VALPERGA:
OR, THE
LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
CASTRUCCIO,
PRINCE OF LUCCA.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "FRANKENSTEIN."
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER,
AVE-MARIA-LANE.
1823.
PRINTED BY RICHARD TAYLOR,
SHOE-LANE, LONDON.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
_Conference of Castruccio and Galeazzo Visconti--of
Castruccio and the Bishop of Ferrara._
CHAPTER II
_Parentage of Beatrice.--She is arrested by
the Inquisition._
CHAPTER III
_Judgement of God.--Revolution of Ferrara._
CHAPTER IV
_Fall of Beatrice._
CHAPTER V
_Visit to Pepi at Cremona._
CHAPTER VI
_Galeazzo Visconti at Florence.--Castruccio and
Euthanasia meet at Valperga: Doubts and
Reserve._
CHAPTER VII
_Castruccio exiles three hundred Families from
Lucca--Visits at Valperga--His Character
further developed._
CHAPTER VIII
_Beatrice, disguised as a Pilgrim, visits Valperga.--Castruccio
relates her Story._
CHAPTER IX
_Castruccio plots the Assassination of Robert
King of Naples.--Made Prince of Lucca.--Declares
War against Florence.--Plot
for a Revolution in Lucca defeated.--Castruccio
summons Valperga._
CHAPTER X
_Castruccio reconnoitres for a Surprise.--Embassy
of Tripalda._
CHAPTER XI
_Valperga taken._
CHAPTER XII
_Euthanasia at Lucca._
VALPERGA
CHAPTER I
_Conference of Castruccio and Galeazzo Visconti--of
Castruccio and the Bishop of Ferrara._
When Castruccio and Euthanasia arrived at Florence, they found the
citizens celebrating a festival: the bells were ringing; the country
people were flocking into the town; and the youths of both sexes, of the
highest rank, and richly dressed, were parading the streets, covered
with wreaths of flowers, and singing the poems of Dante, or his friend
Guido, to the accompaniment of many instruments. Castruccio said: "I
must ask you, fair Euthanasia, who are so learned in Florentine customs,
to inform me of the meaning of this gaiety."
"Indeed, I am entirely ignorant. I know that during peace joyful
meetings take place every May, among the young nobility; but this seems
a general festivity. Let us ask that grave gentleman in the black
capuchin, if he knows the reason of a merriment, which at least has not
communicated itself to his face."
The man, on being asked, replied: "You must be but lately arrived, not
to have heard of the cause of our rejoicings; the Florentines, Madonna,
are celebrating the occurrence of a most favourable omen with which God
and St. John have blest our city. Yesterday one of the lionesses kept at
the expence of the republic, brought forth five whelps."
"And is this the momentous occasion of so much serious amusement?" asked
Castruccio, laughing.
"My lord," said the man, "you are a stranger in this town; or you would
not find cause for laughter in this event. The Florentines keep a number
of lions, as the signs and symbols of their strength; and God and St.
John have plainly manifested on many occasions, that the prosperity of
Florence, and the welfare of the lions are bound together. Three of the
finest and largest died on the eve of the fatal battle of Monte Catini."
"So these wise republicans, whom you, dear Euthanasia, so much vaunt,
believe in these childish omens. I would wager my best charger, that
their records are full of the influence of stars, and the appearance of
comets!"
"And I do not at all know that you would lose: indeed their noblest
citizens have a great faith in astrology and portents. If you speak of a
scarcity, they will tell of a meteor; if you say that the king of France
has lost a battle, they will assure you that the whole kingdom has
become, by the will of God and St. John, weaker and more miserable, ever
since Philippe le Bel seized upon the Florentine usurers. We love to
find a cause for every event, believing that, if we can fit but one link
to another, we are on the high road for discovering the last secrets of
nature. You smile at the celebration of the birth of these lion's
whelps; yet I own that it pleases me; how innocent, yet how active, must
the imagination of that people be, who can find cause for universal joy
in such an event!
"It is this same imagination more usefully and capaciously employed,
that makes them decree the building of the most extensive and beautiful
building of modern times. The men who have conceived the idea, and
contributed their money towards the erection of the Duomo, will never
see its completion; but their posterity will, and, if they be not
degenerate, will glory in the noble spirit of their ancestors. Many
years ago, when the Florentines warred with the Siennese, they took by
storm a tower of great strength, which commanded a most important pass.
They destroyed the tower; and, when half demolished, they filled it up
with earth, and planted there an olive tree, which still flourishes, an
emblem of the peace which would follow their conquests."
