not the penance for a +rashness, to which fate urges me on, attach to my country, but to me. +And if I perish in the field, may my evil destinies be buried with me, +and a worthier monarch redeem my errors and preserve Granada!” + +As the king raised his looks, the unrelaxed grin of the grim dead, made +yet more hideous by the mockery of the diadem and the royal robe, froze +back to ice the passion and sorrow at his heart. He shuddered, and rose +with a deep sigh; when, as his eyes mechanically followed the lifted arm +of the skeleton, he beheld, with mingled delight and awe, the hitherto +motionless finger of the dial-plate pass slowly on, and rest at the word +so long and so impatiently desired. “ARM!” cried the king; “do I read +aright?--are my prayers heard?” A low and deep sound, like that of +subterranean thunder, boomed through the chamber; and in the same +instant the wall opened, and the king beheld the long-expected figure of +Almamen, the magician. But no longer was that stately form clad in the +loose and peaceful garb of the Eastern santon. Complete armour cased his +broad chest and sinewy limbs; his head alone was bare, and his prominent +and impressive features were lighted, not with mystical enthusiasm, but +with warlike energy. In his right hand, he carried a drawn sword--his +left supported the staff of a snow-white and dazzling banner. + +So sudden was the apparition, and so excited the mind of the king, that +the sight of a supernatural being could scarcely have impressed him with +more amaze and awe. + +“King of Granada,” said Almamen, “the hour hath come at last; go forth +and conquer! With the Christian monarch, there is no hope of peace or +compact. At thy request I sought him, but my spells alone preserved the +life of thy herald. Rejoice! for thine evil destinies have rolled away +from thy spirit, like a cloud from the glory of the sun. The genii of +the East have woven this banner from the rays of benignant stars. It +shall beam before thee in the front of battle--it shall rise over the +rivers of Christian blood. As the moon sways the bosom of the tides, it +shall sway and direct the surges and the course of war!” + +“Man of mystery! thou hast given me a new life.” + +“And, fighting by thy side,” resumed Almamen, “I will assist to carve +out for thee, from the ruins of Arragon and Castile, the grandeur of +a new throne. Arm, monarch of Granada!--arm! I hear the neigh of thy +charger, in the midst of the mailed thousands! Arm!” + + + + + + +BOOK IV. + + + + +CHAPTER. I. LEILA IN THE CASTLE--THE SIEGE. + +The calmer contemplations and more holy anxieties of Leila were, at +length, broken in upon by intelligence, the fearful interest of which +absorbed the whole mind and care of every inhabitant of the castle. +Boabdil el Chico had taken the field, at the head of a numerous army. +Rapidly scouring the country, he had descended, one after one, upon the +principal fortresses, which Ferdinand had left, strongly garrisoned, +in the immediate neighbourhood. His success was as immediate as it was +signal; the terror of his arms began, once more to spread far and wide; +every day swelled his ranks with new recruits; and from the snow-clad +summits of the Sierra Nevada poured down, in wild hordes, the fierce +mountain race, who, accustomed to eternal winter, made a strange +contrast, in their rugged appearance and shaggy clothing, to the +glittering and civilised soldiery of Granada. + +Moorish towns, which had submitted to Ferdinand, broke from their +allegiance, and sent their ardent youth and experienced veterans to the +standard of the Keys and Crescent. To add to the sudden panic of the +Spaniards, it went forth that a formidable magician, who seemed inspired +rather with the fury of a demon than the valour of a man, had made an +abrupt appearance in the ranks of the Moslems. Wherever the Moors shrank +back from wall or tower, down which poured the boiling pitch, or rolled +the deadly artillery of the besieged, this sorcerer--rushing into the +midst of the flagging force, and waving, with wild gestures, a white +banner, supposed by both Moor and Christian to be the work of magic and +preternatural spells--dared every danger, and escaped every weapon: with +voice, with prayer, with example, he fired the Moors to an enthusiasm +that revived the first days of Mohammedan conquest; and tower after +tower, along the mighty range of the mountain chain of fortresses, was +polluted by the wave and glitter of the ever-victorious banner. The +veteran, Mendo de Quexada, who, with a garrison of two hundred and +fifty men, held the castle of Almamen, was, however, undaunted by the +unprecedented successes of Boabdil. Aware of the approaching storm, he +spent the days of peace yet accorded to him in making every preparation +for the siege that he foresaw; messengers were despatched to Ferdinand; +new out-works were added to the castle; ample store of provisions laid +in; and no precaution omitted that could still preserve to the Spaniards +a fortress that, from its vicinity to Granada, its command of the Vega +and the valleys of the Alpuxarras, was the bitterest thorn in the side +of the Moorish power. + +It was early, one morning, that Leila stood by the lattice of her lofty +chamber gazing, with many and mingled emotions, on the distant domes +of Granada, as they slept in the silent sunshine. Her heart, for the +moment, was busy with the thoughts of home, and the chances and peril of +the time were forgotten. + +The sound of martial music, afar off, broke upon her reveries; she +started, and listened breathlessly; it became more distinct and clear. +The clash of the zell, the boom of the African drum, and the wild and +barbarous blast of the Moorish clarion, were now each distinguishable +from the other; and, at length, as she gazed and listened, winding along +the steeps of the mountain were seen the gleaming spears and pennants of +the Moslem vanguard. Another moment and the whole castle was astir. + +Mendo de Quexada, hastily arming, repaired, himself, to the battlements; +and, from her lattice, Leila beheld him, from time to time, stationing +to the best advantage his scanty troops. In a few minutes she was joined +by Donna Inez and the women of the castle, who fearfully clustered round +their mistress,--not the less disposed, however, to gratify the passion +of the sex, by a glimpse through the lattice at the gorgeous array of +the Moorish army. + +The casements of Leila’s chamber were peculiarly adapted to command a +safe nor insufficient view of the progress of the enemy; and, with a +beating heart and flushing cheek, the Jewish maiden, deaf to the voices +around her, imagined she could already descry amidst the horsemen the +lion port and snowy garments of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + +What a situation was hers! Already a Christian, could she hope for the +success of the infidel? ever a woman, could she hope for the defeat of +her lover? But the time for meditation on her destiny was but brief; the +detachment of the Moorish cavalry was now just without the walls of the +little town that girded the castle, and the loud clarion of the heralds +summoned the garrison to surrender. + +“Not while one stone stands upon another!” was the short answer +of Quexada; and, in ten minutes afterwards, the sullen roar of the +artillery broke from wall and tower over the vales below. + +It was then that the women, from Leila’s lattice, beheld, slowly +marshalling themselves in order, the whole power and pageantry of the +besieging army. Thick-serried--line after line, column upon column--they +spread below the frowning steep. The sunbeams lighted up that goodly +array, as it swayed, and murmured, and advanced, like the billows of a +glittering sea. The royal standard was soon descried waving above the +pavilion of Boabdil; and the king himself, mounted on his cream-coloured +charger, which was covered with trappings of cloth-of-gold, was +recognised amongst the infantry, whose task it was to lead the assault. + +“Pray with us, my daughter!” cried Inez, falling on her knees.-Alas! +what could Leila pray for? + +Four days and four nights passed away in that memorable siege; for the +moon, then at her full, allowed no respite, even in night itself. Their +numbers, and their vicinity to Granada, gave the besiegers the advantage +of constant relays, and troop succeeded to troop; so that the weary had +ever successors in the vigour of new assailants. + +On the fifth day, all of the fortress, save the keep (an immense tower), +was in the hands of the Moslems; and in this last hold, the worn-out and +scanty remnant of the garrison mustered, in the last hope of a brave, +despair. + +Quexada appeared, covered with gore and dust-his eyes bloodshot, his +cheek haggard and hollow, his locks blanched with sudden age-in the hall +of the tower, where the women, half dead with terror, were assembled. + +“Food!” cried he,--“food and wine!--it may be our last banquet.” + +His wife threw her arms round him. “Not yet,” he cried, “not yet; we +will have one embrace before we part.” + +“Is there, then, no hope?” said Inez, with a pale cheek, yet steady eye. + +“None; unless to-morrow’s dawn gild the spears of Ferdinand’s army +upon yonder hills. Till morn we may hold out.” As he spoke, he hastily +devoured some morsels of food, drained a huge goblet of wine, and +abruptly quitted the chamber. + +At that moment, the women distinctly heard the loud shouts of the Moors; +and Leila, approaching the grated casement, could perceive the approach +of what seemed to her like moving wails. + +Covered by ingenious constructions of wood and thick hides, the +besiegers advanced to the foot of the tower in comparative shelter from +the burning streams which still poured, fast and seething, from the +battlements; while, in the rear came showers of darts and cross-bolts +from the more distant Moors, protecting the work of the engineer, and +piercing through almost every loophole and crevice in the fortress. + +Meanwhile the stalwart governor beheld, with dismay and despair, the +preparations of the engineers, whom the wooden screen-works protected +from every weapon. + +“By the Holy Sepulchre!” cried he, gnashing his teeth, “they are mining +the tower, and we shall be buried in its ruins! Look out, Gonsalvo! see +you not a gleam of spears yonder over the mountain? Mine eyes are dim +with watching.” + +“Alas! brave Mendo, it is only the sloping sun upon the snows--but there +is hope yet.” + +The soldier’s words terminated in a shrill and sudden cry of agony; and +he fell dead by the side of Quexada, the brain crushed by a bolt from a +Moorish arquebus. + +“My best warrior!” said Quexada; “peace be with him! Ho, there! see you +yon desperate infidel urging on the miners? By the heavens above, it is +he of the white banner!--it is the sorcerer! Fire on him! he is without +the shelter of the woodworks.” + +Twenty shafts, from wearied and nerveless arms, fell innocuous round the +form of Almamen: and as, waving aloft his ominous banner, he disappeared +again behind the screen-works, the Spaniards almost fancied they could +hear his exulting and demon laugh. + +The sixth day came, and the work of the enemy was completed. The tower +was entirely undermined--the foundations rested only upon wooden props, +which, with a humanity that was characteristic of Boabdil, had been +placed there in order that the besieged might escape ere the final crash +of their last hold. + +It was now noon: the whole Moorish force, quitting the plain, occupied +the steep that spread below the tower, in multitudinous array and +breathless expectation. The miners stood aloof--the Spaniards lay +prostrate and exhausted upon the battlements, like mariners who, after +every effort against the storm, await, resigned, and almost indifferent, +the sweep of the fatal surge. + +Suddenly the lines of the Moors gave way, and Boabdil himself, with Muza +at his right hand, and Almamen on his left, advanced towards the foot of +the tower. At the same time, the Ethiopian guards, each bearing a torch, +marched slowly in the rear; and from the midst of them paced the +royal herald and sounded the last warning. The hush of the immense +armament--the glare of the torches, lighting the ebon faces and giant +forms of their bearers--the majestic appearance of the king himself--the +heroic aspect of Muza--the bare head and glittering banner of +Almamen--all combined with the circumstances of the time to invest the +spectacle with something singularly awful, and, perhaps, sublime. + +Quexada turned his eyes, mutely, round the ghastly faces of his +warriors, and still made not the signal. His lips muttered--his eyes +glared: when, suddenly, he heard below the wail of women; and the +thought of Inez, the bride of his youth, the partner of his age, came +upon him; and, with a trembling hand, he lowered the yet unquailing +standard of Spain. Then, the silence below broke into a mighty shout, +which shook the grim tower to its unsteady and temporary base. + +“Arise, my friends,” he said, with a bitter sigh; “we have fought like +men--and our country will not blush for us.” He descended the winding +stairs--his soldiers followed him with faltering steps: the gates of the +keep unfolded, and these gallant Christians surrendered themselves to +the Moor. + +“Do with it as you will,” said Quexada, as he laid the keys at the hoofs +of Boabdil’s barb; “but there are women in the garrison, who--” + +“Are sacred,” interrupted the king. “At once we accord their liberty, +and free transport whithersoever ye would desire. Speak, then! To what +place of safety shall they be conducted?” + +“Generous king!” replied the veteran Quexada, brushing away his tears +with the back of his hand; “you take the sting from our shame. We accept +your offer in the same spirit in which it is made. Across the mountains, +on the verge of the plain of Olfadez, I possess a small castle, +ungarrisoned and unfortified. Thence, should the war take that +direction, the women can readily obtain safe conduct to the queen at +Cordova.” + +“Be it so,” returned Boabdil. Then, with Oriental delicacy, selecting +the eldest of the officers round him, he gave him instructions to enter +the castle, and, with a strong guard, provide for the safety of the +women, according to the directions of Quexada. To another of his +officers he confided the Spanish prisoners, and gave the signal to his +army to withdraw from the spot, leaving only a small body to complete +the ruin of the fortress. + +Accompanied by Almamen and his principal officers, Boabdil now hastened +towards Granada; and while, with slower progress, Quexada and his +companions, under a strong escort, took their way across the Vega, a +sudden turn in their course brought abruptly before them the tower they +had so valiantly defended. There it still stood, proud and stern, amidst +the blackened and broken wrecks around it, shooting aloft, dark and +grim, against the sky. Another moment, and a mighty crash sounded +on their ears, while the tower fell to the earth, amidst volumes of +wreathing smoke and showers of dust, which were borne, by the concussion +to the spot on which they took their last gaze of the proudest fortress +on which the Moors of Granada had beheld, from their own walls, the +standard of Arragon and Castile. + +At the same time, Leila--thus brought so strangely within the very +reach of her father and her lover, and yet, by a mysterious fate, still +divided from both,--with Donna Inez, and the rest of the females of the +garrison, pursued her melancholy path along the ridges of the mountains. + + + + +CHAPTER II. ALMAMEN’S PROPOSED ENTERPRISE.--THE THREE ISRAELITES--CIRCUMSTANCE +IMPRESSES EACH CHARACTER WITH A VARYING DIE. + +Boadbil followed up his late success with a series of brilliant assaults +on-the neighbouring fortresses. Granada, like a strong man bowed to the +ground, wrenched one after one the bands that had crippled her liberty +and strength; and, at length, after regaining a considerable portion of +the surrounding territory, the king resolved to lay siege to the seaport +of Salobrena. Could he obtain this town, Boabdil, by establishing +communication between the sea and Granada, would both be enabled to +avail himself of the assistance of his African allies, and also prevent +the Spaniards from cutting off supplies to the city, should they again +besiege it. Thither, then, accompanied by Muza, the Moorish king bore +his victorious standard. + +On the eve of his departure, Almamen sought the king’s presence. A great +change had come over the canton since the departure of Ferdinand; his +wonted stateliness of mien was gone; his eyes were sunk and hollow; his +manner disturbed and absent. In fact, his love for his daughter made the +sole softness of his character; and that daughter was in the hands +of the king who had sentenced the father to the tortures of the +Inquisition! To what dangers might she not be subjected, by the +intolerant zeal of conversion! and could that frame, and gentle heart, +brave the terrific engines that might be brought against her fears? +“Better,” thought he, “that she should perish, even by the torture, +than adopt that hated faith.” He gnashed his teeth in agony at either +alternative. His dreams, his objects, his revenge, his ambition--all +forsook him: one single hope, one thought, completely mastered his +stormy passions and fitful intellect. + +In this mood the pretended santon met Boabdil. He represented to the +king, over whom his influence had prodigiously increased since the +late victories of the Moors, the necessity of employing the armies of +Ferdinand at a distance. He proposed, in furtherance of this policy, +to venture himself in Cordova; to endeavour secretly to stir up those +Moors, in that, their ancient kingdom, who had succumbed to the +Spanish yoke, and whose hopes might naturally be inflamed by the recent +successes of Boabdil; and, at least, to foment such disturbances as +might afford the king sufficient time to complete his designs, and +recruit his force by aid of the powers with which he was in league. + +The representations of Almamen at length conquered Boabdil’s reluctance +to part with his sacred guide; and it was finally arranged that the +Israelite should at once depart from the city. + +As Almamen pursued homeward his solitary way, he found himself suddenly +accosted in the Hebrew tongue. He turned hastily, and saw before him an +old man in the Jewish gown: he recognised Elias, one of the wealthiest +and most eminent of the race of Israel. + +“Pardon me, wise countryman!” said the Jew, bowing to the earth, “but I +cannot resist the temptation of claiming kindred with one through whom +the horn of Israel may be so triumphantly exalted.” + +“Hush, man!” said Almamen, quickly, and looking sharply round; “I thy +countryman! Art thou not, as thy speech betokens, an Israelite?” + +“Yea,” returned the Jew, “and of the same tribe as thy honoured +father--peace be with his ashes! I remembered thee at once, boy +though thou wert when thy steps shook off the dust against Granada. +I remembered thee, I say, at once, on thy return; but I have kept thy +secret, trusting that, through thy soul and genius, thy fallen brethren +might put off sackcloth and feast upon the house-tops.” + +Almamen looked hard at the keen, sharp, Arab features of the Jew; and at +length he answered, “And how can Israel be restored? wilt thou fight for +her?” + +“I am too old, son of Issachar, to bear arms; but our tribes are many, +and our youth strong. Amid these disturbances between dog and dog--” + +“The lion may get his own,” interrupted Almamen, impetuously,--“let us +hope it. Hast thou heard of the new persecutions against us that the +false Nazarene king has already commenced in Cordova--persecutions that +make the heart sick and the blood cold?” + +“Alas!” replied Elias, “such woes indeed have not failed to reach mine +ear; and I have kindred, near and beloved kindred, wealthy and honoured +men, scattered throughout that land.” + +“Were it not better that they should die on the field than by the rack?” + exclaimed Almamen, fiercely. “God of my fathers! if there be yet a spark +of manhood left amongst thy people, let thy servant fan it to a flame, +that shall burn as the fire burns the stubble, so that the earth may +bare before the blaze!” + +“Nay,” said Elias, dismayed rather than excited by the vehemence of his +comrade,--“be not rash, son of Issachar, be not rash: peradventure thou +wilt but exasperate the wrath of the rulers, and our substance thereby +will be utterly consumed.” + +Almamen drew back, placed his hand quietly on the Jew’s shoulder, looked +him hard in the face, and, gently laughing, turned away. + +Elias did not attempt to arrest his steps. “Impracticable,” he muttered; +“impracticable and dangerous! I always thought so. He may do us harm: +were he not so strong and fierce, I would put my knife under his left +rib. Verily, gold is a great thing; and--out on me! the knaves at home +will be wasting the oil, now they know old Elias is abroad.” Thereat the +Jew drew his cloak around him, and quickened his pace. + +Almamen, in the meanwhile, sought, through dark and subterranean +passages, known only to himself, his accustomed home. He passed much +of the night alone; but, ere the morning star announced to the mountain +tops the presence of the sun, he stood, prepared for his journey, in his +secret vault, by the door of the subterranean passages, with old Ximen +beside him. + +“I go, Ximen,” said Almamen, “upon a doubtful quest: whether I +discover my daughter, and succeed in bearing her in safety from their +contaminating grasp, or whether I fall into their snares and perish, +there is an equal chance that I may return no more to Granada. Should +this be so, you will be heir to such wealth as I leave in these places +I know that your age will be consoled for the lack of children when your +eyes look upon the laugh of gold.” + +Ximen bowed low, and mumbled out some inaudible protestations and +thanks. Almamen sighed heavily as he looked round the room. “I have evil +omens in my soul, and evil prophecies in my books,” said he, mournfully. +“But the worst is here,” he added, putting his finger significantly to +his temples; “the string is stretched--one more blow would snap it.” + +As he thus said, he opened the door and vanished through that labyrinth +of galleries by which he was enabled at all times to reach unobserved +either the palace of the Alhambra or the gardens without the gates of +the city. + +Ximen remained behind a few moments in deep thought. “All mine if he +dies!” said he: “all mine if he does not return! All mine, all mine! +and I have not a child nor a kinsman in the world to clutch it away from +me!” With that he locked the vault, and returned to the upper air. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE FUGITIVE AND THE MEETING + +In their different directions the rival kings were equally successful. +Salobrena, but lately conquered by the Christians, was thrown into a +commotion by the first glimpse of Boabdil’s banners; the populace rose, +beat back their Christian guards, and opened the gates to the last +of their race of kings. The garrison alone, to which the Spaniards +retreated, resisted Boabdil’s arms; and, defended by, impregnable walls, +promised an obstinate and bloody siege. + +Meanwhile, Ferdinand had no sooner entered Cordova than his extensive +scheme of confiscation and holy persecution commenced. Not only did more +than five hundred Jews perish in the dark and secret gripe of the Grand +Inquisitor, but several hundred of the wealthiest Christian families, in +whose blood was detected the hereditary Jewish taint, were thrown into +prison; and such as were most fortunate purchased life by the sacrifice +of half their treasures. At this time, however, there suddenly broke +forth a formidable insurrection amongst these miserable subjects--the +Messenians of the Iberian Sparta. The Jews were so far aroused from +their long debasement by omnipotent despair, that a single spark, +falling on the ashes of their ancient spirit, rekindled the flame of the +descendants of the fierce warriors of Palestine. They were encouraged +and assisted by the suspected Christians, who had been involved in +the same persecution; and the whole were headed by a man who appeared +suddenly amongst them, and whose fiery eloquence and martial spirit +produced, at such a season, the most fervent enthusiasm. Unhappily, the +whole details of this singular outbreak are withheld from us; only by +wary hints and guarded allusions do the Spanish chroniclers apprise us +of its existence and its perils. It is clear that all narrative of an +event that might afford the most dangerous precedent, and was alarming +to the pride and avarice of the Spanish king, as well as the pious zeal +of the Church, was strictly forbidden; and the conspiracy was hushed +in the dread silence of the Inquisition, into whose hands the principal +conspirators ultimately fell. We learn, only, that a determined and +sanguinary struggle was followed by the triumph of Ferdinand, and the +complete extinction of the treason. + +It was one evening, that a solitary fugitive, hard chased by an armed +troop of the brothers of St. Hermandad, was seen emerging from a wild +and rocky defile, which opened abruptly on the gardens of a small, +and, by the absence of fortification and sentries, seemingly deserted, +castle. Behind him; in the exceeding stillness which characterises the +air of a Spanish twilight, he heard, at a considerable distance the +blast of the horn and the tramp of hoofs. His pursuers, divided into +several detachments, were scouring the country after him, as the +fishermen draw their nets, from bank to bank, conscious that the +prey they drive before the meshes cannot escape them at the last. +The fugitive halted in doubt, and gazed round him: he was well-nigh +exhausted; his eyes were bloodshot; the large drops rolled fast down his +brow; his whole frame quivered and palpitated, like that of a stag when +he stands at bay. Beyond the castle spread a broad plain, far as the eye +could reach, without shrub or hollow to conceal his form: flight +across a space so favourable to his pursuers was evidently in vain. No +alternative was left unless he turned back on the very path taken by the +horsemen, or trusted to such scanty and perilous shelter as the copses +in the castle garden might afford him. He decided on the latter refuge, +cleared the low and lonely wall that girded the demesne, and plunged +into a thicket of overhanging oaks and chestnuts. + +At that hour, and in that garden, by the side of a little fountain, were +seated two females: the one of mature and somewhat advanced years; the +other, in the flower of virgin youth. But the flower was prematurely +faded; and neither the bloom, nor sparkle, nor undulating play of +feature, that should have suited her age, was visible in the marble +paleness and contemplative sadness of her beautiful countenance. + +“Alas! my young friend,” said the elder of these ladies, “it is in these +hours of solitude and calm that we are most deeply impressed with the +nothingness of life. Thou, my sweet convert, art now the object, no +longer of my compassion, but my envy; and earnestly do I feel convinced +of the blessed repose thy spirit will enjoy in the lap of the Mother +Church. Happy are they who die young! but thrice happy they who die in +the spirit rather than the flesh: dead to sin, but not to virtue; to +terror, not to hope; to man, but not to God!” + +“Dear senora,” replied the young maiden, mournfully, “were I alone on +earth, Heaven is my witness with what deep and thankful resignation I +should take the holy vows, and forswear the past; but the heart remains +human, however divine the hope that it may cherish. And sometimes +I start, and think of home, of childhood, of my strange but beloved +father, deserted and childless in his old age.” + +“Thine, Leila,” returned the elder Senora, “are but the sorrows our +nature is doomed to. What matter, whether absence or death sever the +affections? Thou lamentest a father; I, a son, dead in the pride of his +youth and beauty--a husband, languishing in the fetters of the Moor. +Take comfort for thy sorrows, in the reflection that sorrow is the +heritage of all.” + +Ere Leila could reply, the orange-boughs that sheltered the spot where +they sat were put aside, and between the women and the fountain stood +the dark form of Almamen the Israelite. Leila rose, shrieked, and flung +herself, unconscious, on his breast. + +“O Lord of Israel!” cried Almamen, in atone of deep anguish. “I, then, +at last regain my child? Do I press her to my heart? and is it only +for that brief moment, when I stand upon the brink of death? Leila, my +child, look up! smile upon thy father; let him feel, on his maddening +and burning brow, the sweet breath of the last of his race, and bear +with him, at least, one holy and gentle thought to the dark grave.” + +“My father! is it indeed my father?” said Leila, recovering herself, and +drawing back, that she might assure herself of that familiar face; “it +is thou! it is--it is! Oh! what blessed chance brings us together?” + +“That chance is the destiny that hurries me to my tomb,” answered +Almamen, solemnly. “Hark! hear you not the sound of their rushing +steeds--their impatient voices? They are on me now!” + +“Who? Of whom speakest thou?” + +“My pursuers--the horsemen of the Spaniard.” + +“Oh, senora, save him!” cried Leila, turning to Donna Inez, whom both +father and child had hitherto forgotten, and who now stood gazing upon +Almamen with wondering and anxious eyes. “Whither can he fly? The vaults +of the castle may conceal him. This way-hasten!” + +“Stay,” said Inez, trembling, and approaching close to Almamen: “do +I see aright? and, amidst the dark change of years and trial, do I +recognise that stately form, which once contrasted to the sad eye of a +mother the drooping and faded form of her only son? Art thou not he who +saved my boy from the pestilence, who accompanied him to the shores +of Naples, and consigned him to these arms? Look on me! dost thou not +recall the mother of thy friend?” + +“I recall thy features dimly and as in a dream,” answered the Hebrew; +“and while thou speakest, there rush upon me the memories of an earlier +time, in lands where Leila first looked upon the day, and her mother +sang to me at sunset by the stream of the Euphrates, and on the sites of +departed empires. Thy son--I remember now: I had friendship then with a +Christian--for I was still young.” + +“Waste not the time--father--senora!” cried Leila, impatiently clinging +still to her father’s breast. + +“You are right; nor shall your sire, in whom I thus wonderfully +recognise my son’s friend, perish if I can save him.” + +Inez then conducted her strange guest to a small door in the rear of the +castle; and after leading him through some of the principal apartments, +left him in one of the tiring-rooms adjoining her own chamber, and the +entrance to which the arras concealed. She rightly judged this a safer +retreat than the vaults of the castle might afford, since her great +name and known intimacy with Isabel would preclude all suspicion of her +abetting in the escape of the fugitive, and keep those places the most +secure in which, without such aid, he could not have secreted himself. + +In a few minutes, several of the troop arrived at the castle, and on +learning the name of its owner contented themselves with searching +the gardens, and the lower and more exposed apartments; and then +recommending to the servants a vigilant look-out remounted, and +proceeded to scour the plain, over which now slowly fell the starlight +and shade of night. When Leila stole, at last, to the room in which +Almamen was hid, she found him, stretched on his mantle, in a deep +sleep. Exhausted by all he had undergone, and his rigid nerves, as it +were, relaxed by the sudden softness of that interview with his child, +the slumber of that fiery wanderer was as calm as an infant’s. And their +relation almost seemed reversed; and the daughter to be as a mother +watching over her offspring, when Leila seated herself softly by him, +fixing her eyes--to which the tears came ever, ever to be brushed +away-upon his worn but tranquil features, made yet more serene by the +quiet light that glimmered through the casement. And so passed the +hours of that night; and the father and the child--the meek convert, the +revengeful fanatic--were under the same roof. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. ALMAMEN HEARS AND SEES, BUT REFUSES TO BELIEVE; FOR THE BRAIN, +OVERWROUGHT, GROWS DULL, EVEN IN THE KEENEST. + +The dawn broke slowly upon the chamber, and Almamen still slept. It was +the Sabbath of the Christians--that day on which the Saviour rose from +the dead--thence named so emphatically and sublimely by the early Church +THE LORD’S DAY. + + [Before the Christian era, the Sunday was, however, called the + Lord’s day--i.e., the day of the Lord the Sun.] + +And as the ray of the sun flashed in the east it fell like a glory, +over a crucifix, placed in the deep recess of the Gothic casement; and +brought startlingly before the eyes of Leila that face upon which the +rudest of the Catholic sculptors rarely fail to preserve the mystic and +awful union of the expiring anguish of the man with the lofty patience +of the God. It looked upon her, that face; it invited, it encouraged, +while it thrilled and subdued. She stole gently from the side of her +father; she crept to the spot, and flung herself on her knees beside the +consecrated image. + +“Support me, O Redeemer!” she murmured--“support thy creature! +strengthen her steps in the blessed path, though it divide her +irrevocably from all that on earth she loves: and if there be a +sacrifice in her solemn choice, accept, O Thou, the Crucified! accept +it, in part atonement of the crime of her stubborn race; and, hereafter, +let the lips of a maiden of Judaea implore thee, not in vain, for some +mitigation of the awful curse that hath fallen justly upon her tribe.” + +As broken by low sobs, and in a choked and muttered voice, Leila poured +forth her prayer, she was startled by a deep groan; and turning, in +alarm she saw that Almamen had awaked, and, leaning on his arm, was now +bending upon her his dark eyes, once more gleaming with all their wonted +fire. + +“Speak,” he said, as she coweringly hid her face, “speak to me, or I +shall be turned to stone by one horrid thought. It is not before that +symbol that thou kneelest in adoration; and my sense wanders, if it tell +me that thy broken words expressed the worship of an apostate? In mercy, +speak!” + +“Father!” began Leila; but her lips refused to utter more than that +touching and holy word. + +Almamen rose; and plucking the hands from her face, gazed on her some +moments, as if he would penetrate her very soul; and Leila, recovering +her courage in the pause, by degrees met his eyes unquailing--her pure +and ingenuous brow raised to his, and sadness, but not guilt, speaking +from every line of that lovely face. + +“Thou dost not tremble,” said Almamen, at length, breaking the silence, +“and I have erred. Thou art not the criminal I deemed thee. Come to my +arms!” + +“Alas!” said Leila, obeying the instinct, and casting herself upon that +rugged bosom. “I will dare, at least, not to disavow my God. Father! by +that dread anathema which is on our race, which has made us homeless and +powerless--outcasts and strangers in the land; by the persecution +and anguish we have known, teach thy lordly heart that we are rightly +punished for the persecution and the anguish we doomed to Him, whose +footstep hallowed our native earth! FIRST, IN THE HISTORY of THE +WORLD, DID THE STERN HEBREWS INFLICT UPON MANKIND THE AWFUL CRIME OF +PERSECUTION FOR OPINIONS SAKE. The seed we sowed hath brought forth the +Dead Sea fruit upon which we feed. I asked for resignation and for hope: +I looked upon yonder cross, and I found both. Harden not thy heart; +listen to thy child; wise though thou be, and weak though her woman +spirit, listen to me.” + +“Be dumb!” cried Almamen, in such a voice as might have come from the +charnel, so ghostly and deathly sounded its hollow tone; then, recoiling +some steps, he placed both his hands upon his temples, and muttered, +“Mad, mad! yes, yes, this is but a delirium, and I am tempted with a +devil! Oh, my child!” he resumed, in a voice that became, on the sudden, +inexpressibly tender and imploring, “I have been sorely tried; and I +dreamt a feverish dream of passion and revenge. Be thine the lips, and +thine the soothing hand, that shall wake me from it. Let us fly for ever +from these hated lands; let us leave to these miserable infidels their +bloody contest, careless which shall fall. To a soil on which the iron +heel does not clang, to an air where man’s orisons rise, in solitude, to +the Great Jehovah, let us hasten our weary steps. Come! while the castle +yet sleeps, let us forth unseen--the father and the child. We will hold +sweet commune by the way. And hark ye, Leila,” he added, in a low and +abrupt whisper, “talk not to me of yonder symbol; for thy God is a +jealous God, and hath no likeness in the graven image.” + +Had he been less exhausted by long travail and racking thoughts, far +different, perhaps, would have been the language of a man so stern. But +circumstance impresses the hardest substance; and despite his native +intellect and affected superiority over others, no one, perhaps, was +more human, in his fitful moods,--his weakness and his strength, his +passion and his purpose,--than that strange man, who had dared, in his +dark studies and arrogant self-will, to aspire beyond humanity. + +That was, indeed, a perilous moment for the young convert. The +unexpected softness of her father utterly subdued her; nor was she +sufficiently possessed of that all-denying zeal of the Catholic +enthusiast to which every human tie and earthly duty has been often +sacrificed on the shrine of a rapt and metaphysical piety. Whatever her +opinions, her new creed, her secret desire of the cloister, fed as it +was by the sublime, though fallacious notion, that in her conversion, +her sacrifice, the crimes of her race might be expiated in the eyes of +Him whose death had been the great atonement of a world; whatever such +higher thoughts and sentiments, they gave way, at that moment, to the +irresistible impulse of household nature and of filial duty. Should she +desert her father, and could that desertion be a virtue? Her heart put +and answered both questions in a breath. She approached Almamen, placed +her hand in his, and said, steadily and calmly, “Father, wheresoever +thou goest, I will wend with thee.” + +But Heaven ordained to each another destiny than might have been theirs, +had the dictates of that impulse been fulfilled. + +Ere Almamen could reply, a trumpet sounded clear and loud at the gate. + +“Hark!” he said, griping his dagger, and starting back to a sense of the +dangers round him. “They come--my pursuers and my murtherers!--but these +limbs are sacred from--the rack.” + +Even that sound of ominous danger was almost a relief to Leila: “I +will go,” she said, “and learn what the blast betokens; remain here--be +cautious--I will return.” + +Several minutes, however, elapsed before Leila reappeared; she was +accompanied by Donna Inez, whose paleness and agitation betokened her +alarm. A courier had arrived at the gate to announce the approach of the +queen, who, with a considerable force, was on her way to join Ferdinand, +then, in the usual rapidity of his movements, before one of the Moorish +towns that had revolted from his allegiance. It was impossible for +Almamen to remain in safety in the castle; and the only hope of escape +was departing immediately and in disguise. + +“I have,” she said, “a trusty and faithful servant with me in the +castle, to whom I can, without anxiety, confide the charge of your +safety; and even if suspected by the way, my name, and the companionship +of my servant, will remove all obstacles; it is not a long journey hence +to Guadix, which has already revolted to the Moors: there, till the +armies of Ferdinand surround the walls, your refuge may be secure.” + +Almamen remained for some moments plunged in a gloomy silence. But, at +length, he signified his assent to the plan proposed, and Donna Inez +hastened to give the directions of his intended guide. + +“Leila,” said the Hebrew, when left alone with his daughter, “think not +that it is for mine own safety that I stoop to this flight from thee. +No! but never till thou wert lost to me, by mine own rash confidence in +another, did I know how dear to my heart was the last scion of my race, +the sole memorial left to me of thy mother’s love. Regaining thee once +more, a new and a soft existence opens upon my eyes; and the earth seems +to change, as by a sudden revolution, from winter into spring. For thy +sake, I consent to use all the means that man’s intellect can devise for +preservation from my foes. Meanwhile, here will rest my soul; to this +spot, within one week from this period--no matter through what danger I +pass--I shall return: then I shall claim thy promise. I will arrange all +things for our flight, and no stone shall harm thy footstep by the way. +The Lord of Israel be with thee, my daughter, and strengthen thy heart! +But,” he added, tearing himself from her embrace, as he heard steps +ascending to the chamber, “deem not that, in this most fond and fatherly +affection, I forget what is due to me and thee. Think not that my +love is only the brute and insensate feeling of the progenitor to the +offspring: I love thee for thy mother’s sake--I love thee for thine +own--I love thee yet more for the sake of Israel. If thou perish, if +thou art lost to us, thou, the last daughter of the house of Issachar, +then the haughtiest family of God’s great people is extinct.” + +Here Inez appeared at the door, but withdrew, at the impatient +and lordly gesture of Almamen, who, without further heed of the +interruption, resumed: + +“I look to thee, and thy seed, for the regeneration which I once +trusted, fool that I was, mine own day might see effected. Let this +pass. Thou art under the roof of the Nazarene. I will not believe that +the arts we have resisted against fire and sword can prevail with thee. +But, if I err, awful will be the penalty! Could I once know that thou +hadst forsaken thy ancestral creed, though warrior and priest stood by +thee, though thousands and ten thousands were by thy right hand, this +steel should save the race of Issachar from dishonour. Beware! Thou +weepest; but, child, I warn, not threaten. God be with thee!” + +He wrung the cold hand of his child, turned to the door, and, after such +disguise as the brief time allowed him could afford, quitted the castle +with his Spanish guide, who, accustomed to the benevolence of his +mistress, obeyed her injunction without wonder, though not without +suspicion. + +The third part of an hour had scarcely elapsed, and the sun was yet on +the mountain-tops, when Isabel arrived. She came to announce that +the outbreaks of the Moorish towns in the vicinity rendered the +half-fortified castle of her friend no longer a secure abode; and she +honoured the Spanish lady with a command to accompany her, with her +female suite, to the camp of Ferdinand. + +Leila received the intelligence with a kind of stupor. Her interview +with her father, the strong and fearful contests of emotion which that +interview occasioned, left her senses faint and dizzy; and when she +found herself, by the twilight star, once more with the train of +Isabel, the only feeling that stirred actively through her stunned and +bewildered mind, was, that the hand of Providence conducted her from a +temptation that, the Reader of all hearts knew, the daughter and woman +would have been too feeble to resist. + +On the fifth day from his departure, Almamen returned to find the castle +deserted, and his daughter gone. + + + + +CHAPTER V. IN THE FERMENT OF GREAT EVENTS THE DREGS RISE. + +The Israelites did not limit their struggles to the dark conspiracy to +which allusion has been made. In some of the Moorish towns that +revolted from Ferdinand, they renounced the neutrality they had hitherto +maintained between Christian and Moslem. Whether it was that they were +inflamed by the fearful and wholesale barbarities enforced by Ferdinand +and the Inquisition against their tribe, or whether they were stirred up +by one of their own order, in whom was recognised the head of their +most sacred family; or whether, as is most probable, both causes +combined--certain it is, that they manifested a feeling that was +thoroughly unknown to the ordinary habits and policy of that peaceable +people. They bore great treasure to the public stock--they demanded +arms, and, under their own leaders, were admitted, though with much +jealousy and precaution, into the troops of the arrogant and disdainful +Moslems. + +In this conjunction of hostile planets, Ferdinand had recourse to his +favourite policy of wile and stratagem. Turning against the Jews the +very treaty Almamen had once sought to obtain in their favour, he caused +it to be circulated, privately, that the Jews, anxious to purchase their +peace with him, had promised to betray the Moorish towns, and Granada +itself into his hands. The paper, which Ferdinand himself had signed in +his interview with Almamen, and of which, on the capture of the Hebrew, +he had taken care to repossess himself, he gave to a spy whom he sent, +disguised as a Jew, into one of the revolted cities. + +Private intelligence reached the Moorish ringleader of the arrival of +this envoy. He was seized, and the document found on his person. The +form of the words drawn up by Almamen (who had carefully omitted mention +of his own name--whether that which he assumed, or that which, by birth, +he should have borne) merely conveyed the compact, that if by a Jew, +within two weeks from the date therein specified, Granada was delivered +to the Christian king, the Jews should enjoy certain immunities and +rights. + +The discovery of this document filled the Moors of the city to which +the spy had been sent with a fury that no words can describe. Always +distrusting their allies, they now imagined they perceived the sole +reason of their sudden enthusiasm, of their demand for arms. The mob +rose: the principal Jews were seized and massacred without trial; +some by the wrath of the multitude, some by the slower tortures of the +magistrate. Messengers were sent to the different revolted towns, and, +above all, to Granada itself, to put the Moslems on their guard against +these unhappy enemies of either party. At once covetous and ferocious, +the Moors rivalled the Inquisition in their cruelty, and Ferdinand in +their extortion. + +It was the dark fate of Almamen, as of most premature and heated +liberators of the enslaved, to double the terrors and the evils he had +sought to cure. The warning arrived at Granada at a time in which the +vizier, Jusef, had received the commands of his royal master, still +at the siege of Salobrena, to use every exertion to fill the wasting +treasuries. Fearful of new exactions against the Moors, the vizier +hailed, as a message from Heaven, so just a pretext for a new and +sweeping impost on the Jews. The spendthrift violence of the mob was +restrained, because it was headed by the authorities, who were wisely +anxious that the state should have no rival in the plunder it required; +and the work of confiscation and robbery was carried on with a majestic +and calm regularity, which redounded no less to the credit of Jusef than +it contributed to the coffers of the king. + +It was late, one evening, when Ximen was making his usual round through +the chambers of Almamen’s house. As he glanced around at the various +articles of wealth and luxury, he ever and anon burst into a low, fitful +chuckle, rubbed his lean hands, and mumbled out, “If my master should +die! if my master should die!” + +While thus engaged, he heard a confused and distant shout; and, +listening attentively, he distinguished a cry, grown of late +sufficiently familiar, of, “Live, Jusef the just--perish, the traitor +Jews!” + +“Ah!” said Ximen, as the whole character of his face changed; “some new +robbery upon our race! And this is thy work, son of Issachar! Madman +that thou wert, to be wiser than thy sires, and seek to dupe the +idolaters in the council chamber and the camp--their field, their +vantage ground; as the bazaar and the market-place are ours. None +suspect that the potent santon is the traitor Jew; but I know it! I +could give thee to the bow-string--and, if thou Overt dead, all thy +goods and gold, even to the mule at the manger, would be old Ximen’s.” + +He paused at that thought, shut his eyes, and smiled at the prospect his +fancy conjured up and completing his survey, retired to his own chamber, +which opened, by a small door, upon one of the back courts. He had +scarcely reached the room, when he heard a low tap at the outer door; +and, when it was thrice repeated, he knew that it was one of his +Jewish-brethren. For Ximen--as years, isolation, and avarice gnawed +away whatever of virtue once put forth some meagre fruit from a heart +naturally bare and rocky--still reserved one human feeling towards his +countrymen. It was the bond which unites all the persecuted: and Ximen +loved them, because he could not envy their happiness. The power--the +knowledge--the lofty, though wild designs of his master, stung and +humbled him--he secretly hated, because he could not compassionate or +contemn him. But the bowed frame, and slavish voice, and timid nerves of +his crushed brotherhood presented to the old man the likeness of things +that could not exult over him. Debased and aged, and solitary as he +was, he felt a kind of wintry warmth in the thought that even he had the +power to protect! + +He thus maintained an intercourse with his fellow Israelites; and often, +in their dangers, had afforded them a refuge in the numerous vaults +and passages, the ruins of which may still be descried beneath the +mouldering foundations of that mysterious mansion. And, as the house +was generally supposed the property of an absent emir, and had been +especially recommended to the care of the cadis by Boabdil, who alone +of the Moors knew it as one of the dwelling-places of the santon, +whose ostensible residence was in apartments allotted to him within the +palace,--it was, perhaps, the sole place within Granada which afforded +an unsuspected and secure refuge to the hunted Israelites. + +When Ximen recognised the wonted signal of his brethren, he crawled to +the door; and, after the precaution of a Hebrew watchword, replied to +in the same tongue, he gave admittance to the tall and stooping frame of +the rich Elias. + +“Worthy and excellent master!” said Ximen, after again securing the +entrance; “what can bring the honoured and wealthy Elias to the chamber +of the poor hireling?” + +“My friend,” answered the Jew; “call me not wealthy, nor honoured. For +years I have dwelt within the city; safe and respected, even by the +Moslemin; verily and because I have purchased with jewel and treasure +the protection of the king and the great men. But now, alas! in the +sudden wrath of the heathen--ever imagining vain things--I have been +summoned into the presence of their chief rabbi, and only escaped the +torture by a sum that ten years of labour and the sweat of my brow +cannot replace. Ximen! the bitterest thought of all is, that the frenzy +of one of our own tribe has brought this desolation upon Israel.” + +“My lord speaks riddles,” said Ximen, with well-feigned astonishment in +his glassy eyes. + +“Why dost thou wind and turn, good Ximen?” said the Jew, shaking his +head; “thou knowest well what my words drive at. Thy master is the +pretended Almamen; and that recreant Israelite (if Israelite, indeed, +still be one who hath forsaken the customs and the forms of his +forefathers) is he who hath stirred up the Jews of Cordova and Guadix, +and whose folly hath brought upon us these dread things. Holy Abraham! +this Jew hath cost me more than fifty Nazarenes and a hundred Moors.” + +Ximen remained silent; and, the tongue of Elias being loosed by the +recollection of his sad loss, the latter continued: “At the first, when +the son of Issachar reappeared, and became a counsellor in the king’s +court, I indeed, who had led him, then a child, to the synagogue--for +old Issachar was to me dear as a brother--recognised him by his eyes and +voice: but I exulted in his craft and concealment; I believed he would +work mighty things for his poor brethren, and would obtain, for his +father’s friend, the supplying of the king’s wives and concubines with +raiment and cloth of price. But years have passed: he hath not lightened +our burthens; and, by the madness that hath of late come over him, +heading the heathen armies, and drawing our brethren into danger and +death, he hath deserved the curse of the synagogue, and the wrath of our +whole race. I find, from our brethren who escaped the Inquisition by +the surrender of their substance, that his unskilful and frantic schemes +were the main pretext for the sufferings of the righteous under the +Nazarene; and, again, the same schemes bring on us the same oppression +from the Moor. Accursed be he, and may his name perish!” + +Ximen sighed, but remained silent, conjecturing to what end the Jew +would bring his invectives. He was not long in suspense. After a pause, +Elias recommenced, in an altered and more careless tone, “He is rich, +this son of Issachar--wondrous rich.” + +“He has treasures scattered over half the cities of Africa and the +Orient,” said Ximen. + +“Thou seest, then, my friend, that thy master hath doomed me to a heavy +loss. I possess his secret; I could give him up to the king’s wrath; +I could bring him to the death. But I am just and meek: let him pay my +forfeiture, and I will forego mine anger.” + +“Thou dost not know him,” said Ximen, alarmed at the thought of +a repayment, which might grievously diminish his own heritage--of +Almamen’s effects in Granada. + +“But if I threaten him with exposure?” + +“Thou wouldst feed the fishes of the Darro,” interrupted Ximen. “Nay, +even now, if Almamen learn that thou knowest his birth and race, +tremble! for thy days in the land will be numbered.” + +“Verily,” exclaimed the Jew, in great alarm, “then have I fallen into +the snare; for these lips revealed to him that knowledge.” + +“Then is the righteous Elias a lost man, within ten days from that in +which Almamen returns to Granada. I know my master: and blood is to him +as water.” + +“Let the wicked be consumed!” cried Elias, furiously stamping his +foot, while fire flashed from his dark eyes, for the instinct of +self-preservation made him fierce. “Not from me, however,” he added, +more calmly, “will come his danger. Know that there be more than a +hundred Jews in this city, who have sworn his death; Jews who, flying +hither from Cordova, have seen their parents murdered and their +substance seized, and who behold, in the son of Issachar, the cause of +the murder and the spoil. They have detected the impostor, and a hundred +knives are whetting even now for his blood: let him look to it. Ximen, +I have spoken to thee as the foolish speak; thou mayest betray me to +thy lord; but from what I have learned of thee from our brethren, I have +poured my heart into thy bosom without fear. Wilt thou betray Israel, or +assist us to smite the traitor?” + +Ximen mused for a moment, and his meditation conjured up the treasures +of his master. He stretched forth his right hand to Elias; and when the +Israelites parted, they were friends. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. BOADBIL’S RETURN.--THE REAPPEARANCE OF GRANADA. + +The third morning from this interview, a rumour reached Granada that +Boabdil had been repulsed in his assault on the citadel of Salobrena +with a severe loss; that Hernando del Pulgar had succeeded in conducting +to its relief a considerable force; and that the army of Ferdinand was +on its march against the Moorish king. In the midst of the excitement +occasioned by these reports, a courier arrived to confirm their truth, +and to announce the return of Boabdil. + +At nightfall, the king, preceding his army, entered the city, and +hastened to bury himself in the Alhambra. As he passed dejectedly into +the women’s apartments, his stern mother met him. + +“My son,” she said, bitterly, “dost thou return and not a conqueror?” + +Before Boabdil could reply, a light and rapid step sped through the +glittering arcades; and weeping with joy, and breaking all the Oriental +restraints, Amine fell upon his bosom. “My beloved! my king! light of +mine eyes! thou hast returned. Welcome--for thou art safe.” + +The different form of these several salutations struck Boabdil forcibly. +“Thou seest, my mother,” said he, “how great the contrast between +those who love us from affection, and those who love us from pride. In +adversity, God keep me, O my mother, from thy tongue!” + +“But I love thee from pride, too,” murmured Amine; “and for that reason +is thine adversity dear to me, for it takes thee from the world to make +thee more mine own and I am proud of the afflictions that my hero shares +with his slave.” + +“Lights there, and the banquet!” cried the king, turning from his +haughty mother; “we will feast and be merry while we may. My adored +Amine, kiss me!” + +Proud, melancholy, and sensitive as he was in that hour of reverse, +Boabdil felt no grief: such balm has Love for our sorrows, when its +wings are borrowed from the dove! And although the laws of the Eastern +life confined to the narrow walls of a harem the sphere of Amine’s +gentle influence; although, even in romance, THE NATURAL compels us to +portray her vivid and rich colours only in a faint and hasty sketch, yet +still are left to the outline the loveliest and the noblest features of +the sex--the spirit to arouse us to exertion, the softness to console us +in our fall! + +While Boabdil and the body of the army remained in the city, Muza, +with a chosen detachment of the horse, scoured the country to visit the +newly-acquired cities, and sustain their courage. + +From this charge he was recalled by the army of Ferdinand, which once +more poured down into the Vega, completely devastated its harvests, and +then swept back to consummate the conquests of the revolted towns. +To this irruption succeeded an interval of peace--the calm before the +storm. From every part of Spain, the most chivalric and resolute of the +Moors, taking advantage of the pause in the contest, flocked to Granada; +and that city became the focus of all that paganism in Europe possessed +of brave and determined spirits. + +At length, Ferdinand, completing his conquests, and having refilled +his treasury, mustered the whole force of his dominions--forty thousand +foot, and ten thousand horse; and once more, and for the last +time, appeared before the walls of Granada. A solemn and prophetic +determination filled both besiegers and besieged: each felt that the +crowning crisis was at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE CONFLAGRATION.--THE MAJESTY OF AN INDIVIDUAL PASSION IN THE MIDST OF +HOSTILE THOUSANDS. + +It was the eve of a great and general assault upon Granada, deliberately +planned by the chiefs of the Christian army. The Spanish camp (the most +gorgeous Christendom had ever known) gradually grew calm and hushed. The +shades deepened--the stars burned forth more serene and clear. Bright, +in that azure air, streamed the silken tents of the court, blazoned with +heraldic devices, and crowned by gaudy banners, which, filled by a brisk +and murmuring wind from the mountains, flaunted gaily on their gilded +staves. In the centre of the camp rose the pavilion of the queen--a +palace in itself. Lances made its columns; brocade and painted arras +its walls; and the space covered by its numerous compartments would have +contained the halls and outworks of an ordinary castle. The pomp of +that camp realised the wildest dreams of Gothic, coupled with Oriental +splendour; something worthy of a Tasso to have imagined, or a Beckford +to create. Nor was the exceeding costliness of the more courtly tents +lessened in effect by those of the soldiery in the outskirts, many of +which were built from boughs, still retaining their leaves--savage and +picturesque huts;--as if, realising old legends, wild men of the woods +had taken up the cross, and followed the Christian warriors against the +swarthy followers of Termagaunt and Mahound. There, then, extended that +mighty camp in profound repose, as the midnight threw deeper and longer +shadows over the sward from the tented avenues and canvas streets. +It was at that hour that Isabel, in the most private recess of her +pavilion, was employed in prayer for the safety of the king, and the +issue of the Sacred War. Kneeling before the altar of that warlike +oratory, her spirit became rapt and absorbed from earth in the intensity +of her devotions; and in the whole camp (save the sentries), the eyes +of that pious queen were, perhaps, the only ones unclosed. All was +profoundly still; her guards, her attendants, were gone to rest; and +the tread of the sentinel, without that immense pavilion, was not heard +through the silken walls. + +It was then that Isabel suddenly felt a strong grasp upon her shoulder, +as she still knelt by the altar. A faint shriek burst from her lips; she +turned, and the broad curved knife of an eastern warrior gleamed close +before her eyes. + +“Hush! utter a cry, breathe more loudly than thy wont, and, queen though +thou art, in the centre of swarming thousands, thou diest!” + +Such were the words that reached the ear of the royal Castilian, +whispered by a man of stern and commanding, though haggard aspect. + +“What is thy purpose? wouldst thou murder me?” said the queen, +trembling, perhaps for the first time, before a mortal presence. + +“Thy life is safe, if thou strivest not to delude or to deceive me. Our +time is short--answer me. I am Almamen, the Hebrew. Where is the hostage +rendered to thy hands? I claim my child. She is with thee--I know it. In +what corner of thy camp?” + +“Rude stranger!” said Isabel, recovering somewhat from her alarm,--“thy +daughter is removed, I trust for ever, from thine impious reach. She is +not within the camp.” + +“Lie not, Queen of Castile,” said Almamen, raising his knife; “for days +and weeks I have tracked thy steps, followed thy march, haunted even +thy slumbers, though men of mail stood as guards around them; and I +know that my daughter has been with thee. Think not I brave this danger +without resolves the most fierce and dread. Answer me, where is my +child?” + +“Many days since,” said Isabel, awed, despite herself, by her strange +position,--“thy daughter left the camp for the house of God. It was her +own desire. The Saviour hath received her into His fold.” + +Had a thousand lances pierced his heart, the vigour and energy of life +could scarce more suddenly have deserted Almamen. The rigid muscles +of his countenance relaxed at once, from resolve and menace, into +unutterable horror, anguish, and despair. He recoiled several steps; his +knees trembled violently; he seemed stunned by a death-blow. Isabel, the +boldest and haughtiest of her sex, seized that moment of reprieve; +she sprang forward, darted through the draperies into the apartments +occupied by her train, and, in a moment, the pavilion resounded with her +cries for aid. The sentinels were aroused; retainers sprang from their +pillows; they heard the cause of the alarm; they made to the spot; when, +ere they reached its partition of silk, a vivid and startling blaze +burst forth upon them. The tent was on fire. The materials fed the flame +like magic. Some of the guards had yet the courage to dash forward; +but the smoke and the glare drove them back, blinded and dizzy. Isabel +herself had scarcely time for escape, so rapid was the conflagration. +Alarmed for her husband, she rushed to his tent--to find him already +awakened by the noise, and issuing from its entrance, his drawn sword +in his hand. The wind, which had a few minutes before but curled the +triumphant banners, now circulated the destroying flame. It spread +from tent to tent, almost as a flash of lightning that shoots along +neighbouring clouds. The camp was in one continued blaze, ere a man +could dream of checking the conflagration. + +Not waiting to hear the confused tale of his royal consort, Ferdinand, +exclaiming, “The Moors have done this--they will be on us!” ordered the +drums to beat and the trumpets to sound, and hastened in person, +wrapped merely in his long mantle, to alarm his chiefs. While that +well-disciplined and veteran army, fearing every moment the rally of the +foe, endeavoured rapidly to form themselves into some kind of order, the +flame continued to spread till the whole heavens were illumined. By its +light, cuirass and helmet glowed, as in the furnace, and the armed men +seemed rather like life-like and lurid meteors than human forms. The +city of Granada was brought near to them by the intensity of the glow; +and, as a detachment of cavalry spurred from the camp to meet the +anticipated surprise of the Paynims, they saw, upon the walls and roofs +of Granada, the Moslems clustering and their spears gleaming. But, +equally amazed with the Christians, and equally suspicious of craft +and design, the Moors did not issue from their gates. Meanwhile the +conflagration, as rapid to die as to begin, grew fitful and feeble; and +the night seemed to fall with a melancholy darkness over the ruin of +that silken city. + +Ferdinand summoned his council. He had now perceived it was no ambush of +the Moors. The account of Isabel, which, at last, he comprehended; the +strange and almost miraculous manner in which Almamen had baffled his +guards, and penetrated to the royal tent; might have aroused his Gothic +superstition, while it relieved his more earthly apprehensions, if he +had not remembered the singular, but far from supernatural dexterity +with which Eastern warriors and even robbers continued then, as now, to +elude the most vigilant precautions and baffle the most wakeful guards; +and it was evident that the fire which burned the camp of an army had +been kindled merely to gratify the revenge, or favour the escape of an +individual. Shaking, therefore, from his kingly spirit the thrill of +superstitious awe that the greatness of the disaster, when associated +with the name of a sorcerer, at first occasioned, he resolved to make +advantage out of misfortune itself. The excitement, the wrath of the +troops, produced the temper most fit for action. + +“And Heaven,” said the King of Spain to his knights and chiefs, as +they assembled round him, “has, in this conflagration, announced to the +warriors of the Cross, that henceforth their camp shall be the palaces +of Granada! Woe to the Moslem with to-morrow’s sun!” + +Arms clanged, and swords leaped from their sheaths, as the Christian +knights echoed the anathema--“WOE TO THE MOSLEM!” + + + + + + +BOOK V. + + + + +CHAPTER I. THE GREAT BATTLE. + +The day slowly dawned upon that awful night; and the Moors, still upon +the battlements of Granada, beheld the whole army of Ferdinand on its +march towards their wails. At a distance lay the wrecks of the blackened +and smouldering camp; while before them, gaudy and glittering pennons +waving, and trumpets sounding, came the exultant legions of the foe. +The Moors could scarcely believe their senses. Fondly anticipating +the retreat of the Christians, after so signal a disaster, the gay +and dazzling spectacle of their march to the assault filled them with +consternation and alarm. + +While yet wondering and inactive, the trumpet of Boabdil was heard +behind; and they beheld the Moorish king, at the head of his guards, +emerging down the avenues that led to the gate. The sight restored and +exhilarated the gazers; and, when Boabdil halted in the space before +the portals, the shout of twenty thousand warriors rose ominously to the +ears of the advancing Christians. + +“Men of Granada!” said Boabdil, as soon as the deep and breathless +silence had succeeded to that martial acclamation,--“the advance of the +enemy is to their destruction! In the fire of last night the hand of +Allah wrote their doom. Let us forth, each and all! We will leave our +homes unguarded--our hearts shall be their wall! True, that our numbers +are thinned by famine and by slaughter, but enough of us are yet left +for the redemption of Granada. Nor are the dead departed from us: the +dead fight with us--their souls animate our own. He who has lost a +brother, becomes twice a man. On this battle we will set all. Liberty or +chains! empire or exile! victory or death! Forward!” + +He spoke, and gave the rein to his barb. It bounded forward, and cleared +the gloomy arch of the portals, and Boabdil el Chico was the first Moor +who issued from Granada, to that last and eventful field. Out, then, +poured, as a river that rushes from caverns into day, the burnished and +serried files of the Moorish cavalry. Muza came the last, closing the +array. Upon his dark and stern countenance there spoke not the ardent +enthusiasm of the sanguine king. It was locked and rigid; and the +anxieties of the last dismal weeks had thinned his cheeks, and ploughed +deep lines around the firm lips and iron jaw which bespoke the obstinate +and unconquerable resolution of his character. + +As Muza now spurred forward, and, riding along the wheeling ranks, +marshalled them in order, arose the acclamation of female voices; and +the warriors, who looked back at the sound, saw that their women--their +wives and daughters, their mothers and their beloved (released from +their seclusion, by a policy which bespoke the desperation of +the cause)--were gazing at them, with outstretched arms, from the +battlements and towers. The Moors knew that they were now to fight for +their hearths and altars in the presence of those who, if they failed, +became slaves and harlots; and each Moslem felt his heart harden like +the steel of his own sabre. + +While the cavalry formed themselves into regular squadrons, and the +tramp of the foemen came more near and near, the Moorish infantry, +in miscellaneous, eager, and undisciplined bands, poured out, until, +spreading wide and deep below the walls, Boabdil’s charger was seen, +rapidly careering amongst them, as, in short but distinct directions, +or fiery adjurations, he sought at once to regulate their movements, and +confirm their hot but capricious valour. + +Meanwhile the Christians had abruptly halted; and the politic Ferdinand +resolved not to incur the full brunt of a whole population, in the first +flush of their enthusiasm and despair. He summoned to his side Hernando +del Pulgar, and bade him, with a troop of the most adventurous and +practised horsemen, advance towards the Moorish cavalry, and endeavour +to draw the fiery valour of Muza away from the main army. Then, +splitting up his force into several sections, he dismissed each to +different stations; some to storm the adjacent towers, others to fire +the surrounding gardens and orchards; so that the action might consist +rather of many battles than of one, and the Moors might lose the +concentration and union, which made, at present, their most formidable +strength. + +Thus, while the Mussulmans were waiting in order for the attack, they +suddenly beheld the main body of the Christians dispersing, and, while +yet in surprise and perplexed, they saw the fires breaking out from +their delicious gardens, to the right and left of the walls, and hear +the boom of the Christian artillery against the scattered bulwarks that +guarded the approaches of that city. + +At that moment a cloud of dust rolled rapidly towards the post occupied +in the van by Muza, and the shock of the Christian knights, in their +mighty mail, broke upon the centre of the prince’s squadron. + +Higher, by several inches, than the plumage of his companions, waved +the crest of the gigantic del Pulgar; and, as Moor after Moor went +down before his headlong lance, his voice, sounding deep and sepulchral +through his visor, shouted out--“Death to the infidel!” + +The rapid and dexterous horsemen of Granada were not, however, +discomfited by this fierce assault: opening their ranks with +extraordinary celerity, they suffered the charge to pass comparatively +harmless through their centre, and then, closing in one long and +bristling line, cut off the knights from retreat. The Christians wheeled +round, and charged again upon their foe. + +“Where art thou, O Moslem dog! that wouldst play the lion’?--Where art +thou, Muza Ben Abil Gazan’?” + +“Before thee, Christian!” cried a stern and clear voice; and from +amongst the helmets of his people, gleamed the dazzling turban of the +Moor. + +Hernando checked his steed, gazed a moment at his foe, turned back, +for greater impetus to his charge, and, in a moment more, the bravest +warriors of the two armies met, lance to lance. + +The round shield of Muza received the Christian’s weapon; his own spear +shivered, harmless, upon the breast of the giant. He drew his sword, +whirled it rapidly over his head, and, for some minutes, the eyes of +the bystanders could scarcely mark the marvellous rapidity with which +strokes were given and parried by those redoubted swordsmen. + +At length, Hernando, anxious to bring to bear his superior strength, +spurred close to Muza; and, leaving his sword pendant by a thong to his +wrist, seized the shield of Muza in his formidable grasp, and plucked +it away, with a force that the Moor vainly endeavoured to resist: +Muza, therefore, suddenly released his bold; and, ere the Spaniard +had recovered his balance (which was lost by the success of his own +strength, put forth to the utmost), he dashed upon him the hoofs of his +black charger, and with a short but heavy mace, which he caught up from +the saddlebow, dealt Hernando so thundering a blow upon the helmet, that +the giant fell to the ground, stunned and senseless. + +To dismount, to repossess himself of his shield, to resume his sabre, to +put one knee to the breast of his fallen foe, was the work of a moment; +and then had Don Hernando del Pulgar been sped, without priest or +surgeon, but that, alarmed by the peril of their most valiant comrade, +twenty knights spurred at once to the rescue, and the points of twenty +lances kept the Lion of Granada from his prey. Thither, with similar +speed, rushed the Moorish champions; and the fight became close and +deadly round the body of the still unconscious Christian. Not an instant +of leisure to unlace the helmet of Hernando, by removing which, alone, +the Moorish blade could find a mortal place, was permitted to Muza; and, +what with the spears and trampling hoofs around him, the situation of +the Paynim was more dangerous than that of the Christian. Meanwhile, +Hernando recovered his dizzy senses; and, made aware of his state, +watched his occasion, and suddenly shook off the knee of the Moor. +With another effort he was on his feet and the two champions stood +confronting each other, neither very eager to renew the combat. But +on foot, Muza, daring and rash as he was, could not but recognise his +disadvantage against the enormous strength and impenetrable armour of +the Christian. He drew back, whistled to his barb, that, piercing the +ranks of the horsemen, was by his side on the instant, remounted, +and was in the midst of the foe, almost ere the slower Spaniard was +conscious of his disappearance. + +But Hernando was not delivered from his enemy. Clearing a space around +him, as three knights, mortally wounded, fell beneath his sabre, Muza +now drew from behind his shoulder his short Arabian bow, and shaft after +shaft came rattling upon the mail of the dismounted Christian with +so marvellous a celerity, that, encumbered as he was with his heavy +accoutrements, he was unable either to escape from the spot, or ward off +that arrowy rain; and felt that nothing but chance, or Our Lady, could +prevent the death which one such arrow would occasion, if it should find +the opening of the visor, or the joints of the hauberk. + +“Mother of Mercy,” groaned the knight, perplexed and enraged, “let not +thy servant be shot down like a hart, by this cowardly warfare; but, if +I must fall, be it with mine enemy, grappling hand to hand.” + +While yet muttering this short invocation, the war-cry of Spain was +heard hard by, and the gallant company of Villena was seen scouring +across the plain to the succour of their comrades. The deadly attention +of Muza was distracted from individual foes, however eminent; he wheeled +round, re-collected his men, and, in a serried charge, met the new enemy +in midway. + +While the contest thus fared in that part of the field, the scheme of +Ferdinand had succeeded so far as to break up the battle in detached +sections. Far and near, plain, grove, garden, tower, presented each the +scene of obstinate and determined conflict. Boabdil, at the head of +his chosen guard, the flower of the haughtier tribe of nobles who were +jealous of the fame and blood of the tribe of Muza, and followed also +by his gigantic Ethiopians, exposed his person to every peril, with the +desperate valour of a man who feels his own stake is greatest in the +field. As he most distrusted the infantry, so amongst the infantry he +chiefly bestowed his presence; and wherever he appeared, he sufficed, +for the moment, to turn the changes of the engagement. At length, at +mid-day Ponce de Leon led against the largest detachment of the Moorish +foot a strong and numerous battalion of the best-disciplined and veteran +soldiery of Spain. He had succeeded in winning a fortress, from which +his artillery could play with effect; and the troops he led were +composed, partly of men flushed with recent triumph, and partly of +a fresh reserve, now first brought into the field. A comely and a +breathless spectacle it was to behold this Christian squadron emerging +from a blazing copse, which they fired on their march; the red light +gleaming on their complete armour, as, in steady and solemn order, they +swept on to the swaying and clamorous ranks of the Moorish infantry. +Boabdil learned the danger from his scouts; and hastily quitting a +tower from which he had for a while repulsed a hostile legion, he threw +himself into the midst of the battalions menaced by the skilful Ponce +de Leon. Almost at the same moment, the wild and ominous apparition of +Almamen, long absent from the eyes of the Moors, appeared in the same +quarter, so suddenly and unexpectedly, that none knew whence he had +emerged; the sacred standard in his left hand--his sabre, bared and +dripping gore, in his right--his face exposed, and its powerful features +working with an excitement that seemed inspired; his abrupt presence +breathed a new soul into the Moors. + +“They come! they come!” he shrieked aloud. “The God of the East hath +delivered the Goth into your hands!” From rank to rank--from line to +line--sped the santon; and, as the mystic banner gleamed before +the soldiery, each closed his eyes and muttered an “amen” to his +adjurations. And now, to the cry of “Spain and St. Iago,” came trampling +down the relentless charge of the Christian war. At the same instant, +from the fortress lately taken by Ponce de Leon, the artillery opened +upon the Moors, and did deadly havoc. The Moslems wavered a moment when +before them gleamed the white banner of Almamen; and they beheld him +rushing, alone and on foot, amidst the foe. Taught to believe the war +itself depended on the preservation of the enchanted banner, the Paynims +could not see it thus rashly adventured without anxiety and shame: they +rallied, advanced firmly, and Boabdil himself, with waving cimiter and +fierce exclamations, dashed impetuously at the head of his guards and +Ethiopians into the affray. The battle became obstinate and bloody. +Thrice the white banner disappeared amidst the closing ranks; and +thrice, like a moon from the clouds, it shone forth again--the light and +guide of the Pagan power. + +The day ripened; and the hills already cast lengthening shadows over the +blazing groves and the still Darro, whose waters, in every creek where +the tide was arrested, ran red with blood, when Ferdinand, collecting +his whole reserve, descended from the eminence on which hitherto he had +posted himself. With him moved three thousand foot and a thousand horse, +fresh in their vigour, and panting for a share in that glorious day. +The king himself, who, though constitutionally fearless, from motives +of policy rarely perilled his person, save on imminent occasions, was +resolved not to be outdone by Boabdil; and armed cap-a-pied in mail, so +wrought with gold that it seemed nearly all of that costly metal, with +his snow-white plumage waving above a small diadem that surmounted his +lofty helm, he seemed a fit leader to that armament of heroes. Behind +him flaunted the great gonfanon of Spain, and trump and cymbal heralded +his approach. The Count de Tendilla rode by his side. + +“Senor,” said Ferdinand, “the infidels fight hard; but they are in the +snare--we are about to close the nets upon them. But what cavalcade is +this?” + +The group that thus drew the king’s attention consisted of six squires, +bearing, on a martial litter, composed of shields, the stalwart form of +Hernando del Pulgar. + +“Ah, the dogs!” cried the king, as he recognised the pale features of +the darling of the army,--“have they murdered the bravest knight that +ever fought for Christendom?” + +“Not that, your majesty,” quoth he of the Exploits, faintly, “but I am +sorely stricken.” + +“It must have been more than man who struck thee down,” said the king. + +“It was the mace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, an please you, sire,” said one +of the squires; “but it came on the good knight unawares, and long after +his own arm had seemingly driven away the Pagan.” + +“We will avenge thee well,” said the king, setting his teeth: “let our +own leeches tend thy wounds. Forward, sir knights! St. Iago and Spain!” + +The battle had now gathered to a vortex; Muza and his cavalry had +joined Boabdil and the Moorish foot. On the other hand, Villena had +been reinforced by detachments that in almost every other quarter of the +field had routed the foe. The Moors had been driven back, though inch +by inch; they were now in the broad space before the very walls of the +city, which were still crowded by the pale and anxious faces of the aged +and the women: and, at every pause in the artillery, the voices that +spoke of HOME were borne by that lurid air to the ears of the infidels. +The shout that rang through the Christian force as Ferdinand now joined +it struck like a death-knell upon the last hope of Boabdil. But the +blood of his fierce ancestry burned in his veins, and the cheering +voice of Almamen, whom nothing daunted, inspired him with a kind of +superstitious frenzy. + +“King against king--so be it! Let Allah decide between us!” cried the +Moorish monarch. “Bind up this wound ‘tis well! A steed for the santon! +Now, my prophet and my friend, mount by the side of thy king--let us, at +least, fall together. Lelilies! Lelilies!” + +Throughout the brave Christian ranks went a thrill of reluctant +admiration, as they beheld the Paynim king, conspicuous by his fair +beard and the jewels of his harness, lead the scanty guard yet left to +him once more into the thickest of their lines. Simultaneously Muza and +his Zegris made their fiery charge; and the Moorish infantry, excited by +the example of their leaders, followed with unslackened and dogged +zeal. The Christians gave way--they were beaten back: Ferdinand spurred +forward; and, ere either party were well aware of it, both kings met in +the same melee: all order and discipline, for the moment, lost, general +and monarch were, as common soldiers, fighting hand to hand. It was then +that Ferdinand, after bearing down before his lance Naim Reduon, second +only to Muza in the songs of Granada, beheld opposed to him a strange +form, that seemed to that royal Christian rather fiend than man: his +raven hair and beard, clotted with blood, hung like snakes about a +countenance whose features, naturally formed to give expression to the +darkest passions, were distorted with the madness of despairing rage. +Wounded in many places, the blood dabbled his mail; while, over +his head, he waved the banner wrought with mystic characters, which +Ferdinand had already been taught to believe the workmanship of demons. + +“Now, perjured king of the Nazarenes!” shouted this formidable champion, +“we meet at last!--no longer host and guest, monarch and dervise, but +man to man! I am Almamen! Die!” + +He spoke; and his sword descended so fiercely on that anointed head that +Ferdinand bent to his saddle-bow. But the king quickly recovered his +seat, and gallantly met the encounter; it was one that might have tasked +to the utmost the prowess of his bravest knight. Passions which, in +their number, their nature, and their excess, animated no other champion +on either side, gave to the arm of Almamen the Israelite a preternatural +strength; his blows fell like rain upon the harness of the king; and +the fiery eyes, the gleaming banner of the mysterious sorcerer, who +had eluded the tortures of his Inquisition,--who had walked unscathed +through the midst of his army,--whose single hand had consumed the +encampment of a host, filled the stout heart of a king with a belief +that he encountered no earthly foe. Fortunately, perhaps, for Ferdinand +and Spain, the contest did not last long. Twenty horsemen spurred into +the melee to the rescue of the plumed diadem: Tendilla arrived the +first; with a stroke of his two-handed sword, the white banner was cleft +from its staff, and fell to the earth. At that sight the Moors round +broke forth in a wild and despairing cry: that cry spread from rank to +rank, from horse to foot; the Moorish infantry, sorely pressed on all +sides, no sooner learned the disaster than they turned to fly: the rout +was as fatal as it was sudden. The Christian reserve, just brought into +the field, poured down upon them with a simultaneous charge. Boabdil, +too much engaged to be the first to learn the downfall of the sacred +insignia, suddenly saw himself almost alone, with his diminished +Ethiopians and a handful of his cavaliers. + +“Yield thee, Boabdil el Chico!” cried Tendilla, from his rear, “or thou +canst not be saved.” + +“By the Prophet, never!” exclaimed the king: and he dashed his barb +against the wall of spears behind him; and with but a score or so of his +guard, cut his way through the ranks that were not unwilling, perhaps, +to spare so brave a foe. As he cleared the Spanish battalions, the +unfortunate monarch checked his horse for a moment and gazed along the +plain: he beheld his army flying in all directions, save in that single +spot where yet glittered the turban of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. As he +gazed, he heard the panting nostrils of the chargers behind, and saw the +levelled spears of a company despatched to take him, alive or dead, by +the command of Ferdinand. He laid the reins upon his horse’s neck and +galloped into the city--three lances quivered against the portals as he +disappeared through the shadows of the arch. But while Muza remained, +all was not yet lost: he perceived the flight of the infantry and the +king, and with his followers galloped across the plain: he came in time +to encounter and slay, to a man, the pursuers of Boabdil; he then threw +himself before the flying Moors: + +“Do ye fly in the sight of your wives and daughters? Would ye not rather +they beheld ye die?” + +A thousand voices answered him. “The banner is in the hands of the +infidel--all is lost!” They swept by him, and stopped not till they +gained the gates. + +But still a small and devoted remnant of the Moorish cavaliers remained +to shed a last glory over defeat itself. With Muza, their soul and +centre, they fought every atom of ground: it was, as the chronicler +expresses it, as if they grasped the soil with their arms. Twice they +charged into the midst of the foe: the slaughter they made doubled their +own number; but, gathering on and closing in, squadron upon squadron, +came the whole Christian army--they were encompassed, wearied out, +beaten back, as by an ocean. Like wild beasts, driven, at length, to +their lair, they retreated with their faces to the foe; and when Muza +came, the last--his cimiter shivered to the hilt,--he had scarcely +breath to command the gates to be closed and the portcullis lowered, ere +he fell from his charger in a sudden and deadly swoon, caused less by +his exhaustion than his agony and shame. So ended the last battle fought +for the Monarchy of Granada! + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE NOVICE. + +It was in one of the cells of a convent renowned for the piety of its +inmates and the wholesome austerity of its laws that a young novice sat +alone. The narrow casement was placed so high in the cold grey wall as +to forbid to the tenant of the cell the solace of sad or the distraction +of pious thoughts, which a view of the world without might afford. +Lovely, indeed, was the landscape that spread below; but it was barred +from those youthful and melancholy eyes: for Nature might tempt to a +thousand thoughts, not of a tenor calculated to reconcile the heart to +an eternal sacrifice of the sweet human ties. But a faint and partial +gleam of sunshine broke through the aperture and made yet more cheerless +the dreary aspect and gloomy appurtenances of the cell. And the young +novice seemed to carry on within herself that struggle of emotions +without which there is no victory in the resolves of virtue: sometimes +she wept bitterly, but with a low, subdued sorrow, which spoke rather of +despondency than passion; sometimes she raised her head from her breast, +and smiled as she looked upward, or as her eyes rested on the crucifix +and the death’s head that were placed on the rude table by the pallet +on which she sat. They were emblems of death here, and life hereafter, +which, perhaps, afforded to her the sources of a twofold consolation. + +She was yet musing, when a slight tap at the door was heard, and the +abbess of the convent appeared. + +“Daughter,” said she, “I have brought thee the comfort of a sacred +visitor. The Queen of Spain, whose pious tenderness is maternally +anxious for thy full contentment with thy lot, has sent hither a holy +friar, whom she deems more soothing in his counsels than our brother +Tomas, whose ardent zeal often terrifies those whom his honest spirit +only desires to purify and guide. I will leave him with thee. May +the saints bless his ministry!” So saying the abbess retired from the +threshold, making way for a form in the garb of a monk, with the hood +drawn over the face. The monk bowed his head meekly, advanced into the +cell, closed the door, and seated himself, on a stool--which, save the +table and the pallet, seemed the sole furniture of the dismal chamber. + +“Daughter,” said he, after a pause, “it is a rugged and a mournful +lot this renunciation of earth and all its fair destinies and soft +affections, to one not wholly prepared and armed for the sacrifice. +Confide in me, my child; I am no dire inquisitor, seeking to distort +thy words to thine own peril. I am no bitter and morose ascetic. Beneath +these robes still beats a human heart that can sympathise with human +sorrows. Confide in me without fear. Dost thou not dread the fate they +would force upon thee? Dost thou not shrink back? Wouldst thou not be +free?” + +“No,” said the poor novice; but the denial came faint and irresolute +from her lips. + +“Pause,” said the friar, growing more earnest in his tone: “pause--there +is yet time.” + +“Nay,” said the novice, looking up with some surprise in her +countenance; “nay, even were I so weak, escape now is impossible. What +hand could unbar the gates of the convent?” + +“Mine!” cried the monk, with impetuosity. “Yes, I have that power. In +all Spain, but one man can save thee, and I am he.” + +“You!” faltered the novice, gazing at her strange visitor with mingled +astonishment and alarm. “And who are you that could resist the fiat of +that Tomas de Torquemada, before whom, they tell me, even the crowned +heads of Castile and Arragon veil low?” + +The monk half rose, with an impatient and almost haughty start, at +this interrogatory; but, reseating himself, replied, in a deep and +half-whispered voice “Daughter, listen to me! It is true, that Isabel of +Spain (whom the Mother of Mercy bless! for merciful to all is her secret +heart, if not her outward policy)--it is true that Isabel of Spain, +fearful that the path to Heaven might be made rougher to thy feet than +it well need be (there was a slight accent of irony in the monk’s voice +as he thus spoke), selected a friar of suasive eloquence and gentle +manners to visit thee. He was charged with letters to yon abbess from +the queen. Soft though the friar, he was yet a hypocrite. Nay, hear me +out! he loved to worship the rising sun; and he did not wish always to +remain a simple friar, while the Church had higher dignities of this +earth to bestow. In the Christian camp, daughter, there was one who +burned for tidings of thee,--whom thine image haunted--who, stern as +thou wert to him, loved thee with a love he knew not of, till thou +wert lost to him. Why dost thou tremble, daughter? listen, yet! To that +lover, for he was one of high birth, came the monk; to that lover the +monk sold his mission. The monk will have a ready tale, that he was +waylaid amidst the mountains by armed men, and robbed of his letters +to the abbess. The lover took his garb, and he took the letters; and he +hastened hither. Leila! beloved Leila! behold him at thy feet!” + +The monk raised his cowl; and, dropping on his knee beside her, +presented to her gaze the features of the Prince of Spain. + +“You!” said Leila, averting her countenance, and vainly endeavouring to +extricate the hand which he had seized. “This is indeed cruel. You, the +author of so many sufferings--such calumny--such reproach!” + +“I will repair all,” said Don Juan, fervently. “I alone, I repeat it, +have the power to set you free. You are no longer a Jewess; you are one +of our faith; there is now no bar upon our loves. Imperious though my +father,--all dark and dread as is this new POWER which he is rashly +erecting in his dominions, the heir of two monarchies is not so poor in +influence and in friends as to be unable to offer the woman of his love +an inviolable shelter alike from priest and despot. Fly with me!--quit +this dreary sepulchre ere the last stone close over thee for ever! I +have horses, I have guards at hand. This night it can be arranged. This +night--oh, bliss!--thou mayest be rendered up to earth and love!” + +“Prince,” said Leila, who had drawn herself from Juan’s grasp during +this address, and who now stood at a little distance erect and proud, +“you tempt me in vain; or, rather you offer me no temptation. I have +made my choice; I abide by it.” + +“Oh! bethink thee,” said the prince, in a voice of real and imploring +anguish; “bethink thee well of the consequences of thy refusal. Thou +canst not see them yet; thine ardour blinds thee. But, when hour +after hour, day after day, year after year, steals on in the +appalling monotony of this sanctified prison; when thou shalt see thy +youth--withering without love--thine age without honour; when thy heart +shall grow as stone within thee, beneath the looks of you icy spectres; +when nothing shall vary the aching dulness of wasted life save a longer +fast or a severer penance: then, then will thy grief be rendered tenfold +by the despairing and remorseful thought, that thine own lips sealed +thine own sentence. Thou mayest think,” continued Juan, with rapid +eagerness, “that my love to thee was at first light and dishonouring. Be +it so. I own that my youth has passed in idle wooings, and the mockeries +of affection. But for the first time in my life I feel that--I love. Thy +dark eyes--thy noble beauty--even thy womanly scorn, have fascinated me. +I--never yet disdained where I have been a suitor--acknowledge, at last, +that there is a triumph in the conquest of a woman’s heart. Oh, Leila! +do not--do not reject me. You know not how rare and how deep a love you +cast away.” + +The novice was touched: the present language of Don Juan was so +different from what it had been before; the earnest love that breathed +in his voice--that looked from his eyes, struck a chord in her breast; +it reminded her of her own unconquered, unconquerable love for the lost +Muza. She was touched, then--touched to tears; but her resolves were not +shaken. + +“Oh, Leila!” resumed the prince, fondly, mistaking the nature of her +emotion, and seeking to pursue the advantage he imagined he had gained, +“look at yonder sunbeam, struggling through the loophole of thy cell. Is +it not a messenger from the happy world? does it not plead for me? does +it not whisper to thee of the green fields and the laughing vineyards, +and all the beautiful prodigality of that earth thou art about to +renounce for ever? Dost thou dread my love? Are the forms around thee, +ascetic and lifeless, fairer to thine eyes than mine? Dost thou doubt +my power to protect thee? I tell thee that the proudest nobles of Spain +would flock around my banner, were it necessary to guard thee by force +of arms. Yet, speak the word--be mine--and I will fly hence with thee +to climes where the Church has not cast out its deadly roots, and, +forgetful of crowns and cares, live alone for thee: Ah, speak!” + +“My lord,” said Leila, calmly, and rousing herself to the necessary +effort, “I am deeply and sincerely grateful for the interest you +express--for the affection you avow. But you deceive yourself. I have +pondered well over the alternative I have taken. I do not regret nor +repent--much less would I retract it. The earth that you speak of, full +of affections and of bliss to others, has no ties, no allurements for +me. I desire only peace, repose, and an early death.” + +“Can it be possible,” said the prince, growing pale, “that thou lovest +another? Then, indeed, and then only, would my wooing be in vain.” + +The cheek of the novice grew deeply flushed, but the color soon +subsided; she murmured to herself, “Why should I blush to own it now?” + and then spoke aloud: “Prince, I trust I have done with the world; and +bitter the pang I feel when you call me back to it. But you merit my +candour; I have loved another; and in that thought, as in an urn, lie +the ashes of all affection. That other is of a different faith. We may +never--never meet again below, but it is a solace to pray that we may +meet above. That solace, and these cloisters, are dearer to me than all +the pomp, all the pleasures, of the world.” + +The prince sank down, and, covering his face with his hands, groaned +aloud--but made no reply. + +“Go, then, Prince of Spain,” continued the novice; “son of the noble +Isabel, Leila is not unworthy of her cares. Go, and pursue the great +destinies that await you. And if you forgive--if you still cherish a +thought of--the poor Jewish maiden, soften, alleviate, mitigate, +the wretched and desperate doom that awaits the fallen race she has +abandoned for thy creed.” + +“Alas, alas!” said the prince, mournfully; “thee alone, perchance, of +all thy race, I could have saved from the bigotry that is fast covering +this knightly land like the rising of an irresistible sea--and thou +rejectest me! Take time, at least, to pause--to consider. Let me see +thee again tomorrow.” + +“No, prince, no--not again! I will keep thy secret only if I see thee no +more. If thou persist in a suit that I feel to be that of sin and shame, +then, indeed, mine honour--” + +“Hold!” interrupted Juan, with haughty impatience, “I torment, I harass +you no more. I release you from my importunity. Perhaps already I +have stooped too low.” He drew the cowl over his features, and strode +sullenly to the door; but, turning for one last gaze on the form that +had so strangely fascinated a heart capable of generous emotions, the +meek and despondent posture of the novice, her tender youth, her +gloomy fate, melted his momentary pride and resentment. “God bless and +reconcile thee, poor child!” he said, in a voice choked with contending +passions--and the door closed upon his form. + +“I thank thee, Heaven, that it was not Muza!” muttered Leila, breaking +from a reverie in which she seemed to be communing with her own soul: +“I feel that I could not have resisted him.” With that thought she knelt +down, in humble and penitent self-reproach, and prayed for strength. + +Ere she had risen from her supplications, her solitude was again invaded +by Torquemada, the Dominican. + +This strange man, though the author of cruelties at which nature +recoils, had some veins of warm and gentle feeling streaking, as it +were, the marble of his hard character; and when he had thoroughly +convinced himself of the pure and earnest zeal of the young convert, he +relaxed from the grim sternness he had at first exhibited towards her. +He loved to exert the eloquence he possessed, in raising her spirit, +in reconciling her doubts. He prayed for her, and he prayed beside her, +with passion and with tears. + +He stayed long with the novice; and, when he left her, she was, if +not happy, at least contented. Her warmest wish now was to abridge the +period of her novitiate, which, at her desire, the Church had already +rendered merely a nominal probation. She longed to put irresolution +out of her power, and to enter at once upon the narrow road through the +strait gate. + +The gentle and modest piety of the young novice touched the sisterhood; +she was endeared to all of them. Her conversion was an event that broke +the lethargy of their stagnant life. She became an object of general +interest, of avowed pride, of kindly compassion; and their kindness to +her, who from her cradle had seen little of her own sex, had a great +effect towards calming and soothing her mind. But, at night, her dreams +brought before her the dark and menacing countenance of her father. +Sometimes he seemed to pluck her from the gates of heaven, and to sink +with her into the yawning abyss below. Sometimes she saw him with her +beside the altar, but imploring her to forswear the Saviour, before +whose crucifix she knelt. Occasionally her visions were haunted, also, +with Muza--but in less terrible guise She saw his calm and melancholy +eyes fixed upon her; and his voice asked, “Canst thou take a vow that +makes it sinful to remember me?” + +The night, that usually brings balm and oblivion to the sad, was thus +made more dreadful to Leila than the day. + +Her health grew feebler, and feebler, but her mind still was firm. In +happier time and circumstance that poor novice would have been a great +character; but she was one of the countless victims the world knows +not of, whose virtues are in silent motives, whose struggles are in the +solitary heart. + +Of the prince she heard and saw no more. There were times when she +fancied, from oblique and obscure hints, that the Dominican had been +aware of Don Juan’s disguise and visit. But, if so, that knowledge +appeared only to increase the gentleness, almost the respect, which +Torquemada manifested towards her. Certainly, since that day, from some +cause or other the priest’s manner had been softened when he addressed +her; and he who seldom had recourse to other arts than those of censure +and of menace, often uttered sentiments half of pity and half of praise. + +Thus consoled and supported in the day,--thus haunted and terrified by +night, but still not repenting her resolve, Leila saw the time glide on +to that eventful day when her lips were to pronounce that irrevocable +vow which is the epitaph of life. While in this obscure and remote +convent progressed the history of an individual, we are summoned back to +witness the crowning fate of an expiring dynasty. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE PAUSE BETWEEN DEFEAT AND SURRENDER. + +The unfortunate Boabdil plunged once more amidst the recesses of the +Alhambra. Whatever his anguish or his despondency, none were permitted +to share, or even to witness, his emotions. But he especially resisted +the admission to his solitude, demanded by his mother, implored by his +faithful Amine, and sorrowfully urged by Muza: those most loved, or most +respected, were, above all, the persons from whom he most shrank. + +Almamen was heard of no more. It was believed that he had perished in +the battle. But he was one of those who, precisely as they are effective +when present, are forgotten in absence. And, in the meanwhile, as the +Vega was utterly desolated, and all supplies were cut off, famine, daily +made more terrifically severe, diverted the attention of each humbler +Moor from the fall of the city to his individual sufferings. + +New persecutions fell upon the miserable Jews. Not having taken any +share in the conflict (as was to be expected from men who had no stake +in the country which they dwelt in, and whose brethren had been taught +so severe a lesson upon the folly of interference), no sentiment of +fellowship in danger mitigated the hatred and loathing with which they +were held; and as, in their lust of gain, many of them continued, amidst +the agony and starvation of the citizens, to sell food at enormous +prices, the excitement of the multitude against them--released by the +state of the city from all restraint and law--made itself felt by the +most barbarous excesses. Many of the houses of the Israelites were +attacked by the mob, plundered, razed to the ground, and the owner +tortured to death, to extort confession of imaginary wealth. Not to +sell what was demanded was a crime; to sell it was a crime also. These +miserable outcasts fled to whatever secret places the vaults of their +houses or the caverns in the hills within the city could yet afford +them, cursing their fate, and almost longing even for the yoke of the +Christian bigots. + +Thus passed several days; the defence of the city abandoned to its naked +walls and mighty gates. The glaring sun looked down upon closed shops +and depopulated streets, save when some ghostly and skeleton band of +the famished poor collected, in a sudden paroxysm of revenge or despair, +around the stormed and fired mansion of a detested Israelite. + +At length Boabdil aroused himself from his seclusion; and Muza, to his +own surprise, was summoned to the presence of the king. He found Boabdil +in one of the most gorgeous halls of his gorgeous palace. + +Within the Tower of Comares is a vast chamber, still called the hall +of the Ambassadors. Here it was that Boabdil now held his court. On the +glowing walls hung trophies and banners, and here and there an Arabian +portrait of some bearded king. By the windows, which overlooked the most +lovely banks of the Llarro, gathered the santons and alfaquis, a little +apart from the main crowd. Beyond, through half-veiling draperies, might +be seen the great court of the Alberca, whose peristyles were hung with +flowers; while, in the centre, the gigantic basin, which gives its name +to the court, caught the sunlight obliquely, and its waves glittered on +the eye from amidst the roses that then clustered over it. + +In the audience hall itself, a canopy, over the royal cushions on which +Boabdil reclined, was blazoned with the heraldic insignia of Granada’s +monarchs. His guard, and his mutes, and his eunuchs, and his courtiers, +and his counsellors, and his captains, were ranged in long files on +either side the canopy. It seemed the last flicker of the lamp of the +Moorish empire, that hollow and unreal pomp! As Muza approached the +monarch, he was startled by the change of his countenance: the young +and beautiful Boabdil seemed to have grown suddenly old; his eyes were +sunken, his countenance sown with wrinkles, and his voice sounded broken +and hollow on the ears of his kinsman. + +“Come hither, Muza,” said he; “seat thyself beside me, and listen as +thou best canst to the tidings we are about to hear.” + +As Muza placed himself on a cushion, a little below the king, Boabdil +motioned to one amongst the crowd. “Hamet,” said he, “thou hast examined +the state of the Christian camp; what news dost thou bring?” + +“Light of the Faithful,” answered the Moor, “it is a camp no longer--it +has already become a city. Nine towns of Spain were charged with the +task; stone has taken the place of canvas; towers and streets arise like +the buildings of a genius; and the misbelieving king hath sworn that +this new city shall not be left until Granada sees his standard on its +walls.” + +“Go on,” said Boabdil, calmly. + +“Traders and men of merchandise flock thither daily; the spot is one +bazaar; all that should supply our famishing country pours its plenty +into their mart.” + +Boabdil motioned to the Moor to withdraw, and an alfaqui advanced in his +stead. + +“Successor of the Prophet, and darling of the world!” said the reverend +man, “the alfaquis and seers of Granada implore thee on their knees to +listen to their voice. They have consulted the Books of Fate; thy have +implored a sign from the Prophet; and they find that the glory has left +thy people and thy crown. The fall of Granada is predestined; God is +great!” + +“You shall have my answer forthwith,” said Boabdil. “Abdelemic, +approach.” + +From the crowd came an aged and white-bearded man, the governor of the +city. + +“Speak, old man,” said the king. + +“Oh, Boabdil!” said the veteran, with faltering tones, while the tears +rolled down his cheeks; “son of a race of kings and heroes! would that +thy servant had fallen dead on thy threshold this day, and that the +lips of a Moorish noble had never been polluted by the words that I +now utter! Our state is hopeless; our granaries are as the sands of the +desert: there is in them life neither for beast nor man. The war-horse +that bore the hero is now consumed for his food; the population of thy +city, with one voice, cry for chains and--bread! I have spoken.” + +“Admit the Ambassador of Egypt,” said Boabdil, as Abdelmelic retired. +There was a pause: one of the draperies at the end of the hall was drawn +aside; and with the slow and sedate majesty of their tribe and land, +paced forth a dark and swarthy train, the envoys of the Egyptian soldan. +Six of the band bore costly presents of gems and weapons, and the +procession closed with four veiled slaves, whose beauty had been the +boast of the ancient valley of the Nile. + +“Sun of Granada and day--star of the faithful!” said the chief of the +Egyptians, “my lord, the Soldan of Egypt, delight of the world, and +rose-tree of the East, thus answers to the letters of Boabdil. He +grieves that he cannot send the succour thou demandest; and informing +himself of the condition of thy territories, he finds that Granada no +longer holds a seaport by which his forces (could he send them) might +find an entrance into Spain. He implores thee to put thy trust in Allah, +who will not desert his chosen ones, and lays these gifts, in pledge of +amity and love, at the feet of my lord the king.” + +“It is a gracious and well-timed offering,” said Boabdil, with a +writhing lip; “we thank him.” There was now a long and dead silence as +the ambassadors swept from the hall of audience, when Boabdil suddenly +raised his head from his breast and looked around his hall with a kingly +and majestic look: “Let the heralds of Ferdinand of Spain approach.” + +A groan involuntarily broke from the breast of Muza: it was echoed by +a murmur of abhorrence and despair from the gallant captains who stood +around; but to that momentary burst succeeded a breathless silence, as +from another drapery, opposite the royal couch, gleamed the burnished +mail of the knights of Spain. Foremost of these haughty visitors, whose +iron heels clanked loudly on the tesselated floor, came a noble and +stately form, in full armour, save the helmet, and with a mantle of +azure velvet, wrought with the silver cross that made the badge of the +Christian war. Upon his manly countenance was visible no sign of undue +arrogance or exultation; but something of that generous pity which brave +men feel for conquered foes dimmed the lustre of his commanding eye, and +softened the wonted sternness of his martial bearing. He and his train +approached the king with a profound salutation of respect; and falling +back, motioned to the herald that accompanied him, and whose garb, +breast and back, was wrought with the arms of Spain, to deliver himself +of his mission. + +“To Boabdil!” said the herald, with a loud voice, that filled the whole +expanse, and thrilled with various emotions the dumb assembly. “To +Boabdil el Chico, King of Granada, Ferdinand of Arragon and Isabel of +Castile send royal greeting. They command me to express their hope that +the war is at length concluded; and they offer to the King of Granada +such terms of capitulation as a king, without dishonour, may receive. +In the stead of this city, which their Most Christian Majesties will +restore to their own dominion, as is just, they offer, O king, princely +territories in the Alpuxarras mountains to your sway, holding them by +oath of fealty to the Spanish crown. To the people of Granada, their +Most Christian Majesties promise full protection of property, life, +and faith under a government by their own magistrates, and according +to their own laws; exemption from tribute for three years; and taxes +thereafter, regulated by the custom and ratio of their present imposts. +To such Moors as, discontented with these provisions, would abandon +Granada, are promised free passage for themselves and their wealth. +In return for these marks of their royal bounty, their Most Christian +Majesties summon Granada to surrender (if no succour meanwhile arrive) +within seventy days. And these offers are now solemnly recorded in the +presence, and through the mission, of the noble and renowned knight, +Gonzalvo of Cordova, deputed by their Most Christian Majesties from +their new city of Santa Fe.” + +When the herald had concluded, Boabdil cast his eye over his thronged +and splendid court. No glance of fire met his own; amidst the silent +crowd, a resigned content was alone to be perceived: the proposals +exceeded the hope of the besieged. + +“And,” asked Boabdil, with a deep-drawn sigh, “if we reject these +offers?” + +“Noble prince,” said Gonzalvo, earnestly, “ask us not to wound thine +ears with the alternative. Pause, and consider of our offers; and, if +thou doubtest, O brave king! mount the towers of thine Alhambra, survey +our legions marshalled beneath thy walls, and turn thine eyes upon a +brave people, defeated, not by human valour, but by famine, and the +inscrutable will of God.” + +“Your monarchs shall have our answer, gentle Christian, perchance ere +nightfall. And you, Sir Knight, who hast delivered a message bitter for +kings to bear, receive, at least, our thanks for such bearing as might +best mitigate the import. Our vizier will bear to your apartment those +tokens of remembrance that are yet left to the monarch of Granada to +bestow.” + +“Muza,” resumed the king, as the Spaniards left the presence--“thou hast +heard all. What is the last counsel thou canst give thy sovereign?” + +The fierce Moor had with difficulty waited this licence to utter such +sentiments as death only could banish from that unconquerable heart. He +rose, descended from the couch, and, standing a little below the +king, and facing the motley throng of all of wise or brave yet left to +Granada, thus spoke:-- + +“Why should we surrender? two hundred thousand inhabitants are yet +within our walls; of these, twenty thousand, at least, are Moors, who +have hands and swords. Why should we surrender? Famine presses us, it is +true; but hunger, that makes the lion more terrible, shall it make the +man more base? Do ye despair? so be it! despair in the valiant ought +to have an irresistible force. Despair has made cowards brave: shall it +sink the brave to cowards? Let us arouse the people; hitherto we have +depended too much upon the nobles. Let us collect our whole force, and +march upon this new city, while the soldiers of Spain are employed in +their new profession of architects and builders. Hear me, O God and +prophet of the Moslem! hear one who never was forsworn! If, Moors of +Granada, ye adopt my counsel, I cannot promise ye victory, but I +promise ye never to live without it: I promise ye, at least, your +independence--for the dead know no chains! If we cannot live, let us +so die that we may leave to remotest ages a glory that shall be more +durable than kingdoms. King of Granada! this is the counsel of Muza Ben +Abil Gazan.” + +The prince ceased. But he, whose faintest word had once breathed fire +into the dullest, had now poured out his spirit upon frigid and lifeless +matter. No man answered--no man moved. + +Boabdil alone, clinging to the shadow of hope, turned at last towards +the audience. + +“Warriors and sages!” he said, “as Muza’s counsel is your king’s desire, +say but the word, and, ere the hour-glass shed its last sand, the blast +of our trumpet shall be ringing through the Vivarrambla.” + +“O king! fight not against the will of fate--God is great!” replied the +chief of the alfaquis. + +“Alas!” said Abdelmelic, “if the voice of Muza and your own falls thus +coldly upon us, how can ye stir the breadless and heartless multitude?” + +“Is such your general thought and your general will?” said Boabdil. + +An universal murmur answered, “Yes!” + +“Go then, Abdelmelic;” resumed the ill-starred king; “go with yon +Spaniards to the Christian camp, and bring us back the best terms you +can obtain. The crown has passed from the head of El Zogoybi; Fate +sets her seal upon my brow. Unfortunate was the commencement of my +reign--unfortunate its end. Break up the divan.” + +The words of Boabdil moved and penetrated an audience, never till then +so alive to his gentle qualities, his learned wisdom, and his natural +valour. Many flung themselves at his feet, with tears and sighs; and the +crowd gathered round to touch the hem of his robe. + +Muza gazed at them in deep disdain, with folded arms and heaving breast. + +“Women, not men!” he exclaimed, “ye weep, as if ye had not blood still +left to shed! Ye are reconciled to the loss of liberty, because ye are +told ye shall lose nothing else. Fools and dupes! I see, from the spot +where my spirit stands above ye, the dark and dismal future to which ye +are crawling on your knees: bondage and rapine--the violence of lawless +lust--the persecution of hostile faith--your gold wrung from ye by +torture--your national name rooted from the soil. Bear this, and +remember me! Farewell, Boabdil! you I pity not; for your gardens have +yet a poison, and your armories a sword. Farewell, nobles and santons of +Granada! I quit my country while it is yet free.” + +Scarcely had he ceased, ere he had disappeared from the hall. It was as +the parting genius of Granada! + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SOLITARY HORSEMAN. + +It was a burning and sultry noon, when, through a small valley, skirted +by rugged and precipitous hills, at the distance of several leagues from +Granada, a horseman, in complete armour, wound his solitary way; His +mail was black and unadorned; on his vizor waved no plume. But there +was something in his carriage and mien, and the singular beauty of his +coal-black steed, which appeared to indicate a higher rank than the +absence of page and squire, and the plainness of his accoutrements, +would have denoted to a careless eye. He rode very slowly; and his +steed, with the licence of a spoiled favourite, often halted lazily in +his sultry path, as a tuft of herbage, or the bough of some overhanging +tree, offered its temptation. At length, as he thus paused, a noise was +heard in a copse that clothed the descent of a steep mountain; and the +horse started suddenly back, forcing the traveller from his reverie. +He looked mechanically upward, and beheld the figure of a man bounding +through the trees, with rapid and irregular steps. It was a form that +suited well the silence and solitude of the spot; and might have passed +for one of those stern recluses--half hermit, half soldier--who, in the +earlier crusades, fixed their wild homes amidst the sands and caves of +Palestine. The stranger supported his steps by a long staff. His hair +and beard hung long and matted over his broad shoulders. A rusted mail, +once splendid with arabesque enrichments, protected his breast; but the +loose gown--a sort of tartan, which descended below the cuirass--was +rent and tattered, and his feet bare; in his girdle was a short curved +cimiter, a knife or dagger, and a parchment roll, clasped and bound with +iron. + +As the horseman gazed at this abrupt intruder on the solitude, his +frame quivered with emotion; and, raising himself to his full height, he +called aloud, “Fiend or santon--whatsoever thou art--what seekest thou +in these lonely places, far from the king thy counsels deluded, and the +city betrayed by thy false prophecies and unhallowed charms?” + +“Ha!” cried Almamen, for it was indeed the Israelite; “by thy black +charger, and the tone of thy haughty voice, I know the hero of Granada. +Rather, Muza Ben Abil Gazan, why art thou absent from the last hold of +the Moorish empire?” + +“Dost thou pretend to read the future, and art thou blind to the +present? Granada has capitulated to the Spaniard. Alone I have left a +land of slaves, and shall seek, in our ancestral Africa, some spot where +the footstep of the misbeliever hath not trodden.” + +“The fate of one bigotry is, then, sealed,” said Almamen, gloomily; “but +that which succeeds it is yet more dark.” + +“Dog!” cried Muza, couching his lance, “what art thou that thus +blasphemest?” + +“A Jew!” replied Almamen, in a voice of thunder, and drawing his +cimiter: “a despised and despising Jew! Ask you more? I am the son of +a race of kings. I was the worst enemy of the Moors till I found the +Nazarene more hateful than the Moslem; and then even Muza himself was +not their more renowned champion. Come on, if thou wilt--man to man: I +defy thee” + +“No, no,” muttered Muza, sinking his lance; “thy mail is rusted with +the blood of the Spaniard, and this arm cannot smite the slayer of the +Christian. Part we in peace.” + +“Hold, prince!” said Almamen, in an altered voice: “is thy country the +sole thing dear to thee? Has the smile of woman never stolen beneath +thine armour? Has thy heart never beat for softer meetings than the +encounter of a foe?” + +“Am I human, and a Moor?” returned Muza. “For once you divine aright; +and, could thy spells bestow on these eyes but one more sight of the +last treasure left to me on earth, I should be as credulous of thy +sorcery as Boabdil.” + +“Thou lovest her still, then--this Leila?” + +“Dark necromancer, hast thou read my secret? and knowest thou the name +of my beloved one? Ah! let me believe thee indeed wise, and reveal to +me the spot of earth which holds the delight of my soul! Yes,” continued +the Moor, with increased emotion, and throwing up his vizor, as if for +air--“yes; Allah forgive me! but, when all was lost at Granada, I had +still one consolation in leaving my fated birthplace: I had licence to +search for Leila; I had the hope to secure to my wanderings in distant +lands one to whose glance the eyes of the houris would be dim. But I +waste words. Tell me where is Leila, and conduct me to her feet!” + +“Moslem, I will lead thee to her,” answered Almamen, gazing on the +prince with an expression of strange and fearful exultation in his dark +eyes: “I will lead thee to her-follow me. It is only yesternight that I +learned the walls that confined her; and from that hour to this have I +journeyed over mountain and desert, without rest or food.” + +“Yet what is she to thee?” asked Muza, suspiciously. + +“Thou shalt learn full soon. Let us on.” + +So saying, Almamen sprang forward with a vigour which the excitement of +his mind supplied to the exhaustion of his body. Muza wonderingly +pushed on his charger, and endeavoured to draw his mysterious guide into +conversation: but Almamen scarcely heeded him. And when he broke from +his gloomy silence, it was but in incoherent and brief exclamations, +often in a tongue foreign to the ear of his companion. The hardy Moor, +though steeled against the superstitions of his race, less by the +philosophy of the learned than the contempt of the brave, felt an awe +gather over him as he glanced, from the giant rocks and lonely valleys, +to the unearthly aspect and glittering eyes of the reputed sorcerer; and +more than once he muttered such verses of the Koran as were esteemed by +his countrymen the counterspell to the machinations of the evil genii. + +It might be an hour that they had thus journeyed together, when Almamen +paused abruptly. “I am wearied,” said he, faintly; “and, though time +presses, I fear that my strength will fail me.” + +“Mount, then, behind me,” returned the Moor, after some natural +hesitation: “Jew though thou art, I will brave the contamination for the +sake of Leila.” + +“Moor!” cried the Hebrew, fiercely, “the contamination would be mine. +Things of yesterday, as thy Prophet and thy creed are, thou canst not +sound the unfathomable loathing which each heart faithful to the Ancient +of Days feels for such as thou and thine.” + +“Now, by the Kaaba!” said Muza, and his brow became dark, “another such +word and the hoofs of my steed shall trample the breath of blasphemy +from thy body.” + +“I would defy thee to the death,” answered Almamen, disdainfully; “but +I reserve the bravest of the Moors to witness a deed worthy of the +descendant of Jephtha. But hist! I hear hoofs.” + +Muza listened; and his sharp ear caught a distinct ring upon the hard +and rocky soil. He turned round and saw Almamen gliding away through +the thick underwood, until the branches concealed his form. Presently, +a curve in the path brought in view a Spanish cavalier, mounted on an +Andalusian jennet: the horseman was gaily singing one of the popular +ballads of the time; and, as it related to the feats of the Spaniards +against the Moors, Muza’s haughty blood was already stirred, and his +moustache quivered on his lip. “I will change the air,” muttered the +Moslem, grasping his lance, when, as the thought crossed him, he beheld +the Spaniard suddenly reel in his saddle and lay prostrate on the +ground. In the same instant Almamen had darted from his hiding-place, +seized the steed of the cavalier, mounted, and, ere Muza recovered from +his surprise, was by the side of the Moor. + +“By what harm,” said Muza, curbing his barb, “didst thou fell the +Spaniard--seemingly without a blow?” + +“As David felled Goliath--by the pebble and the sling,” answered +Almamen, carelessly. “Now, then, spur forward, if thou art eager to see +thy Leila.” + +The horsemen dashed over the body of the stunned and insensible +Spaniard. Tree and mountain glided by; gradually the valley vanished, +and a thick forest loomed upon their path. Still they made on, though +the interlaced boughs and the ruggedness of the footing somewhat +obstructed their way; until, as the sun began slowly to decline, they +entered a broad and circular space, round which trees of the eldest +growth spread their motionless and shadowy boughs. In the midmost sward +was a rude and antique stone, resembling the altar of some barbarous and +departed creed. Here Almamen abruptly halted, and muttered inaudibly to +himself. + +“What moves thee, dark stranger?” said the Moor; “and why dost thou +mutter and gaze on space?” + +Almamen answered not, but dismounted, hung his bridle to a branch of a +scathed and riven elm, and advanced alone into the middle of the +space. “Dread and prophetic power that art within me!” said the Hebrew, +aloud,--“this, then, is the spot that, by dream and vision, thou hast +foretold me wherein to consummate and record the vow that shall sever +from the spirit the last weakness of the flesh. Night after night hast +thou brought before mine eyes, in darkness and in slumber, the solemn +solitude that I now survey. Be it so! I am prepared!” + +Thus speaking, he retired for a few moments into the wood: collected +in his arms the dry leaves and withered branches which cumbered the +desolate clay, and placed the fuel upon the altar. Then, turning to the +East, and raising his hands he exclaimed, “Lo! upon this altar, once +worshipped, perchance, by the heathen savage, the last bold spirit of +thy fallen and scattered race dedicates, O Ineffable One! that precious +offering Thou didst demand from a sire of old. Accept the sacrifice!” + +As the Hebrew ended his adjuration he drew a phial from his bosom, and +sprinkled a few drops upon the arid fuel. A pale blue flame suddenly +leaped up; and, as it lighted the haggard but earnest countenance of +the Israelite, Muza felt his Moorish blood congeal in his veins, and +shuddered, though he scarce knew why. Almamen, with his dagger, severed +from his head one of his long locks, and cast it upon the flame. He +watched it until it was consumed; and then, with a stifled cry, fell +upon the earth in a dead swoon. The Moor hastened to raise him; he +chafed his hands and temples; he unbuckled the vest upon his bosom; he +forgot that his comrade was a sorcerer and a Jew, so much had the agony +of that excitement moved his sympathy. + +It was not till several minutes had elapsed that Almamen, with a +deep-drawn sigh, recovered from his swoon. “Ah, beloved one! bride of my +heart!” he murmured, “was it for this that thou didst commend to me +the only pledge of our youthful love? Forgive me! I restore her to the +earth, untainted by the Gentile.” He closed his eyes again, and a strong +convulsion shook his frame. It passed; and he rose as a man from a +fearful dream, composed, and almost as it were refreshed, by the terrors +he had undergone. The last glimmer of the ghastly light was dying away +upon that ancient altar, and a low wind crept sighing through the trees. + +“Mount, prince,” said Almamen, calmly, but averting his eyes from the +altar; “we shall have no more delays.” + +“Wilt thou not explain thy incantation?” asked Muza; “or is it, as my +reason tells me, but the mummery of a juggler?” + +“Alas! alas!” answered Almamen, in a sad and altered tone, “thou wilt +soon know all.” + + + + +CHAPTER V. THE SACRIFICE. + +The sun was now sinking slowly through those masses of purple cloud +which belong to Iberian skies; when, emerging from the forest, the +travellers saw before them a small and lovely plain, cultivated like a +garden. Rows of orange and citron trees were backed by the dark green +foliage of vines; and these again found a barrier in girdling copses +of chestnut, oak, and the deeper verdure of pines: while, far to +the horizon, rose the distant and dim outline of the mountain range, +scarcely distinguishable from the mellow colourings of the heaven. +Through this charming spot went a slender and sparkling torrent, that +collected its waters in a circular basin, over which the rose and orange +hung their contrasted blossoms. On a gentle eminence above this plain, +or garden, rose the spires of a convent: and, though it was still clear +daylight, the long and pointed lattices were illumined within; and, +as the horsemen cast their eyes upon the pile, the sound of the holy +chorus--made more sweet and solemn from its own indistinctness, from the +quiet of the hour, from the sudden and sequestered loveliness of that +spot, suiting so well the ideal calm of the conventual life--rolled its +music through the odorous and lucent air. + +But that scene and that sound, so calculated to soothe and harmonise the +thought, seemed to arouse Almamen into agony and passion. He smote his +breast with his clenched hand; and, shrieking, rather than exclaiming, +“God of my fathers! have I come too late?” buried his spurs to the +rowels in the sides of his panting steed. Along the sward, through the +fragrant shrubs, athwart the pebbly and shallow torrent, up the ascent +to the convent, sped the Israelite. Muza, wondering and half reluctant, +followed at a little distance. Clearer and nearer came the voices of the +choir; broader and redder glowed the tapers from the Gothic casements: +the porch of the convent chapel was reached; the Hebrew sprang from his +horse. A small group of the peasants dependent on the convent loitered +reverently round the threshold; pushing through them, as one frantic, +Almamen entered the chapel and disappeared. + +A minute elapsed. Muza was at the door; but the Moor paused +irresolutely, ere he dismounted. “What is the ceremony?” he asked of the +peasants. + +“A nun is about to take the vows,” answered one of them. + +A cry of alarm, of indignation, of terror, was heard within. Muza no +longer delayed: he gave his steed to the bystanders, pushed aside the +heavy curtain that screened the threshold and was within the chapel. + +By the altar gathered a confused and disordered group--the sisterhood, +with their abbess. Round the consecrated rail flocked the spectators, +breathless and amazed. Conspicuous above the rest, on the elevation of +the holy place, stood Almamen with his drawn dagger in his right hand, +his left arm clasped around the form of a novice, whose dress, not yet +replaced by the serge, bespoke her the sister fated to the veil; and, +on the opposite side of that sister, one hand on her shoulder, the other +rearing on high the sacred crucifix, stood a stern, commanding form, in +the white robes of the Dominican order; it was Tomas de Torquemada. + +“Avaunt, Almamen!” were the first words which reached Muza’s ear as +he stood, unnoticed, in the middle of the aisle: “here thy sorcery and +thine arts cannot avail thee. Release the devoted one of God!” + +“She is mine! she is my daughter! I claim her from thee as a father, in +the name of the great Sire of Man!” + +“Seize the sorcerer! seize him!” exclaimed the Inquisitor, as, with +a sudden movement, Almamen cleared his way through the scattered and +dismayed group, and stood with his daughter in his arms, on the first +step of the consecrated platform. + +But not a foot stirred--not a hand was raised. The epithet bestowed on +the intruder had only breathed a supernatural terror into the audience; +and they would have sooner rushed upon a tiger in his lair, than on the +lifted dagger and savage aspect of that grim stranger. + +“Oh, my father!” then said a low and faltering voice, that startled Muza +as a voice from the grave--“wrestle not against the decrees of Heaven. +Thy daughter is not compelled to her solemn choice. Humbly, but +devotedly, a convert to the Christian creed, her only wish on earth is +to take the consecrated and eternal vow.” + +“Ha!” groaned the Hebrew, suddenly relaxing his hold, as his daughter +fell on her knees before him, “then have I indeed been told, as I have +foreseen, the worst. The veil is rent--the spirit hath left the temple. +Thy beauty is desecrated; thy form is but unhallowed clay. Dog!” + he cried, more fiercely, glaring round upon the unmoved face of the +Inquisitor, “this is thy work: but thou shalt not triumph. Here, by +thine own shrine, I spit at and defy thee, as once before, amidst +the tortures of thy inhuman court. Thus--thus--thus--Almamen the Jew +delivers the last of his house from the curse of Galilee!” + +“Hold, murderer!” cried a voice of thunder; and an armed man burst +through the crowd and stood upon the platform. It was too late: thrice +the blade of the Hebrew had passed through that innocent breast; thrice +was it reddened with that virgin blood. Leila fell in the arms of her +lover; her dim eyes rested upon his countenance, as it shone upon +her, beneath his lifted vizor-a faint and tender smile played upon her +lips--Leila was no more. + +One hasty glance Almamen cast upon his victim, and then, with a wild +laugh that woke every echo in the dreary aisles, he leaped from the +place. Brandishing his bloody weapon above his head, he dashed through +the coward crowd; and, ere even the startled Dominican had found +a voice, the tramp of his headlong steed rang upon the air; an +instant--and all was silent. + +But over the murdered girl leaned the Moor, as yet incredulous of her +death; her head still unshorn of its purple tresses, pillowed on his +lap--her icy hand clasped in his, and her blood weltering fast over his +armour. None disturbed him; for, habited as the knights of Christendom, +none suspected his faith; and all, even the Dominican, felt a thrill of +sympathy at his distress. How he came hither, with what object,--what +hope, their thoughts were too much locked in pity to conjecture. +There, voiceless and motionless, bent the Moor, until one of the monks +approached and felt the pulse, to ascertain if life was, indeed, utterly +gone. + +The Moor at first waved him haughtily away; but, when he divined the +monk’s purpose, suffered him in silence to take the beloved hand. He +fixed on him his dark and imploring eyes; and when the father dropped +the hand, and, gently shaking his head, turned away, a deep and +agonising groan was all that the audience heard from that heart in which +the last iron of fate had entered. Passionately he kissed the brow, the +cheeks, the lips of the hushed and angel face, and rose from the spot. + +“What dost thou here? and what knowest thou of yon murderous enemy of +God and man?” asked the Dominican, approaching. + +Muza made no reply, as he stalked slowly through the chapel. The +audience was touched to sudden tears. “Forbear!” said they, almost with +one accord, to the harsh Inquisitor; “he hath no voice to answer thee.” + +And thus, amidst the oppressive grief and sympathy of the Christian +throng, the unknown Paynim reached the door, mounted his steed, and as +he turned once more and cast a hurried glance upon the fatal pile, the +bystanders saw the large tears rolling down his swarthy cheeks. + +Slowly that coal-black charger wound down the hillock, crossed the quiet +and lovely garden, and vanished amidst the forest. And never was known, +to Moor or Christian, the future fate of the hero of Granada. Whether he +reached in safety the shores of his ancestral Africa, and carved out +new fortunes and a new name; or whether death, by disease or strife, +terminated obscurely his glorious and brief career, mystery--deep +and unpenetrated, even by the fancies of the thousand bards who have +consecrated his deeds--wraps in everlasting shadow the destinies of Muza +Ben Abil Gazan, from that hour, when the setting sun threw its parting +ray over his stately form and his ebon barb, disappearing amidst the +breathless shadows of the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE RETURN--THE RIOT--THE TREACHERY--AND THE DEATH. + +It was the eve of the fatal day on which Granada was to be delivered +to the Spaniards, and in that subterranean vault beneath the house of +Almamen, before described, three elders of the Jewish persuasion were +met. + +“Trusty and well-beloved Ximen,” cried one, a wealthy and usurious +merchant, with a twinkling and humid eye, and a sleek and unctuous +aspect, which did not, however, suffice to disguise something fierce +and crafty in his low brow and pinched lips--“trusty and well-beloved +Ximen,” said this Jew--“truly thou hast served us well, in yielding +to thy persecuted brethren this secret shelter. Here, indeed, may the +heathen search for us in vain! Verily, my veins grow warm again; and thy +servant hungereth, and hath thirst.” + +“Eat, Isaac--eat; yonder are viands prepared for thee; eat, and spare +not. And thou, Elias--wilt thou not draw near the board? the wine is old +and precious, and will revive thee.” + +“Ashes and hyssop--hyssop and ashes, are food and drink for me,” + answered Elias, with passionate bitterness; “they have rased my +house--they have burned my granaries--they have molten down my gold. I +am a ruined man!” + +“Nay,” said Ximen, who gazed at him with a malevolent eye--for so +utterly had years and sorrows mixed with gall even the one kindlier +sympathy he possessed, that he could not resist an inward chuckle +over the very afflictions he relieved, and the very impotence he +protected--“nay, Elias, thou hast wealth yet left in the seaport towns +sufficient to buy up half Granada.” + +“The Nazarene will seize it all!” cried Elias; “I see it already in his +grasp!” + +“Nay, thinkest thou so?--and wherefore?” asked Ximen, startled into +sincere, because selfish anxiety. + +“Mark me! Under licence of the truce, I went, last night, to the +Christian camp: I had an interview with the Christian king; and when +he heard my name and faith, his very beard curled with ire. ‘Hound of +Belial!’ he roared forth, ‘has not thy comrade carrion, the sorcerer +Almamen, sufficiently deceived and insulted the majesty of Spain? For +his sake, ye shall have no quarter. Tarry here another instant, and thy +corpse shall be swinging to the winds! Go, and count over thy misgotten +wealth; just census shall be taken of it; and if thou defraudest our +holy impost by one piece of copper, thou shalt sup with Dives!’ Such +was my mission, and mine answer. I return home to see the ashes of mine +house! Woe is me!” + +“And this we owe to Almamen, the pretended Jew!” cried Isaac, from his +solitary but not idle place at the board. “I would this knife were at +his false throat!” growled Elias, clutching his poniard with his long +bony fingers. + +“No chance of that,” muttered Ximen; “he will return no more to Granada. +The vulture and the worm have divided his carcass between them ere this; +and (he added inly with a hideous smile) his house and his gold have +fallen into the hands of old childless Ximen.” + +“This is a strange and fearful vault,” said Isaac, quaffing a large +goblet of the hot wine of the Vega; “here might the Witch of Endor have +raised the dead. Yon door--whither doth it lead?” + +“Through passages none that I know of, save my master, hath trodden,” + answered Ximen. “I have heard that they reach even to the Alhambra. +Come, worthy Elias! thy form trembles with the cold: take this wine.” + +“Hist!” said Elias, shaking from limb to limb; “our pursuers are upon +us--I hear a step!” + +As he spoke, the door to which Isaac had pointed slowly opened and +Almamen entered the vault. + +Had, indeed, a new Witch of Endor conjured up the dead, the apparition +would not more have startled and appalled that goodly trio. Elias, +griping his knife, retreated to the farthest end of the vault. Isaac +dropped the goblet he was about to drain, and fell upon his knees. +Ximen, alone, growing, if possible, a shade more ghastly--retained +something of self-possession, as he muttered to himself--“He lives! and +his gold is not mine! Curse him!” + +Seemingly unconscious of the strange guests his sanctuary shrouded, +Almamen stalked on, like a man walking in his sleep. + +Ximen roused himself--softly unbarred the door which admitted to the +upper apartments, and motioned to his comrades to avail themselves of +the opening, but as Isaac--the first to accept the hint--crept across, +Almamen fixed upon him his terrible eye, and, appearing suddenly to +awake to consciousness, shouted out, “Thou miscreant, Ximen! whom hast +thou admitted to the secrets of thy lord? Close the door--these men must +die!” + +“Mighty master!” said Ximen, calmly, “is thy servant to blame that he +believed the rumour that declared thy death? These men are of our holy +faith, whom I have snatched from the violence of the sacrilegious and +maddened mob. No spot but this seemed safe from the popular frenzy.” + “Are ye Jews?” said Almamen. “Ah, yes! I know ye now--things of the +market-place and bazaar’. Oh, ye are Jews, indeed! Go, go! Leave me!” + +Waiting no further licence, the three vanished; but, ere he quitted the +vault, Elias turned back his scowling countenance on Almamen (who had +sunk again into an absorbed meditation) with a glance of vindictive +ire--Almamen was alone. + +In less than a quarter of an hour Ximen returned to seek his master; but +the place was again deserted. + +It was midnight in the streets of Granada--midnight, but not repose. The +multitude, roused into one of their paroyxsms of wrath and sorrow, by +the reflection that the morrow was indeed the day of their subjection +to the Christian foe, poured forth through the streets to the number of +twenty thousand. It was a wild and stormy night; those formidable gusts +of wind, which sometimes sweep in sudden winter from the snows of the +Sierra Nevada, howled through the tossing groves, and along the winding +streets. But the tempest seemed to heighten, as if by the sympathy of +the elements, the popular storm and whirlwind. Brandishing arms and +torches, and gaunt with hunger, the dark forms of the frantic Moors +seemed like ghouls or spectres, rather than mortal men; as, apparently +without an object, save that of venting their own disquietude, or +exciting the fears of earth, they swept through the desolate city. + +In the broad space of the Vivarrambla the crowd halted, irresolute in +all else, but resolved at least that something for Granada should yet +be done. They were for the most armed in their Moorish fashion; but +they were wholly without leaders: not a noble, a magistrate, an officer, +would have dreamed of the hopeless enterprise of violating the truce +with Ferdinand. It was a mere popular tumult--the madness of a mob;--but +not the less formidable, for it was an Eastern mob, and a mob with sword +and shaft, with buckler and mail--the mob by which oriental empires +have been built and overthrown! There, in the splendid space that +had witnessed the games and tournaments of that Arab and African +chivalry--there, where for many a lustrum kings had reviewed devoted +and conquering armies--assembled those desperate men; the loud winds +agitating their tossing torches that struggled against the moonless +night. + +“Let us storm the Alhambra!” cried one of the band: “let us seize +Boabdil, and place him in the midst of us; let us rush against the +Christians, buried in their proud repose!” + +“Lelilies, Lelilies!--the Keys and the Crescent!” shouted the mob. + +The shout died: and at the verge of the space was suddenly heard a once +familiar and ever-thrilling voice. + +The Moors who heard it turned round in amaze and awe; and beheld, raised +upon the stone upon which the criers or heralds had been wont to utter +the royal proclamations, the form of Almamen, the santon, whom they had +deemed already with the dead. + +“Moors and people of Granada!” he said, in a solemn but hollow voice, “I +am with ye still. Your monarch and your heroes have deserted ye, but +I am with ye to the last! Go not to the Alhambra: the fort is +impenetrable--the guard faithful. Night will be wasted, and day bring +upon you the Christian army. March to the gates; pour along the Vega; +descend at once upon the foe!” + +He spoke, and drew forth his sabre; it gleamed in the torchlight--the +Moors bowed their heads in fanatic reverence--the santon sprang from the +stone, and passed into the centre of the crowd. + +Then, once more, arose joyful shouts. The multitude had found a leader +worthy of their enthusiasm; and in regular order, they formed themselves +rapidly, and swept down the narrow streets. + +Swelled by several scattered groups of desultory marauders (the ruffians +and refuse of the city), the infidel numbers were now but a few furlongs +from the great gate, whence they had been wont to issue on the foe. +And then, perhaps, had the Moors passed these gates and reached the +Christian encampment, lulled, as it was, in security and sleep, that +wild army of twenty thousand desperate men might have saved Granada; +and Spain might at this day possess the only civilised empire which the +faith of Mohammed ever founded. + +But the evil star of Boabdil prevailed. The news of the insurrection in +the city reached him. Two aged men from the lower city arrived at the +Alhambra--demanded and obtained an audience; and the effect of that +interview was instantaneous upon Boabdil. In the popular frenzy he saw +only a justifiable excuse for the Christian king to break the conditions +of the treaty, rase the city, and exterminate the inhabitants. Touched +by a generous compassion for his subjects, and actuated no less by a +high sense of kingly honor, which led him to preserve a truce solemnly +sworn to, he once more mounted his cream-coloured charger, with the two +elders who had sought him by his side; and, at the head of his guard, +rode from the Alhambra. The sound of his trumpets, the tramp of his +steeds, the voice of his heralds, simultaneously reached the multitude; +and, ere they had leisure to decide their course, the king was in the +midst of them. + +“What madness is this, O my people?” cried Boabdil, spurring into the +midst of the throng,--“whither would ye go?” + +“Against the Christian!--against the Goth!” shouted a thousand voices. +“Lead us on! The santon is risen from the dead, and will ride by thy +right hand!” + +“Alas!” resumed the king, “ye would march against the Christian king! +Remember that our hostages are in his power: remember that he will +desire no better excuse to level Granada with the dust, and put you and +your children to the sword. We have made such treaty as never yet was +made between foe and foe. Your lives, laws, wealth--all are saved. +Nothing is lost, save the crown of Boabdil. I am the only sufferer. So +be it. My evil star brought on you these evil destinies: without me, you +may revive, and be once more a nation. Yield to fate to-day, and you may +grasp her proudest awards to-morrow. To succumb is not to be subdued. +But go forth against the Christians, and if ye win one battle, it is +but to incur a more terrible war; if you lose, it is not honourable +capitulation, but certain extermination, to which you rush! Be +persuaded, and listen once again to your king.” + +The crowd were moved, were softened, were half-convinced. They turned, +in silence, towards their santon; and Almamen did not shrink from the +appeal; but stood forth, confronting the king. + +“King of Granada!” he cried aloud, “behold thy friend--thy prophet! Lo! +I assure you victory!” + +“Hold!” interrupted Boabdil; “thou hast deceived and betrayed me too +long! Moors! know ye this pretended santon? He is of no Moslem creed. He +is a hound of Israel who would sell you to the best bidder. Slay him!” + +“Ha!” cried Almamen, “and who is my accuser?” + +“Thy servant-behold him!” At these words the royal guards lifted their +torches, and the glare fell redly on the death-like features of Ximen. + +“Light of the world! there be other Jews that know him,” said the +traitor. + +“Will ye suffer a Jew to lead ye, O race of the Prophet?” cried the +king. + +The crowd stood confused and bewildered. Almamen felt his hour was come; +he remained silent, his arms folded, his brow erect. + +“Be there any of the tribes of Moisa amongst the crowd?” cried Boabdil, +pursuing his advantage; “if so, let them approach and testify what they +know.” Forth came--not from the crowd, but from amongst Boabdil’s train, +a well-known Israelite. + +“We disown this man of blood and fraud,” said Elias, bowing to the +earth; “but he was of our creed.” + +“Speak, false santon! art thou dumb?” cried the king. + +“A curse light on thee, dull fool!” cried Almamen, fiercely. “What +matters who the instrument that would have restored to thee thy throne? +Yes! I, who have ruled thy councils, who have led thine armies, I am of +the race of Joshua and of Samuel--and the Lord of Hosts is the God of +Almamen!” + +A shudder ran through that mighty multitude: but the looks, the mien, +and the voice of the man awed them, and not a weapon was raised against +him. He might, even then, have passed scathless through the crowd; he +might have borne to other climes his burning passions and his torturing +woes: but his care for life was past; he desired but to curse his dupes, +and to die. He paused, looked round and burst into a laugh of such +bitter and haughty scorn, as the tempted of earth may hear in the halls +below from the lips of Eblis. + +“Yes,” he exclaimed, “such I am! I have been your idol and your lord. +I may be your victim, but in death I am your vanquisher. Christian and +Moslem alike my foe, I would have trampled upon both. But the Christian, +wiser than you, gave me smooth words; and I would have sold ye to his +power; wickeder than you, he deceived me; and I would have crushed him +that I might have continued to deceive and rule the puppets that ye call +your chiefs. But they for whom I toiled, and laboured, and sinned--for +whom I surrendered peace and ease, yea, and a daughter’s person and a +daughter’s blood--they have betrayed me to your hands, and the Curse of +Old rests with them evermore--Amen! The disguise is rent: Almamen, the +santon, is the son of Issachar the Jew!” + +More might he have said, but the spell was broken. With a ferocious +yell, those living waves of the multitude rushed over the stern fanatic; +six cimiters passed through him, and he fell not: at the seventh he +was a corpse. Trodden in the clay--then whirled aloft--limb torn from +limb,--ere a man could have drawn breath nine times, scarce a vestige of +the human form was left to the mangled and bloody clay. + +One victim sufficed to slake the wrath of the crowd. They gathered like +wild beasts whose hunger is appeased, around their monarch, who in vain +had endeavored to stay their summary revenge, and who now, pale and +breathless, shrank from the passions he had excited. He faltered forth a +few words of remonstrance and exhortation, turned the head of his steed, +and took his way to his palace. + +The crowd dispersed, but not yet to their homes. The crime of Almamen +worked against his whole race. Some rushed to the Jews’ quarter, which +they set on fire; others to the lonely mansion of Almamen. + +Ximen, on quitting the king, had been before the mob. Not anticipating +such an effect of the popular rage, he had hastened to the house, which +he now deemed at length his own. He had just reached the treasury of +his dead lord--he had just feasted his eyes on the massive ingots and +glittering gems; in the lust of his heart he had just cried aloud, “And +these are mine!” when he heard the roar of the mob below the wall,--when +he saw the glare of their torches against the casement. It was in vain +that he shrieked aloud, “I am the man that exposed the Jew!” the wild +wind scattered his words over a deafened audience. Driven from his +chamber by the smoke and flame, afraid to venture forth amongst the +crowd, the miser loaded himself with the most precious of the store: he +descended the steps, he bent his way to the secret vault, when suddenly +the floor, pierced by the flames, crashed under him, and the fire rushed +up in a fiercer and more rapid volume, as the death-shriek broke through +that lurid shroud. + +Such were the principal events of the last night of the Moorish dynasty +in Granada. