drink, which was thus made to taste like a preparation of sugar and oranges: it has not however been clearly ascertained whether this had happened by accident or had been done maliciously, with intent to deprive of life whomsoever of the race of Aben Hud should taste thereof. This circumstance of the poisoned cup caused Seif Dolah Aben Hud to feel so much suspicion of the inconstant people, that he would not consent to, remain in the city, although they all gave signs of infinite delight at his appearance, the more important of the citizens more particularly. The prince determined, nevertheless, to abide in the gardens near Granada, and causing a magnificent pavilion to be erected for him, he remained there for ten days. That time having elapsed, he began his attack on the Alcazaba Alhambra, which was held by the Almoravides, who defended themselves against the troops of Seif Dolah and those of the city with infinite bravery. On Many sanguinary combats then took place, and each day saw the destruction of numerous lives on either side. the eighth day of these skirmishes the contest was a more particularly obstinate one; but Seif Dolah and those of Granada were eventually repulsed by the Almoravides, who made a fearful carnage among them. On that day, Amad Dolah, the son of Seif Dolah Aben Hud, was grievously wounded, and being taken prisoner by the Almoravides was carried into the Alcazaba, where he that night died of his wounds. The captors then wrapped his body in camphor, and sent it for interment to the father of the slain prince, even Seif Dolah Aben Hud, having first placed it in a precious casket of fine wood, adorned with fringes of gold, and filled with the richest perfumes. Seif Dolah did not remain more than a month in Granada, since he perceived that the people had become weary of the toilsome labours which they were enduring, with so little profit from the struggle, the horrors of which were all the more sensibly felt because the combats were delivered in the heart of the city itself. He therefore struck his camp one night and departed for Jaen, leaving Granada to be governed by Abu Hassan Ben Adha, the son of him who had died of the poisoned cup, as above related. On Seif Dolah's departure, the people of Granada commenced negociations with the Almoravides, and the conditions having been agreed to on the part of the principal officers among the latter, those troops came forth from the fortress and retired to Almunecaub, the port of Elvira, where they were most conveniently placed for eventually crossing into Africa. CHAP. XXXVIII.-WARS AMONG THE MOSLEMAH OF SPAIN STILL CONTINUED. Now Seif Dolah Aben Hud, after his departure from Granada, continued his stay in Jaen for some time longer, and he there received envoys from Murcia, offering him allegiance in the name of the city, and requesting that he would be pleased to repair thither. He accordingly mounted his horse without delay, and accompanied by many noble cavaliers of his party, set forth in that direction, despatching letters at the same time to his friend Abu Muhamad Aben Ayadh, to give the latter notice of the day when he proposed to arrive. It was indeed to his old and well-tried friendship that Sief Dolah was indebted for his proclamation as Ameer of Murcia, secret intelligence having ever been maintained between them. The prince made his entry into Murcia on Friday, the 18th day of the moon Regib, in the year 540, Aben Muhamad Aben Ayadh having gone forth to meet him with the cavalry of Murcia, and accompanied by his son Abu Becar. The day was held in the city as one of high festival, and Seif Dolah was proclaimed amidst manifestations of infinite rejoicing by the people, who there gave ready obedience to the will of Abu Muhamad Aben Ayadh. But the new sovereign did not remain more than a few days in Murcia, after which he departed for Valencia in company with Aben Ayadh, who had caused all to be prepared for his proclamation in that city also, where it was made accordingly under the most festive auspices, and amidst the acclamations of a vast concourse of the people. Shortly afterwards Seif Dolah and his friend repaired to Denia, where that prince was likewise proclaimed: they then repaired in company to Murcia, where the Ameer Seif Dolah Aben Hud took up 436 DOMINION OF THE ARABS IN SPAIN. [A.D. 1145. drink, which was thus made to taste like a preparation of sugar and oranges: it has not however been clearly ascertained whether this had happened by accident or had been done maliciously, with intent to deprive of life whomsoever of the race of Aben Hud should taste thereof. This circumstance of the poisoned cup caused Seif Dolah Aben Hud to feel so much suspicion of the inconstant people, that he would not consent to, remain in the city, although they all gave signs of infinite delight at his appearance, the more important of the citizens more particularly. The prince determined, nevertheless, to abide in the gardens near Granada, and causing a magnificent pavilion to be erected for him, he remained there for ten days. That time having elapsed, he began his attack on the Alcazaba Alhambra, which was held by the Almoravides, who defended themselves against the troops of Seif Dolah and those of the city with infinite bravery. Many sanguinary combats then took place, and each day saw the destruction of numerous lives on either side. On the eighth day of these skirmishes the contest was a