Be patient till they have loaded themselves with the encumbrance of wealth.
The possession of wealth will divide their councils and assure your victory." This subtile policy is perhaps a refinement of the Arabian writers; and the situation of Charles will suggest a more narrow and selfish motive of procrastination--the secret desire of humbling the pride and wasting the provinces of the rebel duke of Aquitain.

It is yet more probable, that the delays of Charles were inevitable and reluctant.
A standing army was unknown under the first and second race; more than half the kingdom was now in the hands of the Saracens: according to their respective situation, the Franks of Neustria and Austrasia were to conscious or too careless of the impending danger; and the voluntary aids of the Gepidae and Germans were separated by a long interval from the standard of the Christian general.

No sooner had he collected his forces, than he sought and found the enemy in the centre of France, between Tours and Poitiers.

His well-conducted march was covered with a range of hills, and Abderame appears to have been surprised by his unexpected presence.

The nations of Asia, Africa, and Europe, advanced with equal ardor to an encounter which would change the history of the world.