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE END. + +Day dawned upon Granada: the populace had sought their homes, and a +profound quiet wrapped the streets, save where, from the fires committed +in the late tumult, was yet heard the crash of roofs or the crackle of +the light and fragrant timber employed in those pavilions of the summer. +The manner in which the mansions of Granada were built, each separated +from the other by extensive gardens, fortunately prevented the flames +from extending. But the inhabitants cared so little for the hazard, +that not a single guard remained to watch the result. Now and then some +miserable forms in the Jewish gown might be seen cowering by the ruins +of their house, like the souls that, according to Plato, watched in +charnels over their own mouldering bodies. Day dawned, and the beams +of the winter sun, smiling away the clouds of the past night, played +cheerily on the murmuring waves of the Xenil and the Darro. + +Alone, upon a balcony commanding that stately landscape, stood the last +of the Moorish kings. He had sought to bring to his aid all the lessons +of the philosophy he had cultivated. “What are we,” thought the musing +prince, “that we should fill the world with ourselves--we kings! Earth +resounds with the crash of my falling throne: on the ear of races unborn +the echo will live prolonged. But what have I lost?--nothing that was +necessary to my happiness, my repose; nothing save the source of all my +wretchedness, the Marah of my life! Shall I less enjoy heaven and +earth, or thought or action, or man’s more material luxuries of food +or sleep--the common and the cheap desires of all? Arouse thee, then, O +heart within me! many and deep emotions of sorrow or of joy are yet left +to break the monotony of existence.” + +He paused; and, at the distance, his eyes fell upon the lonely minarets +of the distant and deserted palace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + +“Thou went right, then,” resumed the king--“thou wert right, brave +spirit, not to pity Boabdil: but not because death was in his power; +man’s soul is greater than his fortunes, and there is majesty in a life +that towers above the ruins that fall around its path.” He turned away, +and his cheek suddenly grew pale, for he heard in the courts below +the tread of hoofs, the bustle of preparation: it was the hour for his +departure. His philosophy vanished: he groaned aloud, and re-entered +the chamber just as his vizier and the chief of his guard broke upon his +solitude. + +The old vizier attempted to speak, but his voice failed him. + +“It is time, then, to depart,” said Boabdil, with calmness; “let it be +so: render up the palace and the fortress, and join thy friend, no more +thy monarch, in his new home.” + +He stayed not for reply: he hurried on, descended to the court, flung +himself on his barb, and, with a small and saddened train, passed +through the gate which we yet survey, by a blackened and crumbling tower +overgrown with vines and ivy; thence, amidst gardens, now appertaining +to the convent of the victor faith, he took his mournful and unwitnessed +way. When he came to the middle of the hill that rises above those +gardens, the steel of the Spanish armour gleamed upon him as the +detachment sent to occupy the palace marched over the summit in steady +order and profound silence. + +At the head of this vanguard rode, upon a snow-white palfrey, the Bishop +of Avila, followed by a long train of barefooted monks. They halted as +Boabdil approached, and the grave bishop saluted him with the air of +one who addresses an infidel and an inferior. With the quick sense of +dignity common to the great, and yet more to the fallen, Boabdil felt, +but resented not, the pride of the ecclesiastic. “Go, Christian,” said +he, mildly, “the gates of the Alhambra are open, and Allah has bestowed +the palace and the city upon your king: may his virtues atone the faults +of Boabdil!” So saying, and waiting no answer, he rode on, without +looking to the right or left. The Spaniards also pursued their way. The +sun had fairly risen above the mountains, when Boabdil and his train +beheld, from the eminence on which they were, the whole armament of +Spain; and at the same moment, louder than the tramp of horse, or the +flash of arms, was heard distinctly the solemn chant of Te Deum, which +preceded the blaze of the unfurled and lofty standards. Boabdil, himself +still silent, heard the groans and exclamations of his train; he turned +to cheer or chide them, and then saw, from his own watch-tower, with the +sun shining full upon its pure and dazzling surface, the silver cross of +Spain. His Alhambra was already in the hands of the foe, while, beside +that badge of the holy war, waved the gay and flaunting flag of St. +Iago, the canonised Mars of the chivalry of Spain. + +At that sight the king’s voice died within him: he gave the rein to his +barb, impatient to close the fatal ceremonial, and did not slacken his +speed till almost within bow-shot of the first ranks of the army. Never +had Christian war assumed a more splendid or imposing aspect. Far as +the eye could reach extended the glittering and gorgeous lines of that +goodly power, bristling with sunlit spears and blazoned banners; while +beside murmured, and glowed, and danced, the silver and laughing Xenil, +careless what lord should possess, for his little day, the banks that +bloomed by its everlasting course. By a small mosque halted the flower +of the army. Surrounded by the arch-priests of that mighty hierarchy, +the peers and princes of a court that rivalled the Rolands of +Charlemagne, was seen the kingly form of Ferdinand himself, with Isabel +at his right hand and the highborn dames of Spain, relieving, with their +gay colours and sparkling gems, the sterner splendour of the crested +helmet and polished mail. + +Within sight of the royal group, Boabdil halted--composed his aspect +so as best to conceal his soul,--and, a little in advance of his scanty +train, but never, in mien and majesty, more a king, the son of Abdallah +met his haughty conqueror. + +At the sight of his princely countenance and golden hair, his comely +and commanding beauty, made more touching by youth, a thrill of +compassionate admiration ran through that assembly of the brave +and fair. Ferdinand and Isabel slowly advanced to meet their late +rival--their new subject; and, as Boabdil would have dismounted, the +Spanish king place his hand upon his shoulder. “Brother and prince,” + said he, “forget thy sorrows; and may our friendship hereafter console +thee for reverses against which thou hast contended as a hero and a +king-resisting man, but resigned at length to God!” + +Boabdil did not affect to return this bitter, but unintentional mockery +of compliment. He bowed his head, and remained a moment silent; then, +motioning to his train, four of his officers approached, and kneeling +beside Ferdinand, proffered to him, upon a silver buckler, the keys of +the city. + +“O king!” then said Boabdil, “accept the keys of the last hold which has +resisted the arms of Spain! The empire of the Moslem is no more. Thine +are the city and the people of Granada: yielding to thy prowess, they +yet confide in thy mercy.” + +“They do well,” said the king; “our promises shall not be broken. But, +since we know the gallantry of Moorish cavaliers, not to us, but to +gentler hands, shall the keys of Granada be surrendered.” + +Thus saying, Ferdinand gave the keys to Isabel, who would have addressed +some soothing flatteries to Boabdil: but the emotion and excitement were +too much for her compassionate heart, heroine and queen though she was; +and, when she lifted her eyes upon the calm and pale features of the +fallen monarch, the tears gushed from them irresistibly, and her voice +died in murmurs. A faint flush overspread the features of Boabdil, and +there was a momentary pause of embarrassment which the Moor was the +first to break. + +“Fair queen,” said he, with mournful and pathetic dignity; “thou canst +read the heart that thy generous sympathy touches and subdues: this +is thy last, nor least glorious, conquest. But I detain ye: let not my +aspect cloud your triumph. Suffer me to say farewell.” + +“May we not hint at the blessed possibility of conversion?” whispered +the pious queen through her tears to her royal consort. + +“Not now--not now, by St. Iago!” returned Ferdinand, quickly, and in +the same tone, willing himself to conclude a painful conference. He then +added, aloud, “Go, my brother, and fair fortune with you! Forget the +past.” + +Boabdil smiled bitterly, saluted the royal pair with profound and silent +reverence, and rode slowly on, leaving the army below, as he ascended +the path that led to his new principality beyond the Alpuxarras. As +the trees snatched the Moorish cavalcade from the view of the king, +Ferdinand ordered the army to recommence its march; and trumpet and +cymbal presently sent their music to the ear of the Moslems. + +Boabdil spurred on at full speed till his panting charger halted at +the little village where his mother, his slaves, and his faithful Amine +(sent on before) awaited him. Joining these, he proceeded without delay +upon his melancholy path. + +They ascended that eminence which is the pass into the Alpuxarras. From +its height, the vale, the rivers, the spires, the towers of Granada, +broke gloriously upon the view of the little band. They halted, +mechanically and abruptly; every eye was turned to the beloved scene. +The proud shame of baffled warriors, the tender memories of home--of +childhood--of fatherland, swelled every heart, and gushed from every +eye. Suddenly, the distant boom of artillery broke from the citadel and +rolled along the sunlit valley and crystal river. A universal wail burst +from the exiles! it smote--it overpowered the heart of the ill-starred +king, in vain seeking to wrap himself in Eastern pride or stoical +philosophy. The tears gushed from his eyes, and he covered his face with +his hands. + +Then said his haughty mother, gazing at him with hard and disdainful +eyes, in that unjust and memorable reproach which history has +preserved--“Ay, weep like a woman over what thou couldst not defend like +a man!” + +Boabdil raised his countenance, with indignant majesty, when he felt his +hand tenderly clasped, and, turning round, saw Amine by his side. + +“Heed her not! heed her not, Boabdil!” said the slave; “never didst +thou seem to me more noble than in that sorrow. Thou wert a hero for thy +throne; but feel still, O light of mine eyes, a woman for thy people!” + +“God is great!” said Boabdil; “and God comforts me still! Thy lips; +which never flattered me in my power, have no reproach for me in my +affliction!” + +He said, and smiled upon Amine--it was her hour of triumph. + +The band wound slowly on through the solitary defiles: and that place +where the king wept, and the woman soothed, is still called “El, ultimo +suspiro del Moro,--THE LAST SIGH OF THE MOOR!” + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Leila, Complete, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEILA, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 9761-0.txt or 9761-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/7/6/9761/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/9761-0.zip b/9761-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..702b087 --- /dev/null +++ b/9761-0.zip diff --git a/9761-h.zip b/9761-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0de6ac6 --- /dev/null +++ b/9761-h.zip diff --git a/9761-h/9761-h.htm b/9761-h/9761-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..08a597c --- /dev/null +++ b/9761-h/9761-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7995 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Leila, by Edward Bulwer Lytton + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Leila, Complete, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Leila, Complete + The Siege of Granada + +Author: Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +Release Date: March 17, 2009 [EBook #9761] +Last Updated: August 28, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEILA, COMPLETE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + LEILA + </h1> + <h3> + OR, + </h3> + <h2> + THE SIEGE OF GRANADA + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Edward Bulwer Lytton + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <br /><b>BOOK</b> I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. THE ENCHANTER AND THE WARRIOR. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. THE KING WITHIN HIS PALACE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. THE LOVERS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. AMBITION DISTORTED INTO VICE BY LAW. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. THE LION IN THE NET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> <br /><b>BOOK</b>. II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER I. THE ROYAL TENT OF SPAIN.—THE + KING AND THE DOMINICAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER II. THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE + CAPTURE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER III. THE HERO IN THE POWER OF THE + DREAMER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER IV. A FULLER VIEW OF THE CHARACTER OF + BOABDIL.—MUZA IN THE GARDENS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER V. BOABDIL’S RECONCILIATION WITH HIS + PEOPLE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER V. LEILA.—HER NEW LOVER.—PORTRAIT + OF THE FIRST INQUISITOR OF SPAIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER VII. THE TRIBUNAL AND THE MIRACLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> <br /><b>BOOK</b> III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER I. ISABEL AND THE JEWISH MAIDEN. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER II. THE TEMPTATION OF THE JEWESS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER III. THE HOUR AND THE MAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> <br /><b>BOOK</b> IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER. I. LEILA IN THE CASTLE—THE + SIEGE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER II. ALMAMEN’S PROPOSED ENTERPRISE.—THE + THREE ISRAELITES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER III. THE FUGITIVE AND THE MEETING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER IV. ALMAMEN HEARS AND SEES, BUT REFUSES + TO BELIEVE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER V. IN THE FERMENT OF GREAT EVENTS THE + DREGS RISE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER VI. BOADBIL’S RETURN.—THE + REAPPEARANCE OF GRANADA. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER VII. THE CONFLAGRATION.—THE + MAJESTY OF AN INDIVIDUAL PASSION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> <br /><b>BOOK</b> V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER I. THE GREAT BATTLE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER II. THE NOVICE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER III. THE PAUSE BETWEEN DEFEAT AND + SURRENDER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER IV. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SOLITARY + HORSEMAN. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER V. THE SACRIFICE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER VI. THE RETURN—THE RIOT—THE + TREACHERY—AND THE DEATH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER VII. THE END. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + BOOK I. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE ENCHANTER AND THE WARRIOR. + </h2> + <p> + It was the summer of the year 1491, and the armies of Ferdinand and Isabel + invested the city of Granada. + </p> + <p> + The night was not far advanced; and the moon, which broke through the + transparent air of Andalusia, shone calmly over the immense and murmuring + encampment of the Spanish foe, and touched with a hazy light the + snow-capped summits of the Sierra Nevada, contrasting the verdure and + luxuriance which no devastation of man could utterly sweep from the + beautiful vale below. + </p> + <p> + In the streets of the Moorish city many a group still lingered. Some, as + if unconscious of the beleaguering war without, were listening in quiet + indolence to the strings of the Moorish lute, or the lively tale of an + Arabian improrvisatore; others were conversing with such eager and + animated gestures, as no ordinary excitement could wring from the stately + calm habitual to every oriental people. But the more public places in + which gathered these different groups, only the more impressively + heightened the desolate and solemn repose that brooded over the rest of + the city. + </p> + <p> + At this time, a man, with downcast eyes, and arms folded within the + sweeping gown which descended to his feet, was seen passing through the + streets, alone, and apparently unobservant of all around him. Yet this + indifference was by no means shared by the struggling crowds through + which, from time to time, he musingly swept. + </p> + <p> + “God is great!” said one man; “it is the Enchanter Almamen.” + </p> + <p> + “He hath locked up the manhood of Boabdil el Chico with the key of his + spells,” quoth another, stroking his beard; “I would curse him, if I + dared.” + </p> + <p> + “But they say that he hath promised that when man fails, the genii will + fight for Granada,” observed a third, doubtingly. + </p> + <p> + “Allah Akbar! what is, is! what shall be, shall be!” said a fourth, with + all the solemn sagacity of a prophet. Whatever their feelings, whether of + awe or execration, terror or hope, each group gave way as Almamen passed, + and hushed the murmurs not intended for his ear. Passing through the + Zacatin (the street which traversed the Great Bazaar), the reputed + enchanter ascended a narrow and winding street, and arrived at last before + the walls that encircled the palace and fortress of the Alhambra. + </p> + <p> + The sentry at the gate saluted and admitted him in silence; and in a few + moments his form was lost in the solitude of groves, amidst which, at + frequent openings, the spray of Arabian fountains glittered in the + moonlight; while, above, rose the castled heights of the Alhambra; and on + the right those Vermilion Towers, whose origin veils itself in the + furthest ages of Phoenician enterprise. + </p> + <p> + Almamen paused, and surveyed the scene. “Was Aden more lovely?” he + muttered; “and shall so fair a spot be trodden by the victor Nazerene? + What matters? creed chases creed—race, race—until time comes + back to its starting-place, and beholds the reign restored to the eldest + faith and the eldest tribe. The horn of our strength shall be exalted.” + </p> + <p> + At these thoughts the seer relapsed into silence, and gazed long and + intently upon the stars, as, more numerous and brilliant with every step + of the advancing night, their rays broke on the playful waters, and tinged + with silver the various and breathless foliage. So earnest was his gaze, + and so absorbed his thoughts, that he did not perceive the approach of a + Moor, whose glittering weapons and snow-white turban, rich with emeralds, + cast a gleam through the wood. + </p> + <p> + The new comer was above the common size of his race, generally small and + spare—but without attaining the lofty stature and large proportions + of the more redoubted of the warriors of Spain. But in his presence and + mien there was something, which, in the haughtiest conclave of Christian + chivalry, would have seemed to tower and command. He walked with a step at + once light and stately, as if it spurned the earth; and in the carriage of + the small erect head and stag-like throat, there was that undefinable and + imposing dignity, which accords so well with our conception of a heroic + lineage, and a noble though imperious spirit. The stranger approached + Almamen, and paused abruptly when within a few steps of the enchanter. He + gazed upon him in silence for some moments; and when at length he spoke it + was with a cold and sarcastic tone. + </p> + <p> + “Pretender to the dark secrets,” said he, “is it in the stars that thou + art reading those destinies of men and nations, which the Prophet wrought + by the chieftain’s brain and the soldier’s arm?” + </p> + <p> + “Prince,” replied Almamen, turning slowly, and recognising the intruder on + his meditations, “I was but considering how many revolutions, which have + shaken earth to its centre, those orbs have witnessed, unsympathising and + unchanged.” + </p> + <p> + “Unsympathising!” repeated the Moor—“yet thou believest in their + effect upon the earth?” + </p> + <p> + “You wrong me,” answered Almamen, with a slight smile, “you confound your + servant with that vain race, the astrologers.” + </p> + <p> + “I deemed astrology a part of the science of the two angels, Harut and + Marut.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The science of magic. It was taught by the Angels named in the + text; for which offence they are still supposed to be confined to + the ancient Babel. There they may yet be consulted, though they are + rarely seen.—Yallal’odir Yahya. + —SALE’S Koran.] +</pre> + <p> + “Possibly; but I know not that science, though I have wandered at midnight + by the ancient Babel.” + </p> + <p> + “Fame lies to us, then,” answered the Moor, with some surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Fame never made pretence to truth,” said Almamen, calmly, and proceeding + on his way. “Allah be with you, prince! I seek the king.” + </p> + <p> + “Stay! I have just quitted his presence, and left him, I trust, with + thoughts worthy of the sovereign of Granada, which I would not have + disturbed by a stranger, a man whose arms are not spear nor shield.” + </p> + <p> + “Noble Muza,” returned Almamen, “fear not that my voice will weaken the + inspirations which thine hath breathed into the breast of Boabdil. Alas! + if my counsel were heeded, thou wouldst hear the warriors of Granada talk + less of Muza, and more of the king. But Fate, or Allah, hath placed upon + the throne of a tottering dynasty, one who, though brave, is weak—though, + wise, a dreamer; and you suspect the adviser, when you find the influence + of nature on the advised. Is this just?” + </p> + <p> + Muza gazed long and sternly on the face of Almamen; then, putting his hand + gently on the enchanter’s shoulder, he said— + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, if thou playest us false, think that this arm hath cloven the + casque of many a foe, and will not spare the turban of a traitor!” + </p> + <p> + “And think thou, proud prince!” returned Almamen, unquailing, “that I + answer alone to Allah for my motives, and that against man my deeds I can + defend!” + </p> + <p> + With these words, the enchanter drew his long robe round him, and + disappeared amidst the foliage. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE KING WITHIN HIS PALACE. + </h2> + <p> + In one of those apartments, the luxury of which is known only to the + inhabitants of a genial climate (half chamber and half grotto), reclined a + young Moor, in a thoughtful and musing attitude. + </p> + <p> + The ceiling of cedar-wood, glowing with gold and azure, was supported by + slender shafts, of the whitest alabaster, between which were open arcades, + light and graceful as the arched vineyards of Italy, and wrought in that + delicate filagree-work common to the Arabian architecture: through these + arcades was seen at intervals the lapsing fall of waters, lighted by + alabaster lamps; and their tinkling music sounded with a fresh and regular + murmur upon the ear. The whole of one side of this apartment was open to a + broad and extensive balcony, which overhung the banks of the winding and + moonlit Darro; and in the clearness of the soft night might be distinctly + seen the undulating hills, the woods, and orange-groves, which still form + the unrivalled landscapes of Granada. + </p> + <p> + The pavement was spread with ottomans and couches of the richest azure, + prodigally enriched with quaint designs in broideries of gold and silver; + and over that on which the Moor reclined, facing the open balcony, were + suspended on a pillar the round shield, the light javelin, and the curving + cimiter, of Moorish warfare. So studded were these arms with jewels of + rare cost, that they might alone have sufficed to indicate the rank of the + evident owner, even if his own gorgeous vestments had not betrayed it. An + open manuscript, on a silver table, lay unread before the Moor: as, + leaning his face upon his hand, he looked with abstracted eyes along the + mountain summits dimly distinguished from the cloudless and far horizon. + </p> + <p> + No one could have gazed without a vague emotion of interest, mixed with + melancholy, upon the countenance of the inmate of that luxurious chamber. + </p> + <p> + Its beauty was singularly stamped with a grave and stately sadness, which + was made still more impressive by its air of youth and the unwonted + fairness of the complexion: unlike the attributes of the Moorish race, the + hair and curling beard were of a deep golden colour; and on the broad + forehead and in the large eyes, was that settled and contemplative + mildness which rarely softens the swart lineaments of the fiery children + of the sun. Such was the personal appearance of Boabdil el Chico, the last + of the Moorish dynasty in Spain. + </p> + <p> + “These scrolls of Arabian learning,” said Boabdil to himself, “what do + they teach? to despise wealth and power, to hold the heart to be the true + empire. This, then, is wisdom. Yet, if I follow these maxims, am I wise? + alas! the whole world would call me a driveller and a madman. Thus is it + ever; the wisdom of the Intellect fills us with precepts which it is the + wisdom of Action to despise. O Holy Prophet! what fools men would be, if + their knavery did not eclipse their folly!” + </p> + <p> + The young king listlessly threw himself back on his cushions as he uttered + these words, too philosophical for a king whose crown sate so loosely on + his brow. + </p> + <p> + After a few moments of thought that appeared to dissatisfy and disquiet + him, Boabdil again turned impatiently round “My soul wants the bath of + music,” said he; “these journeys into a pathless realm have wearied it, + and the streams of sound supple and relax the travailed pilgrim.” + </p> + <p> + He clapped his hands, and from one of the arcades a boy, hitherto + invisible, started into sight; at a slight and scarce perceptible sign + from the king the boy again vanished, and in a few moments afterwards, + glancing through the fairy pillars, and by the glittering waterfalls, came + the small and twinkling feet of the maids of Araby. As, with their + transparent tunics and white arms, they gleamed, without an echo, through + that cool and voluptuous chamber, they might well have seemed the Peris of + the eastern magic, summoned to beguile the sated leisure of a youthful + Solomon. With them came a maiden of more exquisite beauty, though smaller + stature, than the rest, bearing the light Moorish lute; and a faint and + languid smile broke over the beautiful face of Boabdil, as his eyes rested + upon her graceful form and the dark yet glowing lustre of her oriental + countenance. She alone approached the king, timidly kissed his hand, and + then, joining her comrades, commenced the following song, to the air and + very words of which the feet of the dancing-girls kept time, while with + the chorus rang the silver bells of the musical instrument which each of + the dancers carried. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + AMINE’S SONG. + + I. + Softly, oh, softly glide, + Gentle Music, thou silver tide, + Bearing, the lulled air along, + This leaf from the Rose of Song! + To its port in his soul let it float, + The frail, but the fragrant boat, + Bear it, soft Air, along! + + II. + With the burthen of sound we are laden, + Like the bells on the trees of Aden,* + When they thrill with a tinkling tone + At the Wind from the Holy Throne, + Hark, as we move around, + We shake off the buds of sound; + Thy presence, Beloved, is Aden. + + III. + Sweet chime that I hear and wake + I would, for my lov’d one’s sake, + That I were a sound like thee, + To the depths of his heart to flee. + If my breath had his senses blest; + If my voice in his heart could rest; + What pleasure to die like thee! + + *[The Mohammedans believe that musical bells hang on the trees of + Paradise, and are put in motion by a wind from the throne of God.] +</pre> + <p> + The music ceased; the dancers remained motionless in their graceful + postures, as if arrested into statues of alabaster; and the young + songstress cast herself on a cushion at the feet of the monarch, and + looked up fondly, but silently, into his yet melancholy eyes,—when a + man, whose entrance had not been noticed, was seen to stand within the + chamber. + </p> + <p> + He was about the middle stature,—lean, muscular, and strongly though + sparely built. A plain black robe, something in the fashion of the + Armenian gown, hung long and loosely over a tunic of bright scarlet, + girdled by a broad belt, from the centre of which was suspended a small + golden key, while at the left side appeared the jewelled hilt of a crooked + dagger. His features were cast in a larger and grander mould than was + common among the Moors of Spain; the forehead was broad, massive, and + singularly high, and the dark eyes of unusual size and brilliancy; his + beard, short, black, and glossy, curled upward, and concealed all the + lower part of the face, save a firm, compressed, and resolute expression + in the lips, which were large and full; the nose was high, aquiline, and + well-shaped; and the whole character of the head (which was, for symmetry, + on too large and gigantic a scale as proportioned to the form) was + indicative of extraordinary energy and power. At the first glance, the + stranger might have seemed scarce on the borders of middle age; but, on a + more careful examination, the deep lines and wrinkles, marked on the + forehead and round the eyes, betrayed a more advanced period of life. With + arms folded on his breast, he stood by the side of the king, waiting in + silence the moment when his presence should be perceived. + </p> + <p> + He did not wait long; the eyes and gesture of the girl nestled at the feet + of Boabdil drew the king’s attention to the spot where the stranger stood: + his eye brightened when it fell upon him. + </p> + <p> + “Almamen,” cried Boabdil, eagerly, “you are welcome.” As he spoke, he + motioned to the dancing-girls to withdraw. “May I not rest? O core of my + heart, thy bird is in its home,” murmured the songstress at the king’s + feet. + </p> + <p> + “Sweet Amine,” answered Boabdil, tenderly smoothing down her ringlets as + he bent to kiss her brow, “you should witness only my hours of delight. + Toil and business have nought with thee; I will join thee ere yet the + nightingale hymns his last music to the moon.” Amine sighed, rose, and + vanished with her companions. + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” said the king, when alone with Almamen, “your counsels often + soothe me into quiet, yet in such hours quiet is a crime. But what do?—how + struggle?—how act? Alas! at the hour of his birth, rightly did they + affix to the name of Boabdil, the epithet of <i>El Zogoybi</i>. [The + Unlucky]. Misfortune set upon my brow her dark and fated stamp ere yet my + lips could shape a prayer against her power. My fierce father, whose frown + was as the frown of Azrael, hated me in my cradle; in my youth my name was + invoked by rebels against my will; imprisoned by my father, with the + poison-bowl or the dagger hourly before my eyes, I was saved only by the + artifice of my mother. When age and infirmity broke the iron sceptre of + the king, my claims to the throne were set aside, and my uncle, El Zagal, + usurped my birthright. Amidst open war and secret treason I wrestled for + my crown; and now, the sole sovereign of Granada, when, as I fondly + imagined, my uncle had lost all claim on the affections of my people by + succumbing to the Christian king, and accepting a fief under his dominion, + I find that the very crime of El Zagal is fixed upon me by my unhappy + subjects—that they deem he would not have yielded but for my + supineness. At the moment of my delivery from my rival, I am received with + execration by my subjects, and, driven into this my fortress of the + Alhambra, dare not venture to head my armies, or to face my people; yet am + I called weak and irresolute, when strength and courage are forbid me. And + as the water glides from yonder rock, that hath no power to retain it, I + see the tide of empire welling from my hands.” + </p> + <p> + The young king spoke warmly and bitterly; and, in the irritation of his + thoughts, strode, while he spoke, with rapid and irregular strides along + the chamber. Almamen marked his emotion with an eye and lip of rigid + composure. + </p> + <p> + “Light of the faithful,” said he, when Boabdil had concluded, “the powers + above never doom man to perpetual sorrow, nor perpetual joy: the cloud and + the sunshine are alike essential to the heaven of our destinies; and if + thou hast suffered in thy youth, thou hast exhausted the calamities of + fate, and thy manhood will be glorious, and thine age serene.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou speakest as if the armies of Ferdinand were not already around my + walls,” said Boabdil, impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “The armies of Sennacherib were as mighty,” answered Almamen. + </p> + <p> + “Wise seer,” returned the king, in a tone half sarcastic and half solemn, + “we, the Mussulmans of Spain, are not the blind fanatics of the Eastern + world. On us have fallen the lights of philosophy and science; and if the + more clear-sighted among us yet outwardly reverence the forms and fables + worshipped by the multitude, it is from the wisdom of policy, not the + folly of belief. Talk not to me, then, of thine examples of the ancient + and elder creeds: the agents of God for this world are now, at least, in + men, not angels; and if I wait till Ferdinand share the destiny of + Sennacherib, I wait only till the Standard of the Cross wave above the + Vermilion Towers.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet,” said Almamen, “while my lord the king rejects the fanaticism of + belief, doth he reject the fanaticism of persecution? You disbelieve the + stories of the Hebrews; yet you suffer the Hebrews themselves, that + ancient and kindred Arabian race, to be ground to the dust, condemned and + tortured by your judges, your informers, your soldiers, and your + subjects.” + </p> + <p> + “The base misers! they deserve their fate,” answered Boabdil, loftily. + “Gold is their god, and the market-place their country; amidst the tears + and groans of nations, they sympathise only with the rise and fall of + trade; and, the thieves of the universe! while their hand is against every + man’s coffer, why wonder that they provoke the hand of every man against + their throats? Worse than the tribe of Hanifa, who eat their god only in + time of famine;—[The tribe of Hanifa worshipped a lump of dough]—the + race of Moisa—[Moses]—would sell the Seven Heavens for the + dent on the back of the date-stone.”—[A proverb used in the Koran, + signifying the smallest possible trifle]. + </p> + <p> + “Your laws leave them no ambition but that of avarice,” replied Almamen; + “and as the plant will crook and distort its trunk, to raise its head + through every obstacle to the sun, so the mind of man twists and perverts + itself, if legitimate openings are denied it, to find its natural element + in the gale of power, or the sunshine of esteem. These Hebrews were not + traffickers and misers in their own sacred land when they routed your + ancestors, the Arab armies of old; and gnawed the flesh from their bones + in famine, rather than yield a weaker city than Granada to a mightier + force than the holiday lords of Spain. Let this pass. My lord rejects the + belief in the agencies of the angels; doth he still retain belief in the + wisdom of mortal men?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” returned Boabdil, quickly; “for of the one I know nought; of the + other, mine own senses can be the judge. Almamen, my fiery kinsman, Muza, + hath this evening been with me. He hath urged me to reject the fears of my + people, which chain my panting spirit within these walls; he hath urged me + to gird on yonder shield and cimiter, and to appear in the Vivarrambla, at + the head of the nobles of Granada. My heart leaps high at the thought! and + if I cannot live, at least I will die—a king!” + </p> + <p> + “It is nobly spoken,” said Almamen, coldly. + </p> + <p> + “You approve, then, my design?” + </p> + <p> + “The friends of the king cannot approve the ambition of the king to die.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” said Boabdil, in an altered voice, “thou thinkest, then, that I am + doomed to perish in this struggle?” + </p> + <p> + “As the hour shall be chosen, wilt thou fall or triumph.” + </p> + <p> + “And that hour?” + </p> + <p> + “Is not yet come.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou read the hour in the stars?” + </p> + <p> + “Let Moorish seers cultivate that frantic credulity: thy servant sees but + in the stars worlds mightier than this little earth, whose light would + neither wane nor wink, if earth itself were swept from the infinities of + space.” + </p> + <p> + “Mysterious man!” said Boabdil; “whence, then, is thy power?—whence + thy knowledge of the future?” + </p> + <p> + Almamen approached the king, as he now stood by the open balcony. + </p> + <p> + “Behold!” said he, pointing to the waters of the Darro—“yonder + stream is of an element in which man cannot live nor breathe: above, in + the thin and impalpable air, our steps cannot find a footing, the armies + of all earth cannot build an empire. And yet, by the exercise of a little + art, the fishes and the birds, the inhabitants of the air and the water, + minister to our most humble wants, the most common of our enjoyments; so + it is with the true science of enchantment. Thinkest thou that, while the + petty surface of the world is crowded with living things, there is no life + in the vast centre within the earth, and the immense ether that surrounds + it? As the fisherman snares his prey, as the fowler entraps the bird, so, + by the art and genius of our human mind, we may thrall and command the + subtler beings of realms and elements which our material bodies cannot + enter—our gross senses cannot survey. This, then, is my lore. Of + other worlds know I nought; but of the things of this world, whether men, + or, as your legends term them, ghouls and genii, I have learned something. + To the future, I myself am blind; but I can invoke and conjure up those + whose eyes are more piercing, whose natures are more gifted.” + </p> + <p> + “Prove to me thy power,” said Boabdil, awed less by the words than by the + thrilling voice and the impressive aspect of the enchanter. + </p> + <p> + “Is not the king’s will my law?” answered Almamen; “be his will obeyed. + To-morrow night I await thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + Almamen paused a moment, and then whispered a sentence in the king’s ear: + Boabdil started, and turned pale. + </p> + <p> + “A fearful spot!” + </p> + <p> + “So is the Alhambra itself, great Boabdil; while Ferdinand is without the + walls and Muza within the city.” + </p> + <p> + “Muza! Darest thou mistrust my bravest warrior?” + </p> + <p> + “What wise king will trust the idol of the king’s army? Did Boabdil fall + to-morrow by a chance javelin, in the field, whom would the nobles and the + warriors place upon his throne? Doth it require an enchanter’s lore to + whisper to thy heart the answer in the name of ‘Muza’?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, wretched state! oh, miserable king!” exclaimed Boabdil, in a tone of + great anguish. “I never had a father. I have now no people; a little + while, and I shall have no country. Am I never to have a friend?” + </p> + <p> + “A friend! what king ever had?” returned Almamen, drily. + </p> + <p> + “Away, man—away!” cried Boabdil, as the impatient spirit of his rank + and race shot dangerous fire from his eyes; “your cold and bloodless + wisdom freezes up all the veins of my manhood! Glory, confidence, human + sympathy, and feeling—your counsels annihilate them all. Leave me! I + would be alone.” + </p> + <p> + “We meet to-morrow, at midnight, mighty Boabdil,” said Almamen, with his + usual unmoved and passionless tones. “May the king live for ever.” + </p> + <p> + The king turned; but his monitor had already disappeared. He went as he + came—noiseless and sudden as a ghost. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE LOVERS. + </h2> + <p> + When Muza parted from Almamen, he bent his steps towards the hill that + rises opposite the ascent crowned with the towers of the Alhambra; the + sides and summit of which eminence were tenanted by the luxurious + population of the city. He selected the more private and secluded paths; + and, half way up the hill, arrived, at last, before a low wall of + considerable extent, which girded the gardens of some wealthier inhabitant + of the city. He looked long and anxiously round; all was solitary; nor was + the stillness broken, save as an occasional breeze, from the snowy heights + of the Sierra Nevada, rustled the fragrant leaves of the citron and + pomegranate; or as the silver tinkling of waterfalls chimed melodiously + within the gardens. The Moor’s heart beat high: a moment more, and he had + scaled the wall; and found himself upon a green sward, variegated by the + rich colours of many a sleeping flower, and shaded by groves and alleys of + luxuriant foliage and golden fruits. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before he stood beside a house that seemed of a + construction anterior to the Moorish dynasty. It was built over low + cloisters formed by heavy and timeworn pillars, concealed, for the most + part by a profusion of roses and creeping shrubs: the lattices above the + cloisters opened upon large gilded balconies, the super-addition of + Moriscan taste. In one only of the casements a lamp was visible; the rest + of the mansion was dark, as if, save in that chamber, sleep kept watch + over the inmates. It was to this window that the Moor stole; and, after a + moment’s pause, he murmured rather than sang, so low and whispered was his + voice, the following simple verses, slightly varied from an old Arabian + poet:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Light of my soul, arise, arise! + Thy sister lights are in the skies; + We want thine eyes, + Thy joyous eyes; + The Night is mourning for thine eyes! + The sacred verse is on my sword, + But on my heart thy name + The words on each alike adored; + The truth of each the same, + The same!—alas! too well I feel + The heart is truer than the steel! + Light of my soul! upon me shine; + Night wakes her stars to envy mine. + Those eyes of thine, + Wild eyes of thine, + What stars are like those eyes of thine? +</pre> + <p> + As he concluded, the lattice softly opened; and a female form appeared on + the balcony. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Leila!” said the Moor, “I see thee, and I am blessed!” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” answered Leila; “speak low, nor tarry long I fear that our + interviews are suspected; and this,” she added in a trembling voice, “may + perhaps be the last time we shall meet.” + </p> + <p> + “Holy Prophet!” exclaimed Muza, passionately, “what do I hear? Why this + mystery? why cannot I learn thine origin, thy rank, thy parents? Think + you, beautiful Leila, that Granada holds a rouse lofty enough to disdain + the alliance with Muza Ben Abil Gazan? and oh!” he added (sinking the + haughty tones of his voice into accents of the softest tenderness), “if + not too high to scorn me, what should war against our loves and our + bridals? For worn equally on my heart were the flower of thy sweet self, + whether the mountain top or the valley gave birth to the odour and the + bloom.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” answered Leila, weeping, “the mystery thou complainest of is as + dark to myself as thee. How often have I told thee that I know nothing of + my birth or childish fortunes, save a dim memory of a more distant and + burning clime; where, amidst sands and wastes, springs the everlasting + cedar, and the camel grazes on stunted herbage withering in the fiery air? + Then, it seemed to me that I had a mother: fond eyes looked on me, and + soft songs hushed me into sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “Thy mother’s soul has passed into mine,” said the Moor, tenderly. + </p> + <p> + Leila continued:—“Borne hither, I passed from childhood into youth + within these walls. Slaves ministered to my slightest wish; and those who + have seen both state and poverty, which I have not, tell me that treasures + and splendour, that might glad a monarch, are prodigalised around me: but + of ties and kindred know I little: my father, a stern and silent man, + visits me but rarely—sometimes months pass, and I see him not; but I + feel he loves me; and, till I knew thee, Muza, my brightest hours were in + listening to the footsteps and flying to the arms of that solitary + friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Know you not his name?” + </p> + <p> + “Nor, I nor any one of the household; save perhaps Ximen, the chief of the + slaves, an old and withered man, whose very eye chills me into fear and + silence.” + </p> + <p> + “Strange!” said the Moor, musingly; “yet why think you our love is + discovered, or can be thwarted?” + </p> + <p> + “Hush! Ximen sought me this day: ‘Maiden,’ said he, ‘men’s footsteps have + been tracked within the gardens; if your sire know this, you will have + looked your last on Granada. Learn,’ he added, in a softer voice, as he + saw me tremble, ‘that permission were easier given to thee to wed the wild + tiger than to mate with the loftiest noble of Morisca! Beware!’ He spoke, + and left me. O Muza!” she continued, passionately wringing her hands, “my + heart sinks within me, and omen and doom rise dark before my sight!” + </p> + <p> + “By my father’s head, these obstacles but fire my love, and I would scale + to thy possession, though every step in the ladder were the corpses of a + hundred foes!” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had the fiery and high-souled Moor uttered his boast, than, from + some unseen hand amidst the groves, a javelin whirred past him, and as the + air it raised came sharp upon his cheek, half buried its quivering shaft + in the trunk of a tree behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Fly, fly, and save thyself! O God, protect him!” cried Leila; and she + vanished within the chamber. + </p> + <p> + The Moor did not wait the result of a deadlier aim; he turned; yet, in the + instinct of his fierce nature, not from, but against, the foe; his drawn + scimitar in his hand, the half-suppressed cry of wrath trembling on his + lips, he sprang forward in the direction the javelin had sped. With eyes + accustomed to the ambuscades of Moorish warfare, he searched eagerly, yet + warily through the dark and sighing foliage. No sign of life met his gaze; + and at length, grimly and reluctantly, he retraced his steps, and quitted + the demesnes; but just as he had cleared the wall, a voice—low, but + sharp and shrill—came from the gardens. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art spared,” it said, “but, haply, for a more miserable doom!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER. + </h2> + <p> + The chamber into which Leila retreated bore out the character she had + given of the interior of her home. The fashion of its ornament and + decoration was foreign to that adopted by the Moors of Granada. It had a + more massive and, if we may use the term, Egyptian gorgeousness. The walls + were covered with the stuffs of the East, stiff with gold, embroidered + upon ground of the deepest purple; strange characters, apparently in some + foreign tongue, were wrought in the tesselated cornices and on the heavy + ceiling, which was supported by square pillars, round which were twisted + serpents of gold and enamel, with eyes to which enormous emeralds gave a + green and lifelike glare: various scrolls and musical instruments lay + scattered upon marble tables: and a solitary lamp of burnished silver cast + a dim and subdued light around the chamber. The effect of the whole, + though splendid, was gloomy, strange, and oppressive, and rather suited to + the thick and cave-like architecture which of old protected the + inhabitants of Thebes and Memphis from the rays of the African sun, than + to the transparent heaven and light pavilions of the graceful orientals of + Granada. + </p> + <p> + Leila stood within this chamber, pale and breathless, with her lips apart, + her hands clasped, her very soul in her ears; nor was it possible to + conceive a more perfect ideal of some delicate and brilliant Peri, + captured in the palace of a hostile and gloomy Genius. Her form was of the + lightest shape consistent with the roundness of womanly beauty; and there + was something in it of that elastic and fawnlike grace which a sculptor + seeks to embody in his dreams of a being more aerial than those of earth. + Her luxuriant hair was dark indeed, but a purple and glossy hue redeemed + it from that heaviness of shade too common in the tresses of the Asiatics; + and her complexion, naturally pale but clear and lustrous, would have been + deemed fair even in the north. Her features, slightly aquiline, were + formed in the rarest mould of symmetry, and her full rich lips disclosed + teeth that might have shamed the pearl. But the chief charm of that + exquisite countenance was in an expression of softness and purity, and + intellectual sentiment, that seldom accompanies that cast of loveliness, + and was wholly foreign to the voluptuous and dreamy languor of Moorish + maidens; Leila had been educated, and the statue had received a soul. + </p> + <p> + After a few minutes of intense suspense, she again stole to the lattice, + gently unclosed it, and looked forth. Far, through an opening amidst the + trees, she descried for a single moment the erect and stately figure of + her lover, darkening the moonshine on the sward, as now, quitting his + fruitless search, he turned his lingering gaze towards the lattice of his + beloved: the thick and interlacing foliage quickly hid him from her eyes; + but Leila had seen enough—she turned within, and said, as grateful + tears trickled clown her cheeks, and she sank on her knees upon the piled + cushions of the chamber: “God of my fathers! I bless Thee—he is + safe!” + </p> + <p> + “And yet (she added, as a painful thought crossed her), how may I pray for + him? we kneel not to the same Divinity; and I have been taught to loathe + and shudder at his creed! Alas! how will this end? Fatal was the hour when + he first beheld me in yonder gardens; more fatal still the hour in which + he crossed the barrier, and told Leila that she was beloved by the hero + whose arm was the shelter, whose name is the blessing, of Granada. Ah, me! + Ah, me!” + </p> + <p> + The young maiden covered her face with her hands, and sank into a + passionate reverie, broken only by her sobs. Some time had passed in this + undisturbed indulgence of her grief, when the arras was gently put aside, + and a man, of remarkable garb and mien, advanced into the chamber, pausing + as he beheld her dejected attitude, and gazing on her with a look on which + pity and tenderness seemed to struggle against habitual severity and + sternness. + </p> + <p> + “Leila!” said the intruder. + </p> + <p> + Leila started, and and a deep blush suffused her countenance; she dashed + the tears from her eyes, and came forward with a vain attempt to smile. + </p> + <p> + “My father, welcome!” + </p> + <p> + The stranger seated himself on the cushions, and motioned Leila to his + side. + </p> + <p> + “These tears are fresh upon thy cheek,” said he, gravely; “they are the + witness of thy race! our daughters are born to weep, and our sons to + groan! ashes are on the head of the mighty, and the Fountains of the + Beautiful run with gall! Oh that we could but struggle—that we could + but dare—that we could raise up, our heads, and unite against the + bondage of the evil doer! It may not be—but one man shall avenge a + nation!” + </p> + <p> + The dark face of Leila’s father, well fitted to express powerful emotion, + became terrible in its wrath and passion; his brow and lip worked + convulsively; but the paroxysm was brief; and scarce could she shudder at + its intensity ere it had subsided into calm. + </p> + <p> + “Enough of these thoughts, which thou, a woman and a child, art not formed + to witness. Leila, thou hast been nurtured with tenderness, and schooled + with care. Harsh and unloving may I have seemed to thee, but I would have + shed the best drops of my heart to have saved thy young years from a + single pang. Nay, listen to me silently. That thou mightest one day be + worthy of thy race, and that thine hours might not pass in indolent and + weary lassitude, thou hast been taught lessons of a knowledge rarely to + thy sex. Not thine the lascivious arts of the Moorish maidens; not thine + their harlot songs, and their dances of lewd delight; thy delicate limbs + were but taught the attitude that Nature dedicates to the worship of a + God, and the music of thy voice was tuned to the songs of thy fallen + country, sad with the memory of her wrongs, animated with the names of her + heroes, with the solemnity of her prayers. These scrolls, and the lessons + of our seers, have imparted to thee such of our science and our history as + may fit thy mind to aspire, and thy heart to feel for a sacred cause. Thou + listenest to me, Leila?” + </p> + <p> + Perplexed and wondering, for never before had her father addressed her in + such a strain, the maiden answered with an earnestness of manner that + seemed to content the questioner; and he resumed, with an altered, hollow, + solemn voice: + </p> + <p> + “Then curse the persecutors. Daughter of the great Hebrew race, arise and + curse the Moorish taskmaster and spoiler!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the adjuror himself rose, lifting his right hand on high; + while his left touched the shoulder of the maiden. But she, after gazing a + moment in wild and terrified amazement upon his face, fell cowering at his + knees; and, clasping them imploringly, exclaimed in scarce articulate + murmurs: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, spare me! spare me!” + </p> + <p> + The Hebrew, for such he was, surveyed her, as she thus quailed at his + feet, with a look of rage and scorn: his hand wandered to his poniard, he + half unsheathed it, thrust it back with a muttered curse, and then, + deliberately drawing it forth, cast it on the ground beside her. + </p> + <p> + “Degenerate girl!” he said, in accents that vainly struggled for calm, “if + thou hast admitted to thy heart one unworthy thought towards a Moorish + infidel, dig deep and root it out, even with the knife, and to the death—so + wilt thou save this hand from that degrading task.” + </p> + <p> + He drew himself hastily from her grasp, and left the unfortunate girl + alone and senseless. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. AMBITION DISTORTED INTO VICE BY LAW. + </h2> + <p> + On descending a broad flight of stairs from the apartment, the Hebrew + encountered an old man, habited in loose garments of silk and fur, upon + whose withered and wrinkled face life seemed scarcely to struggle against + the advance of death—so haggard, wan, and corpse-like was its + aspect. + </p> + <p> + “Ximen,” said the Israelite, “trusty and beloved servant, follow me to the + cavern.” He did not tarry for an answer, but continued his way with rapid + strides through various courts and alleys, till he came at length into a + narrow, dark, and damp gallery, that seemed cut from the living rock. At + its entrance was a strong grate, which gave way to the Hebrew’s touch upon + the spring, though the united strength of a hundred men could not have + moved it from its hinge. Taking up a brazen lamp that burnt in a niche + within it, the Hebrew paused impatiently till the feeble steps of the old + man reached the spot; and then, reclosing the grate, pursued his winding + way for a considerable distance, till he stopped suddenly by a part of the + rock which seemed in no respect different from the rest: and so artfully + contrived and concealed was the door which he now opened, and so suddenly + did it yield to his hand, that it appeared literally the effect of + enchantment, when the rock yawned, and discovered a circular cavern, + lighted with brazen lamps, and spread with hangings and cushions of thick + furs. Upon rude and seemingly natural pillars of rock, various antique and + rusty arms were suspended; in large niches were deposited scrolls, clasped + and bound with iron; and a profusion of strange and uncouth instruments + and machines (in which modern science might, perhaps, discover the tools + of chemical invention) gave a magical and ominous aspect to the wild + abode. + </p> + <p> + The Hebrew cast himself on a couch of furs; and, as the old man entered + and closed the door, “Ximen,” said he, “fill out wine—it is a + soothing counsellor, and I need it.” + </p> + <p> + Extracting from one of the recesses of the cavern a flask and goblet, + Ximen offered to his lord a copious draught of the sparkling vintage of + the Vega, which seemed to invigorate and restore him. + </p> + <p> + “Old man,” said he, concluding the potation with a deep-drawn sigh, “fill + to thyself-drink till thy veins feel young.” + </p> + <p> + Ximen obeyed the mandate but imperfectly; the wine just touched his lips, + and the goblet was put aside. + </p> + <p> + “Ximen,” resumed the Israelite, “how many of our race have been butchered + by the avarice of the Moorish kings since first thou didst set foot within + the city?” + </p> + <p> + “Three thousand—the number was completed last winter, by the order + of Jusef the vizier; and their goods and coffers are transformed into + shafts and cimiters against the dogs of Galilee.” + </p> + <p> + “Three thousand—no more! three thousand only! I would the number had + been tripled, for the interest is becoming due!” + </p> + <p> + “My brother, and my son, and my grandson, are among the number,” said the + old man, and his face grew yet more deathlike. + </p> + <p> + “Their monuments shall be in hecatombs of their tyrants. They shall not, + at least, call the Jews niggards in revenge.” + </p> + <p> + “But pardon me, noble chief of a fallen people; thinkest thou we shall be + less despoiled and trodden under foot by yon haughty and stiff-necked + Nazarenes, than by the Arabian misbelievers?” + </p> + <p> + “Accursed, in truth, are both,” returned the Hebrew; “but the one promise + more fairly than the other. I have seen this Ferdinand, and his proud + queen; they are pledged to accord us rights and immunities we have never + known before in Europe.” + </p> + <p> + “And they will not touch our traffic, our gains, our gold?” + </p> + <p> + “Out on thee!” cried the fiery Israelite, stamping on the ground. “I would + all the gold of earth were sunk into the everlasting pit! It is this mean, + and miserable, and loathsome leprosy of avarice, that gnaws away from our + whole race the heart, the soul, nay—the very form, of man! Many a + time, when I have seen the lordly features of the descendants of Solomon + and Joshua (features that stamp the nobility of the eastern world born to + mastery and command) sharpened and furrowed by petty cares,—when I + have looked upon the frame of the strong man bowed, like a crawling + reptile, to some huckstering bargainer of silks and unguents,—and + heard the voice, that should be raising the battle-cry, smoothed into + fawning accents of base fear, or yet baser hope,—I have asked + myself, if I am indeed of the blood of Israel! and thanked the great + Jehovah that he hath spared me at least the curse that hath blasted my + brotherhood into usurers and slaves” + </p> + <p> + Ximen prudently forbore an answer to enthusiasm which he neither shared + nor understood; but, after a brief silence, turned back the stream of the + conversation. + </p> + <p> + “You resolve, then, upon prosecuting vengeance on the Moors, at whatsoever + hazard of the broken faith of these Nazarenes?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, the vapour of human blood hath risen unto heaven, and, collected into + thunder-clouds, hangs over the doomed and guilty city. And now, Ximen, I + have a new cause for hatred to the Moors: the flower that I have reared + and watched, the spoiler hath sought to pluck it from my hearth. Leila—thou + hast guarded her ill, Ximen; and, wert thou not endeared to me by thy very + malice and vices, the rising sun should have seen thy trunk on the waters + of the Darro.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” replied Ximen, “if thou, the wisest of our people, canst not + guard a maiden from love, how canst thou see crime in the dull eyes and + numbed senses of a miserable old man?” + </p> + <p> + The Israelite did not answer, nor seem to hear this deprecatory + remonstrance. He appeared rather occupied with his own thoughts; and, + speaking to himself, he muttered, “It must be so: the sacrifice is hard—the + danger great; but here, at least, it is more immediate. It shall be done. + Ximen,” he continued, speaking aloud; “dost thou feel assured that even + mine own countrymen, mine own tribe, know me not as one of them? Were my + despised birth and religion published, my limbs would be torn asunder as + an impostor; and all the arts of the Cabala could not save me.” + </p> + <p> + “Doubt not, great master; none in Granada, save thy faithful Ximen, know + thy secret.” + </p> + <p> + “So let me dream and hope. And now to my work; for this night must be + spent in toil.” + </p> + <p> + The Hebrew drew before him some of the strange instruments we have + described; and took from the recesses in the rock several scrolls. The old + man lay at his feet, ready to obey his behests; but, to all appearance, + rigid and motionless as the dead, whom his blanched hues and shrivelled + form resembled. It was, indeed, as the picture of the enchanter at his + work, and the corpse of some man of old, revived from the grave to + minister to his spells, and execute his commands. + </p> + <p> + Enough in the preceding conversation has transpired to convince the + reader, that the Hebrew, in whom he has already detected the Almamen of + the Alhambra, was of no character common to his tribe. Of a lineage that + shrouded itself in the darkness of his mysterious people, in their day of + power, and possessed of immense wealth, which threw into poverty the + resources of Gothic princes,—the youth of that remarkable man had + been spent, not in traffic and merchandise but travel and study. + </p> + <p> + As a child, his home had been in Granada. He had seen his father butchered + by the late king, Muley Abul Hassan, without other crime than his reputed + riches; and his body literally cut open, to search for the jewels it was + supposed he had swallowed. He saw, and, boy as he was he vowed revenge. A + distant kinsman bore the orphan to lands more secure from persecution; and + the art with which the Jews concealed their wealth, scattering it over + various cities, had secured to Almamen the treasures the tyrant of Granada + had failed to grasp. + </p> + <p> + He had visited the greater part of the world then known; and resided for + many years at the court of the sultan of that hoary Egypt, which still + retained its fame for abstruse science and magic lore. He had not in vain + applied himself to such tempting and wild researches; and had acquired + many of those secrets now perhaps lost for ever to the world. We do not + mean to intimate that he attained to what legend and superstition impose + upon our faith as the art of sorcery. He could neither command the + elements nor pierce the veil of the future-scatter armies with a word, nor + pass from spot to spot by the utterance of a charmed formula. But men who, + for ages, had passed their lives in attempting all the effects that can + astonish and awe the vulgar, could not but learn some secrets which all + the more sober wisdom of modern times would search ineffectually to solve + or to revive. And many of such arts, acquired mechanically (their + invention often the work of a chemical accident), those who attained to + them could not always explain, not account for the phenomena they created, + so that the mightiness of their own deceptions deceived themselves; and + they often believed they were the masters of the Nature to which they + were, in reality, but erratic and wild disciples. Of such was the student + in that grim cavern. He was, in some measure, the dupe, partly of his own + bewildered wisdom, partly of the fervour of an imagination exceedingly + high-wrought and enthusiastic. His own gorgeous vanity intoxicated him: + and, if it be an historical truth that the kings of the ancient world, + blinded by their own power, had moments in which they believed themselves + more than men, it is not incredible that sages, elevated even above kings, + should conceive a frenzy as weak, or, it may be, as sublime: and imagine + that they did not claim in vain the awful dignity with which the faith of + the multitude invested their faculties and gifts. + </p> + <p> + But, though the accident of birth, which excluded him from all field for + energy and ambition, had thus directed the powerful mind of Almamen to + contemplation and study, nature had never intended passions so fierce for + the calm, though visionary, pursuits to which he was addicted. Amidst + scrolls and seers, he had pined for action and glory; and, baffled in all + wholesome egress, by the universal exclusion which, in every land, and + from every faith, met the religion he belonged to, the faculties within + him ran riot, producing gigantic but baseless schemes, which, as one after + the other crumbled away, left behind feelings of dark misanthropy and + intense revenge. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps, had his religion been prosperous and powerful, he might have been + a sceptic; persecution and affliction made him a fanatic. Yet, true to + that prominent characteristic of the old Hebrew race, which made them look + to a Messiah only as a warrior and a prince, and which taught them to + associate all their hopes and schemes with worldly victories and power, + Almamen desired rather to advance, than to obey, his religion. He cared + little for its precepts, he thought little of its doctrines; but, night + and day, he revolved his schemes for its earthly restoration and triumph. + </p> + <p> + At that time, the Moors in Spain were far more deadly persecutors of the + Jews than the Christians were. Amidst the Spanish cities on the coast, + that merchant tribe had formed commercial connections with the Christians, + sufficiently beneficial, both to individuals and to communities, to obtain + for them, not only toleration, but something of personal friendship, + wherever men bought and sold in the market-place. And the gloomy + fanaticism which afterwards stained the fame of the great Ferdinand, and + introduced the horrors of the Inquisition, had not yet made it self more + than fitfully visible. But the Moors had treated this unhappy people with + a wholesale and relentless barbarity. At Granada, under the reign of the + fierce father of Boabdil,—“that king with the tiger heart,”—the + Jews had been literally placed without the pale of humanity; and even + under the mild and contemplative Boabdil himself, they had been plundered + without mercy, and, if suspected of secreting their treasures, massacred + without scruple; the wants of the state continued their unrelenting + accusers,—their wealth, their inexpiable crime. + </p> + <p> + It was in the midst of these barbarities that Almamen, for the first time + since the day when the death-shriek of his agonised father rang in his + ears, suddenly returned to Granada. He saw the unmitigated miseries of his + brethern, and he remembered and repeated his vow. His name changed, his + kindred dead, none remembered, in the mature Almamen, the beardless child + of Issachar, the Jew. He had long, indeed, deemed it advisable to disguise + his faith; and was known, throughout the African kingdoms, but as the + potent santon, or the wise magician. + </p> + <p> + This fame soon lifted him, in Granada, high in the councils of the court. + Admitted to the intimacy of Muley Hassan, with Boabdil, and the queen + mother, he had conspired against that monarch; and had lived, at least, to + avenge his father upon the royal murderer. He was no less intimate with + Boabdil; but steeled against fellowship or affection for all men out of + the pale of his faith, he saw in the confidence of the king only the + blindness of a victim. + </p> + <p> + Serpent as he was, he cared not through what mire of treachery and fraud + he trailed his baleful folds, so that, at last, he could spring upon his + prey. Nature had given him sagacity and strength. The curse of + circumstance had humbled, but reconciled him to the dust. He had the crawl + of the reptile,—he had, also, its poison and its fangs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE LION IN THE NET + </h2> + <p> + IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada + abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier. The old man found + Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his + sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the + person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon + of the Vermilion Tower. Presuming upon Boabdil’s natural mildness, the + vizier ventured to remonstrate,—to suggest the danger of laying + violent hands upon a chief so beloved,—and to inquire what cause + should be assigned for the outrage. + </p> + <p> + The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil’s brow, as he listened to the + vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory. + </p> + <p> + “Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will? Thou + hast my orders; there are my signet and the firman: obedience or the + bow-string!” + </p> + <p> + Never before had Boabdil so resembled his dread father in speech and air; + the vizier trembled to the soles of his feet, and withdrew in silence. + Boabdil watched him depart; and then, clasping his hands in great emotion, + exclaimed, “O lips of the dead! ye have warned me; and to you I sacrifice + the friend of my youth.” + </p> + <p> + On quitting Boabdil the vizier, taking with him some of those foreign + slaves of a seraglio, who know no sympathy with human passion outside its + walls, bent his way to the palace of Muza, sorely puzzled and perplexed. + He did not, however, like to venture upon the hazard of the alarm it might + occasion throughout the neighbourhood, if he endeavoured, at so + unseasonable an hour, to force an entrance. He resolved, rather, with his + train to wait at a little distance, till, with the growing dawn, the gates + should be unclosed, and the inmates of the palace astir. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, cursing his stars, and wondering at his mission, Jusef, and + his silent and ominous attendants, concealed themselves in a small copse + adjoining the palace, until the daylight fairly broke over the awakened + city. He then passed into the palace; and was conducted to a hall, where + he found the renowned Moslem already astir, and conferring with some Zegri + captains upon the tactics of a sortie designed for that day. + </p> + <p> + It was with so evident a reluctance and apprehension that Jusef approached + the prince, that the fierce and quick-sighted Zegris instantly suspected + some evil intention in his visit; and when Muza, in surprise, yielded to + the prayer of the vizier for a private audience, it was with scowling + brows and sparkling eyes that the Moorish warriors left the darling of the + nobles alone with the messenger of their king. + </p> + <p> + “By the tomb of the prophet!” said one of the Zegris, as he quitted the + hall, “the timid Boabdil suspects our Ben Abil Gazan. I learned of this + before.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said another of the band; “let us watch. If the king touch a hair + of Muza’s head, Allah have mercy on his sins!” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the vizier, in silence, showed to Muza the firman and the + signet; and then, without venturing to announce the place to which he was + commissioned to conduct the prince, besought him to follow at once. Muza + changed colour, but not with fear. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said he, in a tone of deep sorrow, “can it be that I have fallen + under my royal kinsman’s suspicion or displeasure? But no matter; proud to + set to Granada an example of valour in her defence, be it mine to set, + also, an example of obedience to her king. Go on—I will follow thee. + Yet stay, you will have no need of guards; let us depart by a private + egress: the Zegris might misgive, did they see me leave the palace with + you at the very time the army are assembling in the Vivarrambla, and + awaiting my presence. This way.” + </p> + <p> + Thus saying, Muza, who, fierce as he was, obeyed every impulse that the + oriental loyalty dictated from a subject to a king, passed from the hall + to a small door that admitted into the garden, and in thoughtful silence + accompanied the vizier towards the Alhambra. As they passed the copse in + which Muza, two nights before, had met with Almamen, the Moor, lifting his + head suddenly, beheld fixed upon him the dark eyes of the magician, as he + emerged from the trees. Muza thought there was in those eyes a malign and + hostile exultation; but Almamen, gravely saluting him, passed on through + the grove: the prince did not deign to look back, or he might once more + have encountered that withering gaze. + </p> + <p> + “Proud heathen!” muttered Almamen to himself, “thy father filled his + treasuries from the gold of many a tortured Hebrew; and even thou, too + haughty to be the miser, hast been savage enough to play the bigot. Thy + name is a curse in Israel; yet dost thou lust after the daughter of our + despised race, and, could defeated passion sting thee, I were avenged. Ay, + sweep on, with thy stately step and lofty crest-thou goest to chains, + perhaps to death.” + </p> + <p> + As Almamen thus vented his bitter spirit, the last gleam of the white + robes of Muza vanished from his gaze. He paused a moment, turned away + abruptly, and said, half aloud, “Vengeance, not on one man only, but a + whole race! Now for the Nazarene.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK. II. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE ROYAL TENT OF SPAIN.—THE KING AND THE DOMINICAN—THE + VISITOR AND + </h2> + <p> + THE HOSTAGE. + </p> + <p> + Our narrative now summons us to the Christian army, and to the tent in + which the Spanish king held nocturnal counsel with some of his more + confidential warriors and advisers. Ferdinand had taken the field with all + the pomp and circumstance of a tournament rather than of a campaign; and + his pavilion literally blazed with purple and cloth of gold. + </p> + <p> + The king sat at the head of a table on which were scattered maps and + papers; nor in countenance and mien did that great and politic monarch + seem unworthy of the brilliant chivalry by which he was surrounded. His + black hair, richly perfumed and anointed, fell in long locks on either + side of a high imperial brow, upon whose calm, though not unfurrowed + surface, the physiognomist would in vain have sought to read the + inscrutable heart of kings. His features were regular and majestic: and + his mantle, clasped with a single jewel of rare price and lustre, and + wrought at the breast with a silver cross, waved over a vigorous and manly + frame, which derived from the composed and tranquil dignity of habitual + command that imposing effect which many of the renowned knights and heroes + in his presence took from loftier stature and ampler proportions. At his + right hand sat Prince Juan, his son, in the first bloom of youth; at his + left, the celebrated Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, Marquess of Cadiz; along the + table, in the order of their military rank, were seen the splendid Duke of + Medina Sidonia, equally noble in aspect and in name; the worn and + thoughtful countenance of the Marquess de Villena (the Bayard of Spain); + the melancholy brow of the heroic Alonzo de Aguilar; and the gigantic + frame, the animated features, and sparkling eyes, of that fiery Hernando + del Pulgar, surnamed “the knight of the exploits.” + </p> + <p> + “You see, senores,” said the king, continuing an address, to which his + chiefs seemed to listen with reverential attention, “our best hope of + speedily gaining the city is rather in the dissensions of the Moors than + our own sacred arms. The walls are strong, the population still numerous; + and under Muza Ben Abil Gazan, the tactics of the hostile army are, it + must be owned, administered with such skill as to threaten very formidable + delays to the period of our conquest. Avoiding the hazard of a fixed + battle, the infidel cavalry harass our camp by perpetual skirmishes; and + in the mountain defiles our detachments cannot cope with their light horse + and treacherous ambuscades. It is true, that by dint of time, by the + complete devastation of the Vega, and by vigilant prevention of convoys + from the seatowns, we might starve the city into yielding. But, alas! my + lords, our enemies are scattered and numerous, and Granada is not the only + place before which the standard of Spain should be unfurled. Thus + situated, the lion does not disdain to serve himself of the fox; and, + fortunately, we have now in Granada an ally that fights for us. I have + actual knowledge of all that passes within the Alhambra: the king yet + remains in his palace, irresolute and dreaming; and I trust that an + intrigue by which his jealousies are aroused against his general, Muza, + may end either in the loss of that able leader, or in the commotion of + open rebellion or civil war. Treason within Granada will open its gates to + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Ponce de Leon, after a pause, “under your counsels, I no more + doubt of seeing our banner float above the Vermilion Towers, than I doubt + the rising of the sun over yonder hills; it matters little whether we win + by stratagem or force. But I need not say to your highness, that we should + carefully beware lest we be amused by inventions of the enemy, and trust + to conspiracies which may be but lying tales to blunt our sabres, and + paralyse our action.” + </p> + <p> + “Bravely spoken, wise de Leon!” exclaimed Hernando del Pulgar, hotly: “and + against these infidels, aided by the cunning of the Evil One, methinks our + best wisdom lies in the sword-arm. Well says our old Castilian proverb: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Curse them devoutly, + Hammer them stoutly.’” + </pre> + <p> + The king smiled slightly at the ardour of the favourite of his army, but + looked round for more deliberate counsel. “Sire,” said Villena, “far be it + from us to inquire the grounds upon which your majesty builds your hope of + dissension among the foe; but, placing the most sanguine confidence in a + wisdom never to be deceived, it is clear that we should relax no energy + within our means, but fight while we plot, and seek to conquer, while we + do not neglect to undermine.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak well, my Lord,” said Ferdinand, thoughtfully; “and you yourself + shall head a strong detachment to-morrow, to lay waste the Vega. Seek me + two hours hence; the council for the present is dissolved.” + </p> + <p> + The knights rose, and withdrew with the usual grave and stately ceremonies + of respect, which Ferdinand observed to, and exacted from, his court: the + young prince remained. + </p> + <p> + “Son,” said Ferdinand, when they were alone, “early and betimes should the + Infants of Spain be lessoned in the science of kingcraft. These nobles are + among the brightest jewels of the crown; but still it is in the crown, and + for the crown, that their light should sparkle. Thou seest how hot, and + fierce, and warlike, are the chiefs of Spain—excellent virtues when + manifested against our foes: but had we no foes, Juan, such virtues might + cause us exceeding trouble. By St. Jago, I have founded a mighty monarchy! + observe how it should be maintained—by science, Juan, by science! + and science is as far removed from brute force as this sword from a + crowbar. Thou seemest bewildered and amazed, my son: thou hast heard that + I seek to conquer Granada by dissensions among the Moors; when Granada is + conquered, remember that the nobles themselves are at Granada. Ave Maria! + blessed be the Holy Mother, under whose eyes are the hearts of kings!” + Ferdinand crossed himself devoutly; and then, rising, drew aside a part of + the drapery of the pavilion, and called; in a low voice, the name of + Perez. A grave Spaniard, somewhat past the verge of middle age, appeared. + </p> + <p> + “Perez,” said the king, reseating himself, “has the person we expected + from Granada yet arrived?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, yes; accompanied by a maiden.” + </p> + <p> + “He hath kept his word; admit them. Ha! holy father, thy visits are always + as balsam to the heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Save you, my son!” returned a man in the robes of a Dominican friar, who + had entered suddenly and without ceremony by another part of the tent, and + who now seated himself with smileless composure at a little distance from + the king. + </p> + <p> + There was a dead silence for some moments; and Perez still lingered within + the tent, as if in doubt whether the entrance of the friar would not + prevent or delay obedience to the king’s command. On the calm face of + Ferdinand himself appeared a slight shade of discomposure and + irresolution, when the monk thus resumed: + </p> + <p> + “My presence, my son, will not, I trust, disturb your conference with the + infidel—since you deem that worldly policy demands your parley with + the men of Belial.” + </p> + <p> + “Doubtless not—doubtless not,” returned the king, quickly: then, + muttering to himself, “how wondrously doth this holy man penetrate into + all our movements and designs!” he added, aloud, “Let the messenger + enter.” + </p> + <p> + Perez bowed, and withdrew. + </p> + <p> + During this time, the young prince reclined in listless silence on his + seat; and on his delicate features was an expression of weariness which + augured but ill of his fitness for the stern business to which the lessons + of his wise father were intended to educate his mind. His, indeed, was the + age, and his the soul, for pleasure; the tumult of the camp was to him but + a holiday exhibition—the march of an army, the exhilaration of a + spectacle; the court as a banquet—the throne, the best seat at the + entertainment. The life of the heir-apparent, to the life of the king + possessive, is as the distinction between enchanting hope and tiresome + satiety. + </p> + <p> + The small grey eyes of the friar wandered over each of his royal + companions with a keen and penetrating glance, and then settled in the + aspect of humility on the rich carpets that bespread the floor; nor did he + again lift them till Perez, reappearing, admitted to the tent the + Israelite, Almamen, accompanied by a female figure, whose long veil, + extending from head to foot, could conceal neither the beautiful + proportions nor the trembling agitation, of her frame. + </p> + <p> + “When last, great king, I was admitted to thy presence,” said Almamen, + “thou didst make question of the sincerity and faith of thy servant; thou + didst ask me for a surety of my faith; thou didst demand a hostage; and + didst refuse further parley without such pledge were yielded to thee. Lo! + I place under thy kingly care this maiden—the sole child of my house—as + surety of my truth; I intrust to thee a life dearer than my own.” + </p> + <p> + “You have kept faith with us, stranger,” said the king, in that soft and + musical voice which well disguised his deep craft and his unrelenting + will; “and the maiden whom you intrust to our charge shall be ranked with + the ladies of our royal consort.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” replied Almamen, with touching earnestness, “you now hold the + power of life and death over all for whom this heart can breathe a prayer + or cherish a hope, save for my countrymen and my religion. This solemn + pledge between thee and me I render up without scruple, without fear. To + thee I give a hostage, from thee I have but a promise.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is the promise of a king, a Christian, and a knight,” said the + king, with dignity rather mild than arrogant; “among monarchs, what + hostage can be more sacred? Let this pass: how proceed affairs in the + rebel city?” + </p> + <p> + “May this maiden withdraw, ere I answer my lord the king?” said Almamen. + </p> + <p> + The young prince started to his feet. “Shall I conduct this new charge to + my mother?” he asked, in a low voice, addressing Ferdinand. + </p> + <p> + The king half smiled: “The holy father were a better guide,” he returned, + in the same tone. But, though the Dominican heard the hint, he retained + his motionless posture; and Ferdinand, after a momentary gaze on the + friar, turned away. “Be it so, Juan,” said he, with a look meant to convey + caution to the prince; “Perez shall accompany you to the queen: return the + moment your mission is fulfilled—we want your presence.” + </p> + <p> + While this conversation was carried on between the father and son, the + Hebrew was whispering, in his sacred tongue, words of comfort and + remonstrance to the maiden; but they appeared to have but little of the + desired effect; and, suddenly falling on his breast, she wound her arms + around the Hebrew, whose breast shook with strong emotions, and exclaimed + passionately, in the same language, “Oh, my father! what have I done?—why + send me from thee?—why intrust thy child to the stranger? Spare me, + spare me!” + </p> + <p> + “Child of my heart!” returned the Hebrew, with solemn but tender accents, + “even as Abraham offered up his son, must I offer thee, upon the altars of + our faith; but, O Leila! even as the angel of the Lord forbade the + offering, so shall thy youth be spared, and thy years reserved for the + glory of generations yet unborn. King of Spain!” he continued in the + Spanish tongue, suddenly and eagerly, “you are a father, forgive my + weakness, and speed this parting.” + </p> + <p> + Juan approached; and with respectful courtesy attempted to take the hand + of the maiden. + </p> + <p> + “You?” said the Israelite, with a dark frown. “O king! the prince is + young.” + </p> + <p> + “Honour knoweth no distinction of age,” answered the king. “What ho, + Perez! accompany this maiden and the prince to the queen’s pavilion.” + </p> + <p> + The sight of the sober years and grave countenance of the attendant seemed + to re-assure the Hebrew. He strained Leila in his arms; printed a kiss + upon her forehead without removing her veil; and then, placing her almost + in the arms of Perez, turned away to the further end of the tent, and + concealed his face with his hands. The king appeared touched; but the + Dominican gazed upon the whole scene with a sour scowl. + </p> + <p> + Leila still paused for a moment; and then, as if recovering her + self-possession, said, aloud and distinctly,—“Man deserts me; but I + will not forget that God is over all.” Shaking off the hand of the + Spaniard, she continued, “Lead on; I follow thee!” and left the tent with + a steady and even majestic step. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said the king, when alone with the Dominican and Almamen, “how + proceed our hopes?” + </p> + <p> + “Boabdil,” replied the Israelite, “is aroused against both his army and + their leader, Muza; the king will not quit the Alhambra; and this morning, + ere I left the city, Muza himself was in the prisons of the palace.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” cried the king, starting from his seat. + </p> + <p> + “This is my work,” pursued the Hebrew coldly. “It is these hands that are + shaping for Ferdinand of Spain the keys of Granada.” + </p> + <p> + “And right kingly shall be your guerdon,” said the Spanish monarch: + “meanwhile, accept this earnest of our favour.” So saying, he took from + his breast a chain of massive gold, the links of which were curiously + inwrought with gems, and extended it to the Israelite. Almamen moved not. + A dark flush upon his countenance bespoke the feelings he with difficulty + restrained. + </p> + <p> + “I sell not my foes for gold, great king,” said he, with a stern smile: “I + sell my foes to buy the ransom of my friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Churlish!” said Ferdinand, offended: “but speak on, man, speak on!” + </p> + <p> + “If I place Granada, ere two weeks are past, within thy power, what shall + be my reward?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou didst talk to me, when last we met, of immunities to the Jews.” + </p> + <p> + The calm Dominican looked up as the king spoke, crossed himself, and + resumed his attitude of humility. + </p> + <p> + “I demand for the people of Israel,” returned Almamen, “free leave to + trade and abide within the city, and follow their callings, subjected only + to the same laws and the same imposts as the Christian population.” + </p> + <p> + “The same laws, and the same imposts! Humph! there are difficulties in the + concession. If we refuse?” + </p> + <p> + “Our treaty is ended. Give me back the maiden—you will have no + further need of the hostage you demanded: I return to the city, and renew + our interviews no more.” + </p> + <p> + Politic and cold-blooded as was the temperament of the great Ferdinand, he + had yet the imperious and haughty nature of a prosperous and + long-descended king; and he bit his lip in deep displeasure at the tone of + the dictatorial and stately stranger. + </p> + <p> + “Thou usest plain language, my friend,” said he; “my words can be as + rudely spoken. Thou art in my power, and canst return not, save at my + permission.” + </p> + <p> + “I have your royal word, sire, for free entrance and safe egress,” + answered Almamen. “Break it, and Granada is with the Moors till the Darro + runs red with the blood of her heroes, and her people strew the vales as + the leaves in autumn.” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou then thyself of the Jewish faith?” asked the king. “If thou art + not, wherefore are the outcasts of the world so dear to thee?” + </p> + <p> + “My fathers were of that creed, royal Ferdinand; and if I myself desert + their creed, I do not desert their cause. O king! are my terms scorned or + accepted?” + </p> + <p> + “I accept them: provided, first, that thou obtainest the exile or death of + Muza; secondly, that within two weeks of this date thou bringest me, along + with the chief councillors of Granada, the written treaty of the + capitulation, and the keys of the city. Do this: and though the sole king + in Christendom who dares the hazard, I offer to the Israelites throughout + Andalusia the common laws and rights of citizens of Spain; and to thee I + will accord such dignity as may content thy ambition.” + </p> + <p> + The Hebrew bowed reverently, and drew from his breast a scroll, which he + placed on the table before the king. “This writing, mighty Ferdinand, + contains the articles of our compact.” + </p> + <p> + “How, knave! wouldst thou have us commit our royal signature to conditions + with such as thou art, to the chance of the public eye? The king’s word is + the king’s bond!” + </p> + <p> + The Hebrew took up the scroll with imperturbable composure, “My child!” + said he; “will your majesty summon back my child? we would depart.” + </p> + <p> + “A sturdy mendicant this, by the Virgin!” muttered the king; and then, + speaking aloud, “Give me the paper, I will scan it.” + </p> + <p> + Running his eyes hastily over the words, Ferdinand paused a moment, and + then drew towards him the implements of writing, signed the scroll, and + returned it to Almamen. + </p> + <p> + The Israelite kissed it thrice with oriental veneration, and replaced it + in his breast. + </p> + <p> + Ferdinand looked at him hard and curiously. He was a profound reader of + men’s characters; but that of his guest baffled and perplexed him. + </p> + <p> + “And how, stranger,” said he, gravely,—“how can I trust that man who + thus distrusts one king and sells another?” + </p> + <p> + “O king!” replied Almamen (accustomed from his youth to commune with and + command the possessors of thrones yet more absolute),—“O king! if + thou believest me actuated by personal and selfish interests in this our + compact, thou has but to make, my service minister to my interest, and the + lore of human nature will tell thee that thou hast won a ready and + submissive slave. But if thou thinkest I have avowed sentiments less + abject, and developed qualities higher than those of the mere bargainer + for sordid power, oughtest thou not to rejoice that chance has thrown into + thy way one whose intellect and faculties may be made thy tool? If I + betray another, that other is my deadly foe. Dost not thou, the lord of + armies, betray thine enemy? The Moor is an enemy bitterer to myself than + to thee. Because I betray an enemy, am I unworthy to serve a friend? If I, + a single man, and a stranger to the Moor, can yet command the secrets of + palaces, and render vain the counsels of armed men, have I not in that + attested that I am one of whom a wise king can make an able servant?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a subtle reasoner, my friend,” said Ferdinand, smiling gently. + “Peace go with thee! our conference for the time is ended. What ho, + Perez!” The attendant appeared. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast left the maiden with the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, you have been obeyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Conduct this stranger to the guard who led him through the camp. He quits + us under the same protection. Farewell! yet stay—thou art assured + that Muza Ben Abil Gazan is in the prisons of the Moor?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Blessed be the Virgin!” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast heard our conference, Father Tomas?” said the king, anxiously, + when the Hebrew had withdrawn. + </p> + <p> + “I have, son.” + </p> + <p> + “Did thy veins freeze with horror?” + </p> + <p> + “Only when my son signed the scroll. It seemed to me then that I saw the + cloven foot of the tempter.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush, father, the tempter would have been more wise than to reckon upon a + faith which no ink and no parchment can render valid, if the Church + absolve the compact. Thou understandest me, father?” + </p> + <p> + “I do. I know your pious heart and well-judging mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wert right,” resumed the king, musingly, “when thou didst tell us + that these caitiff Jews were waxing strong in the fatness of their + substance. They would have equal laws—the insolent blasphemers!” + </p> + <p> + “Son!” said the Dominican, with earnest adjuration, “God, who has + prospered your arms and councils, will require at your hands an account of + the power intrusted to you. Shall there be no difference between His + friends and His foes—His disciples and His crucifiers?” + </p> + <p> + “Priest,” said the king, laying his hand on the monk’s shoulder, and with + a saturnine smile upon his countenance, “were religion silent in this + matter, policy has a voice loud enough to make itself heard. The Jews + demand equal rights; when men demand equality with their masters, treason + is at work, and justice sharpens her sword. Equality! these wealthy + usurers! Sacred Virgin! they would be soon buying up our kingdoms.” + </p> + <p> + The Dominican gazed hard on the king. “Son, I trust thee,” he said, in a + low voice, and glided from the tent. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE. + </h2> + <p> + The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen + pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city. He was now in a + dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst + which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless + in the still morning air. As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be + called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered + from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his + own. + </p> + <p> + He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp + whistle from the apparition before him was answered around—behind; + and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of + Moors, in the garb of peasants. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my masters,” said Almamen, calmly, as he encountered the wild + savage countenances that glared upon him, “think you there is aught to + fear from the solitary santon?” + </p> + <p> + “It is the magician,” whispered one man to his neighbour—“let him + pass.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” was the answer, “take him before the captain; we have orders to + seize upon all we meet.” + </p> + <p> + This counsel prevailed; and gnashing his teeth with secret rage, Almamen + found himself hurried along by the peasants through the thickest part of + the copse. At length, the procession stopped in a semicircular patch of + rank sward, in which several head of cattle were quietly grazing, and a + yet more numerous troop of peasants reclined around upon the grass. + </p> + <p> + “Whom have we here?” asked a voice which startled back the dark blood from + Almamen’s cheek; and a Moor of commanding presence rose from the midst of + his brethren. “By the beard of the prophet, it is the false santon! What + dost thou from Granada at this hour?” + </p> + <p> + “Noble Muza,” returned Almamen—who, though indeed amazed that one + whom he had imagined his victim was thus unaccountably become his judge, + retained, at least, the semblance of composure—“my answer is to be + given only to my lord the king; it is his commands that I obey.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art aware,” said Muza, frowning, “that thy life is forfeited without + appeal? Whatsoever inmate of Granada is found without the walls between + sunrise and sunset, dies the death of a traitor and deserter.” + </p> + <p> + “The servants of the Alhambra are excepted,” answered the Israelite, + without changing countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” muttered Muza, as a painful and sudden thought seemed to cross him, + “can it be possible that the rumour of the city has truth, and that the + monarch of Granada is in treaty with the foe?” He mused a little; and + then, motioning the Moors to withdraw, he continued aloud, “Almamen, + answer me truly: hast thou sought the Christian camp with any message from + the king?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not.” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou without the walls on the mission of the king?” + </p> + <p> + “If I be so, I am a traitor to the king should I reveal his secret.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt thee much, santon,” said Muza, after a pause; “I know thee for my + enemy, and I do believe thy counsels have poisoned the king’s ear against + me, his people and his duties. But no matter, thy life is spared a while; + thou remainest with us, and with us shalt thou return to the king.” + </p> + <p> + “But, noble Muza——” + </p> + <p> + “I have said! Guard the santon; mount him upon one of our chargers; he + shall abide with us in our ambush.” While Almamen chafed in vain at his + arrest, all in the Christian camp was yet still. At length, as the sun + began to lift himself above the mountains, first a murmur, and then a din, + betokened warlike preparations. Several parties of horse, under gallant + and experienced leaders, formed themselves in different quarters, and + departed in different ways, on expeditions of forage, or in the hope of + skirmish with the straggling detachments of the enemy. Of these, the best + equipped, was conducted by the Marquess de Villena, and his gallant + brother Don Alonzo de Pacheco. In this troop, too, rode many of the best + blood of Spain; for in that chivalric army, the officers vied with each + other who should most eclipse the meaner soldiery in feats of personal + valour; and the name of Villena drew around him the eager and ardent + spirits that pined at the general inactivity of Ferdinand’s politic + campaign. + </p> + <p> + The sun, now high in heaven, glittered on the splendid arms and gorgeous + pennons of Villena’s company, as, leaving the camp behind, it entered a + rich and wooded district that skirts the mountain barrier of the Vega. The + brilliancy of the day, the beauty of the scene, the hope and excitement of + enterprise, animated the spirits of the whole party. In these expeditions + strict discipline was often abandoned, from the certainty that it could be + resumed at need. Conversation, gay and loud, interspersed at times with + snatches of song, was heard amongst the soldiery; and in the nobler group + that rode with Villena, there was even less of the proverbial gravity of + Spaniards. + </p> + <p> + “Now, marquess,” said Don Estevon de Suzon, “what wager shall be between + us as to which lance this day robs Moorish beauty of the greatest number + of its worshippers?” + </p> + <p> + “My falchion against your jennet,” said Don Alonzo de Pacheco, taking up + the challenge. + </p> + <p> + “Agreed. But, talking of beauty, were you in the queen’s pavilion last + night, noble marquess? it was enriched by a new maiden, whose strange and + sudden apparition none can account for. Her eyes would have eclipsed the + fatal glance of Cava; and had I been Rodrigo, I might have lost a crown + for her smile.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” said Villena, “I heard of her beauty; some hostage from one of the + traitor Moors, with whom the king (the saints bless him!) bargains for the + city. They tell me the prince incurred the queen’s grave rebuke for his + attentions to the maiden.” + </p> + <p> + “And this morning I saw that fearful Father Tomas steal into the prince’s + tent. I wish Don Juan well through the lecture. The monk’s advice is like + the algarroba;—[The algarroba is a sort of leguminous plant common + in Spain]—when it is laid up to dry it may be reasonably wholesome, + but it is harsh and bitter enough when taken fresh.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment one of the subaltern officers rode up to the marquess, and + whispered in his ear. + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” said Villena, “the Virgin be praised! Sir knights, booty is at hand. + Silence! close the ranks.” With that, mounting a little eminence, and + shading his eyes with his hand, the marquess surveyed the plain below; + and, at some distance, he beheld a horde of Moorish peasants driving some + cattle into a thick copse. The word was hastily given, the troop dashed + on, every voice was hushed, and the clatter of mail, and the sound of + hoofs, alone broke the delicious silence of the noon-day landscape. + </p> + <p> + Ere they reached the copse, the peasants had disappeared within it. The + marquess marshalled his men in a semicircle round the trees, and sent on a + detachment to the rear, to cut off every egress from the wood. This done + the troop dashed within. For the first few yards the space was more open + than they had anticipated: but the ground soon grew uneven, rugged, and + almost precipitous, and the soil, and the interlaced trees, alike forbade + any rapid motion to the horse. Don Alonzo de Pacheco, mounted on a charger + whose agile and docile limbs had been tutored to every description of + warfare, and himself of light weight and incomparable horsemanship—dashed + on before the rest. The trees hid him for a moment; when suddenly, a wild + yell was heard, and as it ceased uprose the solitary voice of the + Spaniard, shouting, “<i>Santiago, y cierra</i>, Espana; St. Jago, and + charge, Spain!” + </p> + <p> + Each cavalier spurred forward; when suddenly, a shower of darts and arrows + rattled on their armour; and upsprung from bush and reeds, and rocky + clift, a number of Moors, and with wild shouts swarmed around the + Spaniards. + </p> + <p> + “Back for your lives!” cried Villena; “we are beset—make for the + level ground!” + </p> + <p> + He turned-spurred from the thicket, and saw the Paynim foe emerging + through the glen, line after line of man and horse; each Moor leading his + slight and fiery steed by the bridle, and leaping on it as he issued from + the wood into the plain. Cased in complete mail, his visor down, his lance + in its rest, Villena (accompanied by such of his knights as could + disentangle themselves from the Moorish foot) charged upon the foe. A + moment of fierce shock passed: on the ground lay many a Moor, pierced + through by the Christian lance; and on the other side of the foe was heard + the voice of Villena—“St. Jago to the rescue!” But the brave + marquess stood almost alone, save his faithful chamberlain, Solier. + Several of his knights were dismounted, and swarms of Moors, with lifted + knives, gathered round them as they lay, searching for the joints of the + armour, which might admit a mortal wound. Gradually, one by one, many of + Villena’s comrades joined their leader, and now the green mantle of Don + Alonzo de Pacheco was seen waving without the copse, and Villena + congratulated himself on the safety of his brother. Just at that moment, a + Moorish cavalier spurred from his troop, and met Pacheco in full career. + The Moor was not clad, as was the common custom of the Paynim nobles, in + the heavy Christian armour. He wore the light flexile mail of the ancient + heroes of Araby or Fez. His turban, which was protected by chains of the + finest steel interwoven with the folds, was of the most dazzling white—white, + also, were his tunic and short mantle; on his left arm hung a short + circular shield, in his right hand was poised a long and slender lance. As + this Moor, mounted on a charger in whose raven hue not a white hair could + be detected, dashed forward against Pacheco, both Christian and Moor + breathed hard, and remained passive. Either nation felt it as a sacrilege + to thwart the encounter of champions so renowned. + </p> + <p> + “God save my brave brother!” muttered Villena, anxiously. “Amen,” said + those around him; for all who had ever witnessed the wildest valour in + that war, trembled as they recognised the dazzling robe and coal-black + charger of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. Nor was that renowned infidel mated with + an unworthy foe. “Pride of the tournament, and terror of the war,” was the + favourite title which the knights and ladies of Castile had bestowed on + Don Alonzo de Pacheco. + </p> + <p> + When the Spaniard saw the redoubted Moor approach, he halted abruptly for + a moment, and then, wheeling his horse around, took a wider circuit, to + give additional impetus to his charge. The Moor, aware of his purpose, + halted also, and awaited the moment of his rush; when once more he darted + forward, and the combatants met with a skill which called forth a cry of + involuntary applause from the Christians themselves. Muza received on the + small surface of his shield the ponderous spear of Alonzo, while his own + light lance struck upon the helmet of the Christian, and by the exactness + of the aim rather than the weight of the blow, made Alonzo reel in his + saddle. + </p> + <p> + The lances were thrown aside—the long broad falchion of the + Christian, the curved Damascus cimiter of the Moor, gleamed in the air. + They reined their chargers opposite each other in grave and deliberate + silence. + </p> + <p> + “Yield thee, sir knight!” at length cried the fierce Moor, “for the motto + on my cimiter declares that if thou meetest its stroke, thy days are + numbered. The sword of the believer is the Key of Heaven and Hell.”—[Such, + says Sale, is the poetical phrase of the Mohammedan divines.] + </p> + <p> + “False Paynim,” answered Alonzo, in a voice that rung hollow through his + helmet, “a Christian knight is the equal of a Moorish army!” + </p> + <p> + Muza made no reply, but left the rein of his charger on his neck; the + noble animal understood the signal, and with a short impatient cry rushed + forward at full speed. Alonzo met the charge with his falchion upraised, + and his whole body covered with his shield; the Moor bent—the + Spaniards raised a shout—Muza seemed stricken from his horse. But + the blow of the heavy falchion had not touched him: and, seemingly without + an effort, the curved blade of his own cimiter, gliding by that part of + his antagonist’s throat where the helmet joins the cuirass, passed + unresistingly and silently through the joints; and Alonzo fell at once, + and without a groan, from his horse—his armour, to all appearance, + unpenetrated, while the blood oozed slow and gurgling from a mortal wound. + </p> + <p> + “Allah il Allah!” shouted Muza, as he joined his friends; “Lelilies! + Lelilies!” echoed the Moors; and ere the Christians recovered their + dismay, they were engaged hand to hand with their ferocious and swarming + foes. It was, indeed, fearful odds; and it was a marvel to the Spaniards + how the Moors had been enabled to harbour and conceal their numbers in so + small a space. Horse and foot alike beset the company of Villena, already + sadly reduced; and while the infantry, with desperate and savage + fierceness, thrust themselves under the very bellies of the chargers, + encountering both the hoofs of the steed and the deadly lance of the + rider, in the hope of finding a vulnerable place for the sharp Moorish + knife,—the horsemen, avoiding the stern grapple of the Spaniard + warriors, harrassed them by the shaft and lance,—now advancing, now + retreating, and performing, with incredible rapidity, the evolutions of + Oriental cavalry. But the life and soul of his party was the indomitable + Muza. With a rashness which seemed to the superstitious Spaniards like the + safety of a man protected by magic, he spurred his ominous black barb into + the very midst of the serried phalanx which Villena endeavoured to form + around him, breaking the order by his single charge, and from time to time + bringing to the dust some champion of the troop by the noiseless and + scarce-seen edge of his fatal cimiter. + </p> + <p> + Villena, in despair alike of fame and life, and gnawed with grief for his + brother’s loss, at length resolved to put the last hope of the battle on + his single arm. He gave the signal for retreat; and to protect his troop, + remained himself, alone and motionless, on his horse, like a statue of + iron. Though not of large frame, he was esteemed the best swordsman, next + only to Hernando del Pulgar and Gonsalvo de Cordova, in the army; + practised alike in the heavy assault of the Christian warfare, and the + rapid and dexterous exercise of the Moorish cavalry. There he remained, + alone and grim—a lion at bay—while his troops slowly retreated + down the Vega, and their trumpets sounded loud signals of distress, and + demands for succour, to such of their companions as might be within + bearing. Villena’s armour defied the shafts of the Moors; and as one after + one darted towards him, with whirling cimiter and momentary assault, few + escaped with impunity from an eye equally quick and a weapon more than + equally formidable. Suddenly, a cloud of dust swept towards him; and Muza, + a moment before at the further end of the field, came glittering through + that cloud, with his white robe waving and his right arm bare. Villena + recognised him, set his teeth hard, and putting spurs to his charger, met + the rush. Muza swerved aside, just as the heavy falchion swung over his + head, and by a back stroke of his own cimiter, shore through the cuirass + just above the hip-joint, and the blood followed the blade. The brave + cavaliers saw the danger of their chief; three of their number darted + forward, and came in time to separate the combatants. + </p> + <p> + Muza stayed not to encounter the new reinforcement; but speeding across + the plain, was soon seen rallying his own scattered cavalry, and pouring + them down, in one general body, upon the scanty remnant of the Spaniards. + </p> + <p> + “Our day is come!” said the good knight Villena, with bitter resignation. + “Nothing is left for us, my friends, but to give up our lives—an + example how Spanish warriors should live and die. May God and the Holy + Mother forgive our sins and shorten our purgatory!” + </p> + <p> + Just as he spoke, a clarion was heard at a distance and the sharpened + senses of the knights caught the ring of advancing hoofs. + </p> + <p> + “We are saved!” cried Estevon de Suzon, rising on his stirrups. While he + spoke, the dashing stream of the Moorish horse broke over the little band; + and Estevon beheld bent upon himself the dark eyes and quivering lip of + Muza Ben Abil Gazan. That noble knight had never, perhaps, till then known + fear; but he felt his heart stand still, as he now stood opposed to that + irresistible foe. + </p> + <p> + “The dark fiend guides his blade!” thought De Suzon; “but I was shriven + but yestermorn.” The thought restored his wonted courage; and he spurred + on to meet the cimiter of the Moor. + </p> + <p> + His assault took Muza by surprise. The Moor’s horse stumbled over the + ground, cumbered with the dead and slippery with blood, and his uplifted + cimiter could not do more than break the force of the gigantic arm of De + Suzon; as the knight’s falchion bearing down the cimiter, and alighting on + the turban of the Mohammedan, clove midway through its folds, arrested + only by the admirable temper of the links of steel which protected it. The + shock hurled the Moor to the ground. He rolled under the saddle-girths of + his antagonist. + </p> + <p> + “Victory and St. Jago!” cried the knight, “Muza is—” + </p> + <p> + The sentence was left eternally unfinished. The blade of the fallen Moor + had already pierced De Suzoii’s horse through a mortal but undefended + part. It fell, bearing his rider with him. A moment, and the two champions + lay together grappling in the dust; in the next, the short knife which the + Moor wore in his girdle had penetrated the Christian’s visor, passing + through the brain. + </p> + <p> + To remount his steed, that remained at band, humbled and motionless, to + appear again amongst the thickest of the fray, was a work no less rapidly + accomplished than had been the slaughter of the unhappy Estevon de Suzon. + But now the fortune of the day was stopped in a progress hitherto so + triumphant to the Moors. + </p> + <p> + Pricking fast over the plain were seen the glittering horsemen of the + Christian reinforcements; and, at the remoter distance, the royal banner + of Spain, indistinctly descried through volumes of dust, denoted that + Ferdinand himself was advancing to the support of his cavaliers. + </p> + <p> + The Moors, however, who had themselves received many and mysterious + reinforcements, which seemed to spring up like magic from the bosom of the + earth—so suddenly and unexpectedly had they emerged from copse and + cleft in that mountainous and entangled neighbourhood—were not + unprepared for a fresh foe. At the command of the vigilant Muza, they drew + off, fell into order, and, seizing, while yet there was time, the + vantage-ground which inequalities of the soil and the shelter of the trees + gave to their darts and agile horse, they presented an array which Ponce + de Leon himself, who now arrived, deemed it more prudent not to assault. + While Villena, in accents almost inarticulate with rage, was urging the + Marquess of Cadiz to advance, Ferdinand, surrounded by the flower of his + court, arrived at the rear of the troops and after a few words + interchanged with Ponce de Leon, gave the signal to retreat. + </p> + <p> + When the Moors beheld that noble soldiery slowly breaking ground, and + retiring towards the camp, even Muza could not control their ardour. They + rushed forward, harassing the retreat of the Christians, and delaying the + battle by various skirmishes. + </p> + <p> + It was at this time that the headlong valour of Hernando del Pulgar, who + had arrived with Ponce de Leon, distinguished itself in feats which yet + live in the songs of Spain. Mounted upon an immense steed, and himself of + colossal strength, he was seen charging alone upon the assailants, and + scattering numbers to the ground with the sweep of his enormous two-handed + falchion. With a loud voice, he called on Muza to oppose him; but the + Moor, fatigued with slaughter, and scarcely recovered from the shock of + his encounter with De Suzon, reserved so formidable a foe for a future + contest. + </p> + <p> + It was at this juncture, while the field was covered with straggling + skirmishers, that a small party of Spaniards, in cutting their way to the + main body of their countrymen through one of the numerous copses held by + the enemy, fell in at the outskirt with an equal number of Moors, and + engaged them in a desperate conflict, hand to hand. Amidst the infidels + was one man who took no part in the affray: at a little distance, he gazed + for a few moments upon the fierce and relentless slaughter of Moor and + Christian with a smile of stern and complacent delight; and then taking + advantage of the general confusion, rode gently, and, as he hoped, + unobserved, away from the scene. But he was not destined so quietly to + escape. A Spaniard perceived him, and, from something strange and unusual + in his garb, judged him one of the Moorish leaders; and presently Almamen, + for it was he, beheld before him the uplifted falchion of a foe neither + disposed to give quarter nor to hear parley. Brave though the Israelite + was, many reasons concurred to prevent his taking a personal part against + the soldier of Spain; and seeing he should have no chance of explanation, + he fairly puts spurs to his horse, and galloped across the plain. The + Spaniard followed, gained upon him, and Almamen at length turned, in + despair and the wrath of his haughty nature. + </p> + <p> + “Have thy will, fool!” said he, between his grinded teeth, as he griped + his dagger and prepared for the conflict. It was long and obstinate, for + the Spaniard was skilful; and the Hebrew wearing no mail, and without any + weapon more formidable than a sharp and well-tempered dagger, was forced + to act cautiously on the defensive. At length the combatants grappled, + and, by a dexterous thrust, the short blade of Almamen pierced the throat + of his antagonist, who fell prostrate to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “I am safe,” he thought, as he wheeled round his horse; when lo! the + Spaniards he had just left behind, and who had now routed their + antagonists, were upon him. + </p> + <p> + “Yield, or die!” cried the leader of the troop. + </p> + <p> + Almamen glared round; no succour was at hand. “I am not your enemy,” said + he, sullenly, throwing down his weapon—“bear me to your camp.” + </p> + <p> + A trooper seized his rein, and, scouring along, the Spaniards soon reached + the retreating army. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the evening darkened, the shout and the roar grew gradually less + loud and loud—-the battle had ceased—the stragglers had joined + their several standards and, by the light of the first star, the Moorish + force, bearing their wounded brethren, and elated with success, re-entered + the gates of Granada, as the black charger of the hero of the day, closing + the rear of the cavalry, disappeared within the gloomy portals. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE HERO IN THE POWER OF THE DREAMER. + </h2> + <p> + It was in the same chamber, and nearly at the same hour, in which we first + presented to the reader Boabdil el Chico, that we are again admitted to + the presence of that ill-starred monarch. He was not alone. His favourite + slave, Amine, reclined upon the ottomans, gazing with anxious love upon + his thoughtful countenance, as he leant against the glittering wall by the + side of the casement, gazing abstractedly on the scene below. + </p> + <p> + From afar he heard the shouts of the populace at the return of Muza, and + bursts of artillery confirmed the tidings of triumph which had already + been borne to his ear. + </p> + <p> + “May the king live for ever!” said Amine, timidly; “his armies have gone + forth to conquer.” + </p> + <p> + “But without their king,” replied Boabdil, bitterly, “and headed by a + traitor and a foe. I am meshed in the nets of an inextricable fate!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said the slave, with sudden energy, as, clasping her hands, she rose + from her couch,—“oh, my lord, would that these humble lips dared + utter other words than those of love!” + </p> + <p> + “And what wise counsel would they give me?” asked Boabdil with a faint + smile. “Speak on.” + </p> + <p> + “I will obey thee, then, even if it displease,” cried Amine; and she rose, + her cheek glowing, her eyes spark ling, her beautiful form dilated. “I am + a daughter of Granada; I am the beloved of a king; I will be true to my + birth and to my fortunes. Boabdil el Chico, the last of a line of heroes, + shake off these gloomy fantasies—these doubts and dreams that + smother the fire of a great nature and a kingly soul! Awake—arise—rob + Granada of her Muza—be thyself her Muza! Trustest thou to magic and + to spells? then grave them on they breastplate, write them on thy sword, + and live no longer the Dreamer of the Alhambra; become the saviour of thy + people!” + </p> + <p> + Boabdil turned, and gazed on the inspired and beautiful form before him + with mingled emotions of surprise and shame. “Out of the mouth of woman + cometh my rebuke!” said he sadly. “It is well!” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, pardon me!” said the slave, falling humbly at his knees; “but + blame me not that I would have thee worthy of thyself. Wert thou not + happier, was not thy heart more light and thy hope more strong when, at + the head of thine armies, thine own cimiter slew thine own foes, and the + terror of the Hero-king spread, in flame and slaughter, from the mountains + to the seas. Boabdil! dear as thou art to me-equally as I would have loved + thee hadst thou been born a lowly fisherman of the Darro, since thou art a + king, I would have thee die a king; even if my own heart broke as I armed + thee for thy latest battle!” + </p> + <p> + “Thou knowest not what thou sayest, Amine,” said Boabdil, “nor canst thou + tell what spirits that are not of earth dictate to the actions and watch + over the destinies, of the rulers of nations. If I delay, if I linger, it + is not from terror, but from wisdom. The cloud must gather on, dark and + slow, ere the moment for the thunderbolt arrives.” + </p> + <p> + “On thine own house will the thunderbolt fall, since over thine own house + thou sufferest the cloud to gather,” said a calm and stern voice. + </p> + <p> + Boabdil started; and in the chamber stood a third person, in the shape of + a woman, past middle age, and of commanding port and stature. Upon her + long-descending robes of embroidered purple were thickly woven jewels of + royal price, and her dark hair, slightly tinged with grey, parted over a + majestic brow while a small diadem surmounted the folds of the turban. + </p> + <p> + “My mother!” said Boabdil, with some haughty reserve in his tone; “your + presence is unexpected.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” answered Ayxa la Horra, for it was indeed that celebrated, and + haughty, and high-souled queen, “and unwelcome; so is ever that of your + true friends. But not thus unwelcome was the presence of your mother, when + her brain and her hand delivered you from the dungeon in which your stern + father had cast your youth, and the dagger and the bowl seemed the only + keys that would unlock the cell.” + </p> + <p> + “And better hadst thou left the ill-omened son that thy womb conceived, to + die thus in youth, honoured and lamented, than to live to manhood, + wrestling against an evil star and a relentless fate.” + </p> + <p> + “Son,” said the queen, gazing upon him with lofty and half disdainful + compassion, “men’s conduct shapes out their own fortunes, and the unlucky + are never the valiant and the wise.” + </p> + <p> + “Madam,” said Boabdil, colouring with passion, “I am still a king, nor + will I be thus bearded—withdraw!” + </p> + <p> + Ere the queen could reply, a eunuch entered, and whispered Boabdil. + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” said he, joyfully, stamping his foot, “comes he then to brave the + lion in his den? Let the rebel look to it. Is he alone?” + </p> + <p> + “Alone, great king.” + </p> + <p> + “Bid my guards wait without; let the slightest signal summon them. Amine, + retire! Madam—” + </p> + <p> + “Son!” interrupted Ayxa la Horra in visible agitation, “do I guess aright? + is the brave Muza—the sole bulwark and hope of Granada—whom + unjustly thou wouldst last night have placed in chains—(chains! + Great Prophet! is it thus a king should reward his heroes)—is, I + say, Muza here? and wilt thou make him the victim of his own generous + trust?” + </p> + <p> + “Retire, woman?” said Boabdil, sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “I will not, save by force! I resisted a fiercer soul than thine when I + saved thee from thy father.” + </p> + <p> + “Remain, then, if thou wilt, and learn how kings can punish traitors. + Mesnour, admit the hero of Granada.” Amine had vanished. Boabdil seated + himself on the cushions his face calm but pale. The queen stood erect at a + little distance, her arms folded on her breast, and her aspect knit and + resolute. In a few moments Muza entered alone. He approached the king with + the profound salutation of oriental obeisance; and then stood before him + with downcast eyes, in an attitude from which respect could not divorce a + natural dignity and pride of mien. + </p> + <p> + “Prince,” said Boabdil, after a moment’s pause, “yestermorn, when I sent + for thee thou didst brave my orders. Even in mine own Alhambra thy minions + broke out in mutiny; they surrounded the fortress in which thou wert to + wait my pleasure; they intercepted, they insulted, they drove back my + guards; they stormed the towers protected by the banner of thy king. The + governor, a coward or a traitor, rendered thee to the rebellious crowd. + Was this all? No, by the Prophet! Thou, by right my captive, didst leave + thy prison but to head mine armies. And this day, the traitor subject—the + secret foe—was the leader of a people who defy a king. This night + thou comest to me unsought. Thou feelest secure from my just wrath, even + in my palace. Thine insolence blinds and betrays thee. Man, thou art in my + power! Ho, there!” + </p> + <p> + As the king spoke, he rose; and, presently, the arcades at the back of the + pavilion were darkened by long lines of the Ethiopian guard, each of + height which, beside the slight Moorish race, appeared gigantic; stolid + and passionless machines, to execute, without thought, the bloodiest or + the slightest caprice of despotism. There they stood; their silver + breastplates and long earrings contrasting their dusky skins; and bearing, + over their shoulders, immense clubs studded with brazen nails. + </p> + <p> + A little advanced from the rest, stood the captain, with the fatal + bowstring hanging carelessly on his arm, and his eyes intent to catch the + slightest gesture of the king. “Behold!” said Boabdil to his prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “I do; and am prepared for what I have foreseen.” The queen grew pale, but + continued silent. + </p> + <p> + Muza resumed— + </p> + <p> + “Lord of the faithful!” said he, “if yestermorn I had acted otherwise, it + would have been to the ruin of thy throne and our common race. The fierce + Zegris suspected and learned my capture. They summoned the troops they + delivered me, it is true. At that time had I reasoned with them, it would + have been as drops upon a flame. They were bent on besieging thy palace, + perhaps upon demanding thy abdication. I could not stifle their fury, but + I could direct it. In the moment of passion, I led them from rebellion + against our common king to victory against our common foe. That duty done, + I come unscathed from the sword of the Christian to bare my neck to the + bowstring of my friend. Alone, untracked, unsuspected, I have entered thy + palace to prove to the sovereign of Granada, that the defendant of his + throne is not a rebel to his will. Now summon the guards—I have + done.” + </p> + <p> + “Muza!” said Boabdil, in a softened voice, while he shaded his face with + his hand, “we played together as children, and I have loved thee well: my + kingdom even now, perchance, is passing from me, but I could almost be + reconciled to that loss, if I thought thy loyalty had not left me.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou, in truth, suspect the faith of Muza Ben Abil Gazan?” said the + Moorish prince, in a tone of surprise and sorrow. “Unhappy king! I deemed + that my services, and not my defection, made my crime.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do my people hate me? why do my armies menace?” said Boabdil, + evasively; “why should a subject possess that allegiance which a king + cannot obtain?” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” replied Muza, boldly, “the king has delegated to a subject the + command he should himself assume. Oh, Boabdil!” he continued, passionately—“friend + of my boyhood, ere the evil days came upon us,—gladly would I sink + to rest beneath the dark waves of yonder river, if thy arm and brain would + fill up my place amongst the warriors of Granada. And think not I say this + only from our boyish love; think not I have placed my life in thy hands + only from that servile loyalty to a single man, which the false chivalry + of Christendom imposes as a sacred creed upon its knights and nobles. But + I speak and act but from one principle—to save the religion of, my + father and the land of my birth: for this I have risked my life against + the foe; for this I surrender my life to the sovereign of my country. + Granada may yet survive, if monarch and people unite together. Granada is + lost for ever, if her children, at this fatal hour, are divided against + themselves. If, then, I, O Boabdil! am the true obstacle to thy league + with thine own subjects, give me at once to the bowstring, and my sole + prayer shall be for the last remnant of the Moorish name, and the last + monarch of the Moorish dynasty.” + </p> + <p> + “My son, my son! art thou convinced at last?” cried the queen, struggling + with her tears; for she was one who wept easily at heroic sentiments, but + never at the softer sorrows, or from the more womanly emotions. + </p> + <p> + Boabdil lifted his head with a vain and momentary attempt at pride; his + eye glanced from his mother to his friend, and his better feelings gushed + upon him with irresistible force; he threw himself into Muza’s arms. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me,” he said, in broken accents, “forgive me! How could I have + wronged thee thus? Yes,” he continued, as he started from the noble breast + on which for a moment he indulged no ungenerous weakness,—“yes, + prince, your example shames, but it fires me. Granada henceforth shall + have two chieftains; and if I be jealous of thee, it shall be from an + emulation thou canst not blame. Guards, retire. Mesnour! ho, Mesnour! + Proclaim at daybreak that I myself will review the troops in the + Vivarrambla. Yet”—and, as he spoke his voice faltered, and his brow + became overcast, “yet stay, seek me thyself at daybreak, and I will give + thee my commands.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my son! why hesitate?” cried the queen, “why waver? Prosecute thine + own kingly designs, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, madam,” said Boabdil, regaining his customary cold composure; “and + since you are now satisfied with your son, leave me alone with Muza.” + </p> + <p> + The queen sighed heavily; but there was something in the calm of Boabdil + which chilled and awed her more than his bursts of passion. She drew her + veil around her, and passed slowly and reluctantly from the chamber. + </p> + <p> + “Muza,” said Boabdil, when alone with the prince, and fixing his large and + thoughtful eyes upon the dark orbs of his companion,—“when, in our + younger days, we conversed together, do you remember how often that + converse turned upon those solemn and mysterious themes to which the sages + of our ancestral land directed their deepest lore; the enigmas of the + stars—the science of fate—the wild searches into the clouded + future, which hides the destines of nations and of men? Thou rememberest, + Muza, that to such studies mine own vicissitudes and sorrows, even in + childhood—the strange fortunes which gave me in my cradle the + epithet of El Zogoybi—the ominous predictions of santons and + astrologers as to the trials of my earthly fate,—all contributed to + incline my soul. Thou didst not despise those earnest musings, nor our + ancestral lore, though, unlike me, ever more inclined to action than to + contemplation, that which thou mightest believe had little influence upon + what thou didst design. With me it hath been otherwise; every event of + life hath conspired to feed my early prepossessions; and, in this awful + crisis of my fate, I have placed myself and my throne rather under the + guardianship of spirits than of men. This alone has reconciled me to + inaction—to the torpor of the Alhambra—to the mutinies of my + people. I have smiled, when foes surround and friends deserted me, secure + of the aid at last—if I bided but the fortunate hour—of the + charms of protecting spirits, and the swords of the invisible creation. + Thou wonderest what this should lead to. Listen! Two nights since (and the + king shuddered) I was with the dead! My father appeared before me—not + as I knew him in life—gaunt and terrible, full of the vigour of + health, and the strength of kingly empire, and of fierce passion—but + wan, calm, shadowy. From lips on which Azrael had set his livid seal, he + bade me beware of thee!” + </p> + <p> + The king ceased suddenly; and sought to read on the face of Muza the + effect his words produced. But the proud and swarthy features of the Moor + evinced no pang of conscience; a slight smile of pity might have crossed + his lip for a moment, but it vanished ere the king could detect it. + Boabdil continued: + </p> + <p> + “Under the influence of this warning, I issued the order for thy arrest. + Let this pass—I resume my tale. I attempted to throw myself at the + spectre’s feet—it glided from me, motionless and impalpable. I asked + the Dead One if he forgave his unhappy son the sin of rebellion alas! too + well requited even upon earth. And the voice again came forth, and bade me + keep the crown that I had gained, as the sole atonement for the past. Then + again I asked, whether the hour for action had arrived! and the spectre, + while it faded gradually into air, answered, ‘No!’ ‘Oh!’ I exclaimed, ‘ere + thou leavest me, be one sign accorded me, that I have not dreamt this + vision; and give me, I pray thee, note and warning, when the evil star of + Boabdil shall withhold its influence, and he may strike, without + resistance from the Powers above, for his glory and his throne.’ ‘The sign + and the warning are bequeathed thee,’ answered the ghostly image. It + vanished,—thick darkness fell around; and, when once more the light + of the lamps we bore became visible, behold there stood before me a + skeleton, in the regal robe of the kings of Granada, and on its grisly + head was the imperial diadem. With one hand raised, it pointed to the + opposite wall, wherein burned, like an orb of gloomy fire, a broad + dial-plate, on which were graven these words, BEWARE—FEAR NOT—ARM! + The finger of the dial moved rapidly round, and rested at the word beware. + From that hour to the one in which I last beheld it, it hath not moved. + Muza, the tale is done; wilt thou visit with me this enchanted chamber, + and see if the hour be come?” + </p> + <p> + “Commander of the faithful,” said Muza, “the story is dread and awful. But + pardon thy friend—wert thou alone, or was the santon Almamen thy + companion?” + </p> + <p> + “Why the question?” said Boabdil, evasively, and slightly colouring. + </p> + <p> + “I fear his truth,” answered Muza; “the Christian king conquers more foes + by craft than force; and his spies are more deadly than his warriors. + Wherefore this caution against me, but (pardon me) for thine own undoing? + Were I a traitor, could Ferdinand himself have endangered thy crown so + imminently as the revenge of the leader of thine own armies? Why, too, + this desire to keep thee inactive? For the brave every hour hath its + chances; but, for us, every hour increases our peril. If we seize not the + present time,—our supplies are cut off,—and famine is a foe + all our valour cannot resist. This dervise—who is he? a stranger, + not of our race and blood. But this morning I found him without the walls, + not far from the Spaniard’s camp.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” cried the king, quickly, “and what said he?” + </p> + <p> + “Little, but in hints; sheltering himself, by loose hints, under thy + name.” + </p> + <p> + “He! what dared he own?—Muza, what were those hints?” + </p> + <p> + The Moor here recounted the interview with Almamen, his detention, his + inactivity in the battle, and his subsequent capture by the Spaniards. The + king listened attentively, and regained his composure. + </p> + <p> + “It is a strange and awful man,” said he after a pause. “Guards and chains + will not detain him. Ere long he will return. But thou, at least, Muza, + are henceforth free, alike from the suspicion of the living and the + warnings of the dead. No, my friend,” continued Boabdil, with generous + warmth, “it is better to lose a crown, to lose life itself, than + confidence in a heart like thine. Come, let us inspect this magic tablet; + perchance—and how my heart bounds as I utter the hope!—the + hour may have arrived.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. A FULLER VIEW OF THE CHARACTER OF BOABDIL.—MUZA IN THE + GARDENS OF HIS + </h2> + <p> + BELOVED. + </p> + <p> + Muza Ben Abil Gazan returned from his visit to Boabdil with a thoughtful + and depressed spirit. His arguments had failed to induce the king to + disdain the command of the magic dial, which still forbade him to arm + against the invaders; and although the royal favour was no longer + withdrawn from himself, the Moor felt that such favour hung upon a + capricious and uncertain tenure so long as his sovereign was the slave of + superstition or imposture. But that noble warrior, whose character the + adversity of his country had singularly exalted and refined, even while + increasing its natural fierceness, thought little of himself in comparison + with the evils and misfortunes which the king’s continued irresolution + must bring upon Granada. + </p> + <p> + “So brave, and yet so weak,” thought he; “so weak, and yet so obstinate; + so wise a reasoner, yet so credulous a dupe! Unhappy Boabdil! the stars, + indeed, seem to fight against thee, and their influences at thy birth + marred all thy gifts and virtues with counteracting infirmity and error.” + </p> + <p> + Muza,—more perhaps than any subject in Granada,—did justice to + the real character of the king; but even he was unable to penetrate all + its complicated and latent mysteries. Boabdil el Chico was no ordinary + man; his affections were warm and generous, his nature calm and gentle; + and, though early power, and the painful experience of a mutinous people + and ungrateful court, had imparted to that nature an irascibility of + temper and a quickness of suspicion foreign to its earlier soil, he was + easily led back to generosity and justice; and, if warm in resentment, was + magnanimous in forgiveness. Deeply accomplished in all the learning of his + race and time, he was—in books, at least—a philosopher; and, + indeed, his attachment to the abstruser studies was one of the main causes + which unfitted him for his present station. But it was the circumstances + attendant on his birth and childhood that had perverted his keen and + graceful intellect to morbid indulgence in mystic reveries, and all the + doubt, fear, and irresolution of a man who pushes metaphysics into the + supernatural world. Dark prophecies accumulated omens over his head; men + united in considering him born to disastrous destinies. Whenever he had + sought to wrestle against hostile circumstances, some seemingly accidental + cause, sudden and unforeseen, had blasted the labours of his most vigorous + energy,—the fruit of his most deliberate wisdom. Thus, by degrees a + gloomy and despairing cloud settled over his mind; but, secretly sceptical + of the Mohammedan creed, and too proud and sanguine to resign himself + wholly and passively to the doctrine of inevitable predestination, he + sought to contend against the machinations of hostile demons and boding + stars, not by human but spiritual agencies. Collecting around him the + seers and magicians of orient-fanaticism, he lived in the visions of + another world; and, flattered by the promises of impostors or dreamers, + and deceived by his own subtle and brooding tendencies of mind, it was + amongst spells and cabala that he thought to draw forth the mighty secret + which was to free him from the meshes of the preternatural enemies of his + fortune, and leave him the freedom of other men to wrestle, with equal + chances, against peril and adversities. It was thus, that Almamen had won + the mastery over his mind; and, though upon matters of common and earthly + import, or solid learning, Boabdil could contend with sages, upon those of + superstition he could be fooled by a child. He was, in this, a kind of + Hamlet: formed, under prosperous and serene fortunes, to render blessings + and reap renown; but over whom the chilling shadow of another world had + fallen—whose soul curdled back into itself—whose life had been + separated from that of the herd—whom doubts and awe drew back, while + circumstances impelled onward—whom a supernatural doom invested with + a peculiar philosophy, not of human effect and cause—and who, with + every gift that could ennoble and adorn, was suddenly palsied into that + mortal imbecility, which is almost ever the result of mortal visitings + into the haunted regions of the Ghostly and Unknown. The gloomier + colourings of his mind had been deepened, too, by secret remorse. For the + preservation of his own life, constantly threatened by his unnatural + predecessor, he had been early driven into rebellion against his father. + In age, infirmity, and blindness, that fierce king had been made a + prisoner at Salobrena by his brother, El Zagal, Boabdil’s partner in + rebellion; and dying suddenly, El Zagal was suspected of his murder. + Though Boabdil was innocent of such a crime, he felt himself guilty of the + causes which led to it; and a dark memory, resting upon his conscience, + served to augment his superstition and enervate the vigour of his + resolves; for, of all things that make men dreamers, none is so effectual + as remorse operating upon a thoughtful temperament. + </p> + <p> + Revolving the character of his sovereign, and sadly foreboding the ruin of + his country, the young hero of Granada pursued his way, until his steps, + almost unconsciously, led him towards the abode of Leila. He scaled the + walls of the garden as before—he neared the house. All was silent + and deserted; his signal was unanswered—his murmured song brought no + grateful light to the lattice, no fairy footstep to the balcony. Dejected, + and sad of heart, he retired from the spot; and, returning home, sought a + couch, to which even all the fatigue and excitement he had undergone, + could not win the forgetfulness of slumber. The mystery that wrapt the + maiden of his homage, the rareness of their interviews, and the wild and + poetical romance that made a very principle of the chivalry of the Spanish + Moors, had imparted to Muza’s love for Leila a passionate depth, which, at + this day, and in more enervated climes, is unknown to the Mohammedan + lover. His keenest inquiries had been unable to pierce the secret of her + birth and station. Little of the inmates of that guarded and lonely house + was known in the neighbourhood; the only one ever seen without its walls + was an old man of the Jewish faith, supposed to be a superintendent of the + foreign slaves (for no Mohammedan slave would have been subjected to the + insult of submission to a Jew); and though there were rumours of the vast + wealth and gorgeous luxury within the mansion, it was supposed the abode + of some Moorish emir absent from the city—and the interest of the + gossips was at this time absorbed in more weighty matters than the affairs + of a neighbour. But when, the next eve, and the next, Muza returned to the + spot equally in vain, his impatience and alarm could no longer be + restrained; he resolved to lie in watch by the portals of the house night + and day, until, at least, he could discover some one of the inmates, whom + he could question of his love, and perhaps bribe to his service. As with + this resolution he was hovering round the mansion, he beheld, stealing + from a small door in one of the low wings of the house, a bended and + decrepit form: it supported its steps upon a staff; and, as now entering + the garden, it stooped by the side of a fountain to cull flowers and herbs + by the light of the moon, the Moor almost started to behold a countenance + which resembled that of some ghoul or vampire haunting the places of the + dead. He smiled at his own fear; and, with a quick and stealthy pace, + hastened through the trees, and, gaining the spot where the old man bent, + placed his hand on his shoulder ere his presence was perceived. + </p> + <p> + Ximen—for it was he—looked round eagerly, and a faint cry of + terror broke from his lips. + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said the Moor; “fear me not, I am a friend. Thou art old, man—gold + is ever welcome to the aged.” As he spoke, he dropped several broad pieces + into the breast of the Jew, whose ghastly features gave forth a yet more + ghastly smile, as he received the gift, and mumbled forth, + </p> + <p> + “Charitable young man! generous, benevolent, excellent young man!” + </p> + <p> + “Now then,” said Muza, “tell me—you belong to this house—Leila, + the maiden within—tell me of her—is she well?” + </p> + <p> + “I trust so,” returned the Jew; “I trust so, noble master.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust so! know you not of her state?” + </p> + <p> + “Not I; for many nights I have not seen her, excellent sir,” answered + Ximen; “she hath left Granada, she hath gone. You waste your time and mar + your precious health amidst these nightly dews: they are unwholesome, very + unwholesome at the time of the new moon.” + </p> + <p> + “Gone!” echoed the Moor; “left Granada!—woe is me!—and + whither?—there, there, more gold for you,—old man, tell me + whither?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! I know not, most magnanimous young man; I am but a servant—I + know nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “When will she return?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is thy master? who owns yon mansion?” + </p> + <p> + Ximen’s countenance fell; he looked round in doubt and fear, and then, + after a short pause, answered,—“A wealthy man, good sir—a Moor + of Africa; but he hath also gone; he but seldom visits us; Granada is not + so peaceful a residence as it was,—I would go too, if I could.” + </p> + <p> + Muza released his hold of Ximen, who gazed at the Moor’s working + countenance with a malignant smile—for Ximen hated all men. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast done with me, young warrior? Pleasant dreams to thee under the + new moon—thou hadst best retire to thy bed. Farewell! bless thy + charity to the poor old man!” + </p> + <p> + Muza heard him not; he remained motionless for some moments; and then with + a heavy sigh as that of one who has gained the mastery of himself after a + bitter struggle, the said half aloud, “Allah be with thee, Leila! Granada + now is my only mistress.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. BOABDIL’S RECONCILIATION WITH HIS PEOPLE. + </h2> + <p> + Several days had elapsed without any encounter between Moor and Christian; + for Ferdinand’s cold and sober policy, warned by the loss he had sustained + in the ambush of Muza, was now bent on preserving rigorous restraint upon + the fiery spirits he commanded. He forbade all parties of skirmish, in + which the Moors, indeed, had usually gained the advantage, and contented + himself with occupying all the passes through which provisions could + arrive at the besieged city. He commenced strong fortifications around his + camp; and, forbidding assault on the Moors, defied it against himself. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Almamen had not returned to Granada. No tidings of his fate + reached the king; and his prolonged disappearance began to produce visible + and salutary effect upon the long-dormant energies of Boabdil. The + counsels of Muza, the exhortations of the queen-mother, the enthusiasm of + his mistress, Amine, uncounteracted by the arts of the magician, aroused + the torpid lion of his nature. But still his army and his subjects + murmured against him; and his appearance in the Vivarrambla might possibly + be the signal of revolt. It was at this time that a most fortunate + circumstance at once restored to him the confidence and affections of his + people. His stern uncle, El Zagal—once a rival for his crown, and + whose daring valour, mature age, and military sagacity had won him a + powerful party within the city—had been, some months since, + conquered by Ferdinand; and, in yielding the possessions he held, had been + rewarded with a barren and dependent principality. His defeat, far from + benefiting Boabdil, had exasperated the Moors against their king. “For,” + said they, almost with one voice, “the brave El Zagal never would have + succumbed had Boabdil properly supported his arms.” And it was the popular + discontent and rage at El Zagal’s defeat which had indeed served Boabdil + with a reasonable excuse for shutting himself in the strong fortress of + the Alhambra. It now happened that El Zagal, whose dominant passion was + hatred of his nephew, and whose fierce nature chafed at its present cage, + resolved in his old age to blast all his former fame by a signal treason + to his country. Forgetting everything but revenge against his nephew, who + he was resolved should share his own ruin, he armed his subjects, crossed + the country, and appeared at the head of a gallant troop in the Spanish + camp, an ally with Ferdinand against Granada. When this was heard by the + Moors, it is impossible to conceive their indignant wrath: the crime of El + Zagal produced an instantaneous reaction in favour of Boabdil; the crowd + surrounded the Alhambra and with prayers and tears entreated the + forgiveness of the king. This event completed the conquest of Boabdil over + his own irresolution. He ordained an assembly of the whole army in the + broad space of the Vivarrambla: and when at break of day he appeared in + full armour in the square, with Muza at his right hand, himself in the + flower of youthful beauty, and proud to feel once more a hero and a king, + the joy of the people knew no limit; the air was rent with cries of “Long + live Boabdil el Chico!” and the young monarch, turning to Muza, with his + soul upon his brow exclaimed, “The hour has come—I am no longer El + Zogoybi!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. LEILA.—HER NEW LOVER.—PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST + INQUISITOR OF SPAIN.—THE + </h2> + <p> + CHALICE RETURNED TO THE LIPS OF ALMAMEN. + </p> + <p> + While thus the state of events within Granada, the course of our story + transports us back to the Christian camp. It was in one of a long line of + tents that skirted the pavilion of Isabel, and was appropriated to the + ladies attendant on the royal presence, that a young female sat alone. The + dusk of evening already gathered around, and only the outline of her form + and features was visible. But even that, imperfectly seen,—the + dejected attitude of the form, the drooping head, the hands clasped upon + the knees,—might have sufficed to denote the melancholy nature of + the reverie which the maid indulged. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” thought she, “to what danger am I exposed! If my father, if my lover + dreamed of the persecution to which their poor Leila is abandoned!” + </p> + <p> + A few tears, large and bitter, broke from her eyes, and stole unheeded + down her cheek. At that moment, the deep and musical chime of a bell was + heard summoning the chiefs of the army to prayer; for Ferdinand invested + all his worldly schemes with a religious covering, and to his politic war + he sought to give the imposing character of a sacred crusade. + </p> + <p> + “That sound,” thought she, sinking on her knees, “summons the Nazarenes to + the presence of their God. It reminds me, a captive by the waters of + Babylon, that God is ever with the friendless. Oh! succour and defend me, + Thou who didst look of old upon Ruth standing amidst the corn, and didst + watch over Thy chosen people in the hungry wilderness, and in the + stranger’s land.” + </p> + <p> + Wrapt in her mute and passionate devotions, Leila remained long in her + touching posture. The bell had ceased; all without was hushed and still—when + the drapery, stretched across the opening of the tent, was lifted, and a + young Spaniard, cloaked, from head to foot, in a long mantle, stood within + the space. He gazed in silence, upon the kneeling maiden; nor was it until + she rose that he made his presence audible. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, fairest!” said he, then, as he attempted to take her hand, “thou wilt + not answer my letters—see me, then, at thy feet. It is thou who + teachest me to kneel.” + </p> + <p> + “You, prince.” said Leila, agitated, and in great and evident fear. “Why + harass and insult me thus? Am I not sacred as a hostage and a charge? and + are name, honour, peace, and all that woman is taught to hold most dear, + to be thus robbed from me under the pretext of a love dishonouring to thee + and an insult to myself?” + </p> + <p> + “Sweet one,” answered Don Juan, with a slight laugh, “thou hast learned, + within yonder walls, a creed of morals little known to Moorish maidens, if + fame belies them not. Suffer me to teach thee easier morality and sounder + logic. It is no dishonour to a Christian prince to adore beauty like + thine; it is no insult to a maiden hostage if the Infant of Spain proffer + her the homage of his heart. But we waste time. Spies, and envious + tongues, and vigilant eyes, are around us; and it is not often that I can + baffle them as I have done now. Fairest, hear me!” and this time he + succeeded in seizing the hand which vainly struggled against his clasp. + “Nay, why so coy? what can female heart desire that my love cannot shower + upon thine? Speak but the word, enchanting maiden, and I will bear thee + from these scenes unseemly to thy gentle eyes. Amidst the pavilions of + princes shalt thou repose; and, amidst gardens of the orange and the rose, + shalt thou listen to the vows of thine adorer. Surely, in these arms thou + wilt not pine for a barbarous home and a fated city. And if thy pride, + sweet maiden, deafen thee to the voice of nature, learn that the + haughtiest dames of Spain would bend, in envious court, to the beloved of + their future king. This night—listen to me—I say, listen—this + night I will bear thee hence! Be but mine, and no matter, whether heretic + or infidel, or whatever the priests style thee, neither Church nor king + shall tear thee from the bosom of thy lover.