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THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book I.

ting their ears to further attempt at calm dis-cussion, the majority with loud cries for war votedan unlimited credit of money for its expenses . 1

At this, Almeric made sure of the Templars.But he was wrong, for they absolutely refused toconsider the matter at all, as quite contrary notonly to the statutes of their rule, but to every senti-ment of honour and justice. The more so that aTemplar had been one of the signataries to thetreaty to be broken, and had been admitted to kissthe caliph’s hand on it, being the first Christianwho ever had that honour, or been allowed to enterthat sacred, gloomy, rich, mysterious palace . 2 Forthat it was of direct obligation to keep faith

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with all men, even Pagans; whereas here itwas proposed to begin with a most flagitious act, thebreach of a treaty to which they had so lately swornand affixed their formal signature. It ended by theGrand Master of the Temple and all his order de-clining to take part in any such enterprise, andthat they would remain quietly in their ownquarters. And so they did; and Almeric, with hisarmy and the Hospitallers, marched without them.

It is not to be supposed there was much of the

1 Yertot: ii. 197.—Bosio: par. 1, lib. iii., anno 1165.

2 Michaud: Hist., ii. 230.—Yertot: ii. 188.—Bosio: par. 1,lib. iii., anno 1166 and 1168.