, afterwards Knights of Rhodes, from
whence they were driven to Messina, ere Malta was assigned to them. By
their oath of knighthood they were bound to protect the Holy Sepulchre
from the profanation of infidels; immediately on taking this oath, they
retired to their colleges, where they lived on their revenues in all the
idleness of monkish luxury. Their original habit was black, with a white
cross; their arms _gules_, a cross, _argent_.

[525] _His captive friend._--Before John I. mounted the throne of
Portugal, one Vasco Porcallo was governor of Villaviciosa. Roderic de
Landroal and his friend, Alvarez Cuytado, having discovered that he was
in the interest of the King of Castile, drove him from his town and
fortress. On the establishment of King John, Porcallo had the art to
obtain the favour of that prince; but, no sooner was he re-instated in
the garrison, than he delivered it up to the Castilians; and plundered
the house of Cuytado, whom, with his wife, he made prisoner and, under a
numerous party, ordered to be sent to Olivenca. Roderic de Landroal,
hearing of this, attacked and defeated the escort, and set his friend at
liberty.--CASTERA.

[526] _Here treason's well-earn'd meed allures thine eyes._--While the
kingdom of Portugal was divided, some holding with John the newly
elected king, and others with the King of Castile, Roderic Marin,
governor of Campo-Major, declared for the latter. Fernando d'Elvas
endeavoured to gain him to the interest of his native prince, and a
conference, with the usual assurances of safety, was agreed to. Marin,
at this meeting, seized upon Elvas, and sent him prisoner to his castle.
Elvas having recovered his liberty, a few days after met his enemy in
the field, whom, in his turn, he made captive; and the traitorous Marin,
notwithstanding the endeavours of their captain to save his life, met
the reward of his treason from the soldiers of Elvas.--_Partly from_
Castera.

[527] _And safe the Lusian galleys speed away._--A numerous fleet of the
Castilians being on their way to lay siege to Lisbon. Ruy Pereyra, the
Portuguese commander, seeing no possibility of victory, boldly attacked
the Spanish admiral. The fury of his onset put the Castilians in
disorder, and allowed the Portuguese galleys a safe escape. In this
brave piece of service the gallant Pereyra lost his life.--CASTERA.

[528] _The shepherd._--Viriatus.

[529] _Equal flame inspir'd these few._--The Castilians having lai