Mercedes of Castile; Or, The Voyage to Cathay

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER III.

  "Nice customs curt'sy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's fashion. We are the makers of manners; and the liberty that follows our places, stops the mouths of all fault-finders."--Henry V.

  Notwithstanding her high resolution, habitual firmness, and a serenityof mind, that seemed to pervade the moral system of Isabella, like adeep, quiet current of enthusiasm, but which it were truer to assign tothe high and fixed principles that guided all her actions, her heartbeat tumultuously, and her native reserve, which almost amounted toshyness, troubled her sorely, as the hour arrived when she was first tobehold the prince she had accepted for a husband. Castilian etiquette,no less than the magnitude of the political interests involved in theintended union, had drawn out the preliminary negotiations several days;the bridegroom being left, all that time, to curb his impatience tobehold the princess, as best he might.

  On the evening of the 15th of October, 1469, however, every obstaclebeing at length removed, Don Fernando threw himself into the saddle,and, accompanied by only four attendants, among whom was Andres deCabrera, he quietly took his way, without any of the usualaccompaniments of his high rank, toward the palace of John of Vivero, inthe city of Valladolid. The Archbishop of Toledo was of the faction ofthe princess, and this prelate, a warlike and active partisan, was inreadiness to receive the accepted suitor, and to conduct him to thepresence of his mistress.

  Isabella, attended only by Beatriz de Bobadilla, was in waiting for theinterview, in the apartment already mentioned; and by one of thosemighty efforts that even the most retiring of the sex can make, on greatoccasions, she received her future husband with quite as much of thedignity of a princess as of the timidity of a woman. Ferdinand of Aragonhad been prepared to meet one of singular grace and beauty; but themixture of angelic modesty with a loveliness that almost surpassed thatof her sex, produced a picture approaching so much nearer to heaven thanto earth, that, though one of circumspect behavior, and much accustomedto suppress emotion, he actually started, and his feet were momentarilyriveted to the floor, when the glorious vision first met his eye. Then,recovering himself, he advanced eagerly, and taking the little handwhich neither met nor repulsed the attempt, he pressed it to his lipswith a warmth that seldom accompanies the first interviews of thosewhose passions are usually so factitious.

  "This happy moment hath at length arrived, my illustrious and beautifulcousin!" he said, with a truth of feeling that went directly to the pureand tender heart of Isabella; for no skill in courtly phrases can evergive to the accents of deceit, the point and emphasis that belong tosincerity. "I have thought it would never arrive; but this blessedmoment--thanks to our own St. Iago, whom I have not ceased to implorewith intercessions--more than rewards me for all anxieties."

  "I thank my Lord the Prince, and bid him right welcome," modestlyreturned Isabella. "The difficulties that have been overcome, in orderto effect this meeting, are but types of the difficulties we shall haveto conquer as we advance through life."

  Then followed a few courteous expressions concerning the hopes of theprincess that her cousin had wanted for nothing, since his arrival inCastile, with suitable answers; when Don Ferdinand led her to anarmed-chair, assuming himself the stool on which Beatriz de Bobadillawas wont to be seated, in her familiar intercourse with her royalmistress. Isabella, however, sensitively alive to the pretensions of theCastilians, who were fond of asserting the superiority of their owncountry over that of Aragon, would not quietly submit to thisarrangement, but declined to be seated, unless her suitor would take thechair prepared for him also, saying--

  "It ill befitteth one who hath little more than some royalty of blood,and her dependence on God, to be thus placed, while the King of Sicilyis so unworthily bestowed."

  "Let me entreat that it may be so," returned the king. "Allconsiderations of earthly rank vanish in this presence; view me as aknight, ready and desirous of proving his fealty in any court or fieldof Christendom, and treat me as such."

