Selecta de Tales of the Alhambra

Selecta

Tales of the Alhambra

       Ir de Sevilha a Granada, como foram os dois companheiros, um, americano; o outro, russo, naquela maneira lenta e longa, que permite conviver com as coisas, deixar-se absorver por elas ou absorvê-las, ver fortalezas outrora mouriscas, que parece das suas seteiras vigiarem, ainda, como águias no alto dos montes, os movimentos dos cristãos em tempo de guerra; ir vendo cruzes pelos caminhos, aqui e ali, sinais de roubo ou assassínio, imaginar algum bandolero espreitando, touros olhando das suas alturas rochosas, mugindo baixo, encontrar uma caravana de arrieiros de muares nalgum passo de montanha, com o trabuco sempre a postos, deixando entrever a insegurança da estrada...; -- tudo isto é tão diferente da rapidez dos nossos dias, na comodidade de algumas horas de autocarro!

       O guia biscainho, um rapaz de vinte anos, alegre, confiável, bom coração, um enorme trabuco pendurado atrás da sela (geralmente descarregado).

        Os dois companheiros iam na disposição de estar satisfeitos, o ideal para conhecer pessoas e lugares. A lentidão, a distância podem ser uma bênção para o viajante.

       Vai, aqui, uma selecção incompleta, com breves palavras minhas, a acompanhar, de longe em longe. Alguns capítulos comparecem apenas, através do título. As histórias são uma delícia. Fiquei fã de Mateo Jiménez («o filho da Alambra»), do aguadeiro galego, do pai da Sanchica, do humor que Irving deixa cair sobre o (não) silêncio da mulher de Pero Gil e da do pequeno Lope Sánchez, «a merry little fellow». E a lenda do Príncipe Ahmed al Kamel, o peregrino do Amor! E mais... E a Rosa da Alambra? E mais... 

Irving deixa a Alambra. Vai pelos caminhos de Boabdil, El Rey Chico, ele mesmo El Rey Chico, o Segundo.

«A pouca distância para o norte de Granada, a estrada sobe gradualmente as colinas; aqui, apeei-me e fui caminhando lentamente com Manuel que aproveitou o ensejo para me confidenciar o segredo do seu coração e de todos os ternos assuntos entre ele próprio e Dolores [...]»,

de que Irving já sabia tudo por Mateo…, «o filho da Alambra» que tudo sabia e tudo revelava, «the all-knowing and all-revealing Mateo Jiménez».

A despedida é triste. Manuel e Mateo descem, agora, a colina. Manuel ainda tem boas perspectivas a consolá-lo, mas Mateo vai arrasado, perdendo o convívio de alguém que lhe dava importância, perdendo posição; Irving também vai triste, pois não podia então antecipar que Mateo veio a ser cicerone regular e bem pago da Alambra, de modo que nunca voltou a retomar a situação em que primeiro o encontrou.

Mateo e o autor ficam irmanados na devoção pela Alambra. O próprio Washington Irving veio a ser reconhecido pelos espanhóis, também ele, «filho da Alhambra», com estátua na cidadela que tanto amou e deu a conhecer. A satisfação que sentiu, quando soube da vida mais favorável de Mateo, é natural num amigo, num irmão.

Mateo e Irving são irmãos, ambos «filhos da Alhambra».

 The Journey

In the spring of 1829, the author of this work whom curiosity had brought into Spain, made a rambling expedition from Seville to Granada in company with a friend, a member of the Rusian embassy at Madrid. accident had thrown us together from distant regions of the globe and a similarity of taste led us to wander together among the romantic mountains of Andalusia. (p. 15)

[As planuras de Castela e da Mancha têm algo da grandeza solene do oceano] The inmense plains of the Castiles and of La Mancha, extending as far as the eye can reach, derive an interest from their very nakedness and immensity, and have something of the solemn grandeur of the ocean. In ranging over these boundless wastes, yhe eye catches sight here and there of a straggling herd of cattle attended by a lonely herdsman, // motionless as a statue with his long slender pike tapering up like a lance into the air or beholds a long train of camels in the desert, or a single herdsman armed with blunderbuss and stiletto, and prowling over the plain. Thus the country, the habits, the very looks of the people, have something of the arabian character. The general insecurity of the country is evinced in the universal use of weapons. The herdsman in the field, the shepherd in the plain, has his musket and his knife. The wealthy villager rarely ventures to the market-town without his trabuco, and perhaps a servant on foot with a blunderbuss on his shoulder, and the most petty journey is undertaken with the preparation of a warlike enterprise. (p. 16-17)

A mulecloth spread upon the ground is his bed at night and his pack-saddle is his pillow. His low but clean-limbed and sinewy form betokens strength; his complexion his dark and sunburnt; his eye resolute but quiet in his expression, except when kindled by sudden emotion; his demeanour is frank, manly and courteous, and he never passes you without a grave salutation: «¡Dios // guarde a usted!» «¡ Vaya usted con Dios, caballero!» «God guard you! God be with you, cavalier!» (p. 17-18)

It has a most picturesque effect also to meet a train of muleteers in some mountain-pass. First you ear the bells of the leading mules, breaking with their simple melody the stillness of the airy height, or perhaps the voice of the muleteer, admon- // ishing some tardy or wandering animal, or chanting, at the full stretch of his lungs, some traditionary ballad. At length you see the mules slowly winding along the cragged defile, sometimes descending precipitous cliffs, so as to present themselves in full relief against the sky, sometimes toiling up the deep arid chasms below you. As they approach, you descry their gay decorations of worsted tufts, tassels and saddle-cloths, while, as they pass by, the ever-ready trabuco slung behind the packs and saddles gives a hint of the insecurity of the road. (p. 18-19)

