THE LOSS OF RHODES ad. 



1522. 

 soule were at the devill, and that Rhodes and the religion 

 were lost. And many other foolish and dishonest pur- 

 poses and wordes hee uttered, whereat none tooke heed, 

 nor thought that hee had the courage to doe that thing 

 that hee hath done. Howbeit, obstinate as Judas, hee 

 put in execution his cursed will : for soone after that the 

 tidings of the election was sent Westward to the sayde 

 noble lord, the sayd de Merall did send a Turke prisoner 

 of his to Constantinople, under shadowe to fetch his ran- 

 some. By whom hee advertised the great Turke and his 

 counsell, of the maner and degree of Rhodes, and in 

 what state and condicion the towne was in of all maner 

 of things at that time, and what might happen of it, 

 provoking and stirring him to come with a great hoste 

 to besiege the towne. And after the comming of the 

 sayd reverend lord great master, he gave other advise to 

 the great Turke, shewing him that hee could never have 

 better time to come, seeing that the great master was [II. i. 74.] 

 new come, and part of the wall taken downe, and that 

 all Rhodes was in trouble by occasion of some Italian 

 knights, rebels agaynst the lord great master : of the which 

 rebellion he was causer, the better to bring his cursed 

 mind to passe : and also gave the sayde great Turke 

 knowledge that all Christian princes were busie, warring 

 each upon other, and that he should not doubt but if 

 the rebellion lasted among them, the towne should be his 

 without faile, as it is scene by experience. And for 

 lacke of succours of every part, and especially of such 

 as might easily have holpen us beyng our neighbours, 

 with their gallies and men of warre, wherefore it is now 

 in the handes of the enemies of the christian faith. The 

 which monitions and reasons of the false traitor being 

 understood and pondered by the great Turke and his 

 counsell, it was considered of them not to loose so good 

 occasion and time. Wherefore hee made most extreme 

 diligence to rigge and apparell many ships & vessels of 

 divers sorts, as galliasses, gallies, pallandres, fustes, and 

 brigantines, to the number of 350. sailes and moe. 



5 



