A Day momentous for Venice--or was it Rome?--had come and passed; it
chronicled the right of the Crown to make its own laws within its own
realm, without reference to ecclesiastical claims which had hitherto
been found hampering; it defined the limits of Church and State, as no
protest had hitherto done.
But Venice was calm in her triumph as she had been unmoved in disaster,
and would not reflect the jubilant tone of the cardinal when he had
returned from Rome empowered to withdraw the censures upon the terms
stipulated by the Republic.
Yet, at this latest moment, the cardinal mediator, from lack of
discretion, had come near to failure; for the terms being less favorable
than he had desired to obtain for the Holy Father, he could not resist
attempting to win some little further grace before pronouncing the final
word, when the Signoria, weary of temporizing, told him plainly that his
Holiness must come at once to a decision, or Venice would forget that
she had so far yielded as to listen to any negotiations.
There was no pageant at the close of this long drama of which the
princes of Europe had been interested spectators. Venice sat smiling and
unruffled under her April skies when the ducal secretary escorted the
two famous prisoners from the dungeons of the Palace to the residence of
the French ambassador, and there, _without prejudice to the Republic's
right of jurisdiction over criminal ecclesiastics_, explicitly
stipulated, bestowed this gift--so fitting for the gratification of a
"Most Christian Majesty"--upon the representative of France, who must
indeed have breathed more freely when this testimonial of favor, with
its precious burden of nameless crimes, had been consigned by him to one
who waited as an appointee of the Pope.
The Doge and the Signoria sat in their accustomed places in their
stately Assembly Chamber when the cardinal came with congratulations
upon the withdrawal of the interdict, and the words of the Serenissimo,
as he gave the promised parchment, were few and dignified.
"I thank the Lord our God that his Holiness hath assured himself of the
purity of our intentions and the sincerity of our deeds."
And the writing of that parchment, sealed with the seal of Saint Mark,
stood thus:
"Essendo state levate le Censure è restate parimente rivocato il
Protesto." ("The censures having been taken off the protest remains
equally revoked.")
It was whispered low that the cardinal, under his cape, made the sign of
the cross and murmured a word of absolution. But if the Signoria
suspected his intention there was no movement of acquiescence; only,
when the short ceremony of the passing of the document was completed,
they observed the usual forms of courtesy with which the audience of so
princely an envoy is closed when his mission is accomplished.
If Paul V had surrendered with reluctance his hope of a sumptuous
ceremony in San Pietro, where delegates of penitent Venetians should
kneel in public and confess and be graciously absolved--if the Cardinal
di Gioiosa had indulged flattering visions of a procession of priests
and people to the patriarchal church in the Piazza, with paeans of
joy-bells and shouts of gladness that Venice was again free to resume
her worship, and that her penitent people were pardoned sons of the
Church--he was doomed to disappointment. The cardinals of Spain and
France, attended only by their households, celebrated Mass in the ducal
chapel of San Marco; and the people came and went--as they did before
and after, through that day and all the days since the interdict had
been pronounced, in this and all the churches of Venice--and scarcely
knew that their doom was lifted, as they had hardly realized that the
curse had ever penetrated from those distant doors of San Pietro to the
sanctuary of San Marco!
But the world knew and never forgot how that stately court of Venice had
met the thunder of the Vatican and lessened its power forever.
The cause had been won in moderation and dignity upon a basis of civil
justice that was none the less accredited because the Teologo Consultore
who sat in chancelor's robes behind the throne was a zealous advocate of
the primitive principles of Christianity, and defended, without fear of
obloquy or death, the right of the individual conscience to interpret
for itself the laws of right,--as founded upon the words of
Christ,--because the extraordinary keenness, fineness, and breadth of
his masterly mind enabled him to conceive with unusual definiteness the
limits of civil and spiritual authority, and to ascribe the overgrowth
of error upon the Church he loved to the misconception and weakness of
human nature. He did not place Venice, the superb,--with her pride and
pomp and power and intellectual astuteness, with her faults and
worldliness and her magnificent statesmanship,--against the _spiritual_
kingdom of Christ's Church on earth and declare for Venice _against_ the
Church.
