poore Spanyards generally afflicted with miserie to repaire their own fortunes secure their lives and gaine their free-dom in multitudes took hold of the Proclamation forsook their Religion gave their daughters to the Moors in marriage and labored the ground the leading Deare were two Archbishops Consins to Don Roderigo one called Don Torifo the other Don Orpas before mentioned both of them forsaking Christ and assuming Mahomet for their God Yet the Mountanous Countries of the Asturias and Biscayans had not felt the invadors force into them for safetie many principall men and some of the blood royall had put themselves To subdue that remnant of people Tarif sent an armie of six thousand under the comand of Abrahen a Tartar and directions to the Garrisons adjoyning as occasion offered to assist him and with him hee also sent the two Renegado Bishops The Christians now Mountaniers elected a yong gentleman of the blood royall called Don Pelago to be their King unto whom they gave obedience and in him al their hopes remained When Abrahen was entred the Mountaines hee sent the Renegado Prelats with large promises of reward to perswade them to render When they came to Don Pelago's presence and had delivered their message hee bound them in ropes and from the top of an high rock they were tumbled where they ended their wretched daies and the same night the Tartar trusting to the Credit of the Renegado Priests negligent and carelesse Don Pelago gave a Canvasado upon his camp slew most of his men and retyred to his strength Abraheu with a few fled to Toledo where after for shame and greife hee died Tarif at his unfortunate successe was much troubled and by reason of his many garrisons not able to put an army into the feild to prosecute the war only strengthned the frontier untill hee received new directions from Almanzor But before his dispatches was made he received from Don Pelago a letter sent by a Moore prisoner wherein hee made known unto him his lawfull succession by the death of don Roderigo to the kingdome of Spaine and although God in his Justice had punished him for his offences yet in the same God he was confident not only to be defended from his force but enabled to recover his right and as for the two holy Ambassadors the Apostate Priests and his kins-men who were sent by him to perswade him to deny Christ and render subjection hee gave him notice of their deserved deaths and concluded before he would be guilie to his own dishonor in submitting himselfe to an Heathen or renounce the faith wherin he was Baptiz'd he would die if he had then a thousand lives Dated in the ninth of July 715 94. As Tarif was sorie to understand his resolution so was hee extreame glad to heare that Don Roderigo was dead whereof untill then hee had not assurance and in post dispatched a Packet to Almanzor giving him accompt of his Conquest how that all Spaine the Mountains of Biscay and the Asturias into which a few Chistians were sled and the Cittie of Sivilla not yet free from the plague excepted were reduced to his obedience Nevertheles because his garrisons were many the Mountaines by their natural strength almost in accessible hee humbly besought supplies not doubting but to yeeld him contentment in his charge Lastly he recommended unto his favor the good service of don Iulian and of Habdilbar who in the stead of the Prince of Tunis hee had made Governor of Cordova being in his opinion the meetest place for the Royall seat Almanzor though well pleased with Tarif's relation yet for his better information returned his pleasure by the same post Commanding him to make his present and personall repaire to his Court to substitute in his absence Habdilbar Governor of Cordova Leivetenant Generall of Spaine and to require Mura to returne to his goverment of the Moroccoes which had need of his presence In this meane while Don Iulian attended his domestick affaires at his towne of Villa Viciosa now called Malaga which being put in some good order hee sent into Affrica for his wife and daughter who during the war remained in Tangier But Florinda heart broken and comfortlesse transported with passion beyond her strength having locked a doore behind her ascended to the top of the highest Turret in her fathers Castle then calling for her Governesse shee prayed her to entreat her parents to come forth unto whome she desired to say somthing before shee died This stragicall summons being by them obeyed she cursed the day of her birth aswell in respect of the dishonor done to her as to be the cause of the slaughter of so many Christians the extinguishing of Religion and the utter subversion of so flourishing a Kingdome shee accused her father for his over-sharp revenge and her selfe shee censured unworthie of life in being the cause of such irreparable mischeifs after her prayers to God her request to her father was that from thence forth that town should be no more called Villa Viciosa but Malacho which signifieth Porque mala in memorie of her that there ended her life being the most unfortunate ill woman that ever lived and there with all not giving eare to the perswasions and teares of her aged parents shee cast her selfe head-long to the ground and dyed The third day following don Iulian oppressed with griefe fell instantly mad and killed himselfe with his punniniard The old Ladie for some longer time work-out a miserable life eaten with a Canker rotting living infamous and odious to all that beheld her For want of heirs don Iulian's lands fell by Escheate to Almanzor Tarif being imbarqued for Arabia Mura in his government and Habdilbar setled in his Leivetenacie of Spaine Mura fearing that Tarif would rob him of his honor due unto him and ascribe unto himselfe the Conquest of Spaine he sent his brother Ismael to make particular relation to Almanzor of his merrit and also in a letter he remembred his own actions his opinion how Spaine ought to be governed what forces were meet to finish the war described the kingdome praysed Tarif and advised Almanzor himselfe to come in person to take the posession of his Conquest Although that Tarif had fully instructed his master in all things that concerned Spaine yeâ— Ismael was welcome tâ— Almanzor who was never wearied to heare relations of his good successes gave satisfaction to Mura by Letter and stayed Ismael imploying him in Aprill 715 94 in an Ambassage to the King of Tunis aswell to condole with him the necessary death of his sonne who was executed in Spaine as to crave his daughter Omalhair in marriage for his eldest sonne Abilqualit In July following Ismael returned with answered agreeable to Almamzor's heart for reward of which service hee was made Aquazâ— de los Reges Moros which is agreeable in power with the President of Castile For the peopling of Spaine with Moores Almanzor published proclamations through out his
