volume one

IIISTOEY OF THE CEUSADES. 505
btirbarous in one single instance. He displayed the virtues
of peace amidst the horrors of war. " From the bosom of
camps," says an Oriental poet, " lie covered the nations tvith
the wings of his justice, and poured upon his cities the plenteous
showers of his liherality.'''' The Mussulmans, always
governed by fear,* were astonished that a sovereign could
inspire them with so much love, and followed him with joy
to battle. His generosity, his clemency, and particularly
his respect for an oath, were often the subjects of admiration
to the Christians, whom he rendered so miserable by his
victories, and of Avhose power in Asia he had completed the
overthrow.
t
* To know the character and virtues of Saladin, it is sufficient to quote
the discourse he addressed to his son El-daher, to whom he had confided
the government of a province :— " My son," said he, " you are about to
reign over states that I have bestowed upon you. My infirmities give me
reason to fear that I may never see you again; I recommend you, then,
my son, as my last command, to love and honour God, who is the source of
for your welfare depends
all good, and to observe the precepts of his law ;
upon it.
Spare human blood, for fear it should fall again upon your own
head ; for blood once shed never sleeps. Endeavour to gain the hearts of
your subjects ; administer justice, and be as careful of their interests as
of your own. You will have to render an account to God of this trust
which I confide to you in his name. Show respect and condescension for
the emirs, the imauns, the caliphs, and all persons placed in authority. It
is only by mildness and clemency that I have attained the elevated posi-
tion in which you behold me. We are all mortal, O my son 1 entertain
then no malice, no hatred against any one. Be careful, above all things,
to offend nobody ; men only forget injuries when they have revenged
them, whilst God grants us pardon for our errors for a simple repentance ;
for he is beneficent and merciful." This speech of Saladin to his son has
been transmitted to us by Bohaeddin, who heard it delivered.—See the
Life of Saladin, by Marin, book xiii.
Although, happily, the time is gone by in which an English writer
t
would break a lance in defence of the entire character of Richard, much
as I admire the general reflections and spirit of ray author, I cannot but
think he has scarcely done him justice. His faults are always thrown into
high relief, whilst his good qualities,—for he had some,—are either shaded
or entirely concealed. la the disputes which his position naturally drew
him into, his antagonists are always made to be in the right, Richard in
the wrono-. Not a single act is recorded before Ptolemais, and yet Richard
had five thousand prisoners ; most authors say three thousand, but the
larger number is assumed, for the sake of the massacre. The more
eminent the exploits of Richard, in an army constituted like that of the
Crusaders, the greater were sure to be the envy and hatred of his fellowleaders.
Richard is no worse than other heroes of the sword, from