Eventhesincerityofhismoralandreligiousvirtueswassuspectedbythepersonswhohadpassedtheirlivesinhisfamiliarconfidence。Inhislasthours，whenhewaspressedbyhiswifeIrenetoalterthesuccession，heraisedhishead，andbreathedapiousejaculationonthevanityofthisworld。Theindignantreplyoftheempressmaybeinscribedasanepitaphonhistomb，\"Youdie，asyouhavelived—AHypocrite!\"
ItwasthewishofIrenetosupplanttheeldestofhersurvivingsons，infavorofherdaughtertheprincessAnnewhosephilosophywouldnothaverefusedtheweightofadiadem。Buttheorderofmalesuccessionwasassertedbythefriendsoftheircountry；thelawfulheirdrewtheroyalsignetfromthefingerofhisinsensibleorconsciousfatherandtheempireobeyedthemasterofthepalace。AnnaComnenawasstimulatedbyambitionandrevengetoconspireagainstthelifeofherbrother，andwhenthedesignwaspreventedbythefearsorscruplesofherhusband，shepassionatelyexclaimedthatnaturehadmistakenthetwosexes，andhadendowedBryenniuswiththesoulofawoman。ThetwosonsofAlexius，JohnandIsaac，maintainedthefraternalconcord，thehereditaryvirtueoftheirrace，andtheyoungerbrotherwascontentwiththetitleofSebastocrator，whichapproachedthedignity，withoutsharingthepower，oftheemperor。Inthesamepersontheclaimsofprimogenitureandmeritwerefortunatelyunited；hisswarthycomplexion，harshfeatures，anddiminutivestature，hadsuggestedtheironicalsurnameofCalo—Johannes，orJohntheHandsome，whichhisgratefulsubjectsmoreseriouslyappliedtothebeautiesofhismind。Afterthediscoveryofhertreason，thelifeandfortuneofAnnewerejustlyforfeitedtothelaws。Herlifewassparedbytheclemencyoftheemperor；buthevisitedthepompandtreasuresofherpalace，andbestowedtherichconfiscationonthemostdeservingofhisfriends。ThatrespectablefriendAxuch，aslaveofTurkishextraction，presumedtodeclinethegift，andtointercedeforthecriminal:hisgenerousmasterapplaudedandimitatedthevirtueofhisfavorite，andthereproachorcomplaintofaninjuredbrotherwastheonlychastisementoftheguiltyprincess。Afterthisexampleofclemency，theremainderofhisreignwasneverdisturbedbyconspiracyorrebellion:fearedbyhisnobles，belovedbyhispeople，Johnwasneverreducedtothepainfulnecessityofpunishing，orevenofpardoning，hispersonalenemies。Duringhisgovernmentoftwenty—fiveyears，thepenaltyofdeathwasabolishedintheRomanempire，alawofmercymostdelightfultothehumanetheorist，butofwhichthepractice，inalargeandviciouscommunity，isseldomconsistentwiththepublicsafety。
Severetohimself，indulgenttoothers，chaste，frugal，abstemious，thephilosophicMarcuswouldnothavedisdainedtheartlessvirtuesofhissuccessor，derivedfromhisheart，andnotborrowedfromtheschools。HedespisedandmoderatedthestatelymagnificenceoftheByzantinecourt，sooppressivetothepeople，socontemptibletotheeyeofreason。Undersuchaprince，innocencehadnothingtofear，andmerithadeverythingtohope；
and，withoutassumingthetyrannicofficeofacensor，heintroducedagradualthoughvisiblereformationinthepublicandprivatemannersofConstantinople。Theonlydefectofthisaccomplishedcharacterwasthefrailtyofnobleminds，theloveofarmsandmilitaryglory。YetthefrequentexpeditionsofJohntheHandsomemaybejustified，atleastintheirprinciple，bythenecessityofrepellingtheTurksfromtheHellespontandtheBosphorus。ThesultanofIconiumwasconfinedtohiscapital，theBarbariansweredriventothemountains，andthemaritimeprovincesofAsiaenjoyedthetransientblessingsoftheirdeliverance。