My prisoners in troth shall ye be, for fifteen days, and immured
within my castle, where I claim, as conqueror, the right of
celebrating your espousals."
So saying, he dispatched one of his fleetest horsemen in advance, to
notify Dona Maria Palacin of the coming of this bridal party; while he
and his huntsmen escorted the cavalcade, not as captors, but as a
guard of honor. As they drew near to the castle, the banners were hung
out, and the trumpets sounded from the battlements; and on their
nearer approach, the draw-bridge was lowered, and Dona Maria came
forth to meet them, attended by her ladies and knights, her pages
and her minstrels. She took the young bride, Allifra, in her arms,
kissed her with the tenderness of a sister, and conducted her into the
castle. In the mean time, Don Munio sent forth missives in every
direction, and had viands and dainties of all kinds collected from the
country round; and the wedding of the Moorish lovers was celebrated
with all possible state and festivity. For fifteen days, the castle
was given up to joy and revelry. There were tiltings and jousts at the
ring, and bull-fights, and banquets, and dances to the sound of
minstrelsy. When the fifteen days were at an end, he made the bride
and bridegroom magnificent presents, and conducted them and their
attendants safely beyond the borders. Such, in old times, were the
courtesy and generosity of a Spanish cavalier.
Pages:
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434