 Chapter 27 Part 1 of THE TALISMEN We heard the tech-beer, so these Arabs call their shouts of onset, when, with louder claim, they challenge heaven to give them victory. Siege of Damascus. On the subsequent morning Richard was invited to a conference by Philip of France, in which the latter, with many expressions of his high esteem for his brother of England, communicated to him in terms extremely courteous, but too explicit to be misunderstood, his positive intention to return to Europe, and to the cares of his kingdom. As entirely despairing of future success in their undertaking, with their diminished forces in civil discords. Richard remonstranted but in vain, and when the conference ended, he receded without surprise a manifesto from the Duke of Austria, and several other princes, announcing a resolution similar to that of Philip, and in no modified terms, assigning, for their defection from the cause of the cross, the inordinate ambition and arbitrary domination of Richard of England. All hopes of continuing the war with any prospect of ultimate success were now abandoned. And Richard, while he shed bitter tears of his disappointed hopes of glory, was little consoled by the recollection, that the failure was, in some degree, to be imputed to the advantages which he had given his enemies by his own hasty and imprudent temper. They had not dared to have deserted my father thus. He deserted of all, in the bitterness of his resentment. No slander they could have uttered against so wise a king, would have been believed in Christianity, whereas, for what I am, they have not only afforded them a pretext for deserting me, but even a colour for casting all the blame of the rupture upon my unhappy foibles. These thoughts were so deeply galling to the king, that a vork was rejoiced when the arrival of an ambassador from Saladin turned his reflections into a different channel. This new envoy was an emir much respected by the soldan, whose name was Abdullah El-Hadgi. He derived his descent from the family of the prophet, and the race or tribe of Hishin, in witness of which genealogy he wore a green turban of large dimensions. He had also three times performed the journey to Mecca, from which he had derived his epithet of El-Hadgi, or the Pilgrim. Notwithstanding these various pretensions to sanctity, Abdullah was, for an Arab, a boon companion, who enjoyed a merry table, and laid aside his gravity so far as to quaff a blithe flagon, when secrecy ensured him against scandal. He was likewise a statesman, whose abilities had been used by Saladin in various negotiations with the Christian princes, and particularly with Richard, to whom El-Hadgi was personally known and acceptable. Animated by the cheerful acquiescence with which the envoy of Saladin afforded a fair field for the combat, a safe conduct for all who might choose to witness it, and offered his own person as a guarantee for his fidelity, Richard soon forgot his disappointed hopes, and the approaching dissolution of the Christian League, in the interesting discussion preceding a combat in the lists. The station called the Diamond of the Desert was assigned for the place of conflict, as being nearly at an equal distance between the Christian and Saracen camps. It was agreed that Conrad of Montserrat, the defendant, with his godfathers the Archduke of Austria, and the Grandmaster of the Templars, should appear there on the day fixed with the combat, with a hundred armed followers in no more. Richard of England and his brother Salisbury, whose support of the accusation, should attend with the same number to protect his champion, and that the soldier should bring with him a guard of five hundred chosen followers, a band considered as not more than equal to the two hundred Christian lances. Such persons of consideration, as either party chose to invite to witness the contest, were to wear no other weapon than their swords, and to come without defensive armour. The soldier undertook the preparation of the lists, and to provide accommodations and refreshments of every kind, for all who were to assist at the solemnity. And his letters expressed, with much courtesy, the pleasure which he anticipated in the prospect of a personal and peaceful meeting with the Melachric, and his anxious desire to render his reception as agreeable as possible, all preliminaries being arranged and communicated to the defendant and his godfathers. Brother Harge was admitted to a more private interview, where he heard with delight strains of Blondel, having first carefully put his green turban out of sight, and assumed a Greek cap in its stead. He required that the Norman minstrels' music were the drinking song from the Persian, and coiffed a hearty flag on of Cyprus wine, to show that his practice matched his principles. On the next day, grave and sober as the water-dringer, Murgilp, he bent his brow to the ground before Saladin's footstool, and went to the sold-in and account of his embassy. On the day before that appointed for the combat, Conrad and his friends set off by daybreak to repair to the place assigned, and Richard left the camp at the same hour and for the same purpose. But, as it had been agreed upon, he took his journey by a different route, a precaution which had been judged necessary, to prevent the possibility of a quarrel betwixt their armed attendants. The good king himself was in no humour for quarrelling with any one. Nothing could have added to his pleasurable anticipations of a desperate and bloody combat in the lists, except his being in his own royal person, one of the combatants. And he was half in charity again, even with Conrad or Montserrat, lightly armed, richly dressed, and gay as a bridegroom on the eve of his nuptials. Richard caracaled along by the side of Queen Beringaria's litter, pointing out to her the various scenes through which they passed, and cheering with tale and song the bosom of the inhospitable wilderness. The former root of the Queen's pilgrimage to Engadie had been on the other side of the chain of mountains, so that the ladies were strangers to the scenery of the desert. And though Beringaria knew her husband's disposition too well, not to endeavour to seem interested in what he was pleased either to say or to sing, she could not help indulging some female fears when she found herself in the howling wilderness with so small an escort, which seemed almost like a moving speck on the bosom of the plain. And knew at the same time they were not so distant from the camp of Saladin, that what they might be in a moment surprised and swept off by an overpowering host in his fiery footed cavalry, should the pagan be faithless enough to embrace an opportunity thus tempting. When she hinted these suspicions to Richard, he repelled them with displeasure and disdain. It were worse an ingratitude, he said, to doubt the good faith of the generous Saldan. Yet the same doubts and fears reoccurred more than once, not to the timid mind of the Queen alone, but to the firmer and more candid soul of Edith Pentagent, who had no such confidence in the faith of the Muslim, as to render her perfectly at ease when so much in their power. And her surprise had been far less than her terror, if the desert around had suddenly resounded with the shout of Allah whole, and a bound of Arab cavalry had pounced on them like vultures on their prey. Nor were these suspicions lessened when, as evening approached, they were aware of a single Arab horseman, distinguished by his turban and long lance, hovering on the edge of a small eminence like a hawk poised in the air, and who instantly, on the appearance of the royal retinue, dotted off with the speed of the same bird, when it shoots down the wind and disappears from the horizon. "'We must be near the station,' said King Richard, and Junder Kovler is one of Saladin's outposts. Me thinks I hear the noise of the Moorish horns and cymbals. Get you into order, my hearts, and form yourselves around the ladies soldier-like and firmly. As he spoke, each night, squire and archer hastily closed in upon his appointed ground, and they proceeded in the most compact order, which made their numbers appear still smaller. And, to say the truth, though there might be no fear, there was anxiety as well as curiosity in the intention with which they listened to the wild bursts of Moorish music, which came ever and non more distinctly, from the quarter in which the Arab horseman had been seen to disappear. DeVork spoke in a whisper to the King, "'Were it not well, my liege, to send a page to the top of that sand-bank? Or would it stand with your pleasure that I prick forward?' Me thinks, by all yonder, clash and clang, if there be no more than five hundred men beyond the sand-heels, half of the Saladin's retinue must be drummers and cymbal-tosses. Shall I spur on?' The buron had checked his horse with the bit, and was just about to strike him with the spurs, when the King exclaimed, "'Not for the world!' Such a caution would express suspicion, and could do little to prevent surprise, which, however, I apprehended not.' They advanced accordingly, in close and firm order, till they surmounted the line of low sand-heels, and came in sight of the appointed station. When a splendid, but at the same time a startling spectacle awaited them, the diamond of the desert, so lately a solitary fountain, distinguished only amid the waste by solitary groups of palm-trees, was now the centre of an encampment. The embroidered flags and gilded ornaments, of which glittered far and wide, and reflected a thousand rich tints against the setting sun. The coverings of the large pavilions were of the gazed colours, scarlet, bright yellow, pale blue, and other gaudy and gleaming hues, and the tops of their pillars, or tent-poles, were decorated with golden pomegranates and small silken flags. But, besides these distinguished pavilions, there was what Thomas de Vaux considered as a pretentious number of the ordinary black tints of the Arabs, being sufficient, as he conceived, to accommodate, according to the Eastern fashion, a host of five thousand men. A number of Arabs and