When they learnt, however, that he was come to demand the tribute so abhorrent to the ears of the fiery monarch, they observed that it well required a warrior of his apparent nerve to execute such an embassy.
Muley Abul Hassan received the cavalier in state, seated on a magnificent divan and surrounded by the officers of his court, in the Hall of Ambassadors, one of the most sumptuous apartments of the Alhambra.

When De Vera had delivered his message, a haughty and bitter smile curled the lip of the fierce monarch.

"Tell your sovereigns," said he, "that the kings of Granada, who used to pay tribute in money to the Castilian crown, are dead.

Our mint at present coins nothing but blades of scimetars and heads of lances."* * Garibay, 1.

40, c.