6 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book i.

Let them rather have grounds to praise the kindnessof our religion.’ 1 —The Queen, and ladies, andbarons, and knights.—And Saladin respected hergrief, and his words were full of kindness—A largecrowd of women, some with children in theirarms and all with shrill cries of distress; wives,mothers, daughters. And Saladin, stung withdeep pity, promised them aid to support theircalamity, and gave the wives their husbands, andthe mothers their sons, as many as could be foundamong the prisoners.—Since every one was per-mitted to carry what they could, many left theirmost precious effects, and, instead, put their agedparents, or sick friends, on their shoulders.—AndSaladin then rewarded them, and pitied their piety,virtue, and misfortunes. All misfortune, even ofhis foes, found an entrance to his pity. And hepermitted all of our order to remain in the citywith the sick, and continue to take charge of them,till quite recovered. Nor can I but confess thatthe Mahometans praised and were proud of theirsultan’s noble compassion . 2 Large sums did hebestow on the ladye captives, with wondrouscourtesy; but, particularly, on those of them thathad lost their husbands or fathers; to some more,to some less, according to their wants. And many1 Arab. Chron., 212. 2 Id.: 219.