But he weighed in the clear poise of his brain the Book of the Divine
Law--which none knew better than he--with the laws of the princes of
this world--which also few knew better--and declared that _One_, lowly
and great, had defined the limits of the Church's jurisdiction when He
said, "My kingdom is not of this world."
But in Rome the reasoning was not so simple, and threats of vengeance
pursued this "terrible friar," whose bold judgments had ruled the
councils of rebellious Venice.
But though peace was declared with Rome the labors of the Senate were
scarcely lessened; there were still adjustments to be made which were
not whispered abroad--there were embassies to be dissolved and
appointed, gifts to be voted, honors to be heaped upon the head of the
man whose counsels had led to such results, and in whose person the
Senate now united the three offices of the Counsellors to the Doge,
making Fra Paolo sole Teologo Consultore.
It was the first time in the history of the Republic that such honors
had been voted, for Venice was not wont to be over-generous in
recognition of individual service; and this friend of statesmen,
scholars, and princes temporal and spiritual, preserved the greatness of
his simplicity unspoiled in prosperity and power--as was possible only
to a spirit ruled by inflexible principle and faith.
When the Senate voted him a palace near San Marco he preferred his
simple quarters among his brethren of the Servi. When, in proof of their
appreciation, they doubled his salary and would have trebled it
again--"Nay," said he, "it is but my duty that I have done. May the
honorable words of the Senate's recognition but hold before me that
which, by God's help, I may yet accomplish"; and he would take but so
much as he might bestow in charity and gifts to his convent, having for
himself no need nor tastes that were not met by the modest provision of
his order.
And when, having refused to go to Rome for reconciliation--being not
penitent--or for preferment, which would not come without penitence, Fra
Paolo still pursued, unmoved, the quiet tenor of his daily round, from
convent to palace, without pause or tremor, in spite of continued
warning;--"My life," he said, "is in the hands of God. My duty hath he
confided to mine own effort."
* * * * *
The Lady Marina was a guest in the Ducal Palace, detained under
surveillance, yet treated with much honor; her friends might see her in
the presence of the ducal guards who watched within the doors of her
sumptuous chambers, but she was not free to go to her own, who had
guarded her with such laxity that in striving to reach the court of the
enemy she had imperiled the dignity of the Republic by her silent
censure. Marcantonio had trembled more when, the morning after the
storm, news had reached him that the fugitive was in the keeping of the
Signoria, than if the message had announced her death. What might he not
expect of their jealousy!
But a ducal secretary had received him with courtesy and conducted him
at once into the audience chamber of the Doge, who bade him send for her
maidens that she might be cared for tenderly, for her stay at the Palace
would be indefinite. It was a royal command, against which pleading or
rebellion were alike useless.
"Most Serene Prince!" cried Marcantonio in agony, "I beseech thee leave
me that gift which a gracious Senate once so generously bestowed! I have
never swerved in loyalty--though my heart was nigh to breaking that I
might not grant her prayer!"
But one in attendance spoke quickly; for the face of the good Leonardo
Donato was full of compassion, and he might not be trusted to serve the
higher interests of the Republic.
"It is of the clemency of the Serenissimo," said that inflexible voice,
"that the Lady Marina reaps not the penalty of her flight and of her
disloyalty to the State, since she hath sought to place her private
judgment beyond the wisdom of the rulers of Venice."
The figure stood motionless in the shadow of a column, muffled in a long
black mantle, a black beretta partially concealing the face.
There was an icy inflection in the tones which sent a chill to
Marcantonio's heart as he listened. One of the Chiefs of the Ten was
always a member of the still more dreaded Inquisition, whose identity
was never known, and the passionless voice held a hint of indisputable
authority--was his suffering wife to rely upon the mercy of the most
puissant member of this terrible commission!
"Take my life for hers!" he implored, so beside himself with grief and
terror that he disclosed his fear for Marina; "and bid her return to
care for our little one."
"Not so," said the emotionless voice; "the Lady Marina hath disproved
her right to care for a noble of Venice. It would be to imperil his
loyalty to leave the child under his mother's influence."
