NO ROOM FOR RETREAT. 133

dishonour, may be borne by valiant men; and ad-
versity sheds a light upon the virtues of mankind,
as surely as prosperity casts over them a shade.
Ifere there is no room for retreat; for our enemics
chcompass us about; and to attempt to fly would -
be certain death. Be of good cheer, then, and let
the urgency of the case sharpen your valour and
nerve your arms. Brave men should either conquer
nobly, or die with glory; and martyrdom is a boon
which we should accept without reluctance. But,
before we fall, let us, while we live, do what. may
avenge our deaths; and, while giving thanks to God
that it is our lot to die as martyrs, let us, in our last
efforts of valour and despair, prove ourselves worthy
soldiers of the Cross.’

‘Earl William,’ said the Count of Artois, riding
up, and now conscious of his folly, ‘God fights
against us. Resistance is vain, but escape is possible.
Let us consult our safety, and fly while yet our
horses can carry us.’ |

‘Fly if you will!’ answered the earl, scornfully ;
‘but God forbid that any but liars should ever have
it in their power to tell that my father’s son fled
from the face of a Saracen.’

And now the heavens and the earth seemed to
resound with the noise of horns and enormous kettle-
drums; and, urged on by Bibars Bendocdar, the
Saracens rushed upon their enemies, The plight of
the Crusaders was desperate. But, few as they were
in comparison with the swarming foe, they fought
gallantly and well; and, though wounded and ex-
hausted, maintained the conflict for hours after the

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