Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/513



had looked on with breathless interest whilst the siege of Malta had been going forward. From time to time, as intelligence was brought of the continued maintenance of the fortress, a loud acclaim would arise, and prayers were offered in many a Christian congregation for the success of the Cross against the Crescent. When at last it became known that that success was indeed assured, the universal exultation knew no bounds. In the courts of Rome and Madrid these feelings found vent most freely. The island of Malta was looked upon as an advanced post by both these powers, and had Solyman been able to establish himself at that point, the kingdom of Sicily and the States of the Church would have been continually exposed to the piratical incursions of his Algerine subjects.

The king of Spain despatched a special ambassador to Malta with congratulations to La Valette upon the auspicious result of the siege. The envoy bore with him, as a present from Philip, a magnificent poniard and sword, the hilts of which were of chased gold studded with gems. At Rome a salute was fired from the castle of St. Angelo, whilst a general illumination of the city testified to the exultation of the inhabitants. Pope Pius IV., as a special mark of favour, offered La Valette a cardinal’s hat, a dignity which had in previous years been