ThecountenanceoftheSaracennaturallyboreageneralnationalresemblancetotheEasterntribefromwhomhedescended，andwasasunlikeaspossibletotheexaggeratedtermsinwhichtheminstrelsofthedaywerewonttorepresenttheinfidelchampions，andthefabulousdescriptionwhichasisterartstillpresentsastheSaracen’sheaduponsignposts。Hisfeaturesweresmall，wellformed，anddelicate，thoughdeeplyembrownedbytheEasternsun，andterminatedbyaflowingandcurledblackbeard，whichseemedtrimmedwithpeculiarcare。Thenosewasstraightandregular，theeyeskeen，deep-set，black，andglowing，andhisteethequalledinbeautytheivoryofhisdeserts。ThepersonandproportionsoftheSaracen，inshort，stretchedontheturfneartohispowerfulantagonist，mighthavebeencomparedtohissheenyandcrescent-formedsabre，withitsnarrowandlight，butbrightandkeenDamascusblade，contrastedwiththelongandponderousGothicwar-swordwhichwasflungunbuckledonthesamesod。TheEmirwasintheveryflowerofhisage，andmightperhapshavebeentermedeminentlybeautiful，butforthenarrownessofhisforehead，andsomethingoftoomuchthinnessandsharpnessoffeature，oratleastwhatmighthaveseemedsuchinaEuropeanestimateofbeauty。
ThemannersoftheEasternwarriorweregrave，graceful，anddecorous；indicating，however，insomeparticulars，thehabitualrestraintwhichmenofwarmandcholerictempersoftensetasaguardupontheirnativeimpetuosityofdisposition，andatthesametimeasenseofhisowndignity，whichseemedtoimposeacertainformalityofbehaviourinhimwhoentertainedit。
ThishaughtyfeelingofsuperioritywasperhapsequallyentertainedbyhisnewEuropeanacquaintance，buttheeffectwasdifferent；andthesamefeeling，whichdictatedtotheChristianknightabold，blunt，andsomewhatcarelessbearing，asonetooconsciousofhisownimportancetobeanxiousabouttheopinionsofothers，appearedtoprescribetotheSaracenastyleofcourtesymorestudiouslyandformallyobservantofceremony。Bothwerecourteous；butthecourtesyoftheChristianseemedtoflowratherfromagood-humouredsenseofwhatwasduetoothers；
thatoftheMoslem，fromahighfeelingofwhatwastobeexpectedfromhimself。
Theprovisionwhicheachhadmadeforhisrefreshmentwassimple，butthemealoftheSaracenwasabstemious。Ahandfulofdates，andamorselofcoarsebarley-bread，sufficedtorelievethehungerofthelatter，whoseeducationhadhabituatedhimtothefareofthedesert，although，sincetheirSyrianconquests，theArabiansimplicityoflifefrequentlygaveplacetothemostunboundedprofusionofluxury。Afewdraughtsfromthelovelyfountainbywhichtheyreposedcompletedhismeal。
ThatoftheChristian，thoughcoarse，wasmoregenial。Driedhog’s-flesh，theabominationoftheMoslemah，wasthechiefpartofhisrepast；andhisdrink，derivedfromaleathernbottle，containedsomethingbetterthanpureelement。Hefedwithmoredisplayofappetite，anddrankwithmoreappearanceofsatisfaction，thantheSaracenjudgeditbecomingtoshowintheperformanceofamerebodilyfunction；and，doubtless，thesecretcontemptwhicheachentertainedfortheother，asthefollowerofafalsereligion，wasconsiderablyincreasedbythemarkeddifferenceoftheirdietandmanners。Buteachhadfoundtheweightofhisopponent’sarm，andthemutualrespectwhichtheboldstrugglehadcreated，wassufficienttosubdueotherandinferiorconsiderations。YettheSaracencouldnothelpremarkingthecircumstanceswhichdispleasedhimintheChristian’sconductandmanners；and，afterhehadwitnessedforsometimeinsilencethekeenappetitewhichprotractedtheknight’sbanquetlongafterhisownwasconcluded，hethusaddressedhim:-
ValiantNazarene，isitfittingthatonewhocanfightlikeaman，shouldfeedlikeadogorawolf？EvenamisbelievingJewwouldshudderatthefoodwhichyouseemtoeatwithasmuchrelishasifitwerefruitfromthetreesofParadise。’’
ValiantSaracen，’’answeredtheChristian，lookingupwithsomesurpriseattheaccusationthusunexpectedlybrought，knowthouthatIexercisemyChristianfreedom，inusingthatwhichisforbiddentotheJews，being，astheyesteemthemselves，underthebondageoftheoldlawofMoses。We，Saracen，beitknowntothee，haveabetterwarrantforwhatwedo-AveMaria！-bewethankful。’’And，asifindefianceofhiscompanion’sscruples，heconcludedashortLatingracewithalongdraughtfromtheleathernbottle。
