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Article THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. ← Page 3 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Knights Templars.
he was acquainted with their lord , the Prince of the Mountain . The Kino- answered that he was O not , that he had never seen him , although he had heard a good deal about him . The ambassadors continued , " Sire , since you have heard my lord
spoken of , I wonder much that you have not sent him such of your people as should have made him your friend , in like manner as the Emperor of Germany , the King of Hungary , the Sultan of Babylon , and many other princes have yearly
done ; for they know well that they would not be allowed to exist or reign , but during his good pleasure . For this cause he has despatched us hither to advertise you , that he wills you should act in the like manner , or at least that yon acquit
him of the tribute he pays annually to the Grand Master of the Templars , ancl if you do this he will consider it as so much money paid by you to himself . My lord , says truly , that should he order the destruction of the Grand Master of the
Templars there would soon be another as good , and for this reason he is unwilling to risk his people ' s lives , where little is to be gained . " The King in answer to this replied , that he would consider of what they had said , and if they would return in
the evening he would give them his answer . The ambassadors left , seemingly satisfied , for the threat conveyed in the message of the Assassin chief was one fitted to chill the hearts of the bravest and most powerful monarchs . The King on their
departure sent for De Vichierius , to whom he detailed the conversation , and the Grand Master requested permission to be present at the interview in the evening , and also to be allowed to bring tho Grand Master of the Hospitallers along with him .
After vespers the ambassadors returned to the presence of the King and were taken aback on finding on either side of him the Grand Masters of the Templars ancl Hospitallers . The King requested them to repeat their message which they
had brought to him in the morning . The ambassadors trembled to clo so in the presence of their redoubtable foe , and declared they could not do this unless before those who had been present in the morning . The Grand Master of the
Templars , in a tone of voice which admitted of no refusal , commanded them to repeat their message , which , with much reluctance , they did . Reginald smiled grimly at their message , and bade them begone for the night , and on the morrow he would convey to them the King ' s answer to their chief ' s
demand . The ambassadors would gladly have fled , but they knew too well that such a step would have been followed by the worst consequences . On the morrow they were brought before the Grand Master who addressed them in the
following manner : — " The message which your Master has so very foolishly and impudently sent to the King of France , ancl the harsh expressions used by you in delivering it deserve our severest punishment . Were it not unbecoming the honour of the King on account of your being invested with the character of ambassadors he would have
have had you thrown into the filthy sea of Acre ancl drowned , in spite of the power of your Master . And we command you , " he continued , peremptorily , ancl with a severe countenance , " to hasten back to your Master , ancl to return here
within fifteen days with such letters from your prince , that will satisfy and content the King with him and you , " and , touching his sword with a menacing air he bade them begone . The firm language of the Grand Master , and
the well known valour of the Templars , completely terrified the ambassadors who hastened back to their prince with the terrible tidings of the failure of their embassy , and the anger of the Templars . The tidings overwhelmed their
chief , who long before the expiry of the fifteen days sent them back to Louis . The ambassadors presented themselves in a very humble manner before the King , and said in a respectful tone , " Sire , we are come back from our lord , who
informs you that as the shirt is the part of the dress nearest to the body he sends you this , his shirt , as a gift or a symbol that you are the King for whom he has the greatest affection , and which he is most desirous to cultivate ; and for a further
assurance of it here is his ring which he sends you , made of pure gold , with his name engraven on it . With this ring our lord espouses you , and understands that henceforward you be as one of the fingers of his hand . " They likewise brought
him many presents , among them being an elephant of crystal , figures of men of different crystals , the whole set in fine pieces of amber with borders of pure gold . When the case containing these things were opened the whole apartment was fitted with
the odour of sweet perfumes . The King sent back to the-chief certain gifts in return , and the Assassins instead of freeing themselves from the tribute only bound the fetters of the Templars , ancl rivetted them firmer round their necks .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Knights Templars.
he was acquainted with their lord , the Prince of the Mountain . The Kino- answered that he was O not , that he had never seen him , although he had heard a good deal about him . The ambassadors continued , " Sire , since you have heard my lord
spoken of , I wonder much that you have not sent him such of your people as should have made him your friend , in like manner as the Emperor of Germany , the King of Hungary , the Sultan of Babylon , and many other princes have yearly
done ; for they know well that they would not be allowed to exist or reign , but during his good pleasure . For this cause he has despatched us hither to advertise you , that he wills you should act in the like manner , or at least that yon acquit
him of the tribute he pays annually to the Grand Master of the Templars , ancl if you do this he will consider it as so much money paid by you to himself . My lord , says truly , that should he order the destruction of the Grand Master of the
Templars there would soon be another as good , and for this reason he is unwilling to risk his people ' s lives , where little is to be gained . " The King in answer to this replied , that he would consider of what they had said , and if they would return in
the evening he would give them his answer . The ambassadors left , seemingly satisfied , for the threat conveyed in the message of the Assassin chief was one fitted to chill the hearts of the bravest and most powerful monarchs . The King on their
departure sent for De Vichierius , to whom he detailed the conversation , and the Grand Master requested permission to be present at the interview in the evening , and also to be allowed to bring tho Grand Master of the Hospitallers along with him .
After vespers the ambassadors returned to the presence of the King and were taken aback on finding on either side of him the Grand Masters of the Templars ancl Hospitallers . The King requested them to repeat their message which they
had brought to him in the morning . The ambassadors trembled to clo so in the presence of their redoubtable foe , and declared they could not do this unless before those who had been present in the morning . The Grand Master of the
Templars , in a tone of voice which admitted of no refusal , commanded them to repeat their message , which , with much reluctance , they did . Reginald smiled grimly at their message , and bade them begone for the night , and on the morrow he would convey to them the King ' s answer to their chief ' s
demand . The ambassadors would gladly have fled , but they knew too well that such a step would have been followed by the worst consequences . On the morrow they were brought before the Grand Master who addressed them in the
following manner : — " The message which your Master has so very foolishly and impudently sent to the King of France , ancl the harsh expressions used by you in delivering it deserve our severest punishment . Were it not unbecoming the honour of the King on account of your being invested with the character of ambassadors he would have
have had you thrown into the filthy sea of Acre ancl drowned , in spite of the power of your Master . And we command you , " he continued , peremptorily , ancl with a severe countenance , " to hasten back to your Master , ancl to return here
within fifteen days with such letters from your prince , that will satisfy and content the King with him and you , " and , touching his sword with a menacing air he bade them begone . The firm language of the Grand Master , and
the well known valour of the Templars , completely terrified the ambassadors who hastened back to their prince with the terrible tidings of the failure of their embassy , and the anger of the Templars . The tidings overwhelmed their
chief , who long before the expiry of the fifteen days sent them back to Louis . The ambassadors presented themselves in a very humble manner before the King , and said in a respectful tone , " Sire , we are come back from our lord , who
informs you that as the shirt is the part of the dress nearest to the body he sends you this , his shirt , as a gift or a symbol that you are the King for whom he has the greatest affection , and which he is most desirous to cultivate ; and for a further
assurance of it here is his ring which he sends you , made of pure gold , with his name engraven on it . With this ring our lord espouses you , and understands that henceforward you be as one of the fingers of his hand . " They likewise brought
him many presents , among them being an elephant of crystal , figures of men of different crystals , the whole set in fine pieces of amber with borders of pure gold . When the case containing these things were opened the whole apartment was fitted with
the odour of sweet perfumes . The King sent back to the-chief certain gifts in return , and the Assassins instead of freeing themselves from the tribute only bound the fetters of the Templars , ancl rivetted them firmer round their necks .