volume one

50^ msTOiir or tile ceusades.
selves illustrious, two men acquired an immortal glory, one
by a useless bravery, and qualities more brilliant than solid,
the other by real successes and virtues that mi^^ht have
served as models to Christians. The name of Eichard remained
during a century the terror of the East, and the
Saracens and Turks celebrated him in their proverbs a long
time after the crusades. He cultivated letters, and merited
a place among the troubadours ; but the arts did not at all
soften his character ; it was his ferocitv as well as his courag^e
that procured him the surname of Cceur de Lion. Carried
awav bv the inconstancy of his inclinations, he often chancjed
his projects, his affections, and his principles of action ; he
sometimes braved religion, and very often devoted himself to
its service. Sometimes hicredLdous, as often superstitious ;
measureless in his hatred as in his friendship, he was extra-
vao^ant in evervthiuEf, and only showed himself constant in
his love for war. The passions which animated him scarcely
ever permitted his ambition to have an aim or a determinate
object. His imprudence, his presumption, and the unsteadiness
of his plans, made him lose the fruits of his exploits.
In a word, the hero of this crusade is more calculated to
excite surprise than to create esteem, and appears to belong
less to history than to the romances of chivalry.
AYith less rasliness and bravery than Eichard, Saladin
possessed a more firm character, one far better calculated
to carry on a religious war. He paid more attention to the
results of his enterprises ; more
master of himself, he was
more fit to command others. AVhen mountinc: the throne
of the Atabeks, Saladin obeyed rather his destiny than his
inclinations ;
but when once firmly seated, he was governed
by only two passions,—that of reigning, and that of securing
the triumph of the Koran. On all other subjects he was
moderate, and when a kiugdom or the glory of the prophet
was not in question, the son of Ayoub was admired as the
most just and mild of Mussulmans. We may add that the
stern devotion* and ardent fanaticism that made him take
up arms against the Christians, only rendered him cruel and
* Saladin had but little indulgence in religious matters. The Abbe
Renaudot, in his manuscript history, relates that he caused a philosopher
to be strangled who ventured to preach new doctrines in the city of
Aleppo.