78 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book n.

firmarian, ‘eat; for, unless you eat, you cannotlive long.’ But Saladin remained two days andnights without bit or sup. Then the chief infir-rnarian returned to say, ‘ My dear friend, you mustreally take something to eat; for, otherwise, weshould be much blamed, and my superiors wouldsay you died here of starvation.’ ‘ My lord,’replied Saladin, ‘ I believe I shall never eat again inall my life, and it is far better for me to die, sincethe only thing I could eat, and desire intensely, it ismadness even to name/ ‘ Oh, as for that, sweetestbrother, do not hesitate in the least, for the estab-lished law in this house is to use the very extremeof charity. A sick man, here, is given everythinghe fancies, if gold can buy it; so, ask for whateveryour warmest fancy demands, and be assured of ityou shall have it.’ On which Saladin determined toask: ‘ Then I wish for the right foot of Moriel,

your grand master’s favourite horse, and that it becut off here in my presence, or I’ll never eat amorsel more; so now you have my desire; see if itbe not preferable I die; for I am but a poor man,and that beast is very valuable; the grand masterwould not take a thousand bezants of gold for him,they say.’ Then the chief infirmarian went andtold it all to the grand master, who reflected alittle, and could not imagine how such a strange