CHAP. V.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

89

given a safe-conduct to the prince in such urgentnecessity, that he should be received amicably as hedesired—“postulatisobtemperare ’’(buthepostulatedfor nothing beyond an asylum for a consultation, aship to take him, and liberty to depart when hepleased) “tutus aditus exitusque;” that therefore theywere maintaining the princely refugee. “ And wehave florid hopes, and are determined to do all wecan: if we succeed, well; if not, we must consultfor the interests of the island, taking care to preservethe public faith, for this must be kept inviolably,even towards the deadliest enemy, whatever hismisbelief"—expressions worthy of D’Aubusson!Nor was he capable of perfidy, nor the learnedSixtus IV., to whom he was writing . 1

Most clear it is, the order never undertook topreserve Zain all over the world, from every mishap.They answered only for his treatment at Rhodes;nor, though they tried more, could they ever besure of more. “ Te excipimus utHospitem, non utHostern,” were the very words of the Prior of Castilleas he received him into the galley.

Not then that he accidentally got to Rhodes, northat the knights volunteered; but that he sent tocrave protection, and that they would despatch agalley to take him, and so they did. Nor was it1 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., luim. xxi., Giunt.