chap, v.]

ST. JOHN ON JERUSALEM.

283

poetry, and comments on the Alcoran, but muchchemistry, mathematics, medicine, law, astronomy,mining, architecture, at least. 1 Nevertheless, fewwere the mourners for his death, since there wassomething haughty and despotic in his manners.He scarcely permitted people to sit down in hispresence, before he had told them so to do, ex-cept that on perceiving a doctor of law, or sophi,or faquir, he used to rise to do them honour, andmake them sit down close by his side, as one ofhis own family, and converse with them amicably.The Mahometan Prince of Moussul, by procla-mation, told his subjects to divert themselves, anddrink as much as they liked, seeing Noureddin wasdead. 2 During his battle near Tripoli, when hisright wing broke, he dismounted, and prostratewas heard praying fervently: “ 0 my SovereignMaster, do not abandon thy servant, for it is thineown Divine religion I protect.’’ Nor did he ceasehumbling himself, and weeping and rolling his facein the dust, all bathed as he was with tears, tillGod heard the voice of his supplication, and senthim victory. 3

Such was the manner of man had sent Saladinto Egypt, under pretence of assisting the Cairo

1 Arab. Cliron., 168. 2 Id., 171.

3 Id., 120.