CHAP. V.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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up at the end of each campaign; but keep togetherfor a reasonable time, which at such distance fromEurope must mean half a dozen years perhaps.Otherwise my generalissimoship is a mere word;the responsibility would be mine, but not thepower. My views may be just, but can they beexecuted without the allies?” One power, who hadonly two ships, promised fifteen for contingent, andin reality gave none; and others acted as badly, orworse, exactly as he had foreseen. Which theFrench admiral observing at the rendezvous offLesbos, sailed home with his fleet. “ Not only anindelible stain lies upon Christendom, but my orderand myself too are dishonoured by not performingwhat we undertook,” said D’Aubusson, and a deepmelancholy crept on him for ever, as he returnedwith his thirty-seven sail to Rhodes; whose

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inhabitants, if with tears they had seen himembark, now hailed his return with the utmost joy , 1■—so ardent their attachment. As a final resource,after many epistles and struggles of every kind

1 Bosio : par. ii., lib. xvi., anno 1501.—His was indeed amonster sliip, later off Lesbos, since we find it bolding not onlyD’Aubusson, as generalissimo of Christendom, with bis courtand staff, and a large body of troops—infantry and cavab'y—butalso acting as a general granary for tbe entire Christian fleet,with all ltinds of stores, provisions, and arms, and tbelong etcetera.