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
of her servants shee fled to a port town appertaining to the Earle Don Iulian but fearing that no part of Spaine would be able to protect her against Regal authoritie shee resolved to passe into Affrica at her departure shee wrote unto the King the messenger was Ataulpho his reward life and libertie yet with losse of nose and eares as a marke of infamie due unto him for undertaking the execution of a wicked act The King Roderigo not thinking it possible in the imployment against his Nephewe to meet with crosse accidents knewe not how with discretion to governe his conceived joyes for such was his opinion of Ataulphoes wit and confidence in his love that h◠assured himselfe the designe was effected bu◠as reckoning made without an hoste is subject to a reare accompt so this Prince out of his window seeing Ataulpho entering into his gates dismembred of nose and ears stood both amused and amazed but when Ataulpho had recounted unto him his mis-fortunes and that the Prince and his mother were out of his reach his passion so far mastered his reason as that he seemed mad and like to one in a frenzie tooke the letter and read it by snatches pointing nothing truely and understanding no whit what hee read The content◠were taxations of hi◠Loyaltie towards hi◠soveraigne Lord hi◠Nephewe That he had malitiously out of ambition and selfe love unnaturally sought his destruction she put him in mind what an unworthie thing it was for a man of courage and spirit to make war upon a woman and an infant willed him to call his conscience to account to repent his sinnefull enterprise to content himselfe with his owne estate and to restore the Kingdom to the right heire but if their admonitions were like Corne in stony ground or as words in the ayre fruitnes her confidence then was that God as well for the justnes of the cause which she pursued as to punish his wickednesse would give her meane and strength to chastize him If hee would knowe a briefe relation of his attempt against his Nephewe shee will led him to read the storie in Ataulphoes face where it was ingraven This letter the demonstrative characters of scorne and revenge feared upon the nose and eares of Ataulpho together with the report of his successes increased his furie but passion being over hee sent for the Carle Don Iulian Lord of Algazira to knowe of him the Queens intentions whereof hee could not be ignorant having bene her hoast Hee assured him that she was gone into Affrica to demand succour and raise war in Spaine Don Roderigo to prevent this growing storme imployed tht Earle furnished and laoden with Instructions Present and Jewels to Mur Leivetenant in the Moroccoes for the great Calipha Almanzor to confirme amitie and to disswade him from ayding the fugitive Queene which Negotiation according to the trust reposed hee faithfully discharged but before his ambassage had received answere the Queene and her Sonne the Prince sickned dyed at Tunger whereof Don Roderigo being inform'd lost no time to solemnize his coronation the Crowne by his Nephews death being when his right but yet his conscience accusing him of his wickednesse hee feared revenge from those that were faithfull unto his Nephew◠for prevention whereof some hee displaced from their goverments other◠were imprisoned and many under colour o◠Justice executed For hi◠further securitie he disarmed his subjects such Castles and strength◠as hee was jealous o◠were raced other fortified and cōmited to the trust of his owne creatures which done he thought he might parler ensire give lawes and take his pleasure which hee spared not sensually to follow in enticing and forcing without respect of qualities mens wives and daughters Yet being desirous of lawfull issue to set up his seat hee tooke to wife a stranger which happened unto him by a strange accident At that time there lived in the Easterne part of Affrica a Moore King called Mahomet Abnebedin whose only daughter and heir◠Zabra with other young Ladies her attendants wantonly disposed to be sea-sicke the weather inviting them to it put to the sea but this faire calme was suddainely clouded with a storme and such a continued fret ensued as that for safetie of their lives they were enforced to spoone before the winde which continuing for many dayes together at last cast them upon the coast of Spaine where with difficultie sicke and weather-beaten they arriued at a place called Caba de Gata taken prisoners and sent to Don Roderigo who after a fewe daies inchanted with her beautie became her prisoner The young Ladie though a Mahometan borne yet to better the condition of a Captive dispensed with her Religion was Baptized and solemnly married unto him Those of her traine of either sex that would turne Christians remained with her the rest were honorably sent home The Moore King hearing of his daughters fortune as if he had bene strucken with a thunderbolt instantly died Unto whom Almanzor the great Calipha succeeded as his next Cousin Don Roderigo wallowing in his pleasures and in them never satisfied was shortly after surprized with a new love which proved his destruction the Earle don Iulian