--- title: Story of the Marvellous and Portentous Tower. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Story of the Marvellous and Portentous Tower., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The morning sun shone brightly upon the cliff-built towers of Toledo, when King Roderick issued out of the gat --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/8/) [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/) / Story of the Marvellous and Portentous… # Story of the Marvellous and Portentous Tower. Story of the Marvellous and Portentous Tower. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 89 sentences and 2565 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/8/page/2/) The morning sun shone brightly upon the cliff-built towers of Toledo, when King Roderick issued out of the gate of the city, at the head of a numerous train of courtiers and cavaliers, and crossed the bridge that bestrides the deep rocky bed of the Tagus.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") The shining cavalcade wound up the road that leads among the mountains, and soon came in sight of the necromantic tower.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Of this renowned edifice marvels are related by the ancient Arabian and Spanish chroniclers; “and I doubt much,” adds the venerable Agpaida, “whether many readers will not consider the whole as a cunningly devised fable, sprung from an oriental imagination; but it is not for me to reject a fact which is recorded by all those writers who are the fathers of our national history: a fact, too, which is as well attested as most of the remarkable events in the story of Don Roderick.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") None but light and inconsiderate minds,” continues the good friar, “do hastily reject the marvellous.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") To the thinking mind the whole world is enveloped in mystery, and every thing is full of type and portent.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") To such a mind the necromantic tower of Toledo will appear as one of those wondrous monuments of the olden time; one of those Egyptian and Chaldaic piles, storied with hidden wisdom and mystic prophecy, which have been devised in past ages, when man yet enjoyed an intercourse with high and spiritual natures, and when human foresight partook of divination.”[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") This singular tower was round, and of great height and grandeur; erected upon a lofty rock, and surrounded by crags and precipices.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The foundation was supported by four brazen lions, each taller than a cavalier on horseback.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") The walls were built of small pieces of jasper, and various coloured marbles, not larger than a man’s hand; so subtilely joined, however, that, but for their different hues, they might be taken for one entire stone.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") They were arranged with marvellous cunning, so as to represent battles and warlike deeds of times and heroes long since passed away; and the whole surface was so admirably polished that the stones were as lustrous as glass, and reflected the rays of the sun with such resplendent brightness as to dazzle all beholders.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") \[11\][11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") King Roderick and his courtiers arrived wondering and amazed, at the foot of the rock.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Here there was a narrow arched way cut through the living stone; the only entrance to the tower.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") It was closed by a massive iron gate, covered with rusty locks of divers workmanship, and in the fashion of different centuries, which had been affixed by the predecessors of Don Roderick.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") On either side of the portal stood the two ancient guardians of the tower, laden with the keys appertaining to the locks.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The king alighted, and, approaching the portals, ordered the guardians to unlock the gate.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") The hoary-headed men drew back with terror.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") “Alas!” cried they, “what is it your majesty requires of us.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Would you have the mischiefs of this tower unbound, and let loose to shake the earth to its foundations?”[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") The venerable archbishop Urbino likewise implored him not to disturb a mystery which had been held sacred from generation to generation, within the memory of man; and which even Cæsar himself, when sovereign of Spain, had not ventured to invade.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") The youthful cavaliers, however, were eager to pursue the adventure, and encouraged him in his rash curiosity.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") “Come what come may,” exclaimed Don Roderick, “I am resolved to penetrate the mystery of this tower.”[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") So saying, he again commanded the guardians to unlock the portal.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") The ancient men obeyed with fear and trembling, but their hands shook with age, and when they applied the keys, the locks were so rusted by time, or of such strange workmanship, that they resisted their feeble efforts; whereupon the young cavaliers pressed forward and lent their aid.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Still the locks were so numerous and difficult, that with all their eagerness and strength a great part of the day was exhausted before the whole of them could be mastered.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") When the last bolt had yielded to the key, the guardians and the reverend archbishop again entreated the king to pause and reflect.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") “Whatever is within this tower,” said they, “is as yet harmless, and lies bound under a mighty spell: venture not then to open a door which may let forth a flood of evil upon the land.”[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") But the anger of the king was roused, and he ordered that the portal should be instantly thrown open.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") In vain, however, did one after another exert his strength; and equally in vain did the cavaliers unite their forces, and apply their shoulders to the gate: though there was neither bar nor bolt remaining, it was perfectly immoveable.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") The patience of the king was now exhausted, and he advanced to apply his hand; scarcely, however, did he touch the iron gate, when it swung slowly open, uttering, as it were, a dismal groan, as it turned reluctantly upon its hinges.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") A cold, damp wind issued forth, accompanied by a tempestuous sound.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") The hearts of the ancient guardians quaked within them, and their knees smote together; but several of the youthful cavaliers rushed in, eager to gratify their curiosity, or to signalise themselves in this redoubtable enterprise.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") They had scarcely advanced a few paces, however, when they recoiled, overcome by the baleful air, or by some fearful vision.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") \[12\] Upon this, the king ordered that fires should be kindled to dispel the darkness, and to correct the noxious and long imprisoned air: he then led the way into the interior; but, though stout of heart, he advanced with awe and hesitation.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") After proceeding a short distance, he entered a hall, or antechamber, on the opposite side of which was a door; and before it, on a pedestal, stood a gigantic figure, of the colour of bronze, and of a terrible aspect.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") It held a huge mace, which it whirled incessantly, giving such cruel and resounding blows upon the earth as to prevent all further entrance.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") The king paused at sight of this appalling figure; for whether it were a living being, or a statue of magic artifice, he could not tell.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") On its breast was a scroll, whereon was inscribed in large letters, “I do my duty.”[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") \[13\] After a little while Roderick plucked up heart, and addressed it with great solemnity: “Whatever thou be,” said he, “know that I come not to violate this sanctuary, but to inquire into the mystery it contains; I conjure thee, therefore, to let me pass in safety.”[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Upon this the figure paused with uplifted mace, and the king and his train passed unmolested through the door.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") They now entered a vast chamber, of a rare and sumptuous architecture, difficult to be described.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") The walls were incrusted with the most precious gems, so joined together as to form one smooth and perfect surface.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The lofty dome appeared to be self-supported, and was studded with gems, lustrous as the stars of the firmament.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") There was neither wood, nor any other common or base material to be seen throughout the edifice.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") There were no windows or other openings to admit the day, yet a radiant light was spread throughout the place, which seemed to shine from the walls, and to render every object distinctly visible.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") In the centre of this hall stood a table of alabaster, of the rarest workmanship, on which was inscribed in Greek characters, that Hercules Alcides, the Theban Greek, had founded this tower in the year of the world three thousand and six.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Upon the table stood a golden casket, richly set round with precious stones, and closed with a lock of mother-of-pearl; and on the lid were inscribed the following words:—[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/8/page/2/) - ← previous: [Don Roderick Receives an Extraordinary Embassy.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/7/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/8/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)