  Isabella, who had that high tact which teaches the precise point wherebreeding becomes neuter and airs commence, blushed and smiled, but nolonger declined to be seated. It was not so much the mere words of hercousin that went to her heart, as the undisguised admiration of hislooks, the animation of his eye, and the frank sincerity of his manner.With a woman's instinct she perceived that the impression she had madewas favorable, and, with a woman's sensibility, her heart was ready,under the circumstances, to dissolve in tenderness at the discovery.This mutual satisfaction soon opened the way to a freer conversation;and, ere half an hour was passed, the archbishop--who, though officiallyignorant of the language and wishes of lovers, was practicallysufficiently familiar with both--contrived to draw the two or threecourtiers who were present, into an adjoining room, where, though thedoor continued open, he placed them with so much discretion that neithereye nor ear could be any restraint on what was passing. As for Beatrizde Bobadilla, whom female etiquette required should remain in the sameroom with her royal mistress, she was so much engaged with Andres deCabrera, that half a dozen thrones might have been disposed of betweenthe royal pair, and she none the wiser.

  Although Isabella did not lose that mild reserve and feminine modestythat threw so winning a grace around her person, even to the day of herdeath, she gradually grew more calm as the discourse proceeded; and,falling back on her self-respect, womanly dignity, and, not a little, onthose stores of knowledge that she had been diligently collecting, whileothers similarly situated had wasted their time in the vanities ofcourts, she was quickly at her ease, if not wholly in that tranquilstate of mind to which she had been accustomed.

  "I trust there can now be no longer any delay to the celebration of ourunion by holy church," observed the king, in continuation of thesubject. "All that can be required of us both, as those entrusted withthe cares and interests of realms, hath been observed, and I may have aclaim to look to my own happiness. We are not strangers to each other,Dona Isabella; for our grandfathers were brothers, and from infancy up,have I been taught to reverence thy virtues, and to strive to emulatethy holy duty to God."

  "I have not betrothed myself lightly, Don Fernando," returned theprincess, blushing, even while she assumed the majesty of a queen; "andwith the subject so fully discussed, the wisdom of the union so fullyestablished, and the necessity of promptness so apparent, no idle delaysshall proceed from me. I had thought that the ceremony might be had onthe fourth day from this, which will give us both time to prepare for anoccasion so solemn, by suitable attention to the offices of the church."

  "It must be as thou wiliest," said the king, respectfully bowing; "andnow there remaineth but a few preparations, and we shall have noreproaches of forgetfulness. Thou knowest, Dona Isabella, how sorely myfather is beset by his enemies, and I need scarce tell thee that hiscoffers are empty. In good sooth, my fair cousin, nothing but my earnestdesire to possess myself, at as early a day as possible, of the preciousboon that Providence and thy goodness"--

  "Mingle not, Don Fernando, any of the acts of God and his providence,with the wisdom and petty expedients of his creatures," said Isabella,earnestly.

  "To seize upon the precious boon, then, that Providence appeared willingto bestow," rejoined the king, crossing himself, while he bowed hishead, as much, perhaps, in deference to the pious feelings of hisaffianced wife, as in deference to a higher Power--"would not admit ofdelay, and we quitted Zaragosa better provided with hearts loyal towardthe treasures we were to find in Valladolid, than with gold. Even thatwe had, by a mischance, hath gone to enrich some lucky varlet in aninn."

  "Dona Beatriz de Bobadilla hath acquainted me with the mishap," saidIsabella, smiling; "and truly we shall commence our married lives withbut few of the goods of the world in present possession. I have littlemore to offer thee, Fernando, than a true heart, and a spirit that Ithink may be trusted for its fidelity."

  "In obtaining thee, my excellent cousin, I obtain
sufficient to satisfythe desires of any reasonable man. Still, something is due to our rankand future prospects, and it shall not be said that thy nuptials passedlike those of a common subject."

  "Under ordinary circumstances it might not appear seemly for one of mysex to furnish the means for her own bridal," answered the princess, theblood stealing to her face until it crimsoned even her brow and temples;maintaining, otherwise, that beautiful tranquillity of mien which markedher ordinary manner--"but the well-being of two states depending on ourunion, vain emotions must be suppressed. I am not without jewels, andValladolid hath many Hebrews: thou wilt permit me to part with thebaubles for such an object."

  "So that thou preservest for me the jewel in which that pure mind isencased," said the King of Sicily, gallantly, "I care not if I never seeanother. But there will not be this need; for our friends, who have moregenerous souls than well-filled coffers too, can give such warranty tothe lenders as will procure the means. I charge myself with this duty,for henceforth, my cousin--may I not say my betrothed!"--

  "The term is even dearer than any that belongeth to blood, Fernando,"answered the princess, with a simple sincerity of manner that set atnought the ordinary affectations and artificial feelings of her sex,while it left the deepest reverence for her modesty--"and we might beexcused for using it. I trust God will bless our union, not only to ourown happiness, but to that of our people."

