--- title: Chapter I. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Chapter I., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: CONSTERNATION OF SPAIN.—CONDUCT OF THE CONQUERORS.—MISSIVES BETWEEN TARIC AND MUZA. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/22/) [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/) / Chapter I. # Chapter I. Chapter I. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 50 sentences and 1169 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. CONSTERNATION OF SPAIN.—CONDUCT OF THE CONQUERORS.—MISSIVES BETWEEN TARIC AND MUZA.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") The overthrow of King Roderick and his army on the banks of the Guadalete, threw open all southern Spain to the inroads of the moslems.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") The whole country fled before them; villages and hamlets were hastily abandoned; the inhabitants placed their aged and infirm, their wives and children, and their most precious effects, on mules and other beasts of burden, and, driving before them their flocks and herds, made for distant parts of the land; for the fastnesses of the mountains, and for such of the cities as yet possessed walls and bulwarks.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Many gave out, faint and weary, by the way, and fell into the hands of the enemy; others, at the distant sight of a turban or a Moslem standard, or on hearing the clangour of a trumpet, abandoned their flocks and herds, and hastened their flight with their families.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") If their pursuers gained upon them, they threw by their household goods and whatever was of burden, and thought themselves fortunate to escape, naked and destitute, to a place of refuge.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus the roads were covered with scattered flocks and herds, and with spoil of all kind.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") The Arabs, however, were not guilty of wanton cruelty or ravage; on the contrary, they conducted themselves with a moderation but seldom witnessed in more civilised conquerors.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Taric el Tuerto, though a thorough man of the sword, and one whose whole thoughts were warlike, yet evinced wonderful judgment and discretion.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") He checked the predatory habits of his troops with a rigorous hand.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") They were forbidden, under pain of severe punishment, to molest any peaceable and unfortified towns, or any unarmed and unresisting people who remained quiet in their homes.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") No spoil was permitted to be made excepting in fields of battle, in camps of routed foes, or in cities taken by the sword.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Taric had little need to exercise his severity; his orders were obeyed through love, rather than fear, for he was the idol of his soldiery.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") They admired his restless and daring spirit, which nothing could dismay.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") His gaunt and sinewy form, his fiery eye, his visage seamed with scars, were suited to the hardihood of his deeds; and when mounted on his foaming steed, careering the field of battle with quivering lance or flashing scimitar, his Arabs would greet him with shouts of enthusiasm.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") But what endeared him to them more than all was his soldier-like contempt of gain.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Conquest was his only passion; glory the only reward he coveted.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") As to the spoil of the conquered, he shared it freely among his followers, and squandered his own portion with open-handed generosity.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") While Taric was pushing his triumphant course through Andalusia, tidings of his stupendous victory on the banks of the Guadalete were carried to Muza ben Nozier.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Messengers after messengers arrived, vying who should most extol the achievements of the conqueror and the grandeur of the conquest.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") “Taric,” said they, “has overthrown the whole force of the unbelievers in one mighty battle.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Their king is slain; thousands and tens of thousands of their warriors are destroyed; the whole land lies at our mercy; and city after city is surrendering to the victorious arms of Taric.”[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") The heart of Muza ben Nozier sickened at these tidings, and, instead of rejoicing at the success of the cause of Islam, he trembled with jealous fear lest the triumphs of Taric in Spain should eclipse his own victories in Africa.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") He despatched missives to the Caliph Waled Almanzor, informing him of these new conquests, but taking the whole glory to himself, and making no mention of the services of Taric; or, at least, only mentioning him incidentally as a subordinate commander.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") “The battles,” said he, “have been terrible as the day of judgment; but, by the aid of Allah, we have gained the victory.”[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") He then prepared in all haste to cross over into Spain and assume the command of the conquering army; and he wrote a letter in advance to interrupt Taric in the midst of his career.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") “Wherever this letter may find thee,” said he, “I charge thee halt with thy army and await my coming.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Thy force is inadequate to the subjugation of the land, and by rashly venturing, thou mayst lose every thing.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") I will be with thee speedily, with a reinforcement of troops competent to so great an enterprise.”[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") The letter overtook the veteran Taric while in the full glow of triumphant success; having overrun some of the richest part of Andalusia, and just received the surrender of the city of Ecija.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") As he read the letter, the blood mantled in his sunburnt cheek and fire kindled in his eye; for he penetrated the motives of Muza.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") He suppressed his wrath, however, and turning with a bitter expression of forced composure to his captains, “Unsaddle your steeds,” said he, “and plant your lances in the earth; set up your tents and take your repose: for we must await the coming of the Wali with a mighty force to assist us in our conquest.”[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") The Arab warriors broke forth with loud murmurs at these words: “What need have we of aid,” cried they, “when the whole country is flying before us; and what better commander can we have than Taric to lead us on to victory?”[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Count Julian also, who was present, now hastened to give his traitorous counsel.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") “Why pause,” cried he, “at this precious moment?[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") The great army of the Goths is vanquished, and their nobles are slaughtered or dispersed.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Follow up your blow before the land can recover from its panic.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Overrun the provinces, seize upon the cities, make yourself master of the capital, and your conquest is complete.”[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") \[32\][38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") The advice of Julian was applauded by all the Arab chieftains, who were impatient of any interruption in their career of conquest.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Taric was easily persuaded to what was the wish of his heart.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Disregarding the letter of Muza, therefore, he prepared to pursue his victories.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") For this purpose he ordered a review of his troops on the plain of Ecija.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Some were mounted on steeds which they had brought from Africa; the rest he supplied with horses taken from the Christians.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") He repeated his general orders, that they should inflict no wanton injury, nor plunder any place that offered no resistance.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") They were forbidden also to encumber themselves with booty, or even with provisions; but were to scour the country with all speed, and seize upon all its fortresses and strongholds.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") He then divided his host into three several armies.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") One he placed under the command of the Greek renegado, Magued el Rumi, a man of desperate courage; and sent it against the ancient city of Cordova.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Another was sent against the city of Malaga, and was led by Zayd ben Kesadi, aided by the Bishop Oppas.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") The third was led by Taric himself, and with this he determined to make a wide sweep through the kingdom.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") \[33\][50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Cave of Hercules.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/21/) - next →: [Capture of Granada.—subjugation of the Alpuxarra Mountains.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/23/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)