Theexpeditionwassuccessful:theblindemperorexultedinthesuccessofhisarms，andlistenedtothepredictionsofhisflatterers，thatthesameProvidencewhichhadraisedhimfromthedungeontothethrone，wouldhealhisgout，restorehissight，andwatchoverthelongprosperityofhisreign。Yetthemindofthesuspiciousoldmanwastormentedbytherisinggloriesofhisson；norcouldhisprideconcealfromhisenvy，that，whilehisownnamewaspronouncedinfaintandreluctantacclamations，theroyalyouthwasthethemeofspontaneousanduniversalpraise。^71
[Footnote68:Compare，intherudeenergyofVillehardouin，No。
66，100，theinsideandoutsideviewsofConstantinople，andtheirimpressiononthemindsofthepilgrims:cettevillesayshequedetouteslesautreseresouveraine。SeetheparallelpassagesofFulcheriusCarnotensis，Hist。Hierosol。l。i。c。4，andWill。Tyr。ii。3，xx。26。]
[Footnote69:Astheyplayedatdice，theLatinstookoffhisdiadem，andclappedonhisheadawoollenorhairycap，Nicetas，p。358。IfthesemerrycompanionswereVenetians，itwastheinsolenceoftradeandacommonwealth。]
[Footnote70:Villehardouin，No。101。Dandolo，p。322。Thedogeaffirms，thattheVenetianswerepaidmoreslowlythantheFrench；butheowns，thatthehistoriesofthetwonationsdifferedonthatsubject。HadhereadVillehardouin?TheGreekscomplained，however，goodtotiusGraeciaeopestranstulisset，Gunther，Hist。C。P。c13SeethelamentationsandinvectivesofNicetas，p。355。]
[Footnote71:ThereignofAlexiusComnenusoccupiesthreebooksinNicetas，p。291—352。TheshortrestorationofIsaacandhissonisdespatchedinfivechapters，p。352—362。]
Bytherecentinvasion，theGreekswereawakenedfromadreamofninecenturies；fromthevainpresumptionthatthecapitaloftheRomanempirewasimpregnabletoforeignarms。ThestrangersoftheWesthadviolatedthecity，andbestowedthesceptre，ofConstantine:theirImperialclientssoonbecameasunpopularasthemselves:thewell—knownvicesofIsaacwererenderedstillmorecontemptiblebyhisinfirmities，andtheyoungAlexiuswashatedasanapostate，whohadrenouncedthemannersandreligionofhiscountry。HissecretcovenantwiththeLatinswasdivulgedorsuspected；thepeople，andespeciallytheclergy，weredevoutlyattachedtotheirfaithandsuperstition；andeveryconvent，andeveryshop，resoundedwiththedangerofthechurchandthetyrannyofthepope。^72Anemptytreasurycouldillsupplythedemandsofregalluxuryandforeignextortion:theGreeksrefusedtoavert，byageneraltax，theimpendingevilsofservitudeandpillage；theoppressionoftherichexcitedamoredangerousandpersonalresentment；andiftheemperormeltedtheplate，anddespoiledtheimages，ofthesanctuary，heseemedtojustifythecomplaintsofheresyandsacrilege。DuringtheabsenceofMarquisBonifaceandhisImperialpupil，ConstantinoplewasvisitedwithacalamitywhichmightbejustlyimputedtothezealandindiscretionoftheFlemishpilgrims。^73Inoneoftheirvisitstothecity，theywerescandalizedbytheaspectofamosqueorsynagogue，inwhichoneGodwasworshipped，withoutapartnerorason。Theireffectualmodeofcontroversywastoattacktheinfidelswiththesword，andtheirhabitationwithfire:buttheinfidels，andsomeChristianneighbors，presumedtodefendtheirlivesandproperties；andtheflameswhichbigotryhadkindled，consumedthemostorthodoxandinnocentstructures。Duringeightdaysandnights，theconflagrationspreadabovealeagueinfront，fromtheharbortothePropontis，overthethickestandmostpopulousregionsofthecity。Itisnoteasytocountthestatelychurchesandpalacesthatwerereducedtoasmokingruin，tovaluethemerchandisethatperishedinthetradingstreets，ortonumberthefamiliesthatwereinvolvedinthecommondestruction。
Bythisoutrage，whichthedogeandthebaronsinvainaffectedtodisclaim，thenameoftheLatinsbecamestillmoreunpopular；
