Saladin responded.
To the esteemed monarch and great leader of the Germans, Frederick, in the name of God who is merciful, by the grace of that one God encompassing us, of whose kingdom there can be no limit. Incessantly do we praise Him whose grace flowers across the earth that He may inspire the tongues of prophets, above all His messenger Mahomet from whom we have learned the law that is true above other laws. But we must make it known to the glorious king of Germans that we have a letter which was delivered to us by a certain envoy called Henry, professing to be from your hand. This letter we have caused to be read, we have listened to the words, and so it behooves us to reply. You enumerate those allies who will march with you against us. But if we should do the same, enumerating those who render us obeisance, who listen to our command, who are prepared to give up their lives in our service, we could not tally their numbers. If you should count the names of Christians, the names of Saracens would be more numerous by ten, by fifty, by ten thousand. If there is a sea between you and us, between Saracens there is no impediment. Turkomans of themselves could annihilate our enemies. Bedouins alone would prove sufficient. With enjoyment Soldarii could despoil you of your riches, exterminate you. Even our peasants, should we bid them, would hunt for you where you assemble and thereby put an end to your presumption. Thus will we cast you back into the sea if you come against us. Nor will we content ourselves with these few lands we possess, for after the Lord has granted us victory there will be little for us to do but accept from His hands that which you call your own. More than once has the Christian faith marched against us, at Damietta, Alexandria, and elsewhere. More than once have Christians returned in misery, regretting the issue. Our people flourish in numerous realms, Babylon with its dependencies, Gesireh with its castles, India, others too numerous to mention. The limitless residue of Saracenic kings exalts us. The caliph of Baghdad, should we appeal to him, would rise from his throne and hasten to our aid. But if you have set your mind upon war, then will we meet and destroy you. If that letter which has come to us truly is by your hand, here is your answer. This have we caused to be written in the year of the prophet Mahomet 584, in praise of the one and only God. May God counsel and preserve Mahomet.
We are told that Emperor Frederick listened with contempt while this was read aloud. Angrily he consulted the princes of his empire at Mayence. As though of one voice they vowed to undertake the pilgrimage, for it seemed to them a noble work. Lords and vassals buckled on their armor, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Whether this army should travel by land or by sea to Jerusalem was much discussed. Some argued that any number of ships, however large, would be insufficient and therefore Frederick decided to march overland through Hungary. Or it may be that he asked his court astrologer what sort of death to expect. The astrologer requested time to calculate. Then he came back with troublesome news.
Your Majesty, said he, I have discovered the sign of drowning.
For this reason Frederick did not embark at Hamburg or another port but led his army overland. He is alleged to have been so considerate, virtuous, and humble that he regarded vagabonds and mendicants as his brothers. He provided carriages to accommodate those who might fall sick or prove unable to cross the deserts and mountains, a testament to the nobility of his enterprise since otherwise they would lag behind to perish. If a cart suffered damage while he was nearby he would not proceed until it had been fixed. By all accounts he was loved and respected.
King Bela of Hungary welcomed Frederick with a triumphant celebration and himself took the cross, followed by many of his subjects alight with eagerness to restore the Holy City. They feared nothing and looked forward to combat. Frederick’s army crossed the Danube unmolested, but upon reaching the passes of Bulgaria they were attacked by Pincenates, Bulgarians, Alans, and other savages. From Bulgaria into Macedonia they encountered treacherous narrows, rocks and thorns, but overcame each obstacle and came to Philippopolis. The Greeks, who fear what they do not love, had run away. These people are perfidious and degenerate, gorging on ancient hatreds. Once the Greeks were proud, equally accomplished at war and the arts of peace, yet what once were fountains had diminished to trickles, or, as some assert, barren channels. The legacy of their virtue had turned to hollow pomp, their deceit surpassing that of Simon. They had grown more false than Ulysses, more diabolic than Atreus roasting the flesh of his nephew.
Frederick being anxious for peace sent ahead to Constantinople the bishop of Münster. Yet what did the double-minded Emperor Isaac do but cast him in prison, violating the regard that has obtained from antiquity, even among barbarians. Later, dreading Frederick’s wrath, worried that Constantinople might be reduced to smoldering waste, Isaac set the bishop free. Many of Frederick’s host asked why the emperor should go unpunished. And they learned of new mosques built in Constantinople with his consent. This malevolent sovereign, professed Christian, sought to ingratiate himself with Turks.
Now as Libra balanced days and nights toward equivalent lengths, the season ripening into autumn, Frederick took up quarters in Adrianople, there to await the passage of winter and the favorable climate of spring. His younger son, the duke of Swabia, looked about to find some employment for this
