CHAP. I.

IN the Year 91 of the Hegira, Hegira sig­nifies Se­ries, from whence the Arabs begin to reckon their years. Spain was govern'd by a King call'd Ro­drigo, of the Race of the Goths; a People that came into that Coun­try from the farthest parts of the North, and who made profession of the Christi­an Religion. The year 91 of the Hegira falls in with the year 712 of our Lord. This Kingdom did then enjoy a profound Peace, and was as much under his subjection, as Arabia could be formerly to the Great Alman­zor, our Soveraign Lord. Insomuch that this unhappy Prince (for we may well term him so) had the freedom to abandon himself to all the Vices, where­of Idleness is commonly the source.

[Page 2] What curb'd him, was the young Prince Don Sancho, Son to the late King Acosta, his Eldest Brother; to whom by consequence Har Mal­mucq, Roy­al Scepter. the Crown was devol­ved after his Death, and which had been only conferr'd upon him until the Majority of his Nephew. But he was loath to resign so precious a Pledge, and his thoughts were wholly taken up in contriving the means to appro­priate the whole Authority to himself; which to him did not seem sufficiently Charming, as long as it was only bor­row'd.

The more his Nephew became for­tify'd in Body and Mind, the more this unnatural Unkle became peevish and uneasie. The Affection which all the Grandees bore him, much before the time giving him a Aldahir, to shew a­nother thing out­wardly. Jealousie, which he had much ado to dissemble.

Queen Anagilda having sooner than any other, perceiv'd the ill will he bore her Son, seldom suffer'd him out of her sight, and only plac'd such persons about him, as of whose fidelity she was well assur'd. But, in short, the Affe­ction she had for Don Sancho making her shrift into all Rodrigo's pernicious Designs, and to foresee the storm that [Page 3] was suddenly like to come pouring upon her Head; she ask'd Rodrigo's Permission to leave Toledo, the usu­al Abode of the Kings of Castille, to retire to a City in Andalousia, called Cordoua, whither she took a­long her Son, and all her Houshold. This Resolution, which Rodrigo durst not thwart, made him harbour new and stronger Distrusts: He every mo­ment fancy'd that his Nephew had at­tain'd to his years of Majority; that the Scepter was to be put into his Hands, and of an absolute King as he was, become his Subjects Alcabir, submitted, subjected. Pupil: And looking on this fall as a thing worse than Death, he found no better means to screen himself from it, than to dis­patch as soon as possible Don Sancho out of the World.

To bring this Design the more easily and secretly about, he caus'd a Turna­ment to be proclaim'd at Toledo; where several days were wholly spent in the Preparations for so great an Entertain­ment: And as all People were invited to be there on the day it was to begin, he sent a Courier on purpose to Cor­doua, earnestly to entreat Queen Ana­gilda to Honour it with her Presence, [Page 4] and with that of the Prince her Son. This Princess ever labouring under the apprehensions of some Treachery, at first wav'd with Excuses the underta­king of this Journey; but at last, being press'd by the Messengers that were sent upon the heels of one another, she con­sulted those in whom she thought she might confide: They all agreed, That the Diffidence she harbour'd of her Brother-in-Law was well grounded, but that it became her not to suffer it to be per­ceiv'd: That Rodrigo wou'd easily guess the Reason why the Prince went not to Court, and so might be urg'd to Ex­tremities, for which they ought not to give him any occasion.

Immediately after, Orders being gi­ven for the Departure, and the rumours thereof being spread about Andalousia, several Persons of Quality came to ask the Queen leave to attend her; and she being willing to be accompany'd by the most People she could, with joy accepted their offers. Thus did she repair with a very numerous, brisk and stately Train into the Province of Castille; at her arrival at Toledo, she was there received with all the Ho­nours due to her, and found the Court extraordinary full.

[Page 5] She was lodg'd, with all her Train, in a Stately Palace, wherein she had hardly remain'd the time necessary to recreate herself after the fatigue of so great a March, but that the day ap­pointed for the solemnity of that Festi­val being come, she was conducted in Ceremony, upon Maus [...]s, a Scaffold. a Scaffold erected and spread with Tapistries magnificent­ly, in a place where the Prince D. San­cho sat in the middle, having the King his Unkle on his Right Hand, and the Queen his Mother on his Left.

As soon as this Entertainment was over, (it having been perform'd with much Joy and Magnificence) notwith­standing the earnest entreaties and in­stances made by the King D. Rodrigo, to oblige Anagilda to stay some days to divert herself in his Court, she remain'd fix'd in the Resolution she had taken; and alledging the best Reasons she could bethink herself of, she took her leave of him, and return'd in all haste to Cor­doua, with her Son, and all the Com­pany she had brought along.

Rodrigo being extremely vext, that so sudden a departure had robb'd him of the means of executing his perverse Intentions, and touch'd to the quick, [Page 6] that in the Journey Don Sancho had ta­ken to Toledo the Grandees of the Court, the Governours of Places, the Prelats, and the People Alhamem­ma, the Common People, the Com­mons. had treated him in his own Presence, as their real King; he knew not what course to take to render himself the sole Master of Spain: He roll'd a thousand things in his mind, but paus'd not upon one without find­ing a thousand Difficulties in't, and out of which he could, with any likelihood, promise himself a good issue. At last he resolv'd upon what we shall see in the following Chapter.

CHAP. II.

ROdrigo, after having miss'd of so fair an occasion to rid himself of his Nephew, was too much dejected for to be able to resolve on any thing in himself. But it was not sufficient to find out expedients, there needed such People as were capable of making use of them. Astolpho was the man of all the Court in whom he had the most Confidence; wherefore upon him did he unburden himself of a Am [...], the Care, the thing. Secret, that lay so much the heavier upon him, as that he meant to have kept it to him­self; and offer'd him at the same time all the Gold and Money that was in his Power, and the Governments of the most considerable Places of his King­dom, [Page 8] if he could help him to bring about his design.

Astolpho wanting neither Industry nor Malice, advis'd him to practice false Witnesses, that might charge Don Sancho with some great Crime: Repre­senting to him. That when he should cause him to be confin'd under the co­lour of Justice, no body could find fault therewith; and that during the Prince's Imprisonment, it would be ea­sie for him, either to put him to death, or to render himself in such manner Master of the Kingdom, that it would be impossible to divest him of its Ad­ministration.

The King very much relishing this Contrivance, was not long without causing D. Sancho's Process to be made; who by the Informations, was found charg'd with Crimes as black and no­torious, as needed to authorize the clapping him up into Prison.

Astolpho having receiv'd the Com­mission for this purpose, departed from Toledo, without the least suspicion be­ing had of the occasion of his Journey, and reaching Cordoua before it could in the least get Wind, he entred the Prince's Chamber, whom he found [Page 9] sleeping, in perfect security from any such like Treason; and passing with all expedition across the City, that dreamt not in the least how matters went, he carry'd him through the Mountains making the Desart, that separate Castille from Andalousia, into a little Town that may be seen from Cordoua, The Tow­er of Stone in Sierra Merena, Land or Moun­tain, brown, black. from which it is not far distant; and is call'd The Tower of Stone.

The Queen, amaz'd at so unexpect­ed a Blow, was for some while without knowing what to resolve on; but as she had more Courage than her Sex does usually afford, and quickly suspect­ed how the case stood, she resolv'd at any rate to free her Son out of so great a Danger. Insomuch, that having caus'd five and twenty of the bravest men of her houshold to take Horse and Arms, as well as five and thirty others, whom she order'd to follow her on foot. She herself went with this small Troop after those that carry'd away her Son, whom she overtook in that Tower, I have newly menti­on'd.

At first Astolpho meant to have stood upon his Defence, but having vigorously attack'd him, and kill'd all his Men, she [Page 10] herself took him Prisoner, and brought her Son back to Cordoua.

She at first design'd to have fortify'd herself in that Town, and to have pro­vided it with all things necessary, but fearing Rodrigo might come to besiege her there, she packed up all she had most precious, and having assembled her most trusty Servants, she withdrew to the most Western part of Spain, into a place called the Algesires, belonging to Count Julian; the same that a little while after occasion'd the loss of Spain. Not finding herself even there in suffi­cient security, she thought the best course wou'd be to put the Sea between her and D. Rodrigo, and go seek in a foreign Country for succours to con­quer her own. This Resolution Ascald, Design, Resoluti­on. being taken, she caus'd Astolpho's Nose and Ears to be cut off, as a Traytor to his King; and pass'd the Streight, after having sent him back to the King her Brother-in-Law, with a Letter, which, Translated out of Spanish into Arabick, is as follows.

Rodrigo in the mean while, thinking he had taken his measures aright, flat­ter'd himself with the hopes of sudden­ly seeing that Prisoner arrive, whom he had so great a longing to rid himself of; but strangely was he surpriz'd, when he saw his dear Astolpho come all disfigur'd as he was, disclaiming against, and cursing his ill fortune▪ He was much more so, when having ask'd him, Who had put him into that [Page 15] condition? He acquainted him how that having taken Don Sancho, and bringing him along towards Toledo, the Queen his Mother issued out of Cordoua, with abundance of Horse and Foot, and had us'd such expedition, that she had overtaken him on the way, had cut all his Party to pieces, whatever resistance he had been able to make, to endeavour to hinder her from rescuing his Prisoner from him; and that she would, doubtless, have put him to Death as well as the rest, had she not thought fit to reserve him to carry him this Letter; which he did not expect would be over welcome: The King, after having taken it, ask'd what was become of Anagilda and her Son? And he having reply'd, That they had taken Shipping for Africa; he was so sorely griev'd, that his Af­fliction had like to have made him run mad. He went and shut himself up in his Closet, that he might so with the more freedom give a loose to the vexa­tion he had for the unhappy event of his Enterprize. He could not then forbear opening the Queens Letter; and as Truth has great force, he felt in that moment some Repentance for [Page 16] what he had done. But Ambition be­ing the ruling Passion of his Soul Faqr, Mind, thought., the remorse of his Conscience did not trouble him so much, as the fear he had lest Anagilda should go demand succours of the Moors against him. This made him send in all haste for Count Julian, to whom belong'd the Castle of the Algesires, where she had resided for some time before she went into Africa, that he might by him discover the intention of her Journey into those parts. This Count being come to Court, and having assured the King, that she went away with a Resolution to prevail with the Moors to wage War upon him, he resolv'd to send this Count into Africa, to endeavour to di­vert this Storm; and to procure the better welcom for his Letters to Muca, who was then Vice-roy for the Caliph Valid-Almanzor, he accompany'd them with a world of Presents Hadda­via, or ra­ther Had­dya, Pre­sents., and made him the offer of entring into a Treaty of Alliance with his Master. Anagilda in the mean while falling sick, through Grief rather than fatigue, was oblig'd to stay for for some time at a City of Africa call'd Tangier; by which means Count Julian had seen the Vice-roy, [Page 17] and presented him with the Jewels sent him by Rodrigo, before he had heard talk of her. Muca receiv'd him with much Honour; and after having treat­ed him several times in a House he had caus'd to be prepar'd for that purpose, he made him answer, That he could not of his own head resolve upon any thing of what Rodrigo required; but that if he would stay some time, he would write to the Caliph Almanzor, who would, undoubtedly, receive in due manner the advances of so great a King; and would do all that should be most fitting, and most suitable for both.

During these Transactions, Rodrigo receiv'd Tydings, that Anagilda and D. Sancho were both dead at Tangier; which inspir'd him with mighty Joy, seeing himself at the point he had so long wish'd to be at; and believing he had now nothing more at all to fear. He nevertheless imagin'd that the Ami­ty of the Moors might be of some use to him: For which reason, he wrote to Count Julian, that notwithstanding the Prince's Death, he should nevertheless remain in Africa, to wait the event of his Embassy.

[Page 18] After having taken these Precautions for abroad, his thoughts were now only bent how to secure all things at home, where were still some Princes that might dispute the Crown with him. He caus'd the States to be held at To­ledo, where, D. Sancho's Death being made known, he caus'd an Oath of Allegiance to be taken to him by all the Grandees there assembled, as Don Sancho's Lawful Successor to the Crown. He had likewise his Coronation per­form'd in great Ceremony, and with all the rejoycing that is wont to be us'd in such like solemnities. But in the midst of all this Joy, could not he re­frain from labouring under some Dis­quiet; and to free himself wholly from it, and to put himself into a posture that he should not need to dread any thing from any of the Grandees, or any of his Subjects, the only People he imagin'd he needed to fear, having learnt the good success of the African Negotiation; he bethought himself of expedients, whereof mention shall be made in the following Chapter.

CHAP. III.

IT is very true, and Men have daily but too much Experience of it) that having once believ'd Fortune Albatb, Fortune, felicity, perhaps Debetz, whiteness. propitious, we ought not to expect that it will so long continue: On the con­trary, as it has not any stability; and that it is inconstancy it self; the more it smiles upon us, the more ought we to distrust it; and often expect that she delights to invite us, by small baits and allurements, to run after her, to abandon us afterwards, when we shall stand most in need of her succours.

Of this there can be no greater, nor a more illustrious Example found than Rodrigo: For after having render'd him absolute Master of all Spain, and pro­cur'd [Page 20] him to be Crown'd King thereof; she took a pleasure in Albu­fram, loss, destructi­on, from the Root. Saram ren­ders it mi­serable. despoyling him in a short time, of all she had conferr'd on him, and tumbled him from his Throne, by the same means he pretended to make use of to defend himself on it.

Such of his Subjects as he most di­strusted (for he had no longer any Apprehension from Strangers) were some Grandees, and Governours of the Places of Andalousia, and of Castile, who had been of D. Sancho's Party. Wherefore he began to make sure of their Persons; and after having put them to Death, he caus'd not only their Castles to be raz'd, but most of the strong Places of Spain; reserving to himself only such as seem'd to him most necessary for his own security; wherein he put such men as were wholly at his Devotion. He did not think this sufficient; He caus'd Pro­clamation to be made through all his Territories, That not any of his Sub­jects henceforwards should have the boldness to bear any sort of Arms, nor to keep any in his House; and that all People should bring them into his Pa­lace, upon pain of Death; imagining that after the People had thus laid aside [Page 21] the Exercise Alchiad. of War, and should only addict themselves to Agriculture, his Government would be much more ab­solute, and much more quiet.

But the poor Prince was much mi­staken, for not being then curb'd by any fear, he abandon'd himself to all manner of Irregularities and Dissolu­tions, according as I have been told by Spanish Bishops, and other persons wor­thy of Credit, of whom I made enqui­ry, during my abode in that Country: So far as that he made no difficulty to put the worthiest persons of all his Kingdom to Death, that he might have his Pleasure with their Wives and Daughters. So loose a Life occasion'd an Universal Disorder: For as Kings are look'd upon by their Subjects as the Models by which they ought to square all their Actions; and that, indeed, they seldom sail to imitate their Ver­tues, and still more their Vices: The bad Example of this Prince pass'd on to the People, who would needs equal him in Wickedness and Libertinism; insomuch that we need not wonder at the punishment God inflicted upon them.

Rodrigo being still young, either out of the desire of perpetuating himself, [Page 22] which Nature inspires into all Ani­mals Haigua, what has Life: from thence comes the name of Eve.; or from that of having lawful Children that might succeed him, which is a sentiment peculiar to Men; he had a great desire to Marry, but he could not find out a fitting Match.

At that time was there in the Eastern part of Africa a King call'd Mahomet Abhehedin, who had but one Daugh­ter, of an extraordinary Beauty, call'd The Spa­niards call her Eliatta. Zahra Abnaliaca: This young Prin­cess walking one Evening upon the Sea-shore, with her Maids, and some of her Fathers Servants, it seem'd to her so Calm and Charming, that the fancy took her to go on board a Ship, so to divert herself upon the Water. Her Attendants, without making over much Reflection upon what they did, did not divert her from the Design. The Marriners made ready the Ship, all her Company were eager to go with her on board, and in the merry pin they all were; they did not mind that they distanc'd themselves a little too far from the Land, whither they did not trouble their Heads about returning, while it was in their Power. In the mean while the Wind changing all on the [Page 23] sudden, the Storm became so great, that being unable to put into any Port of Africa; they were constrain'd to abandon themselves to the open Sea; and were at length drove upon the Coasts of Spain, in a place call'd Alcapta, Place of ill luck. Al­capta by the Arabians, which in that Tongue signifies a Place of ill luck; and by the Spaniards, Cabodegata; where they were all taken, and made Slaves by the Christians of that Place. It was easie to see by their Cloaths and Equipage, that they were Persons of great Quality; insomuch that what­ever Care the Moors took to conceal that of the Infanta, Husian, disguise, dissemble. she was known at length, and brought, with all her Train, to Rodrigo; who being inform­ed of it, gave order that she should be handsomely received, and treated in all Places.

He was well made and Gallant, the Princess was Young and Beautiful; in­somuch that Love easily engag'd them, and quickly augmented by the Enter­tainments he made her, and by the soft Conversations they ever had together. The thing came at length so far, that the King having offer'd to Marry, and place the Crown of Spain upon her [Page 24] Head, provided she would turn Chri­stian; she, without much trouble, re­solv'd to do so. The Nuptials were perform'd with great rejoycing and so­lemnity. The Men and Women of her Retinue that were minded to be con­verted, and stay with their Mistress, had considerable Settlements in Spain; and those that could not be perswaded to that, return'd into Africa, whither they brought this News. Mahomet be­ing very uneasie for his Daughter, was so surpriz'd to hear that she had abjur'd his Faith, that he dy'd of Grief; and by his Death left the Crown to Avil­gualid; who, as his nearest Relation, succeeded him in his Kingdom. We shall see in the series of this History the unhappy issue of this Marriage, as well as the Amours of this Prince with Flo­rinda.

CHAP. IV.

THo Rodrigo was marry'd, he led the same life he did before he was so: Resque, Gallan­try. He nevertheless fell in Love with one of the most beautiful Ladies of his Court, call'd Florinda, Count Julian's Daughter; who was at that time in his African Embassy. She had Wit enough to perceive that the Kings Courtship did not at all tend to her own Honour, nor to that of her Fa­mily, since that it, doubtless, only aim'd at Ravishing her of it; and she had Virtue enough to receive his fond­nesses with much indifference and Mo­desty; but the more firmness she exert­ed, [Page 26] with the more obstinacy did he persevere to overcome it.

Now for the more easie effecting of this his purpose, he made several new Regulations in his Court: Among other things, he order'd that when he should eat with his Queen, none but the La­dies of the Palace should serve at Table, and requir'd them to be dress'd finer than ordinary on such days. This be­ing thus establish'd, one day after Sup­per, whereat Florinda had serv'd with others, he so order'd matters, that he caus'd her to enter a Room void of all other Company, and following her thither, whatever resistance and screams she was able to make, he gain'd of her, at length, by force, what she never would have granted him.

Being under the utmost Desponden­cy at such an Outrage, and not know­ing how either to be Reveng'd or Comforted, she resolv'd to make her Case known to her Father. In short, after having contriv'd the most myste­rious terms she could bethink her­self of, that they might only be un­derstood by him, she made use of those of this Letter; which, Translated out of Spanish into Arabick, is as follows.

Count Julian being wise Fahim, Wise. and pru­dent, having receiv'd this Letter, pre­sently understood his Daughters mean­ing; and was so concern'd, that, with­out staying one moment in Africa, he took leave of Muca, and return'd with all expedition to the Algesires. He staid in his House only the time ne­cessary to give his Wife order to feign her being sick of grief, for his and her Daughter's absence, and went directly to Court; where he made no semblance of knowing the least of what had been fignify'd to him in the Letter; but gi­ving the King an account of his Nego­tiation, and of the state he had left all [Page 29] things in in Africa, he represented them to him in such manner, as made him comprehend that it was necessary for him to return forthwith thither. The King, after having given him his Expe­ditions as soon as he desired them, was very much surpriz'd, when at his ta­king his leave of him, the Count ask'd his permission to carry his Daughter to the Algesires, to stay some time there with her Mother, who was very ill, and mighty desirous to see her. But though this went very much against the grain, he could not handsomely refuse him his Request. And thus the Count went with her to the Algesires, where he made some days abode. In the following Chapter we shall see the Resolution he took in this place.

CHAP. V.

AS soon as the Count was got to his own home, he made Florinda re­late more precisely, and more parti­cularly what she had written to him in obscure terms; and when he was fully certain of the shame of his Family, and in such sort as was past all doubt, then was his Grief so much the more sensible, in that he saw that the person that had done him so great an outrage, was his Lord and King, from whom he seem'd to be under an obligation of enduring all, and that it was impossible for him to wreak his Revenge.

Wherefore not knowing what to do in this Distress, and not minded, with­out mature deliberation, to abandon [Page 31] himself to all that his Passion might suggest, he, with all possible secresie, assembled his Relations and Friends, who interesting themselves in the af­front Rodrigo had put upon the Count, and animating one another to Revenge, after having found that they were not strong enough to assert their Resent­ments, unless back'd by a foreign Pow­er, they unanimously resolv'd that the Count should return into Africa to treat with Muca; and that they on their parts should abide in their Houses, waiting the success of his Voyage. After having all embrac'd one another, and engag'd to keep this Enterprize very secret, the Count took Shipping, with his Wife and Daughter, and what­ever he had of value, which he car­ry'd along with him into Africa. He was very kindly receiv'd by the Vice­roy, with whom he had struck up a particular friendship in his Embassy; and told him immediately, That he was come to him, not on the behalf of the King of Spain as the time before, but on his own account, to offer him to de­liver up all that great Kingdom to the Caliph Almanzor; and that if he could prevail with him to favour the Party [Page 32] he had in Spain, Vid. the Note in the Mar­gin of the Title, and the Pre­face. he would furnish him with the means of quickly rendring himself Master of that Realm.

