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'Hi sprang up smpetuous/y in his btd'^

— Page 361
(Frem the painting by G, Previati)

THE JIARVARD CLASSICS

KdlTED fiV CHARLCa W ELIOT LL tì

I PROMESSI SPOSI

(THE BETROTHED)
BY ALESSANDRO MANZONI

WITH IXTRODUCTIOK AND NOTES
VOLUME 21

r F COUJER & SON COMPAKY
NEW YORK

MANXTFACTUBBD IN U. S. A.

447504

• • t •

Deaiffned. Prtnted, and Bound at*

CONTENTS

9àaM
Chatxek I 7

Cbafter n # , .... 25

CejtnxR III *.*-.* 39

Cbafter rV 55

CHAm» V * 71

Chaftee vi 86

Cbaftzs Vn p 100

CBATrm Vili iig

Chaftzs IX 141

Cbaj>tes X , .... 162

Cbafter XI * , 185

Cbaftee Xn 204

Chaptee Xiri 219

CHAPTtK XIV ...*-. 235

Chaftib XV p ........ 251

CHAPrat XVI ...-.--.-.-....... 268

Cbafto XVII 285

Chaitcr XVIII . . - 302

CHAFreR XIX 318

CHAFTtt XX 333

CHAFrat XXI 348

Chapter XXII 364

CHAFint XXIII 377

Charter XXIV 396

Chapter XXV 423

Charter XXVI 438

CBAPns XXVU 454

BO 1 1— Voi. 21

2 OONTSMTS

nuss

Chaptex XXym 470

Charxr XXIX 493

CHAPint XXX So8

CHAPint XXXI 521

CHAPint XXXII 539

Chapt» XXXIII 557

Charxr XXXIV 578

CbaptirXXXV 6oo

Chapier XXXVI 614

Chapter XXXVII 635

cbafz» xxxvm 6&t>

ÌNTRODUCTORY NOTE

Coairr AmtàMBO ìlhTftmm tvas bom al Mihn, Italy, March
V tfBS^ H# iMf fdmcmtié ai Lugamù, MUan^ and p0t^, and afUr
$ùkimg kif d^ifrre he jomid ku m&ther in Paris, whtre he fùténd
Jbcr m là# circU cf Mm** Condor ut and the 4urfn7/ìng ratìonatisis
»/ ik$ §ÌgkUinìk cemtury. The se oswciaHons Ud him for a lififf
iteptkùm, but hf was hUr €QnvifUd io Catholkism, and
wtmmmid m Hi^dftui adh§rtni ùf thai faith tilt his dmlh^ dt-
femdimf ii m hit tvrìHngs agaimt tkf ProUslant kistùrian Sis-
pumdi. Mtt^Mùni ttas a mmm% sympathittr wiih the ^pirations
0f kkM lem^itty to^ward pùlUical indep^^ndencf, bui kt look no vir^
mtiime pari im pmblit ^iiaiion. H^k^n ìialy was ut tasi fftÉ^ k§
WCM miùdi 9 Simaiùt ond awardfd a pfmiorK H€ dkd &i Mit&n,

Mmms9m*4 nwst important tii^rary producHans ùrw in pQffry,
imam^ amd tki navit. im ike firit gfQUp kt wrgie tomi hymns,
rn^lobU for the m^rml Jb cf r^iV reHgious s£n timoni, and Pmo odes,
n trm^mt tm^gio*^ «ni ''MarMo jÌ^l*^ Tke former af tkist, om
[iàr death ef Sùpx?Uan^ first broughi him fame, His dramaiic
Moni, "Il C^nU di C^rmagnQlù'* and **Adtkki,'* rfpffsrnt
pi t4f fff* iiailan drama from ih* restrainls of ikg
thMticml €smt*enHoHs, b»t neithgr wrJ wttk generai approvai in
tigfy. G0€ih€, hcwtvif, nviiwed lA# éarlier in the mosi favùr-
Bbh Ì0rms* In a prefatofy ets^^ Monsoni madr an importane
amiwihmom lo 1^ ri^mattti^ protest ùgmnit the restrìciions of ihg
dmmsHc "wii/i^x" of th^ ttaiskat drama. Bui iA# Itatians were
•^ K^ Pfep0* iiih in the ireatment of human naiure

m ph£€ af jt :nd cùnventhnaì form, ,

Tkg retfpHon fftp§n 1^ Mansomi's master pie ce , "ì Fremessi
Sp^iT (tSJS-^) was very diiferenì. in form a hisiofkat novii^
wniUm ai ^ timé when tkt vo§n€ of tki Wax*ett$y Nùvels haà
Miimmhi0d t^- ^- ' twn of tkis form of fteiion tkrom^koui
Bmenpe^ ike > ; '*The Betroihed/* as U is nsiiaUy calte^d

im BmfUnd, is ralhsr pffckotù^i^ and ttntimemtaf than exiemaL
The setm£ it kM im L^mbawdy hstwetH s6^ ond iójti, amd ike
piai détiU witk iké ikwarHnff af iks hff€ ùf two peamnts by a
heml ifrmHi, Th4 manièffs of tkt tùms are presented wilh great
9i9édei€s$ mtd ^kmr^sqmnéss; om of iki maxi naiobh eUmemu

• INTRODUCnON

and IA# ilU§aKty and monstrosity of thi wholi procttdhg weri
attributabU io a court éager fot a eonvicHon at ali costs io
gratify ih0 thirst for blood of a madden$d and ignorant populaci.
The incid0nt is rtlaUd by ManMoni with cons%d€rabl€ di/Fusi-
n0ss and much technical argumfnt; but thf frightfnl nature of
tkf €v$nts and the exhìhition of the psychology of a panie
sfrkken mcb give the production a gruesome interest.

I PROMESSI SPOSI

ÌM$tb4

CHAPTER I

THAT brandì of the ìake of Como, whìch extendj
towards the soutli. b endosed by two unbroken chains
of naotmtains, which, as thty advance and recede,
^Ttrafy its shorts wrth numerous bays aud ìnlets. Sud-
4cnl3r Ihe lakc contracts iiìelf, aixd takes the coursc and
kfm of a rivcf, betw^ca a promootory on the right, and a
vìée ofCD fthore on ùic opponile side. The bridge which therc
JM$ the n»o baxtks seenis to render this trans formation more
to the cye. mné oiarks the point where the lake end%
Adda again begins — ^soon to resumé the name of tlw
mhete Ibe batiks receding afresh, aUow the wat^ Id
aad sproid itself in ncw gulfs and bays.
Tbe open country, borderìng the lake, formed of the aflii*
mi écpostts of thrce grcat torreots, redines upon the rooU
di hM> contigtiaijs motintains» one named San Martino, the
«4tr« in iKc Lombard dsaJect, Il Rtsegontf because of ks
■wy picaks sccn in prozie, which m truth rcsemble the teeth
«f t uw »o fimch so, thai rio one at first sìght, viewiog it in
ircst (as^ for exampk, from the northem bastions of Mitan)»
tmùì fati ti) dt&tioguisJi it by this simpìe dedcrìpUoti, from
t&e otbrr mouotait^ of more oh&cure name and ordinar^
htm m tbat lonj; aitd vast ch&in. Por a consìdetable distaace
teecnuitry rlsca mìh m gcntle and condmioits asceiit;%fter-
^ifds il b brolccn imo hìtl and dale, icrraccs and ekvatcd
fiatai, fenned by ihe iatcrtwining of the roots of the two
«ocniaiiìi, and the action oi the waters. The shore ìtself» iii-
Unectcd bv the tori en* ' r the most part of gravd

and large fiinU: the r< \ ut 6ekb aod vineyardii

imer*per»ed with toi^ other parte

e dmlMd wìtit wooti L^uumaln.

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Lecco^ Uie prlncipa] ot tbese towns, giving ìts name te tha
terntory, is at a short distanec freni the bridge^ and so cloae
u|>on ihe shore, ibat, when the watcrs are high, lì scema to
stand in the lake itsclf* A large town evea oow, it prootisei
Sóon to becomc a city. At the t ime the events happaied which
wc undeftakc lo recount» this town, already af cotiàidembte
importance» was alsa a place of de f enee, and fot that reason
baci the honour of lodging a coniniatidcr, and t!ie advanut^
of po&sessing a fixed garrison of Spanìsh coldicrs, who tanghi
modesty to the damacls and niatrons of the country; bestowed
from timc to lime marks of their Cavour on the $boulder ol ft
husband or a father ; and never failcd, in autumn, to disperse
themselves in the vineyards, to thìn t!ie grap<e% &fid Itghlcn
for the peasant the labours of the vititage,

From one to the oiher of ihese lown^ from the hti^ts to
the !ake, from one height to anothcr. down through the little
vallcys which lay hetwcen, tliere ran many narrow lancs or
mule-paths, (and ihey stili cxi&t.) ooc wliile abnipt tnd
•teep, another level, another pteasantly sloping, in mott pkocs
cnebsed by walls built of ìarge f^tntiì, SLnd clotlsed bere aitd
tbere with ancicnt ivy, wbìch, eaiing wiih its roots into the
cementa usurps ìts place, and bitids logcther the Wall it ren*
dcrs verdant. For some dtatance thcse lanes are hidden» and
as It were buried betwcen the watis, so that the pa^senger,
looklng upwards, can see noiJung bui the sky and the peaks
of some neighbouring mountain: in otììer places tJiey ire
terraced: sometimes thcy skirt the edgc of a piaìn, or proj^t
from the face of a decltvlty, Itkc a Ioni? dtaircajtc, upbeld hf
wftlli which flaiik the hlllaides like bastiona, but in tlie patii»
way rise only the hcìght of i parapct — and ^' t-ye ol

ìM traveller can range over varied and most A pro^

pects. Olì one side he cominands the aiiire snrface of the I
and the loverted tma^e of the rural banks rcjìected in
pladd wave ; on the other, the Adda, scarcely e^eapcd from the '
irehes of the bridge, cxpand§ h--'^^ ---w tnto a little lalcc^
thtìi h again contraeteci and [ to the horiioa Ìts

brifht wtndiags; upward, — the Qiav;ivc piletof the moantaiits»
fivtrbitiiflnit the head of the f^ier : below.'-llie cttltirated ter-
race, tlie champ^ig' oppotite, — the fnrther bank

of the lakc, and, ri .. ihe mountain boundary.

I PROMESSI SPOSI e

Ahsog onc of these oarrow lanes, in the evening of the
jtìi of November, io the year 1628, Don Abbondio . , .,
corste of ooe of the towns alludcd to above, was lelsnrdy
moittiQg home from a waìk, (our anthor does not mentioii
die laiBC of the town— two blanks already 1 ) He was quieti/
rtpeadsg bis office, and 00 w and thcn, between one psalm
lad aoother, he would shut the breviary upon the fore*fingef

MS r;.rrUf hiHi^, kcepìng it there for a mark; theo, putting
! '5i bchtnd his back; the right (with the eìosed

) ' of the left, he pursued his way with down-

e . from (ime to lime, towards the wall the

%fc'hicb 1 inTibling-blocks in the path. Thtis he

faire more nn 1 audience to the idle thoughts whlch

liid come to tenipt his spirìt, whilc his hps repeated, of their
ewa accord, his cvenin>j prayers, Escaping from these
tei^lHSp he raised bis eyes to tlie mountain which rose
Uffoaiit; :knd mechanically gaicd on the gleaming of the
mmety set snn, whidi, making its way through the ctefts
of the oppositc motintain, was thrown upon the projecting
^caks in hirgc unrrjuul mas&es o£ rosc-coloured ìight The
fcfcriary open again, aod another poriion recited, he reachcd
atnm, wherc he al\%^ys tised to raise his eyes and look for-
tini; and «o he did to-day. After the tum, the road ran
icrmt^Hl fonvard about sixty yards, and then divided into
tuo iand, Y fashian^ — the right band path ascended towards
ibt nioiifitaìn^ and ted to ihe parsonage: the left branch
incef!«kd tbfvwgh the vallev lo a torreot: and on this side
Ihc r iliaii aboLit two feet. Tlie ìnner

iralb tcad of meeting so as to forni aiì

acfk, cnded tn a Jiitle chapcl, on whidi wcre dcpicted cer*
égart* ^"-if^ wavtng, and tentiinatingin a point. These,
tbe hi : the artbt, and to the eyes of the neìgh-

inn^nnaiits, fepfescntcd flames* Alteriuitely with
tames werc oiher fignres — mdcscribabte, rneant for wo^
h pcTfatory, fonU and flamcs of brìck-colour an a grey
pfmd enltveoed mìùi patches of tbe natura! wall, whcre the
plaster was gwic» The cnrate, having twmed the corner,
aod f'*i^f-'t fnrwftrf! -s vvì^ hiS ctistopi, lowafds the ehapel,
Wiei and one he would not willìngly

ha.rt morij. i ^ V luni, MMc opposìtc the other, wcre atatioutd

ÌÙ

ALESSANDEO MANZONI

at die cofiiltieiioet so to ^f, o! Ihe tuvo wmyi; one of tiieiii
wms stttlng across the low wall, with otac leg dangling; oa the
outer fiidep aod Uie other supportiiig him in the path: hk
Companlon w&s standing up, kaniiig agiJitst the wall, with
his arm& croa^ed oti his brcasL Their dress, tbcìr carriage,
and so mucb of their cxprcxsìoii ai cotild bc digtìEiguisHed
at the distatici ai whìdi the curat': ittood, Itft no do»bi
their condìtion, Each had a grecai nel cu hh head,
fell upon the tcft shoulder^ i^nó endcd^in a targe tas£el* Their
long hair^ appearmg in ojie large lock upon the forehemd;
pn the upper lip two bng niustachios, curkd at tbe end: their
donblets, confmed by brìght leathern girdlcBi, (tom whidl
hung a brace of pistols: a little hom of powder, dang&ig
round their necks, and falitng on their brcasts Itlce a nedc-
lace: on tbe right side of tlielr large aod looae pacilalo<»fia,
a pocket, and from the pocket the handfe af a dagger: i
sword hanging on the tctt, with a large basketbiit of braia.
carved in ci[>her. poHshed and gleaming:-— ali, at a gtanc^
ditcovered ihcm to he individwals af the specie» hraPù.

Thh ordcr» tiow quite cxtinct, was thcn most flourUUl^^
in Lombardy» and alrcady of cansidcrablc nntiquity, Has aoy
one no elear idea of it ? Mere are some aitth^niie iketehi
whìch may givc bini a distincl nofion of ' -tal chi

terìsticii, of the meaii» put in force to dt , , aod o£
obstinate vitahty.

Oh tbe 8th of Aprii. 15S3, the most Itkistriom and Excel-
leni Signor Don Carlo d'Arasron, Prìnce of Castel vetrame
Duke of Terranuova, ^^ ' * mt of Burgcttv

grand Adndral, and gri . CòVi^nìor ol

Milan, and Captatn-Gener^l 01 11 '^ty in

Italy. being fuUy informcd of tkt ùii. wkkk

Ikis city óf Afilim kas ìain, and dces tif, by reason 0/ bramft
and vo§ùhandi, puhUshes a ban agaìnst tlient, drclares ani
étUntf aU th<fse io br inciuded in ikis ban, and to be keH
brmf^s and T%ifiahonds who, wkHher fortigncrs or noHtftt,
kavt ma ocenpatton, or ftavimff it da mpt employ themschts
m $t , ^ ^ bmt unikoui mtary, or witk, en^jge tkems€ÌPa$t
ta any cavùiimir cr gentUman» oMcer or mrnkamt . . ,
§0 nmder tk^m aid and strtHcr, cr ratktt^ as may bt pte^
in !i%y waii agmtut otktrs ... ali these he

I PnOMESSl SFOtil

that, withm ihe term of six dajSi they sliouid

flililmft th« coantry, threatens the gallega to the refractory,
àoA grmiits tu M o^dais tiie most strangeJy ampie and ìndeà-
nife pcmer oi excctititig the ordcr» But tlie followiog ycar,
no t^.*- sjth tìf AtiH!, this aame Sìgrior, perceiving Ma* //lif
fuU ùf Hìc saie bravoes • * , retumfd
rt) in'c as tm-j nud lived before^ their customs wkùlly un-
rknmgM, nnd ihnr nufnbers undiminished^ ìsstiea another
bue r more vìgorous and marlced, in which, atnoiìg

mhex ces. he prc^scribes — Thai whatsoever persona

Of weii ùs imh4JÌiìtùnt of ihis city as a forcign^r, who by ihe
jrtfirm.^Hu cf tw0 witn€ssfs, sHould uppear to be htld and
r^pulrd a bruirò, and to have thut nume^ aUhougk
^r liT^Mu '- - - - ieteé of hainng commiitcd any crime . . ♦
;V thit -n of being a bravo alone ^ wiihout any

ofW ^rooj\ itfiu; , by ihe Sùtd judgcs, and hy every indhndtml
*f ihim, be put tu the rack and torture, far process ùf
hf^rmaliùH , ♦ , and ùUìwugh he canfess no crime fukat-
mttwéthsianding, he shall be setti ta the g^lteys far
§ié ihrre years, far the sole reputa tion and name of
W, ùS afùresùid. Ali tliis and more which is omitted,
: ìiii BxeeUency is resolvtd to be obeyed by every one,
hearing it*ch brave atid conrrdent words of so grcat a
r, accomr.'^nfcd too with many pcnaltieSp one fcels mudi
od to SI .t, at the ccho of their rumbiings, ali

ivots h-,.. ^ -:tipeared for evtf, But the testìtnony
^Sliroof rtoi !es9 aulhoritative, oor less endowed with
^' -"5 US to belie?c citiitc the contrar>^ The rao&t
] most Excelleni Signor Juan Fernaadez de
CòiiAtftble of Castiic* Grand Chanjherlam of hls
Dtikc oi iJie city oi Friag» Count of Haro and
rd of the Hou<e of Vclasco, and that of the

.is ùf Lara, Govemor of the State of Milan*

on ihe 5lh of )tinc, I595, he also, fuMy ìnformcd ol

'i.w Ond deslntciiùn - - . brava es and vaga*

cause, and tif ihe mischie f such sari of ptapie

■■'^te of justier, wartiB

jx days, ihey are to

word for word, the

.r. On flir 2^td of

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

May, in a subscquatt ycar, iS^$ M^ff tmfarméd, with ma
UiiU dispieasure of miné^ (hai . * , et^ery day, in thii
tity and siate, ihc numhcr nf th^ie p^oplt (bravoes and
vagabottds) is ùH the increase, and day and nigki natfrm^
ù heard of them hit murder, h<mncide^ robhery, end crim^^
Qf rvtry kind, fot which tkcrt is greaier faciliiy, bccaust
ih€S€ bravùts are cùnfidtni of hcing suppQfifd by thtir
greaì tmployers . , , lic prescribcs ancw Ihe aame rnn-
edies, increasing the dose, &s tticn do in obstinate maladies.
LH evcry onc, then, bc concludcs» he whùlly 0n kh guarà
against c<fniravemng in lite leasi the preseni proctamaticn;
fot, insiead of experiencing the demetury of His Ejtcclìeney,
he tvtìl experience the rigour of his anger . . . he beinfi
resoived and detcrmined thai this shail be the hst and fer*
emptùty admoniiiùn,

Not, howcvcr, af thìs opiiiian was tbc masi Itltistrioiti
and moKt Excdlent Signor, II Signor Don Pietro Enriques
de Acevedo, Cotint of FucnicSp Capuìn and Governor of the
State of Milan ; not al thìs opinion was he, smd for good
feasons. Bcing fully informed ùf the misery in nrhich tkit
€ity and state ìies by rcason of the great number of bravaes
v/hich aboimd in i f , ♦ , and hring resoived u*hoUy to eX'
tir paté a plani so /, \ oii the 5lh of Dcccm*

ber, 1600, a ncw a t severe penaltie»^ uiih

0 firm pur pose, that, unth ali rigour, and withaut any hopt af
remissiom, they shall be fully carricd ohL

VVc must tilievc, bowevcr, tliat he did noi apply liixii'
telfto this inaiter with that hearty good will which he
loiew how to cmploy in conlrivinjj cahab and excttinjf cnc-
mles agahist In TTenry IV. History in formi

uà ihit be ^i!f ' against that kitig tbc Duke

of Sn r.mvrd iitin io insc a city» He sycceeded alio

in ^nz „ .. i"^ Duke of Biron on bis bebalf, and caufled
bhn Co lose bb liead; but as lo this pernicioti^ pbnt of

bravoefi. eertatn it is tbat it cr^-*^^ ^ *- x.^. .....*» *nì ^^

aand of Scptetnber, 1612. On '• »»

Sipnor Don Cr *" a^

Gcnthman, Sls *>£

CsaJrpntìng ìt lo thì Hi

corrccttd and c!ilarg«2, - ^l-

I PROMESSI SPOSI

mssocittted prìnters to His Majesi^j with orders t#

il lo the tlestruGtion of the bravoes. Yet they lived

receivc on the 24th oi Deccmbcr, 1618, sttnìlar and more

hlovrs irom the most Ilhistrtous and most ExccUent

f, ihc Signor Don Gomcz Snarcz dì Figueroa, Duke of

ttfÌM, &e* Govcmor» ikc* MoreoveT, thcy not being hcreby

éw< to d<ratit, the most lllustrious and most Excetlent Sigrior,

Sijpityr GonJ^ala Fcrnaridez di Cordova, (under whose

pvtmmctit these cvcnts happened to Don Abbondio,) had

himsdf obliged to fccorrect and republish the usumI

tliùu against the bravocs, 011 the 5th day of October,

fi u f* one year ooc month an<l two days before thìs

lille cvcnL

Nor was thìs the last ptiblication. We do not feel boitnd*

IwìrCTCr, to make mentiad of thosc wfnch ensued, as thcy

iit fieyond the period of our story. Wc wìM notice only

>f the ijth of February, 1632, in which the most

and most Exccllent Signor the Duke of Feria,

9d liine govcfuor, sìgriifìcs to us thai the ^eatest out-

are causté by fhose denominated bravoes,

Thil str^es lo make it prctty certain, that at the tijne

^ itluch wc treat, thcre was as yet no lack of bravoes.

Thal the twodcscribed abovc werc on the lookout for some
stie, was biit too cvidcnt; biit what nK>re alarmed Don Ah-
loùdio wa«, ihat he was a^stired by certaìn signs that he was
r»n otpectcd; for, the moment he appeared, thcy
gtances, raidng their hcads wìth a movement
cxprcF!^d that both at once had exclaimeA
Min f ' He who beslrode the wall got up, and
: into the patii: hts companton teft
id hoth bcgan to walk lowards him*
: the brrviary open beforc hìm, as if
'lance for%vard to watch their move*
n advancing: straight towards htm:
" ' vded upon hìm; with
nnv p^thway tO the
lìd the ' quickfy
\i abasty 1, todis-
otnc great ni-in, some vinólc^
....^ mooìcni of alann, the cooaol*

M ALK:f^\NPRO XAKZOKI

in^ t^nmcnr of con<ci«K* Kwiewhai Kassnred him. Metn-
whìte the hni>vc,< òrcw i«sjir, cy^ìnjr him fix«d1y. He ptit
the t\>rc tìn^ì^r a^xi !v.u:vi> ftn$>rr vn* hi$ lett hand np to his
colUr* «5 ìt to 5ei:k' ì:. At^d ninning the two àngers ronnd
hi» ucvK he tumex) his h;N&.: NicXwanis at the same tìme,
twì5iì!t$ h:5 nK^uth in the sJiiv.e directioiu and looked out of
the vvroer oi hi5 e> es a* ixr xs he could. io see whether any
oiìe wa5 vvr.*.:n^: bnt he :?a\r lu"» one. He cast a glance
over the low wa*! ::::o rhi* nck'sì — ro one: another. more sub-
dwevi. aKv*5 she ;\3nh t>r\\Arò — l'.o o:ìe b;:: the bravoes. \\*hat
ì$ to be di>ne? tv.r', back? U is io late. Rtm? It was the
satr.e as to «y. lor.ow t^e, or >»-orse. Since he coiild not
e5cape the òa::5:.*r. he \ve-t tv^ r.*e<t ìt. Thesc tnoments
cf uncertaìr.ty worc A'^ìfAv^y 5^> pAÌnfii!. he desired onhr to
shonen thew. \lc s-.iioVenev'. hi< ivace, recited a verse in a
leader tone, cx":v:v"<aì l:Ì5 tAoe to a rran^cil and careless
expre^on. as wc-! ,\s he cov.M, i:<evi even- eì?ort to bave a
sniìle reaviy: ar.d when he tVur.d h:r\selt in the presente
ot :*'c two <^XHÌ r.:c"\ exc!a?t:ùr.j r'.er,TaIh\ 'bere we are!*
he ^:^^^d s;:". ' SìtT'or Cura:v>!' *aiv'. one. staring in his
face.

' \\>.o cv^rv,v..;:^:s r*.c ? ' *;uick!y answvrr^ IVn .\bbondio.
raÌMiì»: his c>cs trv^uì the Nx>k. a::d hokiinj it open in
bt^th hAr.v?^

• Vois :r.!e::v!/ <\v-:::i;:<nJ the othcr. w?;h the threatening
anj:n- br^^w ot onc who has CAv.jih: An interior committing
soiue p-icwus fa::':. '>o:! ?v,:cv..:. :\v.r.vrrow. to marry Remo
TrAnìAj:Ii:*o aitd 1.i:cìa Mo:ìv-c'.*a! *

' ThAt Is . . .* repHcd IXvi AhX^r.v':v\ with a quirer-
ins: W'oe. — ^' That is » . . Voì:. jio:*' V-.vc'.\ are men of
Ibe vrorJJ. a-.^J know \>o!ì Sn\ :Vo-r thiiì,:^ «rcv A poor
Cnraie has not'^v'»: ^> *\^ \\::S thr." "hev patch tip theìr
littV treatù-^ Niww^^ !hcv.*>v"N\-<, xw.-. !hc.ì , . . thcn, ihey
cor.v K^ US* as or. e ijws !o the \;mv to «uVe a demand;
an ^l w-e . , , \\ e a re se r\ A«t s o t ! b ^' cn"* w.*' ••: 'i i :^■ . *

• Mark wt^ll* <a*J ibe brawv •■• a lo^er \oioe hot with
a solemn ^^^ìe ot \v^'.ìr.»A:sr 'thU v.rAniaije U iv^t u> he per-
fomte^l tKM hvnvrrv^^ft. «or ew»

• Put, jcemìen\en/ ivphev! l\vì \bS*«sb\\ \fcith the sootb-
ing, mìM tone ot chw wb^^ >i^\Hftkl iviMia^W an ir.::\i::tnr

I PROMESSI SPOSI

sa kiad as put )rourselYés in my place If the thìng
mimato on ice , . * you &ee pìmnìy that it is no a4*
taniafe to me , , /

^Cùtùt, come/ internipUd the bravo; 'if the thing werc
b b« ded4ed hy prating, rou inight soon più our heads in a
pok& We know noiiiìiig about it, aiid we don^t want to
bow more. A waroed nian * . . yeti understand/

* Bcjt gcnilcmcn Hke you are too just, too rcaionablp . * /

* Bm,' (f* ■ ■ e the othcr companion brokc in, who had
Qot hithcT n) — ^*but Uic niarriage is not to he per-
iofoed, or ♦ . / hrre a i^reat oath — * or he who per-
ii will ocver repent, because he shaU bave no

il . . .* another oath.

silencc/ replicd the first orator: *the Signor
Curato knows the way of the world, and v-e are good sort
f»f mei^ vrbo don't wish to do htm any barm, if he will ad
liltea wisc man. Signor Curato, the Ilhistrìous Sigitor Don
Kù&i^, Olir master, sends hh kind respeets/

To the vdnd of Don Abbondio this name was Ulte the
ìi^mmg flash in a storni at i^tght, whìch, iUuminating for
a aioment and cottfusing ali objects^ incTeases the terror.
M bj mstinct he iliade a low bow, and saìd, * If you could

*Oli! m$§gtst h tot you who know Latin/ agaìn inter-
rqpttd tbr bravo, with a sitiitc bctwcen awkwardness and
fomeìty; * ìt is ali "ntty weil for you. Hat, abovc ali. let
«et 1 word be whispered about this not ice that we bave
fiven yno for your good, or * , . Ehem ! - . • il wìB bc
^n mmt as maming thcm* — Wcll, what will your Rever-
iin^f «,^ ^j fQr yot, lo the Illustrìous Signor Don

f Curato/
Dupc*M:d * . , always disposed to obedience*'
barin g laid thcac word», he did not himself well know
ber be had givcn a promise, or wliether he had
Jl an ordtnary eomplìmcnt. The bravoes look it,
Dwed that thry look it. In the more scrious meaning,
well^-'food evening. Signor Curato»' saìd one of
a, kftdlng hti compaiùnn a sray.

At.T.S5AVT?:o VAvrov:

;>rr.". "..■» "fc*:*r.cd

. :r^;M:. —ir. viin

e ^vr:ch he rad

." ■ r. ji ?■ '. *»-r:i"'"c L Tii.. i»i wri!on I

• .«. ■ ."'."•" ^. r>.".i.r >:>.x: :or

. ." . ' .* > ' i T'Z T imTZi'C ÀT.z ir*L'n

- - - - :.:>h:^->?. a-d

:,.'.- t. : r i >cr.>:.:: .'••. of

- —....■ ^.^ ... ,y. •••^

. . ; • : : r; ; i~r.: >.".:• e w r.at
- :•. >.. -:^. ;.-: .-: the sor: of

' : • : . . -r- r-r^i :: .-."rcsiv

.- : . - :■. > /?r> ::^:>. 'rem

-. - ■ : ^, :.r.'rf -k. a> :':'..i: of

. - :r-.-:'^ vh^^h ve:.

vr -.. . cr.-"C5

. :.- :•■.'* \-:y ;

:■:: '.*;:c v.o:

: :". CASi\ ai

■ • .' C". ,■ : ci
::r : r.-.: -.ruc

- '.'.:. hv

PROMESSI SPOSI

mtonchcd, or at Itrsist tinmovcd, by thesc proclamaHons,
Sqch werc tbe asyliiiiis, such wcrc the privikges of certam
dmsses, privilcgcs partly rtcognìtaì by law. partly home
^" ' -US silcncc, or dccricd wilh vaiti proUsts, but kept

L {, aiìd guarded liy ifiese dasscs» and by almost

ev. r.idual in them. with ìiitt^restcd activity and punc-

ti: JoQsy. Now* impimity o£ ibis kìntJ, tbreatened and

h Ut nat dcstrciyed hy ibc firnclamations, was natu-

ra. ^e<l, oa cvery ncw tiircat and iiisult, lo put m force

iiéw powcrs and ncw scliemes to prescrvc ìts own cxistence.
Sa tt (cU mtt in faci ; and on the appcarance of a proclama-
tioo for the festraint of tbc vio'.crit, ihese sought in their
power ncw mcans more npt in effecting that which tbe
pcDcJantattonÀ forbade. The proclanialions, ìndced, could
leccmpUsli ai every step the molestaiion of good sort of
mm^ who had tieithcr power tìitrmselves jior protection from
0I1»ot; bccause, m order to bave every person under their
htflds, to prricnt or punisb tvcry crime, tbey subjccted cvery
iporement of privale life to the arbitrary will of a tbousand
mi|»Ì£L li executives, Bnt wboever, before coinmit-

ttng :. tad taken meaaures to sccure bis escape in

Etne tu j, or a pa!acc. wbere tbe hìrri" had never

dared to e i-icvcr (without any othcr measurcs) bore

a lÌTery witicb cailed to bis defence tbe vanity and iiaterest
q! a powcrfni famìiy or order, such an onc was free to do
u be plca^cd, and cooJd sci at nougbt the clamour of tbe
irodamatìons. Ot tbosc very persona to wbom tbe en forc-
ali» of tbcm wa:t crjininhted, some belonged by birtb lo tbe

priviki^i^d

Otte .inH f'
h

it on ìtj as clicnts; botb

^"St^ habit. aiid imiiation,

«1*, and would bave takcti good care

. : sake of a piece of paper pastcd ofi

of tbe *itrceL5^ Tlie men aitmstcd wìtJi the im'

.,..*; ,, ♦ .k.. t-..-^,.^ ii^j ^j^^ ^^n enterprising

il dci'oted as martyrs^ coiild

ib cy were in num-

V* biren cngaged in

tly abaadooed.

,,, or (so to say)

18 ALESSANDRO ICAKZONI

in theory, set them to work. But besides this, these men
were, generally, chosen from the lowest and most raacallj
classes of those times: their office was held base even by
those who stood most in fear of it, and their title a reproach.
It was therefore but naturai that they, instead of risldng,
or rather throwing away, their lives in an impracticable un-
dertaking, should take pay for inaction, or even connivance
at the powerful, and reserve the exerdse of their execrated
authority and diminished power for those occasions, where
they could oppress, without danger, t. e. by anno3ring pacific
and defenceless persons.

The man who is ready to give and expecting to receive
ofìfence every moment, naturally seeks allies and companions.
Hence the tendency of individuals to unite into classes was
in these times carried to the greatest excess; new societies
were formed, and each man strove to increase the power of
bis o\^*n party to the greatest degree. The dergy were
on the watch to defend and extend their immunities; the
nobility their privileges, the military their exempticms.
Tradespeople and artisans were enroUed in subordinate con-
f ratemities, lawyers constituted a leagne, and even doctors a
corporation. Each of these little oligarchies had its own pecu-
liar power; in each the individuai foond it an advantage to
avail himself, in proportioo to dieir authority and vigour,
of the united force of the many. Hooest men avaiied them-
selves of this advantage for defence; die evil-disposed and
sharp-witted made use of it to accomplish deeds of violence,
for which their personal means were tnsuffident, and to
ensure themsehres impunity. The power, however, of these
varìous combinatioQS was very tmequal; and eq>ecial}y in
the country, a rich and violcnt nobility, having a band of
bravoes, and surrounded by a peasantry accustomed by im-
memorìal tradition, and compeDed by interest or force, to
look upon themselves as soldiers of tìicir lords, exercised a
power against which no other kagne could have maintained
eflectual resistance,

Our Abbondio, not noble, not neh, not coorageons. was
therefore accustomed from hb very infancy to k)ok npon
himself as a vessel of fragile earthenware. obUged to joor-
ncy in company with maay vessds of iroo. Hence be had

I PROMESSI SPOSI

easOx acquìesced in hìs pareots' wish to niake htm m
pricst. To say the tnith, he had not reflcctcd nriuch od the
OliHgattoiss and nobJe cnds of the ministry to which he was^
dcdicatiDg hìmselt: to ensure somethiog to live upoo witb
comfort, and to ptace htm self in a class revcred and power*
fui, secmed io him two sufficìent reasons for his choice* Btit
m» class whatcvcr provides for an individuai, or secures bini,
lie}*und a certain poinf : and oone dbpenses him irom form-
tDg hii owti particuìar system.

Duo Abbondio, contìnoaliy absorbed in thoiights about his
<wtii sectirity, cared Jiot at afJ for those advantages whieh
liiked a little to i;FCurc a great deal His system was to
etCMpù ail opposition, and to yìeld where he conld not
CKftpe. In ali ihe frequent con test s e arri ed on around
him between the dergy and ìaity» In the perpetua! collìsion
betwecn odtcìals and the nobility, belween the nobility and
iragtstrates^ bctween hravoes and soldìers, down to the
pitdied battJe between two rustles. arising from a word, and
decida ^'ith fi^ts or ponlards, an unarmcd neutrality was
his e- TU If he were absolutely obliged to takc

A par ed iJie stronger, always, however, with a

iwerre, and an cndcavour to show the other that he was
n-^f ^ Mìlfti^ly bi^ enemy. li seemed às i£ he would say. * Why
e 'A manale to bc Ihe stronger? I would ha ve taken

yonr m^:c theu/ Keeping a tespectful dìstance from the
powerful; silciitly bearing thcir scorn, whcn capricmtìsly
thtmn in passtng i answcrìng with subintsaion wheo

it Wf-titned 3 n-rer and decided forni; ohliging, by

Il 'ectful sahitatk>nSp the most surly

* -,, -- : -- - LJ a smile, when he niet them by

1 tfic poor msku had performed the voyage of sixty

yr*ii ♦ •Mihout rjcperìmcing any vcry violent tenipests.

Tt was noi th^ii he had not too bis own little poriion of
V ^' ' '

^ tbis continuai cxcrcisc of cndur-
^ 4 reasoiis to other s, these niaiiy

bitti^f m* J ilnwn in silence, had so far exas*

eraf'id ■ e not had an opportunity sometìmcs

n way, his heallh would certainly
..... ..^. ..... iherc wcre in the worid, dose

him, K»me few pcfions whom he knew wdl to be

20 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

incapable of hurting, upon them he was able now and then
to let out the bad humour so long pent up, and take upon
himself (even he) the right to he a little fantastic, and to
scold unreasonably. Besides, he was a rigid censor of those
who did not guide themselves by bis rules ; that is, when the
censure could be passed without any, the most distant, dan-
ger. Was any one beaten ? he was at least imprudent ; — any
one murdered? he had always been a turbulent meddler. If
any one, having trìed to maintain bis right against some
power fui noble, carne off with a broken head. Don Abbondio
always knew how to discover some fault; a thing not diffi-
cult, since right and wrong never are divided with so clean
a cut, that one party has the whole of either. Above ali, he
declaimed against any of bis brethren, who, at their own
risk, took the part of the weak and oppressed against the
power fui oppressor. This he called paying for quarrels, and
giving one's legs to the dogs: he even pronounced with
severity upon it, as a mixing in profane things, to the loss
of dignity to the sacred ministry. Against such men he dis-
coursed (always, however, with bis eyes about him, or in a
retired corner) with greater vehemence in proportion as he
knew them to be strangers to anxiety about their personal
safcty. He had, finally, a favourite sentence, with which
he always wound up discourses on these matters, that a
respcctable man who looked to himself, and minded bis own
business, could always keep clear of mischievous quarrels.

My five-and-twenty readers may imagine what impression
such an encounter as has been related above would make on
the mind of this pitiable being. The fearful aspect of those
faces; the great words; the threats of a Signor known for
never threatening in vain; a system of living in quiet, the
2)aticnt study of so many ycars, upsct in a moment; and, in
prospect, a path narrow and ruggcd, from which no exit
could be seen. — ali thesc thoughts buzzed about tumultuously
in the downcast head of Don Abbondio. ' If Renzo could
be dismissed in pcace with a mere no, it is ali plain ; but he
would want reasons; and what am I to say to him? and —
and — and he is a lamb, quiet as a lamb if no one touches him,
but if he were contradicted . . . whew ! and thcn— out of his
senses about this Lucia, in love over head and . . . These

I PBOMESSI SPOSI

yorac <»e»t wbo fall m !ove for want of somethln^ to do, will
be ' ik fiothìn^ itbout other pcople, fhcy 4o not

ci^ ic trnuhle they bring iipon a poor curate*

Ualortiuàate m< l What posi^tble business had thesc two frìght-
fui fi^res to ptit ihcmscìvcs in my patii , and interfere wìth
wuf Is U I wbo want to be tìiarried? Why did Ifaey oot
iTiiin». rr^ and talk with , . , , Lct me see: what a great
«il ìt h tiiat ihe righi pian nevcr comcs iato my

hc3i] tu: il 15 tao latcl If I had but tlioiigbt of suggestìng
to thcm to carrv thAr messai^e to . ^ / But at this point
It occurrcd io ^ t of not having been aider

and abcttor in i. f iniqyhous; and he tumed

Itìs Mngry thoughis u|>on tlie man who hact come, in this
ammer, to rob hìm of bis peace. He kncw Don Rodrigo
ootjr by sight and hy Tepori; fior bad he had to do with him
farthcr than io makr a lowly revertncc wbcn he had chanced
to meet hìm, It had fallen to him sevcral times to de f end
th? ^' against ibrDse who» with subdued voice and lóoks

' ol hcd ili to ttomc of bis cntcrpriscs. He had saìd

a hundrcd ticjcs that he wa* a rcspectable cavalicr • but at
thb ::i':mcfìt he bcstowcd upon him ali thosc cpithets which
bc r bcard applied by others wìthotit an exclaosatioti

rof wi^.ijj^r> -jbatioiL Aniid the ttimtjU of tlicse thowghts he
Ireached bis own door — bastily applicd the key which he held
' io li« liandf opt?ned. ftjterefì, carcitally closed it behind him,
wssà anxìoDS to ftnd hirn&clt in trust-worthy company, called
quìckly, ' Perpetua, f Vrpctua ì * as he went towards the
^tni^foofii» whcrc he was sure to find Perpetua laying the
dotfa for stippcr.

Perpcttia, as cvcry ooe al ready kiiows, was Don Abbondio^a
ienraiit, a senratit affectionate and faithfuJ, who kncw
bo« Iti ol»ey aiMÌ cotnmand in ìurn as occasion recjuired
— ifi bear, m season. ibe ^ttnhlin<7S and fancìes of ber
m:: :

paused ih e sim^ai at;e oì lor smgic, bccàu^c, a?

xiìJ KrTKlf, 5hc ìiMÌ rei- .rs, or because %he

:ouQd any onc goose cnougb to bare bcr< w ber

UiLii MltL

'tMm coming»' retjlkd Perpttaa, puUtag dowo m ita usuai

I PROMESSI SPOSI

hdp:

ol nqr care for you, because I wish to bc abìc io

villi

► j-^tt, to give yovk good addice, and to comfort you.'
Tbe fact wa&» Don Abbondio was» pertiaps, just as anxious
U> fet rìd of bis burdensome secret, as Perpetua was to know
ÉL In eoasequence, after having rebutted, always more
leebljr^ her reiterated and more vigorous assauhs^ after
farrag roade her vow more than once not to breathe the
wbjcict^ with many sighs and many dolcful exclamations, he
relatcd at last the aiiserable event, Whcn he carne to the
lernbte nainc, ti was n ecessar y Cor Perpetua to make
aivd more soteotn vows of silencc; and Don Abbondio^ hav^^
Eiccd tbis name, sank back on the chair, lifting
Dds io act at once of command and cntreaty — exclaìm^l
hcavcn*» sake ! '
' Mcrcy J ' exclaìmed Perpetua, * Oh, what a wretch ! Oh,

l a tyranl ! Oh, what a godless man ! *
*Win you hold your tnnguc? or do you wUh to ruin me
"ikofc^rr?'

•\VTiy, we're ali alone; no one can bear us. Bui what
^wiS you do, «r? Ob, my poor master I '

' Yoa ICC now, you see/ said Don Abbondio, in an angry
'what good advicc thìs wonian can gì ve mei Sbe
aad aàks me wbai sìmll I do, what shaJl 1 do, as if
die werc in a quandary» and it wcrc my place to help ber out/
*" I could cven gt\ tz my poor opinion ; but then , * /

tkm, kt Uh bear/

' My advice m^ould bc, hìnct, as everybody says, our Arch*

bfaop ìs a saint, a bold-heartcd man, and one who h not

•fnid fif an ugly face, and one who glorie* in upbolding a

. |»r cnraie against these tyrants, when he hae an oppor-

I tìttàtj»*-ì shanld say. and I do say, that you ihouid write m

'ikeletter lo bform him how that. • /

'Wniyou hold your coitpie? wilf you he sileni? H Uils
ailricc in gì ve a poor man? Whcn a btillet w^s TodgedJ
my back, (Hcaven de f end me!) would the Ardihbho
ilodge ìt?'

* Wby ! buDas doo't By in sbowers likc comfits/ Woc to
ni tf theie dogi could bite whcficver they bark« And I bive

eu*i«i» la luly. dutwa the ciimivvlp f«r Irkiiib lo
kàmwut qì confiti» «§ thitf pMi la H

24 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

always taken notice that whoever knows how to show his
tccth, and makes use of them, is treatcd with respect; and
just because master will never give his reasons, we are come
to that pass, that every one comes to us, if I may say
it to . . .'

' Will you hold your tonguc? '

* I will directiy ; but it is, however, certain, that when ali
the world sees a man always, in every cncounter, ready to
yield the . . .'

' Will you hold your tongue? Is this a time for sudi non-
sensical words?'

' Very well : you can think about it to-night; but now, don't
be doing any mischief to yourself ; don't be making yourself
ili — ^take a mouthful to eat'

'Think about it, shall I?' grumbled Don Abbondio, *to
be sure I shall think about it Fve got it to think about;'
and he got up, going on; 'I will take nothing, nothing: I
bave something else to do. I know, too, what I ought to
think about it. But, that this should bave come on my
head!'

' Swallow at least this other little drop,' said Perpetua,
pouring it out ; * you know, sir, this always streng^ens your
stomach.'

*Ah, we want another strengthener — another — another — *

So saying, he took the candle, and constantly grumbling,
'A nice little business to a man like me ! and to-morrow, what
is to be done?' with other like lamentations, went to his
chamber, to lie down. When he had reached the door, he
paused a moment, tumed round and laid his finger on his
lips, pronouncing slowly and solemnly, ' For Heaven's sake t *
and disappeared*

CHAPTER n

IT ts related that the Prince Condé slept soiindty the
night befcire the batti e of Rocroi. But. in the first
placc^ he was vety tìred, aixd, secondly, he had gì veti
ali needfuì prcvious orders» and arranged what was to be
done on the morrow. Don Abbondio, on the other band,
as yet knew nothing, except that the morrow woold be a
ciay of battle: hence great part of the night was spent by
hìin in anxioiis and harassing deliberations. To take no notice
of the lawless ìntimation, and proceed with the marriage,
was a pian on whìch he would not even expeod a thought.
To cdifide the occurrcnce to Renzo, and seek with him some
means , * , he dreaded the thought! *he must not let a
wTord cscape * * • othen^ Ise - , * ehm ! ' : thus one of the
bravoe<5 had spoken, and at the re-echoing of this ehmf
Don Abbondio, far from thinkìng of transgressing such a
law, began to rcpent of having revealed it to Perpetua. Must
he fly J Wliither ? And then, how many annoyances, how
many reasons to gì ve! As he rejected pian after pian, the
mi fortunate man tossed from side to side in bed. The course
whìch $eemed best io him was to gain ti me, hy imposing on
Renzo. He opportunely remembcred that it wanted only
a few days of the tinie when weddings were prohibited.' —
'And i£ I can only put him off for these few days, 1 bave
then two montbs before me, and in two months great things
may bc done/ — He rum inai ed over varioas pretexts to
bring loto play: and though tbey appeared to him rather
slight, yet he reassured bìmself with the thought that hià
authority added to them wootd make them appear of suf-
ficient weight, and then his practised expertence would
give Wm great advantage over an fgnorant youth, ' Let
US see/ he said to himself. ' he thinks of bis love, but I
of my li fé: I am more mterested than he: heside that I
am cleverer, My dear child, ìf you feei your back smart*
mg* I know not what to say ; but I will not put my f oot ia

1 1« r. Leal

26 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

ìt.' — ^His mind being thus a little scttlcd to delìberation,
he was able at last to dose bis eyes : but what sleep ! What
dreams! Bravoes, Don Rodrìgo, Renzo, pathways, rocks,
flight, chase, crìes, muskets!

The moment of first awaking after a misfortune, while
stili in peq>!exit\% is a bitter one. The mind scarcely re-
stored to consciousncss, retums to the habitual idea of
former tranquillity: but the thought of the new state of
things soon presents itself witfa rude abmptness; and
our misfortune is most trying in this moment of contrast
Dolefully Don Abbondio tasted the bittemess of this mo-
ment, and then began hastily to recapitulate the designs
of the night, confirmed himself in them, arranged them
anew, arose, and waited for Renzo at once with fear and
im{>atience.

Lorenzo, or, as every one caUed him. Renzo, did not
keep him long ì^-aiting. Scarcely had the honr arrived
at which he thought he could with proprìety present him-
self to the Curate, when he set o£F with the light step
of a man of twenty. who was on that day to esponse ber
whom he loved. He had in early yonth bcen deprìved
of his parents. and carried on the trade of silk-weaver,
hereditary. so to say. in his f amily ; a trade hicratxve enongfa
in former years, but even then beginning to decline, yct
not to such a degree. that a clever workman was not able
to make an honest livelihood by ìl Work became more
scarce from ilay to diy. but the continuai emigration of
the workmen, a:iraciec io the neighbouring states by prom-
ises. prììi-ileges. and lar^e wages, left snffident occupatioa
for ihose whv^ rc:r.air.e-Ì in the country. Renzo possessed,
besides, a pio: ci U-s?. which he culti vated. working In it
hiirself when he was «iisongaged from his silk-weaving, so
ih.\t in his station he nvigh: tv ca'led a rich man. Althougb
this year w?.> o-':e of ^eater scircit^k- ihan those whidi had
prece\ic\l it. ar»».^ rra! war.t K --lar^ to be feh already, yet he,
having beconic a saver of r. .:::cy e%*er sinoe he had cast
hi> eyes upon Lucia, founJ hi:rs:'t sutBciently fumished whh
provisions, and had no newJ lo fc^ his breflKL He appcared
Nriore Don Abbondio in gay brìdal ««urne, with feathcrs
et varioua coloim in his cap. with ao ocnamfnral-hilKd

I PROMESSI SPOST

éafger in hfs |Kieket; and %vìth an air of feativity^ and af
the same timc of defiancc> commoa at that timc evcn to
men the niost qtiiet The h esita tì^ng and mysterious reception
of Don Abbondio fomied a slrange contrast with the joy-
ous and resolcite hearing of the young man.

He must bave got some notion in hìs head, thought
Renio lo himself, and then sald: M have come, Signor
Cnrate, to know at what botir it wUl sult yoa for us to he
at church/

* What day are yoii speaklng of?'

' How ! of what day ì Don't yeti rcmemher, sir, that thls
ÌB the day fijted upon? '

*To-day?* repUed Don Abbondio, as if he now hcard
it spokeo of for the first tirae* *To-day^ to-day . • .
don't be impatient, but to-day I cannot/

' To-day yoti cannot I What bas bappcned, sir? *

' First of ali, I do not fcel well, you see.*

*I am very sorry, but what you have to tìo, sir, la SQ
tooQ don e, and so little fatiguìn^ ^ ^ ,f

*Aiid then, and then, and then * . ^

'And then what. Signor Curate?'

* And then, there are difficnlties/
^Diffioikìesl What difficulties ean there be?'

* You need to stand in our shoes, to understand what
pcrplexities we have in these matters, what reasons to
give. I am too soft-hearted, I think of nothing but how
lo remo ve obstacles^ and make ali easy, and arrange thìngs
to please others; 1 negleet my duty, and then I am sub-
ject to reproofs, and worsc'

' But m Heaven's name, don't keep me so on the stretch
— ^tell me at once what is the matter ? '

*Do you know how many, many formalities are neces-
sary to jierform a marriage regularly ? *

* I ought to know a little about it,* said Renzo, b eginn ing
to bc warm, ' for you, sir, have puzxled my head enough
about it» the last few days back. But now is not every*thing
made dear ? Is not everything done that had to he donc ?*

'AH, ali, on your part: therefore, have patienee; an
ass I am to negleet my duty th?ìt I may not give pain to
people. We jpoor curates are between the anvil and the

so ALESSANDRO MANZONI

wrath, he turned his thoughts on the late conversation, and
more and more strange it seemed to him. The cold and
constrained greeting of Don Abbondio ; his guarded and yet
impatient words, his grey eyes, which, as he spoke, glanced
inquisiti vely here and there, as if afraid of coming in con-
tact with the words which issued from his mouth, the making
a new thing, as it were, of the nuptials so expressly dctcr-
mined, and above ali, the Constant hinting at some great oc-
currence, without ever saying anything decided, — ali theie
things put together made Renzo think that there was some
overhanging mystery, different from that which Don Ab-
bondio would bave had him suppose. The youth was just
on the point of tuming back, to oblige him to speak more
plainly; but raising his eyes, he saw Perpetua a little way
before him, entering a garden' a few paces distant from the
house. He gave ber a cali to open the garden door for him,
quickened his pace, came up with ber, detained ber in the
door-way, and stood stili to bave a conversation with ber,
intcnding to discover something more positive.

* Good morning. Perpetua : 1 hoped we should bave been
merry to-day altogether.'

* But! as Heaven wills, my poor Renzo . . .'

^ I want you to do me a kindness. The Signor Curate has
been making a long story of ccrtain reasons. which I can-
not understand ; will you explain to me better why he cannot
or will not marry us to-day?'

*OhI is it likely I know my master's secrets?'
-—I said there was some hidden mystery, thought Renzo;
and to draw it forth to the light, he continued: 'Come,
Perpetua, we are friends; teli me what you know, help an
un fortunate youth.'

* It is a bad thing to be bom poor, my dear Renzo.'
'That is true/ replied he, stili confirming himself in

his suspicions, and secking to come nearer the question,
*that is true; but is it for a priest to deal hardly with

the poor?'

•Listen, Renzo. I can teli you nothing; because . , .
I know nothing; but what you may assure yourself of, ia,

■ To tmderttand thli •cene fuUy. the reader muit be«r in mind that the
Italian SrdSJ^nOmotl tafwSAl», •urrounded by a wall ■tYcn or tight
itti bigL

l PROMESSI SPOSI fi

taf msiter does oot wtsh to ill-treat yoa, or anybody ;

it 19 fxn hì« fault/

Whose fault is it ihco ì ' deoiand^d Renio, ivith an air
indiffercocc, btit witli an atixioiis heart, and ears on thf

' • Wbiii I teli you I know ooUung * . - In def enee of my
mailer I cati ^eak; tiecaiue I ean't bear to bear that he
ia re^y to do ili to any one. Poor mao! if he does wrong^
fa is from too good natufc. Thcre certainly are some
wretcfics in the world» overbearing tyrants, roen without
the few of God , , .'

-^Tyrantsl wretchest thought Renzo: are not these th^
fTtat meo? 'Come/ said he, with dtfficulty hiding his in-
creasìjig agìtatton, ' come, teli me who ìt is.'

' Oh, oh ! you want to make me speak ; and I cannot
ipcaic, becausc . * . I know uothìng: when I kuow nodi-
is the same as if I had taken an oath not to telL
iglit piti me to the rack, and you would gei nothing
niy moutii. Good-bye; it is lost timc for you and
me botb,'

So laytng, sbe quìckty cntcred the garden, and shut the
door. Renxo^ hartng return ed ber farcwelt, turned back^
villi 1 quìet step« tJsat sti>e mtght not bear whtch way he
t; but wbeo he got beyond reacb of tbe good womans
he qutckcncd hì« pace; in a niomerit he was at Don
Ibboniiio's door, cntered, want stratght to the rooni
io whkit he had left hlni, fonnd him there, and went
lowanli hiiD with a rtckless hearing, and eye$ glancing

ti ebl wfuu new thm^ is thìs?' said Don Abbondio.

fi ihat tvrant/ said Reni^fo, with tbe voice of a man
ts i! I to obtaìn .1 precise reply, ' who is the

who ... .....viUing tbat I iihould marry Lucia?'

Whatf wbat? what?* siammercd the astonishcd poor
his face in a moment bcC' * ' ' . iilourlesa aa

_frag jtut CQietged from the \ itili ilaia*

nerinc* he tnade a start fr u-cii^ir, lo Jan towards

dcior. But Renio, whi ^ uave expcctcd thb movc-
waii un tbe alert, sprang thcre before hiia^ locked
ftod pm tlie k^ in fili pocket

jLLZS^.orrac Xjj^zcfsi

•Ai* i:r ~~ -ni

2j£S 11^7 "WiaSl >'.!£ 2116

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ini ;■: uze uTr .f ^r.: iu-^^ot^ vHiTt 3r"r_TiC2ri L jbl bis

_■. — ■•-: ^ -r^- ' -— ^: l'eli Juii3cixi2i£.. 5c & fedik

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— ■-i:'*'" r :*j.: '7,-.- Aiccc'Sr cccJi no

A: v:ì 't-v ^1 ir-L-d:c- _':r A:cc-±.\ -rEi* ih-e face

v:.-:^"

:* r— ?<_ic cerate.

rwu'.r,:/ >. r ;ir. ^* *\^,\*i i*rfr sjllaile-s, and r'.iiìnì: cv«" the
O'/f* V/r. i • \. y.'^'j * >. 'o-:gh ^ ;- ' : : i:t3*::t, ptnl y beci:i5e ex-
tr\hÌT.y^ *'r.': '.r*>, \"A'J!z:.'^,\ -Czj^ -u^i left hin, r:> 5:eer his
%"4'/ V-^aìz*. •'<; f»ro ftiri, it zz.'^ZTfd 'Jia: he wislied
lo ìvitr.^rriv/ *h': v/ord ir.-: ms^ke k invisible at the vcry
tOfAntrtX h«; wii </yr.itràine>d to gì ve urterance to it.
Ile 1— Volsi

I PROMESSI SPOSI

*Ah, dog?* shouted Renmo; *atid how lias he done it?
And what has he said to . . - ? '

* How, eh ? how ? ' repUcd Doo Abbondio, in an indignant
voice» as it were; feeling after so great a sacrifice, that he
had^ in a manncr, becomc a crediton 'How, eh? I wìsh
it had happened to yon, as it has to me, who have not put
my foot in it for nothing; for then, certainly, you would not
bave so many crotchets in your head.* And here he began
to dcpict in dreadful colours the terrible enconnter, As he
proceeded in the descrìptjon, he began to reali^e the wrath
which hithcrto had been concealed» or changed into fear;
and perceiving at the same lime that Renzo, bctween anger
and confusion, stood motionless, with hìs head downwards,
he contintied triumphantly : * You have done a pretty deed I
Ntce treatment you bave given me! To serve stich a trick
to an hotiest man, to yonr curate — in bis own house'— in a
sacred place ! You have done a fine action, to force f rom my
lips my own min and yours, that which I concealed from
yotì in prudcnce for your own good! And now^ when you
do know it, how much wiser are you? 1 should like to know
wbat you would bave done to me I No joking here, no ques-
tioa of right and wrong^ but mere force. And this morn-
ing, wbcn 1 gave you good advice . . , chi in a ragc
dircctly. I had judgment enough for myself, and you too;
but how docs it go now? Open the door, however; give
me my key/

'1 may have been wrong/ replied Renzo, with a voice
soficned towards Don Abbondio, but in which suppressed
rage against bis newly discovered enemy might be perceìved ;
*I may have been wrong; but put your hand to your heart^
and think whether in my case . , .*

So saying, he took the key from hts pocket, and went to
open the doon Don Abbondio stood behiud ; and while Renzo
lumed the key In the lock, he carne besìde him, and with a
seriotis and anxjous face, holding up three fingers of hia
right hand, as if to help hìm in bis tum, ' Swear at least
* * / said he,

* I may have been wrong, and I beg your pardon,
sìr/ answered Ren^o^ opening the door^ aud preparing to
go out

BQ a— Volsi

Il ALESSANDRO MANWNI

'Swear , , / replied Poti Abbondio, »ehmg hbn 6y tbe
ann with a tremblìng band

'I may Iiave beta wrong/ repcated Renzo, bs ht ex*
tn'cated himself froiti him, aiul departeU wtth veh^iiMiil
hastc, thus cutting short a Jiicussion which, likc matsv &
qucstion of phììosQpliy, or Ii(er«tuf«i or somclhing
migbi bave be<^ti prolonged mx eenturk^, mnct èacb ^^n/
dld nothing but repeat hU ow^i argitmentB.

•perpetuai — Ptrrp^stual' cried Don Abbondio, liter lsa|
ìng in vaili callcd back the fugitive Perpetua ^fi^wcrrinc
Don Abbgndio tben loBt ali ctmsciousncss •■ - he wa*.

It bas happeijcd more than once to |k: „ ^ oi mudi
greatcr importane^ than Don Abbondio, to tiod thrtnscivci
in cj&tri^aùties m tryìng to ihc Hesh, in liuch perplcxity q|
pianti* that it bas appearcd lo thcm tbeir bc&t rcsource to fH
to hed with a fevt^r, This resource Dan Abbtiodio hai) noi
to scck for, bccause it ofìcrccì itsctf to him of its own accord*
The fright of the day bcforr, the harassing slcqilcsstietjs of
the Tìightp tho additional f righi in the iiìoniing, atixtety abotit
the fu iure, bad produccd this cfìfcct. PerptcKcd and b#-
wildercd, tic refitcd himsclf on his arm-cbair: he bc^n
feci a cerialn qnaking of the l)oncs; he looked at bis nati
und stghed, and called from timc to time, witb a tremnbtj
and auxious voice—' Perpetua 1 ' Perpetua arrived at lengtl
with a great cabhage under ber artn, and a hn^
face, as if nothiii^ bad hetn the matter. I spare t^
the lamentatjoni, condoiences» «ccui^ations, dcfetiee», tlie^
* Yoa only eaji bave spoken/ and the — * l bave not spokeai *-^
mi] tbe recrijninations, tn tbort, of thi& colìoquy* Let it
iufficc to say« that Don Abbondio ordered Perpetua to faitc
the dooTS well; not to pm foot outsidc; and ì! any
knockod, to aniwcr from the window, that the curate
confincfl to hi* bcd with a fever. Ile tlicti slowly aseendcd
the ìitatrs, rcpcating al cvcfy thìrd Mq), 'I bave ctangbt iti*
and rcally went to bcd^ irbero we wiil leave bim*

Remo, meanwhile, walked witli an oedted itep
home, witboot havìng determioed what he oagitt to ót^^
with a mad hnging to do iocoeihing strmngc and terni
Tbe unjtist and q>prc««ive, ali tboje, in faci, who irrop
otliera» are guilty, oot ooljr of the evU tbe/ <lo« but alap

1 FROMESai SPOSI

penrefsion M mine they cause tn tHose whom thcy

'mttend. V :ì ^omig tnftn of peaceful diaposition^

sud aver 5 ; Macere, andone who abhorred deceit ;

biit ac liu& Bioiuetii, hjj he&it fianted lor murder: hi3 mind

was occupied ooly io dembg a [>lot He wouid have wished

lo hastei to Don Rodrìgo*s boyse» to seize htm by the throat,

and , . * bui he remembered that his hou^e was like a fort-

TCS5, garriioncd with bravoes within^ and guarded wìlhout;

that ooJy fricnds and servantSi wcil known, cauld cntcr

ireciy. witbout htìng searched itom head to foot; tbat au

aritsam» H unknown, could poi put foot wìthin it wìlhout

an exammsuoa; aod that he» above ali , , . he probably

mtnììd be loo weìl known* He thcn fancìed himself taking

Us lOwliDg-piece^ plaoting himseJf behind a bedge^ looking

ottt whcthtf bis cnemy would ever, ever pass by, unaccom-

putied; and dwelltnf wtth ferocìous complacency on this

tfaoQgiii, Ile imafined tìie sound of a step; at thb sotmd be

fàtics bis bcad wìtbotit ooìsc; recognizcs ihe wretch, raises

the low>i«g-p«cce, takes aìm — 5res; sces him fall and ftrug-

ik» bestows a malediction on him, and escapes m safety

iKTond the bofders^^And Lucia ?—Sca re ely had thìs word

oo«ne across tbese dreadftii phantastes, when tbe better

^onghis. with wliich Remo was famìliarixed, crowded imo

hiÈ mind. He recalkd the dyiag charge of bis parents. The

tfMMifbi of God, of tlie Blessed Virgin, and of tbe samts«

raarmd ttpois him; he remembered the consoìatìon be had

m ùtten cacpericnced from the recollection that he was free

Kcriiaet; be rettiembeted the horror with which be had
eti rccdifcd the news of a murder ; and he awoke from
ream of blood witlj fear» with remorse, and yct with a
watt Of Joy that be bad but Imagined It. But the thought of
Lscta — hciw maoy thoughtìi it hrotight aJong witii it! So
Bway hopes» so maciy promises, a future so brtght, so secare,
aad tKIt day so loitged for I And how, with what words a»-
ocHmee to Hcr stsdì news? And afterwards, what was to
be dofie? How were tbeìr plans to be accomplished, in spite
of this pcm—^^t^t -.«,1 ttT;.4ed cnemy? Aìong with al) dib,
aor a de6 i tormentiog shadow dstted cvery

thToi:gn in . uyiu*L 7*hjs ovcrbcaring act of Don
oouUi liave no laotim bai a lawleaa |»a8sioa lor

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Lucìa. And Lucia I coiiìd $b€ have given htm the nmatlctl
Lencouragcracnt, the most dìstant hopfì Tt was a thoti
[ Whicb could liot dwcll for an iti stani in his tnìnd. Bui
[sbe awane of it? Could he have coiiccived thh mia

ìion wtlhout ber perceiviog it? Could he have cam«
matters so far, without h^ving madc an aitenipt ta
fitbcr maniier? And Lucia had never mcntiottcd a word ol
it to bim» hcr bctrothcd ì

Ovcrcomc by thesc thoughts, he passcd by his &wn ho
whtch was sittiaicd m the nìiddle of the village. and
.ceeding through ìt, carne to that oi Lucia, vvhich slood at the"
FOpposite cod This cotta^^c had a littìe R^arflcn in front, wbich_
separated it from the road; and the garden wa^ surrounci
by a iow walL As Renzo cntcrcd the gardcti* he beard aP'
^conttised and continuai murmur of voices (rom an upper
room* He supposcd it was friend s and conipanions conm]
to greet Lucia ^ and he did not wi»h to show bimself to thì|
^company wilb the sad news Iie had lo conimunicate dstble i
liia face. A little girl who happencd to be in the gardeo^
to incct biiti, crying, 'The bf idegroof» ! tbc brtde^
lì'

*Gcntly, Bettina, gently!* said Renzo. 'Come bene; go
op to Lucia, take her on onc side and wHspct In ber catj
, , « but mitid no onc hcars, or suspecu . , . teli ber I
1^ speak to ber^ and thai Vm wattlng tu iht down-stalrs ;
nd that shc mtrst come innnediatrly.* Tbe cbtld ran qnìekil
vp-stairs, dellgbted and proud to he entmsted with a secret,
Lticia had just cot»e forth adomed from head to foot by
be bands of her toother. Her f rtcnds were steaUttf glancet
l tbc brtde^ and forcing ber to show heradf; wbitc the, wuli^
tbe somewhat warlike modesty of a nssttc, was endeavoarini
Lio esc^>e, nslng ber armi as a shield for ber face, aitd
n^ ber head dovmwards* ber Uack pcocilled
eembig to Irowo^ whilr ber lit» were smithig. Iter

Ittaewriasit haiTt dlvided oa ber forriicad witb a wbtte
sartow partlof, waa tinitcd bebiod in raanjrn
af«, i^eroed with tonu dlvcr PÌn?. cHTponcd aroand,
as to looik like ajt or laìntl à fasbioa itHl titl

jue among tbc M* -**- *- ,.ca5aiit-gu^ — iod ber neclc ili
a ncckkce of fameu, alternatcd with bemlt of aitg

I PROMESSI SPOSI m

Shc fpore a pretty bodtce of flowered brocade, Iace4

1 ribbons, a short gowti of embroidcred sìlk»

'*<• and mmtite folds, scarlct stockiai^s, and a

ì of embrotdered silk. Besides thcse, whicb

ornaments of ber weddmg-day, Lncta had

ic crcry-day ornament of a modest beauty» displaycd at

and ijicr€ased by the varied feelings wbich were

ber face : joy tenipered by a slight confwsion, that

'__ cxrcasionally shows itself on the face

oC m t^H^BBHHHlDtit injuring her beauty, gtires it an air
^ccnllar to Itself* xhe little Bettina made her way among
the talkcrs, came dose up to Lucìa» clcverly made her un*
derstaod that she had somethìng io communìcate, and wbìs*
pered feer little message in ber ear. * I am goìng for a
tmifaent, and will bc back directly,' said Lucia to ber friends»
ami hattìly dcscended the staìrs,

On seetng the changcd look and the lanquiet manner of
Eetuo, 'What ìs the matter?' ghe exclauned, oot witbout a
ntiment of terror*
^Luda!' rcplied Renzo, 'it i& ali up for to-day; and God

rfi wbtn we can be man and wife.'

'Wlmt?* aaìd Lucìa^ aJtogethcr amazed. Renzo brìefly

lo ber tbc cvcnts of the mornmg; she lìstened in

di stress; and when she heard the name of Don

*Ah ! * sht txdàiracd, blushìng and tiembling, ' has

teocne to this pomi I '

* Tfacn ytm kncw it ? - . .* said Renzo,
*Iiuleetl too wcll/ anfwcred Lucìa, * but to this pouitt*

• What did you know about it?'
*Dcn*t niakc i»e speak now, don*t make ine cry* I will

and catl my mothcr, and send away tbc girla* We mtist
«Ione/

Whtk ilte was going, Renzo manoured, ' You never eold
e anythinj^ u!>ont tt/

*Aìi. Rcnr.i * ' replìcd Lucia, tumìng round for a ttioment

Renzo tioderstcod very well that bis name

Lucia, at thai moment, in auch a toue, mcant

lo %^ foabt that I coald bc sìknt, except on just

Bj this tinie the good Agnese— (£0 Lucia's mother w»s

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

named), incited to suspicion and curìosity hy the whisper
in her ear, — had come down to see what was the matter.
Her daughter, leaving her wlth Renzo, returaed to the aa-
sembled maidens, and, composing her voice and manner as
well as she could, said, ' The Signor Curate is in, and nothing
will be done to*day/ This said, she hastily bid them good-
bye, and went down agam. The company departed, and dia-
persed themselvea through the village, to recount what had
happened, and to discover whether Don Abbondio was reallj
ili. The truth of the fact cut short ali the conjectures wht^
had already begun to work in their minds, and to be dia»
oovered undefined aad mysterìouaty in their worda.

CHAPTER m

IflLE Renzo was rdating wiih pam what Agnese
wiilj pam lUtened to. Lucia cntereci the rooiit.
l'hey hoìh turned towa.rds ber: ahc indeed knew
iDùreaboiil k ihan lliey, and qÌ her they awaiitd an explana-
^ IJQP wHich eould not but be dtstr^ssing. In the midst of
Mk^ iorrow they both. accordtng to tiie dtfFercnt nature
^^^B^ bvc they bore Lucìa, discovered m tlietr own manner
^Vd^roe of anger that ehc had conceaìed anything from
pVkefD, especìatly of such a nature. Agiieset although anxious
lo bc»r hcr daaghter speak, couid not refrain from a sUght
tt * To t ay nothing to your mother in sudi a case I *
Kow I will teli ycm ali/ answered Lucia, as she dried her
uvith her aproit.

le. speak I— Speak* speak 1 * at once cried both motber

er,

Holjr Vifgin ! ' exclaimed Lucia, * who could bave

tCe¥cd ti woold bave come to this 1 ' Then wiih a voice

Iffnmìoui wìlh weeping, she relatcd how» ae she was rc-

tviiinf frotn her spiiiniDg, and bad loitered behind her com-

Don Rodrigo, in company wjth another gentleman,

by ber; that he had tri ed to engagé her in foDlUh

Nk, aa fbe called it ; but she, witbout giràg him an answer,

fcid qtuckened her pace, aad josned hcr companlons ; ihcn

ik hid heard the other gentleman laugh loudly, and Don

•ay, ' Vìi Jay you a wag er/ The ncxt day they wcre

OR the road» but Luda was in ilie midst of her com-

' ' vcs on the ground; wben tbe other gentle-

[>on Rmirigo said, ' We shail see, we shall

cominued Lucia, * thank God, was the

ijf* I rclated inirnediately , , /

it you lold it to?* demanded Agnese, wnìting»

a little di^plea«urc, ior the name of the con-

id bcen preferred.

- ir Cristoforo, rn confcssion, mamisui^' repUed

wnh a mect tone of apotogy. 'I rclaied iJie vriioto

40 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

lo him, the last time we went to church together, at the
convent: and if you noticed, that tnoming I kept putting
my band to one thing and another, to pass the time tiÙ other
people were on the road, that we might go in company with
them: because, after that meeting, the roads make me so
frightencd.'

At the reverend name of father Cristoforo, the wrath of
Agnese subsided. 'You did well/ said she; 'but why not
teli ali to your mother also? '

Lucia had had two good roasons: one not to distress and
frìghten the good woman, about an event against which she
could bave found no remedy; the other not to rrni the risk
of a stor>' travelling from mouth to mouth, which she wished
to be kopt with jcalous silence: the more so because Lucia
hopcd tliat her marriage wouid bave cut short at the begtn-
ning this abominated persecution. Of these two reasons
she allcged only the first. 'And io you/ said she, tuming to
Renzo, with that tene which reminds a friend that he is un-
reasonable: 'And to you could I speak about this? Surely
you know toc much of it now ! '

'Aiìd what did the father say to you?' asked Agnese.

' He told me that I must tr^* to hasten the wedding as
much a5 I could. and in the mean time to keep myself within-
doors : that I shouid pray to the Lord : and he hoped that this
man. if he did not see me. would not care any more about
me. And i: wa^ then that 1 forced mvselt.* continued she,
tuming aj:aìn towards Remo, without howcver raising her
eyes, and Ku^Jiin^ to the templcs. * it \va$ then that I put
on a KH> ■ v!d face, and begged you tv> vjet it done soon,
and bave it c\>nc1udevl before the &xevl time. Wlio knows
what vou must bave thought of me! Bui I did it for good,
and il was advised me. and I iboughi for certain . . . and
this momi:*.^ I was Sv> far from ihì-.ikin^ . , .*

Here l.ucia's words wenf cu: short by a violent burst of
lears.

•Ah. rasca! ! wreich ? murderer ? * cxcbiiv.cvl Renzo, strìd-
ine: Ivickwards a:sd fv>nfcarv!s acrv^s* lite rvxnn. and grasping
ìtst'.w :i!::e io time the bill oi hi* dai:>:er.

