I beheld
the moon, a mere crescent, yet luminous as the brightest silver, and
it hung in the heavens over the kingdom of Granada. While I was
looking at it, behold there shot forth from the firmament a blazing
star, which, as it went, drew after it all the stars of heaven; and
they assailed the moon and drove it from the skies; and the whole
firmament was filled with the glory of that blazing star. While mine
eyes were yet dazzled by this wondrous sight, some one stood by me
with snowy wings and a shining countenance. 'Oh man of prayer,' said
he, 'get thee to the grand master of Alcantara and tell him of the
vision thou hast beheld. He is the blazing star, destined to drive the
crescent, the Moslem emblem, from the land. Let him boldly draw the
sword and continue the good work begun by Pelazo of old, and victory
will assuredly attend his banner.'"
The grand master listened to the hermit as to a messenger from
heaven, and followed his counsel in all things. By his advice he
dispatched two of his stoutest warriors, armed cap-a-pie, on an
embassy to the Moorish king. They entered the gates of Granada without
molestation, as the nations were at peace; and made their way to the
Alhambra, where they were promptly admitted to the king, who
received them in the Hall of Ambassadors. They delivered their message
roundly and hardily. "We come, oh king, from Don Martin Yanez de
Barbudo, grand master of Alcantara; who affirms the faith of Jesus
Christ to be true and holy, and that of Mahomet false and
detestable, and he challenges thee to maintain the contrary, hand to
hand, in single combat.
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