University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XCVI.

The Moors now shut themselves up
gloomily within their walls. There were
no longer any daring sallies from their
gates; and even the martial clangour of
the drum and trumpet, which had continually
resounded within the warrior
city, was now seldom heard from its
battlements. For a time they flattered
themselves with hopes, that the late conflagration
of the camp would discourage
the besiegers; that, as in former years,
their invasion would end with the summer,
and that they would again withdraw
before the autumnal rains. The measures
of Ferdinand and Isabella soon crushed
these hopes. They gave orders to build
a regular city upon the site of their camp,
to convince the Moors, that the siege was
to endure until the surrender of Granada.
Nine of the principal cities of Spain were
charged with this stupendous undertaking,
and they emulated each other with a
zeal worthy of the cause. "It verily
seemed," says Fray Antonio Agapida,
"as though some miracle operated to aid
this pious work, so rapidly did arise
a formidable city, with solid edifices,
and powerful walls, and mighty towers,
where lately had been seen nothing but
tents and light pavilions. The city was
traversed by two principal streets, in form
of a cross; terminating in four gates,
facing the four winds; and in the centre
was a vast square, where the whole army
might be assembled. To this city it was

proposed to give the name of Isabella, so
dear to the army and the nation; but that
pious princess," adds Antonio Agapida,
"calling to mind the holy cause in which
it was erected, gave it the name of Santa
Fé, or the city of the Holy Faith; and it
remains to this day, a monument of the
piety and glory of the catholic sovereigns."

Hither the merchants soon resorted
from all points. Long trains of mules
were seen every day entering and departing
from its gates; the streets were
crowded with magazines filled with all
kinds of costly and luxurious merchandise;
a scene of bustling commerce and
prosperity took place, while unhappy
Granada remained shut up and desolate.

In the mean time the besieged city
began to suffer the distress of famine.
Its supplies were all cut off. A cavalgada
of flocks and herds, and mules laden
with money, coming to the relief of the
city from the mountains of the Alpuxarras,
was taken by the Marquis of
Cadiz, and led in triumph to the camp,
in sight of the suffering Moors. Autumn
arrived; but the harvests had been swept
from the face of the country; a rigorous
winter was approaching, and the city
was almost destitute of provisions. The
people sank into deep despondency.
They called to mind all that had been
predicted by astrologers at the birth of
their ill-starred sovereign, and all that
had been foretold of the fate of Granada,
at the time of the capture of Zahara.

Boabdil was alarmed by the gathering
dangers from without, and by the clamours
of his starving people. He summoned
a council, composed of the principal
officers of the army, the alcaydes
of the fortresses, the xeques, or sages of
the city, and the alfaquis, or doctors of
the faith. They assembled in the great
hall of audience of the Alhambra, and
despair was painted in their countenances.
Boabdil demanded of them what was to
be done in the present extremity; and
their answer was, "Surrender." The
venerable Abul Cazim Abdelmelic, governor
of the city, represented its unhappy
state. "Our granaries are nearly
exhausted, and no further supplies are to
be expected. The provender for the warhorses
is required as sustenance for the
soldiery; the very horses themselves are
killed for food. Of seven thousand steeds,
which once could be sent into the field,
three hundred only remain. Our city
contains two hundred thousand inhabitants,
old and young, with each a mouth
that calls piteously for bread."

The xeques and principal citizens declared,
that the people could no longer
sustain the labours and sufferings of a
defence: "And of what avail is our defence,"
said they, "when the enemy is
determined to persist in the siege? what
alternative remains, but to surrender, or
to die?"

The heart of Boabdil was touched by
this appeal, and he maintained a gloomy
silence. He had cherished some faint
hope of relief from the Soldan of Egypt,
or the Barbary powers; but it was now
at an end. Even if such assistance were
to be sent, he had no longer a seaport
where it might debark. The counsellors
saw, that the resolution of the king was
shaken, and they united their voices in
urging him to capitulate.

The valiant Muza alone arose in opposition.
"It is yet too early," said he,
"to talk of a surrender. Our means are
not exhausted; we have yet one source
of strength remaining, terrible in its
effects, and which often has achieved
the most signal victory. It is our despair.
Let us rouse the mass of the people;
let us put weapons in their hands;
let us fight the enemy to the very utmost,
until we rush upon the points of their
lances. I am ready to lead the way into
the thickest of their squadrons; and
much rather would I be numbered among
those who fell in the defence of Granada,
than of those who survived to capitulate
for her surrender!"

The words of Muza were without effect,
for they were addressed to broken-spirited
and heartless men, or men perhaps
to whom sad experience had taught
discretion. They were arrived at that
state of public depression, when heroes
and heroism are no longer regarded, and
when old men and their counsels rise
into importance. Boabdil el Chico yielded
to the general voice. It was determined
to capitulate with the Christian
sovereigns, and the venerable Abul Cazim
Abdelmelic was sent forth to the camp,
empowered to treat for terms.