Now will we say no more about those at Constantinople, who were in sore
trouble, but go back to the Doge of Venice and Geoffry the Marshal, who
marched all the night that they left Adrianople, till the dawn of the
following day; and then they came to a city called Pamphyle. Now listen
and you shall hear how adventures befall as God wills: for in that city
had lain during the night, Peter of Bracieux and Payen of Orleans, and
all the men belonging to the land of Count Louis, at least a hundred
very good knights and one hundred and forty mounted sergeants, and they
were coming from the other side of the straits to join the host at
Adrianople.
When they saw the host coming, they ran to their arms right nimbly, for
they thought we were the Greeks. So they armed themselves, and sent to
know what people we were, when their messengers discovered that we were
the host retreating after our discomfiture. So the messengers went
back, and told them that the Emperor Baldwin was lost, and their lord
Count Louis, of whose land and country they were, and of whose
following.
Sadder news could they not have heard. There might you have seen many
tears wept, and many hands wrung for sorrow and pity. And they went on,
all an-ned as they were, till they came to where Geoffry, the Marshal
of Champagne, was keeping guard in the rear, in very great anxiety and
misease. For Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, had come
at the point of day before Adrianople with all his host, and found that
we had departed, and so ridden after us till it was full day; and when
he found us not, he was full of grief; and well was it that he found us
not, for if he had found us we must all have been lost beyond recovery.
“Sir,” said Peter of Bracieux and Payen of Orléans to Geoffry the
Marshal, “what would you have us do? We will do whatever you wish.” And
he answered them: “You see how matters stand with us. You are fresh and
unwearied, and your horses also; therefore do you keep guard in the
rear, and I will go forward and hold in hand our people, who are
greatly dismayed and in sore need of comfort.” To this they consented
right willingly. So they established the rearguard duly and
efficiently, and as men who well knew how, for they were good knights
and honourable.