  "Then, my betrothed, henceforth we have but a common fortune, and thouwilt trust in me for the provision for thy wants."

  "Nay, Fernando," answered Isabella, smiling, "imagine what we will, wecannot imagine ourselves the children of two hidalgos about to set forthin the world with humble dowries. Thou art a king, even now; and by thetreaty of Toros de Guisando, I am solemnly recognized as the heiress ofCastile. We must, therefore, have our separate means, as well as ourseparate duties, though I trust hardly our separate interests."

  "Thou wilt never find me failing in that respect which is due to thyrank, or in that duty which it befitteth me to render thee, as the headof our ancient House, next to thy royal brother, the king."

  "Thou hast well considered, Don Fernando, the treaty of marriage, andaccepted cheerfully, I trust, all of its several conditions?"

  "As becometh the importance of the measures, and the magnitude of thebenefit I was to receive."

  "I would have them acceptable to thee, as well as expedient; for, thoughso soon to become thy wife, I can never cease to remember that I shallbe Queen of this country."

  "Thou mayest be assured, my beautiful betrothed, that Ferdinand ofAragon will be the last to deem thee aught else."

  "I look on my duties as coming from God, and on myself as one rigidlyaccountable to him for their faithful discharge. Sceptres may not betreated as toys, Fernando, to be trifled with; for man beareth noheavier burden, than when he beareth a crown."

  "The maxims of our House have not been forgotten in Aragon, mybetrothed--and I rejoice to find that they are the same in bothkingdoms."

  "We are not to think principally of ourselves in entering upon thisengagement," continued Isabella, earnestly--"for that would besupplanting the duties of princes by the feelings of the lover. Thouhast frequently perused, and sufficiently conned the marriage articles,I trust?"

  "There hath been sufficient leisure for that, my cousin, as they havenow been signed these nine months."

  "If I may have seemed to thee exacting in some particulars," continuedIsabella, with the same earnest and beautiful simplicity as usuallymarked her deportment in all the relations of life--"it is because theduties of a sovereign may not be overlooked. Thou knowest, moreover,Fernando, the influence that the husband is wont to acquire over thewife, and wilt feel the necessity of my protecting my Castilians, in thefullest manner, against my own weaknesses."

  "If thy Castilians do not suffer until they suffer from that cause, DonaIsabella, their lot will indeed be blessed."

  "These are words of gallantry, and I must reprove their use on anoccasion so serious, Fernando. I am a few months thy senior, and shallassume an elder sister's rights, until they are lost in the obligationsof a wife. Thou hast seen in those articles, how anxiously I wouldprotect my Castilians against any supremacy of the stranger. Thouknowest that many of the greatest of this realm are opposed to ourunion, through apprehension of Aragonese sway, and wilt observe howstudiously we have striven to appease their jealousies."

  "Thy motives, Dona Isabella, have been understood, and thy wishes inthis and all other particulars shall be respected."

  "I would be thy faithful and submissive wife," returned the princess,with an earnest but gentle look at her betrothed; "but I would also thatCastile should preserve her rights and her independence. What will bethy influence, the maiden that freely bestoweth her hand, need hardlysay; but we must preserve the appearance of separate states."

  "Confide in me, my cousin. They who live fifty years hence will say thatDon Fernando knew how to respect his obligations and to discharge hisduty."

  "There is the stipulation, too, to war upon the Moor. I shall never feelthat the Christians of Spain have been true to the faith, while thefollower of the arch-imposter of Mecca remaineth in the peninsula."

  "Thou and thy archbishop could not have imposed a more agreeable duty,than to place my lance in rest against the infidels. My spurs have beengained in those wars, already; and no sooner shall we be crowned, thanthou wilt see my perfect willingness to aid in driving back themiscreants to their original sands."

  "There remaineth but one thing more upon my mind, gentle cousin. Thouknowest the evil influence that besets my brother, and that it hathdisaffected a large portion of his nobles as well as of his cities. Weshall both be sorely tempted to wage war upon him, and to assume thesceptre before it pleaseth God to accord it to us, in the course ofnature. I would have thee respect Don Enriquez, not only as the head ofour royal house, but as my brother and anointed master. Should evilcounsellors press him to attempt aught against our persons or rights, itwill be lawful to resist; but I pray thee, Fernando, on no excuse seekto raise thy hand in rebellion against my rightful sovereign."

