Microsoft Word richard of holy trinity inp

Itinerary
155
these things, the ambassadors returned to the city, and, repeating the
promises of Saladin, persuaded the townsmen to resist, while they looked
forward with anxiety for the promised assistance.
Chapter XVI. Ñ How, while our men were courageously assaulting the city, some
of the Turks in despair escaped out of it.
Meanwhile, the petrari¾ of the Christians never ceased, day and
night, to shake the walls; and when the Turks saw this, they were smitten
with wonder, astonishment, terror, and confusion; and many, yielding to
their fears, threw themselves down from the walls by night, and without
waiting for the promised aid, very many sought, with supplications, the
sacrament of baptism and Christianity. There was little doubt, and with
good reason as to their merits, that they presumptuously asked the boon
more from the pressure of urgent fear than from any divine inspiration; but
there are different steps by which men arrive at salvation. It was now well
known to Saladin, by means of messengers, who passed backwards and
forwards, that to persevere any longer in defending the city, was
dangerous, as it could not be kept from the Christians.
Chapter XVII. Ñ How the besieged entered into treaty with the Christians by the
advice of Saladin.
Saladin, perceiving the danger of delay, at length determined to yield
to the entreaties of the besieged: he was, moreover, persuaded by his
admirals, and satraps, and his influential courtiers, who had many friends
and kinsmen amongst the besieged. The latter alleged also, that he was
bound to them by his promise made on the Mahometan law, that he would
procure for them an honourable capitulation at the last moment, lest,
perchance, made prisoners at discretion, they should be exterminated or
put to an ignominious death, and thus the law of Mahomet, which had
been strictly observed by their ancestors, be effaced by its dependence on
him; and nevertheless, very much would be derogated from his name and
excellence if the worshippers of Mahomet should fall into the hands of the

---

Itinerary
156
Christians. They also begged to remind Saladin of the fact, that they, a
chosen race of Turks, in obedience to his commands, had been cooped up
in the city, and withstood a siege for so long a time; they reminded him too
that they had not seen their wives and children for three years, during
which period the siege had lasted; and they said, it would be better to
surrender the city, than that people of such merit should be destroyed. The
princes persuading the sultan to this effect, that their latter condition might
not be worse than their former one; he assented to their making peace on
the best terms they could, and they drew up a statement of what appeared
to them the most proper terms of treaty. On the messengers bringing back
the resolution of Saladin and his satraps, the besieged were filled with
great joy; and forthwith, the principal men of the city went to the kings,
and through their interpreters, offered to surrender unconditionally the
city of Acre, the Cross, and two hundred and fifty noble Christian captives;
and when they perceived this did not satisfy them, they offered two
thousand noble Christian captives, and five hundred of inferior rank,
whom Saladin would bring together from all parts of his kingdom, if they
would let the Turks depart from their city, with their shirts only, leaving
behind them their arms and property; and, as a ransom for themselves,
they would give two hundred thousand Saracenic talents. As security for
the performance of these conditions, they offered to deliver up, as hostages,
all the men of noble or high rank in the city. After the two kings had
considered with the wisest of the chiefs, the opinion of all was for accepting
the offer, and consenting to the conditions; that on taking the oath for
security, and subscribing the terms of peace, they might quit the city,
without carrying any thing with them, having first given up the hostages.
Chapter XVIII. Ñ How, on giving hostages for the delivery of the Cross, money,