Thou hast seen me do matters more difficult--he that can call the dying from the darkness of the shadow of death can easily cast a mist before the eyes of the living.

But mark me: there is still the condition annexed to this service--that thou deliver a letter of Saladin to the niece of the Melech Ric, whose name is as difficult to our Eastern tongue and lips, as her beauty is delightful to our eyes." Sir Kenneth paused before he answered, and the Saracen observing his hesitation, demanded of him, "if he feared to undertake this message ?" "Not if there were death in the execution," said Sir Kenneth.

"I do but pause to consider whether it consists with my honour to bear the letter of the Soldan, or with that of the Lady Edith to receive it from a heathen prince." "By the head of Mohammed, and by the honour of a soldier--by the tomb at Mecca, and by the soul of my father," said the Emir, "I swear to thee that the letter is written in all honour and respect.

The song of the nightingale will sooner blight the rose-bower she loves than will the words of the Soldan offend the ears of the lovely kinswoman of England." "Then," said the knight, "I will bear the Soldan's letter faithfully, as if I were his born vassal--understanding, that beyond this simple act of service, which I will render with fidelity, from me of all men he can least expect mediation or advice in this his strange love-suit." "Saladin is noble," answered the Emir, "and will not spur a generous horse to a leap which he cannot achieve.

Come with me to my tent," he added, "and thou shalt be presently equipped with a disguise as unsearchable as midnight, so thou mayest walk the camp of the Nazarenes as if thou hadst on thy finger the signet of Giaougi." [Perhaps the same with Gyges.].