UPRARY
UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA
LEGENDS
OF THE
CONQUEST OF SPAIN
BY
THE AUTHOR OF "THE SKETCH-BOOK.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
MDCCCXXXVI.
Af
PREFACE.
FEW events in history have been so signal
and striking in their main circumstances,
and so overwhelming and enduring in
their consequences, as that of the con
quest of Spain by the Saracens ; yet there
are few where the motives, characters,
and actions of the agents have been en
veloped in more doubt and contradiction.
As in the memorable story of the Fall of
Troy, we have to make out, as well as
we can, the veritable details through the
mists of poetic fiction ; yet poetry has
so combined itself with, and lent its
magic colouring to, every fact, that to
A3,
726
VI PREFACE.
strip it away, would be to reduce the
story to a meagre skeleton, and rob it of
all its charms. The storm of Moslem in
vasion that swept so suddenly over the
peninsula, silenced for a time the faint
voice of the Muse, and drove the sons of
learning from their cells. The pen was
thrown aside to grasp the sword and
spear ; and men were too much taken
up with battling against the evils which
beset them on every side, to find time or
inclination to record them.
When the nation had recovered in
some degree from the effects of this
astounding blow, or rather, had become
accustomed to the tremendous reverse
which it produced, and sage men sought
to inquire and write the particulars, it
was too late to ascertain them in their
PREFACE. Vll
exact verity. The gloom and melan
choly that had overshadowed the land,
had given birth to a thousand supersti
tious fancies ; the woes and terrors of
the past were clothed with supernatural
miracles and portents, and the actors in
the fearful drama had already assumed
the dubious characteristics of romance.
Or if a writer from among the con
querors undertook to touch upon the
theme, it was embellished with all the
wild extravagances of an oriental ima
gination ; which afterwards stole into the
graver works of the monkish historians.
Hence the earliest chronicles which
treat of the downfal of Spain are apt to
be tinctured with those saintly miracles
which savour of the pious labours of
the cloister, or those fanciful fictions
A 4
Till PREFACE.
that betray their Arabian authors. Yet,
from these apocryphal sources, the most
legitimate and accredited Spanish histo
ries have taken their rise, as pure rivers
may be traced up to the fens and mantled
pools of a morass. It is true, the authors,
with cautious discrimination, have dis
carded those particulars too startling for
belief, and have culled only such as,
from their probability and congruity,
might be safely recorded as historical
facts ; yet scarce one of these but has
been connected in the original with some
romantic fiction, and, even in its divorced
state, bears traces of its former alliance.
To discard, however, every thing wild
arid marvellous in this portion of Spanish
history, is to discard some of its most
beautiful, instructive, and national fea-
PREFACE. IX
tures ; it is to judge of Spain by the
standard of probability suited to tamer
and more prosaic countries. Spain is
virtually a land of poetry and romance,
where every-day life partakes of adven
ture, and where the least agitation or
excitement carries every thing up into
extravagant enterprise and daring ex-
ploit. The Spaniards, in all ages, have
been of swelling and braggart spirit, soar
ing in thought, pompous in word, and
valiant, though vainglorious, in deed.
Their heroic aims have transcended the
cooler conceptions of their neighbours,
and their reckless daring has borne them
on to achievements which prudent enter
prise could never have accomplished.
Since the time, too, of the conquest and
occupation of their country by the Arabs,
a strong infusion of oriental magnificence
A 5
X PREFACE*
has entered into the national character,
and rendered the Spaniard distinct from
every other nation of Europe.
In the following pages, therefore, the
author has ventured to dip more deeply
into the enchanted fountains of old
Spanish chronicle, than has usually been
done by those who, in modern times,
have treated of the eventful period of the
conquest; but, in so doing, he trusts he
will illustrate more fully the character of
the people and the times. He has
thought proper to throw these records
into the form of legends, not claiming
for them the authenticity of sober his
tory, yet giving nothing that has not
historical foundation. All the facts
herein contained, however extravagant
some of them may be deemed, will be
PREFACE.
found in the works of sage and reverend
chroniclers of yore, growing side by side
with long acknowledged truths, and
might be supported by learned and im
posing references in the margin.
CONTENTS.
LEGEND OF DON RODERICK.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Of the ancient Inhabitants of Spain. Of the
Misrule of Witiza the Wicked - - - 1
CHAPTER II.
The Rise of Don Roderick. His Government 1 1
CHAPTER III.
Of the Loves of Roderick and the Princess
Elyata - - 18
CHAPTER IV.
Of Count Julian - V . - 27
CHAPTER V.
The Story of Florinda - - - - -31
XIV CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
Page
Don Roderick receives an extraordinary Em
bassy - . . ... 44
CHAPTER VII.
Story of the marvellous and portentous Tower 50
CHAPTER VIII.
Count Julian. His Fortunes in Africa.
He hears of the Dishonour of his Child.
His Conduct thereupon - - 66
CHAPTER IX.
Secret Visit of Count Julian to the Arab
Camp. First Expedition of Taric el Tu-
erto - 78
CHAPTER X.
Letter of Muza to the Caliph. Second Ex
pedition of Taric el Tuerto - - 85
CHAPTER XL
Measures of Don Roderick on hearing of the
Invasion. Expedition of Ataulpho. Vi
sion of Taric ----*- 94
CONTENTS. XV
CHAPTER XII.
Page
Battle of Calpe. Fate of Ataulpho - - 102
CHAPTER XIII.
Terror of the Country. Roderick rouses
himself to Arms - - 112
CHAPTER XIV.
March of the Gothic Army. Encampment
on the Banks of the Guadalete. Mysteri
ous Predictions of a Palmer. Conduct of
Pelistes thereupon - - 121
CHAPTER XV.
Skirmishing of the Armies. Pelistes and his
Son. Pelistes and the Bishop - 129
CHAPTER XVI.
Traitorous Message of Count Julian - - 136
CHAPTER XVIL
Last Day of the Battle - 141
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Field of Battle after the Defeat. The
Fate of Roderick - ; - ; - - 150
XVI CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE FOREGOING LEGEND.
Page
The Tomb of Roderick - 158
The Cave of Hercules - - - 160
LEGEND OF THE SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
CHAPTER I.
Consternation of Spain. Conduct of the Con
querors. Missives between Taric and Muza 173
CHAPTER II.
Capture of Granada Subjugation of the
Alpuxarra Mountains - 181
CHAPTER III.
Expedition of Magued against Cordova.
Defence of the Patriot Pelistes - - - 1 92
CHAPTER IV.
Defence of the Convent of St. George by
Pelistes - 198
CHAPTER V.
Meeting between the Patriot Pelistes and the
Traitor Julian C 207
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
Page
How Taric el Tuerto captured the City of
Toledo through the Aid of the Jews, and
how he found the famous Talismanic Table
of Solomon - - - _ . -213
CHAPTER VII.
Muza ben Nozier His Entrance into Spain,
and Capture of Carmona - .si . -223
CHAPTER VIII.
Muza marches against the City of Seville - 230
CHAPTER IX.
Muza besieges the City of Merida - " . 233
CHAPTER X.
Expedition of Abdalasis against Seville and
the Land of Tadmir " - 24-5
CHAPTER XL
Muza arrives at Toledo. Interview between
him and Taric - . 259
CHAPTER XII.
Muza prosecutes the Scheme of Conquest.
Siege of Saragossa. Complete Subjugation
of Spain. - . . 266
XV11I CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
Page
Feud between the Arab Generals. They are
summoned to appear before the Caliph at
Damascus. Reception of Taric - - 273
CHAPTER XIV.
Muza arrives at Damascus. His Interview
with the Caliph. The Table of Solomon.
A rigorous Sentence - 282
CHAPTER XV.
Conduct of Abdalasis as Emir of Spain - 289
CHAPTER XVI.
Loves of Abdalasis and Exilona - 296
CHAPTER XVII.
Fate of Abdalasis and Exilona. Death of
Muza - - - - - 305
LEGEND OF COUNT JULIAN AND HIS
FAMILY - - - - 313
Note to the preceding Legend - - 339
THE
LEGEND OF DON RODERICK.
THE
LEGEND OF DON RODERICK.*
CHAPTER I.
OF THE ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF SPAIN. OF
THE MISRULE OF W1TIZA THE WICKED.
SPAIN, or Iberia, as it was called in ancient
days, has been a country harassed from the
earliest times by the invader. The Celts,
the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Cartha-
* Many of the facts in this legend are taken from
an old chronicle, written in (quaint and antiquated *
^Spanish, and professing to be a~~translation from the
Arabian chronicle of the Moor Rasis, by Moham
med, a Moslem writer, and Gil Parez, a Spanish
priest. It is supposed to be a piece of literary mo
saic work, made up from both Spanish and Arabian
chronicles : yet from this work most of the Spanish
historians have drawn their particulars relative to
the fortunes of Don Roderick.
THE LEGEND OF
ginians, by turns, or simultaneously, in
fringed its territories ; drove the native
Iberians from their rightful homes, and es
tablished colonies and founded cities in the
land. It subsequently fell into the all-grasp
ing power of Rome, remaining for some
time a subjugated province ; and when that
gigantic empire crumbled into pieces, the
Suevi, the Alani, and the Vandals, those
barbarians of the north, overran and ravaged
this devoted country, and portioned out the
soil among them.
Their sway was not of long duration. In
the fifth century the Goths, who were then
the allies of Rome, undertook the reconquest
of Iberia, and succeeded, after a desperate
struggle of three years duration. They drove
before them the barbarous hordes, their
predecessors ; intermarried and incorporated
themselves with the original inhabitants ; and
founded a powerful and splendid empire,,
comprising the Iberian peninsula, the ancient
Narbonnaise, afterwards called Gallia Gotica,
or Gothic Gaul, and a part of the African
DON RODERICK. 3
coast called Tingitania. A new nation was,
in a manner, produced by this mixture of
the Goths and Iberians. Sprung from a
union of warrior races, reared and nurtured
amidst the din of arms, the Gothic Spaniards,
if they may so be termed, were a warlike,
unquiet, yet high-minded and heroic people.
Their simple and abstemious habits, their
contempt for toil and suffering, arid their love
of daring enterprise, fitted them for a soldier s
life. So addicted were they to war that,
\\shen they had no external foes to contend
with, they fought with one another ; and,
when engaged in battle, says an old chro
nicler, the very thunders and lightnings of
heaven could not separate them.*
For two centuries and a half the Gothic
power remained unshaken, and the sceptre
was wielded by twenty-five successive kings.
The crown was elective, in a council of pala
tines, composed of the bishops and nobles :
who, while they swore allegiance to the
* Florian de Ocampo, lib. iii. c. 12. Justin Abrer.
Trog. Pomp. lib. xliv. Bleda. Cronica, lib. ii. c. S.
B 2
4 THE LEGEND OF
newly-made sovereign, bound him by a re
ciprocal oath to be faithful to his trust.
Their choice was made from among the
people, subject only to one condition, that
the king- should be of pure Gothic blood.
But though the crown was elective in princi
ple, it gradually became hereditary from
usage, and the power of the sovereign grew
to be almost absolute. The king was com-
mander-in-chief of the armies ; the whole
patronage of the kingdom was in his hands ,
he summoned and dissolved the national
councils ; he made and revoked laws accord
ing to his pleasure ; and, having ecclesiasti
cal supremacy, he exercised a sway even over
the consciences of his subjects.
The Goths, at the time of their inroad,
were stouf adherents to the Arian doctrines ;
but after a time they embraced the Catholic
faith, which was maintained by the native
Spaniards free from many of the gross su
perstitions of the church at Rome; and this
unity of faith contributed more than any thing
else to blend and harmonise the two races
DON RODERICK. 5
into one. The bishops and other clergy were
exemplary in their lives, and aided to pro
mote the influence of the laws and maintain
the authority of the state. The fruits of
regular and secure government were mani
fest in the advancement of agriculture, com
merce, and the peaceful arts, and in the
increase of wealth, luxury, and refinement ;
but there was a gradual decline of the simple,
hardy, and warlike habits that had distin
guished the nation in its semi-barbarous
days.
Such was the state of Spain when, in the
year of Redemption 701, Witiza was elected
to the Gothic throne. The beginning of his
reign gave promise of happy days to Spain.
He redressed grievances, moderated the tri
butes of his subjects, and conducted himself
with mingled mildness and energy in the
administration of the laws. In a little while,
however, he threw off the mask, and showed
himself in his true nature, cruel and
luxurious.
Two of his relatives, sons of a preceding
B 3
6 THE LEGEND OF
king, awakened his jealousy for the security
of his throne. One of them, named Favila,
duke of Cantabria, he put to death, and
would have inflicted the same fate upon his
son Pelayo, but that the youth was beyond
his reach, being preserved by Providence for
the future salvation of Spain. The other
object of his suspicion was Theodofredo, who
lived retired from court. The violence of
Witiza reached him even in his retirement.
His eyes were put out, and he was immured
within a castle at Cordova. Roderick, the
youthful son of Theodofredo, escaped to
Italy, where he received protection from the
Romans.
Witiza, now considering himself secure
upon the throne, gave the reins to his licen
tious passions ; and soon, by his tyranny and
sensuality, acquired the appellation of Witiza
the Wicked. Despising the old Gothic con
tinence, and yielding to the example of the
sect of Mahomet, which suited his lascivious
temperament, he indulged in a plurality of
wives and concubines, encouraging his sub-
DON RODERICK. 7
jects to do the same. Nay, he even sought to
gain the sanction of the church to his excesses ;
promulgating a law by which the clergy were
released from their vows of celibacy, and per
rnitted to marry and to entertain paramours.
The sovereign pontiff Constantine threat
ened to depose and excommunicate him, unless
he abrogated this licentious law ; but Witiza
set him at defiance, threatening, like his
Gothic predecessor Alaric, to assail the eter
nal city with his troops, and make spoil of
her accumulated treasures.* " We will
adorn our damsels," said he, " with the
jewels of Rome, and replenish our coffers
from the mint of St. Peter."
Some of the clergy opposed themselves to
the innovating spirit of the monarch, and
endeavoured, from the pulpits, to rally the
people to the pure doctrines of their faith ;
but they were deposed from their sacred
office, ^and banished as seditious mischief-
makers. The church of Toledo continued
* Chron. de Luitprando, 709. Abarca Anales
de Aragon (el Mahometismo, fbl. 5.)
B 4t
8 THE LEGEND OP
refractory ; the archbishop Sindaredo, it is
true, was disposed to accommodate himself
to the corruptions of the times, but the pre
bendaries battled intrepidly against the new
laws of the monarch, and stood manfully in
defence of their vows of chastity. " Since
the church of Toledo will not yield itself to
our will," said Witiza, " it shall have two
husbands." So saying, he appointed his
own brother Oppas, at that time Archbishop
of Seville, to take a seat with Sindaredo in
the episcopal chair of Toledo, and made^him
Primate of Spain. He was a priest after
his own heart, and seconded him in all his
profligate abuses.
It was in vain the denunciations of the
church were fulminated from the chair of
St. Peter ; Witiza threw off all allegiance to
the Roman pontiff, threatening with pain of
death those who should obey the papa!
mandates. " We will suffer no foreign eccle
siastic with triple crown," said he, " to>
domineer over our dominions."
The Jews had been banished from the
DON RODERICK. 9
country during the preceding reign, but
Witiza permitted them to return, and even
bestowed upon their synagogues privileges of
which he had despoiled the churches. The
children of Israel, ever since the time when
they borrowed the jewels of gold and the
jewels of silver from their neighbours, on
preparing for their memorable flight out of
Egypt, have been curious dealers in gold
and silver and precious stones : on this oc
casion, therefore, they were enabled, it is
said, to repay the monarch for his protection
by bags of money, and caskets of sparkling
gems, the rich product of their oriental com
merce.
The kingdom at this time enjoyed external
peace, but there were symptoms of internal
discontent. Witiza took the alarm ; he re
membered the ancient turbulence of the
nation, and its proneness to internal feuds.
Issuing secret orders, therefore, in all di
rections, he dismantled most of the cities,
and demolished the castles and fortresses
that might serve as rallying points for the
B 5
10 THE LEGEND OP
factious. He disarmed the people also, and
converted the weapons of war into the im
plements of peace. It seemed, in fact, as if
the millenium were dawning upon the land ;
for the sword was beaten into a ploughshare,
and the spear into a pruning hook.
While thus the ancient martial fire of the
nation was extinguished, its morals like
wise were corrupted. The altars were aban
doned, the churches closed, wide disorder
and sensuality prevailed throughout the land \
so that, according to the old chroniclers,
within the compass of a few short years,
" Witiza the Wicked taught all Spain to
sin."
DON RODERICK. 11
CHAPTER II.
THE RISE OF DON RODERICK. HIS GOVERN
MENT.
WOE to the ruler who founds his hope of
sway on the weakness or corruption of the
people ! The very measures taken by Wit-
iza to perpetuate his power ensured his down
fall. While the whole nation, under his
licentious rule, was sinking into vice and
effeminacy, and the arm of war was un
strung, the youthful Roderick, son of Theo-
dofredo, was training up for action in the
stern but wholesome school of adversity. He
instructed himself in the use of arms ; be
came adroit and vigorous by varied exercises ;
learned to despise all danger ; and inured
himself to hunger and watchfulness, and the
rigour of the seasons.
His merits and misfortunes procured him
many friends among the Romans ; and
B 6
1 THE LEGEND OP
when, being arrived at a fitting age, he tm-
dertook to revenge the wrongs of his father
and his kindred, a host of brave and hardy
soldiers flocked to his standard. With these
he made his sudden appearance in Spain.
The friends of his house, and the disaffected
of all classes, hastened to join him j and he
advanced rapidly, and without opposition,
through an unarmed and enervated land.
Witiza saw too late the evil he had brought
upon himself. He made a hasty levy, and
took the field with a scantily equipped and
undisciplined host, but was easily routed and
made prisoner, and the whole kingdom sub
mitted to Don Roderick.
The ancient city of Toledo, the royal re
sidence of the Gothic kings, was the scene
of high festivity and solemn ceremonial on
the coronation of the victor. Whether he
was elected to the throne according to the
Gothic usage, or seized it by the right of
conquest, is a matter of dispute among his
torians ; but all agree that the nation sub
mitted cheerfully to his sway, and looked
DON RODERICK. 13
forward to prosperity and happiness under
their newly elevated monarch. His appear
ance and character seemed to justify the
anticipation. He was in the splendour of
youth, and of a majestic presence. His soul
was bold and daring, and elevated by lofty
desires. He had a sagacity that penetrated
the thoughts of men, and a magnificent spirit
that won all hearts. Such is the picture
which ancient writers give of Don Roderick,
when, with all the stern and simple virtues
unimpaired which he had acquired in ad
versity and exile, and flushed with the tri
umph of a pious revenge, he ascended the
Gothic throne.
Prosperity, however, is the real touch
stone of the human heart. No sooner did
Roderick find himself in possession of the
crown, than the love of power, and the
jealousy of rule, were awakened in his breast.
His first measure was against Witiza, who
was brought in chains into his presence.
Roderick beheld the captive monarch with
an unpitying eye, remembering only his
14- THE LEGEND OF
wrongs and cruelties to his father. " Let
the evils he has inflicted on others be visited
upon his own head," said he : " as he did
unto Theodofredo, even so be it done unto
him." So the eyes of Witiza were put out,
and he was thrown into the same dungeon
at Cordova in which Theodofredo had lan
guished. There he passed the brief remnant
of his days, in perpetual darkness, a prey to
wretchedness and remorse.
Roderick now cast an uneasy and sus
picious eye upon Evan and Siseburto, the
two sons of Witiza. Fearful lest they should
foment some secret rebellion, he banished
them the kingdom. They took refuge in
the Spanish dominions in Africa, where they
were received and harboured by Requila,
governor of Tangier, out of gratitude for
favours which he had received from their
late father. There they remained, to brood
over their fallen fortunes, and to aid in
working out the future woes of Spain.
Their uncle Oppas, bishop of Seville, who
had been made co-partner, by Witiza, in the
DON RODERICK. 15
arch^episcopal chair at Toledo, would have
likewise fallen under the suspicion of the
king ; but he was a man of consummate art
and vast exterior sanctity, and won upon
the good graces of the monarch. He was
suffered, therefore, to retain his sacred office
at Seville ; but the see of Toledo was given
in charge to the venerable Urbino ; and the
law of Witiza was revoked, that dispensed
the clergy from their vows of celibacy.
The jealousy of Roderick for the security
of his crown was soon again aroused, and
his measures were prompt and severe* Hav
ing been informed that the governors of
certain castles and fortresses in Castile and
Andalusia had conspired against him, he
caused them to be put to death, and their
strongholds to be demolished. He now
went on to imitate the pernicious policy of
his predecessor ; throwing down walls and
towers, disarming the people, and thus in
capacitating them from rebellion. A few
cities were permitted to retain their fortifica
tions, but these were intrusted to Alcaydes,
16 THE LEGEND OF
in whom he had especial confidence : the
greater part of the kingdom was left de
fenceless. The nobles, who had been roused
to temporary manhood during the recent stir
of war, sunk back into the inglorious state
of inaction which had disgraced them during
the reign of Witiza, passing their time in
feasting, and dancing to the sound of loose
and wanton minstrelsy.* It was scarcely
possible to recognise, in these idle wassailers
and soft voluptuaries, the descendants of the
stern and frugal warriors of the frozen north ;
who had braved flood and mountain, and
heat and cold, and had battled their way to
empire across half a world in arms.
They surrounded their youthful monarch,
it is true, with a blaze of military pomp.
Nothing could surpass the splendour of their
arms, which were embossed and enamelled,
and enriched with gold and jewels and cu
rious devices ; nothing could be more gal
lant and glorious than their array it was
* Mariana, Hist. Esp. lib. vi. c. 21.
DON RODERICK. 17
all plume and banner and silken pageantry,
the gorgeous trappings for tilt and tourney
and courtly revel ; but the iron soul of war
was wanting.
How rare it is to learn wisdom from the
misfortunes of others ! With the fate of
Witiza full before his eyes, Don Roderick
indulged in the same pernicious errors, and
was doomed, in like manner, to prepare the
way for his own perdition.
18 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER III.
OF THE LOVES OF RODERICK AND THE PRINCESS
ELYATA.
As yet the heart of Roderick, occupied by
the struggles of his early life, by warlike
enterprises, and by the inquietudes of newly-
gotten power, had been insensible to the
charms of women ; but in the present volup
tuous calm the amorous propensities of his
nature assumed their sway. There are di
vers accounts of the youthful beauty who
first found favour in his eyes, and was ele
vated by him to the throne. We follow,
in our legend, the details of an Arabian
chronicler*, authenticated by a Spanish
poet, t Let those who dispute our facts pro
duce better authority for their contradiction.
* Perdida de Espafia por Abulcacim Tarif Aben-
tarique, lib. i.
f Lope de Vega.
DON RODERICK, 19
Among the few fortified places that had
not been dismantled by Don Roderick was
the ancient city of Denia, situated on the
Mediterranean coast, and defended on a
rock-built castle that overlooked the sea.
The Alcayde of the castle, with many of
the people of Denia, was one day on his
knees in the chapel, imploring the Virgin to
allay a tempest which was strewing the coast
with wrecks, when a sentinel brought word
that a Moorish cruiser was standing for the
land. The Alcayde gave orders to ring the
alarm bells, light signal fires on the hill tops,
and rouse the country; for the coast was
subject to cruel maraudings from the Barbary
cruisers.
In a little while the horsemen of the
neighbourhood were seen pricking along the
beach, armed with such weapons as they
could find ; and the Alcayde and his scanty
garrison descended from the hill. In the
meantime the Moorish bark came rolling
and pitching towards the land. As it drew
near, the rich carving and gilding with which
20 THE LEGEND OF
it was decorated, its silken bandaroles, and
banks of crimson oars, showed it to be no
warlike vessel, but a sumptuous galleot,
destined for state and ceremony. It bore
the marks of the tempest : the masts were
broken, the oars shattered, and fragments of
snowy sails and silken awnings were flutter
ing in the blast.
As the galleot grounded upon the sand,
the impatient rabble rushed into the surf to
capture and make spoil ; but were awed
into admiration and respect by the appear
ance of the illustrious company on board.
There were Moors of both sexes sumptuously
arrayed, and adorned with precious jewels,
bearing the demeanour of persons of lofty
rank. Among them shone conspicuous a
youthful beauty, magnificently attired, to
whom all seemed to pay reverence.
Several of the Moors surrounded her with
drawn swords, threatening death to any that
approached ; others sprang from the bark,
and, throwing themselves on their knees
before the Alcayde, implored him, by his
DON RODERICK. 21
honour and courtesy as a knight, to protect
a royal virgin from injury and insult.
"You behold before yon/ said they, " the
only daughter of the King of Algiers, the
betrothed bride of the son of the King of
Tunis. We were conducting her to the
court of her expecting bridegroom, when
a tempest drove us from our course, and
compelled us to take refuge on your coast.
Be not more cruel than the tempest, but
deal nobly with that which even sea and
storm have spared.
The Alcayde listened to their prayers.
He conducted the princess and her train to
the castle, where every honour due to her
rank was paid her. Some of her ancient
attendants interceded for her liberation, pro
mising countless sums to be paid by her
father for her ransom ; but the Alcayde
turned a deaf ear to all their golden offers.
"She is a royal captive," said he; "it
belongs to my sovereign alone to dispose of
her." After she had reposed, therefore,
for some days at the castle, and recovered
THE LEGEND OF
from the fatigue and terror of the seas, he
caused her to be conducted, with all her
train, in magnificent state to the court of
Don Roderick.
The beautiful Elyata* entered Toledo more
like a triumphant sovereign than a captive.
A chosen band of Christian horsemen, splen
didly armed, appeared to wait upon her as a
mere guard of honour. She was surrounded
by the Moorish damsels of her train, and
followed by her own Moslem guards, all
attired with the magnificence that had been
intended to grace her arrival at the court of
Tunis. The princess was arrayed in bridal
robes, woven in the most costly looms of the
orient ; her diadem sparkled with diamonds,
and was decorated with the rarest plumes of
the bird of paradise ; and even the silken
trappings of her palfrey, which swept the
ground, were covered with pearls and pre
cious stones. As this brilliant cavalcade
crossed the bridge of the Tagus, all Toledo
* By some she is called Zara.
DON RODERICK. 23
poured forth to behold it ; and nothing was
heard throughout the city but praises of the
wonderful beauty of the princess of Algiers.
King Roderick came forth, attended by the
chivalry of his court, to receive the royal
captive. His recent voluptuous life had dis
posed him for tender and amorous affections,
and, at the first sight of the beautiful Elyata,
he was enraptured with her charms. Seeing
her face clouded with sorrow and anxiety,
he soothed her with gentle and courteous
words, and, conducting her to a royal palace,
"Behold," said he, " thy habitation, where
no one shall molest thee ; consider thyself at
home in the mansion of thy father, and
dispose of any thing according to thy will."
Here the princess passed her time, with
the female attendants who had accompanied
her from Algiers ; and no one but the king
was permitted to visit her, who daily became
more and more enamoured of his lovely cap
tive, and sought, by tender assiduity, to gain
her affections. The distress of the princess
at her captivity was soothed by this gentle
24i THE LEGEND OF
treatment. She was of an age when sorrow
cannot long hold sway over the heart. Ac
companied by her youthful attendants, she
ranged the spacious apartments of the palace,
and sported among the groves and alleys of
its garden. Every day the remembrance of
the paternal home grew less and less painful,
and the king became more and more amiable
in her eyes ; and when, at length, he offered
to share his heart and throne with her, she
listened with downcast looks and kindling
blushes, but with an air of resignation.
One obstacle remained to the complete
fruition of the monarch s wishes, and this
was the religion of the princess. Roderick
forthwith employed the Archbishop of Toledo
to instruct the beautiful Elyata in the mys
teries of the Christian faith. The female
intellect is quick in perceiving the merits of
new doctrines : the archbishop, therefore,
soon succeeded in converting, not merely the
princess, but most of her attendants ; and a
day was appointed for their public baptism.
The ceremony was performed with great
DON RODERICK. &5
pomp and solemnity, in the presence of all
the nobility and chivalry of the court. The
princess and her damsels, clad in white,
walked on foot to the cathedral, while nu
merous beautiful children, arrayed as angels,
strewed the path with flowers ; and the
archbishop, meeting them at the portal, re
ceived them, as it were, into the bosom of
the church. The princess abandoned her
Moorish appellation of Elyata, and was bap
tised by the name of Exilona, by which she
was thenceforth called, and has generally
been known in history.
The nuptials of Roderick and the beautiful
convert took place shortly afterwards, and
were celebrated with great magnificence.
There were jousts, and tourneys, and ban
quets, and other rejoicings, which lasted
twenty days, and were attended by the prin
cipal nobles from all parts of Spain. After
these were over, such of the attendants of
the princess as refused to embrace Christi
anity, and desired to return to Africa, were
dismissed with munificent presents j and an
c
%6 THE LEGEND OF
embassy was sent to the king of Algiers,,
to inform him of the nuptials of his
daughter, and to proffer him the friendship
of King Roderick.*
* " Como esta Infanta era muy hermosa, y el
Rey [Don Rodrigo] dispuesta y gentil hombre,
entro por medio el amor y aficion, y junto con el re-
galo con que la avia mandado hospedar y servir ful
causa que el rey persuadio esta Infanta, que si se
tornava a su ley de Christiano la tomaria por muger,
y que la haria senora de sus Reynos. Con esta
persuasion ella fue contenta, y aviendose vuelto
Christiana, se caso con ella, y se celebraron sus bo-
das con muchas fiestas y regozijos, como era razon."
Abulcasim, Conq st de Espan, cap, 3,
DON RODERICK. 27
CHAPTER IV.
OF COUNT JULIAN.
FOR a time Don Roderick lived happily with
his young and beautiful queen, and Toledo
was the seat of festivity and splendour. The
principal nobles throughout the kingdom re
paired to his court to pay him homage, and
to receive his commands ; and none were
more devoted in their reverence than those
who were obnoxious to suspicion, from their
connection with the late king.
Among the foremost of these was Count
Julian, a man destined to be infamously re
nowned in the dark story of his country s
woes. He was of one of the proudest Gothic
families, lord of Consuegra and Algeziras,
and connected by marriage with Witiza and
the Bishop Oppas ; his wife, the Countess
Frandina, being their sister. In consequence
of this connection, and of his own merits, he
c 2
28 THE LEGEND OF
had enjoyed the highest dignities and
mands : being one of the Espatorios, or
royal sword-bearers ; an office of the greatest
confidence about the person of the sovereign.*
He had, moreover, been intrusted with the
military government of the Spanish posses
sions on the African coast of the strait, which
at that time were threatened by the Arabs of
the East, the followers of Mahomet, who
were advancing their victorious standard to
the extremity of Western Africa. Count
Julian established his seat of government at
Ceuta, the frontier bulwark, and one of the
far-famed gates of the Mediterranean Sea.
Here he boldly faced, and held in check, the
torrent of Moslem invasion.
Don Julian was a man of an active, but
irregular genius, and a grasping ambition ;
he had a love for power and grandeur, in
* Condes Espatorios ; so called from the drawn
swords of ample size and breadth, with which they
kept guard in the antechambers of the Gothic kings*
Comes Spathariorum, custodum corporis Regis Pro*
fectus. Hunc et Propospatharium appellatum ex-*
istiinor Patr. Pant, de Offk. Goth,
DON RODERICK. 29
which he was joined by his haughty countess ;
and they could ill brook the downfall of their
house as threatened by the fate of Witiza.
They had hastened, therefore, to pay their
court to the newly elevated monarch, and to
assure him of their fidelity to his interests.
Roderick was readily persuaded of the
sincerity of Count Julian ; he was aware of
his merits as a soldier and a governor, and
continued him in his important command ;
honouring him with many other marks of
implicit confidence. Count Julian sought to
confirm this confidence by every proof of de
votion. It was a custom among the Goths
to rear many of the children of the most
illustrious families in the royal household.
They served as pages to the king, and hand
maids and ladies of honour to the queen, and
were instructed in all manner of accomplish
ments befitting their gentle blood. When
about to depart for Ceuta, to resume his
command, Don Julian brought his daughter
Florinda to present her to the sovereigns.
She was a beautiful virgin, that had not as
c 3
30 THE LEGEND OF
yet attained to womanhood. "1 confide
her to your protection," said he to the king,
"to be unto her as a father ; and to have
her trained in the paths of virtue. I can
leave with you no dearer pledge of my
loyalty."
King Roderick received the timid and
blushing maiden into his paternal care ; pro
mising to watch over her happiness with a
parent s eye, and that she should be enrolled
among the most cherished attendants of the
queen. With this assurance of the welfare
of his child, Count Julian departed, well
pleased, for his government at Ceuta.
DON RODERICK. SI
CHAPTER V.
THE STORY OF FLORINDA.
THE beautiful daughter of Count Julian was
received with great favour by the queen
Exilona, and admitted among the noble dam
sels that attended upon her person. Here
she lived in honour and apparent security,
and surrounded by innocent delights,. To
gratify his queen, Don Roderick had built
for her rural recreation a palace without the
walls of Toledo, on the banks of the Tagus.
It stood in the midst of a garden, adorned
after the luxurious style of the East. The
air was perfumed by fragrant shrubs and
flowers ; the groves resounded with the song
of the nightingale ; while the gush of foun
tains and waterfalls, and the distant murmur
of the Tagus, made it a delightful retreat
during the sultry days of summer. The
charm of perfect privacy also reigned through-
c 4
THE LEGEND OF
out the place ; for the garden walls were high,
and numerous guards kept watch without to
protect it from all intrusion.
In this delicious abode, more befitting an
oriental voluptuary than a Gothic king, Don
Roderick was accustomed to while away
much of that time which should have been
devoted to the toilsome cares of government.
The very security and peace which he had
produced throughout his dominions, by his
precautions to abolish the means and ha
bitudes of war, had effected a disastrous
change in his character. The hardy and
heroic qualities which had conducted him to
the throne, were softened in the lap of in
dulgence. Surrounded by the pleasures of
an idle and effeminate court, and beguiled by
the example of his degenerate nobles, he
gave way to a fatal sensuality that had lain
dormant in his nature during the virtuous days
of his adversity. The mere love of female
beauty had first enamoured him of Exilona ;
and the same passion, fostered by voluptuous
idleness, now betrayed him into the commis-
"DON RODERICK. 33
si on of an act fatal to himself and Spain.
The following is the story of his error, as
gathered from an old chronicle and legend.
In a remote part of the palace was an
apartment devoted to the queen. It was
like an eastern harem, shut up from the foot
of man, and where the king himself but
rarely entered. It had its own courts, and
gardens, and fountains, where the queen was
wont to recreate herself with her damsels, as
she had been accustomed to do in the jealous
privacy of her father s palace.
One sultry day, the king, instead of taking
his siesta, or mid-day slumber, repaired to
this apartment to seek the society of the
queen. In passing through a small oratory,
he was drawn by the sound of female voices
to a casement overhung with myrtles and
jessamines. It looked into an interior gar
den, or court, set out with orange trees, in
the midst of which was a marble fountain,
surrounded by a grassy bank, enamelled with
flowers.
It was the high noontide of a summer day.
c 5
34 THE LEGEND OF
when, in sultry Spain, the landscape trembles
to the eye, and all nature seeks repose, ex
cept the grasshopper, that pipes his lulling
note to the herdsman as he sleeps beneath
the shade.