' Oh. heaven». what a lurv ! ' excUii«st\! .\gne4e. The
jotmg man suddeuly drcw hiui^clf up beicc« Lucia, who

I PROMESSI SPOSI

weeping, looked at her with an anxtoiis and cmbtttered
tendcmess, antj satd, ' This is the last deed thìs assassbi
shall do/

'Ah, fio» Renzo, far Heaven's sake \ * cried Lucìa ; ' no,
far Heaven'a salce I God is on die side of the poor, and
can we expcct him to help us if we do wrongF'
'No, no, fof Hcavco's sake! ' echo^^d AgriMe,
^Reazo/ said Lucia, wìtii an air of hopc anji more tran-
quii rcsolotion, *you bave a trade» and 1 kniow how to work;
kt tts go so far off ihat this man wlll hcar no more abotit us/
*Ati, Lncia ! and wlmt tlien ? We are oot yet tnan and
wìfc! Witl the curate give us a certificate of no impedi-
meckU sttch a man as he is? If we were married, oh
thcol - . /

Lu^ia b^gan lo weep agaln« and ali thfce remained sileni,
51 ' -m which contrasted strangcly with

ih LT dress,

my chiidieu; atta]d to me/ said Agnese, after

Wùii.^ icnU; *1 came into the world long bcfore you;

and I know somcthing about the world. You nced not
£rì|fhtcn yoorselvcs too iiìuch: things are not so bad as
pcople makc out To us poor people the skein secms more

eataQ^lcd bccause we
socoHiiiics a piece of
wbo lias gol leani ìng
mr
K

hold of the rìght ej5d; but
ce, a Httle talk with a man
1 kni^w well enough what I would
Do as 1 teli you. Renxo; go to Lecco, seek for Dr
irbagli,* teli hira ali about tt,— but tnìnd you
,^» Lìm so, for IleaveJi*s sakc : it*s a nìck-name. You
lei] tiic Signor Doctor — What in the world do they cai!
Oh dcar! I don't koow bis righi name: ererybody
c*n«i him lio. Never nitnd» seelc for thss doetor; he is tali,
dih a red note and a raspber ry-coloured mole on

fi imoir said Renzo,

►Well,' ^ ,rìrse, *he is a man! T bave seen

thao one pcrson, hothcrcd likc a cbicken in a bundic
111 tiatifv and wiio did not know wbere to put bis head, and
alter hàn% an hour nose to nose with t!ie Pr Azzecca-
Garbugli^ (talee good care xou don't cali btm so}-^I ba%*e

ALESSANDEO MANZOKl

iecn him, I lay, niake a jokt of II Take thcA^ four ciponi,1
poor creaturcsl whose necka I oaght to bave wrung fori
tonili ght's suppcr, and carry thcm to hi tu; because we illiut
nevcr go cmpiy-handed to thcsc gendcmen. RcUtc ta bini
ali thai hat happened, atid yon'ìi £ee he wìU tdl you, in a
twìnklìng; things which would noi come Inio our head» il
we were to think about tlicm for a year/

Hen^o wìilingly embraced thii cotuiBi*!; Lucia apprdved
tt; apd Agaesc» proud of havìng g^iven it, took the poor i
creatures onc by onc from the hcn-coop, united Uieir d$fKt^
lefs, as one makes tip a btineb of Howcrs* tied them iip wìtb
a piece of strini^, aiid consigned them to the haiids of Rouo,
wbo, after giving aiìd rccciving words of cucourageioetit
^uul hope, went out by a little gate from the garden^ that he
jfbt escapc the ob&ervatìoa of the boys, who would bave
after hiin* cryin^, * The bridcfroom ! the brktegroom ! *
^tis, having crossed the ficlds, or, as ihey caO them there*
iht f^U€*$^ he continiied hìs route aiocig Darrow laties, g^vingi
mterance to bis bitter thouglits^ as be reBectcd on his mis*
fortuae» and oonstdering whai he mtist say to the Dr AjEtcc-
ca-Garbtigli. I teave tt to the readcr to tKtxtk how die
jotiniqr was enjoyed by chose poor creaturea^ so bauod to>
r, atiid beld iy the fect with thcir heads downwarda^ in
band of a tnan who, agitate^ b>* so many paasioiia, ac-
with appropriate gesiures the ^ougtits whìch|
titBniltttoysly througb hU mìnd; and iti mocnenu of I
' ut deterainadod^ ttiddeoJy ociendmg hia ann, inflicicd |

Ics npon theia, mad caused thotc Ioar peód
i to tub vìoleiiily » if we otay be aQovrcd the
itft toeaiiwbile. TigorcMisly a^p^riog tlmadYet to pcdc <
ber, aa too often bappeni aoioiig frkada io adrersi^.
Arriirltig at the Titlàfe, be inqmwl fer the Doetor^a ]

wben tt was potnted out to biin, (|itìddy loade hia wàfì
On apiuóaehkg tt, bowerer, he btgaa to itd tbat]
ifobteis so uioal with the poor aad ifoorani io tho'
of a gentleman or man of leaming, and forgai alt
' ìbe Sue apecdiea be had prepared: bot a glance at the ciiielt*
eoa ho cutfni m hìi band retored hia cottrafe. He
I the Idtefaen» and aahed the maìd-ftervant tf he i30«ld
StsDor Docior* Tbe wooMui looàed ax die birda»

I PROMESSI SPOSI

WM if aocQStoiiicd to sueh prescnts, was about to take them iti
hcr band, >«« Reozo htìé them back, becausc be wanted the
Oocior to ice he had brought sotnethitig wìth htm. Just al
th» ixMMtiQQt, the wiibed-for per^^onage made bis appcarance,
aa the ierrafit waa &ayiii£^, ' Gìve them here, and go fot ward
lo the sli»dy,' Raiso made a law bow to the Doctor , wha
g^racioufily Ud him 'Come iii, my son/ and took htm ìnto
bis atudjr. It waj a large room, decorated on three aìdes
with ponralu of the tWelve Cariars ; the remaitimg wall wa»

I ftiddcn bf a Urge bookcase, fili ed with old and dusty books;
io Iht middle ol the room stood m table covcred with extracts,
pititiaila, libeb, and proclamatlons : three or four chairs
wenc acattered around, and on oae side was a large arm-
chaìr» witb a high square back, terminatine at the comers

I tn two bom*&haf^d omaments of wood, and covered with
kather, fasteoed down witb large naìls. Some of these bad
falicn oot, sa thai the leather curled up bere and there at
fdcAiiìte, leaving the corner s unencumbcred. The Doctor
wma in hia drestslng-gown ; that is to say^ he had on a fadcd
robc# whkh had served him for many years to bar angue in
OH days of state, wheo he went to Miian on any itupoTtani
cause. Haricg sh«i the door, he re-animated the young
ataa's oOdMenee with the&e words: 'Teli me your case,
i^y aocL'

* I wÌMh to sptàk a word to you b confidcnce/
' Vm ready— «peak/ replicd the Doctor. seating himself on

tua ann-chaìn

Jtmzù siood before the table* and twìrling hli hai w3ib
hia rigbt hand round the other, cominiied; * l witU to know
' - -* -ftm, wbo have studied . • /

. the caie oa it is/ ìnterruptcd the Docton

~ iipxcuae foe^ Signor Doctor : we poor pcople don't know
kem lo speak properly. I want, tben, to know . . /

* B1ci»Dd ael yoii arel You are ali alike, Initead of re*
latifif jfoiir eiiie, you aik questiona, becayse youVe already

up yoitr Riinds.*
*T k..^ trttff ^r.fon^ Signor Doctor, I want to know il
Ih* icot lof iJireàiening a ctirate, and for-

bldcin:

* I tu ' « virho hi truth bad ooi

ALB8SAKOE0 MANZONI

intderstoad; 'I uudcr&tand* He then put oti a scriouK facei
but it was a scrìotisness mfnglcd wìtli an air oÌ conipassioci~^
and importance: ;md. prcssinir hb lìps, he uttcred an ifiar*
tkukte aourul hctokcntn^ a seuHmenl, aCterwar '
dearly expresscd in hh lìrst wnrds. 'A seriou^i r /

son. Tlicre are laws to tlic poinL Yau hav*! donc wclJ toj

■^eonie to nac* Il h a clear case, recogmijc^d in a hitndrc
^roclamation^, and . . • siay ! in an cdict of the !ajct yearJ
hy the prcsent Signor Govcmon Vìi kt you scc tt anfl

t Bandlc it dircctly/

So sa^ing* he rose from hh seai. and hunted througb
chaos 0< papers, shatrilmg the lowcr onci* uppcriDOSI wilJ
hjs hands, as if he wcrc tlirowìng coni ioto a tweasure*
•Wbcre can it be? Come nenrrr, come ncarer One Ìa_

lobltged to bave $0 many tlung» in hand ! But it ntui^t sure

'lie bere, for it is m proclamation of importance. Ah! beri
tt K% bere it ni* He took ìt, unfolded it, looked at the <tatia
and wtth a stili more scnotis face, contìntied, *The '*^' 'hi
nf October. 1627. Ccrtaitily: it U lan yettr^s; a fri
lamatton: tt is these tbat cause sticb lear. Can you riM4,

^ my son ? '

•A little. Signor Dr^ctor/

' Very well, follow me witb ytmr cye, and you shall sec*

[And holding the edict display ed in tbc air, be bcgan to

read, rapidty muttertnir some pas»ages« and pausing dia*

lincily, with markcd empbaais, opon otliers^ as the caae re-

qoìred

^AUhmgh in ihe frocìamatìùm pubHshed H m4er ùf ihe

^Si^ùr Duke of Frria, the ì4fk Defemb* ^nd co

firmud hy ike Most ÌUusirious and Mosi / .Vr.;fi,>f

the Signor Gonxaic Ftmandtg de Cordoli, &c,^ r ti

^pravision nmde, hy esfrn-^'^^*'^^'v and rigmtrpm m^

I ifgoinst 0ppressions, r^ifi and tynmnicét orfi ih

seni ' ' ^rVQlfd s^^

fy, <&T,

toncurrmce of ihr Smair md a Cm^nal^ énf,, he liot r^
I solved to ^hlisk thf^ t^esmi tdìct

* And, to htgin mth tyramniccl acts, tJtpÉfimce

1 PBOMKSSl SPOSI

fAiti manf, OS wtU in citics, as in the country. Do you hcar?
esciie af$mmùtions (n this state by molence, and epprcss the
tvcak in various ways, as, for exampie, by cùmfi^Uing thi-m
U> moke hard bargóins in punhascs, renfs, &c., whcre am
I? ahi bere! look— /o fcrform or noi to pcrfùrm mar-
wiages; ch!^

' That is fiiy cise/ sald Renzo.
• Listcti, Ii$ten; there h plcnty more; and thcn we shaO
»c« Ihc penalty. To give niàence, cr noi io give evidencc;
compeUin^ ont to leave his homc^ &c., anothcr to pay a dcbt:
ai! MO do wjth its. Ah! we ha ve it here;

iki rrfarm that io which he is obUged by his

0Acr« ùr io do ihmgs tiékh do nof b elong to hitn. Eh ! *
^ It sccitis as il tlìey ime made the cdkt exactly for me/
'Eh! is h not so? Ihtcn, li sten: and sintUar oppressione,
Iwk^her ^rpelratté by feudatories, the nobility, middle
1 ftmèf, ìower oréers, or pUbeions. No onc cscapes: they are
afl t is like the valley of Jehoshaphat, Llsten now

to Ity, AU these, and ofher snch like criminal acts,

I oithmgh ihey are prohibited, nei^erthtkss, it being nccessory
io use greaier rigour, his Exceìlency, not rdenting in this
froclam^stion, &c,, enjoins and tommmtds that against ali
offenéers under any of the above-mcntioned heads, or ihe
Uke, aU the ordinary magisfraies of the siate shalì proceed
ky pecmniary and corporal pmiishmcnt, hy banishment or the
golìeyt, and et^en by deatk ... a mere bagateìlel at the
frin of his Excellency or of the Settate, oecorditig io the char-
aeter of lise eases, persons, and circurnstances. And this tr-
W->ijs-fii*aLr, and udih att rigour, &c, There's pleuty of it
And sce, hef c's the signatore r Ganzato Femandes
r: and lower down; Fiatonus: and here again:
"rerrer: Uicr«*ji uothing wanting/

the Doctor was readìng, Renzo slowly foltowed

^hhn with hi

trv'npr to draw out the simj>le meaning.

to bchuld for liimsclf those hlrsscd words» whIch he
?ed wcre to render him nsjii.stance. The Doctor, sec-
hi» dicnt more attenti ve tbajì alarmed, was greatly
Hr mii*t bc matriciilat<-d, saìd he to htmself**
added he aloud; ' you ha ve heen nhlìged to
lilii ;he lock. Yoii bave beco prudente however you

AI^BSSANDHO MAZZONI

need nùì bave ddtie so, whcn putting yi^tirsclf uadcr tnf
'hands. The ca§« js serious; biiL you don*l know wliat I
Eluve eourage to do in a ttme of nccd.'

To under&tand thts niistakc of tljc it muti be

Pfcnowni that at that lime» bravocs by pr u and vilbint

ol cverj kind, used to wcar a long lock oÌ hair, whkb '
ihcy drcw o%^cr tlie face Ilice u vìmr on meeting auy onc,
when the occasion \v«s one which rcndercd disguisc aecet*
^ary, and tbc uiiderlakìng such as requircd bolh force tad
circumspectìon*

The proclamatlon had net beco silent with reg^ard lo
ihls iiiaiten 'His Extreliency (tJie Marquis of 1^ Hyno-
^o^3i)commands that whosùiver shaU wiar His kmr ùf fuek \
I ii'ni^th OS io cover his for^hfad as far m the eyfbrows oniy,
or shall Wéar irrssi^s either before or behind ihe tùrs, shaìl
incur the penalty af tkree hundrcd crownsi or m €asg af
inahUiiy, thne years in the galkys for the first offemcét
tmd far thi secùnd, b^sides the ahùve, a stver&r pé$miiy sìitit
ai thi wUl ùf his Bscflkncy.

'H^mwcr, in case of baidness or oiher rtasonaUe asmsé^
m a mark or wound, he gkfes permission to smK for their
^reaier decorum or hcalih^ tu wcar their hair so iomg as may
be mcessary to cover such faiUngs, and nù more; wammg
ihem w^ll io bcwaré of txcecding ihe limits of duty amd*
fure nfctssity, thai they may noi incur ihe penalty impasti
mpon other diss^mbters.

*And he alsó comìnands ali barbers, under penalty of a
hundred croums, or three stripes^ to he gna^n them in pubìic,
and even greatvr cor por al pttnishment, at the ttill of his
Escetieney, as above, that they tcave not on thase wkam
they shatfc, any kind of the saia (resses, heks, curisi or hmr,
hngtr thmì umaL rithcr on the f&rehead, temptes, or he-
hind the ears; bui thai they shall he aU ùf eifual length, as
abavt. escepi in aìse of baidness, or other dtfecis, as aìready
described/ The bck, then, might almoyt bc coosidercd a
in of the annour, and a dbtinciive mark of bravoes und
alidi; so ihat thc$e character» vcry coBuaotily bore
Gi€ nanic of CiuM^ Tìm ttxm U itili uscd^ witli a mltì^
ijgiiificatk>i}, in the dialcct o! tbc country; and, per-

I ritoKfEssi SPOSI

it mie of Olir Milanese readers who does noi
mg it said of hìm, in hi* diiJclhood« eitbéf

Bjr 1i!s relati ves, bis tutor, ar some family friend, *Hc is

a Ciuffo; he is a Ciuffetto*

* Oh tilt word of a poor youtb/ replied Remo, * I oaver
[wai*^ • lode in inj Ufe.'

* 1 cao do fiothing/ replied the Doctor, shaking Ma head,
with a amile bet^-een maltce and itnpatìence* ' 1 1 you don't
trust me, I eaii do nothìng. He wfao tcUs lies lo the lawyer,
do you «ec^ mf son, is a fool wbo will teli the truth to the
jt»dg«, People must relate matters clearly to the advoca(e:
it ia ottr boainesa to make them intricate. If yóu wish me to

' help >*oiit yois must teìl me ali from o to z, with your heart in
yoiir band, aa if to your coiifcssor. Voti must name the
periOn wbo ha» emplnyed you. He will most likciy be a
persoli of coiiseqocnce; and, in that case, I will go to hfm
to pcrfonn an «et of duty* I shan't, however, teli him,
4o yott tee, that yc»u told me he had sent you« trust me.

|l will teli him 1 come to ìmplore h!» protection fot a
flardered youth, and wilì lake ali necessary meas^
tirct with him to fmisb the affair commendably. You
amkrslajid, that, in securing hìmaell, be will also secure
yott, Evei ìf the scrape be ali your own, 1 won*t go
bade; I bare extricated oihers fmro wofse predicaments.
And If you bave not ofiended a person of qualhy, you
«ndestttad, I wtll engagé to gct you out of the diffi*

^ enlly— ^Wttii a little expcnse, you undergtand. You must
tcQ ine who il the ofifended party, as they say; and ac*
oofifinf to the condition^ rank, and temper of the person,
w« abili »ce whcther it will be bettcr to bring him lo
raMin by offers of protection, or, in some way, to ertui»
tnate him, and |>ut a flea in his ear; becatise, you »ee, I
lenow very weìl how to manafe these edìets; no one must
b^ gmltyt and n*> ♦t^'^ mti^t lie innoeerit» As to the ai rate.

Ili he has any .he wtll kecp in the hack-ground;

Il he \% a nìm|( will dispose of him too. One ean

»pe from a- net but it rcquìres onc to act likc

\ V ■ IS, I àay, serious;

tfcf werc to bc decidcd

lMtwc« jtt«uc« atid yoii, tà aa^ Uic UuiX U would go hard

«8

AlMSBAìmnO MANZONI

with yotL I speak to yoii as 31 fricmS. One mtist p«/ Cor
pranks; tf you wixh to gel off clcar, moctey ant! frimloiess
— trojit yourseU lo onc who wishcs you wcll ; obey, and do ali
thai 13 suggcatcd to you/

While the Doctor pourcd forili this t Retilo

lookìng al him, with the spcU-bouivu . nri of m

ibourìng man watching a juggter in the Street, wlva, aifer
'^thruaiing into his moyth handful after hAndfut oif tow,
draws fonh th<'r>cc rihbon^ribbon — ribboti — sccmingly wilh-
out end. Whcn, at last, he midcrstoocl '' -^

was sayìng, and the stranie mistakc he h.
short the rìbbon in bis motith with thesc wartl&; ' Oii, 1
Signor Doctor* how have you understood me? The caj«
ts exactly the olber way. I havc tlircatened no one; I
never do sudi lliings» not I; ask ali niy neìghbours, and
you wiU bear I bave never had aitylhìng to do with the
law. The triek has bcen pbyed upon me; and I carne lo
ask you what I must do lo gel juailce, and I am vcry glad \
that I bave aceti this cdict'

*IIang hitn ! * cxclamied the Dodor, openbg Ms cyca^ '
' Wbai a mcdley you bave madel So it is: you are ali
alikc; h it possibte you don"! know how to teli thtngs
plainly ? '

* I beg your pardon, Signor Doctor, you didn't gire me
litnc; now I will retate the case as it is» You must know,
hen, that I wan to ba%*c tnarried to-day/ anJ hrre Rcnzo*s

oice became ticmulous — ' I wis io fiavc married to^day |
m young woman to whotn 1 bave paìd tny addreaac^ sìnce
the beginntng o( summei-; ami thia was the day, ai I naìd/
that was fixcd with the Signor Carafe, and evcrythiog
was ready. Well, Ihis moniing, the Signor Curate liegmn
lo ihrow out some cxcuse» . * • howcver, noi to tire jotu
I will onty say. T mjtde hltn speak^ a.^ waj» but jun; and
he confeised that be hské bcen fort»ìddea under putii ni
deaUi, to celebrate thia tnarrlage. Thti tyraxit of a Don
Rodrigo . . /

*Get you gtuiel' quickly tntemtp^ted the Doctor, rals^i
Eig his cychrows^ wrinkhng bis red Dose» and liÌBrortEog^ ^
mouth; •gct you gonc! Why do you come bere to
tujr liram vìtli Ihiesc Uca? Talk in thia wmy to your

1 PEOMESSI SPOSI

ÌÌ0Q3, who don'i know the meaning of words, and
^dcwi*t come and ullcr thtm to a gentleaiao who know»
weU what tbcy are wonh. Go away^ go away; you don'c
?w wbat ycm are taikìrig about; 1 doii't meddle wìlh
^; I éoù't waat io bear talk of Uiis sort; talk in tbc air/

* 1 wiii take an oaih , . /
*Gct j0a gone, 1 teli you; what do I earc for your

»! [ won't enter imo the basiness; 1 wash my haiid^

And he began rubbing and twìrling thcm one over

tbe other, aa t£ be were really wasbing tbencu ^Leam
how to speak; aod don'l come and take a geatleman thus
Igr sorpris^/

* Bui Ijstcn— boi listeo/ irainly repeatcd Renzo. The
(lOTimg ali the time» pushed him towards the door,

on readung it, set it wide open, called tbe senrant,
said, * Be qvtkk and give this man what he bfotight.
T want oóthìng* I want nmhtng.* The womati had never
beiore ^ccutcd a siniilaf order ali the timc &he had bcen
the Doctor's senricc; byt it was pronounced in so res-
Dlote a manf)er« that she did not hesitate to obcy. So,
taking the fonr poor btrds, she gave iìmm to Renzo, with
a look o£ contemptyons cooipassìon, which scemcd to say^
^yoo mast tndeed havc made a grand blunder/ Renzo
\k ccrcmonìous, bat the Doctor was inexorable ; and
lippy vvigbt, astonished and bewildered, and more
I wrathtaJ than cver» was cooipclled to take back the restored
|Tktims, and return to the country to relate the pìeasing
It of his expedttlou to Agnese and Lucia,
DuTÌng bis ab^ence, after sorrowful!y dianging their
ntiptlaJ ro1>ea for tJic httmble dailj dress, they had set thcm*
Jvcs to coGSult anew. Lucia sobbing, Agnese sighing mouni'
Ily, froin timc to titne. When Agnese had suffictenlly en-
ttpdo the gTcat cfifects they migbt bopc for frotn the
-** adv^ke. Lucìa remarked, that they ougbt to try
nethod Ukely to assist ihcm; that Fatlier Cristoforo
a m^n nùt only to advise, but afso to render more
e^^ectu^ ajyiiftance* whtre tt concemcd the poor and un-

' ' be a good thing i£ they could
ned,
li wooldt iiHÌciod,' repikd Agnese ; and tbey begia im-

)(

ALB^ANDUO MAKZONI

mcdiAtely io contHve togeth^r some pì^n io &e<!«izitili
il; silice, IO go themiielves tD Ihe convcnt, dtsiant, perhftpl^l
JiWO miles, wa« an undcrtaking they wauid rather oùt rl^k]
ìhaf day; and, certainly» no ooe with any judgment wouldi
havc advtscd thctn io do so. Whik, howcvcr, they were!
thus cngaged ia v ' the dlffercnl aidea of the ^
Cthty hcard a kn^ i^* door; and at the same i

|!ft low bui distinti Deù Graiias. Lucia, wondrrin - .no iti
9uld be» fan to open U, and liDmedktely, niakru^ ;i lowi
[Ikiw, there cntercd a ìay Capuchin collector, his bag han|>{
lifig over hli left sbouldcr, and the tnouth of it twist ed mni
Ibdd tight in hisi two bands^ over hls breast * Oh, broiheir|
Saldino r exclaimcd the two women. 'Tlic Lord be wiih
frou/ said the friar j ' I have come to btg fof the nuta.*

*Go and feteb the nuti foF the Fathers,' satd Agfie8t,J

Lucia arose, and tnoved cowmrds the other roomj bui. béJ

rfore entering it, shc panscd hehind the friar*» back, wbof

temained Mandìriji In cxactly tlie sajne poftition; aod pul

ting her fore-finger on ber lipa, gave ber mother a

^deniandìng sccrccy, in whìch we re tningkd tcndcntcia^ itipi-^

elicali on, atid even a certain air of authotity.

The collector, ■ \gTieae at a distance

»atd« ' And this It waa to have beta'

dayj bui I noticed a stii m the ncighbourhood, a« if itt-
rdicatìng sometbing new. Wbat ha» happened? '

•The Signor Curate ts ili, and wc are obllfed to poH*
,jjone it," hastily rcplicd Agnese- Probably th« aiitwer
|lttiglit liave been very differente if Lucia had not f^ytetì her
hitiL VAnd bow docs the colle^tion go onf' addcd
^l»hinjr to change Ihe conversa lion.
F od wonmn, badly. TI 'Tt bere/ ^

lyi rj rik the wallet off hi» ^ and tos^' \

bis banda Inlo the air. 'They are ali bere: and to
^noct ihì» tnighCy abundance, I bave Had to knock at ceo
doti/

* But ibe ycar i§ icarcc. bfother Gàldino; and wbcn onc
hai to sttrug^Tlc ^>r hread, one niMiatirea evefythiag ac-
eordtnf to ti v/

* And wha- *lin rtood womao, lo make beUer tltxiea|
reiura? Give abna. Doo't yoo know the mltade of

I PROMESSI stosi si

st hIlppcn<^d nmny ytars ago in oor Concai of

Jo, Inóctd ì Idi mtf

yoo muKt know. then, that in our conventi thefe
wai a boJy FiUher, whose name was Falhef Macaria. One
day, in wiaicrt walkmg along a narrow path, in a fìetd be-
Umf^mt^ to oae of otir benelactors — a good iiian also—
FalJier MacarÌQ saw Iiìm standing near a largc walntil-tree,
and focir peasants, wrth axes lìpraìsed, aboti t to (eli il, ha vi ng

jhud bare tts roots to the sun, *' What are you doing to
tltls poof trtc?" askcd Father Macario. *' Wby, Father,
H has bcroc no fniit far tnaoy years, so now I wiU make

^firfaig of iC* "Leave tt, Icave it;* said the Father; "be
aamrsd tbrs ycar it % 'M produce more fruii than kaves.*'
The benefactor, kwovvmg who it was that had uttered
tK^e wofKis, Imnvediately ordcred the workmen to throw the
ni] ispon the roots again* and calliug to the Father, wbo
cOQtinuecI bis waìk, said, ** Father Macario, half of the crop
ibaD bc for the convcnt" The report of the prophccy
spread» and rvcry onc flocked to sce the tree, Spring, tu
very ixuth, brought blossoms without number, and then fol*
loiwed nuts— ni Utr. The good benefactor

bid not the bau <vg them, for he weot belore

the harvest to reccn e the reward of bis charlty. But the
miTacle was, m consequcncc, so much the greater> as you

I wìD hcar, This wnrthy man Icft bchìnd him a son of
vttf dtflfercnt character. Well, then, at the time of gather-
fasf, the collcctor wcnt to reccive the nioiely belongìng to the
ccMirer ' ' tended pcrfect ignorance of the mat-

ter, an . ^o reply^ that he had ne ver heard that

Capuciùn^ kriiiw huw to gathcr nuts. What do you think
happcnrd then? Otie day, (listen to this/) the knave was
enierutniog a party of bis frienda, of the samc genus as
hiniielf, and while tnaklnf merry, he rclated the story of the
walnttta, and rfdìcuied the friars. Uh jovial frìends wished
lo fD iee this wonderful heap of nuts, and he conducted them
lo th« itore botile, But lìsteii oow; he opencd tlie door^
w mcr where tlte i;rcat heap had b^en Iaid«

ac I-ook/' be lookcd Wtnsclf, and »aw—

what «lo you think ?<--a tnagniBcent beap o£ withertd wal^

S2 ALB5SANDHD MANZONI

fsut-leaveil Thii was a ks5f)n for brm? aod the i

ìnatcad of bang a Joscr by tbc dcnittl tahm, gaincd ? ^ ;

for, after so great a mirack, ihc contrìbutlon of niits in-
crcased to such a dcgrcc. that a baicfactofp movcd wìtli ptty
for the pnor collcctor, made a preacjit lo Ihc con v cut of ao

,ass, to assist in carrying the nuts home. And so mticfa

pn^as madiv ib.it ali the poor in the neighbourtiood came andl
Imd as mnch ad thcy rcquircd; for wc are Ukc the »ea,|
which rccdvcs water from ali qtìartcrs, and rctufos it
to ht agaia distrlbuted through ihe rivers/

At thìs moment Lucia rcturncd, hcr aproo so laden with
iiulu» that H was wIth difficulty she crmld manage It, holdingl
tire two comcrs streichcd out at arm's length, wMIc ih
fnar Galdtno lìfted the sack off hh .nhotilder^, and pnttìnfl

, it on ihe ground, opened the moiith for the reception of tti4

'abundant gift, Agnese glanced towards Lucia a surpriJ
and rqjroachful look fof her prodipality; hot Luda re-
tnrncd a gJancc whtch seemcd to say, * I wtlJ justify myscIL*
The friar hrokc forth into praijcs, prognosticati ons» promi-
ics, and cxprc^siona of gratittidc, and replacing ht» bag, watij

^about to deparr. Biit Lncla, rccalting him, said, ' I want 708
to do me a kindneis; I watii you lo teli 1^'ather Cristofor<l|
that we earnesily whh to speak to him, atid ask him to

[IO good as come to ns poor people qu]ckJy--dtrcctly; for

^I cannot go to the church.'

*If tht» al!? It shall aot be as bmr beforc Fatfaer
Cristoforo knows your wtsh/

* I beli ève you**

• You nced not f car/ And so taykig, he depftftodt fitlwr
nuore btirilencd and a little better aatiafied than whea he
entered the house.

Lct no one thtnk, on hearing tliat a poor girl aent t©_
ask will] mch confidenec for Father Crttloforo, and
Uic collcetor acccptcd the commissioti without woiider
ivtthout dìfficulty— let no onc, I say. suppose that thts Crts
^ foro wa» a mean friar — a persoti of no iinporiance. He

th€ contrary. a man who had great authority amonfj
h\% friqidi, 'I; bnt, tudi wai the'

conditìofi o: ìng appeared lo tbem

either too tiigb or Uk> k>w* lo taùkiater to the baftcsi, and

I PEOMESSI SPOSI

to bc mtnisterfd lo bjr the most powerful; to etiter palaces
or hov* * * he samc deportmeut of humilily and securtty ;
to be ^ ili the sam« house the objcct of ridicale and

m perso» wiihaut i^hom nolhiiig couJd bc decided; to mììdt
MÌms cvcrjrwhcre, and distribute them to ali those who
begi^ed at tlie conventi — a Capuchin was accustomcd to
aU Uicsc Travefsing the road, he was cqually Hable to meet
a noble wbo would reverently kiss the end of the rope
roand bis wmistj or a crowd of wickcd boys, who, pretcnd-
io^ to he quarrcllitig among themselves, wouJd Hìng at bis
be- nr! mire. The word frate was pronotmced in those

da\ lic greatesl respect, and again with the biiterest

caoicTTtpt ; and the Capuchins, perhaps, more than any other
«leder, werc the objecti of two directly opposìtc sentimenls,
ftod shared two dircctly opposite kìnds of treatment ; because,
-fng no property, wearing a more than ordinarìly dis-
habit, and makìng more open professions of humili*
they cxposcd themselves more directly to the vener-
», or the contiiracly- which these circmiistances woald
te* according to the different tempers and different
ioions of oieiL

Ab «oon a» the fnar had Icft, — ^'AII those ntitsT ex-
aed Agnese; * and in sudi a year tool*
I beg pardon, molher/ replied Lucia: 'bitt if we had
Itke other s, brother Caldino woald bave had
at no one knows how long, he f ore his wallet
bave been filkd; and we cannot teli whcn he wotild
have rcttimed to the convent; besldes, what mth cbattlng
bere and thcre, he wonld very likely bave forgotten , . ,*
* Ahi you thought wisely; and, after ali, charity always
ìgi a good reward,' said Agnese, who, sptte of ber
it •''"*" '♦s, was a good woman ; and woyld bave given
he 0¥med fof ihb only daughter, whom sbc
ixiui tbe ! * ' afifection,
At tM« naon o arrivcd, and, cjitcring wtth an

t Efid Q'i 'oancc, thrcw the ehickens on

^r: nn-? i laat sad vidssitude the poor

cni that day.
... ...,u- yon gave me!* «ald be lo Agnese 'You

me IO a mke gentleman^ to onc who really bclps the tio*

ALBSeAKDRD MANZONI

ioittìTiatel' And he liegao immediatcly io rekte hti t^
ccf^lion àt the DoctorV Poor Agti€ae« astonbhcd at bis
ni suGceiB, cndeavourcd to prove tJtiat her ad vice had bcen
goodi une that Renio had noi gone ftbout the buiinefi
deverly, bui Lucia intcrrupted tlie qauiìon, by ati*
nouactng that shf hoped thcy fiad fcund a bctter helper,
^Bcazo welcomed the hopc as most people do who are in
oisfortune and perpìcjtìty. • But if the F^^ther/ stiid ht^
''does not fisid us a t t vfiìl find onc mméiùw nti

other/ The woincn r ded peaee, patioict, md prn^I

dence, 'To-morrow/ aaici Lucia» * Father CfhtùiùTO wlQ
certftioly come, and youUl &ce he wUJ Md some kelp tbai
w© poor people can*t evcn ìmagiiie.*

*I hope se.' iiJd Remo; •but in *ny case T wìU get re*
Iresft, or find some one to ]^et tt for me. There must b«

pistiee fa the end, even in ibis world! *

In iuch melanchoty dhcourse, and iti ttich Ciccurrcnces
te bave been describcd, the day wore away, aiid began to
dedìfie.

*Good night/ gaid Lucìa, aorrowfully, to Renzo, who»
couid not make up bis mìnd to Icavc htr. 'Good night»'
rcplìed he, stili more moumfully.

* Some Saint will help us/ added sheÉ * Be pnidcnt, and
try lo b© re«fgncd/ Agneit added other advice of thel
ne kìnd, and the brtdegroom went away with fury in bti
beiiti repeatEng ali the while those strange wonl^, * There
ftQfit bt jiittlce at UiU cvcn \n ìhh wùtìdV So tnid il il
that a man overwhelincd with grcat ioirowi kùomn not
wbat he is saymg.

CHAPTER IV

THE stiit had scarcely rìsen above the horizon, wlicu
Fathcr Cristo foro left the convcnt of Pescarenico,
and procecdcd towards the cottage where he was ex-
pedéd. Fescaretiko h a litilc town on the left bank of the
Adda, or raiher, we should say, of the lake^ a few paces
bdow ùt€ bridge ; a group of houscs, inhabìted for the most
p«ft by Eshénxìeii, and tdomed herc and there wìth tiets
QQPg out to dry. The convent was situated (and the building
itìi] remains) outstde the town, facing the en trance* on the
ro«d tiiai leads f fom Lecco to Bergamo, The sky was serene,
.«od a» the sun gradually emerged froni behind the mountain,
[ttc %ltt deseended from the summit oÌ the opposite range,
jg itself rapìdly over the steeps and through the
while a soft auttimnal breeze» shaking frora the
the vrithered leaves of the mtilbcrry, carried them
away to fall ai some distane e frora the tree. In the vine-
yard» nn etther h^né^ the rcd leaves of varions shades
rcd on the stili fcstooned branchcs; and the newly made
mppeared dark and dìstinct among tlie fields of white
ile spisrkiing io the dew. The scaie was brighi ; but the
sight of a human figure moving therein dìspelled
the cbeerinl ihoughis whieh the scene was calculated to
liupife. At every step ooe met with pale and emacìated
heggarm. cither gfown old in the business, or reduced by the
oeoesdJty of the tlmes to ask alms, Thcy locked piteously
jat Fathcr Cristoforo as thcy silently passed him; and al-
^thotigtì, *» ^ Captidiin never had any money, thcy had
flolhiiig to hope frotn him, yct they gave him a bow of grati*
lode fo? the alms which tl^ey had recetved, or were goìng
tu itìKcJt, at the cotn'enL The sìght of the labourers seattered
over the nclds had in it somcthing stili more maurniul
Soote were aowing secd, hut niggardly and unwillingly, lìke
a man whu riski »omethrng he highly prizes; others couid
wiih dìScnhy wfc the ^pade, and wearily overtumed the
mdi. The lulf-fttarved chUd, holding by a cord the thia

ALUSANDEO MANZONI

'mtagre cow, and boking narrow!/ around, hastily xtooped td .
stcal from Jt some licrb as food far the famjly, which tmnj;er|
had uu^'ht thcni couid be ascd to sustain lì (e. Sudi tight
as thcac at cvcry step increascd the sadncss of the friar,^

i who cven now Imd a preseotimeot in hi5 licart ihat he
gotng to bear of some misfortune,

Btit why did he take so much thought for Lucìa? Andl
why, at the first intiniatìon o( liei* wiiih, did he atteml 10 i
it iO diligcntly» as tf lì were a cali from tlie Father Pro*
nndal? And who was this Fatlier Cmtoforo?— Il will be
necessary to a^swer ali ihc&c tnquirief.

Father Cristoforo of ^ • * wa* a tnan nearer ?*ixty than
lìfty years oC age. Hts shaven head, circlcd with a narron
line of hatr, like a crown, according to the fashkm of the'
Capucbin tonsure, wns raised from timc to time will» a
movetncnt Ihat brtrayed somewhat of drMÌ.iin and dis
quictiidv, and tben quickly satik agaìn in tlioughts of low-1
lincAs and huniilily. His long, gray beard, cover mg bis
chccks and chiti, contrastcd markcdly with the promincnt
feafures ni the upper part of hìs face, to which a luivt; and
habitual abstfncncc h ^ ^ givcn an air of gravity, thaiij

effaceci the nntural :t. Hh sunken eye», tULuallji

beot oo the ground» swiictimcs brightcncd up wkh a morncn-
tary fire, like two npiritcd horses, under the band of a driver

[whom they know by exj^erience thcy cannot ovcrcomc; ycl
occaì5Ìonat1y thcy indulge in a few gambol* and pnwiclng»,
for which they are quickly rcpaid hy a wuart jerk of
the hk.

Father Cristoforo had noi always becn thus: nor had he
always bcen Cristoforo: his haptisninl namc was LudovicQ
He was the »on of a merehant ni * • ♦, (thcse asteris
are ali itiserted by the circurnspcction of our anooyniG
anthori) who, m his lattcr year», betng considcrahly weallli
and haviitg only one son, had givcn up trade, and rctire
as an Independer^ * - - -

In hi* ncw AUr he be^an to entertaìn a grcat

: money»
i-c Ui-ed cvc
ivour lo PI. lorget tiiat he had been a mi

i; in fact, Le . ..,.»^ to forgct h btmidt Bttt limi

I PROMESSI SPOSI

ihe bales, the journal, the measiire, were for cver
ng upon bis mìnd, like the shadc of Banquo to Mac*
belli, e veli aitiidst the hoootìrs of tlie tabi e and the smUes
ol Eaitercrs. It h impossible te descrìbe the care of these
poor morìMh to avoid cvcry word that might appear like an
aUusJOQ to the forraer condition of their patron. One day,
iDefition a single instance, towards the end of dinncr, in
ì mocDcnt of liveìiest and most unrestrained festivity, whcn
mrotiJd bc difiicalt to say which was the merriest, the com-
f who emptkd the table, or the host who filled it, he
rallyifig: with friendly super ìority one of his guests, the
prodìgious caler in the world. He, meaning to return
tlie jokc, vvith the frankncss of a child, and without the Icast
ibftde of malice, replied, * Ah, Im listeiiing like a merchant/'
TI» poor offender was at once conscious of the unfortunate
tliat bad escaped his lips ; he cast a diffideni glance
rds his patron s clotided face, and each wouid gladly
ive re»umed his former cxpression; but it was impossi ble,
TIm» oìhct guests occupicd theniselvcs, each in hìs own mind^
in dorìsing some pian of rcmedying the mistake, and making
a dhrersìon; but the silence t!ius occasioned only made the
crror more apparente Each individuai endeavoured to avoid
mcc-ttn^ hU companion's eye; each fcU that ali were occupied
iti t .:ht they wished to conceaL Cheerfulness and

mÓHuui.Y ri ad ficd for that day, and the poor uiaUp not so
fcoch imprudent a» unfortunate, never agaìn rcceivcd an
ìsTÌtatìon* In this manner, Ludovico'! faiher passed his
hHcr ytSLTSf eontiimaUy subject to anuoyances, and perpetu-
MJfy òk dreftd of bcìng despised ; never reflecting that it was
no niore oontempttsoas to seti than to buy« and that the
boitne^s ol which he uras now so much ashamed, had been
on for many years before the public wìtliout regrct,
ire his lon an expensìve educai ion, according to the
al of ^ djnes, and as far as he was permstted by
i lawi and nsttoms of the country ; he procurcd hìm mas-
ter» io the differcnt branebes of liierature and in exercìses
_of horsemanship. aod at last dled, leavìng the youth heir
a large fortune. Ludovico had acquired gentlcmaaly

*I p«r Bo «tisfilà^B IO jroia,* ivbkti quJte Im«ì i^

I ALESSANDRO MANZONI

( li&blts and fcelings. atid the flattcrcr» by whom tie had 1
mirroundect had accustomed htnt io he trcated >rtUi the
f r€at<it respect. liut whcn ho cndeavourcd to mix witii th«
first mcn of the city, he inet with very ditTerent ireaimc
to what he had becn accustomed to» and he began to *^Mrr-»k*e'^
that, tf he would bc admittcd into thcir society, a* h* ',

he must learn, in a ric-w school^ lo be patient atul sfubtnt* iiv«;,,J
and cvery mommi to bc looked down tipon and tlci^pised^

Such a mode of life acci^rded ntlUier with the cdticatìci
of Ludovico, nor with hh diaposKìotv. and he wiihdrew fr
it, high!y jiiqucd. Stili he abiented himself «nwìtlingty; ft
appeared tu him that these ought rcally to bave heeii hU
companìons» only he wantcd ihcm to be a little more irac-
tabie. With thU mlxtureof dislike and incìtnation, noi betO|

^abl€ to make them hls famììiar aB^ociatcs, yet wishiitg
80m« way to bc connectcd with thcm, he cndeavourcd
rivai them in »how and magtiificence, tbtia purchasing f€
hìfnseìf eninily, jealousy, and rldictile. His di&poaitlon, <
and at the sanie tline violent, had occasionally engaged
In more serlous coiitentìons* He had a naturai aiid ti
horror of fraud and oppressione— a horror rendercd itili i
vivid by the rank of tliose whom he saw daily coiomit
them— exactly ihe person» he hated. ì'o appcate or to cxclte
ili iheie passjoris at once, he readlly took the part of the
wcak and opprcssed, assumcd the office of arbìtnitor,
Inlertneddllng in ane dispute, drew himsteU Into oihers;
that by degrtea he cilabbshcd his charactcr as a protectc
of lh« oppressed, and a vindicator o£ injurtei. Tlte empby
etueot, howcver, was troublcaome ; an*i it necd not bc askc
whether poor Ludovico met with ' * " ' i

dents, and v^xaiìona of gpiriu B^

bad to ' he waji conlinuiiU> hi^as^icd Uy ir*t«ni^

Itrìfes; rder to carry cut hit itndertakinga, (not

•peak of such as ticver wcre carricd out,) he wai offe
oblifed to make iw« of snbterfu^a, and bave recourtc u
viotence which bla oon$c{enc« oouKd not approve. He wat
compelled to keep around hlm a great number of bnivoca|
andi ai mtich for hin own aecurtty as to enture viErorou
aaaifltanoe, he had to cfaoo^* ' ' ring, m, * fi

iworda» the moit tmprìfidpled, live wiil. jj

t PBOBrBSSf SFOfiI

fot the tikc of juitice. Yet on more than one oocaston,
ctlher dis<;ouraKed hy ìli ayccess, or disquicted by unmìaent
dangcr, wearie^ by a state of Constant defence, disgustcd
with his companions, and in apprehension ot dUstpating hìs
property, wliich wos daily drawn upon largely» dther in a
good catt»e or in support of hìs bold enterpriseSj — more thaa
once he had laken a fajicy to turn Criaf ; £or in these tlmes»
diìa waa the comuìcmest way of escaping difficulties. This
Ì4^ woyJd probably ha ve been onJy a fancy ali his li fé* had
il noi been cìianged te a resoluiioTi by a niore serioua and
tcrrìbte accìdeot thaa he liad yet met with.

He was walking ose d^ along the streets, iti company
with a former shopkecper, whom hìs lather had raised to
Ihc office of steward, and was followed by two bravoes. The
steward^ wìiose name was Cristoforo, was about fifty yetra
old, dcToted f rotti ehildhood to hìs master, whom he had
known from his bìithi and by whose wages and liberality
he was hìmself supported, with his wìle and eìght children.
Lodovico p«rceìvó] a gentleman ai a distance, an arrogane
i ax)d Of efbcaring man, whom he had never spokcn to in his
I Ufe* b<£t bla cofdlaì enemy, lo whom Ludovico heartily re-
|iim«d tbe batred; for it is a stjigular advantage of this
world» thll tnen aiay hate and be hated withont knowing eacb
ctfacr* The Signor^ folìowed by four bravoes, advanced
haughtìly with a protid step, his fiead raised, and his moutb
oc^rreastvc o£ insoìence and contcmpt They both walked
nesrt to the wall, whìch (be it observed) was on Ludovico's
ri^ttt hand ; and this, accordtng to custom, gave htm the right
(fcaw far pcople will go to pursue tlie rtght of a easel) of
noi movìng from the said wall to gtve place to any one» to
wMch custom ai that time, great importance was attaehed.
1>*. ^'icrr^.^r *^r^ *hr contfary» in virtiie of another custom*
hci ooght to be conceded to hìm in constd-

M .uiK, and that it waa Ltidovieo's pare to give

way. 1 thit* aa it bappens in many othcr cases. two

opl>oiiii^ tu^;v,itii clathed, the qiiestion of which was to bave
the prefcreucc rciuaining undeddcd, thiis giving occasions
of diipuie, wheneycr otie hard head chanced to come m
contact with aiiother of the aamc nature. The foe^ ap«
pmai^liid eacb othcr» both dote to the wall, like two waUdug

ALSSSÌLK01IO IIAK7^KI

[driggctl to the convcm aInio«t witbout knowinjf wherc h«
[was, or what tlicy wcre doing to hìm, and wbai his naemory
jfotunied, he found htmsdf on a lied iti llic tnfìrmary, at-
hendod ìxy a àuritcon-friar, (for the C^ptichtn» gcnerJiily huéì
0(39 in eich convcnt,) wbo was appl>iuf; line and bandai^eal
to ihc two wòimdìt he had rcceivcd in ihc contcst A fathcr, j
wbo se special ofbcc ìt wa» Iti attend upon the dyinj:, and who
' had frcqucnUy bccn callcd upon to «^xc^cisc bis duttes in
the itrcftt, wa* quickly^ summancd to tbc place ai conibat
He returaed a few mtnule* afterward», arid cnter ìng tliftj
I infìnnary, approoched the bcd whert Ludovko lay. * Com-J
iort yoitraell/ aaid he, ' he h'A% at least died calitdy, and hi
I charged me lo ask your yiardon, and to convey his to yott**
These words aroused poor LudovìcOp and awakened enormi
vlridly and diiitinctly the ieelings whkh conftiftediy crowde
^ U[lon hi» mind; sorrow fot hts friend, constematioii and re*^
tiiQrse for the blow that had escaped bis band, and ai the
aame ttme a bitterly paiitfal cotnpaiiìon for the nian he i
»latn. VVnd the otber?* anxicrasly domaoded li« of
friar-
* The other had cKpirwl whea I arriTed*
In the niran whìie, the gates and precincta of the oonrent
iwanued wìth tdlc and icuiiiititiye people; but on the arH%
^ of a body of ooitstaUei^ they dii|>tr»ed the cfpwd, Mnd plac
lhem»elvef in ambusli at a thort cHttmnce from the «teir
*io thal none nngbl go out miobscnred A brothcr of llij
deccAicdi howcYer, accoinpanìed by two of hi and

an ag«d tincle, came, armed cap-à-fU, with a pou ^ . . t »^«t^

of bra^oc^. and began to make the cìrcuìt of thv
ii^tchlnij wìth look* and j^estures of threatetting cunrcn3|
the tdle by-standcrs« who did oot dare lay. He ìs o<itt
your naachf ibough tbcy had H wriiten on tbdr facei^

As iooa as LÒdovieo coiild eollcct hls acattered tl)oii|
bt askad for a Father Conf^ior, and bcgfod tbnt he wonl
tede (Ile widow of Criittoforo, wùn forgi vciie«a in bit nan
for his havbig liccn the tnvoluniary canse of her desotaiìofl
Md at ^^*- "•^'^ time assire ber ihai he woi-*^ * -
, to pro' \ìti deititute faixiihr. In ref!^

[Ifewn cl^ ' tf> becnf ì\i^d'

Ik bis sBÌod. ^oroQ

I PROMBSS! SPOSI

fluid etmestntas; tt secmed ts ìi God hìm^df, hy brtngtng
him to a coavcnt just at this juncturc, had put it tti bis
way, and gtvtn him a sign o£ Hìs will, and his resolution
wa^ He thefcforc called the g^ardian* and told him

of i.^ aon. The superior repUed, thai he iiitist beware

of formittg precipitate resolution s, but that >(, on consìder-
ion, he pefsiiicd in his destre he wouid noi be refused. He
testi ior a nolary, and madc an assi^ment of the wbole
if bh propcrty (whìch was no insignìficant amopnt) to
ie family of Cristoforo, a ccrlam sum ta the widow^
it it were an eniailed dowry» and the remainder to the
lildreo*

The retolQtion ci Ludovico carne very aprQpas for hia
8» who were in a sad dilemma on his account . To scnd
imway tmm the conventi and thus exposé him lo juittce,
)U to say, lo the vengeance of his enemies, was a course
rhich they would not for a tnoment bcstow a thougbt.
Jd havc been to give up thcir proper privilegcs, dis-
:,|J*e con V eli t in the eyes of the people, draw tipon thcm*
:vcrsion of ali the Capuchins in the universo
tr ir comnion rights to be infringed upoo, and

ali ihc ecclesiastica! authorities, who at that lime
red them^elvc* the lawltil guardians of thcse rights.
in other haad, the kiitdred of the slaìn, powerful them-
and strong in adherents» were preparcd to take vcn^
Ifcmice. and denounced as thcir enemy any one who should
pm aa ob^tacle in ibeir way. The hiitory does not teli us
tJtat ntich grief was felt for the loss of the deceased, nof
orm tbit a single tear wia ahcd over him by any of bis re-
laiioni: it tnarcly «ays that they were ali on firc to bave th«
murderer, dead or livtng, in their power. But Ludovico'»
anonitog ihe habtt of a Capuchtn scttled ali these difficulties;
hm made atoiicmetit In a manner, imposed a penancc on
knoielf, lacttiy comfes&cd bimself in fault, and withdrcw
barn the eontcst; he wa«, in fact» an cnemy laying down
kti arms. The relative» of the dead couiii aho, il they
believe maà make it their hoasi that he had turtied
tn detpair, and through dread of their rengeanct.
^ta any ca&e^ tn oblìgc a man to rclinfiuiBb bis propef^,
hja head, and walk barefoot, to Bleep un ilraw» and

ALES9ANDE0 MAKZOKl

the presence of many ol Ma eoemlcfl; thtt ww «m fnjury;
this is rcparation,'— So, with tbc Fathcr, bis companìon* al
hta fide, and his eycs beni on the ground, he (las^ed the
tiare»hold, travcrscd the cotirt-yard among n crowd who eyu
him with very tincerfinioitious curioslty, ascended the stairf
mnd in ihc midst cf Another crowd of noblea, who fav
way at hb approach, was wshcred, with s thonsind
tìpon hinj, ìnto the prcsence oÌ the master o£ tht mamli
who, aurrouuded by hìs ntarcst rchiìve»^ stood ili the^
centre of the room wiih a downcasi look, i^atptnif fai hb
left hand ihe hih of hiR sword, whììc with the right he folded
the collftr of his cloak over hÌ9 brea&t

Thcrc is ioii:fttimcii in the face and behaviour of a pcr^
•on so direct an exprcsston, such an e0uabti, so tf ;t*'*V,
vi ihc internai sotil, that in a crowd of spectstori t I

be bui ooé judgment and opinion of ÌiÌiil So wa< u wteìi
Friar Cnstoforci; hi» face and bchavionr pkinly expressed
to the 1* r had not hecome a t' '

mitied i :i, from the fear of -

discovcry ìnitticdiàtely conciliai ed atl bearti. Un pcrccH
mg the offended Signor, he quickened his sieps. fell on hi
knees at hh (etU Cfossed hi a band» on tiii« brea^t, and
bendtng hi» shaved head, said. * I ani the nnirdcrer of your
brother* Go4 knows how j^ladly I would rratarc htm to yuu
at the price of my own blood, but it cannot bc : 1 can onl;
inake inedicaciouM and tardy cxcus^es, and implorc you
accept theni for God's sake*' Ali cyes wcrc imnìtryabl^
fijted ujjon the novìce and the illustrùìtjs pcr^onagc
WAS addreisin^ ; ali ears were attentivi : ig; and wli

Friar CH»tofciro ccased, there was a _ -a of comp
Sion and respect thraughout the room. The gaitleman, wh
stood in an attitude ol forced conde^cenaton and restraine
anger, waa much moved at ihesc wordi, and bending
towardi the mippltcant, 'Rise/ ' < \ in ait altercd

ione *Thc o6Fcnce — the act ccr: ut the h^ibit voti

iKar — not only ao, tiut also youi^elf — KJaev Fa'
brother— I cannai deny it— was a caralier— wa»
•^-|vrccipitate man — rather hasty. Bttt ali happoii by
appointment. Speak of it no more * . * But, Fathc
you most not renaio tn tM» posture.' And takinjg him by

I pnoMEssT SPOSI m

the arni, tic compcned liiin to me* The Iriar, stimdiTig
Wfth hlg head bowed, and hSs eyes fixed oo the groun<ì
rc|>licd, *1 may hopc thcn that 1 ha ve your forgìveness?
Anci if l obtaJn Ìi frooi yoUf from whom inay T lìot hope
Oh! if I might hear frcm your llps that o«e word-—

^•Pardon!' saìd the gentleman. * Yoti no longer need it
B«st itDC€ jrou detirc it, cerminJy . . . certamly, I pardon
jroii witli my whole heart, and ali . , /

• Ali! sili ' irxdaìnied the by-standers, wìth one voice. The
coutil efusice o£ the friar expanded with grate fui Joy, tstider
wKw'K ^olV(ve^, iniifht he traced an hiimble and deep com-
; for the e VÌI which the forgi ve negs of mcn could
nnt rrpssir. The gentleman, overcorae by this deportmen^
9s%à arfed fonrard by the general feeling, threw bis arm«
roond CHflCoforo's nedc, and gave and reeeived the kis3
of peacc-

* Bravo ! wcll done I * bnrst forth from al! parts of the
rrinrtì r^trfc wa$ a general movement, and ali gathered round

Servants immediatcly cniercd^ bringing abuiid-

'^ ^hment. The Signor, agatn addressiog Cristo*

: prcpnrmg to retlre, said, * Fathcr, !efe me give

uf thesc iriflcs; a fiord me this proof of your

: * nnd waa on the pnini of he!ping him before any

he, drawiriit,^ back wWi a kind OÉ friendly^

tJiing!-,* ì.aid he, * are no longer for me;

t I shotild rcfiisc your gifts. I am abottl

start wn tn^ jmimey! aDow me so tàke a loaf o£ bread»

it I fsuy he able to say I have ihared your charity,
"«acm of nd rccdved a tokeo of your forgi vc-

1 intids affectcd* ordcred it to bo

Iroi^ht, and shortiy lì v^iitcr cnti-rcd in full dreas, beanng
tfcc lo<af on a stlvcr di'h, and preaciuted it to the Faiher,
wficj toofc it with niany thaidcs, and put it in bis basket,

..:..:., r, tQ depart, he bade farewel! to

.1 tliote who stood ncarcst to him,

ape as they endcavoured for

fgrciii; wbile, in the aote-

iru^it! lo irce hìin^àcìf frocn the scnrants,

•: kravoc^, who ktj^-d the licm of hia gar-

ALESSANDRO MAN20KI

mcnt» his rope, and his hoo<L At Iwt he nracficd the strtct,
home aloiig as in triumph, and accompanied by a crowd
of peoplc as far as the gate of the city, from whcncc he
ctìmmenced his pedestrian joumcy towards the place ol his
mivitiate*

The brother and othcr relatives of the dcccascd, who
bad been i)rc|>arcd in the moniing to eiijoy the »ad trtomph
of pride, wcre left instead iu\l of the serene Joy of a for-
gìving and hcncvolent dìspositioth The cumpany cntcrtamcd
them&elvcs some linjc longcr, with fcclings of miu&ual kìnd-
ocss and cordtahty, in disc^sision!* of a vcrj* difìfcrent char-
acter to what thcy had antidpaicd on aAsemUliiig, In-»- -'
o£ satbfaction cnforccd, inswlts avengcd, and oblig
dìscharged, pnuse» of tJie novice, recoiiciliation, and meck-
ness, werc the toptcs of cnnveriiaHnn. And hr whn, for
the fiftieth ttme, would havr m^

liis fathcr, had strved the .\

hoastftJÌ man, àJt every onc i^ awarc,) i« a wHI-]
counier of the samc kind, rclated, mstead. the 4.1
and wondcrfol paticnce of onc Friar Sitnune, who
died many years bcforc. \Vlim the party had '^
the Signor, stili considcrably agitatcd. rcconsid
surprise what he had heard and had him^elf *^ i ;

miittcrcd bctwccn his teeth, * The devi? of a v. ^

must record his exact words) 'The dcvil ot a friar! —
li he had knelt thcre a few moment^i longcr, ! sbotild
aijnost bave begged his j>ardon for hU baving mardered
my brothcr.* — Onr story cxprestily notr» that from tlut day
forward he beeamc a little less itnpetuous, and rather more
tractable.

Father Cristoforo pursuH Hit wty wkh a pf»c« of mind
aucJi a* he had nevcr e t.

to nmke atooeroent for \ •»

to bc consecrated. He mamtained the silence usualiy ìm-
posed tipofi novices unthont diflSetilty, heìng cntirely
absorbed iti the thonght of the laboors, privatlons, and
hitiiiJftatÌQiif he would ttave to undergo for the cxpiation
ot hit fault At the tisu»1 honr of refre^UmMmt^ he
IlOpped at the hou*c of .3 and p jnKHt

irdractously of the bciyid oi ncti, tv how-

..ce
had

I puoBressi SPOSI

r, a smalì jiieec^ wliich he kept in bis basket as a perpetuai
cmcnibraiicer.

It « noe ouT intcntion (o write the histoiy of bis cloistra!
fc: ìc will syÉice to say, Uiat whilc he willingly and
fuOv fulfiUed the dutics ctistomarily assigned to
to prcach luid to attend ìipon the dying, he uè ver suf-
red an Qpportunhy to pass of cxecutiag two other officcf
rhich bc Had ìmposed upoii himsclf — the composing of
iffcrcocc», and the protectioii of the oppressed, WIthout
re of It, he eiitered upon these undertakings wlth

ioo of his formcr zeal, and a slfght remnant ol that

conrageoos spiri l wbich humiliation and morti fcations had
^101 beco ablc eniirely to ^ubdue. Hh manner of speaking
Habitually meck aiid hunihle; but wheii truth and justice
ifcr" ^» -T ^^e, he was immetlìatcly animated wìth hls formef
war: ich» mingkd with aod niodified by a soleran em*

t-^i^ liciiiired in preaching, Imparted to bis knguage ;*.
ry marked cbaracter. His whole countenance and deport-
ncnl indkatcd a loog-continued struggk bctwccn a natttrally
f, passionate temper, and an oppositig and habitualiy
rious win, ever on the watch, and direct ed by the hìghest
^iVt nitd motives* One of the brotherhoo4 hls friend,
ni well, likened hìm, ou one occasioti, to thosc
htr^jiv o.rc words^too escpressìve^ that is^ in their nat-
urai stale, whidi some persons, well^bchaved enough on
rdinary occastoos, pronounce, whea overcoroe by anger, in
> balf-acuHialf sort o( way, with a slight change of letters —
wbkb evcn thiis transformed bear aboitt them mmh
ir primitive cnergy.
fi ont tmknoim to hitn, in Lacia's sad condition, had
[iptcìred tJ>e aid of Father Cristoforo, he woyld imni«rcU-
t^ bave attendcd to tljc rcqticst ■ when it concerned Liicia^
re ver. he hastcocd to hcr with tlouble solici tndc, sincc
Ile iairw and admtrf?*! hi^r iniìocenee He h^iì already trcni^
tkd {or ber the base

perf^^^i^i'iT Ics ibis,

be * ^ay nothing abont tt, and

k^ ..,.. .1 ihe cause of $ome sad

ttm ^at 113 tliis case tlierc was added

io m^ ittnu ^Jiciiode, wbich wu^ aa it werc, naturai

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

to him, that scnipulous perplexity which often torments the
innocent

But whilc wc bave becn rclatìng the early history of
Father Cristoforo, he has arrived at the village, and reached
the door; and the women, leaving the harsh-toned spinning-
wheel at which they were engaged, have rìsen and exclaimed
^th one voice, ' Oh, Father Cristoforo! God reward youl '

CHAFTER V

FATHER CRISTOFORO stopped on the tlireslióld,
suid qiiìekìy percdved, by a glaiice at the wotncn,
tJtat his prcscfllìnicnti had not been unfotitidcd.
Whllc rmising his bcard. by a sliglit niovement of the head
fxickwards. be s^id, m lìmi bitertogativc tone whlch atiiic-
tpate< a taoiirnful reply, *WeU?' Lucia answered hy a
flood of tcars. Hcr mot ber begajì to apobgize for havhig
dared . , * bui he adv^aced and seated himielf on a ihree-
legf^ tt€K>l, and cut short ali ber cxcuses, by sayìng to
* Caha yoursclft my poor daughtiT. And you/ con-
he, tuming to Agnese, * teli me what has happcned.*
good wtxnaci rclated the melancholy story as welì as
Jd» while the frì^r changcd coìoor a thotisand tinics,
se mofueitt raitirtg his cyes to heaveiu the next, klckmg
is hceis OQ the ground. At the concluston of the recha1«
cotered HU face with hij hands, and exclalmed* ' Oh«
Lnrdf how ìongi . , / But, whhout ^nìshing the
fec?- igaìn to the wonien. * Pgor thìngsT

ìeed visited you. Poor Lucia!'
Ìqq will not tontake us, Father?' sobhcd Lucia.
Pòraake you t * repUed he, * Grcat God ! wIth what face
coutd 1 agatti make rcqueit to Hi ni. il I should forsake
yoa? Yoa hi ihi* state! You whom He confides to mei
DoQ*t iiesfpair: He will help you. He sees ali: He can
make tue e^exi of such an < ^rnl as I am

to ooofound a • . • Let tu :^ \ hat I can do

lor yoo.*
Sii ^ytfig, he kanrd hia lefi cfbow on his kaee, lald his
! on hia band, and with the rìgbt gra&pcd his beard
- *^ to ooncéotrate aud bofd f^ atl che powers

\hc r ' caujiider ' tv served to thow

dhtuìL '^CY atj . 'cy of the case,

how few, hxjvv .1 and ìu>. * the

tue^tiiif it. tyuae iotj , uaé
71

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

itjake hjtn icnsible of how much he is failiug in hh duty]
Shaune and iluty are ncnhìn^ to him, whcn orerwhelm
irtth fcar. Inspìrc him with fears? How caa I stiggest
eoe ihat wouM ov erbai ance the drcad he alrcady han ni a
muakct? Inform ihc Cardinal- A rchhìshop oÌ ali, and in-
%*okc his aiilhority ? ThU requi •• ■ and in the nican

whilc what might noi hapjjcn? rwards, supposi

cvcn this unbappy innocent werc marricd, would that he
ctirb to such a man? . ♦ . Who knowt lo witat Icol
he might procecd? And resisi bini? How? Aii 1 if I couid/
thotight the iKìùT frìar: *i( I eotild bui engagé tn ihÌHi cause
my brcthrai bere and at MìUn ! Bui tt h not a common
a^alr, and I shijuld bc abandnncd» Don Rodrigo pretenda
to be a friend to ibe converit, mìd profes&cs hìniseH a
favourer oi the Capuchins; and bis fdlowcrs bave more than
once laken rcfuge with us. I should fìnd mjrseU alone In
the undertakìng; I shouid be opposed by mcddlìng, quarrel*
»ome persons; and, wliat is wor^c, I shou3d« pcrhap», by
an tll-timcd endeavour, only render ihe condì lion of iliU
poor girl more hopcIcAs/ Harìng ^ ' ' vtcw

of the question, ilìe best course see: front

Don Rodrigo bimseU, and tty, by rrors

of the lifc lo come, and evcn of ìh> werc

possible, to dissuade htm from bis iniamous purpose.
At least, he could by this tncan» ascertain wiirti^r he*
contìnued obstinaicly beni oa bis wicked d' t —

somcthing more of hr -* *inns, and act accorMjnf;i> v\ mie
the friar was thns \ Renzo, who for reasoiis that

cvcry onc cxin div^ine, onild not k>ng absent bimsclf, made
hia appearance al ihe door ; bui seeing tlie Father absorbcd
in thous^dii, and thv women beckoning to bìm noi to inlcr-
rupt him, he stond stlent on llic thrcsbold Raising hii head
to commtintcate bii design to the womeo. the friar pcr-
ceìvcd Renzo, and $aluled him wiiN hi* r*'-^ - ^TT^ctiofi* In-
crcaaed and rendercd more intense by a i^

* Have they lold yon . , . Faihcr?* aiKca RoxOf io
$n auitated ton**-

* ' init for that reajKTn I am hcre.*
' ; lo tlic rascal?'

* What do you wis^ me io say of him? He ii far w

X PROMESSI SPOSI

ftod my woftli wùuld be of na use. Bui I say to you,
Rcfwo, ìrmt in God. and He will not forsake you/
' Wh*u hkssed words 1 * exclatmed the youth, If^ou are
of ihose who always wrong the poor. But tJie
i Curate, and tbat Signor Doctor . * /
ft fi ^c scetica» Renzo, whJcti only serve to

itale you .. I am a poor frìar; but I repeat what

5atd tu these poor womea: poor as I am, I wììì not
r$ake you.'

*AJit you are not like tBe worId*s friend^! Good-for-
filili: Cfcatures that thcy arel Vou would not beiieve
the protestai irms thcy ciadc me In prosperity. Ha! hai
were ready to gìvc ilieir lives for me; they would
ivc dcfcnded me ag^ainst the dcvil, ii I had had an enemy
I had orily to let tbem know it, and I shouid bave
beoì fjuickJy rid of liim I And now, H yon werc to sec how
ihcy draw bade , , / At tbis moment Renzo percelvcd,
OD naUIng bis eyes to those of bis auditor, that the good
friar*s face wai cloodcd, and he felt that he had uttercd
sooxlhinj^ trrong. He onjy addcd to bis perplcxities, how-
KttT, and made niatters worse, by trying to remedy them:
*l * - say . . * I doii*t at ali mcan . . . that ts, I

* What did you meait to say ? Have you, then, bcgiin to
fpott roy wofk bcforc I bave undertaken it? It is well Cor
you that yxm bave becn undeceived in timc. aliati you
wctit m search of friends, , , and siich frftndj! , * .
who coiatd not tiavc belped yon» had they becn witling; and
yon fcrrgol lo scek the only Ooe who can aod wUl assist
il CX> you not know that God is the friend of the af*
who pnt their trust iti Htm? Do yon not know that
iifminu and coiitcniion gain notblng for the wcak?
ercn ìf • • .* Herc he forcìbly gntspcd Renio's arro:
conntenane^, witJjont losing any of Ìls authorily, ex»
pmtscd a solcfim contrition ; he cast bis eyes ©n the grotind,
V !>ecanjc ftlow and alni osi sepnlcbral: * Evcn if
gj4 s .1 trrnlilr o.iln " Rliizo! wIll you trust to me?

mortai, a poor friar? No;

*Oii fcii* rcplied Renzo; Mie is in trulh the Lord'

AUSaAKDBO MANEOfa

*Venr well; pramisc ine that you will not tttack—
that you will ttot proiroke — atty oiie; iliiit you wìU be
gtiidcd by me'

* I premise you/

Lticìs drcw a long breMh, a$ if sbc werc relieved {rom
a Rrcat wciglit ; and A^cae exelatmcd. * Bravo, my «so I *

*Ustcn, my chtldrcn/ ccntimicd Friar Cristoforo; *l wtU
go to^ay and speak Ui thìs niaii. li ìt ptcase God to touch
hu heart, and gìvc force to my words, wcìì; but, l( not»
He will abow y» sumc oihtr remcdy, You, in the rneso
whjici bc quict and rctircd; avoid gossip, atid don't show
yourselv^s. To-night, or to-tnorrow momìng, at ihc latcat»
you «hall ace me a^ain/ So sayiriff, he cut nhmi ali thrìt
thanks and bcTi , and dcpartcd. He ^t

to ibe cotivcol, V arrived in lime io j.. i,i

iti chanting, dìncd, and ihcii set ofT on his way lowards tht
dcn of ìhi: wild b<;ast he had utjdcrtakcn to lame.

The small but clcg^ant palaee of Don Rodrigo stood
by itsdf, rìsing Itke a ca^itlc from the summit nf onc of the
àbrupt cliffs by whìch th« abore of the lake was hroken and
divcff^ìfitd. Our anonymous author onìy add^ to thi» in-
dicatiun, that ilic site (it wottld ha ve bcen bcttiT to hnve
i;iven the iiame In full) was rather nn the $idc adj; t*

country oÌ the BctroUiisd, about thrcc milcs dii^t ; i

tbcm, and four froni the cnnvcnt. At the baie of the chlt.
on the ftide loaktnt; toward^i the lake, lay a ^roup of tot
tagcs, Ifihabttèd by the pcasantry in the «endice of Don R<
rigo, ih ' ' nf his Utile

quìtc £t h tt to be a

acier and ^ ^

ilie lower -
jwiw hauging Oli ih« v
hats^ neu, and powd . ...
wltere might l>c scen power fui, ri
a Urge lock, tuntcd back ti|v *
a i»et ; old meo, who, hav^i; '
fit the slightest prov
inaBCttlin e a pj^eara ti .
to come In to the aid ot thctr i
Evcn die vciy ddldfcrL olayiog

y . Ca^tiag o

^:ippcn to i;

«, spadcs, rakcs, straiif

f rnnfttsion. Every-

:ueit, weartnf

.Kid cnclosed in

'i, appcared ready*

tfums; womcfi, of

V ?irm5, pn:par^

rìccasitiiL

t!aye<! to

I PE0MES8I SPOSI

tbtìr countmatices and behaviour a certam air of provo-
cation ^né d^^^ancc*

Fathcr Cristoforo passed throtigh this hamkt, and ascertded
d wtncUng foot-path to a small level plot of ground, ui front
of the pàJace^ Tbe door was shui— a sign that the tna&tcf
of the msmskm was diuingp and would not be disttirbcd* Tbe
lew Sfoall Windows that lookcd ìnto tbe road, tbe frame-
Works of which were dtsjointed, and decayed with agc, wcrt
dcfendcd hy largc iron bars: and those of the ground-floor
werc so htglt, that a man could scarcely f each thcm by stand*
tii^ oo the sboulders of auotber. Pcrfect silence rdgTied
aroinid; ^nd a j>asser-by niigbt bave deemed it a de»ated
loansion. bad not four creaturcs, two animate, and two in*
mimate, dispósed opposhe each other, outside, given some
ioilicatton of tnhabitants. Two great vultures, with extended
wing$ ajid pcndent fieads — one atripped of its feathers, and
tmìi coosumcd by titne; the other stili feathered, and m a
Hate of prcservatjon, wcre nailed, one on each post of the
masdve door-way; and two bravoes, stretcbed at full lenfth
OH tbe befìches to tbe Hgbt and left, were on guard, and
expeetìfig tlieif cali to partake of the reniatns of the Signor's
table* The Father stood stili, m the atiitude of one who
w^5 prepared to walt; but one of tbe bravoes rose, and
cmOed to him ; * Father, Father» coinè forward, we don't make
Capuchins watt bere; we are Irtends of tbe eoovent; and
1 liave sometìfiies been wìtbio it when tbe air outèide was
noi very good for me, and wben» tf tbe door had been clo^ed
^jpon me, I shtiuld bave fared badly/ So saying, be gave
two ftrokes of the knockcr* which wcre answercd imttiedi*
atciy from witbin» by tlac bowling and yelliJig of raastiffs»
an^' nr t ptnd m a few cnoments by an old grtnfsbling servant;
bi iJie Father, be made bini a low bow, qnicted the

animili^ with band and voice, introduced tbe visitor luto a
narrow fMMage, and elosed the door again. He tbeii con^
da^ed him tn!o a amali apartroent, and, regardinjfj him with
a sttrprìsed and re^pcctf ul look, said, ' Are you oot • • •
Faiher Cristoforo o£ Pescarenico?'

* I ifn/

re?'

t^u i€^ iQjr good man,'

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

* It must bc io do good, then* Good»' cofiUntied he, mot-
tering bctwccn liis tcclh, as he stili led the way ; *good mayj
he dooe anywhere/

Haiviiig passcd throogh twa or thr« dark apartmoits, thcy

8t 1*1^ rcachcd the dcKir of the dining-room, where thcy wcrc

[grccted with a lotid and confuscd notsc of knivcs. forks» i

lg!;i5scs, jKwter tV ' nj, ubo ve ali, of di set ^' ^ icei

akeroatcly cndc^ì 'o take the ]*!ftd io . lOtuJ

fTlie friar wishc<i io ' :vtin>; ai ihc door^

^with the servarli, ariJ ^ . ^ lo waU in some

corocr of the house till dtnner was over, when the doar
01>etted A certain Couni Attilio, who was slttìng opposite»
(he was a cousìn of Doo Rodrigo, ;ind wc havc alreadfl
mentìoned him wiihout givin^ ìu% name,) seeing a &havedj
*|iead and moìik's haliit» and pcrceiving the modest inlcfi*i
jtions of the good frtar, e> * Ahaì ahat You shaVt

Imake your cscape, revci ler; fonvard^ forward!*

|Don Rodrigo, wtthout precÌ5cly divitntig tlic ohjcct of ihi$i
risiti had a sort of prescntitncnt of what awaited hint, and
(wouid have heen glad ta avoid it; but smoc AttìHo had
ìiodghtJtvisTy given this hliint ìnvitaibn, he was obligcd to
IWcotid tt, and f^aid, * Come in, I-athcr, eomc in,' The friar
fldvanccd, making a low liow to the host^ and fespcctfully
tspondrd lo thr %nhììnìlon% of the ?ftic^t«.
It is V

cent in li ^ ^ ,

in air of !iru:unty, an rcd hean, «nd a ready laciJìty

of exprc^iioru In rc::;,.^, ., ^vevcr, many rìrctmutances are

rcqiiircd to produce ihìs bchaviotir, whìch are rarely niet

>^wtth in combinat ion, It vrill not, t* ' . be wondcred at*

libai Friar Cristoforo, with the ^ of a ^ood con-

[scimcr, and a 6nn per suasion of rbc luso,

[he had come to advncate» tc^ether %% iinf

lof horror and contpas&ion far T>tm Rodrigo^ atood, never*

theless, wìlh a ccitain air of tituì IIiv anj mibaii^v^naii» ,

iti tlic pre^nce of ihis saine who was s^ate

bcfore him in an arm-diair, : -* -- • rmu'

[^state, surronnded by hts frf< of

^;;iritb every bomage yàià ì'j >: i an

coontcìtaiice that wtitild at < the

1 FHOl^rESST SPOSì

tnaking of a rw]Tiesr, much more the givinf advJce, correo-
tion, or reproof, On hi? n^ht, sat Count Attilio, bis cousin,
aod, It is nc^lesii lo s^)% hts companion tn libertìnism and
cppression, who had cottie from Milan to spend a few days
wilh hiin. To his left, aod on the other side of the table,
was scatod, whh a profoond rcspcct, tempered, howcver,
with a certaio air of sectirity, and cven arrogance, the Signor
Podestà;* the pcrson whose business it was^ professcdly, to
admmbter justìce to Kcnzo Tramaglino, and inflict ypoo
Dea Eodfigo oac of the appointed penalties* Oppositc the
Podestà, io an attitude of the purest, most unboimded ser-
inUty, mi our Docior, Assecca-Garbugìi, with his black cap,
asd mor« than ysuaìiy red no se; and facing the cousins
wcrc two obscurc guest s, of whoni our story merely records
tbai tJicy àia nothing bnt cat. how tbcrr heads, and smile
approva! al everythbg uticrcd by a fclbw*giiest^ proirìded
ait ] not contradict it

* .^. - .-ie Fatber a scat/ saìd Don Rodrigo, A servant prc-
tenled a chair, and Father Cristoforo sat down, maklng some
Gceuse to the Signor for coming at so inopportnne an honr,

* 1 wisK to speak with you alone, on a metter of ira-
p- added the friar, in a lower voice^ in Don Rod-
ri».

aiy well* I will attcnd yon/ replled he: *btit in the
wluk, bring the Father soraetJiing to drink'
The Fatber tricd to cxcusc himself; but Don Rodrigo,
imiaing his voice above the re-commeocing tumult» cried,
00, you sball liot do me tbis wrong ; it sball never bc
a Captichtn left this hotise without tastìng my wine,
iDSoleot eredi tor the wood of my forests/ Thcse
\ werc foltowcd by n general laugh^ and, for a moment,
mtermpted tlie que&tion tbat was heing wannly agitated
iisoftg the guests, A «ervant then brought in a bottlc of
wme, OQ a uay, and a tali glass, in the shape of a chalice»
and pre*ented tbeni to the Father, who, miwilling lo refuse
Ijj^ - "- • ' ^ *ian of noe he so touch wlshcd to prop!*
^ te to pour some oo^ and began slowly

I lo u^ Ih'j IV me

— p99^ te ft •BiJDcr mnimit.

ALESSA KDUO MANZONI

*Tlie lutbority of Tasso will not serve your fmi
re&pcctcd St|rnor Potlestà; h even milìtates againi^t
rcsumcd Cotmt AÈtilìo, tu a tbundeniig voice; * for ili
Icarncd, ìhM grre^t mmi, who pcrfcctly understood ali
niks of diivalry, hm niade Uie incsscngcr of Argaate ask
kaire of the picr -ne, before ddìvcnog the chaHesige

to iht Christian

' Biit thia/ rcplicd the vociferatine oo lesa v

meritly, * thh h a liberty, n : lijerty, a paeiical ortumv,,, ,

Biiice ati ambassador is, ìQ his nature, ìnviokble by the law
òf nàlionjt, fure geni htm, But, witliout scckinK «o far, ihc
provtfrb &ay9, Amhascialùf non porta pena; and proverbi,
you knowi contaìn the wt'sdoni of the human race, Besìdcs»
the messenger havìn,?^ nlt<-rrd fif>thìn^ in lib own name, bui
mXy presented the ti t . , /

' But whcn will yi iL ihia mefaeQftr waa

an inconsiderate n^\ whn didn't know the firjt? . • /

' With your Icavc» ffcntlcmen/ interrnpted Don Rodrigo,
wHo was afraid nf the qncstion hcing carrìed loo far,
^we will refcr ìt to Father Cristoforo, and abide by ìx\%
aentetice.*

'Well-vcry weU/ sai-T "
the idea of retcmng a *]
while the niore eager Pocksu \m

excitcd fcelings, and a shrti^ of e -^ , .

iay — Absurdiiy I

* BtJt, front what I bave faeard/ said the Father^ ' theac are
matterà I know Dotliìug of.'

