A brave and generous
disposition like thine hath a value independent of condition and
birth, as the cool draught, which I here proffer thee, is as
delicious from an earthen vessel as from a goblet of gold."
The Earl of Huntingdon made a suitable reply, gratefully
acknowledging the various important services he had received from
the generous Soldan; but when he had pledged Saladin in the bowl
of sherbet which the Soldan had proffered to him, he could not
help remarking with a smile, "The brave cavalier Ilderim knew not
of the formation of ice, but the munificent Soldan cools his
sherbet with snow."
"Wouldst thou have an Arab or a Kurdman as wise as a Hakim?"
said the Soldan. "He who does on a disguise must make the
sentiments of his heart and the learning of his head accord with
the dress which he assumes. I desired to see how a brave and
single-hearted cavalier of Frangistan would conduct himself in
debate with such a chief as I then seemed; and I questioned the
truth of a well-known fact, to know by what arguments thou
wouldst support thy assertion.
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