ristling with sunlit spears and blazoned banners; while
beside murmured, and glowed, and danced, the silver and laughing Xenil,
careless what lord should possess, for his little day, the banks that
bloomed by its everlasting course. By a small mosque halted the flower
of the army. Surrounded by the arch-priests of that mighty hierarchy,
the peers and princes of a court that rivalled the Rolands of
Charlemagne, was seen the kingly form of Ferdinand himself, with Isabel
at his right hand and the highborn dames of Spain, relieving, with their
gay colours and sparkling gems, the sterner splendour of the crested
helmet and polished mail.

Within sight of the royal group, Boabdil halted--composed his aspect
so as best to conceal his soul,--and, a little in advance of his scanty
train, but never, in mien and majesty, more a king, the son of Abdallah
met his haughty conqueror.

At the sight of his princely countenance and golden hair, his comely
and commanding beauty, made more touching by youth, a thrill of
compassionate admiration ran through that assembly of the brave
and fair. Ferdinand and Isabel slowly advanced to meet their late
rival--their new subject; and, as Boabdil would have dismounted, the
Spanish king place his hand upon his shoulder. "Brother and prince,"
said he, "forget thy sorrows; and may our friendship hereafter console
thee for reverses against which thou hast contended as a hero and a
king-resisting man, but resigned at length to God!"

Boabdil did not affect to return this bitter, but unintentional mockery
of compliment. He bowed his head, and remained a moment silent; then,
motioning to his train, four of his officers approached, and kneeling
beside Ferdinand, proffered to him, upon a silver buckler, the keys of
the city.

"O king!" then said Boabdil, "accept the keys of the last hold which has
resisted the arms of Spain! The empire of the Moslem is no more. Thine
are the city and the people of Granada: yielding to thy prowess, they
yet confide in thy mercy."

"They do well," said the king; "our promises shall not be broken. But,
since we know the gallantry of Moorish cavaliers, not to us, but to
gentler hands, shall the keys of Granada be surrendered."

Thus saying, Ferdinand gave the keys to Isabel, who would have addressed
some soothing flatteries to Boabdil: but the emotion and excitement were
too much for her compassionate heart, heroine and queen though she was;
and, when she lifted her eye