FromConstantinopletoAntiochandAleppo，herepeatedlymarchedattheheadofavictoriousarmy，andinthesiegesandbattlesofthisholywar，hisLatinallieswereastonishedbythesuperiorspiritandprowessofaGreek。Ashebegantoindulgetheambitioushopeofrestoringtheancientlimitsoftheempire，asherevolvedinhismind，theEuphratesandTigris，thedominionofSyria，andtheconquestofJerusalem，thethreadofhislifeandofthepublicfelicitywasbrokenbyasingularaccident。HehuntedthewildboarinthevalleyofAnazarbus，andhadfixedhisjavelininthebodyofthefuriousanimal；butinthestruggleapoisonedarrowdroppedfromhisquiver，andaslightwoundinhishand，whichproducedamortification，wasfataltothebestandgreatestoftheComnenianprinces。
ChapterXLVIII:SuccessionAndCharactersOfTheGreekEmperors。
PartVI。
AprematuredeathhadsweptawaythetwoeldestsonsofJohntheHandsome；ofthetwosurvivors，IsaacandManuel，hisjudgmentoraffectionpreferredtheyounger；andthechoiceoftheirdyingprincewasratifiedbythesoldiers，whohadapplaudedthevalorofhisfavoriteintheTurkishwarThefaithfulAxuchhastenedtothecapital，securedthepersonofIsaacinhonorableconfinement，andpurchased，withagiftoftwohundredpoundsofsilver，theleadingecclesiasticsofSt。
Sophia，whopossessedadecisivevoiceintheconsecrationofanemperor。Withhisveteranandaffectionatetroops，ManuelsoonvisitedConstantinople；hisbrotheracquiescedinthetitleofSebastocrator；hissubjectsadmiredtheloftystatureandmartialgracesoftheirnewsovereign，andlistenedwithcredulitytotheflatteringpromise，thatheblendedthewisdomofagewiththeactivityandvigorofyouth。Bytheexperienceofhisgovernment，theyweretaught，thatheemulatedthespirit，andsharedthetalents，ofhisfatherwhosesocialvirtueswereburiedinthegrave。AreignofthirtysevenyearsisfilledbyaperpetualthoughvariouswarfareagainsttheTurks，theChristians，andthehordesofthewildernessbeyondtheDanube。
ThearmsofManuelwereexercisedonMountTaurus，intheplainsofHungary，onthecoastofItalyandEgypt，andontheseasofSicilyandGreece:theinfluenceofhisnegotiationsextendedfromJerusalemtoRomeandRussia；andtheByzantinemonarchy，forawhile，becameanobjectofrespectorterrortothepowersofAsiaandEurope。EducatedinthesilkandpurpleoftheEast，Manuelpossessedtheirontemperofasoldier，whichcannoteasilybeparalleled，exceptinthelivesofRichardtheFirstofEngland，andofCharlestheTwelfthofSweden。Suchwashisstrengthandexerciseinarms，thatRaymond，surnamedtheHerculesofAntioch，wasincapableofwieldingthelanceandbuckleroftheGreekemperor。Inafamoustournament，heenteredthelistsonafierycourser，andoverturnedinhisfirstcareertwoofthestoutestoftheItalianknights。Thefirstinthecharge，thelastintheretreat，hisfriendsandhisenemiesaliketrembled，theformerforhissafety，andthelatterfortheirown。Afterpostinganambuscadeinawood，herodeforwardsinsearchofsomeperilousadventure，accompaniedonlybyhisbrotherandthefaithfulAxuch，whorefusedtodeserttheirsovereign。Eighteenhorsemen，afterashortcombat，fledbeforethem:butthenumbersoftheenemyincreased；themarchofthereenforcementwastardyandfearful，andManuel，withoutreceivingawound，cuthiswaythroughasquadronoffivehundredTurks。InabattleagainsttheHungarians，impatientoftheslownessofhistroops，hesnatchedastandardfromtheheadofthecolumn，andwasthefirst，almostalone，whopassedabridgethatseparatedhimfromtheenemy。