that removing whole Mountains of Sand from one side to another as sometime happens it buryed above three hundred Persons of his Retinue that were found thus Interr'd alive which much afflicted him But having pass'd them at the long run he arriv'd in good health in Arabia Foelix where he was receiv'd with great joy by all his Court and thought in good earnest to recreate himself after all the troubles he had thitherto undergone CHAP. XXIX The Oath of Allegiance which Aboulvalid causes the States to take to Jacob Almanzor his Son THE Caliph thinking only now of leading a more calm and sedate life and considering that he had not any other Children than Jacob Almanzor capable of succeeding him he was very willing to secure to him the Crown before he was overtaken by Death that regards Kings no more than other men For which reason after having conven'd all the Grandees of his Kingdom a Morabite call'd Mahomet Algaseli that was in great favour with him and whose advice he demanded in things of the highest importance by his order made them a long Speech on which he gave them to understand the reason for which he had call'd them together which was to own Prince Jacob Almanzor for Lawful King of all his great Realms after his Fathers Death The States having declar'd they all approv'd this design as a thing very advantageous to the good and profit of all the Nations King Aboulvalid having one day put on his Royal Robes sat in his Throne and caus'd Prince Jacob Almanzor to sit there with him on his Right Hand and then all the Governours of the Places being present Mahomet Algaseli the Morabite being seated on the Kings Left Hand rose up and utter'd these words with a loud and intelligible voice Gentlemen Honour'd Governours Virtuous Lords and all you here present King Aboulvalid wills and requires that you own Prince Jacob Almanzor his Lawful Son who is here present for absolute Master of all his Realms after his Death Are you willing to make Oath to him accordingly To which they answer'd aloud Yes we are willing Do then reply'd Algaseli as a token of the Allegiance you promise to him and of the Possession he from this present is going to take of the Crown all that the King and I am going to do Then the King rising took his Son by the Hand and seated him in his Throne and the Prince having taken the Right Hand of his Father kiss'd it for a mark of his Obedience The Father on his side for a token of the Blessing he gave him laid his Hand upon his Head and also kissing his Sons Hand sat down by him on his Right Hand Algeseli the Morabite did the same and sat down on his Left and after him all the Governours of the Provinces having also kiss'd his Hand an Alfaqui having brought the Alcoran wrapt up in a very rich stuff and having laid it on the Table Algaseli the Morabite rose up from his Seat and lifting up his voice that he might be heard by the whole Assembly Honorable Governours said he and Virtuous Knights and also every one of you here present Do not you swear and promise by the Supreme God and by all that is contain'd in this Book to acknowledge and hold all your life long Prince Jacob Almanzor for your King and Soveraign of all the Realms as Son and Lawful Heir and Successour of King Aboulvalid Abenacer his Father And all having answer'd Yes we promise it Let him then the Morabite reply'd that shall not accomplish what he has now promis'd be declar'd Perjur'd Infamous and a Traytor to the State and may the curse of the Great God fall upon him and on all his and the whole Assembly cry'd Amen And the Morabite having said with an audible voice That for the solemnity of their Oath of Allegiance all should do the same as the King and he did The King being got up and having kiss'd the Alcoran put it upon his Head the Morabite and all the Chiefs and Governours did the same afterwards each in their order After which the Morabite being got up from his Seat and having address'd his Speech to Prince Jacob Almanzor Your Celsitude said he to him do you not swear and promise by the most Great and most High and by all that is contain'd in this Book in Quality of Kings and Soveraign of these Realms to do Justice to his Subjects and maintain and keep all the Priviledges that the Kings his Predecessors in general and each of them in particular have granted them so as that you may cause them to live in Peace and not suffer any wrong to be done them And the Prince having said Yes and that he swore and promis'd it Mind it well then reply'd Algaseli for if you do not do it the curse of God will fall upon you as upon one perjur'd to which the Prince having answer'd Amen Let your Celsitude then continued he to show you make an solemn Oath do as I do In uttering these words he took the Book and having kiss'd and put it on his Head he presented it to the Prince who did the like This Ceremony being finish'd all the Governours and Leaders of Troops going out before the Prince set him on Horseback and carry'd him around through the City in great Pomp amid the noise of a world of Instruments And all alighting at the great Mosch and having said their Prayers there return'd with the same Pomp to the Palace where the King his Father waited his coming and where the whole Cavalcade ended and separated This solemnity lasted three whole days during which there was nought but Feasts Conserts of Musick Turnaments and all the other Recreations to be thought of These three days that had been given to joy being pass'd the King caus'd the States to be held once again in his Palace to confirm and ratify all that had been done and the Morabite open'd the Sessions in these terms Illustrious Captains Generous Governours Brave Cavaliers that are here all present do not you confirm and ratify the Oath of Allegience to Prince Jacob Almanzor our Soveraign Lord who is here present And all having answer'd Yes and said expresly that they ratify'd it Let all pursu'd he for the conclusion of so solemn an Oath do then as the King and I shall do In finishing these words the King arose and having taken the Alcoran he kiss'd it and put it again upon the Table he also took the Prince his Sons hand and kiss'd it and after that the Morabite and all those that compos'd that great Assembly had done the same they were dissolv'd after having all receiv'd some favours from the King who was very much satisfy'd with seeing the Accomplishment of a thing he had so much desir'd This great Ceremony pass'd in the ten first days of the Moon of Rabeh on the first day of the Year 104 of the Hegira CHAP. XXX Aboulvalid's Death
