the most memorable things in Egypt, and setting down briefly the state of that country, which had continued long a flourishing region, and was of great power, when it contended with Assyria for the mastery. Of Cham, the son of Noah, who first planted that country, and of Osiris, Orus, and other ancient kings that reigned there until the Israelites were thence delivered, more hath been said already than I can stand to; though I hold it no shame to fail in such conjectures. That which I have delivered, in speaking my opinion of the Egyptian dynasties, must here again help me : for it may truly be affirmed, that the great number of kings, which are said to have reigned in Egypt, were none other than viceroys or stewards, such as Joseph was, and such as were the soldans in later ages. Therefore, I will not only forbear to seek after those, whom Herodotus and Diodorus have reckoned up, from the mouths of Egyptian priests, delivering them by number, without rehearsing their names, but will save the labour of marshalling them in order whose names only are found, the years of their reigns, and other circumstances proving them to have been kings indeed, being not recorded.

But that I may not seem before-hand to lay an imaginary ground, whereupon after I may build what I list, it were not amiss to give unto the reader such satisfaction in this point as apparent reason and truth of history doth afford. First, therefore, we ought not to believe those numbers of generations, which the lying priests have reckoned up, to magnify their antiquities: For we know that, from Abraham, our Saviour Christ was removed only fortytwo descents, which makes it evident that, in far shorter time, namely, before the Persian empire, there could not have passed away twice as many successions in Egypt, especially considering that many of these, whose continuance is expressed, have reigned longer than forty years. It follows that we

should square the number of the Egyptian kings in some even proportion to those which did bear rule in other countries. As for the rest, whose names we find scattered here and there, any man that will take the pains to read the nineteenth book of the Holy War, written by William, archbishop of Tyre, may easily persuade himself, that it is not hard to find names enough of such as might be thought to have reigned in Egypt, being none other than regents or viceroys. Yet, will I here insert, as briefly as I can, some things making to that purpose, for the pleasure and information of such as will not trouble themselves with turning over many authors.

When Elhadech the caliph ruled in Egypt, one Dargan, a powerful and a subtile man, made himself soldan, by force and cunning, chasing away Sanar, an Arabian, who was soldan before and after him. This Dargan ministered matter of quarrel to Almaricke, king of Jerusalem, and sustained, with little loss, an invasion which Almaricke made upon Egypt. Hereupon he grew so insolent and proud, that Sanar, the former soldan, hoped to make his party good against him, if he could get any forces wherewith to enter Egypt. Briefly, Sanar sueth to Noradine, king of Damascus, for aid, who sends an army of his Turks, under the command of Syracon, against the soldan Dargan. So Dargan and Sanar met, and fought: the victory was Dargan's but he enjoyed it not, for in few days after he was slain by treason, whereby Sanar did recover his dignity; which to establish, he slew all the kindred and friends of Dargan, that he could find in the great city of Cairo.

To all these doings, the caliph Elhadech gave little regard, for he thought it little concerned him which of them lived, and had the administration of the kingdom, whilst he might have the profit of it, and enjoy his pleasure. But new troubles presently arise, which, (one would think,) do nearly touch the

caliph himself. Syracon, with his Turks, whom Sanar hath gotten to come into Egypt, will not now be entreated there to leave him, and quietly go their way home. They seize upon the town of Belbeis, which they fortify, and there attend the arrival of more company from Damascus, for the conquest of all Egypt. The soldan perceives their intent, and finds himself not strong enough to expell them, much less to repel the Turkish army, that was likely to second them. He therefore sends messengers to king Almaricke, of Jerusalem, whom with large promises he gets to bring him aid, and so drives out the Turks. Of all this trouble the great caliph hears nothing, or not so much as should make him look to the playing of his own game.

