volume one

8
HISTOET OF THE CEUSADES. 139
pilgrims, upon condition that they would repair thither
without arms, and Avould remain there no longer than one
month.' If the Crusaders submitted to these conditions,
the caliph promised to become their most generous supporter;
if they declined the blessing of his friendship, the nations
of Eg)^t and Ethiopia, with aU those that inhabit Asia
and Alrica, from the Straits of Grades to the gates of Bagdad,
would arise at the voice of the legitimate vicar of the prophet,
and would show the warriors
of their arms.
of the West the power
This discourse excited violent murmurs in the assembly
of the Christians ; one of the chiefs arose to answer it, and
addressing hunself to the deputies of the caliph : " The
religion that we follow," said he to them, " has inspired us
"with the design of re-establishing its empire in the places in
which it was born ; and we stand in no need of the concurrence
of the powers of the earth to accomplish our vows.
We do not come into Asia to receive laws or benefits from
Mussulmans, nor have we forgotten, besides, the outrages
committed by Egyptians upon the pilgrims of the West ; we
still remember that Christians, imder the reign of the caliph
Hakem, were delivered over to executioners, and that their
churches, particularly that of the Holy Sepulchre, were razed
to the ground. Yes, without doubt, we have the intention
of visiting Jerusalem, but we have also taken an oath to
deliver it from the yoke of the infidels. Grod, who has
honoured it by his sufferings, wills that he shall be there
served by his people. The Christians resolve to be both its
guardians and its masters. Go and tell him who sent you
to make choice of peace or war ; tell him that the Christians
encamped before Antioch fear neither the nations of Egypt,
nor those of Asia, nor those of Bagdad, and that they only
ally themselves with powers which respect the laws of justice
and the standards of Jesus Christ."
The orator who spoke thus expressed the opinion and
sentiments of the assembly: nevertheless, they did not
entirely reject the alliance with the Egyptians. Deputies
were chosen from the Christian army to accompany the
ambassadors of Cairo on their return, and to bear to the
caliph the definitive propositions of peace of the Crusaders.
Scarcely had the deputies left the camp of the Christians,
Vol. I.—