--- title: The Cave of Hercules. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: The Cave of Hercules., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: As the story of the necromantic tower is one of the most famous as well as least credible points in the history of Don Roderick, it ma --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/21/) [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/) / The Cave of Hercules. # The Cave of Hercules. The Cave of Hercules. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 119 sentences and 2285 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. As the story of the necromantic tower is one of the most famous as well as least credible points in the history of Don Roderick, it may be well to fortify or buttress it by some account of another marvel of the city of Toledo.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") This ancient city, which dates its existence almost from the time of the flood, claiming as its founder Tubal, the son of Japhet, and grandson of Noah\[28\], has been the warrior hold of many generations, and a strange diversity of races.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") It bears traces of the artifices and devices of its various occupants, and is full of mysteries and subjects for antiquarian conjecture and perplexity.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") It is built upon a high rocky promontory, with the Tagus brawling round its base, and is overlooked by cragged and precipitous hills.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") These hills abound with clefts and caverns; and the promontory itself, on which the city is built, bears traces of vaults and subterraneous habitations, which are occasionally discovered under the ruins of ancient houses, or beneath the churches and convents.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") These are supposed by some to have been the habitations or retreats of the primitive inhabitants; for it was the custom of the ancients, according to Pliny, to make caves in high and rocky places, and live in them through fear of floods; and such a precaution, says the worthy Don Pedro de Roxas, in his history of Toledo, was natural enough among the first Toledans, seeing that they founded their city shortly after the deluge, while the memory of it was still fresh in their minds.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Some have supposed these secret caves and vaults to have been places of concealment of the inhabitants and their treasure, during times of war and violence; or rude temples for the performance of religious ceremonies in times of persecution.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") There are not wanting other, and grave writers, who give them a still darker purpose.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") In these caves, say they, were taught the diabolical mysteries of magic; and here were performed those infernal ceremonies and incantations, horrible in the eyes of God and man.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") “History,” says the worthy Don Pedro de Roxas, “is full of accounts that the magi taught and performed their magic and their superstitious rites in profound caves and secret places; because, as this art of the devil was prohibited from the very origin of Christianity, they always sought for hidden places in which to practise it.”[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") In the time of the Moors this art, we are told, was publicly taught at their universities, the same as astronomy, philosophy, and mathematics, and at no place was it cultivated with more success than at Toledo.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Hence this city has ever been darkly renowned for mystic science; insomuch that the magic art was called by the French, and by other nations, the Arte Toledana.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Of all the marvels, however, of this ancient, picturesque, romantic, and necromantic city, none in modern times surpass the cave of Hercules, if we may take the account of Don Pedro de Roxas for authentic.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") The entrance to this cave is within the church of San Gines, situated in nearly the highest part of the city.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") The portal is secured by massive doors, opening within the walls of the church, but which are kept rigorously closed.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The cavern extends under the city and beneath the bed of the Tagus to the distance of three leagues beyond.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") It is, in some places, of rare architecture, built of small stones curiously wrought, and supported by columns and arches.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") In the year 1546 an account of this cavern was given to the archbishop and cardinal Don Juan Martinez Siliceo, who, desirous of examining it, ordered the entrance to be cleaned.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") A number of persons furnished with provisions, lanterns, and cords, then went in, and having proceeded about half a league, came to a place where there was a kind of chapel or temple, having a table or altar, with several statues of bronze in niches or on pedestals.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") While they were regarding this mysterious scene of ancient worship or incantation, one of the statues fell, with a noise that echoed through the cavern, and smote the hearts of the adventurers with terror.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Recovering from their alarm they proceeded onward, but were soon again dismayed by a roaring and rushing sound that increased as they advanced.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") It was made by a furious and turbulent stream, the dark waters of which were too deep and broad and rapid to be crossed.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") By this time their hearts were so chilled they could not seek any other passage by which they might advance; so they turned back and hastened out of the cave.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") It was nightfall when they sallied forth, and they were so much affected by the terror they had undergone, and by the cold and damp air of the cavern, to which they were the more sensible from its being in the summer, that all of them fell sick, and several of them died.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Whether the archbishop was encouraged to pursue his research and gratify his curiosity, the history does not mention.