' As ttsital, the modcst c^rciises of the Faihcrs/ said Don
Rodrigo; 'btit you shaU not fret off »n ea<4ÌH-. Ccim**. imw,
ire know wall en t

m eowl OH your
waya. Sce bere ; this ts ihc qucsiion . • *'

*Tht case U thi«/ bejfan Count Attilio.

' Lei me teH tt« who .im ncutrul. cousirt/ rcpiied Don Rod*
riga *TWj ti the ttory, A Spanbh caralier seni a e'
lenge to a Milaitiese cavaliere the bearer* not findinitr hu
at hnme^ dt ^ " : ^

reading it, l
dij|>ute ti . .

I PROMESSI SPOSI

*One good i rvt* another; cried Count Aitilia

rit was rcally r ^ n , , /

*Of the devil/ added th€ Podestà. *To beat an ambassa*
dor! — a man who&c [lerson is sacrcd? Even you, Falhcr,
wili sa>* wfietlier this was a knightiy decd,'

*yes. Signor, knighdy/ cricd the Count, *and yoM will
allcyw i»ir xo tay sa, who ought to anderstand what relates to
a ciiralicr. Oh, il tbey had beai blows, it would he atiotiier
mattcr ; but a cudgel defiks nobody's bandi. What puzzles
me U, why yoti think so much of the shoulderi of a mean
seoundrcL*

' VVbo said aoythitig abom bis sboulders. Signor Count?

(e '] make out 1 had taìked tionsense such as never

mtcìd* 1 Bpoke of hh office, not of bis thoulders;

111 ^m iiùw consktcrifig the iaws of thivatry. Be so good
m ^^ teli me whetber the heralds that tJie ancient Romans
*: ^ dcfiancc to other natìons asked kavc to annoimce

th^.. — -igcj and find me onc writer who mentions that
« berald was cver beatene

* Wbat bave the officcrs of the ancient Ronians to do with
dmpttì tiatìoTi, and in these things far, far behind tis?

to the laws of modem cbivalry, which are
|r rmc\ l aiBrm and maìntain that a messenger

who dar ed to place a clialleogc m the band of a knight with*
ocit havtng ^^d hit pernH&&Ìan, ts ari ìncautìous foci, who
b« beaten, and who richly deserves it*

* Antwer me ihis syUogistn ♦ » .*

* No, no, nothing/
L* iiat liUen, Usten* To strfke an unatmed person is a

idicfuus acL Atqui the niessengcr d^ quo was witbottt
Im^ Hrgo . . ,*
^Geiìtlv. Lftntly, Signor Podestà,'

....... . .^y: what are you talking about? It Is an ad

of treadiery to give a man a blow with a sword behind
bi'^ ■ * -m in the back; and to tbis even thcr«

ar Ufi , . , but we will keep to the potnt.

1 y generaliy b< called an act of treadiery;

Wc: blows oa a paltry f dlow tike bitn t It

imOit ha?e beai a Itkdy Ùàùg ta say: Take care I dom't

80 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

beat yoo, as ooe says to a gentleman: Draw your sword
And you, respected Signor Doctor, instead of smiling at me
there, and giving me to miderstand yon are of my opinion,
why don't you support my posìtion with your capital powers
of argument, and help me to drive some reason into the head
of this Signor ? '

'I . . .' replied the Doctor, in confusion. 'I enjqy this
leamed dispute, and am glad of the accidcnt that has given
occasion to so agreeable a war of genius. But it does not
belong to me to give sentence: his illustrious lordship has
already delegated a judge ... the Father here . . .'

' Tnie/ said Don Rodrigo ; * but how is the judge to speak
when the disputants will not be silent ? '

' I am dumb/ said Count Attilio. The Podestà made a sign
that he would not speak.

*Ah, at last! What do you say, Father?' asked Don
Rodrigo with half-jesting gravity-

•I bave already excused myself by saying I dont under-
stand the matter/ replied Friar Cristoforo, retuming the
wine-glass to a servant,

' Poor cxcuses/ cried the two cousins. ' We must bave
your sentence/

* Sincc you wish it, my humble opinion is that there should
be neither challenges, bearers, nor blows.'

The gucsts interchanged looks of unfeigned astonishment
' Oh, this is too bad 1 ' exclaimed Count Attilio. ' Pardon

me, Father, but this is too bad. It is easy to see you know

nothing of the world.'

* He? ' said Don Rodrigo. * Ha ! ha ! he knows it, cousin»
as well as you do : isn't it true, Father ? '

Instead of rcplying to this courteous interrogation, the
Father said to himself : — This is aimed at you; but remem-
ber, friar, that you are not here for yourself ; and that which
affects you only is net to be taken into the account.

' It may be,' said the cousin ; ' but the Father . . . what is
his name ? '

* Father Cristoforo,' replied more than one.

' But, Father Cristoforo, most reverend Father, with your
principles you would turn the world upside down. Without
challenges 1 Without blows 1 Farewell to the point o£

I PROMESSI SPOSI

boooiir ; ìmpimity for ali villains* Fortunately, howeverj the
suppositjoD is impossible/

* Up, Doctór^ up/ broke in Don Rodrigo, wbo always tried
lo dÌYttt the argument from tiie originai disputanls. ' You
are the man ta argtie on any matter» Let us see what you
will do m cUscussìng thts question witii Father Cristoforo**

' Really/ replied the Doctor, brandtshing his fork in the
air, and tiirning to the Father^ ' really 1 cannot under stand
how Father Cristoforo, who is at once the pcrfect devotfcc
and a man of the worid, shouid not remembcr that bis sen-
tence, gCiod, cxcellent, and of just weight, as it Is in the
puJpit, is of no vai uè (wìth due respect be it spoken) in a
questiofi of chivalry, But the Father knows, bettcr than
I, that everything is good in its place; and I thmk that tiiis
tìjne he has only endeavoured the escape by a Jest from the
difficuUy of giving senlence/

What can one reply to reasonings deduced from a wisdom
so aocient, yet so new ? Nothing ; and so thought our f riar.

But Don Rodrigo, wishing to cut short this dispute, prò-
ceeded to suggest another, ' Apropos/ said he ; * 1 bear there
are nimours of an accommodatìon at Milan/

The reader must know that, at this time, there was a con-
test for the suceession to the Ducliy of Mantua, which, on
the death of Vincenzo Gonzaga, who left no male issue,
bad fallen into the possession of the Duke of Ncvers,
Goniaga's nearest relation. Louis XI IL, or rather Car-
dinal Richelieu, wished to support him on account of bis
being welJ-dìsposed toward the French. Philip IV., or rather
ihc Count D^Olivares, comnionly called the Count Duke^
opposed him for the same reason, and had declared war
against him, As the Ducby was a fief of the empire, the
two partles made interest, by intrigue, threats, and solicita-
tions, at the court of the Emperor Ferdinand IL; the former
tirging him to grant the investiture to the new Duke, the
latte r ta refuse it, and even assist in banishing him from tlie
State,

* I am Inclined to thìnk/ said Count Attilio, * that matterà
may he adjusted I bave certa in reasons . . .'

*Don*t believe it. Signor Count, don't believe it/ inter-
fupted the Podestà; ' even in this corner of the world I haire

82 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

means of ascertaìning the state of things; for the Spanish
governor of the casUe, who condescencis lo make me his
friend, and who being the son of onc of tlic Count Duke's
depcndcnts, is informed of everythìng. , . /

*I teli you, I have opportunity every day at Milan of
talking with great men; and I know, on good authority, that
the Pope Ì6 highly interested in the restoration of peace, and
has made propositions . . .'

.. ' So it ought to be, the thing is according to rule, and his
Holincss does his duty ; a Pope ought always to mediate be-
tween Christian Princes; but the Count Duke has his own
policy, and . . .'

* And, and, and — do you know, my good Signor, what the
Emperor thinks of it at this moment ? Do you think there is
no other place in the world besidcs Mantua? There are
many things to be looked after, my good Signor. Do you
know, for cxample, how far the Emperor can, at this moment,
confide in that Prince Valdistano, or Vallestai, or whatever
thcy cali him ; and whether . . .'

* Ilis right name in German,' again interrupted the Podestà,
' is Vaglienstcino, as I have of ten heard it pronounced by our
Spanish Signor, the governor of the castle. But bc of good
couragc, for . . ,'

'Will you teach me?' exclaimed the Count, angrily; but
Don Rodrigo motioned to him with his knee, for his sake,
to ccase contradiction. He therefore remained silent; and
the Podestà, like a vessel discngaged from a sand-bank,
continued, with wide-spread sails, the course of his elo-
quence. * Vagliensteino gives me little concem, because the
Count Duke has his eyes on cverything, and in every place ;
and if Vaglienstcino chooses to play any tricks, he will set
him right with fair words or foul. He has his eye every-
whcre, I say, and long arms; and if he has rcsolved, as he
justly has, like a good politician, that the Signor Duke of
Nevers shall not take root in Mantua, the Signor Duke of
Nevcrs will not take root there, and the Cardinal Richelieu
will sink in the water. It makcs me smile to see this
worthy Signor Cardinal contcnding with a Count Duk^—
with an Olivares. I should like to rise again. after a lapse
of two hundred years, to bear what posterity will say of thcao

I PROMESSI SPOSI

le pretensione. It requires n :; more than envy:

Aere must be a hcid ; and ot he- ^at of a Count Duke

ihcrc is but <mc in tbe worid. Ihe Count Duke» my good
Signori/ contmued the Podestà» sailing beforc the wìitd, and
a little turprìsed at not encouTitering ooe shoal, * the Count
Duke tfi an siged fox, (speaking wìth ali respeet,) wbo ean
ntike aaybody lo&c hie track; when he aims at the right, we
inay be stire h^^ ^ the Icft ; so that no one can boast of

Imowing hifi if , and even they who execute thcm,

aod Ùity who wnte his despatches, under^tand nothing gf
thoSL I can speak with some knowlcdge of the circuni-
slancci; lor that worthj map, the Govemor of the Gasile»
deìgns lo place iotue confidence in me. The Count Duke.
on the othcr band, knows exactly what 13 goìng forward in
M tbe otlier Courts, and their great polìHcians — many of
wbotx^ it canno! bc deiilcd, are very upright men — havtì
scarccly iniagincd st design before the Count Duke has dis*
covered ÌK wiih that clcver head of bis, hìs underhand wayi,
and hi* nets cverywhere sprcad. That poor man» the Cardinal
Richelien, makes an attcmpt here, busics himself there; he
loils. he strìvcs; aiid whai for? When he has succeeded lo
diggtng a minc^ he finds a counterminc already completed by
tbe Coont Duke . , :

in ooe knows when the Podestà wotUd bave eome aahorei
l noi Don RodrigOi urged by the suggestious of bis cousin,
ordered a serrani to bring him a ceriain Ijottlc o£ wine,

• e;. r» .^...♦A * ^^ \j^^ *unó geniieraeii: a toa^t to the

C ni witl then teli me whethcr the wtnc is

WorUiy ut Ulti pcjioa/ The Podestà replied by a bow, iti
wfeicb mighf ttf tìfscemed an expreasion of particular ac-
loKywle^gn - aU that was said or done in houour of the

DnkCf he I . in pan, as done to Itimsclf,

' Loog live Dod Gasparo Gu^nsan. Count of OUvares, Duke
of San Lucar, grand Pri%*ate of the King, Don Philip the
Great, oor Sorereig;i ) ' exclainied Don Rodrigo, raising hli

Pfitwài (fnr the ìnfonnation of tho»e who knovir it not)
waa the u'tle tifted in those days to aìgnify the favotiriteof a
frtace^

* Ijonip live the Cooat I ' rtiplied aU.

81 AI.ESSANDEO MAKZONI

' Hdp the Fatber/ said Don Rodrigo,
'Excuse me,* rcplicd the Fathcr; *biit l htve alrea^ 1
gtLÌIt>' of B brcach of iliaci j>Iinc, and I cannot . * *

* Wbat ! ■ sjaid Don Rodrigo ; * ti h a toast io the Cotmt Dulee»^
Will y*>u makc 115 brlkvc thai >-ou ìnM with the Navarriiics?*

Thu« ibey contemptuoualy styled the Frcnch Princc» of
Navarrc, who lud bcgun lo reign over ihem in the dine of
Hmry IV.

On «tich an adjuration, he was obligcd to tastc the wlnc
Ali the Kucsis broke cut in cxdaniatións aiid ciicamlu
upon it, cxccpt the Doctor, who, hy ihc gc sture of his headp^
the glancc of hi* cycs^ and the cnmjjresfiion of hi^ Jips, cx-
pressed mudi more than he coyld bave donc by words.

* Whar do yùu say of it» eh, Dottor? ' asked Don Rodrigo.
Withdrawtng frora the wine-glas» a no se more nr*^ ^' ^

bright thati itaeif, the Doctor rcpiied, with markcd ^

iipon cvery syllable: *I say, pronounce, and affirm
li the Olivarcs of wine*; cenJiHf et in cam ivi scntem 1 1

its cqual cannot he foiind in the twcnty two ktngdotns of
King, our Sovereign, whom God dcfcnd! I declare
detcrmine tbat the dìnners of tlie tnost noble Signor Don
Rodrigo excel the lupper;» of HcIJogabaluìi, and that Camini
is perpctually bantshed aod cxcluded from this place, wher
splendoiif reìgns and ha* its abodc/

* Weìl said ì well delincd ! * cricd the gnesttp with ooe voice;
but the word famìnc, wbich he had uttercd by chance,
once directed the mìrids of ali to this mnurnfiil siibjcct, and
cvery onc »poke of the famine. In this niatter tbey were
ali agreetl at least on the osaiii poini; but Uie uprodir watj
grcater, perhaps. than if thefe had bccn a divcrsìty of opin
ioct, AJJ spokc at once- * Tbcrc 1% no famtnc,* i«iid one: * it

' b ibt monofkoHsis . . ;

'And the bakers/ aaid anolhcr, * who htde the grain. liani
them, tay V

•Yca, yes, liang them ^tthont mercy/

' Upon fair trial/ cricti the Podestà.

^TpW?* cricd Colini Attilio, more londly. *Siiinniaf3r
Jniticc, I aay. Talee tv or ibc. of thoa

who are acknowledgi to be the

iod moat avafictutta» Mia. iùiig ik^m*'

I PROMESSI SPOSI

'Examplesl examples! — ^without examples, nothing can be

* llang tiicm I baog thtm I and grain will flow out In abim-
daoce*'

Wliocver, in passing tlirougli a fair, has had the p1ea«ure
of hearing die hariiioay produced by a party of 6ddlers, whei^
bclwccn ofi€ air and aiiolher, each one ttities his instrument»
makiti ' loud as possible, that he may the more

distiD' the midst of, and above, tlte stirrounding

nprt>af^ u&^y taugiiic what wodd be tlic harmony of these
(if ooc may so say) disco ur se s. The party conUiiucd pour-
tiig out ai>d dritikitig the winc, whilc the praises of il were
mingled^ as was bui juàt, wtth senlenees of ecoiiomical juiis-
prudefice: so thai the loudest, and niost frequently heard,
words celar, mìe hang than.

Don ', in tlic mcan while, glanccd from time to time

towar> lar» and always saw bini in the samc statioo,

giving s of irnpàtience or hurry, witljout a niovemeal

tgiwitiag lo remind him that he was waiting bis Jcistire, boi
witii the air of ooc who was detcnumed not to dcpart tìJ] he
bad had a hearing* He wouid gìadly bave sent him away»
and cscapcd tbc interview ; but to dismiss a Capuchb with-
oot having givcn him audifnce, was tiot accordmg to the
mlcs of hi* polìcy the annoying duty could

not bc avoided, be t itge it at once^ and frce

hioiself from tlic obiigaiton. He iherefore rose frotn tht
table. and with hìm ali the CKcited party, withom eeasing
thcir damoar. Hanng asked Icavc of bis gucsts, he ad-
vanced in a haughty niaiincr towarda tlie friar, who had im-
laedtatcly riferì with the resi; and fcayitig to bini, 'At your
cotmnand, Failicr/ conducted him luto aaothcr apartment

CHAPTER VI

'OW can ! c*be)* yoti? * «aid Dr^ti Rodrigo. %tr n

ihc middle of the room. Ilis words wcic t: . ij
the tonc in which thcy wcre pronounccd, clcarlj
tnrant to Kay, retti ember bcfore wfjom you are statiding, Uke
he<^d tó yotir words, and be expediiious.

Thcre was no surcr or f|tiickr- ' • ' 'rj

Cri Mo foro with rowragc, than fn i

ness* He 1 ^ waveriT ai a los* IW wt>rd|

I>a5»in{^ tbr< ,, finjfcrs ■ h of the rosary tha

hung at !iis girdle. as if he hopcd to tmd in some of tliem an
introdifctìott to his spccch; but at ibis behavìour of Don
Rodrigo*», thefe ittHtantly rose to hi» mbd more to «ay
llian he had want of Imm " ' ' vever» n-i
how ìmportant it wa? nnt tn or. whr

worsc, the work hr J
and ttuttpcrcd the la.
mlnd« and saìd, with cautions humilityj
to you an act of justìce» to supplicale
Some men of bad character bave made use of the tiame of
your ittti!itrìaiì5 lord^hip, to alarm a poor curate, and dissvui<
Wto from pctfontuiif: hJs dnty. and to oppr**s^ two innoc<
persona* You can ' -n hy a

to order, and rrlievr re $o $h, igei

You are abtc to do it ; and being abte * • * conydcoce, hoo*
oor . . /

* You wìi) bc good enough to tatk of ixiy cociKience whai
I aak your advfee aboul n. As to my honour, T l)eg to infoi
yoit, T am th<* i^iardtan of it, and I only* and that whoc\'
da: i IO share the g^n ^p with me,

rcK . ^'^hn nffcnds a^j.

Friar Cristoforo, ; i? from thefc mr* r .i the

Sjjffi.^^ ..^TWTf,t ».. t.itf ,^ , ^ cofiMruction on ali iti i '^^^T

lo * imo a dispute, ao as to pr

• bo pfttlent, tnsult be mi^ui [.<

ì come to propose
a dced of mcrcy.

I PROMESSI SPOSI m

I, in a subdued ione, * I( I htvc
s-a , ,1 . Il, 1 certatnly dìd not ìntend it

Correct me, reprove me, if I do not speak becomingly, hut
deigq tx> listcn in me* For Heaven's sake — Cor the sake of
that God m whose preseuce we must ali appear « • ,' and m
sa- - - ^^:5, he took betwecn bis hands the Utile erosa of wood
a; ili his rosary, and held it up before the eyes of tuft

i' fr>r; 'he noi obstinateiy resolvcd to refme an

a^ j easy and so due to the poor. Remembcr that

Gciii s cye i% €vcr over them, and that their ìmprecations are
bcard abave, Innocetiee is powerful in His . . /

'Ahal fathcrl' sharply jnterrupted Don Rodrigo; 'the
respcct I bear to your hafeit is great; but if ajiythiug could
make ine {orget it, it %\ou!d be to see it on one wHo darti to
aa a spy imo my house/
Tticie wf»rd« hronght a crimsoti glow upon the cheeks of
ihe countenance of otie who swallows a
e, he replied, * You do noi thìnk I deserrc
ic, You feci in your heart that the act I am now
, u ,,,,;i|^(»,. wicked nor contemptible. Listen to me,
■o; and Heaven grant a day may noi come
in wfiicM ^^A\ vi liave to repent of not having Ustencd to
mei I wiU not j : !! your houour — ^WTiat honour. Signor
Don Rodrigo I wJtat honour in the sight of men! what bonnur
io the ^ight of God ! You bave much in your power, but . . /
• Doci*! you know/ said Don Rodrigo» izìternjptìng hìm In
ao a^tated tone* the min gì ed elTect of anger and rem orse,
'don*l you know that whcn the faocy takes me io bear a
irr^ — ^ T .... g^ |Q clmrch like olher peoplc? But in my
Ci 1 ' contioued he, with a forced smilc of mock-

er>; ' V^;. ■ thangh I wcre of higher rank than

I am. It -s who bave a prcacher in tlicir owfi

the f

* Aod that God nbo requlres pr inces to render an account
f»f Ibe word preached to them iti thctr palaces, that Goà
^L v^,*. ., , ..^^^ ^ tcjif^^ pf ljÌ5 merey, by sctiding

1/ d a poor and onworthy one, to

on Rodrigo, preparing to go, 'I
<fe» I know wtoi /iiu iiM:*àa : 1 can only $uppo»e there mtut

40 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

bowed hi9 head and departed. leaving Don Rodrigo tO
measure, with excitcd stcps, the field of battle.

When the friar had closed the door behind him, he per-
ccived some one in the apartnient he had entercd, stealing
softly along the wall, that he might not he seen f rom the room
of conference ; and he instantly recognized the aged servant
who had received him at the door on his arrivai. This man
had lived in the family for forty years, that is, since be-
fore Don Rodrigo's birth, having bcen in the servicc of
his fàther, who was a very diffcrent kind of man. On his
death, the new master dismissed ali the household, and hired
a fresh set of attendants, retaining, however, this one ser-
vant, both because he was old, and because, although of a
temper and habits widely differcnt from his own, he made
amends for this defect by two qualifications — a lofty idea of
the dignity of the house, and long cxperience in its cere-
monials; with the raost ancient traditions and minute par-
ticulars of which he was better acquainted than any one
else. In the presence of his master, the poor old man never
venturcd a sign, stili less an exprcssion, of his disapprobation
of what he saw around him evcry day ; but at times he could
scarcely refrain from some exclamation — some reproof mur-
mured between his lips to his fellow-servants. They, highly
diverted at his rcmarks, would sometimes urge him to con-
versation, provoking him to find fault with the present state
of things, and to sound the praises of the ancient way of
living in the family. His censures only came to his master*s
ears accompanied by a relation of the ridicule bestowed upon
them, so that they merely succeeded in making him an object
of contempt without resentment. On days of ccremony and
entertainment, however, the old man became a person of
serious importance.

Fathcr Cristoforo looked at him as he passed, salutcd him,
and was about to go forward: but the old man approached
with a mysterious air, put his forc-finger on his lips. and
thcn beckoned to him, with the said fore-finger. to accom-
pany him into a dark passage, whcre in an under tonc,
he said, 'Father, I havc heard ali and I want to speak
to you.*

'' Speak up then» at once, my good man.'

I PROMESSI SPOSI

^.%o: nerel woe to us if tbc master saw us! Bui I can
Icam nmch, and wiU try to come lo-tnorrow to the convcm/

* Is tbere some project ? *

• Somethtng'* in tìie wmd, tliat's certaùi: I had aJrcady
ssspectcd tt ; bui now I wil! bc on tlic watch, and wiì] find
«ut aìl. Lcave it to me, 1 happcti to sce and hear ihiiìgs . , ,
ctrftjige ihidgsl I aiQ In a house I . « . But I wÌ5h io save
Wf hOfuV

*God bless you!* saìd the friar, softly pronouncing the
àicftcdkttcn, a5 ' Ms hnnd on the &ervant's head, wbo,

iboagh mt3cb C( u hmisclf, beni before him wìtli the

respect of a soa* ' God will reward jou/ comtnwcd the friar:
' dìua*t f aìl to come to me lo-morrow.*

JJ. will bc stire lo come/ repUcd the scrvaiit ; * bui do yoùX
UD cpiìckk, and . . * for Hcav€n*s sakc , . • don*t bciray \
me.' So 5Aymg, and looking caittióuàly around, he wcnl oul,
at iBe oiher end of th. bio a ball ihat led to tbc

coi3rt-\*t^r*i : and scdri^* *:lcar, bcckcmed to the good

Ìt ic face 1 tu the lasi injuTictìon more

pi ri -i any pn' s could havc dfinc. The old man

paifited to the door, and the ffiar dcpartcd without further

$etvwtìt had bcen Hsteaing at hìs master's door. Had
Dr a- ne rii^hi? And was Father Cristoforo rfght in prais-
mg htm (or il ? Accordtng lo the commoncst and raost gcn-
er was a very dishonesl act ; bm might

IH 1 as aa cxceptioti ? And are thcrc not

excepiìotis io ihc mosi-gctietally-r«:ctvcd rules?

Trtf-f -ATt' itticstions which we Icavc the rcadcr to rcsolve
at Wc do not prcteod to give judgmcnt : li h

rclatc facts,
icd tiie road, and ttarned liis back npon ibU

''•

iài;7iiét agìtaàc\l ami e ' le

IH'! r^.ìlil r.llì l*tc UTT ^ , ^'f

to htm; it scemcd a* if
cif tt* proiectioo* Here
ha& put trito my hatidfti

, thai r

lift ìJ^M vcTj liuu^c^ mot una \vi;uvai my evtii dreamiQg of

92 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

looking for one! Engaged in such thoughts, he raised his
eycs towards the west, and secing the setting sun already
touching the summit of the mountain, was reminded that the
day was fast drawing to a dose. He therefore quickened
his steps, though weary and weak, after the many annoyances
of the day, that he might ha ve time to carry back his intelli-
gence, such as it was, to his protégés and arrive at the con-
vent before night; f^or this was one of the most absolute and
strictly-enforccd rules of the Capuchin discipline.

In the mean time, there had been plans proposed and de-
bated in Lucia's cottage, with which it is necessary to ac-
quaint the reader. After the departure of the f riar, the three
friends remained some time silent; Lucia, with a sorrowful
heart, preparing the dinner; Renzo, irresolute, and changing
his position evcry moment, to avoid the sight of hcr moum-
ful face, yet without heart to leave ber; Agnese, apparently
intent upon the reel she was winding, though, in fact, she
was deliberating upon a pian ; and when she thought it suffi-
ciently matured, she broke the silence with these words : —

' Listen, my children. If you bave as much courage and
dexterity as is rcquired; if you will trust your mother, (this
your mother, addressed to both, made Lucia's heart bound
within her,) I will undertake to get you out of this difficulty,
better, pcrhaps, and more quickly than Father Cristoforo,
though he is a man.' Lucia stopped and looked at her
mother with a face more expressive of wonder than of
confidence in so magnificent a promise; and Renzo hastily
exclaimed, 'Courage? dexterity? — teli me, teli me, what
can we do ? '

* If you were marrìed,' continued Agnese, ' it would be the
great difficulty out of the way — wouldn't it? and couldn*t wc
easily find a remedy for ali the rest ? '

*Is there any doubt?' said Renzo: *if we were married.
. . . One may live anywhere ; and, at Bergamo, not far f rom
bere, a silk-weaver would be received with open arms. You
know how often my cousin Bortolo has wanted me to go and
live with him, that I might make a fortune as he has done;
and if I bave nevcr listened to him, it is . . . you know, be-
cause my heart was bere. Once married, we would ali go
thither together, and live in blessed peace, out of this villain's

I PROMESSI SPOSI

aad Ht froQi temptatton ta do a rash de^ Isn't

* Ycs,* saìd Lticia ; ' but how? . . /

* As I bave told you/ replied Agnese. ' Be bold aod exp€T%~
and die thiii|f is easy.'

' Easy ì' at tlie same moment exclaìmed the two lovers, to
«bom li had become so strangely and sadly difficili U

*£a^, if you koow how to go about it/ replied Agnese.
* Lìsten attentively to rae, and I mill try and makc you under-
stand ìl I have heard &ay^ by people who ought to knoWt
aad I bare seeo ìt myself in one case, that to soleniniie a
maniag^ a curate, of coursCp ìs necessary, but not his good*
wtll or consent; il is enough if he is present/ ^M

' How can this be ? * asked Renzo. ^B

* Listen, and you shall bear. Tbcrc must be two witnesses,
aiflibJe and well agrecd They must go to the priest; the
polist is to take him by surprìse, that he mayn*t have time to

P cscape. The man says, '* Signor Curate, this is my wif e ;''
• wofBan says, *' Signor Curate, this is my husband" It is
faeces&ary tliat the curate and the witnesses bear it, and then
marrtage is just as vaìid and sacred as if the Pope had
Iblcised it When once the words are spoken, the curate may
ifret, and fumé, and storm» but it will do no good; you are «
im^M and wife/ ■

* Is it possible ? * exclaimed Lucia,

' Wbat 1 * said Agnese, * do you think I have ìeamt nothmg
ni the thirty ycars I was in the ifl^orld before you ? The thìng
^ is just as I told you ; and a friend of mine is a proof of it,
Fbo, wìshìng to be married against the will of ber parents,
llid as I was saying, and gaìned ber end, Tbe curate sus*
pccted it, and was on the watch ; but they knew so well how
^fo go about it, that they arrived just at the rigbt moment,
the words, and became tnan and wife; thougb she, poor
ig ! reptìited of it before three days were over/
It was, in fact, as Agnese had represented it; marnages
contracted tn this manne r were then, and are even to this
^day, acknowledged valida As, howeyer, this expedient was
rcr resorted to but by those who had met with some obstacle
' or refusai in the ordinary method, the priest took great care
lo avoid sucb forced co-operation ; and if one o£ them bap-

ALSSS ANDRO MANZONI

pened to he «tirprbcd by a couple, Acconipaiiìeil wIlH witites^es,
he t ricci cvcry nieans of csciipc, likc Protcus in the handi of
thtjse wbu wàuld have made hlm prophcsy by forcr,

' H it were truc» Lucìa 1 ' said Rrnzo, fixing bis eyc*
* hcr with a look of ìmpbrinj^ c^pcctation*

• Whai I if It wrre irtic ? ' rcphed A Kncie. * Yuii ihink. ihcn, |
I teli IÌC4I, [ do my bcst for you, and nm not bclievcd : vciy ^
welJ ; ifct out o( the dìfHculty us ytm can : 1 wash my hjuids
of it/

• Ah, no I doii*fr for^ak^ up/ crlcd Renio. • I taid no be*
pCauie il app^ ti place tnyself in yoiirJ

hands, and w mi wcrc rcally my tnoiher/i

Thc*c wordn ini^tantty dispelJed the mtmientary indigT)atÌói].j
'of Ajrucsc, and madc hcr forget a rcsolutioa whkh, la rcality^ ^
had only bcen iti word»

• But why, then, mother/ Kaid Lucia, in her nmaà genflt
marintr, Vhy didn*t ihi!i pian come into Fathcr CHstofofx>'a
mindr

*Inrn hh mmd?* f epiteti Aj^ew*; * do yott think H 4UÌn*i
coni mind? Hiit he wouldn^t »pcak of il/

* \\ .., . ^cmmtidcd thcy both at once,
'Bcoiiiie . . , l>«c«usc, il you oiutt kziow it» tbe frlart

thipk that it It nnT ^- -^ - - ropt?r tbsng.*

* Huw can il bt ^m, and tìdjtg weìl éùn^ when
it U donc ! ' u,

* How can i ? * repIJed Agncf*. * Otber people have
k inada the Uw a» tiicy pteased* and we poor peopk cati
IfUiid ali And thai, how itiany thtngs , . . Sce; ti ^
[fivitif a ChrUtiafi a btow* It iiu't righi, but whcn il is otioe

flint, noi rv&ì the Pt>|te can recali iL*
'UH iin't rinht/ taid Lucìa. * uve oiight not tt> do II/

• What I • taM Agnese, * wouki I |fhre y<m ad :ri
to the fear c»f C^mìì If it w«re a^ifi^il 0ie

^ parr r ^^ « ' ^n 1 èàìii >ktU6eil||

ami ti. aitd I ikes aU thb

lurbance li - gnor curate . . /

'ItiiiacL». -. .,,^ „ '* R.^.-o.

* Otte oeecl tiot ipeak tu foro, befor^ dofnf W
niaed Agncie; *lnii f^ncn u i5 cn^cc doo€, and hai w^j

wluu do yira ihii^ liia Fttìàm wiU «y tu yimi

I PROMESSI SPOSI

Ah, daufhterl k was » sad error, but k h donc. Thè friars^
yott knoWt mtist talk so. But trust me^ in his heatt he will be
ver? well satìsfied/

Without heing ablc to aoswf r stich reasoning. Lucia did
not ihink it apiieared vc^ry convmdng; but Renso, quitc cn*
icaoraged, «ald, * Sìnce it is thus, tbc tbing ìs donc/

* GepUy/ said Agnese. 'The wilnesses, whcrc are they
to bc fcKOMi? Then. bow wi?l }oii manage to get at the Signor
" raic, wbo has becn sbut up in hìs house two days? And

EDàkc bini stand whcn you do gct at bìm? fot tbough
Klsiireifllty enough naturally, 1 dare verunre to say, wben he
\ ymt make yoiir appearance in such ^ guise, he will become
Idi nbnble a^ a cat^ and fìee Hke tbc deTÌl from hoìy water/
' I bav^c fouiid a way — rvc found onc/ crìcd Ecnzo, strik*
«1^ tbc table witb bis clenched band, tiH be inade the dinner-
^ings quiver and raitle witli the blow ; aad he proccedcd lo
tlatc his design^ Tji?bich Agnti^t enttrcly appro%*cd

* Ir ì% lU coofitsEon/ f.atd Lucia ; * it is not peri ectly bonestt
rCff lìfìW wt bave aìways acted sinccrely; Ict us go on in

Tid God wttl belp us; Father Cbrìstoforo said so. Do
LI bjs adirìce/

* Be gulded 1^ thosc wbo know bel ter than you/ said
p. gravely. *\Vl3at nccd h there to ask advice? God

bflda u» bdp ourseivcs, and then Ile will bcip us, We will teli
Fatber ali about tt wben il h over/
'Lucia/ saìd Rcn^o, * wìll you fati me now? Havc m*e not
fdofieaUlike w to bave lic«n

I and %^T ' Jay and bour ?

And wl u It, li we are nuw ubUgcd lo use a little

otitnlng . _ o: yott won't fail me. I am going, and will

ojmc back wtth an answer/ So saying, he gavc Lucia an tm-
look, and Agnese a rery knowing gUncc» aod baj^tiljr
depanufe.

" sbarpcns the wìf ; and Renio, wbo»

tgbtforward paih he had hiiheito

<ca5ion Mìy grcal

tince» pi-1 i3t would

a iawyer. He wcni dircctly, as he had

« . "iijc near at band, bclangiTig to a certain

ut he lound Uu^y ^ ^<= kitcheii, with on/e loiee

06 AI.ESSANDRO MANZONI

resting on the stand of a chafing-dish, holding in his right
hand the handle of a saucepan, that stood on the burning
embers, and stirring with a brokcn rolling-pin, a little grey
polenta,^ of Turkey flour. The mother. brother, and wife of
Tonio, were seated at the table ; and thrce or f our little chil-
dren stood around, waiting, with eyes eagcrly fixed on the
saucepan, till the gruel should be ready to pour out. But the
plcasurc was wanting which the sight of dinncr usually
givcs to those who bave earned it by hard labour. The
quantity of the polenta was rathcr in proportion to the times
than to the nuniber and inclinations of the houschold; and
each one eyeing the common food with envious looks of strong
desire, secmcd to bc mcasuring the cxtent of appetite likely
to survive it. Whilc Renzo was exchanging salutations with
the family, Tonio pourcd out the polenta into the wooden
trenchcr that stood ready to receive it, and it looked like a little
moon in a large circlc of vapour. Ncverthelcss, the women
courteously said to Renzo, * Will you take some with us ? * — a
conipliment that the Lombard peasant nevcr fails to pay to
any one who finds him at a meal, even though the visitor
were a rich glutton just risen from table, and he were at the
last mouthful.

* Thank you,' rcplied Renzo ; ' I only came to say a word or
two to Tonio; and if you like, Tonio, not to disturb your
family, we can go dine at the inn, and talk there.' This pro-
posai was as accoptablc to Tonio as it was unexpccted; and
the women, not unwilling, saw one competitor for the polenta
removed, and that the most formidable. Tonio did not require
a second asking, and thcy set off together.

Arrivcd at the village inn, they sat down at their case,
perfectly alone, since the prevailing povcrty had banished
ali the usuai frcqucntcrs of this scene of mirth and joviality.
Thcy callcd for the littlo that was to be had, and having
empticd a glass of winc. l\onzo addressed Tonio with an air
of mystery; * If you will do me a small favour, I will do you
a great one/

' What is i* ? — teli me ! T'm at your service/ rcplied Tonio^
pouring out anothcr glass; * l'm ready to go into the firc for
you to-day/

* A tbick grucl, made of flour and water, bofled together.

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

• You are in dcbt tw<rnty-fìvc lìvrcs to the Sigi^or Curate fof
the rcnt of hls field tlial you workcd last ycar/

*Ah, Renio, Renzo! youVe spoiled your kmdtiess. Wliy
did VOI ' me of it now? YouVe put to flight ali my

§ood V. ris you,*

• li l rcroipiicd you ni your debt/ said Renzo, ' it is bec&tise
[ I inteiid, il you Iti e, to givo you tJic lueans of paying it'

• Do you rcally mean so?'

• f €k> really. Well, are you coutent?*

• Cofitent? I should think so, indeed I if it were for no other
re«i40ti than to gct rid of those tormenting looks and shakes

[of t)ie head the Signor Curate gives me evcry tinie I nicct

Ihlixi. And thcn it is ahvays — "Tornio, rememher: Tonio, wben
sfiati I fi€c you tu settle tbis btisitìess? '' He goes so far^ thatj
wben Ile fixes bis eyes upon jne in preacbmg, l'm half afraid
he wUl say ptiblicly : Those twenty-five lìvres ! I wish the

Itwenty-five Hvrcs vere far away! And then he will bave to
gtve me back my wife's gold iiccklace, and I could change it

|tiito so touch fQlcnìUn But . . /

• filiti il yo«*n do me a little service, the twcnty-five livrea
ar^ ready,'

h ali my heart; go on/
.^L ! , • / said ReRxOj laying bis finger across bis lips,
(Keed yon tcU me tliat? You kBow me,*
'The Signor Curate has l>eeii startmg scmt abstird objec-
tlooa, to delay my marriage, They teli me for certain, that
if we go bclore him with two witne^ses, and I say, This ìs my
^ wife; and Lucia, This is ray husb^id; the marriage is valida
Do yoa undcfstand me?'

• Vrm want me to go as a wjtness?'

you wìll pay the iwenty-five livrea for me?'
: ts wbat I mcan/
W% a goose that wouM faìL'
^6m we must find nnother wìtuess.^
*I bave hhnt That young ctownisb brothcr of mine»
GcTTii^ir wH' fo .-iitvihiQg I bid him* You*U pay bim with

/ repHcd Renzo. " WcTl hrtng htm here
I ID make mcrr> w \\h us. But will jc know wbai do do? ^

90 4r^H^U.

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

* m teach hlm. Yo« kno w I bave got bis sbare of brabifl/
'To-morrow , ♦ /

* Towardi evening * . /

• Vcry well/

'Btit! . . .* saìd Renzo, again puttlng hìs finger oo his
Itps.

* Poh r replicd Tonio, bciiding bis bead on bis ri^ht sboul*
dcfj and raisìng hìs left band, wHh a look that aeemed to sajr^j
Do you doubt me?

*Uni ìf your wìfe questiona you^ ai without doubt shc
vrììl . . :

• I owe my wife some liti, and so many, tbat I don*t
if I shall evcr managc to balance the account, 111 find somc^
Idle Mory to \mì ber heart at rest, I warrant you/

'To-morrow/ safd Renzo, 'wc will make arrangcsnaits, tba
' tverytbing may go on stno<Jthly;

So layinjr* they Uh ibc inn, Tonio bcnding hh steps boTn«
wards, and contrivìng some tale io rclaic to the women, andl
Reiuto to give an account of the concert ed arraogements.

In the mean while, Agnese had bccn \^inly endea^roiirmgj
to convince ber daughtcr. To cvery argumeni, Lucia <
onc «idc or other of ber dilemma ; ciiher tbe thbig h wrongpl
ajid we ought not to do it, or it is poi wrong, and whj not^
teli II to Fatber Cristoforo?

Renzo arrìved quite triumphant, and reported bis fuceest»
jififijshbìg wìth a ahnf-^VL Milanese tnterjeclion wbich stgtii-^
fic»-"Am I a man or not? can you find a bettcr pian? wouid
it tver bave entered your bead? and a bundred otber auc
tbiogs.

Lucia sbook ber bead doiibtfnljy ; bwt the otber two co-
|thua{asts paid little atiention to tt, m one does to a child.
'wbeo one despairs of makìng it understaod ali the reajoni'
of a tbjng, and dttcrmineiE to ìndiice it hy entreaUea or
autbonty to éa as it Ìs rcqulred.

• It gocs on well/ said Agnese, * very wcll ; bat . . . yoii
liaven't tbougtit of everytbmg/

• What h wantbsg? * repUcd Reneo.

* Perpetua! — ^you havm'i ibotight of Pcrpcltiai bhe wtll
admit 1 onio and hU hrothcr wcU cooagh, bot yotì— yoo tuo»

I PROMESSI SPOSI

lust Uiink ! You wJU havc to kecp hcr at a dìstance^ as ose
kceps a boy from a pcar-tree full of ripe fruii/

* How sÈaJl w^ manager ' said Renzo, begìnning to Uiìok.

* Sec. now ! / bave thoiight of tT^at, too ; 1 will go with you;
and ! bave a secret that wiU dr<-rtr her away, and engagé hcr,
so lliat she sha*o't sce you^ aod you can go in. TU cali her
niit iind wiU touch a chord . , . Vou &hall scc/

i>s you I * exclaimed Renzo ; * I always said you are our
ijci|j nt éifcryihfag,*

* Bui aJl ihh is oÌ no use/ said Agnese, * unlesa we can per-
sitade Lucia, who persìsts m sayiiTg ìt is a sin/

Rentó hrougin in ali his eloqaence to his aid, but Lucia
oonlmoed tmmovable,

*I cannot answer ali your arguments/ said shc; *but I ice
that, lo do what you want, we shall be obliged to use a great
deal of disgube, fai sebood, and deceìt. Ali^ Renzo 1 we didn't
befin so. 1 wish to be yotir wife* — and she could never
prooot^r ■ ' word, or glvtt expression to this desire, with-*

' oat 1 0' ^ overspreading her cheek — * I wJsh to be youf

wife, bat ia tbc rigbt way--in the fear of God, at the aitar.
Lei US Icave ali to Him who is above. Do you think He can-

\noi fiad means to hclp uà bctter ihan we, with ali these deccit-
fttl ways? And why makc a mystery of it to Father
Cristoforo ? *

The ' vas stili prolonged, and seemed not likely to

cocDc ti > V conclusioni when the hasty tread of sandals,

ajid the M»imd of a rustling cassock, resembling the ncise
produced by repcated gusts of wind in a ilackened sail, an-
Dounccd the approach of Father Cristoforo, Tbere was

I ìoitant silcoce, and Agnese had scarcely tltne to whìsger in

iLi^da's emr, ' Bc sure you say eothiog about tt.'

CHAPTER Vn

FATHEE CRISTOFORO arrivcd wilh the air of a ^Oùi\
general, who havtng lost su important battlc, withoat
any fault oii his pan,— distrcitsed, but noi éì^coìit^
agcd: thoughtfal, but noi confoimdcd; rctrcatiiig, but oot
[put to flight; turns bis stcps wbcre ncccssity calls for hia
Ipresetice, forti fying thrcatmccl quaners, re^ulatìng liis
^troops, and giving ncw ordcrs.

* Peace bc wttb yow I ' said he, zs bc cntered* * Tlicrc Iti
notbing lo hopc from man; yoii bave tliercforc more necd •
to trust in (x>d, and 1 bave ab-eady had a plcdge of HIs
pmicction/

Althoiigb none of the party had anticipatcd much fronti
' Fatbcr Cristofofo's attempi, (*tnce, to Kfc a powerful noble- ^
'jnan dciiifìt froiu an act of opprcisìon, unlcss bc wcre over-
comc by a supcrior power» from rcgard to the entreatics of ]
a disarmed suppììant, was rathcr an unheard-of, than a rare,]
|€>ccurr<?nce,) yci the mclancboly certainty carne as a blowj
npcm tbcm ali Tbcir hcads Involuntarily droopcd, bui
ingcr quickly prevatlcd over deprcssion In ReojEo'a miiid.
I announcctneni found bim al ready woundcd and irritatcd
fym succcasion of painful suqìrive», {allackms atteinpts, and*
ilsappointed hopcs. and, ab ove ali, ex aspe rat ed at thts
noment by the repul,%e$ of Lucia,

* I should likc to know.* said he, goashìni; bis lectlt andj
raijting bin vnicc as he had ncvtr before done in the prci'
enee of Father Cristoforo; *I abould likc to know whot
r thfs dog gives for assertìng . . » for assertmg iJiat

ì jbhould not he my bride?*

i'uyr R«?niof' rr^r , wìtb a look atid accent ,

[of pity ih:^' k-nfHv r*- ice^ahlcness ; ' Jf the pow-

lerful wli wrrc always obltged|

to givc ti , : ,, .: be as they are/

' Did the dog theti aay that he woold not, btemuf he wouM
•ot?'

* He didn't even tiy that, my poor fcllow I II woukl bo

f tBOMESSI SPOSI

101

Ifometfaln^, il «o eommll im^^iwty^ thcy wcre obliged openly
to confess tt* ' * t, , •

* Btit he musi have told you lomtHio^i. what dld this sn*
fernal ikthnnà say ? * - : /

• I heard his wortis, but I cannot répéat ìitttc. to yoit
Tlic vrords of a power fui wicked man are viokiit, >>wt ''on-
tradictory. He caii be angry that you are suspÌciou>
miid at the samc timc make you feci that your su ^
are wcU-fóuniicd; he can insult you, and cali biinself|
dffcndcd; ridicok you, and ask your opinion; threaten^ andl

iJain; bc insolent, and ifreprehenstblc, Ask no isiore^
le BcUhcr iticntloned the naiiìe of thìs ìnnocent, nor your
I ; he did not even appear to Imow you, iior did he say he
dgned '; biit . , , but I understood too well that

U tfni However, confjdence in God, you poor

ituresl' luming to Agnese and Lucia, 'don't givc «p in
lir t And you, Renxa • , , oh ! belteve me, I can put
elf in your place; I can feel what passcB in your heart
Swt, patìcnce; it h a poor word, a bitter ooc to those who
bayc no f aith ; but you — will you not allow God one day, two
daiys, or - lime He niay please to takc to clear you

at^ Ifivc i e ? The titnc is His ; and He has promised

MB mach. Leavc Hiiii to work, Renzo; and . , • belJeve me,
ilrcady havc a due that may lead to something for your
Jpu 1 cannot teli you more at ptesent To-morrow I
tK>t come here; I must bc at the convent ali day, for
fOtt. You, Renxo. try to come to me; or il, hy mny un-
lorcfcen accidente you cannot, send a trustworthy man, or
a Uid of Ulscretion, by whom 1 may !ct you know what may
l»ppcfL It grows dark ; I shall bave to make baste to reach
llie con^enL Faith, couragc, and good night/

HaWog said this^ he hastily left thcm, and madc bla

way rapidly along a erookcd, stony by-path, that he might

not bc late at the convent, and run the rlsk of a severe

primandt or, what wonfd bave grievcd liìm more, the tn-

jon of a pcnancc, wlikh nììglit havc dlsnblcd hìm on the

from any undcriaking which the cervice of Ws

protfgéìi mìght reqtiire.

'•Did you 1 he said about . . , I don't know what

,.. aboul a ^...^ ..it he hcld in band to heìp us?* said

102

ALESSANDRO MAKZOKX

Lucìa. ' It li bttt lo trust jit hitti > he h a msn who^ If ht
promiscs tcn • * . ' : ' *

' 1 kjiow therr h mt hls likr/ iuternipied Agnese; Mitit he
OUght lo ha ve spukcn ino re clearly, or, at Icast» takcn me
*"»lde nii4 toW me' what It was/

'Idlccifatfèg! ni ptit an end to if, that I wilU ' ijiter-
tiijiV:<i * Renio, in bis tam, ss h© paccd furJousIy up and
down the rooni, with à look ami tonc that le fi no doubt
aj lo the nieajiiQ^ of his words,

*Oh» Renzo!* exdaimcd Luc'^-

* What dù you nit-ar» ? ' cfied Agnese

* Why pfrfd I teli you? tll put an end to it ! Thotigh he
Jias a hui^ired, a ihousand «levili in hi»i soul, he*i f!eih and
"^^ciod, after ali/

* No, no t for Heave*ì*a «ake ! . . / began Lucia, but icari
chokrd hcr utteraucc,

' This il not proper language, tvtn in jm* replied Apitae,

*Io jcstì* cncd Retiso, plaotiUK hìmstU direclly belora

Agnese, m the aat, and fixing on hcr two fcarful-looking

cycs. ' In Jesi I you shall see whether I atn in jeit or not'

'Ah, Rcnxol' satd Lucia, tcarccly ablc to articiilate for

iob», * 1 ncvcr saw you so bcfore.*

* Don't talk so, for Hcavcn*» lakc l ' rcpiicd Agnese, hai-
tily, lowering her voice* ' Doo^t you rcmcoiber how many
ami» he hai at hit hidding? And then, there ìs always
justice to be had against the poor * . , God defend them ! '

' I will get juttice for myself. I will. It is titne now*
The ihing Iin't easy, I know. The ruffian is well defcndcd,
dog ihat he ts! ì know how it ii: but never mind. Patìence
and rciolutioti . , , and the tiuie will loon arrive. Yea, I
will get just ice. 111 frce the country, and poople will blesi
•ne ! And tbcn in four botinds , , /

The horror of Lucia at thcse expticit d«i!larationi re*
pressed her nùh%, and intpircd hrr witli rourmge tti speak*
Kaising ffoni ber haods f' - * mi tears. sbc id-

drcAsed Renio in a monr^i tene: 'Yoii no

longer care, ihen^ abc-i wifc? I prom-

iscd my^lf to a ytmth ; God: but a maa

who has . . . were he safe frooi ali juitìce and vestgemcev
wete he ihe son of a Idng • • .'

I PROMESSI snm

109

•Very wdlf * critd Renio, tiis face inore thao cver con-
valsrd whh fury ; * I won'l have you, thcn ; but he iha*ii*t
dtlier. I wUI bc here without yóu, aiid he in thè ft!)Od€

"Ah, no. for p!ty*s Sike, dòn't say so; don't look so fufióusJ
Io, no, i cannot bear to see you tbus/ cxcJainicd Lucia,
"wcepìngf and jorning ber hands in an aitittide of earnest
iitpplìCatton : whilt Agnese repeatedly called htm by tiaoae.
ifid sdscd bold of hii shoulders, hit ^tnn, and his hand^,
to padfy him- He stood immovable, thoughtfu], almost
c»t«ftDfae at the sight of Lncìa's ìmplorìng countenaoce;
thoi» saddenìy gaiscd at ber stemly. drew back, stretched oyt
his ^rm. arni pomiing with bis finger towards ber, burst
foflh: ' Hcr J yen, he wants herf He must die I '

*And /, wbat hano bave I done you, that you ihould kilt
mwt* aaìd Lucia, ihrowmg berseli on ber knee»

'You!* nld he, wìtJi a voice cscpressivc of anger, though
of m (mr «HflTcrent nattife; 'you ! what good do you whh me?
What prOof bave you given me? Haven't I begged, and
bcgged, aod btggcd? . « . Have I been able to obtain . . /

* Ycs, yefc/ replied &he, precìpìtately ; * I will go io tht
Coratt's to-iDorrow; I will go now, if you lìke. Only he
^cmrdell agam, I will go/

' You prooiUe mtf* satd Renso» hls irolce and eaE^^eision
~ 1 in an tnsdant more human.

Iirofntie you/

* Yott have promiied me ? *

* Tlianks he to Tbce« O Lord t * exclaimed Agnese, doubly
Isfied.
Dld Renao^ in the inidst of hìs anger, dìscern the advan-

taife Ihat mlght be takcn of Lucìa^g teiror? And did he noi
practtic a tìttlc anìfice to increate it, that be mighl use this
idiraataga? Our autlior protesti be knows noUiinf about
tha inailar; nor, I lhink« did evcn Renru htmseH know very
wcIL At any rate, he was uodoubtcdly enraged beyond
measore with Don Rodrigo, and ardently desired Ladaki
00fi«ent ; and whtn iwo powerful passiona etniggle together
io a man*» mtnd, no one, not even the niost patient, can
aV - - -» --t . lii^em one voice frotn the othcr, or aay^ with
e b of ihcni predonniiatea*

104

ALESSANDItO MANXOKl

'l have promised you/ rcpHcd Lucia, witli an accent
ìt timid and aflfcctìcmate rcfiroof; *but you havt also i
promised not to makc any dtstartianc&^-to submlt yourselC '
Pathcr . - ;

*Comc, now, for whose sake did I gct into a passion? Do-
m waiit la draw bade? And wiJl you oblìge me; to do a '
isb thmg?*

'No, no/ said Lucia, ready to rdapse into her fonncr
' I ha% e promised, and I will oot draw back. But
^wm how you bave madc me promise ; God forbid that • . /

* Why will you proplicsy cvil^ Lucia ? God knows w€ do
DO wrong lo anybody/

' Promise me, at leastp ibis shall bc the last timc/

* I promise you, upoii my word/
' But this once you wiìl stand by him/ satd Agnese;.
Here the auUior coiifesses hi» ignorancc o( another mal»]

ter^ and that 1% whctbcr Lucia was absolutely^ aod oo cv«y
account, dissatisòcd at being obìigcd to give ber cooaent.
Wc follow bis ejcample, and lea%'e the pomt undedded,

Renzo wouJd wìlltngly bave prolonged the conversatìoo^
and allotteft thcir severa! parU in the pr(Keedings of the
morrow; but it was alrcady dark, and the wonien wishcd
hlm goód night, as they thought it «carccly decorous that
he shouJd reniain aiiy lotiger wilh them at so late an hour.

The night was passed by ali thrct as well as coald be tx-
pected, considering that it lotbwed a day of sueh exctte-
EDcnt and mia fortune, and prcccded one fixed opon for an
important undertaking of doubtful issue. Resixo inade his
appeftraitce early next moroìng, and concerted with tlic
woineti» or ratber with Agnese, the grand operaiio'ns of the
^cvetting, ahernately jcuggcMìng and removing dìiSctiKieSi

refleemg obstacJes, and both bcginaing, by twms, to de*

riVc the «cene a» il they wcre relating a pajfl cvent. Liida I
H&tened; and, wtihoiit approvii^c in words what she coald i
not agree to in ber hcart, promised to do «a w«U àM the
wataUe.

*A^<^ yoa going - - - Crìato-

foro, ai he bsd yi" '^^-

' Not 1/ replicd he; you know whai ihc

•albùf hai: hv wjlt rtac! hi niv luaLn. ten

I PEOMESSt SPOSI

ro5

Io a book^ that therc's something m the wind: and if lie
bcfìns lo qucstion me, I can't gel off ìt easìly. And, besìdcs,
1 fmist stay hcrc io arrange matters, It will bc better for
jfOfl fo stné somebody/

*1 will scrìd Menico/

•Vcry wetV replied Renzo; and he set off to arrange

itlcrs, as he had said.

Agnese went lo a neighbouring cottage to ask for Menico»

sprifhtly and very scnsible lad for his age, who, tlirough
the medium of coiisìns and sisters-in-law, carne to be a sort
of nephcw to the dame. She asked his parents for him, as
for a loan^ aod begged she mìght kecp him tlie whole day,
• for a partfcular service»* saìd she* Havtng obtatried per-
msisjoti, sJie led him to ber kitchen, gave hìm his breakfast,
Bud bW him go to Pescarenico, and present htmself to Father
Cristoforo, who wouid send hira back with a message at t!ie
rti^ht timc. • Father Cristoforo, that fine old man, jou know,
hith p ■ ''i-ard^ who h called the Saint . , /
r* I ^. ìd/ said Metrico; * he who speaks so kindly to

Ihe chiidrcn, and sonaetiincs give^ tbem pictures/

'Just so, Memca And if he bids you wait some lime at
the convefir, don't wander away; and he siire you don't go
ydùì otlier boys lo the lake to throw stones iute the water,
oor to watdi them fìsh, nor to play wìth the nets hung up to
dr^Tp nor * ^ •*

* Pdht iont; I aiti no fctiger a chìfd'

*VVd!, bc prtident; and when yom come feaek with the
aaswer . . • ìook; thcje two fine ncw parptigliolc are for

*GÌve me them now, that . . /

• No, no, yoa will play with thctn. Go, and bchave wéH
yoti may bave some more/

llie coorte of this long morntng many strangc thlngs
-icd which rir)ii«'d m\\ a little suspfcion in the already-
disturbcd minds of Agneso and Lucia, A beggar, iicithef
thin nor ragged, as thcy gcncralìy wcrc, and of somcwhat
dark and tlnlster a^pect, carne and a^ked alms, in God'»
male, al the «ime time looking narrowly tround* A pìcce
of bretd wa» gtren htm, which he recchcd, and placed in
tb biaicet« with Ul-dìiAemblcd indlfferecicc. He thcn loitercd.

MO ALEaSANDHO MANZONI

and macie mzny iin^titric», wlth a fnìxcd air of ttnpudtnce
imnd hcsitation, to whìdi Agneac atdeavoured to makc replica^
^exactly coniraty to the mitii. Whcn aboat to depart, hM
prctcfìdcd to mistakc the door, and wetit la that tt the foolT
of tlie stairs, glaocing hastily tipwards, as wdl ai he cotildi
On thcir ealling btm back^* Hty I bey 1 where are you gomg, j
my good man ? — ibis way I * ht turncd and wcnt out by the
|door ihat wms pouited out tu hìm, exaising bimieìf wìtb a
kiubinii«ion. and an afìfectcd humilìty, that ili «ccordcd with
Itht fierce and hard ftaturca of hi» face- After hiai dopjir-j
hm^t thcy contintied to mark, Iroin timc to time» othcr sufi]
^pìdtmi and itnmgc fìgurcs, It wab not eait>' to discern whatj
kind of m«n they were; yet ttiìJ they eould not believt tbeai|
lo be th« unpretending passem-by they wiihed to appear.
One wotild enter under preterite o( asking tlie way; othera,
arriving at the door, slacketicd tbeir pace, and peeped.
Ihrough the little yard into the roonif as H wisbing to
rwiihout esurttìng »uiptcJon« At lait, towarda noon^ the
[innoytng aitd alartnttsg appearances coaaad, Agnese got upl
loccasìonalty, and croi&ed the little yard to tlte itrcetdoor, [
to recofinoìtre ; and after looking anxioualy aroiuid on cillicr
side, rfttttmtd with the tntelUgcncc, *There*s nobody;'
words wbicb ahe utlercd with pleasure, and Lucia beard witJi
kaiiitfaGtioo^ ncitber one nor tbr otbcr knowing ezactly tha
rcason why. But an undcJined dtinjuìetudc hauuted thcir j
steps, and, with Lucia cspcciaUy» in tome dtgrce cooied the*
Còttrage they had &umtnoned up for the proceedtngs of tii<
evtnlng*

The reader. however, must bc told »omcthtng more definhf |
aboul ihese myatertons wand^rera; and to ftlate il in order^
Wt ditet turn back a step c^r two, and find Don Rodrign
*wboQi wc left yestcrday after dinner by htm»elf^ tn otie
^tbe rùoms ni bis palaee, after tlìt depaittue of Faiber^
Criftoforo*

Don RòcHfo, as we bave tald. paced badcwardi and f or*
wafds with long atrides in thia spaeloas apartmeni« mir
roanded on ali s^ides by the famik portralti of many gf^era*^
tioiif. Wben be resacbod tlte wall and tumed round, hti
cye refted upoa tha figure of one of hit wariike ancestoriy
Lfbe tcnror of hta cnemiai» and of hia onm soldìars ; wbo, wiC

I PROMESSI SPOSI

k stem gTii» touotetiance* hia short hair standing erect froin
hx$ forehcad, hts large ^harp whiskers covering hìs cheeks,
aiid bis hooked chin, stood like ^ warrior, clotlied in a com-
plete sult o£ Steel armour, with bis righi band pressing bis
fiide^ and ibe ìcft grasping die bilt of bis sword Don
Rodrigo gajEed ypoa it, and wben be arrived beneatb it,
imA turiied ba^k, behdd before him anotbcr o£ bis fore-
fatbers, a magistrate, and the terror o£ Uttgants, seatcd in
a high cbair, covcrcd with cnmson velvet, envelopcd m an
ami>ìe biade robe, so that he was entireìy biade, exceptlng
fof a white collar, with two large bands, and a lìnìng of
«ab!«, tumed wrong side otitwards, (this was the distinctive
mark of senators, but only woro in wtntcr ; for wbich reason
tbc picturc of a senator in sumnier-dothtog is never niet
with.) squalid, and ftowning; he held in bis band a memo*
rial, and seemed to be saytng, 'We shall see/ On the oae
band was a matron, the terror of ber matds ; on the otbcr,
an abbot, the terror of bis monks; in short, tbey wcrc ali
persoQS who had been objects of terror whiìe alive, and
wbo i>ow tiìsptred dread by thetr lìkenesses. In the presence
o£ sudi remembrancerSj Don Rodrigo became enragcd and
jubaniied, as ht reAected diat a frìar bad dared to come to
him with the parable of Nathan: and bis nitnd could fìnd
PO pesce. He would form a pian of revenge» and thcn aban-
don it; seek bow» at the same lime, to satisfy bis passion«
and what he callcd bis hotiour; and sometimes, hearing tbe
bdimiing of the propìiecy resounding in bis eara, be would
mfotuntarily shudder, and he almost indincd to gtve up the
idea of the two satisfactions. At last, for tbe sake of doing
MMnethìng, he caìied a servant, and desìred bim to niake
an apology for him In tbe company» and to say tbat he was
deiaiodd hy wrgcjH business. Tlic scrv^ant retiirned with the
Imdligiaioe tbat tbe gctilleniext, having kfl thesr compii*
BiaitSk had taken tbeir leave.

•And Cotmt Altìlìo?' askcd Don Rodrigo, stili pacing the
room.

* He Uft with tbe centlemen, ilhistrious Signor.*

' Vcry wcll: six follower* to accompany me— «itiiddy | ingf
Wmonì, cJoak and bat, imiiKdialdy ! *

Tbe servant rcpliod by a bow and witlkdfcw, retumiiig

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

shortlj wìth a ricb sword« which hh mastef kicklecl on» ft
doak which !ic thrcw over hi? slioaldcrs^ and a hat, onia-
m et] ter! wìth lolty plumcit, which he placcd on hir. head, and
fastcned wiih a haughty air. He thcn movcd forward, and
found the *Ì3E bravuc!* at tlic tlmir, conipktely nrmcdt who*
making way for him, wìth a low bow. folbwcd as his trafn.
More surly, more haugrhty, iind mare supcrcilious than usualp
li e Icft his pakce^ and tcjok ih e way towarda Lecco, amtdtt
the *alutatiofis and profaund how» of tlie pcas^isitJ he tmp-
pcned to mcct ; and the ill-maiincred wight who would havc
vcnturcd to pass wìthoiit takìng ofìF hi» hut, mtght considcr
he had purcha»ed the cxcmption at a dirap rute, b;id the
hravocs in the train becn contcntcd mercly to cn force rcspect
hy a blow on Ihc head, To thcsc sahitatian» Don Rodrigo
made no acknowledjjment ; hut to mcn of highcr rank^ thoa){tt
fttlll indispulably infcrior to his own, he replicd XHhh con-
Straìned courtesVi !Ic did noi rhancr* th»?c time^ tnit whcn
he did happcn to mect wì r, the Cov-

ernor of the Castle, the t 'ìy profound

ofi both sidcs; ìt was likc Ihe lìicetiT ■r\"«. who

have nothìng to ihart' ì^'f^^i-. ti d . nìc tu .-

^lake, pay reipcct lo '

time, and» by the sigbl ni i.ir «untT'/nt mt-'/s uru] iir[M\-u,nir,

to bantiih the tma^c of the frìar, which conlintially haiititi*d
hts mi lui» Doti Rodrigo entercd a house wh^ :c party

was a!»*ien5l«Ied, and where he waii receivccl \', tfhdoiis

and n-^pcctfid cordìality rcservcd for ibose wfao are greatly
court cfl» and greath' feared* Late at night he rcttirned to
hts own paface. and fotind tliat Comit AltJUo had just ar*
rivcd; ami thcy sat down to supptr togvtficr» Don Rodrigo
barieil in thouf|rlit« and %'cry silent

*CotiJiin, wl " you pay yoar wagcr?' asked Conni

AliillOp tn a I . ^nd at the Rame tinte rallying, tone»

Si toofi aa Uie tablc was deared, aod the servants haft
departed.

'St Martin has not yct passed'

' Wel], remcntber yon wUt liave to pay H sood ; for aO tbo
Eiu in the calcntEar wìU pass before . • /

*Tliii bas lo he »cen yeL*

*CùUAÌn, you waat to ptay the poUddan; bmt I taideritaiid i

I PROMESSI BTOm

109

and I aro ^ tttt^n of haraig won my wager, that ! am
ady to lay anothcr/
•Whnt?'

*T cr . * . the Fathcr • . , I mcan, in short,

tbàt ^ > ccmvertcd you*'

* It is a mere fancy of yottr own/

• CoRTcrted, coùsin ; conierted, I ssy. I, Cor my pari» 9m
éeligtited at it What a fine sight It will be to sce yoti qoite
penitenti with downcast eyesl And what triumph for thia
Fathcr! How proudly he must bave retumed to the con-
Tenti You are not siich fish as they catch cvery day, nor
in cvery net You inay be aure they will bring you forward
is ao eacaitipìc ; and when they go on a missioti to some little
diitiiice, they will talk of your acts. I can fancy I hear
llient' And, ipeaking through his nose, accompanying the
wtmb with c^ricatiired gestures, he continued, ii! a sermon-
like toae> *' In a certaia part of the worid, which from
mottres 01 high respect we forbear to name, there lived, my
desr hesrers, and there stili lives, a dissolute gentleman» the
friend of w«w«en ratlier than of good men, who, accustomed
m oiake no disttnctions, had set his cycs upon , . .**

*That will do . . . enough/ interruptcd Don Rodrigo, hall
aarajcd and halt amioycd: ' If you wi$h to repeat the wager^
I am ready, toc*

•Indcedl perhapd^ then, yau bave converted the Father?'

•Doo*t talk to tnc about him: and as to the bet, Saint
Martin will decide/ The cuflostiy of the Count was aroiised;
li€ pnt oiimberle«s questiotis, but Don Rodrigo coatrivcd to
evade tbctn ali» referting èvcr>'t!iitjg to the day of decision^
and ttiiwilling to communicate designa which wcre neithcf
brgttn nor absolutcly dcteniiined upon.

Noci morning, Don Rodrigo was himsclf again. The slight
eampQOcrtion tliat ^a day wUl come' had awakened m bis
anod, had vanialied wttb tlte dream!?: n( * « ; and notb-

ti^ renmtncd but a feeling of dcq* ii n, rcfidered

«are vtvW by remorse Inr his pAssing weakncss, Tlie re*
ncmbranee of bis late altiio&ttf mtnphant w^k, of the pro-
fofind safittation», and the rcceptions he bad met wlih,
lùfetlter with the rally ìng of his cotiftìn, had contrìbuted
ttH a little to rcnew bis former aptrit» H&rdly riacD» te

ALEMANDRO MANKftKI

icnt for Griso —Somcthing tmportant.— thought the terrjmt
to whom the ordcr was given; for the tnan who bore this
assumed namc was no Icss a pcrscimge than tht bcad of
tbe bravoes^ lo whom the boldest and most daageroua entcr-
prises wcre confided, who was the most tnisted by hi» mas-
ter, und was dcvotcd to htm, at ali risks, by gratiuìde and
interest Guilty of murder» he had »oyght the protection
of Don Rodrigo, to escapc th<? pursiiit of justscc; and he,
by takìng him ìnUt bis servir e, had .iheltered him from the
rcach of pcrs cent IOTI, He re, by engagtfig in cven* rriine
that wa* rtqnired of him, he was secured from th
rnent of llie first fatilt To Doti Rodrigo the acqtii -1

becTì of no small unportance; fot this Griso, beeides being
imdoubiedly the toost courafeous of tìic household, wms m\m
1 itpccinieii of what hi* master had becn ab!c to attempt wilh
impunlty agiiin§t ihe Ia%va; so that Dan Rodrigrt*s power wa$
aggraodlied both in reality and in common opinion.

' Griso ! ' taid Don Rodrigo* * iti this emcrgenqr it will
be seen what you are worth. Before to-morrow, Lucia must
he in thi& palace/

' It »hall ne^er be sald thal Griso shrank from the com*
mand of his noble protoctor/

* Take as many men aj( you waiit, dispose and order tbeitt
&5 you thìnk hest, only ]et the thing succeed wdl Btlt,
abo\'e ali, he fure you do hcr no harm/

' Signor, a Httle fright. that she niay not make too mocb
QOiSc . . * one cannot do lesa.*

' Fca? « . » f see * • • ìs ìncvitable. But doni you toticli
8 hair of ber head; and, above aJJ, trcat ber with the gr«at-
est respect« Do you understand ? '

•Signor, I couJd not pluck a flowcr from ita atalk, atid
brliif it to your lord^hìp, without toucliìiig It a little. But
I wtU do no more than ia neccssary/

* Beware you do nou And . . . bow wiU you manage?*

' I was thinking, Signor. It ta fortunate that the house
is at the end of the village. We »hall want a place to eoii<»
ccftT ourselves in: and a* ^ ^i"^-" AUf.^nr,^ ^'^ *'fe*s tliat isnin*
habitrd building in Uie t liSt tioose « , ^

btsl your lordihìp knows i Tn:n.;:t . , a tiouae

diat waa kumt down i - ; and ihere bave btm

I PEO^IE^t SPOSI

Rad

is lo irbiiild li, so tt is forisaken^ and is liauoted
iches; bui It b not Satunlay, tnd I doni caro for ìhtttu
The vilìago"» are so soperstitious, they wouldn*t eater it any
night of die week for a treasure, so we tnay safdy dbpose
cmrsftlires there^ wtihout any lear of beìiig diittirbed In our
pJàns.'

* Vciy good: juid what theaT

Hcrc Gneo wcnt cn to proposei «ad Doti Rodrigo to d^i-
i^c t.if tjiuy iijicj^ togcthcr, conccrtcd a way to brìn^ the

t e to 4ti end without a trace of ks anthors femaìn-

1 ncy cvcn coiìtrived means to turn ali the tuaptcìons,
màking false indicatìons, apon another quarter ; to import
alluce upcm poor Agneie; to inspire Renzo with such fear
a$ wouid overbalance hia grìcl, efface the ttiowght of haviitg
moourte to the law, and cven the wìih to complaìiì; and
iged ali the other foìnor viliainics ncccssary to the sue*
of this principa! ooe, We will omit the aecount of
esc consultations, however, because, as the reader witl
cdve> they are tiot necess&ry to the comprehension of
V and tt will only be tediotis, both to him and us,
io ouiéelves for any Icngth of time with the dis-
etmiocia of these two detestable villams. It wìU suSEee to
iay that, as Griso was on the pcint of leavtng the room, to
go abooi tht execution of hìg tmdertakiug at once. Don
Rodrigo called him back» aod satd» ' Listen : si by any chance
tlits fash down ifaould molest you to-ntght, it would not bi
amila 41 you wcre to give him somethLag to remember, on
hia aliouldtra» by way of antìdpation, By thìs means, the
eoramand to keep qtilet^ whìch shall be intìmated to him to-
norrow. will more surely take effect But don't go to look
foc ìdm, Icst yon shonld tpoil what is of more Importance,
you understand me?*

* Leave it to me,* replJed Griso, bowtxig with an obseqtiiotii
oftentatloui air, as fit departed*

Tbe morntng was ipent In reeomnoitring the neighbovir»
btiod The fdjjned beggar who had intrcded him self 90
pcTtlDaciouity ìnto Agnese's htimble cottage, wa» no oiher
lliaii GriftOi who had i^ime to get an idea ci tJie pian of the
boQSe by sìght; the pret^tded pa«5engers wcrc his vite fol*
lowerc» wht», operatinif under hit ordert^ requind a

Af^F^l^ANIIHO MAN7X)N1

Liniaute acquaintancc with the place* Thdr ob^crvatians :

^bciitg made, thty witlidrew from notice, Icst ihcy iihould '
txcììt too much sitspicion,
' Whcn they retiimcd to the pàlmce, Gri»o made fii» rqjort,

^arran^cd ddinitcty tlic pian of the entcrprisc^ asstgticd lo^
cadi hià dififercnt part» and gavc bis inatnictions. Ali thia
could wot be transacted wiihout ihc old scn*ant*s obsucrvatioii,
who^ with his cyca and eara CQnstantJy on the alcrt, dt«-
covcrcd that they were plottìng some grcat under laking. By
dìnt of watching and qtic gctting half a hìtit liere,

and another hnlf thcrr, * ^ng in his own mind on

limbigiiaus infercnces, and intcrpreting myi»tcritm» dq>ar*
tures, he at Ien|;^h catue to a prctty clcar knowledgc of
ali the dcsigns of the evening* But whcn he was assurcd
of thcm, li was vcry ncar the timc» and alrcady a smaU;
detachiuent of bravocs had Icft the palacc, and set off te

'COiictal thcmsclves tii tbc niincd building. The poor old

[ man^ althouijh he wcll knew what a dangerous game he
was playing, and fearcd, hesidcs* that he was doing tio
cfiictcnt scrvice, yet failtd not to fiilfii hts engageiB^f^' ^^e
went out^ under pretctice of laking the air, and j 1 1

In great baste to the convent, to give FaUier CrUin

[pronused informatiofu Shorlly afternard*» a «ceri

' of hravoes were «enl out, one or two at a liitìc» f
tiiight not appcar to be onc company. Griso mmh
rcar, and thcn nothing remai ned behìtid but a Ittter, vrhtc
was to be broaght to the place of rendezvoui after dark
Whcn tlicy were ali a^sembled there^ Griso dcspatcbed ilire
of them to tJic ino m ibe vi!f: - wajs to pbce him&ell

|jlt the door, to watch the rtn in the slrecl, and tei

give notjce when ali il

oilicr Iwo were to r»
if cnjoyiog tbctnseke»» but were also to be on the lookoat;
if anything waa to be »cen, Griso, with die bi>dy of
troop, waìted in aixLbitsc&de ili] tfie tìme of action ahci
arrive-

The poor old fnaD was ititi on hh way, the three Koati
had arrived «t tbeir pont, ai * as settlng, wh«

Reruo entered the cottage, u.. <* wouien* ' Todìi

rMd Gervaie are bere oatatde: l ém ^uìiì^ with tbem to

1 PHOMESSI SPOSI

113

al t né inn : ami at the soun^J of the A% e -Mar la, we will come
to fctch jro». Come* Lucìa, courage; ali dcpcnds tipon a
momcnC Lucìa sighcd» and replicd, * Oh yes, courage ! * wìth
^ tnn^ ihat beli ed ber words.

a Renzo and hh two companìoni reached the iun,
li] tv* lound the bravo already there on the watch^ leaaing
witii bis back agaiost odc of t!ie jambs of the doorway» so
às tu ocaxpy half its width, bis arms folded across bis breast»
and gìancmg with a prylng look to the rtght and kit, show-
ing akumately the blacks and whites of two grìffin-hke cyes,
A fiat cap of crimson \*elvet, put on sideways, co%^cred half
the k>ck of hair which, partcd oo a dark forehead, tcrminated
m tresses confined by a comb at the back of the head. He
bdd in one hand a short cudgel; his weapons, properly
speaking« werc not visible, but one had only to look at his
face, and e%*en a child wouid bave guessed thai he had as
fittiiy tiiider bis dotlies as he could carry. When Remo,
the foremost ol the three, approaclied him and secmed pre-
pfared to cntcr, tbc bravo fixed his eycs upon him> wìtbout
ilt^-f-irtir.T to make way; but tbc youtb, intent on avoiding
ar 'ns or dispules, as people generally are who bave

an nun rtc undertakìng in band, did not even stop to say
*inake room;* btit gratìng the otbcr door-post, pushed, sidc-
fof he opening left by this Caryatides. His

Cfy :4iged to practise the same manoeuvre, if

ihcy wtshcd to ciitcr. When tbey got in, they saw the others
wHoic voiccs thcy had heard outside, sittmg at a table, play-
iniC ai Mora.* botb cxclatmitig at once, and altcrnately pour-
tng oat something to drink f rom a farge flask placed between
them. They fixed iheir eyes steadily on the new comers; and
ime of thent, espccially, holding ìm right band extended In
the air, with thri*'!^ irnonnous fìngcrs just shoi forth, and
his OK' cf the word 'six/ which burst forth

at the Tizo fram head to foot^ and glanced

firM at his cotnpanion, and then at the one at the door,

*TliÌi U a i'-— * -'- ■ — *■ ^^ty«i hy unr -' *^— ^'jddenly estvndìA^
«or mmah^ ■■■ ^it^ utd caI »ame moment far

"i<? ^t*^^*>' ■ ''*'' ►ip »t once, by

mità in muLi .

