Page:Constantinople by Brodribb.djvu/202

 to do the fighting while he wore the purple; there should be a levée en masse; the merchants from their shops, the mechanics from their trades, the sturdy beggars from their sunny corners, should all alike stand up and be drilled side by side, or be sent out with pike and lance to fight the Latin foe. This made him unpopular. A man might be a murderer, a traitor, and a usurper, in that Greek empire, and yet be a favourite with the people. What was not allowed was that he should interfere with the cowardice and the supineness of the citizens. And when, to pay for his expenses, he imposed ruinous taxes, and even laid hands upon their property, his name began to be held in execration as much as his terrible face in fear.

Alexis could make them stand up and pretend to be soldiers; he could not make them fight. Once, and once only, he led them out to meet the Crusaders. With one accord they turned and fled, so that he tried that experiment no more. And now, even to him, it seemed evident that the city must fall.

Three months after the usurpation of Alexis the Crusaders resolved upon making a general and united attack. This time it would seem as if the counsel of the Venetians was followed, because the attempt on the land wall was not renewed, the whole strength of the army being hurled against the long line of wall facing the Golden Horn. This plan was advantageous to Alexis, it enabled him to place the whole of his Varangians and Pisans upon the battlements. It was advantageous to the assailants, because their own forces