--- title: Opening — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Opening, «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: LEGENDS OF THE CONQUEST OF SPAIN. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/1/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/) / Opening # Opening Opening of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 102 sentences and 1279 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. LEGENDS OF THE CONQUEST OF SPAIN.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE SKETCH-BOOK.”[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") MDCCCXXXVI.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") PREFACE.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Few events in history have been so signal and striking in their main circumstances, and so overwhelming and enduring in their consequences, as that of the conquest of Spain by the Saracens; yet there are few where the motives, characters, and actions of the agents have been enveloped in more doubt and contradiction.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") As in the memorable story of the Fall of Troy, we have to make out, as well as we can, the veritable details through the mists of poetic fiction; yet poetry has so combined itself with, and lent its magic colouring to, every fact, that to strip it away, would be to reduce the story to a meagre skeleton, and rob it of all its charms.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The storm of Moslem invasion that swept so suddenly over the peninsula, silenced for a time the faint voice of the Muse, and drove the sons of learning from their cells.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") The pen was thrown aside to grasp the sword and spear; and men were too much taken up with battling against the evils which beset them on every side, to find time or inclination to record them.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") When the nation had recovered in some degree from the effects of this astounding blow, or rather, had become accustomed to the tremendous reverse which it produced, and sage men sought to inquire and write the particulars, it was too late to ascertain them in their exact verity.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") The gloom and melancholy that had overshadowed the land, had given birth to a thousand superstitious fancies; the woes and terrors of the past were clothed with supernatural miracles and portents, and the actors in the fearful drama had already assumed the dubious characteristics of romance.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Or if a writer from among the conquerors undertook to touch upon the theme, it was embellished with all the wild extravagances of an oriental imagination; which afterwards stole into the graver works of the monkish historians.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Hence the earliest chronicles which treat of the downfall of Spain are apt to be tinctured with those saintly miracles which savour of the pious labours of the cloister, or those fanciful fictions that betray their Arabian authors.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet, from these apocryphal sources, the most legitimate and accredited Spanish histories have taken their rise, as pure rivers may be traced up to the fens and mantled pools of a morass.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") It is true, the authors, with cautious discrimination, have discarded those particulars too startling for belief, and have culled only such as, from their probability and congruity, might be safely recorded as historical facts; yet scarce one of these but has been connected in the original with some romantic fiction, and, even in its divorced state, bears traces of its former alliance.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") To discard, however, every thing wild and marvellous in this portion of Spanish history, is to discard some of its most beautiful, instructive, and national features; it is to judge of Spain by the standard of probability suited to tamer and more prosaic countries.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Spain is virtually a land of poetry and romance, where every-day life partakes of adventure, and where the least agitation or excitement carries every thing up into extravagant enterprise and daring exploit.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") The Spaniards, in all ages, have been of swelling and braggart spirit, soaring in thought, pompous in word, and valiant, though vainglorious, in deed.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Their heroic aims have transcended the cooler conceptions of their neighbours, and their reckless daring has borne them on to achievements which prudent enterprise could never have accomplished.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Since the time, too, of the conquest and occupation of their country by the Arabs, a strong infusion of oriental magnificence has entered into the national character, and rendered the Spaniard distinct from every other nation of Europe.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") In the following pages, therefore, the author has ventured to dip more deeply into the enchanted fountains of old Spanish chronicle, than has usually been done by those who, in modern times, have treated of the eventful period of the conquest; but, in so doing, he trusts he will illustrate more fully the character of the people and the times.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") He has thought proper to throw these records into the form of legends, not claiming for them the authenticity of sober history, yet giving nothing that has not historical foundation.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") All the facts herein contained, however extravagant some of them may be deemed, will be found in the works of sage and reverend chroniclers of yore, growing side by side with long acknowledged truths, and might be supported by learned and imposing references in the margin.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") CONTENTS.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Page[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") LEGEND OF DON RODERICK.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER I.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Of the ancient Inhabitants of Spain.—Of the Misrule of Witiza the Wicked 1[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER II.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") The Rise of Don Roderick.—His Government 11[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER III.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Of the Loves of Roderick and the Princess Elyata 18[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER IV.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Of Count Julian 27[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER V.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") The Story of Florinda 31[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER VI.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Don Roderick receives an extraordinary Embassy 44[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER VII.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Story of the marvellous and portentous Tower 50[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER VIII.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Count Julian.—His Fortunes in Africa.—He hears of the Dishonour of his Child.—His Conduct thereupon 66[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER IX.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Secret Visit of Count Julian to the Arab Camp.—First Expedition of Taric el Tuerto 78[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER X.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Letter of Muza to the Caliph.—Second Expedition of Taric el Tuerto 85[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XI.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Measures of Don Roderick on hearing of the Invasion.—Expedition of Ataulpho.—Vision of Taric 94[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XII.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Battle of Calpe.—Fate of Ataulpho 102[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XIII.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Terror of the Country.—Roderick rouses himself to Arms 112[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XIV.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") March of the Gothic Army.—Encampment on the Banks of the Guadalete.—Mysterious Predictions of a Palmer.—Conduct of Pelistes thereupon 121[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XV.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Skirmishing of the Armies.—Pelistes and his Son.—Pelistes and the Bishop 129[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XVI.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Traitorous Message of Count Julian 136[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XVII.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Last Day of the Battle 141[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XVIII.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") The Field of Battle after the Defeat.—The Fate of Roderick 150[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE FOREGOING LEGEND.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") The Tomb of Roderick 158[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") The Cave of Hercules 160[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") LEGEND OF THE SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER I.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Consternation of Spain.—Conduct of the Conquerors.—Missives between Taric and Muza 173[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER II.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") Capture of Granada.—Subjugation of the Alpuxarra Mountains 181[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER III.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Expedition of Magued against Cordova.—Defence of the Patriot Pelistes 192[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER IV.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") Defence of the Convent of St. George by Pelistes 198[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER V.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") Meeting between the Patriot Pelistes and the Traitor Julian 207[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER VI.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") How Taric el Tuerto captured the City of Toledo through the Aid of the Jews, and how he found the famous Talismanic Table of Solomon 213[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER VII.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza ben Nozier.—His Entrance into Spain, and Capture of Carmona 223[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER VIII.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza marches against the City of Seville 230[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER IX.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza besieges the City of Merida 233[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER X.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") Expedition of Abdalasis against Seville and the “Land of Tadmir” 245[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XI.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza arrives at Toledo.—Interview between him and Taric 259[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XII.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza prosecutes the Scheme of Conquest.—Siege of Saragossa.—Complete Subjugation of Spain 266[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XIII.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") Feud between the Arab Generals.—They are summoned to appear before the Caliph at Damascus.—Reception of Taric 273[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XIV.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza arrives at Damascus.—His Interview with the Caliph—The Table of Solomon.—A rigorous Sentence 282[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XV.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") Conduct of Abdalasis as Emir of Spain 289[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XVI.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") Loves of Abdalasis and Exilona 296[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") CHAPTER XVII.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") Fate of Abdalasis and Exilona.—Death of Muza 303[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") LEGEND OF COUNT JULIAN AND HIS FAMILY 313[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") Note to the preceding Legend 339[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") - next →: [Of the Ancient Inhabitants of Spain.—of the Misrule of Witiza the Wicked.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/2/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)