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Chap. 9.
The unseasonable return of the King of France.
MEan time the Christians were rent asunder with faction: Philip the French King, Odo Duke of Burgundy, Leopold Duke of Austria, most of the Dutch, all the Genoans and Tem∣plars siding with King Conrade; King Richard, Henry Count of Champaigne, the Hospitallers, Venetians, and Pisans taking part with King Guy. But King Conrades side was much weaken∣ed with the sudden departure of the French King; who eigh∣teen dayes after the taking of Ptolemais returned home,* 1.1 preten∣ding want of necessaries, indisposition of body, distemper of the climate, though the greatest distemper was in his own passions. The true cause of his departure was, partly envie, because the sound of King Richards fame was of so deep a note that it drowned his; partly† 1.2 covetousnesse, to seize on the dominions of the Earl of Flanders lately dead; Flanders lying fitly to make a stable for the fair palace of France. If it be true what† 1.3 some report, that Saladine bribed him to return, let him for ever for∣feit the surname of Augustus, and the style of the most Christi∣an Prince.
His own souldiers disswaded him from returning, beseech∣ing him not to stop in so glorious a race, wherein he was new∣ly started: Saladine was already on his knees, and would pro∣bably be brought on his face, if pursued. If he played the un∣thrift with this golden occasion, let him not hope for another to play the good husband with. If poverty forced his de∣parture, King Richard† 1.4 profered him the half of all his pro∣visions.
All would not do, Philip persisted in his old plea, How the life of him absent would be more advantagious to the cause, then the death of him present; and by importunity got leave to depart, solemnly swearing not to molest the King of Englands dominions.
Thus the King of France returned in person, but remained still behind in his instructions, which he left (with his army) to the Duke of Burgundy; to whom he prescribed both his path and his pace, where and how he should go. And that Duke moved slowly, having no desire to advance the work where King Richard would carry all the honour. For in those acti∣ons wherein severall undertakers are compounded together, commonly the first figure for matter of credit maketh ciphres of all the rest. As for King Philip, being returned home, such was the itch of his ambition, he must be fingering of the King