Castruccio staid only a few days at Florence; and, recommending himself
to the constancy and love of Euthanasia, he took an affectionate leave
of her, and hastened on his journey to Rovigo, where he had promised to
join Galeazzo Visconti.
Galeazzo, having now succeeded to his father in the tyranny of Milan,
was the most powerful chief of Lombardy. He was about thirty-five years
of age: he had all the characteristics of an Italian face, arched brows,
black eyes, an aquiline nose, and a figure where there was some strength
and little grace. He had a great portion of talent, quickness in the
combination of plans, yet not sufficient patience to watch their
progress, or perseverance to carry them through. He was crafty,
ambitious, and vain; yet, where his own interests were not concerned, he
was good-natured, and on all occasions exceeded even the Italians in the
courtesy of his demeanour. He had seen much of the world, and suffered
many misfortunes; this gave him a pliancy of disposition, as well as of
manner, which made him appear more kind-hearted than he really was; for
in truth he never for a moment lost sight of his own interest; and, if
he sometimes wandered from the path which led to its attainment, want of
judgement, and not of inclination, caused the error.
He wished to attach Castruccio to his party and designs. He saw in him
the head of the Ghibeline faction in Tuscany, and the tamer of his
Florentine enemies. He felt that his own situation was precarious; but,
if he could gain Castruccio for his ally, he hoped to awe his enemies.
More than all, he desired the destruction of the Guelph strong-hold,
Florence; and Castruccio was to become its destroyer. He heard of his
peace with that city with dismay; he trusted it could not last; but the
very name of it blasted his hopes. He wished to see the consul, and to
win him to the plan which he had conceived would conduct to the full
ascendancy of the Ghibelines; and, circumstances leading him to Rovigo,
he had intreated Castruccio to visit him there, making the intended
restoration of Ferrara to the marquess of Este the pretence of this
request.
The friends met with every demonstration of regard. Galeazzo watched
with care every word, by which Castruccio might reveal his intentions,
before he would venture to communicate his own wishes. Their first topic
of conversation was the immediate business before them, the restoration
of the marquess Obizzo to the sovereignty of Ferrara. "This town," said
Galeazzo, "which so long obeyed the Este family, is now in the hands of
the Guelphs, and the vicar of the Pope, with a couple of hundred Gascon
soldiers for a garrison, keeps possession of it. The people, fleeced by
the excellent policy of the Roman court, whose first, second, and third
maxim is to fill its own coffers, eagerly desire the restoration of
their rightful prince. We have often thought of besieging the town; but
that would be a long and expensive business, and even its success would
be doubtful; for, if the Ghibelines raised their war-cry, all the Guelph
foxes would unearth themselves and have at them, and you know that our
lands are much overstocked by this vermin. Stratagem is a surer and a
far easier mode of warfare, and not half so bloody as the regular way;
we have so many friends within the walls, that I doubt not we should
succeed, if a proper communication were established between us. The
bishop, who, though a churchman, is our sure friend, sent us a message
some days ago, which, although mystically worded, seemed to say that he
would betray the town into our hands, if we would commission one of our
chiefs to treat with him; for he refused to disclose his project to an
underling. Now, you, my good friend, must undertake this task; we are
all of us too well known to get admission into the city; but a slight
disguise will take you safely past their guards, and I doubt neither of
the bishop Marsilio's power or inclination."
Castruccio acceded to his friend's request; and in the evening he was
introduced to the marquess of Este, who received him with deference and
distinction.
The next morning, when he and Galeazzo rode out together, Galeazzo said:
"I am sure, my dear Castruccio, I can never shew myself sufficiently
grateful for your kindness in quitting Lucca at my request, and
wandering away from your government, which I ardently hope will not
suffer from your absence. But I feel less remorse, since the truce you
have concluded with Florence must afford you some leisure."
"Not a truce, but a better thing; I have concluded a peace."
"Aye, a truce, or a peace; it is the same thing; either will be
sufficiently short-lived."
"Are you then so deep-read in the counsels of the enemy, that you know
how and when this peace will change to war?"
"I am deep-read in nothing, my friend, but the politics and changes of
Italy; and I have suffered by them enough, and mixed with them
sufficiently, to foresee their issue a long way off. Fire and water will
make as kindly coalition as Guelph and Ghibeline, Bianchi and Neri.
Their interests are at war, and therefore so must they be. But why do I
say this to you, who have every prospect of being Imperial Vicar in
Tuscany; and think you that peace is the pilot to that haven?"
