DEATH OF KING. 255 dignity and authority less. On the other hand, they were neither so nobly born, nor so well bred, nor so learned as their clerical brethren of the West. Thus it is reported that a Flemish pilgrim was once raised to the patriarchal seat, simply because, at the imposture of the Holy Fire, his taper was the first to light, and it will be remembered how, after the deposition of Dagobert, Ebremer, a simple and perfectly ignorant monk, was put into his place. And when the pope refused to confirm the appointment, they made him archbishop of another diocese by way of compensation. We have seen, so far, the growth of this little kingdom, created in a single campaign, sustained by the valour of kings whose crown was an iron helmet, whose .throne was seldom anything but a camp-stool in a tent, or the saddle of a horse, whose hands grasped no sceptre but a sword, who lived hardly, and died in harness. We have next to see its decline and fall. Legends of Baldwin's prowess grew up as the years ran on. As a specimen of the stories which gathered about his name we subjoin the following translation, almost literal, from a French romance of the fourteenth century. It treats of a visit made by Baldwin with two Mohammedan princes, secretly Christian, to the Old Man of the Mountains : " Xow," said the Prince,* " great marvels have I here :" And summoning from those who waited near One of his own Assassins, bade him go Up to the highest tower, and leap below. Strange was it when the soldier ran Joyous, and quick, and smiling, as a man Who looks for great reward, and through the air Leaped fearless down. And far below him there King Baldwin noted how his lifeless bones, Mangled and shattered, lay about the stones. When leapt the first man marvelled much the king, More when five others, as 'twere some light thing, * Le Vieux de la Montagne.