It was on the first of May that my companion and myself set forth from Seville on our route to Granada. We had made all the preparations for the nature of our journey which lay through mountainous regions where the roads are little better than mere mule-paths, and too frequently beset by robbers. The most valuable part of our luggage had been forwarded by the arrieros; we retained merely clothing and necessaries for the journey and money for the expenses of the road, with a sufficient surplus of the latter to satisfy the expectations of robbers should we be assailed, and to save ourselves from the rough treatment that awaits the too wary and empty-handed traveller. A couple of stout hired steeds were provided for the conveyance of a sturdy Biscayan lad of about twenty years of age,m who was to // guide us through the perplexed mazes of the mountain roads, to take care of the horses, to acto occasionally as our valet, and at all times as our guard, for he had a formidable trabuco or carbine to defend us from rateros or solitary footpads, about which weapon he made much vain-glorious boast, though, to the discredit of his generalship, I must say that it generally hung unloaded behind his saddle. He was, however, a faithful, cheery, kindhearted creature, full of saws and proverbs [...] (p. 20-21) [Era nos ditos e provérbios, como o célebre Sancho, com cujo nome o agraciaram.]

Thus equipped and attended, we set out on our journey with a genuine disposition to be pleased. With sucha disposition, what a country is Spain for a traveller, where the most miserable inn is as full of adventure as an enchanted castle and every meal is in itself an achievment! Let others repine at the lack of turnpike-roads and sumptuous hotels, and all the elaborate comforts of a country cultivated into tameness and the common-place, but give me the rude mountain scramble, the roving, haphazard manners that give such a true game flavour to romantic Spain! (p. 21)

[Um pátio festivo, com um sapateiro-orfeu a tocar guitarra, a cantar, a dançar fandango. Castanholas. Pepita, num bolero com um belo jovem dragão e o  alguacil a fazer lembrar D. Quixote, sem dar notícia de nada do que se passava à sua volta.] (p. 22-23)

[Um pedinte solitário, que come com a sobriedade e decoro que ficariam bem num fidalgo.] (p. 25-26)

*

To the traveller imbued with a feeling for the historical and poetical, the Alhambra of Granada is as much an object of veneration as is the Kaaba or sacred house of Mecca to all true Moslem pilgrims. How many legends and traditions, true and fabulous, how many songs and romances, Spanish and Arabian, of love and war and chivalry are associated with this romantic pile! The reader may judge therefore of our delight when, shortly after our arrival in Granada, the Governor of the Alhambra gave us permission to occupy his vacant apartments in the Moorish palace. My companion was soon summoned by the du- // ties of his station, but I remained for several months, spellbound in the old enchanted pile. The following papers are the result of my reveries and researches during that delicious thraldom. If they have the power of imparting any of the witching charms of the place to the imagination of the reader, he will not repine at lingering with me for a season in the legendary halls of the Alhambra. (p. 31-32)

Government of the Alhambra

[Os reis na Alambra; o capitão-general de Granada e o governador da Alambra] The sojourn of the sovereigns was transient, and after their departure the palace once more became desolate. Still the place was maintained with some military state. The governor held it immediately from the crown, its jurisdiction extended down into the suburbs of the city and was independent of the Captain General of Granada. A considerable garrison was kept up, the governor had his apartments in the front of the old Moorish palace and never descended into Granada without some military parfade. The fortress in fact was a little town of itself, having several streets of houses within its walls, together with a Franciscan convent and a parochial chuirch (p. 34)

Interior of the Alhambra

Matéo Jiménez, «filho da Alambra»

At the gate were two or three ragged and s uperannuated soldirs, dozing on a stone bench, the successors of the Zegríes and the Abencerrages, while a tall meagre varlet whose rusty-brown cloak was evidently intended to conceal the ragged state of his nether garments was lounging in the sunshine and gossiping // with an ancient sentinel on duty. He jointed us as we entered the gate and offered his services to show us the fortress.

I have a traveller's dislike to officious ciceroni and did not altogether like the garb of the applicant.

«You are well acquainted with the place, I presume?»

«Ninguno más; pues, Señor, soy hijo de la Alhambra.»  — (Nobody better; in fact, sir, I am a son of the Alhambra!)

The common Spaniards have certainly a most poetical way of expressing themselves. «A son of the Alhambra!» The appelation caught me at once; the very tattered garb of my new acquaintance assumed a dignity in my eyes. It was emblematic of the fortunes of the palace and befitted the progeny of a ruin. (p. 37-38)

The Tower of Comares__

Reflections on the Moslem Domination in Spain

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The Household Tía Antonia e Dolores, p. 55

It is time that I give some idea of my domestic arrangements in this singular residence. The Royal Palace of the Alhambra is entrusted to care of a good old maiden dame, called Dona Antonia Molina, but who, according to Spanish custom, goes by the more neighbourly appellation of Tia Antonia (Aunt Antonia). She maintains the Moorish halls and gardens in order and shows them to strangers, in consideration of which she is allowed all the perquisites received from visitors and all the produce of the gardens, excepting that she is expected to pay an occasional tribute of fruits and flowers to the Governor. Her residence is in a corner of the palace and her family consists of a nephew and niece, the children of two different brothers. The nephew, Manuel Molina, is a young man of sterling worth and Spanish gravity. He has served in the armies both in Spain and the West Indies, but is now studying medicine, in hopes of one day or other becoming physician to the fortress, a post worth at least a hundred and forty dololars a year. As to the niece, she is a plump little black-eyed Andalusian damsel named Dolores, but who from her bright looks and cheerful disposition merits a merrier name. She is the declared heiress of all her aunt's possessions, consisting of certain ruinous tenements in the fortress, yielding a revenue of about one hundred and fifty dollars. I had not been long in the Alhambra, before I discovered that a // quiet courtship was going on between the discreet Manuel and his bright-eyed cousin, and that nothing was wanting to enable them to join their hands and expectations, but that he should receive his doctor's diploma and purchase a dispensation from the Pope, on account of their consanguinity. (p.55-56)