of the State and the greatest Good and Vtility of our Subjects and to hinder the Dissentions and Discords that commonly happen after the Death of Kings which are wont to overturn the best establish'd Empires and for other Considerations us thereunto moving we have thought convenient to Renounce Grant and Transport by these Presents all the Soveraign Authority that we have with the Scepter and Crown we bear in such manner as it appertains to us in Quality of Caliph Absolute and Soveraign Lord without acknowledging any Person living for Superiour in Temporals to our Well Beloved and Obedient Son the Wise Virtuous and accomplish'd Aboulvalid Abenacer our eldest Son Lawful Heir and nearest Successour on whom may God bestow the Wisdom necessary for the Governing all his Kingdoms in such manner as that all his Subjects may enjoy a continual Peace and Tranquillity by reserving to us the direct Siegneury in case of Death or failure of Succession or any other such like misfortune or disgrace which we pray God not to suffer to make way for our returning to the Throne to which we no longer pretend any Right For which reason We signifie and order to our well-beloved Son and Lawful Heir and Successor in the second Degree the Prince Abraham Amcari and to all those of our Council of State and of War and to all the Governours Cadis Generals and Captains and to all and as many as there are of our Officers and Subjects of what Quality and Condition soever they be to hold and Honour as Emperour of all these Kingdoms our said Son Aboulvalid Abenacer and in that Quality make Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity to him as from this present we mean to make to him our selves acknowledging him for King and giving him all the Power we have hitherto had according to the Laws commanding expresly all our Subjects to obey his Commands and Execute all his Orders as if they were issued out by us on pain not only of our Malediction but of that of God of his anger as they must needs all incur that want Fidelity to their King and for a token of the effectual Possession of all that is contain'd in these Presents we mean to put them our selves into his hand in the presence of all the Governours and Subjects assembled in our Palace for that purpose For such is our Express determinate Will and Pleasure to which end we have our selves sign'd these Presents with our hand and have caus'd our Great Seal to be put thereto In our Palace of Corbal in Arabia Foelix the 3d. of the Moon de Vaguel in the Year 95. By the means of this Renunciation Aboulvalid Abenacer being acknowledg'd Crown'd King his Father Almanzor took a chosen number of his most Faithful and most Ancient Domesticks to attend and serve him in the Place he had resolv'd upon making his Retreat leaving his Youngest Son Abraham Amcari with the King his Eldest and no sooner was he arriv'd in that Solitude but that his Infirmities daily augmenting he fell into an ill Distemper which lasted upon him till Death which in short fell out in a little time after Abraham had a haughty Spirit and and mmense Ambition the Caliph being very jealous of him and uneasie on his score that he might deprive him of the means of fomenting Cabals against him sent him into Stony Arabia which is a Country of very small extent and where he could not find wherewithal to do him any great mischief About that time the Governour of Damas Abenbukar by name who all his life long had had roving and Chimerical thoughts imagin'd that Almanzor being no longer in the World he might attempt all with impunity He thought of no less than of dispossessing Aboulvalid and of placing himself in his stead and had assembled a great Army with which he ravag'd all the Provinces bordering upon his Government The Caliph was also oblig'd on his side to take the Field to bring him to his Duty when that Prince Abraham Amcari who was continually gnaw'd with the lust of Reigning and omitting nothing he judg'd useful to his Designs found it to be the most propitious juncture he could wish for the manifesting them to the World Whereupon he on his side assembled the most Horse and Foot that was possible for him and after having pass'd the Desarts of Arabia he march'd directly to Court with all his forces making semblance of coming to his Brothers assistance against Abenbukar the Rebel And accordingly he met with a kind welcome at first but having all on the sudden changed face and having seiz'd on the Castle and the best Gates of the City about midnight he sent to seize on the principal persons of the Court as well Officers as people of Service whom he thought Loyal to his Brother and had 'em all beheaded This so intimidated all the rest that either out of the fear they had of him or by reason of the little affection they bore the King and the esteem they had for this Prince whom they saw to be brave and generous and love War they were easily inclin'd to acknowledge him for their King nay and there was so great a concourse of People at his Coronation that meaning to improve that first heat he saw them in and not thinking it convenient to let it cool again he took the Field with all those that suffer'd themselves to espouse his Party His Brother Aboulvalid was gone at the head of his Forces against Abenbukar wherefore he thought he could easily pen him up between his own Army and that of that Rebel And after having left at Court a Captain a Creature of his call'd Xaira Alxadali in whom he put entire confidence he march'd directly to his Brother with all his Troops which he found to make up twenty thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse The King was so surpriz'd at this News that he was ready to run mad and to see if he could apply some remedy to so great and un-foreseen an Evil he quitted the design of reducing Abenbukar to return with all expedition to meet his Brother The two Armies being in sight of one another Aboulvalid sent a man on purpose to Abraham to divert him from so unjust and unreasonable an Enterprize and representing to him that he was going to be the occasion of the Death of an infinite number of men which could be only imputed to him alone but that if he would desist from his design he promis'd him in the word of a King to forget all that was pass'd and to receive him as his Friend and Brother Abraham made no other answer to this but that he was not come thither to be reconcil'd but to fight that he stood in no need of the friendship he offer'd him but of the Crown he had upon his Head that he was Almanzor's Son and Heir as well as he that he had only to prepare to defend himself and that
