and declared that she loved but him; sweet] who has but tears to offer thee-receive in privilege of that happy age when frankness his stead the wealthiest of Granada.' He and candor are allowed. When Zoraida ap-ceased, Gonsalvo was moved. Abencerraproached her fifteenth year she became more ge' responded he, you shall not be my reserved and Abenhamet more timid. captive, thy esteem, not thy riches I desire. He dared not speak to her as before, even Return to Granada with Ibrahim; only to of friendship; but more impressed with her thy virtuous heart, would I yield him and if charms than ever, he felt the force of that this slight benefit merits thy gratitude, avoid first love so ardent and so pure in an affec-me in battle'-ah what was the joy of Zotionate heart and occupied himself chiefly raida, when Abenhamet restored to her, her in following, in escorting, or in seeking her. adored father. Still doubting the reality, she In the palace, in the mosque, in the garden threw herself on the old man's neck and of the Generalife, he was ever at her side embraced him again and again. Ibrahim and could not exist but in her presence. related his obligations to the Abencerrage But when together, their eyes sought the and taking the hands of the lovers in his ground, blushes covered their cheeks and own, he promised in the name of Allah, their words became tremulous and disor- their speedy union in marriage.

dered.

"The conduct of Abenhamet filled Gra

"It was about this time, that Gonsalvo en-nada with admiration. All praised his valor tered our territory with an army and ap- and desired the consummation of his love; peared suddenly before Jaen then under all admired the magnanimity of Gonsalvo the command of old Ibrahim. The city was and I cannot deny, that though that proud taken by storm after a long resistance and Castilian was the bitterest persecutor of the father of Zoraida became a prisoner. my country, and though his invincible arm His daughter threw herself in tears at the has ofttimes been stained with the blood of feet of the King. Return me my father,' my brothers, his noble bearing in war, his said she, take back the favors you have sweet clemency after the battle, have gained bestowed upon me-a hut with the author of him the respect of our nation. The warmy life will suffice me. Or if Gonsalvo is rior knew his valor and the captive his huinflexible, grant, at least that I may share manity. The Abencerrages above all dehis captivity and dedicate to his service the sired to make a tribute to his virtues and life I owe him.' Muley moved by her tears, for this purpose they liberated twelve chrispromised to treat with Gonsalvo and that tian captives, selected the same number of the first article of the treaty of peace, should African horses and sent them to the Castilbe the release of Ibrahim. He increased ian hero as a slight proof of their gratitude. his bounties and bestowed new favors to con- Muley-Hassan had approved the marriage sole her unhappy lot. But Abenhamet who of Abenhamet and Zoraida and intended saw her tears aud felt them in his own heart, that it should take place after that of Alresolved to remove their cause. Fearing manzor. But the fiery Boabdil became enthat if peace were not restored, Ibrahim amored of Zoraida and made pretensions would long be detained as a captive-he de- to her hand. The daughter of Ibrahim parted-sought out Gonsalvo and came into without failing in the respect due to the heir his presence with all the confidence which of the throne, rejected his suit. Zoraida youth and love inspires- Magnanimous believed herself forgotten by a heart so litwarrior,' said he, I am the captain of the tle capable of love, when my father lost his Abencerrages. My age has not permitted crown, but the first use Boabdil made of his me as yet to oppose my arms to thine, that usurped power was to prohibit her marriage this happy time will yet come, I hope-you with Abenhamet. Ibrahim deeply grieved, well know my noble family and that they still hoped to change the mind of the monwould lavish gold with a prodigal hand for arch. Accompanied by the generous Abenmy ransom. The brave Ibrahim has no hamet, he threw himself at the King's property-exchange this old man for me. feet and begged as the only reward for his Restore this unfortunate father to a daughter loyalty and his long services that he might