were victor and concludes that it were much better for them to die then over live their honors the third day of November in the yeere aforesaid the two brethren with drawne swords disputed their right the rivers were dyed with blood of the dead that fell on either part the battell continued from morning till Sun-set Abrahen slaine his Armie broken and every man sought the best he could for safetie wherunto the favor of the night gave good advantage As Abilqualit had reason to joy in so great a victorie so did he grieve at his brothers death whom he coveted in the love he bare to him rather to have been his prisoner then to have seene him dead In mourning garments with teares he followed his Corps to the Funerall his Cōmanders and Captaines did the like and was in pompe interred with his Ancestors in the Cittie of Zarvall In this battaill also Tarif received a sleight wound in the arme wherof he died to do him honor Abilqualit in black attended him to the grave wept over him and laid him by his brother these funeralls ended with a wrathfull heart in another forme he performed others causing execution to be done upon the cheifest that ranne his brothers fortunes the rest were pardoned and having ordered his affairs lately distempered lived in peace In Spaine the Governor Habdilbar by Cōmandement of his King prosecuted Don Pelago to be enformed of his strength he hyred a Renegado Spaniard to view his forces order and abyding places but taken by Pelago's guards was brought to him and tortured yet his wit and constancy quit him of suspition and being freed he returned to Cordova recounting to Habdilbar his perils and discovery assuring him that Don Pelago was weake in men and Arms and victuals that is strongest places were not dificil to winne and that the Christians were full of feare upon trust of these relations the governor selecting out of his garrisons twelve thousand choice foot for of horse there was no use marched towards the Mountaines All the force that Don Pelago did make exceeded not obove two thousand with these he resolved to make the best defence he might and reposing more confidence in his wit than in his sword he divided them into many parts placing them upon straits and advantage of ground yet so as they might upon all occasions second one another in the very first encounter which was in a boggie wood full of rocks formerly possest by the Christians and where an armie could not march informe Habdilbar was beaten put to a running retreit and lost two thousand besides hurt men and prisoners wherwith enraged to ease his Choller he hanged the Renegado Spie and in dispaire to prevaile against men that were inhabitants in such inaccessible grounds fortified by nature he lost the enterprise till a further time and returned to Cordova Abilqualit living in peace by an unlooked for accident was drawn into a new war which arose by the death of his father in law the King of Tunis who deceasing without any other heire than his daughter Abilqualit's wife that kingdome in right did appertaine to her Upon the report of his death the Arabian Monarch sent one of his great Commāders Abenmarchan in his name to take possession of the Realme which without contradiction was effected and the principall subjects sware their allegeance to him in the name of Abilqualit proclaming him King for a few monthes no disturbance appeared untill one called Haaken next heire male in blood to the deceased king repyning that the kingdome should fall to a distaffe and therby in subjection to a stranger valuing himself worthie therof by promise of reward and under-hand meanes alured many of the best qualitie to approve and favor his clayme his first enterprise was acted upon the person of Abenmarchan the governor in assaulting his house and killing him and his servants and that done proclamed himselfe King unto whom obedience was sworn Abilqualit having advertisment of his rebellion dispatched a Post the second of Aprill 719 98 to Mura his governor in Moroccoes with such forces as he could make presently to repaire unto him who with extream expedition imbarked twentie thousand horse and foot armed and victualled and shortly after arived in the port of Vaffa in Syria where Abilqualit had drawn to a head twentie five thousand foot and eight hundred horse with these troops over whom Mura was ordained Leivetenant general the king in person put himself to Sea and with favorable weather landed in the kingdome of Tunis To withstand the Assailant Hacen the usurping King leavied forces consisting of fortie thousand foot and eight thousand horse In the first encounter Abilqualit's losse was more than Hacens Among others of note Ismael the son of Mura was wounded to the death for which disaster Abilqualit being pensive Sir said the noble Mura his father my sonne came not hither for spoile to win honor and to do you service were his ends if he die it imports not much for being borne to dye his dayes are crowned with glory in finishing them where your eyes are witnes of his valor The day following being the ninth day of October 121 100 the Armies joyned Hacen was overthrown and Abilqualit in triumph made his entrie into the Cittie of Tunis but not accompting his victorie compleat except Hacen's sonne were in his possession he proclamed large rewards to him or them that could bring him alive or dead Miserable Hacen driven to extremities was glad to cover himself in a desolate Cave where being bayed by Shepheards dogs he