Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/295
es thee, I am well content. But what pledge dost give, that thou wilt keep the peace?
ADON.: The word of a true follower of the Prophet. I will ask no pledge of thee, brave Nazarene, knowing well that treason dwells not with courage.
KEN.: By the cross of my sword, Saracen, thou speakest like a true man. I will be thy companion for the while; for I am weary and would refresh myself.
ADON.: By Mahommed, the Prophet of Allah, there is no treachery in my heart towards thee.—But sit thee down, while I haste to the Grotto, and fetch thee fresh drink. (Exit.)
KEN.: Well, here’s to do! A wandering Paynim meets a Christian knight, strikes at him with his crooked sabre, yields to his sword, and then offers him refreshment. May this be a portend?—A Christian Crusader and a heathen Moslem; the Cross and the Crescent; Christ and Mahommed—shall the first conquer the second? Shall the mosque become the Temple, Jerusalem another Rome?—It shall, it must and will! (Re-enter Adonbec.)
ADON.: Here, Sir Knight, take and drink of this crystal water, sweet as the morning dew of Paradise, and soft as the silver moonbeams.
KEN.: Ave Maria! let us be thankful. Thou art kind, brave Saracen.
ADON.: By the corner-stone of Caaba, Sir Knight, it is a pleasure for me to do a service to thy bravery.—But let me be pardoned, if I ask the name of the companion whom Allah hath given me to-day to meet in battle and in peace?
KEN.: It is not worth publishing. But know that among my fellow-crusaders I am known simply as Kenneth of Scotland.—But, brave Saracen, do thou tell what tribe of Arabia claims thy descent, and what name you are known by.
ADON.: Sir Kenneth, I am happy that thy name is such as I can utter. For me, I am Emir Adonbee el Hakim, Saladin’s physician. The mountains of Curdistan saw my birth, and Seljook is my tribe.
KEN.: What, art thou a physician? How comes it, then, that thou, who followest the merciful profession of a mediciner, shouldst be so skillful a warrior as thou but a moment ago gav’st me proof?
ADON.: Sir Kenneth, I know that amongst you a knight enjoys great fame and renown. Your people hold it a great honor that a man be able to defend the weak and succour the oppressed. Know then, that in our nation a warrior is also held in great esteem. Mahommed, Prophet of God, hath promised to his faithful sons a heavenly reward for every slain unbeliever. To gain this reward in the greatest measure, we are trained from boyhood in all the arts of war. So was I trained; and, from my grandfather, I have besides received deep instruction in the arts of healing. Thus, when religion bids, I take my sword and slay;— when humanity calls, I take my phial and heal.
KEN.: By St. George, Emir Adonbee, if thou art as good a physician as I know thou art a brave soldier, mayhap thou art he whom Saladin hath promised to send to our sick Richard of the Lion’s Heart?
ADON.: I am he, brave Nazarene. Our noble Saladin is so desirous of meeting Melech Ric, whom thou namest the Lion’s Heart, in a personal combat on the field of battle, that he bade me use all my skill and knowledge to restore him to his former strength. It is now that I am on my way to his tent.
KEN.: On mine honor, Saracen, thou shouldst have been more careful of thy life: if not for thy own sake, at least for the sake of the noble King Richard. Supposing that, a moment ago, I had cut off thy head with all its wit and wisdom? Precious small thanks had I from Richard!—But come thee, let us hasten to the camp.
ADON.: Hark thee, Sir Kenneth! ’Tis the hour of prayer. Pause thee the while thy servant performs his orisons. (Kneels and chants) Allah il Allah! Allah acbar! Allah Il Allah! Allah acbar! God is great and Mahom-