"
The barons thereupon said they would consult together apart; knowing
full well that what the young man said was sooth, and that it would be
better, both for the emperor and for themselves, to consent unto him.
But they replied that they could not so consent save with the common
agreement of the host, and that they would therefore lay the matter
before the host, and then give such answer as might be devised. So the
Emperor Alexius departed from them, and went back to Constantinople.
And they remained in the camp and assembled a parliament the next day.
To this parliament were summoned all the barons and the chieftains of
the host, and of the knights the greater part; and in their hearing
were repeated all the words that the emperor had spoken.
DEBATE AMONG THE CRUSADERS - DEATH OF MATTHEW OF MONTMORENCY
Then was there much discord in the host, as had been oft times before
on the part of those who wished that the host should break up; for to
them it seemed to be holding together too long. And the party that had
raised the discord at Corfu reminded the others of their oaths, and
said: " Give us ships as you swore to us, for we purpose to go to
Syria."
And the others cried to them for pity and said: " Lords, for God's
sake, let us not bring to naught the great honour that God has given
us. If we go to Syria at this present, we shall come thither at the
beginning of winter and so not be able to make war, and the Lord's
work will thus remain undone.
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