290 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [hook in.

solemnly performed, and whence there may chanceto be a crusade—rather than drag a tepid existencein a small island so distant from Palestine, that itappears to several against both the letter and spiritof our profession—as it did to our choicest membersat Cyprus—persisting to squander our time, wealth,and force in hostilities against pirates, on that un-faithful element to which we were unused (andworse if we become used to it), instead of backingour own good steeds on a wide continent, not shutup in a paltry ship, but established in some illus-trious metropolis, where we can apply to our dutyof exercising magnificent hospitality on an extendedscale, and curing the infirm of every Christiannation, or advance to battle at the head of thearmies of all Christendom. It is this vile Rhodianwar that has reduced us to these present embarrass-ments of finance , 1 and the monstrous interest wehave to pay to the Florentines. Thence a division inour order, as is proved by our holding this debatein land not our own, and our order shall dwindleaway perhaps, until its very existence shall sooncease. A few may grumble; but here we have ourgrand master with us, and here let us remain.’’

And when riches were spoken of, and the great

1 Cod. Dipl. Geros , ii., Num. liv., lvi. Vatic.—Consideratisoneribus dicti Hospitalis; magnum ojusdcm prejudicium.