What is a fever-fit, that we should not endure it patiently, in order to get rid of it easily ?" "Fever-fit!" exclaimed Richard impetuously; "thou mayest think, and justly, that it is a fever-fit with me; but what is it with all the other Christian princes--with Philip of France, with that dull Austrian, with him of Montserrat, with the Hospitallers, with the Templars--what is it with all them?
I will tell thee.

It is a cold palsy, a dead lethargy, a disease that deprives them of speech and action, a canker that has eaten into the heart of all that is noble, and chivalrous, and virtuous among them--that has made them false to the noblest vow ever knights were sworn to--has made them indifferent to their fame, and forgetful of their God!" "For the love of Heaven, my liege," said De Vaux, "take it less violently--you will be heard without doors, where such speeches are but too current already among the common soldiery, and engender discord and contention in the Christian host.

Bethink you that your illness mars the mainspring of their enterprise; a mangonel will work without screw and lever better than the Christian host without King Richard." "Thou flatterest me, De Vaux," said Richard, and not insensible to the power of praise, he reclined his head on the pillow with a more deliberate attempt to repose than he had yet exhibited.

But Thomas de Vaux was no courtier; the phrase which had offered had risen spontaneously to his lips, and he knew not how to pursue the pleasing theme so as to soothe and prolong the vein which he had excited.

He was silent, therefore, until, relapsing into his moody contemplations, the King demanded of him sharply, "Despardieux! This is smoothly said to soothe a sick man; but does a league of monarchs, an assemblage or nobles, a convocation of all the chivalry of Europe, droop with the sickness of one man, though he chances to be King of England?
Why should Richard's illness, or Richard's death, check the march of thirty thousand men as brave as himself?
When the master stag is struck down, the herd do not disperse upon his fall; when the falcon strikes the leading crane, another takes the guidance of the phalanx.