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well spoken, son of the most Christian monarch!” said a deep voice; + and the Dominican, Tomas de Torquemada, stood before the prince. + </p> + <p> + Juan, as if struck by a thunderbolt, released his hold, and, staggering + back a few paces, seemed to cower, abashed and humbled, before the eye of + the priest, as it glared upon him through the gathering darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Prince,” said the friar, after a pause, “not to thee will our holy Church + attribute this crime; thy pious heart hath been betrayed by sorcery. + Retire!” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said the prince,—in a tone into which, despite his awe of + that terrible man, THE FIRST GRAND INQUISITOR OF SPAIN, his libertine + spirit involuntarily forced itself, in a half latent raillery,—“sorcery + of eyes like those bewitched the wise son of a more pious sire than even + Ferdinand of Arragon.” + </p> + <p> + “He blasphemes!” muttered the monk. “Prince, beware! you know not what you + do.” + </p> + <p> + The prince lingered, and then, as if aware that he must yield, gathered + his cloak round him, and left the tent without reply. + </p> + <p> + Pale and trembling,—with fears no less felt, perhaps, though more + vague and perplexed, than those from which she had just been delivered,—Leila + stood before the monk. + </p> + <p> + “Be seated, daughter of the faithless,” said Torquemada, “we would + converse with thee: and, as thou valuest—I say not thy soul, for, + alas! of that precious treasure thou art not conscious—but mark me, + woman! as thou prizest the safety of those delicate limbs, and that wanton + beauty, answer truly what I shall ask thee. The man who brought thee + hither—is he, in truth, thy father?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” answered Leila, almost fainting with terror at this rude and + menacing address, “he is, in truth, mine only parent.” + </p> + <p> + “And his faith—his religion?” + </p> + <p> + “I have never beheld him pray.” + </p> + <p> + “Hem! he never prays—a noticeable fact. But of what sect, what + creed, does he profess himself?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot answer thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, there be means that may wring from thee an answer. Maiden, be not so + stubborn; speak! thinkest thou he serves the temple of the Mohammedan?” + </p> + <p> + “No! oh, no!” answered poor Leila, eagerly, deeming that her reply, in + this, at least, would be acceptable. “He disowns, he scorns, he abhors, + the Moorish faith,—even,” she added, “with too fierce a zeal.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou dost not share that zeal, then? Well, worships he in secret after + the Christian rites?” + </p> + <p> + Leila hung her head and answered not. + </p> + <p> + “I understand thy silence. And in what belief, maiden, wert thou reared + beneath his roof?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not what it is called among men,” answered Leila, with firmness, + “but it is the faith of the ONE GOD, who protects His chosen, and shall + avenge their wrongs—the God who made earth and heaven; and who, in + an idolatrous and benighted world, transmitted the knowledge of Himself + and His holy laws, from age to age, through the channel of one solitary + people, in the plains of Palestine, and by the waters of the Hebron.” + </p> + <p> + “And in that faith thou wert trained, maiden, by thy father?” said the + Dominican, calmly. “I am satisfied. Rest here, in peace: we may meet + again, soon.” + </p> + <p> + The last words were spoken with a soft and tranquil smile—a smile in + which glazing eyes and agonising hearts had often beheld the ghastly omen + of the torture and the stake. + </p> + <p> + On quitting the unfortunate Leila, the monk took his way towards the + neighbouring tent of Ferdinand. But, ere he reached it, a new thought + seemed to strike the holy man; he altered the direction of his steps, and + gained one of those little shrines common in Catholic countries, and which + had been hastily built of wood, in the centre of a small copse, and by the + side of a brawling rivulet, towards the back of the king’s pavilion. But + one solitary sentry, at the entrance of the copse, guarded the consecrated + place; and its exceeding loneliness and quiet were a grateful contrast to + the animated world of the surrounding camp. The monk entered the shrine, + and fell down on his knees before an image of the Virgin, rudely + sculptured, indeed, but richly decorated. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Holy Mother!” groaned this singular man, “support me in the trial to + which I am appointed. Thou knowest that the glory of thy blessed Son is + the sole object for which I live, and move, and have my being; but at + times, alas! the spirit is infected with the weakness of the flesh. Ora + pro nobis, O Mother of mercy! Verily, oftentimes my heart sinks within me + when it is mine to vindicate the honour of thy holy cause against the + young and the tender, the aged and the decrepit. But what are beauty and + youth, grey hairs and trembling knees, in the eye of the Creator? + Miserable worms are we all; nor is there anything acceptable in the Divine + sight but the hearts of the faithful. Youth without faith, age without + belief, purity without grace, virtue without holiness, are only more + hideous by their seeming beauty—whited sepulchres, glittering + rottenness. I know this—I know it; but the human man is strong + within me. Strengthen me, that I pluck it out; so that, by diligent and + constant struggle with the feeble Adam, thy servant may be reduced into a + mere machine, to punish the godless and advance the Church.” + </p> + <p> + Here sobs and tears choked the speech of the Dominican; he grovelled in + the dust, he tore his hair, he howled aloud: the agony was fierce upon + him. At length, he drew from his robe a whip, composed of several thongs, + studded with small and sharp nails; and, stripping his gown, and the shirt + of hair worn underneath, over his shoulders, applied the scourge to the + naked flesh with a fury that soon covered the green sward with the thick + and clotted blood. The exhaustion which followed this terrible penance + seemed to restore the senses of the stern fanatic. A smile broke over the + features, that bodily pain only released from the anguished expression of + mental and visionary struggles; and, when he rose, and drew the hair-cloth + shirt over the lacerated and quivering flesh, he said—“Now hast thou + deigned to comfort and visit me, O pitying Mother; and, even as by these + austerities against this miserable body, is the spirit relieved and + soothed, so dost thou typify and betoken that men’s bodies are not to be + spared by those who seek to save souls and bring the nations of the earth + into thy fold.” + </p> + <p> + With that thought the countenance of Torquemada reassumed its wonted rigid + and passionless composure; and, replacing the scourge, yet clotted with + blood, in his bosom, he pursued his way to the royal tent. + </p> + <p> + He found Ferdinand poring over the accounts of the vast expenses of his + military preparations, which he had just received from his treasurer; and + the brow of the thrifty, though ostentatious monarch, was greatly overcast + by the examination. + </p> + <p> + “By the Bulls of Guisando!” said the king, gravely, “I purchase the + salvation of my army in this holy war at a marvellous heavy price; and if + the infidels hold out much longer, we shalt have to pawn our very + patrimony of Arragon.” + </p> + <p> + “Son,” answered the Dominican, “to purposes like thine fear not that + Providence itself will supply the worldly means. But why doubtest thou? + are not the means within thy reach? It is just that thou alone shouldst + not support the wars by which Christendom is glorified. Are there not + others?” + </p> + <p> + “I know what thou wouldst say, father,” interrupted the king, quickly—“thou + wouldst observe that my brother monarchs should assist me with arms and + treasure. Most just. But they are avaricious and envious, Tomas; and + Mammon hath corrupted them.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, not to kings pointed my thought.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” resumed the king, impatiently, “thou wouldst imply that mine + own knights and nobles should yield up their coffers, and mortgage their + possessions. And so they ought; but they murmur already at what they have + yielded to our necessities.” + </p> + <p> + “And in truth,” rejoined the friar, “these noble warriors should not be + shorn of a splendour that well becomes the valiant champions of the + Church. Nay, listen to me, son, and I may suggest a means whereby, not the + friends, but enemies, of the Catholic faith shall contribute to the down + fall of the Paynim. In thy dominions, especially those newly won, + throughout Andalusia, in the kingdom of Cordova, are men of enormous + wealth; the very caverns of the earth are sown with the impious treasure + they have plundered from Christian hands, and consume in the furtherance + of their iniquity. Sire, I speak of the race that crucified the Lord.” + </p> + <p> + “The Jews—ay, but the excuse—” + </p> + <p> + “Is before thee. This traitor, with whom thou boldest intercourse, who + vowed to thee to render up Granada, and who was found the very next + morning, fighting with the Moors, with the blood of a Spanish martyr red + upon his hands, did he not confess that his fathers were of that hateful + race? did he not bargain with thee to elevate his brethren to the rank of + Christians? and has he not left with thee, upon false pretences, a harlot + of his faith, who, by sorcery and the help of the Evil One, hath seduced + into frantic passion the heart of the heir of the most Christian king?” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! thus does that libertine boy ever scandalise us!” said the king, + bitterly. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” pursued the Dominican, not heeding the interruption, “have you not + here excuse enough to wring from the whole race the purchase of their + existence? Note the glaring proof of this conspiracy of hell. The outcasts + of the earth employed this crafty agent to contract with thee for power; + and, to consummate their guilty designs, the arts that seduced Solomon are + employed against thy son. The beauty of the strange woman captivates his + senses; so that, through the future sovereign of Spain the counsels of + Jewish craft may establish the domination of Jewish ambition. How knowest + thou,” he added as he observed that Ferdinand listened to him with earnest + attention—“how knowest thou but what the next step might have been + thy secret assassination, so that the victim of witchcraft, the minion of + the Jewess, might reign in the stead of the mighty and unconquerable + Ferdinand?” + </p> + <p> + “Go on, father,” said the king, thoughtfully; “I see, at least, enough to + justify an impost upon these servitors of Mammon.” + </p> + <p> + “But, though common sense suggests to us,” continued Torquemada, “that + this disguised Israelite could not have acted on so vast a design without + the instigation of his brethren, not only in Granada, but throughout all + Andalusia,—would it not be right to obtain from him his confession, + and that of the maiden, within the camp, so that we may have broad and + undeniable evidence, whereon to act, and to still all cavil, that may come + not only from the godless, but even from the too tender scruples of the + righteous? Even the queen—whom the saints ever guard!—hath + ever too soft a heart for these infidels; and—” + </p> + <p> + “Right!” cried the king, again breaking upon Torquemada; “Isabel, the + queen of Castile, must be satisfied of the justice of all our actions.” + </p> + <p> + “And, should it be proved that thy throne or life were endangered, and + that magic was exercised to entrap her royal son into a passion for a + Jewish maiden, which the Church holds a crime worthy of excommunication + itself, surely, instead of counteracting, she would assist our schemes.” + </p> + <p> + “Holy friend,” said Ferdinand, with energy, “ever a comforter, both for + this world and the next, to thee, and to the new powers intrusted to thee, + we commit this charge; see to it at once; time presses—Granada is + obstinate—the treasury waxes low.” + </p> + <p> + “Son, thou hast said enough,” replied the Dominican, closing his eyes, and + muttering a short thanksgiving. “Now then to my task.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet stay,” said the king, with an altered visage; “follow me to my + oratory within: my heart is heavy, and I would fain seek the solace of the + confessional.” + </p> + <p> + The monk obeyed: and while Ferdinand, whose wonderful abilities were + mingled with the weakest superstition, who persecuted from policy, yet + believed, in his own heart, that he punished but from piety,—confessed + with penitent tears the grave offences of aves forgotten, and beads + untold; and while the Dominican admonished, rebuked, or soothed,—neither + prince nor monk ever dreamt that there was an error to confess in, or a + penance to be adjudged to, the cruelty that tortured a fellow-being, or + the avarice that sought pretences for the extortion of a whole people. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE TRIBUNAL AND THE MIRACLE + </h2> + <p> + It was the dead of night—the army was hushed in sleep—when + four soldiers belonging to the Holy Brotherhood, bearing with them one + whose manacles proclaimed him a prisoner, passed in steady silence to a + huge tent in the neighbourhood of the royal pavilion. A deep dyke, + formidable barricadoes, and sentries stationed at frequent intervals, + testified the estimation in which the safety of this segment of the camp + was held. The tent to which the soldiers approached was, in extent, larger + than even the king’s pavilion itself—a mansion of canvas, surrounded + by a wide wall of massive stones; and from its summit gloomed, in the + clear and shining starlight, a small black pennant, on which was wrought a + white broad-pointed cross. The soldiers halted at the gate in the wall, + resigned their charge, with a whispered watchword, to two gaunt sentries; + and then (relieving the sentries who proceeded on with the prisoner) + remained, mute and motionless, at the post: for stern silence and Spartan + discipline were the attributes of the brotherhood of St. Hermandad. + </p> + <p> + The prisoner, as he now neared the tent, halted a moment, looked round + steadily, as if to fix the spot in his remembrance, and then, with an + impatient though stately gesture, followed his guards. He passed two + divisions of the tent, dimly lighted, and apparently deserted. A man, clad + in long black robes, with a white cross on his breast, now appeared; there + was an interchange of signals in dumb-show-and in another moment Almamen, + the Hebrew, stood within a large chamber (if so that division of the tent + might be called) hung with black serge. At the upper part of the space was + an estrado, or platform, on which, by a long table, sat three men; while + at the head of the board was seen the calm and rigid countenance of Tomas + de Torquemada. The threshold of the tent was guarded by two men, in + garments similar in hue and fashion to those of the figure who had ushered + Almamen into the presence of the inquisitor, each bearing a long lance, + and with a long two-edged sword by his side. This made all the inhabitants + of that melancholy and ominous apartment. + </p> + <p> + The Israelite looked round with a pale brow, but a flashing and scornful + eye; and, when he met the gaze of the Dominican, it almost seemed as if + those two men, each so raised above his fellows, by the sternness of his + nature and the energy of his passions, sought by a look alone to assert + his own supremacy and crush his foe. Yet, in truth, neither did justice to + the other; and the indignant disdain of Almamen was retorted by the cold + and icy contempt of the Dominican. + </p> + <p> + “Prisoner,” said Torquemada (the first to withdraw his gaze), “a less + haughty and stubborn demeanour might have better suited thy condition: but + no matter; our Church is meek and humble. We have sent for thee in a + charitable and paternal hope; for although, as spy and traitor, thy life + is already forfeited, yet would we fain redeem and spare it to repentance. + That hope mayst thou not forego, for the nature of all of us is weak and + clings to life—that straw of the drowning seaman.” + </p> + <p> + “Priest, if such thou art,” replied the Hebrew, “I have already, when + first brought to this camp, explained the causes of my detention amongst + the troops of the Moor. It was my zeal for the king of Spain that brought + me into that peril. Escaping from that peril, incurred in his behalf, is + the king of Spain to be my accuser and my judge? If, however, my life now + be sought as the grateful return for the proffer of inestimable service, I + stand here to yield it. Do thy worst; and tell thy master, that he loses + more by my death than he can win by the lives of thirty thousand + warriors.” + </p> + <p> + “Cease this idle babble,” said the monk-inquisitor, contemptuously, “nor + think thou couldst ever deceive, with thy empty words, the mighty + intellect of Ferdinand of Spain. Thou hast now to defend thyself against + still graver charges than those of treachery to the king whom thou didst + profess to serve. Yea, misbeliever as thou art, it is thine to vindicate + thyself from blasphemy against the God thou shouldst adore. Confess the + truth: thou art of the tribe and faith of Israel?” + </p> + <p> + The Hebrew frowned darkly. “Man,” said he, solemnly, “is a judge of the + deeds of men, but not of their opinions. I will not answer thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Pause! We have means at hand that the strongest nerves and the stoutest + hearts have failed to encounter. Pause—confess!” + </p> + <p> + “Thy threat awes me not,” said the Hebrew; “but I am human; and since thou + wouldst know the truth, thou mayst learn it without the torture. I am of + the same race as the apostles of thy Church—I am a Jew.” + </p> + <p> + “He confesses—write down the words. Prisoner, thou hast done wisely; + and we pray the Lord that, acting thus, thou mayst escape both the torture + and the death. And in that faith thy daughter was reared? Answer.” + </p> + <p> + “My daughter! there is no charge against her! By the God of Sinai and + Horeb, you dare not touch a hair of that innocent head!” + </p> + <p> + “Answer,” repeated the inquisitor, coldly. + </p> + <p> + “I do answer. She was brought up no renegade to her father’s faith.” + </p> + <p> + “Write down the confession. Prisoner,” resumed the Dominican, after a + pause, “but few more questions remain; answer them truly, and thy life is + saved. In thy conspiracy to raise thy brotherhood of Andalusia to power + and influence—or, as thou didst craftily term it, to equal laws with + the followers of our blessed Lord; in thy conspiracy (by what dark arts I + seek not now to know <i>protege nos, beate Domine</i>!) to entangle in + wanton affections to thy daughter the heart of the Infant of + Spain-silence, I say—be still! in this conspiracy, thou wert aided, + abetted, or instigated by certain Jews of Andalusia—” + </p> + <p> + “Hold, priest!” cried Almamen, impetuously, “thou didst name my child. Do + I hear aright? Placed under the sacred charge of a king, and a belted + knight, has she—oh! answer me, I implore thee—been insulted by + the licentious addresses of one of that king’s own lineage? Answer! I am a + Jew—but I am a father and a man.” + </p> + <p> + “This pretended passion deceives us not,” said the Dominican, who, himself + cut off from the ties of life, knew nothing of their power. “Reply to the + question put to thee: name thy accomplices.” + </p> + <p> + “I have told thee all. Thou hast refused to answer one. I scorn and defy + thee: my lips are closed.” + </p> + <p> + The Grand Inquisitor glanced to his brethren, and raised his hand. His + assistants whispered each other; one of them rose, and disappeared behind + the canvas at the back of the tent. Presently the hangings were withdrawn; + and the prisoner beheld an interior chamber, hung with various instruments + the nature of which was betrayed by their very shape; while by the rack, + placed in the centre of that dreary chamber, stood a tall and grisly + figure, his arms bare, his eyes bent, as by an instinct, on the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Almamen gazed at these dread preparations with an unflinching aspect. The + guards at the entrance of the tent approached: they struck off the fetters + from his feet and hands; they led him towards the appointed place of + torture. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the Israelite paused. + </p> + <p> + “Priest,” said he, in a more humble accent than he had yet assumed, “the + tidings that thou didst communicate to me respecting the sole daughter of + my house and love bewildered and confused me for the moment. Suffer me but + for a single moment to recollect my senses, and I will answer without + compulsion all thou mayst ask. Permit thy questions to be repeated.” + </p> + <p> + The Dominican, whose cruelty to others seemed to himself sanctioned by his + own insensibility to fear, and contempt for bodily pain, smiled with + bitter scorn at the apparent vacillation and weakness of the prisoner: + but, as he delighted not in torture merely for torture’s sake, he motioned + to the guards to release the Israelite; and replied in a voice unnaturally + mild and kindly, considering the circumstances of the scene, + </p> + <p> + “Prisoner, could we save thee from pain, even by the anguish of our own + flesh and sinews, Heaven is our judge that we would willingly undergo the + torture which, with grief and sorrow, we ordained to thee. Pause—take + breath—collect thyself. Three minutes shalt thou have to consider + what course to adopt ere we repeat the question. But then beware how thou + triflest with our indulgence.” + </p> + <p> + “It suffices—I thank thee,” said the Hebrew, with a touch of + gratitude in his voice. As he spoke he bent his face within his bosom, + which he covered, as in profound meditation, with the folds of his long + robe. Scarcely half the brief time allowed him had expired, when he again + lifted his countenance and, as he did so, flung back his garment. The + Dominican uttered a loud cry; the guards started back in awe. A wonderful + change had come over the intended victim; he seemed to stand amongst them + literally—wrapt in fire; flames burst from his lip, and played with + his long locks, as, catching the glowing hue, they curled over his + shoulders like serpents of burning light: blood-red were his breast and + limbs, his haughty crest, and his outstretched arm; and as for a single + moment, he met the shuddering eyes of his judges, he seemed, indeed, to + verify all the superstitions of the time—no longer the trembling + captive but the mighty demon or the terrible magician. + </p> + <p> + The Dominican was the first to recover his self-possession. “Seize the + enchanter!” he exclaimed; but no man stirred. Ere yet the exclamation had + died on his lip, Almamen took from his breast a phial, and dashed it on + the ground—it broke into a thousand shivers: a mist rose over the + apartment—it spread, thickened, darkened, as a sudden night; the + lamps could not pierce it. The luminous form of the Hebrew grew dull and + dim, until it vanished in the shade. On every eye blindness seemed to + fall. There was a dead silence, broken by a cry and a groan; and when, + after some minutes, the darkness gradually dispersed, Almamen was gone. + One, of the guards lay bathed in blood upon the ground; they raised him: + he had attempted to seize the prisoner, and had been stricken with a + mortal wound. He died as he faltered forth the explanation. In the + confusion and dismay of the scene none noticed, till long afterwards, that + the prisoner had paused long enough to strip the dying guard of his long + mantle; a proof that he feared his more secret arts might not suffice to + bear him safe through the camp, without the aid of worldly stratagem. + </p> + <p> + “The fiend hath been amongst us!” said the Dominican, solemnly falling on + his knees,—“let us pray!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK III. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. ISABEL AND THE JEWISH MAIDEN. + </h2> + <p> + While this scene took place before the tribunal of Torquemada, Leila had + been summoned from the indulgence of fears, which her gentle nature and + her luxurious nurturing had ill-fitted her to contend against, to the + presence of the queen. That gifted and high-spirited princess, whose + virtues were her own, whose faults were of her age, was not, it is true, + without the superstition and something of the intolerant spirit of her + royal spouse: but, even where her faith assented to persecution, her heart + ever inclined to mercy; and it was her voice alone that ever counteracted + the fiery zeal of Torquemada, and mitigated the sufferings of the unhappy + ones who fell under the suspicion of heresy. She had, happily, too, within + her a strong sense of justice, as well as the sentiment of compassion; and + often, when she could not save the accused, she prevented the consequences + of his imputed crime falling upon the innocent members of his house or + tribe. + </p> + <p> + In the interval between his conversation with Ferdinand and the + examination of Almamen, the Dominican had sought the queen; and had placed + before her, in glowing colours, not only the treason of Almamen, but the + consequences of the impious passion her son had conceived for Leila. In + that day, any connection between a Christian knight and a Jewess was + deemed a sin, scarce expiable; and Isabel conceived all that horror of her + son’s offence which was natural in a pious mother and a haughty queen. + But, despite all the arguments of the friar, she could not be prevailed + upon to render up Leila to the tribunal of the Inquisition; and that dread + court, but newly established, did not dare, without her consent, to seize + upon one under the immediate protection of the queen. + </p> + <p> + “Fear not, father,” said Isabel, with quiet firmness, “I will take upon + myself to examine the maiden; and, at least, I will see her removed from + all chance of tempting or being tempted by this graceless boy. But she was + placed under the charge of the king and myself as a hostage and a trust; + we accepted the charge, and our royal honor is pledged to the safety of + the maiden. Heaven forbid that I should deny the existence of sorcery, + assured as we are of its emanation from the Evil One; but I fear, in this + fancy of Juan’s, that the maiden is more sinned against than sinning: and + yet my son is, doubtless, not aware of the unhappy faith of the Jewess; + the knowledge of which alone will suffice to cure him of his error. You + shake your head, father; but, I repeat, I will act in this affair so as to + merit the confidence I demand. Go, good Tomas. We have not reigned so long + without belief in our power to control and deal with a simple maiden.” + </p> + <p> + The queen extended her hand to the monk, with a smile so sweet in its + dignity, that it softened even that rugged heart; and, with a reluctant + sigh, and a murmured prayer that her counsels might be guided for the + best, Torquemada left the royal presence. + </p> + <p> + “The poor child!” thought Isabel, “those tender limbs, and that fragile + form, are ill fitted for yon monk’s stern tutelage. She seems gentle: and + her face has in it all the yielding softness of our sex; doubtless by mild + means, she may be persuaded to abjure her wretched creed; and the shade of + some holy convent may hide her alike from the licentious gaze of my son + and the iron zeal of the Inquisitor. I will see her.” + </p> + <p> + When Leila entered the queen’s pavilion, Isabel, who was alone, marked her + trembling step with a compassionate eye; and, as Leila, in obedience to + the queen’s request, threw up her veil, the paleness of her cheek and the + traces of recent tears appealed to Isabel’s heart with more success than + had attended all the pious invectives of Torquemada. + </p> + <p> + “Maiden,” said Isabel, encouragingly, “I fear thou hast been strangely + harassed by the thoughtless caprice of the young prince. Think of it no + more. But, if thou art what I have ventured to believe, and to assert thee + to be, cheerfully subscribe to the means I will suggest for preventing the + continuance of addresses which cannot but injure thy fair name.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, madam!” said Leila, as she fell on one knee beside the queen, “most + joyfully, most gratefully, will I accept any asylum which proffers + solitude and peace.” + </p> + <p> + “The asylum to which I would fain lead thy steps,” answered Isabel, + gently, “is indeed one whose solitude is holy—whose peace is that of + heaven. But of this hereafter. Thou wilt not hesitate, then, to quit the + camp, unknown to the prince, and ere he can again seek thee?” + </p> + <p> + “Hesitate, madam? Ah rather, how shall I express my thanks?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not read that face misjudgingly,” thought the queen, as she + resumed. “Be it so; we will not lose another night. Withdraw yonder, + through the inner tent; the litter shall be straight prepared for thee; + and ere midnight thou shalt sleep in safety under the roof of one of the + bravest knights and noblest ladies that our realm can boast. Thou shalt + bear with thee a letter that shall commend thee specially to the care of + thy hostess—thou wilt find her of a kindly and fostering nature. + And, oh, maiden!” added the queen, with benevolent warmth, “steel not thy + heart against her—listen with ductile senses to her gentle ministry; + and may God and His Son prosper that pious lady’s counsel, so that it may + win a new strayling to the Immortal Fold!” + </p> + <p> + Leila listened and wondered, but made no answer; until, as she gained the + entrance to the interior division of the tent, she stopped abruptly, and + said, “Pardon me, gracious queen, but dare I ask thee one question?—it + is not of myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak, and fear not.” + </p> + <p> + “My father—hath aught been heard of him? He promised, that ere the + fifth day were past, he would once more see his child; and, alas! that + date is past, and I am still alone in the dwelling of the stranger.” + </p> + <p> + “Unhappy child!” muttered Isabel to herself; “thou knowest not his treason + nor his fate—yet why shouldst thou? Ignorant of what would render + thee blest hereafter, continue ignorant of what would afflict thee here. + Be cheered, maiden,” answered the queen, aloud. “No doubt, there are + reasons sufficient to forbid your meeting. But thou shalt not lack friends + in the dwelling-house of the stranger.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, noble queen, pardon me, and one word more! There hath been with me, + more than once, a stern old man, whose voice freezes the blood within my + veins; he questions me of my father, and in the tone of a foe who would + entrap from the child something to the peril of the sire. That man—thou + knowest him, gracious queen—he cannot have the power to harm my + father?” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, maiden! the man thou speakest of is the priest of God, and the + innocent have nothing to dread from his reverend zeal. For thyself, I say + again, be cheered; in the home to which I consign thee thou wilt see him + no more. Take comfort, poor child—weep not: all have their cares; + our duty is to bear in this life, reserving hope only for the next.” + </p> + <p> + The queen, destined herself to those domestic afflictions which pomp + cannot soothe, nor power allay, spoke with a prophetic sadness which yet + more touched a heart that her kindness of look and tone had already + softened; and, in the impulse of a nature never tutored in the rigid + ceremonials of that stately court, Leila suddenly came forward, and + falling on one knee, seized the hand of her protectress, and kissed it + warmly through her tears. + </p> + <p> + “Are you, too, unhappy?” she said. “I will pray for you to <i>my</i> God!” + </p> + <p> + The queen, surprised and moved at an action which, had witnesses been + present, would only perhaps (for such is human nature) have offended her + Castilian prejudices, left her hand in Leila’s grateful clasp; and laying + the other upon the parted and luxuriant ringlets of the kneeling maiden, + said, gently,—“And thy prayers shall avail thee and me when thy God + and mine are the same. Bless thee, maiden! I am a mother; thou art + motherless—bless thee!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE TEMPTATION OF THE JEWESS,—IN WHICH THE HISTORY + PASSES FROM THE + </h2> + <p> + OUTWARD TO THE INTERNAL. + </p> + <p> + It was about the very hour, almost the very moment, in which Almamen + effected his mysterious escape from the tent of the Inquisition, that the + train accompanying the litter which bore Leila, and which was composed of + some chosen soldiers of Isabel’s own body-guard, after traversing the + camp, winding along that part of the mountainous defile which was in the + possession of the Spaniards, and ascending a high and steep acclivity, + halted before the gates of a strongly fortified castle renowned in the + chronicles of that memorable war. The hoarse challenge of the sentry, the + grating of jealous bars, the clanks of hoofs upon the rough pavement of + the courts, and the streaming glare of torches—falling upon stern + and bearded visages, and imparting a ruddier glow to the moonlit + buttresses and battlements of the fortress—aroused Leila from a kind + of torpor rather than sleep, in which the fatigue and excitement of the + day had steeped her senses. An old seneschal conducted her, through vast + and gloomy halls (how unlike the brilliant chambers and fantastic arcades + of her Moorish home) to a huge Gothic apartment, hung with the arras of + Flemish looms. In a few moments, maidens, hastily aroused from slumber, + grouped around her with a respect which would certainly not have been + accorded had her birth and creed been known. They gazed with surprise at + her extraordinary beauty and foreign garb, and evidently considered the + new guest a welcome addition to the scanty society of the castle. Under + any other circumstances, the strangeness of all she saw, and the frowning + gloom of the chamber to which she was consigned, would have damped the + spirits of one whose destiny had so suddenly passed from the deepest quiet + into the sternest excitement. But any change was a relief to the roar of + the camp, the addresses of the prince, and the ominous voice and + countenance of Torquemada; and Leila looked around her, with the feeling + that the queen’s promise was fulfilled, and that she was already amidst + the blessings of shelter and repose. It was long, however, before sleep + revisited her eyelids, and when she woke the noonday sun streamed broadly + through the lattice. By the bedside sat a matron advanced in years, but of + a mild and prepossessing countenance, which only borrowed a yet more + attractive charm from an expression of placid and habitual melancholy. She + was robed in black; but the rich pearls that were interwoven in the + sleeves and stomacher, the jewelled cross that was appended from a chain + of massive gold, and, still more, a certain air of dignity and command,—bespoke, + even to the inexperienced eye of Leila, the evidence of superior station. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast slept late, daughter,” said the lady, with a benevolent smile; + “may thy slumbers have refreshed thee! Accept my regrets that I knew not + till this morning of thine arrival, or I should have been the first to + welcome the charge of my royal mistress.” + </p> + <p> + There was in the look, much more than in the words of the Donna Inez de + Quexada, a soothing and tender interest that was as balm to the heart of + Leila; in truth, she had been made the guest of, perhaps, the only lady in + Spain, of pure and Christian blood, who did not despise or execrate the + name of Leila’s tribe. Donna Inez had herself contracted to a Jew a debt + of gratitude which she had sought to return to the whole race. Many years + before the time in which our tale is cast, her husband and herself had + been sojourning at Naples, then closely connected with the politics of + Spain, upon an important state mission. They had then an only son, a youth + of a wild and desultory character, whom the spirit of adventure allured to + the East. In one of those sultry lands the young Quexada was saved from + the hands of robbers by the caravanserai of a wealthy traveller. With this + stranger he contracted that intimacy which wandering and romantic men + often conceive for each other, without any other sympathy than that of the + same pursuits. Subsequently, he discovered that his companion was of the + Jewish faith; and, with the usual prejudice of his birth and time, + recoiled from the friendship he had solicited, and shrank from the sense + of the obligation he had incurred he—quitted his companion. Wearied, + at length, with travel, he was journeying homeward, when he was seized + with a sudden and virulent fever, mistaken for plague: all fled from the + contagion of the supposed pestilence—he was left to die. One man + discovered his condition—watched, tended, and, skilled in the deeper + secrets of the healing art, restored him to life and health: it was the + same Jew who had preserved him from the robbers. At this second and more + inestimable obligation the prejudices of the Spaniard vanished: he formed + a deep and grateful attachment for his preserver; they lived together for + some time, and the Israelite finally accompanied the young Quexada to + Naples. Inez retained a lively sense of the service rendered to her only + son, and the impression had been increased not only by the appearance of + the Israelite, which, dignified and stately, bore no likeness to the + cringing servility of his brethren, but also by the singular beauty and + gentle deportment of his then newly-wed bride, whom he had wooed and won + in that holy land, sacred equally to the faith of Christian and of Jew. + The young Quexada did not long survive his return: his constitution was + broken by long travel, and the debility that followed his fierce disease. + On his deathbed he had besought the mother whom he left childless, and + whose Catholic prejudices were less stubborn than those of his sire, never + to forget the services a Jew had conferred upon him; to make the sole + recompense in her power—the sole recompense the Jew himself had + demanded—and to lose no occasion to soothe or mitigate the miseries + to which the bigotry of the time often exposed the oppressed race of his + deliverer. Donna Inez had faithfully kept the promise she gave to the last + scion of her house; and, through the power and reputation of her husband + and her own connections, and still more through an early friendship with + the queen, she had, on her return to Spain, been enabled to ward off many + a persecution, and many a charge on false pretences, to which the wealth + of some son of Israel made the cause, while his faith made the pretext. + Yet, with all the natural feelings of a rigid Catholic, she had earnestly + sought to render the favor she had thus obtained amongst the Jews minister + to her pious zeal for their more than temporal welfare. She had + endeavored, by gentle means, to make the conversions which force was + impotent to effect; and, in some instances, her success had been signal. + The good senora had thus obtained high renown for sanctity; and Isabel + thought rightly that she could not select a protectress for Leila who + would more kindly shelter her youth, or more strenuously labor for her + salvation. It was, indeed, a dangerous situation for the adherence of the + maiden to that faith which it had cost her fiery father so many sacrifices + to preserve and to advance. + </p> + <p> + It was by little and little that Donna Inez sought rather to undermine + than to storm the mental fortress she hoped to man with spiritual allies; + and, in her frequent conversation with Leila, she was at once perplexed + and astonished by the simple and sublime nature of the belief upon which + she waged war. For whether it was that, in his desire to preserve Leila as + much as possible from contact even with Jews themselves, whose general + character (vitiated by the oppression which engendered meanness, and the + extortion which fostered avarice) Almamen regarded with lofty though + concealed repugnance; or whether it was, that his philosophy did not + interpret the Jewish formula of belief in the same spirit as the herd,—the + religion inculcated in the breast of Leila was different from that which + Inez had ever before encountered amongst her proselytes. It was less + mundane and material—a kind of passionate rather than metaphysical + theism, which invested the great ONE, indeed, with many human sympathies + and attributes, but still left Him the August and awful God of the + Genesis, the Father of a Universe though the individual Protector of a + fallen sect. Her attention had been less directed to whatever appears, to + a superficial gaze, stern and inexorable in the character of the Hebrew + God, and which the religion of Christ so beautifully softened and so + majestically refined, than to those passages in which His love watched + over a chosen people, and His forbearance bore with their transgressions. + Her reason had been worked upon to its belief by that mysterious and + solemn agency, by which—when the whole world beside was bowed to the + worship of innumerable deities, and the adoration of graven images,—in + a small and secluded portion of earth, amongst a people far less civilised + and philosophical than many by which they were surrounded, had been alone + preserved a pure and sublime theism, disdaining a likeness in the things + of heaven or earth. Leila knew little of the more narrow and exclusive + tenets of her brethren; a Jewess in name, she was rather a deist in + belief; a deist of such a creed as Athenian schools might have taught to + the imaginative pupils of Plato, save only that too dark a shadow had been + cast over the hopes of another world. Without the absolute denial of the + Sadducee, Almamen had, probably, much of the quiet scepticism which + belonged to many sects of the early Jews, and which still clings round the + wisdom of the wisest who reject the doctrine of Revelation; and while he + had not sought to eradicate from the breast of his daughter any of the + vague desire which points to a Hereafter, he had never, at least, directed + her thoughts or aspirations to that solemn future. Nor in the sacred book + which was given to her survey, and which so rigidly upheld the unity of + the Supreme Power, was there that positive and unequivocal assurance of + life beyond “the grave where all things are forgotten,” that might supply + the deficiencies of her mortal instructor. Perhaps, sharing those notions + of the different value of the sexes, prevalent, from the remotest period, + in his beloved and ancestral East, Almamen might have hopes for himself + which did not extend to his child. And thus she grew up, with all the + beautiful faculties of the soul cherished and unfolded, without thought, + without more than dim and shadowy conjectures, of the Eternal Bourne to + which the sorrowing pilgrim of the earth is bound. It was on this point + that the quick eye of Donna Inez discovered her faith was vulnerable: who + would not, if belief were voluntary, believe in the world to come? Leila’s + curiosity and interest were aroused: she willingly listened to her new + guide—she willingly inclined to conclusions pressed upon her, not + with menace, but persuasion. Free from the stubborn associations, the + sectarian prejudices, and unversed in the peculiar traditions and accounts + of the learned of her race, she found nothing to shock her in the volume + which seemed but a continuation of the elder writings of her faith. The + sufferings of the Messiah, His sublime purity, His meek forgiveness, spoke + to her woman’s heart; His doctrines elevated, while they charmed, her + reason: and in the Heaven that a Divine hand opened to all,—the + humble as the proud, the oppressed as the oppressor, to the woman as to + the lords of the earth,—she found a haven for all the doubts she had + known, and for the despair which of late had darkened the face of earth. + Her home lost, the deep and beautiful love of her youth blighted,—that + was a creed almost irresistible which told her that grief was but for a + day, that happiness was eternal. Far, too, from revolting such of the + Hebrew pride of association as she had formed, the birth of the Messiah in + the land of the Israelites seemed to consummate their peculiar triumph as + the Elected of Jehovah. And while she mourned for the Jews who persecuted + the Saviour, she gloried in those whose belief had carried the name and + worship of the descendants of David over the furthest regions of the + world. Often she perplexed and startled the worthy Inez by exclaiming, + “This, your belief, is the same as mine, adding only the assurance of + immortal life—Christianity is but the Revelation of Judaism.” + </p> + <p> + The wise and gentle instrument of Leila’s conversion did not, however, + give vent to those more Catholic sentiments which might have scared away + the wings of the descending dove. She forbore too vehemently to point out + the distinctions of the several creeds, and rather suffered them to melt + insensibly one into the other: Leila was a Christian, while she still + believed herself a Jewess. But in the fond and lovely weakness of mortal + emotions, there was one bitter thought that often and often came to mar + the peace that otherwise would have settled on her soul. That father, the + sole softener of whose stern heart and mysterious fates she was, with what + pangs would he receive the news of her conversion! And Muza, that bright + and hero-vision of her youth—was she not setting the last seal of + separation upon all hope of union with the idol of the Moors? But, alas! + was she not already separated from him, and had not their faiths been from + the first at variance? From these thoughts she started with sighs and + tears; and before her stood the crucifix already admitted into her + chamber, and—not, perhaps, too wisely—banished so rigidly from + the oratories of the Huguenot. For the representation of that Divine + resignation, that mortal agony, that miraculous sacrifice, what eloquence + it hath for our sorrows! what preaching hath the symbol to the vanities of + our wishes, to the yearnings of our discontent! + </p> + <p> + By degrees, as her new faith grew confirmed, Leila now inclined herself + earnestly to those pictures of the sanctity and calm of the conventual + life which Inez delighted to draw. In the reaction of her thoughts, and + her despondency of all worldly happiness, there seemed, to the young + maiden, an inexpressible charm in a solitude which was to release her for + ever from human love, and render her entirely up to sacred visions and + imperishable hopes. And with this selfish, there mingled a generous and + sublime sentiment. The prayers of a convert might be heard in favour of + those yet benighted: and the awful curse upon her outcast race be + lightened by the orisons of one humble heart. In all ages, in all creeds, + a strange and mystic impression has existed of the efficacy of + self-sacrifice in working the redemption even of a whole people: this + belief, so strong in the old orient and classic religions, was yet more + confirmed by Christianity—a creed founded upon the grandest of + historic sacrifices; and the lofty doctrine of which, rightly understood, + perpetuates in the heart of every believer the duty of self-immolation, as + well as faith in the power of prayer, no matter how great the object, how + mean the supplicator. On these thoughts Leila meditated, till thoughts + acquired the intensity of passions, and the conversion of the Jewess was + completed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE HOUR AND THE MAN + </h2> + <p> + It was on the third morning after the King of Granada, reconciled to his + people, had reviewed his gallant army in the Vivarrambla; and Boabdil, + surrounded by his chiefs and nobles, was planning a deliberate and + decisive battle, by assault on the Christian camp,—when a scout + suddenly arrived, breathless, at the gates of the palace, to communicate + the unlooked-for and welcome intelligence that Ferdinand had in the night + broken up his camp, and marched across the mountains towards Cordova. In + fact, the outbreak of formidable conspiracies had suddenly rendered the + appearance of Ferdinand necessary elsewhere; and, his intrigues with + Almamen frustrated, he despaired of a very speedy conquest of the city. + The Spanish king resolved, therefore, after completing the devastation of + the Vega, to defer the formal and prolonged siege, which could alone place + Granada within his power, until his attention was no longer distracted to + other foes, and until, it must be added, he had replenished an exhausted + treasury. He had formed, with Torquemada, a vast and wide scheme of + persecution, not only against Jews, but against Christians whose fathers + had been of that race, and who were suspected of relapsing into Judaical + practices. The two schemers of this grand design were actuated by + different motives; the one wished to exterminate the crime, the other to + sell forgiveness for it. And Torquemada connived at the griping avarice of + the king, because it served to give to himself, and to the infant + Inquisition, a power and authority which the Dominican foresaw would be + soon greater even than those of royalty itself, and which, he imagined, by + scourging earth, would redound to the interests of Heaven. + </p> + <p> + The strange disappearance of Almamen, which was distorted and exaggerated, + by the credulity of the Spaniards, into an event of the most terrific + character, served to complete the chain of evidence against the wealthy + Jews, and Jew-descended Spaniards, of Andalusia; and while, in + imagination, the king already clutched the gold of their redemption here, + the Dominican kindled the flame that was to light them to punishment + hereafter. + </p> + <p> + Boabdil and his chiefs received the intelligence of the Spanish retreat + with a doubt which soon yielded to the most triumphant delight. Boabdil at + once resumed all the energy for which, though but by fits and starts, his + earlier youth had been remarkable. + </p> + <p> + “Alla Achbar! God is great!” cried he; “we will not remain here till it + suit the foe to confine the eagle again to his eyrie. They have left us—we + will burst on them. Summon our alfaquis, we will proclaim a holy war! The + sovereign of the last possessions of the Moors is in the field. Not a town + that contains a Moslem but shall receive our summons, and we will gather + round our standard all the children of our faith!” + </p> + <p> + “May the king live for ever!” cried the council, with one voice. + </p> + <p> + “Lose not a moment,” resumed Boabdil—“on to the Vivarrambla, marshal + the troops—Muza heads the cavalry; myself our foot. Ere the sun’s + shadow reach yonder forest, our army shall be on its march.” + </p> + <p> + The warriors, hastily and in joy, left the palace; and when he was alone, + Boabdil again relapsed into his wonted irresolution. After striding to and + fro for some minutes in anxious thought, he abruptly quitted the hall of + council, and passed in to the more private chambers of the palace, till he + came to a door strongly guarded by plates of iron. It yielded easily, + however, to a small key which he carried in his girdle; and Boabdil stood + in a small circular room, apparently without other door or outlet; but, + after looking cautiously round, the king touched a secret spring in the + wall, which, giving way, discovered a niche, in which stood a small lamp, + burning with the purest naphtha, and a scroll of yellow parchment covered + with strange letters and hieroglyphics. He thrust the scroll in his bosom, + took the lamp in his hand, and pressing another spring within the niche, + the wall receded, and showed a narrow and winding staircase. The king + reclosed the entrance, and descended: the stairs led, at last, into clamp + and rough passages; and the murmur of waters, that reached his ear through + the thick walls, indicated the subterranean nature of the soil through + which they were hewn. The lamp burned clear and steady through the + darkness of the place; and Boabdil proceeded with such impatient rapidity, + that the distance (in reality, considerable) which he traversed, before he + arrived at his destined bourne, was quickly measured. He came at last into + a wide cavern, guarded by doors concealed and secret as those which had + screened the entrance from the upper air. He was in one of the many vaults + which made the mighty cemetery of the monarchs of Granada; and before him + stood the robed and crowned skeleton, and before him glowed the magic + dial-plate of which he had spoken in his interview with Muza. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dread and awful image!” cried the king, throwing himself on his knees + before the skeleton,—“shadow of what was once a king, wise in + council, and terrible in war, if in those hollow bones yet lurks the + impalpable and unseen spirit, hear thy repentant son. Forgive, while it is + yet time, the rebellion of his fiery youth, and suffer thy daring soul to + animate the doubt and weakness of his own. I go forth to battle, waiting + not the signal thou didst ordain. Let not the penance for a rashness, to + which fate urges me on, attach to my country, but to me. And if I perish + in the field, may my evil destinies be buried with me, and a worthier + monarch redeem my errors and preserve Granada!” + </p> + <p> + As the king raised his looks, the unrelaxed grin of the grim dead, made + yet more hideous by the mockery of the diadem and the royal robe, froze + back to ice the passion and sorrow at his heart. He shuddered, and rose + with a deep sigh; when, as his eyes mechanically followed the lifted arm + of the skeleton, he beheld, with mingled delight and awe, the hitherto + motionless finger of the dial-plate pass slowly on, and rest at the word + so long and so impatiently desired. “ARM!” cried the king; “do I read + aright?—are my prayers heard?” A low and deep sound, like that of + subterranean thunder, boomed through the chamber; and in the same instant + the wall opened, and the king beheld the long-expected figure of Almamen, + the magician. But no longer was that stately form clad in the loose and + peaceful garb of the Eastern santon. Complete armour cased his broad chest + and sinewy limbs; his head alone was bare, and his prominent and + impressive features were lighted, not with mystical enthusiasm, but with + warlike energy. In his right hand, he carried a drawn sword—his left + supported the staff of a snow-white and dazzling banner. + </p> + <p> + So sudden was the apparition, and so excited the mind of the king, that + the sight of a supernatural being could scarcely have impressed him with + more amaze and awe. + </p> + <p> + “King of Granada,” said Almamen, “the hour hath come at last; go forth and + conquer! With the Christian monarch, there is no hope of peace or compact. + At thy request I sought him, but my spells alone preserved the life of thy + herald. Rejoice! for thine evil destinies have rolled away from thy + spirit, like a cloud from the glory of the sun. The genii of the East have + woven this banner from the rays of benignant stars. It shall beam before + thee in the front of battle—it shall rise over the rivers of + Christian blood. As the moon sways the bosom of the tides, it shall sway + and direct the surges and the course of war!” + </p> + <p> + “Man of mystery! thou hast given me a new life.” + </p> + <p> + “And, fighting by thy side,” resumed Almamen, “I will assist to carve out + for thee, from the ruins of Arragon and Castile, the grandeur of a new + throne. Arm, monarch of Granada!—arm! I hear the neigh of thy + charger, in the midst of the mailed thousands! Arm!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK IV. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER. I. LEILA IN THE CASTLE—THE SIEGE. + </h2> + <p> + The calmer contemplations and more holy anxieties of Leila were, at + length, broken in upon by intelligence, the fearful interest of which + absorbed the whole mind and care of every inhabitant of the castle. + Boabdil el Chico had taken the field, at the head of a numerous army. + Rapidly scouring the country, he had descended, one after one, upon the + principal fortresses, which Ferdinand had left, strongly garrisoned, in + the immediate neighbourhood. His success was as immediate as it was + signal; the terror of his arms began, once more to spread far and wide; + every day swelled his ranks with new recruits; and from the snow-clad + summits of the Sierra Nevada poured down, in wild hordes, the fierce + mountain race, who, accustomed to eternal winter, made a strange contrast, + in their rugged appearance and shaggy clothing, to the glittering and + civilised soldiery of Granada. + </p> + <p> + Moorish towns, which had submitted to Ferdinand, broke from their + allegiance, and sent their ardent youth and experienced veterans to the + standard of the Keys and Crescent. To add to the sudden panic of the + Spaniards, it went forth that a formidable magician, who seemed inspired + rather with the fury of a demon than the valour of a man, had made an + abrupt appearance in the ranks of the Moslems. Wherever the Moors shrank + back from wall or tower, down which poured the boiling pitch, or rolled + the deadly artillery of the besieged, this sorcerer—rushing into the + midst of the flagging force, and waving, with wild gestures, a white + banner, supposed by both Moor and Christian to be the work of magic and + preternatural spells—dared every danger, and escaped every weapon: + with voice, with prayer, with example, he fired the Moors to an enthusiasm + that revived the first days of Mohammedan conquest; and tower after tower, + along the mighty range of the mountain chain of fortresses, was polluted + by the wave and glitter of the ever-victorious banner. The veteran, Mendo + de Quexada, who, with a garrison of two hundred and fifty men, held the + castle of Almamen, was, however, undaunted by the unprecedented successes + of Boabdil. Aware of the approaching storm, he spent the days of peace yet + accorded to him in making every preparation for the siege that he foresaw; + messengers were despatched to Ferdinand; new out-works were added to the + castle; ample store of provisions laid in; and no precaution omitted that + could still preserve to the Spaniards a fortress that, from its vicinity + to Granada, its command of the Vega and the valleys of the Alpuxarras, was + the bitterest thorn in the side of the Moorish power. + </p> + <p> + It was early, one morning, that Leila stood by the lattice of her lofty + chamber gazing, with many and mingled emotions, on the distant domes of + Granada, as they slept in the silent sunshine. Her heart, for the moment, + was busy with the thoughts of home, and the chances and peril of the time + were forgotten. + </p> + <p> + The sound of martial music, afar off, broke upon her reveries; she + started, and listened breathlessly; it became more distinct and clear. The + clash of the zell, the boom of the African drum, and the wild and + barbarous blast of the Moorish clarion, were now each distinguishable from + the other; and, at length, as she gazed and listened, winding along the + steeps of the mountain were seen the gleaming spears and pennants of the + Moslem vanguard. Another moment and the whole castle was astir. + </p> + <p> + Mendo de Quexada, hastily arming, repaired, himself, to the battlements; + and, from her lattice, Leila beheld him, from time to time, stationing to + the best advantage his scanty troops. In a few minutes she was joined by + Donna Inez and the women of the castle, who fearfully clustered round + their mistress,—not the less disposed, however, to gratify the + passion of the sex, by a glimpse through the lattice at the gorgeous array + of the Moorish army. + </p> + <p> + The casements of Leila’s chamber were peculiarly adapted to command a safe + nor insufficient view of the progress of the enemy; and, with a beating + heart and flushing cheek, the Jewish maiden, deaf to the voices around + her, imagined she could already descry amidst the horsemen the lion port + and snowy garments of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + </p> + <p> + What a situation was hers! Already a Christian, could she hope for the + success of the infidel? ever a woman, could she hope for the defeat of her + lover? But the time for meditation on her destiny was but brief; the + detachment of the Moorish cavalry was now just without the walls of the + little town that girded the castle, and the loud clarion of the heralds + summoned the garrison to surrender. + </p> + <p> + “Not while one stone stands upon another!” was the short answer of + Quexada; and, in ten minutes afterwards, the sullen roar of the artillery + broke from wall and tower over the vales below. + </p> + <p> + It was then that the women, from Leila’s lattice, beheld, slowly + marshalling themselves in order, the whole power and pageantry of the + besieging army. Thick-serried—line after line, column upon column—they + spread below the frowning steep. The sunbeams lighted up that goodly + array, as it swayed, and murmured, and advanced, like the billows of a + glittering sea. The royal standard was soon descried waving above the + pavilion of Boabdil; and the king himself, mounted on his cream-coloured + charger, which was covered with trappings of cloth-of-gold, was recognised + amongst the infantry, whose task it was to lead the assault. + </p> + <p> + “Pray with us, my daughter!” cried Inez, falling on her knees.-Alas! what + could Leila pray for? + </p> + <p> + Four days and four nights passed away in that memorable siege; for the + moon, then at her full, allowed no respite, even in night itself. Their + numbers, and their vicinity to Granada, gave the besiegers the advantage + of constant relays, and troop succeeded to troop; so that the weary had + ever successors in the vigour of new assailants. + </p> + <p> + On the fifth day, all of the fortress, save the keep (an immense tower), + was in the hands of the Moslems; and in this last hold, the worn-out and + scanty remnant of the garrison mustered, in the last hope of a brave, + despair. + </p> + <p> + Quexada appeared, covered with gore and dust-his eyes bloodshot, his cheek + haggard and hollow, his locks blanched with sudden age-in the hall of the + tower, where the women, half dead with terror, were assembled. + </p> + <p> + “Food!” cried he,—“food and wine!—it may be our last banquet.” + </p> + <p> + His wife threw her arms round him. “Not yet,” he cried, “not yet; we will + have one embrace before we part.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there, then, no hope?” said Inez, with a pale cheek, yet steady eye. + </p> + <p> + “None; unless to-morrow’s dawn gild the spears of Ferdinand’s army upon + yonder hills. Till morn we may hold out.” As he spoke, he hastily devoured + some morsels of food, drained a huge goblet of wine, and abruptly quitted + the chamber. + </p> + <p> + At that moment, the women distinctly heard the loud shouts of the Moors; + and Leila, approaching the grated casement, could perceive the approach of + what seemed to her like moving wails. + </p> + <p> + Covered by ingenious constructions of wood and thick hides, the besiegers + advanced to the foot of the tower in comparative shelter from the burning + streams which still poured, fast and seething, from the battlements; + while, in the rear came showers of darts and cross-bolts from the more + distant Moors, protecting the work of the engineer, and piercing through + almost every loophole and crevice in the fortress. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the stalwart governor beheld, with dismay and despair, the + preparations of the engineers, whom the wooden screen-works protected from + every weapon. + </p> + <p> + “By the Holy Sepulchre!” cried he, gnashing his teeth, “they are mining + the tower, and we shall be buried in its ruins! Look out, Gonsalvo! see + you not a gleam of spears yonder over the mountain? Mine eyes are dim with + watching.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! brave Mendo, it is only the sloping sun upon the snows—but + there is hope yet.” + </p> + <p> + The soldier’s words terminated in a shrill and sudden cry of agony; and he + fell dead by the side of Quexada, the brain crushed by a bolt from a + Moorish arquebus. + </p> + <p> + “My best warrior!” said Quexada; “peace be with him! Ho, there! see you + yon desperate infidel urging on the miners? By the heavens above, it is he + of the white banner!—it is the sorcerer! Fire on him! he is without + the shelter of the woodworks.” + </p> + <p> + Twenty shafts, from wearied and nerveless arms, fell innocuous round the + form of Almamen: and as, waving aloft his ominous banner, he disappeared + again behind the screen-works, the Spaniards almost fancied they could + hear his exulting and demon laugh. + </p> + <p> + The sixth day came, and the work of the enemy was completed. The tower was + entirely undermined—the foundations rested only upon wooden props, + which, with a humanity that was characteristic of Boabdil, had been placed + there in order that the besieged might escape ere the final crash of their + last hold. + </p> + <p> + It was now noon: the whole Moorish force, quitting the plain, occupied the + steep that spread below the tower, in multitudinous array and breathless + expectation. The miners stood aloof—the Spaniards lay prostrate and + exhausted upon the battlements, like mariners who, after every effort + against the storm, await, resigned, and almost indifferent, the sweep of + the fatal surge. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the lines of the Moors gave way, and Boabdil himself, with Muza + at his right hand, and Almamen on his left, advanced towards the foot of + the tower. At the same time, the Ethiopian guards, each bearing a torch, + marched slowly in the rear; and from the midst of them paced the royal + herald and sounded the last warning. The hush of the immense armament—the + glare of the torches, lighting the ebon faces and giant forms of their + bearers—the majestic appearance of the king himself—the heroic + aspect of Muza—the bare head and glittering banner of Almamen—all + combined with the circumstances of the time to invest the spectacle with + something singularly awful, and, perhaps, sublime. + </p> + <p> + Quexada turned his eyes, mutely, round the ghastly faces of his warriors, + and still made not the signal. His lips muttered—his eyes glared: + when, suddenly, he heard below the wail of women; and the thought of Inez, + the bride of his youth, the partner of his age, came upon him; and, with a + trembling hand, he lowered the yet unquailing standard of Spain. Then, the + silence below broke into a mighty shout, which shook the grim tower to its + unsteady and temporary base. + </p> + <p> + “Arise, my friends,” he said, with a bitter sigh; “we have fought like men—and + our country will not blush for us.” He descended the winding stairs—his + soldiers followed him with faltering steps: the gates of the keep + unfolded, and these gallant Christians surrendered themselves to the Moor. + </p> + <p> + “Do with it as you will,” said Quexada, as he laid the keys at the hoofs + of Boabdil’s barb; “but there are women in the garrison, who—” + </p> + <p> + “Are sacred,” interrupted the king. “At once we accord their liberty, and + free transport whithersoever ye would desire. Speak, then! To what place + of safety shall they be conducted?” + </p> + <p> + “Generous king!” replied the veteran Quexada, brushing away his tears with + the back of his hand; “you take the sting from our shame. We accept your + offer in the same spirit in which it is made. Across the mountains, on the + verge of the plain of Olfadez, I possess a small castle, ungarrisoned and + unfortified. Thence, should the war take that direction, the women can + readily obtain safe conduct to the queen at Cordova.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so,” returned Boabdil. Then, with Oriental delicacy, selecting the + eldest of the officers round him, he gave him instructions to enter the + castle, and, with a strong guard, provide for the safety of the women, + according to the directions of Quexada. To another of his officers he + confided the Spanish prisoners, and gave the signal to his army to + withdraw from the spot, leaving only a small body to complete the ruin of + the fortress. + </p> + <p> + Accompanied by Almamen and his principal officers, Boabdil now hastened + towards Granada; and while, with slower progress, Quexada and his + companions, under a strong escort, took their way across the Vega, a + sudden turn in their course brought abruptly before them the tower they + had so valiantly defended. There it still stood, proud and stern, amidst + the blackened and broken wrecks around it, shooting aloft, dark and grim, + against the sky. Another moment, and a mighty crash sounded on their ears, + while the tower fell to the earth, amidst volumes of wreathing smoke and + showers of dust, which were borne, by the concussion to the spot on which + they took their last gaze of the proudest fortress on which the Moors of + Granada had beheld, from their own walls, the standard of Arragon and + Castile. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, Leila—thus brought so strangely within the very + reach of her father and her lover, and yet, by a mysterious fate, still + divided from both,—with Donna Inez, and the rest of the females of + the garrison, pursued her melancholy path along the ridges of the + mountains. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. ALMAMEN’S PROPOSED ENTERPRISE.—THE THREE ISRAELITES—CIRCUMSTANCE + </h2> + <p> + IMPRESSES EACH CHARACTER WITH A VARYING DIE. + </p> + <p> + Boadbil followed up his late success with a series of brilliant assaults + on-the neighbouring fortresses. Granada, like a strong man bowed to the + ground, wrenched one after one the bands that had crippled her liberty and + strength; and, at length, after regaining a considerable portion of the + surrounding territory, the king resolved to lay siege to the seaport of + Salobrena. Could he obtain this town, Boabdil, by establishing + communication between the sea and Granada, would both be enabled to avail + himself of the assistance of his African allies, and also prevent the + Spaniards from cutting off supplies to the city, should they again besiege + it. Thither, then, accompanied by Muza, the Moorish king bore his + victorious standard. + </p> + <p> + On the eve of his departure, Almamen sought the king’s presence. A great + change had come over the canton since the departure of Ferdinand; his + wonted stateliness of mien was gone; his eyes were sunk and hollow; his + manner disturbed and absent. In fact, his love for his daughter made the + sole softness of his character; and that daughter was in the hands of the + king who had sentenced the father to the tortures of the Inquisition! To + what dangers might she not be subjected, by the intolerant zeal of + conversion! and could that frame, and gentle heart, brave the terrific + engines that might be brought against her fears? “Better,” thought he, + “that she should perish, even by the torture, than adopt that hated + faith.” He gnashed his teeth in agony at either alternative. His dreams, + his objects, his revenge, his ambition—all forsook him: one single + hope, one thought, completely mastered his stormy passions and fitful + intellect. + </p> + <p> + In this mood the pretended santon met Boabdil. He represented to the king, + over whom his influence had prodigiously increased since the late + victories of the Moors, the necessity of employing the armies of Ferdinand + at a distance. He proposed, in furtherance of this policy, to venture + himself in Cordova; to endeavour secretly to stir up those Moors, in that, + their ancient kingdom, who had succumbed to the Spanish yoke, and whose + hopes might naturally be inflamed by the recent successes of Boabdil; and, + at least, to foment such disturbances as might afford the king sufficient + time to complete his designs, and recruit his force by aid of the powers + with which he was in league. + </p> + <p> + The representations of Almamen at length conquered Boabdil’s reluctance to + part with his sacred guide; and it was finally arranged that the Israelite + should at once depart from the city. + </p> + <p> + As Almamen pursued homeward his solitary way, he found himself suddenly + accosted in the Hebrew tongue. He turned hastily, and saw before him an + old man in the Jewish gown: he recognised Elias, one of the wealthiest and + most eminent of the race of Israel. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, wise countryman!” said the Jew, bowing to the earth, “but I + cannot resist the temptation of claiming kindred with one through whom the + horn of Israel may be so triumphantly exalted.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, man!” said Almamen, quickly, and looking sharply round; “I thy + countryman! Art thou not, as thy speech betokens, an Israelite?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” returned the Jew, “and of the same tribe as thy honoured father—peace + be with his ashes! I remembered thee at once, boy though thou wert when + thy steps shook off the dust against Granada. I remembered thee, I say, at + once, on thy return; but I have kept thy secret, trusting that, through + thy soul and genius, thy fallen brethren might put off sackcloth and feast + upon the house-tops.” + </p> + <p> + Almamen looked hard at the keen, sharp, Arab features of the Jew; and at + length he answered, “And how can Israel be restored? wilt thou fight for + her?” + </p> + <p> + “I am too old, son of Issachar, to bear arms; but our tribes are many, and + our youth strong. Amid these disturbances between dog and dog—” + </p> + <p> + “The lion may get his own,” interrupted Almamen, impetuously,—“let + us hope it. Hast thou heard of the new persecutions against us that the + false Nazarene king has already commenced in Cordova—persecutions + that make the heart sick and the blood cold?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” replied Elias, “such woes indeed have not failed to reach mine + ear; and I have kindred, near and beloved kindred, wealthy and honoured + men, scattered throughout that land.” + </p> + <p> + “Were it not better that they should die on the field than by the rack?” + exclaimed Almamen, fiercely. “God of my fathers! if there be yet a spark + of manhood left amongst thy people, let thy servant fan it to a flame, + that shall burn as the fire burns the stubble, so that the earth may bare + before the blaze!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Elias, dismayed rather than excited by the vehemence of his + comrade,—“be not rash, son of Issachar, be not rash: peradventure + thou wilt but exasperate the wrath of the rulers, and our substance + thereby will be utterly consumed.” + </p> + <p> + Almamen drew back, placed his hand quietly on the Jew’s shoulder, looked + him hard in the face, and, gently laughing, turned away. + </p> + <p> + Elias did not attempt to arrest his steps. “Impracticable,” he muttered; + “impracticable and dangerous! I always thought so. He may do us harm: were + he not so strong and fierce, I would put my knife under his left rib. + Verily, gold is a great thing; and—out on me! the knaves at home + will be wasting the oil, now they know old Elias is abroad.” Thereat the + Jew drew his cloak around him, and quickened his pace. + </p> + <p> + Almamen, in the meanwhile, sought, through dark and subterranean passages, + known only to himself, his accustomed home. He passed much of the night + alone; but, ere the morning star announced to the mountain tops the + presence of the sun, he stood, prepared for his journey, in his secret + vault, by the door of the subterranean passages, with old Ximen beside + him. + </p> + <p> + “I go, Ximen,” said Almamen, “upon a doubtful quest: whether I discover my + daughter, and succeed in bearing her in safety from their contaminating + grasp, or whether I fall into their snares and perish, there is an equal + chance that I may return no more to Granada. Should this be so, you will + be heir to such wealth as I leave in these places I know that your age + will be consoled for the lack of children when your eyes look upon the + laugh of gold.” + </p> + <p> + Ximen bowed low, and mumbled out some inaudible protestations and thanks. + Almamen sighed heavily as he looked round the room. “I have evil omens in + my soul, and evil prophecies in my books,” said he, mournfully. “But the + worst is here,” he added, putting his finger significantly to his temples; + “the string is stretched—one more blow would snap it.” + </p> + <p> + As he thus said, he opened the door and vanished through that labyrinth of + galleries by which he was enabled at all times to reach unobserved either + the palace of the Alhambra or the gardens without the gates of the city. + </p> + <p> + Ximen remained behind a few moments in deep thought. “All mine if he + dies!” said he: “all mine if he does not return! All mine, all mine! and I + have not a child nor a kinsman in the world to clutch it away from me!” + With that he locked the vault, and returned to the upper air. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE FUGITIVE AND THE MEETING + </h2> + <p> + In their different directions the rival kings were equally successful. + Salobrena, but lately conquered by the Christians, was thrown into a + commotion by the first glimpse of Boabdil’s banners; the populace rose, + beat back their Christian guards, and opened the gates to the last of + their race of kings. The garrison alone, to which the Spaniards retreated, + resisted Boabdil’s arms; and, defended by, impregnable walls, promised an + obstinate and bloody siege. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Ferdinand had no sooner entered Cordova than his extensive + scheme of confiscation and holy persecution commenced. Not only did more + than five hundred Jews perish in the dark and secret gripe of the Grand + Inquisitor, but several hundred of the wealthiest Christian families, in + whose blood was detected the hereditary Jewish taint, were thrown into + prison; and such as were most fortunate purchased life by the sacrifice of + half their treasures. At this time, however, there suddenly broke forth a + formidable insurrection amongst these miserable subjects—the + Messenians of the Iberian Sparta. The Jews were so far aroused from their + long debasement by omnipotent despair, that a single spark, falling on the + ashes of their ancient spirit, rekindled the flame of the descendants of + the fierce warriors of Palestine. They were encouraged and assisted by the + suspected Christians, who had been involved in the same persecution; and + the whole were headed by a man who appeared suddenly amongst them, and + whose fiery eloquence and martial spirit produced, at such a season, the + most fervent enthusiasm. Unhappily, the whole details of this singular + outbreak are withheld from us; only by wary hints and guarded allusions do + the Spanish chroniclers apprise us of its existence and its perils. It is + clear that all narrative of an event that might afford the most dangerous + precedent, and was alarming to the pride and avarice of the Spanish king, + as well as the pious zeal of the Church, was strictly forbidden; and the + conspiracy was hushed in the dread silence of the Inquisition, into whose + hands the principal conspirators ultimately fell. We learn, only, that a + determined and sanguinary struggle was followed by the triumph of + Ferdinand, and the complete extinction of the treason. + </p> + <p> + It was one evening, that a solitary fugitive, hard chased by an armed + troop of the brothers of St. Hermandad, was seen emerging from a wild and + rocky defile, which opened abruptly on the gardens of a small, and, by the + absence of fortification and sentries, seemingly deserted, castle. Behind + him; in the exceeding stillness which characterises the air of a Spanish + twilight, he heard, at a considerable distance the blast of the horn and + the tramp of hoofs. His pursuers, divided into several detachments, were + scouring the country after him, as the fishermen draw their nets, from + bank to bank, conscious that the prey they drive before the meshes cannot + escape them at the last. The fugitive halted in doubt, and gazed round + him: he was well-nigh exhausted; his eyes were bloodshot; the large drops + rolled fast down his brow; his whole frame quivered and palpitated, like + that of a stag when he stands at bay. Beyond the castle spread a broad + plain, far as the eye could reach, without shrub or hollow to conceal his + form: flight across a space so favourable to his pursuers was evidently in + vain. No alternative was left unless he turned back on the very path taken + by the horsemen, or trusted to such scanty and perilous shelter as the + copses in the castle garden might afford him. He decided on the latter + refuge, cleared the low and lonely wall that girded the demesne, and + plunged into a thicket of overhanging oaks and chestnuts. + </p> + <p> + At that hour, and in that garden, by the side of a little fountain, were + seated two females: the one of mature and somewhat advanced years; the + other, in the flower of virgin youth. But the flower was prematurely + faded; and neither the bloom, nor sparkle, nor undulating play of feature, + that should have suited her age, was visible in the marble paleness and + contemplative sadness of her beautiful countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! my young friend,” said the elder of these ladies, “it is in these + hours of solitude and calm that we are most deeply impressed with the + nothingness of life. Thou, my sweet convert, art now the object, no longer + of my compassion, but my envy; and earnestly do I feel convinced of the + blessed repose thy spirit will enjoy in the lap of the Mother Church. + Happy are they who die young! but thrice happy they who die in the spirit + rather than the flesh: dead to sin, but not to virtue; to terror, not to + hope; to man, but not to God!” + </p> + <p> + “Dear senora,” replied the young maiden, mournfully, “were I alone on + earth, Heaven is my witness with what deep and thankful resignation I + should take the holy vows, and forswear the past; but the heart remains + human, however divine the hope that it may cherish. And sometimes I start, + and think of home, of childhood, of my strange but beloved father, + deserted and childless in his old age.” + </p> + <p> + “Thine, Leila,” returned the elder Senora, “are but the sorrows our nature + is doomed to. What matter, whether absence or death sever the affections? + Thou lamentest a father; I, a son, dead in the pride of his youth and + beauty—a husband, languishing in the fetters of the Moor. Take + comfort for thy sorrows, in the reflection that sorrow is the heritage of + all.” + </p> + <p> + Ere Leila could reply, the orange-boughs that sheltered the spot where + they sat were put aside, and between the women and the fountain stood the + dark form of Almamen the Israelite. Leila rose, shrieked, and flung + herself, unconscious, on his breast. + </p> + <p> + “O Lord of Israel!” cried Almamen, in atone of deep anguish. “I, then, at + last regain my child? Do I press her to my heart? and is it only for that + brief moment, when I stand upon the brink of death? Leila, my child, look + up! smile upon thy father; let him feel, on his maddening and burning + brow, the sweet breath of the last of his race, and bear with him, at + least, one holy and gentle thought to the dark grave.” + </p> + <p> + “My father! is it indeed my father?” said Leila, recovering herself, and + drawing back, that she might assure herself of that familiar face; “it is + thou! it is—it is! Oh! what blessed chance brings us together?” + </p> + <p> + “That chance is the destiny that hurries me to my tomb,” answered Almamen, + solemnly. “Hark! hear you not the sound of their rushing steeds—their + impatient voices? They are on me now!” + </p> + <p> + “Who? Of whom speakest thou?” + </p> + <p> + “My pursuers—the horsemen of the Spaniard.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, senora, save him!” cried Leila, turning to Donna Inez, whom both + father and child had hitherto forgotten, and who now stood gazing upon + Almamen with wondering and anxious eyes. “Whither can he fly? The vaults + of the castle may conceal him. This way-hasten!” + </p> + <p> + “Stay,” said Inez, trembling, and approaching close to Almamen: “do I see + aright? and, amidst the dark change of years and trial, do I recognise + that stately form, which once contrasted to the sad eye of a mother the + drooping and faded form of her only son? Art thou not he who saved my boy + from the pestilence, who accompanied him to the shores of Naples, and + consigned him to these arms? Look on me! dost thou not recall the mother + of thy friend?” + </p> + <p> + “I recall thy features dimly and as in a dream,” answered the Hebrew; “and + while thou speakest, there rush upon me the memories of an earlier time, + in lands where Leila first looked upon the day, and her mother sang to me + at sunset by the stream of the Euphrates, and on the sites of departed + empires. Thy son—I remember now: I had friendship then with a + Christian—for I was still young.” + </p> + <p> + “Waste not the time—father—senora!” cried Leila, impatiently + clinging still to her father’s breast. + </p> + <p> + “You are right; nor shall your sire, in whom I thus wonderfully recognise + my son’s friend, perish if I can save him.” + </p> + <p> + Inez then conducted her strange guest to a small door in the rear of the + castle; and after leading him through some of the principal apartments, + left him in one of the tiring-rooms adjoining her own chamber, and the + entrance to which the arras concealed. She rightly judged this a safer + retreat than the vaults of the castle might afford, since her great name + and known intimacy with Isabel would preclude all suspicion of her + abetting in the escape of the fugitive, and keep those places the most + secure in which, without such aid, he could not have secreted himself. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, several of the troop arrived at the castle, and on + learning the name of its owner contented themselves with searching the + gardens, and the lower and more exposed apartments; and then recommending + to the servants a vigilant look-out remounted, and proceeded to scour the + plain, over which now slowly fell the starlight and shade of night. When + Leila stole, at last, to the room in which Almamen was hid, she found him, + stretched on his mantle, in a deep sleep. Exhausted by all he had + undergone, and his rigid nerves, as it were, relaxed by the sudden + softness of that interview with his child, the slumber of that fiery + wanderer was as calm as an infant’s. And their relation almost seemed + reversed; and the daughter to be as a mother watching over her offspring, + when Leila seated herself softly by him, fixing her eyes—to which + the tears came ever, ever to be brushed away-upon his worn but tranquil + features, made yet more serene by the quiet light that glimmered through + the casement. And so passed the hours of that night; and the father and + the child—the meek convert, the revengeful fanatic—were under + the same roof. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. ALMAMEN HEARS AND SEES, BUT REFUSES TO BELIEVE; FOR THE BRAIN, + </h2> + <p> + OVERWROUGHT, GROWS DULL, EVEN IN THE KEENEST. + </p> + <p> + The dawn broke slowly upon the chamber, and Almamen still slept. It was + the Sabbath of the Christians—that day on which the Saviour rose + from the dead—thence named so emphatically and sublimely by the + early Church THE LORD’S DAY. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Before the Christian era, the Sunday was, however, called the + Lord’s day—i.e., the day of the Lord the Sun.] +</pre> + <p> + And as the ray of the sun flashed in the east it fell like a glory, over a + crucifix, placed in the deep recess of the Gothic casement; and brought + startlingly before the eyes of Leila that face upon which the rudest of + the Catholic sculptors rarely fail to preserve the mystic and awful union + of the expiring anguish of the man with the lofty patience of the God. It + looked upon her, that face; it invited, it encouraged, while it thrilled + and subdued. She stole gently from the side of her father; she crept to + the spot, and flung herself on her knees beside the consecrated image. + </p> + <p> + “Support me, O Redeemer!” she murmured—“support thy creature! + strengthen her steps in the blessed path, though it divide her irrevocably + from all that on earth she loves: and if there be a sacrifice in her + solemn choice, accept, O Thou, the Crucified! accept it, in part atonement + of the crime of her stubborn race; and, hereafter, let the lips of a + maiden of Judaea implore thee, not in vain, for some mitigation of the + awful curse that hath fallen justly upon her tribe.” + </p> + <p> + As broken by low sobs, and in a choked and muttered voice, Leila poured + forth her prayer, she was startled by a deep groan; and turning, in alarm + she saw that Almamen had awaked, and, leaning on his arm, was now bending + upon her his dark eyes, once more gleaming with all their wonted fire. + </p> + <p> + “Speak,” he said, as she coweringly hid her face, “speak to me, or I shall + be turned to stone by one horrid thought. It is not before that symbol + that thou kneelest in adoration; and my sense wanders, if it tell me that + thy broken words expressed the worship of an apostate? In mercy, speak!” + </p> + <p> + “Father!” began Leila; but her lips refused to utter more than that + touching and holy word. + </p> + <p> + Almamen rose; and plucking the hands from her face, gazed on her some + moments, as if he would penetrate her very soul; and Leila, recovering her + courage in the pause, by degrees met his eyes unquailing—her pure + and ingenuous brow raised to his, and sadness, but not guilt, speaking + from every line of that lovely face. + </p> + <p> + “Thou dost not tremble,” said Almamen, at length, breaking the silence, + “and I have erred. Thou art not the criminal I deemed thee. Come to my + arms!” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Leila, obeying the instinct, and casting herself upon that + rugged bosom. “I will dare, at least, not to disavow my God. Father! by + that dread anathema which is on our race, which has made us homeless and + powerless—outcasts and strangers in the land; by the persecution and + anguish we have known, teach thy lordly heart that we are rightly punished + for the persecution and the anguish we doomed to Him, whose footstep + hallowed our native earth! FIRST, IN THE HISTORY of THE WORLD, DID THE + STERN HEBREWS INFLICT UPON MANKIND THE AWFUL CRIME OF PERSECUTION FOR + OPINIONS SAKE. The seed we sowed hath brought forth the Dead Sea fruit + upon which we feed. I asked for resignation and for hope: I looked upon + yonder cross, and I found both. Harden not thy heart; listen to thy child; + wise though thou be, and weak though her woman spirit, listen to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Be dumb!” cried Almamen, in such a voice as might have come from the + charnel, so ghostly and deathly sounded its hollow tone; then, recoiling + some steps, he placed both his hands upon his temples, and muttered, “Mad, + mad! yes, yes, this is but a delirium, and I am tempted with a devil! Oh, + my child!” he resumed, in a voice that became, on the sudden, + inexpressibly tender and imploring, “I have been sorely tried; and I + dreamt a feverish dream of passion and revenge. Be thine the lips, and + thine the soothing hand, that shall wake me from it. Let us fly for ever + from these hated lands; let us leave to these miserable infidels their + bloody contest, careless which shall fall. To a soil on which the iron + heel does not clang, to an air where man’s orisons rise, in solitude, to + the Great Jehovah, let us hasten our weary steps. Come! while the castle + yet sleeps, let us forth unseen—the father and the child. We will + hold sweet commune by the way. And hark ye, Leila,” he added, in a low and + abrupt whisper, “talk not to me of yonder symbol; for thy God is a jealous + God, and hath no likeness in the graven image.” + </p> + <p> + Had he been less exhausted by long travail and racking thoughts, far + different, perhaps, would have been the language of a man so stern. But + circumstance impresses the hardest substance; and despite his native + intellect and affected superiority over others, no one, perhaps, was more + human, in his fitful moods,—his weakness and his strength, his + passion and his purpose,—than that strange man, who had dared, in + his dark studies and arrogant self-will, to aspire beyond humanity. + </p> + <p> + That was, indeed, a perilous moment for the young convert. The unexpected + softness of her father utterly subdued her; nor was she sufficiently + possessed of that all-denying zeal of the Catholic enthusiast to which + every human tie and earthly duty has been often sacrificed on the shrine + of a rapt and metaphysical piety. Whatever her opinions, her new creed, + her secret desire of the cloister, fed as it was by the sublime, though + fallacious notion, that in her conversion, her sacrifice, the crimes of + her race might be expiated in the eyes of Him whose death had been the + great atonement of a world; whatever such higher thoughts and sentiments, + they gave way, at that moment, to the irresistible impulse of household + nature and of filial duty. Should she desert her father, and could that + desertion be a virtue? Her heart put and answered both questions in a + breath. She approached Almamen, placed her hand in his, and said, steadily + and calmly, “Father, wheresoever thou goest, I will wend with thee.” + </p> + <p> + But Heaven ordained to each another destiny than might have been theirs, + had the dictates of that impulse been fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + Ere Almamen could reply, a trumpet sounded clear and loud at the gate. + </p> + <p> + “Hark!” he said, griping his dagger, and starting back to a sense of the + dangers round him. “They come—my pursuers and my murtherers!—but + these limbs are sacred from—the rack.” + </p> + <p> + Even that sound of ominous danger was almost a relief to Leila: “I will + go,” she said, “and learn what the blast betokens; remain here—be + cautious—I will return.” + </p> + <p> + Several minutes, however, elapsed before Leila reappeared; she was + accompanied by Donna Inez, whose paleness and agitation betokened her + alarm. A courier had arrived at the gate to announce the approach of the + queen, who, with a considerable force, was on her way to join Ferdinand, + then, in the usual rapidity of his movements, before one of the Moorish + towns that had revolted from his allegiance. It was impossible for Almamen + to remain in safety in the castle; and the only hope of escape was + departing immediately and in disguise. + </p> + <p> + “I have,” she said, “a trusty and faithful servant with me in the castle, + to whom I can, without anxiety, confide the charge of your safety; and + even if suspected by the way, my name, and the companionship of my + servant, will remove all obstacles; it is not a long journey hence to + Guadix, which has already revolted to the Moors: there, till the armies of + Ferdinand surround the walls, your refuge may be secure.” + </p> + <p> + Almamen remained for some moments plunged in a gloomy silence. But, at + length, he signified his assent to the plan proposed, and Donna Inez + hastened to give the directions of his intended guide. + </p> + <p> + “Leila,” said the Hebrew, when left alone with his daughter, “think not + that it is for mine own safety that I stoop to this flight from thee. No! + but never till thou wert lost to me, by mine own rash confidence in + another, did I know how dear to my heart was the last scion of my race, + the sole memorial left to me of thy mother’s love. Regaining thee once + more, a new and a soft existence opens upon my eyes; and the earth seems + to change, as by a sudden revolution, from winter into spring. For thy + sake, I consent to use all the means that man’s intellect can devise for + preservation from my foes. Meanwhile, here will rest my soul; to this + spot, within one week from this period—no matter through what danger + I pass—I shall return: then I shall claim thy promise. I will + arrange all things for our flight, and no stone shall harm thy footstep by + the way. The Lord of Israel be with thee, my daughter, and strengthen thy + heart! But,” he added, tearing himself from her embrace, as he heard steps + ascending to the chamber, “deem not that, in this most fond and fatherly + affection, I forget what is due to me and thee. Think not that my love is + only the brute and insensate feeling of the progenitor to the offspring: I + love thee for thy mother’s sake—I love thee for thine own—I + love thee yet more for the sake of Israel. If thou perish, if thou art + lost to us, thou, the last daughter of the house of Issachar, then the + haughtiest family of God’s great people is extinct.” + </p> + <p> + Here Inez appeared at the door, but withdrew, at the impatient and lordly + gesture of Almamen, who, without further heed of the interruption, + resumed: + </p> + <p> + “I look to thee, and thy seed, for the regeneration which I once trusted, + fool that I was, mine own day might see effected. Let this pass. Thou art + under the roof of the Nazarene. I will not believe that the arts we have + resisted against fire and sword can prevail with thee. But, if I err, + awful will be the penalty! Could I once know that thou hadst forsaken thy + ancestral creed, though warrior and priest stood by thee, though thousands + and ten thousands were by thy right hand, this steel should save the race + of Issachar from dishonour. Beware! Thou weepest; but, child, I warn, not + threaten. God be with thee!” + </p> + <p> + He wrung the cold hand of his child, turned to the door, and, after such + disguise as the brief time allowed him could afford, quitted the castle + with his Spanish guide, who, accustomed to the benevolence of his + mistress, obeyed her injunction without wonder, though not without + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + The third part of an hour had scarcely elapsed, and the sun was yet on the + mountain-tops, when Isabel arrived. She came to announce that the + outbreaks of the Moorish towns in the vicinity rendered the half-fortified + castle of her friend no longer a secure abode; and she honoured the + Spanish lady with a command to accompany her, with her female suite, to + the camp of Ferdinand. + </p> + <p> + Leila received the intelligence with a kind of stupor. Her interview with + her father, the strong and fearful contests of emotion which that + interview occasioned, left her senses faint and dizzy; and when she found + herself, by the twilight star, once more with the train of Isabel, the + only feeling that stirred actively through her stunned and bewildered + mind, was, that the hand of Providence conducted her from a temptation + that, the Reader of all hearts knew, the daughter and woman would have + been too feeble to resist. + </p> + <p> + On the fifth day from his departure, Almamen returned to find the castle + deserted, and his daughter gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. IN THE FERMENT OF GREAT EVENTS THE DREGS RISE. + </h2> + <p> + The Israelites did not limit their struggles to the dark conspiracy to + which allusion has been made. In some of the Moorish towns that revolted + from Ferdinand, they renounced the neutrality they had hitherto maintained + between Christian and Moslem. Whether it was that they were inflamed by + the fearful and wholesale barbarities enforced by Ferdinand and the + Inquisition against their tribe, or whether they were stirred up by one of + their own order, in whom was recognised the head of their most sacred + family; or whether, as is most probable, both causes combined—certain + it is, that they manifested a feeling that was thoroughly unknown to the + ordinary habits and policy of that peaceable people. They bore great + treasure to the public stock—they demanded arms, and, under their + own leaders, were admitted, though with much jealousy and precaution, into + the troops of the arrogant and disdainful Moslems. + </p> + <p> + In this conjunction of hostile planets, Ferdinand had recourse to his + favourite policy of wile and stratagem. Turning against the Jews the very + treaty Almamen had once sought to obtain in their favour, he caused it to + be circulated, privately, that the Jews, anxious to purchase their peace + with him, had promised to betray the Moorish towns, and Granada itself + into his hands. The paper, which Ferdinand himself had signed in his + interview with Almamen, and of which, on the capture of the Hebrew, he had + taken care to repossess himself, he gave to a spy whom he sent, disguised + as a Jew, into one of the revolted cities. + </p> + <p> + Private intelligence reached the Moorish ringleader of the arrival of this + envoy. He was seized, and the document found on his person. The form of + the words drawn up by Almamen (who had carefully omitted mention of his + own name—whether that which he assumed, or that which, by birth, he + should have borne) merely conveyed the compact, that if by a Jew, within + two weeks from the date therein specified, Granada was delivered to the + Christian king, the Jews should enjoy certain immunities and rights. + </p> + <p> + The discovery of this document filled the Moors of the city to which the + spy had been sent with a fury that no words can describe. Always + distrusting their allies, they now imagined they perceived the sole reason + of their sudden enthusiasm, of their demand for arms. The mob rose: the + principal Jews were seized and massacred without trial; some by the wrath + of the multitude, some by the slower tortures of the magistrate. + Messengers were sent to the different revolted towns, and, above all, to + Granada itself, to put the Moslems on their guard against these unhappy + enemies of either party. At once covetous and ferocious, the Moors + rivalled the Inquisition in their cruelty, and Ferdinand in their + extortion. + </p> + <p> + It was the dark fate of Almamen, as of most premature and heated + liberators of the enslaved, to double the terrors and the evils he had + sought to cure. The warning arrived at Granada at a time in which the + vizier, Jusef, had received the commands of his royal master, still at the + siege of Salobrena, to use every exertion to fill the wasting treasuries. + Fearful of new exactions against the Moors, the vizier hailed, as a + message from Heaven, so just a pretext for a new and sweeping impost on + the Jews. The spendthrift violence of the mob was restrained, because it + was headed by the authorities, who were wisely anxious that the state + should have no rival in the plunder it required; and the work of + confiscation and robbery was carried on with a majestic and calm + regularity, which redounded no less to the credit of Jusef than it + contributed to the coffers of the king. + </p> + <p> + It was late, one evening, when Ximen was making his usual round through + the chambers of Almamen’s house. As he glanced around at the various + articles of wealth and luxury, he ever and anon burst into a low, fitful + chuckle, rubbed his lean hands, and mumbled out, “If my master should die! + if my master should die!” + </p> + <p> + While thus engaged, he heard a confused and distant shout; and, listening + attentively, he distinguished a cry, grown of late sufficiently familiar, + of, “Live, Jusef the just—perish, the traitor Jews!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Ximen, as the whole character of his face changed; “some new + robbery upon our race! And this is thy work, son of Issachar! Madman that + thou wert, to be wiser than thy sires, and seek to dupe the idolaters in + the council chamber and the camp—their field, their vantage ground; + as the bazaar and the market-place are ours. None suspect that the potent + santon is the traitor Jew; but I know it! I could give thee to the + bow-string—and, if thou Overt dead, all thy goods and gold, even to + the mule at the manger, would be old Ximen’s.” + </p> + <p> + He paused at that thought, shut his eyes, and smiled at the prospect his + fancy conjured up and completing his survey, retired to his own chamber, + which opened, by a small door, upon one of the back courts. He had + scarcely reached the room, when he heard a low tap at the outer door; and, + when it was thrice repeated, he knew that it was one of his + Jewish-brethren. For Ximen—as years, isolation, and avarice gnawed + away whatever of virtue once put forth some meagre fruit from a heart + naturally bare and rocky—still reserved one human feeling towards + his countrymen. It was the bond which unites all the persecuted: and Ximen + loved them, because he could not envy their happiness. The power—the + knowledge—the lofty, though wild designs of his master, stung and + humbled him—he secretly hated, because he could not compassionate or + contemn him. But the bowed frame, and slavish voice, and timid nerves of + his crushed brotherhood presented to the old man the likeness of things + that could not exult over him. Debased and aged, and solitary as he was, + he felt a kind of wintry warmth in the thought that even he had the power + to protect! + </p> + <p> + He thus maintained an intercourse with his fellow Israelites; and often, + in their dangers, had afforded them a refuge in the numerous vaults and + passages, the ruins of which may still be descried beneath the mouldering + foundations of that mysterious mansion. And, as the house was generally + supposed the property of an absent emir, and had been especially + recommended to the care of the cadis by Boabdil, who alone of the Moors + knew it as one of the dwelling-places of the santon, whose ostensible + residence was in apartments allotted to him within the palace,—it + was, perhaps, the sole place within Granada which afforded an unsuspected + and secure refuge to the hunted Israelites. + </p> + <p> + When Ximen recognised the wonted signal of his brethren, he crawled to the + door; and, after the precaution of a Hebrew watchword, replied to in the + same tongue, he gave admittance to the tall and stooping frame of the rich + Elias. + </p> + <p> + “Worthy and excellent master!” said Ximen, after again securing the + entrance; “what can bring the honoured and wealthy Elias to the chamber of + the poor hireling?” + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” answered the Jew; “call me not wealthy, nor honoured. For + years I have dwelt within the city; safe and respected, even by the + Moslemin; verily and because I have purchased with jewel and treasure the + protection of the king and the great men. But now, alas! in the sudden + wrath of the heathen—ever imagining vain things—I have been + summoned into the presence of their chief rabbi, and only escaped the + torture by a sum that ten years of labour and the sweat of my brow cannot + replace. Ximen! the bitterest thought of all is, that the frenzy of one of + our own tribe has brought this desolation upon Israel.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord speaks riddles,” said Ximen, with well-feigned astonishment in + his glassy eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Why dost thou wind and turn, good Ximen?” said the Jew, shaking his head; + “thou knowest well what my words drive at. Thy master is the pretended + Almamen; and that recreant Israelite (if Israelite, indeed, still be one + who hath forsaken the customs and the forms of his forefathers) is he who + hath stirred up the Jews of Cordova and Guadix, and whose folly hath + brought upon us these dread things. Holy Abraham! this Jew hath cost me + more than fifty Nazarenes and a hundred Moors.” + </p> + <p> + Ximen remained silent; and, the tongue of Elias being loosed by the + recollection of his sad loss, the latter continued: “At the first, when + the son of Issachar reappeared, and became a counsellor in the king’s + court, I indeed, who had led him, then a child, to the synagogue—for + old Issachar was to me dear as a brother—recognised him by his eyes + and voice: but I exulted in his craft and concealment; I believed he would + work mighty things for his poor brethren, and would obtain, for his + father’s friend, the supplying of the king’s wives and concubines with + raiment and cloth of price. But years have passed: he hath not lightened + our burthens; and, by the madness that hath of late come over him, heading + the heathen armies, and drawing our brethren into danger and death, he + hath deserved the curse of the synagogue, and the wrath of our whole race. + I find, from our brethren who escaped the Inquisition by the surrender of + their substance, that his unskilful and frantic schemes were the main + pretext for the sufferings of the righteous under the Nazarene; and, + again, the same schemes bring on us the same oppression from the Moor. + Accursed be he, and may his name perish!” + </p> + <p> + Ximen sighed, but remained silent, conjecturing to what end the Jew would + bring his invectives. He was not long in suspense. After a pause, Elias + recommenced, in an altered and more careless tone, “He is rich, this son + of Issachar—wondrous rich.” + </p> + <p> + “He has treasures scattered over half the cities of Africa and the + Orient,” said Ximen. + </p> + <p> + “Thou seest, then, my friend, that thy master hath doomed me to a heavy + loss. I possess his secret; I could give him up to the king’s wrath; I + could bring him to the death. But I am just and meek: let him pay my + forfeiture, and I will forego mine anger.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou dost not know him,” said Ximen, alarmed at the thought of a + repayment, which might grievously diminish his own heritage—of + Almamen’s effects in Granada. + </p> + <p> + “But if I threaten him with exposure?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wouldst feed the fishes of the Darro,” interrupted Ximen. “Nay, even + now, if Almamen learn that thou knowest his birth and race, tremble! for + thy days in the land will be numbered.” + </p> + <p> + “Verily,” exclaimed the Jew, in great alarm, “then have I fallen into the + snare; for these lips revealed to him that knowledge.” + </p> + <p> + “Then is the righteous Elias a lost man, within ten days from that in + which Almamen returns to Granada. I know my master: and blood is to him as + water.” + </p> + <p> + “Let the wicked be consumed!” cried Elias, furiously stamping his foot, + while fire flashed from his dark eyes, for the instinct of + self-preservation made him fierce. “Not from me, however,” he added, more + calmly, “will come his danger. Know that there be more than a hundred Jews + in this city, who have sworn his death; Jews who, flying hither from + Cordova, have seen their parents murdered and their substance seized, and + who behold, in the son of Issachar, the cause of the murder and the spoil. + They have detected the impostor, and a hundred knives are whetting even + now for his blood: let him look to it. Ximen, I have spoken to thee as the + foolish speak; thou mayest betray me to thy lord; but from what I have + learned of thee from our brethren, I have poured my heart into thy bosom + without fear. Wilt thou betray Israel, or assist us to smite the traitor?” + </p> + <p> + Ximen mused for a moment, and his meditation conjured up the treasures of + his master. He stretched forth his right hand to Elias; and when the + Israelites parted, they were friends. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. BOADBIL’S RETURN.—THE REAPPEARANCE OF GRANADA. + </h2> + <p> + The third morning from this interview, a rumour reached Granada that + Boabdil had been repulsed in his assault on the citadel of Salobrena with + a severe loss; that Hernando del Pulgar had succeeded in conducting to its + relief a considerable force; and that the army of Ferdinand was on its + march against the Moorish king. In the midst of the excitement occasioned + by these reports, a courier arrived to confirm their truth, and to + announce the return of Boabdil. + </p> + <p> + At nightfall, the king, preceding his army, entered the city, and hastened + to bury himself in the Alhambra. As he passed dejectedly into the women’s + apartments, his stern mother met him. + </p> + <p> + “My son,” she said, bitterly, “dost thou return and not a conqueror?” + </p> + <p> + Before Boabdil could reply, a light and rapid step sped through the + glittering arcades; and weeping with joy, and breaking all the Oriental + restraints, Amine fell upon his bosom. “My beloved! my king! light of mine + eyes! thou hast returned. Welcome—for thou art safe.” + </p> + <p> + The different form of these several salutations struck Boabdil forcibly. + “Thou seest, my mother,” said he, “how great the contrast between those + who love us from affection, and those who love us from pride. In + adversity, God keep me, O my mother, from thy tongue!” + </p> + <p> + “But I love thee from pride, too,” murmured Amine; “and for that reason is + thine adversity dear to me, for it takes thee from the world to make thee + more mine own and I am proud of the afflictions that my hero shares with + his slave.” + </p> + <p> + “Lights there, and the banquet!” cried the king, turning from his haughty + mother; “we will feast and be merry while we may. My adored Amine, kiss + me!” + </p> + <p> + Proud, melancholy, and sensitive as he was in that hour of reverse, + Boabdil felt no grief: such balm has Love for our sorrows, when its wings + are borrowed from the dove! And although the laws of the Eastern life + confined to the narrow walls of a harem the sphere of Amine’s gentle + influence; although, even in romance, THE NATURAL compels us to portray + her vivid and rich colours only in a faint and hasty sketch, yet still are + left to the outline the loveliest and the noblest features of the sex—the + spirit to arouse us to exertion, the softness to console us in our fall! + </p> + <p> + While Boabdil and the body of the army remained in the city, Muza, with a + chosen detachment of the horse, scoured the country to visit the + newly-acquired cities, and sustain their courage. + </p> + <p> + From this charge he was recalled by the army of Ferdinand, which once more + poured down into the Vega, completely devastated its harvests, and then + swept back to consummate the conquests of the revolted towns. To this + irruption succeeded an interval of peace—the calm before the storm. + From every part of Spain, the most chivalric and resolute of the Moors, + taking advantage of the pause in the contest, flocked to Granada; and that + city became the focus of all that paganism in Europe possessed of brave + and determined spirits. + </p> + <p> + At length, Ferdinand, completing his conquests, and having refilled his + treasury, mustered the whole force of his dominions—forty thousand + foot, and ten thousand horse; and once more, and for the last time, + appeared before the walls of Granada. A solemn and prophetic determination + filled both besiegers and besieged: each felt that the crowning crisis was + at hand. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE CONFLAGRATION.—THE MAJESTY OF AN INDIVIDUAL PASSION + IN THE MIDST OF + </h2> + <p> + HOSTILE THOUSANDS. + </p> + <p> + It was the eve of a great and general assault upon Granada, deliberately + planned by the chiefs of the Christian army. The Spanish camp (the most + gorgeous Christendom had ever known) gradually grew calm and hushed. The + shades deepened—the stars burned forth more serene and clear. + Bright, in that azure air, streamed the silken tents of the court, + blazoned with heraldic devices, and crowned by gaudy banners, which, + filled by a brisk and murmuring wind from the mountains, flaunted gaily on + their gilded staves. In the centre of the camp rose the pavilion of the + queen—a palace in itself. Lances made its columns; brocade and + painted arras its walls; and the space covered by its numerous + compartments would have contained the halls and outworks of an ordinary + castle. The pomp of that camp realised the wildest dreams of Gothic, + coupled with Oriental splendour; something worthy of a Tasso to have + imagined, or a Beckford to create. Nor was the exceeding costliness of the + more courtly tents lessened in effect by those of the soldiery in the + outskirts, many of which were built from boughs, still retaining their + leaves—savage and picturesque huts;—as if, realising old + legends, wild men of the woods had taken up the cross, and followed the + Christian warriors against the swarthy followers of Termagaunt and + Mahound. There, then, extended that mighty camp in profound repose, as the + midnight threw deeper and longer shadows over the sward from the tented + avenues and canvas streets. It was at that hour that Isabel, in the most + private recess of her pavilion, was employed in prayer for the safety of + the king, and the issue of the Sacred War. Kneeling before the altar of + that warlike oratory, her spirit became rapt and absorbed from earth in + the intensity of her devotions; and in the whole camp (save the sentries), + the eyes of that pious queen were, perhaps, the only ones unclosed. All + was profoundly still; her guards, her attendants, were gone to rest; and + the tread of the sentinel, without that immense pavilion, was not heard + through the silken walls. + </p> + <p> + It was then that Isabel suddenly felt a strong grasp upon her shoulder, as + she still knelt by the altar. A faint shriek burst from her lips; she + turned, and the broad curved knife of an eastern warrior gleamed close + before her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Hush! utter a cry, breathe more loudly than thy wont, and, queen though + thou art, in the centre of swarming thousands, thou diest!” + </p> + <p> + Such were the words that reached the ear of the royal Castilian, whispered + by a man of stern and commanding, though haggard aspect. + </p> + <p> + “What is thy purpose? wouldst thou murder me?” said the queen, trembling, + perhaps for the first time, before a mortal presence. + </p> + <p> + “Thy life is safe, if thou strivest not to delude or to deceive me. Our + time is short—answer me. I am Almamen, the Hebrew. Where is the + hostage rendered to thy hands? I claim my child. She is with thee—I + know it. In what corner of thy camp?” + </p> + <p> + “Rude stranger!” said Isabel, recovering somewhat from her alarm,—“thy + daughter is removed, I trust for ever, from thine impious reach. She is + not within the camp.” + </p> + <p> + “Lie not, Queen of Castile,” said Almamen, raising his knife; “for days + and weeks I have tracked thy steps, followed thy march, haunted even thy + slumbers, though men of mail stood as guards around them; and I know that + my daughter has been with thee. Think not I brave this danger without + resolves the most fierce and dread. Answer me, where is my child?” + </p> + <p> + “Many days since,” said Isabel, awed, despite herself, by her strange + position,—“thy daughter left the camp for the house of God. It was + her own desire. The Saviour hath received her into His fold.” + </p> + <p> + Had a thousand lances pierced his heart, the vigour and energy of life + could scarce more suddenly have deserted Almamen. The rigid muscles of his + countenance relaxed at once, from resolve and menace, into unutterable + horror, anguish, and despair. He recoiled several steps; his knees + trembled violently; he seemed stunned by a death-blow. Isabel, the boldest + and haughtiest of her sex, seized that moment of reprieve; she sprang + forward, darted through the draperies into the apartments occupied by her + train, and, in a moment, the pavilion resounded with her cries for aid. + The sentinels were aroused; retainers sprang from their pillows; they + heard the cause of the alarm; they made to the spot; when, ere they + reached its partition of silk, a vivid and startling blaze burst forth + upon them. The tent was on fire. The materials fed the flame like magic. + Some of the guards had yet the courage to dash forward; but the smoke and + the glare drove them back, blinded and dizzy. Isabel herself had scarcely + time for escape, so rapid was the conflagration. Alarmed for her husband, + she rushed to his tent—to find him already awakened by the noise, + and issuing from its entrance, his drawn sword in his hand. The wind, + which had a few minutes before but curled the triumphant banners, now + circulated the destroying flame. It spread from tent to tent, almost as a + flash of lightning that shoots along neighbouring clouds. The camp was in + one continued blaze, ere a man could dream of checking the conflagration. + </p> + <p> + Not waiting to hear the confused tale of his royal consort, Ferdinand, + exclaiming, “The Moors have done this—they will be on us!” ordered + the drums to beat and the trumpets to sound, and hastened in person, + wrapped merely in his long mantle, to alarm his chiefs. While that + well-disciplined and veteran army, fearing every moment the rally of the + foe, endeavoured rapidly to form themselves into some kind of order, the + flame continued to spread till the whole heavens were illumined. By its + light, cuirass and helmet glowed, as in the furnace, and the armed men + seemed rather like life-like and lurid meteors than human forms. The city + of Granada was brought near to them by the intensity of the glow; and, as + a detachment of cavalry spurred from the camp to meet the anticipated + surprise of the Paynims, they saw, upon the walls and roofs of Granada, + the Moslems clustering and their spears gleaming. But, equally amazed with + the Christians, and equally suspicious of craft and design, the Moors did + not issue from their gates. Meanwhile the conflagration, as rapid to die + as to begin, grew fitful and feeble; and the night seemed to fall with a + melancholy darkness over the ruin of that silken city. + </p> + <p> + Ferdinand summoned his council. He had now perceived it was no ambush of + the Moors. The account of Isabel, which, at last, he comprehended; the + strange and almost miraculous manner in which Almamen had baffled his + guards, and penetrated to the royal tent; might have aroused his Gothic + superstition, while it relieved his more earthly apprehensions, if he had + not remembered the singular, but far from supernatural dexterity with + which Eastern warriors and even robbers continued then, as now, to elude + the most vigilant precautions and baffle the most wakeful guards; and it + was evident that the fire which burned the camp of an army had been + kindled merely to gratify the revenge, or favour the escape of an + individual. Shaking, therefore, from his kingly spirit the thrill of + superstitious awe that the greatness of the disaster, when associated with + the name of a sorcerer, at first occasioned, he resolved to make advantage + out of misfortune itself. The excitement, the wrath of the troops, + produced the temper most fit for action. + </p> + <p> + “And Heaven,” said the King of Spain to his knights and chiefs, as they + assembled round him, “has, in this conflagration, announced to the + warriors of the Cross, that henceforth their camp shall be the palaces of + Granada! Woe to the Moslem with to-morrow’s sun!” + </p> + <p> + Arms clanged, and swords leaped from their sheaths, as the Christian + knights echoed the anathema—“WOE TO THE MOSLEM!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK V. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE GREAT BATTLE. + </h2> + <p> + The day slowly dawned upon that awful night; and the Moors, still upon the + battlements of Granada, beheld the whole army of Ferdinand on its march + towards their wails. At a distance lay the wrecks of the blackened and + smouldering camp; while before them, gaudy and glittering pennons waving, + and trumpets sounding, came the exultant legions of the foe. The Moors + could scarcely believe their senses. Fondly anticipating the retreat of + the Christians, after so signal a disaster, the gay and dazzling spectacle + of their march to the assault filled them with consternation and alarm. + </p> + <p> + While yet wondering and inactive, the trumpet of Boabdil was heard behind; + and they beheld the Moorish king, at the head of his guards, emerging down + the avenues that led to the gate. The sight restored and exhilarated the + gazers; and, when Boabdil halted in the space before the portals, the + shout of twenty thousand warriors rose ominously to the ears of the + advancing Christians. + </p> + <p> + “Men of Granada!” said Boabdil, as soon as the deep and breathless silence + had succeeded to that martial acclamation,—“the advance of the enemy + is to their destruction! In the fire of last night the hand of Allah wrote + their doom. Let us forth, each and all! We will leave our homes unguarded—our + hearts shall be their wall! True, that our numbers are thinned by famine + and by slaughter, but enough of us are yet left for the redemption of + Granada. Nor are the dead departed from us: the dead fight with us—their + souls animate our own. He who has lost a brother, becomes twice a man. On + this battle we will set all. Liberty or chains! empire or exile! victory + or death! Forward!” + </p> + <p> + He spoke, and gave the rein to his barb. It bounded forward, and cleared + the gloomy arch of the portals, and Boabdil el Chico was the first Moor + who issued from Granada, to that last and eventful field. Out, then, + poured, as a river that rushes from caverns into day, the burnished and + serried files of the Moorish cavalry. Muza came the last, closing the + array. Upon his dark and stern countenance there spoke not the ardent + enthusiasm of the sanguine king. It was locked and rigid; and the + anxieties of the last dismal weeks had thinned his cheeks, and ploughed + deep lines around the firm lips and iron jaw which bespoke the obstinate + and unconquerable resolution of his character. + </p> + <p> + As Muza now spurred forward, and, riding along the wheeling ranks, + marshalled them in order, arose the acclamation of female voices; and the + warriors, who looked back at the sound, saw that their women—their + wives and daughters, their mothers and their beloved (released from their + seclusion, by a policy which bespoke the desperation of the cause)—were + gazing at them, with outstretched arms, from the battlements and towers. + The Moors knew that they were now to fight for their hearths and altars in + the presence of those who, if they failed, became slaves and harlots; and + each Moslem felt his heart harden like the steel of his own sabre. + </p> + <p> + While the cavalry formed themselves into regular squadrons, and the tramp + of the foemen came more near and near, the Moorish infantry, in + miscellaneous, eager, and undisciplined bands, poured out, until, + spreading wide and deep below the walls, Boabdil’s charger was seen, + rapidly careering amongst them, as, in short but distinct directions, or + fiery adjurations, he sought at once to regulate their movements, and + confirm their hot but capricious valour. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Christians had abruptly halted; and the politic Ferdinand + resolved not to incur the full brunt of a whole population, in the first + flush of their enthusiasm and despair. He summoned to his side Hernando + del Pulgar, and bade him, with a troop of the most adventurous and + practised horsemen, advance towards the Moorish cavalry, and endeavour to + draw the fiery valour of Muza away from the main army. Then, splitting up + his force into several sections, he dismissed each to different stations; + some to storm the adjacent towers, others to fire the surrounding gardens + and orchards; so that the action might consist rather of many battles than + of one, and the Moors might lose the concentration and union, which made, + at present, their most formidable strength. + </p> + <p> + Thus, while the Mussulmans were waiting in order for the attack, they + suddenly beheld the main body of the Christians dispersing, and, while yet + in surprise and perplexed, they saw the fires breaking out from their + delicious gardens, to the right and left of the walls, and hear the boom + of the Christian artillery against the scattered bulwarks that guarded the + approaches of that city. + </p> + <p> + At that moment a cloud of dust rolled rapidly towards the post occupied in + the van by Muza, and the shock of the Christian knights, in their mighty + mail, broke upon the centre of the prince’s squadron. + </p> + <p> + Higher, by several inches, than the plumage of his companions, waved the + crest of the gigantic del Pulgar; and, as Moor after Moor went down before + his headlong lance, his voice, sounding deep and sepulchral through his + visor, shouted out—“Death to the infidel!” + </p> + <p> + The rapid and dexterous horsemen of Granada were not, however, discomfited + by this fierce assault: opening their ranks with extraordinary celerity, + they suffered the charge to pass comparatively harmless through their + centre, and then, closing in one long and bristling line, cut off the + knights from retreat. The Christians wheeled round, and charged again upon + their foe. + </p> + <p> + “Where art thou, O Moslem dog! that wouldst play the lion’?—Where + art thou, Muza Ben Abil Gazan’?” + </p> + <p> + “Before thee, Christian!” cried a stern and clear voice; and from amongst + the helmets of his people, gleamed the dazzling turban of the Moor. + </p> + <p> + Hernando checked his steed, gazed a moment at his foe, turned back, for + greater impetus to his charge, and, in a moment more, the bravest warriors + of the two armies met, lance to lance. + </p> + <p> + The round shield of Muza received the Christian’s weapon; his own spear + shivered, harmless, upon the breast of the giant. He drew his sword, + whirled it rapidly over his head, and, for some minutes, the eyes of the + bystanders could scarcely mark the marvellous rapidity with which strokes + were given and parried by those redoubted swordsmen. + </p> + <p> + At length, Hernando, anxious to bring to bear his superior strength, + spurred close to Muza; and, leaving his sword pendant by a thong to his + wrist, seized the shield of Muza in his formidable grasp, and plucked it + away, with a force that the Moor vainly endeavoured to resist: Muza, + therefore, suddenly released his bold; and, ere the Spaniard had recovered + his balance (which was lost by the success of his own strength, put forth + to the utmost), he dashed upon him the hoofs of his black charger, and + with a short but heavy mace, which he caught up from the saddlebow, dealt + Hernando so thundering a blow upon the helmet, that the giant fell to the + ground, stunned and senseless. + </p> + <p> + To dismount, to repossess himself of his shield, to resume his sabre, to + put one knee to the breast of his fallen foe, was the work of a moment; + and then had Don Hernando del Pulgar been sped, without priest or surgeon, + but that, alarmed by the peril of their most valiant comrade, twenty + knights spurred at once to the rescue, and the points of twenty lances + kept the Lion of Granada from his prey. Thither, with similar speed, + rushed the Moorish champions; and the fight became close and deadly round + the body of the still unconscious Christian. Not an instant of leisure to + unlace the helmet of Hernando, by removing which, alone, the Moorish blade + could find a mortal place, was permitted to Muza; and, what with the + spears and trampling hoofs around him, the situation of the Paynim was + more dangerous than that of the Christian. Meanwhile, Hernando recovered + his dizzy senses; and, made aware of his state, watched his occasion, and + suddenly shook off the knee of the Moor. With another effort he was on his + feet and the two champions stood confronting each other, neither very + eager to renew the combat. But on foot, Muza, daring and rash as he was, + could not but recognise his disadvantage against the enormous strength and + impenetrable armour of the Christian. He drew back, whistled to his barb, + that, piercing the ranks of the horsemen, was by his side on the instant, + remounted, and was in the midst of the foe, almost ere the slower Spaniard + was conscious of his disappearance. + </p> + <p> + But Hernando was not delivered from his enemy. Clearing a space around + him, as three knights, mortally wounded, fell beneath his sabre, Muza now + drew from behind his shoulder his short Arabian bow, and shaft after shaft + came rattling upon the mail of the dismounted Christian with so marvellous + a celerity, that, encumbered as he was with his heavy accoutrements, he + was unable either to escape from the spot, or ward off that arrowy rain; + and felt that nothing but chance, or Our Lady, could prevent the death + which one such arrow would occasion, if it should find the opening of the + visor, or the joints of the hauberk. + </p> + <p> + “Mother of Mercy,” groaned the knight, perplexed and enraged, “let not thy + servant be shot down like a hart, by this cowardly warfare; but, if I must + fall, be it with mine enemy, grappling hand to hand.” + </p> + <p> + While yet muttering this short invocation, the war-cry of Spain was heard + hard by, and the gallant company of Villena was seen scouring across the + plain to the succour of their comrades. The deadly attention of Muza was + distracted from individual foes, however eminent; he wheeled round, + re-collected his men, and, in a serried charge, met the new enemy in + midway. + </p> + <p> + While the contest thus fared in that part of the field, the scheme of + Ferdinand had succeeded so far as to break up the battle in detached + sections. Far and near, plain, grove, garden, tower, presented each the + scene of obstinate and determined conflict. Boabdil, at the head of his + chosen guard, the flower of the haughtier tribe of nobles who were jealous + of the fame and blood of the tribe of Muza, and followed also by his + gigantic Ethiopians, exposed his person to every peril, with the desperate + valour of a man who feels his own stake is greatest in the field. As he + most distrusted the infantry, so amongst the infantry he chiefly bestowed + his presence; and wherever he appeared, he sufficed, for the moment, to + turn the changes of the engagement. At length, at mid-day Ponce de Leon + led against the largest detachment of the Moorish foot a strong and + numerous battalion of the best-disciplined and veteran soldiery of Spain. + He had succeeded in winning a fortress, from which his artillery could + play with effect; and the troops he led were composed, partly of men + flushed with recent triumph, and partly of a fresh reserve, now first + brought into the field. A comely and a breathless spectacle it was to + behold this Christian squadron emerging from a blazing copse, which they + fired on their march; the red light gleaming on their complete armour, as, + in steady and solemn order, they swept on to the swaying and clamorous + ranks of the Moorish infantry. Boabdil learned the danger from his scouts; + and hastily quitting a tower from which he had for a while repulsed a + hostile legion, he threw himself into the midst of the battalions menaced + by the skilful Ponce de Leon. Almost at the same moment, the wild and + ominous apparition of Almamen, long absent from the eyes of the Moors, + appeared in the same quarter, so suddenly and unexpectedly, that none knew + whence he had emerged; the sacred standard in his left hand—his + sabre, bared and dripping gore, in his right—his face exposed, and + its powerful features working with an excitement that seemed inspired; his + abrupt presence breathed a new soul into the Moors. + </p> + <p> + “They come! they come!” he shrieked aloud. “The God of the East hath + delivered the Goth into your hands!” From rank to rank—from line to + line—sped the santon; and, as the mystic banner gleamed before the + soldiery, each closed his eyes and muttered an “amen” to his adjurations. + And now, to the cry of “Spain and St. Iago,” came trampling down the + relentless charge of the Christian war. At the same instant, from the + fortress lately taken by Ponce de Leon, the artillery opened upon the + Moors, and did deadly havoc. The Moslems wavered a moment when before them + gleamed the white banner of Almamen; and they beheld him rushing, alone + and on foot, amidst the foe. Taught to believe the war itself depended on + the preservation of the enchanted banner, the Paynims could not see it + thus rashly adventured without anxiety and shame: they rallied, advanced + firmly, and Boabdil himself, with waving cimiter and fierce exclamations, + dashed impetuously at the head of his guards and Ethiopians into the + affray. The battle became obstinate and bloody. Thrice the white banner + disappeared amidst the closing ranks; and thrice, like a moon from the + clouds, it shone forth again—the light and guide of the Pagan power. + </p> + <p> + The day ripened; and the hills already cast lengthening shadows over the + blazing groves and the still Darro, whose waters, in every creek where the + tide was arrested, ran red with blood, when Ferdinand, collecting his + whole reserve, descended from the eminence on which hitherto he had posted + himself. With him moved three thousand foot and a thousand horse, fresh in + their vigour, and panting for a share in that glorious day. The king + himself, who, though constitutionally fearless, from motives of policy + rarely perilled his person, save on imminent occasions, was resolved not + to be outdone by Boabdil; and armed cap-a-pied in mail, so wrought with + gold that it seemed nearly all of that costly metal, with his snow-white + plumage waving above a small diadem that surmounted his lofty helm, he + seemed a fit leader to that armament of heroes. Behind him flaunted the + great gonfanon of Spain, and trump and cymbal heralded his approach. The + Count de Tendilla rode by his side. + </p> + <p> + “Senor,” said Ferdinand, “the infidels fight hard; but they are in the + snare—we are about to close the nets upon them. But what cavalcade + is this?” + </p> + <p> + The group that thus drew the king’s attention consisted of six squires, + bearing, on a martial litter, composed of shields, the stalwart form of + Hernando del Pulgar. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the dogs!” cried the king, as he recognised the pale features of the + darling of the army,—“have they murdered the bravest knight that + ever fought for Christendom?” + </p> + <p> + “Not that, your majesty,” quoth he of the Exploits, faintly, “but I am + sorely stricken.” + </p> + <p> + “It must have been more than man who struck thee down,” said the king. + </p> + <p> + “It was the mace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, an please you, sire,” said one of + the squires; “but it came on the good knight unawares, and long after his + own arm had seemingly driven away the Pagan.” + </p> + <p> + “We will avenge thee well,” said the king, setting his teeth: “let our own + leeches tend thy wounds. Forward, sir knights! St. Iago and Spain!” + </p> + <p> + The battle had now gathered to a vortex; Muza and his cavalry had joined + Boabdil and the Moorish foot. On the other hand, Villena had been + reinforced by detachments that in almost every other quarter of the field + had routed the foe. The Moors had been driven back, though inch by inch; + they were now in the broad space before the very walls of the city, which + were still crowded by the pale and anxious faces of the aged and the + women: and, at every pause in the artillery, the voices that spoke of HOME + were borne by that lurid air to the ears of the infidels. The shout that + rang through the Christian force as Ferdinand now joined it struck like a + death-knell upon the last hope of Boabdil. But the blood of his fierce + ancestry burned in his veins, and the cheering voice of Almamen, whom + nothing daunted, inspired him with a kind of superstitious frenzy. + </p> + <p> + “King against king—so be it! Let Allah decide between us!” cried the + Moorish monarch. “Bind up this wound ‘tis well! A steed for the santon! + Now, my prophet and my friend, mount by the side of thy king—let us, + at least, fall together. Lelilies! Lelilies!” + </p> + <p> + Throughout the brave Christian ranks went a thrill of reluctant + admiration, as they beheld the Paynim king, conspicuous by his fair beard + and the jewels of his harness, lead the scanty guard yet left to him once + more into the thickest of their lines. Simultaneously Muza and his Zegris + made their fiery charge; and the Moorish infantry, excited by the example + of their leaders, followed with unslackened and dogged zeal. The + Christians gave way—they were beaten back: Ferdinand spurred + forward; and, ere either party were well aware of it, both kings met in + the same melee: all order and discipline, for the moment, lost, general + and monarch were, as common soldiers, fighting hand to hand. It was then + that Ferdinand, after bearing down before his lance Naim Reduon, second + only to Muza in the songs of Granada, beheld opposed to him a strange + form, that seemed to that royal Christian rather fiend than man: his raven + hair and beard, clotted with blood, hung like snakes about a countenance + whose features, naturally formed to give expression to the darkest + passions, were distorted with the madness of despairing rage. Wounded in + many places, the blood dabbled his mail; while, over his head, he waved + the banner wrought with mystic characters, which Ferdinand had already + been taught to believe the workmanship of demons. + </p> + <p> + “Now, perjured king of the Nazarenes!” shouted this formidable champion, + “we meet at last!—no longer host and guest, monarch and dervise, but + man to man! I am Almamen! Die!” + </p> + <p> + He spoke; and his sword descended so fiercely on that anointed head that + Ferdinand bent to his saddle-bow. But the king quickly recovered his seat, + and gallantly met the encounter; it was one that might have tasked to the + utmost the prowess of his bravest knight. Passions which, in their number, + their nature, and their excess, animated no other champion on either side, + gave to the arm of Almamen the Israelite a preternatural strength; his + blows fell like rain upon the harness of the king; and the fiery eyes, the + gleaming banner of the mysterious sorcerer, who had eluded the tortures of + his Inquisition,—who had walked unscathed through the midst of his + army,—whose single hand had consumed the encampment of a host, + filled the stout heart of a king with a belief that he encountered no + earthly foe. Fortunately, perhaps, for Ferdinand and Spain, the contest + did not last long. Twenty horsemen spurred into the melee to the rescue of + the plumed diadem: Tendilla arrived the first; with a stroke of his + two-handed sword, the white banner was cleft from its staff, and fell to + the earth. At that sight the Moors round broke forth in a wild and + despairing cry: that cry spread from rank to rank, from horse to foot; the + Moorish infantry, sorely pressed on all sides, no sooner learned the + disaster than they turned to fly: the rout was as fatal as it was sudden. + The Christian reserve, just brought into the field, poured down upon them + with a simultaneous charge. Boabdil, too much engaged to be the first to + learn the downfall of the sacred insignia, suddenly saw himself almost + alone, with his diminished Ethiopians and a handful of his cavaliers. + </p> + <p> + “Yield thee, Boabdil el Chico!” cried Tendilla, from his rear, “or thou + canst not be saved.” + </p> + <p> + “By the Prophet, never!” exclaimed the king: and he dashed his barb + against the wall of spears behind him; and with but a score or so of his + guard, cut his way through the ranks that were not unwilling, perhaps, to + spare so brave a foe. As he cleared the Spanish battalions, the + unfortunate monarch checked his horse for a moment and gazed along the + plain: he beheld his army flying in all directions, save in that single + spot where yet glittered the turban of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. As he gazed, + he heard the panting nostrils of the chargers behind, and saw the levelled + spears of a company despatched to take him, alive or dead, by the command + of Ferdinand. He laid the reins upon his horse’s neck and galloped into + the city—three lances quivered against the portals as he disappeared + through the shadows of the arch. But while Muza remained, all was not yet + lost: he perceived the flight of the infantry and the king, and with his + followers galloped across the plain: he came in time to encounter and + slay, to a man, the pursuers of Boabdil; he then threw himself before the + flying Moors: + </p> + <p> + “Do ye fly in the sight of your wives and daughters? Would ye not rather + they beheld ye die?” + </p> + <p> + A thousand voices answered him. “The banner is in the hands of the infidel—all + is lost!” They swept by him, and stopped not till they gained the gates. + </p> + <p> + But still a small and devoted remnant of the Moorish cavaliers remained to + shed a last glory over defeat itself. With Muza, their soul and centre, + they fought every atom of ground: it was, as the chronicler expresses it, + as if they grasped the soil with their arms. Twice they charged into the + midst of the foe: the slaughter they made doubled their own number; but, + gathering on and closing in, squadron upon squadron, came the whole + Christian army—they were encompassed, wearied out, beaten back, as + by an ocean. Like wild beasts, driven, at length, to their lair, they + retreated with their faces to the foe; and when Muza came, the last—his + cimiter shivered to the hilt,—he had scarcely breath to command the + gates to be closed and the portcullis lowered, ere he fell from his + charger in a sudden and deadly swoon, caused less by his exhaustion than + his agony and shame. So ended the last battle fought for the Monarchy of + Granada! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE NOVICE. + </h2> + <p> + It was in one of the cells of a convent renowned for the piety of its + inmates and the wholesome austerity of its laws that a young novice sat + alone. The narrow casement was placed so high in the cold grey wall as to + forbid to the tenant of the cell the solace of sad or the distraction of + pious thoughts, which a view of the world without might afford. Lovely, + indeed, was the landscape that spread below; but it was barred from those + youthful and melancholy eyes: for Nature might tempt to a thousand + thoughts, not of a tenor calculated to reconcile the heart to an eternal + sacrifice of the sweet human ties. But a faint and partial gleam of + sunshine broke through the aperture and made yet more cheerless the dreary + aspect and gloomy appurtenances of the cell. And the young novice seemed + to carry on within herself that struggle of emotions without which there + is no victory in the resolves of virtue: sometimes she wept bitterly, but + with a low, subdued sorrow, which spoke rather of despondency than + passion; sometimes she raised her head from her breast, and smiled as she + looked upward, or as her eyes rested on the crucifix and the death’s head + that were placed on the rude table by the pallet on which she sat. They + were emblems of death here, and life hereafter, which, perhaps, afforded + to her the sources of a twofold consolation. + </p> + <p> + She was yet musing, when a slight tap at the door was heard, and the + abbess of the convent appeared. + </p> + <p> + “Daughter,” said she, “I have brought thee the comfort of a sacred + visitor. The Queen of Spain, whose pious tenderness is maternally anxious + for thy full contentment with thy lot, has sent hither a holy friar, whom + she deems more soothing in his counsels than our brother Tomas, whose + ardent zeal often terrifies those whom his honest spirit only desires to + purify and guide. I will leave him with thee. May the saints bless his + ministry!” So saying the abbess retired from the threshold, making way for + a form in the garb of a monk, with the hood drawn over the face. The monk + bowed his head meekly, advanced into the cell, closed the door, and seated + himself, on a stool—which, save the table and the pallet, seemed the + sole furniture of the dismal chamber. + </p> + <p> + “Daughter,” said he, after a pause, “it is a rugged and a mournful lot + this renunciation of earth and all its fair destinies and soft affections, + to one not wholly prepared and armed for the sacrifice. Confide in me, my + child; I am no dire inquisitor, seeking to distort thy words to thine own + peril. I am no bitter and morose ascetic. Beneath these robes still beats + a human heart that can sympathise with human sorrows. Confide in me + without fear. Dost thou not dread the fate they would force upon thee? + Dost thou not shrink back? Wouldst thou not be free?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the poor novice; but the denial came faint and irresolute from + her lips. + </p> + <p> + “Pause,” said the friar, growing more earnest in his tone: “pause—there + is yet time.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the novice, looking up with some surprise in her countenance; + “nay, even were I so weak, escape now is impossible. What hand could unbar + the gates of the convent?” + </p> + <p> + “Mine!” cried the monk, with impetuosity. “Yes, I have that power. In all + Spain, but one man can save thee, and I am he.” + </p> + <p> + “You!” faltered the novice, gazing at her strange visitor with mingled + astonishment and alarm. “And who are you that could resist the fiat of + that Tomas de Torquemada, before whom, they tell me, even the crowned + heads of Castile and Arragon veil low?” + </p> + <p> + The monk half rose, with an impatient and almost haughty start, at this + interrogatory; but, reseating himself, replied, in a deep and + half-whispered voice “Daughter, listen to me! It is true, that Isabel of + Spain (whom the Mother of Mercy bless! for merciful to all is her secret + heart, if not her outward policy)—it is true that Isabel of Spain, + fearful that the path to Heaven might be made rougher to thy feet than it + well need be (there was a slight accent of irony in the monk’s voice as he + thus spoke), selected a friar of suasive eloquence and gentle manners to + visit thee. He was charged with letters to yon abbess from the queen. Soft + though the friar, he was yet a hypocrite. Nay, hear me out! he loved to + worship the rising sun; and he did not wish always to remain a simple + friar, while the Church had higher dignities of this earth to bestow. In + the Christian camp, daughter, there was one who burned for tidings of + thee,—whom thine image haunted—who, stern as thou wert to him, + loved thee with a love he knew not of, till thou wert lost to him. Why + dost thou tremble, daughter? listen, yet! To that lover, for he was one of + high birth, came the monk; to that lover the monk sold his mission. The + monk will have a ready tale, that he was waylaid amidst the mountains by + armed men, and robbed of his letters to the abbess. The lover took his + garb, and he took the letters; and he hastened hither. Leila! beloved + Leila! behold him at thy feet!” + </p> + <p> + The monk raised his cowl; and, dropping on his knee beside her, presented + to her gaze the features of the Prince of Spain. + </p> + <p> + “You!” said Leila, averting her countenance, and vainly endeavouring to + extricate the hand which he had seized. “This is indeed cruel. You, the + author of so many sufferings—such calumny—such reproach!” + </p> + <p> + “I will repair all,” said Don Juan, fervently. “I alone, I repeat it, have + the power to set you free. You are no longer a Jewess; you are one of our + faith; there is now no bar upon our loves. Imperious though my father,—all + dark and dread as is this new POWER which he is rashly erecting in his + dominions, the heir of two monarchies is not so poor in influence and in + friends as to be unable to offer the woman of his love an inviolable + shelter alike from priest and despot. Fly with me!—quit this dreary + sepulchre ere the last stone close over thee for ever! I have horses, I + have guards at hand. This night it can be arranged. This night—oh, + bliss!