OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 327 are described as an iron race, of gigantic stature, who darted fire from their eyes, and spilt blood like -water on the ground. Under the banners of Conrad, a troop of females rode in the attitude and armour of men ; and the chief of these Amazons, from their gilt spurs and buskins, obtained the epithet of the Golden-footed Dame. II. The numbers and character of the strangers was an object Passage of terror to the effeminate Greeks, and the sentiment of fear is Greek empire nearly allied to that of hatred. This aversion was suspended or softened by the apprehension of the Turkish power ; and the invectives of the Latins will not bias our more candid belief that the Emperor Alexius dissembled their insolence, eluded their hostilities, counselled their rashness, and opened to their ardour the road of pilgrimage and conquest. But, when the Turks had been driven from Nice and the sea-coast, when the Byzantine princes no longer dreaded the distant sultans of Cogni, they felt with purer indignation the free and frequent passage of the western barbarians, who violated the majesty, and endangered the safety, of the empire. The second and third crusades were undertaken under the reign of Manuel Comnenus and Isaac Angelus. Of the former, the passions were always impetuous and often malevolent ; and the natural union of a cowardly and a mischievous temper was exemplified in the latter, who, with- out merit or mercy, could punish a tyrant and occupy his throne. It was secretly, and perhaps tacitly, resolved by the prince and people to destroy, or at least to discourage, the pilgrims by every species of injury and oppression ; and their want of pru- dence and discipline continually afforded the pretence or the opportunity. The Western monarchs had stipulated a safe pas- sage and fair market in the country of their Christian brethren ; the treaty had been ratified by oaths and hostages ; and the poorest soldier of Frederic's army was furnished with three marks of silver to defray his expenses on the road. But every engage- ment was violated by treachery and injustice ; and the complaints of the Latins are attested by the honest confession of a Greek historian, who has dared to prefer truth to his country.^" In- stead of an hospitable reception, the gates of the cities, both in Europe and Asia, were closely barred against the crusaders ; and the scanty pittance of food was let down in baskets from the i'^ Nicetas was a child at the second crusade, but in the third he commanded against the Franks the important post of Philippopolis. Cinnamils is infected with national prejudice and pride.
