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 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 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 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 The Conjunction of the two Generals and their entrance into Castile 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 all that was necessary for the Invasion of Castile according to the resolution they had taken At last the two Armies that now 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 which the Christians call Betis and the Arabs Alguidalquibir the first Town they found in their Left was Vbeda 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 Vbeda they should but Exasperate the Moors and incur their inevitable ruine without any profit they sent immediately to beseech this General to hinder any 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 Vbeda 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 where having 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 This General
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 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 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 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 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 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 means of the great order with which they ran to the 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 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 reckoning Captain Aliculeyman who was very much wounded which extremely afflicted Muca It cost the Besieged little less who also lost in this occasion
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 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 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 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 March of the two Generals towards Valentia and Murtia and their Return to Cordoua 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 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 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 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 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 Order that Tariff left in Spain before his Departure thence 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 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
himself very much offended by an outrage done him by the King of Spain D. Rodrigo who is the nearest Neighbour you have in the North and I have found him true and upright in all he told me insomuch that you may have credence in him and I believe that if you would grant him the succours he requires there will be no great danger nor great trouble to try if all he says be true on the contrary with the help of God this may produce a great good and contribute to the encrease of your Kingdoms as we all desire that are your faithful Servants From the Palace of Morocco the 3 of the month Dulhises in the year 91 of the Hegira 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 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 A LETTER Praised be God our Soveraign Lord. The Supreme Ruler of the Arabs Vicar of God and Defender of his Law Valid Almanzor To the Noble Accomplish'd Virtuous and Trusty Knight Muca Governour of our Kingdoms of Africa Greeting THe Answer that is made to the Letter of Credence brought by the Count D. Julian is That his Proposal has been kindly receiv'd and that he has given very pertinent Reasons for it Wherefore it is convenient to attempt this Enterprize and to commit the Conduct of it to some good Captain who with a sufficient number of Horse and Foot should go to view the Country Then you shall give us a succinct account of the event of his Voyage and what you shall think convenient to be done that we may give orders accordingly In the mean while God take you into his keeping From our Palace of Carval in Arabia foelix on the 2 of the Moon of Sabben in the 92 year of the Hegira 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 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 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. Rodrigo enters a Cave that was at the Gates of Toledo and thinking to find Treasures therein finds only Presages of the loss of Spain 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 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 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
unjustly and by the force of thy Arms seiz'd on a Kingdom that appertains to me nevertheless I hope with the help of God to regain it in spight of thee But if it be not his will I beseech him to give me the Force and Courage to dye I and mine for the Justice of my Cause and for the Truth of our Faith rather than to groan under the Cruel Yoak that thou wouldst impose upon us beseeching him daily to give affairs that current as I desire From the Asturies of Oviedo the 9th of July of the Aera of Caesar 753. 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 A LETTER General Tariff Abenziet to Caliph Valid Almanzor Emperour of the Moors PRaise be given to the Soveraign God to whom alone is due Sacrifice and Prayer and afterwards to the most High and most Illustrious Caliph and Emperour of the Moors his Vicar the Buckler of God and Defender of his Law the most Noble Caliph Valid Almanzor whose good Designs may God bring about to the Happiness and Tranquillity of all his Subjects as is wish'd by Tariff Abenziet General of his Armies one of his least but most Faithful Servants Spain is absolutely conquer'd and rang'd under your Obedience 〈…〉 all the Nations have receiv'd the Yoak as far as their mighty high Mountains by the Spaniards called the Pirenees which parts their Kingdom from that of France And there is nothing more to conquer in all that vast extent of Land but a small corner of Earth amid very ragged Mountains where some Christians have taken refuge that is of no great consideration and a very great and Populous Town called Hispalis upon the Coasts of the great Sea for fear of introducing among your forces the Pestilence that rages in that place I have restor'd to Count Julian all his Lands as you promis'd him I salute your Grandeur and the Felicity of so many great successes In the midst of a great Province called Andalousia is a very populous Town where the King D. Rodrigo commonly had his Residence whose Death I have been lately inform'd of by one of his Relations I have settled there as Vice-roy with your good liking the Person of Abulcacim Adilbar your faithful Servant This City being proper to serve as Metropolis to the whole Kingdom which I make known to your Celcitude that you may order him as you shall please for your service Muca the Vice-roy of Africa has rendred great services in this Expedition where he was several times in danger of losing his Life insomuch that he doubtless merits a great Reward and hopes it from your Goodness and Magnificence May God heap his blessings daily upon you From Cordoua the 23 day of the Moon Rageb the year of the Hegira 94. 