第4章

ThecountenanceoftheSaracennaturallyboreageneralnationalresemblancetotheEasterntribefromwhomhedescended，andwasasunlikeaspossibletotheexaggeratedtermsinwhichtheminstrelsofthedaywerewonttorepresenttheinfidelchampions，andthefabulousdescriptionwhichasisterartstillpresentsastheSaracen’sheaduponsignposts。Hisfeaturesweresmall，wellformed，anddelicate，thoughdeeplyembrownedbytheEasternsun，andterminatedbyaflowingandcurledblackbeard，whichseemedtrimmedwithpeculiarcare。Thenosewasstraightandregular，theeyeskeen，deep-set，black，andglowing，andhisteethequalledinbeautytheivoryofhisdeserts。ThepersonandproportionsoftheSaracen，inshort，stretchedontheturfneartohispowerfulantagonist，mighthavebeencomparedtohissheenyandcrescent-formedsabre，withitsnarrowandlight，butbrightandkeenDamascusblade，contrastedwiththelongandponderousGothicwar-swordwhichwasflungunbuckledonthesamesod。TheEmirwasintheveryflowerofhisage，andmightperhapshavebeentermedeminentlybeautiful，butforthenarrownessofhisforehead，andsomethingoftoomuchthinnessandsharpnessoffeature，oratleastwhatmighthaveseemedsuchinaEuropeanestimateofbeauty。

ThemannersoftheEasternwarriorweregrave，graceful，anddecorous；indicating，however，insomeparticulars，thehabitualrestraintwhichmenofwarmandcholerictempersoftensetasaguardupontheirnativeimpetuosityofdisposition，andatthesametimeasenseofhisowndignity，whichseemedtoimposeacertainformalityofbehaviourinhimwhoentertainedit。

ThishaughtyfeelingofsuperioritywasperhapsequallyentertainedbyhisnewEuropeanacquaintance，buttheeffectwasdifferent；andthesamefeeling，whichdictatedtotheChristianknightabold，blunt，andsomewhatcarelessbearing，asonetooconsciousofhisownimportancetobeanxiousabouttheopinionsofothers，appearedtoprescribetotheSaracenastyleofcourtesymorestudiouslyandformallyobservantofceremony。Bothwerecourteous；butthecourtesyoftheChristianseemedtoflowratherfromagood-humouredsenseofwhatwasduetoothers；

thatoftheMoslem，fromahighfeelingofwhatwastobeexpectedfromhimself。

Theprovisionwhicheachhadmadeforhisrefreshmentwassimple，butthemealoftheSaracenwasabstemious。Ahandfulofdates，andamorselofcoarsebarley-bread，sufficedtorelievethehungerofthelatter，whoseeducationhadhabituatedhimtothefareofthedesert，although，sincetheirSyrianconquests，theArabiansimplicityoflifefrequentlygaveplacetothemostunboundedprofusionofluxury。Afewdraughtsfromthelovelyfountainbywhichtheyreposedcompletedhismeal。

ThatoftheChristian，thoughcoarse，wasmoregenial。Driedhog’s-flesh，theabominationoftheMoslemah，wasthechiefpartofhisrepast；andhisdrink，derivedfromaleathernbottle，containedsomethingbetterthanpureelement。Hefedwithmoredisplayofappetite，anddrankwithmoreappearanceofsatisfaction，thantheSaracenjudgeditbecomingtoshowintheperformanceofamerebodilyfunction；and，doubtless，thesecretcontemptwhicheachentertainedfortheother，asthefollowerofafalsereligion，wasconsiderablyincreasedbythemarkeddifferenceoftheirdietandmanners。Buteachhadfoundtheweightofhisopponent’sarm，andthemutualrespectwhichtheboldstrugglehadcreated，wassufficienttosubdueotherandinferiorconsiderations。YettheSaracencouldnothelpremarkingthecircumstanceswhichdispleasedhimintheChristian’sconductandmanners；and，afterhehadwitnessedforsometimeinsilencethekeenappetitewhichprotractedtheknight’sbanquetlongafterhisownwasconcluded，hethusaddressedhim:-

ValiantNazarene，isitfittingthatonewhocanfightlikeaman，shouldfeedlikeadogorawolf？EvenamisbelievingJewwouldshudderatthefoodwhichyouseemtoeatwithasmuchrelishasifitwerefruitfromthetreesofParadise。’’

ValiantSaracen，’’answeredtheChristian，lookingupwithsomesurpriseattheaccusationthusunexpectedlybrought，knowthouthatIexercisemyChristianfreedom，inusingthatwhichisforbiddentotheJews，being，astheyesteemthemselves，underthebondageoftheoldlawofMoses。We，Saracen，beitknowntothee，haveabetterwarrantforwhatwedo-AveMaria！-bewethankful。’’And，asifindefianceofhiscompanion’sscruples，heconcludedashortLatingracewithalongdraughtfromtheleathernbottle。

