tools of any sort, whether for war, or for any other task necessary.

No speech will be able to tell how much the integrity of those
powerful warriors shone forth at that time. No land on earth will
ever see soldiers of such nobility fighting together. If you wish, I
shall relate the story of every kingdom, speak of battles done
everywhere; none of these will be able to equal either the nobility
or the force of these men. They left their paternal lands, abandoned
conjugal bonds, their children were unattractive to them, remaining
at home was punishment for them; in every knight the desire for
martyrdom burns. When the mob is carried away by the promise of
bloodshed, who can find anyone who is unmoved? Everyone is
lion-hearted, pleased to see the walls of Nicea surrounded. The
field shone with the reins of horses, and the shape and sound of
their trappings gives pleasure to everyone. Their armor burns more
brightly once it has drunk the sun's rays. Their helmets, shields
with yellow bronze, and belts blaze. You would have seen them, like
a storm, beating the walls down with their battering rams. The
Frankish spears penetrated their hard limbs, and their sharp swords
broke many of their bones. The wooden tower strove to drive the
Turks from the lofty walls. The battle rages hand-to-hand, and
spears were hurled on both sides; hardly any of them missed.
Unexpected death laid some men low. Heavenly glory then made our men
strong; they exposed their bodies to what was fated. They rejoiced
in seeking rewards through death. Every weary man became bold and
aggressive, driven by hope for a better life. The crimes of souls
greedy of praise are far distant. Every man believed that, if war
granted him a breath of fame, Christ was the one who gave it. No one
who performed noble act took credit for it. We will not be able to
compare the Scythian triumphs over Darius with these, nor could the