Inthesamecountry，aftertransportinghisarmybeyondtheSave，hesentbacktheboats，withanorderunderpainofdeath，totheircommander，thatheshouldleavehimtoconquerordieonthathostileland。InthesiegeofCorfu，towingafterhimacaptivegalley，theemperorstoodaloftonthepoop，opposingagainstthevolleysofdartsandstones，alargebucklerandaflowingsail；norcouldhehaveescapedinevitabledeath，hadnottheSicilianadmiralenjoinedhisarcherstorespectthepersonofahero。Inoneday，heissaidtohaveslainabovefortyoftheBarbarianswithhisownhand；hereturnedtothecamp，draggingalongfourTurkishprisoners，whomhehadtiedtotheringsofhissaddle:hewasevertheforemosttoprovokeortoacceptasinglecombat；andthegiganticchampions，whoencounteredhisarm，weretranspiercedbythelance，orcutasunderbythesword，oftheinvincibleManuel。Thestoryofhisexploits，whichappearasamodeloracopyoftheromancesofchivalry，mayinduceareasonablesuspicionoftheveracityoftheGreeks:Iwillnot，tovindicatetheircredit，endangermyown:yetImayobserve，that，inthelongseriesoftheirannals，Manuelistheonlyprincewhohasbeenthesubjectofsimilarexaggeration。Withthevalorofasoldier，hedidnounitetheskillorprudenceofageneral；hisvictorieswerenotproductiveofanypermanentorusefulconquest；andhisTurkishlaurelswereblastedinhislastunfortunatecampaign，inwhichhelosthisarmyinthemountainsofPisidia，andowedhisdeliverancetothegenerosityofthesultan。ButthemostsingularfeatureinthecharacterofManuel，isthecontrastandvicissitudeoflaborandsloth，ofhardinessandeffeminacy。Inwarheseemedignorantofpeace，inpeaceheappearedincapableofwar。Inthefieldhesleptinthesunorinthesnow，tiredinthelongestmarchesthestrengthofhismenandhorses，andsharedwithasmiletheabstinenceordietofthecamp。NosoonerdidhereturntoConstantinople，thanheresignedhimselftotheartsandpleasuresofalifeofluxury:theexpenseofhisdress，histable，andhispalace，surpassedthemeasureofhispredecessors，andwholesummerdayswereidlywastedinthedeliciousislesofthePropontis，intheincestuousloveofhisnieceTheodora。Thedoublecostofawarlikeanddissoluteprinceexhaustedtherevenue，andmultipliedthetaxes；andManuel，inthedistressofhislastTurkishcampaign，enduredabitterreproachfromthemouthofadesperatesoldier。Ashequenchedhisthirst，hecomplainedthatthewaterofafountainwasmingledwithChristianblood。\"Itisnotthefirsttime，\"exclaimedavoicefromthecrowd，\"thatyouhavedrank，Oemperor，thebloodofyourChristiansubjects。\"
ManuelComnenuswastwicemarried，tothevirtuousBerthaorIreneofGermany，andtothebeauteousMaria，aFrenchorLatinprincessofAntioch。TheonlydaughterofhisfirstwifewasdestinedforBela，aHungarianprince，whowaseducatedatConstantinopleunderthenameofAlexius；andtheconsummationoftheirnuptialsmighthavetransferredtheRomansceptretoaraceoffreeandwarlikeBarbarians。ButassoonasMariaofAntiochhadgivenasonandheirtotheempire，thepresumptiverightsofBelawereabolished，andhewasdeprivedofhispromisedbride；
buttheHungarianprinceresumedhisnameandthekingdomofhisfathers，anddisplayedsuchvirtuesasmightexcitetheregretandenvyoftheGreeks。ThesonofMariawasnamedAlexius；andattheageoftenyearsheascendedtheByzantinethrone，afterhisfather\'sdeceasehadclosedthegloriesoftheComnenianline。
ThefraternalconcordofthetwosonsofthegreatAlexiushadbeensometimescloudedbyanoppositionofinterestandpassion。Byambition，IsaactheSebastocratorwasexcitedtoflightandrebellion，fromwhencehewasreclaimedbythefirmnessandclemencyofJohntheHandsome。TheerrorsofIsaac，thefatheroftheemperorsofTrebizond，wereshortandvenial；
