"It was composed with advice of the patriarch and barons, the clergy and laity, and is," says the historian Gibbon, "a precious monument of feudatory jurisprudence, founded upon those principles of freedom which were essential to the system."] A king should tread freely, Grand Master, and should not be controlled by here a ditch, and there a fence-here a feudal privilege, and there a mail-clad baron with his sword in his hand to maintain it.

To sum the whole, I am aware that Guy de Lusignan's claims to the throne would be preferred to mine, if Richard recovers, and has aught to say in the choice." "Enough," said the Grand Master; "thou hast indeed convinced me of thy sincerity.

Others may hold the same opinions, but few, save Conrade of Montserrat, dared frankly avow that he desires not the restitution of the kingdom of Jerusalem, but rather prefers being master of a portion of its fragments--like the barbarous islanders, who labour not for the deliverance of a goodly vessel from the billows, expecting rather to enrich themselves at the expense of the wreck." "Thou wilt not betray my counsel ?" said Conrade, looking sharply and suspiciously.

"Know, for certain, that my tongue shall never wrong my head, nor my hand forsake the defence of either.

Impeach me if thou wilt--I am prepared to defend myself in the lists against the best Templar who ever laid lance in rest." "Yet thou start'st somewhat suddenly for so bold a steed," said the Grand Master.