CHAPTER I.
Though I had the form I had no sympathy with breathing flesh; Nor, 'midst the creatures of clay that girded me, Was there but one, who----but of her anon. I said with men, and with the thoughts of men, I held but slight communion; but instead My joy was in the wilderness; to breathe The difficult air of the iced mountain's top, Where the birds dare not build.
_Byron._
Some secret venom preys upon his heart; A stubborn and unconquerable flame Creeps in his veins, and drinks the stream of life.
_Rowe._
In the recess of a spacious apartment sat Caneri, indolently recliningupon a pile of cushions, after the manner of the Moors of distinction.He was descended from a family related to the old Moorish kings ofCordova, so that in consequence of his rank, and a certain influencewhich it obtained for him, he had been elected by the rebels as one ofthe principal leaders chosen to direct their enterprize. Weak, andvain-glorious, Caneri evinced the utmost solicitude to maintain thesemblance of a splendour which corresponded but indifferently with thepoverty of his present state, and assumed an authority that ill assortedwith the precarious tenure by which he held his power. Anxious to clingeven to the shadow of a Court, he had appointed his officers, andregulated his household, with all the precision and etiquette of a pettysovereign. The mansion which he now inhabited had apparently belonged tosome more wealthy person of the town of Alhacen, and had been studiouslydecorated with all the tapestry and other ornaments which could becollected together; but the faded and tattered condition of thematerials, evidently indicated that the days of their splendour hadlong since passed.
Caneri was at this moment exhibiting the capricious disposition of avain and would-be despot. Some half dozen miserable looking figures, whosurrounded his couch, constituted his whole retinue, and appearedcompletely subservient to the ridiculous fancies of their master. Butamongst these desperate ruffians, there was a man whose countenance anddemeanor were calculated more particularly to attract the notice of astranger. He sat at the right of Caneri, and seemed, by the freedom ofhis language and manner, to possess the unlimited confidence of thatchief. On what plea he could found his claim to such a distinction,would have been no easy matter to determine; his countenance beingremarkable only for a larger share of calm resolution, deep malignity,and ill-boding ferocity, than those of his companions. A broad andstrongly built frame, dark and lowering features, black shaggy beard,and the savage glitter of an eye that scowled gloomily under its heavybrow, gave to his whole appearance a most forbidding and sinisterexpression. Even when his features occasionally relaxed from theirsternness, they only seemed to writhe into a peculiar sneer, which couldnot be contemplated without an involuntary shudder of terror andrepugnance. Yet, even amidst this repulsive exterior, at times therecould be traced a few sad remains of noble lines in that countenance,which spoke of hateful passions, long cherished within the breast. Therewas enough to induce the belief that this man had originally beencapable of better feelings, and worthy a more honorable career.
This mysterious being, like the rest of Caneri's train, was apparelledin a Moorish garb, remarkable only for its poverty and simplicity. But,though his appearance and attire bespoke the Moor, yet the expression ofhis features by no means corresponded with his exterior; and apenetrating eye could easily discover, that whatever might now be hisprofession, he had formerly belonged to other creed and nation thanthat of the Moslem.
"Bermudo," said Caneri, addressing himself to the personage in question,"thou art unusually abstracted to-day, far more than for some time pastI have known thee."
"Bermudo!" exclaimed the other indignantly; "Bermudo! Call me no more bya name so hateful;--a name that brings to my recollection my miseriesand my crimes. It is an ominous, a detested sound, that rings in my ear,to tell me that I was once a Christian--an injured man; and that I am_now_----"
"A valiant Moor," interrupted Caneri.
"A vile renegade!" retorted Bermudo with a sneer. "A renegade; for thoucanst not gild the bitter potion, nor will I attempt to disguise mycharacter. I am a ruffian; but I have pledged myself to serve the Moors,and I WILL serve them faithfully, actively, to the last breath of myloathed existence."
"Thy services, indeed, have been most valuable," said Caneri, "andgrateful are the Moors for the interest thou evincest in their cause."
"Tush," cried the renegade; "thank me not. It is not my love for theMoors that prompts my services, but my hatred to the Christians. No,Caneri, I will not admit acknowledgments which I little deserve. You saythat I am brave and active--'tis true. I can endure privations, andencounter dangers; but in so doing, I look not to advance the interestsof the Moorish cause, but to serve that of my revenge. No, I anticipateno triumphs; I live merely for the gratification of vengeance for wrongslong past, but too deeply rooted in this heart to be ever forgotten." Ashe pronounced these last words his frame shook with agitation.