Kurds, fully corresponding to the extent of the encampment, were hastily assembling, each leading his horse in his hand. And their muster was accompanied by an astonishing clamour of their noisy instruments of martial music, by which, in all ages, the warfare of the Arabs has been animated. They soon formed a deep and confused mass, dismounted cavalry in front of their encampment. When, at the signal of a shrill cry, which arose high over the clanger of the music, each cavalier sprung to his saddle. A cloud of dust arising at the moment of his manoeuvre, heared from Richard and his attendants the camp, the palm trees, and the distant ridge of mountains, as well as the troops of sudden movement had raised the cloud. And, ascending high over the heels, formed itself into the fantastic forms of rithid pillars, domes, and marionettes. Another shrill yell was heard from the bosom of this cloudy tabernacle. It was a signal for the cavalry to advance, which they did at full gallop, disposing themselves as they came forward, so as to come in at once in the footed flanks and rear of Richard's little bodyguard, who were thus surrounded and almost choked by the dense clouds of dust enveloping them on each side, through which was seen alternately and lost the grim forms and wild faces of the Saracens. Brandishing and tossing their lances in every possible direction, with the wildest cries and hallows, and frequently only reigning up their horses, when within a spear's length of the Christians, while those in the rear discharged over the heads of both parties, thick volleys of arrows, one of these struck the litter which the Queen was seated, who loudly screamed, and the red spot was on Richard's brow in an instant. Ha! sent George! He exclaimed, we must take some order with this infidel scum. But Edith, whose litter was nearer, thrust a head out, and with her hand holding one of the shafts exclaimed, Royal Richard, beware what you do. See, these arrows are headless. Noble, sensible wench, exclaimed Richard, by heaven, thou shameest all by thy redness of thought and eye. Be not moved, my English hearts, he exclaimed to his followers, their arrows have no heads, and their spears, too, lack the steel points. It is but a wild welcome after their savage fashion, though doubtless they would rejoice to see us taunted or disturbed. Move onward, slow and steady. The little phalanx moved forward accordingly, accompanied on all sides by the Arabs, with the shrillest and most piercing cries. The bowmen, meanwhile, displaying their agility, by shooting as near the crests of the Christians as was possible, without actually hitting them. While the Lancers charmed each other with such rude blows of their blunt weapons, that more than one of them lost his saddle. And well nigh his life in this rough sport. All this, though designed to express welcome, had rather redoubtful appearance in the eyes of the Europeans. As it advanced nearly halfway towards the camp, King Richard and his suit forming, as it were, the nucleus round which this tumultuous body of horsemen howled, whooped, skirmished and galloped, creating a scene of indescribable confusion. Another shrill cry was heard, on which all these irregulares, who were on the front and upon the flanks of the little body of Europeans, wheeled off, and forming themselves into a long and deep column, followed with comparative order and silence in the rear of Richard's troops. The dust began now to dissipate in their front, when there advanced to meet them, through that cloudy veil, a body of cavalry of a different, a more regular description, completely armed with offensive and defensive weapons, and who might well have served as a bodyguard to the proudest of Eastern Monarchs. This splendid troop consisted of five hundred men, and each horse which it contained was worth an L's ransom. The riders were Georgian and Caesarean slaves in the very prime of life. The helmets and hubrocks were formed as steel rings, so bright that they shone like silver. Their vestiges were of the gayest colours, and some of cloth of gold or silver. Their sashes were twisted with silk and gold. Their rich turbors were plumed and jewelled, and their sabres and poignards of Damascan steel were adorned with gold and gems on hilt and scabbard. This splendid array advanced to the sound of military music, and when they met the Christian body, they opened their files to the right and left, and let them enter between their ranks. Richard now assumed the foremost place in his troop, aware that Saladin himself was approaching. Nor was it long when, in the centre of his bodyguard, surrounded by his domestic officers and those hideous negroes, who guard the eastern harem, and whose misshapen forms were rendered yet more frightful by the richness of their attire, came the sold-in. With the look and manners of one whose brown nature had written, this is a king, in his snow-white turban, vest and white eastern trousers, wearing a sash of scarlet silk without any other ornament, Saladin might have seen to the plainest dressed man in his own guard. But closer inspection discerned in his turban that in esteemable gem which was called to other poets the Sea of Light, the diamond on which his signet was engraved, and which he wore in a ring, was probably worth all the jewels of the English crown, and a sapphire which terminated the hilt of his kanger was not of a much inferior value. It should be added that, to protect himself from the dust, which in the vicinity of the Dead Sea resembles the finest ashes, or perhaps out of oriental pride, the sold-in were a sort of veil attached to his turban, which partly obscured the view of his noble features. He rode a milk-white Arabian, which bore him as if conscious and proud of his noble burden. There was no need of further introduction. The two heroic monarchs, for such they both were, threw themselves at once from horseback, and the troops halting and the music suddenly ceasing, they advanced to meet each other in profane silence, and after a courteous inclination on either side, they embraced as brethren and equals. The pomp and display upon both sides attracted no further notice. No one saw ought save Richard and Saladin, and they too beheld nothing but each other. The looks with which Richard surveyed Saladin were, however, more intently curious than those which the sold-in fixed upon him. And the sold-in also was the first to break silence. The melodric is welcome to Saladin as water to the desert. I trust he of no distrust of this numerous array, except in the armed slaves of my household, those who surround you with eyes of wonder and welcome are, even with the humblest of them, the privileged nobles of my thousand tribes. For who that could claim a title to be present would remain at home when such a prince was to be seen as Richard, but the terrors of whose name, even on the sands of Yemen, the nurse stills her child, and the free Arabs adduce his rest of steed. And these are all nobles of Arabic? Said Richard, looking around on wild forms with their persons covered with hikes, their countenance sported with the sunbeams, their teeth as white as ivory, their black eyes glancing with fierce and preternatural luster from under the shade of the turbans, and their dress being in general simple, even to meadness. They claim such rank, said Saladin, but though numerous, they are within the conditions of the treaty, and bear no arms but the sabre, even the iron of their lances is left behind. I fear, muttered to Vorks in English. They have left them where they can be soon found. The most flourishing house appears, I confess, and would find Westminster Hall something too narrow for them. Hushed to Vorks, said Richard, I command thee, noble Saladin, he said, Suspicion and thou cannot exist on the same ground. Seize thou, pointing to the litters. I, too, have brought some champions with me, though armed, perhaps, and breach of agreement, for bright eyes and fair features are weapons which cannot be left behind. The Saladin, turning to the litters, made an obeisance as lowly as if looking towards Mecca, and kissed the sad in token of respect. Nay, said Richard, they will not fear a close encounter, brother, will thou not ride towards their litters, and their curtains will be presently withdrawn. That may Allah prohibit, said Saladin. Since not an Arab looks on, who would not think it's shame to see the noble ladies to be seen with their faces uncovered. Thou shalt see them, then, in private, brother, answered Richard. To what purpose, answered Saladin mournfully, thy last letter was, to the hope to try it entertained, like water to fire. And wherefore should I again light a flame, which may indeed consume, but cannot cheer me? But will not my brother pass to the tent, which his servant hath prepared for him? My principal, black slave, hath taken order for the reception of the princesses. The officers of my household will attend your followers, and ourself will be the chamberlain of the royal, Richard. End of Chapter 27 Part 1 Chapter 27 Part 2 of The Talisman This is a LibriVox recording, while LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lizzie Driver The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott Chapter 27 Part 2 He led the way accordingly, to a splendid pavilion, where was everything that royal luxury could devise. To Vox, who was in attendance, then removed the chappy, or long riding-clog which Richard wore, and he stood before Seladin in the close dress, which showed to advantage the strength and symmetry of his person. While it bore a strong contrast to the flowing robes which disguised the thin frame of the eastern monarch, it was Richard's two-handed sword that chiefly attracted the attention of the Saracen. A broad straight blade, a seemingly unwieldy length of which extended well my from the shoulder to the heel of the wearer. Had I not, said Seladin, seen this brand flaming in the front of battle, like that of Azrael, I had scarce to believe that human arm could wield it. Might I request to see the mellach rick strike one blow with it in peace, and in pure trial of strength? Willingly