Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/61

37 CONQUEST OF MALAGA. 37 symbols of Christian worship, were distributed in chapter profusion among the sacred edifices ; where, says '. the Catholic chronicler last quoted, " the celestial music of their chimes, sounding at every hour of the day and night, caused perpetual torment to the ears of the infidel." ^^ On the eighteenth day of August, being some- Entrance of o •/ o ' o the sover- what more than three months from the date of ^"'"^- opening trenches, Ferdinand and Isabella made their entrance into the conquered city, attended by the court, the clergy, and the whole of their mili- tary array. The procession moved in solemn state up the principal streets, now deserted, and hushed in ominous silence, to the new cathedral of St. Mary, where mass was performed ; and, as the glo- rious anthem of the Te Deum rose for the first time within its ancient walls, the sovereigns, together with the whole army, prostrated themselves in grate- ful adoration of the Lord of hosts, who had thus reinstated them in the domains of their ancestors. The most affecting incident was afforded by the Release or ° •' Christian multitude of Christian captives, who were rescued "^^p"'*^- from the Moorish dungeons. They were brought before the sovereigns, with their limbs heavily manacled, their beards descending to their waists, and their sallow visages emaciated by captivity and famine. Every eye was suffused with tears at the spectacle. Many recognised their ancient friends, of whose fate they had long been ignorant. Some had lingered in captivity ten or fifteen years ; and 26 Bernaldez, Reyes Catolicos, MS., cap. 85.