merely come to ask the Patriarch
For counsel.

FRIAR (_looking round timidly_).

Counsel from the Patriarch!
What, you! a knight to ask a priest's advice!

TEMPLAR.

Mine is a priestly business.

FRIAR.

Yet the priests
Would scorn a knight's advice, were their affairs
Ever so knightly.

TEMPLAR.

Therefore they're allowed
To err sometimes, a privilege which I,
For one, don't greatly envy them; and yet,
If I were acting only for myself,
And were not bound to others, I should care
But little for advice. But in some things
'Twere better to go wrong by others' guidance
Than, by our own, go right. And I observe,
By this time, that religion's naught but party,
And he who in his own belief is most
Impartial, does but hold the standard up
Of his own creed, howe'er unconsciously.
Yet since 'tis so, it must be right.

FRIAR.

I'm silent.
In truth, I don't quite comprehend.

TEMPLAR.

And yet--
(Let me consider first what 'tis I want--
Decision or advice from sage or simple?)
Thanks, brother; yes, I thank you for your hint.
What is a patriarch? Be thou for once
My patriarch; for 'tis the Christian rather
Whom in the patriarch I would consult,
Than in the Christian the mere patriarch.

FRIAR.

Hold, hold, Sir Knight! no more of this, I find
That you mistake me. He who hath learnt much
Must needs have many cares. I know but one----
But hark, behold! here comes the very man!
'Tis he, so stay; he has perceived us both.

Scene II.

_The_ Patriarch, _after marching up one of the aisles with great pomp,
approaches_.

TEMPLAR.

I'd rather shun him--he is not my man--
A round, red smiling prelate! And what state!

FRIAR.

But you should see him at a festival,
Now he but comes from visiting the sick.

TEMPLAR.

Great Saladin will then have cause to blush.

PATRIARCH (_coming forward, makes signs to the