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forward this exclamation became his motto； and the motto of his
descendants； and appears to this day emblazoned on his escutcheons
in the halls of the Alhambra。
Alhamar had purchased peace by submission to the Christian yoke； but
he was conscious that； with elements so discordant and motives for
hostility so deep and ancient； it could not be permanent。 Acting；
therefore； upon the old maxim； 〃arm thyself in peace and clothe
thyself in summer；〃 he improved the present interval of tranquillity
by fortifying his dominions； replenishing his arsenals； and
promoting those useful arts which give wealth and real power。 He
confided the command of his various cities to such as had
distinguished themselves by valor and prudence； and who seemed most
acceptable to the people。 He organized a vigilant police； and
established rigid rules for the administration of justice。 The poor
and the distressed always found ready admission to his presence； and
he attended personally to their assistance and redress。 He erected
hospitals for the blind； the aged； and infirm； and all those incapable
of labor； and visited them frequently； not on set days with pomp and
form； so as to give time for every thing to be put in order； and every
abuse concealed； but suddenly； and unexpectedly； informing himself； by
actual observation and close inquiry； of the treatment of the sick；
and the conduct of those appointed to administer to their relief。 He
founded schools and colleges； which he visited in the same manner；
inspecting personally the instruction of the youth。 He established
butcheries and public ovens； that the people might be furnished with
wholesome provisions at just and regular prices。 He introduced
abundant streams of water into the city； erecting baths and fountains；
and constructing aqueducts and canals to irrigate and fertilize the
Vega。 By these means prosperity and abundance prevailed in this
beautiful city； its gates were thronged with commerce； and its
warehouses filled with luxuries and merchandise of every clime and
country。
He moreover gave premiums and privileges to the best artisans；
improved the breed of horses and other domestic animals； encouraged
husbandry； and increased the natural fertility of the soil twofold
by his protection； making the lovely valleys of his kingdom to bloom
like gardens。 He fostered also the growth and fabrication of silk；
until the looms of Granada surpassed even those of Syria in the
fineness and beauty of their productions。 He moreover caused the mines
of gold and silver and other metals； found in the mountainous
regions of his dominions； to be diligently worked； and was the first
king of Granada who struck money of gold and silver with his name；
taking great care that the coins should be skilfully executed。
It was towards the middle of the thirteenth century； and just
after his return from the siege of Seville； that he commenced the
splendid palace of the Alhambra； superintending the building of it
in person； mingling frequently among the artists and workmen； and
directing their labors。
Though thus magnificent in his works and great in his enterprises；
he was simple in his person and moderate in his enjoyments。 His
dress was not merely void of splendor； but so plain as not to
distinguish him from his subjects。 His harem boasted but few beauties；
and these he visited but seldom； though they were entertained with
great magnificence。 His wives were daughters of the principal
nobles； and were treated by him as friends and rational companions。
What is more； he managed to make them live in friendship with one
another。 He passed much of his time in his gardens； especially in
those of the Alhambra； which he had stored with the rarest plants
and the most beautiful and aromatic flowers。 Here he delighted himself
in reading histories； or in causing them to be read and related to
him； and sometimes； in intervals of leisure； employed himself in the
instruction of his three sons； for whom he had provided the most
learned and virtuous masters。
As he had frankly and voluntarily offered himself a tributary vassal
to Ferdinand； so he always remained loyal to his word； giving him
repeated proofs of fidelity and attachment。 When that renowned monarch
died in Seville in 1254； Alhamar sent ambassadors to condole with
his successor； Alonzo X； and with them a gallant train of a hundred
Moorish cavaliers of distinguished rank； who were to attend round
the royal bier during the funeral ceremonies； each bearing a lighted
taper。 This grand testimonial of respect was repeated by the Moslem
monarch during the remainder of his life on each anniversary of the
death of King Ferdinand el Santo； when the hundred Moorish knights
repaired from Granada to Seville； and took their stations with lighted
tapers in the centre of the sumptuous cathedral round the cenotaph
of the illustrious deceased。
Alhamar retained his faculties and vigor to an advanced age。 In
his seventy…ninth year （A。 D。 1272） he took the field on horseback；
accompanied by the flower of his chivalry； to resist an invasion of
his territories。 As the army sallied forth from Granada； one of the
principal adalides； or guides； who rode in the advance； accidentally
broke his lance against the arch of the gate。 The councillors of the
king； alarmed by this circumstance； which was considered an evil omen；
entreated him to return。 Their supplications were in vain。 The king
persisted； and at noontide the omen； say the Moorish chroniclers；
was fatally fulfilled。 Alhamar was suddenly struck with illness； and
had nearly fallen from his horse。 He was placed on a litter； and borne
back towards Granada but his illness increased to such a degree that
they were obliged to pitch his tent in the Vega。 His physicians were
filled with consternation； not knowing what remedy to prescribe。 In
a few hours he died； vomiting blood and in violent convulsions。 The
Castilian prince； Don Philip； brother of Alonzo X； was by his side
when he expired。 His body was embalmed； enclosed in a silver coffin；
and buried in the Alhambra in a sepulchre of precious marble； amidst
the unfeigned lamentations of his subjects； who bewailed him as a
parent。
I have said that he was the first of the illustrious line of Nasar
that sat upon a throne。 I may add that he was the founder of a
brilliant kingdom； which will ever be famous in history and romance；
as the last rallying place； of Moslem power and splendor in the
peninsula。 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。
Among other ill…starred enterprises； he undertook a great
campaign； in conjunction with the king of Morocco； against the kings
of Castile and Portugal； but was defeated in the memorable battle of
Salado； which had nearly proved a death…blow to the Moslem power in
Spain。
Yusef obtained a long truce after this defeat； and now his character
shone forth in its true lustre。 He had an excellent memory； and had
stored his mind with science and erudition； his taste was altogether
elegant and refined； and he was accounted the best poet of his time。
Devoting himself to the instruction of his people and the
improvement of their morals and manners； he established schools in all
the villages； with simple and uniform systems of education； he obliged
every hamlet of more than twelve houses to have a mosque； and purified
the ceremonies of religion； and the festivals