That，too，youcallapartofyourliberty，’’saidtheSaracen；
andasyoufeedlikethebrutes，soyoudegradeyourselftothebestialcondition，bydrinkingapoisonousliquorwhicheventheyrefuse！’’
Know，foolishSaracen，’’repliedtheChristian，withouthesitation，thatthoublasphemestthegiftsofGod，evenwiththeblasphemy，ofthyfatherIshmael。Thejuiceofthegrapeisgiventohimthatwilluseitwisely，asthatwhichcheerstheheartofmanaftertoil，refresheshiminsickness，andcomfortshiminsorrow。HewhosoenjoyethitmaythankGodforhiswine-cupasforhisdailybread:andhewhoabuseththegiftofHeaven，isnotagreaterfoolinhisintoxicationthanthouinthineabstinence。’’
ThekeeneyeoftheSaracenkindledatthissarcasm，andhishandsoughtthehiltofhisponiard。Itwasbutamomentarythought，however，anddiedawayintherecollectionofthepowerfulchampionwithwhomhehadtodeal，andthedesperategrapple，theimpressionofwhichstillthrobbedinhislimbsandveins；andhecontentedhimselfwithpursuingthecontestincolloquy，asmoreconvenientforthetime。
Thywords，’’hesaid，ONazarene，mightcreateanger，didnotthyignoranceraisecompassion。See’stthounot，OthoumoreblindthananywhoasksalmsatthedooroftheMosque，thatthelibertythoudostboastofisrestrainedeveninthatwhichisdearesttoman’shappiness，andtohishousehold；andthatthylaw，ifthoudostpractiseit，bindstheeinmarriagetoonesinglemate，beshesickorhealthy，beshefruitfulorbarren，bringshecomfortandjoy，orclamourandstrife，tothytableandtothybed？This，Nazarene，Idoindeedcallslavery；
whereas，tothefaithful，haththeProphetassigneduponearththepatriarchalprivilegesofAbrahamourfather，andofSolomon，thewisestofmankind，havinggivenushereasuccessionofbeautyatourpleasure，andbeyondthegravetheblack-eyedhourisofParadise。’’
Now，byHisnamethatImostreverenceinHeaven，’’saidtheChristian，andbyherswhomImostworshiponearth，thouartbutablindedandabewilderedinfidel！-Thatdiamondsignet，whichthouwearestonthyfinger，thouholdestit，doubtless，asofinestimablevalue？’’
BalsoraandBagdadcannotshowthelike，’’repliedtheSaracen；butwhatavailsittoourpurpose？’’
Much，’’repliedtheFrank，asthoushaltthyselfconfess。
Takemywar-axe，anddashthestoneintotwentyshivers；-
wouldeachfragmentbeasvaluableastheoriginalgem，orwouldthey，allcollected，bearthetenthpartofitsestimation？’’
Thatisachild’squestion，’’answeredtheSaracen；thefragmentsofsuchastonewouldnotequaltheentirejewelinthedegreeofhundredstoone。’’
Saracen，’’repliedtheChristianwarrior，thelovewhichatrueknightbindsononeonly，fairandfaithful，isthegementire；theaffectionthouflingestamongthyenslavedwives，andhalf-weddedslaves，isworthless，comparatively，asthesparklingshiversofthebrokendiamond。’’
Now，bytheHolyCahba，’’saidtheEmir，thouartamadman，whohugshischainofironasifitwereofgold！-
Lookmoreclosely。Thisringofminewouldlosehalfitsbeautywerenotthesignetencircledandenchasedwiththeselesserbrilliants，whichgraceitandsetitoff。Thecentraldiamondisman，firmandentire，hisvaluedependingonhimselfalone；andthiscircleoflesserjewelsarewomen，borrowinghislustre，whichhedealsouttothemasbestsuitshispleasureorhisconvenience。Takethecentralstonefromthesignet，andthediamonditselfremainsasvaluableasever，whilethelessergemsarecomparativelyoflittlevalue。Andthisisthetruereadingofthyparable；for，whatsayeththepoetMansour；
`Itisthefavourofmanwhichgivethbeautyandcomelinesstowoman，asthestreamglittersnolongerwhenthesunceasethtoshine。’’’
Saracen，’’repliedtheCrusader，thouspeakestlikeonewhoneversawawomanworthytheaffectionofasoldier。
Believeme，couldstthoulookuponthoseofEurope，towhom，afterHeaven，weoftheorderofknighthoodvowfealtyanddevotion，thouwouldstloatheforeverthepoorsensualslaveswhoformthyharem。Thebeautyofourfaironesgivespointtoourspears，andedgetoourswords；theirwordsareourlaw；
andassoonwillalampshedlustrewhenunkindled，asaknightdistinguishhimselfbyfeatsofarms，havingnomistressofhisaffection。’’