The Truant__

The Author's Chamber

[O tecto] [...] There were two lofty rooms, the ceilings of which were of deep panel-work of cedar, richly and skilfully carved with fruits and flowers, intermingled with grotesque masks of faces, but broken in many places. (p. 66)

[...pintados por mão acima da média] In the compartments of the panelled ceilings were baskets of fruit and garlands of flowers, painted by no mean hand and in tolerable preservation. (p. 66)

[O jardim de Lindaraxa] «How beauteous is this garden!» says an Arabic inscription, «where the flowers of the earth vie with the stars of heaven! What can compare with the vase of yon alabaster fountain, filled with crystal water? Nothing but the moon in her fullness, shining in the midst of an unclouded sky!» (p. 67)

[Os jardins e a habitação do autor: a mutabilidade, condição do homem e das suas obras. a desolação dos aposentos, um toque suplementar de charme] Centuries had elapsed, yet how much of this scene of apparently fragile beauty remained! The garden of Lindaraxa was still adorned with flowers, the fountain still presented its crystal mirro4r; it is true, the alabaster had lost its whiteness and the basin beneath, overrun with weeds, had become the nestling-place of the lizard, but there is something in the very decay that enhanced the interest of the scene, speaking, as it did, of that mutability which is the irrevocable lot of man and all his works.The desolation too of these chambers, once the abode of the proud and elegant Elisabeth, had a more touching charm for me than if I had beheld them in their pristine splendour, glittering with the pageantry of a court. I determined at once to take up my quarters in this apartment. (p. 67)

[Para a boa Tia Antónia, era altamente perigoso o autor ficar ali, longe do resto dos habitantes; é sempre suposto os estrangeiros estarem bem providos de dinheiro,] The good Tía Antonia considered it highly dangerous; the neighbourhood, she said, was indested by vagrants; the caverns of the adjacent hills swarmed with gypsies; the palace was ruinous, and easy to be //  entered in many parts, and the rumour of a stranger quartered alone in one of the ruined apartments, out of the hearing of the rest of the inhabitants, might tempt unwelcome visitors in the night, specially as foreigners are always supposed to be well stocked with money. Dolores represented the frightful loneliness of the place, nothing but bats and owls flitting about; then there were a fox and a wild cat, that kept about the vaults and roamed about at night. (p. 67-68)

The Alhambra by Moonlight

[Embalado pelas águas a cair da fonte de Lindaraxa] [...] and it hs been almost morning before I have retired to my bed and been lulled to sleep by the falling waters of the fountain of Lindaraxa. (p. 72)

Inhabitants of the Alhambra

Here are two classes of people to whom life seems one long holiday, the very rich, and the very poor; one, because they need to do nothing, the other, because they have nothingm tom do; but there none who understand the art of doing nothing and living upon nothing better than the poor classes of Spain. Climate does one half and temperament the rest. Give a Spaniard the // shade in summer and the sun in winter, a little bread, garlic, oil and garbanzos, an old brown cloak and a guitar, and let the world roll on as it pleases. Talk of poverty! with him it has no disgrace. It sits upon him with a grandiose style, like his ragged cloak. He is an hidalgo even when in rags. (p. 75-76)

[Pescar à linha no céu] Before concluding these remarks, I must mention one of the amusements of the place, which has particularly struck me. I had repeatedly observed a long lean fellow perched on the top of one of the towers, manoeuvring two or three fishing-rods, as though he was angling for the stars. I was for some time perplexed by the evolutions of this aerial fisherman and my perplexity increased on observing others employed in like manner on different parts of the battlements and bastions; it was not until I consulted Mateo Jiménez that I solved the mystery.

It seems that the pure and airy situation of this fortress has rendered it, like the castle of Macbeth, a prolific breeding-place for swallows and martlets who sport about its towers in myriads with the holiday glee of urchins just let loose from school. To entrap these birds in their giddy circlings, with hooks baited with flies, is one of the favourite amusements of the ragged «sons // of the Alhambra», who, with the good-for-nothing ingenuity of arrant idlers, have thus invented the art of angling in the sky. (p. 76-77)

The Court of Lions

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Boabdil el Chico

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Mementos of Boabdil

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The Balcony

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The adventure of the Mason

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«A Ramble among the Hills»

[O pôr-do-sol, a hora da oração] [...] it spreads a transient sanctity over the land; [...] (p..108)

[A Serra Nevada] That Sierra Nevada, señor, is a lump of ice in the middle of Andalusia to keep it all  cool in summer. [Fala Mateo] (p. 110)

[Boabdil] as we were wandering among tuese traces of old times, Mateo pointed out to me a circular pit that seemed to penetrate deep into the bosom of the mountain. It was evidently a deep well, dug by the indefatigable Moors, to obtain their favourite element in its greatest purity. Mateo, however, had a different story, and much more to its humour. This was according to // tradition, an entrance to the subterranean caverns of the mountain, in which Boabdil and his court lay bound in magic spell and from whence they sallied forth at night at allotted times to revisit their ancient abodes. (p. 108-109)

Local Traditions

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The House of the Weather Cock

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Legend of the arabian Astrologer

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The Tower of las Infantas

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Legend of the three Beautiful Princesses

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Visitors to the Alhambra

[Está há três meses na Alambra. Chegou em Maio. O Verão, entretanto, fez murchar a rosa e calou o rouxinol. Nos banhos: a luz suave, misteriosa que reina no lugar. Sonha-se rei absoluto, mas vai partilhar o império com um velho conde espanhol, entretanto chegado.]

