THE ALHAMBRA 41 



In this court there are numerous inscriptions, 

 of which the following are the most important. 



" Go and tell true believers that Divine help 

 and ready victory are reserved for them." 



" I am like the nuptial array of a bride, endowed 

 with every beauty and perfection." 



" Truly Ibn Nasr is the sun, shining in 

 splendour." 



" May he continue in the noontide of his glory 

 even unto the period of his decline." 



In the Patio de la Alberca is an arch differing 

 altogether from all others in the Palace. Only 

 one surface is decorated, and that with a principal 

 or guiding figure made out by colours. The 

 ornaments approximate more closely than is 

 usual in Moorish architecture to natural forms, 

 and the arch has very much of a Persian character. 



This court is believed to have constituted 

 the division between the male apartments, fre- 

 quented by the general public, which we have 

 already described, and the Harem, or private 

 quarters, including the Patio de los Leones, &c. 



We pass through a beautiful arch decorated 

 with tasteful floral designs, into the Sala de la 

 Barca, or ante-room of the Hall of Ambassadors. 

 This fine apartment, formerly radiant with colours, 

 was seriously damaged in the fire of 1890. The 

 ceiling of this hall, says Owen Jones, " is a wagon- 

 headed dome of wood of the most elaborate 