This Proposal was not displeasing to Muca; on the contrary, after mature examination, and long Conferences with the Count, he found what he said feasible; and propos'd to him to him to go himself to the Caliph, to unfold to him more particularly the means he had to effect so great an Enterprize; and for that purpose gave him the following Letter of Cre­dence.

Count Julian going on board a Fe­lucca he had caus'd to be fitted out on purpose; and in a short time being ar­riv'd in Arabia, where Valid had then his Residence; he presented himself to him, and gave him Muca's Letter of Credence. This Prince caus'd his Coun­cil to assemble, to examine a Proposal of such great consequence. The Count was there heard with great attention: He had a thousand Difficulties put to him, which, as he was a shrewd man, and understood The A­rabick, Harb, the Spanish, Ardider, Military Art, Stra­tagems of War. War as well as any Captain of his time, he found it no hard matter to answer: He had a thou­sand Questions ask'd him; all which he neatly solv'd. Insomuch that Al­manzor being very much satisfy'd, it was resolv'd on in his Council, That Orders should be sent to Muca, to fa­vour the Count in all he should desire; and for that purpose he was dispatcht away back with all Expedition, with this Letter for the Vice-roy of Africa.

The Count D. Julian having brought this Letter from Almanzor to Muca, it gave him great satisfaction: And in pursuance of the Emperours Orders, he made a small Body of six thousand Foot, and some few Horse, which he put under the command of a very brave man, call'd Tariff Abenriet, of the City of Damus; whom he enjoyn'd with Count Julian to pass the Streight, which the Spaniards call of Hercules Now call'd Gi­bralter., and which after this was call'd by this great Captain Jubulfath.

They had no sooner landed, and cho­sen a place fit for the Encampment of their Troops according as they came ashore, but that Count Julian's Relati­ons and Friends came to join them, with a great number of their Vassals, whom they had caused to Revolt. Ta­riff [Page 37] sent immediately to view the Coun­try. His men entred very far into it without meeting with any Resistance; and after having kill'd all those they met, pillag'd and ravag'd not only the open Country, but also the Burroughs and Towns, they return'd loaded with Booty.

Tariff seeing things still more easie than he had imagin'd them, gave an immediate account accordingly to the Vice-roy; who signify'd to him, not to stay the longer for that in this Coun­try, but to return speedily again into Africa, with all his Troops. He obey'd his Orders, though with some reluctan­cy, and went back into Africa with great Riches, and an infinite number of Slaves; carrying along with him all those, that having declared themselves for Count Julian, durst not stay any longer in Spain, but expected to return thither in a short time with greater Forces: ws we shall see in the sequel of this Hi­story, they fail'd not of doing.

CHAP. VI.

THe King Rodrigo having had no­tice of the descent of the Moors into Spain, with Captain Tariff, and Count Julian his Enemy; and that, after having over-run all Andalousia, they were return'd with many Slaves; was not so anxious for what they had newly done, as for the apprehension of the long and dangerous War; with which he saw himself threatned; it be­ing easie to judge that Tariff had not made that tryal, to stop there.

He knew Count Julian to be a Man of Wit and Execution, of Courage, and a through knowledge of War, a Natu­ral Spaniard, that knew the state of his Affairs, knew the Country, had there [Page 39] many Adherents, nay, and Places, wherein he could enter and go out as often as he pleas'd. He easily per­ceiv'd, but too late, the fault he had committed, in losing, for a moments Pleasure, a man of such importance, and in giving him to his Enemies. He made reflexion upon the bad posture of his Kingdom, since he had disarm'd his Subjects, and caus'd all the strong Places to be demolisht. He considered that the long Peace which Spain had enjoy'd, was the occasion that he had no Disciplin'd Troops, and that when he had assembled an Army, they would be only raw men: All this plung'd him into surious Disquiets. He ask'd Counsel of all People, and found none good. At length, having consulted and Arch-bishop, a Relation of his, call'd Torrife, and having told him the little Money he had to raise and keep forces on foot; this Arch-bishop persuaded him to break open a Place called the Enchanted Tower, where there was said to be a Treasure. And as this is a thing very extraordinary, I am willing to insert here at length what the same Torrife told me; who shortly after quitted that Kings Party, [Page 40] to come to Count Julian in our Camp; and who could give the best account of it, as having been present when D. Rodrigo caus'd it to be open'd. Now this is what he then told me.

About a mile from Toledo, between steep Rocks that lye East of that great City, there was formerly a Tower, of a very ancient and very magnificent structure, tho a little endamag'd by Time, that consumes all: Under whose foundation was a very deep Cave, se­parated into four different Vaults, across a very narrow Entrance cut in the Rock, where a great Iron Door had been made up, with a thousand Locks, and as many Bolts: Upon this Door there was Greek Characters, that seem'd rather Cyphers than Letters, and might be diversely interpreted; but whose meaning were, (as those pretended, who thought they knew them best) that the King that should open this Cave, and discover all the Wonders that were therein, would certainly find a great deal of Good and Evil.

Several Kings before this, had had a desire to shrift into the truth of this mystery, but whatever Orders they had given for that purpose, they had [Page 41] never been able to cause them to be executed. Upon the opening this Door, so great a Noise was heard, that the Earth seem'd to open at the same time under the feet of those that meant to enter therein: Hauf. They were seiz'd with such a dread, that most of 'em fell sick upon't, some dy'd, and no body had the Courage to enter further. The Door had still been shut up more strongly than before, and People still believ'd that the time appointed for the breaking so great an Enchantment was not yet come; but Rodrigo's ill fate would have it that this fatal ad­venture was reserved for him. He had chosen very resolute men to enter with him into that Cave; but they had not gone very far, when the Torches they had being extinguish'd, the greater part fled away, out of a pannick fear which seiz'd them, of a terrible Hobgoblin they said they saw. The King in great an­ger caus'd other Flambeaux to be light­ed which he had caus'd to be made on purpose, after a particular manner, that so the air of the Cave might not put them out: With this light he entred the first of all, and without shewing any fear, tho perhaps he was not [Page 42] exempt from a little; hardly had he gone some steps, but that he found himself in a beautiful Room, enrich'd with as delicate Sculptures as those we see in the greatest Palaces: In the midst of this great Room was a Brazen Statue, with a fierce posture, plac'd upon a Pil­lar three Cubits high, holding in its hand a Macmah. Battel-Axe, with which it struck the Earth from time to time, and so strongly, that there was reason to believe it to be partly the violent agitation it occasioned in the air, by the blows it gave, that made the great noise that was heard at their en­trance.

Rodrigo, tho a little startled, did not however lose Courage; and began to conjure this Phantome; telling him, That he did not pretend to commit any Disorder in the place of his abode, and that he would go his ways as soon as he had seen all its Wonders.

He had no sooner uttered these words, but the Statue left off beating the Earth. The King and his Attendants being a little encourag'd, most carefully visited all the corners of that great Room. On the Left hand of the Statue they saw these words written on the Wall, [Page 43] Ʋnhappy Prince, thy ill Destiny hath brought thee hither. Turning to the Right, he found nothing better, for there was written, Thou shalt be dis­possest by foreign Nations, and thy Sub­jects shall be punisht as well as thee, for all their Crimes. Upon the back of the Statue was written these words in Arabick, To my Succours: and upon its Breast these, I do my Duty.

I forgot to say that at the entrance of this Room there was a kind of round Fat, like a Bowl; from whence there issued a kind of spout, whose surging made a hideous murmur.

After having well considered all these things, and caus'd the Inscriptions of them to be taken in a Table-book; the King went away very much di­sturb'd, and very peevish; and had no sooner turn'd his back, but that the Statue fell again to striking the ground, after its usual manner. The King caus'd this Cave to be shut up again more care­fully than before, and had its entrance stopp'd with Earth, that so none thence­forward might enter therein, forbid­ding all his Attendants to make the least mention of this Adventure, by rea­son of the terrour that so ill a presage [Page 44] might put into all Peoples minds: But nevertheless is was immediately buzz'd about all the Court.

The Night following Crys were heard, that waywards, like to those that People make when they are fight­ing; and after a Clap, that made a mighty hurly burly, this old Tower sunk; and all people were amazed the next day to find no more footsteps of it, than if all they had seen before had been only a Dream.

The King having assembled the Wise men of his Kingdom, to demand of them the Explication of all he had seen: They found that the Brazen Statue, with its perpetual motion, signifyed Time, that was oblig'd never to stop, as was noted by the Inscription it had upon its Breast. That that which was on the Back signifyed, that in the se­quel of time, Spain should be conquered by the Arabians: That of the Walls presaged, The loss of his Kingdom, and a great Calamity of all his People: And that above the Door, The great Evils the Conquered would suffer, and the great benefits the Victors would thence derive.

[Page 45] Such an Explication gave no little anxiety to Rodrigo, and to such of his People as heard it. They all lift up their Eyes to Heaven, well seeing that it was from God alone that they could hope for any succours. For tho they had news that Tariff and Count Julian were returned into Africa, this was not capable of re-assuring the King against so many intimations of the anger of Heaven. Whereupon he began to or­der the re-erecting all the Fortifications he had caus'd to be demolish'd; and had Proclamation made throughout his Kingdom, that the People should take up again the Arms he had for­bidden, and exercize themselves there­in, as before. He resolv'd also to quit Toledo, and go make his residence at Cordoua; that so he might be nearer the place, from whence apparently all the mischief was to come, and thereto apply Remedies the more easily.

CHAP. VII.

TAriff Abenriet and Count Julian being returned into Africa, much satisfy'd with their Voyage, were there admirably well received by the Vice­roy; and after having among them­selves concerted the means of effecting their Design, it was resolved, That this Captain and this Count should both go to Almanzor's Court, to com­municate to him, and render him a faithful and an exact account of all they had done, and of the propitious Disposi­tion wherein they had found the People of Spain: well perceiving it to be dif­ficult by Letters to remove all the doubts Hirisaf, Inconve­niences., and solve all the Difficulties that might be started upon an affair of [Page 47] so great a moment, as the Conquest of so great a Kingdom; and shew upon Paper, and at a distance, so great an Enterprize, so easily as those could do it by word of mouth, that had them­selves considered things more nearly.

Whereupon having caused a Ship to be fitted out, and having provided themselves with all Necessaries Sarra, Martial Men., as well for their Subsistance, as for their Safety; after having weather'd a furi­ous Storm, they at length arrived hap­pily in Arabia, where having presented themselves to Almanzor, he receiv'd them as well as they could wish, and had them lodg'd and treated with all their Train, and all the Souldiers they had brought along with them. Tariff in a few days after his arrival, had a long audience of Almanzor; in which, after having given him an account of all he had done for his service, he promis'd him, That if he would do him the ho­nour to send him back into Spain, and rely upon him for the Conquest of so great a Country, he would subdue it in a little time to his Obedience. The Confidence with which this great Cap­tain spoke, had so mnch power over Almanzor's mind, that he immediate­ly [Page 48] caus'd his Council to assemble, with it, still more particularly to examine all the Difficulties that might be met with in so great an Enterprize, and all the means he propos'd to bring it about. Whereupon, this affair having been agi­tated with mature deliberation, and accordingly reported to the Emperour, and debated anew again in his presence. At last the Conquest of Spain was re­solv'd on, and the rumour of the De­claration of War against the King Don Rodrigo spread immediately throughout the whole extent of the Caliph's Empire. Tariff, who had already exerted his Valour, as well as his Conduct, in other occasions, wherein he had acquir'd Al­manzor's esteem, and that of all the Ara­bians; knowing the Country better than any man, and having entred into strict Engagements with Count Julian, it would have been both injustice and imprudence to have taken from him the Command of the Army: For which reason he was at the same time nomi­nated General, and these are the Let­ters Patents that were issued out to that intent.

[Page 51] Almanzor had still another Captain, a Greek and Renegado, called Hiza Hu­mani, in whose Valour he had much Confidence: He gave him the Com­mand of the Troops he caused to be rais'd in the East, of which he quickly made a Body of thirty thousand good Men, and well Armed. At the same time he fitted out a great number of Ships, wherein he put not only all sorts of Ammunition, but a great abundance of Arms, Tools and Instruments of War. And as soon as this Fleet was ready, he Shipp'd all the Forces, and caus'd it to depart In the year 714 of our Lord, in the month of June. on the thirteenth of the Moon of Inmod, and the second day of the year 93.

This Prince, not content with these great preparations, imagin'd that as it was a War of Religion he was going to undertake, it was convenient to as­semble all the Mahometan Forces. For which reason he dispatch'd a Man away on purpose, to the King of Thunis, his Ally, to impart to him his Design; and represent to him the great advantages he might derive from the Conquest of Spain; conjuring him to come and joyn him, and succour him, as soon as possi­ble, with what Foot and Horse he could [Page 52] assemble. This Envoy having put him­self into a Felucca, was not long on his Voyage, and met with a most wel­come Reception from the King of Thu­nis, who express'd much Joy to see, by Avilgalit's Letter, and by his Envoys discourse, that he would make use of him in this occasion. He caus'd the Drum immediately to be beat through­out all his Kingdom, and in a short space levied an Army of thirty thou­sand Foot, and three thousand Horse; the Command of which he would needs give to Prince Mahomet-Gilhair, his se­cond Son. What troubled him most, was the few Ships he had in a readi­ness to put to Sea, as not being pre­par'd for so great an Embarkment. For which reason he was oblig'd to cause all these Troops to wait in a Bo­dy, till the arrival of Merchant Ships, wherein he caus'd them to embark; and at last weigh'd Anchor, In the month of August, in the year 714. on the 2 of the Moon of Sanguel, in the same year 93.

These two great Armies being arriv'd on the Coast of Africa, Muca, who waited for them there, after having held a Council of War with all the Ge­neral Officers, found they needed some [Page 53] days refreshment after the fatigue of the Sea. For which reason all the Troops were brought on shoar; and that the time they might spend in refreshing themselves might not be lost, Tariff and Count Julian were sent before, with a small Body, to make a Descent into Spain; and enquire into the state things were in since their Departure thence; and what Forces the King D. Rodrigo might have on foot. The Troops they chose for this Expedition were to the number of six thousand Foot, as well Moors as Julianist Christians; and about three hundred Horse: With these they cross'd the Streight of Gilbralter, and having found a Mountain by the Sea­side, fitting to Encamp the few Troops they had, Tariff gave it his own It is still call'd Ta­riff. Name, as being the first place where he began to establish himself. Since the first entrance of the Moors, Rodrigo had not lain idle, but had made the best Preparations he could for War: Insomuch, that as soon as he knew Ta­riff had made a fresh Descent, for the hindring his Fortifying himself there, he sent his General Astolpho, with an Army of thirty thousand Foot, and about five hundred Horse, that were [Page 54] indeed not over-well Arm'd, nor over-well Martializ'd, for the Reasons I have already hinted.

Astolpho going directly to Tariff, and Encamping in sight of him, there was at first several Skirmishes between the Horse of both sides, wherein that of Tariff had the disadvantage, which so intimidated the Moors, that it had al­ready quite discourag'd them; when that on the morrow morning, at break of day, one of the Sentinels perceiv'd a Christian Woman, with a Staff in her hand, on which was a little white Streamer, for a sign of Peace: This Woman being taken, ask'd to speak with the General of the Army, saying, she was come to bring him such News as would undoubtedly be agreeable to him. As soon as she was in Ta­riff's presence, she prostrated herself at his Feet, and having embrac'd them with great signs of Tafacrum, Caresses Applause. Joy, and great de­monstrations of affection, she spoke to him in this manner.

Tariff having caus'd what this Wo­man had newly said, to be explain'd by a Christian Interpreter he had with him, was overjoy'd to hear these things. He strips himself immediately, in the pre­sence of Count Julian, and of all his People, and having caus'd the place the Woman instanc'd to be view'd, they found there the Mole she had menti­on'd, and the Right Hand longer than the Left, tho not quite so long as she had said.

This News being spread about the Army, occasion'd an universal joy, and all the Officers would needs share in that their General had, to hear, by in­fallible proofs, that he it was that was to have the Honour of so noble a Con­quest. And indeed he was resolv'd to give Battel, and therein to vanquish or dye. And that all the Souldiers might have the same Resolution, he would needs deprive 'em of all hopes of Re­treat.

[Page 57] For that purpose, as he wanted no industry, he secretly caus'd Fire to be set to all the Ships that had brought his Troops, and reserv'd nothing but a small Vessel, nay, and would needs have that too put out to Sea, for the sending by it to Muca, the good or ill News of the Battel.

Tariff having given this Order, and by a Speech, short indeed, but pithy, animated his Souldiers to the Conflict: It was very bloody and obstinate on both sides, but at length the Christians were put to flight.

Astolpho, wanting neither Heart nor Conduct, perform'd in this occasion, not only the Duty of a General, but al­so that of a Souldier; he Rally'd the Runaways the best he could, return'd several times to the Charge, and would never yield himself up, whatever en­treaties he had made him, chusing ra­ther to dye with his Sword in Hand, as all those are wont to do that are jea­lous of their Honour, and are resolved to leave no room ever to be Almuba­tida, to blame wrongful­ly, or without reason. re­proach'd that they have done any thing contrary to the Fidelity they owe their King.

[Page 58] In this action Count Julian was dan­gerously wounded in the Arm with a Partizan, and Tariff slightly in the Left Leg; which very much afflicted the Moors and Julianists.

The News of this great Defeat being come to Rodrigo, he was extremely griev'd, particularly when he knew his General Astolpho to be dead, and that he had been defeated by such a small handful of men.

Tariff and Count Julian retired forth­with with their Troops to their former Camp on Tariff, from whence they sent in all haste to Muca, by the Bark he had reserv'd on purpose for this intent, the News of this first Victory, earnestly desiring him to Ship, with all expediti­on, the two Bodies of Army that had been left in Africa, for their refresh­ment; which Muca fail'd not to do, fearing they might need them.

CHAP. VIII.

ROdrigo being dejected, as I have newly said, at this first loss, knew not what course to take to hinder the progress of the Enemies, and with what­ever hopes those of his Council and Court would needs flatter him, he was not capable of receiving any Consolati­on, so full had his Heart been of anxiety for some time, and pre-possess'd with the ill Opinion he had of the success of this War. He was not wanting how­ever to use all possible Diligence, and omitted nothing of what he thought could help to free him out of so great a danger, for he was but too sensible, that he it was, particularly, that so horrible a Tempest threatned.

Wherefore he caus'd the Troops he had levy'd in all the Provinces of his Kingdom to advance from all parts, [Page 60] and gave them a general Rendezvouze at Cordona, where of late he kept his Court; that so he might send them from thence to such places as should need them, and be the readier to take such courses as his occasions should re­quire.

His Orders were so well Executed, that in a little time his Army was found to be fourscore thousand Foot, and twenty thousand Horse; all of 'em People huddled indeed together, and most of 'em without Arms and Expe­rience. He gave them for their Gene­ral the Arch-bishop D. Oppas, his very near Relation; whom he sent before with thirty thousand Foot, and six thousand Horse, to try Fortune once again against Tariff, and endeavour to take the Count D. Julian, imagining, that as he had the Secret and Conduct of this Enterprize, it was, doubtless, the most compendious way to put an end to the War.

In the mean while fresh reinsorce­ments came every minute to Tariff, Muca caus'd the two Armies that were left behind in Africa, to file daily into Spain, as well that which Hiza had brought from Arabia, as that which [Page 61] Prince Mahomet Gilhair had brought from Tunis: But as they came by little and little, and separately, it could not otherwise be but that there must be some Disorder. Tariff, to prevent the being surpriz'd in the hurry of Land­ing, and to draw his Troops up in Bat­tel array, accordingly as they descended from their Ships, resolv'd to take more ground, and a little farther in the Country to choose a place sufficiently spacious for the Encampment of his whole Army, and in security wait the coming of D. Rodrigo: Wherefore he advanc'd as far as the River which the Arabs call 'Tis the River cal­led Guida­lette. Guidalete, at the same time that the Archbishop D. Oppas came thither, and sent to propose to him a Truce for eight days, to give the two Armies time to recover themselves after the fatigues of the March. The Arch­bishop, who doubtless was not inform'd of the state of the Enemies Army, ima­gin'd this Truce would turn to his ad­vantage, by giving his own time to encrease. But in the mean while, all those Troops that Tariff had caus'd to file off, according as they landed, being come, they made up Sixty Thousand Foot, and Ten Thousand Horse, at the [Page 62] review he made of them after the Truce was expir'd. Oppas perceiving the fault he had committed, and fearing that the King would reproach him with having given the Enemies time to join all their Forces, and fortify their Camp, he resolv'd to give them Battel without any farther delay. The reinforcement he had receiv'd, join'd with what he had before, made not up above Forty Thou­sand Men: Yet was he not wanting with these to push the Moors so vigo­rously, that Tariff was constrain'd to re­tire, after having lost Three Thousand Foot, and about Five Hundred Horse: Whereas the Christians lost no more in this action, than Two Thousand Foot, and Two Hundred Horse. The Night having parted them, Oppas also retreat­ed into his own Camp, to let his Soul­diers take Breath, before he renew'd the Conflict. The number of the Wounded being very great on both sides, Oppas sent to propose a Truce to Tariff, for three days, which was forth­with concluded on between the two Generals. Things being in this estate, the following Night, a Traytor (for so he may well be call'd, since he sold his own Countrey) stole out of the Christi­ans [Page 63] Camp, into that of the Arabs. This Man being the Companion of Oppas, and call'd Sisebert, went to tell Tariff, that the King D. Rodrigo's Gene­ral, had only demanded this Truce, that he might surprize him that Night, and put him by that means the more easily to rout. Tariff affording Cre­dence to this notice, upon the account of the eminent Quality of the person that brought it, (tho it was an impo­sture, as was afterwards verify'd) thought it became him to prevent his Enemy, and without waiting till he had put himself in a posture to execute his evil intentions, he made his Souldiers stand immediately to their Arms, and caus'd them to march directly to the Christians Camp, where they fell on with so much impetuosity, that they forc'd it, put the whole Army to rout, took General Oppas, with the Principal Officers, Prisoners, and got an inesti­mable Booty, and an infinity of Slaves.

