CHAP. IV.]

ST. JOHN OF JEKUSALEM.

259

people admired his clemency and moderation. TheChristians extolled his generosity and signalheroism. He followed the example of Zengui inbecoming the idol of his soldiers by his liberalityto them and his zeal to combat the enemies of Islam.Noureddin then revived the fierce despotism thatwas nearly extinct in the East, and announced theKoran’s triumph, and the destruction of the ^Christian colonies. Baldwin III., by tryingto stop him, only afforded him an opportunity ofdisplaying his courage. Ascalon was more thanrepaid by No ureddin’s conquest of Damascus, alwaysMoslem it is true, but now swayed by the mostdangerous of Moslems ; seduction and promises hisweapons.

An interval of inaction that resembled peace,produced no event except the piratical expeditionof Renaud de Chatillon (now Prince of Antioch)against tranquil Cyprus“ an injustice that nearlyequals what was perpetrated by Baldwin II. him-self against the poor Arabs, who used to feed theirflocks in the woods of Paneas by a treaty with himand his successors. His soldiers fell suddenly onthe unarmed pastors, who fled in part; anotherpart of them were killed, and their animals driven

s 2

1 Michaud: Hist., ii. 219.