50 2 ROGER OF WEX110VEU. [Λ.Ο. 122S. messengers and by his own letters, he had made to the apostolic sec and to the crusaders, of sending provisions and other necessaries, and paying no heed to his own salvation, he detained the Christian army in the height of the summer heat in a foul and deadly climate so long, that not only great numbers of the common soldiers, but also a considerable number of the nobles and men of rank perished from disease, thirst, heat, and many other causes, and amongst them died the bishops of Anjou and Augsburgh, of good memory. The remaining part of the army, oppressed by sickness, retraced their steps, and great numbers of them died in the woods and plains, mountains and caves. Those who remained with difficulty obtained leave to depart, and although there were not sufficient vessels at hand to carry the men provisions and horses as had been promised, yet on the feast of the blessed Virgin, when the season for returning was at hand, they set sail, exposing themselves to danger for the name of Christ, and believing that the emperor would follow in their footsteps. He, however, evading his promises, and severing the bonds by which he was bound, casting aside all fear of God, paying no reverence to Jesus Christ, and little heeding the censure of the church, abandoned the Christian army, left the Holy Land exposed to the infidels, despised the devotion of the people of Christ, and, to the disgrace of himself and Christianity, was enticed away to the usual pleasures of his kingdom, and departed, making a frivolous pretence of bodily infirmity, as is said. Payattention, then, and see if there is any grief like that of the apostolic sec, your mother, who has been so often and so cruelly deceived in the son, whom she suckled, in whom sheplaced confidence that he would carry out this matter, and on whom she has heaped such abundant benefits. In the meantime he concealed his intention of abandoning the cause of the Holy Land when an opportunity offered, paying no attention to the banishments of priests, spoliations, captivities, and manifold injuries, which he had inflicted on the churches, religious professions, and clergy, and hearing the many complaints of the poor, both populace and nobles, who cry out against him. and whose prayers we believe have entered the ears of the Lord God of sabaoth. And although the church of Home ought to protect a son brought up with such care and so highly exalted, it now mourns for him.