CHAP. IV.]

ST. JOHN OF JEKUSAXiEM.

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elected Prince of Moussul and Aleppo, and the sul-tan ratified the election.

“ At that time the Franks (whom God

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curse) held Edessa, and much of Mesopo-tamia. If God had not given them Zengui, itwas all over with Syria and the Moslems; but athis appearance, the true believers lightened uptheir looks, and the prophet’s words were verified.

‘ My country shall never be without a friend ofGod, nor religion without a protector.’ The Lorddid not abandon the Mahometans, but placed attheir head one whose soul is to be sanctified .” 1 Yetwas no way scrupulous, since he put the Prince ofDamascus, a brother Mussulman, whom he gothold of by no very honourable stratagem, on abed of straw, and scourged severely by a commonexecutioner, to extract a ransom, and make himgive up a fortress. Moslems ravaged all aboutLaodicea, leading away to slavery nine thousandmen, women, and children, and one hundred thou-sand head of cattle, all which dislocated the armsof the Franks. Such were the amusements of thattime.

Even long before this, Sir Raymond had seen hisbody, with a rapid success, rivalling that underits founder, go on growing till not an illustrious

1 Arab. Chron., 64.