Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/349

Rh and December, 1203, and January, 1204, the confusion within the city and the anxiety without were of a kind which we, who have seen Paris besieged, may fairly realize. The rule of the city was rapidly slipping out of the feeble hands of Isaac and those of his son. The imperial orders were disobeyed. The demoralization of the populace, caused by taxation, by the interruption of commerce, though the city was not yet besieged, and by the fires, had ruined half the traders, and increased daily. The foreign residents had left. The ordinary business of life was at a standstill. The troops were divided in their allegiance; the Warings remaining faithful to the enjperors, the Greek troops being some on the side of those who were clamoring for the deposition of Isaac and Alexis, some probably willing to recall Alexis the Third, and some few willing to remain faithful to the reigning sovereigns.

Across the Golden Horn the condition of the invaders was one of extreme anxiety. The opposition wanted to

be gone about their lawful business. Their provisions were running short, and had to be replenished by raids upon the surrounding country. Dissension and dissatisfaction were increasing daily. Alexis had declared that it was impossible for him to execute his promises, and the Crusaders knew that what he said was true. The citizens dared,