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chap, in.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 205

narch was sending a hundred and fifty thousandcrusaders under his son, it had no foundation, andwas but a bomb—open the casement, and let it flyout. At all events, they would arrive a great dealtoo late to save Acre; so that the security, as to anyintervention from Christendom, combined with theresolution of his privy council to harden his seve-rity, when summoning the Christian deputies,though his paleness indicated a dying man (and hewas indeed to die of that decay within a few weeks),yet those exhilarating news, and the heat of therecent debate in council, gave a feverish colour tohis cheeks, and more force to his voice than couldbe expected from so emaciated a frame. Never-theless, he heard the deputation out, and their pro-testations, excuses, and desire of a renewal of truce.“ No such thing,” replied he, “ most treacherousChristians. Your words are as oily sweet as youralliance with us is false. What poisonous bitternessyou hide under such honey ! You mean venom,and not having the courage to say it, disguise itbeneath a coat of the varnish of whining adulation.Your wicked humours begin to inflame, and yourequire a copious blooding, and by the blessing ofAllah, you shall have it; our good swords shall beyour leeches. There are poisons that taste delicious;but he who allows himself to be deceived into drink-