Oh, no! my mission was to question you-- To feel your pulse a little. TEMPLAR. And you tell This tale yourself? FRIAR. Why not? TEMPLAR. An artful soul! (_aside_). And has the convent many more like you? FRIAR. I know not. Mere obedience is my duty. TEMPLAR. And you obey without much questioning. FRIAR. Could it be rightly termed obedience else? TEMPLAR. The simple mind is ever in the right.--(_aside_). But will you not inform me who it is That wishes to know more of me? Not you, I dare be sworn. FRIAR. Would such a wish become Or profit me? TEMPLAR. Whom would it then become Or profit to be thus inquisitive? FRIAR. Perhaps the Patriarch--'twas he that sent. TEMPLAR. The Patriarch? and does he know my badge So ill?--The red cross on the snow-white robe. FRIAR. Why? I know that. TEMPLAR. Well, brother, hear me out. I am a Templar--and a prisoner now. Made captive with some others at Tebnin, Whose fortress we had almost ta'en by storm Just as the truce expired. Our hopes had been To threaten Sidon next. Of twenty knights Made prisoners there together, I alone Was pardoned by command of Saladin. The Patriarch now knows what he requires, And more than he requires. FRIAR. And yet no more Than he had learned already. He would ask Why you, of all the captives doomed to die, Alone were spared? TEMPLAR. Can I myself tell that? Already with bare neck I had knelt down Upon my mantle, to await the stroke, When Saladin with steadfast eye surveys me. Nearer he draws--he makes a sign--they raise me-- I am unbound--I would express my thanks-- I mark the tear-drop glisten in his eye-- We both stand mute--he turns and leaves the spot-- I stay. And now, how all this hangs together, The Patriarch must explain. FRIAR. The Patriarch thinks That Heaven preserved you for some mighty deed. TEMPLAR. Some mighty deed? To rescue from the flames A Jewish maid! To lead to Sinai's mount Bands of inquiring pilgrims--and the like! FRIAR.