Arab countries -- Fiction; Crusades -- Fiction; Great Britain -- History -- Medieval period, 1066-1485 -- Fiction
So for forty days, headed by Queen Sybilla and her ladies, that sad
procession of the vanquished marched through the gates, and there were
many of them who, as they passed the conqueror seated in state, halted
to make a prayer to him for those who were left behind. A few also who
remembered Rosamund, and that it was because of her sacrifice that they
continued to look upon the sun, implored him that if they were not
already dead, he would spare her and her brave knight.
At length it was over, and Saladin took possession of the city. Having
purged the Great Mosque, washing it with rose-water, he worshipped in
it after his own fashion, and distributed the remnant of the people who
could pay no ransom as slaves among his emirs and followers. Thus did
the Crescent triumph aver the Cross in Jerusalem, not in a sea of
blood, as ninety years before the Cross had triumphed over the Crescent
within its walls, but with what in those days passed for gentleness,
peace, and mercy.
For it was left to the Saracens to teach something of their own
doctrines to the followers of Christ.
During all those forty days Rosamund and Wulf lay in their separate
prisons, awaiting their doom of death. The letter of Godwin was brought
to Wulf, who read it and rejoiced to learn that his brother lived. Then
it was taken from him to Rosamund, who, although she rejoiced also,
wept over it, and wondered a little what it might mean. Of one thing
she was sure from its wording—that they had no hope of life.
They knew that Jerusalem had fallen, for they heard the shouts of
triumph of the Moslems, and from far away, through their prison bars
could see the endless multitude of fugitives passing the ancient gates
laden with baggage, and leading their children by the hand, to seek
refuge in the cities of the coast. At this sight, although it was so
sad, Rosamund was happy, knowing also that now she would not suffer in
vain.
At length the camp broke up, Saladin and many of the soldiers entering
Jerusalem; but still the pair were left languishing in their dismal
cells, which were fashioned from old tombs. One evening, while Rosamund
was kneeling; at prayer before she sought her bed, the door of the
place was opened, and there appeared a glittering captain and a guard
of soldiers, who saluted her and bade her follow him.
“Is it the end?” she asked.
“Lady,” he answered, “it is the end.” So she bowed her head meekly and
followed. Without a litter was ready, in which they placed her and bore
her through the bright moonlight into the city of Jerusalem and along
the Way of Sorrow, till they halted at a great door, which she knew
again, for by it stood the ancient arch.
“They have brought me back to the Convent of the Holy Cross to kill me
where I asked that I might be buried,” she murmured to herself as she
descended from the litter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account