was discovered taken and brought bound to Abilqualit Instead of humilitie the inherent qualitie to unfortunate men hee used unreverent speech which breeding passion in the Conqueror produced Tyrannicall effects in impaling him upon a stake wheron after five dayes torment he dyed the men of qualitie that assisted Hacen being executed the Countrie setled and Abrahen Hacen left governor Abilqualit sailed to the Levant and tryumphantly returned to his Cittie of Zarvall where resting himselfe but a while he went in devotion to Mecca to adore the Sepulcher of Mahomet In his journy homewords through the desarts the sands moved by winde buried three thousand of his traine himselfe and the rest escaped with great danger The yeere following Almanzor consumed with languishing diseases the third day of the Moone Rageb in the hundred and second yeere of the Hixera in anno domini 723 102 died being the seventith yere of his age the fortie one of his reigne before the resignation of his Crown and the seaventh of his Monasticall life of whose death as soone as Abilqualit had knowledge he dispatched messengers to all the great officers throughout his dominions to give them notice of it that according to the accustomed manner in the like occasions they should command blacks to be worne by the better sort of people in all Citties pray for his Soule and give almes He was buried in the Mountain of Nue in a sumptuous
particular governments Though the traitorly Protector liked not the reply nothing squaring to his end yet he gave him not over hoping at last to win him to his bent but he like an honest loyall Patriot stifly persevered in his disswasions after many assaults seeing no end of the Protectors tentations afflicted in his Soule to ease himselfe and give remedy to the danger which necessarily must ensue if he smothered it unto himselfe he resolved to breath it out unto Mura the Governor of the Moroccoes then being at the Court and highly esteemed for his valour wisdom wealth and dignitie unto him he discovered the treason to prevent it they found no other meanes so good as to know what course the protector would take in the execution therof wherfore it was agreed that Abenzulayman should seeme to like of the motion he repaired to the protector approved the designe who told him that he had resolved upon poyson as the safest from danger and least subject to hurt which was not by the other contradicted Abenzulayman with a heavie heart returned to Mura and in detestation of the intended plot they resolved to take the Protectors life but if they failed in the enterprise lest perill might ensue to the yong king and his mother Mura by consent went to the Monastery to give her a foreknowledg of it who at the first stood fearefully amazed but by Mura's stronger spirit received comfort and he poasted back to the Protectors Court In this meane while the Protector attended his treasons and sent the king for a present a rich garment imbroidered with pearle and stone artificially and substantially poysoned The carefull Queene fearing what she found true would not suffer the King who was glad of his new Coat to put it on but the same night fastned it about a Greyhound who in the morning was found dead swolth and readie to burst The Queene like a wise Ladie dissembled her just displeasures returned letters and messengers of thanks both in the kings name and her own and earnestly desired him to make his present repaire to the King about businesse of importance which could neither admit delay nor his absence Against his comming guards were set upon the gates by whom he was taken bound and brought to the Queene where being charged of manifest treason which could not be denyed he was suffocated in a vessell of water his dead bodie laid upon an Asse and carried through the streets a cryer published the cause of his deserved death Mura and Abenzulayman had their severall hopes to succeed in the Protector-ship but the Queene foreseeing the troubles that might ensue either in joyning them in commission or to preferre the one before the other assumed the government of the King and his estate into her own hands which displeased neither Mura highly rewarded returned to the government of his Provinces and Abenzulaman had the kingdom of Tunis committed to his charge but died upon the Sea in his passage thither All things being in peace and orderly setled the Queene in her government feared and loved The yong king in perfect health suddanly when no cause of feare appeared sorrow and discomfort tryumphed the instrument of their victorie was a Spyder which accidentally falling from the roofe of the Chamber lighted upon the Kings face where he slept and bit his eyelid the venom wherof infecting the blood inflamed his face and from thence dispersed it selfe into the other parts where getting the masterie within seaven daies he died and the Queene the fifteenth day following with overmuch abstinence from meat ended her life in sorrow The death of this yong King was the ruine and utter subversion of the Sarazen Monarchy himselfe being the last of the great Almanzor's issue yet he wanted not kinsmen but their titles were intricate and ambiguous which stirred up pretenders amongst whom Abenhachech prevailing by his friends was Crowned King at Zarvall wherof Mura in the Moroccoes having notice and antient malice depending between him and the new king sensible of his own power assembled his Leivetenants and Captains and by their unanim Consent was proclamed king of the Provinces under his charge which greatnes of his was determined by his death in anno 727 106 he left two sonnes tender infants the elder not past seaven yeere old Their Fathers Kingdom was torn from them and divided by foure of his Leivetenant Governors styling themselves Kings of their Provinces namly of Morocco Fez Suz and Ducdo The Governors of Tunis and Sarsall now Argier set Crowns upon their heads and assumed the name of Kings Abentirix governor of Damasco erected his province into a Kingdom afterwards killing in a battell the new king Abenhachech was proclamed king of the Arabians and Monarch of the Moores divers other Provinces in the East