al this while was resident in Affrica negotiating for his master with Mura Almanzors Leivetenant in the Moroccoes to accompany the young Queene his daughter Florinda was sent for the King pursued her love which being not able to obtaine by consent hee performed by violence The young Ladie full of disdaine and mallice by letters to her father complained her mis-fortunes praying him to take revenge of her wrong Don Iulian sensible of his daughters dishonor which reflected upon him hastned his returne and like a wise man smoothely covering his wounds gave the King a good accompt of his Ambassage but yet so involved with doubts as that his returne into Affrica was resolved necessarie At his departure hee entreated the King to permit Florinda for a few moneths to repaire to her mother for in her the comfort of her life consisted which the King with seeming willingnes unwillingly granted When the Earle had recovered his own house hee sent for his frends and kinsmen related unto them the particular wrong done to his daughter and the dishonor cast upon their family wherein they were all interessed he besought their advise and ayde At last it was concluded hee should goe into Affrica to incite Muza Almanzors Leivetenant to invade Spaine and they all protested never to lay down Arms untill their honors by revenge were repaired Don Iulian presently imbarqued for Affrica himselfe his wife daughter his whole familie his moveable goods of price where being safely arrived according to his qualitie he was entertained by Mura to whom hee related the rape of his daughter and the dishonor cast upon their familie promising him if hee might be assisted in the revenge to assure unto his maister Almanzor the conquest of Spaine Though the proposition pleased Mura yet in a matter
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
dominions in Affrica that such subjects of his as would passe thither with the families should have â—ands apportioned unto them at easie rents priviledged with liberties and exemptions upon knowledge whereof five thousand families of Moores and Jewes were planted in Spaine where by in a small time the Kingdome was so well replenish't as that little signe of war appeared The plague being ceased in Sivill Habdilbar the Governor with an armie of 12000 foote and 1000 horse sate downe before it But the defendants vallor made him weary of the enterprise and with the losse of much time two thousand foot and two hundred horse he returned to Cordova After some rest and new provisions made Habdilbar ashamed of the late soome hee had received and fearing Almanzor's displeasure matched the second time from Cordova to Sivill his armie coÌ„sisting of fifteen thousand foote and fifteen hundred horse But the Christians not failing in courage bravely resisted daily falling upon the enimies quarters After fortie five daies siege news was brought to Habdilbar that Elhardaly a Moore governor of the Province and Cittie of Valentia was revolted from his obedience with a purpose to usurpe to himselfe the title of the King of Spaine as hee was sorie for this news so was he glad of so good an excuse to rise from before Sivill having received more losse then formerly he had done Towards this Rebell Habdilbar with ten thousand foot and eight hundred horse marched from Cordova strengthening his armie with certaine troops raised by the Governor of Murcia The rebell in the first encounter was defeated taken and beheaded the Cittie of Valencia for the Cittizens offences sacked and Mahomet Abenbucar made Governor of that province Althongh Tarif by the spoiles he had gotten in Spaine was esteemed the richest subject in Almanzor's Dominions and there with in Common opinion hee might rest satisfied yet he like a gratefull Prince to a well deserving servant held himselfe bound in honor to lay upon him some visible marke of favor where upon hee made him Governor and Leivetenant Generall of all his Kingdoms The time now drew on for the Consummating of the intended marriage between the yong Prince Abilqualit and the King of Tunis daughter Tarif with a fleet of fortie saile was sent to fetch her The King of Tunis as he had reason to think himselfe much honored to matched his daughter with the great Almanzor's Heir so he forgot not to demonstrate his affection by the rich Presents hee sent to the Calipha and by the rewards hee gave Tarif The Princes being arived at the Court and the marriage Solemnized Almanzor broken with age and infirmities having lived Sixtie three yeeres and reigned fortie two hee resigned his Scepter to his sonne Abilqualit the third day of October in in the yeere after our Redemption 716 95 and when all the ceremonies incident to the Resignation and Assumption of a Crowne were past hee retyred to asumptuous Monasterie built by himselfe in the Mountaines for fortie eight Monasticall men Governed by a Morabits which signifies an Hermit where with an infirme bodie Languishing for the space of seaven yeeres in continuall devotions hee died Hee that should write at large the storie of this Prince discourse his glorious actions as they merrit set downe his virtues and anatomize al that was good in him should