"My God!" cried Marcantonio bitterly; "take me to her and let us die
together--if the Republic may grant us so much grace!"
Again the Doge would have spoken compassionate words, but the other
interposed:
"The State hath little use for the lady's life--save in her keeping. And
she herself, perchance, hath less. For so hath her strange whim wrought
upon her that she knoweth naught of that which passeth around her, and
one face to her is like another."
The young Senator turned from the cruel speaker to the Doge in mute
appealing agony. The old man grasped his hand in a steadying clasp.
"Let us go to her," said Leonardo, very low, when he could command his
voice. "She is like a lovely child--resisting nothing. It is some
shock--it will pass."
* * * * *
And now there came a day when the proud heart of Venice was stirred to
its core, for a messenger dashed breathless into the Council Chamber--an
excited, protesting throng of the populace surging in through the open
door behind him. "Fra Paolo! Il caro Padre! Morto!"
"_Dead_!" They started to their feet with ready imprecations. Fra Paolo,
who had left them an hour before, with the Signor Malipiero and his
devoted secretary! They exchanged glances of terrible comprehension--the
triumph of Venice was avenged upon the faithful servant of the State!
The Consiglio broke up in confusion.
"Eccellentissimi," the messenger explained to the horror-stricken
questioners, "they were five,--rushing out from the dark of the convent
wall against him when he came alone down the steps of the Ponte della
Pugna,--the villains held the others down. And Fra Paolo lay dead on the
Fondamenta--stabbed in many places, as if one would cut him in bits--and
the stiletto still in his forehead! And they sent me----"
"'Alone'? you ask me, Illustrissimi?--Santissima Vergine! the whole city
pouring in to the cries of those that found him; and the murderers off
before one could touch them, and never a guard near! They carried him
into the Servi.--And the people--furious--are storming the palazzo of
the nuncio as I pass; and some one cries that the envoy is off to the
Lido, with his fine friends, who start for Rome. A thousand devils!--May
the good San Nicolò send them to feed the fishes!"
The Senate, to testify its honor, grief, and sympathy for the beloved
Counsellor, had instantly adjourned, and its members repaired in great
numbers to the convent to make personal inquiries, returning to a new
session prolonged through the night; for Fra Paolo, who had fainted from
loss of blood on his pallet in the Servite cell, had recovered
consciousness and hovered between life and death--his humble bed
attended by the most famous physicians and surgeons whom the Republic
could summon to her aid. The secretaries, meanwhile, were busy in
preparing resolutions of affection by which to honor him in the sight of
the Venetian people; letters of announcement to foreign courts, as if he
had been of the blood royal; proclamations of reward for the persons of
the criminals, alive or dead, which, before the day had dawned, the
Signori della Notte had affixed to the doors of San Marco, along the
Rialto, on the breast of Ser Robia, that all might read. And for means
of bringing the offenders to justice they plotted and schemed as none
but Venetians could do.
It was three days since the storm, and the gastaldo had not yet been
released, he also was simply detained, without ignominy or discomfort in
rooms set apart for prisoners of State before they had been brought to
trial; for the events of these days had been too absorbing to permit of
an examination of his case. And now, in the gray dawn which broke upon
that night of anxiety and excitement, alternating between hope and fear
as frequent messengers, each guarded by a detachment of palace guards,
appeared with fresh news from the convent, the weary senators strolled
up and down in the great chambers opening on the sea façade of the Ducal
Palace discussing the event in a more desultory way--its meaning, its
dangers, the achievements of the great man who might, even now, be
receiving the viaticum in the convent of the Servi.
He was first named with terms of endearment strange upon the lips of
that stately assembly--"Il caro Padre," "Teologo amato di Venezia"--yet
the guards had failed to seize those villains who lay in wait at the
Ponte della Pugna! The bridges and traghetti must be closely
watched.--Ah--the gastaldo grande!
"Hath one yet been named _Condottiere_ for this frontier service?"
questioned one of the older senators, among a group of the more
important men who had detached themselves from the others and strolled
out into the great loggia on the sea façade for a reviving breath of the
morning air. "For such an employ there is none like Piero Salin for
daring and intrigue; and the assassins may linger long in hiding on the
route to Rome."
