large party; spurred on by the impetuosity of his courage, and at the same time confident that none would dare resist him. Presently his horse, which he had that day purchased for fifteen marks of silver, being killed under him, he was thrown down, and for a long time dragged by his foot; the strength of his mail, however, prevented his being hurt. The soldier who had unhorsed him, was at this instant drawing his sword to strike him, when, terrified at the extremity of his danger, he cried out, "Hold, rascal, I am the king of England." The whole troop trembled at the well-known voice of the prostrate monarch, and immediately raised him respectfully from the ground, and brought him another horse. Leaping into the saddle without waiting assistance, and darting a keen look on the by-standers: "Who unhorsed me?" said he. While the rest were silent through fear, the bold perpetrator of the deed readily defended himself, saying, "'Twas I, who took you, not for a king, but for a soldier." The king, soothed, and regaining the serenity of his countenance, exclaimed, "By the crucifix[1] at Lucca," for such was his oath, "henceforth thou shalt be mine, and, placed on my roll, shalt receive the recompence of this gallant service." Nobly done, magnanimous king! what encomium shall I pass on this speech! Equal to Alexander the Great in glory; who, through admiration of his courage, preserved, unhurt, a Persian soldier, who had attempted to strike him from behind, but was frustrated in his design by the treachery of his sword.
But now to relate the compassion of the earl. When the blockade had so far proceeded that the besieged were in want of water, Henry sent mesjengers to Robert, to expostulate with him on the thirst he endured, and to represent, that it was impious to deprive him of water, the common right of mankind: let him try his courage another way if he chose; and not employ the violence of the elements, but the valour of a soldier. On which, wrought upon by the natural tenderness of his disposition, he ordered his party to be more remiss in their duty where they kept guard, that his thirsty
- ↑ This crucifix was very celebrated; it being pretended that it was the work of Nicodemus. "See further on this subject in the Rev. J. E. Tyler's interesting volume, entitled, 'Oaths, their origin, nature, and history.' London: 8vo, pp. 289—296."—Hardy.
