Identifier: saladinfallofkin00lane (find matches)
Title: Saladin and the fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem
Year: 1898 (1890s)
Authors: Lane-Poole, Stanley, 1854-1931
Subjects: Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria, 1137-1193
Publisher: London Putnam
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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ight at anode—and, it must be added, with the Arabs fullshare of falsehood and deceit. The Caliph el-Adid, who was much impressed bythe gallant bearing of his deliverers, immediately ap-pointed Shirkuh to the vacant office, clad him in therobes of vezir, invested him with plenary powers, andgave him the titles of Victorious King and Com-mander-in-chief (18th Jan., 1169). The people wereas pleased as the pontiff; they had liked the jollysoldier as he rode over the country a year and a halfago, even though he was levying taxes ; and theCairenes appreciated the liberal manner in which hehad disbursed from his heavy military chest, and hadrefreshed them with the looting of Shawars palace,where they left not so much as a cushion for his lav-ish successor to sit on ! The Arab poet saw moreclearly when he remarked that the claws of theLion * were now fastened in his prey. The Lion * Asad-ed-din, Lion of the Faith, was the Arabic surname ofShirkuh, which is itself Persian for Mountain-Lion.
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MOSQUE OF IMAM ESH-SHAFI Y, CAIRO. 1169) Death of Shir kith. 97 of the Faith, however, lived scarcely more than twomonths to enjoy his quarry, but died suddenly on the23rd of March, 1169—the result of over-eating; forhe was a mighty trencherman and addicted to heavyfeeding. In person, Shirkuh was short and stout,choleric of face, and fierce by nature ; nor had Allahendowed him with a superfluity of intelligence. Yethe was a bold and capable soldier, emulous of glory,patient under hardships, liberal beyond his means,and beloved of his men ; and he had the grace to dieat the right moment. The way was now open forSaladin.* * William of Tyres portrait of Shirkuh is worth quoting: it wasevidently drawn by one who knew him. He describes him as virum industrium, et in armis strenuum, liberalem supra virespatrimonii sui, gloriae cupidum, et in re militari admodum exercita-tum, militfbus carum, efficiente munificentia, et acceptum. . . .Erat autem homo jam senior, pusillus statura, pinguis m

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