BY WASHINGTON IRVING
Washington Irving (1783-1859): A famous works are the American, English, and Spanish tales in "The Sketch-Book," "Brace- bridge Hall," "Tales of a Traveler," and "The Alhambra." He wrote also "Life of Columbus," "Life of Washington," and a burlesque "History of New York," purporting to be by a Dutchman, Diedrich Knickerbocker.
This story, founded on an old Spanish legend, is from a volume of tales and sketches published after Irving"s death, by his nephew, Pierre Irving.
Washington Irving
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The morning sun shone brightly upon the cliff-built towers of Toledo, when King Roderick1 issued out of the gate of the city, at the head of a numerous train of courtiers and cavaliers, and crossed the bridge that bestrides the deep rocky bed of the Tagus. The shining cavalcade2 wound up the road that leads among the mountains and soon came in sight of the1Roderick: the last of the Gothic kings of Spain, who was driven from his throne by the Moors.
2Cavalcade: a procession of persons on horseback.
necromantic1 tower.
This singular tower was round, and of great height and grandeur, erected upon a lofty rock, and surrounded by crags and precipices. The foundation was supported by four brazen lions, each taller than a cavalier on horseback. The walls were built of small pieces of jasper and various colored marbles, not larger than a man"s hand; so joined, however, that but for their different hues, they might be taken for one entire stone.
They were arranged with marvelous cunning, so as to represent battles and warlike deeds of times and heroes long since passed away. The whole surface was so admirably polished that the stones were as lustrous as glass, and reflected the rays of the sun with such resplendent brightness as to dazzle all beholders.
King Roderick and his courtiers arrived wondering and amazed at the foot of the rock. Here there was a narrow arched way cut through the living stone-the only entrance to the tower. It was closed by a massive iron gate covered with rusty locks of divers2 workmanship in the fashion of different centuries, which had been affixed by the predecessors of Don3 Roderick. On either side of the portal stood the two ancient guardians of the tower, laden with the keys belonging to the locks.
The king alighted and approaching the portals ordered the guardians to unlock the gate. The hoary-headed men drew back with terror. "Alas!" cried they, "what is it your1Necromantic: enchanted; magic.
2Divers: diverse; different in kind, - an old meaning of the word.
3Don: a Spanish title, formerly applied only to persons of high rank, now used in the sense of Mr. or sir.
majesty requires of us? Would you have the mischiefs of this tower unbound and let loose to shake the earth to its foundations?"The venerable Archbishop Urbino likewise implored him not to disturb a mystery which had been held sacred from generation to generation within the memory of man, and which even C?sar1 himself, when sovereign of Spain, had not ventured to invade. The youthful cavaliers, however, were eager to pursue the adventure and encouraged him in his rash curiosity. "Come what come may," exclaimed Don Roderick, "I am resolved to penetrate the mystery of this tower." So saying, heagain commanded the guardians to unlock the portal.
The ancient men obeyed with fear and trembling, but their hands shook with age, and when they applied the keys the locks were so rusted by time, or of such strange workmanship, that they resisted their feeble efforts; whereupon the young cavaliers pressed forward and lent their aid. Still the locks were so numerous and difficult that with all their eagerness and strength a great part of the day was exhausted before the whole of them could be mastered.
When the last bolt had yielded to the key, the guardians and the reverend archbishop again entreated the king to pause and reflect. "Whatever is within this tower," they said, "is as yet harmless, and lies bound under a mighty spell; venture not, then, to open a door which may let forth a flood of evil upon the land."1 C?sar, etc.: Caius Julius C?sar, the greatest of Roman generals, conquered Spain 49 B.C.
But the anger of the king was roused, and he ordered that the portal should be instantly thrown open. In vain, however, did one after another exert his strength; and equally in vain did the cavaliers unite their forces, and apply their shoulders to the gate: though there was neither bar nor bolt remaining, it was perfectly immovable.
The patience of the king was now exhausted, and he advanced to apply his hand; scarcely, however, did he touch the iron gate when it swung slowly open, uttering, as it were, a dismal groan as it turned reluctantly upon its hinges. A cold, damp wind issued forth, accompanied by a tempestuous sound.
The hearts of the ancient guardians quaked within them, and their knees smote together; but several of the youthful cavaliers rushed in, eager to gratify their curiosity or to signalize themselves in this redoubtable1 enterprise. They had scarcely advanced a few paces, however, when they recoiled, overcome by the baleful2 air or by some fearful vision.
Upon this the king ordered that fires should be kindled to dispel the darkness and to correct the noxious and long- imprisoned air. He then led the way into the interior; but though stout of heart he advanced with awe and hesitation.
After proceeding a short distance he entered a hall or antechamber3, on the opposite side of which was a door, and before it stood a gigantic figure of the color of bronze1 Redoubtable: dreadful; fearful. 2 Baleful: hurtful; deadly.
3 Antechamber: a small room leading into a larger one; an outer room.
and of a terrible aspect. It held a huge mace, which it whirled incessantly1, giving such cruel and resounding blows upon the earth as to prevent all further entrance.
