volume one

50S msTOET or the ceusades.
and when "he offered bis justification, the bishops and nobles
melted into tears, and besougbt Henry to treat bim with
less injustice and rigour.
Queen Eleanor implored all tbe powers of Europe for the
release of ber son. Tbe complaints and tears of a mother
touched tbe beart of Celestine, who bad recently ascended
tlie cbair of St. Peter. Tbe pope several times demanded
tbe bberty of tbe king of England, and even excommunicated
tbe duke of Austria and tbe emperor ; but tbe thunders
of the Cburcb bad so often been launched against tbe
tbrones of Germanv, tbat they no longer inspired fear,
tbe capti\-ity
Hem-^- braved tbe anathemas of tbe Holy kSee ;
of Eicbard lasted another vear ; and be ouly obtained his
liberty after engaging to pay a considerable ransom. His
kingdom, which be had ruined at his departure for tbe Holy
Land, exhausted itself to hasten bis return ; and England
gave up even her sacred vases to break tbe chains of her
monarch. He was received with enthusiasm by tbe English
his adventures, which di-ew tears, obbt crated the remembrance
of his cruelties, and Europe only recollected his
exploits and his misfortunes.
After the truce made %vith Eicbard, Saladin retired to
Damascus, where he enjoyed his glory but one year. Tbe
Orientals celebrate tbe edifying manner in which he died,
distributing: his alms or benevolences to Mussulmans and
Christians alike. Before he expired he ordered one of bis
officers to carry his shroud through tbe streets of his capital,
and to cry with a loud voice :
'• Behold all that Saladin,
v:ho overcame the East, hears aivay of his conquests^
Scarcely had he ceased to breathe, when nothing remained
but a vain remembrance of bis laws and bis victories ; his
death was attended by tbat which so frequently happens in
Oriental monarchies, where nothing is regulated concerning
tbe succession ; where victory appears to be tbe most legitimate
title, and where a too numerous offspring await the
death of the prince in fear, servitude, and in ignorance of
tbe affairs of tbe state.
Saladin only left behind bim slaves intimidated by his
glory and bis boundless power, who divided bis authority
among them, but could not support the weight of it.
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