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Glorious as the date of Granada's capture might have been in Spanish history, it acquired world-wide significance from the decision given in favour of the project of Christopher Columbus which followed as a consequence of the Christian victory. Though he nowhere states the fact, Martyr must at this time have known the Genoese suppliant for royal patronage.
Let Tarfe go, whose words are big, While his sword-arm is impotent! "Thou seest I am not such as he; His haughty words, so seldom true, Are filled with boasting; what he boasts This sturdy arm of mine can do. "My arm, my lance, ah! well 'tis known How oft in battle's darkest hour They saved Granada's city proud From yielding to the Christian's power."
'Tis love that from Granada's home has sent him thus to rove, And for the lovely Zaida he languishes with love The loveliest face that by God's grace the sun e'er shone above. From court and mart he lives apart, such is the King's desire; Yet the King's friend Alfaqui is the fair maiden's sire.
'Twas thus, Granada's fountain by, spoke Albuharez' daughter, "The well is deep, far down they lie, beneath the cold blue water To me did Muça give them, when he spake his sad farewell, And what to say when he comes back, alas! I cannot tell.
The young Abenumeya, Granada's royal heir, Was brave in battle with his foe and gallant with the fair. By lovely Felisarda his heart had been ensnared, The daughter of brave Ferri; the captain of the guard.
I've heard you say on many a day, and sure you said the truth, Andalla rides without a peer, among all Granada's youth. Without a peer he rideth, and yon milk-white horse doth go Beneath his stately master, with a stately step and slow; Then rise, oh, rise, Xarifa, lay the golden cushion down; Unseen here through the lattice, you may gaze with all the town."
There streams into Granada's gate a stately cavalcade Of prancing steeds caparisoned, and knights in steel arrayed; And all their acclamations raise, when Celin comes in sight "The foremost in the tournament, the bravest in the fight" And Moorish maiden Cegri straight to the window flies, To see the glittering pageant and to hear the joyous cries.
In the audience hall itself, a canopy, over the royal cushions on which Boabdil reclined, was blazoned with the heraldic insignia of Granada's monarchs. His guard, and his mutes, and his eunuchs, and his courtiers, and his counsellors, and his captains, were ranged in long files on either side the canopy. It seemed the last flicker of the lamp of the Moorish empire, that hollow and unreal pomp!
The bravest youth that e'er drew rein Upon Granada's flowery plain, A courteous knight, of gentle heart, Accomplished in the jouster's art; Well skilled to guide the flying steed, And noted for each warlike deed; And while his heart like steel was set When foeman in the battle met, 'Twas wax before his lady's eyes And melted at her amorous sighs; And he was like a diamond bright Amid the sword-thrusts of the fight, And in the zambra's festive hour Was gracious as the summer's flower.
The Moor was starting for the joust, Which many a warrior brings To Gelva, there to celebrate The truce between the kings. A fair Moor maiden he adored, A daughter of the brave, Who struggled at Granada's siege; Granada was their grave. And eager to accost the maid, He wandered round the square; With piercing eyes he peered upon The walls that held the fair.
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