After this Victory, Tariff made great presents to Sisebert, and retreat­ed near to the Guadalette, into the Quarters he had before, and which he had found very convenient for the Sub­sistance of his Army.

CHAP. IX.

MƲca hearing daily of Tariffs great Victories, began no longer to doubt of the Conquest of Spain, whe­ther he incessantly sent reinforcements of Souldiers, and Amunitions, and Pro­visions.

But not being with this contented, he resolv'd to pass the Sea in person, in the head of a fourth Army, so to share in the honour of so fine a Conquest. Wherefore he left to a Brother of his, call'd Ishmael, the Government of A­frica, in his absence; and having with all possible diligence, got together twenty thousand Foot, and six thousand Horse, brave Men, and well appointed; he [Page 65] went to join Tariff, who was very joy­ful at the thing.

When it came to be known that the Vice-roy had himself pass'd the Streights, there pass'd so great a number of Moors, being invited by the hopes of pillage, that in the review they made of all their Troops, they were found to be a hundred and fourscore thousand Foot, and forty thousand Horse, besides an infinite number of useless people that are wont to accompany Armies.

Rodrigo, who then exerted all the Duties of a great King, seeing the num­ber of the Moors daily to augment, thought it in no wise convenient to give them time to fortifie themselves more: And having assembled his Council, to see what Resolution it be­came him to take in so great an exigen­cy; they unanimously agreed, That he could do nothing better than go himself in the head of his Army, give them Battel, rather sooner than later; and that all the Nobility, Gentry, and People of Service in Spain would not fail to attend him.

This Resolution being taken, the King having nominated for Generalissi­mo of all his Troops, his Favourite [Page 66] Almerique, a man very brave and reso­lute; a General review was held near Cordoua, in a Plain the Arabs shortly after nam'd Fahe Alguidah It is now call'd the plain of Truth., where was found twenty three thousand Horse, and a hundred and thirty thousand Foot. This Prince having caus'd the General Officers to come thither, and the most considerable of the Captains, gave them to understand the danger their Country was in, that not only their Hon­our and their Estates, but their Life and Liberty depended on the good or ill success of the Battel he was going to fight; that after this Action there was no more succours to be expected from their Country, that was exhausted by the late Defeats; that they had no longer any hopes but in their own Va­lour; that they had only to consider whether they should not rather chuse to dye generously, in fighting for their Country, than to fall themselves, their Families and Children, into a perpe­tual Slavery Dimiin, slaves of one E­nemies., and be a Prey to foreign Nations, and so different from them in Manners and Religion, that he said not this to them, to expose them alone to the peril, with a design to shelter him­self from it; that he should be the first [Page 67] to shew them the way and example; and that he did not believe there to be any man that made a difficulty of go­ing with his King, when they should see him resolv'd to dye with them, and for them.

The Souldiers being encourag'd by this discourse, and resolv'd to dye for their King and Country, having had order to march against the Enemies, there happen'd a remarkable thing, and and of an ill augure, which was that D. Ramiro, Alfier Major of King Rod­rigo; being mounted on Horseback, his Horse gave him so terrible a fall, that he dy'd of it, and the Launce broke in two, to which the Royal Standard Halam. was fasten'd.

Those who saw so sudden a Atiar, Prodigy. Death, were a little terrify'd; but Rodrigo having given the Colours Badr. Cornet. to another, continued his march to the River Gar­dalete, where he encamp'd in sight of Tariff, in a Plain very proper for the ranging all his Troops in Battalia.

The day following, the King sent one of the bravest men of his Army, call'd Thodomir, with five hundred Horse, and two hundred Foot, all choice men, and well arm'd, to view [Page 68] the Enemies. Tariff fail'd not to de­tech out at the same time, five hun­dred Moors, and three hundred Julia­nists, having in the head of them A­braham Abenabis, who began so bloody, and so obstinate a Combat, that it last­ed from Three a Clock in the After­noon, till Night Vear, from din­ner till the Evening., which constrained them to part, leaving it undecided which had the advantage; the dead and wounded being much the same on both sides.

The King, whose heart was puft up with the success of this Skirmish, ha­ving held a Council in the Evening, and propos'd to the principal Officers of his Army, to give Battel on the morrow, it was resolv'd on, and a He­rald sent to signify it to Tariff, who accepted it.

It was on the third Wednesday of the month of Maharran, In the midst of October, in the year 714. in the year 94 of the Hegira, that this Battel was fought, which began at break of day, and cost both Parties a great deal of Blood: For the Christians in this action lost their General Almerique, with about three thousand Foot, and eight hun­dred Horse, and the Moors a thousand Foot, and three hundred Horse.

[Page 69] Rodrigo was extreamly afflicted for the Death of Almerique; [...]abra, Grief. for he had that day perform'd Heroick actions, and shown he was not only a good Souldier, but a great Captain. And indeed, he it was alone, that had put the Camp of the Moors to disorder; a­mong whom he broke in with so much bravery, that he was kill'd upon the spot; and after his death, the Christian Army wanted little of being totally de­seated.

And indeed, Rodrigo found it con­venient to go and encamp six Leagues from thence, the more safely to delibe­rate on what he had to do. Whereup­on he made his Retreat in the best order imaginable; by these means abandon­ing the Field of Battel to Tariff, who on his side, caus'd all the dead, both Moors and Christians, to be buried, for fear the Corruption of their Bodies might occasion some Distempers in his Camp. But as soon as he heard Rodri­go was retired, taking his Retreat for a flight, he march'd after him with all Expedition, and overtook him on the Friday following; when the Conflict [...] Battel. being renew'd, it lasted from Noon till Night, which parted them, without [Page 70] either parties having the occasion to boast of the advantage. What most afflicted General Tariff, was, that Prince Mahomet Gilhair, the King of Thunis Son, and Count Julian, were both dangerously wounded in this action, and the later particularly of three great wounds. On the other side, Rodrigo being paul'd by the oppo­sition of the Enemies, found that all he had been thitherto able to do, was but a small matter, and desponding of his being capable of doing any thing more hereafter, he knew not what to deter­mine upon; and all the courses pro­pos'd to him, seeming to him equally bad and dangerous, he chose rather to leave the Decision of Fortune to the day following, than to wait it any lon­ger, having taken a stedfast resolution to Conquer then or Dye.

Whereupon having marshall'd all his Forces in the best order he could, he led them to the Enemies with great vigour, and was by them receiv'd with so much bravery and firmness, that there dy'd that day fifteen hundred Foot, and two hundred and fifty Horse, of the Christians, and fifteen hundred Moors, in all, as well Horse as Foot. As for [Page 71] the wounded, on both sides, the num­ber of them scatter'd up and down, was so great, that they were not rec­kon'd Mudmia, Bloody.. The Battel having been de­serr'd till the Wednesday following, by the consent of both parties, it began again at break of day, but not with the same obstinacy. For in short, Rod­rigo seeing his Men stagger, threw himself into the midst of the fray, to re-inspire them with Courage, and did all he could to rally them; but the de­feat being absolute, and without reme­dy Diz, Hopes., he forbid the few people he had about him, to follow him; and he left his Camp, without its being known what became of him.

All the Christians being thus, or dead, or prisoners, or put to slight; all the Riches of their Camp, wherein there was abundance, became the booty of the Conquerours. But Tariff, without suffering his Souldiers to trifle away their time in plunder, and without al­lowing them one days rest, march'd directly to Cordoua, which he took without its costing him one man; and encamp'd all his Troops in the neigh­bourhood of the Town, in such man­ner as he judg'd most fitting to refresh [Page 72] them, after so many fatigues; and to give the wounded time to be cur'd of their wounds.

CHAP. X.

Taurib, Exploits. TAriff reckon'd for nothing, all these Battels he had won, since Rodrigo had escap'd him; and did not think Spain was ever conquer'd, un­less he had him in his hands, For which reason, he had Proclamation made throughout his Army, That whosoever, either Moor or Christian, should deliver him up alive, or dead; he would not only grant Inhan, Promise. him great Franchizes and Exemptions, but where­withal to live at his ease the rest of his days. The hopes of such great [Page 73] gains, set several Christians, Moors, and Renegadoes, upon the hunt, through­out all Andalousia, to enquire after the King.

At last, some of them questing in the Mountains and Lands thereabouts, at a distance saw a Shepherd in a very rich garb, being the same that unhap­py Prince was wont to wear. With great joy did they run after him to catch him, and brought him immedi­ately to the General, who having caus'd Count Julian to come to view him, he was found to be a very simple and ignorant Swain, from whom they could hardly get a word, and much less information of what they were in quest. He told them he knew nothing else of what they demanded, but that as he was keeping his flock upon the Mountain where they had taken him, he had seen coming towards him, up­on a Horse very much tir'd, and that seem'd out of Breath, a man, in the Cloaths he at present wore, who, with a furious voice, and frightful counte­nance, had bid him pull off forthwith a Coat lin'd with Sheep-skin he had then on; that accordingly having stript himself immediately, he had caus'd [Page 74] him to take those fine Cloaths in lieu of his own; and that having afterwards ask'd him if he had any thing to eat in his Scrip, he had given him a little Bread he had left. After which, the Unknown having taken his Crook, commanded him to come shew him the way; which he did, putting him in a little path that went upwards, which he saw him mount, till he lost sight of him.

Tariff was not satisfy'd with this News, for after having discours'd the People of the Country of the place where the Shepherd had seen Rodrigo, he understood he was gone towards Castile; insomuch that he lost hopes of finding him, and bent his thoughts wholly upon taking all the advantages he might derive from his Victory.

Queen Zahra Beneliaza was at Cor­doua, at the taking of that Town; and tho she had time enough, before the Defeat of her Husband, to make her escape into Castile, she had not done so, either that she had been surpriz'd by Tariff's Diligence, or for want of Re­solution, and improving her time; or rather, in short, through the ill luck those labour under, whom Fortune [Page 75] prosecutes, who are wont to want Council as well as all things.

Tariff left her in her Palace, without suffering any one to enter therein, to commit the least Disorder; he only made sure of her Person as well as the Palace: And as this great City could not be kept without a great number of Troops, he thought fitting to leave there Prince Mahomet Gilhair, as well for the containing 'em in their Duty, as for the recovering his perfect health, for he was not yet well cur'd of his Wounds, nor recover'd from the fa­tigues of this War. He plac'd about this Prince the Moor, Abulcacim Hadil­bar, to assist him with his Council in Military Expeditions, in case such oc­casions should be offer'd; and after ha­ving given his Orders, he divided his Troops into two equal Armies, one of which he left to the Vice-roy Muca, to go into the Western part of Andalou­sia, and took the other to go into the more Southern, call'd Grenada; so to leave nothing behind them, when they had a mind to enter into the Province of Castile, which is separated from An­dalousia on the Eastern side by a great Desart, compos'd of Mountains and [Page 76] Lands, which the Spaniards call Sierra Morena. This Resolution being taken, those two Generals directed their March each his own way, and Mahomet Gil­hair staid with Queen Zahra.

CHAP. XI.

BEfore they departed from Cordoua, Tariff fail'd not to do what is com­monly done by Conquerours; who change the manner of the Government of the Cities they take, and there E­stablish such Laws as they please. He seiz'd on the great Church, and of some others which he turn'd into Moschs; leaving some to the Christians, for the exercise of their Religion. And after having caus'd great Fortifications to be made around that Town, which he consider'd as the Metropolis of Spain; [Page 77] he particularly encharg'd Prince Gilhair to have great respect for Queen Zahra Beneliaca, and so to order matters, that she might be as little as possible sensible of her Captivity; represent­ing to him, that being by Nation an Arabian, and a near Relation of Alman­zor, his Master; so nigh that Mahomet Abnehedim, her Father, had shar'd Africa with him; they ought all to treat her as their real Queen, to endeavour to make her again espouse the Manners and Religion of her Forefathers; which there was a likelihood she would not find it a difficult matter to resolve on, seeing she must needs be inclin'd there­to, by the sentiments of Nature. The Unfortunate Gilhair did but too faith­fully acquit himself of this Commissi­on; for he saw her so often, and ren­der'd her so many services, that as she was Young and Beautiful, and he Gal­lant and Witty, he became desperately in Love with her. Nothing now but Feasts and Merriments at Cordoua, he daily invented something new to di­vert and please her, and his thoughts were wholly taken up in making her a thousand presents, wherein there was ever as much gallantry as magnificence: [Page 76] [...] [Page 77] [...] [Page 78] As he had all the conveniency of seeing her he could desire, the respect he bare her, had long hinder'd him from decla­ring his passion to her. But this at length being become the strongest, he could not forbear giving her to under­stand, in a thousand conversations he had with her, that if she would again espouse the Religion in which she had been brought up, he would bring her back into her own Countrey, with the Crown of Thunis, which he would put upon her Head, instead of that of Castile, which she had lost. Every time he discours'd her upon this point, she pre­tended she did not understand him; but he imagin'd it to be an uneasiness of hers, in suffering a Declaration of Love, that hinder'd her from answering; and that he had to vanquish rather her modesty than her aversion. At length, they two only being together one day, and he thinking her dispos'd to be more favourable to him, he threw himself at her feet, and conjur'd her not to leave him any longer in the uncertain­ty of his good or evil fortune; and at last, resolve upon pronouncing the word that was to give him his death, or to render him happy all his life long. [Page 79] The Queen not hating him, would not suffer him any longer to flatter himself with vain hopes: Wherefore she de­clar'd to him, she was resolv'd to live and dye in the Faith Hy [...]man, Faith. she had embrac'd; but that if the desire he express'd to her of marrying her, was as strong as he would fain perswade her, and if he imagin'd it so easie a matter to change Religion, he would find no difficulty in doing for her, what he propos'd to her, to do for him; that instead of pres­sing her to turn Mahometan, he needed only to turn Christian; and that upon this condition, she would consent to a match, wherein there was nothing un­worthy of her Royal extraction Fac [...] Al­catanae, Blood Royal.. After this answer, the Prince went his ways home very pensive, but he was not capa­ble to resist his passion long. They were neither of them in a place to solem­nize this Marriage, which was quickly agreed on; and the juncture of times was not propitious: For which reason, the Princess caus'd one of her Calch, Religi­ous. Religi­ous to come, without the least notice being taken out, and marry her in pri­vate with the Prince, after he had bap­tiz'd him. The Ceremonies were per­form'd with all possible secresie Muh [...]i, convert., and [Page 80] Gilhair and Zahra enjoy'd their A­mours peaceably for some time, care­fully concealing the Images they ador'd in private. But they could not keep their intelligence so secret, but that it was discover'd by one of the Queens Ladies, in whom she confided: She was born in Arabia, of the number of those that had been thrown upon the Coasts of Spain, with the Queen, and who with her were converted. This Woman, call'd Sigebeste, having been perswaded Muhin, perswasi­on. by some Moors, had beta­ken herself again to her ancient Reli­gion; insomuch, that having seen Mahomet make profession of Christiani­ty with the Queen, in her Palace; she resolv'd, tho with trouble, to in­form Abulcacim Adilbard how matters went, whom Tariff had left with that Prince, in all things to assist him, with his Council. Aldilbar was extreamly afflicted at the tydings, and would by no means believe the least on't for a long time; imagining this Woman might perchance, have a grudge to the Prince, for some particular reason Varia, false testi­mony.. But making reflexion upon the greatness of the passion he had long observ'd this Prince have for the Queen, [Page 81] he began to believe him capable of all.

He had then the curiosity, to fathom the thing, without making sem­blance of ought; and knew at length so well to observe his actions, that without the Queens suspecting it, he discover'd all that had pass'd between them. When he was throughly assur'd, he went to the Army, where he ac­quainted Tariff with the particulars of this Intrigue.

Tariff was surpriz'd and perplex'd at the same time, for he consider'd that Mahomet Gilhair being no Vassal of Al­manzor, but the Son of a Prince as Po­tent as himself, and his Ally, who came to assist him voluntarily with his Forces in this War [...]ifta [...], Conquest▪; however, just the resentment that ought to be had against him for so great a rashness, it might be attributed to some jealousie, or to some particular ill will, which might make him incurr the Disfavour of his Master. Wherefore he contented himself with sending Adilbar back to Cordoua, with a reinforcement of Troops, to confine the Queen, Prince Mahomet, and all those he should believe to have had a hand in his evil designs Almubh­niin, Ac­complices.; and gave [Page 82] him order to take an exact Information of all, and to send it him with all dili­gence.

As soon as Adilbar was return'd, he carefully executed the orders he had brought; after having seiz'd on the Person of the Queen of Spain, of the Prince of Thunis, and of the Religious that had Baptiz'd him; he sent what he had discover'd to Tariff, who imme­diately gave notice of it to the King of Thunis, by a Courier, who carry'd him the Process that Adilbar had caus'd to be made against his Son, leaving it to him to decree thereupon, according to his good pleasure.

The Proceedings of this General, were found very Wise, and very Pru­dent; by this means, he screen'd him­self from all suspicion Haiz, suspicion., envy and jealousie, and discharg'd himself from the odium he might have incurr'd by the Death of this Young Prince: For, assoon as his Father was inform'd of his Impiety, he wrote to his men to put him to Death, without waiting for further or­ders. The Courier having brought his dispatches to Tariff, while that he was in the Province of Grenada, the General being not permitted to quit [Page 83] the War he had in those Parts; sent an absolute Power to Adilbar, with all his Forces, to see this Execution done; and to make an Exemplary punishment of all those that were found accom­plices of so black a business.

Adilbar having receiv'd Tariff's Commission Amr, thing., and that of the King of Thunis, caus'd the Process to be re­view'd against Zahra and Mahomet, and had them fetcht out of Prison, one Friday morning, to conduct them be­fore the Principal Church of Cordoua, where there is a good handsome Place. There he exhorted Munhin, Exhorta­tion. them to renounce the Law of the Christians, if they were willing to save their Lives. But they would in no wise consent thereto; and declar'd that they rather chose to suf­fer the Death with which they were threatned, and which they were ready to receive, than renounce the Faith they had Embrac'd. Adilbar, both surpriz'd and provok'd at this obstina­cy, caus'd them all three to be behead­ed; and their Bodies were a long time abandon'd in the place, in the midst of the dirt; from whence they were ta­ken by the Christians, who bury'd them the best to their ability, tho not accord­according [Page 84] to the grandeur of their Birth.

CHAP. XII.

ALL things being peaceable at Cor­doua, and nothing more being to be fear'd on that side, Tariff pursues his Conquests towards the South, and march'd with all his Army, towards the Province of Grenada; he met with no Marmo­hauda, without resistance. Resistance in all the Places where he pass'd; on the contrary, all the Inhabi­tants went to meet him, and brought Victuals, and all sorts of Refreshments to his Forces; conjuring his Souldiers, not to injure Facat, insolences. People that put themselves under his Obedience and Protection. Tariff gave the necessary orders for the containing them in subjection, but tho he was fear'd, and by consequence [Page 85] obey'd; for that he was very severe, and did not willingly suffer Omissions in the Executing his Commands; his Souldiers seeing themselves in a Land of Conquest, did not however refrain from committing some Insolencies.

At last, at a distance he perceiv'd a City built upon a Hill, from whence one had the Prospect of the most plea­sant and most fertile Plain imaginable, and that had the air of the Terrestrial Paradice. For it was all about surrounded with little Mounts, full of Trees and Springs, and cut by a large and deep River, that pass'd in the midst of a great extent of Meadows, all sow'd with Flowers. Those he sent to view it, having brought him word that it had good Walls and good Towers, he Encamp'd in the midst of that Plain, that his Forces might take Breath, and that he might at his leisure see where it was to be attack'd with most success. But no sooner had he begun the Ap­proaches in the forms, than that the Inhabitants, seeing the few men they had to oppose against so great a strength, and having no hopes of succours, being inform'd of the Defeat of their King, after having long conferr'd together [Page 86] about the means of securing their free­dom, they resolv'd upon sending to offer Tariff to surrender up the Town, provided he suffer'd them and their Fa­milies to enjoy in Peace all their Goods and Estates, and remain in their Coun­try without Oppression Tapdit, ill treat­ment. in their Per­sons, or Violence done them in their Religion.

Tariff having held a Council, accept­ed their Offers; and promis'd to cause the Conditions carefully to be observ'd, upon which they were willing to put their Town into his hands. The Arti­cles of the Capitulation were drawn up by them, and signed by this General, who swore in the Name of Almanzor punctually to observe them: And thus, without its costing him so much as one man, he entred Grenada with part of his Army; and plac'd as Governour, one of his Captains, call'd Betis Abe­nabur Betis A­benabur, first Go­vernour of Grena­da., born in Arabia Foelix. He only cross'd this Town, that so he might at the same time reduce the Mountains which cover it on the South; these the Christians call the Mountains of the Sun and of the Air This is what the Spaniards call Surra ne vada, The Snowy Moun­tain, and the Arabs from the ancient Spanish word corrupted, Solayt., by reason they are in the Middle Region: For he had been told that the Peasants be­ing [Page 87] brave resolute fellows, were resolv'd to defend them; relying upon the little knowledge the Moors had of their Country, wherein it was impossible to penetrate very far with an Army.

