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THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OE

[book iii.

from choice that he applied to them, but because hehad.no other chance; and most generously did theyact by him, and far more than kept their word,both verbally and in the spirit . 1 The celebratedKing of Hungary’s reply proves the same . 2 But,notwithstanding all my dislike to lengthen the Ap-pendix, here is the original letter itself, whichdecides the question. Since really the only essen-tial point is to clear those ill-treated gentlemen fromall blemish on their memory; as to the rest, ofwhat importance has it been this long time? 3 Allhe had asked for was already in his pocket when hearrived at Rhodes. A platform had been madefrom the end of the mole to the deck of his ship;and at the foot of the platform waited him a superbSpanish horse with rich trappings, Avhere mounting,he found the streets strewed with myrtle, andflowers whose variegated design, when pressed bythe horse’s feet, emitted the most delicious perfume.Exquisite were the hangings, wool and silk mixed,of French and Belgian manufacture, then the mostesteemed in the world; the Turkish carpets fine, thefine horses richly caparisoned and proudly neighing,the sex in their finest, which made him observe that

1 Bosio : par. ii., lib. xiii.—Seb. Paoli: Discorso, ii. 603.

2 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., Kuin. xxvii., Giunt.

3 Id., ii., Id. xx., Giunt.—Appendix, clxxix.