CHAPTER XLVI.

no empty bravado nor haughty threat; he was more | the ground we stand on; when this is lost, we cease terrible in deeds than in words, and executed daring to have a country and a name.' exploits, beyond even the vaunt of the vain glorious. Finding the christian king forbore to make an Such was the present champion of the Moors. Had attack, Muza incited his cavaliers to challenge the they possessed many such warriors, or had Muza youthful chivalry of the christian army to single com risen to power at an earlier period of the war, the bat, or partial skirmishes. Scarce a day passed withfate of Granada might have been deferred, and the out gallant conflicts of the kind, in sight of the city Moor for a long time have maintained his throne and the camp. The combatants rivalled each other within the walls of the Alhambra. in the splendor of their armor and array, as well as in the prowess of their deeds. Their contests were more like the stately ceremonials of tilts and tournaments, than the rude conflicts of the field. Ferdinand soon perceived that they animated the fiery Moors with fresh zeal and courage, while they cost the lives of many of his bravest cavaliers: he again, therefore, forbade the acceptance of any individual challenges, and ordered that all partial encounters should be avoided. The cool and stern policy of the Catholic sovereign bore hard upon the generous spirits of either army, but roused the indignation of the Moors, when they found that they were to be subdued in this inglorious manner: "Of what avail,' said they, "are chivalry and heroic valor? the crafty monarch of the christians has no magnanimity in warfare; he seeks to subdue us through the weakness of our bodies, but shuns to encounter the courage of our souls."

HOW KING FERDINAND CONDUCTED THE SIEGE
CAUTIOUSLY ; AND HOW QUEEN ISABELLA

ARRIVED AT THE CAMP.

THOUGH Granada was shorn of its glories, and nearly cut off from all external aid, still its mighty castles and massive bulwarks seemed to set all attack at defiance. Being the last retreat of Moorish power, it had assembled within its walls the remnants of the armies that had contended, step by step, with the invaders, in their gradual conquest of the land. All that remained of high-born and high-bred chivalry, was here; all that was loyal and patriotic was roused to activity by the common danger; and Granada, that had so long been lulled into inaction by vain hopes of security, now assumed a formidable aspect in the hour of its despair.

Ferdinand saw that any attempt to subdue the city

CHAPTER XLVII.

by main force, would be perilous and bloody. Cau- OF THE INSOLENT DEFIANCE OF YARFE THE

MOOR, AND THE DARING EXPLOIT OF HER-
NANDO PEREZ DEL PULGAR.

tious in his policy, and fond of conquests gained by art rather than valor, he resorted to the plan which had been so successful with Baza, and determined to reduce the place by famine. For this purpose, WHEN the Moorish knights beheld that all courhis armies penetrated into the very heart of the Al- teous challenges were unavailing, they sought various puxarras, and ravaged the valleys, and sacked and means to provoke the christian warriors to the field. burnt the towns, upon which the city depended for Sometimes a body of them, fleetly mounted, would its supplies. Scouting parties, also, ranged the gallop up to the skirts of the camp, and try who mountains behind Granada, and captured every should hurl his lance farthest within the barriers, casual convoy of provisions. The Moors became having his name inscribed upon it, or a label affixed more daring, as their situation became more hope- to it, containing some taunting defiance. These braless. Never had Ferdinand experienced such vigor-vadoes caused great irritation, but still the Spanish ous sallies and assaults. Muza, at the head of his warriors were restrained by the prohibition of the cavalry, harassed the borders of the camp, and even king. penetrated into the interior, making sudden spoil and ravage, and leaving his course to be traced by the slain and wounded. To protect his camp from these assaults, Ferdinand fortified it with deep trenches and strong bulwarks. It was of a quadrangular form, divided into streets like a city, the troops being quartered in tents, and in booths constructed of bushes and branches of trees. When it was completed, queen Isabella came in state, with all her court, and the prince and princesses, to be present at the siege. This was intended, as on former occasions, to reduce the besieged to despair, by showing the determination of the sovereigns to reside in the camp until the city should surrender. Immediately after her arrival, the queen rode forth to survey the camp and its environs: wherever she went, she was attended by, a splendid retinue; and all the commanders vied with each other, in the pomp and ceremony with which they received her. Nothing was heard, from morning until night, but shouts and acclamations, and bursts of martial music; so that it appeared to the Moors as if a continual festival and triumph reigned in the christian camp.

