Granada be surrendered." Thus saying, Ferdinand gave the keys to Isabel, who would have addressed some soothing flatteries to Boabdil; but the emotion and excitement were too much for her compassionate heart, heroine and queen 5 though she was; and when she lifted her eyes upon the pale and calm features of the fallen monarch, the tears gushed from them irresistibly, and her voice died in murmurs. A faint flush overspread the features of Boabdil, and there was a momentary pause of embarrassment, which 10 the Moor was the first to break. "Fair queen," said he, with mournful and pathetic dignity, "thou canst read the heart that thy generous sympathy touches and subdues; this is thy last, nor least, glorious conquest. But I detain ye: let not my aspect. 15 cloud your triumph. Suffer me to say farewell." Boabdil smiled bitterly, saluted the royal pair with profound and silent reverence, and rode slowly on, leaving the army below, as he ascended the path that led to his new principality beyond the Alpuxarras. 20 As the trees snatched the Moorish cavalcade from the view of the king, Ferdinand ordered the army to recommence its march; and trumpet and cymbal presently sent their music to the ear of the Moslems. Boabdil spurred on at full speed, till his panting charger 25 halted at the little village where his mother and his slaves awaited him. Joining these, he proceeded without delay upon his melancholy path. They ascended that eminence which is the pass into the Alpuxarras. From its height the vale, the rivers, the spires, the towers of Granada broke gloriously upon the view of the little band. They halted, mechanically and abruptly: every eye was turned to the beloved scene. The 5 proud shame of baffled warriors, the tender memories of home, of childhood, of fatherland, swelled every heart and gushed from every eye. Suddenly the distant boom of artillery broke from the citadel and rolled along the sunlit valley and crystal river. 10 A universal wail burst from the exiles: it smote, it overpowered the heart of the ill-starred king, in vain seeking to wrap himself in Eastern pride or stoical philosophy. The tears gushed from his eyes, and he covered his face with his hands. The band wound slowly on through the 15 solitary defiles and that place where the king wept is still called "The Last Sigh of the Moor." Abridged. Grana'da a province and city of Spain. - Xenil (hä-neel') and Dar'ro : rivers of Spain. Boabdil' (dél): the last Moorish king of Granada. barb a horse of superior breed, brought from Barbary into Spain by the Moors. the Te De'um: a Latin hymn. Alham'bra: the royal palace and fortress. This was a very wonderful and beautiful example of Moorish art. See Irving's "Alhambra."- Ro'land: a French hero famous for his gallantry and loyalty. — Charlemagne (sharl'main): a great ruler who in the eighth century fought against the Saracens. He was Roland's uncle. the Mos'lem: the followers of Mohammed were called Moslems or Moslem as well as Mohammedans. From the plains of Arabia they had spread through northern Africa, and, entering Spain, had threatened to conquer all Europe. Alpuxarras (äl-poo-här'räs): a range of mountains. stoical philosophy: the teaching of the Stoics demanded that they should appear indifferent to suffering. WEALTH JOHN RUSKIN The laws which at present regulate the possession of wealth are unjust, because the motives which provoke to its attainment are impure; but no socialism can effect their abrogation, unless it can abrogate also covetousness 5 and pride, which it by no means yet is in the way of doing. Nor can the change be, in any case, to the extent that has been imagined. Extremes of luxury may be forbidden, and agony of penury relieved; but nature intends, and the utmost efforts of socialism will not hinder the 10 fulfillment of her intention, that a provident person shall always be richer than a spendthrift, and an ingenious one more comfortable than a fool. But, indeed, the adjustment of the possession of the products of industry depends more on their nature than their quantity, and on 15 wise determination therefore of the aims of industry. A nation which desires true wealth desires it moderately, and can therefore distribute it with kindness and possess it with pleasure; but one which desires false wealth desires it immoderately, and can neither dispense it with 20 justice nor enjoy it in peace. THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE ALFRED TENNYSON ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON (1809-1892) was one of the great poets of the nineteenth century. His poetry is noted for its perfect form and for its melody and sweetness. Among the best known of Tennyson's longer poems are "Idylls of the King," in which he tells the old legends that cluster about King Arthur and his knights. When Tennyson was forty 5 years old he was made poet laureate, and in 1884 he was given a seat in the House of Lords. NOTE. This famous charge was made at Balaklava in 1854 during the Crimean War. The Russians were advancing in great strength to intercept the combined Turkish and British forces, when the English com- 10 mander, Lord Raglan, sent an order to attack. Some mistake, either in the delivery or in the understanding of the message, led to the fatal charge. Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade!" Some one had blundered. 15 20 20 Theirs not to make reply, Into the valley of Death Cannon to right of them, Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Into the jaws of Death, Rode the six hundred. Flashed all their sabers bare, All the world wondered: Plunged in the battery smoke, Reeled from the saber stroke, Shattered and sundered. Then they rode back, but not- |