We now come to 1187, the year of the fall of Jerusalem, and the most important era in Saladin’s career. His operations against the Franks, though generally successful, had as yet partaken rather of the character of border forays than regular warfare, and, although they harassed and annoyed the Crusaders, they did not materially weaken their position in the country. Jerusalem was defended by the flower of the Christian chivalry, and as yet appeared too strong for him to attack; but his determination had long been taken, and he merely waited for an opportunity to strike a decisive blow. An appeal was, moreover, made to him, artfully calculated to inflame his religious zeal, and sting his personal pride. An aged native of Damascus had been taken prisoner by the Franks and carried to Jerusalem. From the place of his captivity be sent a copy of verses to the Sultan, in which the Holy City was made to address him thus: Just sovereign, mighty monarch! thou To whom the Crosses’ standards bow! There cometh up before thee now Jerusalem’s piteous plaint. “Elsewhere are idols overthrown— Shall I, the Holy House, alone, The Muslim’s noblest temple, groan Beneath so foul a taint?” The verse had its effect, and later on, Saladin rewarded the author with the deanery (if I may so translate the word _khatábeh_) of the Masjid el Aksa. In the month of March be addressed letters to all parts of his dominions calling on his subjects to rally round his standard, and follow him to the “Holy War.” Setting out from Damascus with such men as he could raise, he began himself to beat up recruits, and persuaded even the most unwilling to take up arms in the cause of their faith.