The arrival of the queen, however, and the menaced obstinacy of the siege, had no effect in damping the fire of the Moorish chivalry. Muza inspired the youthful warriors with the most devoted heroism: We have nothing left to fight for," said he, "but

Among the Moorish cavaliers was one named Yarfe, renowned for his great strength and daring spirit; but whose courage partook of fierce audacity, rather than chivalric heroism. In one of these sallies, when they were skirting the christian camp, this arrogant Moor outstripped his companions, overleaped the barriers. and, galloping close to the royal quarters, lanched his lance so far within, that it remained quivering in the earth close by the pavilions of the sovereigns. The royal guards rushed forth in pursuit, but the Moorish horsemen were already beyond the camp, and scouring in a cloud of dust for the city. Upon wresting the lance from the earth, a label was found upon it, importing that it was intended for the queen.

Nothing could equal the indignation of the christian warriors, at the insolence of the bravado, and the discourteous insult offered to the queen. Hernando Perez del Pulgar, surnamed “he of the exploits," was present, and resolved not to be outbraved by this daring infidel: "Who will stand by me," said he, "in an enterprise of desperate peril?" The christian cavaliers well knew the harebrained valor of Hernando del Pulgar, yet not one hesitated to step. forward. He chose fifteen companions, all men of powerful arm and dauntless heart. In the dead of the night, he led them forth from the camp, and approached the city cautiously, until he arrived at a

The army moved towards the hamlet of Zabia, built on the skirts of the mountain to the left of Granada, and commanding a view of the Alhambra, and the most beautiful quarter of the city. As they approached the hamlet, the marques of Villena, the count Ureña, and Don Alonzo de Aguilar, filed off with their battalions, and were soon seen glittering along the side of the mountain above the village. In the mean time, the marques of Cadiz, the count de Tendilla, the count de Cabra, and Don Alonzo Fernandez, Senior of Alcandrete and Montemayor, drew up their forces in battle array on the plain below the hamlet, presenting a living barrier of loyal chivalry between the sovereigns and the city.

postern-gate, which opened upon the Darro, and at this glorious pageant, wherein the pomp of the was guarded by foot-soldiers. The guards, little court was mingled with the terrors of the camp. thinking of such an unwonted and partial attack, It moved along in a radiant line, across the vega, to were for the most part asleep. The gate was forced, the melodious thunders of martial music; while and a confused and chance-medley skirmish ensued: banner and plume, and silken scarf, and rich bro. Hernando del Pulgar stopped not to take part in the cade, gave a gay and gorgeous relief to the grir affray putting spurs to his horse, he galloped visage of iron war, that lurked beneath. furiously through the streets, striking fire out of the stones at every bound. Arrived at the principal mosque, he sprang from his horse, and, kneeling at the portal, took possession of the edifice as a christian chapel, dedicating it to the blessed virgin. In testimonial of the ceremony, he took a tablet which he had brought with him, on which was inscribed in large characters, "AVE MARIA," and nailed it to the door of the mosque with his dagger. This done, he remounted his steed, and galloped back to the gate. The alarm had been given--the city was in an uproar-soldiers were gathering from every direction. They were astonished at seeing a christian warrior galloping from the interior of the city. Hernando del Pulgar overturned some, cut down others, rejoined his companions, who still maintained posses-and, entering one of the houses of the hamlet, which sion of the gate by dint of hard fighting, and all made good their retreat to the camp. The Moors were at a loss to imagine the meaning of this wild and apparently fruitless assault; but great was their exasperation, on the following day, when the trophy of hardihood and prowess, the "AVE MARIA,' was discovered thus elevated in bravado in the very centre of the city. The mosque thus boldly sanctified by Hernando del Pulgar was actually consecrated into a cathedral, after the capture of Granada.*

CHAPTER XLVIII.

"

HOW QUEEN ISABELLA TOOK A VIEW OF THE

CITY OF GRANADA-AND HOW HER CURIOSITY
COST THE LIVES OF MANY CHRISTIANS AND

MOORS.

THE royal encampment lay at such a distance from Granada, that the general aspect of the city only could be seen, as it rose gracefully from the vega, covering the sides of the hills with palaces and towers. Queen Isabella had expressed an earnest desire to behold, nearer at hand, a city whose beauty was so renowned throughout the world; and the marques of Cadiz, with his accustomed courtesy, prepared a great military escort and guard, to protect the queen and the ladies of the court, while they enjoyed this perilous gratification.

