His ambassadors were dismissed from Nice with mockery and contempt.

At every place which they named, Palaeologus alleged some special reason, which rendered it dear and valuable in his eyes: in the one he was born; in another he had been first promoted to military command; and in a third he had enjoyed, and hoped long to enjoy, the pleasures of the chase.
"And what then do you propose to give us ?" said the astonished deputies.
"Nothing," replied the Greek, "not a foot of land.

If your master be desirous of peace, let him pay me, as an annual tribute, the sum which he receives from the trade and customs of Constantinople.

On these terms, I may allow him to reign.

If he refuses, it is war.