r, except a little, nor any other
necessary thing. And after much time had been spent and the barbarians
did not come out against them at all, they themselves, no less than the
enemy, if not even more, were hard pressed by the siege and began to be
impatient. And more than anything else, they were distressed by the lack
of water; this Solomon himself guarded, giving each day no more than a
single cupful to each man. And since he saw that they were openly
discontented and no longer able to bear their present hardships, he
planned to make trial of the place, although it was difficult of access,
and called all together and exhorted them as follows: "Since God has
granted to the Romans to besiege the Moors on Aurasium, a thing which
hitherto has been beyond hope and now, to such as do not see what is
actually being done, is altogether incredible, it is necessary that we
too should lend our aid to the help that has come from above, and not
prove false to this favour, but undergoing the danger with enthusiasm,
should reach after the good fortune which is to come from success. For
in every case the turning of the scales of human affairs depends upon
the moment of opportunity; but if a man, by wilful cowardice, is traitor
to his fortune, he cannot justly blame it, having by his own action
brought the guilt upon himself. Now as for the Moors, you see their
weakness surely and the place in which they have shut themselves up and
are keeping guard, deprived of all the necessities of life. And as for
you, one of two things is necessary, either without feeling any vexation
at the siege to await the surrender of the enemy, or, if you shrink from
this, to accept the victory which goes with the danger. And fighting
against these barbarians will be the more free from danger for us,
inasmuch as they are already fighting with hunger and I think they will
never even come to an engagement with us. Having these things in mind at
the present time, it behooves you to execute all your orders with
eagerness."

After Solomon had made this exhortation, he looked about to see from
what point it would be best for his men to make an attempt on the place,
and for a long time he seemed to be in perplexity. For the difficult
nature of the ground seemed to him quite too much to contend with. But
while Solomon was considering this, chance provided a way for the
enterprise as follows. There was a certain Gezon in the army, a
foot-soldier, "optio"[56] of the