Ihaveheardofthisfrenzyamongthewarriorsofthewest，’’
saidtheEmir，andhaveeveraccounteditoneoftheaccompanyingsymptomsofthatinsanity，whichbringsyouhithertoobtainpossessionofanemptysepulchre。Butyet，methinks，sohighlyhavetheFrankswhomIhavemetwithextolledthebeautyoftheirwomen，Icouldbewellcontentedtobeholdwithmineowneyesthosecharms，whichcantransformsuchbravewarriorsintothetoolsoftheirpleasure。’’
BraveSaracen，’’saidtheKnight，ifIwerenotonapilgrimagetotheHolySepulchre，itshouldbemypridetoconductyou，onassuranceofsafety，tothecampofRichardofEngland，thanwhomnoneknowsbetterhowtodohonourtoanoblefoe；andthoughIbepoorandunattended，yethaveIinteresttosecureforthee，oranysuchasthouseemest，notsafetyonly，butrespectandesteem。ThereshouldstthouseeseveralofthefairestbeautiesofFranceandBritainformasmallcircle，thebrilliancyofwhichexceedsten-thousand-foldthelustreofminesofdiamondssuchasthine。’’
Now，bythecorner-stoneoftheCahba，’’saidtheSaracen，Iwillacceptthyinvitationasfreelyasitisgiven，ifthouwiltpostponethypresentintent；and，creditme，braveNazarene，itwerebetterforthyselftoturnbackthyhorse’sheadtowardsthecampofthypeople，for，totraveltowardsJerusalemwithoutapassport，isbutawilfulcastingawayofthylife。’’
Ihaveapass，’’answeredtheKnight，producingaparchment，underSaladin’shandandsignet。’’
TheSaracenbenthisheadtothedustasherecognisedthesealandhandwritingoftherenownedSoldanofEgyptandSyria；andhavingkissedthepaperwithprofoundrespect，hepressedittohisforehead，thenreturnedittotheChristian，saying，RashFrank，thouhastsinnedagainstthineownbloodandmine，fornotshowingthistomewhenwemet。’’
Youcamewithlevelledspear，’’saidtheKnight；hadatroopofSaracenssoassailedme，itmighthavestoodwithmyhonourtohaveshowntheSoldan’spass，butnevertooneman。’’
Andyetoneman，’’saidtheSaracen，haughtily，wasenoughtointerruptyourjourney。’’
True，braveMoslem，’’repliedtheChristian；buttherearefewsuchasthouart。Suchfalconsflynotinflocks，oriftheydo，theypouncenotinnumbersuponone。’’
Thoudostusbutjustice，’’saidtheSaracen，evidentlygratifiedbythecompliment，ashehadbeentouchedbytheimpliedscornoftheEuropean’spreviousboast；fromusthoushouldsthavehadnowrong；butwellwasitformethatI
failedtoslaythee，withthesafeguardofthekingofkingsuponthyperson。Certainitwere，thatthecordorthesabrehadjustlyavengedsuchguilt。’’
Iamgladtohearthatitsinfluenceshallbeavailingtome，’’saidtheKnight；forIhaveheardthattheroadisinfestedwithrobber-tribes，whoregardnothingincomparisonofanopportunityofplunder。’’
Thetruthhasbeentoldtothee，braveChristian，’’saidtheSaracen；butIsweartothee，bytheturbanoftheProphet，thatshouldstthoumiscarryinanyhauntofsuchvillains，Iwillmyselfundertakethyrevengewithfivethousandhorse；Iwillslayeverymaleofthem，andsendtheirwomenintosuchdistantcaptivitythatthenameoftheirtribeshallneveragainbeheardwithinfivehundredmilesofDamascus。Iwillsowwithsaltthefoundationsoftheirvillage，andthereshallneverlivethingdwellthere，evenfromthattimeforward。’’
Ihadratherthetroublewhichyoudesignforyourself，wereinrevengeofsomeothermoreimportantpersonthanofme，nobleEmir，’’repliedtheKnight；butmyvowisrecordedinHeaven，forgoodorforevil，andImustbeindebtedtoyouforpointingmeoutthewaytomyresting-placeforthisevening。’’
That，’’saidtheSaracen，mustbeundertheblackcoveringofmyfather’stent。’’
Thisnight，’’answeredtheChristian，Imustpassinprayerandpenitencewithaholyman，TheodorickofEngaddi，whodwellsamongstthesewilds，andspendshislifeintheserviceofGod。’’
Iwillatleastseeyousafethither，’’saidtheSaracen。
Thatwouldbepleasantconvoyforme，’’saidtheChristian，yetmightendangerthefuturesecurityofthegoodfather；forthecruelhandofyourpeoplehasbeenredwiththebloodoftheservantsoftheLord，andthereforedowecomehitherinplateandmail，withswordandlance，toopentheroadtotheHolySepulchre，andprotectthechosensaintsandanchoriteswhoyetdwellinthislandofpromiseandofmiracle。’’
