--- title: Muza Besieges the City of Merida. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Muza Besieges the City of Merida., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The army of Muza was now augmented to about eighteen thousand horsemen; but he took with him but few foot soldiers, leavin --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/30/) [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/) / Muza Besieges the City of Merida. # Muza Besieges the City of Merida. Muza Besieges the City of Merida. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 79 sentences and 1951 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. The army of Muza was now augmented to about eighteen thousand horsemen; but he took with him but few foot soldiers, leaving them to garrison the conquered towns.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") He met with no resistance on his entrance into Lusitania.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") City after city laid its keys at his feet, and implored to be received in peaceful vassalage.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") One city alone prepared for vigorous defence, the ancient Merida, a place of great extent, uncounted riches, and prodigious strength.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") A noble Goth named Sacarus was the governor; a man of consummate wisdom, patriotism, and valour.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Hearing of the approach of the invaders, he gathered within the walls all the people of the surrounding country, with their horses and mules, their flocks and herds, and most precious effects.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") To insure for a long time a supply of bread, he filled the magazines with grain, and erected windmills on the churches.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") This done, he laid waste the surrounding country to a great extent, so that a besieging army would have to encamp in a desert.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") When Muza came in sight of this magnificent city, he was struck with admiration.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") He remained for some time gazing in silence upon its mighty walls and lordly towers, its vast extent, and the stately palaces and temples with which it was adorned.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") “Surely,” cried he, at length, “all the people of the earth have combined their power and skill to embellish and aggrandise this city.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Allah Achbar\![12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Happy will he be who shall have the glory of making such a conquest!”[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Seeing that a place so populous and so strongly fortified would be likely to maintain a long and formidable resistance, he sent messengers to Africa to his son Abdalasis, to collect all the forces that could be spared from the garrisons of Mauritania, and to hasten and reinforce him.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") While Muza was forming his encampment, deserters from the city brought him word that a chosen band intended to sally forth at midnight and surprise his camp.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The Arab commander immediately took measures to receive them with a counter surprise.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Having formed his plan, and communicated it to his principal officers, he ordered that, throughout the day, there should be kept up an appearance of negligent confusion in his encampment.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") The outposts were feebly guarded; fires were lighted in various places, as if preparing for feasting; bursts of music and shouts of revelry resounded from different quarters, and the whole camp seemed to be rioting in careless security on the plunder of the land.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") As the night advanced, the fires were gradually extinguished, and silence ensued, as if the soldiery had sunk into deep sleep after the carousal.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") In the mean time, bodies of troops had been secretly and silently marched to reinforce the outposts; and the renegado Magued, with a numerous force, had formed an ambuscade in a deep stone quarry by which the Christians would have to pass.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") These preparations being made, they awaited the approach of the enemy in breathless silence.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") About midnight, the chosen force intended for the sally assembled, and the command was confided to Count Tendero, a Gothic cavalier of tried prowess.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") After having heard a solemn mass, and received the benediction of the priest, they marched out of the gate with all possible silence.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") They were suffered to pass the ambuscade in the quarry without molestation: as they approached the Moslem camp, every thing appeared quiet; for the foot soldiers were concealed in slopes and hollows, and every Arab horseman lay in his armour beside his steed.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The sentinels on the outposts waited until the Christians were close at hand, and then fled in apparent consternation.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Count Tendero gave the signal for assault, and the Christians rushed confidently forward.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") In an instant an uproar of drums, trumpets, and shrill war cries burst forth from every side.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") An army seemed to spring up from the earth; squadrons of horse came thundering on them in front, while the quarry poured forth legions of armed warriors in their rear.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") The noise of the terrific conflict that took place was heard on the city walls, and answered by shouts of exultation; for the Christians thought it rose from the terror and confusion of the Arab camp.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") In a little while, however, they were undeceived by fugitives from the fight, aghast with terror, and covered with wounds.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hell itself,” cried they, “is on the side of these infidels; the earth casts forth warriors and steeds to aid them.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") We have fought, not with men, but devils!”[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") The greater part of the chosen troops who had sallied were cut to pieces in that scene of massacre, for they had been confounded by the tempest of battle which suddenly broke forth around them.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Count Tendero fought with desperate valour, and fell covered with wounds.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") His body was found the next morning, lying among the slain, and transpierced with half a score of lances.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") The renegado Magued cut off his head and tied it to the tail of his horse, and repaired with this savage trophy to the tent of Muza; but the hostility of the Arab general was of a less malignant kind.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") He ordered that the head and body should be placed together upon a bier, and treated with becoming reverence.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") In the course of the day, a train of priests and friars came forth from the city to request permission to seek for the body of the count.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza delivered it to them, with many soldier-like encomiums on the valour of that good cavalier.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") The priests covered it with a pall of cloth of gold, and bore it back in melancholy procession to the city, where it was received with loud lamentations.