Gómez Arias

  CHAPTER II.

  We are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.

  _Shakespeare._

  Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents beingcommunicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for thepreservation of her power. She summoned around her all those counsellorsin whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whosevalour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.

  At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were nowassembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, overwhich was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet. Isabella couldscarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; herstature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air ofdignity which pervaded her every action. The mildness which beamed inher bright blue eye seemed rather to act as a persuasive to theobservance of her mandates, than as a command, and her displeasure wasmanifested more by reproaches than by threats. Few women could boast ofgreater personal attractions--none a better regulated mind; if faultthere were, it might be traced in the cloud which darkened her brow,when a consciousness of what was due to religion stood most prominentlyforward. At such times she became severe and abstracted; and yet heroccasional austerity could hardly be condemned by her subjects, when itled to that firmness and courage, and that inflexibility in the decreesof justice, for which she was so remarkable. If the grave historian hasstamped her character with these attributes of heroism, what scope maynot be allowed to the writer of historical fiction? Distinguished by hisnoble bearing and his honorable station, on the right hand of the queenstood the renowned Alonso de Aguilar, the terror of the Moorish name. Hehad, like his brother, the heroic Gonzalo de Cordova, particularlydistinguished himself in the wars against Granada, and was honored withthe regard and unlimited confidence of Isabella. Of a lofty and imposingstature, he united with gigantic strength an air of dignity which wellbecame the most accomplished warrior of the age. His noble countenancewore an expression of resolution and intrepidity, blended with opennessand candour, that inspired the beholder with sentiments of awe andadmiration. His fine athletic form was rendered more interesting fromits still retaining the elasticity of ardent youth, unsubdued by thechill of fifty winters, which he had chiefly spent in the toils of thecamp. His character bore out the impression thus formed in his favor.The active courage of his earlier days was chastened, not subdued, bythe experience of a more mature age; whilst the furrows on his manlybrow, and the few gray locks that slightly silvered his raven hair,heightened the feeling of respect and veneration which his many virtueswere so well calculated to inspire.

  On the opposite side stood Don Inigo Mendoza, Count de Tendilla,Governor of Granada, a man who had numerous claims to the gratitude ofSpain.--Nor was it the least, that of being father of a son, whoafterwards served his country in the triple capacities of a valiantsoldier, an enlightened statesman, and a profound scholar.

  Near these warriors were seen the Master of the Order of Calatrava, theAleayde de los Donceles, Count Urena, and other renowned chiefs. Therest of the nobles, taking precedence, according to their rank,completed this imposing assembly.

  An universal silence prevailed, and every one seemed impatient toascertain the object of the council to which they had been so hastilysummoned, the nature of which they could only conjecture.

  But from these noble ranks, a gallant knight was absent--one who, thoughyoung in years, was already a veteran in military achievements, andwhose brilliant abilities had won him the right of sharing with thesedistinguished personages the marked favor of his sovereign.--Gomez Ariaswas not there, and Alonso de Aguilar, who considered him already as hisson, felt chagrined at his unavoidable absence.

  This young nobleman was now a voluntary exile from court, and nowiseanxious to appear at Granada, where his presence would be attended withdanger. Neither his own merits, nor the influence of Aguilar, couldinduce Isabella to deviate from the path of justice, loudly demanded bythe family and friends of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who, at that time,was stretched on a bed of sickness, in consequence of a dangerous woundinflicted by Gomez Arias, his fortunate rival in the affections ofLeonor de Aguilar.

  The members of the council, with this solitary exception, beingassembled, the queen rose to address them.--"Noble Christians," shesaid, "my friends and brave defenders! You are no doubt already aware ofthe important motive which summons you to our presence. Unless a speedyremedy be applied, we are threatened with the loss of those territoriesfor which we have so long toiled, and which have been purchased with thedearest blood in Spain. Again the noble patriotic fire which animatesyou must be called forth, and the redoubled strength of your arms bedisplayed against the enemies of our faith and native land. Scarcely hadyou, by courage and perseverance, reduced this last strong hold ofGranada, and compelled the Moors to surrender the inheritance of ourforefathers, when the seeds of discontent were sown, and sprung intoopen rebellion. Whatever may have been the complaints of the inhabitantsof the Albaycin, it was by calm remonstrance, and by applications toour throne of justice, that they ought to have sought redress; not bythe force of arms, in which they have had but too many occasions toacknowledge our superiority.--Our officers of justice have beeninsulted, and one of them has been murdered in the discharge of hisduty. The prudent and active conduct of the Count de Tendilla succeededin putting down the first commotion, but the leaders of the outrage havesought, in the wild passes of the Alpujarras, to conduct by stratagem awar which they are not able to sustain against us in the field. Let usthen hasten to chastise their insolence before the evil gain ground. Notthat I entertain any doubts of success, but for the purpose of savingthe valuable lives which such procrastination might endanger. Amongstthe rebel chiefs, who appear to possess in the greatest degree theconfidence of their comrades, and most resolutely to defy our power, areel Negro,[2] of Lanjaron, and el Feri de Benastepar. The former,blockaded in the Castle of Lanjaron, will not long brave a siege; butthe latter is a more formidable enemy, and being well acquainted withthe innermost passes of those wild mountains, will offer a greaterresistance. Against this man, therefore, our chief efforts must bedirected."