"Calm thyself, Alagraf," said Caneri, "since thou hast adopted thatname, and art now----"
"A traitor!" cried the renegade, interrupting him. "I am a traitor to myfaith and country. Nay, do not attempt to palliate a name in which Iglory. I well know the vile thing that I am considered. My career is adark one; and the passion which fires my heart, and nerves my arm,cannot ennoble my deeds of valour, but may at least satisfy my craving:and that is enough--I am a villain; but woe to the man who made me whatI am. May the curse of despair, may the venom that festers here (and heforcibly smote his breast) poison and corrode the life of him whoplanted it in a heart kind by nature, and designed for virtue; but byone bad man driven to revolting crime."
"Thy wrongs," interposed Caneri, "shall be avenged; and our cause,desperate as it seems, may still prosper. 'Tis true, we have latelysustained many reverses; but el Feri de Benastepar yet lives, and evennow may check the proud course of our enemies, and blight the verdantlaurels of the Christian's brow. Even now, perhaps, Alonso de Aguilarmeets the doom to which his hate to the Moorish name so irresistiblyimpels him. We have resources left,--our forces may be less; our couragegreater."
"Hold, Caneri," cried the renegade; "if thou wilt deceive thyself,deceive not me,--thou canst not. I abhor the Christians, but why shouldI deny the melancholy truth that is daily forced upon our conviction?The Christians are our superiors, and we have to oppose to them, onlythe desperate, the frenzied power which springs from a sense of deepinjuries sustained,--of wrongs carefully treasured up for the day ofretribution."
"Alagraf!" returned Caneri, somewhat hurt at the boldness and freedom ofthe renegade, "whatever may be the motives that urge thee to second ourenterprise, forget not that mine and those of my companions originate ina cause more noble and dignified--It is to assert our rights as a freeand independent nation."
"That," sneeringly muttered Bermudo, "may be the pretext; but I willneither discuss the merits of our undertaking, nor the justice of ourcause. To me, at least, they are just and meritorious. I seek by my ownexertions that redress which my humble station could not procure, whenmatched against those to whom chance, not superior worth, gave powerover me."
"Well," returned Caneri; "whatever be thy motives, thy services havebeen most acceptable to us, and thy reward shall be proportionate to thevalue of thy assistance."
"Reward!" exclaimed the renegade, "I ask for no reward; thinkest thou,Moor, I would have been tempted to abandon the most sacred ties ofcountry and religion for a reward?--Thinkest thou that for a bribe Icould be instigated to become an open villain?--a thing despised? for yeall despise me, and must despise me,--nor can I feel offended."
"Despise thee!" cried Caneri.
"Aye, despise me; for such as I must ever be despised, though theirservices may be most welcome. A reward! and what reward? Some paltrygold, perchance. No, Caneri; I am at least a bold, not a mean ruffian,and I wish for no other reward save that which I can exact with my ownhands. Ah! let me strew the rankest
thorns in the path of my wronger!Let me throw a deepening cloud over the brilliancy of his hopes, andenvenom all the springs of his affections and happiness! Let me make hima thing to create abhorrence, and heap upon his head the shame anddegradation that weigh me down; and when he writhes in agony, let meenjoy his misery and despair, and hear him cry for mercy, and deny ithim, as he denied it _her_! Oh! that I may watch his life as slowly itebbs away, and then in that last tumult of anguish,--in that violentseparation of the soul,--let me--let me pour into his afflicted ear myexulting voice, shrieking aloud _Anselma_!"
Callous as was the nature of Caneri, he could not suppress aninvoluntary shudder, when he beheld the horrid picture which therenegade now exhibited. It was a fearful sight, for that gust offrenzied passion gave to his whole person the look of a demon: his frameshook violently, and as he grasped his weapon with nervous convulsion,those iron features became fraught with indescribable hatred andrevenge. But the storm passed rapidly away, and after a short struggle,the renegade again resumed his look of dark, imperturbable calmness, andrelapsing into his wonted mood of gloomy abstraction, he recovered thecold fixed sneer which habit had rendered natural to his countenance.
At this time Malique claimed admittance, and advancing slowly towardsthe pile of cushions on which the vain-glorious Caneri languidlyreclined, failed not to present all those marks of reverence which somuch delighted the chief, who conceived them indispensable to thesupport of his dignity. Malique, therefore, crossed his arms with themost abject air, inclined his head until it came nearly in contact withhis knees, and with all the outward signs of humility made three timesthe Moorish obeisance. These tokens of submission Caneri received withthe haughtiness of manner peculiar to a despot, accustomed to commandrespect and adoration from his herd of slavish dependants.
"Malique," he then cried, "what brings thee here? Why am I disturbed inmy moments of privacy? What can induce thee to commit so daring atransgression?"
