" To this they
consented right willingly. So they
98
established the rearguard duly and efficiently, and as men who well
knew how, for they were good knights and honourable.
THE HOST REACHES RODOSTO
Geoffry the Marshal rode before and led the host, and rode till he
came to a city called Cariopolis. Then he saw that the horses were
weary with marching all night, and entered into the city, and put them
up till noon. And they gave food to their horses, and ate themselves
of what they could find, and that was but little.
So they remained all the day in that city until night. And Johannizza,
the King of Wallachia, had followed them all the day with all his
powers, and encamped about two leaaues from them. And when it was
night, those in the city all armed themselves and departed. Geoffry
the Marshal led the van, and those formed the rear-guard who had
formed it during the day. So they rode through that night, and the
following day (16th April) in great fear and much hardship, till they
came to the city of Rodosto, a city very rich and very strong, and
inhabited by Greeks. These Greeks did not dare to defend themselves,
so our people entered in and took quarters; so at last were they in
safety.
Thus did the host escape from Adrianople, as you have heard. Then was
a council held in the city of Rodosto; and it seemed to the council
that Constantinople was in greater jeopardy than they were.
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