Then the Emperor Baldwin said he would sojourn there, wafting for the
arrival of Boniface, Marquis of Montferrat, who had not yet joined the
host, seeing he could not move as fast as the emperor, because he was
bringing with him the empress, his wife. However, he also rode forward
till he came to Messinopolis, by the river, and there encamped, and
pitched his tents and pavilions. And on the morrow he went to speak to
the Emperor Baldwin, and to see him, and reminded him of his promise.
"Sire," said he, "tidings have come to me from Salonika that the
people of the land would have me know that they are ready to receive
me willingly as their lord. And I am your liegeman, and hold the land
from you. Therefore, I pray you, let me go thither; and when I am in
possession of my land and of my city, I will bring you out such
supplies as you may need, and come ready prepared to do your behests.
But do not go and ruin my land. Let us rather, if it so pleases you,
march against Johannizz', the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, who
holds a great part of the land wrongfully."
RUPTURE BETWEEN BALDWIN AND B0NIFACE - THE ONE MARCHES ON SALONIKA, THE
OTHER ON DEMOTICA
I know not by whose counsel it was that the emperor replied that he
was determined to march towards Salonika,
73
and would afterwards attend to his other affairs. Sire," said
Boniface, Marquis of Montferrat, " I pray thee, since I am able
without thee to get possession of my land, that thou wilt not enter
therein; but if thou dost enter therein, I shall deem that thou art
not acting for my good.
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