more particularly obstinate one; but Seif Dolah and those of Granada were eventually repulsed by the Almoravides, who made a fearful carnage among them. On that day, Amad Dolah, the son of Seif Dolah Aben Hud, was grievously wounded, and being taken prisoner by the Almoravides was carried into the Alcazaba, where he that night died of his wounds. The captors then wrapped his body in camphor, and sent it for interment to the father of the slain prince, even Seif Dolah Aben Hud, having first placed it in a precious casket of fine wood, adorned with fringes of gold, and filled with the richest perfumes. Seif Dolah did not remain more than a month in Granada, since he perceived that the people had become weary of the toilsome labours which they were enduring, with so little profit from the struggle, the horrors of which were all the more sensibly felt because the combats were delivered in the heart of the city itself. He therefore struck his camp one night and departed for Jaen, leaving Granada to be governed by Abu Hassan Ben Adha, the son of him who had died of the poisoned cup, as above related. On Seif Dolah's departure, the people of Granada commenced negociations with 01 C A.D. 1145.] WARS AMONG THE MOSLEMAH CONTINUE. 437 the Almoravides, and the conditions having been agreed to on the part of the principal officers among the latter, those troops came forth from the fortress and retired to Almunecaub, the port of Elvira, where they were most conveniently placed for eventually crossing into Africa. CHAP. XXXVIII.-WARS AMONG THE MOSLEMAH OF SPAIN STILL CONTINUED. Now Seif Dolah Aben Hud, after his departure from Granada, continued his stay in Jaen for some time longer, and he there received envoys from Murcia, offering him. allegiance in the name of the city, and requesting that he would be pleased to repair thither. He accordingly mounted his horse without delay, and accompanied by many noble cavaliers of his party, set forth in that direction, despatching letters at the same time to his friend Abu Muhamad Aben Ayadh, to give the latter notice of the day when he proposed to arrive. It was indeed to his old and well-tried friendship that Sief Dolah was indebted for his proclamation as Ameer of Murcia, secret intelligence having ever been maintained between them. The prince made his entry into Murcia on Friday, the 18th day of the moon Regib, in the year 540, Aben Muhamad Aben Ayadh having gone forth to meet him with the cavalry of Murcia, and accompanied by his son Abu Becar. The day was held in the city as one of high festival, and Seif Dolah was proclaimed amidst manifestations of infinite rejoicing by the people, who there gave ready obedience to the will of Abu Muhamad Aben Ayadb. But the new sovereign did not remain more than a few days in Murcia, after which he departed for Valencia in company with Aben Ayadh, who had caused all to be prepared for his proclamation in that city also, where it was made accordingly under the most festive auspices, and amidst the acclamations of a vast concourse of the people. Shortly afterwards Seif Dolah and his friend repaired to Denia, where that prince was likewise proclaimed: they then repaired in company to Murcia, where the Ameer Seif Dolah Aben Hud took up his abode in the Alcazarquibir, and the General Aben Ayadh in the Alcazarquibir, but as respecting the government everything was done by Aben Ayadh, although in the name of the Ameer Sief Dolah Aber. Hud. No long time had elapsed after these events before intelligence from the frontiers was received in Murcia to the effect that Abdallah Ben Fetah El Thograi, Alcayde of Cuenca, was making incursions on the territory of Xativa, the Christians, whom he had invited to his assistance, cutting up the fields and devastating the district in all directions. Then followed letters from the Naib of Valencia, Abdallah Aben Sad, informing Seif Dolah that El Thograi and his ally, Aladfuns of the Tagus, were holding the city of Xativa in close siege. Whereupon the Ameer and his Wali Aben Ayadh assembled the cavalry of Murcia, Lorca, and Alicant, without the delay of an hour, and wrote to the Naib of Valencia, desiring him also to sally forth with his people, and join them in proceeding against the aggressors. When the Christians were informed of these movements they struck their camp, not considering it advisable to wait the junction of Murcia and Valencia, whose troops they might hope to defeat with more certainty if they could take them while separate. They thus desired first to encounter the troops of Murcia, whom they dreaded more than those of Valencia, and when they should have given them battle then to return and meet the forces of Valencia. But the swiftness and diligence of the Valencian commanders were such that they brought up their troops a day earlier than it was supposed possible for them to do so, and joined those of Murcia by so much the more rapidly than had been anticipated by either host. The encounter which then ensued took place in the plains of Albacite at a place called the field of Lug, which is in the vicinity of Chingila. The battle commenced with the first hour of day, and was a very obstinate one, both parties fighting with equal fury, and exhibiting a cruel rage, which made them appear less like men than wild beasts, tearing each other to pieces. On that field there contended the most able and valiant warriors, whether of the Moslemah or * lfonso. |