that would come into his service and bring him Troops By this means he fram'd a body of thirty thousand Foot and three thousand Horse and with these Forces staid Prince Abraham's coming up who without entring into any parleys as he had done the time before as soon as he came in fight of Abenbukar's Army he march'd directly upon him to engage him in the Battel that was very bloody on both sides But at last Abenbukar's Troops being defeated he was taken generously fighting and brought to Abraham who without saying a word to him in the rage he was in and without giving him time to speak or the Executioner to come he cut his Throat with his own hands striking him so furious a blow with his Scimitar upon the nape of his Neck that he cut off his Head which he caus'd to be put on the top of a Pike on the Gate of Damascus He was not satisfy'd with having himself perform'd the Execution for having caus'd him to be fleed he commanded the placing upon that same Gate that Wretches Skin which he had caus'd to be fill'd with straw and the like usage did all those meet with that had had a hand in this Rebellion At length being grown weary of putting people to Death and believing that Province absolutely reduc'd and sufficiently chastiz'd he left there as Governour a Captain in whom he had great confidence call'd Abencirix and return'd to recreate himself at Court where he was receiv'd by his Partizans with great Huzzahs and mighty Exultation CHAP. XXV King Aboulvalid assembles a great Army in Africa and marches against his Brother Abraham gives him Battel wherein his Brother is kill'd KING Aboulvalid being retir'd to Thunis as I have before observ'd labour'd under great anxiety to see himself drove out of his Kingdom by his own Brother and employ'd his thoughts wholly upon the means of being reveng'd Mahomet Gilhair was no less concern'd than this Unhappy Prince considering him not barely as his Son-in-law but as his own Son Wherefore having resolv'd on assisting him with all his might he made great Levies thoughout the whole extent of his Kingdom gave Commissions to all the principal Persons of his Court and Country and fitted out a great Naval Army which he had stor'd with all the Provisions necessary for a great Embarkment Aboulvalid did not forget himself on his side and well perceiving there was no man that could assist him more strongly in his occasions than Muca Vice-roy of Morocco and of all the African Provinces he sent a man on purpose to him in a Felucca with this Letter King Aboulvalid's Letter to Muca Vice-roy of Morocco and Africa Praise be to God Amen THE Great and Warlike Emperour of the Arabs of the high Lineage of Motaleb Vicar of God and Defender of his Law Aboulvalid Abenacer Son of the most High and most Dread Caliph and Emperour of the Arabs Valid Almanzor To the Valiant Captain Virtuous and Accomplish'd Knight Trusty and Loyal Servant of our Royal Crown Muca our Vice-roy in Africa Greeting Abenbukar Governour of Damascus meaning to withdraw himself from his Allegiance to Vs and we having taken the Field with an Army to chastize him Prince Abraham our Brother taking that occasion to execute the design he long had had of troubling the State and having had the boldness to take up Arms against Vs to the great dammage of our Subjects and to the great contempt of the Obedience to Vs owning for which according to all Laws of Justice he merits Death as well as Abenbukar and for the procuring his punishment and preventing the misfortunes that his Rebellion may produce you are order'd That as soon as you shall have receiv'd this Letter to cause to assemble with all possible diligence the greatest number of Troops possible in the extent of our Kingdom of Africa and that you cause them to embark with all the Provisions necessary nay and with all the Gold and Silver that is found in Our Treasury of Morocco all which to be sent Vs to Thunis where we are at present further conjuring You if You have any one in whom You have sufficient confidence as to trust with him the care of your Government to come your self in Person at the head of your Army to serve Vs in so urgent an occasion and to provide for all things according to your wonted prudence wherein We have an entire confidence From Thunis the 14th of the Moon of Mahatran the Year 97. Muca having with great respect receiv'd the King his Masters Letter in a short time assembled an Army of thirty thousand Foot and having got together all sorts of Ammunition and fitted out a mighty Fleet he embark'd in it himself with the Royal Treasure he had in his keeping finding that it could not be better employ'd than for so good an occasion for which it was undoubtedly reserv'd Nay he thought himself oblig'd to quit all things to signalize his Zeal and Fidelity in his Masters service and contribute thereto not only with his Cares but with his Person In his room in Africa he left a very brave Man and in whom he had great Confidence call'd Alicunicy a Native of Stony Arabia and arriv'd safe at Thunis with all his Army at the end of the Moon of Rabeh on the 2 of that same year 97 of the Hegira There he found King Aboulvalid employ'd in Shipping the Troops he had got together in those parts who embrac'd him very affectionately and caress'd him to a high degree This Prince had already nominated Tariff Abenziet who had atchiev'd the Conquest of the Kingdom of Spain in his Fathers Life-time Generalissimo of all his Forces and had cast his Eyes upon him as upon the greatest and most lucky Captain of those times These two great Armies having been a long while in embarking the King put at length to Sea and with as fair a Wind as he could wish in a few days time he arriv'd in Arabia where having made a Review of all his Troops his Army was found to be sixty five thousand Foot and five thousand Horse which gave him a great deal of Joy All the People of that Coast seeing so numerous and so flourishing an Army far from opposing his Descent declar'd themselves immediately for him In the mean while Prince Abraham knowing all his Brothers Preparations did not sleep on his side He had assembled all the Chiefs of the Arabians and after having given 'em notice of the storm wherewith they were threatned and having made them apprehend that they were to expect little less than to be strangled if Aboulvalid ever re-mounted upon the Throne and that it was much better to dye in the Bed of Honour than upon a Scaffold as he was resolv'd to do to shew 'em the way They were all so sensibly perswaded by his Arguments that in their own Defence they made up a very considerable Army that was found to be sixty thousand men got
