chronicle of the conquest of granada-第78节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
The loss of the Christians in this siege amounted to twenty thousand men； of whom seventeen thousand died of disease； and not a few of mere colda kind of death （says the historian Mariana） peculiarly uncomfortable； but （adds the venerable Jesuit） as these latter were chiefly people of ignoble rank； baggage…carriers and such…like； the loss was not of great importance。
The surrender of Baza was followed by that of Almunecar； Tavernas； and most of the fortresses of the Alpuxarras mountains； the inhabitants hoped by prompt and voluntary submission to secure equally favorable terms with those granted to the captured city； and the alcaydes to receive similar rewards to those lavished on its commanders； nor were either of them disappointed。 The inhabitants were permitted to remain as mudexares in the quiet enjoyment of their property and religion； and as to the alcaydes； when they came to the camp to render up their charges they were received by Ferdinand with distinguished favor； and rewarded with presents of money in proportion to the importance of the places they had commanded。 Care was taken by the politic monarch； however； not to wound their pride nor shock their delicacy； so these sums were paid under color of arrears due to them for their services to the former government。 Ferdinand had conquered by dint of sword in the earlier part of the war； but he found gold as potent as steel in this campaign of Baza。
With several of these mercenary chieftains came one named Ali Aben Fahar； a seasoned warrior who had held many important commands。 He was a Moor of a lofty； stern； and melancholy aspect； and stood silent and apart while his companions surrendered their several fortresses and retired laden with treasure。 When it came to his turn to speak； he addressed the sovereigns with the frankness of a soldier； but with the tone of dejection and despair。
〃I am a Moor；〃 said he； 〃and of Moorish lineage； and am alcayde of the fair towns and castles of Purchena and Paterna。 These were entrusted to me to defend； but those who should have stood by me have lost all strength and courage and seek only for security。 These fortresses； therefore； most potent sovereigns； are yours whenever you will send to take possession of them。〃
Large sums of gold were immediately ordered by Ferdinand to be delivered to the alcayde as a recompense for so important a surrender。 The Moor； however； put back the gift with a firm and dignified demeanor。 〃I came not；〃 said he； 〃to sell what is not mine； but to yield what fortune has made yours； and Your Majesties may rest assured that had I been properly seconded death would have been the price at which I would have sold my fortresses； and not the gold you offer me。〃
The Castilian monarchs were struck with the lofty and loyal spirit of the Moor； and desired to engage a man of such fidelity in their service； but the proud Moslem could not be induced to serve the enemies of his nation and his faith。
〃Is there nothing； then；〃 said Queen Isabella； 〃that we can do to gratify thee； and to prove to thee our regard？〃〃Yes；〃 replied the Moor； 〃I have left behind me； in the towns and valleys which I have surrendered； many of my unhappy countrymen； with their wives and children； who cannot tear themselves from their native abodes。 Give me your royal word that they shall be protected in the peaceable enjoyment of their religion and their homes。〃〃We promise it；〃 said Isabella； 〃they shall dwell in peace and security。 But for thyself what dost thou ask for thyself？〃〃Nothing；〃 replied Ali； 〃but permission to pass unmolested with my horses and effects into Africa。〃
The Castilian monarchs would fain have forced upon him gold and silver and superb horses richly caparisoned； not as rewards； but as marks of personal esteem； but Ali Aben Fahar declined all presents and distinctions； as if he thought it criminal to flourish individually during a time of public distress； and disdained all prosperity that seemed to grow out of the ruins of his country。
Having received a royal passport； he gathered together his horses and servants； his armor and weapons； and all his warlike effects； bade adieu to his weeping countrymen with a brow stamped with anguish； but without shedding a tear； and； mounting his Barbary steed； turned his back upon the delightful valleys of his conquered country； departing on his lonely way to seek a soldier's fortune amidst the burning sands of Africa。*
*Pulgar； part 3； cap。 124； Garibay； lib。 40； cap。 40； Cura de los Palacios。
CHAPTER LXXXII。
SUBMISSION OF EL ZAGAL TO THE CASTILIAN SOVEREIGNS。
