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84 THE HISTORY OF TIIE ORDER OF [book itf.

and with a loud commanding voice bade themdeliver it to their master.

“ King Zain to Bajazet , his cruel brother.

“ If I commit a crime in flying to the Christians,and above all to the Knights of Rhodes, mortalenemies of our very illustrious house, it is whollyyour fault, in the eyes both of God and man. Notsatisfied with having deprived me of the empireagainst every law human and divine, you now forceme to seek a shameful asylum, to save my life. Ifour father had foreseen what a stain you wouldone day have brought on the honour of theMussulman name and the Ottoman race, hewould have been your executioner himself; but Ihope Heaven will avenge me on your tyranny,and I pray our great Prophet to hasten the chas-tisement you merit! ”

It is said Bajazet wept at reading it, strangeproof of the force of nature and religion—even afalse one—in softening the cruel and most impious;or he was not of the obdurate heart reported. Thenwhat had Zain for it but roving the seas ? Withoutintelligence from those he had sent to Rhodes,whatcould he do? So hill of distrust when the Rhodianships appeared, he thought them pirates ; but theysoon proved the contrary. Orders were to treat himas the son of an emperor and king. And the grand