172 THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF MICHAEL SCOT 



encouraged among the Crusaders there by the Pope's 

 orders. On his return in 1229 the sharp edge of 

 disciphne was again drawn against him, and we 

 need not wonder if such repeated severity at last 

 convinced the Emperor that there was no hope of 

 hving at peace with Rome, nor any reason to study 

 further accommodations with one who seemed deter- 

 mined to be his enemy. The moment had now come 

 when restraints, long submitted to for the sake of 

 poHcy, being removed, Frederick might well bethink 

 him of his former plans so long held in reserve, and 

 take measures to carry out his purpose of enrich- 

 ing the learned world with the prohibited books 

 of Averroes. 



This plan not only promised to fulfil a long 

 cherished desire and mortify an implacable foe, it 

 must also have presented itself in the light of a 

 welcome concession made to a deserving servant of 

 the Crown. Michael Scot had laboured long to 

 form the works in question. His interest, as well 

 as every other reason, now demanded that they 

 should lie no longer concealed. The fame he was 

 certain to gain by this publication would be the 

 best consolation, perhaps the only one now possible, 

 for his disappointments in the ecclesiastical career. 

 To employ him actively in the matter may well have 

 appeared not only just, considering his previous 

 interest in it, but the best cure for a spirit sadly 

 disordered and depressed. We need not wonder 

 that Frederick at last fully formed his resolution, 

 or that he chose Michael Scot as the means of 

 carrying out a publication that was now definitely 

 determined on. 



An imperial circular announced to the learned 