confer on him the Conduct of his Army and being then in his Government he sent him an express Courier to give him notice of this new War and that he had nominated him Generalissimo in all his Armies the terms of his Letter to him were as follow Aboulvalid's Letter to Muca Abenzairi Generalissimo in his Armies Praise be to our Soveraign God Amen THE most High and most Dread King of the Arabians Vicar of God and Defender of his Law Aboulvalid Abenacer Son of the Martial Caliph and Protector of the Faith Valid Almanzor to the Governour of our Kingdom of Africa the Prudent Virtuous and accomplish'd Gentleman Loyal and Faithful Servant of our Crown and Captain-General of our Armies by Sea and Land Muca Abenzair Greeting We write to you at present to let you know that the Great Caliph Mahomet Gilhair King of Thunis our honour'd Lord and Father-in-law being dead and the virtuous Abulcacim Aben Marchan our Servant who had been in our name to take possession of that Kingdom of Right and Justice to us belonging hardly beginning to make our people tast the sweetness of our Reign when Captain Hacan as you doubtless have been already inform'd entred by main force into the Palace Royal of Thunis and after having kill'd our Governour and all our faithful Servants had withdrawn himself from his Allegiance to us and by force caus'd himself to be own'd the absolute King of all the Country which he governs Tyrannically Wherefore for the recovery of that Kingdom it is necessary that you assemble the greatest number of Troops as shall be possible for you in the Kingdoms that are under your Government and that you set forth with them and our Army to repair to the Port of Capha in the midst of the month of Ragab in the approaching hundredth Year of the Hegira at which time we will go to joyn you with the Army which we cause to be rais'd in the Kingdom of Syria and Arabia till when we refer the resolving with you upon all matters enjoyning you to order all as you shall judge most expedient by your Prudence and Valour wherein we have an entire confidence From our Presence in the Palace of Corbal in Arabia Faelix the 2d of the Moon Mahairan in the Year 99. Muca having received the King his Masters Orders was overjoy'd at the employment with which he honour'd him and having made Leavies throughout all his Kingdom and heap'd up all sorts of Ammunition as well for the Fleet he had fitted out as for his Land Army he embark'd with twenty thousand very brisk men and made Sail towards the Levant while the King was embark'd with twenty five thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse he had assembled in Arabia and made Sail towards the West insomuch that the two Armies join'd happily in the Port of Capha This fill'd this Prince full of joy for he wou'd needs come in Person to this War well perceiving that when he should have reduc'd the Kingdom of Thunis he was absolute Master of all Africa from the Sea of the Levant to that of the Ponant Wherefore having Landed at Thunis he found not any opposition at his descent and had the means to marshal both his Armies in Battel-array Hacan being fully inform'd of these Warlike preparations was extremely intimidated Nevertheless as he had been long prepar'd to maintain his Usurpation he had assembled forty thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse with whom he went with great Resolution to meet Aboulvalid and couragiously stood his coming in a large Plain not far distant from the Sea and call'd Falh Almaligue where having drawn up his Army in Battalia it began by two bodies of Horse that Skirmish'd for some time before they ingag'd the rest in the Battel that lasted all that day from Three a Clock in the Afternoon till Night that separated the two Armies with the loss of eight hundred Foot and about three hundred Horse on the Kings side and five hundred Foot and four hundred Horse on that of Hacan without reckoning a number of Wounded among others one of Muca's Children call'd Ismael had two thrusts with a Pike in his Thigh for which Aboulvalid was much concern'd But the Father seeing the Grief his Master thence receiv'd told him with a very gay and resolute countenance that there was not matter for so much trouble as his Majesty express'd neither he nor his Son being come thither to gain Riches but to dye for his Service and that thus though his Son should not recover of his Wounds the matter would be small since he was only Born to dye On the contrary he should hold his Death as well employ'd because he had first so well aveng'd it and this was true for he had kill'd with his own hand a very great number of the Enemies and that day perform'd actions worthy of an Eternal memory On the morrow which was the 9th of the Moon of Taquel in the hundredth Year the Battel renew'd at break of day and lasted till Noon when Hacan's Men began to Buckle and were at length by dint of Sword defeated Hacan seeing the flight of his Forces sought his safety in galloping after them The King being entred into Thunis did not think he had gain'd an absolute Victory unless he had Hacan in his hands So as that he forthwith sent Foot and Horse out on all sides to seek him promising them great rewards if they brought him to him They sought him so well that the Dogs of a Flock of Sheep barking after him in a Cave where he was hid created a desire in them to go thither and occasion'd his being taken He was immediately brought before Aboulvalid to whom having given a great deal of ill language as a desperate man that saw there was no Remission for him the King that was otherwise very mild was so provok'd that he caus'd him to be impal'd alive and left him in that condition upon the Gate of the Town where he languish'd five whole days at the end of which he dy'd a very cruel Death All the Principal Leaders of this Rebellion were then Beheaded and one of the General Officers of the Army call'd Abraham Hacen was chosen to be Vice-roy of Thunis in the room of Hacan the Rebel Aboulvalid having settled his Authority in that Country and brought all things again into their Primitive order set forth again with his Army towards the Levant and being arriv'd at Carbal where he was receiv'd with great Acclamations the first thing he did was to reward all the Principal men that had serv'd him in that War and particularly Muca whom he made of his high Council and one of the Principal Ministers of his State After this without staying longer in his Palace than was necessary to repose himself he thought of taking a Pilgrimage to Mecque whither he went with a part of his Court. Being on his return through the Desarts there arose so furious a Wind
