46

THE HISTORY OP THE ORDER OF [book III.

sentiments were as worthy of Christendom’s highpriest, as of the gallant warriors in whose favorit was written. Nor do we not find some of thesame spirit in the letter of the King of England, inthe following April, wherein, after speaking of hisfaithful Irish subjects, and the defence of Rhodes(for which Sir John Kendall, the Turcopolier, wassent to seek recruits in Ireland), the monarch adds,“ We command the aforesaid John Kendall, Knight,Turcopolier of the Order of Rhodes, and locum-tenens for the grand master in England, Italy,Flanders, and Ireland, to attend to that business,with the greatest care and despatch; and whoeveraids his commissioners, or John Kendall the Tur-copolier himself, will be doing what is very agreeableto us .” 1 And a couple of months after, we have aproof that brave and vigilant D’Aubusson was noways wanting to his fame or his duties, since (afterthe many circulars he had issued, all in the samesense, for they were many, in hopes some of themmight arrive, he knowing that the Turks had inter-cepted several , 2 and were bent on intercepting all,as a means of cutting off his communications withEurope)—we still have this, probably the only oneremaining, when the terrible drama had already

1 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., Num. cxxiii.

2 Bosio : par. ii., lib. xi.