Around the fountain were several of the
damsels of the queen, who, confident of the
sacred privacy of the place, were yielding in
that cool retreat to the indulgence prompted
by the season and the hour. Some lay asleep
on the flowery bank ; others sat on the mar
gin of the fountain, talking and laughing, as
they bathed their feet in its limpid waters,
and King Roderick beheld delicate limbs
shining through the wave, that might rival
the marble in whiteness.
Among the damsels was one who had
come from the Barbary coast with the queen.
Her complexion had the dark tinge of Mau
ritania, but it was clear and transparent, and
the deep rich rose blushed through the lovely
brown. Her eyes were black and full of
fire, and flashed from under long silken eye
lashes.
DON RODERICK. 35
A sportive contest arose among the maid
ens, as to the comparative beauty of the
Spanish and Moorish forms ; but the Mauri-
tanian damsel revealed limbs of voluptuous
symmetry that seemed to defy all rivalry.
The Spanish beauties were on the point
of giving *up the contest, when they be
thought themselves of the young Florin da,
the daughter of Count Julian, who lay on
the grassy bank, abandoned to a summer
slumber. The soft glow of youth and health
mantled on her cheek ; her fringed eyelashes
scarcely covered their sleeping orbs ; her
moist and ruby lips were lightly parted, just
revealing a gleam of her ivory teeth ; while
her innocent bosom rose and fell beneath her
boddice, like the gentle swelling and sinking
of a tranquil sea. There was a breathing
tenderness and beauty in the sleeping virgin,
that seemed to send forth sweetness like the
flowers around her.
" Behold," cried her companions exult-
ingly, " the champion of Spanish beauty!"
In their playful eagerness they half dis-
c 6
36 THE LEGEND OF
robed the innocent Florinda before she was
aware. She awoke in time, however, to
escape from their busy hands ; but enough
of her charms had been revealed to convince
the monarch that they were not to be rivalled
by the rarest beauties of Mauritania.
From this day the heart of Roderick was
inflamed with a fatal passion. He gazed on
the beautiful Florinda with fervid desire, and
sought to read in her looks whether there
was levity or wantonness in her bosom ; but
the eye of the damsel ever sunk beneath his
gaze, and remained bent on the earth in
virgin modesty.
It was in vain he called to mind the sacred
trust reposed in him by Count Julian, and
the promise he had given to watch over his
daughter with paternal care ; his heart was
vitiated by sensual indulgence, and the con
sciousness of power had rendered him selfish
in his gratifications.
Being one evening in the garden where
the queen was diverting herself with her
damsels, and coming to the fountain where
DON RODERICK. 37
he had beheld the innocent maidens at their
sport, he could no longer restrain the passion
that raged within his breast. Seating him
self beside the fountain, he called Florinda
to him to draw forth a thorn which had
pierced his hand. The maiden knelt at his
feet to examine his hand, and the touch of
her slender fingers thrilled through his veins.
As she knelt, too, her amber locks fell in
rich ringlets about her beautiful head, her
innocent bosom palpitated beneath the crim
son boddice, and her timid blushes increased
the effulgence of her charms.
Having examined the monarch s hand in
vain, she looked up in his face with artless
perplexity.
" Senior," said she, " I can find no thorn,
nor any sign of wound."
Don Roderick grasped her hand and
pressed it to his heart. " It is here, lovely
Florinda !" said he, " It is here ! and thou
alone canst pluck it forth ! "
" My lord ! " exclaimed the blushing and
astonished maiden.
38 THE LEGEND OP
" Florinda !" said Don Roderick, " dost
thou love me ?"
" Senior," said she, " my father taught
me to love and reverence you. He confided
me to your care as one who would be as a
parent to me, when he should be far distant,
serving your majesty with life and loyalty.
May God incline your majesty ever to pro
tect me as a father." So saying, the maiden
dropped her eyes to the ground, and con
tinued kneeling ; but her countenance had
become deadly pale, and as she knelt she
trembled.
" Florinda," said the king, " either thou
dost not or thou wilt not understand me. I
would have thee love me, not as a father,
nor as a monarch, but as one who adores
thee. Why dost thou start ? No one shall
know our loves ; and, moreover, the love of
a monarch inflicts no degradation like the
love of a common man riches and honours
attend upon it. I will advance thee to rank
and dignity, and place thee above the proud
est females of my court. Thy father, too,
DON RODERICK. 39
shall be more exalted and endowed than any
noble in my realm."
The soft eye of Florinda kindled at these
words. " Senior," said she, " the line I
spring from can receive no dignity by means
so vile ; and my father would rather die than
purchase rank and power by the dishonour of
his child. But I see," continued she, " that
your majesty speaks in this manner only to
try me. You may have thought me light
and simple, and unworthy to attend upon
the queen. I pray your majesty to pardon
me, that I have taken your pleasantry in
such serious part."
In this way the agitated maiden sought to
evade the addresses of the monarch ; but still
her cheek was blanched, and her lip quivered
as she spake.
The king pressed her hand to his lips with
fervour. " May ruin seize me," cried he,
" if I speak to prove thee ! My heart, my
kingdom, are at thy command. Only be
mine, and thou shalt rule absolute mistress
of myself and my domains."
40 THE LEGEND OF
The damsel rose from the earth where
she had hitherto knelt, and her whole coun
tenance glowed with virtuous indignation.
" My lord," said she, " I am your subject,
and in your power ; take my life if it be
your pleasure ; but nothing shall tempt me to
commit a crime which would be treason to
the queen, disgrace to my father, agony to
my mother, and perdition to myself." With
these words she left the garden, and the king,
for the moment, was too much awed by her
indignant virtue to oppose her departure.
We shall pass briefly over the succeeding
events of the story of Florinda, about which
so much has been said and sung by chronicler
and bard : for the sober page of history
should be carefully chastened from all scenes
that might inflame a wanton imagination ;
leaving them to poems and romances, and
such-like highly seasoned works of fantasy
and recreation.
Let it suffice to say, that Don Roderick
pursued his suit to the beautiful Florinda,
his passion being more and more inflamed
DON RODERICK. 41
by the resistance of the virtuous damsel.
At length, forgetting what was due to help
less beauty, to his own honour as a knight,
and his word as a sovereign, he triumphed
over her weakness by base and unmanly
violence.
There are not wanting those who affirm
that the hapless Florinda lent a yielding ear
to the solicitations of the monarch, and her
name has been treated with opprobrium in
several of the ancient chronicles and legendary
ballads that have transmitted, from gener
ation to generation, the story of the woes of
Spain. In very truth, however, she appears
to have been a guiltless victim, resisting, as
far as helpless female could resist, the arts
and intrigues of a powerful monarch, who
had nought to check the indulgence of his
will, and bewailing her disgrace with a poi
gnancy that shows how dearly she had prized
her honour.
In the first paroxysm of her grief she
wrote a letter to her father, blotted with her
tears, and almost incoherent from her agita-
THE LEGEND OF
tion. " Would to God, my father," said she,
" that the earth had opened and swallowed
me ere I had been reduced to write these
lines. I blush to tell thee, what it is not
proper to conceal. Alas, my father ; thou
hast intrusted thy lamb to the guardianship
of the lion. Thy daughter has been dis
honoured, the royal cradle of the Goths pol
luted, and our lineage insulted and disgraced.
Hasten, my father, to rescue your child from
the power of the spoiler, and to vindicate the
honour of your house ! "
When Florinda had written these lines,
she summoned a youthful esquire, who had
been a page in the service of her father.
" Saddle thy steed," said she, " and if thou
dost aspire to knightly honour, or hope for
lady s grace if thou hast fealty for thy lord,
or devotion to his daughter speed swiftly
upon my errand. Rest not, halt not, spare
not the spur ; but hie thee day and night
until thou reach the sea ; take the first bark,
and haste with sail and oar to Ceuta, nor
pause until thou give this letter to the count
DON RODERICK. 43
my father." The youth put the letter in his
bosom. " Trust me, lady," said he, " I will
neither halt nor turn aside, nor cast a look
behind, until I reach Count Julian." He
mounted his fleet steed, sped his way across
the bridge, and soon left behind him the
verdant valley of the Tagus.
44 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER VI.
DON RODERICK RECEIVES AN EXTRAORDINARY
EMBASSY.
THE heart of Don Roderick was not so
depraved by sensuality, but that the wrong
he had been guilty of toward the innocent
Florinda, and the disgrace he had inflicted
on her house, weighed heavy on his spirits,
and a cloud began to gather on his once
clear and un wrinkled brow.
Heaven, at this time, say the old Spanish
chronicles, permitted a marvellous intimation
of the wrath with which it intended to visit
the monarch and his people, in punishment
of their sins ; nor are we, say the same or
thodox writers, to startle, and withhold our
faith, when we meet in the page of discreet
and sober history with these signs and por
tents, which transcend the probabilities of
ordinary life ; for the revolutions of empires
BON RODERICK. 45
and the downfall of mighty kings are awful
events, that shake the physical as well as the
moral world, and are often announced by
forerunning marvels and prodigious omens.
With such-like cautious preliminaries do the
wary but credulous historiographers of yore
usher in a marvellous event of prophecy and
enchantment, linked in ancient story with
the fortunes of Don Roderick, but which
modern doubters would fain hold up as an
apocryphal tradition of Arabian origin.
Now, so it happened, according to the
legend, that about this time, as King
Roderick was seated one day on his throne,
surrounded by his nobles, in the ancient city
of Toledo, two men of venerable appearance
entered the hall of audience. Their snowy
beards descended to their breasts, and their
gray hairs were bound with ivy. They were
arrayed in white garments of foreign or
antiquated fashion, which swept the ground*
and were cinctured with girdles, wrought
with the signs of the zodiac, from which
were suspended enormous bunches of keys of
46 THE LEGEND OF
every variety of form. Having approached
the throne and made obeisance : " Know, O
King," said one of the old men, " that in
days of yore, when Hercules of Libya, sur-
named the strong, had set up his pillars at
the ocean strait, he erected a tower near to
this ancient city of Toledo. He built it of
prodigious strength, and finished it with
magic art, shutting up within it a fearful
secret, never to be penetrated without peril
and disaster. To protect this terrible mys
tery he closed the entrance to the edifice with
a ponderous door of iron, secured by a great
lock of steel ; and he left a command that
every king who should succeed him should
add another lock to the portal ; denouncing
woe and destruction on him who should
eventually unfold the secret of the tower.
66 The guardianship of the portal was given
to our ancestors, and has continued in our
family, from generation to generation, since
the days of Hercules. Several kings, from
time to time, have caused the gate to be
thrown open, and have attempted to enter,
DON RODERICK. 47
but have paid dearly for their temerity.
Some have perished within the threshold,
others have been overwhelmed with horror
at tremendous sounds, which shook the
foundations of the earth, and have hastened
to reclose the door, and secure it with its
thousand locks. Thus, since the days of
Hercules, the inmost recesses of the pile have
never been penetrated by mortal man, and a
profound mystery continues to prevail over
this great enchantment. This, O king, is
all we have to relate ; and our errand is to
entreat thee to repair to the tower and affix
thy lock to the portal, as has been done by
all thy predecessors." Having thus said,
the ancient men made a profound reverence
arid departed from the presence chamber.*
Don Roderick remained for some time
lost in thought after the departure of the
men : he then dismissed all his court, ex
cepting the venerable Urbino, at that time
* Perdida de Espana por Abulcasim Tarif Aben-
tarique, lib. i. c. 6. Cronica del Rey Don Rodrigo
por el moro Rasis, lib. i. c. 1. Bleda, Cron. cap. vii.
48 THE LEGEND OF
archbishop of Toledo. The long white beard
of this prelate bespoke his advanced age,
and his overhanging eyebrows showed him
a man full of wary counsel.
" Father," said the king, " I have an
earnest desire to penetrate the mystery of
this tower." The worthy prelate shook his
hoary head : " Beware, my son," said he ;
" there are secrets hidden from man for his
good. Your predecessors for many gener
ations have respected this mystery, and
have increased in might and empire. A
knowledge of it, therefore, is not material
to the welfare of your kingdom. Seek not
then to indulge a rash and unprofitable cu
riosity, which is interdicted under such awful
menaces."
" Of what importance," cried the king,
" are the menaces of Hercules, the Lybian p
was he not a pagan ? and can his enchant
ments have aught avail against a believer in
our holy faith ? Doubtless, in this tower
are locked up treasures of gold and jewels,
amassed in days of old, the spoils of mighty
DON RODERICK. 49
kings, the riches of the pagan world. My
coffers are exhausted ; I have need of sup
ply ; and surely it would be an acceptable
act in the eyes of Heaven, to draw forth this
wealth which lies buried under profane and
necromantic spells, and consecrate it to reli
gious purposes."
The venerable archbishop still continued
to remonstrate, but Don Roderick heeded
not his counsel, for he was led on by his
malignant star. " Father," said he, "it is
in vain you attempt to dissuade me. My
resolution is fixed. To-morrow I will ex
plore the hidden mystery, or rather the
hidden treasures of this tower, "
THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER VII.
STORY OF THE MARVELLOUS AND PORTENTOUS-
TOWER.
THE morning sun shone brightly upon the
cliff-built towers of Toledo, when King
Roderick issued out of the gate of the
city, at the head of a numerous train of
courtiers and cavaliers, and crossed the
bridge that bestrides the deep rocky bed of
the Tagus. The shining cavalcade wound
up the road that leads among the mountains,
and soon came in sight of the necromantic
tower.
Of this renowned edifice marvels are
related by the ancient Arabian and Spanish
chroniclers ; " and I doubt much," adds the
venerable Agpaida, " whether many readers
will not consider the whole as a cunningly
devised fable, sprung from an oriental ima
gination ; but it is not for me to reject a fact
DON RODERICK. 51
which is recorded by all those writers who
are the fathers of our national history : a
fact, too, which is as well attested as most of
the remarkable events in the story of Don
Roderick. None but light and inconsiderate
minds," continues the good friar, "do hastily
reject the marvellous. To the thinking mind
the whole world is enveloped in mystery, and
every thing is full of type and portent. To
such a mind the necromantic tower of Toledo
will appear as one of those wondrous monu
ments of the olden time ; one of those
Egyptian and Chaldaic piles, storied with
hidden wisdom and mystic prophecy, which
have been devised in past ages, when man
yet enjoyed an intercourse with high and
spiritual natures, and when human foresight
partook of divination."
This singular tower was round, and of
great height and grandeur ; erected upon a
lofty rock, and surrounded by crags and
precipices. The foundation was supported
by four brazen lions, each taller than a
cavalier on horseback. The walls were
2 THE LEGEND OF
built of small pieces of jasper, and various
colouretl marbles, not larger than a man s
hand ; so subtilely joined, however, that,
but for their different hues, they might be
taken for one entire stone. They were
arranged with marvellous cunning, so as
to represent battles and warlike deeds of
times and heroes long since passed away ;
and the whole surface was so admirably
polished that the stones were as lustrous
as glass, and reflected the rays of the sun
with such resplendent brightness as to dazzle
all beholders.*
King Roderick and his courtiers arrived
wondering and amazed, at the foot of the
rock. Here there was a narrow arched
way cut through the living stone ; the only
entrance to the tower. It was closed by a
massive iron gate, covered with rusty locks
of divers workmanship, and in the fashion
* From the minute account of the good friar,
drawn from the ancient chronicles, it would appear
that the walls of the tower were pictured in mosai
work.
DON RODERICK. 53
of different centuries, which had been affixed
by the predecessors of Don Roderick. On
either side of the portal stood the two ancient
guardians of the tower, laden with the keys
appertaining to the locks,
The king alighted, and, approaching the
portals, ordered the guardians to unlock the
gate. The hoary-headed men drew back
with terror. "Alas!" cried they, "what
is it your majesty requires of us. Would
you have the mischiefs of this tower un
bound, and let loose to shake the earth to its
foundations ? "
The venerable archbishop Urbino likewise
implored him not to disturb a mystery which
had been held sacred from generation to
generation, within the memory of man ; and
which even Csesar himself, when sovereign
of Spain, had not ventured to invade. The
youthful cavaliers, however, were eager to
pursue the adventure, and encouraged him
in his rash curiosity.
" Come what come may," exclaimed Don
Roderick, " I am resolved to penetrate the
D 3
54f THE LEGEND OF
mystery of this tower." So saying, he again
commanded the guardians to unlock the por
tal. The ancient men obeyed with fear and
trembling, but their hands shook with age,
and when they applied the keys, the locks
were so rusted by time, or of such strange
workmanship, that they resisted their feeble
efforts ; whereupon the young cavaliers
pressed forward and lent their aid. Still the
locks were so numerous and difficult, that
with all their eagerness and strength a great
part of the day was exhausted before the
whole of them could be mastered.
When the last bolt had yielded to the key,
the guardians and the reverend archbishop
again entreated the king to pause and reflect.
" Whatever is within this tower," said they,
" is as yet harmless, and lies bound under a
mighty spell : venture not then to open a door
which may let forth a flood of evil upon the
land." But the anger of the king was roused,
and he ordered that the portal should be in
stantly thrown open. In vain, however, did
one after another exert his strength - ? and
BON RODERICK. 55
equally in vain did the cavaliers unite their
forces, and apply their shoulders to the gate :
though there was neither bar nor bolt re
maining, it was perfectly immoveable.
The patience of the king was now ex
hausted, and he advanced to apply his hand ;
scarcely, however, did he touch the iron
gate, when it swung slowly open, uttering,
as it were, a dismal groan, as it turned
reluctantly upon its hinges. A cold, damp
wind issued forth, accompanied by a tem
pestuous sound. The hearts of the ancient
guardians quaked within them, and their
knees smote together ; but several of the
youthful cavaliers rushed in, eager to gratify
their curiosity, or to signalise themselves in
this redoubtable enterprise. They had scarcely
advanced a few paces, however, when they
recoiled, overcome by the baleful air, or by
some fearful vision.* Upon this, the king
ordered that fires should be kindled to dispel
the darkness, and to correct the noxious and
* Bleda, Cronica., cap, 7-
D 4
56 THE LEGEND OF
long imprisoned air : he then led the way
into the interior ; but, though stout of heart,
he advanced with awe and hesitation.
After proceeding a short distance* he en
tered a hall, or antechamber, on the opposite
side of which was a door ; and before it, on
a pedestal, stood a gigantic figure, of the
colour of bronze, and of a terrible aspect.
It held a huge mace, which it whirled in
cessantly, giving such cruel and resounding
blows upon the earth as to prevent all further
entrance*
The king paused at sight of this appalling
figure ; for whether it were a jiving being, or
a statue of magic artifice, he could not tell.
On its breast was a scroll, whereon was in
scribed in large letters, " I do my duty."*
After a little while Roderick plucked up
heart, and addressed it with great solemnity :
" Whatever thou be," said he, "know that
I come not to violate this sanctuary, but to-
inquire into the mystery it contains I
* Bleda, Cronica, cap.?.
DON RODERICK. 57
conjure thee, therefore, to let me pass in
safety."
Upon this the figure paused with uplifted
mace, and the king and his train passed un
molested through the door.
They now entered a vast chamber, of a
rare and sumptuous architecture, difficult to
be described. The walls were incrusted with
the most precious gems, so joined together
as to form one smooth and perfect surface.
The lofty dome appeared to be self-supported,
and was studded with gems, lustrous as the
stars of the firmament. There was neither
wood, nor any other common or base mate
rial to be seen throughout the edifice. There
were no windows or other openings to admit
the day, yet a radiant light was spread
throughout the place, which seemed to shine
from the walls, and to render every object
distinctly visible.
In the centre of this hall stood a table of
alabaster, of the rarest workmanship, on
which was inscribed in Greek characters, that
Hercules Alcides, the Theban Greek, had
D 5
58 THE LEGEND OF
founded this tower in the year of the world
three thousand and six. Upon the table
stood a golden casket, richly set round with
precious stones, and closed with a lock of
mother-of-pearl j and on the lid were in
scribed the following words : -
ft In this coffer is contained the mystery
of the tower* The hand of none but a king
can open it ; but let him beware ! for mar
vellous events will be revealed to him, which
are to take place before his death."
King Roderick boldly seized upon the
casket. The venerable archbishop laid his
hand upon his arm, and made a last remon
stranee. " Forbear, my son!" said he;
" desist while there is yet time. Look not
Into the mysterious decrees of Providence.
God has hidden them in mercy from our
sight, and it is impious to rend the veil by
which they are concealed."
" What have I to dread from a knowledge
of the future ? " replied Roderick, with an
air of haughty presumption. " If good be
destined me, I shall enjoy it by anticipation ;
DON RODERICK. 5$
if evil, I shall arm myself to meet it." So
saying, he rashly broke the lock.
Within the coffer he found nothing but
a linen cloth, folded between two tablets of
copper. On unfolding it, he beheld painted
on it figures of men on horseback, of fierce
demeanour, clad in turbans and robes of
various colours, after the fashion of the
Arabs, with scimitars hanging from their
necks, and crossbows at their saddle backs,
and they carried banners and pennons with
divers devices. Above them was inscribed
in Greek characters, " Rash monarch ! be
hold the men who are to hurl thee from thy
throne, and subdue thy kingdom ! "
At sight of these things the king was
troubled in spirit, and dismay fell upon his
attendants. While they were yet regarding
the paintings, it seemed as if the figures
began to move, and a faint sound of warlike
tumult arose from the cloth, with the clash
of cymbal and bray of trumpet, the neigh of
steed and shout of army ; but all was heard
indistinctly, as if afar off , or in a reverie or
D 6
6Q THE LEGEND OF
dream. The more they gazed, the plainer
became the motion, and the louder the noise ;
and the linen cloth rolled forth, and am
plified and spread out, as it were, a mighty
banner, and filled the hall, and mingled with
the air, until its texture was no longer
visible, or appeared as a transparent cloud :
and the shadowy figures became all in mo
tion, and the din and uproar became fiercer
and fiercer ; and whether the whole were an
animated picture, or a vision, or an array of
embodied spirits, conjured up by supernatural
power, no one present could tell. They be
held before them a great field of battle, where
Christians and Moslems were engaged in
deadly conflict. They heard the rush and
tramp of steeds, the blast of trump and
clarion, the clash of cymbal, and the stormy
din of a thousand drums. There was the
clash of swords, and maces, and battle-axes,
with the whistling of arrows, and the hurling
of darts and lances. The Christians quailed
before the foe ; the infidels pressed upon
them and put them to utter rout ; the stan-
DON RODERICK. 61
dard of the cross was cast down, the banner
of Spain was trodden under foot, the air
resounded with shouts of triumph, with yells
of fury, and with the groans of dying men.
Amidst the flying squadrons, King Roderick
beheld a crowned warrior, whose back was
turned towards him, but whose armour and
device were his own, and who was mounted
on a white steed that resembled his own
war horse Orelia. In the confusion of the
flight, the warrior was dismounted, and was
no longer to be seen, and Orelia galloped
wildly through the field of battle without a
rider.
Roderick stayed to see no more, but rushed
from the fatal hall, followed by his terrified
attendants. They fled through the outer
chamber, where the gigantic figure with the
whirling mace had disappeared from his pe*
destal ; and on issuing into the open air, they
found the two ancient guardians of the tower
lying dead at the portal, as though they had
been crushed by some mighty blow. All
nature, which had been clear and serene, was
62 THE LEGEND OF
now in wild uproar. The heavens were
darkened by heavy clouds ; loud bursts of
thunder rent the air, and the earth was
deluged with rain and rattling hail.
The king ordered that the iron portal
should be closed ; but the door was immove-
able, and the cavaliers were dismayed by the
tremendous turmoil and the mingled shouts
and groans that continued to prevail within.
The king and his train hastened back to To
ledo, pursued and pelted by the tempest. The
mountains shook and echoed with the thunder,
trees were uprooted and blown down, and the
Tagus raged and roared and flowed above its
banks. It seemed to the affrighted courtiers
as if the phantom legions of the tower had
issued forth and mingled with the storm ; for
amidst the claps of thunder and the howling
of the wind, they fancied they heard the
sound of the drums and trumpets, the shouts
of armies and the rush of steeds. Thus beaten
by tempest, and overwhelmed with horror, the
king and his courtiers arrived at Toledo,
clattering across the bridge of the Tagus,
DON RODERICK. 63
and entering the gate in headlong con*
fusion, as though they had been pursued by
an enemy.
In the morning the heavens were again
serene, and all nature was restored to tran*
quillity. The king, therefore, issued forth
with his cavaliers and took the road to the
tower, followed by a great multitude, for he
was anxious once more to close the iron door>
and shut up those evils that threatened to
overwhelm the land. But lo I on coming in
sight of the tower, a new wonder met their
eyes. An eagle appeared high in the air,
seeming to descend from heaven. He bore
in his beak a burning brand, and lighting on
the summit of the tower, fanned the fire with
his wings. In a little while the edifice burst
forth into a blaze as though it had been built
of rosin, and the flames mounted into the air
with a brilliancy more dazzling than the sun ;
nor did they cease until every stone was con
sumed and the whole was reduced to a heap
of ashes. Then there came a vast flight of
birds, small of size and sable of hue, darken-
64 THE LEGEND OF
ing the sky like a cloud ; and they descended
and wheeled in circles round the ashes,
causing so great a wind with their wings that
the whole was borne up into the air and scat
tered throughout all Spain, and wherever a
particle of those ashes fell it was as a stain of
blood. It is furthermore recorded by ancient
men and writers of former days, that all those
on whom this dust fell were afterwards slain
in battle, when the country was conquered by
the Arabs, and that the destruction of this
necromantic tower was a sign and token of
the approaching perdition of Spain.
" Let all those," concludes the cautious
friar, " who question the verity of this most
marvellous occurrence, consult those admirable
sources of our history, the chronicle of the
Moor Rasis, and the work entitled, * The Fall
of Spain, written by the Moor, Abulcasim
Tarif Abentarique. Let them consult, more
over, the venerable historian Bleda, and the
cloud of other Catholic Spanish writers, who
have treated of this event, and they will find
I have related nothing that has not been
DON RODERICK. 65
printed and published under the inspection
and sanction of our holy mother church.
God alone knoweth the truth of these things ;
I speak nothing but what has been handed
down to me from times of old."
66 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER VIIL
COUNT JULIAN. HIS FORTUNES IN AFRICA.
HE HEARS OF THE DISHONOUR OF HIS CHILD.
HIS CONDUCT THEREUPON.
THE course of our legendary narration now
returns to notice the fortunes of Count Julian,
after his departure from Toledo, to resume
his government on the coast of Barbary. He
left the Countess Frandina at Algeziras, his
paternal domain, for the province under his
command was threatened with invasion. In
fact, when he arrived at Ceuta he found his
post in imminent danger from the all-con
quering Moslems. The Arabs of the East,
the followers of Mahomet, having subjugated
several of the most potent oriental kingdoms,
had established their seat of empire at Da
mascus, where, at this time, it was filled by
Waled Almanzoi;, surnamed " the Sword of
God." From thence the tide of Moslem
DON RODERICK.
conquest had rolled on to the shores of the
Atlantic ; so that all Almagreb, or Western
Africa, had submitted to the standard of the
prophet, with the exception of a portion of
Tingitania, lying along the straits ; being the
province held by the Goths of Spain, and
commanded by Count Julian. The Arab
invaders were a hundred thousand strong,
most of them veteran troops, seasoned in
warfare and accustomed to victory. They
were led by an old Arab general, Muza ben
Nosier, to whom was confided the govern
ment of Almagreb ; most of which he had
himself conquered. The ambition of this
veteran was to make the Moslem conquest
complete, by expelling the Christians from
the African shores ; with this view his
troops menaced the few remaining Gothic
fortresses of Tingitania, while he himself
sat down in person before the walls of Ceuta.
The Arab chieftain had been rendered con
fident by continual success, and thought no
thing could resist his arms* and the sacred
standard of the prophet. Impatient of the
68 THE LEGEND OF
tedious delays of a siege, he led his troops
boldly against the rock-built towers of Ceuta,
and attempted to take the place by storm.
The onset was fierce, and the struggle des
perate : the swarthy sons of the desert were
light and vigorous, and of fiery spirits ; but
the Goths, inured to danger on this frontier,
retained the stubborn valour of their race, so
impaired among their brethren in Spain.
They were commanded, too, by one skilled
in warfare and ambitious of renown. After
a vehement conflict, the Moslem assailants
were repulsed from all points, and driven
from the walls. Don Julian sallied forth,
and harassed them in their retreat ; and so
severe was the carnage, that the veteran
Musa was fain to break up his camp, and
retire confounded from the siege.
The victory at Ceuta resounded through
out Tingitania, and spread universal joy.
On every side were heard shouts of exultation
* mingled with praises of Count Julian. He
was hailed by the people, wherever he went,
as their deliverer, and blessings were invoked
DON RODERICK. 69
upon his head. The heart of Count Julian
was lifted up, and his spirit swelled within
him 5 but it was with noble and virtuous
pride, for he was conscious of having merited
the blessings of his country.
In the midst of his exultation, and while
the rejoicings of the people were yet sound
ing in his ears, the page arrived who bore
the letter from his unfortunate daughter.
" What tidings from the king ?" said the
count, as the page knelt before him : "None,
my lord," replied the youth, "but I bear
a letter sent in all haste by the Lady Flo-
rinda."
He took the letter from his bosom and
presented it to his lord. As Count Julian
read it, his countenance darkened and fell.
"This/ said he, bitterly, "is my reward for
serving a tyrant ; and these are the honours
heaped on me by my country, while fighting
its battles in a foreign land. May evil over
take me, and infamy rest upon my name, if
I cease until I have full measure of revenge."
Count Julian was vehement in his pas
70 THE LEGEND OF
sions, and took no counsel in his wrath.
His spirit was haughty in the extreme, but
destitute of true magnanimity, and when
once wounded turned to gall and venom. A
dark and malignant hatred entered into his
soul, not only against Don Roderick, but
against all Spain : he looked upon it as the
scene of his disgrace, a land in which his
family was dishonoured : and, in seeking to
avenge the wrongs he had suffered from his
sovereign, he meditated against his native
country one of the blackest schemes of trea
son that ever entered into the human heart.
The plan of Count Julian was to hurl
King Roderick from his throne, and to
deliver all Spain into the hands of the in
fidels. In concerting and executing this
treacherous plot, it seemed as if his whole
nature was changed; every lofty and gene
rous sentiment was stifled, and he stooped to
the meanest dissimulation. His first object
was to extricate his family from the power
of the king, and to remove it from Spain
before his treason should be known ; his
DON RODERICK. 71
next, to deprive the country of its remaining
means of defence against an invader.
With these dark purposes at heart, but
with an open and serene countenance, he
crossed to Spain, and repaired to the court
at Toledo. Wherever he came he was hailed
with acclamations as a victorious general,
and appeared in the presence of his sovereign
radiant with the victory at Ceuta. Conceal
ing from King Roderick his knowledge of
the outrage upon his house, he professed
nothing but the most devoted loyalty and
affection.
The king loaded him with favours ; seek
ing to appease his own conscience by heaping
honours upon the father in atonement of the
deadly wrong inflicted upon his child. He
regarded Count Julian, also, as a man able
and experienced in warfare, and took his
advice in all matters relating to the military
affairs of the kingdom. The count magni
fied the dangers that threatened the frontier
under his command, and prevailed upon the
king to send thither the best horses and arms
7# THE LEGEND OF
remaining from the time of Witiza, there
being no need of them in the centre of Spain
in its present tranquil state. The residue,
at his suggestion, was stationed on the fron
tiers of Gallia ; so that the kingdom was left
almost wholly without defence against any
sudden irruption from the south.
Having thus artfully arranged his plans,
and all things being prepared for his return
to Africa, he obtained permission to with
draw his daughter from the court, and leave
her with her mother, the Countess Frandina,
who, he pretended, lay dangerously ill at
Algeziras. Count Julian issued out of the
gate of the city, followed by a shining band
of chosen followers, while beside him, on a
palfrey, rode the pale and weeping Florinda.
The populace hailed and blessed him as he
passed, but his heart turned from them with
loathing. As he crossed the bridge of the
Tagus, he looked back with a dark brow
upon Toledo, and raised his mailed hand and
shook it at the royal palace of King Rode
rick, which crested the rocky height. " A
DON RODERICK. 73
father s curse," said he, "be upon thee and
thine ! May desolation fall upon thy dwelling,
and confusion and defeat upon thy realm ! "
In his journeyings through the country,
he looked round him with a malignant eye - y
the pipe of the shepherd, and the song of
the husbandman, were as discord to his soul;
every sight and sound of human happiness
sickened him at heart, and, in the bitterness
of his spirit, he prayed that he might see
the whole scene of prosperity laid waste with
fire and sword by the invader.
The story of domestic outrage and dis
grace had already been made known to the
Countess Frandina. When the hapless Flo-
rinda came in presence of her mother, she
fell on her neck, and hid her face in her
bosom, and wept ; but the countess shed
never a tear, for she was a woman haughty
of spirit and strong of heart. She looked
her husband sternly in the face. " Perdition
light upon thy head," said she, "if thou
submit to this dishonour. For my own
part, woman as I am, I will assemble the
E
74r THE LEGEND OF
followers of my house, nor rest until rivers
of blood have washed away this stain."
" Be satisfied," replied the count ; "ven
geance is on foot, and will be sure and
ample."
Being now in his own domains, sur
rounded by his relatives and friends, Count
Julian went on to complete his web of
treason. In this he was aided by his brother-
in-law, Oppas, the bishop of Seville : a man
dark and perfidious as the night, but devout
in demeanour, and smoothly plausible in
council. This artful prelate had contrived
to work himself into the entire confidence of
the king, and had even prevailed upon him
to permit his nephews, Evan and Siseburto,
the exiled sons of Witiza, to return into
Spain. They resided in Andalusia, and
were now looked to as fit instruments in the
present traitorous conspiracy.
By the advice of the bishop, Count Julian
called a secret meeting of his relatives and
adherents on a wild rocky mountain, not far
from Consuegra, and which still bears the
DON RODERICK. 75
Moorish appellation of "La Sierra de Cal-
derm," or the mountain of treason.* When
all were assembled, Count Julian appeared
among them, accompanied by the bishop and
by the Countess Frandina. Then gathering
around him those who were of his blood and
kindred, he revealed the outrage that had
been offered to their house. He represented
to them that Roderick was their legitimate
enemy ; that he had dethroned Witiza, their
relation, and had now stained the honour of
one of the most illustrious daughters of their
line. The Countess Frandina seconded his
words. She was a woman majestic in person
and eloquent of tongue ; and being inspired
by a mother s feelings, her speech aroused
the assembled cavaliers to fury.
The count took advantage of the excite
ment of the moment to unfold his plan. The
main object was to dethrone Don Roderick,
and give the crown to the sons of the late
King Witiza. By this means they would
* Bleda, cap. 5.
E 2
76 THE LEGEND OF
visit the sins of the tyrant upon his head y
and, at the same time, restore the regal
honours to their line. For this purpose their
own force would be sufficient ; but they might
procure the aid of Muza ben Nosier, the
Arabian general, in Mauritania, who would
no doubt gladly send a part of his troops
into Spain to assist in the enterprise.
