Had I the erudition and the time, I would attempt to write, as it deserves to be written, an introduction to the history of Spanish swords. Of all the objects mentioned in these volumes, here is the most inherently symbolic of the Spanish character and history. The Spanish Moors and Spanish Christians spoke of it as something superhuman. "Once the sword is in the hand of man," observed, in solemn tones, the Wise Alfonso, "he hath it in his power to raise or lower it, to strike with it, or to abandon it." The Spanish Mussulmans talked of putting "clothes and breeches" on a sword that had a sheath, as though it were a breathing person; while a Spaniard of the time of Gongora would often use such language as the following: "Truly in point of look there is as great a difference between a costly sword and a _Toledan Loyalty_ or _Soldier's Dream_, as between a marquis and a muleteer, or a washerwoman and the Infanta. Yet every sword is virtually an hidalgo. Does not the basest of our Toledanas, even to the _perrillos_ and _morillos_, which have no core, and cost a dozen _reales_ merely, afford a chivalrous lesson to its wearer, as it bids him _no me saques sin razon, ni me envaines sin honor_?[132] The horse and the sword," he continued, taking a magnificently damascened rapier, and stroking it caressingly, "are the noblest friends of man, albeit the nobler is the sword; for the horse at times is obstinate or faint-hearted, but the sword is ready continually. The sword, moreover, possesses the chiefest of all virtues--justice, or the power of dividing right and wrong; a soul of iron, which is strength; and, last and greatest, the Cross, which is the symbol of the blessed Catholic Faith."[133] [132] "Draw me not without a cause, nor sheathe me without honour." A sword with this inscription is in the Royal Armoury--(G. 71 of the official catalogue). [133] Leonard Williams; _Toledo and Madrid: their Records and Romances_; p. 102. Notices of early Spanish sword-makers are far from common. Don Manuel G. Simancas quotes the following, dated in the thirteenth century:-- "_Master Almerique._ By letters of the King and Queen, to Master Almerique, for making the (sword) blades for the King; out of the MCC _maravedis_ of his salary he received CCCC _maravedis_." "_Master Enrique._ By letters of the King and Queen, to Master Enrique, for making the swords, MCCCC, (of which) he received CCCCXII _maravedis_." Other entries of the same period relate to Juan Ferrández, armourer, who received a sum for making coverings for arms and saddles; and to Master Jacomin, who was paid three gold _doblas_, or sixty-three _maravedis_, for making a breastplate.