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Alonzo Telles de Meneses, in his history of the world, records, that not long before his time a boy of Toledo, being threatened with punishment by his master, fled and took refuge in this cave.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Fancying his pursuer at his heels, he took no heed of the obscurity or coldness of the cave, but kept groping and blundering forward, until he came forth at three leagues distance from the city.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Another and very popular story of this cave, current among the common people, was, that in its remote recesses lay concealed a great treasure of gold, left there by the Romans.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Whoever would reach this precious hoard must pass through several caves or grottos; each having its particular terror, and all under the guardianship of a ferocious dog, who has the key of all the gates, and watches day and night.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") At the approach of any one, he shows his teeth, and makes a hideous growling; but no adventurer after wealth has had courage to brave a contest with this terrific cerberus.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The most intrepid candidate on record was a poor man who had lost his all, and had those grand incentives to desperate enterprise, a wife and a large family of children.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Hearing the story of this cave, he determined to venture alone in search of the treasure.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") He accordingly entered, and wandered many hours, bewildered, about the cave.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Often would he have returned, but the thoughts of his wife and children urged him on.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") At length he arrived near to the place where he supposed the treasure lay hidden; but here, to his dismay, he beheld the floor of the cavern strown with human bones; doubtless the remains of adventurers like himself, who had been torn to pieces.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Losing all courage, he now turned and sought his way out of the cave.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Horrors thickened upon him as he fled.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") He beheld direful phantoms glaring and gibbering around him, and heard the sound of pursuit in the echoes of his footsteps.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") He reached his home overcome with affright; several hours elapsed before he could recover speech to tell his story, and he died on the following day.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") The judicious Don Pedro de Roxas holds the account of the buried treasure for fabulous, but the adventure of this unlucky man for very possible; being led on by avarice, or rather the hope of retrieving a desperate fortune.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") He, moreover, pronounces his dying, shortly after coming forth, as very probable; because the darkness of the cave, its coldness, the fright at finding the bones, the dread of meeting the imaginary dog, all joining to operate upon a man who was past the prime of his days, and enfeebled by poverty and scanty food, might easily cause his death.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Many have considered this cave as intended originally for a sally or retreat from the city in case it should be taken; an opinion rendered probable, it is thought, by its grandeur and great extent.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The learned Salazar de Mendoza, however, in his history of the grand cardinal of Spain, affirms it as an established fact, that it was first wrought out of the rock by Tubal, the son of Japhet, and grandson of Noah; and afterwards repaired and greatly augmented by Hercules the Egyptian, who made it his habitation after he had erected his pillars at the straits of Gibraltar.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Here, too, it is said, he read magic to his followers, and taught them those supernatural arts by which he accomplished his vast achievements.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Others think that it was a temple dedicated to Hercules; as was the case, according to Pomponius Mela, with the great cave in the rock of Gibraltar; certain it is, that it has always borne the name of “The Cave of Hercules.”[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") There are not wanting some who have insinuated that it was a work dating from the time of the Romans, and intended as a cloaca or sewer of the city; but such a grovelling insinuation will be treated with proper scorn by the reader, after the nobler purposes to which he has heard this marvellous cavern consecrated.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") From all the circumstances here adduced from learned and reverend authors, it will be perceived that Toledo is a city fruitful of marvels, and that the necromantic tower of Hercules has more solid foundation than most edifices of similar import in ancient history.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") The writer of these pages will venture to add the result of his personal researches respecting the far famed cavern in question.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Rambling about Toledo in the year 1826, in company with a small knot of antiquity hunters, among whom was an eminent British painter\[29\], and an English nobleman\[30\], who has since distinguished himself in Spanish historical research, we directed our steps to the church of San Gines, and inquired for the portal of the secret cavern.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") The sacristan was a voluble and communicative man, and one not likely to be niggard of his tongue about any thing he knew, or slow to boast of any marvel pertaining to his church; but he professed utter ignorance of the existence of any such portal.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") He remembered to have heard, however, that immediately under the entrance to the church there was an arch of mason work, apparently the upper part of some subterranean portal; but that all had been covered up, and a pavement laid down thereon; so that whether it led to the magic cave or the necromantic tower remains a mystery, and so must remain until some monarch or archbishop shall again have courage and authority to break the spell.