206 THE HISTORY OE THE ORDER OE [book II.

ing of them, his heart is infected, and he is killed.Alas! your fawning caresses, like those of a wheed-ling courtesan, have too often taken us unawares,and seduced us into letting our vigilance waxdrowsy, and neglect the care of our own security;but, invoking our holy law, our conduct shall beotherwise for the future! What a rage of lying hascome upon you, 0 Giaours! What canine madnessdeprives you of reason, that you shamefullyrenounce the good faith of your ancestors? When,with an outside of simplicity, and in the gentlestterms, you gave us your solemn promise, by yourtrust in that Christ who you say is omnipotent, webelieved you; and to the same constant peacewhich you swore, we also engaged ourselves bythe trust we have in our invincible Mahomet; butwhen we see our people cheated by your falsity,and that, abandoning the truth which you affirm isin Christ, and is the foundation of your religion,you endanger our own dignity and the safety ofour empire, what is to be done except not dispenseourselves from duties assumed of our own accord,but promptly take vengeance, and punish yourenormous crime? Fully are we persuaded, that ifChrist has the power of aiding you, through thefaith you have in him, you have not any longer tocount on his assistance when you refuse him your