revolted and became Kingdomes Habdilbar who had governed Spaine many yeeres following the example â—f Mura devored in his conceit that Monarchy but the inferiour governors tickled with particular ambitions taking hold of occasion refused his obedience yet of Cordova he made himselfe King And the Provinciall Governors of Granado Valentia Murcia Castilia Tolledo Arragon and Biscay erected their governments into kingdomes and in after tymes by their dissentions many other pettie places in Spaine were so intituled which gave advantage to the Spaniards to recover their lost Patrimony detained by the Moores from the conquest made by Tarif in anno 924 93 and not fully no gained untill in anno one thousand foure hundred nintie two Granado was Conquered by Don Ornando Catolico and Donna Isabella Kings of all Spaine Portugall excepted of seaven hundred seaventie eight yeeres This great Empire of the Arabians Sarazens or Moores begun by Mahomet increased for the space of one hundred and foure yeeres from East to West It contain'd more leagues then the Roman Empire and that excepted without all doubt it was the greatest that ever obeyed one Monarch In Europe they had Spaine the most part of France the Islands Majorca Minorca Scicillia Malca Sardinia Corfica Candia Cypres Rhodes and all most all the rest in the Mediterranean sea In Italie Puglia and Calabria and all the best maretine townes in Greece In Affrica they possest a great part of AEthiopia the Kingdoms of AEgipt Tunis Argier Tremeson Ducdo Fez Suz Morocco and others In Asia the three Arabies Persia Mesopotamia Syria the two Armenias most part of the lesser Asia and all the kingdoms to the Eastward of Persia even to the river Indus which ample Monarchy so largly extended after the yong Kings death brake as Alexanders did And as the Ambition and dissention of his Leivetenants rent his Conquest into severall kingdoms so did twentie seaven Governors of the Sarazens Empire divided and share those Dominions among them And as time reduced them to nothing so were these kingdoms in so much as at this present there is not one powerfull King upon the earth that can vaunt himselfe to be derived from the Arabian blood but the King of Morocco the rest of that Empire is now possest by Christians Turkes Persians other Mahometans and Gentiles Hee never chose rich Tyrant to his Councell nor abhorred the poore just man Hee never denyed Justice to a poore man for his povertie nor pardoned the rich man for his goods Hee never left ilnesse unpunished nor goodnesse without reward Hee never Committed to another Justice that was cleere nor darke judgment he never determined by himselfe alone Hee never denyed Justice to them that demanded it nor mercy to those that deserved it He never did correct any in anger nor promised reward in his mirth Hee never was charged with thoughts in prosperitie nor dispaired in adversitie Hee never opened his gates to Flatterers nor laid his eares to Murmurers He never Committed ill for malice nor any villany for averice He ever labored to be beloved of them that were good and to be dreaded of those that were ill He ever favored the poore man observed the just law of the godly THIS Writing of the life of Jacob Almanzor was finished in the Castle of the City of Cufa on the 4th day of the Moone of Rabek the first in the 110th yere Praised be God Amen
Almedina and tooke it by force This first good fortune wrought the effect he desired for instantly by his Army he was saluted Calipha which interpreted is King and because his creation hapned upon a Friday that day was ordayned by him to be their Sabbaoth His next conquest was the City of Mecca where he triumphed in the blood of his neighbour Citizens which was not spared and proclaimed death to all those that did not embrace his Doctrine The Princes and great men in Arabia opposite unto him assembled all their forces Mahomet being too weake was overthrown wounded and fled to Mecca yet in the end the warre continuing he prevailed and reduced the three Arabies under his subjection Grown great and glorious with his victories and at that time the Emperor of Constantinople and King of Persia being men of weake and tame Spirits he invaded their Dominions and with a conquering sword triumphed over Syria the City of Jerusalem the kingdome of Mesopotamia and Persia the great City of Babylon with other Eastern Provinces of all which as of the Arabies he styled himselfe King being now grown eldeâ— by his inordinate life in the state of his body then in yeeres which exceded not fifty seven full of glory as well in regard of his large Empire as in opinion of sanctity in being esteemed a Prophet and weary with warre with a fained holynesse under which maske he intended to take his ease sequestred himself from publique affaires committing the government of his estates to the Lievetenants within in three yeeres following which was in Anno Domini 631 the sixtith yeere of his Age and the tenth of his Reign he died Upon his death-bed he commended unto his principal Commanders the care and use of his fantasticall Law assuring them that it was agreeable to the will of God and that so long as they and their posterity should hold and maintaine it they should flourish This false Prophet and usurping Prince pretended paternally to discend from the Patriarch Abraham by his eldest Sonne Ismael and to avoyd the infamie of an unlawfull bed his successors affirmed that Ismael was the Sonne of Sara not of the bond-woman Agar whereupon the Arabians which is the undoubted name of that people are by some writers of Ismael called Ismalites by others of Agar Agarens And of Sara Sarazens but in this latter time they are distinguished by the name of Arabians Moores and Mahometans the first is proper only to those which inhabit in Arabia the Mores are the progeny of such Arabians as after their Conquests seated themselves in that part of Affrica the Manometans is the generall name of all nations that professe Mahomet as Turks Tartars Persians c. Of the successors of Mahomet until the yeere of our Lord 673 the writers vary in opinion both in name and number of the Caliphaes and in the yeeres of