CHAPTER II.
The battle is their pastime; they go forth Gay in the morn as to the summer's sport: When evening comes, the glory of the morn, The youthful warrior, is a clod of clay.
_Home._
The streets and squares of Granada were thronged with a bustling andconfused crowd. Here groups were assembled talking earnestly, andevincing all the signs of surprise and terror--there others were runningabout as if the dreaded event was actually come to pass. A continual humwas heard in every corner of the city; every tongue was eloquent intelling, and happy was he who could obtain an attentive listener, whereall were eager to assume the part of orators. Indeed the cause of thesedemonstrations was important: several expresses had arrived, announcingthe insurrection of the Sierra Bermeja, with the additional calamitythat the terrible El Feri de Benastepar, whom they all supposed to havebeen slain, was not only safe and alive, but with the means of renewinga desperate warfare, and actually possessed of a force sufficientlystrong to enable him to march upon Granada.
The town of Alhaurin, and several villages in the vicinity of the SierraBermeja were likewise in arms, and the rebellion seemed rapidly toextend throughout the whole of the surrounding country.
The rage of the Christians on receiving this intelligence was greatlyincreased by the insolent carriage of their fellow-citizens of theMahomedan creed. Indeed, they evinced, in the triumph of their demeanor,the workings of smothered hatred, that only waited an opportunity toexplode. Granada itself would have become a scene of tumult andbloodshed, had not Count de Tendilla speedily resorted to measures ofprecaution to insure public tranquillity. Various bands of veteransoldiers patrolled the streets, where the confused murmur of discontent,or the whispering group of sedition, was heard on all sides.
The queen was highly incensed at this fresh instance of the refractoryand turbulent disposition of her new subjects. Her former edicts wereagain proclaimed through the city, not only against the aiders andabettors of the rebels, but even against such as should hold communionwith them, howsoever slight or incidental.
The indignation of Alonso de Aguilar was strongly depicted on his nobleand manly features, when in the presence of the assembled court hegrasped the standard of the cross, and in a tone of resolution andenthusiasm--
"By the holy sign on this banner," he cried, "and by all the honors ofmy house, I swear not to return to Granada until this accursed rebellionis rooted out, and the promoters brought to punishment. Ere this monthbe past, El Feri de Benastepar, or Don Alonso de Aguilar, shall benumbered with the dead."
A shout of enthusiasm answered the noble sentiments of the warrior,whilst the queen issued orders that the next day all disposable forcesshould depart for the Sierra Bermeja, under the command of Aguilar, hisson, Count de Urena and Don Antonio de Leyva. The troops of Jaen and allCastile were likewise ordered to hold themselves in readiness to marchunder the Alcayde de los Donceles and Count de Cifuentes.
Gomez Arias seized with avidity the opportunity which fortune thusoffered him to signalize himself, and found stronger claims to theesteem and regard of his sovereign, on whose features he had latelyobserved a degree of coldness which little accorded with her formercordiality. He did not regret his being excluded from the number ofchiefs under Aguilar, though his pride might feel a temporary wound. Forhe considered that his reputation would not be materially increasedwhilst acting in subordination to such a chief as Aguilar. His giganticfame would engross almost all the glory, and its splendour wouldnaturally throw into shade the lesser stars of his unequal rivals. Herejoiced, therefore, that his exertions were unfettered by a superior,and his ardent and ambitious mind soon worked out a plan of operationsagainst a quarter of the revolted territory which had been neglected inthe hasty dispositions already made.
He now boldly sought the presence of the queen, and requested herauthority to embody a division to act under his command, a boon whichhis reputation as a soldier fully justified him in demanding. Isabella,to whom Don Lope's courtly manners and gallant bearing had always beenpleasing, was happy to afford him an opportunity of distinguishinghimself, and the cloud that obscured her brow was soon dispelled by agracious smile as she wished him success in his expedition. Indeed,justice required that the request of Gomez Arias should not be denied,for while most of the Spanish chiefs, his brothers in arms, were aboutto share the dangers and glory of so honorable a war, it would have beenutterly inconsistent that Don Lope, who ranked amongst the foremost incourage, should remain in obscurity.
Gomez Arias immediately made his arrangements with the usual ardour ofhis character, stimulated by ambition and the desire of forcing uponLeonor a conviction of his superior merits, by adding to his famewithout being indebted to the proud family of the Aguilars. He summonedto his ranks all the friends over whom he possessed power, and theretainers of various noble families with whom he was in alliance. Butthese being volunteers, whom their zeal or hatred to the Moors hadinstigated to take up arms, could not be put in a state to depart fromGranada with the regular army of Don Alonso de Aguilar.
