ABENAMAR

"Abenamar, Abenamar,

Moor of Moors, and man of worth!

On the day when thou wert cradled,

There were signs in heaven and earth.

Hushed in slumber was the ocean,

And the moon was at its full;

Never Moor should tell a falsehood,

Whom the lucky planets rule."

Up and spoke the Morrish ancient,

Listen to the words he said:

"I will tell the truth, my lord,

Though it cost me now my head."

"Abenamar, Abenamar,

With thy words my heart is won!

Tell me what these castles are,

Shining gladly in the sun!"

"That my lord, is the Alhambra,

This the Moorish Mosque apart,

And the rest the Alixares,

Wrought and carved with wondrous art.

For the Moor who did the labour

Had a hundred crowns a day;

And each day he shirked the labour

Had a hundred crowns to pay.

Yonder stands the Generalife,

Ne'er was garden half so grand;

and below, the tower Bermeja,

Stronger none in all the land."

Up and spake the good King John,

To the city he applied:

"If thou art will, O Granada,

I will woo thee for my bride,

Cordova shall be they dowry,

And Sevilla by its side."

"I'm no widow, good King John,

I am still a wedded wife;

And the Moor, who is my husband,

Loves me better than his life!