Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/506

HE council of the Crusade, stationed near the Holy Land, prepares an ultimatum for the Sultan of Egypt. Kenneth of Scotland takes it to the Moslem king, who rejects the terms of peace, but sends his physician, Adonbec el Hakim, to cure King Richard of England, who is sick abed with fever, so that they could meet in military combat. Richard submits to the cure of the physician, despite Conrad’s and Amaury’s interception, and recovers.

Meanwhile, an opposition to Richard develops under the leadership of Leopold of Austria. There is also a secret plot afoot between Conrad and Amaury, who, aspiring to the throne of Jerusalem, attempt to create a breach between Richard and the princes, and thus force Richard back to England. Archbishop Baldwin strives to reconcile the princes, but meets with little success. The prophetic warnings of Theodoric, the Hermit of Engaddi, also fail to allay the dissentions in the Crusade camp.

Leopold asserts his equality of rank with Richard by planting his banner beside that of the Crusade leader. Richard tears it down and tramples upon it, at the same time challenging Leopold to a duel for his audacity. Leopold declines personal combat with the Crusade leader, but accepts that of Kenneth in substitute. Phillip of France and the archbishop appeal for a peaceful settlement of the quarrel, but are unsuccessful.

Conrad, under the treacherous instigation of Amaury, resolves to take Richard’s life even at the risk of his own. While there is amusement in Richard’s pavilion, Conrad and Amaury with muffled faces approach the king’s couch, Amaury, however, retiring in time to escape discovery. Before Conrad drives home his poised weapon, Kenneth, who is near at the time, intercepts him and strikes him down. In his dying breath, Conrad warns Richard to beware the Templar Amaury. Now continue with the play.)

Scene 3. (The lists outside of Acre. Enter Amaury.)

AMAU.: So Conrad is dead. The blessed fool! He thought I was only looking over the wall, when all the time I meant to steal the horse.—The Italian dragon is crushed by the English lion’s whelp. So, so; that fits well into my plans. Richard now remains to be removed. I have made overtures to Saladin that, should I succeed in breaking up this league which he fears, I would receive in guerdon the suzerainty of Jerusalem. And, by Mahommed’s rusty beard, I will succeed or perish in the attempt.—Today comes the third act of my little drama, the climax of my gentle scheme. Richard fights Austria. Fall one or the other, I prosper either way. If Richard’s champion falls, the entire league will turn against the English king, for his wanton cruelty and arrogance in demanding the life of a noble knight as a sacrifice to his insatiate thirst for honor. If Austria falls, then the princes, thru my instigations, will demand equality in rank and command with the Englishman to prevent the recurrence of another such quarrel.—Ha! here they come. (Enter Leopold with Attendants.) Welcome, your grace. Lord Leopold, wilt thou not add to thy prayers the petition to be delivered from the fangs of the lion?

LEO.: No, for I fear him not.

AMAU.: Thou wilt, then, stand the brunt of the challenge?

LEO.: Doubt me not, Sir Knight. I would not, forsooth, have met the iron of Richard himself; but, him excepted, there breathes not the man in his ranks whom I would fear to meet.

AMAU.: I rejoice to see thee so confident; and in that confidence I forsee thee victorious. This island mastiff hath insulted thee mortally; he is an upstart puppy, who needs must be whipped back into his kennel.

LEO.: I shall feel my honor amply repaired if my sword do the whipping.