The plot thus suggested by Count Julian
received the unholy sanction of Bishop Oppas,
who engaged to aid it secretly with all his
influence and means : for he had great wealth
and possessions, and many retainers. The
example of the reverend prelate determined
all who might otherwise have wavered, and
they bound themselves by dreadful oaths to
be true to the conspiracy. Count Julian
undertook to proceed to Africa, and seek the
camp of Muza, to negotiate for his aid, while
the bishop was to keep about the person of
King Roderick, and lead him into the net
prepared for him.
All things being thus arranged, Count
Julian gathered together his treasure, and
DON RODERICK. 77
taking his wife and daughter and all his
household, abandoned the country he meant
to betray ; embarking at Malaga for Ceuta.
The gate in the wall of that city, through
which they went forth, continued for ages to
bear the name of Puerto, de la Cava, or the
gate of the harlot ; for such was the oppro
brious and unmerited appellation bestowed
by the Moors on the unhappy Florinda. *
* Bleda, cap. 4-.
E 3
78 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER IX.
SECRET VISIT OF COUNT JULIAN TO THE ARAB
CAMP. FIRST EXPEDITION OF TARIC EL
TUERTO.
WHEN Count Julian had placed his family
in security in Ceuta, surrounded by soldiery
devoted to his fortunes, he took with him a
few confidential followers, and departed in
secret for the camp of the Arabian Emir,
Muza ben Nosier. The camp was spread
out in one of those pastoral valleys which lie
at the feet of the Barbary hills, with the
great range of the Atlas mountains towering
in the distance. In the motley army here
assembled were warriors of every tribe and
nation, that had been united by pact or con
quest in the cause of Islam. There were
those who had followed Muza from the
fertile regions of Egypt, across the deserts
of Barca, and those who had joined his
DON RODERICK. 79
standard from among the sun-burnt tribes
of Mauritania. There were Saracen and
Tartar, Syrian and Copt, and swarthy Moor ;
sumptuous warriors from the civilised cities
of the east, and the gaunt and predatory
rovers of the desert. The greater part of
the army, however, was composed of Arabs ;
but differing greatly from the first rude
hordes that enlisted under the banner of
Mahomet. Almost a century of continual
wars with the cultivated nations of the east
had rendered them accomplished warriors ;
and the occasional sojourn in luxurious
countries and populous cities, had acquainted
them with the arts and habits of civilised
life. Still the roving, restless, and predatory
habits of the genuine son of Ishmael pre
vailed, in defiance of every change of clime
or situation.
Count Julian found the Arab conqueror
Muza surrounded by somewhat of oriental
state and splendour. He was advanced in
life, but of a noble presence, and concealed
his age by tinging his hair and beard with
E 4
80 THE LEGEND OF
henna. The count assumed an air of soldier
like frankness and decision when he came
into his presence. " Hitherto," said he,
" we have been enemies ; but I come to thee
in peace, and it rests with thee to make me
the most devoted of thy friends. I have no
longer country or king. Roderick the Goth
is an usurper, and my deadly foe ; he has
wounded my honour in the tenderest point,
and my country affords me no redress. Aid
me in my vengeance, and I will deliver all
Spain into thy hands : a land far exceeding
In fertility and wealth all the vaunted regions
thou hast conquered in Tingitania."
The heart of Muza leaped with joy at
these words, for he was a bold and ambitious
conqueror, and, having overrun all western
Africa, had often cast a wistful eye to the
mountains of Spain, as he beheld them
brightening beyond the waters of the strait.
Still he possessed the caution of a veteran,
and feared to engage in an enterprise of
such moment, and to carry his arms into
another division of the globe, without the
DON RODERICK. 81
approbation of his sovereign. Having drawn
from Count Julian the particulars of his
plan, and of the means he possessed to carry
it into effect, he laid them before his con
fidential counsellors and officers, and de
manded their opinion. " These words of
Count Julian," said he, " may be false and
deceitful ; or he may not possess the power
to fulfil his promises. The whole may be a
pretended treason to draw us on to our
destruction. It is more natural that he
should be treacherous to us than to his
country."
Among the generals of Muza was a gaunt
swarthy veteran, scarred with wounds ; a
very Arab, whose great delight was roving
and desperate enterprise ; and who cared for
nothing beyond his steed, his lance, and
his scimitar. He was a native of Damascus ;
his name was Taric ben Zeyad ; but, from
having lost an eye, he was known among the
Spaniards by the appellation of Taric el
Tuerto, or Taric the one-eyed.
The hot blood of this veteran Ishmaelite
E 5
8 THE LEGEND OF
was in a ferment when he heard of a new
country to invade, and vast regions to sub
due ; and he dreaded lest the cautious hesi
tation of Muza would permit the glorious
prize to escape them. "You speak doubt-
ingly," said he, " of the words of this
Christian cavalier, but their truth is easily to
be ascertained. Give me four galleys and a
handful of men, and I will depart with this
Count Julian, skirt the Christian coast, and
bring thee back tidings of the land, and of
his means to put it in our power."
The words of the veteran pleased Muza
ben Nosier, and he gave his consent ; and
Taric departed with four galleys and five
hundred men, guided by the traitor Julian.*
This first expedition of the Arabs against
Spain took place, according to certain his
torians, in the year of our Lord seven hundred
and twelve ; though others differ on this
point, as indeed they do upon almost every
* Beuter, Cron. Gen. de Espana, lib. i. c. 28,
Marmol. Descrip. de Africa, lib. ii. c. 10.
DON RODERICK. 83
point in this early period of Spanish history.
The date to which the judicious chroniclers
incline is that of seven hundred and ten, in
the month of July. It would appear from
some authorities, also, that the galleys of
Taric cruised along the coasts of Andalusia
and Lusitania, under the feigned character of
merchant barks : nor is this at all impro
bable, while they were seeking merely to
observe the land, and get a knowledge of
the harbours. Wherever they touched, Count
Julian despatched emissaries, to assemble his
friends and adherents at an appointed place.
They gathered together secretly at Gezira
Alhadra, that is to say, the Green Island ;
where they held a conference with Count
Julian in presence of Taric ben Zeyad.*
Here they again avowed their readiness to
flock to his standard whenever it should
be openly raised, and made known their
various preparations for a rebellion. Taric
was convinced, by all that he had seen and
* Bleda, Cron. c. 5.
E 6
84. THE LEGEND OF
heard, that Count Julian had not deceived
them; either as to his disposition or his
means to betray his country. Indulging his
Arab inclinations, he made an inroad into the
land, collected great spoil and many captives,
and bore off his plunder in triumph to Muza,
as a specimen of the riches to be gained by
the conquest of the Christian land.*
* Conde, Hist. Dom, Arab. part. i. c. 8.
DON RODERICK. 85
CHAPTER X.
LETTER OF MUZA TO THE CALIPH SECOND
EXPEDITION OF TARIC EL TUERTO.
ON hearing the tidings brought by Taric el
Tuerto, and beholding the spoil he had
collected, Muza wrote a letter to the Caliph
Waled Almanzor, setting forth the traitorous
proffer of Count Julian, and the probability,
through his means, of making a successful
invasion of Spain. " A new land," said he,
" spreads itself out before our delighted eyes,
and invites our conquest : a land, too, that
equals Syria in the fertility of its soil, and
the serenity of its sky ; Yemen, or Arabia
the Happy, in its delightful temperature ;
India, in its flowers and spices ; Hegias, in
its fruits and flowers ; Cathay, in its precious
minerals ; and Aden, in the excellence of its
ports and harbours ! It is populous also,
and wealthy ; having many splendid cities,
86 THE LEGEND OP
and majestic monuments of ancient art.
What is to prevent this glorious land from
becoming the inheritance of the faithful ?
Already we have overcome the tribes of
Berbery, of Zab, of Derar, of Zaara, Maza-
muda, and Sus ; and the victorious standard
of Islam floats on the towers of Tangier.
But four leagues of sea separate us from the
opposite coast. One word from my sove
reign, and the conquerors of Africa will pour
their legions into Andalusia, rescue it from
the domination of the unbeliever, and subdue
it to the law of the Koran."*
The Caliph was overjoyed with the. con
tents of the letter. " God is great!" ex
claimed he, " and Mahomet is his prophet !
It has been foretold by the ambassador of
God, that his law should extend to the
ultimate parts of the west, and be carried by
the sword into new and unknown regions.
Behold, another land is opened for the
triumphs of the faithful ! It is the will of
* Conde, part i. c. 8.
DOX RODERICK. 87
Allah, and be his sovereign will obeyed ! "
So the Caliph sent missives to Muza, author
ising him to undertake the conquest.
Upon this there was a great stir of pre
paration ; and numerous vessels were assem
bled and equipped at Tangier, to convey the
invading army across the Straits. Twelve
thousand men were chosen for this expedi
tion : most of them light Arabian troops,
seasoned in warfare, and fitted for hardy and
rapid enterprise. Among them were many
horsemen, mounted on fleet Arabian steeds.
The whole was put under the command of
the veteran, Taric el Tuerto, or the one-eyed,
in whom Muza reposed implicit confidence,
as in a second self. Taric accepted the
command with joy : his martial fire was
roused at the idea of having such an army
under his sole command, and such a country
to overrun ; and he secretly determined
never to return unless victorious.
He chose a dark night to convey his
troops across the Straits of Hercules ; and,
by break of day, they began to disembark at
88 THE LEGEND OF
Tarifa, before the country had time to take the
alarm. A few Christians hastily assembled
from the neighbourhood, and opposed their
landing, but were easily put to flight. Taric
stood on the sea-side, and watched until the
last squadron had landed j and all the horses,
armour, and munitions of war, were brought
on shore : he then gave orders to set fire to
the ships. The Moslems were struck with
terror when they beheld their fleet wrapped
in flames and smoke, and sinking beneath
the waves. " How shall we escape," ex
claimed they, " if the fortune of war should
be against us?" " There is no escape for
the coward !" cried Taric : "the brave man
thinks of none : your only chance is victory."
" But how, without ships, shall we ever
return to our homes?" "Your home,"
replied Taric, " is before you ; but you
must win it with your swords."
While Taric was yet talking with his
followers, says one of the ancient chroniclers,
a Christian female was described, waving
a white pennon on a reed, in signal of
DON RODERICK. 89
peace. On being brought into the presence
of Taric she prostrated herself before him.
" Senior," said she, " I am an ancient
woman ; and it is now full sixty years, past
and gone, since, as I was keeping vigils one
winter s night by the fireside, I heard my
father, who was an exceeding old man, read
a prophecy, said to have been written by a
holy friar ; and this was the purport of the
prophecy : that a time would arrive when
our country would be invaded and conquered
by a people from Africa, of a strange garb,
a strange tongue, and a strange religion.
They were to be led by a strong and valiant
captain, who would be known by these
signs : on his right shoulder he would have
a hairy mole, and his right arm would be
much longer than the left ; and of such
length as to enable him to cover his knee
with his hand without bending his body."
Taric listened to the old beldame with
grave attention ; and, when she had con
cluded, he laid bare his shoulder, and lo !
there was the mole as it had been described ;
90 THE LEGEND OF
his right arm, also, was, in verity, found to
exceed the other in length, though not to
the degree that had been mentioned. Upon
this the Arab host shouted for joy, and felt
assured of conquest.*
The discreet Antonio Agapida, though he
records this circumstance as it is set down
in ancient chronicle, yet withholds his belief
from the pretended prophecy, considering
the whole a cunning device of Taric to
increase the courage of his troops. " Doubt
less," says he, " there was a collusion
between this ancient sybil and the crafty son
of Ishmael ; for these infidel leaders were
full of damnable inventions, to work upon the
superstitious fancies of their followers, and to
inspire them with a blind confidence in the
success of their arms."
Be this as it may, the veteran Taric took
advantage of the excitement of his soldiery,
and led them forward to gain possession of
* Perdida de Espana, por Abulcasim Tarif Aben-
tarique, lib. i. c. 7.
DON RODERICK. 91
a stronghold, which was, in a manner, the
key to all the adjacent country. This was a
lofty mountain, or promontory, almost sur
rounded by the sea ; and connected with the
mainland by a narrow isthmus. It was
called the rock of Calpe, and, like the
opposite rock of Ceuta, commanded the
entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. Here,
in old times, Hercules had set up one of
his pillars, and the city of Heraclea had been
built.
As Taric advanced against this promon
tory, he was opposed by a hasty levy of the
Christians, who had assembled under the
banner of a Gothic noble of great power and
importance, whose domains lay along the
mountainous coast of the Mediterranean.
The name of this Christian cavalier was
Theodomir, but he has universally been call
ed Tadmir by the Arabian historians ; and
is renowned as being the first commander
that made any stand against the inroad of
the Moslems. He was about forty years of
age ; hardy, prompt, and sagacious ; and
92 THE LEGEND OF
had all the Gothic nobles been equally vigi
lant and shrewd in their defence, the banner
of Islam would never have triumphed over
the land.
Theodomir had but seventeen hundred
men under his command, and these but
rudely armed ; yet he made a resolute stand
against the army of Taric, and defended the
pass to the promontory with great valour.
He was, at length, obliged to retreat ; and
Taric advanced, and planted his standard on
the rock of Calpe, and fortified it as his
stronghold, and as the means of securing an
entrance into the land. To commemorate
his first victory, he changed the name of the
promontory, and called it Gibel Taric, or
the mountain of Taric ; but, in process of
time, the name has gradually been altered to
Gibraltar.
In the meantime, the patriotic chieftain,
Theodomir, having collected his routed forces,
encamped with them on the skirts of the
mountains, and summoned the country round
to join his standard. He sent off missives,
DON RODERICK. 93
in all speed, to the king ; imparting, in brief
and blunt terms, the news of the invasion,
and craving assistance with equal frankness.
" Senior," said he, in his letter, " the legions
of Africa are upon us, but whether they come
from heaven or earth I know not. They
seem to have fallen from the clouds, for they
have no ships. We have been taken by
surprise, overpowered by numbers, and
obliged to retreat ; and they have fortified
themselves in our territory. Send us aid,
senior, with instant speed ; or, rather, come
yourself to our assistance." *
* Conde, part i. c. 9.
94 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER XI.
MEASURES OF DON RODERICK ON HEARING OF
THE INVASION. EXPEDITION OF ATAULFHO.
VISION OF TARIC.
WHEN Don Roderick heard that legions of
turbaned troops had poured into the land
from Africa, he called to mind the visions
and predictions of the necromantic tower,
and great fear came upon him. But, though
sunk from his former hardihood and virtue,
though enervated by indulgence, and de
graded in spirit by a consciousness of crime,
he was resolute of soul, and roused himself
to meet the coming danger. He summoned
a hasty levy of horse and foot, amounting to
forty thousand ; but now were felt the effects
of the crafty council of Count Julian, for the
best of the horses and armour intended for
the public service had been sent into Africa,
and were really in possession of the traitors.
DON RODERICK. 9<5
Many nobles, it is true, took the field with
the sumptuous array with which they had
been accustomed to appear at tournaments
and jousts ; but most of their vassals were
destitute of weapons, and cased in cuirasses
of leather, or suits of armour almost con
sumed by rust. They were without disci
pline or animation ; and their horses, like
themselves, pampered by slothful peace, were
little fitted to bear the heat, the dust, and
toil, of long campaigns.
This army Don Roderick put under the
command of his kinsman Ataulpho, a prince
of the royal blood of the Goths, and of a
noble and generous nature ; and he ordered
him to march with all speed to meet the foe,
and to recruit his forces on the way with the
troops of Theodomir.
In the meantime, Taric el Tuerto had re
ceived large re-enforcements from Africa, and
the adherents of Count Julian, and all those
discontented with the sway of Don Roderick,
had flocked to his standard ; for many were
deceived by the representations of Count
96 THE LEGEND OF
Julian, and thought that the Arabs had come
to aid him in placing the sons of Witiza
upon the throne. Guided by the count, the
troops of Taric penetrated into various parts
of the country, and laid waste the land ;
bringing back loads of spoil to their strong
hold at the rock of Calpe.
The prince Ataulpho marched with his
army through Andalusia, and was joined by
Theodomir with his troops ; he met with
various detachments of the enemy foraging
the country, and had several bloody skir
mishes ; but he succeeded in driving them
before him, and they retreated to the rock of
Calpe, where Taric lay gathered up with the
main body of his army.
The prince encamped not far from the bay
which spreads itself out before the promon
tory. In the evening he despatched the
veteran Theodomir, with a trumpet, to de
mand a parley of the Arab chieftain, who
received the envoy in his tent, surrounded
by his captains. Theodomir was frank and
abrupt in speech, for the most of his life
DON RODERICK. 97
had been passed far from courts. He
delivered, in round terms, the message of
the Prince Ataulpho ; upbraiding" the Arab
general with his wanton invasion of the land,
and summoning him to surrender his army,
or to expect no mercy.
The single eye of Taric el Tuerto glowed
like a coal of fire at this message. " Tell
your commander," replied he, " that I have
crossed the strait to conquer Spain, nor will
I return until I have accomplished my pur
pose. Tell him I have men skilled in war,
and armed in proof, with whose aid I trust
soon to give a good account of his rabble
host."
A murmur of applause passed through
the assemblage of Moslem captains. Theo-
domir glanced on them a look of defiance,
but his eye rested on a renegado Christian, one
of his own, ancient comrades, and a relation of
Count Julian. "As to you, Don Grey
beard," said he, "you who turn apostate in
your declining age, I here pronounce you a
traitor to your God, your king, and country ;
F
98 THE LEGEND OF
and stand ready to prove it this instant upon
your body, if field be granted me."
The traitor knight was stung with rage
at these words, for truth rendered them
piercing to the heart. He would have im
mediately answered to the challenge, but
Taric forbade it, and ordered that the Chris
tian envoy should be conducted from the
camp. " J Tis well," replied Theodomir ;
" God will give me the field which you
deny. Let yon hoary apostate look to him
self to-morrow in the battle, for I pledge
myself to use my lance upon no other foe
until it has shed his blood upon the native
soil he has betrayed." So saying, he left
the eamp ; nor could the Moslem chieftains
help admiring the honest indignation of this
patriot knight, while they secretly despised
his renegado adversary.
The ancient Moorish chroniclers relate
many awful portents, and strange and mys
terious visions, which appeared to the com
manders of either army during this anxious
night. Certainly it was a night of fearful
DON RODERICK. 99
suspense, and Moslem and Christian looked
forward with doubt to the fortune of the
coming day. The Spanish sentinel walked
his pensive round, listening- occasionally to
the vague sounds from the distant rock of
Calpe, and eyeing it as the mariner eyes the
thunder cloud, pregnant with terror and des
truction. The Arabs, too, from their lofty
cliffs beheld the numerous camp-fires of the
Christians gradually lighted up, and saw
that they were a powerful host ; at the same
time the night breeze brought to their ears
the sullen roar of the sea which separated
them from Africa. When they considered
their perilous situation, an army on one side,
with a whole nation aroused to re-enforce It,
and on the other an impassable sea, the
spirits of many of the warriors were cast
down, and they repented the day when they
had ventured into this hostile land.
Taric marked their despondency, but said
nothing. Scarce had the first streak of
morning light trembled along the sea, how
ever, when he summoned his principal war-
F 2
100 THE LEGEND OF
riors to his tent. "Be of good cheer," said
he : " Allah is with us, and has sent his
prophet to give assurance of his aid. Scarce
had I retired to my tent last night, when a
man of a majestic and venerable presence
stood before me. He was taller by a palm
than the ordinary race of men : his flowing
beard was of a golden hue, and his eyes
were so bright that they seemed to send forth
flashes of fire. I have heard the Emir Ba-
hamet, and other ancient men, describe the
prophet, whom they had seen many times
while on earth, and such was his form and
lineament. Fear nothing, O Taric, from
the morrow, said he, I will be with thee in
the fight. Strike boldly, then, and conquer.
Those of thy followers who survive the battle
will have this land for an inheritance ; for
those who fall, a mansion in paradise is pre
pared, and immortal houris await their com
ing. He spake and vanished ; I heard a
strain of celestial melody, and my tent was
filled with the odours of Arabia the Happy."
"Such," say the Spanish chroniclers, "was
DON RODERICK. 101
another of the arts by which this arch son of
Ishmael sought to animate the hearts of his
followers;" and the pretended vision had
been recorded by the Arabian writers as a
veritable occurrence. Marvellous, indeed,
was the effect produced by it upon the infidel
soldiery, who now cried out with eagerness
to be led against the foe.
F 3
102 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER XII.
BATTLE OF CALPE. FATE OF ATAULPHO.
THE grey summits of the rock of Calpe
brightened with the first rays of morning, as
the Christian arrny issued forth from its
encampment. The Prince Ataulpho rode
from squadron to squadron, animating his
soldiers for the battle. " Never should we
sheath our swords," said he, " while these
infidels have a footing in the land. They
are pent up within yon rocky mountain, we
must assail them in their rugged hole. We
have a long day before us : let not the setting
sun shine upon one of their host, who is not
a fugitive, a captive, or a corpse."
The words of the prince were received
with shouts, and the army moved towards
the promontory. As they advanced, they
heard the clash of cymbals and the bray of
trumpets, and the rocky bosom of the moun-
DON RODERICK. 103
tain glittered with helms and spears and
scimitars ; for the Arabs, inspired with fresh
confidence by the words of Taric, were sal
lying forth, with flaunting banners, to the
combat.
The gaunt Arab chieftain stood upon a
rock as his troops marched by ; his buckler
was at his back, and he brandished in his
hand a double-pointed spear. Calling upon
the several leaders by their names, he ex
horted them to direct their attacks against
the Christian captains, and especially against
Ataulpho ; "for the chiefs being slain," said
he, " their followers will vanish from before
us like the morning mist."
The Gothic nobles were easily to be dis
tinguished by the splendour of their arms ;
but the Prince Ataulpho was conspicuous
above all the rest for the youthful grace and
majesty of his appearance, and the bravery
of his array. He was mounted on a superb
Andalusian charger, richly caparisoned with
crimson velvet, embroidered with gold. His
surcoat was of like colour and adornment,
F 4
W4f THE LEGEND OF
and the plumes that waved above his bur
nished helmet were of the purest white.
Ten mounted pages, magnificently attired,
followed him to the field, but their duty was
not so much to fight as to attend upon
their lord, and to furnish him with steed or
weapon.
The Christian troops, though irregular
and undisciplined, were full of native cour
age ; for the old warrior spirit of their
Gothic sires still glowed in their bosoms.
There were two battalions of infantry, but
Ataulpho stationed them in the rear ; " for
God forbid," said he, " that foot soldiers
should have the place of honour in the bat
tle, when I have so many valiant cavaliers."
As the armies drew nigh to each other,
however, it was discovered that the advance
of the Arabs was composed of infantry.
Upon this the cavaliers checked their steeds,
and requested that the foot soldiery might
advance and disperse this losel crew, hold
ing it beneath their dignity to contend with
pedestrian foes. The prince, however, com-
DON RODERICK. 105
manded them to charge j upon which, put
ting spurs to their steeds, they rushed upon
the foe.
The Arabs stood the shock manfully, re
ceiving the horses upon the points of their
lances ; many of the riders were shot down
with bolts from cross-bows, or stabbed with
the poniards of the Moslems. The cavaliers
succeeded, however, in breaking into the
midst of the battalion and throwing it into
confusion, cutting down some with their
swords, transpiercing others with their
spears, and trampling many under the hoofs
of their horses. At this moment, they were
attacked: by a band of Spanish horsemen, the
recreant partisans of Count Julian. Their
assault bore hard upon their countrymen,
who were disordered by the contest with the
foot soldiers, and many a loyal Christian
knight fell beneath the sword of an un
natural foe.
The foremost among these recreant war
riors was the renegado cavalier whom Theo-
domir had challenged in the tent of Taric.
F 5
106 THE LEGEND OF
He dealt his blows about him with a powerful
arm and with malignant fury, for nothing
is more deadly than the hatred of an apostate.
In the midst of his career he was espied by
the hardy Theodomir, who came spurring to
the encounter : " Traitor/ cried he, "I have
kept my vow. This lance has been held
sacred from all other foes to make a passage
for thy perjured soul." The renegado had
been renowned for prowess before he became
a traitor to his country, but guilt will sap
the courage of the stoutest heart. When he
beheld Theodomir rushing upon him, he
would have turned and fled ; pride alone
withheld him ; and, though an admirable
master of defence, he lost all skill to ward
the attack of his adversary. At the first
assault the lance of Theodomir pierced him
through and through ; he fell to the earth,
gnashed his teeth as he rolled in the dust,
but yielded his breath without uttering a
word.
The battle now became general, and lasted
throughout the morning with varying success.
DON RODERICK. 107
The stratagem of Taric, however, began to
produce its effect. The Christian leaders and
most conspicuous cavaliers were singled out,
and severally assailed by overpowering num
bers. They fought desperately, and per
formed miracles of prowess ; but fell, one by
one, beneath a thousand wounds. Still the
battle lingered on throughout a great part of
the day ; and as the declining sun shone
through the clouds of dust, it seemed as if
the conflicting hosts were wrapped in smoke
and fire.
The Prince Ataulpho saw that the fortune
of battle was against him. He rode about
the field calling out the names of the bravest
of his knights, but few answered to his call ;
the rest lay mangled on the field. With
this handful of warriors he endeavoured to
retrieve the day, when he was assailed by
Tenderos, a partisan of Count Julian, at the
head of a body of recreant Christians. At
sight of this new adversary, fire flashed from
the eyes of the prince, for Tenderos had been
brought up in his father s palace. " Well
v 6
108 THE LEGEND OF
dost thou, traitor ! " cried he, " to attack
the son of thy lord, who gave thee bread ;
thou, who hast betrayed thy country and thy
God!"
So saying, he seized a lance from one of
his pages, and charged furiously upon the
apostate ; but Tenderos met him in mid
career, and the lance of the prince was
shivered upon his shield. Ataulpho then
grasped his mace, which hung at his saddle
bow, and a doubtful fight ensued. Tenderos
was powerful of frame and superior in the
use of his weapons, but the curse of treason
seemed to paralyse his arm. He wounded
Ataulpho slightly between the greaves of his
armour, but the prince dealt a blow with
his mace that crushed through helm and
skull, and reached the brains ; and Tenderos
fell dead to the earth, his armour rattling as
he fell.
At the same moment a javelin, hurled by
an Arab, transpierced the horse of Ataulpho,
which sunk beneath him. The prince seized
the reins of the steed of Tenderos ; but the
DON RODERICK. 109
faithful animal, as though he knew him to be
the foe of his late lord, reared and plunged,
and refused to let him mount. The prince,
however, used him as a shield to ward off the
press of foes : while, with his sword, he
defended himself against those in front of
him. Taric ben Zeyad arrived at the scene
of conflict, and paused, for a moment, in
admiration of the surpassing prowess of the
prince : recollecting, however, that his fall
would be a death-blow to his army, he spur
red upon him, and wounded him severely
with his scimitar. Before he could repeat
his blow, Theodomir led up a body of
Christian cavaliers to the rescue, and Taric
was parted from his prey by the tumult of
of the fight. The prince sank to the earth,
covered with wounds, and exhausted by the
loss of blood. A faithful page drew him
from under the hoofs of the horses, and,
aided by a veteran soldier, an ancient vassal
of Ataulpho, conveyed him to a short dis
tance from the field of battle, by the side of a
small stream that gushed out from among
110 THE LEGEND OF
rocks. They stanched the blood that flowed
from his wounds, and washed the dust from
his face, and laid him beside the fountain.
The page sat at his head, and supported it
on his knees ; and the veteran stood at his
feet, with his brow bent, and his eyes full of
sorrow. The prince gradually revived, and
opened his eyes. " How fares the battle?"
said he. " The struggle is hard," replied
the soldier, " but the day may yet be ours."
The prince felt that the hour of his death
was at hand, and ordered that they should
aid him to rise upon his knees. They sup
ported him between them, and he prayed
fervently for a short time, when, finding his
strength declining, he beckoned the veteran
to sit down beside him on the rock. Con
tinuing to kneel, he confessed himself to that
ancient soldier ; having no priest or friar to
perform that office in this hour of extremity.
When he had so done, he sunk again upon
the earth, and pressed it with his lips, as if
he would take a fond farewell of his beloved
country. The page would then have raised
DON RODERICK. Ill
his head, but found that his lord had yielded
up the ghost.
A number of Arab warriors, who came to
the fountain to slake their thirst, cut off the
head of the prince, and bore it in triumph to
Taric, crying, " Behold the head of the
Christian leader ! " Taric immediately or
dered that the head should be put upon the
end of a lance, together with the surcoat of
the prince, and borne about the field of battle,
with the sound of trumpets, atabels, and
cymbals.
When the Christians beheld the surcoat,
and knew the features of the prince, they
were struck with horror, and heart and hand
failed them. Theodomir endeavoured in vain
to rally them ; they threw by their weapons
and fled ; and they continued to fly, and
the enemy to pursue and slay them, until the
darkness of the night. The Moslems then
returned, and plundered the Christian camp,
where they found abundant spoil.
THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER XIII.
TERROR OF THE COUNTRY. RODERICK ROUSES
HIMSELF TO ARMS.
THE scattered fugitives of the Christain
army spread terror throughout the land.
The inhabitants of the towns and villages
gathered around them as they applied at
their gates for food, or laid themselves
down, faint and wounded, beside the public
fountains. When they related the tale of
their defeat, old men shook their heads and
groaned, and the women uttered cries and
lamentations. So strange and unlooked-for
a calamity filled them with consternation and
despair ; for it was long since the alarm of
war had sounded in their land : and this
was a warfare that carried chains and slavery,
and all kinds of horrors, in its train.
Don Roderick was seated with his beau
teous queen, Exilona, in the royal palace
which crowned the rocky summit of Toledo,
DON RODERICK. 113
when the bearer of ill-tidings came galloping
over the bridge of the Tagus. " What
tidings from the army?" demanded the
king, as the panting messenger was brought
into his presence. " Tidings of great woe !"
exclaimed the soldier. " The prince has
fallen in battle. I saw his head and surcoat
upon a Moorish lance ; and the army was
overthrown and fled ! "
At hearing these words, Roderick covered
his face with his hands, and for some time
sat in silence ; and all his courtiers stood
mute and aghast, and no one dared to speak
a word. In that awful space of time passed
before his thoughts all his errors and his
crimes, and all the evil that had been
predicted in the necromantic tower. His
mind was filled with horror and confusion,
for the hour of his destruction seemed at
hand : but he subdued his agitation by his
strong and haughty spirit ; and, when he
uncovered his face, no one could read on his
brow the trouble and agony of his heart.
Still, every hour brought fresh tidings of
114 THE LEGEND OF
disaster. Messenger after messenger came
spurring into the city, distracting it with
new alarmSr The infidels, they said, were
strengthening themselves in the land ; host
after host were pouring in from Africa : the
sea coast of Andalusia glittered with spears
and scimitars. Bands of turbaned horsemen
had overrun the plains of Sidonia, even
to the banks of the Guadiana. Fields were
laid waste, towns and cities plundered, the
inhabitants carried into captivity, and the
whole country lay in smoking desolation.
Roderick heard all these tidings with an
undaunted aspect ; nor did he ever again
betray sign of consternation : but the anxiety
of his soul was evident in his warlike pre
parations. He issued orders that every
noble and prelate of his kingdom should put
himself at the head of his retainers, and
take the field ; and that every man capable
of bearing arms should hasten to his stand
ard, bringing whatever horse, and mule, and
weapon he possessed : and he appointed the
plain of Cordova for the place where the
DON RODERICK. 115
army was to assemble. Throwing by, then,
all the trappings of his late slothful and
voluptuous life, and arming himself for war
like action, he departed from Toledo at the
head of his guard, composed of the flower of
the youthful nobility. His queen, Exilona,
accompanied him ; for she craved permission
to remain in one of the cities of Andalusia,
that she might be near her lord in this time
of peril.
Among the first who appeared to hail the
arrival of the king at Cordova, was the
Bishop Oppas, the secret partisan of the
traitor Julian. He brought with him his
two nephews, Evan and Siseburto, the sons
of the late king Witiza ; and a great host of
vassals and retainers, all well armed and
appointed, for they had been furnished, by
Count Julian, with a part of the arms sent
by the king to Africa. The bishop was
smooth of tongue, and profound in his
hypocrisy : his pretended zeal and devotion,
and the horror with which he spoke of the
treachery of his kinsman, imposed upon the
116 THE LEGEND OF
credulous spirit of the king, and he was
readily admitted into his most secret council.
The alarm of the infidel invasion had
spread throughout the land, and roused the
Gothic valour of the inhabitants. On re
ceiving the oders of Roderick, every town
and hamlet, every mountain and valley, had
sent forth its fighting men, and the whole
country was on the march towards Anda
lusia. In a little while there were gathered
together, on the plain of Cordova, near fifty
thousand horsemen, and a countless host of
foot-soldiers. The Gothic nobles appeared
in burnished armour, curiously inlaid, and
adorned with chains and jewels of gold, anc
ornaments of precious stones, and silkez
scarfs, and surcoats of brocade, or velvet
richly embroidered ; betraying the luxury and
ostentation with which they had declined
from the iron hardihood of their warlike
sires. As to the common people, some had
lances and shields and swords and cross
bows, but the greater part were unarmed, or
provided merely with slings, and clubs
DON RODERICK. 117
studded with nails, and with the iron im
plements of husbandry ; and many had
made shields for themselves from the doors
and windows of their habitations. They
were a prodigious host, and appeared, say
the Arabian chroniclers, like an agitated sea ;
but, though brave in spirit, they possessed
no knowledge of warlike art, and were in
effectual through lack of arms and discipline.
Several of the most ancient and experi
enced cavaliers, beholding the state of the
army, advised Don Roderick to await the
arrival of more regular troops, which were
stationed in Iberia, Cantabria, and Gallia
Gothica ; but this counsel was strenuously
opposed by the Bishop Oppas ; who urged
the king to march immediately against the
infidels. " As yet," said he, " their number
is but limited ; but every day new hosts
arrive, like flocks of locusts, from Africa.
They will augment faster than we ; they are
living, too, at our expense, and, while we
pause, both armies are consuming the sub
stance of the land."
118 THE LEGEND OF
King Roderick listened to the crafty
counsel of the bishop, and determined to
advance without delay. He mounted his
war horse, Orelia, and rode among his troops
assembled on that spacious plain, and where-
ever he appeared he was received with accla
mations ; for nothing so arouses the spirit of
the soldier as to behold his sovereign in
arms. He addressed them in words calcu
lated to touch their hearts and animate their
courage. " The Saracens," said he, " are
ravaging our land, and their object is our
conquest. Should they prevail, your very
existence as a nation is at an end. They
will overturn your altars ; trample on the
cross ; lay waste your cities ; carry off your
wives and daughters, and doom yourselves
and sons to hard and cruel slavery. No
safety remains for you but in the prowess of
your arms. For my own part, as I am
your king, so will 1 be your leader, and will
be the foremost to encounter every toil and
danger."
The soldiery answered their monarch with
DON RODERICK. 119
loud acclamations, and solemnly pledged
themselves to fight to the last gasp in defence
of their country and their faith. The king then
arranged the order of their march : all those
who were armed with cuirasses and coats of
mail were placed in the front and rear ; the
centre of the army was composed of a pro
miscuous throng, without body armour, and
but scantily provided with weapons.