A soft mysterious light reigns through the place; the broken baths are still there and traces of ancient ellegance. (p. 170)

My dream of absolute sovereignty, however, is at an end. I was roused from it lately by the report of fire-arms, which reverberated among the towers, as if the castle had been taken by surprise. (p. 170) [Chega o velho conde; atira às andorinhas (!), mas falha sempre. Tacitamente, dividem o império entre si (W. Irving e o velho conde) (p. 171)

The arrival of this old gentleman has in some manner changed the aspect of the affairs, but has likewise afforded matter for agreable speculation. We have tacitly shared the empire between us, like the last kings og Granada, excepting that we maintain a most amicable alliance. He reigns absolute over the Court of the Lions and its adjacent halls, while I maintain peaceful possession of the regions of the baths and the little garden of Lindaraxa. We take our meals together under the arcades of the court, where the fountains cool the air and bubbling rills along the channels of the marble pavement. (p. 171)

Legend of the Prince Ahmed al Kamel

or the Pilgrim of Love

[...] al Kamel or the Perfect [...], (p. 175)

One cloud only rested upon his destiny, and even that was of a roseate hue. He would be of an amourous temperament and run great perils from the allurements of love until of mature age, these dangers would be averted and his life thereafter be one uninterrupted course of felicity. (p.175)

[Isolamento no Generalife] For this purpose he built a beautiful palace on the brow of the hill above the Alhambra in the midst of delightful gardens, but surrounded by lofty walls, being, in fact, the palace known at the present day by the name of the Generalife. (p. 175)

[Eben Bonabben, o guardião e instrutor do príncipe; um homem que via «mais encanto numa múmia egípcia do que na mais tentadora das beldades vivas». O amor, a paixão ociosa, nas palavras de Eben Bonabben; os vinte anos do príncipe; o príncipe não quis a álgebra; Bonaben tira o príncipe das seduções do jardim e «tranca-o» na torre mais alta do Generalife. (p. 175 a 177)]  «I cannot endure algebra», said he, «it is an abomination to me. I want something that speaks more to the heart.»

      The sage Eben Bonabben shook his dry head at the words. «Here is an end to philosophy», thought he, «The prince has discovered he has a heart!» (p. 177)

       By degrees this loving disposition began to extend to inanimate objects; he had his favourite flowers which he cherished with tender assiduity; then he became attached to various trees, and there was one in particular of a graceful form and drooping foliage, on which he lavished his amorous devotion, carving his name on its bark, hanging garlands on its branches and singing couplets in its praise to the accompaniment of his lute. (p. 177)

      [Eben Bonabben transmitiu ao príncipe o que sabia sobre a linguagem das aves. Falcão, mocho, morcego, andorinha.] (p. 178-179) He soon grew weary of his new acquaintances, whose conversation spoke so little to the head and nothing to the heart; and gradually relapsed into his loneliness.» (p. 179)

      «Tell me then, O most profound of sages, what is the nature of this thing called love?»

      The sage Eben Bonabben was struck as with a thunderbolt. He trembled and turned pale, and felt as if head sat but loosely on his shoulders. (p. 181)

      [O príncipe e o(a) belo(a) pombo(a), fugido(a) do falcão, posto(a) em gaiola de ouro, recusa alimento e senta-se esmorecido(a), abatido, soltando lamentos de meter dó] «What aileth thee?» said Ahmed. «Hast thou not everything thy heart can wish?»

      «Alas, no!» rreplied the dove; «am I not separated from the partner of my heart, and that too in the happy spring-time, the very season of love!»

«Of love!» echoed Ahmed; «I pray thee, my pretty bird, canst thou then tell me what is love?» (p. 182)

[A resposta do(a) pombo(a) é de uma riqueza que, pelo menos, iguala a sabedoria de Eben Bonabben noutras áreas]

      «Too well can I, my prince. It is the torment of one, the felicity of two, the strife and enmity of thyree. It is a charm which // draws two beings together and unites them by delicious sympathies, making it hapiness to be with each other, but misery to be apart. Is there no being to whom you are drawn by these ties of tender affection?»

      «I like my old teacher [...].

      «That is not the sympathy I mean. I speak ol love, the great mystery and principle of life, the intoxicating revel of youth, the sober delight of age. Look forth, my prince, and behold how at this blest season all nature is full of love. Every created being has its mate; the most insignificant bird sings to its paramour; the very beetle woos its lady-beetle in the dust, and yon butterflies which you see fluttering high above the tower and toying in the air are happy in each other's loves. alas, my prince! hast thou spent so many of the precious days of youth without knowing anything of lovge? Is there no gentle being of another sex, no beautiful princess or lovely damsel who has ensnared your heart, and filled your bosom with a soft tumult of pleasing pains and tender wishes?» (182-183)

[O príncipe liberta o(a) pombo(a)] The prince followed him with his eyes [...]. (p. 184]

 [O príncipe fica a saber, em conversa com Bonabben, as predições dos astrólogos em relação à sua pessoa;  razoabilidade e discreção do príncipe. Poucas manhãs depois, o(a) pombo(a) pousa-lhe no ombro e traz notícias: «Onde estiveste, desde que nos separámos?» O(a) pombo(a) leva uma carta à princesa. O príncipe espera, dia após dia o regresso do mensageiro.] 

