A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1249. 



there was at this time a Saracen lately converted to 

 Christ, serving the earle Robert the French kings 

 brother, who told him of the absence of the Soldan 

 from his tents, and of a shallow foord in the river 

 where they might easily passe over. Whereupon the 

 sayd earle Robert & the Master of the Temple with a 

 great power, esteemed to the third part of the army 

 issued over the river, after whom followed W. Long- 

 spee with his band of English souldiers. These being 

 joyned together on the other side of the water, en- 

 countred the same day with the Saracens remaining in 

 the tents & put them to the worst. Which victory 

 being gotten, the French earle surprised with pride and 

 triumph, as though hee had conquered the whole earth, 

 [II. i. 35.] would needs forward, dividing himselfe from the maine 

 hoste, thinking to winne the spurres alone. To whom 

 certaine sage men of the Temple, giving him contrary 

 counsell, advised him not to do so, but rather to returne 

 and take their whole company with them, and so should 

 they be more sure against all deceits and dangers, which 

 might be layed privily for them. The maner of that 

 people (they sayd) they better knew, and had more 

 experience thereof then he : alledging moreover their 

 wearied bodies, their tired horses, their famished soul- 

 diers, and the insufficiency also of their number, which 

 was not able to withstand the multitude of the enemies, 

 especially at this present brunt, in which the adversaries 

 did well see the whole state of their dominion now to 

 consist either in winning all or losing all. 



Which when the proud earle did heare, being inflated 

 with no lesse arrogancy then ignorance, with opprobrious 

 taunts reviled them, calling them cowardly dastards, & 

 betrayers of the whole countrey, objecting unto them 

 the common report of many, which sayd, that the land 

 of the holy crosse might soone be woon to Christen- 

 dome, were it not for rebellious Templaries, with the 

 Hospitalaries, and their followers. 



To these contumelious rebukes, when the master of 



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