Tariff, who hitherto had not found any obstacle in his Conquests, no not even in the City of Grenada, where he expected to have met with some re­sistance, confided in his wonted suc­cess, and the Resolution of his Souldi­ers; and imagin'd that this little corner of Earth being only defended by Bump­kins, would not hold out longer than the other Places where he had pass'd.

But when he was at a great Ravine, It is not known what this Ravine is, or Par de To [...], unless it be the bridge of Tabalate. making a Torrent that falls into a Ri­ver, which the Christians call Auzeva, being oblig'd to stop there, about mid­night the Peasants came and attack'd his Camp with so much fury, that he was forced to abandon it, The Moors have since call'd this River Or­giba. after having there lost four thousand Foot, and some Horse. On the morrow, being enrag'd to have been thus beaten by Bumpkins, he resolved to be Reveng'd on 'em, and to attack 'em, as he did, in the same place. But the Christians defended [Page 88] themselves with as much vigour as the day before, and without losing hardly one of their side, they kill'd fifteen hundred more of his Men. What en­rag'd him most, was the difficulty of the Country, where the Cavalry, wherein consisted his greatest strength, could not penetrate; whereas these Peasants, from the advantageous Posts they possess'd, made a great slaughter of his Men, without his being able to come at them: Whereupon he was up­on the point of desisting from his En­terprize, where he only lost time and Souldiers, and to carry his Arms else­where, when that one of those Moun­tainers call'd Fandino, to secure a little Estate he had in that Canton, came and shew'd him a place, by which he might come and enter with the Horse into the heart of the Country, and easi­ly subdue it: The General was over­joy'd, and having ask'd this Peasant a thousand Questions Izticrat, Examina­tion., to which he made pertinent answers; by his advice he drew off his Troops four miles from the place where they lay, and having given order to his Fleet to draw near that Coast, he detach'd one of his most Valiant Captains, call'd Abraham A­buxarra, [Page 89] with ten thousand Foot, and four hundred Horse, to a place call'd Xat, by the Arabs, where he Shipp'd him with all his Men, and Fandino, whom he sent along to serve him for his Guide; Abraham was not long be­fore he arriv'd at a Town upon the Eastern Coast of Spain by the Christi­ans, call'd It is at present Adra. Adrada, and in good order entred the heart of the Country, pilla­ging, and laying all waste.

The Christians had no Cavalry, and expected no succours, seeing themselves shut up on all sides, Abuxarra attack­ing them behind, while Tariff beat them before, yet made not any move­ment, by which we could perceive the Extremity they were reduc'd to: But after being assembled to see what course was best for them to take, they resolv'd to send to demand a Truce Colch, Truce. for fifteen days of Tariff, that so they mighr have time to concert with him the Conditions on which they were willing to surrender.

Tariff having immediately accepted the offers they made him, and having given a safe Conduct Amr, Thing. for such as they were minded to send as Deputies to him; they chose the Bishop of that [Page 90] Country, call'd Otoger, with some other Persons of Credence, whom they sent into the Camp with the necessary Powers. He was a man of Wit and Learning, and very Expert and know­ing in affairs. He was very kindly receiv'd by Tariff, who immediately struck up with him in the following Conditions: That the Christians should remain in that Country if so minded, and should not be molested either in their Persons, or Estates, or their Con­sciences: That they should not pay any other Imposts, than the Tribute they were wont to pay to Christian Kings. That if any among them were not willing to stay there, they should be suffer'd to sell their whole Estate, and and go into whatever Country, inha­bited by Christians, they should best like.

This Capitulation being sign'd by Tariff, in the name of the Great Alman­zor his Master, in whose name he pro­mis'd to observe it very exactly; Abra­ham Abuxarra It is now still call'd Las Alpux­arras. was left there as Go­vernour: And as he was the first that entred the Country, and had been its first Governour, this little Province was from this time call'd by his name. [Page 91] This General having now totally re­duc'd those parts that fell to his lot, re-assembled all his Forces to return to Cordoua, by the same way he came, with a Design to rejoin Muca, after that to enter both together, and with­out any longer delay, into the Province of Castile.

CHAP. XIII.

AT the same time that General Ta­riff began his march, to lead his Army towards the East and South, in­to the Province of Grenada, as we have said, the Vice-roy Muca went to lead his towards the West, into the Province which the Natives of the Country call Andalousia, from the name of certain People, that formerly inhabited it, call'd Vandals. He march'd at first against Carmona, a small Town indeed, but well fortify'd; where se­veral Christians had taken refuge, from [Page 92] all the Burroughs, and all the Vil­lages of that Country, which they had forsaken at Muca's Approach, and where they had stor'd themselves with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions, that so they might defend themselves as long as possible they could.

The Vice-roy having block'd it up on all sides, the Besieged resolv'd to make a Sally out of the strongest of their Gates, and with the best men they had, to see if there was any pos­sibility of defeating their Enemies, before they had better fortified them­selves.

Wherefore on the morrow at break of day, having taken Arms, and en­couraged one another to do well, they attack'd the Moors Camp with so much Bravery, and in such good order, that they kill'd three hundred of them be­fore they could know, and put them­selves in a posture of Defence, and re­turn'd into the Town, having lost but five and twenty on their side.

This success having puft up their Hearts, they would needs see the day following, if Fortune Ychadad Zogle, Good Fortune try'd. would be as fa­vourable to them. But having found the Moors upon their Guard, they were [Page 93] received a little more smartly than the day before, and constrained to return into the Town faster than they came thence. The Moors pursu'd them so closely, that the Governour of Carmo­na fearing that by opening the Gates to receive them, the Enemies would enter pell-mell with them, and so make themselves masters of the Place; he found it more expedient to let the few Christians that were without to be lost, than to lose the Town in endeavouring to save them; and forbid the opening to them the Gate, he fear'd it would be no longer in his power to shut.

The Christians seeing the Resolution their Governour had taken, all on the sudden took a very generous one; for having all engag'd rather to dye like Men of Courage, than be made slaves, they fac'd about upon those that pursued them, and fighting like Despe­rate People, kill'd eight hundred of them, and push'd on into the midst of Muca's Camp, where they were all kill'd upon the spot, or taken Priso­ners, without so much as one of them escaping. Muca being very much en­rag'd at these two bad successes, assem­bled the Principal Officers to hold a [Page 94] Council of War, wherein it was re­solv'd on the morrow morning to make a General attacque. The Lad­ders were set up against the Walls, and the Moors mounted them with great Resolution: On the other side, the Beleaguer'd defended themselves with great firmness, Killing and Topsy-tur­vying those that mounted. Among others, the Governour of the Place, call'd Galo, did then perform Heroick Actions; for he alone, with two men he had with him, defended a whole Courtine, from one Tower to another, which he had undertaken to maintain; and with a Cross-bow, kill'd or wounded for his own part that day himself alone fourscore Moors. This Conflict lasted from Noon till Night, and in it the Vice-roy lost fifteen hun­dred men; whereas the Besieged, as we were afterwards inform'd, lost but three hundred.

The time and men Muca lost be­fore this Place, made him resolve, for the rendring himself master of it, to try another way than that of force, which he had sped so ill in thitherto. Whereupon he sent to summons the Besieged to surrender, offering not on­ly [Page 95] to spare their Lives, but to grant them great Priviledges, if they made their Composition sooner than later. This Proposal caus'd the Besieged to open their Eyes, and the Principal of them assembling to confer with their Governour; they concluded, that tho they should still hold out for a while, their Zid, A­muniti­ons. Provisions would at length fail them, and their Souldiers would di­minish; that all that Province was al­most subdu'd, that they could not ex­pect succours from any body, that thus sooner or later they would be a Prey to the Victorious: For which reason, they made answer, That they were content to open him the Gates of their City, provided he would suffer them to depart thence with their Wives and Children, and all they had of Money, Arms and Baggage, and generally all things whatever that they could carry along with them, whither they pleas'd, with full freedom.

All that they required was granted them, bating the Baggage; upon which they were told, That they might only carry away with them, what they could load upon a hundred Waggons, with which they were contented. [Page 96] Thus all the Christians departed, and went to another City near the Sea, call'd His pala in their Tongue, while that Muca, after having plac'd a Governour there, with some Souldiers, for its Guard, decamp'd forthwith to march towards a very great and populous Ci­ty, which the Spaniards in their Tongue call Merida.

In this Town there was a very brave Christian Governour, and as he Signa­liz'd himself in this Siege, and therein perform'd Actions worthy of Praise, he well deserves that I should dwell a little longer upon the Relation of his Performances.

This Governour, call'd Salara, seeing the havock made by the Moors Army in the Countries where it pass'd, caus'd all the Christians in the Neighbourhood of Merida to retire into that Town, with their Wives and Children, and caus'd them to bring along with them, all the Victuals there was in the Country; where having left only what could not be remov'd, he himself sent some to burn all the Villages there­abouts, and to make a havock through­out all the Country, that so when the Moors should come thither, they might [Page 97] find nothing left. He did not content himself with this, he caus'd all the Wa­ters to be poyson'd, and having em­ploy'd all the Peasants, he caus'd 'em to work upon the Fortifications of the Town: He repair'd its Walls, its Bat­tlements and Parapets: And having caus'd a Review to be made of what men he had in a condition to fight, he found 'em five thousand strong, whom he distributed into the Towers, and other Places he judg'd convenient. Things were in this posture when the Vice-roy drew near the Place, and ha­ving block'd it up on all sides, began by sending to Summons Salaru to Sur­render, otherwise that he would put all that were in it to the Sword.

But the Governour having made him Answer, That he might do as he pleas'd; That the Mercy of God was greater than his Forces, and that it af­forded him more Confidence than all his Threatnings gave him Fear.

Muca being provok'd at this Refusal, caus'd all things to be prepar'd for the making the Assault. The next day the Moors being mounted to the Sca­lade, were there receiv'd, and vigo­rously repuls'd by the Beleaguer'd, by [Page 98] means of the great order, with which they ran to the Ygata, help in di­ligence. relief of one another upon occasion. The Attack lasted the whole day, wherein the Besiegers lost six hundred Men, and the Besieged on­ly fifty seven. But the Moors having renew'd the fight the next morning at break of day, that they might afford the Besieged no respite it was so ob­stinate and furious, that the Town had like to have been taken at unawares. The Moors having already got to the top of the Wall, and being ready to leap into the Town, when that Salara, who went to all the places that had need of his Succours, running thither just in the nick, tumbled them down from the top of the Walls, and by this means deliver'd Merida, that but for him had been now taken; obliging the Besiegers to retire with the loss of eight hundred men, whereas he had lost but about three hundred.

The Vigour the Christians had exert­ed in these two Conflicts, did a little cool that of the Vice-roy, who resolv'd to quarter all his Army round the place, and see if he could not take it by Famine. Salaru having perceiv'd his Design, made a very exact review of [Page 99] all that was in the Town, that he might more duly see how long his Victuals could last. He found there to be seve­ral useless Mouths, in Women, Chil­dren, and Old Men, that were past bearing of Arms, and yet consum'd the Provisions, that began already to di­minish, tho there had been as yet but thirty days Siege, and that they had laid up great stores before-hand. He also saw it to be impossible for him to hold out much longer, and not being strong enough to stir out of the enclo­sure of the Town to fight the Enemies, he bethought himself of employing Stratagem, to endeavour to make them raise the Siege. Wherefore he sent to Muca, That he was mistaken, if he thought, by Famine, to force him to Surrender: that he had still Bread enough for above ten years; and to make good his words, he caus'd a world of Baskets full of Loaves, to be thrown from off the Walls.

This Complement had like to have made Muca run mad, and he made no answer to it but by a General Assault, which lasted a whole day, with great vigour on both sides: for there fell above five hundred Moors, without [Page 100] reckoning Captain Aliculeyman, who was very much wounded, which ex­tremely afflicted Muca. It cost the Be­sieged little less, who also lost in this occasion four hundred men. But Muca having been oblig'd to cause the Retreat to be sounded, by reason of the night, the next morning he sent a Trumpeter to the Governour, to signifie to him, That he had made an Oath, and sworn by the most high God, that if the Be­leaguer'd delay'd Surrendring any lon­ger, they should after this, all to no pur­pose implore his Mercy.

Salaru having straitways assembled the principal men of the Town, gave them in a little time a very exact ac­count of the state of the place; and af­ter having made them apprehend the necessity they were in of all things, and the little likelihood he saw of being Re­liev'd, they all agreed to Surrender, but upon the most advantageous Con­ditions they could get: Insomuch that they made him answer; That they would willingly put the Place into his hands, provided he would suffer them, they, their Wives and Children, with their Arms and Baggage, to go to what­ever City of the Christians they should [Page 101] please; that all those that were minded to stay, should not receive any ill treat­ment, nor be constrain'd to quit their Religion. Muca agreeing to all these Articles, and having been induc'd to Sign 'em, and swear in the Name of the Caliph his Master, never to act to the contrary, conceiv'd such an e­steem of the Bravery and Fidelity of this Governour, and of his ability to take his Precautions, that he took a Scimitar of great value he had at his Girdle, and himself put it on his side, saying, That the Valour with which he had sav'd his People from so great a Danger, merited a thousand times more Honour than he did him.

Salaru having given him the Keys of the Town, where the Riff-raff only staid, he took all those along with him that were minded to follow him, with whom he went on Shipboard, to waft o're to the nearest Islands of that Coast, that he might not see the Ruine of his Country, and so shelter himself from the servitude [...] Servitude. of the Arabians, under which he foresaw that all Spain was going to be reduc'd.

The Vice-roy of Africa was over­joy'd at the taking of this great City, [Page 102] but could not stay there long, for that there was no subsistance to be got out of the Country, that had been forsaken by the People, who had all taken refuge in the Province, call'd in the Spanish Tongue Castile, and had left this Country desert. For which reason, after having put a Garrison into the Place, he caus'd all his Troops to march towards Hispalis. They were not gone far, when that his Scouts came to give him notice, that the world of People that had taken refuge there, had occasion'd such a Contagi­on, that the mortality was general. This News put a full stop to his Ca­reer that way; and the fear he was in of causing his Army to perish, made him return to Cordoua, to rejoin Tariff, who had signify'd to him, he was al­ready on his way from Grenada thither.

CHAP. XIV.

THese two Generals, being return'd from their Expedition, after having each on his side acquir'd much Honour; did for a long while hold Council what course to take, for the finishing the absolute Conquest of Spain; for which they had receiv'd pre­cise orders from Almanzor. During that time, the Souldiers being put into good Quarters, recover'd themselves of the Hardships of that War. The Officers repair'd their Equipages, which so long a march had ruin'd; and the Commissioners not only receiv'd all the new Provisions that were come to them from Africa, but had also gather'd up on all sides, Al [...]aul, Provision of all things. all that was necessary for the Invasion of Castile, according to the resolution they had taken.

At last, the two Armies that now [Page 104] made but one Body, being decamp'd in the best order imaginable, march'd small days journeys, along a great Ri­ver, which having its course towards the Setting Sun, crosses that Province; and after having wash'd the Walls of Cordoua, at a great distance lower falls into the Ocean. Thus still on their Right leaving this River Dan Cur­nain, the greater Sea., which the Christians call Betis, and the Arabs, Alguidalquibir; the first Town they found in their Left was Ʋbeda, whose Inhabitants brought them their Keys, as not being in a posture of making a Defence.

Tariff having on pain of Death, forbidden any entrance into the Town, without Express order; or in any wise, the injuring of People, that had thrown themselves into his Arms, did there only leave one Captain Abencorbas, with some Souldiers, and leisurely march'd to another Town, not three miles thence, call'd Balle. The Citi­zens seeing that if they paus'd at fol­lowing the Example of Ʋbeda, they should but Exasperate the Moors, and incur their inevitable ruine, without any profit; they sent immediately to beseech this General, to hinder any [Page 105] mischief from being done them by his Souldiers; and in consideration of that, they would not only surrender to him, but likewise present him with all sorts of Victuals and Refreshments for his Troops.

Tariff very joyfully accepted their offers, and to manifest his Clemency to them, and the Discipline he caus'd his Army to observe, having for­bidden any one soever to enter therein without his order, he himself, one after the other, nominated all those he was willing should accompany him thither, to the number of five hundred; with whom alighting, he took a turn round the Town, visited all the Fortifications, and left there a Natural African, call'd Mahomet Abencorba, with a pretty strong Garrison, for its Preservation. He staid no longer there than he had done at Ʋbeda, and pursu'd his way Northwards, across a vast pile of Moun­tains, that separate Andalousia from Castile, and stretch from the Mediter­ranean Sea to the Ocean. Thus having travers'd twenty miles, or thereabouts, they are in breadth, he descended into the Plains de la Manche, which the Arabs call the Dry Fields Faye abis, in Spanish Campo seco.; where ha­ving [Page 106] gone near sixty miles without meet­ing with any body, all the People ha­ving quitted, and being retired into the heart of the Country; he at last discover'd a Town, which seem'd very beautiful to him, and much stronger than all those he had yet seen, and was told that it was Toledo, the Metropolis of Castile, where the Christian Kings had in all times made their abode. Along this City passes the famous River of Tage, which also disembogues into the Western Sea. And here it was King Rodrigo had caus'd the Enchanted Tower to be open'd, whereof I have made mention in the beginning of this History.

Tariff having Encamp'd all his Troops in the Neighbourhood, with intention to Besiege it, the Christians sent to tell him, That they had no thoughts of holding out; and that, provided he would suffer them to enjoy peaceably what they had, and permit all those that were so minded, to go where they pleas'd, with their Families, and all their Baggage, they would pay him all sort of Obedience, and would be as faithful to him, as they had thitherto been to their King.

[Page 107] This General having expected to have met with some opposition in this Place, was overjoy'd it did not oblige him to any stop; and swore solemnly in the Name of the Caliph Almanzor, his Master, for ever to observe the Conditions, on which they would put the Keys of so great a Town into his hands. He would needs also, for the maintaining it in the ancient Preroga­tive it had, of being the Capital City of so great a Kingdom, leave there, as Governour, one of his principal Offi­cers, call'd Mahomet Abenbamin, of the City of Damas, with the Quality of Vice-roy, and a Garrison he judg'd con­venient.

It is a thing somewhat astonishing to be remark'd, that in near a hundred and forty miles march, made by these two Generals, still skirting the Sea of the Levant, and drawing Northwards, they found not one living Soul Mahalue, living Soul., till they came to a Province call'd Arragon, in the midst of which there is a City call'd Saragoza, where several Christians had taken refuge, as well as in the Mountains next adjoyning, to shelter themselves from the fury of the Moors.

This City would needs stand out an [Page 108] Assault, that was bloody; after which it Surrendred upon very advantageous terms. Thus they staid there only the time requisite for the settling, as Go­vernour of all that Province, a Captain of great Reputation, born in Arabia, call'd Ismael Abenhut; and resolved to push their Arms further, and even beyond the Mountains the Christians call the Pyrenees, which separate the Kingdom of Spain from that of France.

They are very rugged and high; and the Christians were said to be re­tired thither, with a resolution of ma­king a stout Defence. Nevertheless they advanced there about twenty miles, without meeting with any Re­sistance; insomuch that the Generals having made reflexion that their Ma­ster having only given them order to Conquer Spain, and France being a great Kingdom, wholly different, and wholly separate, it would be exceeding their Power, to push on their Invasion upon it. And seeing their Troops wearied with so long a March, and much dimi­nish'd by all the Garrisons they had been oblig'd to leave in the Towns they had taken; they resolv'd to go no further, [Page 109] and remitting the Conquest of France till another time, they thought it more convenient to return into Castile, to give the necessary orders for the conservation of what they had taken, and the reducti­on of what they had still left to take.

CHAP. XV.

THE two Generals taking the Field again with their Forces, upon their departure from Arragon, bent their march towards the East, and continued it without any stay, to a great Plain, in the midst of which is a great City, enclos'd with good Walls; whence you have a Prospect of the Mediterranean Sea, that is but but four small Leagues distant: All the Country adjacent is full of very delight­ful Gardens, Groves, and a world of Springs, which form the finest Land­skip imaginable.

[Page 110] Tariff, before he would begin the Siege, thought fitting to send to sum­mon the Inhabitants to Surrender, as all the other Cities of Spain had done; in consideration of which, he promis'd to suffer 'em to live in Peace, according to their Law, and to hinder any injury from benig done them. But the Trum­peter coming near the City-gate, the Centinel that was upon the Wall, with­out hearkning to what he said aloud, or imparting it to the Governour, let fly a Bullet from a Stone-Bow at him, by which the Trumpeter perceiving him­self wounded, without staying any longer, came flying to the Camp. Ta­riff being provok'd at the little regard they had for a man that came from him, took this affair, not only for a want of respect Quila­thia, Dis­courtesie. to him, but for an infraction of all the Laws of War, and the Right of Nations, and gave order for the Attacking the Town on all sides.

The next day the Governour, call'd Agros, having been inform'd of what the Centinel had done, was very much surpriz'd at this misunderstanding, and thought convenient to send to make his excuse to Tariff, and propose to him at the same time a Truce for three [Page 111] days; during which, they wou'd see to contrive the means of making their Capitulation.

The Envoy of Valence was kindly receiv'd by the General. The Truce was granted, and the Hostages having been agreed on, he went out of the Town with full power to treat on the behalf of the Besieged, and came to Tariff's Camp, with whom he a­greed to deliver him the Town, on Condition, that all the Christians that were minded to go thence, might have the freedom so to do, with their Wives and Children, and all their Goods, to whatever place they should please to choose. As also that all those that would stay there, might do it without being injur'd in the least. Tariff made no difficulty of granting them all they demanded, and of pro­mising to observe what he granted in the name of Almanzor his Master. In consideration of which, he made his entrance into that Town, and there left as Governour one of his Captains, a Native of Arabia Foelix, nam'd Abubaxar Xandalg, whom he plac'd there with a numerous Garrison, to curb not only that Town, but the [Page 112] whole Province depending on it.

