--- title: Fate of Abdalasis and Exilona.—death of Muza. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Fate of Abdalasis and Exilona.—death of Muza., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Possession, instead of cooling the passion of Abdalasis, only added to its force; he became blindly enamoured --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/38/) [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/) / Fate of Abdalasis and Exilona.—death o… # Fate of Abdalasis and Exilona.—death of Muza. Fate of Abdalasis and Exilona.—death of Muza. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 118 sentences and 2035 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. Possession, instead of cooling the passion of Abdalasis, only added to its force; he became blindly enamoured of his beautiful bride, and consulted her will in all things; nay, having lost all relish for the advice of the discreet Ayub, he was even guided by the counsels of his wife in the affairs of government.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") Exilona, unfortunately, had once been a queen, and she could not remember her regal glories without regret.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") She saw that Abdalasis had great power in the land; greater even than had been possessed by the Gothic kings; but she considered it as wanting in true splendour until his brows should be encircled with the outward badge of royalty.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") One day, when they were alone in the palace of Seville, and the heart of Abdalasis was given up to tenderness, she addressed him in fond yet timid accents.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") “Will not my lord be offended,” said she, “if I make an unwelcome request?”[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis regarded her with a smile.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") “What canst thou ask of me, Exilona,” said he, “that it would not be a happiness for me to grant?”[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Exilona produced a crown of gold, sparkling with jewels, which had belonged to the king, Don Roderick, and said, “Behold, thou art king in authority, be so in thy outward state.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") There is majesty and glory in a crown; it gives a sanctity to power.”[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Then putting the crown upon his head, she held a mirror before him that he might behold the majesty of his appearance.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis chid her fondly, and put the crown away from him; but Exilona persisted in her prayer.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") “Never,” said she, “has there been a king in Spain that did not wear a crown.”[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") So Abdalasis suffered himself to be beguiled by the blandishments of his wife, and to be invested with the crown and sceptre and other signs of royalty.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") \[55\][14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") It is affirmed by ancient and discreet chroniclers, that Abdalasis only assumed this royal state in the privacy of his palace, and to gratify the eye of his youthful bride: but where was a secret ever confined within the walls of a palace?[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The assumption of the insignia of the ancient Gothic kings was soon rumoured about, and caused the most violent suspicions.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") The Moslems had already felt jealous of the ascendancy of this beautiful woman; and it was now confidently asserted that Abdalasis, won by her persuasions, had secretly turned Christian.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") The enemies of Abdalasis, those whose rapacious spirits had been kept in check by the beneficence of his rule, seized upon this occasion to ruin him.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") They sent letters to Damascus accusing him of apostacy, and of an intention to seize upon the throne in right of his wife, Exilona, as widow of the late King Roderick.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") It was added, that the Christians were prepared to flock to his standard, as the only means of regaining ascendancy in their country.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") These accusations arrived at Damascus just after the accession of the sanguinary Suleiman to the throne, and in the height of his persecution of the unfortunate Muza.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") The caliph waited for no proofs in confirmation; he immediately sent private orders that Abdalasis should be put to death, and that the same fate should be dealt to his two brothers who governed in Africa, as a sure means of crushing the conspiracy of this ambitious family.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") The mandate for the death of Abdalasis was sent to Abhilbar ben Obeidah and Zeyd ben Nabegat, both of whom had been cherished friends of Muza, and had lived in intimate favour and companionship with his son.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") When they read the fatal parchment, the scroll fell from their trembling hands.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") “Can such hostility exist against the family of Muza?” exclaimed they.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") “Is this the reward for such great and glorious services?”[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") The cavaliers remained for some time plunged in horror and consternation.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") The order, however, was absolute, and left them no discretion.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") “Allah is great,” said they, “and commands us to obey our sovereign.”[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") So they prepared to execute the bloody mandate with the blind fidelity of Moslems.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") It was necessary to proceed with caution.