When they were about to march, the king
called to him a noble cavalier named Ra-
miro, and delivering him the royal standard,
charged him to guard it well for the honour
of Spain ; scarcely, however, had the good
knight received it in his hand, when he
fell dead from his horse, and the staff of
the standard was broken in twain. Many
ancient courtiers who were present looked
upon this as an evil omen, and counselled the
king not to set forward on his march that
day ; but, disregarding all auguries and por
tents, he ordered the royal banner to be put
upon a lance, and gave it in charge of an
other standard bearer : then commanding the
120 THE LEGEND OF
trumpets to be sounded, he departed at the
head of his host to seek the enemy.
The field where this great army assembled
was called, from the solemn pledge given by
the nobles and the soldiery, El campo de la
verdad; or, The field of Truth ; a name, says
the sage chronicler Abul Cassim, which it
bears even to the present day. *
* La Perdida de Espaiia, cap. 9. Bleda, lib. ii.
c. 8.
DON RODERICK.
CHAPTER XIV.
MARCH OF THE GOTHIC ARMY. ENCAMPMENT
ON THE BANKS OF THE GUADALETE. MYSTE
RIOUS PREDICTIONS OF A PALMER. CONDUCT
OF PELISTES THEREUPON.
THE hopes of Andalusia revived, as this
mighty host stretched in lengthened lines
along its fertile plains ; from morn until
night it continued to pour along, with sound
of drum and trumpet ; it was led on by the
proudest nobles and bravest cavaliers of the
land, and, had it possessed arms and dis
cipline, might have undertaken the conquest
of the world.
After a few days march, Don Roderick
arrived in sight of the Moslem army, en
camped on the banks of the Guadalete*,
where that beautiful stream winds through
* This name was given to it subsequently by the
Arabs. It signifies the River of Death. Vide Pe-
druza, Hist. Granad. p. 3. c. 1.
G
THE LEGEND OF
the fertile land of Xeres. The infidel host
was far inferior in number to the Christians ;
but then it was composed of hardy and dex
terous troops, seasoned to war, and admir
ably armed. The camp shone gloriously in
the setting sun, and resounded with the clash
of cymbal, the note of the trumpet, and the
neighing of fiery Arabian steeds. There
were swarthy troops from every nation of
the African coast, together with legions from
Syria and Egypt, while the light Bedouins
were careering about the adjacent plain.
What grieved and incensed the spirits of the
Christian warriors, however, was to behold,
a little apart from the Moslem host, an en
campment of Spanish cavaliers, with the
banner of Count Julian waving above their
tents. They were ten thousand in number,
valiant and hardy men, the most experienced
of Spanish soldiery, most of them having
served in the African wars ; they were well
armed and appointed also, with the weapons
of which the count had beguiled his sove
reign ; and it was a grievous sight to behold
DON RODERICK.
such good soldiers arrayed against their
country and their faith.
The Christians pitched their tents about
the hour of vespers, at a short league distant
from the enemy, and remained gazing with
anxiety and awe upon this barbaric host that
had caused such terror and desolation in the
land : for the first sight of a hostile encamp
ment in a country disused to war, is terrible
to the newly enlisted soldier. A marvellous
occurrence is recorded by the Arabian chro
niclers as having taken place in the Christian
camp ; but discreet Spanish writers relate it
with much modification, and consider it a
stratagem of the wily Bishop Oppas, to
sound the loyalty of the Christian cavaliers.
As several leaders of the army were seated
with the bishop in his tent, conversing on the
dubious fortunes of the approaching contest,
an ancient pilgrim appeared at the entrance.
He was bowed down with years, his snowy
beard descended to his girdle, and he sup
ported his tottering steps with a palmer s
staff. The cavaliers rose and received him
G 2
124 THE LEGEND OF
with great reverence as he advanced within
the tent. Holding up his withered hand,
" Woe, woe to Spain!" exclaimed he, "for
the vial of the wrath of heaven is ahout to
be poured out. Listen, warriors, and take
warning. Four months since, having per
formed my pilgrimage to the sepulchre of
our Lord in Palestine, I was on my return
towards my native land. Wearied and way
worn, I lay down one night to sleep beneath
a palm tree, by the side of a fountain, when
I was awakened by a voice saying unto me,
in soft accents, * Son of sorrow, why sleepest
thou ? I opened my eyes, and beheld one
of a fair and beauteous countenance, in
shining apparel and with glorious wings,
standing by the fountain ; and I said, Who
art thou who callest upon me in this deep
hour of the night?
" Fear not, replied the stranger, c I am
an angel from heaven, sent to reveal unto
thee the fate of thy country. Behold the
sins of Roderick have come up before God,
and his anger is kindled against him, and he
DON RODERICK.
has given him up to be invaded and de
stroyed. Hasten then to Spain, and seek
the camp of thy countrymen. Warn them
that such only shall be saved as shall aban
don Roderick ; but those who adhere to him
shall share his punishment, and shall fall
under the sword of the invader.
The pilgrim ceased, and passed forth from
the tent ; certain of the cavaliers followed
him to detain him, that they might converse
further with him about these matters, but he
was no where to be found. The sentinel
before the tent said, " I saw no one come
forth, but it was as if a blast of wind passed
by me, and there was a rustling as of dry
leaves."
The cavaliers remained looking upon each
other with astonishment. The Bishop Oppas
sat with his eyes fixed upon the ground, and
shadowed by his overhanging brow. At
length, breaking silence, in a low and falter
ing voice, " Doubtless," said he, " this mes
sage is from God ; and since he has taken
compassion upon us, and given us notice of
G 3
126 THE LEGEND OF
his impending- judgment, it behoves us to
hold grave council, and determine how best
we may accomplish his will and avert his
displeasure."
The chiefs still remained silent, as men
confounded. Among them WBS a veteran
noble named Pelistes. He had distinguished
himself in the African wars, fighting side by
side with Count Julian, but the latter had
never dared to tamper with his faith, for he
knew his stern integrity. Pelistes had
brought with him to the camp his only son,
who had never drawn a sword expect in
tourney. When the young man saw that
the veterans held their peace, the blood
mantled in his cheek, and, overcoming his
modesty, he broke forth with a generous
warmth : "I know not, cavaliers," said he,
"what is passing in your minds, but I believe
this pilgrim to be an envoy from the devil ;
for none else could have given such dastard
and perfidious counsel. For my own part,
I stand ready to defend my king, my country,
and my faith. I know no higher duty than
DON RODERICK. 12?
this, and if God thinks fit to strike me dead
in the performance of it, his sovereign will
be done!"
When the young man had risen to speak,
liis father had fixed his eyes upon him with
a grave and stern demeanour, leaning upon
a two-handed sword. As soon as the youth
had finished, Pelistes embraced him with a
father s fondness. " Thou hast spoken well,
my son," said he ; " if I held my peace at
the counsel of this losel pilgrim, it was but
to hear thy opinion, and to learn whether
thou wert worthy of thy lineage and of the
training I had given thee. Hadst thou coun
selled otherwise than thou hast done, hadst
thou shown thyself craven and disloyal, so
help me God, I would have struck off thy
head with this weapon which I hold in my
hand. But thou hast counselled like a loyal
and a Christian knight, and I thank God for
having given me a son worthy to perpetuate
the honours of my line. As to this pilgrim,
be he saint or be he devil, I care not ; this
much I promise, that if I am to die in de-
G 4
128 THE LEGEND OF
fence of my country and my king, my life
shall be a costly purchase to the foe. Let
each man make the same resolve, and I trust
we shall yet prove the pilgrim a lying pro
phet." The words of Pelistes roused the
spirits of many of the cavaliers ; others,
however, remained full of anxious foreboding,
and when this fearful prophecy was rumoured
about the camp, as it presently was by the
emissaries of the bishop, it spread awe and
dismay among the soldiery.
DON RODERICK.
CHAPTER XV.
SKIRMISHING OF THE ARMIES. PELISTES AND
HIS SON. PELISTES AND THE BISHOP.
ON the following day, the two armies re
mained regarding each other with wary but
menacing aspect. About noontide, King
Roderick sent forth a chosen force of five
hundred horse and two hundred foot, the best
armed of his host, to skirmish with the
enemy, that, by gaining some partial advan
tage, they might raise the spirits of the
army. They were led on by Theodomir,
the same Gothic noble who had signalised
himself by first opposing the invasion of the
Moslems.
The Christian squadrons paraded with fly
ing pennons in the valley which lay between
the armies. The Arabs were not slow in
answering their defiance. A large body of
horsemen sallied forth to the encounter, to-
G 5
130 THE LEGEND OF
gether with three hundred of the followers
of Count Julian. There was hot skirmish
ing about the field, and on the banks of the
river ; many gallant feats were displayed on
either side, and many valiant warriors were
slain. As the night closed in, the trumpets
from either camp summoned the troops to
retire from the combat. In this day s action
the Christians suffered greatly in the loss of
their distinguished cavaliers ; for it is the
noblest spirits who venture most, and lay
themselves open to danger ; and the Moslem
soldiers had instructions to single out the
leaders of the adverse host. All this is said
to have been devised by the perfidious Bishop
Oppas, who had secret communications with
the enemy, while he influenced the councils
of the king ; arid who trusted that by
this skirmishing warfare the power of the
Christian troops would be cut off, and the
rest disheartened.
On the following morning, a larger force
was ordered out to skirmish, and such of the
soldiery as were unarmed were commanded
DON RODERICK. 131
to stand ready to seize the horses and strip
off the armour of the killed and wounded.
Among the most illustrious of the warriors
who fought that day was Pelistes, the Gothic
nohle who had so sternly checked the tongue
of the Bishop Oppas. He led to the field a
large body of his own vassals and retainers,
and of cavaliers trained up in his house, who
had followed him to the wars in Africa, and
who looked up to him more as a father than
a chieftain. Beside him was his only son,
who now for the first time was fleshing his
sword in battle. The conflict that day was
more general and bloody than the day pre
ceding ; the slaughter of the Christian war
riors was immense, from their lack of defen
sive armour ; and as nothing could prevent
the flower of the Gothic chivalry from spur
ring to the combat, the field was strewed
with the bodies of the youthful nobles. None
suffered more, however, than the warriors of
Pelistes. Their leader himself was bold and
hardy, and prone to expose himself to danger ;
but years and experience had moderated his
G 6
THE LEGEND OF
early fire ; his son, however, was eager to
distinguish himself in this, his first essay,
and rushed with impetuous ardour into the
hottest of the battle. In vain his father
called to caution him ; he was ever in the
advance, and seemed unconscious of the
perils that surrounded him. The cavaliers
and vassals of his father followed him with
devoted zeal, and many of them paid for
their loyalty with their lives. When the
trumpets sounded in the evening for retreat,
the troops of Pelistes were the last to reach
the camp. They came slowly and mourn
fully, and much decreased in number. Their
veteran commander was seated on his war-
horse, but the blood trickled from the
greaves of his armour. His valiant son
was borne on the shields of his vassals ;
when they laid him on the earth near to
where the king was standing, they found
that the heroic youth had expired of his
wounds. The cavaliers surrounded the
body and gave utterance to their grief ;
but the father restrained his agony, and
DON RODERICK. 133
looked on with the stern resignation of a
soldier.
Don Roderick surveyed the field of battle
with a rueful eye, for it was covered with
the mangled bodies of his most illustrious
warriors ; he saw, too, with anxiety, that
the common people, unused to war, and un-
sustained by discipline, were harassed by
incessant toils and dangers, and were cooling
in their zeal and courage.
The crafty bishop Oppas marked the in
ternal trouble of the king, and thought a
favourable moment had arrived to sway
him to his purpose. He called to his mind
the various portents and prophecies which had
forerun their present danger. " Let not my
lord the king," said he, " make light of
these mysterious revelations, which appear to
be so disastrously fulfilling. The hand of
Heaven appears to be against us. Destruc
tion is impending over our heads. Our
troops are rude and unskilful, but slightly
armed, and much cast down in spirit.
Better is it that we should make a treaty
THE LEGEND OF
with the enemy, and, by granting 1 part of
his demands, prevent the utter ruin of our
country. If such counsel be acceptable to
my lord the king, I stand ready to depart
upon an embassy to the Moslem camp."
Upon hearing these words, Pelistes, who
had stood in mournful silence, regarding the
dead body of his son, burst forth with honest
indignation. " By this good sword," said
he, " the man who yields such dastard
counsel deserves death from the hand of his
countrymen rather than from the foe ; and,
were it not for the presence of the king, may
I forfeit salvation if I would not strike him
dead upon the spot."
The bishop turned an eye of venom upon
Pelistes. " My lord," said he, " I, too, bear
a weapon, and know how to wield it. Were
the king not present you would not dare to
menace, nor should you advance one step
without my hastening to meet you."
The king interposed between the jarring
nobles, and rebuked the impetuosity of
Pelistes, but at the same time rejected the
DON RODERICK. 135
counsel of the bishop. " The event of this
conflict," said he, "is in the hand of God ;
but never shall my sword return to its scab
bard while an infidel invader remains within
the land."
He then held a council with his captains,
and it was determined to offer the enemy
general battle on the following day. A
herald was despatched defying Taric ben
Zeyad to the contest, and the defiance was
gladly accepted by the Moslem chieftain.*
Don Roderick then formed the plan of ac
tion, and assigned to each commander his
several station, after which he dismissed his
officers, and each one sought his tent, to
prepare by diligence or repose for the next
day s eventful contest.
* Bleda, Cronica.
136 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER XVI.
TRAITOROUS MESSAGE OF COUNT JULIAN.
TARIC BEN ZEYAD had been surprised by the
valour of the Christian cavaliers in the recent
battles, and at the number and apparent de
votion of the troops which accompanied the
king to the field. The confident defiance of
Don Roderick increased his surprise. When
the herald had retired, he turned an eye of
suspicion on Count Julian. " Thou hast re
presented thy countrymen," said he, " as
sunk in effeminacy and lost to all generous
impulse : yet I find them fighting with the
courage and the strength of lions. Thou
hast represented thy king as detested by his
subjects, and surrounded by secret treason,
but I behold his tents whitening the hills
and dales, while thousands are hourly flock
ing- to his standard. Woe unto thee if thou
CT
DON RODERICK. 137
hast dealt deceitfully with us, or betrayed us
with guileful words."
Don Julian retired to his tent in great
trouble of mind, and fear came upon him
that the Bishop Oppas might play him false ;
for it is the lot of traitors ever to distrust
each other. He called to him the same page
who had brought him the letter from Flo-
rinda, revealing the story of her dishonour.
" Thou knowest, my trusty page," said
he, " that I have reared thee in my house
hold, and cherished thee above all thy com
panions. If thou hast loyalty and affection
for thy lord, now is the time to serve him.
Hie thee to the Christian camp, and find thy
way to the tent of the Bishop Oppas. If
any one ask thee who thou art, tell them
thou art of the household of the bishop, and
bearer of missives from Cordova. When
thou art admitted to the presence of the
bishop, show him this ring, and he will com
mune with thee in secret. Then tell him
Count Julian greets him as a brother, and
demands how the wrongs of his daughter
138 THE LEGEND OF
Florinda are to be redressed. Mark well
his reply, and bring it word for word. Have
thy lips closed, but thine eyes and ears open ;
and observe every thing of note in the camp
of the king. So speed thee on thy errand
away, away!"
The page hastened to saddle a Barbary
steed, fleet as the wind, and of a jet black
colour, so as not to be easily discernible in
the night. He girded on a sword and
dagger, slung an Arab bow with a quiver of
arrows at his side, and a buckler at his
shoulder. Issuing out of the camp, he
sought the banks of the Guadalete, and pro
ceeded silently along its stream, which re
flected the distant fires of the Christian camp.
As he passed by the place which had been
the scene of the recent conflict, he heard,
from time to time, the groan of some ex
piring warrior who had crawled among the
reeds on the margin of the river ; and some
times his steed stepped cautiously over the
mangled bodies of the slain. The young
page was unused to the sights of war, and
DON RODERICK, 139
his heart beat quick within him. He was
hailed by the sentinels as he approached the
Christian camp, and, on giving the reply
taught him by Count Julian, was conducted
to the tent of the Bishop Oppas.
The bishop had not yet retired to his couch.
When he beheld the ring of Count Julian, and
heard the words of his message, he saw that
the page was one in whom he might confide.
" Hasten back to thy lord," said he, " and
tell him to have faith in me, and all shall go
well. As yet I have kept my troops out of
the combat. They are all fresh, well armed,
and well appointed. The king has confided
to myself, aided by the princes Evan and
Siseburto, the command of a wing of the
army. To-morrow, at the hour of noon,
when both armies are in the heat of action,
we will pass over with our forces to the
Moslems. But I claim the compact made
with Taric ben Zeyacl, that my nephews be
placed in dominion over Spain, and tributary
only to the Caliph of Damascus." With
this traitorous message the page departed.
140 THE LEGEND OF
He led his black steed by the bridle to pre
sent less mark for observation, as he went
stumbling along near the expiring fires of
the camp. On passing the last outpost,
when the guards were half slumbering on
their arms, he was overheard and summoned,
but leaped lightly into the saddle and put spurs
to his steed. An arrow whistled by his ear,
and two more stuck in the target which he
had thrown upon his back. The clatter of swift
hoofs echoed behind him, but he had learnt
of the Arabs to fight and fly. Plucking a
shaft from his quiver, and turning and rising
in the stirrups as his courser galloped at full
speed, he drew the arrow to the head and
launched it at his pursuer. The twang of
the bow-string was followed by the crash of
armour, and a deep groan, as the horseman
tumbled to the earth. The page pursued his
course without further molestation, and ar
rived at the Moslem camp before the break
of day.
DON RODERICK. 141
CHAPTER XVII.
LAST DAY OF THE BATTLE.
A LIGHT had burned throughout the nighe
in the tent of the king, and anxious thoughts
and dismal visions troubled his repose. If
he fell into a slumber, he beheld in his
dreams the shadowy phantoms of the necro
mantic tower, or the injured Florinda, pale
and dishevelled, imprecating the vengeance
of Heaven upon his head. In the mid-
watches of the night, when all was silent
except the footstep of the sentinel, pacing
before his tent, the king rose from his couch,
and walking forth looked thoughtfully upon
the martial scene before him. The pale
crescent of the moon hung over the Moorish
camp, and dimly lighted up the windings of
the Guadalete. The heart of the king was
heavy and oppressed ; but he felt only for
himself, says Antonio Agapida, he thought
THE LEGEND OF
nothing of the perils impending over the
thousands of devoted subjects in the camp
below him ; sleeping, as it were, on the
margin of their graves. The faint clatter of
distant hoofs, as if in rapid flight, reached
the monarch s ear, but the horsemen were
not to be descried. At that very hour, and
along the shadowy banks of that river, here
and there gleaming with the scanty moon
light, passed the fugitive messenger of Count
Julian, with the plan of the next day s trea
son.
The day had not yet dawned, when the
sleepless and impatient monarch summoned
his attendants and arrayed himself for the
field. He then sent for the venerable Bishop
Urbino, who had accompanied him to the
camp, and, laying aside his regal crown, he
knelt with head uncovered, and confessed
his sins before the holy man. After this a
solemn mass was performed in the royal
tent, and the eucharist administered to the
monarch. When these ceremonies were
concluded, he besought the archbishop to
DON RODERICK. 143
depart forthwith for Cordova, there to await
the issue of the battle, and to be ready to
bring forward reinforcements and supplies.
The archbishop saddled his mule and de
parted just as the faint blush of morning
began to kindle in the east. Already the
camp resounded with the thrilling call of the
trumpet, the clank of armour, and the tramp
and neigh of steeds. As the archbishop
passed through the camp, he looked with a
compassionate heart on this vast multitude,
of whom so many were soon to perish. The
w r arriors pressed to kiss his hand, and many
a cavalier full of youth and fire received his
benediction, who was to lie stiff and cold
before the evening.
When the troops were marshalled for the
field, Don Roderick prepared to sally forth
in the state and pomp with which the Gothic
kings were wont to go to battle. He was
arrayed in robes of gold brocade ; his sandals
were embroidered with pearls and diamonds ;
he had a sceptre in his hand, and he wore
a regal crown resplendent with inestimable
THE LEGEND OF
jewels. Thus gorgeously apparelled, he as
cended a lofty chariot of ivory, the axle-trees
of which were of silver, and the wheels
and pole covered with plates of burnished
gold. Above his head was a canopy of cloth
of gold embossed with armorial devices, and
studded with precious stones. * This sump
tuous chariot was drawn by milk-white
horses, with caparisons of crimson velvet,
embroidered with pearls. A thousand youth
ful cavaliers surrounded the car ; all of the
noblest blood and bravest spirit ; all knighted
by the king s own hand, and sworn to defend
him to the last.
When Roderick issued forth in this re
splendent state, says an Arabian writer, sur
rounded by his guards in gilded armour and
waving plumes and scarfs and surcoats of
a thousand dyes, it was as if the sun were
emerging in the dazzling chariot of the day
from amidst the glorious clouds of morning.
As the royal car rolled along in front of
* Eutrand. Chron. an. Christ. 714.
DON RODERICK. 145
the squadrons, the soldiers shouted with ad
miration. Don Roderick waved his sceptre,
and addressed them from his lofty throne,
reminding them of the horror and desolation
which had already been spread through the
land by the invaders. He called upon them
to summon up the ancient valour of their
race, and avenge the blood of their brethren.
" One day of glorious fighting," said he,
" and this infidel horde will be driven into
the sea, or will perish beneath your swords.
Forward bravely to the fight ; your families
are behind you praying for your success ;
the invaders of your country are before you ;
God is above to bless his holy cause, and
your king leads you to the fit ld." The army
shouted with one accord, " Forward to the
foe, and death be his portion who shuns the
encounter ! "
The rising sun began to shine along the
glistening waters of the Guadalete as the
Moorish army, squadron after squadron,
came sweeping down a gentle declivity to the
sound of martial music. Their turbans and
H
146 THE LEGEND OF
robes, of various dyes and fashions, gave a
splendid appearance to their host ; as they
marched, a cloud of dust arose and partly
hid them from the sight, but still there
would break forth flashes of steel and gleams
of burnished gold, like rays of vivid light
ning ; while the sound of drum and trumpet,
and the clash of Moorish cymbal, were as
the warlike thunder within that stormy cloud
of battle.
As the armies drew near each other the
sun disappeared among gathering clouds,
and the gloom of the day was increased by
the columns of dust which rose from either
host. At length the trumpet sounded for
the encounter. The battle commenced with
showers of arrows, stones, and javelins. The
Christian foot-soldiers fought to disadvantage,
the greater part being destitute of helm or
buckler. A battalion of light Arabian horse
men, led by a Greek renegado named
Magued el Rumi, careered in front of the
Christian line, launching their darts, and then
wheeling off beyond the reach of the missiles
DON RODERICK. 14/7
hurled after them. Theodomir now brought
up his seasoned troops into the action,
seconded by the veteran Pelistes, and in a
little while the battle became furious and
promiscuous. It was glorious to behold the
old Gothic valour shining forth in this hour
of fearful trial. Wherever the Moslems fell,
the Christians rushed forward, seized upon
their horses, and stripped them of their
armour and their weapons. They fought
desperately and successfully, for they fought
for their country and their faith. The battle
raged for several hours ; the field was
strown with slain, and the Moors, overcome
by the multitude and fury of their foes, be
gan to falter.
When Taric beheld his troops retreating
before the enemy, he threw himself before
them, and, rising in his stirrups, " Oh,
Moslems ! conquerors of Africa ! " cried he,
" whither would you fly ? The sea is be
hind you, the enemy before ; you have no
hope but in your valour and the help of
God. Do as I do, and the day is ours ! "
H 2
148 THE LEGEND OF
With these words he put spurs to his
horse and sprang among the enemy, striking
to right and left, cutting down and destroy
ing, while his steed, fierce as himself, tram
pled upon the foot-soldiers, and tore them
with his teeth. At this moment a mighty
shout arose in various parts of the field ; the
noontide hour had arrived. The Bishop
Oppas with the two princes, who had hitherto
kept their bands out of the fight, suddenly
went over to the enemy, and turned their
weapons upon their astonished countrymen.
From that moment the fortune of the day
was changed, and the field of battle became
a scene of wild confusion and bloody mas
sacre. The Christians knew not whom to
contend with, or whom to trust. It seemed
as if madness had seized upon their friends
and kinsmen, and that their worst enemies
were among themselves.
The courage of Don Roderick rose with
his danger. Throwing off the cumbrous
robes of royalty, and descending from his
car, he sprang upon his steed Orelia, grasped
DON RODERICK. 149
his lance and buckler, and endeavoured to
rally his retreating troops. He was sur
rounded and assailed by a multitude of his
own traitorous subjects, but defended himself
with wondrous prowess. The enemy thick
ened around him ; his loyal band of cava
liers were slain, bravely fighting in his de
fence ; the last that was seen of the king was
in the midst of the enemy, dealing death at
every blow.
A complete panic fell upon the Christians ;
they threw away their arms and fled in all
directions. They were pursued with dread
ful slaughter, until the darkness of the night
rendered it impossible to distinguish friend
from foe. Taric then called off his troops
from the pursuit, and took possession of the
royal camp ; and the couch which had been
pressed so uneasily on the preceding night
by Don Roderick, now yielded sound repose
to his conqueror.*
* This battle is called indiscriminately by histo
rians the battle of Guadalete, or Xeres, from the
neighbourhood of that city.
H 3
150 THE LEGEND OF
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE FIELD OF BATTLE AFTER THE DEFEAT.
THE FATE OF RODERICK.
ON the morning after the battle, the Arab
leader, Taric ben Zeyad, rode over the
bloody field of the Guadalete, strewed with
the ruins of those splendid armies, which
had so lately passed like glorious pageants
along the river banks. There Moor and
Christian, horseman and horse, lay gashed
with hideous wounds ; and the river, still
red with blood, was filled with the bodies of
the slain. The gaunt Arab was as a wolf
roaming through the fold he had laid waste.
On every side his eye revelled on the ruin of
the country, on the wrecks of haughty Spain.
There lay the flower of her youthful chivalry,
mangled and destroyed, and the strength of
her yeomanry prostrated in the dust. The
Gothic noble lay confounded with his vassals ;
DON RODERICK. 151
the peasant with the prince ; all ranks and
dignities were mingled in one bloody mas
sacre.
When Taric had surveyed the field, he
caused the spoils of the dead and the plunder
of the camp to be brought before him. The
booty was immense. There were massy
chains, and rare jewels of gold ; pearls and
precious stones ; rich silks and brocades, and
all other luxurious decorations in which the
Gothic nobles had indulged in the latter times
of their degeneracy. A vast amount of
treasure was likewise found, which had been
brought by Roderick for the expenses of the
war.
Taric then ordered that the bodies of the
Moslem warriors should be interred ; as for
those of the Christians, they were gathered in
heaps, and vast pyres of wood were formed,
on which they were consumed. The flames
of these pyres rose high in the air, and were
seen afar off in the night ; and when the
Christians beheld them from the neighbour
ing hills they beat their breasts and tore their
H 4
THE LEGEND OF
hair, and lamented over them as over the
funeral fires of their country. The carnage
of that hattle infected the air for two whole
months, and bones were seen lying in heaps
upon the field for more than forty years ;
nay, when ages had past and gone, the hus-
handman, turning up the soil, would still find
fragments of Gothic cuirasses and helms>
and Moorish scimitars, the relics of that
dreadful fight.
For three days the Arabian horsemen pur
sued the flying Christians, hunting them over
the face of the country ; so that but a scanty
number of that mighty host escaped to tell
the tale of their disaster.
Taric ben Zeyad considered his victory in
complete so long as the Gothic monarch
survived ; he proclaimed great rewards,
therefore, to whomsoever should bring Rode
rick to him, dead or alive. A diligent search
was accordingly made in every direction, but
for a long time in vain ; at length a soldier
brought to Taric the head of a Christian
warrior, on which was a cap decorated with
DON RODERICK. 153
feathers and precious stones. The Arab
leader received it as the head of the unfortu
nate Roderick, and sent it, as a trophy of
his victory, to Muza ben Nosier, who, in
like manner, transmitted it to the caliph at
Damascus. The Spanish historians, however,
have always denied its identity.
A mystery has ever hung, and ever must
continue to hang, over the fate of King Ro
derick, in that dark and doleful day of Spain.
Whether he went down amidst the storm of
battle, and atoned for his sins and errors by
a patriot grave, or whether he survived to
repent of them in hermit exile, must remain
matter of conjecture and dispute. The
learned Archbishop Rodrigo, who has re
corded the events of this disastrous field,
affirms that Roderick fell beneath the venge
ful blade of the traitor Julian, and thus
expiated with his blood his crime against the
hapless Florinda ; but the archbishop stands
alone in his record of the fact. It seems
generally admitted that Orelia, the favourite
war-horse of Don Roderick, was found en-
154 THE LEGEND OF
tangled in a marsh on the borders of the
Guadalete, with the sandals and mantle and
royal insignia of the king lying close by him.
The river at this place ran broad and deep,
and was encumbered with the dead bodies of
warriors and steeds ; it has been supposed,
therefore, that he perished in the stream ;
but his body was not found within its
waters.
When several years had passed away, and
men s minds, being restored to some degree
of tranquillity, began to occupy themselves
about the events of this dismal day, a rumour
arose that Roderick had escaped from the
carnage on the banks of the Guadalete, and
was still alive. It was said, that having
from a rising ground caught a view of the
whole field of battle, and seen that the day
was lost, and his army flying in all directions,
he likewise sought his safety in flight. It is
added, that the Arab horsemen, while scour
ing the mountains in quest of fugitives, found
a shepherd arrayed in the royal robes, and
brought him before the conqueror, believing
DON RODERICK. 155
him to be the king himself. Count Julian soon
dispelled the error. On heing questioned, the
trembling rustic declared, that while tending
his sheep in the folds of the mountains, there
came a cavalier on a horse wearied and spent
and ready to sink beneath the spur ; that the
cavalier with an authoritative voice and me
nacing air commanded him to exchange gar
ments with him, and clad himself in his rude
garb of sheep-skin, and took his crook and
his scrip of provisions, and continued up the
rugged defiles of the mountains leading to
wards Castile, until he was lost to view.*
This tradition was fondly cherished by
many, who clung to the belief in the exist
ence of their monarch as their main hope for
the redemption of Spain. It was even af
firmed that he had taken refuge, with many
of his host, in an island of the " Ocean sea,"
from whence he might yet return, once more
to elevate his standard, and battle for the
recovery of his throne.
* Bleda, Cron. lib. ii. c. 9. Abulcasim Tarif
Abentarique, lib. i. c. 10.
H 6
156 THE LEGEND OF
Year after year, however, elapsed, and
nothing was heard of Don Roderick ; yet,
like Sebastian of Portugal, and Arthur of
England, his name continued to be a rallying
point for popular faith, and the mystery of
his end to give rise to romantic fables. At
length, when generation after generation had
sunk into the grave, and near two centuries
had passed and gone, traces were said to be
discovered that threw a light on the final
fortunes of the unfortunate Roderick. At
that time, Don Alphonso the Great, King
of Leon, had wrested the city of Viseo in
Lusitania from the hands of the Moslems.
As his soldiers were ranging about the city
and its environs, one of them discovered
in a field, outside of the walls, a small
chapel or hermitage, with a sepulchre in
front, on which was inscribed this epitaph in
Gothic characters :
HIC REQUIESCIT RUDERICUS,
ULTIMUS REX GOTHORUM.
Here lies Roderick,
The last king of the Goths.
DON RODERICK. 157
It has been believed by many that this was
the veritable tomb of the monarch, and that
in this hermitage he had finished his days in
solitary penance. The warrior, as he con
templated the supposed tomb of the once
haughty Roderick, forgot all his faults and
errors, and shed a soldier s tear over his
memory ; but when his thoughts turned to
Count Julian, his patriotic indignation broke
forth, and with his dagger he inscribed a
rude malediction on the stone.
" Accursed," said he, " be the impious
and headlong vengeance of the traitor Julian.
He was a murderer of his king ; a destroyer
of his kindred ; a betrayer of his country.
May his name be bitter in every mouth, and
his memory infamous to all generations."
Here ends the legend of Don Roderick.
158
ILLUSTRATIONS
FOREGOING LEGEND.
THE TOMB OF RODERICK.
THE venerable Sebastiano, Bishop of Sala
manca, declares that the inscription on the
tomb at Viseo, in Portugal, existed in his
time, and that he had seen it. A particular
account of the exile and hermit life of Rode
rick is furnished by Berganza, on the au
thority of Portuguese chronicles.
Algunos historiadores Portugueses asse-
guran, que el Rey Rodrigo, perdida la bat
talia, huyo a tierra de Merida, y se recogio
en el monasterio de Cauliniano, en donde,
arrepentido de sus culpas, procuro confessar-
las con muchas lagrimas. Deseando mas
retiro^ y escogiendo por companero a un
ILLUSTRATIONS. 159
monge llamado Roman, y elevando la Imagen
de Nazareth, que Cyriaco monge de nacion
griego avra traido de Jerusalem al monas-
terio de Cauliniano, se subio a un monte muy
aspero, que estaba sobre el mar, junto al
lugar de Pederneyra. Vivio Rodrigo en
compania de el monge en el hueco de una
gruta por espacio de un aiio ; despues se passo
a la ermita de san Miguel, que estaba cerca
de Viseo, en donde murio y fue sepultado.
Puedese ver esta relacion en las notas de
Don Thomas Tamayo sobre Paulo deacano.
El chronicon de san Millan, que llega hasta
el afio 883, deze que, hasta su tiempo, si
ignora el fin del Rey Rodrigo. Pocos anos
despues el Rey Don Alonzo el Magno, avi-
endo ganado la ciudad de Viseo, encontro en
una iglesia el epitafio que en romance dize
aqui yaze Rodrigo, ultimo Rey de los Godos.
Berganza, 1.1. c. 13.
160 ILLUSTRATIONS.
THE CAVE OF HERCULES.
As the story of the necromantic tower is
one of the most famous as well as least credi
ble points in the history of Don Roderick, it
may be well to fortify or buttress it by some
account of another marvel of the city of To
ledo. This ancient city, which dates its ex
istence almost from the time of the flood,
claiming as its founder Tubal, the son of
Japhet, and grandson of Noah *, has been
the warrior hold of many generations, and
a strange diversity of races. It bears traces
of the artifices and devices of its various occu
pants, and is full of mysteries and subjects
for antiquarian conjecture and perplexity. It
is built upon a high rocky promontory, with
the Tagus brawling round its base, and is
overlooked by cragged and precipitous hills.
These hills abound with clefts and caverns ;
and the promontory itself, on which the city
* Salazar, Hist. Gran. Cardinal. Prologo, vol. i.
plan i.
ILLUSTRATIONS. 161
is built, bears traces of vaults and subterrane
ous habitations, which are occasionally dis
covered under the ruins of ancient houses,
or beneath the churches and convents.
These are supposed by some to have been
the habitations or retreats of the primitive
inhabitants ; for it was the custom of the an
cients, according- to Pliny, to make caves in
high and rocky places, and live in them
through fear of floods ; and such a precau
tion, says the worthy Don Pedro de Roxas,
in his history of Toledo, was natural enough
among the first Toledans, seeing that they
founded their city shortly after the deluge,
while the memory of it was still fresh in their
minds.
