"At noon," said the Soldan, as he departed, "I trust ye will all
accept a collation under the black camel-skin tent of a chief of
Kurdistan."
The same invitation was circulated among the Christians,
comprehending all those of sufficient importance to be admitted
to sit at a feast made for princes.
"Hark!" said Richard, "the timbrels announce that our Queen and
her attendants are leaving their gallery--and see, the turbans
sink on the ground, as if struck down by a destroying angel. All
lie prostrate, as if the glance of an Arab's eye could sully the
lustre of a lady's cheek! Come, we will to the pavilion, and
lead our conqueror thither in triumph. How I pity that noble
Soldan, who knows but of love as it is known to those of inferior
nature!"
Blondel tuned his harp to his boldest measure, to welcome the
introduction of the victor into the pavilion of Queen Berengaria.
He entered, supported on either side by his sponsors, Richard and
Thomas Longsword, and knelt gracefully down before the Queen,
though more than half the homage was silently rendered to Edith,
who sat on her right hand.
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