andthecolonyofthatnation，abovefifteenthousandpersons，consultedtheirsafetyinahastyretreatfromthecitytotheprotectionoftheirstandardinthesuburbofPera。Theemperorreturnedintriumph；butthefirmestandmostdexterouspolicywouldhavebeeninsufficienttosteerhimthroughthetempest，whichoverwhelmedthepersonandgovernmentofthatunhappyyouth。Hisowninclination，andhisfather\'sadvice，attachedhimtohisbenefactors；butAlexiushesitatedbetweengratitudeandpatriotism，betweenthefearofhissubjectsandofhisallies。
^74Byhisfeebleandfluctuatingconducthelosttheesteemandconfidenceofboth；and，whileheinvitedthemarquisofMonferrattooccupythepalace，hesufferedthenoblestoconspire，andthepeopletoarm，forthedeliveranceoftheircountry。Regardlessofhispainfulsituation，theLatinchiefsrepeatedtheirdemands，resentedhisdelays，suspectedhisintentions，andexactedadecisiveanswerofpeaceorwar。ThehaughtysummonswasdeliveredbythreeFrenchknightsandthreeVenetiandeputies，whogirdedtheirswords，mountedtheirhorses，piercedthroughtheangrymultitude，andentered，withafearfulcountenance，thepalaceandpresenceoftheGreekemperor。Inaperemptorytone，theyrecapitulatedtheirservicesandhisengagements；andboldlydeclared，thatunlesstheirjustclaimswerefullyandimmediatelysatisfied，theyshouldnolongerholdhimeitherasasovereignorafriend。Afterthisdefiance，thefirstthathadeverwoundedanImperialear，theydepartedwithoutbetrayinganysymptomsoffear；buttheirescapefromaservilepalaceandafuriouscityastonishedtheambassadorsthemselves；andtheirreturntothecampwasthesignalofmutualhostility。
[Footnote72:WhenNicetasreproachesAlexiusforhisimpiousleague，hebestowstheharshestnamesonthepope\'snewreligion，p。348。SuchwasthesincerelanguageofeveryGreektothelastgaspoftheempire。]
[Footnote73:Nicetasp。355ispositiveinthecharge，andspecifiestheFlemings，thoughheiswronginsupposingitanancientname。VillehardouinNo。107exculpatesthebarons，andisignorantperhapsaffectedlyignorantofthenamesoftheguilty。]
[Footnote74:ComparethesuspicionsandcomplaintsofNicetasp。359—362withthebluntchargesofBaldwinofFlanders，GestaInnocentIII。c。92，p。534，cumpatriarchaetmolenobilium，nobispromisesperjurusetmendax。]
AmongtheGreeks，allauthorityandwisdomwereoverbornebytheimpetuousmultitude，whomistooktheirrageforvalor，theirnumbersforstrength，andtheirfanaticismforthesupportandinspirationofHeaven。IntheeyesofbothnationsAlexiuswasfalseandcontemptible；thebaseandspuriousraceoftheAngeliwasrejectedwithclamorousdisdain；andthepeopleofConstantinopleencompassedthesenate，todemandattheirhandsamoreworthyemperor。Toeverysenator，conspicuousbyhisbirthordignity，theysuccessivelypresentedthepurple:byeachsenatorthedeadlygarmentwasrepulsed:thecontestlastedthreedays；andwemaylearnfromthehistorianNicetas，oneofthemembersoftheassembly，thatfearandweaknessesweretheguardiansoftheirloyalty。Aphantom，whovanishedinoblivion，wasforciblyproclaimedbythecrowd:^75buttheauthorofthetumult，andtheleaderofthewar，wasaprinceofthehouseofDucas；andhiscommonappellationofAlexiusmustbediscriminatedbytheepithetofMourzoufle，^76whichinthevulgaridiomexpressedtheclosejunctionofhisblackandshaggyeyebrows。Atonceapatriotandacourtier，theperfidiousMourzoufle，whowasnotdestituteofcunningandcourage，opposedtheLatinsbothinspeechandaction，inflamedthepassionsandprejudicesoftheGreeks，andinsinuatedhimselfintothefavorandconfidenceofAlexius，whotrustedhimwiththeofficeofgreatchamberlain，andtingedhisbuskinswiththecolorsofroyalty。Atthedeadofnight，herushedintothebed—chamberwithanaffrightedaspect，exclaiming，thatthepalacewasattackedbythepeopleandbetrayedbytheguards。Startingfromhiscouch，theunsuspectingprincethrewhimselfintothearmsofhisenemy，whohadcontrivedhisescapebyaprivatestaircase。
