Marquis of Montferrat and the other barons returned to the camp.

The emperor, who had managed his affairs right well and thought he had
now the upper hand, was filled with arrogance towards the barons and
those who had done so much for him, and never came to see them in the
camp, as he had done aforetime. And they sent to him and begged him to
pay them the moneys due, as he had covenanted. But he led them on from
delay to delay, making them, at one time and another, payments small
and poor; and in the end the payments ceased and came to naught.

The Marquis Boniface of Montferrat, who had done more for him than any
other, and stood better in his regard, went to him oftentimes, and
showed him what great services the Crusaders had rendered him, and
that greater services had never been rendered to any one. And the
emperor still entertained them with delays, and never carried out such
things as he had promised, so that at last they saw and knew clearly
that his intent was wholly evil.

Then the barons of the host held a parliament with the

53

Doge of Venice, and they said that they now knew that the emperor
would fulfil no covenant, nor ever speak sooth to them; and they
decided to send good envoys to demand the fulfilment of their
covenant, and to show what services they had done him; and if he would
now do what was required, they were to be satisfied; but, if not, they
were to defy him, and right well might he rest assured that the barons
would by all means recover their due.