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") FOOTNOTES[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") \[1\] Many of the facts in this legend are taken from an old chronicle, written in quaint and antiquated Spanish, and professing to be a translation from the Arabian chronicle of the Moor Rasis, by Mohammed, a Moslem writer, and Gil Parez, a Spanish priest.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") It is supposed to be a piece of literary mosaic work, made up from both Spanish and Arabian chronicles: yet from this work most of the Spanish historians have drawn their particulars relative to the fortunes of Don Roderick.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") \[2\] Florian de Ocampo, lib. iii. c. 12.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Justin Abrev.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Trog.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Pomp. lib. xliv.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") Bleda.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Cronica, lib. ii. c. 3.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") \[3\] Chron. de Luitprando, 709.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Abarca Anales de Aragon (el Mahometismo, fol.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") 5.)[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") \[4\] Mariana, Hist.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Esp. lib. vi. c. 21.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") \[5\] Perdida de España por Abulcacim Tarif Abentarique, lib. i.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") \[6\] Lope de Vega.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") \[7\] By some she is called Zara.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") \[8\] “Como esta Infanta era muy hermosa, y el Rey \[Don Rodrigo\] dispuesta y gentil hombre, entro por medio el amor y aficion, y junto con el regalo con que la avia mandado hospedar y servir ful causa que el rey persuadio esta Infanta, que si se tornava a su ley de Christiano la tomaria por muger, y que la haria señora de sus Reynos.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") Con esta persuasion ella fue contenta, y aviendose vuelto Christiana, se caso con ella, y se celebraron sus bodas con muchas fiestas y regozijos, como era razon.”—\_Abulcasim\_, \_Conq’st de Espan\_, cap.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") 3.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") \[9\] Condes Espatorios; so called from the drawn swords of ample size and breadth, with which they kept guard in the antechambers of the Gothic kings.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Comes Spathariorum, custodum corporis Regis Profectus.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") Hunc et Propospatharium appellatum existimo.—\_Patr.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") Pant. de Offic.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") Goth.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") \[10\] Perdida de España por Abulcasim Tarif Abentarique, lib. i. c. 6.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Cronica del Rey Don Rodrigo por el moro Rasis, lib. i. c. 1.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") Bleda, Cron. cap. vii.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") \[11\] From the minute account of the good friar, drawn from the ancient chronicles, it would appear that the walls of the tower were pictured in mosaic work.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") \[12\] Bleda, Cronica, cap.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") 7.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") \[13\] Bleda, Cronica, cap.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") 7.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") \[14\] Bleda, cap.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") 5.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") \[15\] Bleda, cap.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") 4.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") \[16\] Beuter, Cron.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") Gen. de España, lib. i. c. 28.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") Marmol.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") Descrip. de Africa, lib. ii. c. 10.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") \[17\] Bleda, Cron. c. 5.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") \[18\] Conde, Hist.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") Dom. Arab. part. i. c. 8.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") \[19\] Conde, part i. c. 8.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") \[20\] Perdida de España, por Abulcasim Tarif Abentarique, lib. i. c. 7.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") \[21\] Conde, part i. c. 9.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") \[22\] La Perdida de España, cap.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") 9.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Bleda, lib. ii. c. 8.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") \[23\] This name was given to it subsequently by the Arabs.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") It signifies the River of Death.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") Vide Pedruza, Hist.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Granad. p. 3. c. 1.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") \[24\] Bleda, Cronica.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") \[25\] Eutrand.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") Chron. an.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") Christ.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") 714.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") \[26\] This battle is called indiscriminately by historians the battle of Guadalete, or Xeres, from the neighbourhood of that city.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") \[27\] Bleda, Cron. lib. ii. c. 9.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") Abulcasim Tarif Abentarique, lib. i. c. 10.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") \[28\] Salazar, Hist.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") Gran.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") Cardinal.[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") Prologo, vol. i. plan i.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") \[29\] Mr. D. W—kie.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") \[30\] Lord Mah—n.[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Tomb of Roderick.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/20/) - next →: [Chapter I.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/22/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)