THE LOSS OF RHODES ad. 



1522. 

 the towne, the which was done, and then the truce was 

 broken, and the shot of the enemies was sharper then it 

 was afore. And on the other side nothing, or very litle 

 for fault of pouder : for that that there was left, was kept 

 for some great assault or neede. Howbeit the sayd 

 Amek Basha kept one of the ambassadours, and messire 

 Lopez onely entered. The great master seeing the warre 

 begun, and the shot thicker then it was afore, and the 

 enemies entred hourely by their trenches further into the 

 towne, called them that before had sayde to him, that 

 they would not the towne should be yeelded, but had 

 rather for to die. And therefore the sayd lord sayd that 

 he was content for to die with them, and that they should 

 dispose them to defend themselves well, or to doe their 

 endevour better then they had done in times past. And 

 to the ende that each one of them should have knowledge 

 of his will (for as then he spake but to foure or five of 

 them that gainesayd him) he made a cry through all the 

 towne, that all they that were holden to be at the 

 posternes or gates should give attendance, and not to 

 come away day nor night on payne of death : for afore, 

 the Rhodians came but litle there. And that the other 

 that were not of the posternes, or that were of his suc- 

 cours, should goe to the breach of Spaine where the sayd 

 lord was continually, and not to goe away day nor night 

 on the abovesayd payne. The sayd cry made, each one 

 were obedient for a day or twaine, howbeit a yoong 

 Rhodian left his posterne and went to his house, which 

 on the next day was hanged for breaking of the lordes 

 commaundement. Notwithstanding that, by litle and 

 litle the people annoyed them, and their heartes failed, 

 and left the posternes and breaches : in such wise, that 

 the enemies might come in without finding great resist- 

 aunce, but of a fewe that the lord master caused to abide 

 there (that is to weet) knightes of his succours. And in 

 the night he sought out moe people for to keepe ye 

 watch at the said breach, and paied to them as much as [ii, i. 93.] 

 they would. The sayd lord seeing himself thus aban- 



53 