It was on the morning after the events recorded in the preceding chapter, that a magnificent and powerful train issued forth from the christian camp. The advanced guard was composed of legions of cavalry, heavily armed, that looked like moving. masses of polished steel. Then came the king and queen, with the prince and princess, and the ladies of the court, surrounded by the royal body-guard, sumptuously arrayed, composed of the sons of the most illustrious houses of Spain; after these was the rear-guard, composed of a powerful force of horse and foot; for the flower of the army sallied forth that day. The Moors gazed with fearful admiration

In commemoration of this daring feat, the emperor Charles V. in after years conferred on Pulgar and his descendants the right of sepulture in that church, and the privilege of sitting in the choir during high mass. This Hernando Perez del Pulgar was a man of letters, as well as arms, and inscribed to Charles V. a summary of the achievements of Gonsalvo of Cordova, surnamed the great captain, who had been one of his comrades in arms. He is often confounded with Hernando del Pulgar, historian and secretary to queen

Isabella.-See note to Pulgar's Chron. of the Catholic Sovereigns,

part 3 c. iii. edit. Valencia, 178),

Thus securely guarded, the royal party alighted,

had been prepared for their reception, enjoyed a full view of the city from its terraced roof. The ladies of the court gazed with delight at the red towers of the Alhambra, rising from amidst shady groves, anticipating the time when the Catholic sovereigns should be enthroned within its walls, and its courts shine with the splendor of Spanish chivalry. "The reverend prelates and holy friars, who always surrounded the queen, looked with serene satisfaction," says Fray Antonio Agapida, "at this modern Babylon, enjoying the triumph that awaited them, when those mosques and minarets should be converted into churches, and goodly priests and bishops should succeed to the infidel alfaquis."

When the Moors beheld the christians thus drawn forth in full array in the plain, they supposed it was to offer them battle; and they hesitated not to accept it. In a little while, the queen beheld a body of Moorish cavalry pouring into the vega, the riders managing their fleet and fiery steeds with admirable address. They were richly armed, and clothed in the most brilliant colors, and the caparisons of their steeds flamed with gold and embroidery. This was the favorite squadron of Muza, composed of the flower of the youthful cavaliers of Granada. Others succeeded, some heavily armed, some à la ginete with lance and buckler; and lastly came the legions of foot-soldiers, with arquebuss and cross-bow, and spear and scimitar.

When the queen saw this army issuing from the city, she sent to the marques of Cadiz, and forbade any attack upon the enemy, or the acceptance of any challenge to a skirmish; for she was loth that her curiosity should cost the life of a single human being.

The marques promised to obey, though sorely against his will; and it grieved the spirit of the Spanish cavaliers, to be obliged to remain with sheathed swords while bearded by the foe. The Moors could not comprehend the meaning of this inaction of the christians, after having apparently invited a battle. They sallied several times from their ranks, and approached near enough to discharge their arrows; but the christians were immovable. Many of the Moorish horsemen galloped close to the christian ranks, brandishing their lances and scimitars, and defying various cavaliers to single combat ; but king Ferdinand had rigorously prohibited all duels of the kind, and they dared not transgress his orders under his very eye.

vailed along the christian line. there rose a mingled While this grim and reluctant tranquillity pre

the holy inscription of "AVE MARIA" from its de grading situation, he elevated it on the point of his sword, and bore it off as a signal of triumph, amidst the rapturous shouts of the christian army.

The sun had now reached the meridian; and the hot blood of the Moors was inflamed by its rays, and by the sight of the defeat of their champion. Muza ordered two pieces of ordnance to open a fire upon the christians. A confusion was produced in one part of their ranks: Muza called to the chiefs of the army, "Let us waste no more time in empty challenges-let us charge upon the enemy: he who assaults has always an advantage in the combat." So saying, he rushed forward, followed by a large body of horse and foot, and charged so furiously upon the advance guard of the christians, that he drove it

The gallant marques now considered himself absolved from all further obedience to the queen's commands. He gave the signal to attack. Santiago!" was shouted along the line; and he pressed forward to the encounter, with his battalion of twelve hundred lances. The other cavaliers followed his example, and the battle instantly became general.

