"
"And thou knowest that his daring and insolent passion crossed
thine own wishes?" said Richard.
"I might guess so much," said Saladin; "but his passion had
existed ere my wishes had been formed--and, I must now add, is
likely to survive them. I cannot, in honour, revenge me for my
disappointment on him who had no hand in it. Or, if this high-born dame loved him better than myself,
who can say that she did
not justice to a knight of her own religion, who is full of
nobleness?"
"Yet of too mean lineage to mix with the blood of Plantagenet,"
said Richard haughtily.
"Such may be your maxims in Frangistan," replied the Soldan.
"Our poets of the Eastern countries say that a valiant camel-driver is worthy to kiss the lip of a fair Queen,
when a cowardly
prince is not worthy to salute the hem of her garment. But with
your permission, noble brother, I must take leave of thee for the
present, to receive the Duke of Austria and yonder Nazarene
knight, much less worthy of hospitality, but who must yet be
suitably entreated, not for their sakes, but for mine own honour
--for what saith the sage Lokman? 'Say not that the food is lost
unto thee which is given to the stranger; for if his body be
strengthened and fattened therewithal, not less is thine own
worship and good name cherished and augmented.
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