'But as the example of Our Master has shown us that the shepherd is
necessary for the preservation of the flock; and as He seems to point
out our guardian by the success which He has granted to his arms in the
extermination of the Wolf, I propose that we surrender our Liberty to
the hands of him who is best able to preserve it--Checco d'Orsi.'
A cry of astonishment burst from the Councillors. Was this Antonio
Sassi? They looked at Checco, but he was impassive; not even the shadow
of a thought could be read on his face. They asked themselves whether
this was pre-arranged, whether Checco had bought his enemy, or whether
it was a sudden device of Antonio to make his peace with the victor. One
could see the agitation of their minds. They were tortured: they did not
know what Checco thought. Should they speak or be silent? There was a
look of supplication in their faces which was quite pitiful. Finally,
one of them made up his mind, and rose to second Antonio Sassi's motion.
Then others took their courage in both hands and made speeches full of
praise for Checco, begging him to accept the sovereignty.
A grave smile appeared on Checco's face, but it disappeared at once.
When he thought there had been sufficient talking he rose to his feet,
and, after thanking his predecessors for their eulogies, said,--
'It is true that we have conquered the city at the risk of our lives;
but it was for the city, not for ourselves.... No thought of our own
profit entered our minds, but we were possessed by a grave sense of our
duty towards our fellowmen. Our watch-words were Liberty and the
Commonweal! From the bottom of my heart I thank Antonio Sassi and all of
you who have such confidence in me that you are willing to surrender the
town to my keeping. In their good opinion I find a sufficient reward for
all I have done. But, God knows, I have no desire to rule. I want the
love of my fellow-citizens, not the fear of subjects; I look with dismay
upon the toils of a ruler. And who would believe in my disinterestedness
when he saw me take up the sceptre which the lifeless hand has dropped?
'Forgive me; I cannot accept your gift.
'But there is one who can and will. The Church is not wont to close her
breast to him who seeks refuge beneath her sacred cloak, and she will
pardon us for having shaken from our necks the hard yoke of Tyranny. Let
us give ourselves to the Holy Father--'
He was interrupted by the applause of the councillors: they did not want
to hear further, but agreed unanimously; and it was forthwith arranged
that an embassy should be sent to the Governor of Cesena to make the
offer. The meeting was broken up amidst shouts of praise for Checco. If
he had been strong before, he was ten times stronger now, for the better
classes had been afraid of the mob and angry that he should depend on
them; now they were won too.
The people knew that the Council was assembled to consult on the
destinies of the town, and they had come together in thousands outside
the Council House. The news was made known to them at once, and when
Checco appeared at the top of the stairs a mighty shout burst from them,
and they closed round him with cries and cheers.
'Bravo! Bravo!'
He began to walk homewards, and the crowd followed, making the old grey
streets ring with their shouts. On each side people were thronging and
stood on tiptoe to see him, the men waving their caps and throwing them
in the air, the women madly flourishing handkerchiefs; children were
hoisted up that they might see the great man pass, and joined their
shrill cries to the tumult. Then it occurred to someone to spread his
cloak for Checco to walk on, and at once everyone followed his example,
and the people pressed and struggled to lay their garments before his
feet. And baskets of flowers were obtained and scattered before him, and
the heavy scent of the narcissi filled the air. The shouts were of all
kinds; but at last one arose, and gathered strength, and replaced the
others, till ten thousand throats were shouting,--
_'Pater Patriae! Pater Patriae!'_
Checco walked along with bare head, his eyes cast down, his face quite
white. His triumph was so great--that he was afraid!
The great procession entered the street in which stood the Palazzo Orsi,
and at the same moment, from the gates of the palace issued Checco's
wife and his children. They came towards us, followed by a troop of
noble ladies. They met and Checco, opening his arms, clasped his wife to
his breast and kissed her tenderly; then, with his arm round her waist,
the children on each side, he proceeded towards his house. If the
enthusiasm had been great before, now it was ten times greater. The
people did not know what to do to show their joy; no words could express
their emotion; they could only give a huge deafening shout,--
_'Pater Patriae! Pater Patriae!'_