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") The open and magnanimous character of Abdalasis had won the hearts of a great part of the soldiery, and his magnificence pleased the cavaliers who formed his guard: it was feared, therefore, that a sanguinary opposition would be made to any attempt upon his person.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") The rabble, however, had been embittered against him from his having restrained their depredations, and because they thought him an apostate in his heart, secretly bent upon betraying them to the Christians.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") While, therefore, the two officers made vigilant dispositions to check any movement on the part of the soldiery, they let loose the blind fury of the populace, by publishing the fatal mandate.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") In a moment the city was in a ferment, and there was a ferocious emulation who should be first to execute the orders of the caliph.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis was at this time at a palace in the country not far from Seville, commanding a delightful view of the fertile plain of the Guadalquivir.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Hither he was accustomed to retire from the tumult of the court, and to pass his time among groves and fountains, and the sweet repose of gardens, in the society of Exilona.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") It was the dawn of day, the hour of early prayer, when the furious populace arrived at this retreat.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Abdalasis was offering up his orisons in a small mosque which he had erected for the use of the neighbouring peasantry.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Exilona was in a chapel in the interior of the palace, where her confessor, a holy friar, was performing mass.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") They were both surprised at their devotions, and dragged forth by the hands of the rabble.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") A few guards, who attended at the palace, would have made defence; but they were overawed by the sight of the written mandate of the caliph.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The captives were borne in triumph to Seville.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") All the beneficent virtues of Abdalasis were forgotten; nor had the charms of Exilona any effect in softening the hearts of the populace.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") The brutal eagerness to shed blood, which seems inherent in human nature, was awakened; and woe to the victims when that eagerness is quickened by religious hate\![45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") The illustrious couple, adorned with all the graces of youth and beauty, were hurried to a scaffold in the great square of Seville, and there beheaded, amidst the shouts and execrations of an infatuated multitude.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Their bodies were left exposed upon the ground, and would have been devoured by dogs, had they not been gathered at night by some friendly hand, and poorly interred in one of the courts of their late dwelling.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus terminated the loves and lives of Abdalasis and Exilona, in the year of the Incarnation seven hundred and fourteen.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Their names were held sacred as martyrs to the Christian faith: but many read in their untimely fate a lesson against ambition and vainglory; having sacrificed real power and substantial rule to the glittering bauble of a crown.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") The head of Abdalasis was embalmed, and enclosed in a casket, and sent to Syria to the cruel Suleiman.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") The messenger who bore it overtook the caliph as he was performing a pilgrimage to Mecca.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Muza was among the courtiers in his train, having been released from prison.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") On opening the casket, and regarding its contents, the eyes of the tyrant sparkled with malignant satisfaction.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Calling the unhappy father to his side: “Muza,” said he, “dost thou know this head?”[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") The veteran recognised the features of his beloved son, and turned his face away with anguish.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes! well do I know it,” replied he; “and may the curse of God light upon him who has destroyed a better man than himself.”[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Without adding another word, he retired to Mount Deran, a prey to devouring melancholy.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") He shortly after received tidings of the death of his two sons, whom he had left in the government of western Africa, and who had fallen victims to the jealous suspicions of the caliph.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") His advanced age was not proof against these repeated blows, and this utter ruin of his late prosperous family; and he sank into his grave, sorrowing and broken-hearted.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Such was the lamentable end of the conqueror of Spain; whose great achievements were not sufficient to atone, in the eye of his sovereign, for a weakness to which all men ambitious of renown are subject; and whose triumphs eventually brought persecution upon himself, and untimely death upon his children.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") Here ends the legend of the Subjugation of Spain.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") FOOTNOTES[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") \[31\] In this legend most of the facts respecting the Arab inroads into Spain are on the authority of Arabian writers; who had the most accurate means of information.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Those relative to the Spaniards are chiefly from old Spanish chronicles.