^CBt litmifttt «mong %ht ìLsmMk petMiitnr*

U he
tàe «peakcTi

1ÌI

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

who rcpiicd with a nod of hh head. Renm» suspìciotii and
doubtfut, looJccd ut hin friend», as tf seekiog iti Ihctr coan-
teoaricci an interprctaUuti of ali these gestttres; but tlieir
couiìtamricfis indicutcd nothìog; beyond a jood apprtite« The
landlortl approach^d tti rcccìvc liii ordcrs, and Remo tnade
Mm acconìpany him mto mn adjdntng roonii and ordered
some attppen

* Who are thosc straijgers? ' aslced he, in a low voice, when
.bJs host rcttirncd wtth a coane tab]c*eloth under hU arm^

aod a bottk in hit band.

* I don't know thcm/ rcpHcd the host, sprcading Ihe
tal ik- dodi,

* What I none of them ? *

*Yoy know," rcpliud he, again smoothing the cloth on
the Ublc with both hìs hands, ' that the first ntle of our
basìntEs ÌÉ not to pry into othcr pcople's affair»; eo that
cren ouf womcn are not inquisitive. It would he hard wf>rk«
imitli the multi tudc of folk that come and go: aiways tUce
harbour — whcn the time» are good, i mcan; bui let us
iccr up now, for there may come bettcr dayj. AH we care
for ist %vhethef our custoiiier» are honcst fcllows; wbo tbcy
or are not^ beyond that, is nolhing to uk But, ccxnel
'^Hl brìng you a dtsh of Jiash, the likc of whicb youve
ncvcr tastcd/

* How do you know , * *? ' Rcnxo was beginnìng: feut tàe
landlordt alrcady on bis way to the kitchen, paid no attentioa
to hii inqutry. Here, while he wai taking up the stiewiog-
pan 111 wbìch was tiic abovcmentioned ha«h, tbe bmvo who -
had eycd cmr youth so cIoKely accotted the ho»tf and ia!il«
bt an underionc, ' Who are tbo§e good meo ? *

* Wonhy pt*opte of the vltlage/ repMed he^ pourtùg l3m
hoAli *oto the dish,

* Vcry weìl: btit what are tbey cftUed? Who are theyf
l^insiated he* hi a »harp tone.

' One is calJed Rot^o/ r^lied the hoit, speaking tu a low
ì% votiih rcckoncd— a ailk weavcr, who onder- ,

I i V well. The ofher Is a peasant of the name

M Ionio, a goud jovbl cotnrude; pity he tias su [tv
il alJ bere. The third ta a ilmpletocu who ci-
{ty wbatcvef ia set before lììm. By yotir laaire'

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

115

Ith these words and a slight bow, he passed twtweea
«tovc and ih€ intctrogator, aud carried the dish Into the
iscxt rootiL * How do jrou know/ resumed Renzo, wh<^n lie
saw him reappear , * that tliey are honcst tnen, if you dòit*t

* By tbdr actions, tny good felbw — mefi are knowti by
thdr acUcnis* Those who drink wine without criUctzing it:
wiiEn show the face ol the King upon the counter wìthoul
prating; who don't quartcl wìth othcr customers; and il they
owc a hJow to any one, go nutside and away from the imi

givc ìt, so that Uie poor ìandlord isn't brought tnto the
ipc;— thcsc are honcst men* However, tf onc couìd know
y*body to he honest, as wc four know one anotìier, It
wotUd be better, But why are you so inquisitive on thes^
matte 1 you are a brldegroom, and ought to hstvt

odicr in your head? and with this hash hefore you,

enotjgh to make the dead rise agatn ? ' So saying, he retumed
to the kitchen

Ottr autfìor, remar king upon the difìferent tnanner in whtch
tba landlord satìsficd these various inqttiries, sayB he was
oae who in word» made fcreat prof essi ons of friendship for
boo^t men in general but who !n practice paid much more
atlention to thosc wha had the charactet and appearmoce of
knvca. He was, as every onc must percelve, a man of
•bg^tilAT eharacter.

The supper was net very hKtliesome. The two mvited
gticstx wofuid bave dcliberately en^oved the tinusua! grati-
ficatiocu but the invitcr, prc-occupied by — the rcader knows
what ^ and isncasy at the strange bchaviour of theie

fecok -^ impatjent for the tinte of depmrtiire* He

wgckc la aii underton^ out of rcspect to the strangers, and
in brokcn and hurried words.

*V\1iat a fine thtng/ suddenly cscdaitned Gervase, *that
Reiuo ^^ntn lo marry, and is obltged , . . ! * Renxo gavc
lini a savage look, and Tonio exclaimed, * Hold your tongue»
^npldon ! * acconr-^ ^- "^ epithet wìth a knock of hts
dbow* Tlie eonv -ed tiU the end of the meal

Beo? ^"ricof, maoiged lo belp

Mi § as to insptre tbem wìth

taSdent Mdncss» wiihout making them giddy and he*

llfl

ALESSANDUO MANTONI

wildercd. Supper Heing over, and the bill havitig becn patd

by the onc whc> hiuì donc the teast cxecutkm, thcy had aj^min

Lio pans under the scrutini zìng eyes of the threc bravoes,

vho gaz ed carnestly at Rcuìco, as ihcy had don e on bis

aitrauce. Whcn he had proccctlcd a few pacca from the

uni, he looked round, Juid saw thai he was lollowcd by tlic

two bravocf whom bc had Icft iiltlng m the kìtchen ; so he

«tood stili wllh his companions, as mudi as lo «ay, 'Lei

[na ace what tficsc fcllowa wani with me* On pereeiTing,

Ihowevcr, that they werc obscrved» thcy al«o stoppcd short,,

[mìa speakbig to cach othcr hi a supprcssed voice, lurncd'

[back agatn. Had Rcn^o bcen ncar cuough to Tiave hcard

llheir wotds^ the followìnig^ woutd bave ntnick him as vcry

[itrange: ' Il will he a fine thing; howcver, wtthotit oountms

tbc drinktng-rnoncy,* «aid cme of the villaiiis, *if wc can

rehtc, oo our return to the palate, tliat we made thcm lay

their arma in a htirfy;— by ourselres, too, witboutj

^Signor Grbo hcrc to givi! onIcr»r

'And >pot1 the princìpal business ! ' replted tJir othcr,
*Scc, they Ve discovcred something; they are *toppìug to
look at tis. Oh, I wìih it waa latcrf I^ u» turn
or they'll surcly suspect us! Don'l yoa see peopte are'
coming in tvcry direction? Let u» wait tilt theyVe ali gone
to lied;

Therc was, in fact, that atimng— that roti fiT«ed huxa-->
which h n%nMy hrard in a villaKe on ' of e»

Ing, and wbich sJiortly afterwards gT\ e «ole

stiline** of night. Womcn arrived frotn the li cidi,
their infanta oa tJieJr backs, and holdìn{£ by the band thi
elder ehildreo* wboot ihey werc lieariug rcpeat thdr cventni
* * * — 'ore on thetr «bouìdcrt tltcìr apule
hltt)^ of htisbattdry. On the openlof

'the ^ righi gleam of lì^bt iparkied from tli

fift , "led to prepare their humbfe evcniii

In the Street inliclìt he heard laltifations excbange
'lofelt^ with brief and !iad rerti^^lt r,n the fcarelty ol
tlie harvest, and the poverty of ti while, abcjvr

rciotinded t* ^ - « .^ i - i*- ^f ^^^ i^^^^

which anno ti«o law that

hÌB iwo indtÀcrcet luilavicia Uad riitiitU, bc eootiituol hta

I PROMESSI SPOSI

117

fwny ^imid the iiscreaaing darkness, occasIonaUy, !n a low

[ione, rclr editing the memories of one or other of the brothers

some poiat of thetr dutics they might bc likciy to lorget.

'Wbcn be arrtved at Ltìcia's cottage, the night had quile

do^ed m.

* Betwees die actlng of a dfeadful thing/
^ uys 1 fomgD vrriter, wha was not wanting in discemment,

* Asd tbe irst ntotìoii» ali the mterìm ts

hzà atiffered for several hours the horrors of such

a dream; and Agnese — Agnese herself, the author of the

design, was tmrìcd in thought, and eould scareely find words

to e&courage hcr daugìitcr* Bui at tlie moment of awaking,

3t ihe moment when one h called upon to begin the drcaded

, tindertakiiig, the nihid is instantly trans formed* A ncw

Iterroi' and a new couragc sticcced those which bcfore strug-

Ifìcd wtthtn; the cnterprise prcsaits iiself to the intnd h'kc a

[^lre*b apparitJon: that whìch at first sight, was most dreadcd,

somctimcs renclered easy in a motiicnt ; and, on the

hand, an obstack* which, at first, was scarcely noticed.

5tiKs fontiidablc; the imagination shrinks back alarmtd.

Hmbs refnse to iuìùì their ofBce, and the heart rcvokes

Itile fwomiscs that werc made with the greatest confìdeace.

lAt Renxo*s smoihered knock* Lucia was $e]2cd with such

llciTOr, that, at the moment* she resolvcd to sufifer snything,

ili Ile F^ ' n hìm for ever rathcr Ihan execute the

retotuti . :adc; bui when he had stood before ber,

and Itftd &aid, ' Ikrc 1 am. lei us go' — ^when ali were ready

fu accompany htm without he^ìtatìon^ as a fixed and irre-

thing, Lueta had oeithcr tittie «or heart to interpose

*.aea; and, almost dragged along, shc tremblingly took

; ano o( her mother, and one of hcr betrothed» and «et

turesomc party,

1 the dark, and with slow ateps, they pasied

ok the road thnt led out of the vìllage-

>ould bave heen to bave gone tbrougU

Don Abi>oDdio*s house, at the other et^d ; but they

kmger csmrse, as befng the most retired. After

alocif Utile narrow roads Ihat ran between g:ardefis

ALESSANDRO MAN20K1

'»nd ficlds, thc>^ arrived ncar the house, and fiere thcy
Ldmded* The two lovers remamed hiddca bchind a corner
|of ìht lìuìldtng; Agut&e was with tbcm* but stood a little
'forwardef, thit she niight be ablc io run iti tinic lo mcet
Perpetua» and tnkc possession of her. Ionio, with bis block*
head o£ a brother, Gervase, who knew how to do aotlibg hy '
iBìmseìf, and without whom nothìng could be done, baateitcd
(boldly forward, atid knockcd at the door;

*Who's thcrc, at siicb aa hour?' cricd a voice from «J
ivindow, that was tbrown open at the moment: it was the
voice of Perpeltia. ' There's nobody ìli, Uiat I know of.
jBut, perhaps, some accidctit has happencd?*

*It is 1/ replied Tonio» 'with my brotlier; we want to
speak to the Signor Curate/

*h thìs an hour for ChristiaDS?' rcplfed Perpetua, shariH
ìy. * You ve no eoosideratioiu Come agaìn to-morrow/

'Listen; lìl come again, or net, just as you likc; IVa
icrapcd togethcr nobody knows how much money» and carne
to sctile ihat little debt you know of, Here, I had tìve*and-i
twcnty fine ncw berlinghe: but il one cannot pay, ne ver
[ mind ; l know well enough how to spend thcse, and TU corno
again, when Tve got togcther some more**

* Wait, wait I ni go, and bc back in a moment But wby
come at sudi an hour? '

* if you can change the botir, IVc no obj^tion ; as for iii«^.j
bere I am ; and if you don*t want me, Vl\ go.'

•No, no; watt a moment; HI bc back with the answtr^
directly/
So saying, sht fibut the wlndow agaln, At ihh tnstantgl
ncfte left the lovers, and saytng, in a low voice to Lucii
^Ccurage! it is but a moment; it's onty like dniwiog
looth/ joined the two brotlicrs at ihc door, and began gott3{|K|
ing with Tonto, so that^ when Perpetua should return
&ec hetp sbc mtgbt think shc wos ju&t passing by^ and
Tonio had dctaiucd her (or a tnomeoL

CHAPTER Vin

CARNEADESI who was he?— thought Don Abbondio
io hinisdf, Bs he sat in hìs arm-chair^ in a room up-
&taìrij whli a tìfnall volume lyìng open before him,
just ai Perpetua rntered to bring him the message, — Car-
Dcadesì I ? ave heard or read thla name; k must b«

Écmt man «j ig — foiDe grcat scholar o£ antiqui ty; b is

jim like onc of thdr names ; but whoever was he ? — So far
waa the poor man from foreseetng the itorm tbat w&$ gather-
ÌD|^ov«rhÌsfipad.

Tbo r«a4er must know that I>on Abbondio was very food
cif i^adlag a UltJe every day; and a neighbouring Curate,
wto |K>s8eii€d )g of E library, lent him one book

after another, akmg the first that carne to band.

T!i€ work widi which LMin Abbondio was now engaged (bcìng
ilready convalescent, after hìs fever and fears, and even
more advanccd in his recovery from the fcver than he wlghcd
sbotild be believed) was a panegync in honour of San Carlo,
which had becn deli ver ed with much eamestness, and llstened
lE» with grcat r ^n, in the Cathedra! of Milan, two

fCKn bcforc. t had been compared, on account of

tua love of study^ to Archimedea : and so far Don Abbondio
had mct with no «tambling -block : because Archimedes has
cxecnted *tich grcat work5, and hat rendered hìs naoie so
famoua, that it requircd no vcry vast fund of enidition to
Imow somcthingr abotit him, But after Archìmcdes, the orator
ato compare* his saint to Cameade», and bere ihe reader
net yv^ih n check* At th'- poìnt, Perpetua annoiinced the
fi io.

,. hourl* exelaimcd Don Abbondio, also, natyr^ly

OKltl|[lu

'\Vhat wouW you bave, sir? Tbey bave no consideration,

tsdecil; but tf ytm don'i take htm whoi you can get hha , . /

'li I don't takc him now» wfao knows wben I can? Lei

130

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

him come in . . , Hcyl hey !— Perpetua, tre you quitc ture
k ir Tonio ? •

' Diavolo I ' repHed Perpetua ; and going dowit-sUirs, sbe
opoicd the door, and said. 'Whcre are you?' Tonb ad-
vanced, and, at the samc monient, Agnese showed hcfielfi
md &alt]tcd Perpetua by name.

*Good cvcntng, Agnese,' «aid Perpetua; *wherc are you
contfng from at this hour?*

* 1 am eomtng from • * ♦ mentioning a neìglibòurlog
viUage. ' And if you knew , , , * continucd she; * Itve bccn
kept late |uBt for yont sake.'

•What for?' asked Perpetua; aiid turntng to the l¥ro
brothcrs, ' Go in/ said slie, * and 11! folìow/

* Bccausc/ rcplicd Agneaic, *a gossìping womant wlio
knows nothing about tbc aiattcr . . . wouid you bclieve tt?
persists in saybig that you were not eiarried to Beppo
Siiolavccchla, nor to Anselmo Luiighigna, bccau&c lliey
wouldn*! bave you! I maintaincd tliat you bad refused
botb one and tbc otbcr . . /

*Tù bc sure* Oh» what a fa1«c-tongued woman! Who

*Don't ask me; I dcus't want to make miscbief/

* You sball teli me ; you intist teli me, I say she'a Z
false body/

* Well, wcll • . . but you ^ lìnk hnw vcxaì I was
Uiat I didn*t know tbc wb y, that I migbt bave
piit brr down/

* It h an aljominablc falsdiood/ aaid Perpetua — 'a mo&t
ìnfamous falscboodJ As to Beppo. everybody knows, and
mtjibt bave sccn . , , ìicy ì Tonio ; just dose the door, and
go Dp-stairs ti 11 I come/

T
cai

Stf

tlVL

m Li

1 ber

'it

entefi frmn within^ and Perpetua
n. hi ffnni nf Tì'm Abbondio** *l
nnly con

tumcd T ,

it torw.T thU Mrrct, as il sbe wouW go

Jc to spc..,. ... ffccly, and P^^ft^^^t^r. f.,n..t»,.4,

Wbcn they bad turncd tljp corner, and re;i e

tbey rouhi no longcr see wliat bappcitefl ' i-

cUo*t house, Agnese cot^hed badly. Tli 1;

I FROMBSSI SPOSI

121

Reazo hcard tt, and re-ammatkg Ltida by prcssmg her arto,
tìiey tttmed the corner togetber on tiptoe, crept very softly
dose aloog the walI, rcach«d the <loor, and gently pushed it
open^ quiet, and ttooping low, thcy wcrc quickly in the
fiassa^; mni! bere the two brothers were walting for theim
Rsizo very gcniJy let down the latch o! the doof, and they
atl four asceuded tfae staìrs, makmg scarcely noise enoiigli
for two. On reachlng the landiog, the two brothers advanced
lovanls tlie dc>or of the room al the side of the staircase, and
llie lo ver s stood dose against the walL

*Deù gratia^' said Tonio, in an expLanatory ione.

*Eli, Tonio! is ÌÉ you? Come in T repHed the voice
irìtitia*

Tonio cpened the door, scarcely wide cnough to admtt
lilmfldf and bis brothcr one at a time. The ray of Jight
Chat Middenly shone through the opening, and crossed the
dark Hoor oÌ tlie landbg, made Lucia tremble, as ì£ %h^
were «Hscovered. Wben tlie brothers had entered, Tonio
closed tlie door Inside; the lovers stood tnotionless tn the
dmrk, their ears intently on the alert, and holding their
breath; the loudett nojsc was the beating of poor Lucia's
bcart

Don Abbondio was seated^ as we bave saìd, in aji old
anD«<hair, cnvclopcd m an antiqtiatcd drcssmg*gown» and
ina head bnried in a ababby capp the sbape of a tiara, which,
by tfa« fatnt Itght of a small lamp, formcd a sort of cornice
ali ro4znd his face, Two thick locks, whlch escaped from
bettcath hU haid-dfess« two tbìck cye^browa, two thick mus-
tadtios» and a tbtck tuft om the chin, ali of them grey, and
tcattered over Ms dark and %%*riiikled %nsage, might be com-
pared to busbes ooya-ed with soow, projectìng from the face

a diff, ài seen by mooolight.

* Aha l * was hìs satiitmtìon, as he took off bla spectacieSp
and laid them on hi$ book*

• T» - ^-^wr Curate will say I ain come very fate.* said
Tm a low bow, which Gervase awkwardly imilated,

' LtirTiiiTjiy, it ìa late— iate evcrr way, Don't you know

voy 90Try Cor it'
u masi bave bcard I waa Uh and didn't know wboi

ISÌ

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

But why h«ve yoa

•^viili the fìgniT of
u, ijrawmg a little

I fhotild he Mt iù see urtybody .
brought Ihìj— thìs boy with yau?'

' Fot company, Signof CurMc/

' Vcry wdl; let us sfsc*

' Hcro are tweiUy-five nevr òr-
Saint Ambroic on horseback/ Ba
pftrcri cut of hl$ pocket*

' Lct US see/ aaid Don Abbondio; ami lic touk »^ - ^^-i^-fl,
put on hì8 specUdcs agmin, opcnc^d it, look cut thr r,

turntd them over and over^ counied them, and founn uicm
irrq^rcheniìbfa

' Nowj Signor Curate, you win V:|acc/

* You are riglit/ rcpHed Don : to a
eupboaitt, he took out a key, looking round «» if tei «^rf ^hat
ali prybiìg apectàlori wtrt al a proper disi ance, openrd one
of the doorl^ and fili mg up the apert\irc wìth bis ptrson,
lotrocluc^ bis head to see. and hii arm to reacb. the plcdge i
thtn drawing II out, he i^liiit the cupboard, unwrappcd the
paper, and saylng, * li» that tight f folded it up agatn» and
banded tt to 1 onio.

*Now/ aaìd TonlOi 'wtll you please to put it in black
and wbite ? '

* Not tiatitlìed ytt I ' sali! Don AbbontUo. * I declare thcy
know evcryihiiig« £h 1 how KUtpicioua the world has bitcomt I
Don't yoti tniit me ? '

' What I Signor Curale ! Don*t I trust yo«? Yoii do me
wroD^. But as my name h in your biade booki, on ihe
debtDf's tide * . » tlieii, aìisce yoa bave had the trotible of
writìng once« io . , . from tifo co deatb , , /

* Wdl wdl/ iotcrrupted Don Abbondio; and mutterinf be»
tween bii tecth, he drcw out one of the tablcKlrawera* took
thcnce pen, hìk, mid paper* and bc|^n to write, repcatìng the
wonJa aloud» m they proceeded from his peo. In the mcan
time, Tonio, and at hit rìde, Genrasse, placed thcmadvei
standing beibre tJie table in sudi a nianner as to ooncsat tbe
door ttma tbe view of the writer, and befan to abulie thelr
feei abolii on the flooTi ai if tn mere idkness» btii» in rtality,
a« a iìgi%al lo those wtthout to cnltr, and, ai the ì:imv limtt
lo drown the noise of thcir footitepa. Don Abboi it
BfQQ bla wrìtiaK» nodced nodibag else. At tbe noU. ^. ,. .ir

I PROMESSI SPOSI

fcct. Rcnxo took Lojcia's ann, pressing it In an encouragtng
iiiaim«r^ and wtnt forward, altnost dragg^ing her along; for
ibe tr^nibled to mch a degree, th^t, withoiit hls help. &hc
must hare Bmk tu l!ie ground* Entering rery sofUy, on
tiptoe, and boldiog thdr breath, thej placed tliemsclves
behitid the tmo brottiers. In the mean time, Don Abbondio,
having finished writiog, rcad over the paper attentively, wilh*
om fmì&ing hit €ytM; he thcn foldcd it up, sayìng, 'Are you
content now?' snd taking ofT bis spectacles with one band,
banded ibe paper to Tonio wìth tbe otber, and looked up,
Toaio, exieiicijng Mb righi band to raceive ìt, rctired on otic
vide, and Gervase, at a sìgn from hìm, on the other^ and
béboid! as at tbe sbìfting of a scene, Renzo and Lucia stood
bctwttn tbent Don Abbondio saw indistinctly— saw clearly
— was tcrrified» astoni shed, enraged, buried in tbought^ carne
to a rcsolution ; and ali tbis, wbile Remo uttered tbe wordà,
* Signor Ctirate» in tbe presente of tbese witnesses, tbr» Is
tof wifc' Before^ bowever, Lucia's lips could lorm the
reply, Don Abbondio dropped the receipt, sciied the larap
wtth bis lefc hand« and raised it in tbe air, catight hold of
the doih with bis right, and dragged tt furiously off tbe
tibie, bringing to the ground In ita fall, hook, paper, ink-
and sandbox; and* springtng bet%*e^ the chatr and
ile, advanced towards Lncia. The poor girl, with ber
gentle voice, trembling violently^ had scarcely tittered
Ibe W^<b, * And tltlt . . / when Don Abbondio threw the
doch mdaly oier ber head and face, to prevent her prò*
aoundng the cnttre forninK Thcn, Ictting tbe ligbt fall
ftom bis othcr liaod, he etnployed both to wrap tbe doth
roond ber face, till «Jte was wcU ntgh smothcred. «hoiit-
iog in the mean while, at tbe stretdi of hi^ voice, like a
wo^pded bull ; ' Perpetua ! Perpetua f— — hdp ! '

Ughty jiiat gftmmenng on the grountJ, Jim and

ray upoti Ltjcìa, who, in utter con&ternation, made
:einpt f^ r!«.^*^«T^g^ hersclf, and ntight he cotnpared to
a fiatile §n: n diafk, over which tlie artificer had

^owQ a wei cR^iiu WTien tlie lighl died away, Don Ab-
bondio i|uitted the poor girU and wetit groping about to
ened iiUo Bn hiner room; and Itaviog
tcd and ahut hims^f in, twoeaàmz:ly

H^Rbi

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

cxckiiiitng, * Pcrprhial trcadicry, hclpl Oirt of the boosel
out of the house ! '

Io the othcr rootn ali was eonlusioTi: R«n£0, seeking to
lay fiotti of the Curate, and feeling witti hìs hanclSi ft§ tf
playbg at bljnd-tnan'a bufT, had rcaclicd the door, and kick*
ing against il, was crying, 'Opcit, o[>cn; don't make iuch
a noisc ! * Lucia, calling te Rcn/o, in a f cebi e voice, »aid,
bcsecchtngly, ' Lct us go, let us go, for God's sakc' Tonio
was crawllng od his knccs» and feeling wìth hh hands on
the ground to recovcr his lost reccipt. The tcrrified Gervasc
was cfying and juniping about, and seeking Cor the door
af the staìrs, so as to make his t*seape in safety.

In the inidst of this uproar, wc cannot but stop a moment
to makc a reflcctian, Renzo, who was causing dislur1>ancc
at night m ant^thcr person*fi house, who had «-ffiTted an
cntrauce by stealth^ and who had hlockadcd th hitfi-

seJf in one ol hìs own rooms, bas ali the appi '>t an

oppressor ; whìic in faci he was tlm opprca&ecL Don Abboa-
dio, taken by surprisc^ terrificd and put to Dtghti whìle
pcaceably cugaged in his own affaire, appcars the victim;
whcn in rcaltty tt wnn he who did the wrong. Thuj^ fre-
qucnily goes the world . * * or rathcr, we shouid say, thus
ft went in the «cvcnteenth ceutury.

The bcsieged, finding that the enetny gavc no stgiis of
alandoning the entcrprisc, opcned a window t!iat lotiked into
the chtirchyard, aud ihotilcd out : * Help I hcip ! * Tlicre was
a most lovely mooti ; the shadow of the church, and, a little
bcyond, tlie kmg, aìiarp shadow of the bdJHowcr, lay dark,
stili, and wcll*dcfined, on the brii?ht gra&sy leve! of the
sacred . : ali ohjects wer^ ' almosl ai by day.

But lov> way you wouid, |>carcd no sign of

U\4ng pef»on, Adjóining the lateral witll of the chwrch, oo
tlie side next the Parsonage, was a stnall dwcUing where
ihc «cxton »lept, Arou«cd by thb umiMuàl cry, he >prang up
in hi§ hed, jumpcd out hi grcat baste, threw open the saah
of hh little window, put hta head out wtUi bis eyclid* ghicd
together ali the while, and cried out: ' VVliat'» the tnaUcr?*

'Run, Ambrogio! hHpl people in the houfct* answcred
Don Abbondta *C plìed he, as he drew

in ÌÙB head and shu; i altliotigh Imlf oalecp

I FROMESSI SPOSI

125

iod more than hall terrified, an expcdicnt quickly occurred
lo him that would bring more aid than had been ask^d,
wi^oiit draggtng ^tm mto the affray, whatevcr it tnight be.
S^iztng bis breedies that lay npon the bed, he tucked iJiem
QBder hìs ami like a gala hat^ and bounditig down-statrs by
a little wooden laddcr, lan to the belfry. caught hold of the
ropc that was attached to the larger of the two belh^ and
pitUed vigorously.

ToD« ton, ton» ton ' the peasant sprang up m bis bed;
the boy strctched in the bay- loft list en ed eagcrly, and leapt
opoo bis fcet, *\Vhat*s the matter? what*s the mattef?
The bell*s ringingt Pire? Thieves? Eanditti?' Many of
the wpmen advised— begged thdr hiisbands not to stir —
lo tei others ritti; some got up and wau to the window;
diose who were cowards. as if ytelding to cntrcaty, quietly
sBppcd tinder the bed-clothes agam : wliiJe the more inquisi-
tive and courageous sprang up and armed tbcmselvcf wìth
pitdi^forks and pistois, to nin to the uproar; others wajtcd
to scc the end.

Bui before these wcre ali ready, and even beiore they
were well awake, the noise bad reached the ears, and arrested
the attentìon, of some others oot very far dlstant, who were
boih dreased and oii their feet; the bravoes in one place;
Agnese »od Perpetua in another, We wìU first briefly relate
the roovements of the bravoes since we left them;^ — some
tfi ibe old building, and iome at the iniL

The threc at the inn» as sooti as they saw ali the doors
ihut and the Street deserted, went out, pretending to be going
tome distance; but they only quietly look a short turo in tlie
vìUage to be assurcd that ali had retìrcd to test; and in fact,
they mct not one Uving creature, nor hcard the least noise.
They al&o passed» stili more softly, bcforc Lucìa's little
cottage, which was the quietest of al)^ since there was no one
Urith^ They ihen went direct to the old house, and reportcd
llidr ohiervaiiom io Signor Gri$o. Hastily putting on a
riodched hai, with a pilgrim*s drcss of sackciotb, seattered
orer with eoe"' ' "' and taking in hts band a pi!^niii*s
almi!, he said : . us act Hke good bravoes ; qulet, and

aitenttve to order à/ So ^yiiig« he moved forward, foflowed
by the refi, aiul In a few momeots reached the cottage by

ALSSSANIIIIO MANZONI

liie opposite wny to ìht one otir little party had taJnsi wbdtj
seitirifr ^^^ cut their expeditìon. Grl»o ordered his fotlowc
lo retiiAtn a few pncts behlttd, whìle he wcnl forwftrd ft]on<
to cjcplorc; and iìndmg ali outaicJc dcscricd and stili,
beckotied to iwo of them to fidvance, otdt^r^d ihxrm quieti)

'to scale the wail that surrounded the court*yard, and whc
ihey had descended, to conccal tljemselvcs in a ctirner behbid
a thick 6g-trcc that he had noticcd iti die mctnìng. Thiiì
dcine» he knoclctd gently at the door, irith the intcrìtion of
saymg that he was a pilgrim who Itad losi hb way, aodi

|bcfged E lodging Cor the night. No otie rcplied; he kooeke
m little more loudJy ; not a whispcn He therelorc calJed a

j third bravo, and made hira de^cead into the yard as Uic ©ihcf

jtwo had done, with orders to uof«tstcn the bolt inside ver
carefuUy, so that he mìght have free Ingress and egre
AH was execmed with the grealcst caution and the mos
prosperous success, He thcn wcnt to cali the rc«t| and

i bidding them enter with hlm, seni them to lilde In the corner
with the others, closed the door ^^Slìh very softly, place
two sentlnels inside, and went up to the door of the houae

iHere also he knocked-^-walted ; and long enougb he inlj
wait. He then as gently as possìble opcned this door ; oob
withiii sai<l. Who*a there ; no one wa» to bc heard. Noth^g
could bc better, Forward then ; * Come on,* crìcd he to tbo««1
t^hind the fig-tree, and he cntered with them Imo that very
room where in the inorning he had so baaely obiaincd the

' piece of bread Drawing frotn htit pocket a pìcce of «tccl.
a tlint^ Kotne tinder and a few he Hi a sinall lanter

he had provi ded, and stepped next rootn to atsii

himsclf that ali was quiet: no one wa* Ihere. He retur
went to the loot of tiic stafrs, looked tip» listcncd; ali wi
folitude and sUcnc^. Lcaring two more scntincls in tli
lower foom, he bfd Grignapoco foUow Idm, a bravo ite
the distrtct of Bergamo, whote office it was to tbrcstc

, appeaae, and command; to b^ fai short, the spokesEoiaii,
that hls diatect mfght gtvt Agneae the idea that tb^
tion caine from bis neighbourhacMl. With thii
At Ma itide, and the rest behind Um, Grtjo T^y

[ftacendcd the statrs, curstng io bis hcart evcry itep that un*
Uy creaktd» every tread of thcae villaiiii that ma/de Ùm

1 PEOMESSl BVrni

127

nobe. At last he rcaches the top, Here ts the clanger*

e gtntìy pushes the éoor that leads into the first room;

ykldf; to his touch ; he openi^ it a Utile and looks In ; ali is

le; he Hstcns attentivcly» pcrchancc. he may hear a moririg,

breath, a atirr ìng within ; noihing. Forward then ; he puìs

lantcm he f ore his face, so as to see without belng seeo,

peni the doór wtde; perceives a bed; looks upon ìt; tlie

is nuwie and smooih, with the clothes ttirned down and

imuiged upon the pitlow* He shrtig^ hìa ahoulders, turns

to hii eotnpanloas, lieckons to tliem ihat he U goìng to look

tH« olher room^ and ihat ihey must keep quiet where they

t; he goes forward, tises the sanie precautions, mceta

lljc same success, 'Whatcver can this mean?* ex-

he boldly: *some traitorous dog must have been

as spy/ They then began to look about thcm with

less caistion, aad to pry into every corner, tuming the house

vfMc down,

While the party upstairs wcre thus cngaged, the two
wbo werc on guard at the strcet-door heard hasty and re*
peated footsteps approaehmg a!ong the road that led mio
die viDairc, and imaginìng that whoever it was, he would
pass !^, they kept quiet, their ears. howevcr, atteotively on
the watcb. Bot t>ehold ! the foolsteps stopped exactly at the
doof* Il was Menico arrìving in great haste, sent by Father
Tiftofofx) to bid the two women, for Heaven's sake, to make
cìf escape as quickly ss possible from their cottage, and
reflue in the convent, because , . , the * hecaase * the
ìef kf>ow-t He took hold of die handlc of the lateh, and
!? hand» tmfasicncd and brokcn open. What
he, às he puahed open the door in some
alami; and pmting onc foot inside with considerable nm*
pidon» he felt himscK seized in a moment by hutJi arms, and
beard two sniothered voiees^ on his right and left, saying
IO 1 ' ning tonc: 'Huah! hold your tongue,

PI y contrar>% fiowercr, he uttcred a shrill

upun %^li*<Ji une of tlì k ìì\m a gfcat blow on the

, and the othcr tm.i ji a brge kntfc to terrily

The poor chtld trembled iikc a Icaf, and did not at-
a sccond cry; bct alt at once^ in his stcad, and with
a far dilTcrent toae, btirst forth the Erst sound of the beli

128

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

hcforc d€scrtbcd, and Imiiiediatrly after niajìy llmiiclerìti
peak in quiek succcsslon. * lì the c;ip ftts, put it oOi* sayt \
Milanese provcrb; each of the villa bi secmed lo bear In"
ihcnc pc;ils hts namc, surtianir, and nick-namc; ihcy lei ifo
of Menko's arms> haàtily ilroppcd thcir own, gaxed at cach
otlicr's faccs in mute astoDishmtmt, and thcn ran inlo the
hpus€ where was the bulk cif thcir compnntans, Menico took
lo hts Icgs» and flcd, by way of the fitlds, towards Uve bcKr;^
where he felt surc therc wotild bc some jieopk ai»seiiibl<
On the other ruffiani, wbo wcrc nuomai^tRg the house frou
top to bottom. the tcrriblc beD onde the iswne tmpressioa;
confused and alarmed, ihey ran agaìr ' f-r, in at-

tenjpting:, cadi one for himself, lo fiìi vi way of

reachìng the stret:t-door. Thotigh mcn ot appruved eoaragc^
and accustotucd ne ver lo turn tlicìr backs on known perii,
ihey could not stand agatnst an indefinite danger» vrhich had
net been viewed at a little distance bcfore coni in g upon
thcm, It requlrcd ali the autharity of Griso in kcej! tlieni
to|^fchei^ so Ihat \i might be a rctreat and noi a flight Just
as a dogf tiTgìng a drove of pìgs; runs herc and thcre after
tho5c that break the rank», seizes onc by the ears, and dra^s
bini hiio the berd^ propela anoihcr wiih hrs nose, barks at
a tbird tbat Icavcs the Une at the samc moment, so the
pilgrim laid hold of onc of hi» troop juist |>&SBÌn£^ the thrcsh-
old, and drcw back, dctained with hls sta^ some who
were fi-. . knew not wbitlier* and fm " ctcdcd in

BMembi ; ali in the middle o! thr i ^. * Halt ì

hatt ! pii»ujl±» ili hand, daggrrs in - ni . tir. jintl

then we*l l bcji^o ne, We ni n s t u j , . > j .. r . Vv i . 1 1 e a r e

wc for the bclls ringing» if we are at) tugcther» yoii com .
Bui if we let ibcm catch us one by onc, even tJic vilU.. . .
wìll give US it. For «harae ! Fall bchind, and Vecp togcther .*
After this brìcf bar angue, he placcd himseU in the franta
and ted the way out. The cottage, ai we bave said, was
at tl»e extremity of the viUagc :~ • «ok the road that

Icd out of it, and the rot followc good order.

' We will let thein go, and return a step or Iwo co find
Agnese and Perpetua, wliom wt had just comhiirtcd round
the corner of a certain road Agnese had cndravom
mUurc ber cocnpanton as far «way liom Don Abbo.uir.^^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

129

boase ms possible, and up ta a certain point had succeeded
J very wclL But ali ou a syddeu the servant rcmembered that
Ishe had kft the door open, and &he watited to go back,
iThcrc was nothtng lo bc saìd : Agnese, to avoid excitingany
iBH^ptciori in hvr mtiid. was ùbtìgcd lo turn and vvaSk whh

be' ' to dctaìn her whenever she saw ber

g the issue ot stteh and sucb courtships»
'Shc prciended to be paying very great aitetition, and evcry
Inow mtid thcn. by way of showìng that she was Usteniag, or

ta anitxuitc ihc flagging conversation. woald say i *Certaitily :
■uow I under&tand: that was capital: that is plain : and

tbcQ? aod he ? and you ?* while ali the timc she was kecping
Itip a Terr diffcreitt discourse in her own mind.— *I wonder
fi! thcy aie out by ibis time? or will they be stilt in the

house ? What gecsc we ali were not to arrange any sìgnal
,lo Ict me know when it was over! It was really very
I stupidi But it can*t be helped: and the best thing I can
^do now is lo keep ber lottcring bere as long as I can: let

llic worst come lo the worsi, lì will only be a little time

lost/ — Thus, uith sundry pauses and varìous deviations

frofn the straight path, they were brongbt back again ta

whhtn a very short distance from Don Abbondio*s house,
. whtch, however, could not be seen on account of the corner
|intcrcrpting the view, and Perpetua finding herself at an
lloiponant part of ber narratìon, had sufifcred berseli to be
Idetalned without resistance» and even wìthout beìng aware
lof r liey suddenly beard* echoing tbrough fbe vacant

[txtr r atttiosphere, and the dead stlence of ntght^ the

]oild and disordered cry of Abbondio: *He!p ! help!'
TUcfcyl what bas happened?* cried Perpetua, beginning

to ntiL
'Wfaat UH? what is it?' said Agnese, holding her btck

hf the ^own.

replied she, slnigglitig.
repeatcd Agnese, seìdng ber
Ih e ami
'Wreich t . .- , ...claimed Perpetua» pushiag her

iwmy tu frxe hcmclf and to run. At thìs moificnt, fni>rc
'dbtmnt^ more sbrill, more Ìnstantan«oti#, wai heard tfa«

scxcam of Menico.
ma §— voL 21

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

' Mercy ! ' cried Agnese a! so : and they ran off togetber.
They had scarcely, however, gone a step, when the beli
sound ed one stroke, then two, three and a successlofi of
peals, such as would bave sdmulated them to run had there
been no other inducement. Perpetua arri v ed first by iwo
steps; while she raised ber hand to the door to open it,
beholdt ìt was opened from within, and on the threshold
stood, Tonio, Gervase, Renzo» and Lucia, who havìng found
the stairs had come down more rapidìy than they went up;
and at the sound of that terrìblc beli, were making their
escape in baste to rea eh a place of safety.

'What's the matter? what's the matter?' deraanded the
panting Perpetua of the brothers ; but they only replìed with
a violent push, and pa5sed on. *Artd you ! How 1 what are
you doing bere ? ' said she to the other couple on recognizìng
them, But they too made their escape without answering
her, Without, therefore, asking any more questiona, and
directing ber steps where she was most wanted, she rushed
impetuously into the passage, and went groping atout as
quickly as she couid to find the stairs.

The betrothed, stili only betrotbed, now fell in with
Agnese, who arrived weary and out of breath. ' Ah I bere
you are I ' said she, scarcely able to speak. * How has tt
gone ? What is the beli ringing for ? I thought I heard . . /

*Home! home!' cried Renzo, 'before anybody comes/
And they moved forward; but at this moment Menico ar-
ri ved, r unii in g as fast as hìs legs could carry him; and
recognizìng them, he threw bìmself in their way, and stili
ali in a tremble and scarcely able to draw bis brcath, ex-
claimed : ' Where are you going ? back^ back l This way,
to the conventi

* Are you ? , . / began Agnese.

* What is it ? ' asked Renzo* Lucia stood by, trembling
and silent, in utter dìsmay,

* There are devils in your house/ replied Menico, panting.
*l saw them myself; they wanted to murder me: Father
Cristoforo said so: antl even you, Renzo, he said, were to
come quickly: — and besìdes, T saw them myself: — ^it*s provi-
dential you are ali bere:— I will teli you the rest wheti we
get out of the village,'

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

131

•

Renzo, who bad more of bis senses about Itìoi than the
rest, remembered that they liad better make their cscape
one way or another before the crowds assembied; and thaÈ
the best pian would he io do as Menico advìsed, nay, com-
manded with the authority of one in terror* When once on
thelr way, and cut of the tumult and danger, he could ask
a cieaf er explanation f rom the boy, * Lead the way,' saìd
he to Menico ; and addressìng the women, saìd, ' Let us go
with hìmJ They therefore quickly turned their steps
towards the church, crossed the churcbyard, where, by the
favour of Heaven, thcre was not yet a livìng creature, cn-
tered a little Street that ran between the church and Don
Abbondio's house ^ turned into the first alley they carne to -

and then took the way of the fields, ^^

They had not perhaps gone fifty yards, when the crowd^^"'^
began to collect in the ehurch-yard. and rapidly increased ^
every luomcnL They looked inquiringly in each other*s ^
faces; every one had a questi on to ask, but no one could
return an answer. Those who arrived first, ran to the
church-door; it was locked. They then ran to the belfry
outsìde ; and one of them, putting bis mouth to a very small
window, a sort of loop-hole, cried, * What ever is the mat-
ter?' As soon as Ambrogio recognized a known voice, he
let go of the bell-rope^ and being assured by the buxz that
many peopìe had assembled, replied; * 111 open the door»'
Hastily slipptng on the appare! he had carried under hìs arm,
he went inside the church» and open ed the door.

*What is a!l this hubhub? — What is it? — Where is it?^
Who ìs it?'

* Why, who is it? * said Ambrogio, layìng one band on the
doo riposi, and with the other holding up the habillment he
had put on in such baste : * What t don't you know ? People
m the Signor Curate's house, Up, boys : help 1 * Hearing
this, they ali turned to the house, looked up^ approached it in
a body, looked up agaiu, lìstened: ali was qui et Some ran
to the street-door; it was shut and bolted; they glanced up-
wards: not a window was open; not a whisper was to bc
beard,

'Who Is within? — Hol Heyl — Signor Curate! — ^Sìgnor
Curate r

132 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Don Abbondio who, scarcely aware of the flight of the
invaders, had retired from the window, and closed it, and
who at this moment was reproaching Perpetua in a low
voice for having left him alone in this confusion, was
obliged, when he heard himself called upon by the voice
of the assembled people, to show himself again at the win-
dow; and when he saw the crowds that had come to bis
aid, he sorely repented having called them.

*What has happened? — What bave they done to you?—
Who are they? — Where are they?' burst forth from fifty
voices at once.

* There's nobody bere now ; thank you : go home again/

*But who has been bere? — Where are they gone? — what
has happened?'

*Bad people, people who go about by night; but the/re
gone: go home again: there is no longer anything: another
time, my children : I thank you for your kindness to me.' So
saying, he drew back, and shut the window. Some of the
crowd began to grumble, some to joke, others to curse ; some
shrugged their shoulders and took their departure: when
one arrived, endeavouring but scarcely able to speak from
want of breath. It was the person who lived in the house
opposite Agnese's cottage, who having gone to the window
at the noise, had seen in the court-yard the assembly of
bravoes, when Griso was striving to re-unite bis scattered
troops. On recovering bis breath, he cried : ' What are you
doing bere, my good fellows ? the devil isn't bere ; he's down
at the end of the village, at Agnese Mondella's house ; armed
men are within, who seem to be murdering a pilgrim; who
knows what the devil is doing I '

'What? — what? — ^what?' and a tumultuous consultation
began. 'We must go. — ^We must see. — How many are
there? — How many are we? — Who are we? — ^The con-
stable ! the constable ! '

'l'm bere,' replied the constable from the middle of the
crowd : ' l'm bere ; but you must help me, you must obey.
Quick : where is the sexton ? To the beli, to the beli. Quick f
Somebody to run to Lecco for help: ali of you come
bere . . /

Some ran, some slipped between their fellows and made

I FROMBSSl SPOSI

139

their escsipe: and the tumuli was at Ita greatest hdght, when
aiìother nmncr arrived wlio had seeu Griso and his party
goi«g *>^ i^ ^«ch lia^te, and crìcd m tum : * Run, my good
'ftlìows: ihìcvcs or biiTiditt», who are carrying off a pilgnm:
"bey are alrcady out of the village. Onì after them 1 * At
kh inforuiatìoLi, they moved off in a body in grcat coofuSion
irds the ficlds, without waitiiig their generars orderSp
Ima ìht crowd procccded, many of the vanguard slaekened
tfcdr pace» to kt the others advance, and retircd into the
bc»dy of th€ battalìon* those in the rear pushtng eagerly for-
ward, until at last the disorderly muUìtude reached iheir
pbcc of destination. Traces of the recent invasìon werc
manifest: the door opencd, the locks torn off- but the tn-
vadcrs had dìsappeared. The crowd entered the court-
yard, and wetil to the room door; thb, too, was burst open:
hcy callcd: 'Agnese! Lucia! the Pìlgrim ! \Vhefe it the
Itgrtui? Stefano must bave been dream in g abotit the
tm.-^No, no: CarìanJrca saw him also. Ho! bey! pil-
1 1 — Agnese l Lucia * * No onc replied. * They Ve rnn
way with them ! TbcyVe run away with them ì * Therc
re thcB some who raised theìr voices and proposed ta
l>now the robl3ers; said it was a helnous crime» and that
wotild bc a disgrace to the village, ìf cvcry villain couid
come and carry off womeo wtth impunity, as a kitc carrier
chlckens from a descned baro-6oor. Theo rose a f resh
more tamuìtyoiis coasuJtation; hut somebody, (and it
ficver certainlv known who,) caìied ont in the crowd
Agnese and laicia were in safety in a hoyse- The
«r sprcad rspìdly ; it galned belìef, and no onc spelte
of giving diase to the fugitives; the multitudc dis-
J, and eveiy one went to his own house, There was a
nctal whbpeHng, a nolse, ali over the village, a knocking
opcning of door5, and appearìng and dì^appearìng of
Ighis, a que^lioiitng of women from the wìndows, an
erfnET fr^^m T^^ ^treets. When ali otit^ide was deserted
cid ^^atinn con t in ned in the liouses, and

'*h t ntily to he renewcd on the morrow,

took piace, cxcepting that on the
U.U.; VI irat pj. iivw, the constablc was standing is
ùtUìt wJlh his chta rcstlng on his hands, hts handJ

194 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

on the handle of the spade, which was half stuck into
the ground, and one foot on the iron rest affixed to the
handle; speculating in his mind, as he thus stood, on the
mysteries of the past night, on what would reasonably be
expected of him, and on what course it would be best for
him to pursue, he saw two men approaching him with very
fierce looks, wearing long hair, like the first race of French
kings, and otherwise hearing a strong resemblance to the
two who, five days before, had confronted Don Abbondio,
if, indeed they were not the same men. These with stili less
ceremony than had been used towards the Curate, intimated
to the constable that he must take right good care not to
make a deposition to the Podestà of what had happened, not
to teli the truth in case he was questioned, not to gossip, and
not to encourage gossiping among the villagers, as he val-
ued his li fé.

Our fugitives walked a little way at a quick pace in
silence, one or other occasionally looking back to see if they
were followed, ali of them wearied by the fatigue of the
flight, by the anxiety and suspense they had endured, by
grief at their ili-success, and by confused apprehensions of
new and unknown danger. Their terror, too, was increased
by the sound of the beli which stili continued to follow
them, and seemed to become heavier and more hoarse the
further they left it behind them, acquiring every moment
something more moumful and ominous in its tone. At last
the ringing ceased Reaching then a deserted field, and not
hearing a whisper around, they slackened their pace, and

! Agnese, taking breath, was the first to break the silence, by
asking Renzo how matters had gone, and Menico, what was

' the demon in their house. Renzo briefiy related his melan-
choly story; and then, ali of them tuming to the child, he
informed them more expressly of the Father's advice, and
narrated what he had himself witnessed and the hazards
he had run, which too surely confirmcd the advice. His
auditors, however, understood more of this than did the
speaker ; they were seized with new horror at the discovery,
and for a moment paused in their walk, exchanging mutuai
looks of fear; then with an unanimous movement they laid
their hands, some on the head, others on the shoulders of

T PHO^raSSI SPOSI

the boy, fts i( to caress hlm, and tadtly tu thank him for
havtng bcen lo them a guarcSian angel; at the same time
signi fyìng tiic compassion they feìt for him, and almost
ftpologfatng for the terror he had eodured and the daoger
be bad undergonc cn iheir accoimt, * New go home, that
yonr family may not he anxious about you mty lartger/ saìd
Agnese: and rcmembermg the two promUed farpagiiole,
alictook out four, and gave thcm to him, adding: * That will
do; pray the Lord that we may meet again soon; and then
* , / Renro gavc him a new berlinga, and begged hioi to
my nothtng of the message he had brought from the Fatbcr:
Loda agam earessed him, bade him fareweU with a sorrow-
fu) voice, and the boy, almost overcome, wished them good-
bye, and tumed back. The melancholy trio continued their
Walk» the women taklog the lead, and Remo behind lo act
as guard. Lucia clung closcly to her tnother's aim, kindly
and dexterously avoiding the proflfered assìstancc of the
jotith Et the didìcult passes of this unfrequented ptthi feeU
mg ashamed of herself, even in such trotibtes, for having
already been so long and so famitiarly alone with him, while
«flC|iecting in a few momeiits to be his wife. Now that this
vision hatl bcen so sorrowfuUy dispelled, she repented having
proceeded Uius far ; and, amidst so may catises of fcar, she
feared even for ber modesty. — not such modcsty as arises
from the sad knowledge of evi], hut for that which is igno-
lant of ila own cxisteoce; — Hke the dread of a child who
tnsnUcs in the dark, he knows not why.

•Attd the house?" suddenly e^daimed Agnese. But how-
c?er imponant the object might be whìcb extortcd this cx-
dnmation, no une replted, because no one could do so satit-
lactorily. They therefore continued theìr walk in siìence,
ani! m :i !:ttìe while, rcached the square bcforc the churdi
u

,vv..*.- .v.wtDced to the door of the chtirch, and gently
poahed it open* The moon that cntere<l thruugh tlje apcr-
Iure» fdl upoii the pale face and silvery beard of Fathcf
CmtofoTO, who was standing bere expecting thcm; and
having loeii that no one waa nuislngi *God be prai^edf
said he; beckonlog to thetn to enter. By hh &ide stood
anotber Capocbtn^ the lay sexton, wbom he had po-fuaded.

138 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

* Ecfore you go,' said the Father, 'let us pray ali to-
gether that the Lord .may bc with you in this your joumcy,
and for evcr; and, above ali, that He may give you strength,
and a spirit of love, to enable you to dcsirc whatever He
has willed.' So saying, he knelt down in the middle of the
church, and thcy ali followed his example. After praying
a few moments in silente, with low but distinct voice he
pronounced these words: *We beseech Thee, also, for the
unhappy person who has brought us to this state. We shouM
he unworthy of Thy mercy, if we did not, from our hearts,
implore it for him; he needs it, O Lordi We, in our sor-
row, bave this consolation, that we are in the path where
Thou hast placed us; we can offer Thee our griefs, and
they may become our gain. But he is Thine enemy ! Alas,
wretched man! he is striving with Thee! Ha ve mercy
on him, O Lord; touch his heart; reconcile him to Thyself,
and give him ali those good things we could desire for our-
selves.'

Rising then in baste, he said, 'Come, my children, you
bave no time to lose; God defend you; His angel go with
you ; — f arewell ! ' And while they set off with that emotion
which cazmot find words, and manifests itself without them,
the Father added, in an agitated tone, 'My heart tells me
we shall meet again soon.'

Certainly, the heart, to those who listen to it, has always
something to say on what will happen; but what did his
heart know? Very little, truly, of what had already hap-
pened.

Without waiting a reply, Father Cristoforo retired with
hasty steps ; the travellers took their departure ; and Father
Fazio shut the door after them, bidding them f arewell with
even his voice a little faltering.

The trio slowly made their way to the shore they had
been directed to ; where they espied the boat, and exchanging
the pass-word, stepped in. The waterman, planting one oar
on the land, pushed off ; then took up the other oar, and row-
ing with both hands, pulled out and made towards the op-
posite beach. Not a breath of wind was stirrìng; the lake
lay bright and smooth, and would bave appeared motionless
but for the tremulous and gentle undulation of the moon-

I PEOMESSI SPOSI

beafnf, whieh gleamed upon ìt frocn the zetiìtfi. No sotinds^
wcre heard btit the muffled and sbwly measured bfeaking
i>f the surge upon the pebbly shore, the more distant giir*
' fiìng of the troubied waters dashing among the piles o£ the
idie, and the even plash of the Hght seulls, as, rhìng with a
harp sound of the dripping biade, aiid quìckly plunged]
beneath, they cut the azere surface of the lakc The
iv«8^ divided by the prow, and re-uniting bchìnd the little
irk, trackcd out a curlmg line, which cxtended itself to
shore. The stlcnt traveIJers, with their faces turned
kwsrds, gazed upon the mountaìns and the country,
llafpined by the pale lìght of the moon, and diversìfied bere
md there with vast sbadows, They conld distingnish the |
vjlfages, the houses, and the little cabins: the paiate of Don
RodrifO» with hs Siqnarc tower, rising above the group of
at the base of the promontofy, looked llke a savage
ling in the dark, and meditating some evi! deed» while
guard over a company of reclfning sleepcrs. Lucìa ^
lì and ilmddercd; then drawmg her eye along thei
cìWlty till she reacbcd her native village, she fixed her ga2«
tl^ cxtrcmity, sou^bt for her own cottage, traced out the
thtck head of the fig-tree ivhicb towered abovc the wall of
the co«Tt-yard, discovered the window of her own room ;
and, bdng seated In the bottoni of the boat, she leaned her
dbow on the cdge, laìd hcf forehead on her arm, aa If
Were sleeping, and wept in secret
Farewcll, yc mountaìns» rising from the watcra, and point<
Hg to the hcavens! ye varied snmmjts, famìliar to him who
has been brought up among you« and impressed upon his
mind as dcarly as the countenance of his dearest friends ì
ye torrcnts, who&e munnur he recogni^es like the sound
^f the iroìces nf homel ye villages, scattcred and glistcmng
the decISvity, llke flocks of grazlng sheepl fareweìll
f moftmfu] is the step of hina who, brought tip amìdat
scenes, is compclled to Ica ve you ! Even in the imaghi-
ol o«e who wìllingly deparis, attractcd by the hopc of
ng a fortune clscwherc, the dreams of wealih at tini
lo«c thdr chartns; he wondcrs he could form sudi i
Ffèaohition, and conld even now tiim back, bui for Ihe bop© j
day retuming wìUi m ricb abuudance. As he ad*

140 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

vances into the plain, his eye becomes wearied with its
uniform extent; the atmosphere feels heavy and lifeless; he
sadly and listlessly enters the biisy cities, where houses
crowded upon houses, and streets intersccting streets, seem
to take away his breath ; and, before edifices admired by the
stranger, he recalls with restless longing the fields of his own
country, and the cottage he had long ago set his heart upon,
and which he resolves to purchase when he rcturns en-
riched to his own mountains.

But what must he feel who has never sent a passing
wish beyond these mountains, who has arranged among them
ali his designs for the future, and is driven far away by
an adverse power! who, suddenly snatched away from his
dearest habits, and thwarted in his dearest hopes, leaves
these mountains to go in search of strangers whom he
never desired to know, and is unable to look forward to
a fixed time of return !

Farewell ! native cottage, where, indulging in unconscious
thought, one learnt to distinguish from the noise of com-
mon footsteps, the approach of a tread expected with mys-
terious timidity! Farewell! thou cottage, stili a stranger,
but so often hastily glanced at, not without a blush, in pass-
ing, in which the mind took delight to figure to itself the
tranquil and lasting home of a wife ! Farewell ! my church,
where the heart was so often soothed while chanting the
praises of the Lord ; where the preparatory rite of betrothal
was performed; where the secret sighing of the heart was
solcmnly blessed and love was inspired, and one fcit a hal-
lowing influence around, farewell ! He who inipartcd to you
such gladness is every where; and He never disturbs the
Joy of his children, but to prepare them for one more cer-
tain and durable.

Of such a nature, if not exactly these, were the reflec-
tions of Lucia; and not very dissimilar were thosc of the
two othcr wandcrers, while the little bark rapidly approached
the right bank of the Adda.

CHAPTER IX

THE strik ìng of the boat agaìnst the shorc aroiised
Luda, wbo, after secrctly drying her tears, raiscd ber
he^ as if shc were just aw-aking. Remo Jumped otìt
fifft* and gavc his haiid succesiìvely to Agnese and Lucia;
and thcn they ali lufned, and sorrowfully thanked the boat*
man* * Kotluwg, nothiof ; we are placed bere to bclp one
another/ anEwcrcd he; and he wiihdrew his haud, almost
with a inovemrut of horror^ as ìf tt bad been propeseci to bini
[lo rob, wbcn Renzo tried to slip io one or two of the coins
'he had about him, and which he had brought in his pocket
with the tntention of generously requìting Don Abbondio,
iwhen b ihough agaìnst bis willt havc tefidercd the

Idciiretl ^e. The cart stood waìting for thcm; the

Idfiver safuted the thrce expectcd travellcrs, and bid tbem
'gei in; and thcn» wilb bis voice nnd a stroke of the wbip, he
started the aiìimal and set forward.

Our awthor docs not descrìbe tbls nccturna! Joumey, and
Fit tìlent as to the nani e of the town to whicb the little com-
pany werc directing their steps; or tather, he expressly says,
he wilJ not give the name. In the coiirse of the stoiy, the
of ali this mystery appears* The adventures of
FLocia in tlus abodc io voi ve a dark intrìgue of a person he*
loQging to a family stili powerful, as it appcars. at the time
aothor wrote* To account for the strange conduci of
person in the partrcular tnstance he relatcs, he bas
obligH cbiefly in rccmint ber early life; and tbere the
(amily makes tbe figure which our readers will see. Hcnce
tlic poof tsan^i grcat circurnspectìon. And yet f bow people
tomediDes forgtc ihemsclvcs!) he htmsetf, wìthout being
Uware of il. has opened a way of dtscovering, with certainty,
^what he had taken toch great pains to keep concealed. In
one piart of tbe account, whkh wc wììì omiT s^ not being

the Stnr n% to «y

'■ni and n h, whkh

wasiicd nothini; bat the aame to be a dty; Ite iboi Inad-

142 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

vertcntly mentions that the river Lambro runs througb it:
and, again, that it was the seat of an arch-presbyter. With
these indications, there ìs not in ali Europe a moderately-
learned man, who will not instantly exclaim, ' Monza I ' We
could also propose some very well-fotmded conjectures in
the name of the family; but, although the object of our con-
jectures has been some timc cxtinct, we consider it bettcr
to be silent on this head, not to run the risk of wronging even
the dead, and to leave some subject of research for the
leamed

Our travellers reached Monza shortly after sun-rise; the
driver tumed into an inn, and, as if at home in the place
and well acquaintcd with the landlord, ordered a room for
the newly-arrived guests, and accompanied them thither.
After many acknowledgments, Renzo tried to induce him
to receive some reward; but he, like the boatman, had in
view another, more distant, but more abundant recompense:
he put bis hands behind him, and making bis escape went to
look after bis borse.

After such a night as we have described, and as every one
may imagine, the greatest part spent in moumful thoughts,
with the Constant dread of some unforcseen misfortune,
in the melancholy silence of night, in the sharpness of a
more than autumnal air, and amid the frequent jolts of the
incommodious vehicle, which rudely shook the weary frames
of our travellers, they soon felt themselves overpowered
with sleep, and availed themselves of a sofà that stood in
an adjoining room to take a little repose. They then par-
took togetbcr of a frugai meal, such as the povcrty of the
times would allow, and scanty in proportion to the contingent
wants of an uncertain future, and their own slender appetite.
One after another they remembered the banquet which, two
days beforc, they had hopcd to cnjoy ; and cach in tum heavcd
a deep sigh. Renzo would gladly have stayed there, at least
for that day, to bave seen the two women provided for, and
to have given them bis services, but the Father had recom-
mcnded them to send him on bis way as quickly as possible.
They alleged, thcrefore, these orders, and a hundred othcr
reasons; — people would gossip— the longer the separation
was delaycd, the more painful it would be— he could come

I PROMESSI SPOSI

148

i^n soon, to gì ve and leam news;— so that, at last, the
yomìi dctermined to ^o. Tfietr plans werc then more
deKnitelj arranged; Lucia did not attempi to hidc hcf tears;
RetUEO conia scarcely rcstrain hb; and, warmly pressing
Agne^'s band, he said, in an almoàt choked voice, ' Farc-
well, titl we mcet aj^ain ! ' and set off.

The women wouid bave found themsclves inuch at a loss^
had it QOt bcen for the good driver, who had orders to guide
tliem to the conveut, and to give them any direction and assist-
ance they might stand in need of , With this escort, thcn, they
took their way to the convent. wbich, as every one loiows,
wms a short dtstance outsidc the town of Monza. Arrived
al the door, tlieir couductor rang the bdl, and asked for the
gtiardian» uho quickly made hìs appearance, and reccived
the Ictter.

* Oh brother Cristoforo!' said he, recognizing the hand^
wtitingt the tone of his voice and the expresston of hìs face
cvìdenlly indicating that he uttcred the name of an intimate
friend- It might casily be scen, too, that our good friar had
ifi thts letter warmly rccomusended the women, and relatcd
tbeir case wilh much feeling^ for the guardian kept making
gestUfés of iurprtse and indignatloo. and raìsing hìs eyes froiu
tiic paper, he woold fix them upon the wotnen with a certaìn
expres&ion of pity and intercsL VVhen he had finìshed read-
igg it, he fitood fot a little while thoughtfnl. and then said to
himsclf, *There is no one bui the Si^ora— if the Signora
woold take ypon herself thìs charge/ He then drew Agnese
a few steps aside in the little squatc helore the convent ; asked
hcr a few qucstions, which she answered satisfactorily, and
then, turni ng towards Lucia, addressed them both : * My good
wttuicn, I will try; and I hope I shall be able lo find you a
r*-*' * --re than secure» more than honourabk, until tt shall
p to provitJc for you in some hetter way, Wiil you

Ojnic wiiJ: me?*

The women revcrenily bowcd assent, and the friar con-
ttiraed: * Come with me to the convent of the Signora, Kecp,
bowever, a few »teps behind me» bccause people delight to
ipeak cvìl, and no one knows what 6ne stories they wouId
makc otit^ il tJicy wcrc lo sec tlie Faihcf -guardian walkìng
wllh a beautiful youag girl . . . with wom^, I mean io say/

144 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

So saying, he moved forward. Lucia blushed, their guide
smiled, and glanced at Agnese, who betrayed, also, a mo-
mentary smile, and when the friar had gone a few steps, they
followed him at about ten yards distance. The women then
asked their guide what they did not dare say to the Fathcr-
guardian, who was the Signora.

' The Signora/ replied he, ' is a nun ; but she is not like
the other nuns. Not that she is either the Abbess, or the
Prioress ; for, f rom what they say, she is one of the youngest
there: but she is from Adam's rib, and she is of an ancient
and high family in Spain, where some of them now are
princes ; and therefore they cali her the Signora, to show that
she is a great lady : and ali the country cali her by this name,
for they say there never was her equal in this monastery
before ; and even now, down at Milan, her family ranks very
high, and is held in great esteem ; and in Monza stili more so,
because her father, though he docs not live bere, is the first
man in the country ; so that she can do what she pleases in the
convent ; and ali the country-pcople bear her a great respect ;
and if she undertakes a business she is sure to succeed in it;
so that if this good monk before us is fortunate enough to get
you into her hands, and she takes you under her protection, I
dare venture to say you will be as safe as at the aitar.'

On reaching the gate of the town, flanked at that time by
an ancient ruined tower, and a fragment of a demolished
castle, which, perhaps, some few of my readers may stili re-
member to have seen standing, the guardian stoppcd, and
looked behind to see if they wcre following; he then passed
through, and went on to the convent, and when he reached it,
stopped again at the doorway, and waited for the little party.
He then begged the guide to come again to the convent, to
take back a reply ; he promised to do so, and took bis leave
of the women, who loadcd him with thanks and messages to
Father Cristoforo. The guardian, bidding them go into the
first court of the monastery, ushcred them into the apartments
of the portrcss, to whom he recommended them, and went
forward alone to make bis request. After a few moments, he
retumed, and, with a joyful manner, told them to come with
him; and bis reappearance was just à-propos, for they were
beginning to find it difficult to ward off the pressing inter-

I PROHESST SPOSI

145

TT'" ' rtress* Whìlc travcrslng- tlie mncr comtt

lì _d the women how they must behavc to

the Signora. ' Shc ts well-dìsposed towards jo%' said he,
* aod msty bc of mach service to you. Bc humblc and re-
speciful, reply wilh frankncsi to the questions she may please
lo put; and whcn you are tiot questioncd^ leave it to me.*
Tbey tben passtd tbroygh a lower room to the parlour of the
CQCivetìt: and before entermg, the guardìan, pointing to the
fScMsr. said to the women in an undertone, * She is there;'
as If lo fcinìnd thcm of the lessons he had been giving,
Ldcia, who had nevcr before secn a monastery» looked round
Ibc rootxv o» éoiertng» for the Signora to whom she was to
make obei^nce, and perceìving no one, she stood perplcxed;
but smiìg the Father advance, and Agnese following, sbe
looked in ihat direction, and obscrved an almost square apcr-
hire, iikc a halt-window, gratcd wìth two large thick iron
bars, distant Irom e^ch other about a span, and behìnd this a
ntm was standing. Her coyntenajiee, which showed ber to
be abolii twcnty^fivc ycars old, gave the impression, at a ftrst
glance. of beauty, but of beauty wom, faded, and, one itiight
almo^t say, spoiled A black veli, stiffened and strctchcd
qoite fiat upon hcr head^ feli on each side and stood out a
Hltlc way irom her face; under the veìl, a very white lìnea
band Ital! corered a forehcad of diilerent but not inferior
wfutetiess; a sccond band, in folds, down each side of the
face, cro&sed under the chìn^ encìrcled the neck, and was
spfead a little over the brcast to cooceal the opening of a
black dre^s. But thìs forehead was wrinkled every now and
tbeii, as if by some pam fui eraotion, accompanied by the rapid
inovcment nf two ict-black c>ebrow&. Sometimes she would
tx twni f^s on another's face with a pìercing look

of haD' lion, ami thcn agaìn would hastiìy lower

thcm, as ti i^cking a hi ding- place* Ooe monicnt, an attenti ve
obfterrer would ìmagtne ttiey were solicitlng afTeetìon, tnter-
coorsr, pitj ; ai another, he would gather ihencc a momcntary
revetation ^^ — -- -* ^fl smotbercd hatred— of some inde-
serìbable, tV mn; and when they remained im-

movab' some might havr d

a ptùiì> . wouìd bave su?^- e

lÉboarag oi some secret thougbt, the overpowering do*

146 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

minion of an idea f amiliar to her mind, and more engrossiiig
than surrounding objects. Her pale cheeks were delicately
formed, but much altered and shnink by a graduai extenua-
tion. Her lips, though scarcely sufTused with a f aint tinge of
the rose, stood out in contrast with this paleness, and, like
her eyes, their movements were sudden, quick, and full of
expressìon and mystery. The well-formed tallness of her
figure disappeared in the habitual stoop of her carriage, or
was disfigured by certain quick and irregular starts, which
betrayed too resolute an air for a woman, stili more for a
nun. In her very dress, there was a display of either par-
ticularity or negligence, which betokened a nun of singular
character; her head-dress was arranged with a kind of
worldly carefulness, and from under the band around her
head the end of a curi of glossy black hair appeared upon her
tempie, bctraying either forgctfulness, or contempt of the
mie which required them always to keep the hair dosely
shaven. It was cut off first at the solemn ceremony of their
admission.
^.^^TTiesc things made no impression on the minds of the
" two women; inexperìenced in distinguishing nun from
nun; and the Father-guardian had so frequently seen the
Signora before, that he was already accustomed, like
many others, to the singularities in manner and dress which
she displayed.

She was standing, as we bave said, near the grated win-
dow, languidly leaning on it with one band, twining her
delicately-white fingers in the interstices, and with her
head slightly bent downwards, surveying the advancing party.
'Rcverend mother and most illustrious Signora/ said the
guardian, bowing bis head, and laying bis right band upon
his breast, 'this is the poor young girl to whom you bave
encouraged me to hope you will extcnd your valuable prò-
tection; and this is her mother.*

Agnese and Lucia reverently curtseyed: the Signora
beckoning to them with her band that she was satisfied.
said, tuming to the Father, 'It is fortunate for me that
I bave it in my power to serve our good fricnds the
Capuchin Fathers in any matter. But,' continued she, ' will
you teli me a little more particularly the case of this young

I PROMESSI SPOST

1J7

gfrìp so tìiat I niiy know better what I ought to do fot
ber?*
Ltìci^i blushed, and licld down htt head.

* You must know^ reverend mother , . / begati Agnese ;
bui tilt ^mrdinn silcnccd her with a g lance, aiid replìed,
* Tbis youiig girl, most ilhistrìous lady, has been reoom-
foended to me, as I told you, by a brother friar, She has
beco compclled secretìy to leave her countr)' to avoìd great
dangers, and want» an asyliim for some lime where she
may live retifed, and where no one wHl dare tnolest ber,
rrcn when . . /

*W1iat dangers?' internipted the Signora, ' Be good
iotigh, Father, not to teli me the case so enigmaticaily.
foa know that we nims like to bear stories mintitely/

* Thcy are dangers,* replìed the gnardian» * which scarcely
msght to bc mentioned ever so delicately in the pure ears
of the reverend mot her , , *'

' Ott, ccTlamly t ' replìed the Signora, hastily, ajid sligbtiy
Golottrmg* Was It modcsty? Otie who would bave oh-
ped the momentary expressioo of vexation which
tcnmpantcd this blush might bave cntenaincd some donbt
if ii^ espccially if he had compared il with that which dif-
ftued ttjelf from lime lo ttrne on the cheeks of Lucìa.

* U ìs enough/ rcsumed the gnardian, * that a power! ni
tiobicmaji , . , not ali of the great people of the worid use
the gifta of God to bis glory and For the good of tbeìr neigh-

«rs, as yotir illystnous ladyship bas done ... a power in!
ftTalìcr^ after havin^ for some tlme persecuted thìs poor
ri with base tìattcìies, seettig that tbey were useless, had
the hcart opcnly to persccute ber by force, so that the poor
thiog has been obliged to fly from ber home/

*Cofnc nrar, young girl,* saìd the Signora to Lucia, bedc-

CNiIng to ber wltb ber band. *I know tliat the Father*

aardìan is truih itscU; bnt no one can he bcttcr informed

iiiis btiitnesit than yourself. It rests with you to sajr

ihcthcr tbts cairaller waa an odìous persecutor/

Ai to ftpproaehtog^ Luda instantJy obeycd, btit to answcr*

aoiother mattcr» An inquiry on this subjcct cven wben

by an equal, wonld haw put ber into confusione

ut mide by tbe Slgoora, and wiib a ceitain air o£ malidoua

X ffTii-i* Ji Ter r

-'imii n^^ "T"

ar isr» ictt: — \r -zsLirrt ti 2ek Ji%g!ìrstt iityrriiiffc.
«sramir 3it letr L^m nfgj kiìc ier:. irar ihuuiili: IuikIC
j»ifinij.>-gÌTi nmtnr «raaujm, "JLìigr Umki: in» 5a|fiìnaL*
SBft 31BL I rox Jìsiir ftxil rtsaxxamr -Use mr ihu^fiuc 3aoEd
rfns spruicr, e- -he arri jaas JinTr icaxssr. 3 idunilS nr,
oe Ì5 die ier-TÌ nmsef: ine ynt '^oL rx^itm mf iì I ^eak
Biiiii iijcir fnr t» ir- iwtnr àiit xe ijtX. maiti la. Tfcc
case :s ':fns TTiSr ut* imir jpc 'vof jeuxiiiisL 7£ £ yzvA si
Skt TW3. gannn, i scsun 3iaii; miL me -wìir isarf ijtuc.: ani
sf -ite fì^ncr-'I.innr "aait 'hbss niiac ì» m^ric tt ìe - - -

sua aft 'v*:! n^ ut mii -nari ±1: nar ^ac? ^oC e^ làd*
' y VI ir* ' V - -11:7 t: «g^rxk -wTtàinxc Vrìnj: sicfc-r tJs.'

an^r»r ir, •/•» -.«-.".i^ if *-r'*ir rir:Iifr'i!i T "

«Tì^ 4 n-y.T*wu^.* '•^f :-:f.f bearl ±a: sr» -wos :be ziccseot to
•rvt^ h-»r r//m^*, aryf =ct to kart ber pccr ractbcr in

' R^v*r*ri/1 lA/f// «i^ Lrx£a^ * wriat et gix<Ler bas told
yrm i% *-/^^M/ *:.^. fr:*h. Tilt yozr± who'yaid fcis aàiresscs
lo m*-' (i^rA \,frt xht crA^j^T^ criaisor.ì 'I chose with
tny frvn ^^'^A -mW Vf/ryy/^ rrt. ii I speak too bo!dhr. bnt
h ì% th;»f yf^i TfiM/ ufA. fK:nk i" or my raother. And as to
ih\% y>'r/jUfr, (f,fA ioryy/f. h::r !; I wouid rather die than
fall ifi*o h\% ììUTi/U. Afi'I if yo*: do us the kindness to put
fin w K'tfffy, «tir.^/- w^ 'afi: fM^^tA to the necessm- of asking
a pbr/- of r/ fnjf/-, and of inconveriiencing woithy people,
(fifit O/^'l't; will \t". doncf; ht assured, lady, that no one
wlll \ìtny Un ytrtt more earnestly and heartily than we poor

'f bf*IUve you/ naid the Signora, in a softened tone.