"My dear Galeazzo, let us understand one another; I am a Ghibeline,
faithful to my party and the emperor; and, if I thought there were a
fair chance of suppressing the Neri, by the Holy Face of Lucca[1], I
would make a crusade against them, such as has not been seen in the
world since the days of Saladin. Let the emperor come to Italy, and
something may be done; but why carry on a petty warfare, which destroys
the country, and starves the peasant, while it hardly takes a florin
from the coffers of the Florentine merchants, or advances us one inch
nearer the goal we desire to reach?"
"And is this the end of the dreams of triumph and dominion with which
you entered Lucca three years ago? And now that you have the government
of that town of oranges and lemons, the mighty aim of your life is
accomplished, and you are ready to sleep upon your acquisition, calling
yourself a great man?"
"In truth there is little time or place to sleep at Lucca. Do you think
that I shall be idle, while a dozen rebel castles hold out against me
which must be subdued? Let me conquer them first; let me see no enemy
for many miles round; and then we will talk of Florence."
"Nay, my friend, you must leave nothing to the decision of
circumstances; a wise man foresees and provides for all. Florence must
one day be yours; and you, prince of Tuscany, of Italy, if you will,
will give laws to us all. Do not start; among so many prophecies as we
have of Merlin and the rest, I venture to make one more; and, like most
others, let its announcement contribute to its completion. My dear
Castruccio, this is no child's play; for men are both our die and our
stake: put forth your hand, and you must win. In Lombardy the Ghibelines
flourish; but, except Pisa, and your Lucca, the Guelphs domineer
throughout Tuscany. But this must not continue; the Popes are out of
Italy, and Rome, become a mere resort of robbers, is a blank in our
account. Naples and Florence are our only enemies; the emperor must
conquer one, and you the other. Let all your efforts tend to that; you
talk of rebel castles near Lucca,--aye, subdue those first, that without
dread you may hunt down the Florentines; let your will be as a wind to
drive all before it: at first, it will pause, collecting its force in
the horizon; and then it breaks forth sweeping every thing along with
it: Florence must fall before it--I swear it shall; but give me your
hand, your faith, Castruccio, and swear that you also will have it so."
"Nay, by the Virgin! I will not be backward in doing my part to tame the
cubs of this wild lioness: if Florence ever can be mine, she shall, and
may God's will and your prophecy be fulfilled."
"That is well.--At present you are at peace with them; but it must be a
peace to crush, and not to invigorate them. You are freshly entered into
your lordship, your authority is new, perhaps unstable; but form your
troops, be a prince among your own people, and then fall upon these
enemies of all princes. Oh! believe me, give up this old fashioned name
of consul; it is tainted by the idea of that which I abhor--a
commonwealth: make yourself a prince, and then so pure and ardent a
hatred of Florence will arise in your mind, that you will not need my
spurring to ride them to their destruction. The contagion of liberty is
dangerous;--the Ghibelines must fall in Lucca, if the Guelphs be not
destroyed in Florence. Think you, if your people are allowed free
intercourse with this republic, that the plague of liberty will not
spread to your state? For no quarantine will eradicate that spot, if
once it has entered the soul: plots, rebellions will be formed against
you; Florence, the watchword, the rallying point for all. Choose; for
that choice alone is left you, to quell that city, or depart once more
to exile."
These were the lessons with which Galeazzo awakened the latent flame in
the soul of Castruccio; a flame, covered, but not extinguished, and
which now burned more fiercely than ever. He swore the destruction of
the Guelphs, and interminable war to Florence; and his blood flowed more
freely, his eyes shone brighter, his soul was elevated to joy, when he
thought that one day he might be the master of that proud city.
In the mean time the marquess of Este occupied their attention; and
Castruccio prepared for this embassy to the bishop of Ferrara. He took
no papers with him that might be dangerous, if discovered; but, habiting
himself like a merchant from Ancona, and taking such documents as might
enable him to support this character, he left Rovigo for Ferrara, which
was about twenty miles distant, and entering that town at ten o'clock in
the morning he hastened, unquestioned by any, to the episcopal palace.
The bishop was an old man of the most benign physiognomy, and a sweet,
mild tone of voice; he was tall, and upright in figure, with an air of
dignity and benevolence, that won, yet awed every one; his temples were
slightly shaded by his silver locks, and his white beard, reaching to
his girdle, increased the dignity of his appearance. Castruccio, who by
his intercourse with the world had learned always to honour age,
approached him with respect, and disclosed to him his rank and mission.
