The Greeks had broken
down the bridge, and the barons caused the host to labour all that day
and all that night in repairing the bridge. Thus was the bridge
repaired, and in the morning the divisions were armed, and rode one
after the other in the order appointed, and came before the city. And
no one came out from the city against them; and this was a great
marvel, seeing that for every man that was in the host there were over
two hundred men in the city.
Then did the barons decide that they should quarter them-
40
selves between the palace of Blachernae and the castle of Boemond,
which was an abbey enclosed with walls. So the tents and pavilions
were pitched-which was a right proud thing to look upon; for of
Constantinople, which had three leagues of front towards the land, the
whole host could attack no more than one of the gates. And the
Venetians lay on the sea, in ships and vessels, and raised their
ladders, and mangonels, and petraries, and made order for their
assault right well. And the barons for their part made ready their
petraries and mangonels on land.
And be it known to you that they did not have their time in peace and
quiet; for there passed no hour of the night or day but one of the
divisions had to stand armed before the gate, to guard the engines,
and provide against attack. And, notwithstanding all this, the Greeks
ceased not to attack them, by this gate and by others, and held them
so short that six or seven times a day the whole host was forced to
run to arms.
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