expect that it will so long continue On the contrary as it has not any stability and that it is inconstancy it self the more it smiles upon us the more ought we to distrust it and often expect that she delights to invite us by small baits and allurements to run after her to abandon us afterwards when we shall stand most in need of her succours Of this there can be no greater nor a more illustrious Example found than Rodrigo For after having render'd him absolute Master of all Spain and procur'd him to be Crown'd King thereof she took a pleasure in despoyling him in a short time of all she had conferr'd on him and tumbled him from his Throne by the same means he pretended to make use of to defend himself on it Such of his Subjects as he most distrusted for he had no longer any Apprehension from Strangers were some Grandees and Governours of the Places of Andalousia and of Castile who had been of D. Sancho's Party Wherefore he began to make sure of their Persons and after having put them to Death he caus'd not only their Castles to be raz'd but most of the strong Places of Spain reserving to himself only such as seem'd to him most necessary for his own security wherein he put such men as were wholly at his Devotion He did not think this sufficient He caus'd Proclamation to be made through all his Territories That not any of his Subjects henceforwards should have the boldness to bear any sort of Arms nor to keep any in his House and that all People should bring them into his Palace upon pain of Death imagining that after the People had thus laid aside the Exercise of War and should only addict themselves to Agriculture his Government would be much more absolute and much more quiet But the poor Prince was much mistaken for not being then curb'd by any fear he abandon'd himself to all manner of Irregularities and Dissolutions according as I have been told by Spanish Bishops and other persons worthy of Credit of whom I made enquiry during my abode in that Country So far as that he made no difficulty to put the worthiest persons of all his Kingdom to Death that he might have his Pleasure with their Wives and Daughters So loose a Life occasion'd an Universal Disorder For as Kings are look'd upon by their Subjects as the Models by which they ought to square all their Actions and that indeed they seldom sail to imitate their Vertues and still more their Vices The bad Example of this Prince pass'd on to the People who would needs equal him in Wickedness and Libertinism insomuch that we need not wonder at the punishment God inflicted upon them Rodrigo being still young either out of the desire of perpetuating himself which Nature inspires into all Animals or from that of having lawful Children that might succeed him which is a sentiment peculiar to Men he had a great desire to Marry but he could not find out a fitting Match At that time was there in the Eastern part of Africa a King call'd Mahomet Abhehedin who had but one Daughter of an extraordinary Beauty call'd Zahra Abnaliaca This young Princess walking one Evening upon the Sea-shore with her Maids and some of her Fathers Servants it seem'd to her so Calm and Charming that the fancy took her to go on board a Ship so to divert herself upon the Water Her Attendants without making over much Reflection upon what they did did not divert her from the Design The Marriners made ready the Ship all her Company were eager to go with her on board and in the merry pin they all were they did not mind that they distanc'd themselves a little too far from the Land whither they did not trouble their Heads about returning while it was in their Power In the mean while the Wind changing all on the sudden the Storm became so great that being unable to put into any Port of Africa they were constrain'd to abandon themselves to the open Sea and were at length drove upon the Coasts of Spain in a place call'd Alcapta by the Arabians which in that Tongue signifies a Place of ill luck and by the Spaniards Cabodegata where they were all taken and made Slaves by the Christians of that Place It was easie to see by their Cloaths and Equipage that they were Persons of great Quality insomuch that whatever Care the Moors took to conceal that of the Infanta she was known at length and brought with all her Train to Rodrigo who being informed of it gave order that she should be handsomely received and treated in all Places He was well made and Gallant the Princess was Young and Beautiful insomuch that Love easily engag'd them and quickly augmented by the Entertainments he made her and by the soft Conversations they ever had together The thing came at length so far that the King having offer'd to Marry and place the Crown of Spain upon her Head provided she would turn Christian she without much trouble resolv'd to do so The Nuptials were perform'd with great rejoycing and solemnity The Men and Women of her Retinue that were minded to be converted and stay with their Mistress had considerable Settlements in Spain and those that could not be perswaded to that return'd into Africa whither they brought this News Mahomet being very uneasie for his Daughter was so surpriz'd to hear that she had abjur'd his Faith that he dy'd of Grief and by his Death left the Crown to Avilgualid who as his nearest Relation succeeded him in his Kingdom We shall see in the series of this History the unhappy issue of this Marriage as well as the Amours of this Prince with Florinda CHAP. IV. Rodrigo falls in love with Florinda call'd La Caux by the Arabs She signifies to Count Julian her Father then in Africa the violence done her by this Prince THo Rodrigo was marry'd he led the same life he did before he was so He nevertheless fell in Love with one of the most beautiful Ladies of his Court call'd Florinda Count Julian's Daughter who was at that time in his African Embassy She had Wit enough to perceive that the Kings Courtship did not at all tend to her own Honour nor to that of her Family since that it doubtless only aim'd at Ravishing her of it and she had Virtue enough to receive his fondnesses with much indifference and Modesty but the more firmness she exerted with the more obstinacy did he persevere to overcome it Now for the more easie effecting of this his purpose he made several new Regulations in his Court Among other things he order'd that when he should eat with his Queen none but the Ladies of the Palace should serve at Table and requir'd them to be dress'd finer than ordinary on such days This being thus establish'd one day after Supper whereat Florinda had serv'd with others he so order'd
