ce the days of Hercules, the inmost recesses
of the pile have never been penetrated by mortal man, and a profound
mystery continues to prevail over this great enchantment. This, O King, is
all we have to relate; and our errand is to entreat thee to repair to the
tower and affix thy lock to the portal, as has been done by all thy
predecessors.' Having thus said, the ancient men made a profound reverence
and departed from the presence chamber.

Don Roderick remained for some time lost in thought after the departure of
the men: he then dismissed all his court, excepting the venerable Urbino,
at that time archbishop of Toledo. The long white beard of this prelate
bespoke his advanced age, and his overhanging eye-brows showed him a man
full of wary counsel.

'Father,' said the king, 'I have an earnest desire to penetrate the
mystery of this tower.' The worthy prelate shook his hoary head: 'Beware,
my son,' said he; 'there are secrets hidden from man for his good. Your
predecessors for many generations have respected this mystery, and have
increased in might and empire. A knowledge of it, therefore, is not
material to the welfare of your kingdom. Seek not then to indulge a rash
and unprofitable curiosity, which is interdicted under such awful
menaces.'

'Of what importance,' cried the king, 'are the menaces of Hercules, the
Lybian? Was he not a pagan? and can his enchantments have aught avail
against a believer in our holy faith? Doubtless, in this tower are locked
up treasures of gold and jewels, amassed in days of old, the spoils of
mighty kings, the riches of the pagan world. My coffers are exhausted; I
have need of supply; and surely it would be an acceptable act in the eyes
of Heaven, to draw forth this wealth which lies buried under profane and
necromantic spells, and consecrate it to religious purposes.'

The venerable archbishop still continued to remonstrate, but Don Roderick
heeded not his counsel, for he was led on by his malignant star. 'Father,'
said he, 'it is in vain you attempt to dissuade me. My resolution is
fixed. To-morrow I will explore the hidden mystery, or rather the hidden
treasures of this tower.'

The morning sun shone brightly upon the cliff-built towers of Toledo, when
King Roderick issued out of the gate of the city, at the head of a
numerous train of courtiers and cavaliers, and crossed the bridge that
bestrides the deep rocky bed of the Tagus. The shining cavalcade wound up
the road that l