Chap, v.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

116

I am at present at Castle St. Angelo, for suspicionof war, that is in the neighbourhood; and am ho-nourably and sufficiently well treated, except thatit has pleased the Pope to deprive me of my usualguard, the knights, which vexes me much, andcauses me infinite grief. However, I contrive tosupport the entire with patience, since 1 am not atliberty. Most kindly and faithfully have I been servedby the said knights—without being in the least ableto show it by remunerating them, as I ardently wouldhave wished. With the warmest and most affectionatecordiality I beg of your most reverend Seignory tohave the kindness to consider them all as parti-cularly recommended to you by your love of me.I declare to you I will think every favour and benefityou confer on them, as conferred by your condescen-sion on myselfpersonally. Nor do I trouble you withsaying more now, unless that again I recommend my-self to your most Reverend Highness, beseechingyou to pity my actual condition. And I offer upmy prayers to God that He may accomplish yourevery desire. From Rome, 27th October, 1494.”

Nor did the knights approach their grand mas-ter with the Mahometan’s letter alone, but also witha Pontifical brief.

“ Having learned both from letters and otherwisethat there were numerous plots against Prince Zain,

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