—thou mayest be rendered up to earth and love!” + </p> + <p> + “Prince,” said Leila, who had drawn herself from Juan’s grasp during this + address, and who now stood at a little distance erect and proud, “you + tempt me in vain; or, rather you offer me no temptation. I have made my + choice; I abide by it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! bethink thee,” said the prince, in a voice of real and imploring + anguish; “bethink thee well of the consequences of thy refusal. Thou canst + not see them yet; thine ardour blinds thee. But, when hour after hour, day + after day, year after year, steals on in the appalling monotony of this + sanctified prison; when thou shalt see thy youth—withering without + love—thine age without honour; when thy heart shall grow as stone + within thee, beneath the looks of you icy spectres; when nothing shall + vary the aching dulness of wasted life save a longer fast or a severer + penance: then, then will thy grief be rendered tenfold by the despairing + and remorseful thought, that thine own lips sealed thine own sentence. + Thou mayest think,” continued Juan, with rapid eagerness, “that my love to + thee was at first light and dishonouring. Be it so. I own that my youth + has passed in idle wooings, and the mockeries of affection. But for the + first time in my life I feel that—I love. Thy dark eyes—thy + noble beauty—even thy womanly scorn, have fascinated me. I—never + yet disdained where I have been a suitor—acknowledge, at last, that + there is a triumph in the conquest of a woman’s heart. Oh, Leila! do not—do + not reject me. You know not how rare and how deep a love you cast away.” + </p> + <p> + The novice was touched: the present language of Don Juan was so different + from what it had been before; the earnest love that breathed in his voice—that + looked from his eyes, struck a chord in her breast; it reminded her of her + own unconquered, unconquerable love for the lost Muza. She was touched, + then—touched to tears; but her resolves were not shaken. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Leila!” resumed the prince, fondly, mistaking the nature of her + emotion, and seeking to pursue the advantage he imagined he had gained, + “look at yonder sunbeam, struggling through the loophole of thy cell. Is + it not a messenger from the happy world? does it not plead for me? does it + not whisper to thee of the green fields and the laughing vineyards, and + all the beautiful prodigality of that earth thou art about to renounce for + ever? Dost thou dread my love? Are the forms around thee, ascetic and + lifeless, fairer to thine eyes than mine? Dost thou doubt my power to + protect thee? I tell thee that the proudest nobles of Spain would flock + around my banner, were it necessary to guard thee by force of arms. Yet, + speak the word—be mine—and I will fly hence with thee to + climes where the Church has not cast out its deadly roots, and, forgetful + of crowns and cares, live alone for thee: Ah, speak!” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Leila, calmly, and rousing herself to the necessary + effort, “I am deeply and sincerely grateful for the interest you express—for + the affection you avow. But you deceive yourself. I have pondered well + over the alternative I have taken. I do not regret nor repent—much + less would I retract it. The earth that you speak of, full of affections + and of bliss to others, has no ties, no allurements for me. I desire only + peace, repose, and an early death.” + </p> + <p> + “Can it be possible,” said the prince, growing pale, “that thou lovest + another? Then, indeed, and then only, would my wooing be in vain.” + </p> + <p> + The cheek of the novice grew deeply flushed, but the color soon subsided; + she murmured to herself, “Why should I blush to own it now?” and then + spoke aloud: “Prince, I trust I have done with the world; and bitter the + pang I feel when you call me back to it. But you merit my candour; I have + loved another; and in that thought, as in an urn, lie the ashes of all + affection. That other is of a different faith. We may never—never + meet again below, but it is a solace to pray that we may meet above. That + solace, and these cloisters, are dearer to me than all the pomp, all the + pleasures, of the world.” + </p> + <p> + The prince sank down, and, covering his face with his hands, groaned aloud—but + made no reply. + </p> + <p> + “Go, then, Prince of Spain,” continued the novice; “son of the noble + Isabel, Leila is not unworthy of her cares. Go, and pursue the great + destinies that await you. And if you forgive—if you still cherish a + thought of—the poor Jewish maiden, soften, alleviate, mitigate, the + wretched and desperate doom that awaits the fallen race she has abandoned + for thy creed.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, alas!” said the prince, mournfully; “thee alone, perchance, of all + thy race, I could have saved from the bigotry that is fast covering this + knightly land like the rising of an irresistible sea—and thou + rejectest me! Take time, at least, to pause—to consider. Let me see + thee again tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “No, prince, no—not again! I will keep thy secret only if I see thee + no more. If thou persist in a suit that I feel to be that of sin and + shame, then, indeed, mine honour—” + </p> + <p> + “Hold!” interrupted Juan, with haughty impatience, “I torment, I harass + you no more. I release you from my importunity. Perhaps already I have + stooped too low.” He drew the cowl over his features, and strode sullenly + to the door; but, turning for one last gaze on the form that had so + strangely fascinated a heart capable of generous emotions, the meek and + despondent posture of the novice, her tender youth, her gloomy fate, + melted his momentary pride and resentment. “God bless and reconcile thee, + poor child!” he said, in a voice choked with contending passions—and + the door closed upon his form. + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee, Heaven, that it was not Muza!” muttered Leila, breaking + from a reverie in which she seemed to be communing with her own soul: “I + feel that I could not have resisted him.” With that thought she knelt + down, in humble and penitent self-reproach, and prayed for strength. + </p> + <p> + Ere she had risen from her supplications, her solitude was again invaded + by Torquemada, the Dominican. + </p> + <p> + This strange man, though the author of cruelties at which nature recoils, + had some veins of warm and gentle feeling streaking, as it were, the + marble of his hard character; and when he had thoroughly convinced himself + of the pure and earnest zeal of the young convert, he relaxed from the + grim sternness he had at first exhibited towards her. He loved to exert + the eloquence he possessed, in raising her spirit, in reconciling her + doubts. He prayed for her, and he prayed beside her, with passion and with + tears. + </p> + <p> + He stayed long with the novice; and, when he left her, she was, if not + happy, at least contented. Her warmest wish now was to abridge the period + of her novitiate, which, at her desire, the Church had already rendered + merely a nominal probation. She longed to put irresolution out of her + power, and to enter at once upon the narrow road through the strait gate. + </p> + <p> + The gentle and modest piety of the young novice touched the sisterhood; + she was endeared to all of them. Her conversion was an event that broke + the lethargy of their stagnant life. She became an object of general + interest, of avowed pride, of kindly compassion; and their kindness to + her, who from her cradle had seen little of her own sex, had a great + effect towards calming and soothing her mind. But, at night, her dreams + brought before her the dark and menacing countenance of her father. + Sometimes he seemed to pluck her from the gates of heaven, and to sink + with her into the yawning abyss below. Sometimes she saw him with her + beside the altar, but imploring her to forswear the Saviour, before whose + crucifix she knelt. Occasionally her visions were haunted, also, with Muza—but + in less terrible guise She saw his calm and melancholy eyes fixed upon + her; and his voice asked, “Canst thou take a vow that makes it sinful to + remember me?” + </p> + <p> + The night, that usually brings balm and oblivion to the sad, was thus made + more dreadful to Leila than the day. + </p> + <p> + Her health grew feebler, and feebler, but her mind still was firm. In + happier time and circumstance that poor novice would have been a great + character; but she was one of the countless victims the world knows not + of, whose virtues are in silent motives, whose struggles are in the + solitary heart. + </p> + <p> + Of the prince she heard and saw no more. There were times when she + fancied, from oblique and obscure hints, that the Dominican had been aware + of Don Juan’s disguise and visit. But, if so, that knowledge appeared only + to increase the gentleness, almost the respect, which Torquemada + manifested towards her. Certainly, since that day, from some cause or + other the priest’s manner had been softened when he addressed her; and he + who seldom had recourse to other arts than those of censure and of menace, + often uttered sentiments half of pity and half of praise. + </p> + <p> + Thus consoled and supported in the day,—thus haunted and terrified + by night, but still not repenting her resolve, Leila saw the time glide on + to that eventful day when her lips were to pronounce that irrevocable vow + which is the epitaph of life. While in this obscure and remote convent + progressed the history of an individual, we are summoned back to witness + the crowning fate of an expiring dynasty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE PAUSE BETWEEN DEFEAT AND SURRENDER. + </h2> + <p> + The unfortunate Boabdil plunged once more amidst the recesses of the + Alhambra. Whatever his anguish or his despondency, none were permitted to + share, or even to witness, his emotions. But he especially resisted the + admission to his solitude, demanded by his mother, implored by his + faithful Amine, and sorrowfully urged by Muza: those most loved, or most + respected, were, above all, the persons from whom he most shrank. + </p> + <p> + Almamen was heard of no more. It was believed that he had perished in the + battle. But he was one of those who, precisely as they are effective when + present, are forgotten in absence. And, in the meanwhile, as the Vega was + utterly desolated, and all supplies were cut off, famine, daily made more + terrifically severe, diverted the attention of each humbler Moor from the + fall of the city to his individual sufferings. + </p> + <p> + New persecutions fell upon the miserable Jews. Not having taken any share + in the conflict (as was to be expected from men who had no stake in the + country which they dwelt in, and whose brethren had been taught so severe + a lesson upon the folly of interference), no sentiment of fellowship in + danger mitigated the hatred and loathing with which they were held; and + as, in their lust of gain, many of them continued, amidst the agony and + starvation of the citizens, to sell food at enormous prices, the + excitement of the multitude against them—released by the state of + the city from all restraint and law—made itself felt by the most + barbarous excesses. Many of the houses of the Israelites were attacked by + the mob, plundered, razed to the ground, and the owner tortured to death, + to extort confession of imaginary wealth. Not to sell what was demanded + was a crime; to sell it was a crime also. These miserable outcasts fled to + whatever secret places the vaults of their houses or the caverns in the + hills within the city could yet afford them, cursing their fate, and + almost longing even for the yoke of the Christian bigots. + </p> + <p> + Thus passed several days; the defence of the city abandoned to its naked + walls and mighty gates. The glaring sun looked down upon closed shops and + depopulated streets, save when some ghostly and skeleton band of the + famished poor collected, in a sudden paroxysm of revenge or despair, + around the stormed and fired mansion of a detested Israelite. + </p> + <p> + At length Boabdil aroused himself from his seclusion; and Muza, to his own + surprise, was summoned to the presence of the king. He found Boabdil in + one of the most gorgeous halls of his gorgeous palace. + </p> + <p> + Within the Tower of Comares is a vast chamber, still called the hall of + the Ambassadors. Here it was that Boabdil now held his court. On the + glowing walls hung trophies and banners, and here and there an Arabian + portrait of some bearded king. By the windows, which overlooked the most + lovely banks of the Llarro, gathered the santons and alfaquis, a little + apart from the main crowd. Beyond, through half-veiling draperies, might + be seen the great court of the Alberca, whose peristyles were hung with + flowers; while, in the centre, the gigantic basin, which gives its name to + the court, caught the sunlight obliquely, and its waves glittered on the + eye from amidst the roses that then clustered over it. + </p> + <p> + In the audience hall itself, a canopy, over the royal cushions on which + Boabdil reclined, was blazoned with the heraldic insignia of Granada’s + monarchs. His guard, and his mutes, and his eunuchs, and his courtiers, + and his counsellors, and his captains, were ranged in long files on either + side the canopy. It seemed the last flicker of the lamp of the Moorish + empire, that hollow and unreal pomp! As Muza approached the monarch, he + was startled by the change of his countenance: the young and beautiful + Boabdil seemed to have grown suddenly old; his eyes were sunken, his + countenance sown with wrinkles, and his voice sounded broken and hollow on + the ears of his kinsman. + </p> + <p> + “Come hither, Muza,” said he; “seat thyself beside me, and listen as thou + best canst to the tidings we are about to hear.” + </p> + <p> + As Muza placed himself on a cushion, a little below the king, Boabdil + motioned to one amongst the crowd. “Hamet,” said he, “thou hast examined + the state of the Christian camp; what news dost thou bring?” + </p> + <p> + “Light of the Faithful,” answered the Moor, “it is a camp no longer—it + has already become a city. Nine towns of Spain were charged with the task; + stone has taken the place of canvas; towers and streets arise like the + buildings of a genius; and the misbelieving king hath sworn that this new + city shall not be left until Granada sees his standard on its walls.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on,” said Boabdil, calmly. + </p> + <p> + “Traders and men of merchandise flock thither daily; the spot is one + bazaar; all that should supply our famishing country pours its plenty into + their mart.” + </p> + <p> + Boabdil motioned to the Moor to withdraw, and an alfaqui advanced in his + stead. + </p> + <p> + “Successor of the Prophet, and darling of the world!” said the reverend + man, “the alfaquis and seers of Granada implore thee on their knees to + listen to their voice. They have consulted the Books of Fate; thy have + implored a sign from the Prophet; and they find that the glory has left + thy people and thy crown. The fall of Granada is predestined; God is + great!” + </p> + <p> + “You shall have my answer forthwith,” said Boabdil. “Abdelemic, approach.” + </p> + <p> + From the crowd came an aged and white-bearded man, the governor of the + city. + </p> + <p> + “Speak, old man,” said the king. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Boabdil!” said the veteran, with faltering tones, while the tears + rolled down his cheeks; “son of a race of kings and heroes! would that thy + servant had fallen dead on thy threshold this day, and that the lips of a + Moorish noble had never been polluted by the words that I now utter! Our + state is hopeless; our granaries are as the sands of the desert: there is + in them life neither for beast nor man. The war-horse that bore the hero + is now consumed for his food; the population of thy city, with one voice, + cry for chains and—bread! I have spoken.” + </p> + <p> + “Admit the Ambassador of Egypt,” said Boabdil, as Abdelmelic retired. + There was a pause: one of the draperies at the end of the hall was drawn + aside; and with the slow and sedate majesty of their tribe and land, paced + forth a dark and swarthy train, the envoys of the Egyptian soldan. Six of + the band bore costly presents of gems and weapons, and the procession + closed with four veiled slaves, whose beauty had been the boast of the + ancient valley of the Nile. + </p> + <p> + “Sun of Granada and day—star of the faithful!” said the chief of the + Egyptians, “my lord, the Soldan of Egypt, delight of the world, and + rose-tree of the East, thus answers to the letters of Boabdil. He grieves + that he cannot send the succour thou demandest; and informing himself of + the condition of thy territories, he finds that Granada no longer holds a + seaport by which his forces (could he send them) might find an entrance + into Spain. He implores thee to put thy trust in Allah, who will not + desert his chosen ones, and lays these gifts, in pledge of amity and love, + at the feet of my lord the king.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a gracious and well-timed offering,” said Boabdil, with a writhing + lip; “we thank him.” There was now a long and dead silence as the + ambassadors swept from the hall of audience, when Boabdil suddenly raised + his head from his breast and looked around his hall with a kingly and + majestic look: “Let the heralds of Ferdinand of Spain approach.” + </p> + <p> + A groan involuntarily broke from the breast of Muza: it was echoed by a + murmur of abhorrence and despair from the gallant captains who stood + around; but to that momentary burst succeeded a breathless silence, as + from another drapery, opposite the royal couch, gleamed the burnished mail + of the knights of Spain. Foremost of these haughty visitors, whose iron + heels clanked loudly on the tesselated floor, came a noble and stately + form, in full armour, save the helmet, and with a mantle of azure velvet, + wrought with the silver cross that made the badge of the Christian war. + Upon his manly countenance was visible no sign of undue arrogance or + exultation; but something of that generous pity which brave men feel for + conquered foes dimmed the lustre of his commanding eye, and softened the + wonted sternness of his martial bearing. He and his train approached the + king with a profound salutation of respect; and falling back, motioned to + the herald that accompanied him, and whose garb, breast and back, was + wrought with the arms of Spain, to deliver himself of his mission. + </p> + <p> + “To Boabdil!” said the herald, with a loud voice, that filled the whole + expanse, and thrilled with various emotions the dumb assembly. “To Boabdil + el Chico, King of Granada, Ferdinand of Arragon and Isabel of Castile send + royal greeting. They command me to express their hope that the war is at + length concluded; and they offer to the King of Granada such terms of + capitulation as a king, without dishonour, may receive. In the stead of + this city, which their Most Christian Majesties will restore to their own + dominion, as is just, they offer, O king, princely territories in the + Alpuxarras mountains to your sway, holding them by oath of fealty to the + Spanish crown. To the people of Granada, their Most Christian Majesties + promise full protection of property, life, and faith under a government by + their own magistrates, and according to their own laws; exemption from + tribute for three years; and taxes thereafter, regulated by the custom and + ratio of their present imposts. To such Moors as, discontented with these + provisions, would abandon Granada, are promised free passage for + themselves and their wealth. In return for these marks of their royal + bounty, their Most Christian Majesties summon Granada to surrender (if no + succour meanwhile arrive) within seventy days. And these offers are now + solemnly recorded in the presence, and through the mission, of the noble + and renowned knight, Gonzalvo of Cordova, deputed by their Most Christian + Majesties from their new city of Santa Fe.” + </p> + <p> + When the herald had concluded, Boabdil cast his eye over his thronged and + splendid court. No glance of fire met his own; amidst the silent crowd, a + resigned content was alone to be perceived: the proposals exceeded the + hope of the besieged. + </p> + <p> + “And,” asked Boabdil, with a deep-drawn sigh, “if we reject these offers?” + </p> + <p> + “Noble prince,” said Gonzalvo, earnestly, “ask us not to wound thine ears + with the alternative. Pause, and consider of our offers; and, if thou + doubtest, O brave king! mount the towers of thine Alhambra, survey our + legions marshalled beneath thy walls, and turn thine eyes upon a brave + people, defeated, not by human valour, but by famine, and the inscrutable + will of God.” + </p> + <p> + “Your monarchs shall have our answer, gentle Christian, perchance ere + nightfall. And you, Sir Knight, who hast delivered a message bitter for + kings to bear, receive, at least, our thanks for such bearing as might + best mitigate the import. Our vizier will bear to your apartment those + tokens of remembrance that are yet left to the monarch of Granada to + bestow.” + </p> + <p> + “Muza,” resumed the king, as the Spaniards left the presence—“thou + hast heard all. What is the last counsel thou canst give thy sovereign?” + </p> + <p> + The fierce Moor had with difficulty waited this licence to utter such + sentiments as death only could banish from that unconquerable heart. He + rose, descended from the couch, and, standing a little below the king, and + facing the motley throng of all of wise or brave yet left to Granada, thus + spoke:— + </p> + <p> + “Why should we surrender? two hundred thousand inhabitants are yet within + our walls; of these, twenty thousand, at least, are Moors, who have hands + and swords. Why should we surrender? Famine presses us, it is true; but + hunger, that makes the lion more terrible, shall it make the man more + base? Do ye despair? so be it! despair in the valiant ought to have an + irresistible force. Despair has made cowards brave: shall it sink the + brave to cowards? Let us arouse the people; hitherto we have depended too + much upon the nobles. Let us collect our whole force, and march upon this + new city, while the soldiers of Spain are employed in their new profession + of architects and builders. Hear me, O God and prophet of the Moslem! hear + one who never was forsworn! If, Moors of Granada, ye adopt my counsel, I + cannot promise ye victory, but I promise ye never to live without it: I + promise ye, at least, your independence—for the dead know no chains! + If we cannot live, let us so die that we may leave to remotest ages a + glory that shall be more durable than kingdoms. King of Granada! this is + the counsel of Muza Ben Abil Gazan.” + </p> + <p> + The prince ceased. But he, whose faintest word had once breathed fire into + the dullest, had now poured out his spirit upon frigid and lifeless + matter. No man answered—no man moved. + </p> + <p> + Boabdil alone, clinging to the shadow of hope, turned at last towards the + audience. + </p> + <p> + “Warriors and sages!” he said, “as Muza’s counsel is your king’s desire, + say but the word, and, ere the hour-glass shed its last sand, the blast of + our trumpet shall be ringing through the Vivarrambla.” + </p> + <p> + “O king! fight not against the will of fate—God is great!” replied + the chief of the alfaquis. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Abdelmelic, “if the voice of Muza and your own falls thus + coldly upon us, how can ye stir the breadless and heartless multitude?” + </p> + <p> + “Is such your general thought and your general will?” said Boabdil. + </p> + <p> + An universal murmur answered, “Yes!” + </p> + <p> + “Go then, Abdelmelic;” resumed the ill-starred king; “go with yon + Spaniards to the Christian camp, and bring us back the best terms you can + obtain. The crown has passed from the head of El Zogoybi; Fate sets her + seal upon my brow. Unfortunate was the commencement of my reign—unfortunate + its end. Break up the divan.” + </p> + <p> + The words of Boabdil moved and penetrated an audience, never till then so + alive to his gentle qualities, his learned wisdom, and his natural valour. + Many flung themselves at his feet, with tears and sighs; and the crowd + gathered round to touch the hem of his robe. + </p> + <p> + Muza gazed at them in deep disdain, with folded arms and heaving breast. + </p> + <p> + “Women, not men!” he exclaimed, “ye weep, as if ye had not blood still + left to shed! Ye are reconciled to the loss of liberty, because ye are + told ye shall lose nothing else. Fools and dupes! I see, from the spot + where my spirit stands above ye, the dark and dismal future to which ye + are crawling on your knees: bondage and rapine—the violence of + lawless lust—the persecution of hostile faith—your gold wrung + from ye by torture—your national name rooted from the soil. Bear + this, and remember me! Farewell, Boabdil! you I pity not; for your gardens + have yet a poison, and your armories a sword. Farewell, nobles and santons + of Granada! I quit my country while it is yet free.” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had he ceased, ere he had disappeared from the hall. It was as + the parting genius of Granada! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SOLITARY HORSEMAN. + </h2> + <p> + It was a burning and sultry noon, when, through a small valley, skirted by + rugged and precipitous hills, at the distance of several leagues from + Granada, a horseman, in complete armour, wound his solitary way; His mail + was black and unadorned; on his vizor waved no plume. But there was + something in his carriage and mien, and the singular beauty of his + coal-black steed, which appeared to indicate a higher rank than the + absence of page and squire, and the plainness of his accoutrements, would + have denoted to a careless eye. He rode very slowly; and his steed, with + the licence of a spoiled favourite, often halted lazily in his sultry + path, as a tuft of herbage, or the bough of some overhanging tree, offered + its temptation. At length, as he thus paused, a noise was heard in a copse + that clothed the descent of a steep mountain; and the horse started + suddenly back, forcing the traveller from his reverie. He looked + mechanically upward, and beheld the figure of a man bounding through the + trees, with rapid and irregular steps. It was a form that suited well the + silence and solitude of the spot; and might have passed for one of those + stern recluses—half hermit, half soldier—who, in the earlier + crusades, fixed their wild homes amidst the sands and caves of Palestine. + The stranger supported his steps by a long staff. His hair and beard hung + long and matted over his broad shoulders. A rusted mail, once splendid + with arabesque enrichments, protected his breast; but the loose gown—a + sort of tartan, which descended below the cuirass—was rent and + tattered, and his feet bare; in his girdle was a short curved cimiter, a + knife or dagger, and a parchment roll, clasped and bound with iron. + </p> + <p> + As the horseman gazed at this abrupt intruder on the solitude, his frame + quivered with emotion; and, raising himself to his full height, he called + aloud, “Fiend or santon—whatsoever thou art—what seekest thou + in these lonely places, far from the king thy counsels deluded, and the + city betrayed by thy false prophecies and unhallowed charms?” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” cried Almamen, for it was indeed the Israelite; “by thy black + charger, and the tone of thy haughty voice, I know the hero of Granada. + Rather, Muza Ben Abil Gazan, why art thou absent from the last hold of the + Moorish empire?” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou pretend to read the future, and art thou blind to the present? + Granada has capitulated to the Spaniard. Alone I have left a land of + slaves, and shall seek, in our ancestral Africa, some spot where the + footstep of the misbeliever hath not trodden.” + </p> + <p> + “The fate of one bigotry is, then, sealed,” said Almamen, gloomily; “but + that which succeeds it is yet more dark.” + </p> + <p> + “Dog!” cried Muza, couching his lance, “what art thou that thus + blasphemest?” + </p> + <p> + “A Jew!” replied Almamen, in a voice of thunder, and drawing his cimiter: + “a despised and despising Jew! Ask you more? I am the son of a race of + kings. I was the worst enemy of the Moors till I found the Nazarene more + hateful than the Moslem; and then even Muza himself was not their more + renowned champion. Come on, if thou wilt—man to man: I defy thee” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” muttered Muza, sinking his lance; “thy mail is rusted with the + blood of the Spaniard, and this arm cannot smite the slayer of the + Christian. Part we in peace.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold, prince!” said Almamen, in an altered voice: “is thy country the + sole thing dear to thee? Has the smile of woman never stolen beneath thine + armour? Has thy heart never beat for softer meetings than the encounter of + a foe?” + </p> + <p> + “Am I human, and a Moor?” returned Muza. “For once you divine aright; and, + could thy spells bestow on these eyes but one more sight of the last + treasure left to me on earth, I should be as credulous of thy sorcery as + Boabdil.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou lovest her still, then—this Leila?” + </p> + <p> + “Dark necromancer, hast thou read my secret? and knowest thou the name of + my beloved one? Ah! let me believe thee indeed wise, and reveal to me the + spot of earth which holds the delight of my soul! Yes,” continued the + Moor, with increased emotion, and throwing up his vizor, as if for air—“yes; + Allah forgive me! but, when all was lost at Granada, I had still one + consolation in leaving my fated birthplace: I had licence to search for + Leila; I had the hope to secure to my wanderings in distant lands one to + whose glance the eyes of the houris would be dim. But I waste words. Tell + me where is Leila, and conduct me to her feet!” + </p> + <p> + “Moslem, I will lead thee to her,” answered Almamen, gazing on the prince + with an expression of strange and fearful exultation in his dark eyes: “I + will lead thee to her-follow me. It is only yesternight that I learned the + walls that confined her; and from that hour to this have I journeyed over + mountain and desert, without rest or food.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet what is she to thee?” asked Muza, suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt learn full soon. Let us on.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, Almamen sprang forward with a vigour which the excitement of + his mind supplied to the exhaustion of his body. Muza wonderingly pushed + on his charger, and endeavoured to draw his mysterious guide into + conversation: but Almamen scarcely heeded him. And when he broke from his + gloomy silence, it was but in incoherent and brief exclamations, often in + a tongue foreign to the ear of his companion. The hardy Moor, though + steeled against the superstitions of his race, less by the philosophy of + the learned than the contempt of the brave, felt an awe gather over him as + he glanced, from the giant rocks and lonely valleys, to the unearthly + aspect and glittering eyes of the reputed sorcerer; and more than once he + muttered such verses of the Koran as were esteemed by his countrymen the + counterspell to the machinations of the evil genii. + </p> + <p> + It might be an hour that they had thus journeyed together, when Almamen + paused abruptly. “I am wearied,” said he, faintly; “and, though time + presses, I fear that my strength will fail me.” + </p> + <p> + “Mount, then, behind me,” returned the Moor, after some natural + hesitation: “Jew though thou art, I will brave the contamination for the + sake of Leila.” + </p> + <p> + “Moor!” cried the Hebrew, fiercely, “the contamination would be mine. + Things of yesterday, as thy Prophet and thy creed are, thou canst not + sound the unfathomable loathing which each heart faithful to the Ancient + of Days feels for such as thou and thine.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by the Kaaba!” said Muza, and his brow became dark, “another such + word and the hoofs of my steed shall trample the breath of blasphemy from + thy body.” + </p> + <p> + “I would defy thee to the death,” answered Almamen, disdainfully; “but I + reserve the bravest of the Moors to witness a deed worthy of the + descendant of Jephtha. But hist! I hear hoofs.” + </p> + <p> + Muza listened; and his sharp ear caught a distinct ring upon the hard and + rocky soil. He turned round and saw Almamen gliding away through the thick + underwood, until the branches concealed his form. Presently, a curve in + the path brought in view a Spanish cavalier, mounted on an Andalusian + jennet: the horseman was gaily singing one of the popular ballads of the + time; and, as it related to the feats of the Spaniards against the Moors, + Muza’s haughty blood was already stirred, and his moustache quivered on + his lip. “I will change the air,” muttered the Moslem, grasping his lance, + when, as the thought crossed him, he beheld the Spaniard suddenly reel in + his saddle and lay prostrate on the ground. In the same instant Almamen + had darted from his hiding-place, seized the steed of the cavalier, + mounted, and, ere Muza recovered from his surprise, was by the side of the + Moor. + </p> + <p> + “By what harm,” said Muza, curbing his barb, “didst thou fell the Spaniard—seemingly + without a blow?” + </p> + <p> + “As David felled Goliath—by the pebble and the sling,” answered + Almamen, carelessly. “Now, then, spur forward, if thou art eager to see + thy Leila.” + </p> + <p> + The horsemen dashed over the body of the stunned and insensible Spaniard. + Tree and mountain glided by; gradually the valley vanished, and a thick + forest loomed upon their path. Still they made on, though the interlaced + boughs and the ruggedness of the footing somewhat obstructed their way; + until, as the sun began slowly to decline, they entered a broad and + circular space, round which trees of the eldest growth spread their + motionless and shadowy boughs. In the midmost sward was a rude and antique + stone, resembling the altar of some barbarous and departed creed. Here + Almamen abruptly halted, and muttered inaudibly to himself. + </p> + <p> + “What moves thee, dark stranger?” said the Moor; “and why dost thou mutter + and gaze on space?” + </p> + <p> + Almamen answered not, but dismounted, hung his bridle to a branch of a + scathed and riven elm, and advanced alone into the middle of the space. + “Dread and prophetic power that art within me!” said the Hebrew, aloud,—“this, + then, is the spot that, by dream and vision, thou hast foretold me wherein + to consummate and record the vow that shall sever from the spirit the last + weakness of the flesh. Night after night hast thou brought before mine + eyes, in darkness and in slumber, the solemn solitude that I now survey. + Be it so! I am prepared!” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he retired for a few moments into the wood: collected in + his arms the dry leaves and withered branches which cumbered the desolate + clay, and placed the fuel upon the altar. Then, turning to the East, and + raising his hands he exclaimed, “Lo! upon this altar, once worshipped, + perchance, by the heathen savage, the last bold spirit of thy fallen and + scattered race dedicates, O Ineffable One! that precious offering Thou + didst demand from a sire of old. Accept the sacrifice!” + </p> + <p> + As the Hebrew ended his adjuration he drew a phial from his bosom, and + sprinkled a few drops upon the arid fuel. A pale blue flame suddenly + leaped up; and, as it lighted the haggard but earnest countenance of the + Israelite, Muza felt his Moorish blood congeal in his veins, and + shuddered, though he scarce knew why. Almamen, with his dagger, severed + from his head one of his long locks, and cast it upon the flame. He + watched it until it was consumed; and then, with a stifled cry, fell upon + the earth in a dead swoon. The Moor hastened to raise him; he chafed his + hands and temples; he unbuckled the vest upon his bosom; he forgot that + his comrade was a sorcerer and a Jew, so much had the agony of that + excitement moved his sympathy. + </p> + <p> + It was not till several minutes had elapsed that Almamen, with a + deep-drawn sigh, recovered from his swoon. “Ah, beloved one! bride of my + heart!” he murmured, “was it for this that thou didst commend to me the + only pledge of our youthful love? Forgive me! I restore her to the earth, + untainted by the Gentile.” He closed his eyes again, and a strong + convulsion shook his frame. It passed; and he rose as a man from a fearful + dream, composed, and almost as it were refreshed, by the terrors he had + undergone. The last glimmer of the ghastly light was dying away upon that + ancient altar, and a low wind crept sighing through the trees. + </p> + <p> + “Mount, prince,” said Almamen, calmly, but averting his eyes from the + altar; “we shall have no more delays.” + </p> + <p> + “Wilt thou not explain thy incantation?” asked Muza; “or is it, as my + reason tells me, but the mummery of a juggler?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! alas!” answered Almamen, in a sad and altered tone, “thou wilt soon + know all.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE SACRIFICE. + </h2> + <p> + The sun was now sinking slowly through those masses of purple cloud which + belong to Iberian skies; when, emerging from the forest, the travellers + saw before them a small and lovely plain, cultivated like a garden. Rows + of orange and citron trees were backed by the dark green foliage of vines; + and these again found a barrier in girdling copses of chestnut, oak, and + the deeper verdure of pines: while, far to the horizon, rose the distant + and dim outline of the mountain range, scarcely distinguishable from the + mellow colourings of the heaven. Through this charming spot went a slender + and sparkling torrent, that collected its waters in a circular basin, over + which the rose and orange hung their contrasted blossoms. On a gentle + eminence above this plain, or garden, rose the spires of a convent: and, + though it was still clear daylight, the long and pointed lattices were + illumined within; and, as the horsemen cast their eyes upon the pile, the + sound of the holy chorus—made more sweet and solemn from its own + indistinctness, from the quiet of the hour, from the sudden and + sequestered loveliness of that spot, suiting so well the ideal calm of the + conventual life—rolled its music through the odorous and lucent air. + </p> + <p> + But that scene and that sound, so calculated to soothe and harmonise the + thought, seemed to arouse Almamen into agony and passion. He smote his + breast with his clenched hand; and, shrieking, rather than exclaiming, + “God of my fathers! have I come too late?” buried his spurs to the rowels + in the sides of his panting steed. Along the sward, through the fragrant + shrubs, athwart the pebbly and shallow torrent, up the ascent to the + convent, sped the Israelite. Muza, wondering and half reluctant, followed + at a little distance. Clearer and nearer came the voices of the choir; + broader and redder glowed the tapers from the Gothic casements: the porch + of the convent chapel was reached; the Hebrew sprang from his horse. A + small group of the peasants dependent on the convent loitered reverently + round the threshold; pushing through them, as one frantic, Almamen entered + the chapel and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + A minute elapsed. Muza was at the door; but the Moor paused irresolutely, + ere he dismounted. “What is the ceremony?” he asked of the peasants. + </p> + <p> + “A nun is about to take the vows,” answered one of them. + </p> + <p> + A cry of alarm, of indignation, of terror, was heard within. Muza no + longer delayed: he gave his steed to the bystanders, pushed aside the + heavy curtain that screened the threshold and was within the chapel. + </p> + <p> + By the altar gathered a confused and disordered group—the + sisterhood, with their abbess. Round the consecrated rail flocked the + spectators, breathless and amazed. Conspicuous above the rest, on the + elevation of the holy place, stood Almamen with his drawn dagger in his + right hand, his left arm clasped around the form of a novice, whose dress, + not yet replaced by the serge, bespoke her the sister fated to the veil; + and, on the opposite side of that sister, one hand on her shoulder, the + other rearing on high the sacred crucifix, stood a stern, commanding form, + in the white robes of the Dominican order; it was Tomas de Torquemada. + </p> + <p> + “Avaunt, Almamen!” were the first words which reached Muza’s ear as he + stood, unnoticed, in the middle of the aisle: “here thy sorcery and thine + arts cannot avail thee. Release the devoted one of God!” + </p> + <p> + “She is mine! she is my daughter! I claim her from thee as a father, in + the name of the great Sire of Man!” + </p> + <p> + “Seize the sorcerer! seize him!” exclaimed the Inquisitor, as, with a + sudden movement, Almamen cleared his way through the scattered and + dismayed group, and stood with his daughter in his arms, on the first step + of the consecrated platform. + </p> + <p> + But not a foot stirred—not a hand was raised. The epithet bestowed + on the intruder had only breathed a supernatural terror into the audience; + and they would have sooner rushed upon a tiger in his lair, than on the + lifted dagger and savage aspect of that grim stranger. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my father!” then said a low and faltering voice, that startled Muza + as a voice from the grave—“wrestle not against the decrees of + Heaven. Thy daughter is not compelled to her solemn choice. Humbly, but + devotedly, a convert to the Christian creed, her only wish on earth is to + take the consecrated and eternal vow.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” groaned the Hebrew, suddenly relaxing his hold, as his daughter fell + on her knees before him, “then have I indeed been told, as I have + foreseen, the worst. The veil is rent—the spirit hath left the + temple. Thy beauty is desecrated; thy form is but unhallowed clay. Dog!” + he cried, more fiercely, glaring round upon the unmoved face of the + Inquisitor, “this is thy work: but thou shalt not triumph. Here, by thine + own shrine, I spit at and defy thee, as once before, amidst the tortures + of thy inhuman court. Thus—thus—thus—Almamen the Jew + delivers the last of his house from the curse of Galilee!” + </p> + <p> + “Hold, murderer!” cried a voice of thunder; and an armed man burst through + the crowd and stood upon the platform. It was too late: thrice the blade + of the Hebrew had passed through that innocent breast; thrice was it + reddened with that virgin blood. Leila fell in the arms of her lover; her + dim eyes rested upon his countenance, as it shone upon her, beneath his + lifted vizor-a faint and tender smile played upon her lips—Leila was + no more. + </p> + <p> + One hasty glance Almamen cast upon his victim, and then, with a wild laugh + that woke every echo in the dreary aisles, he leaped from the place. + Brandishing his bloody weapon above his head, he dashed through the coward + crowd; and, ere even the startled Dominican had found a voice, the tramp + of his headlong steed rang upon the air; an instant—and all was + silent. + </p> + <p> + But over the murdered girl leaned the Moor, as yet incredulous of her + death; her head still unshorn of its purple tresses, pillowed on his lap—her + icy hand clasped in his, and her blood weltering fast over his armour. + None disturbed him; for, habited as the knights of Christendom, none + suspected his faith; and all, even the Dominican, felt a thrill of + sympathy at his distress. How he came hither, with what object,—what + hope, their thoughts were too much locked in pity to conjecture. There, + voiceless and motionless, bent the Moor, until one of the monks approached + and felt the pulse, to ascertain if life was, indeed, utterly gone. + </p> + <p> + The Moor at first waved him haughtily away; but, when he divined the + monk’s purpose, suffered him in silence to take the beloved hand. He fixed + on him his dark and imploring eyes; and when the father dropped the hand, + and, gently shaking his head, turned away, a deep and agonising groan was + all that the audience heard from that heart in which the last iron of fate + had entered. Passionately he kissed the brow, the cheeks, the lips of the + hushed and angel face, and rose from the spot. + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou here? and what knowest thou of yon murderous enemy of God + and man?” asked the Dominican, approaching. + </p> + <p> + Muza made no reply, as he stalked slowly through the chapel. The audience + was touched to sudden tears. “Forbear!” said they, almost with one accord, + to the harsh Inquisitor; “he hath no voice to answer thee.” + </p> + <p> + And thus, amidst the oppressive grief and sympathy of the Christian + throng, the unknown Paynim reached the door, mounted his steed, and as he + turned once more and cast a hurried glance upon the fatal pile, the + bystanders saw the large tears rolling down his swarthy cheeks. + </p> + <p> + Slowly that coal-black charger wound down the hillock, crossed the quiet + and lovely garden, and vanished amidst the forest. And never was known, to + Moor or Christian, the future fate of the hero of Granada. Whether he + reached in safety the shores of his ancestral Africa, and carved out new + fortunes and a new name; or whether death, by disease or strife, + terminated obscurely his glorious and brief career, mystery—deep and + unpenetrated, even by the fancies of the thousand bards who have + consecrated his deeds—wraps in everlasting shadow the destinies of + Muza Ben Abil Gazan, from that hour, when the setting sun threw its + parting ray over his stately form and his ebon barb, disappearing amidst + the breathless shadows of the forest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE RETURN—THE RIOT—THE TREACHERY—AND THE + DEATH. + </h2> + <p> + It was the eve of the fatal day on which Granada was to be delivered to + the Spaniards, and in that subterranean vault beneath the house of + Almamen, before described, three elders of the Jewish persuasion were met. + </p> + <p> + “Trusty and well-beloved Ximen,” cried one, a wealthy and usurious + merchant, with a twinkling and humid eye, and a sleek and unctuous aspect, + which did not, however, suffice to disguise something fierce and crafty in + his low brow and pinched lips—“trusty and well-beloved Ximen,” said + this Jew—“truly thou hast served us well, in yielding to thy + persecuted brethren this secret shelter. Here, indeed, may the heathen + search for us in vain! Verily, my veins grow warm again; and thy servant + hungereth, and hath thirst.” + </p> + <p> + “Eat, Isaac—eat; yonder are viands prepared for thee; eat, and spare + not. And thou, Elias—wilt thou not draw near the board? the wine is + old and precious, and will revive thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Ashes and hyssop—hyssop and ashes, are food and drink for me,” + answered Elias, with passionate bitterness; “they have rased my house—they + have burned my granaries—they have molten down my gold. I am a + ruined man!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Ximen, who gazed at him with a malevolent eye—for so + utterly had years and sorrows mixed with gall even the one kindlier + sympathy he possessed, that he could not resist an inward chuckle over the + very afflictions he relieved, and the very impotence he protected—“nay, + Elias, thou hast wealth yet left in the seaport towns sufficient to buy up + half Granada.” + </p> + <p> + “The Nazarene will seize it all!” cried Elias; “I see it already in his + grasp!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, thinkest thou so?—and wherefore?” asked Ximen, startled into + sincere, because selfish anxiety. + </p> + <p> + “Mark me! Under licence of the truce, I went, last night, to the Christian + camp: I had an interview with the Christian king; and when he heard my + name and faith, his very beard curled with ire. ‘Hound of Belial!’ he + roared forth, ‘has not thy comrade carrion, the sorcerer Almamen, + sufficiently deceived and insulted the majesty of Spain? For his sake, ye + shall have no quarter. Tarry here another instant, and thy corpse shall be + swinging to the winds! Go, and count over thy misgotten wealth; just + census shall be taken of it; and if thou defraudest our holy impost by one + piece of copper, thou shalt sup with Dives!’ Such was my mission, and mine + answer. I return home to see the ashes of mine house! Woe is me!” + </p> + <p> + “And this we owe to Almamen, the pretended Jew!” cried Isaac, from his + solitary but not idle place at the board. “I would this knife were at his + false throat!” growled Elias, clutching his poniard with his long bony + fingers. + </p> + <p> + “No chance of that,” muttered Ximen; “he will return no more to Granada. + The vulture and the worm have divided his carcass between them ere this; + and (he added inly with a hideous smile) his house and his gold have + fallen into the hands of old childless Ximen.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a strange and fearful vault,” said Isaac, quaffing a large goblet + of the hot wine of the Vega; “here might the Witch of Endor have raised + the dead. Yon door—whither doth it lead?” + </p> + <p> + “Through passages none that I know of, save my master, hath trodden,” + answered Ximen. “I have heard that they reach even to the Alhambra. Come, + worthy Elias! thy form trembles with the cold: take this wine.” + </p> + <p> + “Hist!” said Elias, shaking from limb to limb; “our pursuers are upon us—I + hear a step!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the door to which Isaac had pointed slowly opened and Almamen + entered the vault. + </p> + <p> + Had, indeed, a new Witch of Endor conjured up the dead, the apparition + would not more have startled and appalled that goodly trio. Elias, griping + his knife, retreated to the farthest end of the vault. Isaac dropped the + goblet he was about to drain, and fell upon his knees. Ximen, alone, + growing, if possible, a shade more ghastly—retained something of + self-possession, as he muttered to himself—“He lives! and his gold + is not mine! Curse him!” + </p> + <p> + Seemingly unconscious of the strange guests his sanctuary shrouded, + Almamen stalked on, like a man walking in his sleep. + </p> + <p> + Ximen roused himself—softly unbarred the door which admitted to the + upper apartments, and motioned to his comrades to avail themselves of the + opening, but as Isaac—the first to accept the hint—crept + across, Almamen fixed upon him his terrible eye, and, appearing suddenly + to awake to consciousness, shouted out, “Thou miscreant, Ximen! whom hast + thou admitted to the secrets of thy lord? Close the door—these men + must die!” + </p> + <p> + “Mighty master!” said Ximen, calmly, “is thy servant to blame that he + believed the rumour that declared thy death? These men are of our holy + faith, whom I have snatched from the violence of the sacrilegious and + maddened mob. No spot but this seemed safe from the popular frenzy.” “Are + ye Jews?” said Almamen. “Ah, yes! I know ye now—things of the + market-place and bazaar’. Oh, ye are Jews, indeed! Go, go! Leave me!” + </p> + <p> + Waiting no further licence, the three vanished; but, ere he quitted the + vault, Elias turned back his scowling countenance on Almamen (who had sunk + again into an absorbed meditation) with a glance of vindictive ire—Almamen + was alone. + </p> + <p> + In less than a quarter of an hour Ximen returned to seek his master; but + the place was again deserted. + </p> + <p> + It was midnight in the streets of Granada—midnight, but not repose. + The multitude, roused into one of their paroyxsms of wrath and sorrow, by + the reflection that the morrow was indeed the day of their subjection to + the Christian foe, poured forth through the streets to the number of + twenty thousand. It was a wild and stormy night; those formidable gusts of + wind, which sometimes sweep in sudden winter from the snows of the Sierra + Nevada, howled through the tossing groves, and along the winding streets. + But the tempest seemed to heighten, as if by the sympathy of the elements, + the popular storm and whirlwind. Brandishing arms and torches, and gaunt + with hunger, the dark forms of the frantic Moors seemed like ghouls or + spectres, rather than mortal men; as, apparently without an object, save + that of venting their own disquietude, or exciting the fears of earth, + they swept through the desolate city. + </p> + <p> + In the broad space of the Vivarrambla the crowd halted, irresolute in all + else, but resolved at least that something for Granada should yet be done. + They were for the most armed in their Moorish fashion; but they were + wholly without leaders: not a noble, a magistrate, an officer, would have + dreamed of the hopeless enterprise of violating the truce with Ferdinand. + It was a mere popular tumult—the madness of a mob;—but not the + less formidable, for it was an Eastern mob, and a mob with sword and + shaft, with buckler and mail—the mob by which oriental empires have + been built and overthrown! There, in the splendid space that had witnessed + the games and tournaments of that Arab and African chivalry—there, + where for many a lustrum kings had reviewed devoted and conquering armies—assembled + those desperate men; the loud winds agitating their tossing torches that + struggled against the moonless night. + </p> + <p> + “Let us storm the Alhambra!” cried one of the band: “let us seize Boabdil, + and place him in the midst of us; let us rush against the Christians, + buried in their proud repose!” + </p> + <p> + “Lelilies, Lelilies!—the Keys and the Crescent!” shouted the mob. + </p> + <p> + The shout died: and at the verge of the space was suddenly heard a once + familiar and ever-thrilling voice. + </p> + <p> + The Moors who heard it turned round in amaze and awe; and beheld, raised + upon the stone upon which the criers or heralds had been wont to utter the + royal proclamations, the form of Almamen, the santon, whom they had deemed + already with the dead. + </p> + <p> + “Moors and people of Granada!” he said, in a solemn but hollow voice, “I + am with ye still. Your monarch and your heroes have deserted ye, but I am + with ye to the last! Go not to the Alhambra: the fort is impenetrable—the + guard faithful. Night will be wasted, and day bring upon you the Christian + army. March to the gates; pour along the Vega; descend at once upon the + foe!” + </p> + <p> + He spoke, and drew forth his sabre; it gleamed in the torchlight—the + Moors bowed their heads in fanatic reverence—the santon sprang from + the stone, and passed into the centre of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + Then, once more, arose joyful shouts. The multitude had found a leader + worthy of their enthusiasm; and in regular order, they formed themselves + rapidly, and swept down the narrow streets. + </p> + <p> + Swelled by several scattered groups of desultory marauders (the ruffians + and refuse of the city), the infidel numbers were now but a few furlongs + from the great gate, whence they had been wont to issue on the foe. And + then, perhaps, had the Moors passed these gates and reached the Christian + encampment, lulled, as it was, in security and sleep, that wild army of + twenty thousand desperate men might have saved Granada; and Spain might at + this day possess the only civilised empire which the faith of Mohammed + ever founded. + </p> + <p> + But the evil star of Boabdil prevailed. The news of the insurrection in + the city reached him. Two aged men from the lower city arrived at the + Alhambra—demanded and obtained an audience; and the effect of that + interview was instantaneous upon Boabdil. In the popular frenzy he saw + only a justifiable excuse for the Christian king to break the conditions + of the treaty, rase the city, and exterminate the inhabitants. Touched by + a generous compassion for his subjects, and actuated no less by a high + sense of kingly honor, which led him to preserve a truce solemnly sworn + to, he once more mounted his cream-coloured charger, with the two elders + who had sought him by his side; and, at the head of his guard, rode from + the Alhambra. The sound of his trumpets, the tramp of his steeds, the + voice of his heralds, simultaneously reached the multitude; and, ere they + had leisure to decide their course, the king was in the midst of them. + </p> + <p> + “What madness is this, O my people?” cried Boabdil, spurring into the + midst of the throng,—“whither would ye go?” + </p> + <p> + “Against the Christian!—against the Goth!” shouted a thousand + voices. “Lead us on! The santon is risen from the dead, and will ride by + thy right hand!” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” resumed the king, “ye would march against the Christian king! + Remember that our hostages are in his power: remember that he will desire + no better excuse to level Granada with the dust, and put you and your + children to the sword. We have made such treaty as never yet was made + between foe and foe. Your lives, laws, wealth—all are saved. Nothing + is lost, save the crown of Boabdil. I am the only sufferer. So be it. My + evil star brought on you these evil destinies: without me, you may revive, + and be once more a nation. Yield to fate to-day, and you may grasp her + proudest awards to-morrow. To succumb is not to be subdued. But go forth + against the Christians, and if ye win one battle, it is but to incur a + more terrible war; if you lose, it is not honourable capitulation, but + certain extermination, to which you rush! Be persuaded, and listen once + again to your king.” + </p> + <p> + The crowd were moved, were softened, were half-convinced. They turned, in + silence, towards their santon; and Almamen did not shrink from the appeal; + but stood forth, confronting the king. + </p> + <p> + “King of Granada!” he cried aloud, “behold thy friend—thy prophet! + Lo! I assure you victory!” + </p> + <p> + “Hold!” interrupted Boabdil; “thou hast deceived and betrayed me too long! + Moors! know ye this pretended santon? He is of no Moslem creed. He is a + hound of Israel who would sell you to the best bidder. Slay him!” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” cried Almamen, “and who is my accuser?” + </p> + <p> + “Thy servant-behold him!” At these words the royal guards lifted their + torches, and the glare fell redly on the death-like features of Ximen. + </p> + <p> + “Light of the world! there be other Jews that know him,” said the traitor. + </p> + <p> + “Will ye suffer a Jew to lead ye, O race of the Prophet?” cried the king. + </p> + <p> + The crowd stood confused and bewildered. Almamen felt his hour was come; + he remained silent, his arms folded, his brow erect. + </p> + <p> + “Be there any of the tribes of Moisa amongst the crowd?” cried Boabdil, + pursuing his advantage; “if so, let them approach and testify what they + know.” Forth came—not from the crowd, but from amongst Boabdil’s + train, a well-known Israelite. + </p> + <p> + “We disown this man of blood and fraud,” said Elias, bowing to the earth; + “but he was of our creed.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak, false santon! art thou dumb?” cried the king. + </p> + <p> + “A curse light on thee, dull fool!” cried Almamen, fiercely. “What matters + who the instrument that would have restored to thee thy throne? Yes! I, + who have ruled thy councils, who have led thine armies, I am of the race + of Joshua and of Samuel—and the Lord of Hosts is the God of + Almamen!” + </p> + <p> + A shudder ran through that mighty multitude: but the looks, the mien, and + the voice of the man awed them, and not a weapon was raised against him. + He might, even then, have passed scathless through the crowd; he might + have borne to other climes his burning passions and his torturing woes: + but his care for life was past; he desired but to curse his dupes, and to + die. He paused, looked round and burst into a laugh of such bitter and + haughty scorn, as the tempted of earth may hear in the halls below from + the lips of Eblis. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he exclaimed, “such I am! I have been your idol and your lord. I + may be your victim, but in death I am your vanquisher. Christian and + Moslem alike my foe, I would have trampled upon both. But the Christian, + wiser than you, gave me smooth words; and I would have sold ye to his + power; wickeder than you, he deceived me; and I would have crushed him + that I might have continued to deceive and rule the puppets that ye call + your chiefs. But they for whom I toiled, and laboured, and sinned—for + whom I surrendered peace and ease, yea, and a daughter’s person and a + daughter’s blood—they have betrayed me to your hands, and the Curse + of Old rests with them evermore—Amen! The disguise is rent: Almamen, + the santon, is the son of Issachar the Jew!” + </p> + <p> + More might he have said, but the spell was broken. With a ferocious yell, + those living waves of the multitude rushed over the stern fanatic; six + cimiters passed through him, and he fell not: at the seventh he was a + corpse. Trodden in the clay—then whirled aloft—limb torn from + limb,—ere a man could have drawn breath nine times, scarce a vestige + of the human form was left to the mangled and bloody clay. + </p> + <p> + One victim sufficed to slake the wrath of the crowd. They gathered like + wild beasts whose hunger is appeased, around their monarch, who in vain + had endeavored to stay their summary revenge, and who now, pale and + breathless, shrank from the passions he had excited. He faltered forth a + few words of remonstrance and exhortation, turned the head of his steed, + and took his way to his palace. + </p> + <p> + The crowd dispersed, but not yet to their homes. The crime of Almamen + worked against his whole race. Some rushed to the Jews’ quarter, which + they set on fire; others to the lonely mansion of Almamen. + </p> + <p> + Ximen, on quitting the king, had been before the mob. Not anticipating + such an effect of the popular rage, he had hastened to the house, which he + now deemed at length his own. He had just reached the treasury of his dead + lord—he had just feasted his eyes on the massive ingots and + glittering gems; in the lust of his heart he had just cried aloud, “And + these are mine!” when he heard the roar of the mob below the wall,—when + he saw the glare of their torches against the casement. It was in vain + that he shrieked aloud, “I am the man that exposed the Jew!” the wild wind + scattered his words over a deafened audience. Driven from his chamber by + the smoke and flame, afraid to venture forth amongst the crowd, the miser + loaded himself with the most precious of the store: he descended the + steps, he bent his way to the secret vault, when suddenly the floor, + pierced by the flames, crashed under him, and the fire rushed up in a + fiercer and more rapid volume, as the death-shriek broke through that + lurid shroud. + </p> + <p> + Such were the principal events of the last night of the Moorish dynasty in + Granada. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE END. + </h2> + <p> + Day dawned upon Granada: the populace had sought their homes, and a + profound quiet wrapped the streets, save where, from the fires committed + in the late tumult, was yet heard the crash of roofs or the crackle of the + light and fragrant timber employed in those pavilions of the summer. The + manner in which the mansions of Granada were built, each separated from + the other by extensive gardens, fortunately prevented the flames from + extending. But the inhabitants cared so little for the hazard, that not a + single guard remained to watch the result. Now and then some miserable + forms in the Jewish gown might be seen cowering by the ruins of their + house, like the souls that, according to Plato, watched in charnels over + their own mouldering bodies. Day dawned, and the beams of the winter sun, + smiling away the clouds of the past night, played cheerily on the + murmuring waves of the Xenil and the Darro. + </p> + <p> + Alone, upon a balcony commanding that stately landscape, stood the last of + the Moorish kings. He had sought to bring to his aid all the lessons of + the philosophy he had cultivated. “What are we,” thought the musing + prince, “that we should fill the world with ourselves—we kings! + Earth resounds with the crash of my falling throne: on the ear of races + unborn the echo will live prolonged. But what have I lost?—nothing + that was necessary to my happiness, my repose; nothing save the source of + all my wretchedness, the Marah of my life! Shall I less enjoy heaven and + earth, or thought or action, or man’s more material luxuries of food or + sleep—the common and the cheap desires of all? Arouse thee, then, O + heart within me! many and deep emotions of sorrow or of joy are yet left + to break the monotony of existence.” + </p> + <p> + He paused; and, at the distance, his eyes fell upon the lonely minarets of + the distant and deserted palace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + </p> + <p> + “Thou went right, then,” resumed the king—“thou wert right, brave + spirit, not to pity Boabdil: but not because death was in his power; man’s + soul is greater than his fortunes, and there is majesty in a life that + towers above the ruins that fall around its path.” He turned away, and his + cheek suddenly grew pale, for he heard in the courts below the tread of + hoofs, the bustle of preparation: it was the hour for his departure. His + philosophy vanished: he groaned aloud, and re-entered the chamber just as + his vizier and the chief of his guard broke upon his solitude. + </p> + <p> + The old vizier attempted to speak, but his voice failed him. + </p> + <p> + “It is time, then, to depart,” said Boabdil, with calmness; “let it be so: + render up the palace and the fortress, and join thy friend, no more thy + monarch, in his new home.” + </p> + <p> + He stayed not for reply: he hurried on, descended to the court, flung + himself on his barb, and, with a small and saddened train, passed through + the gate which we yet survey, by a blackened and crumbling tower overgrown + with vines and ivy; thence, amidst gardens, now appertaining to the + convent of the victor faith, he took his mournful and unwitnessed way. + When he came to the middle of the hill that rises above those gardens, the + steel of the Spanish armour gleamed upon him as the detachment sent to + occupy the palace marched over the summit in steady order and profound + silence. + </p> + <p> + At the head of this vanguard rode, upon a snow-white palfrey, the Bishop + of Avila, followed by a long train of barefooted monks. They halted as + Boabdil approached, and the grave bishop saluted him with the air of one + who addresses an infidel and an inferior. With the quick sense of dignity + common to the great, and yet more to the fallen, Boabdil felt, but + resented not, the pride of the ecclesiastic. “Go, Christian,” said he, + mildly, “the gates of the Alhambra are open, and Allah has bestowed the + palace and the city upon your king: may his virtues atone the faults of + Boabdil!” So saying, and waiting no answer, he rode on, without looking to + the right or left. The Spaniards also pursued their way. The sun had + fairly risen above the mountains, when Boabdil and his train beheld, from + the eminence on which they were, the whole armament of Spain; and at the + same moment, louder than the tramp of horse, or the flash of arms, was + heard distinctly the solemn chant of Te Deum, which preceded the blaze of + the unfurled and lofty standards. Boabdil, himself still silent, heard the + groans and exclamations of his train; he turned to cheer or chide them, + and then saw, from his own watch-tower, with the sun shining full upon its + pure and dazzling surface, the silver cross of Spain. His Alhambra was + already in the hands of the foe, while, beside that badge of the holy war, + waved the gay and flaunting flag of St. Iago, the canonised Mars of the + chivalry of Spain. + </p> + <p> + At that sight the king’s voice died within him: he gave the rein to his + barb, impatient to close the fatal ceremonial, and did not slacken his + speed till almost within bow-shot of the first ranks of the army. Never + had Christian war assumed a more splendid or imposing aspect. Far as the + eye could reach extended the glittering and gorgeous lines of that goodly + power, bristling with sunlit spears and blazoned banners; while beside + murmured, and glowed, and danced, the silver and laughing Xenil, careless + what lord should possess, for his little day, the banks that bloomed by + its everlasting course. By a small mosque halted the flower of the army. + Surrounded by the arch-priests of that mighty hierarchy, the peers and + princes of a court that rivalled the Rolands of Charlemagne, was seen the + kingly form of Ferdinand himself, with Isabel at his right hand and the + highborn dames of Spain, relieving, with their gay colours and sparkling + gems, the sterner splendour of the crested helmet and polished mail. + </p> + <p> + Within sight of the royal group, Boabdil halted—composed his aspect + so as best to conceal his soul,—and, a little in advance of his + scanty train, but never, in mien and majesty, more a king, the son of + Abdallah met his haughty conqueror. + </p> + <p> + At the sight of his princely countenance and golden hair, his comely and + commanding beauty, made more touching by youth, a thrill of compassionate + admiration ran through that assembly of the brave and fair. Ferdinand and + Isabel slowly advanced to meet their late rival—their new subject; + and, as Boabdil would have dismounted, the Spanish king place his hand + upon his shoulder. “Brother and prince,” said he, “forget thy sorrows; and + may our friendship hereafter console thee for reverses against which thou + hast contended as a hero and a king-resisting man, but resigned at length + to God!” + </p> + <p> + Boabdil did not affect to return this bitter, but unintentional mockery of + compliment. He bowed his head, and remained a moment silent; then, + motioning to his train, four of his officers approached, and kneeling + beside Ferdinand, proffered to him, upon a silver buckler, the keys of the + city. + </p> + <p> + “O king!” then said Boabdil, “accept the keys of the last hold which has + resisted the arms of Spain! The empire of the Moslem is no more. Thine are + the city and the people of Granada: yielding to thy prowess, they yet + confide in thy mercy.” + </p> + <p> + “They do well,” said the king; “our promises shall not be broken. But, + since we know the gallantry of Moorish cavaliers, not to us, but to + gentler hands, shall the keys of Granada be surrendered.” + </p> + <p> + Thus saying, Ferdinand gave the keys to Isabel, who would have addressed + some soothing flatteries to Boabdil: but the emotion and excitement were + too much for her compassionate heart, heroine and queen though she was; + and, when she lifted her eyes upon the calm and pale features of the + fallen monarch, the tears gushed from them irresistibly, and her voice + died in murmurs. A faint flush overspread the features of Boabdil, and + there was a momentary pause of embarrassment which the Moor was the first + to break. + </p> + <p> + “Fair queen,” said he, with mournful and pathetic dignity; “thou canst + read the heart that thy generous sympathy touches and subdues: this is thy + last, nor least glorious, conquest. But I detain ye: let not my aspect + cloud your triumph. Suffer me to say farewell.” + </p> + <p> + “May we not hint at the blessed possibility of conversion?” whispered the + pious queen through her tears to her royal consort. + </p> + <p> + “Not now—not now, by St. Iago!” returned Ferdinand, quickly, and in + the same tone, willing himself to conclude a painful conference. He then + added, aloud, “Go, my brother, and fair fortune with you! Forget the + past.” + </p> + <p> + Boabdil smiled bitterly, saluted the royal pair with profound and silent + reverence, and rode slowly on, leaving the army below, as he ascended the + path that led to his new principality beyond the Alpuxarras. As the trees + snatched the Moorish cavalcade from the view of the king, Ferdinand + ordered the army to recommence its march; and trumpet and cymbal presently + sent their music to the ear of the Moslems. + </p> + <p> + Boabdil spurred on at full speed till his panting charger halted at the + little village where his mother, his slaves, and his faithful Amine (sent + on before) awaited him. Joining these, he proceeded without delay upon his + melancholy path. + </p> + <p> + They ascended that eminence which is the pass into the Alpuxarras. From + its height, the vale, the rivers, the spires, the towers of Granada, broke + gloriously upon the view of the little band. They halted, mechanically and + abruptly; every eye was turned to the beloved scene. The proud shame of + baffled warriors, the tender memories of home—of childhood—of + fatherland, swelled every heart, and gushed from every eye. Suddenly, the + distant boom of artillery broke from the citadel and rolled along the + sunlit valley and crystal river. A universal wail burst from the exiles! + it smote—it overpowered the heart of the ill-starred king, in vain + seeking to wrap himself in Eastern pride or stoical philosophy. The tears + gushed from his eyes, and he covered his face with his hands. + </p> + <p> + Then said his haughty mother, gazing at him with hard and disdainful eyes, + in that unjust and memorable reproach which history has preserved—“Ay, + weep like a woman over what thou couldst not defend like a man!” + </p> + <p> + Boabdil raised his countenance, with indignant majesty, when he felt his + hand tenderly clasped, and, turning round, saw Amine by his side. + </p> + <p> + “Heed her not! heed her not, Boabdil!” said the slave; “never didst thou + seem to me more noble than in that sorrow. Thou wert a hero for thy + throne; but feel still, O light of mine eyes, a woman for thy people!” + </p> + <p> + “God is great!” said Boabdil; “and God comforts me still! Thy lips; which + never flattered me in my power, have no reproach for me in my affliction!” + </p> + <p> + He said, and smiled upon Amine—it was her hour of triumph. + </p> + <p> + The band wound slowly on through the solitary defiles: and that place + where the king wept, and the woman soothed, is still called “El, ultimo + suspiro del Moro,—THE LAST SIGH OF THE MOOR!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Leila, Complete, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEILA, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 9761-h.htm or 9761-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/7/6/9761/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Leila, Complete + The Siege of Granada + +Author: Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +Release Date: March 17, 2009 [EBook #9761] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEILA, COMPLETE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + + + +LEILA + +OR, + +THE SIEGE OF GRANADA + +By Edward Bulwer Lytton + + + + + +BOOK I. + + + +CHAPTER I. THE ENCHANTER AND THE WARRIOR. + +It was the summer of the year 1491, and the armies of Ferdinand and +Isabel invested the city of Granada. + +The night was not far advanced; and the moon, which broke through +the transparent air of Andalusia, shone calmly over the immense and +murmuring encampment of the Spanish foe, and touched with a hazy light +the snow-capped summits of the Sierra Nevada, contrasting the verdure +and luxuriance which no devastation of man could utterly sweep from the +beautiful vale below. + +In the streets of the Moorish city many a group still lingered. Some, as +if unconscious of the beleaguering war without, were listening in quiet +indolence to the strings of the Moorish lute, or the lively tale of +an Arabian improrvisatore; others were conversing with such eager +and animated gestures, as no ordinary excitement could wring from the +stately calm habitual to every oriental people. But the more public +places in which gathered these different groups, only the more +impressively heightened the desolate and solemn repose that brooded over +the rest of the city. + +At this time, a man, with downcast eyes, and arms folded within the +sweeping gown which descended to his feet, was seen passing through the +streets, alone, and apparently unobservant of all around him. Yet this +indifference was by no means shared by the struggling crowds through +which, from time to time, he musingly swept. + +"God is great!" said one man; "it is the Enchanter Almamen." + +"He hath locked up the manhood of Boabdil el Chico with the key of his +spells," quoth another, stroking his beard; "I would curse him, if I +dared." + +"But they say that he hath promised that when man fails, the genii will +fight for Granada," observed a third, doubtingly. + +"Allah Akbar! what is, is! what shall be, shall be!" said a fourth, with +all the solemn sagacity of a prophet. Whatever their feelings, whether +of awe or execration, terror or hope, each group gave way as Almamen +passed, and hushed the murmurs not intended for his ear. Passing through +the Zacatin (the street which traversed the Great Bazaar), the reputed +enchanter ascended a narrow and winding street, and arrived at last +before the walls that encircled the palace and fortress of the Alhambra. + +The sentry at the gate saluted and admitted him in silence; and in a few +moments his form was lost in the solitude of groves, amidst which, +at frequent openings, the spray of Arabian fountains glittered in the +moonlight; while, above, rose the castled heights of the Alhambra; and +on the right those Vermilion Towers, whose origin veils itself in the +furthest ages of Phoenician enterprise. + +Almamen paused, and surveyed the scene. "Was Aden more lovely?" he +muttered; "and shall so fair a spot be trodden by the victor Nazerene? +What matters? creed chases creed--race, race--until time comes back to +its starting-place, and beholds the reign restored to the eldest faith +and the eldest tribe. The horn of our strength shall be exalted." + +At these thoughts the seer relapsed into silence, and gazed long and +intently upon the stars, as, more numerous and brilliant with every +step of the advancing night, their rays broke on the playful waters, and +tinged with silver the various and breathless foliage. So earnest was +his gaze, and so absorbed his thoughts, that he did not perceive the +approach of a Moor, whose glittering weapons and snow-white turban, rich +with emeralds, cast a gleam through the wood. + +The new comer was above the common size of his race, generally small and +spare--but without attaining the lofty stature and large proportions +of the more redoubted of the warriors of Spain. But in his presence and +mien there was something, which, in the haughtiest conclave of Christian +chivalry, would have seemed to tower and command. He walked with a +step at once light and stately, as if it spurned the earth; and in the +carriage of the small erect head and stag-like throat, there was +that undefinable and imposing dignity, which accords so well with our +conception of a heroic lineage, and a noble though imperious spirit. The +stranger approached Almamen, and paused abruptly when within a few steps +of the enchanter. He gazed upon him in silence for some moments; and +when at length he spoke it was with a cold and sarcastic tone. + +"Pretender to the dark secrets," said he, "is it in the stars that +thou art reading those destinies of men and nations, which the Prophet +wrought by the chieftain's brain and the soldier's arm?" + +"Prince," replied Almamen, turning slowly, and recognising the intruder +on his meditations, "I was but considering how many revolutions, +which have shaken earth to its centre, those orbs have witnessed, +unsympathising and unchanged." + +"Unsympathising!" repeated the Moor--"yet thou believest in their effect +upon the earth?" + +"You wrong me," answered Almamen, with a slight smile, "you confound +your servant with that vain race, the astrologers." + +"I deemed astrology a part of the science of the two angels, Harut and +Marut." + + [The science of magic. It was taught by the Angels named in the + text; for which offence they are still supposed to be confined to + the ancient Babel. There they may yet be consulted, though they are + rarely seen.--Yallal'odir Yahya. + --SALE'S Koran.] + +"Possibly; but I know not that science, though I have wandered at +midnight by the ancient Babel." + +"Fame lies to us, then," answered the Moor, with some surprise. + +"Fame never made pretence to truth," said Almamen, calmly, and +proceeding on his way. "Allah be with you, prince! I seek the king." + +"Stay! I have just quitted his presence, and left him, I trust, with +thoughts worthy of the sovereign of Granada, which I would not have +disturbed by a stranger, a man whose arms are not spear nor shield." + +"Noble Muza," returned Almamen, "fear not that my voice will weaken the +inspirations which thine hath breathed into the breast of Boabdil. Alas! +if my counsel were heeded, thou wouldst hear the warriors of Granada +talk less of Muza, and more of the king. But Fate, or Allah, hath +placed upon the throne of a tottering dynasty, one who, though brave, +is weak--though, wise, a dreamer; and you suspect the adviser, when you +find the influence of nature on the advised. Is this just?" + +Muza gazed long and sternly on the face of Almamen; then, putting his +hand gently on the enchanter's shoulder, he said-- + +"Stranger, if thou playest us false, think that this arm hath cloven the +casque of many a foe, and will not spare the turban of a traitor!" + +"And think thou, proud prince!" returned Almamen, unquailing, "that I +answer alone to Allah for my motives, and that against man my deeds I +can defend!" + +With these words, the enchanter drew his long robe round him, and +disappeared amidst the foliage. + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE KING WITHIN HIS PALACE. + +In one of those apartments, the luxury of which is known only to the +inhabitants of a genial climate (half chamber and half grotto), reclined +a young Moor, in a thoughtful and musing attitude. + +The ceiling of cedar-wood, glowing with gold and azure, was supported +by slender shafts, of the whitest alabaster, between which were open +arcades, light and graceful as the arched vineyards of Italy, +and wrought in that delicate filagree-work common to the Arabian +architecture: through these arcades was seen at intervals the lapsing +fall of waters, lighted by alabaster lamps; and their tinkling music +sounded with a fresh and regular murmur upon the ear. The whole of one +side of this apartment was open to a broad and extensive balcony, +which overhung the banks of the winding and moonlit Darro; and in the +clearness of the soft night might be distinctly seen the undulating +hills, the woods, and orange-groves, which still form the unrivalled +landscapes of Granada. + +The pavement was spread with ottomans and couches of the richest azure, +prodigally enriched with quaint designs in broideries of gold and +silver; and over that on which the Moor reclined, facing the open +balcony, were suspended on a pillar the round shield, the light javelin, +and the curving cimiter, of Moorish warfare. So studded were these +arms with jewels of rare cost, that they might alone have sufficed +to indicate the rank of the evident owner, even if his own gorgeous +vestments had not betrayed it. An open manuscript, on a silver table, +lay unread before the Moor: as, leaning his face upon his hand, +he looked with abstracted eyes along the mountain summits dimly +distinguished from the cloudless and far horizon. + +No one could have gazed without a vague emotion of interest, mixed +with melancholy, upon the countenance of the inmate of that luxurious +chamber. + +Its beauty was singularly stamped with a grave and stately sadness, +which was made still more impressive by its air of youth and the +unwonted fairness of the complexion: unlike the attributes of the +Moorish race, the hair and curling beard were of a deep golden colour; +and on the broad forehead and in the large eyes, was that settled and +contemplative mildness which rarely softens the swart lineaments of the +fiery children of the sun. Such was the personal appearance of Boabdil +el Chico, the last of the Moorish dynasty in Spain. + +"These scrolls of Arabian learning," said Boabdil to himself, "what do +they teach? to despise wealth and power, to hold the heart to be the +true empire. This, then, is wisdom. Yet, if I follow these maxims, am I +wise? alas! the whole world would call me a driveller and a madman. Thus +is it ever; the wisdom of the Intellect fills us with precepts which it +is the wisdom of Action to despise. O Holy Prophet! what fools men would +be, if their knavery did not eclipse their folly!" + +The young king listlessly threw himself back on his cushions as he +uttered these words, too philosophical for a king whose crown sate so +loosely on his brow. + +After a few moments of thought that appeared to dissatisfy and disquiet +him, Boabdil again turned impatiently round "My soul wants the bath of +music," said he; "these journeys into a pathless realm have wearied it, +and the streams of sound supple and relax the travailed pilgrim." + +He clapped his hands, and from one of the arcades a boy, hitherto +invisible, started into sight; at a slight and scarce perceptible sign +from the king the boy again vanished, and in a few moments afterwards, +glancing through the fairy pillars, and by the glittering waterfalls, +came the small and twinkling feet of the maids of Araby. As, with +their transparent tunics and white arms, they gleamed, without an echo, +through that cool and voluptuous chamber, they might well have seemed +the Peris of the eastern magic, summoned to beguile the sated leisure +of a youthful Solomon. With them came a maiden of more exquisite beauty, +though smaller stature, than the rest, bearing the light Moorish lute; +and a faint and languid smile broke over the beautiful face of Boabdil, +as his eyes rested upon her graceful form and the dark yet glowing +lustre of her oriental countenance. She alone approached the king, +timidly kissed his hand, and then, joining her comrades, commenced +the following song, to the air and very words of which the feet of the +dancing-girls kept time, while with the chorus rang the silver bells of +the musical instrument which each of the dancers carried. + + AMINE'S SONG. + + I. + Softly, oh, softly glide, + Gentle Music, thou silver tide, + Bearing, the lulled air along, + This leaf from the Rose of Song! + To its port in his soul let it float, + The frail, but the fragrant boat, + Bear it, soft Air, along! + + II. + With the burthen of sound we are laden, + Like the bells on the trees of Aden,* + When they thrill with a tinkling tone + At the Wind from the Holy Throne, + Hark, as we move around, + We shake off the buds of sound; + Thy presence, Beloved, is Aden. + + III. + Sweet chime that I hear and wake + I would, for my lov'd one's sake, + That I were a sound like thee, + To the depths of his heart to flee. + If my breath had his senses blest; + If my voice in his heart could rest; + What pleasure to die like thee! + + *[The Mohammedans believe that musical bells hang on the trees of + Paradise, and are put in motion by a wind from the throne of God.] + + +The music ceased; the dancers remained motionless in their graceful +postures, as if arrested into statues of alabaster; and the young +songstress cast herself on a cushion at the feet of the monarch, and +looked up fondly, but silently, into his yet melancholy eyes,--when a +man, whose entrance had not been noticed, was seen to stand within the +chamber. + +He was about the middle stature,--lean, muscular, and strongly though +sparely built. A plain black robe, something in the fashion of the +Armenian gown, hung long and loosely over a tunic of bright scarlet, +girdled by a broad belt, from the centre of which was suspended a small +golden key, while at the left side appeared the jewelled hilt of a +crooked dagger. His features were cast in a larger and grander mould +than was common among the Moors of Spain; the forehead was broad, +massive, and singularly high, and the dark eyes of unusual size and +brilliancy; his beard, short, black, and glossy, curled upward, and +concealed all the lower part of the face, save a firm, compressed, and +resolute expression in the lips, which were large and full; the nose +was high, aquiline, and well-shaped; and the whole character of the +head (which was, for symmetry, on too large and gigantic a scale as +proportioned to the form) was indicative of extraordinary energy and +power. At the first glance, the stranger might have seemed scarce on +the borders of middle age; but, on a more careful examination, the deep +lines and wrinkles, marked on the forehead and round the eyes, betrayed +a more advanced period of life. With arms folded on his breast, he stood +by the side of the king, waiting in silence the moment when his presence +should be perceived. + +He did not wait long; the eyes and gesture of the girl nestled at the +feet of Boabdil drew the king's attention to the spot where the stranger +stood: his eye brightened when it fell upon him. + +"Almamen," cried Boabdil, eagerly, "you are welcome." As he spoke, he +motioned to the dancing-girls to withdraw. "May I not rest? O core of my +heart, thy bird is in its home," murmured the songstress at the king's +feet. + +"Sweet Amine," answered Boabdil, tenderly smoothing down her ringlets as +he bent to kiss her brow, "you should witness only my hours of delight. +Toil and business have nought with thee; I will join thee ere yet the +nightingale hymns his last music to the moon." Amine sighed, rose, and +vanished with her companions. + +"My friend," said the king, when alone with Almamen, "your counsels +often soothe me into quiet, yet in such hours quiet is a crime. But what +do?--how struggle?--how act? Alas! at the hour of his birth, rightly +did they affix to the name of Boabdil, the epithet of _El Zogoybi_. [The +Unlucky]. Misfortune set upon my brow her dark and fated stamp ere yet +my lips could shape a prayer against her power. My fierce father, whose +frown was as the frown of Azrael, hated me in my cradle; in my youth +my name was invoked by rebels against my will; imprisoned by my father, +with the poison-bowl or the dagger hourly before my eyes, I was saved +only by the artifice of my mother. When age and infirmity broke the +iron sceptre of the king, my claims to the throne were set aside, and +my uncle, El Zagal, usurped my birthright. Amidst open war and secret +treason I wrestled for my crown; and now, the sole sovereign of +Granada, when, as I fondly imagined, my uncle had lost all claim on +the affections of my people by succumbing to the Christian king, and +accepting a fief under his dominion, I find that the very crime of El +Zagal is fixed upon me by my unhappy subjects--that they deem he would +not have yielded but for my supineness. At the moment of my delivery +from my rival, I am received with execration by my subjects, and, driven +into this my fortress of the Alhambra, dare not venture to head my +armies, or to face my people; yet am I called weak and irresolute, when +strength and courage are forbid me. And as the water glides from yonder +rock, that hath no power to retain it, I see the tide of empire welling +from my hands." + +The young king spoke warmly and bitterly; and, in the irritation of his +thoughts, strode, while he spoke, with rapid and irregular strides along +the chamber. Almamen marked his emotion with an eye and lip of rigid +composure. + +"Light of the faithful," said he, when Boabdil had concluded, "the +powers above never doom man to perpetual sorrow, nor perpetual joy: +the cloud and the sunshine are alike essential to the heaven of our +destinies; and if thou hast suffered in thy youth, thou hast exhausted +the calamities of fate, and thy manhood will be glorious, and thine age +serene." + +"Thou speakest as if the armies of Ferdinand were not already around my +walls," said Boabdil, impatiently. + +"The armies of Sennacherib were as mighty," answered Almamen. + +"Wise seer," returned the king, in a tone half sarcastic and half +solemn, "we, the Mussulmans of Spain, are not the blind fanatics of the +Eastern world. On us have fallen the lights of philosophy and science; +and if the more clear-sighted among us yet outwardly reverence the forms +and fables worshipped by the multitude, it is from the wisdom of policy, +not the folly of belief. Talk not to me, then, of thine examples of the +ancient and elder creeds: the agents of God for this world are now, +at least, in men, not angels; and if I wait till Ferdinand share the +destiny of Sennacherib, I wait only till the Standard of the Cross wave +above the Vermilion Towers." + +"Yet," said Almamen, "while my lord the king rejects the fanaticism of +belief, doth he reject the fanaticism of persecution? You disbelieve +the stories of the Hebrews; yet you suffer the Hebrews themselves, that +ancient and kindred Arabian race, to be ground to the dust, condemned +and tortured by your judges, your informers, your soldiers, and your +subjects." + +"The base misers! they deserve their fate," answered Boabdil, loftily. +"Gold is their god, and the market-place their country; amidst the tears +and groans of nations, they sympathise only with the rise and fall of +trade; and, the thieves of the universe! while their hand is against +every man's coffer, why wonder that they provoke the hand of every man +against their throats? Worse than the tribe of Hanifa, who eat their +god only in time of famine;--[The tribe of Hanifa worshipped a lump of +dough]--the race of Moisa--[Moses]--would sell the Seven Heavens for +the dent on the back of the date-stone."--[A proverb used in the Koran, +signifying the smallest possible trifle]. + +"Your laws leave them no ambition but that of avarice," replied Almamen; +"and as the plant will crook and distort its trunk, to raise its +head through every obstacle to the sun, so the mind of man twists and +perverts itself, if legitimate openings are denied it, to find its +natural element in the gale of power, or the sunshine of esteem. These +Hebrews were not traffickers and misers in their own sacred land when +they routed your ancestors, the Arab armies of old; and gnawed the flesh +from their bones in famine, rather than yield a weaker city than Granada +to a mightier force than the holiday lords of Spain. Let this pass. My +lord rejects the belief in the agencies of the angels; doth he still +retain belief in the wisdom of mortal men?" + +"Yes!" returned Boabdil, quickly; "for of the one I know nought; of +the other, mine own senses can be the judge. Almamen, my fiery kinsman, +Muza, hath this evening been with me. He hath urged me to reject the +fears of my people, which chain my panting spirit within these walls; he +hath urged me to gird on yonder shield and cimiter, and to appear in the +Vivarrambla, at the head of the nobles of Granada. My heart leaps high +at the thought! and if I cannot live, at least I will die--a king!" + +"It is nobly spoken," said Almamen, coldly. + +"You approve, then, my design?" + +"The friends of the king cannot approve the ambition of the king to +die." + +"Ha!" said Boabdil, in an altered voice, "thou thinkest, then, that I am +doomed to perish in this struggle?" + +"As the hour shall be chosen, wilt thou fall or triumph." + +"And that hour?" + +"Is not yet come." + +"Dost thou read the hour in the stars?" + +"Let Moorish seers cultivate that frantic credulity: thy servant sees +but in the stars worlds mightier than this little earth, whose light +would neither wane nor wink, if earth itself were swept from the +infinities of space." + +"Mysterious man!" said Boabdil; "whence, then, is thy power?--whence thy +knowledge of the future?" + +Almamen approached the king, as he now stood by the open balcony. + +"Behold!" said he, pointing to the waters of the Darro--"yonder stream +is of an element in which man cannot live nor breathe: above, in the +thin and impalpable air, our steps cannot find a footing, the armies of +all earth cannot build an empire. And yet, by the exercise of a little +art, the fishes and the birds, the inhabitants of the air and the water, +minister to our most humble wants, the most common of our enjoyments; +so it is with the true science of enchantment. Thinkest thou that, while +the petty surface of the world is crowded with living things, there is +no life in the vast centre within the earth, and the immense ether that +surrounds it? As the fisherman snares his prey, as the fowler entraps +the bird, so, by the art and genius of our human mind, we may thrall +and command the subtler beings of realms and elements which our material +bodies cannot enter--our gross senses cannot survey. This, then, is my +lore. Of other worlds know I nought; but of the things of this world, +whether men, or, as your legends term them, ghouls and genii, I have +learned something. To the future, I myself am blind; but I can invoke +and conjure up those whose eyes are more piercing, whose natures are +more gifted." + +"Prove to me thy power," said Boabdil, awed less by the words than by +the thrilling voice and the impressive aspect of the enchanter. + +"Is not the king's will my law?" answered Almamen; "be his will obeyed. +To-morrow night I await thee." + +"Where?" + +Almamen paused a moment, and then whispered a sentence in the king's +ear: Boabdil started, and turned pale. + +"A fearful spot!" + +"So is the Alhambra itself, great Boabdil; while Ferdinand is without +the walls and Muza within the city." + +"Muza! Darest thou mistrust my bravest warrior?" + +"What wise king will trust the idol of the king's army? Did Boabdil fall +to-morrow by a chance javelin, in the field, whom would the nobles and +the warriors place upon his throne? Doth it require an enchanter's lore +to whisper to thy heart the answer in the name of 'Muza'?" + +"Oh, wretched state! oh, miserable king!" exclaimed Boabdil, in a tone +of great anguish. "I never had a father. I have now no people; a little +while, and I shall have no country. Am I never to have a friend?" + +"A friend! what king ever had?" returned Almamen, drily. + +"Away, man--away!" cried Boabdil, as the impatient spirit of his rank +and race shot dangerous fire from his eyes; "your cold and bloodless +wisdom freezes up all the veins of my manhood! Glory, confidence, human +sympathy, and feeling--your counsels annihilate them all. Leave me! I +would be alone." + +"We meet to-morrow, at midnight, mighty Boabdil," said Almamen, with his +usual unmoved and passionless tones. "May the king live for ever." + +The king turned; but his monitor had already disappeared. He went as he +came--noiseless and sudden as a ghost. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE LOVERS. + +When Muza parted from Almamen, he bent his steps towards the hill that +rises opposite the ascent crowned with the towers of the Alhambra; +the sides and summit of which eminence were tenanted by the luxurious +population of the city. He selected the more private and secluded +paths; and, half way up the hill, arrived, at last, before a low wall +of considerable extent, which girded the gardens of some wealthier +inhabitant of the city. He looked long and anxiously round; all was +solitary; nor was the stillness broken, save as an occasional breeze, +from the snowy heights of the Sierra Nevada, rustled the fragrant leaves +of the citron and pomegranate; or as the silver tinkling of waterfalls +chimed melodiously within the gardens. The Moor's heart beat high: a +moment more, and he had scaled the wall; and found himself upon a green +sward, variegated by the rich colours of many a sleeping flower, and +shaded by groves and alleys of luxuriant foliage and golden fruits. + +It was not long before he stood beside a house that seemed of a +construction anterior to the Moorish dynasty. It was built over low +cloisters formed by heavy and timeworn pillars, concealed, for the most +part by a profusion of roses and creeping shrubs: the lattices above +the cloisters opened upon large gilded balconies, the super-addition +of Moriscan taste. In one only of the casements a lamp was visible; the +rest of the mansion was dark, as if, save in that chamber, sleep kept +watch over the inmates. It was to this window that the Moor stole; +and, after a moment's pause, he murmured rather than sang, so low and +whispered was his voice, the following simple verses, slightly varied +from an old Arabian poet:-- + + Light of my soul, arise, arise! + Thy sister lights are in the skies; + We want thine eyes, + Thy joyous eyes; + The Night is mourning for thine eyes! + The sacred verse is on my sword, + But on my heart thy name + The words on each alike adored; + The truth of each the same, + The same!--alas! too well I feel + The heart is truer than the steel! + Light of my soul! upon me shine; + Night wakes her stars to envy mine. + Those eyes of thine, + Wild eyes of thine, + What stars are like those eyes of thine? + +As he concluded, the lattice softly opened; and a female form appeared +on the balcony. + +"Ah, Leila!" said the Moor, "I see thee, and I am blessed!" + +"Hush!" answered Leila; "speak low, nor tarry long I fear that our +interviews are suspected; and this," she added in a trembling voice, +"may perhaps be the last time we shall meet." + +"Holy Prophet!" exclaimed Muza, passionately, "what do I hear? Why this +mystery? why cannot I learn thine origin, thy rank, thy parents? Think +you, beautiful Leila, that Granada holds a rouse lofty enough to disdain +the alliance with Muza Ben Abil Gazan? and oh!" he added (sinking the +haughty tones of his voice into accents of the softest tenderness), +"if not too high to scorn me, what should war against our loves and our +bridals? For worn equally on my heart were the flower of thy sweet self, +whether the mountain top or the valley gave birth to the odour and the +bloom." + +"Alas!" answered Leila, weeping, "the mystery thou complainest of is as +dark to myself as thee. How often have I told thee that I know nothing +of my birth or childish fortunes, save a dim memory of a more distant +and burning clime; where, amidst sands and wastes, springs the +everlasting cedar, and the camel grazes on stunted herbage withering +in the fiery air? Then, it seemed to me that I had a mother: fond eyes +looked on me, and soft songs hushed me into sleep." + +"Thy mother's soul has passed into mine," said the Moor, tenderly. + +Leila continued:--"Borne hither, I passed from childhood into youth +within these walls. Slaves ministered to my slightest wish; and those +who have seen both state and poverty, which I have not, tell me that +treasures and splendour, that might glad a monarch, are prodigalised +around me: but of ties and kindred know I little: my father, a stern and +silent man, visits me but rarely--sometimes months pass, and I see him +not; but I feel he loves me; and, till I knew thee, Muza, my brightest +hours were in listening to the footsteps and flying to the arms of that +solitary friend." + +"Know you not his name?" + +"Nor, I nor any one of the household; save perhaps Ximen, the chief of +the slaves, an old and withered man, whose very eye chills me into fear +and silence." + +"Strange!" said the Moor, musingly; "yet why think you our love is +discovered, or can be thwarted?" + +"Hush! Ximen sought me this day: 'Maiden,' said he, 'men's footsteps +have been tracked within the gardens; if your sire know this, you will +have looked your last on Granada. Learn,' he added, in a softer voice, +as he saw me tremble, 'that permission were easier given to thee to wed +the wild tiger than to mate with the loftiest noble of Morisca! Beware!' +He spoke, and left me. O Muza!" she continued, passionately wringing her +hands, "my heart sinks within me, and omen and doom rise dark before my +sight!" + +"By my father's head, these obstacles but fire my love, and I would +scale to thy possession, though every step in the ladder were the +corpses of a hundred foes!" + +Scarcely had the fiery and high-souled Moor uttered his boast, than, +from some unseen hand amidst the groves, a javelin whirred past him, +and as the air it raised came sharp upon his cheek, half buried its +quivering shaft in the trunk of a tree behind him. + +"Fly, fly, and save thyself! O God, protect him!" cried Leila; and she +vanished within the chamber. + +The Moor did not wait the result of a deadlier aim; he turned; yet, in +the instinct of his fierce nature, not from, but against, the foe; his +drawn scimitar in his hand, the half-suppressed cry of wrath trembling +on his lips, he sprang forward in the direction the javelin had sped. +With eyes accustomed to the ambuscades of Moorish warfare, he searched +eagerly, yet warily through the dark and sighing foliage. No sign of +life met his gaze; and at length, grimly and reluctantly, he retraced +his steps, and quitted the demesnes; but just as he had cleared the +wall, a voice--low, but sharp and shrill--came from the gardens. + +"Thou art spared," it said, "but, haply, for a more miserable doom!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER. + +The chamber into which Leila retreated bore out the character she had +given of the interior of her home. The fashion of its ornament and +decoration was foreign to that adopted by the Moors of Granada. It had +a more massive and, if we may use the term, Egyptian gorgeousness. +The walls were covered with the stuffs of the East, stiff with gold, +embroidered upon ground of the deepest purple; strange characters, +apparently in some foreign tongue, were wrought in the tesselated +cornices and on the heavy ceiling, which was supported by square +pillars, round which were twisted serpents of gold and enamel, with +eyes to which enormous emeralds gave a green and lifelike glare: various +scrolls and musical instruments lay scattered upon marble tables: and +a solitary lamp of burnished silver cast a dim and subdued light around +the chamber. The effect of the whole, though splendid, was gloomy, +strange, and oppressive, and rather suited to the thick and cave-like +architecture which of old protected the inhabitants of Thebes and +Memphis from the rays of the African sun, than to the transparent heaven +and light pavilions of the graceful orientals of Granada. + +Leila stood within this chamber, pale and breathless, with her lips +apart, her hands clasped, her very soul in her ears; nor was it possible +to conceive a more perfect ideal of some delicate and brilliant Peri, +captured in the palace of a hostile and gloomy Genius. Her form was of +the lightest shape consistent with the roundness of womanly beauty; and +there was something in it of that elastic and fawnlike grace which a +sculptor seeks to embody in his dreams of a being more aerial than those +of earth. Her luxuriant hair was dark indeed, but a purple and glossy +hue redeemed it from that heaviness of shade too common in the tresses +of the Asiatics; and her complexion, naturally pale but clear and +lustrous, would have been deemed fair even in the north. Her features, +slightly aquiline, were formed in the rarest mould of symmetry, and her +full rich lips disclosed teeth that might have shamed the pearl. But +the chief charm of that exquisite countenance was in an expression of +softness and purity, and intellectual sentiment, that seldom accompanies +that cast of loveliness, and was wholly foreign to the voluptuous and +dreamy languor of Moorish maidens; Leila had been educated, and the +statue had received a soul. + +After a few minutes of intense suspense, she again stole to the lattice, +gently unclosed it, and looked forth. Far, through an opening amidst the +trees, she descried for a single moment the erect and stately figure of +her lover, darkening the moonshine on the sward, as now, quitting his +fruitless search, he turned his lingering gaze towards the lattice of +his beloved: the thick and interlacing foliage quickly hid him from +her eyes; but Leila had seen enough--she turned within, and said, as +grateful tears trickled clown her cheeks, and she sank on her knees upon +the piled cushions of the chamber: "God of my fathers! I bless Thee--he +is safe!" + +"And yet (she added, as a painful thought crossed her), how may I pray +for him? we kneel not to the same Divinity; and I have been taught to +loathe and shudder at his creed! Alas! how will this end? Fatal was the +hour when he first beheld me in yonder gardens; more fatal still the +hour in which he crossed the barrier, and told Leila that she was +beloved by the hero whose arm was the shelter, whose name is the +blessing, of Granada. Ah, me! Ah, me!" + +The young maiden covered her face with her hands, and sank into a +passionate reverie, broken only by her sobs. Some time had passed in +this undisturbed indulgence of her grief, when the arras was gently +put aside, and a man, of remarkable garb and mien, advanced into the +chamber, pausing as he beheld her dejected attitude, and gazing on her +with a look on which pity and tenderness seemed to struggle against +habitual severity and sternness. + +"Leila!" said the intruder. + +Leila started, and and a deep blush suffused her countenance; she dashed +the tears from her eyes, and came forward with a vain attempt to smile. + +"My father, welcome!" + +The stranger seated himself on the cushions, and motioned Leila to his +side. + +"These tears are fresh upon thy cheek," said he, gravely; "they are the +witness of thy race! our daughters are born to weep, and our sons to +groan! ashes are on the head of the mighty, and the Fountains of the +Beautiful run with gall! Oh that we could but struggle--that we could +but dare--that we could raise up, our heads, and unite against the +bondage of the evil doer! It may not be--but one man shall avenge a +nation!" + +The dark face of Leila's father, well fitted to express powerful +emotion, became terrible in its wrath and passion; his brow and lip +worked convulsively; but the paroxysm was brief; and scarce could she +shudder at its intensity ere it had subsided into calm. + +"Enough of these thoughts, which thou, a woman and a child, art not +formed to witness. Leila, thou hast been nurtured with tenderness, and +schooled with care. Harsh and unloving may I have seemed to thee, but I +would have shed the best drops of my heart to have saved thy young years +from a single pang. Nay, listen to me silently. That thou mightest +one day be worthy of thy race, and that thine hours might not pass +in indolent and weary lassitude, thou hast been taught lessons of +a knowledge rarely to thy sex. Not thine the lascivious arts of the +Moorish maidens; not thine their harlot songs, and their dances of lewd +delight; thy delicate limbs were but taught the attitude that Nature +dedicates to the worship of a God, and the music of thy voice was tuned +to the songs of thy fallen country, sad with the memory of her wrongs, +animated with the names of her heroes, with the solemnity of her +prayers. These scrolls, and the lessons of our seers, have imparted to +thee such of our science and our history as may fit thy mind to aspire, +and thy heart to feel for a sacred cause. Thou listenest to me, Leila?" + +Perplexed and wondering, for never before had her father addressed her +in such a strain, the maiden answered with an earnestness of manner +that seemed to content the questioner; and he resumed, with an altered, +hollow, solemn voice: + +"Then curse the persecutors. Daughter of the great Hebrew race, arise +and curse the Moorish taskmaster and spoiler!" + +As he spoke, the adjuror himself rose, lifting his right hand on high; +while his left touched the shoulder of the maiden. But she, after gazing +a moment in wild and terrified amazement upon his face, fell cowering +at his knees; and, clasping them imploringly, exclaimed in scarce +articulate murmurs: + +"Oh, spare me! spare me!" + +The Hebrew, for such he was, surveyed her, as she thus quailed at his +feet, with a look of rage and scorn: his hand wandered to his poniard, +he half unsheathed it, thrust it back with a muttered curse, and then, +deliberately drawing it forth, cast it on the ground beside her. + +"Degenerate girl!" he said, in accents that vainly struggled for calm, +"if thou hast admitted to thy heart one unworthy thought towards a +Moorish infidel, dig deep and root it out, even with the knife, and to +the death--so wilt thou save this hand from that degrading task." + +He drew himself hastily from her grasp, and left the unfortunate girl +alone and senseless. + + + + +CHAPTER V. AMBITION DISTORTED INTO VICE BY LAW. + +On descending a broad flight of stairs from the apartment, the Hebrew +encountered an old man, habited in loose garments of silk and fur, +upon whose withered and wrinkled face life seemed scarcely to struggle +against the advance of death--so haggard, wan, and corpse-like was its +aspect. + +"Ximen," said the Israelite, "trusty and beloved servant, follow me to +the cavern." He did not tarry for an answer, but continued his way with +rapid strides through various courts and alleys, till he came at length +into a narrow, dark, and damp gallery, that seemed cut from the living +rock. At its entrance was a strong grate, which gave way to the Hebrew's +touch upon the spring, though the united strength of a hundred men could +not have moved it from its hinge. Taking up a brazen lamp that burnt in +a niche within it, the Hebrew paused impatiently till the feeble steps +of the old man reached the spot; and then, reclosing the grate, pursued +his winding way for a considerable distance, till he stopped suddenly by +a part of the rock which seemed in no respect different from the rest: +and so artfully contrived and concealed was the door which he now +opened, and so suddenly did it yield to his hand, that it appeared +literally the effect of enchantment, when the rock yawned, and +discovered a circular cavern, lighted with brazen lamps, and spread with +hangings and cushions of thick furs. Upon rude and seemingly natural +pillars of rock, various antique and rusty arms were suspended; in +large niches were deposited scrolls, clasped and bound with iron; and +a profusion of strange and uncouth instruments and machines (in which +modern science might, perhaps, discover the tools of chemical invention) +gave a magical and ominous aspect to the wild abode. + +The Hebrew cast himself on a couch of furs; and, as the old man entered +and closed the door, "Ximen," said he, "fill out wine--it is a soothing +counsellor, and I need it." + +Extracting from one of the recesses of the cavern a flask and goblet, +Ximen offered to his lord a copious draught of the sparkling vintage of +the Vega, which seemed to invigorate and restore him. + +"Old man," said he, concluding the potation with a deep-drawn sigh, +"fill to thyself-drink till thy veins feel young." + +Ximen obeyed the mandate but imperfectly; the wine just touched his +lips, and the goblet was put aside. + +"Ximen," resumed the Israelite, "how many of our race have been +butchered by the avarice of the Moorish kings since first thou didst set +foot within the city?" + +"Three thousand--the number was completed last winter, by the order +of Jusef the vizier; and their goods and coffers are transformed into +shafts and cimiters against the dogs of Galilee." + +"Three thousand--no more! three thousand only! I would the number had +been tripled, for the interest is becoming due!" + +"My brother, and my son, and my grandson, are among the number," said +the old man, and his face grew yet more deathlike. + +"Their monuments shall be in hecatombs of their tyrants. They shall not, +at least, call the Jews niggards in revenge." + +"But pardon me, noble chief of a fallen people; thinkest thou we shall +be less despoiled and trodden under foot by yon haughty and stiff-necked +Nazarenes, than by the Arabian misbelievers?" + +"Accursed, in truth, are both," returned the Hebrew; "but the one +promise more fairly than the other. I have seen this Ferdinand, and his +proud queen; they are pledged to accord us rights and immunities we have +never known before in Europe." + +"And they will not touch our traffic, our gains, our gold?" + +"Out on thee!" cried the fiery Israelite, stamping on the ground. "I +would all the gold of earth were sunk into the everlasting pit! It is +this mean, and miserable, and loathsome leprosy of avarice, that gnaws +away from our whole race the heart, the soul, nay--the very form, +of man! Many a time, when I have seen the lordly features of the +descendants of Solomon and Joshua (features that stamp the nobility of +the eastern world born to mastery and command) sharpened and furrowed by +petty cares,--when I have looked upon the frame of the strong man bowed, +like a crawling reptile, to some huckstering bargainer of silks and +unguents,--and heard the voice, that should be raising the battle-cry, +smoothed into fawning accents of base fear, or yet baser hope,--I have +asked myself, if I am indeed of the blood of Israel! and thanked the +great Jehovah that he hath spared me at least the curse that hath +blasted my brotherhood into usurers and slaves" + +Ximen prudently forbore an answer to enthusiasm which he neither shared +nor understood; but, after a brief silence, turned back the stream of +the conversation. + +"You resolve, then, upon prosecuting vengeance on the Moors, at +whatsoever hazard of the broken faith of these Nazarenes?" + +"Ay, the vapour of human blood hath risen unto heaven, and, collected +into thunder-clouds, hangs over the doomed and guilty city. And now, +Ximen, I have a new cause for hatred to the Moors: the flower that I +have reared and watched, the spoiler hath sought to pluck it from my +hearth. Leila--thou hast guarded her ill, Ximen; and, wert thou not +endeared to me by thy very malice and vices, the rising sun should have +seen thy trunk on the waters of the Darro." + +"My lord," replied Ximen, "if thou, the wisest of our people, canst not +guard a maiden from love, how canst thou see crime in the dull eyes and +numbed senses of a miserable old man?" + +The Israelite did not answer, nor seem to hear this deprecatory +remonstrance. He appeared rather occupied with his own thoughts; and, +speaking to himself, he muttered, "It must be so: the sacrifice is +hard--the danger great; but here, at least, it is more immediate. It +shall be done. Ximen," he continued, speaking aloud; "dost thou feel +assured that even mine own countrymen, mine own tribe, know me not as +one of them? Were my despised birth and religion published, my limbs +would be torn asunder as an impostor; and all the arts of the Cabala +could not save me." + +"Doubt not, great master; none in Granada, save thy faithful Ximen, know +thy secret." + +"So let me dream and hope. And now to my work; for this night must be +spent in toil." + +The Hebrew drew before him some of the strange instruments we have +described; and took from the recesses in the rock several scrolls. +The old man lay at his feet, ready to obey his behests; but, to all +appearance, rigid and motionless as the dead, whom his blanched hues +and shrivelled form resembled. It was, indeed, as the picture of the +enchanter at his work, and the corpse of some man of old, revived from +the grave to minister to his spells, and execute his commands. + +Enough in the preceding conversation has transpired to convince the +reader, that the Hebrew, in whom he has already detected the Almamen of +the Alhambra, was of no character common to his tribe. Of a lineage that +shrouded itself in the darkness of his mysterious people, in their day +of power, and possessed of immense wealth, which threw into poverty the +resources of Gothic princes,--the youth of that remarkable man had been +spent, not in traffic and merchandise but travel and study. + +As a child, his home had been in Granada. He had seen his father +butchered by the late king, Muley Abul Hassan, without other crime than +his reputed riches; and his body literally cut open, to search for the +jewels it was supposed he had swallowed. He saw, and, boy as he was he +vowed revenge. A distant kinsman bore the orphan to lands more secure +from persecution; and the art with which the Jews concealed their +wealth, scattering it over various cities, had secured to Almamen the +treasures the tyrant of Granada had failed to grasp. + +He had visited the greater part of the world then known; and resided for +many years at the court of the sultan of that hoary Egypt, which still +retained its fame for abstruse science and magic lore. He had not in +vain applied himself to such tempting and wild researches; and had +acquired many of those secrets now perhaps lost for ever to the +world. We do not mean to intimate that he attained to what legend and +superstition impose upon our faith as the art of sorcery. He could +neither command the elements nor pierce the veil of the future-scatter +armies with a word, nor pass from spot to spot by the utterance of +a charmed formula. But men who, for ages, had passed their lives in +attempting all the effects that can astonish and awe the vulgar, could +not but learn some secrets which all the more sober wisdom of modern +times would search ineffectually to solve or to revive. And many of +such arts, acquired mechanically (their invention often the work of a +chemical accident), those who attained to them could not always explain, +not account for the phenomena they created, so that the mightiness of +their own deceptions deceived themselves; and they often believed they +were the masters of the Nature to which they were, in reality, but +erratic and wild disciples. Of such was the student in that grim cavern. +He was, in some measure, the dupe, partly of his own bewildered wisdom, +partly of the fervour of an imagination exceedingly high-wrought and +enthusiastic. His own gorgeous vanity intoxicated him: and, if it be an +historical truth that the kings of the ancient world, blinded by their +own power, had moments in which they believed themselves more than +men, it is not incredible that sages, elevated even above kings, should +conceive a frenzy as weak, or, it may be, as sublime: and imagine that +they did not claim in vain the awful dignity with which the faith of the +multitude invested their faculties and gifts. + +But, though the accident of birth, which excluded him from all field for +energy and ambition, had thus directed the powerful mind of Almamen to +contemplation and study, nature had never intended passions so fierce +for the calm, though visionary, pursuits to which he was addicted. +Amidst scrolls and seers, he had pined for action and glory; and, +baffled in all wholesome egress, by the universal exclusion which, in +every land, and from every faith, met the religion he belonged to, the +faculties within him ran riot, producing gigantic but baseless schemes, +which, as one after the other crumbled away, left behind feelings of +dark misanthropy and intense revenge. + +Perhaps, had his religion been prosperous and powerful, he might have +been a sceptic; persecution and affliction made him a fanatic. Yet, true +to that prominent characteristic of the old Hebrew race, which made them +look to a Messiah only as a warrior and a prince, and which taught them +to associate all their hopes and schemes with worldly victories and +power, Almamen desired rather to advance, than to obey, his religion. He +cared little for its precepts, he thought little of its doctrines; but, +night and day, he revolved his schemes for its earthly restoration and +triumph. + +At that time, the Moors in Spain were far more deadly persecutors of the +Jews than the Christians were. Amidst the Spanish cities on the +coast, that merchant tribe had formed commercial connections with +the Christians, sufficiently beneficial, both to individuals and to +communities, to obtain for them, not only toleration, but something of +personal friendship, wherever men bought and sold in the market-place. +And the gloomy fanaticism which afterwards stained the fame of the great +Ferdinand, and introduced the horrors of the Inquisition, had not yet +made it self more than fitfully visible. But the Moors had treated this +unhappy people with a wholesale and relentless barbarity. At Granada, +under the reign of the fierce father of Boabdil,--"that king with the +tiger heart,"--the Jews had been literally placed without the pale of +humanity; and even under the mild and contemplative Boabdil himself, +they had been plundered without mercy, and, if suspected of secreting +their treasures, massacred without scruple; the wants of the state +continued their unrelenting accusers,--their wealth, their inexpiable +crime. + +It was in the midst of these barbarities that Almamen, for the first +time since the day when the death-shriek of his agonised father rang in +his ears, suddenly returned to Granada. He saw the unmitigated miseries +of his brethern, and he remembered and repeated his vow. His name +changed, his kindred dead, none remembered, in the mature Almamen, the +beardless child of Issachar, the Jew. He had long, indeed, deemed it +advisable to disguise his faith; and was known, throughout the African +kingdoms, but as the potent santon, or the wise magician. + +This fame soon lifted him, in Granada, high in the councils of the +court. Admitted to the intimacy of Muley Hassan, with Boabdil, and the +queen mother, he had conspired against that monarch; and had lived, +at least, to avenge his father upon the royal murderer. He was no less +intimate with Boabdil; but steeled against fellowship or affection for +all men out of the pale of his faith, he saw in the confidence of the +king only the blindness of a victim. + +Serpent as he was, he cared not through what mire of treachery and fraud +he trailed his baleful folds, so that, at last, he could spring upon +his prey. Nature had given him sagacity and strength. The curse of +circumstance had humbled, but reconciled him to the dust. He had the +crawl of the reptile,--he had, also, its poison and its fangs. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE LION IN THE NET + +IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of +Granada abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier. The old man +found Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed +his sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the +person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon +of the Vermilion Tower. Presuming upon Boabdil's natural mildness, the +vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent +hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be +assigned for the outrage. + +The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil's brow, as he listened to the +vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory. + +"Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will? Thou +hast my orders; there are my signet and the firman: obedience or the +bow-string!" + +Never before had Boabdil so resembled his dread father in speech and +air; the vizier trembled to the soles of his feet, and withdrew in +silence. Boabdil watched him depart; and then, clasping his hands in +great emotion, exclaimed, "O lips of the dead! ye have warned me; and to +you I sacrifice the friend of my youth." + +On quitting Boabdil the vizier, taking with him some of those foreign +slaves of a seraglio, who know no sympathy with human passion outside +its walls, bent his way to the palace of Muza, sorely puzzled and +perplexed. He did not, however, like to venture upon the hazard of the +alarm it might occasion throughout the neighbourhood, if he endeavoured, +at so unseasonable an hour, to force an entrance. He resolved, rather, +with his train to wait at a little distance, till, with the growing +dawn, the gates should be unclosed, and the inmates of the palace astir. + +Accordingly, cursing his stars, and wondering at his mission, Jusef, and +his silent and ominous attendants, concealed themselves in a small copse +adjoining the palace, until the daylight fairly broke over the awakened +city. He then passed into the palace; and was conducted to a hall, where +he found the renowned Moslem already astir, and conferring with some +Zegri captains upon the tactics of a sortie designed for that day. + +It was with so evident a reluctance and apprehension that Jusef +approached the prince, that the fierce and quick-sighted Zegris +instantly suspected some evil intention in his visit; and when Muza, in +surprise, yielded to the prayer of the vizier for a private audience, +it was with scowling brows and sparkling eyes that the Moorish warriors +left the darling of the nobles alone with the messenger of their king. + +"By the tomb of the prophet!" said one of the Zegris, as he quitted the +hall, "the timid Boabdil suspects our Ben Abil Gazan. I learned of this +before." + +"Hush!" said another of the band; "let us watch. If the king touch a +hair of Muza's head, Allah have mercy on his sins!" + +Meanwhile, the vizier, in silence, showed to Muza the firman and the +signet; and then, without venturing to announce the place to which he +was commissioned to conduct the prince, besought him to follow at once. +Muza changed colour, but not with fear. + +"Alas!" said he, in a tone of deep sorrow, "can it be that I have fallen +under my royal kinsman's suspicion or displeasure? But no matter; proud +to set to Granada an example of valour in her defence, be it mine to +set, also, an example of obedience to her king. Go on--I will follow +thee. Yet stay, you will have no need of guards; let us depart by a +private egress: the Zegris might misgive, did they see me leave +the palace with you at the very time the army are assembling in the +Vivarrambla, and awaiting my presence. This way." + +Thus saying, Muza, who, fierce as he was, obeyed every impulse that the +oriental loyalty dictated from a subject to a king, passed from the hall +to a small door that admitted into the garden, and in thoughtful silence +accompanied the vizier towards the Alhambra. As they passed the copse in +which Muza, two nights before, had met with Almamen, the Moor, lifting +his head suddenly, beheld fixed upon him the dark eyes of the magician, +as he emerged from the trees. Muza thought there was in those eyes a +malign and hostile exultation; but Almamen, gravely saluting him, passed +on through the grove: the prince did not deign to look back, or he might +once more have encountered that withering gaze. + +"Proud heathen!" muttered Almamen to himself, "thy father filled his +treasuries from the gold of many a tortured Hebrew; and even thou, too +haughty to be the miser, hast been savage enough to play the bigot. Thy +name is a curse in Israel; yet dost thou lust after the daughter of our +despised race, and, could defeated passion sting thee, I were avenged. +Ay, sweep on, with thy stately step and lofty crest-thou goest to +chains, perhaps to death." + +As Almamen thus vented his bitter spirit, the last gleam of the white +robes of Muza vanished from his gaze. He paused a moment, turned away +abruptly, and said, half aloud, "Vengeance, not on one man only, but a +whole race! Now for the Nazarene." + + + + + +BOOK. II. + + + + +CHAPTER I. THE ROYAL TENT OF SPAIN.--THE KING AND THE DOMINICAN--THE VISITOR AND +THE HOSTAGE. + +Our narrative now summons us to the Christian army, and to the tent +in which the Spanish king held nocturnal counsel with some of his more +confidential warriors and advisers. Ferdinand had taken the field with +all the pomp and circumstance of a tournament rather than of a campaign; +and his pavilion literally blazed with purple and cloth of gold. + +The king sat at the head of a table on which were scattered maps and +papers; nor in countenance and mien did that great and politic monarch +seem unworthy of the brilliant chivalry by which he was surrounded. His +black hair, richly perfumed and anointed, fell in long locks on either +side of a high imperial brow, upon whose calm, though not unfurrowed +surface, the physiognomist would in vain have sought to read the +inscrutable heart of kings. His features were regular and majestic: and +his mantle, clasped with a single jewel of rare price and lustre, and +wrought at the breast with a silver cross, waved over a vigorous and +manly frame, which derived from the composed and tranquil dignity of +habitual command that imposing effect which many of the renowned +knights and heroes in his presence took from loftier stature and ampler +proportions. At his right hand sat Prince Juan, his son, in the first +bloom of youth; at his left, the celebrated Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, +Marquess of Cadiz; along the table, in the order of their military rank, +were seen the splendid Duke of Medina Sidonia, equally noble in aspect +and in name; the worn and thoughtful countenance of the Marquess de +Villena (the Bayard of Spain); the melancholy brow of the heroic Alonzo +de Aguilar; and the gigantic frame, the animated features, and sparkling +eyes, of that fiery Hernando del Pulgar, surnamed "the knight of the +exploits." + +"You see, senores," said the king, continuing an address, to which his +chiefs seemed to listen with reverential attention, "our best hope of +speedily gaining the city is rather in the dissensions of the Moors +than our own sacred arms. The walls are strong, the population still +numerous; and under Muza Ben Abil Gazan, the tactics of the hostile army +are, it must be owned, administered with such skill as to threaten very +formidable delays to the period of our conquest. Avoiding the hazard +of a fixed battle, the infidel cavalry harass our camp by perpetual +skirmishes; and in the mountain defiles our detachments cannot cope with +their light horse and treacherous ambuscades. It is true, that by +dint of time, by the complete devastation of the Vega, and by vigilant +prevention of convoys from the seatowns, we might starve the city into +yielding. But, alas! my lords, our enemies are scattered and numerous, +and Granada is not the only place before which the standard of Spain +should be unfurled. Thus situated, the lion does not disdain to serve +himself of the fox; and, fortunately, we have now in Granada an ally +that fights for us. I have actual knowledge of all that passes within +the Alhambra: the king yet remains in his palace, irresolute and +dreaming; and I trust that an intrigue by which his jealousies are +aroused against his general, Muza, may end either in the loss of that +able leader, or in the commotion of open rebellion or civil war. Treason +within Granada will open its gates to us." + +"Sire," said Ponce de Leon, after a pause, "under your counsels, I no +more doubt of seeing our banner float above the Vermilion Towers, than I +doubt the rising of the sun over yonder hills; it matters little whether +we win by stratagem or force. But I need not say to your highness, that +we should carefully beware lest we be amused by inventions of the enemy, +and trust to conspiracies which may be but lying tales to blunt our +sabres, and paralyse our action." + +"Bravely spoken, wise de Leon!" exclaimed Hernando del Pulgar, hotly: +"and against these infidels, aided by the cunning of the Evil One, +methinks our best wisdom lies in the sword-arm. Well says our old +Castilian proverb: + + 'Curse them devoutly, + Hammer them stoutly.'" + +The king smiled slightly at the ardour of the favourite of his army, but +looked round for more deliberate counsel. "Sire," said Villena, "far be +it from us to inquire the grounds upon which your majesty builds +your hope of dissension among the foe; but, placing the most sanguine +confidence in a wisdom never to be deceived, it is clear that we should +relax no energy within our means, but fight while we plot, and seek to +conquer, while we do not neglect to undermine." + +"You speak well, my Lord," said Ferdinand, thoughtfully; "and you +yourself shall head a strong detachment to-morrow, to lay waste +the Vega. Seek me two hours hence; the council for the present is +dissolved." + +The knights rose, and withdrew with the usual grave and stately +ceremonies of respect, which Ferdinand observed to, and exacted from, +his court: the young prince remained. + +"Son," said Ferdinand, when they were alone, "early and betimes should +the Infants of Spain be lessoned in the science of kingcraft. These +nobles are among the brightest jewels of the crown; but still it is +in the crown, and for the crown, that their light should sparkle. +Thou seest how hot, and fierce, and warlike, are the chiefs of +Spain--excellent virtues when manifested against our foes: but had we no +foes, Juan, such virtues might cause us exceeding trouble. By St. +Jago, I have founded a mighty monarchy! observe how it should be +maintained--by science, Juan, by science! and science is as far removed +from brute force as this sword from a crowbar. Thou seemest bewildered +and amazed, my son: thou hast heard that I seek to conquer Granada by +dissensions among the Moors; when Granada is conquered, remember that +the nobles themselves are at Granada. Ave Maria! blessed be the Holy +Mother, under whose eyes are the hearts of kings!" Ferdinand crossed +himself devoutly; and then, rising, drew aside a part of the drapery +of the pavilion, and called; in a low voice, the name of Perez. A grave +Spaniard, somewhat past the verge of middle age, appeared. + +"Perez," said the king, reseating himself, "has the person we expected +from Granada yet arrived?" + +"Sire, yes; accompanied by a maiden." + +"He hath kept his word; admit them. Ha! holy father, thy visits are +always as balsam to the heart." + +"Save you, my son!" returned a man in the robes of a Dominican friar, +who had entered suddenly and without ceremony by another part of the +tent, and who now seated himself with smileless composure at a little +distance from the king. + +There was a dead silence for some moments; and Perez still lingered +within the tent, as if in doubt whether the entrance of the friar would +not prevent or delay obedience to the king's command. On the calm +face of Ferdinand himself appeared a slight shade of discomposure and +irresolution, when the monk thus resumed: + +"My presence, my son, will not, I trust, disturb your conference with +the infidel--since you deem that worldly policy demands your parley with +the men of Belial." + +"Doubtless not--doubtless not," returned the king, quickly: then, +muttering to himself, "how wondrously doth this holy man penetrate into +all our movements and designs!" he added, aloud, "Let the messenger +enter." + +Perez bowed, and withdrew. + +During this time, the young prince reclined in listless silence on his +seat; and on his delicate features was an expression of weariness which +augured but ill of his fitness for the stern business to which the +lessons of his wise father were intended to educate his mind. His, +indeed, was the age, and his the soul, for pleasure; the tumult of the +camp was to him but a holiday exhibition--the march of an army, the +exhilaration of a spectacle; the court as a banquet--the throne, the +best seat at the entertainment. The life of the heir-apparent, to the +life of the king possessive, is as the distinction between enchanting +hope and tiresome satiety. + +The small grey eyes of the friar wandered over each of his royal +companions with a keen and penetrating glance, and then settled in the +aspect of humility on the rich carpets that bespread the floor; nor did +he again lift them till Perez, reappearing, admitted to the tent the +Israelite, Almamen, accompanied by a female figure, whose long veil, +extending from head to foot, could conceal neither the beautiful +proportions nor the trembling agitation, of her frame. + +"When last, great king, I was admitted to thy presence," said Almamen, +"thou didst make question of the sincerity and faith of thy servant; +thou didst ask me for a surety of my faith; thou didst demand a hostage; +and didst refuse further parley without such pledge were yielded to +thee. Lo! I place under thy kingly care this maiden--the sole child of +my house--as surety of my truth; I intrust to thee a life dearer than my +own." + +"You have kept faith with us, stranger," said the king, in that soft and +musical voice which well disguised his deep craft and his unrelenting +will; "and the maiden whom you intrust to our charge shall be ranked +with the ladies of our royal consort." + +"Sire," replied Almamen, with touching earnestness, "you now hold the +power of life and death over all for whom this heart can breathe a +prayer or cherish a hope, save for my countrymen and my religion. This +solemn pledge between thee and me I render up without scruple, without +fear. To thee I give a hostage, from thee I have but a promise." + +"But it is the promise of a king, a Christian, and a knight," said the +king, with dignity rather mild than arrogant; "among monarchs, what +hostage can be more sacred? Let this pass: how proceed affairs in the +rebel city?" + +"May this maiden withdraw, ere I answer my lord the king?" said Almamen. + +The young prince started to his feet. "Shall I conduct this new charge +to my mother?" he asked, in a low voice, addressing Ferdinand. + +The king half smiled: "The holy father were a better guide," he +returned, in the same tone. But, though the Dominican heard the hint, he +retained his motionless posture; and Ferdinand, after a momentary gaze +on the friar, turned away. "Be it so, Juan," said he, with a look meant +to convey caution to the prince; "Perez shall accompany you to the +queen: return the moment your mission is fulfilled--we want your +presence." + +While this conversation was carried on between the father and son, +the Hebrew was whispering, in his sacred tongue, words of comfort and +remonstrance to the maiden; but they appeared to have but little of the +desired effect; and, suddenly falling on his breast, she wound her +arms around the Hebrew, whose breast shook with strong emotions, and +exclaimed passionately, in the same language, "Oh, my father! what have +I done?--why send me from thee?--why intrust thy child to the stranger? +Spare me, spare me!" + +"Child of my heart!" returned the Hebrew, with solemn but tender +accents, "even as Abraham offered up his son, must I offer thee, upon +the altars of our faith; but, O Leila! even as the angel of the Lord +forbade the offering, so shall thy youth be spared, and thy years +reserved for the glory of generations yet unborn. King of Spain!" +he continued in the Spanish tongue, suddenly and eagerly, "you are a +father, forgive my weakness, and speed this parting." + +Juan approached; and with respectful courtesy attempted to take the hand +of the maiden. + +"You?" said the Israelite, with a dark frown. "O king! the prince is +young." + +"Honour knoweth no distinction of age," answered the king. "What ho, +Perez! accompany this maiden and the prince to the queen's pavilion." + +The sight of the sober years and grave countenance of the attendant +seemed to re-assure the Hebrew. He strained Leila in his arms; printed a +kiss upon her forehead without removing her veil; and then, placing her +almost in the arms of Perez, turned away to the further end of the tent, +and concealed his face with his hands. The king appeared touched; but +the Dominican gazed upon the whole scene with a sour scowl. + +Leila still paused for a moment; and then, as if recovering her +self-possession, said, aloud and distinctly,--"Man deserts me; but +I will not forget that God is over all." Shaking off the hand of the +Spaniard, she continued, "Lead on; I follow thee!" and left the tent +with a steady and even majestic step. + +"And now," said the king, when alone with the Dominican and Almamen, +"how proceed our hopes?" + +"Boabdil," replied the Israelite, "is aroused against both his army +and their leader, Muza; the king will not quit the Alhambra; and this +morning, ere I left the city, Muza himself was in the prisons of the +palace." + +"How!" cried the king, starting from his seat. + +"This is my work," pursued the Hebrew coldly. "It is these hands that +are shaping for Ferdinand of Spain the keys of Granada." + +"And right kingly shall be your guerdon," said the Spanish monarch: +"meanwhile, accept this earnest of our favour." So saying, he took from +his breast a chain of massive gold, the links of which were curiously +inwrought with gems, and extended it to the Israelite. Almamen moved +not. A dark flush upon his countenance bespoke the feelings he with +difficulty restrained. + +"I sell not my foes for gold, great king," said he, with a stern smile: +"I sell my foes to buy the ransom of my friends." + +"Churlish!" said Ferdinand, offended: "but speak on, man, speak on!" + +"If I place Granada, ere two weeks are past, within thy power, what +shall be my reward?" + +"Thou didst talk to me, when last we met, of immunities to the Jews." + +The calm Dominican looked up as the king spoke, crossed himself, and +resumed his attitude of humility. + +"I demand for the people of Israel," returned Almamen, "free leave to +trade and abide within the city, and follow their callings, subjected +only to the same laws and the same imposts as the Christian population." + +"The same laws, and the same imposts! Humph! there are difficulties in +the concession. If we refuse?" + +"Our treaty is ended. Give me back the maiden--you will have no further +need of the hostage you demanded: I return to the city, and renew our +interviews no more." + +Politic and cold-blooded as was the temperament of the great Ferdinand, +he had yet the imperious and haughty nature of a prosperous and +long-descended king; and he bit his lip in deep displeasure at the tone +of the dictatorial and stately stranger. + +"Thou usest plain language, my friend," said he; "my words can be as +rudely spoken. Thou art in my power, and canst return not, save at my +permission." + +"I have your royal word, sire, for free entrance and safe egress," +answered Almamen. "Break it, and Granada is with the Moors till the +Darro runs red with the blood of her heroes, and her people strew the +vales as the leaves in autumn." + +"Art thou then thyself of the Jewish faith?" asked the king. "If thou +art not, wherefore are the outcasts of the world so dear to thee?" + +"My fathers were of that creed, royal Ferdinand; and if I myself desert +their creed, I do not desert their cause. O king! are my terms scorned +or accepted?" + +"I accept them: provided, first, that thou obtainest the exile or death +of Muza; secondly, that within two weeks of this date thou bringest me, +along with the chief councillors of Granada, the written treaty of the +capitulation, and the keys of the city. Do this: and though the sole +king in Christendom who dares the hazard, I offer to the Israelites +throughout Andalusia the common laws and rights of citizens of Spain; +and to thee I will accord such dignity as may content thy ambition." + +The Hebrew bowed reverently, and drew from his breast a scroll, which +he placed on the table before the king. "This writing, mighty Ferdinand, +contains the articles of our compact." + +"How, knave! wouldst thou have us commit our royal signature to +conditions with such as thou art, to the chance of the public eye? The +king's word is the king's bond!" + +The Hebrew took up the scroll with imperturbable composure, "My child!" +said he; "will your majesty summon back my child? we would depart." + +"A sturdy mendicant this, by the Virgin!" muttered the king; and then, +speaking aloud, "Give me the paper, I will scan it." + +Running his eyes hastily over the words, Ferdinand paused a moment, and +then drew towards him the implements of writing, signed the scroll, and +returned it to Almamen. + +The Israelite kissed it thrice with oriental veneration, and replaced it +in his breast. + +Ferdinand looked at him hard and curiously. He was a profound reader of +men's characters; but that of his guest baffled and perplexed him. + +"And how, stranger," said he, gravely,--"how can I trust that man who +thus distrusts one king and sells another?" + +"O king!" replied Almamen (accustomed from his youth to commune with and +command the possessors of thrones yet more absolute),--"O king! if thou +believest me actuated by personal and selfish interests in this our +compact, thou has but to make, my service minister to my interest, and +the lore of human nature will tell thee that thou hast won a ready and +submissive slave. But if thou thinkest I have avowed sentiments less +abject, and developed qualities higher than those of the mere bargainer +for sordid power, oughtest thou not to rejoice that chance has thrown +into thy way one whose intellect and faculties may be made thy tool? If +I betray another, that other is my deadly foe. Dost not thou, the lord +of armies, betray thine enemy? The Moor is an enemy bitterer to myself +than to thee. Because I betray an enemy, am I unworthy to serve a +friend? If I, a single man, and a stranger to the Moor, can yet command +the secrets of palaces, and render vain the counsels of armed men, have +I not in that attested that I am one of whom a wise king can make an +able servant?" + +"Thou art a subtle reasoner, my friend," said Ferdinand, smiling gently. +"Peace go with thee! our conference for the time is ended. What ho, +Perez!" The attendant appeared. + +"Thou hast left the maiden with the queen?" + +"Sire, you have been obeyed." + +"Conduct this stranger to the guard who led him through the camp. He +quits us under the same protection. Farewell! yet stay--thou art assured +that Muza Ben Abil Gazan is in the prisons of the Moor?" + +"Yes." + +"Blessed be the Virgin!" + +"Thou hast heard our conference, Father Tomas?" said the king, +anxiously, when the Hebrew had withdrawn. + +"I have, son." + +"Did thy veins freeze with horror?" + +"Only when my son signed the scroll. It seemed to me then that I saw the +cloven foot of the tempter." + +"Tush, father, the tempter would have been more wise than to reckon upon +a faith which no ink and no parchment can render valid, if the Church +absolve the compact. Thou understandest me, father?" + +"I do. I know your pious heart and well-judging mind." + +"Thou wert right," resumed the king, musingly, "when thou didst tell +us that these caitiff Jews were waxing strong in the fatness of their +substance. They would have equal laws--the insolent blasphemers!" + +"Son!" said the Dominican, with earnest adjuration, "God, who has +prospered your arms and councils, will require at your hands an account +of the power intrusted to you. Shall there be no difference between His +friends and His foes--His disciples and His crucifiers?" + +"Priest," said the king, laying his hand on the monk's shoulder, and +with a saturnine smile upon his countenance, "were religion silent in +this matter, policy has a voice loud enough to make itself heard. The +Jews demand equal rights; when men demand equality with their masters, +treason is at work, and justice sharpens her sword. Equality! these +wealthy usurers! Sacred Virgin! they would be soon buying up our +kingdoms." + +The Dominican gazed hard on the king. "Son, I trust thee," he said, in a +low voice, and glided from the tent. + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE. + +The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen +pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city. He was now in +a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from +amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and +breathless in the still morning air. As, emerging from this jungle, if +so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human +countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark +eyes fixed upon his own. + +He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp +whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, +ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, +in the garb of peasants. + +"Well, my masters," said Almamen, calmly, as he encountered the wild +savage countenances that glared upon him, "think you there is aught to +fear from the solitary santon?" + +"It is the magician," whispered one man to his neighbour--"let him +pass." + +"Nay," was the answer, "take him before the captain; we have orders to +seize upon all we meet." + +This counsel prevailed; and gnashing his teeth with secret rage, Almamen +found himself hurried along by the peasants through the thickest part of +the copse. At length, the procession stopped in a semicircular patch of +rank sward, in which several head of cattle were quietly grazing, and a +yet more numerous troop of peasants reclined around upon the grass. + +"Whom have we here?" asked a voice which startled back the dark blood +from Almamen's cheek; and a Moor of commanding presence rose from the +midst of his brethren. "By the beard of the prophet, it is the false +santon! What dost thou from Granada at this hour?" + +"Noble Muza," returned Almamen--who, though indeed amazed that one whom +he had imagined his victim was thus unaccountably become his judge, +retained, at least, the semblance of composure--"my answer is to be +given only to my lord the king; it is his commands that I obey." + +"Thou art aware," said Muza, frowning, "that thy life is forfeited +without appeal? Whatsoever inmate of Granada is found without the walls +between sunrise and sunset, dies the death of a traitor and deserter." + +"The servants of the Alhambra are excepted," answered the Israelite, +without changing countenance. + +"Ah!" muttered Muza, as a painful and sudden thought seemed to cross +him, "can it be possible that the rumour of the city has truth, and that +the monarch of Granada is in treaty with the foe?" He mused a little; +and then, motioning the Moors to withdraw, he continued aloud, "Almamen, +answer me truly: hast thou sought the Christian camp with any message +from the king?" + +"I have not." + +"Art thou without the walls on the mission of the king?" + +"If I be so, I am a traitor to the king should I reveal his secret." + +"I doubt thee much, santon," said Muza, after a pause; "I know thee for +my enemy, and I do believe thy counsels have poisoned the king's ear +against me, his people and his duties. But no matter, thy life is spared +a while; thou remainest with us, and with us shalt thou return to the +king." + +"But, noble Muza----" + +"I have said! Guard the santon; mount him upon one of our chargers; he +shall abide with us in our ambush." While Almamen chafed in vain at his +arrest, all in the Christian camp was yet still. At length, as the sun +began to lift himself above the mountains, first a murmur, and then a +din, betokened warlike preparations. Several parties of horse, under +gallant and experienced leaders, formed themselves in different +quarters, and departed in different ways, on expeditions of forage, or +in the hope of skirmish with the straggling detachments of the enemy. Of +these, the best equipped, was conducted by the Marquess de Villena, and +his gallant brother Don Alonzo de Pacheco. In this troop, too, rode many +of the best blood of Spain; for in that chivalric army, the officers +vied with each other who should most eclipse the meaner soldiery in +feats of personal valour; and the name of Villena drew around him +the eager and ardent spirits that pined at the general inactivity of +Ferdinand's politic campaign. + +The sun, now high in heaven, glittered on the splendid arms and gorgeous +pennons of Villena's company, as, leaving the camp behind, it entered a +rich and wooded district that skirts the mountain barrier of the +Vega. The brilliancy of the day, the beauty of the scene, the hope and +excitement of enterprise, animated the spirits of the whole party. +In these expeditions strict discipline was often abandoned, from the +certainty that it could be resumed at need. Conversation, gay and loud, +interspersed at times with snatches of song, was heard amongst the +soldiery; and in the nobler group that rode with Villena, there was even +less of the proverbial gravity of Spaniards. + +"Now, marquess," said Don Estevon de Suzon, "what wager shall be between +us as to which lance this day robs Moorish beauty of the greatest number +of its worshippers?" + +"My falchion against your jennet," said Don Alonzo de Pacheco, taking up +the challenge. + +"Agreed. But, talking of beauty, were you in the queen's pavilion last +night, noble marquess? it was enriched by a new maiden, whose strange +and sudden apparition none can account for. Her eyes would have eclipsed +the fatal glance of Cava; and had I been Rodrigo, I might have lost a +crown for her smile." + +"Ay," said Villena, "I heard of her beauty; some hostage from one of the +traitor Moors, with whom the king (the saints bless him!) bargains for +the city. They tell me the prince incurred the queen's grave rebuke for +his attentions to the maiden." + +"And this morning I saw that fearful Father Tomas steal into the +prince's tent. I wish Don Juan well through the lecture. The monk's +advice is like the algarroba;--[The algarroba is a sort of leguminous +plant common in Spain]--when it is laid up to dry it may be reasonably +wholesome, but it is harsh and bitter enough when taken fresh." + +At this moment one of the subaltern officers rode up to the marquess, +and whispered in his ear. + +"Ha!" said Villena, "the Virgin be praised! Sir knights, booty is at +hand. Silence! close the ranks." With that, mounting a little eminence, +and shading his eyes with his hand, the marquess surveyed the plain +below; and, at some distance, he beheld a horde of Moorish peasants +driving some cattle into a thick copse. The word was hastily given, the +troop dashed on, every voice was hushed, and the clatter of mail, and +the sound of hoofs, alone broke the delicious silence of the noon-day +landscape. + +Ere they reached the copse, the peasants had disappeared within it. The +marquess marshalled his men in a semicircle round the trees, and sent +on a detachment to the rear, to cut off every egress from the wood. This +done the troop dashed within. For the first few yards the space was more +open than they had anticipated: but the ground soon grew uneven, rugged, +and almost precipitous, and the soil, and the interlaced trees, alike +forbade any rapid motion to the horse. Don Alonzo de Pacheco, mounted +on a charger whose agile and docile limbs had been tutored to every +description of warfare, and himself of light weight and incomparable +horsemanship--dashed on before the rest. The trees hid him for a moment; +when suddenly, a wild yell was heard, and as it ceased uprose the +solitary voice of the Spaniard, shouting, "_Santiago, y cierra_, Espana; +St. Jago, and charge, Spain!" + +Each cavalier spurred forward; when suddenly, a shower of darts and +arrows rattled on their armour; and upsprung from bush and reeds, and +rocky clift, a number of Moors, and with wild shouts swarmed around the +Spaniards. + +"Back for your lives!" cried Villena; "we are beset--make for the level +ground!" + +He turned-spurred from the thicket, and saw the Paynim foe emerging +through the glen, line after line of man and horse; each Moor leading +his slight and fiery steed by the bridle, and leaping on it as he issued +from the wood into the plain. Cased in complete mail, his visor down, +his lance in its rest, Villena (accompanied by such of his knights as +could disentangle themselves from the Moorish foot) charged upon the +foe. A moment of fierce shock passed: on the ground lay many a Moor, +pierced through by the Christian lance; and on the other side of the foe +was heard the voice of Villena--"St. Jago to the rescue!" But the brave +marquess stood almost alone, save his faithful chamberlain, Solier. +Several of his knights were dismounted, and swarms of Moors, with lifted +knives, gathered round them as they lay, searching for the joints of the +armour, which might admit a mortal wound. Gradually, one by one, many of +Villena's comrades joined their leader, and now the green mantle of +Don Alonzo de Pacheco was seen waving without the copse, and Villena +congratulated himself on the safety of his brother. Just at that moment, +a Moorish cavalier spurred from his troop, and met Pacheco in full +career. The Moor was not clad, as was the common custom of the Paynim +nobles, in the heavy Christian armour. He wore the light flexile mail of +the ancient heroes of Araby or Fez. His turban, which was protected by +chains of the finest steel interwoven with the folds, was of the most +dazzling white--white, also, were his tunic and short mantle; on his +left arm hung a short circular shield, in his right hand was poised +a long and slender lance. As this Moor, mounted on a charger in whose +raven hue not a white hair could be detected, dashed forward against +Pacheco, both Christian and Moor breathed hard, and remained passive. +Either nation felt it as a sacrilege to thwart the encounter of +champions so renowned. + +"God save my brave brother!" muttered Villena, anxiously. "Amen," said +those around him; for all who had ever witnessed the wildest valour in +that war, trembled as they recognised the dazzling robe and coal-black +charger of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. Nor was that renowned infidel mated with +an unworthy foe. "Pride of the tournament, and terror of the war," was +the favourite title which the knights and ladies of Castile had bestowed +on Don Alonzo de Pacheco. + +When the Spaniard saw the redoubted Moor approach, he halted abruptly +for a moment, and then, wheeling his horse around, took a wider circuit, +to give additional impetus to his charge. The Moor, aware of his +purpose, halted also, and awaited the moment of his rush; when once +more he darted forward, and the combatants met with a skill which called +forth a cry of involuntary applause from the Christians themselves. +Muza received on the small surface of his shield the ponderous spear +of Alonzo, while his own light lance struck upon the helmet of the +Christian, and by the exactness of the aim rather than the weight of the +blow, made Alonzo reel in his saddle. + +The lances were thrown aside--the long broad falchion of the Christian, +the curved Damascus cimiter of the Moor, gleamed in the air. They reined +their chargers opposite each other in grave and deliberate silence. + +"Yield thee, sir knight!" at length cried the fierce Moor, "for the +motto on my cimiter declares that if thou meetest its stroke, thy +days are numbered. The sword of the believer is the Key of Heaven and +Hell."