tion. He saw his forces considerably reduced; and the majority of
the crusaders left to him, even his brothers themselves, did not hide
their ardent desire to return to France. He had that virtue, so rare
amongst kings, of taking into consideration the wishes of his comrades,
and of desiring their free assent to the burden he asked them to bear
with him. He assembled the chief of them, and put the question plainly
before them. "The queen, my mother," he said, "biddeth me and prayeth me
to get me hence to France, for that my kingdom hath neither peace nor
truce with the king of England. The folk here tell me that, if I get me
hence, this land is lost, for none of those that be there will dare to
abide in it. I pray you, therefore, to give it thought, for it is a
grave matter, and I grant you nine days for to answer me whatever shall
seem to you good." Eight days after, they returned; and Guy de
Mauvoisin, speaking in their name, said to the king, "Sir, your brothers
and the rich men who be here have had regard unto your condition, and
they see that you cannot remain in this country to your own and your
kingdom's honor, for of all the knights who came in your train, and of
whom you led into Cyprus twenty-eight hundred, there remain not one
hundred in this city. Wherefore they do counsel you, sir, to get you
hence to France, and to provide troops and money wherewith you may return
speedily to this country, to take vengeance on these enemies of God who
have kept you in prison." Louis, without any discussion, interrogated
all present, one after another, and all, even the pope's legate, agreed
with Guy de Mauvoisin. "I was seated just fourteenth, facing the
legate," says Joinville, "and when he asked me how it seemed to me, I
answered him that if the king could hold out so far as to keep the field
for a year, he would do himself great honor if he remained."

[Illustration: Sire de Joinville----55]

Only two knights, William de Beaumont and Sire de Chatenay, had the
courage to support the opinion of Joinville, which was bolder for the
time being, but not less indecisive in respect of the immediate future
than the contrary opinion. "I have heard you out, sirs," said the king:
"and I will answer you, within eight clays from this time, touching that
which it shall please me to do." "Next Sunday," says Joinville, "we came
again, all of us, before the king. 'Sirs,' said he, 'I thank very much
all those who have counsel