Some have supposed these secret caves
and vaults to have been places of concealment
of the inhabitants and their treasure, during
times of war and violence ; or rude temples
for the performance of religious ceremonies
in times of persecution. There are not
wanting other, and grave writers, who give
them a still darker purpose. In these caves,
162 ILLUSTRATIONS.
say they, were taught the diabolical mysteries
of magic ; and here were performed those
infernal ceremonies and incantations, horrible
in the eyes of God and man. " History,"
says the worthy Don Pedro de Roxas, " is
full of accounts that the magi taught and per
formed their magic and their superstitious
rites in profound caves and secret places ;
because, as this art of the devil was prohibited
from the very origin of Christianity, they
always sought for hidden places in which to
practise it." In the time of the Moors this
art, we are told, was publicly taught at their
universities, the same as astronomy, philo
sophy, and mathematics, and at no place was
it cultivated with more success than at Toledo.
Hence this city has ever been darkly re
nowned for mystic science ; insomuch that
the magic art was called by the French, and
by other nations, the Arte Toledana.
Of all the marvels, however, of this
ancient, picturesque, romantic, and necro
mantic city, none in modern times surpass
the cave of Hercules, if we may take the ac-
ILLUSTRATIONS. 163
count of Don Pedro de Roxas for authentic.
The entrance to this cave is within the
church of San Gines, situated in nearly the
highest part of the city. The portal is secured
by massive doors, opening within the walls
of the church, but which are kept rigorously
closed. The cavern extends under the city
and beneath the bed of the Tagus to the
distance of three leagues beyond. It is, in
some places, of rare architecture, built of
small stones curiously wTought, and sup
ported by columns and arches.
In the year 1-546 an account of this
cavern was given to the archbishop and
cardinal Don Juan Martinez Siliceo, who,
desirous of examining it, ordered the en
trance to be cleaned. A number of persons
furnished with provisions, lanterns, and cords,
then went in, and having proceeded about
half a league, came to a place where there
was a kind of chapel or temple, having a
table or altar, with several statues of bronze
in niches or on pedestals.
> v While they were regarding this mysterious
164 ILLUSTRATIONS.
scene of ancient worship or incantation, one
of the statues fell, with a noise that echoed
through the cavern, and smote the hearts
of the adventurers with terror. Recovering
from their alarm they proceeded onward, but
were soon again dismayed by a roaring and
rushing sound that increased as they ad
vanced. It was made by a furious and tur
bulent stream, the dark waters of which were
too deep and broad and rapid to be crossed.
By this time their hearts were so chilled they
could not seek any other passage by which
they might advance ; so they turned back
and hastened out of the cave. It was night
fall when they sallied forth, and they, were
so much affected by the terror they had un
dergone, and by the cold and damp air of the
cavern, to which they were the more sensible
from its being in the summer, that all of
them fell sick, and several of them died.
Whether the archbishop was encouraged to
pursue his research and gratify his curiosity,
the history does not mention.
Alonzo Telles de Meneses, in his history
ILLUSTRATIONS. 1 65
of the world, records, that not long before
his time a boy of Toledo, being threatened
with punishment by his master, fled and took
refuge in this cave. Fancying his pursuer
at his heels, he took no heed of the obscurity
or coldness of the cave, but kept groping and
blundering forward, until he came forth at
three leagues distance from the city.
Another and very popular story of this
cave, current among the common people,
was, that in its remote recesses lay concealed
a great treasure of gold, left there by the
Romans. Whoever would reach this pre
cious hoard must pass through several caves
or grottos ; each having its particular terror,
and all under the guardianship of a ferocious
dog, who has the key of all the gates, and
watches day and night. At the approach of
any one, he shows his teeth, and makes a
hideous growling ; but no adventurer after
wealth has had courage to brave a contest
with this terrific cerberus.
The most intrepid candidate on record was
a poor man who had lost his all, and had
166 ILLUSTRATIONS.
those grand incentives to desperate enterprise,
a wife and a large family of children. Hear
ing the story of this cave, he determined to
venture alone in search of the treasure. He
accordingly entered, and wandered many
hours, bewildered, about the cave. Often
would he have returned, but the thoughts of
his wife and children urged him on. At
length he arrived near to the place where he
supposed the treasure lay hidden ; but here,
to his dismay, he beheld the floor of the
cavern strown with human bones ; doubtless
the remains of adventurers like himself, who
had been torn to pieces.
Losing all courage, he now turned and
sought his way out of the cave. Horrors
thickened upon him as he fled. He beheld
direful phantoms glaring and gibbering
around him, and heard the sound of pursuit
in the echoes of his footsteps. He reached
his home overcome with affright ; several
hours elapsed before he could recover speech
to tell his story, and he died on the following
day.
ILLUSTRATIONS. l6*J
The judicious Don Pedro de Roxas holds
the account of the huried treasure for fabu
lous, but the adventure of this unlucky man
for very possible ; being led on by avarice,
or rather the hope of retrieving a desperate
fortune. He, moreover, pronounces his
dying, shortly after coming forth, as very
probable ; because the darkness of the cave,
its coldness, the fright at finding the bones,
the dread of meeting the imaginary dog, all
joining to operate upon a man who was past
the prime of his days, and enfeebled by
poverty and scanty food, might easily cause
his death.
Many have considered this cave as in
tended originally for a sally or retreat from
the city in case it should be taken ; an
opinion rendered probable, it is thought, by
its grandeur and great extent.
The learned Salazar de Mendoza, however,
in his history of the grand cardinal of Spain,
affirms it as an established fact, that it was
first wrought out of the rock by Tubal, the
son of Japhet, and grandson of Noah ; and
168
ILLUSTRATIONS.
afterwards repaired and greatly augmented
by Hercules the Egyptian, who made it his
habitation after he had erected his pillars at
the straits of Gibraltar. Here, too, it is said,
he read magic to his followers, and taught
them those supernatural arts by which he ac
complished his vast achievements. Others
think that it was a temple dedicated to
Hercules ; as was the case, according to
Pomponius Mela, with the great cave in the
rock of Gibraltar ; certain it is, that it has
always borne the name of " The Cave of
Hercules."
There are not wanting some who have
insinuated that it was a work dating from
the time of the Romans, and intended as
a cloaca or sewer of the city ; but such a
grovelling insinuation will be treated with
proper scorn by the reader, after the nobler
purposes to which he has heard this marvel
lous cavern consecrated.
From all the circumstances here adduced
from learned and reverend authors, it will
be perceived that Toledo is a city fruitful of
ILLUSTRATIONS. 169
marvels, and that the necromantic tower of
Hercules has more solid foundation than
most edifices of similar import in ancient
history.
The writer of these pages will venture to
add the result of his personal researches re
specting the far famed cavern in question.
Rambling about Toledo in the year 1826, in
company with a small knot of antiquity
hunters, among whom was an eminent British
painter*, and an English noblemant, who
has since distinguished himself in Spanish
historical research, we directed our steps to
the church of San Gines, and inquired for
the portal of the secret cavern. The sacris
tan was a voluble and communicative man,
and one not likely to be niggard of his tongue
about any thing he knew, or slow to boast of
any marvel pertaining to his church ; but he
professed utter ignorance of the existence of
any such portal. He remembered to have
heard, however, that immediately under the
* Mr. D. W kie. t Lord Mali n.
170 ILLUSTRATIONS.
entrance to the church there was an arch of
mason work, apparently the upper part of
some subterranean portal ; but that all had
been covered up, and a pavement laid down
thereon ; so that whether it led to the
magic cave or the necromantic tower remains
a mystery, and so must remain until some
monarch or archbishop shall again have cou
rage and authority to break the spell.
LEGEND
OP THE
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
LEGEND
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.*
CHAPTER I.
CONSTERNATION OF SPAIN. CONDUCT OF THE
CONQUERORS. MISSIVES BETWEEN TARIC AND
MUZ A.
THE overthrow of King Roderick and his
army on the banks of the Guadalete, threw .
open all southern Spain to the inroads of
the moslems. The whole country fled be
fore them ; villages and hamlets were
hastily abandoned ; the inhabitants placed
* In this legend most of the facts respecting the
Arab inroads into Spain are on the authority of
Arabian writers ; who had the most accurate means
of information. Those relative to the Spaniards are
chiefly from old Spanish chronicles. It is to be re
marked that the Arab accounts have most the air
of verity, and the events, as they relate them, are
in the ordinary course of common life. The Spanish
accounts, on the contrary, are full of the marvel
lous ; for there were no greater romancers than the
monkish chroniclers.
i 3
174 LEGEND OF THE
their aged and infirm, their wives and chil
dren, and their most precious effects, on
mules and other beasts of burden, and, driv
ing before them their flocks and herds, made
for distant parts of the land ; for the fast
nesses of the mountains, and for such of the
cities as yet possessed walls and bulwarks.
Many gave out, faint and weary, by the way,
and fell into the hands of the enemy ; others,
at the distant sight of a turban or a Moslem
standard, or on hearing the clangour of a
trumpet, abandoned their flocks and herds,
and hastened their flight with their families.
If their pursuers gained upon them, they
threw by their household goods and whatever
was of burden, and thought themselves for
tunate to escape, naked and destitute, to a
place of refuge. Thus the roads were
covered with scattered flocks and herds, and
with spoil of all kind.
The Arabs, however, were not guilty of
wanton cruelty or ravage ; on the contrary,
they conducted themselves with a moderation
but seldom witnessed in more civilised con
querors. Taric el Tuerto, though a thorough
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 1 75
man of the sword, and one whose whole
thoughts were warlike, yet evinced wonderful
judgment and discretion. He checked the
predatory habits of his troops with a rigorous
hand. They were forbidden, under pain of
severe punishment, to molest any peaceable
and unfortified towns, or any unarmed and un
resisting people who remained quiet in their
homes. No spoil was permitted to be made
excepting in fields of battle, in camps of rout
ed foes, or in cities taken by the sword.
Taric had little need to exercise his seve
rity ; his orders were obeyed through love,
rather than fear, for he was the idol of his
soldiery. They admired his restless and
daring spirit, which nothing could dismay.
His gaunt and sinewy form, his fiery eye,
his visage seamed with scars, were suited to
the hardihood of his deeds ; and when
mounted on his foaming steed, careering the
field of battle with quivering lance or flashing
scimitar, his Arabs would greet him with
shouts of enthusiasm. But what endeared
him to them more than all was his soldier-
i 4
176 LEGEND OF THE
like contempt of gain. Conquest was his
only passion ; glory the only reward he covet
ed. As to the spoil of the conquered, he
shared it freely among his followers, and
squandered his own portion with open-handed
generosity.
While Taric was pushing his triumphant
course through Andalusia, tidings of his
stupendous victory on the banks of the
Guadalete were carried to Muza ben Nozier.
Messengers after messengers arrived, vying
who should most extol the achievements of
the conqueror and the grandeur of the con
quest. " Taric," said they, " has over
thrown the whole force of the unbelievers in
one mighty battle. Their king is slain ;
thousands and tens of thousands of their
warriors are destroyed ; the whole land lies
at our mercy ; and city after city is sur
rendering to the victorious arms of Taric."
The heart of Muza ben Nozier sickened at
these tidings, and, instead of rejoicing at the
success of the cause of Islam, he trembled
with jealous fear lest the triumphs of Taric
in Spain should eclipse his own victories in
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 177
Africa. He despatched missives to the
Caliph Waled Almanzor, informing him of
these new conquests, but taking the whole
glory to himself, and making no mention of
the services of Taric ; or, at least, only
mentioning him incidentally as a subordinate
commander. "The battles," said he, "have
been terrible as the day of judgment; but, by
the aid of Allah, we have gained the victory."
He then prepared in all haste to cross over
into Spain and assume the command of the
conquering army ; and he wrote a letter in
advance to interrupt Taric in the midst of his
career. "Wherever this letter may find
thee," said he, "I charge thee halt with thy
army and await my coming. Thy force is
inadequate to the subjugation of the land, and
by rashly venturing, thou mayst lose every
thing. I will be with thee speedily, with a
reinforcement of troops competent to so great
an enterprise."
The letter overtook the veteran Taric while
in the full glow of triumphant success ;
having overrun some of the richest part of
I 5
178 LEGEND OF THE
Andalusia, and just received the surrender
of the city of Ecija. As he read the letter, the
blood mantled in his sunburnt cheek and fire
kindled in his eye; for he penetrated the
motives of Muza. He suppressed his wrath,
however, and turning with a bitter expression
of forced composure to his captains, " Un
saddle your steeds," said he, " and plant
your lances in the earth ; set up your tents
and take your repose : for we must await
the coming of the Wali with a mighty force
to assist us in our conquest*"
The Arab warriors broke forth with loud
murmurs at these words : " What need have
we of aid," cried they, " when the whole
country is flying before us ; and what better
commander can we have than Taric to lead
us on to victory ? "
Count Julian also, who was present, now
hastened to give his traitorous counsel.
" Why pause," cried he, " at this precious
moment ? The great army of the Goths is
vanquished, and their nobles are slaughtered
or dispersed. Follow up your blow before
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 179
the land can recover from its panic. Over
run the provinces, seize upon the cities, make
yourself master of the capital, and your con
quest is complete." *
The advice of Julian was applauded by all
the Arab chieftains, who were impatient of
any interruption in their career of conquest.
Taric was easily persuaded to what was the
wish of his heart. Disregarding the letter
of Muza, therefore, he prepared to pursue his
victories. For this purpose he ordered a re
view of his troops on the plain of Ecija. Some
were mounted on steeds which they had
brought from Africa ; the rest he supplied
with horses taken from the Christians. He
repeated his general orders, that they should
inflict no wanton injury, nor plunder any
place that offered no resistance. They were
forbidden also to encumber themselves with
booty, or even with provisions ; but were to
scour the country with all speed, and seize
upon all its fortresses and strong-holds.
* Conde, p. i. c. 10.
I 6
180 LEGEND OF THE
He then divided his host into three several
armies. One he placed under the command
of the Greek renegado, Magued el Rumi, a
man of desperate courage ; and sent it
against the ancient city of Cordova. Another
was sent against the city of Malaga, and was
led by Zayd ben Kesadi, aided by the Bishop
Oppas. The third was led by Taric himself,
and with this he determined to make a wide
sweep through the kingdom.*
* Cronica de Espana, de Alonzo el Sabio, p. iiL
c. 1.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 181
CHAPTER II.
CAPTURE OF GRANADA. SUBJUGATION OP THE
ALPUXARRA MOUNTAINS.
THE terror of the arms of Taric ben Zeyad
went before him ; and, at the same time, the
report of his lenity to those who submitted
without resistance. Wherever he appeared
the towns, for the most part, sent forth some
of their principal inhabitants to proffer a sur
render ; for they were destitute of fortifica
tions, and their fighting men had perished in
battle. They were all received into allegi
ance to the caliph, and were protected from
pillage or molestation.
After marching some distance through
the country, he entered one day a vast and
beautiful plain, interspersed with villages,
adorned with groves and gardens, watered
by winding rivers, and surrounded by lofty
mountains. It was the famous vega, or
LEGEND OF THE
plain of Granada, destined to be for ages the
favourite abode of the Moslems. When the
Arab conquerors beheld this delicious vega,
they were lost in admiration ; for it seemed
as if the prophet had given them a paradise
on earth, as a reward for their services in his
cause.
Taric approached the city of Granada,
which had a formidable aspect, seated on
lofty hills and fortified with Gothic walls and
towers, and with the red castle or citadel,
built in times of old by the Phoenicians or
the Romans. As the Arab chieftain eyed
the place, he was pleased with its stern war
rior look, contrasting with the smiling beauty
of its vega, and the freshness and voluptuous
abundance of its hills and valleys. He
pitched his tents before its walls, and made
preparations to attack it with all his force.
The city, however, bore but the semblance
of power. The flower of its youth had
perished in the battle of the Guadalete ;
many of the principal inhabitants had fled to
the mountains, and few remained in the city
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 183
excepting- old men, women, and children, and
a number of Jews, which last were well dis
posed to take part with the, conquerors. The
city, therefore, readily capitulated, and was
received into vassalage on favourable terms.
The inhabitants were to retain their property,
their laws, and their religion ; their churches
and priests were to be respected ; and no
other tribute was required of them than such
as they had been accustomed to pay to their
Gothic kings.
On taking possession of Granada, Taric
garrisoned the towers and castles, and left
as alcayde, or governor, a chosen warrior
named Betiz Aben Habuz, a native of Ara
bia Felix, who had distinguished himself by
his valour and abilities. This alcayde sub
sequently made himself king of Granada,
and built a palace on one of its hills ; the
remains of which may be seen at the present
day.*
* The house shown as the ancient residence of
Aben Habuz is called La Casa del Gallo, or the
house of the weathercock ; so named, says Pe-
184 LEGEND OF THE
Even the delights of Granada had no
power to detain the active and ardent Taric.
To the east of the city he beheld a lofty chain
of mountains, towering to the sky, and
crowned with shining snow. These were
the " Mountains of the Sun and Air ;" and
the perpetual snows on their summits gave
birth to streams that fertilised the plains.
In their bosoms, shut up among cliffs and
precipices, were many small valleys of great
draza, in his History of Granada, from a bronze
figure of an Arab horseman, armed with lance and
buckler, which once surmounted it, and which varied
with every wind. On this warlike weathercock was
inscribed, in Arabic characters,
" Dice el sabio Aben Habuz
Que asi se defiende el Andaluz."
In this way, says Aben Habuz the wise,
The Andalusian his foe defies."
The Casa del Gallo, even until within twenty
years, possessed two great halls beautifully decorated
with Morisco reliefs. It then caught fire, and was
so damaged as to require to be nearly rebuilt. It
is now a manufactory of coarse canvas, and has no
thing of the Moorish character remaining. It com
mands a beautiful view of the city and the Vega,
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 185
beauty and abundance. The inhabitants were
a bold and hardy race, who looked upon their
mountains as everlasting fortresses that could
never be taken. The inhabitants of the sur
rounding country had fled to these natural
fastnesses for refuge, and driven thither their
flocks and herds.
Taric felt that the dominion he had ac
quired of the plains would be insecure until
he had penetrated and subdued these haughty
mountains. Leaving Aben Habuz, therefore,
in command of Granada, he marched with
his army across the vega, and entered the
folds of the sierra, which stretch towards the
south. The inhabitants fled with affright on
hearing the Moorish trumpets, or beholding
the approach of the turbaned horsemen, and
plunged deeper into the recesses of their
mountains. As the army advanced, the
roads became more and more rugged and
difficult ; sometimes climbing great rocky
heights, and at other times descending ab
ruptly into deep ravines, the beds of winter
torrents. The mountains were strangely
186 LEGEND OF THE
wild and sterile ; broken into cliffs and pre
cipices of variegated marble. At their feet
were little valleys enamelled with groves and
gardens, interlaced with silver streams, and
studded with villages and hamlets ; but all
deserted by their inhabitants. No one ap
peared to dispute the inroad of the Moslems,
who continued their march with increasing
confidence, their pennons fluttering from
rock and cliff, and the valleys echoing to the
din of trumpet, drum, and cymbal. At
length they came to a defile where the moun
tains seemed to have been rent asunder to
make way for a foaming torrent. The nar
row and broken road wound along the dizzy
edge of precipices, until it came to where a
bridge was thrown across the chasm. It
o
was a fearful and gloomy pass ; great beet
ling cliffs overhung the road, and the torrent
roared below. This awful defile has ever
been famous in the warlike history of those
mountains, by the name, in former times, of
the Barranco de Tocos, and at present of the
bridge of Tablete. The Saracen army en-
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 187
tered fearlessly into the pass ; a part had
already crossed the bridge, and was slowly
toiling up the rugged road on the opposite
side, when great shouts arose, and every
cliff appeared suddenly peopled with furious
foes. In an instant a deluge of missiles of
every sort was rained upon the astonished
Moslems. Darts, arrows, javelins, and stones,
came whistling down, singling out the most
conspicuous cavaliers ; and at times great
masses of rock, bounding and thundering
along the mountain side, crushed whole ranks
at once, or hurled horses and riders over the
edge of the precipices.
It was in vain to attempt to brave this
mountain warfare. The enemy were beyond
the reach of missiles, and safe from pursuit ;
and the horses of the Arabs were here an
incumbrance rather than an aid. The trum
pets sounded a retreat, and the army retired
in tumult and confusion, harassed by the
enemy until extricated from the defile. Taric,
who had beheld cities and castles surrender
ing without a blow, was enraged at being
188 LEGEND OF THE
braved by a mere horde of mountain boors,
and made another attempt to penetrate the
mountains, but was again waylaid and op
posed with horrible slaughter.
The fiery son of Ishmael foamed with rage
at being thus checked in his career and
foiled in his revenge. He was on the point
of abandoning the attempt, and returning to
the vega, when a Christian boor sought his
camp, and was admitted to his presence*
The miserable wretch possessed a cabin and
a little patch of ground among the moun
tains, and offered, if these should be pro
tected from ravage, to inform the Arab com
mander of a way by which troops of horse
might be safely introduced into the bosom of
the sierra, and the whole subdued. The
name of this caitiff was Fandino, and it de
serves to be perpetually recorded with igno
miny. His case is an instance how much it
is in the power, at times, of the most insig
nificant being to do mischief, and how all
the valour of the magnanimous and the
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 189
brave may be defeated by the treason of the
selfish and the despicable.
Instructed by this traitor, the Arab com
mander caused ten thousand foot soldiers and
four thousand horsemen, commanded by a
valiant captain, named Ibrahim Albuxarra,
to be conveyed by sea to the little port of
Adra, at the Mediterranean foot of the moun
tains. Here they landed, and, guided by
the traitor, penetrated to the heart of the
sierra, laying every thing waste. The
brave mountaineers, thus hemmed in between
two armies, destitute of fortresses and with
out hope of succour, were obliged to capitu
late ; but their valour was not without avail,
for never, even in Spain, did vanquished
people surrender on prouder or more honour
able terms. We have named the wretch who
betrayed his native mountains : let us equally
record the name of him whose pious patriot
ism saved them from desolation. It was
the reverend Bishop Centerio. While the
warriors rested on their arms in grim and
190 LEGEND OF THE
menacing 1 tranquillity among the cliffs, this
venerable prelate descended to the Arab
tents in the valley, to conduct the capitula
tion. In stipulating for the safety of his
people, he did not forget that they were
brave men, and that they still had weapons
in their hands. He obtained conditions ac
cordingly. It was agreed that they should
be permitted to retain their houses, lands,
and personal effects ; that they should be
unmolested in their religion, and their tem
ples and priests respected ; and that they
should pay no other tribute than such as
they had been accustomed to render to their
kings. Should they prefer to leave the
country and remove to any part of Christen
dom, they were to be allowed to sell their
possessions ; and to take with them the
money, and all their other effects.*
Ibrahim Albuxarra remained in command
of the territory, and the whole sierra, or chain
* Pedraza, Hist. Granada, p. iii. e. 2. Bleda,
Cronica, lib. ii. c. 10.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 1Q1
of mountains, took his name, which has since
been slightly corrupted into that of the
Alpuxarras. The subjugation of this rugged
region, however, was for a long time incom
plete ; many of the Christians maintained a
wild arid hostile independence, living in green
glens and scanty valleys among the heights ;
and the sierra of the Alpuxarras has, in all
ages, been one of the most difficult parts of
Andalusia to be subdued.
192 LEGEND OF THE
CHAPTER III.
EXPEDITION OF MAGUED AGAINST CORDOVA.-
DEFENCE OF THE PATRIOT PELISTES.
WHILE the veteran Taric was making this
wide circuit through the land, the expedi
tion under Magued the renegado proceeded
against the city of Cordova. The inhabitants
of that ancient place had beheld the great
army of Don Roderick spreading like an in
undation over the plain of the Guadalquivir,
and had felt confident that it must sweep the
infidel invaders from the land. What then
was their dismay, when scattered fugitives,
wild with horror and affright, brought them
tidings of the entire overthrow of that mighty
host, and the disappearance of the king !
In the midst of their consternation, the
Gothic noble, Pelistes, arrived at their gates,
haggard with fatigue of body and anguish
of mind, and leading a remnant of his devoted
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 193
cavaliers, who had survived the dreadful
battle of the Guadalete. The people of
Cordova knew the valiant and steadfast
spirit of Pelistes, and rallied round him as a
last hope. " Roderick is fallen," cried they,
" and we have neither king nor captain : be
unto us as a sovereign ; take command of
our city, and protect us in this hour of peril ! "
The heart of Pelistes was free from am
bition, and was too much broken by grief to
be flattered by the offer of command ; but he
felt above every thing for the woes of his
country, and was ready to assume any des
perate service in her cause. "Your city,"
said he, " is surrounded by walls and towers,
and may yet check the progress of the foe.
Promise to stand by me to the last, and I will
undertake your defence." The inhabitants
all promised implicit obedience and devoted
zeal : for what will not the inhabitants of a
wealthy city promise and profess in a mo
ment of alarm ? The instant, however, that
they heard of the approach of the Moslem
troops, the wealthier citizens packed up their
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194 LEGEND OF THE
effects and fled to the mountains, or to the
distant city of Toledo. Even the monks
collected the riches of their convents and
churches, and fled. Pelistes, though he saw
himself thus deserted by those who hafl the
greatest interest in the safety of the city, yet
determined not to abandon its defence. He
had still his faithful though scanty band of
cavaliers, and a number of fugitives of the
army; in all amounting to about four hundred
men. He stationed guards, therefore, at the
gates and in the towers, and made every pre
paration for a desperate resistance.
In the mean time, the army of Moslems
and apostate Christians advanced, under the
command of the Greek renegado, Magued,
and guided by the traitor Julian. While
they were yet at some distance from the city,
their scouts brought to them a shepherd,
whom they had surprised on the banks of the
Guadalquivir. The trembling hind was an
inhabitant of Cordova, and revealed to them
the state of the place, and the weakness of
ks garrison.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 195
"And the walls and gates," said Magued,
"are they strong and well guarded ?"
" The walls are high, and of wondrous
strength," replied the shepherd; "and soldiers
hold watch at the gates by day and night.
But there is one place where the city may be
secretly entered. In a part of the wall, not
far from the bridge, the battlements are
broken, and there is a breach at some height
from the ground. Hard by stands a fig
tree, by the aid of which the wall may easily
be scaled."
Having received this information, Magued
halted with his army, and sent forward
several renegado Christians, partisans of
Count Julian, who entered Cordova as if
flying before the enemy. On a dark and
tempestuous night, the Moslems approached
to the end of the bridge which crosses the
Guadalquivir, and remained in ambush..
Magued took a small party of chosen men,
and, guided by the shepherd, forded the
stream, and groped silently along the wall to
the place where stood the fig tree. The
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196 LEGEHD OF THE
traitors, who had fraudulently entered the
city, were ready on the wall to render assist
ance. Magued ordered his followers to
make use of the long folds of their turbans
instead of cords, and succeeded without diffi
culty in clambering into the breach.
Drawing their scimitars, they now hastened
to the gate which opened towards the bridge ;
the guards, suspecting no assault from within,
were taken by surprise, and easily over
powered ; the gate was thrown open, and the
army that had remained in ambush rushed
over the bridge, and entered without oppo
sition.
The alarm had by this time spread
throughout the city ; but already a torrent of
armed men was pouring through the streets.
Pelistes sallied forth with his cavaliers and
such of the soldiery as- he could collect, and
endeavoured to repel the foe ; but every
effort was in vain. The Christians were
slowly driven from street to street, and
square to square, disputing every inch of
ground j until, finding another body of the
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 197
enemy approaching to attack them in rear,
they took refuge in a convent, and succeeded
in throwing to and barring the ponderous
doors. The Moors attempted to force the
gates, but were assailed with such showers of
missiles from the windows and battlements
that they were obliged to retire. Pelistes
examined the convent, and found it admirably
calculated for defence. It was of great ex
tent, with spacious courts and cloisters. The
gates were massive, and secured with bolts
and bars ; the walls were of great thickness ;
the windows high and grated ; there was a
great tank or cistern of water, and the friars,
who had fled from the city, had left behind
a good supply of provisions. Here, then,
Pelistes proposed to make a stand, and to en
deavour to hold out until sucour should ar
rive from some other city. His proposition
was received with shouts by his loyal cava
liers ; not one of whom but was ready to lay
down his life in the service of his commander.
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198 LEGEND OF THE
CHAPTER IV.
DEFENCE OF THE CONVENT OF ST. GEORGE BY
PELISTES.
FOR three long and anxious months did the
good knight Pelistes and his cavaliers defend
their sacred asylum against the repeated
assaults of the infidels. The standard of the
true faith was constantly displayed from the
loftiest tower, and a fire blazed there through
out the night, as signals of distress to the sur
rounding country. The watchman from his
turret kept a wary look out over the land,
hoping in every cloud of dust to descry the
glittering helms of Christian warriors. The
country, however, was forlorn and aban
doned, or if perchance a human being was
perceived, it was some Arab horseman,
careering the plain of the Guadalquivir as
fearlessly as if it were his native desert.
By degrees the provisions of the convent
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 199
were consumed, and the cavaliers had to slay
their horses, one by one, for food. They
suffered the wasting miseries of famine with
out a murmur, and always met their com
mander with a smile. Pelistes, however,
read their sufferings in their wan and ema
ciated countenances, and felt more for them
than for himself. He was grieved at heart
that such loyalty and valour should only lead
to slavery or death, and resolved to make
one desperate attempt for their deliverance.
Assembling them one day in the court of the
convent, he disclosed to them his purpose.
" Comrades and brothers in arms," said
he, "it is needless to conceal danger from
brave men. Our case is desperate : our
countrymen either know not or heed not our
situation, or have not the means to help us.
There is but one chance of escape ; it is full
of peril, and, as your leader, I claim the
right to brave it. To-morrow at break of
day I will sally forth and make for the city
gates at the moment of their being opened ;
no one will suspect a solitary horseman ; I
K 4
200 LEGEND OF THE
shall be taken for one of those recreant Chris
tians who have basely mingled with the
enemy. If I succeed in getting out of the
city, I will hasten to Toledo for assistance.
In all events I shall be back in less than
twenty days. Keep a vigilant look out to
ward the nearest mountain. If you behold
five lights blazing upon its summit, be as
sured I am at hand with succour, and prepare
yourselves to sally forth upon the city as 1
attack the gates. Should I fail in obtaining
aid, I will return to die with you."
When he had finished, his warriors would
fain have severally undertaken the enterprise,
and they remonstrated against his exposing
himself to such peril ; but he was not to be
shaken from his purpose. On the following
morning, ere the break of day, his horse was
. t ed forth, caparisoned, into the court of the
convent, and Pelistes appeared in complete
armour. Assembling his cavaliers in the
chapel, he prayed with them for some time
before the altar of the holy Virgin. Then
rising, and standing in the midst of them,
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 01
* God knows, my companions," said he,
* whether we have any longer a country ; if
not, better were we in our graves. Loyal
and true have ye been to me, and loyal have
ye been to my son, even to the hour of his
death ; and grieved am I that I have no
other means of proving my love for you,
than by adventuring my worthless life for
your deliverance. All I ask of you before I
go, is a solemn promise to defend yourselves
to the last like brave men and Christian cava
liers, and never to renounce your faith, or
throw yourselves on the mercy of the renegado
Magued, or the traitor Julian." They all
pledged their words, and took a solemn oath
to the same effect before the altar.
Pelistes then embraced them one by one,
and gave them his benediction, and as he did
so his heart yearned over them, for he felt
towards them, not merely as a companion in
arms and as a commander, but as a father ;
and he took leave of them as if he had been
going to his death. The warriors, on their
K 5
LEGEND OF THE
part, crowded round him in silence, kissing
his hands and the hem of his surcoat, and
many of the sternest shed tears.
The grey of the dawning had just streaked
the east, when Pelistes took lance in hand,
hung his shield about his neck, and, mount
ing his steed, issued quietly forth from a
postern of the convent. He paced slowly
through the vacant streets, and the tramp of
his steed echoed afar in that silent hour ;
but no one suspected a warrior, moving
thus singly and tranquilly in an armed city,
to be an enemy. He arrived at the gate
just at the hour of opening ; a foraging
party was entering with cattle and with
beasts of burthen, and he passed unheeded
through the throng. As soon as he was
out of sight of the soldiers who guarded the
gate, he quickened his pace, and at length,
galloping at full speed; succeeded in gain
ing the mountains. Here he paused, and
alighted at a solitary farm-house to breathe
his panting steed ; but had scarce put foot
to ground when he heard the distant sound
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 203
of pursuit, and beheld a horseman spurring
up the mountain.
Throwing himself again upon his steed,
he abandoned the road and galloped across
the rugged heights. The deep dry channel
of a torrent checked his career, and his
horse, stumbling upon the margin, rolled with
his rider to the bottom. Pelistes was sorely
bruised by the fall, and his whole visage
was bathed in blood. His horse, too, was
maimed and unable to stand, so that there
was no hope of escape. The enemy drew
near, and proved to be no other than Ma-
gued the renegado general, who had per
ceived him as he issued forth from the city,
and had followed singly in pursuit. " Well
met, senor alcayde!" exclaimed he, "and
overtaken in good time. Surrender your
self my prisoner."
Pelistes made no other reply than by
drawing his sword, bracing his shield, and
preparing for defence. Magued, though an
apostate, and a fierce warrior, possessed
some sparks of knightly magnanimity. See-
K 6
204 LEGEND Of THE
ing his adversary dismounted, he disdained
to take him at a disadvantage, but, alighting*
tied his horse to a tree.
The conflict that ensued was desperate
and doubtful, for seldom had two warriors
met so well matched or of equal prowess.
Their shields were hacked to pieces, the
ground was strewed with fragments of their
armour, and stained with their blood. They
paused repeatedly to take breath ; regarding
each other with wonder and admiration.
Pelistes, however, had been previously in
jured by his fall, and fought to great dis
advantage. The renegado perceived it, and
sought not to slay him, but to take him
alive. Shifting his ground continually, he
wearied his antagonist, who was growing
weaker and weaker from the loss of blood. At
length Pelistes seemed to summon up all his
remaining strength to make a signal blow ;
it was skilfully parried, and he fell prostrate
upon the ground. The renegado ran up,
and, putting his foot upon his sword, and the
point of his scimitar to his throat, called
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 205
upon him to ask his life ; but Pelistes lay
without sense, and as one dead. Magued
then unlaced the helmet of his vanquished
enemy, and seated himself on a rock beside
him, to recover breath. In this situation
the warriors were found by certain Moorish
cavaliers, who marvelled much at the traces
of that stern and bloody combat.
Finding there was yet life in the Christian
knight, they laid him upon one of their
horses, and, aiding Magued to remount his
steed, proceeded slowly to the city. As the
convoy passed by the convent, the cavaliers
looked forth and beheld their commander
borne along bleeding and a captive. Furious
at the sight, they sallied forth to the rescue,
but were repulsed by a superior force, and
driven back to the great portal of the church.
The enemy entered pell-mell with them,
fighting from aisle to aisle, from altar to
altar, and in the courts and cloisters of the
convent. The greater part of the cavaliers
died bravely, sword in hand; the rest were
disabled with wounds and made prisoners.
206 LEGEND OF THE
The convent, which was lately their castle,
was now made their prison, and in after-times,
in commemoration of this event, was conse
crated by the name of St. George of the
Captives.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 207
CHAPTER V.
MEETING BETWEEN THE PATRIOT FELISTES AND
THE TRAITOR JULIAN.
