贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > part02 >

第4章

part02-第4章

小说: part02 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




apartments of the palace。 My object is merely to give the reader a

general introduction into an abode where; if so disposed; he may

linger and loiter with me day by day until we gradually become

familiar with all its localities。



               Note on Morisco Architecture



  To an unpractised eye the light relievos and fanciful arabesques

which cover the walls of the Alhambra appear to have been sculptured

by the hand; with a minute and patient labor; an inexhaustible variety

of detail; yet a general uniformity and harmony of design truly

astonishing; and this may especially be said of the vaults and

cupolas; which are wrought like honey…combs; or frostwork; with

stalactites and pendants which confound the beholder with the

seeming intricacy of their patterns。 The astonishment ceases; however;

when it is discovered that this is all stucco…work: plates of

plaster of Paris; cast in moulds and skilfully joined so as to form

patterns of every size and form。 This mode of diapering walls with

arabesques and stuccoing the vaults with grotto…work; was invented

in Damascus; but highly improved by the Moors in Morocco; to whom

Saracenic architecture owes its most graceful and fanciful details。

The process by which all this fairy tracery was produced was

ingeniously simple: The wall in its naked state was divided off by

lines crossing at right angles; such as artists use in copying a

picture; over these were drawn a succession of intersecting segments

of circles。 By the aid of these the artists could work with celerity

and certainty; and from the mere intersection of the plain and

curved lines arose the interminable variety of patterns and the

general uniformity of their character。

  Much gilding was used in the stucco…work; especially of the cupolas:

and the interstices were delicately pencilled with brilliant colors;

such as vermilion and lapis lazuli; laid on with the whites of eggs。

The primitive colors alone were used; says Ford; by the Egyptians;

Greeks; and Arabs; in the early period of art; and they prevail in the

Alhambra whenever the artist has been Arabic or Moorish。 It is

remarkable how much of their original brilliancy remains after the

lapse of several centuries。

  The lower part of the walls in the saloons; to the height of several

feet; is incrusted with glazed tiles; joined like the plates of

stucco…work; so as to form various patterns。 On some of them are

emblazoned the escutcheons of the Moslem kings; traversed with a

band and motto。 These glazed tiles (azulejos in Spanish; az…zulaj in

Arabic) are of Oriental origin; their coolness; cleanliness; and

freedom from vermin; render them admirably fitted in sultry climates

for paving halls and fountains; incrusting bathing rooms; and lining

the walls of chambers。 Ford is inclined to give them great

antiquity。 From their prevailing colors; sapphire and blue; he deduces

that they may have formed the kind of pavements alluded to in the

sacred Scriptures… 〃There was under his feet as it were a paved work

of a sapphire stone〃 (Exod。 xxiv。 10); and again; 〃Behold I will lay

thy stones with fair colors; and lay thy foundations with

sapphires。〃 (Isaiah liv。 11。)

  These glazed or porcelain tiles were introduced into Spain at an

early date by the Moslems。 Some are to be seen among the Moorish ruins

which have been there upwards of eight centuries。 Manufactures of them

still exist in the peninsula; and they are much used in the best

Spanish houses; especially in the southern provinces; for paving and

lining the summer apartments。

  The Spaniards introduced them into the Netherlands when they had

possession of that country。 The people of Holland adopted them with

avidity; as wonderfully suited to their passion for household

cleanliness; and thus these Oriental inventions; the azulejos of the

Spanish; the az…zulaj of the Arabs; have come to be commonly known

as Dutch tiles。

                   Important Negotiations。



                  The Author Succeeds to the

                     Throne of Boabdil。



  THE DAY was nearly spent before we could tear ourselves from this

region of poetry and romance to descend to the city and return to

the forlorn realities of a Spanish posada。 In a visit of ceremony to

the Governor of the Alhambra; to whom we had brought letters; we dwelt

with enthusiasm on the scenes we had witnessed; and could not but

express surprise that he should reside in the city when he had such

a paradise at his command。 He pleaded the inconvenience of a residence

in the palace from its situation on the crest of a hill; distant

from the seat of business and the resorts of social intercourse。 It

did very well for monarchs; who often had need of castle walls to

defend them from their own subjects。 〃But senores;〃 added he; smiling;

〃if you think a residence there so desirable; my apartments in the

Alhambra are at your service。〃

  It is a common and almost indispensable point of politeness in a

Spaniard; to tell you his house is yours。… 〃Esta casa es siempre a

la disposicion de Vm。〃 〃This house is always at the command of your

Grace。〃 In fact; any thing of his which you admire; is immediately

offered to you。 It is equally a mark of good breeding in you not to

accept it; so we merely bowed our acknowledgments of the courtesy of

the Governor in offering us a royal palace。 We were mistaken; however。

The Governor was in earnest。 〃You will find a rambling set of empty;

unfurnished rooms;〃 said he; 〃but Tia Antonia; who has charge of the

palace; may be able to put them in some kind of order; and to take

care of you while you are there。 If you can make any arrangement

with her for your accommodation; and are content with scanty fare in a

royal abode; the palace of King Chico is at your service。〃

  We took the Governor at his word; and hastened up the steep Calle de

los Gomeres; and through the Great Gate of Justice; to negotiate

with Dame Antonia; doubting at times if this were not a dream; and

fearing at times that the sage Duena of the fortress might be slow

to capitulate。 We knew we had one friend at least in the garrison; who

would be in our favor; the bright…eyed little Dolores; whose good

graces we had propitiated on our first visit; and who hailed our

return to the palace with her brightest looks。

  All; however; went smoothly。 The good Tia Antonia had a little

furniture to put in the rooms; but it was of the commonest kind。 We

assured her we could bivouac on the floor。 She could supply our table;

but only in her own simple way… we wanted nothing better。 Her niece;

Dolores; would wait upon us and at the word we threw up our hats and

the bargain was complete。

  The very next day we took up our abode in the palace; and never

did sovereigns share a divided throne with more perfect harmony。

Several days passed by like a dream; when my worthy associate; being

summoned to Madrid on diplomatic duties; was compelled to abdicate;

leaving me sole monarch of this shadowy realm。 For myself; being in

a manner a haphazard loiterer about the world and prone to linger in

its pleasant places; here have I been suffering day by day to steal

away unheeded; spellbound; for aught I know; in this old enchanted

pile。 Having always a companionable feeling for my reader; and being

prone to live with him on confidential terms; I shall make it a

point to communicate to him my reveries and researches during this

state of delicious thraldom。 If they have the power of imparting to

his imagination any of the witching charms of the place; he will not

repine at lingering with me for a season in the legendary halls of the

Alhambra。

  At first it is proper to give him some idea of my domestic

arrangements; they are rather of a simple kind for the occupant of a

regal palace; but I trust they will be less liable to disastrous

reverses than those of my royal predecessors。

  My quarters are at one end of the Governor's apartment; a suite of

empty c

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 1

你可能喜欢的