Mercedes of Castile; Or, The Voyage to Cathay

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER VI.

  "Looke back, who list, unto the former ages, And call to count, what is of them become, Where be those learned wits and antique sages, Which of all wisdom knew the perfect somme? Where those great warriors which did overcome The world with conquest of their might and maine, And made one meare of th'earth and of their raigne."

  Ruins of Time.

  Two or three days had passed before the Christians began to feel at homein the ancient seat of Mahommedan power. By that time, however, theAlhambra and the town got to be more regulated than they were during thehurry, delight, and grief, of taking possession and departing; and asthe politic and far from ill-disposed Ferdinand had issued strict ordersthat the Moors should not only be treated with kindness, but withdelicacy, the place gradually settled down into tranquillity, and menbegan to fall into their ancient habits and to interest themselves intheir customary pursuits.

  Don Fernando was much occupied with new cares, as a matter of course;but his illustrious consort, who reserved herself for great occasions,exercising her ordinary powers in the quiet, gentle manner that becameher sex and native disposition, her truth and piety, had alreadywithdrawn, as far as her high rank and substantial authority wouldallow, from the pageantry and martial scenes of a warlike court, and wasseeking, with her wonted readiness, the haunts of private affection, andthat intercourse which is most congenial to the softer affections of awoman. Her surviving children were with her, and they occupied much ofher maternal care; but she had also many hours for friendship, and forthe indulgence of an affection that appeared to include all her subjectswithin the ties of family.

  On the morning of the third day that succeeded the evening of theinterview related in the preceding chapter, Dona Isabella had collectedabout her person a few of those privileged individuals who might be saidto have the entree to her more private hours; for while that of Castilewas renowned among Christian courts for etiquette, habits that it hadprobably derived from the stately oriental usages of its Mahommedanneighbors, the affectionate nature of the queen had cast a halo aroundher own private circle, that at once rendered it graceful as well asdelightful to all who enjoyed the high honor of entering it. At thatday, churchmen enjoyed a species of exclusive favor, mingling with allthe concerns of life, and not unfrequently controlling them. While weare quick to detect blemishes of this sort among foreign nations, andare particularly prone to point out the evils that have flowed from themeddling of the Romish divines, we verify the truth of the venerableaxiom that teaches us how much easier it is to see the faults of othersthan to discover our own; for no people afford stronger evidences of theexistence of this control, than the people of the United States, moreespecially that portion of them who dwell in places that were originallysettled by religionists, and which still continue under the influence ofthe particular sects that first prevailed; and perhaps the strongestnational trait that exists among us at this moment--that of adisposition to extend the control of society beyond the limits set bythe institutions and the laws, under the taking and plausibleappellation of Public Opinion--has its origin in the polity of churchesof a democratic character, that have aspired to be an _imperium inimperio_, confirmed and strengthened by their modes of government and byprovincial habits. Be the fact as it may among ourselves, there is noquestion of the ascendency of the Catholic priesthood throughoutChristendom, previously to the reformation; and Isabella was toosincerely devout, too unostentatiously pious, not to allow them everyindulgence that comported with her own sense of right, and among others,that of a free access to her presence, and an influence on all hermeasures.

  On the occasion just named, among others who were present was Fernandode Talavera, a prelate of high station, who had just been named to thenew dignity of Archbishop of Granada, and the Fray Pedro de Carrascal,the former teacher of Luis de Bobadilla, an unbeneficed divine, who owedhis favor to great simplicity of character, aided by his high birth.Isabella, herself, was seated at a little table, where she was employedwith her needle, the subject of her toil being a task as homely as ashirt for the king, it being a part of her womanly propensities toacquit herself of this humble duty, as scrupulously as if she had beenthe wife of a common tradesman of her own capital. This was one of thehabits of the age, however, if not a part of the policy of princes; formost travellers have seen the celebrated saddle of the Queen ofBurgundy, with a place arranged for the distaff, that, when its ownerrode forth, she might set an example of thrift to her admiring subjects;and with our own eyes, in these luxurious times, when few private ladieseven condescend to touch any thing as useful as the garment thatoccupied the needle of Isabella of Castile, we have seen a queen, seatedamid her royal daughters, as diligently employed with the needle as ifher livelihood depended on her industry. But Dona Isabella had noaffectations. In feelings, speech, nature, and acts, she was truthitself; and matrimonial tenderness gave her a deeply felt pleasure inthus being occupied for a husband whom she tenderly loved as a man,while it was impossible she could entirely conceal from herself all hisfaults as a monarch. Near her sat the companion of her girlish days, thelong-tried and devoted Beatriz de Cabrera. Mercedes occupied a stool, atthe feet of the Infanta Isabella, while one or two other ladies of thehousehold were placed at hand, with such slight distinctions of rank asdenoted the presence of royalty, but with a domestic freedom that madethese observances graceful without rendering them fatiguing. The kinghimself was writing at a table, in a distant corner of the vastapartment; and no one, the newly-created archbishop not excepted,presumed to approach that side of the room. The discourse was conductedin a tone a little lower than common; even the queen, whose voice wasalways melody, modulating its tones in a way not to interfere with thetrain of thought into which her illustrious consort appeared to beprofoundly plunged. But, at the precise moment that we now desire topresent to the reader, Isabella had been deeply lost in reflection forsome time, and a general silence prevailed in the female circle aroundthe little work-tables.