After having thus settled matters at Valence, Tariff and Muca, having bent their march a little more towards the South, entred the Province, by the Spaniards call'd Murtia; where having met with no resistance, they render'd themselves Masters of the Capital City, that goes by the same name. Finding it forsaken by the Inhabitants, and the Country very good, they resolv'd up­on settling there a part of the Souldiers of their Army, for the re-peopling it, and therein to put as Governour, Abraham Alexandri, by Nation an Afri­can. These two Armies being by these means reduc'd to a very scanty num­ber, and by leaving so many upon the way, both for Guarding and Popu­lating all the Towns where they had pass'd, they return'd to Cordoua, to re­create themselves after the fatigues of this War.

CHAP. XVI.

THE Governour of Cordoua, Abulxacim by name, knowing the coming of the two Generals, went out to meet them four Leagues from that Town, with all the Foot and Horse in Arms he had, and accompany'd them in the Triumphant Entrance they made into that Place. During the abode they had occasion to make there, to recover themselves after the Hardships of so long and painful a War, they apply'd themselves carefully to regulate the form of Government of the Countries they had Conquer'd. But above all things, they judg'd it in no wise safe for them, to suffer the Christians to remain Masters of so con­siderable a Town as Hispalis. I have noted in the beginning of this History, that the Siege of this Town had not [Page 114] been undertaken, for fear of bringing the Pestilence into the Army: Where­fore a trusty man was sent on purpose into those parts, to see how matters stood; who having brought word back, That the Contagion was there more rife than ever, and that an infinite number of Persons dy'd of it, it was judg'd requisite to leave it still alone, and that it would be sufficiently de­stroy'd by this Scourge of Heaven, without there being any need to infect it likewise with that of War.

One thing on which they found themselves oblig'd to think preferable to all others, was to recompence Count Julian, for the great Services he had done to Valid. They had promis'd him to cause his Castle of Algesirees to be Hara, Repara­tion. Rebuilt, and to Repair and Re-establish his other Lands and Lord­ships, that had been ruin'd by the passage he had given through them, to all the Forces that came out of Africa into Spain. Insomuch that they caus'd great summs of Money to be given him, and granted great Franchizes and Priviledges to all his Relations and Followers. Whereupon he took his leave of them, to repair home to set [Page 115] all things again to Rights, and injoy, if he could, the Sweets of the Revenge he had taken of D. Rodrigo.

After this, they fell in good earnest to consider of regulating and policying their new Kingdom, and of re-popula­ting that great Country that was be­come a Desert, by the flight of all the Inhabitants. Wherefore seeing that the Moors they had left in Garrison in the Cities and Burroughs where they had pass'd, had no Wives, tho they were all very Young, and that it was impossible to furnish them with enough from Africa, whence their Fa­thers and Mothers would never con­sent to suffer them to depart; they caus'd Proclamation to be made by sound of Trumpet, throughout all Spain, That all the Christian Women and Maidens, as well of the ancient Inhabitants, as of whatever Nation they were, that were willing to be Converted, and Marry themselves to the Conquerours, should enjoy the same Priviledges and Prerogatives which they enjoy'd before. They caus'd at the same time, another Declaration to be Published in favour of the Gentlemen, to whom they offer'd [Page 116] the Dividend of the Conquer'd Lands.

This Publication in a short time, either out of fear or interest, caus'd an infinite number of Christians to change their Religion, and the Women and Maidens to resolve upon matching themselves with the Moors. At that time was it that the Arch-bishop of Oppas, who had been General of Ro­drigo's Army, that Tariff had beaten and taken Prisoner in the second Battel, that had been fought near the River Guadalete, as I have said; and the Arch-bishop Toriso, a very near Rela­tion of that Unhappy King, abjur'd their Faith to Nahic, Perswasi­on. comply with Tariff and Muca. These two new Moors, to manifest their Zeal, and acquire still more credit than they had with the Generals, represented to them, that to hinder the Christians from revolting for the future, or retrieving Courage with time, it was expedient through­ly to clear all the Mountains on the Left Hand of Arragon, in Spanish call'd Biscaye, and the Asturies; where they gave them notice that several Persons of great Quality had made their Re­treat with a great number of Souldiers; [Page 117] nay, and that there was at the head of them such Persons as were Princes of the Blood of Spain, and D. Rodrigo's near Relations; without which their Conquest would never be secure.

This advice jump'd wholly with Tariff's sence, who gave immediate order to a Tartar, a very good Officer, Abraham le Sujari by name, to take six thousand men of the Forces he had by him, and likewise to draw as ma­ny as he should need out of the Garri­sons of Castile, and to march with the two Renegado-Arch-bishops, into the afore-mention'd Mountains.

At that time a Young Prince, a Kins­man of the K. D. Rodrigo, call'd Pelage, was retir'd thither with a good number of resolute men, that were willing to follow his Fortune; and as he was brave, and pretended to the Crown, all the Christians that had taking refuge in the Mountains, had elected him King; and certainly he made himself appear to be very worthy of that Su­pream Dignity.

General Abraham being come near the Austuries, Fa [...]palia fegal, in Spanish, Cabo de contiendas. and encamp'd in a place call'd Cangas by the Christians, and which the Moors since nam'd the Term [Page 118] of War, thought convenient to send the two Arch-bishops to him; having brought them along with him, that so being his Relations and Friends, they might the more easily perswade him to desist from the Temerity of his Enterprize; with orders to offer him such Presents, and propose such advan­tages to him, as they should judge con­venient, as well as to all the Christians that should be with him. Whereupon these Arch-bishops being come into the Country, and offering to make this Proposal to Pelage, he was so provok'd at them, that he had them seiz'd on, and both thrown from off the top of a Rock, into a River that was at the bottom. And as he had first been in­form'd by them of the Scituation of Abraham's Camp, and the number of his Forces, he assembled what men he had, and went to attack them that very same Night: And after having defeated the greatest part of the Moors, he return'd into the heart of the Moun­tains without any loss. Abraham not expecting this at all, and not seeing the return of the two Renegadoes he had brought along with him, fancy'd they had betray'd him; and with the [Page 119] few men he had left, without making any longer stay, he return'd with all expedition to Toledo, where he dy'd of Grief.

Alfiqr, Sadness. Tariff was very much troubled at this bad event; but having not then Troops sufficient in one Body to go force the Asturies, he contented him­self with leading upon the frontier the most men he could, that so he might hinder the Christians of the Mountains, from coming to make Inroads upon the Moors. Then he resolv'd upon sending to Almanzor, his Master, a very exact Relation of all he had thitherto done, with the state of all things in Spain, and to ask what was his Pleasure to have further done for his Service. As he was finishing his Dispatches, he had a Letter brought him from Pelage; which Translated out of Spanish into Arabick, is as follows.

Tariff Abenziet upon reading Pelage's Letter, had more joy to hear of Ro­drigo's Death, which was the thing he had the most desire to know, than un­easiness for all the rest. Wherefore he made an end of writing Almanzor the following Letter.

All the Answer Almanzor made to this Letter, was, That Tariff should come himself to him into Arabia, to give him an account of the particulars of the Conquest; ordering Muca to return into his Government of Africa; and sending Adilbar Letters Patents, as Vice-roy of all the Kingdom of Spain, ordering all the particular Governours that had been left in the Towns, to whom he had sent Commissions, to obey him in all things.

These two great Captains having re­ceiv'd this order, pass'd both into Africa immediately after; whence Tariff went into Arabia, while Muca remain'd in his Government.

CHAP. XVII.

SInce that Pelage had once vanquish'd the Moors, he did not doubt but that he could defend himself in his Mountains. All the Christians of the Neighbouring Provinces repair'd to him after this Victory, flattering themselves with the hopes he might one day re­store them to their Liberty. Till then they did not believe there to have been any place in all Spain, where they could shelter themselves from the fury of those Conquerors, for as they had not any Retreat where they could be in safety, they suffer'd themselves to be put into Fetters. But the young People, that had no Wives, aud were most proper for Warfare, began to make their Escapes, by little and little, out of the Moors hands; and steal away by night into the Mountains, where Pelage had his abode, so to put themselves under [Page 126] his Protection. Insomuch that in a short time there was a pretty conside­rable Body of an Army assembled. Wherefore seeing that General Abraham was Retreated into Castile, he resolv'd to make some attempt as might accrue to the Credit of his Party.

With this Design, he drew together the most men he could, and made up a body of six thousand men, with whom he came to a small City, call'd Gixa by the Spaniards, and by the Arabs after they had taken it, Takla. Wherefore having block'd it up with this small Army, few Moors were there that expected to be beleaguer'd by Pelage, whom they did not think so hardly as to budge out of the Tenure where he had hold. Nevertheless they stood out so obstinately with the Captain that commanded in the Place, that they all dy'd bravely fighting, refusing to listen to any Capitulation.

Pelage much satisfy'd with this small Conquest, caus'd it to be fortify'd, left there as Governour one of his Cap­tains, call'd Manuzes, and retired with his men into the heart of the Mountain, which the Christians in their Tongue call Oviedo. Tariff was much afflicted [Page 127] at this bad suecess. He then perceiv'd that the Renegado-Bishops had well ad­vis'd him, when they would have in­duc'd him to have render'd himself master of that nook of Land; where­fore imagining that some mischief would come on't; after having given order to the Troops that were in those parts to be ready, and sent word to Mahomet, Abenramin, Governour of Toledo, to draw the most he could together. He also sent him Troops from him, under one of his Captains, call'd Abenhamza; who carry'd him an order to attack Pelage. All their Troops being assembled, were found to make up a Body of twelve thousand good men, with whom Abenramin bent his march towards the North.

Pelage making no doubt of getting the advantage this second time as he had done the former, resolv'd upon waiting the coming of the Enemy in that Town he had newly conquer'd, with about 8000 men he then had with him.

While he was preparing to go re­ceive the Moors there, a Christian Re­negado gave him notice that his Cap­tain Manuzes, had made an offer to Tariff of delivering up to him that [Page 128] little City; nay, and to seize on his Person. Pelage could not doubt of the truth of what he told him, when he had shew'd him a Letter he carry'd from that General to Manuzes, where­in was the whole train of the Conspi­racy minuted against him. He high­ly entertain'd the Renegado; and after having made him a world of Presents, he desired him, since he express'd so much desire to serve his Country, to return to the Moors Camp, to tell Abenramin that it was not yet time for him to advance, Pelage not being yet arriv'd in the Town with all his Forces.

The Renegado having accepted this Commission, made that forged answer to Abenramin, who was very glad at it, and sent him forthwith back to Gixa, to stay till the Prince was there arriv'd, and to bring him immediate word. But instead of going thither, he went to the Christians Camp. Pelage not losing time, march'd all the night; and being acquainted with the Country, he arriv'd at the Camp of the Moors, without they having the least inckling of him, and attack'd them with so much vigour, that he [Page 129] kill'd a very great number of them, and put all the rest to flight; obliging General Abenramin to Retreat in great disorder.

In this Attack the Moors lost two thousand men, and the Christians about eight hundred. But Pelage fearing to ingage too far in the Battel with Abenramin, who had double the number of his men; and who, after ha­ving rally'd his Souldiers that had been taken unprovided, might surround him; he made a hasty retreat to the Town of Gixa; where as soon as he was en­tred, he caus'd the Traytor Manuzes to be hang'd, and his Body burnt. Then for fear the Moors might take that Town again, after having turn'd out all its Inhabitants, he set fire to't, and Retreated into the Mountains to de­fend their entrance against the Moors, by whom he was under fear of being pursu'd.

And indeed Abenramin follow'd Pe­lage at the heels; so as that he arriv'd at Gixa before the fire was quite extin­guished. Whereupon having cross'd it without making any stay, that he might endeavour to overtake Pelage, he found him posted at the same Place [Page 130] where General Abraham was defeated. He found this Post too difficult to force, that he durst not undertake it, for fear of not succeeding; and contenting himself with garnishing well that fron­tier, he bent his march back to Toledo with all his Army, being asham'd at his having perform'd so little in this Expedition. He signify'd to Tariff all that had pass'd, while he expected his orders, which he desired he would send him; and this General signify'd to him to separate his Troops, and remain in his Government till farther order. This caus'd Abenramin to dismiss his Army, and seek to recreate himself after the fatigues of this War.

CHAP. XVIII.

COunt Julian having taken leave of the Moorish Generals, as has been said in the former Chapter, assembled all his Adherents, as well Relations, as those that had follow'd his Fortune; and seeing the bad condition the Algesires, and his o­ther Lands were in, he went to settle him­self in a very pleasant place, that is upon the back of the Mediterranean Sea, call'd by the Spaniards Villa Vitio­sa; from whence he could give the orders necessary for the reparation of all his Houses, and the administration of the vast Estate he had. As soon as he was there arriv'd, he sent to his Wife and Daughter to come to him. They had ever made their abode at Tangier, waiting the event of this War; but seeing it terminated, they fail'd not to repair immediately to him.

[Page 132] The Count and Countess were over­joy'd to see one another again, after so long a separation Alfirac, Absence.; only Florinda continu'd still melancholly, whatever Caresses were made her by her Father and Mother, and whatever care they both took for her Diversion. She had ever before her Eyes the ruine of her Country, the destruction Alfacar, Destructi­on. of the Christians; the Death, Servitude, or at least, the Misery of so many Milli­ons of men; and when she call'd to mind that she was the occasion of so many evils, she was not capable of any joy: Above all, what gave her most anxiety, was to see her self dis­honour'd, and without hopes of ever seeing her self in the Rank and Esta­blishment she might have expected according to her condition. All this so Topsy-turvy'd her mind, that at the long-run, either through the insti­gation of the Devil, or through a black vapour that offuscated her Brain; she mounted to the top of a Tower, Alhueran, Despair. where shutting the Door after her, for fear of being hinder'd from Executing what she had resolv'd on; she entreat­ed a Governant to go seek her Father and Mother, with whom she had a [Page 133] mind to speak. And as soon as they were come, she began to speak to them from the top of the Tower, as a Person that had absolutely lost her senses; telling them, that so unfortu­nate a Maid as she did not deserve to live, principally being the cause of so great a Desolation Alfacar, Destructi­on., as that of all Spain; and continuing such like Dis­courses; My Father and Mother, cry'd she to them, Henceforward in memory of my misfortune, let not this City any longer be call'd Villa Vitiosa, but Mala­ca; for now the worst Person that ever was, is going to dye.

No sooner had she utter'd these last words, but that without hearing or Father or Mother, or any of those that were there, and without yielding to the Remonstrances they made her, she threw herself from off the top of that Tower; and having batter'd her self in falling, she only liv'd three days. Her Mother swoon'd away at this Spectacle, and Count Julian laid so to heart the misfortune of a Maiden for whom he had had so much kindness, that his imagination remaining wound­ed thereby, he thought it to be a Hi [...]ab, Punish­ment. Punishment of God: And perhaps it [Page 134] was so, and that this befell him for his sins. For the Leaf of the Tree makes not any motion in the Air; and the Ant takes not a step upon the Earth but by his order Id [...], the will of God.. Thus this Imagi­nation made him lose his senses, and become mad to that degree, that he himself Stabb'd a Ponyard into his own Breast. In a little time also after his Death, the Countess his Wife fell sick of a Cancer Karatan, a Cancer.; and after having under­gone inconceivable pains, she dy'd at last of a Natural, but a very grievous Death.

As they left no Legitimate Children, Almanzor took Possession of his Lord­ships, and Re-united them to the Crown of Spain. This Death prov'd a great scandal, both among the Christi­ans and Moors; and that Town is call'd Malaca, on occasion of the last words Florinda utter'd at her dying, when she threw her self off from the top of the Tower. The Spaniands say Malaga in lieu of Malaca; and this word is made of the two she was heard to utter at her Death; for she said, Let this Town be no longer call'd by its ancient name, but let it be call'd Malaca, said she, that is to say Wicked; because in it [Page 135] this Day dyes the most Wicked Creature in the World.

The Arabs call this Florinda, as also la Cava, which signifies Wicked; and certain it is, that tho this Count had serv'd Almanzor with great Fidelity, yet was he a Traytor to his King and Country. For which reason, Wise and Vertuous Men ought to have a care of those sort of People that are ever co­ver'd with Infamy Cufa hac [...], Infamous People., and that were never seen to come to a good end, but like to that of this Count, and of all his Adherents.

CHAP. XIX.

MƲca was very much vex'd that he had not been sent for to Court as well as Tariff, and would willingly have been present at the Re­lation that Captain was to make to Almanzor, of the particulars of all that War, and of the state he had left all things in, in Spain; fearing that in giving the Account all alone, he would attribute the whole Glory to himself. He fancy'd he had done him some ill Office in the Letter he had written to their Monarch, since he did him not the Honour to desire to see him, no more than if he had not had the least share in the Conquest they had made together; wherein Muca was very [Page 137] much deceiv'd; for Tariff spoke of him as his Friend, as well in his absence as his presence; and he since found it plainly by the Letter, whose Tenour I am going to insert.

He fancy'd he had render'd as great Services as Tariff, and that he had not only had all the Principal Direction, but that he had served in his own Per­son, and expos'd his Life to a thousand Dangers. Nevertheless, he plainly saw that it might befall him, what com­monly befalls those that are distanc'd from the Court; and that, instead of receiving a Recompence Socr, Recom­pence. proportiona­ble to his Services, he might, per­chance, be put out of his Masters fa­vour.

Labouring under this anxiety, he knew not what course to take; for to leave his Government, and repair to Court without Permission, that could not be; to stay, and not go thither, was a hazarding his Fortune, and an exposing himself to all the lashes of Envy and Jealousie. At length, ha­uing unbosom'd his Heart to some of his Friends, they found a medium be­twixt these two Parties, which was, to send his Brother Ismael to Court, under [Page 138] colour of carrying the Caliph a Descripti­on Hatrit, Descripti­on. of the Land they had subdu'd, and a state of all things that concern'd the War. But indeed there to value and improve his Services, and fathom if the Emperor did him Justice. Now these are the terms of his Letter, in form of Relation.

Ismael with this his Brothers dispatch, being Shipp'd in a very light Barque, for the making the more haste; in a little time arriv'd in Arabia, and pre­sented his Letter to Almanzor: This great Prince, tho sufficiently inform'd of all those Affairs of Spain, did never­theless express much joy at his recei­ving Testimonies of the care Muca took of all things that related to his Service; and to shew the value he had [Page 144] for him, he commanded his Brother to stay with him until farther order.

Ismael sent immediately a Courier to his Brother, to signify to him the manner of his Reception.

This was a great Consolation to Muca, he taking the order the Empe­rour had given his Brother to attend upon his Person, as a good Augure. This Mighty Prince having assembled the Principal Lords of his Empire, and conferr'd with them, and particu­larly with Tariff, upon all matters; the Result of this Council was to send Ismael, as Ambassadour, to the King of Thunis, to condole with him the Death of the Prince his Son, thank him for the Succours he had given him in that War, that had more than a little con­tributed to the Conquest of Spain; and to demand in Marriage his Daughter, call'd Omahair, for Abilgualit Abinacer, his Eldest Son, and Heir to all his King­doms.

Ismael, very well satisfied with being chosen for so Noble an Employ, de­parted with an Magnificent Equipage; a very Noble Train, and a great num­ber of Martial Men, as well for his Guard as for the Dignity of his Em­bassy. [Page 145] He was very welcome at Thu­nis, and had immediate Audience of Mahomet; to whom he gave the Caliph's, his Masters Letter, and the Presents he had brought. He was highly en­tertain'd by that Prince; who having agreed to the Proposal, and having Examin'd it with the Principal of his Council, this Match was found advan­tageous for the State, and suitable for the Princess Omahair; and for this reason, he with all Expedition dispatch'd away Ismael with an Answer as fa­vourable as the Valid could desire it; as it is easy to see by the Letter and Answer.

Ismael was very much pleas'd to carry back so favourable an Answer as this into Arabia, where he had a kind Reception made him by Almanzor and all his Court. The happy issue of this Embassy, occasion'd the Caliph to give him the Office of The Office of Algouazil among the Moors, was as that of President of Castile. Algouazil; being one of the Chief of his State that fell va­cant after his Return, and made him at the same time incur a great deal of Envy.

CHAP. XX.

WHen that General Tariff and the Vice-roy Muca had repass'd the Sea, before they began their Voy­age, the one into the East, according to Almanzor's orders, and the other in­to the West, to his Palace of Morocco, where his Brother Ismael expected him; they caus'd Proclamation Bore [...] A [...]l [...]an, a publick cry by sound of Trumpet. to be made throughout all Africa, in the name of the Emperour their Master; That all those that were minded to pass into Spain, there to inhabit, needed only to repair thither; and that they should have Lands given them to cultivate, Houses to dwell in, with all the con­veniences necessary to Life; and great Priviledges and Exemptions. These Promises, and the rumour of the Beauty [Page 150] of the Country, caus'd a world of People to pass the Sea; not only Na­tural Moors, This is the second time that the Jews came into Spain. but Jews of the Hebrew Nation, who pass'd it with their Wives and Children, and all the Goods they had, to the number of fifty thousand Families, according to the Register ta­ken of 'em by Adilbar.

