asil, (Gyllius de Bosphoro Thracio, l. ii. c. 3. Ducange
O. P. Christiana, l. v. c. 2, p, 179.)]

The same arms which threatened Europe might deliver Asia, and repel the
Turks from the neighboring shores of the Bosphorus and Hellespont. The
fair provinces from Nice to Antioch were the recent patrimony of the
Roman emperor; and his ancient and perpetual claim still embraced the
kingdoms of Syria and Egypt. In his enthusiasm, Alexius indulged, or
affected, the ambitious hope of leading his new allies to subvert
the thrones of the East; but the calmer dictates of reason and temper
dissuaded him from exposing his royal person to the faith of unknown
and lawless Barbarians. His prudence, or his pride, was content with
extorting from the French princes an oath of homage and fidelity, and a
solemn promise, that they

would either restore, or hold, their Asiatic conquests as the humble and
loyal vassals of the Roman empire. Their independent spirit was fired at
the mention of this foreign and voluntary servitude: they successively
yielded to the dexterous application of gifts and flattery; and the
first proselytes became the most eloquent and effectual missionaries to
multiply the companions of their shame. The pride of Hugh of Vermandois
was soothed by the honors of his captivity; and in the brother of the
French king, the example of submission was prevalent and weighty. In the
mind of Godfrey of Bouillon every human consideration was subordinate to
the glory of God and the success of the crusade. He had firmly resisted
the temptations of Bohemond and Raymond, who urged the attack and
conquest of Constantinople. Alexius esteemed his virtues, deservedly
named him the champion of the empire, and dignified his homage with the
filial name and the rights of adoption. [67] The hateful Bohemond was
received as a true and ancient ally; and if the emperor reminded him
of former hostilities, it was only to praise the valor that he had
displayed, and the glory that he had acquired, in the fields of Durazzo
and Larissa. The son of Guiscard was lodged and entertained, and served
with Imperial pomp: one day, as he passed through the gallery of the
palace, a door was carelessly left open to expose a pile of gold and
silver, of silk and gems, of curious and costly furniture, that was
heaped, in seeming disorder, from the floor to the roof of the chamber.
"What conquests," exclaimed the ambitious miser, "might not be achieved
by the possessio