CIIAP. VI.]

ST. JOHN OT JERUSALEM.

217

Rhodians had to die of famine. For nothing easierfor him than to shut both the roads—sea orland, by which provisions could come. Neitherart nor fortitude could any longer resist the Turk.It would be an idle outrage to the will of God.Why then expose those poor females to such horrorsas a storm? Such an appeal could have movedthe stones! Whereupon the grand master whoshowed well by his looks, his grandeur of mind, andwhat a mortal combat was within him, having spentmost of his night in speaking, dismissed the as-sembly for every one to hasten to his post of guard,nor replied nor lay down to repose, but went out,merely answering that he would think on what wasto be done. Thus throughout four days, there wasa sort of armistice full of danger and fear; but aFrench knight of the name of Fournon, broke itwithout the grand master’s knowledge , 1 and severalTurks were murdered; and another European veryindiscreetly introduced a ship into the port, whichcarried only one hundred men, but afforded a pre-text, as if it bore succours, an act of hostility, anda tacit breach of faith . 2 The citizens by a boisterous

1 Yet this is denied solemnly by others.

2 The ship was Spanish (from Biscay originally), and nowhound to England with a cargo of Candian wine, brought intoRhodes by a stratagem not of the fairest.—Bosio: par. ii.,lib. xx. 586.