University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XX.

A stately conversation was held by
King Ferdinand, in the ancient city of
Cordova, composed of several of the most
reverend prelates and renowned cavaliers
of the kingdom, to determine upon the
fate of the unfortunate Boabdil.

Don Alonso de Cardenas, the worthy
Master of Santiago, was one of the first
who gave his counsel. He was a pious
and zealous knight, rigid in his devotion
to the faith; and his holy zeal had been
inflamed to peculiar vehemence since his
disastrous crusade among the mountains
of Malaga. He inveighed with ardour
against any compromise or compact with
the infidels. The object of this war, he
observed, was not the subjection of the
Moors, but their utter expulsion from the
land, so that there might no longer remain
a single stain of Mahometanism
throughout Christian Spain. He gave it
as his opinion, therefore, that the captive
king ought not to be set at liberty.

Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, the valiant
Marquis of Cadiz, on the contrary, spoke

warmly for the release of Boabdil. He
pronounced it a measure of sound policy,
even if done without conditions. It would
tend to keep up the civil war in Granada,
which was as a fire consuming the entrails
of the enemy, and effecting more
for the interests of Spain, without expense,
than all the conquests of its arms.

The grand cardinal of Spain, Don
Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza, coincided
in opinion with the Marquis of Cadiz.
"Nay," added that pious prelate and
politic statesman, "it would be sound
wisdom to furnish the Moor with men
and money, and all other necessaries to
promote the civil war in Granada: by
this means would be produced great benefit
to the service of God; since we are
ussured by his infallible word, that `a
kingdom divided against itself cannot
stand.' "[34]

Ferdinand weighed these counsels in
his mind, but was slow in coming to a
decision. "He was religiously attentive
to his own interests," observes Fray
Antonio Agapida; "knowing himself to
be but an instrument of Providence in
this holy war; and that, therefore, in
consulting his own advantage, he was
promoting the interests of the faith."
The opinion of Queen Isabella relieved
him from his perplexity. That high-minded
princess was zealous for the promotion
of the faith, but not for the extermination
of the infidels. The Moorish
kings had held their thrones as vassals
to her progenitors: she was content, at
present, to accord the same privilege,
and that the royal prisoner should be
liberated, on condition of becoming a
vassal to the crown. By this means
might be effected the deliverance of many
Christians captive, who were languishing
in Moorish chains.

King Ferdinand adopted the magnanimous
measure recommended by the
queen, but he accompanied it with several
shrewd conditions; exacting tribute, military
services, and safe passage and
maintenance for Christian troops throughout
the places which should adhere to
Boabdil. The captive king readily submitted
to these stipulations; and swore,
after the manner of his faith, to observe
them with exactitude. A truce was arranged
for two years, during which the
Castilian sovereigns engaged to maintain
him on his throne, and to assist him in
recovering all places which he had lost
during his captivity.

When Boabdil el Chico had solemnly
agreed to this arrangement in the castle
of Porcuna, preparations were made to
receive him in Cordova in regal style.
Superb steeds, richly caparisoned, and
raiment of brocade and silk, and the
most costly cloths, with all other articles
of sumptuous array, were furnished to
him, and to fifty Moorish cavaliers, who
had come to treat for his ransom, that
he might appear in state befitting the
monarch of Granada, and the most distinguished
vassal of the Christian sovereigns.
Money, also, was advanced, to
maintain him in suitable grandeur during
his residence at the Castilian court, and
his return to his dominions. Finally, it
was ordered by the sovereigns, that,
when he came to Cordova, all the nobles
and dignitaries of the court should go
forth to receive him.

A question now arose among certain
of those ancient and experienced men,
who grow gray about a court in the profound
study of forms and ceremonials;
with whom a point of punctilio is as a
vast political right, and who contract a
sublime and awful idea of the external
dignity of the throne. Certain of these
court sages propounded the momentous
question, whether the Moorish monarch,
coming to do homage as a vassal, ought
not to kneel, and kiss the hand of the
king. "This was immediately decided
in the affirmative, by a large number of
ancient cavaliers, accustomed," says
Antonio Agapida, "to the lofty punctilio
of our most dignified court and transcendant
sovereigns." The king, therefore,
was informed, by those who arranged
the ceremonials, that, when the Moorish
monarch appeared in his presence, he
was expected to extend his royal hand to
receive the kiss of homage.

"I should certainly do so," replied
King Ferdinand, "were he at liberty, and
in his own kingdom: but I certainly shall
not do so, seeing that he is a prisoner,
and in mine."

The courtiers loudly applauded the

magnanimity of this reply; though many
condemned it in secret, as savouring of
too much generosity towards an infidel;
and the worthy Jesuit, Fray Antonio
Agapida, fully concurs in their opinion.

The Moorish king entered Cordova with
his little train of faithful knights, and escorted
by all the nobility and chivalry of
the Castilian court. He was conducted
with great state and ceremony to the
royal palace. When he came in presence
of King Ferdinand, he knelt, and offered
to kiss his hand, not merely in homage
as his subject, but in gratitude for his
liberty. Ferdinand declined the token of
vassalage, and raised him graciously
from the earth. An interpreter began, in
the name of Boabdil, to laud the magnanimity
of the Castilian monarch, and to
promise the most implicit submission.
"Enough," said King Ferdinand, interrupting
the interpreter in the midst of his
harangue; "there is no need of these
compliments. I trust in his integrity,
that he will do every thing becoming a
good man and a good king." With these
words, he received Boabdil el Chico into
his royal friendship and protection.