And so they first remembered Piero in these crowded days and discussed
his fault with a degree of leniency that would have been foreign to the
traditions of Venice had he not been needed for important secret
service.
Meanwhile, Fra Paolo was still the theme among the senators at large in
the Council Chamber. "Il miracolo del suo secolo," they called him, as
they rehearsed the opinions of the learned men of their age in every
field of science.
"It cannot be from knowledge, acquired as all men learn, that he taketh
this position in such varied sciences," said the Senator Morosini; "for
a life-time doth suffice to few men for such attainment in one field as
he hath reached in all. It must be that the marvel of his mind doth hold
some central truth which maketh all science cognate."
"Else were he not 'friend and master' to Galileo of Padua."
"And it is told that Acquapendente, who hath been summoned by the
Signoria to bestow his skill, hath learned of him some matters which he
taught in the medical school of Bologna. The world hath not his equal
for learning."
"By the blessed San Marco!" ejaculated one under his breath, who had
been idly leaning on the balustrade, as he crossed himself and looked
furtively around to note whether he had been overheard.
But the others of the group, keenly alive to danger, had instantly
joined him.
"Was this some new intrigue?" "Was the night not already full with
horror?" they questioned of each other, thrilled with dread and
superstition.
Dawn was growing over the water, and the gray and oily surface of the
lagoon was closely dotted with gondolas, distinct and black in the
morning twilight; they came sweeping on from San Nicolò and
Castello--black and red, breast to breast--gathering impetus as they
neared the Piazzetta, in numbers which must have left every traghetto of
Venice deserted; Nicolotti and Castellani--_allies_, since they never
had been friends! It was some intrigue of the people, or some favor they
had come to ask--_to-day_, when the Senate might not spare one thought
for disorder among the masses!
Weary and overwrought, after their night of sorrowful labor, they looked
at each other in consternation.
"It is their gastaldo whom they are come to seek," a secretary of the
Ten confided by inspiration to his Chief, as an old man, wearing the
robe of a bancalo, was escorted from the landing by a band of gondoliers
with black and crimson sashes, who disappeared under the entrance to the
palace courtyard.
"Let him be summoned and honorably discharged; he hath done no harm that
may be compared with the disaffection of the traghetti."
"Rather, let them receive him back, appointed by the Senate to honor, as
Condottiere of the border forces"; a second Chief hastened to respond,
for the moment was grave, "and the command will most excellently fit the
gastaldo."
"And for the Lady of the Giustiniani, it matters little--Rome or
Venice," said an old senator, compassionately, as he followed his
colleagues into the Council Chamber. "She hath so spent herself in
grieving that she knoweth naught. For the Senator Marcantonio hath
vainly sought to teach her that the interdict hath been lifted; yet even
this she comprehendeth not."
"We are come, your Excellencies, for news of our Gastaldo Grande, whose
presence is verily needful for the traghetti," said the white-haired
bancalo, when an audience had been granted him.
"How many of you have come as escort?" the secretary questioned
carelessly.
"Eccellenza, we are enough," the bancalo answered fearlessly, and with a
significant pause, "_to prove the will of the people--as well Nicolotti
as Castellani_. And to escort our Gastaldo Grande with honor, since it
hath pleased your excellencies to receive him--_as a guest_--in the
Ducal Palace."
He was the eldest of the officers of the traghetti, accustomed to
respect, upheld by the united forces of the people; this man of the
people and this mouthpiece of the nobles measured each other fearlessly
as they looked into each other's faces--each coolly choosing his phrases
to carry so much as the other might count wise.
"It is well," said the secretary of the Ten, after a brief private
conference with his Chiefs, "that ye are come in numbers to do him
honor. Since the Senate hath need of his brave service and hath named
Piero Salin, for exigencies of the Republic, Condottiere, with honors
and men of artillery to do him service."
And so it chanced, that because of the stress of the time, Piero Salin
floated off in triumph to Murano, named General of the Border Forces,
with secret orders from the Ten.