butJohn，theelderofhissons，renouncedforeverhisreligion。
Provokedbyarealorimaginaryinsultofhisuncle，heescapedfromtheRomantotheTurkishcamp:hisapostasywasrewardedwiththesultan\'sdaughter，thetitleofChelebi，ornoble，andtheinheritanceofaprincelyestate；andinthefifteenthcentury，MahomettheSecondboastedofhisImperialdescentfromtheComnenianfamily。Andronicus，theyoungerbrotherofJohn，sonofIsaac，andgrandsonofAlexiusComnenus，isoneofthemostconspicuouscharactersoftheage；andhisgenuineadventuresmightformthesubjectofaverysingularromance。Tojustifythechoiceofthreeladiesofroyalbirth，itisincumbentonmetoobserve，thattheirfortunateloverwascastinthebestproportionsofstrengthandbeauty；andthatthewantofthesoftergraceswassuppliedbyamanlycountenance，aloftystature，athleticmuscles，andtheairanddeportmentofasoldier。Thepreservation，inhisoldage，ofhealthandvigor，wastherewardoftemperanceandexercise。Apieceofbreadandadraughtofwaterwasoftenhissoleandeveningrepast；andifhetastedofawildboarorastag，whichhehadroastedwithhisownhands，itwasthewell—earnedfruitofalaboriouschase。
Dexterousinarms，hewasignorantoffear；hispersuasiveeloquencecouldbendtoeverysituationandcharacteroflife，hisstyle，thoughnothispractice，wasfashionedbytheexampleofSt。Paul；and，ineverydeedofmischief，hehadahearttoresolve，aheadtocontrive，andahandtoexecute。Inhisyouth，afterthedeathoftheemperorJohn，hefollowedtheretreatoftheRomanarmy；but，inthemarchthroughAsiaMinor，designoraccidenttemptedhimtowanderinthemountains:thehunterwasencompassedbytheTurkishhuntsmen，andheremainedsometimeareluctantorwillingcaptiveinthepowerofthesultan。Hisvirtuesandvicesrecommendedhimtothefavorofhiscousin:hesharedtheperilsandthepleasuresofManuel；andwhiletheemperorlivedinpublicincestwithhisnieceTheodora，theaffectionsofhersisterEudociawereseducedandenjoyedbyAndronicus。Abovethedecenciesofhersexandrank，shegloriedinthenameofhisconcubine；andboththepalaceandthecampcouldwitnessthatsheslept，orwatched，inthearmsofherlover。SheaccompaniedhimtohismilitarycommandofCilicia，thefirstsceneofhisvalorandimprudence。Hepressed，withactiveardor，thesiegeofMopsuestia:thedaywasemployedintheboldestattacks；butthenightwaswastedinsonganddance；
andabandofGreekcomediansformedthechoicestpartofhisretinue。Andronicuswassurprisedbythesallyofavigilantfoe；but，whilehistroopsfledindisorder，hisinvinciblelancetranspiercedthethickestranksoftheArmenians。OnhisreturntotheImperialcampinMacedonia，hewasreceivedbyManuelwithpublicsmilesandaprivatereproof；buttheduchiesofNaissus，Braniseba，andCastoria，weretherewardorconsolationoftheunsuccessfulgeneral。Eudociastillattendedhismotions:atmidnight，theirtentwassuddenlyattackedbyherangrybrothers，impatienttoexpiateherinfamyinhisblood:hisdaringspiritrefusedheradvice，andthedisguiseofafemalehabit；and，boldlystartingfromhiscouch，hedrewhissword，andcuthiswaythroughthenumerousassassins。Itwasherethathefirstbetrayedhisingratitudeandtreachery:heengagedinatreasonablecorrespondencewiththekingofHungaryandtheGermanemperor；approachedtheroyaltentatasuspicioushourwithadrawnsword，andunderthemaskofaLatinsoldier，avowedanintentionofrevengeagainstamortalfoe；andimprudentlypraisedthefleetnessofhishorseasaninstrumentofflightandsafety。Themonarchdissembledhissuspicions；but，afterthecloseofthecampaign，AndronicuswasarrestedandstrictlyconfinedinatowerofthepalaceofConstantinople。
