220 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book hi.

But the kind Providence was acting on himquite unaware of it himself, and thinking he wasfollowing his own will. On the proposal of thegrand master’s paying the expense of the war,Achmet declared such a thing could not be namedto him under penalty of death; for that the sultanesteemed glory and honour above the world to-gether, and that the only reply was, whether theknights would surrender the city, yes or no! Fornot if all Turkey were to die, would his masterflinch a foot from his resolution; but if he tookRhodes by storm would not leave a creature, littleor big, alive in it, not even a cat . 1

Nevertheless forth comes the tyrant, surroundedby his army, and guards all shining with gold, andsteel, and pronounced the terms of capitulation,calling God and Mahomet to witness; among theother conditions being this, that the churches shouldremain inviolate, that no children should be takenfrom their families, no one forced to become Turk;that who chose to stay, should pay no tribute forfive years; that to who preferred exile, ships shouldbe given, and food as far as Candia; that each per-son was allowed to take as much as he could stowinto the ships, of arms, artillery, and warlike stores;that the Christians might go whatever day they

1 Bourbon: 26.