The Baron of Eppenfeld; Or, the Poor Clare (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1878 Excerpt: ... shelter beneath the desolate walls of the Castle. Philibert left no heirs; he was the last of his race; his vast possessions passed into other hands, and to-day not a scion remains to represent the once powerful and opulent line of the Barons of Eppenfeld. "Such," said the host, "is the story of the old Castle which you saw on your way hither." THE MOOK'S LAST SIGH. On the morning of the 2nd Jan., 1492, Granada having surrendered to Ferdinand and Isabella, Mahmoud Abdallah, known as Boabdil el Chico, the last king, attended by a few followers, rode out of the Alhambra by a gate henceforth closed up, and passing through the street descended into the Vega, where was drawn up the Spanish army. Boabdil exchanged a few words with his conqueror, and then rode away, whilst Ferdinand continued his march on the city. The Moor is said to have halted for a moment in a pass whence he took a last view of his fallen capital and the far-famed palace of the Alhambra, and was affected even to tears. His mother Ayaxa, regarding him sternly, exclaimed, "Yes, weep like a woman for what you could not defend like a man." This spot is still known as "El ultimo sospiro del Moro" ("The last sigh of the Moor "). The golden, glitt'ring sunbeams fall In show'rs of sparkling light, And gleam upon the marble wall, All fair and dazzling white. They pierce the richly-stained glass, They shine on sculpture rare, And o'er the marbled pavement pass, Serene and smiling fair. But oh no sound of joy is heard Within those royal walls, Nor laughter gay, nor joyous word--No warrior's footstep falls. The show'rs from fountains rise on high, And downward flashing pour--Alas, alas the Moslem's eye Must trace their course no more. The hangings, rich in silk and gold, Along the walls droop down, But ...