The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
It was soon publicly known in Fez that the day approached when the
beautiful young Jewess was to be beheaded for blaspheming the name of
the Prophet. The Moors, whose religious fanaticism is great beyond
comparison, looked upon this execution as an occasion for rejoicings.
The Jews, powerless to remedy it, were overcome by the deepest feelings
of despondency: unwilling to remain entirely passive, they commenced a
subscription, ready to be invested in any way that might best suit the
emergency. The parents and relations, who were in Tangier, whose efforts
to save this beloved victim would have been unavailing, even had they
been capable of devising any means for her rescue, were plunged into
despair; their hopes had suffered shipwreck upon the rock of a
relentless fatality, and they, like the young maiden herself, had no
consolation but those imparted from heaven. The afflicted Sol spent the
whole day in meditation, she refused all food, and looked anxiously for
the hour which would end her life. That fatal hour arrived at length.
With a trembling step, the cadi entered her apartment, and found her, as
before, in prayer. He was much agitated, and could speak to her only
with the utmost difficulty. At length he said:--
"Sol--beautiful Sol! the arbiters of life and death may meet together.
Behold me here! Know you wherefore I am come?"
"I do know it," replied the maiden.
"And have you determined upon your fate?" asked the cadi.
Rising from the ground, and with firmness, Sol answered:--"I have
determined. Lead me to the place where I am to shed my blood."
"Unhappy girl!" said the cadi, "never, till my death, will thine image
leave my memory!" He then desired a soldier to handcuff and lead her to
the prison.
The authorities of Fez, at the emperor's desire, having determined to
give the scene as much publicity as possible, resolved that the
execution should take place upon the Soco--a large square in Fez, where
the market is held. The previous day, too, having been one of the weekly
market days, when the concourse of persons was always very considerable,
the news had circulated far and wide, and but little else was talked of.
Very early in the morning, a strong picquet of soldiers had been posted
on the Soco, in order to excite attention, and attract more spectators;
but so numerous was the crowd that this precaution was scarcely
necessary. The Jews who resided in Fez, when they saw that hope was at
an end, went to the emperor and proffered the large sum they had
collected, as was previously stated, in exchange for the permission to
inter the remains of the young Sol after her execution; to which the
emperor offered no opposition.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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