stes, live: and I will keep
This impious steel for thy adult right hand.
The day, I hope, will come, when I in Argos
Shall see thee the avenger of thy father.

Translation of Edgar Alfred Bowring, Bohn's Library.

ALFONSO THE WISE

(1221-1284)

"Alfonso," records the Jesuit historian, Mariana, "was a man of great
sense, but more fit to be a scholar than a king; for whilst he studied
the heavens and the stars, he lost the earth and his kingdom." Certainly
it is for his services to letters, and not for political or military
successes, that the meditative son of the valorous Ferdinand the Saint
and the beautiful Beatrice of Swabia will be remembered. The father
conquered Seville, and displaced the enterprising and infidel Moors with
orthodox and indolent Christians. The son could not keep what his sire
had grasped. Born in 1226, the fortunate young prince, at the age of
twenty-five, was proclaimed king of the newly conquered and united
Castile and Leon. He was very young: he was everywhere admired and
honored for skill in war, for learning, and for piety; he was everywhere
loved for his heritage of a great name and his kindly and
gracious manners.

In the first year of his reign, however, he began debasing the
coinage,--a favorite device of needy monarchs in his day,--and his
people never forgave the injury. He coveted, naturally enough, the
throne of the Empire, for which he was long a favorite candidate; and
for twenty years he wasted time, money, and purpose, heart and hope, in
pursuit of the vain bauble. His kingdom fell into confusion, his eldest
son died, his second son Sancho rebelled against him and finally deposed
him. Courageous and determined to the last, defying the league of Church
and State against him, he appealed to the king of Morocco for men and
money to reinstate his fortunes.

In Ticknor's 'History of Spanish Literature' may be found his touching
letter to De Guzman at the Moorish court. He is, like Lear, poor and
discrowned, but not like him, weak. His prelates have stirred up strife,
his nobles have betrayed him. If Heaven wills, he is ready to pay
generously for help. If not, says the royal philosopher, still,
generosity and loyalty exalt the soul that cherishes them.

"Therefore, my cousin, Alonzo Perez de Guzman, so treat with
your master and my friend [the king of Morocco] that he may
lend me, on my richest crown and on the jewels in it, as mu