Inthisprisonhewasleftabouttwelveyears；amostpainfulrestraint，fromwhichthethirstofactionandpleasureperpetuallyurgedhimtoescape。Aloneandpensive，heperceivedsomebrokenbricksinacornerofthechamber，andgraduallywidenedthepassage，tillhehadexploredadarkandforgottenrecess。Intothisholeheconveyedhimself，andtheremainsofhisprovisions，replacingthebricksintheirformerposition，anderasingwithcarethefootstepsofhisretreat。Atthehourofthecustomaryvisit，hisguardswereamazedbythesilenceandsolitudeoftheprison，andreported，withshameandfear，hisincomprehensibleflight。Thegatesofthepalaceandcitywereinstantlyshut:thestrictestordersweredespatchedintotheprovinces，fortherecoveryofthefugitive；andhiswife，onthesuspicionofapiousact，wasbaselyimprisonedinthesametower。Atthedeadofnightshebeheldaspectre；sherecognizedherhusband:theysharedtheirprovisions；andasonwasthefruitofthesestoleninterviews，whichalleviatedthetediousnessoftheirconfinement。Inthecustodyofawoman，thevigilanceofthekeeperswasinsensiblyrelaxed；andthecaptivehadaccomplishedhisrealescape，whenhewasdiscovered，broughtbacktoConstantinople，andloadedwithadoublechain。Atlengthhefoundthemoment，andthemeans，ofhisdeliverance。A
boy，hisdomesticservant，intoxicatedtheguards，andobtainedinwaxtheimpressionofthekeys。Bythediligenceofhisfriends，asimilarkey，withabundleofropes，wasintroducedintotheprison，inthebottomofahogshead。Andronicusemployed，withindustryandcourage，theinstrumentsofhissafety，unlockedthedoors，descendedfromthetower，concealedhimselfalldayamongthebushes，andscaledinthenightthegarden—wallofthepalace。Aboatwasstationedforhisreception:hevisitedhisownhouse，embracedhischildren，castawayhischain，mountedafleethorse，anddirectedhisrapidcoursetowardsthebanksoftheDanube。AtAnchialusinThrace，anintrepidfriendsuppliedhimwithhorsesandmoney:hepassedtheriver，traversedwithspeedthedesertofMoldaviaandtheCarpathianhills，andhadalmostreachedthetownofHalicz，inthePolishRussia，whenhewasinterceptedbyapartyofWalachians，whoresolvedtoconveytheirimportantcaptivetoConstantinople。Hispresenceofmindagainextricatedhimfromdanger。Underthepretenceofsickness，hedismountedinthenight，andwasallowedtostepasidefromthetroop:heplantedinthegroundhislongstaff，clotheditwithhiscapanduppergarment；and，stealingintothewood，leftaphantomtoamuse，forsometime，theeyesoftheWalachians。FromHaliczhewashonorablyconductedtoKiow，theresidenceofthegreatduke:thesubtleGreeksoonobtainedtheesteemandconfidenceofIeroslaus；hischaractercouldassumethemannersofeveryclimate；andtheBarbariansapplaudedhisstrengthandcourageinthechaseoftheelksandbearsoftheforest。InthisnorthernregionhedeservedtheforgivenessofManuel，whosolicitedtheRussianprincetojoinhisarmsintheinvasionofHungary。TheinfluenceofAndronicusachievedthisimportantservice:hisprivatetreatywassignedwithapromiseoffidelityononeside，andofoblivionontheother；andhemarched，attheheadoftheRussiancavalry，fromtheBorysthenestotheDanube。InhisresentmentManuelhadeversympathizedwiththemartialanddissolutecharacterofhiscousin；andhisfreepardonwassealedintheassaultofZemlin，inwhichhewassecond，andsecondonly，tothevaloroftheemperor。