"Pardon me, most potent Caneri," humbly replied Malique. "Pardon thegood intentions of a faithful slave;--I am the bearer of pleasingtidings, although in my zeal to serve my master, I may perhaps have beenguilty of indiscretion."
"Speak," said Caneri, assuming a look of important gravity. "Alagraf,remain--I may need thy counsel--let the rest withdraw."
"Most mighty Caneri," continued Malique; "as my party was patrolling themountains last night, some of my men surprised a Christian."
"And of course he met his death?" interrupted the Chief.
"He did, after a long struggle, for a more desperate man we have seldomseen! he now dangles on a tree, like many others of his countrymen, afit scarecrow to rambling adventurers."
"Proceed--" said Caneri gravely.
"A moment after," resumed Malique, "chance led us to the spot whereanother Christian slept in fancied security."
"And didst thou slay the wretch?" inquired the Chief.
"No, most noble Caneri. It was a female, and therefore I brought herhere, for she is a most bewitching creature--such as seldom meets theenamoured gaze of an enraptured lover. The rose in its opening bloomlooks not more lovely in the garden of the faithful, than this beauteouscaptive. Indeed the fascination of her person is peculiarly striking,though at present the gloom that preys upon her mind, tends considerablyto diminish the lustre of her charms. Still I thought she might findfavor in the sight of our illustrious Chief, and be honored with hissmile."
"A young Christian maiden," cried Caneri, "sleeping in theAlpujarras!--'tis strange!--how came she there? Malique, didst thoulearn? Knowest thou the nature of her sorrows?"
"Yes," answered Malique,--"she bitterly deplores the fate of him weslew. Apparently, he was a husband or a lover. At all events theChristian people cannot boast of a nobler or braver warrior."
"Knowest thou his name?" demanded Caneri.
"I learnt it," replied Malique, "from the captive herself;--it is DonLope Gomez Arias."
"Gomez Arias!" exclaimed the renegade; starting back in amazement."Gomez Arias! it cannot be!"
"Such is the name," returned Malique, "that our prisoner gave him, andthere is no reason why she should deceive us. In troth her anguish wastoo deep, and her grief but too lively, to leave a doubt of the veracityof her statement."
"Gomez Arias!" cried again the renegade, "and is he really dead!--dead!Malique, art thou sure?--did he not escape?"
"Escape!" muttered the Moor, "his soul escaped from his body. That isall the escape that I wot of."
"Then," continued the renegade, Bermudo, striking his forehead in aparoxysm of disappointed passion, "my revenge is foiled, my victoryincomplete. I, too, could once have taken his life; but he owed me morethan his base life could pay. Long have I toiled to bring about a day ofretribution, and now my hopes are suddenly crushed, and my vengeancewrested from my hand."
"What means this, Alagraf?" inquired Caneri, surprised at such uncommondemonstrations.
"Is this thy acute perception!" cried Bermudo, "that thou canst notdivine the motive that alone brings joy or pain to this blighted heart?Dost thou forget that there is only one solitary feeling that can affectit?"
"Yes, revenge!" replied Caneri, "but then this Christian! this GomezArias--"
"Is my accursed enemy," thundered the renegade; "my foul wronger; oncemy lord and master; and this captive, this weeping beauty, is perchancehis affianced bride, the proud daughter of our bitterest, ourredoubtable foe. Yes, she must be the daughter of Alonso de Aguilar.And yet," he added, pondering, "how came she there?"
"What sayest thou?" exclaimed Caneri, with strong marks of pleasure."Can it be possible? Thanks, thanks to the holy prophet that vouchsafessuch reward to the faithful. This is indeed a most precious gage, as itmay perhaps be the means of curbing the overbearing insolence ofAguilar; for, destitute as he is of all sympathy towards the Moors, hemay yet feel the anxiety of parental love when he learns the situationof his child. Dispatch, quick; Malique, bring forth thy captive, and aska meed--'tis granted."
Malique withdrew, leaving the chief reveling in delight at theunexpected tidings; and the renegade, with a countenance expressive ofdeep regret at an occurrence which deprived him of the enjoyment of theone dark passion that actuated his every feeling, and engrossed everythought.
Meantime, the unfortunate Theodora was conducted by Malique before thechief, like a trembling victim for the sacrifice.
"Behold my prize," said the obsequious Moor, pointing to the helplessgirl. "I hope it is deserving the acceptance of the illustrious Caneri."
The gratified Moor made a slight inclination with his head in token ofapproval, and then in the most scrutinizing manner proceeded to scan thebeauties of the afflicted fair, who hung down her head in sorrow andconfusion. The renegade made a movement of disappointment, when heperceived that the captive was not, as he had surmised, the daughter ofAguilar.