  "Daughter-Marchioness"--for so the queen usually addressed herfriend--"Daughter-Marchioness," said Isabella, arousing herself from thelong silence, "hath aught been seen or heard of late of the Senor Colon,the pilot who hath so long urged us on the subject of this westernvoyage?"

  The quick, hurried glance of intelligence and gratification, that passedbetween Mercedes and her guardian, betrayed the interest they felt inthis question, while the latter answered, as became her duty and herrespect for her mistress--

  "You remember, Senora, that he was written for, by Fray Juan Perez, YourHighness' ancient confessor, who journeyed all the way from his conventof Santa Maria de Rabida, in Andalusia, to intercede in his behalf, thathis great designs might not be lost to Castile."

  "Thou thinkest his designs, then, great, Daughter-Marchioness?"

  "Can any think them otherwise, Senora? They seem reasonable and natural,and if just, is it not a great and laudable undertaking to extend thebounds of the church, and to confer honor and wealth on one's owncountry? My enthusiastic ward, Mercedes de Valverde, is so zealous inbehalf of this navigator's great project, that, next to her duty to herGod, and her duty to her sovereigns, it seemeth to make the greatconcern of her life."

  The queen turned a smiling face toward the blushing girl who was thesubject of this remark, and she gazed at her, for an instant, with theexpression of affection that was so wont to illuminate her lovelycountenance when dwelling on the features of her own daughters.

  "Dost thou acknowledge this, Dona Mercedes?" she said; "hath Colon soconvinced thee, that thou art thus zealous in his behalf?"

  Mercedes arose, respectfully, when addressed by the queen, and sheadvanced a step or two nearer to the royal person before she made anyreply.

  "It becometh me to speak modestly, in this presence," said the beautifulgirl; "but I shall not deny that I feel deep concern for the success ofthe Senor Colon. The thought is so noble, Senora, that it were a pity itshould not be just."

  "This is the
reasoning of the young and generous-minded; and I confessmyself, Beatrice, almost as childish as any, on this matter, attimes--Colon, out of question, is still here?"

  "Indeed he is, Senora," answered Mercedes, eagerly, and with a haste sheimmediately repented, for the inquiry was not made directly to herself;"I know of one who hath seen him as lately as the day the troops tookpossession of the town."

  "Who is that person?" asked the queen, steadily, but not severely, hereye having turned again to the face of the girl, with an interest thatcontinued to increase as she gazed.

  Mercedes now bitterly regretted her indiscretion, and, in spite of amighty effort to repress her feelings, the tell-tale blood mounted toher temples, ere she could find resolution to reply.

  "Don Luis de Bobadilla, Senora, the nephew of my guardian, DonaBeatriz," she at length answered; for the love of truth was stronger inthis pure-hearted young creature, even, than the dread of shame.

  "Thou art particular, Senorita," Isabella observed calmly, severityseldom entering into her communication with the just-minded and good;"Don Luis cometh of too illustrious a house to need a herald to proclaimhis alliances. It is only the obscure that the world doth not troubleitself about. Daughter-Marchioness," relieving Mercedes from a statescarcely less painful than the rack, by turning her eyes toward herfriend, "this nephew of thine is a confirmed rover--but I doubt if hecould be prevailed on to undertake an expedition like this of Colon's,that hath in view the glory of God and the benefit of the realm."

  "Indeed, Senora"--Mercedes repressed her zeal by a sudden and triumphanteffort.

  "Thou wert about to speak, Dona Mercedes," gravely observed the queen.

  "I crave Your Highness' forgiveness. It was improperly, as your ownwords were not addressed to me."

  "This is not the court of the Queen of Castile, daughter, but theprivate room of Isabella de Trastamara," said the queen, willing tolessen the effect of what had already passed. "Thou hast the blood ofthe Admiral of Castile in thy veins, and art even akin to our Lord theKing. Speak freely, then."

  "I know your gracious goodness to me, Senora, and had nearly forgottenmyself, under its influence. All I had to say was, that Don Luis deBobadilla desireth exceedingly that the Senor Colon might get thecaravels he seeketh, and that he himself might obtain the royalpermission to make one among the adventurers."

  "Can this be so, Beatriz?"

