y
prisoners. Then for forty days I will hold them to ransom, during
which time none shall be harmed. Every man who pays ten pieces of
gold shall go free, and two women or ten children shall be
counted as one man at a like price. Of the poor, seven thousand
shall be set free also, on payment of thirty thousand bezants.
Such who remain or have no money for their ransom--and there is
still much gold in Jerusalem--shall become my slaves. These are
my terms, which I grant at the dying prayer of my niece, the lady
Rosamund, and to her prayer alone. Deliver them to Sir Balian,
and bid him wait on me at the dawn with his chief notables, and
answer whether he is willing to accept them on behalf of the
people. If not, the assault goes on until the city is a heap of
ruins covering the bones of its children."

"We bless you for this mercy," said the bishop Egbert, "and we
hasten to obey. But tell us, Sultan, what shall we do? Return to
the camp with Sir Balian?"

"If he accepts my terms, nay, for in Jerusalem you will be safe,
and I give you your freedom without ransom."

"Sire," said Godwin, "ere I go, grant me leave to bid farewell to
my brother and my cousin Rosamund."

"That for the third time you may plot their escape from my
vengeance?" said Saladin. "Nay, bide in Jerusalem and await my
word; you shall meet them at the last, no more."

"Sire," pleaded Godwin, "of your mercy spare them, for they have
played a noble part. It is hard that they should die who love
each other and are so young and fair and brave."

"Ay," answered Saladin, "a noble part; never have I seen one more
noble. Well, it fits them the better for heaven, if
Cross-worshippers enter there. Have done; their doom is written
and my purpose cannot be turned, nor shall you see them till the
last, as I have said. But if it pleases you to write them a
letter of farewell and to send it back by the embassy, it shall
be delivered to them. Now go, for greater matters are afoot than
this punishment of a pair of lovers. A guard awaits you."

So they went, and within an hour stood before Sir Balian and gave
him the message of Saladin, whereat he rose and blessed the name
of Rosamund. While he called his counsellors from their sleep and
bade his servants saddle horses, Godwin found pen and parchment,
and wrote hurriedly:

"To Wulf, my brother, and Rosamund, my cousin and his
betrothed,--I live, though well-nigh I died by dead
Masouda--Jesus rest her gallant and