Memoirs | Page 9

taken from us Zara in Sclavonia, which is
one of the strongest places in the world; and never shall we recover it
with all the power that we possess, save with the help of these people.
Let us therefore ask them to help us to reconquer it, and we will remit
the payment of the debt of 34,000 marks of silver, until such time as it
shall please God to allow us to gain the moneys by conquest, we and
they together." Thus was agreement made. Much was it contested by
those who wished that the host should be broken up. Nevertheless the
agreement was accepted and ratified.
THE DOGE AND A NUMBER OF VENETIANS TAKE THE
CROSS
Then, on a Sunday, was assemblage held in the church of St. Mark. It
was a very high festival, and the people of the land were there, and the
most part of the barons and pilgrims.
Before the beginning of High Mass, the Doge of Venice, who bore the
name of Henry Dandolo, went up into the reading-desk, and spoke to

the people, and said to them:" Signors, you are associated with the most
worthy people in the world, and for the highest enterprise ever
undertaken; and I am a man old and feeble, who should have need of
rest, and I am sick in body; but I see that no one could command
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and lead,you like myself, who am your lord. If you will consent that I
take the sign of the cross to guard and direct you, and that my son
remain in my place to guard the land, then shall I go to five or die with
you and with the pilgrims."
And when they had heard him, they cried with one voice: "We pray you
by God that you consent, and do it, and that you come with us! "
Very great was then the pity and compassion on the part of the people
of the land and of the pil-rims; and many were the tears shed, because
that worthy 0and good man would have had so much reason to remain
behind, for he was an old man, and albeit his eyes were unclouded, yet
he saw naught, having lost his sight through a wound in the head. He
was of a great heart. Ah! how little like him were those who had gone
to other ports to escape the danger.
Thus he came down from the reading-desk, and went before the altar,
and knelt upon his knees greatly weeping. And they sewed the cross on
to a great cotton hat, which he wore, in front, because he wished that all
men should see it. And the Venetians began to take the cross in great
numbers, a great multitude, for up to that day very few had taken the
cross. Our pilgrims had much joy in the cross that the Doge took, and
were greatly moved, because of the wisdom and the valour that were in
him.
Thus did the Doge take the cross, as you have heard. Then the
Venetians began to deliver the ships, the galleys, and the transports to
the barons, for departure; but so much time had already been spent
since the appointed term, that September drew near (1202).
MESSAGE OF ALEXIUS, THE SON OF ISAAC, THE
DETHRONED EMPEROR OF CONSTANTINOPLE -DEATH OF
FULK OF NEUILLY - ARRIVAL OF THE GERMANS
Now give ear to one of the greatest marvels, and most wonderful
adventures that you have ever heard tell of. At that time there was an
emperor in Constantinople, whose name was Isaac, and he had a
brothor, Alexius by name, whom he had ransomed from captivity

among the Turks. This Alexius took his brother the emperor, tore the
eyes out of his head, and made himself emperor by the aforesaid
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treachery. He kept Isaac a long time in prison, together with a son
whose name was Alexius. This son escaped from prison, and fled in a
ship to a city on the sea, which is called Ancona. Thence he departed to
go to King Philip of Germany, who had his sister for wife; and he came
to Verona in Lombardy, and lodged in the town, and found there a
number of pilgrims and other people who were on their way to join the
host.
And those who had helped him to escape, and were with him, said: "
Sire, here is an army in Venice, quite near to us, the best and most
valiant people and knights that are in the world, and they are going
overseass Cry to them therefore for mercy, that they have pity on thee
and on thy father, who have been so wrongfully dispossessed. And if
they be willing to help thee, thou shalt be guided by