was reared the royal standard by the king of arms, with the shout of “Castile!  Castile!  For King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella!” The words were echoed by the whole army, with acclamations that resounded across the vega.  At sight of these signals of possession the sovereigns sank upon their knees, giving thanks to God for this great triumph; the whole assembled host followed their example, and the choristers of the royal chapel broke forth into the solemn anthem of Te Deum laudamus.

The procession now resumed its march with joyful alacrity, to the sound of triumphant music, until they came to a small mosque, near the banks of the Xenel, and not far from the foot of the Hill of Martyrs, which edifice remains to the present day, consecrated as the hermitage of St. Sebastian.  Here the sovereigns were met by the unfortunate Boabdil, accompanied by about fifty cavaliers and domestics.  As he drew near he would have dismounted in token of homage, but Ferdinand prevented him.  He then proffered to kiss the King’s hand, but this sign of vassalage was likewise declined; whereupon, not to be outdone in magnanimity, he leaned forward and kissed the right arm of Ferdinand.  Queen Isabella also refused to receive this ceremonial of homage, and, to console him under his adversity, delivered to him his son, who had remained as hostage ever since Boabdil’s liberation from captivity.  The Moorish monarch pressed his child to his bosom with tender emotion, and they seemed mutually endeared to each other by their misfortunes.

He then delivered the keys of the city to King Ferdinand, with an air of mingled melancholy and resignation.  “These keys,” said he, “are the last relics of the Arabian empire in Spain; thine, O King, are our trophies, our kingdom, and our person.  Such is the will of God!  Receive them with the clemency thou hast promised, and which we look for at thy hands.”

King Ferdinand restrained his exultation with an air of serene magnanimity.  “Doubt not our promises,” replied he, “nor that thou shalt regain from our friendship the prosperity of which the fortune of war has deprived thee.”

On receiving the keys, King Ferdinand handed them to the Queen; she in her turn presented them to her son Prince Juan, who delivered them to the Count de Tendilla, that brave and loyal cavalier being appointed alcaid of the city and captain-general of the kingdom of Granada.

Having surrendered the last symbol of power, the unfortunate Boabdil continued on toward the Alpujarras, that he might not behold the entrance of the Christians into his capital.  His devoted band of cavaliers followed him in gloomy silence; but heavy sighs burst from their bosoms as shouts of joy and strains of triumphant music were borne on the breeze from the victorious army.