按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
delights to struggle with difficulties; and thrives the most hardily
on the scantiest soil。
The change effected in the looks and spirits of the princesses by
this secret intercourse; surprised and gratified the left…handed king;
but no one was more elated than the discreet Kadiga; who considered it
all owing to her able management。
At length there was an interruption in this telegraphic
correspondence; for several days the cavaliers ceased to make their
appearance in the glen。 The princesses looked out from the tower in
vain。 In vain they stretched their swan…like necks from the balcony;
in vain they sang like captive nightingales in their cage: nothing was
to be seen of their Christian lovers; not a note responded from the
groves。 The discreet Kadiga sallied forth in quest of intelligence;
and soon returned with a face full of trouble。 〃Ah; my children!〃
cried she; 〃I saw what all this would come to; but you would have your
way; you may now hang up your lutes on the willows。 The Spanish
cavaliers are ransomed by their families; they are down in Granada;
and preparing to return to their native country。〃
The three beautiful princesses were in despair at the tidings。 Zayda
was indignant at the slight put upon them; in thus being deserted
without a parting word。 Zorayda wrung her hands and cried; and
looked in the glass; and wiped away her tears; and cried afresh。 The
gentle Zorahayda leaned over the balcony and wept in silence; and
her tears fell drop by drop among the flowers of the bank where the
faithless cavaliers had so often been seated。
The discreet Kadiga did all in her power to soothe their sorrow。
〃Take comfort; my children;〃 said she; 〃this is nothing when you are
used to it。 This is the way of the world。 Ah! when you are as old as I
am; you will know how to value these men。 I'll warrant these cavaliers
have their loves among the Spanish beauties of Cordova and Seville;
and will soon be serenading under their balconies; and thinking no
more of the Moorish beauties in the Alhambra。 Take comfort; therefore;
my children; and drive them from your hearts。〃
The comforting words of the discreet Kadiga only redoubled the
distress of the three princesses; and for two days they continued
inconsolable。 On the morning of the third; the good old woman
entered their apartment; all ruffling with indignation。
〃Who would have believed such insolence in mortal man!〃 exclaimed
she; as soon as she could find words to express herself; 〃but I am
rightly served for having connived at this deception of your worthy
father。 Never talk more to me of your Spanish cavaliers。〃
〃Why; what has happened; good Kadiga?〃 exclaimed the princesses in
breathless anxiety。
〃What has happened?… treason has happened! or what is almost as bad;
treason has been proposed; and to me; the most faithful of subjects;
the trustiest of duennas! Yes; my children; the Spanish cavaliers have
dared to tamper with me; that I should persuade you to fly with them
to Cordova; and become their wives!〃
Here the excellent old woman covered her face with her hands; and
gave way to a violent burst of grief and indignation。 The three
beautiful princesses turned pale and red; pale and red; and
trembled; and looked down; and cast shy looks at each other; but
said nothing。 Meantime; the old woman sat rocking backward and forward
in violent agitation; and now and then breaking out into exclamations;
〃That ever I should live to be so insulted!… I; the most faithful of
servants!〃
At length; the eldest princess; who had most spirit and always
took the lead; approached her; and laying her hand upon her
shoulder; 〃Well; mother;〃 said she; 〃supposing we were willing to
fly with these Christian cavaliers… is such a thing possible?〃
The good old woman paused suddenly in her grief; and looking up;
〃Possible;〃 echoed she; 〃to be sure; it is possible。 Have not the
cavaliers already bribed Hussein Baba; the renegado captain of the
guard; and arranged the whole plan? But; then; to think of deceiving
your father! your father; who has placed such confidence in me!〃
Here the worthy woman gave way to a fresh burst of grief; and began to
rock backward and forward; and to wring her hands。
〃But our father has never placed any confidence in us;〃 said the
eldest princess; 〃but has trusted to bolts and bars; and treated us as
captives。〃
〃Why; that is true enough;〃 replied the old woman; again pausing
