Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/221

195 chapter XVI

some useful occupation appropriate to her sex; and she left ample evidence of her skill in this way, in the rich specimens of embroidery, wrought with her own fair hands, with which she decorated the churches. She was careful to instruct her daughters in these more humble departments of domestic duty; for she thought nothing too humble to learn, which was useful.

Her courage

With all her high qualifications, Isabella would have been still unequal to the achievement of her grand designs, without possessing a degree of fortitude rare in either sex; not the courage, which implies contempt of personal danger, — though of this she had a larger share than falls to most men; nor that, which supports its possessor under the extremities of bodily pain, — though of this she gave ample evidence, since she endured the greatest suffering her sex is called to bear, without a groan; but that moral courage, which sustains the spirit in the dark hour of adversity, and, gathering light from within to dispel the darkness, imparts its own cheering influence to all around. This was

54 If we are to believe Florez, the king wore no shirt but of the queen's making. "Preciabase de no haverse puesto su marido camisa, que elle no huviesse hilado y cosi- do." (Reynas Catholicas, tom. ii. p. 832.) If this be taken literally, his wardrobe, considering the mul- titude of her avocations, must have been indifferently furnished.

55 Among many evidences of this, what other need be given than her conduct at the famous riot at Segovia? Part I. Chapter 6, of this History.

56 Pulgar, Reyes Católicos, part. 1, cap. 4. — "No fue la Reyna," says L. Marineo, "de animo me- nos fuerte para sufrir los dolores corporales. Porque como yo fuy in- formado de las dueñas que le servian en la camara, ni en los dolores que padescia de sus enfermidades, ni en los de] parto (que es cosa de grande admiracion) nunca la vieron quexar se; antes con increyble y maravi- llosa fortaleza los suffria y dissimula- va." (Cosas Memorables, fol. 186.) To the same effect writes the anony- mous author of the "Carro de las Doñas," apud Mem. de la Acad. de Hist., tom. vi. p. 559.