"To Boabdil!" said the herald, with a loud voice, that filled the whole
expanse, and thrilled with various emotions the dumb assembly. "To
Boabdil el Chico, King of Granada, Ferdinand of Arragon and Isabel of
Castile send royal greeting. They command me to express their hope that
the war is at length concluded; and they offer to the King of Granada
such terms of capitulation as a king, without dishonour, may receive. In
the stead of this city, which their Most Christian Majesties will restore
to their own dominion, as is just, they offer, O king, princely
territories in the Alpuxarras mountains to your sway, holding them by
oath of fealty to the Spanish crown. To the people of Granada, their
Most Christian Majesties promise full protection of property, life, and
faith under a government by their own magistrates, and according to their
own laws; exemption from tribute for three years; and taxes thereafter,
regulated by the custom and ratio of their present imposts. To such
Moors as, discontented with these provisions, would abandon Granada, are
promised free passage for themselves and their wealth. In return for
these marks of their royal bounty, their Most Christian Majesties summon
Granada to surrender (if no succour meanwhile arrive) within seventy
days. And these offers are now solemnly recorded in the presence, and
through the mission, of the noble and renowned knight, Gonzalvo of
Cordova, deputed by their Most Christian Majesties from their new city of
Santa Fe."

When the herald had concluded, Boabdil cast his eye over his thronged and
splendid court. No glance of fire met his own; amidst the silent crowd,
a resigned content was alone to be perceived: the proposals exceeded the
hope of the besieged.

"And," asked Boabdil, with a deep-drawn sigh, "if we reject these