Then did they sail from the port of Corfu on the eve of Pentecost (24th
May), which was twelve hundred and three years after the Incarnation of
our Lord Jesus Christ. And there were all the ships assembled, and all
the transports, and all the galleys of the host, and many other ships
of merchants that fared with them. And the day was fine and clear, and
the wind soft and favourable, and they unfurled all their sails to the
breeze.
And Geoffry, the Marshal of Champagne, who dictates this work, and has
never lied therein by one word to his knowledge, and who was moreover
present at all the councils held—he bears witness that never was yet
seen so fair a sight. And well might it appear that such a fleet would
conquer and gain lands, for, far as the eye could reach, there was no
space without sails, and ships, and vessels, so that the hearts of men
rejoiced greatly.
Thus they sailed over the sea till they came to Malea, to straits that
are by the sea. And there they met two ships with pilgrims, and knights
and sergeants returning from Syria, and they were of the parties that
had gone to Syria by Marseilles. And when these saw our fleet so rich
and well appointed, they conceived such shame that they dared not show
themselves. And Count Baldwin of Flanders sent a boat from Ws ship to
ask what people they were; and they said who they were.
And a sergeant let himself down from his ship into the boat, and said
to those in the ship, “I cry quits to you for any goods of mine that
may remain in the ship, for I am going with these people, for well I
deem that they will conquer lands.” Much did we make of the sergeant,
and gladly was he received in the host. For well may it be said, that
even after following a thousand crooked ways a man may find his way
right in the end.
The host fared forward till it came to Nigra (Negropont). Nigra is a
very fair island, and there is on it a very good city called Negropont.
Here the barons took council. Then went forward the Marquis Boniface of
Montferrat, and Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainault, with a great
part of the transports and galleys, taking with them the son of the
Emperor Isaac of Constantinople; and they came to an island called
Andros, and there landed. The knights took their arms, and over-rode
the country; and the people of the land came to crave mercy of the son
of the Emperor of Constantinople, and gave so much of their goods that
they made peace with him.
Then they returned to the ships, and sailed over the sea; when a great
mishap befell, for a great lord of the host, whose name was Guy,
Castellan of Coucy, died, and was cast into the sea.
The other ships, which had not sailed thitherward, had entered the
passage of Abydos, and it is there that the straits of St. George (the
Dardanelles) open into the great sea. And they sailed up the straits to
a city called Abydos, which lies on the straits of St. George, towards
Turkey, and is very fair, and well situate. There they took port and
landed, and those of the city came to meet them, and surrendered the
city, as men without stomach to defend themselves. And such guard was
established that those of the city lost not one stiver current.
They sojourned there eight days to wait for the ships transports and
galleys that had not yet come up. And while they thus sojourned, they
took corn from the land, for it was the season of harvest, and great
was their need thereof, for before they had but little. And within
those eight days all the ships and barons had come up. God gave them
fair weather.