He readeth the course of the stars; and dwelling, with maceration of the flesh, in those divine places which the saints have trodden of old, the spirit of Elijah the Tishbite, the founder of his blessed order, hath been with him as it was with the prophet Elisha, the son of Shaphat, when he spread his mantle over him." King Richard listened to the Prelate's reasoning with a downcast brow and a troubled look.
"I cannot tell," he said, "How, it is with me, but methinks these cold counsels of the Princes of Christendom have infected me too with a lethargy of spirit.

The time hath been that, had a layman proposed such alliance to me, I had struck him to earth--if a churchman, I had spit at him as a renegade and priest of Baal; yet now this counsel sounds not so strange in mine ear.

For why should I not seek for brotherhood and alliance with a Saracen, brave, just, generous--who loves and honours a worthy foe, as if he were a friend--whilst the Princes of Christendom shrink from the side of their allies, and forsake the cause of Heaven and good knighthood?
But I will possess my patience, and will not think of them.

Only one attempt will I make to keep this gallant brotherhood together, if it be possible; and if I fail, Lord Archbishop, we will speak together of thy counsel, which, as now, I neither accept nor altogether reject.

Wend we to the Council, my lord--the hour calls us.