[330] This accident of a loose horse is related by the anonymous author of the History of Jerusalem ’Historia Hierosolymitana).
[331] The Arabian historians say that a horse escaped from a vessel, and was pursued; he threw himself among the Mussulmans, who presented him to Saladin, which was considered an evil presage.—See Chéhabeddin, the historian of Saladin.
[332] Florentinus, bishop of Ptolemaïs, relates, that when the famine began to reign among the besiegers, to put a check upon the greediness of those who sold provisions at too high a price—
Barones constituunt uno prorsùs ore
Ut dentur cibaria precio minore.
Sed error novissimus pejor fit priore
Dùm non audent vendere consueto more.
Non enim tùm cibaria inveniuntur
Per forum venalia; sed effodiuntur
Pavimenta, domini recluduntur.
Sic inops et locuples famem patiuntur.
[333] Fleury relates this fact in his Ecclesiastical History, after the English historian Roger Hoveden. The same Roger speaks of the predictions and visions of Abbot Joachim, who finished by incurring the censure of the Holy See.
[334] Could not the reader imagine these kings were playing the siege of Troy, and that Richard was the sulky Achilles? There is a strong resemblance in the constitution of the forces before Troy and the independent nations, baronies, and counties of the Crusaders—thence the dissensions, delays, and disasters of both. History becomes the test of poetry, and Homer shines forth not only the great poet, but the veracious historian and clear-sighted philosopher.—Trans.
[335] I would fain translate this word shield or buckler; but as I cannot find the word cuirasse ever used for one of these, am obliged to follow my original.—Trans.
[336] Either the English took less part in the crusades than we generally imagine, or a French historian does not mete them due honour; the archbishop of Canterbury is the only name clearly English in this list. I shall have occasion to recur to this subject.—Trans.
[337] Saladin had a copy of the Koran, compiled by Omar, always carried with his army.
[338] Florentinus, bishop of Ptolemaïs, describes with horror the impiety of the Turks:—