Butthatstaircaseterminatedinaprison:Alexiuswasseized，stripped，andloadedwithchains；and，aftertastingsomedaysthebitternessofdeath，hewaspoisoned，orstrangled，orbeatenwithclubs，atthecommand，orinthepresence，ofthetyrant。
TheemperorIsaacAngelussoonfollowedhissontothegrave；andMourzoufle，perhaps，mightsparethesuperfluouscrimeofhasteningtheextinctionofimpotenceandblindness。
[Footnote75:HisnamewasNicholasCanabus:hedeservedthepraiseofNicetasandthevengeanceofMourzoufle，p。362。]
[Footnote76:VillehardouinNo。116speaksofhimasafavorite，withoutknowingthathewasaprinceoftheblood，AngelusandDucas。Ducange，whopriesintoeverycorner，believeshimtobethesonofIsaacDucasSebastocrator，andsecondcousinofyoungAlexius。]
Thedeathoftheemperors，andtheusurpationofMourzoufle，hadchangedthenatureofthequarrel。Itwasnolongerthedisagreementofallieswhoovervaluedtheirservices，orneglectedtheirobligations:theFrenchandVenetiansforgottheircomplaintsagainstAlexius，droppedatearontheuntimelyfateoftheircompanion，andsworerevengeagainsttheperfidiousnationwhohadcrownedhisassassin。Yettheprudentdogewasstillinclinedtonegotiate:heaskedasadebt，asubsidy，orafine，fiftythousandpoundsofgold，abouttwomillionssterling；
norwouldtheconferencehavebeenabruptlybroken，ifthezeal，orpolicy，ofMourzouflehadnotrefusedtosacrificetheGreekchurchtothesafetyofthestate。^77Amidsttheinvectivesofhisforeignanddomesticenemies，wemaydiscern，thathewasnotunworthyofthecharacterwhichhehadassumed，ofthepublicchampion:thesecondsiegeofConstantinoplewasfarmorelaboriousthanthefirst；thetreasurywasreplenished，anddisciplinewasrestored，byasevereinquisitionintotheabusesoftheformerreign；andMourzoufle，anironmaceinhishand，visitingtheposts，andaffectingtheportandaspectofawarrior，wasanobjectofterrortohissoldiers，atleast，andtohiskinsmen。BeforeandafterthedeathofAlexius，theGreeksmadetwovigorousandwell—conductedattemptstoburnthenavyintheharbor；buttheskillandcourageoftheVenetiansrepulsedthefire—ships；andthevagrantflameswastedthemselveswithoutinjuryinthesea。^78InanocturnalsallytheGreekemperorwasvanquishedbyHenry，brotherofthecountofFlanders:theadvantagesofnumberandsurpriseaggravatedtheshameofhisdefeat:hisbucklerwasfoundonthefieldofbattle；andtheImperialstandard，^79adivineimageoftheVirgin，waspresented，asatrophyandarelictotheCistercianmonks，thedisciplesofSt。Bernard。Nearthreemonths，withoutexceptingtheholyseasonofLent，wereconsumedinskirmishesandpreparations，beforetheLatinswerereadyorresolvedforageneralassault。Thelandfortificationshadbeenfoundimpregnable；andtheVenetianpilotsrepresented，that，ontheshoreofthePropontis，theanchoragewasunsafe，andtheshipsmustbedrivenbythecurrentfarawaytothestraitsoftheHellespont；aprospectnotunpleasingtothereluctantpilgrims，whosoughteveryopportunityofbreakingthearmy。Fromtheharbor，therefore，theassaultwasdeterminedbytheassailants，andexpectedbythebesieged；andtheemperorhadplacedhisscarletpavilionsonaneighboringheight，todirectandanimatetheeffortsofhistroops。Afearlessspectator，whosemindcouldentertaintheideasofpompandpleasure，mighthaveadmiredthelongarrayoftwoembattledarmies，whichextendedabovehalfaleague，theoneontheshipsandgalleys，theotheronthewallsandtowersraisedabovetheordinarylevelbyseveralstagesofwoodenturrets。Theirfirstfurywasspentinthedischargeofdarts，stones，andfire，fromtheengines；butthewaterwasdeep；theFrenchwerebold；theVenetianswereskilful；theyapproachedthewalls；andadesperateconflictofswords，spears，andbattle—axes，wasfoughtonthetremblingbridgesthatgrappledthefloating，tothestable，batteries。Inmorethanahundredplaces，theassaultwasurged，andthedefencewassustained；tillthesuperiorityofgroundandnumbersfinallyprevailed，andtheLatintrumpetssoundedaretreat。