Page 121

[one-half-first]

[/one-half-first]
[one-half]

behalfe, whereupon he presently called for inke and paper to write a letter to the king of Granada, which in a few words and true, opening their estate vnto him, said thus.

MOst mightie king of Granada, Rodrigo of Naruaez the Gouernour of Alora, by these letters kisseth your royall hands, and giues your Maiestie to vnder∣stande, that Abyndaraez Abencerraje borne in Granada, brought vp in Cartama and being vnder the charge and gouernment of the captaine of that Forte, was enamo∣red of Xarifa his faire daughter: And after that it pleased your Maiestie to preferre the saide captaine to the gouernment of Coyn, the two louers (to binde them∣selues in a mutall and indissoluble bonde) betrothed their faith to each other before her departure, who sent to Cartama for the Abencerraje in her Fathers absence (be∣ing now in your Maiesties Court) to whom as he was going to Coyn, in the way I met him, and in a certaine skirmish betweene vs, (wherein he shewed himselfe a va∣liant and couragious man at armes) made him my prisoner: who telling me his piti∣full case (my hart being mooued with compassion of his greefe, and with his earnest praiers) I set him free for two daies, who went his way, and got him to his wife, so that in that iourney he woone his wife, and lost his libertie. But seeing the Abencer∣raje (according to his worde) woulde needes returne to my prison, she came also with him, and so they are both now in my power. Let not the name of Abencerraje, I beseech your Maiestie offende it, for this Gentleman and his Father were not pri∣uie (as I haue heard) nor consenting to the conspiracie pretended against your roy∣all person, in testimonie whereof, they are yet both liuing. Wherefore I humblie beseech your Maiestie to impart-betweene your Grace and me a remedie for these haplesse louers, whose raunsome I will frankely forgiue, and freely let them go. May it onely please your Maiestie to procure the Ladies pardon with her Father, who is your subiect, and to intreat him to receiue the gentleman into his affinitie and good liking: By doing whereof (besides the singular fauour that your Highnesse shall do me) your Maiestie shall do no lesse, then is expected of the woonted vertues and bountie of your Royall and magnificent minde.
With this letter he dispatched away one of his gentlemen, who comming be∣fore the King, gaue it him into his owne handes, the which he gratefully receiued, when he knew from whom it came, for he loued this Christian, especially for his va∣lour and goodly personage: and reading it, he turned his face, and by chaunce es∣pied the Gouernor of Coyn, to whom (taking him aside) he gaue the letter, saying vn∣to him. Read this letter, who read it, and seeing what was past, by his countenance did manifest how much he was grieued in mind. Which thing the King perceiuing, said vnto him. Be not offended, nor sorrie, although thou hast good cause; for there is not any reasonable thing, that the noble Gouernor of Alora requesteth at my hands (if it lies in my power) which I will not doe for him. And therefore I com∣maund thee by deferring no time, presently to goe to Alora, and to pardon thy daughter and son in law, and carrie them with thee to thy Castle; in recompence whereof I will not forget to bestow on thee continuall fauours. It greeued the old Moore to the verie hart, when he vnderstood of this euent; but seeing he must not disobey the Kings commaund, by counterfeiting a merie countenance, and borro∣wing a little courage of his daunted spirits, as wel as he could, he said That he would do it. The Gouernor of Corndeparted from the Court in all haste, and came to A∣lora, where (vnderstanding by the way of the Gouernors Gentleman that went with

[/one-half]