in her grief; 〃he has indeed treated you most unreasonably; keeping
you shut up here; to waste your bloom in a moping old tower; like
roses left to wither in a flower…jar。 But; then; to fly from your
native land!〃
〃And is not the land we fly to; the native land of our mother; where
we shall live in freedom? And shall we not each have a youthful
husband in exchange for a severe old father?〃
〃Why; that again is all very true; and your father; I must
confess; is rather tyrannical: but what then;〃 relapsing into her
grief; 〃would you leave me behind to bear the brunt of his vengeance?〃
〃By no means; my good Kadiga; cannot you fly with us?〃
〃Very true; my child; and; to tell the truth; when I talked the
matter over with Hussein Baba; he promised to take care of me; if I
would accompany you in your flight: but then; bethink you; my
children; are you willing to renounce the faith of your father?〃
〃The Christian faith was the original faith of our mother;〃 said the
eldest princess; 〃I am ready to embrace it; and so; I am sure; are
my sisters。〃
〃Right again;〃 exclaimed the old woman; brightening up; 〃it was
the original faith of your mother; and bitterly did she lament; on her
death…bed; that she had renounced it。 I promised her then to take care
of your souls; and I rejoice to see that they are now in a fair way to
be saved。 Yes; my children; I; too; was born a Christian; and have
remained a Christian in my heart; and am resolved to return to the
faith。 I have talked on the subject with Hussein Baba; who is a
Spaniard by birth; and comes from a place not far from my native town。
He is equally anxious to see his own country; and to be reconciled
to the church; and the cavaliers have promised; that; if we are
disposed to become man and wife; on returning to our native land; they
will provide for us handsomely。〃
In a word; it appeared that this extremely discreet and provident
old woman had consulted with the cavaliers and the renegado; and had
concerted the whole plan of escape。 The eldest princess immediately
assented to it; and her example; as usual; determined the conduct of
her sisters。 It is true; the youngest hesitated; for she was gentle
and timid of soul; and there was a struggle in her bosom between
filial feeling and youthful passion: the latter; however; as usual;
gained the victory; and with silent tears; and stifled sighs; she
prepared herself for flight。
The rugged hill on which the Alhambra is built was; in old times;
perforated with subterranean passages; cut through the rock; and
leading from the fortress to various parts of the city; and to distant
sally…ports on the banks of the Darro and the Xenil。 They had been
constructed at different times by the Moorish kings; as means of
escape from sudden insurrections; or of secretly issuing forth on
private enterprises。 Many of them are now entirely lost; while
others remain; partly choked with rubbish; and partly walled up;
monuments of the jealous precautions and warlike stratagems of the
Moorish government。 By one of these passages; Hussein Baba had
undertaken to conduct the princesses to a sally…port beyond the
walls of the city; where the cavaliers were to be ready with fleet
steeds; to bear the whole party over the borders。
The appointed night arrived: the tower of the princesses had been
locked up as usual; and the Alhambra was buried in deep sleep。 Towards
midnight; the discreet Kadiga listened from the balcony of a window
that looked into the garden。 Hussein Baba; the renegado; was already
below; and gave the appointed signal。 The duenna fastened the end of a
ladder of ropes to the balcony; lowered it into the garden and
descended。 The two eldest princesses followed her with beating hearts;
but when it came to the turn of the youngest princess; Zorahayda;
she hesitated; and trembled。 Several times she ventured a delicate
little foot upon the ladder; and as often drew it back; while her poor
little heart fluttered more and more the longer she delayed。 She
cast a wistful look back into the silken chamber; she had lived in it;
to be sure; like a bird in a cage; but within it she was secure; who
could tell what dangers might beset her; should she flutter forth into
the wide world! Now she bethought her of the gallant Christian
lover; and her little foot was instantly upon the ladder; and anon she
thought of her father; and shrank back。 But fruitless is the attempt
to describe the conflict in the bosom of one so