按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
d spare all their property； that they might freely act as they wished regarding both that and their persons； and those who wished to stay in the city might remain in their old state as before； and as for those who wished to depart they might do so at once with all that they possessed。 They all raised their hands to Heaven； and threw themselves on the ground in thankfulness for such gentle treatment。 While the King was thus engaged there came men to tell him that his troops were robbing the city； and he at once tool； measures to prevent this； and everything was returned to its owner； but as in such cases as these the conquered are content merely with their own liberty； laying little store by anything they may get back； great robberies took place； and some of these afterwards came to the ears of the King； and those who had done it were soundly chastised。
In a short time the defeat of the Ydallcao was known all over India； and also in other regions of the interior； he being a great lord in these parts； and as soon as the news was carried to Zemelluco and Madremalluco and Destuy and Virido； and also to other lords who were like slaves to the king Daquym；＇564＇ although in some measure they rejoiced since they wished him ill； yet on the other hand they began to be fearful for their own safety。＇565＇ So they all took measures to send their envoys； and these found the King still inside the city of Rachol。 Astonished though they were to see that the King had captured so strong a city； they were much more surprised to see how great was his power and how numerous his troops。 Having arrived where he was they gave him the letters they had brought； and these were forthwith read。 In these the chiefs told the King that he ought to content himself with having defeated the Ydallcao as he had done； and ought not to wage further war； they begged him of his goodness to return to the Ydallcao that which he had so taken from him； and that if he did so they would always obey whatever he commanded； but if he was not of a mind to this； then he must know for certain that they would be compelled to turn against him and forthwith join the Ydallcao； for whom they would speedily recover that which he had now lost。 The King； seeing what was contained in the letters； answered them in the following manner by one single letter to them all； 〃Honoured Madremalluco； and Zemelluco； Descar； and Veride； and all others of the kingdom of Daquym； I have seen your letters； and thank you much for what you have sent to say。 As regards the Ydallcao； what I have done to him and taken from him he has richly deserved； as regards returning it to him that does not seem to me reasonable； nor am I going to do it； and as for your further statement that ye will all turn against me in aid of him if I do not do as ye ask； I pray you do not take the trouble to come hither； for I will myself go to seek ye if ye dare to await me in your lands； and this I send you for answer。〃 And he commanded to give many gifts to the messengers； and giving his letter to them sent them away。
CHAPTER 13
How a number of people left the city； and the King did much kindness to them。
Many people left the city； and to many who had nothing wherewith to depart the king commanded to give all that was required for their journey。 Here the King stayed some days； after having made all the arrangements that were necessary for the government of the city； and after repairing the walls he left behind him sufficient troops to guard the place； and took the road to the city of Bisnaga； where he was received with great triumphs； and great feasts were made and he bestowed bountiful rewards on his troops。
As soon as the festivals were ended he went to the new city； and； being there； they told him how there was entered an ambassador of the Ydallcao。 Already he knew that an ambassador had come but he pretended that he did not know； since it is not customary for the King to send out to receive any ambassador （on his arrival）。 Since this ambassador was in the city of Bisnaga； knowing that the King was in the new city； which is two leagues from Bisnaga； he betook himself thither； and close to the city bade the people pitch his tent； which was the best and most beautiful and rich that up to that time had ever been seen in those parts。 This ambassador was called Matucotam； he brought with him one hundred and fifty horse and much people to serve him and many pack animals； among which were certain camels。 He brought also two of the scribes of the chamber of the Ydallcao； so that indeed you would believe that he had brought all the power of the Ydallcao 〃pera segumdo elle ficou desbaratado。〃＇566＇
As soon as he had thus settled himself the ambassador sent to inform the King of his arrival； and begged that His Highness would grant him an audience and despatch him without delay。 The King replied that he would see him；＇567＇ but told him that he should not be impatient since he himself had but now arrived； and that he would give him leave to depart as soon as the time had arrived。 And with this the ambassador stayed there a month without the King having sought to see him； nor having asked to know why he had come； he went every day to the palace； and seeing the way in which the King acted towards him he determined to speak no more but to wait till the King summoned him。 Still he never ceased to go every day to the palace and to speak with the nobles。 One day the King sent to tell the ambassador that the following day was an auspicious day； and that he wished to hear him and learn wherefore he had come； and the ambassador made ready as it behoved him to present himself before so great a lord。 As was fitting； considering his mission and the request he had to make； he was accompanied by many Moors whom the city contained； and had with him all his people with their trumpets and drums as was customary； and so he went to the palace； where he was received very honourably by the nobles and officers of the household。 They seated themselves inside the first gate； awaiting there a message from the King giving permission to enter where he was； and there was no long delay before the command to admit him was given。 His obeisance to the King having been made according to his mode and custom； the men of the council standing by the King's side； he was bidden to announce the terms of his embassy； the King being ready graciously to listen； and the ambassador； seeing that the King so commanded； delivered himself of his message in manner following； with the awed demeanour assumed by such envoys when they find themselves in presence of such great kings。
CHAPTER 14
How the Captain acquitted himself of his embassy before the King。
〃Sire！ the Ydallcao； my master； sends me to thee； and by my mouth he begs thee that thou wouldest be pleased to do justice。 He bids me say that he bears very good will towards thee＇568＇ as towards the most true and powerful prince in all the world； and one possessed； of most justice and truth； that thou without reason hast broken the friendship and peace which thou hast had towards him； and not only so but a peace which was made so many years ago and maintained by all the kings so truthfully； that he does no