Ontheensuingdays，theattackwasrenewedwithequalvigor，andasimilarevent；and，inthenight，thedogeandthebaronsheldacouncil，apprehensiveonlyforthepublicdanger:notavoicepronouncedthewordsofescapeortreaty；andeachwarrior，accordingtohistemper，embracedthehopeofvictory，ortheassuranceofagloriousdeath。^80Bytheexperienceoftheformersiege，theGreekswereinstructed，buttheLatinswereanimated；andtheknowledgethatConstantinoplemightbetaken，wasofmoreavailthanthelocalprecautionswhichthatknowledgehadinspiredforitsdefence。Inthethirdassault，twoshipswerelinkedtogethertodoubletheirstrength；astrongnorthwinddrovethemontheshore；thebishopsofTroyesandSoissonsledthevan；andtheauspiciousnamesofthepilgrimandtheparadiseresoundedalongtheline。^81Theepiscopalbannersweredisplayedonthewalls；ahundredmarksofsilverhadbeenpromisedtothefirstadventurers；andiftheirrewardwasinterceptedbydeath，theirnameshavebeenimmortalizedbyfame。
Fourtowerswerescaled；threegateswereburstopen；andtheFrenchknights，whomighttrembleonthewaves，feltthemselvesinvincibleonhorsebackonthesolidground。ShallIrelatethatthethousandswhoguardedtheemperor\'spersonfledontheapproach，andbeforethelance，ofasinglewarrior?TheirignominiousflightisattestedbytheircountrymanNicetas:anarmyofphantomsmarchedwiththeFrenchhero，andhewasmagnifiedtoagiantintheeyesoftheGreeks。^82Whilethefugitivesdesertedtheirpostsandcastawaytheirarms，theLatinsenteredthecityunderthebannersoftheirleaders:thestreetsandgatesopenedfortheirpassage；andeitherdesignoraccidentkindledathirdconflagration，whichconsumedinafewhoursthemeasureofthreeofthelargestcitiesofFrance。^83
Inthecloseofevening，thebaronscheckedtheirtroops，andfortifiedtheirstations:Theywereawedbytheextentandpopulousnessofthecapital，whichmightyetrequirethelaborofamonth，ifthechurchesandpalaceswereconsciousoftheirinternalstrength。Butinthemorning，asuppliantprocession，withcrossesandimages，announcedthesubmissionoftheGreeks，anddeprecatedthewrathoftheconquerors:theusurperescapedthroughthegoldengate:thepalacesofBlachernaeandBoucoleonwereoccupiedbythecountofFlandersandthemarquisofMontferrat；andtheempire，whichstillborethenameofConstantine，andthetitleofRoman，wassubvertedbythearmsoftheLatinpilgrims。^84
[Footnote77:Thisnegotiation，probableinitself，andattestedbyNicetas，p65，isomittedasscandalousbythedelicacyofDandoloandVillehardouin。
Note:WilkenplacesitbeforethedeathofAlexius，vol。v。
p。276。—M]
[Footnote78:Baldwinmentionsbothattemptstofirethefleet，Gest。c。92，p。534，535；Villehardouin，No。113—15onlydescribesthefirst。ItisremarkablethatneitherofthesewarriorsobserveanypeculiarpropertiesintheGreekfire。]
[Footnote79:DucangeNo。119poursforthatorrentoflearningontheGonfanonImperial。ThisbanneroftheVirginisshownatVeniceasatrophyandrelic:ifitbegenuinethepiousdogemusthavecheatedthemonksofCiteaux]
[Footnote80:VillehardouinNo。126confesses，thatmulteregrantperil；andGuntherusHist。C。P。c。13affirms，thatnullaspesvictoriaearriderepoterat。Yettheknightdespisesthosewhothoughtofflight，andthemonkpraiseshiscountrymenwhowereresolvedondeath。]
[Footnote81:Baldwin，andallthewriters，honorthenamesofthesetwogalleys，feliciauspicio。]
[Footnote*:PietroAlberti，aVenetionnobleandAndrewd\'AmboiseaFrenchknight。—M。]
[Footnote82:WithanallusiontoHomer，Nicetascallshimeighteenyardshigh，astaturewhichwould，indeed，haveexcusedtheterroroftheGreek。Onthisoccasion，thehistorianseemsfonderofthemarvellousthanofhiscountry，orperhapsoftruth。Baldwinexclaimsinthewordsofthepsalmist，persequiturunusexnobiscentumalienos。]
[Footnote83:VillehardouinNo。130isagainignorantoftheauthorsofthismorelegitimatefire，whichisascribedbyGunthertoaquidamcomesTeutonicus，c。14。Theyseemashamed，theincendiaries!]