noble Seladin, answered Richard, and looking around for something wherein to exercise his strength, he saw a steel mace held by one of the attendants, the handle being of the same metal, and about an inch and a half in diameter. This he placed on a block of wood. The anxiety of devox for his master's honour led him to whisper in English, for the blessed virgin's sake beware what you tempt my liege, your full strength is not as yet returned. Give no triumph to the infidel. Peaceful, said Richard, standing firm on his ground and casting a fierce glance around. Think is there that I can fail in his presence? The glittering broadsword, wielded by both his hands, rose aloft at the king's left shoulder, circled round his head, descended with the sway of some terrific engine, and the bar of iron rolled on the ground in two pieces, as a woodsman would sever a sapling with the hedging bill. By the head of the prophet, most wonderful blow, said the soldan, critically and accurately examining the iron bar, which had been cut asunder. And the blade of the sword was so well tempered, as to exhibit not the least token of having suffered by the feet it had performed. He then took the king's hand, and looking on the size and muscular strength which exhibited, laughed as he placed it beside his own, so lank and thin, so inferior and brawn and sinew. I look well, said Dvorak's in English. It will be long ere your long jacknapes fingers do such a feat, with your fine gilded reaping-hook there. Silence, Dvorak, said Richard, by our lady. He understands or guesses thy meaning. Be not so broad, I pray thee. The soldan indeed presently said, something I would feign attempt, though wherefore should the weak show the inferiority in presence of the strong? Yet each learned half his own exercises, and this may be new to the melachoric. So saying, he took from the floor a cushion of silk and down, and placed it upright and on end. Can thy weapon, my brother, sever that cushion? He said to King Richard. No, surely, replied the King. No soldan earth, where it, though a scalaba of King Arthur, can cut that which reposes no steady resistance to the blow. Mark, then, said Saladin. And, tucking up the sleeve of his gown, showed his arm, thin indeed and spare, but which constant exercise had hardened into a mass consisting of knot but bone, brawn and sinew. He unsheathed his scimitar, a curved and narrow blade, which glittered not like the soles of the francs, but was, on the contrary, of a dull blue colour, marked with ten millions of meandering lines, which showed how anxiously the metal had been wielded by the armourer. Wielding this weapon, apparently so inefficient when compared to that of Richard, the soldan stood, resting his weight upon his left foot, which was slightly advanced. He braced himself a little, as if to steady his aim. Then, stepping at once forward, drew the scimitar across the cushion, applying the edge so dexterously and with so a little apparent effort, that the cushion seemed rather to fall asunder than to be divided by violence. It's a juggler's trick, said Devorks, dotting forward and snatching up the portion of the cushion which had been cut off, as if to ensure himself with the reality of the feet. There is grammaire in this. The soldan seemed to comprehend him. For he undid the sort of veil which he had hitherto worn, laid it double along the edge of his sabre, extended the weapon edgeways in the air, and, drawing it suddenly through the veil, although it hung on the blade entirely loose, severed that also into two parts, which floated to different sides of the tents, equally displaying the extreme temper and sharpness of the weapon, and the exquisite dexterity of him who used it. "'Now, in good faith, my brother,' said Richard, thou art even matchless at the trick of the sword, and right perilous were it to meet thee. Still, however, I put some faith in a downright English blow. And what we cannot do by slight, we eek out by strength. Nevertheless, in truth, thou art as expert in inflicting wounds, as my sage who came in curing them. I trust I shall see the learned leech. I have much to thank him for, and had brought some small present. As he spoke, Saladin exchanged his turban for a tartar cap. He had no sooner done so, than Dvorak's opened at once his extended mouth and his large round eyes, and Richard Gay to scare less astonishment, while the soldun spoke in a grave and altered voice. The sick man, saith the poet, while he is yet infirm, knoweth the physician by his step. But when he is recovered, he knoweth not even his face when he looks upon him. A miracle! a miracle! exclaimed Richard. Of Mahalne's working doubtless, said Thomas Dvorak, that I should lose my learned hekeen, said Richard, mainly by absence of his cap and robe, and that I should find him again in my royal brother Saladin. Such is after the fashion of the world, answered the soldun. The tattered robe makes not always a device. And it was through thy intercession, said Richard, that yonder night a leopard was saved from death, and by thy artifice that he revisited my camp in disguise. Even so, replied Saladin, I was physician enough to know that, unless the wounds of his bleeding honour were stenched, the days of his life must be few. His disguise was more easily penetrated than I had expected from the success of my own. An accident, said King Richard, probably alluding to the circumstance of his applying to his lips, to the wound of the supposed Nubian. Let me first know that his skin was artificially discoloured, and that hint once taken, detection became easy, for his form and person are not to be forgotten. I confidently expect that he will do battle on the morrow. He is full in preparation and high in hope, said the soldun. I have furnished him with weapons and horse, thinking nobly of him from what I have seen under various disguises. No see now, said Richard, to whom he lies under obligation. He doth, replied the Saracen. I was obliged to confess my person when I unfolded my purpose. And confessed he ought to you, said the King of England. Nothing explicit, replied the soldun. But from much that pass between us, I conceive his love is too highly placed to be happy in its issue. And now knowest that his daring and insolent passion crossed fine-owned wishes, said Richard. I might guess so much, said Saladin. But his passion had existed ere my wishes had been formed, and, I must now add, is likely to survive them. I cannot, in honour, revenge me for my disappointment on him who had no hand in it. Or, if this high-born dame loved him better than myself, who can say that she did not justice to a knight of her own religion, who is full of nobleness? Yet a too mean lineanage to make to the blood of Plantagent, said Richard Hortley. Such may be your maxims in Fragistan, replied the soldun. All poets of the eastern countries say that a valiant camel-driver is worthy to kiss the lips of a fair queen, when a cowardly prince is not worthy to salute the hem of her garment. But, with your permission, noble brother, I must take leave of thee for the present, to receive the Duke of Austria and John de Nazarene Knight, much less worthy of hospitality, but who must yet be suitly entreated, not for their sakes, but for mine own honour. For what sayeth the sage-loceman? Say not that the food is lost unto thee, which is given to the stranger, for if his body be strengthened and fattened therewith all, not less is thine own worship and good name cherished and augmented. The Saracen monarch departed from King Richard's tent, and, having indicated to him, rather with signs than with speech, where the pavilion of the queen and her attendants was pitched, he went to receive the Marques of Montserrat and his attendants. For whom, with less good will, but with equal splendour, the magnificent soldun had provided accommodations. The most ample refreshments, both in the Oriental and after the European fashion, were spread before the royal and princely guests of Saladin, each in their own separate pavilion. And so attentive was the soldun to the habits and tastes of his visitors, that Grecian slaves were stationed to present them with the goblet, which is the abomination of the sect of Muhammad. Ere Richard had finished his meal. The ancient Omrah, who had brought the soldun's letter to the Christian camp, ended with a plan of the ceremonial to be observed on the succeeding day of combat. Richard, who knew the taste of his old acquaintance, invited him to pledge him in a flag and a wine of Shiraz. But Abdullah gave him to understand, with a rueful aspect, that self-denial in the present circumstances was a matter in which his life was concerned. For that Saladin, tolerant in many respects, both observed and enforced by high penalties the law of the Prophet, Nay then, said Richard, if he loves not wine, that's lightener of the human heart, his conversion is not to be hoped for, and the prediction of the mad priestess in Gadi goes like chaff down the wind. The king then addressed himself to settle the Articles of Combat, which cost a considerable time, as it was necessary on some points to consult with the opposite parties, as well as with the soldun. They were at length finally agreed upon, and josted by protocol in French and in Arabian, which was subscribed by Saladin as umpire of the field, and by Richard and Leopold as guarantees for the two combatants. As the omron took his final leave of King Richard for the evening, D'Vorx entered. For good night, he said, who is to do battle tomorrow, request to know whether he may not, to night, pay duty to his royal godfather. As thou seen him, D'Vorx, said the king, smiling, and is thou know an ancient acquaintance? By our lady of Lannacost, answered D'Vorx, there are so many surprises and changes in this land that my poor brain turns. I scarce news her, Kenneth of Scotland, till his good hound, that had been for a short while under my care, came and formed on me, and even then I only knew the type by the depth of his chest, the roundness of his foot, and his manner of baying. For the poor gay sound was painted like any