Nosoonerwastheexilerestoredtofreedomandhiscountry，thanhisambitionrevived，atfirsttohisown，andatlengthtothepublic，misfortune。AdaughterofManuelwasafeeblebartothesuccessionofthemoredeservingmalesoftheComnenianblood；herfuturemarriagewiththeprinceofHungarywasrepugnanttothehopesorprejudicesoftheprincesandnobles。
Butwhenanoathofallegiancewasrequiredtothepresumptiveheir，AndronicusaloneassertedthehonoroftheRomanname，declinedtheunlawfulengagement，andboldlyprotestedagainsttheadoptionofastranger。Hispatriotismwasoffensivetotheemperor，buthespokethesentimentsofthepeople，andwasremovedfromtheroyalpresencebyanhonorablebanishment，asecondcommandoftheCilicianfrontier，withtheabsolutedisposaloftherevenuesofCyprus。InthisstationtheArmeniansagainexercisedhiscourageandexposedhisnegligence；
andthesamerebel，whobaffledallhisoperations，wasunhorsed，andalmostslainbythevigorofhislance。ButAndronicussoondiscoveredamoreeasyandpleasingconquest，thebeautifulPhilippa，sisteroftheempressMaria，anddaughterofRaymondofPoitou，theLatinprinceofAntioch。Forhersakehedesertedhisstation，andwastedthesummerinballsandtournaments:tohisloveshesacrificedherinnocence，herreputation，andtheofferofanadvantageousmarriage。ButtheresentmentofManuelforthisdomesticaffrontinterruptedhispleasures:Andronicuslefttheindiscreetprincesstoweepandtorepent；and，withabandofdesperateadventurers，undertookthepilgrimageofJerusalem。Hisbirth，hismartialrenown，andprofessionsofzeal，announcedhimasthechampionoftheCross:hesooncaptivatedboththeclergyandtheking；andtheGreekprincewasinvestedwiththelordshipofBerytus，onthecoastofPhoenicia。
Inhisneighborhoodresidedayoungandhandsomequeen，ofhisownnationandfamily，great—granddaughteroftheemperorAlexis，andwidowofBaldwintheThird，kingofJerusalem。Shevisitedandlovedherkinsman。Theodorawasthethirdvictimofhisamorousseduction；andhershamewasmorepublicandscandalousthanthatofherpredecessors。Theemperorstillthirstedforrevenge；andhissubjectsandalliesoftheSyrianfrontierwererepeatedlypressedtoseizetheperson，andputouttheeyes，ofthefugitive。InPalestinehewasnolongersafe；butthetenderTheodorarevealedhisdanger，andaccompaniedhisflight。ThequeenofJerusalemwasexposedtotheEast，hisobsequiousconcubine；andtwoillegitimatechildrenwerethelivingmonumentsofherweakness。Damascuswashisfirstrefuge；and，inthecharactersofthegreatNoureddinandhisservantSaladin，thesuperstitiousGreekmightlearntoreverethevirtuesoftheMussulmans。AsthefriendofNoureddinhevisited，mostprobably，Bagdad，andthecourtsofPersia；and，afteralongcircuitroundtheCaspianSeaandthemountainsofGeorgia，hefinallysettledamongtheTurksofAsiaMinor，thehereditaryenemiesofhiscountry。ThesultanofColoniaaffordedahospitableretreattoAndronicus，hismistress，andhisbandofoutlaws:thedebtofgratitudewaspaidbyfrequentinroadsintheRomanprovinceofTrebizond；andheseldomreturnedwithoutanampleharvestofspoilandofChristiancaptives。Inthestoryofhisadventures，hewasfondofcomparinghimselftoDavid，whoescaped，byalongexile，thesnaresofthewicked。ButtheroyalprophethepresumedtoaddwascontenttolurkonthebordersofJudaea，toslayanAmalekite，andtothreaten，inhismiserablestate，thelifeoftheavariciousNabal。TheexcursionsoftheComnenianprincehadawiderrange；andhehadspreadovertheEasternworldthegloryofhisnameandreligion。