That，too，youcallapartofyourliberty，’’saidtheSaracen；

andasyoufeedlikethebrutes，soyoudegradeyourselftothebestialcondition，bydrinkingapoisonousliquorwhicheventheyrefuse！’’

Know，foolishSaracen，’’repliedtheChristian，withouthesitation，thatthoublasphemestthegiftsofGod，evenwiththeblasphemy，ofthyfatherIshmael。Thejuiceofthegrapeisgiventohimthatwilluseitwisely，asthatwhichcheerstheheartofmanaftertoil，refresheshiminsickness，andcomfortshiminsorrow。HewhosoenjoyethitmaythankGodforhiswine-cupasforhisdailybread:andhewhoabuseththegiftofHeaven，isnotagreaterfoolinhisintoxicationthanthouinthineabstinence。’’

ThekeeneyeoftheSaracenkindledatthissarcasm，andhishandsoughtthehiltofhisponiard。Itwasbutamomentarythought，however，anddiedawayintherecollectionofthepowerfulchampionwithwhomhehadtodeal，andthedesperategrapple，theimpressionofwhichstillthrobbedinhislimbsandveins；andhecontentedhimselfwithpursuingthecontestincolloquy，asmoreconvenientforthetime。

Thywords，’’hesaid，ONazarene，mightcreateanger，didnotthyignoranceraisecompassion。See’stthounot，OthoumoreblindthananywhoasksalmsatthedooroftheMosque，thatthelibertythoudostboastofisrestrainedeveninthatwhichisdearesttoman’shappiness，andtohishousehold；andthatthylaw，ifthoudostpractiseit，bindstheeinmarriagetoonesinglemate，beshesickorhealthy，beshefruitfulorbarren，bringshecomfortandjoy，orclamourandstrife，tothytableandtothybed？This，Nazarene，Idoindeedcallslavery；

whereas，tothefaithful，haththeProphetassigneduponearththepatriarchalprivilegesofAbrahamourfather，andofSolomon，thewisestofmankind，havinggivenushereasuccessionofbeautyatourpleasure，andbeyondthegravetheblack-eyedhourisofParadise。’’

Now，byHisnamethatImostreverenceinHeaven，’’saidtheChristian，andbyherswhomImostworshiponearth，thouartbutablindedandabewilderedinfidel！-Thatdiamondsignet，whichthouwearestonthyfinger，thouholdestit，doubtless，asofinestimablevalue？’’

BalsoraandBagdadcannotshowthelike，’’repliedtheSaracen；butwhatavailsittoourpurpose？’’

Much，’’repliedtheFrank，asthoushaltthyselfconfess。

Takemywar-axe，anddashthestoneintotwentyshivers；-

wouldeachfragmentbeasvaluableastheoriginalgem，orwouldthey，allcollected，bearthetenthpartofitsestimation？’’

Thatisachild’squestion，’’answeredtheSaracen；thefragmentsofsuchastonewouldnotequaltheentirejewelinthedegreeofhundredstoone。’’

Saracen，’’repliedtheChristianwarrior，thelovewhichatrueknightbindsononeonly，fairandfaithful，isthegementire；theaffectionthouflingestamongthyenslavedwives，andhalf-weddedslaves，isworthless，comparatively，asthesparklingshiversofthebrokendiamond。’’

Now，bytheHolyCahba，’’saidtheEmir，thouartamadman，whohugshischainofironasifitwereofgold！-

Lookmoreclosely。Thisringofminewouldlosehalfitsbeautywerenotthesignetencircledandenchasedwiththeselesserbrilliants，whichgraceitandsetitoff。Thecentraldiamondisman，firmandentire，hisvaluedependingonhimselfalone；andthiscircleoflesserjewelsarewomen，borrowinghislustre，whichhedealsouttothemasbestsuitshispleasureorhisconvenience。Takethecentralstonefromthesignet，andthediamonditselfremainsasvaluableasever，whilethelessergemsarecomparativelyoflittlevalue。Andthisisthetruereadingofthyparable；for，whatsayeththepoetMansour；

`Itisthefavourofmanwhichgivethbeautyandcomelinesstowoman，asthestreamglittersnolongerwhenthesunceasethtoshine。’’’

Saracen，’’repliedtheCrusader，thouspeakestlikeonewhoneversawawomanworthytheaffectionofasoldier。

Believeme，couldstthoulookuponthoseofEurope，towhom，afterHeaven，weoftheorderofknighthoodvowfealtyanddevotion，thouwouldstloatheforeverthepoorsensualslaveswhoformthyharem。Thebeautyofourfaironesgivespointtoourspears，andedgetoourswords；theirwordsareourlaw；

andassoonwillalampshedlustrewhenunkindled，asaknightdistinguishhimselfbyfeatsofarms，havingnomistressofhisaffection。’’