Venetian courtesan. Thou art better skilled in brutes than men, D'Vorx, said the king. I will not deny, said D'Vorx, I have found them of times the honester animals. Also your grace is pleased to turn me sometimes a brute myself. Besides that, I serve the lion, whom all men acknowledge the king of brutes. By Saint George, there thou broke as thy lance fairly on my brow, said the king. I have ever said thou hast a sort of wit, D'Vorx. Mary, one must strike thee with a sledge hammer, ere it can be made to sparkle. But to the present gear, is the good night well armed and equipped? Fully my liege and nobly, answer D'Vorx. I know the armor well. It is that which the Venetian commissary offered your highness, just ere you became ill, for five hundred bisants. And he hath sold it to the infidel soul, Dan, I warrant me, for a few ducats more, and present payment. These Venetians would sell the sepulcher itself. The armor will never be born in the nobler cause, said D'Vorx. Thanks to the nobleness of the Saracen, said the king, not to the avarice of the Venetians. I would to God your grace would be more cautious, said the anxious D'Vorx. Here are we, deserted by our allies, for points of offence given to one or other. We cannot hope to prosper upon the land, and we have only to quarrel with the amphibious Republic, to lose the means of retreat by sea. I will take care, said Richard impatiently. But call me no more, tell me rather, for it is of interest. Have for night a confessor. He hath, answer D'Vorx. The hermit of Angadi, who ersted him that office when preparing for death, attends him on the present occasion, the fame of the jewel having brought him hither. Tis well, said Richard. And now for the night's request. Say to him, Richard will receive him when the discharge of his devour beside the diamond of the desert shall have atoned for his fault beside the mount of St. George, and as they'll pass it through the camp let the queen know I will visit her pavilion, and tell Blondel to meet me there. D'Vorx departed, and in about an hour afterwards, Richard, wrapping his mantle around him, and taking his githern in his hand, walked in the direction of the queen's pavilion. Several Arabs passed him, the toys with theverted heads and looks fixed upon the earth. Though he could observe the tour gazed earnestly after him when he was passed. This led him justly to conjecture that his person was known to them, but that either the sold-an's commands or their own oriental politeness forbade them to seem to notice a sovereign who desired to remain incognito. When the king reached the pavilion of his queen, he found it guarded by thus unhappy officials, whom Eastern jealousy places around the Zanena. Blondel was walking before the door, and touched his rote from time to time in a manner which made the Africans show their ivory teeth, and bear burden with this strange gestures and shrill unnatural voices. What are thou after with this herd of black cattle, Blondel? said the king. Wherefore goest thou not into the tent? Because my trade can neither spare the hand nor the fingers, said Blondel. And these honest black moors threatened to cut me from joint to joint, if I pressed forward. Well, enter with me, said the king, and I will be thy safeguard. The blacks accordingly lowered pikes and swords to King Richard, and bed their eyes on the ground, as if unworthy to look upon him. In the interior of the pavilion they found Thomas Divorx, in attendance on the cream. While Beringeria welcomed Blondel, King Richard spoke for some time secretly and apart with his fair kinswoman. At length are we still foes, my dear Edith? He said in a whisper, No, my liege, said Edith, in a voice just so low as not to interrupt the music. None can bear enmity against King Richard, when he dines to show himself, as he really is, generous and noble, as well as valiant and honorable. So saying, she extended her hand to him. The king kissed it in token of reconciliation, and then proceeded. You think, my sweet cousin, that my anger in this matter was feigned, but you were deceived. The punishment I inflicted upon this night was just, for he had betrayed, no matter for how tempting a bribe fair cousin, the trust committed to him. But I rejoice, for chance as much as you, that tomorrow gives him a chance to win the field, and throw back the stain which for a time clung to him upon the actual thief and traitor. No, future times may blame Richard for impetuous folly, but they shall say that in rendering judgment he was just when he should and merciful when he could. Lord, not thyself, cousin King. Said Edith, they may call thy justice cruelty, thy mercy caprice. And do not pride thyself, said the King, as if thy night, who have not yet buckled in his armour, were unbelting it in triumph. Conrad of Montserrat is held a good lance. What if the scot should lose the day? It is impossible, said Edith firmly. My own eyes saw yonder Conrad tremble and change colour like a base-thief. He is guilty, and the trial by combat is an appeal to the justice of God. I myself, in such a cause, would encounter him without fear. By the mass I think thou wouldest wench, said the King, and beat him to boot, for they never breathed a truer plantagent than thou. He paused and added in a very serious tone. See that thou continue to remember what is due to thy birth? What means that advice so seriously given at this moment? Said Edith, am I of such light nature as to forget my name, my condition? I will speak plainly, Edith, answered the King, and as to a friend. What will this knight be to you, should he come off victor from yonder lists? To me, said Edith, blushing deep with shame and displeasure. What can he be to me more than an honoured knight? Worthy of such grace as Queen Beringario might confer on him, had he selected her for his lady, instead of a more unworthy choice. The meanest knight may devote himself to the service of an empress, but the glory of his choice, she said proudly, must be his reward. Yet he hath served and suffered much for you, said the King. I have paid his services with honour and applause, and his sufferings with tears, answered Edith. Had he desired other reward he would have done wisely to have bestowed his affections within his own degree. You would not, then, wear the bloody night gear for his sake? said King Richard. No more, answered Edith, then I would have required him to expose his life by an action, in which there was more madness than honour. Maiden's talk ever thus, said the King. But when the favoured lover presses his suit, she says, with a sigh, her stars have decreed otherwise. Your grace has now, for the second time, threatened me with the influence of my horoscope. Edith replied with dignity. Trust me, my liege, whatever be the power of the stars, your poor kinsmen will never wed either Infidel or obscure adventurer. Permit me that I listen to the music of Blondel, for the tone of your royal admonitions is scarce so great all to the ear. The conclusion of the evening offered nothing worthy of notice. End of Chapter 27 Part 2 Chapter 28 of The Talisman This is a LibriVox recording, while LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information on the volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. According by Lizzie Driver. The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott. Chapter 28 Heard ye the din of battle-bray, Lance to Lance and horse to horse. Gray It had been agreed, on account of the heat of the climate, that the judicial combat, which was the cause of the present assemblage of various nations at the diamond of the desert, should take place at one hour after sunrise. The wide lists, which had been constructed under the inspection of the night of the leopard, enclosed a space of hard sand, which was 120 yards long by 40 in width. They extended and ranked from north to south, so as to give both parties the equal advantage of the rising sun. Saladin's royal seat was erected on the western side of the enclosure, just in the centre, where the combatants were expected to meet in mid-encounter. Opposed to this was a galley with closed casements, so contrived that the ladies, for whose accommodation it was erected, might see the fight, without being themselves exposed to view. At either extremity of the lists was a barrier, which could be open or shut at pleasure. Thrones had also been erected, but the archduke, perceiving that his was lower than King Richard's, refused to occupy it. And called De Leon, who would have submitted to much air any formality should have interfered with the combat, readily agreed that the sponsors, as they were called, should remain on horseback during the fight. At one extremity of the lists were placed the followers of Richard, and opposed to them were those who accompanied the defender Conrad. Around the throne destined for the soul-dan were ranged his splendid Georgian guards, and the rest of the enclosure was occupied by Christian and Muhammadian spectators. Long before daybreak, the lists were surrounded by an even larger number of Saracens than Richard had seen on the preceding evening. When the first ray of the sun's glorious orb arose above the desert, the sonorous call, to prayer, to prayer, was poured forth by the soul-dan himself, and answered by others, whose rank and zeal entitled them to act as mazins. It was a striking spectacle to see them all sick to earth, for the purpose of repeating their devotions, with their faces turned to mecca. But when they arose from the ground, the sun's rays, now strengthening fast, seemed to confirm the Lord of Gilsiland's conjecture of the night before. They were flashed back from many a spearhead, for the pointless lances of the preceding day were certainly no longer such. Divorx pointed it out to his master, who answered with impatience that he had perfect confidence in the good faith of the soul-dan. But if Divorx was afraid of his bulky body, he might retire. Soon after this the noise of timbrels was heard, at the sound of which the whole Saracen Cavaliers threw themselves from their horses and prostrated themselves, as if for a second