CHAP. VI.]

ST. JOHN OE JERUSALEM.

215

Eansjat! who by his own word is no longer of ourorder . 1 But he is of our order still, or why is he here?Only this day is full of contradictions. One thingis sure, that we ought not to fall and dispersewithout resistance. If there be traitors amongstus, they ought instantly—and there is no severityin what I demand—be put an end to. We have nota moment to lose ; those furious howls tell you so.A little energy may save us yet. Trials are for thosewho have hours to dispose of. A strong suspicionmust suffice in this extremity. Hone of us shouldbe even suspected. Begin with me. Willingly Iput my life to the vote, ready to die without defence.Sentence, and I submit. There the scimitar, and hereis my bosom—bare, as you see ! So of each withinthese four walls ! Only death; rather die guiltlessthan guilty. One after another be the life of everyone of us balloted, and the instant he is condemnedlikewise executed by the sword next him. So . thetraitors may be got rid of, or we not live to see themtriumph. Then we shall be sure of each other,and darting forth like one man, be certain of it,that even our small corps imitating our ancestors,will be more than sufficient to put all those undis-ciplined soldiers and vociferous rabble to flight; anddrive every one of them and our few invaders outof the town. And closing the gates and lifting up

1 Appendix, Ivum. ccxxxvi.