     «In a far country, my prince,from whence i bring you tidings in reward for my liberty. In the wild compass of my flight which extends over plain and mountain, as I was soaring in the air, I beheld below me a delightful garden with all kinds of fruits and flowers. It was in a green meadow, on the banks of a wandering stram, and in the centre of the garden was a stately palace. I alighted in one of the bowers to repose after my weary flight. On the green bank below me was a youthful princess in the very sweetness and bloom of her years. She was surrounded by female attendants, young like herself, who decked her with garlands and coronets of flowers, but no flower of field or garden could compare with her for loveliness. Here, however, she bloomed in secret, for the garden was surrounded by high walls and no mortal man was permitted to enter. When I beheld this beauteous maid, thus young and innocent and unspotted by the world, I thought, here is the being formed by Heaven to inspire my prince with love». (p. 185)

      [O príncipe fica a saber, em conversa com Bonabben, as predições dos astrólogos em relação à sua pessoa;  razoabilidade e discreção do príncipe. Poucas manhãs depois, o(a) pombo(a) pousa-lhe no ombro e traz notícias: «Onde estiveste, desde que nos separámos? Escreve uma carta à princesa, a que acrescenta coplas da mais terna e comovedora eloquência. Uma tarde, ao pôr-do-sol, a ave entra no apartamento do príncipe, numa agitação de asas, caindo a seus pés, morta. Resolução do príncipe.] 

    [...] when towards sunset one evening the faithful bird fluttered into his apartment and falling at his feet, expired. The arrow of some wanton archer had pierced his brast, yet he had struggled with the lingerings of life to execute his mission. As the prince bent with grief over this gentle martyr to fidelity, he beheld a chain of pearls round his neck, attached to which beneath his wing was a small enamelled picture. It represented a lovely princess in the very flower of her years. It was doubtless the unknown beauty of the garden, but who and where was she? How have she received his letter, and was this picture sent as a token of her approval of his passion? Unfortunately the death of the faithful dove left everything in mystery and doubt. (p. 186)

 The resolution of Prince Ahmed was taken. «I will fly from this palace», said he, «which has become an odious prison and, a pilgrim of love, will seek this unknown princess throughout the world». (p. 187)

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«And can you be at any loss for an object in amorous Andalusia?» said the old raven. (p. 190).

[O papagaio viajante; o papagaio pede uma sinecura] «With al my heart», said the parrot: but let it be a sinecure, if possible, for we wits have a great dislike of labour». (p. 194)

[O príncipe toca na sua flauta pastoril, em vão. Canta os versos da carta que tinha declarado a sua paixão] (p. 204)  [...] The lovers were discreet; they but exchange glances, yet those glances spoke volumes. Never was triumph of music more complete. (p. 205)

[O tapete voador] «This carpet», said the prince, «once covered the throne of Solomon the Wise; it is worthy of being placed beneath the feet of beauty». (p. 205) «Alas, sire, we knew not its nature nor could we decipher the inscription of the box. If it be indeed the carpet of the throne of the wise Solomon, it is possessed of magic power and can transport its owner from place to place through the air». (p. 206)

[A princesa continuou na sua fé] The Christian king was easily pacified when he found that his daughter was suffered to continue in her faith -- not that he was particularly pious, but religion is always a point of pride and etiquette with princes. [...] (p. 206)

      [Final da história, p. 207] Ahmed gratefully requited the services which they had rendered on his pilgrimage. He appointed the owl his prime minister, the parrot his master of ceremonies. It is needless to say that never was a realm more sagely administered or a court conducted with more exact punctilio. 

«Legend of the Moor's Legacy»

[O galego Pedro Gil (= Peregil)] Who wants water, water colder than snow? Who wants water from the well of the Alhambra, cold as ice and clear as crystal? (p. 210)

[Encontro com um estranho no poço]  In a little while the Moor was seized with violent convulsions which defied all the ministering skill of the simple water-carrier, The eye of the poor patient acknowledged his kindness. During an interval of its fits he called him to his side and addressing him in a low voice, «My end», said he, «I fear is at hand. If I die, // I bequeath you this box as a reward for your charity». So saying, he opened his albornoz or cloak and showed a small box of sandal-wood, strapped round his body. «God grant, my friend», replied the worthy little gallego, «that you may live many years to enjoy your treasure, whatever it may be». The Moor shook his head; he laid his hand upon the box and would have said something more concerning it, but his convulsions returned with inreased violence and in a little while he expired. (p. 213-214)

[O alcalde] It could not be denied, however, that he set a high value upon justice, for he sold it at its weight in gold. (p. 216)

When there is nothing to be gained by the conviction of a prisoner, justice even in Spain is apt to be impartial. (p. 218)

[Vai à loja de um mouro de Tânger, que vendia berloques e perfumaria no Zacatín e pede que lhe explique o conteúdo da caixa] The Moor read the scroll attentively, then stroked his beard and smiled. «This manuscript» said he, «is a form of incantation for the recovery of hidden treasure that is under the power of enchantment. It is said to have such virtue that the strongest bolts and bars, nay the adamantine rock itself, will yield before it!» (p. 219)

[O segredo] «Friend Peregil», said the Moor, «you are a discreet man, and I make no doubt can keep a secret, but you have a wife».  (p. 223)

[Vão procurar o tesouro] Towards midnight the alcalde sallied forth secretly attended by the alguacil and the meddlesome barber, all strongly armed. They conducted thr Moor and the water-carrier as prisoners, and were provided with the stout donkey of the latter to bear off the expected treasure. They arrived at the tower without being observed and, tying the donkey to a fig-tree, descended into the fourth vault of the tower.