  "Luis is a truant, Senora, beyond a question, but it is not with ignoblemotives. I have heard him ardently express his desire to be one ofColon's followers, should that person be sent by Your Highness in searchof the land of Cathay."

  Isabella made no reply, but she laid her homely work in her lap, and satmusing, in pensive silence, for several minutes. During this interval,none near her presumed to speak, and Mercedes retired, stealthily, toher stool, at the feet of the Infanta. At length the queen arose, and,crossing the room, she approached the table where Don Fernando was stillbusily engaged with the pen. Here she paused a moment, as if unwillingto disturb him; but soon, laying a hand kindly on his shoulder, she drewhis attention to herself. The king, as if conscious whence suchfamiliarity could alone proceed, looked around immediately, and, risingfrom his chair, he was the first to speak.

  "These Moriscoes need looking to," he said, betraying the direction thathis thoughts had so early taken toward the increase of his power--"Ifind we have left Abdallah many strongholds in the Apulxarras, that maymake him a troublesome neighbor, unless we can push him across theMediterranean"--

  "Of this, Fernando, we will converse on some other opportunity,"interrupted the queen, whose pure mind disliked every thing that evenhad an approach to a breach of faith. "It is hard enough for those whocontrol the affairs of men, always to obey God and their ownconsciences, without seeking occasions to violate their faith. I havecome to thee, on another matter. The hurry of the times, and themagnitude of our affairs, have caused us to overlook the promise givento Colon, the navigator"--

  "Still busied with thy needle, Isabella, and for my comfort," observedthe king, playing with the shirt that his royal consort hadunconsciously brought in her hand; "few subjects have wives asconsiderate and kind as thou!"

  "Thy comfort and happiness stand next to my duty to God and the care ofmy people," returned Isabella, gratified at the notice the King ofAragon had taken of this little homage of her sex, even while shesuspected that it came from a wish to parry the subject that was thenuppermost in her thoughts. "I would do naught in this important concern,without thy fullest approbation, if that may be had; and I think ittoucheth our royal words to delay no longer. Seven years are a mostcruel probation, and, unless we are active, we shall have some of thehot-blooded young nobles of the kingdom undertaking the matter, as theirholiday sports."

  "Thou say'st true, Senora, and we will refer the subject, at once, toFernando de Talavera, yonder, who is of approved discretion, and one tobe relied on." As the king spoke, he beckoned to the individual named,who immediately approached the royal pair. "Archbishop of Granada,"continued the wily king, who had as many politic arts as a modernpatriot intently bent on his own advancement--"Archbishop of Granada,our royal consort hath a desire that this affair of Colon should beimmediately inquired into, and reported on to ourselves. It is our jointcommand that you, and others, take the matter, before the nexttwenty-four hours shall pass, into mature consideration and inquiry, andthat you lay the result before ourselves. The names of your associatesshall be given to you in the course of the day."

  While the tongue of Ferdinand was thus instructing the prelate, thelatter read in the expression of the monarch's eye, and in the coldnessof his countenance, a meaning that his quick and practiced wits were notslow in interpreting. He signified his dutiful assent, however; receivedthe names of his associates in the commission, of whom Isabella pointedout one or two, and then waited to join in the discourse.

  "This project of Colon's is worthy of being more seriously inquiredinto," resumed the king, when these preliminaries were settled, "and itshall be our care to see that he hath all consideration. They tell methe honest navigator is a good Christian."

  "I think him devotedly so, Don Fernando. He hath a purpose, should Godprosper his present undertaking, to join in a new effort to regain theholy sepulchre."

  "Umph! Such designs may be meritorious, but ours is the true way toadvance the faith--this conquest of our own. We have raised the cross,my wife, where the ensigns of infidelity were lately seen, and Granadais so near Castile that it will not be difficult to maintain our altars.Such, at least, are the opinions of a layman--holy prelate--on thesematters."

  "And most just and wise opinions are they, Senor," returned thearchbishop. "That which can be retained, it is wisest to seek, for welose our labors in gaining things that Providence hath placed so farbeyond our control, that they do not seem designed for our purposes."

  "There are those, my Lord Archbishop," observed the queen, "who mightargue against all attempts to recover the holy sepulchre, hearingopinions like these, from so high authority!"

  "Then, Senora, they would misconceive that authority," the politicprelate hurriedly replied. "It is well for all Christendom, to drive theInfidels from the Holy Land; but for Castile it is better to dispossessthem of Granada. The distinction is a very plain one, as every soundcasuist must admit."

  "This truth is as evident to our reason," added Ferdinand, casting alook of calm exultation out at a window, "as that yonder towers wereonce Abdallah's, and that they are now our own!"

  "Better for Castile!" repeated Isabella, in the tones of one who mused."For her worldly power better, perhaps, but not better for the souls ofthose who achieve the deed--surely, not better for the glory of God!"

