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CHARLES J. ROSEBAULT.
Saladin. Prince of Chivalry
page 265
—
the pigs, of course, had served their purpose and were of no further use ; but what did it avail, after all?
—
neither that nor any of the desperate sorties from the city, nor brilliant attacks from the Sultan's army.
Over in Europe mournful priests were carrying from town to town a huge picture painted by order of the Marquess of Montferrat, representing the city of Jerusalem. There could be seen the Church of the Resurrection, with a Moslem horseman trampling the tomb of Christ and his horse desecrating it. Others carried a picture of the Savior showing bleeding wounds said to have been inflicted by the Saracens. What difference did the loss of a few thousands make, when the whole Western world was pouring out its treasure in men and materials to avenge these wrongs ? It was only necessary for the besiegers to hold their camp intact.
The Sultan knew well enough. In increasing number his letters calling for further reinforcements went out to the governors. All Islam was besought, reproached, threatened. Where was the spirit of the Moslems ? Let them look at the enemy, who spared neither themselves nor their treasure. He might have added, let them look at him, worn with fatigue, anxiety and ill almost unto death. He was sparing himself least of all.
The King of Sin jar, wearied with the war, the same noble who had been received so royally by the Sultan, flatly disobeyed the latter's orders and left the camp. Only through the intervention of Taki ed-din, who
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