morning prayer. This was to give an opportunity to the Queen, with Edith and her attendants, to pass from the pavilion to the gallery intended for them. Fifty guards of Saladin Cerriclio escorted them with naked sabers, whose orders were to cut to pieces whomesoever, were he prince or peasant, should venture to gaze on the ladies as they passed, or even presume to raise his head unto the cessation of the music, should make all men aware that they were lodged in their gallery, not be gazed on by the curious eye. Their superstitious observance of oriental reverence, to the fair sex, called forth from Queen Beringaria, some criticisms very unfavorable to Saladin in his country. But their den, as the royal fair called it, being securely clothed and guarded by the sable attendants, she was under the necessity of contending herself with seeing, and laying aside for the present the still more exquisite pleasure of being seen. Meantime the sponsors of both champions went, as was their duty, to see that they were duly armed and prepared for combat. The Archduke of Austria was in no hurry to perform this part of the ceremony, having had rather an unusually severe debauchery upon wine of Shiraz the preceding evening. But the grand master of the temple, more deeply concerned in the event of the combat, was early before the tent of Conrad of Montserrat. To his great surprise the attendants refused him admittance. Do you not know me, you knaves? said the grand master in great anger. We do, most valiant and reverent, answered Conrad's squire. But even you may not at present enter. The Marques is about to confess himself. Confess himself? exclaimed the Templar, in a tone where alarm mingled with surprise and scorn. And to whom, I pray thee? My master bid me be secret, said the squire, on which the grand master pushed past him, and entered the tent almost by force. The Marques of Montserrat was kneeling at the feet of the Hermit of Ingadi, and in the act of beginning his confession. What means this Marques? said the grand master, up for shame, or if you must need to confess, am I not here? I have confessed to you too often already, replied Conrad, with a pale cheek and a faltering voice. For God's sake, grand master, be gone, and let me unfold my conscience to this holy man. In what way is he holier than I am? said the grand master. Hermit, prophet, madman, say if thou darest, in what thou excellest me. Old and bad man, replied the Hermit, know that I am like the lattice window, and the divine light passes through to avail others. Though alas, it helpeth not me, though art like the iron stanchions, which neither receive light themselves nor communicate it to any one. Pray not to me, but depart from this tent, said the grand master. The Marques shall not confess this morning, unless it be to me, for I am part not from his side. Is this your pleasure? said the Hermit to Conrad. But think not, I will obey that proud man, if you continue to desire my assistance. Alas! said Conrad irresolutely. What would you have me say? Farewell for a while. We will speak anon. Oh, procrastination! exclaimed the Hermit. Thou art a soul-murderer, unhappy man, farewell, not for a while. But until we shall both meet, no matter where. And for thee, he added, turning to the grand master, tremble. Tremble? replied the Templar contemptuously. I cannot, if I would. The Hermit had not his answer, having left the tent. Come to this gear hastily, said the grand master. Since thou wilt's needs go through this fallery, hark thee, I think I know most of thy frailties by heart. So we may omit the detail, which may be somewhat a large one, and begin with the up solution. What signifies counting the spots of dirt that we are about to wash from our hands? Knowing what thou art thyself, said Conrad, it is blasphemous to speak of pardoning another. That is not according to the canon, Lord Marques. Said the Templar, thou art more scrupulous than orthodox. The absolution of the wicked priest is as effectual as if he were himself a saint otherwise. God help the poor penitent. What wounded man inquires whether the surgeon that tenses gashes has clean hands or no. Come, shall we to this toy? No, said Conrad. I will rather die unconfessed than mock the sacrament. Come, noble Marques. Said the Templar, rouse up your courage and speak not thus. In an hour's time thou shalt stand victorious in the lists, or confess the inlay helmet like a valiant knight. Alas, Grand Master! Fancy Conrad, augurs ill for this affair, the strange discovery by the instinct of the dog, the revival of the Scottish knight who comes into the list like a spectre, all betokens evil. Sure! said the Templar. I have seen thee bend thy lance boldly against him in sport, and with equal chance of success. Think thou art but an attornment, and who bears him better in the tilt shall than thou. Come, squires and armours, your master must be a koutrid for the field. The attendant centred accordingly, and began to arm the Marques. What morning is without? said Conrad. The sun rises dimly, answered a squire. Thou seest, Grand Master, said Conrad, not smiles on us. Thou wilt fight the more cally my son. Answer the Templar. Thank heaven that it tempered the son of Palestine to suit thine occasion. Thus gestured the Grand Master, but his jest had lost their influence on the harassed mind of the Marques, and notwithstanding his attempts to seem gay, his gloom communicated itself to the Templar. This craven, he thought, will lose the day in pure faintness and cowardice of heart, which he calls tender conscience. I, whom visions an augury shake not, whom firm in my purpose is the living rock, I should have fought the combat of myself. Would to God the Scott may strike him dead on the spot, it were next best to his winning the victory. But come what will, he must have no other confessor than myself. Our sins are too much in common, and he might confess my share with his own. While these thoughts passed through his mind, he continued to assist the Marques in arming, but it was in silence. The hour at length arrived, the trumpet sounded, the knights rode into the lists armed at all points, and mounted like men who were to do battle for a kingdom's honour. They wore their visors up, and riding around the lists three times, showed themselves to the spectators. Both were goodly persons, and both had noble countenances. But there was an air of manly confidence on the borough of the Scott. A radiancy of hope would remount it even to cheerfulness. While, although pride and effort had recalled much of Conrad's natural courage, they lowered still on his brow a cloud of ominous despondence. Even his steed seemed to tread less lightly, and blithely to the trumpet-sound than the noble Arab, which was bestowed by Sir Kenneth. And the spruce-brecher shook his head while he observed that, while the challenger rode around the lists in the course of the sun, that is, from right to left. The defender made the same circuit, Woodensons, that is, from left to right, which is, in most countries, held ominous. A temporary altar was erected just beneath the gallery occupied by the queen, and beside it stood the hermit, in the dress of his order as a carmelite friar. Other churchmen were also present. To this altar the challenger and defender was successively brought forward, conducted by their respective sponsors. Dismounting before it, each night a vouched the justice of his cause by solemn oath on the evangelists, and prayed that his success might be according to the truth or falsehood of what he then swore. They also made oath that they came to do battle in nightly guise, and with the usual weapons, disclaiming the use of spells, charms or magical devices to incline victory to their side. The challenger pronounced his vow with a firm and manly voice, and a bold and cheerful countenance. When the ceremony was finished the Scottish knight looked at the gallery, and bent his head to the earth, as if in honour of those invisible beauties which were enclosed within. Then, loaded with armour as he was, sprung to the saddle without the use of the stirrup, and made his cursor carry him in the succession of carousels to his station at the eastern extremity of the lists. Conrad also presented himself before the altar with boldness enough. But his voice as he took the oath sounded hollow, as if drowned in his helmet. The lips with which he appealed to heaven to a judge victory, to the just quarrel, grew white as they uttered the empire's mockery. And as he turned to remount his horse, the grandmaster approached him closer, as if to rectify something about the sitting of his gorge, and whispered, Coward and fool, recall thy senses, and do me this battle bravely, else by heaven shouldest thou escape it, though escape is not me. The savage turn in which this was whispered, perhaps completed the confusion of the marquee's nerves. He stumbled as he made to his horse. And though he recovered his feet, sprung to the saddle with his usual agility, and displayed his address in a horsemanship as he assumed his position opposite to the challengers, yet the accident did not escape those who on watch for omens which might predict the fate of the day. The priests, after a solemn prayer that God would show the rightful quarrel, departed from the lists. The trumpets of the challenger then wrung a flourish, and a herald at arms proclaimed at the eastern end of the lists. Here stands a good night Sir Kenneth of Scotland, champion for the royal king Richard of England, who accuses Conrad, Marques of Montserrat, of foul treason and dishonour done to the set king. When the words Kenneth of Scotland announced the name and character of the champion, hithero, scarce generally known, allowed and cheerful acclaim burst forth from the followers of King Richard, and hardly, notwithstanding repeated commands of silence, suffered the reply of the defendant to be heard. He, of course, vouched his innocence, and offered his body for battle. The esquires of the combatants now approached, and delivered to each his shield and lance, assisting to hang the former around his neck, that his two hands