During the time that the Goths governed Spain, there was once an
interregnum. The stock of the last dynasty was extinct, and every one
who could collect a few supporters set himself up to rule over the
rest, so that there were several calling themselves kings at once,
and fighting with each other for the mastery. Of course this led to
the greatest confusion, for there was no one to keep order.
At last, as they found they could not agree among themselves, they sent
to Rome to ask the Pope to decide for them. So the Pope went into his
oratory, and prayed God to tell him which of all the candidates should
be King of Spain. But when he came out again to the envoys, he told
them that none of the pretenders were worthy to wear the crown; that
he who was to be King of Spain would be found ploughing his land with
a grey and white ox, and a priest walking by his side; that he would
be found somewhere in Andalusia, and that his name would be Vamba.
The envoys came back to Spain in no very cheerful mood; for they said,
"How shall we find this man?" And then they searched Andalusia over,
and could find no one whose name was Vamba. Just as they were going
to give up the search in despair, as they were passing through a
bank planted with canes they heard a woman with a basket on her
shoulder call out, "Come and dine, Vamba! You seem to forget it is
twelve o'clock!"
When the envoys heard that, they turned round again, and saw a man
ploughing in a field with a grey and white ox. So they went back, and
threw themselves on their knees before him, and spoke in this manner,
"Give us your hands to kiss, your majesty!"
But Vamba, full of astonishment, and at a loss to understand them,
thought they must want to kill him; and exclaimed, trembling, "Spare
my life, Señores! Why do you seek to take it?"
But they answered, "We have no such thought, Vamba. Far from it. The
Pope who now reigns in Rome told us that you were to be our king;
and our king you must therefore be."
But Vamba, who could not believe they were serious, stuck the vara [76]
he held in his hand for a goad, into the ground; and said, laughing,
"When my vara shall take root, and bring forth flowers, then will I
believe that I am King of Spain!"
Then, behold! before he had finished speaking, the vara became covered
with leaves, and from its branches sprang beautiful flowers.
When Vamba saw that, he hesitated no longer; but called his wife
Sancha, and his children, and went along with the envoys to Toledo,
which was the capital of the kingdom of the Goths.
The envoys sent messengers on before, to tell the Council of the
kingdom that the king was coming. The Council rose in a body, and
went out to meet him; and all the people followed behind, and the
joy-bells were set ringing.
Thus King Vamba made his entrance by the Gate of Cambron, the noblest
gate adorning great Toledo; but when he saw the Alcaide of his palace
bearing the sword before him according to custom, he begged, in his
humility, that he would not bear a sword, but that his children might
go before him to show that he loved peace and love, rather than war
and strife; and so he went on into the city.