Page:Cross, or, The Spanish champion.pdf/6

4 victories: a pitched battle (in which Sebastian and his son Alphonso, heading the remaining strength of his dominions, were completely vanquished, and Sebastian himself being taken prisoner, while he and his intrepid son were performing the most heroic deeds,) decided at once the fate of that monarch, and the whole country. Alphonso, after achieving whatever the height of consummate skill or desperate valour could effect, to retrieve the fortune of the day, was forced to fly with a few of his brave adherents, and take refuge in the most lonely and almost impenetrable recesses which the surrounding forests afforded, under the cruel mortification of leaving his unfortunate father in the hands of the triumphant Murad.

Sebastian, according to the custom of that barbarous age, was loaded with chains, and hurried into the deep and gloomy dungeons of his own palace, which, with all its treasures, the highly-exulting Murad took possession of, and made his residence.

Among the numerous captives, who had eminently distinguished themselves upon that fatal day which placed Murad on the throne of Mursia, was Alvar, a youth endowed with every personal attraction, heightened by a courage which spurred him on to the most heroic deeds, and which no danger could allay.

On the conclusion of the battle, this youth, though grieving inwardly for the ruin of his country, disdaining the chains with which he was loaded, stood undauntedly before the haughty conqueror. Murad beheld him with fixed attention; his youth, the dignified beauty and gracefulness which displayed themselves throughout his face and person, together with his courage,