undertake a taske of great labor for had he been a Christian his equal could hardly been found but his better impossible wherefore not to bury so great worth in oblivion it is not impertinent briefely to say somwhat of him In his tender yeeres the hearts of all men began to admire and affect him aswel for his person which in beautie and form excelled the children of his age as for the goodnesse of his disposition and sharpnes of wit which was admirable as his yeeres increased so did his perfections all virtues striving which should be predominant in him which produced feare and love in his subjects hearts evenly ballanced towards him His stature was tall and seemly his gesture grave and pleasant the thoughts of his heart were not discovered in his brow his limbs stroÌ„g and active valiant liberall devot wise and learned being reproved by the king his father for giving a way to the poore in one day by handfulls of Gold the some of 20260. pounds 22 Arrobas and 13 pounds of Gold for an instruction told him that a poore King was as a dead man among the living hee replyed that Avarice in a prince was base and contemptible that Kings in imitation of the Creator by whose power they rule and reigne ought to give to the well deserving needie heaps of treasure could not adde one day to his life and being dead nothing but a poore winding sheet remained which was not snfficient to arme him against the wrath of God unto whom at the latter day hee must render an accompt of his Actions To the King his father a rich Semitary of great price being presented the handle whereof was a rich Emrald the Pommell a ballast or a stone called a Balis Rubie the guard and scabberd of beaten gold set with pretious stone and the blade a Damaskin the blade most excellent damsked of excellent temper for the rarenesse of so pretious a Jewell shewed it to divers of his great men who admired the perfections they saw but found fault that the weapon was somewhat too short whereat the yong Prince smiled saying they were deceived for the shortnes of a good sword in the hands of a valiant man that dares come up close to his enimie was so far from defect as it brought advantage with it the king pleased to see in so tender yeeres so bold a spirit in his son fastned the sword to his side saying that he only did merrit to weare it that found no fault with it Before he was 21 yeeres old he wrote divers bookes of the Mathematiques Astrologie art of War Philosophie pollicie of state and a large comment upon Aristotles works three books of Philosophy upon the tents of Arist in forme of a CoÌ„ment he could perfectly write and speake eleaven severall Languages expressing his minde and answering Ambassadors in them with out the help of a Truchman his father being old joying in his sons perfections upon the tenth of January 654 resigned his Scepter to him which addition of greatnes bred no other Alteration in him then a greater desire to increase in goodnes his Ambition striving no lesse to be reputed virtuous then to keepe and enlarge his Dominions his aparell ordinarily was plaine but on festivall daies no prince more sumptuous At his meat which for the most part was privat he seldome had above two dishes and that but once a day two servants to attend him and never dranke in gold or silver cup though of them his officers were royally stored Surfetters and Cormorants he compared to beasts voyd of reason Towards the Evening his Major Domo had accesse to 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
Mosquita built by himselfe in a vault of Jasper able to containe fortie persons sustained with pillars of guilt Alablaster garnished with pretious stone The King his son his kinsmen his officers and Councellors the chiefe Priests fifteene thousand other priests his houshold servants Courtiers his guards and an infinite multitude of common people with tearie eyes and mournfull hearts attended his funeral upon his Tomb this Epitaph ensuing was enscribed Here lies the terror of Christians Moores and Gentiles who furrowed the Seas levelled the Earth subdued the nations of the world the Pattern of Courtesie the Tree of Mercy and to the wicked the edge of Iustice. Here he lies that had a bountifull hand the defendor of the poore the father of Orphanes the protector of widdowes the mirror of Charity honesty shame facednes and modesty the modell of government the Treasurie of Nobilitie the maintainer of truth the enemie of Lies the lover of wisdome whose fame shall eternally live for a worthy Monument to future age in despight of Conquering time that burnes in oblivion the great actions of Princes Kings and Emperors Let us pray to the Creator that his glory may be endles that in imitation of him Monarchs may govern their states in peace and that he would be pleased to direct our waies in his service and fill us with his divine grace Abilqualit being for two yeeres together free from rebellion and living in blissefull peace after the example of his father and Grandfather resolved in his life time to settle the Crown upon his sonne Iacob Almanzor a child of tender age and to that end the first day of March in anno 725 104 he assembled all his great men