CHAP. V.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

287

of the Nile; the new, where it yet stands; andfortified round—in a circuit twenty-two miles(say some) and others, thirty . 1 So those of thenew joined their rulers in an invitation to all ofthe old, to remove instantly within fortifications,that at least had the river between them and theenemy. Perhaps (deducting exaggerations) oldCairo was the largest and most thickly populatedcity ever in the world, after New Cairo, ancientThebes, and Babylon on the Euphrates. Old Cairowas also called Babylon , 2 and outdid and destroyedMemphis . 3 It was in Old Cairo our Saviourspent part of his earthly life . 4 Would the citizensof that unfortunate place obey such a mandate,and, abandoning all their property, quit their na-tive dwellings, men, women and children—everyhuman being? Had the world till then in any ageproduced such examples of self-devotedness? Tohurry Noureddin the more, he in the same despatchhad been offered the third of all Egypt , 5 and fullpay and every necessary for his army, if it got intime to save the government. The army consistedof two thousand picked Turks, and six thousandTurcomans , 6 all on valuable horses. Noureddin

1 Comm. Geograph, ii. 189.

‘ 2 Michaud : Hist., ii. 34. 3 Michaud : Orient, vi. 19.

4 Id.: Id., Orient, vi. 20. 5 Arab. Chron., 130.

6 Arab. Chron., 131.