  "My much-honored wife, and beloved consort"--said the king.

  "Senora"--added the prelate.

  But Isabella walked slowly away, pondering on principles, while the eyesof the two worldings she left behind her, met, with the sort offree-masonry that is in much request among those who are to
o apt tosubstitute the expedient for the right. The queen did not return to herseat, but she walked up and down that part of the room which thearchbishop had left vacant when he approached herself and her husband.Here she remained alone for several minutes, even Ferdinand holding herin too much reverence to presume to disturb her meditations, uninvited.The queen several times cast glances at Mercedes, and, at length, shecommanded her to draw near.

  "Daughter," said Isabella, who frequently addressed those she loved bythis endearing term, "thou hast not forgotten thy freely-offered vow?"

  "Next to my duty to God, Senora, I most consider my duty to mysovereign."

  Mercedes spoke firmly, and in those tones that seldom deceive. Isabellariveted her eyes on the pale features of the beautiful girl, and whenthe words just quoted were uttered, a tender mother could not haveregarded a beloved child with stronger proofs of affection.

  "Thy duty to God overshadoweth all other feelings, daughter, as isjust," answered the queen; "thy duty to me is secondary and inferior.Still, thou and all others, owe a solemn duty to your sovereign, and Ishould be unfit for the high trust that I have received from Providence,did I permit any of these obligations to lessen. It is not I that reignin Castile, but Providence, through its humble and unworthy instrument.My people are my children, and I often pray that I may have heart enoughto hold them all. If princes are sometimes obliged to frown on theunworthy, it is but in humble and distant imitation of that Power whichcannot smile on evil."

  "I hope, Senora," said the girl, timidly, observing that the queenpaused, "I have not been so unfortunate as to displease you; a frownfrom Your Highness would indeed be a calamity!"

  "Thou? No, daughter; I would that all the maidens of Castile, noble andsimple, were of thy truth, and modesty, and obedience. But we cannotpermit thee to become the victim of the senses. Thou art too welltaught, Dona Mercedes, not to distinguish between that which isbrilliant and that which is truly virtuous"--

  "Senora!" cried Mercedes, eagerly--then checking herself, immediately,for she felt it was a disrespect to interrupt her sovereign.

  "I listen to what thou wouldst say, daughter," Isabella answered, afterpausing for the frightened girl to continue. "Speak freely; thouaddressest a parent."

  "I was about to say, Senora, that if all that is brilliant is notvirtuous, neither is all that is unpleasant to the sight, or whatprudence might condemn, actually vicious."

  "I understand thee, Senorita, and the remark hath truth in it. Now, letus speak of other things. Thou appearest to be friendly to the designsof this navigator, Colon?"

  "The opinion of one untaught and youthful as I, can have little weightwith the Queen of Castile, who can ask counsel of prelates and learnedchurchmen, besides consulting her own wisdom;" Mercedes modestlyanswered.

  "But thou thinkest well of his project; or have I mistaken thy meaning?"

  "No, Senora, I _do_ think well of Colon's scheme; for to me it seemethof that nobleness and grandeur that Providence would favor, for the goodof man and the advancement of the church."

  "And thou believest that nobles and cavaliers can be found willing toembark with this obscure Genoese, in his bold undertaking?"

  The queen felt the hand that she affectionately held in both her own,tremble, and when she looked at her companion she perceived that herface was crimsoned and her eyes lowered. But the generous girl thoughtthe moment critical for the fortunes of her lover, and she rallied allher energies in order to serve his interests.

  "Senora, I do," she answered, with a steadiness that both surprised andpleased the queen, who entered into and appreciated all her feelings; "Ithink Don Luis de Bobadilla will embark with him; since his aunt hathconversed freely with him on the nature and magnitude of the enterprise,his mind dwelleth on little else. He would be willing to furnish goldfor the occasion, could his guardians be made to consent."

  "Which any guardian would be very wrong to do. We may deal freely withour own, but it is forbidden to jeopard the goods of another. If DonLuis de Bobadilla persevere in this intention, and act up to hisprofessions, I shall think more favorably of his character thancircumstances have hitherto led me to do."

  "Senora!"

  "Hear me, daughter; we cannot now converse longer on this point, thecouncil waiting my presence, and the king having already left us. Thyguardian and I will confer together, and thou shalt not be kept in unduesuspense; but Mercedes de Valverde"--

  "My Lady the Queen"--

  "Remember thy vow, daughter. It was freely given, and must not behastily forgotten."

  Isabella now kissed the pale cheek of the girl and withdrew, followed byall the ladies; leaving the half-pleased and yet half-terrified Mercedesstanding in the centre of the vast apartment, resembling a beautifulstatue of Doubt.