Peasants flocked from German lands
to join the venture of the ages
and travel to the East for plunder.
Dirt-poor, half-starved and ignorant,
seeing the wealth of bishops, they thought
they might distinguish themselves likewise.
Robbing and killing as they went, they were
a scourge in Balkan lands they crossed.
Entering Saracen realms near Ramleh,
they were attacked by Arabs for whom
Good Friday had no particular meaning.
Unarmed, their ranks were laid low.
Robbed of all they possessed, they withdrew
and turned instead toward Capernicum
where they placed themselves behind a wall
near at hand which was crumbling with age.
The bishops claimed the upper stories
of buildings, while the peasants stayed below
to fend for themselves with sticks and stones.
From the very hands of their attackers
they wrested swords, shields and spears
and fought desperately to survive.
Besieged without intermission,
until Easter Sunday at noon
they went without food or drink.
At last one weary priest begged them
to cease their frantic resistance, shouting:
“Listen to me. They are only fighting
because they fear we will kill them
and steal their land and property. Just
smile, give them all your possessions,
and we will depart in peace.” Turning
from arms to prayers, they begged mercy.
But the Arabs said they would never surrender.
Their camp was relentlessly besieged
until the Christians placed Muslim captives
in the front lines of the fight, threatening
decapitation. What finally saved them
from the merciless battle was the help
of their Saracen guide who pled with the Arabs
in the language of that place. Those who remained
went on their way peaceably to Ramleh.
Thus did Satan cast out Satan – a blessing
from the great Jehovah, who saved them
in spite of their sins and ignorance.
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