to his Court at Zarvall who approving his intent sware there obedience to the Prince as to the rightfull snccessor of that ample Monarchy The forme used in the Ceremony ensueth Abilqualit Cloathed in royall Roabes with Crown and Scepter his Kingly ensignes majestically sitting in chiar of estate his sonne upon his right hand and the high priest upon the left his Princes and guards being assembled the high Priest with a loud and audible voyce declared the cause of summoning that royall Court demanded whether they were contented to sweare their future obedience unto the Prince they answered yea Then said the high priest in testimony that you have assented all of you must doe as I and the king will shew you thereupon the King rose set his son in his Charriot the Prince in token of his filial obedience kissed his Fathers right hand the father blessed his child and after in humble reverence kissed his hand and sate in his sonnes seate the high priest and after him all the great men falling at his feet did the like then a priest apparelled in a Ceremoniall habit upon a board in the middest of that assembly laid the Alcaron the high priest rising from his seat demanded whether they were all content to sweare by the living God and the holy contents of that book to maintaine and defend Iacob Almanzor to be lawfull heire and successor to his father King Abilqualit in all his kingdoms and dominions wherunto they answered content the high Priest replyed whosoever doth not constantly fulfill and maintain his assent here given let him be held a person infamous a traytor to the royall Crowne and let the vengeance and malediction of the Soveraigne God fall upon him and his the assemblie answared Amen Then the King rose from his seat kissed the booke and laid it upon his head and returned to his place the same was done by the high Priest and the rest the high priest then turning to the Prince said Your Highnesse must sweare by the most high and Soveraigne God and by the contents of this holy booke as King and Lord of these kingdoms that you will administer and maintaine Justice indifferently between your subjects that you will fulfill and preserve unto them al the priviledges and franchises justly â—â—â—â—â—ted by the Kings your predecessors where by they may live in peace without grievances the Prince said he would be sworn unto it if you do not said the high Priest accomplish your promise and oath let that Vengeance and Malediction of the high and Soveraigne God fall upon you as upon him that is perjured the Prince replyed Amen Then the Prince rose from his Regall seat kissed the booke laid it upon his head and returned to his place where pausing a little while attended with all the guards in pompe trumpets and musicall instruments sounding he rode to the principall Mosquita prayed and returned to his Palace where King Abilqualit attended his comming The next day was spent in feasting triumphs and other Martiall exercises the day following they repaired againe to the Chamber of assemblie where the high priest demanded whether they were content to ratifie and affirme the oath they had taken they answered yea Then the King Abilqualit the high priest and the rest according to their degrees one after another with humble reverence kissed the Princes hand who giving them thanks the Ceremony ended Not long after the king sickned his disease grew strong and the Phisitians skill too weake to remedie it the tender yeeres of his son required a Governor to which office by his testament he made election of one of his neere men in whose faith he reposed trust called Mahomet Amzarij Then laying aside all wordly busines he conferred only with religious men prayed incessantly died The Queene Dowager pleased with the ayre and seat of the Monastery where Almanzor died removed the yong King thither and in her motherly love staid with him The Kingly power was established in Mahomet Amzarij who finding himselfe obeyed as king despised the estate of a subject and resolved to set the Crown upon his own head the way unto it he conceived to be liberality towards all but especially to the great officers governors of Provinces and Captains The men of war being his Creatures the rest were easily to be wrought Unto them he was bountifull and courteous denying nothing sued for and often giving before it was asked With this carriage he so inchanted their hearts as his partie seemed strong but yet actions of great weight cannot be effected without advice and ayde The first man to whom he discovered his pretence was Abenzulayman his creature advanced by him to be one of the foure Councellors at war but his heart detesting the horrible treason used perswasions to him to give over the enterprize laying before his judgment the generall love borne to the yong king their naturall soveraigne the little hope of prevailing the intestine war and the hazard which the Empire should runne into by it and that the murther of the King for murthred he must be would make him odious unto all men and not only divert the principall Governors hearts from him but raise the like ambition by his example in others to revolt and establish themselves kings in their