258 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. through his successful management of its affairs. He intrigued, kept his plans secret from his countrymen, deceived the Cru- saders, and yet always succeeded in his designs. Lying and intrigue were indeed held to be fair by the rules of that Italian statesmanship which Macliiavel reduced to a science. . The best Italian statesman was the one who could best succeed in the purpose he had taken in hand. That faith should be broken, that craftiness should be continually necessary, were merely the incidents necessary to success. In Venetian politics right or wrong had no meaning, except in the sense that everything which advanced Venetian interests was right, everything which made against them was WTong. Dandolo never appears to have felt himself under any obligation to tell the truth, or to respect either his oath as a Crusader or his pledged word to the pilgrims. Provided the republic could be benefited, all means w^ere lawful. If a man " de bien grand coeur," yet also a statesman without conscience and an unscrupulous man. The arrangements having been definitely made in con- formity with which the Crusaders and the Venetians were to attack Zara, the preparations for sailing were rapidly pushed forward. For the moment discontent appears to have been hushed. The Crusaders even, who had objected to making war upon a Christian city, were delighted at any change which would get them out of the steaming and fever swamps of the Lido.