A greater mischief ariseth, concerning the caliph Elhadech, particularly in his own title. Syracon, captain of the Turks, that had been in Egypt, goes to the caliph of Baldach, (who was opposite to him of Egypt, each of them claiming, as heir to Mahomet, that false prophet, the sovereignty over all that were of the Saracen law,) and tells him the weakness of the Egyptian, with his own ability of doing service in those parts, offering his best means for the extirpation of the schismatical caliph, and the reduction of all Egypt, with the western parts, under the subjection of the Babylonians. This motion is readily and joyfully entertained; all the eastern provinces are up in arms; and Syracon, with a mighty power, descendeth into Egypt. The noise of this great expedition so affrighteth king Almaricke, that with all his forces he hasteth into Egypt; well knowing how nearly it concerned him and his kingdom of Jerusalem, to keep the Saracens from joining all under one head. Sanar the soldan, perceiving the faithful care of the Christians his friends, welcomes them, and bestirs himself in giving them all manner of content, as it behoved him; for by their admirable valour, he finally drove the enemies out of the coun

try. But this victory was not so soon gotten as it is quickly told.

Strange it is, (which most concerns our present purpose,) that of so desperate a danger the caliph as yet seems to know nothing. May we not think him to have been king in title only, who meddled so little in the government? The soldan, finding that the Christians, (without whose help all was lost,) could not well stay so long as his necessities required, makes large offers to king Almaricke, upon condition that he should abide by it. He promiseth a great tribute, (William of Tyre calls it a tribute, the Saracens, perhaps, called it a pension,) which the kings of Jerusalem should receive out of Egypt, for this behoveful assistance. But the Christians, understanding that the soldan, (how much soever he took upon him,) was subject to an higher lord, would make no bargain of such importance with any other than the caliph himself. Hereupon Hugh, Earl of Cæsarea, and a knight of the Templars, are sent unto Elhadech, to ratify the covenants. Now shall we see the greatness of the caliph and his estate.

These embassadors were conveyed by the soldan to Cairo, where arriving at the palace, they found it guarded by great troops of soldiers. The first entrance was through dark porches, that were kept by many armed bands of Ethiopians, which, with all diligence, did reverence unto the soldan, as he passed along. Through these straits the warders led them into goodly open courts, of such beauty and riches, that they could not retain the gravity of ambassadors, but were enforced to admire the things that detained their eyes. For there they saw goodly marble pillars, gilded beams, all wrought over with embossed works, curious pavements, fish-ponds of marble with clear waters, and many sorts of strange birds, unknown in those parts of the world, as coming perhaps from the East Indies, which then were undiscovered. The farther they went, the greater was

the magnificence; for the caliph's eunuchs conveyed them into other courts within these, as far excelling the former, as the former did surpass ordinary houses. It were tedious perhaps to rehearse how, the further they entered, the more high state they found, and cause of marvel; suffice it, that the good archbishop, who wrote these things, was never held a vain author. Finally, they were brought into the caliph's own lodgings, which were yet more stately, and better guarded, where entering the presence, the soldan, having twice prostrated himself, did the third time cast off his sword that he wore about his neck, and throw himself on the ground, before the curtain, behind which the caliph sat. Presently the traverse, wrought with gold and pearls, was opened, and the caliph himself discovered sitting with great majesty on a throne of gold, having few of his most inward servants and eunuchs about him. When the soldan had humbly kissed his master's feet, he briefly told the cause of his coming, the danger wherein the land stood, and the offers that he had made unto king Almaricke, desiring the caliph himself to ratify them, in presence of the ambassadors. The caliph answered, that he would thoroughly perform all that was promised. But this contented not the ambassadors: they would have him to give his hand upon the bargain; which the Egyptians, that stood by, thought an impudent request. Yet his greatness condescended at length, after much deliberation, at the earnest request of the soldan, to reach out his hand. When the Earl of Cæsarea saw that the caliph gave his hand, neither willingly nor bare, he told him roundly this much in effect: Sir, Truth seeks no holes to hide itself; prin'ces that will hold covenant, must deal openly, nakedly, and sincerely: give us therefore your bare hand, if you mean that we shall trust you, for we will 'make no bargain with your glove." Much ado there was about this; for it seemed against the majesty of such a prince to yield so far. But, when it