Note 224 — BOOK XII. (continued 2)

Li soudan dist qu’il avait archevesques et évesques de sa loi, et sans eux ne pouvoit-il crier ce qu’ils diraient. Les clercs lui respondirent: “Mandez les guerre;” et ils vinrent à lui en sa tente. Si leur conta ce que li clercs li avaient dist; ils respondirent: “Sire, tu es épée de la loi. Nous nous te commandons, de par Mahomet, que tu lor fasse la teste couper.” A tant puient congé, si s’en allèrent. Li soudan demora et li dist clercs, dont vint li soudan, si lors dist, “Seignors, ils m’ont commandé, de par Mahomet, et de par la loi, que je vous fasse les testes couper; mais j’irai en contre le commandement,” &c. &c. The sultan—we translate our old historian—said he had archbishops and bishops of the law, and without them he could not listen to what they had to say. The clerks, St. Francis and his companion, answered him, “Send for them here”—and they came to him in his tent. He then related to them what the clerks had said, and they answered: “Sire, thou art the sword of the law. We command you, by Mahomet, to order their heads to be cut off.” They then made their obeisance and went away. The sultan and the said clerks remained. Then the sultan came towards them, and said, “Seignors, they have commanded me, by Mahomet, to order your heads to be cut off; but I shall act contrary to the commandment,” &c. &c. The historian adds, that the sultan offered them presents, which they refused—he ordered them refreshment, and sent them back to the Christian army.