  "Let Don Enriquez, then, be chary of his Beltraneja!" answered theprince with warmth. "By St. Peter! I have rights of mine own that comebefore those of that ill-gotten mongrel! The whole House of Trastamarahath an interest in stifling that spurious scion which hath been sofraudulently engrafted on its princely stock!"

  "Thou art warm, Don Fernando, and even the eye of Beatriz de Bobadillareproveth thy heat. The unfortunate Joanna never can impair our rightsto the throne, for there are few nobles in Castile so unworthy as towish to see the crown bestowed where it is believed the blood of Pelayodoth not flow."

  "Don Enriquez hath not kept faith with thee, Isabella, since the treatyof Toros de Guisando!"

  "My brother is surrounded by wicked counsellors--and then,Fernando,"--the princess blushed crimson as she spoke--"neither have webeen able rigidly to adhere to that convention, since one of itsconditions was that my hand should not be bestowed without the consentof the king."

  "He hath driven us into this measure, and hath only to reproach himselfwith our failure on this point."

  "I endeavor so to view it, though many have been my prayers forforgiveness of this seeming breach of faith. I am not superstitious,Fernando, else might I think God would frown on a union that iscontracted in the face of pledges like these. But, it is well todistinguish between motives, and we have a right to believe that He whoreadeth the heart, will not judge the well-intentioned severely. Had notDon Enriquez attempted to seize my person, with the plain purpose offorcing me to a marriage against my will, this decisive step could nothave been necessary, and would not have been taken."

  "I have reason to thank my patron saint, beautiful cousin, that thy willwas less compliant than thy tyrants had believed."

  "I could not plight my troth to the King of Portugal, or to Monsieur deGuienne, or to any that they proposed to me, for my future lord,"answered Isabella, ingenuo
usly. "It ill befitted royal or noble maidensto set up their own inexperienced caprices in opposition to the wisdomof their friends, and the task is not difficult for a virtuous wife tolearn to love her husband, when nature and opinion are not too openlyviolated in the choice; but I have had too much thought for my soul towish to expose it to so severe a trial, in contracting the marriageduties."

  "I feel that I am only too unworthy of thee, Isabella--but thou musttrain me to be that thou wouldst wish; I can only promise thee a mostwilling and attentive scholar."

  The discourse now became more general, Isabella indulging her naturalcuriosity and affectionate nature, by making many inquiries concerningher different relatives in Aragon. After the interview had lasted twohours or more, the King of Sicily returned to Duenas, with the sameprivacy as he had observed in entering the town. The royal pair partedwith feelings of increased esteem and respect, Isabella indulging inthose gentle anticipations of domestic happiness that more properlybelong to the tender nature of woman.

  The marriage took place, with suitable pomp, on the morning of the 19thOctober, 1469, in the chapel of John de Vivero's palace; no less thantwo thousand persons, principally of condition, witnessing the ceremony.Just as the officiating priest was about to commence the offices, theeye of Isabella betrayed uneasiness, and turning to the Archbishop ofToledo, she said--

  "Your grace hath promised that there should be nothing wanting to theconsent of the church on this solemn occasion. It is known that DonFernando of Aragon and I stand within the prohibited degrees."

  "Most true, my Lady Isabella," returned the prelate, with a composedmien and a paternal smile. "Happily, our Holy Father Pius hath removedthis impediment, and the church smileth on this blessed union in everyparticular."

  The archbishop then took out of his pocket a dispensation, which heread, in a clear, sonorous, steady voice; when every shade disappearedfrom the serene brow of Isabella, and the ceremony proceeded. Yearselapsed before this pious and submissive Christian princess discoveredthat she had been imposed on, the bull that was then read having been aninvention of the old King of Aragon and the prelate, not withoutsuspicions of a connivance on the part of the bridegroom. This deceptionhad been practised from a perfect conviction that the sovereign pontiffwas too much under the influence of the King of Castile, to consent tobestow the boon in opposition to that monarch's wishes. It was severalyears before Sixtus IV. repaired this wrong, by granting a more genuineauthority.