--[Such, says Sale, is the poetical phrase of the Mohammedan +divines.] + +"False Paynim," answered Alonzo, in a voice that rung hollow through his +helmet, "a Christian knight is the equal of a Moorish army!" + +Muza made no reply, but left the rein of his charger on his neck; the +noble animal understood the signal, and with a short impatient cry +rushed forward at full speed. Alonzo met the charge with his falchion +upraised, and his whole body covered with his shield; the Moor bent--the +Spaniards raised a shout--Muza seemed stricken from his horse. But the +blow of the heavy falchion had not touched him: and, seemingly without +an effort, the curved blade of his own cimiter, gliding by that part +of his antagonist's throat where the helmet joins the cuirass, passed +unresistingly and silently through the joints; and Alonzo fell at once, +and without a groan, from his horse--his armour, to all appearance, +unpenetrated, while the blood oozed slow and gurgling from a mortal +wound. + +"Allah il Allah!" shouted Muza, as he joined his friends; "Lelilies! +Lelilies!" echoed the Moors; and ere the Christians recovered their +dismay, they were engaged hand to hand with their ferocious and swarming +foes. It was, indeed, fearful odds; and it was a marvel to the Spaniards +how the Moors had been enabled to harbour and conceal their numbers in +so small a space. Horse and foot alike beset the company of Villena, +already sadly reduced; and while the infantry, with desperate and savage +fierceness, thrust themselves under the very bellies of the chargers, +encountering both the hoofs of the steed and the deadly lance of the +rider, in the hope of finding a vulnerable place for the sharp Moorish +knife,--the horsemen, avoiding the stern grapple of the Spaniard +warriors, harrassed them by the shaft and lance,--now advancing, now +retreating, and performing, with incredible rapidity, the evolutions of +Oriental cavalry. But the life and soul of his party was the indomitable +Muza. With a rashness which seemed to the superstitious Spaniards like +the safety of a man protected by magic, he spurred his ominous +black barb into the very midst of the serried phalanx which Villena +endeavoured to form around him, breaking the order by his single charge, +and from time to time bringing to the dust some champion of the troop by +the noiseless and scarce-seen edge of his fatal cimiter. + +Villena, in despair alike of fame and life, and gnawed with grief for +his brother's loss, at length resolved to put the last hope of the +battle on his single arm. He gave the signal for retreat; and to protect +his troop, remained himself, alone and motionless, on his horse, like +a statue of iron. Though not of large frame, he was esteemed the best +swordsman, next only to Hernando del Pulgar and Gonsalvo de Cordova, in +the army; practised alike in the heavy assault of the Christian warfare, +and the rapid and dexterous exercise of the Moorish cavalry. There +he remained, alone and grim--a lion at bay--while his troops slowly +retreated down the Vega, and their trumpets sounded loud signals of +distress, and demands for succour, to such of their companions as might +be within bearing. Villena's armour defied the shafts of the Moors; and +as one after one darted towards him, with whirling cimiter and momentary +assault, few escaped with impunity from an eye equally quick and a +weapon more than equally formidable. Suddenly, a cloud of dust swept +towards him; and Muza, a moment before at the further end of the field, +came glittering through that cloud, with his white robe waving and his +right arm bare. Villena recognised him, set his teeth hard, and putting +spurs to his charger, met the rush. Muza swerved aside, just as the +heavy falchion swung over his head, and by a back stroke of his own +cimiter, shore through the cuirass just above the hip-joint, and the +blood followed the blade. The brave cavaliers saw the danger of their +chief; three of their number darted forward, and came in time to +separate the combatants. + +Muza stayed not to encounter the new reinforcement; but speeding across +the plain, was soon seen rallying his own scattered cavalry, and +pouring them down, in one general body, upon the scanty remnant of the +Spaniards. + +"Our day is come!" said the good knight Villena, with bitter +resignation. "Nothing is left for us, my friends, but to give up our +lives--an example how Spanish warriors should live and die. May God and +the Holy Mother forgive our sins and shorten our purgatory!" + +Just as he spoke, a clarion was heard at a distance and the sharpened +senses of the knights caught the ring of advancing hoofs. + +"We are saved!" cried Estevon de Suzon, rising on his stirrups. While +he spoke, the dashing stream of the Moorish horse broke over the little +band; and Estevon beheld bent upon himself the dark eyes and quivering +lip of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. That noble knight had never, perhaps, till +then known fear; but he felt his heart stand still, as he now stood +opposed to that irresistible foe. + +"The dark fiend guides his blade!" thought De Suzon; "but I was shriven +but yestermorn." The thought restored his wonted courage; and he spurred +on to meet the cimiter of the Moor. + +His assault took Muza by surprise. The Moor's horse stumbled over the +ground, cumbered with the dead and slippery with blood, and his uplifted +cimiter could not do more than break the force of the gigantic arm of De +Suzon; as the knight's falchion bearing down the cimiter, and alighting +on the turban of the Mohammedan, clove midway through its folds, +arrested only by the admirable temper of the links of steel which +protected it. The shock hurled the Moor to the ground. He rolled under +the saddle-girths of his antagonist. + +"Victory and St. Jago!" cried the knight, "Muza is--" + +The sentence was left eternally unfinished. The blade of the fallen Moor +had already pierced De Suzoii's horse through a mortal but undefended +part. It fell, bearing his rider with him. A moment, and the two +champions lay together grappling in the dust; in the next, the short +knife which the Moor wore in his girdle had penetrated the Christian's +visor, passing through the brain. + +To remount his steed, that remained at band, humbled and motionless, +to appear again amongst the thickest of the fray, was a work no less +rapidly accomplished than had been the slaughter of the unhappy Estevon +de Suzon. But now the fortune of the day was stopped in a progress +hitherto so triumphant to the Moors. + +Pricking fast over the plain were seen the glittering horsemen of the +Christian reinforcements; and, at the remoter distance, the royal banner +of Spain, indistinctly descried through volumes of dust, denoted that +Ferdinand himself was advancing to the support of his cavaliers. + +The Moors, however, who had themselves received many and mysterious +reinforcements, which seemed to spring up like magic from the bosom of +the earth--so suddenly and unexpectedly had they emerged from copse +and cleft in that mountainous and entangled neighbourhood--were not +unprepared for a fresh foe. At the command of the vigilant Muza, they +drew off, fell into order, and, seizing, while yet there was time, the +vantage-ground which inequalities of the soil and the shelter of the +trees gave to their darts and agile horse, they presented an array which +Ponce de Leon himself, who now arrived, deemed it more prudent not to +assault. While Villena, in accents almost inarticulate with rage, was +urging the Marquess of Cadiz to advance, Ferdinand, surrounded by the +flower of his court, arrived at the rear of the troops and after a few +words interchanged with Ponce de Leon, gave the signal to retreat. + +When the Moors beheld that noble soldiery slowly breaking ground, and +retiring towards the camp, even Muza could not control their ardour. +They rushed forward, harassing the retreat of the Christians, and +delaying the battle by various skirmishes. + +It was at this time that the headlong valour of Hernando del Pulgar, who +had arrived with Ponce de Leon, distinguished itself in feats which yet +live in the songs of Spain. Mounted upon an immense steed, and himself +of colossal strength, he was seen charging alone upon the assailants, +and scattering numbers to the ground with the sweep of his enormous +two-handed falchion. With a loud voice, he called on Muza to oppose him; +but the Moor, fatigued with slaughter, and scarcely recovered from the +shock of his encounter with De Suzon, reserved so formidable a foe for a +future contest. + +It was at this juncture, while the field was covered with straggling +skirmishers, that a small party of Spaniards, in cutting their way to +the main body of their countrymen through one of the numerous copses +held by the enemy, fell in at the outskirt with an equal number of +Moors, and engaged them in a desperate conflict, hand to hand. Amidst +the infidels was one man who took no part in the affray: at a little +distance, he gazed for a few moments upon the fierce and relentless +slaughter of Moor and Christian with a smile of stern and complacent +delight; and then taking advantage of the general confusion, rode +gently, and, as he hoped, unobserved, away from the scene. But he was +not destined so quietly to escape. A Spaniard perceived him, and, from +something strange and unusual in his garb, judged him one of the Moorish +leaders; and presently Almamen, for it was he, beheld before him the +uplifted falchion of a foe neither disposed to give quarter nor to +hear parley. Brave though the Israelite was, many reasons concurred to +prevent his taking a personal part against the soldier of Spain; and +seeing he should have no chance of explanation, he fairly puts spurs to +his horse, and galloped across the plain. The Spaniard followed, gained +upon him, and Almamen at length turned, in despair and the wrath of his +haughty nature. + +"Have thy will, fool!" said he, between his grinded teeth, as he griped +his dagger and prepared for the conflict. It was long and obstinate, for +the Spaniard was skilful; and the Hebrew wearing no mail, and without +any weapon more formidable than a sharp and well-tempered dagger, was +forced to act cautiously on the defensive. At length the combatants +grappled, and, by a dexterous thrust, the short blade of Almamen pierced +the throat of his antagonist, who fell prostrate to the ground. + +"I am safe," he thought, as he wheeled round his horse; when lo! +the Spaniards he had just left behind, and who had now routed their +antagonists, were upon him. + +"Yield, or die!" cried the leader of the troop. + +Almamen glared round; no succour was at hand. "I am not your enemy," +said he, sullenly, throwing down his weapon--"bear me to your camp." + +A trooper seized his rein, and, scouring along, the Spaniards soon +reached the retreating army. + +Meanwhile the evening darkened, the shout and the roar grew gradually +less loud and loud---the battle had ceased--the stragglers had joined +their several standards and, by the light of the first star, the +Moorish force, bearing their wounded brethren, and elated with success, +re-entered the gates of Granada, as the black charger of the hero of +the day, closing the rear of the cavalry, disappeared within the gloomy +portals. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE HERO IN THE POWER OF THE DREAMER. + +It was in the same chamber, and nearly at the same hour, in which +we first presented to the reader Boabdil el Chico, that we are again +admitted to the presence of that ill-starred monarch. He was not alone. +His favourite slave, Amine, reclined upon the ottomans, gazing with +anxious love upon his thoughtful countenance, as he leant against the +glittering wall by the side of the casement, gazing abstractedly on the +scene below. + +From afar he heard the shouts of the populace at the return of Muza, and +bursts of artillery confirmed the tidings of triumph which had already +been borne to his ear. + +"May the king live for ever!" said Amine, timidly; "his armies have gone +forth to conquer." + +"But without their king," replied Boabdil, bitterly, "and headed by a +traitor and a foe. I am meshed in the nets of an inextricable fate!" + +"Oh!" said the slave, with sudden energy, as, clasping her hands, she +rose from her couch,--"oh, my lord, would that these humble lips dared +utter other words than those of love!" + +"And what wise counsel would they give me?" asked Boabdil with a faint +smile. "Speak on." + +"I will obey thee, then, even if it displease," cried Amine; and +she rose, her cheek glowing, her eyes spark ling, her beautiful form +dilated. "I am a daughter of Granada; I am the beloved of a king; I will +be true to my birth and to my fortunes. Boabdil el Chico, the last of +a line of heroes, shake off these gloomy fantasies--these doubts and +dreams that smother the fire of a great nature and a kingly soul! +Awake--arise--rob Granada of her Muza--be thyself her Muza! Trustest +thou to magic and to spells? then grave them on they breastplate, write +them on thy sword, and live no longer the Dreamer of the Alhambra; +become the saviour of thy people!" + +Boabdil turned, and gazed on the inspired and beautiful form before him +with mingled emotions of surprise and shame. "Out of the mouth of woman +cometh my rebuke!" said he sadly. "It is well!" + +"Pardon me, pardon me!" said the slave, falling humbly at his knees; +"but blame me not that I would have thee worthy of thyself. Wert thou +not happier, was not thy heart more light and thy hope more strong when, +at the head of thine armies, thine own cimiter slew thine own foes, and +the terror of the Hero-king spread, in flame and slaughter, from the +mountains to the seas. Boabdil! dear as thou art to me-equally as I +would have loved thee hadst thou been born a lowly fisherman of the +Darro, since thou art a king, I would have thee die a king; even if my +own heart broke as I armed thee for thy latest battle!" + +"Thou knowest not what thou sayest, Amine," said Boabdil, "nor canst +thou tell what spirits that are not of earth dictate to the actions and +watch over the destinies, of the rulers of nations. If I delay, if I +linger, it is not from terror, but from wisdom. The cloud must gather +on, dark and slow, ere the moment for the thunderbolt arrives." + +"On thine own house will the thunderbolt fall, since over thine own +house thou sufferest the cloud to gather," said a calm and stern voice. + +Boabdil started; and in the chamber stood a third person, in the shape +of a woman, past middle age, and of commanding port and stature. Upon +her long-descending robes of embroidered purple were thickly woven +jewels of royal price, and her dark hair, slightly tinged with grey, +parted over a majestic brow while a small diadem surmounted the folds of +the turban. + +"My mother!" said Boabdil, with some haughty reserve in his tone; "your +presence is unexpected." + +"Ay," answered Ayxa la Horra, for it was indeed that celebrated, and +haughty, and high-souled queen, "and unwelcome; so is ever that of your +true friends. But not thus unwelcome was the presence of your mother, +when her brain and her hand delivered you from the dungeon in which your +stern father had cast your youth, and the dagger and the bowl seemed the +only keys that would unlock the cell." + +"And better hadst thou left the ill-omened son that thy womb conceived, +to die thus in youth, honoured and lamented, than to live to manhood, +wrestling against an evil star and a relentless fate." + +"Son," said the queen, gazing upon him with lofty and half disdainful +compassion, "men's conduct shapes out their own fortunes, and the +unlucky are never the valiant and the wise." + +"Madam," said Boabdil, colouring with passion, "I am still a king, nor +will I be thus bearded--withdraw!" + +Ere the queen could reply, a eunuch entered, and whispered Boabdil. + +"Ha!" said he, joyfully, stamping his foot, "comes he then to brave the +lion in his den? Let the rebel look to it. Is he alone?" + +"Alone, great king." + +"Bid my guards wait without; let the slightest signal summon them. +Amine, retire! Madam--" + +"Son!" interrupted Ayxa la Horra in visible agitation, "do I guess +aright? is the brave Muza--the sole bulwark and hope of Granada--whom +unjustly thou wouldst last night have placed in chains--(chains! Great +Prophet! is it thus a king should reward his heroes)--is, I say, Muza +here? and wilt thou make him the victim of his own generous trust?" + +"Retire, woman?" said Boabdil, sullenly. + +"I will not, save by force! I resisted a fiercer soul than thine when I +saved thee from thy father." + +"Remain, then, if thou wilt, and learn how kings can punish traitors. +Mesnour, admit the hero of Granada." Amine had vanished. Boabdil seated +himself on the cushions his face calm but pale. The queen stood erect +at a little distance, her arms folded on her breast, and her aspect knit +and resolute. In a few moments Muza entered alone. He approached the +king with the profound salutation of oriental obeisance; and then stood +before him with downcast eyes, in an attitude from which respect could +not divorce a natural dignity and pride of mien. + +"Prince," said Boabdil, after a moment's pause, "yestermorn, when I +sent for thee thou didst brave my orders. Even in mine own Alhambra thy +minions broke out in mutiny; they surrounded the fortress in which thou +wert to wait my pleasure; they intercepted, they insulted, they drove +back my guards; they stormed the towers protected by the banner of +thy king. The governor, a coward or a traitor, rendered thee to the +rebellious crowd. Was this all? No, by the Prophet! Thou, by right my +captive, didst leave thy prison but to head mine armies. And this day, +the traitor subject--the secret foe--was the leader of a people who defy +a king. This night thou comest to me unsought. Thou feelest secure from +my just wrath, even in my palace. Thine insolence blinds and betrays +thee. Man, thou art in my power! Ho, there!" + +As the king spoke, he rose; and, presently, the arcades at the back of +the pavilion were darkened by long lines of the Ethiopian guard, each of +height which, beside the slight Moorish race, appeared gigantic; stolid +and passionless machines, to execute, without thought, the bloodiest +or the slightest caprice of despotism. There they stood; their silver +breastplates and long earrings contrasting their dusky skins; and +bearing, over their shoulders, immense clubs studded with brazen nails. + +A little advanced from the rest, stood the captain, with the fatal +bowstring hanging carelessly on his arm, and his eyes intent to catch +the slightest gesture of the king. "Behold!" said Boabdil to his +prisoner. + +"I do; and am prepared for what I have foreseen." The queen grew pale, +but continued silent. + +Muza resumed-- + +"Lord of the faithful!" said he, "if yestermorn I had acted otherwise, +it would have been to the ruin of thy throne and our common race. The +fierce Zegris suspected and learned my capture. They summoned the troops +they delivered me, it is true. At that time had I reasoned with them, it +would have been as drops upon a flame. They were bent on besieging thy +palace, perhaps upon demanding thy abdication. I could not stifle their +fury, but I could direct it. In the moment of passion, I led them from +rebellion against our common king to victory against our common foe. +That duty done, I come unscathed from the sword of the Christian to bare +my neck to the bowstring of my friend. Alone, untracked, unsuspected, I +have entered thy palace to prove to the sovereign of Granada, that +the defendant of his throne is not a rebel to his will. Now summon the +guards--I have done." + +"Muza!" said Boabdil, in a softened voice, while he shaded his face with +his hand, "we played together as children, and I have loved thee well: +my kingdom even now, perchance, is passing from me, but I could almost +be reconciled to that loss, if I thought thy loyalty had not left me." + +"Dost thou, in truth, suspect the faith of Muza Ben Abil Gazan?" said +the Moorish prince, in a tone of surprise and sorrow. "Unhappy king! I +deemed that my services, and not my defection, made my crime." + +"Why do my people hate me? why do my armies menace?" said Boabdil, +evasively; "why should a subject possess that allegiance which a king +cannot obtain?" + +"Because," replied Muza, boldly, "the king has delegated to a subject +the command he should himself assume. Oh, Boabdil!" he continued, +passionately--"friend of my boyhood, ere the evil days came upon +us,--gladly would I sink to rest beneath the dark waves of yonder river, +if thy arm and brain would fill up my place amongst the warriors of +Granada. And think not I say this only from our boyish love; think not +I have placed my life in thy hands only from that servile loyalty to a +single man, which the false chivalry of Christendom imposes as a sacred +creed upon its knights and nobles. But I speak and act but from one +principle--to save the religion of, my father and the land of my birth: +for this I have risked my life against the foe; for this I surrender my +life to the sovereign of my country. Granada may yet survive, if monarch +and people unite together. Granada is lost for ever, if her children, at +this fatal hour, are divided against themselves. If, then, I, O Boabdil! +am the true obstacle to thy league with thine own subjects, give me at +once to the bowstring, and my sole prayer shall be for the last remnant +of the Moorish name, and the last monarch of the Moorish dynasty." + +"My son, my son! art thou convinced at last?" cried the queen, +struggling with her tears; for she was one who wept easily at heroic +sentiments, but never at the softer sorrows, or from the more womanly +emotions. + +Boabdil lifted his head with a vain and momentary attempt at pride; +his eye glanced from his mother to his friend, and his better feelings +gushed upon him with irresistible force; he threw himself into Muza's +arms. + +"Forgive me," he said, in broken accents, "forgive me! How could I have +wronged thee thus? Yes," he continued, as he started from the noble +breast on which for a moment he indulged no ungenerous weakness,--"yes, +prince, your example shames, but it fires me. Granada henceforth shall +have two chieftains; and if I be jealous of thee, it shall be from an +emulation thou canst not blame. Guards, retire. Mesnour! ho, Mesnour! +Proclaim at daybreak that I myself will review the troops in the +Vivarrambla. Yet"--and, as he spoke his voice faltered, and his brow +became overcast, "yet stay, seek me thyself at daybreak, and I will give +thee my commands." + +"Oh, my son! why hesitate?" cried the queen, "why waver? Prosecute thine +own kingly designs, and--" + +"Hush, madam," said Boabdil, regaining his customary cold composure; +"and since you are now satisfied with your son, leave me alone with +Muza." + +The queen sighed heavily; but there was something in the calm of Boabdil +which chilled and awed her more than his bursts of passion. She drew her +veil around her, and passed slowly and reluctantly from the chamber. + +"Muza," said Boabdil, when alone with the prince, and fixing his large +and thoughtful eyes upon the dark orbs of his companion,--"when, in +our younger days, we conversed together, do you remember how often that +converse turned upon those solemn and mysterious themes to which the +sages of our ancestral land directed their deepest lore; the enigmas +of the stars--the science of fate--the wild searches into the +clouded future, which hides the destines of nations and of men? Thou +rememberest, Muza, that to such studies mine own vicissitudes and +sorrows, even in childhood--the strange fortunes which gave me in my +cradle the epithet of El Zogoybi--the ominous predictions of santons +and astrologers as to the trials of my earthly fate,--all contributed to +incline my soul. Thou didst not despise those earnest musings, nor our +ancestral lore, though, unlike me, ever more inclined to action than +to contemplation, that which thou mightest believe had little influence +upon what thou didst design. With me it hath been otherwise; every event +of life hath conspired to feed my early prepossessions; and, in this +awful crisis of my fate, I have placed myself and my throne rather under +the guardianship of spirits than of men. This alone has reconciled me to +inaction--to the torpor of the Alhambra--to the mutinies of my people. +I have smiled, when foes surround and friends deserted me, secure of +the aid at last--if I bided but the fortunate hour--of the charms of +protecting spirits, and the swords of the invisible creation. Thou +wonderest what this should lead to. Listen! Two nights since (and the +king shuddered) I was with the dead! My father appeared before me--not +as I knew him in life--gaunt and terrible, full of the vigour of health, +and the strength of kingly empire, and of fierce passion--but wan, calm, +shadowy. From lips on which Azrael had set his livid seal, he bade me +beware of thee!" + +The king ceased suddenly; and sought to read on the face of Muza the +effect his words produced. But the proud and swarthy features of the +Moor evinced no pang of conscience; a slight smile of pity might have +crossed his lip for a moment, but it vanished ere the king could detect +it. Boabdil continued: + +"Under the influence of this warning, I issued the order for thy arrest. +Let this pass--I resume my tale. I attempted to throw myself at the +spectre's feet--it glided from me, motionless and impalpable. I asked +the Dead One if he forgave his unhappy son the sin of rebellion alas! +too well requited even upon earth. And the voice again came forth, and +bade me keep the crown that I had gained, as the sole atonement for the +past. Then again I asked, whether the hour for action had arrived! and +the spectre, while it faded gradually into air, answered, 'No!' 'Oh!' +I exclaimed, 'ere thou leavest me, be one sign accorded me, that I have +not dreamt this vision; and give me, I pray thee, note and warning, +when the evil star of Boabdil shall withhold its influence, and he may +strike, without resistance from the Powers above, for his glory and his +throne.' 'The sign and the warning are bequeathed thee,' answered the +ghostly image. It vanished,--thick darkness fell around; and, when once +more the light of the lamps we bore became visible, behold there stood +before me a skeleton, in the regal robe of the kings of Granada, and +on its grisly head was the imperial diadem. With one hand raised, it +pointed to the opposite wall, wherein burned, like an orb of gloomy +fire, a broad dial-plate, on which were graven these words, BEWARE--FEAR +NOT--ARM! The finger of the dial moved rapidly round, and rested at the +word beware. From that hour to the one in which I last beheld it, it +hath not moved. Muza, the tale is done; wilt thou visit with me this +enchanted chamber, and see if the hour be come?" + +"Commander of the faithful," said Muza, "the story is dread and awful. +But pardon thy friend--wert thou alone, or was the santon Almamen thy +companion?" + +"Why the question?" said Boabdil, evasively, and slightly colouring. + +"I fear his truth," answered Muza; "the Christian king conquers more +foes by craft than force; and his spies are more deadly than his +warriors. Wherefore this caution against me, but (pardon me) for thine +own undoing? Were I a traitor, could Ferdinand himself have endangered +thy crown so imminently as the revenge of the leader of thine own +armies? Why, too, this desire to keep thee inactive? For the brave every +hour hath its chances; but, for us, every hour increases our peril. If +we seize not the present time,--our supplies are cut off,--and famine is +a foe all our valour cannot resist. This dervise--who is he? a stranger, +not of our race and blood. But this morning I found him without the +walls, not far from the Spaniard's camp." + +"Ha!" cried the king, quickly, "and what said he?" + +"Little, but in hints; sheltering himself, by loose hints, under thy +name." + +"He! what dared he own?--Muza, what were those hints?" + +The Moor here recounted the interview with Almamen, his detention, his +inactivity in the battle, and his subsequent capture by the Spaniards. +The king listened attentively, and regained his composure. + +"It is a strange and awful man," said he after a pause. "Guards and +chains will not detain him. Ere long he will return. But thou, at least, +Muza, are henceforth free, alike from the suspicion of the living +and the warnings of the dead. No, my friend," continued Boabdil, with +generous warmth, "it is better to lose a crown, to lose life itself, +than confidence in a heart like thine. Come, let us inspect this magic +tablet; perchance--and how my heart bounds as I utter the hope!--the +hour may have arrived." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. A FULLER VIEW OF THE CHARACTER OF BOABDIL.--MUZA IN THE GARDENS OF HIS +BELOVED. + +Muza Ben Abil Gazan returned from his visit to Boabdil with a thoughtful +and depressed spirit. His arguments had failed to induce the king to +disdain the command of the magic dial, which still forbade him to +arm against the invaders; and although the royal favour was no longer +withdrawn from himself, the Moor felt that such favour hung upon a +capricious and uncertain tenure so long as his sovereign was the slave +of superstition or imposture. But that noble warrior, whose character +the adversity of his country had singularly exalted and refined, even +while increasing its natural fierceness, thought little of himself in +comparison with the evils and misfortunes which the king's continued +irresolution must bring upon Granada. + +"So brave, and yet so weak," thought he; "so weak, and yet so obstinate; +so wise a reasoner, yet so credulous a dupe! Unhappy Boabdil! the stars, +indeed, seem to fight against thee, and their influences at thy birth +marred all thy gifts and virtues with counteracting infirmity and +error." + +Muza,--more perhaps than any subject in Granada,--did justice to the +real character of the king; but even he was unable to penetrate all its +complicated and latent mysteries. Boabdil el Chico was no ordinary man; +his affections were warm and generous, his nature calm and gentle; and, +though early power, and the painful experience of a mutinous people and +ungrateful court, had imparted to that nature an irascibility of temper +and a quickness of suspicion foreign to its earlier soil, he was easily +led back to generosity and justice; and, if warm in resentment, was +magnanimous in forgiveness. Deeply accomplished in all the learning +of his race and time, he was--in books, at least--a philosopher; and, +indeed, his attachment to the abstruser studies was one of the main +causes which unfitted him for his present station. But it was the +circumstances attendant on his birth and childhood that had perverted +his keen and graceful intellect to morbid indulgence in mystic +reveries, and all the doubt, fear, and irresolution of a man who pushes +metaphysics into the supernatural world. Dark prophecies accumulated +omens over his head; men united in considering him born to disastrous +destinies. Whenever he had sought to wrestle against hostile +circumstances, some seemingly accidental cause, sudden and unforeseen, +had blasted the labours of his most vigorous energy,--the fruit of his +most deliberate wisdom. Thus, by degrees a gloomy and despairing cloud +settled over his mind; but, secretly sceptical of the Mohammedan creed, +and too proud and sanguine to resign himself wholly and passively to the +doctrine of inevitable predestination, he sought to contend against +the machinations of hostile demons and boding stars, not by human but +spiritual agencies. Collecting around him the seers and magicians +of orient-fanaticism, he lived in the visions of another world; and, +flattered by the promises of impostors or dreamers, and deceived by his +own subtle and brooding tendencies of mind, it was amongst spells and +cabala that he thought to draw forth the mighty secret which was to free +him from the meshes of the preternatural enemies of his fortune, and +leave him the freedom of other men to wrestle, with equal chances, +against peril and adversities. It was thus, that Almamen had won the +mastery over his mind; and, though upon matters of common and earthly +import, or solid learning, Boabdil could contend with sages, upon those +of superstition he could be fooled by a child. He was, in this, a kind +of Hamlet: formed, under prosperous and serene fortunes, to render +blessings and reap renown; but over whom the chilling shadow of another +world had fallen--whose soul curdled back into itself--whose life had +been separated from that of the herd--whom doubts and awe drew back, +while circumstances impelled onward--whom a supernatural doom invested +with a peculiar philosophy, not of human effect and cause--and who, with +every gift that could ennoble and adorn, was suddenly palsied into that +mortal imbecility, which is almost ever the result of mortal visitings +into the haunted regions of the Ghostly and Unknown. The gloomier +colourings of his mind had been deepened, too, by secret remorse. For +the preservation of his own life, constantly threatened by his unnatural +predecessor, he had been early driven into rebellion against his father. +In age, infirmity, and blindness, that fierce king had been made a +prisoner at Salobrena by his brother, El Zagal, Boabdil's partner in +rebellion; and dying suddenly, El Zagal was suspected of his murder. +Though Boabdil was innocent of such a crime, he felt himself guilty +of the causes which led to it; and a dark memory, resting upon his +conscience, served to augment his superstition and enervate the vigour +of his resolves; for, of all things that make men dreamers, none is so +effectual as remorse operating upon a thoughtful temperament. + +Revolving the character of his sovereign, and sadly foreboding the ruin +of his country, the young hero of Granada pursued his way, until his +steps, almost unconsciously, led him towards the abode of Leila. He +scaled the walls of the garden as before--he neared the house. All +was silent and deserted; his signal was unanswered--his murmured song +brought no grateful light to the lattice, no fairy footstep to the +balcony. Dejected, and sad of heart, he retired from the spot; and, +returning home, sought a couch, to which even all the fatigue and +excitement he had undergone, could not win the forgetfulness of slumber. +The mystery that wrapt the maiden of his homage, the rareness of their +interviews, and the wild and poetical romance that made a very principle +of the chivalry of the Spanish Moors, had imparted to Muza's love for +Leila a passionate depth, which, at this day, and in more enervated +climes, is unknown to the Mohammedan lover. His keenest inquiries had +been unable to pierce the secret of her birth and station. Little of the +inmates of that guarded and lonely house was known in the neighbourhood; +the only one ever seen without its walls was an old man of the Jewish +faith, supposed to be a superintendent of the foreign slaves (for no +Mohammedan slave would have been subjected to the insult of submission +to a Jew); and though there were rumours of the vast wealth and gorgeous +luxury within the mansion, it was supposed the abode of some Moorish +emir absent from the city--and the interest of the gossips was at this +time absorbed in more weighty matters than the affairs of a neighbour. +But when, the next eve, and the next, Muza returned to the spot equally +in vain, his impatience and alarm could no longer be restrained; he +resolved to lie in watch by the portals of the house night and day, +until, at least, he could discover some one of the inmates, whom he +could question of his love, and perhaps bribe to his service. As with +this resolution he was hovering round the mansion, he beheld, stealing +from a small door in one of the low wings of the house, a bended and +decrepit form: it supported its steps upon a staff; and, as now entering +the garden, it stooped by the side of a fountain to cull flowers and +herbs by the light of the moon, the Moor almost started to behold a +countenance which resembled that of some ghoul or vampire haunting the +places of the dead. He smiled at his own fear; and, with a quick and +stealthy pace, hastened through the trees, and, gaining the spot where +the old man bent, placed his hand on his shoulder ere his presence was +perceived. + +Ximen--for it was he--looked round eagerly, and a faint cry of terror +broke from his lips. + +"Hush!" said the Moor; "fear me not, I am a friend. Thou art old, +man--gold is ever welcome to the aged." As he spoke, he dropped several +broad pieces into the breast of the Jew, whose ghastly features gave +forth a yet more ghastly smile, as he received the gift, and mumbled +forth, + +"Charitable young man! generous, benevolent, excellent young man!" + +"Now then," said Muza, "tell me--you belong to this house--Leila, the +maiden within--tell me of her--is she well?" + +"I trust so," returned the Jew; "I trust so, noble master." + +"Trust so! know you not of her state?" + +"Not I; for many nights I have not seen her, excellent sir," answered +Ximen; "she hath left Granada, she hath gone. You waste your time +and mar your precious health amidst these nightly dews: they are +unwholesome, very unwholesome at the time of the new moon." + +"Gone!" echoed the Moor; "left Granada!--woe is me!--and +whither?--there, there, more gold for you,--old man, tell me whither?" + +"Alas! I know not, most magnanimous young man; I am but a servant--I +know nothing." + +"When will she return?" + +"I cannot tell thee." + +"Who is thy master? who owns yon mansion?" + +Ximen's countenance fell; he looked round in doubt and fear, and then, +after a short pause, answered,--"A wealthy man, good sir--a Moor of +Africa; but he hath also gone; he but seldom visits us; Granada is not +so peaceful a residence as it was,--I would go too, if I could." + +Muza released his hold of Ximen, who gazed at the Moor's working +countenance with a malignant smile--for Ximen hated all men. + +"Thou hast done with me, young warrior? Pleasant dreams to thee under +the new moon--thou hadst best retire to thy bed. Farewell! bless thy +charity to the poor old man!" + +Muza heard him not; he remained motionless for some moments; and then +with a heavy sigh as that of one who has gained the mastery of himself +after a bitter struggle, the said half aloud, "Allah be with thee, +Leila! Granada now is my only mistress." + + + + +CHAPTER V. BOABDIL'S RECONCILIATION WITH HIS PEOPLE. + +Several days had elapsed without any encounter between Moor and +Christian; for Ferdinand's cold and sober policy, warned by the loss he +had sustained in the ambush of Muza, was now bent on preserving rigorous +restraint upon the fiery spirits he commanded. He forbade all parties of +skirmish, in which the Moors, indeed, had usually gained the advantage, +and contented himself with occupying all the passes through which +provisions could arrive at the besieged city. He commenced strong +fortifications around his camp; and, forbidding assault on the Moors, +defied it against himself. + +Meanwhile, Almamen had not returned to Granada. No tidings of his fate +reached the king; and his prolonged disappearance began to produce +visible and salutary effect upon the long-dormant energies of Boabdil. +The counsels of Muza, the exhortations of the queen-mother, the +enthusiasm of his mistress, Amine, uncounteracted by the arts of the +magician, aroused the torpid lion of his nature. But still his army and +his subjects murmured against him; and his appearance in the Vivarrambla +might possibly be the signal of revolt. It was at this time that a +most fortunate circumstance at once restored to him the confidence and +affections of his people. His stern uncle, El Zagal--once a rival for +his crown, and whose daring valour, mature age, and military sagacity +had won him a powerful party within the city--had been, some months +since, conquered by Ferdinand; and, in yielding the possessions he held, +had been rewarded with a barren and dependent principality. His defeat, +far from benefiting Boabdil, had exasperated the Moors against their +king. "For," said they, almost with one voice, "the brave El Zagal never +would have succumbed had Boabdil properly supported his arms." And +it was the popular discontent and rage at El Zagal's defeat which had +indeed served Boabdil with a reasonable excuse for shutting himself +in the strong fortress of the Alhambra. It now happened that El Zagal, +whose dominant passion was hatred of his nephew, and whose fierce nature +chafed at its present cage, resolved in his old age to blast all his +former fame by a signal treason to his country. Forgetting everything +but revenge against his nephew, who he was resolved should share his own +ruin, he armed his subjects, crossed the country, and appeared at the +head of a gallant troop in the Spanish camp, an ally with Ferdinand +against Granada. When this was heard by the Moors, it is impossible +to conceive their indignant wrath: the crime of El Zagal produced an +instantaneous reaction in favour of Boabdil; the crowd surrounded the +Alhambra and with prayers and tears entreated the forgiveness of +the king. This event completed the conquest of Boabdil over his own +irresolution. He ordained an assembly of the whole army in the broad +space of the Vivarrambla: and when at break of day he appeared in full +armour in the square, with Muza at his right hand, himself in the flower +of youthful beauty, and proud to feel once more a hero and a king, the +joy of the people knew no limit; the air was rent with cries of "Long +live Boabdil el Chico!" and the young monarch, turning to Muza, with +his soul upon his brow exclaimed, "The hour has come--I am no longer El +Zogoybi!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. LEILA.--HER NEW LOVER.--PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST INQUISITOR OF SPAIN.--THE +CHALICE RETURNED TO THE LIPS OF ALMAMEN. + +While thus the state of events within Granada, the course of our story +transports us back to the Christian camp. It was in one of a long line +of tents that skirted the pavilion of Isabel, and was appropriated to +the ladies attendant on the royal presence, that a young female sat +alone. The dusk of evening already gathered around, and only the +outline of her form and features was visible. But even that, imperfectly +seen,--the dejected attitude of the form, the drooping head, the hands +clasped upon the knees,--might have sufficed to denote the melancholy +nature of the reverie which the maid indulged. + +"Ah," thought she, "to what danger am I exposed! If my father, if +my lover dreamed of the persecution to which their poor Leila is +abandoned!" + +A few tears, large and bitter, broke from her eyes, and stole unheeded +down her cheek. At that moment, the deep and musical chime of a bell was +heard summoning the chiefs of the army to prayer; for Ferdinand invested +all his worldly schemes with a religious covering, and to his politic +war he sought to give the imposing character of a sacred crusade. + +"That sound," thought she, sinking on her knees, "summons the Nazarenes +to the presence of their God. It reminds me, a captive by the waters of +Babylon, that God is ever with the friendless. Oh! succour and defend +me, Thou who didst look of old upon Ruth standing amidst the corn, and +didst watch over Thy chosen people in the hungry wilderness, and in the +stranger's land." + +Wrapt in her mute and passionate devotions, Leila remained long in +her touching posture. The bell had ceased; all without was hushed and +still--when the drapery, stretched across the opening of the tent, was +lifted, and a young Spaniard, cloaked, from head to foot, in a long +mantle, stood within the space. He gazed in silence, upon the kneeling +maiden; nor was it until she rose that he made his presence audible. + +"Ah, fairest!" said he, then, as he attempted to take her hand, "thou +wilt not answer my letters--see me, then, at thy feet. It is thou who +teachest me to kneel." + +"You, prince." said Leila, agitated, and in great and evident fear. "Why +harass and insult me thus? Am I not sacred as a hostage and a charge? +and are name, honour, peace, and all that woman is taught to hold most +dear, to be thus robbed from me under the pretext of a love dishonouring +to thee and an insult to myself?" + +"Sweet one," answered Don Juan, with a slight laugh, "thou hast learned, +within yonder walls, a creed of morals little known to Moorish maidens, +if fame belies them not. Suffer me to teach thee easier morality and +sounder logic. It is no dishonour to a Christian prince to adore beauty +like thine; it is no insult to a maiden hostage if the Infant of Spain +proffer her the homage of his heart. But we waste time. Spies, and +envious tongues, and vigilant eyes, are around us; and it is not often +that I can baffle them as I have done now. Fairest, hear me!" and this +time he succeeded in seizing the hand which vainly struggled against +his clasp. "Nay, why so coy? what can female heart desire that my love +cannot shower upon thine? Speak but the word, enchanting maiden, and I +will bear thee from these scenes unseemly to thy gentle eyes. Amidst +the pavilions of princes shalt thou repose; and, amidst gardens of the +orange and the rose, shalt thou listen to the vows of thine adorer. +Surely, in these arms thou wilt not pine for a barbarous home and a +fated city. And if thy pride, sweet maiden, deafen thee to the voice of +nature, learn that the haughtiest dames of Spain would bend, in envious +court, to the beloved of their future king. This night--listen to me--I +say, listen--this night I will bear thee hence! Be but mine, and no +matter, whether heretic or infidel, or whatever the priests style thee, +neither Church nor king shall tear thee from the bosom of thy lover." + +"It is well spoken, son of the most Christian monarch!" said a deep +voice; and the Dominican, Tomas de Torquemada, stood before the prince. + +Juan, as if struck by a thunderbolt, released his hold, and, staggering +back a few paces, seemed to cower, abashed and humbled, before the eye +of the priest, as it glared upon him through the gathering darkness. + +"Prince," said the friar, after a pause, "not to thee will our holy +Church attribute this crime; thy pious heart hath been betrayed by +sorcery. Retire!" + +"Father," said the prince,--in a tone into which, despite his awe of +that terrible man, THE FIRST GRAND INQUISITOR OF SPAIN, his libertine +spirit involuntarily forced itself, in a half latent raillery,--"sorcery +of eyes like those bewitched the wise son of a more pious sire than even +Ferdinand of Arragon." + +"He blasphemes!" muttered the monk. "Prince, beware! you know not what +you do." + +The prince lingered, and then, as if aware that he must yield, gathered +his cloak round him, and left the tent without reply. + +Pale and trembling,--with fears no less felt, perhaps, though more vague +and perplexed, than those from which she had just been delivered,--Leila +stood before the monk. + +"Be seated, daughter of the faithless," said Torquemada, "we would +converse with thee: and, as thou valuest--I say not thy soul, for, alas! +of that precious treasure thou art not conscious--but mark me, woman! as +thou prizest the safety of those delicate limbs, and that wanton beauty, +answer truly what I shall ask thee. The man who brought thee hither--is +he, in truth, thy father?" + +"Alas!" answered Leila, almost fainting with terror at this rude and +menacing address, "he is, in truth, mine only parent." + +"And his faith--his religion?" + +"I have never beheld him pray." + +"Hem! he never prays--a noticeable fact. But of what sect, what creed, +does he profess himself?" + +"I cannot answer thee." + +"Nay, there be means that may wring from thee an answer. Maiden, be +not so stubborn; speak! thinkest thou he serves the temple of the +Mohammedan?" + +"No! oh, no!" answered poor Leila, eagerly, deeming that her reply, in +this, at least, would be acceptable. "He disowns, he scorns, he abhors, +the Moorish faith,--even," she added, "with too fierce a zeal." + +"Thou dost not share that zeal, then? Well, worships he in secret after +the Christian rites?" + +Leila hung her head and answered not. + +"I understand thy silence. And in what belief, maiden, wert thou reared +beneath his roof?" + +"I know not what it is called among men," answered Leila, with firmness, +"but it is the faith of the ONE GOD, who protects His chosen, and shall +avenge their wrongs--the God who made earth and heaven; and who, in an +idolatrous and benighted world, transmitted the knowledge of Himself +and His holy laws, from age to age, through the channel of one solitary +people, in the plains of Palestine, and by the waters of the Hebron." + +"And in that faith thou wert trained, maiden, by thy father?" said the +Dominican, calmly. "I am satisfied. Rest here, in peace: we may meet +again, soon." + +The last words were spoken with a soft and tranquil smile--a smile in +which glazing eyes and agonising hearts had often beheld the ghastly +omen of the torture and the stake. + +On quitting the unfortunate Leila, the monk took his way towards the +neighbouring tent of Ferdinand. But, ere he reached it, a new thought +seemed to strike the holy man; he altered the direction of his steps, +and gained one of those little shrines common in Catholic countries, and +which had been hastily built of wood, in the centre of a small copse, +and by the side of a brawling rivulet, towards the back of the king's +pavilion. But one solitary sentry, at the entrance of the copse, guarded +the consecrated place; and its exceeding loneliness and quiet were a +grateful contrast to the animated world of the surrounding camp. The +monk entered the shrine, and fell down on his knees before an image of +the Virgin, rudely sculptured, indeed, but richly decorated. + +"Ah, Holy Mother!" groaned this singular man, "support me in the trial +to which I am appointed. Thou knowest that the glory of thy blessed Son +is the sole object for which I live, and move, and have my being; but at +times, alas! the spirit is infected with the weakness of the flesh. Ora +pro nobis, O Mother of mercy! Verily, oftentimes my heart sinks within +me when it is mine to vindicate the honour of thy holy cause against the +young and the tender, the aged and the decrepit. But what are beauty +and youth, grey hairs and trembling knees, in the eye of the Creator? +Miserable worms are we all; nor is there anything acceptable in the +Divine sight but the hearts of the faithful. Youth without faith, age +without belief, purity without grace, virtue without holiness, are only +more hideous by their seeming beauty--whited sepulchres, glittering +rottenness. I know this--I know it; but the human man is strong within +me. Strengthen me, that I pluck it out; so that, by diligent and +constant struggle with the feeble Adam, thy servant may be reduced into +a mere machine, to punish the godless and advance the Church." + +Here sobs and tears choked the speech of the Dominican; he grovelled in +the dust, he tore his hair, he howled aloud: the agony was fierce +upon him. At length, he drew from his robe a whip, composed of several +thongs, studded with small and sharp nails; and, stripping his gown, +and the shirt of hair worn underneath, over his shoulders, applied the +scourge to the naked flesh with a fury that soon covered the green sward +with the thick and clotted blood. The exhaustion which followed this +terrible penance seemed to restore the senses of the stern fanatic. A +smile broke over the features, that bodily pain only released from the +anguished expression of mental and visionary struggles; and, when he +rose, and drew the hair-cloth shirt over the lacerated and quivering +flesh, he said--"Now hast thou deigned to comfort and visit me, O +pitying Mother; and, even as by these austerities against this miserable +body, is the spirit relieved and soothed, so dost thou typify and +betoken that men's bodies are not to be spared by those who seek to save +souls and bring the nations of the earth into thy fold." + +With that thought the countenance of Torquemada reassumed its wonted +rigid and passionless composure; and, replacing the scourge, yet clotted +with blood, in his bosom, he pursued his way to the royal tent. + +He found Ferdinand poring over the accounts of the vast expenses of his +military preparations, which he had just received from his treasurer; +and the brow of the thrifty, though ostentatious monarch, was greatly +overcast by the examination. + +"By the Bulls of Guisando!" said the king, gravely, "I purchase the +salvation of my army in this holy war at a marvellous heavy price; and +if the infidels hold out much longer, we shalt have to pawn our very +patrimony of Arragon." + +"Son," answered the Dominican, "to purposes like thine fear not that +Providence itself will supply the worldly means. But why doubtest thou? +are not the means within thy reach? It is just that thou alone shouldst +not support the wars by which Christendom is glorified. Are there not +others?" + +"I know what thou wouldst say, father," interrupted the king, +quickly--"thou wouldst observe that my brother monarchs should assist me +with arms and treasure. Most just. But they are avaricious and envious, +Tomas; and Mammon hath corrupted them." + +"Nay, not to kings pointed my thought." + +"Well, then," resumed the king, impatiently, "thou wouldst imply that +mine own knights and nobles should yield up their coffers, and mortgage +their possessions. And so they ought; but they murmur already at what +they have yielded to our necessities." + +"And in truth," rejoined the friar, "these noble warriors should not +be shorn of a splendour that well becomes the valiant champions of the +Church. Nay, listen to me, son, and I may suggest a means whereby, not +the friends, but enemies, of the Catholic faith shall contribute to the +down fall of the Paynim. In thy dominions, especially those newly won, +throughout Andalusia, in the kingdom of Cordova, are men of enormous +wealth; the very caverns of the earth are sown with the impious treasure +they have plundered from Christian hands, and consume in the furtherance +of their iniquity. Sire, I speak of the race that crucified the Lord." + +"The Jews--ay, but the excuse--" + +"Is before thee. This traitor, with whom thou boldest intercourse, who +vowed to thee to render up Granada, and who was found the very next +morning, fighting with the Moors, with the blood of a Spanish martyr red +upon his hands, did he not confess that his fathers were of that hateful +race? did he not bargain with thee to elevate his brethren to the rank +of Christians? and has he not left with thee, upon false pretences, a +harlot of his faith, who, by sorcery and the help of the Evil One, hath +seduced into frantic passion the heart of the heir of the most Christian +king?" + +"Ha! thus does that libertine boy ever scandalise us!" said the king, +bitterly. + +"Well," pursued the Dominican, not heeding the interruption, "have you +not here excuse enough to wring from the whole race the purchase of +their existence? Note the glaring proof of this conspiracy of hell. The +outcasts of the earth employed this crafty agent to contract with +thee for power; and, to consummate their guilty designs, the arts that +seduced Solomon are employed against thy son. The beauty of the strange +woman captivates his senses; so that, through the future sovereign +of Spain the counsels of Jewish craft may establish the domination +of Jewish ambition. How knowest thou," he added as he observed that +Ferdinand listened to him with earnest attention--"how knowest thou but +what the next step might have been thy secret assassination, so that the +victim of witchcraft, the minion of the Jewess, might reign in the stead +of the mighty and unconquerable Ferdinand?" + +"Go on, father," said the king, thoughtfully; "I see, at least, enough +to justify an impost upon these servitors of Mammon." + +"But, though common sense suggests to us," continued Torquemada, "that +this disguised Israelite could not have acted on so vast a design +without the instigation of his brethren, not only in Granada, but +throughout all Andalusia,--would it not be right to obtain from him his +confession, and that of the maiden, within the camp, so that we may have +broad and undeniable evidence, whereon to act, and to still all cavil, +that may come not only from the godless, but even from the too tender +scruples of the righteous? Even the queen--whom the saints ever +guard!--hath ever too soft a heart for these infidels; and--" + +"Right!" cried the king, again breaking upon Torquemada; "Isabel, the +queen of Castile, must be satisfied of the justice of all our actions." + +"And, should it be proved that thy throne or life were endangered, and +that magic was exercised to entrap her royal son into a passion for a +Jewish maiden, which the Church holds a crime worthy of excommunication +itself, surely, instead of counteracting, she would assist our schemes." + +"Holy friend," said Ferdinand, with energy, "ever a comforter, both for +this world and the next, to thee, and to the new powers intrusted to +thee, we commit this charge; see to it at once; time presses--Granada is +obstinate--the treasury waxes low." + +"Son, thou hast said enough," replied the Dominican, closing his eyes, +and muttering a short thanksgiving. "Now then to my task." + +"Yet stay," said the king, with an altered visage; "follow me to my +oratory within: my heart is heavy, and I would fain seek the solace of +the confessional." + +The monk obeyed: and while Ferdinand, whose wonderful abilities were +mingled with the weakest superstition, who persecuted from policy, yet +believed, in his own heart, that he punished but from piety,--confessed +with penitent tears the grave offences of aves forgotten, and +beads untold; and while the Dominican admonished, rebuked, or +soothed,--neither prince nor monk ever dreamt that there was an error to +confess in, or a penance to be adjudged to, the cruelty that tortured a +fellow-being, or the avarice that sought pretences for the extortion of +a whole people. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE TRIBUNAL AND THE MIRACLE + +It was the dead of night--the army was hushed in sleep--when four +soldiers belonging to the Holy Brotherhood, bearing with them one whose +manacles proclaimed him a prisoner, passed in steady silence to a huge +tent in the neighbourhood of the royal pavilion. A deep dyke, formidable +barricadoes, and sentries stationed at frequent intervals, testified the +estimation in which the safety of this segment of the camp was held. The +tent to which the soldiers approached was, in extent, larger than even +the king's pavilion itself--a mansion of canvas, surrounded by a wide +wall of massive stones; and from its summit gloomed, in the clear and +shining starlight, a small black pennant, on which was wrought a white +broad-pointed cross. The soldiers halted at the gate in the wall, +resigned their charge, with a whispered watchword, to two gaunt +sentries; and then (relieving the sentries who proceeded on with the +prisoner) remained, mute and motionless, at the post: for stern silence +and Spartan discipline were the attributes of the brotherhood of St. +Hermandad. + +The prisoner, as he now neared the tent, halted a moment, looked round +steadily, as if to fix the spot in his remembrance, and then, with an +impatient though stately gesture, followed his guards. He passed two +divisions of the tent, dimly lighted, and apparently deserted. A +man, clad in long black robes, with a white cross on his breast, now +appeared; there was an interchange of signals in dumb-show-and in +another moment Almamen, the Hebrew, stood within a large chamber (if so +that division of the tent might be called) hung with black serge. At the +upper part of the space was an estrado, or platform, on which, by a long +table, sat three men; while at the head of the board was seen the calm +and rigid countenance of Tomas de Torquemada. The threshold of the tent +was guarded by two men, in garments similar in hue and fashion to +those of the figure who had ushered Almamen into the presence of the +inquisitor, each bearing a long lance, and with a long two-edged sword +by his side. This made all the inhabitants of that melancholy and +ominous apartment. + +The Israelite looked round with a pale brow, but a flashing and scornful +eye; and, when he met the gaze of the Dominican, it almost seemed as if +those two men, each so raised above his fellows, by the sternness of his +nature and the energy of his passions, sought by a look alone to assert +his own supremacy and crush his foe. Yet, in truth, neither did justice +to the other; and the indignant disdain of Almamen was retorted by the +cold and icy contempt of the Dominican. + +"Prisoner," said Torquemada (the first to withdraw his gaze), "a less +haughty and stubborn demeanour might have better suited thy condition: +but no matter; our Church is meek and humble. We have sent for thee in a +charitable and paternal hope; for although, as spy and traitor, thy +life is already forfeited, yet would we fain redeem and spare it to +repentance. That hope mayst thou not forego, for the nature of all of us +is weak and clings to life--that straw of the drowning seaman." + +"Priest, if such thou art," replied the Hebrew, "I have already, when +first brought to this camp, explained the causes of my detention amongst +the troops of the Moor. It was my zeal for the king of Spain that +brought me into that peril. Escaping from that peril, incurred in his +behalf, is the king of Spain to be my accuser and my judge? If, +however, my life now be sought as the grateful return for the proffer +of inestimable service, I stand here to yield it. Do thy worst; and tell +thy master, that he loses more by my death than he can win by the lives +of thirty thousand warriors." + +"Cease this idle babble," said the monk-inquisitor, contemptuously, +"nor think thou couldst ever deceive, with thy empty words, the mighty +intellect of Ferdinand of Spain. Thou hast now to defend thyself against +still graver charges than those of treachery to the king whom thou didst +profess to serve. Yea, misbeliever as thou art, it is thine to vindicate +thyself from blasphemy against the God thou shouldst adore. Confess the +truth: thou art of the tribe and faith of Israel?" + +The Hebrew frowned darkly. "Man," said he, solemnly, "is a judge of the +deeds of men, but not of their opinions. I will not answer thee." + +"Pause! We have means at hand that the strongest nerves and the stoutest +hearts have failed to encounter. Pause--confess!" + +"Thy threat awes me not," said the Hebrew; "but I am human; and since +thou wouldst know the truth, thou mayst learn it without the torture. I +am of the same race as the apostles of thy Church--I am a Jew." + +"He confesses--write down the words. Prisoner, thou hast done wisely; +and we pray the Lord that, acting thus, thou mayst escape both the +torture and the death. And in that faith thy daughter was reared? +Answer." + +"My daughter! there is no charge against her! By the God of Sinai and +Horeb, you dare not touch a hair of that innocent head!" + +"Answer," repeated the inquisitor, coldly. + +"I do answer. She was brought up no renegade to her father's faith." + +"Write down the confession. Prisoner," resumed the Dominican, after a +pause, "but few more questions remain; answer them truly, and thy life +is saved. In thy conspiracy to raise thy brotherhood of Andalusia to +power and influence--or, as thou didst craftily term it, to equal laws +with the followers of our blessed Lord; in thy conspiracy (by what dark +arts I seek not now to know _protege nos, beate Domine_!) to entangle +in wanton affections to thy daughter the heart of the Infant of +Spain-silence, I say--be still! in this conspiracy, thou wert aided, +abetted, or instigated by certain Jews of Andalusia--" + +"Hold, priest!" cried Almamen, impetuously, "thou didst name my child. +Do I hear aright? Placed under the sacred charge of a king, and a belted +knight, has she--oh! answer me, I implore thee--been insulted by the +licentious addresses of one of that king's own lineage? Answer! I am a +Jew--but I am a father and a man." + +"This pretended passion deceives us not," said the Dominican, who, +himself cut off from the ties of life, knew nothing of their power. +"Reply to the question put to thee: name thy accomplices." + +"I have told thee all. Thou hast refused to answer one. I scorn and defy +thee: my lips are closed." + +The Grand Inquisitor glanced to his brethren, and raised his hand. +His assistants whispered each other; one of them rose, and disappeared +behind the canvas at the back of the tent. Presently the hangings +were withdrawn; and the prisoner beheld an interior chamber, hung with +various instruments the nature of which was betrayed by their very +shape; while by the rack, placed in the centre of that dreary chamber, +stood a tall and grisly figure, his arms bare, his eyes bent, as by an +instinct, on the prisoner. + +Almamen gazed at these dread preparations with an unflinching aspect. +The guards at the entrance of the tent approached: they struck off the +fetters from his feet and hands; they led him towards the appointed +place of torture. + +Suddenly the Israelite paused. + +"Priest," said he, in a more humble accent than he had yet assumed, "the +tidings that thou didst communicate to me respecting the sole daughter +of my house and love bewildered and confused me for the moment. Suffer +me but for a single moment to recollect my senses, and I will answer +without compulsion all thou mayst ask. Permit thy questions to be +repeated." + +The Dominican, whose cruelty to others seemed to himself sanctioned by +his own insensibility to fear, and contempt for bodily pain, smiled with +bitter scorn at the apparent vacillation and weakness of the prisoner: +but, as he delighted not in torture merely for torture's sake, he +motioned to the guards to release the Israelite; and replied in a voice +unnaturally mild and kindly, considering the circumstances of the scene, + +"Prisoner, could we save thee from pain, even by the anguish of our own +flesh and sinews, Heaven is our judge that we would willingly undergo +the torture which, with grief and sorrow, we ordained to thee. +Pause--take breath--collect thyself. Three minutes shalt thou have +to consider what course to adopt ere we repeat the question. But then +beware how thou triflest with our indulgence." + +"It suffices--I thank thee," said the Hebrew, with a touch of gratitude +in his voice. As he spoke he bent his face within his bosom, which he +covered, as in profound meditation, with the folds of his long robe. +Scarcely half the brief time allowed him had expired, when he again +lifted his countenance and, as he did so, flung back his garment. +The Dominican uttered a loud cry; the guards started back in awe. A +wonderful change had come over the intended victim; he seemed to stand +amongst them literally--wrapt in fire; flames burst from his lip, and +played with his long locks, as, catching the glowing hue, they curled +over his shoulders like serpents of burning light: blood-red were his +breast and limbs, his haughty crest, and his outstretched arm; and +as for a single moment, he met the shuddering eyes of his judges, he +seemed, indeed, to verify all the superstitions of the time--no longer +the trembling captive but the mighty demon or the terrible magician. + +The Dominican was the first to recover his self-possession. "Seize the +enchanter!" he exclaimed; but no man stirred. Ere yet the exclamation +had died on his lip, Almamen took from his breast a phial, and dashed +it on the ground--it broke into a thousand shivers: a mist rose over the +apartment--it spread, thickened, darkened, as a sudden night; the lamps +could not pierce it. The luminous form of the Hebrew grew dull and dim, +until it vanished in the shade. On every eye blindness seemed to fall. +There was a dead silence, broken by a cry and a groan; and when, after +some minutes, the darkness gradually dispersed, Almamen was gone. One, +of the guards lay bathed in blood upon the ground; they raised him: he +had attempted to seize the prisoner, and had been stricken with a mortal +wound. He died as he faltered forth the explanation. In the confusion +and dismay of the scene none noticed, till long afterwards, that the +prisoner had paused long enough to strip the dying guard of his long +mantle; a proof that he feared his more secret arts might not suffice to +bear him safe through the camp, without the aid of worldly stratagem. + +"The fiend hath been amongst us!" said the Dominican, solemnly falling +on his knees,--"let us pray!" + + + + +BOOK III. + + + + +CHAPTER I. ISABEL AND THE JEWISH MAIDEN. + +While this scene took place before the tribunal of Torquemada, Leila had +been summoned from the indulgence of fears, which her gentle nature and +her luxurious nurturing had ill-fitted her to contend against, to the +presence of the queen. That gifted and high-spirited princess, whose +virtues were her own, whose faults were of her age, was not, it is true, +without the superstition and something of the intolerant spirit of her +royal spouse: but, even where her faith assented to persecution, her +heart ever inclined to mercy; and it was her voice alone that ever +counteracted the fiery zeal of Torquemada, and mitigated the sufferings +of the unhappy ones who fell under the suspicion of heresy. She had, +happily, too, within her a strong sense of justice, as well as the +sentiment of compassion; and often, when she could not save the accused, +she prevented the consequences of his imputed crime falling upon the +innocent members of his house or tribe. + +In the interval between his conversation with Ferdinand and the +examination of Almamen, the Dominican had sought the queen; and had +placed before her, in glowing colours, not only the treason of Almamen, +but the consequences of the impious passion her son had conceived for +Leila. In that day, any connection between a Christian knight and a +Jewess was deemed a sin, scarce expiable; and Isabel conceived all that +horror of her son's offence which was natural in a pious mother and a +haughty queen. But, despite all the arguments of the friar, she +could not be prevailed upon to render up Leila to the tribunal of the +Inquisition; and that dread court, but newly established, did not dare, +without her consent, to seize upon one under the immediate protection of +the queen. + +"Fear not, father," said Isabel, with quiet firmness, "I will take upon +myself to examine the maiden; and, at least, I will see her removed from +all chance of tempting or being tempted by this graceless boy. But she +was placed under the charge of the king and myself as a hostage and a +trust; we accepted the charge, and our royal honor is pledged to the +safety of the maiden. Heaven forbid that I should deny the existence +of sorcery, assured as we are of its emanation from the Evil One; but +I fear, in this fancy of Juan's, that the maiden is more sinned against +than sinning: and yet my son is, doubtless, not aware of the unhappy +faith of the Jewess; the knowledge of which alone will suffice to cure +him of his error. You shake your head, father; but, I repeat, I will act +in this affair so as to merit the confidence I demand. Go, good Tomas. +We have not reigned so long without belief in our power to control and +deal with a simple maiden." + +The queen extended her hand to the monk, with a smile so sweet in its +dignity, that it softened even that rugged heart; and, with a reluctant +sigh, and a murmured prayer that her counsels might be guided for the +best, Torquemada left the royal presence. + +"The poor child!" thought Isabel, "those tender limbs, and that fragile +form, are ill fitted for yon monk's stern tutelage. She seems gentle: +and her face has in it all the yielding softness of our sex; doubtless +by mild means, she may be persuaded to abjure her wretched creed; and +the shade of some holy convent may hide her alike from the licentious +gaze of my son and the iron zeal of the Inquisitor. I will see her." + +When Leila entered the queen's pavilion, Isabel, who was alone, marked +her trembling step with a compassionate eye; and, as Leila, in obedience +to the queen's request, threw up her veil, the paleness of her cheek and +the traces of recent tears appealed to Isabel's heart with more success +than had attended all the pious invectives of Torquemada. + +"Maiden," said Isabel, encouragingly, "I fear thou hast been strangely +harassed by the thoughtless caprice of the young prince. Think of it no +more. But, if thou art what I have ventured to believe, and to assert +thee to be, cheerfully subscribe to the means I will suggest for +preventing the continuance of addresses which cannot but injure thy fair +name." + +"Ah, madam!" said Leila, as she fell on one knee beside the queen, +"most joyfully, most gratefully, will I accept any asylum which proffers +solitude and peace." + +"The asylum to which I would fain lead thy steps," answered Isabel, +gently, "is indeed one whose solitude is holy--whose peace is that of +heaven. But of this hereafter. Thou wilt not hesitate, then, to quit the +camp, unknown to the prince, and ere he can again seek thee?" + +"Hesitate, madam? Ah rather, how shall I express my thanks?" + +"I did not read that face misjudgingly," thought the queen, as she +resumed. "Be it so; we will not lose another night. Withdraw yonder, +through the inner tent; the litter shall be straight prepared for thee; +and ere midnight thou shalt sleep in safety under the roof of one of the +bravest knights and noblest ladies that our realm can boast. Thou shalt +bear with thee a letter that shall commend thee specially to the care of +thy hostess--thou wilt find her of a kindly and fostering nature. And, +oh, maiden!" added the queen, with benevolent warmth, "steel not thy +heart against her--listen with ductile senses to her gentle ministry; +and may God and His Son prosper that pious lady's counsel, so that it +may win a new strayling to the Immortal Fold!" + +Leila listened and wondered, but made no answer; until, as she gained +the entrance to the interior division of the tent, she stopped +abruptly, and said, "Pardon me, gracious queen, but dare I ask thee one +question?--it is not of myself." + +"Speak, and fear not." + +"My father--hath aught been heard of him? He promised, that ere the +fifth day were past, he would once more see his child; and, alas! that +date is past, and I am still alone in the dwelling of the stranger." + +"Unhappy child!" muttered Isabel to herself; "thou knowest not his +treason nor his fate--yet why shouldst thou? Ignorant of what would +render thee blest hereafter, continue ignorant of what would afflict +thee here. Be cheered, maiden," answered the queen, aloud. "No doubt, +there are reasons sufficient to forbid your meeting. But thou shalt not +lack friends in the dwelling-house of the stranger." + +"Ah, noble queen, pardon me, and one word more! There hath been with me, +more than once, a stern old man, whose voice freezes the blood within my +veins; he questions me of my father, and in the tone of a foe who would +entrap from the child something to the peril of the sire. That man--thou +knowest him, gracious queen--he cannot have the power to harm my +father?" + +"Peace, maiden! the man thou speakest of is the priest of God, and the +innocent have nothing to dread from his reverend zeal. For thyself, I +say again, be cheered; in the home to which I consign thee thou wilt see +him no more. Take comfort, poor child--weep not: all have their cares; +our duty is to bear in this life, reserving hope only for the next." + +The queen, destined herself to those domestic afflictions which pomp +cannot soothe, nor power allay, spoke with a prophetic sadness which +yet more touched a heart that her kindness of look and tone had already +softened; and, in the impulse of a nature never tutored in the rigid +ceremonials of that stately court, Leila suddenly came forward, and +falling on one knee, seized the hand of her protectress, and kissed it +warmly through her tears. + +"Are you, too, unhappy?" she said. "I will pray for you to _my_ God!" + +The queen, surprised and moved at an action which, had witnesses been +present, would only perhaps (for such is human nature) have offended +her Castilian prejudices, left her hand in Leila's grateful clasp; and +laying the other upon the parted and luxuriant ringlets of the kneeling +maiden, said, gently,--"And thy prayers shall avail thee and me when thy +God and mine are the same. Bless thee, maiden! I am a mother; thou art +motherless--bless thee!" + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE TEMPTATION OF THE JEWESS,--IN WHICH THE HISTORY PASSES FROM THE +OUTWARD TO THE INTERNAL. + +It was about the very hour, almost the very moment, in which Almamen +effected his mysterious escape from the tent of the Inquisition, that +the train accompanying the litter which bore Leila, and which was +composed of some chosen soldiers of Isabel's own body-guard, after +traversing the camp, winding along that part of the mountainous defile +which was in the possession of the Spaniards, and ascending a high and +steep acclivity, halted before the gates of a strongly fortified castle +renowned in the chronicles of that memorable war. The hoarse challenge +of the sentry, the grating of jealous bars, the clanks of hoofs upon +the rough pavement of the courts, and the streaming glare of +torches--falling upon stern and bearded visages, and imparting a ruddier +glow to the moonlit buttresses and battlements of the fortress--aroused +Leila from a kind of torpor rather than sleep, in which the fatigue and +excitement of the day had steeped her senses. An old seneschal conducted +her, through vast and gloomy halls (how unlike the brilliant chambers +and fantastic arcades of her Moorish home) to a huge Gothic apartment, +hung with the arras of Flemish looms. In a few moments, maidens, hastily +aroused from slumber, grouped around her with a respect which would +certainly not have been accorded had her birth and creed been known. +They gazed with surprise at her extraordinary beauty and foreign garb, +and evidently considered the new guest a welcome addition to the scanty +society of the castle. Under any other circumstances, the strangeness +of all she saw, and the frowning gloom of the chamber to which she was +consigned, would have damped the spirits of one whose destiny had so +suddenly passed from the deepest quiet into the sternest excitement. But +any change was a relief to the roar of the camp, the addresses of the +prince, and the ominous voice and countenance of Torquemada; and +Leila looked around her, with the feeling that the queen's promise was +fulfilled, and that she was already amidst the blessings of shelter and +repose. It was long, however, before sleep revisited her eyelids, and +when she woke the noonday sun streamed broadly through the lattice. +By the bedside sat a matron advanced in years, but of a mild and +prepossessing countenance, which only borrowed a yet more attractive +charm from an expression of placid and habitual melancholy. She was +robed in black; but the rich pearls that were interwoven in the sleeves +and stomacher, the jewelled cross that was appended from a chain +of massive gold, and, still more, a certain air of dignity and +command,--bespoke, even to the inexperienced eye of Leila, the evidence +of superior station. + +"Thou hast slept late, daughter," said the lady, with a benevolent +smile; "may thy slumbers have refreshed thee! Accept my regrets that I +knew not till this morning of thine arrival, or I should have been the +first to welcome the charge of my royal mistress." + +There was in the look, much more than in the words of the Donna Inez de +Quexada, a soothing and tender interest that was as balm to the heart of +Leila; in truth, she had been made the guest of, perhaps, the only lady +in Spain, of pure and Christian blood, who did not despise or execrate +the name of Leila's tribe. Donna Inez had herself contracted to a Jew a +debt of gratitude which she had sought to return to the whole race. Many +years before the time in which our tale is cast, her husband and herself +had been sojourning at Naples, then closely connected with the politics +of Spain, upon an important state mission. They had then an only son, +a youth of a wild and desultory character, whom the spirit of adventure +allured to the East. In one of those sultry lands the young Quexada +was saved from the hands of robbers by the caravanserai of a wealthy +traveller. With this stranger he contracted that intimacy which +wandering and romantic men often conceive for each other, without +any other sympathy than that of the same pursuits. Subsequently, he +discovered that his companion was of the Jewish faith; and, with the +usual prejudice of his birth and time, recoiled from the friendship +he had solicited, and shrank from the sense of the obligation he had +incurred he--quitted his companion. Wearied, at length, with travel, he +was journeying homeward, when he was seized with a sudden and virulent +fever, mistaken for plague: all fled from the contagion of the +supposed pestilence--he was left to die. One man discovered his +condition--watched, tended, and, skilled in the deeper secrets of the +healing art, restored him to life and health: it was the same Jew who +had preserved him from the robbers. At this second and more inestimable +obligation the prejudices of the Spaniard vanished: he formed a deep +and grateful attachment for his preserver; they lived together for some +time, and the Israelite finally accompanied the young Quexada to Naples. +Inez retained a lively sense of the service rendered to her only son, +and the impression had been increased not only by the appearance of +the Israelite, which, dignified and stately, bore no likeness to the +cringing servility of his brethren, but also by the singular beauty and +gentle deportment of his then newly-wed bride, whom he had wooed and won +in that holy land, sacred equally to the faith of Christian and of Jew. +The young Quexada did not long survive his return: his constitution +was broken by long travel, and the debility that followed his fierce +disease. On his deathbed he had besought the mother whom he left +childless, and whose Catholic prejudices were less stubborn than those +of his sire, never to forget the services a Jew had conferred upon him; +to make the sole recompense in her power--the sole recompense the Jew +himself had demanded--and to lose no occasion to soothe or mitigate the +miseries to which the bigotry of the time often exposed the oppressed +race of his deliverer. Donna Inez had faithfully kept the promise +she gave to the last scion of her house; and, through the power and +reputation of her husband and her own connections, and still more +through an early friendship with the queen, she had, on her return to +Spain, been enabled to ward off many a persecution, and many a charge +on false pretences, to which the wealth of some son of Israel made +the cause, while his faith made the pretext. Yet, with all the natural +feelings of a rigid Catholic, she had earnestly sought to render the +favor she had thus obtained amongst the Jews minister to her pious zeal +for their more than temporal welfare. She had endeavored, by gentle +means, to make the conversions which force was impotent to effect; and, +in some instances, her success had been signal. The good senora had thus +obtained high renown for sanctity; and Isabel thought rightly that she +could not select a protectress for Leila who would more kindly shelter +her youth, or more strenuously labor for her salvation. It was, indeed, +a dangerous situation for the adherence of the maiden to that faith +which it had cost her fiery father so many sacrifices to preserve and to +advance. + +It was by little and little that Donna Inez sought rather to undermine +than to storm the mental fortress she hoped to man with spiritual +allies; and, in her frequent conversation with Leila, she was at once +perplexed and astonished by the simple and sublime nature of the belief +upon which she waged war. For whether it was that, in his desire +to preserve Leila as much as possible from contact even with Jews +themselves, whose general character (vitiated by the oppression which +engendered meanness, and the extortion which fostered avarice) Almamen +regarded with lofty though concealed repugnance; or whether it was, that +his philosophy did not interpret the Jewish formula of belief in the +same spirit as the herd,--the religion inculcated in the breast of Leila +was different from that which Inez had ever before encountered amongst +her proselytes. It was less mundane and material--a kind of passionate +rather than metaphysical theism, which invested the great ONE, indeed, +with many human sympathies and attributes, but still left Him the +August and awful God of the Genesis, the Father of a Universe though +the individual Protector of a fallen sect. Her attention had been +less directed to whatever appears, to a superficial gaze, stern and +inexorable in the character of the Hebrew God, and which the religion +of Christ so beautifully softened and so majestically refined, than to +those passages in which His love watched over a chosen people, and His +forbearance bore with their transgressions. Her reason had been worked +upon to its belief by that mysterious and solemn agency, by which--when +the whole world beside was bowed to the worship of innumerable deities, +and the adoration of graven images,--in a small and secluded portion of +earth, amongst a people far less civilised and philosophical than many +by which they were surrounded, had been alone preserved a pure and +sublime theism, disdaining a likeness in the things of heaven or +earth. Leila knew little of the more narrow and exclusive tenets of her +brethren; a Jewess in name, she was rather a deist in belief; a deist +of such a creed as Athenian schools might have taught to the imaginative +pupils of Plato, save only that too dark a shadow had been cast over +the hopes of another world. Without the absolute denial of the Sadducee, +Almamen had, probably, much of the quiet scepticism which belonged to +many sects of the early Jews, and which still clings round the wisdom of +the wisest who reject the doctrine of Revelation; and while he had not +sought to eradicate from the breast of his daughter any of the vague +desire which points to a Hereafter, he had never, at least, directed her +thoughts or aspirations to that solemn future. Nor in the sacred book +which was given to her survey, and which so rigidly upheld the unity of +the Supreme Power, was there that positive and unequivocal assurance +of life beyond "the grave where all things are forgotten," that might +supply the deficiencies of her mortal instructor. Perhaps, sharing +those notions of the different value of the sexes, prevalent, from the +remotest period, in his beloved and ancestral East, Almamen might have +hopes for himself which did not extend to his child. And thus she grew +up, with all the beautiful faculties of the soul cherished and unfolded, +without thought, without more than dim and shadowy conjectures, of the +Eternal Bourne to which the sorrowing pilgrim of the earth is bound. It +was on this point that the quick eye of Donna Inez discovered her faith +was vulnerable: who would not, if belief were voluntary, believe in +the world to come? Leila's curiosity and interest were aroused: +she willingly listened to her new guide--she willingly inclined to +conclusions pressed upon her, not with menace, but persuasion. Free from +the stubborn associations, the sectarian prejudices, and unversed in the +peculiar traditions and accounts of the learned of her race, she found +nothing to shock her in the volume which seemed but a continuation of +the elder writings of her faith. The sufferings of the Messiah, His +sublime purity, His meek forgiveness, spoke to her woman's heart; His +doctrines elevated, while they charmed, her reason: and in the Heaven +that a Divine hand opened to all,--the humble as the proud, the +oppressed as the oppressor, to the woman as to the lords of the +earth,--she found a haven for all the doubts she had known, and for the +despair which of late had darkened the face of earth. Her home lost, the +deep and beautiful love of her youth blighted,--that was a creed almost +irresistible which told her that grief was but for a day, that happiness +was eternal. Far, too, from revolting such of the Hebrew pride of +association as she had formed, the birth of the Messiah in the land +of the Israelites seemed to consummate their peculiar triumph as the +Elected of Jehovah. And while she mourned for the Jews who persecuted +the Saviour, she gloried in those whose belief had carried the name and +worship of the descendants of David over the furthest regions of the +world. Often she perplexed and startled the worthy Inez by exclaiming, +"This, your belief, is the same as mine, adding only the assurance of +immortal life--Christianity is but the Revelation of Judaism." + +The wise and gentle instrument of Leila's conversion did not, however, +give vent to those more Catholic sentiments which might have scared away +the wings of the descending dove. She forbore too vehemently to point +out the distinctions of the several creeds, and rather suffered them +to melt insensibly one into the other: Leila was a Christian, while she +still believed herself a Jewess. But in the fond and lovely weakness of +mortal emotions, there was one bitter thought that often and often came +to mar the peace that otherwise would have settled on her soul. That +father, the sole softener of whose stern heart and mysterious fates she +was, with what pangs would he receive the news of her conversion! And +Muza, that bright and hero-vision of her youth--was she not setting +the last seal of separation upon all hope of union with the idol of the +Moors? But, alas! was she not already separated from him, and had not +their faiths been from the first at variance? From these thoughts she +started with sighs and tears; and before her stood the crucifix already +admitted into her chamber, and--not, perhaps, too wisely--banished so +rigidly from the oratories of the Huguenot. For the representation of +that Divine resignation, that mortal agony, that miraculous sacrifice, +what eloquence it hath for our sorrows! what preaching hath the symbol +to the vanities of our wishes, to the yearnings of our discontent! + +By degrees, as her new faith grew confirmed, Leila now inclined herself +earnestly to those pictures of the sanctity and calm of the conventual +life which Inez delighted to draw. In the reaction of her thoughts, and +her despondency of all worldly happiness, there seemed, to the young +maiden, an inexpressible charm in a solitude which was to release her +for ever from human love, and render her entirely up to sacred visions +and imperishable hopes. And with this selfish, there mingled a generous +and sublime sentiment. The prayers of a convert might be heard in favour +of those yet benighted: and the awful curse upon her outcast race +be lightened by the orisons of one humble heart. In all ages, in all +creeds, a strange and mystic impression has existed of the efficacy of +self-sacrifice in working the redemption even of a whole people: this +belief, so strong in the old orient and classic religions, was yet more +confirmed by Christianity--a creed founded upon the grandest of historic +sacrifices; and the lofty doctrine of which, rightly understood, +perpetuates in the heart of every believer the duty of self-immolation, +as well as faith in the power of prayer, no matter how great the object, +how mean the supplicator. On these thoughts Leila meditated, till +thoughts acquired the intensity of passions, and the conversion of the +Jewess was completed. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE HOUR AND THE MAN + +It was on the third morning after the King of Granada, reconciled to his +people, had reviewed his gallant army in the Vivarrambla; and Boabdil, +surrounded by his chiefs and nobles, was planning a deliberate and +decisive battle, by assault on the Christian camp,--when a scout +suddenly arrived, breathless, at the gates of the palace, to communicate +the unlooked-for and welcome intelligence that Ferdinand had in the +night broken up his camp, and marched across the mountains towards +Cordova. In fact, the outbreak of formidable conspiracies had suddenly +rendered the appearance of Ferdinand necessary elsewhere; and, his +intrigues with Almamen frustrated, he despaired of a very speedy +conquest of the city. The Spanish king resolved, therefore, after +completing the devastation of the Vega, to defer the formal and +prolonged siege, which could alone place Granada within his power, until +his attention was no longer distracted to other foes, and until, it must +be added, he had replenished an exhausted treasury. He had formed, with +Torquemada, a vast and wide scheme of persecution, not only against +Jews, but against Christians whose fathers had been of that race, +and who were suspected of relapsing into Judaical practices. The two +schemers of this grand design were actuated by different motives; the +one wished to exterminate the crime, the other to sell forgiveness for +it. And Torquemada connived at the griping avarice of the king, because +it served to give to himself, and to the infant Inquisition, a power and +authority which the Dominican foresaw would be soon greater even than +those of royalty itself, and which, he imagined, by scourging earth, +would redound to the interests of Heaven. + +The strange disappearance of Almamen, which was distorted and +exaggerated, by the credulity of the Spaniards, into an event of the +most terrific character, served to complete the chain of evidence +against the wealthy Jews, and Jew-descended Spaniards, of Andalusia; +and while, in imagination, the king already clutched the gold of their +redemption here, the Dominican kindled the flame that was to light them +to punishment hereafter. + +Boabdil and his chiefs received the intelligence of the Spanish retreat +with a doubt which soon yielded to the most triumphant delight. Boabdil +at once resumed all the energy for which, though but by fits and starts, +his earlier youth had been remarkable. + +"Alla Achbar! God is great!" cried he; "we will not remain here till +it suit the foe to confine the eagle again to his eyrie. They have left +us--we will burst on them. Summon our alfaquis, we will proclaim a holy +war! The sovereign of the last possessions of the Moors is in the field. +Not a town that contains a Moslem but shall receive our summons, and we +will gather round our standard all the children of our faith!" + +"May the king live for ever!" cried the council, with one voice. + +"Lose not a moment," resumed Boabdil--"on to the Vivarrambla, marshal +the troops--Muza heads the cavalry; myself our foot. Ere the sun's +shadow reach yonder forest, our army shall be on its march." + +The warriors, hastily and in joy, left the palace; and when he was +alone, Boabdil again relapsed into his wonted irresolution. After +striding to and fro for some minutes in anxious thought, he abruptly +quitted the hall of council, and passed in to the more private chambers +of the palace, till he came to a door strongly guarded by plates of +iron. It yielded easily, however, to a small key which he carried in his +girdle; and Boabdil stood in a small circular room, apparently without +other door or outlet; but, after looking cautiously round, the king +touched a secret spring in the wall, which, giving way, discovered a +niche, in which stood a small lamp, burning with the purest naphtha, +and a scroll of yellow parchment covered with strange letters and +hieroglyphics. He thrust the scroll in his bosom, took the lamp in his +hand, and pressing another spring within the niche, the wall receded, +and showed a narrow and winding staircase. The king reclosed the +entrance, and descended: the stairs led, at last, into clamp and rough +passages; and the murmur of waters, that reached his ear through the +thick walls, indicated the subterranean nature of the soil through which +they were hewn. The lamp burned clear and steady through the darkness of +the place; and Boabdil proceeded with such impatient rapidity, that +the distance (in reality, considerable) which he traversed, before he +arrived at his destined bourne, was quickly measured. He came at last +into a wide cavern, guarded by doors concealed and secret as those which +had screened the entrance from the upper air. He was in one of the many +vaults which made the mighty cemetery of the monarchs of Granada; and +before him stood the robed and crowned skeleton, and before him glowed +the magic dial-plate of which he had spoken in his interview with Muza. + +"Oh, dread and awful image!" cried the king, throwing himself on his +knees before the skeleton,--"shadow of what was once a king, wise in +council, and terrible in war, if in those hollow bones yet lurks the +impalpable and unseen spirit, hear thy repentant son. Forgive, while +it is yet time, the rebellion of his fiery youth, and suffer thy daring +soul to animate the doubt and weakness of his own. I go forth to battle, +waiting not the signal thou didst ordain. Let not the penance for a +rashness, to which fate urges me on, attach to my country, but to me. +And if I perish in the field, may my evil destinies be buried with me, +and a worthier monarch redeem my errors and preserve Granada!" + +As the king raised his looks, the unrelaxed grin of the grim dead, made +yet more hideous by the mockery of the diadem and the royal robe, froze +back to ice the passion and sorrow at his heart. He shuddered, and rose +with a deep sigh; when, as his eyes mechanically followed the lifted arm +of the skeleton, he beheld, with mingled delight and awe, the hitherto +motionless finger of the dial-plate pass slowly on, and rest at the word +so long and so impatiently desired. "ARM!" cried the king; "do I read +aright?--are my prayers heard?" A low and deep sound, like that of +subterranean thunder, boomed through the chamber; and in the same +instant the wall opened, and the king beheld the long-expected figure of +Almamen, the magician. But no longer was that stately form clad in the +loose and peaceful garb of the Eastern santon. Complete armour cased his +broad chest and sinewy limbs; his head alone was bare, and his prominent +and impressive features were lighted, not with mystical enthusiasm, but +with warlike energy. In his right hand, he carried a drawn sword--his +left supported the staff of a snow-white and dazzling banner. + +So sudden was the apparition, and so excited the mind of the king, that +the sight of a supernatural being could scarcely have impressed him with +more amaze and awe. + +"King of Granada," said Almamen, "the hour hath come at last; go forth +and conquer! With the Christian monarch, there is no hope of peace or +compact. At thy request I sought him, but my spells alone preserved the +life of thy herald. Rejoice! for thine evil destinies have rolled away +from thy spirit, like a cloud from the glory of the sun. The genii of +the East have woven this banner from the rays of benignant stars. It +shall beam before thee in the front of battle--it shall rise over the +rivers of Christian blood. As the moon sways the bosom of the tides, it +shall sway and direct the surges and the course of war!" + +"Man of mystery! thou hast given me a new life." + +"And, fighting by thy side," resumed Almamen, "I will assist to carve +out for thee, from the ruins of Arragon and Castile, the grandeur of +a new throne. Arm, monarch of Granada!--arm! I hear the neigh of thy +charger, in the midst of the mailed thousands! Arm!" + + + + + + +BOOK IV. + + + + +CHAPTER. I. LEILA IN THE CASTLE--THE SIEGE. + +The calmer contemplations and more holy anxieties of Leila were, at +length, broken in upon by intelligence, the fearful interest of which +absorbed the whole mind and care of every inhabitant of the castle. +Boabdil el Chico had taken the field, at the head of a numerous army. +Rapidly scouring the country, he had descended, one after one, upon the +principal fortresses, which Ferdinand had left, strongly garrisoned, +in the immediate neighbourhood. His success was as immediate as it was +signal; the terror of his arms began, once more to spread far and wide; +every day swelled his ranks with new recruits; and from the snow-clad +summits of the Sierra Nevada poured down, in wild hordes, the fierce +mountain race, who, accustomed to eternal winter, made a strange +contrast, in their rugged appearance and shaggy clothing, to the +glittering and civilised soldiery of Granada. + +Moorish towns, which had submitted to Ferdinand, broke from their +allegiance, and sent their ardent youth and experienced veterans to the +standard of the Keys and Crescent. To add to the sudden panic of the +Spaniards, it went forth that a formidable magician, who seemed inspired +rather with the fury of a demon than the valour of a man, had made an +abrupt appearance in the ranks of the Moslems. Wherever the Moors shrank +back from wall or tower, down which poured the boiling pitch, or rolled +the deadly artillery of the besieged, this sorcerer--rushing into the +midst of the flagging force, and waving, with wild gestures, a white +banner, supposed by both Moor and Christian to be the work of magic and +preternatural spells--dared every danger, and escaped every weapon: with +voice, with prayer, with example, he fired the Moors to an enthusiasm +that revived the first days of Mohammedan conquest; and tower after +tower, along the mighty range of the mountain chain of fortresses, was +polluted by the wave and glitter of the ever-victorious banner. The +veteran, Mendo de Quexada, who, with a garrison of two hundred and +fifty men, held the castle of Almamen, was, however, undaunted by the +unprecedented successes of Boabdil. Aware of the approaching storm, he +spent the days of peace yet accorded to him in making every preparation +for the siege that he foresaw; messengers were despatched to Ferdinand; +new out-works were added to the castle; ample store of provisions laid +in; and no precaution omitted that could still preserve to the Spaniards +a fortress that, from its vicinity to Granada, its command of the Vega +and the valleys of the Alpuxarras, was the bitterest thorn in the side +of the Moorish power. + +It was early, one morning, that Leila stood by the lattice of her lofty +chamber gazing, with many and mingled emotions, on the distant domes +of Granada, as they slept in the silent sunshine. Her heart, for the +moment, was busy with the thoughts of home, and the chances and peril of +the time were forgotten. + +The sound of martial music, afar off, broke upon her reveries; she +started, and listened breathlessly; it became more distinct and clear. +The clash of the zell, the boom of the African drum, and the wild and +barbarous blast of the Moorish clarion, were now each distinguishable +from the other; and, at length, as she gazed and listened, winding along +the steeps of the mountain were seen the gleaming spears and pennants of +the Moslem vanguard. Another moment and the whole castle was astir. + +Mendo de Quexada, hastily arming, repaired, himself, to the battlements; +and, from her lattice, Leila beheld him, from time to time, stationing +to the best advantage his scanty troops. In a few minutes she was joined +by Donna Inez and the women of the castle, who fearfully clustered round +their mistress,--not the less disposed, however, to gratify the passion +of the sex, by a glimpse through the lattice at the gorgeous array of +the Moorish army. + +The casements of Leila's chamber were peculiarly adapted to command a +safe nor insufficient view of the progress of the enemy; and, with a +beating heart and flushing cheek, the Jewish maiden, deaf to the voices +around her, imagined she could already descry amidst the horsemen the +lion port and snowy garments of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + +What a situation was hers! Already a Christian, could she hope for the +success of the infidel? ever a woman, could she hope for the defeat of +her lover? But the time for meditation on her destiny was but brief; the +detachment of the Moorish cavalry was now just without the walls of the +little town that girded the castle, and the loud clarion of the heralds +summoned the garrison to surrender. + +"Not while one stone stands upon another!" was the short answer +of Quexada; and, in ten minutes afterwards, the sullen roar of the +artillery broke from wall and tower over the vales below. + +It was then that the women, from Leila's lattice, beheld, slowly +marshalling themselves in order, the whole power and pageantry of the +besieging army. Thick-serried--line after line, column upon column--they +spread below the frowning steep. The sunbeams lighted up that goodly +array, as it swayed, and murmured, and advanced, like the billows of a +glittering sea. The royal standard was soon descried waving above the +pavilion of Boabdil; and the king himself, mounted on his cream-coloured +charger, which was covered with trappings of cloth-of-gold, was +recognised amongst the infantry, whose task it was to lead the assault. + +"Pray with us, my daughter!" cried Inez, falling on her knees.-Alas! +what could Leila pray for? + +Four days and four nights passed away in that memorable siege; for the +moon, then at her full, allowed no respite, even in night itself. Their +numbers, and their vicinity to Granada, gave the besiegers the advantage +of constant relays, and troop succeeded to troop; so that the weary had +ever successors in the vigour of new assailants. + +On the fifth day, all of the fortress, save the keep (an immense tower), +was in the hands of the Moslems; and in this last hold, the worn-out and +scanty remnant of the garrison mustered, in the last hope of a brave, +despair. + +Quexada appeared, covered with gore and dust-his eyes bloodshot, his +cheek haggard and hollow, his locks blanched with sudden age-in the hall +of the tower, where the women, half dead with terror, were assembled. + +"Food!" cried he,--"food and wine!--it may be our last banquet." + +His wife threw her arms round him. "Not yet," he cried, "not yet; we +will have one embrace before we part." + +"Is there, then, no hope?" said Inez, with a pale cheek, yet steady eye. + +"None; unless to-morrow's dawn gild the spears of Ferdinand's army +upon yonder hills. Till morn we may hold out." As he spoke, he hastily +devoured some morsels of food, drained a huge goblet of wine, and +abruptly quitted the chamber. + +At that moment, the women distinctly heard the loud shouts of the Moors; +and Leila, approaching the grated casement, could perceive the approach +of what seemed to her like moving wails. + +Covered by ingenious constructions of wood and thick hides, the +besiegers advanced to the foot of the tower in comparative shelter from +the burning streams which still poured, fast and seething, from the +battlements; while, in the rear came showers of darts and cross-bolts +from the more distant Moors, protecting the work of the engineer, and +piercing through almost every loophole and crevice in the fortress. + +Meanwhile the stalwart governor beheld, with dismay and despair, the +preparations of the engineers, whom the wooden screen-works protected +from every weapon. + +"By the Holy Sepulchre!" cried he, gnashing his teeth, "they are mining +the tower, and we shall be buried in its ruins! Look out, Gonsalvo! see +you not a gleam of spears yonder over the mountain? Mine eyes are dim +with watching." + +"Alas! brave Mendo, it is only the sloping sun upon the snows--but there +is hope yet." + +The soldier's words terminated in a shrill and sudden cry of agony; and +he fell dead by the side of Quexada, the brain crushed by a bolt from a +Moorish arquebus. + +"My best warrior!" said Quexada; "peace be with him! Ho, there! see you +yon desperate infidel urging on the miners? By the heavens above, it is +he of the white banner!--it is the sorcerer! Fire on him! he is without +the shelter of the woodworks." + +Twenty shafts, from wearied and nerveless arms, fell innocuous round the +form of Almamen: and as, waving aloft his ominous banner, he disappeared +again behind the screen-works, the Spaniards almost fancied they could +hear his exulting and demon laugh. + +The sixth day came, and the work of the enemy was completed. The tower +was entirely undermined--the foundations rested only upon wooden props, +which, with a humanity that was characteristic of Boabdil, had been +placed there in order that the besieged might escape ere the final crash +of their last hold. + +It was now noon: the whole Moorish force, quitting the plain, occupied +the steep that spread below the tower, in multitudinous array and +breathless expectation. The miners stood aloof--the Spaniards lay +prostrate and exhausted upon the battlements, like mariners who, after +every effort against the storm, await, resigned, and almost indifferent, +the sweep of the fatal surge. + +Suddenly the lines of the Moors gave way, and Boabdil himself, with Muza +at his right hand, and Almamen on his left, advanced towards the foot of +the tower. At the same time, the Ethiopian guards, each bearing a torch, +marched slowly in the rear; and from the midst of them paced the +royal herald and sounded the last warning. The hush of the immense +armament--the glare of the torches, lighting the ebon faces and giant +forms of their bearers--the majestic appearance of the king himself--the +heroic aspect of Muza--the bare head and glittering banner of +Almamen--all combined with the circumstances of the time to invest the +spectacle with something singularly awful, and, perhaps, sublime. + +Quexada turned his eyes, mutely, round the ghastly faces of his +warriors, and still made not the signal. His lips muttered--his eyes +glared: when, suddenly, he heard below the wail of women; and the +thought of Inez, the bride of his youth, the partner of his age, came +upon him; and, with a trembling hand, he lowered the yet unquailing +standard of Spain. Then, the silence below broke into a mighty shout, +which shook the grim tower to its unsteady and temporary base. + +"Arise, my friends," he said, with a bitter sigh; "we have fought like +men--and our country will not blush for us." He descended the winding +stairs--his soldiers followed him with faltering steps: the gates of the +keep unfolded, and these gallant Christians surrendered themselves to +the Moor. + +"Do with it as you will," said Quexada, as he laid the keys at the hoofs +of Boabdil's barb; "but there are women in the garrison, who--" + +"Are sacred," interrupted the king. "At once we accord their liberty, +and free transport whithersoever ye would desire. Speak, then! To what +place of safety shall they be conducted?" + +"Generous king!" replied the veteran Quexada, brushing away his tears +with the back of his hand; "you take the sting from our shame. We accept +your offer in the same spirit in which it is made. Across the mountains, +on the verge of the plain of Olfadez, I possess a small castle, +ungarrisoned and unfortified. Thence, should the war take that +direction, the women can readily obtain safe conduct to the queen at +Cordova." + +"Be it so," returned Boabdil. Then, with Oriental delicacy, selecting +the eldest of the officers round him, he gave him instructions to enter +the castle, and, with a strong guard, provide for the safety of the +women, according to the directions of Quexada. To another of his +officers he confided the Spanish prisoners, and gave the signal to his +army to withdraw from the spot, leaving only a small body to complete +the ruin of the fortress. + +Accompanied by Almamen and his principal officers, Boabdil now hastened +towards Granada; and while, with slower progress, Quexada and his +companions, under a strong escort, took their way across the Vega, a +sudden turn in their course brought abruptly before them the tower they +had so valiantly defended. There it still stood, proud and stern, amidst +the blackened and broken wrecks around it, shooting aloft, dark and +grim, against the sky. Another moment, and a mighty crash sounded +on their ears, while the tower fell to the earth, amidst volumes of +wreathing smoke and showers of dust, which were borne, by the concussion +to the spot on which they took their last gaze of the proudest fortress +on which the Moors of Granada had beheld, from their own walls, the +standard of Arragon and Castile. + +At the same time, Leila--thus brought so strangely within the very +reach of her father and her lover, and yet, by a mysterious fate, still +divided from both,--with Donna Inez, and the rest of the females of the +garrison, pursued her melancholy path along the ridges of the mountains. + + + + +CHAPTER II. ALMAMEN'S PROPOSED ENTERPRISE.--THE THREE ISRAELITES--CIRCUMSTANCE +IMPRESSES EACH CHARACTER WITH A VARYING DIE. + +Boadbil followed up his late success with a series of brilliant assaults +on-the neighbouring fortresses. Granada, like a strong man bowed to the +ground, wrenched one after one the bands that had crippled her liberty +and strength; and, at length, after regaining a considerable portion of +the surrounding territory, the king resolved to lay siege to the seaport +of Salobrena. Could he obtain this town, Boabdil, by establishing +communication between the sea and Granada, would both be enabled to +avail himself of the assistance of his African allies, and also prevent +the Spaniards from cutting off supplies to the city, should they again +besiege it. Thither, then, accompanied by Muza, the Moorish king bore +his victorious standard. + +On the eve of his departure, Almamen sought the king's presence. A great +change had come over the canton since the departure of Ferdinand; his +wonted stateliness of mien was gone; his eyes were sunk and hollow; his +manner disturbed and absent. In fact, his love for his daughter made the +sole softness of his character; and that daughter was in the hands +of the king who had sentenced the father to the tortures of the +Inquisition! To what dangers might she not be subjected, by the +intolerant zeal of conversion! and could that frame, and gentle heart, +brave the terrific engines that might be brought against her fears? +"Better," thought he, "that she should perish, even by the torture, +than adopt that hated faith." He gnashed his teeth in agony at either +alternative. His dreams, his objects, his revenge, his ambition--all +forsook him: one single hope, one thought, completely mastered his +stormy passions and fitful intellect. + +In this mood the pretended santon met Boabdil. He represented to the +king, over whom his influence had prodigiously increased since the +late victories of the Moors, the necessity of employing the armies of +Ferdinand at a distance. He proposed, in furtherance of this policy, +to venture himself in Cordova; to endeavour secretly to stir up those +Moors, in that, their ancient kingdom, who had succumbed to the +Spanish yoke, and whose hopes might naturally be inflamed by the recent +successes of Boabdil; and, at least, to foment such disturbances as +might afford the king sufficient time to complete his designs, and +recruit his force by aid of the powers with which he was in league. + +The representations of Almamen at length conquered Boabdil's reluctance +to part with his sacred guide; and it was finally arranged that the +Israelite should at once depart from the city. + +As Almamen pursued homeward his solitary way, he found himself suddenly +accosted in the Hebrew tongue. He turned hastily, and saw before him an +old man in the Jewish gown: he recognised Elias, one of the wealthiest +and most eminent of the race of Israel. + +"Pardon me, wise countryman!" said the Jew, bowing to the earth, "but I +cannot resist the temptation of claiming kindred with one through whom +the horn of Israel may be so triumphantly exalted." + +"Hush, man!" said Almamen, quickly, and looking sharply round; "I thy +countryman! Art thou not, as thy speech betokens, an Israelite?" + +"Yea," returned the Jew, "and of the same tribe as thy honoured +father--peace be with his ashes! I remembered thee at once, boy +though thou wert when thy steps shook off the dust against Granada. +I remembered thee, I say, at once, on thy return; but I have kept thy +secret, trusting that, through thy soul and genius, thy fallen brethren +might put off sackcloth and feast upon the house-tops." + +Almamen looked hard at the keen, sharp, Arab features of the Jew; and at +length he answered, "And how can Israel be restored? wilt thou fight for +her?" + +"I am too old, son of Issachar, to bear arms; but our tribes are many, +and our youth strong. Amid these disturbances between dog and dog--" + +"The lion may get his own," interrupted Almamen, impetuously,--"let us +hope it. Hast thou heard of the new persecutions against us that the +false Nazarene king has already commenced in Cordova--persecutions that +make the heart sick and the blood cold?" + +"Alas!" replied Elias, "such woes indeed have not failed to reach mine +ear; and I have kindred, near and beloved kindred, wealthy and honoured +men, scattered throughout that land." + +"Were it not better that they should die on the field than by the rack?" +exclaimed Almamen, fiercely. "God of my fathers! if there be yet a spark +of manhood left amongst thy people, let thy servant fan it to a flame, +that shall burn as the fire burns the stubble, so that the earth may +bare before the blaze!" + +"Nay," said Elias, dismayed rather than excited by the vehemence of his +comrade,--"be not rash, son of Issachar, be not rash: peradventure thou +wilt but exasperate the wrath of the rulers, and our substance thereby +will be utterly consumed." + +Almamen drew back, placed his hand quietly on the Jew's shoulder, looked +him hard in the face, and, gently laughing, turned away. + +Elias did not attempt to arrest his steps. "Impracticable," he muttered; +"impracticable and dangerous! I always thought so. He may do us harm: +were he not so strong and fierce, I would put my knife under his left +rib. Verily, gold is a great thing; and--out on me! the knaves at home +will be wasting the oil, now they know old Elias is abroad." Thereat the +Jew drew his cloak around him, and quickened his pace. + +Almamen, in the meanwhile, sought, through dark and subterranean +passages, known only to himself, his accustomed home. He passed much +of the night alone; but, ere the morning star announced to the mountain +tops the presence of the sun, he stood, prepared for his journey, in his +secret vault, by the door of the subterranean passages, with old Ximen +beside him. + +"I go, Ximen," said Almamen, "upon a doubtful quest: whether I +discover my daughter, and succeed in bearing her in safety from their +contaminating grasp, or whether I fall into their snares and perish, +there is an equal chance that I may return no more to Granada. Should +this be so, you will be heir to such wealth as I leave in these places +I know that your age will be consoled for the lack of children when your +eyes look upon the laugh of gold." + +Ximen bowed low, and mumbled out some inaudible protestations and +thanks. Almamen sighed heavily as he looked round the room. "I have evil +omens in my soul, and evil prophecies in my books," said he, mournfully. +"But the worst is here," he added, putting his finger significantly to +his temples; "the string is stretched--one more blow would snap it." + +As he thus said, he opened the door and vanished through that labyrinth +of galleries by which he was enabled at all times to reach unobserved +either the palace of the Alhambra or the gardens without the gates of +the city. + +Ximen remained behind a few moments in deep thought. "All mine if he +dies!" said he: "all mine if he does not return! All mine, all mine! +and I have not a child nor a kinsman in the world to clutch it away from +me!" With that he locked the vault, and returned to the upper air. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE FUGITIVE AND THE MEETING + +In their different directions the rival kings were equally successful. +Salobrena, but lately conquered by the Christians, was thrown into a +commotion by the first glimpse of Boabdil's banners; the populace rose, +beat back their Christian guards, and opened the gates to the last +of their race of kings. The garrison alone, to which the Spaniards +retreated, resisted Boabdil's arms; and, defended by, impregnable walls, +promised an obstinate and bloody siege. + +Meanwhile, Ferdinand had no sooner entered Cordova than his extensive +scheme of confiscation and holy persecution commenced. Not only did more +than five hundred Jews perish in the dark and secret gripe of the Grand +Inquisitor, but several hundred of the wealthiest Christian families, in +whose blood was detected the hereditary Jewish taint, were thrown into +prison; and such as were most fortunate purchased life by the sacrifice +of half their treasures. At this time, however, there suddenly broke +forth a formidable insurrection amongst these miserable subjects--the +Messenians of the Iberian Sparta. The Jews were so far aroused from +their long debasement by omnipotent despair, that a single spark, +falling on the ashes of their ancient spirit, rekindled the flame of the +descendants of the fierce warriors of Palestine. They were encouraged +and assisted by the suspected Christians, who had been involved in +the same persecution; and the whole were headed by a man who appeared +suddenly amongst them, and whose fiery eloquence and martial spirit +produced, at such a season, the most fervent enthusiasm. Unhappily, the +whole details of this singular outbreak are withheld from us; only by +wary hints and guarded allusions do the Spanish chroniclers apprise us +of its existence and its perils. It is clear that all narrative of an +event that might afford the most dangerous precedent, and was alarming +to the pride and avarice of the Spanish king, as well as the pious zeal +of the Church, was strictly forbidden; and the conspiracy was hushed +in the dread silence of the Inquisition, into whose hands the principal +conspirators ultimately fell. We learn, only, that a determined and +sanguinary struggle was followed by the triumph of Ferdinand, and the +complete extinction of the treason. + +It was one evening, that a solitary fugitive, hard chased by an armed +troop of the brothers of St. Hermandad, was seen emerging from a wild +and rocky defile, which opened abruptly on the gardens of a small, +and, by the absence of fortification and sentries, seemingly deserted, +castle. Behind him; in the exceeding stillness which characterises the +air of a Spanish twilight, he heard, at a considerable distance the +blast of the horn and the tramp of hoofs. His pursuers, divided into +several detachments, were scouring the country after him, as the +fishermen draw their nets, from bank to bank, conscious that the +prey they drive before the meshes cannot escape them at the last. +The fugitive halted in doubt, and gazed round him: he was well-nigh +exhausted; his eyes were bloodshot; the large drops rolled fast down his +brow; his whole frame quivered and palpitated, like that of a stag when +he stands at bay. Beyond the castle spread a broad plain, far as the eye +could reach, without shrub or hollow to conceal his form: flight +across a space so favourable to his pursuers was evidently in vain. No +alternative was left unless he turned back on the very path taken by the +horsemen, or trusted to such scanty and perilous shelter as the copses +in the castle garden might afford him. He decided on the latter refuge, +cleared the low and lonely wall that girded the demesne, and plunged +into a thicket of overhanging oaks and chestnuts. + +At that hour, and in that garden, by the side of a little fountain, were +seated two females: the one of mature and somewhat advanced years; the +other, in the flower of virgin youth. But the flower was prematurely +faded; and neither the bloom, nor sparkle, nor undulating play of +feature, that should have suited her age, was visible in the marble +paleness and contemplative sadness of her beautiful countenance. + +"Alas! my young friend," said the elder of these ladies, "it is in these +hours of solitude and calm that we are most deeply impressed with the +nothingness of life. Thou, my sweet convert, art now the object, no +longer of my compassion, but my envy; and earnestly do I feel convinced +of the blessed repose thy spirit will enjoy in the lap of the Mother +Church. Happy are they who die young! but thrice happy they who die in +the spirit rather than the flesh: dead to sin, but not to virtue; to +terror, not to hope; to man, but not to God!" + +"Dear senora," replied the young maiden, mournfully, "were I alone on +earth, Heaven is my witness with what deep and thankful resignation I +should take the holy vows, and forswear the past; but the heart remains +human, however divine the hope that it may cherish. And sometimes +I start, and think of home, of childhood, of my strange but beloved +father, deserted and childless in his old age." + +"Thine, Leila," returned the elder Senora, "are but the sorrows our +nature is doomed to. What matter, whether absence or death sever the +affections? Thou lamentest a father; I, a son, dead in the pride of his +youth and beauty--a husband, languishing in the fetters of the Moor. +Take comfort for thy sorrows, in the reflection that sorrow is the +heritage of all." + +Ere Leila could reply, the orange-boughs that sheltered the spot where +they sat were put aside, and between the women and the fountain stood +the dark form of Almamen the Israelite. Leila rose, shrieked, and flung +herself, unconscious, on his breast. + +"O Lord of Israel!" cried Almamen, in atone of deep anguish. "I, then, +at last regain my child? Do I press her to my heart? and is it only +for that brief moment, when I stand upon the brink of death? Leila, my +child, look up! smile upon thy father; let him feel, on his maddening +and burning brow, the sweet breath of the last of his race, and bear +with him, at least, one holy and gentle thought to the dark grave." + +"My father! is it indeed my father?" said Leila, recovering herself, and +drawing back, that she might assure herself of that familiar face; "it +is thou! it is--it is! Oh! what blessed chance brings us together?" + +"That chance is the destiny that hurries me to my tomb," answered +Almamen, solemnly. "Hark! hear you not the sound of their rushing +steeds--their impatient voices? They are on me now!" + +"Who? Of whom speakest thou?" + +"My pursuers--the horsemen of the Spaniard." + +"Oh, senora, save him!" cried Leila, turning to Donna Inez, whom both +father and child had hitherto forgotten, and who now stood gazing upon +Almamen with wondering and anxious eyes. "Whither can he fly? The vaults +of the castle may conceal him. This way-hasten!" + +"Stay," said Inez, trembling, and approaching close to Almamen: "do +I see aright? and, amidst the dark change of years and trial, do I +recognise that stately form, which once contrasted to the sad eye of a +mother the drooping and faded form of her only son? Art thou not he who +saved my boy from the pestilence, who accompanied him to the shores +of Naples, and consigned him to these arms? Look on me! dost thou not +recall the mother of thy friend?" + +"I recall thy features dimly and as in a dream," answered the Hebrew; +"and while thou speakest, there rush upon me the memories of an earlier +time, in lands where Leila first looked upon the day, and her mother +sang to me at sunset by the stream of the Euphrates, and on the sites of +departed empires. Thy son--I remember now: I had friendship then with a +Christian--for I was still young." + +"Waste not the time--father--senora!" cried Leila, impatiently clinging +still to her father's breast. + +"You are right; nor shall your sire, in whom I thus wonderfully +recognise my son's friend, perish if I can save him." + +Inez then conducted her strange guest to a small door in the rear of the +castle; and after leading him through some of the principal apartments, +left him in one of the tiring-rooms adjoining her own chamber, and the +entrance to which the arras concealed. She rightly judged this a safer +retreat than the vaults of the castle might afford, since her great +name and known intimacy with Isabel would preclude all suspicion of her +abetting in the escape of the fugitive, and keep those places the most +secure in which, without such aid, he could not have secreted himself. + +In a few minutes, several of the troop arrived at the castle, and on +learning the name of its owner contented themselves with searching +the gardens, and the lower and more exposed apartments; and then +recommending to the servants a vigilant look-out remounted, and +proceeded to scour the plain, over which now slowly fell the starlight +and shade of night. When Leila stole, at last, to the room in which +Almamen was hid, she found him, stretched on his mantle, in a deep +sleep. Exhausted by all he had undergone, and his rigid nerves, as it +were, relaxed by the sudden softness of that interview with his child, +the slumber of that fiery wanderer was as calm as an infant's. And their +relation almost seemed reversed; and the daughter to be as a mother +watching over her offspring, when Leila seated herself softly by him, +fixing her eyes--to which the tears came ever, ever to be brushed +away-upon his worn but tranquil features, made yet more serene by the +quiet light that glimmered through the casement. And so passed the +hours of that night; and the father and the child--the meek convert, the +revengeful fanatic--were under the same roof. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. ALMAMEN HEARS AND SEES, BUT REFUSES TO BELIEVE; FOR THE BRAIN, +OVERWROUGHT, GROWS DULL, EVEN IN THE KEENEST. + +The dawn broke slowly upon the chamber, and Almamen still slept. It was +the Sabbath of the Christians--that day on which the Saviour rose from +the dead--thence named so emphatically and sublimely by the early Church +THE LORD'S DAY. + + [Before the Christian era, the Sunday was, however, called the + Lord's day--i.e., the day of the Lord the Sun.] + +And as the ray of the sun flashed in the east it fell like a glory, +over a crucifix, placed in the deep recess of the Gothic casement; and +brought startlingly before the eyes of Leila that face upon which the +rudest of the Catholic sculptors rarely fail to preserve the mystic and +awful union of the expiring anguish of the man with the lofty patience +of the God. It looked upon her, that face; it invited, it encouraged, +while it thrilled and subdued. She stole gently from the side of her +father; she crept to the spot, and flung herself on her knees beside the +consecrated image. + +"Support me, O Redeemer!" she murmured--"support thy creature! +strengthen her steps in the blessed path, though it divide her +irrevocably from all that on earth she loves: and if there be a +sacrifice in her solemn choice, accept, O Thou, the Crucified! accept +it, in part atonement of the crime of her stubborn race; and, hereafter, +let the lips of a maiden of Judaea implore thee, not in vain, for some +mitigation of the awful curse that hath fallen justly upon her tribe." + +As broken by low sobs, and in a choked and muttered voice, Leila poured +forth her prayer, she was startled by a deep groan; and turning, in +alarm she saw that Almamen had awaked, and, leaning on his arm, was now +bending upon her his dark eyes, once more gleaming with all their wonted +fire. + +"Speak," he said, as she coweringly hid her face, "speak to me, or I +shall be turned to stone by one horrid thought. It is not before that +symbol that thou kneelest in adoration; and my sense wanders, if it tell +me that thy broken words expressed the worship of an apostate? In mercy, +speak!" + +"Father!" began Leila; but her lips refused to utter more than that +touching and holy word. + +Almamen rose; and plucking the hands from her face, gazed on her some +moments, as if he would penetrate her very soul; and Leila, recovering +her courage in the pause, by degrees met his eyes unquailing--her pure +and ingenuous brow raised to his, and sadness, but not guilt, speaking +from every line of that lovely face. + +"Thou dost not tremble," said Almamen, at length, breaking the silence, +"and I have erred. Thou art not the criminal I deemed thee. Come to my +arms!" + +"Alas!" said Leila, obeying the instinct, and casting herself upon that +rugged bosom. "I will dare, at least, not to disavow my God. Father! by +that dread anathema which is on our race, which has made us homeless and +powerless--outcasts and strangers in the land; by the persecution +and anguish we have known, teach thy lordly heart that we are rightly +punished for the persecution and the anguish we doomed to Him, whose +footstep hallowed our native earth! FIRST, IN THE HISTORY of THE +WORLD, DID THE STERN HEBREWS INFLICT UPON MANKIND THE AWFUL CRIME OF +PERSECUTION FOR OPINIONS SAKE. The seed we sowed hath brought forth the +Dead Sea fruit upon which we feed. I asked for resignation and for hope: +I looked upon yonder cross, and I found both. Harden not thy heart; +listen to thy child; wise though thou be, and weak though her woman +spirit, listen to me." + +"Be dumb!" cried Almamen, in such a voice as might have come from the +charnel, so ghostly and deathly sounded its hollow tone; then, recoiling +some steps, he placed both his hands upon his temples, and muttered, +"Mad, mad! yes, yes, this is but a delirium, and I am tempted with a +devil! Oh, my child!" he resumed, in a voice that became, on the sudden, +inexpressibly tender and imploring, "I have been sorely tried; and I +dreamt a feverish dream of passion and revenge. Be thine the lips, and +thine the soothing hand, that shall wake me from it. Let us fly for ever +from these hated lands; let us leave to these miserable infidels their +bloody contest, careless which shall fall. To a soil on which the iron +heel does not clang, to an air where man's orisons rise, in solitude, to +the Great Jehovah, let us hasten our weary steps. Come! while the castle +yet sleeps, let us forth unseen--the father and the child. We will hold +sweet commune by the way. And hark ye, Leila," he added, in a low and +abrupt whisper, "talk not to me of yonder symbol; for thy God is a +jealous God, and hath no likeness in the graven image." + +Had he been less exhausted by long travail and racking thoughts, far +different, perhaps, would have been the language of a man so stern. But +circumstance impresses the hardest substance; and despite his native +intellect and affected superiority over others, no one, perhaps, was +more human, in his fitful moods,--his weakness and his strength, his +passion and his purpose,--than that strange man, who had dared, in his +dark studies and arrogant self-will, to aspire beyond humanity. + +That was, indeed, a perilous moment for the young convert. The +unexpected softness of her father utterly subdued her; nor was she +sufficiently possessed of that all-denying zeal of the Catholic +enthusiast to which every human tie and earthly duty has been often +sacrificed on the shrine of a rapt and metaphysical piety. Whatever her +opinions, her new creed, her secret desire of the cloister, fed as it +was by the sublime, though fallacious notion, that in her conversion, +her sacrifice, the crimes of her race might be expiated in the eyes of +Him whose death had been the great atonement of a world; whatever such +higher thoughts and sentiments, they gave way, at that moment, to the +irresistible impulse of household nature and of filial duty. Should she +desert her father, and could that desertion be a virtue? Her heart put +and answered both questions in a breath. She approached Almamen, placed +her hand in his, and said, steadily and calmly, "Father, wheresoever +thou goest, I will wend with thee." + +But Heaven ordained to each another destiny than might have been theirs, +had the dictates of that impulse been fulfilled. + +Ere Almamen could reply, a trumpet sounded clear and loud at the gate. + +"Hark!" he said, griping his dagger, and starting back to a sense of the +dangers round him. "They come--my pursuers and my murtherers!--but these +limbs are sacred from--the rack." + +Even that sound of ominous danger was almost a relief to Leila: "I +will go," she said, "and learn what the blast betokens; remain here--be +cautious--I will return." + +Several minutes, however, elapsed before Leila reappeared; she was +accompanied by Donna Inez, whose paleness and agitation betokened her +alarm. A courier had arrived at the gate to announce the approach of the +queen, who, with a considerable force, was on her way to join Ferdinand, +then, in the usual rapidity of his movements, before one of the Moorish +towns that had revolted from his allegiance. It was impossible for +Almamen to remain in safety in the castle; and the only hope of escape +was departing immediately and in disguise. + +"I have," she said, "a trusty and faithful servant with me in the +castle, to whom I can, without anxiety, confide the charge of your +safety; and even if suspected by the way, my name, and the companionship +of my servant, will remove all obstacles; it is not a long journey hence +to Guadix, which has already revolted to the Moors: there, till the +armies of Ferdinand surround the walls, your refuge may be secure." + +Almamen remained for some moments plunged in a gloomy silence. But, at +length, he signified his assent to the plan proposed, and Donna Inez +hastened to give the directions of his intended guide. + +"Leila," said the Hebrew, when left alone with his daughter, "think not +that it is for mine own safety that I stoop to this flight from thee. +No! but never till thou wert lost to me, by mine own rash confidence in +another, did I know how dear to my heart was the last scion of my race, +the sole memorial left to me of thy mother's love. Regaining thee once +more, a new and a soft existence opens upon my eyes; and the earth seems +to change, as by a sudden revolution, from winter into spring. For thy +sake, I consent to use all the means that man's intellect can devise for +preservation from my foes. Meanwhile, here will rest my soul; to this +spot, within one week from this period--no matter through what danger I +pass--I shall return: then I shall claim thy promise. I will arrange all +things for our flight, and no stone shall harm thy footstep by the way. +The Lord of Israel be with thee, my daughter, and strengthen thy heart! +But," he added, tearing himself from her embrace, as he heard steps +ascending to the chamber, "deem not that, in this most fond and fatherly +affection, I forget what is due to me and thee. Think not that my +love is only the brute and insensate feeling of the progenitor to the +offspring: I love thee for thy mother's sake--I love thee for thine +own--I love thee yet more for the sake of Israel. If thou perish, if +thou art lost to us, thou, the last daughter of the house of Issachar, +then the haughtiest family of God's great people is extinct." + +Here Inez appeared at the door, but withdrew, at the impatient +and lordly gesture of Almamen, who, without further heed of the +interruption, resumed: + +"I look to thee, and thy seed, for the regeneration which I once +trusted, fool that I was, mine own day might see effected. Let this +pass. Thou art under the roof of the Nazarene. I will not believe that +the arts we have resisted against fire and sword can prevail with thee. +But, if I err, awful will be the penalty! Could I once know that thou +hadst forsaken thy ancestral creed, though warrior and priest stood by +thee, though thousands and ten thousands were by thy right hand, this +steel should save the race of Issachar from dishonour. Beware! Thou +weepest; but, child, I warn, not threaten. God be with thee!" + +He wrung the cold hand of his child, turned to the door, and, after such +disguise as the brief time allowed him could afford, quitted the castle +with his Spanish guide, who, accustomed to the benevolence of his +mistress, obeyed her injunction without wonder, though not without +suspicion. + +The third part of an hour had scarcely elapsed, and the sun was yet on +the mountain-tops, when Isabel arrived. She came to announce that +the outbreaks of the Moorish towns in the vicinity rendered the +half-fortified castle of her friend no longer a secure abode; and she +honoured the Spanish lady with a command to accompany her, with her +female suite, to the camp of Ferdinand. + +Leila received the intelligence with a kind of stupor. Her interview +with her father, the strong and fearful contests of emotion which that +interview occasioned, left her senses faint and dizzy; and when she +found herself, by the twilight star, once more with the train of +Isabel, the only feeling that stirred actively through her stunned and +bewildered mind, was, that the hand of Providence conducted her from a +temptation that, the Reader of all hearts knew, the daughter and woman +would have been too feeble to resist. + +On the fifth day from his departure, Almamen returned to find the castle +deserted, and his daughter gone. + + + + +CHAPTER V. IN THE FERMENT OF GREAT EVENTS THE DREGS RISE. + +The Israelites did not limit their struggles to the dark conspiracy to +which allusion has been made. In some of the Moorish towns that +revolted from Ferdinand, they renounced the neutrality they had hitherto +maintained between Christian and Moslem. Whether it was that they were +inflamed by the fearful and wholesale barbarities enforced by Ferdinand +and the Inquisition against their tribe, or whether they were stirred up +by one of their own order, in whom was recognised the head of their +most sacred family; or whether, as is most probable, both causes +combined--certain it is, that they manifested a feeling that was +thoroughly unknown to the ordinary habits and policy of that peaceable +people. They bore great treasure to the public stock--they demanded +arms, and, under their own leaders, were admitted, though with much +jealousy and precaution, into the troops of the arrogant and disdainful +Moslems. + +In this conjunction of hostile planets, Ferdinand had recourse to his +favourite policy of wile and stratagem. Turning against the Jews the +very treaty Almamen had once sought to obtain in their favour, he caused +it to be circulated, privately, that the Jews, anxious to purchase their +peace with him, had promised to betray the Moorish towns, and Granada +itself into his hands. The paper, which Ferdinand himself had signed in +his interview with Almamen, and of which, on the capture of the Hebrew, +he had taken care to repossess himself, he gave to a spy whom he sent, +disguised as a Jew, into one of the revolted cities. + +Private intelligence reached the Moorish ringleader of the arrival of +this envoy. He was seized, and the document found on his person. The +form of the words drawn up by Almamen (who had carefully omitted mention +of his own name--whether that which he assumed, or that which, by birth, +he should have borne) merely conveyed the compact, that if by a Jew, +within two weeks from the date therein specified, Granada was delivered +to the Christian king, the Jews should enjoy certain immunities and +rights. + +The discovery of this document filled the Moors of the city to which +the spy had been sent with a fury that no words can describe. Always +distrusting their allies, they now imagined they perceived the sole +reason of their sudden enthusiasm, of their demand for arms. The mob +rose: the principal Jews were seized and massacred without trial; +some by the wrath of the multitude, some by the slower tortures of the +magistrate. Messengers were sent to the different revolted towns, and, +above all, to Granada itself, to put the Moslems on their guard against +these unhappy enemies of either party. At once covetous and ferocious, +the Moors rivalled the Inquisition in their cruelty, and Ferdinand in +their extortion. + +It was the dark fate of Almamen, as of most premature and heated +liberators of the enslaved, to double the terrors and the evils he had +sought to cure. The warning arrived at Granada at a time in which the +vizier, Jusef, had received the commands of his royal master, still +at the siege of Salobrena, to use every exertion to fill the wasting +treasuries. Fearful of new exactions against the Moors, the vizier +hailed, as a message from Heaven, so just a pretext for a new and +sweeping impost on the Jews. The spendthrift violence of the mob was +restrained, because it was headed by the authorities, who were wisely +anxious that the state should have no rival in the plunder it required; +and the work of confiscation and robbery was carried on with a majestic +and calm regularity, which redounded no less to the credit of Jusef than +it contributed to the coffers of the king. + +It was late, one evening, when Ximen was making his usual round through +the chambers of Almamen's house. As he glanced around at the various +articles of wealth and luxury, he ever and anon burst into a low, fitful +chuckle, rubbed his lean hands, and mumbled out, "If my master should +die! if my master should die!" + +While thus engaged, he heard a confused and distant shout; and, +listening attentively, he distinguished a cry, grown of late +sufficiently familiar, of, "Live, Jusef the just--perish, the traitor +Jews!" + +"Ah!" said Ximen, as the whole character of his face changed; "some new +robbery upon our race! And this is thy work, son of Issachar! Madman +that thou wert, to be wiser than thy sires, and seek to dupe the +idolaters in the council chamber and the camp--their field, their +vantage ground; as the bazaar and the market-place are ours. None +suspect that the potent santon is the traitor Jew; but I know it! I +could give thee to the bow-string--and, if thou Overt dead, all thy +goods and gold, even to the mule at the manger, would be old Ximen's." + +He paused at that thought, shut his eyes, and smiled at the prospect his +fancy conjured up and completing his survey, retired to his own chamber, +which opened, by a small door, upon one of the back courts. He had +scarcely reached the room, when he heard a low tap at the outer door; +and, when it was thrice repeated, he knew that it was one of his +Jewish-brethren. For Ximen--as years, isolation, and avarice gnawed +away whatever of virtue once put forth some meagre fruit from a heart +naturally bare and rocky--still reserved one human feeling towards his +countrymen. It was the bond which unites all the persecuted: and Ximen +loved them, because he could not envy their happiness. The power--the +knowledge--the lofty, though wild designs of his master, stung and +humbled him--he secretly hated, because he could not compassionate or +contemn him. But the bowed frame, and slavish voice, and timid nerves of +his crushed brotherhood presented to the old man the likeness of things +that could not exult over him. Debased and aged, and solitary as he +was, he felt a kind of wintry warmth in the thought that even he had the +power to protect! + +He thus maintained an intercourse with his fellow Israelites; and often, +in their dangers, had afforded them a refuge in the numerous vaults +and passages, the ruins of which may still be descried beneath the +mouldering foundations of that mysterious mansion. And, as the house +was generally supposed the property of an absent emir, and had been +especially recommended to the care of the cadis by Boabdil, who alone +of the Moors knew it as one of the dwelling-places of the santon, +whose ostensible residence was in apartments allotted to him within the +palace,--it was, perhaps, the sole place within Granada which afforded +an unsuspected and secure refuge to the hunted Israelites. + +When Ximen recognised the wonted signal of his brethren, he crawled to +the door; and, after the precaution of a Hebrew watchword, replied to +in the same tongue, he gave admittance to the tall and stooping frame of +the rich Elias. + +"Worthy and excellent master!" said Ximen, after again securing the +entrance; "what can bring the honoured and wealthy Elias to the chamber +of the poor hireling?" + +"My friend," answered the Jew; "call me not wealthy, nor honoured. For +years I have dwelt within the city; safe and respected, even by the +Moslemin; verily and because I have purchased with jewel and treasure +the protection of the king and the great men. But now, alas! in the +sudden wrath of the heathen--ever imagining vain things--I have been +summoned into the presence of their chief rabbi, and only escaped the +torture by a sum that ten years of labour and the sweat of my brow +cannot replace. Ximen! the bitterest thought of all is, that the frenzy +of one of our own tribe has brought this desolation upon Israel." + +"My lord speaks riddles," said Ximen, with well-feigned astonishment in +his glassy eyes. + +"Why dost thou wind and turn, good Ximen?" said the Jew, shaking his +head; "thou knowest well what my words drive at. Thy master is the +pretended Almamen; and that recreant Israelite (if Israelite, indeed, +still be one who hath forsaken the customs and the forms of his +forefathers) is he who hath stirred up the Jews of Cordova and Guadix, +and whose folly hath brought upon us these dread things. Holy Abraham! +this Jew hath cost me more than fifty Nazarenes and a hundred Moors." + +Ximen remained silent; and, the tongue of Elias being loosed by the +recollection of his sad loss, the latter continued: "At the first, when +the son of Issachar reappeared, and became a counsellor in the king's +court, I indeed, who had led him, then a child, to the synagogue--for +old Issachar was to me dear as a brother--recognised him by his eyes and +voice: but I exulted in his craft and concealment; I believed he would +work mighty things for his poor brethren, and would obtain, for his +father's friend, the supplying of the king's wives and concubines with +raiment and cloth of price. But years have passed: he hath not lightened +our burthens; and, by the madness that hath of late come over him, +heading the heathen armies, and drawing our brethren into danger and +death, he hath deserved the curse of the synagogue, and the wrath of our +whole race. I find, from our brethren who escaped the Inquisition by +the surrender of their substance, that his unskilful and frantic schemes +were the main pretext for the sufferings of the righteous under the +Nazarene; and, again, the same schemes bring on us the same oppression +from the Moor. Accursed be he, and may his name perish!" + +Ximen sighed, but remained silent, conjecturing to what end the Jew +would bring his invectives. He was not long in suspense. After a pause, +Elias recommenced, in an altered and more careless tone, "He is rich, +this son of Issachar--wondrous rich." + +"He has treasures scattered over half the cities of Africa and the +Orient," said Ximen. + +"Thou seest, then, my friend, that thy master hath doomed me to a heavy +loss. I possess his secret; I could give him up to the king's wrath; +I could bring him to the death. But I am just and meek: let him pay my +forfeiture, and I will forego mine anger." + +"Thou dost not know him," said Ximen, alarmed at the thought of +a repayment, which might grievously diminish his own heritage--of +Almamen's effects in Granada. + +"But if I threaten him with exposure?" + +"Thou wouldst feed the fishes of the Darro," interrupted Ximen. "Nay, +even now, if Almamen learn that thou knowest his birth and race, +tremble! for thy days in the land will be numbered." + +"Verily," exclaimed the Jew, in great alarm, "then have I fallen into +the snare; for these lips revealed to him that knowledge." + +"Then is the righteous Elias a lost man, within ten days from that in +which Almamen returns to Granada. I know my master: and blood is to him +as water." + +"Let the wicked be consumed!" cried Elias, furiously stamping his +foot, while fire flashed from his dark eyes, for the instinct of +self-preservation made him fierce. "Not from me, however," he added, +more calmly, "will come his danger. Know that there be more than a +hundred Jews in this city, who have sworn his death; Jews who, flying +hither from Cordova, have seen their parents murdered and their +substance seized, and who behold, in the son of Issachar, the cause of +the murder and the spoil. They have detected the impostor, and a hundred +knives are whetting even now for his blood: let him look to it. Ximen, +I have spoken to thee as the foolish speak; thou mayest betray me to +thy lord; but from what I have learned of thee from our brethren, I have +poured my heart into thy bosom without fear. Wilt thou betray Israel, or +assist us to smite the traitor?" + +Ximen mused for a moment, and his meditation conjured up the treasures +of his master. He stretched forth his right hand to Elias; and when the +Israelites parted, they were friends. