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Sepulchre, in the sight of Saladin, and how he had it extinguished three times, and
how it was three times relighted.
On Easter Eve, Saladin, with his retinue, paid a visit to the Holy
Sepulchre of our Lord, to assure himself of the truth of a certain fact,
namely, the coming down from Heaven of fire, once a year, to light the
lamp. After he had watched for some time, with great attention, the
devotion and contrition of many Christian captives, who were praying for
the mercy of God, he and all the other Turks suddenly saw the divine fire
descend, and light the lamp, so that they were vehemently moved, while
the Christians rejoiced, and with loud voices praised the mighty works of
God. But the Saracens disbelieved this manifest and wonderful miracle,

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though they witnessed it with their own eyes, and asserted that it was a
fraudulent contrivance, To assure himself of this, Saladin ordered the lamp
to be extinguished; which, however, was instantly rekindled by the divine
power: and when the infidel ordered it to be extinguished a second time it
was lighted a second time; and so likewise a third time. God is all-patient.
Of what use is it to fight against the invincible Power? There is no counsel
against God, nor is there any one who can resist his will. Saladin,
wondering at this miraculous vision, and the faith and devotion of the
Christians, and exceedingly moved, asserted by the spirit of prophecy, that
he should either die or lose possession of the city of Jerusalem. And his
prophecy was fulfilled; for he died the Lent following.
Chapter XVII. Ñ How King Richard celebrated Easter Sunday at Ascalon.
King Richard celebrated the feast of Easter, which fell on the fifth of
April, at Ascalon, with great magnificence; and he supplied all who needed
with abundance of meat and drink. For he caused his pavilions to be
pitched in the meadows outside the city, and provided in abundance every
necessary for his people to celebrate the occasion with splendour. Nothing,
however, was there to be seen more glorious than the ready good-will with
which these bounties were dispensed, for courage in action always goes
hand in hand with liberality; and where nobleness of heart harmonizes
with deeds of renown,
ÒThe stingy mind suits not the bounteous hand,
But rather checks its givings; let each gift
Be eÕer attended with a generous heart.Ó
Chapter XVIII. Ñ How the rebuilding of Ascalon is completed at the kingÕs
expense.
On Easter Monday, King Richard returned with diligence to the work
which he had commenced, and continued with all eagerness the rebuilding
of the city walls, and familiarly urged the rest to proceed in the work; so

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that by his care and co-operation it was all accomplished at his own
expense, and without the contributions of the French, who had departed
and who ought by right to have shared in the burden.
Chapter XIX. Ñ How King Richard set out to reconnoitre Gaza and Darum.
On Easter Tuesday, the king set out with a few followers to
reconnoitre Gaza. On the Wednesday he set out to make a close survey of
Darum, walking round, and trying to ascertain the best point of assault.
But the Turks shut themselves up in Darum, and threw out many missiles
from bows and arbalists with much abuse at the king and his men, as if the
place were impregnable. When the king had fully surveyed it, he returned
to Ascalon.
Chapter XX. Ñ How the French, who were recalled to Tyre, amused themselves
only in luxury and taverns.
After the French had departed, as aforesaid, those who had been
charged by the king to conduct them as far as Acre returned to the camp at
Ascalon; but the French, arriving at Tyre, gave themselves up to all kinds
of amusements, which we may think worth while here to mention. The
very men who were supposed to have been led by their devotion to
succour the Holy Land, now left the camp and abandoned themselves to
amatory and effeminate songs and debaucheries, for, as was told by those
who saw them, they delighted in dancing-women; and their luxurious
apparel bespoke their effeminacy, for the sleeves of their garments were
fastened with gold chains, and they wantonly exposed their waists, which
were confined with embroidered belts; and they kept back with their arms
their cloaks, which were fastened so as to prevent a wrinkle being seen in
their garments; and that which was once intended to cover their back, was
now forced into the service of other parts of the body, for their bellies, not
their backs, were covered by their cloaks; and around their necks they wore
collars glittering with jewels, and on their heads garlands interwoven with
flowers of every hue: they carried goblets, not falchions, in their hands, and

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