might remain free, one for the management of the bridle, the other to direct the lance. The shield of the scot displayed his old bearing, the leopard, but with the addition of a collar and broken chain, an allusion to his late captivity. The shield of the Marques bore, in reference to his title, a serrated and rocky mountain. Each shook his lance aloft, as if to ascertain the weight and toughness of the unwieldy weapon, and the laded in the rest. The sponsors, heralds and squires, now retired to the barriers, and the combatants sat opposite to each other, face to face, with couched lance and closed visor. The human form so completely enclosed, that they looked more like statues of molten iron, than beings of flesh and blood. The silence of suspense was now general. Men breathed thicker, and their very soul seemed seated in their eyes. While not as sound as to be heard, save the snorting and pouring of the good steeds, who, sensible of what was about to happen, were impatient to dash into career, they stood thus for perhaps three minutes, when, at a signal given by the solden, a hundred instruments were at the ear with their brazen clamours, and each champion striking his horse with the spurs, and slacking the rain. The horses started in full gallop, and the knights met in mid-space with a shock like a thunderbolt. The victory was not in doubt, no, not one moment. Conrad, indeed, showed himself a practised warrior, for he struck his antagonist nightly in the midst of his shield, bearing his lance so straight and true, that it shivered into splinters, from the steel spearhead up to the very gauntlet. The horse of Sir Kenneth recoiled two or three yards, and fell on his haunches, but the rider easily raised him with hand and rain. But for Conrad there was no recovery. Sir Kenneth's lance had pierced through the shield, through a plaited corslet of Milan steel, through a secret, or coat of linked mail worn beneath the corslet, had wounded him deep in the bosom, and borne him from his saddle, leaving the truncheon of the lance fixed in his wound. The sponsor's heralds and saladin himself descended from his throne, crowded around the wounded man. Sir Kenneth, who had drawn his sword ere yet he discovered his antagonist was totally helpless, now commanded him to avow his guilt. The helmet was hastily enclosed, and the wounded man, gazing wildly on the skies, replied, What would you mock? God hath decided justly. I am guilty, but there are worse traitors in the camp than I. In pity to my soul let me have a confessor. He revived as he uttered these words. The talisman, the powerful remedy-royal brother, said King Richard to Saladin. The traitor, answered the soldan, is more fit to be dragged from the list to the gallows by the heels than to profit by its virtues. And some such fate is in his look, he added, after gazing fixedly upon the wounded man. For though his wound may be cured, yet Azrael's seal is on the wretched brow. Nevertheless, said Richard, I pray you do for him what you may, that you may at least have time for confession, slay not soul and body. To him one half hour of time may be worth more by ten thousandfold than the life of the oldest patriarch. My royal brother's wish shall be obeyed, said Saladin. Slaves, bear this wounded man to our tent. Do not so, said the Templar, who had hitherto stood gloomily looking on in silence. The royal Duke of Austria and myself will not permit this unhappy Christian prince to be delivered over to the Saracens, that they may try their spells upon him. We are responses and demand that he be assigned to our care. That is, you refuse a certain means offered to recover him? Said Richard. Not so, said the Grand Master, recollecting himself. If the soul done uses lawful medicines, he may attend the patient in my tent. Do so, I pray thee, good brother, said Richard to Saladin. Though the permission be ungraciously yielded, but now to a more glorious work. Sound trumpets, shout England, in honour of England's champion. Drum, clarion, trumpet, and cymbal rung forth at once, and the deep and regular shout, which for ages has been the English acclamation, sounded amidst the shrill and irregular yells of the Arabs, but the de-passion of the organ amid the howling of a storm. There was silence at length. Brave knight of the leopard, resumed Cordeleon. Thou hast shown that the Ethiopian may change his skin, and the leopard is spots. Though clerks quote scripture for the impossibility. Yet I have more to say to you when I have conducted you to the presence of the ladies, the best judges and best rewarders of the deeds of chivalry. The knight of the leopard bowed ascent. And thou, princely Saladin, wilt also attend them. I promise the Queen will not think herself welcome, if she lacks the opportunity to thank her royal host, for her most princely reception. Saladin bent his head gracefully, but declined the invitation. I must attend the wounded man, he said. The leech leaves not his patient more than the champion the lists, even if he be summoned to the Bower like those of Paradise. And further, Royal Richard, know that the blood of the east flows not so temporarily in the presence of beauty as that of your land. What sayeth the book itself? Harai is at the edge of the sword of the prophet. Who shall look upon it? He that would not be burned to voideth to tread on hot embers. Wise men spread not the flax before a flickering touch. He, saith the sage, who had forfeited a treasure, doth not wisely to turn back his head to gaze at it. Richard, it may be believed, respected the motives of delicacy which flowed from manners so different from his own, and urged his request no further. At noon, said the soldier, and as he departed, I trust you will all accept a collation under the black camel-skinned tent of a chief of Kurdistan. The same invitation was circulated among the Christians, comprehending all those of sufficient importance, to be admitted to sit to feast-mote with princes. Hark! said Richard, the timbrills announced that our queen and her attendants are leaving their gallery, and see the turban sink on the ground as if struck down by a destroying angel. All I prostrate as if the glance of an Arab's eye could sully the lustre of a lady's cheek. Come, we will to the pavilion, and laid our conqueror tither in triumph. How I pity that noble soldan, who knows but of love as it is known to those of inferior nature. Blondel tuned his harp to his boldest measure, to welcome the introduction of the victor into the pavilion of Queen Beringaria. He entered, supported on either side by his sponsors, Richard and Thomas Longsword, and knelt gracefully down before the queen, though more than half the homage was silently rendered to Edith, who sat on her right hand. Unarm him, my mistresses! said the king, whose delight was in the execution of such chivalrous usages. Led beauty on a chivalry. And do his spurs, Beringaria. Queen, though thou be, thou o'est him what marks of favour thou can skive. Unlace his helmet, Edith. By this hand thou shalt, word thou the proudest plantagent of the line, and he the poorest knight on earth. Both ladies obeyed the royal commands, Beringaria with bustling seduity, as anxious to gratify her husband's humour, and Edith blushing and growing pale alternatively, as slowly and awkwardly she undid, with Longsword's assistance, the farsenings which secured the helmet to the gorgate. And what expected you from beneath this iron shell? said Richard, as removal of the cast gave to view the noble countenance of Sir Kenneth, his face glowing with recent exertion, and not less so with present emotion. What think ye of him, gallants and beauties? said Richard. Duffy resemble an Ethiopian slave, or duffy present the face of an obscure and nameless adventurer. No, by my good sword, here terminate his various disguises. He hath knelt down before you, unknown, saved by his worth. He arises equally distinguished by birth and by fortune. The adventurer's knight, Kenneth, arises David, Earl of Huntingdon, Prince Royal of Scotland. There was a general exclamation of surprise, and Edith dropped from her hand the helmet which she had just received. Yes, my masters, said the king, it is even so. Ye know how Scotland had deceived us, when she proposed to send this valiant Earl, with a bold company of her best and noblest, to aid our arms in this conquest of Palestine, that failed to comply with her engagements. This noble youth, unto whom the Scottish crusaders were to have been arrayed, thought of our scorn that his arms should be withheld from the holy warfare, and joined us at Sicily with a small train of devoted and faithful attendants. Which was augmented by many of his countrymen, to whom the rank of their leader was unknown. The confidence of the royal prince had all saved one follower, fallen by death. When his secret, but too well kept, had near occasioned my cutting off in a Scottish adventurer, one of the noblest hopes of Europe. Why did you not mention your rank, noble Huntingdon, when engineered by my hasty and passionate sentence? Was it that you thought Richard capable of abusing the advantage, I possessed over the air of a king whom I have so often found hostile? I did you not that injustice, royal Richard? answered the Earl of Huntingdon. But my pride brooked not that I should avow myself Prince of Scotland, in order to save my life, endangered for default of loyalty. And, moreover, I had made my vow to preserve my rank unknown, till the crusade should be accomplished. Nor did I mention its save, in articular morites, and under the seal of confession, till he under-river and hermit. It was the knowledge of that secret, then, which made the good man so urgent with me to recall my severe sentence, said Richard. While he did say that, had this good night fallen by my mandate, I should have wished the deed undone, though it had cost me a limb. A limb, I should have wished it undone, had it cost me my life, since the world would have said that Richard had abused the condition in which the air of Scotland had placed himself by his confidence in his generosity. Yet, may we know of your