The Alhambra . alaces that ever thehead of man devised, or the heart of man desired. It containssumptuous halls and galleries, delicious gardens, cool fountains,and fragrant baths ; in a word, the whole mountain is convertedinto a paradise. Like the garden of Irem, it is protected by amighty charm, which hides it from the view and search ofmortals, excepting such as possess the secret of its talismans. Enough ! cried Aben Habuz, joyfully, to-morrow morningwith the first light we will ascend and take possession. Thehappy monarch slept but little that night. Scarcely had therays of the sun begun
The Alhambra . alaces that ever thehead of man devised, or the heart of man desired. It containssumptuous halls and galleries, delicious gardens, cool fountains,and fragrant baths ; in a word, the whole mountain is convertedinto a paradise. Like the garden of Irem, it is protected by amighty charm, which hides it from the view and search ofmortals, excepting such as possess the secret of its talismans. Enough ! cried Aben Habuz, joyfully, to-morrow morningwith the first light we will ascend and take possession. Thehappy monarch slept but little that night. Scarcely had therays of the sun begun to play about the snowy summit of theSierra Nevada, when he mounted his steed, and, accompaniedinly by a few chosen attendants, ascended a steep and narrowroad leading up the hill. Beside him, on a white palfrey, rodethe Gothic princess, her whole dress sparkling with jewels, o 194 THE ALHAMBRA while round her neck was suspended her sih-er lyre. Theastrologer walked on the other side of the king, assisting his. •?^•^Iwljl J^ r//^ J/)j/zV //a«^. Steps with his hieroglyphic staff, for he never mounted steed ofany kind. Aben Habuz looked to see the towers of the palace bright- LEGEND OF THE ARABIAN ASTROLOGER 195 ening above him, and the embowered terraces of its gardensstretching along the heights; but as yet nothing of the kindwas to be descried. That is the mystery and safeguard of theplace, said the astrologer, nothing can be discerned until youhave passed the spell-bound gateway, and been put in possessionof the place. As they approach the gateway, the astrologer paused, andpointed out to the king the mystic hand and key carved uponthe portal of the arch. These, said he, are the talismanswhich guard the entrance to this paradise. Until yonder handshall reach down and seize that key, neither mortal power normagic artifice can prevail against the lord of this mountain. While Aben Habuz was gazing, with open mouth and silentwonder, at these mystic talismans, the palfrey of
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