But fear not that thy brows shall be bound with the turban, save at thine own free choice." "My choice were rather," said the knight, "that my writhen features should blacken, as they are like to do, in this evening's setting sun." "Yet thou art not wise, Nazarene," said El Hakim, "to reject this fair offer; for I have power with Saladin, and can raise thee high in his grace.

Look you, my son--this Crusade, as you call your wild enterprise, is like a large dromond [The largest sort of vessels then known were termed dromond's, or dromedaries.] parting asunder in the waves.

Thou thyself hast borne terms of truce from the kings and princes, whose force is here assembled, to the mighty Soldan, and knewest not, perchance, the full tenor of thine own errand." "I knew not, and I care not," said the knight impatiently.

"What avails it to me that I have been of late the envoy of princes, when, ere night, I shall be a gibbeted and dishonoured corpse ?" "Nay, I speak that it may not be so with thee," said the physician.
"Saladin is courted on all sides.

The combined princes of this league formed against him have made such proposals of composition and peace, as, in other circumstances, it might have become his honour to have granted to them.