112 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book IV.

the being responsible for the entire island, which,however it will try to defend; but without theslightest hope of success, and we now protest asmuch, in anticipation, for the purpose of discul-pating ourselves to the Almighty, in every event,and in the eyes of the world. 1 I and my com-panions, we shall have done our very utmost.”

To repair St. Elmo, alone, the engineer declaredthe labour of four thousand workmen for fourmonths would be requisite; and that even so, itwould be always liable to being taken again, fromits narrowness; a natural imperfection, not to beremedied, “ and therefore it is my opinion, it is farbetter to fortify the whole mountain, on an angleof which St. Elmo stands; otherwise the presentsituation will require twelve thousand foot, andtwo hundred light cavalry.” And more to urgethe chill tardy conclusions of the Spanish council,a circular to all the order’s priors, cited to Maltaevery knight, and commander and servant-at*arms, topresent themselves armed, accoutred, and equipped,not later than the end of next April, under thesame date of January 5 th, 1566.

But, on the 10th of the following February, metthe chapter wherein the English language, underSir Oliver Starkey, as Lieutenant of the Turcopolier,Bosio : par. iii., lib. xxxiy. 725.

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