Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-09-20
From the Kniclcrbocker Tor August.
A PASSAGE FROM A LEGEND OF THE
SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.
by WASHINGTON IRVING.

After the capture of Merida, as recorded
in the last chapter, Muza ben Norier gave a
grand banquet TO his captains and distinguish
ed warriors in that magnificent city. AT this
martial feast we're many Arab cavaliers who
had been present at various battles; and
they We'd with each other in rencounting the
daring enterprises in which they had been
engaged, and the splendid triumphs they had
witnessed. While they talked with ardor
and exultation, Abdalasis, the son of Muza,
alone kept silence, and sat with detected
countenance. At length, when there was a
pause, he turned TO his father, and addressed
HIM with modest earnestness. My lord and
father said he Il blush TO hear your warri-
ors recount the tolls and dangers they have
passed, while have done nothing to entltle
me to their companionship. When | return
| TO Egypt, and present myself before the
caliph, he will ask me of my services in
Spain; what battle | have gained; what
town or castle have takeu. How shall
answer him you love me, then. as your
son, give me command intfust to me an
enterprise; and let me acquire name wor-
thy to be mentioned among men,
The eyes Of Muza kinded with Joy at
| finding Abdalasis thus ambitious of renown
in arms. 'Allah be praised y exclaimed he
'the heart OF my son is in the right place.
1t is becoming in youth to look upward aud
be aspiring. Thy desire, Ahdalass, shall be
gratihcd.'
An opportunity at that very time prcsen-
ted itself, to prove the prowcss and discretion
| of the youth. During the scige of Merida,
the Christian troops which had taken refuge
at Be a had reinforced themselves from Pc
naflor, and, suddenly returning, had present.
ed themselves before the gates Of the city OF
Seville. Certain of the Christians inhabi-
tants threw open the gates and admitted
them. The troops rushed to the alcazar,
took it by surprise, and put many of the
NOslem 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 seige of
Merida was at an end, was medtatlng the
recapturc and punishment of Seville at the
very time when Abdaasis addressed him.
Behold, my son., exclaimed he, IAN enter
prise worthy of thy ambition Take with
the all the troops thou hast brought from AZ
RIGA; reduce the city of Seville again to sub
lection, 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 harvest Of
glory yet to be reaped.'
Abdalass lost no time in departing upon
this enterprise. He took with him Count
Julian, Magned el RUM, and the Bishop
Oppas, that he might benefit by their know
ledge of the county. When he came in SIGHT
of the fair city of Seville, seated like "A queen
in the midst of its golden plain, with the
Granddaughter flowing beneath its walls, he
gazed upon it with the admiration of lover,
and amcnted in his soul that he had to visit
it as an avenger. His troops, however, re-
garded it with wra,htul eyes, thinking 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 fuilless nsurrec-
ton; and now, when they beheld the army
of Abdalasis encamped upon the banks of the
Guadalquiver, would tain have gone forth to
make explanations, and incrcede for mercy.
The populace, however, forbade any one to
leave the city, and barring the gates, prcpar-
ed to defend themselves to the last.
The place was aliacled with resstess fu-
ry. The gates were soon burst open; the
Moslems rushed in, painting for revenge
They confined not their slaughter to the SOL
diery in the alcazar, but roamed through
every street, coEfounding the innocent with
the guilty in one bloody massacre; and it
was with the utmost difficulty that Abdalass
could at length succeed in staying their san
culinary career.
The son of Muza proved himself as mild
IN conquest as he bad been intrepid in as
sault. The moderation and benignly of his
conduct soothed the terrors of the vanquished
and his wise precautions restored tranquility.
Having made proper regulations for the pro-
lection Of the inhabitants, he left strong
garrison in the place to prevent any future
instruction, and then departed on the fur
Their prosecution of his enterprise.
Wherever he went his arms we're vctor-
Gus; and his victories were always charac-
terized by the same magnanimity. At length
he arrived on the confines of that beautiful
region comprising lofty and PERCEPTIONS
mountains and rich and delicious plains, after
wards known by the name of the kingdom of
Murcia. All this part of the country was
defended by the veteran Theodomis, who,
by skiful management, had saved remnant
of his forces after the defeat on the banks of
the Gaudelete.
Theodomir was staunch warrior, but a
wary and prudent man. He had experien-
ced the folly of opposing the Arabs in open
field, where their cavalry and armor gave
them such superiority on their approach,
therefore he assembled all his people capa-
BILE of bearing arms, and took possession of
the cliffs and mountain passes. Here
said he, "a simple goalherd, who can hurl
down rocks and stones, is as good as a war
rior armed in proof In this way he check
ed and harrassed the Moslem army in all its
movements; showering down missiles upon
it from overhanging precipices, and waylay-
ing it in narrow and rugged defes, where
few raw troops could make stand against
host.
Theodomir was in fair way to battle his
foes and oblige them to withdraw from his
territories unfortunately however the warv