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") It is to be remarked that the Arab accounts have most the air of verity, and the events, as they relate them, are in the ordinary course of common life.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") The Spanish accounts, on the contrary, are full of the marvellous; for there were no greater romancers than the monkish chroniclers.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") \[32\] Conde, p. i. c. 10.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") \[33\] Cronica de España, de Alonzo el Sabio, p. iii. c. 1.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") \[34\] The house shown as the ancient residence of Aben Habuz is called \_La Casa del Gallo\_, or the house of the weathercock; so named, says Pedraza, in his History of Granada, from a bronze figure of an Arab horseman, armed with lance and buckler, which once surmounted it, and which varied with every wind.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") On this warlike weathercock was inscribed, in Arabic characters,—[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") “Dice el sabio Aben Habuz Que asi se defiende el Andaluz.”[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") “In this way, says Aben Habuz the wise, The Andalusian his foe defies.”[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") The Casa del Gallo, even until within twenty years, possessed two great halls beautifully decorated with Morisco reliefs.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") It then caught fire, and was so damaged as to require to be nearly rebuilt.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") It is now a manufactory of coarse canvas, and has nothing of the Moorish character remaining.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") It commands a beautiful view of the city and the Vega.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") \[35\] Pedraza, Hist.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Granada, p. iii. c. 2.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") Bleda, Cronica, lib. ii. c. 10.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") \[36\] Conde, Hist. de las Arabes en España, c. 12.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") \[37\] The stratagem of the Jews of Toledo is recorded briefly by Bishop Lucas de Tuy, in his chronicle, but is related at large in the chronicle of the Moor Rasis.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") \[38\] According to Arabian legends, this table was a mirror revealing all great events; insomuch that by looking on it the possessor might behold battles and sieges and feats of chivalry, and all actions worthy of renown; and might thus ascertain the truth of all historic transactions.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") It was a mirror of history, therefore, and had very probably aided King Solomon in acquiring that prodigious knowledge and wisdom for which he was renowned.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") \[39\] Abulcasim.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") Perdita de España, lib. i. c. 13.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") \[40\] Cron.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") Gen. de España, por Alonzo el Sabio, p. iii. c. 1.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") \[41\] Bleda, Cronica, lib. ii. c. 11.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") \[42\] Conde, p. i. c. 13.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") Ambrosio de Morales.—N.B.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") In the Chronicle of Spain, composed by order of Alonzo the Wise, this anecdote is given as having happened at the siege of Seville.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") \[43\] Marmol.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") Descrip. de Africa, t. i. l. 2.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") \[44\] Abulcasim, Perdida de España, l. i. c. 13.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") \[45\] Espinosa.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") Antq. y Grand. de Seville, lib. ii c. 3.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") \[46\] Conde, p. i. c. 14.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") \[47\] Conde, p. i. Cronica del moro Rasis.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") Cron.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") Gen. España, por Alonzo el Sabio, p. iii. c. 1.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") \[48\] Conde, p. i. c. 15.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") \[49\] Conde, p. i. c. 15.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") \[50\] Conde, p. i. c. 16.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") \[51\] Conde, p. i. c. 17.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") \[52\] Algarbe, or Algarbia, in Arabic signifies the west, as Axarkia is the east, Algufia the north, and Aquibla the south.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") This will serve to explain some of the geographical names on the peninsula which are of Arabian origin.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") \[53\] Faxardo, Corona, Gothica, t. i. p. 492.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") Joan.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") Mar. de Reb.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") Hisp. l. vi. c. 27.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") \[54\] Conde, p. i. c. 17.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") \[55\] Cron.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") Gen. de Alonzo el Sabio, p. 3.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") Joan.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") Mar. de Reb.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") Hisp. lib. vi. c. 27.[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") Conde, p. i. cap.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") 19.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Loves of Abdalasis and Exilona.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/37/) - next →: [Legend of Count Julian and His Family.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/39/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)