When Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne, who was keeping guard at one of
the gates of the city, saw this he issued from the camp as soon as he
could, with all the men that were with him, and gave command to
Manasses of lisle, who was on guard at another gate, that he should
follow after him. And he rode forth with all his force at full speed,
and in full array, to meet the fugitives, and the fugitives all rallied
round him. And Manasses of l’Isle followed as soon as he was able, with
his men, and joined himself to him, so that together they formed a very
strong body; and all those who came out of the rout, and whom they
could stop, were taken into their ranks.
The rout was thus stayed between Nones and Vespers. But the most part
of the fugitives were so afeared that they fled right before them till
they came to the tents and quarters. Thus was the rout stayed, as you
have heard; and the Comans, with the Wallachians and Greeks, who were
in full chace, ceased their pursuit. But these still galled our force
with their bows and arrows, and the men of our force kept still with
their faces turned towards them. Thus did both sides remain till
nightfall, when the Comans and Wallachians began to retire.
Then did Geoffry of Villehardouin, the Marshal of Champagne and
Roumania, summon to the camp the Doge of Venice, who was an old man and
saw naught, but very wise and brave and vigorous; and he asked the Doge
to come to him there where he stood with his men, holding the field;
and the Doge did so. And when the Marshal saw him, he called him into
council, aside, all alone, and said to him: “Lord, you see the
misadventure that has befallen us. We have lost the Emperor Baldwin and
Count Louis, and the larger part of our people, and of the best. Now
let us bethink ourselves how to save what is left. For if God does not
take pity of them, we are but lost.”
And in the end they settled it thus: that the Doge would return to the
camp, and put heart into the people, and order that every one should
arm and remain quiet in his tent or pavilion; and that Geoffry the
Marshal would remain in full order of battle before the camp till it
was night, so that their enemies might not see the host move; and that
when it was night all would move from before the city; the Doge of
Venice would go before, and Geoffry the Marshal would form the
rear-guard, with those who were with him.