The scroll was produced, the yellow waxen taper lighted, and the Moor read the form of incantation. The earth trembled as before and the pavement opened with a thundering sound, disclosing the narrow flight of steps. (p. 227)

[O mouro voltou para Tânger; o galego foi para Portugal]

The Moor returned to Africa to his native city of Tangiers, and the gallego with his wife, his children and his donkey made the best of his way to Portugal. (p. 229)

[Conclusão] As to the alcalde and his adjuncts, they remained shut up under the great tower of the Seven Floors, and there they remain spell-bound at the present day. Whenever there shall be a lack in Spain of pimping barbers, sharking alguaciles and corrupt alcaldes, they may be sought after, but if they have to wait until such time for their delivrance, there is danger of their enchantment enduring until doomsday. (p. 230)

Legend of the Rose of the Alhambra or the Page and the Ger-Falcon

[O pagem favorito da rainha, Ruiz de Alarcón] To the queen he was all deference and respect, yet he was at heart a roguish stripling, petted and spoiled by the ladies about the court and experienced in the ways of women far beyond his years. (p. 232).

[ O cerco, o ataque à guarnição] The sly page saw that the garrison began to waver and redoubled his entreaties in such moving terms that it was not in the nature of mortal maiden to deny him, so the blushing little warden of the tower descended and opened the door with a trembling hand. If the page had beem charmed by a mere glimpse of her countenance from the window, he was ravished by the full-length portrait now revealed to him. (p. 234)

[Ruiz de Alarcón] imprime na mão da donzela um beijo mais fervente e devoto do que alguma vez imprimiu na mão da sua soberana.  (p. 235)

[O pagem vê a confusão no campo oposto; de bom grado teria tirado partido dela] [...] but the fine speeches he would have uttered died upon his lips; his attempts at gallantry  were awkward and ineffectual, and to his surprise, the adroit page who had figured with such grace and effrontery among the most knowing and experienced ladies  of the court found himself awed and abashed in the presence of a simple damsel of fifteen. (p. 235-236)

[A tia Fredegonda] The vigilant Fredegonda was one of the most wary of ancient spinsters. (p. 237)

[A beleza da rapariga não passou despercebida aos camponeses da vizinhança, que lhe chamaram a «Rosa da Alambra»] [...] like an opening rose blooming neneath a briar. Nor indeed is this comparison entirely accidental, for to tell the truth her fresh and dawning beauty had caught the public eye, even in her seclusion and, with that poetical turn common to the people of Andalusia, the peasantry of the neighbourhood had given her  the appelation of «The rose of the Alhambra». (p. 237)

[O pagem-falcão] Ah, silly, silly girl! Know that therea re no ger-falcons half so dangerous as these young pranking pages and it is precisely such simple birds as thee that they pounce upon. (p. 238)

[O uso de «still», para indicar a longa espera da Rosa de Alhambra»]: still he came not; still nothing was heard of the forgetful page.] Days, weeks, months elapsed and nothing more was heard of the page. The pomegranate ripened, the vine yielded up its fruit, the autumnal rains descended in torrents from the mountains, the Sierra Nevada became covered with a snowy mantle and wintry blasts blowed through the halls of the Alhambra -- still he came not. The winter passed away. Again the genial spring burst forth with song and blossom and balmy zephyr; the snows melted from the mountains, until none remained but on the lofty summit of Nevada, glistening through the sultry summer air. Still nothing was heard of the forgetful page. (p. 239)

[As três princesas, Zayda, Zorayda e Zorahayda, p. 240]

[A frieza de Fredegonda só pode ser aquecida por melodia sobrenatural] If the good lady had any lingering doubts, they were removed when Jacinta touched the instrument, for she drew forth such ravishing tones as to thaw even the frigid bosom of the immaculate Fredegonda, that region of eternal winter, into a genial flow. Nothing but supernatural melody could have produced such an effect. (p. 242) The extraordinary power of the lute became every day  more and more apparent. [...] nothing was talked of throughout Andalusia but the beautiful minstrel of the Alhambra. How could it be otherwise among a people so musical and gallant as the Andalusians, when the lute was magical in its powers, and the minstrel inspired by love? (243)

[Medicina musical para o rei Filipe V (p. 243-244). Triunfo completo da música; deixa cair o alaúde e... nos braços de Alarcón. (p. 246) Os escrúpulos do pai facilmente foram ultrapassados por uma palavra ou duas da rainha. As cordas do alaúde estão agora no violino de Paganini (p. 247).] The nuptials of the happy couple were shortly after celebrated with grear splendour, but hold -- I hear the reader ask, how did Ruiz de Alarcón account for his long neglect? Oh, that was all owing to the opposition of a proud, pragmatical old father. Besides, young people who really like one another soon come to an amicable understanding and bury all past grievances when once they meet. (p. 246) That lute remained for some time in the family, but was purloined and carried off, as was supposed, by the great singer Farinelli in pure jealousy. At his death it passed into other hands in Italy, who were ignorant of its mystic powers and, melting down the silver, transferred the strings to an old Cremona fiddle. The strings still retain something of their magic virtues. A word in the reader's ear, but let it go no further. That fiddle is now bewitching the whole world -- it is the fiddle of Paganini! (p. 247)

The Veteran

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The Governor and the Notary

[El Gobernador Manco ganha] The old governor stuck his one arm akimbo and for a moment surveyed him with an iron smile. «Henceforth, myu friend», said he, «moderate your zeal in hurrying others to the gallows; be not too certain of your safety, even though you should have the law on your side, and above all take care how you play off your schoolcraft another time upon an olod soldier». (p. 258)

«Legend of the Governor and the Soldier»

When Governor Manco or «the one-armed» kept up a show of military state in the Alhambra he became nettled at the reproaches continually cast upon his fortress of being a nestling-place of rogues and contrabandistas. On a sudden the olden potentate determined on reform and, setting vigorously to work, ejected whole nests of vagabonds out of the fortress and the gypsi caves with which the surrounding hills are honey-combed. He sent out soldiers also to patrol the avenues and footpaths, with orders to take up all suspicious persons.

