y greatest sorrow； in this my captivity； is that I must appear to do that from force which I would fain have done from inclination。〃
In the mean time； Muley Abul Hassan； finding the faction of his son still formidable in Granada； was anxious to consolidate his power by gaining possession of the person of Boabdil。 For this purpose he sent an embassy to the Catholic monarchs； offering large terms for the ransom； or rather the purchase； of his son； proposing； among other conditions； to release the count of Cifuentes and nine other of his most distinguished captives； and to enter into a treaty of confederacy with the sovereigns。 Neither did the implacable father make any scruple of testifying his indifference whether his son were delivered up alive or dead； so that his person were placed assuredly within his power。
The humane heart of Isabella revolted at the idea of giving up the unfortunate prince into the hands of his most unnatural and inveterate enemy： a disdainful refusal was therefore returned to the old monarch； whose message had been couched in a vaunting spirit。 He was informed that the Castilian sovereigns would listen to no proposals of peace from Muley Abul Hassan until he should lay down his arms and offer them in all humility。
Overtures in a different spirit were made by the mother of Boabdil； the sultana Ayxa la Horra； with the concurrence of the party which still remained faithful to him。 It was thereby proposed that Mahomet Abdallah； otherwise called Boabdil； should hold his crown as vassal to the Castilian sovereigns； paying an annual tribute and releasing seventy Christian captives annually for five years； that he should； moreover； pay a large sum upon the spot for his ransom； and at the same time give freedom to four hundred Christians to be chosen by the king； that he should also engage to be always ready to render military aid； and should come to the Cortes； or assemblage of nobles and distinguished vassals of the Crown； whenever summoned。 His only son and the sons of twelve distinguished Moorish houses were to be delivered as hostages。
An embassy composed of the alcayde Aben Comixa； Muley； the royal standard…bearer； and other distinguished cavaliers bore this proposition to the Spanish court at Cordova； where they were received by King Ferdinand。 Queen Isabella was absent at the time。 He was anxious to consult her in so momentous an affair； or； rather； he was fearful of proceeding too precipitately； and not drawing from this fortunate event all the advantage of which it was susceptible。 Without returning any reply； therefore； to the mission； he ordered that the captive monarch should be brought to Cordova。
The alcayde of the Donceles was the bearer of this mandate； and summoned all the hidalgos of Lucena and of his own estates to form an honorable escort for the illustrious prisoner。 In this style he conducted him to the capital。 The cavaliers and authorities of Cordova came forth to receive the captive king with all due ceremony； and especial care was taken to prevent any taunt or insult from the multitude； or anything that might remind him of his humiliation。 In this way he entered the once proud capital of the Abda'rahmans； and was lodged in the house of the king's major… domo。 Ferdinand； however； declined seeing the Moorish monarch。 He was still undetermined what course to pursuewhether to retain him prisoner； set him at liberty on ransom； or treat him with politic magnanimity； and each course would require a different kind of reception。 Until this point should be resolved； therefore； he gave him in charge to Martin de Alarcon； alcayde of the ancient fortress of Porcuna； with orders to guard him strictly； but to treat him with the distinction and deference due unto a prince。 These commands were strictly obeyed： he was escorted； as before； in royal state； to the fortress which was to form his prison； and； with the exception of being restrained in his liberty； was as nobly entertained there as he could have been in his regal palace at Granada。
In the mean time； Ferdinand availed himself of this critical moment； while Granada was distracted with factions and dissensions； and before he had concluded any treaty with Boabdil； to make a puissant and ostentatious inroad into the very heart of the kingdom at the head of his most illustrious nobles。 He sacked and destroyed several towns and castles； and extended his ravages to the very gates of Granada。 Muley Abul Hassan did not venture to oppose him。 His city was filled with troops； but he was uncertain of their affection。 He dreaded that should he sally forth the gates of Granada might be closed against him by the faction of the Albaycin。
The old Moor stood on the lofty tower of the Alhambra （says Antonio Agapida） grinding his teeth and foaming like a tiger shut up in his cage as he beheld the glittering battalions of the Christians wheeling about the Vega； and the standard of the cross shining forth from among the smoke of infidel villages and hamlets。 The most Catholic king （continues Agapida） would gladly have continued this righteous ravage； but his munitions began to fail。 Satisfied； therefore； with having laid waste the country of the enemy and insulted Muley Abul Hassan in his very capital； he returned to Cordova covered with laurels and his army laden with spoils； and now bethought himself of coming to an immediate decision in regard to his royal prisoner。
CHAPTER XX。
OF THE TREATMENT OF BOABDIL BY THE CASTILIAN SOVEREIGNS。
A stately convention was held by King Ferdinand in the ancient city of Cordova； composed of several of the most reverend prelates and renowned cavaliers of the kingdom； to determine upon the fate of the unfortunate Boabdil。
Don Alonso de Cardenas； the worthy master of Santiago； was one of the first who gave his counsel。 He was a pious and zealous knight； rigid in his devotion to the faith； and his holy zeal had been inflamed to peculiar vehemence since his disastrous crusade among the mountains of Malaga。 He inveighed with ardor against any compromise or compact with the infidels： the object of this war； he observed； was not the subjection of the Moors； but their utter expulsion from the land； so that there might no longer remain a single stain of Mahometanism throughout Christian Spain。 He gave it as his opinion； therefore； that the captive king ought not to be set at liberty。
Roderigo Ponce de Leon； marques of Cadiz； on the contrary； spoke warmly for the release of Boabdil。 He pronounced it a measure of sound policy； even if done without conditions。 It would tend to keep up the civil war in Granada； which was as a fire consuming the entrails of the enemy； and effecting more for the interests of Spain； without expense； than all the conquests of its arms。
The grand cardinal of Spain； Don Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza； coincided in opinion with the marques of Cadiz。 Nay （added that pious prelate and politic statesman）； it would be sound wisdom to furnish the Moor with men and money and all other necessaries to promote the civil war in Granada： by this means would be produced great benefit to the service of God； since we are assured by his infallible word that 〃a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand。〃*
*Salazar； Cronica del Gran Cardinal； p。 188。
Ferdinand weighed these counsels in his mind； but was slow in coming to a decision： he was religiously attentive to his own interests （observes Fray Antonio Agapida）； knowing himself to be but an instrument of Providence in this holy war； and that； therefore； in consulting his own advantage he was promoting the interests of the faith。 The opinion of Queen Isabella relieved him from his perplexity。 That high…minded princess was zealous for the promotion of the faith； but not for the extermination of the infidels。 The Moorish kings had held their thrones as vassals to her progenitors： she was content at present to accord the same privilege； and that the royal prisoner should be liberated on condition of becoming a vassal to the Crown。 By this means might be effected the deliverance of many Christian captives who were languishing in Moorish chains。
King Ferdinand adopted the magnanimous measure recommended by the queen； but he accompanied it with several shrewd conditions； exacting tribute； military services； and safe passages and maintenance for Christian troops throughout the places which should adhere to Boabdil。 The captive king readily submitted to these stipulations； and swore； after the manner of his faith； to observe them with exactitude。 A truce was arranged for two years； during which the Castilian sovereigns engaged to maintain him on his throne and to assist him in recovering all places which he had lost during his captivity。
When Boabdil el Chico had solemnly agreed to this arrangement in the castle of Porcuna； preparations were made to receive him in Cordova in regal style。 Superb steeds richly caparisoned and raiments of brocade and silk and the most costly cloths； with all other articles of sumptuous array； were furnished to him and to fifty Moorish cavaliers who had come to treat for his ransom； that he might appear in state befitting the monarch of Granada and the most distinguished vassal of the Casti