their reignes the reason that begat their errors proceeded from the dissention that happened about the succession amongst Mahomet's kinsmen evermore anti-Caliphaes starting up with pretended titles in opposition to him that had the Diadem whereof some were murthered and others deposed so as the writers either out of ignorance not able to discerne the truth or wilfully partiall have erred Notwithstanding their civill tumults they kept Mahomet's Dominions and inherited his fortunes for every of them added somwhat to his Monarchie where by they became fearfull to the world and potent in Asia Affrica and Europe The fourth Calipha agreed upon by Historiographers was callded Hozman or Azman husband to Mahomet's daughter who perceiving that in this upstart Religion Schisms and diversities of opinions began to rise by the helpe of his wifes mother recovered Mahomet's papers wherein his law was written which hee caused to be digested into one volume contaning foure books divided into 206 Chapters and called it the Alcoran commanding the same to be published upon paine of death to be observed by his subjects Hee was a great Conqueror and wan much upon the Christians but this discourse treateth not of his particular actions or of his successors untill the reigne of Abilqualet Iacob Myramamolin surnamed Almanzor which interpreted is the defendor of the law of God sonne to Abilqualet Calipha of the Arabians who seeing his sonnes abilitie to govern himselfe by reason of yeres exceeding 70 unable to mannage publique affaires in the yeere of Christ 675. resigned his Scepter unto him Without comparison hee was the greatest Monarch then living upon the earth The seat of his Empire as his predecessors accustomed was at Zarvall in Arabia Foelix from east to west his dominions were bounded with the river Indus in Asia and the Atlantick seas which in length exceeded the Roman Empire The conquests he made were admirable all which in this collection are omitted untill the 37 yeere of his reigne in which he attempted the conquest of Spaine abreviated out of two Arabique writers translated into Spanish in anno 1606. Both the Authors living in his time the one a Captaine in that war and the other for 20 yeeres together of Almanzors chamber and after his death a Provinciall Governor in Arabia Foelix In the yeere of our redemption 712. Don Roderigo in the right of Don Sancho his elder brothers Soone then in minoritie swayed the Spanish Monarchie having so faire a Jewell in his possession and unwilling to loose kingly power after so long use of it his impostumed heart swolne with Ambition poysned in the center restles and care full he only held and approved such Counsel without respect of conscience or honor as might worke his end The way to fixe the Crown to his head which while his Nephew lived sat loose was to deprive him of his life Anagilda mother to Don Sancho fearing what shee suspected and suspecting no lesse then there was cause had a watchfull eye over her sonne as much afflicted how to avoyd harme as Don Roderigo was perplexed how to contrive it The first project was to poyson him at a banquet but the mothers care prevented the innocents danger that failing hee corrupted one Ataulpho his Favorite to kill him Ataulpho not prodigall of his life which he knew to be in danger both in hot and cold blood after a murther perswaded Don Roderigo to frame some coulourable accusations against him and once in prison hee might at leasure without any perill act what he listed Ataulpho was presently sent with commission to apprehend Don Sancho then resident in Cordova promise of reward gave him wings in his post at midnight the Prince was taken in his bed carried out of the towne and committed to guard Anagilda though greived beyond expression with the accident yet being a Ladie of great spirit armed such servants and friends as shee had pursued Ataulpho besiedged the Castle where hee and her sonne were tooke it by force him prisoner slewe the rest and recovered the Prince which done trussing up her treasure and jewels with a small trayne
The true and liuely portraiture of the honourable and learned Knigâ—â— Sr Walter Ralegh THE LIFE AND DEATH OF Mahomet The Conquest of Spaine Together with the Rysing and Ruine of the Sarazen EMPIRE Written by Sr. WALTER RALEIGH Kt. LONDON Printed by R. H. for Daniel Frere and are to be sold at the red-Bull in little-Brittain Anno Dom. 1637. To the most worthily honored CAREW RALEIGH Esq and one of his Majesties CHAMBER Noble Sr MEETING of late this stragling Orphan hitherto cloystred up in privat Bosoms and entertain'd a choyce Purchas and finding it by the stile thereof and my good Intelligence to be natively derived from your Fathers worth I am bold to make my addresse to you the true Heire of your Fathers excellencies If you please to Patronize it the world shall see with what Pietie you celebrate his blessed memorie and all studious Proficients who from this small Hive will gather much sweetnes shall acknowledg themselves bound to you as I am In all dutie and observance DANIEL FRERE PErlegi hunc librum in quo nibil reperio sanae fidei aut bonis moribus contrarium THO WEEKES R.P. Epo. Lond. Cap. domest THE Life and Death of MAHOMET MOst writers accord that Mahomet which name in the Arabique signifies Indignation or Furie was the sonne of Abdalla a Marchant in Mecca a City in Arabia Faelix his mother a Jew and himselfe in Anno Dom. 571. borne Posthumus At the second yeere of his age his mother deceased a poore woman that labored for her living bred him up at 16 yeers of age he became a Marchants bondman his Master pleased with his wit and dexterity made him his Factor He dead Mahomet being then twenty five yeeres old married his Mistris and untill the thirty eighth yeere of his age he industriously followed his trade of Marchandize avoiding no personall travel as well in the kingdoms of AEgypt Syria and Persia as elswhere where profit might arise Being then satisfied with wealth given to ease he began to think on his Soule whereof in his travels he had not been negligent having been curious to understand the Religions of the Jews and Christians which compared