But to the present gear--is the good knight well armed and equipped ?" "Fully, my liege, and nobly," answered De Vaux.

"I know the armour well; it is that which the Venetian commissary offered your highness, just ere you became ill, for five hundred byzants." "And he hath sold it to the infidel Soldan, I warrant me, for a few ducats more, and present payment.

These Venetians would sell the Sepulchre itself!" "The armour will never be borne in a nobler cause," said De Vaux.
"Thanks to the nobleness of the Saracen," said the King, "not to the avarice of the Venetians." "I would to God your Grace would be more cautious," said the anxious De Vaux.

"Here are we deserted by all our allies, for points of offence given to one or another; we cannot hope to prosper upon the land; and we have only to quarrel with the amphibious republic, to lose the means of retreat by sea!" "I will take care," said Richard impatiently; "but school me no more.
Tell me rather, for it is of interest, hath the knight a confessor ?" "He hath," answered De Vaux; "the hermit of Engaddi, who erst did him that office when preparing for death, attends him on the present occasion, the fame of the duel having brought him hither." "'Tis well," said Richard; "and now for the knight's request.

Say to him, Richard will receive him when the discharge of his devoir beside the Diamond of the Desert shall have atoned for his fault beside the Mount of Saint George; and as thou passest through the camp, let the Queen know I will visit her pavilion--and tell Blondel to meet me there." De Vaux departed, and in about an hour afterwards, Richard, wrapping his mantle around him, and taking his ghittern in his hand, walked in the direction of the Queen's pavilion.