volume one

HISTOEY OF THE CEUSADES. 341
macHnations of a deceitful and perfidious people." The
assembly deliberated upon the offers of the king of Sicily,
and upon the route it would be most advisable to take ; the
greater part of the barons, full of confidence in their arms
and the protection of Grod, could not be brought to doubt
the faith of the Greeks. The route by sea seemed to offer
fewer wonders to their curiosity, and fewer perils for the
exercise of their bravery ; besides, the vessels which Eoger
could furnish would not nearly suffice to transport aU whom
religious zeal would lead to join the holy bands. It was
therefore resolved that preference should be given to the
route by land. The historian Odo de Deuil speaks with
deep regret of this resolution, which proved so fatal to the
Crusaders, and about which they had neglected to consult
the Holy Ghost. The Sicilian deputies could not conceal
their sorrow^ and returned to their country predicting all
the misfortunes that would ensue.
The assembly of Etampes appeared to act under a much
better influence when it became necessary to choose the
persons who should be intrusted with the government of the
kingdom during the pilgrimage of Louis A^II. When the
barons and the prelates had deliberated upon this important
choice, St. Bernard, who was their interpreter, addressed the
king, and, pointing to Abbot Suger and the count de Nevers,
said, " Sire, tliere are two weapons, and they are enough.'*^
It was necessary that this choice of the assembly should
obtain the approbation of the king and the suffrages of the
people. The abbot of St. Denis had blessed France with a
loug peace, and had been the author of the glory of two
reigns. He was opposed to the crusade ; and what perfects
his eulogy, he had preserved his popularity without sharing
in the prevailing opinions. Suger advised the king not to
abandon his subjects, and represented to him that his errors
would be much better repaired by a wise administration of
the kingdom God had placed him over, than by conquests
ill the East. He who could dare to give such advice as this,
was more worthy than any other to represent his sovereign
but Suger at first refused an employment of which he
plainly saw the burthen and the danger. The assembly
would not make another choice ; and the king himself had
recourse to prayers and tears to induce his minister to take
;