Ask me touching
what concerns the weal of Christendom, and of this Crusade, and I
will speak with thee as the wisest counsellor on whose tongue
persuasion ever sat. Speak to me of my own wretched being, and
my words shall be those of the maniac outcast which I am."
"I would not break the bands of unity asunder among the princes
of the Crusade," said Richard, with a mitigated tone and manner;
"but what atonement can they render me for the injustice and
insult which I have sustained?"
"Even of that I am prepared and commissioned to speak by the
Council, which, meeting hastily at the summons of Philip of
France, have taken measures for that effect."
"Strange," replied Richard, "that others should treat of what is
due to the wounded majesty of England!"
"They are willing to anticipate your demands, if it be possible,"
answered the hermit. "In a body, they consent that the Banner of
England be replaced on Saint George's Mount; and they lay under
ban and condemnation the audacious criminal, or criminals, by
whom it was outraged, and will announce a princely reward to any
who shall denounce the delinquent's guilt, and give his flesh to
the wolves and ravens.
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