History of the Dominion of the Arabs in Spain (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ...from the city of Merida.'. Offended by this unworthy treatment, the Wali replied that he was much surprised to find that the king gave more credit to the false reports of a deposed vizier than he did to his own tried respect and love; he added that a grandson of Abderahman was not to be dismissed like a freed-man or common groom. This reply rendered Alhakem furious, and he instantly commanded the Wali of his cavalry to take Esfah prisoner; but when the troops arrived at Merida for that purpose, the prince caused the city gates to be closed, and refused them entrance; yet without making any further attempt or resistance. Alhakem, finding that his orders were not obeyed, then departed himself for Merida, resolving to force his way into the city and take a cruel revenge for the affronts offered him. All the inhabitants of Merida were ready to defend their Wali, and offered to do so to the last; but he, dreading the evils to come upon them, and determined that they should not suffer on his account, had made such dispositions that on his cousin's entering the city at one of the gates, he was prepared to depart from it himself by another. Then the wife of Esfah, called Alkinza, who was the sister of the king, set off herself from Merida: attended by two servants only, she crossed the camp of the besieging force, and when she came to where the pavilion of her brother was fixed, the discreet and beauteous lady threw herself to the earth before him, defending her husband's cause with reasonings so effectual, that the rectitude of Esfah and the wrongs committed by the discarded vizier were rendered equally obvious. The king then embraced his sister, and his anger having become changed to cordial kindness, he accompanied her back to the city; the past was forgiven on ...