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！
s parts of the field； endeavored to inspirit the foot…soldiers to the combat。 But the Moorish infantry was never to be depended upon。 In the heat of the action a panic seized upon them； they fled； leaving their sovereign exposed with his handful of cavaliers to an overwhelming force。 Boabdil was on the point of falling into the hands of the Christians； when； wheeling round； he and his followers threw the reins on the necks of their steeds and took refuge by dint of hoof within the walls of the city。*
*Zurita； lib。 20； c。 88。
Muza endeavored to retrieve the fortune of the field。 He threw himself before the retreating infantry； calling upon them to turn and fight for their homes； their families； for everything sacred and dear to them。 All in vain： totally broken and dismayed； they fled tumultuously for the gates。 Muza would fain have kept the field with his cavalry； but this devoted band； having stood the brunt of war throughout this desperate campaign； was fearfully reduced in numbers； and many of the survivors were crippled and enfeebled by their wounds。 Slowly and reluctantly； therefore； he retreated to the city； his bosom swelling with indignation and despair。 Entering the gates； he ordered them to be closed and secured with bolts and bars； for he refused to place any further confidence in the archers and arquebusiers stationed to defend them； and vowed never more to sally with foot…soldiers to the field。
In the mean time； the artillery thundered from the walls and checked all further advance of the Christians。 King Ferdinand therefore called off his troops； and returned in triumph to his camp； leaving the beautiful city of Granada wrapped in the smoke of her fields and gardens and surrounded by the bodies of her slaughtered children。
Such was the last sally of the Moors in defence of their favorite city。 The French ambassador； who witnessed it； was filled with wonder at the prowess； the dexterity； and the daring of the Moslems。
In truth； this whole war was an instance； memorable in history； of the most persevering resolution。 For nearly ten years had the war enduredan almost uninterrupted series of disasters to the Moorish arms。 Their towns had been taken； one after another； and their brethren slain or led into captivity。 Yet they disputed every city and town and fortress and castle； nay； every rock itself； as if they had been inspirited by victories。 Wherever they could plant foot to fight； or find wall or cliff whence to launch an arrow； they disputed their beloved country； and now； when their capital was cut off from all relief and a whole nation thundered at its gates； they still maintained defence； as if they hoped some miracle to interpose in their behalf。 Their obstinate resistance （says an ancient chronicler） shows the grief with which they yielded up the Vega； which was to them a paradise and heaven。 Exerting all the strength of their arms； they embraced； as it were； that most beloved soil； from which neither wounds nor defeats； nor death itself； could part them。 They stood firm； battling for it with the united force of love and grief； never drawing back the foot while they had hands to fight or fortune to befriend them。*
*Abarca； Reyes de Aragon； R。 30； c。 3。
CHAPTER XCV。
CONFLAGRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN CAMP。BUILDING OF SANTA FE。
The moors now shut themselves up gloomily within their walls； there were no longer any daring sallies from their gates； and even the martial clangor of the drum and trumpet； which had continually resounded within the warrior city； was now seldom heard from its battlements。 In the midst of this deep despondency a single disaster in the Christian camp for a moment lit up a ray of hope in the bosom of the Moors。
The setting sun of a hot summer's day； on the 10th of July； shone splendidly upon the Christian camp； which was in a bustle of preparation for the next day's service； when an attack was meditated on the city。 The camp made a glorious appearance。 The various tents of the royal family and the attendant nobles were adorned with rich hangings and sumptuous devices and costly furniture； forming； as it were； a little city of silk and brocade； where the pinnacles of pavilions of various gay colors； surmounted with waving standards and fluttering pennons； might vie with the domes and minarets of the capital they were besieging。
In the midst of this little gaudy metropolis the lofty tent of the queen domineered over the rest like a stately palace。 The marques of Cadiz had courteously surrendered his own tent to the queen： it was the most complete and sumptuous in Christendom； and had been carried about with him throughout the war。 In the centre rose a stately alfaneque； or pavilion； in Oriental taste； the rich hangings being supported by columns of lances and ornamented with martial devices。 This central pavilion； or silken tower； was surrounded by other compartments； some of painted linen lined with silk； and all separated from each other by curtains。 It was one of those camp palaces which are raised and demolished in an instant like the city of canvas which surrounds them。
As the evening advanced the bustle in the camp subsided。 Every one sought repose； preparatory to the next day's trial。 The king retired early； that he might be up with the crowing of the cock to head the destroying army in person。 All stir of military preparation was hushed in the royal quarters： the very sound of minstrelsy was mute； and not the tinkling of a guitar was to be heard from the tents of the fair ladies of the court。
The queen had retired to the innermost part of her pavilion； where she was performing her orisons before a private altar： perhaps the peril to which the king might be exposed in the next day's foray inspired her with more than usual devotion。 While thus at her prayers she was suddenly aroused by a glare of light and wreaths of suffocating smoke。 In an instant the whole tent was in a blaze： there was a high gusty wind； which whirled the light flames from tent to tent and wrapped the whole in one conflagration。
Isabella had barely time to save herself by instant flight。 Her first thought on being extricated from her tent was for the safety of the king。 She rushed to his tent； but the vigilant Ferdinand was already at the entrance of it。 Starting from bed on the first alarm and fancying it an assault of the enemy； he had seized his sword and buckler and sallied forth undressed with his cuirass upon his arm。
The late gorgeous camp was now a scene of wild confusion。 The flames kept spreading from one pavilion to another； glaring upon the rich armor and golden and silver vessels； which seemed melting in the fervent heat。 Many of the soldiers had erected booths and bowers of branches； which； being dry； crackled and blazed and added to the rapid conflagration。 The ladies of the court fled； shrieking and half dressed； from their tents。 There was an alarm of drum and trumpet； and a distracted hurry about the camp of men half armed。 The prince Juan had been snatched out of bed by an attendant and conveyed to the quarters of the count de Cabra； which were at the entrance of the camp。 The loyal count immediately summoned