The Alhambra . 551:illllS^ ^ my vrill was law with these good people. So, calling in the assistance of a car- \^t ^ penter, and the ever offi- ^>-/.~*r-^i ^- cious Mateo Ximenes, the \ ^^-\^ ,_/• doors and windows were ^itfi^ ? soon placed in a state of tolerable security, and thesleeping-room of the stately Elizabetta prepared for my reception,Mateo kindly volunteered as a body-guard to sleep in m) ante-chamber : but I did not think it worth while to put his valourto the proof. With all the hardihood I had assumed and all the pre-cautions I had taken, I must confess the first night pass
The Alhambra . 551:illllS^ ^ my vrill was law with these good people. So, calling in the assistance of a car- \^t ^ penter, and the ever offi- ^>-/.~*r-^i ^- cious Mateo Ximenes, the \ ^^-\^ ,_/• doors and windows were ^itfi^ ? soon placed in a state of tolerable security, and thesleeping-room of the stately Elizabetta prepared for my reception,Mateo kindly volunteered as a body-guard to sleep in m) ante-chamber : but I did not think it worth while to put his valourto the proof. With all the hardihood I had assumed and all the pre-cautions I had taken, I must confess the first night passed inthese quarters was inexpressibly dreary. I do not think it wasso much the apprehension of dangers from without that affectedme, as the character of the place itself, with all its strangeassociations : the deeds of violence committed there; thetragical ends of many of those who had once reigned therein splendour. As I passed beneath the fated halls of thetower of Comares on the way to my chamber, I called. ^/W^*^#^ N -?^ \ ii m Jr I •! ., ,/^?^ Prospect from the Hall of Ambassadors. 114 THE ALHAMRRA to mind a quotation that used to thrill me in the days ofboyhood : Fate sits on these dark battlements and frowns-;And, as the portal opens to receive me,A voice in sullen echoes through the courtsTells of a nameless deed ! The whole family escorted me to my chamber, and tookleave of me as of one engaged in a perilous enterprise ; and whenI heard their retreating steps die away along the waste ante-chambers and echoing galleries, and turned the key of my door,I was reminded of those hobgoblin stories, where the hero isleft to accomplish the adventure of an enchanted house. Even the thoughts of the fair Elizabetta and the beauties ofher court, who had once graced these chambers, now, by aperversion of fancy, added to the gloom. Here was the sceneof their transient gaiety and loveliness ; here were the verytraces of their elegance and enjoyment; but what and wherewere they ? D
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