volume one

488
IIISTOET OF THE CRUS.IDES.
The king of England advanced witli the main body,
sweeping away the crowd of Saracens that opposed his
passage, and pursuing them to the other side of the torrent
but whilst he yielded to his ardour, and advanced before the
Christian army, the chosen troops of the Mussulmans descended
from the mountains of Naplouse, and poured down
upon the rear of the Christians. Eichard was forced to
retrace his steps to support the French and Germans, who
were beginning to give way. The plain in which the battle
was fought, could scarcelv contain all the combatants. The
Christians and Mussulmans closed, and attacked each other
man to man ;
the foot fought pellmell with the horse,
exhorting each other to brave death. The cries of rage,
despaii', and agony were mingled with the clashing of
swords, lances, and shields. The two armies, confounded
and mixed together, became nothing but one horrible spectacle.
If we believe the somewhat improbable account of
an English historian,* Hichard and Saladin met in the
vielee, and rushed upon each other sword in hand, and the
two armies instantly became motionless, leaving to their
great leaders the honour of deciding the fate of the battle.
This singular circumstance, which poetry might envy his-
tory, is not mentioned by Arabian writers.f The battle
lasted almost during the whole day. Towards evening the
Mussulmans were broken on all sides, and retreated in
disorder into the forest of Saron, whither the fear of an
ambuscade prevented the Christians from pursuing them,
and destro^'ing the wreck of their army.
The battle of Arsur was one of the most celebrated of
this war ; in it the ^lussulmans lost a great number of their
bravest emirs, and particularly regretted a chief of Saladin'
Mamelukes, whose heroic courage is highly celebrated by
their historians. Xo Saracen warrior was more prompt to
* Arabian historians say nothing of the single combat between Richard
and Saladin. English historians alone mention it.
t I cannot attach much consequence to the silence of the Arabian,
writers on this subject, neither can 1 think, with our author, such a rencontre
so improballe in such a melee. The principal argument against it
is, that Saladin survived the battle. Richard was at least twelve years
younger than Saladin, and in the full vigour of a large, powerful frame,
whilst Saladin was weakened by toil and disease.
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Trans.
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