Though his undertakings were vast, and his expenditures
immense, yet his treasury was always full; and this seeming
contradiction gave rise to the story that he was versed in magic
art, and possessed of the secret for transmuting baser metals into
gold. Those who have attended to his domestic policy, as here set
forth, will easily understand the natural magic and simple alchemy
which made his ample treasury to overflow.
Yusef Abul Hagig.
The Finisher of the Alhambra.
TO THE foregoing particulars, concerning the Moslem princes who once
reigned in these halls, I shall add a brief notice of the monarch
who completed and embellished the Alhambra. Yusef Abul Hagig (or as it
is sometimes written, Haxis) was another prince of the noble line of
Nasar. He ascended the throne of Granada in the year of grace 1333,
and is described by Moslem writers as having a noble presence, great
bodily strength, and a fair complexion, and the majesty of his
countenance increased, say they, by suffering his beard to grow to a
dignified length and dying it black. His manners were gentle, affable,
and urbane; he carried the benignity of his nature into warfare,
prohibiting all wanton cruelty, and enjoining mercy and protection
towards women and children, the aged and infirm, and all friars and
other persons of holy and recluse life. But though he possessed the
courage common to generous spirits, the bent of his genius was more
for peace than war, and though repeatedly obliged by circumstances
to take up arms, he was generally unfortunate.
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