This Vice-roy, by an express order he had receiv'd from Almanzor, of re­populating that great Kingdom, which he had confided to his Conduct, di­stributed with an admirable oeconomy, throughout the Kingdom of Spain these new Spaniards, according as they land­ed. The Governours, and Subordinate Commanders, gave afterwards in the Provinces and Cities, to each of those Families, Conquer'd Lands, proporti­onably as they were convenient for 'em to live in, whereof he made particular Estates. And they had all so great an application to this matter, and kept such good order, that this great extent of Land became in a short space more populous, and more cultivated, than it had ever been before; and the new comers were so well accustomed with the Natives of the Country, that there seem'd not to be any difference among [Page 151] 'em, nor as if any change had there hap­pen'd.

Adilbar seeing so numerous a People under his sway, and all the particular Governours so obedient to his will [...], obey'd by all., thought himself in a posture to make some attempt for the service of his Ma­ster. He remembred that they had not dared to attack Hispalis, by reason of the Pestilence that raged there when the Generals went away; and had in­formations that the Christians flocked thither from all patts, since its ceasing. For which reason, having assembled the greatest number he could of Infantry and Cavalry, and made a Body of twelve thousand Foot, and two thou­sand Horse; he departed from Cordoua, after having given all the Directions re­quisite, and march'd directly to Hispa­lis in the head of this Army; small in­deed, but very brave, and provided with all things necessary [...] well ap­pointed.. He straight­ways sent a Trumpeter to Summons the Inhabitants to Surrender, promi­sing them all sort of good usage, as Generals of Armies are wont to do in such occasions.

The Inhabitants, without listening to his Promises, or being concern'd at his [Page 152] Threats, made no other answer, but that they were resolv'd to defend the goodness of their Cause to the last, and to be cut all in pieces, rather than fall under Slavery.

After such an Answer, Adilbar thought there was no farther parlying. On the morrow morning, he caus'd a most furious Assault to be made: But as the Besieged were well inform'd of the manner with which the Moors had per­form'd the Sieges of all the other Towns of Spain, they had made Pro­vision of a world of Posts of several fashions, which they fill'd with boyling Oyl, Juniper and Turpentine, and threw them upon the Besiegers; which burnt them alive, and incapacitated them from fighting, by reason of the vio­lence of the pain they suffer'd.

Farica. Adilbar confus'd and vex'd at the damage his men had receiv'd from the Beleaguer'd, without its being in his Power to do them any, caus'd the Rerreat to be sounded, and his Troops put into Quarters, to see what he had to do: He had lost four hundred men in this first Assault, and plainly per­ceiv'd, that as often as he employ'd force, there would be nothing to be [Page 153] got. Wherefore he imagin'd, that be­ing Master of the Field, and having Victuals abundance in his Army, whose subsistance he could furnish to as long as he pleas'd, in the Neighbourhood of that Town, he could so well block up the Avenues, that it should be con­strain'd to Surrender, without his so much as losing one man; he resolv'd not to decamp thence till he had famish'd it.

The Beleaguer'd guessing that the Moors had taken this course, since they had remained five and twenty days to­gether, without continuing their at­tacks; they resolv'd to Sally out upon them, when as they least expected it. For this purpose, without making any Bustle, as could make the Besiegers suspect their Design, they assembled all their resolute Inzi, Ha­chi, Reso­lution. men; And one Night, Sallying out of one of their Gates, they fell with much vigour upon Adilbar's Camp.

The Moors defended themselves with great Resolution, but believing the number of their Enemies still greater than it was, in the darkness that hin­der'd them from viewing one another, they betook themselves to flight Fazar, a Rout., and the Christians made a great slaughter of [Page 154] them. To avoid the inconveniences that commonly happen in Engage­ments that are perform'd by Night, the Governour had order'd all those that were commanded out upon that Sally, to cease fighting, and retire into the Town, as soon as he should cause a Horn to be sounded; whose sound he had caus'd them to observe. Thus fearing they might engage too far on the pursuit of the Moors, who might cut them off, he caus'd it to be sound­ed, when he judg'd it convenient.

The Christians had much ado to resolve upon quitting the Engagement, being very much flesh'd by the Moors, who gave way before them on all sides, and were pursu'd by them with the Sword in their Reins: But at the long run, retiring by little and little, in the order that had been prescrib'd them, they re-entred the Town, where they were receiv'd with great Applauses, by the Beleaguer'd; who caus'd a world of Musical Instruments to be sounded, in token of Joy for so great a Victory.

The Day being come, the slaughter the Christians had made appear'd to Adilbar much greater than he had be­liev'd it: And perceiving the strength [Page 155] of this Town, and the Valour of those that defended it, he found it more con­venient to raise the Siege, than to per­sist any longer obstinately in an Enter­prize, which was more difficult than he had imagin'd. Whereupon he took his march back to Cordoua; and ha­ving found his Army diminish'd in two thousand Foot, and two hundred Horse, he had lost in this Siege, he separated it, and put it into good Quarters in the Country, that it might recover it self.

CHAP. XXI.

ADilbar was disconsolate at the bad event of the first Enterprize he had made for the Valid's Service: He was asham'd that the only Town the Christians held in Spain, had resisted him, after Tariff, with so little pains, had taken all the rest. He imagin'd all the Moors Hird, Murmur, Scandal. murmur'd at it, and himself found that Almanzor could not effectually call himself absolute Master of that Country, as long as that Town was not under his Obedi­ence.

Wherefore having sent for all the Go­vernours of those Provinces, and confer­red with them about the necessity, and the means for the reducing it; he began to make greater Preparations than he had yet done; and having assembled [Page 157] fifteen thousand Foot, and fifteen hun­dred Horse, he took the Field in the beginning of the Spring Fael Arabeh, Spring., of the 95th Year of the Hegira, and march'd di­rectly to Hispalis; in the Neigh­bourhood whereof, he lodg'd all his Troops.

The tryal he had made in the first Siege, of the Valour and Industry of the Beleaguer'd, which had made him break up from thence, without having effected the least, had render'd him wise; and as he was a good Harbal Ahidad, Genius for War. Com­mander, he had caus'd certain Chariots to be made, cover'd with very thick Boards, that so his Souldiers might, as under cover, fight shelter'd, without any inconvenience from the Boyling Oyl, and all the other things, that the Christians might throw from off their Walls.

After having begun, by Summoning the Town again to Surrender, and re­ceiv'd thence as haughty an Answer as that he had before, he caus'd his cover'd Chariots to advance, with a multitude of Pioneers, sustained by a good number of Souldiers, that he had plac'd underneath; and having brought them near the Courtin, he had it un­dermin'd [Page 158] in the Places he judg'd to be the weakest.

The Beleaguer'd seeing these Ma­chines, and dreading the effect of them, assembled to consult about the most pro­per means to secure themselves from so great a danger. Their Governour, call'd Sarmato, being a Man of Wit and Resolution, let them see that there was no occasion for them to be alarm'd as they were, and caus'd them to sepa­rate into three Brigades, that they might the more easily sustain the three different Attacks.

Adilbar had not omitted any one of the Precautions he could imagine, against all that the Beleaguer'd could invent for their defence; and as he had caus'd to be made a kind of great Stone-Bows The Arabs call them Mausenech., with which they shot up very great Stones, he pointed them to the places where they could do most mischief; and making 'em mount upon his Chariots, he caus'd so great a quantity of 'em to be thrown, that few places were there in the City, where the Christians could be in safety.

Sarmato seeing so many extraordinary means employ'd to attack him, fell on his [Page 159] side also to the contriving some for his Defence; and having caus'd the strongest of the Inhabitants to assemble, with fit­ting Instruments for the removing the Earth, he caus'd Ramparts to be rais'd, behind and within the Walls, that when even the Moors should have effect­ed the making some Breaches therein, they might find 'em stopt with so much Earth, as that it would be impossible for them to enter 'em. This wise Go­vernour, by this Precaution, put him­self in a posture of receiving no damage from all the Inventions of his Enemies: For there was already so much Earth behind the Wall, that when they had broken it, they would find they had got nothing by the bargain: Nay, and many had been crush'd to pieces by the great Stones the Christians roll'd upon those Chariots: And as for those the Moors caus'd to be thrown into the Town, as there stood Sentinels on the top of the Towers, to give the Signal to the Inhabitants to make their escape, when they saw any coming, most com­monly all their Machines were fruit­less.

Adilbar being in Despondency at so many ill successes, resolv'd upon giving [Page 160] a general Assault. While he was prepa­ring all his Forces for that purpose, and that the Scaling, Ladders were erected on one side, he caus'd his Cha­riots to take a great circuit towards the other end of the City, for the un­dermining the Wall at the same time. Whereupon, having given the Signal for the attack, at break of day, which he had chosen for that intent, the Besiegers went on with an extraordinary fury, and the Besieged sustain'd it with great reso­lution.

The Moors in the mean while, ha­ving again chang'd their Chariots, and fastening upon part of the Wall that was weaker than the rest, made a great Breach, by which some enter'd the Town; but Sarmato repairing in all hast thither, with a great many Soul­diers, left them there not long; and having drove them thence, caus'd that gap to be stopt up with a great quanti­ty of Earth: Certain it is, the Town had been taken, had he delay'd one mo­ment longer; but the Night having put an end to the Conflict, Adilbar found he had lost five hundred men, whereas the Besieged had lost but two [Page 161] hundred: So great an opposition made him take up again the Resolution he took the time before, of stopping up all the Avenues of the Town, that so the Christians, being press'd by hunger and thirst, might be constrain'd to Sur­render. He remain'd there in this man­ner forty five days, after which, Sar­mato considering that Adilbar might hold him block'd up in this manner, as much, and as long as he pleas'd, be­ing Master of the Field, from whence he might have all sorts of Refresh­ments; he resolv'd upon going to at­tack him in his Camp, as he had done the time before.

Wherefore having assembled twelve hundred Foot, choice men, and a hun­dred Horse, he caus'd them to Sally out at Mid-night, through a Postern gate of the Town. The Moors having seen the Christians had been so long without fighting, did not expect this sudden Assault at all: By this means the Christians kill'd a very great num­ber of them, and retired in good or­der, by favour of the night. Adilbar fearing the like accident to that which befell him in the former Siege, sent a part of his Horse to stop the Soul­diers [Page 158] that were minded to pursue them; insomuch, that he found the next day that he had lost four hundred Foot, and thirty Horse, whereas there fell not above a hundred and fifty of the Christi­ans, whom this General caus'd to be Interr'd as well as the Moors, for fear of their creating an Infection in his Camp.

The Besieged were much satisfy'd with the success of this second Sally; but in a short time after, Adilbar caus'd a second assault to be made, which was so furious, that whatever re­sistance they made, the Moors at length gain'd a Courtine. The Governour flying thither forthwith with a re-in­forcement of Souldiers, perform'd so well, that he at last drove the Moors again from their Post, and put it into a posture of Defence. This Con­flict lasted from break of day, till Three of the Clock in the This time is call'd Ha­car in Ara­bick. Afternoon; when Adilbar seeing his men disheart­ned, caus'd a Retreat to be sounded, to dress the wounded. He found among the Dead three hundred Moors, and about a hundred and fifty Christians; but there was a very great number wounded; and among others, one of [Page 159] his Officers, called Hali Abenzainee, which afflicted him very much, and whom he caus'd carefully to be dress'd, as well as all the rest; confirming himself in the first Resolution he had taken, of having the Town by Fa­mine.

The Besieged fearing to want Victu­als, that they might precaution them­selves before-hand, with the remedies necessary against the mischief where­with they were threatned, had caus'd very deep Hazir, Ditches, Canals to be made, from the Western Gate of their Town to a great River, that passing very near their Walls, falls afterwards into the Sea. By the means of these Canals, they went into the River with great Boats; and these Canals being Forti­fy'd all along with good Trenches, insomuch that the Cavalry could not do them any mischief, there came to them, from time to time, Victuals from the Mountains of a certain Coun­try, call'd Biscaya: These Canals were a very great help to the Besieged; for besides their having by this means all things brought them, the Water of the River serv'd them for a thousand conveniences.

[Page 164] Adilbar having not then any Ships to hinder the Christians from having every moment all necessaries, was very much at a loss, and was loath to re­solve upon raising the Siege once again: When news was brought him of the revolt of the Governour of Valence, call'd Abubaher el Handali, and of the Inroads he made into the Neighbour­ing Provinces of that Kingdom.

So urgent an evil, and which he saw himself indispensably oblig'd forthwith to remedy, made him presently raise the Siege, and march long days jour­neys to Cordoua; which the Christi­ans of Hispalis were very glad of.

CHAP. XXII.

THe great Siege, wherein Abuba­her el Handali, Governour of Valence, saw Adilbar engag'd in, had made him hope that he might in that time, render himself absolute Master of that fine Province. In this Design, having gain'd all the Governours of the smaller Cities, and all the Martial Men under his Authority, he would needs cast off the Valid's Oath; and having brought a small Army on Foot, he began to make Incursions into the Neighbourhood, that he might by force oblige all the People there­abouts to obey him as their Soveraign Lord.

Adilbar being inform'd of these Transactions, as I said in the foregoing Chapter; caus'd a new Army to as­semble, of ten thousand Foot, and [Page 162] eight hundred Horse; and with these Forces, crossing the high Moun­tains that are on the South, he arriv'd at the City of Murcia; to whose foot extends the Government of Valence: Abraham Escaladari was then Gover­nour of the Place, who being in­form'd of Adilbar's march against Abu­baher, had got ready a Magazine of Provisions, to distribute them, as he did among his Souldiers: And having join'd him with all the men he had, they two march'd together toward Valence.

The Rebel seeing so great an Army coming against him, and having no place of safety whether to Retire, thought it much better to try the for­tune of a Battel, and win it, or dye like a Man of Courage, than go basely yield himself up. Having inspired the same resolution into the minds of his Adherents, and dispos'd them into the best order he could, as soon as Adilbar had set footing in his Govern­ment, he went to meet him; and in that Battel, did all that could be done by a good General, and good Souldier; but being at last taken, and all his men defeated, Adilbar caus'd his Head to be [Page 163] struck off, and had it set on the top of a Lance, on the Gate of that Town, which he gave for Plunder to his Souldiers.

He made a strict scrutiny after all those that had had a hand in this Rebel­lion, that he might of them accord­ingly make an Exemplary Punishment: And indeed, many Commanders and Captains had the same Fate with their Leader; and after having reduc'd that Country to its Obedience, and there establish'd one of his Captains, call'd Mahomet Abenbucar, he return'd to Cordoua, and dismissed his Troops.

CHAP. XXIII.

ALmanzor making reflection on the great Services render'd him by General Tariff, on all occasions, and particularly in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Spain; for the discharg­ing himself of the Obligation he had to him of so great an augmentation of Empire, and of such vast Riches he had thence deriv'd, had not a more Glorious Recompence to give him, than a place among those of his Coun­cil Mutagua Quilalri­aca, Mi­nister of State., and who share in the administra­tion of all his Kingdoms; for which account he put him into that number, [Page 169] and nominated him Ambassadour Ex­traordinary, to go conclude the Princes Match, and fetch away the Prin­cess of Thunis. He caus'd a Fleet of forty Ships to be fitted out for that purpose, with all the Magnificence requisite for so solemn an Embassy, and which was undertaken for so agree­able an end. Tariff being embark'd with a world of Courtiers, and a good number of Souldiers, arriv'd safe at Thunis, where he was receiv'd and en­tertain'd with all his People, as well as heart could wish; and after having made a very short abode there, he went on Board his Ships again, with the Princess Omalahaire, and all her Train, and return'd into the Levant with a very fair wind.

The Infanta being arriv'd in Arabia, the Nuptials were Celebrated with great Pomp; and there were Turna­ments, Tilting, and all the other mer­riments that are wont to attend those sort of Festivals.

Almanzor seeing his Son Marry'd, and finding him at an age to govern his State himself, thought it to be now time to Execute a design he had long meditated, of discharging himself of [Page 166] that heavy burden, he had for so ma­ny years born upon his Head; finding also that his Old Age, caus'd him by little and little, to sink under the weight of it: For which reason, seeing him­self worn out, and attack'd with ma­ny Infirmities, he resolv'd upon devol­ving it upon that of his Son, that so he might retire into a House of Pleasure, he had caus'd to be built in a Moun­tain, where he had very pleasant Gar­dens, very thick Woods, and excel­lent Waters. Whereupon having caus'd the States to assemble, where it was his Pleasure to have all the Governours of the Provinces present, he impart­ed to them the Dimission he meant to make of the Empire, in favour of his Son; and at the same time, caus'd the following Letters Patents to be expedi­ted.

By the means of this Renunciation, Aboulvalid Abenacer being acknow­ledg'd Crown'd King, his Father Almanzor took a chosen number of his most Faithful and most Ancient Dome­sticks, to attend and serve him in the Place he had resolv'd upon making his Retreat, leaving his Youngest Son Abraham Amcari, with the King, his Eldest; and no sooner was he arriv'd in that Solitude, but that his Infirmi­ties daily augmenting, he fell into an ill Distemper, which lasted upon him till Death, which, in short, fell out in a little time after.

Abraham had a haughty Spirit, and and mmense Ambition; the Caliph be­ing very jealous of him, and uneasie on his score, that he might deprive him of the means of fomenting Cabals against him, sent him into Stony Arabia, which [Page 171] is a Country of very small extent; and where he could not find wherewithal to do him any great mischief.

About that time the Governour of Damas, Abenbukar by name, who all his life long had had roving and Chi­merical thoughts, imagin'd that Alman­zor being no longer in the World, he might attempt all with impunity. He thought of no less than of dispossessing Aboulvalid, and of placing himself in his stead; and had assembled a great Army, with which he ravag'd all the Provinces bordering upon his Govern­ment. The Caliph was also oblig'd on his side to take the Field, to bring him to his Duty; when that Prince Abraham Amcari, who was continually gnaw'd with the lust of Reigning, and omitting nothing he judg'd useful to his Designs Alhadar, lost no occasion., found it to be the most propitious juncture he could wish, for the manifesting them to the World. Whereupon he on his side assembled the most Horse and Foot that was possible for him; and after having pass'd the Desarts of Arabia Alcahari, Sandy Moun­tains., he march'd direct­ly to Court with all his forces, making semblance of coming to his Brothers assistance against Abenbukar the Rebel. [Page 176] And accordingly he met with a kind welcome at first; but having all on the sudden changed face, and having seiz'd on the Castle, and the best Gates of the City, about midnight he sent to seize on the principal persons of the Court, as well Officers as people of Service, whom he thought Loyal to his Brother, and had 'em all beheaded. This so in­timidated all the rest, that either out of the fear they had of him, or by reason of the little affection they bore the King, and the esteem they had for this Prince, whom they saw to be brave and generous, and love War Ymala, to win hearts., they were easily inclin'd to acknowledge him for their King; nay, and there was so great a concourse of People at his Coronati­on, that meaning to improve that first heat he saw them in, and not thinking it convenient to let it cool again, he took the Field with all those that suf­fer'd themselves to espouse his Party. His Brother Aboulvalid was gone at the head of his Forces against Abenbukar; wherefore he thought he could easily pen him up, between his own Army, and that of that Rebel. And after ha­ving left at Court a Captain, a Creature of his, call'd Xaira Alxadali, in whom [Page 177] he put entire confidence, he march'd directly to his Brother with all his Troops; which he found to make up twenty thousand Foot, and fifteen hundred Horse.

The King was so surpriz'd at this News Aturmu­him, Ill News., that he was ready to run mad; and to see if he could apply some re­medy to so great and un-foreseen an Evil, he quitted the design of redu­cing Abenbukar, to return with all ex­pedition to meet his Brother.

The two Armies being in sight of one another, Aboulvalid sent a man on purpose to Abraham, to divert him from so unjust and unreasonable an Enterprize; and representing to him that he was going to be the occasion of the Death of an infinite number of men, which could be only imputed to him alone; but that if he would desist from his design, he promis'd him in the word of a King, to forget all that was pass'd, and to receive him as his Friend and Brother Taha, obedience, protecti­on, friend­ship.. Abraham made no other answer to this, but that he was not come thither to be reconcil'd, but to fight; that he stood in no need of the friendship he offer'd him, but of the Crown he had upon his Head; [Page 178] that he was Almanzor's Son and Heir as well as he; that he had only to pre­pare to defend himself, and that their Rights being at the point of their Swords, they would that day decide which of the two had the best, giving the Kingdom to him that should gain the Victory.

Having in this manner sent back Aboulvalid's mediator, and having threatned to have him hang'd, if he came again to importune him with such like harrangues. The Caliph with grief saw himself oblig'd to give Battel; but at last, having marshall'd all his Ar­my in Battalia, it began with some squadrons of Horse of both sides, who were a long while mingled with one another, before any judgment could be pass'd which of the two had the advantage: And this Skirmish that lasted above half the day, without any great loss on either side, plainly shew'd the Cavalry to be compos'd on­ly of good men, that knew admirably well both to attack and defend.

On the morrow, the twelfth of the Moon Dulquehala In the month of December, in the year 717., in the Year 96, the Battel was renew'd, and prov'd still more bloody for both Parties; for [Page 179] it lasted from Morning till Noon, with­out ones being able to judge on which side the Victory lean'd: But at length, Aboulvalid's people beginning to buckle, and those of Abraham to break in up­on them on all sides, Aboulvalid fear­ing to fall into his Brothers hands, made his escape out of the hottest of the Engagement, upon a very fleet Horse, after having made a sign to some of his people to follow him. The Kings Retreat utterly dishearten'd all his men, who were immediately after easily put Facar, fl [...] put to rout. to flight.

The Prince pursu'd them at their heels; and after having kill'd a very great number of them, he return'd to give the necessary orders for all Occur­rences, and then return against Aben­bukar, while that Aboulvalid was with­drawn into the Kingdom of Thunis, where he was kindly receiv'd by his Father-in-Law, who knowing the mis­fortune that was befallen him, through the perfidy and wickedness of his Bro­ther, comforted him the best he could, and promis'd to assist him in his re­venge.

