[12] Morales,[u] fell, he says, into the water at Port St. Martin, enveloped in his cloak. As he could not swim, he called on God and “his glorious saint” for his soul’s salvation, being hopeless of bodily safety. He had sunk twice, when a sailor from an adjoining vessel stretched out a pole on which he laid hold, and was thereby extricated from death. On measuring the pole afterwards, he found it so short that it could not reach the water! No doubt the saint had lengthened it, and when its service was done, permitted it to regain its natural dimension. He assures us that he could enumerate many mercies vouchsafed to him “through the intercession of this holy prince.” In honour of his patron this author has a poem in Latin hexameters, equal in extent to a book of the _Æneid_. [13] [Yet Burke[j] says, “If Recared is called the first of the Catholics, Leuvigild may fairly be styled the last of the Visigoths in Spain.”] [14] [Among modern historians few feel any doubt of the guilt of Ervigius or Erwig. Among those who believe he administered the sleeping draught may be named Mariana,[q] Ferreras,[aa] Hume,[d] and Burke.[j] But the caution expressed above by Dunham[g] and by Masdeu[r] should modify the certainty of opinion.] [15] [Dunham[g] says the “brother,” but he is generally called the nephew.] [16] [The unending torments the Jews endured in Spain are described in detail in the work of Amador de los Ríos.[bb]] [17] [Some writers, among whom are the respectable names of Flórez[cc] and Cardinal Lorenzana,[dd] fix the death of Ergica in 700. Mariana[q] and Masdeu,[r] with better reason, give 701. The difference wholly rests on the Interpretation of the Roman numerals in the Visigothic chronicle of Wulsa,[ee] No. 34.] [18] [Burke[j] notes that in Arabic La Caba or La Cava would suggest a woman of evil life.] [Illustration] CHAPTER II. THE TIME OF MOSLEM DOMINATION [Sidenote: [711-1214 A.D.]] “They come! they come! I see the groaning land White with the turbans of each Arab horde: Swart Zara joins her misbelieving band, Allah and Mahomet their battle word, The choice they yield, the _Koran_ or the sword. See how the Christians rush to arms amain! In yonder shout the voice of conflict roar’d; The shadowy hosts are closing on the plain. Now God and Saint Jago strike for the good cause of Spain! “By heaven, the Moors prevail! the Christians yield! Their coward leader gives for flight the sign! Their sceptred craven mounts to quit the field-- ‘Is not yon steed Orelia?’--‘Yes, ’tis mine! But never was she turn’d from battle line.’ Lo! where the recreant spurs o’er stock and stone!-- ‘Curses pursue the slave, and wrath divine! Rivers engulf him!’--‘Hush!’ in shuddering tone The prelate said; ‘Rash prince, yon vision’d form’s thine own.’