The Greeks we came to bolster up against their weakness filled our cup With turpitude; the Byzantine put Circe's poison in our wine. Our aspirations all became mean as our hosts; the inner flame Went out. From many a starting-point we found a common ground in shame; For here no soul can keep its health, but cat-like honour creeps by stealth Down side streets where the children breathe an atmosphere of rotting wealth. Between our fellow-churches rose the hate that heaven had meant for foes.... The infidel might well have laughed. Perhaps he did. We came to blows. And I was sad that Christians had nothing in common, saving bad Blood, that our highest dizziest heads could all divide but none could add. But when spring lit the Judas-trees our chieftains kissed the Emperor's knees. We crossed to Asia sick at heart. Alexius kept us well apart, Shuffling us o'er the Bosphorus. The number and the rank of us Exceeded those who went to Troy for Helen the Adulterous. On the Bithynian plain our force drew up: an hundred thousand horse With foot and monks and womankind in crowds that none can call to mind. Fear stuffed the empty space ahead with devils and the shapes of dread That decked our church. A ghastly rush of loneliness made every head Feel like a pinpoint. Discontent ran through the score of nations blent In cries. Their ribald spokesman forced a drunkard's way to Godfrey's tent: _You that have led us through the many tests Of Hungary, King Caloman, and Thrace, Who think of kingdoms as of palimpsests And human nature as a carapace, Go up and prosper in your lofty chase! We cannot live on barren mountain-crests. Our wildest dreams are prisoners that pace The little space between a woman's breasts._ _Here lies the stronghold that our zeal invests, This infidel alone we long to face. This hollow, where our constant fancy nests, Is more to us than pedestal and dais. Nay, we will go no farther in the race For gain, respond no more to mean behests. We know our cause, and reverently embrace The little space between a woman's breasts._