218 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [BOOK III.

show of foolish transient vanity went near turningall topsyturvy, ruining everything. Had it de-pended on them, the Turk had changed his mind.They sent to implore pardon, but Solyman withoutdeigning even to notice their deputies or speech,wheeling round, ordered Achmet Bey in their pre-sence to erect his batteries anew, and fire away;which he hurried to do, and played on the citywith new virulence. On which the grand master(willing enough to recur back to his first idea)would have joined the Rhodians, who had so boldlyspoken against the capitulation an hour before, andoffered to die with arms in their hands. A goodright had he to inquire sharply why they did notcome to die with him, as they had promised? Butalas! he found them totally altered, on pretencethey did not then know their ammunition was out;and owning they had been very wrong and thattheir city was utterly lost—unless he found a wayto save it; he was their father and would do the besthe could for them. They left the whole to him, andhe might do just as he pleased. And not withoutscorn for such unsteadiness, he had to give overevery idea of resistance; yet it would be a grievousinjustice not to add they were only a few giddy ex-ceptions, spurred on by strangers, and followed bythe lowest mob . 1

1 Bourbon : 25.—Bosio : par. ii., lib. xx. 587.