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. BOADBIL'S RETURN.--THE REAPPEARANCE OF GRANADA. + +The third morning from this interview, a rumour reached Granada that +Boabdil had been repulsed in his assault on the citadel of Salobrena +with a severe loss; that Hernando del Pulgar had succeeded in conducting +to its relief a considerable force; and that the army of Ferdinand was +on its march against the Moorish king. In the midst of the excitement +occasioned by these reports, a courier arrived to confirm their truth, +and to announce the return of Boabdil. + +At nightfall, the king, preceding his army, entered the city, and +hastened to bury himself in the Alhambra. As he passed dejectedly into +the women's apartments, his stern mother met him. + +"My son," she said, bitterly, "dost thou return and not a conqueror?" + +Before Boabdil could reply, a light and rapid step sped through the +glittering arcades; and weeping with joy, and breaking all the Oriental +restraints, Amine fell upon his bosom. "My beloved! my king! light of +mine eyes! thou hast returned. Welcome--for thou art safe." + +The different form of these several salutations struck Boabdil forcibly. +"Thou seest, my mother," said he, "how great the contrast between +those who love us from affection, and those who love us from pride. In +adversity, God keep me, O my mother, from thy tongue!" + +"But I love thee from pride, too," murmured Amine; "and for that reason +is thine adversity dear to me, for it takes thee from the world to make +thee more mine own and I am proud of the afflictions that my hero shares +with his slave." + +"Lights there, and the banquet!" cried the king, turning from his +haughty mother; "we will feast and be merry while we may. My adored +Amine, kiss me!" + +Proud, melancholy, and sensitive as he was in that hour of reverse, +Boabdil felt no grief: such balm has Love for our sorrows, when its +wings are borrowed from the dove! And although the laws of the Eastern +life confined to the narrow walls of a harem the sphere of Amine's +gentle influence; although, even in romance, THE NATURAL compels us to +portray her vivid and rich colours only in a faint and hasty sketch, yet +still are left to the outline the loveliest and the noblest features of +the sex--the spirit to arouse us to exertion, the softness to console us +in our fall! + +While Boabdil and the body of the army remained in the city, Muza, +with a chosen detachment of the horse, scoured the country to visit the +newly-acquired cities, and sustain their courage. + +From this charge he was recalled by the army of Ferdinand, which once +more poured down into the Vega, completely devastated its harvests, and +then swept back to consummate the conquests of the revolted towns. +To this irruption succeeded an interval of peace--the calm before the +storm. From every part of Spain, the most chivalric and resolute of the +Moors, taking advantage of the pause in the contest, flocked to Granada; +and that city became the focus of all that paganism in Europe possessed +of brave and determined spirits. + +At length, Ferdinand, completing his conquests, and having refilled +his treasury, mustered the whole force of his dominions--forty thousand +foot, and ten thousand horse; and once more, and for the last +time, appeared before the walls of Granada. A solemn and prophetic +determination filled both besiegers and besieged: each felt that the +crowning crisis was at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE CONFLAGRATION.--THE MAJESTY OF AN INDIVIDUAL PASSION IN THE MIDST OF +HOSTILE THOUSANDS. + +It was the eve of a great and general assault upon Granada, deliberately +planned by the chiefs of the Christian army. The Spanish camp (the most +gorgeous Christendom had ever known) gradually grew calm and hushed. The +shades deepened--the stars burned forth more serene and clear. Bright, +in that azure air, streamed the silken tents of the court, blazoned with +heraldic devices, and crowned by gaudy banners, which, filled by a brisk +and murmuring wind from the mountains, flaunted gaily on their gilded +staves. In the centre of the camp rose the pavilion of the queen--a +palace in itself. Lances made its columns; brocade and painted arras +its walls; and the space covered by its numerous compartments would have +contained the halls and outworks of an ordinary castle. The pomp of +that camp realised the wildest dreams of Gothic, coupled with Oriental +splendour; something worthy of a Tasso to have imagined, or a Beckford +to create. Nor was the exceeding costliness of the more courtly tents +lessened in effect by those of the soldiery in the outskirts, many of +which were built from boughs, still retaining their leaves--savage and +picturesque huts;--as if, realising old legends, wild men of the woods +had taken up the cross, and followed the Christian warriors against the +swarthy followers of Termagaunt and Mahound. There, then, extended that +mighty camp in profound repose, as the midnight threw deeper and longer +shadows over the sward from the tented avenues and canvas streets. +It was at that hour that Isabel, in the most private recess of her +pavilion, was employed in prayer for the safety of the king, and the +issue of the Sacred War. Kneeling before the altar of that warlike +oratory, her spirit became rapt and absorbed from earth in the intensity +of her devotions; and in the whole camp (save the sentries), the eyes +of that pious queen were, perhaps, the only ones unclosed. All was +profoundly still; her guards, her attendants, were gone to rest; and +the tread of the sentinel, without that immense pavilion, was not heard +through the silken walls. + +It was then that Isabel suddenly felt a strong grasp upon her shoulder, +as she still knelt by the altar. A faint shriek burst from her lips; she +turned, and the broad curved knife of an eastern warrior gleamed close +before her eyes. + +"Hush! utter a cry, breathe more loudly than thy wont, and, queen though +thou art, in the centre of swarming thousands, thou diest!" + +Such were the words that reached the ear of the royal Castilian, +whispered by a man of stern and commanding, though haggard aspect. + +"What is thy purpose? wouldst thou murder me?" said the queen, +trembling, perhaps for the first time, before a mortal presence. + +"Thy life is safe, if thou strivest not to delude or to deceive me. Our +time is short--answer me. I am Almamen, the Hebrew. Where is the hostage +rendered to thy hands? I claim my child. She is with thee--I know it. In +what corner of thy camp?" + +"Rude stranger!" said Isabel, recovering somewhat from her alarm,--"thy +daughter is removed, I trust for ever, from thine impious reach. She is +not within the camp." + +"Lie not, Queen of Castile," said Almamen, raising his knife; "for days +and weeks I have tracked thy steps, followed thy march, haunted even +thy slumbers, though men of mail stood as guards around them; and I +know that my daughter has been with thee. Think not I brave this danger +without resolves the most fierce and dread. Answer me, where is my +child?" + +"Many days since," said Isabel, awed, despite herself, by her strange +position,--"thy daughter left the camp for the house of God. It was her +own desire. The Saviour hath received her into His fold." + +Had a thousand lances pierced his heart, the vigour and energy of life +could scarce more suddenly have deserted Almamen. The rigid muscles +of his countenance relaxed at once, from resolve and menace, into +unutterable horror, anguish, and despair. He recoiled several steps; his +knees trembled violently; he seemed stunned by a death-blow. Isabel, the +boldest and haughtiest of her sex, seized that moment of reprieve; +she sprang forward, darted through the draperies into the apartments +occupied by her train, and, in a moment, the pavilion resounded with her +cries for aid. The sentinels were aroused; retainers sprang from their +pillows; they heard the cause of the alarm; they made to the spot; when, +ere they reached its partition of silk, a vivid and startling blaze +burst forth upon them. The tent was on fire. The materials fed the flame +like magic. Some of the guards had yet the courage to dash forward; +but the smoke and the glare drove them back, blinded and dizzy. Isabel +herself had scarcely time for escape, so rapid was the conflagration. +Alarmed for her husband, she rushed to his tent--to find him already +awakened by the noise, and issuing from its entrance, his drawn sword +in his hand. The wind, which had a few minutes before but curled the +triumphant banners, now circulated the destroying flame. It spread +from tent to tent, almost as a flash of lightning that shoots along +neighbouring clouds. The camp was in one continued blaze, ere a man +could dream of checking the conflagration. + +Not waiting to hear the confused tale of his royal consort, Ferdinand, +exclaiming, "The Moors have done this--they will be on us!" ordered the +drums to beat and the trumpets to sound, and hastened in person, +wrapped merely in his long mantle, to alarm his chiefs. While that +well-disciplined and veteran army, fearing every moment the rally of the +foe, endeavoured rapidly to form themselves into some kind of order, the +flame continued to spread till the whole heavens were illumined. By its +light, cuirass and helmet glowed, as in the furnace, and the armed men +seemed rather like life-like and lurid meteors than human forms. The +city of Granada was brought near to them by the intensity of the glow; +and, as a detachment of cavalry spurred from the camp to meet the +anticipated surprise of the Paynims, they saw, upon the walls and roofs +of Granada, the Moslems clustering and their spears gleaming. But, +equally amazed with the Christians, and equally suspicious of craft +and design, the Moors did not issue from their gates. Meanwhile the +conflagration, as rapid to die as to begin, grew fitful and feeble; and +the night seemed to fall with a melancholy darkness over the ruin of +that silken city. + +Ferdinand summoned his council. He had now perceived it was no ambush of +the Moors. The account of Isabel, which, at last, he comprehended; the +strange and almost miraculous manner in which Almamen had baffled his +guards, and penetrated to the royal tent; might have aroused his Gothic +superstition, while it relieved his more earthly apprehensions, if he +had not remembered the singular, but far from supernatural dexterity +with which Eastern warriors and even robbers continued then, as now, to +elude the most vigilant precautions and baffle the most wakeful guards; +and it was evident that the fire which burned the camp of an army had +been kindled merely to gratify the revenge, or favour the escape of an +individual. Shaking, therefore, from his kingly spirit the thrill of +superstitious awe that the greatness of the disaster, when associated +with the name of a sorcerer, at first occasioned, he resolved to make +advantage out of misfortune itself. The excitement, the wrath of the +troops, produced the temper most fit for action. + +"And Heaven," said the King of Spain to his knights and chiefs, as +they assembled round him, "has, in this conflagration, announced to the +warriors of the Cross, that henceforth their camp shall be the palaces +of Granada! Woe to the Moslem with to-morrow's sun!" + +Arms clanged, and swords leaped from their sheaths, as the Christian +knights echoed the anathema--"WOE TO THE MOSLEM!" + + + + + + +BOOK V. + + + + +CHAPTER I. THE GREAT BATTLE. + +The day slowly dawned upon that awful night; and the Moors, still upon +the battlements of Granada, beheld the whole army of Ferdinand on its +march towards their wails. At a distance lay the wrecks of the blackened +and smouldering camp; while before them, gaudy and glittering pennons +waving, and trumpets sounding, came the exultant legions of the foe. +The Moors could scarcely believe their senses. Fondly anticipating +the retreat of the Christians, after so signal a disaster, the gay +and dazzling spectacle of their march to the assault filled them with +consternation and alarm. + +While yet wondering and inactive, the trumpet of Boabdil was heard +behind; and they beheld the Moorish king, at the head of his guards, +emerging down the avenues that led to the gate. The sight restored and +exhilarated the gazers; and, when Boabdil halted in the space before +the portals, the shout of twenty thousand warriors rose ominously to the +ears of the advancing Christians. + +"Men of Granada!" said Boabdil, as soon as the deep and breathless +silence had succeeded to that martial acclamation,--"the advance of the +enemy is to their destruction! In the fire of last night the hand of +Allah wrote their doom. Let us forth, each and all! We will leave our +homes unguarded--our hearts shall be their wall! True, that our numbers +are thinned by famine and by slaughter, but enough of us are yet left +for the redemption of Granada. Nor are the dead departed from us: the +dead fight with us--their souls animate our own. He who has lost a +brother, becomes twice a man. On this battle we will set all. Liberty or +chains! empire or exile! victory or death! Forward!" + +He spoke, and gave the rein to his barb. It bounded forward, and cleared +the gloomy arch of the portals, and Boabdil el Chico was the first Moor +who issued from Granada, to that last and eventful field. Out, then, +poured, as a river that rushes from caverns into day, the burnished and +serried files of the Moorish cavalry. Muza came the last, closing the +array. Upon his dark and stern countenance there spoke not the ardent +enthusiasm of the sanguine king. It was locked and rigid; and the +anxieties of the last dismal weeks had thinned his cheeks, and ploughed +deep lines around the firm lips and iron jaw which bespoke the obstinate +and unconquerable resolution of his character. + +As Muza now spurred forward, and, riding along the wheeling ranks, +marshalled them in order, arose the acclamation of female voices; and +the warriors, who looked back at the sound, saw that their women--their +wives and daughters, their mothers and their beloved (released from +their seclusion, by a policy which bespoke the desperation of +the cause)--were gazing at them, with outstretched arms, from the +battlements and towers. The Moors knew that they were now to fight for +their hearths and altars in the presence of those who, if they failed, +became slaves and harlots; and each Moslem felt his heart harden like +the steel of his own sabre. + +While the cavalry formed themselves into regular squadrons, and the +tramp of the foemen came more near and near, the Moorish infantry, +in miscellaneous, eager, and undisciplined bands, poured out, until, +spreading wide and deep below the walls, Boabdil's charger was seen, +rapidly careering amongst them, as, in short but distinct directions, +or fiery adjurations, he sought at once to regulate their movements, and +confirm their hot but capricious valour. + +Meanwhile the Christians had abruptly halted; and the politic Ferdinand +resolved not to incur the full brunt of a whole population, in the first +flush of their enthusiasm and despair. He summoned to his side Hernando +del Pulgar, and bade him, with a troop of the most adventurous and +practised horsemen, advance towards the Moorish cavalry, and endeavour +to draw the fiery valour of Muza away from the main army. Then, +splitting up his force into several sections, he dismissed each to +different stations; some to storm the adjacent towers, others to fire +the surrounding gardens and orchards; so that the action might consist +rather of many battles than of one, and the Moors might lose the +concentration and union, which made, at present, their most formidable +strength. + +Thus, while the Mussulmans were waiting in order for the attack, they +suddenly beheld the main body of the Christians dispersing, and, while +yet in surprise and perplexed, they saw the fires breaking out from +their delicious gardens, to the right and left of the walls, and hear +the boom of the Christian artillery against the scattered bulwarks that +guarded the approaches of that city. + +At that moment a cloud of dust rolled rapidly towards the post occupied +in the van by Muza, and the shock of the Christian knights, in their +mighty mail, broke upon the centre of the prince's squadron. + +Higher, by several inches, than the plumage of his companions, waved +the crest of the gigantic del Pulgar; and, as Moor after Moor went +down before his headlong lance, his voice, sounding deep and sepulchral +through his visor, shouted out--"Death to the infidel!" + +The rapid and dexterous horsemen of Granada were not, however, +discomfited by this fierce assault: opening their ranks with +extraordinary celerity, they suffered the charge to pass comparatively +harmless through their centre, and then, closing in one long and +bristling line, cut off the knights from retreat. The Christians wheeled +round, and charged again upon their foe. + +"Where art thou, O Moslem dog! that wouldst play the lion'?--Where art +thou, Muza Ben Abil Gazan'?" + +"Before thee, Christian!" cried a stern and clear voice; and from +amongst the helmets of his people, gleamed the dazzling turban of the +Moor. + +Hernando checked his steed, gazed a moment at his foe, turned back, +for greater impetus to his charge, and, in a moment more, the bravest +warriors of the two armies met, lance to lance. + +The round shield of Muza received the Christian's weapon; his own spear +shivered, harmless, upon the breast of the giant. He drew his sword, +whirled it rapidly over his head, and, for some minutes, the eyes of +the bystanders could scarcely mark the marvellous rapidity with which +strokes were given and parried by those redoubted swordsmen. + +At length, Hernando, anxious to bring to bear his superior strength, +spurred close to Muza; and, leaving his sword pendant by a thong to his +wrist, seized the shield of Muza in his formidable grasp, and plucked +it away, with a force that the Moor vainly endeavoured to resist: +Muza, therefore, suddenly released his bold; and, ere the Spaniard +had recovered his balance (which was lost by the success of his own +strength, put forth to the utmost), he dashed upon him the hoofs of his +black charger, and with a short but heavy mace, which he caught up from +the saddlebow, dealt Hernando so thundering a blow upon the helmet, that +the giant fell to the ground, stunned and senseless. + +To dismount, to repossess himself of his shield, to resume his sabre, to +put one knee to the breast of his fallen foe, was the work of a moment; +and then had Don Hernando del Pulgar been sped, without priest or +surgeon, but that, alarmed by the peril of their most valiant comrade, +twenty knights spurred at once to the rescue, and the points of twenty +lances kept the Lion of Granada from his prey. Thither, with similar +speed, rushed the Moorish champions; and the fight became close and +deadly round the body of the still unconscious Christian. Not an instant +of leisure to unlace the helmet of Hernando, by removing which, alone, +the Moorish blade could find a mortal place, was permitted to Muza; and, +what with the spears and trampling hoofs around him, the situation of +the Paynim was more dangerous than that of the Christian. Meanwhile, +Hernando recovered his dizzy senses; and, made aware of his state, +watched his occasion, and suddenly shook off the knee of the Moor. +With another effort he was on his feet and the two champions stood +confronting each other, neither very eager to renew the combat. But +on foot, Muza, daring and rash as he was, could not but recognise his +disadvantage against the enormous strength and impenetrable armour of +the Christian. He drew back, whistled to his barb, that, piercing the +ranks of the horsemen, was by his side on the instant, remounted, +and was in the midst of the foe, almost ere the slower Spaniard was +conscious of his disappearance. + +But Hernando was not delivered from his enemy. Clearing a space around +him, as three knights, mortally wounded, fell beneath his sabre, Muza +now drew from behind his shoulder his short Arabian bow, and shaft after +shaft came rattling upon the mail of the dismounted Christian with +so marvellous a celerity, that, encumbered as he was with his heavy +accoutrements, he was unable either to escape from the spot, or ward off +that arrowy rain; and felt that nothing but chance, or Our Lady, could +prevent the death which one such arrow would occasion, if it should find +the opening of the visor, or the joints of the hauberk. + +"Mother of Mercy," groaned the knight, perplexed and enraged, "let not +thy servant be shot down like a hart, by this cowardly warfare; but, if +I must fall, be it with mine enemy, grappling hand to hand." + +While yet muttering this short invocation, the war-cry of Spain was +heard hard by, and the gallant company of Villena was seen scouring +across the plain to the succour of their comrades. The deadly attention +of Muza was distracted from individual foes, however eminent; he wheeled +round, re-collected his men, and, in a serried charge, met the new enemy +in midway. + +While the contest thus fared in that part of the field, the scheme of +Ferdinand had succeeded so far as to break up the battle in detached +sections. Far and near, plain, grove, garden, tower, presented each the +scene of obstinate and determined conflict. Boabdil, at the head of +his chosen guard, the flower of the haughtier tribe of nobles who were +jealous of the fame and blood of the tribe of Muza, and followed also +by his gigantic Ethiopians, exposed his person to every peril, with the +desperate valour of a man who feels his own stake is greatest in the +field. As he most distrusted the infantry, so amongst the infantry he +chiefly bestowed his presence; and wherever he appeared, he sufficed, +for the moment, to turn the changes of the engagement. At length, at +mid-day Ponce de Leon led against the largest detachment of the Moorish +foot a strong and numerous battalion of the best-disciplined and veteran +soldiery of Spain. He had succeeded in winning a fortress, from which +his artillery could play with effect; and the troops he led were +composed, partly of men flushed with recent triumph, and partly of +a fresh reserve, now first brought into the field. A comely and a +breathless spectacle it was to behold this Christian squadron emerging +from a blazing copse, which they fired on their march; the red light +gleaming on their complete armour, as, in steady and solemn order, they +swept on to the swaying and clamorous ranks of the Moorish infantry. +Boabdil learned the danger from his scouts; and hastily quitting a +tower from which he had for a while repulsed a hostile legion, he threw +himself into the midst of the battalions menaced by the skilful Ponce +de Leon. Almost at the same moment, the wild and ominous apparition of +Almamen, long absent from the eyes of the Moors, appeared in the same +quarter, so suddenly and unexpectedly, that none knew whence he had +emerged; the sacred standard in his left hand--his sabre, bared and +dripping gore, in his right--his face exposed, and its powerful features +working with an excitement that seemed inspired; his abrupt presence +breathed a new soul into the Moors. + +"They come! they come!" he shrieked aloud. "The God of the East hath +delivered the Goth into your hands!" From rank to rank--from line to +line--sped the santon; and, as the mystic banner gleamed before +the soldiery, each closed his eyes and muttered an "amen" to his +adjurations. And now, to the cry of "Spain and St. Iago," came trampling +down the relentless charge of the Christian war. At the same instant, +from the fortress lately taken by Ponce de Leon, the artillery opened +upon the Moors, and did deadly havoc. The Moslems wavered a moment when +before them gleamed the white banner of Almamen; and they beheld him +rushing, alone and on foot, amidst the foe. Taught to believe the war +itself depended on the preservation of the enchanted banner, the Paynims +could not see it thus rashly adventured without anxiety and shame: they +rallied, advanced firmly, and Boabdil himself, with waving cimiter and +fierce exclamations, dashed impetuously at the head of his guards and +Ethiopians into the affray. The battle became obstinate and bloody. +Thrice the white banner disappeared amidst the closing ranks; and +thrice, like a moon from the clouds, it shone forth again--the light and +guide of the Pagan power. + +The day ripened; and the hills already cast lengthening shadows over the +blazing groves and the still Darro, whose waters, in every creek where +the tide was arrested, ran red with blood, when Ferdinand, collecting +his whole reserve, descended from the eminence on which hitherto he had +posted himself. With him moved three thousand foot and a thousand horse, +fresh in their vigour, and panting for a share in that glorious day. +The king himself, who, though constitutionally fearless, from motives +of policy rarely perilled his person, save on imminent occasions, was +resolved not to be outdone by Boabdil; and armed cap-a-pied in mail, so +wrought with gold that it seemed nearly all of that costly metal, with +his snow-white plumage waving above a small diadem that surmounted his +lofty helm, he seemed a fit leader to that armament of heroes. Behind +him flaunted the great gonfanon of Spain, and trump and cymbal heralded +his approach. The Count de Tendilla rode by his side. + +"Senor," said Ferdinand, "the infidels fight hard; but they are in the +snare--we are about to close the nets upon them. But what cavalcade is +this?" + +The group that thus drew the king's attention consisted of six squires, +bearing, on a martial litter, composed of shields, the stalwart form of +Hernando del Pulgar. + +"Ah, the dogs!" cried the king, as he recognised the pale features of +the darling of the army,--"have they murdered the bravest knight that +ever fought for Christendom?" + +"Not that, your majesty," quoth he of the Exploits, faintly, "but I am +sorely stricken." + +"It must have been more than man who struck thee down," said the king. + +"It was the mace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, an please you, sire," said one +of the squires; "but it came on the good knight unawares, and long after +his own arm had seemingly driven away the Pagan." + +"We will avenge thee well," said the king, setting his teeth: "let our +own leeches tend thy wounds. Forward, sir knights! St. Iago and Spain!" + +The battle had now gathered to a vortex; Muza and his cavalry had +joined Boabdil and the Moorish foot. On the other hand, Villena had +been reinforced by detachments that in almost every other quarter of the +field had routed the foe. The Moors had been driven back, though inch +by inch; they were now in the broad space before the very walls of the +city, which were still crowded by the pale and anxious faces of the aged +and the women: and, at every pause in the artillery, the voices that +spoke of HOME were borne by that lurid air to the ears of the infidels. +The shout that rang through the Christian force as Ferdinand now joined +it struck like a death-knell upon the last hope of Boabdil. But the +blood of his fierce ancestry burned in his veins, and the cheering +voice of Almamen, whom nothing daunted, inspired him with a kind of +superstitious frenzy. + +"King against king--so be it! Let Allah decide between us!" cried the +Moorish monarch. "Bind up this wound 'tis well! A steed for the santon! +Now, my prophet and my friend, mount by the side of thy king--let us, at +least, fall together. Lelilies! Lelilies!" + +Throughout the brave Christian ranks went a thrill of reluctant +admiration, as they beheld the Paynim king, conspicuous by his fair +beard and the jewels of his harness, lead the scanty guard yet left to +him once more into the thickest of their lines. Simultaneously Muza and +his Zegris made their fiery charge; and the Moorish infantry, excited by +the example of their leaders, followed with unslackened and dogged +zeal. The Christians gave way--they were beaten back: Ferdinand spurred +forward; and, ere either party were well aware of it, both kings met in +the same melee: all order and discipline, for the moment, lost, general +and monarch were, as common soldiers, fighting hand to hand. It was then +that Ferdinand, after bearing down before his lance Naim Reduon, second +only to Muza in the songs of Granada, beheld opposed to him a strange +form, that seemed to that royal Christian rather fiend than man: his +raven hair and beard, clotted with blood, hung like snakes about a +countenance whose features, naturally formed to give expression to the +darkest passions, were distorted with the madness of despairing rage. +Wounded in many places, the blood dabbled his mail; while, over +his head, he waved the banner wrought with mystic characters, which +Ferdinand had already been taught to believe the workmanship of demons. + +"Now, perjured king of the Nazarenes!" shouted this formidable champion, +"we meet at last!--no longer host and guest, monarch and dervise, but +man to man! I am Almamen! Die!" + +He spoke; and his sword descended so fiercely on that anointed head that +Ferdinand bent to his saddle-bow. But the king quickly recovered his +seat, and gallantly met the encounter; it was one that might have tasked +to the utmost the prowess of his bravest knight. Passions which, in +their number, their nature, and their excess, animated no other champion +on either side, gave to the arm of Almamen the Israelite a preternatural +strength; his blows fell like rain upon the harness of the king; and +the fiery eyes, the gleaming banner of the mysterious sorcerer, who +had eluded the tortures of his Inquisition,--who had walked unscathed +through the midst of his army,--whose single hand had consumed the +encampment of a host, filled the stout heart of a king with a belief +that he encountered no earthly foe. Fortunately, perhaps, for Ferdinand +and Spain, the contest did not last long. Twenty horsemen spurred into +the melee to the rescue of the plumed diadem: Tendilla arrived the +first; with a stroke of his two-handed sword, the white banner was cleft +from its staff, and fell to the earth. At that sight the Moors round +broke forth in a wild and despairing cry: that cry spread from rank to +rank, from horse to foot; the Moorish infantry, sorely pressed on all +sides, no sooner learned the disaster than they turned to fly: the rout +was as fatal as it was sudden. The Christian reserve, just brought into +the field, poured down upon them with a simultaneous charge. Boabdil, +too much engaged to be the first to learn the downfall of the sacred +insignia, suddenly saw himself almost alone, with his diminished +Ethiopians and a handful of his cavaliers. + +"Yield thee, Boabdil el Chico!" cried Tendilla, from his rear, "or thou +canst not be saved." + +"By the Prophet, never!" exclaimed the king: and he dashed his barb +against the wall of spears behind him; and with but a score or so of his +guard, cut his way through the ranks that were not unwilling, perhaps, +to spare so brave a foe. As he cleared the Spanish battalions, the +unfortunate monarch checked his horse for a moment and gazed along the +plain: he beheld his army flying in all directions, save in that single +spot where yet glittered the turban of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. As he +gazed, he heard the panting nostrils of the chargers behind, and saw the +levelled spears of a company despatched to take him, alive or dead, by +the command of Ferdinand. He laid the reins upon his horse's neck and +galloped into the city--three lances quivered against the portals as he +disappeared through the shadows of the arch. But while Muza remained, +all was not yet lost: he perceived the flight of the infantry and the +king, and with his followers galloped across the plain: he came in time +to encounter and slay, to a man, the pursuers of Boabdil; he then threw +himself before the flying Moors: + +"Do ye fly in the sight of your wives and daughters? Would ye not rather +they beheld ye die?" + +A thousand voices answered him. "The banner is in the hands of the +infidel--all is lost!" They swept by him, and stopped not till they +gained the gates. + +But still a small and devoted remnant of the Moorish cavaliers remained +to shed a last glory over defeat itself. With Muza, their soul and +centre, they fought every atom of ground: it was, as the chronicler +expresses it, as if they grasped the soil with their arms. Twice they +charged into the midst of the foe: the slaughter they made doubled their +own number; but, gathering on and closing in, squadron upon squadron, +came the whole Christian army--they were encompassed, wearied out, +beaten back, as by an ocean. Like wild beasts, driven, at length, to +their lair, they retreated with their faces to the foe; and when Muza +came, the last--his cimiter shivered to the hilt,--he had scarcely +breath to command the gates to be closed and the portcullis lowered, ere +he fell from his charger in a sudden and deadly swoon, caused less by +his exhaustion than his agony and shame. So ended the last battle fought +for the Monarchy of Granada! + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE NOVICE. + +It was in one of the cells of a convent renowned for the piety of its +inmates and the wholesome austerity of its laws that a young novice sat +alone. The narrow casement was placed so high in the cold grey wall as +to forbid to the tenant of the cell the solace of sad or the distraction +of pious thoughts, which a view of the world without might afford. +Lovely, indeed, was the landscape that spread below; but it was barred +from those youthful and melancholy eyes: for Nature might tempt to a +thousand thoughts, not of a tenor calculated to reconcile the heart to +an eternal sacrifice of the sweet human ties. But a faint and partial +gleam of sunshine broke through the aperture and made yet more cheerless +the dreary aspect and gloomy appurtenances of the cell. And the young +novice seemed to carry on within herself that struggle of emotions +without which there is no victory in the resolves of virtue: sometimes +she wept bitterly, but with a low, subdued sorrow, which spoke rather of +despondency than passion; sometimes she raised her head from her breast, +and smiled as she looked upward, or as her eyes rested on the crucifix +and the death's head that were placed on the rude table by the pallet +on which she sat. They were emblems of death here, and life hereafter, +which, perhaps, afforded to her the sources of a twofold consolation. + +She was yet musing, when a slight tap at the door was heard, and the +abbess of the convent appeared. + +"Daughter," said she, "I have brought thee the comfort of a sacred +visitor. The Queen of Spain, whose pious tenderness is maternally +anxious for thy full contentment with thy lot, has sent hither a holy +friar, whom she deems more soothing in his counsels than our brother +Tomas, whose ardent zeal often terrifies those whom his honest spirit +only desires to purify and guide. I will leave him with thee. May +the saints bless his ministry!" So saying the abbess retired from the +threshold, making way for a form in the garb of a monk, with the hood +drawn over the face. The monk bowed his head meekly, advanced into the +cell, closed the door, and seated himself, on a stool--which, save the +table and the pallet, seemed the sole furniture of the dismal chamber. + +"Daughter," said he, after a pause, "it is a rugged and a mournful +lot this renunciation of earth and all its fair destinies and soft +affections, to one not wholly prepared and armed for the sacrifice. +Confide in me, my child; I am no dire inquisitor, seeking to distort +thy words to thine own peril. I am no bitter and morose ascetic. Beneath +these robes still beats a human heart that can sympathise with human +sorrows. Confide in me without fear. Dost thou not dread the fate they +would force upon thee? Dost thou not shrink back? Wouldst thou not be +free?" + +"No," said the poor novice; but the denial came faint and irresolute +from her lips. + +"Pause," said the friar, growing more earnest in his tone: "pause--there +is yet time." + +"Nay," said the novice, looking up with some surprise in her +countenance; "nay, even were I so weak, escape now is impossible. What +hand could unbar the gates of the convent?" + +"Mine!" cried the monk, with impetuosity. "Yes, I have that power. In +all Spain, but one man can save thee, and I am he." + +"You!" faltered the novice, gazing at her strange visitor with mingled +astonishment and alarm. "And who are you that could resist the fiat of +that Tomas de Torquemada, before whom, they tell me, even the crowned +heads of Castile and Arragon veil low?" + +The monk half rose, with an impatient and almost haughty start, at +this interrogatory; but, reseating himself, replied, in a deep and +half-whispered voice "Daughter, listen to me! It is true, that Isabel of +Spain (whom the Mother of Mercy bless! for merciful to all is her secret +heart, if not her outward policy)--it is true that Isabel of Spain, +fearful that the path to Heaven might be made rougher to thy feet than +it well need be (there was a slight accent of irony in the monk's voice +as he thus spoke), selected a friar of suasive eloquence and gentle +manners to visit thee. He was charged with letters to yon abbess from +the queen. Soft though the friar, he was yet a hypocrite. Nay, hear me +out! he loved to worship the rising sun; and he did not wish always to +remain a simple friar, while the Church had higher dignities of this +earth to bestow. In the Christian camp, daughter, there was one who +burned for tidings of thee,--whom thine image haunted--who, stern as +thou wert to him, loved thee with a love he knew not of, till thou +wert lost to him. Why dost thou tremble, daughter? listen, yet! To that +lover, for he was one of high birth, came the monk; to that lover the +monk sold his mission. The monk will have a ready tale, that he was +waylaid amidst the mountains by armed men, and robbed of his letters +to the abbess. The lover took his garb, and he took the letters; and he +hastened hither. Leila! beloved Leila! behold him at thy feet!" + +The monk raised his cowl; and, dropping on his knee beside her, +presented to her gaze the features of the Prince of Spain. + +"You!" said Leila, averting her countenance, and vainly endeavouring to +extricate the hand which he had seized. "This is indeed cruel. You, the +author of so many sufferings--such calumny--such reproach!" + +"I will repair all," said Don Juan, fervently. "I alone, I repeat it, +have the power to set you free. You are no longer a Jewess; you are one +of our faith; there is now no bar upon our loves. Imperious though my +father,--all dark and dread as is this new POWER which he is rashly +erecting in his dominions, the heir of two monarchies is not so poor in +influence and in friends as to be unable to offer the woman of his love +an inviolable shelter alike from priest and despot. Fly with me!--quit +this dreary sepulchre ere the last stone close over thee for ever! I +have horses, I have guards at hand. This night it can be arranged. This +night--oh, bliss!--thou mayest be rendered up to earth and love!" + +"Prince," said Leila, who had drawn herself from Juan's grasp during +this address, and who now stood at a little distance erect and proud, +"you tempt me in vain; or, rather you offer me no temptation. I have +made my choice; I abide by it." + +"Oh! bethink thee," said the prince, in a voice of real and imploring +anguish; "bethink thee well of the consequences of thy refusal. Thou +canst not see them yet; thine ardour blinds thee. But, when hour +after hour, day after day, year after year, steals on in the +appalling monotony of this sanctified prison; when thou shalt see thy +youth--withering without love--thine age without honour; when thy heart +shall grow as stone within thee, beneath the looks of you icy spectres; +when nothing shall vary the aching dulness of wasted life save a longer +fast or a severer penance: then, then will thy grief be rendered tenfold +by the despairing and remorseful thought, that thine own lips sealed +thine own sentence. Thou mayest think," continued Juan, with rapid +eagerness, "that my love to thee was at first light and dishonouring. Be +it so. I own that my youth has passed in idle wooings, and the mockeries +of affection. But for the first time in my life I feel that--I love. Thy +dark eyes--thy noble beauty--even thy womanly scorn, have fascinated me. +I--never yet disdained where I have been a suitor--acknowledge, at last, +that there is a triumph in the conquest of a woman's heart. Oh, Leila! +do not--do not reject me. You know not how rare and how deep a love you +cast away." + +The novice was touched: the present language of Don Juan was so +different from what it had been before; the earnest love that breathed +in his voice--that looked from his eyes, struck a chord in her breast; +it reminded her of her own unconquered, unconquerable love for the lost +Muza. She was touched, then--touched to tears; but her resolves were not +shaken. + +"Oh, Leila!" resumed the prince, fondly, mistaking the nature of her +emotion, and seeking to pursue the advantage he imagined he had gained, +"look at yonder sunbeam, struggling through the loophole of thy cell. Is +it not a messenger from the happy world? does it not plead for me? does +it not whisper to thee of the green fields and the laughing vineyards, +and all the beautiful prodigality of that earth thou art about to +renounce for ever? Dost thou dread my love? Are the forms around thee, +ascetic and lifeless, fairer to thine eyes than mine? Dost thou doubt +my power to protect thee? I tell thee that the proudest nobles of Spain +would flock around my banner, were it necessary to guard thee by force +of arms. Yet, speak the word--be mine--and I will fly hence with thee +to climes where the Church has not cast out its deadly roots, and, +forgetful of crowns and cares, live alone for thee: Ah, speak!" + +"My lord," said Leila, calmly, and rousing herself to the necessary +effort, "I am deeply and sincerely grateful for the interest you +express--for the affection you avow. But you deceive yourself. I have +pondered well over the alternative I have taken. I do not regret nor +repent--much less would I retract it. The earth that you speak of, full +of affections and of bliss to others, has no ties, no allurements for +me. I desire only peace, repose, and an early death." + +"Can it be possible," said the prince, growing pale, "that thou lovest +another? Then, indeed, and then only, would my wooing be in vain." + +The cheek of the novice grew deeply flushed, but the color soon +subsided; she murmured to herself, "Why should I blush to own it now?" +and then spoke aloud: "Prince, I trust I have done with the world; and +bitter the pang I feel when you call me back to it. But you merit my +candour; I have loved another; and in that thought, as in an urn, lie +the ashes of all affection. That other is of a different faith. We may +never--never meet again below, but it is a solace to pray that we may +meet above. That solace, and these cloisters, are dearer to me than all +the pomp, all the pleasures, of the world." + +The prince sank down, and, covering his face with his hands, groaned +aloud--but made no reply. + +"Go, then, Prince of Spain," continued the novice; "son of the noble +Isabel, Leila is not unworthy of her cares. Go, and pursue the great +destinies that await you. And if you forgive--if you still cherish a +thought of--the poor Jewish maiden, soften, alleviate, mitigate, +the wretched and desperate doom that awaits the fallen race she has +abandoned for thy creed." + +"Alas, alas!" said the prince, mournfully; "thee alone, perchance, of +all thy race, I could have saved from the bigotry that is fast covering +this knightly land like the rising of an irresistible sea--and thou +rejectest me! Take time, at least, to pause--to consider. Let me see +thee again tomorrow." + +"No, prince, no--not again! I will keep thy secret only if I see thee no +more. If thou persist in a suit that I feel to be that of sin and shame, +then, indeed, mine honour--" + +"Hold!" interrupted Juan, with haughty impatience, "I torment, I harass +you no more. I release you from my importunity. Perhaps already I +have stooped too low." He drew the cowl over his features, and strode +sullenly to the door; but, turning for one last gaze on the form that +had so strangely fascinated a heart capable of generous emotions, the +meek and despondent posture of the novice, her tender youth, her +gloomy fate, melted his momentary pride and resentment. "God bless and +reconcile thee, poor child!" he said, in a voice choked with contending +passions--and the door closed upon his form. + +"I thank thee, Heaven, that it was not Muza!" muttered Leila, breaking +from a reverie in which she seemed to be communing with her own soul: +"I feel that I could not have resisted him." With that thought she knelt +down, in humble and penitent self-reproach, and prayed for strength. + +Ere she had risen from her supplications, her solitude was again invaded +by Torquemada, the Dominican. + +This strange man, though the author of cruelties at which nature +recoils, had some veins of warm and gentle feeling streaking, as it +were, the marble of his hard character; and when he had thoroughly +convinced himself of the pure and earnest zeal of the young convert, he +relaxed from the grim sternness he had at first exhibited towards her. +He loved to exert the eloquence he possessed, in raising her spirit, +in reconciling her doubts. He prayed for her, and he prayed beside her, +with passion and with tears. + +He stayed long with the novice; and, when he left her, she was, if +not happy, at least contented. Her warmest wish now was to abridge the +period of her novitiate, which, at her desire, the Church had already +rendered merely a nominal probation. She longed to put irresolution +out of her power, and to enter at once upon the narrow road through the +strait gate. + +The gentle and modest piety of the young novice touched the sisterhood; +she was endeared to all of them. Her conversion was an event that broke +the lethargy of their stagnant life. She became an object of general +interest, of avowed pride, of kindly compassion; and their kindness to +her, who from her cradle had seen little of her own sex, had a great +effect towards calming and soothing her mind. But, at night, her dreams +brought before her the dark and menacing countenance of her father. +Sometimes he seemed to pluck her from the gates of heaven, and to sink +with her into the yawning abyss below. Sometimes she saw him with her +beside the altar, but imploring her to forswear the Saviour, before +whose crucifix she knelt. Occasionally her visions were haunted, also, +with Muza--but in less terrible guise She saw his calm and melancholy +eyes fixed upon her; and his voice asked, "Canst thou take a vow that +makes it sinful to remember me?" + +The night, that usually brings balm and oblivion to the sad, was thus +made more dreadful to Leila than the day. + +Her health grew feebler, and feebler, but her mind still was firm. In +happier time and circumstance that poor novice would have been a great +character; but she was one of the countless victims the world knows +not of, whose virtues are in silent motives, whose struggles are in the +solitary heart. + +Of the prince she heard and saw no more. There were times when she +fancied, from oblique and obscure hints, that the Dominican had been +aware of Don Juan's disguise and visit. But, if so, that knowledge +appeared only to increase the gentleness, almost the respect, which +Torquemada manifested towards her. Certainly, since that day, from some +cause or other the priest's manner had been softened when he addressed +her; and he who seldom had recourse to other arts than those of censure +and of menace, often uttered sentiments half of pity and half of praise. + +Thus consoled and supported in the day,--thus haunted and terrified by +night, but still not repenting her resolve, Leila saw the time glide on +to that eventful day when her lips were to pronounce that irrevocable +vow which is the epitaph of life. While in this obscure and remote +convent progressed the history of an individual, we are summoned back to +witness the crowning fate of an expiring dynasty. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE PAUSE BETWEEN DEFEAT AND SURRENDER. + +The unfortunate Boabdil plunged once more amidst the recesses of the +Alhambra. Whatever his anguish or his despondency, none were permitted +to share, or even to witness, his emotions. But he especially resisted +the admission to his solitude, demanded by his mother, implored by his +faithful Amine, and sorrowfully urged by Muza: those most loved, or most +respected, were, above all, the persons from whom he most shrank. + +Almamen was heard of no more. It was believed that he had perished in +the battle. But he was one of those who, precisely as they are effective +when present, are forgotten in absence. And, in the meanwhile, as the +Vega was utterly desolated, and all supplies were cut off, famine, daily +made more terrifically severe, diverted the attention of each humbler +Moor from the fall of the city to his individual sufferings. + +New persecutions fell upon the miserable Jews. Not having taken any +share in the conflict (as was to be expected from men who had no stake +in the country which they dwelt in, and whose brethren had been taught +so severe a lesson upon the folly of interference), no sentiment of +fellowship in danger mitigated the hatred and loathing with which they +were held; and as, in their lust of gain, many of them continued, amidst +the agony and starvation of the citizens, to sell food at enormous +prices, the excitement of the multitude against them--released by the +state of the city from all restraint and law--made itself felt by the +most barbarous excesses. Many of the houses of the Israelites were +attacked by the mob, plundered, razed to the ground, and the owner +tortured to death, to extort confession of imaginary wealth. Not to +sell what was demanded was a crime; to sell it was a crime also. These +miserable outcasts fled to whatever secret places the vaults of their +houses or the caverns in the hills within the city could yet afford +them, cursing their fate, and almost longing even for the yoke of the +Christian bigots. + +Thus passed several days; the defence of the city abandoned to its naked +walls and mighty gates. The glaring sun looked down upon closed shops +and depopulated streets, save when some ghostly and skeleton band of +the famished poor collected, in a sudden paroxysm of revenge or despair, +around the stormed and fired mansion of a detested Israelite. + +At length Boabdil aroused himself from his seclusion; and Muza, to his +own surprise, was summoned to the presence of the king. He found Boabdil +in one of the most gorgeous halls of his gorgeous palace. + +Within the Tower of Comares is a vast chamber, still called the hall +of the Ambassadors. Here it was that Boabdil now held his court. On the +glowing walls hung trophies and banners, and here and there an Arabian +portrait of some bearded king. By the windows, which overlooked the most +lovely banks of the Llarro, gathered the santons and alfaquis, a little +apart from the main crowd. Beyond, through half-veiling draperies, might +be seen the great court of the Alberca, whose peristyles were hung with +flowers; while, in the centre, the gigantic basin, which gives its name +to the court, caught the sunlight obliquely, and its waves glittered on +the eye from amidst the roses that then clustered over it. + +In the audience hall itself, a canopy, over the royal cushions on which +Boabdil reclined, was blazoned with the heraldic insignia of Granada's +monarchs. His guard, and his mutes, and his eunuchs, and his courtiers, +and his counsellors, and his captains, were ranged in long files on +either side the canopy. It seemed the last flicker of the lamp of the +Moorish empire, that hollow and unreal pomp! As Muza approached the +monarch, he was startled by the change of his countenance: the young +and beautiful Boabdil seemed to have grown suddenly old; his eyes were +sunken, his countenance sown with wrinkles, and his voice sounded broken +and hollow on the ears of his kinsman. + +"Come hither, Muza," said he; "seat thyself beside me, and listen as +thou best canst to the tidings we are about to hear." + +As Muza placed himself on a cushion, a little below the king, Boabdil +motioned to one amongst the crowd. "Hamet," said he, "thou hast examined +the state of the Christian camp; what news dost thou bring?" + +"Light of the Faithful," answered the Moor, "it is a camp no longer--it +has already become a city. Nine towns of Spain were charged with the +task; stone has taken the place of canvas; towers and streets arise like +the buildings of a genius; and the misbelieving king hath sworn that +this new city shall not be left until Granada sees his standard on its +walls." + +"Go on," said Boabdil, calmly. + +"Traders and men of merchandise flock thither daily; the spot is one +bazaar; all that should supply our famishing country pours its plenty +into their mart." + +Boabdil motioned to the Moor to withdraw, and an alfaqui advanced in his +stead. + +"Successor of the Prophet, and darling of the world!" said the reverend +man, "the alfaquis and seers of Granada implore thee on their knees to +listen to their voice. They have consulted the Books of Fate; thy have +implored a sign from the Prophet; and they find that the glory has left +thy people and thy crown. The fall of Granada is predestined; God is +great!" + +"You shall have my answer forthwith," said Boabdil. "Abdelemic, +approach." + +From the crowd came an aged and white-bearded man, the governor of the +city. + +"Speak, old man," said the king. + +"Oh, Boabdil!" said the veteran, with faltering tones, while the tears +rolled down his cheeks; "son of a race of kings and heroes! would that +thy servant had fallen dead on thy threshold this day, and that the +lips of a Moorish noble had never been polluted by the words that I +now utter! Our state is hopeless; our granaries are as the sands of the +desert: there is in them life neither for beast nor man. The war-horse +that bore the hero is now consumed for his food; the population of thy +city, with one voice, cry for chains and--bread! I have spoken." + +"Admit the Ambassador of Egypt," said Boabdil, as Abdelmelic retired. +There was a pause: one of the draperies at the end of the hall was drawn +aside; and with the slow and sedate majesty of their tribe and land, +paced forth a dark and swarthy train, the envoys of the Egyptian soldan. +Six of the band bore costly presents of gems and weapons, and the +procession closed with four veiled slaves, whose beauty had been the +boast of the ancient valley of the Nile. + +"Sun of Granada and day--star of the faithful!" said the chief of the +Egyptians, "my lord, the Soldan of Egypt, delight of the world, and +rose-tree of the East, thus answers to the letters of Boabdil. He +grieves that he cannot send the succour thou demandest; and informing +himself of the condition of thy territories, he finds that Granada no +longer holds a seaport by which his forces (could he send them) might +find an entrance into Spain. He implores thee to put thy trust in Allah, +who will not desert his chosen ones, and lays these gifts, in pledge of +amity and love, at the feet of my lord the king." + +"It is a gracious and well-timed offering," said Boabdil, with a +writhing lip; "we thank him." There was now a long and dead silence as +the ambassadors swept from the hall of audience, when Boabdil suddenly +raised his head from his breast and looked around his hall with a kingly +and majestic look: "Let the heralds of Ferdinand of Spain approach." + +A groan involuntarily broke from the breast of Muza: it was echoed by +a murmur of abhorrence and despair from the gallant captains who stood +around; but to that momentary burst succeeded a breathless silence, as +from another drapery, opposite the royal couch, gleamed the burnished +mail of the knights of Spain. Foremost of these haughty visitors, whose +iron heels clanked loudly on the tesselated floor, came a noble and +stately form, in full armour, save the helmet, and with a mantle of +azure velvet, wrought with the silver cross that made the badge of the +Christian war. Upon his manly countenance was visible no sign of undue +arrogance or exultation; but something of that generous pity which brave +men feel for conquered foes dimmed the lustre of his commanding eye, and +softened the wonted sternness of his martial bearing. He and his train +approached the king with a profound salutation of respect; and falling +back, motioned to the herald that accompanied him, and whose garb, +breast and back, was wrought with the arms of Spain, to deliver himself +of his mission. + +"To Boabdil!" said the herald, with a loud voice, that filled the whole +expanse, and thrilled with various emotions the dumb assembly. "To +Boabdil el Chico, King of Granada, Ferdinand of Arragon and Isabel of +Castile send royal greeting. They command me to express their hope that +the war is at length concluded; and they offer to the King of Granada +such terms of capitulation as a king, without dishonour, may receive. +In the stead of this city, which their Most Christian Majesties will +restore to their own dominion, as is just, they offer, O king, princely +territories in the Alpuxarras mountains to your sway, holding them by +oath of fealty to the Spanish crown. To the people of Granada, their +Most Christian Majesties promise full protection of property, life, +and faith under a government by their own magistrates, and according +to their own laws; exemption from tribute for three years; and taxes +thereafter, regulated by the custom and ratio of their present imposts. +To such Moors as, discontented with these provisions, would abandon +Granada, are promised free passage for themselves and their wealth. +In return for these marks of their royal bounty, their Most Christian +Majesties summon Granada to surrender (if no succour meanwhile arrive) +within seventy days. And these offers are now solemnly recorded in the +presence, and through the mission, of the noble and renowned knight, +Gonzalvo of Cordova, deputed by their Most Christian Majesties from +their new city of Santa Fe." + +When the herald had concluded, Boabdil cast his eye over his thronged +and splendid court. No glance of fire met his own; amidst the silent +crowd, a resigned content was alone to be perceived: the proposals +exceeded the hope of the besieged. + +"And," asked Boabdil, with a deep-drawn sigh, "if we reject these +offers?" + +"Noble prince," said Gonzalvo, earnestly, "ask us not to wound thine +ears with the alternative. Pause, and consider of our offers; and, if +thou doubtest, O brave king! mount the towers of thine Alhambra, survey +our legions marshalled beneath thy walls, and turn thine eyes upon a +brave people, defeated, not by human valour, but by famine, and the +inscrutable will of God." + +"Your monarchs shall have our answer, gentle Christian, perchance ere +nightfall. And you, Sir Knight, who hast delivered a message bitter for +kings to bear, receive, at least, our thanks for such bearing as might +best mitigate the import. Our vizier will bear to your apartment those +tokens of remembrance that are yet left to the monarch of Granada to +bestow." + +"Muza," resumed the king, as the Spaniards left the presence--"thou hast +heard all. What is the last counsel thou canst give thy sovereign?" + +The fierce Moor had with difficulty waited this licence to utter such +sentiments as death only could banish from that unconquerable heart. He +rose, descended from the couch, and, standing a little below the +king, and facing the motley throng of all of wise or brave yet left to +Granada, thus spoke:-- + +"Why should we surrender? two hundred thousand inhabitants are yet +within our walls; of these, twenty thousand, at least, are Moors, who +have hands and swords. Why should we surrender? Famine presses us, it is +true; but hunger, that makes the lion more terrible, shall it make the +man more base? Do ye despair? so be it! despair in the valiant ought +to have an irresistible force. Despair has made cowards brave: shall it +sink the brave to cowards? Let us arouse the people; hitherto we have +depended too much upon the nobles. Let us collect our whole force, and +march upon this new city, while the soldiers of Spain are employed in +their new profession of architects and builders. Hear me, O God and +prophet of the Moslem! hear one who never was forsworn! If, Moors of +Granada, ye adopt my counsel, I cannot promise ye victory, but I +promise ye never to live without it: I promise ye, at least, your +independence--for the dead know no chains! If we cannot live, let us +so die that we may leave to remotest ages a glory that shall be more +durable than kingdoms. King of Granada! this is the counsel of Muza Ben +Abil Gazan." + +The prince ceased. But he, whose faintest word had once breathed fire +into the dullest, had now poured out his spirit upon frigid and lifeless +matter. No man answered--no man moved. + +Boabdil alone, clinging to the shadow of hope, turned at last towards +the audience. + +"Warriors and sages!" he said, "as Muza's counsel is your king's desire, +say but the word, and, ere the hour-glass shed its last sand, the blast +of our trumpet shall be ringing through the Vivarrambla." + +"O king! fight not against the will of fate--God is great!" replied the +chief of the alfaquis. + +"Alas!" said Abdelmelic, "if the voice of Muza and your own falls thus +coldly upon us, how can ye stir the breadless and heartless multitude?" + +"Is such your general thought and your general will?" said Boabdil. + +An universal murmur answered, "Yes!" + +"Go then, Abdelmelic;" resumed the ill-starred king; "go with yon +Spaniards to the Christian camp, and bring us back the best terms you +can obtain. The crown has passed from the head of El Zogoybi; Fate +sets her seal upon my brow. Unfortunate was the commencement of my +reign--unfortunate its end. Break up the divan." + +The words of Boabdil moved and penetrated an audience, never till then +so alive to his gentle qualities, his learned wisdom, and his natural +valour. Many flung themselves at his feet, with tears and sighs; and the +crowd gathered round to touch the hem of his robe. + +Muza gazed at them in deep disdain, with folded arms and heaving breast. + +"Women, not men!" he exclaimed, "ye weep, as if ye had not blood still +left to shed! Ye are reconciled to the loss of liberty, because ye are +told ye shall lose nothing else. Fools and dupes! I see, from the spot +where my spirit stands above ye, the dark and dismal future to which ye +are crawling on your knees: bondage and rapine--the violence of lawless +lust--the persecution of hostile faith--your gold wrung from ye by +torture--your national name rooted from the soil. Bear this, and +remember me! Farewell, Boabdil! you I pity not; for your gardens have +yet a poison, and your armories a sword. Farewell, nobles and santons of +Granada! I quit my country while it is yet free." + +Scarcely had he ceased, ere he had disappeared from the hall. It was as +the parting genius of Granada! + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SOLITARY HORSEMAN. + +It was a burning and sultry noon, when, through a small valley, skirted +by rugged and precipitous hills, at the distance of several leagues from +Granada, a horseman, in complete armour, wound his solitary way; His +mail was black and unadorned; on his vizor waved no plume. But there +was something in his carriage and mien, and the singular beauty of his +coal-black steed, which appeared to indicate a higher rank than the +absence of page and squire, and the plainness of his accoutrements, +would have denoted to a careless eye. He rode very slowly; and his +steed, with the licence of a spoiled favourite, often halted lazily in +his sultry path, as a tuft of herbage, or the bough of some overhanging +tree, offered its temptation. At length, as he thus paused, a noise was +heard in a copse that clothed the descent of a steep mountain; and the +horse started suddenly back, forcing the traveller from his reverie. +He looked mechanically upward, and beheld the figure of a man bounding +through the trees, with rapid and irregular steps. It was a form that +suited well the silence and solitude of the spot; and might have passed +for one of those stern recluses--half hermit, half soldier--who, in the +earlier crusades, fixed their wild homes amidst the sands and caves of +Palestine. The stranger supported his steps by a long staff. His hair +and beard hung long and matted over his broad shoulders. A rusted mail, +once splendid with arabesque enrichments, protected his breast; but the +loose gown--a sort of tartan, which descended below the cuirass--was +rent and tattered, and his feet bare; in his girdle was a short curved +cimiter, a knife or dagger, and a parchment roll, clasped and bound with +iron. + +As the horseman gazed at this abrupt intruder on the solitude, his +frame quivered with emotion; and, raising himself to his full height, he +called aloud, "Fiend or santon--whatsoever thou art--what seekest thou +in these lonely places, far from the king thy counsels deluded, and the +city betrayed by thy false prophecies and unhallowed charms?" + +"Ha!" cried Almamen, for it was indeed the Israelite; "by thy black +charger, and the tone of thy haughty voice, I know the hero of Granada. +Rather, Muza Ben Abil Gazan, why art thou absent from the last hold of +the Moorish empire?" + +"Dost thou pretend to read the future, and art thou blind to the +present? Granada has capitulated to the Spaniard. Alone I have left a +land of slaves, and shall seek, in our ancestral Africa, some spot where +the footstep of the misbeliever hath not trodden." + +"The fate of one bigotry is, then, sealed," said Almamen, gloomily; "but +that which succeeds it is yet more dark." + +"Dog!" cried Muza, couching his lance, "what art thou that thus +blasphemest?" + +"A Jew!" replied Almamen, in a voice of thunder, and drawing his +cimiter: "a despised and despising Jew! Ask you more? I am the son of +a race of kings. I was the worst enemy of the Moors till I found the +Nazarene more hateful than the Moslem; and then even Muza himself was +not their more renowned champion. Come on, if thou wilt--man to man: I +defy thee" + +"No, no," muttered Muza, sinking his lance; "thy mail is rusted with +the blood of the Spaniard, and this arm cannot smite the slayer of the +Christian. Part we in peace." + +"Hold, prince!" said Almamen, in an altered voice: "is thy country the +sole thing dear to thee? Has the smile of woman never stolen beneath +thine armour? Has thy heart never beat for softer meetings than the +encounter of a foe?" + +"Am I human, and a Moor?" returned Muza. "For once you divine aright; +and, could thy spells bestow on these eyes but one more sight of the +last treasure left to me on earth, I should be as credulous of thy +sorcery as Boabdil." + +"Thou lovest her still, then--this Leila?" + +"Dark necromancer, hast thou read my secret? and knowest thou the name +of my beloved one? Ah! let me believe thee indeed wise, and reveal to +me the spot of earth which holds the delight of my soul! Yes," continued +the Moor, with increased emotion, and throwing up his vizor, as if for +air--"yes; Allah forgive me! but, when all was lost at Granada, I had +still one consolation in leaving my fated birthplace: I had licence to +search for Leila; I had the hope to secure to my wanderings in distant +lands one to whose glance the eyes of the houris would be dim. But I +waste words. Tell me where is Leila, and conduct me to her feet!" + +"Moslem, I will lead thee to her," answered Almamen, gazing on the +prince with an expression of strange and fearful exultation in his dark +eyes: "I will lead thee to her-follow me. It is only yesternight that I +learned the walls that confined her; and from that hour to this have I +journeyed over mountain and desert, without rest or food." + +"Yet what is she to thee?" asked Muza, suspiciously. + +"Thou shalt learn full soon. Let us on." + +So saying, Almamen sprang forward with a vigour which the excitement of +his mind supplied to the exhaustion of his body. Muza wonderingly +pushed on his charger, and endeavoured to draw his mysterious guide into +conversation: but Almamen scarcely heeded him. And when he broke from +his gloomy silence, it was but in incoherent and brief exclamations, +often in a tongue foreign to the ear of his companion. The hardy Moor, +though steeled against the superstitions of his race, less by the +philosophy of the learned than the contempt of the brave, felt an awe +gather over him as he glanced, from the giant rocks and lonely valleys, +to the unearthly aspect and glittering eyes of the reputed sorcerer; and +more than once he muttered such verses of the Koran as were esteemed by +his countrymen the counterspell to the machinations of the evil genii. + +It might be an hour that they had thus journeyed together, when Almamen +paused abruptly. "I am wearied," said he, faintly; "and, though time +presses, I fear that my strength will fail me." + +"Mount, then, behind me," returned the Moor, after some natural +hesitation: "Jew though thou art, I will brave the contamination for the +sake of Leila." + +"Moor!" cried the Hebrew, fiercely, "the contamination would be mine. +Things of yesterday, as thy Prophet and thy creed are, thou canst not +sound the unfathomable loathing which each heart faithful to the Ancient +of Days feels for such as thou and thine." + +"Now, by the Kaaba!" said Muza, and his brow became dark, "another such +word and the hoofs of my steed shall trample the breath of blasphemy +from thy body." + +"I would defy thee to the death," answered Almamen, disdainfully; "but +I reserve the bravest of the Moors to witness a deed worthy of the +descendant of Jephtha. But hist! I hear hoofs." + +Muza listened; and his sharp ear caught a distinct ring upon the hard +and rocky soil. He turned round and saw Almamen gliding away through +the thick underwood, until the branches concealed his form. Presently, +a curve in the path brought in view a Spanish cavalier, mounted on an +Andalusian jennet: the horseman was gaily singing one of the popular +ballads of the time; and, as it related to the feats of the Spaniards +against the Moors, Muza's haughty blood was already stirred, and his +moustache quivered on his lip. "I will change the air," muttered the +Moslem, grasping his lance, when, as the thought crossed him, he beheld +the Spaniard suddenly reel in his saddle and lay prostrate on the +ground. In the same instant Almamen had darted from his hiding-place, +seized the steed of the cavalier, mounted, and, ere Muza recovered from +his surprise, was by the side of the Moor. + +"By what harm," said Muza, curbing his barb, "didst thou fell the +Spaniard--seemingly without a blow?" + +"As David felled Goliath--by the pebble and the sling," answered +Almamen, carelessly. "Now, then, spur forward, if thou art eager to see +thy Leila." + +The horsemen dashed over the body of the stunned and insensible +Spaniard. Tree and mountain glided by; gradually the valley vanished, +and a thick forest loomed upon their path. Still they made on, though +the interlaced boughs and the ruggedness of the footing somewhat +obstructed their way; until, as the sun began slowly to decline, they +entered a broad and circular space, round which trees of the eldest +growth spread their motionless and shadowy boughs. In the midmost sward +was a rude and antique stone, resembling the altar of some barbarous and +departed creed. Here Almamen abruptly halted, and muttered inaudibly to +himself. + +"What moves thee, dark stranger?" said the Moor; "and why dost thou +mutter and gaze on space?" + +Almamen answered not, but dismounted, hung his bridle to a branch of a +scathed and riven elm, and advanced alone into the middle of the +space. "Dread and prophetic power that art within me!" said the Hebrew, +aloud,--"this, then, is the spot that, by dream and vision, thou hast +foretold me wherein to consummate and record the vow that shall sever +from the spirit the last weakness of the flesh. Night after night hast +thou brought before mine eyes, in darkness and in slumber, the solemn +solitude that I now survey. Be it so! I am prepared!" + +Thus speaking, he retired for a few moments into the wood: collected +in his arms the dry leaves and withered branches which cumbered the +desolate clay, and placed the fuel upon the altar. Then, turning to the +East, and raising his hands he exclaimed, "Lo! upon this altar, once +worshipped, perchance, by the heathen savage, the last bold spirit of +thy fallen and scattered race dedicates, O Ineffable One! that precious +offering Thou didst demand from a sire of old. Accept the sacrifice!" + +As the Hebrew ended his adjuration he drew a phial from his bosom, and +sprinkled a few drops upon the arid fuel. A pale blue flame suddenly +leaped up; and, as it lighted the haggard but earnest countenance of +the Israelite, Muza felt his Moorish blood congeal in his veins, and +shuddered, though he scarce knew why. Almamen, with his dagger, severed +from his head one of his long locks, and cast it upon the flame. He +watched it until it was consumed; and then, with a stifled cry, fell +upon the earth in a dead swoon. The Moor hastened to raise him; he +chafed his hands and temples; he unbuckled the vest upon his bosom; he +forgot that his comrade was a sorcerer and a Jew, so much had the agony +of that excitement moved his sympathy. + +It was not till several minutes had elapsed that Almamen, with a +deep-drawn sigh, recovered from his swoon. "Ah, beloved one! bride of my +heart!" he murmured, "was it for this that thou didst commend to me +the only pledge of our youthful love? Forgive me! I restore her to the +earth, untainted by the Gentile." He closed his eyes again, and a strong +convulsion shook his frame. It passed; and he rose as a man from a +fearful dream, composed, and almost as it were refreshed, by the terrors +he had undergone. The last glimmer of the ghastly light was dying away +upon that ancient altar, and a low wind crept sighing through the trees. + +"Mount, prince," said Almamen, calmly, but averting his eyes from the +altar; "we shall have no more delays." + +"Wilt thou not explain thy incantation?" asked Muza; "or is it, as my +reason tells me, but the mummery of a juggler?" + +"Alas! alas!" answered Almamen, in a sad and altered tone, "thou wilt +soon know all." + + + + +CHAPTER V. THE SACRIFICE. + +The sun was now sinking slowly through those masses of purple cloud +which belong to Iberian skies; when, emerging from the forest, the +travellers saw before them a small and lovely plain, cultivated like a +garden. Rows of orange and citron trees were backed by the dark green +foliage of vines; and these again found a barrier in girdling copses +of chestnut, oak, and the deeper verdure of pines: while, far to +the horizon, rose the distant and dim outline of the mountain range, +scarcely distinguishable from the mellow colourings of the heaven. +Through this charming spot went a slender and sparkling torrent, that +collected its waters in a circular basin, over which the rose and orange +hung their contrasted blossoms. On a gentle eminence above this plain, +or garden, rose the spires of a convent: and, though it was still clear +daylight, the long and pointed lattices were illumined within; and, +as the horsemen cast their eyes upon the pile, the sound of the holy +chorus--made more sweet and solemn from its own indistinctness, from the +quiet of the hour, from the sudden and sequestered loveliness of that +spot, suiting so well the ideal calm of the conventual life--rolled its +music through the odorous and lucent air. + +But that scene and that sound, so calculated to soothe and harmonise the +thought, seemed to arouse Almamen into agony and passion. He smote his +breast with his clenched hand; and, shrieking, rather than exclaiming, +"God of my fathers! have I come too late?" buried his spurs to the +rowels in the sides of his panting steed. Along the sward, through the +fragrant shrubs, athwart the pebbly and shallow torrent, up the ascent +to the convent, sped the Israelite. Muza, wondering and half reluctant, +followed at a little distance. Clearer and nearer came the voices of the +choir; broader and redder glowed the tapers from the Gothic casements: +the porch of the convent chapel was reached; the Hebrew sprang from his +horse. A small group of the peasants dependent on the convent loitered +reverently round the threshold; pushing through them, as one frantic, +Almamen entered the chapel and disappeared. + +A minute elapsed. Muza was at the door; but the Moor paused +irresolutely, ere he dismounted. "What is the ceremony?" he asked of the +peasants. + +"A nun is about to take the vows," answered one of them. + +A cry of alarm, of indignation, of terror, was heard within. Muza no +longer delayed: he gave his steed to the bystanders, pushed aside the +heavy curtain that screened the threshold and was within the chapel. + +By the altar gathered a confused and disordered group--the sisterhood, +with their abbess. Round the consecrated rail flocked the spectators, +breathless and amazed. Conspicuous above the rest, on the elevation of +the holy place, stood Almamen with his drawn dagger in his right hand, +his left arm clasped around the form of a novice, whose dress, not yet +replaced by the serge, bespoke her the sister fated to the veil; and, +on the opposite side of that sister, one hand on her shoulder, the other +rearing on high the sacred crucifix, stood a stern, commanding form, in +the white robes of the Dominican order; it was Tomas de Torquemada. + +"Avaunt, Almamen!" were the first words which reached Muza's ear as +he stood, unnoticed, in the middle of the aisle: "here thy sorcery and +thine arts cannot avail thee. Release the devoted one of God!" + +"She is mine! she is my daughter! I claim her from thee as a father, in +the name of the great Sire of Man!" + +"Seize the sorcerer! seize him!" exclaimed the Inquisitor, as, with +a sudden movement, Almamen cleared his way through the scattered and +dismayed group, and stood with his daughter in his arms, on the first +step of the consecrated platform. + +But not a foot stirred--not a hand was raised. The epithet bestowed on +the intruder had only breathed a supernatural terror into the audience; +and they would have sooner rushed upon a tiger in his lair, than on the +lifted dagger and savage aspect of that grim stranger. + +"Oh, my father!" then said a low and faltering voice, that startled Muza +as a voice from the grave--"wrestle not against the decrees of Heaven. +Thy daughter is not compelled to her solemn choice. Humbly, but +devotedly, a convert to the Christian creed, her only wish on earth is +to take the consecrated and eternal vow." + +"Ha!" groaned the Hebrew, suddenly relaxing his hold, as his daughter +fell on her knees before him, "then have I indeed been told, as I have +foreseen, the worst. The veil is rent--the spirit hath left the temple. +Thy beauty is desecrated; thy form is but unhallowed clay. Dog!" +he cried, more fiercely, glaring round upon the unmoved face of the +Inquisitor, "this is thy work: but thou shalt not triumph. Here, by +thine own shrine, I spit at and defy thee, as once before, amidst +the tortures of thy inhuman court. Thus--thus--thus--Almamen the Jew +delivers the last of his house from the curse of Galilee!" + +"Hold, murderer!" cried a voice of thunder; and an armed man burst +through the crowd and stood upon the platform. It was too late: thrice +the blade of the Hebrew had passed through that innocent breast; thrice +was it reddened with that virgin blood. Leila fell in the arms of her +lover; her dim eyes rested upon his countenance, as it shone upon +her, beneath his lifted vizor-a faint and tender smile played upon her +lips--Leila was no more. + +One hasty glance Almamen cast upon his victim, and then, with a wild +laugh that woke every echo in the dreary aisles, he leaped from the +place. Brandishing his bloody weapon above his head, he dashed through +the coward crowd; and, ere even the startled Dominican had found +a voice, the tramp of his headlong steed rang upon the air; an +instant--and all was silent. + +But over the murdered girl leaned the Moor, as yet incredulous of her +death; her head still unshorn of its purple tresses, pillowed on his +lap--her icy hand clasped in his, and her blood weltering fast over his +armour. None disturbed him; for, habited as the knights of Christendom, +none suspected his faith; and all, even the Dominican, felt a thrill of +sympathy at his distress. How he came hither, with what object,--what +hope, their thoughts were too much locked in pity to conjecture. +There, voiceless and motionless, bent the Moor, until one of the monks +approached and felt the pulse, to ascertain if life was, indeed, utterly +gone. + +The Moor at first waved him haughtily away; but, when he divined the +monk's purpose, suffered him in silence to take the beloved hand. He +fixed on him his dark and imploring eyes; and when the father dropped +the hand, and, gently shaking his head, turned away, a deep and +agonising groan was all that the audience heard from that heart in which +the last iron of fate had entered. Passionately he kissed the brow, the +cheeks, the lips of the hushed and angel face, and rose from the spot. + +"What dost thou here? and what knowest thou of yon murderous enemy of +God and man?" asked the Dominican, approaching. + +Muza made no reply, as he stalked slowly through the chapel. The +audience was touched to sudden tears. "Forbear!" said they, almost with +one accord, to the harsh Inquisitor; "he hath no voice to answer thee." + +And thus, amidst the oppressive grief and sympathy of the Christian +throng, the unknown Paynim reached the door, mounted his steed, and as +he turned once more and cast a hurried glance upon the fatal pile, the +bystanders saw the large tears rolling down his swarthy cheeks. + +Slowly that coal-black charger wound down the hillock, crossed the quiet +and lovely garden, and vanished amidst the forest. And never was known, +to Moor or Christian, the future fate of the hero of Granada. Whether he +reached in safety the shores of his ancestral Africa, and carved out +new fortunes and a new name; or whether death, by disease or strife, +terminated obscurely his glorious and brief career, mystery--deep +and unpenetrated, even by the fancies of the thousand bards who have +consecrated his deeds--wraps in everlasting shadow the destinies of Muza +Ben Abil Gazan, from that hour, when the setting sun threw its parting +ray over his stately form and his ebon barb, disappearing amidst the +breathless shadows of the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE RETURN--THE RIOT--THE TREACHERY--AND THE DEATH. + +It was the eve of the fatal day on which Granada was to be delivered +to the Spaniards, and in that subterranean vault beneath the house of +Almamen, before described, three elders of the Jewish persuasion were +met. + +"Trusty and well-beloved Ximen," cried one, a wealthy and usurious +merchant, with a twinkling and humid eye, and a sleek and unctuous +aspect, which did not, however, suffice to disguise something fierce +and crafty in his low brow and pinched lips--"trusty and well-beloved +Ximen," said this Jew--"truly thou hast served us well, in yielding +to thy persecuted brethren this secret shelter. Here, indeed, may the +heathen search for us in vain! Verily, my veins grow warm again; and thy +servant hungereth, and hath thirst." + +"Eat, Isaac--eat; yonder are viands prepared for thee; eat, and spare +not. And thou, Elias--wilt thou not draw near the board? the wine is old +and precious, and will revive thee." + +"Ashes and hyssop--hyssop and ashes, are food and drink for me," +answered Elias, with passionate bitterness; "they have rased my +house--they have burned my granaries--they have molten down my gold. I +am a ruined man!" + +"Nay," said Ximen, who gazed at him with a malevolent eye--for so +utterly had years and sorrows mixed with gall even the one kindlier +sympathy he possessed, that he could not resist an inward chuckle +over the very afflictions he relieved, and the very impotence he +protected--"nay, Elias, thou hast wealth yet left in the seaport towns +sufficient to buy up half Granada." + +"The Nazarene will seize it all!" cried Elias; "I see it already in his +grasp!" + +"Nay, thinkest thou so?--and wherefore?" asked Ximen, startled into +sincere, because selfish anxiety. + +"Mark me! Under licence of the truce, I went, last night, to the +Christian camp: I had an interview with the Christian king; and when +he heard my name and faith, his very beard curled with ire. 'Hound of +Belial!' he roared forth, 'has not thy comrade carrion, the sorcerer +Almamen, sufficiently deceived and insulted the majesty of Spain? For +his sake, ye shall have no quarter. Tarry here another instant, and thy +corpse shall be swinging to the winds! Go, and count over thy misgotten +wealth; just census shall be taken of it; and if thou defraudest our +holy impost by one piece of copper, thou shalt sup with Dives!' Such +was my mission, and mine answer. I return home to see the ashes of mine +house! Woe is me!" + +"And this we owe to Almamen, the pretended Jew!" cried Isaac, from his +solitary but not idle place at the board. "I would this knife were at +his false throat!" growled Elias, clutching his poniard with his long +bony fingers. + +"No chance of that," muttered Ximen; "he will return no more to Granada. +The vulture and the worm have divided his carcass between them ere this; +and (he added inly with a hideous smile) his house and his gold have +fallen into the hands of old childless Ximen." + +"This is a strange and fearful vault," said Isaac, quaffing a large +goblet of the hot wine of the Vega; "here might the Witch of Endor have +raised the dead. Yon door--whither doth it lead?" + +"Through passages none that I know of, save my master, hath trodden," +answered Ximen. "I have heard that they reach even to the Alhambra. +Come, worthy Elias! thy form trembles with the cold: take this wine." + +"Hist!" said Elias, shaking from limb to limb; "our pursuers are upon +us--I hear a step!" + +As he spoke, the door to which Isaac had pointed slowly opened and +Almamen entered the vault. + +Had, indeed, a new Witch of Endor conjured up the dead, the apparition +would not more have startled and appalled that goodly trio. Elias, +griping his knife, retreated to the farthest end of the vault. Isaac +dropped the goblet he was about to drain, and fell upon his knees. +Ximen, alone, growing, if possible, a shade more ghastly--retained +something of self-possession, as he muttered to himself--"He lives! and +his gold is not mine! Curse him!" + +Seemingly unconscious of the strange guests his sanctuary shrouded, +Almamen stalked on, like a man walking in his sleep. + +Ximen roused himself--softly unbarred the door which admitted to the +upper apartments, and motioned to his comrades to avail themselves of +the opening, but as Isaac--the first to accept the hint--crept across, +Almamen fixed upon him his terrible eye, and, appearing suddenly to +awake to consciousness, shouted out, "Thou miscreant, Ximen! whom hast +thou admitted to the secrets of thy lord? Close the door--these men must +die!" + +"Mighty master!" said Ximen, calmly, "is thy servant to blame that he +believed the rumour that declared thy death? These men are of our holy +faith, whom I have snatched from the violence of the sacrilegious and +maddened mob. No spot but this seemed safe from the popular frenzy." +"Are ye Jews?" said Almamen. "Ah, yes! I know ye now--things of the +market-place and bazaar'. Oh, ye are Jews, indeed! Go, go! Leave me!" + +Waiting no further licence, the three vanished; but, ere he quitted the +vault, Elias turned back his scowling countenance on Almamen (who had +sunk again into an absorbed meditation) with a glance of vindictive +ire--Almamen was alone. + +In less than a quarter of an hour Ximen returned to seek his master; but +the place was again deserted. + +It was midnight in the streets of Granada--midnight, but not repose. The +multitude, roused into one of their paroyxsms of wrath and sorrow, by +the reflection that the morrow was indeed the day of their subjection +to the Christian foe, poured forth through the streets to the number of +twenty thousand. It was a wild and stormy night; those formidable gusts +of wind, which sometimes sweep in sudden winter from the snows of the +Sierra Nevada, howled through the tossing groves, and along the winding +streets. But the tempest seemed to heighten, as if by the sympathy of +the elements, the popular storm and whirlwind. Brandishing arms and +torches, and gaunt with hunger, the dark forms of the frantic Moors +seemed like ghouls or spectres, rather than mortal men; as, apparently +without an object, save that of venting their own disquietude, or +exciting the fears of earth, they swept through the desolate city. + +In the broad space of the Vivarrambla the crowd halted, irresolute in +all else, but resolved at least that something for Granada should yet +be done. They were for the most armed in their Moorish fashion; but +they were wholly without leaders: not a noble, a magistrate, an officer, +would have dreamed of the hopeless enterprise of violating the truce +with Ferdinand. It was a mere popular tumult--the madness of a mob;--but +not the less formidable, for it was an Eastern mob, and a mob with sword +and shaft, with buckler and mail--the mob by which oriental empires +have been built and overthrown! There, in the splendid space that +had witnessed the games and tournaments of that Arab and African +chivalry--there, where for many a lustrum kings had reviewed devoted +and conquering armies--assembled those desperate men; the loud winds +agitating their tossing torches that struggled against the moonless +night. + +"Let us storm the Alhambra!" cried one of the band: "let us seize +Boabdil, and place him in the midst of us; let us rush against the +Christians, buried in their proud repose!" + +"Lelilies, Lelilies!--the Keys and the Crescent!" shouted the mob. + +The shout died: and at the verge of the space was suddenly heard a once +familiar and ever-thrilling voice. + +The Moors who heard it turned round in amaze and awe; and beheld, raised +upon the stone upon which the criers or heralds had been wont to utter +the royal proclamations, the form of Almamen, the santon, whom they had +deemed already with the dead. + +"Moors and people of Granada!" he said, in a solemn but hollow voice, "I +am with ye still. Your monarch and your heroes have deserted ye, but +I am with ye to the last! Go not to the Alhambra: the fort is +impenetrable--the guard faithful. Night will be wasted, and day bring +upon you the Christian army. March to the gates; pour along the Vega; +descend at once upon the foe!" + +He spoke, and drew forth his sabre; it gleamed in the torchlight--the +Moors bowed their heads in fanatic reverence--the santon sprang from the +stone, and passed into the centre of the crowd. + +Then, once more, arose joyful shouts. The multitude had found a leader +worthy of their enthusiasm; and in regular order, they formed themselves +rapidly, and swept down the narrow streets. + +Swelled by several scattered groups of desultory marauders (the ruffians +and refuse of the city), the infidel numbers were now but a few furlongs +from the great gate, whence they had been wont to issue on the foe. +And then, perhaps, had the Moors passed these gates and reached the +Christian encampment, lulled, as it was, in security and sleep, that +wild army of twenty thousand desperate men might have saved Granada; +and Spain might at this day possess the only civilised empire which the +faith of Mohammed ever founded. + +But the evil star of Boabdil prevailed. The news of the insurrection in +the city reached him. Two aged men from the lower city arrived at the +Alhambra--demanded and obtained an audience; and the effect of that +interview was instantaneous upon Boabdil. In the popular frenzy he saw +only a justifiable excuse for the Christian king to break the conditions +of the treaty, rase the city, and exterminate the inhabitants. Touched +by a generous compassion for his subjects, and actuated no less by a +high sense of kingly honor, which led him to preserve a truce solemnly +sworn to, he once more mounted his cream-coloured charger, with the two +elders who had sought him by his side; and, at the head of his guard, +rode from the Alhambra. The sound of his trumpets, the tramp of his +steeds, the voice of his heralds, simultaneously reached the multitude; +and, ere they had leisure to decide their course, the king was in the +midst of them. + +"What madness is this, O my people?" cried Boabdil, spurring into the +midst of the throng,--"whither would ye go?" + +"Against the Christian!--against the Goth!" shouted a thousand voices. +"Lead us on! The santon is risen from the dead, and will ride by thy +right hand!" + +"Alas!" resumed the king, "ye would march against the Christian king! +Remember that our hostages are in his power: remember that he will +desire no better excuse to level Granada with the dust, and put you and +your children to the sword. We have made such treaty as never yet was +made between foe and foe. Your lives, laws, wealth--all are saved. +Nothing is lost, save the crown of Boabdil. I am the only sufferer. So +be it. My evil star brought on you these evil destinies: without me, you +may revive, and be once more a nation. Yield to fate to-day, and you may +grasp her proudest awards to-morrow. To succumb is not to be subdued. +But go forth against the Christians, and if ye win one battle, it is +but to incur a more terrible war; if you lose, it is not honourable +capitulation, but certain extermination, to which you rush! Be +persuaded, and listen once again to your king." + +The crowd were moved, were softened, were half-convinced. They turned, +in silence, towards their santon; and Almamen did not shrink from the +appeal; but stood forth, confronting the king. + +"King of Granada!" he cried aloud, "behold thy friend--thy prophet! Lo! +I assure you victory!" + +"Hold!" interrupted Boabdil; "thou hast deceived and betrayed me too +long! Moors! know ye this pretended santon? He is of no Moslem creed. He +is a hound of Israel who would sell you to the best bidder. Slay him!" + +"Ha!" cried Almamen, "and who is my accuser?" + +"Thy servant-behold him!" At these words the royal guards lifted their +torches, and the glare fell redly on the death-like features of Ximen. + +"Light of the world! there be other Jews that know him," said the +traitor. + +"Will ye suffer a Jew to lead ye, O race of the Prophet?" cried the +king. + +The crowd stood confused and bewildered. Almamen felt his hour was come; +he remained silent, his arms folded, his brow erect. + +"Be there any of the tribes of Moisa amongst the crowd?" cried Boabdil, +pursuing his advantage; "if so, let them approach and testify what they +know." Forth came--not from the crowd, but from amongst Boabdil's train, +a well-known Israelite. + +"We disown this man of blood and fraud," said Elias, bowing to the +earth; "but he was of our creed." + +"Speak, false santon! art thou dumb?" cried the king. + +"A curse light on thee, dull fool!" cried Almamen, fiercely. "What +matters who the instrument that would have restored to thee thy throne? +Yes! I, who have ruled thy councils, who have led thine armies, I am of +the race of Joshua and of Samuel--and the Lord of Hosts is the God of +Almamen!" + +A shudder ran through that mighty multitude: but the looks, the mien, +and the voice of the man awed them, and not a weapon was raised against +him. He might, even then, have passed scathless through the crowd; he +might have borne to other climes his burning passions and his torturing +woes: but his care for life was past; he desired but to curse his dupes, +and to die. He paused, looked round and burst into a laugh of such +bitter and haughty scorn, as the tempted of earth may hear in the halls +below from the lips of Eblis. + +"Yes," he exclaimed, "such I am! I have been your idol and your lord. +I may be your victim, but in death I am your vanquisher. Christian and +Moslem alike my foe, I would have trampled upon both. But the Christian, +wiser than you, gave me smooth words; and I would have sold ye to his +power; wickeder than you, he deceived me; and I would have crushed him +that I might have continued to deceive and rule the puppets that ye call +your chiefs. But they for whom I toiled, and laboured, and sinned--for +whom I surrendered peace and ease, yea, and a daughter's person and a +daughter's blood--they have betrayed me to your hands, and the Curse of +Old rests with them evermore--Amen! The disguise is rent: Almamen, the +santon, is the son of Issachar the Jew!" + +More might he have said, but the spell was broken. With a ferocious +yell, those living waves of the multitude rushed over the stern fanatic; +six cimiters passed through him, and he fell not: at the seventh he +was a corpse. Trodden in the clay--then whirled aloft--limb torn from +limb,--ere a man could have drawn breath nine times, scarce a vestige of +the human form was left to the mangled and bloody clay. + +One victim sufficed to slake the wrath of the crowd. They gathered like +wild beasts whose hunger is appeased, around their monarch, who in vain +had endeavored to stay their summary revenge, and who now, pale and +breathless, shrank from the passions he had excited. He faltered forth a +few words of remonstrance and exhortation, turned the head of his steed, +and took his way to his palace. + +The crowd dispersed, but not yet to their homes. The crime of Almamen +worked against his whole race. Some rushed to the Jews' quarter, which +they set on fire; others to the lonely mansion of Almamen. + +Ximen, on quitting the king, had been before the mob. Not anticipating +such an effect of the popular rage, he had hastened to the house, which +he now deemed at length his own. He had just reached the treasury of +his dead lord--he had just feasted his eyes on the massive ingots and +glittering gems; in the lust of his heart he had just cried aloud, "And +these are mine!" when he heard the roar of the mob below the wall,--when +he saw the glare of their torches against the casement. It was in vain +that he shrieked aloud, "I am the man that exposed the Jew!" the wild +wind scattered his words over a deafened audience. Driven from his +chamber by the smoke and flame, afraid to venture forth amongst the +crowd, the miser loaded himself with the most precious of the store: he +descended the steps, he bent his way to the secret vault, when suddenly +the floor, pierced by the flames, crashed under him, and the fire rushed +up in a fiercer and more rapid volume, as the death-shriek broke through +that lurid shroud. + +Such were the principal events of the last night of the Moorish dynasty +in Granada. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE END. + +Day dawned upon Granada: the populace had sought their homes, and a +profound quiet wrapped the streets, save where, from the fires committed +in the late tumult, was yet heard the crash of roofs or the crackle of +the light and fragrant timber employed in those pavilions of the summer. +The manner in which the mansions of Granada were built, each separated +from the other by extensive gardens, fortunately prevented the flames +from extending. But the inhabitants cared so little for the hazard, +that not a single guard remained to watch the result. Now and then some +miserable forms in the Jewish gown might be seen cowering by the ruins +of their house, like the souls that, according to Plato, watched in +charnels over their own mouldering bodies. Day dawned, and the beams +of the winter sun, smiling away the clouds of the past night, played +cheerily on the murmuring waves of the Xenil and the Darro. + +Alone, upon a balcony commanding that stately landscape, stood the last +of the Moorish kings. He had sought to bring to his aid all the lessons +of the philosophy he had cultivated. "What are we," thought the musing +prince, "that we should fill the world with ourselves--we kings! Earth +resounds with the crash of my falling throne: on the ear of races unborn +the echo will live prolonged. But what have I lost?--nothing that was +necessary to my happiness, my repose; nothing save the source of all my +wretchedness, the Marah of my life! Shall I less enjoy heaven and +earth, or thought or action, or man's more material luxuries of food +or sleep--the common and the cheap desires of all? Arouse thee, then, O +heart within me! many and deep emotions of sorrow or of joy are yet left +to break the monotony of existence." + +He paused; and, at the distance, his eyes fell upon the lonely minarets +of the distant and deserted palace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + +"Thou went right, then," resumed the king--"thou wert right, brave +spirit, not to pity Boabdil: but not because death was in his power; +man's soul is greater than his fortunes, and there is majesty in a life +that towers above the ruins that fall around its path." He turned away, +and his cheek suddenly grew pale, for he heard in the courts below +the tread of hoofs, the bustle of preparation: it was the hour for his +departure. His philosophy vanished: he groaned aloud, and re-entered +the chamber just as his vizier and the chief of his guard broke upon his +solitude. + +The old vizier attempted to speak, but his voice failed him. + +"It is time, then, to depart," said Boabdil, with calmness; "let it be +so: render up the palace and the fortress, and join thy friend, no more +thy monarch, in his new home." + +He stayed not for reply: he hurried on, descended to the court, flung +himself on his barb, and, with a small and saddened train, passed +through the gate which we yet survey, by a blackened and crumbling tower +overgrown with vines and ivy; thence, amidst gardens, now appertaining +to the convent of the victor faith, he took his mournful and unwitnessed +way. When he came to the middle of the hill that rises above those +gardens, the steel of the Spanish armour gleamed upon him as the +detachment sent to occupy the palace marched over the summit in steady +order and profound silence. + +At the head of this vanguard rode, upon a snow-white palfrey, the Bishop +of Avila, followed by a long train of barefooted monks. They halted as +Boabdil approached, and the grave bishop saluted him with the air of +one who addresses an infidel and an inferior. With the quick sense of +dignity common to the great, and yet more to the fallen, Boabdil felt, +but resented not, the pride of the ecclesiastic. "Go, Christian," said +he, mildly, "the gates of the Alhambra are open, and Allah has bestowed +the palace and the city upon your king: may his virtues atone the faults +of Boabdil!" So saying, and waiting no answer, he rode on, without +looking to the right or left. The Spaniards also pursued their way. The +sun had fairly risen above the mountains, when Boabdil and his train +beheld, from the eminence on which they were, the whole armament of +Spain; and at the same moment, louder than the tramp of horse, or the +flash of arms, was heard distinctly the solemn chant of Te Deum, which +preceded the blaze of the unfurled and lofty standards. Boabdil, himself +still silent, heard the groans and exclamations of his train; he turned +to cheer or chide them, and then saw, from his own watch-tower, with the +sun shining full upon its pure and dazzling surface, the silver cross of +Spain. His Alhambra was already in the hands of the foe, while, beside +that badge of the holy war, waved the gay and flaunting flag of St. +Iago, the canonised Mars of the chivalry of Spain. + +At that sight the king's voice died within him: he gave the rein to his +barb, impatient to close the fatal ceremonial, and did not slacken his +speed till almost within bow-shot of the first ranks of the army. Never +had Christian war assumed a more splendid or imposing aspect. Far as +the eye could reach extended the glittering and gorgeous lines of that +goodly power, bristling with sunlit spears and blazoned banners; while +beside murmured, and glowed, and danced, the silver and laughing Xenil, +careless what lord should possess, for his little day, the banks that +bloomed by its everlasting course. By a small mosque halted the flower +of the army. Surrounded by the arch-priests of that mighty hierarchy, +the peers and princes of a court that rivalled the Rolands of +Charlemagne, was seen the kingly form of Ferdinand himself, with Isabel +at his right hand and the highborn dames of Spain, relieving, with their +gay colours and sparkling gems, the sterner splendour of the crested +helmet and polished mail. + +Within sight of the royal group, Boabdil halted--composed his aspect +so as best to conceal his soul,--and, a little in advance of his scanty +train, but never, in mien and majesty, more a king, the son of Abdallah +met his haughty conqueror. + +At the sight of his princely countenance and golden hair, his comely +and commanding beauty, made more touching by youth, a thrill of +compassionate admiration ran through that assembly of the brave +and fair. Ferdinand and Isabel slowly advanced to meet their late +rival--their new subject; and, as Boabdil would have dismounted, the +Spanish king place his hand upon his shoulder. "Brother and prince," +said he, "forget thy sorrows; and may our friendship hereafter console +thee for reverses against which thou hast contended as a hero and a +king-resisting man, but resigned at length to God!" + +Boabdil did not affect to return this bitter, but unintentional mockery +of compliment. He bowed his head, and remained a moment silent; then, +motioning to his train, four of his officers approached, and kneeling +beside Ferdinand, proffered to him, upon a silver buckler, the keys of +the city. + +"O king!" then said Boabdil, "accept the keys of the last hold which has +resisted the arms of Spain! The empire of the Moslem is no more. Thine +are the city and the people of Granada: yielding to thy prowess, they +yet confide in thy mercy." + +"They do well," said the king; "our promises shall not be broken. But, +since we know the gallantry of Moorish cavaliers, not to us, but to +gentler hands, shall the keys of Granada be surrendered." + +Thus saying, Ferdinand gave the keys to Isabel, who would have addressed +some soothing flatteries to Boabdil: but the emotion and excitement were +too much for her compassionate heart, heroine and queen though she was; +and, when she lifted her eyes upon the calm and pale features of the +fallen monarch, the tears gushed from them irresistibly, and her voice +died in murmurs. A faint flush overspread the features of Boabdil, and +there was a momentary pause of embarrassment which the Moor was the +first to break. + +"Fair queen," said he, with mournful and pathetic dignity; "thou canst +read the heart that thy generous sympathy touches and subdues: this +is thy last, nor least glorious, conquest. But I detain ye: let not my +aspect cloud your triumph. Suffer me to say farewell." + +"May we not hint at the blessed possibility of conversion?" whispered +the pious queen through her tears to her royal consort. + +"Not now--not now, by St. Iago!" returned Ferdinand, quickly, and in +the same tone, willing himself to conclude a painful conference. He then +added, aloud, "Go, my brother, and fair fortune with you! Forget the +past." + +Boabdil smiled bitterly, saluted the royal pair with profound and silent +reverence, and rode slowly on, leaving the army below, as he ascended +the path that led to his new principality beyond the Alpuxarras. As +the trees snatched the Moorish cavalcade from the view of the king, +Ferdinand ordered the army to recommence its march; and trumpet and +cymbal presently sent their music to the ear of the Moslems. + +Boabdil spurred on at full speed till his panting charger halted at +the little village where his mother, his slaves, and his faithful Amine +(sent on before) awaited him. Joining these, he proceeded without delay +upon his melancholy path. + +They ascended that eminence which is the pass into the Alpuxarras. From +its height, the vale, the rivers, the spires, the towers of Granada, +broke gloriously upon the view of the little band. They halted, +mechanically and abruptly; every eye was turned to the beloved scene. +The proud shame of baffled warriors, the tender memories of home--of +childhood--of fatherland, swelled every heart, and gushed from every +eye. Suddenly, the distant boom of artillery broke from the citadel and +rolled along the sunlit valley and crystal river. A universal wail burst +from the exiles! it smote--it overpowered the heart of the ill-starred +king, in vain seeking to wrap himself in Eastern pride or stoical +philosophy. The tears gushed from his eyes, and he covered his face with +his hands. + +Then said his haughty mother, gazing at him with hard and disdainful +eyes, in that unjust and memorable reproach which history has +preserved--"Ay, weep like a woman over what thou couldst not defend like +a man!" + +Boabdil raised his countenance, with indignant majesty, when he felt his +hand tenderly clasped, and, turning round, saw Amine by his side. + +"Heed her not! heed her not, Boabdil!" said the slave; "never didst +thou seem to me more noble than in that sorrow. Thou wert a hero for thy +throne; but feel still, O light of mine eyes, a woman for thy people!" + +"God is great!" said Boabdil; "and God comforts me still! Thy lips; +which never flattered me in my power, have no reproach for me in my +affliction!" + +He said, and smiled upon Amine--it was her hour of triumph. + +The band wound slowly on through the solitary defiles: and that place +where the king wept, and the woman soothed, is still called "El, ultimo +suspiro del Moro,--THE LAST SIGH OF THE MOOR!" + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Leila, Complete, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEILA, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 9761.txt or 9761.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/7/6/9761/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**EBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These EBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers***** + + + +Title: Leila or, The Siege of Granada, Complete + +Author: Edward Bulwer Lytton + +Release Date: January 2006 [EBook #9761] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 9, 2003] + + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + + + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, LEILA, BY LYTTON *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by David Widger [widger@cecomet.net] + + + + + + LEILA + + OR, + + THE SIEGE OF GRANADA + + BY + + EDWARD BULWER LYTTON + + + Complete + + + +BOOK I. + +CHAPTER I. + +THE ENCHANTER AND THE WARRIOR. + +It was the summer of the year 1491, and the armies of Ferdinand and +Isabel invested the city of Granada. + +The night was not far advanced; and the moon, which broke through the +transparent air of Andalusia, shone calmly over the immense and murmuring +encampment of the Spanish foe, and touched with a hazy light the snow- +capped summits of the Sierra Nevada, contrasting the verdure and +luxuriance which no devastation of man could utterly sweep from the +beautiful vale below. + +In the streets of the Moorish city many a group still lingered. Some, as +if unconscious of the beleaguering war without, were listening in quiet +indolence to the strings of the Moorish lute, or the lively tale of an +Arabian improrvisatore; others were conversing with such eager and +animated gestures, as no ordinary excitement could wring from the stately +calm habitual to every oriental people. But the more public places in +which gathered these different groups, only the more impressively +heightened the desolate and solemn repose that brooded over the rest of +the city. + +At this time, a man, with downcast eyes, and arms folded within the +sweeping gown which descended to his feet, was seen passing through the +streets, alone, and apparently unobservent of all around him. Yet this +indifference was by no means shared by the struggling crowds through +which, from time to time, he musingly swept. + +"God is great!" said one man; "it is the Enchanter Almamen." + +"He hath locked up the manhood of Boabdil el Chico with the key of his +spells," quoth another, stroking his beard; "I would curse him, if I +dared." + +"But they say that he hath promised that when man fails, the genii will +fight for Granada," observed a third, doubtingly. + +"Allah Akbar! what is, is! what shall be, shall be!" said a fourth, with +all the solemn sagacity of a prophet. Whatever their feelings, whether +of awe or execration, terror or hope, each group gave way as Almamen +passed, and hushed the murmurs not intended for his ear. Passing through +the Zacatin (the street which traversed the Great Bazaar), the reputed +enchanter ascended a narrow and winding street, and arrived at last +before the walls that encircled the palace and fortress of the Alhambra. + +The sentry at the gate saluted and admitted him in silence; and in a few +moments his form was lost in the solitude of groves, amidst which, at +frequent openings, the spray of Arabian fountains glittered in the +moonlight; while, above, rose the castled heights of the Alhambra; and on +the right those Vermilion Towers, whose origin veils itself in the +furthest ages of Phoenician enterprise. + +Almamen paused, and surveyed the scene. "Was Aden more lovely?" he +muttered; "and shall so fair a spot be trodden by the victor Nazerene? +What matters? creed chases creed--race, race--until time comes back to +its starting-place, and beholds the reign restored to the eldest faith +and the eldest tribe. The horn of our strength shall be exalted." + +At these thoughts the seer relapsed into silence, and gazed long and +intently upon the stars, as, more numerous and brilliant with every step +of the advancing night, their rays broke on the playful waters, and +tinged with silver the various and breathless foliage. So earnest was +his gaze, and so absorbed his thoughts, that he did not perceive the +approach of a Moor, whose glittering weapons and snow-white turban, rich +with emeralds, cast a gleam through the wood. + +The new comer was above the common size of his race, generally small and +spare--but without attaining the lofty stature and large proportions of +the more redoubted of the warriors of Spain. But in his presence and +mien there was something, which, in the haughtiest conclave of Christian +chivalry, would have seemed to tower and command. He walked with a step +at once light and stately, as if it spurned the earth; and in the +carriage of the small erect head and stag-like throat, there was that +undefinable and imposing dignity, which accords so well with our +conception of a heroic lineage, and a noble though imperious spirit. The +stranger approached Almamen, and paused abruptly when within a few steps +of the enchanter. He gazed upon him in silence for some moments; and +when at length he spoke it was with a cold and sarcastic tone. + +"Pretender to the dark secrets," said he, "is it in the stars that thou +art reading those destinies of men and nations, which the Prophet wrought +by the chieftain's brain and the soldier's arm?" + +"Prince," replied Almamen, turning slowly, and recognising the intruder +on his meditations, "I was but considering how many revolutions, which +have shaken earth to its centre, those orbs have witnessed, +unsympathising and unchanged." + +"Unsympathising!" repeated the Moor--"yet thou believest in their effect +upon the earth?" + +"You wrong me," answered Almamen, with a slight smile, "you confound your +servant with that vain race, the astrologers." + +"I deemed astrology a part of the science of the two angels, Harut and +Marut." + + [The science of magic. It was taught by the Angels named in the + text; for which offence they are still supposed to be confined to + the ancient Babel. There they may yet be consulted, though they are + rarely seen.--Yallal'odir Yahya. + --SALE'S Koran.] + +"Possibly; but I know not that science, though I have wandered at +midnight by the ancient Babel." + +"Fame lies to us, then," answered the Moor, with some surprise. + +"Fame never made pretence to truth," said Almamen, calmly, and proceeding +on his way. "Allah be with you, prince! I seek the king." + +"Stay! I have just quitted his presence, and left him, I trust, with +thoughts worthy of the sovereign of Granada, which I would not have +disturbed by a stranger, a man whose arms are not spear nor shield." + +"Noble Muza," returned Almamen, "fear not that my voice will weaken the +inspirations which thine hath breathed into the breast of Boabdil. Alas! +if my counsel were heeded, thou wouldst hear the warriors of Granada talk +less of Muza, and more of the king. But Fate, or Allah, hath placed upon +the throne of a tottering dynasty, one who, though brave, is weak-- +though, wise, a dreamer; and you suspect the adviser, when you find the +influence of nature on the advised. Is this just?" + +Muza gazed long and sternly on the face of Almamen; then, putting his +hand gently on the enchanter's shoulder, he said-- + +"Stranger, if thou playest us false, think that this arm hath cloven the +casque of many a foe, and will not spare the turban of a traitor!" + +"And think thou, proud prince!" returned Almamen, unquailing, "that I +answer alone to Allah for my motives, and that against man my deeds I can +defend!" + +With these words, the enchanter drew his long robe round him, and +disappeared amidst the foliage. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE KING WITHIN HIS PALACE. + +In one of those apartments, the luxury of which is known only to the +inhabitants of a genial climate (half chamber and half grotto), reclined +a young Moor, in a thoughtful and musing attitude. + +The ceiling of cedar-wood, glowing with gold and azure, was supported by +slender shafts, of the whitest alabaster, between which were open +arcades, light and graceful as the arched vineyards of Italy, and wrought +in that delicate filagree-work common to the Arabian architecture: +through these arcades was seen at intervals the lapsing fall of waters, +lighted by alabaster lamps; and their tinkling music sounded with a fresh +and regular murmur upon the ear. The whole of one side of this apartment +was open to a broad and extensive balcony, which overhung the banks of +the winding and moonlit Darro; and in the clearness of the soft night +might be distinctly seen the undulating hills, the woods, and orange- +groves, which still form the unrivalled landscapes of Granada. + +The pavement was spread with ottomans and couches of the richest azure, +prodigally enriched with quaint designs in broideries of gold and silver; +and over that on which the Moor reclined, facing the open balcony, were +suspended on a pillar the round shield, the light javelin, and the +curving cimiter, of Moorish warfare. So studded were these arms with +jewels of rare cost, that they might alone have sufficed to indicate the +rank of the evident owner, even if his own gorgeous vestments had not +betrayed it. An open manuscript, on a silver table, lay unread before +the Moor: as, leaning his face upon his hand, he looked with abstracted +eyes along the mountain summits dimly distinguished from the cloudless +and far horizon. + +No one could have gazed without a vague emotion of interest, mixed with +melancholy, upon the countenance of the inmate of that luxurious chamber. + +Its beauty was singularly stamped with a grave and stately sadness, which +was made still more impressive by its air of youth and the unwonted +fairness of the complexion: unlike the attributes of the Moorish race, +the hair and curling beard were of a deep golden colour; and on the broad +forehead and in the large eyes, was that settled and contemplative +mildness which rarely softens the swart lineaments of the fiery children +of the sun. Such was the personal appearance of Boabdil el Chico, the +last of the Moorish dynasty in Spain. + +"These scrolls of Arabian learning," said Boabdil to himself, "what do +they teach? to despise wealth and power, to hold the heart to be the true +empire. This, then, is wisdom. Yet, if I follow these maxims, am I +wise? alas! the whole world would call me a driveller and a madman. Thus +is it ever; the wisdom of the Intellect fills us with precepts which it +is the wisdom of Action to despise. O Holy Prophet! what fools men would +be, if their knavery did not eclipse their folly!" + +The young king listlessly threw himself back on his cushions as he +uttered these words, too philosophical for a king whose crown sate so +loosely on his brow. + +After a few moments of thought that appeared to dissatisfy and disquiet +him, Boabdil again turned impatiently round "My soul wants the bath of +music," said he; "these journeys into a pathless realm have wearied it, +and the streams of sound supple and relax the travailed pilgrim." + +He clapped his hands, and from one of the arcades a boy, hitherto +invisible, started into sight; at a slight and scarce perceptible sign +from the king the boy again vanished, and in a few moments afterwards, +glancing through the fairy pillars, and by the glittering waterfalls, +came the small and twinkling feet of the maids of Araby. As, with their +transparent tunics and white arms, they gleamed, without an echo, through +that cool and voluptuous chamber, they might well have seemed the Peris +of the eastern magic, summoned to beguile the sated leisure of a youthful +Solomon. With them came a maiden of more exquisite beauty, though +smaller stature, than the rest, bearing the light Moorish lute; and a +faint and languid smile broke over the beautiful face of Boabdil, as his +eyes rested upon her graceful form and the dark yet glowing lustre of her +oriental countenance. She alone approached the king, timidly kissed his +hand, and then, joining her comrades, commenced the following song, to +the air and very words of which the feet of the dancing-girls kept time, +while with the chorus rang the silver bells of the musical instrument +which each of the dancers carried. + + AMINE'S SONG. + + I. + Softly, oh, softly glide, + Gentle Music, thou silver tide, + Bearing, the lulled air along, + This leaf from the Rose of Song! + To its port in his soul let it float, + The frail, but the fragrant boat, + Bear it, soft Air, along! + + II. + With the burthen of sound we are laden, + Like the bells on the trees of Aden,* + When they thrill with a tinkling tone + At the Wind from the Holy Throne, + Hark, as we move around, + We shake off the buds of sound; + Thy presence, Beloved, is Aden. + + III. + Sweet chime that I hear and wake + I would, for my lov'd one's sake, + That I were a sound like thee, + To the depths of his heart to flee. + If my breath had his senses blest; + If my voice in his heart could rest; + What pleasure to die like thee! + + *[The Mohammedans believe that musical bells hang on the trees of + Paradise, and are put in motion by a wind from the throne of God.] + + +The music ceased; the dancers remained motionless in their graceful +postures, as if arrested into statues of alabaster; and the young +songstress cast herself on a cushion at the feet of the monarch, and +looked up fondly, but silently, into his yet melancholy eyes,--when a +man, whose entrance had not been noticed, was seen to stand within the +chamber. + +He was about the middle stature,--lean, muscular, and strongly though +sparely built. A plain black robe, something in the fashion of the +Armenian gown, hung long and loosely over a tunic of bright scarlet, +girdled by a broad belt, from the centre of which was suspended a small +golden key, while at the left side appeared the jewelled hilt of a +crooked dagger. His features were cast in a larger and grander mould +than was common among the Moors of Spain; the forehead was broad, +massive, and singularly high, and the dark eyes of unusual size and +brilliancy; his beard, short, black, and glossy, curled upward, and +concealed all the lower part of the face, save a firm, compressed, and +resolute expression in the lips, which were large and full; the nose was +high, aquiline, and well-shaped; and the whole character of the head +(which was, for symmetry, on too large and gigantic a scale as +proportioned to the form) was indicative of extraordinary energy and +power. At the first glance, the stranger might have seemed scarce on the +borders of middle age; but, on a more careful examination, the deep lines +and wrinkles, marked on the forehead and round the eyes, betrayed a more +advanced period of life. With arms folded on his breast, he stood by the +side of the king, waiting in silence the moment when his presence should +be perceived. + +He did not wait long; the eyes and gesture of the girl nestled at the +feet of Boabdil drew the king's attention to the spot where the stranger +stood: his eye brightened when it fell upon him. + +"Almamen," cried Boabdil, eagerly, "you are welcome." As he spoke, he +motioned to the dancing-girls to withdraw. "May I not rest? O core of +my heart, thy bird is in its home," murmured the songstress at the king's +feet. + +"Sweet Amine," answered Boabdil, tenderly smoothing down her ringlets as +he bent to kiss her brow, "you should witness only my hours of delight. +Toil and business have nought with thee; I will join thee ere yet the +nightingale hymns his last music to the moon." Amine sighed, rose, and +vanished with her companions. + +"My friend," said the king, when alone with Almamen, "your counsels often +soothe me into quiet, yet in such hours quiet is a crime. But what do?-- +how struggle?--how act? Alas! at the hour of his birth, rightly did they +affix to the name of Boabdil, the epithet of _El Zogoybi_. [The Unlucky]. +Misfortune set upon my brow her dark and fated stamp ere yet my lips +could shape a prayer against her power. My fierce father, whose frown +was as the frown of Azrael, hated me in my cradle; in my youth my name +was invoked by rebels against my will; imprisoned by my father, with the +poison-bowl or the dagger hourly before my eyes, I was saved only by the +artifice of my mother. When age and infirmity broke the iron sceptre of +the king, my claims to the throne were set aside, and my uncle, El Zagal, +usurped my birthright. Amidst open war and secret treason I wrestled for +my crown; and now, the sole sovereign of Granada, when, as I fondly +imagined, my uncle had lost all claim on the affections of my people by +succumbing to the Christian king, and accepting a fief under his +dominion, I find that the very crime of El Zagal is fixed upon me by my +unhappy subjects--that they deem he would not have yielded but for my +supineness. At the moment of my delivery from my rival, I am received +with execration by my subjects, and, driven into this my fortress of the +Alhambra, dare not venture to head my armies, or to face my people; yet +am I called weak and irresolute, when strength and courage are forbid me. +And as the water glides from yonder rock, that hath no power to retain +it, I see the tide of empire welling from my hands." + +The young king spoke warmly and bitterly; and, in the irritation of his +thoughts, strode, while he spoke, with rapid and irregular strides along +the chamber. Almamen marked his emotion with an eye and lip of rigid +composure. + +"Light of the faithful," said he, when Boabdil had concluded, "the powers +above never doom man to perpetual sorrow, nor perpetual joy: the cloud +and the sunshine are alike essential to the heaven of our destinies; and +if thou hast suffered in thy youth, thou hast exhausted the calamities of +fate, and thy manhood will be glorious, and thine age serene." + +"Thou speakest as if the armies of Ferdinand were not already around my +walls," said Boabdil, impatiently. + +"The armies of Sennacherib were as mighty," answered Almamen. + +"Wise seer," returned the king, in a tone half sarcastic and half solemn, +"we, the Mussulmans of Spain, are not the blind fanatics of the Eastern +world. On us have fallen the lights of philosophy and science; and if +the more clear-sighted among us yet outwardly reverence the forms and +fables worshipped by the multitude, it is from the wisdom of policy, not +the folly of belief. Talk not to me, then, of thine examples of the +ancient and elder creeds: the agents of God for this world are now, at +least, in men, not angels; and if I wait till Ferdinand share the destiny +of Sennacherib, I wait only till the Standard of the Cross wave above the +Vermilion Towers." + +"Yet," said Almamen, "while my lord the king rejects the fanaticism of +belief, doth he reject the fanaticism of persecution? You disbelieve the +stories of the Hebrews; yet you suffer the Hebrews themselves, that +ancient and kindred Arabian race, to be ground to the dust, condemned and +tortured by your judges, your informers, your soldiers, and your +subjects." + +"The base misers! they deserve their fate," answered Boabdil, loftily. +"Gold is their god, and the market-place their country; amidst the tears +and groans of nations, they sympathise only with the rise and fall of +trade; and, the thieves of the universe! while their hand is against +every man's coffer, why wonder that they provoke the hand of every man +against their throats? Worse than the tribe of Hanifa, who eat their god +only in time of famine;--[The tribe of Hanifa worshipped a lump of +dough]--the race of Moisa--[Moses]--would sell the Seven Heavens for the +dent on the back of the date-stone."--[A proverb used in the Koran, +signifying the smallest possible trifle]. + +"Your laws leave them no ambition but that of avarice," replied Almamen; +"and as the plant will crook and distort its trunk, to raise its head +through every obstacle to the sun, so the mind of man twists and perverts +itself, if legitimate openings are denied it, to find its natural element +in the gale of power, or the sunshine of esteem. These Hebrews were not +traffickers and misers in their own sacred land when they routed your +ancestors, the Arab armies of old; and gnawed the flesh from their bones +in famine, rather than yield a weaker city than Granada to a mightier +force than the holiday lords of Spain. Let this pass. My lord rejects +the belief in the agencies of the angels; doth he still retain belief in +the wisdom of mortal men?" + +"Yes!" returned Boabdil, quickly; "for of the one I know nought; of the +other, mine own senses can be the judge. Almamen, my fiery kinsman, +Muza, hath this evening been with me. He hath urged me to reject the +fears of my people, which chain my panting spirit within these walls; he +hath urged me to gird on yonder shield and cimiter, and to appear in the +Vivarrambla, at the head of the nobles of Granada. My heart leaps high +at the thought! and if I cannot live, at least I will die--a king!" + +"It is nobly spoken," said Almamen, coldly. + +"You approve, then, my design?" + +"The friends of the king cannot approve the ambition of the king to die." + +"Ha!" said Boabdil, in an altered voice, "thou thinkest, then, that I am +doomed to perish in this struggle?" + +"As the hour shall be chosen, wilt thou fall or triumph." + +"And that hour?" + +"Is not yet come." + +"Dost thou read the hour in the stars?" + +"Let Moorish seers cultivate that frantic credulity: thy servant sees but +in the stars worlds mightier than this little earth, whose light would +neither wane nor wink, if earth itself were swept from the infinities of +space." + +"Mysterious man!" said Boabdil; "whence, then, is thy power?--whence thy +knowledge of the future?" + +Almamen approached the king, as he now stood by the open balcony. + +"Behold!" said he, pointing to the waters of the Darro--"yonder stream is +of an element in which man cannot live nor breathe: above, in the thin +and impalpable air, our steps cannot find a footing, the armies of all +earth cannot build an empire. And yet, by the exercise of a little art, +the fishes and the birds, the inhabitants of the air and the water, +minister to our most humble wants, the most common of our enjoyments; so +it is with the true science of enchantment. Thinkest thou that, while +the petty surface of the world is crowded with living things, there is no +life in the vast centre within the earth, and the immense ether that +surrounds it? As the fisherman snares his prey, as the fowler entraps +the bird, so, by the art and genius of our human mind, we may thrall and +command the subtler beings of realms and elements which our material +bodies cannot enter--our gross senses cannot survey. This, then, is my +lore. Of other worlds know I nought; but of the things of this world, +whether men, or, as your legends term them, ghouls and genii, I have +learned something. To the future, I myself am blind; but I can invoke +and conjure up those whose eyes are more piercing, whose natures are more +gifted." + +"Prove to me thy power," said Boabdil, awed less by the words than by the +thrilling voice and the impressive aspect of the enchanter. + +"Is not the king's will my law?" answered Almamen; "be his will obeyed. +To-morrow night I await thee." + +"Where?" + +Almamen paused a moment, and then whispered a sentence in the king's ear: +Boabdil started, and turned pale. + +"A fearful spot!" + +"So is the Alhambra itself, great Boabdil; while Ferdinand is without the +walls and Muza within the city." + +"Muza! Darest thou mistrust my bravest warrior?" + +"What wise king will trust the idol of the king's army? Did Boabdil fall +to-morrow by a chance javelin, in the field, whom would the nobles and +the warriors place upon his throne? Doth it require an enchanter's lore +to whisper to thy heart the answer in the name of 'Muza'?" + +"Oh, wretched state! oh, miserable king!" exclaimed Boabdil, in a tone of +great anguish. "I never had a father. I have now no people; a little +while, and I shall have no country. Am I never to have a friend?" + +"A friend! what king ever had?" returned Almamen, drily. + +"Away, man--away!" cried Boabdil, as the impatient spirit of his rank and +race shot dangerous fire from his eyes; "your cold and bloodless wisdom +freezes up all the veins of my manhood! Glory, confidence, human +sympathy, and feeling--your counsels annihilate them all. Leave me! +I would be alone." + +"We meet to-morrow, at midnight, mighty Boabdil," said Almamen, with his +usual unmoved and passionless tones. "May the king live for ever." + +The king turned; but his monitor had already disappeared. He went as he +came--noiseless and sudden as a ghost. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE LOVERS. + +When Muza parted from Almamen, he bent his steps towards the hill that +rises opposite the ascent crowned with the towers of the Alhambra; the +sides and summit of which eminence were tenanted by the luxurious +population of the city. He selected the more private and secluded paths; +and, half way up the hill, arrived, at last, before a low wall of +considerable extent, which girded the gardens of some wealthier +inhabitant of the city. He looked long and anxiously round; all was +solitary; nor was the stillness broken, save as an occasional breeze, +from the snowy heights of the Sierra Nevada, rustled the fragrant leaves +of the citron and pomegranate; or as the silver tinkling of waterfalls +chimed melodiously within the gardens. The Moor's heart beat high: a +moment more, and he had scaled the wall; and found himself upon a green +sward, variegated by the rich colours of many a sleeping flower, and +shaded by groves and alleys of luxuriant foliage and golden fruits. + +It was not long before he stood beside a house that seemed of a +construction anterior to the Moorish dynasty. It was built over low +cloisters formed by heavy and timeworn pillars, concealed, for the most +part by a profusion of roses and creeping shrubs: the lattices above the +cloisters opened upon large gilded balconies, the super-addition of +Moriscan taste. In one only of the casements a lamp was visible; the +rest of the mansion was dark, as if, save in that chamber, sleep kept +watch over the inmates. It was to this window that the Moor stole; and, +after a moment's pause, he murmured rather than sang, so low and +whispered was his voice, the following simple verses, slightly varied +from an old Arabian poet:-- + + Light of my soul, arise, arise! + Thy sister lights are in the skies; + We want thine eyes, + Thy joyous eyes; + The Night is mourning for thine eyes! + The sacred verse is on my sword, + But on my heart thy name + The words on each alike adored; + The truth of each the same, + The same!--alas! too well I feel + The heart is truer than the steel! + Light of my soul! upon me shine; + Night wakes her stars to envy mine. + Those eyes of thine, + Wild eyes of thine, + What stars are like those eyes of thine? + +As he concluded, the lattice softly opened; and a female form appeared on +the balcony. + +"Ah, Leila!" said the Moor, "I see thee, and I am blessed!" + +"Hush!" answered Leila; "speak low, nor tarry long I fear that our +interviews are suspected; and this," she added in a trembling voice, +"may perhaps be the last time we shall meet." + +"Holy Prophet!" exclaimed Muza, passionately, "what do I hear? Why this +mystery? why cannot I learn thine origin, thy rank, thy parents? Think +you, beautiful Leila, that Granada holds a rouse lofty enough to disdain +the alliance with Muza Ben Abil Gazan? and oh!" he added (sinking the +haughty tones of his voice into accents of the softest tenderness), +"if not too high to scorn me, what should war against our loves and our +bridals? For worn equally on my heart were the flower of thy sweet self, +whether the mountain top or the valley gave birth to the odour and the +bloom." + +"Alas!" answered Leila, weeping, "the mystery thou complainest of is as +dark to myself as thee. How often have I told thee that I know nothing +of my birth or childish fortunes, save a dim memory of a more distant and +burning clime; where, amidst sands and wastes, springs the everlasting +cedar, and the camel grazes on stunted herbage withering in the fiery +air? Then, it seemed to me that I had a mother: fond eyes looked on me, +and soft songs hushed me into sleep." + +"Thy mother's soul has passed into mine," said the Moor, tenderly. + +Leila continued:--"Borne hither, I passed from childhood into youth +within these walls. Slaves ministered to my slightest wish; and those +who have seen both state and poverty, which I have not, tell me that +treasures and splendour, that might glad a monarch, are prodigalised +around me: but of ties and kindred know I little: my father, a stern and +silent man, visits me but rarely--sometimes months pass, and I see him +not; but I feel he loves me; and, till I knew thee, Muza, my brightest +hours were in listening to the footsteps and flying to the arms of that +solitary friend." + +"Know you not his name?" + +"Nor, I nor any one of the household; save perhaps Ximen, the chief of +the slaves, an old and withered man, whose very eye chills me into fear +and silence." + +"Strange!" said the Moor, musingly; "yet why think you our love is +discovered, or can be thwarted?" + +"Hush! Ximen sought me this day: 'Maiden,' said he, 'men's footsteps +have been tracked within the gardens; if your sire know this, you will +have looked your last on Granada. Learn,' he added, in a softer voice, +as he saw me tremble, 'that permission were easier given to thee to wed +the wild tiger than to mate with the loftiest noble of Morisca! Beware!' +He spoke, and left me. O Muza!" she continued, passionately wringing her +hands, "my heart sinks within me, and omen and doom rise dark before my +sight!" + +"By my father's head, these obstacles but fire my love, and I would scale +to thy possession, though every step in the ladder were the corpses of a +hundred foes!" + +Scarcely had the fiery and high-souled Moor uttered his boast, than, from +some unseen hand amidst the groves, a javelin whirred past him, and as +the air it raised came sharp upon his cheek, half buried its quivering +shaft in the trunk of a tree behind him. + +"Fly, fly, and save thyself! O God, protect him!" cried Leila; and she +vanished within the chamber. + +The Moor did not wait the result of a deadlier aim; he turned; yet, in +the instinct of his fierce nature, not from, but against, the foe; his +drawn scimitar in his hand, the half-suppressed cry of wrath trembling on +his lips, he sprang forward in the direction the javelin had sped. With +eyes accustomed to the ambuscades of Moorish warfare, he searched +eagerly, yet warily through the dark and sighing foliage. No sign of +life met his gaze; and at length, grimly and reluctantly, he retraced his +steps, and quitted the demesnes; but just as he had cleared the wall, a +voice--low, but sharp and shrill--came from the gardens. + +"Thou art spared," it said, "but, haply, for a more miserable doom!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER. + +The chamber into which Leila retreated bore out the character she had +given of the interior of her home. The fashion of its ornament and +decoration was foreign to that adopted by the Moors of Granada. It had a +more massive and, if we may use the term, Egyptian gorgeousness. The +walls were covered with the stuffs of the East, stiff with gold, +embroidered upon ground of the deepest purple; strange characters, +apparently in some foreign tongue, were wrought in the tesselated +cornices and on the heavy ceiling, which was supported by square pillars, +round which were twisted serpents of gold and enamel, with eyes to which +enormous emeralds gave a green and lifelike glare: various scrolls and +musical instruments lay scattered upon marble tables: and a solitary lamp +of burnished silver cast a dim and subdued light around the chamber. The +effect of the whole, though splendid, was gloomy, strange, and +oppressive, and rather suited to the thick and cave-like architecture +which of old protected the inhabitants of Thebes and Memphis from the +rays of the African sun, than to the transparent heaven and light +pavilions of the graceful orientals of Granada. + +Leila stood within this chamber, pale and breathless, with her lips +apart, her hands clasped, her very soul in her ears; nor was it possible +to conceive a more perfect ideal of some delicate and brilliant Peri, +captured in the palace of a hostile and gloomy Genius. Her form was of +the lightest shape consistent with the roundness of womanly beauty; and +there was something in it of that elastic and fawnlike grace which a +sculptor seeks to embody in his dreams of a being more aerial than those +of earth. Her luxuriant hair was dark indeed, but a purple and glossy +hue redeemed it from that heaviness of shade too common in the tresses of +the Asiatics; and her complexion, naturally pale but clear and lustrous, +would have been deemed fair even in the north. Her features, slightly +aquiline, were formed in the rarest mould of symmetry, and her full rich +lips disclosed teeth that might have shamed the pearl. But the chief +charm of that exquisite countenance was in an expression of softness and +purity, and intellectual sentiment, that seldom accompanies that cast of +loveliness, and was wholly foreign to the voluptuous and dreamy languor +of Moorish maidens; Leila had been educated, and the statue had received +a soul. + +After a few minutes of intense suspense, she again stole to the lattice, +gently unclosed it, and looked forth. Far, through an opening amidst the +trees, she descried for a single moment the erect and stately figure of +her lover, darkening the moonshine on the sward, as now, quitting his +fruitless search, he turned his lingering gaze towards the lattice of his +beloved: the thick and interlacing foliage quickly hid him from her eyes; +but Leila had seen enough--she turned within, and said, as grateful tears +trickled clown her cheeks, and she sank on her knees upon the piled +cushions of the chamber: "God of my fathers! I bless Thee--he is safe!" + +"And yet (she added, as a painful thought crossed her), how may I pray +for him? we kneel not to the same Divinity; and I have been taught to +loathe and shudder at his creed! Alas! how will this end? Fatal was the +hour when he first beheld me in yonder gardens; more fatal still the hour +in which he crossed the barrier, and told Leila that she was beloved by +the hero whose arm was the shelter, whose name is the blessing, of +Granada. Ah, me! Ah, me!" + +The young maiden covered her face with her hands, and sank into a +passionate reverie, broken only by her sobs. Some time had passed in +this undisturbed indulgence of her grief, when the arras was gently put +aside, and a man, of remarkable garb and mien, advanced into the chamber, +pausing as he beheld her dejected attitude, and gazing on her with a look +on which pity and tenderness seemed to struggle against habitual severity +and sternness. + +"Leila!" said the intruder. + +Leila started, and and a deep blush suffused her countenance; she dashed +the tears from her eyes, and came forward with a vain attempt to smile. + +"My father, welcome!" + +The stranger seated himself on the cushions, and motioned Leila to his +side. + +"These tears are fresh upon thy cheek," said he, gravely; "they are the +witness of thy race! our daughters are born to weep, and our sons to +groan! ashes are on the head of the mighty, and the Fountains of the +Beautiful run with gall! Oh that we could but struggle--that we could +but dare--that we could raise up, our heads, and unite against the +bondage of the evil doer! It may not be--but one man shall avenge a +nation!" + +The dark face of Leila's father, well fitted to express powerful emotion, +became terrible in its wrath and passion; his brow and lip worked +convulsively; but the paroxsym was brief; and scarce could she shudder +at its intensity ere it had subsided into calm. + +"Enough of these thoughts, which thou, a woman and a child, art not +formed to witness. Leila, thou hast been nurtured with tenderness, and +schooled with care. Harsh and unloving may I have seemed to thee, but I +would have shed the best drops of my heart to have saved thy young years +from a single pang. Nay, listen to me silently. That thou mightest one +day be worthy of thy race, and that thine hours might not pass in +indolent and weary lassitude, thou hast been taught lessons of a +knowledge rarely to thy sex. Not thine the lascivious arts of the +Moorish maidens; not thine their harlot songs, and their dances of lewd +delight; thy delicate limbs were but taught the attitude that Nature +dedicates to the worship of a God, and the music of thy voice was tuned +to the songs of thy fallen country, sad with the memory of her wrongs, +animated with the names of her heroes, with the solemnity of her prayers. +These scrolls, and the lessons of our seers, have imparted to thee such +of our science and our history as may fit thy mind to aspire, and thy +heart to feel for a sacred cause. Thou listenest to me, Leila?" + +Perplexed and wondering, for never before had her father addressed her in +such a strain, the maiden answered with an earnestness of manner that +seemed to content the questioner; and he resumed, with an altered, +hollow, solemn voice: + +"Then curse the persecutors. Daughter of the great Hebrew race, arise +and curse the Moorish taskmaster and spoiler!" + +As he spoke, the adjuror himself rose, lifting his right hand on high; +while his left touched the shoulder of the maiden. But she, after gazing +a moment in wild and terrified amazement upon his face, fell cowering at +his knees; and, clasping them imploringly, exclaimed in scarce articulate +murmurs: + +"Oh, spare me! spare me!" + +The Hebrew, for such he was, surveyed her, as she thus quailed at his +feet, with a look of rage and scorn: his hand wandered to his poniard, he +half unsheathed it, thrust it back with a muttered curse, and then, +deliberately drawing it forth, cast it on the ground beside her. + +"Degenerate girl!" he said, in accents that vainly struggled for calm, +"if thou hast admitted to thy heart one unworthy thought towards a +Moorish infidel, dig deep and root it out, even with the knife, and to +the death--so wilt thou save this hand from that degrading task." + +He drew himself hastily from her grasp, and left the unfortunate girl +alone and senseless. