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away and my head also. If you believe I cannot perform my duty, you have the right to deprive me of offices and even of life. I do not contest your right to that, but otherwise it is my right to appoint what deputy I will to carry out my orders.'' |
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"These are high words, Sir Simon," the King said harshly. |
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"I am sorry if I offend you, Your Grace," Simon replied steadily, "but I must be sure that what you have given me will not be snatched away upon some pretext, or even no pretext. More than that, I have my honor. I must know that what I have promised will be performed in the way I have planned. If I cannot be sure of this, then I will go back and take up my duties again instead of taking the Cross as I had planned." |
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The king's expression, which had been growing angrier and angrier, changed to pleased surprise. His monomania had been brought into action. |
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Longchamp uttered a single strangled oath and said, "And who has thus moved your spirit? I have heard you call those who wished to save God's city idiots." |
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"I have little interest in God's city," Simon replied truthfully, "and still less in those degenerates who rule it and could not keep it safe. But I have a deep interest in my King. If Lord Richard goes to the Holy Land, I believe it to be my duty to follow himprovided I am clear of oaths previously sworn." |
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"What oaths?" Richard asked petulantly. |
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The dose of flattery Simon had administered was very palatable. It was much to Richard's liking to be told that loyalty to his person was a driving force more powerful than the preaching of prelates. The final remark that Simon's oath was more powerful an influence still was a disappointment. |
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"I have always been the Queen's man," Simon said. "I swore my faith to her long years before you were born, my lord, and I have never broken that faith. I needed your mother's yea-say before I could ask to |
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