Up, then, and mount--there lies a plain path before thee."
"Hakim," said the Scottish knight, "thou art a man of peace; also
thou hast saved the life of Richard of England--and, moreover, of
my own poor esquire, Strauchan. I have, therefore, heard to an
end a matter which, being propounded by another Moslem than
thyself, I would have cut short with a blow of my dagger! Hakim,
in return for thy kindness, I advise thee to see that the Saracen
who shall propose to Richard a union betwixt the blood of
Plantagenet and that of his accursed race do put on a helmet
which is capable to endure such a blow of a battle-axe as that
which struck down the gate of Acre. Certes, he will be otherwise
placed beyond the reach even of thy skill."
"Thou art, then, wilfully determined not to fly to the Saracen
host?" said the physician. "Yet, remember, thou stayest to
certain destruction; and the writings of thy law, as well as
ours, prohibit man from breaking into the tabernacle of his own
life."
"God forbid!" replied the Scot, crossing himself; "but we are
also forbidden to avoid the punishment which our crimes have
deserved.
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