with the Idolatrie wherein he was originally trayned thirty yeeres did worke in him assurance that Paganisme was the way to perdition but to whether of these to incline he stood doubtfull At last falling in company with two Christian Artificers inhabitants in Mecca by conversation with them who read the old and new Testament unto him for himselfe was unlettered he approved Christianisme for the best and was of opinion that thereby only a man might attaine unto Salvation and accordingly he framed his life which bred admiration in them that knew him and gave him a greater reputation than he did expect But this hasty spring was quickly blasted for the Devill taking advantage upon his weaknes enflamed his heart with pride which wrought in him a desire to be esteemed a Prophet thinking all other attributes of Religion and sanctity to be but vile and base To aspire unto that opinion he embraced a solitary life retyring to a Cave in the Mountains where he lived free from the ordinary conversation of men repaired seldom to his own home and his speeches mixt with gravity and holynesse teaching good life and beating downe Idolatry moved not only such as saw him to admire but the rest also that heard by other mens eares held him to be a Saint To increase this opinion of sanctimony of the falling sicknesse wherewith he was afflicted he made good use for he gave it out when he fell into his fitts incident to that disease that he conferred with the Angell Gabriell by whom the pleasure of God was revealed unto him and that his Trances proceeded through the weaknesse of his earthly Carcase that was astonished at the divine presence of the heavenly Ambassador Grown now famous he thought it necessary to divulge into the world some works in wrighting whereby his name might encrease His best help was a Jew scribe who for want of a better scholler he entertained but shortly after his Master the Divell the Church of Christ then laboring with the sicknes of many Haeresies procured the acquaintance of a Christian called Sergius born in Alexandria by profession a Monke and by infection a Nestorian wittie eloquent and learned who having mist of some Ecclesiasticall preferment which in his opinion he had deserved full of despight and revenge in a divelifh discontent sought as well to raise a scandall upon the Christian Religion as upon the professors thereof the readiest way to kindle this fire he found to be Mahomet who as is already said had won some extraordinary opinion of sanctity After some conference between them the Jew for insufficiency was discharged Sergius being fully informed how Mahomet had hitherto proceeded made him to understaud how weakly and grossly he had erred in fundamental points necessary for the advancement of a new Religion and cunningly shewed him not only the meanes how to smoothe his past errors without scandall but to compose a new treatise collected out of the old and new Testament with devised additions that should give credit to his Doctrine and humor the hearers which being divulged amongst the Idolatrous people who were easily caught spread the poyson it contained over all the Arrabies but the wiser sort fearing as they had cause that the setling of a new Religion might also draw with it a new forme of government opposed themselves against it calling Mahomet an Imposter reproving his hypocrisie and taxing his sensualitie and drunkennesse of both which hee was guilty and sent to apprehend him whereof Mahomet from some of his frends in Mecca having notice left his Cave and fled to the Desarts the sixteenth of July 622 from which flight the Turks begin their computation Athegira unto whom divers Novelists resorted as also such as the Estates had banished for approving his late coyned trash This swarme of Wasps being stirred nothing but revenge could ease their hearts Mahomet willingly taking the advantage there offered enlarged his thoughts holding it now lesse difficill for him to obtaine a kingdom then the title of a Prophet which he had obtained To make a smoothe way to his enterprise by underhand meanes he exasperated the heady Novelists whereof there were many of wealth and estimation to be sensible of their banishment and to repaire their wrongs by force himselfe recounted unto them Revelations which assured him that God was displeased with the Meccans for the rigorous persecuting of him and his Sectuaries that God willed to chastize their Tyranny of victorie he was assured and whosoever of them died in that holy Warre his Soule should presently ascend to Heaven with these and such like motives the giddy people encouraged and seduced elected Mahomet to be their Chiefe who ordayning Officers Captaines and receiving an Oath of fidelity as well from them as from their troops marched to the City of
enemy but with this ill passage for don Ruero the kings Standard bearer fell suddainly dead from his horse and brake the staffe which wrought effects of feare in many not long after these puissant Armies lodged close together The first three daies from morning to night with much but equall losse they skirmished The day folowing being the third of October 714 94 the most of their troopes on either side were drawn forth the Moores lost 10000 foote and 300 horse the Christians 3000 foote and 800 horse together with don Almeriq their Leivetenant Generall after one daies rest they sought againe from noone til night in which on either part much blood was drawn and Mahomet the King of Tunis sonne and don Iulian grievously wounded The next day with equall desire of revenge they encountred but stormy weather parted the quarrell not without great slaughter The wednesday following their forces joyned the Christians were broken and routed and few escaped the edge of the sword But don Roderigo by the goodnes of his horse escaped Tarif prosecuting the victorie marched to Cordova and with out resistance tooke it but in his heart not satisfied because the King was fled hee proclaimed that whosoever would bring his person to him either alive or dead should be honored and rewarded according to his owne content Hope of gaine provoked divers aswel Christians as Moores and