Canst thou clean an armour and belt, and buckle it in time of need ?" The mute nodded, and stepping towards the coat of mail, which hung with the shield and helmet of the chivalrous monarch upon the pillar of the tent, he handled it with such nicety of address as sufficiently to show that he fully understood the business of an armour-bearer.
"Thou art an apt, and wilt doubtless be a useful knave.

Thou shalt wait in my chamber, and on my person," said the King, "to show how much I value the gift of the royal Soldan.

If thou hast no tongue, it follows thou canst carry no tales, neither provoke me to be sudden by any unfit reply." The Nubian again prostrated himself till his brow touched the earth, then stood erect, at some paces distant, as waiting for his new master's commands.
"Nay, thou shalt commence thy office presently," said Richard, "for I see a speck of rust darkening on that shield; and when I shake it in the face of Saladin, it should be bright and unsullied as the Soldan's honour and mine own." A horn was winded without, and presently Sir Henry Neville entered with a packet of dispatches.

"From England, my lord," he said, as he delivered it.
"From England--our own England!" repeated Richard, in a tone of melancholy enthusiasm.

"Alas! they little think how hard their Sovereign has been beset by sickness and sorrow--faint friends and forward enemies." Then opening the dispatches, he said hastily, "Ha! this comes from no peaceful land--they too have their feuds.