OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

143

sence, above two years, the capital had been de- chap.prived of its civil and ecclesiastical rulers : fana- LXVI1 -

ticism fermented in anarchy; the most furious.*

monks reigned over the conscience of women andbigots; and the hatred of the Latin name wasthe first principle of nature and religion. Beforehis departure for Italy , the emperor had flatter-ed the city with the assurance of a prompt reliefand a powerful succour; and the clergy, confi-dent in their orthodoxy and science, had pro-mised themselves and their flocks an easy vic-tory over the blind shepherds of the West. Thedouble disappointment exasperated the Greeks:the conscience of the subscribing prelates wasawakened; the hour of temptation was past; andthey had more to dread from the public resent-ment, than they could hope from the favour ofthe emperor or the pope. Instead of justifyingtheir conduct, they deplored their weakness, pro-fessed their contrition, and cast themselves on themercy of God and of their brethren. To the re-proachful question, what had been the event oruse of their Italian synod? they answered, withsighs and tears, “Alas!' we have made a new“ faith; we have exchanged piety for impiety;

“ we have betrayed the immaculate sacrifice;

“ and we are become Azymites.” (The Azym-ites were those who celebrated the communionwith unleavened bread; and I must retract orqualify the praise which I have bestowed on thegrowing philosophy of the times). “ Alas! we“ have been seduced by distress, by fraud, and“ by the hopes and fears of a transitory life. The“ hand that has signed the union should be cut