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

*Btjt I should like to talk to you alone, Not that I require

furtlier information, nor any othcr motivcs to attend to
the wishcs of the Fatile regnar diari/ added she, hasttly; and
tuming towards him with studicd politeness. * Indced/
continued she, *I have already thotight about it; and this
ìs the best pian I can thtnk of for the present. The portress
o£ the convent has, a few days ago, settled her last daugh-
ter in the world. These women can occtipy the room she
haa left at liberty, and suppty hcr place in the trifling servìces
the perfonned in the monastcry. In truth » • . * and here
she beckoned to the gnardian to approach the grated win-
dow, and continued, in an under-voìce i * In truth, on account
of the scarcity of the times, it was not intended to substi-
tute any one in the place of tliat young woman; but 1 will
speak to the Lady Abbess; and at a word from me . , . at
the request of the Father-guardìan < , , in short, I give the
place as a settled thìng.*

The gnardian began to return thanks, byt the Signora
interrupted him : ' Thcre is no need of cerenrony : in a case
of necessity I should not hcsitate to apply for the assistance
of the Capachin Fathers, In fact/ contìnned she, with a
smile, in which appeared an indescribable air of mockery
and bìtterness ; ' in fact, are we not brothers and sisters ? '

So saying, she called a lay-sister, (two of whom were,
by a singnlar distinction, assìgned to her private service,)
and desìred her to inform the Abbess of the cìrcumstance;
th«s sending for the portress to the door of the cloister,
she concerted with her and Agnese the necessary arrange-
ments. Dismissìng hcr, she bade farewell to the guardi an,
and detained Lucia. The guardian accompanied Agnese to
the door, gìving hcr new instructìons by the way* and went
to write his letter of report to his friend Cristoforo. 'An
cxtraordinary character, that Signora 1/ thought he, as he
walked home : * Very curious I But one who knows the right
way to go to work, can make her do whatevcr he plcases,
My good friend Cristoforo certainly does not expect that
I can serve him so quickly and so well. That noble fellow !
Tbere is no help for it: he must always bave something in
hand. But he is doing good. It is well for hìm this time,
that he bas f ound a friend who has brought the affair to a

Uaforuj

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

6so

good condosjon in a twinkliìig, wìthaut so tnuch aoise» so
Imuch prcptration, wo mudi ado. Tbis good Cristoforo will
[iorely he satisfìed, aisd see tfamt evcn W€ hcre are good fot
' iomethlng/

The Signora, who, ìii the prcscTicc of a Captldiin of ad-*
j^vanced agc, hné stiidicd hcr actioms and words, uow, wtica^
tft hH^-à'icie wUh aii mcxperìeDC^ country girl, no longer
kttempted to rcstraìD berseli ; and hcr con versai ion hccame
by dcgrces so strange, that, instead of rclatiiijj tt, wc thhik
. k bctter hriefly to narrate the prcvious history of UiU no-
(liappy pcrsoa: so much, tiiat is, as will stiflfìce Co account for
tbc unusti^l and tnystcrioiis conduci wc bave wltncAicd in
hef, and to explam the motivcs of hcr bchariour in the facls
wbicJjuJifiC »hall bc oblìged to Telate, i

S3te was the >*oimge5t daughter of the Princc • • •» m]
Ilili2iese noblcman, ^ho was esteemed one of the rtch<
mtn of the city. But the unbotmdcd idea he entertatned of "
bis tJtle madc bis property appcar scarccly suScient, nay,
^O^en too hmited to maintain a proper appearance; and aU
► hU attcniion wa* lurned lowards keeping il, al !eait^ such i
|ti was, in one line» so far as ti dcpended upon himaelf. How
ktnany childrm he baci doe« not appear from hittory: tt
Inierèly rtcofds tbat he bad desi^cd ali the younger bfmiicliea|
iDf bcrtb sesces for the cloister that he mti^bt Irave hi^ property I
Itntire to the eldcst «ori, destined lo perpetuate the famllyi|
tbat is« bring up chììdren tbat he might tontient hiins^
in tormentìng thern after bii fathcr*5 examplew Olir isn*
I happy Signora was yct unbom whcn 1^' nn was iire^i

kvocably tletermined upon. ft oiily i to deddOT

Iwhcthcr shc shoutd be a monk or a nua, a dccision, for
' whicli, oot ber aiisetit» bwt ber prctencc, was reqtrired. When
sbc was Ijom^ the Prince, ber fatlicr, wishtng to ^vc ber a
name tbat w*pald always fntmediatcly snggest the idea of
a cloister and widcb bad be«n berne by a saint of high
^hmUf^ caOed ber ' fé. DoUs dressed Itke naos wer€ ,
first playthlof: i ber bands; tben bnages in nuns*

jts, aecompaiiying Uie gift witb admonitiona to prl^a
I ldghfy« ai irery proetoui thbi(^ and wttli ihai afltmiaiiva \
mterrogatìott. ' Beantifut, eh?' Wien the IVmce^ «r the
Priocetii» or tba yoimg prince^ the ooly noe cif tlie aooa

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

151

brouj^t tip at iKune, wou!d repTeseni the happy prospeets
of ihc child, il secmed as if they couid find no other way of
€3Cpressm^ iheir ideas than by the words, * What a lady^
a1>bessl ' No ooc, howevcr, directly said to hcr. ' You mtiat
become a finn/ It was an tntcntion tindcrstood and totiched
QpoQ Inddcrttally in every con\ ersation relattng to ber future
desiioy. If at auy timc the little Gertrude ìndulged io re-
bcllious or ìmperiou^ behavìour. to which hcr naturai dìs-
fiasiliafi easily ìnclmed her, ' You are a naughty little gifl/
ihcy wouJd say to ber : ' this behaviour is very unbecomlng.
Wben you are a lady-abbess, you shall then command with
the rod: you can then do as you pleasc/ On another ooca*
«on, the Princc repro%*ìng her far her too free and familiar
mamiers. imo which she easily fell; *Heyl bey! ' he mcd;
*tfacy are not beconiing to one of ycur rank, If you wish
tome day to engagé the respcct that is due to you, leam
ftom hcuceforth to he more rcserved: remember you ougbt
everythiiig the first in the monastery^ because you
ìyonr raiik whercver you go/

nguage Imbued the itiind of the little girl with the
II! i'ja that she was to he a nim ; but her father*s words

ind more cffect upon her than ali the others put together.
The nianners cif the Prince wcre habitually thosc of ati
llifttere master, but when treating of the future prospects
of his children, therc shone forth in every word and ione
aa tizmuivahiltty of rcsohition which inspired the idea of a
fual nece&sity.

A» alx yean of age, Gertrude was placed for educatìon,
lad slUJ more as a preparatory step towards the vocatloQ
tafKksed uport ber, in die monastery where we havc seeo
ber; and the sclcction of the place was not without design*
The wwthy guide of the twa woitien has said that the father
of the Sign«>ra wajt ihe first man in Monza ; and, eomparlng
tUi testiiDony, whatcver it may he worth, with some other
todkations which out anonymous amhor unintentionally
tnffert to eicapc bere and thcre, we niay very easily a&sert
that Ile was the fciidal head of iliai country* lìowcver it
laajr be, he enjoycd bere very grcat authority, and thought
tltttt hcre, bcHcr than elucwhere, bis datighter would he
trtated witJi that di^linctioii and deference whicii mtght

152 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

induce her to choose this monastery as her perpetuai abode.
Nor was he deceived : the then abbess and several intriguing
nuns, who had the management of afTairs, fìnding them-
selves entangled in some disputes with another monastery,
and with a noble family of the country, were very giad
of the acquisition of such a support, received with much
gratitude the honour bestowed upon them, and fully entered
into the intentions of the Prince conceming the permanent
settlement of bis daughter; intentions on every account en-
tirely consonant with their interests. Immediately on Ger-
trude's entering the monastery, she was called by Antono-
masia, the Signorina/ A separate place was assigned her
ai table, and a private sleeping apartment; her conduct was
proposed as an example to others; indulgences and caresses
were bestowed upon her without end, accompanied wifli that
respectful familiarity so attractive to children when observed
in those whom they see treating other children with an
habitual air of superiority. Not that ali the nuns had con-
spired to draw the poor child into the snare; many there
were of simple and undesigning minds, who would bave
shrunk with horror from the thought of sacrificing a child
to interested views; but ali of them being intent on their
several individuai occupations, some did not notice ali these
manoeuvres, others did not discem how dishonest they were ;
some abstained from looking into the matter, and others
were silent rather than give useless offencc. Thcre was one,
too, who, remembering how she had been induced by sim-
ilar arts to do what she afterwards repentcd of, felt a deep
compassion for the poor little innocent. and showed that
compassion by bestowing on her tender and melancholy
caresses, which she was far from suspecting were tending to-
wards the same result ; and thus the affair proceeded. Per-
haps it might bave gone on thus to the end. if Gertrude had
been the only little girl in the monastery: but among her
school-fellows, there were some who knew they were de-
signed for marriage. The little Gertrude, brought up with
high ideas of her superiority, talked very magnificently of
her future destiny as abbess and principal of the monastery;
she wished to be an object of cnvy to the others on every
^The sroitiiff ladr.

I PROMESSI SPOSt

153

account, ^nd saw wìth astonlshmenl and vexaiion that
iotne of them paìd no atioitìon lo ali her boa&tìng. Te the
majestic, but circumscribed aod cold. images the hcadshìp
of a monastery could fumìsb, tbey opposed the iraried and
brigbt pkturcs of a hujsband, gxiesU, routs, towns, touma-
Bietìt&, retinues, dress, aad equjpages. Sucb gliuering
TÌsiofis roused in Gertrude's m'md that exciteni^nt and ar-
dotir which a large basket- full of fresbly gatiicred fiowera
WOiild |xrodtice if placed before a bec-hive, Her parents and
teaidiers had culti vatcd and increased her naturai vanity,
to rccoocile her io the cloisters; but wbcn this passìon
was excitcd by ìdeas so niuch caìculated to stimulaie it, she
qoidcty cntered mio them with a more lively and spontane-
OQS ardour. That &he might tiot be below !ier conipanionSt
and inUiieoeed at the same lime by ber ncw tum of mitidt
sbe replied that. at the tìme of the decìsi on, nò one cotild
compe! ber to take the veil witliout her conscnt; that she
too» eodd laarry, Jive in a palace, enjoy the world, and that
bctter Utan any of them ; that she cauid if she wìshed tt,
that she woutd if she wtshed tt; and that, in fact* she did
wish IL The idea of the neccsslty of her conscnt, whìch
futherto had bcen, as it were, unnoticed, and hidden in a
corner of ber mtnd, now unfolded and dì splay ed ttself tn ali
ita importance, On cvery occasìon she called it to ber aid,
tbat she mìght enjoy in trami u ìli ìty *'*^ iinagcs of a self-
chofcn future. Together with this idea, however. there
igtvmiiab!y appeared another; tbat the refusai of this consent
bnroh^ed rebcllbn against her fathen wha al ready belicved
it, or pretcnded to believe it, a decided thing; and at tbli
reroembrance, the child*» mind was very far frora feeìliìf
the confidence whìch ber words proclainicd She wouìd then
compare berseli with her co: ;, whose confidence wai

of a far dìffcrent ktnd, ^md t : d lamcfitably that cnvy

of their condition whìch, at first, she endcavonred to awaken
in IheiH. Frotn en%7 she changcd to hatrcd; whìeh she dis-
playcd in contcmpt, rndi-nes?, and fareastle speeches: whìle,
^^.^*: .t,- -""^nrmJty of ber inclinattons and hopcs with
th i-r spite, and crcated in her an apparent

Miid 1: ìonging to enjoy some*

tbia^ : ci a compTacency ni tiie

ALESSAKDBO MANZONI

distinctiòns accordcd io htr, and makc otbers sensn>te
this supcrìofitv ; and thcii, again, utiable tu tolerate the
solitadc of ber icurs and desirrs» sht would go in &carch ai
her companions, her haughliness appeaisedi almost, ìndeed«
tfnpfonng of thcm kmdfsrss, co un set, and tncouragemcnt lo
the midst of sodi pitiable warlarc with hcrsdf and uUiera,
she pasied hcr childhood, and cntcred upon that criticai
age at which an alniost mystcrious power scema lo takc pò»-
seasìon of the somJ, arousiug, refreshìng, ìnvigorating ali
the inclinatións and ideai, and sometimcd transfontnng them^
or turn mg ìhcm into some unlookcd-for channel- That
wBich. until aow, Gertrude had ttioist diatincdy figured in
thesc dreams of the futurcp was external splcndour and
potnp; a someihing sooihing and kìndly, which, from the
fir^t, was Hghtiy, and, as it wcrc, mistily» diffu&cd over her
tnindt now began to spread ttself and predominate in ber
imagination. It took possessìon of the tnosi secret recesses
of ber heart» as of a gorgeous retreat; Iiither she rcdred
from prescnt objccts; bere shc entertaincd varìous pcr-
sonages strangely compaundc<J of the confused remcm-
brances of cbildhood, the liulc shc had aeen of the extemal
world« aftd what she had gathcred in conTersatfons witb ber
Companions ; sbc entertained berdclf with tbein, talked to
tbem, and replied in tbetr namc; bere sbc gavc commands^
and bere shc reeeived homagc of evcry kind, At tìmes, the
thoughts of rellgion woald come to distisrb tbe«e briUiant
atld tollsome revcls, Byt religion, «ucb ai; it had beco taught
to this poor girl, and such as sbe bad icccivcd it» did ool
prohtbit pridc. but ratlier aanctìficd it» and projwscd it as a
Bieatis of Dbtatning cartbly fclicity. Robbcd tlius of_its
essenee, it wti no longer rellgion, bot a phantom like tho'
test In tbc iniervals in wbìcb thU phantom occupied the
Erst place, and niled in Ortmde's fancy» the unhappy giri,
oppressed by confiiJie<I terrors, aod urged by an indefinite
idea of dutY tmagincd that her repttgnancc to the cloistefi
and ber resistancc to tlsc wisbei of her ttiperior» iti the
choice dì ber lutate of li fé, was a faatt; and the resolved
in ber hcart to exptatc it, by votimtarily taking the veil

It was a rule, that, before a yoitDg persoti ooutd be re-
edved at a nuti, fbc thould bc exambed by an eedc '

I PROMESSI SPOSI

ISI

caflcd the Ticar of t!ie ntins» or by some one depiited by liim ;

tliar il Diìght bc seen wbether tlie lot were her deliberate

eboice or not; and this examinatiort could not take place

fot a year after she baci, by a wrìtten reqoest» signified ber

tfiire to tbc vkan Tbose nuns who had taken upon them-

^sdves the sad office of ìnducing Gertrude to bind berseli

fot cvcr witb tbc leait possible consciousness of wbat sbe

óotng, sciiEed one of the momenti we bave dcscrfbed to

ersuadè her to write and sìgn sueh a fnemoriaU And, in

ùtécr the moro casiìy to persuade her to such a coursc»

bpy faiied not to aiììrni and inipress upon ber, what, in de ed,

ras qui le ime, tJiat, after ali, it was a mere forma li tv, wbich

bave no effect, without otber and posterior steps, de-

ling eoiirely upon her own wilL Neverthtless the

memoria] had scarcely reacbed its destìnation, belore G^r-

^Imde repeoted havìng wrìtten it Then she repented of

repentances; and thus day 9 and months were spent in

'mn iiiccssant altemadon of wishes and rcgrets, For a long

wbile »be coneealed tJns act from ber companions; some-

Umes from fear of exposing ber good resolution to opposi-

liofi and contradiction, at otbers from shame at reveaJing

licf error; but, at last, the desìre of unburdening her tnìnd,

%ó Qt steektng ad vi ce and encouragement, conquercd*

Anotber ruìe was this: that a young girl was not to be

Fadmtttetl to tbts examination upon the course of life sbe

liad chosen^ mitiì she had residcd for at Icast a montb out

of the convent whcrc she bad been educated. A year had

_mlmost passcd stnce the preseutation of tìih memortal ; and

beai signtfìed to Gcrlrude that she would shortty be

£nxo the raonastcìy, and scnt to her father's house,

for this o«itr montb. thcrc to take ali tbc neces^tary stcps to-

|W:mìit the complction of ihe work sbe had really bcgun. The

Prioce; and the rest of the family, considcrcd ìt an assure<l

aa if it had already taken place. Not ao, howevcr,

kdaofhter: instead of takìng frcsb steps, she was cn-

V sbe COI

Iraw the first. In

'V^cd ta

mind to one of

€<h:

ino5t ?«

1 aJways the rcadìest

riirc :, .-

- __.ìcc, Sht _-i .

-li Gertfiidc 10 Inlorro

htr lather« by leiter, tbat »bc had clianged bcf mtod, since

256 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

shc had not the courage to pronouncc to bis face, at the
proper timc, a bold / will not. And as gratuitous advice in
this world is very rare, the counsellor made Gertrude pay
for this by abundance of raillery upon ber wajit of spirit
The letter was agreed upon with three or four confidantes,
written in private, and despatched by means of many deeply-
studied artifices. Gertrude waited with great anxiety for
a reply; but none carne; exccpting that, a few days after-
wards, the Abbess, taking her aside, with an air of mystery,
displeasure, and compassion, let fall some obscure hints
about the great anger of her father, and a wrong step she
must bave bcen taking ; leaving her to understand, however,
that if she behaved well, she might stili hope that ali would
be forgotten. The poor young girl understood it, and dared
not venture to ask any further explanation.

At last, the day so much dreaded, and so ardently wished
for, arrived. Although Gertrude knew well enough that
she was going to a great struggle, yet to leave the monas-
tcry, to pass the bounds of those walls in which she had
been for eight years immured, to traverse the open country
in a carriage, to see once more the city and her home, filled
her with scnsations of tumultuous joy. As to the struggle,
with the direction of her confidantes, she had already taken
her measures, and concerted her plans. Either they will
force me, thought she, and then I will be immovable — I
will be humble and respectful, but will refuse; the chief
point is not to pronounce another * Yes/ and I will not
pronounce it. Or they will catch me with good words ; and
I will be better than they ; I will weep, I will implore, I will
move them to pity ; at last, will only entreat that I may not
be sacrificed. But, as it oftcn happens in similar cascs of
foresight, neither one nor the other supposition was realized.
Days passed, and neither her father, nor any one else, spoke
to her about the petition, or the recantation; and no pro-
posai was made to her, with either coaxing or threatening.
Her parents were serioils, sad, and morose, towards ber,
without ever giving a reason for such behaviour. It was
only to be understood that they regarded her as faulty and
unworthy ; a mysterious anathema seenied to bang over her,
and divide her from the rest of ber family, mcrely suffering

I PROMBSSI SPOSI

m modi lutercourse as was ncccssary to tnake her feef
licr sabjectìon. Seldom. aod onìy at certain fixcd hours, wa»
alle admitted to the company of her parents and elder
firotlier In the conversatioiis of these three tbere appcared
lo rdgn a great confidetice, which reodered the exclusioo
of Gennide doubly sensìbk and pahifuJ. No one addressed
ber; and if slic venturcd timidly to make a remarle» iinless
Tcry evidently called for, her words m^ere either unnoiìced,
or wcrc responded to by a carclcss, contemptuous, or severe
look. If uitable aoy longer to endure so bitter and humil-
iattog a dìstifiction* shc sought and cndcavoured to tuingle
wìlb tli€ fanilly, and ìmplored a little afìfection; she soon
bcard some bdirect but clcar hìnt thrown out about her
choicc of a monastic Ufe, and was gi\ en to understand that
tbere waso»e way of regaming ibe affectìon o£ the faraily;
and since she would noi aeccpt of tt on these conditions, she
waa obìiged to draw back, to re fuse the first advances to-
wards the kindness she so mueh deàired, and to continue «l
ber state of excoinmunìcation ; continue in tt, too« witb
A eertain apt>earance of bdng to blame.

Stiàì imprcssions from sarroundiDg objects paìnftiJly con-
Irmdicted tJie brigbt visions with which Gertrude had been
•o mudi occupied, and wìiich she stili sccretly indwigcd in
ber beait. She had hoped that, in her splcndld and much-
frequefited home, she shoyld bave enjoycd at Icast sonie
rea! m^^ of the plcasures she had so long tmagined; but
Ar her self woefuHy deceivcd. The con6n<?ment was

m 'd dose at home as in the convcnt ; to walk out

for rccreation %vas never even ^poken of; aud a gallery
that led from the house to an adjotntng church, obviated
the iole necessity thcre might bave bccn to go loto the
Street* The company was more nninteresting, more scarce,
and le» varied than in the monastery. At every announce-
ment of a visitor^ Gertrude was obliged to go up-stairs, and
reauLin with 9on>e old woman in the scrvice of the family;
and bere the dìned whenever therc was company. The
domestlc scnranks ronairred in behaviour and language
witb the cifamplc ani! tfiicntion?i of tbcir master; and Ger-
titide, who by iricltnation would bave trcated thcm wllb
Iady*h1ce unaècctcd familiarity; aBd who, in the rank In

1S8

ALE3SANDEO MANZONI

wbich ahe was placed, would bave cstcancd it a favoar
if they had Aown hcr any little mark of kìnflneis a« an
cqnal, and cven bave stoopcd to ask it, was now btuoblf '
and annoyed at bcìng trcatcd with a mani f est indifìfercnee^^
althongh accDmpanìcd by a slight óbsequiausfifa» of lar-
mality, Sbe could not, Ìiowcvct, but obscrve, tbat odo of

[•the&e servanUp a page, appeared to bear ber a rcspcci irery
diffcrciit to tbc otlier», and to ite a pcculiar kind of co
passion for ber, Tbc bcbaviotir of this yoiith approachc
more nearly iban anytbìng sbe bad yet scen to «'
of thing» tbat Gertrude had pictixrcd to ber imn

l^fid more reseinbled the doìngrt of ber ideal chafacter*. By
degrees, a strange trans format ìon was disccmìble in the
manners of tbc young girl ; tberc appeared a ncw trati*
quillity, and al the sanie time a rcstkssncss, difTcring from^
hcr usuai disqiiietude ; hcr conduct was tbat of one who ha
lound a trcasure which opprcsses biro, wliìch he ìncessant

iwatebcs, and hidci from the vicw of otbers. Gertrude kc
ber eycs on tbi« page more cJosely thim cver; and, how^
ever it carne to pa&a, the was surprised one unlucky momìni
by a ehamber-maid^ wbìle sccretly fdding up a Ictter, in
wbìcb it would bave becn bcttiT bad she writte» tiotltìiig^
After a brief altefcation, the maid got post^easton of
kttcr, and carried it lo ber master. The terror of Ger
at the sound of bis footsteps, may be more tasi tv tmagmc
than dcscribed. It was her father; be was i
tbc felt berseli guitty. But wbrn be stood bci
Ihat frowning brow, and tbc ili fatcd Ictler in ìu> band
she would gladly bave bi*en a bundred feet under ground
itot IO aay in a do iste r. Uh word» were few, bui terriblej
the panishmcnt nattied at the tìme was only to be confine
in ber own roora under the ebarge of the maid who had madf
tbc diacovcfy; but this was mcrely a foretasie, a teuiporar
pTOvition; he threatencd, and left a vaguc promise of sotm
otber obscitre, unde^ned, and tberefore more drcadfur
punishment

The page wis^ of course, ìmmedìately di»mlised, and wi
tneiiac<si with something terrible, if ever be frh^nl'T hmili^
t lyllable aijout the past. In giviitg hun tlm n
PrìiBC« accooded it with two ioleiiui biow% to afiji«ji:idbc i&

I PROMESSI SPOSI

158

wtth this adventure a remembrancc Uiat would
fonove even^ temptatfon to make a boast of ft,
kind of pretext to account for the dismissa! of a page
^ras not dìfficult to 6nd; as to the young lady, it was rqKJited
that she was iti

She was riow left to her fears, her shamc. ber remorse,
aad ber dre-ad ol the future: with the sole company of thìs
wofoan. whom ^hc hated as the witness of her gmlt, and
the cause of ber disgrac«. She, in her tum, hated Gertrude»
hy w!iooi the was reduced, she ktiew not for how long, to
tbc wearisoine li fé of a jaììer, and had become for ever the
guardian of a dangerous secret.

The first confnsed tuiiiult of tliese feelings lubsìded hy
degrces; but each renienibrance recurrttig by tums to her
tmnd, vrm nourished tliere, and remamed to lorment her
DOre distrnctly» and at leisure. Wìiatever cnuld the punish*
Heot be, so mystertously thrcàtened? Many» various, and
^c, were the ideas that Eug^gested theniseivei to the
and inexperleuced itnaginadon of Gertrude. The
rt that appcarcd most probable was, tiiat she would
be taken back to the nioimstery at Monza, no bngcr to
appcar as the Signorina, but as a guìlty person, to ti shut
iherc — who knew how tongi who knew with what kimJ ,
treatment ! Aniotig the many atuioyances of such a course,
^thc! most annoying was the dread of the sbaine she
ci. The cxpressions, the words, the very commas
fc ktter, were tumed over and over tn her
memary ied them noticed and weìghed by a reader

fo oncTc; 1) dlfferent from the one to whom they

Wtrm de rcply : she imagined that they might bave

eomc tinijrr the vrew of her mother, ber brother, or indeed
tny one fl^r ; and by compari son, ali the rest secmed to her .
a mere nothing- The image of hini who had becn the i
iry cause of ali thìs offerire falled not also frequenti/ [
the pt»r recluse : and ìt h impossìble to dcscribe i
^ftraiiffe contrae thit pliant*ism prescated to those around I
r; so dissimilar, so tcrious, reserved, and !hreatcning,J
Bm, itace àhc ctmld not scp;tr:itc hh ttnagr ir** nor

for a tnomcnt tn thoìic transietit già ìva, with-

oiit her prescni sorrowi» as Che copsequcnce oi theni« 9U^

160 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

gesting themselves to her mind, she began, by degrees, to
recali them Icss frcquently, to repel the remembrance o£
them, and wean herself from sudi thoughts. She no longer
willingly indulged in the bright and splendid fancies of
her earlier days; they were too much opposed to her real
circumstances, and to every probability for the future. The
only castle in which Gertrude could conceive a tranquil
and honourable retreat, which was not in the air, was the
monastery, if she could make up her mind to enter it for
ever. Such a resolution, she could not doubt, would bave
repaired everything, atoned for every fault, and changed
her condition in a moment. Opposed to this proposai, it is
true, rose up the plans and hopes of her whole childhood;
but times were changed ; and in the depths to which Gertrude
had fallen, and in comparison of what, at times, she so much
dreaded, the condition of a nun, rcspected, revered, and
obeyed, appearcd to her a bright prospcct. Two sentiments
of very different character, indeed, contributed at intervals,
1 to overcome her former aversion : sometimes remorse for a
fault, and a capricious sensibility of devotion; and at other
times, ber pride embittered and irritated by the manncrs of
her jailer, who (often, it must be confessed, provoked to it)
revengcd herself now by terrifying her with the prospect
of the threatened punishmcnt, or taunting her with the dis-
grace of her fault. Whcn, however, she chose to be
benign, she would assume a tone of protection, stili more
odious than iiisult. On these different occasions, the wish
that Gertrude fclt to escape from her clutches, and to raise
herself to a condition above cithcr her anger or pity, be-
came so vivid and urgent, that it made everything which
could lead to such an end appear pleasant and agreeablc.

At the end of four or five long days of confinement, Ger-
trude, disgusted and exasperated beyond measure by one
of these sallies of her guardian, went and sat down in a
corner of the room, and covering her face with ber hands,
remained for some time secretly indulging her rape. She
tfien felt an overbearing longing to see some other faces,
to bear some other words, to be treated differcntly. She
thought of her father, of her family ; and the idea made hei
shrink back in horror. But she remembered that it oalj^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

161

depended upon her to make them her frìends; and this
remembrance awakened a momentary joy. Then there
followed a confused and unusual sorrow for her fault, and
an equal desire to expiate it Not that her,will was already
determined upon such a resolution, but she had never before
approached it so near. She rose from her seat, went to the
table, took up the fatai pen, and wrote a letter to her father,
full of enthusiasm and humiliation, of afiliction and hope»
implorìng his pardon, and showing herself indefinitely ready
to do anything that would please him who alone could
grant ìt

e— VoL2l

CHAPTER X

THERE are timeB when the mind, of the yoting tÉ^
pecially, is so disposed, that any external influence,
however slight, suffices to cali forth whatever has the
appearance of virtuous self-sacrifice; as a scarcely expanded
flower abandons itself negligently to its fragile 6tem, ready
to yield its fragrante to the first breath of the zephyrs that
float around. These moments, which others should regard
with reverential awe, are exactly those which the wily and
interested eagerly watch for, and seize with avidity, to fetter
an unguarded will.

On the perusal of this letter the Prince * * * instantly saw
a door opened to the fulfilment of his early and stili cherished
views. He therefore sent to Gertrude to come to him, and
prepared to strike the iron while it was hot. Gertrude had
no sooner made her appearance, than, without raising her
eycs towards her father, she threw herself upon her knees,
scarcely able to articulate the word * Pardon.' The Prince
beckoned to her to rise, and then, in a voice little calculated
to reassure her, replied, that it was not sufficient to desire
and solicit forgiveness, for that was easy and naturai enough
to one who had been convicted of a fault, and dreaded its
punishment; that, in short, it was necessary she should de-
serve it. Gertrude, in a subdued and trembling voice, asked
what she must do. To this question the Prince (for we can-
not find in our heart at this moment to give him the title of
father) made no direct reply, but proceeded to speak at some
length on Gertrude's fault, in words which grated on the f eel-
ings of the poor girl like the drawing of a rough band over a
wound. He then went on to say, that even if . . . supposing
he ever . . . had had at the first any intention of settling her
in the world, she herself had now opposed an insuperable
obstacle to such a pian; since a man of honour, as he was,
could never bring himself to give to any gentleman a daughter
who had shown such a specimen of her character. His
wretched auditor was completely overwhelmed; and then the

162

I PROMESSI SPOSI

_Prtiicet gradu^tlf softcnbg hls voice and langijàge, procecded

&ay, ihsLt lor evcry fault there was a reniedy and a hope

^ercy : that hcrs was one the remtdy for whkh was vcry

"ictly mdicated; that she ougiit to see In thÌ3 sad cvent a

[]g, as it were, tliat a worldly life was too full of danger

hcr * , ,

i, ytBÌ* e%claiined Gertrude, excited by Icar, subdtied

« of shame. and overcome at ihe iiistani by a mo»

sientary tendentess of spirii.

• Ah : you see it too/ replied the Prince, instantly taking up
ber wofda, * Well, let u& say no more of what is past : aU ia
caocellcd. You bave taken the only hoootirable and suitable
coarse that reioamed for yoM ; but, since you have choseo it
wiUuigly atìd cheerfully, it rests with me io makc it pteaaant
to yoti in evcry possible way. I bave ^c power of turning it
to yotir advantage, aod givtng alJ the merit of the action to
ytitiTself. and Fll engagé to do it for you,* So ^ying, he
raog a little beli that stood on the table, and said to the ser-
vant wbo answcred it,— * The Princess and ihc young Prince
umncdìately/ Then turning to Gertrude, he continued: *I
wiflh them to share in my satìsf action at once; and I wish
you immedia tely to be treated by ali as ìs fìt and proper^ You
bave cxpcficnced a little of the severe parent, but from henoe>-
forth you &bal1 find me an affectìonate father/

Gertrude stood thunderstruck at these words, One mo-
iBCQt shc wondcrcd how tJiat ' ycs/ which liad escaped ber
Bpa, coiild be made to mean so much : then she thougbt, was
i no way of retracting — of reatrieting the sense; but the
ace'i convietion sccmcd so unsbaken, his joy so sensi ti vely
, aod bis benigni ty so conditional, that Gertrude dared
ter a word to disturb thcm in the slightest dcgrec.
lir partìes sumcnoncd qulckly made their appeardnce, and^
00 teetog Ceftrtsde, regarded ber with an expreatton of stir-
prtic and itnccrtiJnty. Bm the Prince, with a cheerful and
bvinip eounteoance» wbJch imniediately mei wtih an answer-
mg look froni thcm, said, — * Behold the wandcring sbeep:
and 1 tfitend thl^ to be tlae laat mord that sbalì awaketi sad
remembrances. Ochold the consolation of the famjlyf Gct-
tmtit ' '-rs« for she has voluntarily cbo^en

good Sbe has detcnaiacd— ilie

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Ofue!* exclaimed he- ' you are tumiitg your back un aOI
[i«se foIHes» — yoìi are onc of the saints; wc poor worldlyJ
fellows are catìght in the sn^xtt, bm yoia are going to losdj
ft rcligjous IHe, axid go to heavcji in your carrlage,*

As cvening upprcachccl they rctumed hanic. and tlse
iVants, husHIy <1csccndìng to meet thetn with lights, atinotttie«4]
lieveral visitors who were awaitttig Uieir return. Th« i
(itmd iprtnd, and fricnds and rel&tfons crov^ded to pay
|irespects. On entcrìng the drawing-rnom the yoxsng bride b^^
f carne the tdol— the sole object of altemion
ivcry otte wished to have her lo hìmself; onc \r r

plcftsures, — another vistts ; one »poke of Madn' llsis, h«r r^
Itimi, — another o£ Madre that, an aequaintance ; one extoUed
the cltmatc of Monza, — ^another cnlar^ed wìtli great eli>-
^fócnee upon the djstinctìons she would there cnjoy. Othci^,.
io had not yct succeeded in tpproachìnff Hertnide whjle j
thus besiegcd, stood watching thetr o| fr«

her, ami felt a kitid of regret mitil thcv htàrj

duty in tliii matter. By dcgrees the party dispersed, Bnà\
Gertnidc rcmained alone with the family.

* At ìast/ said the Prjncc« ' t have had the pleastire of
^•eelng my daughter treated as become» her tank. 1

ifesa ihat $he hat conductcd hersclf very well and basi
lioiini that ihe wtU not he prevented making the ùtn ^i^re^ \
ad tnràitaìiimg the dìgiìity of the family:* Thcy then wcni
flipper, m ns lo retire early, that they mìghk be ready in

lime in the momtng.
Gertrude, annoyed» pi<)ued, and at the laine lime a little
fed up by the compliinenta and ceremonic* of ihe day, at
\ tnoment reniembered ali she had luffercd Irom her jailer;
ad ^u r falher fio ready lo grati fy Ti * rythìnjt

at i rcsotved to ntmkc use ci ihi» dj im ih e

lindtitgcncc of at Icast one ol the paiaiofia which tormesife
ber. She dlspkyed i great unwìllingnets «gain to be lefti
ilone with her maid, and eofOptaiiiGd bitferly of ber treat»
^weiit,

* Whatr said the l*rince; * did she not treai you with «•
spcct? To-mofrow I wlll rcward hrr - -^ - deserves. tesare
il to me, and l will get ytm cniifc n. In the mean
wb0e, a duld wHh whoni I am ao wcii pieaied nsiiai noi tw

1 PUOMmBT SPOSI

1S7

attended by a person the dìsUke^,* So «ayin^, he catlcd ap-
odier servaitt, aod gave hcr ordem to wait upoo Gertrude,
who, ihough certainly enjoyìng the iatisf action she re<celved,
was aitonished at finding it so triflinf , in comparison with
.the caitiest wishcs she liad felt beforehand The thought
that, in ipite of hcr unwillingness, predomìnated in tier kn*
natlofi* H*as the retncmbrance of the fearful progress sha
this day made towards htr eloistra) 11 fé, and the con*
»ts3 that to draw back now wotiJd requìre a far» far
greaier degree of courage and resolytìoiì than wouid bave
anfilced a few days before, and which^ evcn theUt ihc felt àhc
iBd not pos«(es3.

The woman appóititcd to attend hcr was an old servanl of

^thc family, who had formcrly been the yoimg Princc's gover-

havdng receìvcd htm from the arros of bis nurse, and

bim up until he was atmost a young man. In bioi

f cenired ali ber pteasures, ail her hopes^ ali ber prìde.

^^s delightéd at tlrb day*s decìsion, as if it had beco ber

OWR good fortune ; and Gertrude, at the elosc of the day, was

obSiged to lifiten to tlje cong^rattilaiions, prabes, and advicc of

, Ihìa old woman. She told ber of some of her aun ts and near

itlocii who had been very happy as nuns« because, being

' io high a family, ihcy had always cnjoyed the first honotirs,

asid had bc»t»n able to havc a good deal of influence beyond the

Untli fjf 1 : so that, from tlietr parfour, thcy had

come *^^ Il imdertakings in which the firet ladies

kof : I tiuite fotlcd. Sbe talked to ber about

Ithe . receive; she wonM some day be aeeliig

[the Signor Princc with bis bride, who must certainly be some

^noble lady; and then not only the monastery, btit the who) a

country wcmld be tn excit^^nient» The old woman talked while

xm<^ r- V *:^d after she had lain down, and

erti Gertrude wat aaleqi, Youth

and faiigue b^J be^ti fuore powerful than care;:. Her «leep

,waa troubicd, distiirbed, and full of tormentbg dreams, bui

tmbrc^cen, «ntil tJie shrill voice of the old woman

ber to prepare for her joumey to Monca.
]pt tip. Signara bride ; it h broad day^ligbt, and yon vrtU
at leaBC an bour to dresa and arrangc yourself. The
»ra PriaccM h geitJng up; thajr avroka her tour licnira

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

rller tliajt usuai The young Prmcc has aircaciy bc en '
l«0 ihe siaWes and come back, and h readv lo ^tart whaicv«r^
are. T!ie creature ìs as brisk as a bare ! but he was al-
iVtrays so f roiiy a child : I bave a righi to say so who bave
Durscd bim in my arms. But whcn he's once sci a-coing, it
von't éo io oppose bim; for. i3 b Ihe l> > rcd.

erealure in ihe world, h^; s- geU h; undj

stornis. Paor fcllow ! onc must pii) him; il is -ili ihc e0cctj
of bis tcmperamcnt ; and Ue-H(dcSj thb tinie tbcr« ìs
reason in ii^ because he ìs goìng to ali iJiis troublr fot yotL
People must Uke care how thcy touch bim at such limcs ! h^
mbìdB no one except the Signor Prince But some day he
will be ibc Prince bìmself ; miay it bc a* long as possible firft^J
howcver. Qtiick, quick. Signorina, why do you look at meiiF^
if you werc bewìtchcd? You ougbt lo bc out of yoar ncsi al
Ibis bour,*

Al the idea oC the tmpatient Prince» ali the otber dioitglila
which had crowdcd mìo Gertrude's mìnd on awaktng, ran-
isbcd bcforc it, Uke a Eoek o( sparrow& on Uxc sudden appcar-
ance ol a acarecrow. She initanlly obeycd, dresscd berseli
m baste, and, after snbnnitìng to the dccoralìon of ber hair
and person, wtnc down to the saloon* whcrc ber parcnis and
brotber werc as-sembied* Sbe wa» tbcn Icd to an arnKbair*
aild a Clip o£ cbocolate was broiight to ber, which in tboae i
days waa a ccrcmony simiìiar to that formexly in use aìQOiig
the Romans, of prcscnting the taga virilis,

Whcn Ibc earriage was at the door, the Prince drcw hia
daugbter aside, and said: * Come, Gertrude, yestcfday you ha4
cvery attcnùon paid you; lo-day you muat overcoinc your- |
self. The puìnì H now to inake a propcr appetifimce fai the
moiiasleTy :ni re dea-

tined to take t (Il ts

unnece^sary io %:{y that the Ì'ti; ] a mciotage

the prcceding day to the Lady A: ,.rc cxpectlui^

ytni. and ali eycs wilI be upon you, You mn»l malntain dig-
aity and an easy manoer» The Abbe** will ask yiMi what
you wUb^ according to the u»ual forni, You must rcfU? tbai
yùu request to bc he veil in die mt

wbere you havc'br ^cated. and bave -

%o mawy kindnetees» whidi u ù%c ààmplc inrth* You wiU yno^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

IS9

fioixoce tJtcsc words wnth an «nembarrasscd air; for I would
oot bave it said that you bave bccn drawn tu, and that you
doti*t know how ta answer for yourself. These good niothers
ktiow nolhmg of the past: it b a secret which must remaln
for cver btirìed in tbe family, Takc care you don't put on m
iorrowltil or dubious countenance, which might excìtc aoy
sa»[MCf**n* Sbow of what bJood you are: be coiirteoiis and
TOC t remember that there, a way front the famlly, thcrc

wii .idy abovc you/

Wttbout m^iring for a reply, tbe Prince led the way, Ger-
trude, Uie PrmcesSp and the youug Prince, following; and,
^mg down-staìri» they seated themselves in the carriage.
The snarcs ami vexatiofìs o£ the world^ aod the happy, blessed
life of tlie cloister» more cspecially for young peoplc of noble
birth, werc the subjccts of conversatton during llic drive. Oo
ftpproaching tlicir dt?stÌnatÌon tJie Prince renewed bis instnic-
tìofis to his daughter, and rcpcatcd over to ber scveral tìmes
tbe prcscribed fonn of reply. On entering tbìs ncighbour-
hood^ Gertrude felt her heart beat violcotly ; but her aitenlion
was suddenly arrcstcd by scveral gcntlemen, who stopped the
caiTÌa|[e and addressed numbcrless compHments tt> ber, Then
conlSQir , tbey drovc slowly up to the monastery,

iiDoa^> , ve gazes of tbe crowds who had collected

ttpon the road, VVhcn the carriage stopped bcfore Ihcse weU-
koown waìls, and that dreaded door, Gertrude'^ heart beat
itin more violently. Tbey aligbtcd betwecn two wings of by-
itauiders, whocn the servante werc endeavourtng to keep back,
aod the conscìousness that the eycs of ali werc upon her, coni* i
pellcd the un fortunale girl closcly lo study hcr bcbaviour;
imi, nV»¥c ali, thnse of ber fathcr kcpt hcr in awe; for, ?5pite
of * ' shc had of ihem, she could not help cvery mo-

mei ^ hcr eyes to bis, and. likc in%nsiblc rcins, they

regalatcd cvcry movcment and cxpression of her counie-
nance. After travcrsing the first court, they entercd tlie sec-
ond, whcre the door of the interior cloister was held open,
mad ctmiplclcly bU}ckadc%l bv nuns. In the first row stood the
*, surrotinde-i hy ihi^ clde«r of the sisterhood; bebiod
thcycun^*"^ ^ and soitie on

and, b- ted on stools.

fere ami thcrc amoog liicm werc seco liie glancmg of certain

MaSSgAKDRO MANZONI

brighi eycs nnd tome little facca peeping out frotn
the cowls: they wcrc the ino»t activc and daring of the
pupils, who, crceping: in and pushing their way between min
luid nuiip had sticceèdctl in makìng an open in ^ whefc M#y
fnlght abo sce somcthing. Many wcre tire acclamatiotis
Ihii crowd, and many the hands hcld wp in token of welc
and exultatbn. They reaclitnl the door, and Gertrtide foe
hcraelf fltandìng beforc the Lady Abbcae, After the Gr
compir meo ts, the s^penor. with an air bctwcen cbcerfulnfi
and solcnmity, asked her what shc wtnted in that placc;,^
^wherc there was no one who wouid dcny her anything.

* I aiii here , . / began Gertrude; httt, oh the polnt of |
notineing the words which would almost irrevocably de
htff lale, fihe hcsitatcd a moment, and remai > her i

Ex ed on the crowd before her. At thia in e catj

the eye of one of ber old conipaninnft, whrt Umlccd at her with
a mlxed air of conipassìon and rnalice which fleemed to «ayf
ah ? the boaitcr is canght- Thi« «ight, awakening more viv-
idly in ber niind her old fceling?i. rentorcd to her alfo a Uttl

I ef her former courage ; and the was on tìie point of f ramio|

I I rqdy far dilTcrcnt to the one whìch had heen dictated
tber, when» raising ber eycs tf> ber fatbet'ft face, almost, a$
Iwere to try ber iiraigth, shc cncoiiniefed thcrc &nch a

diBqniemde, such a thrcatening hnpatìcnce, tbat, urged
fear, she continucd with great prccipitation, at if fiybg fro
some lerrlhlc objtcì : ' I ain bere io reqoesi permisiion lo I
the religiouR hahlt in this monasterv, wherc I havi- beco
t ' ' .!/ The Ahb. ■ *' ' ' r sb

\ ^ fliis bstant bad

jlscr ^atc reply, v, i cofiuì frora ihi

gtiì< ' sistcrs, and i > she mtitt obtJ

pcrniJ^sion from her supcriors,* that, ncvertheless, Gert
kncw wcll enough the fcelingn entcrtatnetl towardtf her tn^
tbat ptace, to forcM»e what {he aoswer would he ; and thai, ìn
the meao whilc, no rcguhticm prr-. ' ' **'

lilsterhood from manifeiting ihe i

[in hearbg ber makc siich a n
fc eonfused mtirmiir of eoni
Prr^ently, In: > wcre broughi hlled

ajid wef€ ofi ^ *<> tbe brtdev and a; -. -^

1 FHOMESSI SPOSI

psrents, Whìle some of the nuns 3p[)TOic1ieé to grcet Ger-
trude, othcrs compUmenting ber mother, and othcrs the
yottisf Priiict, tti€ Abbess reqyested the Prince to repatr to
the grate of the parlour of conference^ nvhere she would waìt
upùn ìùm* She was accotnpanied by two elders, and on his
«ppearmg, 'Signor Prìnce; said she: ' to obey the regula*
tions . . < lo perform an itidispcnsable formaUtyp tliough io
tbifi case . . . neverthekss I must teli you . . . that whea-
tver a yoimg person asks to be admitted to take the veil»
. , . the tupcrior, which I am nnwonhily , , . b obliged to
wam the parents . . . that if by any chance . , . thcy should
hare constraìncd the will of their daughter, tlicy are liable to
^Lcooimuiiìcatìoti, Yoii will excuse me * . /

*0h! certaioly, certainly, revercnd mother. I admìre
jPKMsr exactEiess; il b onJy tight . . ^ But you need not
dCNnlt f . *

•Ohi tMale^ Signor Prince • , , I only spoke from abso-
lute dtity * • . f or the r est . . *'

* Certamly, certaìnly. Lady Abbcss/

p,. :.. , r.xchanged thcsc few words, the two ioterlocutors
ree bowed and departed^ as if neither of thein Iclt

wilirng lo prolotig the ìiìtcrvtew, each retirìng to hig ovm
fHUty» tlie one outsidc, the other within the threshold of the
cloi^rter. 'Now thoi Jet us go/ sald the Prince; 'Gertrude
will soofi hmve plenty of opporttmity of enjoyìng as much at
dM plcases the society of these good mothers. For the pres-
enta we have ptit them io enough inconvcnience/ And, mak-
tog a low bow» he «Igni jìcd his wish to return : the party broke
iqi, CKchanged salutationt, and departed*

I>ttriiig 3ie drive home Gertrude fdt little inclination to
apeak. Alarmed at the step she had taken« ashaoìed at her
want ol spirit. and vexed wìth otlicrs as wcll as hcrself, she
tried to etinmerate the opportimities which stili rcmaincd o£
«ying no, and bnguìdly and cofifusedJy resolved in her own
mind that in tliia, or that, or the other instance she wauld
be more open and cotirageoos. Yet, in the niidst of thcse
tboitfbta, her drcad of her father's frown stili hdd its inìì
iRray; »o that once, whcn, by m tìcaUhy glance at bis face,
die waa fuDy assured thal not a vcsiige of anger remained^
whcn «be evec «iw that be wit perfocUy satisSed with her»

172 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

she felt quite chccred, and expcrienced a real but tranricot
Joy.

On their arrivai, a long toilette, dinner, visits, walks, %
conversazione and supper, followed each other in rapid tiio-
cession. After supper the Prince introduced another subject
— the choice of a godmother. This was the title of the persoo
who, being solicited by the parents, became the guardian and
escort of the young novice, in the interval between the request
and the admission; an interval frcquently spcnt in visiting
churches, public palaces, conversasioni, villas, and temples;
in short, everything of note in the city and its environs; so
that the young peoplc, before pronouncing the irrevocable
vow, might be fully aware of what they were giving up.

* We must think of a godmother/ said the Prince ; ' for to-
morrow the vicar of the nuns will be bere for the usuai for^
mality of an examination, and shortly afterwards Gertrude
will be proposed in council for the acceptance of the nuns/

In saying this he turned towards the Princess, and she,
thinking he intended it as an invitation to ber to make some
proposai, was beginning : * There should be . . / But the
Prince interrupted ber.

* No, no, Signora Princess ; the godmother should be ac-
ceptablc above ali to the bride ; and though universal custom
gives the selection to the parcnts, yet Gertrude has so much
judgment, and such excellent discernment, that she richly de-
serves to be made an cxception/ And bere, turning to Ger-
trude, with the air of one who was bestowing a singular
favour, he continued: * Any one of the ladies who were at the
conversasione this evening possesses ali the necessary quali-
fications for the office of godmother to a pcrson of your
family; and any one of them, I am willing to bclieve, wUI
think it an honour to be made choice of. Do you choose for
yourself/

Gertrude was fully sensible that to make a choice was but
: to rcnew her consent ; yet the proposition was made wiih so
much dignity, that a refusai would bave home the appearance
of contcmpt, and an cxcusc, of ignorance or fastidiousness.
She therefore took this step also, and namcd a lady who had
chiefly takcn ber fancy that evening; that is to say, one who
Had paid her the most attention, who had most appìauded ber,

I PEOMEBST SPOSI

173

[ircàted ber with tliosc fainHìar, affectìonaf^, and

lificrs, whìch, nn tbe Erst acquaintanceshìp, coim-

:^ of long standing, * An cxcelJent choice,*

lice, who had exactly wished and exp^ted

1t Whcther by art or chance, it happcned just as whcn a

'-^rVl -player, holding up to view a pack o£ cards, bìd^ the

-ator think of one, and then wilì teli him which ìt ìs»

' rrcviotìsly dtsposed them in such a way that but one

m bc ^een. This lady had been so much with Ger-

■ali tilt evenìng» and had so endrely engaged her attcn-

that ìt would have reqntred an cffort of ìmag^natìon to

think of anotìicr, These attendons, however, had not becn

piàid withotit a moti ve; the lady had for some timc fixed her

cyes upoD the young Prince as a dcstrable son-m-Iaw: hence

rcgmrdcd everythìng bdonging to the family as her own;

thcrefore it was naturai enough that she should interest

If for her dcar Gertrude, na less than for her nearest

Ott the morrow, Gertrude awoke with the image of the
ctiing exaniination before her cyes; and, while she was
•ing if and how she could seìze tliis móst decisive op-
to draw back, she was sunimoned by the Princc.
, my child/ said he: ' until now you havc bchaved
atT.tr.in y, and il oiily remams to-day to crown the work.
Jl that ha* heen donc hitherto has becn dfinc with your con-
•ent, is mlctva!, any doubts had ansen in your mmd,

anv ?, or yoiilhfiil rcgrets. you ought to have ex*

bot at the poìnt at which we have now arrived,
the lime to play the clvìld. The worthy man
to yon tliìs morntrjg, will ask you a hundred
iitKJUt your electìon, and wbether you go of your
^^^ will and why, and how, and what not bcsìdes, Tf
I ttntafixc ' "ur repHes, he will kcep you under cx-

asninaijon f ri how long. It would he an annoyancc

and a w ■:.: u; and it migbt produce a stili more

citurt. /\ : .iti the public dcmonstrations that have
ade^ evcry linfe hc^itation you may display will risk
rjofur, une may make pcople think that I have takai a
mcmimtary fancy of yours for a setlìcd resofutìon — that I
Isve niahed hcadlong inio the biisi£]es»--4lmt I bave . .

174

ALMSAKHKO MANZONI

whtt ttot? Tfi thi» case, 1 shjill he reduced to th«
of choosing hctwecn iwo palnftil altematlves; citlitr to tei
tlie world forin a dcrogatory judg^mcnt of fny condtjet*^^
course which 1 alrsolmdy c;infi(Jt takc in jnstice to mysclf —
or In reveal llic truc moti ve of yotir rcsolution, and » . /
Btìt ber e. obscrving that Gf-rtrud»! colnurcd crini^ioo, ihat hcr
cycs bccamc inflamctl. anil hrr face coiìtratted like. the petaU
ol a ftowcr in tlic sultfy hcat that prcccdcs a slonn, he bfoke
off thts !itrairt, and conirnutd wìth a serene face: * Conic,
ccttie, ali dcpoìd» upon yoursdf — upon your judg:ment 1
know lUftt you are n^ ' tu in ìi^ and that you are not a
chiid» lo go «poil a \, icTtakipi: jtist at the condusion ;

bili 1 must forcscc atid (iruvidc £or aU coaiingendea, Lct u*
say tici more about it; only let me Itd aasured Ihat you will
reply wìth franknc!»» »o as not to exdtc su*picton in tlie
mind óf ihis wcrthy man. Thus you, also, will be &tt at lib*
erty the sooner;' Thrn, after suggcjsting a few answers lo
ihe probable tntefrogations that would bc put, he entcred
ypon the ysiial topic of the pleasnres and <*ninymenfs prepared
for GeriniHe at the monasttr>% and ^ ' to detain ber

on thiji siibject tifi a &ervatil announeL ival of the ot-

aftìiner. After a ha^ity rcpcution of the most important hinu*
he left his daughter alotie witli hitn, accordine to the visual
custom.

The good man came with a ft!ight pre<onceivcd opini
ihat Gertrude had a slrotig delire for a clotstral ìtCe, bécai
the Princc had told him #o, when he went to rcqtiMt bis
^attendancc, It b trae that the good priL^at, who kiicw well
enDugh that mistriist was one of the most neces«ary TÌftuea
of hii office, bcld ai4 a maxim that he should be vcry slow io
beHevtng «neh protestaiions, and shoiild be on hì9 i^afd
against pte'Conceptionjs ; b«t it %f Idom happens ibat the posi*
tive aflirmations of a persoti of Mich autborky, in whatcver
maticr, do not givc a htaa to ti vho hcar them.

After the uttiai lalutations: " -, * ! fifn rf^m*

ing to act the part of the tetti]>i t^

doubti where your reqtiest cxprc- t-

cukies before your cyci, and to assnre myselt wlicther you
hmve wclì constdercd thcm. Will you allow noe to aak you
eottie fiuesticnif'

I PROMESSI SPOSI

175

•Proceeti,* ropìied Gertrude.
The woTihy priest then began to question ber In the usuai
fif escrìbed fornis, * Do you feci in yoyr heart a free, voluti-
*iy resolution to become a min? Have no threatenbigs, no
Il^tterìci bcen resorted to ? Has no authority becn made use
persuade you to thi& step? Speak witbout reserve and
p^rfcct fine eri ry to a man wbosc duty it is to aseertaìE
' mbìased wiU. ihat he may prevent your bctng compclled
tny cxcrcise of force to take such a course»'
The tme answcr to such a dematid rose up before Ger-
Jes mind with fearid distinctncss, Btit to make that
;ily, she lìiust come to an explanation; she mtist disdose
irhat 5he had been threatened with. and rclate a story . . ,
The uiihappy girl ilinink back in horror from such an Idea,
aad tried to find some other reply. which wouid tnore speedily
^felease ber froiii this unpleaiant inter view. * I wish to take
" br veil/ said sbc» concealìng ber agltatioti — * I wish to take
veiJ at my own desìre, voluntarily/
• How long bave yoti had tbis desire F ' agam demanded the
prte^t
[ have always fcit it, replied Gertrude, rendered after thig
ft«p more tinscrupuloiis about speaking ibe trutb.
'Bui wbat is the principal motivc that induces you to

ì a nm ì *
The good priest lìtUe knew what a tertible chord he
was toucbing; and Gertrude had to inake a gjeat efTort not
to bctray in ber countenanct the effect ^'hicb thc^e wofds
prodac€d on bc^r mind, a& sbe rcptìed : ' My motive ts io
•crve God. and ta Hy the perils of the world.*

•May there not bave been some di^gustT Some
tiQCU«e me ♦ ♦ t some caprke? Tl^ere are ttme^ whcn a
^a&ijiif cause may Kiakr ari tnipre&sìon Uiat seem» at tbe
nunDcnf ture to he lasting; but aftcrwards, when the cause
removed. and the mind catmed, then . , ,*
'No, no/ replied Gertrude, precipitately, *the reauoit Is
tly what I bave tnJd you/

viear, ratbcr lo discbarge bis diity faithfully ihau
Hought it nrccssary, persisted in bis ir ■
\'i was resolvt'd to dcceivc htm. Be
b&TTor #iie ieit al the thougbt of makmg him acqu^micd

176 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

with her weakness, when he seemed so far from snspectiiig
her of anything of the kind, the poor girl thought that
though he could certainly easily prevent her taking the
veil, yet that there was the end of his authority over her, or his
power of protection. When once he had gone, she would bc
left alone with the Prince, and of what she would then bave
to endure in that house, the worthy priest could know noth-
ing; or, even if he did, he could only pity her. The examiner
was tired of questioning, before the unfortunate girl of
deceiving him; and, finding ber replies invariably consistent,
and having no reason to doubt their sincerity, he at last
changed his tonc, and said ali he could to confirm her in
her good resolution; and, after congratulating her, he took
his leave. Passing through one of the apartments, he met
with the Prince, who appeared to fall in with him acci-
dently, and congratulated him on the good dispositions his
daughter had di splay ed. The Prince had been waiting in
a very wearisome state of suspense, but, on rcceiving this ac-
count, he breathed more freely, and, forgetlìng his usuai
gravity, he almost ran to Gertrude, and loaded her with
commendations, caresses, and promises, with cordial satis-
faction, and a tenderness of manner to a grcat degree sincere.
Such a strange medlcy is the human heart!

We will not follow Gertrude in her continuai round of
sights and amusements, nor will we dcscribe, cither gen-
erally or particularly, the feelings of ber mind during this
period; it would be a history of sorrows and fluctuations
too monotonous, and too much resembling what we bave
already related. The beauty of the surrounding seats, the
continuai variety of objects, and the plcasant excursions in
the open air, rendered the idea of the place where she must
shortly alight for the last timc, more odious to her than
ever. Stili more painful wcrc the impressions made upon
her by the assemblics and amusements of the city. The
sight of a bride, in the more obvious and common sense of
the word, aroused in ber envy and anp^uish, to a degree
almost intolerable; and sometimes the sight of some other
individuai made her feel as if to bear that title given to
herself would be the height of felicity. There were even
times when the pomp of palaces, the splendour of orna*

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

177

nt€tlti, ftnd tli€ excitement and clamorous lcsti%lty of the
ecnversasìùnc, so hifaiuated lier, and arous^d in ber such
an aittent desire to lead a gay li fé, that fih« rcsolved io
rccant, and to sufFer anythitig rather tban tura to the coìd

land deaib-Iike shade of tlie claister. But ali ihese rcsolu-
Bs vanished mìo air, on the calmer comideratton of the
iilties of socli a course, or on merely raising her eycs
td ihc Prioce's face. Somctimes, too, the t!iought that she
must for ever abandon tbese enjoyments, madc cveti this
little tastc of thcin bitter and wearisomc to beri as the
paijent, suffering with thirst, cyes wìth vexation, and almost
refuscs wIth contcmpt, Uie spoonf«1 of water the physician
tmwilìmgly allows him. In tjie mcanwhìle, the vicar oC the
mais itad despatehed the ncccs^ary atteslatìoti, and permis-
doci aTTived. to hold the conference for the electìoo of
Gcitrode. The meeting was called; two-thirds of the secret
YOtes, whlch werc requtred by the regulations, were given^
n% was to be expected. and Gertrude was accepted. She
heractf, wcaried wìth tliis long stmggle^ begged for ìm-
meémìe admission into the monastery, and no onc carne
iorw^rd to oppose such i request. She was therefore
gratlficd in her wish: and, after being pompously condocted
to the inonastcfy, she as&tnned the babit. After twclve
Biocitbs of novitìate, full of alternate regret and rcpenl-
hngs, the titne of public confession arrivcd; that is to say,
the lime when she must either utter a * no,' more strange»
inofe unoepected, and more disgraceful than evcr; or pro-
fUTuncc a "yes/ akeady so often repeated: she pronotinced

' it, and became a rum for ever.

It il one of the pecnliar and incoramtinicahlc propcrties
of the Christian religion, tliat *he C4in afford guidance and
rep09e to ali who, under w li a te ver circumstances, or in
wbatercr cxitjencc. bave recoursc to ben If there is a
remedy for the payt» she prescrìbes it. admtnisters it, and

[lemii Ughi and cnerj^ to put ìt in force, at whatevcr cost;
there is none, she tcachcs bow to do that effecttiatly and
realtty, which the world prescrìbes proverbially, — ^make

'a virliie of oeeesslty, She tcachcs how to continue with
discretiofi what is tho«ghtle*i!y undcrtaken: she inclincs

lille otiiKl to deavc steadfastty to what was Imposed upoo it

178 ALB88ANDRO MANZONI

by authority ; and imparts to a choice which, thottf h rash at
the time, is now irrevocable, ali the sanctity, ali the ad-
visedness, and, let us say it boldly, ali the cheerfulness of
a lawful calling. Here is a path so constnicted that, let a
man approach it by what labyrinth or precipice he may» he
sets himself, from that moment, to walk in it with securìty
and readiness, and at once begins to draw towards a joyful
\ end. By this means, Gertrude might bave proved a holy
and contented nun, however she had becoroe one. But,
instcad of this, the unhappy girl stniggled under the yoke,
and thus felt it heavier and more galling« An incesaant
recurrence to ber lost liberty, abhorrence of ber present
condition, and a wearìsome clinging to desires which could
never be satisfied: these were the principal occupations of
ber mind She recalled, over and over aj^in, the bitter-
aess of the past, rearraftged in ber mind ali the circum-
stances by which she had reached ber pro$ent situation. and
tmdid in tbought a thousand timcs what she had done in
act. She accusod herself of want of spirit. and others of
tyranny and perhdy, and pìned in secret: she idolized and,
at the same tinie, bowailed ber beauty; deplorcd a youth
destined to struggle in a prolonged martyrdom: and envied,
at timcs, any woman, in whatever rank. with whatever
acquiremcnts, who could frecly enjoy these gifts in the
world.

The sight of those nuns who had co-operated in bringing
ber biiher was liateful to ber: she remenibered the arta
and contrìvances they had made use of. and repaìd them
with incivilities, caprìces. and even with open reproachea.
These they were oUiged u> bear in silence; for though
the Prince' was willing enou^h to tyrannire over bis daugh*
ter wben he found it necessari* io force ber into ihe clois-
ter, yet having once olnained bis purpi>so, he w»uki noi so
wìUingly allow others io assume authority over one of bis
famih-;'and any little rumour that mi^i bave reached bis
ears would bave been an occasìon of ibeir Iv^sìng bis prò-
tection« or perbaps^ unfortunaieh\ of changing a proiector
into an enemy. It would aeem ihat she mìgbt bave feh
some kind of leanìng towanls tK>se ocher sìster» who had
noe lent a band in thia ioul system of intrigue. and who^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

withotft haviiìf dcsired hcr for a compsnìoit, loved her as
such; atid, a1wayì£ good, bus>% aiid cheerfu!, showed hcr,
hf ibeir cxanipk. that bere too, il was possìhle not only to
liw, twit to be happy: but these, alào, were hatcful to her,
fof aiiothcr rcason: their tcnisistent ptcty and cofitentmcnt
scemod to cnsr a ri^prooC upon ber disquietudc aod way-
Wftrdisess; so that sbe ncver stiffered an cppartimtty to
e$capc of deriding ibem hehlnd thelr badts as blgotj, or
reviling them as hypacrìtes. Pcrhaps she vvould have been
leaa averee to t!iem, had she ktiown. or guesscd, that the
few biade balls fouod in the um whìch dccìded her accept-
■nce^ bad been put therc by these very sistcrs,

She nometimcs felt a little sattsf action in commandinf,
in being courtcd hy those wtthiti the monastery and visited
mmt tìatterììigly t^ those without» in accomplishing some
ufMlertaking^ in extending her protection, in hearing herself
styfed ihe Signora; but what consolattons were ihese? The
tiiliid which feets tbeif insui&cicncy wnuid gladly, at times,
add (o tht'nr, and enjoy wtth them, the consolations of re-
tìcoli : yet the one cannot be obtained by renouncìng the
o<Jier ; as a shipwreckcd saiIor> who would cliiig to the plank
whieh I» to bring him safely to shore, mutt relinquish hÌB
tiold on the unsnbstantial sca-weed which itattiral instmct
had t::ii * ' 1 to grasp.

Shcr r finally takini: the veìl, Gertrude had been

apfioiiiltd ti:aizhef of the young people who aftended the
eoDvenr for cdycation, and ìt niay easily he ima gin ed what
wodld be theJr sìtuatlon under mch disdptme- Her early
eompaniona had ali left» hot the pansrons callcd tnto exer-
eUe by thcm Btill reniaiiicd ; and» in cne way or the other, the
pollila were compelled to feel their full weight. When she
fCDicfnbcred that many of thena were de^tincd to that courae
al li fé of which she had lost every hope, she induTged
agairut the poor chìldren a feeling of rancour, which
almon amounted to a desire of vengeance. Thh fed-
iof ahr tìKinlfcsted by kcepìng them under, irrltating them,
aad d g in antìdpation the p!ca*ure» which ibey

r! ' ♦ > enjoy. Any one who had hcanl with

Wtiat ì rasure she rehuked theai ai sud) times

lor any niuc lauit, wcmld bave ìmagined Iter a woman of

180 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

undisciplined and injudicious temper. On other occasiona^
the same hatred for the rulcs and discipline of the doister
was displayed in fits of temper entirely differenti thcn, she
not only supported the noisy diversions of her pupils, but
excited them; she would mingle in their games, and make
them more disorderly; and, joining in their conversations,
would imperceptibly lead them far beyond their intended
limits. If one of them happened to allude to the Lady
Abbess's love of gossiping, their tcacher would imitate it at
length, and act it like a scene in a comedy; would mimic
the expression of one nun and the manncrs of another ; and
on these occasions would laugh immodcrately ; but her laugh-
ter came not from her heart Thus she passcd several years
of her li fé, with neither leisure nor opportunity to make any
change, until, to her misfortune, an occasion unhappily
presented itself.

Among othcr privileges and distìnctions accorded to her
as a compcnsation for her not bcing abbcss. was the special
grant of a bed-chamber in a separate part of the monastery.
This side of the building adjoincd a house inhabited by a
young man of professcdly abandoned character; one of the
many who, in those days, by the hclp of their retinues of
bravoes. and by combinations with other villains, were
enablcd. up to a ccrtain point, to set at dcfìance public force,
and the authority of the laws. Our manuscript merely
gives him the n.inic of Egidio. This man, having, from a
Uttlc window which overlooked the court-yard, seen Ger-
trude occasionally passing, or idly loitering there, and al-
lared, rathcr than intimidatod, by the dangers and impiety
of the act, vcnturcd one day to address her. The miserable
girl replied. At first she experienced a Hvely. but not un-
mixed satisf action. luto the paintul void of her soni was
infused a powerful and continuai stimulus; a fresh principle,
as it were, of vitality; but this enioyment was like the
restorativc draught wliich the ingcnious cruelty of the
ancicnts presented to a condemned criminal, to strcngthen
him to bear the agonica of niartyrdom. A groat change, at
the same tìmc, was ohscrvahlc in ber wliole depi^rtmcnt;
she became ali at once more rcgular and tranquil. less
bitter and sarcastic, and cvcn showcd herself friendly and

I FBOMBSSI SPOSI

ISl

miMùi 80 ifaat the tisters congratulated eacli oiher on Ihe
hmppy change; 90 far werc thcy from ìmaginitig the reali
caitse» anc! from utidcrstaiìdlo^ ihai this new virtwe was/
Ithing cl&c Uian hvpocrisy adcJcd lo hcr fornier failings^l
^' im prò veni eli!, howcver, tlùs cxtemal cleansìng, so lo
Jastcd byt a short tìmc, at least wìth any steadincss
steiic>% Stte sDon rctumed lo her accustomed scom
and capricc, aod renewed lier imprecations and raUlery
•gaìitst Hcr doi&tral prison, cxpressed somctimes in lan-
fUftge bìtJierto imhcard in that place, and freni those ìips,
Ncverthelcss, a scjason of repentance succcedcd each out-
httàk, and aii eiidcavotir to atone tor ìt and wipe cut ks
TODCinbrance ^ *n*nl coiìrtesics atid kindness. The

stttcrs were ci bear ali these vkìssilydes as th^

bcst couTd, and aUrìuL»tcd tbcm lo tlie wayward and fìckle ^,
ifispostUon of the Sigtiora,

Fot some timc no ooe seeraed to think any longer about
tbesc matiers; bui one éd^y the Signora, having had a dis-
paté with a lay-sjstcr for some trìding irre^ilarìty, con-
tiottcd to tnsntt hcr so ìong beyond her uso al bounds, that
the sister, after having for some liine gnawed the bit in
sikncr, could no longcr kccp hcr patience, and ihrew out a
Wnt that she knew somcthing, and wouid reveal it wbcn
ftn opponunity occiirred From that moment the Signora
tiad no peate, li was not long after that^ one morning,
llie sisicr was in vaiii cxpccied at ber usuai cmployment;
$iie was sought In her celi, but fruitìessly; she was cali ed
ioodly by many voices, but therc was no rcply; she was
bunted antl sou^ht for diligcntly, he re and there, above,
bdow» from ilìc celiar to the rool; but %hc was nowhcre
to bc foiind. And who knows what coiìjcctures might bave
becn made, tf, in searching for ber, it had not happcned
that a large holc was disco ver ed in the garden wafi, whìch
inchiced every one to Uiìak that she had made her e scape
thence. Mcssengcrs were immedìatcly despatchcd in varìous
dìrectiODa to overtakc hcr an ' ' ber back; evcry

tnquiry waa m^^ in tlic surr> .ountry; bcit there

wa» nevrr the sligh;rst infonni;i«ni aboitt her. Pcrhaps
thcy mighi bave knoi^n more of ber fate, had thcy, Insieàd
of icddng at a dtstancc» diig np the ground near at band.

ut ALESSANDRO HANZOKI

After raany tnprtmtmB o! ^urprtse, because they »
thought hcr a likcly woman for sach a dced; after mai
SLfgumcnts, they conciud^d ihat she must hav£ fled to somi
very great disUntc : &iid hecausc a si&ter happaicd om
to say» ' She must certainly have taken refuge in V-
it was e ver after said and malntatncd in the m
that fihe bad flcd to Holbnd. The Signora, how i

nat lieem to be of this opinion. Not that she nir. 1

any disbeUef, or opposed tbe prevailing idea with ber
particular reasona; it she bad any, ccrtainly never wcre
irajions bcttcr conceaied; nor was therc mnytWmg froi
which she mare wìllingly tbstaìned, than fmm alUidiitf td'
this cvetit, nor any mattar in whicb sbe was lesa deairoits
to come tn the bottoni of the mystery. But the Icss al
spoke of it, the more did it occupy ber tboughtSw H<
often diiring the day did the tmage of the ni-fated nuil mail
nnhìddrn into ber mlnd, and fix itsrìf therc, not easily to
l>e removed I Hmv often did she long to see the real and
livìng bcing bcforc her, rathcf than bave ber always in ber
tboughts, rather than he day and night in tbe company of
that empty, terriblc, impassthle formi How often won!d
abe gtadly bave lìstened to hcr real voice, and bornc l»ef
rehiikes, whatever thcy might thrraten, ratber tban be for
ever baunted in tbe depths of ber menta! car hy tbe im*
aginary whisperings^f tliat sanie voice, and bear words to
wbich it was iiseless to repty, repeated witb a pertntacity
and an indefatigablc pcfseverance o£ which no Hving beittj
ma ever capabTc!

It wa» about a year after thi* cvent, tbat LucJa was pre*
«ented to tbe Signora, and had the intervlew witb ber whtch
we bave descrihed. The Signora mnltSpbed ber inquiries
ahout Don Rodfigo*ii pcrsecution, and entered into pai
tJcufars witb a boldness whicb must bave appcarcd wor!
than novcl to Tancia, who bad never imagìned that tbe
ruriofity of ntm* cmild be exerclsed on ««eh Mibjects. The
Dpinjons also wbich were mtn^led witb tbe*e Jnffuìries, or
^ whicb ^ht allowetl h *

ieemed aImo>t to d e

iioblemait, and askcd whcther be were n- tbat bo

txcfted sa ntadi fcar; and wonld bivi* .* ^ r r^Mr-

I rBOMBSSl SPOSI

183

dtsposhton almoil trratìonal and &bsurd« if the had tiot
Wforchajid ^vfifs the prcfcrencc to Retilo. And on tbis
dlOtce« tCN5, she multiplied quesdons which astonishcd the
poor fi ri. and put her to ilie bìush. Pcrceiving. howcver,
ftfterwmrdSp ihat shc had given too frcc expression to ber
lilttginmtiait, she tried to correct nnd interpret her langyage
differcotty ; but she could not divcst Ltieia's miod ai a
disa^eeable wondcr» and coiifused dread. No sooncr dìd
the poor gir! fitid bersclf alone with ber mother» tlian she
opened ber wbole niind to ber; but Agnese, beìng more
experienccd, in a very few words quteted ber doubts, and
solved the mystery. * Don't be surprised/ said she ; * when
yoti ItJlow the worid as wel! as I^ you'tl not think it any*
ihtng Tcry wonderfii!, Great people — some more, some
lc*s, some one way, and some another,^ — ^have ali a little
odidìty, We mus^t let ihem talk, partieularly when wc bave
ntté of ihetn; we must pretcnd to be lìstening to them
serìoudy. as If they were saying very bright things. Didn*t
yfw bear how she &ilenced me, almost as ìf I bad uttered
sofoe grcai nonsen&e? X was oot a bit surprbed at it
Tbcy are ali so. Howcver, Heaven be prat^, that shc
ieetns lo bave taken such a fancy to you, and wiU rcally
protcct OS. As to the rcst. ìf you live, my child, and it
^b tn yoiir lot to bave anytbing more to do with gcntlc-
mcn, yotJÌl under stand it, you' 11 undersiand iL'

A desire to oblige the Father-guardtan ; the pleasure of i
Otendbtg protection; the tbought of the go<Kl opbions
that would resuk from so charitable an exercìse of that
protection; a certain inclinati on for Lucia, added to a kind'
of relicf flhe would feel in doing a kindness to an innocent
creature, and mi assisting and comforting the oppressed,
were the indtieemcms which had really inclined the Signora
lo takc an interest tn tlte fate of thcae two poor fugrittves.
In nbedtmcc to the orders she gave, and frora regard to
tlic aiixJcty she displayed. they were ìodgert in the apart-
moiis of the portress, adjoinmg the clofstcr, and Ireated
ai if thcy were admitlcd into the servtce of the monastery*
Both mochcr and daughtcr congratulateti thenisclves on
having so soon foiind a iiecure and hnnour;:ibk asylum,
and woald gladly bave remaincd imknown hy cvcry onc;

18t

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

but this was not easy in a monastery, more especially when
there was a man determined to get information about one
of them; in whose mind vexation at having been foiled
and deceived was added to his former passions and desires.
Leaving the two women, then, in thcir retreat, we will
return to this wretch's palace, while he was waiting the
result of his iniquitous undertaking.

CHAPTER XI

à S a pack of hounds, after in vain tracking a hare, rettmi
uk tlcsponding io their master, wìth hcads hung down,
^A. and droopìng lails, so, on this dìsastrous nìghu dld tbe
bravots retitrn to the palace of Don Rodrigo. He was list-
lessly paciti|r to and fro, in an unoccupied rootti up-stairi
tliat overlooked the terrace. Now and then he would stop
to Hsten, or to pcep through the chtnks in the decayed win-
dow'lramés^ full of impatiencc, and not entirely frec frotn
dÌMialetudc^tìOt only lor the doubtfulDess of success, but
allo lor the possible consequences of the enterpnse: UiÌ3
bcutg the boldest and most hazardous in which our valtant
eavalìer had evcr engaged He endeavoured, howevcr. to
reassurc himsclf wìth th€ thought of the precautions he had
taken tbat not a trace of the perpetrator should be Icft, 'As
to itupidoDB, T care nothing for theni, I should Hke to know
wlio wotrJd be inclined to come hithcr, to ascertaìn if there
te a young girl here or not. Let him dare to come — the
raifa fool^-and he ahall bc well rcceivedl Let the friar
come, if he pleascs. The old woman ? She shall be off to
Bergamo* Justicc? Poh! Justice! Th^ Podestà is neiihcr
m chiM fior a fool And at Milana Who will care for these
ptt»file ai Milan? Who wiii Itsten to tbem? Who knows
efeo what tbey are? They are like lost people in the world,
«^tliqf haven't even a master: they belong to no one. Come,
C!OBi«, oever fcar, How Attilio wùl be silenced to-morrow I
He «hall s>ee whcthcr I am a mzn to talk and boast. And
fhcn ... If any diilìcuky should ensiic * * , Wbat do l
kaow? Any cnemy who would seiic thts oocasion , , .
Attilio wiU bc able io advi^ me; he ìs pled^ to
il for the honoisr of ihe whole faniily/ Btil the idea
oo which he dwelt most. bccau!^c he found tt both a
loother ot bis doubts and a nouri^bcr of bis predominating
p^sìoft^ was the ibotight of the flatteries and promii^jt bc
'>1oy lo gain over Luda. * She will bc so terrified
^^^rseif bere alone, rn tbe midst of tiiesc fao^ that

ìm

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

> . * in trtrth, mine is the most human amongf t!u!ni
that she will look to me, wìll throw hcfself opoti ber knc
to pray; and ti shc prays • • *

While indulging in theftc fine aniiclpatìnns, tre hcars
fùotstep, gpcs to the window, opcns it a little, and pcef
tltroagh: ■ It is ihey. And the litter! — VVhcre i$ the lltterl
Three. five, eìght; ihey are ali ihcrc; lhere*« Griao toof
litter's not thcre : — Griso shàll give me an account of tJtla.*

VVlien thcy rcached the house, Griso depo^itcd Iii9 stsf
cap, and pilgrim^s habtt, in a corner of the grmmd-^
apariment, and, as il carrying a burden whieh no one
the moment cnvied hìm, ascended to render hìs accoc
Èù Don Rodrigo. He was waiting for him at the h«ad of
fbe ftiirs; and on hi* approaching with the foolisli and awl
ward air of a detudcd rlllain. * \Ve!l/ «Id, or ratbi
vodferated, he, 'Signor Booster, Signor Captalo, Stj

*It h hard/ rcpltcd Griso* restini^ onc ioot on ihm k
5tep, * it is hard to be greeted with reproache» after bav
laboured faiihfully. and endeavonred lo do odit^a doty,
tbc ride of one*s ti le/

* How bai tt gooc ? Let uà Hear, lei us hcar/ sald
[Itodrìgo; and* tumtng towards his room^ Griso folloi
lUai» and bricfly related how he had arranged, what he
^ikme» >ecn and noi aeen, heard, fcared, and rttrtev^;

tatbig it wtth thai order and lltat coctftislon« that dolnouafiea
lind Ùmt aatonisluncsit, wlticli must oee«iiarily Imre logother'
ftakai posae^on òf Ma kteaa.

