The leaders of the first great crusade had declared under the walls of ancient Kicaea that it was no part of their business to fight Christian princes, that their work was to fight the infidel, and they had readily given that city into the hands of Alexis. The enthusiasts of the fourth crusade, who had left their homes in order to fight against Christ’s enemies, had no heart for the new undertaking; and though they did not know all the adventures it would lead them into, we can see from Villehardouin himself that they would have preferred to return home rather than violate their vow.
On the 22d of July,2 Cardinal Peter Capuano, the pope’s Arrival of ^eSa^e5 drived in Venice from Koine. Bishop Conrad, and probably others, required that the propositions of Dandolo should be referred to him. He at first protested against the proposal,1 because, as Gunther says, he thought the attack upon Zara “a lesser evil than the abandonment of the crusade, the vow of the Cross unfulfilled, and the return home with ignominy and sin.”2 Cardinal Peter sent away all the sick, the useless hangers-on, and the women.
Time daily increasing
The dissatisfaction among the Crusaders was at that time daily increasing. Some were for abandoning the expedition altogether. Many poor men who had brought but little with them, and had nothing left for the journey, quitted the army and went home. ‘‘Certain powerful and rich men, not influenced by poverty,” says Gunther, “so much as frightened by the horror of committing such a crime (as attacking a Christian city belonging to a crusading king), hesitated and, much against their will, turned back.” Some of these went to Rome in order that they might be absolved from their vow or have its execution postponed. Others wished to leave Venice in order that they might embark for Alexandria or Syria from other ports.
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