CHAP. VI.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

213

is over, I appeal to your prudence and generousclemency, whether the victor, who is in possessionof everything, is not to be listened to, when hegives us our lives and portable property; andwhether this he not a sort of gain, whereas it isno great loss to leave him this ruined city andisland, most of which is already in his hands. Dowe not rather win than lose? That seems hard,and so it is ; but the Almighty has permitted it.My opinion is, then, that we ought to surrenderrather than have wives and children lost, tortured,defiled, murdered. I implore you to submit, ifthere be any bowels of mercy or Christian pietyin your martial hearts, nor reduce to final perditionthis innocent people, who do not deserve any evilwhatever from you, and whom both Jesus Christand His most declared enemy wish to save. Ispeak for truth’s sake, and not from mere earthlypity; and you know that never when succoursfrom princes of the earth were spoken of, did I saya word about surrendering during the siege. Butat present that every possibility is gone, even not ashot to load our guns, nor powder for a singlecharge, I am for peace, not war, and any honour-able capitulation, rather than nothing.”

And as no one rose to contradict him, it is to besupposed the whole city assented. Yet were there