260 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. the popular demonstration on the departure of the expedi- tion. The priests and monks were stationed in the castles at the cross-trees of the vessels, and solemnly chanted the Veni, Creator Sj^iritus. So beautiful a sight as this departure, says Eobert, had never surely been seen. A hundred trumpets with many other instruments of music gave the signal for sailing. When the vessels were in the open sea and had spread their sails, when the rich banners and gonfalons of so many earls and nobles were unfurled by the wind, while as far as the eye could reach the Adriatic was covered with sliips, the beauty of the spectacle was at its greatest. It was remarked, and truly, says Eobert, that never were there so many such beautiful ships assembled together.^ Even here, however, he is careful to point out a jarring note. Very many, both great and small, deplored the sin which was being committed and the great joy which prevailed.'^ They crossed the sea, says another writer, with great speed but with sad hearts.^ On the 20th of October Dandolo made a triumphal entry Arrival at i^^<^ Trieste. Both divisions united a few days af- zara. tcrwards at Pola. The united fleet arrived off Zara on November 11. On the same day the harbor was captured and the army landed. The city was the wealthiest on the eastern shores of the Adriatic, and the metropolis of Dalma- tia and Croatia. It is situated on a peninsula, and was well fortified. It had formerly owned allegiance to Venice, but had shaken off her rule, and was now under the protection of the King of Hungary. On the 12th a deputation proposed to surrender everything to Dandolo if the lives of the citizens were spared. While the proposal was being considered some of the Crusaders, at the head of whom was Simon de Mont- ^ Rhamnusius estimated the fleet to consist of 480 vessels, composed of 50 galleys, 240 transports for troops, 70 for provisions, and 120 Imis- siers for the horses. Nicctas says 240, composed of 110 huissiers, GO gal- leys, and 70 transports for provisions. I suspect the larger estimate is obtained on the fair supposition that there must have been an equal number of transports for the troops. 2 Robert de Clari, c. 13. ' Gunther, i.
