But Allah has already given
Jerusalem to the true believers, and it were a tempting the God
of the Prophet to peril, upon my own personal strength and skill,
that which I hold securely by the superiority of my forces."
"If not for Jerusalem, then," said Richard, in the tone of one
who would entreat a favour of an intimate friend, "yet, for the
love of honour, let us run at least three courses with grinded
lances?"
"Even this," said Saladin, half smiling at Coeur de Lion's
affectionate earnestness for the combat--"even this I may not
lawfully do. The master places the shepherd over the flock not
for the shepherd's own sake, but for the sake of the sheep. Had
I a son to hold the sceptre when I fell, I might have had the
liberty, as I have the will, to brave this bold encounter; but
your own Scripture saith that when the herdsman is smitten, the
sheep are scattered."
"Thou hast had all the fortune," said Richard, turning to the
Earl of Huntingdon with a sigh. "I would have given the best
year in my life for that one half hour beside the Diamond of the
Desert!"
The chivalrous extravagance of Richard awakened the spirits of
the assembly, and when at length they arose to depart Saladin
advanced and took Coeur de Lion by the hand.
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