Gathering fresh reputation with age, so long as their
discipline remained unimpaired they were a match for the best soldiers
in Europe. But in time this admirable organisation experienced a change.
One Sultan allowed them to marry; another to bring their sons into the
corps; a third opened the ranks to Turks as well as Christians; until,
forfeiting their peculiar character, the Janissaries became confounded
with the militia of the Empire. These changes occurred in the time of
Philip the Second."
But to resume: just before the sailing of the galleys of "the Religion"
from Malta there had arrived in that island from France the famous
Chevalier, the Commandeur de Villegagnon. This great noble told the Grand
Master to his face that he was neglecting his duty, that the expedition of
the Grand Turk was bound for Malta and Tripoli: further, that he was
charged by Anne de Montmorency, Constable and First Minister of France, to
advise the Grand Master that this armament was directed against "the
Religion." The interview between the Grand Master and de Villegagnon took
place at a chapter of the Grand Crosses of the Order; when the Commandeur
had finished speaking, he was coldly thanked by D'Omedes, who then bowed
him out. Turning to the Knights Grand Cross he said with a sneer, "Either
this Frenchman is the dupe of the Constable or he wishes to make us his."
He then proceeded to give at length the reasons why Soliman would not
direct so huge an expedition against "the Religion.
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