The Spanish Knight

A Historical Ballad

Wa le ghalib il Allah (God is the only victor)

—Muhamed Ibn-l-Ahmar, founder of the Alhambra Palace

He rode across the star-engulfed Sierra,
Along the peaks of Andalusia;
Beyond El Dorado by every measure,
He hoped to find Andalusian treasure.

The monarchs of Granada were all fled—
Infidel prayers were to God’s ears dead;
Those Moorish halls once built with alchemy
Would never again rule in infamy.

Climbing Granada’s mountains and defile,
He scaled the illustrious Moorish pile,
Then found himself within her myrtle courts—
Gleaming like Aden’s ancient fabled ports.

“Victor!” Cheered all his noble cavaliers
As Don Alfonso and his brother neared.
“Show me the jewels of Andalusia,
Its luscious gardens fed by Arethusa!”

“Show me around this sumptuous palace, friends,
And tell me how the Moors all met their ends!”
The Don with joy exclaimed. “But see your prize,”
His soldier said, as the knight met the eyes

Of Ben Seraj, the ancient Moor, enchained.
“So what have you to say, impious bane?
Granada yields unto the C…