grace, by what strange and happy chance this riddle was at length red? said Queen Beringaria. Let us report to us from England, said the King, in which we learned, among other unpleasant news, that the King of Scotland had seized upon three of our nobles, went on a pilgrimage to sent Ninan, and alleged as a cause, that his air, being supposed to be fighting in the ranks of two tonic knights against the heathen of Borosia, was in fact in our camp and in our power, and therefore William proposed to hold these nobles as hostages for his safety. This gave me the first light on the real rank of the Knight of the Leopard, and most suspicions were confirmed by Dvorks, who, on his return from Ascalon, bought back with him the Earl of Huntington's sole attendance. A thick-skulled slave, who had gone thirty miles to unfold to Dvorks a secret he should have told to me. Old Strachan must be excused, said the Lord of Gilsland. He knew from experience that my heart is somewhat softer than if I wrote myself Plantagent. Thy heart soft, thou commodity of an old iron encumberland flint that thou art. Exclaim the King. It is we, Plantagents, who boast soft and feeling hearts. Edith. Turning to his cousin with an expression which called the blood into a cheek. Give me thy hand, my fair cousin, and, Princess Scotland, thine. For there, my Lord! said Edith, hanging back and endeavouring to hide a confusion, under an attempt to rally her royal kinsman's credulity. I remember you not that my hand was to be the signal of converting to the Christian Faith, the Saracen, an Arab, Saladin, and all his turbaned host? I, but the wind of prophecy is chopped about, and sits now in another corner, replied Richard. Mock not, lest your bonds be made strong, said the Hermit, stepping forward. The heavenly host writes nothing but in truth their brilliant records. It is man's eyes which are too weak to read their characters right. No, that when Saladin and Kenneth of Scotland slept in my grotto, I read in the stars that they arrested under my roof a prince, the natural foe of Richard, with whom the fate of Edith Pintagin was to be united. Could I doubt that this must be the soul-dan, whose rank was well known to me, as he often visited myself to converse in the revolutions of those heavenly bodies? Again, the lights of the firmament proclaimed that this prince, the husband of Edith Pintagin, should be a Christian. And I, weak and wild interpreter, argued thence the conversion of the noble Saladin, whose good qualities seemed often to incline him towards the better faith. The sense of my weakness hath humbled me to the dust. But in the dust I have found comfort. I have not read or write the fate of others. Who can assure me but that I may have miscalculated mine own? God will not have us break his council-house, or spy out his hidden mysteries. There must wait his time with watching and prayer, with fear and hope. I came hither the stern seer, the proud prophet, skilled as I thought to instruct princes, and gifted even with supernatural powers. But burdened with the weight which I deemed no soldiers but mine could have borne. But my vans have been broken. I go hence humble in mine ignorant, penitent, and not hopeless. With these words he withdrew from the assembly. And it is recorded that from that period his frenzy fit seldom occurred, and his penances were of a milder character, and accompanied with better hopes of the future. So much is there of self-opinion, even in insanity, that the conviction of his having entertained and expressed an unfounded prediction with so much vehemence seemed to operate like the loss of blood on the human frame, to modify and lower the fever of the brain. It is needless to follow the into further particulars the conferences at the Royal Tent. All to inquire whether David, Earl of Huntingdon, was as mute in the presence of Edith Pantagin, as when he was bound to act under the character of an obscure and nameless adventurer. It may be well believed that he there expressed was suitable earnestness, the passion to which he had so often before found it difficult to give words. The hour of noon now approached, and solid and waited to receive the princes of Christendom, in a tent, which, but for its large size, differed litter from that of the ordinary shelter of the common Kurd man, or Arab. Yet, beneath its ample and sable covering, was repaired to banquet after the most gorgeous fashion of the east, extended upon carpets of the richest stuffs, with cushions laid to the guests. But we cannot stop to describe the cloth of gold and silver, the superb embroidery in Arbiosk, the shores of Kashmir, and the muslins of India, which were here unfolded in all their splendour. Far less to tell the different sweet-meats. Rugouts edged with rice coloured in various manners, with all the other niceties of eastern cooking. Lambs roasted whole, and game and paltry dressed in pilius, were piled in vessels of gold and silver and porcelain, and intermixed with large mazes of sherbet, called in snow and ice from the caverns of Mount Lebanon. A magnificent pile of cushions, at the head of the banquet, seemed repaired for the master of the feast, and such dignitaries as you might call to share that place of distinction. While from the roof of the tent in all quarters, but over the seat of eminence in particular, with many a banner and penan, the trophies of battles won and kingdoms overthrown, but amongst and above them all, a long lance displayed, a shroud, the banner of death, with the impressive inscription, Saladin king of kings, Saladin victor of victors, Saladin must die. Amid these preparations, the slaves who would arrange the refreshments, stood with drooped heads and folded arms, mutant motionless as monumental statutory, or as automata, which waited the touch of the artist to put them in motion. Expecting the approach of his princely guests, the saldan, imbued as most were with the superstitions of his time, paused over a horoscope and corresponding scroll, which had been sent to him by the hermit of Angadi, when he departed from the camp. Strange and mysterious science, he muttered to himself, which pretended to draw the curtain of futurity, misleads those whom it seems to guide, and darkens the scene which it pretends to illuminate, who would not have said that I was the enemy most dangerous to Richard. Whose enmity was to be ended by marriage with this kinswoman. It now appears that a union betwixt this gallant earl, and the lady will bring about friendship between Richard and Scotland, an enemy more dangerous than I, as a wildcat in a chamber is more to be dreaded than a lion in distant desert. But then he continued to mutter to himself. The combination intimates that this husband was to be Christian. Christian, he repeated after a pause. That gave the insane fanatical stargazer hopes that I might renounce my faith. But me, the faithful follower of our prophet, me, it should have been undeceived. Lie there, mysterious scroll. He added, thrusting it under the pile of cushions. Strange are thy bodoments and fatal, since, even when true in themselves, they work upon those whom attempt to decipher their meaning in all the effects of falsehood. Here, now, what means this intrusion? He spoke to the dwarf Nectarbanus, who rushed into the tent faithfully agitated, with each strange and disproportionate feature wrenched by holler, and still more extravagant ugliness. His mouth open, his eyes staring, his hands, with their shriveled and deformed fingers wildly expanded. What now? said the soul down sternly. Akipi-hok, groaned out the dwarf. Huh, sayest thou? answered Saladin. Akipi-hok, replied the painstruck creature. Unconscious, perhaps, that he repeated the same words as before. Hence, I am in no vein for foolery, said the emperor. Oh, am I a further fool, said the dwarf, than to make my folly help out my wits to earn my bread, poor helpless wretch! hear me, hear me, great seldom! Nay, if thou hast actual wrong to complain of, said Saladin, all law-wise, thou art entitled to the ear of a king. Retire hither with me, and he led him into the inner tent. Whatever their conference related to, it was soon broken off by the fanfare of the trumpets, announcing the arrival of the various Christian princes. Him Saladin welcomed to his tent with a royal courtesy. Well becoming their rank and his own. But chiefly he saluted the young earl of Huntington, and generously congratulated him, upon prospects which seemed to have interfered with and overclouded those, which he himself had entertained. But think not, said the soldier, thou noble youth, that the prince of Scotland is more welcome to Saladin, than was Kenneth to the solitary Ilderim, when they met in the desert, all the distressed Ethiope to the Hakim Adonbeck. A brave and generous disposition, like Thyrin, hath a value independent of condition and birth. As the cool draught, which I hear profit thee, is as delicious from an earthen vessel as from a goblet of gold. The earl of Huntington made a suitable reply. Greatly acknowledging the various important services he had received from the generous Saladin. But when he had pledged Saladin in the bowl of Sherbert, which the soldier had profited to him, he could not help remarking with a smile. The brave, cavalier Ilderim knew not of the formation of ice, but the munificent soldier and cools his sherbert with snow. Wouldst thou have an Arab or a Kurdman, as well as a Hakim? said the soldier. He who does honor disguise must make the sentiments of his heart, and the learning of his head accord with the dress which he assumes. I desire to see how a brave and single-hearted cavalier of Fragonstan would conduct himself in debate with such a chief as I then seemed, and I question the truth of a well-known fact, to know by what arguments thou wouldst support thy assertion. While they were speaking, the Archduke of Austria, who stood a little apart, was struck with the mention of ice sherbert, and took with pleasure and some bluntness the deep goblet, as the earl of Huntington was about to replace it. Most delicious, he exclaimed after a deep draught, which