--- title: Chapter XII. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Chapter XII., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: MUZA PROSECUTES THE SCHEME OF CONQUEST.—SIEGE OF SARAGOSSA.—COMPLETE SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/33/) [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 XII. # Chapter XII. Chapter XII. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 41 sentences and 1083 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. MUZA PROSECUTES THE SCHEME OF CONQUEST.—SIEGE OF SARAGOSSA.—COMPLETE SUBJUGATION OF SPAIN.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") The dissensions, which for a time had distracted the conquering army, being appeased, and the Arabian generals being apparently once more reconciled, Muza, as commander-in-chief, proceeded to complete the enterprise by subjugating the northern parts of Spain.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") The same expeditious mode of conquest that had been sagaciously adopted by Taric was still pursued.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") The troops were lightly armed, and freed from every superfluous incumbrance.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Each horseman, beside his arms, carried a small sack of provisions, a copper vessel in which to cook them, and a skin which served him for surcoat and for bed.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") The infantry carried nothing but their arms.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") To each regiment or squadron was allowed a limited number of sumpter mules and attendants; barely enough to carry their necessary baggage and supplies: nothing was permitted that could needlessly diminish the number of fighting men, delay their rapid movements, or consume their provisions.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Strict orders were again issued, prohibiting, on pain of death, all plunder excepting the camp of an enemy, or cities given up to pillage.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") \[49\][9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") The armies now took their several lines of march.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") That under Taric departed towards the north-east; beating up the country towards the source of the Tagus, traversing the chain of Iberian or Arragonian mountains, and pouring down into the plains and valleys watered by the Ebro.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") It was wonderful to see, in so brief a space of time, such a vast and difficult country penetrated and subdued; and the invading army, like an inundating flood, pouring its streams into the most remote recesses.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") While Taric was thus sweeping the country to the north-east, Muza departed in an opposite direction; yet purposing to meet him, and to join their forces in the north.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Bending his course westwardly, he made a circuit behind the mountains, and then, advancing into the open country, displayed his banners before Salamanca, which surrendered without resistance.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") From hence he continued on towards Astorga, receiving the terrified submission of the land; then turning up the valley of the Douro, he ascended the course of that famous river towards the east; crossed the Sierra de Moncayo, and, arriving on the banks of the Ebro, marched down along its stream, until he approached the strong city of Saragossa, the citadel of all that part of Spain.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") In this place had taken refuge many of the most valiant of the Gothic warriors; the remnants of armies, and fugitives from conquered cities.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") It was one of the last rallying points of the land.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") When Muza arrived, Taric had already been for some time before the place, laying close siege: the inhabitants were pressed by famine, and had suffered great losses in repeated combats; but there was a spirit and obstinacy in their resistance surpassing any thing that had yet been witnessed by the invaders.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza now took command of the siege, and ordered a general assault upon the walls.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") The Moslems planted their scaling ladders, and mounted with their accustomed intrepidity, but were vigorously resisted; nor could all their efforts obtain them a footing upon the battlements.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") While they were thus assailing the walls, Count Julian ordered a heap of combustibles to be placed against one of the gates, and set on fire.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") The inhabitants attempted in vain from the barbican to extinguish the flames.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") They burnt so fiercely, that in a little while the gate fell from the hinges.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Count Julian galloped into the city mounted upon a powerful charger, himself and his steed all covered with mail.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") He was followed by three hundred of his partisans, and supported by Magued, the renegado, with a troop of horse.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") The inhabitants disputed every street and public square; they made barriers of dead bodies, fighting behind these ramparts of their slaughtered countrymen.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Every window and roof was filled with combatants: the very women and children joined in the desperate fight, throwing down stones and missiles of all kinds, and scalding water, upon the enemy.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") The battle raged until the hour of vespers, when the principal inhabitants held a parley, and capitulated for a surrender.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza had been incensed at their obstinate resistance, which had cost the lives of so many of his soldiers; he knew also that in the city were collected the riches of many of the towns of eastern Spain.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") He demanded, therefore, beside the usual terms, a heavy sum to be paid down by the citizens, called the contribution of blood; as by this they redeemed themselves from the edge of the sword.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The people were obliged to comply.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") They collected all the jewels of their richest families, and all the ornaments of their temples, and laid them at the feet of Muza; and placed in his power many of their noblest youths as hostages.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") A strong garrison was then appointed; and thus the fierce city of Saragossa was subdued to the yoke of the conqueror.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") The Arab generals pursued their conquests even to the foot of the Pyrenees: Taric then descended along the course of the Ebro, and continued along the Mediterranean coast; subduing the famous city of Valencia, with its rich and beautiful domains, and carrying the success of his arms even to Denia.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza undertook with his host a wider range of conquest.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") He overcame the cities of Barcelona, Gerona, and others that lay on the skirts of the eastern mountains: then crossing into the land of the Franks, he captured the city of Narbonne; in a temple of which he found seven equestrian images of silver, which he brought off as trophies of his victory.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") \[50\] Returning into Spain, he scoured its northern regions along Gallicia and the Asturias; passed triumphantly through Lusitania, and arrived once more in Andalusia, covered with laurels, and enriched with immense spoils.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus was completed the subjugation of unhappy Spain.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") All its cities and fortresses, and strong holds, were in the hands of the Saracens, excepting some of the wild mountain tracts that bordered the Atlantic, and extended towards the north.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Here, then, the story of the conquest might conclude, but that the indefatigable chronicler, Fray Antonio Agapida, goes on to record the fate of those persons who were most renowned in the enterprise.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") We shall follow his steps, and avail ourselves of his information, laboriously collected from various sources; and, truly, the story of each of the actors in this great historical drama bears with it its striking moral, and is full of admonition and instruction.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Muza Arrives At Toledo.—interview Between Him and Taric.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/32/) - next →: [Chapter XIII.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/34/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)