XII A

The Crusaders were now approaching the goal of their long pilgrimage. As they came near the Holy City, where they were destined to behold the objects of their spécial vénération and love, they were lost to everything save the thought of their Saviour's life and sufiferings ; and when the last barrier was crossed, and the city appeared to their view, ail fell on their knees to kiss the sacred earth, and to renew the oath which they had so often taken for its deliverance. Every step they took recalled some memory dear to their religion. They could not turn their eyes away from the town in which everything they saw rekindled their zeal. That town, once so glorious, had fallen utterly into ruin ; the valleys and gardens, represented in sacred history as rich and fruitful, were now barren and stony, so that a gloomy sadness mingled with the pilgrims' pious dévotion.

The day after their arrivai the chiefs resolved to plan the siège of the town, and pitched their tents on those sides of the city which lent themselves best for the purpose of attack.

Passacfes for Translation into French i8i