208 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book ii.

bable the city had authority from the grand master,and sent its deputation without referring to anymilitary orders, and received the answer and re-ported it to their common sovereign ; for, howeverloose the reins of government, he had them fromCoeur de Lion.

On hearing the sultan’s reply (though astonishedat the novelty, and possibly terrified at his latecruelties at Tripoli) they all agreed it was their ex-press duty as Christians and men to stand by eachother, and not easily yield this city to the infidel, thisonly remaining road from Europe to dear reveredJerusalem; but that besides love of the Christianfaith, they,who had been always accustomed to fightfor their liberty, ought never, never submit to eventhe least idea of perpetual slavery; that so it wasnecessary to prepare for an honourable defence, evenshould they have to die by the barbarian sword; thatany other conduct would be an eternal blot on theirname; still that they ought to inform the princesof Christendom, and most of all the chief of it—the Pope; and no doubt valid succours would besent them. And that they should exhort theirimmediate leaders to solicit universal piety andpity by an instant embassy to the West, sincethere was full time of which they had only wisely toprofit; it being more than six months from this to