CHAP. XXIV.

ABraham being puft up with the winning of this Battel, and over­joy'd to see that all the paces he made, conducted him upon the Throne, without any stop, he march'd directly to Court; where having conven'd the Estates, to confirm the Government he meant to establish, he caus'd them there to take a new Oath of Allegi­ance to him, by which, all that he had not been able to get approv'd of, but by some, before his going to fight his Brother, was confirm'd and ratify'd by all the rest: And thus was he own'd and declar'd by a common con­sent, Emperour of all Almanzor's Realms, as his Lawful Heir.

Then having made such Regalati­ons as he pleas'd, and bestow'd great [Page 181] Bounties on all his Creatures, with­out losing time, he took the Field with fifteen thousand Foot, and fifteen hun­dred Horse, to go to Damascus.

Abenbukar, being fully inform'd of all these Transactions, came to meet him with an Army of twenty thou­sand Foot, and two thousand Horse, insomuch, that they were not long without coming to blows. Abraham would needs, before he gave the Signal for Battel, do as lawful Kings do to Rebels; and sent to tell him, That as he had not any Right to the Crown, he could not believe he would persist in his bad designs, or that he would be wanting in his Allegiance to his Prince; wherefore he offer'd to Pardon him all that had pass'd, if he would but return to his Duty.

Abenbukar having caus'd the Princes Envoy to come into his presence, would not go about to excuse himself with sorry reasons, as do all Traytors that can never have any that are good; but answer'd him sharply, and like a gallant man, That between two Tray­tors, and two Disloyalists, as they both were, he had only the hand of him: but that Abraham had committed a [Page 180] much greater infidelity in dispossessing his Brother Aboulvalid, who was his Lawful King, according to the dispo­sition of his Father, and that of Nature, than he, in withdrawing himself from his obedience, with all the Province of which he was Governour, seeing all his people oppress'd with impositions Magarem, Subsidies., and very severely us'd by King Aboul­valid.

That he had learnt that to state things aright, Nature caus'd no body to be born upon a Throne; that all the Kings of the Earth were Tyrants; that the Scepter belong'd to him to whom God had given the strength to bear it; and the Soveraign Authority to him that had Wisdom and Ability sufficient to govern the people; and that as all Created things had their beginning, and their end, Monarchies were not ex­empt from this general vicissitude; that thus there was no need of reason­ing any farther.

Abraham being extremely provok'd at so haughty and so insolent an An­swer, would no longer defer giving Battel, contrary to the advice of most of his Officers, who counsell'd him to stay the Conjunction of all his Forces, [Page 181] that were not yet arriv'd, Abubenkar's Army being much stronger than his, and all his Troops appearing much more sprightful; but they could not prevail with him to change the resolu­tion he had taken.

Some of the Cavalry that were de­tach'd on both sides, having began the Skirmish, they quickly engag'd in a general Battel, that was very obsti­nately fought, and very bloody, Aben­bukar being skill'd in all the stratagems of War, had plac'd his best Officer in Ambuscade behind a Hill, with five hundred chosen Horse, that had order not to appear till the Battel was far en­gag'd, and then to attack the Princes men in the Rear; and this occasion'd Abenbukar's winning the Battel: For this Captain, bolting just in the nick from his Ambuscade, put all Abraham's Forces into such great disorder, that this Prince seeing himself penn'd up on all sides, threw himself from off his Horse, and so fled o're the Mountains, that he might get again into Arabia.

Abenbukar being Master of the Field of Battel, return'd to Damascus, loaded with Honour, and the Spoils of Abra­ham's Camp he had plunder'd; and ex­pecting [Page 184] to have suddenly another Ar­my upon his back, he did not dismiss his, but put it only into good Quar­ters in that Country.

Abraham, at his return, having met with a very cool reception from the Arabians, it spighted him extremely, and gave him great confusion. Where­fore having again conven'd the Gover­nours and Commanders that were un­der his sway, he gave them to under­stand that he was resolv'd not to suffer Abenbukar to glory long in his Victo­ry; and commanded them to make ready to take the Field in fifty days space, with all the Forces they had un­der their charge. They so very punctually executed this order, that at the day appointed, he found himself at the head of an Army of forty thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse; with which he march'd again for Syria.

Abenbukar had not slept on his side, and knowing the great preparations that were making against him, caus'd Proclamation to be made throughout all the neighbouring Countries, of large pay, and great Rewards, for all those that would come into his service, and bring him Troops: By this means [Page 185] he fram'd a body of thirty thousand Foot, and three thousand Horse; and with these Forces staid Prince Abra­ham's coming up, who without entring into any parleys, as he had done the time before, as soon as he came in fight of Abenbukar's Army, he march'd direct­ly upon him, to engage him in the Battel, that was very bloody on both sides. But at last, Abenbukar's Troops being defeated, he was taken generously fighting, and brought to Abraham, who, without saying a word to him, in the rage he was in, and without giving him time to speak, or the Execu­tioner to come, he cut his Throat with his own hands, striking him so furious a blow with his Scimitar up­on the nape of his Neck, that he cut off his Head, which he caus'd to be put on the top of a Pike, on the Gate of Damascus. He was not satisfy'd with having himself perform'd the Execution, for having caus'd him to be fleed, he commanded the placing upon that same Gate that Wretches Skin, which he had caus'd to be fill'd with straw; and the like usage did all those meet with that had had a hand in this Rebellion. At length, [Page 184] being grown weary of putting people to Death, and believing that Province absolutely reduc'd, and sufficiently chastiz'd, he left there as Governour, a Captain, in whom he had great con­fidence, call'd Abencirix, and return'd to recreate himself at Court, where he was receiv'd by his Partizans with great Huzzahs, and mighty Exultation.

CHAP. XXV.

KING Aboulvalid being retir'd to Thunis, as I have before observ'd, labour'd under great anxiety to see him­self drove out of his Kingdom by his own Brother, and employ'd his thoughts wholly upon the means of being reveng'd. Mahomet Gilhair was no less concern'd than this Unhappy Prince, considering him not barely as his Son-in-law, but as his own Son. Wherefore having resolv'd on assisting him with all his might, he made great Levies thoughout the whole ex­tent of his Kingdom, gave Commissi­ons to all the principal Persons of his Court and Country, and fitted out a great Naval Army, which he had [Page 188] stor'd with all the Provisions necessary for a great Embarkment.

Aboulvalid did not forget himself on his side, and well perceiving there was no man that could assist him more strongly in his occasions than Muca, Vice-roy of Morocco, and of all the African Provinces; he sent a man on purpose to him in a Felucca, with this Letter.

Muca having with great respect re­ceiv'd the King his Masters Letter, in a short time assembled an Army of thirty thousand Foot, and having got together all sorts of Ammunition, and fitted out a mighty Fleet, he embark'd in it himself, with the Royal Treasure he had in his keeping, finding that it could not be better employ'd than for so good an occasion, for which it was undoubtedly reserv'd: Nay, he thought himself oblig'd to quit all things, to sig­nalize his Zeal and Fidelity in his Ma­sters Maulab, King and Lord. service, and contribute thereto, not only with his Cares, but with his Person. In his room in Africa he left a very brave Man, and in whom he had great Confidence, call'd Alicunicy, a Native of Stony Arabia, and arriv'd safe at Thunis with all his Army, at the end of the Moon of Rabeh, on the 2 of that same year 97 of the Hegira.

[Page 189] There he found King Aboulvalid em­ploy'd in Shipping the Troops he had got together in those parts; who em­brac'd him very affectionately, and ca­ress'd him to a high degree. This Prince had already nominated Tariff Abenziet, who had atchiev'd the Conquest of the Kingdom of Spain, in his Fathers Life­time, Generalissimo of all his Forces, and had cast his Eyes upon him, as upon the greatest, and most lucky Captain of those times.

These two great Armies having been a long while in embarking, the King put at length to Sea, and with as fair a Wind as he could wish, in a few days time he arriv'd in Arabia; where ha­ving made a Review of all his Troops, his Army was found to be sixty five thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse, which gave him a great deal of Joy.

All the People of that Coast, seeing so numerous and so flourishing an Ar­my, far from opposing his Descent, declar'd themselves immediately for him.

In the mean while, Prince Abraham knowing all his Brothers Preparations, did not sleep on his side. He had assembled [Page 192] all the Chiefs Musta Mahami, States. of the Arabians, and after having given 'em notice of the storm wherewith they were threatned, and having made them apprehend that they were to expect little less than to be strangled, if Aboulvalid ever re-mount­ed upon the Throne; and that it was much better to dye in the Bed of Ho­nour, than upon a Scaffold, as he was resolv'd to do, to shew 'em the way. They were all so sensibly perswaded by his Arguments, that in their own De­fence, they made up a very considera­ble Army, that was found to be sixty thousand men, got truly in the best manner they could together.

Abraham having made no difficulty to go meet his Brother with his Forces, the Battel was fought in the Plain of Cahar, on the 3 of the Moon Dulquihi­da The Arabians name is Faliaz Ahra, in November 718., in the year 97. It lasted from Sun rising to its setting. Abraham then perform'd all that could be done by a great General, and a good Souldier: But seeing his Army in Disorder, he threw himself into the hottest of the Engagement, where he was kill'd with his Sword in his hand.

Aboulvalid did much lament his not having been able to take him alive; and [Page 193] doubtless, as he had ever had a kind­ness for him, maugre all the mischief he had done him, he would have given him his life, and would have been contented with continuing him in a perpetual imprisonment. Wherefore having caus'd his Body to be put into a Coffin, he pursu'd his way towards Carbal, whence the Queen his Wife was coming to meet him; tho she had ever been kept as a Prisoner, the Prince had ever had her very civilly treated: Aboulvalid was mighty joyful to see her again, but could not forbear ex­pressing much grief for Abraham's death; he caus'd the whole Court to put on Hisu, mourning, tears. mourning, and assisted at his Funeral, which he caus'd to be per­form'd with great Pomp; nay, he was seen to shed tears in that occasion; but he had not the same mildness and cle­mency for all the Officers that sided with his Brother; he put a great num­ber of them to Death, and set himself to retrieve his Authority, and set matters again to rights throughout the whole Empire.

General Tariff receiv'd a wound in his Right Arm in the Battel, which he had neglected at first, by not refrain­ing [Page 194] to mount on Horseback, after his usual manner; but through the little care he took of it, and through the toyl and drudgery of marching, his Arm swell'd in such manner as to gan­gre; and so in a few days time sent him out of the world.

Aboulvalid was much griev'd at the loss of so great a General, and to shew the esteem he had for him, he caus'd him to be Interr'd with great magni­ficency, and had the same honours paid him, as had been paid to the Person of his Brother. And I can certainly say one thing of him that is somewhat singular, that his Valour was accompany'd with such great For­tune in War, that he never undertook any enterprize but what he sped in to his honour.

This Prince, after having punish'd, as I have said, those that were revolted a­gainst him, began with recompencing those that had serv'd him so usefully in that War, by distributing among them the Governments, Lieutenancies, and Employs, insomuch, that they were all satisfy'd with the returns he made to their Services; and then set his thoughts upon enjoying amid Pleasure, the repose that had cost him so dear.

CHAP. XXVI.

ADilbar having sped so ill in the Siege of Hispalis, he had receiv'd order from King Aboulvalid his Master, to go the soonest he could, to make the Conquest of those Mountains, where Pelage had made his Retreat, and where an infinite number of Christi­ans were gone to find him, from all the corners of Spain, to save themselves, with their Wives and Children, from the fury of the Moors.

Whereupon, he sent a Renegado-spy, to examine the strength of those Places where this Prince lurk'd, and to en­quire into the number of the Souldiers he had with him, and the world of People that had there taken re­fuge.

[Page 196] The Renegado being entred into the Country, pretended to make his escape as well as the other Christians, from the Persecution of the Moors, and over-ran all the Mountains of Biscaya, where he most carefully observ'd all he saw, in pursuance of the orders he had receiv'd from Adilbar: But when upon his departure thence again, he was brought before Pelage, by the Guards he had plac'd upon the Frontiers, having been taken for a spy as he really was; Pelage ask'd him a Thousand Questions, but as he was cunning and crafty, he an­swer'd very pertinently, and without being at a loss: Pelage nevertheless was not willing to let him go, and kept him some days in Prison; but at length, finding nothing against him but a weak suspicion, with which his Imagination had been possess'd, he set him at liberty.

After this, the Renegado took his time so well, that he found the means to get again to Cordoua, where he de­liver'd Adilbar an account of all that had befaln him, and of all he had seen; assuring him, that it was no dif­ficult matter to force the pass of those Mountains, that were guarded only [Page 197] by a small handful of men, of little Courage.

Adilbar being incourag'd by this Relation, resolv'd upon undertaking the War against Pelage, well perceiving that if he had once reduc'd the Christi­ans of that Canton, Hispalis would no longer put him in pain, the succours that Town had receiv'd from Biscaya, ha­ving occasion'd it's not being surrendred. Wherefore he prepar'd suddenly to be­siege it, as not believing those Moun­tainers could resist him long; and flattering himself with the hopes of ren­dring Aboulvalid the absolute Master of all Spain, as far as the Pyrenean Mountains, that separate it from France.

For this purpose he assembled twelve thousand Foot, and would not take any Horse along, as not believing they could be useful to him in so rocky a Country [...], Country of Rocks.. With this small Army, compos'd of choice men, he advanc'd as far as the place by the Spaniards call'd the Term of War.

Pelage having notice of his march, conven'd the Principal Persons of the Cantons of Biscaya, to concert with them the means of opposing him; and their unanimous opinion was, to [Page 198] think of defending the Entrance of the Mountains, which was very difficult; this was also the sentiment of Pelage; so as that having plac'd five hundred chosen men, and well arm'd in Ambus­cade in a great Quarry or Den, that is under a steep Rock, Pelage plac'd himself a little higher with fifteen hun­dred men, being all he could assem­ble.

The Moors going about to mount, to get to that Mountains top, Pelage charg'd them with the small Forces he had, but had quickly been overcome, had not the five hundred men that were hid in that Cavern, as I newly hinted, appeared in the nick behind the Ene­mies, put them into disorder, kill'd a great number of them, and put all the rest to flight.

That day Adilbar by computation lost a thousand men, besides the great number of those that were dangerously Wounded; whereas the Christians lost but four hundred.

Pelage Retreated forthwith, with all his Men, into the hallow of those Mountains, to defend the Entrance of them, well knowing this to be the most important of all; insomuch, that Adil­bar [Page 199] inrag'd at the loss he had newly undergone; all the faults of which he reflected upon the Christian Renegado, who had deceiv'd him; he sent him to the Gallows.

After having well examin'd the dif­ficulty there was in forcing such nar­row and steep Passages, he found his continuing any longer in that Country, would be only the losing of time and men, and resolv'd to put off this Enter­prize till another time, when as he might find an entrance more easie to force, than that from whence he had been newly repuls'd. Wherefore with­out staying there much longer, he re­turn'd into Andalousia, where he dis­miss'd his Army, and set his thoughts wholly upon Regulating and Policying that Kingdom, while Pelage and his People bless'd God for so favourable a success, and were confirm'd in their opinion of those Mountains, being made in due manner for the putting a stop to the Conquests of the Moors, and serve for an Azylam and Retreat to the Christians; wherefore they us'd their utmost endeavours to fortify them to the best advantage.

CHAP. XXVII.

THE joy King Aboulvalid had for the victory he had gain'd over his Brother Abraham, was quickly ruf­fled by the news he receiv'd in a little space after, of the Death of his Father-in-law, Mahomet Gilhair. He left no other Children save Queen Omhalair, wherefore he resolv'd to send out of hand to take possession of so fine an In­heritance, for fear that if he deferr'd any longer, some change might hap­pen, as commonly does in such occasi­ons: for so solemn an Embassy, he chose one of his favourites, call'd Abul­cacim Aben Marchan, who departed in great haste with all his Train, and was very kindly receiv'd by all the Grandees [Page 201] of that Court, and Lodg'd in the De­ceased Kings Palace.

Having forthwith conven'd all the Members of the Council of that King­dom, and having let them peruse the Powers he had from Aboulvalid, in his Name to take Possession of that State; they examin'd them, and having found them in the form they ought to be, King Aboulvalid was acknowledg'd and declar'd King of that great Kingdom, and Abulcacim Aben Marchan Vice-roy in his absence. But as in all times, and all Countries, People there are Trans­ported with a desire of Ruling; one of the Principal Governours was there of this; who flattering himself with the thought that being Mahomet Gilhairs near Relation, the Kingdom ought ra­ther to appertain to him, than to his Daughter, began under-hand to sollicit all the Leading men and Governours, each in his turn, to assist him with his Forces. He represented to them, That being born in the Country, and with them brought up, and the late Kings nearest Relation, the Crown belong'd to him, rather than to a Foreigner; and had the knack so to coaks them with fine promises, that they at last re­solv'd [Page 202] among themselves for the most part, to throw off Aboulvalid's Yoak, and to place him in his stead upon the Throne. Hacan (so was this Captain call'd) wanting not courage for so no­ble an enterprize; having assembled all the heads of his Party, entred by main force into the Palace, where Aben Marchan had his residence. This Vice-King distrusted nothing; but as soon as he had notice of so very trea­cherous a design, having put himself upon his defence with what happen'd to be about him, he chose rather to dye in defending himself generously, than to fall alive into the hands of the Revolted. Thus though they only really desir'd to take him Prisoner, they kill'd him, with all those that were about him, without so much as one escaping.

The rumour of this rising being im­mediately spread, all those of Hacan's Party proclaim'd him King, after the wonted manner, taking withal an Oath of Allegiance to him: And this new King fail'd not at his accession to the Crown, to bestow favours upon all his Partizans, and to give, as all Usurpers do, all the orders necessary for the ac­quiring of reputation Tani, get into credit..

[Page 203] At that same time, Subb, a Comet. one Wednesday evening, a very great Comet appear'd upon the Horison; about whose angle it took up towards the East: It was ac­company'd with very thick Clouds, extraordinary Winds, and pernicious Exhalations, and appear'd for forty whole days together. This very much affrighting the new King, he caus'd the Mathematicians and Astrologers of the Country to meet; who, after having very exactly examin'd the Elevation and Nature of this Comet, and the sign in which it rise, said that it threat­ned the Kingdom with great Wars, and the Kings Person with an imminent Death.

While they were still making their Observations, a great Earthquake was felt, and being repeated to the eighth, or ninth time; and there arose so furious a storm at Sea by the great Eastern Winds, that all the people of this Coun­try, thought that the end of the World was coming; nay, they said they had heard by night, strange howlings in the Mountains, that seem'd to be roar­ing Lyons. But what most amaz'd and was most strange, was a Cloud that coming from the West, burst up­on [Page 204] their heads, and rain'd a water of the colour of blood. The Earthquakes I have newly mention'd, had topsy-tur­vyed some Houses, and over-whelm'd whole Families uuder their ruines; in­somuch, that not only the people, but the King himself was in a Consterna­tion.

These surprizing signs of Heavens anger, were follow'd with a great scarcity of Corn, that famish'd to death several persons, as also with certain Contagious Acain. Sores, that taking them in the Groyn, and behind the Ears, knock'd off a very great number.

Aboulvalid, whom Hacan's Rebelli­on had very much inrag'd, seeing the people weary'd and ruin'd by all the late Wars, was not in a very good po­sture to undertake so great an one as this that fell upon his hands. He con­ven'd the Estates, where having expos'd the necessity he was under, to go re­duce under his obedience a Kingdom that so lawfully belong'd to him, on the account of the Queen his Wife; and having demanded of them succours in Money, they answer'd him that they should not fail him in his need, but that it was requisite first to know in what [Page 205] state the Kingdom of Thunis was, and whether the Pestilence that had already lasted two months was ceas'd; the re­solution was taken that enquiry should be made; and the persons sent thither brought word back, That a world of people was there dead of it, but that the contagion began to diminish. This occasion'd the hastening the preparati­ons for that War; insomuch, that a great number of stout Ships were fit­ted out for the taking on Board so great an Army, as was that then preparing to be embark'd in it, in the Spring in the Year following.

CHAP. XXVIII.

MƲca had serv'd Aboulvalid useful­ly in the War he had with his Brother; he was his Father Almanzor's most Trusty Servant, and had had a great share in the honour of the Con­quest of Spain: All these reasons made this Prince cast his eyes upon him, to confer on him the Conduct of his Ar­my; and being then in his Govern­ment, he sent him an express Courier to give him notice of this new War, and that he had nominated him Gene­ralissimo in all his Armies; the terms of his Letter to him were as follow.

[Page 209] Muca having received the King his Masters Orders, was overjoy'd at the employment with which he honour'd him; and having made Leavies through­out all his Kingdom, and heap'd up all sorts of Ammunition, as well for the Fleet he had fitted out, as for his Land Army; he embark'd with twenty thousand very brisk men, and made Sail towards the Levant, while the King was embark'd with twenty five thou­sand Foot, and eight hundred Horse, he had assembled in Arabia, and made Sail towards the West; insomuch, that the two Armies join'd happily in the Port of Capha. This fill'd this Prince full of joy, for he wou'd needs come in Person to this War, well perceiving that when he should have reduc'd the Kingdom of Thunis, he was absolute Master of all Africa, from the Sea of the Levant, to that of the Ponant. Wherefore having Landed at Thunis, he found not any opposition at his de­scent, and had the means to marshal both his Armies in Battel-array.