THE loyalty and prowess of the good knight
Pelistes had gained him the reverence even
of his enemies. He was for a long time
disabled by his wounds, during which he
was kindly treated by the Arab chieftains,
who strove by every courteous means to
cheer his sadness and make him forget that
he was a captive. When he was recovered
from his wounds they gave him a magnifi
cent banquet, to testify their admiration of
his virtues.
Pelistes appeared at the banquet clad in
sable armour, and with a countenance pale
and dejected ; for the ills of his country ever
more preyed upon his heart. Among the
assembled guests was Count Julian, who
held a high command in the Moslem army,
LEGEND OF THE
and was arrayed in garments of mingled
Christian and Morisco fashion. Pelistes
had been a close and bosom friend of Julian
in former times, and had served with him in
the wars in Africa; but when the Count
advanced to accost him with his wonted
amity, he turned away in silence and deigned
not to notice him ; neither, during the whole
of the repast, did he address to him ever a
word, but treated him as one unknown*
When the banquet was nearly at a close,
the discourse turned upon the events of the
war ; and the Moslem chieftains, in great
courtesy, dwelt upon the merits of many of
the Christian cavaliers who had fallen in
battle, and all extolled the valour of those
who had recently perished in the defence of
the convent. Pelistes remained silent for
a time, and checked the grief which swelled
within his bosom as he thought of his de
voted cavaliers. At length, lifting up his
voice, " Happy are the dead," said he, " for
they rest in peace, and are gone to receive
the reward of their piety and valour ! I
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 209
could mourn over the loss of my companions
in arms, but they have fallen with honour,
and are spared the wretchedness I feel in
witnessing the thraldom of my country. I
have seen my only son, the pride and hope
of my age, cut down at my side ; I have
beheld kindred friends and followers falling
one by one around me, and have become so
seasoned to those losses that I have ceased to
weep. Yet there is one man over whose
loss I will never cease to grieve. He was
the loved companion of my youth, and the
steadfast associate of my graver years. He
was one of the most loyal of Christian
knights. As a friend he was loving and
sincere ; as a warrior his achievements were
above all praise. What has become of him,
alas ! I know not. If fallen in battle, and I
knew where his bones were laid, whether
bleaching on the plains of Xeres, or buried
in the waters of the Guadalete, I would seek
them out and enshrine them as the relics
of a sainted patriot. Or if, like many of
his companions in arms, he should be driven
LEGEND OF THE
to wander in foreign lands, I would join
him in his hapless exile, and we would
mourn together over the desolation of our
country ! "
Even the hearts of the Arab warriors were
touched by the lament of the good Pelistes,
and they said "Who was this peerless
friend, in whose praise thou art so fervent ? "
" His name," replied Pelistes, "was Count
Julian."
The Moslem warriors stared with surprise.
" Noble cavalier," exclaimed they, " has
grief disordered thy senses ? Behold thy
friend living, and standing before thee, and
yet thou dost not know him ! This, this is
Count Julian ! "
Upon this, Pelistes turned his eyes upon
the count, and regarded him for a time, with
a lofty and stern demeanour ; and the counte
nance of Julian darkened, and was troubled,
and his eye sank beneath the regard of that
loyal and honourable cavalier. And Pelistes
said, " In the name of God, I charge thee,
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
man unknown ! to answer. Dost thou pre
sume to call thyself Count Julian?"
The count reddened with anger at these
words. " Pelistes," said he, " what means
this mockery ? Thou knowest me well ; thou
knowest me for Count Julian ? "
"I know .thee for a base impostor!"
cried Pelistes. " Count Julian was a noble
Gothic knight ; but thou appearest in mon
grel Moorish garb. Count Julian was a
Christian, faithful and devout ; but I behold
in thee a renegado and an infidel. Count
Julian was ever loyal to his king, and fore
most in his country s cause : were he living,
he would be the first to put shield on neck
and lance in rest, to clear the land of her
invaders : but thou art a hoary traitor ! thy
hands are stained with the royal blood of the
Goths, and thou hast betrayed thy country
and thy God. Therefore, I again repeat,
man unknown ! if thou sayest thou art Count
Julian, thou liest ! My friend, alas ! is dead ;
and thou art some fiend from hell, which
LEGEND OF THE
has taken possession of his body to dis
honour his memory and render him an ab
horrence among- men ! " So saying, Pelistes
turned his back upon the traitor, and went
forth from the banquet ; leaving Count
Julian overwhelmed with confusion, and an
object of scorn to all the Moslem cavaliers.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
CHAPTER VI.
HOW TARIC EL TUERTO CAPTURED THE CITY OP
TOLEDO THROUGH THE AID OF THE JEWS, AND
HOW HE FOUND THE FAMOUS TALISMANIC
TABLE OF SOLOMON.
WHILE these events were passing in Cor
dova, the one-eyed Arab general, Taric el
Tuerto, having subdued the city and vega of
Granada, and the Mountains of the Sun and
Air, directed his march into the interior of
the kingdom to attack the ancient city of
Toledo, the capital of the Gothic kings. So
great was the terror caused by the rapid con
quests of the invaders, that, at the very
rumour of their approach, many of the in
habitants, though thus in the very citadel of
the kingdom, abandoned it and fled to the
mountains with their families. Enough re
mained, however, to have made a formid
able defence ; and, as the city was seated on
a lofty rock, surrounded by massive walls
LEGEND OF THE
and towers, and almost girdled by the Tagus,
it threatened a long resistance. The Arab
warriors pitched their tents in the vega, on
the borders of the river, and prepared for a
tedious siege.
One evening, as Taric was seated in his
tent meditating on the mode in which he
should assail this rock-built city, certain of
the patroles of the camp brought a stranger
before him. " As we were going our
rounds," said they, " we beheld this man
lowered down with cords from a tower, and
he delivered himself into our hands, praying
to be conducted to thy presence, that he
might reveal to thee certain things important
for thee to know."
Taric fixed his eyes upon the stranger:
he was a Jewish rabbi, with a long beard
which spread upon his gabardine, and de
scended even to his girdle. " What hast
thou to reveal ?" said he to the Israelite.
" What I have to reveal," replied the other,
" is for thee alone to hear : command then,
I entreat thee, that these men withdraw."
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 215
When they were alone he addressed Taric in
Arabic: "Know, O leader of the host of
Islam," said he, " that I am sent to thee on
the part of the children of Israel resident in
Toledo. We have been oppressed and in
sulted by the Christians in the time of their
prosperity, and now that they are threatened
with siege, they have taken from us all our
provisions and our money ; they have com
pelled us to work like slaves, repairing their
walls ; and they oblige us to bear arms and
guard a part of the towers. We abhor their
yoke, and are ready, if thou wilt receive us as
subjects, and permit us the free enjoyment of
our religion and our property, to deliver the
towers we guard into thy hands, and to give
thee safe entrance into the city."
The Arab chief was overjoyed at this pro
position, and he rendered much honour to
the rabbi, and gave orders to clothe him in
a costly robe, and to perfume his beard with
essences of a pleasant odour, so that he was
the most sweet smelling of his tribe ; and
he said, " Make thy words good, and put
LEGEND OF THE
me in possession of the city, and I will do all
and more than thou hast required, and will
bestow countless wealth upon thee and thy
brethren."
Then a plan was devised between them by
which the city was to be betrayed and given
up. " But how shall I be secured," said he,
" that all thy tribe will fulfil what thou hast
engaged, and that this is not a stratagem to
get me and my people into your power ?"
" This shall be thy assurance," replied the
rabbi : " ten of the principal Israelites will
come to this tent and remain as hostages."
" It is enough," said Taric ; and he made
oath to accomplish all that he had promised ;
and the Jewish hostages came and delivered
themselves into his hands.
On a dark night, a chosen band of Moslem
warriors approached the part of the walls
guarded by the Jews, and were secretly ad
mitted into a postern gate and concealed
within a tower. Three thousand Arabs were
at the same time placed in ambush among
rocks and thickets, in a place on the opposite
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 217
side of the river, commanding a view of the
city. On the following morning Taric ra
vaged the gardens of the valley, and set fire
to the farm-houses, and then, breaking up
his camp, inarched off as if abandoning the
siege.
The people of Toledo gazed with astonish
ment from their walls at the retiring squa
drons of the enemy, and scarcely could credit
their unexpected deliverance ; before night,
there was not a turban nor a hostile lance to
be seen in the vega. They attributed it all
to the special intervention of their patron
saint, Leocadia ; and the following day being
Palm Sunday, they sallied forth in proces
sion, man, woman, and child, to the church
of that blessed saint, which is situated with
out the walls, that they might return thanks
for her marvellous protection.
When all Toledo had thus poured itself
forth, and was marching with cross and relic
and solemn chaunt towards the chapel, the
Arabs, who had been concealed in the tower,
rushed forth and barred the gates of the city.
L
LEGEND OF THE
While some guarded the gates, others- dis
persed themselves about the streets, slaying
all who made resistance ; and others kindled
a fire and made a column of smoke on the
top of the citadel. At sight of this signal
the Arabs, in ambush beyond the river, rose
with a great shout, and attacked the multi
tude who were thronging to the church of
St. Leocadia. There was a great massacre,
although the people were without arms, and
made no resistance ; and it is said, in ancient
chronicles, that it was the apostate Bishop
Oppas who guided the Moslems to their
prey, and incited them to this slaughter.
The pious reader, says Fray Antonio Aga-
pida, will be slow to believe such turpitude ;
but there is nothing more venomous than the
rancour of an apostate priest ; for the best
things in this world, when corrupted, become
the worst and most banefuL
Many of the Christians had taken refuge
within the church, and had barred the doors ;
but Oppas commanded that fire should be set
to the portals, threatening to put every one
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 219
within to the sword. Happily the veteran
Taric arrived just in time to stay the fury
of this reverend renegado. He ordered the
trumpets to call off the troops from the car
nage, and extended grace to all the surviving
inhabitants. They were permitted to remain
in quiet possession of their homes and effects,
paying only a moderate tribute ; and they
were allowed to exercise the rites of their
religion in the existing churches, to the num
ber of seven, but were prohibited from erect
ing any others. Those who preferred to
leave the city were suffered to depart in
safety, but not to take with them any of their
wealth.
Immense spoil was found by Taric in the
alcazar, or royal castle, situated on a rocky
eminence, in the highest part of the city.
Among the regalia treasured up in a secret
chamber, were twenty-five regal crowns of
fine gold, garnished with jacynths, amethysts,
diamonds, and other precious stones. These
were tlie crowns of the different Gothic kings
LEGEND OF THE
who had reigned in Spain ; it having been
the usage, on the death of each king, to
deposit his crown in this treasury, inscribing
on it his name and age.*
When Taric was thus in possession of the
city, the Jews came to him in procession,
with songs and dances, and the sound of
timbrel and psaltry, hailing him as their lord,
and reminding him of his promises.
The son of Ishmael kept his word with
the children of Israel : they were protected
in the possession of all their wealth, and the
exercise of their religion ; and were, more
over, rewarded with jewels of gold, and
jewels of silver, and much monies.t
A subsequent expedition was led by Taric
against Guadalaxara, which surrendered
without resistance : he moreover captured
the city of Medina Celi, where he found an
* Conde, Hist, de las Arabes en Espana, c. 12.
f The stratagem of the Jews of Toledo is re
corded briefly by Bishop Lucas de Tuy, in his chro
nicle, but is related at large in the chronicle of the
Moor Rasis.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
inestimable table which had formed a part
of the spoil taken at Rome by Alaric, at the
time that the sacred city was conquered by
the Goths. It was composed of one single
and entire emerald, and possessed talismanic
powers ; for tradition affirms that it was the
work of genii, and had been wrought by
them for King Solomon the Wise, the son of
David. This marvellous relic was carefully
preserved by Taric, as the most precious of
all his spoils, being intended by him as a
present to the caliph ; and in commemoration
of it, the city was called by the Arabs, Me
dina Almeyda ; that is to say, " The City of
the Table."*
* According to Arabian legends, this table was a
mirror revealing all great events ; insomuch that by
looking on it the possessor might behold battles and
sieges and feats of chivalry, and all actions worthy
of renown ; and might thus ascertain the truth of all
historic transactions. It was a mirror of history,
therefore, and had very probably aided King Solo
mon in acquiring that prodigious knowledge and
wisdom for which he was renowned.
L 3
2S2 LEGEND OF THE
Having made these and other conquests of
less importance, and having collected great
quantities of gold and silver, and rich stuffs
and precious stones, Taric returned with his
booty to the royal city of Toledo.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN".
CHAPTER VII.
MUZA BEN NOZIER. - HIS ENTRANCE INTO SPAIN,
AND CAPTURE OF CARMONA.
us leave for a season the bold Taric in
his triumphant progress from city to city,
while we turn our eyes to Muza ben Nozier,
the renowned emir of Almagreb, and the
eommander-m-chief of the Moslem forces of
the west. When that jealous chieftain had
despatched his letter commanding Taric to
pause and await his coming, he immediately
made every preparation to enter Spain with
a powerful reinforcement, and to take com
mand of the conquering army. He left his
eldest son, Abdalasis, in Caervan, with au
thority over Almagreb, or Western Africa.
This Abdalasis was in the flower of his
youth, and beloved by the soldiery for the
magnanimity and the engaging affability
which graced his courage.
LEGEND OF THE
Muza ben Nozier crossed the strait of
Hercules with a chosen force of ten thousand
horse and eight thousand foot, Arabs and
Africans. He was accompanied by his two
sons, Meruan and Abdelola, and by nume
rous illustrious Arabian cavaliers of the tribe
of Koreish. He landed his shining legions
on the coast of Andalusia, and pitched his
tents near to the Guadiana. There first he
received intelligence of the disobedience of
Taric to his orders, and that, without waiting
his arrival, the impetuous chieftain had con
tinued his career, and with his light Arab
squadrons had overrun and subdued the
noblest provinces and cities of the kingdom.
The jealous spirit of Muza was still more
exasperated by these tidings : he looked upon
Taric no longer as a friend and coadjutor,
but as an invidious rival, the decided enemy
of his glory ; and he determined on his ruin.
His first consideration, however, was to se
cure to himself a share in the actual conquest
of the land, before it should be entirely sub
jugated.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
Taking guides, therefore, from among
his Christian captives, he set out to subdue
such parts of the country as had not been
visited by Taric. The first place which he
assailed was the ancient city of Carmona : it
was not of great magnitude, but was forti
fied with high walls and massive towers, and
many of the fugitives of the late army had
thrown themselves into it.
The Goths had by this time recovered
from their first panic ; they had become ac
customed to the sight of Moslem troops,
and their native courage had been roused by
danger. Shortly after the Arabs had en
camped before their walls, a band of cavaliers
made a sudden sally one morning before the
break of day, fell upon the enemy by sur
prise, killed above three hundred of them in
their tents, and effected their retreat into the
city ; leaving twenty of their number dead,
covered with honourable wounds, and in the
very centre of the camp.
On the following day they made another
sally, and fell on a different quurter of the
LEGEND OF THE
encampment : but the Arabs were on their
guard, and met them with superior numbers.
After fighting fiercely for a time, they were
routed, and fled full speed for the city, with
the Arabs hard upon their traces. The
guards within feared to open the gate, lest
with their friends they should admit a tor
rent of enemies. Seeing themselves thus
shut out, the fugitives determined to die like
brave soldiers rather than surrender. Wheel
ing suddenly round, they opened a path
through the host of their pursuers, fought
their way back to the camp, and raged about
it with desperate fury until they were all
slain, after having killed above eight hundred
of the enemy.*
Muza now ordered that the place should
be taken by storm. The Moslems assailed
it on all sides, but were vigorously resisted ;
many were slain by showers of stones, arrows,
and boiling pitch, and many who had mount
ed with scaling ladders were thrown headlong
* Abulcasim. Perdita de Espana, lib. i. c. 13.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
jfrom the battlements. The alcayde, Galo,
aided solely by two men, defended a tower
and a portion of the wall ; killing and
wounding, with a cross-bow, more than
eighty of the enemy. The attack lasted
above half a day, when the Moslems were
repulsed with the loss of fifteen hundred men.
Muza was astonished and exasperated at
meeting with such formidable resistance from
so small a city ; for it was one of the few
places, during that memorable conquest,
where the Gothic valour shone forth with its
proper lustre. While the Moslem army lay
encamped before the place, it was joined by
Magued the renegado and Count Julian the
traitor, with one thousand horsemen ; most
of them recreant Christians, base betrayers
of their country, and more savage in their
warfare than the Arabs of the desert. To
find favour in the eyes of Muza, and to
evince his devotion to the cause, the count
undertook, by wily stratagem, to put this
gallant city in his power.
One evening, just at twilight, a number of
L 6
228 LEGEND OF THE
Christians, habited as travelling merchants?
arrived at one of the gates, conducting a
train of mules laden with arms and warlike
munitions. " Open the gate quickly," cried
they ; " we bring supplies for the garrison,
but the Arabs have discovered, and are in
pursuit of us." The gate was thrown open ;
the merchants entered with their beasts of
burden, and were joyfully received. Meat
and drink were placed before them ; and after
they had refreshed themselves they retired to
the quarters allotted to them.
These pretended merchants were Count
Julian and a number of his partisans. At
the hour of midnight they stole forth silent
ly, and, assembling together, proceeded to
what was called the Gate of Cordova. Here
setting suddenly upon the unsuspecting
guards, they put them to the edge of the
sword, and, throwing open the gates, admitted
a great body of the Arabs. The inhabitants
were roused from their sleep by sound of
drum and trumpet, and the clattering of
horses. The Arabs scoured the streets ; a
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 229
horrible massacre was commenced, in which
none were spared but such of the females as
were young and beautiful, and fitted to grace
the harems of the conquerors. The arrival
of Muza put an end to the pillage and the
slaughter, and he granted favourable terms
to the survivors. Thus the valiant little city
of Carmona, after nobly resisting the open
assaults of the infidels, fell a victim to the
treachery of apostate Christians.*
* Cron. Gen. de Espana, por Alonzo el Sabio,
p. iii. c. 1.
230 LEGEND OF THE
CHAPTER VIII.
MUZA MARCHES AGAINST THE CITY OF SEVILLE.
AFTER the capture of Carmona, Muza de
scended into a noble plain, covered with
fields of grain, with orchards and gardens,
through which glided the soft-flowing Gua
dalquivir. On the borders of the river stood
the ancient city of Seville, surrounded by
Roman walls, and defended by its golden
tower. Understanding from his spies that
the city had lost the flower of its youth in the
battle of the Guadalete, Muza anticipated but
a faint resistance. A considerable force,
however, still remained within the place, and
what they wanted in numbers they made up
in resolution. For some days they withstood
the assaults of the enemy, and defended their
walls with great courage. Their want of
warlike munitions, however, and the superior
force and skill of the besieging army, left
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. %3l
the m no hope of being able to hold out long.
There were two youthful cavaliers of un
common valour in the city. They assembled
the warriors, and addressed them. " We
cannot save the city," said they, " but at
least we may save ourselves, and preserve so
many strong arms for the service of our
country. Let us cut our way through the
infidel force and gain some secure fortress,
from whence we may return with augmented
numbers for the rescue of the city."
The advice of the young cavaliers was
adopted. In the dead of the night the
garrison assembled, to the number of about
three thousand ; the most part mounted on
horseback. Suddenly sallying from one of
the gates, they rushed in a compact body
upon the camp of the Saracens, which was
negligently guarded ; for the Moslems ex
pected no such act of desperation. The
camp was a scene of great carnage and con
fusion ; many were slain on both sides ; the
two valiant leaders of the Christians fell
covered with wounds, but the main body
LEGEND OF THE
succeeded in forcing their way through the
centre of the army, and in making their re
treat to Beja in Lusitania.
Muza was at a loss to know the meaning
of this desperate sally. In the morning he
perceived the gates of the city wide open.
A number of ancient and venerable men pre
sented themselves at his tent, offering sub
mission and imploring mercy ; for none were
left in the place but the old, the infirm, and
the miserable. Muza listened to them with
compassion, and granted their prayer ; and
the only tribute he exacted was three
measures of wheat and three of barley from
each house or family. He placed a garrison
of Arabs in the city, and left there a number
of Jews to form a body of population.
Having thus secured two important places in
Andalusia, he passed the boundaries of the
province, and advanced with great martial
pomp into Lusitania.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 233
CHAPTER IX.
MUZA BESIEGES THE CITY OF MERIDA.
THE army of Muza was now augmented to
about eighteen thousand horsemen ; but he
took with him but few foot soldiers, leaving
them to garrison the conquered towns. He
met with no resistance on his entrance into
Lusitania. City after city laid its keys at
his feet, and implored to be received in
peaceful vassalage. One city alone prepared
for vigorous defence, the ancient Merida, a
place of great extent, uncounted riches, and
prodigious strength. A noble Goth named
Sacarus was the governor ; a man of con
summate wisdom, patriotism, and valour.
Hearing of the approach of the invaders,
he gathered within the walls all the people
of the surrounding country, with their horses
and mules, their flocks and herds, and most
precious effects. To insure for a long time
LEGEND OF THE
a supply of bread, he filled the magazines
with grain, and erected windmills on the
churches. This done, he laid waste the
surrounding country to a great extent, so
that a besieging army would have to encamp
in a desert.
When Muza came in sight of this mag
nificent city, he was struck with admiration.
He remained for some time gazing in silence
upon its mighty walls and lordly towers, its
vast extent, and the stately palaces and tem
ples with which it was adorned. " Surely,"
cried he, at length, " all the people of the
earth have combined their power and skill
to embellish and aggrandise this city. Allah
Achbar ! Happy will he be who shall have
the glory of making such a conquest ! "
Seeing that a place so populous and so
strongly fortified would be likely to maintain
a long and formidable resistance, he sent
messengers to Africa to his son Abdalasis,
to collect all the forces that could be spared
from the garrisons of Mauritania, and to
hasten and reinforce him.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 235
While Muza was forming his encamp
ment, deserters from the city brought him
word that a chosen band intended to sally
forth at midnight and surprise his camp.
The Arab commander immediately took
measures to receive them with a counter
surprise. Having formed his plan, and com
municated it to his principal officers, he
ordered that, throughout the day, there
should be kept up an appearance of negligent
confusion in his encampment. The outposts
were feebly guarded ; fires were lighted in
various places, as if preparing for feasting ;
bursts of music and shouts of revelry re
sounded from different quarters, and the
whole camp seemed to be rioting in careless
security on the plunder of the land. As the
night advanced, the fires were gradually
extinguished, and silence ensued, as if the
soldiery had sunk into deep sleep after the
carousal.
In the mean time, bodies of troops had
been secretly and silently marched to rein
force the outposts 5 and the renegado Ma-
286 LEGEND OF THE
gued, with a numerous force, had formed an
ambuscade in a deep stone quarry by which
the Christians would have to pass. These
preparations being made, they awaited the
approach of the enemy in breathless silence.
About midnight, the chosen force intended
for the sally assembled, and the command
was confided to Count Tendero, a Gothic
cavalier of tried prowess. After having
heard a solemn mass, and received the bene
diction of the priest, they marched out of
the gate with all possible silence. They
were suffered to pass the ambuscade in the
quarry without molestation : as they ap
proached the Moslem camp, every thing
appeared quiet ; for the foot soldiers were
concealed in slopes and hollows, and every
Arab horseman lay in his armour beside his
steed. The sentinels on the outposts waited
until the Christians were close at hand, and
then fled in apparent consternation.
Count Tendero gave the signal for assault,
and the Christians rushed confidently for
ward. In an instant an uproar of drums,
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 237
trumpets, and shrill war cries burst forth
from every side. An army seemed to spring-
up from the earth ; squadrons of horse came
thundering on them in front, while the
quarry poured forth legions of armed war
riors in their rear.
The noise of the terrific conflict that took
place was heard on the city walls, and
answered by shouts of exultation ; for the
Christians thought it rose from the terror
and confusion of the Arab camp. In a little
while, however, they were undeceived by
fugitives from the fight, aghast with terror,
and covered with wounds. " Hell itself,"
cried they, " is on the side of these infidels ;
the earth casts forth warriors and steeds to
aid them. We have fought, not with men,
but devils ! "
The greater part of the chosen troops who
had sallied were cut to pieces in that scene
of massacre, for they had been confounded
by the tempest of battle which suddenly
broke forth around them. Count Tendero
fought with desperate valour, and fell covered
238 LEGEND OF THE
with wounds. His body was found the next
morning, lying among the slain, and trans
pierced with half a score of lances. The
renegado Magued cut off his head and tied
it to the tail of his horse, and repaired with
this savage trophy to the tent of Muza ; but
the hostility of the Arab general was of a
less malignant kind. He ordered that the
head and body should be placed together
upon a bier, and treated with becoming re
verence.
In the course of the day, a train of priests
and friars came forth from the city to request
permission to seek for the body of the count.
Muza delivered it to them, with many soldier
like encomiums on the valour of that good
cavalier. The priests covered it with a pall
of cloth of gold, and bore it back in melan
choly procession to the city, where it was
received with loud lamentations.
The siege was now pressed with great
vigour, and repeated assaults were made,
but in vain. Muza saw at length that the
walls were too high to be scaled, and the
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 239
gates too strong to be burst open without
the aid of engines ; and he desisted from the
attack until machines for the purpose could
be constructed. The governor suspected
from this cessation of active warfare, that
the enemy flattered themselves to reduce the
place by famine ; he caused, therefore, large
baskets of bread to be thrown from the wall,
and sent a messenger to Muza to inform him
that if his army should be in want of bread,
he would supply it, having sufficient corn in
his granaries for a ten years siege.*
The citizens, however, did not possess
the undaunted spirit of their governor.
When they found that the Moslems were
constructing tremendous engines for the de
struction of their walls, they lost all courage,
and, surrounding the governor in a clamor
ous multitude, compelled him to send forth
persons to capitulate.
The ambassadors came into the presence of
Muza with awe ; for they expected to find a
* Bleda, Cronica, lib. ii. c. 11.
240 LEGEND OF THE
fierce and formidable warrior in one who had
filled the land with terror : but, to their
astonishment, they beheld an ancient and
venerable man, with white hair, a snowy
beard, and a pale emaciated countenance.
He had passed the previous night without
sleep, and had been all day in the field : he
was exhausted, therefore, by watchfulness and
fatigue ; and his garments were covered with
dust.
"What a devil of a man is this," mur
mured the ambassadors one to another, " to
undertake such a siege when on the verge of
the grave ! Let us defend our city the best
way we can ; surely we can hold out longer
than the life of this greybeard."
They returned to the city, therefore, scof
fing at an invader who seemed fitter to lean
on a crutch than wield a lance ; and the
terms offered by Muza, which would other
wise have been thought favourable, were
scornfully rejected by the inhabitants. A
few days put an end to this mistaken con
fidence. Abdalasis, the son of Muza, arrived
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
from Africa, at the head of his reinforce
ment : he brought seven thousand horsemen,
and a host of Barbary archers ; and made a
glorious display as he marched into the
camp. The arrival of this youthful warrior
was hailed with great acclamations ; so much
had he won the hearts of the soldiery by the
frankness, and suavity, and generosity of his
conduct. Immediately after his arrival, a
grand assault was made upon the city ; and
several of the huge battering engines being
finished, they were wheeled up, and began
to thunder against the walls.
The unsteady populace were again seized
with terror ; and, surrounding their governor
with fresh clamours, obliged him to send
forth ambassadors a second time to treat of
a surrender. When admitted to the presence
of Muza, the ambassadors could scarcely
believe their eyes ; or that this was the same
withered, white-headed old man, of whom
they had lately spoken with scoffing. His
hair and beard were tinged of a ruddy
brown ; his countenance was refreshed by
M
LEGEND OF THE
repose, and flushed with indignation ; and
he appeared a man in the matured vigour of
his days. The ambassadors were struck
with awe. " Surely," whispered they, one
to the other, " this must be either a devil or
a magician, who can thus make himself old
and young at pleasure ! "
Muza received them haughtily. " Hence! "
said he, " and tell your people I grant them
the same terms 1 have already proffered,
provided the city be instantly surrendered ;
but, by the head of Mahomet, if there be any
further delay not one mother s son of ye
shall receive mercy at my hands ! "
The deputies returned into the city pale
and dismayed. "Go forth! go forth!"
cried they, " and accept whatever terms are
offered : of what avail is it to fight against
men who can renew their youth at pleasure ?
Behold, we left the leader of the infidels an
old and feeble man, and to-day we find him
youthful and vigorous ! " *
* Conde, p. i. c. 13. Ambrosio de Morales.
K. B. In the Chronicle of Spain, composed by
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 43
The place was, therefore, surrendered
forthwith, and Muza entered it in triumph.
His terms were merciful. Those who chose
to remain were protected in persons, posses
sions, and religion : he took the property
of those only who abandoned the city, or
had fallen in battle j together with all arms
and horses, and the treasures and ornaments
of the churches. Among these sacred spoils
was found a cup, made of a single pearl,
which a king of Spain, in ancient times,
had brought from the temple of Jerusalem
when it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.
This prize was presented by Muza to the
caliph, and placed in the principal mosque
of the city of Damascus.*
Muza knew how to esteem merit even in
an enemy. When Sacarus, the governor of
Merida, appeared before him, he lauded him
greatly for the skill and courage he had
displayed in the defence of his city ; and,
order of Alonzo the Wise, this anecdote is given as
having happened at the siege of Seville.
* Marmol. Descrip. de Africa, t. i. 1. 2.
M 2
LEGEND OF THE
taking off his own scimitar, which was of
great value, girded it upon him with his
own hands. " Wear this," said he, " as a
poor memorial of my admiration ; a soldier
of such virtue and valour is worthy of far
higher honours."
He would have engaged the governor in
his service, or have persuaded him to remain
in the city, as an illustrious vassal of the
caliph ; but the noble-minded Sacarus refused
to bend to the yoke of the conquerors ; nor
could he bring himself to reside contentedly
in his country, when subjected to the domi
nation of the infidels. Gathering together
all those who chose to accompany him into
exile, he embarked, to seek some country
where he might live in peace, and in the
free exercise of his religion. What shore
these ocean-pilgrims landed upon has never
been revealed ; but tradition vaguely gives
us to believe that it was some unknown
island, far in the bosom of the Atlantic.*
* Abulcasim, Perdida de Espana, 1. i. c. 13.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
CHAPTER X.
EXPEDITION OF ABDALASIS AGAINST SEVILLE
AND THE "LAND OF TADMIR."
AFTER the capture of Merida, Muza gave a
grand banquet to his captains and distin
guished warriors in that magnificent city.
At this martial feast were many Arab
cavaliers who had been present in various
battles ; and they vied with each other in.
recounting the daring enterprises in which
they had been engaged, and the splendid
triumphs they had witnessed. While they
talked with ardour and exultation, Abdalasis,
the son of Muza, alone kept silence, and sat
with a dejected countenance. At length,
when there was a pause, he turned to his
father, and addressed him with modest ear
nestness. " My lord and father," said he,
" I blush to hear your warriors recount the
toils and dangers they have passed, while I
M 3
246 LEGEND OF THE
have done nothing to entitle me to their
companionship. When I return to Egypt,,
and present myself before the caliph, he will
ask me of my services in Spain ; what battle
I have gained ; what town or castle I have
taken. How shall I answer him ? If you
love me, then, as your son, give me a com
mand ; intrust to me an enterprise ; and let
me acquire a name worthy to be mentioned
among men."
The eyes of Muza kindled with joy at
finding Abdalasis thus ambitious of renown
in arms. "Allah be praised!" exclaimed
he j " the heart of my son is in the right
place. It is becoming in youth to look
upward, and be aspiring. Thy desire,
Abdalasis, shall be gratified/
An opportunity at that very time pre
sented itself, to prove the prowess and dis
cretion of the youth. During the siege of
Merida, the Christian troops which had taken
refuge at Beja had reinforced themselves
from Penaflor, and, suddenly returning, had
presented themselves before the gates of the
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
city of Seville.* Certain of the Christian
inhabitants threw open the gates and admit
ted them. The troops rushed to the alcazar,
took it by surprise, and put many of the
Moslem garrison to the sword : the residue
made their escape, and fled to the Arab camp
before Merida, leaving Seville in the hands
of the Christians.
The veteran Muza, now that the siege of
Merida was at an end, was meditating the
recapture and punishment of Seville at the
very time when Abdalasis addressed him.
" Behold, my son," exclaimed he, " an enter
prise worthy of thy ambition! Take with
thee all the troops thou hast brought from
Africa; reduce the city of Seville again to
subjection, and plant thy standard upon its
alcazar. But stop not there : carry thy con
quering sword into the southern parts of
Spain : thou wilt find there a harvest of
glory yet to be reaped."
* Espinosa. Antq. y Grand, de Seville, lib. ii
c.3.
M 4)
LEGEND OF THE
Abdalasis lost no time in departing upois
this enterprise. He took with him Count
Julian, Magued el Rumi, and the Bishop
Oppas, that he might benefit by their know
ledge of the country. When he came in
sight of the fair city of Seville, seated like a
queen in the midst of its golden plain, with
the Guadalquivir flowing beneath its walls,
he gazed upon it with the admiration of a
lover, and lamented in his soul that he had
to visit it as an avenger. His troops, how
ever, regarded it with wrathful eyes, think
ing only of its rebellion and of the massacre
of their countrymen in the alcazar.
The principal people of the city had taken
no part in this gallant but fruitless insurrec
tion ; and now, when they beheld the army
of Abdalasis encamped upon the banks of the
Guadalquivir, would fain have gone forth to
make explanations, and intercede for mercy.
The populace, however, forbade any one to
leave the city, and, barring the gates, pre
pared to defend themselves to the last.
The place was attacked with resistless
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 249
fury. The gates were soon burst open ; the
Moslems rushed in, panting for revenge.
They confined not their slaughter to the
soldiery in the alcazar, but roamed through
every street, confounding the innocent with
the guilty in one bloody massacre, and it was
with the utmost difficulty that Abdalasis
could at length succeed in staying their san
guinary career.*
The son of Muza proved himself as mild
in conquest as he had been intrepid in as
sault. The moderation and benignity of his
conduct soothed the terrors of the vanquished,
and his wise precautions restored tranquillity.
Having made proper regulations for the pro
tection of the inhabitants, he left a strong
garrison in the place to prevent any future
insurrection, and then departed on the fur
ther prosecution of his enterprise.
Wherever he went his arms were victori
ous ; and his victories were always charac
terised by the same magnanimity. At
* Conde, p. i. c. 14.
250 LEGEND OF THE
length he arrived on the confines of that
beautiful region comprising lofty and precipi
tous mountains and rich, and delicious plains,
afterwards known by the name of the king
dom of Murcia. All this part of the country
was defended by the veteran Theodomir, who,
by skilful management, had saved a remnant
of his forces after the defeat on the banks of
the Guadalete.
Theodomir was a stanch warrior, but a
wary and prudent man. He had experienced
the folly of opposing the Arabs in open field,
where their cavalry and armour gave them
such superiority ; on their approach, there
fore, he assembled all his people capable of
bearing arms, and took possession of the cliffs
and mountain passes. " Here," said he,
" a simple goatherd, who can hurl down rocks
and stones, is as good as a warrior armed
in proof." In this way be checked and
harassed the Moslem army in all its move
ments ; showering down missiles upon it
from overhanging precipices, and waylaying
it in narrow and rugged defiles, where a
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. &51
few raw troops could make stand against a
host.
