--- title: Conduct of Abdalasis As Emir of Spain. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Conduct of Abdalasis As Emir of Spain., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: While these events were happening in Syria, the youthful Abdalasis, the son of Muza, remained as emir or governor of --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/36/) [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/) / Conduct of Abdalasis As Emir of Spain. # Conduct of Abdalasis As Emir of Spain. Conduct of Abdalasis As Emir of Spain. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 38 sentences and 999 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. While these events were happening in Syria, the youthful Abdalasis, the son of Muza, remained as emir or governor of Spain.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") He was of a generous and benignant disposition, but he was open and confiding, and easily led away by the opinions of those he loved.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Fortunately his father had left with him, as a bosom counsellor, the discreet Ayub, the nephew of Muza: aided by his advice, he for some time administered the public affairs prudently and prosperously.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Not long after the departure of his father, he received a letter from him, written while on his journey to Syria; it was to the following purport:—[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") “Beloved son; honour of thy lineage; Allah guard thee from all harm and peril\![5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Listen to the words of thy father.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Avoid all treachery, though it should promise great advantage; and trust not in him who counsels it, even though he should be a brother.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The company of traitors put far from thee; for how canst thou be certain that he who has proved false to others will prove true to thee?[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Beware, O my son, of the seductions of love.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") It is an idle passion which enfeebles the heart, and blinds the judgment: it renders the mighty weak, and makes slaves of princes.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") If thou shouldst discover any foible of a vicious kind springing up in thy nature, pluck it forth, whatever pang it cost thee.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Every error, while new, may easily be weeded out; but if suffered to take root, it flourishes, and bears seed, and produces fruit an hundred fold.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Follow these counsels, O son of my affections, and thou shalt live secure.”[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis meditated upon this letter; for some part of it seemed to contain a mystery which he could not comprehend.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") He called to him his cousin and counsellor, the discreet Ayub.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") “What means my father,” said he, “in cautioning me against treachery and treason?[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Does he think my nature so base that it could descend to such means?”[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Ayub read the letter attentively.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") “Thy father,” said he, “would put thee on thy guard against the traitors Julian and Oppas, and those of their party who surround thee.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") What love canst thou expect from men who have been unnatural to their kindred; and what loyalty from wretches who have betrayed their country?”[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis was satisfied with the interpretation, and he acted accordingly.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") He had long loathed all communion with these men; for there is nothing which the open, ingenuous nature so much abhors as duplicity and treason.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Policy, too, no longer required their agency; they had rendered their infamous service, and had no longer a country to betray: but they might turn and betray their employers.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis, therefore, removed them to a distance from his court, and placed them in situations where they could do no harm; and he warned his commanders from being in any wise influenced by their counsels, or aided by their arms.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") He now confided entirely in his Arabian troops, and in the Moorish squadrons from Africa, and with their aid he completed the conquest of Lusitania to the ultimate parts of the Algarbe, or west, even to the shores of the great Ocean sea.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") \[52\] From hence, he sent his generals to overrun all those vast and rugged sierras, which rise like ramparts along the ocean borders of the peninsula; and they carried the standard of Islam in triumph even to the mountains of Biscay, collecting all manner of precious spoil.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") “It is not enough, O Abdalasis,” said Ayub, “that we conquer and rule this country with the sword: if we wish our dominion to be secure, we must cultivate the arts of peace, and study to secure the confidence and promote the welfare of the people we have conquered.”[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis relished counsel which accorded so well with his own beneficent nature.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") He endeavoured, therefore, to allay the ferment and confusion of the conquest; forbade, under rigorous punishment, all wanton spoil or oppression, and protected the native inhabitants in the enjoyment and cultivation of their lands, and the pursuit of all useful occupations.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") By the advice of Ayub also, he encouraged great numbers of industrious Moors and Arabs to emigrate from Africa, and gave them houses and lands; thus introducing a peaceful Mahometan population into the conquered provinces.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The good effect of the counsels of Ayub were soon apparent.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Instead of a sudden but transient influx of wealth, made by the ruin of the land, which left the country desolate, a regular and permanent revenue sprang up, produced by reviving prosperity, and gathered without violence.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis ordered it to be faithfully collected, and deposited in coffers by public officers appointed in each province for the purpose; and the whole was sent by ten deputies to Damascus, to be laid at the feet of the caliph,—not as the spoils of a vanquished country, but as the peaceful trophies of a wisely administered government.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") The common herd of warlike adventurers, the mere men of the sword, who had thronged to Spain for the purpose of ravage and rapine, were disappointed at being thus checked in their career, and at seeing the reign of terror and violence drawing to a close.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") “What manner of leader is this,” said they, “who forbids us to make spoil of the enemies of Islam, and to enjoy the land we have wrested from the unbelievers?”[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") The partisans of Julian also whispered their calumnies.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") “Behold,” said they, “with what kindness he treats the enemies of your faith: all the Christians who have borne arms against you, and withstood your entrance into the land, are favoured and protected; but it is enough for a Christian to have befriended the cause of the Moslems to be singled out by Abdalasis for persecution, and to be driven with scorn from his presence.”[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") These insinuations fermented the discontent of the turbulent and rapacious among the Moslems; but all the friends of peace and order and good government applauded the moderation of the youthful emir.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Chapter XIV.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/35/) - next →: [Loves of Abdalasis and Exilona.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/37/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)