The times., 1899-04-09
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least as attractive as that of King Richard.
And we are assured that the real Saladin.
while his career did not exactly cores
pond to that outlined in Scott's novel of
the Crusaders, was not in character very
different from the royal paynim pictured
by the Wizard of the North.
The author of the present biography be-
gins it with verse from an Oriental poet
OF the time OF Saladin, which may be
worth reproducing, as IL is not only good
example of the sort of poetry which was
written about Saracen monarchs by their
devoted followers, but really indicates the
way in which his people regarded him.
Mine eyes have seen His Majesty.
hihe strong 10 aid; the sum Of piety,
Bane OF the crucifx-doIstrv
Banneret of right and generosity,
Salah ed-din
Lord of Is'am and Muslimin,
Saving Gods House from the Nazarenc.
Serving the Holy Places twin
Victorious Susuf. Son Of Ayyub. of Shadhy's kin:
God water his grave with showers of clemency
And grant him in mercy's home the need of con-
stancy.
BAHIA a-ed-din.
We are informed, by the way, that Bahia
ed-din, author of this verse, was a close
friend and comrade of Saladin, and of
about the same age. He was an Arab.
born at Mosil on the Tigris, and educated
at college at Bagdad, founded by friend
and schoolfellow of Omar Khayyam. He
became diplomat, made the acquaintance
of Saladin, accompanied the great Sultan
in most of his campaigns, and after Sala-
din's death devoted himself to teaching
and to writing life of his master. He is
the sole first-hand witness of the negotia-
tions between his sovereign and King
Richard
There is another historian who has sup
piled some material for this biography,
and whose bias was not at all that of a
hero worshiper. Abu-el -Athir was of the
opposite political party from Saladin, and
his biography contains some criticisms of
the great leader. although he recognizes
Saladin's great services to Islam. These
two historians are the prime authorities
for life of Saladin, though others give
view of particular aspects of his career.
The present writer records the life of this
remarkable man in a way which cannot
fail to interest the reader. So far as pos
sible, the complicated spelling of Oriental
names is avoided, and in giving the history
of the Crusades the record of the Frank
ish chronicler is often quoted, so that the
two sides of the story may be compared
without reference TO other books. To many
people the most interesting chapters will
be the last in which the private life of the
monarch is described, and his character
The description of the scenes oc-
curing at his burial is particularly
graphic:
saladin died on Wednesday, the 4th of March,
llB, at the age of ffty-ive
They buried him the same day in the garden
house in the Citadel Of Damascus at the hour of
prayer The sword which he had carried through
the Holy War was laid beside him: ''hc took it
with him to Paradise" lie had given away
everything, and the money for the burial had 10
be borrowed, even 10 the straw for the bricks
that made the grave. The ceremony was as
simple as pauper's funeral. striped cloth
covered The undis,ineuishsble bier. No poet was
allowed 10 sing dirge, no preacher 10 make
oration. When the multitude who thronged about
the gate saw the bier, great wailing went up.
and 50 distIaught were the people that they could
not form the words OF prayer, but only cried and
groaned.
All eyes were wet and there were few that
did not weep aloud Then every man went home
and shut his door. and the empty, silent streets
bore witness 10 a great sorrow. Only the weeping
secretary and those of the household went 10
pray over the grave and indulge their grief The
next day the people thronged TO the tomb, pray
ing, larnenting, reciiing the Koran, and invok-
ing the blessing OF God upon him who slept be-
Meath.
The character of the Sultan is shown
in the following passages:
The wise physician Abd-el-Latit wrote, some
what eynicaily. that 10 his knowledge this was
the only instance Of a Kings death that was
truly monrned by the people. The secret of
saladin's power lay in the love of his subjects
What Others sought 10 attain by fear, by severity
by majesty, he accomplished by kindness In the
words which he spoke, not long be
fore his death, TO his best beloved son, ez-Zahir
on disnissing him TO his provincial government
he revealed the secret of his own strength:
MY son." he said, 81 commend thee 10 the
most high God, the fountain OF all goodness Do
his will. for that way lieth peace. Abstain from
the shedding of blood: trust not 10 that: for
blood that is split never slumbers Seek to win
the hearts OF thy people, and watch their
prosperity for il is TO secure their happiness
that thou art appointed by God and by me. Try
TO gain the hearts Of thy enirs and ministers and
mobiles"
Gentlcness was the dominant note Of his char
aeter. We search the contemporary descriptions
IN vain for the customary attributes of Kings
Majesty il is not mentioned, for the respect lie
inspired sprang from love, which ''casteth out
fear statei Far from adopting an imposing
mieh and punctilious forms, no sovereign
ever more genial and easy Of approach lie
loved 10 surround himself with clever takers
and was himself delightful sSo talk to-" He
knew all the traditions OF the Arabs, the ''Days'
Of their ancient heroes, the pedigrees of their
famous mares. His sympathy and unaffected in
terest set every at his ease. and instead of
freedom Of conversation, he let the
talk flow on at such pace that sometimes man
could not hear his voice. old-fashioned
courtlcrs regretted the strict prOprlefy of Nur
ed-din's levees, when each man sat silent "as if
. bird were perched on his head till he was bid
den TO speak. At salzdin's court all was eager
convers7tion-a most unkingly buzz. Yet there
were limits which no dared 10 transgress in
the Sultan's presence. lie suffered no unseemly
talk. nor was any fippani irreverence or dis
respect of persons permitted. He never used or
allowed scuuilous language. lie kept his own
tongue, even in great proyocation. under rigid
control. and bis pen was no less disciplined; he
II tn tprft
Mosiem
His whole life was simple. laborious. ascetic.
When he was shown beautiful pavilion that had
been built for him at Damascus, he scarcely
glanced at II. We are not TO stay here for
ever. he said. This house is not for one who
looks for death. We are here TO serve God
The histories are full of his goodness
lie could not bear 10 have servant beaten, in
an age when the beating Of servants was a mat
ter of course. If they stole his money he dis
missed them; but the whip he abhorred. His
indulgence and patience knew 10 bounds and he
never set store by bis own dignity.
There is the touching story Of the woman who
came from the Crusaders camp at Acre seeking
her baby, who had been carried of by the Sarscen
soldiery. The pickets let her pass and led her
TO tho sultan, to whom she had appealed-''ior
he l. very merciiul." she said. saiadin was
touched by her anguiSh the tears stood in his
eyes, and he had the camp searched till the little
girl WAS safely restored 10 her mother, and both
were led back TO the encmy's lines.
On the Holy War he spent everything. strength.
health, may say life Itself lie ernptied
his treasury in the cause. But it was natural to
him TO give, and he gave ungradgingly with
open-handed, both-handed generosity as freely
when he was poor as when he was rich. Money
be compared TO mere dust. and he hated to refuse
IL 10 him who asked He would always give
more than was expected, and he never said I'VE
have given TO him before" Had he been left to
himself his campaigns would have been ruined
for laci. OF funds-f0r IL his rule that his