CHAP. VI.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

153

will allow us Rhodians to look upward, that like-wise our terrors may pass, by dwelling on thoselofty thoughts of religion, far superior to artilleryand bastions. Bold and religious hearts arepreferable to the most impregnable of Avails.My words shall be as free as always not tolessen your worth, most martial knights, noryours, my dear Rhodians, but to tell the nakedtruth. The infidel, I am sure, will try to make theItalians rebel and conspire against you. But, menof Rhodes, do you be firm, and constant, and listento me. Fellow-countrymen, you are aware I havestudied many books; well it is not of the w r eakItalians (who are merely not to be thoroughly de-pended upon) that I complain so much, as of theTurk, who will do his utmost to make them hisinstruments and deceive them. All history bidsyou to be on your guard. In the olden time too,Rhodians won victories for the lord of the capitaland provinces, which he lost, and was as ungratefulto us, as untrue to himself. Take care it be notthe case now also. 0 most valiant Rhodians!only keep your eyes well open, place your confi-dence in the Almighty. Remain with the steadiest,most constant firmness, attached to the grand mas-ter as formely to D’Aubusson. If the Divine pitygranted you, under DAubusson’s auspices, so cele-

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