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +AMBITION DISTORTED INTO VICE BY LAW. + +On descending a broad flight of stairs from the apartment, the Hebrew +encountered an old man, habited in loose garments of silk and fur, upon +whose withered and wrinkled face life seemed scarcely to struggle against +the advance of death--so haggard, wan, and corpse-like was its aspect. + +"Ximen," said the Israelite, "trusty and beloved servant, follow me to +the cavern." He did not tarry for an answer, but continued his way with +rapid strides through various courts and alleys, till he came at length +into a narrow, dark, and damp gallery, that seemed cut from the living +rock. At its entrance was a strong grate, which gave way to the Hebrew's +touch upon the spring, though the united strength of a hundred men could +not have moved it from its hinge. Taking up a brazen lamp that burnt in +a niche within it, the Hebrew paused impatiently till the feeble steps of +the old man reached the spot; and then, reclosing the grate, pursued his +winding way for a considerable distance, till he stopped suddenly by a +part of the rock which seemed in no respect different from the rest: and +so artfully contrived and concealed was the door which he now opened, and +so suddenly did it yield to his hand, that it appeared literally the +effect of enchantment, when the rock yawned, and discovered a circular +cavern, lighted with brazen lamps, and spread with hangings and cushions +of thick furs. Upon rude and seemingly natural pillars of rock, various +antique and rusty arms were suspended; in large niches were deposited +scrolls, clasped and bound with iron; and a profusion of strange and +uncouth instruments and machines (in which modern science might, perhaps, +discover the tools of chemical invention) gave a magical and ominous +aspect to the wild abode. + +The Hebrew cast himself on a couch of furs; and, as the old man entered +and closed the door, "Ximen," said he, "fill out wine--it is a soothing +counsellor, and I need it." + +Extracting from one of the recesses of the cavern a flask and goblet, +Ximen offered to his lord a copious draught of the sparkling vintage of +the Vega, which seemed to invigorate and restore him. + +"Old man," said he, concluding the potation with a deep-drawn sigh, "fill +to thyself-drink till thy veins feel young." + +Ximen obeyed the mandate but imperfectly; the wine just touched his lips, +and the goblet was put aside. + +"Ximen," resumed the Israelite, "how many of our race have been butchered +by the avarice of the Moorish kings since first thou didst set foot +within the city?" + +"Three thousand--the number was completed last winter, by the order of +Jusef the vizier; and their goods and coffers are transformed into shafts +and cimiters against the dogs of Galilee." + +"Three thousand--no more! three thousand only! I would the number had +been tripled, for the interest is becoming due!" + +"My brother, and my son, and my grandson, are among the number," said the +old man, and his face grew yet more deathlike. + +"Their monuments shall be in hecatombs of their tyrants. They shall not, +at least, call the Jews niggards in revenge." + +"But pardon me, noble chief of a fallen people; thinkest thou we shall be +less despoiled and trodden under foot by yon haughty and stiff-necked +Nazarenes, than by the Arabian misbelievers?" + +"Accursed, in truth, are both," returned the Hebrew; "but the one promise +more fairly than the other. I have seen this Ferdinand, and his proud +queen; they are pledged to accord us rights and immunities we have never +known before in Europe." + +"And they will not touch our traffic, our gains, our gold?" + +"Out on thee!" cried the fiery Israelite, stamping on the ground. "I +would all the gold of earth were sunk into the everlasting pit! It is +this mean, and miserable, and loathsome leprosy of avarice, that gnaws +away from our whole race the heart, the soul, nay--the very form, of man! +Many a time, when I have seen the lordly features of the descendants of +Solomon and Joshua (features that stamp the nobility of the eastern world +born to mastery and command) sharpened and furrowed by petty cares,--when +I have looked upon the frame of the strong man bowed, like a crawling +reptile, to some huckstering bargainer of silks and unguents,--and heard +the voice, that should be raising the battle-cry, smoothed into fawning +accents of base fear, or yet baser hope,--I have asked myself, if I am +indeed of the blood of Israel! and thanked the great Jehovah that he hath +spared me at least the curse that hath blasted my brotherhood into +usurers and slaves" + +Ximen prudently forbore an answer to enthusiasm which he neither shared +nor understood; but, after a brief silence, turned back the stream of the +conversation. + +"You resolve, then, upon prosecuting vengeance on the Moors, at +whatsoever hazard of the broken faith of these Nazarenes?" + +"Ay, the vapour of human blood hath risen unto heaven, and, collected +into thunder-clouds, hangs over the doomed and guilty city. And now, +Ximen, I have a new cause for hatred to the Moors: the flower that I have +reared and watched, the spoiler hath sought to pluck it from my hearth. +Leila--thou hast guarded her ill, Ximen; and, wert thou not endeared to +me by thy very malice and vices, the rising sun should have seen thy +trunk on the waters of the Darro." + +"My lord," replied Ximen, "if thou, the wisest of our people, canst not +guard a maiden from love, how canst thou see crime in the dull eyes and +numbed senses of a miserable old man?" + +The Israelite did not answer, nor seem to hear this deprecatory +remonstrance. He appeared rather occupied with his own thoughts; and, +speaking to himself, he muttered, "It must be so: the sacrifice is hard-- +the danger great; but here, at least, it is more immediate. It shall be +done. Ximen," he continued, speaking aloud; "dost thou feel assured that +even mine own countrymen, mine own tribe, know me not as one of them? +Were my despised birth and religion published, my limbs would be torn +asunder as an impostor; and all the arts of the Cabala could not save +me." + +"Doubt not, great master; none in Granada, save thy faithful Ximen, know +thy secret." + +"So let me dream and hope. And now to my work; for this night must be +spent in toil." + +The Hebrew drew before him some of the strange instruments we have +described; and took from the recesses in the rock several scrolls. +The old man lay at his feet, ready to obey his behests; but, to all +appearance, rigid and motionless as the dead, whom his blanched hues and +shrivelled form resembled. It was, indeed, as the picture of the +enchanter at his work, and the corpse of some man of old, revived from +the grave to minister to his spells, and execute his commands. + +Enough in the preceding conversation has transpired to convince the +reader, that the Hebrew, in whom he has already detected the Almamen of +the Alhambra, was of no character common to his tribe. Of a lineage that +shrouded itself in the darkness of his mysterious people, in their day of +power, and possessed of immense wealth, which threw into poverty the +resources of Gothic princes,--the youth of that remarkable man had been +spent, not in traffic and merchandise but travel and study. + +As a child, his home had been in Granada. He had seen his father +butchered by the late king, Muley Abul Hassan, without other crime than +his reputed riches; and his body literally cut open, to search for the +jewels it was supposed he had swallowed. He saw, and, boy as he was he +vowed revenge. A distant kinsman bore the orphan to lands more secure +from persecution; and the art with which the Jews concealed their wealth, +scattering it over various cities, had secured to Almamen the treasures +the tyrant of Granada had failed to grasp. + +He had visited the greater part of the world then known; and resided for +many years at the court of the sultan of that hoary Egypt, which still +retained its fame for abstruse science and magic lore. He had not in +vain applied himself to such tempting and wild researches; and had +acquired many of those secrets now perhaps lost for ever to the world. +We do not mean to intimate that he attained to what legend and +superstition impose upon our faith as the art of sorcery. He could +neither command the elements nor pierce the veil of the future-scatter +armies with a word, nor pass from spot to spot by the utterance of a +charmed formula. But men who, for ages, had passed their lives in +attempting all the effects that can astonish and awe the vulgar, could +not but learn some secrets which all the more sober wisdom of modern +times would search ineffectually to solve or to revive. And many of such +arts, acquired mechanically (their invention often the work of a chemical +accident), those who attained to them could not always explain, not +account for the phenomena they created, so that the mightiness of their +own deceptions deceived themselves; and they often believed they were the +masters of the Nature to which they were, in reality, but erratic and +wild disciples. Of such was the student in that grim cavern. He was, in +some measure, the dupe, partly of his own bewildered wisdom, partly of +the fervour of an imagination exceedingly high-wrought and enthusiastic. +His own gorgeous vanity intoxicated him: and, if it be an historical +truth that the kings of the ancient world, blinded by their own power, +had moments in which they believed themselves more than men, it is not +incredible that sages, elevated even above kings, should conceive a +frenzy as weak, or, it may be, as sublime: and imagine that they did not +claim in vain the awful dignity with which the faith of the multitude +invested their faculties and gifts. + +But, though the accident of birth, which excluded him from all field for +energy and ambition, had thus directed the powerful mind of Almamen to +contemplation and study, nature had never intended passions so fierce for +the calm, though visionary, pursuits to which he was addicted. Amidst +scrolls and seers, he had pined for action and glory; and, baffled in all +wholesome egress, by the universal exclusion which, in every land, and +from every faith, met the religion he belonged to, the faculties within +him ran riot, producing gigantic but baseless schemes, which, as one +after the other crumbled away, left behind feelings of dark misanthropy +and intense revenge. + +Perhaps, had his religion been prosperous and powerful, he might have +been a sceptic; persecution and affliction made him a fanatic. Yet, true +to that prominent characteristic of the old Hebrew race, which made them +look to a Messiah only as a warrior and a prince, and which taught them +to associate all their hopes and schemes with worldly victories and +power, Almamen desired rather to advance, than to obey, his religion. +He cared little for its precepts, he thought little of its doctrines; +but, night and day, he revolved his schemes for its earthly restoration +and triumph. + +At that time, the Moors in Spain were far more deadly persecutors of the +Jews than the Christians were. Amidst the Spanish cities on the coast, +that merchant tribe had formed commercial connections with the +Christians, sufficiently beneficial, both to individuals and to +communities, to obtain for them, not only toleration, but something of +personal friendship, wherever men bought and sold in the market-place. +And the gloomy fanaticism which afterwards stained the fame of the great +Ferdinand, and introduced the horrors of the Inquisition, had not yet +made it self more than fitfully visible. But the Moors had treated this +unhappy people with a wholesale and relentless barbarity. At Granada, +under the reign of the fierce father of Boabdil,--"that king with the +tiger heart,"--the Jews had been literally placed without the pale of +humanity; and even under the mild and contemplative Boabdil himself, they +had been plundered without mercy, and, if suspected of secreting their +treasures, massacred without scruple; the wants of the state continued +their unrelenting accusers,--their wealth, their inexpiable crime. + +It was in the midst of these barbarities that Almamen, for the first time +since the day when the death-shriek of his agonised father rang in his +ears, suddenly returned to Granada. He saw the unmitigated miseries of +his brethern, and he remembered and repeated his vow. His name changed, +his kindred dead, none remembered, in the mature Almamen, the beardless +child of Issachar, the Jew. He had long, indeed, deemed it advisable to +disguise his faith; and was known, throughout the African kingdoms, but +as the potent santon, or the wise magician. + +This fame soon lifted him, in Granada, high in the councils of the court. +Admitted to the intimacy of Muley Hassan, with Boabdil, and the queen +mother, he had conspired against that monarch; and had lived, at least, +to avenge his father upon the royal murderer. He was no less intimate +with Boabdil; but steeled against fellowship or affection for all men out +of the pale of his faith, he saw in the confidence of the king only the +blindness of a victim. + +Serpent as he was, he cared not through what mire of treachery and fraud +he trailed his baleful folds, so that, at last, he could spring upon his +prey. Nature had given him sagacity and strength. The curse of +circumstance had humbled, but reconciled him to the dust. He had the +crawl of the reptile,--he had, also, its poison and its fangs. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE LION IN THE NET + +IT was the next night, not long before daybreak, that the King of Granada +abruptly summoned to his council Jusef, his vizier. The old man found +Boabdil in great disorder and excitement; but he almost deemed his +sovereign mad, when he received from him the order to seize upon the +person of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, and to lodge him in the strongest dungeon +of the Vermilion Tower. Presuming upon Boabdil's natural mildness, the +vizier ventured to remonstrate,--to suggest the danger of laying violent +hands upon a chief so beloved,--and to inquire what cause should be +assigned for the outrage. + +The veins swelled like cords upon Boabdil's brow, as he listened to the +vizier; and his answer was short and peremptory. + +"Am I yet a king, that I should fear a subject, or excuse my will? Thou +hast my orders; there are my signet and the firman: obedience or the +bow-string!" + +Never before had Boabdil so resembled his dread father in speech and air; +the vizier trembled to the soles of his feet, and withdrew in silence. +Boabdil watched him depart; and then, clasping his hands in great +emotion, exclaimed, "O lips of the dead! ye have warned me; and to you +I sacrifice the friend of my youth." + +On quitting Boabdil the vizier, taking with him some of those foreign +slaves of a seraglio, who know no sympathy with human passion outside its +walls, bent his way to the palace of Muza, sorely puzzled and perplexed. +He did not, however, like to venture upon the hazard of the alarm it +might occasion throughout the neighbourhood, if he endeavoured, at so +unseasonable an hour, to force an entrance. He resolved, rather, with +his train to wait at a little distance, till, with the growing dawn, the +gates should be unclosed, and the inmates of the palace astir. + +Accordingly, cursing his stars, and wondering at his mission, Jusef, and +his silent and ominous attendants, concealed themselves in a small copse +adjoining the palace, until the daylight fairly broke over the awakened +city. He then passed into the palace; and was conducted to a hall, where +he found the renowned Moslem already astir, and conferring with some +Zegri captains upon the tactics of a sortie designed for that day. + +It was with so evident a reluctance and apprehension that Jusef +approached the prince, that the fierce and quick-sighted Zegris instantly +suspected some evil intention in his visit; and when Muza, in surprise, +yielded to the prayer of the vizier for a private audience, it was with +scowling brows and sparkling eyes that the Moorish warriors left the +darling of the nobles alone with the messenger of their king. + +"By the tomb of the prophet!" said one of the Zegris, as he quitted the +hall, "the timid Boabdil suspects our Ben Abil Gazan. I learned of this +before." + +"Hush!" said another of the band; "let us watch. If the king touch a +hair of Muza's head, Allah have mercy on his sins!" + +Meanwhile, the vizier, in silence, showed to Muza the firman and the +signet; and then, without venturing to announce the place to which he was +commissioned to conduct the prince, besought him to follow at once. Muza +changed colour, but not with fear. + +"Alas!" said he, in a tone of deep sorrow, "can it be that I have fallen +under my royal kinsman's suspicion or displeasure? But no matter; proud +to set to Granada an example of valour in her defence, be it mine to set, +also, an example of obedience to her king. Go on--I will follow thee. +Yet stay, you will have no need of guards; let us depart by a private +egress: the Zegris might misgive, did they see me leave the palace with +you at the very time the army are assembling in the Vivarrambla, and +awaiting my presence. This way." + +Thus saying, Muza, who, fierce as he was, obeyed every impulse that the +oriental loyalty dictated from a subject to a king, passed from the hall +to a small door that admitted into the garden, and in thoughtful silence +accompanied the vizier towards the Alhambra. As they passed the copse in +which Muza, two nights before, had met with Almamen, the Moor, lifting +his head suddenly, beheld fixed upon him the dark eyes of the magician, +as he emerged from the trees. Muza thought there was in those eyes a +malign and hostile exultation; but Almamen, gravely saluting him, passed +on through the grove: the prince did not deign to look back, or he might +once more have encountered that withering gaze. + +"Proud heathen!" muttered Almamen to himself, "thy father filled his +treasuries from the gold of many a tortured Hebrew; and even thou, too +haughty to be the miser, hast been savage enough to play the bigot. Thy +name is a curse in Israel; yet dost thou lust after the daughter of our +despised race, and, could defeated passion sting thee, I were avenged. +Ay, sweep on, with thy stately step and lofty crest-thou goest to chains, +perhaps to death." + +As Almamen thus vented his bitter spirit, the last gleam of the white +robes of Muza vanished from his gaze. He paused a moment, turned away +abruptly, and said, half aloud, "Vengeance, not on one man only, but a +whole race! Now for the Nazarene." + + + + + + +BOOK. II. + +CHAPTER I. + +THE ROYAL TENT OF SPAIN.--THE KING AND THE DOMINICAN--THE VISITOR +AND THE HOSTAGE. + +Our narrative now summons us to the Christian army, and to the tent in +which the Spanish king held nocturnal counsel with some of his more +confidential warriors and advisers. Ferdinand had taken the field with +all the pomp and circumstance of a tournament rather than of a campaign; +and his pavilion literally blazed with purple and cloth of gold. + +The king sat at the head of a table on which were scattered maps and +papers; nor in countenance and mien did that great and politic monarch +seem unworthy of the brilliant chivalry by which he was surrounded. His +black hair, richly perfumed and anointed, fell in long locks on either +side of a high imperial brow, upon whose calm, though not unfurrowed +surface, the physiognomist would in vain have sought to read the +inscrutable heart of kings. His features were regular and majestic: and +his mantle, clasped with a single jewel of rare price and lustre, and +wrought at the breast with a silver cross, waved over a vigorous and +manly frame, which derived from the composed and tranquil dignity of +habitual command that imposing effect which many of the renowned knights +and heroes in his presence took from loftier stature and ampler +proportions. At his right hand sat Prince Juan, his son, in the first +bloom of youth; at his left, the celebrated Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, +Marquess of Cadiz; along the table, in the order of their military rank, +were seen the splendid Duke of Medina Sidonia, equally noble in aspect +and in name; the worn and thoughtful countenance of the Marquess de +Villena (the Bayard of Spain); the melancholy brow of the heroic Alonzo +de Aguilar; and the gigantic frame, the animated features, and sparkling +eyes, of that fiery Hernando del Pulgar, surnamed "the knight of the +exploits." + +"You see, senores," said the king, continuing an address, to which his +chiefs seemed to listen with reverential attention, "our best hope of +speedily gaining the city is rather in the dissensions of the Moors than +our own sacred arms. The walls are strong, the population still +numerous; and under Muza Ben Abil Gazan, the tactics of the hostile army +are, it must be owned, administered with such skill as to threaten very +formidable delays to the period of our conquest. Avoiding the hazard of +a fixed battle, the infidel cavalry harass our camp by perpetual +skirmishes; and in the mountain defiles our detachments cannot cope with +their light horse and treacherous ambuscades. It is true, that by dint +of time, by the complete devastation of the Vega, and by vigilant +prevention of convoys from the seatowns, we might starve the city into +yielding. But, alas! my lords, our enemies are scattered and numerous, +and Granada is not the only place before which the standard of Spain +should be unfurled. Thus situated, the lion does not disdain to serve +himself of the fox; and, fortunately, we have now in Granada an ally that +fights for us. I have actual knowledge of all that passes within the +Alhambra: the king yet remains in his palace, irresolute and dreaming; +and I trust that an intrigue by which his jealousies are aroused against +his general, Muza, may end either in the loss of that able leader, or in +the commotion of open rebellion or civil war. Treason within Granada +will open its gates to us." + +"Sire," said Ponce de Leon, after a pause, "under your counsels, I no +more doubt of seeing our banner float above the Vermilion Towers, than I +doubt the rising of the sun over yonder hills; it matters little whether +we win by stratagem or force. But I need not say to your highness, that +we should carefully beware lest we be amused by inventions of the enemy, +and trust to conspiracies which may be but lying tales to blunt our +sabres, and paralyse our action." + +"Bravely spoken, wise de Leon!" exclaimed Hernando del Pulgar, hotly: +"and against these infidels, aided by the cunning of the Evil One, +methinks our best wisdom lies in the sword-arm. Well says our old +Castilian proverb: + + 'Curse them devoutly, + Hammer them stoutly.'" + +The king smiled slightly at the ardour of the favourite of his army, but +looked round for more deliberate counsel. "Sire," said Villena, "far be +it from us to inquire the grounds upon which your majesty builds your +hope of dissension among the foe; but, placing the most sanguine +confidence in a wisdom never to be deceived, it is clear that we should +relax no energy within our means, but fight while we plot, and seek to +conquer, while we do not neglect to undermine." + +"You speak well, my Lord," said Ferdinand, thoughtfully; "and you +yourself shall head a strong detachment to-morrow, to lay waste the Vega. +Seek me two hours hence; the council for the present is dissolved." + +The knights rose, and withdrew with the usual grave and stately +ceremonies of respect, which Ferdinand observed to, and exacted from, his +court: the young prince remained. + +"Son," said Ferdinand, when they were alone, "early and betimes should +the Infants of Spain be lessoned in the science of kingcraft. These +nobles are among the brightest jewels of the crown; but still it is in +the crown, and for the crown, that their light should sparkle. Thou +seest how hot, and fierce, and warlike, are the chiefs of Spain-- +excellent virtues when manifested against our foes: but had we no foes, +Juan, such virtues might cause us exceeding trouble. By St. Jago, I have +founded a mighty monarchy! observe how it should be maintained--by +science, Juan, by science! and science is as far removed from brute force +as this sword from a crowbar. Thou seemest bewildered and amazed, my +son: thou hast heard that I seek to conquer Granada by dissensions among +the Moors; when Granada is conquered, remember that the nobles themselves +are at Granada. Ave Maria! blessed be the Holy Mother, under whose eyes +are the hearts of kings!" Ferdinand crossed himself devoutly; and then, +rising, drew aside a part of the drapery of the pavilion, and called; in +a low voice, the name of Perez. A grave Spaniard, somewhat past the +verge of middle age, appeared. + +"Perez," said the king, reseating himself, "has the person we expected +from Granada yet arrived?" + +"Sire, yes; accompanied by a maiden." + +"He hath kept his word; admit them. Ha! holy father, thy visits are +always as balsam to the heart." + +"Save you, my son!" returned a man in the robes of a Dominican friar, who +had entered suddenly and without ceremony by another part of the tent, +and who now seated himself with smileless composure at a little distance +from the king. + +There was a dead silence for some moments; and Perez still lingered +within the tent, as if in doubt whether the entrance of the friar would +not prevent or delay obedience to the king's command. On the calm face +of Ferdinand himself appeared a slight shade of discomposure and +irresolution, when the monk thus resumed: + +"My presence, my son, will not, I trust, disturb your conference with the +infidel--since you deem that worldly policy demands your parley with the +men of Belial." + +"Doubtless not--doubtless not," returned the king, quickly: then, +muttering to himself, "how wondrously doth this holy man penetrate into +all our movements and designs!" he added, aloud, "Let the messenger +enter." + +Perez bowed, and withdrew. + +During this time, the young prince reclined in listless silence on his +seat; and on his delicate features was an expression of weariness which +augured but ill of his fitness for the stern business to which the +lessons of his wise father were intended to educate his mind. His, +indeed, was the age, and his the soul, for pleasure; the tumult of the +camp was to him but a holiday exhibition--the march of an army, the +exhilaration of a spectacle; the court as a banquet--the throne, the best +seat at the entertainment. The life of the heir-apparent, to the life of +the king possessive, is as the distinction between enchanting hope and +tiresome satiety. + +The small grey eyes of the friar wandered over each of his royal +companions with a keen and penetrating glance, and then settled in the +aspect of humility on the rich carpets that bespread the floor; nor did +he again lift them till Perez, reappearing, admitted to the tent the +Israelite, Almamen, accompanied by a female figure, whose long veil, +extending from head to foot, could conceal neither the beautiful +proportions nor the trembling agitation, of her frame. + +"When last, great king, I was admitted to thy presence," said Almamen, +"thou didst make question of the sincerity and faith of thy servant; thou +didst ask me for a surety of my faith; thou didst demand a hostage; and +didst refuse further parley without such pledge were yielded to thee. +Lo! I place under thy kingly care this maiden--the sole child of my +house--as surety of my truth; I intrust to thee a life dearer than my +own." + +"You have kept faith with us, stranger," said the king, in that soft and +musical voice which well disguised his deep craft and his unrelenting +will; "and the maiden whom you intrust to our charge shall be ranked with +the ladies of our royal consort." + +"Sire," replied Almamen, with touching earnestness, you now hold the +power of life and death over all for whom this heart can breathe a prayer +or cherish a hope, save for my countrymen and my religion. This solemn +pledge between thee and me I render up without scruple, without fear. To +thee I give a hostage, from thee I have but a promise." + +"But it is the promise of a king, a Christian, and a knight," said the +king, with dignity rather mild than arrogant; "among monarchs, what +hostage can be more sacred? Let this pass: how proceed affairs in the +rebel city?" + +"May this maiden withdraw, ere I answer my lord the king?" said Almamen. + +The young prince started to his feet. "Shall I conduct this new charge +to my mother?" he asked, in a low voice, addressing Ferdinand. + +The king half smiled: "The holy father were a better guide," he returned, +in the same tone. But, though the Dominican heard the hint, he retained +his motionless posture; and Ferdinand, after a momentary gaze on the +friar, turned away. "Be it so, Juan," said he, with a look meant to +convey caution to the prince; "Perez shall accompany you to the queen: +return the moment your mission is fulfilled--we want your presence." + +While this conversation was carried on between the father and son, the +Hebrew was whispering, in his sacred tongue, words of comfort and +remonstrance to the maiden; but they appeared to have but little of the +desired effect; and, suddenly falling on his breast, she wound her arms +around the Hebrew, whose breast shook with strong emotions, and exclaimed +passionately, in the same language, "Oh, my father! what have I done?-- +why send me from thee?--why intrust thy child to the stranger? Spare me, +spare me!" + +"Child of my heart!" returned the Hebrew, with solemn but tender accents, +"even as Abraham offered up his son, must I offer thee, upon the altars +of our faith; but, O Leila! even as the angel of the Lord forbade the +offering, so shall thy youth be spared, and thy years reserved for the +glory of generations yet unborn. King of Spain!" he continued in the +Spanish tongue, suddenly and eagerly, "you are a father, forgive my +weakness, and speed this parting." + +Juan approached; and with respectful courtesy attempted to take the hand +of the maiden. + +"You?" said the Israelite, with a dark frown. "O king! the prince is +young." + +"Honour knoweth no distinction of age," answered the king. "What ho, +Perez! accompany this maiden and the prince to the queen's pavilion." + +The sight of the sober years and grave countenance of the attendant +seemed to re-assure the Hebrew. He strained Leila in his arms; printed a +kiss upon her forehead without removing her veil; and then, placing her +almost in the arms of Perez, turned away to the further end of the tent, +and concealed his face with his hands. The king appeared touched; but +the Dominican gazed upon the whole scene with a sour scowl. + +Leila still paused for a moment; and then, as if recovering her self- +possession, said, aloud and distinctly,--"Man deserts me; but I will not +forget that God is over all." Shaking off the hand of the Spaniard, she +continued, "Lead on; I follow thee!" and left the tent with a steady and +even majestic step. + +"And now," said the king, when alone with the Dominican and Almamen, "how +proceed our hopes?" + +"Boabdil," replied the Israelite, "is aroused against both his army and +their leader, Muza; the king will not quit the Alhambra; and this +morning, ere I left the city, Muza himself was in the prisons of the +palace." + +"How!" cried the king, starting from his seat. + +"This is my work," pursued the Hebrew. coldly. "It is these hands that +are shaping for Ferdinand of Spain the keys of Granada." + +"And right kingly shall be your guerdon," said the Spanish monarch: +"meanwhile, accept this earnest of our favour." So saying, he took from +his breast a chain of massive gold, the links of which were curiously +inwrought with gems, and extended it to the Israelite. Almamen moved +not. A dark flush upon his countenance bespoke the feelings he with +difficulty restrained. + +"I sell not my foes for gold, great king," said he, with a stern smile: +"I sell my foes to buy the ransom of my friends." + +"Churlish!" said Ferdinand, offended: "but speak on, man, speak on!" + +"If I place Granada, ere two weeks are past, within thy power, what shall +be my reward?" + +"Thou didst talk to me, when last we met, of immunities to the Jews." + +The calm Dominican looked up as the king spoke, crossed himself, and +resumed his attitude of humility. + +"I demand for the people of Israel," returned Almamen, "free leave to +trade and abide within the city, and follow their callings, subjected +only to the same laws and the same imposts as the Christian population." + +"The same laws, and the same imposts! Humph! there are difficulties in +the concession. If we refuse?" + +"Our treaty is ended. Give me back the maiden--you will have no further +need of the hostage you demanded: I return to the city, and renew our +interviews no more." + +Politic and cold-blooded as was the temperament of the great Ferdinand, +he had yet the imperious and haughty nature of a prosperous and long- +descended king; and he bit his lip in deep displeasure at the tone of the +dictatorial and stately stranger. + +"Thou usest plain language, my friend," said he; "my words can be as +rudely spoken. Thou art in my power, and canst return not, save at my +permission." + +"I have your royal word, sire, for free entrance and safe egress," +answered Almamen. "Break it, and Granada is with the Moors till the +Darro runs red with the blood of her heroes, and her people strew the +vales as the leaves in autumn." + +"Art thou then thyself of the Jewish faith?" asked the king. "If thou +art not, wherefore are the outcasts of the world so dear to thee?" + +"My fathers were of that creed, royal Ferdinand; and if I myself desert +their creed, I do not desert their cause. O king! are my terms scorned +or accepted?" + +"I accept them: provided, first, that thou obtainest the exile or death +of Muza; secondly, that within two weeks of this date thou bringest me, +along with the chief councillors of Granada, the written treaty of the +capitulation, and the keys of the city. Do this: and though the sole +king in Christendom who dares the hazard, I offer to the Israelites +throughout Andalusia the common laws and rights of citizens of Spain; and +to thee I will accord such dignity as may content thy ambition." + +The Hebrew bowed reverently, and drew from his breast a scroll, which he +placed on the table before the king. "This writing, mighty Ferdinand, +contains the articles of our compact." + +"How, knave! wouldst thou have us commit our royal signature to +conditions with such as thou art, to the chance of the public eye? The +king's word is the king's bond!" + +The Hebrew took up the scroll with imperturbable composure, "My child!" +said he; "will your majesty summon back my child? we would depart." + +"A sturdy mendicant this, by the Virgin!" muttered the king; and then, +speaking aloud, "Give me the paper, I will scan it." + +Running his eyes hastily over the words, Ferdinand paused a moment, and +then drew towards him the implements of writing, signed the scroll, and +returned it to Almamen. + +The Israelite kissed it thrice with oriental veneration, and replaced it +in his breast. + +Ferdinand looked at him hard and curiously. He was a profound reader of +men's characters; but that of his guest baffled and perplexed him. + +"And how, stranger," said he, gravely,--"how can I trust that man who +thus distrusts one king and sells another?" + +"O king!" replied Almamen (accustomed from his youth to commune with and +command the possessors of thrones yet more absolute),--"O king! if thou +believest me actuated by personal and selfish interests in this our +compact, thou has but to make, my service minister to my interest, and +the lore of human nature will tell thee that thou hast won a ready and +submissive slave. But if thou thinkest I have avowed sentiments less +abject, and developed qualities higher than those of the mere bargainer +for sordid power, oughtest thou not to rejoice that chance has thrown +into thy way one whose intellect and faculties may be made thy tool? If +I betray another, that other is my deadly foe. Dost not thou, the lord +of armies, betray thine enemy? The Moor is an enemy bitterer to myself +than to thee. Because I betray an enemy, am I unworthy to serve a +friend? If I, a single man, and a stranger to the Moor, can yet command +the secrets of palaces, and render vain the counsels of armed men, have I +not in that attested that I am one of whom a wise king can make an able +servant?" + +"Thou art a subtle reasoner, my friend," said Ferdinand, smiling gently. +"Peace go with thee! our conference for the time is ended. What ho, +Perez!" The attendant appeared. + +"Thou hast left the maiden with the queen?" + +"Sire, you have been obeyed." + +"Conduct this stranger to the guard who led him through the camp. He +quits us under the same protection. Farewell! yet stay--thou art +assured that Muza Ben Abil Gazan is in the prisons of the Moor?" + +"Yes." + +"Blessed be the Virgin!" + +"Thou hast heard our conference, Father Tomas?" said the king, anxiously, +when the Hebrew had withdrawn. + +"I have, son." + +"Did thy veins freeze with horror?" + +"Only when my son signed the scroll. It seemed to me then that I saw the +cloven foot of the tempter." + +"Tush, father, the tempter would have been more wise than to reckon upon +a faith which no ink and no parchment can render valid, if the Church +absolve the compact. Thou understandest me, father?" + +"I do. I know your pious heart and well-judging mind." + +"Thou wert right," resumed the king, musingly, "when thou didst tell us +that these caitiff Jews were waxing strong in the fatness of their +substance. They would have equal laws--the insolent blasphemers!" + +"Son!" said the Dominican, with earnest adjuration, "God, who has +prospered your arms and councils, will require at your hands an account +of the power intrusted to you. Shall there be no difference between His +friends and His foes--His disciples and His crucifiers?" + +"Priest," said the king, laying his hand on the monk's shoulder, and with +a saturnine smile upon his countenance, "were religion silent in this +matter, policy has a voice loud enough to make itself heard. The Jews +demand equal rights; when men demand equality with their masters, treason +is at work, and justice sharpens her sword. Equality! these wealthy +usurers! Sacred Virgin! they would be soon buying up our kingdoms." + +The Dominican gazed hard on the king. "Son, I trust thee," he said, in a +low voice, and glided from the tent. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE. + +The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen +pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city. He was now in +a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst +which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless +in the still morning air. As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be +called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance +peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed +upon his own. + +He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp +whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, +ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, +in the garb of peasants. + +"Well, my masters," said Almamen, calmly, as he encountered the wild +savage countenances that glared upon him, "think you there is aught to +fear from the solitary santon?" + +"It is the magician," whispered one man to his neighbour--"let him pass." + +"Nay," was the answer, "take him before the captain; we have orders to +seize upon all we meet." + +This counsel prevailed; and gnashing his teeth with secret rage, Almamen +found himself hurried along by the peasants through the thickest part of +the copse. At length, the procession stopped in a semicircular patch of +rank sward, in which several head of cattle were quietly grazing, and a +yet more numerous troop of peasants reclined around upon the grass. + +"Whom have we here?" asked a voice which startled back the dark blood +from Almamen's cheek; and a Moor of commanding presence rose from the +midst of his brethren. "By the beard of the prophet, it is the false +santon! What dost thou from Granada at this hour?" + +"Noble Muza," returned Almamen--who, though indeed amazed that one whom +he had imagined his victim was thus unaccountably become his judge, +retained, at least, the semblance of composure--"my answer is to be given +only to my lord the king; it is his commands that I obey." + +"Thou art aware," said Muza, frowning, "that thy life is forfeited +without appeal? Whatsoever inmate of Granada is found without the walls +between sunrise and sunset, dies the death of a traitor and deserter." + +"The servants of the Alhambra are excepted," answered the Israelite, +without changing countenance. + +"Ah!" muttered Muza, as a painful and sudden thought seemed to cross him, +"can it be possible that the rumour of the city has truth, and that the +monarch of Granada is in treaty with the foe?" He mused a little; and +then, motioning the Moors to withdraw, he continued aloud, "Almamen, +answer me truly: hast thou sought the Christian camp with any message +from the king?" + +"I have not." + +"Art thou without the walls on the mission of the king?" + +"If I be so, I am a traitor to the king should I reveal his secret." + +"I doubt thee much, santon," said Muza, after a pause; "I know thee for +my enemy, and I do believe thy counsels have poisoned the king's ear +against me, his people and his duties. But no matter, thy life is spared +a while; thou remainest with us, and with us shalt thou return to the +king." + +"But, noble Muza----" + +"I have said! Guard the santon; mount him upon one of our chargers; he +shall abide with us in our ambush." While Almamen chafed in vain at his +arrest, all in the Christian camp was yet still. At length, as the sun +began to lift himself above the mountains, first a murmur, and then a +din, betokened warlike preparations. Several parties of horse, under +gallant and experienced leaders, formed themselves in different quarters, +and departed in different ways, on expeditions of forage, or in the hope +of skirmish with the straggling detachments of the enemy. Of these, the +best equipped, was conducted by the Marquess de Villena, and his gallant +brother Don Alonzo de Pacheco. In this troop, too, rode many of the best +blood of Spain; for in that chivalric army, the officers vied with each +other who should most eclipse the meaner soldiery in feats of personal +valour; and the name of Villena drew around him the eager and ardent +spirits that pined at the general inactivity of Ferdinand's politic +campaign. + +The sun, now high in heaven, glittered on the splendid arms and gorgeous +pennons of Villena's company, as, leaving the camp behind, it entered a +rich and wooded district that skirts the mountain barrier of the Vega. +The brilliancy of the day, the beauty of the scene, the hope and +excitement of enterprise, animated the spirits of the whole party. +In these expeditions strict discipline was often abandoned, from the +certainty that it could be resumed at need. Conversation, gay and loud, +interspersed at times with snatches of song, was heard amongst the +soldiery; and in the nobler group that rode with Villena, there was even +less of the proverbial gravity of Spaniards. + +"Now, marquess," said Don Estevon de Suzon, "what wager shall be between +us as to which lance this day robs Moorish beauty of the greatest number +of its worshippers?" + +"My falchion against your jennet," said Don Alonzo de Pacheco, taking up +the challenge. + +"Agreed. But, talking of beauty, were you in the queen's pavilion last +night, noble marquess? it was enriched by a new maiden, whose strange and +sudden apparition none can account for. Her eyes would have eclipsed the +fatal glance of Cava; and had I been Rodrigo, I might have lost a crown +for her smile." + +"Ay," said Villena, "I heard of her beauty; some hostage from one of the +traitor Moors, with whom the king (the saints bless him!) bargains for +the city. They tell me the prince incurred the queen's grave rebuke for +his attentions to the maiden." + +"And this morning I saw that fearful Father Tomas steal into the prince's +tent. I wish Don Juan well through the lecture. The monk's advice is +like the algarroba;--[The algarroba is a sort of leguminous plant common +in Spain]--when it is laid up to dry it may be reasonably wholesome, but +it is harsh and bitter enough when taken fresh." + +At this moment one of the subaltern officers rode up to the marquess, and +whispered in his ear. + +"Ha!" said Villena, "the Virgin be praised! Sir knights, booty is at +hand. Silence! close the ranks." With that, mounting a little eminence, +and shading his eyes with his hand, the marquess surveyed the plain +below; and, at some distance, he beheld a horde of Moorish peasants +driving some cattle into a thick copse. The word was hastily given, the +troop dashed on, every voice was hushed, and the clatter of mail, and the +sound of hoofs, alone broke the delicious silence of the noon-day +landscape. + +Ere they reached the copse, the peasants had disappeared within it. The +marquess marshalled his men in a semicircle round the trees, and sent on +a detachment to the rear, to cut off every egress from the wood. This +done the troop dashed within. For the first few yards the space was more +open than they had anticipated: but the ground soon grew uneven, rugged, +and almost precipitous, and the soil, and the interlaced trees, alike +forbade any rapid motion to the horse. Don Alonzo de Pacheco, mounted on +a charger whose agile and docile limbs had been tutored to every +description of warfare, and himself of light weight and incomparable +horsemanship--dashed on before the rest. The trees hid him for a moment; +when suddenly, a wild yell was heard, and as it ceased uprose the +solitary voice of the Spaniard, shouting, "_Santiago, y cierra_, Espana; +St. Jago, and charge, Spain!" + +Each cavalier spurred forward; when suddenly, a shower of darts and +arrows rattled on their armour; and upsprung from bush and reeds, and +rocky clift, a number of Moors, and with wild shouts swarmed around the +Spaniards. + +"Back for your lives!" cried Villena; "we are beset--make for the level +ground!" + +He turned-spurred from the thicket, and saw the Paynim foe emerging +through the glen, line after line of man and horse; each Moor leading his +slight and fiery steed by the bridle, and leaping on it as he issued from +the wood into the plain. Cased in complete mail, his visor down, his +lance in its rest, Villena (accompanied by such of his knights as could +disentangle themselves from the Moorish foot) charged upon the foe. A +moment of fierce shock passed: on the ground lay many a Moor, pierced +through by the Christian lance; and on the other side of the foe was +heard the voice of Villena--"St. Jago to the rescue!" But the brave +marquess stood almost alone, save his faithful chamberlain, Solier. +Several of his knights were dismounted, and swarms of Moors, with lifted +knives, gathered round them as they lay, searching for the joints of the +armour, which might admit a mortal wound. Gradually, one by one, many of +Villena's comrades joined their leader, and now the green mantle of Don +Alonzo de Pacheco was seen waving without the copse, and Villena +congratulated himself on the safety of his brother. Just at that moment, +a Moorish cavalier spurred from his troop, and met Pacheco in full +career. The Moor was not clad, as was the common custom of the Paynim +nobles, in the heavy Christian armour. He wore the light flexile mail of +the ancient heroes of Araby or Fez. His turban, which was protected by +chains of the finest steel interwoven with the folds, was of the most +dazzling white--white, also, were his tunic and short mantle; on his left +arm hung a short circular shield, in his right hand was poised a long and +slender lance. As this Moor, mounted on a charger in whose raven hue not +a white hair could be detected, dashed forward against Pacheco, both +Christian and Moor breathed hard, and remained passive. Either nation +felt it as a sacrilege to thwart the encounter of champions so renowned. + +"God save my brave brother!" muttered Villena, anxiously. "Amen," said +those around him; for all who had ever witnessed the wildest valour in +that war, trembled as they recognised the dazzling robe and coal-black +charger of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. Nor was that renowned infidel mated with +an unworthy foe. "Pride of the tournament, and terror of the war," was +the favourite title which the knights and ladies of Castile had bestowed +on Don Alonzo de Pacheco. + +When the Spaniard saw the redoubted Moor approach, he halted abruptly for +a moment, and then, wheeling his horse around, took a wider circuit, to +give additional impetus to his charge. The Moor, aware of his purpose, +halted also, and awaited the moment of his rush; when once more he darted +forward, and the combatants met with a skill which called forth a cry of +involuntary applause from the Christians themselves. Muza received on +the small surface of his shield the ponderous spear of Alonzo, while his +own light lance struck upon the helmet of the Christian, and by the +exactness of the aim rather than the weight of the blow, made Alonzo reel +in his saddle. + +The lances were thrown aside--the long broad falchion of the Christian, +the curved Damascus cimiter of the Moor, gleamed in the air. They reined +their chargers opposite each other in grave and deliberate silence. + +"Yield thee, sir knight!" at length cried the fierce Moor, "for the motto +on my cimiter declares that if thou meetest its stroke, thy days are +numbered. The sword of the believer is the Key of Heaven and Hell." +--[Such, says Sale, is the poetical phrase of the Mohammedan divines.] + +"False Paynim," answered Alonzo, in a voice that rung hollow through his +helmet, "a Christian knight is the equal of a Moorish army!" + +Muza made no reply, but left the rein of his charger on his neck; the +noble animal understood the signal, and with a short impatient cry rushed +forward at full speed. Alonzo met the charge with his falchion upraised, +and his whole body covered with his shield; the Moor bent--the Spaniards +raised a shout--Muza seemed stricken from his horse. But the blow of the +heavy falchion had not touched him: and, seemingly without an effort, the +curved blade of his own cimiter, gliding by that part of his antagonist's +throat where the helmet joins the cuirass, passed unresistingly and +silently through the joints; and Alonzo fell at once, and without a +groan, from his horse--his armour, to all appearance, unpenetrated, while +the blood oozed slow and gurgling from a mortal wound. + +"Allah il Allah!" shouted Muza, as he joined his friends; "Lelilies! +Lelilies!" echoed the Moors; and ere the Christians recovered their +dismay, they were engaged hand to hand with their ferocious and swarming +foes. It was, indeed, fearful odds; and it was a marvel to the Spaniards +how the Moors had been enabled to harbour and conceal their numbers in so +small a space. Horse and foot alike beset the company of Villena, +already sadly reduced; and while the infantry, with desperate and savage +fierceness, thrust themselves under the very bellies of the chargers, +encountering both the hoofs of the steed and the deadly lance of the +rider, in the hope of finding a vulnerable place for the sharp Moorish +knife,--the horsemen, avoiding the stern grapple of the Spaniard +warriors, harrassed them by the shaft and lance,--now advancing, now +retreating, and performing, with incredible rapidity, the evolutions of +Oriental cavalry. But the life and soul of his party was the indomitable +Muza. With a rashness which seemed to the superstitious Spaniards like +the safety of a man protected by magic, he spurred his ominous black barb +into the very midst of the serried phalanx which Villena endeavoured to +form around him, breaking the order by his single charge, and from time +to time bringing to the dust some champion of the troop by the noiseless +and scarce-seen edge of his fatal cimiter. + +Villena, in despair alike of fame and life, and gnawed with grief for his +brother's loss, at length resolved to put the last hope of the battle on +his single arm. He gave the signal for retreat; and to protect his +troop, remained himself, alone and motionless, on his horse, like a +statue of iron. Though not of large frame, he was esteemed the best +swordsman, next only to Hernando del Pulgar and Gonsalvo de Cordova, in +the army; practised alike in the heavy assault of the Christian warfare, +and the rapid and dexterous exercise of the Moorish cavalry. There he +remained, alone and grim--a lion at bay--while his troops slowly +retreated down the Vega, and their trumpets sounded loud signals of +distress, and demands for succour, to such of their companions as might +be within bearing. Villena's armour defied the shafts of the Moors; and +as one after one darted towards him, with whirling cimiter and momentary +assault, few escaped with impunity from an eye equally quick and a weapon +more than equally formidable. Suddenly, a cloud of dust swept towards +him; and Muza, a moment before at the further end of the field, came +glittering through that cloud, with his white robe waving and his right +arm bare. Villena recognised him, set his teeth hard, and putting spurs +to his charger, met the rush. Muza swerved aside, just as the heavy +falchion swung over his head, and by a back stroke of his own cimiter, +shore through the cuirass just above the hip-joint, and the blood +followed the blade. The brave cavaliers saw the danger of their chief; +three of their number darted forward, and came in time to separate the +combatants. + +Muza stayed not to encounter the new reinforcement; but speeding across +the plain, was soon seen rallying his own scattered cavalry, and pouring +them down, in one general body, upon the scanty remnant of the Spaniards. + +"Our day is come!" said the good knight Villena, with bitter resignation. +"Nothing is left for us, my friends, but to give up our lives--an example +how Spanish warriors should live and die. May God and the Holy Mother +forgive our sins and shorten our purgatory!" + +Just as he spoke, a clarion was heard at a distance and the sharpened +senses of the knights caught the ring of advancing hoofs. + +"We are saved!" cried Estevon de Suzon, rising on his stirrups. While he +spoke, the dashing stream of the Moorish horse broke over the little +band; and Estevon beheld bent upon himself the dark eyes and quivering +lip of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. That noble knight had never, perhaps, till +then known fear; but he felt his heart stand still, as he now stood +opposed to that irresistible foe. + +"The dark fiend guides his blade!" thought De Suzon; "but I was shriven +but yestermorn." The thought restored his wonted courage; and he spurred +on to meet the cimiter of the Moor. + +His assault took Muza by surprise. The Moor's horse stumbled over the +ground, cumbered with the dead and slippery with blood, and his uplifted +cimiter could not do more than break the force of the gigantic arm of De +Suzon; as the knight's falchion bearing down the cimiter, and alighting +on the turban of the Mohammedan, clove midway through its folds, arrested +only by the admirable temper of the links of steel which protected it. +The shock hurled the Moor to the ground. He rolled under the saddle- +girths of his antagonist. + +"Victory and St. Jago!" cried the knight, "Muza is--" + +The sentence was left eternally unfinished. The blade of the fallen Moor +had already pierced De Suzoii's horse through a mortal but undefended +part. It fell, bearing his rider with him. A moment, and the two +champions lay together grappling in the dust; in the next, the short +knife which the Moor wore in his girdle had penetrated the Christian's +visor, passing through the brain. + +To remount his steed, that remained at band, humbled and motionless, to +appear again amongst the thickest of the fray, was a work no less rapidly +accomplished than had been the slaughter of the unhappy Estevon de Suzon. +But now the fortune of the day was stopped in a progress hitherto so +triumphant to the Moors. + +Pricking fast over the plain were seen the glittering horsemen of the +Christian reinforcements; and, at the remoter distance, the royal banner +of Spain, indistinctly descried through volumes of dust, denoted that +Ferdinand himself was advancing to the support of his cavaliers. + +The Moors, however, who had themselves received many and mysterious +reinforcements, which seemed to spring up like magic from the bosom of +the earth--so suddenly and unexpectedly had they emerged from copse and +cleft in that mountainous and entangled neighbourhood--were not +unprepared for a fresh foe. At the command of the vigilant Muza, they +drew off, fell into order, and, seizing, while yet there was time, the +vantage-ground which inequalities of the soil and the shelter of the +trees gave to their darts and agile horse, they presented an array which +Ponce de Leon himself, who now arrived, deemed it more prudent not to +assault. While Villena, in accents almost inarticulate with rage, was +urging the Marquess of Cadiz to advance, Ferdinand, surrounded by the +flower of his court, arrived at the rear of the troops and after a few +words interchanged with Ponce de Leon, gave the signal to retreat. + +When the Moors beheld that noble soldiery slowly breaking ground, and +retiring towards the camp, even Muza could not control their ardour. +They rushed forward, harassing the retreat of the Christians, and +delaying the battle by various skirmishes. + +It was at this time that the headlong valour of Hernando del Pulgar, who +had arrived with Ponce de Leon, distinguished itself in feats which yet +live in the songs of Spain. Mounted upon an immense steed, and himself +of colossal strength, he was seen charging alone upon the assailants, and +scattering numbers to the ground with the sweep of his enormous two- +handed falchion. With a loud voice, he called on Muza to oppose him; but +the Moor, fatigued with slaughter, and scarcely recovered from the shock +of his encounter with De Suzon, reserved so formidable a foe for a future +contest. + +It was at this juncture, while the field was covered with straggling +skirmishers, that a small party of Spaniards, in cutting their way to the +main body of their countrymen through one of the numerous copses held by +the enemy, fell in at the outskirt with an equal number of Moors, and +engaged them in a desperate conflict, hand to hand. Amidst the infidels +was one man who took no part in the affray: at a little distance, he +gazed for a few moments upon the fierce and relentless slaughter of Moor +and Christian with a smile of stern and complacent delight; and then +taking advantage of the general confusion, rode gently, and, as he hoped, +unobserved, away from the scene. But he was not destined so quietly to +escape. A Spaniard perceived him, and, from something strange and +unusual in his garb, judged him one of the Moorish leaders; and presently +Almamen, for it was he, beheld before him the uplifted falchion of a foe +neither disposed to give quarter nor to hear parley. Brave though the +Israelite was, many reasons concurred to prevent his taking a personal +part against the soldier of Spain; and seeing he should have no chance of +explanation, he fairly puts spurs to his horse, and galloped across the +plain. The Spaniard followed, gained upon him, and Almamen at length +turned, in despair and the wrath of his haughty nature. + +"Have thy will, fool!" said he, between his grinded teeth, as he griped +his dagger and prepared for the conflict. It was long and obstinate, for +the Spaniard was skilful; and the Hebrew wearing no mail, and without any +weapon more formidable than a sharp and well-tempered dagger, was forced +to act cautiously on the defensive. At length the combatants grappled, +and, by a dexterous thrust, the short blade of Almamen pierced the throat +of his antagonist, who fell prostrate to the ground. + +"I am safe," he thought, as he wheeled round his horse; when lo! the +Spaniards he had just left behind, and who had now routed their +antagonists, were upon him. + +"Yield, or die!" cried the leader of the troop. + +Almamen glared round; no succour was at hand. "I am not your enemy," +said he, sullenly, throwing down his weapon--"bear me to your camp." + +A trooper seized his rein, and, scouring along, the Spaniards soon +reached the retreating army. + +Meanwhile the evening darkened, the shout and the roar grew gradually +less loud and loud---the battle had ceased--the stragglers had joined +their several standards and, by the light of the first star, the Moorish +force, bearing their wounded brethren, and elated with success, +re-entered the gates of Granada, as the black charger of the hero of the +day, closing the rear of the cavalry, disappeared within the gloomy +portals. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE HERO IN THE POWER OF THE DREAMER. + +It was in the same chamber, and nearly at the same hour, in which we +first presented to the reader Boabdil el Chico, that we are again +admitted to the presence of that ill-starred monarch. He was not alone. +His favourite slave, Amine, reclined upon the ottomans, gazing with +anxious love upon his thoughtful countenance, as he leant against the +glittering wall by the side of the casement, gazing abstractedly on the +scene below. + +From afar he heard the shouts of the populace at the return of Muza, and +bursts of artillery confirmed the tidings of triumph which had already +been borne to his ear. + +"May the king live for ever!" said Amine, timidly; "his armies have gone +forth to conquer." + +"But without their king," replied Boabdil, bitterly, and headed by a +traitor and a foe. I am meshed in the nets of an inextricable fate!" + +"Oh!" said the slave, with sudden energy, as, clasping her hands, she +rose from her couch,--"oh, my lord, would that these humble lips dared +utter other words than those of love!" + +"And what wise counsel would they give me?" asked Boabdil with a faint +smile. "Speak on." + +"I will obey thee, then, even if it displease," cried Amine; and she +rose, her cheek glowing, her eyes spark ling, her beautiful form dilated. +"I am a daughter of Granada; I am the beloved of a king; I will be true +to my birth and to my fortunes. Boabdil el Chico, the last of a line of +heroes, shake off these gloomy fantasies--these doubts and dreams that +smother the fire of a great nature and a kingly soul! Awake--arise--rob +Granada of her Muza--be thyself her Muza! Trustest thou to magic and to +spells? then grave them on they breastplate, write them on thy sword, and +live no longer the Dreamer of the Alhambra; become the saviour of thy +people!" + +Boabdil turned, and gazed on the inspired and beautiful form before him +with mingled emotions of surprise and shame. "Out of the mouth of woman +cometh my rebuke!" said he sadly. "It is well!" + +"Pardon me, pardon me!" said the slave, falling humbly at his knees; "but +blame me not that I would have thee worthy of thyself. Wert thou not +happier, was not thy heart more light and thy hope more strong when, at +the head of thine armies, thine own cimiter slew thine own foes, and the +terror of the Hero-king spread, in flame and slaughter, from the +mountains to the seas. Boabdil! dear as thou art to me-equally as I +would have loved thee hadst thou been born a lowly fisherman of the +Darro, since thou art a king, I would have thee die a king; even if my +own heart broke as I armed thee for thy latest battle!" + +"Thou knowest not what thou sayest, Amine," said Boabdil, "nor canst thou +tell what spirits that are not of earth dictate to the actions and watch +over the destinies, of the rulers of nations. If I delay, if I linger, +it is not from terror, but from wisdom. The cloud must gather on, dark +and slow, ere the moment for the thunderbolt arrives." + +"On thine own house will the thunderbolt fall, since over thine own house +thou sufferest the cloud to gather," said a calm and stern voice. + +Boabdil started; and in the chamber stood a third person, in the shape of +a woman, past middle age, and of commanding port and stature. Upon her +long-descending robes of embroidered purple were thickly woven jewels of +royal price, and her dark hair, slightly tinged with grey, parted over a +majestic brow while a small diadem surmounted the folds of the turban. + +"My mother!" said Boabdil, with some haughty reserve in his tone; "your +presence is unexpected." + +"Ay," answered Ayxa la Horra, for it was indeed that celebrated, and +haughty, and high-souled queen, "and unwelcome; so is ever that of your +true friends. But not thus unwelcome was the presence of your mother, +when her brain and her hand delivered you from the dungeon in which your +stern father had cast your youth, and the dagger and the bowl seemed the +only keys that would unlock the cell." + +"And better hadst thou left the ill-omened son that thy womb conceived, +to die thus in youth, honoured and lamented, than to live to manhood, +wrestling against an evil star and a relentless fate." + +"Son," said the queen, gazing upon him with lofty and half disdainful +compassion, "men's conduct shapes out their own fortunes, and the unlucky +are never the valiant and the wise." + +"Madam," said Boabdil, colouring with passion, "I am still a king, nor +will I be thus bearded--withdraw!" + +Ere the queen could reply, a eunuch entered, and whispered Boabdil. + +"Ha!" said he, joyfully, stamping his foot, "comes he then to brave the +lion in his den? Let the rebel look to it. Is he alone?" + +"Alone, great king." + +"Bid my guards wait without; let the slightest signal summon them. +Amine, retire! Madam--" + +"Son!" interrupted Ayxa la Horra in visible agitation, "do I guess +aright? is the brave Muza--the sole bulwark and hope of Granada--whom +unjustly thou wouldst last night have placed in chains--(chains! Great +Prophet! is it thus a king should reward his heroes)--is, I say, Muza +here? and wilt thou make him the victim of his own generous trust?" + +"Retire, woman?" said Boabdil, sullenly. + +"I will not, save by force! I resisted a fiercer soul than thine when I +saved thee from thy father." + +"Remain, then, if thou wilt, and learn how kings can punish traitors. +Mesnour, admit the hero of Granada." Amine had vanished. Boabdil seated +himself on the cushions his face calm but pale. The queen stood erect at +a little distance, her arms folded on her breast, and her aspect knit and +resolute. In a few moments Muza entered alone. He approached the king +with the profound salutation of oriental obeisance; and then stood before +him with downcast eyes, in an attitude from which respect could not +divorce a natural dignity and pride of mien. + +"Prince," said Boabdil, after a moment's pause, "yestermorn, when I sent +for thee thou didst brave my orders. Even in mine own Alhambra thy +minions broke out in mutiny; they surrounded the fortress in which thou +wert to wait my pleasure; they intercepted, they insulted, they drove +back my guards; they stormed the towers protected by the banner of thy +king. The governor, a coward or a traitor, rendered thee to the +rebellious crowd. Was this all? No, by the Prophet! Thou, by right my +captive, didst leave thy prison but to head mine armies. And this day, +the traitor subject--the secret foe--was the leader of a people who defy +a king. This night thou comest to me unsought. Thou feelest secure from +my just wrath, even in my palace. Thine insolence blinds and betrays +thee. Man, thou art in my power! Ho, there!" + +As the king spoke, he rose; and, presently, the arcades at the back of +the pavilion were darkened by long lines of the Ethiopian guard, each of +height which, beside the slight Moorish race, appeared gigantic; stolid +and passionless machines, to execute, without thought, the bloodiest or +the slightest caprice of despotism. There they stood; their silver +breastplates and long earrings contrasting their dusky skins; and +bearing, over their shoulders, immense clubs studded with brazen nails. + +A little advanced from the rest, stood the captain, with the fatal +bowstring hanging carelessly on his arm, and his eyes intent to catch the +slightest gesture of the king. "Behold!" said Boabdil to his prisoner. + +"I do; and am prepared for what I have foreseen." The queen grew pale, +but continued silent. + +Muza resumed-- + +"Lord of the faithful!" said he, "if yestermorn I had acted otherwise, it +would have been to the ruin of thy throne and our common race. The +fierce Zegris suspected and learned my capture. They summoned the troops +they delivered me, it is true. At that time had I reasoned with them, it +would have been as drops upon a flame. They were bent on besieging thy +palace, perhaps upon demanding thy abdication. I could not stifle their +fury, but I could direct it. In the moment of passion, I led them from +rebellion against our common king to victory against our common foe. +That duty done, I come unscathed from the sword of the Christian to bare +my neck to the bowstring of my friend. Alone, untracked, unsuspected, I +have entered thy palace to prove to the sovereign of Granada, that the +defendant of his throne is not a rebel to his will. Now summon the +guards--I have done." + +"Muza!" said Boabdil, in a softened voice, while he shaded his face with +his hand, "we played together as children, and I have loved thee well: my +kingdom even now, perchance, is passing from me, but I could almost be +reconciled to that loss, if I thought thy loyalty had not left me." + +"Dost thou, in truth, suspect the faith of Muza Ben Abil Gazan?" said the +Moorish prince, in a tone of surprise and sorrow. "Unhappy king! I +deemed that my services, and not my defection, made my crime." + +"Why do my people hate me? why do my armies menace?" said Boabdil, +evasively; "why should a subject possess that allegiance which a king +cannot obtain?" + +"Because," replied Muza, boldly, "the king has delegated to a subject the +command he should himself assume. Oh, Boabdil!" he continued, +passionately--"friend of my boyhood, ere the evil days came upon us,-- +gladly would I sink to rest beneath the dark waves of yonder river, if +thy arm and brain would fill up my place amongst the warriors of Granada. +And think not I say this only from our boyish love; think not I have +placed my life in thy hands only from that servile loyalty to a single +man, which the false chivalry of Christendom imposes as a sacred creed +upon its knights and nobles. But I speak and act but from one principle +--to save the religion of, my father and the land of my birth: for this I +have risked my life against the foe; for this I surrender my life to the +sovereign of my country. Granada may yet survive, if monarch and people +unite together. Granada is lost for ever, if her children, at this fatal +hour, are divided against themselves. If, then, I, O Boabdil! am the +true obstacle to thy league with thine own subjects, give me at once to +the bowstring, and my sole prayer shall be for the last remnant of the +Moorish name, and the last monarch of the Moorish dynasty." + +"My son, my son! art thou convinced at last?" cried the queen, struggling +with her tears; for she was one who wept easily at heroic sentiments, but +never at the softer sorrows, or from the more womanly emotions. + +Boabdil lifted his head with a vain and momentary attempt at pride; his +eye glanced from his mother to his friend, and his better feelings gushed +upon him with irresistible force; he threw himself into Muza's arms. + +"Forgive me," he said, in broken accents, "forgive me! How could I have +wronged thee thus? Yes," he continued, as he started from the noble +breast on which for a moment he indulged no ungenerous weakness,--"yes, +prince, your example shames, but it fires me. Granada henceforth shall +have two chieftains; and if I be jealous of thee, it shall be from an +emulation thou canst not blame. Guards, retire. Mesnour! ho, Mesnour! +Proclaim at daybreak that I myself will review the troops in the +Vivarrambla. Yet"--and, as he spoke his voice faltered, and his brow +became overcast, "yet stay, seek me thyself at daybreak, and I will give +thee my commands." + +"Oh, my son! why hesitate?" cried the queen, "why waver? Prosecute thine +own kingly designs, and--" + +"Hush, madam," said Boabdil, regaining his customary cold composure; "and +since you are now satisfied with your son, leave me alone with Muza." + +The queen sighed heavily; but there was something in the calm of Boabdil +which chilled and awed her more than his bursts of passion. She drew her +veil around her, and passed slowly and reluctantly from the chamber. + +"Muza," said Boabdil, when alone with the prince, and fixing his large +and thoughtful eyes upon the dark orbs of his companion,--"when, in our +younger days, we conversed together, do you remember how often that +converse turned upon those solemn and mysterious themes to which the +sages of our ancestral land directed their deepest lore; the enigmas of +the stars--the science of fate--the wild searches into the clouded +future, which hides the destines of nations and of men? Thou +rememberest, Muza, that to such studies mine own vicissitudes and +sorrows, even in childhood--the strange fortunes which gave me in my +cradle the epithet of El Zogoybi--the ominous predictions of santons and +astrologers as to the trials of my earthly fate,--all contributed to +incline my soul. Thou didst not despise those earnest musings, nor our +ancestral lore, though, unlike me, ever more inclined to action than to +contemplation, that which thou mightest believe had little influence upon +what thou didst design. With me it hath been otherwise; every event of +life hath conspired to feed my early prepossessions; and, in this awful +crisis of my fate, I have placed myself and my throne rather under the +guardianship of spirits than of men. This alone has reconciled me to +inaction--to the torpor of the Alhambra--to the mutinies of my people. +I have smiled, when foes surround and friends deserted me, secure of the +aid at last--if I bided but the fortunate hour--of the charms of +protecting spirits, and the swords of the invisible creation. Thou +wonderest what this should lead to. Listen! Two nights since (and the +king shuddered) I was with the dead! My father appeared before me--not +as I knew him in life--gaunt and terrible, full of the vigour of health, +and the strength of kingly empire, and of fierce passion--but wan, calm, +shadowy. From lips on which Azrael had set his livid seal, he bade me +beware of thee!" + +The king ceased suddenly; and sought to read on the face of Muza the +effect his words produced. But the proud and swarthy features of the +Moor evinced no pang of conscience; a slight smile of pity might have +crossed his lip for a moment, but it vanished ere the king could detect +it. Boabdil continued: + +"Under the influence of this warning, I issued the order for thy arrest. +Let this pass--I resume my tale. I attempted to throw myself at the +spectre's feet--it glided from me, motionless and impalpable. I asked +the Dead One if he forgave his unhappy son the sin of rebellion alas! +too well requited even upon earth. And the voice again came forth, and +bade me keep the crown that I had gained, as the sole atonement for the +past. Then again I asked, whether the hour for action had arrived! and +the spectre, while it faded gradually into air, answered, 'No!' 'Oh!' I +exclaimed, 'ere thou leavest me, be one sign accorded me, that I have not +dreamt this vision; and give me, I pray thee, note and warning, when the +evil star of Boabdil shall withhold its influence, and he may strike, +without resistance from the Powers above, for his glory and his throne.' +'The sign and the warning are bequeathed thee,' answered the ghostly +image. It vanished,--thick darkness fell around; and, when once more the +light of the lamps we bore became visible, behold there stood before me +a skeleton, in the regal robe of the kings of Granada, and on its grisly +head was the imperial diadem. With one hand raised, it pointed to the +opposite wall, wherein burned, like an orb of gloomy fire, a broad dial- +plate, on which were graven these words, BEWARE--FEAR NOT--ARM! The +finger of the dial moved rapidly round, and rested at the word beware. +From that hour to the one in which I last beheld it, it hath not moved. +Muza, the tale is done; wilt thou visit with me this enchanted chamber, +and see if the hour be come?" + +"Commander of the faithful," said Muza, "the story is dread and awful. +But pardon thy friend--wert thou alone, or was the santon Almamen thy +companion?" + +"Why the question?" said Boabdil, evasively, and slightly colouring. + +"I fear his truth," answered Muza; "the Christian king conquers more foes +by craft than force; and his spies are more deadly than his warriors. +Wherefore this caution against me, but (pardon me) for thine own undoing? +Were I a traitor, could Ferdinand himself have endangered thy crown so +imminently as the revenge of the leader of thine own armies? Why, too, +this desire to keep thee inactive? For the brave every hour hath its +chances; but, for us, every hour increases our peril. If we seize not +the present time,--our supplies are cut off,--and famine is a foe all our +valour cannot resist. This dervise--who is he? a stranger, not of our +race and blood. But this morning I found him without the walls, not far +from the Spaniard's camp." + +"Ha!" cried the king, quickly, "and what said he?" + +"Little, but in hints; sheltering himself, by loose hints, under thy +name." + +"He! what dared he own?--Muza, what were those hints?" + +The Moor here recounted the interview with Almamen, his detention, his +inactivity in the battle, and his subsequent capture by the Spaniards. +The king listened attentively, and regained his composure. + +"It is a strange and awful man," said he after a pause. "Guards and +chains will not detain him. Ere long he will return. But thou, at +least, Muza, are henceforth free, alike from the suspicion of the living +and the warnings of the dead. No, my friend," continued Boabdil, with +generous warmth, "it is better to lose a crown, to lose life itself, than +confidence in a heart like thine. Come, let us inspect this magic +tablet; perchance--and how my heart bounds as I utter the hope!--the hour +may have arrived." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A FULLER VIEW OF THE CHARACTER OF BOABDIL.--MUZA IN THE GARDENS OF HIS +BELOVED. + +Muza Ben Abil Gazan returned from his visit to Boabdil with a thoughtful +and depressed spirit. His arguments had failed to induce the king to +disdain the command of the magic dial, which still forbade him to arm +against the invaders; and although the royal favour was no longer +withdrawn from himself, the Moor felt that such favour hung upon a +capricious and uncertain tenure so long as his sovereign was the slave of +superstition or imposture. But that noble warrior, whose character the +adversity of his country had singularly exalted and refined, even while +increasing its natural fierceness, thought little of himself in +comparison with the evils and misfortunes which the king's continued +irresolution must bring upon Granada. + +"So brave, and yet so weak," thought he; "so weak, and yet so obstinate; +so wise a reasoner, yet so credulous a dupe! Unhappy Boabdil! the stars, +indeed, seem to fight against thee, and their influences at thy birth +marred all thy gifts and virtues with counteracting infirmity and error." + +Muza,--more perhaps than any subject in Granada,--did justice to the real +character of the king; but even he was unable to penetrate all its +complicated and latent mysteries. Boabdil el Chico was no ordinary man; +his affections were warm and generous, his nature calm and gentle; and, +though early power, and the painful experience of a mutinous people and +ungrateful court, had imparted to that nature an irascibility of temper +and a quickness of suspicion foreign to its earlier soil, he was easily +led back to generosity and justice; and, if warm in resentment, was +magnanimous in forgiveness. Deeply accomplished in all the learning of +his race and time, he was--in books, at least--a philosopher; and, +indeed, his attachment to the abstruser studies was one of the main +causes which unfitted him for his present station. But it was the +circumstances attendant on his birth and childhood that had perverted his +keen and graceful intellect to morbid indulgence in mystic reveries, and +all the doubt, fear, and irresolution of a man who pushes metaphysics +into the supernatural world. Dark prophecies accumulated omens over his +head; men united in considering him born to disastrous destinies. +Whenever he had sought to wrestle against hostile circumstances, some +seemingly accidental cause, sudden and unforeseen, had blasted the +labours of his most vigorous energy,--the fruit of his most deliberate +wisdom. Thus, by degrees a gloomy and despairing cloud settled over his +mind; but, secretly sceptical of the Mohammedan creed, and too proud and +sanguine to resign himself wholly and passively to the doctrine of +inevitable predestination, he sought to contend against the machinations +of hostile demons and boding stars, not by human but spiritual agencies. +Collecting around him the seers and magicians of orient-fanaticism, he +lived in the visions of another world; and, flattered by the promises of +impostors or dreamers, and deceived by his own subtle and brooding +tendencies of mind, it was amongst spells and cabala that he thought to +draw forth the mighty secret which was to free him from the meshes of the +preternatural enemies of his fortune, and leave him the freedom of other +men to wrestle, with equal chances, against peril and adversities. It +was thus, that Almamen had won the mastery over his mind; and, though +upon matters of common and earthly import, or solid learning, Boabdil +could contend with sages, upon those of superstition he could be fooled +by a child. He was, in this, a kind of Hamlet: formed, under prosperous +and serene fortunes, to render blessings and reap renown; but over whom +the chilling shadow of another world had fallen--whose soul curdled back +into itself--whose life had been separated from that of the herd--whom +doubts and awe drew back, while circumstances impelled onward--whom a +supernatural doom invested with a peculiar philosophy, not of human +effect and cause--and who, with every gift that could ennoble and adorn, +was suddenly palsied into that mortal imbecility, which is almost ever +the result of mortal visitings into the haunted regions of the Ghostly +and Unknown. The gloomier colourings of his mind had been deepened, too, +by secret remorse. For the preservation of his own life, constantly +threatened by his unnatural predecessor, he had been early driven into +rebellion against his father. In age, infirmity, and blindness, that +fierce king had been made a prisoner at Salobrena by his brother, El +Zagal, Boabdil's partner in rebellion; and dying suddenly, El Zagal was +suspected of his murder. Though Boabdil was innocent of such a crime, +he felt himself guilty of the causes which led to it; and a dark memory, +resting upon his conscience, served to augment his superstition and +enervate the vigour of his resolves; for, of all things that make men +dreamers, none is so effectual as remorse operating upon a thoughtful +temperament. + +Revolving the character of his sovereign, and sadly foreboding the ruin +of his country, the young hero of Granada pursued his way, until his +steps, almost unconsciously, led him towards the abode of Leila. He +scaled the walls of the garden as before--he neared the house. All was +silent and deserted; his signal was unanswered--his murmured song brought +no grateful light to the lattice, no fairy footstep to the balcony. +Dejected, and sad of heart, he retired from the spot; and, returning +home, sought a couch, to which even all the fatigue and excitement he had +undergone, could not win the forgetfulness of slumber. The mystery that +wrapt the maiden of his homage, the rareness of their interviews, and the +wild and poetical romance that made a very principle of the chivalry of +the Spanish Moors, had imparted to Muza's love for Leila a passionate +depth, which, at this day, and in more enervated climes, is unknown to +the Mohammedan lover. His keenest inquiries had been unable to pierce +the secret of her birth and station. Little of the inmates of that +guarded and lonely house was known in the neighbourhood; the only one +ever seen without its walls was an old man of the Jewish faith, supposed +to be a superintendent of the foreign slaves (for no Mohammedan slave +would have been subjected to the insult of submission to a Jew); and +though there were rumours of the vast wealth and gorgeous luxury within +the mansion, it was supposed the abode of some Moorish emir absent from +the city--and the interest of the gossips was at this time absorbed in +more weighty matters than the affairs of a neighbour. But when, the next +eve, and the next, Muza returned to the spot equally in vain, his +impatience and alarm could no longer be restrained; he resolved to lie in +watch by the portals of the house night and day, until, at least, he +could discover some one of the inmates, whom he could question of his +love, and perhaps bribe to his service. As with this resolution he was +hovering round the mansion, he beheld, stealing from a small door in one +of the low wings of the house, a bended and decrepit form: it supported +its steps upon a staff; and, as now entering the garden, it stooped by +the side of a fountain to cull flowers and herbs by the light of the +moon, the Moor almost started to behold a countenance which resembled +that of some ghoul or vampire haunting the places of the dead. He smiled +at his own fear; and, with a quick and stealthy pace, hastened through +the trees, and, gaining the spot where the old man bent, placed his hand +on his shoulder ere his presence was perceived. + +Ximen--for it was he--looked round eagerly, and a faint cry of terror +broke from his lips. + +"Hush!" said the Moor; "fear me not, I am a friend. Thou art old, man-- +gold is ever welcome to the aged." As he spoke, he dropped several broad +pieces into the breast of the Jew, whose ghastly features gave forth a +yet more ghastly smile, as he received the gift, and mumbled forth, + +"Charitable young man! generous, benevolent, excellent young man!" + +"Now then," said Muza, "tell me--you belong to this house--Leila, the +maiden within--tell me of her--is she well?" + +"I trust so," returned the Jew; "I trust so, noble master." + +"Trust so! know you not of her state?" + +"Not I; for many nights I have not seen her, excellent sir," answered +Ximen; "she hath left Granada, she hath gone. You waste your time and +mar your precious health amidst these nightly dews: they are unwholesome, +very unwholesome at the time of the new moon." + +"Gone!" echoed the Moor; "left Granada!--woe is me!--and whither?--there, +there, more gold for you,--old man, tell me whither?" + +"Alas! I know not, most magnanimous young man; I am but a servant--I know +nothing." + +"When will she return?" + +"I cannot tell thee." + +"Who is thy master? who owns yon mansion?" + +Ximen's countenance fell; he looked round in doubt and fear, and then, +after a short pause, answered,--"A wealthy man, good sir--a Moor of +Africa; but he hath also gone; he but seldom visits us; Granada is not so +peaceful a residence as it was,--I would go too, if I could." + +Muza released his hold of Ximen, who gazed at the Moor's working +countenance with a malignant smile--for Ximen hated all men. + +"Thou hast done with me, young warrior? Pleasant dreams to thee under +the new moon--thou hadst best retire to thy bed. Farewell! bless thy +charity to the poor old man!" + +Muza heard him not; he remained motionless for some moments; and then +with a heavy sigh as that of one who has gained the mastery of himself +after a bitter struggle, the said half aloud, "Allah be with thee, Leila! +Granada now is my only mistress." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +BOABDIL'S RECONCILIATION WITH HIS PEOPLE. + +Several days had elapsed without any encounter between Moor and +Christian; for Ferdinand's cold and sober policy, warned by the loss he +had sustained in the ambush of Muza, was now bent on preserving rigorous +restraint upon the fiery spirits he commanded. He forbade all parties of +skirmish, in which the Moors, indeed, had usually gained the advantage, +and contented himself with occupying all the passes through which +provisions could arrive at the besieged city. He commenced strong +fortifications around his camp; and, forbidding assault on the Moors, +defied it against himself. + +Meanwhile, Almamen had not returned to Granada. No tidings of his fate +reached the king; and his prolonged disappearance began to produce +visible and salutary effect upon the long-dormant energies of Boabdil. +The counsels of Muza, the exhortations of the queen-mother, the +enthusiasm of his mistress, Amine, uncounteracted by the arts of the +magician, aroused the torpid lion of his nature. But still his army and +his subjects murmured against him; and his appearance in the Vivarrambla +might possibly be the signal of revolt. It was at this time that a most +fortunate circumstance at once restored to him the confidence and +affections of his people. His stern uncle, El Zagal--once a rival for +his crown, and whose daring valour, mature age, and military sagacity had +won him a powerful party within the city--had been, some months since, +conquered by Ferdinand; and, in yielding the possessions he held, had +been rewarded with a barren and dependent principality. His defeat, far +from benefiting Boabdil, had exasperated the Moors against their king. +"For," said they, almost with one voice, "the brave El Zagal never would +have succumbed had Boabdil properly supported his arms." And it was the +popular discontent and rage at El Zagal's defeat which had indeed served +Boabdil with a reasonable excuse for shutting himself in the strong +fortress of the Alhambra. It now happened that El Zagal, whose dominant +passion was hatred of his nephew, and whose fierce nature chafed at its +present cage, resolved in his old age to blast all his former fame by a +signal treason to his country. Forgetting everything but revenge against +his nephew, who he was resolved should share his own ruin, he armed his +subjects, crossed the country, and appeared at the head of a gallant +troop in the Spanish camp, an ally with Ferdinand against Granada. When +this was heard by the Moors, it is impossible to conceive their indignant +wrath: the crime of El Zagal produced an instantaneous reaction in favour +of Boabdil; the crowd surrounded the Alhambra and with prayers and tears +entreated the forgiveness of the king. This event completed the conquest +of Boabdil over his own irresolution. He ordained an assembly of the +whole army in the broad space of the Vivarrambla: and when at break of +day he appeared in full armour in the square, with Muza at his right +hand, himself in the flower of youthful beauty, and proud to feel once +more a hero and a king, the joy of the people knew no limit; the air was +rent with cries of "Long live Boabdil el Chico!" and the young monarch, +turning to Muza, with his soul upon his brow exclaimed, "The hour has +come--I am no longer El Zogoybi!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +LEILA.--HER NEW LOVER.--PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST INQUISITOR OF SPAIN.--THE +CHALICE RETURNED TO THE LIPS OF ALMAMEN. + +While thus the state of events within Granada, the course of our story +transports us back to the Christian camp. It was in one of a long line +of tents that skirted the pavilion of Isabel, and was appropriated to the +ladies attendant on the royal presence, that a young female sat alone. +The dusk of evening already gathered around, and only the outline of her +form and features was visible. But even that, imperfectly seen,--the +dejected attitude of the form, the drooping head, the hands clasped upon +the knees,--might have sufficed to denote the melancholy nature of the +reverie which the maid indulged. + +"Ah," thought she, "to what danger am I exposed! If my father, if my +lover dreamed of the persecution to which their poor Leila is abandoned!" + +A few tears, large and bitter, broke from her eyes, and stole unheeded +down her cheek. At that moment, the deep and musical chime of a bell was +heard summoning the chiefs of the army to prayer; for Ferdinand invested +all his worldly schemes with a religious covering, and to his politic war +he sought to give the imposing character of a sacred crusade. + +"That sound," thought she, sinking on her knees, "summons the Nazarenes +to the presence of their God. It reminds me, a captive by the waters of +Babylon, that God is ever with the friendless. Oh! succour and defend +me, Thou who didst look of old upon Ruth standing amidst the corn, and +didst watch over Thy chosen people in the hungry wilderness, and in the +stranger's land." + +Wrapt in her mute and passionate devotions, Leila remained long in her +touching posture. The bell had ceased; all without was hushed and still +--when the drapery, stretched across the opening of the tent, was lifted, +and a young Spaniard, cloaked, from head to foot, in a long mantle, stood +within the space. He gazed in silence, upon the kneeling maiden; nor was +it until she rose that he made his presence audible. + +"Ah, fairest!" said he, then, as he attempted to take her hand, "thou +wilt not answer my letters--see me, then, at thy feet. It is thou who +teachest me to kneel." + +"You, prince." said Leila, agitated, and in great and evident fear. +"Why harass and insult me thus? Am I not sacred as a hostage and a +charge? and are name, honour, peace, and all that woman is taught to +hold most dear, to be thus robbed from me under the pretext of a love +dishonouring to thee and an insult to myself?" + +"Sweet one," answered Don Juan, with a slight laugh, "thou hast learned, +within yonder walls, a creed of morals little known to Moorish maidens, +if fame belies them not. Suffer me to teach thee easier morality and +sounder logic. It is no dishonour to a Christian prince to adore beauty +like thine; it is no insult to a maiden hostage if the Infant of Spain +proffer her the homage of his heart. But we waste time. Spies, and +envious tongues, and vigilant eyes, are around us; and it is not often +that I can baffle them as I have done now. Fairest, hear me!" and this +time he succeeded in seizing the hand which vainly struggled against his +clasp. "Nay, why so coy? what can female heart desire that my love +cannot shower upon thine? Speak but the word, enchanting maiden, and I +will bear thee from these scenes unseemly to thy gentle eyes. Amidst the +pavilions of princes shalt thou repose; and, amidst gardens of the orange +and the rose, shalt thou listen to the vows of thine adorer. Surely, in +these arms thou wilt not pine for a barbarous home and a fated city. And +if thy pride, sweet maiden, deafen thee to the voice of nature, learn +that the haughtiest dames of Spain would bend, in envious court, to the +beloved of their future king. This night--listen to me--I say, listen-- +this night I will bear thee hence! Be but mine, and no matter, whether +heretic or infidel, or whatever the priests style thee, neither Church +nor king shall tear thee from the bosom of thy lover." + +"It is well spoken, son of the most Christian monarch!" said a deep +voice; and the Dominican, Tomas de Torquemada, stood before the prince. + +Juan, as if struck by a thunderbolt, released his hold, and, staggering +back a few paces, seemed to cower, abashed and humbled, before the eye of +the priest, as it glared upon him through the gathering darkness. + +"Prince," said the friar, after a pause, "not to thee will our holy +Church attribute this crime; thy pious heart hath been betrayed by +sorcery. Retire!" + +"Father," said the prince,--in a tone into which, despite his awe of that +terrible man, THE FIRST GRAND INQUISITOR OF SPAIN, his libertine spirit +involuntarily forced itself, in a half latent raillery,--"sorcery of eyes +like those bewitched the wise son of a more pious sire than even +Ferdinand of Arragon." + +"He blasphemes!" muttered the monk. "Prince, beware! you know not what +you do." + +The prince lingered, and then, as if aware that he must yield, gathered +his cloak round him, and left the tent without reply. + +Pale and trembling,--with fears no less felt, perhaps, though more vague +and perplexed, than those from which she had just been delivered,--Leila +stood before the monk. + +"Be seated, daughter of the faithless," said Torquemada, "we would +converse with thee: and, as thou valuest--I say not thy soul, for, alas! +of that precious treasure thou art not conscious--but mark me, woman! as +thou prizest the safety of those delicate limbs, and that wanton beauty, +answer truly what I shall ask thee. The man who brought thee hither--is +he, in truth, thy father?" + +"Alas!" answered Leila, almost fainting with terror at this rude and +menacing address, "he is, in truth, mine only parent." + +"And his faith--his religion?" + +"I have never beheld him pray." + +"Hem! he never prays--a noticeable fact. But of what sect, what creed, +does he profess himself?" + +"I cannot answer thee." + +"Nay, there be means that may wring from thee an answer. Maiden, be not +so stubborn; speak! thinkest thou he serves the temple of the +Mohammedan?" + +"No! oh, no!" answered poor Leila, eagerly, deeming that her reply, in +this, at least, would be acceptable. "He disowns, he scorns, he abhors, +the Moorish faith,--even," she added, "with too fierce a zeal." + +"Thou dost not share that zeal, then? Well, worships he in secret after +the Christian rites?" + +Leila hung her head and answered not. + +"I understand thy silence. And in what belief, maiden, wert thou reared +beneath his roof?" + +"I know not what it is called among men," answered Leila, with firmness, +"but it is the faith of the ONE GOD, who protects His chosen, and shall +avenge their wrongs--the God who made earth and heaven; and who, in an +idolatrous and benighted world, transmitted the knowledge of Himself and +His holy laws, from age to age, through the channel of one solitary +people, in the plains of Palestine, and by the waters of the Hebron." + +"And in that faith thou wert trained, maiden, by thy father?" said the +Dominican, calmly. "I am satisfied. Rest here, in peace: we may meet +again, soon." + +The last words were spoken with a soft and tranquil smile--a smile in +which glazing eyes and agonising hearts had often beheld the ghastly omen +of the torture and the stake. + +On quitting the unfortunate Leila, the monk took his way towards the +neighbouring tent of Ferdinand. But, ere he reached it, a new thought +seemed to strike the holy man; he altered the direction of his steps, and +gained one of those little shrines common in Catholic countries, and +which had been hastily built of wood, in the centre of a small copse, and +by the side of a brawling rivulet, towards the back of the king's +pavilion. But one solitary sentry, at the entrance of the copse, guarded +the consecrated place; and its exceeding loneliness and quiet were a +grateful contrast to the animated world of the surrounding camp. The +monk entered the shrine, and fell down on his knees before an image of +the Virgin, rudely sculptured, indeed, but richly decorated. + +"Ah, Holy Mother!" groaned this singular man, "support me in the trial to +which I am appointed. Thou knowest that the glory of thy blessed Son is +the sole object for which I live, and move, and have my being; but at +times, alas! the spirit is infected with the weakness of the flesh. Ora +pro nobis, O Mother of mercy! Verily, oftentimes my heart sinks within +me when it is mine to vindicate the honour of thy holy cause against the +young and the tender, the aged and the decrepit. But what are beauty and +youth, grey hairs and trembling knees, in the eye of the Creator? +Miserable worms are we all; nor is there anything acceptable in the +Divine sight but the hearts of the faithful. Youth without faith, age +without belief, purity without grace, virtue without holiness, are only +more hideous by their seeming beauty--whited sepulchres, glittering +rottenness. I know this--I know it; but the human man is strong within +me. Strengthen me, that I pluck it out; so that, by diligent and +constant struggle with the feeble Adam, thy servant may be reduced into +a mere machine, to punish the godless and advance the Church." + +Here sobs and tears choked the speech of the Dominican; he grovelled in +the dust, he tore his hair, he howled aloud: the agony was fierce upon +him. At length, he drew from his robe a whip, composed of several +thongs, studded with small and sharp nails; and, stripping his gown, and +the shirt of hair worn underneath, over his shoulders, applied the +scourge to the naked flesh with a fury that soon covered the green sward +with the thick and clotted blood. The exhaustion which followed this +terrible penance seemed to restore the senses of the stern fanatic. A +smile broke over the features, that bodily pain only released from the +anguished expression of mental and visionary struggles; and, when he +rose, and drew the hair-cloth shirt over the lacerated and quivering +flesh, he said--"Now hast thou deigned to comfort and visit me, O pitying +Mother; and, even as by these austerities against this miserable body, is +the spirit relieved and soothed, so dost thou typify and betoken that +men's bodies are not to be spared by those who seek to save souls and +bring the nations of the earth into thy fold." + +With that thought the countenance of Torquemada reassumed its wonted +rigid and passionless composure; and, replacing the scourge, yet clotted +with blood, in his bosom, he pursued his way to the royal tent. + +He found Ferdinand poring over the accounts of the vast expenses of his +military preparations, which he had just received from his treasurer; and +the brow of the thrifty, though ostentatious monarch, was greatly +overcast by the examination. + +"By the Bulls of Guisando!" said the king, gravely, "I purchase the +salvation of my army in this holy war at a marvellous heavy price; and +if the infidels hold out much longer, we shalt have to pawn our very +patrimony of Arragon." + +"Son," answered the Dominican, "to purposes like thine fear not that +Providence itself will supply the worldly means. But why doubtest thou? +are not the means within thy reach? It is just that thou alone shouldst +not support the wars by which Christendom is glorified. Are there not +others?" + +"I know what thou wouldst say, father," interrupted the king, quickly-- +"thou wouldst observe that my brother monarchs should assist me with arms +and treasure. Most just. But they are avaricious and envious, Tomas; +and Mammon hath corrupted them." + +"Nay, not to kings pointed my thought." + +"Well, then," resumed the king, impatiently, "thou wouldst imply that +mine own knights and nobles should yield up their coffers, and mortgage +their possessions. And so they ought; but they murmur already at what +they have yielded to our necessities." + +"And in truth," rejoined the friar, "these noble warriors should not be +shorn of a splendour that well becomes the valiant champions of the +Church. Nay, listen to me, son, and I may suggest a means whereby, not +the friends, but enemies, of the Catholic faith shall contribute to the +down fall of the Paynim. In thy dominions, especially those newly won, +throughout Andalusia, in the kingdom of Cordova, are men of enormous +wealth; the very caverns of the earth are sown with the impious treasure +they have plundered from Christian hands, and consume in the furtherance +of their iniquity. Sire, I speak of the race that crucified the Lord." + +"The Jews--ay, but the excuse--" + +"Is before thee. This traitor, with whom thou boldest intercourse, who +vowed to thee to render up Granada, and who was found the very next +morning, fighting with the Moors, with the blood of a Spanish martyr red +upon his hands, did he not confess that his fathers were of that hateful +race? did he not bargain with thee to elevate his brethren to the rank of +Christians? and has be not left with thee, upon false pretences, a harlot +of his faith, who, by sorcery and the help of the Evil One, hath seduced +into frantic passion the heart of the heir of the most Christian king?" + +"Ha! thus does that libertine boy ever scandalise us!" said the king, +bitterly. + +"Well," pursued the Dominican, not heeding the interruption, "have you +not here excuse enough to wring from the whole race the purchase of their +existence? Note the glaring proof of this conspiracy of hell. The +outcasts of the earth employed this crafty agent to contract with thee +for power; and, to consummate their guilty designs, the arts that seduced +Solomon are employed against thy son. The beauty of the strange woman +captivates his senses; so that, through the future sovereign of Spain the +counsels of Jewish craft may establish the domination of Jewish ambition. +How knowest thou," he added as he observed that Ferdinand listened to him +with earnest attention--"how knowest thou but what the next step might +have been thy secret assassination, so that the victim of witchcraft, the +minion of the Jewess, might reign in the stead of the mighty and +unconquerable Ferdinand?" + +"Go on, father," said the king, thoughtfully; "I see, at least, enough to +justify an impost upon these servitors of Mammon." + +"But, though common sense suggests to us," continued Torquemada, "that +this disguised Israelite could not have acted on so vast a design without +the instigation of his brethren, not only in Granada, but throughout all +Andalusia,--would it not be right to obtain from him his confession, and +that of the maiden, within the camp, so that we may have broad and +undeniable evidence, whereon to act, and to still all cavil, that may +come not only from the godless, but even from the too tender scruples of +the righteous? Even the queen--whom the saints ever guard!--hath ever +too soft a heart for these infidels; and--" + +"Right!" cried the king, again breaking upon Torquemada; "Isabel, the +queen of Castile, must be satisfied of the justice of all our actions." + +"And, should it be proved that thy throne or life were endangered, and +that magic was exercised to entrap her royal son into a passion for a +Jewish maiden, which the Church holds a crime worthy of excommunication +itself, surely, instead of counteracting, she would assist our schemes." + +"Holy friend," said Ferdinand, with energy, "ever a comforter, both for +this world and the next, to thee, and to the new powers intrusted to +thee, we commit this charge; see to it at once; time presses--Granada is +obstinate--the treasury waxes low." + +"Son, thou hast said enough," replied the Dominican, closing his eyes, +and muttering a short thanksgiving. "Now then to my task." + +"Yet stay," said the king, with an altered visage; "follow me to my +oratory within: my heart is heavy, and I would fain seek the solace of +the confessional." + +The monk obeyed: and while Ferdinand, whose wonderful abilities were +mingled with the weakest superstition, who persecuted from policy, yet +believed, in his own heart, that he punished but from piety,--confessed +with penitent tears the grave offences of aves forgotten, and beads +untold; and while the Dominican admonished, rebuked, or soothed,--neither +prince nor monk ever dreamt that there was an error to confess in, or a +penance to be adjudged to, the cruelty that tortured a fellow-being, or +the avarice that sought pretences for the extortion of a whole people. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE TRIBUNAL AND THE MIRACLE + +It was the dead of night--the army was hushed in sleep--when four +soldiers belonging to the Holy Brotherhood, bearing with them one whose +manacles proclaimed him a prisoner, passed in steady silence to a huge +tent in the neighbourhood of the royal pavilion. A deep dyke, formidable +barricadoes, and sentries stationed at frequent intervals, testified the +estimation in which the safety of this segment of the camp was held. The +tent to which the soldiers approached was, in extent, larger than even +the king's pavilion itself--a mansion of canvas, surrounded by a wide +wall of massive stones; and from its summit gloomed, in the clear and +shining starlight, a small black pennant, on which was wrought a white +broad-pointed cross. The soldiers halted at the gate in the wall, +resigned their charge, with a whispered watchword, to two gaunt sentries; +and then (relieving the sentries who proceeded on with the prisoner) +remained, mute and motionless, at the post: for stern silence and Spartan +discipline were the attributes of the brotherhood of St. Hermandad. + +The prisoner, as he now neared the tent, halted a moment, looked round +steadily, as if to fix the spot in his remembrance, and then, with an +impatient though stately gesture, followed his guards. He passed two +divisions of the tent, dimly lighted, and apparently deserted. A man, +clad in long black robes, with a white cross on his breast, now appeared; +there was an interchange of signals in dumb-show-and in another moment +Almamen, the Hebrew, stood within a large chamber (if so that division of +the tent might be called) hung with black serge. At the upper part of +the space was an estrado, or platform, on which, by a long table, sat +three men; while at the head of the board was seen the calm and rigid +countenance of Tomas de Torquemada. The threshold of the tent was +guarded by two men, in garments similar in hue and fashion to those of +the figure who had ushered Almamen into the presence of the inquisitor, +each bearing a long lance, and with a long two-edged sword by his side. +This made all the inhabitants of that melancholy and ominous apartment. + +The Israelite looked round with a pale brow, but a flashing and scornful +eye; and, when he met the gaze of the Dominican, it almost seemed as if +those two men, each so raised above his fellows, by the sternness of his +nature and the energy of his passions, sought by a look alone to assert +his own supremacy and crush his foe. Yet, in truth, neither did justice +to the other; and the indignant disdain of Almamen was retorted by the +cold and icy contempt of the Dominican. + +"Prisoner," said Torquemada (the first to withdraw his gaze), "a less +haughty and stubborn demeanour might have better suited thy condition: +but no matter; our Church is meek and humble. We have sent for thee in a +charitable and paternal hope; for although, as spy and traitor, thy life +is already forfeited, yet would we fain redeem and spare it to +repentance. That hope mayst thou not forego, for the nature of all of us +is weak and clings to life--that straw of the drowning seaman." + +"Priest, if such thou art," replied the Hebrew, "I have already, when +first brought to this camp, explained the causes of my detention amongst +the troops of the Moor. It was my zeal for the king of Spain that +brought me into that peril. Escaping from that peril, incurred in his +behalf, is the king of Spain to be my accuser and my judge? If, however, +my life now be sought as the grateful return for the proffer of +inestimable service, I stand here to yield it. Do thy worst; and tell +thy master, that he loses more by my death than he can win by the lives +of thirty thousand warriors." + +"Cease this idle babble," said the monk-inquisitor, contemptuously, "nor +think thou couldst ever deceive, with thy empty words, the mighty +intellect of Ferdinand of Spain. Thou hast now to defend thyself against +still graver charges than those of treachery to the king whom thou didst +profess to serve. Yea, misbeliever as thou art, it is thine to vindicate +thyself from blasphemy against the God thou shouldst adore. Confess the +truth: thou art of the tribe and faith of Israel?" + +The Hebrew frowned darkly. "Man," said he, solemnly, "is a judge of the +deeds of men, but not of their opinions. I will not answer thee." + +"Pause! We have means at hand that the strongest nerves and the stoutest +hearts have failed to encounter. Pause--confess!" + +"Thy threat awes me not," said the Hebrew; "but I am human; and since +thou wouldst know the truth, thou mayst learn it without the torture. +I am of the same race as the apostles of thy Church--I am a Jew." + +"He confesses--write down the words. Prisoner, thou hast done wisely; +and we pray the Lord that, acting thus, thou mayst escape both the +torture and the death. And in that faith thy daughter was reared? +Answer." + +"My daughter! there is no charge against her! By the God of Sinai and +Horeb, you dare not touch a hair of that innocent head!" + +"Answer," repeated the inquisitor, coldly. + +"I do answer. She was brought up no renegade to her father's faith." + +"Write down the confession. Prisoner," resumed the Dominican, after a +pause, "but few more questions remain; answer them truly, and thy life is +saved. In thy conspiracy to raise thy brotherhood of Andalusia to power +and influence--or, as thou didst craftily term it, to equal laws with the +followers of our blessed Lord; in thy conspiracy (by what dark arts I +seek not now to know _protege nos, beate Domine_!) to entangle in wanton +affections to thy daughter the heart of the Infant of Spain-silence, I +say--be still! in this conspiracy, thou wert aided, abetted, or +instigated by certain Jews of Andalusia--" + +"Hold, priest!" cried Almamen, impetuously, "thou didst name my child. +Do I hear aright? Placed under the sacred charge of a king, and a belted +knight, has she--oh! answer me, I implore thee--been insulted by the +licentious addresses of one of that king's own lineage? Answer! I am a +Jew--but I am a father and a man." + +"This pretended passion deceives us not," said the Dominican, who, +himself cut off from the ties of life, knew nothing of their power. +"Reply to the question put to thee: name thy accomplices." + +"I have told thee all. Thou hast refused to answer one. I scorn and +defy thee: my lips are closed." + +The Grand Inquisitor glanced to his brethren, and raised his hand. His +assistants whispered each other; one of them rose, and disappeared behind +the canvas at the back of the tent. Presently the hangings were +withdrawn; and the prisoner beheld an, interior chamber, hung with +various instruments the nature of which was betrayed by their very shape; +while by the rack, placed in the centre of that dreary chamber, stood a +tall and grisly figure, his arms bare, his eyes bent, as by an instinct, +on the prisoner. + +Almamen gazed at these dread preparations with an unflinching aspect. +The guards at the entrance of the tent approached: they struck off the +fetters from his feet and hands; they led him towards the appointed place +of torture. + +Suddenly the Israelite paused. + +"Priest," said he, in a more humble accent than he had yet assumed, "the +tidings that thou didst communicate to me respecting the sole daughter of +my house and love bewildered and confused me for the moment. Suffer me +but for a single moment to recollect my senses, and I will answer without +compulsion all thou mayst ask. Permit thy questions to be repeated." + +The Dominican, whose cruelty to others seemed to himself sanctioned by +his own insensibility to fear, and contempt for bodily pain, smiled with +bitter scorn at the apparent vacillation and weakness of the prisoner: +but, as he delighted not in torture merely for torture's sake, he +motioned to the guards to release the Israelite; and replied in a voice +unnaturally mild and kindly, considering the circumstances of the scene, + +"Prisoner, could we save thee from pain, even by the anguish of our own +flesh and sinews, Heaven is our judge that we would willingly undergo the +torture which, with grief and sorrow, we ordained to thee. Pause--take +breath--collect thyself. Three minutes shalt thou have to consider what +course to adopt ere we repeat the question. But then beware how thou +triflest with our indulgence." + +"It suffices--I thank thee," said the Hebrew, with a touch of gratitude +in his voice. As he spoke he bent his face within his bosom, which he +covered, as in profound meditation, with the folds of his long robe. +Scarcely half the brief time allowed him had expired, when he again +lifted his countenance and, as he did so, flung back his garment. The +Dominican uttered a loud cry; the guards started back in awe. A +wonderful change had come over the intended victim; he seemed to stand +amongst them literally--wrapt in fire; flames burst from his lip, and +played with his long locks, as, catching the glowing hue, they curled +over his shoulders like serpents of burning light: blood-red were his +breast and limbs, his haughty crest, and his outstretched arm; and as for +a single moment, he met the shuddering eyes of his judges, he seemed, +indeed, to verify all the superstitions of the time--no longer the +trembling captive but the mighty demon or the terrible magician. + +The Dominican was the first to recover his self-possession. "Seize the +enchanter!" he exclaimed; but no man stirred. Ere yet the exclamation +had died on his lip, Almamen took from his breast a phial, and dashed it +on the ground--it broke into a thousand shivers: a mist rose over the +apartment--it spread, thickened, darkened, as a sudden night; the lamps +could not pierce it. The luminous form of the Hebrew grew dull and dim, +until it vanished in the shade. On every eye blindness seemed to fall. +There was a dead silence, broken by a cry and a groan; and when, after +some minutes, the darkness gradually dispersed, Almamen was gone. One, +of the guards lay bathed in blood upon the ground; they raised him: he +had attempted to seize the prisoner, and had been stricken with a mortal +wound. He died as he faltered forth the explanation. In the confusion +and dismay of the scene none noticed, till long afterwards, that the +prisoner had paused long enough to strip the dying guard of his long +mantle; a proof that he feared his more secret arts might not suffice to +bear him safe through the camp, without the aid of worldly stratagem. + +"The fiend hath been amongst us!" said the Dominican, solemnly falling on +his knees,--"let us pray!" + + + + + + +BOOK III. + +CHAPTER I. + +ISABEL AND THE JEWISH MAIDEN. + +While this scene took place before the tribunal of Torquemada, Leila had +been summoned from the indulgence of fears, which her gentle nature and +her luxurious nurturing had ill-fitted her to contend against, to the +presence of the queen. That gifted and high-spirited princess, whose +virtues were her own, whose faults were of her age, was not, it is true, +without the superstition and something of the intolerant spirit of her +royal spouse: but, even where her faith assented to persecution, her +heart ever inclined to mercy; and it was her voice alone that ever +counteracted the fiery zeal of Torquemada, and mitigated the sufferings +of the unhappy ones who fell under the suspicion of heresy. She had, +happily, too, within her a strong sense of justice, as well as the +sentiment of compassion; and often, when she could not save the accused, +she prevented the consequences of his imputed crime falling upon the +innocent members of his house or tribe. + +In the interval between his conversation with Ferdinand and the +examination of Almamen, the Dominican had sought the queen; and had +placed before her, in glowing colours, not only the treason of Almamen, +but the consequences of the impious passion her son had conceived for +Leila. In that day, any connection between a Christian knight and a +Jewess was deemed a sin, scarce expiable; and Isabel conceived all that +horror of her son's offence which was natural in a pious mother and a +haughty queen. But, despite all the arguments of the friar, she could +not be prevailed upon to render up Leila to the tribunal of the +Inquisition; and that dread court, but newly established, did not dare, +without her consent, to seize upon one under the immediate protection +of the queen. + +"Fear not, father," said Isabel, with quiet firmness, "I will take upon +myself to examine the maiden; and, at least, I will see her removed from +all chance of tempting or being tempted by this graceless boy. But she +was placed under the charge of the king and myself as a hostage and a +trust; we accepted the charge, and our royal honor is pledged to the +safety of the maiden. Heaven forbid that I should deny the existence of +sorcery, assured as we are of its emanation from the Evil One; but I +fear, in this fancy of Juan's, that the maiden is more sinned against +than sinning: and yet my son is, doubtless, not aware of the unhappy +faith of the Jewess; the knowledge of which alone will suffice to cure +him of his error. You shake your head, father; but, I repeat, I will act +in this affair so as to merit the confidence I demand. Go, good Tomas. +We have not reigned so long without belief in our power to control and +deal with a simple maiden." + +The queen extended her hand to the monk, with a smile so sweet in its +dignity, that it softened even that rugged heart; and, with a reluctant +sigh, and a murmured prayer that her counsels might be guided for the +best, Torquemada left the royal presence. + +"The poor child!" thought Isabel, "those tender limbs, and that fragile +form, are ill fitted for yon monk's stern tutelage. She seems gentle: +and her face has in it all the yielding softness of our sex; doubtless by +mild means, she may be persuaded to abjure her wretched creed; and the +shade of some holy convent may hide her alike from the licentious gaze of +my son and the iron zeal of the Inquisitor. I will see her." + +When Leila entered the queen's pavilion, Isabel, who was alone, marked +her trembling step with a compassionate eye; and, as Leila, in obedience +to the queen's request, threw up her veil, the paleness of her cheek and +the traces of recent tears appealed to Isabel's heart with more success +than had attended all the pious invectives of Torquemada. + +"Maiden," said Isabel, encouragingly, "I fear thou hast been strangely +harassed by the thoughtless caprice of the young prince. Think of it no +more. But, if thou art what I have ventured to believe, and to assert +thee to be, cheerfully subscribe to the means I will suggest for +preventing the continuance of addresses which cannot but injure thy fair +name." + +"Ah, madam!" said Leila, as she fell on one knee beside the queen, "most +joyfully, most gratefully, will I accept any asylum which proffers +solitude and peace." + +"The asylum to which I would fain lead thy steps," answered Isabel, +gently, "is indeed one whose solitude is holy--whose peace is that of +heaven. But of this hereafter. Thou wilt not hesitate, then, to quit +the camp, unknown to the prince, and ere he can again seek thee?" + +"Hesitate, madam? Ah rather, how shall I express my thanks?" + +"I did not read that face misjudgingly," thought the queen, as she +resumed. "Be it so; we will not lose another night. Withdraw yonder, +through the inner tent; the litter shall be straight prepared for thee; +and ere midnight thou shalt sleep in safety under the roof of one of the +bravest knights and noblest ladies that our realm can boast. Thou shalt +bear with thee a letter that shall commend thee specially to the care of +thy hostess--thou wilt find her of a kindly and fostering nature. And, +oh, maiden!" added the queen, with benevolent warmth, "steel not thy +heart against her--listen with ductile senses to her gentle ministry; and +may God and His Son prosper that pious lady's counsel, so that it may win +a new strayling to the Immortal Fold!" + +Leila listened and wondered, but made no answer; until, as she gained the +entrance to the interior division of the tent, she stopped abruptly, and +said, "Pardon me, gracious queen, but dare I ask thee one question?--it +is not of myself." + +"Speak, and fear not." + +"My father--hath aught been heard of him? He promised, that ere the +fifth day were past, he would once more see his child; and, alas! that +date is past, and I am still alone in the dwelling of the stranger." + +"Unhappy child!" muttered Isabel to herself; "thou knowest not his +treason nor his fate--yet why shouldst thou? Ignorant of what would +render thee blest hereafter, continue ignorant of what would afflict thee +here. Be cheered, maiden," answered the queen, aloud. "No doubt, there +are reasons sufficient to forbid your meeting. But thou shalt not lack +friends in the dwelling-house of the stranger." + +"Ah, noble queen, pardon me, and one word more! There hath been with me, +more than once, a stern old man, whose voice freezes the blood within my +veins; he questions me of my father, and in the tone of a foe who would +entrap from the child something to the peril of the sire. That man--thou +knowest him, gracious queen--he cannot have the power to harm my father?" + +"Peace, maiden! the man thou speakest of is the priest of God, and the +innocent have nothing to dread from his reverend zeal. For thyself, I +say again, be cheered; in the home to which I consign thee thou wilt see +him no more. Take comfort, poor child--weep not: all have their cares; +our duty is to bear in this life, reserving hope only for the next." + +The queen, destined herself to those domestic afflictions which pomp +cannot soothe, nor power allay, spoke with a prophetic sadness which yet +more touched a heart that her kindness of look and tone had already +softened; and, in the impulse of a nature never tutored in the rigid +ceremonials of that stately court, Leila suddenly came forward, and +falling on one knee, seized the hand of her protectress, and kissed it +warmly through her tears. + +"Are you, too, unhappy?" she said. "I will pray for you to _my_ God!" + +The queen, surprised and moved at an action which, had witnesses been +present, would only perhaps (for such is human nature) have offended her +Castilian prejudices, left her hand in Leila's grateful clasp; and laying +the other upon the parted and luxuriant ringlets of the kneeling maiden, +said, gently,--"And thy prayers shall avail thee and me when thy God and +mine are the same. Bless thee, maiden! I am a mother; thou art +motherless--bless thee!" + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE TEMPTATION OF THE JEWESS,--IN WHICH THE HISTORY PASSES FROM THE +OUTWARD TO THE INTERNAL. + +It was about the very hour, almost the very moment, in which Almamen +effected his mysterious escape from the tent of the Inquisition, that the +train accompanying the litter which bore Leila, and which was composed of +some chosen soldiers of Isabel's own body-guard, after traversing the +camp, winding along that part of the mountainous defile which was in the +possession of the Spaniards, and ascending a high and steep acclivity, +halted before the gates of a strongly fortified castle renowned in the +chronicles of that memorable war. The hoarse challenge of the sentry, +the grating of jealous bars, the clanks of hoofs upon the rough pavement +of the courts, and the streaming glare of torches--falling upon stern and +bearded visages, and imparting a ruddier glow to the moonlit buttresses +and battlements of the fortress--aroused Leila from a kind of torpor +rather than sleep, in which the fatigue and excitement of the day had +steeped her senses. An old seneschal conducted her, through vast and +gloomy halls (how unlike the brilliant chambers and fantastic arcades of +her Moorish home) to a huge Gothic apartment, hung with the arras of +Flemish looms. In a few moments, maidens, hastily aroused from slumber, +grouped around her with a respect which would certainly not have been +accorded had her birth and creed been known. They gazed with surprise at +her extraordinary beauty and foreign garb, and evidently considered the +new guest a welcome addition to the scanty society of the castle. Under +any other circumstances, the strangeness of all she saw, and the frowning +gloom of the chamber to which she was consigned, would have damped the +spirits of one whose destiny had so suddenly passed from the deepest +quiet into the sternest excitement. But any change was a relief to the +roar of the camp, the addresses of the prince, and the ominous voice and +countenance of Torquemada; and Leila looked around her, with the feeling +that the queen's promise was fulfilled, and that she was already amidst +the blessings of shelter and repose. It was long, however, before sleep +revisited her eyelids, and when she woke the noonday sun streamed broadly +through the lattice. By the bedside sat a matron advanced in years, but +of a mild and prepossessing countenance, which only borrowed a yet more +attractive charm from an expression of placid and habitual melancholy. +She was robed in black; but the rich pearls that were interwoven in the +sleeves and stomacher, the jewelled cross that was appended from a chain +of massive gold, and, still more, a certain air of dignity and command,-- +bespoke, even to the inexperienced eye of Leila, the evidence of superior +station. + +"Thou hast slept late, daughter," said the lady, with a benevolent smile; +"may thy slumbers have refreshed thee! Accept my regrets that I knew not +till this morning of thine arrival, or I should have been the first to +welcome the charge of my royal mistress." + +There was in the look, much more than in the words of the Donna Inez de +Quexada, a soothing and tender interest that was as balm to the heart of +Leila; in truth, she had been made the guest of, perhaps, the only lady +in Spain, of pure and Christian blood, who did not despise or execrate +the name of Leila's tribe. Donna Inez had herself contracted to a Jew a +debt of gratitude which she had sought to return to the whole race. Many +years before the time in which our tale is cast, her husband and herself +had been sojourning at Naples, then closely connected with the politics +of Spain, upon an important state mission. They had then an only son, a +youth of a wild and desultory character, whom the spirit of adventure +allured to the East. In one of those sultry lands the young Quexada was +saved from the hands of robbers by the caravanserai of a wealthy +traveller. With this stranger he contracted that intimacy which +wandering and romantic men often conceive for each other, without any +other sympathy than that of the same pursuits. Subsequently, he +discovered that his companion was of the Jewish faith; and, with the +usual prejudice of his birth and time, recoiled from the friendship he +had solicited, and shrank from the sense of the obligation he had +incurred he--quitted his companion. Wearied, at length, with travel, he +was journeying homeward, when he was seized with a sudden and virulent +fever, mistaken for plague: all fled from the contagion of the supposed +pestilence--he was left to die. One man discovered his condition-- +watched, tended, and, skilled in the deeper secrets of the healing art, +restored him to life and health: it was the same Jew who had preserved +him from the robbers. At this second and more inestimable obligation the +prejudices of the Spaniard vanished: he formed a deep and grateful +attachment for his preserver; they lived together for some time, and the +Israelite finally accompanied the young Quexada to Naples. Inez retained +a lively sense of the service rendered to her only son, and the +impression had been increased not only by the appearance of the +Israelite, which, dignified and stately, bore no likeness to the cringing +servility of his brethren, but also by the singular beauty and gentle +deportment of his then newly-wed bride, whom he had wooed and won in that +holy land, sacred equally to the faith of Christian and of Jew. The +young Quexada did not long survive his return: his constitution was +broken by long travel, and the debility that followed his fierce disease. +On his deathbed he had besought the mother whom he left childless, and +whose Catholic prejudices were less stubborn than those of his sire, +never to forget the services a Jew had conferred upon him; to make the +sole recompense in her power--the sole recompense the Jew himself had +demanded--and to lose no occasion to soothe or mitigate the miseries to +which the bigotry of the time often exposed the oppressed race of his +deliverer. Donna Inez had faithfully kept the promise she gave to the +last scion of her house; and, through the power and reputation of her +husband and her own connections, and still more through an early +friendship with the queen, she had, on her return to Spain, been enabled +to ward off many a persecution, and many a charge on false pretences, to +which the wealth of some son of Israel made the cause, while his faith +made the pretext. Yet, with all the natural feelings of a rigid +Catholic, she had earnestly sought to render the favor she had thus +obtained amongst the Jews minister to her pious zeal for their more than +temporal welfare. She had endeavored, by gentle means, to make the +conversions which force was impotent to effect; and, in some instances, +her success had been signal. The good senora had thus obtained high +renown for sanctity; and Isabel thought rightly that she could not select +a protectress for Leila who would more kindly shelter her youth, or more +strenuously labor for her salvation. It was, indeed, a dangerous +situation for the adherence of the maiden to that faith which it had cost +her fiery father so many sacrifices to preserve and to advance. + +It was by little and little that Donna Inez sought rather to undermine +than to storm the mental fortress she hoped to man with spiritual allies; +and, in her frequent conversation with Leila, she was at once perplexed +and astonished by the simple and sublime nature of the belief upon which +she waged war. For whether it was that, in his desire to preserve Leila +as much as possible from contact even with Jews themselves, whose general +character (vitiated by the oppression which engendered meanness, and the +extortion which fostered avarice) Almamen regarded with lofty though +concealed repugnance; or whether it was, that his philosophy did not +interpret the Jewish formula of belief in the same spirit as the herd,-- +the religion inculcated in the breast of Leila was different from that +which Inez had ever before encountered amongst her proselytes. It was +less mundane and material--a kind of passionate rather than metaphysical +theism, which invested the great ONE, indeed, with many human sympathies +and attributes, but still left Him the August and awful God of the +Genesis, the Father of a Universe though the individual Protector of a +fallen sect. Her attention had been less directed to whatever appears, +to a superficial gaze, stern and inexorable in the character of the +Hebrew God, and which the religion of Christ so beautifully softened and +so majestically refined, than to those passages in which His love watched +over a chosen people, and His forbearance bore with their transgressions. +Her reason had been worked upon to its belief by that mysterious and +solemn agency, by which--when the whole world beside was bowed to the +worship of innumerable deities, and the adoration of graven images,--in a +small and secluded portion of earth, amongst a people far less civilised +and philosophical than many by which they were surrounded, had been alone +preserved a pure and sublime theism, disdaining a likeness in the things +of heaven or earth. Leila knew little of the more narrow and exclusive +tenets of her brethren; a Jewess in name, she was rather a deist in +belief; a deist of such a creed as Athenian schools might have taught to +the imaginative pupils of Plato, save only that too dark a shadow had +been cast over the hopes of another world. Without the absolute denial +of the Sadducee, Almamen had, probably, much of the quiet scepticism +which belonged to many sects of the early Jews, and which still clings +round the wisdom of the wisest who reject the doctrine of Revelation; and +while he had not sought to eradicate from the breast of his daughter any +of the vague desire which points to a Hereafter, he had never, at least, +directed her thoughts or aspirations to that solemn future. Nor in the +sacred book which was given to her survey, and which so rigidly upheld +the unity of the Supreme Power, was there that positive and unequivocal +assurance of life beyond "the grave where all things are forgotten," that +might supply the deficiencies of her mortal instructor. Perhaps, sharing +those notions of the different value of the sexes, prevalent, from the +remotest period, in his beloved and ancestral East, Almamen might have +hopes for himself which did not extend to his child. And thus she grew +up, with all the beautiful faculties of the soul cherished and unfolded, +without thought, without more than dim and shadowy conjectures, of the +Eternal Bourne to which the sorrowing pilgrim of the earth is bound. It +was on this point that the quick eye of Donna Inez discovered her faith +was vulnerable: who would not, if belief were voluntary, believe in the +world to come? Leila's curiosity and interest were aroused: she +willingly listened to her new guide--she willingly inclined to +conclusions pressed upon her, not with menace, but persuasion. Free from +the stubborn associations, the sectarian prejudices, and unversed in the +peculiar traditions and accounts of the learned of her race, she found +nothing to shock her in the volume which seemed but a continuation of the +elder writings of her faith. The sufferings of the Messiah, His sublime +purity, His meek forgiveness, spoke to her woman's heart; His doctrines +elevated, while they charmed, her reason: and in the Heaven that a Divine +hand opened to all,--the humble as the proud, the oppressed as the +oppressor, to the woman as to the lords of the earth,--she found a haven +for all the doubts she had known, and for the despair which of late had +darkened the face of earth. Her home lost, the deep and beautiful love +of her youth blighted,--that was a creed almost irresistible which told +her that grief was but for a day, that happiness was eternal. Far, too, +from revolting such of the Hebrew pride of association as she had formed, +the birth of the Messiah in the land of the Israelites seemed to +consummate their peculiar triumph as the Elected of Jehovah. And while +she mourned for the Jews who persecuted the Saviour, she gloried in those +whose belief had carried the name and worship of the descendants of David +over the furthest regions of the world. Often she perplexed and startled +the worthy Inez by exclaiming, "This, your belief, is the same as mine, +adding only the assurance of immortal life--Christianity is but the +Revelation of Judaism." + +The wise and gentle instrument of Leila's conversion did not, however, +give vent to those more Catholic sentiments which might have scared away +the wings of the descending dove. She forbore too vehemently to point +out the distinctions of the several creeds, and rather suffered them to +melt insensibly one into the other: Leila was a Christian, while she +still believed herself a Jewess. But in the fond and lovely weakness of +mortal emotions, there was one bitter thought that often and often came +to mar the peace that otherwise would have settled on her soul. That +father, the sole softener of whose stern heart and mysterious fates she +was, with what pangs would he receive the news of her conversion! And +Muza, that bright and hero-vision of her youth--was she not setting the +last seal of separation upon all hope of union with the idol of the +Moors? But, alas! was she not already separated from him, and had not +their faiths been from the first at variance? From these thoughts she +started with sighs and tears; and before her stood the crucifix already +admitted into her chamber, and--not, perhaps, too wisely--banished so +rigidly from the oratories of the Huguenot. For the representation of +that Divine resignation, that mortal agony, that miraculous sacrifice, +what eloquence it hath for our sorrows! what preaching hath the symbol +to the vanities of our wishes, to the yearnings of our discontent! + +By degrees, as her new faith grew confirmed, Leila now inclined herself +earnestly to those pictures of the sanctity and calm of the conventual +life which Inez delighted to draw. In the reaction of her thoughts, and +her despondency of all worldly happiness, there seemed, to the young +maiden, an inexpressible charm in a solitude which was to release her for +ever from human love, and render her entirely up to sacred visions and +imperishable hopes. And with this selfish, there mingled a generous and +sublime sentiment. The prayers of a convert might be heard in favour of +those yet benighted: and the awful curse upon her outcast race be +lightened by the orisons of one humble heart. In all ages, in all +creeds, a strange and mystic impression has existed of the efficacy of +self-sacrifice in working the redemption even of a whole people: this +belief, so strong in the old orient and classic religions, was yet more +confirmed by Christianity--a creed founded upon the grandest of historic +sacrifices; and the lofty doctrine of which, rightly understood, +perpetuates in the heart of every believer the duty of self-immolation, +as well as faith in the power of prayer, no matter how great the object, +how mean the supplicator. On these thoughts Leila meditated, till +thoughts acquired the intensity of passions, and the conversion of the +Jewess was completed. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE HOUR AND THE MAN + +It was on the third morning after the King of Granada, reconciled to his +people, had reviewed his gallant army in the Vivarrambla; and Boabdil, +surrounded by his chiefs and nobles, was planning a deliberate and +decisive battle, by assault on the Christian camp,--when a scout suddenly +arrived, breathless, at the gates of the palace, to communicate the +unlooked-for and welcome intelligence that Ferdinand had in the night +broken up his camp, and marched across the mountains towards Cordova. In +fact, the outbreak of formidable conspiracies had suddenly rendered the +appearance of Ferdinand necessary elsewhere; and, his intrigues with +Almamen frustrated, he despaired of a very speedy conquest of the city. +The Spanish king resolved, therefore, after completing the devastation of +the Vega, to defer the formal and prolonged siege, which could alone +place Granada within his power, until his attention was no longer +distracted to other foes, and until, it must be added, he had replenished +an exhausted treasury. He had formed, with Torquemada, a vast and wide +scheme of persecution, not only against Jews, but against Christians +whose fathers had been of that race, and who were suspected of relapsing +into Judaical practices. The two schemers of this grand design were +actuated by different motives; the one wished to exterminate the crime, +the other to sell forgiveness for it. And Torquemada connived at the +griping avarice of the king, because it served to give to himself, and to +the infant Inquisition, a power and authority which the Dominican foresaw +would be soon greater even than those of royalty itself, and which, he +imagined, by scourging earth, would redound to the interests of Heaven. + +The strange disappearance of Almamen, which was distorted and +exaggerated, by the credulity of the Spaniards, into an event of the most +terrific character, served to complete the chain of evidence against the +wealthy Jews, and Jew-descended Spaniards, of Andalusia; and while, in +imagination, the king already clutched the gold of their redemption here, +the Dominican kindled the flame that was to light them to punishment +hereafter. + +Boabdil and his chiefs received the intelligence of the Spanish retreat +with a doubt which soon yielded to the most triumphant delight. Boabdil +at once resumed all the energy for which, though but by fits and starts, +his earlier youth had been remarkable. + +"Alla Achbar! God is great!" cried he; "we will not remain here till it +suit the foe to confine the eagle again to his eyrie. They have left us +--we will burst on them. Summon our alfaquis, we will proclaim a holy +war! The sovereign of the last possessions of the Moors is in the field. +Not a town that contains a Moslem but shall receive our summons, and we +will gather round our standard all the children of our faith!" + +"May the king live for ever!" cried the council, with one voice. + +"Lose not a moment," resumed Boabdil--"on to the Vivarrambla, marshal the +troops--Muza heads the cavalry; myself our foot. Ere the sun's shadow +reach yonder forest, our army shall be on its march." + +The warriors, hastily and in joy, left the palace; and when he was alone, +Boabdil again relapsed into his wonted irresolution. After striding to +and fro for some minutes in anxious thought, he abruptly quitted the hall +of council, and passed in to the more private chambers of the palace, +till he came to a door strongly guarded by plates of iron. It yielded +easily, however, to a small key which he carried in his girdle; and +Boabdil stood in a small circular room, apparently without other door or +outlet; but, after looking cautiously round, the king touched a secret +spring in the wall, which, giving way, discovered a niche, in which stood +a small lamp, burning with the purest naphtha, and a scroll of yellow +parchment covered with strange letters and hieroglyphics. He thrust the +scroll in his bosom, took the lamp in his hand, and pressing another +spring within the niche, the wall receded, and showed a narrow and +winding staircase. The king reclosed the entrance, and descended: the +stairs led, at last, into clamp and rough passages; and the murmur of +waters, that reached his ear through the thick walls, indicated the +subterranean nature of the soil through which they were hewn. The lamp +burned clear and steady through the darkness of the place; and Boabdil +proceeded with such impatient rapidity, that the distance (in reality, +considerable) which he traversed, before he arrived at his destined +bourne, was quickly measured. He came at last into a wide cavern, +guarded by doors concealed and secret as those which had screened the +entrance from the upper air. He was in one of the many vaults which made +the mighty cemetery of the monarchs of Granada; and before him stood the +robed and crowned skeleton, and before him glowed the magic dial-plate of +which he had spoken in his interview with Muza. + +"Oh, dread and awful image!" cried the king, throwing himself on his +knees before the skeleton,--"shadow of what was once a king, wise in +council, and terrible in war, if in those hollow bones yet lurks the +impalpable and unseen spirit, hear thy repentant son. Forgive, while it +is yet time, the rebellion of his fiery youth, and suffer thy daring soul +to animate the doubt and weakness of his own. I go forth to battle, +waiting not the signal thou didst ordain. Let not the penance for a +rashness, to which fate urges me on, attach to my country, but to me. +And if I perish in the field, may my evil destinies be buried with me, +and a worthier monarch redeem my errors and preserve Granada!" + +As the king raised his looks, the unrelaxed grin of the grim dead, made +yet more hideous by the mockery of the diadem and the royal robe, froze +back to ice the passion and sorrow at his heart. He shuddered, and rose +with a deep sigh; when, as his eyes mechanically followed the lifted arm +of the skeleton, he beheld, with mingled delight and awe, the hitherto +motionless finger of the dial-plate pass slowly on, and rest at the word +so long and so impatiently desired. "ARM!" cried the king; "do I read +aright?--are my prayers heard?" A low and deep sound, like that of +subterranean thunder, boomed through the chamber; and in the same instant +the wall opened, and the king beheld the long-expected figure of Almamen, +the magician. But no longer was that stately form clad in the loose and +peaceful garb of the Eastern santon. Complete armour cased his broad +chest and sinewy limbs; his head alone was bare, and his prominent and +impressive features were lighted, not with mystical enthusiasm, but with +warlike energy. In his right hand, he carried a drawn sword--his left +supported the staff of a snow-white and dazzling banner. + +So sudden was the apparition, and so excited the mind of the king, that +the sight of a supernatural being could scarcely have impressed him with +more amaze and awe. + +"King of Granada," said Almamen, "the hour hath come at last; go forth +and conquer! With the Christian monarch, there is no hope of peace or +compact. At thy request I sought him, but my spells alone preserved the +life of thy herald. Rejoice! for thine evil destinies have rolled away +from thy spirit, like a cloud from the glory of the sun. The genii of +the East have woven this banner from the rays of benignant stars. It +shall beam before thee in the front of battle--it shall rise over the +rivers of Christian blood. As the moon sways the bosom of the tides, +it shall sway and direct the surges and the course of war!" + +"Man of mystery! thou hast given me a new life." + +"And, fighting by thy side," resumed Almamen, "I will assist to carve out +for thee, from the ruins of Arragon and Castile, the grandeur of a new +throne. Arm, monarch of Granada!--arm! I hear the neigh of thy charger, +in the midst of the mailed thousands! Arm!" + + + + + + +BOOK IV. + +CHAPTER. I. + +LEILA IN THE CASTLE--THE SIEGE. + +The calmer contemplations and more holy anxieties of Leila were, at +length, broken in upon by intelligence, the fearful interest of which +absorbed the whole mind and care of every inhabitant of the castle. +Boabdil el Chico had taken the field, at the head of a numerous army. +Rapidly scouring the country, he had descended, one after one, upon the +principal fortresses, which Ferdinand had left, strongly garrisoned, in +the immediate neighbourhood. His success was as immediate as it was +signal; the terror of his arms began, once more to spread far and wide; +every day swelled his ranks with new recruits; and from the snow-clad +summits of the Sierra Nevada poured down, in wild hordes, the fierce +mountain race, who, accustomed to eternal winter, made a strange +contrast, in their rugged appearance and shaggy clothing, to the +glittering and civilised soldiery of Granada. + +Moorish towns, which had submitted to Ferdinand, broke from their +allegiance, and sent their ardent youth and experienced veterans to the +standard of the Keys and Crescent. To add to the sudden panic of the +Spaniards, it went forth that a formidable magician, who seemed inspired +rather with the fury of a demon than the valour of a man, had made an +abrupt appearance in the ranks of the Moslems. Wherever the Moors shrank +back from wall or tower, down which poured the boiling pitch, or rolled +the deadly artillery of the besieged, this sorcerer--rushing into the +midst of the flagging force, and waving, with wild gestures, a white +banner, supposed by both Moor and Christian to be the work of magic and +preternatural spells--dared every danger, and escaped every weapon: with +voice, with prayer, with example, he fired the Moors to an enthusiasm +that revived the first days of Mohammedan conquest; and tower after +tower, along the mighty range of the mountain chain of fortresses, was +polluted by the wave and glitter of the ever-victorious banner. The +veteran, Mendo de Quexada, who, with a garrison of two hundred and fifty +men, held the castle of Almamen, was, however, undaunted by the +unprecedented successes of Boabdil. Aware of the approaching storm, he +spent the days of peace yet accorded to him in making every preparation +for the siege that he foresaw; messengers were despatched to Ferdinand; +new out-works were added to the castle; ample store of provisions laid +in; and no precaution omitted that could still preserve to the Spaniards +a fortress that, from its vicinity to Granada, its command of the Vega +and the valleys of the Alpuxarras, was the bitterest thorn in the side of +the Moorish power. + +It was early, one morning, that Leila stood by the lattice of her lofty +chamber gazing, with many and mingled emotions, on the distant domes of +Granada, as they slept in the silent sunshine. Her heart, for the +moment, was busy with the thoughts of home, and the chances and peril of +the time were forgotten. + +The sound of martial music, afar off, broke upon her reveries; she +started, and listened breathlessly; it became more distinct and clear. +The clash of the zell, the boom of the African drum, and the wild and +barbarous blast of the Moorish clarion, were now each distinguishable +from the other; and, at length, as she gazed and listened, winding along +the steeps of the mountain were seen the gleaming spears and pennants of +the Moslem vanguard. Another moment and the whole castle was astir. + +Mendo de Quexada, hastily arming, repaired, himself, to the battlements; +and, from her lattice, Leila beheld him, from time to time, stationing to +the best advantage his scanty troops. In a few minutes she was joined by +Donna Inez and the women of the castle, who fearfully clustered round +their mistress,--not the less disposed, however, to gratify the passion +of the sex, by a glimpse through the lattice at the gorgeous array of the +Moorish army. + +The casements of Leila's chamber were peculiarly adapted to command a +safe nor insufficient view of the progress of the enemy; and, with a +beating heart and flushing cheek, the Jewish maiden, deaf to the voices +around her, imagined she could already descry amidst the horsemen the +lion port and snowy garments of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + +What a situation was hers! Already a Christian, could she hope for the +success of the infidel? ever a woman, could she hope for the defeat of +her lover? But the time for meditation on her destiny was but brief; the +detachment of the Moorish cavalry was now just without the walls of the +little town that girded the castle, and the loud clarion of the heralds +summoned the garrison to surrender. + +"Not while one stone stands upon another!" was the short answer of +Quexada; and, in ten minutes afterwards, the sullen roar of the artillery +broke from wall and tower over the vales below. + +It was then that the women, from Leila's lattice, beheld, slowly +marshalling themselves in order, the whole power and pageantry of the +besieging army. Thick-serried--line after line, column upon column--they +spread below the frowning steep. The sunbeams lighted up that goodly +array, as it swayed, and murmured, and advanced, like the billows of a +glittering sea. The royal standard was soon descried waving above the +pavilion of Boabdil; and the king himself, mounted on his cream-coloured +charger, which was covered with trappings of cloth-of-gold, was +recognised amongst the infantry, whose task it was to lead the assault. + +"Pray with us, my daughter!" cried Inez, falling on her knees.-Alas! +what could Leila pray for? + +Four days and four nights passed away in that memorable siege; for the +moon, then at her full, allowed no respite, even in night itself. Their +numbers, and their vicinity to Granada, gave the besiegers the advantage +of constant relays, and troop succeeded to troop; so that the weary had +ever successors in the vigour of new assailants. + +On the fifth day, all of the fortress, save the keep (an immense tower), +was in the hands of the Moslems; and in this last hold, the worn-out and +scanty remnant of the garrison mustered, in the last hope of a brave, +despair. + +Quexada appeared, covered with gore and dust-his eyes bloodshot, his +cheek haggard and hollow, his locks blanched with sudden age-in the hall +of the tower, where the women, half dead with terror, were assembled. + +"Food!" cried he,--"food and wine!--it may be our last banquet." + +His wife threw her arms round him. "Not yet," he cried, "not yet; we +will have one embrace before we part." + +"Is there, then, no hope?" said Inez, with a pale cheek, yet steady eye. + +"None; unless to-morrow's dawn gild the spears of Ferdinand's army upon +yonder hills. Till morn we may hold out." As he spoke, he hastily +devoured some morsels of food, drained a huge goblet of wine, and +abruptly quitted the chamber. + +At that moment, the women distinctly heard the loud shouts of the Moors; +and Leila, approaching the grated casement, could perceive the approach +of what seemed to her like moving wails. + +Covered by ingenious constructions of wood and thick hides, the besiegers +advanced to the foot of the tower in comparative shelter from the burning +streams which still poured, fast and seething, from the battlements; +while, in the rear came showers of darts and cross-bolts from the more +distant Moors, protecting the work of the engineer, and piercing through +almost every loophole and crevice in the fortress. + +Meanwhile the stalwart governor beheld, with dismay and despair, the +preparations of the engineers, whom the wooden screen-works protected +from every weapon. + +"By the Holy Sepulchre!" cried he, gnashing his teeth, "they are mining +the tower, and we shall be buried in its ruins! Look out, Gonsalvo! see +you not a gleam of spears yonder over the mountain? Mine eyes are dim +with watching." + +"Alas! brave Mendo, it is only the sloping sun upon the snows--but there +is hope yet." + +The soldier's words terminated in a shrill and sudden cry of agony; and +he fell dead by the side of Quexada, the brain crushed by a bolt from a +Moorish arquebus. + +"My best warrior!" said Quexada; "peace be with him! Ho, there! see you +yon desperate infidel urging on the miners? By the heavens above, it is +he of the white banner!