ivered from the opposition of
the only man who was capable of impeding the accomplishment of their
wishes.

The death of Benhoud deprived the inhabitants of Cordova of all courage
and hope. Until then they had defended themselves with {115} equal
courage and constancy; but they offered to capitulate upon receiving
intelligence of this disastrous event.[9]

The Christians made the most rigorous use of their victory, granting
only life and liberty of departure to the unfortunate disciples of the
Prophet. An innumerable host of these wretched people came forth from
their former homes, weeping, and despoiled of all their possessions.
Slowly they left the superb city which had been for more than five
hundred and twenty years the principal seat of their national
greatness, their luxurious magnificence, their cherished religion, and
their favourite literature and fine arts.

Often did these desolate exiles pause on their way, and turn their
despairing eyes once again towards the towering palaces, the splendid
temples, the beautiful gardens, that five centuries of lavish expense
and toilsome effort had served to adorn and perfect, only to become the
spoil of the enemies of their faith and their race.

The Catholic soldiers who were now the occupants of these enchanting
abodes, were so far from appreciating their loveliness and value, {116}
that they preferred rather to destroy than inhabit them; and Ferdinand
soon found himself the possessor of a deserted city. He was therefore
compelled to attract inhabitants to Cordova from other parts of his
dominions, by the offer of extraordinary immunities. But,
notwithstanding the privileges thus accorded them, the Spaniards
murmured at leaving their arid rocks and barren fields, to dwell in the
palaces of caliphs and amid nature's most luxuriant scenes.

The grand mosque of Abderamus was converted into a cathedral, and
Cordova became the residence of a bishop and canons, but it was never
restored to the faintest shadow of its former splendour.

Not long after the fall of Cordova, Valencia also submitted to the
Christian yoke. Zean, besides being assailed externally by the force
of the intrepid Jacques, had, in addition, to oppose within his walls
the faction of Zeith, whom he had dethroned. The king of Tunis, too,
had been unsuccessful in an attempt to send a fleet to the relief of
Valencia: it at once took to flight on the appearance of the vessels of
Jacques. Abandoned b