Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/365

 The Crusades 329 camels formed in many squadrons, and the sheep and oxen did the same. Moreover these animals accompanied us, halting when we halted, advancing when we advanced, and charging when we charged. The clouds sheltered us from the heat of the sun and cooled us. Accordingly, after celebrating the victory, the army returned to Jerusalem. Duke Godfrey remained there; the count of St. Gilles, Robert, count of Normandy, and Robert, count of Flanders, returned to Laodicea. There they found the fleet belonging to the Pisans and to Bohemond. After the archbishop of Pisa had established peace between Bohemond and our leaders, Raymond prepared to return to Jerusalem for the sake of God and his brethren. Therefore, we call upon you of the Catholic Church of Christ and of the whole Latin Church to exult in the ad- mirable bravery and devotion of your brethren, in the glorious and desirable retribution of the omnipotent God, and in the devoutly hoped-for remission of all our sins through the grace of God. And we pray that he may make you namely, all bishops, clergy, and monks who are lead- ing devout lives, and all the laity to sit down at the right hand of God, who liveth and reigneth, God for ever and ever. And we ask and beseech you, in the name of our Lord Jesus, who has ever been with us and aided us and freed us from all our tribulations, to be mindful of your brethren who return to you, by doing them kindnesses and by paying their debts, in order that God may recompense you and absolve you from all your sins and grant you a share in all the blessings which either we or they have deserved in the sight of the Lord. Amen. IV. ST. BERNARD AND THE SECOND CRUSADE St. Bernard was induced to use his unrivaled influence in promoting a new crusade in 1146. The following letter indicates his attitude toward the enterprise :