Theodomir was in a fair way to baffle his
foes and oblige them to withdraw from his
territories ; unfortunately, however, the wary
veteran had two sons with him, young men
of hot and heady valour, who considered all
this prudence of their father as savouring of
cowardice, and who were anxious to try their
prowess in the open field. " What glory,"
said they, "is to be gained by destroying an
enemy in this way, from the covert of rocks
and thickets ? "
" You talk like young men," replied the
veteran. " Glory is a prize one may fight
for abroad, but safety is the object when the
enemy is at the door."
One day, however, the young men suc
ceeded in drawing down their father into the
plain. Abdalasis immediately seized on the
opportunity, and threw himself between the
Goths and their mountain fastnesses. Theo
domir saw too late the danger into which he
was betrayed. " What can our raw troops
M 6
LEGEND OF THE
do," said he, " against those squadrons of
horse that move like castles? Let us make
a rapid retreat to Orihuela, and defend our
selves from behind its walls."
" Father," said the eldest son, " it is too
late to retreat; remain here with the reserve,
while my brother and I advance. Fear no
thing ; am not I your son, and would I not
die to defend you ? "
" In truth," replied the veteran, " I have
my doubts whether you are my son. But if
I remain here, and you should all be killed,
where then would be my protection? Come,"
added he, turning to the second son. " I
trust that thou art virtually my son ; let us
hasten to retreat before it is too late."
" Father," replied the youngest, " I have
not a doubt that I am honestly and tho
roughly your son, and as such I honour you ;
but I owe duty likewise to my mother, and
when I sallied to the war she gave me hei
blessing as long as I should act with valour,
but her curse should I prove craven and fly
the field. Fear nothing, father ; I will de-
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
fend you while living, and even after you are
dead. You shall never fail of an honourable
sepulture among your kindred."
" A pestilence on ye both," cried Theodo-
mir, "for a brace of misbegotten madmen !
What care I, think ye, where ye lay my body
when I am dead ? One day s existence in a
hovel is worth an age of interment in a mar
ble sepulchre. Come, my friends," said he,
turning to his principal cavaliers, " let us
leave these hot-headed striplings and make
our retreat ; if we tarry any longer, the
enemy will be upon us."
Upon this the cavaliers and proud hidal-
goes drew up scornfully and tossed their
heads : " What do you see in us," said they,
" that you think we will show our backs to
the enemy ? Forward ! was ever the good
old Gothic watchword, and with that will
we live and die !"
While time was lost in these disputes, the
Moslem army kept advancing, until retreat
was no longer practicable. The battle was
tumultuous and bloody. Theodomir fought
LEGEND OF THE
like a lion, but it was all in vain : he saw
his two sons cut down, and the greater part
of their rash companions, while his raw
mountain troops fled in all directions.
Seeing there was no longer any hope, he
seized the bridle of a favourite page who was
near him, and who was about spurring for
the mountains. "Part not from me," said he,
" but do thou at least attend to my counsel,
my son ; and, of a truth, I believe thou art
my son, for thou art the offspring of one of
my handmaids who was kind unto me." And
indeed the youth marvellously resembled him.
Turning then the reins of his own steed, an^
giving him the spur, he fled amain from the
field, followed by the page ; nor did he stop
until he arrived within the walls of Orihuela.
Ordering the gates to be barred and bolted,
he prepared to receive the enemy. There
were but few men in the city capable of bear
ing arms, most of the youth having fallen in
the field. He caused the women, therefore,
to clothe themselves in male attire, to put on
hats and helmets, to take long reeds in their
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. Q55
hands instead of lances, and to cross their
hair upon their chins in semblance of beards.
With these troops he lined the walls and
towers.
It was about the hour of twilight that Ab-
dalasis approached with his army, but he
paused when he saw the w r alls so numerously
garrisoned. Then Theodomir took a flag of
truce in his hand, and put a herald s tabard
on the page, and they two sallied forth to
capitulate, and were graciously received by
Abdalasis.
" I come," said Theodomir, "on the be
half of the commander of this city, to treat
for terms worthy of your magnanimity and
of his dignity. You perceive that the city
is capable of withstanding a long siege, but
he is desirous of sparing the lives of his
soldiers. Promise that the inhabitants shall
be at liberty to depart unmolested with their
property, and the city will be delivered up to
you to-morrow morning without a blow ;
otherwise we are prepared to fight until not
a man be left."
256 LEGEND OF THE
Abdalasis was well pleased to get so power
ful a place upon such easy terms, but
stipulated that the garrison should lay down
their arms. To this Theodomir readily as
sented ; with the exception, however, of the
governor and his retinue, which was granted
out of consideration for his dignity. The
articles of capitulation were then drawn out ;
and, when Abdalasis had affixed his name
and seal, Theodomir took the pen and wrote
his signature. " Behold in me," said he,
" the governor of the city ! "
Abdalasis was pleased with the hardihood
of the commander of the place in thus ven
turing personally into his power, and enter
tained the veteran with still greater honour.
When Theodomir returned to the city, he
made known the capitulation, and charged
the inhabitants to pack up their effects during
the night, and be ready to sally forth in the
morning.
At the dawn of day the gates were thrown
open, and Abdalasis looked to see a great
force issuing forth j but, to his surprise,
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
beheld merely Theodomir and his page in
battered armour, followed by a multitude of
old men, women, and children.
Abdalasis waited until the whole had come
forth; then, turning to Theodomir, "Where/
cried he, " are the soldiers whom I saw last
evening, lining the walls and towers ? "
" Soldiers have I none," replied the vete
ran. " As to my garrison, behold it before
you. With these women did I man my walls ;
and this, my page, is my herald, guard, and
retinue."
Upon this the Bishop Oppas and Count
Julian exclaimed that the capitulation was a
base fraud, and ought not to be complied
with ; but Abdalasis relished the stratagem
of the old soldier, and ordered that the stipu
lations of the treaty should be faithfully per
formed. Nay, so high an opinion did he
conceive of the subtle wisdom of this com
mander, that he permitted him to remain in
authority over the surrounding country, on
his acknowledging allegiance and engaging
to pay tribute to the caliph ; and all that
258 LEGEND OF THE
part of Spain, comprising the beautiful pro
vinces of Murcia and Valencia, was long
after known by the Arabic name of its de
fender, and is still recorded in Arabian
chronicles as " The land of Tadmir."
Having succeeded in subduing this rich
and fruitful region, and having gained great
renown for his generosity as well as valour,
Abdalasis returned with the chief part of his
army to the city of Seville.*
* Conde, p. i. Cronica del moro Rasis. Cron.
Gen. Espana, por Alonzo el Sabio, p. iii. c. 1.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 259
CHAPTER XL
MUZA ARRIVES AT TOLEDO. INTERVIEW
BETWEEN HIM AND TARIC.
WHEN Muza ben Nozier had sent his son
Abdalasis to subdue Seville, he departed for
Toledo, to call Taric to account for his dis
obedience to his orders ; for, amidst all his
own successes, the prosperous career of that
commander preyed upon his mind. What can
content the jealous and ambitious heart ? As
Muza passed through the land, towns and
cities submitted to him without resistance ;
he was lost in wonder at the riches of the
country, and the noble monuments of art with
which it was adorned : when he beheld the
bridges, constructed in ancient times by the
Romans, they seemed to him the work, not
of men, but of genii. Yet all these ad
mirable objects only made him repine the
more, that he had not had the exclusive glory
260 LEGEND OF THE
of invading and subduing the land ; and ex
asperated him the more against Taric, for
having apparently endeavoured to monopolise
the conquest.
Taric heard of his approach, and came
forth to meet him at Talavera, accompanied
by many of the most distinguished com
panions of his victories, and with a train of
horses and mules laden with spoils, with
which he trusted to propitiate the favour of
his commander. Their meeting took place
on the banks of the rapid river Tietar, which
rises in the mountains of Placencia, and
throws itself into the Tagus. Muza, in
former days, while Taric had acted as his
subordinate and indefatigable officer, had
cherished and considered him as a second
self ; but now that he had started up to be a
rival, he could not conceal his jealousy.
When the veteran came into his presence, he
regarded him for a moment with a stern and
indignant aspect. " Why hast thou dis
obeyed my orders ?" said he. " I commanded
thee to await my arrival with reinforcements,
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
but thou hast rashly overrun the country,
endangering the loss of our armies and the
ruin of our cause."
" I have acted," replied Taric, " in such
manner as I thought would best serve the
cause of Islam ; and in so doing I thought to
fulfil the wishes of Muza. Whatever I have
done has been as your servant. Behold your
share, as commander-in-chief, of the spoils
which I have collected." So saying, he
produced an immense treasure in silver and
gold, and costly stuffs, and precious stones,
and spread it before Muza.
The anger of the Arab commander was
still more kindled at the sight of this booty,
for it proved how splendid had been the
victories of Taric ; but he restrained his
wrath for the present, and they proceeded
together in moody silence to Toledo. When
he entered this royal city, . however, and as
cended to the ancient palace of the Gothic
kings, and reflected that all this had been a
scene of triumph to his rival, he could no
longer repress his indignation. He de-
LEGEND OF THE
manded of Taric a strict account of all the
riches he had gathered in Spain, even of the
presents he had reserved for the caliph ; and,
above all, he made him yield up his favourite
trophy, the talismanic table of Solomon.
When all this was done, he again upbraided
him bitterly with his disobedience of orders,
and with the rashness of his conduct.
" What blind confidence in fortune hast
thou shown," said he, " in overrunning such
a country, and assailing such powerful cities
with thy scanty force ! What madness, to
venture every thing upon a desperate chance,
when thou knewest I was coming with a
force to make the victory secure I All thy
success has been owing to mere luck, not to
judgment nor generalship."
He then bestowed high praises upon the
other chieftains for their services in the cause
of Islam ; but they answered not a word, and
their countenances were gloomy and discon
tented, for they felt the injustice done to
their favourite leader. As to Taric, though
his eye burned like fire, he kept his passion
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 263
within bounds. " I have done the best I
could to serve God and the caliph," said he,
emphatically ; " my conscience acquits me,
and I trust my sovereign will do the same."
" Perhaps he may," replied Muza bitterly;
" but, in the meantime, I cannot confide his
interests to a desperado, who is heedless of
orders and throws every thing at hazard.
Such a general is unworthy to be intrusted
with the fate of armies."
So saying, he divested Taric of his com*
mand, and gave it to Magued the renegado.
The gaunt Taric still maintained an air of
stern composure* His only words were,
" The caliph will do me justice!" Muza
was so transported with passion at this la
conic defiance that he ordered him to be
thrown into prison, and even threatened his
life.
Upon this, Magued el Rumi, though he
had risen by the disgrace of Taric, had the
generosity to speak out warmly in his favour.
" Consider," said he, to Muza, " what may
be the consequences of this severity. Taric
264 LEGEND OF THE
has many friends in the army ; his actions,
too, have been signal and illustrious, and
entitle him to the highest honours and re
wards, instead of disgrace and imprison
ment."
The anger of Muza, however, was not to
be appeased ; and he trusted to justify his
measures by despatching missives to the
caliph, complaining of the insubordination of
Taric, and his rash and headlong conduct.
The result proved the wisdom of the caution
given by Magued. In the course of a little
while Muza received a humiliating letter
from the caliph, ordering him to restore
Taric to the command of the soldiers " whom
he had so gloriously conducted ; " and not
to render useless " one of the best swords in
Islam!"*
It is thus the envious man brings hu
miliation and reproach upon himself, in
endeavouring to degrade a meritorious rival.
When the tidings came of the justice ren-
* Conde, p. i. c. 15.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 265
dered by the caliph to the merits of the
veteran, there was general joy throughout
the army ; and Muza read, in the smiling
countenances of every one around him, a
severe censure upon his conduct. He con
cealed, however, his deep humiliation, and
affected to obey the orders of his sovereign
with great alacrity : he released Taric from
prison, feasted him at his own table, and
then publicly replaced him at the head of
his troops. The army received its favourite
veteran with shouts of joy, and celebrated
with rejoicings the reconciliation of the com
manders : but the shouts of the soldiery
Were abhorrent to the ears of Muza.
266 LEGEND OF THE
CHAPTER XII.
MUZA PROSECUTES THE SCHEME OF CONQUEST.
SIEGE OF SARAGOSSA. COMPLETE SUBJUGA
TION OF SPAIN.
THE dissensions, which for a time had dis
tracted the conquering army, being appeased,
and the Arabian generals being apparently
once more reconciled, Muza, as commander-
in-chief, proceeded to complete the enterprise
by subjugating the northern parts of Spain.
The same expeditious mode of conquest that
had been sagaciously adopted by Taric was
still pursued. The troops were lightly armed,
and freed from every superfluous incum-
brance. Each horseman, beside his arms,
carried a small sack of provisions, a copper
vessel in which to cook them, and a skin
which served him for surcoat and for bed.
The infantry carried nothing but their arms.
To each regiment or squadron was allowed a
SUBJUGATION OF SPRAIN. 267
limited number of sumpter mules and attend
ants ; barely enough to carry their necessary
baggage and supplies : nothing was permitted
that could needlessly diminish the number of
fighting men, delay their rapid movements,
or consume their provisions. Strict orders
were again issued, prohibiting, on pain of
death, all plunder excepting the camp of an
enemy, or cities given up to pillage.*
The armies now took their several lines of
march. That under Taric departed towards
the north-east ; beating up the country to
wards the source of the Tagus, traversing
the chain of Iberian or Arragonian moun
tains, and pouring down into the plains and
valleys watered by the Ebro. It was won
derful to see, in so brief a space of time, such
a vast and difficult country penetrated and
subdued ; and the invading army, like an
inundating flood, pouring its streams into the
most remote recesses.
While Taric was thus sweeping the coun-
* Conde, p. i. c. 15.
N 2
#68 LEGEND OF THE
try to the north-east, Muza departed in an
opposite direction ; yet purposing to meet
him, and to join their forces in the north.
Bending his course westwardly, he made a
circuit behind the mountains, and then, ad
vancing into the open country, displayed his
banners before Salamanca, which surrendered
without resistance. From hence he continued
on towards Astorga, receiving the terrified
submission of the land ; then turning up the
valley of the Douro, he ascended the course
of that famous river towards the east ;
crossed the Sierra de Moncayo, and, arriving
on the banks of the Ebro, marched down
along its stream, until he approached the
strong city of Saragossa, the citadel of all
that part of Spain. In this place had taken
refuge many of the most valiant of the Gothic
warriors ; the remnants of armies, and fugi
tives from conquered cities. It was one of
the last rallying points of the land. When
Muza arrived, Taric had already been for
some time before the place, laying close
siege : the inhabitants were pressed by
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 269
famine, and had suffered great losses in re
peated combats ; but there was a spirit and
obstinacy in their resistance surpassing any
thing that had yet been witnessed by the in
vaders.
Muza now took command of the siege,
and ordered a general assault upon the walls.
The Moslems planted their scaling ladders,
and mounted with their accustomed intre
pidity, but were vigorously resisted ; nor
could all their efforts obtain them a footing
upon the battlements. While they were thus
assailing the walls, Count Julian ordered a
heap of combustibles to be placed against one
of the gates, and set on fire. The inhabitants
attempted in vain from the barbican to extin
guish the flames. They burnt so* fiercely,
that in a little while the gate fell from the
hinges. Count Julian galloped into the city
mounted upon a powerful charger, himself
and his steed all covered with mail. He was
followed by three hundred of his partisans,
and supported by Magued, the renegado,
with a troop of horse.
N 3
270 LEGEND OF THE
The inhabitants disputed every street and
public square ; they made barriers of dead
bodies, fighting behind these ramparts of
their slaughtered countrymen. Every win
dow and roof was filled with combatants :
the very women and children joined in the
desperate fight, throwing down stones and
missiles of all kinds, and scalding water, upon
the enemy.
The battle raged until the hour of vespers,
when the principal inhabitants held a parley,
and capitulated for a surrender. Muza had
been incensed at their obstinate resistance,
which had cost the lives of so many of his sol
diers ; he knew also that in the city were
collected the riches of many of the towns of
eastern Spain. He demanded, therefore,
beside the usual terms, a heavy sum to be paid
down by the citizens, called the contribution of
blood ; as by this they redeemed themselves
from the edge of the sword. The people
were obliged to comply. They collected all
the jewels of their richest families, and all the
ornaments of their temples, and laid them at
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 271
the feet of Muza ; and placed in his power
many of their noblest youths as hostages.
A strong garrison was then appointed ; and
thus the fierce city of Saragossa was subdued
to the yoke of the conqueror.
The Arab generals pursued their conquests
even to the foot of the Pyrenees : Taric then
descended along the course of the Ebro, and
continued along the Mediterranean coast ;
subduing the famous city of Valencia, with
its rich and beautiful domains, and carrying
the success of his arms even to Denia.
Muza undertook with his host a wider
range of conquest. He overcame the cities
of Barcelona, Gerona, and others that lay on
the skirts of the eastern mountains : then
crossing into the land of the Franks, he cap
tured the city of Narbonne ; in a temple of
which he found seven equestrian images of
silver, which he brought off as trophies of his
victory.* Returning into Spain, he scoured
its northern regions along Gallicia and the
* Conde, p. i. c. 16.
N 4
LEGEND OF THE
Asturias ; passed triumphantly through Lu-
sitania, and arrived once more in Andalusia,
covered with laurels, and enriched with im
mense spoils.
Thus was completed the subjugation of
unhappy Spain. All its cities and fortresses,
and strong holds, were in the hands of the
Saracens, excepting some of the wild moun
tain tracts that bordered the Atlantic, and
extended towards the north. Here, then, the
story of the conquest might conclude, but
that the indefatigable chronicler, Fray An
tonio Agapida, goes on to record the fate of
those persons who were most renowned in
the enterprise. We shall follow his steps,
and avail ourselves of his information, labo
riously collected from various sources; and,
truly, the story of each of the actors in this
great historical drama bears with it its
striking moral, and is full of admonition and
instruction.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 273
CHAPTER XIII.
FEUD BETWEEN THE ARAB GENERALS, THEY
ARE SUMMONED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE CA
LIPH AT DAMASCUS. RECEPTION OF TARIC.
THE heart of Muza ben Nozier was now
lifted up, for he considered his glory com
plete. He held a sway that might have
gratified the ambition of the proudest sove
reign, for all western Africa and the newly
acquired peninsula of Spain were obedient to
his rule ; and he was renowned throughout
all the lands of Islam as the great conqueror
of the west. But sudden humiliation awaited
him in the very moment of his highest tri
umph.
Notwithstanding the outward reconcili
ation of Muza and Taric, a deep and im
placable hostility continued to exist between
them ; and each had busy partisans who
N 5
274" LEGEND OF THE
distracted the armies by their feuds. Let
ters were incessantly despatched to Damas
cus by either party, exalting the merits of
their own leader and decrying his rival.
Taric was represented as rash, arbitrary, and
prodigal, and as injuring the discipline of
the army, by sometimes treating it with ex
treme rigour, and at other times giving way
to licentiousness and profusion. Muza was
lauded as prudent, sagacious, dignified, and
systematic in his dealings. The friends of
Taric, on the other hand, represented him as
brave, generous, and high-minded ; scrupu
lous in reserving to his sovereign his right
ful share of the spoils, but distributing the
rest bounteously among his soldiers, and
thus increasing their alacrity in the service.
" Muza, on the contrary," said they, " is
grasping and insatiable : he levies intolerable
contributions, and collects immense treasure,
but sweeps it all into his own coffers."
The caliph was at length wearied out by
these complaints, and feared that the safety
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
of the cause might be endangered by the
dissensions of the rival generals. He sent
letters, therefore, ordering them to leave
suitable persons in charge of their several
commands, and appear, forthwith, before
him at Damascus.
Such was the greeting from his sovereign
that awaited Muza on his return from
the conquest of northern Spain. It was a
grievous blow to a man of his pride and
ambition ; but he prepared instantly to obey.
He returned to Cordova, collecting by the way
all the treasures he had deposited in various
places. At that city he called a meeting of
his principal officers, and of the leaders of
the faction of apostate Christians, and made
them all do homage to his son Abdalasis, as
emir or governor of Spain. He gave this
favourite son much sage advice for the regu
lation of his conduct, and left with him his
nephew Ayub, a man greatly honoured by
the Moslems fop his wisdom and discretion ;
exhorting Abdalasis to consult him on all
occasions, and consider him as his bosom
N 6
276 LEGEND OF THE
counsellor. He made a parting address to
his adherents, full of cheerful confidence ;
assuring them that he would soon return,
loaded with new favours and honours by his
sovereign, and enabled to reward them all
for their faithful services.
When Muza sallied forth from Cordova
to repair to Damascus, his cavalgada ap
peared like the sumptuous pageant of some
Oriental potentate ; for he had numerous
guards and attendants splendidly armed
and arrayed, together with four hundred
hostages, who were youthful cavaliers of the
noblest families of the Goths, and a great
number of captives of both sexes, chosen for
their beauty, and intended as presents for
the caliph. Then there was a vast train of
beasts of burden, laden with the plunder of
Spain ; for he took with him all the wealth
he had collected in his conquests, and all
the share that had been set apart for his
sovereign. With this display of trophies and
spoils, showing the magnificence of the
land he had conquered, he looked forward
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 277
with confidence to silence the calumnies of
his foes.
As he traversed the valley of the Guadal
quivir, he often turned and looked back wist-
fully upon Cordova ; and, at the distance of
a league, when about to lose sight of it, he
checked his steed upon the summit of a hill,
and gazed for a long time upon its palaces
and towers. " O Cordova!" exclaimed he,
" great and glorious art thou among cities,
and abundant in all delights. With grief
and sorrow do I part from thee ; for sure I
am it would give me length of days to abide
within thy pleasant walls ! " When he had
uttered these words, say the Arabian chroni*
cles, he resumed his wayfaring ; but his eyes
were bent upon the ground, and frequent
sighs bespoke the heaviness of his heart.
Embarking at Cadiz, he passed over to
Africa with all his people and effects, to
regulate his government in that country.
He divided the command between his sons
Abdelola and Meruan, leaving the former
in Tangier, and the latter in Cairvan. Thus
LEGEND OF THE
having secured, as he thought, the power and
prosperity of his family, by placing all his
sons as his lieutenants in the country he had
conquered, he departed for Syria, bearing
with him the sumptuous spoils of the west.
While Muza was thus disposing of his
commands, and moving cumbrously under
the weight of wealth, the veteran Taric
was more speedy and alert in obeying
the summons of the caliph. He knew the
importance, where complaints were to be
heard, of being first in presence of the judge;
beside, he was ever ready to march at a
moment s warning, and had nothing to im
pede him in his movements. The spoils he
had made in his conquests had either been
shared among his soldiers, or yielded up to
Muza, or squandered away with open-handed
profusion. He appeared in Syria with a
small train of war-worn followers, and had
no other trophies to show than his battered
armour, and a body seamed with scars. He
was received, however, with rapture by the
multitude, who crowded to behold one of
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 279
those conquerors of the west, whose wonder
ful achievements were the theme of every
tongue. They were charmed with his gaunt
and martial air, his hard sunburnt features,
and his scathed eye. " All hail," cried they,
" to the sword of Islam, the terror of the
unbelievers ! Behold the true model of a
warrior, who despises gain, and seeks for
nought but glory ! "
Taric was graciously received by the
caliph, who asked tidings of his victories.
He gave a soldier-like account of his ac
tions, frank and full, without any feigned
modesty, yet without vainglory. " Comman
der of the faithful," said he, "I bring thee
no silver, nor gold, nor precious stones, nor
captives ; for what spoils I did not share with
my soldiers I gave up to Muza as my com
mander. How I have conducted myself, the
honourable warriors of thy host will tell thee ;
nay, let our enemies, the Christians, be asked
if I have ever shown myself cowardly, or
cruel, or rapacious."
LEGEND OF THE
" What kind of people are these Chris
tians?" demanded the caliph.
" The Spaniards," replied Taric, " are
lions in their castles, eagles in their saddles,
but mere women when on foot. When
vanquished they escape like goats to the
mountains, for they need not see the ground
they tread on."
" And tell me of the Moors of Barbary."
" They are like Arabs in the fierceness
and dexterity of their attacks, and in their
knowledge of the stratagems of war ; they
resemble them, too, in feature, in fortitude,
and hospitality ; but they are the most per
fidious people upon earth, and never regard
promise or plighted faith."
"And the people of Afranc ; what sayest
thou of them?"
" They are infinite in number, rapid in
the onset, fierce in battle, but confused and
headlong in flight."
" And how fared it with thee among
these people ? Did they sometimes vanquish
thee?"
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 281
"Never, by Allah!" cried Taric with
honest warmth, "never did a banner of
mine fly the field. Though the enemy were
two to one, my Moslems never shunned the
combat ! "
The caliph was well pleased with the mar
tial bluntness of the veteran, and showed him
great honour ; and wherever Taric appeared
he was the idol of the populace.
LEGEND OF THE
CHAPTER XIV.
MUZA ARRIVES AT DAMASCUS. HIS INTERVIEW
WITH THE CALIPH. THE TABLE OF SOLOMON.
A RIGOROUS SENTENCE.
SHORTLY after the arrival of Taric el Tuerto
at Damascus the caliph fell dangerously ill,
insomuch that his life was despaired of.
During his illness, tidings were brought that
Muza ben Nozier had entered Syria with a
vast cavalcade, bearing all the riches and
trophies gained in the western conquests.
Now Suleiman ben Abdelmelec, brother to
the caliph, was successor to the throne ; and
he saw that his brother had not long to live,
and wished to grace the commencement of
his reign by this triumphant display of the
spoils of Christendom : he sent messengers,
therefore, to Muza, saying, " The caliph is
ill, and cannot receive thee at present ; I pray
thee tarry on the road until his recovery."
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 283
Muza, however, paid no attention to the
messages of Suleiman, but rather hastened
his march to arrive before the death of the
caliph. And Suleiman treasured up his con
duct in his heart.
Muza entered the city in a kind of tri
umph, with a long train of horses and mules
and camels laden with treasure, and with the
four hundred sons of Gothic nobles as host
ages, each decorated with a diadem and
a girdle of gold ; and with one hundred
Christian damsels, whose beauty dazzled all
beholders. As he passed through the streets
he ordered purses of gold to be thrown
among the populace, who rent the air with
acclamations. " Behold," cried they, " the
veritable conqueror of the unbelievers ! Be
hold the true model of a conqueror, who
brings home wealth to his country ! " And
they heaped benedictions on the head of
Muza.
The caliph Walid Almanzor rose from his
couch of illness to receive the emir ; who,
when he repaired to the palace, filled one of
LEGEND OF THE
its great courts with treasures of all kinds :
the halls, too, were thronged with the youth
ful hostages, magnificently attired, and with
Christian damsels, lovely as the houries of
Paradise. When the caliph demanded an
account of the conquest of Spain, he gave it
with great eloquence ; but, in describing the
various victories, he made no mention of the
name of Taric, but spoke as if every thing
had been effected by himself. He then pre
sented the spoils of the Christians as if they
had been all taken by his own hands ; and
when he delivered to the caliph the miracu
lous table of Solomon, he dwelt with ani
mation on the virtues of that inestimable
talisman.
Upon this Taric, who was present, could
no longer hold his peace. " Commander
of the faithful !" said he, " examine this
precious table, if any part be wanting." The
caliph examined the table, which was com
posed of a single emerald, and he found that
one foot was supplied by a foot of gold.
The caliph turned to Muza and said, "Where
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 285
is the other foot of the table ?" Muza an
swered, " I know not j one foot was want
ing when it came into my hands." Upon
this, Taric drew from beneath his robe a
foot of emerald of like workmanship to the
others, and fitting exactly to the table. " Be
hold, O commander of the faithful I " cried
he, " a proof of the real finder of the table ;
and so is it with the greater part of the
spoils exhibited by Muza as trophies of his
achievements. It was I who gained them,
and who captured the cities in which they
were found. If you want proof, demand of
these Christian cavaliers here present, most
of whom I captured ; demand of those Mos
lem warriors who aided me in my battles."
Muza was confounded for a moment, but
attempted to vindicate himself. " I spake,"
said he, " as the chief of your armies, under
whose orders and banners this conquest was
achieved. The actions of the soldier are
the actions of the commander. In a great
victory, it is not supposed that the chief of
the army takes all the captives, or kills all
286 LEGEND OF THE
the slain, or gathers all the booty, though
all are enumerated in the records of his tri
umph." The caliph, however, was wroth,
and heeded not his words. " You have
vaunted your own deserts," said he, " and
have forgotten the deserts of others ; nay,
you have sought to debase another who has
loyally served his sovereign : the reward of
your envy and covetousness be upon your
head ! " So saying, he bestowed a great
part of the spoils upon Taric and the other
chiefs, but gave nothing to Muza ; and the
veteran retired amidst the sneers and mur
murs of those present.
In a few days the Galiph Wai id died,
and was succeeded by his brother Suleiman.
The new sovereign cherished deep resent
ment against Muza for having presented
himself at court contrary to his command,
and he listened readily to the calumnies of
his enemies ; for Muza had been too illus
trious in his deeds not to have many enemies*
All now took courage when they found he
was out of favour, and they heaped slanders
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 287
on his head ; charging him with embezzling
much of the share of the booty belonging to
the sovereign. The new caliph lent a willing
ear to the accusation, and commanded him
to render up all that he had pillaged from
Spain. The loss of his riches might have
been borne with fortitude by Muza, but the
stigma upon his fame filled his heart with
bitterness. " I have been a faithful servant
to the throne from my youth upwards," said
he, " and now am I degraded in my old age.
I care not for wealth, I care not for life, but
let me not be deprived of that honour which
God has bestowed upon me ! "
The caliph was still more exasperated at
his repining, and stripped him of his com
mands ; confiscated his effects ; fined him
two hundred thousand pesants of gold, and
ordered that he should be scourged and ex
posed to the noontide sun, and afterwards
thrown into prison.* The populace, also,
reviled and scoffed at him in his misery ; and
* Conde, p. i. c. 17.
288 LEGEND OF THE
as they beheld him led forth to the public
gaze, and fainting in the sun, they pointed
at him with derision, and exclaimed " Be
hold the envious man and the impostor : this
is he who pretended to have conquered the
land of the unbelievers I "
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
CHAPTER XV.
CONDUCT OF ABDALASIS AS EMIR OF SPAIN.
WHILE these events were happening- in Sy
ria, the youthful Abdalasis, the son of Muza,
remained as emir or governor of Spain. He
was of a generous and benignant disposition,
but he was open and confiding, and easily
led away by the opinions of those he loved.
Fortunately his father had left with him, as
a bosom counsellor, the discreet Ayub, the
nephew of Muza : aided by his advice, he
for some time administered the public affairs
prudently and prosperously.
Not long after the departure of his father,
he received a letter from him, written while
on his journey to Syria ; it was to the follow
ing purport :
" Beloved son ; honour of thy lineage ;
Allah guard thee from all harm and peril !
Listen to the words of thy father. Avoid all
o
290 LEGEND OF THE
treachery, though it should promise great
advantage ; and trust not in him who coun
sels it, even though he should be a brother.
The company of traitors put far from thee ;
for how canst thou be certain that he who has
proved false to others will prove true to thee ?
Beware, O my son, of the seductions of
love. It is an idle passion which enfeebles
the heart, and blinds the judgment : it renders
the mighty weak, and makes slaves of princes.
If thou shouldst discover any foible of a
vicious kind springing up in thy nature,
pluck it forth, whatever pang it cost thee.
Every error, while new, may easily be weeded
out ; but if suffered to take root, it flourishes,
and bears seed, and produces fruit an hun
dred fold. Follow these counsels, O son of
my affections, and thou shalt live secure."
Abdalasis meditated upon this letter ; for
some part of it seemed to contain a mystery
which he could not comprehend. He called
to him his cousin and counsellor, the discreet
Ayub. " What means my father," said he,
" in cautioning me against treachery and
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 2QI
treason ? Does he think my nature so base
that it could descend to such means ? "
Ayub read the letter attentively. " Thy
father," said he, " would put thee on thy
guard against the traitors Julian and Oppas,
and those of their party who surround thee.
What love canst thou expect from men who
have been unnatural to their kindred ; and
what loyalty from wretches who have be
trayed their country?"
Abdalasis was satisfied with the interpret
ation, and he acted accordingly. He had
long loathed all communion with these men ;
for there is nothing which the open, ingenuous
nature so much abhors as duplicity and trea
son. Policy, too, no longer required their
agency ; they had rendered their infamous
service, and had no longer a country to
betray : but they might turn and betray their
employers. Abdalasis, therefore, removed
them to a distance from his court, and placed
them in situations where they could do no
harm ; and he warned his commanders from
LEGEND OP THE
being in any wise influenced by their coun
sels, or aided by their arms.
He now confided entirely in his Arabian
troops, and in the Moorish squadrons from
Africa, and with their aid he completed the
conquest of Lusitania to the ultimate parts
of the Algarbe, or west, even to the shores
of the great Ocean sea.* From hence, he
sent his generals to overrun all those vast
and rugged sierras, which rise like ramparts
along the ocean borders of the peninsula ;
and they carried the standard of Islam in
triumph even to the mountains of Biscay,
collecting all manner of precious spoil.
"It is not enough, O Abdalasis," said
Ayub, " that we conquer and rule this coun
try with the sword : if we wish our dominion
to be secure, we must cultivate the arts
of peace, and study to secure the confidence
* Algarbe, or Algarbia, in Arabic signifies the
west, as Axarkia is the east, Algufia the north, and
Aquibla the south. This will serve to explain some
of the geographical names on the peninsula which
are of Arabian origin.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
and promote the welfare of the people we
have conquered." Abdalasis relished counsel
which accorded so well with his own benefi
cent nature. He endeavoured, therefore, to
allay the ferment and confusion of the con
quest ; forbade, under rigorous punishment,
all wanton spoil or oppression, and protected
the native inhabitants in the enjoyment and
cultivation of their lands, and the pursuit
of all useful occupations. By the advice
of Ayub also, he encouraged great numbers
of industrious Moors and Arabs to emigrate!
r?
from Africa, and gave them houses and
lands ; thus introducing a peaceful Maho
metan population into the conquered pro
vinces.
The good effect of the counsels of Ayub
were soon apparent. Instead of a sudden
but transient influx of wealth, made by the
ruin of the land, which left the country deso
late, a regular and permanent revenue sprang
up, produced by reviving prosperity, and
gathered without violence. Abdalasis or
dered it to be faithfully collected, and de-
o 3
LEGEND OF THE
posited in coffers by public officers appointed
in each province for the purpose ; and the
whole was sent by ten deputies to Damascus,
to be laid at the feet of the caliph, not as
the spoils of a vanquished country, but as the
peaceful trophies of a wisely administered
government.
The common herd of warlike adventurers,
the mere men of the sword, who had thronged
to Spain for the purpose of ravage and ra
pine, were disappointed at being thus checked
in their career, and at seeing the reign of
terror and violence drawing to a close.
" What manner of leader is this," said they,
" who forbids us to make spoil of the enemies
of Islam, and to enjoy the land we have
wrested from the unbelievers ?" The parti
sans of Julian also whispered their calum
nies. " Behold," said they, " with what
kindness he treats the enemies of your faith :
all the Christians who have borne arms
against you, and withstood your entrance
into the land, are favoured and protected ;
but it is enough for a Christian to have be-
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
friended the cause of the Moslems to be
singled out by Abdalasis for persecution,
and to be driven with scorn from his pre
sence."