Renegadoes to make search for him and a man cloathed like the King and for the king was presented to Tarif but in examination it appeared it was a shephard with whom the king his horse being tyred changed his garments but what that man was or whether he went he knew not after that he was nevermore heard of and of his issue no mention is made by any writers but of one daughter named Donna Eligona a Ladie of incomparable beautie who was a sucking infant when her Father died Of her a few words by way of digression is not impertinent Shee was fostered by one Cratilo her fathers servant and as his child amongst his children nourished with whom shee lived concealed untill shee was 24 yeeres old Cratilo would have married her to his sonne but shee disdained the match A Nephew of Cratilo's being passionately in love with her maliced his Cousen and to breake the match which still hee feared hee discovered the concealed Ladie to Abdalices Generall in Spaine for the Monarch of the Arabians that then was who fell in love with his Captive and tooke heâ— to wife permitting her the exercise of her own Religion Not long after hee rebelled and in his wives right proclaimed himselfe King of Spaine his Captaine and Leivetenants fearing that his love to his wife would make him to turne Christian slew him in his house the Queene frighted with the murther being great with child fell in labor and died In her the issue of don Roderigo the last King of the Gothish blood in Spaine fayled The Queene Roderigo's wife was taken in her Pallace at Cordova whom Tarif used with al humanity and left her in the Custodie of Mahomet prince of Tunis not yet recovered of his late hurts and for his assistance a Moore named Habdilbar Then dividing his armie into two parts the one himselfe toward the Citie of Granada and Mura with the other marched into Andaluzia but before he departed from Cordova he erected Mahometan Mosquetos leaving certain churches for Christian service The Prince of Tunis carefully tended his faire charge but in seeking to keep her â—ost himselfe his first attempt was to perswade her being born a great Princesse and neere in blood to Almanzor to returne againe to the Mahometan law which â—f she would doe he was sure that Almanzor would restore her kingdome unto her and if shee could cast her love upon him hee would labor to merrit it and be her faithfull servant The Ladie like a strong sort with stood his assults and all his payments were denyalls for she was resolved neither to returne to her â—omit nor to be his mistris His love increasing shee prevailed with him to receive baptisme and that done she yeelded to be his wife both which were secretly solemnized by a Christian Priest Not many daies after Sisiberta one of the Ladies which was taken with the Queene when by tempest shee was driven into Spaine and with her had received baptisme for the loved a yong Moore renounced Christianitie and betrayed the late marriage wherewith she was trusted unto Habdilbar Tarif being by him advertized of the accident commanded him to imprison the married couple and the Priest but because the King of Tunis was great Prince hee durst not proceede against them as hee desired before the King had been advertized of his sonnes acts which at large in writing well testified hee sent unto him The King enraged returned his expresse pleasure to behead him unlesse hee would imbrace the Mahometan law But these yong Princes neither repenting their baptisme nor fearing the sentence of death like constant Martyrs with the Priest that married them were executed their bodies cast into a ditch but afterwards by stealth in the night buried by Christians The two Generals Tarif and Mura with Conquering swords by force and Composition in South Spaine bare all before them the Cittie of Hispalis now Sevill only excepted which they forbare my approach fearing the plague wherewith it was visited their troops over travailed and spent with long Marches ordinarie duties whereto Armies in the field are subject and want of Cloathes required rest which moved the Generalls to retreite to the Randevous at Cordova where after supplies of provision made and the soldiers refresh't they concluded to joyn their forces and to invade Castile in which Province their Armie found small resistance the weaker places sent submission before summoning the strongeâ— yeelding upon Composition so that in a maÌ„neâ— they might say as Caesar Veni Vidi Vici with this prosperous success they marched over the mountaines Pyrene untill they came upon the French ground their desires led them further but the great Almanzor's Commissions listed them within Spaine which Counsailed their retreite through Arragon Vaâ—entia aud Murcia leaâ—ing every where as they marched in places fit to be held sufficient garrisons with the â—est they returned to Cordova In all those Conquests Don Iulian accompanied the Generalls and for reward of the good service he and his kinsmen and followrs had done Tarif authorized bâ— Almanzor did not only possesse them of the lands they had but gave them larger bounds lâ—â—censed them to deparâ— to their dwellings and attend their husbandrie For by the war the Countrie was meerly wasted Then his care was how to hold that hee had gotten the way to keep it was to plans Collonies the want he found was women to supply that defect the women of Arabia and Affrica being unwilling to com into Spaine hee proclamed the same immunities to the Christian-men and women if they would adore Mahomet as the Moores had The