Hacan being fully inform'd of these Warlike preparations, was extremely intimidated: Nevertheless, as he had been long prepar'd to maintain his [Page 210] Usurpation, he had assembled forty thousand Foot, and eight thousand Horse; with whom he went with great Resolution to meet Aboulvalid, and couragiously stood his coming in a large Plain, not far distant from the Sea, and call'd Falh Almaligue The Kings Field.; where having drawn up his Army in Battalia, it began by two bodies of Horse, that Skirmish'd for some time before they ingag'd the rest in the Battel, that last­ed all that day, from Three a Clock in the Afternoon, till Night Daelam, obscurity., that se­parated the two Armies with the loss of eight hundred Foot, and about three hundred Horse, on the Kings side; and five hundred Foot, and four hun­dred Horse on that of Hacan, with­out reckoning a number of Wounded; among others, one of Muca's Children, call'd Ismael, had two thrusts with a Pike in his Thigh, for which Aboulva­lid was much concern'd. But the Fa­ther seeing the Grief his Master thence receiv'd, told him with a very gay and resolute countenance, that there was not matter for so much trouble as his Majesty express'd; neither he nor his Son being come thither to gain Riches, but to dye for his Service; and that [Page 211] thus, though his Son should not recover of his Wounds, the matter would be small, since he was only Born to dye: On the contrary, he should hold his Death as well employ'd, because he had first so well aveng'd it; and this was true, for he had kill'd with his own hand a very great number of the Ene­mies; and that day perform'd actions worthy of an Eternal memory.

On the morrow, At the be­ginning of October, in the Year 725. of our Lord. which was the 9th. of the Moon of Taquel, in the hun­dredth Year, the Battel renew'd at break of day, and lasted till Noon, when Hacan's Men began to Buckle, and were at length by dint of Sword defeated. Hacan seeing the flight of his Forces, sought his safety in gallop­ing after them.

The King being entred into Thunis, did not think he had gain'd an absolute Victory, unless he had Hacan in his hands: So as that he forthwith sent Foot and Horse out on all sides to seek him, promising them great rewards if they brought him to him. They sought him so well, that the Dogs of a Flock of Sheep barking after him in a Cave where he was hid, created a desire in them to go thither, and [Page 212] occasion'd his being taken. He was immediately brought before Aboulvalid, to whom having given a great deal of ill language, as a desperate man, that saw there was no Remission for him; the King, that was otherwise very mild, was so provok'd, that he caus'd him to be impal'd alive, and left him in that condition upon the Gate of the Town, where he languish'd five whole days; at the end of which he dy'd a very cruel Death. All the Principal Leaders of this Rebellion were then Beheaded; and one of the General Officers of the Army, call'd Abraham Hacen, was chosen to be Vice-roy of Thunis, in the room of Hacan the Rebel.

Aboulvalid having settled his Autho­rity in that Country, and brought all things again into their Primitive order, set forth again with his Army towards the Levant; and being arriv'd at Carbal, where he was receiv'd with great Ac­clamations, the first thing he did, was to reward all the Principal men that had serv'd him in that War, and parti­cularly Muca, whom he made of his high Council, and one of the Principal Ministers of his State. After this, [Page 213] without staying longer in his Palace than was necessary to repose himself, he thought of taking a Pilgrimage to Mecque, whither he went with a part of his Court.

Being on his return through the De­sarts, there arose so furious a Wind, that removing whole Mountains of Sand from one side to another, as sometime happens; it buryed above three hundred Persons of his Retinue, that were found thus Interr'd alive, which much afflicted him. But having pass'd them, at the long run he arriv'd in good health in Arabia Foelix, where he was receiv'd with great joy by all his Court, and thought in good earnest to recreate himself, after all the troubles he had thitherto undergone.

CHAP. XXIX.

THE Caliph thinking only now of leading a more calm and se­date life, and considering that he had not any other Children than Ja­cob Almanzor capable of succeeding him; he was very willing to secure to him the Crown, before he was over­taken by Death, that regards Kings no more than other men. For which reason, after having conven'd all the Grandees of his Kingdom, a Morabite, call'd Mahomet Algaseli, that was in great favour with him, and whose ad­vice he demanded in things of the high­est importance; by his order made them a long Speech, on which he gave them to understand, the reason for which he had call'd them together; which was [Page 215] to own Prince Jacob Almanzor for Lawful King of all his great Realms, after his Fathers Death. Curci Almulq Canopy, Throne. The States having declar'd, they all approv'd this design, as a thing very advantageous to the good and profit of all the Nations. King Aboulvalid having one day put on his Royal Robes, sat in his Throne, and caus'd Prince Jacob Almanzor to sit there with him, on his Right Hand; and then all the Governours of the Places being present, Mahomet Algaseli the Morabite, being seated on the Kings Left Hand, rose up and utter'd these words, with a loud and intelligible voice: Gentlemen, Honour'd Governours, Virtuous Lords, and all you here present; King Aboulvalid wills and requires, that you own Prince Jacob Almanzor, his Law­ful Son, who is here present, for absolute Master of all his Realms, after his Death. Are you willing to make Oath to him ac­cordingly? To which they answer'd aloud, Yes, we are willing; Do then, reply'd Algaseli, as a token of the Allegiance you promise to him, and of the Possession he from this present is going to take of the Crown, all that the King and I am going to do. Then the King rising, took his Son by the Hand, and seated him in [Page 216] his Throne; and the Prince having taken the Right Hand of his Father, kiss'd it for a mark of his Obedience. The Father on his side, for a token of the Blessing Rida, Benedicti­on. he gave him, laid his Hand upon his Head; and also kissing his Sons Hand, sat down by him on his Right Hand; Algeseli the Morabite did the same, and sat down on his Left; and after him all the Governours of the Provinces having also kiss'd his Hand; an Alfaqui having brought the Alcoran, wrapt up in a very rich stuff, and ha­ving laid it on the Table, Algaseli the Morabite rose up from his Seat, and lifting up his voice, that he might be heard by the whole Assembly; Ho­norable Governours, said he, and Virtu­ous Knights, and also every one of you here present; Do not you swear and promise by the Supreme God, and by all that is con­tain'd in this Book, to acknowledge and hold all your life long, Prince Jacob Al­manzor, for your King and Soveraign of all the Realms, as Son and Lawful Heir, and Successour of King Aboulvalid Abe­nacer, his Father? And all having an­swer'd, Yes, we promise it: Let him then, the Morabite reply'd, that shall not ac­complish what he has now promis'd, be [Page 217] declar'd Perjur'd, Infamous Hazir, Infamous, Perjur'd., and a Traytor to the State, and may the curse of the Great God fall upon him, and on all his; and the whole Assembly cry'd, Amen. And the Morabite having said, with an audible voice, That for the solemnity of their Oath of Allegiance, all should do the same as the King and he did. The King being got up, and having kiss'd the Alcoran, put it upon his Head, the Morabite, and all the Chiefs and Governours did the same afterwards, each in their order. After which, the Morabite being got up from his Seat, and having address'd his Speech to Prince Jacob Almanzor; Your Celsi­tude, said he to him, do you not swear and promise by the most Great, and most High, and by all that is contain'd in this Book, in Quality of Kings, and Sove­raign of these Realms, to do Justice to his Subjects; and maintain and keep all the Priviledges, that the Kings his Pre­decessors in general, and each of them in particular have granted them; so as that you may cause them to live in Peace, and not suffer any wrong to be done them. And the Prince having said, Yes, and that he swore and promis'd it: Mind it well then, reply'd Algaseli, for if you do not [Page 218] do it, the curse of God will fall upon you, as upon one perjur'd; to which the Prince having answer'd, Amen: Let your Celsitude then, continued he, to show you make an solemn Oath, do as I do: In uttering these words, he took the Book, and ha­ving kiss'd, and put it on his Head, he presented it to the Prince, who did the like.

This Ceremony being finish'd, all the Governours, and Leaders of Troops, going out before the Prince, set him on Horseback, and carry'd him around through the City, in great Pomp, amid the noise of a world of Instruments: And all alighting at the great Mosch; and having said their Prayers there, return'd with the same Pomp to the Palace, where the King his Father waited his coming, and where the whole Cavalcade ended and sepa­rated.

This solemnity lasted three whole days; during which, there was nought but Feasts, Conserts of Musick, Tur­naments, and all the other Recrea­tions to be thought of.

[Page 219] These three days that had been given to joy being pass'd, the King caus'd the States to be held once again in his Palace, to confirm and ratify all that had been done; and the Morabite open'd the Sessions in these terms. Illustrious Captains, Ge­nerous Governours, Brave Cavaliers, that are here all present; do not you confirm and ratify the Oath of Allegi­ence, to Prince Jacob Almanzor, our Soveraign Lord, who is here present? And all having answer'd Yes; and said expresly, that they ratify'd it. Let all, pursu'd he, for the conclusi­on of so solemn an Oath, do then, as the King and I shall do: In finish­ing these words the King arose, and having taken the Alcoran, he kiss'd it, and put it again upon the Table; he also took the Prince his Sons hand and kiss'd it; and after that the Morabite, and all those that compos'd that great Assem­bly, had done the same, they were dissolv'd, after having all re­ceiv'd some favours from the King, who was very much sa­tisfy'd with seeing the Accomplish­ment of a thing he had so much [Page 220] desir'd. This great Ceremony pass'd in the ten first days This date falls in the Year 725 of our Lord, in the month of March. of the Moon of Rabeh, on the first day of the Year 104 of the Hegira.

CHAP. XXX.

ABoulvalid was much joy'd to see all his great Kingdoms in Peace, and all the Wars and Dissentions he had been oblig'd to undergo, absolutely stifled: But as the Wheel of Fortune turns continually, and there is no man upon Earth, that has a con­tinued and an accomplish'd happi­ness; all Great, and all Mighty, as he was, he try'd it like other men: For he fell into so obstinate and so violent a Feaver, that whatever care the greatest and ablest Physicians in the World took, that were at that time, they could not bring any Remedy to it. Wherefore this Prince seeing that all that was given him, [Page 222] did him more hurt than good, re­solv'd upon taking nothing at all: And one day, in their presence, and in that of the Principal Persons of his Court, he said, That he plainly perceiv'd it to be the Will of God, that he should dye of that illness; that thus he thank'd them for all the pains they had thitherto ta­ken, and that he had no longer any need of them. Then he dis­miss'd them, as well as all those that were about his Bed, and sent for Mahomet Algaseli the Morabite, to con­fer with him upon all things, and to provide the best he could for the Government of the State, after his Death; which was what put him most in pain: For he plainly saw his Son was as yet too Young, to be able to contain so many Nations in their Duty; and that it was ab­solutely requisite, to give the Regen­cy of the State to some one, during his Minority. He was much at a loss, how to determine on whom to pitch; but he and Algaseli at last concluded, that there was not a man of more Ability, nor in whom more Confidence could be put, than [Page 223] in Mahomet Amcari; his very near Relation; insomuch, that having had him call'd to him, to tell him the choice he had made of his Person; and Amcari having made him a thousand Protestations of Acknow­ledgment and Fidelity, he nam'd him in his last Will and Testament, the Regent and Lieutenant-General of the Empire, till that his Son Alman­zor was at Age to Govern.

He liv'd but a very few days after having declar'd his Will in this manner. And as he had go­vern'd with much Lenity and Justice, his Funeral, that was perform'd with great state, was accompany'd with a real Mourning by all the People, and with such tears as de­parted from a down-right Affliction. Mahomet Amcari having immediately taken upon him the management of Affairs, the Queen Mother re­solv'd to live retired, as being well becoming a Widow; and that she might have the more care of her Son, and keep him in the greater security, withdrew to a Country House, whither the Caliph Almanzor, her Father-in-law, formerly retired; [Page 224] and where there was all sorts of Conveniences.

Wherefore being gone thither to shut her self up with all her Fa­mily, and that of the King her Son; Amcari seeing himself absolute Master of the State, and obey'd by all the Governours of all the Realms that compose this great Empire, began to be sensible of the movements of Ambition, and the desire of Reign­ing, that glides by little and little, like an Earth-worm, into the Hearts of all men; who from the nothing, wherein they were, see themselves rais'd up to Authority: For after having began to prick him on by little bites, they came at length to gnaw him all over.

Having his mind possess'd with this thought, and only thinking of the means to bring it about, he thought it expedient to begin with gaining over the Principal men of the Council and Army, and the Go­vernours of the Towns and Pro­vinces; as those that had all the Forces of the State in their hands. Wherefore he let not any occasion slip, of making them Presents, and [Page 225] of obliging them. When any of them dy'd, he only put in their place such people as of whom he was well assured Mutben, ready to serve him, and whom he thought would not fail him on oc­casion; and did this with so much dissimulation, that as he spoke to no body of his design, nor did any body perceive it. At length, having dispos'd all things to his fancy; ha­ving reduc'd them to the point he judg'd proper for the Executing of his Treason, he would needs com­municate his mind to one of his principal friends, whom he had made head of the Council of War, call'd Aben Culeyman; who told him frankly, That since he ask'd him his advice, he found great in­conveniences, in undertaking a thing of that nature, as long as the Prince Jacob Almanzor his Master was alive: For as he was beloved by all his Fathers Creatures, there would be doubtless, many Governours that would declare for him; that this enterprize would seem very strange to the Arabians; and that it would meet with great difficulties in the Provinces; where, in imitation of him­self, [Page 226] there would not be a Gover­nour, but would make himself King, in the extent of his Government: That thus, whereas all he intended to do, was only to augment his Authority, and be absolute and in­dependant, he would find himself abyss'd, in the stormy Sea of Wars, which such an Sutar, Rebellion. over-turning would occasion; and that after he had thus Rioted the people, it would be no longer in his power to calm them: These reasons seem'd very pertinent to Mahomet Amcari; and as he had ever sped in following the other Councils given him by Aben Culeyman, he plainly saw, that this he then gave him, departed from a man consummated in the experi­ence of State Affairs: Wherefore he bethought himself of an indubita­ble expedient, which was to rid himself of Prince Almanzor. He was resolv'd not to communicate this thought to any other than the same Aben Culeyman; but that Wise Coun­cellour still endeavoured to divert him gently, and by the best reasons he could bethink himself of, from so wicked a design; being in no [Page 227] wise able to approve of so horrible a cruelty, and so base and black an action. Nevertheless perceiving he could not root this intention out of his mind, he was furiously vex'd; and having at last resolv'd upon ap­plying a fitting remedy, he thought it to be time to discover the secret of this Treason, to the Captain-Ge­neral, as to his best friend, and to the Prince his Masters most Faith­ful Servant. Muca being much sur­priz'd at such an infidelity, having confirm'd his friend in the design he already had, of preventing so great a mischief; after having con­certed together what they had to do, and promis'd one another the strict­est secresie, they resolv'd that Aben Culeyman should continue to put the Regent upon this matter, of which he made him the confident; and that he should endeavour to disco­ver by what byass he pretended to bring about his design, that so they might by the same means break all his measures.

This being their result, Aben Cu­leyman happening to be with Amcari alone, did not fail to put him upon [Page 228] that Chapter; and the Regent ha­ving told him, That finding the diffi­culties he had urg'd rational to all intents, he was resolv'd to overcome them, by causing the Prince to be Poyson'd; after which all things would be easie to him: Aben Culey­man having to this made him answer, That he was in the right; and ha­ving much ado to entertain the vexation he had on this account, he left him as soon as he could, and went in all hast to inform Muca. These two Trusty Servants, consider­ing the blackness of the Regents action, and of what a consequence it was to think of saving the Prince their Master, from the peril that was preparing against him, found there to be less evil in berea­ving the Traytor Mahomet Amcari of his life, and fail him in that occasion, that to keep his secret, to be Traytors to their Lawful King: Wherefore they both resolv'd to­gether, that they might make the less noise and disorder, to invite him one day to Dinner, and to seize on his Person while at Ta­ble: But in the mean while, for fear [Page 229] the Prince should fall into the Trap that was laid for him, while they were taking their measures for so hardy a design, they thought it convenient to inform the Queen of all that pass'd, that so she might be upon her Guard, against the Treason that was preparing against the Prince her Son. Whereupon Muca went to her with all Ex­pedition, in that retir'd House I men­tion'd; and having acquainted her with the Regents Perfidy, she was much afflicted; but she receiv'd comfort at the same, in having found such Loyal Persons as would discover it to her. Muca having intreated the Queen, to keep the matter very secret, as it highly be­came her to do, both for her Sons sake, and the whole King­doms; and having assur'd him, she might make account of him, and that he was resolv'd to dye for her Service; he return'd in all hast to the Court of Mahomet, the Re­gent.

CHAP. XXXI.

MAhomet Amcari, still contriving to work the Princes Death, and seeking for that purpose, the safest and least noisie means, caus'd a very rich Goyhrim, a Poyson'd Robe. Garment to be made, to make him a Present of, as is customary at certain times: And after having caus'd it to be well prepar'd, with a very subtile Poyson, sent it to the Prince, with a thou­sand other very gallant, and very curious Presents.

All those of the Queens Palace, seeing these Presents unfolded, were immediately transported with the beauty of that Vestment; all saying, That the Prince could not put on [Page 231] a finer: But the Queen being afraid of its being poyson'd, would by no means suffer him to wear it that day, no not so much as try it: And the Night being come, to see if she had any reason to harbour such apprehensions, she had it put upon a great Greyhound, that was found dead on the morrow, his Skin all cover'd with Sores.

Mahomet's malice and design being then past all doubt, this generous Princess being very Prudent, and having a Courage above her Sex; without making any noise of the thing she had discover'd, or of the resolution she had taken in her mind to punish such an attempt, sent to tell Mahomet Amcari the Regent, That the Prince would be very glad to see him, and she al­so, to discourse upon some mat­ters of consequence. And knowing him to be upon the way thither, she caus'd all her Guards to keep the entrance of the Gate, as if it were to do him honour; but with order, That none of his should be admitted in with him. As soon as he was entred, they seiz'd on [Page 232] his Person, and brought him into the Queens presence; who having reproach'd him with his perfidy, and told him how she knew all his Treacherous design, she had an Exe­cutioner call'd in, whom she had at hand on purpose for his Execu­tion, and had his Throat cut into the Bason of a Fountain that was in the Castle: Then having caus'd his Body to be laid upon an Ass, had it carry'd to Carbal, and so through all the Streets of that Ci­ty, follow'd by the publick Criers, who by sound of Trumpet, Pro­claimed he was in that condition, for having design'd to Poyson his King, and seize on the Crown; and after having left it in the pub­lick place, she caus'd his Head to be set upon the Gate of the Ci­ty.

She did not long defer coming to Carbal, with the Prince her Son; and entring the Palace, she sent im­mediately for the two Faithful Servants, who had revealed to her this most Trayterous design; and told them, That the obligation she lay under, for the Service they [Page 233] had both newly done her, was so great, that she knew not how to express the acknowledgement she had of it; that the only reward proportionate to it, was the Regency of the State; that she had had a design to give it to the one and to the other: but that as this great Authority which they both equally deserv'd, could not be divided, and that she was afraid of offending one of the two, if she gave it to the other, she was resolv'd to Go­vern the best she could her self, without giving any one that Ti­tle; but that she would ever manage all things by their Councils, and that they should ever be the first of the State after her. They were both very well satisfy'd with this resolution; and News being come of a Party that was framing in the West, she sent them both, as those in whom she had most con­fidence; namely, Aben Culeyman into the Kingdom of Thunis, and Muca into that of Morocco, with an absolute Authority, there to contain the People in their Duty. Where­upon they both departed from Car­bal, [Page 234] cover'd with Honour and Testimonies of Esteem and Affecti­on, which the Queen and Prince gave them, and took their way towards the Ponant, where they safely arriv'd; but in a short while after, Aben Culeyman falling ill, dy'd on the way: Muca spent his time in setting things in order, in a Kingdom he had so long since left; and Queen Omhalair remain'd sole Regent.

CHAP. XXXII.

QUeen Omhalair made it the whole study and application of her mind, to bring up well her Son, the Prince Jacob Almanzor, whom she had ever in her Eye. One day when that she was gone to Dine with him, in a Garden out of the Town, the Prince after Din­ner threw himself upon a Bed, in a Room where he fell a sleep; and a Spider having prick'd him in the Right Eye, his Face swell'd in such a manner, and put him to such great Pain, and occasion'd such dangerous Fits, as that he liv'd but seven days. [Page 236] The Queen laid his Death so to heart, that not being capable of re­ceiving any Consolation, or of sur­viving a Son, for whom she had so tender an affection; she fell into so great a Languishment, that all the Remedies of the Physicians in no wise easing her Malady, she dy'd fifteen days after him.

These two Deaths, so sudden and so close upon one another, occasion'd a mighty amazement in the Court, that was for some time in such a surprize, that their whole discourse was upon so extraordinary a thing. But at length, coming to think that there was none left of the Race of the Almanzors, to whom the Crown appertain'd by Succession; the Lead­ing men of the Arabians, and the Governours of the Provinces, began to make their Cabals. One of them, call'd Ali Abilhacheck, chancing to have more Friends than the rest, caus'd himself himself to be Pro­claim'd Caliph; and after having caus'd an Oath of Allegiance to be taken to him, and had his Corona­tion solemniz'd with great Pomp, with the Solemnity, and the Merri­ments [Page 237] that are wont to be practic'd in such like occasions; he began with rewarding those that rais'd him to the place he held, giving them Go­vernments and Employs; insomuch, that there was no body but on whom he conferr'd some savour: Besides this, he apply'd himself in good earnest to make regulations upon all abuses that were introduc'd into the Government, and to do Justice to all those that re­quir'd it of him, without making them wait; insomuch that he acquir'd in a short time not only a great Reputation, but also the friendship of all the people; they esteem'd themselves very happy in being govern'd by so good a King.

Thus ended the Line of the Aboul­valid Almanzors.