"Zoraida in the palace gave us equal inqui(( Boabdil had waited for this moment; etude; she was overwhelmed by a profound he went alone to see the sad Zoraida; she grief, which deprived her of the power of she was ignorant of his guilt and received weeping; at times she gazed upon us with him without horror. The perfidious King ferocious expression and pronounced with-honored the memory of Ibrahim with his out cessation the names of Ibrahim and Aben- tears and heaped eulogies upon his valor hamet and then fixing her eyes upon the but after he had feigned for some days to ground, she still repeated those names so take part in the grief of his daughter, he dear to her heart. This apparent tranquil-spoke of honoring the memory of the unfor ity was often succeeded by sudden cries and tunate old man by giving a public testimony convulsive movements. A burning fever of his esteem and gratitude; offered her a seized upon her and a frightful delirium splendid marriage as the only means of retransported her into the midst of the battle. paying his obligations to Ibrahim. 'Sir' reThere she avenged the death of her father-plied Zoraida, I am too unhappy to attempt there she defended her lover. All remedies, dissimulation-my heart is far from desiring all cures were useless; we despaired of her life. this brilliant marriage. This heart cannot "While every family was overwhelmed in love but once and Abenhamet is the object grief, the victorious Gonsalvo presented him- of its love. If the services of my father, self before the walls of Granada. My if the blood he has shed for you, have any brother had foreseen it-my brother, our value in your eyes, if you wish to give cononly hope, summoned our warriors to arms. solation to his spirit, comply with his last Boabdil went out, in person, with the Ze- desires; unite his daughter to him whom gris, to repel the attack of the Spaniards. Ibrahim had chosen for a son-in-law. IbraAlmanzor at the head of the Abencerrages, him will see it from the Heaven above drove Lara from our ramparts. But the where he dwells and will rejoice that he lost King attacked by Gonsalvo, was put to flight his life, in the service of a King who was and retreated precipitately into the city. The worthy of the offering.' On hearing these intrepid Castilian pursued him, within our words, Boabdil could not repress his anger. walls and though abandoned by his follow- Zoraida,' said he, in an imperious tone, ers, penetrated even to the Alhambra. Iyou abuse my unhappy love. Abenhamet saw him and I yet tremble at his image. cannot now hope for thy hand, since the Ah! without depreciating your valor, may laws condemn him to death. I alone can you never encounter that hero. Alone in pardon him and this depends upon you.' the midst of our capital, braving an entire Boabdil went off gloomy and angry and hostile people, destroying all who opposed having learned that the Abencerrage had him, he approached within a short distance begun to recover his strength, he gave orof the place where I stood. There doubtless ders that he be placed under guard and apobserving that he was accompanied by none pointed the judges for his trial. The law of his followers, he stopped for a moment, pronounced his death. Abenhamet had lost remained motionless, then again slowly re- the sacred standard of the Empire and death treated along the path he had strewn with was the penalty. The judges reluctantly victims; and without thinking to defend signed the sentence and the King bore it to himself against the multitude by whom he Zoraida. 'Choose,' said he, placing it was attacked, he seemed to be examining the in her hands, choose on the spot, but one strong holds still to be conquered. After moment is left you. Abenhamet must die this alarm, we returned to look after the un- or you must ascend my throne. The altar fortunate lovers. Abenhamet and Zoraida and the scaffold are prepared.' Astonished had, in vain, been threatened; their vigor and frightened by these words, Zoraida wa and youth repelled it. The hope of again at a loss what resolution to make. Her seeing each other, the comfort of weeping first impulse was to free herself, with her together, attached them to life and gave dagger, from the horrible election he prothem courage at last to resist their deplora- posed. But she stopped to consider, tha ble condition. the death of Abenhamet would follow her

own. Hopeless of changing the intervention, but silently watched, followed and guartion of the ferocious despot, she vacillated led him as one destitute of reason. Abenand trembled. Boabdil urged a reply and hamet himself observed a profound silence; displeased at her silence he ordered the head he shed no tear; with head inclined on his of his rival to be brought to him. Hold,' breast and teeth firmly closed, he looked exclaimed Zoraida, Hold, I will be the with sinister eye upon Almanzor, whose victim. Take my hand-let us proceed to presence wearied him and opposed his dethe Temple. She ceased and the inflexible signs. Three days passed in this manKing conducted her to the Mosque, where her and my brother did not leave him all was prepared for the mournful marriage. for an instant or dare to speak to him of a Zoraida, pale and exhausted, presented her-riendship powerless to relieve such misforself in the midst of the people, who applau-tunes. At last Abenhamet broke silence. ded their new Queen, and rejoiced at the Fear not for me, Almanzor,' said he quietly. happiness which they believed she would I know the soul of her of her upon whom possess. She pronounced with a feeble voice, I had placed so much affection-I know her the marriage oath; a thousand acclamations and it was only to save my life, that she responded, a thousand joyful cries mingled consented to'-He stopped, raised his eyes. with the sound of music, drowned her towards Heaven, made new efforts and congroans. Pompous feasts celebrated that day tinued with a bitter smile: She was much of grief. The King was faithful to his deceived-no matter, I pardon her. I have promise; the day following the marriage he taken my resolution irrevocably. I will place declared that the youth of Abenhamet, his between us an impassable barrier; I will valor, that of his family, had impelled him seek us other climes, where the mournful to mitigate the severity of the Judges, but name of Granada, where the hated name of wishing to accord the respect which was due Boabdil never more can reach my ears. Toto the laws, he commuted into exile the morrow I will set out for Africa and will sentence pronounced by the Court. As the and in its deserts, the solitude an unhappy monarch appeared to be clement, none man requires. I will find more clemency in dared to murmur. Vile flatterers extolled its lions than in our tyrants. You shall his perfidious mercy. Almanzor whose pen-conduct me to the port of Almeria; this is the etration comprehended the horrible mystery, last favor which I shall ask or hope from desired to prevent the first effects of the your friendship. I dare not speak to you desperation of Abenhamet; he repaired to of my gratitude-you do not doubt it, you his prison and pressed him in his arms. do not think of your kindness.' My brother My friend,' said he, 'your life is spared-was deceived by these words and believed the King exiles you from Granada only, but that the courage of Abenhamet had risen Zoraida.' *** · Is Zoraida dead?' exclaimed superior to his misfortunes. He approved Abenhamet. She will be less unhappy.' his design, and that very day they departed Listen to the horrible truth, summon all on the road to Almeria, where several vesyour fortitude to support you, and reflect sels destined for Tunis, were only waiting above all, my friend, that if you yield to for a favorable wind. Abenhamet appeared grief, you will cause the death of Zoraida. tranquil and the name of Zoraida never esZoraida is the wife of Boabdil!' On say-caped his lips. Always pensive, but at the ing these words, my brother again pressed same time kind and amiable, he made known him against his heart, to prevent him from his wishes to Almanzor-prescribed the dimaking an attempt upon his life, but Aben- vision to be made of his property and the hamet remained senseless in his arms. My bounties to be given to his slaves. 'In the brother took advantage of his feebleness, land where I am going to live,' he added, and had him conveyed to one of his country seats, a short distance from Granada.