Ihaveheardofthisfrenzyamongthewarriorsofthewest，’’

saidtheEmir，andhaveeveraccounteditoneoftheaccompanyingsymptomsofthatinsanity，whichbringsyouhithertoobtainpossessionofanemptysepulchre。Butyet，methinks，sohighlyhavetheFrankswhomIhavemetwithextolledthebeautyoftheirwomen，Icouldbewellcontentedtobeholdwithmineowneyesthosecharms，whichcantransformsuchbravewarriorsintothetoolsoftheirpleasure。’’

BraveSaracen，’’saidtheKnight，ifIwerenotonapilgrimagetotheHolySepulchre，itshouldbemypridetoconductyou，onassuranceofsafety，tothecampofRichardofEngland，thanwhomnoneknowsbetterhowtodohonourtoanoblefoe；andthoughIbepoorandunattended，yethaveIinteresttosecureforthee，oranysuchasthouseemest，notsafetyonly，butrespectandesteem。ThereshouldstthouseeseveralofthefairestbeautiesofFranceandBritainformasmallcircle，thebrilliancyofwhichexceedsten-thousand-foldthelustreofminesofdiamondssuchasthine。’’

Now，bythecorner-stoneoftheCahba，’’saidtheSaracen，Iwillacceptthyinvitationasfreelyasitisgiven，ifthouwiltpostponethypresentintent；and，creditme，braveNazarene，itwerebetterforthyselftoturnbackthyhorse’sheadtowardsthecampofthypeople，for，totraveltowardsJerusalemwithoutapassport，isbutawilfulcastingawayofthylife。’’

Ihaveapass，’’answeredtheKnight，producingaparchment，underSaladin’shandandsignet。’’

TheSaracenbenthisheadtothedustasherecognisedthesealandhandwritingoftherenownedSoldanofEgyptandSyria；andhavingkissedthepaperwithprofoundrespect，hepressedittohisforehead，thenreturnedittotheChristian，saying，RashFrank，thouhastsinnedagainstthineownbloodandmine，fornotshowingthistomewhenwemet。’’

Youcamewithlevelledspear，’’saidtheKnight；hadatroopofSaracenssoassailedme，itmighthavestoodwithmyhonourtohaveshowntheSoldan’spass，butnevertooneman。’’

Andyetoneman，’’saidtheSaracen，haughtily，wasenoughtointerruptyourjourney。’’

True，braveMoslem，’’repliedtheChristian；buttherearefewsuchasthouart。Suchfalconsflynotinflocks，oriftheydo，theypouncenotinnumbersuponone。’’

Thoudostusbutjustice，’’saidtheSaracen，evidentlygratifiedbythecompliment，ashehadbeentouchedbytheimpliedscornoftheEuropean’spreviousboast；fromusthoushouldsthavehadnowrong；butwellwasitformethatI

failedtoslaythee，withthesafeguardofthekingofkingsuponthyperson。Certainitwere，thatthecordorthesabrehadjustlyavengedsuchguilt。’’

Iamgladtohearthatitsinfluenceshallbeavailingtome，’’saidtheKnight；forIhaveheardthattheroadisinfestedwithrobber-tribes，whoregardnothingincomparisonofanopportunityofplunder。’’

Thetruthhasbeentoldtothee，braveChristian，’’saidtheSaracen；butIsweartothee，bytheturbanoftheProphet，thatshouldstthoumiscarryinanyhauntofsuchvillains，Iwillmyselfundertakethyrevengewithfivethousandhorse；Iwillslayeverymaleofthem，andsendtheirwomenintosuchdistantcaptivitythatthenameoftheirtribeshallneveragainbeheardwithinfivehundredmilesofDamascus。Iwillsowwithsaltthefoundationsoftheirvillage，andthereshallneverlivethingdwellthere，evenfromthattimeforward。’’

Ihadratherthetroublewhichyoudesignforyourself，wereinrevengeofsomeothermoreimportantpersonthanofme，nobleEmir，’’repliedtheKnight；butmyvowisrecordedinHeaven，forgoodorforevil，andImustbeindebtedtoyouforpointingmeoutthewaytomyresting-placeforthisevening。’’

That，’’saidtheSaracen，mustbeundertheblackcoveringofmyfather’stent。’’

Thisnight，’’answeredtheChristian，Imustpassinprayerandpenitencewithaholyman，TheodorickofEngaddi，whodwellsamongstthesewilds，andspendshislifeintheserviceofGod。’’

Iwillatleastseeyousafethither，’’saidtheSaracen。

Thatwouldbepleasantconvoyforme，’’saidtheChristian，yetmightendangerthefuturesecurityofthegoodfather；forthecruelhandofyourpeoplehasbeenredwiththebloodoftheservantsoftheLord，andthereforedowecomehitherinplateandmail，withswordandlance，toopentheroadtotheHolySepulchre，andprotectthechosensaintsandanchoriteswhoyetdwellinthislandofpromiseandofmiracle。’’