Count Lucanor | Page 5

now a church, called 'Saint Mary of Cordova.' -- It was dedicated, by the 'good King Ferdinand,' to Saint Mary after he had taken Cordova from the Moors.
"Now when the Moorish king had done so good a work as that of finishing the mosque he said to himself, the people have hitherto ridiculed me for the addition I made to the Albogon, (one of which instruments he then held before him,) but now they have reason for praising me, for have I not completed the mosque of Cordova? From this time the Moors ceased to speak in ridicule of him; and to this day, when they wish to exalt a good act, say, 'It is as the work of King Alhaquima.'
"And you, my lord, if you feel displeased and unhappy because you are ridiculed for the improvements you have made in hoods and leathers and other things relating to the chase, study to do some noble and worthy deed suitable to your station."
Count Lucanor found this to be good advice, and acted accordingly, the result being that the people spoke well of him.
Don Juan, considering this to be a good example, caused it to be written in this book, and made these verses, which say: --
If any good thou doest, how small soever,
Let it be nobly done, for good deeds live for ever.
NOTES.
It would appear that in this narrative the author refers to Al Hakem II, who reigned in Cordova from 961 to 976. He was a man of peace and a cultivator of the Arts, like his noble father Abd' el Nahman III, who built the beautiful city of Medina al Zarah, on the banks of the Guadalquivir, if he did not finish, at any rate he appears to have done much towards a mosque which occupied more than one hundred years in its completion.
King Ferdinand III, mentioned in the text, was enthusiastic in obtaining from the Moors their splendid mosques, with the view of converting them into Christian Churches; it was thus in 1236, that he conquered Cordova, and replacing the crescent with the cross on the tower of the mosque, with grand processions, benedictions, and prayers, purified and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary.
It is an interesting fact that to this day, the saying, "It is as the work of King Alhaquima," is a "household word," in Spain, when praise is to be bestowed for any work or achievement.

CHAPTER II.
Treats of that which happened to Lorenzo Suarez Gallinato, and Garciperez of Vargas, and another knight.
ONE day Count Lucanor was conversing with his counsellor Patronio, he said: -- "Patronio, it happens that I have a powerful king for an enemy; our quarrel has lasted so long that we have now resolved, for our future welfare, to terminate the war. Now, although we have thus agreed, nevertheless we are suspicious one of the other, and I am always on my guard; for, not only his people, but mine also, have been assassinated; and they send me, without ceasing, secret messengers informing me that my own life is in danger. Now, as I wish to be at peace, I entreat you to advise me how to act under these circumstances."
"Count Lucanor," replied Patronio, "the advice which I have to give you demands your serious attention, and for many reasons."
"Firstly: -- Any man wishing to quarrel with you will be under the necessity of making great preparations, while he will endeavour to lead you, at the same time, to understand that he only desires to serve you, and while appearing to regret the injuries you have sustained, will doubtless let fall some remark such as will raise your suspicion, of which you must avail yourself by making the required preparations, although this very act not improbably may lead to the rupture.
"He, however, who advises you to take no precaution, believe me, is not your friend; but he who would say, 'Strengthen the walls of your fortress,' gives you a reason to believe that he does not desire to enjoy your possessions; he again who would say to you, 'You have too many friends and attendants, and you expend too much money in maintaining them,' gives you reason to believe that he does not like your honourable and secure position. So you see, you are in great danger if you take no measure of precaution, while again, if you do, you are very likely to bring about a conflict. But since you wish me to advise you how to act in this case, I will recount to you what happened to a certain very brave knight.
"The holy and good King Ferdinand, having besieged Seville, had amongst his followers three knights, who were considered the best and bravest in the world. One was Lorenzo Suarez Gallinato, another was Garciperez de Vargas, but the