One bright summer morning a patrol ...    ...    ...    ...   ...    ...    ... ....   ....   ....   ....   ....   ....   ....   ....   ....   ...    ...    ...    ...    ...

Presently they beheld a sturdy sunburnt fellow, clad in the ragged garb of a foot-soldier, leading a powerful Arabian horse caparisoned in the Morisco fashion. (259)

Governor Manco was seated in one of the inner halls of the Alhambra, taking his morning's cup of chocolate in company with his confessor, a fat Franciscan friar from the neighbouring convent. A demure, dark-eyed damsel of Malaga, the daughter of his housekeeper, was attending upon him. The worl hinted that the damsel who with all his demureness was a sly buxom baggage had found out a soft spot in the iron heart of the old governor, and held complete control over him. But let that pass. The domestic affairs of these mighty potentates of the earth should not be too narrowly scrutinised. (p. 261)

«I told your excellency I had strange things to relate, but not more strange than true, as your excellency will find, if you will deign me a patient hearing.» (p. 263)

As they were pinioning the soldier, one of the guards felt something of bulk in his pocket and, drawing it forth, found a long leathern purse that appeared to be well filled. Holding it by one corner, he turned out the contents upon the table, before the governor and never did freebooter's bag make more gorgeous delivery. Out tumbled rings and jewels and rosaries of pearls and sparkling diamond crosses aqnd a profusion of ancient golden coin, some of which fell jingling to the floor and rolled away to the uttermost parts of the chamber.

For a time the functions of justice were suspended; there was an universal scramble after the glittering fugitives. The governor alone who was imbued with true Spanish pride maintained his stately decorum, though his eye betrayed a little anxiety until the last coin and jewel restored to the sack.

The friar was not so calm; his whole face glowed like a furnace and his eyes twinkled and flashed at sight of the rosaries and crosses. (p. 271)

[El Gobernador Manco perde. O velho soldado ganhou em toda a linha.] «The soldier -- the robber -- the devil, for aught I know. His dungeon is empty, but the door locked; no one knows how he has escaped out of it.»

«Who saw him last?»

«Your handmaid; she brought him his supper.»

«Let her be called instantly.»

Here was new matter of confusion. The chamber of the demure damsel was likewise empty, her bed had not been slept in; she had doubtless gone off with the culprit, as she had appeared for some days past to have frequent conversations with him.

This was wouding the old governor in a tender part, but he had scarce time to wince at it, when new misfortunes broke upon his view. On going into his cabinet he found his strong box open, the leather purse of the trooper absracted and with it a couple of corpulent bag of doubloons.

But how,  and which way had the fugitives escaped? An old peasant who lived in a cottage by the road-side, leading up into the Sierra, declared that he had heard the tramp of a powerful steed just before daybreak, passing up in the mountains. He had looked out at his casement and could just distinguish a horseman with a female seated before him.

«Search the stables!» cried governor Manco. The stables were searched; all the horses were in their stalls, excepting the Arabian steed. In his place was a stout cudgel tied to the manger and on it a label bearing these words: «A Gift to Governor Manco from an Old Soldier». (p. 276)

Legend of the two Discreet Statues

[Lope Sánchez, um baixote alegre) There lived once in a waste apartment of the Alhambra, a merry little felow named Lopo Sánchez who worked in the gardens and was as brisk and blithe as a grasshopper, singing all day long. He was the life and soul of the fortress; when his work was over, he would sit on one of the stone benches of the esplanade and strum his guitar and sing long ditties about the Cid and Bernard del Carpio and Fernando del Pulgar and other Spanish heroes for the amusement of the soldiers of the fortress or would strike up a merrier tune and set the girls dancing boleros and fandangos. (p. 277)

[A pequena Sanchica descobre um tesouro e o que depois se segue]

[...] The evening was gaily passed in dancing to the guitar of Lope Sánchez who was never so joyous as when on a holiday revel of the kind. While the dance was going on, the little Sanchica with some of her playmates sported among the ruins of an old Moorish fort that crowns the mountain* when, in gathering pebbles in the fosse, she found a small hand curiously carved of jet, the fingers closed and the thumb firmly clasped upon them. (p. 278) 

Honest Lope had taken his measures with the utmost secrecy, imparting them to no one but the faithful wife of his bosom. By some miraculous revelation, however, they became known to Fray Simón. (p. 291)

The carriage contained the bridal party. There was dame Sánchez, now grown as round as a barrel and dressed out with feathers and jewels and necklaces of pearls and necklaces of diamonds and rings on every finger and altogether a finery of apparel that had not been seen since the days of  Queen Sheba. The little Sanchica had now grown to be a woman and for grace and beauty might have been mistaken for a duchess, if not a princess outright. The bridegroom sat beside her, rather a withered, spindle-shanked little man, but this only proved him to be of the true blood, a legitimate Spanish grandee being rarely above three cubits in stature. The match had been of the mother's making. (p. 294)

[As duas ninfas de mármore da Alambra continuam a olhar para a mesma parte da parede]  It is remarked that these very discreet statues continue even unto the present day with their eyes fixed most significantly on the same part of the wall, which leads many to suppose there is still some hidden treasure  remaining there well worthy the attention of the enterprising traveller, though others and particularly all female visitors regard them with great complacency as lasting monuments of the fact that women can keep a secret. (p. 295)

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* i. e. the Moor's Seat (Silla del Moro). [Nota 9 de Tales of the Alhambra, ed. comemorativa do 175.º aniversário da publicação, Ediciones Miguel Sánchez, 2007.]

