Yes; and would acquaint King Philip, That he may better calculate, if really The danger be so great as to require Him to renew at all events the truce So bravely broken by your body. TEMPLAR. So? This is a patriarch indeed! He wants No common messenger; he wants a spy. Go tell your patriarch, brother, I am not, As far as you can sift, the man to suit him. I still esteem myself a prisoner, and A templar’s only calling is to fight, And not to ferret out intelligence. FRIAR. That’s much as I supposed, and, to speak plainly, Not to be blamed. The best is yet behind. The patriarch has made out the very fortress, Its name, and strength, and site on Libanon, Wherein the mighty sums are now concealed, With which the prudent father of the sultan Provides the cost of war, and pays the army. He knows that Saladin, from time to time, Goes to this fortress, through by-ways and passe With few attendants. TEMPLAR. Well— FRIAR. How easy ’twere To seize his person in these expeditions, And make an end of all! You shudder, sir— Two Maronites, who fear the Lord, have offer To share the danger of the enterprise, Under a proper leader. TEMPLAR. And the patriarch Had cast his eye on me for this brave office? FRIAR. He thinks King Philip might from Ptolemais Best second such a deed. TEMPLAR. On me? on me? Have you not heard then, just now heard, the favour Which I received from Saladin? FRIAR. Oh, yes! TEMPLAR. And yet? FRIAR. The patriarch thinks—that’s mighty well— God, and the order’s interest— TEMPLAR. Alter nothing, Command no villainies. FRIAR. No, that indeed not; But what is villainy in human eyes May in the sight of God, the patriarch thinks, Not be— TEMPLAR. I owe my life to Saladin, And might take his? FRIAR. That—fie! But Saladin, The patriarch thinks, is yet the common foe Of Christendom, and cannot earn a right To be your friend. TEMPLAR. My friend—because I will not Behave like an ungrateful scoundrel to him. FRIAR.