CHAP, it.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 307

much oftener at Avignon than Rhodes,which oughtnot to be. Who avoids danger here? Why thisis the very post of danger and honour! Reside inPalestine! we heartily wish we could. But couldwe? How? His Holiness says the whole worldknows we could; but I for my part am entirely ata loss to imagine how, except all Christendomjumped up in arms like one man to assist us; butthat is neither possible, nor perhaps desired by thatHoly See which thinks European crusades farmore necessary. The Smyrna quota with us hasnever been in arrear, nor please God ever shall. Itshall be paid strictly, as the treaty says; but not toAvignon, to be eaten up by greedy churchmen; butdirectly to the furnishers of arms and stores for theTurkish war. The arrears are of the Papacy, thatnever has paid an obolo. Leave it to the infidels tocall them devils, that most brave, most barbarouslyill-treated garrison. 1 We entreat the Pontiff topray for their souls; for unless Christian succoursbestir themselves, the choice of our chivalry mayevery hour be cut to pieces—as indeed their pro-fession inculcates—nor will they shrink from it!But should we calumniate or disregard them?Fortifications superfluous? Would they may not

1 Diablcs enrages.—Chereffedin Ali.—Set. Paoli: Ossorya-zioni, ii. 539.

x 2