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") The siege was now pressed with great vigour, and repeated assaults were made, but in vain.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza saw at length that the walls were too high to be scaled, and the gates too strong to be burst open without the aid of engines; and he desisted from the attack until machines for the purpose could be constructed.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The governor suspected from this cessation of active warfare, that the enemy flattered themselves to reduce the place by famine; he caused, therefore, large baskets of bread to be thrown from the wall, and sent a messenger to Muza to inform him that if his army should be in want of bread, he would supply it, having sufficient corn in his granaries for a ten years’ siege.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") \[41\][44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") The citizens, however, did not possess the undaunted spirit of their governor.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") When they found that the Moslems were constructing tremendous engines for the destruction of their walls, they lost all courage, and, surrounding the governor in a clamorous multitude, compelled him to send forth persons to capitulate.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") The ambassadors came into the presence of Muza with awe; for they expected to find a fierce and formidable warrior in one who had filled the land with terror: but, to their astonishment, they beheld an ancient and venerable man, with white hair, a snowy beard, and a pale emaciated countenance.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") He had passed the previous night without sleep, and had been all day in the field: he was exhausted, therefore, by watchfulness and fatigue; and his garments were covered with dust.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") “What a devil of a man is this,” murmured the ambassadors one to another, “to undertake such a siege when on the verge of the grave\![49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Let us defend our city the best way we can; surely we can hold out longer than the life of this greybeard.”[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") They returned to the city, therefore, scoffing at an invader who seemed fitter to lean on a crutch than wield a lance; and the terms offered by Muza, which would otherwise have been thought favourable, were scornfully rejected by the inhabitants.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") A few days put an end to this mistaken confidence.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis, the son of Muza, arrived from Africa, at the head of his reinforcement: he brought seven thousand horsemen, and a host of Barbary archers; and made a glorious display as he marched into the camp.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") The arrival of this youthful warrior was hailed with great acclamations; so much had he won the hearts of the soldiery by the frankness, and suavity, and generosity of his conduct.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Immediately after his arrival, a grand assault was made upon the city; and several of the huge battering engines being finished, they were wheeled up, and began to thunder against the walls.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") The unsteady populace were again seized with terror; and, surrounding their governor with fresh clamours, obliged him to send forth ambassadors a second time to treat of a surrender.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") When admitted to the presence of Muza, the ambassadors could scarcely believe their eyes; or that this was the same withered, white-headed old man, of whom they had lately spoken with scoffing.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") His hair and beard were tinged of a ruddy brown; his countenance was refreshed by repose, and flushed with indignation; and he appeared a man in the matured vigour of his days.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") The ambassadors were struck with awe.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") “Surely,” whispered they, one to the other, “this must be either a devil or a magician, who can thus make himself old and young at pleasure!”[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza received them haughtily.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hence!” said he, “and tell your people I grant them the same terms I have already proffered, provided the city be instantly surrendered; but, by the head of Mahomet, if there be any further delay not one mother’s son of ye shall receive mercy at my hands!”[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") The deputies returned into the city pale and dismayed.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") “Go forth! go forth!” cried they, “and accept whatever terms are offered: of what avail is it to fight against men who can renew their youth at pleasure?[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Behold, we left the leader of the infidels an old and feeble man, and to-day we find him youthful and vigorous!”[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") \[42\][66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") The place was, therefore, surrendered forthwith, and Muza entered it in triumph.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") His terms were merciful.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Those who chose to remain were protected in persons, possessions, and religion: he took the property of those only who abandoned the city, or had fallen in battle, together with all arms and horses, and the treasures and ornaments of the churches.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") Among these sacred spoils was found a cup, made of a single pearl, which a king of Spain, in ancient times, had brought from the temple of Jerusalem when it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") This prize was presented by Muza to the caliph, and placed in the principal mosque of the city of Damascus.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") \[43\][72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza knew how to esteem merit even in an enemy.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") When Sacarus, the governor of Merida, appeared before him, he lauded him greatly for the skill and courage he had displayed in the defence of his city; and, taking off his own scimitar, which was of great value, girded it upon him with his own hands.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") “Wear this,” said he, “as a poor memorial of my admiration; a soldier of such virtue and valour is worthy of far higher honours.”[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") He would have engaged the governor in his service, or have persuaded him to remain in the city, as an illustrious vassal of the caliph; but the noble-minded Sacarus refused to bend to the yoke of the conquerors; nor could he bring himself to reside contentedly in his country, when subjected to the domination of the infidels.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Gathering together all those who chose to accompany him into exile, he embarked, to seek some country where he might live in peace, and in the free exercise of his religion.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") What shore these ocean-pilgrims landed upon has never been revealed; but tradition vaguely gives us to believe that it was some unknown island, far in the bosom of the Atlantic.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") \[44\][79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Muza Marches Against the City of Seville.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/29/) - next →: [Expedition of Abdalasis Against Seville and the “land of Tadmir.”](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/31/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)