  Nevertheless, Ferdinand and Isabella became man and wife. What followedin the next twenty years must be rather glanced at than related. HenryIV. resented the step, and vain attempts were made to substitute hissupposititious child, La Beltraneja, in the place of his sister, assuccessor to the throne. A civil war ensued, during which Isabellasteadily refused to assume the crown, though often entreated; limitingher efforts to the maintenance of her rights as heiress presumptive. In1474, or five years after her marriage, Don Henry died, and she thenbecame Queen of Castile, though her spurious niece was also proclaimedby a small party among her subjects. The war of the succession, as itwas called, lasted five years longer, when Joanna, or La Beltraneja,assumed the veil, and the rights of Isabella were generallyacknowledged. About the same time, died Don John II., when Ferdinandmounted the throne of Aragon. These events virtually reduced thesovereignties of the peninsula, which had so long been cut up into pettystates, to four, viz., the possessions of Ferdinand and Isabella, whichincluded Castile, Leon, Aragon, Valencia, and many other of the finestprovinces of Spain; Navarre, an insignificant kingdom in the Pyrenees;Portugal, much as it exists to-day; and Granada, the last abiding-placeof the Moor, north of the strait of Gibraltar.

  Neither Ferdinand, nor his royal consort, was forgetful of that clausein their marriage contract, which bound the former to undertake a warfor the destruction of the Moorish power. The course of events, however,caused a delay of many years, in putting this long-projected plan inexecution; but when the time finally arrived, that Providence whichseemed disposed to conduct the pious Isabella, through a train ofimportant incidents, from the reduced condition in which we have justdescribed her to have been, to the summit of human power, did not desertits favorite. Success succeeded success--and victory, victory; until theMoor had lost fortress after fortress, town after town, and was finallybesieged in his very capital--his last hold in the peninsula. As thereduction of Granada was an event that, in Christian eyes, was to beranked second only to the rescuing of the holy sepulchre from the handsof the Infidels, so was it distinguished by some features ofsingularity, that have probably never before marked the course of asiege. The place submitted on the 25th November, 1491--twenty-two yearsafter the date of the marriage just mentioned, and, it may not be amissto observe, on the very day of the year that has become memorable in theannals of this country, as that on which the English, three centurieslater, reluctantly yielded their last foothold on the coast of therepublic.

  In the course of the preceding summer, while the Spanish forces laybefore the town, and Isabella, with her children, were anxious witnessesof the progress of events, an accident occurred that had well nighproved fatal to the royal family, and brought destruction on theChristian arms. The pavillion of the queen took fire, and was consumed,placing the whole encampment in the utmost jeopardy. Many of the tentsof the nobles were also destroyed, and much treasure, in the shape ofjewelry and plate, was lost, though the injury went no further. In orderto guard against the recurrence of such an accident, and probablyviewing the subjection of Granada as the great act of their mutualreign--for, as yet, Time threw his veil around the future, and but onehuman eye foresaw the greatest of all the events of the period, whichwas still in reserve--the sovereigns resolved on attempting a work that,of itself, would render this siege memorable. The plan of a regular townwas made, and laborers set about the construction of good substantialedifices, in which to lodge the army; thus converting the warfare intothat of something like city against city. In three months thisstupendous work was completed, with its avenues, streets, and squares,and received the name of Santa Fe, or Holy Faith--an appellation quiteas well suited to the zeal which could achieve such a work, in the heatof a campaign, as to that general reliance on the providence of Godwhich animated the Christians in carrying on the war. The constructionof this place struck terror into the hearts of the Moors, for theyconsidered it a proof that their enemies intended to give up theconflict only with their lives; and it is highly probable that it had adirect and immediate influence on the submission of Boabdil, the King ofGranada, who yielded the Alhambra a few weeks after the Spaniards hadtaken possession of their new abodes.

  Santa Fe still exists, and is visited by the traveller as a place ofcurious origin; while it is rendered remarkable by the fact--real orassumed--that it is the only town of any size in Spain, that has neverbeen under Moorish sway.

  The main incidents of our tale will now transport us to this era, and tothis scene; all that has been related as yet, being merely introductorymatter, to prepare the reader for the events that are to follow.