made from the Western Gate of their Town to a great River that passing very near their Walls falls afterwards into the Sea By the means of these Canals they went into the River with great Boats and these Canals being Fortify'd all along with good Trenches insomuch that the Cavalry could not do them any mischief there came to them from time to time Victuals from the Mountains of a certain Country call'd Biscaya These Canals were a very great help to the Besieged for besides their having by this means all things brought them the Water of the River serv'd them for a thousand conveniences Adilbar having not then any Ships to hinder the Christians from having every moment all necessaries was very much at a loss and was loath to resolve upon raising the Siege once again When news was brought him of the revolt of the Governour of Valence call'd Abubaher el Handali and of the Inroads he made into the Neighbouring Provinces of that Kingdom So urgent an evil and which he saw himself indispensably oblig'd forthwith to remedy made him presently raise the Siege and march long days journeys to Cordoua which the Christians of Hispalis were very glad of CHAP. XXII Adilbar goes to Valence defeats the Governour of that Province and has him Beheaded THe great Siege wherein Abubaher el Handali Governour of Valence saw Adilbar engag'd in had made him hope that he might in that time render himself absolute Master of that fine Province In this Design having gain'd all the Governours of the smaller Cities and all the Martial Men under his Authority he would needs cast off the Valid's Oath and having brought a small Army on Foot he began to make Incursions into the Neighbourhood that he might by force oblige all the People thereabouts to obey him as their Soveraign Lord. Adilbar being inform'd of these Transactions as I said in the foregoing Chapter caus'd a new Army to assemble of ten thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse and with these Forces crossing the high Mountains that are on the South he arriv'd at the City of Murcia to whose foot extends the Government of Valence Abraham Escaladari was then Governour of the Place who being inform'd of Adilbar's march against Abubaher had got ready a Magazine of Provisions to distribute them as he did among his Souldiers And having join'd him with all the men he had they two march'd together toward Valence The Rebel seeing so great an Army coming against him and having no place of safety whether to Retire thought it much better to try the fortune of a Battel and win it or dye like a Man of Courage than go basely yield himself up Having inspired the same resolution into the minds of his Adherents and dispos'd them into the best order he could as soon as Adilbar had set footing in his Government he went to meet him and in that Battel did all that could be done by a good General and good Souldier but being at last taken and all his men defeated Adilbar caus'd his Head to be struck off and had it set on the top of a Lance on the Gate of that Town which he gave for Plunder to his Souldiers He made a strict scrutiny after all those that had had a hand in this Rebellion that he might of them accordingly make an Exemplary Punishment And indeed many Commanders and Captains had the same Fate with their Leader and after having reduc'd that Country to its Obedience and there establish'd one of his Captains call'd Mahomet Abenbucar he return'd to Cordoua and dismissed his Troops CHAP. XXIII Almanzor gives Tariff a place in his Council and chooses him for his Ambassadour Extraordinary for the Conclusion of the Prince his Sons Match with the King of Thunis's Daughter ALmanzor making reflection on the great Services render'd him by General Tariff on all occasions and particularly in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Spain for the discharging himself of the Obligation he had to him of so great an augmentation of Empire and of such vast Riches he had thence deriv'd had not a more Glorious Recompence to give him than a place among those of his Council and who share in the administration of all his Kingdoms for which account he put him into that number and nominated him Ambassadour Extraordinary to go conclude the Princes Match and fetch away the Princess of Thunis He caus'd a Fleet of forty Ships to be fitted out for that purpose with all the Magnificence requisite for so solemn an Embassy and which was undertaken for so agreeable an end Tariff being embark'd with a world of Courtiers and a good number of Souldiers arriv'd safe at Thunis where he was receiv'd and entertain'd with all his People as well as heart could wish and after having made a very short abode there he went on Board his Ships again with the Princess Omalahaire and all her Train and return'd into the Levant with a very fair wind The Infanta being arriv'd in Arabia the Nuptials were Celebrated with great Pomp and there were Turnaments Tilting and all the other merriments that are wont to attend those sort of Festivals Almanzor seeing his Son Marry'd and finding him at an age to govern his State himself thought it to be now time to Execute a design he had long meditated of discharging himself of that heavy burden he had for so many years born upon his Head finding also that his Old Age caus'd him by little and little to sink under the weight of it For which reason seeing himself worn out and attack'd with many Infirmities he resolv'd upon devolving it upon that of his Son that so he might retire into a House of Pleasure he had caus'd to be built in a Mountain where he had very pleasant Gardens very thick Woods and excellent Waters Whereupon having caus'd the States to assemble where it was his Pleasure to have all the Governours of the Provinces present he imparted to them the Dimission he meant to make of the Empire in favour of his Son and at the same time caus'd the following Letters Patents to be expedited Letters Patents Of Almanzor's Demission in favour of his Son Praise and Glory be given to that Great God the Creator of all things Amen THE most High the most Noble the most Dread Lord and Emperour of the Arabs Valid Almanzor Vicar of God and Protector of his Law Son of the most Noble and most Honour'd Lord and Martial Warriour Caliph and Emperour of the Arabs Father of the Servants of God and exalter of his Law Abdulmelech Son of Victory Considering the Necessity we are reduc'd to by the Infirmities with which it hath pleased God our Soveraign Lord to visit us and the decrepit Age wherewith Nature is wont to over-whelm all men in the order of times which occasions our being not strong enough to govern so great an Empire as we have done in time past for the settlement of our Crown the Peace and Tranquillity
