Coeur de Lion carried his followers by way of Sicily and Cyprus: making a
transient conquest of the latter. In the Holy Land the siege of Acre
consumed the time and strength of the Crusaders. They suffered terribly
in the wilderness of Mount Carmel, and when at last preparing to march on
Jerusalem (1192) were recalled to Ascalon. Richard now advanced to
Bethany, but was unable to reach the Holy City. The tale is that while
riding with a party of knights one of them called out, 'This way, my
lord, and you will see Jerusalem.' But Richard hid his face and said,
'Alas!--they who are not worthy to win the Holy City are not worthy to
behold it.'

_The vast Imperial dome_; The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built by
the Emperor Constantine; A.D. 326-335.

_The hidden Grail_; This vision forms the subject of one of Tennyson's
noblest _Idylls_.



A BALLAD OF EVESHAM


August 4: 1265

Earl Simon on the Abbey tower
In summer sunshine stood,
While helm and lance o'er Greenhill heights
Come glinting through the wood.
'My son!' he cried, 'I know his flag
Amongst a thousand glancing':--