The bishop replied:
"My noble lord, the marquess has done that which I have long desired, in
sending to me one to whom I may intrust the important secret, which I do
not doubt will be the means of his re-establishment in his government.
This evening my friends will assemble at my palace; with their counsel
all shall be arranged, the means disclosed to you by which I propose to
deliver Ferrara into the hands of its rightful prince, and the day fixed
for the commencement of the enterprize."
The bishop and Castruccio continued together the whole day, both
mutually delighted with each other; and, as is often the case where
sympathy of opinion and feeling exists, they became as intimate in a few
hours, as in other circumstances an intercourse of years would have
effected. Castruccio had a great taste for theological knowledge, and
the bishop, as a man of the world, was delighted with the conversation
and remarks of one who had passed through so many scenes, and visited so
many nations. Confidence quickly arose between them; so well did each
seem to understand the feelings and character of the other. The bishop
was a Ghibeline; but his motives were pure: his indignation at the
corruptions of the Papal court, and his disapprobation of the faction
and brawls which appeared to him inseparable from a republic, attached
him strongly to the Imperial party, and to those lords who, reigning
peacefully over a people who loved them, seemed to him to ensure the
quiet of Italy.
In the evening the partizans of the marquess of Este assembled at the
episcopal palace to deliberate on their projects. Castruccio was
introduced among them, and received with cordiality and respect by all.
The assembly consisted of nearly the whole nobility of Ferrara, chiefly
indeed Ghibelines, but there were even some Guelphs, disgusted by the
introduction of foreign troops, and the haughtiness and tyranny of their
governors. The government however was formidable; they possessed the
gates, and the fortress; their armed guard was numerous and faithful;
and the restoration of Obizzo could be achieved by stratagem alone.
In one corner of the vast apartment in which the assembly sat, were two
women. One was old, and dressed in the fashion of an age gone by: she
was in black as a widow; her vest was close and strait, trimmed with
beads, and made of black cloth; a black veil covered her head, and her
capuchin thrown aside discovered the years and wrinkles of the venerable
wearer. It was impossible to judge of the age, and hardly of the sex, of
the figure that sat beside her; for her capuchin was wrapped closely
round her form, and the hood drawn over her face, as she sat silently,
turned away from the company, in the darkest part of the room.
The bishop at length addressed Castruccio: "My lord," said he, "you now
possess the details of our plan, and may perceive the sincerity of our
intention, and the eagerness of our desire to receive again our rightful
prince: it alone remains to shew you the secret entrance of which I
spoke, and to fix the day for our attempt."
The old lady, who had been hitherto silent, now turned quickly round,
and said: "My brother, Beatrice ought to name the fortunate day on which
we may undertake this work. Speak, my child, and may the holy Virgin
inspire your words!"
As she spoke, she threw back the hood of her young companion; and
Castruccio gazed on her exquisite and almost divine beauty. Her deep
black eyes, half concealed by their heavy lids, her curved lips, and
face formed in a perfect oval, the rising colour that glowed in her
cheeks which, though her complexion was pure and delicate, were tinged
by the suns of Italy, formed a picture such as Guido has since imagined,
when he painted a Virgin or an Ariadne, or which he copied from the life
when he painted the unfortunate Beatrice Cenci. Her jet hair fell in
waving luxuriance on her neck and shoulders below her waist; and a small
silver plate was bound by a white riband on her forehead. Castruccio
could only gaze for a moment on this lovely being; for, turning a
supplicating look on her aged friend, she again drew the hood over her
face, speaking in so low a tone, that he could not distinguish the words
she uttered; the elder lady acted as interpreter, and said: "Beatrice
intreats you not to fix the day until to-morrow, and then she hopes, by
the grace of God and the Virgin, to name such a one as will bring your
enterprize to an happy issue."
Castruccio turned quickly round to see what effect these words would
produce upon the bishop; he thought that he saw a slight smile of
derision hover on the old man's lip; but he replied: "Be it so; my lord
Castruccio, you will accompany my sister, Madonna Marchesana, to her
palace; she will disclose to you the secret entrance, and acquaint you
with the means by which you may find it, when you return with the
marquess Obizzo and his troops."
The assembly broke up; and Castruccio followed Madonna Marchesana and
her beautiful companion. His horse was brought to the door; they mounted
their white palfreys, and attended by several esquires and pages
carrying torches, arrived at a magnificent palace close to the eastern
gate of Ferrara. When they had entered, Madonna Marchesana dismissed her
servants, and led Castruccio into a room, hung with tapestry, and
furnished with the rich and heavy furniture of the age. She lifted up
the hangings; and, while Castruccio supported them, she pushed back a
pannel in the wainscot, and discovered a long, dark gallery; then,
taking up a torch that lay within, and lighting it at a lamp which hung
from the ceiling of the room, she presented it to Beatrice, saying: "Do
you, my child, light us, and lead us the way, that success may attend
our steps."