riches are not necessary. I carry with me all that my wants require. My kindred The generous Almanzor, with eyes fixed and servants will think of me more freupon his friend, discovered in his own the quently and kindly, when enjoying the pros. impulses of his soul. He offered consola- perity attained through me; neither will

VOL. XXI-47

the valiant Almanzor forget me; the bene-gination. She was less unhappy during fits he has bestowed will not permit me to those brief moments of delusion, but when doubt it. But I reproach myself, that for she returned to a sense of her misfortunes, my sake he is here, separated from his fam-bitter weeping flooded her weary eyes. ily and his wife. Muley-Hassan and Zu- "Suddenly, the Queen in surprise saw a lema await you; Moraima mourns your ab- slave approach her-she looked at him-resence. Return, kind friend, return to en-cognized him and was about to utter a cry, joy the rare felicity of being the hus- but the danger to Abenhamet, to herself, the band of one so well-beloved. She perhaps sad recollection of what he had been and requires your cares; without doubt, she de- what he was, restrained her. 'Abenhamsires your presence. The wind may delay et,' said she, in a low voice, Abenhamet, us some days; to delay our parting will is it thou?' 'Yes,' replied the Abenceronly serve to augment our grief; and be- rage, 'I am he who has lost you, I am he sides, I ought to accustom myself to live, who cannot live without you, I am he whose deprived of every object of love.' unhappy life you have purchased by so "Almanzor listened to him in tears, while mournful a sacrifice, who comes now to reAbenhamet urged him anew to depart. turn the useless gift which your kindness My brother desirous of returning to Morai- has bestowed.' Saying this, he drew his ma, yielded to his pressing requests, em- dagger and raised his hand to inflict the fabraced him, promised to execute his wishes tal wound. Zoraida arrested his arm. Unand with a heart full of sorrow, but without grateful friend,' said she, ungrateful friend. uneasiness for the life of the unhappy Aben- think you I am not sufficiently unhappy? cerrage, took his departure for Granada. Abenhamet saw his wishes complied with and rejoiced at the success of his plan.

Have I not yet done enough in condemning myself for you to the most cruel punishment? The axe of the executioner threatened your head, an infamous hand was ready to cut short your life if Zoraida'

