14v

they would never, even if they fear the sea,
let this opportunity pass by.^{1We will need to extrapolate here; crossing the sea was a worrisome journey in any case. ask Mark if the Mongols particularly fear the sea?Rhetorically so vulnerable.}

The king, who appeases the pagans
grasps this vulnerability well.
For this reason, he holds his kingdom tightly reined.
He who has gone at a walk,
would soon go at an amble^{2this means speeding up}
on a warhorse if the reins were loosened.
A short folly is wiser
than a long one full of foolish council.
Now may he remain in his domain.
If he had not given himself over to outremer,
the kingdom would be in a better state,
and the lands more secure.

My lord Geoffrey of Sergines,
I see no sign at this moment
that anyone is sending you aid.
The horses have pain in their backs,
and the rich men, evil in their breast.
What is God doing, that he does not penetrate their hearts,
for soon, the hour will come
when the demons, dark as blackberries
will inflict their punishments upon them.
Then they will be called Chantepleure^{3.This means "sing and weep" to refer to those who chant their prayers, but cry after they do so. See Zink, note 1., p. 417. This is a reference to the literature of the wheel of fortune- see citations that Latowsky will submit}
With no help in sight, those who will read them long Matins
will trample them underfoot.^{4Reading "long Matins" is a metaphor for inflicting torture, Bastan and Faral, p. 430.}

The End