their Rights being at the point of their Swords they would that day decide which of the two had the best giving the Kingdom to him that should gain the Victory Having in this manner sent back Aboulvalid's mediator and having threatned to have him hang'd if he came again to importune him with such like harrangues The Caliph with grief saw himself oblig'd to give Battel but at last having marshall'd all his Army in Battalia it began with some squadrons of Horse of both sides who were a long while mingled with one another before any judgment could be pass'd which of the two had the advantage And this Skirmish that lasted above half the day without any great loss on either side plainly shew'd the Cavalry to be compos'd only of good men that knew admirably well both to attack and defend On the morrow the twelfth of the Moon Dulquehala in the Year 96 the Battel was renew'd and prov'd still more bloody for both Parties for it lasted from Morning till Noon without ones being able to judge on which side the Victory lean'd But at length Aboulvalid's people beginning to buckle and those of Abraham to break in upon them on all sides Aboulvalid fearing to fall into his Brothers hands made his escape out of the hottest of the Engagement upon a very fleet Horse after having made a sign to some of his people to follow him The Kings Retreat utterly dishearten'd all his men who were immediately after easily put to flight The Prince pursu'd them at their heels and after having kill'd a very great number of them he return'd to give the necessary orders for all Occurrences and then return against Abenbukar while that Aboulvalid was withdrawn into the Kingdom of Thunis where he was kindly receiv'd by his Father-in-Law who knowing the misfortune that was befallen him through the perfidy and wickedness of his Brother comforted him the best he could and promis'd to assist him in his revenge CHAP. XXIV Abraham Amcary goes to fight Abenbukar defeats him and has him beheaded ABraham being puft up with the winning of this Battel and overjoy'd to see that all the paces he made conducted him upon the Throne without any stop he march'd directly to Court where having conven'd the Estates to confirm the Government he meant to establish he caus'd them there to take a new Oath of Allegiance to him by which all that he had not been able to get approv'd of but by some before his going to fight his Brother was confirm'd and ratify'd by all the rest And thus was he own'd and declar'd by a common consent Emperour of all Almanzor's Realms as his Lawful Heir Then having made such Regalations as he pleas'd and bestow'd great Bounties on all his Creatures without losing time he took the Field with fifteen thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse to go to Damascus Abenbukar being fully inform'd of all these Transactions came to meet him with an Army of twenty thousand Foot and two thousand Horse insomuch that they were not long without coming to blows Abraham would needs before he gave the Signal for Battel do as lawful Kings do to Rebels and sent to tell him That as he had not any Right to the Crown he could not believe he would persist in his bad designs or that he would be wanting in his Allegiance to his Prince wherefore he offer'd to Pardon him all that had pass'd if he would but return to his Duty Abenbukar having caus'd the Princes Envoy to come into his presence would not go about to excuse himself with sorry reasons as do all Traytors that can never have any that are good but answer'd him sharply and like a gallant man That between two Traytors and two Disloyalists as they both were he had only the hand of him but that Abraham had committed a much greater infidelity in dispossessing his Brother Aboulvalid who was his Lawful King according to the disposition of his Father and that of Nature than he in withdrawing himself from his obedience with all the Province of which he was Governour seeing all his people oppress'd with impositions and very severely us'd by King Aboulvalid That he had learnt that to state things aright Nature caus'd no body to be born upon a Throne that all the Kings of the Earth were Tyrants that the Scepter belong'd to him to whom God had given the strength to bear it and the Soveraign Authority to him that had Wisdom and Ability sufficient to govern the people and that as all Created things had their beginning and their end Monarchies were not exempt from this general vicissitude that thus there was no need of reasoning any farther Abraham being extremely provok'd at so haughty and so insolent an Answer would no longer defer giving Battel contrary to the advice of most of his Officers who counsell'd him to stay the Conjunction of all his Forces that were not yet arriv'd Abubenkar's Army being much stronger than his and all his Troops appearing much more sprightful but they could not prevail with him to change the resolution he had taken Some of the Cavalry that were detach'd on both sides having began the Skirmish they quickly engag'd in a general Battel that was very obstinately fought and very bloody Abenbukar being skill'd in all the stratagems of War had plac'd his best Officer in Ambuscade behind a Hill with five hundred chosen Horse that had order not to appear till the Battel was far engag'd and then to attack the Princes men in the Rear and this occasion'd Abenbukar's winning the Battel For this Captain bolting just in the nick from his Ambuscade put all Abraham's Forces into such great disorder that this Prince seeing himself penn'd up on all sides threw himself from off his Horse and so fled o're the Mountains that he might get again into Arabia Abenbukar being Master of the Field of Battel return'd to Damascus loaded with Honour and the Spoils of Abraham's Camp he had plunder'd and expecting to have suddenly another Army upon his back he did not dismiss his but put it only into good Quarters in that Country Abraham at his return having met with a very cool reception from the Arabians it spighted him extremely and gave him great confusion Wherefore having again conven'd the Governours and Commanders that were under his sway he gave them to understand that he was resolv'd not to suffer Abenbukar to glory long in his Victory and commanded them to make ready to take the Field in fifty days space with all the Forces they had under their charge They so very punctually executed this order that at the day appointed he found himself at the head of an Army of forty thousand Foot and five thousand Horse with which he march'd again for Syria Abenbukar had not slept on his side and knowing the great preparations that were making against him caus'd Proclamation to be made throughout all the neighbouring Countries of large pay and great Rewards for all those