* You are not io blame, and bave dona yùor li«it/ aaìd
Rodrigo. * Yot] ha ve done wliat you eould ; hot , . .
If under ihis roof there be a spy t If there be, if I
in diteoirenng htm (and yoti nuiy reil asaured TU
btm If he'j bere), IH aettla maitara wkh hiin; 1 pr
jfoo, Omo, m pay him a» lie '

'The sane soi^feloa, Sipr ed he, *ba«

imrf sdnd; and if tt be troe^ md we ducover a viUaltt ef i
mt* fnn^fi-r ■hookl pttl ft Ìnto iDy Haoda. One wbo

by maldnf me paat pikIs a night as ihìftj
ft iB mv Du-iJTic^ to pay Win for it. Howerer, ali
(«naidcred. It aens WMj there muf hafe beeii mmu

I PROMESSI SPOSI

\ puTpown, which tiùw w€ cannot fathorn, Tomorrow,
Signor^ to*itiorrow we shall be in clear water**
* Do >^u think you bave been recogni^ed ? *
Griso rtplied that he hoped not ; and the concluaion of the
intervicw was, that Don Rodrigo ordered him to do threc
tìtltsgs ncxt day, which he would bave tliought of weQ
oiough hy himsclf. One was, to despatch two mcn» tu good
tìme in the momiiig. to the constable, witb the intìmation
wliicli we bave alresdy noticed ; two others to the old house»
lo raffilile abont, and keep at a proper dlitanee any lotterer
whù mghl happen to come tbere, and to cooecal the littcr
trom cvcry cye ttll nij^htlall, wben they woufd send to fetcb
it, slnec it would not do to excite su&ptcton by any fmlhcr
nicfiumres at present ; and lasily, to go himsetf on a tour of
diicovery, and despateh scveral ctliers, of the masi dexterttj
and good scnsc, on the same errand, that he might Icaro
fiometliing of the canses and itane ol the conftision of the
ntgliL Havmg given Ihese orders, Don Rodrigo retired lo
btd, IcftTtiig Griso to follo w' bis example, bidding him good
mgbt, uid loading him witb prabes, through which appeared
u e%'ìcki]| dcsift to make some atooement. and in a raanncf
to apolagjxe for the precipitate baste witb which he had
rcproachcd him on bis arrivai.

Goj take some rett, poor Griso, lor tbou must surely
oeed ìL Poor Griiot Labounng hard al! day, labouring
hsrd lialf the fii>hL vHthout counting the dangcr of falling
ibe hsi' flains, or of having a price set upon thy

*f0r r iff of an hontst woman,* in addkion lo

thòMC already latd npon thc^, and then to be rcceived in ibis
Bftiifier f btit thos men often reward tlicir f clJows. Tbou
[migbtcit, nevcrtheìcss, sce in tbis instance, that somctimes
according to mcrit, and that nialterB are ad-

in tbis world, Go, rcst awhiìc: for soctie day

fosyefi be caUcd upon to gjve another and more con-
sidcrablc proof of thy faitbiulness,

riitnf« Griso wa» agaln snrrnunded witb business
Oli - i _injA. whitn Don Rodrigo rose. This noblcmaii
quickly foagbt Comit Attilia, wbo, the moment be eaw him
approat^ .. n. f ^^i i^ ^j^,^ ^i^ ^ }qqi^ imj gcstureol rail^
taiy, -. irtiar

188 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

' I flave nothing to say/ replied Don Rodrigo, fts he drew
near : ' I will pay the wager ; but it is net this that vexes me
most I told you nothing about it, because, I coofess, I
thought to surprise you this moming. But . . . stay, I will
teli you ali/

' That f riar has a hand in this business.' said his cousin,
after having listencd to the account with suspense and
wondennent, and with more serìousness than could bave
been expected froni a man of his temperamenL ' I always
thought that friar, with his dissembling and out-of-the-way
answers, was a knavè and a h>'pocrite. And you never
opened yourself to me, — ^you never told me plainly what
happened to entertain you the other day.' Don Rodrigo re-
lated the conversation. *And did you submit to that?* cx-
claimed Count Attilio. *Did you let him go away as he
carne?'

'Would you bave me draw upon myself ali the Capu-
chins of Italy ? *

*I don't know/ said Attilio, *whether I shonld bave re-
membered, at that moment, that there was another Capuchin
in the world except this daring knave; but surely, even
under the rules of prudence, there must be some way of get-
ting satisfaction even on a Capuchin! \Ve must manage
to redouble civilities deverly to the whole body, and then
we can give a blow to one member with impunity. However,
the f ellow has escaped the punishment he best deser\'ed ; bot
ni take him under my protection, and bave the gratificatioQ
of teaching him how to talk to gentlcmen such as we are.'

* Don*t make matters worse for me.'

' Trust me for once, and 1*11 serve >*ou like a relation and
a friend.'

• WTiat do you intend to do?*

' I don*t know yet : but rest assured 1*11 pay off the f riar.
ni think about it. and . . . my uncle. the Signor Count of
the Privy Conncil, will be the man to help me. Dear onde
Count ! How fine it is. when I can make a poHtician of his
stamp do ali my work for me! The day after to-morrow
I shall be at Milan« and, in one way or other, the frìar shall
be rewarded.*

In the mean while breakfast was aanounced» which, hoir-

I PROMESSI SPOSI

189

«Ter, mttde no intcrrtrption in the distmssion of an affair o£
so much Importance. Count Attilio talked about It frccly;
a&d ihough he took that side which bis friendship to bis
coQsìn and the honour o£ hls natne required, tccordmg to
EU ideas of fricndship and honour, yct he coold not hetp
occasionaily finding somethio^ to laugh at in the ili-success
of hU relative and friend. But Don Rodrigo, who fclt it
was bis own cause, and who had so stgnally fajled whcfl
boping qutedy to strike a great blow^ was agitated by
Strofìger passi ons, and distracted by more vexatìous thaughts,
• Fine talk/ said he, * thcse rascals will make in the neigh-
botirbood. But what do I care? As to just ice, I laugh at it:
tbere is no proof agaìnst nae, aod even if thcre wcre, I
abotdd ^re for it just as little: tfie constable was wamed
Chìs tnommg to takc good hccd, at the risk of hh li fé, that
he makes no deposttioa of what has happened, Nothing will
follow frolli it ; but gosstpmg, when carried to any lengtli, is
irety aftnoytQg to me. lt*s i|uitc enotìgh that 1 bave been
bittlied so nomerei fully/

•You did qnite rightiyp' replied Count Attilio. ' Yoor
Po4esli . , , an obstinate, empty-pated, prosing fdlow. that
Pùdeali , - , is nevcrthekss a gentleman, a man who knows
iijs diìty; and ìt is just when we have to do with such people,
that wc must take care not to bring them into dtfficulties* It
tbat rascal of a D^nstable shouìd make a deposition, the
Flodesti, bowever welNintentiotied, would be obliged . . /

•But you/ interrupted Don Rodrigo, with some warrath,
*ycni tpoil ali my afìairs by contradicting hira in everything,
hf siJeiicing blm, and laugbìng at htm on every oceasion*
Why eannot a Podestà bc an obstinate fool, wbcn at the
same tbnc he i& a genlleman ? '

* I>o yoti know^ cousin/ said Count Attilio, glanctng to-
urards htm a loolc of raìllrry and surprisc ; ' do you kiiow
ÙiMt I bcgin to tiiink you are half afraid? In eamcst^ you
vny reft asis^ored that the Podestà . . .*

*WelI, wcll. didn't you yaur»e]f say tlìat we mmi be
earcful . . •?*

' I Sd : and when h ts a serinus inatter, FU ìct yen
tliat Vm noi a child. Do >oii kiK>w ali that I have courage
tu do for yvQ P I am ready to go tn person to this Signor

190

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Podestà. Aha! how proud he wìll bc of ih<! honotirl Asd
I am ready, mor cover, to let him talk for half ait houf abolii^
the Count D«ke, and the Spanish Signor, the governar oli
the castlc, and to give an car to evcrytbin^, evrn when hol
tajks so inightily aboui these pcoplc. Theo I wili throw in'
a few words about my uncle, the Signor Couut of U
Council^ and you wilI sec what effect the*e words hi i
of the Signor Podestà will produce. After ali, he ha»
need of our protection than you of hìs condescenstoo. I wUI'
do my best. and will go to him, and^eave bini better dìs-
poscd towards you than cver.'

After these, and a few sinaìlar words, Coofit AttiHo let off
OH hit expedition, and Don Rodrigo remained awaìting
^ jpoxiety Grtso's return. Towards dinner-titne he made

ice, and reportcd the soccess of bla reeotmoiterÌQg
ar.

The lumuìì of the preceding night had been so ctamofoui»

disappearancc of thrce personi from a village wai m^

age an occurrence, that the inqutries, both from tiiter«

ad €urjosity« would naturally he many, cagtr» and perteYcr^

and, ofi the other band» tbose «ho kxiew some

[wcre too numeroua to agree m roalntainiiig sìleisoe oo

Pcrpeti» coidd not $ct fool otit of doors wttl

assalled by on6 or another to kaow what ti waa

so alarmed her master, and she ber&etf^ reviewing aod]

Qparifig aO the drcunistanees of the ca*c, and pcrceivii

sbe had beco iispofed ttpon by Agnese, f eli to
Sgnattoo ai the act of pèrèdf. that tlie waa ever
i gtve ¥ent to ber f ecitngaM Hot that the oomplaioed lo i
rcftr that persùo of the manraer hi whìch ahe «aa ìm^
upoQ : o«t thìs subject she did not breathe a syìUhle : bui
i^trkk played opon her poor nuuter ahe ooald not altogdhe

over la silcxice; cspecialìy aa aocb a trick had

(cQQCcrted and attenpced by thiìt genile creature, that

, and that worthy widow. Don ÀSikiméih, fndeed, <

foirhid ber, and cafncally cn*^ to bt fiknt;|

abe eoold ostly eootigh reply th:i waa no

i urge npon ber what wai to ckar and evìdcnt; bot <
ìm that anch a secret in the poor woinan^s bmast wat 1
Qcw wioe in aa old Mmì bidly hoo|^ cadi» mìéàk lef^

f PROMÉSSI BP08Ì 191

meiits, and twibbkf» and boi!*, and ìf it does noi seod the
Imiig into the air, worVs ìtself about till it tssucs in froth.
ftnd |>«ietrate9 betwcen the staves, and oores out in drops
bere and there, m that one can taste ìt, and almoat decide
whmt Mnd of wine it h. Gcrvase, who could scarcely beticYe
tbat for onc« he was better informed tban bis ncigbbourg,
Wbo thoogbt It no little glory to bave bteii a sb;ircT in stich
a scene of terror, and whó fancìed himself a man Itke the
Hthers» from having lent a band in an enterprise that bore
llie at>P*^'^'^^^ ^^ criminality, was dying to make a boast of
Il And though Tonio, who thougbt witb some dread of the
itiqttìrtes, the possible processes, and the account that wou!d
bave to bc fender ed, gave him many injunctìons with bìs
finger tipon bis Hps, yet it was not possiblc to silencc every
Mfd. Even Tonio hfmsclf, after bavbig been absent front
liotD^ that night at an itniisual hour, and returning witb an
imiittiaì step and air, and an cxciietnent of mind that dis-
posed him io candonr.'^^veti be could not dissimulate the
matier with hì& wife; and she was not dumb» The person
wto taiked Icast was Menico: for no sooner had be rehted
Ifv bis partati! 5 Tb<- hì^^iory artd the objcct of bis expedition,
Ikiji ì I S.O ter ribìc a thjng that theif son had

Imo t , r rating an undertaking of Don Rod-

tip>% that t)iey scar cely suiFered the boy to finish bis narra-
Thcy then gave him most strenuoiis and tbreatenìng
lo lake good beed that he dld not give the leàst him
at anytltìng; and the next tnoming, not yet feeling suffi-
ciesitly coviÉdeiìl in him, they resolved to Iceep him sbnt up
in the hoQse for it least that day, and perbaps even Tonger,
BtoE what tbtìi? They tbemselves aftefwards. in cbattìng
with thrir neighboiirif, witboiit wisbing to show that thcy
knew more iban otbers, yet when they carne to that nmttf ì-
MS point w the flight of the three ftigitives, and the how, and
the why^ and the wherc. added, almost as a well-known thtng,
that thcy liad fled to Pescarenico, Thus this circumstance
also waj feneraUy noised abroad.

With ali ihesé derapa of tnformatlon, piit together and
omifared z% * if with the r rnents natnrally

atiacbed to sl unt, therc ^ ,, Jids for a story

of more €crtaìnty ancl cteameis than cotmnon, and $uch ai

ALfiSSANDEO MANZONI

rime on thè way. if everybody tiftd liut two friertH», the Ofi€
wbo tells hinu and the onc lo whom hr 'he

injuìiction of §iii:rice. But sorac highly t urc

are who reckcws Ihete blcssrngs by the hundred, and whca
tlie secret comes tnto ihe hands of one of thcse^ the ctrcks
multlpty so rapìdiy that ìt Is go lortger po&sibte m piìt»ì/t
thtm.

Our auihor has been tinable to certi fy tbmugb haw mtmj
mouths the secret had fiasaed whicb Griso was ordcred
to discover, but certaiti it is tbat the good mzn ^bo h»d
eaeorted tbe wotnen to Monza, rctuniing in : j Pes-
carenico, towards evenìng, bappencd/before i ^ bofsc,

to light upon one of thcse trnstworthy frlcnds, to whom he
reUted, in confidence, the good work he bad just coinf>1etc4
and its sequel ; and it is eqtially certain th;it, two honn aftcf*
wards, Griso was ab!e to return to the palace, and ìnfona
Dmi Rodrigo that Lucia and ber mot ber bad foiind refugt
in a convent at Monia^ and tbat Renzo bad jnirstied hb way
to Milan.

Don Rodrigo feìt a tnaltciotis ^iatisf action on hearing of
tfais separation, and a revival of hope tbat be mìghi ai teagtli
accotnpHsh hìi wicked dcsigns. He spcnt gre;it part of the
flight fai mcdiiating on bin p!ans, and arose carly in lite tnora-
ing with two project* in bis mind, the one dHrrmìned npon,
the otber otily roughìy sketcbed oot* Tbe (tr- H*

itely lo despatdi Grl»o lo Monza, to Icarn « i iar

tidings of Lucie, and to koow wbat {li anything) he mìgfat
attenijn. He tbereforc in»tantly sntnmoncd tliis faitbful ier»
rant, pliced in hi» band four crowns, again commcndcd him
for the ability by which he bud camed tbesn, and gave him tbe
Ofder he had been preraeciitatìnjj.

• Signor . . .' said Gt' ig bis way,

* Whal?havefi*c I npi ^^'y?*

* n you would send iomebody . . /
•Howf

• Mo*t illiwtrioui? Signor, 1 ain ready to gtve my li fé (or
my master : It is tny dtity ; but I know atso voci vnmìd not tie
witHng unnecessarilr to ri.ik that of your depe(idetit&.'

'Your tUasirtotti lordsbip biowf vcry wrfl

I PBOMESSI SP09I

195

are already set upon my head; aiid . . . here I am
ttnOer tlj<; protectìon of your lordshìjji we are a partjr; the
Signor Fodera is m friend of the faruily; the bailiifs bear me
some rcspect ; and I, too * . , it is a thing ihat doe^ me little
hooour— but to live tjuietJy _ . I treat thera as fficnds, Ift
Milati^ ymir Iordshìp*s livery is known ; but III Montai l atti
knot^Ti therc ìiisiead* And is your lordship aware that — I
don r to makc a boast of myself^ — tbat any oiie who

co;ì me over fa justicc, or deliver in my head, would

Ittrike a great b!oW. A hundred crowas at once, ajid the
rpftTitege o£ hberattiig two bandittl'

*V^*^atr exdaimed Don Rodrigo, with an oatb: *y0tl

, shcming yotifself a vile cur that has scarcely courage ko fly

hat the leg* of a passer*by, looking behìnd hiin fot f esr they

thmdd shut tlie doot npon bìm, and net daring to leave H

yioor yards ! '

' thÌTìlv. Signor patron^ that I have givcn proof , , /
lienr
^Thrti/ frankly repHcd Griso, when thus brought to the
%ì^ ' tben your k^rdahip wiil he good etiough to reckon
if 1 had never spokeo : hcart of a iloti, legs of a bare, and

• ' -CI off;

say yoii shottld go alone. Take with yoti
;W4> t>: est ... Io Sfregiato/ and il Tiradritto:' ^o

vìth a *, and be our own Griso. What t three faces

v^sing by, who do you thfnk wouldti't be
^ ^ ci The bailifìfs al Mon^a ranst needs be
weary of li fé to stake agaìnst lì a hundred crowns in to
bmzardotxt a gttme. And, bcstdes, don*t you think I am so
tàttEtìf unkiiown there, that a servaiit of mine would be

COtr '

ìT Griso a Ultle, he ptoceeded to gire hliii
iiirr particidar tnstnictions. Gn-^o look his two

ooir, j «;t off with a checrftj! and hardy look, btlt

carmtng. in the bottoni of his hcart, Monza, and interdicts»
Mai wof*>*^ '■'^^ the fanclei: of patrona: he walked on likc a
f ¥' -^d b\* htmger, his body cinaciated, and the

5 ^T nr rìbs foipri * '>iì bis grey hide, de^cnds
the naouiuatni^ whc: hing ìè covered with iaow,

196

ALESSANDRO MAN20OT

proceeds suspiciously aJong the plain, stops, f lom lime to timc^
witb uplifted foot, and wa%^cs his haìrless tai] ;

■ Rolses his no^, and snuffs the faìthkss iriiitL*

if perchance it tnay bring him the scent of man or beast;
erects his sharp ears, and rolls around two sanguinary eyes,
from which shbe forth both eagcmess for the prey and tcrror
of ptirsult. If the reader wishcs to know whence I bave got
thìs fìne line, ìt >s taken from a small unpublished work oa
Crusaders and LombardB, which wilt shordy be publishedf
and male e a great stir; and I bave borro wed it because ìt
suited my ptirpose, and told where I got it, tbat I might not
take credit due to others : so let tio one think it a pian of mine
to proclaim ihat the author of this little hook and I are like
brothers, and that T nimmage at will among his maniiscripts.
The other project of Don Rodrigo's, was the devising of
some pian to prevent Ren2o*s agaìn rejoining Lucia^ or setting
foot in tbat part of the country. He therefore resolved to
spread abroad nimours of threats and snares^ which, coming
to his hearing through some friend, might deprive him of any
wish to return to that neighbourhood He thought, however,
that the surest way of dotng this would be to procure his ban-
ishment by the state; and to succeed in his project, he felt
that law would be more Likely to answer his purpose than
force. He could, for example, give a little cotouring to the
attempt made at tìie parsonage, paint it as an aggressive atid
sedìtious act, and, by means of the doctor, sìgnify to the
Podestà that this was an opportuni ty of issuìng an appre-
henston against Renzo. But our deliberator quickly perceìved
that it would not do fot him to meddle iti this infamous
fiegotiation ; and, without pondering over it any longer. he
resolved to open his mìnd to Doctor Azzecca-Garbugli ; so
far, that is, as was necessary to make htm acquaijited with
his desire. — There are so many edicts ! thought Don Rodrigo :
and the Doctor's not a goose: he will be sure to find some-
thing to suit my purpose— some quarrel to pick with this
rascally fellow of a weavcrt otherwise he must give up hii
name,^ — But (how stran gè ly matters are brought about in this
worldt) while Don Rodrigo was thus fixing upon the doctor,
RS the man most able to serve him, ano±er person, one that

I PROMESSI SPOSI

197

ndboóy woiald ìmagine, even Renzo himself, wes labouring, so
to say, with ali his heart, to serve him, in a far more certaìti
and expeditious way than any the doctor could possibly have
devised,

I have often seen a childj more active, certamly, than needs
be, but at every movement giving eamest of becoming, some
day^ a brav« man : I have often, I say, seen such a one busied,
towards cvening, in driving lo cover a drovc of little Indìan
pigs* which had been allowed alt day to ramble about in a
fidd or orcbard. He wouid try to make them ali enter die fold
In a drovc ; but it was labour in vain : one would strike off to
the rìght^ and while the little drover was running to bring
hìm back into the herd, another, or two, or three, would start
off to the left, in every direction. So that, after getting out
of ali patience, he at last adapted himself to their ways, first
driving in those which were nearest to the entrance, and then
going to fetch the others, one or two at a time, as tbey hap-
p«ned to have strayed away. A sìmìlar game we are obliged
to play with our characters ; — havìng sheltered Lucia, wc ran
to Don Rodrigo, and now we must leave him to receive Renzo,
who meets us in our way,

After the moumful s epa rati on we have related, he pro-
ceeded from Monza towards Mibn^ in a state of mìnd our
readers can easily imagine. To leave bis own dwelling ; and,
wbat was worse, bis native village: and, what was worse
stili, Lucia; to find himself on the high road, without know»
ing where he was about to lay his head, and ali on account of
that vìUainl \Mien this ìmage presented itself to Renzo's
mind, he would he quite swallowed up with rage and the de-
sire of vengeance ; but then he would recoUect the prayer
which he had joined in offering up with the good friar in the
church at Pescarenico, and repent o£ bis anger; then he would
again he roiìsed to indtgnation; but seesng an image in the
Wall, he would take off bis hat, and stop a moment to repeat
a prayer; so that during this journey he had killed Don
Rodrigo, and raiscd hìm to lì fé again, at least twenty times*
The road bere was completely buri ed between two high banks,
muddy, stony, furrowed with deep cart-ruts^ which, after a
shower, became perfect strearas; and where these dìd not
form a suiBcient bed for the water, the whole road was ia-

198 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

undated and reduced to a pool, so as to be almost ittipassable.
At such places, a steep foot-path, in the forni of steps, up
the bank, Indicated that other passengers hàd made à trftdr
in the fields. Renzo mounted by one of thcse passes to the
more elevated ground, and, looking around him, beheld the
noble pile of the cathedra! towcring alone above the plani,
not as if standing iti the midst of a city, btit rathef as thougfa
it rose from a desert. He paused, forgetful of ali his sor-
rows, and contcmplated thns at a distancc that cighth Wonder
of the world, of which he had heard so much from his In-
fancy. But turning round, after a moment or two, he beheld
along the horizon that rugged ridge of mountains : he beheld,
distinct and elevated among these, his own Resegone, and
felt his blood curdle within him; then indulging for a feW
minutes in a moumful look in that direction, he slowly aild
sadly turncd round, and continued his way. By dcgrees, he
began to disccm belfrics and towers, cupolas and roofs; then
descending into the road, he walked forward for a long timc;
and, when he found that he was near the city, accosted a
passcnger, and making a low bow. with the bcst politeness
ile was master of, said to him, * Will you be kind enougfa.
Signor . . .?'

' What do you want, my brave youth ? '

* Can you direct me the shortest way to the Capuchin
Convent where Father Bonaventura lives ? '

The person to whom Renzo addressed himself was $i
wealthy resident in the neighbourhood. who having bccn
that moming to Milan on business, was returning with-
out having done anything. in grcat baste to reach his home
before dark, and thercfore quitc willing to escape this dc-
tention. Xevertheless. without beirayiri: any impatiencc,
he courteously rcplied: * My ecol fricr.d. there are many
more convents than one: you r:u>! tc!^ rr.e more clearly
which one you are sccking.' Rerzo :::er. drcw from his
boscm Father Cri>ioforo's Ictter. and sh-rwed it to the
gentleman, who having read the addre?? : * Porta Orientale/
said he. returr.ini; it to him: *ycu are fonunate. yomig
man: the convent you want is net far hence. Takc thiS
narrow Street to the left: it is a by-way: net far off you
will come to the corner of a long and low building: *Jik il

I PnOMESSl SPOiI

Lazaretto; folTow the moat that stirroimdi Jt, and ytm
ili come Oilt at the Porta Orientale. Enter the gate, and
or four himdred yards further, you wìll sec a little
afe surrmiiidet! by elms; tlierc is the convent, and yon
ot mi3takc it. God be with you, my brave yoath/
i, aeeampnnying the last words with a cotirteoiis wave
of the hand, he coniìnued his way* Renoso sto od stirprised
and cdiiied at the affable manners ©f the cHìzcns towards
strang^rs, and knew not that it was an tinusua! day — a day
f ' *( the Spanìsh cloak had to stocrp before the doublet.
: A ed the path that had becn pointcd out, une arrived

at the Porta Orientale. The reader, however, must not
allow the scene now associated with this narae to present
tfcsell io hìs mindr the wide and slraight Street flanked whh
vnril:ir^ oiit^ide; the spadous ópening between two piles
^ ^g» begun, al least, with some pretensions; on first

riuerujv' these two lateral mounds at the base of the bai*
tk>nf« rcgtilarly sloped, levelled at the top, and edged with
tfecs; liiat gafdcti on one side, and further on, tliose palaees
on tlie righi and Icft of the priticipal Street of the suburbi
When Renzo cntered by that gate, the Street outsìdc ran
straight along the whole length of the Lazarctto, it betnf
iitipofiible for it, for that distancc, to do otherwise; thea
h coofinued tfOQkcd and narrow between the two hedget.
The gate consisted of two pillars with a rooing above to
protect t! :>oats, a»d on one side a smaU cottage fof

the oMttf officcrs. The bases of the bastions were

of trregr and the pavement was a rougb and

tincqunl M Jibish and fragnìents of broken vessel»

Ihruwn tbere t?y chance. The Street of the subnrb which
aed to the view of a person cntering the Porta Orien*
bore no bad resenjblance to that now facing iht
Itrance of the Porta Tosa. A smatl ditch ran along the
ile, till withìn a few yards of the gate, and thus didded
rwo windì jw streets, eorered with dutt or

ficcordinj: t* ^^on* At the spot wbere was, and

U, Street called the BorgheJto, thìi ditch

ied i: 1 a scwer, and thcnce into the othcr ditch

wa&bes the walts. Here itood a colunsn iiirmounted
> entmt cmBmà tlio Column of Sao Dionigi : oa tbe rtght

aOD ALESSANDRO MANZONI

and left were garden s enclosed by hcdgcs, and at intervab
a few small cottages. iiihabited chicfly by washerwomen.
Renzo cntered the gate, and pursued bis way; none of the
custom-house officers spoke to bini, wbich appeared to him
the more wonderful, since the few iti tbis country who could
boast of having been at Milaii, bad related marvellous
stories of the examinations and interrogations to which ali
tho.^o who entered were snbjectcd. The Street was deserted;
so inuch so. that bad he not heard a distant buzz indicating
some grcat movemcnt, he woiild bave fancied he was cntcr-
ing a forsakcn town. Advanciiig forward, without knowing
what to make of tbis, he saw on the pavenient certain
whitc streaks. as wbìte as snow; but snow it could not bc,
since it does not fall in streaks. nor usually at tbis season.
He advanced to o!ìe of those, looked at it. toucbed it, and
felt assured that it was tlour. — A great abundance, thou^t
he, ihore must bc in MìIliii. il tbcy scatter in tbis manner
the gifts of God. They gavo us to understand that there
was a great f ani ine evorywberc. See how they go about
to makc us poor pcoplo qui et. — Going a few steps further,
and coniins: up to the col-.mri. !io saw at its foot a stili
strangcr sight: scatterei! about on the steps of the pedestal
were ibings wbich ceriainly were not stoncs, and, bad they
bccn on a baker*s counter, he woulJ noi bave hesitated a
moment to cali thom loavcs. i»ut Renro would not so readily
trust bis eyes: bccauso. lorsootlil tbis was not a likely
place for bread. — Le: us >oo what those thìngs can be. — said
he again to himsc^f; and. sioinv; to the cvMumn. he stoopcd
dowTT. and look ono in bis hav.d: it was rcally a round, very
white Ioal. and >ucb a.* Kcn:'0 was u'.uiociistomed to eat,
exccpt on boly days — li is roal'v bro:idI s^nd he aloud. so
grea: was bis a>tor.i>h:v.c::t :— is :*:•> tV.o w,u- ihcy scatter it
in thì? cvni:ì:r>-? in s'.'.cl: a yc^r loo: zr:\ i!or:*i they even
givc tbcmselves the troub-o to pi^k i:i^ \v>.a! f.i'!>: this must
be the land of the Cv.oc;;cn.'. I* A::cr u:*. tv.r'os' wa!k in the
fresb moming air, tV.i> bro.u!. w^o:i ho V;.I rocovered his
se 1 X - pò >se ssion, a rou > ov! ì ■ s a y r*o : i : o - S : ■ .; W I t a \ o ìt ? de-
liberated he: poh! they bave lo-i •: lioro to the disoretion
of dogs. and sure'y a Christian "mv :a>:c it. And. after

*Tbe luaie qì ah ì«ÌeAl cvuacrv. *Jf.<-iicvj a*.! Mrt» ci ^vfAsmL

I FEOMBSSI SPOSI

201

«li. Il tìie owfifr cornea forward. I wiU pay hìm.— Thus
reasoomiTt J^e pni t!ie Ioaf he held in bis hand into one
ì)Ocket, look trp a sccfmd and ptit it tnlo the other, and m
tliird, which he began lo eat, and theo proceedtd on his
way, more tmcertala than ever, and langiiig to have tliis
strange mystery clcared up, Scar^fely had he started, whcn
saw peoplc Issuing from the ititcrìor of the city, and he
tood stìil to watch those who first appeared, They were a
1^ a woman, and, a little way behind, a boy; ali three
ring a Ioad on their backs which seemed beyond their
"strcogth, and ali three in a tuost csctraordlnary condition.
Their dress, or rather their rags» covered wiih flour, their
§$C€3 Qoored, and, at the sarac titne, distorted and mucb
beat ed; they walked not only as if wearìed by tlicif Ioad,
b«it tremblmg m if tiicir lìmbs had bccti bcatcn and bmls^
[le man staggered under the weight of a large sack of
>iir, whjcb, bere and there io holes, scauered a shower
at very sttimble, at every distiirbance of hb eqtiili-
But the igure of the vvoman was stili more awfc-
wsrd: an unwieldy bnìk, two cxtctidcd arnis which seemed
to bear it tip with dilHciiity, and looked lìke two carved
handks from the ncck to the wìdest part cf a large kilder*
and bcneatli tbis enormotis body, two legs, naked up
the knees. which could scarcely totter along. Renzo
ied fteadily at this great bulk, and dìseovered thàt it
tbe woman*s gown tumed «p around hcrs with as much
r in il as it couM hold, and rather more, so that from
tiaie to tìme It was scattcrcd in handfais over the g^omiA
Tbe boy hcid with hoth hands a basket full of bread upon
it head; bfit, from havìng shorter legs than bis parents,
krpt falltng bchìmj by degrees, and in running fotward
oreruke them^ the basket Jo&t jts balance, and a few
oavea fetU

Il voti lei anotber fall, yoti vile, helpless , • / said th«
iier, gnasbing ber tccth at the chtld,
don*t Ict them faDj tbe>* fall thetnselves, How can t
[ft?* repbwl he.

ì\ it't wcll for yofi that I bave my bands engagted/

*"-4 the wooum, ihakmi; ber usi, as if shc would bave

e poor ciiild tt blow; and with this tnovemcnt shn

ao2

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

scnt forih a fresh cloud ol flour, enough tó bave
more tlmn the two Ioavcs the boy had let fall

'Come, come/ said the taaii, *we will go back
to pick thcm up^ or somebody will do h for iis: we Ìì
a long while in want; now that we have got a liule
dance, let us enjoy it in^bìesscd peace/

In the meati tfme pcople arrived from withotil; and onc
of thcm, accostìng the woman, * Whcrc tnusi we go to g«
brcad?* atkcd he. 'Forward, forw:ird,' wai her rfifi]|
and wbcn they wttt a few yards past. ahe addéci
ingr 'These blackguard peasants wtU come and 11^

the bakehoa&es and mag&zines, and tliere wìll te nothitig
left for us/

*There's a h'ttle for evcrybody, magpie/ said ihc htit-
band ; * plenty, plcnty/

From thia and cimila r sceiics whieh Renoso hcard and
witnessed, he bcgan la gathcr that he had come lo a city
a siate of rnsurrection^ and thal this was a day of vio
tory ; that h to say, wben cvcry onc bel ped hi m self in'
proportioti to bis indtoatjoa and power, givìnjf bIow5 tn
paymcnt. Howcvcr we may desire tn make our poor m
tatneer appesir to the l^est advaolage, y«^ htsiorìca] accui *-^^
obligee US to say, that his gmt feeling was that of satini
tion. He had m little to rejoic^ at in the orduiary eotir
of things, that he was incliiìed to approve of anything thi
inigbt make a cbange, wbatevcr it mìght he,
not beìng a man stiperio? to hts age, he tr-i

iCOmnton opinion, or ■ i\ that the scarcity !

^DVt* produccd by rrn- ^ -; and bakers: and r<
he esteem every method i»ftifiab1c of ref^Cmr
grasp the food, which thcy, accordtng to thi; ..j....,..., ^,
cniclly dcnied to the htmgrr of a whi)lc people. He rc-
jolved» however. lo v ' ( the tittrjiiU, and rejokcff a

[lieing dtrccted to a < who would rive him shelte

fand good advjce, Euiiagcd m «tich r- : lookit

aboui hìm at the fre»h victnrs who Um witì

npotl, he look the sborl road that atiil rcoiiupcd to reach
the coovent

On the pretcfit site of a noblc pabce« wìtb iti besutìfii
portico^ ihere waa foroierJy, and till within a vrrx- r-^l

I PHOMESSl SPOSI

203

ytArs, a small square, and at the furthcst side of thìs, the
chttrch anti conveat of the Capuchms, with lour large
diDS standiof before thenu Wc congratulate, not without
«vy, ihose o! Olir readers wha bave not seen Milan ms
thtis dcscrìbedi tliat ts, because they must bc very young,
and bave not had inucb time lo comniit many foUies. Renzo
wctit straifbt to the door, put into hìs bosom the remaìn-
ing hall Ioaf, look out bis letter and held k ready in bis
J, ajid rang the beli A small wìcket was opened at the
aons, and the face of the poiter appeared at the grate
wbo was there,
* One frooi the country, bringing an tmportant letter to
ther Bonaventura froin Father Cristoforo/
*Give it me/ said the porter, putting bis band tbrougfa

grate.
'No, 00/ sald Rensco, 'I must gìvc it into hìs own

it not In the Convent/
i'Ltt aie come in. then, and I will wait for him,' repUed
ttnzo.

'Fotlow njy advice/ rejoined the friar; 'go and wait in
ili» cbttrch, wbcre you may be employing yourself profit-
àbff* Vou cannot be admitted itito the eonvent at pre^ent/
So saytng, he cjosed the wtcket,

^ '- %ìood irresoluie, with the lettcf in his band He

:' : a few steps towards the door of the churcb, to

:^w tiie ad vice of tJie porter» but thcught he wouid first

ftve inother glance at the stir outsidc. He crosscd

•quare, reacbed the side of tbc road, and itood wtth

urm^ erossed on bis hrca^t to walch the tbickc*t and

notsy pan oi the crowd that wai i&guing frotn the

. . ior of the city. The vortcx attraeteti our spettato r —

Id uj go and pee ihougbt he; and agaìn taking out the

of brcad, he began lo eat, and advanced towards the

WbiJc he was walking thitbcf, we mìì relaic, a$

Sy aa posstble, tbc cause^ and beginnitigs of ibis oproan

CHAPTER XII

THIS was the second year of the scarcity. In the pre-
ccding ycar, the surplus rcmaining from formcr sca-
sons had more or less supplicd the deficiency ; and the
people, neither satiated nor famishcd, but certainly sufr
ciently unprovided for, had reached the harvest of 1628, in
which our story finds us, Now, this har\'cst, so long and
eagerly looked forward to, proved stili less productive than
the formcr, partly on account of the ad verse character
of the season (and that not only at Milan, but. in great
mcasurc. in the surroundin? cciurury?, ar.«i partly by the
agency r.f man. >i:ch werc Oie ni' a^c^ v.rA havoc
of the war — liiat air. labi e war to which wc V.ave ai ready
alludcd — that in the jp.ns < •" t'.o c« ::^:^y >.''■].— ire on its
scene, nrjch n^rre land than i:^i:a! r.-.a^nci v-ncv.'iivated
and deser*cù by the pL-risants. v.'r.o i::*ic:i'I e: \v...rking to
provi de locd for thon-.sclvcs and other?. were cbliged to
wander about as bce?ars. I have sa: 1. more than usuai,
because the insupportable taxc>. levied with unequalled
cupidity and folly — the habitual co::!v.ct, evcn in perfect
peace. of the station ary troops.— conti u et which the moum-
ful docim:ents of the agc compare to tha: 01 an in-
vading enemy — and othcr reasons. which thi? i? not the place
to enumerate, had for some lime becn prcfucin;: this sad
cfFect throughoi:t the whole e: the Milanese : :ho panicular
drcumstances, of which we are ncw 5:>eakinì:. being but the
sudden exacerbation cf a chr«-nic «!i?c2fo N- sooner had
this dpf^cient harvest bcen ca-'-'c : i" :*'-n th: provi sions
for the anry. ard the waste w''-ich a'v..-. > r.rc t 7 ani: 5 thcm,
made s-jch a fearf-jl void in i:. :ha: >carc:r.- ruicV'y made
itself fe't. ard w:*h 5ca'-::y ::? r-.c'in.-r 'v. v-- --crtable,
as weT- ae inev:tab>. eroct. a ri -e •?: ^ricv?

R-.Tt when th* r'ice ^f :*-:•- r:a:*::^ a e --i:-: ^ in:. :herc
a!ways ari>es 'a: ka?:. '-'•''-.:'■ ^ •: '-.i. -.' \:.- i an^i'-. : and
if it !5 SO 5ti!l. a::er a!: :'--: hai S:;n '.^-:::e" by >? n-any
kamcd men, what must ì: have betn in :h:>e òiy> ! .— :herc

20C

I PHOirESSI SPOSI

opinion among the many that !t h not the
'. They forget that thcy had lorcsccn and
prciflctcd SQch an issue; they stiddenly fancy that therc is
ptenty ai coro, and that the evil proceeds from therc oot
being as uiuch distributcd as is required for consumption ;
pfopodtions syificiently prepost e rotìs, but whìch fìatter hoth
llirìr ing^ atìd iheir hopes, Corn raotiopolists» either rea!
or imaginary, largc landholders, the bakers who purdiased
eom^ all^ m shorts who had either little or much. or were
thought to bave any, \verc charged wilh bdng tlie causes
of the searctty and dcaroess of proi^isions: thcy werc the
objecis ùi tmivef saJ coti) piai nt, and of the hatrcd of the mul^
litude of cvery rank* The populacc could teli with certaìoty
vrho'e thcre wcre inaga/ines and granaries full atid over-
flowlng with com, and eveti rcqtiiring to be propped vtp;
thcy ttidicated luost extravagant numbers of sacks; they
tàSkeà with certainty of the immense quantitìes of grain
seeredy despatthed to othcr placcs, where, probably^ it waa
asserted wìih eqoal assuratice and equa! excitcment, that the
corn gTOwn tbere was transported to Milan. Tlicy implored
irom the magistrates those precaudons which always appear^
or a£ Jeastj ha ve always hi ih erto appcared, so equitable, so
almiile; so capable of drawitig forth the com whìch thcy
«ffirtn to be secreted, walled up» or brtned, and of reatoring
to thcm abundance. The magistrates, therc f ore, busied thein-
^?cs m fixing the highcst price that was to be charged
itpon every comiDodity; in thrcatcning punishtweot to any
Ode who should refase io scll; and making other regulatìons
of a similar nature. As» however, ali human prccautìons,
IwfW vigorous socver, can ncithcr diminish the necessify of
food, nor prodticc cnjps out of seasnn: and as these ia*
dhrìdtu] prccamiooi otTercd no vcfy inviting terms to other
oountrìei wherc ihcrc mìght he a superahtmdance, the evil
[«tintied atid increa sed The multi tu de attributed such an
to the dcarcity and feeblcness of the remedie*, and
^y ...i;...t.,.f ,,.„,., ifiore spiritcd and deeiiive measures.
j«d a man after tlieir own heart,

-Tior, Dnn ' ' '" ndC2

ì over 1 4to,

liil^h CiiAncilli^c AiiiQuio Ferrcr, Jii^ a Spazia (Up 6U|h

ALM8ANCB0 MANZONI

plied hìs place «t Mjlan. Tlirs man saw (4nd who eoald kdp
Bering it?) tbat il miKl<:r£ite pricc oit brcad 13 in itsetf »
nioit dfsjrabtcì ihing; and h< ihougbt (here was his tuistikt)
that an ordcr irom bìm wogld soffice to produce il He fis«d
iht lioiìt (lù m€ta, by which fiajnc the tarifìf was disungttjilifd
in artjcTei oi food.) at the price tJiat bread woiiìd have had,
H the oorn had becn gcnerally sotd at thirty>thf€c livrei
the bushel* &nd ihey sold it m ìùgh as ei^hty. Ile ictcd
hice the otd woman who thought lo tnake berself ycting acain
by changiog ber bapHsmal fakh.

Regulations leti ìrrationat ajid Ics» un just had, on more
thftn ane occasiona by the reaUtance of actyal circumilaiie
fematned unexecuted; bui that this shotild be ciittìtà h
effect was undcnakcfi by the multitude, who, ^eclng:
demaiids at laat convencd into a law, wuuld not buffer
to be a mere fonti. They immrdirttcly ran to the bai
houses, to demand bread at the fixcd price: and thcy r«
qutrcd it witU that air of threatening resohition whidi pa»^
itoti, force» and law unitod could impart* Il ticc<] noi
a&ked if the bakcrs rcststcd* Witb ^Iccves tarnod up» ibc
wcrc bu{sied in carryìjig, fmitiQg into the oven, and takìm
out ihence, without intermiaaion ; for the peoplc, ba^ing
cofifuied idea that It waa Ick» vjolent aia attempt to la^t

'lonir, bfikgcd the bake-bouaes Inceisantly, to enjoy thdr^
tcniporary good fortune; and every rcader cau tmagiiie
a plcaaure tt uiìtst havc been to drudge like a »ia%*c,
cxpoat one'fi aclf more thati usuajly to an attack of pleurìaf j
to he, after ali, a toner io oonyeqoiaice. 0ut with maginirat
on Due i$id«' threa^rning pontshmcntt, and the peoplc
the . fuurnJtinng at every dciay that

' inlt' 1 ; thcm, anH rtifff fìnitely mcnacing somC

one m oibcr ot thvir eh -'•^ are aJwaya the

ìumuì tltat are ìoflìcted 1 re waa no help^

for it; dnidge they must; they wcro forced to cmiily ^M
replcuiih thetr ovcns. artd lell* Howevcr, to keep them ti|
lo auch eiuployment, h was of little a vai! to impone iirtc
nrck-rs, and keep thrm in eimitant fean It wai a qoeatic
of absolute practicabtfìty ; and Itad the thìng laaied a ]j||]<

i|iMig€rt they toulé bave don e no more. They remn

liDeeaaantty agmioii the intquiiotii acid infupporlAble wc

I PBOMESSl SPOSI

107

pd upon thein, and protestcd they wetild
lac shovcl irito the ovèo, ami take thcir
ìftìircs'indV^t thfy continucd to pers«verc as they could,
teogiil^, boping, that som^ day or otlier, the High Chaa-
^tlor wonJd come to hts senses. But Antonio Fcrrer, wha
what would now he cailed a man of character, replìcd
it die bakeri had tnade enonnous profits in past times:
h^t they would eqiially make great gatns in better times to
urne, tiiat, tiiercforc, il was both reasonable and neccseary
ficy shoiild make some compensation to the public, and that,
in iJie tnean while, they must gel ofi ai they could* Whether
he wer« rcally convinced of the truth of those reasons he
to othcrs* or whether, perceivìng, from its effects,
sfiossibilily of mamtainiiig this r^ulation^ he was
%g to leave to others the odium of revoking st ; £or who
can now look itito Antonio Ferreria mind? yet certaìn it is
he dìd oot relax one iota of what he bad e^tabtisbed. At
leugih, Uie decurioni (a m unici pai magistracy composed of
tioÙefi, ssiìkh lasied UH the nincty-sixth year of the lafit
cmtitry) informed the Govemor, by Ictter, of the state in
wbkh matters stood, boping he mlght be able to saggtsl
bc^me remedy.

Don Ganzalo, buried over head in the affairs of war» did
wliat tbe readcr will certainly imaginc: he notnìiiated a
CoQociJ, whjch he endowed wich full muthority to fìx such
a prìce upon bread as eould becotne current, thns dotng
justicc to both parties. The deputles assembled, or it was
OcpflK^ied, after the Spanish fashion, in the j argon of ih ose
the limta met; and, afier a hundred bowings, com-
preambles, sigfas, whisperings, airy proposltions»
'loiittrfiigeSf urged, by a necessity which al! feli, to
ae to «mie determination, conscious that they were cast-
"wf ui imponant die, but aware that there was no other
eoora^ to bc takrn, they at lenglh agrced to aitgment the
pnoe of bread. The bakers once more br^ithed, bitt the
le rmvcd.
The evcnlng preceding the day in which Remo arrived at
in^ the strccta and s^narcs ^warmcd witJi meo, who,
ifported with indignation, and swayed by a prevaiilng
aaatnbM^whether a^naìotancea or strmnger»^

206 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

in knots and parties without any previous concert, and al-
most without being aware of it, like raìn-drops on a hill-
sidc Every conversation increased the general belief, and
roused the passions of both hearer and speaker. Amongst
the many excited ones, there were some few of cooler tcm-
perament, who stood quietly watching with great satisfac-
tion the troubling of the water, who busied themselves in
troubling it more and more, with such reasonings and stories
as rogues know how to invent. and agitated minds are so
ready to believe, and who determined not to let ic cairn
down without first catching a little fish. Thousands went
to rest that night with an indeterminate feeling that some-
thing must and would be done. Crowds assembled before
day-break: children, women, men, old pcople, workmen,
beggars, ali grouped together at random; here was a con-
fused whispering of many voices: there. one declainicd to
a crowd of applauding bystandcrs: this ano askod his near-
est fellow the sanie question that had just bcon put to him-
self; that other rcpcated the exclamation that he heard
resounding in his ears; evcrywhcre were disputos. threats,
wonderings; and ver>' few words niade up the materials
of so many conversations.

There only wanted something to lay hold of: some bc-
ginning, some kind of impetus to reduce words to deeds,
and this was not long wanting. Towards daybreak. little boys
issued from the bakcrs* shops. carr>ing basket s of brcad to
the houses of their usuai customers. The first appoarance
of one of these unlucky boys in a crowd of poople. was like
the fall of a lighted squib in a gunpowdcr magazine. 'I.ct us
see if there's bread here I ' cxclainied a hundred voicos. in
an instant. *Ay, for the tyrants who roll in ahundance,
and would let us die of hunger/ saìd one. approachinij the
boy; and, raising his band to the oilf'c of the basket, he
snatched at it, and exclaimed. ' I.et vrc sce!' The boy col-
oured, turned pale, tremhled. and triM to say, 'Let mo go
ok;' but the words died betwcen his lips, and slackcning
his arms, he endeavoured to diseiigage tliem hastily from
the straps.

* Down with the basket ! * was the instantaneons cry.
Many hands seized it, and brought it to the ground; they

1 PROMESSI SFOSI

thei Uircw the doih that eovered it ipto the aìn A tcpid

fragraTice was diffuscd around • Wc, too, are Christlans ;

Lwc must bave brcad to eat/ said the first He took oui a

lloaf, and, raising it in the vìtw of the crowd, begati tt> eat:

fin an tn^tant ali hands were in the basket, and in less urne

one can relate it, ali had dtBappeared. Those who

gol none of the spoil, ìrritatcd at the sight of what ihe

rs had gaincd, and animated by the facìHty of the enter-

firise* moved off hj parties in quest of other straytng baskets^

which were no sooner met wUh than they wcre pHlaged

fimincdiatcly, Nor was it necessary to attack the bearers:

tliQse who unforttinately were on thelr way, as soon as they

saw which way the wind blew» voluntanly laid down their

burdeni, and took to their heels, Nevertheless, thosc who

fcm&incd withoiit a sypply were, beyond comparison. the

Fpart; nor were the victors hall satìsfied with such

cant spoii; and some there wcre mìngled in the

[crowds whft had resolved upon a much bel ter regni at ed at-

|tadL * To the bake house, to the bakc-house ! ' was the aj.

In the Street callcd La Cùrsia de' Servi was a bake-house,

' vhtch is stili there, hearing the same nanie, — a natne that,

in Tuscan, tueans * The Bakei^ of the Crutchcs,* and, in

l^ifanese^ is composed of words so extravagant, so whìm-

cai» so out-of-the-way, ihai the alphabet of the Italian

je does not afford letters to express its sound/ In

direction the crowd advanced* The peop!e of the shop

hiisy questioning (he poor boy who had rctufocd «n-

laden^ and lie, pale wIth terror, and ^catly discomposed,

wms tinmtelligibly rclatìng bis un fortunate ad venture, when,

ienly, they hcard a notse as of a crowd In motion; it

cases atid approaches; the forenmners of the erowd are

lock up: qnick, quick:' one runi to beg asslstance
ffrom the sberif!'; ihe othcrs hastily jihut up tlie shop, and
;ilt and b;ir the dfvor^ inside. The muftttudes begln to in-
se wirhout, and the cries redouble of— 'Bread! breadl
t f nptn 1 '
At thii iimcture the «iherlff arrived, in the mldst of i
troof^ of Iialbrrdiers. ' Make room, roake room, niy boy» ;
' £3 ipintlD di »ft*"**

810 ALB88ANDRO MANZONI

go home, go home: make room for the sheriffl* ciied he;

The throng, not too mudi crowded, gave way a lìtUe, ao

that the halberdiers could advance and get dose to the door

of the shop, though not in a very orderly manner. 'Bat»

my friends/ said the sheriff, addressing the people from

thence, 'what are you doing here? Go home, go home.

Where is your fear of God? What will our master the

King say? We don't wish to do you any harm, but go

home, like good fellows. What in the world can you do

here, in sudi a crush? There is nothing good to be got

bere, either for the soul or body. Go home, go homel*

But how were those next the speaker, who saw bis face

and could bear bis words, evcn had they been willing to

obey — ^how were they to accomplisb it, urged forward as

they were, and almost trampled upon by those bebind;

who, in their turn, were trodden upon by othcrs, like wave

upon wave, and step upon step, to the very edge of the

rapidly increasing throng? The sheriff began to fcel a little

alarmed 'Make them give way, that I may get a little

breath/ said he to bis halberdiers; * but don*t hurt any-

body. Let us try to get into the shop. Knock ; make thera

give way I '

' Back I back I ' cried the halberdiers, throwing themsclves
in a body upon their nearcst neighbours, and pushing them
back with the point of their weapons. The people replied
with a grumbling shout, and retreated as they could, dis-
persing blows on the breast and stomach in profusion, and
treading upon the tocs of those bebind ; wbile sudi was the
general rush, the squeezing and trampling, that those who
were in the middle of the throng would bave given any-
thing to bave been elsewbere. In the mcan wbile, a small
space was cleared before the house; the sheriff knocked
and kicked against the door, calling to those within to open
it: these, seeing from the window how things stood, ran
down in baste and admitted the sherìfT, followed by the
halberdiers, who crept in one after another, the last repuls-
ing the crowd with their weapons. ^\^ìcn ali were secured,
they re-bolted the door, and. running up-stairs, the sheriff
displayed himsclf at the window. We leave the reader to
imagine the outcry I

I PROMESSI SPOSI

ftlmàsV cried he; many looked up. 'Uy frìencte!
nc^ A general pardon io ali who go home at once ! *

• Bread ì br ead I Open ! open I ' were the most conspicuoue
Word$ in the sav^age voci ferations the crowd sent forth in reply.

' Jusiìc€, my f rfoids ! i<ikc care ; you bave yet timc givcn

you. Come, gct away; return to your hou&cs» You shaìl

bave br«ad; but this h not the way to get ìt. Eh! . . • ehi

Ewluit are you doing down tlicre? Ehi «t thie door? Fk,

[fie upoa you I I see, I see: ju»tkel take care! It ìb % great

I cf ìiDc* Vm cópiing- to yoUp Eh f eh ! away with tho^ irons ;

pdowf) with t' ds! Flel yi>u Milanese, who are talked

!>f ali over li for peaceableneaB l U&t«ji! Hsteo 1 you

>vc always heen good sub . , . Ah, you rasoils ! *

Thìs raptd tran siti on of &tyk wa^ eatised by a stonep whidi,

DRiifig froni the hauds of one of thc^e gooé «qbjects, struck

forehead of the sheriff, on the left protuberatice oC hìs

finetaphyiical profunditìes. *RascabI rancala I' continucd

the window in a ragCj and reti ring from vicw.

f e had shouted to the cxtent of the powers of hìs

Ihrpat, Uu wovd$, bf>th goorì and bad, had vanìshcd and con-

iuiucd in thin air, repulsed by the cries which carne from

l»«low. The objccts th»t now, as he afterwards d^scrìbed*

tilcd them&elves to his view% were stoncs and tron bars,

[^the first they could by hold of by the way,) with which

Ined to force opea the doors and wmdows; and tlicy

àf had made considerable progress in thdr work*

fu tlie mean timc, the master s and $hop-boyg appeared at

bc! upper Windows, armed with stones, (they had probably

fuopaved the yard,) and eryiug out lo those helow. with hor-

rible looks and gesture»» to let them alone, they show«d th«ir

weap<Mis, and threatened to let fly among ihem, Seetog that

inothìjig else wonJd avafl, ihey bcgan to tbrow at them m

Irralìty. Not onc feti in vaìn, slncc the prcs* wa» such that

^cvcti a |?nihi of com, as the saying was^ could not bave

I reached the ground.

* Ah J you grcat \^jjfabrjntls 1 you grcat vìllaìns \ Is this the
Itrtad you gtve io poor i)eop!c ? Ah ! alas ! oh ! Now, now, at
[tu? ' was nii»cd from bclow. More than ona was injurcd, and

two boy» were killcd. Fory ìncreascd the ^trcngtji of th« pco-
pie : the doon and bars gavc v^y ; and the crowd p&ured into

fl2

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

he passagcs in torrcnts. Thosc wìthin. perctìving thdr dan-
peTp took refuge in ihe garrcls: the shcriil, the halberdicrSg

[and a few of the boushnlfi gathcred togcthcr hcre lo a comcrj
adcr the slates ; aod others, cscapìng by the sky^Ughts» wan-
Icred about on the roof Uke cala.

Ttic sight o( the spoti made the victors forget thrir dc-i
iìgns of saoguìnary vcngcancc* Thcy flcw tipon Uie larga]
diests^ and instantly pìUaged them. Others, Instcad, hastcned]
to tear open the counter, selzed the tiUs, look out by hatidfuls, j
pockcted and set off with, the money, to return for bread]
aftcrwards, if ihere remaìned any. The crowd dispcr
themsclves through the intcnor magazinci. Some latd
of the sacks and drcw ihem out; otJiers tiirnet! them wrongl
Side ypwards, and untyiiig the mouth, to reduce them to al
wt-'ight which ihey could manage to carry* s!iook out some ol
the flour; others crying out, ' Stay, stay I * carne tmdemeath
to prevent this waste, by catdiìng tt in their clothe* and

l^^aprons; others, agairi. fcll upon a kueading-trough, and
Bei^ed the dough^ which ran over their hands and escaped
their grasp on cvery side: bere, one who had aita t eh ed up aJ
meal-sieve, carne brandishtfig tt In Ih e air. Some come, sofnttl
9ùm€ handler mcn, w^ojuen, children, swarm arotindH
^ushes, blows, and erics are bandied about; and a wtiilél
powder diat nscs in clouds and deposits itself in cvery dtrcc*
tlon, tnvotves the whole proceeding in a thick mìst. Out^ìde;
ìs a crowd composcd of two re verse processiona, which alter-
nately separate and intcrmingle, some going out with their
prcy, others cnt ering to share the spoil

While thts bake^house was being thus phindercd,
the others wcrc quiet and free from danger; but at n-
the people asscmbled in stich numbcf^ as to be very darìng^J
In some, the masttrr^ had collected a few auxiliaries, and
stood tipon their de ferite : others, le*» strong in niimbers, or
more ter? ificd, carne to some ktnd of agreement ; tbey dis^
tributcd bread to tho*ie who had betrnn io crowd around thcir
ihops, if they would be cof(ì Those.

^ho dtd withdraw, did so j ^-re con* I

Éentcd wilh their aequbìltoni*, crs andj

aUce» keeping at a distance u ■ -^enc afe.

I Bake-house of the Crutclics, appcarcd^ nevcflhdets^ ciao-

I PROMESSI SPOST

wtiere tj^jj^pfent force to kecp fn twe these smaller pariies
, oi mutinffS^By ibis means, the confusion and concotirse con-
I tinued to augroenl at Ihis firU unforttmatc bake-house ; for ali
[tIio§c wtìose fingéfs itched to bc at work, and whose hearts
rw^re set opon doing some great deed, repaircd thither^ where

iheir friends wcrc iti grcate^t nombers, and impunity was

Such was the state of thìngs, when Renzo» finìshlng^ as wc
bave relat*;d, hh piece of bread, carne to the snburb ol the
[Porta Orientale, and set off, wìthout being aware of it, ex-
'actly to the centrai scene of the tumuh, He contìnucd bis
way, now urged forward, now bindered, by the crowd; and as
1 he walkcd, he watched and listened, to gatber f rom the con-
1 (tiied murmurs of voìces some more positive information ol
[the state of ihings. The foUowing are ncarly the words he
[canght DQ bis way.

'Now,' said Olle, *tbe infamous imposture of tbesc vìllaìns
Ili dUco veraci, who saJd the re w;ìs no more bread, nor fìour,
ìnot com* Now we sce tliings clearly and distìnctly, and they
Jean no longcr deccive ns as they bave done. Hurrah for
I filcnty ! *

" I! ali this just goes for notbìng/ said another ; * !t is
I onl iking a hole in water; so tbat it will be the worse

for u^. il we don't get full justìce done ns. Bread will be
^told at 31 low price: hut they will put poison in it to kìl! ns
pcople like f1ic5, They 've said a f ready that we are too
tiy : they saìd so in the councìl ; and I know it for certain,
because I beard it with these cars from an acquaintance of
mine, who Is the friend of a relation of a scullion of one of
theM? lords.'

* They are not tlungs to be laugbed at/ said another poor
wretch^ who was foamtng at the mouth. and holding up to
htf blccding head a ragged pocket*handkcrcbief ; some neigh-
bour^ by way of consolation» cehamg bis remark.

* Make way, gentlemen : pray be good etiongh to make way
1 for a pOùT f aiher of a f amìly, who is carrying something to

tal to five famisbcd cbildr en/ Tbcse were the words of one
wbo carne st^i^'gcrtng under the weight of a hirgc sack of
floitr: and everybody iitstanily dfew back to attcod to ìm
fioquesL

ALB5SAKDH0 MAN20H1

* I,* said atiathcr, alinosi in m tmdttAont^ to hli coiiii>«ii|Oii«
sh^l take my departiìre. I am a mm o! the world, and I
w how these things go, Thesc cÌowds wlxo now mike fo

ìnucb nojse, to-morrow or next day will be sii ut up in Utclr
houses, cowerbg with fcar, I havc already notjced some
faces, some worlhy feUows, who are going about as «pies,
and taktng note of tbose who are here and «at hcrc ; and whoi
ali is over thcy will reiider in a» account, and briog pimbh*
mcnt on thosc wbo doscrvt it'

*He who protects the bakers/ erìed a sonorpu^ voie^
whìch attracted Ren^o's attention, ' b the supcrustoidect ùi
provisiona.'

* Thcy are aJI rascals/ said a by-standcr.

' Ve5 ; bui he is ai the head o£ thei»,' replied tb^ first

The superili tendcnt of provisions, eìccted cvcry ycar by iJic
govcrnor, from a list of stx nobles, formed by the cotmcil of
d^cHripni, wa$ the prc&idcnt of ibis council, as well ai of the
court of provtsiofK, whidi> composcd of twelvc noblntico»
bad, togethef wìth other dutìes, that of overlooking the di**
tributioo of corn in the city.

The pcrson who occupied this post must, necessarily, tn
Umes of scarcity aud ignorance, bave been rcgarded as
the author of the evìl^ unless he had acted likc Ferrer— >
a cour^e wbieh wa& noi in hìs power, evcn had the Ideft
«itered Uh mind

VRasealfl* e%cbinicd anotlier: 'could thcy én worif^
Thcy havc actually dared to say that the high ehanceilor is
an old fool, to rob hìm of bis credit, and get the goventiDefit
iato iheìr owxi hands. Wt ought lo ixiake a farge hen-coop«
and ptit thcm in, to live upon vctehes and coekl«^weed« at
they would trcat m*

* Bread, eh ! * said ooe who w- -^ -ni ai great hitstc ai

he coali * Bread? Blows wtti i a poimd wetght-*

stoneft fallCng pJtiiDp^ that camc Uo^a likt basi And fuch
brealdng of rfl»I I iofig lo be al my own boaseL'

Atnong iddi Mntcfieet aa thesc, hy whìch it h dtSSciill to
aay whethcr bt were more infonned or perpJexed, and amoog
otinibcrlca knocka and ptsahea, Renzo ai la^i arrìved opposite
the bake-hou»c« The crowds bere had considcraUy diiper»ed,
ao that he conld contemplate the diimal accne of receot eoo*

I PROMESSI spoei

215

lem— the walls impbstered and defaced with stones and
rìcks, the wtodows brokeii, and the door destroyed.
• Tfaede tre do very fine doiiigs,* thoyght Renzo to himscHi
* if th^ trcat ali the bake-houses in this way, where will they
mnke bretd ? In the ditches ? *

From time to dme somebody woiild issue frotiì the house^
carrying pan of a btn, of a tub, or of «i bolting hutch, th€
polc of a kneading ìnstniment. a bench, a basket, a jotimat,
a waste-book» or somethrng betongmg to this un fortunate
hUc^house ; and shouiing * Make room, make room/ wouid
poiss OD throiif h the crowd. AU thcse, he observed, went in
the samc direction» and to some fixcd place. Renzo, deter-
mioed to find out the meaning of this procedure, followed
behìnd m man who, ha%^ng tied togetber a bundle of broken
^Eanka tsd chips, carried it off on hìs back, and, like the
otbera, took the road that nins along the northem side of the
eathedral, and rcccìves its n^me from the flight of siepi
which was ihen in cxi&tence, and has only lateìy been re*
moved The wish of observing what happened, did not pre*
veni our motmtaìnccr, on arriving io sight of this noble pile^
from stoppmg to gaxc npwards, with open motith. He then
ikkencd bis paee to overtake bis self-chosen guide; and, ofl
imtng the corner, gave another glance at the front of the
Aildìng, at tJiat time in a rude and far- from- finished state,
rping ali the whilè dose behìnd hìs leader, who advanccd
p»*mrdfl the middle of tlie sqoare. The crowds became more
as he went forward, biit they made way for the car-
rier; and whìic he clcft the waves of pcople, Renxo, follow-
tng in Ili* wakc. arrìved with him in the very centre of the
Ihrotiif, Here was a spacc, and in the tnidst a bonire, a heap
abers, tJ»c reHcs of the implementi bcfore mentioned,
»dt the people were dancing and clapping thelr bandi,
[ing in the uproar a thonsand ghouts of trmmph and im-

ftttOQ.

The man w ' undle iipset it info the embers; oihcrs>

wttJj a Innir h. jjolc, gathcred them up sud raked them

loget the xifìfts aofl undemcath: the smokc increased

mnd L, ...... -.d, the fìame agaìn burst forth, and with it, tht

reiSoubtcd erics of the by-standcrs: ' Hurrah for plentyt
Dcaih Un tho«c wbo wouJd starve us I Awa/ with the faioine l

218

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

agreement already concluded, than the acceptance of a i>ro-
posai. *To the superintendent's ! to the superintendent's I *
was the oaly cry that could be heard. The crowd moved for-
ward with unanimous fury towards the Street where the
house, named at such an ill-fated moment, was situated.

CHAPTER xni

pr^HK ujì fortunate superintetident was at thi* t^otnetìt
I digcstiDg a pmr and scaiity dmner, unwiìlinglj
J- caten witli a Intlc stale brcad, and awaiting, wìtb
th suipens^, the tennination oi tbis storni, far frotrt
cHfig that it wns about io fall wilh such violencc upon
head. Some bcncvolent pcrson precedcd the crowd
ta urging baste, and entcred the house io warn bim of hia
pres^iing dangcr. The scrvants. already atiracted to the
door by the itoise, wete lookirtg wnh much alarm yp llie
ftrettp ih the dìrcctioo of the approacbmg tuttmìt Whitc
Ititenìng to the wammg, the vanguard carne in sighf ; ihey
rttt m batte autl terror to inform tbeir master, and while
be wàs ddìberatlng whether he sbould fiy, and how he
Uiould «cconapUsh it» some one else arrived to teli htm there
Wms bO lon^r time for flight. Scarcely was tbcre ti me lor
thè scfyanis to secvire the door, They, howcveTj barred
&IUÌ lDcke<l it, and then ran to fasten the Windows, aa when
t violetil slorm tt threatening» and the haìl h escpeeted to
come down cvcry moment. The increasing howls of the
peopte, faUlnf Uke & thunder*clap, resounded through the
«mpty yard; eirtry corner of the house re-echoed it: and
tu the mjdst of the iremendous àitd mingied uproar, Were
bcafdL loudly and repeatedly, the blows of stones upon t]ie
dwir,

'The superinteodem I The tyrantl The fellow who
Woaid flarve us l We'll have him, dead or alive ! *

The poof man wandered from room to room, pale and
aliDOst brcathlcs» with terror, jitriking hts hands together,
cotnn^emlittg htmaelf to God, and ìmploring Iris servante to
Huul irm< and find him some way of making bis escape.
Bm how, and wbcrc? n * l- garret, and tbcre*

throngh an aperture 1 ug ^nf] the tilct»

looked scndously ìnlo tht- Street, and mw it with

the enrmfed popnlace; more terrified tlian tben

wilbdrew to seek the moit secore and secret hiding-place he

ZÌ9

220 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

could find. Here he crouched down and listened whetber
the awful burst of fury would ever subside, and the tumult
ever abate; but hearing that the uproar rather became
more savage and outrageous, and the blows against the
door more rapidly repeated, bis heart sank within him,
and he hastily stopped bis ears. Then, as if beside himself,
gnashing bis teeth and distorting bis countenance, he im-
petuously extended bis arms, and sbook bis fists, as if he
would keep the door secure in spite of ali the pushes and
blows. At last^ in absolute despair, he sank down upon
the floor, and remained terrified and almost insensible,
expecting bis death.

Renzo found himself tbis time in the thickest of the
confusion, not now carried there by the tbrong, but by
his own deliberate will. At the first proposai of blood-
sbedding, he felt his own curdle within bim; as to the
plunderingy he had not exactly determined whetber, in tbis
instance, it were right or wrong; but the idea of murder
arouscd in bim immediate and unfeigned horror. And al-
thougb, by that fatai submission of excited minds to the ex-
cited affirmations of the many, he felt as fully persuaded
that the superintendent was an oppressive villain, as if he
had known, with certainty and minuteness, ali that the un-
happy man had done, omitted, and thought; yet he had ad-
vanced among the foremost, with a determined intention of
doing his best to save bim. With tbis resolution, he had ar-
rived close to the door which was assailcd in a bundred ways.
Some, with flìnts, were hammering at the nails of the look
to break it open; otbers, with stakes, chisels, and bammers,
set to work with more method and regularity. Otbers,
again, with sharp stones, blunted knives, broken pieces of
iron, nails, and even their finger-nails, if they had nothing
else, pulled down the plaster and dcfaced the walls, and
laboured hard to loosen the bricks by degrees, so as to make
a breacb. Those wbo could not lend a band, encouraged
the otbers by their cries; but, at the same time, by the
pressure of their pcrsons they contributed to impede the
work already considerably obstructcd by the disorderly con-
tentions of the workers: for, by the favour of Heaven, it
lometinies bappens in evil undertakings, as too often in

1 PROMBS^ SPOSI

thai the raost ardcnt abettors of a work become Jts
rea test imjyediinentjt.
The firil magislrates who had notice of the insurrectlon
nroediatdy scnt ofT to the cotti man der of the castle, which
bore the naine of Porta G io via, for the assistauce of
troops; and he quickly dcspatched a band of inen*
what with the information, and the orders, and the
Ming, aiid gctting on their way, and their march, the
30ps did oot arrìve till the house was completely $ur-
roimded by an tmmeme army of besiegers and they» thcre-
lore. hahiKi at a safficient distance from tt, at the exlremity
of the crowd The officer who commanded thein kiiew not
what courae to pur su e. Herc was nothing bnt an assembly
of idle and unarmed people, of cvery age and both sexes.
Oh oixicTs heìng given to disperse and tnake way, iliey
replìed by a deep and prolonged murmur ; bnt no one moved.
To fire down upon the crowd seemed to the officer not only
ertiel, bui a dangerous, course, which, whìle it offendei
less formidablep would irritate the more violenta besides,
! had received no such uistmctions. To push through thi»
assembly, overthrow them right and Icft, and go for-
wmrd lo carry war where it was giyen» would have been the
best ; but how to succced was the point. Who kncw whcther
ihe soldiers would he ablc to procced, united and in order?
JoT ii, iostcad of breaking through the crowd, they should
routed oit entering. they would be left to tlie mercy of
le people, after baving exasperated them* The irresolu-
of the commander, and the inactìvlty of Uie soìdJerSj
•ppeared, wbcther jusiij or not, to procced from fear.
Ttiosc wlio stood next to them contcntcd themsclves with
looking them in the face witii an air, as the Milanese say»
of I-4oii't-care-for-you ; ihosc who stood a little fartlier off>
couid not refrain from provoking them, by tnakiog faccs
at them, and by cries of mockery ; farthcr on. few knew or
cared who was there; the spoilcrs continued to batter the
* r thought than of snccccding quickìy
UIC speciaiors ceased not to animate

bese appeared ooe, who wiis bìmself a spectaicle^
ao dH ai]d half-starvcd man, who, rolling abont two stmkoi

m ALfiSdAKDftO MANZONI

and fìery eyes, composing his wrinkied face to a smile of
diabolica! complacency, and with his hands raised above
his infamous, hoary head, was brandishing in the air a
hammer, a rope, and four large nails, with which he said
he meant to nail the vicar to the posts of his own door, alive
as he was.

* Fle upon you ! for shame ! ' burst f orth f rom Renzo,
horrified at sudi words, and at the sight of so many faces
betokening approbation of tliem; at the same time encour-
aged by seeing others, who, although silent, betrayed in their
countenances the same horror that he fdt. *For shame I
Would you take the executioner's business out of his band?
Murder a Christian! How can you expect that God will
give US food, if we do such wicked things ? He will send us
thunder>bolts instead of bread ! '

*Ah, dog ! traitor to his country ! ' cricd onc of those who
could bear, in the uproar, these sacred words, turning to
Renzo, with a diabolica! countcnance. ' Wait, wait ! He
Ì8 a servant of the superintendent*s, drcsscd likc a peasant;
he is a spy ; give it him ! give it him ! ' A hundred voices
echoed the cry. * What is it ? where is he ? who is he ? — A
servant of the superintcndent ! — A spy ! — The superìntendent
disguised as a peasant, and making his escape! — Where is
he ? where is he ? give it him ! give it him ! *

Renzo became dumb, shrank into a mere nothing, and
endcavoured to make his escapo: some of his neighbours
helped him to conceal himself, and, by loudcr and different
cries, attempted to drown these advcrse and homicidal shouts.
But what was of more use to him than anything else, was a
cry of * Make way, make way ! ' which was heard dose at
himd : * Make way ! bere is hdp : make way ; ho, bey ! '

^Tiat was it? It was a long ladder. that some persons
were bfinging to rear against the house, so as to gain an
entrance through one of the Windows, But by great good
fortune this means, which would bave rendered the thing
easy, was not, in itself, so easy of execution. The bearers,
who at each end, and bere and thcre at ìntervals. supported
it, pushed it about and impedcd by the crowd. rcelcd to and
ffo like waves; one, with his head betwccn two «tcps and
the sides resting on his shouMers, groaned bcneath the

I PROMESSI SPOSI

2iS

tight, as ttnder a gallina yoke ; anotber was sepamted f r ooi

btt burdcn by a violent push ; the abandoiiéd mach me bruised
bcads, shotildefS* and arms: and the reader must imagine
Ibc compia! nts and nmrtmifs of those who tbus suffcrcd,
tbcrs, raisbg the dead weìgbt with their bands. crept utider-
»eath it, and cairfed h on their backs, crying, * It is our turn ;
pct tjs go r The fatai machine advanced by boufids and ex-
rjgcs — now stralgbtforward, now obliquety, It carne, how*
fV in lime to distraci aiid div^crt the attention of Reozo's

ters, and he profitcd by thìs confusion within con fu*

Bùn; crecping qaietly atong at first, and tlien elbowing hìa
vzy as wetl as he could. he withdrcw f rom the post wliere he
fotind himsc!f in stich a pertlDUS situation, wieh the intention
of making the best of his escapc from the tuiiìuk* and of
gotngp in real eamest, to find or to wait for Father Bona-

AH on a siiddeil, a movement, begun at one ejctreinity. ex-
sded itici f tbrougb the crowd, and a cry was echoed frora
Fmofiitlt to mouth, in choriis: * Ferrer 1 Ferrer 1 " Surprise, ex-
pressione of favour or contcmpt» Joy and anger, burst forth
mrfierevcr the namc was beard : some echoed it, some tried
^a drown it ; sotne affirmed, some denled, iome blessed, some

*Is Ferrer bere?— Il Un't true, it isn't tniet— Yes, yesl
fig Uve Ferrer; he wbo gtves bread at a !qw price ! — No»
no! — He's bere, he*s bere, in bis carriage.— What is this
fellow gotng to do? Why does he meddlc in it? We don't
winl anybwly !— Ferrer ì long live Ferrer! the friend of
poor pcoplc f he's come to take the snperintendent to prìson.
^ — No, no: wc wiM get justice onrselves: back, back!— Yes,
iì Ferrer! let Ferrer come! off with tlie superi ntendent
f prison ! '

And crcrybody, standing on ttptoe. ttimcd towards the

in where tlie unexpected ncw arriva! was annom3C€d But

riaybwfT H^tng, they saw neithcr more nor tess than

had ali remained standing as they wcre; yet so it

^ arosc.

In fact, at tJic cKtrcmlty of ilic crowd, on the opfN>sÌte

Ig wherc the soTdiers were f^tationcd* Antonio Ferrer,

! itigh diancelbf, was a]*proae!iing in bis carriage; feeling

224 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

conscious, probably, that by bis mistakes and obstinacj, he
was the cause, or, at any rate, the occasion, of this outbreak,
fie now carne to try and allay ìt, and to avert, at least, the
most terrible and irreparable efifects: he carne, in short, to
employ worthily a popularity unworthily acquìred.

In popular tumults there is always a certain number of
men, who, either from overheated passions, or from fanatical
persuasion, or from wicked design s, or from an exccrable
love of destruction, do ali they can to push matters to the
worst ; they propose or sccond the most inhuman advice, and
fan the flame whcnever it secms to be sinking: nothing is
ever too much for them, and they wish for nothing so much
as that the tumult should bave ncithcr limits nor end. But,
by way of counterpoise, there is always a certain number
of very dififerent men, who, perhaps, with equal ardour and
equal perseverance, are aiming at a contrary efTect : some in-
fluenced by friendship or partiality for the threatened ob-
jects; others, without further impulse than that of a pious
and spontaneous horror of bloodshcd and atrocious deeds.
Heaven blesses such. In each of thcse two opposite parties,
even without antecedent concert, conformity of inclination
creates an instantancous agreement in opcration. Those
who make up the mass, and almost the matcrials of the
tumult besides, are a mixed body of men, who, more or less,
by infinite gradations, hold to one or the othcr extrcme:
partly incensed, partly knavish, a little inclined to a sort
of justice, according to their idea of the word, a little de-
sirous of witnessing some grand act of villainy; prone to
ferocity or compassion, to adoration or cxccration, accord-
ing as opportunities present thcmsclvcs of indulging to the
full one or other of these sentiments ; craving every moment
to know, to believe, some gross absurdity or improbability.
and longing to shout, applaud, or revile in somebody's train.
' Long live,' and * Down with,' are the words most rcadily
uttered ; and he who has succecded in pcrsuading them that
such an one does not deserve to be quartercd, has nced of
very few words to convince them that he dcscrvcs to be
carried in triumph : actors, spectators, instrumcnts, obstaclcs,
whichcver way the wind blows ; ready evcn to be silent, whcn
there is no longer any one to givc them the word ; to dcsist.

