the prince to be in his pay; and the Turks of the land knew of it, and
made an ambuscade there where the men of the company needs must pass.
And they came thither, and fought, and the Franks were discomfited, so
that not one escaped that was not killed or taken.

There were slain Villain of Neuilly, who was one of the best knights
in the world, and Giles of Trasegnies, and many others; and were taken
Bernard of Moreuil, and Renaud of Dampierre, and John of Villers, and
William of Neuilly. And you must know that eightty knights were in
this company, and every one was either killed or taken. And well does
this book bear witness, that of those who avoided the host of Venice,
there was not one but suffered harm or shame. He therefore must be
accounted wise who holds to the better course.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FRANKS AND VENETIANS BEFORE ATTACKING CONSTANTINOPLE

Now let us leave speaking of those who avoided the host, and speak of
those before Constantinople. Well had these prepared all their
engines, and mounted their petraries, and mangonels on the ships and
on the transports, and got ready all such engines of war as are
needful for the taking of a city, and raised ladders from the yards
and masts of the vessels, so high that they were a marvel to behold.*
[note: This passage is obscure in the original.] And when the Greeks
saw this, they began, on their side, to strengthen the defences of the
city which was enclosed with high walls and high towers. Nor was any
tower so high that they did not raise thereon two or three stages of
wood to heighten it still more. Never was city so well fortified.

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