Muhamed Abu Alahmar, the Founder of the Alhambra

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Yusef Abul Hagig, the finisher of the Alhambra

[Este príncipe faz lembrar a «Lenda do Príncipe Ahmed al Kamel, o Peregrino do Amor»]

[Retrato de Yusef]

Yusef Abul Hagig (or, as is sometimes written, Haxix), ascended the throne of Granada in the year 1333, and his personal appearance and mental qualities were such as to win all hearts and to awaken anticipations of a beneficent and prosperous reign. He was a noble presence and great bodily strength, united to manly beauty; his complexion was exceedingly fair and, according to the Arabian chronicles, he heightened the gravity and majesty// of his appearance by suffering his beard to grow to a dignified length and dyeing it black. He had an excellent memory, well stored with science and erudition; he was of a lively genius and accounted the best poet of his time, and his manners were gentle, affable and urbane. Yussef possessed the courage common to all generous spirits but his genius was more cultivated for peace than war and though obliged to take up arms repeatedly in his time, he was generally infortunate. (p. 305-306)

[Entre outras empresas funestas, empreendeu uma grande campanha, conjuntamente com o rei de Marrocos, contra os reis de Castela e Portugal, mas foi vencido na batalha do Salado.]

[Completou as grandes obras de arquitectura começadas pelos seus antecessores e erigiu outras, segundo os seus próprios planos. A Alambra estava agora completa. Yusef construiu a bela porta da Justiça, que é a grande entrada na fortaleza, que acabou em 1348.]

[O génio de Yusef imprimiu carácter no seu tempo] The genius of a sovereign stamps a character upon his time. The nobles of Granada, imitating the elegant and graceful taste of Yusef, soon filled the city of Granada with magnificent  palaces [...]. (p. 307)

[Espírito generoso de Yusef revelado, na morte do seu mortal inimigo, Afonso XI de Castela] His deadly foe, Alfonso XI of Castille, took the field with grat force and laid siege to Gibraltar. [...] when in the midst of his anxiety, he received tidings that his dreaded foe had suddenly fallen a victim to the plague. Instead of manifesting exultation on the occasion, Yusef called to mind the great qualities of the deceased, and was touched with a no-//ble sorrow, «Alas» cried he, «the world has lost one of its most excellent princes, a sovereign who knew how to honour merit, whether in friend or foe!» (p. 307-308)

[Morre, assassinado, enquanto rezava na mesquita real da Alambra, no ano de 1354. A mesquita permanece, mas perdeu-se o soberbo sepulcro de mármore branco, com um extenso epitáfio. O texto chegou até nós e constitui um retrato do príncipe perfeito.]

The mosque still remains which once resounded with the dying cries of Yusef, but the momument which recorded his virtues has long since disappeared. His name, however, remains inscribed among the ornaments of the Alhambra and will be perpetuated in connexion with this renowned pile, which it was his pride and delight to beautify. (p. 309)

The author's farewell to Granada

[Washington Irving, Rei, no reino feliz da Alambra -- no elísio muçulmano. Melancólica a partida de el-rei Chico II]

My serene and happy reign in the Alhambra was suddenly brought to a close by letters which reached me, while indulging in Oriental luxury in the cool hall of the baths, summoning me away from my Moslem elysium to mingle once more in the bustle and business of the dusty world. how was I to encounter its toils and turmoils, after such a life of repose and reverie? How was I to endure its comonplacem after the poetry of the Alhambra? (p. 311)

Humble was the cortege and melancholy the departure of El Rey Chico the Second! (p. 312)

[Mateo Jiménez, o que tudo sabe e tudo revela] 

At some little distance to the north of Granada, the road gradually ascends the hills; here I alighted and walked up slowly with Manuel who took this occasion to confide to me the secret ohf his heart and of all those tender concerns between himself and Dolores with which I had been already informed by the all-knowing and all-revealing Mateo Jiménez. His doctor's diploma had prepared the way for their union and nothing more was wanting but the dispensation of the Pope, on account of their consanguinity. Then, if he could get the post of médico of the fortress, his happiness would be complete! I congratulated him on the judgement and good taste he had shown in his choice of a helpmate, invoked all possible felicity on their union and trusted that the abundant affections of the kind-hearted little Dolores would in time have more stable objects to occupy them than recreant cats and truant pigeons. (p. 312)

[Washington Irving leva nos olhos o pôr-do-sol na Alambra, é essa beleza que quer recordar. Afasta-se e deixa de ver Granada, a Vega e a Alambra, terminando, assim, um dos mais agradáveis sonhos da vida do autor]

The setting sun as usual shed a melancholy effulgence on the ruddy towers of the Alhambra. I could faintly discern the balconied window of the tower of Comares, where I had indulged in so many delightful reveries. The bosky groves and gardens about // the city were richly gilded with the sunshine, the purple haze of a summer evening was gathering over the Vega; everything was lovely, but tenderly and sadly so to my parting gaze.

«I will hasten from this prospect», thought I, before the sun is set. I will carry away a recollection of it clothed in all its beauty».

With these thoughts I pursued my way among the mountains. A little further and Granada, the Vega and the Alhambra, were shut from my view and thus ended one of the pleasantest dreams of a life which the reader perhaps may think has been but too much made up of dreams. (p. 313-314)