[Footnote84:ForthesecondsiegeandconquestofConstantinople，seeVillehardouinNo。113—132，Baldwin\'siidEpistletoInnocentIII。，Gestac。92，p。534—537，withthewholereignofMourzoufle，inNicetas，p363—375；andborrowedsomehintsfromDandoloChron。Venet。p。323—330andGunther，Hist。C。P。c。14—18，whoaddedthedecorationsofprophecyandvision。TheformerproducesanoracleoftheErythraeansibyl，ofagreatarmamentontheAdriatic，underablindchief，againstByzantium，&c。Curiousenough，werethepredictionanteriortothefact。]
Constantinoplehadbeentakenbystorm；andnorestraints，exceptthoseofreligionandhumanity，wereimposedontheconquerorsbythelawsofwar。Boniface，marquisofMontferrat，stillactedastheirgeneral；andtheGreeks，whoreveredhisnameasthatoftheirfuturesovereign，wereheardtoexclaiminalamentabletone，\"Holymarquis—king，havemercyuponus!\"Hisprudenceorcompassionopenedthegatesofthecitytothefugitives；andheexhortedthesoldiersofthecrosstosparethelivesoftheirfellow—Christians。ThestreamsofbloodthatfloweddownthepagesofNicetasmaybereducedtotheslaughteroftwothousandofhisunresistingcountrymen；^85andthegreaterpartwasmassacred，notbythestrangers，butbytheLatins，whohadbeendrivenfromthecity，andwhoexercisedtherevengeofatriumphantfaction。Yetoftheseexiles，somewerelessmindfulofinjuriesthanofbenefits；andNicetashimselfwasindebtedforhissafetytothegenerosityofaVenetianmerchant。PopeInnocenttheThirdaccusesthepilgrimsforrespecting，intheirlust，neitheragenorsex，norreligiousprofession；andbitterlylamentsthatthedeedsofdarkness，fornication，adultery，andincest，wereperpetratedinopenday；
andthatnoblematronsandholynunswerepollutedbythegroomsandpeasantsoftheCatholiccamp。^86Itisindeedprobablethatthelicenseofvictorypromptedandcoveredamultitudeofsins:
butitiscertain，thatthecapitaloftheEastcontainedastockofvenalorwillingbeauty，sufficienttosatiatethedesiresoftwentythousandpilgrims；andfemaleprisonerswerenolongersubjecttotherightorabuseofdomesticslavery。ThemarquisofMontferratwasthepatronofdisciplineanddecency；thecountofFlanderswasthemirrorofchastity:theyhadforbidden，underpainofdeath，therapeofmarriedwomen，orvirgins，ornuns；
andtheproclamationwassometimesinvokedbythevanquished^87
andrespectedbythevictors。Theircrueltyandlustweremoderatedbytheauthorityofthechiefs，andfeelingsofthesoldiers；forwearenolongerdescribinganirruptionofthenorthernsavages；andhoweverferocioustheymightstillappear，time，policy，andreligionhadcivilizedthemannersoftheFrench，andstillmoreoftheItalians。Butafreescopewasallowedtotheiravarice，whichwasglutted，evenintheholyweek，bythepillageofConstantinople。Therightofvictory，unshackledbyanypromiseortreaty，hadconfiscatedthepublicandprivatewealthoftheGreeks；andeveryhand，accordingtoitssizeandstrength，mightlawfullyexecutethesentenceandseizetheforfeiture。Aportableanduniversalstandardofexchangewasfoundinthecoinedanduncoinedmetalsofgoldandsilver，whicheachcaptor，athomeorabroad，mightconvertintothepossessionsmostsuitabletohistemperandsituation。Ofthetreasures，whichtradeandluxuryhadaccumulated，thesilks，velvets，furs，thegems，spices，andrichmovables，werethemostprecious，astheycouldnotbeprocuredformoneyintherudercountriesofEurope。Anorderofrapinewasinstituted；norwastheshareofeachindividualabandonedtoindustryorchance。