"What!" said Caneri, observing his surprise, "does she not merit thyapprobation? Methinks, Alagraf, thou hast no soul for beauty: look, lookat that lovely countenance; it is certainly bathed in grief, and defacedwith weeping; but that does not detract from its charm."
"Fair Christian," he added, in a condescending tone, "droop not thuslike the humble and neglected flower of the valley, since thou artcalled to a brighter destiny; thou shalt flourish like the culturedlily of the garden, for thou hast found grace in the eyes of Caneri, andhe has the power to render thee happy."
These words of kindness, far from tranquillizing the mind of Theodora,served but to increase its agitation.
She hastily shrunk back as she perceived the Moor make a motion to takeher hand. Malique, in the meantime, exhibited much satisfaction inhaving thus rendered himself useful to the pleasures of Caneri, and thusacquired indisputable claims to his notice and gratitude; for, with thepetty despot, as with the greater tyrants of whom he was the miserablecopy, the base ministrants to his private gratifications were generallymore abundantly remunerated than those who gloriously served theircountry.
"Malique," e
xclaimed Caneri, his eyes glowing with joy, "I am so wellpleased with thy zeal, that I will assuredly enable thee to hold themost confidential offices near my person."
Then, turning to the renegade, who was as stubborn in his silence as thechief appeared eager in lauding the attractions of the captive, "Curseupon such apathy, Alagraf," he said with affected glee, "thou art a manof marble, if such a woman is not capable of moving thee."
"Yes," sternly responded the renegade, "I am in sooth a man of marble,and pity there are so few to resemble me: better it were for theprosperity of our enterprize. What have I to do with the charms ofwoman? they have proved the bane of my existence. Once, indeed, I knewtheir value, but that is past, and now they are hateful to my sight:they recall the unfortunate and innocent cause of the horrors whichsurround me. Moor," he then added, "abandon not thyself to suchunreasonable joy; for, learn that the hopes which we conceived from thepossession of our captive are already vanished. She is not the woman wehad supposed."
"What meanest thou?" asked Caneri.
"She is not the daughter of Aguilar," replied Bermudo.
"Well," rejoined the Moor, "we must then submit to the disappointment;but will this circumstance detract from the charms which you see renderher so lovely?" He cast an enamoured glance, as he delivered thesewords, on the subject of his present delight; and then, very wellsatisfied with his discretion, he continued--"I can justly appreciatemerit wherever I find it; and although certainly the creed and countryof our fair guest are in direct opposition with mine, yet that shall notprevent me from paying the tribute which her beauty so justly deserves."
Theodora heard all this with sorrowful resignation; nor was Caneri byany means satisfied with the success of his eloquence, for he had beenaccustomed to meet with a more joyous reception from every female towhom he had yet condescended to make advances.
"Malique," he said, turning to the officious menial, "lead thisbeauteous damsel to one of our best apartments, and see that she wantsfor nothing that I can command."
He then favored the afflicted Theodora with a peculiar smile, in which,somewhat of the ludicrous prevailed over the tender, and dismissed herfrom his presence, with a gracious promise of a visit as early as theimportance of his affairs would allow.
While Caneri spoke, Bermudo held his accustomed silence, but he couldnot disguise his contempt when he perceived the Moor so completelyengrossed with the pursuit of his selfish gratification, at a time whenaffairs of such magnitude were at stake.
"Caneri," he cried sullenly; "it appears to me that our cause is notlikely to derive any great advantage from the possession of thatChristian."
"A mind," replied Caneri, with an assumption of gravity, "a mindharassed with numerous cares, necessarily requires some relaxation.--Tothee alone, as a friend, do I speak in these terms of confidence; to anyother, I would not condescend to afford the shadow of explanationregarding what may appear strange in my conduct; my actions must not besubjected to the scrutiny of any one."
As he said this, he looked around with an air of offended dignity, asthough a signification of his will were sufficient to command respectand obedience; while the renegade made no other reply than a smile ofderision.
Caneri now summoned around him his principal officers, and happy in thebeggarly retinue that attended him, he paraded the wretched town ofAlhacen, the capital of his scanty dominions. This was more for idledisplay, than for the purpose of taking vigorous and efficient measuresto check the course of the Christians. The garrison was drawn out in the_Plaza_[27] to be reviewed by their commander. They amounted to abouteight hundred men, but exhibited a miserable appearance, both withregard to arms and equipment. He harangued them upon the glory of theircause, and exhorted the chiefs to a rigid observance of their duty.Having thus terminated this singular exhibition to his entiresatisfaction, he returned with the same parade to his humble mansion,which, in compliment to its illustrious inhabitant, was now dignifiedwith the title of the palace.