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CHARADES.

By the same.

1.

My first was Noah's son you'll see,
If one letter to it added be;

From it a letter take, then mind
How many you have left behind;
My next your property doth keep,
Secure from robbers, while you sleep:
My whole, if you would wish to know,
A very useful herb will shew.

By Scotus.

2.

The tavern men oft times frequent,

My first for to obtain;
And by my second's aid 'tis sent
Across the raging main.

And when together they are join'd,
My first you there will find.

REBUS.

By the same.

འ.

Of a vehicle, please take a part,
And three-fourths of a political sect,
With a vowel between-'twill impart
What many each month do expect.

SKETCH OF TILTS AND TOURNAMENTS,

TH

Extracted from Rodd's Civil Wars of Granada.

(See our Literary Review.)

HE king and nobility having taken their seats at the windows of the new square, perceived near the fountain of the lions a beautiful tent of green velvet, and near it a table covered with a canopy of green brocade, having many rich jewels, and the golden chain upon it, that was to accompany the portrait of Abenamar's lady.

All the inhabitants of the city and multitudes from the neighbouring towns and villages were present at this magnificent sight. It was not long before the sound of trumpets was heard from the street of Zacatin, whence the challenger now made his entry. Four handsome mules loaded with lances, adorned with sumpter clothes of green damask, bespangled with golden stars, and breast-plates of silver, fastened on with bands of green silk, came first. They were led by grooms to a tent, near the former, where the lances were all placed in order.

Next came thirty gentlemen in green and scarlet liveries, with white and yellow plumes, and in the midst Aben amar in green velvet, richly embroidered, and a loose jacket, over his other robes, of immense value. He was mounted on a dappled mare, whose accoutrements were green velvet, with a crest of green, and red feathers, corresponding to his own. Over his whole dress were scattered many golden stars, and on his left side shone a resplendent sun, with this motto under it :

Myself alone, my fair alone,
A fairer never yet was known:
Myself alone the glory claim
To honor her illustrious name:

After Abenamar, followed a rich triumphal car, lined with silk of various colours, having six steps, and on the highest a triumphal arch of extraordinary workmanship, under which upon a rich seat was placed the portrait of the lovely Fatima, so naturally executed to the life, that had not the original been present, many would have mistaken it for the lady herself. The admiration that was bestowed on its entry, filled the ladies with envy. The dress was Turkish, of extraordinary richness and elegance, orange and purple, spangled with golden stars, and trimmed with silver tissue. The hair fancifully flowing like fine threads of Arabian gold, and fastened at the top with a bandeau of white and red roses intermixed. Over the head was seen the god of love, with wings outspread, and plumes of a thousand colours, placing a crown upon it, and at her feet was laid his bow and quiver, as tributes to her unequalled beauty.

Thus entered the portrait, in a car drawn by four mares whiter than the mountain snow, and attracted the attention of every eye; behind it came thirty gentlemen, like the former, in green and scarlet liveries, and plumes of the same colours. Various instruments of music played whilst Abenamar entered; having made a circle round the square, he advanced to the royal balconies, gratifying his majesty, the queen, and the ladies with the sight. They all admired the lovely portrait of the lady that stood beside them, with Daraxa, Sarracina, Galiana, and many others, models of the most enchanting beauty.

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"If your knight, fair Fatima," exclaimed her majesty, gains the prize over the other knights in skill as he does in gallantry, you may esteem yourself the happiest lady in the world." know not," replied Fatima, concealing the pleasure she felt, "what are Abenamar's motives, but I suppose it is his fancy, and that he takes this

method of obliging me; as to more, I am certain it concerns not me." "Yet there is a mystery," cried Xarifa, "in procuring your portrait, and challenging all competitors, he must have some motive certainly?"—"I do not pretend to dive into it," said Fatima, "He does as he pleases. Has not Abindarraez also performed a thousand actions worthy of note in your honour?" "All Granada knows that," cried Xarifa, "but this affair of Abenamar's is quite a novelty; I should be sorry to see the two cavaliers enter the lists together." "Whether it be their fate or not, it can be of little consequence to you," answered Fatima. "O yes, but it can, and a great deal too;" said Xarifa, "it would grieve me to see your portrait fall into my hands.” "You imagine then, perhaps," returned Fatima, "that Abenamar has already lost the day; but do not be over-confident in your knight; certainly those who give a general challenge have some reason to expect they will be able to maintain it; but fortune is fickle, and we are all subject to her caprice."

The queen, who had been some time listening to these repartees, at length put a stop to them. "Ladies," cried her majesty, "this conversation is very unimportant: your beauty is equal, it will not be long before we see who wins the palm of honour; let us therefore attend to the sports.

Casting their eyes then towards the square, they perceived Abenamar had placed the car close to the jewels, and to the sound of soft music the portrait of Fatima was gently raised and placed beside them. Abenamar alighting from his horse gave it to his attendants, and seating himself at the door of his tent, quietly expected some cavalier to enter the lists. The gentlemen of his train ranged themselves on each side, and the judges took their station on a high stand, where they

might have a full view of every thing that passed. The judges were two Zegries, two Gomeles, and an Abencerrage, named Abencarcax, the chief Alguazil of Granada, an office only given to persons of the highest rank and valour. It was not long before a very gallant squadron was seen to enter the square from the street of the Gomeles, in scarlet and white brocade, and plumes of the same colour, and with them a knight, in a Turkish dress of scarlet velvet, lined with gold tissue, and plumes of great value; his jacket also set with precious stones. The cavalier was soon discovered to be the gallant Sarracino. Behind him came a splendid car bearing four triumphal arches, painted with the battles of the Moors and Christians on the plain of Granada; in which Garlilaso de la Vega's, and Audallas, a Moor of high renown, who, out of contempt for the christian religion, placed the Ave Maria on the tail of his horse, was particularly distinguished. Beneath the arches was placed a round throne, open on all sides, of the whitest alabaster, enriched with the most beautiful sculpture, and upon it the portrait of a lady in blue brocade fringed with gold, and at her feet a vanquished Cupid on his knees, with his bow and arrows broken, and scattered round him. Sarracino's device was a sea, in the midst a rock, assaulted by the waves, and these words on the rock::

My constancy is like a rock,

Of wind and wave it braves the shock.

No less gallantly did Sarracino make his entry than Abenamar; his car was drawn by four bay horses, with scarlet and gold trappings: and was followed by a noble squadron of gentlemen in scar. let liveries, parading round the square to the sound of soft music.

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