CONSTANTINE PALAEOLOGUS HARANGUING THE DEFENDERS OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Book XVI.. Joseph-Francois Michaud .. Illustrated by Gustave Dore

History of the Crusades

Illus -86 Tissue

CONSTANTINE PALAEOLOGUS HARANGUING THE DEFENDERS OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Amidst these deplorable disputes the voice of patriotism was never listened to, and indifference, selfishness, and cowardice were able to conceal themselves under the respectable appearance of religion and orthodoxy. A great part of the population of Constantinople had abandoned the sity ; among those that remained, the richest had buried their treasures, which they might have employed in the general defence, and which they soon lost, with their liberty and their lives. The imperial city only contained within its bosom four thousand nine hundred and seventy defenders, and the emperor was obliged to plunder the churches to support them. Thus, from eight to nine thousand combatants formed the entire garrison of Byzantium, and the last hope of the empire of the East. Constantine called together the principal leaders of the garrison to deliberate upon the dangers which threatened the empire. In a pathetic discourse he endeavoured to revive the courage and the hopes of his companions in arms ; speaking to the Greeks of patriotism, and to the Latin auxilliaries of religion and humanity, he exhorted them all to have patience, but above all to preserve concord. The warriors who were present at this last council listened to the emperor in melancholy silence ; they did not dare to interrogate each other upon the means of defence, which all knew to be useless. They embraced each other with tears, and returned to the ramparts, filled with the most sinister forbodings. - Book XVI

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