volume one

HISTORY or THE CRUSADES. 219
employed without intermission in repairing the breaches
made in the walls ; whilst the besiegers were equally active
in putting their machines in a state of service against a
fresh attack. The following day brought a renewal of the
same dangers and the same combats that the preceding one
had witnessed. The chiefs endeavoured by their speeches
to raise the courage of the Crusaders ; whilst the priests
and bishops indefatigably visited the tents of the soldiers,
promising them the assistance of Heaven. The Christian
army, filled with renewed confidence in victory, appeared
under arms, and marched in profound silence towards the
points of attack, whilst the clergy walked in procession round
the city.
The first shock was impetuous and terrible. The Christians
were indignant at the resistance they had met with the
day before, and fought with fury. The besieged, who had
learnt the approach of an Egyptian army, were animated by
the hope of victory, and their ramparts were protected by
machines of a formidable description. . The mutually discharged
javelins hissed on all sides ; whilst stones and beams
launched by both Christians and infidels were dashed against
each other in the air with a frightful noise, and fell upon the
assailants. From the heiglit of the towers, the Mussidmans
unceasingly hurled lighted torches and fire-pots. The wooden
fortresses of the Christians approached the walls amidst a
conflagration which was increasing on all parts around them.
The infidels directed their attacks particularly against the
tower of Grodfrey, upon the summit of which shone a cross
of gold, the sight of which provoked their utmost fury.
The duke of Lorraine saw one of his esquires and many of
his soldiers fall by his side ; but although himself a mark
for all the arrows of the enemy, he fought on amidst the
dead and the wounded, and never ceased to exhort his companions
to redouble their courage and ardour. The count
of Thoulouse, who attacked the city on the south side,
brought up all his machines to bear against those of the
Mussulmans: he had to contend against the emir of Jerusalem,
who animated his people by his words, and appeared
upon the walls surrounded by the elite of the Egyptian soldiery.
Towards the north, Tancred and the two Roberts
stood motionless at the head of their battalions, on their