Page 122

[one-half-first]

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

him, all that had passed in this aduenture) he was curteously receiued: The Abencer∣
raje and his daughter teynted and appalled with shame and feare came before him, and kissed his hands, who receiuing them ioyfully, said vnto them. I come not hi∣
ther of mine owne accord to repeate, nor entreat of things past, but by the com∣maundement of the King, who willed me to pardon your misdeeds, and your sudden marriage without my cōsent. And as for the rest daughter, thou hast chosen a better husband for thy selfe, then I could haue giuen thee. Rodrigo of Naruaez was very glad to heare this gentle greeting of the olde Moore, for whose entertainment he made many feastes and banquets. And one day when diner was done, he said vnto them. I am not so glad, as proud, that I haue beene some part and meanes, whereby these occurrents are brought to so good a passe; in proofe whereof, and that no∣thing else could make me more cōtent, for the ransome of your imprisonment, I will haue but onely the honour, that I haue enioyed by getting and keeping such braue prisoners. Wherefore Abyndaraes, thou art free, in testimonie whereof I giue thee leaue to goe whither it please thee, and whensoeuer thou wilt. He humbly thanked him, and so they prepared themselues to bee gone the next day, when Rodrigo of Naruaez bearing them company, they went from Alora, and came to Coyn, where great triumphes, banquets, and feasts were made in publicke celebration of the mar∣riage: The which being past, their father taking them both one day aside, spake these words vnto them. Now that you are (my beloued sonne and daughter) possessours of my riches, and liue in rest, it is not reason that you forget the manifolde good turnes done you by the Gouernor of Alora, for which you are yet indebted vnto him; and it stands not with our honors, for vsing you with such great virtue and hu∣manitie, that he should leefe the right of your ransome, which should be rather (if you confider the matter well) more then ordinarie. I will giue you fower thousand double duckats, send them vnto him, and behold them here, which he well deserues (as a friend indeed) though there be different lawes betweene you and him. The Abencerraje thanked him verie humbly, and taking them, sent them in a little rich coffer to Rodrigo of Naruaez. And because he would not of his own part shew him∣selfe vnthankfull, he sent him there with all sixe faire Barbary horses with rich saddles & furniture, and sixe targets, and launces, the bars and punches being of fine golde. Faire Xarifa wrote a sweete and louing letter vnto him, wherein she gaue him in∣finite thankes for the benefits she had receiued by his meanes, and for the gentle entertainment she had in his Castle. And willing to shew her selfe as liberall and thankefull as the rest, she sent him a sweete Cypresse chest, finely wrought and car∣ued for a present, and within it most curious and costly white garmentes for his owne person. The valiant Gouernor accepting the presents, with great thankes to them that sent them, gaue the horses, targets, and launces incontinently amongest the gentlemen that did accompanie him that night in the skirmish, taking the best of each, and also the Cyprsse chest, with that which faire Xarifahad sent him for himselfe, and returning the fower thousand double peeces to the messenger againe, he saide vnto him. Tell thy Lady Xarifa, that I receiue the Duckets for her hus∣bandes raunsome, and (to doe her seruice) sende them backe againe, towardes the charges of her marriage, and, that for her friendship and sweete sake, I woulde change all the interests that I haue in the world, in lieue that she would make an account of this Castell, as her owne, and her husbandes also. The messenger retur∣ned backe to Coyn, where he was well receiued, and the liberalitie of the noble Cap∣taine of euery one highly commended, whose linage doth continue in flourishing

[/one-half]