CHAP IV.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 255

reverses. The Christian had neglected to coloniseAsia Minor and so had no retreat; which rendereda fault irreparable. Immense too the immorality.In part it was indiscretion; from St. Bernard’s tooeasily receiving the vilest culprits. Louis VII. wasa pattern of piety, and many of his leaders . 1 Toolittle of human prudence, too much of leaving allto Providence. In the first crusade were devotionand heroism; in the second, more of the cloisterthan of enthusiasm. Priests and monks had toomuch handling of affairs. Louis was but a martyrand common soldier; the emperor a championutterly imprudent and presumptuous, which causedthe loss of his beautiful army. Neither monarchshad extensive views, or the energy requisite forgreat actions. Nor heroic passions, or anything ofthe chivalrous, nor famous captains were in thesecond crusade. Also the forces of Christendomwere divided. Not all were directed on Asia ;but some to the north of Europe, against theSlavi; some to Spain, against the Moors; and thatdivision contained many English knights. Normansfrom Sicily, were in Africa; and with them weremany Hospitallers; at the very time the Christianswere before Damascus. By no means did thissecond crusade represent the whole of Christendom

1 Michaud : Hist., ii. 193.