These insinuations fermented the discon
tent of the turbulent and rapacious among
the Moslems ; but all the friends of peace and
order and good government applauded the
moderation of the youthful emir.
o 4
296 LEGEND OF THE
CHAPTER XVI.
LOVES OF ABDALASIS AND EXILONA.
ABDALASIS had fixed his seat of govern
ment at Seville, as permitting 1 easy and fre
quent communications with the coast of
Africa. His palace was of noble architec
ture, with delightful gardens extending to
the banks of the Guadalquivir. In a part of
this palace resided many of the most beauti
ful Christian females, who were detained as
captives, or rather hostages, to ensure the
tranquillity of the country. Those who were
of noble rank were entertained in luxury and
magnificence ; slaves were appointed to at
tend upon them, and they were arrayed in
the richest apparel and decorated with the
most precious jewels. Those of tender age
were taught all graceful accomplishments ;
and even where tasks were imposed, they
were of the most elegant and agreeable kind.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
They embroidered, they sang, they danced,
and passed their times in pleasing revelry.
Many were lulled by this easy and voluptu
ous existence ; the scenes of horror through
which they had passed were gradually effaced
from their minds, and a desire was often
awakened of rendering themselves pleasing
in the eyes of their conquerors.
After his return from his campaign in
Lusitania, and during the intervals of public-
duty, Abdalasis solaced himself in the repose
of this palace, and in the society of these
Christian captives. He remarked one among
them who ever sat apart ; and neither joined
in the labours nor sports of her companions.
She was lofty in her demeanour, and the
others always paid her reverence ; yet sor
row had given a softness to her charms, and
rendered her beauty touching to the heart.
Abdalasis found her one day in the garden
with her companions : they had adorned
their heads with flowers, and were singing
the songs of their country ; but she sat by
298 LEGEND OF THE
herself and wept. The youthful emir was
moved by her tears, and accosted her in
gentle accents. "O fairest of women!"
said he, " why dost thou weep, and why is
thy heart troubled ? " " Alas !" replied she,
" have I not cause to weep, seeing how sad
is my condition, and how great the height
from which I have fallen ? In me you be
hold the wretched Exiloria, but lately the
wife of Roderick, and the Queen of Spain,
now a captive and a slave ! " And, having
said these words, she cast her eyes upon the
earth, and her tears began to flow afresh.
The generous feelings of Abdalasis were
aroused at the sight of beauty and royalty in
tears. He gave orders that Exilona should
be entertained in a style befitting her former
rank ; he appointed a train of female attend
ants to wait upon her, and a guard of honour
to protect her from all intrusion. All the
time that he could spare from public con
cerns was passed in her society ; and he
even neglected his divan, and suffered his
counsellors to attend in vain, while he lin-
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 299
gered in the apartments and gardens of the
palace, listening to the voice of Exilona.
The discreet Ayub saw the danger into
which he was falling. " Oh Abdalasis ! "
said he, " remember the words of thy father.
Beware, my son/ said he, of the seduc
tions of love. It renders the mighty weak,
and makes slaves of princes ! ; A blush
kindled on the cheek of Abdalasis, and he
was silent for a moment. " Why," said he,
at length, " do you seek to charge me with
such weakness ? It is one thing to be in
fatuated by the charms of a woman, and
another to be touched by her misfortunes.
It is the duty of my station to console a
princess who has been reduced to the lowest
humiliation by the triumphs of our arms. In
doing so, I do but listen to the dictates of
true magnanimity."
Ayub was silent, but his brow was clouded ;
and for once Abdalasis parted in discontent
from his counsellor* In proportion as he
was dissatisfied with others or with himself,,
he sought the society of Exilona j for there
o 6
300 LEGEND OF THE
was a charm in her conversation that banished
every care. He daily became more and more
enamoured ; and Exilona gradually ceased to
weep, and began to listen with secret pleasure
to the words of her Arab lover. When,
however, he sought to urge his passion, she
recollected the light estimation in which her
sex was held by the followers of Mahomet, and
assumed a countenance grave and severe.
" Fortune, " said she, " has cast me at thy
feet : behold I am thy captive and thy spoil.
But though my person is in thy power, my
soul is unsubdued ; and know that, should I
lack force to defend my honour, I have reso
lution to wash out all stain upon it with my
blood. I trust, however, in thy courtesy as
a cavalier to respect me in my reverses,
remembering what I have been ; and that,
though the crown has been wrested from
my brow, the royal blood still warms within
my veins." *
* Faxardo, Corona, Gothica, t. i. p. 492. Joan.
Mar. de Reb. Hisp. 1. vi. c, 27.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 301
The lofty spirit of Exilona, and her proud
repulse, served but to increase the passion of
Abdalasis. He besought her to unite her
destiny with his, and share his state and
power, promising that she should have no
rival nor co-partner in his heart. Whatever
scruples the captive queen might originally
have felt to a union with one of the con
querors of her lord, and an enemy of her
adopted faith, they were easily vanquished ;
and she became the bride of Abdalasis. He
would fain have persuaded her to return to
the faith of her fathers : but though of
7 o
Moorish origin, and brought up in the doc
trines of Islam, she was too thorough a con
vert to Christianity to consent, and looked
back with disgust upon a religion that ad
mitted a plurality of wives.
When the sage Ayub heard of the reso
lution of Abdalasis to espouse Exilona he
was in despair. "Alas, my cousin!" said
he, " what infatuation possesses thee ? Hast
thou then entirely forgotten the letter of thy
father ? Beware my son/ said he, of
302 LEGEND OF THE
love : it is an idle passion, which enfeebles
the heart and blinds the judgment. r But
Abdalasis interrupted him with impatience.
"My father," said he, "spake but of the
blandishments of wanton love ; against these
I am secured by my virtuous passion for
Exilona."
Ayub would fain have impressed upon
him the dangers he ran of awakening sus
picion in the caliph, and discontent among
the Moslems, by wedding the queen of the
conquered Roderick, and one who was an
enemy to the religion of Mahomet ; but the
youthful lover only listened to his passion.
Their nuptials were celebrated at Seville
with great pomp and rejoicings, and he gave
his bride the name of Omalisam ; that is to
say, she of the precious jewels * ; but she
continued to be known among the Christians
by the name of Exilona.
* Conde, p. i. c. 17.
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 303
CHAPTER XVII.
FATE OF ABDALASIS AND EXILONA. DEATH OF
MUZA.
POSSESSION, instead of cooling the passion
of Abdalasis, only added to its force ; he
became blindly enamoured of his beautiful
bride, and consulted her will in all things ;
nay, having lost all relish for the advice
of the discreet Ayub, he was even guided
by the counsels of his wife in the affairs
of government. Exilona, unfortunately, had
once been a queen, and she could not re
member her regal glories without regret.
She saw that Abdalasis had great power in
the land ; greater even than had been pos
sessed by the Gothic kings ; but she con
sidered it as wanting in true splendour until
his brows should be encircled with the out
ward badge of royalty. One day, when they
S04f LEGEND OF THE
were alone in the palace of Seville, and the
heart of Abdalasis was given up to tender
ness, she addressed him in fond yet timid
accents. " Will not my lord be offended,"
said she, "if I make an unwelcome re
quest ? " Abdalasis regarded her with a smile.
" What canst thou ask of me, Exilona," said
he, "that it would not be a happiness for
rne to grant ? " Then Exilona produced a
crown of gold, sparkling with jewels, which
had belonged to the king, Don Roderick,
and said, " Behold, thou art king in au
thority, be so in thy outward state. There
is majesty and glory in a crown ; it gives a
sanctity to power." Then putting the crown
upon his head, she held a mirror before him
that he might behold the majesty of his ap
pearance. Abdalasis chid her fondly, and
put the crown away from him ; but Exilona
persisted in her prayer. " Never," said she,
"has there been a king in Spain that did
not wear a crown." So Abdalasis suffered
himself to be beguiled by the blandishments
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 305
of his wife, and to be invested with the crown
and sceptre and other signs of royalty.*
It is affirmed by ancient and discreet
chroniclers, that Abdalasis only assumed this
royal state in the privacy of his palace, and
to gratify the eye of his youthful bride : but
where was a secret ever confined within the
walls of a palace ? The assumption of the
insignia of the ancient Gothic kings was
soon rumoured about, and caused the most
violent suspicions. The Moslems had already
felt jealous of the ascendancy of this beautiful
woman ; and it was now confidently asserted
that Abdalasis, won by her persuasions, had
secretly turned Christian.
The enemies of Abdalasis, those whose
rapacious spirits had been kept in check by
the beneficence of his rule, seized upon this
occasion to ruin him. They sent letters to
Damascus accusing him of apostacy, and of
an intention to seize upon the throne in right
* Cron. Gen. de Alonzo el Sabio, p. 3. Joan.
Mar. de Reb. Hisp. lib. vi. c. 27. Conde, p. i.
cap. 19.
306 LEGEND OF THE
of his wife, Exilona, as widow of the late
King Roderick. It was added, that the
Christians were prepared to flock to his
standard, as the only means of regaining
ascendancy in their country.
These accusations arrived at Damascus
just after the accession of the sanguinary
Suleiman to the throne, and in the height
of his persecution of the unfortunate Muza.
The caliph waited for no proofs in confirm
ation ; he immediately sent private orders
that Abdalasis should be put to death, and
that the same fate should be dealt to his two
brothers who governed in Africa, as a sure
means of crushing the conspiracy of this
ambitious family.
The mandate for the death of Abdalasis
was sent to Abhilbar ben Obeidah and Zeyd
ben Nabegat, both of whom had been
cherished friends of Muza, and had lived
in intimate favour and companionship with
his son. When they read the fatal parch
ment, the scroll fell from their trembling
hands. " Can such hostility exist against
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 307
the family of Muza ?" exclaimed they. " Is
this the reward for such great and glorious
services ? " The cavaliers remained for some
time plunged in horror and consternation.
The order, however, was absolute, and left
them no discretion. " Allah is great," said
they, "and commands us to obey our so
vereign." So they prepared to execute the
bloody mandate with the blind fidelity of
Moslems. /
It was necessary to proceed with caution.
The open and magnanimous character of
Abdalasis had won the hearts of a great part
of the soldiery, and his magnificence pleased
the cavaliers who formed his guard : it was
feared, therefore, that a sanguinary opposition
would be made to any attempt upon his
person. The rabble, however, had been
embittered against him from his having re
strained their depredations, and because they
thought him an apostate in his heart, secretly
bent upon betraying them to the Christians.
While, therefore, the two officers made vigi
lant dispositions to check any movement on
308 LEGEND OF THE
the part of the soldiery, they let loose the
blind fury of the populace, by publishing the
fatal mandate. In a moment the city was in
a ferment, and there was a ferocious emula
tion who should be first to execute the orders
of the caliph.
Abdalasis was at this time at a palace in
the country not far from Seville, command
ing a delightful view of the fertile plain of
the Guadalquivir. Hither he was accus
tomed to retire from the tumult of the court,
and to pass his time among groves and foun
tains, and the sweet repose of gardens, in the
society of Exilona. It was the dawn of day,
the hour of early prayer, when the furious
populace arrived at this retreat. Abdalasis
was offering up his orisons in a small mosque
which he had erected for the use of the
neighbouring peasantry. Exilona was in a
chapel in the interior of the palace, where
her confessor, a holy friar, was performing
mass. They were both surprised at their
devotions, and dragged forth by the hands
of the rabble. A few guards, who attended
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 309
at the palace, would have made defence; but
they were overawed by the sight of the
written mandate of the caliph.
The captives were borne in triumph to
Seville. All the beneficent virtues of Abda-
lasis were forgotten ; nor had the charms of
Exilona any effect in softening the hearts of
the populace. The brutal eagerness to shed
blood, which seems inherent in human nature,
was awakened; and woe to the victims when
that eagerness is quickened by religious hate !
The illustrious couple, adorned with all the
graces of youth and beauty, were hurried to
a scaffold in the great square of Seville, and
there beheaded, amidst the shouts and exe
crations of an infatuated multitude. Their
bodies were left exposed upon the ground,
and would have been devoured by dogs, had
they not been gathered at night by some
friendly hand, and poorly interred in one of
the courts of their late dwelling.
Thus terminated the loves and lives of
Abdalasis and Exilona, in the year of the In
carnation seven hundred and fourteen. Their
310 LEGEND OF THE
names were held sacred as martyrs to the
Christian faith : hut many read in their un
timely fate a lesson against amhition and
vainglory ; having sacrificed real power and
substantial rule to the glittering bauble of a
crown.
The head of Abdalasis was embalmed, and
enclosed in a casket, and sent to Syria to the
cruel Suleiman. The messenger who bore
it overtook the caliph as he was performing
a pilgrimage to Mecca. Muza was among
the courtiers in his train, having been
released from prison. On opening the cas
ket, and regarding its contents, the eyes of
the tyrant sparkled with malignant satisfac
tion. Calling the unhappy father to his side :
" Muza," said he, " dost thou know this
head ? " The veteran recognised the features
of his beloved son, and turned his face away
with anguish. " Yes I well do I know it,"
replied he ; " and may the curse of God
light upon him who has destroyed a better
man than himself."
Without adding another word, he retired
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. 311
to Mount Deran, a prey to devouring me
lancholy. He shortly after received tidings
of the death of his two sons, whom he had
left in the government of western Africa,
and Avho had fallen victims to the jealous
suspicions of the caliph. His advanced age
was not proof against these repeated blows,
and this utter ruin of his late prosperous
family; and he sank into his grave, sorrowing
and broken-hearted.
Such was the lamentable end of the con
queror of Spain ; whose great achievements
were not sufficient to atone, in the eye of his
sovereign, for a weakness to which all men
ambitious of renown are subject ; and whose
triumphs eventually brought persecution upon
himself, and untimely death upon his chil
dren.
Here ends the legend of the Subjugation
of Spain.
LEGEND
OP
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY.
LEGEND
OF
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY.
IN the preceding legends is darkly sha
dowed out a true story of the woes of
Spain. It is a story full of wholesome ad
monition, rebuking the insolence of human
pride, and the vanity of human ambition, and
showing the futility of all greatness that is
not strongly based on virtue. We have seen,
in brief space of time, most of the actors in
this historic drama disappearing, one by one,
from the scene, and going down, conqueror
and conquered, to gloomy and unhonoured
graves. It remains to close this eventful his
tory, by holding up as a signal warning the
fate of the traitor, whose perfidious scheme of
vengeance brought ruin on his native land.
p
316 LEGEND OF
Many and various are the accounts given
in ancient chronicles of the fortunes of Count
Julian and his family ; and many are the tra
ditions on the subject still extant among the
populace of Spain, and perpetuated in those
countless ballads sung by peasants and
muleteers, which spread a singular charm
over the whole of this romantic land.
He who has travelled in Spain in the true
way in which the country ought to be travel
led ; sojourning in its remote provinces ;
rambling among the rugged defiles and se
cluded valleys of its mountains ; and making
himself familiar with the people in their out-
of-the-way hamlets, and rarely visited neigh
bourhoods, will remember many a group of
travellers and muleteers, gathered of an even
ing around the door or the spacious hearth
of a mountain venta, wrapped in their brown
cloaks, and listening with grave and profound
attention to the long historic ballad of some
rustic troubadour, either recited with the
true ore rotunda and modulated cadences of
Spanish elocution, or chanted to the tink-
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 317
ling of a guitar. In this way, he may have
heard the doleful end of Count Julian and
his family recounted in traditionary rhymes,
that have been handed down from generation
to generation. The particulars, however, of
the following wild legend are chiefly gathered
from the writings of the pseudo Moor, Rasis :
how far they may be safely taken as historic
facts, it is impossible now to ascertain ; we
must content ourselves, therefore, with their
answering to the exactions of poetic justice.
As yet every thing had prospered with
Count Julian, He had gratified his venge
ance ; he had been successful in his treason,
and had acquired countless riches from the
ruin of his country. But it is not outward
success that constitutes prosperity. The tree
flourishes with fruit and foliage while blasted
and withering at the heart. Wherever he
went, Count Julian read hatred in every
eye. The Christians cursed him as the
cause of all their woe ; the Moslems despised
and distrusted him as a traitor. Men whis
pered together as he approached, and then
p 3
318 LEGEND OF
turned away in scorn ; and mothers snatched
away their children with horror if he offered
to caress them. He withered under the exe
cration of his fellow men ; and last, and
worst of all, he began to loathe himself. He
tried in vain to persuade himself that he had
but taken a justifiable vengeance : he felt
that no personal wrong can justify the crime
of treason to one s country.
For a time, he sought in luxurious in
dulgence to soothe, or forget, the miseries of
the mind. He assembled round him every
pleasure and gratification that boundless
wealth could purchase ; but all in vain. He
had no relish for the dainties of his board ;
music had no charm wherewith to lull his
soul, and remorse drove slumber from his
pillow. He sent to Ceuta for his wife
Frandina, his daughter Florinda, and his
youthful son Alarbot ; hoping in the bosom
of his family to find that sympathy and
kindness which he could no longer meet with
in the world. Their presence, however^
brought him no alleviation. Florinda, the
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 319
daughter of his heart, for whose sake he
had undertaken this signal vengeance, was
sinking a victim to its effects. Wherever
she went, she found herself a bye-word of
shame and reproach. The outrage she had
suffered was imputed to her as wantonness,
and her calamity was magnified into a crime.
The Christians never mentioned her name
without a curse, and the Moslems, the gainers
by her misfortune, spake of her only by the
appellation of Cava, the vilest epithet they
could apply to woman.
But the opprobrium of the world was
nothing to the upbraiding of her own heart.
She charged herself with all the miseries of
these disastrous wars ; the deaths of so many
gallant cavaliers ; the conquest and perdition
of her country. The anguish of her mind
preyed upon the beauty of her person. Her
eye, once soft and tender in its expression,
became wild and haggard ; her cheek lost
its bloom, and became hollow and pallid;
and at times there was desperation in her
words. When her father sought to embrace
p 4
320 LEGEND OF
her, she withdrew with shuddering from his
arms ; for she thought of his treason, and
the ruin it had brought upon Spain. Her
wretchedness increased after her return to
her native country, until it rose to a degree
of frenzy. One day when she was walking
with her parents in the garden of their
palace, she entered a tower, and, having
barred the door, ascended to the battlements.
From thence she called to them in piercing
accents, expressive of her insupportable an
guish and desperate determination. " Let
this city," said she, " be henceforth called
Malacca, in memorial of the most wretched
of women, who therein put an end to her
days." So saying, she threw herself head
long from the tower, and was dashed to pieces.
The city, adds the ancient chronicler, re
ceived the name thus given it, though after-
vvards softened to Malaga, which it still
retains, in memory of the tragical end of
Florinda.
The Countess Frandina abandoned this
scene of woe, and returned to Ceuta, ac-
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY.
companied by her infant son. She took with
her the remains of her unfortunate daughter,
and gave them honourable sepulture in a
mausoleum of the chapel belonging to the
citadel. Count Julian departed for Cartha-
gena, where he remained plunged in horror
at this doleful event.
About this time, the cruel Suleiman,
having destroyed the family of Muza, had
sent an Arab general, named Alahor, to
succeed Abdalasis as emir or governor of
Spain. The new emir was of a cruel and
suspicious nature, and commenced his sway
with a stern severity that soon made those
under his command look back with regret to
the easy rule of Abdalasis. He regarded
with an eye of distrust the renegado
Christians who had aided in the conquest,
and who bore arms in the service of the
Moslems ; but his deepest suspicions fell
upon Count Julian. " He has been a traitor
to his own countrymen," said he : " how can
we be sure that he will not prove traitor to
us?"
p 5
LEGEND OF
A sudden insurrection of the Christians
who had taken refuge in the Asturian moun
tains quickened his suspicions, and inspired
him with fears of some dangerous conspiracy
against his power. In the height of his
anxiety, he bethought him of an Arabian
sage named Yuza, who had accompanied
him from Africa. This son of sience was
withered in form, and looked as if he had
outlived the usual term of mortal life. In
the course of his studies and travels in the
East, he had collected the knowledge and
experience of ages ; being skilled in astrology
and, it is said, in necromancy, and possessing
the marvellous gift of prophecy or divination.
To this expounder of mysteries Alahor ap
plied, to learn whether any secret treason
menaced his safety.
The astrologer listened with deep attention
and overwhelming brow to all the surmises
and suspicions of the emir ; then shut himself
up to consult his books, and commune with
those supernatural intelligences subservient
to his wisdom. At an appointed hour, the
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 323
emir sought him in his cell. It was filled
with the smoke of perfumes : squares and
circles and various diagrams were described
upon the floor ; and the astrologer was poring
over a scroll of parchment covered with
cabalistic characters. He received Alahor
with a gloomy and sinister aspect ; pretend
ing to have discovered fearful portents in the
heavens, and to have had strange dreams
and mystic visions.
" O emir," said he, " be on your guard 1
Treason is around you, and in your path :
your life is in peril. Beware of Count
Julian and his family."
" Enough," said the emir. " They shall
all die! Parents and children all shall
die!"
He forthwith sent a summons to Count
Julian to attend him in Cordova. The
messenger found him plunged in affliction
for the recent death of his daughter. The
count excused himself, on account of this
misfortune, from obeying the commands of
the emir in person, but sent several of his
p 6
LEGEND OF
adherents. His hesitation, and the circum
stance of his having sent his family across
the straits to Africa, were construed by the
jealous mind of the emir into proofs of
guilt. He no longer doubted his being con
cerned in the recent insurrections, and that
he had sent his family away, preparatory to
an attempt, by force of arms, to subvert the
Moslem domination. In his fury, he put to
death Siseburto and Evan, the nephews of
Bishop Oppas, and sons of the former king,
Witiza, suspecting them of taking part in
the treason. Thus did they expiate their
treachery to their country in the fatal battle
of the Gaudalete.
Alahor next hastened to Carthagena, to
seize upon Count Julian. So rapid were
his movements that the count had barely
time to escape with fifteen cavaliers, with
whom he took refuge in the strong castle of
Marcuello, among the mountains of Arragon.
The emir, enraged to be disappointed of his
prey, embarked at Carthagena, and crossed
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY.
the straits to Ceuta, to make captives of the
Countess Frandina and her son.
The old chronicle from which we take
this part of our legend presents a gloomy
picture of the countess in the stern fortress
to which she had fled for refuge ; a picture
heightened by supernatural horrors. These
latter the sagacious reader will admit or
reject, according to the measure of his faith
and judgment ; always remembering, that in
dark and eventful times, like those in ques
tion, involving the destinies of nations, the
downfal of kingdoms, and the crimes of
rulers and mighty men, the hand of fate is
sometimes strangely visible, and confounds
the wisdom of the Avorldly wise, by intima
tions and portents above the ordinary course
of things. With this proviso, we make 110
scruple to follow the venerable chronicler in
his narration.
Now so it happened, that the Countess
Frandina was seated late at night in her
chamber in the city of Ceuta, which stands
326 LEGEND OF
on a lofty rock, overlooking the sea. She
was revolving, in gloomy thought, the late
disasters of her family, when she heard a
mournful noise, like that of the sea breeze,
moaning about the castle walls. Raising her
eyes, she beheld her brother, the Bishop
Oppas, at the entrance of the chamber. She
advanced to embrace him, but he forbade
her with a motion of his hand ; and she
observed that he was ghastly pale, and that
his eyes glared as with lambent flames.
" Touch me not, sister," said he with a
mournful voice, " lest thou be consumed by
the fire which rages within me. Guard well
thy son, for blood-hounds are upon his track.
His innocence might have secured him
the protection of Heaven, but our crimes
have involved him in our common ruin."
He ceased to speak, and was no longer to be
seen. His coming and going were alike
without noise, and the door of the chamber
remained fast bolted.
On the following morning, a messenger
arrived with tidings that the Bishop Oppas
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY.
had been made prisoner in battle by the in
surgent Christians of the Asturias, and had
died in fetters in a tower of the mountains.
The same messenger brought word that the
Emir Alahor had put to death several of the
friends of Count Julian ; had obliged him to
fly for his life to a castle in Arragon ; and
was embarking with a formidable force for
Ceuta.
The Countess Frandina, as has already
been shown, was of courageous heart ; and
danger made her desperate. There were
fifty Moorish soldiers in the garrison ; she
feared that they would prove treacherous,
and take part with their countrymen. Sum
moning her officers, therefore, she informed
them of their danger, and commanded them
to put those Moors to death. The guards
sallied forth to obey her orders. Thirty-five
of the Moors were in the great square, un
suspicious of any danger, when they were
severally singled out by their executioners,
and, at a concerted signal, killed on the spot.
The remaining fifteen took refuge in a tower*
328 LEGEND OF
They saw the armada of the emir at a dis
tance, and hoped to be ahle to hold out until
its arrival. The soldiers of the countess
saw it also, and made extraordinary efforts
to destroy these internal enemies, before they
should be attacked from without. They
made repeated attempts to storm the tower,
but were as often repulsed with severe loss.
They then undermined it, supporting* its
foundations by stanchions of wood. To
these they set fire, and withdrew to a distance,
keeping up a constant shower of missiles to
prevent the Moors from sallying" forth to
extinguish the flames. The stanchions were
rapidly consumed ; and when they gave way
the tower fell to the ground. Some of the
Moors were crushed among the ruins ; others
were flung to a distance, and dashed among
the rocks : those who survived were in
stantly put to the sword.
The fleet of the emir arrived at Ceuta
about the hour of vespers. He landed, but
found the gates closed against him. The
countess herself spoke to him from a tower,
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 329
and set him at defiance. The emir imme
diately laid siege to the city. He consulted
the astrologer Yuza, who told him that, for
seven days, his star would have the ascendant
over that of the youth Alarbot ; but after that
time the youth would be safe from his power,
and would effect his ruin.
Alahor immediately ordered the city to be
assailed on every side, and at length carried
it by storm. The countess took refuge with
her forces in the citadel, and made a despe
rate defence ; but the walls were sapped and
mined, and she saw that all resistance would
soon be unavailing. Her only thoughts now
were to conceal her child. " Surely," said
she, " they will not think of seeking him
among the dead." She led him, therefore,
into the dark and dismal chapel. " Thou art
not afraid to be alone in this darkness, my
child ? " said she.
" No, mother, * replied the boy, " dark
ness gives silence and sleep." She con
ducted him to the tomb of Florinda. " Fear-
est thou the dead, my child?" "No, mother,
330 LEGEND OF
the dead can do no harm, and what should
I fear from my sister ? "
The countess opened the sepulchre. " Lis
ten, my son," said she. " There are fierce
and cruel people who have come hither to
murder thee. Stay here in company with
thy sister, and be quiet as thou dost value
thy life ! " The boy, who was of a courage
ous nature, did as he was bidden, and re
mained there all that day, and all the night,
and the next day until the third hour.
In the mean time the walls of the citadel
were sapped, the troops of the emir poured
in at the breach, and a great part of the gar
rison was put to the sword. The countess
was taken prisoner and brought before the
emir. She appeared in his presence with a
haughty demeanour, as if she had been a
queen receiving homage ; but when he de
manded her son, she faltered, and turned
pale, and replied, " My son is with the
dead."
" Countess," said the emir, " I am not
to be deceived ; tell me where you have con*
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 331
cealed the boy, or tortures shall wring from
you the secret."
" Emir," replied the countess, " may the
greatest torments be my portion, both here
and hereafter, if what I speak be not the
truth ! My darling child lies buried with the
dead."
The emir was confounded by the solem
nity of her words ; but the withered astrolo
ger, Yuza, who stood by his side regarding
the countess from beneath his bushed eye
brows, perceived trouble in her countenance
and equivocation in her words. " Leave this
matter to me," whispered he to Alahor ; " I
will produce the child."
He ordered strict search to be made by
the soldiery, and he obliged the countess to
be always present. When they came to the
chapel, her cheek turned pale and her lip
quivered. " This," said the subtle astrolo
ger, (( is the place of concealment."
The search throughout the chapel, how
ever, was equally vain, and the soldiers were
about to depart, when Yuza remarked a
332 LEGEND OF
slight gleam of joy in the eye of the countess.
" We are leaving our prey behind," thought
he ; " the countess is exulting."
He now called to mind the words of her
asseveration, that her child was with the
dead. Turning suddenly to the soldiers, he
ordered them to search the sepulchres. " If
you find him not," said he, " drag forth the
bones of that wanton Cava, that they may be
burnt, and the ashes scattered to the winds."
The soldiers searched among the tombs,
and found that of Florinda partly open.
Within lay the boy in the sound sleep of
childhood, and one of the soldiers took him
gently in his arms to bear him to the emir.
When the countess beheld that her child
was discovered, she rushed into the presence
of Alahor, and, forgetting all her pride,
threw herself upon her knees before him.
"Mercy! mercy!" cried she, in piercing
accents, "mercy on my son my only child!
O emir ! listen to a mother s prayer, and
my lips shall kiss thy feet. As thou art mer
ciful to him, so may the most high God have
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 333
mercy upon thee, and heap blessings on thy
head !"
"Bear that frantic women hence," said
the emir ; " but guard her well."
The countess was dragged away by the
soldiery, without regard to her struggles and
her cries, and confined in a dungeon of the
citadel.
The child was now brought to the emir.
He had been awakened by the tumult, but
gazed fearlessly on the stern countenances of
the soldiers. Had the heart of the emir
been capable of pity, it would have been
touched by the tender youth and innocent
beauty of the child ; but his heart was as the
nether millstone, and he was bent upon the
destruction of the whole family of Julian.
Calling to him the astrologer, he gave the
child into his charge with a secret command.
The withered son of the desert took the boy
by the hand, and led him up the winding
staircase of a tower. When they reached
the summit, Yuza placed him on the battle
ments.
334 LEGEND OF
" Cling not to me, my child/ said he ;
"there is no danger." "Father, I fear not,"
said the undaunted boy; "yet it is a won
drous height ! "
The child looked around with delighted
eyes. The breeze blew his curling locks
from about his face, and his cheek glowed at
the boundless prospect ; for the tower was
reared upon that lofty promontory on which
Hercules founded one of his pillars. The
surges of the sea were heard far below beat
ing upon the rocks, the sea-gull screamed
and wheeled about the foundations of the
tower, and the sails of lofty caraccas were as
mere specks on the bosom of the deep.
" Dost thou know yonder land beyond the
blue water ? " said Yuza.
4 * It is Spain," replied the boy; "it is the
land of my father and my mother."
" Then stretch forth thy hands and bless
it, my child," said the astrologer.
The boy let go his hold of the wall, and,
as he stretched forth his hands, the aged son
of Ishmael, exerting all the strength of his
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 335
withered limbs, suddenly pushed him over
the battlements* He fell headlong from the
top of that tall tower, and not a bone in his
tender frame but was crushed upon the rocks
beneath.
Alahor came to the foot of the winding
stairs.
" Is the boy safe ?" cried he.
" He is safe," replied Yuza ; "come and
behold the truth with thine own eyes."
The emir ascended the tower and looked
over the battlements, and beheld the body of
the child, a shapeless mass, on the rocks far
below, and the sea-gulls hovering about it ;
and he gave orders that it should be thrown
into the sea, which was done.
On the following morning, the countess
was led forth from her dungeon into the pub
lic square. She knew of the death of her
child, and that her own death was at hand ;
but she neither wept nor supplicated. Her
hair was dishevelled, her eyes were haggard
with watching, and her cheek was as the
monumental stone j but there were the
336 LEGEND OF
remains of commanding beauty in her counte
nance; and the majesty of her presence awed
even the rabble into respect.
A multitude of Christian prisoners were
then brought forth ; and Alahor cried out
" Behold the wife of Count Julian ; be
hold one of that traitorous family which has
brought ruin upon yourselves and upon your
country." And he ordered that they should
stone her to death. But the Christians drew
back with horror from the deed, and said
" In the hand of God is vengeance, let not
her blood be upon our heads." Upon this
the emir swore, with horrid imprecations, that
whoever of the captives refused should him
self be stoned to death. So the cruel order
was executed, and the Countess Frandina
perished by the hands of her countrymen.
Having thus accomplished his barbarous
errand, the emir embarked for Spain, and or
dered the citadel of Ceuta to be set on fire,
and crossed the straights at night by the
light of its towering flames.
The death of Count Julian, which took
COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY. 337
place not long after, closed the tragic story
of his family. How he died remains involved
in doubt. Some assert that the cruel Alahor
pursued him to his retreat among the
mountains, and, having taken him prisoner,
beheaded him ; others that the Moors con
fined him in a dungeon, and put an end
to his life with lingering torments ; while
others affirm that the tower of the castle of
Marcuello, near Huesca, in Arragon, in
which he took refuge, fell on him and
crushed him to pieces. All agree that his
latter end was miserable in the extreme, and
his death violent. The curse of Heaven,
which had thus pursued him to the grave,
was extended to the very place which had
given him shelter : for we are told that the
castle is no longer inhabited, on account or
the strange and horrible noises that are heard
in it ; and that visions of armed men are
seen above it in the air ; which are supposed
to be the troubled spirits of the apostate
Christians who favoured the cause of the
traitor.
a
338 LEGEND OF COUNT JULIAN, ETC.
Iii after times a stone sepulchre was
shown, outside of the chapel of the castle, as
the tomb of Count Julian : but the traveller
and the pilgrim avoided it, or bestowed upon
it a malediction ; and the name of Julian has
remained a by-word and a scorn in the land
for the warning of all generations. Such
ever be the lot of him who betrays his
country !
Here end the legends of the conquest of
Spain.
Written in the Alhambra, June 10. 1829.
339
NOTE TO THE PRECEDING LEGEND.
El licenciado Ardevines (Lib. ii. c. 8.) dize
que dichos Duendos caseros, o los del aire,
hazen aparacer exercitos y peleas, como Jo
que se cuenta por tradicion (y ami algunos
personas lo deponen como testigos de vista)
de la torre y castello de Marcuello, lugar al
pie de las montanas de Aragon (aora inha
bitable, por las grandes y espan tables ruidos
que en el se oyen) donde se retraxo el Conde
Don Julian, causa de la perdicion de Espana ;
sobre el qual Castillo, deze se ven en el aire
ciertas visiones, como de soldados, que el
vulgo dize son los cavalleros y gente que le
favorecian.
Vide " el Ente Dislucidado, por Fray An
tonio de Fuentalapena capuchin. Seccion 3.
Subseccion 5. Instancia 8. Num. 644.
As readers unversed in the Spanish lan
guage may wish to know the testimony of
the worthy and discreet capuchin friar, An-
340 NOTE TO THE PRECEDING LEGEND.
tonio de Fuentalapena, we subjoin a transla
tion of it.
" The licentiate Ardevines (Book II.
chap. 8.) says, that the said house fairies
(or familiar spirits), or those of the air, cause
the apparitions of armies and battles ; such
as those which are related in tradition (and
some persons even depose to the truth of
them as eye-witnesses) of the town and cas
tle of Marcuello, a /ortress at the foot of the
mountains of Arragon (at present uninha
bitable, on account of the great and fright
ful noises heard in it), the place of retreat of
Count Don Julian, the cause of the perdition
of Spain. It is said that certain apparitions
of soldiers are seen in the air, which the
vulgar say are those of the courtiers and
people who aided him."
THE END.
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