"Scarcely was he free, when he prepared to put into execution the terrible design he had meditated. He clothed himself in the Would that,' exclaimed Abenhamet begarb of a slave; an Asiatic turban changed yond himself, "would that all the torments his appearance already disfigured by grief; which Boabdil could invent, had let out, he armed himself with a dagger-departed drop by drop, the blood which flows in my from Almeria and returned to Granada. He veins. I would have blessed my afflictions arrived, went to the Alhambra and after in thinking you faithful, and I would have wandering through the spacious courts of repeated, with every torture, that I bore that immense edifice, introduced himself with me your love to my grave. And into the Generalife and advanced with rash what did you hope from your weak act? steps towards the apartment of the Queen. Did you think that I who cannot live with"Night had begun to cover the earth with out you, would continue to drag out my darkness, when Zoraida alone in the garden miserable life? That the joy of escape from sat weeping for Abenhamet, beneath a rose-death would obliterate the burning and pasbush. From the day of the fatal marriage, sionate love which has penetrated and filled Zoraida had heard nothing of his fate; she my heart from infancy? which alone has had not pronounced his name. But every given me existence and made me virtuous? evening she repaired to and wept under No! Zoraida, you have deceived yourself; that rose-bush, where in happier times she you have but delayed my death and made had sat so often at the side of Abenhamet. it more bitter. I have desired that you There, with the memory of the past, with should be a witness of it, to expiate your her grief and with her love, she fancied she crime against love; but to forgive you in still saw the object she cherished in her my last sighs; to say to you, to swear to heart. All Abenhamet had done for her, you, that as I have lost the right of loving the words he had spoken, his lightest you, I have not strength to survive.' smile, the most trifling circumstance which "Listen,' replied Zoraida, 'I do not concerned them, were pictured in her ima-fear death. If I could have seen you, spo

ken to you, but one moment, I would myself her tears. 'Leave, Abenhamet,' said she have taken this dagger and have said-Let leave this terrible place; forget not the us die together-open first this heart where promise you have made me, and seek not our oaths are so deeply graved and then that my heart should uselessly disclose what free yourself afterwards from the infamy my duty prohibits. Look! do you recognize they are preparing for you! But before this rose-bush? Here, each evening ZoraiBoabdil!-between the tyrant and your da weeps.' scaffold-the barbarian had already pro- "As she spoke these words, she thought nounced the order to bring your head; and she heard a noise in the rose-bush; she arose a slave was already on the way. Ah! Aben-in fear-desired Abenhamet to leave, and at hamet, what I did you would have done in the same time retired with rapid step to her my place. One word only remains for me apartment, where seated at her balcony she to say. Honor forbids me to see you; hon-could see by the light of the moon the garor alone remains to me, and I do not wish den of the Generalife; she trembled and to fail in it. Honor commands me, not to listened with breathless attention. The silove you, but God has denied me this strength. lence, which every where reigned, calmed If you renounce life, if you dare make an her agitation; she fixed her eyes upon the attempt upon an existence which has cost beloved rose-bush, which she distinguished me so dear, I swear by yourself, by my from afar and then abandoned herself to sad father, that this hand, which was promised thoughts. you, shall punish my coward heart for its "The noise she had heard betokened the mournful sacrifice, which your cruelty would misfortunes which were to follow. While render useless and which was but a perfidy, the imprudent Abencerrage had forgotten at since it does not preserve the life of my the feet of Zoraida the perils which surLover.' Zoraida returned to him the dag-rounded him, four Zegris passing through ger. Abenhamet without courage to take it, the garden, recognized the voice of Abengazed upon her for a moment and then threw hamet; they stopped, concealed themselves himself at her feet. Angel of Heaven,' behind the rosh-bush, and through its folisaid he, 'how great is your power over me! age beheld the object of their hatred, whose One only word from your lips, one look, destruction they had sworn, kneeling at the the sound of your voice, destroys all my feet of the Queen-at the feet of the wife designs and changes in a moment my settled of Boabdil. Surprised, but rejoiced at seeresolutions. I will live then, since you wish ing him in this posture, they resolved upon it-this I promise you; I will suffer my mis- a most atrocious crime and repaired straightery, since your supreme will commands me way to the Monarch. King of Granada,' to be unhappy. Abenhamet will not again said Morfarix,- pardon your loyal vassals, see you. Ah! I know you, I love you too who have come before you to afflict your well, to hope or desire to see you; but at heart, since on the information they bring least pity my grief; for the last time, I im- depend your crown, your life and your honor. plore you, tell me, tell me Zoraida, deign to The Abencerrages have conspired against tell me only that Abenhamet is yet dear to you and Abenhamet recalled by them from you; that he will always dwell in your heart, exile, has already had an interview with his that neither time nor absence will ever ef- companions-we ourselves have seen him, face that first and that sweet sentiment, but this moment, in the Generalife, at the which in other times possessed your soul. feet of your criminal wife, holding the dagIf I can again hear this avowal from your ger, with which to pierce the heart of his lips, I promise to live-yes, I swear to you, King. Boabdil was like one struck with a to take care of my life. I will not then des- thunderbolt- but surprise soon gave place to pise it, nor regard it, with loathing. The headlong anger. They all shall die,' excertainty that I am beloved will appease my claimed he, not one of that detested tribe desperation.' Abenhamet ceased, siezed shall escape and my unfaithful wife shall die Zoraida's hand with ardor and instantly upon their expiring bodies.' Avenge your dropped it. She turned her face to hide self,' answered Morfarix, but prudence is