--it is the sorcerer! Fire on him! he is without +the shelter of the woodworks." + +Twenty shafts, from wearied and nerveless arms, fell innocuous round the +form of Almamen: and as, waving aloft his ominous banner, he disappeared +again behind the screen-works, the Spaniards almost fancied they could +hear his exulting and demon laugh. + +The sixth day came, and the work of the enemy was completed. The tower +was entirely undermined--the foundations rested only upon wooden props, +which, with a humanity that was characteristic of Boabdil, had been +placed there in order that the besieged might escape ere the final crash +of their last hold. + +It was now noon: the whole Moorish force, quitting the plain, occupied +the steep that spread below the tower, in multitudinous array and +breathless expectation. The miners stood aloof--the Spaniards lay +prostrate and exhausted upon the battlements, like mariners who, after +every effort against the storm, await, resigned, and almost indifferent, +the sweep of the fatal surge. + +Suddenly the lines of the Moors gave way, and Boabdil himself, with Muza +at his right hand, and Almamen on his left, advanced towards the foot of +the tower. At the same time, the Ethiopian guards, each bearing a torch, +marched slowly in the rear; and from the midst of them paced the royal +herald and sounded the last warning. The hush of the immense armament-- +the glare of the torches, lighting the ebon faces and giant forms of +their bearers--the majestic appearance of the king himself--the heroic +aspect of Muza--the bare head and glittering banner of Almamen--all +combined with the circumstances of the time to invest the spectacle with +something singularly awful, and, perhaps, sublime. + +Quexada turned his eyes, mutely, round the ghastly faces of his warriors, +and still made not the signal. His lips muttered--his eyes glared: when, +suddenly, he heard below the wail of women; and the thought of Inez, the +bride of his youth, the partner of his age, came upon him; and, with a +trembling hand, he lowered the yet unquailing standard of Spain. Then, +the silence below broke into a mighty shout, which shook the grim tower +to its unsteady and temporary base. + +"Arise, my friends," he said, with a bitter sigh; "we have fought like +men--and our country will not blush for us." He descended the winding +stairs--his soldiers followed him with faltering steps: the gates of the +keep unfolded, and these gallant Christians surrendered themselves to the +Moor. + +"Do with it as you will," said Quexada, as he laid the keys at the hoofs +of Boabdil's barb; "but there are women in the garrison, who--" + +"Are sacred," interrupted the king. "At once we accord their liberty, +and free transport whithersoever ye would desire. Speak, then! To what +place of safety shall they be conducted?" + +"Generous king!" replied the veteran Quexada, brushing away his tears +with the back of his hand; "you take the sting from our shame. We accept +your offer in the same spirit in which it is made. Across the mountains, +on the verge of the plain of Olfadez, I possess a small castle, +ungarrisoned and unfortified. Thence, should the war take that +direction, the women can readily obtain safe conduct to the queen at +Cordova." + +"Be it so," returned Boabdil. Then, with Oriental delicacy, selecting +the eldest of the officers round him, he gave him instructions to enter +the castle, and, with a strong guard, provide for the safety of the +women, according to the directions of Quexada. To another of his +officers he confided the Spanish prisoners, and gave the signal to his +army to withdraw from the spot, leaving only a small body to complete the +ruin of the fortress. + +Accompanied by Almamen and his principal officers, Boabdil now hastened +towards Granada; and while, with slower progress, Quexada and his +companions, under a strong escort, took their way across the Vega, a +sudden turn in their course brought abruptly before them the tower they +had so valiantly defended. There it still stood, proud and stern, amidst +the blackened and broken wrecks around it, shooting aloft, dark and grim, +against the sky. Another moment, and a mighty crash sounded on their +ears, while the tower fell to the earth, amidst volumes of wreathing +smoke and showers of dust, which were borne, by the concussion to the +spot on which they took their last gaze of the proudest fortress on which +the Moors of Granada had beheld, from their own walls, the standard of +Arragon and Castile. + +At the same time, Leila--thus brought so strangely within the very reach +of her father and her lover, and yet, by a mysterious fate, still divided +from both,--with Donna Inez, and the rest of the females of the garrison, +pursued her melancholy path along the ridges of the mountains. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +ALMAMEN'S PROPOSED ENTERPRISE.--THE THREE ISRAELITES--CIRCUMSTANCE +IMPRESSES EACH CHARACTER WITH A VARYING DIE. + +Boadbil followed up his late success with a series of brilliant assaults +on-the neighbouring fortresses. Granada, like a strong man bowed to the +ground, wrenched one after one the bands that had crippled her liberty +and strength; and, at length, after regaining a considerable portion of +the surrounding territory, the king resolved to lay siege to the seaport +of Salobrena. Could he obtain this town, Boabdil, by establishing +communication between the sea and Granada, would both be enabled to avail +himself of the assistance of his African allies, and also prevent the +Spaniards from cutting off supplies to the city, should they again +besiege it. Thither, then, accompanied by Muza, the Moorish king bore +his victorious standard. + +On the eve of his departure, Almamen sought the king's presence. A great +change had come over the canton since the departure of Ferdinand; his +wonted stateliness of mien was gone; his eyes were sunk and hollow; his +manner disturbed and absent. In fact, his love for his daughter made the +sole softness of his character; and that daughter was in the hands of the +king who had sentenced the father to the tortures of the Inquisition! +To what dangers might she not be subjected, by the intolerant zeal of +conversion! and could that frame, and gentle heart, brave the terrific +engines that might be brought against her fears? "Better," thought he, +"that she should perish, even by the torture, than adopt that hated +faith." He gnashed his teeth in agony at either alternative. His +dreams, his objects, his revenge, his ambition--all forsook him: one +single hope, one thought, completely mastered his stormy passions and +fitful intellect. + +In this mood the pretended santon met Boabdil. He represented to the +king, over whom his influence had prodigiously increased since the late +victories of the Moors, the necessity of employing the armies of +Ferdinand at a distance. He proposed, in furtherance of this policy, to +venture himself in Cordova; to endeavour secretly to stir up those Moors, +in that, their ancient kingdom, who had succumbed to the Spanish yoke, +and whose hopes might naturally be inflamed by the recent successes of +Boabdil; and, at least, to foment such disturbances as might afford the +king sufficient time to complete his designs, and recruit his force by +aid of the powers with which he was in league. + +The representations of Almamen at length conquered Boabdil's reluctance +to part with his sacred guide; and it was finally arranged that the +Israelite should at once depart from the city. + +As Almamen pursued homeward his solitary way, he found himself suddenly +accosted in the Hebrew tongue. He turned hastily, and saw before him an +old man in the Jewish gown: he recognised Elias, one of the wealthiest +and most eminent of the race of Israel. + +"Pardon me, wise countryman!" said the Jew, bowing to the earth, "but I +cannot resist the temptation of claiming kindred with one through whom +the horn of Israel may be so triumphantly exalted." + +"Hush, man!" said Almamen, quickly, and looking sharply round; "I thy +countryman! Art thou not, as thy speech betokens, an Israelite?" + +"Yea," returned the Jew, "and of the same tribe as thy honoured father-- +peace be with his ashes! I remembered thee at once, boy though thou wert +when thy steps shook off the dust against Granada. I remembered thee, I +say, at once, on thy return; but I have kept thy secret, trusting that, +through thy soul and genius, thy fallen brethren might put off sackcloth +and feast upon the house-tops." + +Almamen looked hard at the keen, sharp, Arab features of the Jew; and at +length he answered, "And how can Israel be restored? wilt thou fight for +her?" + +"I am too old, son of Issachar, to bear arms; but our tribes are many, +and our youth strong. Amid these disturbances between dog and dog--" + +"The lion may get his own," interrupted Almamen, impetuously,--"let us +hope it. Hast thou heard of the new persecutions against us that the +false Nazarene king has already commenced in Cordova--persecutions that +make the heart sick and the blood cold?" + +"Alas!" replied Elias, "such woes indeed have not failed to reach mine +ear; and I have kindred, near and beloved kindred, wealthy and honoured +men, scattered throughout that land." + +"Were it not better that they should die on the field than by the rack?" +exclaimed Almamen, fiercely. "God of my fathers! if there be yet a spark +of manhood left amongst thy people, let thy servant fan it to a flame, +that shall burn as the fire burns the stubble, so that the earth may bare +before the blaze!" + +"Nay," said Elias, dismayed rather than excited by the vehemence of his +comrade,--"be not rash, son of Issachar, be not rash: peradventure thou +wilt but exasperate the wrath of the rulers, and our substance thereby +will be utterly consumed." + +Almamen drew back, placed his hand quietly on the Jew's shoulder, looked +him hard in the face, and, gently laughing, turned away. + +Elias did not attempt to arrest his steps. "Impracticable," he muttered; +"impracticable and dangerous! I always thought so. He may do us harm: +were he not so strong and fierce, I would put my knife under his left +rib. Verily, gold is a great thing; and--out on me! the knaves at home +will be wasting the oil, now they know old Elias is abroad." Thereat the +Jew drew his cloak around him, and quickened his pace. + +Almamen, in the meanwhile, sought, through dark and subterranean +passages, known only to himself, his accustomed home. He passed much of +the night alone; but, ere the morning star announced to the mountain tops +the presence of the sun, he stood, prepared for his journey, in his +secret vault, by the door of the subterranean passages, with old Ximen +beside him. + +"I go, Ximen," said Almamen, "upon a doubtful quest: whether I discover +my daughter, and succeed in bearing her in safety from their +contaminating grasp, or whether I fall into their snares and perish, +there is an equal chance that I may return no more to Granada. Should +this be so, you will be heir to such wealth as I leave in these places I +know that your age will be consoled for the lack of children when your +eyes look upon the laugh of gold." + +Ximen bowed low, and mumbled out some inaudible protestations and thanks. +Almamen sighed heavily as he looked round the room. "I have evil omens +in my soul, and evil prophecies in my books," said he, mournfully. "But +the worst is here," he added, putting his finger significantly to his +temples; "the string is stretched--one more blow would snap it." + +As he thus said, he opened the door and vanished through that labyrinth +of galleries by which he was enabled at all times to reach unobserved +either the palace of the Alhambra or the gardens without the gates of the +city. + +Ximen remained behind a few moments in deep thought. "All mine if he +dies!" said he: "all mine if he does not return! All mine, all mine! +and I have not a child nor a kinsman in the world to clutch it away from +me!" With that he locked the vault, and returned to the upper air. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE FUGITIVE AND THE MEETING + +In their different directions the rival kings were equally successful. +Salobrena, but lately conquered by the Christians, was thrown into a +commotion by the first glimpse of Boabdil's banners; the populace rose, +beat back their Christian guards, and opened the gates to the last of +their race of kings. The garrison alone, to which the Spaniards +retreated, resisted Boabdil's arms; and, defended by, impregnable walls, +promised an obstinate and bloody siege. + +Meanwhile, Ferdinand had no sooner entered Cordova than his extensive +scheme of confiscation and holy persecution commenced. Not only did more +than five hundred Jews perish in the dark and secret gripe of the Grand +Inquisitor, but several hundred of the wealthiest Christian families, in +whose blood was detected the hereditary Jewish taint, were thrown into +prison; and such as were most fortunate purchased life by the sacrifice +of half their treasures. At this time, however, there suddenly broke +forth a formidable insurrection amongst these miserable subjects--the +Messenians of the Iberian Sparta. The Jews were so far aroused from +their long debasement by omnipotent despair, that a single spark, falling +on the ashes of their ancient spirit, rekindled the flame of the +descendants of the fierce warriors of Palestine. They were encouraged +and assisted by the suspected Christians, who had been involved in the +same persecution; and the whole were headed by a man who appeared +suddenly amongst them, and whose fiery eloquence and martial spirit +produced, at such a season, the most fervent enthusiasm. Unhappily, the +whole details of this singular outbreak are withheld from us; only by +wary hints and guarded allusions do the Spanish chroniclers apprise us +of its existence and its perils. It is clear that all narrative of an +event that might afford the most dangerous precedent, and was alarming to +the pride and avarice of the Spanish king, as well as the pious zeal of +the Church, was strictly forbidden; and the conspiracy was hushed in the +dread silence of the Inquisition, into whose hands the principal +conspirators ultimately fell. We learn, only, that a determined and +sanguinary struggle was followed by the triumph of Ferdinand, and the +complete extinction of the treason. + +It was one evening, that a solitary fugitive, hard chased by an armed +troop of the brothers of St. Hermandad, was seen emerging from a wild and +rocky defile, which opened abruptly on the gardens of a small, and, by +the absence of fortification and sentries, seemingly deserted, castle. +Behind him; in the exceeding stillness which characterises the air of a +Spanish twilight, he heard, at a considerable distance the blast of the +horn and the tramp of hoofs. His pursuers, divided into several +detachments, were scouring the country after him, as the fishermen draw +their nets, from bank to bank, conscious that the prey they drive before +the meshes cannot escape them at the last. The fugitive halted in doubt, +and gazed round him: he was well-nigh exhausted; his eyes were bloodshot; +the large drops rolled fast down his brow; his whole frame quivered and +palpitated, like that of a stag when he stands at bay. Beyond the castle +spread a broad plain, far as the eye could reach, without shrub or hollow +to conceal his form: flight across a space so favourable to his pursuers +was evidently in vain. No alternative was left unless he turned back on +the very path taken by the horsemen, or trusted to such scanty and +perilous shelter as the copses in the castle garden might afford him. He +decided on the latter refuge, cleared the low and lonely wall that girded +the demesne, and plunged into a thicket of overhanging oaks and +chestnuts. + +At that hour, and in that garden, by the side of a little fountain, were +seated two females: the one of mature and somewhat advanced years; the +other, in the flower of virgin youth. But the flower was prematurely +faded; and neither the bloom, nor sparkle, nor undulating play of +feature, that should have suited her age, was visible in the marble +paleness and contemplative sadness of her beautiful countenance. + +"Alas! my young friend," said the elder of these ladies, "it is in these +hours of solitude and calm that we are most deeply impressed with the +nothingness of life. Thou, my sweet convert, art now the object, no +longer of my compassion, but my envy; and earnestly do I feel convinced +of the blessed repose thy spirit will enjoy in the lap of the Mother +Church. Happy are they who die young! but thrice happy they who die in +the spirit rather than the flesh: dead to sin, but not to virtue; to +terror, not to hope; to man, but not to God!" + +"Dear senora," replied the young maiden, mournfully, "were I alone on +earth, Heaven is my witness with what deep and thankful resignation I +should take the holy vows, and forswear the past; but the heart remains +human, however divine the hope that it may cherish. And sometimes I +start, and think of home, of childhood, of my strange but beloved father, +deserted and childless in his old age." + +"Thine, Leila," returned the elder Senora, "are but the sorrows our +nature is doomed to. What matter, whether absence or death sever the +affections? Thou lamentest a father; I, a son, dead in the pride of his +youth and beauty--a husband, languishing in the fetters of the Moor. +Take comfort for thy sorrows, in the reflection that sorrow is the +heritage of all." + +Ere Leila could reply, the orange-boughs that sheltered the spot where +they sat were put aside, and between the women and the fountain stood the +dark form of Almamen the Israelite. Leila rose, shrieked, and flung +herself, unconscious, on his breast. + +"O Lord of Israel!" cried Almamen, in atone of deep anguish. "I, then, +at last regain my child? Do I press her to my heart? and is it only for +that brief moment, when I stand upon the brink of death? Leila, my +child, look up! smile upon thy father; let him feel, on his maddening and +burning brow, the sweet breath of the last of his race, and bear with +him, at least, one holy and gentle thought to the dark grave." + +"My father! is it indeed my father?" said Leila, recovering herself, and +drawing back, that she might assure herself of that familiar face; "it is +thou! it is--it is! Oh! what blessed chance brings us together?" + +"That chance is the destiny that hurries me to my tomb," answered +Almamen, solemnly. "Hark! hear you not the sound of their rushing +steeds--their impatient voices? They are on me now!" + +"Who? Of whom speakest thou?" + +"My pursuers--the horsemen of the Spaniard." + +"Oh, senora, save him!" cried Leila, turning to Donna Inez, whom both +father and child had hitherto forgotten, and who now stood gazing upon +Almamen with wondering and anxious eyes. "Whither can he fly? The +vaults of the castle may conceal him. This way-hasten!" + +"Stay," said Inez, trembling, and approaching close to Almamen: "do I see +aright? and, amidst the dark change of years and trial, do I recognise +that stately form, which once contrasted to the sad eye of a mother the +drooping and faded form of her only son? Art thou not he who saved my +boy from the pestilence, who accompanied him to the shores of Naples, and +consigned him to these arms? Look on me! dost thou not recall the mother +of thy friend?" + +"I recall thy features dimly and as in a dream," answered the Hebrew; +"and while thou speakest, there rush upon me the memories of an earlier +time, in lands where Leila first looked upon the day, and her mother sang +to me at sunset by the stream of the Euphrates, and on the sites of +departed empires. Thy son--I remember now: I had friendship then with a +Christian--for I was still young." + +"Waste not the time--father--senora!" cried Leila, impatiently clinging +still to her father's breast. + +"You are right; nor shall your sire, in whom I thus wonderfully recognise +my son's friend, perish if I can save him." + +Inez then conducted her strange guest to a small door in the rear of the +castle; and after leading him through some of the principal apartments, +left him in one of the tiring-rooms adjoining her own chamber, and the +entrance to which the arras concealed. She rightly judged this a safer +retreat than the vaults of the castle might afford, since her great name +and known intimacy with Isabel would preclude all suspicion of her +abetting in the escape of the fugitive, and keep those places the most +secure in which, without such aid, he could not have secreted himself. + +In a few minutes, several of the troop arrived at the castle, and on +learning the name of its owner contented themselves with searching the +gardens, and the lower and more exposed apartments; and then recommending +to the servants a vigilant look-out remounted, and proceeded to scour the +plain, over which now slowly fell the starlight and shade of night. When +Leila stole, at last, to the room in which Almamen was hid, she found +him, stretched on his mantle, in a deep sleep. Exhausted by all he had +undergone, and his rigid nerves, as it were, relaxed by the sudden +softness of that interview with his child, the slumber of that fiery +wanderer was as calm as an infant's. And their relation almost seemed +reversed; and the daughter to be as a mother watching over her offspring, +when Leila seated herself softly by him, fixing her eyes--to which the +tears came ever, ever to be brushed away-upon his worn but tranquil +features, made yet more serene by the quiet light that glimmered through +the casement. And so passed the hours of that night; and the father and +the child--the meek convert, the revengeful fanatic--were under the same +roof. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ALMAMEN HEARS AND SEES, BUT REFUSES TO BELIEVE; FOR THE BRAIN, +OVERWROUGHT, GROWS DULL, EVEN IN THE KEENEST. + +The dawn broke slowly upon the chamber, and Almamen still slept. It was +the Sabbath of the Christians--that day on which the Saviour rose from +the dead--thence named so emphatically and sublimely by the early Church +THE LORD'S DAY. + + [Before the Christian era, the Sunday was, however, called the + Lord's day--i.e., the day of the Lord the Sun.] + +And as the ray of the sun flashed in the east it fell like a glory, over +a crucifix, placed in the deep recess of the Gothic casement; and brought +startlingly before the eyes of Leila that face upon which the rudest of +the Catholic sculptors rarely fail to preserve the mystic and awful union +of the expiring anguish of the man with the lofty patience of the God. +It looked upon her, that face; it invited, it encouraged, while it +thrilled and subdued. She stole gently from the side of her father; she +crept to the spot, and flung herself on her knees beside the consecrated +image. + +"Support me, O Redeemer!" she murmured--"support thy creature! +strengthen her steps in the blessed path, though it divide her +irrevocably from all that on earth she loves: and if there be a sacrifice +in her solemn choice, accept, O Thou, the Crucified! accept it, in part +atonement of the crime of her stubborn race; and, hereafter, let the lips +of a maiden of Judaea implore thee, not in vain, for some mitigation of +the awful curse that hath fallen justly upon her tribe." + +As broken by low sobs, and in a choked and muttered voice, Leila poured +forth her prayer, she was startled by a deep groan; and turning, in alarm +she saw that Almamen had awaked, and, leaning on his arm, was now bending +upon her his dark eyes, once more gleaming with all their wonted fire. + +"Speak," he said, as she coweringly hid her face, "speak to me, or I +shall be turned to stone by one horrid thought. It is not before that +symbol that thou kneelest in adoration; and my sense wanders, if it tell +me that thy broken words expressed the worship of an apostate? In mercy, +speak!" + +"Father!" began Leila; but her lips refused to utter more than that +touching and holy word. + +Almamen rose; and plucking the hands from her face, gazed on her some +moments, as if he would penetrate her very soul; and Leila, recovering +her courage in the pause, by degrees met his eyes unquailing--her pure +and ingenuous brow raised to his, and sadness, but not guilt, speaking +from every line of that lovely face. + +"Thou dost not tremble," said Almamen, at length, breaking the silence, +"and I have erred. Thou art not the criminal I deemed thee. Come to my +arms!" + +"Alas!" said Leila, obeying the instinct, and casting herself upon that +rugged bosom. "I will dare, at least, not to disavow my God. Father! +by that dread anathema which is on our race, which has made us homeless +and powerless--outcasts and strangers in the land; by the persecution and +anguish we have known, teach thy lordly heart that we are rightly +punished for the persecution and the anguish we doomed to Him, whose +footstep hallowed our native earth! FIRST, IN THE HISTORY of THE WORLD, +DID THE STERN HEBREWS INFLICT UPON MANKIND THE AWFUL CRIME OF PERSECUTION +FOR OPINIONS SAKE. The seed we sowed hath brought forth the Dead Sea +fruit upon which we feed. I asked for resignation and for hope: I looked +upon yonder cross, and I found both. Harden not thy heart; listen to thy +child; wise though thou be, and weak though her woman spirit, listen to +me." + +"Be dumb!" cried Almamen, in such a voice as might have come from the +charnel, so ghostly and deathly sounded its hollow tone; then, recoiling +some steps, he placed both his hands upon his temples, and muttered, +"Mad, mad! yes, yes, this is but a delirium, and I am tempted with a +devil! Oh, my child!" he resumed, in a voice that became, on the sudden, +inexpressibly tender and imploring, "I have been sorely tried; and I +dreamt a feverish dream of passion and revenge. Be thine the lips, and +thine the soothing hand, that shall wake me from it. Let us fly for ever +from these hated lands; let us leave to these miserable infidels their +bloody contest, careless which shall fall. To a soil on which the iron +heel does not clang, to an air where man's orisons rise, in solitude, to +the Great Jehovah, let us hasten our weary steps. Come! while the castle +yet sleeps, let us forth unseen--the father and the child. We will hold +sweet commune by the way. And hark ye, Leila," he added, in a low and +abrupt whisper, "talk not to me of yonder symbol; for thy God is a +jealous God, and hath no likeness in the graven image." + +Had he been less exhausted by long travail and racking thoughts, far +different, perhaps, would have been the language of a man so stern. But +circumstance impresses the hardest substance; and despite his native +intellect and affected superiority over others, no one, perhaps, was more +human, in his fitful moods,--his weakness and his strength, his passion +and his purpose,--than that strange man, who had dared, in his dark +studies and arrogant self-will, to aspire beyond humanity. + +That was, indeed, a perilous moment for the young convert. The +unexpected softness of her father utterly subdued her; nor was she +sufficiently possessed of that all-denying zeal of the Catholic +enthusiast to which every human tie and earthly duty has been often +sacrificed on the shrine of a rapt and metaphysical piety. Whatever her +opinions, her new creed, her secret desire of the cloister, fed as it was +by the sublime, though fallacious notion, that in her conversion, her +sacrifice, the crimes of her race might be expiated in the eyes of Him +whose death had been the great atonement of a world; whatever such higher +thoughts and sentiments, they gave way, at that moment, to the +irresistible impulse of household nature and of filial duty. Should she +desert her father, and could that desertion be a virtue? Her heart put +and answered both questions in a breath. She approached Almamen, placed +her hand in his, and said, steadily and calmly, "Father, wheresoever thou +goest, I will wend with thee." + +But Heaven ordained to each another destiny than might have been theirs, +had the dictates of that impulse been fulfilled. + +Ere Almamen could reply, a trumpet sounded clear and loud at the gate. + +"Hark!" he said, griping his dagger, and starting back to a sense of the +dangers round him. "They come--my pursuers and my murtherers!--but these +limbs are sacred from--the rack." + +Even that sound of ominous danger was almost a relief to Leila: "I will +go," she said, "and learn what the blast betokens; remain here--be +cautious--I will return." + +Several minutes, however, elapsed before Leila reappeared; she was +accompanied by Donna Inez, whose paleness and agitation betokened her +alarm. A courier had arrived at the gate to announce the approach of the +queen, who, with a considerable force, was on her way to join Ferdinand, +then, in the usual rapidity of his movements, before one of the Moorish +towns that had revolted from his allegiance. It was impossible for +Almamen to remain in safety in the castle; and the only hope of escape +was departing immediately and in disguise. + +"I have," she said, "a trusty and faithful servant with me in the castle, +to whom I can, without anxiety, confide the charge of your safety; and +even if suspected by the way, my name, and the companionship of my +servant, will remove all obstacles; it is not a long journey hence to +Guadix, which has already revolted to the Moors: there, till the armies +of Ferdinand surround the walls, your refuge may be secure." + +Almamen remained for some moments plunged in a gloomy silence. But, at +length, he signified his assent to the plan proposed, and Donna Inez +hastened to give the directions of his intended guide. + +"Leila," said the Hebrew, when left alone with his daughter, "think not +that it is for mine own safety that I stoop to this flight from thee. +No! but never till thou wert lost to me, by mine own rash confidence in +another, did I know how dear to my heart was the last scion of my race, +the sole memorial left to me of thy mother's love. Regaining thee once +more, a new and a soft existence opens upon my eyes; and the earth seems +to change, as by a sudden revolution, from winter into spring. For thy +sake, I consent to use all the means that man's intellect can devise for +preservation from my foes. Meanwhile, here will rest my soul; to this +spot, within one week from this period--no matter through what danger I +pass--I shall return: then I shall claim thy promise. I will arrange all +things for our flight, and no stone shall harm thy footstep by the way. +The Lord of Israel be with thee, my daughter, and strengthen thy heart! +But," he added, tearing himself from her embrace, as he heard steps +ascending to the chamber, "deem not that, in this most fond and fatherly +affection, I forget what is due to me and thee. Think not that my love +is only the brute and insensate feeling of the progenitor to the +offspring: I love thee for thy mother's sake--I love thee for thine own-- +I love thee yet more for the sake of Israel. If thou perish, if thou art +lost to us, thou, the last daughter of the house of Issachar, then the +haughtiest family of God's great people is extinct." + +Here Inez appeared at the door, but withdrew, at the impatient and lordly +gesture of Almamen, who, without further heed of the interruption, +resumed: + +"I look to thee, and thy seed, for the regeneration which I once trusted, +fool that I was, mine own day might see effected. Let this pass. Thou +art under the roof of the Nazarene. I will not believe that the arts we +have resisted against fire and sword can prevail with thee. But, if I +err, awful will be the penalty! Could I once know that thou hadst +forsaken thy ancestral creed, though warrior and priest stood by thee, +though thousands and ten thousands were by thy right hand, this steel +should save the race of Issachar from dishonour. Beware! Thou weepest; +but, child, I warn, not threaten. God be with thee!" + +He wrung the cold hand of his child, turned to the door, and, after such +disguise as the brief time allowed him could afford, quitted the castle +with his Spanish guide, who, accustomed to the benevolence of his +mistress, obeyed her injunction without wonder, though not without +suspicion. + +The third part of an hour had scarcely elapsed, and the sun was yet on +the mountain-tops, when Isabel arrived. She came to announce that the +outbreaks of the Moorish towns in the vicinity rendered the half- +fortified castle of her friend no longer a secure abode; and she honoured +the Spanish lady with a command to accompany her, with her female suite, +to the camp of Ferdinand. + +Leila received the intelligence with a kind of stupor. Her interview +with her father, the strong and fearful contests of emotion which that +interview occasioned, left her senses faint and dizzy; and when she found +herself, by the twilight star, once more with the train of Isabel, the +only feeling that stirred actively through her stunned and bewildered +mind, was, that the hand of Providence conducted her from a temptation +that, the Reader of all hearts knew, the daughter and woman would have +been too feeble to resist. + +On the fifth day from his departure, Almamen returned to find the castle +deserted, and his daughter gone. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +IN THE FERMENT OF GREAT EVENTS THE DREGS RISE. + +The Israelites did not limit their struggles to the dark conspiracy to +which allusion has been made. In some of the Moorish towns that revolted +from Ferdinand, they renounced the neutrality they had hitherto +maintained between Christian and Moslem. Whether it was that they were +inflamed by the fearful and wholesale barbarities enforced by Ferdinand +and the Inquisition against their tribe, or whether they were stirred up +by one of their own order, in whom was recognised the head of their most +sacred family; or whether, as is most probable, both causes combined-- +certain it is, that they manifested a feeling that was thoroughly unknown +to the ordinary habits and policy of that peaceable people. They bore +great treasure to the public stock--they demanded arms, and, under their +own leaders, were admitted, though with much jealousy and precaution, +into the troops of the arrogant and disdainful Moslems. + +In this conjunction of hostile planets, Ferdinand had recourse to his +favourite policy of wile and stratagem. Turning against the Jews the +very treaty Almamen had once sought to obtain in their favour, he caused +it to be circulated, privately, that the Jews, anxious to purchase their +peace with him, had promised to betray the Moorish towns, and Granada +itself into his hands. The paper, which Ferdinand himself had signed in +his interview with Almamen, and of which, on the capture of the Hebrew, +he had taken care to repossess himself, he gave to a spy whom he sent, +disguised as a Jew, into one of the revolted cities. + +Private intelligence reached the Moorish ringleader of the arrival of +this envoy. He was seized, and the document found on his person. The +form of the words drawn up by Almamen (who had carefully omitted mention +of his own name--whether that which he assumed, or that which, by birth, +he should have borne) merely conveyed the compact, that if by a Jew, +within two weeks from the date therein specified, Granada was delivered +to the Christian king, the Jews should enjoy certain immunities and +rights. + +The discovery of this document filled the Moors of the city to which the +spy had been sent with a fury that no words can describe. Always +distrusting their allies, they now imagined they perceived the sole +reason of their sudden enthusiasm, of their demand for arms. The mob +rose: the principal Jews were seized and massacred without trial; some by +the wrath of the multitude, some by the slower tortures of the +magistrate. Messengers were sent to the different revolted towns, and, +above all, to Granada itself, to put the Moslems on their guard against +these unhappy enemies of either party. At once covetous and ferocious, +the Moors rivalled the Inquisition in their cruelty, and Ferdinand in +their extortion. + +It was the dark fate of Almamen, as of most premature and heated +liberators of the enslaved, to double the terrors and the evils he had +sought to cure. The warning arrived at Granada at a time in which the +vizier, Jusef, had received the commands of his royal master, still at +the siege of Salobrena, to use every exertion to fill the wasting +treasuries. Fearful of new exactions against the Moors, the vizier +hailed, as a message from Heaven, so just a pretext for a new and +sweeping impost on the Jews. The spendthrift violence of the mob was +restrained, because it was headed by the authorities, who were wisely +anxious that the state should have no rival in the plunder it required; +and the work of confiscation and robbery was carried on with a majestic +and calm regularity, which redounded no less to the credit of Jusef than +it contributed to the coffers of the king. + +It was late, one evening, when Ximen was making his usual round through +the chambers of Almamen's house. As he glanced around at the various +articles of wealth and luxury, he ever and anon burst into a low, fitful +chuckle, rubbed his lean hands, and mumbled out, "If my master should +die! if my master should die!" + +While thus engaged, he heard a confused and distant shout; and, listening +attentively, he distinguished a cry, grown of late sufficiently familiar, +of, "Live, Jusef the just--perish, the traitor Jews!" + +"Ah!" said Ximen, as the whole character of his face changed; "some new +robbery upon our race! And this is thy work, son of Issachar! Madman +that thou wert, to be wiser than thy sires, and seek to dupe the +idolaters in the council chamber and the camp--their field, their vantage +ground; as the bazaar and the market-place are ours. None suspect that +the potent santon is the traitor Jew; but I know it! I could give thee +to the bow-string--and, if thou Overt dead, all thy goods and gold, even +to the mule at the manger, would be old Ximen's." + +He paused at that thought, shut his eyes, and smiled at the prospect his +fancy conjured up and completing his survey, retired to his own chamber, +which opened, by a small door, upon one of the back courts. He had +scarcely reached the room, when he heard a low tap at the outer door; +and, when it was thrice repeated, he knew that it was one of his Jewish- +brethren. For Ximen--as years, isolation, and avarice gnawed away +whatever of virtue once put forth some meagre fruit from a heart +naturally bare and rocky--still reserved one human feeling towards his +countrymen. It was the bond which unites all the persecuted: and Ximen +loved them, because he could not envy their happiness. The power--the +knowledge--the lofty, though wild designs of his master, stung and +humbled him--he secretly hated, because he could not compassionate or +contemn him. But the bowed frame, and slavish voice, and timid nerves of +his crushed brotherhood presented to the old man the likeness of things +that could not exult over him. Debased and aged, and solitary as he was, +he felt a kind of wintry warmth in the thought that even he had the power +to protect! + +He thus maintained an intercourse with his fellow Israelites; and often, +in their dangers, had afforded them a refuge in the numerous vaults and +passages, the ruins of which may still be descried beneath the mouldering +foundations of that mysterious mansion. And, as the house was generally +supposed the property of an absent emir, and had been especially +recommended to the care of the cadis by Boabdil, who alone of the Moors +knew it as one of the dwelling-places of the santon, whose ostensible +residence was in apartments allotted to him within the palace,--it was, +perhaps, the sole place within Granada which afforded an unsuspected and +secure refuge to the hunted Israelites. + +When Ximen recognised the wonted signal of his brethren, he crawled to +the door; and, after the precaution of a Hebrew watchword, replied to in +the same tongue, he gave admittance to the tall and stooping frame of the +rich Elias. + +"Worthy and excellent master!" said Ximen, after again securing the +entrance; "what can bring the honoured and wealthy Elias to the chamber +of the poor hireling?" + +"My friend," answered the Jew; "call me not wealthy, nor honoured. For +years I have dwelt within the city; safe and respected, even by the +Moslemin; verily and because I have purchased with jewel and treasure the +protection of the king and the great men. But now, alas! in the sudden +wrath of the heathen--ever imagining vain things--I have been summoned +into the presence of their chief rabbi, and only escaped the torture by a +sum that ten years of labour and the sweat of my brow cannot replace. +Ximen! the bitterest thought of all is, that the frenzy of one of our own +tribe has brought this desolation upon Israel." + +"My lord speaks riddles," said Ximen, with well-feigned astonishment in +his glassy eyes. + +"Why dost thou wind and turn, good Ximen?" said the Jew, shaking his +head; "thou knowest well what my words drive at. Thy master is the +pretended Almamen; and that recreant Israelite (if Israelite, indeed, +still be one who hath forsaken the customs and the forms of his +forefathers) is he who hath stirred up the Jews of Cordova and Guadix, +and whose folly hath brought upon us these dread things. Holy Abraham! +this Jew hath cost me more than fifty Nazarenes and a hundred Moors." + +Ximen remained silent; and, the tongue of Elias being loosed by the +recollection of his sad loss, the latter continued: "At the first, when +the son of Issachar reappeared, and became a counsellor in the king's +court, I indeed, who had led him, then a child, to the synagogue--for old +Issachar was to me dear as a brother--recognised him by his eyes and +voice: but I exulted in his craft and concealment; I believed he would +work mighty things for his poor brethren, and would obtain, for his +father's friend, the supplying of the king's wives and concubines with +raiment and cloth of price. But years have passed: he hath not lightened +our burthens; and, by the madness that hath of late come over him, +heading the heathen armies, and drawing our brethren into danger and +death, he hath deserved the curse of the synagogue, and the wrath of our +whole race. I find, from our brethren who escaped the Inquisition by the +surrender of their substance, that his unskilful and frantic schemes were +the main pretext for the sufferings of the righteous under the Nazarene; +and, again, the same schemes bring on us the same oppression from the +Moor. Accursed be he, and may his name perish!" + +Ximen sighed, but remained silent, conjecturing to what end the Jew would +bring his invectives. He was not long in suspense. After a pause, Elias +recommenced, in an altered and more careless tone, "He is rich, this son +of Issachar--wondrous rich." + +"He has treasures scattered over half the cities of Africa and the +Orient," said Ximen. + +"Thou seest, then, my friend, that thy master hath doomed me to a heavy +loss. I possess his secret; I could give him up to the king's wrath; I +could bring him to the death. But I am just and meek: let him pay my +forfeiture, and I will forego mine anger." + +"Thou dost not know him," said Ximen, alarmed at the thought of a +repayment, which might grievously diminish his own heritage--of Almamen's +effects in Granada. + +"But if I threaten him with exposure?" + +"Thou wouldst feed the fishes of the Darro," interrupted Ximen. "Nay, +even now, if Almamen learn that thou knowest his birth and race, tremble! +for thy days in the land will be numbered." + +"Verily," exclaimed the Jew, in great alarm, "then have I fallen into the +snare; for these lips revealed to him that knowledge." + +"Then is the righteous Elias a lost man, within ten days from that in +which Almamen returns to Granada. I know my master: and blood is to him +as water." + +"Let the wicked be consumed!" cried Elias, furiously stamping his foot, +while fire flashed from his dark eyes, for the instinct of self- +preservation made him fierce. "Not from me, however," he added, more +calmly, "will come his danger. Know that there be more than a hundred +Jews in this city, who have sworn his death; Jews who, flying hither from +Cordova, have seen their parents murdered and their substance seized, and +who behold, in the son of Issachar, the cause of the murder and the +spoil. They have detected the impostor, and a hundred knives are +whetting even now for his blood: let him look to it. Ximen, I have +spoken to thee as the foolish speak; thou mayest betray me to thy lord; +but from what I have learned of thee from our brethren, I have poured my +heart into thy bosom without fear. Wilt thou betray Israel, or assist us +to smite the traitor?" + +Ximen mused for a moment, and his meditation conjured up the treasures of +his master. He stretched forth his right hand to Elias; and when the +Israelites parted, they were friends. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +BOADBIL'S RETURN.--THE REAPPEARANCE OF GRANADA. + +The third morning from this interview, a rumour reached Granada that +Boabdil had been repulsed in his assault on the citadel of Salobrena with +a severe loss; that Hernando del Pulgar had succeeded in conducting to +its relief a considerable force; and that the army of Ferdinand was on +its march against the Moorish king. In the midst of the excitement +occasioned by these reports, a courier arrived to confirm their truth, +and to announce the return of Boabdil. + +At nightfall, the king, preceding his army, entered the city, and +hastened to bury himself in the Alhambra. As he passed dejectedly into +the women's apartments, his stern mother met him. + +"My son," she said, bitterly, "dost thou return and not a conqueror?" + +Before Boabdil could reply, a light and rapid step sped through the +glittering arcades; and weeping with joy, and breaking all the Oriental +restraints, Amine fell upon his bosom. "My beloved! my king! light of +mine eyes! thou hast returned. Welcome--for thou art safe." + +The different form of these several salutations struck Boabdil forcibly. +"Thou seest, my mother," said he, "how great the contrast between those +who love us from affection, and those who love us from pride. In +adversity, God keep me, O my mother, from thy tongue!" + +"But I love thee from pride, too," murmured Amine; "and for that reason +is thine adversity dear to me, for it takes thee from the world to make +thee more mine own and I am proud of the afflictions that my hero shares +with his slave." + +"Lights there, and the banquet!" cried the king, turning from his haughty +mother; "we will feast and be merry while we may. My adored Amine, kiss +me!" + +Proud, melancholy, and sensitive as he was in that hour of reverse, +Boabdil felt no grief: such balm has Love for our sorrows, when its wings +are borrowed from the dove! And although the laws of the Eastern life +confined to the narrow walls of a harem the sphere of Amine's gentle +influence; although, even in romance, THE NATURAL compels us to portray +her vivid and rich colours only in a faint and hasty sketch, yet still +are left to the outline the loveliest and the noblest features of the +sex--the spirit to arouse us to exertion, the softness to console us in +our fall! + +While Boabdil and the body of the army remained in the city, Muza, with a +chosen detachment of the horse, scoured the country to visit the newly- +acquired cities, and sustain their courage. + +From this charge he was recalled by the army of Ferdinand, which once +more poured down into the Vega, completely devastated its harvests, and +then swept back to consummate the conquests of the revolted towns. To +this irruption succeeded an interval of peace--the calm before the storm. +From every part of Spain, the most chivalric and resolute of the Moors, +taking advantage of the pause in the contest, flocked to Granada; and +that city became the focus of all that paganism in Europe possessed of +brave and determined spirits. + +At length, Ferdinand, completing his conquests, and having refilled his +treasury, mustered the whole force of his dominions--forty thousand foot, +and ten thousand horse; and once more, and for the last time, appeared +before the walls of Granada. A solemn and prophetic determination filled +both besiegers and besieged: each felt that the crowning crisis was at +hand. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE CONFLAGRATION.--THE MAJESTY OF AN INDIVIDUAL PASSION IN THE MIDST OF +HOSTILE THOUSANDS. + +It was the eve of a great and general assault upon Granada, deliberately +planned by the chiefs of the Christian army. The Spanish camp (the most +gorgeous Christendom had ever known) gradually grew calm and hushed. The +shades deepened--the stars burned forth more serene and clear. Bright, +in that azure air, streamed the silken tents of the court, blazoned with +heraldic devices, and crowned by gaudy banners, which, filled by a brisk +and murmuring wind from the mountains, flaunted gaily on their gilded +staves. In the centre of the camp rose the pavilion of the queen--a +palace in itself. Lances made its columns; brocade and painted arras its +walls; and the space covered by its numerous compartments would have +contained the halls and outworks of an ordinary castle. The pomp of that +camp realised the wildest dreams of Gothic, coupled with Oriental +splendour; something worthy of a Tasso to have imagined, or a Beckford to +create. Nor was the exceeding costliness of the more courtly tents +lessened in effect by those of the soldiery in the outskirts, many of +which were built from boughs, still retaining their leaves--savage and +picturesque huts;--as if, realising old legends, wild men of the woods +had taken up the cross, and followed the Christian warriors against the +swarthy followers of Termagaunt and Mahound. There, then, extended that +mighty camp in profound repose, as the midnight threw deeper and longer +shadows over the sward from the tented avenues and canvas streets. It +was at that hour that Isabel, in the most private recess of her pavilion, +was employed in prayer for the safety of the king, and the issue of the +Sacred War. Kneeling before the altar of that warlike oratory, her +spirit became rapt and absorbed from earth in the intensity of her +devotions; and in the whole camp (save the sentries), the eyes of that +pious queen were, perhaps, the only ones unclosed. All was profoundly +still; her guards, her attendants, were gone to rest; and the, tread of +the sentinel, without that immense pavilion, was not heard through the +silken walls. + +It was then that Isabel suddenly felt a strong grasp upon her shoulder, +as she still knelt by the altar. A faint shriek burst from her lips; she +turned, and the broad curved knife of an eastern warrior gleamed close +before her eyes. + +"Hush! utter a cry, breathe more loudly than thy wont, and, queen though +thou art, in the centre of swarming thousands, thou diest!" + +Such were the words that reached the ear of the royal Castilian, +whispered by a man of stern and commanding, though haggard aspect. + +"What is thy purpose? wouldst thou murder me?" said the queen, trembling, +perhaps for the first time, before a mortal presence. + +"Thy life is safe, if thou strivest not to delude or to deceive me. Our +time is short--answer me. I am Almamen, the Hebrew. Where is the +hostage rendered to thy hands? I claim my child. She is with thee--I +know it. In what corner of thy camp?" + +"Rude stranger!" said Isabel, recovering somewhat from her alarm,--"thy +daughter is removed, I trust for ever, from thine impious reach. She is +not within the camp." + +"Lie not, Queen of Castile," said Almamen, raising his knife; "for days +and weeks I have tracked thy steps, followed thy march, haunted even thy +slumbers, though men of mail stood as guards around them; and I know that +my daughter has been with thee. Think not I brave this danger without +resolves the most fierce and dread. Answer me, where is my child?" + +"Many days since," said Isabel, awed, despite herself, by her strange +position,--"thy daughter left the camp for the house of God. It was her +own desire. The Saviour hath received her into His fold." + +Had a thousand lances pierced his heart, the vigour and energy of life +could scarce more suddenly have deserted Almamen. The rigid muscles of +his countenance relaxed at once, from resolve and menace, into +unutterable horror, anguish, and despair. He recoiled several steps; his +knees trembled violently; he seemed stunned by a death-blow. Isabel, the +boldest and haughtiest of her sex, seized that moment of reprieve; she +sprang forward, darted through the draperies into the apartments occupied +by her train, and, in a moment, the pavilion resounded with her cries for +aid. The sentinels were aroused; retainers sprang from their pillows; +they heard the cause of the alarm; they made to the spot; when, ere they +reached its partition of silk, a vivid and startling blaze burst forth +upon them. The tent was on fire. The materials fed the flame like +magic. Some of the guards had yet the courage to dash forward; but the +smoke and the glare drove them back, blinded and dizzy. Isabel herself +had scarcely time for escape, so rapid was the conflagration. Alarmed +for her husband, she rushed to his tent--to find him already awakened by +the noise, and issuing from its entrance, his drawn sword in his hand. +The wind, which had a few minutes before but curled the triumphant +banners, now circulated the destroying flame. It spread from tent to +tent, almost as a flash of lightning that shoots along neighbouring +clouds. The camp was in one continued blaze, ere a man could dream of +checking the conflagration. + +Not waiting to hear the confused tale of his royal consort, Ferdinand, +exclaiming, "The Moors have done this--they will be on us!" ordered the +drums to beat and the trumpets to sound, and hastened in person, wrapped +merely in his long mantle, to alarm his chiefs. While that well- +disciplined and veteran army, fearing every moment the rally of the foe, +endeavoured rapidly to form themselves into some kind of order, the flame +continued to spread till the whole heavens were illumined. By its light, +cuirass and helmet glowed, as in the furnace, and the armed men seemed +rather like life-like and lurid meteors than human forms. The city of +Granada was brought near to them by the intensity of the glow; and, as a +detachment of cavalry spurred from the camp to meet the anticipated +surprise of the Paynims, they saw, upon the walls and roofs of Granada, +the Moslems clustering and their spears gleaming. But, equally amazed +with the Christians, and equally suspicious of craft and design, the +Moors did not issue from their gates. Meanwhile the conflagration, as +rapid to die as to begin, grew fitful and feeble; and the night seemed to +fall with a melancholy darkness over the ruin of that silken city. + +Ferdinand summoned his council. He had now perceived it was no ambush of +the Moors. The account of Isabel, which, at last, he comprehended; the +strange and almost miraculous manner in which Almamen had baffled his +guards, and penetrated to the royal tent; might have aroused his Gothic +superstition, while it relieved his more earthly apprehensions, if he had +not remembered the singular, but far from supernatural dexterity with +which Eastern warriors and even robbers continued then, as now, to elude +the most vigilant precautions and baffle the most wakeful guards; and it +was evident that the fire which burned the camp of an army had been +kindled merely to gratify the revenge, or favour the escape of an +individual. Shaking, therefore, from his kingly spirit the thrill of +superstitious awe that the greatness of the disaster, when associated +with the name of a sorcerer, at first occasioned, he resolved to make +advantage out of misfortune itself. The excitement, the wrath of the +troops, produced the temper most fit for action. + +"And Heaven," said the King of Spain to his knights and chiefs, as they +assembled round him, "has, in this conflagration, announced to the +warriors of the Cross, that henceforth their camp shall be the palaces of +Granada! Woe to the Moslem with to-morrow's sun!" + +Arms clanged, and swords leaped from their sheaths, as the Christian +knights echoed the anathema--"WOE TO THE MOSLEM!" + + + + + + +BOOK V. + +CHAPTER I. + +THE GREAT BATTLE. + +The day slowly dawned upon that awful night; and the Moors, still upon +the battlements of Granada, beheld the whole army of Ferdinand on its +march towards their wails. At a distance lay the wrecks of the blackened +and smouldering camp; while before them, gaudy and glittering pennons +waving, and trumpets sounding, came the exultant legions of the foe. The +Moors could scarcely believe their senses. Fondly anticipating the +retreat of the Christians, after so signal a disaster, the gay and +dazzling spectacle of their march to the assault filled them with +consternation and alarm. + +While yet wondering and inactive, the trumpet of Boabdil was heard +behind; and they beheld the Moorish king, at the head of his guards, +emerging down the avenues that led to the gate. The sight restored and +exhilarated the gazers; and, when Boabdil halted in the space before the +portals, the shout of twenty thousand warriors rose ominously to the ears +of the advancing Christians. + +"Men of Granada!" said Boabdil, as soon as the deep and breathless +silence had succeeded to that martial acclamation,--"the advance of the +enemy is to their destruction! In the fire of last night the hand of +Allah wrote their doom. Let us forth, each and all! We will leave our +homes unguarded--our hearts shall be their wall! True, that our numbers +are thinned by famine and by slaughter, but enough of us are yet left for +the redemption of Granada. Nor are the dead departed from us: the dead +fight with us--their souls animate our own. He who has lost a brother, +becomes twice a man. On this battle we will set all. Liberty or chains! +empire or exile! victory or death! Forward!" + +He spoke, and gave the rein to his barb. It bounded forward, and cleared +the gloomy arch of the portals, and Boabdil el Chico was the first Moor +who issued from Granada, to that last and eventful field. Out, then, +poured, as a river that rushes from caverns into day, the burnished and +serried files of the Moorish cavalry. Muza came the last, closing the +array. Upon his dark and stern countenance there spoke not the ardent +enthusiasm of the sanguine king. It was locked and rigid; and the +anxieties of the last dismal weeks had thinned his cheeks, and ploughed +deep lines around the firm lips and iron jaw which bespoke the obstinate +and unconquerable resolution of his character. + +As Muza now spurred forward, and, riding along the wheeling ranks, +marshalled them in order, arose the acclamation of female voices; and the +warriors, who looked back at the sound, saw that their women--their wives +and daughters, their mothers and their beloved (released from their +seclusion, by a policy which bespoke the desperation of the cause)--were +gazing at them, with outstretched arms, from the battlements and towers. +The Moors knew that they were now to fight for their hearths and altars +in the presence of those who, if they failed, became slaves and harlots; +and each Moslem felt his heart harden like the steel of his own sabre. + +While the cavalry formed themselves into regular squadrons, and the tramp +of the foemen came more near and near, the Moorish infantry, in +miscellaneous, eager, and undisciplined bands, poured out, until, +spreading wide and deep below the walls, Boabdil's charger was seen, +rapidly careering amongst them, as, in short but distinct directions, or +fiery adjurations, he sought at once to regulate their movements, and +confirm their hot but capricious valour. + +Meanwhile the Christians had abruptly halted; and the politic Ferdinand +resolved not to incur the full brunt of a whole population, in the first +flush of their enthusiasm and despair. He summoned to his side Hernando +del Pulgar, and bade him, with a troop of the most adventurous and +practised horsemen, advance towards the Moorish cavalry, and endeavour to +draw the fiery valour of Muza away from the main army. Then, splitting +up his force into several sections, he dismissed each to different +stations; some to storm the adjacent towers, others to fire the +surrounding gardens and orchards; so that the action might consist rather +of many battles than of one, and the Moors might lose the concentration +and union, which made, at present, their most formidable strength. + +Thus, while the Mussulmans were waiting in order for the attack, they +suddenly beheld the main body of the Christians dispersing, and, while +yet in surprise and perplexed, they saw the fires breaking out from their +delicious gardens, to the right and left of the walls, and hear the boom +of the Christian artillery against the scattered bulwarks that guarded +the approaches of that city. + +At that moment a cloud of dust rolled rapidly towards the post occupied +in the van by Muza, and the shock of the Christian knights, in their +mighty mail, broke upon the centre of the prince's squadron. + +Higher, by several inches, than the plumage of his companions, waved the +crest of the gigantic del Pulgar; and, as Moor after Moor went down +before his headlong lance, his voice, sounding deep and sepulchral +through his visor, shouted out--"Death to the infidel!" + +The rapid and dexterous horsemen of Granada were not, however, +discomfited by this fierce assault: opening their ranks with +extraordinary celerity, they suffered the charge to pass comparatively +harmless through their centre, and then, closing in one long and +bristling line, cut off the knights from retreat. The Christians wheeled +round, and charged again upon their foe. + +"Where art thou, O Moslem dog! that wouldst play the lion'?--Where art +thou, Muza Ben Abil Gazan'?" + +"Before thee, Christian!" cried a stern and clear voice; and from amongst +the helmets of his people, gleamed the dazzling turban of the Moor. + +Hernando checked his steed, gazed a moment at his foe, turned back, for +greater impetus to his charge, and, in a moment more, the bravest +warriors of the two armies met, lance to lance. + +The round shield of Muza received the Christian's weapon; his own spear +shivered, harmless, upon the breast of the giant. He drew his sword, +whirled it rapidly over his head, and, for some minutes, the eyes of the +bystanders could scarcely mark the marvellous rapidity with which strokes +were given and parried by those redoubted swordsmen. + +At length, Hernando, anxious to bring to bear his superior strength, +spurred close to Muza; and, leaving his sword pendant by a thong to his +wrist, seized the shield of Muza in his formidable grasp, and plucked it +away, with a force that the Moor vainly endeavoured to resist: Muza, +therefore, suddenly released his bold; and, ere the Spaniard had +recovered his balance (which was lost by the success of his own strength, +put forth to the utmost), he dashed upon him the hoofs of his black +charger, and with a short but heavy mace, which he caught up from the +saddlebow, dealt Hernando so thundering a blow upon the helmet, that the +giant fell to the ground, stunned and senseless. + +To dismount, to repossess himself of his shield, to resume his sabre, to +put one knee to the breast of his fallen foe, was the work of a moment; +and then had Don Hernando del Pulgar been sped, without priest or +surgeon, but that, alarmed by the peril of their most valiant comrade, +twenty knights spurred at once to the rescue, and the points of twenty +lances kept the Lion of Granada from his prey. Thither, with similar +speed, rushed the Moorish champions; and the fight became close and +deadly round the body of the still unconscious Christian. Not an instant +of leisure to unlace the helmet of Hernando, by removing which, alone, +the Moorish blade could find a mortal place, was permitted to Muza; and, +what with the spears and trampling hoofs around him, the situation of the +Paynim was more dangerous than that of the Christian. Meanwhile, +Hernando recovered his dizzy senses; and, made aware of his state, +watched his occasion, and suddenly shook off the knee of the Moor. With +another effort he was on his feet and the two champions stood confronting +each other, neither very eager to renew the combat. But on foot, Muza, +daring and rash as he was, could not but recognise his disadvantage +against the enormous strength and impenetrable armour of the Christian. +He drew back, whistled to his barb, that, piercing the ranks of the +horsemen, was by his side on the instant, remounted, and was in the midst +of the foe, almost ere the slower Spaniard was conscious of his +disappearance. + +But Hernando was not delivered from his enemy. Clearing a space around +him, as three knights, mortally wounded, fell beneath his sabre, Muza now +drew from behind his shoulder his short Arabian bow, and shaft after +shaft came rattling upon the mail of the dismounted Christian with so +marvellous a celerity, that, encumbered as he was with his heavy +accoutrements, he was unable either to escape from the spot, or ward off +that arrowy rain; and felt that nothing but chance, or Our Lady, could +prevent the death which one such arrow would occasion, if it should find +the opening of the visor, or the joints of the hauberk. + +"Mother of Mercy," groaned the knight, perplexed and enraged, "let not +thy servant be shot down like a hart, by this cowardly warfare; but, if I +must fall, be it with mine enemy, grappling hand to hand." + +While yet muttering this short invocation, the war-cry of Spain was heard +hard by, and the gallant company of Villena was seen scouring across the +plain to the succour of their comrades. The deadly attention of Muza was +distracted from individual foes, however eminent; he wheeled round, +re-collected his men, and, in a serried charge, met the new enemy in +midway. + +While the contest thus fared in that part of the field, the scheme of +Ferdinand had succeeded so far as to break up the battle in detached +sections. Far and near, plain, grove, garden, tower, presented each the +scene of obstinate and determined conflict. Boabdil, at the head of his +chosen guard, the flower of the haughtier tribe of nobles who were +jealous of the fame and blood of the tribe of Muza, and followed also by +his gigantic Ethiopians, exposed his person to every peril, with the +desperate valour of a man who feels his own stake is greatest in the +field. As he most distrusted the infantry, so amongst the infantry he +chiefly bestowed his presence; and wherever he appeared, he sufficed, for +the moment, to turn the changes of the engagement. At length, at mid-day +Ponce de Leon led against the largest detachment of the Moorish foot a +strong and numerous battalion of the best-disciplined and veteran +soldiery of Spain. He had succeeded in winning a fortress, from which +his artillery could play with effect; and the troops he led were +composed, partly of men flushed with recent triumph, and partly of a +fresh reserve, now first brought into the field. A comely and a +breathless spectacle it was to behold this Christian squadron emerging +from a blazing copse, which they fired on their march; the red light +gleaming on their complete armour, as, in steady and solemn order, they +swept on to the swaying and clamorous ranks of the Moorish infantry. +Boabdil learned the danger from his scouts; and hastily quitting a tower +from which he had for a while repulsed a hostile legion, he threw himself +into the midst of the battalions menaced by the skilful Ponce de Leon. +Almost at the same moment, the wild and ominous apparition of Almamen, +long absent from the eyes of the Moors, appeared in the same quarter, so +suddenly and unexpectedly, that none knew whence he had emerged; the +sacred standard in his left hand--his sabre, bared and dripping gore, in +his right--his face exposed, and its powerful features working with an +excitement that seemed inspired; his abrupt presence breathed a new soul +into the Moors. + +"They come! they come!" he shrieked aloud. "The God of the East hath +delivered the Goth into your hands!" From rank to rank--from line to +line--sped the santon; and, as the mystic banner gleamed before the +soldiery, each closed his eyes and muttered an "amen" to his adjurations. +And now, to the cry of "Spain and St. Iago," came trampling down the +relentless charge of the Christian war. At the same instant, from the +fortress lately taken by Ponce de Leon, the artillery opened upon the +Moors, and did deadly havoc. The Moslems wavered a moment when before +them gleamed the white banner of Almamen; and they beheld him rushing, +alone and on foot, amidst the foe. Taught to believe the war itself +depended on the preservation of the enchanted banner, the Paynims could +not see it thus rashly adventured without anxiety and shame: they +rallied, advanced firmly, and Boabdil himself, with waving cimiter and +fierce exclamations, dashed impetuously at the head of his guards and +Ethiopians into the affray. The battle became obstinate and bloody. +Thrice the white banner disappeared amidst the closing ranks; and thrice, +like a moon from the clouds, it shone forth again--the light and guide of +the Pagan power. + +The day ripened; and the hills already cast lengthening shadows over the +blazing groves and the still Darro, whose waters, in every creek where +the tide was arrested, ran red with blood, when Ferdinand, collecting his +whole reserve, descended from the eminence on which hitherto he had +posted himself. With him moved three thousand foot and a thousand horse, +fresh in their vigour, and panting for a share in that glorious day. The +king himself, who, though constitutionally fearless, from motives of +policy rarely perilled his person, save on imminent occasions, was +resolved not to be outdone by Boabdil; and armed cap-a-pied in mail, so +wrought with gold that it seemed nearly all of that costly metal, with +his snow-white plumage waving above a small diadem that surmounted his +lofty helm, he seemed a fit leader to that armament of heroes. Behind +him flaunted the great gonfanon of Spain, and trump and cymbal heralded +his approach. The Count de Tendilla rode by his side. + +"Senor," said Ferdinand, "the infidels fight hard; but they are in the +snare--we are about to close the nets upon them. But what cavalcade is +this?" + +The group that thus drew the king's attention consisted of six squires, +bearing, on a martial litter, composed of shields, the stalwart form of +Hernando del Pulgar. + +"Ah, the dogs!" cried the king, as he recognised the pale features of the +darling of the army,--"have they murdered the bravest knight that ever +fought for Christendom?" + +"Not that, your majesty," quoth he of the Exploits, faintly, "but I am +sorely stricken." + +"It must have been more than man who struck thee down," said the king. + +"It was the mace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan, an please you, sire," said one +of the squires; "but it came on the good knight unawares, and long after +his own arm had seemingly driven away the Pagan." + +"We will avenge thee well," said the king, setting his teeth: "let our +own leeches tend thy wounds. Forward, sir knights! St. Iago and Spain!" + +The battle had now gathered to a vortex; Muza and his cavalry had joined +Boabdil and the Moorish foot. On the other hand, Villena had been +reinforced by detachments that in almost every other quarter of the field +had routed the foe. The Moors had been driven back, though inch by inch; +they were now in the broad space before the very walls of the city, which +were still crowded by the pale and anxious faces of the aged and the +women: and, at every pause in the artillery, the voices that spoke of +HOME were borne by that lurid air to the ears of the infidels. The shout +that rang through the Christian force as Ferdinand now joined it struck +like a death-knell upon the last hope of Boabdil. But the blood of his +fierce ancestry burned in his veins, and the cheering voice of Almamen, +whom nothing daunted, inspired him with a kind of superstitious frenzy. + +"King against king--so be it! Let Allah decide between us!" cried the +Moorish monarch. "Bind up this wound 'tis well! A steed for the santon! +Now, my prophet and my friend, mount by the side of thy king--let us, at +least, fall together. Lelilies! Lelilies!" + +Throughout the brave Christian ranks went a thrill of reluctant +admiration, as they beheld the Paynim king, conspicuous by his fair beard +and the jewels of his harness, lead the scanty guard yet left to him once +more into the thickest of their lines. Simultaneously Muza and his +Zegris made their fiery charge; and the Moorish infantry, excited by the +example of their leaders, followed with unslackened and dogged zeal. The +Christians gave way--they were beaten back: Ferdinand spurred forward; +and, ere either party were well aware of it, both kings met in the same +melee: all order and discipline, for the moment, lost, general and +monarch were, as common soldiers, fighting hand to hand. It was then +that Ferdinand, after bearing down before his lance Naim Reduon, second +only to Muza in the songs of Granada, beheld opposed to him a strange +form, that seemed to that royal Christian rather fiend than man: his +raven hair and beard, clotted with blood, hung like snakes about a +countenance whose features, naturally formed to give expression to the +darkest passions, were distorted with the madness of despairing rage. +Wounded in many places, the blood dabbled his mail; while, over his head, +he waved the banner wrought with mystic characters, which Ferdinand had +already been taught to believe the workmanship of demons. + +"Now, perjured king of the Nazarenes!" shouted this formidable champion, +"we meet at last!--no longer host and guest, monarch and dervise, but man +to man! I am Almamen! Die!" + +He spoke; and his sword descended so fiercely on that anointed head that +Ferdinand bent to his saddle-bow. But the king quickly recovered his +seat, and gallantly met the encounter; it was one that might have tasked +to the utmost the prowess of his bravest knight. Passions which, in +their number, their nature, and their excess, animated no other champion +on either side, gave to the arm of Almamen the Israelite a preternatural +strength; his blows fell like rain upon the harness of the king; and the +fiery eyes, the gleaming banner of the mysterious sorcerer, who had +eluded the tortures of his Inquisition,--who had walked unscathed through +the midst of his army,--whose single hand had consumed the encampment of +a host, filled the stout heart of a king with a belief that he +encountered no earthly foe. Fortunately, perhaps, for Ferdinand and +Spain, the contest did not last long. Twenty horsemen spurred into the +melee to the rescue of the plumed diadem: Tendilla arrived the first; +with a stroke of his two-handed sword, the white banner was cleft from +its staff, and fell to the earth. At that sight the Moors round broke +forth in a wild and despairing cry: that cry spread from rank to rank, +from horse to foot; the Moorish infantry, sorely pressed on all sides, +no sooner learned the disaster than they turned to fly: the rout was as +fatal as it was sudden. The Christian reserve, just brought into the +field, poured down upon them with a simultaneous charge. Boabdil, too +much engaged to be the first to learn the downfall of the sacred +insignia, suddenly saw himself almost alone, with his diminished +Ethiopians and a handful of his cavaliers. + +"Yield thee, Boabdil el Chico!" cried Tendilla, from his rear, "or thou +canst not be saved." + +"By the Prophet, never!" exclaimed the king: and he dashed his barb +against the wall of spears behind him; and with but a score or so of his +guard, cut his way through the ranks that were not unwilling, perhaps, to +spare so brave a foe. As he cleared the Spanish battalions, the +unfortunate monarch checked his horse for a moment and gazed along the +plain: he beheld his army flying in all directions, save in that single +spot where yet glittered the turban of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. As he gazed, +he heard the panting nostrils of the chargers behind, and saw the +levelled spears of a company despatched to take him, alive or dead, by +the command of Ferdinand. He laid the reins upon his horse's neck and +galloped into the city--three lances quivered against the portals as he +disappeared through the shadows of the arch. But while Muza remained, +all was not yet lost: he perceived the flight of the infantry and the +king, and with his followers galloped across the plain: he came in time +to encounter and slay, to a man, the pursuers of Boabdil; he then threw +himself before the flying Moors: + +"Do ye fly in the sight of your wives and daughters? Would ye not rather +they beheld ye die?" + +A thousand voices answered him. "The banner is in the hands of the +infidel--all is lost!" They swept by him, and stopped not till they +gained the gates. + +But still a small and devoted remnant of the Moorish cavaliers remained +to shed a last glory over defeat itself. With Muza, their soul and +centre, they fought every atom of ground: it was, as the chronicler +expresses it, as if they grasped the soil with their arms. Twice they +charged into the midst of the foe: the slaughter they made doubled their +own number; but, gathering on and closing in, squadron upon squadron, +came the whole Christian army--they were encompassed, wearied out, beaten +back, as by an ocean. Like wild beasts, driven, at length, to their +lair, they retreated with their faces to the foe; and when Muza came, the +last--his cimiter shivered to the hilt,--he had scarcely breath to +command the gates to be closed and the portcullis lowered, ere he fell +from his charger in a sudden and deadly swoon, caused less by his +exhaustion than his agony and shame. So ended the last battle fought for +the Monarchy of Granada! + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE NOVICE. + +It was in one of the cells of a convent renowned for the piety of its +inmates and the wholesome austerity of its laws that a young novice sat +alone. The narrow casement was placed so high in the cold grey wall as +to forbid to the tenant of the cell the solace of sad or the distraction +of pious thoughts, which a view of the world without might afford. +Lovely, indeed, was the landscape that spread below; but it was barred +from those youthful and melancholy eyes: for Nature might tempt to a +thousand thoughts, not of a tenor calculated to reconcile the heart to an +eternal sacrifice of the sweet human ties. But a faint and partial gleam +of sunshine broke through the aperture and made yet more cheerless the +dreary aspect and gloomy appurtenances of the cell. And the young novice +seemed to carry on within herself that struggle of emotions without which +there is no victory in the resolves of virtue: sometimes she wept +bitterly, but with a low, subdued sorrow, which spoke rather of +despondency than passion; sometimes she raised her head from her breast, +and smiled as she looked upward, or as her eyes rested on the crucifix +and the death's head that were placed on the rude table by the pallet on +which she sat. They were emblems of death here, and life hereafter, +which, perhaps, afforded to her the sources of a twofold consolation. + +She was yet musing, when a slight tap at the door was heard, and the +abbess of the convent appeared. + +"Daughter," said she, "I have brought thee the comfort of a sacred +visitor. The Queen of Spain, whose pious tenderness is maternally +anxious for thy full contentment with thy lot, has sent hither a holy +friar, whom she deems more soothing in his counsels than our brother +Tomas, whose ardent zeal often terrifies those whom his honest spirit +only desires to purify and guide. I will leave him with thee. May the +saints bless his ministry!" So saying the abbess retired from the +threshold, making way for a form in the garb of a monk, with the hood +drawn over the face. The monk bowed his head meekly, advanced into the +cell, closed the door, and seated himself, on a stool--which, save the +table and the pallet, seemed the sole furniture of the dismal chamber. + +"Daughter," said he, after a pause, "it is a rugged and a mournful lot +this renunciation of earth and all its fair destinies and soft +affections, to one not wholly prepared and armed for the sacrifice. +Confide in me, my child; I am no dire inquisitor, seeking to distort thy +words to thine own peril. I am no bitter and morose ascetic. Beneath +these robes still beats a human heart that can sympathise with human +sorrows. Confide in me without fear. Dost thou not dread the fate they +would force upon thee? Dost thou not shrink back? Wouldst thou not be +free?" + +"No," said the poor novice; but the denial came faint and irresolute from +her lips. + +"Pause," said the friar, growing more earnest in his tone: "pause--there +is yet time." + +"Nay," said the novice, looking up with some surprise in her countenance; +"nay, even were I so weak, escape now is impossible. What hand could +unbar the gates of the convent?" + +"Mine!" cried the monk, with impetuosity. "Yes, I have that power. In +all Spain, but one man can save thee, and I am he." + +"You!" faltered the novice, gazing at her strange visitor with mingled +astonishment and alarm. "And who are you that could resist the fiat of +that Tomas de Torquemada, before whom, they tell me, even the crowned +heads of Castile and Arragon veil low?" + +The monk half rose, with an impatient and almost haughty start, at this +interrogatory; but, reseating himself, replied, in a deep and half- +whispered voice "Daughter, listen to me! It is true, that Isabel of +Spain (whom the Mother of Mercy bless! for merciful to all is her secret +heart, if not her outward policy)--it is true that Isabel of Spain, +fearful that the path to Heaven might be made rougher to thy feet than it +well need be (there was a slight accent of irony in the monk's voice as +he thus spoke), selected a friar of suasive eloquence and gentle manners +to visit thee. He was charged with letters to yon abbess from the queen. +Soft though the friar, he was yet a hypocrite. Nay, hear me out! he +loved to worship the rising sun; and he did not wish always to remain a +simple friar, while the Church had higher dignities of this earth to +bestow. In the Christian camp, daughter, there was one who burned for +tidings of thee,--whom thine image haunted--who, stern as thou wert to +him, loved thee with a love he knew not of, till thou wert lost to him. +Why dost thou tremble, daughter? listen, yet! To that lover, for he was +one of high birth, came the monk; to that lover the monk sold his +mission. The monk will have a ready tale, that he was waylaid amidst the +mountains by armed men, and robbed of his letters to the abbess. The +lover took his garb, and he took the letters; and he hastened hither. +Leila! beloved Leila! behold him at thy feet!" + +The monk raised his cowl; and, dropping on his knee beside her, presented +to her gaze the features of the Prince of Spain. + +"You!" said Leila, averting her countenance, and vainly endeavouring to +extricate the hand which he had seized. "This is indeed cruel. You, the +author of so many sufferings--such calumny--such reproach!" + +"I will repair all," said Don Juan, fervently. "I alone, I repeat it, +have the power to set you free. You are no longer a Jewess; you are one +of our faith; there is now no bar upon our loves. Imperious though my +father,--all dark and dread as is this new POWER which he is rashly +erecting in his dominions, the heir of two monarchies is not so poor in +influence and in friends as to be unable to offer the woman of his love +an inviolable shelter alike from priest and despot. Fly with me!--quit +this dreary sepulchre ere the last stone close over thee for ever! I +have horses, I have guards at hand. This night it can be arranged. This +night--oh, bliss!--thou mayest be rendered up to earth and love!" + +"Prince," said Leila, who had drawn herself from Juan's grasp during this +address, and who now stood at a little distance erect and proud, "you +tempt me in vain; or, rather you offer me no temptation. I have made my +choice; I abide by it." + +"Oh! bethink thee," said the prince, in a voice of real and imploring +anguish; "bethink thee well of the consequences of thy refusal. Thou +canst not see them yet; thine ardour blinds thee. But, when hour after +hour, day after day, year after year, steals on in the appalling monotony +of this sanctified prison; when thou shalt see thy youth--withering +without love--thine age without honour; when thy heart shall grow as +stone within thee, beneath the looks of you icy spectres; when nothing +shall vary the aching dulness of wasted life save a longer fast or a +severer penance: then, then will thy grief be rendered tenfold by the +despairing and remorseful thought, that thine own lips sealed thine own +sentence. Thou mayest think," continued Juan, with rapid eagerness, +"that my love to thee was at first light and dishonouring. Be it so. I +own that my youth has passed in idle wooings, and the mockeries of +affection. But for the first time in my life I feel that--I love. Thy +dark eyes--thy noble beauty--even thy womanly scorn, have fascinated me. +I--never yet disdained where I have been a suitor--acknowledge, at last, +that there is a triumph in the conquest of a woman's heart. Oh, Leila! +do not--do not reject me. You know not how rare and how deep a love you +cast away." + +The novice was touched: the present language of Don Juan was so different +from what it had been before; the earnest love that breathed in his +voice--that looked from his eyes, struck a chord in her breast; it +reminded her of her own unconquered, unconquerable love for the lost +Muza. She was touched, then--touched to tears; but her resolves were not +shaken. + +"Oh, Leila!" resumed the prince, fondly, mistaking the nature of her +emotion, and seeking to pursue the advantage he imagined he had gained, +"look at yonder sunbeam, struggling through the loophole of thy cell. Is +it not a messenger from the happy world? does it not plead for me? does +it not whisper to thee of the green fields and the laughing vineyards, +and all the beautiful prodigality of that earth thou art about to +renounce for ever? Dost thou dread my love? Are the forms around thee, +ascetic and lifeless, fairer to thine eyes than mine? Dost thou doubt my +power to protect thee? I tell thee that the proudest nobles of Spain +would flock around my banner, were it necessary to guard thee by force of +arms. Yet, speak the word--be mine--and I will fly hence with thee to +climes where the Church has not cast out its deadly roots, and, forgetful +of crowns and cares, live alone for thee: Ah, speak!" + +"My lord," said Leila, calmly, and rousing herself to the necessary +effort, "I am deeply and sincerely grateful for the interest you express +--for the affection you avow. But you deceive yourself. I have pondered +well over the alternative I have taken. I do not regret nor repent--much +less would I retract it. The earth that you speak of, full of affections +and of bliss to others, has no ties, no allurements for me. I desire +only peace, repose, and an early death." + +"Can it be possible," said the prince, growing pale, "that thou lovest +another? Then, indeed, and then only, would my wooing be in vain." + +The cheek of the novice grew deeply flushed, but the color soon subsided; +she murmured to herself, "Why should I blush to own it now?" and then +spoke aloud: "Prince, I trust I have done with the world; and bitter the +pang I feel when you call me back to it. But you merit my candour; I +have loved another; and in that thought, as in an urn, lie the ashes of +all affection. That other is of a different faith. We may never--never +meet again below, but it is a solace to pray that we may meet above. +That solace, and these cloisters, are dearer to me than all the pomp, all +the pleasures, of the world." + +The prince sank down, and, covering his face with his hands, groaned +aloud--but made no reply. + +"Go, then, Prince of Spain," continued the novice; "son of the noble +Isabel, Leila is not unworthy of her cares. Go, and pursue the great +destinies that await you. And if you forgive--if you still cherish a +thought of--the poor Jewish maiden, soften, alleviate, mitigate, the +wretched and desperate doom that awaits the fallen race she has abandoned +for thy creed." + +"Alas, alas!" said the prince, mournfully; "thee alone, perchance, of +all thy race, I could have saved from the bigotry that is fast covering +this knightly land like the rising of an irresistible sea--and thou +rejectest me! Take time, at least, to pause--to consider. Let me see +thee again tomorrow." + +"No, prince, no--not again! I will keep thy secret only if I see thee no +more. If thou persist in a suit that I feel to be that of sin and shame, +then, indeed, mine honour--" + +"Hold!" interrupted Juan, with haughty impatience, "I torment, I harass +you no more. I release you from my importunity. Perhaps already I have +stooped too low." He drew the cowl over his features, and strode +sullenly to the door; but, turning for one last gaze on the form that had +so strangely fascinated a heart capable of generous emotions, the meek +and despondent posture of the novice, her tender youth, her gloomy fate, +melted his momentary pride and resentment. "God bless and reconcile +thee, poor child!" he said, in a voice choked with contending passions-- +and the door closed upon his form. + +"I thank thee, Heaven, that it was not Muza!" muttered Leila, breaking +from a reverie in which she seemed to be communing with her own soul: "I +feel that I could not have resisted him." With that thought she knelt +down, in humble and penitent self-reproach, and prayed for strength. + +Ere she had risen from her supplications, her solitude was again invaded +by Torquemada, the Dominican. + +This strange man, though the author of cruelties at which nature recoils, +had some veins of warm and gentle feeling streaking, as it were, the +marble of his hard character; and when he had thoroughly convinced +himself of the pure and earnest zeal of the young convert, he relaxed +from the grim sternness he had at first exhibited towards her. He loved +to exert the eloquence he possessed, in raising her spirit, in +reconciling her doubts. He prayed for her, and he prayed beside her, +with passion and with tears. + +He stayed long with the novice; and, when he left her, she was, if not +happy, at least contented. Her warmest wish now was to abridge the +period of her novitiate, which, at her desire, the Church had already +rendered merely a nominal probation. She longed to put irresolution out +of her power, and to enter at once upon the narrow road through the +strait gate. + +The gentle and modest piety of the young novice touched the sisterhood; +she was endeared to all of them. Her conversion was an event that broke +the lethargy of their stagnant life. She became an object of general +interest, of avowed pride, of kindly compassion; and their kindness to +her, who from her cradle had seen little of her own sex, had a great +effect towards calming and soothing her mind. But, at night, her dreams +brought before her the dark and menacing countenance of her father. +Sometimes he seemed to pluck her from the gates of heaven, and to sink +with her into the yawning abyss below. Sometimes she saw him with her +beside the altar, but imploring her to forswear the Saviour, before +whose crucifix she knelt. Occasionally her visions were haunted, also, +with Muza--but in less terrible guise She saw his calm and melancholy +eyes fixed upon her; and his voice asked, "Canst thou take a vow that +makes it sinful to remember me?" + +The night, that usually brings balm and oblivion to the sad, was thus +made more dreadful to Leila than the day. + +Her health grew feebler, and feebler, but her mind still was firm. In +happier time and circumstance that poor novice would have been a great +character; but she was one of the countless victims the world knows not +of, whose virtues are in silent motives, whose struggles are in the +solitary heart. + +Of the prince she heard and saw no more. There were times when she +fancied, from oblique and obscure hints, that the Dominican had been +aware of Don Juan's disguise and visit. But, if so, that knowledge +appeared only to increase the gentleness, almost the respect, which +Torquemada manifested towards her. Certainly, since that day, from some +cause or other the priest's manner had been softened when he addressed +her; and he who seldom had recourse to other arts than those of censure +and of menace, often uttered sentiments half of pity and half of praise. + +Thus consoled and supported in the day,--thus haunted and terrified by +night, but still not repenting her resolve, Leila saw the time glide on +to that eventful day when her lips were to pronounce that irrevocable vow +which is the epitaph of life. While in this obscure and remote convent +progressed the history of an individual, we are summoned back to witness +the crowning fate of an expiring dynasty. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE PAUSE BETWEEN DEFEAT AND SURRENDER. + +The unfortunate Boabdil plunged once more amidst the recesses of the +Alhambra. Whatever his anguish or his despondency, none were permitted +to share, or even to witness, his emotions. But he especially resisted +the admission to his solitude, demanded by his mother, implored by his +faithful Amine, and sorrowfully urged by Muza: those most loved, or most +respected, were, above all, the persons from whom he most shrank. + +Almamen was heard of no more. It was believed that he had perished in +the battle. But he was one of those who, precisely as they are effective +when present, are forgotten in absence. And, in the meanwhile, as the +Vega was utterly desolated, and all supplies were cut off, famine, daily +made more terrifically severe, diverted the attention of each humbler +Moor from the fall of the city to his individual sufferings. + +New persecutions fell upon the miserable Jews. Not having taken any +share in the conflict (as was to be expected from men who had no stake in +the country which they dwelt in, and whose brethren had been taught so +severe a lesson upon the folly of interference), no sentiment of +fellowship in danger mitigated the hatred and loathing with which they +were held; and as, in their lust of gain, many of them continued, amidst +the agony and starvation of the citizens, to sell food at enormous +prices, the excitement of the multitude against them--released by the +state of the city from all restraint and law--made itself felt by the +most barbarous excesses. Many of the houses of the Israelites were +attacked by the mob, plundered, razed to the ground, and the owner +tortured to death, to extort confession of imaginary wealth. Not to sell +what was demanded was a crime; to sell it was a crime also. These +miserable outcasts fled to whatever secret places the vaults of their +houses or the caverns in the hills within the city could yet afford them, +cursing their fate, and almost longing even for the yoke of the Christian +bigots. + +Thus passed several days; the defence of the city abandoned to its naked +walls and mighty gates. The glaring sun looked down upon closed shops +and depopulated streets, save when some ghostly and skeleton band of the +famished poor collected, in a sudden paroxysm of revenge or despair, +around the stormed and fired mansion of a detested Israelite. + +At length Boabdil aroused himself from his seclusion; and Muza, to his +own surprise, was summoned to the presence of the king. He found Boabdil +in one of the most gorgeous halls of his gorgeous palace. + +Within the Tower of Comares is a vast chamber, still called the hall of +the Ambassadors. Here it was that Boabdil now held his court. On the +glowing walls hung trophies and banners, and here and there an Arabian +portrait of some bearded king. By the windows, which overlooked the most +lovely banks of the Llarro, gathered the santons and alfaquis, a little +apart from the main crowd. Beyond, through half-veiling draperies, might +be seen the great court of the Alberca, whose peristyles were hung with +flowers; while, in the centre, the gigantic basin, which gives its name +to the court, caught the sunlight obliquely, and its waves glittered on +the eye from amidst the roses that then clustered over it. + +In the audience hall itself, a canopy, over the royal cushions on which +Boabdil reclined, was blazoned with the heraldic insignia of Granada's +monarchs. His guard, and his mutes, and his eunuchs, and his courtiers, +and his counsellors, and his captains, were ranged in long files on +either side the canopy. It seemed the last flicker of the lamp of the +Moorish empire, that hollow and unreal pomp! As Muza approached the +monarch, he was startled by the change of his countenance: the young and +beautiful Boabdil seemed to have grown suddenly old; his eyes were +sunken, his countenance sown with wrinkles, and his voice sounded broken +and hollow on the ears of his kinsman. + +"Come hither, Muza," said he; "seat thyself beside me, and listen as thou +best canst to the tidings we are about to hear." + +As Muza placed himself on a cushion, a little below the king, Boabdil +motioned to one amongst the crowd. "Hamet," said he, "thou hast examined +the state of the Christian camp; what news dost thou bring?" + +"Light of the Faithful," answered the Moor, "it is a camp no longer--it +has already become a city. Nine towns of Spain were charged with the +task; stone has taken the place of canvas; towers and streets arise like +the buildings of a genius; and the misbelieving king hath sworn that this +new city shall not be left until Granada sees his standard on its walls." + +"Go on," said Boabdil, calmly. + +"Traders and men of merchandise flock thither daily; the spot is one +bazaar; all that should supply our famishing country pours its plenty +into their mart." + +Boabdil motioned to the Moor to withdraw, and an alfaqui advanced in his +stead. + +"Successor of the Prophet, and darling of the world!" said the reverend +man, "the alfaquis and seers of Granada implore thee on their knees to +listen to their voice. They have consulted the Books of Fate; thy have +implored a sign from the Prophet; and they find that the glory has left +thy people and thy crown. The fall of Granada is predestined; God is +great!" + +"You shall have my answer forthwith," said Boabdil. "Abdelemic, +approach." + +From the crowd came an aged and white-bearded man, the governor of the +city. + +"Speak, old man," said the king. + +"Oh, Boabdil!" said the veteran, with faltering tones, while the tears +rolled down his cheeks; "son of a race of kings and heroes! would that +thy servant had fallen dead on thy threshold this day, and that the lips +of a Moorish noble had never been polluted by the words that I now utter! +Our state is hopeless; our granaries are as the sands of the desert: +there is in them life neither for beast nor man. The war-horse that bore +the hero is now consumed for his food; the population of thy city, with +one voice, cry for chains and--bread! I have spoken." + +"Admit the Ambassador of Egypt," said Boabdil, as Abdelmelic retired. +There was a pause: one of the draperies at the end of the hall was drawn +aside; and with the slow and sedate majesty of their tribe and land, +paced forth a dark and swarthy train, the envoys of the Egyptian soldan. +Six of the band bore costly presents of gems and weapons, and the +procession closed with four veiled slaves, whose beauty had been the +boast of the ancient valley of the Nile. + +"Sun of Granada and day--star of the faithful!" said the chief of the +Egyptians, "my lord, the Soldan of Egypt, delight of the world, and rose- +tree of the East, thus answers to the letters of Boabdil. He grieves +that be cannot send the succour thou demandest; and informing himself of +the condition of thy territories, he finds that Granada no longer holds a +seaport by which his forces (could he send them) might find an entrance +into Spain. He implores thee to put thy trust in Allah, who will not +desert his chosen ones, and lays these gifts, in pledge of amity and +love, at the feet of my lord the king." + +"It is a gracious and well-timed offering," said Boabdil, with a writhing +lip; "we thank him." There was now a long and dead silence as the +ambassadors swept from the hall of audience, when Boabdil suddenly raised +his head from his breast and looked around his hall with a kingly and +majestic look: "Let the heralds of Ferdinand of Spain approach." + +A groan involuntarily broke from the breast of Muza: it was echoed by a +murmur of abhorrence and despair from the gallant captains who stood +around; but to that momentary burst succeeded a breathless silence, as +from another drapery, opposite the royal couch, gleamed the burnished +mail of the knights of Spain. Foremost of these haughty visitors, whose +iron heels clanked loudly on the tesselated floor, came a noble and +stately form, in full armour, save the helmet, and with a mantle of azure +velvet, wrought with the silver cross that made the badge of the +Christian war. Upon his manly countenance was visible no sign of undue +arrogance or exultation; but something of that generous pity which brave +men feel for conquered foes dimmed the lustre of his commanding eye, and +softened the wonted sternness of his martial bearing. He and his train +approached the king with a profound salutation of respect; and falling +back, motioned to the herald that accompanied him, and whose garb, breast +and back, was wrought with the arms of Spain, to deliver himself of his +mission. + +"To Boabdil!" said the herald, with a loud voice, that filled the whole +expanse, and thrilled with various emotions the dumb assembly. "To +Boabdil el Chico, King of Granada, Ferdinand of Arragon and Isabel of +Castile send royal greeting. They command me to express their hope that +the war is at length concluded; and they offer to the King of Granada +such terms of capitulation as a king, without dishonour, may receive. In +the stead of this city, which their Most Christian Majesties will restore +to their own dominion, as is just, they offer, O king, princely +territories in the Alpuxarras mountains to your sway, holding them by +oath of fealty to the Spanish crown. To the people of Granada, their +Most Christian Majesties promise full protection of property, life, and +faith under a government by their own magistrates, and according to their +own laws; exemption from tribute for three years; and taxes thereafter, +regulated by the custom and ratio of their present imposts. To such +Moors as, discontented with these provisions, would abandon Granada, are +promised free passage for themselves and their wealth. In return for +these marks of their royal bounty, their Most Christian Majesties summon +Granada to surrender (if no succour meanwhile arrive) within seventy +days. And these offers are now solemnly recorded in the presence, and +through the mission, of the noble and renowned knight, Gonzalvo of +Cordova, deputed by their Most Christian Majesties from their new city of +Santa Fe." + +When the herald had concluded, Boabdil cast his eye over his thronged and +splendid court. No glance of fire met his own; amidst the silent crowd, +a resigned content was alone to be perceived: the proposals exceeded the +hope of the besieged. + +"And," asked Boabdil, with a deep-drawn sigh, "if we reject these +offers?" + +"Noble prince," said Gonzalvo, earnestly, "ask us not to wound thine ears +with the alternative. Pause, and consider of our offers; and, if thou +doubtest, O brave king! mount the towers of thine Alhambra, survey our +legions marshalled beneath thy walls, and turn thine eyes upon a brave +people, defeated, not by human valour, but by famine, and the inscrutable +will of God." + +"Your monarchs shall have our answer, gentle Christian, perchance ere +nightfall. And you, Sir Knight, who hast delivered a message bitter for +kings to bear, receive, at least, our thanks for such bearing as might +best mitigate the import. Our vizier will bear to your apartment those +tokens of remembrance that are yet left to the monarch of Granada to +bestow." + +"Muza," resumed the king, as the Spaniards left the presence--"thou hast +heard all. What is the last counsel thou canst give thy sovereign?" + +The fierce Moor had with difficulty waited this licence to utter such +sentiments as death only could banish from that unconquerable heart. He +rose, descended from the couch, and, standing a little below the king, +and facing the motley throng of all of wise or brave yet left to Granada, +thus spoke:-- + +"Why should we surrender? two hundred thousand inhabitants are yet within +our walls; of these, twenty thousand, at least, are Moors, who have hands +and swords. Why should we surrender? Famine presses us, it is true; but +hunger, that makes the lion more terrible, shall it make the man more +base? Do ye despair? so be it! despair in the valiant ought to have an +irresistible force. Despair has made cowards brave: shall it sink the +brave to cowards? Let us arouse the people; hitherto we have depended +too much upon the nobles. Let us collect our whole force, and march upon +this new city, while the soldiers of Spain are employed in their new +profession of architects and builders. Hear me, O God and prophet of the +Moslem! hear one who never was forsworn! If, Moors of Granada, ye adopt +my counsel, I cannot promise ye victory, but I promise ye never to live +without it: I promise ye, at least, your independence--for the dead know +no chains! If we cannot live, let us so die that we may leave to +remotest ages a glory that shall be more durable than kingdoms. +King of Granada! this is the counsel of Muza Ben Abil Gazan." + +The prince ceased. But he, whose faintest word had once breathed fire +into the dullest, had now poured out his spirit upon frigid and lifeless +matter. No man answered--no man moved. + +Boabdil alone, clinging to the shadow of hope, turned at last towards the +audience. + +"Warriors and sages!" he said, "as Muza's counsel is your king's desire, +say but the word, and, ere the hour-glass shed its last sand, the blast +of our trumpet shall be ringing through the Vivarrambla." + +"O king! fight not against the will of fate--God is great!" replied the +chief of the alfaquis. + +"Alas!" said Abdelmelic, "if the voice of Muza and your own falls thus +coldly upon us, how can ye stir the breadless and heartless multitude?" + +"Is such your general thought and your general will?" said Boabdil. + +An universal murmur answered, "Yes!" + +"Go then, Abdelmelic;" resumed the ill-starred king; "go with yon +Spaniards to the Christian camp, and bring us back the best terms you can +obtain. The crown has passed from the head of El Zogoybi; Fate sets her +seal upon my brow. Unfortunate was the commencement of my reign-- +unfortunate its end. Break up the divan." + +The words of Boabdil moved and penetrated an audience, never till then +so alive to his gentle qualities, his learned wisdom, and his natural +valour. Many flung themselves at his feet, with tears and sighs; and the +crowd gathered round to touch the hem of his robe. + +Muza gazed at them in deep disdain, with folded arms and heaving breast. + +"Women, not men!" he exclaimed, "ye weep, as if ye had not blood still +left to shed! Ye are reconciled to the loss of liberty, because ye are +told ye shall lose nothing else. Fools and dupes! I see, from the spot +where my spirit stands above ye, the dark and dismal future to which ye +are crawling on your knees: bondage and rapine--the violence of lawless +lust--the persecution of hostile faith--your gold wrung from ye by +torture--your national name rooted from the soil. Bear this, and +remember me! Farewell, Boabdil! you I pity not; for your gardens have +yet a poison, and your armories a sword. Farewell, nobles and santons of +Granada! I quit my country while it is yet free." + +Scarcely had he ceased, ere he had disappeared from the hall. It was as +the parting genius of Granada! + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE ADVENTURE OF THE SOLITARY HORSEMAN. + +It was a burning and sultry noon, when, through a small valley, skirted +by rugged and precipitous hills, at the distance of several leagues from +Granada, a horseman, in complete armour, wound his solitary way; His +mail was black and unadorned; on his vizor waved no plume. But there was +something in his carriage and mien, and the singular beauty of his coal- +black steed, which appeared to indicate a higher rank than the absence of +page and squire, and the plainness of his accoutrements, would have +denoted to a careless eye. He rode very slowly; and his steed, with the +licence of a spoiled favourite, often halted lazily in his sultry path, +as a tuft of herbage, or the bough of some overhanging tree, offered its +temptation. At length, as he thus paused, a noise was heard in a copse +that clothed the descent of a steep mountain; and the horse started +suddenly back, forcing the traveller from his reverie. He looked +mechanically upward, and beheld the figure of a man bounding through the +trees, with rapid and irregular steps. It was a form that suited well +the silence and solitude of the spot; and might have passed for one of +those stern recluses--half hermit, half soldier--who, in the earlier +crusades, fixed their wild homes amidst the sands and caves of Palestine. +The stranger supported his steps by a long staff. His hair and beard +hung long and matted over his broad shoulders. A rusted mail, once +splendid with arabesque enrichments, protected his breast; but the loose +gown--a sort of tartan, which descended below the cuirass--was rent and +tattered, and his feet bare; in his girdle was a short curved cimiter, a +knife or dagger, and a parchment roll, clasped and bound with iron. + +As the horseman gazed at this abrupt intruder on the solitude, his frame +quivered with emotion; and, raising himself to his full height, he called +aloud, "Fiend or santon--whatsoever thou art--what seekest thou in these +lonely places, far from the king thy counsels deluded, and the city +betrayed by thy false prophecies and unhallowed charms?" + +"Ha!" cried Almamen, for it was indeed the Israelite; "by thy black +charger, and the tone of thy haughty voice, I know the hero of Granada. +Rather, Muza Ben Abil Gazan, why art thou absent from the last hold of +the Moorish empire?" + +"Dost thou pretend to read the future, and art thou blind to the present? +Granada has capitulated to the Spaniard. Alone I have left a land of +slaves, and shall seek, in our ancestral Africa, some spot where the +footstep of the misbeliever hath not trodden." + +"The fate of one bigotry is, then, sealed," said Almamen, gloomily; "but +that which succeeds it is yet more dark." + +"Dog!" cried Muza, couching his lance, "what art thou that thus +blasphemest?" + +"A Jew!" replied Almamen, in a voice of thunder, and drawing his cimiter: +"a despised and despising Jew! Ask you more? I am the son of a race of +kings. I was the worst enemy of the Moors till I found the Nazarene more +hateful than the Moslem; and then even Muza himself was not their more +renowned champion. Come on, if thou wilt--man to man: I defy thee" + +"No, no," muttered Muza, sinking his lance; "thy mail is rusted with the +blood of the Spaniard, and this arm cannot smite the slayer of the +Christian. Part we in peace." + +"Hold, prince!" said Almamen, in an altered voice: "is thy country the +sole thing dear to thee? Has the smile of woman never stolen beneath +thine armour? Has thy heart never beat for softer meetings than the +encounter of a foe?" + +"Am I human, and a Moor?" returned Muza. "For once you divine aright; +and, could thy spells bestow on these eyes but one more sight of the last +treasure left to me on earth, I should be as credulous of thy sorcery as +Boabdil." + +"Thou lovest her still, then--this Leila?" + +"Dark necromancer, hast thou read my secret? and knowest thou the name of +my beloved one? Ah! let me believe thee indeed wise, and reveal to me +the spot of earth which holds the delight of my soul! Yes," continued +the Moor, with increased emotion, and throwing up his vizor, as if for +air--"yes; Allah forgive me! but, when all was lost at Granada, I had +still one consolation in leaving my fated birthplace: I had licence to +search for Leila; I had the hope to secure to my wanderings in distant +lands one to whose glance the eyes of the houris would be dim. But I +waste words. Tell me where is Leila, and conduct me to her feet!" + +"Moslem, I will lead thee to her," answered Almamen, gazing on the prince +with an expression of strange and fearful exultation in his dark eyes: "I +will lead thee to her-follow me. It is only yesternight that I learned +the walls that confined her; and from that hour to this have I journeyed +over mountain and desert, without rest or food." + +"Yet what is she to thee?" asked Muza, suspiciously. + +"Thou shalt learn full soon. Let us on." + +So saying, Almamen sprang forward with a vigour which the excitement of +his mind supplied to the exhaustion of his body. Muza wonderingly pushed +on his charger, and endeavoured to draw his mysterious guide into +conversation: but Almamen scarcely heeded him. And when he broke from +his gloomy silence, it was but in incoherent and brief exclamations, +often in a tongue foreign to the ear of his companion. The hardy Moor, +though steeled against the superstitions of his race, less by the +philosophy of the learned than the contempt of the brave, felt an awe +gather over him as he glanced, from the giant rocks and lonely valleys, +to the unearthly aspect and glittering eyes of the reputed sorcerer; and +more than once he muttered such verses of the Koran as were esteemed by +his countrymen the counterspell to the machinations of the evil genii. + +It might be an hour that they had thus journeyed together, when Almamen +paused abruptly. "I am wearied," said he, faintly; "and, though time +presses, I fear that my strength will fail me." + +"Mount, then, behind me," returned the Moor, after some natural +hesitation: "Jew though thou art, I will brave the contamination for the +sake of Leila." + +"Moor!" cried the Hebrew, fiercely, "the contamination would be mine. +Things of yesterday, as thy Prophet and thy creed are, thou canst not +sound the unfathomable loathing which each heart faithful to the Ancient +of Days feels for such as thou and thine." + +"Now, by the Kaaba!" said Muza, and his brow became dark, "another such +word and the hoofs of my steed shall trample the breath of blasphemy from +thy body." + +"I would defy thee to the death," answered Almamen, disdainfully; "but I +reserve the bravest of the Moors to witness a deed worthy of the +descendant of Jephtha. But hist! I hear hoofs." + +Muza listened; and his sharp ear caught a distinct ring upon the hard and +rocky soil. He turned round and saw Almamen gliding away through the +thick underwood, until the branches concealed his form. Presently, a +curve in the path brought in view a Spanish cavalier, mounted on an +Andalusian jennet: the horseman was gaily singing one of the popular +ballads of the time; and, as it related to the feats of the Spaniards +against the Moors, Muza's haughty blood was already stirred, and his +moustache quivered on his lip. "I will change the air," muttered the +Moslem, grasping his lance, when, as the thought crossed him, he beheld +the Spaniard suddenly reel in his saddle and lay prostrate on the ground. +In the same instant Almamen had darted from his hiding-place, seized the +steed of the cavalier, mounted, and, ere Muza recovered from his +surprise, was by the side of the Moor. + +"By what harm," said Muza, curbing his barb, "didst thou fell the +Spaniard--seemingly without a blow?" + +"As David felled Goliath--by the pebble and the sling," answered Almamen, +carelessly. "Now, then, spur forward, if thou art eager to see thy +Leila." + +The horsemen dashed over the body of the stunned and insensible Spaniard. +Tree and mountain glided by; gradually the valley vanished, and a thick +forest loomed upon their path. Still they made on, though the interlaced +boughs and the ruggedness of the footing somewhat obstructed their way; +until, as the sun began slowly to decline, they entered a broad and +circular space, round which trees of the eldest growth spread their +motionless and shadowy boughs. In the midmost sward was a rude and +antique stone, resembling the altar of some barbarous and departed creed. +Here Almamen abruptly halted, and muttered inaudibly to himself. + +"What moves thee, dark stranger?" said the Moor; "and why dost thou +mutter and gaze on space?" + +Almamen answered not, but dismounted, hung his bridle to a branch of a +scathed and riven elm, and advanced alone into the middle of the space. +"Dread and prophetic power that art within me!" said the Hebrew, aloud,-- +"this, then, is the spot that, by dream and vision, thou hast foretold me +wherein to consummate and record the vow that shall sever from the spirit +the last weakness of the flesh. Night after night hast thou brought +before mine eyes, in darkness and in slumber, the solemn solitude that I +now survey. Be it so! I am prepared!" + +Thus speaking, he retired for a few moments into the wood: collected in +his arms the dry leaves and withered branches which cumbered the desolate +clay, and placed the fuel upon the altar. Then, turning to the East, and +raising his hands he exclaimed, "Lo! upon this altar, once worshipped, +perchance, by the heathen savage, the last bold spirit of thy fallen and +scattered race dedicates, O Ineffable One! that precious offering Thou +didst demand from a sire of old. Accept the sacrifice!" + +As the Hebrew ended his adjuration he drew a phial from his bosom, and +sprinkled a few drops upon the arid fuel. A pale blue flame suddenly +leaped up; and, as it lighted the haggard but earnest countenance of the +Israelite, Muza felt his Moorish blood congeal in his veins, and +shuddered, though he scarce knew why. Almamen, with his dagger, severed +from his head one of his long locks, and cast it upon the flame. He +watched it until it was consumed; and then, with a stifled cry, fell upon +the earth in a dead swoon. The Moor hastened to raise him; he chafed his +hands and temples; he unbuckled the vest upon his bosom; he forgot that +his comrade was a sorcerer and a Jew, so much had the agony of that +excitement moved his sympathy. + +It was not till several minutes had elapsed that Almamen, with a deep- +drawn sigh, recovered from his swoon. "Ah, beloved one! bride of my +heart!" he murmured, "was it for this that thou didst commend to me the +only pledge of our youthful love? Forgive me! I restore her to the +earth, untainted by the Gentile." He closed his eyes again, and a strong +convulsion shook his frame. It passed; and he rose as a man from a +fearful dream, composed, and almost as it were refreshed, by the terrors +he had undergone. The last glimmer of the ghastly light was dying away +upon that ancient altar, and a low wind crept sighing through the trees. + +"Mount, prince," said Almamen, calmly, but averting his eyes from the +altar; "we shall have no more delays." + +"Wilt thou not explain thy incantation?" asked Muza; "or is it, as my +reason tells me, but the mummery of a juggler?" + +"Alas! alas!" answered Almamen, in a sad and altered tone, "thou wilt +soon know all." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE SACRIFICE. + +The sun was now sinking slowly through those masses of purple cloud which +belong to Iberian skies; when, emerging from the forest, the travellers +saw before them a small and lovely plain, cultivated like a garden. Rows +of orange and citron trees were backed by the dark green foliage of +vines; and these again found a barrier in girdling copses of chestnut, +oak, and the deeper verdure of pines: while, far to the horizon, rose the +distant and dim outline of the mountain range, scarcely distinguishable +from the mellow colourings of the heaven. Through this charming spot +went a slender and sparkling torrent, that collected its waters in a +circular basin, over which the rose and orange hung their contrasted +blossoms. On a gentle eminence above this plain, or garden, rose the +spires of a convent: and, though it was still clear daylight, the long +and pointed lattices were illumined within; and, as the horsemen cast +their eyes upon the pile, the sound of the holy chorus--made more sweet +and solemn from its own indistinctness, from the quiet of the hour, from +the sudden and sequestered loveliness of that spot, suiting so well the +ideal calm of the conventual life--rolled its music through the odorous +and lucent air. + +But that scene and that sound, so calculated to soothe and harmonise the +thought, seemed to arouse Almamen into agony and passion. He smote his +breast with his clenched hand; and, shrieking, rather than exclaiming, +"God of my fathers! have I come too late?" buried his spurs to the rowels +in the sides of his panting steed. Along the sward, through the fragrant +shrubs, athwart the pebbly and shallow torrent, up the ascent to the +convent, sped the Israelite. Muza, wondering and half reluctant, +followed at a little distance. Clearer and nearer came the voices of the +choir; broader and redder glowed the tapers from the Gothic casements: +the porch of the convent chapel was reached; the Hebrew sprang from his +horse. A small group of the peasants dependent on the convent loitered +reverently round the threshold; pushing through them, as one frantic, +Almamen entered the chapel and disappeared. + +A minute elapsed. Muza was at the door; but the Moor paused +irresolutely, ere he dismounted. "What is the ceremony?" he asked of the +peasants. + +"A nun is about to take the vows," answered one of them. + +A cry of alarm, of indignation, of terror, was heard within. Muza no +longer delayed: he gave his steed to the bystanders, pushed aside the +heavy curtain that screened the threshold and was within the chapel. + +By the altar gathered a confused and disordered group--the sisterhood, +with their abbess. Round the consecrated rail flocked the spectators, +breathless and amazed. Conspicuous above the rest, on the elevation of +the holy place, stood Almamen with his drawn dagger in his right hand, +his left arm clasped around the form of a novice, whose dress, not yet +replaced by the serge, bespoke her the sister fated to the veil; and, on +the opposite side of that sister, one hand on her shoulder, the other +rearing on high the sacred crucifix, stood a stern, commanding form, in +the white robes of the Dominican order; it was Tomas de Torquemada. + +"Avaunt, Almamen!" were the first words which reached Muza's ear as he +stood, unnoticed, in the middle of the aisle: "here thy sorcery and thine +arts cannot avail thee. Release the devoted one of God!" + +"She is mine! she is my daughter! I claim her from thee as a father, in +the name of the great Sire of Man!" + +"Seize the sorcerer! seize him!" exclaimed the Inquisitor, as, with a +sudden movement, Almamen cleared his way through the scattered and +dismayed group, and stood with his daughter in his arms, on the first +step of the consecrated platform. + +But not a foot stirred--not a hand was raised. The epithet bestowed on +the intruder had only breathed a supernatural terror into the audience; +and they would have sooner rushed upon a tiger in his lair, than on the +lifted dagger and savage aspect of that grim stranger. + +"Oh, my father!" then said a low and faltering voice, that startled Muza +as a voice from the grave--"wrestle not against the decrees of Heaven. +Thy daughter is not compelled to her solemn choice. Humbly, but +devotedly, a convert to the Christian creed, her only wish on earth +is to take the consecrated and eternal vow." + +"Ha!" groaned the Hebrew, suddenly relaxing his hold, as his daughter +fell on her knees before him, "then have I indeed been told, as I have +foreseen, the worst. The veil is rent--the spirit hath left the temple. +Thy beauty is desecrated; thy form is but unhallowed clay. Dog!" he +cried, more fiercely, glaring round upon the unmoved face of the +Inquisitor, "this is thy work: but thou shalt not triumph. Here, by +thine own shrine, I spit at and defy thee, as once before, amidst the +tortures of thy inhuman court. Thus--thus--thus--Almamen the Jew +delivers the last of his house from the curse of Galilee!" + +"Hold, murderer!" cried a voice of thunder; and an armed man burst +through the crowd and stood upon the platform. It was too late: thrice +the blade of the Hebrew had passed through that innocent breast; thrice +was it reddened with that virgin blood. Leila fell in the arms of her +lover; her dim eyes rested upon his countenance, as it shone upon her, +beneath his lifted vizor-a faint and tender smile played upon her lips-- +Leila was no more. + +One hasty glance Almamen cast upon his victim, and then, with a wild +laugh that woke every echo in the dreary aisles, he leaped from the +place. Brandishing his bloody weapon above his head, he dashed through +the coward crowd; and, ere even the startled Dominican had found a voice, +the tramp of his headlong steed rang upon the air; an instant--and all +was silent. + +But over the murdered girl leaned the Moor, as yet incredulous of her +death; her head still unshorn of its purple tresses, pillowed on his lap +--her icy hand clasped in his, and her blood weltering fast over his +armour. None disturbed him; for, habited as the knights of Christendom, +none suspected his faith; and all, even the Dominican, felt a thrill of +sympathy at his distress. How he came hither, with what object,--what +hope, their thoughts were too much locked in pity to conjecture. There, +voiceless and motionless, bent the Moor, until one of the monks +approached and felt the pulse, to ascertain if life was, indeed, utterly +gone. + +The Moor at first waved him haughtily away; but, when he divined the +monk's purpose, suffered him in silence to take the beloved hand. He +fixed on him his dark and imploring eyes; and when the father dropped the +hand, and, gently shaking his head, turned away, a deep and agonising +groan was all that the audience heard from that heart in which the last +iron of fate had entered. Passionately he kissed the brow, the cheeks, +the lips of the hushed and angel face, and rose from the spot. + +"What dost thou here? and what knowest thou of yon murderous enemy of God +and man?" asked the Dominican, approaching. + +Muza made no reply, as he stalked slowly through the chapel. The +audience was touched to sudden tears. "Forbear!" said they, almost with +one accord, to the harsh Inquisitor; "he hath no voice to answer thee." + +And thus, amidst the oppressive grief and sympathy of the Christian +throng, the unknown Paynim reached the door, mounted his steed, and as he +turned once more and cast a hurried glance upon the fatal pile, the +bystanders saw the large tears rolling down his swarthy cheeks. + +Slowly that coal-black charger wound down the hillock, crossed the quiet +and lovely garden, and vanished amidst the forest. And never was known, +to Moor or Christian, the future fate of the hero of Granada. Whether he +reached in safety the shores of his ancestral Africa, and carved out new +fortunes and a new name; or whether death, by disease or strife, +terminated obscurely his glorious and brief career, mystery--deep and +unpenetrated, even by the fancies of the thousand bards who have +consecrated his deeds--wraps in everlasting shadow the destinies of Muza +Ben Abil Gazan, from that hour, when the setting sun threw its parting +ray over his stately form and his ebon barb, disappearing amidst the +breathless shadows of the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE RETURN--THE RIOT--THE TREACHERY--AND THE DEATH. + +It was the eve of the fatal day on which Granada was to be delivered to +the Spaniards, and in that subterranean vault beneath the house of +Almamen, before described, three elders of the Jewish persuasion were +met. + +"Trusty and well-beloved Ximen," cried one, a wealthy and usurious +merchant, with a twinkling and humid eye, and a sleek and unctuous +aspect, which did not, however, suffice to disguise something fierce and +crafty in his low brow and pinched lips--"trusty and well-beloved Ximen," +said this Jew--"truly thou hast served us well, in yielding to thy +persecuted brethren this secret shelter. Here, indeed, may the heathen +search for us in vain! Verily, my veins grow warm again; and thy servant +hungereth, and hath thirst." + +"Eat, Isaac--eat; yonder are viands prepared for thee; eat, and spare +not. And thou, Elias--wilt thou not draw near the board? the wine is old +and precious, and will revive thee." + +"Ashes and hyssop--hyssop and ashes, are food and drink for me," answered +Elias, with passionate bitterness; "they have rased my house--they have +burned my granaries--they have molten down my gold. I am a ruined man!" + +"Nay," said Ximen, who gazed at him with a malevolent eye--for so utterly +had years and sorrows mixed with gall even the one kindlier sympathy he +possessed, that he could not resist an inward chuckle over the very +afflictions he relieved, and the very impotence he protected--"nay, +Elias, thou hast wealth yet left in the seaport towns sufficient to buy +up half Granada." + +"The Nazarene will seize it all!" cried Elias; "I see it already in his +grasp!" + +"Nay, thinkest thou so?--and wherefore?" asked Ximen, startled into +sincere, because selfish anxiety. + +"Mark me! Under licence of the truce, I went, last night, to the +Christian camp: I had an interview with the Christian king; and when he +heard my name and faith, his very beard curled with ire. 'Hound of +Belial!' he roared forth, 'has not thy comrade carrion, the sorcerer +Almamen, sufficiently deceived and insulted the majesty of Spain? For +his sake, ye shall have no quarter. Tarry here another instant, and thy +corpse shall be swinging to the winds! Go, and count over thy misgotten +wealth; just census shall be taken of it; and if thou defraudest our holy +impost by one piece of copper, thou shalt sup with Dives!' Such was my +mission, and mine answer. I return home to see the ashes of mine house! +Woe is me!" + +"And this we owe to Almamen, the pretended Jew!" cried Isaac, from his +solitary but not idle place at the board. "I would this knife were at +his false throat!" growled Elias, clutching his poniard with his long +bony fingers. + +"No chance of that," muttered Ximen; "he will return no more to Granada. +The vulture and the worm have divided his carcass between them ere this; +and (he added inly with a hideous smile) his house and his gold have +fallen into the hands of old childless Ximen." + +"This is a strange and fearful vault," said Isaac, quaffing a large +goblet of the hot wine of the Vega; "here might the Witch of Endor have +raised the dead. Yon door--whither doth it lead?" + +"Through passages none that I know of, save my master, hath trodden," +answered Ximen. "I have heard that they reach even to the Alhambra. +Come, worthy Elias! thy form trembles with the cold: take this wine." + +"Hist!" said Elias, shaking from limb to limb; "our pursuers are upon us +--I hear a step!" + +As he spoke, the door to which Isaac had pointed slowly opened and +Almamen entered the vault. + +Had, indeed, a new Witch of Endor conjured up the dead, the apparition +would not more have startled and appalled that goodly trio. Elias, +griping his knife, retreated to the farthest end of the vault. Isaac +dropped the goblet he was about to drain, and fell upon his knees. +Ximen, alone, growing, if possible, a shade more ghastly--retained +something of self-possession, as he muttered to himself--"He lives! and +his gold is not mine! Curse him!" + +Seemingly unconscious of the strange guests his sanctuary shrouded, +Almamen stalked on, like a man walking in his sleep. + +Ximen roused himself--softly unbarred the door which admitted to the +upper apartments, and motioned to his comrades to avail themselves of the +opening, but as Isaac--the first to accept the hint--crept across, +Almamen fixed upon him his terrible eye, and, appearing suddenly to awake +to consciousness, shouted out, "Thou miscreant, Ximen! whom hast thou +admitted to the secrets of thy lord? Close the door--these men must +die!" + +"Mighty master!" said Ximen, calmly, "is thy servant to blame that he +believed the rumour that declared thy death? These men are of our holy +faith, whom I have snatched from the violence of the sacrilegious and +maddened mob. No spot but this seemed safe from the popular frenzy." +"Are ye Jews?" said Almamen. "Ah, yes! I know ye now--things of the +market-place and bazaar'. Oh, ye are Jews, indeed! Go, go! Leave me!" + +Waiting no further licence, the three vanished; but, ere he quitted the +vault, Elias turned back his scowling countenance on Almamen (who had +sunk again into an absorbed meditation) with a glance of vindictive ire +--Almamen was alone. + +In less than a quarter of an hour Ximen returned to seek his master; but +the place was again deserted. + +It was midnight in the streets of Granada--midnight, but not repose. +The multitude, roused into one of their paroyxsms of wrath and sorrow, +by the reflection that the morrow was indeed the day of their subjection +to the Christian foe, poured forth through the streets to the number of +twenty thousand. It was a wild and stormy night; those formidable gusts +of wind, which sometimes sweep in sudden winter from the snows of the +Sierra Nevada, howled through the tossing groves, and along the winding +streets. But the tempest seemed to heighten, as if by the sympathy of +the elements, the popular storm and whirlwind. Brandishing arms and +torches, and gaunt with hunger, the dark forms of the frantic Moors +seemed like ghouls or spectres, rather than mortal men; as, apparently +without an object, save that of venting their own disquietude, or +exciting the fears of earth, they swept through the desolate city. + +In the broad space of the Vivarrambla the crowd halted, irresolute in all +else, but resolved at least that something for Granada should yet be +done. They were for the most armed in their Moorish fashion; but they +were wholly without leaders: not a noble, a magistrate, an officer, would +have dreamed of the hopeless enterprise of violating the truce with +Ferdinand. It was a mere popular tumult--the madness of a mob;--but not +the less formidable, for it was an Eastern mob, and a mob with sword and +shaft, with buckler and mail--the mob by which oriental empires have been +built and overthrown! There, in the splendid space that had witnessed +the games and tournaments of that Arab and African chivalry--there, where +for many a lustrum kings had reviewed devoted and conquering armies-- +assembled those desperate men; the loud winds agitating their tossing +torches that struggled against the moonless night. + +"Let us storm the Alhambra!" cried one of the band: "let us seize +Boabdil, and place him in the midst of us; let us rush against the +Christians, buried in their proud repose!" + +"Lelilies, Lelilies!--the Keys and the Crescent!" shouted the mob. + +The shout died: and at the verge of the space was suddenly heard a once +familiar and ever-thrilling voice. + +The Moors who heard it turned round in amaze and awe; and beheld, raised +upon the stone upon which the criers or heralds had been wont to utter +the royal proclamations, the form of Almamen, the santon, whom they had +deemed already with the dead. + +"Moors and people of Granada!" he said, in a solemn but hollow voice, "I +am with ye still. Your monarch and your heroes have deserted ye, but I +am with ye to the last! Go not to the Alhambra: the fort is +impenetrable--the guard faithful. Night will be wasted, and day bring +upon you the Christian army. March to the gates; pour along the Vega; +descend at once upon the foe!" + +He spoke, and drew forth his sabre; it gleamed in the torchlight--the +Moors bowed their heads in fanatic reverence--the santon sprang from the +stone, and passed into the centre of the crowd. + +Then, once more, arose joyful shouts. The multitude had found a leader +worthy of their enthusiasm; and in regular order, they formed themselves +rapidly, and swept down the narrow streets. + +Swelled by several scattered groups of desultory marauders (the ruffians +and refuse of the city), the infidel numbers were now but a few furlongs +from the great gate, whence they had been wont to issue on the foe. And +then, perhaps, had the Moors passed these gates and reached the Christian +encampment, lulled, as it was, in security and sleep, that wild army of +twenty thousand desperate men might have saved Granada; and Spain might +at this day possess the only civilised empire which the faith of Mohammed +ever founded. + +But the evil star of Boabdil prevailed. The news of the insurrection in +the city reached him. Two aged men from the lower city arrived at the +Alhambra--demanded and obtained an audience; and the effect of that +interview was instantaneous upon Boabdil. In the popular frenzy he saw +only a justifiable excuse for the Christian king to break the conditions +of the treaty, rase the city, and exterminate the inhabitants. Touched +by a generous compassion for his subjects, and actuated no less by a high +sense of kingly honor, which led him to preserve a truce solemnly sworn +to, he once more mounted his cream-coloured charger, with the two elders +who had sought him by his side; and, at the head of his guard, rode from +the Alhambra. The sound of his trumpets, the tramp of his steeds, the +voice of his heralds, simultaneously reached the multitude; and, ere they +had leisure to decide their course, the king was in the midst of them. + +"What madness is this, O my people?" cried Boabdil, spurring into the +midst of the throng,--"whither would ye go?" + +"Against the Christian!--against the Goth!" shouted a thousand voices. +"Lead us on! The santon is risen from the dead, and will ride by thy +right hand!" + +"Alas!" resumed the king, "ye would march against the Christian king! +Remember that our hostages are in his power: remember that he will desire +no better excuse to level Granada with the dust, and put you and your +children to the sword. We have made such treaty as never yet was made +between foe and foe. Your lives, laws, wealth--all are saved. Nothing +is lost, save the crown of Boabdil. I am the only sufferer. So be it. +My evil star brought on you these evil destinies: without me, you may +revive, and be once more a nation. Yield to fate to-day, and you may +grasp her proudest awards to-morrow. To succumb is not to be subdued. +But go forth against the Christians, and if ye win one battle, it is but +to incur a more terrible war; if you lose, it is not honourable +capitulation, but certain extermination, to which you rush! Be +persuaded, and listen once again to your king." + +The crowd were moved, were softened, were half-convinced. They turned, +in silence, towards their santon; and Almamen did not shrink from the +appeal; but stood forth, confronting the king. + +"King of Granada!" he cried aloud, "behold thy friend--thy prophet! +Lo! I assure you victory!" + +"Hold!" interrupted Boabdil; "thou hast deceived and betrayed me too +long! Moors! know ye this pretended santon? He is of no Moslem creed. +He is a hound of Israel who would sell you to the best bidder. Slay +him!" + +"Ha!" cried Almamen, "and who is my accuser?" + +"Thy servant-behold him!" At these words the royal guards lifted their +torches, and the glare fell redly on the death-like features of Ximen. + +"Light of the world! there be other Jews that know him," said the +traitor. + +"Will ye suffer a Jew to lead ye, O race of the Prophet?" cried the king. + +The crowd stood confused and bewildered. Almamen felt his hour was come; +he remained silent, his arms folded, his brow erect. + +"Be there any of the tribes of Moisa amongst the crowd?" cried Boabdil, +pursuing his advantage; "if so, let them approach and testify what they +know." Forth came--not from the crowd, but from amongst Boabdil's train, +a well-known Israelite. + +"We disown this man of blood and fraud," said Elias, bowing to the earth; +"but he was of our creed." + +"Speak, false santon! art thou dumb?" cried the king. + +"A curse light on thee, dull fool!" cried Almamen, fiercely. "What +matters who the instrument that would have restored to thee thy throne? +Yes! I, who have ruled thy councils, who have led thine armies, I am of +the race of Joshua and of Samuel--and the Lord of Hosts is the God of +Almamen!" + +A shudder ran through that mighty multitude: but the looks, the mien, and +the voice of the man awed them, and not a weapon was raised against him. +He might, even then, have passed scathless through the crowd; he might +have borne to other climes his burning passions and his torturing woes: +but his care for life was past; he desired but to curse his dupes, and to +die. He paused, looked round and burst into a laugh of such bitter and +haughty scorn, as the tempted of earth may hear in the halls below from +the lips of Eblis. + +"Yes," he exclaimed, "such I am! I have been your idol and your lord. +I may be your victim, but in death I am your vanquisher. Christian and +Moslem alike my foe, I would have trampled upon both. But the Christian, +wiser than you, gave me smooth words; and I would have sold ye to his +power; wickeder than you, he deceived me; and I would have crushed him +that I might have continued to deceive and rule the puppets that ye call +your chiefs. But they for whom I toiled, and laboured, and sinned--for +whom I surrendered peace and ease, yea, and a daughter's person and a +daughter's blood--they have betrayed me to your hands, and the Curse of +Old rests with them evermore--Amen! The disguise is rent: Almamen, the +santon, is the son of Issachar the Jew!" + +More might he have said, but the spell was broken. With a ferocious +yell, those living waves of the multitude rushed over the stern fanatic; +six cimiters passed through him, and he fell not: at the seventh he was a +corpse. Trodden in the clay--then whirled aloft--limb torn from limb,-- +ere a man could have drawn breath nine times, scarce a vestige of the +human form was left to the mangled and bloody clay. + +One victim sufficed to slake the wrath of the crowd. They gathered like +wild beasts whose hunger is appeased, around their monarch, who in vain +had endeavored to stay their summary revenge, and who now, pale and +breathless, shrank from the passions he had excited. He faltered forth a +few words of remonstrance and exhortation, turned the head of his steed, +and took his way to his palace. + +The crowd dispersed, but not yet to their homes. The crime of Almamen +worked against his whole race. Some rushed to the Jews' quarter, which +they set on fire; others to the lonely mansion of Almamen. + +Ximen, on quitting the king, had been before the mob. Not anticipating +such an effect of the popular rage, he had hastened to the house, which +he now deemed at length his own. He had just reached the treasury of his +dead lord--he had just feasted his eyes on the massive ingots and +glittering gems; in the lust of his heart he had just cried aloud, "And +these are mine!" when he heard the roar of the mob below the wall,--when +he saw the glare of their torches against the casement. It was in vain +that he shrieked aloud, "I am the man that exposed the Jew!" the wild +wind scattered his words over a deafened audience. Driven from his +chamber by the smoke and flame, afraid to venture forth amongst the +crowd, the miser loaded himself with the most precious of the store: he +descended the steps, he bent his way to the secret vault, when suddenly +the floor, pierced by the flames, crashed under him, and the fire rushed +up in a fiercer and more rapid volume, as the death-shriek broke through +that lurid shroud. + +Such were the principal events of the last night of the Moorish dynasty +in Granada. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE END. + +Day dawned upon Granada: the populace had sought their homes, and a +profound quiet wrapped the streets, save where, from the fires committed +in the late tumult, was yet heard the crash of roofs or the crackle of +the light and fragrant timber employed in those pavilions of the summer. +The manner in which the mansions of Granada were built, each separated +from the other by extensive gardens, fortunately prevented the flames +from extending. But the inhabitants cared so little for the hazard, that +not a single guard remained to watch the result. Now and then some +miserable forms in the Jewish gown might be seen cowering by the ruins of +their house, like the souls that, according to Plato, watched in charnels +over their own mouldering bodies. Day dawned, and the beams of the +winter sun, smiling away the clouds of the past night, played cheerily on +the murmuring waves of the Xenil and the Darro. + +Alone, upon a balcony commanding that stately landscape, stood the last +of the Moorish kings. He had sought to bring to his aid all the lessons +of the philosophy he had cultivated. "What are we," thought the musing +prince, "that we should fill the world with ourselves--we kings! Earth +resounds with the crash of my falling throne: on the ear of races unborn +the echo will live prolonged. But what have I lost?--nothing that was +necessary to my happiness, my repose; nothing save the source of all my +wretchedness, the Marah of my life! Shall I less enjoy heaven and earth, +or thought or action, or man's more material luxuries of food or sleep-- +the common and the cheap desires of all? Arouse thee, then, O heart +within me! many and deep emotions of sorrow or of joy are yet left to +break the monotony of existence." + +He paused; and, at the distance, his eyes fell upon the lonely minarets +of the distant and deserted palace of Muza Ben Abil Gazan. + +"Thou went right, then," resumed the king--"thou wert right, brave +spirit, not to pity Boabdil: but not because death was in his power; +man's soul is greater than his fortunes, and there is majesty in a life +that towers above the ruins that fall around its path." He turned away, +and his cheek suddenly grew pale, for he heard in the courts below the +tread of hoofs, the bustle of preparation: it was the hour for his +departure. His philosophy vanished: he groaned aloud, and re-entered the +chamber just as his vizier and the chief of his guard broke upon his +solitude. + +The old vizier attempted to speak, but his voice failed him. + +"It is time, then, to depart," said Boabdil, with calmness; "let it be +so: render up the palace and the fortress, and join thy friend, no more +thy monarch, in his new home." + +He stayed not for reply: he hurried on, descended to the court, flung +himself on his barb, and, with a small and saddened train, passed through +the gate which we yet survey, by a blackened and crumbling tower +overgrown with vines and ivy; thence, amidst gardens, now appertaining to +the convent of the victor faith, he took his mournful and unwitnessed +way. When he came to the middle of the hill that rises above those +gardens, the steel of the Spanish armour gleamed upon him as the +detachment sent to occupy the palace marched over the summit in steady +order and profound silence. + +At the head of this vanguard rode, upon a snow-white palfrey, the Bishop +of Avila, followed by a long train of barefooted monks. They halted as +Boabdil approached, and the grave bishop saluted him with the air of one +who addresses an infidel and an inferior. With the quick sense of +dignity common to the great, and yet more to the fallen, Boabdil felt, +but resented not, the pride of the ecclesiastic. "Go, Christian," said +he, mildly, "the gates of the Alhambra are open, and Allah has bestowed +the palace and the city upon your king: may his virtues atone the faults +of Boabdil!" So saying, and waiting no answer, he rode on, without +looking to the right or left. The Spaniards also pursued their way. The +sun had fairly risen above the mountains, when Boabdil and his train +beheld, from the eminence on which they were, the whole armament of +Spain; and at the same moment, louder than the tramp of horse, or the +flash of arms, was heard distinctly the solemn chant of Te Deum, which +preceded the blaze of the unfurled and lofty standards. Boabdil, himself +still silent, heard the groans and exclamations of his train; he turned +to cheer or chide them, and then saw, from his own watch-tower, with the +sun shining full upon its pure and dazzling surface, the silver cross of +Spain. His Alhambra was already in the hands of the foe, while, beside +that badge of the holy war, waved the gay and flaunting flag of St. +Iago, the canonised Mars of the chivalry of Spain. + +At that sight the king's voice died within him: he gave the rein to his +barb, impatient to close the fatal ceremonial, and did not slacken his +speed till almost within bow-shot of the first ranks of the army. Never +had Christian war assumed a more splendid or imposing aspect. Far as the +eye could reach extended the glittering and gorgeous lines of that goodly +power, bristling with sunlit spears and blazoned banners; while beside +murmured, and glowed, and danced, the silver and laughing Xenil, careless +what lord should possess, for his little day, the banks that bloomed by +its everlasting course. By a small mosque halted the flower of the army. +Surrounded by the arch-priests of that mighty hierarchy, the peers and +princes of a court that rivalled the Rolands of Charlemagne, was seen the +kingly form of Ferdinand himself, with Isabel at his right hand and the +highborn dames of Spain, relieving, with their gay colours and sparkling +gems, the sterner splendour of the crested helmet and polished mail. + +Within sight of the royal group, Boabdil halted--composed his aspect so +as best to conceal his soul,--and, a little in advance of his scanty +train, but never, in mien and majesty, more a king, the son of Abdallah +met his haughty conqueror. + +At the sight of his princely countenance and golden hair, his comely and +commanding beauty, made more touching by youth, a thrill of compassionate +admiration ran through that assembly of the brave and fair. Ferdinand +and Isabel slowly advanced to meet their late rival--their new subject; +and, as Boabdil would have dismounted, the Spanish king place his hand +upon his shoulder. "Brother and prince," said he, "forget thy sorrows; +and may our friendship hereafter console thee for reverses against which +thou hast contended as a hero and a king-resisting man, but resigned at +length to God!" + +Boabdil did not affect to return this bitter, but unintentional mockery +of compliment. He bowed his head, and remained a moment silent; then, +motioning to his train, four of his officers approached, and kneeling +beside Ferdinand, proffered to him, upon a silver buckler, the keys of +the city. + +"O king!" then said Boabdil, "accept the keys of the last hold which has +resisted the arms of Spain! The empire of the Moslem is no more. Thine +are the city and the people of Granada: yielding to thy prowess, they yet +confide in thy mercy." + +"They do well," said the king; "our promises shall not be broken. But, +since we know the gallantry of Moorish cavaliers, not to us, but to +gentler hands, shall the keys of Granada be surrendered." + +Thus saying, Ferdinand gave the keys to Isabel, who would have addressed +some soothing flatteries to Boabdil: but the emotion and excitement were +too much for her compassionate heart, heroine and queen though she was; +and, when she lifted her eyes upon the calm and pale features of the +fallen monarch, the tears gushed from them irresistibly, and her voice +died in murmurs. A faint flush overspread the features of Boabdil, and +there was a momentary pause of embarrassment which the Moor was the first +to break. + +"Fair queen," said he, with mournful and pathetic dignity; "thou canst +read the heart that thy generous sympathy touches and subdues: this is +thy last, nor least glorious, conquest. But I detain ye: let not my +aspect cloud your triumph. Suffer me to say farewell." + +"May we not hint at the blessed possibility of conversion?" whispered the +pious queen through her tears to her royal consort. + +"Not now--not now, by St. Iago!" returned Ferdinand, quickly, and in the +same tone, willing himself to conclude a painful conference. He then +added, aloud, "Go, my brother, and fair fortune with you! Forget the +past." + +Boabdil smiled bitterly, saluted the royal pair with profound and silent +reverence, and rode slowly on, leaving the army below, as he ascended the +path that led to his new principality beyond the Alpuxarras. As the +trees snatched the Moorish cavalcade from the view of the king, Ferdinand +ordered the army to recommence its march; and trumpet and cymbal +presently sent their music to the ear of the Moslems. + +Boabdil spurred on at full speed till his panting charger halted at the +little village where his mother, his slaves, and his faithful Amine (sent +on before) awaited him. Joining these, he proceeded without delay upon +his melancholy path. + +They ascended that eminence which is the pass into the Alpuxarras. From +its height, the vale, the rivers, the spires, the towers of Granada, +broke gloriously upon the view of the little band. They halted, +mechanically and abruptly; every eye was turned to the beloved scene. +The proud shame of baffled warriors, the tender memories of home--of +childhood--of fatherland, swelled every heart, and gushed from every eye. +Suddenly, the distant boom of artillery broke from the citadel and rolled +along the sunlit valley and crystal river. A universal wail burst from +the exiles! it smote--it overpowered the heart of the ill-starred king, +in vain seeking to wrap himself in Eastern pride or stoical philosophy. +The tears gushed from his eyes, and he covered his face with his hands. + +Then said his haughty mother, gazing at him with hard and disdainful +eyes, in that unjust and memorable reproach which history has preserved +--"Ay, weep like a woman over what thou couldst not defend like a man!" + +Boabdil raised his countenance, with indignant majesty, when he felt his +hand tenderly clasped, and, turning round, saw Amine by his side. + +"Heed her not! heed her not, Boabdil!" said the slave; "never didst thou +seem to me more noble than in that sorrow. Thou wert a hero for thy +throne; but feel still, O light of mine eyes, a woman for thy people!" + +"God is great!" said Boabdil; "and God comforts me still! Thy lips; +which never flattered me in my power, have no reproach for me in my +affliction!" + +He said, and smiled upon Amine--it was her hour of triumph. + +The band wound slowly on through the solitary defiles: and that place +where the king wept, and the woman soothed, is still called "El, ultimo +suspiro del Moro,--THE LAST SIGH OF THE MOOR!" + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, LEILA BY LYTTON *** +By Edward Bulwer Lytton + +** This file should be named b201w10.txt or b201w10.zip *** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, b201w11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, b201w10a.txt + +This eBook was produced by David Widger [widger@cecomet.net] + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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