astonied, and they drew to the prison in which lay the Emperor Isaac,
whose eyes had been put out. Him they clothed imperially, and bore to
the great palace of Blachernae, and seated on a high throne; and there
they did to him obeisance as their lord. Then they took messengers, by
the advice of the Emperor Isaac, and sent them to the host, to apprise
the son of the Emperor Isaac, and the barons, that the Emperor Alexius
had fled, and that they had again raised up the Emperor Isaac as
emperor.

When the young man knew of this he summoned the Marquis Boniface of
Montferrat, and the marquis summoned the barons throughout the host.
And when they were met in the pavilion of the Emperor Isaac's son, he
told them the news. And when they heard it, their joy was such as
cannot be uttered, for never was greater joy in all this world. And
greatly and most devoutly was our Lord praised by all, in that He had
succoured them within so short a term, and exalted them so high from
such a low estate. And therefore well may one say: " Him whom God will
help can no man injure."

Then the day began to dawn, and the host to put on their armour; and
all gat them to their arms throughout the host, because they did not
greatly trust the Greeks. And messengers began to come out from the
city, two or three together, and told the same tale. The barons and
counts, and the Doge of Venice had agreed to send envoys into the
city, to know how matters really stood; and, if that was true which
had been reported, to demand of the father that he should ratify the
covenants made by the son; and, if he would not, to, declare that they
on their part should not suffer the son to enter into the city. So
envoys were chosen: one was