shout and sound of laughter near the gate of the city. A Moorish horseman, armed at all points, issued forth, followed by a rabble, who drew back as he approached the scene of danger. The Moor was more robust and brawny than was common with his countrymen. His visor was closed; he bore a huge buckler and a ponderous lance; his scimitar was of a Damascus blade, and his richly ornamented dagger was wrought by an artificer of Fez. He was known by his device to be Yarfe, the most insolent, yet valiant, of the Moslem warriors-the same who had hurled into the royal camp his lance, inscribed to the queen. As he rode slowly along in front of the army, his very steed, prancing with fiery eye and distended nostril, seemed to breathe defiance to the christians. But what were the feelings of the Spanish cava-in upon the battalion of the marques of Cadiz. liers, when they beheld, tied to the tail of his steed, and dragged in the dust, the very inscription, "AVE MARIA, which Hernando Perez del Pulgar had affixed to the door of the mosque! A burst of horror and indignation broke forth from the army. Hernando del Pulgar was not at hand to maintain his previous achievement; but one of his young companions in arms, Garcilasso de la Vega by name, When the king and queen beheld the armies thus putting spurs to his horse, galloped to the hamlet of rushing to the combat, they threw themselves on Zubia, threw himself on his knees before the king, their knees, and implored the holy virgin to protect and besought permission to accept the defiance of this her faithful warriors. The prince and princess, the insolent infidel, and to revenge the insult offered to ladies of the court, and the prelates and friars who our blessed Lady. The request was too pious to be were present, did the same; and the effect of the refused: Garcilasso remounted his steed; he closed prayers of these illustrious and saintly persons, was his helmet, graced by four sable plumes, grasped his immediately apparent. The fierceness with which buckler of Flemish workmanship, and his lance of the Moors had rushed to the attack was suddenly matchless temper, and defied the haughty Moor in cooled; they were bold and adroit for a skirmish, the midst of his career. A combat took place, in but unequal to the veteran Spaniards in the open view of the two armies and of the Castilian court. field. A panic seized upon the foot-soldiers-they The Moor was powerful in wielding his weapons, turned, and took to flight. Muza and his cavaliers and dextrous in managing his steed. He was of in vain endeavored to rally them. Some took refuge larger frame than Garcilasso, and more completely in the mountains; but the greater part fled to the armed; and the christians trembled for their cham-city, in such confusion that they overturned and pion The shock of their encounter was dreadful; their lances were shivered, and sent up splinters in the air. Garcilasso was thrown back in the saddle his horse made a wide career, before he could recover, gather up the reins, and return to the conflict. They now encountered each other with swords. The Moor circled round his opponent, as a hawk circles whereabout to make a swoop; his Arabian steed obeyed his rider, with matchless quickness; at every attack of the infidel it seemed as if the christian knight must sink beneath his flashing scimitar. But if Garcilasso were inferior to him in power, he was superior in agility: many of his blows he parried; others he received upon his Flemish shield, which was proof against the Damascus blade. The blood streamed from numerous wounds received by either warrior. The Moor, seeing his antagonist exhausted, availed himself of his superior force, and, grappling, endeavored to wrest his from his saddle. They both fell to earth; the Moor placed his knee upon the breast of his victim, and, brandishing his dagger, aimed a blow at his throat. A cry of despair was uttere by the christian warriors, when suddenly they beheld the Moor rolling lifeless in the dust. Garcilasso had shortened his sword, and, as his adversary raised his arm to strike, had pierced him to battle, is likewise to be seen at the present day. It is in the first + The house from whence the king and queen contemplated the the heart. "It was a singular and miraculous vic-street, to the right, on entering the village from the vega; and the tory," says Fray Antonio Agapida; "but the chris-royal arms are painted on the ceilings. It is inhabited by a worthy tian knight was armed by the sacred nature of his cause, and the holy virgin gave him strength, like another David, to slay this gigantic champion of the Gentiles."

The laws of chivalry were observed throughout the combat-no one interfered on either side. Garcilasso now despoiled his adversary; then, rescuing

trampled upon each other. The christians pursued them to the very gates. Upwards of two thousand were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners; and the two pieces of ordnance were brought off, as trophies of the victory. Not a christian lance but was bathed that day in the blood of an infidel.*

"

Such was the brief but bloody action, which was known among the christian warriors by the name of 'the queen's skirmish;" for when the marques of Cadiz waited upon her majesty to apologize for breaking her commands, he attributed the victory entirely to her presence. The queen, however, insisted that it was all owing to her troops being led on by so valiant a commander. Her majesty had not yet recovered from her agitation at beholding so terrible a scene of bloodshed; though certain veterans present pronounced it as gay and gentle a skirmish as they had ever witnessed.

To commemorate this victory, the queen afterwards erected a monastery in this village of Zubia, dedicated to St. Francisco, which still exists; and in its garden is a laurel, planted by the hands of her majesty.†

*Cura de los Palacios.

farmer, Francisco Garcia, who, in showing the house, refuses all compensation, with true Spanish pride; offering, on the contrary, the hospitalities of his mansion to the stranger. His children are versed in the old Spanish ballads, about the exploits of Hernando Perez del Pulgar and Garcilasso de la Vega.