advanced:'Brave stranger,' said he, 'you are our deliverer, but you take from usour Alcaid; this loss perhaps outweighs your benefit. Double ourblessings; instead of depriving us of our greatest, remain in thisvillage; condescend to become our Alcaid, our master, our friend. Honourus so far, as to permit nothing to abate our love for you. In a greatcity, the cowardly and the wicked, who maintain the same rank withyourself, will think themselves your equals; while, here, every virtuousinhabitant will look on you as his father; next to the Deity himself,you will receive, from us, the highest honour; and, while life remains,on the anniversary of this day, the fathers of our families will presenttheir children before you, saying, 'behold the man who preserved thelives of your mothers.'
Alphonso was enchanted while he listened to the old man. 'Yes,' criedhe, 'my children, yes, my brethren, I will remain here. My life shall bedevoted to Marina and to you. But my wife has considerable possessionsin Granada. Our excellent governor will add his interest to ours that wemay recover them, and they shall be employed to rebuild the houses whichthe Infidels have burnt. On this condition alone, will I accept theoffice of Alcaid; and though I should expend in your service, both myriches and my life, I should still be your debtor; for it is you whohave restored to me my Marina!'
Imagine the transports of the villagers while Alphonso spoke. Thegovernor was a person of power, and undertook to arrange every thing tohis wish; and, two days afterwards, the marriage was celebrated betweenMarina and her lover.
Notwithstanding their late misfortunes, nothing could exceed the joy ofthe inhabitants. The two lovers long lived in unexampled felicity; andmade the whole district as virtuous and happy as themselves.
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