one Isaac, who assumed the name of Comnenus, revolted and took possession of Cyprus, he thought of the prediction and awaited the end.
It was not, however, that Isaac who was to accomplish the prophecy. Among the kinsfolk of the imperial dynasty was one Isaac Angelus, a weak, harmless, and incapable man, who had hitherto excited no suspicion. It was determined, however, to arrest him, though the emperor had so low an opinion of his capacity that he refused to sign the order. The minister Agiochristophorites undertook the responsibility, and went in person to make the arrest. When Isaac heard that he was in the court of the palace, his natural cowardice turned to the fury of despair; he rushed upon the minister with his drawn sword, slew him on the spot, and sought sanctuary in the Church of St. Sophia. There his friends joined him; hither the people flocked with cries, and against his will Isaac found himself crowned.
Andronicus tried to escape, but they caught him and brought him back to the city, and before the new emperor. One loses pity for the subsequent misfortunes of Isaac when we read how he ordered one eye to be put out, one hand to be struck off, thrust him into a dungeon without food or attendance, and finally abandoned him to the brutalities of the people, who for two days subjected him to tortures which may be read in the contemporary histories, but are best not set forth in detail. For two days the wretched man thus expiated his sins, bearing his torments with fortitude, and only groaning at intervals, "Bruise not a broken reed." At last two
