"By Saint George, but there is next to a certainty of it," said
the King; "for Saladin will doubtless afford us a free field for
the doing of this new battle of the Standard, and will witness it
himself. Berengaria is wild to behold it also; and I dare be
sworn not a feather of you, her companions and attendants, will
remain behind--least of all thou thyself, fair coz. But come, we
have reached the pavilion, and must part; not in unkindness thou,
oh--nay, thou must seal it with thy lip as well as thy hand,
sweet Edith--it is my right as a sovereign to kiss my pretty
vassals."
He embraced her respectfully and affectionately, and returned
through the moonlit camp, humming to himself such snatches of
Blondel's lay as he could recollect.
On his arrival he lost no time in making up his dispatches for
Saladin, and delivered them to the Nubian, with a charge to set
out by peep of day on his return to the Soldan.
CHAPTER XXVII.
We heard the Tecbir--so these Arabs call
Their shout of onset, when, with loud acclaim,
They challenge Heaven to give them victory.
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