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 Pelage takes the City of Gixa from the Moors and burns it 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 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 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 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
confines upon France on the North and is separated thence by very high and very rugged Mountains by them call'd the Pyrenees We pass'd them Tariff and I in the Head of your Armies but we thought that it became us not to undertake the Conquest of another Kingdom than that of Spain without your Permission After having entred pretty far into the Country we Retired again without having lost any of our Men. I end in telling you That this Country is full of all sorts of Riches and that there is wherewithal to live very pleasantly and with all sorts of Conveniences Congratulating you for so many and such happy succrsses which I only inform you of in the Bulk leaving the particulars to Tariff who will give you an Account of all that is not in this Letter relieve me in the faults I have therein committed and with your Celcitude's leave will here find assurances of my Friendship praying God that he would assist you in all things with his Grace From the Palace of Morocco in Africa the 3d of the Moon Dulquesita the Year 94. 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 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 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 A Letter from Valid to the King of Thunis Praise be to God Amen THE most High and most Puissant Caliph Valid Almanzor Emperour of the Arabians to the most Wise and most Potent King of the Moors Grand Justiciar Warriour Martial and Defender of the Law of God Mahomet Gilhair Greeting with all sort of Tenderness and Amity I am under great Obligations of imparting to you the happy Event of the Enterprize I made upon the Kingdom of Spain since you had so great a share therein by the Succours you gave me for the Conquering of it But the Death of Prince Gilhair your Son has much diminish'd the joy I should have had and I have only to represent to you on this Occasion that since it has pleas'd Destiny or rather the Providence of our Great God so to ordain by one of his Decrees conceiv'd from the knowledge of men and reserv'd to his Eternal Science There is only Suffering with Patience the Evils he sends us and praise him in the mean while for the Benefits we daily receive from him For which reason I shall say no more to you upon this resting satisfied with shewing you how much I interest my self in all that concerns you through the peculiar Esteem I have of your Virtue through the acknowledgment I ought to have of all the Benefits I have receiv'd from you and the Amity you have ever had for me as your Good Relation And through a thousand other Reasons which Ismael the Bearer of this Letter will tell you whom I desire you to afford entire Credence as to the Proposals he shall make you in my Name that I shall reckon my self happy can they but Succeed as well as all your Designs for which I pray God with all my Heart From our Palace of Carbal the 4th of the Moon of Babeth the 2d day of the Year 94. The King of Thunis's Answer Praise be to God the Creator of all things to whom alone is due Sacrifice and Prayer THE Generous King of the Moors the Exalter of the Law of God and Extirper of his Enemies Mahomet Gilhair to the most Honour'd most Noble most Wise most Prudent and most Potent Emperour of the Arabians Valid Almanzor to whom the Great God give a Long and Happy Life as well as to all his Servants Health I am oblig'd to you for imparting to me the happy success of the Conquest of Spain which has afforded great joy and still more at the Proposal that has been made me in your name according to the Credentials you sent me To which I have no other answer to make but that I shall esteem my self very Happy that all you express your self desirous of be treated and accomplish'd in such manner as you shall please to order as a thing that absolutely depends on you I pray God to take you into his keeping From our Palace Royal of Thunis the 11th of the Moon of Rageb in the year 95. 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 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. Adilbar went to invest the City of Hispalis with his Army but is constrain'd to raise the Siege and return to Cordoua 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 to be made throughout
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 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 The Regent Amcari meaning to bereave Prince Almanzor of his Life is discover'd and punish'd for his Perfidy 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 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 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 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 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 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 Prince Almanzor's Death the Queen his Mother dyes of Grief in a short time after and Ali Abilhachek causes himself to be Proclaimed Caliph 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 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