Leila | Page 2

so absorbed his thoughts, that he did not perceive the
approach of a Moor, whose glittering weapons and snow-white turban,
rich with emeralds, cast a gleam through the wood.
The new comer was above the common size of his race, generally small
and spare--but without attaining the lofty stature and large proportions
of the more redoubted of the warriors of Spain. But in his presence and
mien there was something, which, in the haughtiest conclave of
Christian chivalry, would have seemed to tower and command. He
walked with a step at once light and stately, as if it spurned the earth;
and in the carriage of the small erect head and stag-like throat, there
was that undefinable and imposing dignity, which accords so well with
our conception of a heroic lineage, and a noble though imperious spirit.
The stranger approached Almamen, and paused abruptly when within a
few steps of the enchanter. He gazed upon him in silence for some

moments; and when at length he spoke it was with a cold and sarcastic
tone.
"Pretender to the dark secrets," said he, "is it in the stars that thou art
reading those destinies of men and nations, which the Prophet wrought
by the chieftain's brain and the soldier's arm?"
"Prince," replied Almamen, turning slowly, and recognising the
intruder on his meditations, "I was but considering how many
revolutions, which have shaken earth to its centre, those orbs have
witnessed, unsympathising and unchanged."
"Unsympathising!" repeated the Moor--"yet thou believest in their
effect upon the earth?"
"You wrong me," answered Almamen, with a slight smile, "you
confound your servant with that vain race, the astrologers."
"I deemed astrology a part of the science of the two angels, Harut and
Marut."
[The science of magic. It was taught by the Angels named in the text;
for which offence they are still supposed to be confined to the ancient
Babel. There they may yet be consulted, though they are rarely
seen.--Yallal'odir Yahya. --SALE'S Koran.]
"Possibly; but I know not that science, though I have wandered at
midnight by the ancient Babel."
"Fame lies to us, then," answered the Moor, with some surprise.
"Fame never made pretence to truth," said Almamen, calmly, and
proceeding on his way. "Allah be with you, prince! I seek the king."
"Stay! I have just quitted his presence, and left him, I trust, with
thoughts worthy of the sovereign of Granada, which I would not have
disturbed by a stranger, a man whose arms are not spear nor shield."
"Noble Muza," returned Almamen, "fear not that my voice will weaken

the inspirations which thine hath breathed into the breast of Boabdil.
Alas! if my counsel were heeded, thou wouldst hear the warriors of
Granada talk less of Muza, and more of the king. But Fate, or Allah,
hath placed upon the throne of a tottering dynasty, one who, though
brave, is weak-- though, wise, a dreamer; and you suspect the adviser,
when you find the influence of nature on the advised. Is this just?"
Muza gazed long and sternly on the face of Almamen; then, putting his
hand gently on the enchanter's shoulder, he said--
"Stranger, if thou playest us false, think that this arm hath cloven the
casque of many a foe, and will not spare the turban of a traitor!"
"And think thou, proud prince!" returned Almamen, unquailing, "that I
answer alone to Allah for my motives, and that against man my deeds I
can defend!"
With these words, the enchanter drew his long robe round him, and
disappeared amidst the foliage.
CHAPTER II.
THE KING WITHIN HIS PALACE.
In one of those apartments, the luxury of which is known only to the
inhabitants of a genial climate (half chamber and half grotto), reclined a
young Moor, in a thoughtful and musing attitude.
The ceiling of cedar-wood, glowing with gold and azure, was supported
by slender shafts, of the whitest alabaster, between which were open
arcades, light and graceful as the arched vineyards of Italy, and
wrought in that delicate filagree-work common to the Arabian
architecture: through these arcades was seen at intervals the lapsing fall
of waters, lighted by alabaster lamps; and their tinkling music sounded
with a fresh and regular murmur upon the ear. The whole of one side of
this apartment was open to a broad and extensive balcony, which
overhung the banks of the winding and moonlit Darro; and in the
clearness of the soft night might be distinctly seen the undulating hills,

the woods, and orange- groves, which still form the unrivalled
landscapes of Granada.
The pavement was spread with ottomans and couches of the richest
azure, prodigally enriched with quaint designs in broideries of gold and
silver; and over that on which the Moor reclined, facing the open
balcony, were suspended on a pillar the