ABEY. III.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

251

to go free of all costs to Rhodes, to the value often thousand ducats, and embark them in the shipsof the Italian confederacy. But if, instead of send-ing us money, each had sent a few stout armedgalleys, even without men (for we had brave men)they might have changed matters, and I believeRhodes now would have the Turk not lording it,but in prison. And Francis I. (most Christianboth in name and fact) wished to send us a largesuccour, but was prevented by his barons; be-cause of his wars in Lombardy, where he waslosing. Still he despatched La Tremouille withseveral French knights, volunteers; who sailedfrom Marseilles with six ships of war to assistRhodes. But they were found at Messina by thegrand master with the Spanish and Italian knightsand succours.

In the viceroy’s most affectionate and respectfuladdress to the grand master, he supplicated him notto leave, or let his order leave that friendliest ofcities and most beautiful and convenient harbour,until he should have resolved where to take up hispermanent residence; and by the viceroy’s care,large and commodious lodgings for the knights, anda palace with proper saloons for the grand master,and an excellent hospital for the sick, and comfort-able habitations for the Rhodians, were furnished.