126 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book IV.

had a particular prayer-book, which, when Bosiowrote, was four hundred years old, and more. 1

In 1569, Sir Oliver Starkey, promoted to theEagle—vain title in a vainer expectancy of theEnglish Language’s restoration — had the samemelancholy satisfaction of sitting as bailiff in thechapter general without seeing any of his country-men. 2

Some pretext never wanting, Selim claimedCyprus, and declared war on Venice, whose dogewrote to the grand master; but Loredan dyingsuddenly, his successor, Moncenigo, sent it on the11th of May, 1570, begging his assistance. ButDel Monte, who had long wished to abdicate, yetput it off while the Turks threatened Malta, nowthat their vengeance turned towards the Queen ofthe Adriatic, thought he might indulge his desire.But the Pope wrote with his own hand to exhorthim to refrain; that it would be to go againstthat Providence that assigned him that gloriousload; that he ought not to allow himself to be inti-midated either by age or weakness; “on the con-trary, become more animated the shorter the roadyou have to travel; for He will not fail to give youstrength for whatever He ordains you-to perform.

1 Bosio : par. iii. 837.

Id. : id. lib. xxxix. 842.

2