Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/447

Rh Michael; their further recommendations as to an increase in the works of the Bourg and St. Angelo were also adopted.

In order to carry out these additions with the greater vigour, the three commissioners each took charge of one of the works, and assisted by other knights, pushed forward the construction with the utmost rapidity, stimulating the workmen by their constant presence. Don Pedro Pardo, a celebrated Spanish engineer, designed the forts, to the rapid completion of which every one devoted his utmost energies. The bailiffs and other grand-crosses contributed the gold chains from which the insignia of their rank were suspended, as also a large portion of their plate; other knights followed their example, subscribing liberally from their private means in aid of the treasury. The galleys also were retained in port so that their crews, which were principally composed of slaves, might be employed upon the rapidly rising ramparts. The result of these exertions was so satisfactory, that in the month of May in the following year, 1553, the forts of St. Michael and St. Elmo, and the bastions at the head of the Bourg, were completed and armed.

The last event of importance which marked the rule of D’Omedes was an unsuccessful attack upon Zoara, made under the command of Strozzi. This ill-fated expedition ended in the destruction of almost the entire force, and Strozzi himself only escaped being taken prisoner by the valour of a Majorcan knight named Torcillas. D’Omedes died on the 9th September, 1553, at the advanced age of ninety. It has already been stated that the French historians have omitted nothing which could blacken the memory of this chief. To the vices of avarice and favouritism they add a charge of general incapacity. That the French langues, long accustomed to see the Grand-Master selected from amongst their number, should feel it a grievance that this monopoly had been broken through, was but natural. It was also to be expected that the langue of Spain, suddenly brought into prominence and supported by the overwhelming influence of the emperor, should assume somewhat on its new position, and should arrogate to itself many of those good things which it had never before had the power of obtaining. Parsimony was doubtless