A small snow white hand and taper wrist were put out from beneath the
capuchin; and Beatrice silently took the torch, and led the way, along
the gallery, down several flights of stairs, and then along numerous
vaults and corridors, until they arrived at what appeared the end of
these subterraneous passages. "You, my lord," said the lady Marchesana,
"must help me." She pointed to a large stone, which Castruccio rolled
away, and discovered behind it a small, low door. The lady drew back the
bolts, and bade Beatrice hide the light, which she did, placing it
within a kind of recess in the passage that seemed formed for the
purpose of receiving it; the lady then opened the door; and Castruccio,
creeping out, found himself in an open country, covered with bushes, and
surrounded by marshy land, at some distance from the strong
fortifications of the town. Castruccio smiled: "Ferrara is ours!" he
cried; and the old lady with a countenance expressive of the greatest
delight, said: "I intreat you, my lord, to lay my respectful submission
and zealous fidelity at the feet of the marquess Obizzo; tell him the
joy and triumph that I feel, in being the humble instrument of restoring
him to his sovereignty and inheritance. When you mention the name of the
viscountess di Malvezzi he may distrust my professions; since the
viscount, my late husband, was his bitter and determined enemy. But he
is no more; and I have been brought to a true knowledge of the will of
God by this divine girl, this _Ancilla Dei_, as she is truly called, who
is sent upon earth for the instruction and example of suffering
humanity."
Castruccio listened with astonishment; while the gifted damsel stood,
her face covered by her cowl, and her arms crossed over her breast: the
eyes of the old lady beamed with joy and pride. "I do not entirely
fulfil my commission," she continued, "until I have taught you how you
may again discover this place. Do you see those straggling sallows that
skirt that stagnant drain, and which, although they appear to be without
order, are the clue by which you will be guided thither? Four miles
distant from Ferrara, on the right-hand side of the road, you will find
a mulberry tree, a poplar, and a cypress, growing close together; strike
from the road at that point, and follow the line of sallows, however
they may lead, until you come to that where the line ends. You must then
mark the drains of the marsh, remembering to follow only those which are
bordered by dwarf myrtles, and which at every turn have a cross carved
in a low stone on their banks; that line will lead you hither; and you
will stop at that cross of wood which you see half buried in the tall
grass and bulrushes, until this door is opened for your entrance."
The viscountess di Malvezzi repeated her instructions a second time in
the same distinct manner; and, finding that Castruccio fully apprehended
them, she led the way back to her subterranean passages; and with quick
steps they regained the tapestried apartment. Beatrice remained a moment
behind to extinguish the torch; and, when she re-appeared, she had
thrown off her capuchin, and shone in the light of her divine beauty.
Her dress was of the finest white woollen; and in fashion it partook of
the usual dress of the age, and of the drapery of the antient statues:
it was confined at her waist by a silken girdle, and fell about her
figure in thick and rich folds; a golden cross glittered upon her bosom,
on which lay also the glossy ringlets of her hair; on the silver plate
bound to her forehead Castruccio could distinguish the words, _Ancilla
Dei_. Her black eyes beamed as with inspiration, and the wide sleeves of
her vest discovered her white and veined arm, which she threw up in
eager gesticulation as she spoke:
"Mother, I promised that to-morrow I would name the day for my
sovereign's enterprize; I feel the spirit coming fast upon me; let this
noble gentleman inform your revered brother, that to-morrow in the
church of St. Anna I shall speak to my countrymen, and in the midst of
the people of Ferrara tell in veiled words the moment of their
deliverance."
With a light step Beatrice glided out of the room, and the viscountess,
not regarding the surprize of Castruccio, said to him: "Fail not, my
lord, to convey the message of my Beatrice to the bishop. God has been
gracious to us, in bestowing on us his visible assistance through this
sacred maiden, who by her more than human beauty, the excellence of her
dispositions, and, above all, by her wisdom beyond that of woman, and
her prophecies which have ever been fulfilled, demonstrates, even to the
unbeliever and the Gentile, that she is inspired by the grace and favour
of the blessed Virgin."
[Footnote 1: A portrait of Christ, said to have been painted
by Nicodemus.]