a Languishment that all the Remedies of the Physicians in no wise easing her Malady she dy'd fifteen days after him These two Deaths so sudden and so close upon one another occasion'd a mighty amazement in the Court that was for some time in such a surprize that their whole discourse was upon so extraordinary a thing But at length coming to think that there was none left of the Race of the Almanzors to whom the Crown appertain'd by Succession the Leading men of the Arabians and the Governours of the Provinces began to make their Cabals One of them call'd Ali Abilhacheck chancing to have more Friends than the rest caus'd himself himself to be Proclaim'd Caliph and after having caus'd an Oath of Allegiance to be taken to him and had his Coronation solemniz'd with great Pomp with the Solemnity and the Merriments that are wont to be practic'd in such like occasions he began with rewarding those that rais'd him to the place he held giving them Governments and Employs insomuch that there was no body but on whom he conferr'd some savour Besides this he apply'd himself in good earnest to make regulations upon all abuses that were introduc'd into the Government and to do Justice to all those that requir'd it of him without making them wait insomuch that he acquir'd in a short time not only a great Reputation but also the friendship of all the people they esteem'd themselves very happy in being govern'd by so good a King Thus ended the Line of the Aboulvalid Almanzors The End of the First Part. * In Arabick Alhaliq Alhadin * In Arabick Miusch that is without doubt Majah Invention by reason he has done it without any forging In Arabick Each meallalhimar Highland * Ni acha mila Inclination Hegira signifies Series from whence the Arabs begin to reckon their years The year 91 of the Hegira falls in with the year 712 of our Lord. * Har Malmucq Royal Scepter * Aldahir to shew another thing outwardly * Alcabir submitted subjected * Mausâ—â—s a Scaffold * Alhamemma the Common People the Commons * Amâ— the Care the thing The Tower of Stone in Sierra Merena Land or Mountain brown black * Ascald Design Resolution This Letter was found in King D. Rodrigo's Cabinet at Cordoua and as it was translated out of Spanish into Arabick by Abentariq was again put into the tongue out of which it was originally turn'd * Hiaan bad Design * Taube Penitence Change * Algadr Treason * The aera of Caesar from whence the Spaniards began to reckon their years is thirty eight years before our Lord. * Faqr Mind thought * Haddavia or rather Haddya Presents * Albatb Fortune felicity perhaps Debetz whiteness * Albufram loss destruction from the Root Saram renders it miserable * Alchiad * Haigua what has Life from thence comes the name of Eve * The Spaniards call her Eliatta * Alcapta Place of ill luck * Husian disguise dissemble Resque Gallantry * Mabzan House * Hucan Almuque Coutelas Royal. * This Epocha is thirty eight years or thereabouts before the Birth of our Lord. * Fahim Wise Vid. the Note in the Margin of the Title and the Preface * Alhana Peace Hana Repose Conveniency This Date jumps with the month of December in the year 712 of our Lord. * The Arabick Harb the Spanish Ardider Military Art Stratagems of War In the month of September in the year 713 of our Lord. * Now call'd Gibralter Hauf * Macmah * Hirisaf Inconveniences * Sarra Martial Men. The year 713 of our Lord in the month of December * In the year 714 of our Lord in the month of June In the month of August in the year 714. * It is still call'd Tariff * Tafacrum Caresses Applause * Almubatida to blame wrongfully or without reason * 'T is the River called Guidalette * It is now call'd the plain of Truth * Dimiin slaves of one Enemies * Halam * Atiar Prodigy * Badr Cornet * Vear from dinner till the Evening In the midst of October in the year 714. â—abra Grief * 〈…〉 Battel * Mudmia Bloody * Diz Hopes Taurib Exploits * Inhan Promise * Hyâ—man Faith * Facâ— Alcatanae Blood Royal. * Calch Religious * Muhâ—i convert * Muhin perswasion * Varia false testimony * â—iftaâ— Conquest * Almubhniin Accomplices * Haiz suspicion * Amr thing * Munhin Exhortation * Marmohauda without resistance * Facat insolences * Tapdit ill treatment * Betis Abenabur first Governour of Grenada †This is what the Spaniards call Surra ne vada The Snowy Mountain and the Arabs from the ancient Spanish word corrupted Solayt It is not known what this Ravine is or Par de Toâ— unless it be the bridge of Tabalate The Moors have since call'd this River Orgiba * Izticrat Examination * It is at present Adra. * Colch Truce * Amr Thing * It is now still call'd Las Alpuxarras * Ychadad Zogle Good Fortune try'd * Zid Amunitions * Ygata help in diligence * 〈◊〉 Servitude Alâ—aul Provision of all things * Dan Curnain the greater Sea * Faye abis in Spanish Campo seco * Mahalue living Soul * Quilathia Discourtesie * Hara Reparation * Nahic Perswasion Faâ—palia fegal in Spanish Cabo de contiendas Alfiqr Sadness * This Date jumps with the year 715 of our Lord. * Dirma Yoak * Alfirac Absence * Alfacar Destruction Alhueran Despair * Alfacar Destruction * Hiâ—â—ab Punishment * Idâ— the will of God * Karatan a Cancer * Cufa hacâ— Infamous People * Socr Recompence * Hatrit Description * Tachi alâ—mart Provision of all Irtifah Climate * Hala Desert * Hadaca Discretion * Tuhcim Divided * This is in the month of November in the Year 715 of our Lord. * Gaâ—an Extraordinary Grief * 〈◊〉 Farality * This is in the month of April in the Year 716 of our Lord. * This is in the month of July in the year 716 of our Lord. * The Office of Algouazil among the Moors was as that of President of Castile * Boreâ— Aâ—â—lâ—an a publick cry by sound of Trumpet This is the second time that the Jews came into Spain * 〈◊〉 obey'd by all * 〈…〉 well appointed Farica * Inzi Hachi Resolution * Fazar a Rout. * Hird Murmur Scandal * Fael Arabeh Spring * Harbal Ahidad Genius for War * The Arabs call them Mausenech * This time is call'd Hacar in Arabick * Hazir Ditches * Mutagua Quilalriaca Minister of State Luna amis Abihabdi Allabi that signifies the Father of the Servants of God and Ibninacer intimating the Son of Victory * Ziara Regale * Dahir Patents * Alumyid People * Beginning of the month of October in the year 716 of our Lord. * Alhadar lost no occasion * Alcahari Sandy Mountains * Ymala to win hearts * Aturmuhim Ill News * Taha obedience protection friendship * In the month of December in the year 717. * Facar flâ—â— put to rout * Magarem Subsidies * In January 718. * Maulab King and Lord. * Musta Mahami States * The Arabians name is Faliaz Ahra in November 718. * Hisu mourning tears * 〈◊〉 Country of Rocks * Tani get into credit * Subb a Comet * Acain * It is not known in what place that Port is nor how it 's call'd at present * The Kings Field * Daelam obscurity At the beginning of October in the Year 725. of our Lord. Curci Almulq Canopy Throne * Rida Benediction * Hazir Infamous Perjur'd * This date falls in the Year 725 of our Lord in the month of March. * Mutben ready to serve him * Sutar Rebellion * Goyhrim a Poyson'd Robe