CIIAP. I ]

ST. JOHN OE JERUSALEM.

77

and Norman and Scotch. Some brave hearts,deserving to be called Grecians, were to be foundto the last, in the city of Constantine—not only itsfinal Christian Emperor, who expired as becamehim—but likeAvise the captive, Romanus. “ Whattreatment do you expect?” asked Alp-Arslan. “ Ifcruel, you will torture me to death,” replied thedauntless sovereign. u If proud, you will drag meat your horse’s heels. If avaricious, you will put aprice on my liberty! ” “ And what would you

have done with me?” subjoined the victoriousScythian. “ Ah! I would have got you scourgedfinely,” outburst the fearless and indignant Em-peror. On Avhichthe Turk smiled; and mutteringabout the Christian law prescribing mercy, ordainedthat the champion of the Cross should that instantbe set free, and peace established, on the promisethat an immense sum should be paid for his ransomand a large annual tribute, with an intermarriagebetAveen the Turkish and Imperial houses, andfreedom for every Mahometan in the hands of theGreeks.

This agreement, hard as it Avas, the mournfulprisoner had to sign; and disheartening it is to beobliged to add that his subjects refused to pay hisransom, but left him to pine an exile, and as suchdeposed, and—as far as Avas in them—dishonoured