'And why not a republic, Galeazzo? Thy father Francesco was a
republican at heart, else had he never given his son's leading-strings
into my hands. There was a confederacy dreamed of in his day--Genoa,
Milan, and Venice; Florence, Sienna, and Bologna. One rampart to the
rolling Alps, one wall on which barbarian hordes might burst and waste
themselves in foam. Northwards, a baffled sea; south, all Italy a
tranquil haven, a watered garden, where knowledge with all its flowers
should find space, and breathing-space to grow. Dost thou love Italy?
Then why not a republic, Galeazzo?'
The Duke, as utterly impassive as if he were deaf, turned musingly to
Lascaris.
'I heard one talk once,' said he, 'of a confederacy of republics, as who
should say, An army all serfs. Words! The tails must obey the heads.
Every ox knows it.'
'Saving the frog-ox,' giggled the Greek, 'who bursts himself in
emulation.'
'Ah!' murmured the Duke, 'the frog-ox: see us tickle his self-puffery.'
He feigned to catch sight all at once of Montano. His eyes opened wide
in astonishment: he held out his hands.
'What!' he cried, 'the man of visions! the very man! Come hither, old
friend. I was but now speaking of thee.'
His guards permitting him, Montano sullenly mounted the steps, and stood
facing the tyrant. His arms hung very plainly fettered before him; but
the other never took his languid, smiling eyes from his face.
'Galeazzo,' said the scholar, harsh and quick, 'I did not write the
epigrams; but no matter. You seek to make an example; I submit myself.
It is the despot's part to lay hands on order and sobriety. Despatch,
then. Thou wilt serve my ends better than thine own. Every blow to
freedom is a link gone from thy mail.'
The Duke listened to him as if in bland wonder.
'Epigrams! An example!' he exclaimed. 'O, surely there is some mistake
here.'
The thick brows of the prisoner contracted over his leaden eyes. He set
his teeth, breathing between them. Galeazzo appealed to Lascaris:--
'Know'st aught of this?'
The Greek shook his head ineffably, licking his lips.
'No,' said Galeazzo, 'nor is it conceivable that my old friend and
reprover should condescend to that meaner scourge. Jesu! for one of his
learning and condition to incur the fate of the common lampooner. Why, I
mind me how one was invited to a ragout minced of his own tongue.'
'Yes, Illustrious.'
'And another to having his couplets scored in steel on the soles of his
feet.'
'Yes, Illustrious.'
'And yet another to boiling eggs under his arm-pits, since he was clever
at hatching those winged epigrams'--he turned smoothly again to the
tutor--'but not clever, as thou art, at reforming constitutions.'
He fell back, with a sleek and hateful smile; then, sighing suddenly,
advanced his body again.
'I am troubled, Montano, I am troubled, and, since you chance to be
here----'
He yielded the explanation to Lascaris.
'I weary of relating. Tell him of my symptoms, thou'--and he sunk once
more into his cushions.
The Greek diagnosed, his shifty eyes refusing to encounter the hard
inquisition of the other's:--
'His Magnificence is of late ever conscious of a face behind him,
mournful and threatening. And still, if he turns to challenge it, it is
behind him; and still behind, maddening him with a thought of something
he can never overtake.'
Galeazzo fixed his burning eyes on the prisoner, as if, through all his
mockery, the hunger of a hopeless hope betrayed his soul.
'Canst _thou_ strike it away,' he whispered hoarsely, 'or at least tell
me what it is?'