depression of the middle classes; the impoverishment of
the already poor; the decay and loss of learning: these were the
things which the craft and subtlety of Dandolo, working on the Franks'
lust of conquest, had brought about for the proud city of the East.

But the end was drawing daily nearer. Vatatces of Nicaea died. He was
succeeded by his son Theodore, on whose death the crown of Nicaea
devolved upon an infant. The child was speedily, though not
immediately, openly dethroned by the regent, Michael Palaeologus. When
at length the imperial title was assumed by the latter, Baldwin
thought it advisable to attempt negotiations with him. His ambassadors
were received with open contumely; Michael would give the Latins
nothing. "Tell your master," he said, "that if he be desirous of
peace, he must pay me, as an annual tribute, the sum which he receives
from the trade and customs of Constantinople. On these terms I may
allow him to reign; if he refuses, it will be war."

That was in the year 1259. Michael, no putter-forth of empty and
boastful words, prepared immediately for the coming war; so in his
feeble way did Baldwin, but his money was spent, his recruits were
melting away, the Venetians alone were his allies, and the Genoese had
joined the Greeks. And yet Michael did not know--so great was the
terror of the Frank and Flemish name which the great Baldwin, Henry of
Flanders, and John de Brienne had left behind them--how weak was the
Latin empire; how unstable were the defences of the city.

Michael, in 1260, marched into Thrace, strengthened the garrisons, and
expelled the Latins yet remaining in the country. Had he, the same
year, marched upon Constantinople, the city would have been his. But
the glory of taking it was destined for one of his generals.

The Greek Emperor, returning to Nicaea, sent Alexius Strategopoulos,
his most trusted general, on whom he had conferred the title of caesar,
to take the command of his armies in Europe. He laid strict orders
upon him to enter the Latin territory as soon as the existing truce
was concluded: to watch, report--act upon the defensive if
necessary--but nothing more.

Now the lands round Constantinople had been sold by their Latin
seigneurs to Greek cultivators, who, to defend their property, formed
themselves into an armed militia, called "Voluntaries." With these
voluntaries Alexius opened communications, and was by their aid
enabled to get accurate information of a