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.