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did many liberal and good actions； I recommended numberless
persons of merit in distress to the king's notice； most of whom
were provided for。 Indeed； had I sufficiently known my blessed
situation at this time； I should have grieved at nothing more
than the death of Alphonso； by which the burden of government
devolved upon me； but； so blindly fond is ambition； and such
charms doth it fancy in the power and pomp and splendor of a
crown； that； though I vehemently loved that king； and had the
greatest obligations to him； the thoughts of succeeding him
obliterated my regret at his loss； and the wish for my
approaching coronation dried my eyes at his funeral。
〃But my fondness for the name of king did not make me forgetful
of those over whom I was to reign。 I considered them in the
light in which a tender father regards his children； as persons
whose wellbeing God had intrusted to my care； and again； in that
in which a prudent lord respects his tenants； as those on whose
wealth and grandeur he is to build his own。 Both these
considerations inspired me with the greatest care for their
welfare； and their good was my first and ultimate concern。
〃The usurper Mauregas had impiously obliged himself and his
successors to pay to the Moors every year an infamous tribute of
an hundred young virgins： from this cruel and scandalous
imposition I resolved to relieve my country。 Accordingly； when
their emperor Abderames the second had the audaciousness to make
this demand of me； instead of complying with it I ordered his
ambassadors to be driven away with all imaginable ignominy； and
would have condemned them to death； could I have done it without
a manifest violation of the law of nations。
〃I now raised an immense army； at the levying of which I made a
speech from my throne； acquainting my subjects with the necessity
and the reasons of the war in which I was going to engage： which
I convinced them I had undertaken for their ease and safety； and
not for satisfying any wanton ambition； or revenging any private
pique of my own。 They all declared unanimously that they would
venture their lives and everything dear to them in my defense；
and in the support of the honor of my crown。 Accordingly； my
levies were instantly complete； sufficient numbers being only
left to till the land； churchmen； even bishops themselves；
enlisting themselves under my banners。
〃The armies met at Alvelda； where we were discomfited with
immense loss； and nothing but the lucky intervention of the night
could have saved our whole army。
〃I retreated to the summit of a hill； where I abandoned myself to
the highest agonies of grief； not so much for the danger in which
I then saw my crown； as for the loss of those miserable wretches
who had exposed their lives at my command。 I could not then
avoid this reflectionthat； if the deaths of these people in a
war undertaken absolutely for their protection could give me such
concern； what horror must I have felt if； like princes greedy of
dominion； I had sacrificed such numbers to my own pride； vanity；
and ridiculous lust of power。
〃After having vented my sorrows for some time in this manner； I
began to consider by what means I might possibly endeavor to
retrieve this misfortune； when； reflecting on the great number of
priests I had in my army； and on the prodigious force of
superstition； a thought luckily suggested itself to me； to
counterfeit that St。 James had appeared to me in a vision； and
had promised me the victory。 While I was ruminating on this the
bishop of Najara came opportunely to me。 As I did not intend to
communicate the secret to him； I took another method； and；
instead of answering anything the bishop said to me； I pretended
to talk to St。 James； as if he had been really present； till at
length； after having spoke those things which I thought
sufficient； and thanked the saint aloud for his promise of the
victory； I turned about to the bishop； and； embracing him with a
pleased countenance； protested I did not know he was present； and
then； informing him of this supposed vision； I asked him if he
had not himself seen the saint？ He answered me he had； and
afterwards proceeded to assure me that this appearance of St。
James was entirely owing to his prayers； for that he was his
tutelar saint。 He added he had a vision of him a few hours
before； when he promised him a victory over the infidels； and
acquainted him at the same time of the vacancy of the see of
Toledo。 Now； this news being really true； though it had happened
so lately that I had not heard of it （nor； indeed； was it well
possible I should； considering the great distance of the way）；
when I was afterwards acquainted with it； a little staggered me；
though far from being superstitious； till being informed that the
bishop had lost three horses on a late expedition； I was
satisfied。
〃The next morning； the bishop； at my desire； mounted the rostrum；
and trumpeted forth this vision so effectually； which he said he
had that evening twice seen with his own eyes； that a spirit
began to be infused through the whole army which rendered them
superior to almost any force： the bishop insisted that the least
doubt of success was giving the lie to the saint； and a damnable
sin； and he took upon him in his name to promise them victory。
〃The army being drawn out； I soon experienced the effect of
enthusiasm； for； having contrived another stratagem＇9＇ to
strengthen what the bishop had said； the soldiers fought more
like furies than men。 My stratagem was this： I had about me a
dexterous fellow； who had been formerly a pimp in my amours。 Him
I dressed up in a strange antic dress； with a pair of white
colors in his right hand； a red cross in his left； and having
disguised him so that no one could know him； I placed him on a
white horse； and ordered him to ride to the head of the army； and
cry out； 'Follow St。 James！' These words were reiterated by all
the troops； who attacked the enemy with such intrepidity； that；
notwithstanding our inferiority of numbers； we soon obtained a
complete victory。
＇9＇ This silly story is told as a solemn truth （i。e。； that St。
James really appeared in the manner this fellow is described） by
Mariana； 1。7； Section 78。
〃The bishop was come up by the time that the enemy was routed；
and； acquainting us that he had met St。 James by the way； and
that he had informed him of what had passed； he added that he had
express orders from the saint to receive a considerable sum for
his use； and that a certain tax on corn and wine should be
settled on his church for ever； and lastly； that a horseman's pay
should be allowed for the future to the saint himself； of which
he and his successors were appointed receivers。 The army
received these demands with such acclamations that I was obliged
to comply with them； as I could by no means discover the
imposition； nor do I believe I should hav