登陆注册
5421900000124

第124章 The Dregs of the Cup(2)

Then a murmur rose from the multitude, and the sound of it seemed to shape itself into one word: "Mercy!"Still Saladin made no sign, and they were led away to their prisons.

Among the thousands who watched this strange and most thrilling scene were two men wrapped in long cloaks, Godwin and the bishop Egbert.Thrice did Godwin strive to approach the throne.But it seemed that the soldiers about him had their commands, for they would not suffer him to stir or speak; and when, as Rosamund passed, he strove to break a way to her, they seized and held him.Yet as she went by he cried:

"The blessing of Heaven be upon you, pure saint of God--on you and your true knight."Catching the tones of that voice above the tumult, Rosamund stopped and looked around her, but saw no one, for the guard hemmed her in.So she went on, wondering if perchance it was Godwin's voice which she had heard, or whether an angel, or only some Frankish prisoner had spoken.

Godwin stood wringing his hands while the bishop strove to comfort him, saying that he should not grieve, since such deaths as those of Rosamund and Wulf were most glorious, and more to be desired than a hundred lives.

"Ay, ay," answered Godwin, "would that I could go with them!""Their work is done, but not yours," said the bishop gently.

"Come to our tent and let us to our knees.God is more powerful than the Sultan, and mayhap He will yet find a way to save them.

If they are still alive tomorrow at the dawn we will seek audience of Saladin to plead with him."So they entered the tent and prayed there, as the inhabitants of Jerusalem prayed behind their shattered walls, that the heart of Saladin might be moved to spare them all.While they knelt thus the curtain of the tent was drawn aside, and an emir stood before them.

"Rise," he said, "both of you, and follow me.The Sultan commands your presence."Egbert and Godwin went, wondering, and were led through the pavilion to the royal sleeping place, which guards closed behind them.On a silken couch reclined Saladin, the light from the lamp falling on his bronzed and thoughtful face.

"I have sent for you two Franks," he said, "that you may bear a message from me to Sir Balian of Ibelin and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.This is the message:--Let the holy city surrender to-morrow and all its population acknowledge themselves my prisoners.Then for forty days I will hold them to ransom, during which time none shall be harmed.Every man who pays ten pieces of gold shall go free, and two women or ten children shall be counted as one man at a like price.Of the poor, seven thousand shall be set free also, on payment of thirty thousand bezants.

Such who remain or have no money for their ransom--and there is still much gold in Jerusalem-- shall become my slaves.These are my terms, which I grant at the dying prayer of my niece, the lady Rosamund, and to her prayer alone.Deliver them to Sir Balian, and bid him wait on me at the dawn with his chief notables, and answer whether he is willing to accept them on behalf of the people.If not, the assault goes on until the city is a heap of ruins covering the bones of its children.""We bless you for this mercy," said the bishop Egbert, "and we hasten to obey.But tell us, Sultan, what shall we do? Return to the camp with Sir Balian?""If he accepts my terms, nay, for in Jerusalem you will be safe, and I give you your freedom without ransom.""Sire," said Godwin, "ere I go, grant me leave to bid farewell to my brother and my cousin Rosamund.""That for the third time you may plot their escape from my vengeance?" said Saladin."Nay, bide in Jerusalem and await my word; you shall meet them at the last, no more.""Sire," pleaded Godwin, "of your mercy spare them, for they have played a noble part.It is hard that they should die who love each other and are so young and fair and brave.""Ay," answered Saladin, "a noble part; never have I seen one more noble.Well, it fits them the better for heaven, if Cross-worshippers enter there.Have done; their doom is written and my purpose cannot be turned, nor shall you see them till the last, as I have said.But if it pleases you to write them a letter of farewell and to send it back by the embassy, it shall be delivered to them.Now go, for greater matters are afoot than this punishment of a pair of lovers.A guard awaits you."So they went, and within an hour stood before Sir Balian and gave him the message of Saladin, whereat he rose and blessed the name of Rosamund.While he called his counsellors from their sleep and bade his servants saddle horses, Godwin found pen and parchment, and wrote hurriedly:

"To Wulf, my brother, and Rosamund, my cousin and his betrothed,-- I live, though well-nigh I died by dead Masouda--Jesus rest her gallant and most beloved soul! Saladin will not suffer me to see you, though he has promised that Ishall be with you at the last, so watch for me then.I still dare to hope that it may please God to change the Sultan's heart and spare you.If so, this is my prayer and desire--that you two should wed as soon as may be, and get home to England, where, if I live, I hope to visit you in years to come.Till then seek me not, who would be lonely a while.But if it should be fated otherwise, then when my sins are purged I will seek you among the saints, you who by your noble deed have earned the sure grace of God.