I FUOMESSI SPOSI

insdgators fati; to disperse, when many concordant
aod uticootradicted voìees bave pronouneed, ' Let us go;*

and to remrn to thetr own homcs, demanding of each other —

What hm happtncd ? Sirice, however, this body has, hencCj

ihc grcatest power, nay, U, la faci, tlie power itsdf; so,

cach of the two activc parties uses every efìdcavour to btìng

tt to ila own sitje^ to cngross its s«rvices : they are, as it werc,

two advcrse spirits, struggling^ which shaJl gct possesston

of, and aiiHiiate, this huge body. It depends upon which

side cau difftise a cry the tnost apt to cxdte the passioos^

and direct thcir motioos ili favout of ìts own schetiics : cas

most scasonahly find inlormatioii which wtll arotise or allay

tlicir indigiiaijoti. and cxdte cìthcr thcir terror or thcir

h0pe$; and can give the word, which, repeaied more asid

tnore vchcniently, will at once express, attesi, and create

die vote of the majority ìn Cavour of one or the other party*

AU ihese remarks are intended as an introductìon to the

Information tliat, in the stniggle of the two parties who

wcre contcoding for the suErages of the populace crowdcd

arouiid the house of the superin tendente the appearance of

fiìo Fcrrer instantly gave a great advantage to the

mf_>derate side, which had cvidently been kcpt in awe,

the succour been a little longer delaycd» would bave

icr power nor scope for combat This person was

acceptable to tlie muhimde on account of the tarifìf of hts

in tv Ti sppointmcnt, which had been so favourable to pur*

r», and also for bis hcroic re^isiance to every argu^

mrnt Ofl thc contrary side, Minds alrcady thus biased were

mote than e ver capti vai ed by the bold con fi de u ce of

tlie old man, who, witbnot gtiards or relìnue, venlnred thus

to scek aiid coti front an ang^ry and ungovcrned multitiide.

The nient al so that he camc to take the superìn-

ade , rier produccd a wonderful efTcct; so that the

entcrtaìned towards the un fortunate man, which wouJd

been rendered tnore violent, wlioever had come to

h without making any concesstons, was now, wilh

promise of
preasioci, with thi
i&ade way for f
llie mkiL
Ilo

on, and, lo tiae a Mìlanci^e ck-
ihcìr inouih* a little allayed, and
far differcsit s^ which

^eatcr part of vd.

22S

ÀLfiKANDEO MANZONI

The favourefs ol peate, havtng rceovcrcd tiidr breath»
secotided Ferrcr in u liunrlri^fl ways : thosc who werc ncxt to
hìm, by cxcilìtig ànd rc'cxcìtitig the erics ol gcner»! ap-
plause by thcir own, and rndcavcurìng at the samc tiroc to
repube ili e peoplc so as to makc a clear passai for the
carriag^e; the others, by applauding, repcaiing, sind «pmd*
ing hi» worda, or what appeared to thcm the brst he could
utter by sileBcìng the furious and obsdnate, and turtiifig
agaìnst them the ncw passions of the ficklc asscmbly. * \V1mj
h there that woii't say, ** Long Uve Fcrrer?** Doo't you
m%\ì brcad to be sold cheap, eh? They are ali rascab wlio
don't wish for justice lìke Christian»: they want to loakd
as mtìch noìse as they can, to Jet the victr escape. To
prison wìth the vicari Long live Fcrrcfl Make rooin for
Fcrrerl' As thosc who talkcd in thìs Ktratn contitiued (o
incrcase, the courage of the oppostte party rapldly cooM;
io thnt the former proceeded from reprimands so far as to
lay hands tipon the demoliahcrs, to repulse them, and even
to snatch the wcapons Iroiu thcir grasp. Tliese jrT^Tn*?ltd»
threatened, and endeavoured to regain their ini ;

bui the eause of blockl had given way, and the pred- _ .14

crles were^* PriiOtì ! Ju»ticet Ferrera After a little
itmgglr, they were driven back: the others paste^sed them-
ielves of the door, both to dcfeod It from further a,^sau]ti,
and to secure access for Ferrer; and some of them, cmllìtif
to those wtthìn (aperiures for such a purpose w^-rr not
wanting) informcd tiirm of the a!isi5tancc that hn f,

and bid thcm get the superintendent ready, *to g \y

. , . to prison, cheni, do you bear I '

* Ts this the Ferrcr who helpa to make otit proclamatfons?^
demandcd our fnenil, Renio, of a new neiKhbotir, re
berìng the Vidit Ftrrer tliat the doctor had pointed otrt
him at the bottnm of one of thcsc cdict», and whkh he had
resonnded so perse^' * " *ri his ears.

* Ye«; the high ci. wai the reply.
*ììc ì% a worthy man, isa't he?'
' More than that f it is he who fixed bread at a low prlce;

and thry wouldn't bave it m ; and now he is eio«De lo ulce

the ttiperintendent priaooer, who ha« not dcah jtu^ice to ut/

It Ié unnecessaf7 ta say that Reiueo waa initantly fot

I PROMESSI SPOSI

«iTcr* He wi slied to gct a sìght of hìm dircctly, ì>ut thìs
wa» lio easy maner; jet, with the hclp of s un dry breastings
and eibcìwitigSf Lìke a true Alpine, he succeeded in forcing a
paisiige and reachiog the forcmost ranks next to the side
of the carrìage.

Tbc recide had pmceeded m Httlc ì^ay into the cfowd.
itld was Et ttiis moment at a stand- stili, by one of thoae
im^vitible impc^ilniciits so frequent tu a joumey of thts
.Sort. The SLgt^ Ferrer presented hlmself now at one win-
of ibc carriage, now at another with a countencncc
of homility» a§ability, and bencvolence — a couiUcnaocc
wliich he had mlwmys reierved, perchance he should ever
hare an mterriew with Don Filippo IV*; biit he wa& com-
petied lo display it also on this occasion. He lalked too;
bitt the noi se and mttrmttr of so many votees, and the Long
Uff^s wbich were addressed to him^ allowed only few of his
words to be heard. He therefore had recoorsc to gestyres,
now layfng bis Imgers on hìs lìps to receive « kiss» whìch
his Kands, on quìckly cxtendìng ihem, distributed righi and
kit. ms an acknowledgmeot of uhanks fof tbcse public
deii»QDftratlons of kindness; now spreading ihem and wav-
iii|[ llictn slowly otiiside the Windows to heg a little room;
now politcly lowermg them to request a moment's gilence,
When he had p&nJf succeeded tu obiaintng tt, the nearest
lo Ihe cttiTiage hcanl mnd repeated bis words: ' Bread* ahun^
dtoce; I come to gire yon justice: a linle rtjom» ìf you
|ilc««e.' Thtn ovetcome, and» ai it were, smothered with
ihe biisting of %o niany voices, the sight of so niany crowded
fiacef, uid the conscioosness of so many eyes fixed upon
hha, he drew back for a moment, pufìFed out his cheeks, seni
foTth a kmg-drawn breath, and saìd to hìmself, Por mi vida,
que et gtnitt*

* Long Uve Ferrer | Don*t be afraid. You are a worthy
mait Bread, bread ! *

*Yct: brr:id, brrad/ replied Fcircr; ' ahuTidance : 1
pffomlie yotj/ and he !:iì(! bis haiid on bis heart. * A little
room,' fl4dcd he, in st voice: ' 1 am roming lo take

hh» to pHsoQ, and ^.,^ . .u Just punishment:' continwìng,
io in tmder-tone, * si està tuifubk.'^ Thm bendi ng Corwa^

228 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

towards the coachman, he said, hastily» * Adelaide, Pedro^
si pucdcs/ •

The driver himself also smiled with gracious condescen-
sion on the multitudes, as if he were some great persooage;
and, with inefìfable politcness, waved his whip slowly to the
rìght and left, to beg his incommodious neighbours to re-
strain themselves, and retire a little on either side. 'Be
good enough, gentlemen/ said he, at last, 'to make a little
room, a very little; just enough to let us pass.*

The most active and benevolent now exerted thanselves
to make the passage so courteously rcquested; some
before the horses made the people retire by civil words, by
putting their hands on their breasts, and by sundry gontle
pushes: * There, there, a little room, gentlemen/ Others
pursued the same pian at the sidcs of the carriage, so that
it mìght proceed withont cnishing toes. or infrìnging upon
mustachios; for. bcsidcs injur)- to otV.crs, thcse accidents
would expose the reputation of Antonio Ferrer to great
rìsk.

Attor ha\nng stood a few moment s adniiring the behaviour
of the old man. who. ihoiijjh asntaicti by pcrplexity and
overcome with fat irrise, was yo: ar.ìmatcvi with solicitude»
and adv^med. so to say. with tl:e hv'^pc of rcsouing a fello w-
creature froni mortai an^sish. Renro put a side e very thought
of gv^ing awav. and rcsv^lved to lend a band to Ferrer, and
not to leave him untìl he h;\^! obtAÌne\i his purpose. Xo
sooner said than dv^ne : he ioined with -.he ro:st in endea\^ar-
ing to clear a passage. and cenainlv was not a:ron^ the least
«BÌcient. A space was olearev! : ' Now ^.v.r.e tor^vard.' said
more than one to the cvvichn^n. retirir.j: or gvMr.f before
to make room funher on. ^AJcljxmU. f-^Af.vv *\»ii •hiVù'».'*
said his master, and the o.'irr-.ij^r :v.n*ev! v>p.. Ferrer. in the
midst of salutanons whìch he !aYÌsh<\^ *t rA-ix'.v*r.! on the
muxtitude, nrtumed mar.v partiov.'Ar ao'v.»vm\ \x*.jr"e'-s irith
a solile of marked r.otice. to :>.o<e w***^ Vv" ^yiw :n;ere$t-
ing themselres for hir:: arJ, o: sV^<«r sr.-.\-< v.x^re than
one fell to Renro's share. wh.^ ir;K*.x>.^ :v.«r!"*!ir*,*. :he:x and
rendered nK*nf a^àstanoe :o the hìi:V. ohA"^""^*.vT" iha: day
iha:: the braresi of his «vreuHes c\''-.'.'v; hji^e vk>ne Tbie

I PROMESSI SPOSI

tÌ9

ag inountàlncer, dclig^hled with thcse marks of disttnc-
tion, almost lanci ed he had made acquuititajice wìth ADlonlo
FciTcr*

The carnale, once more on its way, cotitinued to advanc^
more or Icss slowly, and noi wÌLhout some furi he r trifting
dciays. The distance to be traverscd was not perhaps above
a slone's ihrow; but with rcspect io the lime ti occupied, It
might bave appeared a little joumey evcn to one who was
mot in tìieh urgent baste as Ferren The crowds movcd
onwmrìd, bcfore» behind, and on each side of the carriage,
Uke the migbty biUows around a vesscl advanciog through
the mkist of a storm. The noise was more shrill. more dìs-
cordant, more sìxmmng^ even thaa the whistling and bowling
•of a storni itself. Fcrrer, looìdng oot first at one side and
ihen at the other, bcckoning and roaking ali sorts ol geslures
to the peopie^ eodcavoured to catch somcthing to which he
loight accommodate bis replìes ; he tried as wcll as he couid
to hold a little dialogue with this crowd of friends; but ìt
was a difìeult task, the most diffictilt, perhaps, tbat he had
yet mct wìth duiing so raaoy years of his high chanccllor*
aJiip, From time to timci howcvcr, a single word, or occa-
slonaUy scoine broken sentence, rcpeated by a group in bis
pas<age, made ìLself heard, as the report of a large squib ts
beard above tJie continued crackUng and whizzing of a dis-
play of fireworks, Now eodeavouring to give a satisfactory
aikswcr to these cries, now toudly ejaculating the words that
he knew wotild be most acceptabk, or tbat some instant
oece^sity seemed to reqitire, he, too» continued to talk tlie
wholc way, * Yes» gcntlcnieB ; bread, abundance — I will con-
diiet him to prison: be shall he punished— jt està cuifabte.
Yct,yes: I will command: bread atalowpriee, A si es. . * ,
So tt ìs. 1 mean lo s;ty: tbe King otir master would not wiall
sucli faithfnl suhjects to syfTer from bimger, Osf oxt
§uord4ias: takc care we do not hurt you, gentlcroen, Fedrùt
i/f. con jmdo. Plcnty, plcnty! A little room» for

"s Mike, Brcad, bread To prÌ5on, to prisoit, Wbat?*
dciTi ' ' St? of one wbo bad thrust half bis body

^ugb !aw to shcnit in bis car some ad vice or

^tìliost or appiayse^ or whatever tt might he •"
rmkboai having time to bear the * wbat? ' was fordbl

230

AI.ES9ANDR0 MANZONI

back by om wbo saw hlm on the polni cf befm^f mn wtr
by the wlicels, With such speechcs and anioiig ~

iiiccssàiit acclamaiioos, and some itw gn:
tion, wliich wcrc dlstingiiishable hcr^ and tlierc, bili
qulckly sileiiccd, Fcrrer at last reached the hoysc, prìncif:
hy the aid of thcse good auxillanes.

The rest, who, as wc bave before rclat«d, werc aire
herc with ihe same good intentions, had in the mean wiiii
laboured to makc and mamtain a clear spacc. Thfy btg
oihorlcd, threatened; and stamping, trampling, and
np nnd down, wkh that mcreased ardouf atid renen
strength which the near approach of a dcsired resylt usuali
ejccites, had succceded in dlviding the crowd into two, and
then in reprcssing the two parties* so that whcn the c8rr*^or
Btopped before the docr, there wai left betw«en it an !
house a small empty space. Renio, who» by acttng a Ìhtj«_
both as a scout and gtiide. had arrìved with tlie carri*
managed to place himself in one of the two front ier» of
worthy people, who served at once both as wtngs to the
carriagc, and as a rampart lo ihe too eagtr crowd of gazifig
by^standers. And belpìug to restraiii one of thc«c with hi«
owa power fui shouldera^ he wai also conveniently placed
for sceing.

Ferrcf drew a long deep breath on perceiving thii amali
open space, and the door stili shiit. * Shut/ herc means not
open ; far, a» to the rest, the hmgeft wcre alniost wrenched
out of the pilUrs; the door-posts shìvered to pieccs, cniihed,
fofced, and diasevercd; and throngh a l^irge hole in the éoot
might be scen a piece of a chain, twisted, bent, and almoit
broken in two, whlch, if wc may say so^ utili held them
togethcr. Some kind-bearted pcrson had placed him&etf at
tlti» opcniiìg to cali to tbosc within ; another ran tu lei down
the stcps of the carriage: the old man rose, put out bis
head, and Itytng bis tight hand on the arni of thii worthy
ai$iitant, carne out and #tood on the top §tep.

The crowd on cadi lide »tretched thetxuclyet ttp lo aee 1
a tbousand faees, a Ihotisand beards pressed f orward ; atul i
gttiaral eurioiity and attcnticm produced a tnoment ot generi
aileace, Ferrcfi standitig for ihat moment on the step, cast
glattce aiound» saluted the [>cople with a bow. at tf from i

I PROMESSI SPOST

ad layrns: his left hand on his heart, cried: ' Bread

;' tìitn hoìd, upright, and in his robes, he descended

Ist acclamations which rent the skirs.

Tbose witlim bad, in the mean whilc, opened the door, or,
lo speak more correctly, hadEnished the work o! wrestiog out
the diaìn* tog^ther wiih the already more than half-lcfosened
Staples. They made an opening. to admii so ardently-desired
a guest, taking, however, great care to limit the aperture to a
space that his person wouid occupy. * Quick, quick,* said he :
* open il Wide, aiid let me in : aod yoii, lìke brave fellows, keep
back the people ; don*t let thcm follow me, for Heaven's sake I
liake ready a passage, for by aiid by ... Eh ! eli ! gcntlemea»
Olle moment/ said he to tliose within : ' softly with thls door,
Ict toc pass : oh ! nìy ribs : take care o( my ribs. Shut it now :
oo, eh ! eh 1 my gown, my gown ! ' It wouìd ha ve remaitied
caught in the door, if Ferrer had not dexterously withdrawn
the traìn^ which disappeared ivom the out side like the tati of
a saake that sUps into a hìdlng-place when pursued.

The door pnshcd to. and closed as it best could he, was then
pfOfiped up with bars within, Outside, those who constituted
llicsisetTes Ferrers body-guard lalionred with ahouldcrs,
arms, and cries. to keep the space clear, praymg Irom the
boftom of their hearts that he wouId bc expedittous.

' Be quick, be qtiick/ said he, also, as he stood witlìtiì the
portico, to the sennmts who had gathered roond biiD« and
wto, aìmost out of brtath, were exclaiming: 'Bksstags on
yotil ab, yoor Excellency! oh, your Excellency! tih, yoar
Excelkiiiqr ! *

* Quicic, qdck,* repeated Ferrer; ' wherc k this poor man ? '
Tlic syperìntendcnt canie dow-n-staìrs, half draggcd along,

and half earricd by his sertrajits, as whitc as a sheet, When
be saw bis kind hclper, he once loore breathed frecJy: his
prulse agatn beat, a iìttle li fé rctumed inio his lìmbs. ^nd a
BttJc CQ*our iato bis cheeks: he haatcticd towards Ferrer, say-
tng^ *I am in T of God and your Excetkncy. Bot

bow shall wc t' this house? It h surroimded by the

wol^ vho ^' K.' •

• V^nga i ^. :d,^ and bc of good conrage: fny car»
dage lÀ ootside ; ijuìck, quick 1 ' And taktng his band* he led

* dime mUh me* Mt*

AUISSANDRO MANZONI

hìm towards Uve door, daing bis bcst to cncoujj
but in his heart thinl^ing, Aqm està et busillis! .
valga .'*

The door opened: Fcrrer led the way, followcd by his coib-_
paniofi* who, crccping along^^ clmig to 111 e toga of hU ikli^
crcr, hke a little child to its mother's fown, Those who
kept the space clear , now raised their handà and hat» sa as \
form a kind of net or cloucl to screen the siiperintcndent frouf
the peribtis ga^e of the populace, and allow bini lo ciitcr tlic
'<caiTÌage, whcre he coDCeakd himselfp by croaching i
, ncr* Ferrcr then got in, and the door was shut T!i
kncw or guesscd what had happencd, and seot forth a
fused shout of applauses and imprecations.

It niay secm that the most difficult and hazardcus pan ol
the journey stili rematned to he perCornied; btit tlrr r.ti^Mi;
desire of lettiog the iuperintendcnt bc carricd to pri
sufficiently e%^ident; and during the stay of the diaru i - 14
the house, many of those who had facilitated his arri .1 [idj
so basì ed themsclves in preparing aijd maintainin^^ 1 j
through the midst of the crowd, that on its return ti i _ c.-.in^^^tì
[could prt>ceed at a quicker pace, and without ftirther dda;
Ai fast as it advanccd» the two crowdg» rcpcilcd on both sii
(eli back and mingi ed a gain bchind it.

As soon as Ferrcr h.ad seatcd himself, he bent down, aod

advised tlie vicar to kceo himself wcll conceaied in the

corner, and not show hìniseU for Heaven's sake; bui lh<

; wa» no necessity for this waming. He, on the contrary,

I obitged to display himself at the window, to attract ani

\ engagé the attcntion 0 f the mìittttttde : and tiiroygh the who'

I ^uf&e of this drive he was occupìcd, as before» in maki

to bis changeahle audience, the inost Icnglheoed and mi

iinconncctcd hamngiic that cver was nttcred ; only intcì

ing it occasionally with some Spanish word or two, whi

he turncd to wliìsper hastily in the ear of bis squaiiing com-

panjon. * Yes, ijentlcmen, brcad and justice. To the culJi

to prison^ under my giiard. Thank you, tbank you; a thi

sand fhanks. No, no ; he »ha!l not Por ahl^méi

li is 100 just; wc will examint% wt . I alao ^irUb

ivell^ fcnllcmen. A severe puniiìhmcnt. EitQ io diga /«r jH

*Bcfc li ik* afl«iil» ptttoL God àtlp uit ' It u to

I PROMESSI SPOSI

233

who^

}mk tari^, a fair limit» and ptmishmetit to those

ti slarve you. Stand asìdc, I beg of yoii.^Yes, yes,

I am afi hoQest mao, a friend nf the people. He shall be

ptxnisjied. It is tme, he is a rogue, a taseaL Perdona

mtidf It will go ili with liim, ìt wìll go ili with hlm « . .

5^1 està cuipt^ie.** Ycs, yes ; we wilI makc the hakeri plough

^raìghtfot^^rd Loog live tlie kìn^, and the good Milanese,

his most faithful suhject«E It is bad, very bad Animo;

estamùs ya quasi afueraS **

1 bey had, in fact, traversed the thiekest part of tbe crowdl,

ad wefc now just on the point of i^suìng into the open

rect Hcre Ferrer, as he began to givc his lungs a little

mei bis tardy .ilìieis^ those Spanish ioldiers, wbo,

the end. had not becn c|iiite iiseless, since, supported

_ id difcctcd by loaie citizen, they had assist ed to disperse

m few 0! the mob in quieta and to keep open a passage for

the final eacìt On tlte arrivai of the carriage, they made way

and presented anns to tlic high chancdlor, who returned the

acknowiedgxnent by a bow to the right and lelt ; and to the

eSeer who approacbcd nearcr to salute him, be said, accom-

pBEtytng the worda with a wave of his right band 'Beso à

ustté Ì41S manosi'^ which tbe officer took for what it really

ni^ifìi — You bave givcn me fine assistance! In reply, ho

another low bow, and shmgged his sboulders. It

\ hav<5 heen appropriate enongh lo add, Ceéùnf arma

imi Ferref was noi at tliat moment in a humour for

-: and had he becn, bis wards would bave beco

- the winds, for the officer did not onderstatid Latin,

Fedro regained bis andent sph^it in passing bctwcen tbesc

twa filea of puppets and these muskcts so respectfutjy de-

vated. Havìng recovcred f rom bis cnnstematìon, be remem-

bered who be was, and whom b# was drìving; and shouting

•Ohey \ ohey ! * without tbe addition of other compUmentary

ifieeches lo the mob, now suffidently rcdticcd in number to

aDow of bis vcntnring on socb treatment, he whtpped on bis

hofies, and took lise road lowards tbe ^^tle,

'LcviiHicsc, Uiwiictc; estamùs ùfutra/^ sild Fcrrcr to

I mr èbim fat your f«>ód
V

^ ^xntt^ tam, tir. *»1Ì hth^ ittH^y,
xoor li«D^*

234 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

the superintendent, who, reassured by the cessation of die
crìes, by the rapid tnotion of the carriage, and by these
words, uncovered and stretched himself, rose, and reoov-
ering himself a little^ began to overwhelm his liberator with
thanks. Ferrer, after having condoled with him on hit
perìlous situation, and congratulated him on his safety, ex-
daimed, ninning the pahn of his band over his bald paté,
'Ah, que dirà de esto su Exceìencia^*^ who is already beside
himself, for this cursed Casale, that won't surrender? Qut
dirà ci Conde Duque,^ who starts with fear if a leaf makes
more noise than usuai ? Que dirà el Rey nuestro seUor^ who
will be sure to bear something of a great tumult? And when
will it be over? Dios lo sahe?^

'Ah ! as to myself, I will meddle no more in the businesi,'
said the superintendent : 'I wash my hands of it; I resign
my office into your Excellcncy's hands, and will go and live
in a cave, or on a mountain, like a hcrmit, far, far away
from this inhuman rabbie.'

'Usted will do what is bcst por el servicio de su Magestad^
gravely replied the chancellor.

'His Majesty does not desire my death,' answered the
superintendent. ' In a cave, in a cave, far from these people.'
What followed aftcrwards upon this proposai is not recorded
by our author, who, after accompanying the poor man to the
castle, makes no further mention of his proceedings.

^* What wUl hit Exeelleney tur of this? » What will the Crant Dal»

ni »What wlll the Kìttu our master say? ''God '

^ Yoa wiU do» tir. what ia beat fot the aanrica o£ Uà IlaJMlaF»

CHAPTER XTV

THE erowd tliat wa.s Uh behìnd bcgan to éhpetw^
aad lo brandì oìì la the righi and left aiong Uic dif-
fercnt strccts. Oac wcnt home to attend to hii
business; anodi e r depàrted that he mìght breathe the fresh
air m a little liberty, after so many hours ol crowded con*
finement; wbik a third set off in scarch ol acquaìntances,
wiUi whom he mìght bave a little chat about the doìngs of
the day* The same dhpersion was going on ai the other
end of the Street, where the crowd was sufficiently thitined
lo allow the tmop of Spari tards to advatice, and approach
Ihc ftipenntenHcnt's house, without havlng to fìght their way.
Afouiid llils, the drega, so to ^ay, ol the tnsurgetits were stili
congrcfated— a band fui of rascals who. discontented with
IO qiiiot ànd imperfrct a lermitiation to such great prepara-
tions, gmiubled* cursed, and consulted, to encourage tbcm'-
seJves in «ekìng il something further ntight tiot be iindcr-
tileent and, by way of experi meni, hegan beaiing and
ptmnélng at the un fortunate door, which had been again
barr^ md propped np wìthin. On the arrivai of the troop>
ibe^Ct without prcvious cotisultatìon, but with a tìuanimaus
resùtution, moved off, and depàrted by the oppostte side,
leav^ng the post Ifee lo the soldkrs, who took passessìon
of it, and cflcainped as a guard to the hoii^e and Street. Bui
tlic ncaghbourlng Street s and S(]uares were stUJ full of icat-
ttred groops; where two or thrce were standing, three» four,
twcnty other^ wnuld stop: some would depart, others arrìvc:
like ihose httle stragfjting clouds that somettmes re*
f^ftcattered and shtftinir over the azure sky after a storni»
■^tnake one gay, oii looking upwards, The weather U
tettila yet There was heard a confused and varying
of voices: one was relating with much energy the
alar incidente he bad u-itnessed; anotber recounted
he himself 1 ^ congrat^lated hi» ndgb*

on ibi* pea i, applauded Ferrer, and

prognooicatcd dire eriis about to fati on Ihe iupcrìntendcntj

29S

236 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

others lauglied at the idea, and asserted that no harm wodd
be done him, because a wolf does not prey upon a wolf;
while others more angrily munnured because things had not
bcen managed properly— said that it was ali a hoax, and
that they were fools to bave made such a hubbub, only to
allow themselves, after ali, to be cozened in this manner.

Meanwhile, the sun had set, and twilight spread its uni-
form sombreness over ali objects. Many, wearìed with the
exertions of the day, and tired of gossiping in the dark, rc-
turned to their respective homes. Our youth, after having
assisted the progress of the carriage so long as there was
need of assistance, and having followed it even between the
two files of soldiers, as in triumph, was satisfied when he
saw it rolling along, uninterruptedly, out of danger; and
accompanying the crowd a little way, he soon deserted it by
the first outlet, that he might breathe a little fresh air in
quiet. After taking a few steps at large, in the midst of
much agitation from so many new scenes, so many passions,
and so many recent and confused remembrances, he began
to feci bis need both of food and rest ; and kept looking up
from side to side, in hopes of sceing a sign of some inn, since
it was too late to go to the convent. As he thus proceeded,
gazing upwards, he suddenly lit upon a group of gossips;
and slopping to listcn, he heard them, as they talked, making
conjccturcs, proposals, and designs for the morrow. After
listening a moment or two, he could not resist putting in
bis word, thinking that he who had donc so much might,
without presumption, join a little in the conversation. Pcr-
suaded, from what he had seen during the day, that to
accomplish anything, it was only necessary to suggest it to
the populace, * My good sirs,* cried he, by way of exordium :
•may I. too, give my poor opinion? ^Iy poor opinion Ì9
this: that thcrc are other iniqiiities hcsides this of bread.
Kow wc'vc socn plaìn cnoii(»h to-day that wc can pet justice
!)y making onrsclvcs fclt. Then let u? proceed until ali
Ih e se gricvance? aro curcd, that the wor'd may move for-
ward in a little more Christian fashion. Isn't it truc, gentlc-
nion, that there's a set of tyrants who set at nought the Tcn
Comnìandmcnts. and scarch out poor periplo, (who don*t
trouble their heads about them.) just to do them ereiy

I PHOIHESSI SPOSI

sctiief thcy can; and yet tbcyVe aluvays to tìic right?

ay, wlien they'vc been actìng the r^scal more than usuala

itn ho)d their heads higher than at otlicr timcs? Ycs» and

tn Milan has ìis sharc of them*'

* Too maoy,* said a voice*

*So I gay/ fcjoiaed Renzo: 'the aceotmts of them have
&I ready reached our ears* And, besìdesj xht thlng speaks
for itselL Lct us suppose» for instance, tiiat onc of iho6e
I ani tallcing abotit should bave one ioot outside and one
tu Milan: ti he's a dcvil there, he won'i be an auge] hcre»

kfancy. Yet just teli me, sirs, wbether you*ve ever seca
e of tbesc mcn behind the grattng ì And the wor&t o( it
(and this I can affimi wiUi certa.mty), there are prodama^
«s in plcnty publisbcd, to punìsJi them; and those not
proclamatìoos without meaning, bui well drawn out; you
can't find anything better done; there are ali sorts of vii-
liAtea ckarly mentioned. exactly as tbey liappcn, and to eacb
cwie tts proper ptmisbment. It says : " Whoever it may be,
ignoble or plebcians " and wbat not besidea. Now, just ga
^Md m$k doctors^ scrìbcs, and phartsees» to see justice done
^^^b f*oti, as the procJamation warrants» and they will g:ive you
^^K mnch ear as the Pope does to vagabonds : it'ii enough to
^JLake any honest fcUow Inm desperate. It is plain enough,
^Wpch, that the king, and those who command under him^
are desirous that kiiaves should be duly punished; but
Aotbtng is donc becan^c tbere is some Icague between tbcm*
Wc, thcrcforej ougbt to break It ; we should go lo-morrow
mofciing to Ferrer, who is a worthy man» and a tractahle
flgDor; we saw to-day how glad he was to be amongst the
peoplc, and bow he tried io bear whàt was said to him,
i ì with such co adesca nsjon. We shonld go to

Il bini bow things stand; and I, for my part,
doings; for I saw wtth niy own eycs
ver so mJiny arms at the top, which
liad been madc by thrcc of the ruJers» far there was the name
of «ich ol them prTi?*td plain bclow. and one ol these names
wai Ferrer, secn by me with my own eyes; now, this edict
i and a doctor. to whom I appHed for
itf intcnticin of ihese llirtc gentlemcn,
acK^ag wh<u» w^ l'crrer htmadf, Uiis signor doctor, who

238 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

had himself shown me the proclamation, and a fine one it il^
aha ! thought that I was talking to him like a madman ! l'in
sure that when thìs worthy old fellow hears some of tbtie
fine doings, for he cannot know ali, particularly those in dia
country, he won't be wilHng to let the worid go on tfais
way, but will find some remedy for it. And besides, thcy
who make the proclamations ought to wish that they shoald
be obeyed; for it is an insult to count as nothing an edict
wìth thcir name fixcd to it. And if the powerful ones wont
lowcr their heads, and will stili play the fool, we are ready
to make them, as weVe done to-day. I don't say that he
shouid go about in bis carriage, to carry off every powerful
and overbearing rascal : eh; eh ! it would require Noah*s ark
for that But he ought to command ali those whose busincM
it is, not only in Milan, but everywhere, to do thìngs as tbe
proclamations require; and draw up an indictment against
ali those who bave committed these iniquities; and where k
says, prison, — ^to prison; where it says, galleys, — to the gal-
leys; and bid the podestà do bis duty; if he won't, send him
about his business, and put a better man in bis place;
and then besidcs, as I said, we shouid be ready to lend
a band. And he ought to order the lawyers to listen to
the poor, and to talk reasonably. Don't I say right, my
good sirs?'

Renzo had talked so eanicstly, that from the beginning
a great part of the assemblage had stopped ali other con-
versation, and had tumcd to listen to him; and, up to a
ccrtain point, ali had continucd his auditors. A confused
clamour of applause, of * Bravo ; certainly, he is right ; it is
too trae ! ' followed his harangùe. Critics, however, werc
not wanting. ' Oh, yes/ said one, * listen to a mountaineer :
they are ali advocates ;* and he went away. ' Now,' muttered
another, 'every ragamuffin must put in his word; and what
with having too many Irons in the firc, we sha'n't bave bread
sold cheap, which is what we'vc madc this stir for.' Renzo,
howcvcr, heard nothing but compliments, one taking him by
this band, another by that, ' I will see yon to-niorrow. —
Where?— At the square of the CathedraL—Vcry well.— Vcry
wcll. — And something will be done. — And something will
be done.'

I FEO^IESST SPOSI 230

* Whìcli o£ thcse good gentlenieii wilj direct me to an iim,
wherc 1 can get somcthing to cat, and a lodging for the
night, thal witl suit a poor youtb's f^ockct? * said Renzo,

* I am Zi youT servicc, my brave fcllow/ said one who
bad listened attentìvely to his barangue* and had not yet
sald a word, * I know an tnn that will just suit you;
and I will lotrodoce you to tlie landbrd, wbo is my frteQd«
and a vety worthy maru'

' Ncar at band? ' a&ked Renilo.

* Only a little way off/ replied he.

The a&^enibly dtspersed; and Renxo, after severa! warm
shalces of the band from strangcrs, went off wtth bis new
acquaintance, thankttig bini hcarlìly for bis kìndness,

' Not a word, not a word/ saìd he: * one band wasbes the
Olhcf. and both the face, Is it noi one's duty to serve one's
nclt-hbour ? ' And as he walked» he kept màking of Renzo,
e course o! conver&ation, first one and tbcn another io»
.^i*xir. 'Not out of curiosity ahoot your doings; but you
scem lired : wbere do you come from ? *

* I come,' reputa Renzo, * as far as from Lecco,'

* Frùto Lecco l Are you a native of Lecco? *
*Of Lecco . , - that is, of tbe tcrritory/

*Poor fcllow! from what l ha%*e gathered in your con*
▼ersation, you sccni to have becn badly trcated/

* Eh ! iny dear fellow, I was obliged to speak rather care^
folly, that I Qiigbt not ptihlish my affair s to the worid; hut
* , . it*s cnough : some day it will be known, and thcn . • ,
But I sce a ^ign of an itin bere: and, to say the trufb, I
am oot incUncd to go any fnrtber/

*No, no: come where I told yoit: it's a very Bttìc way
furthcr/ saìd the g\jide: * bere voti won't he comfortahle.*
"in wetl/ replied the youih: ' Frti not a gentleman.
d to down, thougb : somethlng gnod to supply the
ja. **>.,.*, and a Straw tnattress, are enotsgh for me: and
what I moét want is to find both directJy* Here we are,
fcirttinately/ And he enterctl a sbabby-lookìng doctway»
over whìch bung tbe sign of Tbe Full Moon,

* Wdf; I win lead you bere, since you wish it/ tald the
ito; and he followed bim iti,

l'Doii'l trouhie younclf any lurther/ replied Rouow

t4ù ALE«AKDRO MANZONI

' Ilowever/ zMtó ht, ' yfm will do me the favour of
A kU»« with me/

' 1 accept your kind ofTer/ replied he ; and he advanced, as
MtìiC li^-tier a<yjuainted with the place, before Renzo, throai^
a h'ftle court, apf^roached a glass door, lifted up the latdb.
and, oprnini^ ìt, entered with his companion into the Idtcfaen.

'l wo lif^htt illuminated the apartment, suspended from
Iwo fiookti fixed in the beam of the ceiling. Many persoos»
ali of whoni were en|(af;ed, were lounfi^ing on bcnches whidi
r.frrtrfird alon^ Ixjth Kifli"» of a narrow, dirty table, occupyin^
ahiioftt fhe whole of oiic Btde of the room: bere and there
a rloth waM »pr<*;i<l, and a few dishe» set out; at intervals,
curdi! were playrd, and dice cast, and f>:athercd up; and
rvrrywhcre were bottlc8 and glasse». On the wct table were

10 Ut- firrn berlinghe, reali, and parpagliolc^ which, could they
havr npokrn, wotild probably bave said: This morning we
Wfir in a bakrr'H fili, or in the pocket» of some of the
«prclators of the tiinmlt ; for evcry one, intcnt on watching
liow puhiic inattrrs wc-nt, forgot to look after thcir own
pi Iva Ir interest s. The claniour was great. A boy was going
iiaekward.s and forwards in baste and biistle, waiting upon
thi» table and Mundry ohess boards : the host was sitting upon

11 .iniall bench inider the cbiinney piece, occupied, apparently,
in makiiiK nini tni niaking certain figures in the ashcs with
the ton^^h: bnt, in reality, inteiit on ali that was going on
uroiuul bini. Ile rose at the sonnd of the latcb, and ad-
vuneed towanU the new cotners. Wben he saw the guide. —
C'nrried fellow ! thonght he: — you are always coming to
pluK^*^ "*«*• wben 1 lenst wanl yoii ! — Then. bastily glancing
nt Renzo, he ajjain said to liiinself:> 1 don't know you; but,
ounìnj: with sueh a bunter, ytni must be either a dog or a
Imre: wben von bave said two words. 1 sball know which. —
Ibiwever, lu^tbinj; of this mute soIìKmiuv appeared in the
ImidloidN oountrnanoe. which was as ìnìniova!>le as a pie-
ture: a rtMUìd iind sbinin^ face, with a tbìck reddish board,
and Iwo brip.bl and Marini; e\cs.

• What <ur your ctuniuanils, j:enllenìen? * said he.

• Kìrsit of ali, a phhI tìask of wine/ said Ren/o, 'and then
MMUCtbini: to caX' ^sy >a\\\\^. he sai down on a Iwicb towards

^ IHAnml kindi oi S|Mini»ti «itU MiUnc^c cv\àa«w

I PROMESSI SPCXSl

md of the tab!e, and uttercd a sonorous 'Ah l * which
6cemc4 to say : il does onc good to sh down after havìng bcca
sa long standing and working so hard. Bot tmoiediatcly
the recollection of the bcnch and the table at which he had
l^t sat wjth Lucìa and Agnese, nished to hts mind, and
lorced from him a sigh. He shook hìs head to drive away
the diought, atid then saw the host coming with the wine.
~ìh eompanion had sat down opposi te to Renio, who poured
otit a gbss, and pushed it towards hìm, saying : * To
9Ìsten your lips.' And filling the othcr glass^ he cmptied
rit at one draught

* What can yon gìve nie to cat ? * then dcmanded he of the
landlord

'A good bit of stewed meat ? ' a^ked he.

* YeSg sìf ; a bit of stewed meat/
' You shaJ! he scrved dircctly/ sald the host to Renzo ; aod

aitig to the boy : ' Attend to thÌ3 si ranger,'
And he retreated to tlie fire-place. ' Btat . . * resumed he^
tnmlng agaìn towards Renzo: *wt bave no hrcad Eaday/

*As to bread/ said Renzo, m a loud voice and langbing,
'Providcnce has provìded that.* And drawing from his
kct the ihird and last loaf which he had picked up under
^e Cross of San Dionigi, he raised it in the air, exclaiming:
' Behold the bread of Providcnce ! * Many tunied on hearing
exclamation ; and, seeing such a trophy in the air, some-
ly called out : * Hurrah for bread al a low price ! *
'At à !ow prtcc? * said Renzo: 'Gratis et afncre.'

* Better stili, bctter stili.'
' But,* added he, immediately, ' I should not like these gen-

aen io think ili of me. 1 ha%*e not. as thcy say, stolcn it:
fóund it on the ground ; and il I could find its owner, I am
idy to pay him for it*

* Bravo ! bravo ! ' cried bis companlons, langhlng more
Uy, without its enferìng into one of iheir nitnds that these

words scrìously - l a rcal fact and intention.

'They think ì'v ; , but it*s just so/ said Rcn^o, to bis

guide; Sknd, tumiog the Ioaf over in hh band, he added: * See
thc>'Ve cTOihed it ; it looks like a cakc : but thcrc werc
^leaty dose by ìtt tf any of tbem had bad vcry tender bones
ìiey'd haire come buUy qE* Then, biting ùS MXkd devourtng

su ALESSANDBO MANZONI

ihre^ or lour utotithfaU» he swallowed iwothcr glass of wlit.
ftod addcd, ' Tbii bread won't ga dov^ n alone. I ncver kad
«J dry 3 throBt A grcat shotitinf thcre was t '

'Prcpàrc a good bcd for this hanest fcllow/ said ibc
guide; ' for he ìntcttds to «kep fiere*

'Do yoii wiih a bed?* asked iHc landlord of Renic^ ad^
vancjng towards the tabi e,

*Certainly/ replied ber Va bcd, lo he swe; only Ict the
beeis be clcan; for, though Vm but a poor lad. Fin zccm^
ftomed to cleanliTiesa/

' Ob f aa to that,' said the boat: and going to a counter tini
fttood tu a corner of the Icltcben, he retumed with an inlc»^
stand and a little bit of wrhmg-paper in one band, aod a ]
in the other.

'What does tbis niean?' exelalnsed Ren«o, gulplng down

nioiithfuì of the stcw that the boy bad set before him,
ken smlling in astonishmcnt : * Is ùiis the white s^beet* eh?*'

Wìthout makìng any reply, the landlord laìd the paper on
'the tablc, and pnt the ìnk^tand by the paper: then staopìng
forwar4 he rcsted Illa leffc arm on the table and hls rig;kt
elbow. and holding ihe pen in the air, with bis face raìscd
towardt Rcnxo^ said to him : * Will you bc good ennugh to
teJl me your name, surname, and country? *

* What?* said Renzo : ' What has M thU to do with my bed?*
'I do Eny duty,* said the hostp looking towaixU the guide ti

Ve are oblìged io give an acconnt and relation of ercqpj
one tliat coment to sleep in our house : namt and summmt, dMi
of what naiion he M, on what business he ccmeSp if he has
any arms with him . , « how long he iniends iù Jttay in Èhis
dty . . . They are the vtfy words of the proelatnatioiL*

Before rcpjyini^, Renzo *wiilfnwe4 anothef glasa; ft waa
the third» and frora this t ' I fear we sbafi iiot

bc ablc to coant thcm 11^ \h ! «b ! you bave the

proclamation ! And I pride my»ej| upoo belng a doctor of
law ; so I know well enoiif h what importante la «ttached to
edicta.'

• I speak lo earr * * "ri the lawlUml, keepiof Wt qrc on
Rento'i nfnt9 cor and frinir again lo the cotmter.

! drew ' V of the proclamatioci,

nd cani'j • et.

l PROMESSI SPOSI

313

*Ati! feci* oxelftlmcd ihe youth* rdtlng the re-filkd glass
onc haiid. and qiiickìy emptyìiig it» wliìle he strctched out
cjlhcT, and pointed with his finger towards the unfolded
prtoclanuiuoii : 'Look at that fine $htti, lìke a mbsal Vm
dcfiglited lo see k. I know those arms ; and I know what that
heretlea] face mcans, wkh the noose round ìts neck/ (At the
head ol the cdicts the arms o£ tlie govemor were usuaUy
plftoed* and in thosc; o£ Don Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordova ^
appeared a Moorish ktng^ chaìned by the throat.)

* TbaI face nieans : Command who ean» and obey wbo wtll,

icn that face shali ha ve sent to the gaìkys Signor doa

never luind, I know who: as another parchment says,

e this: wheti it has provided that an honest youth may

arry an honest girl who ts willing to bc married to him,

i€n f will teli my name to thìi face, and witl give ft a ki3S

to lite bargain. I may bave vcry food reasons lor not tell-

tng my name. Oh, truly! And ìt a rascal, who had under

hit command n handftjl tnorc of rascak; for if he were alone

— ' — ' Hcre he finished his sentence with a gesttjre: * I f a raa-

cal waiit«d to know where I am, to do me an lU tum, I ask U

fice wotUd raove ìtstìi to heJp me, Vm to teli my busi-

Thli h liometliing new. Supposing 1 had come to

to cotifess. I should wìih lo con fesa to a Capudtin

Fathcr, ì beg to say, and not to a Umdlofd.*

The host was sileni, and looked towards the gnìdt, wfio
gava no loken of notìcing what passed* Renzo» we grìcve
lo aay, swallov^ed anofhcr gla^s, and continued : * I wlll
jrfve you a rrason, my dear bndlord, which will aatisfy you*
if iho«t proclamai long which speak In favoìir of good Chrìs-
lanit are worth nothing, those which speak agatnst them are
stili Irss. So carry away ali these bothering things,
^rìng tia lnitead another flask; for this h broken/ So
f, he tapped it Hghtty wtlh his knuckles, and added:
how It sowndi? like a cracked bottle*'

langtiage had agaln attracted lise attention of

; and whcn he cea&ed, there arose a general murmur

khatloQ*

i^hat must I do? ^ s^aid the host, looking at th^ incognito»

was> however, no si ranger to him.

*Away, away with lhem«* erìed many of the gne^ta; ' thta

346 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Renzo, indivldually. He, therefore, tumcd to him» «ad re-
newed the conversation about bread ; and after a few of tiioae
expressions which had been, for some time, in everyboéfs
mouth, he began to give bis own opinion. * Eh ! tf I wcre
niling/ taid he, * I would fìnd a way of making things rigfat'
' How would you do ? ' asked Renzo, fixing on him tuo
eyes more sparkling than usuai, and twisting bis mouth away,
as it were to be more attentive.

* How would I do? ' said he; ' I would bave bread for ali:
for poor as well as rich.'

'Ah I so far well,' said Renzo.

' See how I would do. First, I would fix a moderate prìce^
that everybody couid reach. Then I would distribute bread
according to the number of mouths: for there are some in-
considerate gluttons who would bave ali to themselves, and
strìve who can get the most, buying at a high price, and thns
there isn't bread enough for the poor people. Therefore, dist
tribute bread. And how should that be done ? See : give a
note to every family, in J)roportion to the number of mouths^
to go and gct bread at the bakehouses. To me, for example^
they should give a note of this kind: — Ambrogio Fusella, by
trade a sword-cutler, with a wife and four children, ali
of an age to cat bread (note that well) : let them bave se
much bread; and pay so many pencc. £ut to do thinga
juatly it must always be in proportion to the number of
mouths. You, we wtU suppose, ought to bave a note for
. . . your name ? '

' Lorenzo Tramaglino,* said the youth ; who, dclighted with
the pian, never rccollected that it was entircly founded on
papcr, pcn and ink, and that to put it in exccution the first
thing must be to gct cverybody's namc.

* Very well,' said the stranger; 'bui bave you a wife and
-hildren?'

•I ought, indeed . . . childrcn, no . . . too soon . . . but
a wife . . . if the world wcnt as it ought . . .'

* Ah ! you are single ! Well, bave paticpce ; but a smaller
portion . . /

* ^'ou are right; but if soon, as I hope . . . and by the
help of God . . . Enough; and when Tve a wife too?'

* Then change the note, and increase the quantity. As I

I FBOMESSI 9P0Sr

Itd; aiways in propordoo to the ntnnber of mmiths,* sàìd
be unknown* rhìng from his Btnt

Tirai is ali very good,' cried Renxo; and ht contintied
:sly, as he struck hts hand upon the table: 'And why
y make a law ol this kìnd ? *
iiyw cao i teli? But I must bìd you good night, and be
off: fcir l i^tìcy my wife and diildren ha ve bceti looking oui
far me thìs good whiJc/
* Just another little drop — another little drop/ cried Renzo^
^lily filling hh glass: and, rlsing quickly, he scized the skift
his doublet, and tried to force hiin to sit down ag^atn. *An-
_04her little drop; don't do me this bsuU.'

But his friend disengagcd himself with a sadden jcrk, and
ivìag Renzo to ìndalgc in importttnìty and rcproaches as
ì pleased, agaiii saìd: * Good night/ and wcnt away, Renzo
diouted after him when he had cven reached the Street, and
thcn sank back upon his seat He cyed the glass that he
ad j'Jst fillcd ; and sccìng^ the boy passing the table, he de-
^int^ì htm witb a beckon o£ his band, as if he had some
|e&s to conirnutiìcate to him ; he thcn pointed to the glass,
leh a slow and grave cnunciatbn, and pronoimcing the
in a pcculiar manner, saldi * See, 1 had prcpared it
for that wonhy gaitlcmaii: do you see? full to the brim» 6t
for a friend; but he wouidn't bave ìt; people bave very odd
i«, i;ometìmes* I couldìi*t do otherwise; I let him see my
ad tnteolÌoit$. Now, thcn, sincc the thing is done, I mus'n*t
it go lo wastc/ So iaying« he took it^ and cmptied it
at a draugbt
*I Bnderst.1 ' *! the boy, going away.
•Ah* vmi ut, do you?* rcplied Renio; * then it

Is tri n leaMJtis are scnsìblc! . . .*

N-^ >?? tban our love of truthftdness wottld Induce

tti IO pro^ecutc a faithiul account whicb does so little credit

#» «> importaot a pcrson, wc may almost say, to the principaf

, of Olir «tory. From this same moti ve ol impartialtty,

r t also state, that thi^ was the first time that

ntd to Renzo; and it h just because he was

LÌ to such excesftcs tliat bis first attcmpt suc-

alJy, The few gfasses that he had swallowcd

one alter another^ at first» cootrary to his usuai habi ti, partJy

248 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

to cool his parched throat, partly from a sort of excitement
of mlnd which gave him no liberty to do anything in modera-
tion, quickly went to his head ; a more practised drinker would
probably nevcr bave felt them. Our anonytnous author hcrc
makes an observation which we repeat for the benefit of
those of our readers who know how to value it. Temperate
and honest habits, says he, bring with them this advantage;
that the more they are stablìshed and rooted in a man, so
much the more easily, when he acts contrary to them, does he
immediately feel the in jury or inconvenience, or, to say the
least, the disagreeability of such an action: so that he has
something to remember for a time; and thus even a slight
fault serves him for a lesson.

However this may be, certain it is that when these first
fumes had mounted to Renzo's brain, wine and words con-
tinued to flow, one down, the other up, without measure or
reason : and at the point where we bave left him, he had got
quite beyond his powers of self-government. He felt a great
desi re to talk : auditors, or at least mcn present whom he could
imagine such, were not wanting; and for some time also
words had readily occurred to him, and he had bcen able
to arrange them in some sort of order. But by degrees his
power of connecting sentences began woefully to fail. The
thought that had presented itself vividly and definiti vcly to
his mind, suddenly clouded over and vanished ; while the word
he wanted and waited for, was, when it occurred to him, in-
applicable and unseasonable. In this perplexit}-, by one of
those false instincts that so often min men, he would again
bave recourse to the flagon; but any one with a grain of
sense will be able to imagine of what use the flagon was to
him then.

We will only relatc some of the many words he uttered in
this disastrous evening; the others which we omit would be
too unsuitable; for they not only had no meaning, but made
no show of having any — a neccssary requisite in a printed
book.

*Ah, host. host/ resumed he, following him with his eye
round the table, or under the chimney-piece : sometimes
gazing at him where he was not. and talking ali the time in
the midst of the uproar of the party: ' What a landlord yon

l PHOMESSl SPOST

249

canjiot swallow ìhh , . , thts trìck about the name,
marne, imti business, To a youth llkc me ! . . . You bave
mot bebaved welL Whai sattslaction now, what advantage,
wliat pleasure ^ . . lo put upoo paper a poor youth? Doii*t
I speak sense, gentlemeci ? Landlords ought to stand by good
yoQths , . , Listen, Ustcn, landlord; I wiìl compare you * . -
beeause ... Do you laugh, eh ! I am a little too far gone,
I kiiow , , . bui tbe reasons 1 would give are right enough,
Jost teli me, now, who is it that keeps up your trade? Poor
feUows, ìsn*t it? See if any of these genilemen of the proci»
matìoQs evtT come bere to wct their Hps/

• Thcy are ali people that drink water/ said one of ReiisoV

^^■'Thcy wajit to bave their heads clear/ added anolher, *fo

^Ht abk to tetl lies cJeverly/

^■^^'Ah 1 * cried Renzo. * That was the poet who spoke Ihen,
^Thoi you also imtlerstand my reason. Answer me, tlieo,
tandiord ; luid Ferrer* who is the bcst of ali, has he cver come
hcTc to drink a toast, or to spend a quarter of a farlhing?
Alid that dog of a vtllaìn, Don . . . TU hold my tonguc, bc-
cause Vm a careful fellow. Ferrer and Father Cr-r-r . . *
I know, Ihey are two worthy nien ; but there are so few worthy
mai in the world. The old are worse than the young ; and the
young . . . worsc agatn than the old. Howevcr, I am glad
there has been no raurdering; fye; cruelties that should bc
for the hangman's hands. Bread: oh yesl I got some

It pushes, but
plr^nty 1 long live ì •
words in Latin ,
trìck I Long Uvei
jrd»! . * * There

I gave some away too. Roomt
. Howcver, cvcn Ferrer , - . some few
• siés buraòs trapolorum . . . Cursed
. . justicct bread! Ah, illese are fair
we wanted these comrades . * . wbcr
AC cursed ton, too, too, broke fortJi. and then agmin too, toa
\Vc did not fice thcn, do you see, io kccp that signoi
tbcrc ... 1 know what Vm thinkìog about! *

words bc hcnt down bis head, and remained some
absorbed in sonie idea ; he then hcaved a deep stgh,
a face with two piteous*lookìng eyes, and such
,F*^.,.>ti of disagrceahlc and stupid gricf, that wve to
ìàm i ! cct of il could bave scoi bìm at tbat niomcot.

tue wicKcd meo around htm, wha tiad al ready begus

250 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

to divert themselves with the impassioned and confnsed éf>
quence of Renzo, now hastened to ridicale bis countenanoe
tinctured with remorse; the nearest to him said to the others:
* Look at him ; ' and ali tumed towards the poor f ellow, so
that he became the laughing-stock of the unruly comjMuiy.
Not that ali of them were in their perfect senses, or in thdr
ordinary senses, whatever they might he; but, to aay the
tnith, none of them had gone so far as poor Renzo : and stili
more, he was a countryman. They began, first one and then
another, to provoke him with foolish and unmannerly ques-
tions, and jesting ceremonies. One moment he would seem
to he offended, the next, would take the treatment in joke;
now, without taking notice of ali these voices, he would talk
of something quite differente now replying, now interrogattng,
but always by starts and blunders. Fortunately, in ali this
extravagance, he had preserved a kind of instinctive careful-
ness not to mention the names of persons, so that even that
which was most likely to be firmly fixed in bis memory was
not once uttered ; for deeply it would bave grieved us if that
name for which even we entertain a degree of respect and
affection, had been bandied about, and become the sport of
these abandoned wretches.

CHAPTER XV

THE laodlord, sccing die game was ìmtmg too tong,
and héing carried loo fmn had approacSal Rettro,
and, wìtb ihc gfeaiest politeriess, requesting the
others to Icavc him alone, began shakìng hirn by the ano,
and tried lo make liim underàtand. and persuade him ihat
he had bctter go to bed, But Renzo cauM not forgel the
old fubjcct of the name. and sumame, the proclamations, and
rorthy youthi. Howeiref, the words *bed' and 'sleep/
eatcd in hii ear, wrought some kind of impressìon on
miod; thcy made him feei a little more distinctJy bis
of what they sìgnified, and produced a monientary
interval* The little sense that retumed to his mind,
!ilni^ in some degree, sensible that most of hts com-
ns had gone: as the last glimmerìng torch in an
tination ^hows alt the others extingiiished. He made
reiolutioii; placed hìs open hands tipon the table; tried
ace or twice to raìse hìmself ; sighed, staggercd, and at
ihird attempt, supported by hi& host, he stood upon hii
The landlord, ftteadying him a^ he wmiked along,
him (fom betweeti the bench and the table. and tak-
"mg a lamp in otie band, partly conducted, and partly
dragged him \vith the othcr^ towards the door of the staìts,
Herc, Remo, on heiring the noise of the salutations whkh
shotitcd after htm by the company, hastiJy tiirned
nd, aiid if hii supporter had not bcen very a!ert. and
him by the arm» tJie cvolution would bave ended In a
ivy fillt howevet, he managed to turo back, and, wìth
'lili tmconfìned ami, ^eg^Ln figuring and describfng m thè
jjir stindry aalutes hke a running knoi.

-et US go to bed; to be<l/ said the tandlord, pisshiii;

forward through the door; and with stili tnote dU»

r drawing him to the top of the narrow wooden fltalr^

and then into fhe rootn he had pfejiared fof Wna.

0 rejoiccd on ^eeing bis lied feady; he looked g?a-

tipon hìs boti, with ey^s whJcb one moment gtiitened

2Sl

252 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

more than ever. and the ncxt faded away, like two fire-flies:
he cndeavoured to steady himself on his legs, and stretched
out his hand toward his host's check to take it between his
first and middle fingcrs, in token of friendship and grati-
tude, but he could not succecd. 'Brave landlord,* he at
last managed to stammer out: 'now I see that you are a
worthy fellow: this is a kiud deed, to give a poor youth a
bed ; but that trick about the name and sumame, that wasn't
like a gentleman. By good luck, I saw through it . • /

The landlord, who little thought he could havc uttered
anything so connected, and who knew, by long experience,
how men in such a condition may be induced more easily
than usuai, suddcnly to change their minds, was determined
to take advantage of this lucid interval, to make another
attcmpt.

' My dcar fellow,' said he, with a most coaxing tone and
look, ' I didn't do it to vex you, nor to pry into your affairs.
What would you have? There are the laws, and we must
obey them; otherwise we are the first to suffer the punish-
mcnt. It is bctter to satisfy them, and . . . After ali, what
is it ali about? A great thing, certainly, to say two words!
Not, however, for them, but to do me a favour. Herc,
between ourselves, face to face, Ict us do our business : teli me
your name . . . and then go to bed with a quiet mind/

' Ah rascal ! ' exclaimed Renzo : ' Cheat I you are again
return ing to the charge, with that infamous name, sumame,
and business I '

'Hold your tongue, simpleton, and go to bed,' said the
landlord.

But Renzo pursued more vehemently: 'I understand:
you are one of the league. Wait, wait, and FU settle it/
And directing his voice towards the head of the stairs, he
began to shout more vocifcrously than ever, * Fricnds ! the
landlord is of the . . .'

• I only said it in a jokc/ cried he, in Renzo's face, repuls-
ing him, and pushing him towards the bed — 'In joke:
didn't you understand that I only said it in joke?'

'Ah! in joke: now you speak sensibly. When you say
in joke . . . They are just the things to make a joke oV
And he sank upon the bed.

I PROMESSI SPOSI

ere* nwùrtss yaurself, and be quick/ said the host,

ding assistance io hts mévice; aod therc was nced of it,

Wheit Renzo bàd succeeded In getting off his waistcoat,

landiord took it« and pai his hands in the fiockeis lo

il there were any money in them. Hts search was

ccessfut; and Ihinking that his guest would bave some-
III in g else to do than to pay him on the morrò w, and that
this money would proba bly fall itilo hands whence a land-
lord would not easily be able to recover any share, he
resolved to risk another attempt

' You are a good youth, and an honest inan, arenai you?'
said he.

*Good youth, and honest man** replied Renzo, valnly
ctfdeavouring to undo the buitons o! the clothes whicb
he hàd not yet been able to take ofif.

* Very weil/ rcjoincd the host: 'just settle, then, ibis
^^fttk acooiint; for to*niorrow I must fo out on some

^^ 'Tbat's oiily fair; said Renzo: ' I*m a fool, but l'm honest
i. * , fi ut the money? Am I to go look for money

* Ifs bere,' said the innkeeper ; and calling up ali his
practice, paticnce, and skill, he succecded in settling tlse
account, and securing the reckoning,

*Lend me a band to finish tuidresslng, landìord^* said
Reiuo: *Vm begiiming to feci very sleepy/

The landiord performed the reqnired office: he thcn spread

the quìlt over bim, and, almost before he had tìme to say.

ditdainltiBy, *Good night!' Renzo was snoring fast

asleepu Yct, with that sort of attraction whieb sometimes

iodncei tis to contemptate axt object of dtsiike as well as

of afFcciion, and wbieh, perhaps, h nothtng else tban a

delire of knowing what operates *o forcìbly on otir mìnd,

Ile patued, for a moment, to contemplate so aniìoyìng a

guest, holding the lamp towards bis face, and tbrowtng the

Tìcrt^f T,r«.n ff with a strnng reiection, by screening it witli

>st In the attitudc m whicb Fsycbe is depictcd»

' rrìing the fcatiircs of ber unknowtl

ad!— said Ììc, in bis mind, to the

poot iJccpcr,— you'vc ccrtainly takcn the way to look for

ALBS9AN0BO MANZONI

it, To*fnorrow yoall Uè able io teli me how yoti*Ye tìked
it, ClowtiJ?, who will stroll over tlie worlcU mUWnl Jhifftffi
ffijr whtrcabouts ike lun riscs, just to briitg theawclvei sud
thdr neìghbotira mio troublc l^~

So fayitig, or rather thinkin^» he withcìrcw the Bfht,
and Icft the room. loekìn}^ the door behmd htm. On die
lànding-placc at the top of ihe stairs, he called tlie tasid»
lady, afid bade her leavc the chìidren under the care of 1
ymmg servaiit girl, and go down inio the kìtchen, to ptt-
side and keep giiard in hh stead 'I must go out, tJiatiks
to 1 ^traiiger who has arrived here, to my ini sfortuna laM
he; and he bricfly rcfated the ar i_ircuniilance. He

then addcd: *Have your eyes i^ ^ t- and, above ali,

be pmdent thts un fortunate day. 1 hcre^s a group of Kcea*
tious fellows down below, who, between drink and ihOT
own indination» are ready enotijE^h to talk, and wtti say
anything, It will be enough, if a rash . , ,'

*Oh» Vm not a child; and I know well enough wbat*l
to be done. l thmk you can't aay tliat» up to tbts ttroc . , /

•Well, wcl!; and be sur e they pay; and prete od not to
lìtar anything they »ay about the supcrlntendeni ol prò-
viiiont, and ihe govenior. and Fcrrer, and the decufianù
and ihe eavaller», and Spaìn, and France» and such fool^
eries; fof if you contradìet tliem, you*!! come off badly
«fireetly; imd if yoti agree ¥nth them, you m;iy fare hmàfy
aftcrwards: and ytfu know well cnough, that somednìtt
Ihosc who stay the wor*t things . . . But enough; mhvn
yon bear ceriaìn sayìngs, turn away ytmr head, and cry^ " Vm
cominjf/* at if stnnebody was ca!lin|f yim frotn the other
side; ni come back a» qulck as T can/

So iaybg, he went down with her into tlie kitchen* and
ga¥« a glancc round* to tee tf there wis aoyt!itng new crf
consequtnce : took down hia bat and doak fmm a peg^
reached a short, thick stick aut of thr corner, fommed
Qp, in one glance at hi* wife* the ì«m .... ^

her, and vr^ril nuf. R«t durtnij the* 1

affiti ' ' the Uirrad of the >i\^ Lci^oii at

Rtftto'* ; and cuntinued it^ nle proceedìlic

OH hti waìk»

^Obitiiiate fetlow of o moiiittaÌLierrr--For^

f PROMESSI SPOST

2i!

determlned to conccal his condltioit» thh quaU-
ion had bctraycd itsclf in his word*, pron linciati on,
q>pearaiicc, and actions, — Such a day as this, hy good
polÌ<^^ and judgmtnt, I thought to Iiave come off clear: and
yoii musi jast come in al the end of il, to spoil the cgg In the
hiitcbtng* Were there no othcr imts in MiJan, that you musi
just light upon mine ? Would that you had cven Iti upon it
icl 1 would then have shut my cye^ to it to-cighi. and
_ -morrow mornìng would have gìveo you a hint, But, my
"good «ir, no^ you must come in company; and, to do bettcr
stili* in company wtth a sheriff. —

At tvcry step the ìmikceper met ckhcr with soHtary
passengeri, o? persons in groups of thrce or tour» whispcr-
ìng togetber. At this stage of hh mute soliloquy, he saw
A patrol of Boldiers approachìng, and« going a little sksìót,
peepedai them from under the corner of his eye as they pa^sed,
and continued to himself :^-There go the fool-cbastisers,
Aud you* great ass, becatise you saw a few people rambUng
about ind maktng a nolsc, it must even come into your
braitt that the world is turning itpside down. And on tbis
ine fotindation you have ruincd your self» and are trying
to nun me too: tliis isn't fair. I did my best to save you;
md you* you fool, in return, have vefy neariy made a dis-
tsirbance in my inn, Kow you must get your self out of the
icrapc; and I will loolc to my own business. A§ if I wanted
lo lòiow your name out of curtosity f What does it matter
lo «e, whcthcr it be Thaddeus or Bartholomew? A mighty
destre I have to take the pen iiì hand; but you are not the
oaly people who would have thìngs ali their own way. I
know, aa wetl as you, that there are prcclamations whkh
fO for nothing: a fine novclty^ that a motmtainecr sbould
carne io teli me that! But you don't know that proclama^
tìons against landìords are good for somethìng. And you
pretend to trave] over the land* and speak; and don't know
that, If eoe wodd bave one*s own way, and carry the
proclamattotts In one'i pocket, the first thlng requisite is
aot to «peak agatrist ihcm in pubh'c* And for a poor Inà-
keeper who was of your opinion, and dìdn^t ask Ihe name
of any one who happcns to favour him w^ith hia company,
do ftm kooWi you lool, what good ihings are in store for

256

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

film? Under pain of three hunéred crawns ta oHf
ùf the afortrsaid land! ordì, tavcrn*keepcrs, and otkers^ as
ebove: the re are thrcc liimdred crowns hatched; auid iww
to spend tlietn welh to bc appUfd, two-ihirdj tu the rayal
chambrr, and the other tkird to the accuser or informtr:
what a fine baiti And in case ùf inabiltty, Uve ycars in
the galieys, and greater punishment, pecuniary or corfw^,
ai the wiil of his Exeeikncy. Much obligcd for ali hii
favours. —

Al thesc words the landlord reached the door ci the court
of the hjgh'sheriflf.

Hcre, as at ali the other secretaries* oflfices, mtich bori-
ness was going forward. Evcrywhere thcy were enga^
in giving such orders as secmed niost likely to pre-occupy
the following day, to takc away every pretesct for discon*
tent. to overcomc the boldness of those who wcre
anxìous for fresh tuniults, and to confi rm p^wer in ùkt
hands of those accustonied to exerclse it. The soldjery
round the house of the superintendent were increased, and
the ends of the Street were blockaded with tlmbcr. and
barricadcd with carts* Thcy commandcd ali the baken
lo make bread withonl latermìssìon, and despaiched couriers
to the surroimding coiintry, with orders to scnd corn into
the city; whiie oobleinen were statìoncd al every bake-
hou^, who repaired thithrr carty in the tuortiing to mpcr-
tntend the dìslribution, and to feltrai ti the faetious» by
fair wor ds^ and the a ut ho ri tv of their preseticc. Btil lo
givc, as the saytng is, onc blow to the hoop amd mnother
to the e^k, and to render their cajoUngs inore efficleot
by a liillc awe, ihey thonght also of taktng measures to
seiie some aoe of the seditioiisr and tJtis wa* prjndpalty
the busincsfi of the high-^heriff, whose tcmpcr towards tlie
insurrection tnd ilie insurgeiUs ihe reader tnay ima-*—
when he ts in forni ed of the vcgeiable fomenta tioo v,
it wa* fotiod fiecessary to apply to onc of the orgaiu ot lus
rnetaphytical proftiiulity, il\% blood-lwiunds hatd beai hi
the fidd from the bci^mning of the Hot: and thts self-styled
Ambrofìo Fttsetla was, as the laodlord &aìd^ a disgui%ed
iindcr-shcriff, sent ahotit for the exprcsi parpose nf catch*
ing in ìhc art some oijc whoiu he CiJtiId tpraln rrco^hec^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

7sr

motioQs he could watch, and whom lie could kcq? in
nd, so as io sckc, eitber in ih e iioìet ol the cvctiing or
~ri He had not heard four words of Renzo's

J >re he had fixed upoti hitn as a capital objcct^

y hi 9 man* Fiiidiiìg* aftcrwards, that he was jast
1 I frooi the country, he had attempted the master-stroke

I 01 conductiDg him at once to the prison, as the safcst Ina
I in the citvj biit here he failed, as we have related. He
I collida however, brìng back ccrtain ìnfarmation of bis
I name, soma me. and country ; be^ìdes a hundred other fine
Icoftjcctural pieces of information; so that when the ino-
■^ecper arrivcd bere to teli what he knevv of Renzo, ihcy
^■ftre already bctter ac^-jtiainted w:th him than he. He
«ìtered the tisual apartment. and deposed that a stranger
Iwd arrived at bis house to lodge, who could not bc per-
stiaded to dee lare bis name,

* You've done your duty in gfving us this infonnatioo,*
aatd a criminal notaiy, laying down his pen : * But wc know
il already,'

— A frange mystery !—thought the host; — ^thcy mnst be
wocKkrftdIy clever! —

* And we feiow, loo/ continued the notaty, ' this revered
nante!^

— The name. tool how have tbey tnanaged iti — ^tbougbt
tbc Utidlord agaln.

* Bnt yotJ,* rcsumed the other. with a serìous face, *you
don't teli ali candìdly/

* What more have I to say ? '
'Hat ha! we know vcry well that this fellow brougbt to

yoor inn a fjuantìty of stolen bread — plundered, acqulred
hy robbery and scdìtion/

•A man comcs, wìih one loaf in his pocket: do yon think

know where be wcnt to gct tt? for, to speak as on my

itb-bcd, I can positivcly aiBrm that I saw but one loaf/

Tlierc! always excusing and defending yourself: one

Wcmid tliink, to bear you, evcrybody was honest How

can voti prove thnt bis bread wa^si fairly obtaìned?'

•\Vhy am I to prove it? I don*t mcddle with it: I am
mnkeepcr/

Yoti cannot, however. deny that tbi^ cuatomcr of youra
BQ •— v«L ti

258 ALBSSANDRO MANZONI

had the temerìty to utter injurìous words agftinst the
proclamations, and to make improper and shameful jokci
on the arms of his Exccllency.'

' Pardon me, sir : how can he be called my customer,
whcn this is the first time l've ever seen him? It was the
dcvil (under your favour) that sent him to my houde: and
if I had known him, you, sir, know well enough I should
have had no occasion to ask his name.'

* Well : in your inn, in your presence, inflammatoiy
specchcs have been uttered, unadvised words, seditiou»
propositions ; murmurs, ^^umbles. outcrics/

' How can you expect, my good sir, that I should attend
to the extravagances which so many noisy fcllows, talking
ali at the same time, niay chance to uttcr? I must attend
to my interest, for l'm only badly ofif. And besides, youf
worship knows well enough that those who are lavish of
their tongues are generally ready with their fists too, par-
ticularly when there are so many together, and . . .'

* Ay, ay ; leave them alone to talk and fight : to-morrow
you'll see if their tricks have gone out of their heads.
What do you think?'

' I think nothing about it.'

'That the mob will have got the upper band in Milan?'

'Oh, just so.'

'We shall see, we shall see.'

'I understand very well: the king will be always king;
and he that is fined will be fìned: but the poor father of a
family naturally wishes to escape. Your honours have tho
power, and it belongs to you.'

* Have you many people stili in your house?'
' A world of them.'

'And this customer of yours, what is he doing? Does
he stili continue to be clamorous, to excite the people, and
arouse sedition?'

* That stranger, your worship means ; he's gone to bed.'
' Then, you've many people . . . Well, take care not to

let them go away.'

— Am I to be a constable?— thought the landlord, with-
out replying cither negatively or affirmativcly.

' Go home again, and be careful/ resumed the notary.

r PROMESfil SPOSI

a$9

* Vv€ alwav s been caref ul. Yotir honotir can say whcthcr
I ha ve evcr made any opposhion to justsee/

'WeH well; and don't think that justicc has loft its
power/
*I1 Por Hcavcn's sake: T think nothing: I only attoid
my business/
I *Thc old song: you^vt; never anythmg else to say/

* W^at else woiild your worship ha ve me say ? truth ts
but one/

* WcII. we will remember what you have deposed; t£ the
eav^ ODiues on, you will bave la gfve more particular in*

itìoo to juslice about wbatever they may choose to ask

What can I depose further? I know nothìog. I bave
ifccly head enough to atiend lo my own business/
Take care yoti don't kt hìin f o/

I hope that his worship the htgh-sherìff will be inforined
it 1 carne immediatcly to discharge my duty. Your
bnotir*s humble àen^anL*

\By brcaJt of day. Renxo had been snoring for itboui
bours, and wa^ siili, poor fellow, fast asleep, wheit
ronfh shakeB at either arm, and a voice at the foot
of the bcd. caihng, * Lorenio TramagUno I * recallcd ìnm
to bis senses. He shook himself, stretehed bis arms, and
witb diiBcuhy opening bis eyes, saw a man standing before
bini al the foot of the bed, dressed tn black, and two others
srmed, one on the light and the other on die Icft of hiii
l^ìlow. Betufi*n ^urpriae» not being iuìly awrake, and the
latiiptdtty occa^iofied by the wine of the night bcfore, he
lay, for a moment, as if bewiMered: and then, thinkìng he
tvm*; dreammgp and not betng very weTI pleased witb bis
j. be fhook htmself so a* lo awake thotoughly,
.\h1 Iiavc yoti hcard, for once, Lorenzo Tramaglino?'
ad the man wtth the black cloak, ihe vefy nolary of the
"re * Up ; up, thcn ; get up. and come witb ns,'
o Tramaglino r saìd Renzo: 'What does thta
ìì VVTiat do yott want with me? Wh&6 told you my

talk, and up wJth you dlreetly/ fM one ni tho
wbo slood at bis side, taking him agaiii by the arm.

I T

ALESSANDRO MAKXONI

'Ah, eh! what oppressbn h this?* crted Retuo, wit^
drawing bis arni, ' LatjUIord f ho, lancilo rd f *

' Shaìi wc càrry hìni off in hìs shirt?* eaid tlic biìBff
again, lookìng towardi the nutary,

'Dìd ynti bear ihat?' said tit to Renzo: ' tlieyH do vk

if you doii't gct tip as n
'And what fori* mi

* The ufhai far you v,

* r ? I nj an honcst .
astornshed . * /

* So much the bctier for voit
you ; fot then you niay bc

tnay go aboui your own ^"

*Let me gp aow/ ni
justice/

' Cùmfit. let US finbti i

t^ht, and cofni: witli lift.'

sO n

word 5» i«ii

imicT

Li 00

I PROMESS! SPOSI

^entlref^ suppresscd, or the bcgintiìng of a new one: the

strceis wcr« full of people, some walking in parilcs, some

sUndbg in groups. And now, withoiit sceming io do so,

Lor al least iryìng not to show it, he was anxìously Hsten-

|,{ng« and fancicd that the niurmur continued to incrcase.

