CHAP, v.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 285

treaty! ” “ Then truth is,” replied Almeric, “ that

the Franks from beyond sea have forced me!”“Well, what do they want?” “ Two millions ofpieces of gold.” “ I’ll take your answer to thevizier, and do you tarry here.” 1 But instead ofAlmeric’s tarrying, he proceeded to under the wallsof Heliopolis, where the vizier’s grandson com-manded. “ Where are we to encamp? ” asked theChristian. “ On the points of our lances,” repliedthe young man. “ Do you think Heliopolis is acheese good to eat?” “Yes! and Cairo shall hethe cream! ” 2 But Heliopolis, when taken, wascruelly sacked and partly burned, before deliveringit up to the Hospitallers. This drove the vizier todespair; and it was clear the Egyptian army couldmake no available defence. 3 So the caliph, in hisconsternation, had nothing for it but to apply toNoureddin as his only protection, and added to hislamentable letter of entreaty an enclosure of thetresses of all the women in his harem, cut off in theextremity of their sorrow, to testify it and stimulatehis pity to the utmost haste. “ They are the hairof my wives, who implore you to save them fromthe outrages of the Franks ”—reference to theangelic song in the Koran: Glory be to Him who

1 Arab. Chron.,128. 2 Id., 129.

3 Id., 130.—Bosio : par. 1, lib. iii., anno 1168.