The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · ¶33

The assembly of such formidable powers by sea and land had revived the hopes of young Alexius; and both at Venice and Zara, he solicited the arms of the crusaders, for his own restoration and his father’s deliverance. The royal youth was recommended by Philip king of Germany: his prayers and presence excited the compassion of the camp; and his cause was embraced and pleaded by the marquis of Montferrat and the doge of Venice. A double alliance, and the dignity of Cæsar, had connected with the Imperial family the two elder brothers of Boniface: he expected to derive a kingdom from the important service; and the more generous ambition of Dandolo was eager to secure the inestimable benefits of trade and dominion that might accrue to his country. Their influence procured a favorable audience for the ambassadors of Alexius; and if the magnitude of his offers excited some suspicion, the…

Edward Gibbon · Project Gutenberg #736 (Milman edition) — public domain
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