  She then took a banner, on which was splendidly emblazoned the arms ofCastile and Arragon.--"To thee, Don Alonso de Aguilar," she said, "do weintrust the chief command in this expedition, and to thy care andkeeping do we commit this precious gage, which thou must fix on thesummit of the Alpujarras."

  Saying this, she delivered the standard to the veteran warrior. He bowedon receiving it, and the fire of enthusiasm kindled in his dark eyes ashe knelt, and kissed the hand of the donor; then waving the banner onhigh, he exclaimed--"All that human efforts can achieve, will I do. MyLiege, from your hands Alonso de Aguilar receives this pledge of royalfavor, and he will not prove ungrateful for the noble distinction. Yes,I will punish these accursed infidels, and this sacred standard shallnot be separated from me till it streams in triumph on the summit of themountain. Noble warriors," he continued with a burst of exultation--"ifthis banner be lost, search for it in the midst of slaughteredMoors--there you will find it, dyed in the blood, but still in the graspof Alonso de Aguilar."

  As he uttered these words, he again raised the banner on high, and thesurrounding chiefs sent forth, simultaneously, a shout of approbation.Isabella then motioning with her hand to command attention, againaddressed the council.--"Listen further to our sovereign decree. Fromthis time let no one of our subjects hold communion or any intercoursewhatever with the rebels. The least infringement of this order shall beaccounted treason, and the transgressor shall be dealt with according tothe law. Let an edict be proclaimed, that no one may plead ignorance ofits purport."

  The chiefs now gradually withdrew; and Don Alonso having made hisobeisance, was likewise about to retire, when his royal mistressdetained him.--"Stay, Aguilar. It grieves me much that the marriage ofthy daughter should be thus deferred, nay, perh
aps set aside, by theunfortunate adventure of her lover with Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. How isthe wounded man?"

  "Most gracious Queen"--replied Don Alonso, "I have received intelligencethat he is even now considered almost out of danger. The issue of a fewdays will determine, and then if the result be favorable, I may safelywelcome the return of Don Lope Gomez Arias."

  "As good a knight as Spain can boast"--returned the queen--"andpossessed of those accomplishments which insure the favor of our sex.But I hear he has a failing, which, as a woman, I ought rather to call agrievous fault. I am told he is of a very fickle character. Is not yourLeonor alarmed at the reported inconstancy of her future husband?"

  "Is she not the child of Aguilar?"--proudly cried the warrior--"Andwhere is the man that dared wrong one of that name?"

  "Nay," replied Isabella, in the most condescending tone and manner, "Ido not mean that Leonor will repent her choice when once made; she hasattractions to fix the most volatile and inconstant of men; and Isincerely hope that Gomez Arias will have discernment sufficient toappreciate them."

  "Don Lope is not so fickle as some have wished your Highness tobelieve," observed Don Alonso. "Moreover, I use no compulsion; they loveeach other well, and I only am concerned that their marriage should notbe celebrated before I march against el Feri de Benastepar. In the faceof danger I would then feel tranquil, from the consciousness that therewas one to protect my child, should aught happen to her father in thishazardous expedition."

  "The daughter of Don Alonso de Aguilar"--replied the queen--"can neverneed one to supply her father's place whilst Isabella lives. She shallremain constantly with me, and I shall be gratified to manifest by myattention and kindness to Leonor, the high estimation in which I holdher father. But how does it happen that you are not the _Mantenedor_ ofthe lists in the games of to-morrow?"

  "One more capable than myself has already assumed the charge. Besides, Ican feel little interested with the display of a tournament, when we areshortly to meet the enemy in mortal encounter. These sports suit wellwith gay young cavaliers, but not with veterans like myself. Thosegallant knights have admiring ladies to look upon their prowess, andreward their success. But my only ambition is to sustain the laurelsearned in bloody fray against the enemy of my country,--to gain theapprobation of that country, and the favor of its greatest ornament,--mynoble sovereign."

  The resolute and manly tone in which Don Alonso spoke, perfectlyaccorded with the frankness and generosity of his character. He bent hisknee as he pressed to his lips the extended hand of his queen.

  "And well hast thou deserved that favor," she exclaimed, "my best, andmost faithful friend: thy country will pay with gratitude thy longproved services. Go; prosper in thy brilliant career!"

  The remainder of the day was passed in preparations for the games of themorrow. Gallant knights were busily engaged in preparing theiraccoutrements, and examining their armour, whilst many a fair hand wasas anxiously occupied in ornamenting the devices, and arranging thecolours of the favored knight. The city was thronged with visitors, theinhabitants of the adjacent country having been attracted by the fame ofthe reported games, insomuch that Granada could not hold her numerousguests. For more accommodation, numerous temporary tents had beenpitched along the smiling plain of the Vega. The voices of vacant joyand revelry were heard on all sides, and the warriors and irregulargroups, moving along in all the recklessness of anticipated pleasure,presented a gay and lively picture.