同类推荐
  • 本草求真

    本草求真

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 反唐演义全传

    反唐演义全传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Poems1

    Poems1

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 茶解

    茶解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 冬官考工记

    冬官考工记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 马云创业语录

    马云创业语录

    既然“80%的年轻人创业都能成功”,那大部分没有创业成功的人与马云的差别在哪里呢?差的就是马云身上那战胜自己、战胜困难的决心和勇气,缺的是创业的激情以及奋斗的豪情,还有那成功的信心和创新的精神。
  • 绝地求生之夕阳战神

    绝地求生之夕阳战神

    墙头诗:身背黑锅与捷克手握菠萝匍匐行火力全开震山河夕阳落幕攻后庭……落魄大学僧宁天毕业后在这个竞争力强大的都市找到了第一份工作:扫厕所!却因为听到前女友不堪的消息开始了暴走。一觉醒了,我被包养了?我成了包身奴?却由此人生改写!算命瞎子说:汝命犯桃花,近忌出行与大举动,熬过此关,一飞冲天!城市赛,宁天握了握拳头:“死瞎子忽悠我!叫我不出行,劳资偏去!还要轰动一把!”……
  • 宠妃不做傻白甜

    宠妃不做傻白甜

    她是21世纪金牌杀手,一场阴谋,让她死于非命。一朝时空交错,白虎国将军府人尽可欺的嫡女死而复生。当凤眸睁开,懦弱不在,高傲如她,怎能被踩在脚下,安分当个傻白甜?斗渣女虐渣男,统一四国,搅动天下风云,乾坤中藏有锦绣,卑倪中自有一丈方圆。一路走来,却有一人生死与共,他桀骜不驯,手段毒辣,却唯独对她温情以待,尊她为妃。苍茫之巅,他为她踏碎盛世,倾灭江山,只为换她一句:“此生不悔!”情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 悲惨一生

    悲惨一生

    她太美!美得让老天都嫉妒她,所以她的命运才会如此悲惨…
  • 网游之天下无双

    网游之天下无双

    手提地狱魔剑,身穿幽魂神光铠,头戴噬魂紫金盔,脚踏浮云踏浪靴。盘踞在极寒死亡之地,一代修罗王横空出世。菜鸟们,颤抖吧!
  • 剑仙之剑破九霄

    剑仙之剑破九霄

    一剑,一人,一条道。一剑破万道二剑破苍穹
  • 中外寓言(语文新课标必读书目)

    中外寓言(语文新课标必读书目)

    国家教育部颁布了最新《语文课程标准》,统称新课标,对中、小学语文教学指定了阅读书目,对阅读的数量、内容、质量以及速度都提出了明确的要求,这对于提高学生的阅读能力,培养语文素养,陶冶情操,促进学生终身学习和终身可持续发展,对于提高广大人民的文学素养具有极大的意义中、小学生是未来的主人,必须适应现代竞争激烈和交际广泛的社会生活,在心理、性格、思维、修养等内在素质铸造方面必须做好充分准备,同时在语言表达、社会交往等才能方面也必须打下良好的基础,这样才能顺应未来社会的发展潮流。现代中、小学生不能只局限于校园和课本,应该广开视野,广长见识
  • 快穿攻略:男神爱不起

    快穿攻略:男神爱不起

    【1V1,身心干净】本书分上下两册,上册虐情谋爱,下册黑暗相伴。如受不得虐心位面的,请直接跳至第十四位面三百九十五章。拈花一笑百媚生,轮回异世挽君心。惊鸿一瞥是你,执手相伴是你,余生便也只能是你。谁敢不服,我愿为魔换尔一片清净。韩昙精分日常:夫人,为夫心绞痛,需夫人亲亲抱抱举高高才能好。苏扶月宠溺脸:夫君不疼,为妻这就上天道那儿替夫君“讨”两颗药来,给你治治心绞痛!天道:此乃两打劫为生的不良夫妇,坑蒙天道日常!一把天涯明月刀扛在肩头,苏扶月含笑道:你个糟老头子坏得很呐!【在线直播精分打脸过程,作者日常精分,本书全靠脑洞撑着。PS:打脸请专注第二册,第一册略虐略傻。】
  • 婚然天成:独占小娇妻

    婚然天成:独占小娇妻

    作为一个律师,慕之婳从来没有想过有一天会接到状告自己老公强~奸的案子。她是利益场上的牺牲品,被父亲当做交换公司利益的礼物送到了贺霆鋆的床上。一纸婚约,两个毫无关联的人被拴在了一起。他是商界巨子,翻云覆雨,只手遮天。她只是一个被亲人忽视的私生女,童年黑暗,性情孤冷。结婚两年,除却欢~爱,而人再无交集,如若不是那一场阴差缘错,就不会有那么多的悲欢离合。花心的男人,冷情的女人。待花心变成了专一,冷情变成了情深,这一场荒唐的婚姻就变成了情深缘浅的追逐。
  • 狂傲魔女收桃花

    狂傲魔女收桃花

    杀手排行榜的第一位血纱,在一次做任务时被人设计嗝屁了,再次睁开眼,转型成婴儿,庶母恶毒害死娘亲,没事,我很大度的,毁了你最骄傲的女儿就好了……庶妹没事找事,没事毁了你一身灵气,让你变成废人……父亲冷淡,热爱权势,不管不顾母亲的死活和自己的生命,嘿嘿,既然你爱你的权势,那么我就毁了你一心巩固的权势。只是,不知不觉间,围绕在身边的男人怎么越来越多了魔玄冥:吟儿,当年是我错了,我会弥补你的。百里彦:小雪雪,我看了你的身子,我会负责的。尘清逸:丫头,我非卿不娶还有他、他、他……简介小白,内容精彩……绝对宠文