The troops of this noble veteran were prepared to march. Previously,however, to their departure from the city, they piously bent theirsteps towards the cathedral, where divine service was performed withgreat pomp, to propitiate heaven in favour of its servants. Thearchbishop delivered an eloquent oration inculcating on the Christianstheir duty, and the glory of their enterprize; pointing out fame andhonour to the survivors--an eternal crown to those who should fall indefence of their country and religion. The banners of the army were thenblessed, and the various divisions directed their march towards thegates of Elvira, by which they were to leave the city.
It was a clear and beautiful morning; no lowering cloud defaced theserene brilliancy of the sky, and the sunbeams sporting on the polishedhelmets and glittering trappings of the army, were reflected in athousand curious rays.
The trumpets, clarions, and other martial instruments, poured theirbrazen voices in wild and animating strains, while the shouts of themultitude, assembled to behold the departure of the Christian soldiers,floated promiscuously along the air. The walls of the city werethronged with spectators, whilst others, more active or more interested,followed the army down the Vega. It was a scene at once splendid andinteresting, to behold the army marching gallantly to the field,followed by a multitude all unanimous in imploring the benedictions ofheaven on their brave countrymen.
Amongst the dense crowd that gazed upon that martial array, whatpassions were called forth--how many latent affections kindled--and whatsentiments of glory displayed! The magnificent pomp and thespirit-stirring dignity of war, at the same time that it elevates thesoul to deeds of heroism, fails not to awaken in the breast acorresponding sentiment of awe.--Alas! while the warrior, in all theenthusiasm of courage and self-devotion, marches with eager strides tothe paths of victory, perhaps of death, how many tender hearts swellhigh and beat fearfully for the dangers which they themselves cannotperceive!
Amongst that overpowering multitude might be discerned the venerablefather, a lingering spark of noble fire still lurking in his dim eyes,and his withering frame receiving new energies as he gazed on themilitary display. A sigh of regret escapes him, for the perilous andglorious scenes in which his age forbids him to bear a part. Hisout-stretched palms are clasped in fervent orisons to heaven, not forthe safety of his child, but that his conduct in the field may be worthyof a man and a Spaniard.
There was also the affectionate spouse contemplating the marching armyin silent sorrow; her eyes swimming in tears are intensely fixed on thatnumerous mass of warlike spirits, where _one_, to her dearer than allthe world, was speeding from her side. On one arm some innocent,perhaps, lay in sweet slumber, whilst another urchin, with years enoughto gaze with delight upon the glorious scene, evinces his pleasure atthe animating prospect, and with infantine exultation looks upwards tohis mother, wondering to see her bathed in sorrow, for to hisunconscious heart no cause is there
for grief; and yet his tears flowbecause his mother weeps.
Farther, perhaps, more lonely, on some high turret, on some distanteminence, striving to hide her sorrows from the eye of the world, isseen the trembling virgin, whose pure heart has received the firstimpression of love, and whose charmed ear has listened with fondness tothe soft tale of promised bliss. Now, with restless and agitated glance,she surveys the numerous host in the vain hope of distinguishing thedear object of all her tenderest affections, torn from her arms toexchange her smile for scenes of bloodshed and desolation. Alas! hownumerous and various are the fears that agitate her gentle breast! Shemay never more see him: he may sleep his last sleep on the field ofhorror; or he may return triumphant but false to his vows, with a proudheart, to scorn the love of her who mourned for his absence.
But women, likewise, there might be seen more high-minded and moreheroic in their thoughts and feelings; some who, like Leonor de Aguilar,offered their tears at the shrine of glory and patriotism, and who,while they trembled for the life of the object of their affections, werestill more anxious for his honor; some, whose passion received a sparkof heavenly fire that elevated them above their kind, and who gloried inthe sight as they beheld their lovers marching onwards to fame andvictory.
Such scenes, such sensations, with others which as powerfully affect theheart, but which the pen would vainly attempt to portray, are generallyattendant on a departing army. Fear, perhaps, holds its dominion in thebreasts of the many and interesting beings who are left behind; but hopesteals gently forward, and gilds with its bright illusion the mostfearful anticipations.
Meantime the soldier marches on gaily and reckless, and with a lightheart he takes his farewell of those whom he is, perhaps, doomed nevermore to behold; and the tears that accompany his departure, tears ofsympathy and affection, will soon, alas! be changed for the bitter dropsof grief and despair.