hee conversed only with learned men hearing them dispute and argue upon such propositions as he offered when any doubts arised himselfe would turne the bookes and moderate their disputations that day they din'd with him and when the questions had been sufficiently disputed he gave them at their departure new propofitiōs for them to thinke upon against the next thursday To understand the humor and disposition of his people and his officers integritie he would many times goe guised into the Cittie in the habit of a priest souldier begger or Marchant It is to be noted that in those daies the Arabians used to weare vailes over their faces speaking freely of the King and his officers and soothe the company he was in whereby hee enformed himselfe both of his own faults and theirs which being discovered held his subjects in generall in such awe as when three or more were talking together it passed for a by-word Take heed least Almanzor heare you he was such an enemie to idlenesse as that he was ever busied in some virtuous exercise and made a law that all snch persons of what condition soever did not spend their time in some profitable or laudable Art should be reputed infamous he built and finished in his life time five hundred and six principall Mosquitas eightie and two Hospitalls and as many Colledges for schollers endowed them with great possessions every yeere at his own charge he bestowed in marraige one thousand mayden Orphants the almes he gave was admirable by land and sea he won 86 battails in 13 of them he was personally present and in them he took five Kings prisoners and slew one the spoile evermore was indifferently divided amongst the soldiers the widdowes and children of the slaine had their shares reserved for them in his librarie after his death there was found fiftie five thousand seven hundred twentie two volumes of books containing in wrighting one thousand two hundred nineteen Quintals of paper each Quintall being an hundred weight to get that masse together hee proclamed throughout his Dominions rewards to such as could present books which he had not wherin his bountie exceeded at last broken with yeeres and infirmities and residing in his Monasterie sometimes he would admit his antient servants to visit him His discourses for the most part were either heavenly contemplations or of his sonne desiring above all earthly joyes to heare that he were a good and a just king his sicknes increasing he sent him admonitorie Letters advising him not to presume upon his regall estate which was fraile subject to mutation within Limits vaine unasured to humble himselfe to the Creator God eternal by whom kings were ordained whose power was infinite everlasting and supreame That above all things he should be carefull to administer Justice without partialitie and avoyd severitie wherin he should imitate the King of glorie who was goodnes it selfe and from whom all our good works did spring if he swarved from his rules his Justice was Injustice his Clemencie tyrannie his Charitie avarice all his actions wicked That he ought not to be ignorant that his wisdome was but foolishnes his mercie extended but to externe things pardoning of sinnes was not in his power his Justice streched no farther then corporall afflictions over mens soules he had no power Therefore he wished him not to glorie in his earthly greatnes to contemplate upon the humane miseries wherunto all flesh is subject and that neither his vast Empire or Kingly power was able to draw one drop of raine from the Clouds nor to make a green leafe or free him from wordly vexations That hee should evermore thinke upon his end remember that he was a miserable and wretched sinner that after this life he was to render an exact accompt unto the Soveraigne King the Creator of all things that the accompt of Princes were greater and more fearefull then meaner mens which duly cōsidered he must conclude that neither himselfe his dominions or power were to be esteemed pretious Hee admonished him to beware of pride calling her the right hand of the devill the path of perdition the nurse of sin the gate of hell the principall hooke wherwith the infernall spirit draws miserable Soules into his burning lake he willed him to tread her under foot and not to overjoy in his death For if Kings had the true feeling of their duties they would rather mourne and fast at their Coronations then feast and triumph as is accustomed That he should no time make or beare with a Ly for Lyers are divels in flesh enemies to truth subverters of justice fyrebrands of sedition causers of rebellion destroyers of kingdoms to themselves thus much harmefull that when they speake truth they are not beleeved Lastly he admonished him to performe the service of God before all his other actions to adore him in singlenes of heart and humility to be just in judgements charitable and in his wayes direct and then he might be sure that God would blesse him both in this world and in the world to come from his house of Albasadin the twentith day of Rageb anno 96. Although he felt his disease incurable yet the Phisitions ceased not to put him in hope of recovery after some reproofes he thanked them for their endevors but said he the daies of men are limited and the will of God must be obeyed your learning practice connot adde unto me one daies life beyond the prefixed day wherin I must die From the begining of my sicknes I knew my disease was mortall it is a vanitie to speake of impossibilities I cannot live and I thanke my God that deilivers me from the calamities of this miserable world which said he comanded his sonnes Abilqualit and Abrahen the Infant Abrahen to be brought to his presence whom he admonished to live in brotherly love that their concord would be as a wall of brasse in their defence that their dissention would hazard the dissolution acquired by him and his Ancestors and turning his speech to his yongest sonne I Comand you said he upon paine of my malediction to reverence and obey King Abilqualit your brother honor and serve him in stead of me as your Father and Lord. Then casting his eys upon Abilqualit required upon the same to love and cherish his brother Then causing himselfe to be raised in his bed he sent for his kinsmen great officers and servants unto whom he made a large speech of the miseries of this life of the eternall joyes he was going unto and prayed them to let him know whether he were indebted unto any of them for rewards or otherwise that he might take present order for their satisfaction and also humbly besought them that they would forgive him all his offences towards them as he freely pardoned them in all wherin thy had offended him for God said he will never at the latter day extend his mercies to the mercilesse and further as an argument of eheir