For why
should I not seek for brotherhood and alliance with a Saracen,
brave, just, generous--who loves and honours a worthy foe, as if
he were a friend--whilst the Princes of Christendom shrink from
the side of their allies, and forsake the cause of Heaven and
good knighthood? But I will possess my patience, and will not
think of them. Only one attempt will I make to keep this gallant
brotherhood together, if it be possible; and if I fail, Lord
Archbishop, we will speak together of thy counsel, which, as now,
I neither accept nor altogether reject. Wend we to the Council,
my lord--the hour calls us. Thou sayest Richard is hasty and
proud--thou shalt see him humble himself like the lowly broom-plant from which he derives his surname."
With the assistance of those of his privy chamber, the King then
hastily robed himself in a doublet and mantle of a dark and
uniform colour; and without any mark of regal dignity, excepting
a ring of gold upon his head, he hastened with the Archbishop of
Tyre to attend the Council, which waited but his presence to
commence its sitting.
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