70 THE HISTORY OP THE ORDER OF [bookii.

Aleppo, which small angle one of his sons con-trived to keep. Had Saladin left a will, it mightperhaps have been otherwise; but he died intestate,and the natural consequence was confusion . 1 Hewas but fifty-seven when he died . 2

Far from indifference in religion and doubt, asis pretended, Saladin, after having lain senselessthree days, at the imam who assisted his lastmoments coming to the line, which he read withsolemn strength, “ God is Omnipotent!” “ It is trueit is true,” cried the Soldan, springing up; and thenfell back and. expired . 3 He was sincerely attachedto his creed, and tenderly loving his children,brought them up in the same principles; yet heleft no will to regulate the succession ; 4 forgottenit perhaps, as what appeared to him so trifling amatter, in the magnitude of his dying thoughts.Singularly affectionate in his domestic relations,a trait is related of him that resembles what theFrench relate of Henry the Fourth.- His privatesecretary recounts that, on the conclusion of peacea little before his death, some ambassadors present-ing themselves for audience, when he was employedin playing with his youngest child, who astonishedto see men with their beards cut, and short hair,

1 Arab. Chroii., 376, 382. 2 Id., 363.

3 Id., 367. 1 Id., 377.