_A dead Sultan, with his Shirt for an Ensign_ (Vol. ix., p. 76.).--MR.
WARDEN will find a long and interesting description of Saladin in Knolles'
_Turkish History_, pp. 33. 57., published in London by Adam Islip in 1603.
I take from this learned work the following curious anecdote:
"About this time (but the exact period is not stated) died the great
Sultan Saladin, the greatest terrour of the Christians; who, mindfull
of man's fragilitie, and the vanitie of worldly honours, commanded at
the time of his death no solemnitie to be vsed at his buriall, but only
his shirt in manner of an ensigne, made fast vnto the point of a lance,
to be carried before his dead bodie as an ensigne. A plaine priest
going before and crying aloud vnto the people in this sort: '_Saladin
Conquerour of the East, of all the greatnesse and riches hee had in
this life, carrieth not with him after his death anything more than his
shirt._'"--"A sight (says Knolles) woorthie so great a king, as wanted
nothing to his eternall commendation, more than the true knowledge of
his salvation in Christ Jesu."