CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

127

a rumour that every Mahometan who left the townwithin three days, his life should be spared, a ter-rible disaster occurred ; for that, to be in time,numbers pressed out together, and choked up thedoorway, and were many of them suffocated. Butthat could account for few deaths in seventy thou-sand; and the long space of three days. It rathermakes the matter worse—and hut adds an atrociousand more striking circumstance.

But it is very remarkable, that neither here noron any occasion, do either Christians or Moslemscondemn or lament their own crimes or barbarities,or those of their enemies, but quietly recite theenormity Avithout a single Avord of surprise, sorroAV,or blame. What a profound hatred must have beenon both sides, since not one Mahometan ever camefrom the besieged, asking either capitulation orquarter; nor had the Christians once deigned—aswas almost invariably practised everyAvhere else,in Palestine particularly—to summon them tosurrender. Their encounter could not be other-Avise than tremendous and merciless, Avhoeverwon.

With perfect justice has it been observed thatTasso introduces too much Avitchcraft; Avliiehis not to be in character. Witchcraft is in thespirit of the age in which the poet lived, and Avhich