the heat of the weather and the feverishness following the debauch of the preceding day had rendered doubly acceptable. He sighed as he handed the cup to the grand master of the Templars. Saladin made a sign to the dwarf, who advanced and pronounced with a harsh voice the words, Ackipee hawk. The Templar started, like a steed who sees a lion under a bush besides the pathway, yet instantly recovered. And to hide, perhaps his confusion, raised the goblet to his lips. But those lips never touched that goblet's rim. The saber of Saladin left its sheaf as lightning leaves the cloud. It was waved in the air, and the head of the grand master rolled to the extremity of the tent, while the trunk remained for a second standing, but the goblet still clenched in its grasp, then fell, the liquor mingling with the blood that sprouted from the veins. There was a general exclamation of treason, and Austria, nearest to whom Saladin stood with the bloody saber in his hand, started back as if apprehensive that his turn was to come next. Richard and others laid hands on their swords. Fear nothing, noble Austria, said Saladin, as composedly as if nothing had happened. Nor you, royal England, be wroth at what you have seen, not of his manifold treasons, not for the attempt which, as may be vouched by his own squire, he instigated against King Richard's life. Not that he pursued the Prince of Scotland and myself in the desert, reducing us to save our lives for the speed of our horses, not that he had stirred up the marinates to attack us upon this very occasion, had I not brought so unexpectedly so many Arabs as rendered the scheme abortive. Not for any or all of these crimes does he now lie there, although each were deserving such a doom. But because, scarce half an hour ere he polluted our presence, as the sun-moon empoisons the atmosphere, he poignarded his comrade and accomplice, Conrad of Montserrat, as he should confess the infamous plots in which they had both been engaged. How, Conrad murdered? And by the Grand Master, his sponsor and most intimate friend? exclaimed Richard. Noble Saldan, it would not doubt thee, yet this must be proved otherwise. There stands the evidence, said Saladin, pointing to the terrified dwarf. Allah, who sends the firefly to illuminate the night season, can discover secret crimes by the most contemptible means. The Saldan proceeded to tell the dwarf's story, which amounted to this. In his foolish curiosity, or as he partly confessed, with some thoughts a-pilfering, net-tabunced straight into the tent of Conrad, which had been deserted by his attendants, some of whom had left the encampment to carry the news of his defeat to his brother, and others revealing themselves of the means which Saldan had supplied for reveling. The wounded man slipped under the influence of Saldan's wonderful talisman. So that the dwarf had opportunity to pry about at pleasure, until he was frighted into concealment by the sound of a heavy step. He sulked behind a curtain, yet could see the motions and hear the words of the Grand Master who entered, and carefully secured the covering of the pavilion behind him. His victim started from sleep, and it would appear that he instantly suspected the purpose of his old associate, for it was in a tone of alarm that he demanded wherefore he disturbed him. I come to confess and to absolve thee, answered the Grand Master. Of their further speech, the terrified dwarf remembered little, said that Conrad implored the Grand Master not to break a wounded reed, and that the Templars struck him to the heart with a Turkish dagger, with the words akipehuk, words which long afterwards haunted the terrified imagination of the concealed witness. I verified the tale, said Saladin, by causing the body to be examined, and I made this unhappy being, whom Allah hath made discover of the crimes, repeat in your presence the words which the murderer spoke, and you yourself saw the effect which they produced upon his conscience. The Saldan paused, and a king of England broke silence. If this be true, as I doubt not, we have witnessed a great act of justice, though it bore a different aspect. But wherefore in this presence, wherefore with thine own hands? I had designed otherwise, said Saladin, but had I not hastened his doom, it had been altogether reverted, since, if I had permitted him to taste of my cup, as he was about to do, how could I, without incurring the brand of inhospitality, have done him to death as he deserved? Had he murdered my father, and afterwards partaken of my food and my bowl, not a hair of his head could have been injured by me? But enough of him. Let his carcass and his memory be removed from amongst us. The body was carried away, and the marks of the slaughter obliterated or concealed, with such ready dexterity, as showed that the case was not altogether so uncommon, as to paralyze the assistants and officers of Saladin's household. But the Christian princes felt that the scene which they had beheld weighed heavily on their spirits, and although at the courteous invitation of the Saladin, they assumed their seats at the banquet, it was with a silence of doubt and amazement. The spirits of Richard alone surmounted all cause for suspicion or embarrassment, yet he too seemed to ruminate on some proposition, as if he were desirous of making it in the most insinuating and acceptable manner which was possible. At length he drunk off a large bowl of wine, and, addressing the sultan, desired to know whether it was not true, that he had honoured the earl of Huntingdon with a personal encounter. Saladin answered with a smile, that he had proved his horse and his weapons with the ear of Scotland, as cleverly as they want to do with each other when they meet in the desert. And modestly added that, though the combat was not entirely decisive, he had not on his part much reason to pride himself in the event. The scot, on the other hand, disclaimed the arbitrated superiority and wished to assign it to the sultan. Enough of honour thou hast had in the encounter, said Richard, and a envy thee more for that than for the smiles of either the pentagent, though one of them might reward a bloody day's work. But what say you noble princess? Is it fitting that such a royal ring of chivalry should break up without something being done for future times to speak of? What is the overthrow and death of a traitor to such a fair garland of honour, as is here assembled, and which ought not to part without witnessing something more worthy of their regard? How say you, princely sultan? What if we too should now, and before this fair company, decide the long contended question for this land to Palestine, and end it once these tedious wars? Yonder are the lists ready, nor can Pynumere ever hope a better champion than now. I, unless worthier, offers will lay down my gauntlet in behalf of Christendom, and in all love and honour we will do mortal battle for the possession of Jerusalem. There was a deep pause for the sultan's answer, his cheek and brow coloured highly, and it was the opinion of many present that he hesitated whether he should accept the challenge. At length, he said, Fighting for the holy city, against those whom we regard as their dolters and worshipers of stocks and stones and graven images, I might confine that Allah would strengthen my arm, or if I fell beneath the sword of the Melachric, I could not pass to paradise by a more glorious death. But Allah has already given Jerusalem to the true believers, and it were attempting the God or the Prophet to peril upon my own personal strength and skill, that which I hold securely by the superiority of my forces. If not for Jerusalem, then, said Richard, in the tone of one who would entreat a favour of an intimate friend. Yet for the love of honour, let us run at least three courses with grinded lances. Even this, said Saladin, half smiling at Kourtalian's affectionate earnestness for the combat. Even this I may not lawfully do. The master places the shepherd over the flock, not for the shepherd's own sake, but for the sake of the sheep. Had I a son to hold the scepter when I fell, I might have had the liberty, as I had the will, to braid this bold encounter. But your own scriptures sayeth that when the herdsman is smitten, the sheep are scattered. Thou hast had all the fortune, said Richard, turning to the earl of Huntington with a sigh. I would have given the best year in my life for that one half an hour beside the diamond of the desert. The chivalrous exchange of Richard awakened the spirits of the assembly, among its length heroes to depart. Saladin advanced and took Kourtalian by the hand. Noble king of England, he said, We now part, never to meet again. That your league is dissolved, no more to be reunited, and that your noble forces are far too few to enable you to prosecute your enterprise, is as well known to me as to yourself. I may not yield you up that Jerusalem which you so much desire to hold. It is to us, as to you, a holy city. But whatever other terms Richard demands of Saladin shall be as willingly yielded, as Yonder found to yield its water. I, and the same should be as frankly afforded by Saladin, if Richard stood in the desert with but two archers in his train. The next day saw Richard's return to his own camp. And in a short space afterwards the young earl of Huntington was espoused by Edith Plantagent. The soul Dan sent, as a nuptial present on this occasion, the celebrated talisman. But though many cures were wrought by means of it in Europe, none equaled in success in celebrity those which the soul Dan achieved. It is still in existence, having being bequeathed by the earl of Huntington to a brave knight of Scotland, Sir Simon of the Lee, in whose ancient and highly-honoured family it is still preserved. And although charmed stones have been dismissed from a modern pharaocopia, its virtues are still applied to for stopping blood, and in cases of canine madness. Our story closes here, as the terms on which Richard relinquished his conquests are to be found in every history of the period. End of Chapter 28 End of the Talisman by Saul to Scott