AT nine in the morning Maroncelli and I were conducted into the gondola
which conveyed us into the city. We alighted at the palace of the Doge,
and proceeded to the prisons. We were placed in the apartment which had
been occupied by Signor Caporali a few days before, but with whose fate
we were not acquainted. Nine or ten sbirri were placed over us as a
guard, and walking about, we awaited the moment of being brought into the
square. There was considerable delay. The Inquisitor did not make his
appearance till noon, and then informed us that it was time to go. The
physician, also, presented himself, and advised us to take a small glass
of mint-water, which we accepted on account of the extreme compassion
which the good old man expressed for us. It was Dr. Dosmo. The head
bailiff then advanced and fixed the hand-cuffs upon us. We followed him,
accompanied by the other bailiffs.
We next descended the magnificent staircase of the Giganti, and we called
to mind the old Doge Faliero, who was beheaded there. We entered through
the great gate which opens upon the small square from the court-yard of
the palace, and we then turned to the left, in the direction of the lake.
In the centre of the small square was raised the scaffold which we were
to ascend. From the staircase of the Giganti, extending to the scaffold,
were two lines of Austrian soldiers, through which we passed.
After ascending the platform, we looked around us, and saw an immense
assembly of people, apparently struck with terror. In other directions
were seen bands of armed men, to awe the multitude; and we were told that
cannon were loaded in readiness to be discharged at a moment’s notice. I
was now exactly in the spot where, in September, 1820, just a month
previous to my arrest, a mendicant had observed to me, “This is a place
of misfortune.”
I called to mind the circumstance, and reflected that very possibly in
that immense throng of spectators the same person might be present, and
perhaps even recognise me.
The German Captain now called out to us to turn towards the palace, and
look up; we did so, and beheld, upon the lodge, a messenger of the
Council, with a letter in his hand; it was the sentence; he began to read
it in a loud voice.
It was ushered in by solemn silence, which was continued until he came to
the words, _Condemned to death_. There was then heard one general murmur
of compassion. This was followed by a similar silence, in order to hear
the rest of the document. A fresh murmur arose on the announcement of
the following:—condemned to hard imprisonment, Maroncelli for _twenty
years_, and Pellico for _fifteen_.
The Captain made a sign for us to descend. We cast one glance around us,
and came down. We re-entered the court-yard, mounted the great
staircase, and were conducted into the room from which we had been
dragged. The manacles were removed, and we were soon reconducted to San
Michele.