THE EFFECTS OF DISSIPATION, 47

the wine, which even Solomon has deigned to cele-
brate, was to their taste: the dark-eyed Greek
women, who perhaps knew that the island had
anciently been the favourite seat of Venus, and who,
in any case, enjoyed the reputation of being devoted
to the worship of the goddess, were doubtless fasci-
nating; and almost every one of the days that suc-
ceeded Louis's arrival was devoted to rejoicings and
feastings. Not unnaturally, but most unfortunately,
the Crusaders yielded to the fascinations of an
existence which at first they all enjoyed, heart
and soul; and with one accord they cried out, ‘ We
must tarry here till spring. Let us eat, drink, and
be merry.’ ,

Accordingly the Crusaders did winter in Cyprus;
and the consequences were most disastrous. Ener-
vated by luxury, they soon forgot their vows, and
rushed into every kind of extravagance and dissipa-
tion. Of course, their recklessness soon brought its
own punishment. As time passed on, and winter set
in, rain fell daily, and the intemperance, the strange
climate, and the weather soon did their work. By-
and-by, a pestilential disease made its appearance in
the camp of the pilgrims, and carried -ff thousands
of victims, including two hundred and “fty knights.
Moreover, there was much discord anJ dissension.
The Greek clergy and the Latin clergy began to
quarrel; the Templars and the Knights of St. John
began to fight; and the saint-king found his position
the very reverse of satisfactory or agreeabie.

By the time that the little fleet, on board of which
were Guy Muschamp and Walter Espec, reached