The Greek replied that if he should leave Cyprus he would not be able to come back. For, said he, the emperor at Constantinople disputes this land. The people would rise up against me if I do as you require. But most gladly will I send five hundred men until Acre is taken.
And it is related that he promised indemnity of three thousand five hundred marks to conciliate those who were abused and plundered. King Richard declared himself satisfied at this. They exchanged the kiss of peace. Isaac Ducas then returned to his luxurious pavilion where he ate and lay down to sleep. But a certain doublehearted knight, Pain de Caiffa, whispered that Richard meant to seize him. In darkness the Greek crept out, mounted a favorite charger and fled, leaving behind all of his tents and possessions. When he got safely to Famagusta he despatched a monk to Richard ordering him to quit Cyprus at once, saying that if he did not he would learn how little he was loved.
King Richard, not a patient man, marshaled his army for pursuit. Isaac Ducas left Famagusta and fled into the woods, which were difficult to search. Richard directed that the ports of Cyprus be strictly watched to prevent him getting off the island.
Now here came the bishop of Beauvais and a high noble, Drogo de Mirle, who were ambassadors from the king of France, who exhorted Richard to cross the sea at once, saying that he expended himself on vainglorious duties while neglecting necessary matters, saying that by his campaign against Isaac Ducas he presumptuously harmed innocent Christians while the adjoining land bristled with more Turks than fleas, saying that King Philip Augustus waited on his arrival. To all of which Richard answered testily, saying he was busy enough punishing Greeks as they deserved and furthermore deemed it an obligation to subdue this island.
Then he marched toward Nicosia holding his army in close order, having learnt that Isaac Ducas waited in ambush. And here came a torrent of Cypriots shouting and growling like dogs, flinging javelins and darts. Isaac himself let fly two poisoned arrows at Richard, which so enraged the impetuous king that he laid spurs to his mount and tried to run through the emperor with a lance but could not because Isaac fled on a bay horse of such fleetness that no one ever saw its match. In a short time the ground where these Cypriots camped was strewn with swords, pennons, darts, and bloody coats of mail. Much fine stuff did Richard’s soldiers pick up from the ground and pluck from the imperial tent. Isaac’s bed and harness, silks, purple garments, silver plate. They took chargers that champed the foaming bit, splendid mules with embroidered cushions, agile and stubborn goats, ewes, rams, mares with foal. Not displeased at so much booty Richard moved on toward Nicosia whose citizens appeared to congratulate him as though he always had been their lord, a calculated piece of wisdom. To this he responded with grace but caused them to shave their beards in token of allegiance. And the emperor, when news was brought, mutilated every captive pilgrim to assuage his grief, scooped out eyes and cut off noses.
King Richard laid waste to Cyprus, nor hesitated nor shrank, but set about eradicating an evil root that he might plant a good strong seed of Roman Christianity. Every castle surrendered to him excepting those very difficult to attack such as Didemus, Bufevent, and Cherimes. He gathered up the spoil, golden cups, kettles, bowls, silver pots, scarlet robes, precious woven cloth with elaborate patterns, every manner of wealth. As much as Croesus possessed, Richard gathered.
At length he took the great fort of Cherimes. And here was the daughter of Isaac Ducas whom the Greek loved more than any living thing. They say Isaac howled and pulled his beard when told of her capture and thought to arrange peace, no matter what cost, for the pilgrim army had seized nearly all his forts and his people swore allegiance to the enemy with slight hope of resistance and they had got his daughter upon whom his soul depended. He sent word from the mountain where he hid, beseeching pity, vowing to keep aught for himself, not house nor land nor castle, pledging to lay all at Richard’s throne but asking one grace, that he not be cast in iron shackles. To this King Richard agreed.
Down came the emperor of Cyprus out of hiding. And Richard Lionheart, turning to his chamberlain Ralph Fitz Godfrey, ordered the tyrant dressed with silver chains. Also, he took Isaac’s magnificent horse Fauvel.
Some time after, having reflected upon Isaac’s misfortune, Richard bade the miserable Greek sit beside him and permitted him to see his daughter, which made Isaac as joyous as if he touched the right foot of God. An hundred times or more Isaac Ducas kissed the sweet child and wept, after which they led him off to captivity.
In the chapel of Saint George at Limassol, on the twelfth of May in the year of our gracious Lord 1191, King Richard married his love Berengaria. There were present numerous high lords, as well as the archbishop and the bishops of Evreux and Baneria. On this occasion he proved cheerful and jocose. And his Spanish love Berengaria, sang the jongleur Ambroise, was the fairest, wisest lady on earth. Thus the king reveled in his glory.
But one day while he loitered by the shore at Famagusta here came a vessel from the east showing a flag with five black crosses on a white ground, envoys from the kingdom of Jerusalem. Philip Augustus wished to know why Richard dallied on Cyprus when troops were needed for the siege of Acre. Not long afterward Richard embarked, his men sailing and rowing as swiftly as they could since he had not traveled this far to be left without.