Evil tidings never fail by the way through lack of messengers： they are wafted on the wings of the wind； and it is as if the very birds of the air would bear them to the ear of the unfortunate。 The old king El Zagal buried himself in the recesses of his castle to hide himself from the light of day； which no longer shone prosperously upon him； but every hour brought missives thundering at the gate with the tale of some new disaster。 Fortress after fortress had laid its keys at the feet of the Christian sovereigns： strip after strip of warrior mountain and green fruitful valleys was torn from his domains and added to the territories of the conquerors。 Scarcely a remnant remained to him； except a tract of the Alpuxarras and the noble cities of Guadix and Almeria。 No one any longer stood in awe of the fierce old monarch； the terror of his frown had declined with his power。 He had arrived at that state of adversity when a man's friends feel emboldened to tell him hard truths and to give him unpalatable advice； and when his spirit is bowed down to listen quietly if not meekly。
El Zagal was seated on his divan； his whole spirit absorbed in rumination on the transitory nature of human glory； when his kinsman and brother…in…law； the prince Cid Hiaya； was announced。 That illustrious convert to the true faith and the interests of the conquerors of his country had hastened to Guadix with all the fervor of a new proselyte； eager to prove his zeal in the service of Heaven and the Castilian sovereigns by persuading the old monarch to abjure his faith and surrender his possessions。
Cid Hiaya still bore the guise of a Moslem； for his conversion was as yet a secret。 The stern heart of El Zagal softened at beholding the face of a kinsman in this hour of adversity。 He folded his cousin to his bosom； and gave thanks to Allah that amidst all his troubles he had still a friend and counsellor on whom he might rely。
Cid Hiaya soon entered upon the real purpose of his mission。 He represented to El Zagal the desperate state of affairs and the irretrievable decline of Moorish power in the kingdom of Granada。 〃Fate；〃 said he； 〃is against our arms； our ruin is written in the heavens。 Remember the prediction of the astrologers at the birth of your nephew Boabdil。 We hoped that their prediction was accomplished by his capture at Lucena； but it is now evident that the stars portended not a temporary and passing reverse of the kingdom； but a final overthrow。 The constant succession of disasters which have attended our efforts show that the sceptre of Granada is doomed to pass into the hands of the Christian monarchs。 Such；〃 concluded the prince emphatically； and with a profound and pious reverence；〃such is the almighty will of God。〃
El Zagal listened to these words in mute attention； without so much as moving a muscle of his face or winking an eyelid。 When the prince had concluded he remained for a long time silent and pensive； at length； heaving a profound sigh from the very bottom of his heart； 〃Alahuma subahana hu！〃 exclaimed he〃the will of God be done！ Yes； my cousin； it is but too evident that such is the will of Allah； and what he wills he fails not to accomplish。 Had not he decreed the fall of Granada； this arm and this scimetar would have maintained it。〃*
*Conde； tom。 3； c。 40。
〃What then remains；〃 said Cid Hiaya； 〃but to draw the most advantage from the wreck of empire left to you？ To persist in a war is to bring complete desolation upon the land and ruin and death upon its faithful inhabitants。 Are you disposed to yield up your remaining towns to your nephew El Chico； that they may augment his power and derive protection from his alliance with the Christian sovereigns？〃
The eye of El Zagal flashed fire at this suggestion。 He grasped the hilt of his scimetar and gnashed his teeth in fury。 〃Never；〃 cried he； 〃will I make terms with that recreant and slave。 Sooner would I see the banners of the Christian monarchs floating above my walls than they should add to the possessions of the vassal Boabdil！〃
Cid Hiaya immediately seized upon this idea； and urged El Zagal to make a frank and entire surrender。 〃Trust；〃 said he； 〃to the magnanimity of the Castilian sovereigns； they will doubtless grant you high and honorable terms。 It is better to yield to them as friends what they must infallibly and before long wrest from you as enemies； for such； my cousin； is the almighty will of God。〃
''Alahuma subahana hu！〃 repeated El Zagal〃the will of God be done！〃 So the old monarch bowed his haughty neck and agreed to surrender his territories to the enemies of his faith； rather than suff
