"
The assembled princes resumed their seats, and there was a
profound silence.
"This day," continued the King of England, "is a high festival of
the church, and it well becomes Christian men, at such a tide, to
reconcile themselves with their brethren, and confess their
faults to each other. Noble princes and fathers of this holy
expedition, Richard is a soldier--his hand is ever readier than
his tongue--and his tongue is but too much used to the rough
language of his trade. But do not, for Plantagenet's hasty
speeches and ill-considered actions, forsake the noble cause of
the redemption of Palestine--do not throw away earthly renown
and eternal salvation, to be won here if ever they can be won by
man, because the act of a soldier may have been hasty, and his
speech as hard as the iron which he has worn from childhood. Is
Richard in default to any of you, Richard will make compensation
both by word and action.--Noble brother of France, have I been so
unlucky as to offend you?"
"The Majesty of France has no atonement to seek from that of
England," answered Philip, with kingly dignity, accepting, at the
same time, the offered hand of Richard; "and whatever opinion I
may adopt concerning the prosecution of this enterprise will
depend on reasons arising out of the state of my own kingdom--
certainly on no jealousy or disgust at my royal and most
valorous brother.
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