But even the
iron frame of Coeur de Lion could not support without injury the
alternations of the unwholesome climate, joined to ceaseless
exertions of body and mind. He became afflicted with one of
those slow and wasting fevers peculiar to Asia, and in despite of
his great strength and still greater courage, grew first unfit to
mount on horseback, and then unable to attend the councils of war
which were from time to time held by the Crusaders. It was
difficult to say whether this state of personal inactivity was
rendered more galling or more endurable to the English monarch by
the resolution of the council to engage in a truce of thirty days
with the Sultan Saladin; for on the one hand, if he was incensed
at the delay which this interposed to the progress of the great
enterprise, he was, on the other, somewhat consoled by knowing
that others were not acquiring laurels while he remained inactive
upon a sick-bed,
That, however, which Coeur de Lion could least excuse was the
general inactivity which prevailed in the camp of the Crusaders
so soon as his illness assumed a serious aspect; and the reports
which he extracted from his unwilling attendants gave him to
understand that the hopes of the host had abated in proportion to
his illness, and that the interval of truce was employed, not in
recruiting their numbers, reanimating their courage, fostering
their spirit of conquest, and preparing for a speedy and
determined advance upon the Holy City, which was the object of
their expedition, but in securing the camp occupied by their
diminished followers with trenches, palisades, and other
fortifications, as if preparing rather to repel an attack from a
powerful enemy so soon as hostilities should recommence, than to
assume the proud character of conquerors and assailants.
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