Thjs m%dQ htm desiroiis to get off: but he also wished

take Renzo away willifigly and qujetly; since, if

Itad dcdared war agaìnst him, hecould not have

siire, on reachiag the Street, of not finding three

|to one agabst htm, ?le» thereforcp winked at the baìiiffs

have patiencc, and not to irritate the yotith, while he

Iso cndeavoured to sooihc him with fair words. Renzo

àeé himsclf, while drcssing as quickly as possible, in

ilitng the confused rcmcmbrances of the day bcfore. and

last conjectured, with tolerable certatnty, that the

clamatlon, and the name and surnamc, must be the

mse of this dtsagreeable occurrencc: but how ever did

fcJlow know his name? And what on earth couid

happened that night, for justlce to have gained such

*e(m6ilence as to come and lay hands on one of those honest
^oiilhs who, only the day beforc, had mch a voice tn the
M}\ and who criuld noi ali be asteep now? for he aJso
en*cd the increasing buale in die Street. He looked at
countenance of the notary^ and the re perceived the
solution which he vaiiìly cndeavoured to conceal. Al
, ^s wcll to satisfy bis conjcctnres, and sound the
Bcvr^. as to gain tituc, and cven atiempt a blow, he said,
undcrstand wcll cnnugh the origin of ali thls; tt is ali
a love tif the name and surname, Last night I certainly
a little muddJcd: these landtords have sometimes very
berons wines; and sometimes, as I say, you know,
wine pasi^es throngh the medium of words, it wiU
|vc its say too. But if ihis is ali, I am now ready lo gì ve
f action: and. bcsidri-. you know my name
m earth totd you it?*
iVo, ti*> lr«Tv. bravo 1' replicd the notar\% coaxingly;
you' ve .torr." ^en^e; and bclìeve me, who am in the
busìn'ji.s, that } cr than mosL II is the best way

jf grtting out e: ^ :ncnUy cjuìckly and eanily; and with
l^ood dìspofiitians, in two word» you wLU be dismìsicd

alsssakbho Manzoni

md set tt Itbcfty* Bui I, do yoii s<c, my gix>d UfUm,
my bands tìcd; I cannùt rckase you. as I sbould Ulte
léo. Come, be quick, and come almig with a good heatt^
lof whcfi tbcy »cc who yon are , , , Sfìd tfacn I
teli . . . Leave it lo me . . . Encmgti ; be qukk, my good
felbw/

' Ah 1 yon oimot ! I miderstand/ taid Renzo ; smd he

coDtinued to dress himsclf, repuUIiig, by slgiiA, the tot

ttODB of ibe baiHffSi that thcy wcmid caiTf hìra o0 ìf

were not wtty expecBtìous*

' ShiH wr p9m bf tbe square of tbe cathedraJ?* asìced he,

'Wbereir^ joa Ilice; the sbortest way, to let 3^00 the

«ooner at liberty/ said tbe tiotary. vcxed in bis heart,

l'Ile must let tbta inyxterbui tnqeiry of Kcnxo's pas», wl ^

•fsijght haire aerved ai tbe ftubject for a hsndred ÌDtemig^

'tnres- — VVben one is bora to be imfortutiatel — thoaglil li^

— Jojit *ec; a feBow fall» roto my hands, who, ptaintf

ffiottgh, lìlces oothlng better than to tallc; and if be eouk

have a little ttme^ he «ottld confess ali otie wanti* wttb«

the aid of a rope — ertra fcrmam, to qieak academìcally,^

tu tbe way of frìendJy diit-cbat; the very maa to take to

piitCMi ready examfaied« wtcliout bis bebg at a!I aware

Jt; and be iDisst just fall loto my handfl at tbb tmfe

Well 1 chere*! no hefp for it,— lie oontiittied« TìMc
attenti vely, and tossing bis head bacfrvrards— there'»
[Ttmedy: it's'llkely to be a worse day than yesterday,^ —
Wliat fave rUe to thts thoagbt, waa an extraor
noise he heard Iti the Street* and he tc/M not recisi
iiif che iriiidow to take a peep at it He law that tt waa j
igrot^ ol cMiena» wbo» oq being reqmred by a patfoi
I loldiers to ^iperse, had at first fiveti aiigry wanh
repfy» aod had fioally «eparated In mttfnmring dlasatii
|tim; an4 what appeared to the oocary a fatai tlgn, the
soldiers hefaaved to thciii with modi dviJItv TTavtfìer cTa*^
the window, he stood for a moment tn p
be ftbotild fioiih hi* undedaidng. or Icavc n.rn
taxm of the two haitìils, whtie be ran to ilia fatgh-ifacrill
^ve bim aa accoimt of ht^ — thooght

dlrcctly.— 4heyTl iet me dow . * base

[«ho oi^(bi to cxecttte ordcra.K We are &ti tha haOr

I PROMESSI SPOSI

263

«fid tre must dance. Curse the throng ! What a tniienible
business l —

Renzo now stood betweco the two satellite^, havtng one
OH cacli side; the notary beckoned lo them noi to use too
much force« and said Co hìm, ' Coiitage, ìikt a good fetlow *
US he off, and make hastc'

Renzo, however, was fcelfng, lookìng, tUnking. He waa
now enttrely dressed, excepting hb jacket, which he held
onc band, and fediiig with the other in his pockets;
Ilo ! * said he, looklng at the notary with a vcry signifi*
cani cxpfcssìoii ; * bere tbere werc some fience, and a letteti
taf good sir ! *

*Everything shall be punctually reatored to you,' said
the notary, * whcn these few formalities are properly eace-
Ctited Let US go, let us go/

*No, no, no/ said Renzo, shakuig Ms head; *tJiat won*t

te; I want ray money, niy good sir, l wiU give an account

f my doings ; but I watit roy money."

* ni show you that I trast yoii; bere, and be quick;* said

Ihe noiar>% drawing ou! of his bosom the sequestei-ed

aiticlcs, and h^nding thcm to Renzo with a sigh. Renio

ved ihein, and put thrm mio his podcet« muttering

his tecth: * Slafid otTl yonVc ai^Qciated so much

th thieves» that you've learnt a little of thcir business.*

baili0s could no bnger resirain iheir impatience, but

notary curbcd tbeni with a glance, saying to biniseli —

\ìf thou suGceedest in settiug foot within that threshold,

thou shalt t>ay for this with interest, that thou shalt^

Whilc Renzo was pulting on bis jacket, and taking up

ifi bat^ the notary beckoncd to one of the baiti ifìfs to lead

the way down-stairs; the prisofier came next behind him,

ttbeo the other kind friend, and he himself brought up the

On reaching the kitchen, and while Renjso was say-

*And tbis blcssed landlord, wherc Js be fled to?* tbc

made a sigti to the two police officerà» who, seizìng

a band, proceeded liastily to secnre hi* wrists widi

oertatn in^tnimcuts, callcd, in the hypocriucaJ lignres of

eupbeini&m, ruMts^ — in p!ain language, ttandcudTft. Tbesc

.con^ii^ted — wc are sorry that wt are obliged to descend to

s unworthy of bistorical graviiy, bui perspicui^

264 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

requires it — they consisted of a small cord, a little longtr
than the usuai size of a wrist, having at the ends two
little bìts of wood — two tallies, so to say — two small
straight pegs. The cord encircled the wrist of the patient;
the pieces of wood, passed through the middle and third
finger s, were shut up in the hand of the captor, so that by
twisting them, he could tighten the bandage at pleasure;
and thus he possessed means, not only of securing bis
prisoner, but also of torturing the rcfractory; to do whicb
more effectually, the cord was full of knots.

Renzo struggled, and cried, ' What trcachery is this?
To an honest man! . . /

But the notary, who had fair words at hand on every
disagreeable occasion, replied» 'Have patience, they only
do their duty. What would you bave? They are only
formalities; and we can't always treat peoplc as we would
wish. If we don't do as we're bid. it will fare badly with
US, and worse with you. Have paticnce !'

While he was spcaking, the two bailiffs gave a sudden
twitch at the handcufTs. Renzo bore it as a restive borse
bears the jcrk of a severe bit, and exclaimcd, 'Patiencel*

' Brave youth ! * said the notary ; * this is the bcst way of
getting off well. What would you have? It is an annoy-
ance, I know; but if you bchave well, youll very soon be
rid of it. And, since I see that you're well-disposed, and
I feel inclincd to hclp you, TU give you another little piece
of advice for your good. You niay believe me, for l'm
practised in those niatters: — go straight forward, without
looking about. or attracting obscrvation ; so no one will
notice you, no one will observe what you are, and you will
preserve your honour. An hour hence you will be set at
liberty. There is so much to be done. that they, too. will
be in a hurry to bave done with you; and, besides, I will
speak . . . You shall go about your own business, and
nobody will know that you'vc bcen in the hands of justice.
And you,' continued he. turning to the two bailifTs with a
severe countenance, * take care you don't do him any harm ;
for I will protect him. You are obliged to do your duty;
but reniember that this is an honest man, a cìvil youth,
who will shortly be at liberty, and who has some regard

I PROMESSI SPOSI

26S

says 1
^^ bis IH

for lus feoDOur. Lct taothing: appcar bnt ihat you are thrce
honest roen walkìng togetber," And, in an imperative Ione,
ind wìtlt a threatcning look, he concluded: * You tindcrstand
me?' He thcn turncd to Ken^o, his brow smoothed, and
bis face rendered^ in an instante inore cheerfnl and pleas*
ant^ which seemed to s^y, ' What capital f rknds wc are ! *
and whispcred to him agatn. * Bc carefu!; do as I teli you;
don't look about you; trust one who wishes you well; and
now Jet U5 go.' Aod the convny moved olT.

Rcn^o, liowever» believed oone o{ Lhese fine words; fior
tbat the notary wishcd hiin wcll more tlian the bailififs, nor
tbat he was so tnighty anxìons about bis reputation,
nor that he had any intention oi belpìng him; not a word
ol ali this did he believe: he tinderstood well enough that
the good man, fearing sotne favourable opportunity for
nmlcbig bis escape tnlgbt pre^nt ìtself m the way» ìaìd
before him aU these flatterìng inducemenis, to dìvert bim
ffom watcbmg for ind profiting by it. So that ali these
exbonations served no otbcr piirpose thao lo detennine
Renzo more decidedly on a coursc whkh be had indistinctty
mcditated, vìz. to act cxactly contrary to tbeifu

Let no onc hereby conclodc that the notary was an incx-
perìeticed novice in bis trade, for he will bc mucb deceìvei
Olir hbloriaii, wlio scema to have bccn among bis fricnds,
ftays that he was a marrictilated knave ; but at this moment
bis msiu! was greaily agitated. VVith a cairn mind. I ven-
ture to say, he would bave laughcd at any ooe wbo, to
e others lo do somelbing which he himself mistnjstedt
id bave gone about to sugfest and inculcate it so
3fcrfy, tinder the miserable pretencc of giving bim the
dìsìntere^eed ad vice of a friend, But ii h a general len-
deocy of mankind, whcn they are agitaicd and perplexed,
ind discern what another can do to relieve ihem from
their perplcxiiies» to implore It of him cagetly and perse-
verfegly, and under ali ksnds of pretcxts: and wheti vUlains
afe agitalcd and perplexcd» they abo fall under ihi» coio-
laon mie, Hcnce it is that» iti similar circumstances, they
generally make m fM>or a figure, Those majjterly liivcti*
tioas, ihose cv.- ■ ìc», by wbtch tbey are acctts-

to conqj ia¥e bccomc to ihem almost a

266 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

second nature, and which, put in operation at the proper
time, and conducted with the necessary tranquillity and
serenity of mind, strike a blow so surely and secretly, and,
discovered even after the success, receive such universal
applause; these, when their unlucky employers are in
trouble, are hastily and tumultuously made use of, without
cither judgmcnt or dexterity; so that a third party, who
observcs thcm labouring and busying themselves in this man-
ner, is moved to compassion or provoked to laughter; and
those whom they attempt to impose upon, though less crafty
than themselves, easily perceive the game they are playing, and
gain light from their artifices, which may bc tumed against
them. It can never, therefore, be sufficiently inculcated
upon knaves by profession, always to maintain their sang
froid, or, what is better stili, never to get themselves into
perplexing circumstances.

No sooner, therefore, were they in the Street, than Renzo
began to look eagerly in every direction, throwing himself
about, bendino^ bis head forward, and listening attentively.
There was, however, no extraordinary concourse; and
though a ccrtain air of sedition might easily be discemed
on the face of more than one passer-by, yet every onc went
straight on bis way; and of sedition, properly speaking,
there was none.

* Prudencc ! prudence I ' murmured the notary, behind
his back : * Your honour, your reputation, my good fellow ! '
But when Renzo, listening to three men who were approach-
ing with excited looks, heard them speaking of a bake-
housc, concealed flour, and justice, he bcgan to make signs
at them by his looks, and to cough in such a way as indi-
cated anything but a cold. These looked more attentively
at the convoy, and then stopped; others who carne up,
stopped also ; others who hadpassedby, tumed round on hearing
the noise, and retracing their steps, joined the party.

'Take care of yourself; prudence, my lad; it is worse
for you, you see; don*t spoil ali: honour, reputation/ whis-
pered the notary. Renzo was stili more intractablc. The
bailifìfs, after consulting with each other by a look, and
thinking they were doing quite right, (everybody is liable
to err,) again twisted the manacles.

I PROMESSI SPOSI

367

•Ah! ah! ahi' crìed the torturcd victim: the by-standers
^gathered dose round at the cry ; others arrived f rom evcry
I»art of the Street, and the convoy carne to a stand. ' He is
a dissolute felbw/ whispered the notary to ihosc who had
gathered around: *A thìef taken in the act l Draw back
and tnafcc way for justice ! ' But Renzo, secing this was the
moitient^ — seeing the bailiffs turn white, or at least pale, — ^If
I don*t help myself now,— thought he, — ìt's my own fault—
Aiid he immediately cali ed oot, * My friend s ! they are
drrying me off, because yesterday I shooted '* Bread and
jntdcel" Fve done nothing; I am an hoiìest mani help
mt; don't abandon me, my f rJends f

A tnormar of approbation, followed by more explìcit
cHes in his favorir, arose in reply; the bailiffs first eom^
manded^ ihen asked. ihen begged the nearest to makc wa>
tnd let them pasi; but the crowd onty continued stili more
to tram pie and push forward. The bailiffs, seeing their
dmger. let go of the manacles, and only endeavou red to
loie theoiselves in the throng, so as to escape v^nibout
ob«ervation. The notary carnestly tonged to do the sanie;
Imi this was more diflicult on account of hts black cloak.
TliiC poor man, pale ìii face and dismaycd in heart. tried
lo make htmself as dtmintirive as possihle. and wrìthcd his
body abont so as to slip away thrangh the crovvd; but he
could not raisc bis eyes, without sectng a storin gathering
agmìost htm. He tncd every niethod of appeartng a
Strmnger who, passfng tlicrc by chance, had fotind himself
eilmngled in the crowd, like a bit of slraw in the ice; and
«ncountering a man face to face, who looked at him fixedìy
a more tettiblc countenance than the others, he, coni-
ag hit face to a smile, with a look of great simplicity»
ieniaodcd, *What is ali this stir?'

• Uh ! yoti ugly raven I ' replìed the man. * A rav«n ì m
mrtn t * resounded around. Pushes were added to erìcs,
80 thai» in short, partly with his own Icgs, partly by the
efbowK of nthrrs, he fihtatned what lay nearent to his hcart
U thai moment, a sale exit from the pressing muhitude.

CHAPTER XVI

ESCAPE, escape, my good f ellow 1 here is a convent ;
there is a church; this way, that way,' was heard
by Renzo on evcry side. As to cscaping, the reader
may judge whether he would have need of advice on this
head. From the first moment that the hope of extricating
himself from the talons of the police had crossed his mind,
he had begun to form his plans, and resolved, if he sue-
ceedcd in this one, to flee without delay, not only out of the
city, but also out of the duchy of Milan. — For, — thought he,
— they have my name on their black books, however on
earth thcy've got it; and with my name and surname, they
can scize me whcnever they like. — As to an asylum, he
would not willingly have rccourse to one, unless, indeed, he
were reduced to extremity; — For, if I can be a bird of the
woods, — thought he again, — I won't bc a bird of the cage.
— He had therefore designcd as his limit and place of
refuge, a village in the territory of Bergamo, whcre his
cousin Bortolo residcd, who, the reader may rcmembcr, had
frequently solicited Renzo to rcmovc thithcr. But now the
point was how to find his way there. Left in an unknown
part of a city almost equally unknown, Renzo could not evcn
teli by which gate he should pass to go to Bergamo; and
when he had learnt this, he stili did not know the way to
the gate. He stood for a moment in doubt whether to ask
direction of his liberators; but as, in the short time he had
had for reflection on his circumstances, many strong sus-
picions had crossed his mind of that obliging sword-cutler,
the father of four children. he was not much inclined to
reveal his intentions to a larjre crowd. where there might
be others of the same stamp; he quickly dccided. there-
fore. to get away from that ncin:hhourhof>d as fast as he
could ; and he might afterwards ask his way in a part where
nobody would know who he was, or why he askcd
it. Mcrely saying, then, to his dcliverers, * Thank you,
thank you, my friends: blessings on you!' and escaping

268

I PROMESSI SPOSI

tfiTOUgh the space that was tmmediately cle&red for him,
he took to bis licei s, and off he wcnt^ up onc little Btreet,
arid down anothcr, running for some lime wìtliout know-
tng whithcr. When he ihought he was lar cnough off,
he slackcned his pace, rtot to excìte suspìcìoti, and begati
looking aroiind lo cboose some persoa oi wbcm he couid
make inqtiirìes — some face that wouid inspire confidencc.
Bm here* also, therc was need of cautlon. The inquiry
itself was stispicìoysr tìme pressed; the bailiffs, mimC'
iatcly on niaking thcir escape from this rencootre, wotild,
ndoubteiily, rencw thetr search of the fugitive; the rumoiir
hi his flight might cvcn bave reached hither: and in such
a concourse, Renro might careCully scmtinìie a dozen phy-
ilognomìes, he f ore he could mcet wilh a coutncnance that
seezncd Itkely to siik hts pur pose. That fat fellow, standing
at the door of bis shop, with legs extended» and bis hands
bchind his back, the promtncnt corpulency of this person
projecting beyond the doorway, and supporting bis grcat
doitble chin; wbo, from mere idlcncss, was employing him-
sclf in alternatcly raising bis tremendous bulk upon his toc*,
letting it sìnk again upon bis beels— he looked too mttell
e an inquisitive gossip, who vvould bave return ed interrog-
lofies instead of repbes. Thai othcr, advancing with fixed
eycs and a droopitig lip, instcad of being able expedìtiously
lod satisfactorily to direct another in bis way, scarcely
fecmcd to know his ow*n. That tali, stout boy, who, to say
the iruih, certamly looked ìntelligent enough, appeared also
er maliciouslv inclined, and probably would bave taken
mischìevoys delight in sendìng a poor siranger exacily the
te way lo the one he was inquirlng after. So tr^e ia

it, to a man in perplexìty, almost everything seems to bc

1 »cw perplcxity! At last, fixing bis eycs on one who was
tpproachtng in evident baste, he thought that he, Iiaving
probably some pressing business in band* woiild givc an
iate and direct answer» to grt ntl of bim: and hearing
ing to himself, he deemcd that he mmt he an linde-
person. He, tbcreforc» accoi*ted bim with the ques*
* Will >oa bc good enoughto teli mt^ sir, wliiebdirectioi]
ihotUd takc to go to Bergamo? *
*To go lo Bergamo? The P^ma Orientale.'

lod

270 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

'Thank yoti, sir: and to the Porta Orientale?*

*Take this Street to the left; you will come out into the
square of the cathedral ; then . . .'

* That will do. sir ; I know the rest. Heaven reward you/
And on he went by the way that had been pointed out to
him. His director looked after him for a moment, and com-
paring in his mind his way of walking, with the inquiry,
thought within himself, — Either he is after somebody, or
somebody is after him. —

Renzo reached the square of the cathedral, crossed it,
passed by a heap of cinders and extinguished combustibles,
and recognized the relics of the bonfire at which he had
assisted the day before; he then passed along the flight of
steps leading up to the cathedral, and saw again the bake-
house of the Crutches half demoHshed, and guarded by sol-
diers; stili he proceeded onward, and, by the Street which
he had already traverscd with the crowd, arrived in front
of the convent of the Capuchins. where, glancing at the
square and the church-door, he said to himself with a deep
sigh: — That friar ycsterday gave me good advice, when he
bid me go wait in the church, and employ niyself profitably
there. —

Hcre he stoppcd a moment to rcconnoitre the gate through
which he had to pass ; and sccing, evcn at that distancc, many
soldicrs on guard, his imagination also being rather ovcr-
strained, (one must pity him; for he had had enough to
unsettle it,) he felt a kind of repugnance at encountering the
passage. Here he was, with a place of re fu gè dose at band,
where, with the Ictter of recommendation, he would bave
been well reccived; and he felt strongly teniptcd to enter it.
But he quickly summoned up his couragc, and thought: — A
bird of the woods, as long as I can. Who knows me? Cer-
tainly the bailiffs cannot bave divided themselvcs into enough
picces to come and watch for me at every gate. — He looked
bchind him to see if they were coming in that direction, and
saw neither them, nor any one who sccmed to be taking notice
of him. He, therefore, set off again. slackcned the pace of
those tmfortunate legs which, with their own good will, would
bave kept constantly on the run, when it was much better
only to walk; and, proceeding leisurely along» whistling in

I PKOMESSI SPOSI

m^ier-tùne, ht arrivcd at the gate. Just at ihe cntrance

(there was a party of polìcc-oRicfrs, together with a rein-

f*irc€raent of Spanhh soldicrs: but these aìl had thcir alteo-

don dtr<^ctcd to the otitslde^ lo forbid cntrancc to such as»

Lbcarìng the news of an msorTection, W5uìd flock thithcr like

riilturcs to a deserted ficld of battlc ; so that Ren^o, quielly

ìkìng oHj with hìs eyes beni to the ground, and with a

fgait hctwcen that of a traveller and a common passengerj

passcd the threshold wtihout any one speak ing a word to

ibim: but hls hcart beat violcntly, Scemg a little Street to

Ne Tight, he took that way to ai'old the high road, and con*

5ued hls course for some ttme beforc he vcnttired to look

>nn4.

Oh he wenlj he carne to collages and villages, whìch ht
scd withoot asking tbeir oames: he felt certato of gctting
mwsy froni Milan, and hopcd he was goìng towards Bergamo,
aod this was enough for him at prcsent, From tlme to urne
he kepi glancing behind hìm, while walking onwards, occa-
laiontlly look ing at and nibbing one or other of bis wrists»
^ich were sttlì a little benumbed, and marked with a red lioe
the pressure of the nianacles. His tboughts were. as
rery ooe may ìmagine, a confused medley o£ repentanccp
disfmtes, disquietudc, rcvengc, aTid other more tender feel-
iBgf ; it was a wearying endeavour to recali what he had
iald and done the night before, to imrayel tfie ttiystcrious
p»rt of his moumful adventures, and, above ali, how tbey
had managed to discover bis name, His suspicions naturally
fell on the sword-cutler, to whom he remembered having
Bpoken very frankly. And retraeing the way in which he had
dnwn him into conversai ion, together with hls whole be-
haviour, and those proHers which always ended in wishing
to kmm «omething about him, his suspicions were changcd
ahsu^st to ccrtainty. He had, bestdes, some faìrit recoltection
of oootinuìng to chatter after the dcparture of the ctitler;
but wtth whora ? gucss K ye crickets : of what ? his meraory^
«pile of his effoTts, could not teli hiin ihts : it could only rc-
hifn that he had noi bcen at a!l htm^eif that evenlng.
feUow was lost in thcse speciilatìons; he waa like a
who has afifbced hh signature io a number of bUnk Cor*
and commirtcd thcni to the care ol aoe he ertecincd

272 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

honest and honourable, and having discovcred him to be m
shuffling meddler, wishes to asccrtain the state of hts affairs.
What can he discover? It is a chaos. Another painful
speculation was how to form some design for the fature that
would not be a merely aèrial project, or at least a melancholj
one.

By and by, howevefy he became stili more anxious about
finding bis way; and after walking for some distance at a
venture, he saw the necessity of making some inquirìes.
Yet he felt particularly reluctant to utter the word * Ber-
gamo/ as if there were something suspicious or dangerous in
the name, and could not bring himself to pronounce it He
resolved, however, to ask direction, as he had before done at
Milan, of the first passenger whose countcnance suited his
fancy, and he shortly met with one.

' You are out of the road/ replied his guide ; and having
thought a moment, he pointed out to him, partly by words and
partly by gestures, the way he should take to regain the high
road. Renzo thanked him for his dircctions, and pretended
to follow them, by actually taking the way he had indicated,
with the intention of almost reaching the public road, and
then.without losing sight of it. to kccp parallel with its course
as far as possible, but not to set foot within it. The design
was easicr to conceive than to effcct, and the result was,
that, by going thus from right to left in a zigzag course, partly
following the dircctions he obtained by the way, partly cor-
recting them by his own judgment, and adapting thcm to his
intentions, and partly allowing himself to be guided by the
lanes he traversed, our fugitive had walked pcrhaps twelve
miles, when he was not more than six distant from Milan;
and as to Bergamo, it was a great chance if he were not
going away from it. He began at last to perceive that by this
method he would ne\'er come to an end. and determined to
find out some remedy. The pian that occurred to his mind
was to get the name of some villago bor^lcrins: on the con-
fines. which he could reach by the ncighUniring roads : and
by asking his wzy thithcr. he could coUect iniormation, with-
out leaving bchind him the name of Bergamo, which sccmcd
to him to savour so strongly of flight. esca:x\ and crime.

Wbile ruminating on the best way of obtaining these

I PROMESSI SPOSI

'' iBStmctiofis wiAout exciting suspicion, he saw a btisH hang*

ii^ over the door of a solitary cottage just autsìde a little

villane. He had for some timc fdt the need of recnjiting

bis stteogth, and thbking that this wotild be the place to

serve two ptirposes at once, he entercd, Thcrr was no one

withict but aw old woman, with her distai at her side, and the

sptndle in her haod. He asked for something to eat* and

was oficrcd a little stracchino^ and some good wine ; he gladly

aciee|>ted the food^ but cxcused hiniself from taking any wine,

feeling quite an abhorrence of it, after the crrors it had

made him guilty of the night before ; and then sat down, beg*

iging the old woman to make baste. She sened up bis meal

Ila a moiìient, and then began to tease her customcr wlth in-

'qolrles, both abont himself, and the grand doinga at Mìlan» the

report of which had al ready rcachcd hcre. Remo not only

Icontrivcd to parry and elude her inqtiiries wìth much dex-

[terity, but even prohted by the difficuUy, and ni ade the curi-

cslty of the old woman rtibservient to his ìntentions, wben she

asked him whcre he was ^oing to.

•I bave to go to inany places/ replied he: *and if I can
find a moment of time, I want to pass a httle while at that
▼lllage, rather a large one, on the road to Bergamo, near the
tiorder» btit in the territory of Milan . . . WTiat do they cali
it?' — There must be one there, surely, — ^thonght he, io the
Isnean wbìle.

* Gorgonzola you roean/ replied the old womaiL

* Gorgonzola ! ' repeatcd Renzo, as tf to imprint the word
better on his memory, * Is it very far from bere?* rcsumed
Ile*

*1 don't know exactly ; ìt raay be ten or twelve miles. Il
ocie ol roy soos were bere, he couid tei! you.'

* And do you think I can go by thcsc pleas^t ìanes wtthout
Italnng the high road? There ts swch a dust ihere ! snch a

shocking dust J It's m long siticc It rained ! *

•1 fancy you can: you can ask at the first village you
conic lo, after turning to the right/ And she namcd it

* Tbal*« weU/ said Rcnzu ; and risiag, he look in bis band
a piece of brcad remaining from his Kaniy meal, of a r^ty

fercot qtialsfy to that which he had found the day beforfi

«AModolMlli

174

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

at the fooi of die cross ai San Dìanigi; and pxying Ite
LTcckoning, he set off «gain, followìtig the roac! lo àifi
ftiand. By taking care not t« wandcr f rom II mere than
necdful, and with the name o£ Gorgontola in liis momh, he
proceeded irom village to village, tmtil, abottt an hour before
sunset, he arrived ihcre.

During hìa walk, he had retolved to make another ilopj
hefc. and to lakc some rather tnorc aubsmiiUal relreib*"
nent His body aJso craved a little rest; but rather ihmJ
ratify ihis desi re, Renzo wotild have sunk fn a ^woon ujym '
Ile ground* He prriposed gaìtiing some ii"' .

in about the distance of the Adda, to asce
li there wES any cros»*roatl that ]ed to il, an
^ttgiin, even at this hour, hìimediately after his re, ., .. :, .,a
and hrought tip at the second soiree, so to say, of this rtircr»
he had ofteti heard it aaid, that at a certain poìnt, and for,
some conssderahle distance, ìt served as a boundmry betwe
the Milanese and Veiictian states: he had no very distìnct
idea of whcre this boiindary commenced, or bow far it ex»
tended; but, for the prcscnt, \m principaì object waa to
beyond it, If he did noi succeed in reacbtng it that evtsaigi^/.
he resolved to walk as long at the night aod his strengtb
wouid allow him, and afierwards to wait the approacbing
day in a 6eld, or a wilderncss, or whererer God plcased, fifo»
vided it werc not an inn.

After walking a few paces along the Street at Gorigon-
zola, he noticed a sign, eiitered the inn, and on the laiìd-
lord*» advancing to mcet htm* ordered somclhing to cat,
and a small mcasure of winc: the atlditional niiU-s he had
passed, and the lime of day, havtng overcomc his extrenic
and fanatical hatred of this bcvcrage, *I must b«f ytm
to be qnìck/ added he; ' for Vm obligcd lo go oo my way
again very soon/ Thit he »atd not only becatue It was
the trtitbp but also for fear the boft. iniaginrng that be
wa$ goiof to pass the night tbere; ahoald eomc and aiic |
him ht» name aod stiniame, and where be came from, aad<
on what bufine»» . , . But enotsgh !

Tbe landloT ' that he fhotsld be waìted upon imoia^

dtately ; and K ^lown al the end of the Cable* near ibm

door/tltc usuai place of tbe baihfui.

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

Some leuogtrs oì the vìUage had assemblcd in tliìs room,
fwho, after having argued over, and disciissed» and coni-
mented upoo, the grand news from Milan of the preceding
day, werc now longing to know a little how matters werc
going on; the more so, as thcir first inforoiation was rather
to irritate their curìosity than to satisfy it; a scdition,
ktr subdued iior trìuniphant : suspended, rather than ter-
Ited, by the approach of night; a defcctivc thìtig: the
cODclusìon of an act» rather than of a drama, One of these
dctached himself from the party, and seating hìmsdf hy the
iiew còmcr, asked hkn li he carne from Mììan.

* I ? ' said Renio, in a tone of surprtsc, to gain time f or a
reply.

* Yon, tf the questìon h MowMtJ
RenxOi, shaking hh head, comprcssing his lìps, and uttering

tnartietiUte sound. repUfd; 'Mllan, from what I hear
, froro what they say aronnd . . , is Rot ex^ctly a place to
go at present, unle!^^ in case of great necessity/

* Docj? the uproar continue, thcn, to*day?* demandcd his
nqnisitive companìon more eagcdy.

* 1 must hnvc been thcrc to know that,* said Rcnjo.

* But you — don't yoy come from Milan? *

* ì come from Liscatc/ re|3lied the youth^ promptly. wbo,
the ifiean while, had dectded tJpon hts reply* Strictly

ting. he had come frotn ihere, because he had passed tt;
he had leamt the namc from a traveller on the road, who
tneiujoned tliat village as the 6rst he must pass on his
%ray to fjorgonxob.

'Oh!* said hìs friend, in that tone which seems to say;
rkvc ilnne lictter if you had come from Milan; hut
[j ' And at Lisca te,' added he, 'did you hear nothing

ubotif Milan ? *

* There may very tikciy have beeo somebody who knew
[imethtng about ìt/ rcpiied the mountaineer, * bnt l hcard
Qthing/ And this was proffered in that particular manner

aeems to mean: Tre finished. The r^uerist retumed
I a moment afterwardà, tlic landlord carne

•l

rhe Adda ? ' asked Renzo, in an
le who h bali :utecp, and aa

276 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

indifferent manner, such as we have already seen him assume
on some other occasions.

* To the Adda — to cross it? ' said the host.
' That is . . . yes . . . to the Adda/

' Do you watit to cross by the bridge of Cassano, or the
Ferry of Canonica ? '

*0h, I don't mind where ... I only ask from curì-
osity.'

' Well, I mention these, because they are the places gentle-
men generally choose, and people who can give an account
of themselves.'

* Very well ; and how far is it ? '

'You may reckon that to either one or the other, it is
somewhere about six miles, more or less/

*Six miles! I didn't know that/ said Renzo. 'Well/
resumed he, with a stili greater air of indifTerence, almost
amounting to affectation, *well, I suppose therc are other
places for crossing, if anybody is inclined to take a short
cut?'

' There are, certainly,' replied the landlord, fixing his eyes
upon him with a look full of malicious curiosity. This was
enough to silence ali the other inquiries which our youth
had ready on his lips. He drew his piate before him, and,
looking at the small measure of wine which the landlord had
set down on the table, said, * Is the wine pure ? *

* As gold,' said the host ; ' ask ali the people of the village
and neighbourhood, for they know it; and, besides, you can
taste yourself/ So saying, he tumed towards his other cus-
tomers.

' Piagne on these landlords ! ' exclaimed Renzo in his heart;
*thc more I know of them. the worsc I find them/ How-
ever, he began to eat very heartily, listening at the same
time, without appearing to pay any attcntion, to see what he
could Icam, to discovcr what was the general impression bere
about the great event in which he had had no little share;
and, above ali, to ascertain if, amongst these talkers, there
was one honest man, of whom a poor fellow might venture
to make inquiries, without fear of getting into a scrape, and
being forced to talk about his own doings.

'But,' said one» 'this time, it seems dear the Milanese

I PROMESSI SPOSI

277

wazitcd to bring about a vcry gciod thing* Wdl ; to-m&rrow,
ftt lai^su wt shall know sometbing,'

• Vm sorry I didii*t go to Milati this mofoìfig,* said another.
*If yùu go to*morrow, TU go with you/ saìd a tJurd; *so

ili 1/ said another; 'and 1/ saìd another.

*Wbai I want to know/ resumed the first, * is, whether

bcse Milanese gentlcmen will think of us poor pcoplc out

>f the city; or if theyUl only gel good laws made for them*

Jves, Do you know how they do, eh ? Thcy are ali proud

ìtkens. every one for himscH ; and we sirangers tnìghtn't be

"Cliristians/

*WcV€ mouths, too, cither to eat, or to give our own
[jinions/ said another, with a voice as modest as the propo*
►itiofi was darbg; 'sud when things havc gonc a Utile
furthcr , , / But he did not think fit to finish the sentcnce.

*There's com hldden, not only at Milan/ another was
beginning, with a dark and designing coantenance, whcn
bey heard the trampling of a borse approaching; they ran
the door, and having discovered who it was, they aìl went
it to mcct him. It was a Milanese merchant who gè ne rally
ed the night at this ine. in joumcying two or three times
jrear lo Bergamo on business; and as he almost always
the aame company there, they wcre ali his acquaint-
accs. Thcy now crowded aroiind him ; one took his brìdle,
lother his stirrup, and saltited him with, * Welcome/

• 1 m glad to scc yon.*

• Have yoti had a good journey ? '
' Vcr>' good ; and how are yoa ali ? '
'Pretty welL pretta- well What news from Milan?'
•Ahf yoa are always for news/ said the merchant, dJs-

fnounitng, and leaving his borse in the care of a boy. * An4

JUcside^/ contfntied he, entering the door with the rest of

|hc party, * by this lime yon know it, perhaps, better tban I

* I asstire yon we know nothing/ saìd more than one, lay-
Bg his han ' v

Jjj^ it po*i- lé merchant * Thcn you shall bear

fine ♦ , . f^r nathcr, some bad news, Hcy» ìandlord^ is
Fbtual bed at lìberiv ? \'cry wcll ; a gln^s of wine. and my
ili meaJ ; be qukk, for I must go to bed early, and »et of!

278

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

t(>*KJorrow rtiorning very catly» so as to gct to Berfnmi
hy difiner-time. And you/ continucd he, sittmg down at
Ihe opposite end of the table to where Renzo was seatecL
siìently but atterìtively Ibtening, 'you don*t know ibotil alt
the diabolkai doings of ycsterday?*
' Ycs. we heaxd somethmg about yesterday/

* You see now ì * rejotned the merchatit ; * yoo know the
news. I thoughtj whcn you are stationed Iierc tll day, to
watch and sound everybody that Comes by * * /

' Btìt to-day : how bave mattcrs gone to-day ? *

* Ah, to*day. Do yoii koow nothing abotit to-day?*

* Nothing wb a te ver : nobody has come by/
*Then let me wet my lìps: and aftcrwards 111 teli

àbout everything. You shall bear/ Having filled bt^ ^fni
he took it in bis Hght band, and, lifting up hìs it s'

with the first two fìngers nf bis left, and tbcn $rr ^ j*
beanf with the palm, he drank it off, and conlinued:—
• There was little wanting , my worthy f riends, to make I0-
day as rough a day as yesterday, or worse. I can scarce^
belicve it true that I am bere to teli you about it : for I bad
once put aside every tbnught of tny joumcy, to i^tay and takc
care of tny itn fortunate shop*

* What was the matter, then?* said one of hU atjditors.
'What was the matter? you %hM bear/ And,

the mcat that was set beforc hìm, he began to eat, at ti
game tJmc continuing bis narration. The crowd, standmip
at hoth sides of the lablc, listened to him with open fnouths;
and Rento, apparently giving no heed to what he said,
listened, perhaps, more eagerfy thnn sny of the otbcrs^ ai
he slowly finblied the la-st few^ nmtithfuls.

* Tbis iiiornìng, thcn. tbose rascals whn made suri i -
ble uproar yesterday, rcpaired lo tlie appoìnted 1 i
meeting (there was al ready an understandlng between theni«
and evctythìng was arranged) ; thcy united together, and
began agam the otd story of gobg froni Street to Street*
Ahoutìng to eollect a erowd. You ' 't is lìkc whcn one
sweeps a house — w^ilh r#**fpert hr • ^the heaf» nf dti^^t
inerea^es aa one gr^c 1
assembled eiough p( v^ ^
tbo iupennteiident of proviaion»; aa ti i; ^m tbey

I PROMESSI SPOSI

179

Vie htm ycsterday was not enougli, to a gentleman of his

»ctcr— t2ie villainsi And the lies they told about himl

ilivrriiions : he is a worthy. exact gentleman : and I niay

ay so, forlajn very intimate with him» and serve hìm witli

tlcitli lor his servante* livery. They proceedcd theii towards

bis house; you otight to sce what a rabbie, and what fac^$:

fancy their having passed tny shop» with faces that < . .

bc Jcws of the K«n Crucis are nothing to thcni. And such

blngs as they uttered ì cnough to make one stop one*s ears, if

had not hecn that it mìght have tiimed to account in dis-

avering one. They weitt forward ihen wtth the kind inten-

iofi of pTunderìng the house, but . . / Here he raised his kft

hand and extend^ it in the air, placing the end of his thumb

OQ the point of his nose.

* Btit? * said almo^t ali his audilors.

* BtiC continued the merchant, ' they fotind the Street
Mockaded with planks and carts, and bchind this barricadOi
a good file of toldiers. with their guns levelled, and the butt*
eiids rcuting on tbcir shotitdcrs. VVhen they saw thìs prepara*
tjon , . . What would you have done f '

Turntd back/

•To he 6urc; and so did ihey, But just llsten if it wasn'l

dcvìi that inspired them, They reachcd the Cordusiù, and

re saw the bake*house which they wanted to plunder the

.brfore: bere they were busy in distributing brcad to

cu5toniers; i!iere were noblemcn theie, ay, the very

of the nohiiity» to wntch that everjthìng went ©n in

tofdcr; but the niob (ihoy had the devil within thein, I

a, and l>esides, there were some whispering in their

and urging ihem on). the mob nishcd io fnnoufily;

awsy, and I wtll seize too:** in the tw*inkling of an

^iióblemcn, bakeri, ctistomers, Ioaves. benehes, oounicrs,

b, chc*ts, bags, sieves, bran, Hour, dougfa, al! wer*

5e<l 11^ ' " ■•vTi '

! f rs?'

* The soìiiitrr^ had the vicaria house to defeod; ooc CBitQOt
Dg aod rarr\ the cros^ at the same tim& Il was ali dofia

the tv f aj] eye, I telJ you: off and away; evcry-

^ th-i V ->€ put to any use waj» cairied off, .\nd thcn

proposcd again the beautiful scene of ycsterday— drag-

raetjee

ALESSANDRO MAKZOKI

gìng the rcst to the square, and makìng a bonfirc* They had
already begiin — the villains !— to carrj* some ^lìngs oui of
the house, whcn ooe grcater vtliaìn than the re^t — what da
yoy think was the proposal he madc?*

•What?'

' What I to make a pHc of cvcrything in the shop, aad ti?
set fife to the heap and the house togciber. Ho soocier said
Ihaa done . , .'

•DJd they set fire to it?'

* Wait. A worthy man of the oeighbourhood had ao in-
spira tion from Heavcn. He ran np-stairs, songht (or a
cracifix, found one,-and hting it in front of one of the Win-
dows; then he took two candtcs which had bcen hkssed. Ut
them, and set them outside, <m the wtndow*sÌlU one 00 cadi
side of the crucifìx. The mob looked up* Il must be owned,
there is stili some fear of God in Milaii; everybody carne
their scn&es* At teast, 1 mean most of them ; thcrc were soe
certainly, devils enough lo bave set fire lo Paradise» for th«
sake of plunder; biit, fiiiding that the crowd was net of tJiCJT
opinion, they were obliged to abandon their design, and
keep quiet. Just faocy now who arrìved — ali their Gracti
of the Cathedra!, in proeessioo, with the cross elcvatcd, and
in their canonica] robcs; and my lord the Ardi prr-itivtrr
bcgan preaching on one side, and my lord the Pei

on tlie otiier, and oihers again, scattercd bere ami nti-rcij
** But« good peopte; what would you do? is tliis the
you set your childrcn? go home, go home; you shall hm%
brcad at a low pricc; ìf you1l only look yon'U aee ihat
rate is pasted up at cvcrv corner.*' *

'Wasitso?'

*\Vhat? was ìt so? Do yon thtnk tbat their Graces of
the Cathedral would come, io their magnìfìccitt robes, to teli
them falsehoods?"

' And what did the people do?*

* l'hey dispcrsed by degrees; some ran to the cornerà ef tha
strccts« and for thofe who cotild read, ihere was the Sxcd
rate, sure cnotigh. What do you ibtnk of it ? cight ouoees of
bread for a penny '

* What good Inck ! *
' The ffùùf ùf the ^ding it m the cutimg. How '

I PROMESSI SPOSI

► you tìiiiik ihcy have wasictl ycstcrday and thìs
Eiìough to support ìhe Ducby for two months/
'Then thcyVe made no good laws fot us In the
oimtry?'

' What has bcen donc at Mìlaa is entirtly at the expense
of the city. I don't know what to say to you ; it must be as
_God wl!!s, Fortonately, the sedition is finishcd, for I
àveii't told you ali yet; bere comes the best part'
" " at is tberc bestdes?'
iily, that, tast eventng, or thU morning, l'm oot surc
many of the Icaders have been seixed, and Ioar of
it is known, are to be hvmg directly. No sooner did
Its get abroad, than cvcrybody wcnt home the shortest
way, noe to mn the risk of becoming number five. WheQ
I left Milan, it looked like a convent ol Iriars/
*But wtll they really bang them?'
* Undoubledly, and quickly, too/ repHed the merchant
*And what will tlic people do?* asked the samc inter-
^fpgltor as had pnt the other question.

'The people will go to see them/ said the merchant
bey had such a desire to sce a Christian hanging in the
air, that they wanied — ibe vagabonds! — ^to despatch
superi ntendem of provislons in that way, By this €X-
Cliange they will have four wrctches, attended with every
formalìty, accompanted by Capnchins, and by friars of
the tuona morie f bui they deserve it, It is an interferenee
of Pro%'idcnce, you see; aod ìfs a neccssary thing, They
wcTc already beginnìng to divert tb^Dselves by enicring
shops, and helping themselves witbout paying; if tbcy'd
them go on so, alter bread, winc woyld bave had Itt
tiiiTU and so on from thing to thing. . . . Yoa may imaglne
^hethcr they would abandon &o convenient a practice. of
own ftee will. And I can teli you, that was no very
it thought for an honest man keeping a shop/

HimlTy if'%^cn to the moniti of thr r-,ri^tT óf St* P»ll«,

" i*f il mctU, «A

% to Iure witli

KtÀrr, V)r Iti

' Touf

ir la

, _ ni«

of dwth hujW% «jch 'ImI .11- itsc ubètj linea by tJa-'ir rtUUoOV
to bf (wkbrjitcfl ÌQt tli«m.*

282 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

' Certainly not/ said one of his hearers. * Certaitily noC
replied the rest, in chorus.

* And,' continued the merchant, wiping his beard with the
table-cloth, *it had ali been project ed for some tirae: there
was a league, you know/

* A league, was there ? '

* Yes, there was a league. Ali cabals formed by the
Navarrines, by that French cardinal there, you know, with
a half-Turkish name, who every day contrives something
fresh to annoy the court of Spain. But, above ali, he aims
at playing some trick in Milan; for he knows well enougfa
— the knave — ^that the strength of the king lies there/

•Ay/

' Shall I give you a proof of it? Those who've made the
greatest noise were strangers ; there were faces going about
which had never before been seen in Milan. By the by, I
forgot to teli you one thing which was told me for certain.
The police had caught one of these fellows in an inn . . .*
Renzo, who had not lost a single syllable of this conversa-
tion, was taken with a cold shudder on hearing this chord
touched, and almost slipped under the table before he
thought of trying to contain himself. No one, however,
perceived it; and the speaker, without interrupting his
relation for a moment, had continued : * They don't exactly
know where he came from, who sent him, nor what kind
of man he was, but he was certainly one of the leaders.
Yesterday, in the midst of the uproar, he play ed the very
devil; and then, not content with that, he must begin to
harangue the people, and propose — a mere trifle! — to mur-
der ali the nobilityl The great rascal ! Who would
support the poor if ali the nobles were killcd? The police,
who had been watching him, laid hands upon him; they
found on his person a great bundle of letters, and were
leading him away to prison, but his companions, who were
keeping guard round the inn, came in great numbers, and
delivered him — the villain ! '

*And what became of him?'

' It isn't known ; he may be fled, or he may be concealed
in Milan : they are people who bave neither house nor home,
and yet find lodging and a place of refuge every where;

I PROMESSI SPOSI

HI I

bowcver, tHough the dcvil can and wilJ help thcm, yct ìhty
may fall into the hatids of justìce when they least expect
it; lor whoi t^ic pear is ripe ìt must falU For the prescnt,
tt iS weli knowiJ that the letters are in possessìon of gov-
emoient, and ibat the wholc conspìracy is theretn de^crtbed ;
anil ihey say that cnany people are implicated in it, This
mueh ts ctrtaiti, that ihey have tunied Milan upsìde dowo,
md would have done much worse, It is said that the bakers
are rogues: I know they are; btit they ought to be huiig
in the coiirse of j astice. They say there is coru hidden;
ho doesn't know that? But it is the business of the gov-
lìuent ta keep a good 1ook*out to brìng it to Hght, and
hang the monopolists in conipany with the bakers. And
if govcrnnient does nothbg, the city ought to remonstrate ;
^nd ìf they don*t listen the first lime, remonstrate agatn;
fot by dint of appcals they will get what they want; but
noi adopt the villaLnous practice of furiously entering shops
and warchouses to gei booty/

Een^o's amali njeal had turned into poison, It seemed
tlke an age before he could gei out of, and away from^ the
ion and the l'ìltage; and a dozen tìmes, at least» he had saìd
lo hitnself: ' Now I may surely go,* But the fear of
eaecìttng suspicion, now incrcased beyond nieasure, and
pf^erailtng over every nther thought, had kept hi tu stili
nailed to his seat. In this perplexity, he ihought the chat-
Urct must at last stop talking about hitn, and determined in
bb own mind to luake his escape as soon as another sub*
ject was started.

* For thts rcaaon,* said one of the party, ' knowing how
tbcic things go, and that honest men fare but badly in sudi
disturbanccs^ I wouidn't lei my curiosity cooqyer, and
hiTC. t bere f ore, rcmained cjuietly at home**

* Neither would l move, fot the same reason/ said
anotber.

* 1/ added a third» 'il I had happened by chance lo be
it Milan, l would bave left any business whatever tnifin-
tahed, and liavc teturned hoiue as quickly as possible, I
bave a v ' * rhihlrcii ; anri, bcsides, lo teli ihe truth, I
llaci't lik n:

Al Ibi : . :it che tandlord, who had bcen cagerly

284 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

listening with the rest, advanced towards the other end of
the table to see what the stranger was doing. Renzo seized
the opportunit>% and beckoning to the host, asked for his
account, settled it without dispute, though his purse was
by this time very low; and without further delay, wcnt
directly to the door, passed the threshold, and taking care
not to tum along the same road as that hy which he had
arrived, set off in the opposite direction, trusting to the
guidance of Providence.

CHAPTER XVTT

ONE wisli h often cnough to allow a man no pcacc;
what, ihen, mtist two have becn— one at war with
the other? Our poor Een^o, as the readcr knows,
had had two such con^TCUng desìres in his mìnd fot sev-
era! hours; the wish to makc his escape, witli the wish to
reitiain undiscovered : and the unfortunate wordi ci the
isiercbatst had increased both one and the other to an ex-
travagant degree, His adventure, then, had got abroadì
Therc werc means, ihcn, employcd, lo seke himl "WTio
knew how many bailififs were in the field to give htm chaset
or wbat orders had bcen forwarded to keep a watch in the
Ytllifes^ at the imi, on the roadsl He reflected, howcver,
Iftat, after ali, there were bitt two baitiffs who kncw him^
tad Ihat his nanie was tiot written upoti bis forehcad; but
Ihcn, agatn, a himdred stories he had heard rushed into his
flttnd, of fogitìves caught and discovcred in many strangc
ways, recognized by their walk, by their suspicious air,
tud other unthought of tokens: evetything exdted bis
ilarm* Althoiigh, as he left Gorgonzola, the tolUitg of the
Avemaria sounded in his ears, and the increasìng dark-
iie$» every moment dimìnisbed his danger, yet it was very
aawlUingly that he took the high road, proposing to follow
tti€ first by*lane which seemed likely to bring him io the
potnt he was so anxiotis to reach. At first, he occasionally
met a traveìfer: but so full was his imaginatton of direftìl
appre ben Sion s, that he had not eourage lo detain any one
lo tDqtiire his way*— That innkeeper said sue mìles^ —
tbcmght he. — If, by takiilg these foot-patha and by-!ancs» I
iDake ihcm eight» or cven ten, my leg^ which ha ve bstéd
so far» wil! menage thesc too. Vm cettainjy not go-
towardà Milan, mù l must bc gomg towards the Adda.
away« then; sooner or !atcr, I shall gei there* The
bas a good voiee; and when once Vm near It, I
"ihao't want aitybody io point it out to me ff any boat
ere, riJ oroii directlyj If tiot, TU wait tiU osonilag»

286 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

in a ficld, or on a tree, like the sparrows: better on a trce
than in prison. —

Very soon, he saw a lane turning down to the left, and
he pursued it.

At this hour, il he had met with any one, he would no
longer have hesitated to address him; but he heard not a
footstep of living creature. He followed, therefore, the
windings of the lane, indulging, the mean while, in such
reflections as these:

— I play the devil! I murder ali the nobility! A packet
of lettera — I! My companions keeping guard around mei
l'd give something to meet with that merchant face to
face, on the other side of the Adda, (ah, when shall I gct
across that blessed Adda?) Td make him stand, and ask
him, at my convenience, where he had pickcd up ali this
fine information. Just please to be informed, my dear
sir, that the thing went so and so; aiid that ali the mis-
chief I play ed was helping Ferrer, as if he had becn my
brother: know, moreover, that those rascals who to bear
you talk, one would think wcre my fricnds, because once
I said a word or two, like a good Christian, wanted to
play me a very rough trick; know, too. that while you
were taking care of your own shop, I was cndangering
my ribs to savc your signor, the superintcndent of pro-
visions — a man I never either knew or saw in my life.
Wait and see if I ever stir again to help gentlemen . . .
It is true we ought to do it for our soul's good: they are
our neighbours, too. And that great bundle of lettcrs,
where ali the conspiracy was revealed. and which you
know for certain is in the hands of govcmment; sure
enough, I couldn't show it you bere without the help of
the devil. Would you have any curiosity to sce this mighty
packet? Look bere ... A siiìgle letter! . . . Yes. my
good sir, one letter only; and this lettor, if you'd like to
know, was written by a monk capable of instructing you
in any point of doctrine you wish, — a monk, without doing
you injustice, a single hair of whosc beard is worth ali
yours put together; and this letter, I should like to teli you,
is written, you see, to another monk, al so a man . . .
Just see, now, who my rascally fricnds are. Lcarn, if you

I PROMESSI SPOSI

how to talk another lime, particularly whcn yùu
uc talking about a fcllow-crcamre.—

After a little tiinc, howcver, ihese and simiiat re^ections
gave way lo othcrs; his preseli t circiimsiances occupytng
die whoìc attt^wtion of our poor traveller. The dread of
bein^ parstied and discovcred. which had so ince&santly
onbiUered liìs day*s journey, now no longer gavc him aiiy
tmeasmess; but how many things made hb nìghlly wandcr-
ings sufficiently iincomfortablc ! — darkness; solitiide; In*
crcasJng, ajid now painful, {aURiie; a gentlc, but steady
and picrchìg brecjrc, whìch tvould be far froni agrceable lo
a man stUl dressed in the same clothes which he had put
oo io g<i a Bhort dtstance to a wcddìng, and quJckly td
rettirti in triitniph to his home» only a few steps off; and»
what rendiifeil everythìng doubly ìrksome, walkìng at m
venture, in scarch of a place oi rest and security,

If he happened to pass through a village, he would walk
it i|uictly and warily as possible, lest any of the doors
*3M3tild be stili open ; but he saw no further signs of re-
mg wakefubieds atnong iJie Inhabitants thati oecaston-
^j > a ftancing light in one of the Windows. Wlieti on the
Toad, away ftom evcry abode, he wouid pause, every no^
«ad llien, and ìistcn cagerly for the belovcd niurmur of the
Adda; but in %ain. He beard no sounda but tJie distanl
howllng of dogi at some §olÌtary dwelllngp wbkh floated
tbrough the air, at once moumful and tbfcalentng- On
sppfoachìng atiy of these abodes, the bowling was changed
into an iiritatcdg angry barkj and in passing before the
door, h>e heard, and almost fancicd he saw. the fiere*
creatares^ with thcir beads at the crack of tlic door^ f eiter-
alìiig thcir howls, This quickly retnoved ali temptatìon lo
la>oek and ask shclter, and prnbably his courage wouId bave
failcd bad there bcen no iuch obstacles In hl^ way. — Who*8
ihere? — tfaouifht he t--^ what do you want at this hour?
f^nw did you come bere? Teli who you are, Isn*t therc
where you can get a bcd? This, at best. Is what
wMI fcay to me, i£ I knock: cven tf it shouidn't be a
ardly sleeper. who wouId bcgìn to shout out lustily,
"•BeJpl Thjcves!* I mnst bave soojctliiug ready for ait
i^iaawcy; and wbat could 1 8ay? Il anybody hean a aots<;

280 ALESSANDRO MANMNI

in tbe flight, nothing enters thcir hcads but robbef«, vinaio»,
and roguts: thcy uever think th;it an honest man may be
beojghle4 not to say a gcmlciuaji in bis carriagc,— He
det crmincd» thercforc* to reserve this pian as a lau rciatirce
ni cEse of necessìty, aod contìniied his way, stili witli tbe
bope of at least discovering the Adda, if net of crofStog'
iti that night, and not beitig obliged again to go in «earch
of ìt in broad dayligbt

Oli, thercfore, he went, till he reacbed a part wbere tlie
country changed from culti vated ficids info a hcaih of fcras
and broom. This secnjcd, U not a sure indication, at Icast^
a kind of argiimcnt that therc was a ri ver in ihe ndgh*^^
bourhood; and be advanead across the common, pnrsttti4|^H
tbe path whicb travcrsed it, After walking a few pac«^
he stopped to tìsten: but in vaio. The tedioiij^ness of tlte
jounicy seemed to be increascd by the wìldne&5 of the
place; not a nmlberry fior a vine was to be »een, nor ajif
other signs of human culture, which, in the early part of
his progress, seemed aìmost like baif-cotupanìons lo hlm.
However, he stili went forward, beguìling the limei aiwl
endeayouring to drive away the Imageu and appariiìunf whidi
haunted bis mind — the relics of a bundred wondcf fui storicf
he bad heard — by repeatlng, m he went along, some of the
prayers for the dead.

By degrees, be entered among larger patches of
iffood, wild phim^trecs, dwarf oaks» and branibles. Ci
tloulng hls way^ wtth more impali enee tban alacrity, he
acattered oceasionally tliroughout tbcse paiches, a soHi
tree; and, stilJ following the guldance of the footpatli, per*
ceìved that be was cnterìng a wood He felt a kind
feluctance to proceed; but he conquerrd it, and iinwllingl
went forward* The furiher he went, the more thts tiiK
willtngness tncreased. und the more did everythin^ he «»w
vex and haras* hi» - um. The bushel he i

befote him assiuncd iTiarvcìInus, and uncoi:'

the shadnws of the top» oi the trfcx abmied hrm, 7<
agitatèd by tbe hrecfe, they quivered on his path ;i ]

by the pale light of the moon; the very rv^
withercd lcave«, a» he trantpled tbem under t'unì, nan m u
aomethìjif bileful lo hit car. His limbs fclt a «tranisc tm*

I PROMESSI SPOSI

/tifi rutt, and, at ihc sanie lime, sccmed searcely able
'^dìifi^Oft liim. The cold night-bree^e blcw more chilly
and sliarply againtt bis forehcad and ihroat; he fclt it
licrdn^ through his thin clothes to hts skin, whicìi shivcred
the blast, and» penetrafmg naare subtilciy to his vcry
cxrtfoguishifig the last remains of vigour. At ooe
tistie, the weariness and utidefincd liorror with which he had
so long been straggling, had suddcnly almost overwhelmed
htin* He nearly lo^t hìs telf-govcrnment ; bui teirified ahove
ali things at his owii terror, he summaned up hts (ormtf
spifits» and by a great effortj forced them to as stime their
fiami sway* Thus fortjfìed for a niament, he stDod stili
to dcirberate» and resolved to lea%^c the wood hy the samc
paih as he had traversed, to go straight to the last village
he had pass ed. to return once more among mankind, and
thcre to seck sbcUer» cvcn at the inn, Whilc he thus stood,
the rustìing of bis fcet among the leaves hashed, and, per-
fectly sUeot arouiid bini, a noise reacbcd his ear, a nmnnur
— ^ momiur of runnìng water He listens; aasures hùnseif;
and cxclaims, *lì's the Adda!* It was like the rcstoration
of a friciid, of a brother, of a delivcrer, His wearìneàs
aìtiìost dÌL-appearrd» his pulse again beat ; he leit his blood
circuiate frecly and warmly through ali his veins; his coa-
idieoice increa&ed, the gloominess and opprcssion of his mind,
in great part, vanished away; and he no longer be^jìtated to
penetrate farther into the wood. towards the friendly murmur.
At lait he reached the extremity of tbe fiat, at the edge
of a steep declivity: and, pecping through the husbes that
cvcf) wbere co ver ed its sur face, he discerned» at the bottoni,
tJie iflitlerìng of the nmnmg water. Then, raising his cyes,
l' he estensive plaìn on the opposite side, scattered

beyond thls the hilìs, and on one of these a
Li' 1 l 't^ In vrhidi he faticicd he couid distinginsh

a Li'v— jv .^ I i, undoitbtedly. He descendcd tbe Mcep a
Kttlc way, srparating and pnshing asidc the brushwood with
hh hands and arms, and tooked down, to see if there were
«ny boat moving on ibe water» or to lìstcn if he coiild hcar
aplashìtig " bui he aaw and beard notlting. Had

any than the Adda. Ken20 woiikl bave

at uiicc iàiìd attempted to lord tt; bót tibia, be

|»-Vil.2t

ALESSAKOnO MANZONI

well knew, in stich a river. was noi a mattcr of ytty gtH\

He therefore stood to constilt wilh himsdf w^at were l)e*t
to Iie doiie. To clamber up ìnto si trcc, tind thrre ri.v.q^? the
dawii of morning, in the chili iiiglU-brecsec, in a t r,

and in \m preseiil dress^ was mare ih^n cnough l^-
him ; to pace up and down, for Constant cxercise, ail ihiit tii
besidejt th«t it would bave bcen a very incfìicacìoiì- *
agafnst the severity of the temperature, waa alito ;. 'i

mudi of those tififnrttmatc limbs whieh bcid e

mucb more iban theìr dtily. Suddenly he renici ,g

fieen m casciftotto in otic of the fìelds adjoinini; tlic unculli»
vated down. Thus the peasaiits of tbe Milanese plaln tJe«i^
nate certain little cottagea, tbatched with siraw, cansinict«l
of the trunks and brancbes of trces, fast en ed toj:^*^^-" -"^1
fillcd np with mud» wberc tJiey are in the habìt of *

their harvest durtng tbe summer scason» rcpairing iintiicf ai
night to prolect it: dnring tbe rcst of the year ibry are
itsually tmoccupicd. He quickly Exed iipon ibis aa ìua rest*
mg-place for tbe night ; and aj^aln iiettin|f ni? on hh wsy,
rt-pBi»ed tbe wood, llie tract of bushcs, and ihf^ heatb ; and
tniering upon the cnltivated land, he quickly espied tht
^asmnatto, and went towards it, A worm^eaten and lumble-
down door, without lock or chain. blockcd up tbe «atra»
R«iì£0 drew ìi towanls bim» and un cuterinir^ saw a bi
lolendtd to serve tJie purpose of a hanit> ni

Vhe air» and tupportcd by band?? formed - ^

did not, bowtver, make nse of h\ but &ecing a littic straW
lyiiig on tbe ground, thought tbat, tvtn tHer«, 9^eq> woiM
bt very welconìt*

Refore stretrbtng bis wcary frame on tbe bed Proviilefiee
k^ prtpared for bini, lit knett down to oifer up Uh tbanlei
for thts bleMing, and for ali tbe lu&Utanoe he liad nK«lv«d
iiat tcrrible day. He Ihen repeatwi h!i utual prayer^ ; aatl,
BavinE^ fillished them, he^pfd pardon o! God f *

«miittcd tbcm the evening before, and jjone lo fast, - 4,

like a doig, or cren worsc. — And for thi^ rea«>n, — added he lo
bimicJf r..<tf*,f.^. |,it bandi upon th^ »traw, and, fr-ni \cnt-t>^*
ing» di § posture to lltat af Ixing,-— for t fi

l ^aa awajce^A by auch agreeable trUitors in ibt sainuui^.»

t FBOMBSSI SF06I

WU9 mi

He tlieo galhered up ali the Straw that was scatter ed around»
&nd spread ic over him» so as to make the bcst covering
bc could to securc hiinself froin the cold, whkh, even thcre,
itlider shellcr, made itseU itifEciently fck; and crouchìng
leath it, he trìed to get a litUe slerp, thiniing that he had
led il, tliat 4^y, more dearly ihan usuai
ely, fiowcvcr, had he closed his eycs, hcfore vSabns
lo throtig bis memory, or bis fancy (I cannot under-
tndicate the cxaci spot)— ^vision s so erowded, io in-
eeSMut, diat tlicy qutdcly baoìshed every idea ol sleep. The
ncrchant, the notary, the baitiflTs. the sword*ciltlef, the land-
lord, Fcrrér» the siiperintendeiit, the party at the inn, the
crowds in the streeis; then Doa Abboodìo. ihen Don Rod
tifpi and» aniotig^ so many^ there werc none that did oot
bring iOfne sad remcmbrances of misforttinc or aversìon.

There wcrc biit threc images that preseoted themschrcfi to
tua mtnd, divcsted of every bitter rccollectioii, citar of eveiy
ideii, pleasing in evpry aspect; and two, pnncipally —
Inly very dissimilar, but closely connccted in the heart
Ol V —the black-iockcd Lucia, and the whìte-bearded

Fat}:v toro. Yet the consolation he felt in csontcm-

piatinif tv CD thcse object:«. was anything imi mimìxed and
lr«iiqutl In picturing to hiniself the good friar, he felt more
kttfiiy than ev<?r tiie disgrace of his faults, his ibanieful iii-
t^ntpoancc, and his negìcct of the kind Father's patemal ad-
dice; «ad ìtt ojnteniplatìng the imag^ of Lucia! wc wtll tiot
aticmpc to dcscribe what he felt; the reader know$ the cir-
mm^tmncet, aod must imagìne it Himsetf. Neither dld he
lorget th« poof Agnese; Agnese, wbo had cHosen htm for hrr
na-ia-Uw, who had crìnstd^ed him altnost as one with her
QBly danghter. sud before reeeiving fnjm httn ihe tttle of
sothcfv Had assitmed the language and afTrction of one, and
iisirated pareti tal soHdtude for htm by ber a et ioti s. But
i$ an additiooal grief to btm» and not the least bitter one^
cxactly on account of lhe«c afifectianate and benevoletìt
itions, the poor woman was now l ' and almofit
e*p, tìneertaln ol the fnrufe, amj ^orrows and

!' U he had hofied

1 ig years. What

night» poor HoazQ 1 whkh was to have been Ihe fif th of bis

mi ALESSANDRO MANZONI

nuptìals ! WTiat a room ! \^Tiat a matrimoniai couch ! And
after sudi a day ! And to precede such a morrow, soch a
successìon of days )— What God wìlls— replied he^ to the
thoughts which most tormented him ; — What God wìlls. He
knows what He does 1 It is for our good too, Let it be as a
peìiance lor my sins. Lucia 13 so good I God, surely, will not
let htT suffer for long*-^f or very long ! —

Harassed by such thoughts as these^ despairing of obtainìng
any slcep, and the piercing cold becomìng more and more in-
sufìFerablc, so that from titne to time his whole frame sbook,
and his teeth chattered in spi te of himself, Renzo longed for
the approach of day, and itnpatiently measnrad the slow
progress of the hours. I say. measured» because evcry half-
hour he heard resounding through the deep sii enee, the
Strokes of a large clock, proba bly that of Trezzo. The first
time, the sound reached his ear so unexpectedly, witbout his
having the least idea whence it carne, it brought with it some-
thìng solemn and mysterlous to his mind; the feeling of a
waming uttered in an unknown voice, by some invìsìblc
person.

When, at last, the clock bad tolled eleven»*^ — the bour Renzo
had de termi ned to get up^^he rose, half benumbed with the
cold, and fallìng upon his knees, repeated his matin prayers
with more than ordinary devolton; then, standing up, he
stretched bis limbs, and shook bis body, as if to settle and
unite bis members^ wbich seetned al most di sseve red from each
other, breathed upon his hands and rtsbbed them together, and
tbeti opened the door of the cascinoìio, first taking the pre*
caution to look warily about bim, per eh ance any one might
be therc. No one being visible, he cast his eye round to
discover the path be had followed the precedìng evening, and
quickly recognizing it, much clearer and tnore distinct tban
his menaory pictured it, he set off in that direction.

The sky announced a beautiful day: tbe pale and rayless
moon was yet visible near the horìzon, in the spaciotis field
of azure, stili aoftened by a tinge of morning grey, which

* !t must br bqrne ìn mina tiy the reader, that, accordine tu Itnlian oom-
^t3Lti<iD of tìiBP, the first hour of the day is *even o*dock in the momm(t^
t«Q o'clock answerablc lo ciffat wkh u&, snd so on, ti 11 ^cvm o'eloclc in the
evcttìjiE b«eatDea oae Agaia. Thìs arraiieeineiii would makc cl«r«i «"«lod^
io the M^ti thm Mine ss &Te o*cl0<d£ in th« nwmiaff in Ettglend»

I PROMESSI SPOSI

20$

sliaded gradualty towards the cast, mto a rosy and primrosc
hue. Stili nearcr the horizon, a few irregular clouds
stretched oi3£, in leugthened waves, rather azure than grey,
thcir lower sides edged wìth almost a strcak of flame, ha-
comìng every moment more vivid and sbarply defined ; whilc,
higher up, lìght and fìeecy cloud5, minglmg with each othur,
and of a thousand nameless hucs, floated on the sur face of
the placìd heavens; a true Lombard sky, so beautiful whcn
ìt is beautiful — so brilliant, so cairn, ?Iad Renzo been bere
to enjoy htmself, he wouid certainly ha ve looked upwards,
and admired a dawii so different to what he had been ac-
customed to see among his native mountains; but bis eyes
were bent to the ground, and he walked on rapidly, both to
regam a little warmth, and to reach the river as quìckly as
he could. He rettaced the fìclds, the grove, the bushes;
traversed the woodj with a kind of compassion, as he looked
aromid and remenibered the horror he had felt there a few
hours before ; reached the cdge of the precìpitous bank, and
looking down through the crags and bushes, discovered a
fisherraan's bark slowly making its way against the strcam,
dose by the shore* He hastily descended the shortest way
through the bushes^ stood upon the bank, and gently called to
the ftsherman- and with the intention of appearing to ask
a Cavour of little importance, but, without being awarc of it,
in a half-supplicatory manner, beckoned to hìm to approach.
The fisberman cast a glance along the shore, looked carefully
both up and down the river, and ihen turning the prow
towards Renzo, approached the side, Renzo, who stood at
the very edg^ of the stream, almost with one foot in the water,
seked the prow as tt drew near, and jumped into the boat.

' Be good enough to take me acro ss to the other side, and
ni pay you for it/ said he. The fishernian had al ready
guessed his object, and had turned the prow to the opposite
bank, Renzo, seeing another oar at the bottom of the boat,
Btooped down and took it up.

* Softly, softly,' said the owner ; but on seeing how dcx-
terously the youth laid hold of the implement, and prepared
to handle it, * Aha ! * added he, ' you know your business/

*A little,' rcpiied Renzo; and he began to row with a
tìgour and skil! beyond those of an amateur. While thus

AI.ESSANT3RO MANZONI

cxcrtin^ htmself^ he cast an occaskmal <'
Sahare he had jn^t Icft» aii<j ihcn a look oi r

ihcy were approachiiig. He was annoyrd at h«ivtng to go ti
ali down the stream : but the current bere wa» loo rapid lo
cut directly across it ; so that the bark, parti)' ckavlo(* and
partly foUowing the course of the water, was obliged t<^ *"^^
a diagooa] direction, As it happcns ia ali dark aod int
undertakings, that diffictìhies prescnt thcmselve^ ir " i

at first oniy in general, but in the cxecuiion of the . e

are more minutety observable; «o, now that the Adda «^ai
forded, so to say. Renio f elt a good dea! oÌ <li$qijietu<le at noi
koowìtig for certain whcthcr here it was the boundary of tlif
two States, or whether, when thìs ohstaclc wai overconie,
there might not be others stili to surmount. Addrcsaing tlia
fìsberman, therefore, and rioddìng with bis head towards ibé
whkish spot which he had noticed the night before, and
wbich now appcnred mtich more distinct, * l» that Bergamo?'
said he—' that town ? *

'The city of Bergamo/ rqilied the iìsberman.

* And that shore. there, doea it bclong tn V,rrv:imo7*

'The terrUory of St. Mark/

*Long live St. MarkT exclaimed Rcn/ti,

The fisherman uiade tio reply.

Thcy reached, at length, the oppoittc sh^
out npùtì itj and» thanking God in hts h-
gratitude ìn words to the boatnian ; ilien p
his pocket, he drcw owt thmcc a bcriin*: i-
his circutnstance*, was no little lois li i it to

the wofihy man, who, giving aiìoiìier t, - » - . .*Unetc

shore, and along the ri ver tn eìther dircctJcm, streiched out
hifi band, and receìved the gift. He put il into ? ■ ' t,

and after compressi ng his lips, at the »ine timi? ì s

forefingrr across thcm, with a «ignificant *
tenance. said, 'A good iotirney to you ì * n

That the reader may not l>c swrpnHed at ihc protiipt, yet
caoiiciys, dvilJty of thi§ man lowardt « t.^Tfr^'t ^ì':^f^^'t-r^
It will be necei«ry to Inforni him that, fr
to perfarm a stmilar fervnce t« — * -
accustomed to do «o, ocit »o r ^

md uncertaifì ^ni which he nuglu thcrcby tiblam, as io

I PROMESSI SPOSI

>elf enetnies atnonf tbese classe*. He af-

tti: : Liìce whencvtfr he could aisure himself of

noi being discovered by thr custom'hotis^ officers, bat1i0s, or
?iei, Thus, without partkatarly favoyrbg one i*arty more
aBDtlicr, he cndcavotrrcd to satisiy ali, with lliat im*
irtialily usually cxercised by ihosc who are conipeIle4 lo
tat wiih a certàin set of peoplc, while liable to gì ve account

another.

JCetizo patised a moment on the bank» to contemplate the

Ite ehore — thai ground which just bcfore had almoit

bt^neath bis (cet.^Ah ì 1 ani rcally out of it 5— wat his

rst thoughi. — Haleful coutiiry that you are »— was bis soc*

bidding it farrwell Bot the third recurred to th<ise

he had le fi therc. Tben he crossed bis arms on bis

%\cd a sigb, bcnt bis ejes oti tbc water wbitb flowed

t» atid tbodght,— Il has passed mider the bridge (-•

that a! l.ecco was gencrally calkd amnng bis fdlow

len, by way of eminence.— Ah I baie fui worldl

ciugh: v^batcver God wills. —

He ttirncd his back tipon tbeee niournful objects, and weiit
^rward, takìng. far a mark, the wbite iract on the side of the
liti, uniU be mct with sotne ane to give bim more partkular
direct ioiis iti bis way. It ^^ast amnsing to see with wbat care-
lessness and disembarrassment he now accosted travcHerSj
and how boldly he proncmnced the name of tiie viilage where
bis cou*in rc^idcd, without besttatìoo or disgtìise, From the
fifit perton who directed bini, he learni that he had yet nbie
oiiles to travel

Hiii jotimey was iiot very blitheaonie. Independent ol hif
own troubìcs, bis eyes rested evcry moment on pìtiable ob*
rnld bim that he would fimi tn the country he was
[iOvertY hr had Icft in \m own. Ali along the
Imi itiore p: in the vi!lage* and large towos,

beggars hn. tlong, mcndicants rather from cir-

tban prò fe5 Sion» who revcaled tlieir misery more
c^"»^*'* -^Tices tban thetr clothing: peasantu, moitn*
aeer», cntirc families, and a mìngied murniur of

Ptreaijc5, ii-[«i irs, at ' * crìcs. Besidca the moumfnì

ity that ìt awtike in tnind, tbij sight mlso aroiued

IO the reiaeaiènmcc ui bi& owa circum&tftoeei»

ALSaSANDRO MANZONI

— Wha knows, — thouglu he, as he went along,^ — If I
Ind anythìng to do? if therc ìs any work dow to bc got,
therc uaed to be? Well; Bortolo ìs kimììy incìtnté %o me?
he 15 a good feìlow; be has made some money, and his lo-
vitcd me vcry often; he, surdy, won*t forsake me, Besidcf,
Provìdeticc has helped me hitbcrto, and will help ine, I hape^
fot the future.--

In the meati while, his appetite, already con&tdenbljr
sharpèiìedt became, as he went on his way, more and more
craving; and though he fclt that he couid manage vcry wcfl
to the end ol his joumey, which was nnw only aboui two
miles, without great tnconvcnience, yet he reflected thal U
woutd not bc exactly the thing to màke hia appcarance befórc
hls cousìn ììkc a beggar, and addresi him with the &altjt;iiion,
* Give me something to eat:* so drawing al! hh rìches frotn
his pocket^ he cotinted thcm over on the pahn of hh band, to
ascertain the amount. It was an «imount that reqnired little
ealcubtion, yet itili there was more than cnough to inake
a smaìl meal; he, thercfore, cntered an ino in get a little
refreshment; and, on {>a>ing the account, found that he had
atìU a few pene e r e main mg-
Just ootside, lyhig in the Street, and so dose to the door
that he wouìd have faUea over them hid he not been Uxxk-
ing about him. Renio ftaw two women, one rather eldcfly,
and the other a yotmger person, with an inlant ai her breail;i
wbich, after vatnly cndcavourìng to iatisiy its hungcr, wai
crying bitterly; they wcre alt three aii i^ale ai death; and
ftanding by thon was a man, in whoie face and limi» tben^M
mifbt atill be discerned tokens of former robnstnes^t, thou|^l|^|
oow broken and aJmost destroyed by long poverty. The thrce
befgart gtrelcbcd out tbeir bandi to Renzo, as bc left the ina
witli a free stcp atid retnvigorated air, but none of them
ipoke; what more could lanj^age bave expre^ed?

*TheTe*f a God'«end for you!* satd Renzo, as be battlly
tbrust his band tnto lììs pocke^t, and, takin^ out his lait penec,
put them into the band that was nearest to bini, and went on
his way-

The refreiibment, and thia ^nad v,*nrk ffJTcthcr hincr wc
are made of both soul and ìn !

ali bis thnughts. Certain it .. „._. ., _ _ _.t

I PROMESSI SPOST

^^ Ih

for the futtire freni having thus depri\*ed himself of his last
pcnn>% iban if he had £ound ten sucb. For if Provìdcncc had
kcpt ili fcserve, for the sitpport of thrce wrctched bcggars,
almosl fainting cu the road, th« last farthing of a stranger,
hìmsclf a fugidve, far f rom his o\vm home, aod tmcertaitt how
ti> gel a living, could he think that that Providence wouid
leave io destittitioti him whom He had made use of for this
purposeg asid to whom He had gireii so vivid, so effectivCp so
seli*abatidr»riTng ao incliiiation ? Such was, in getieral, the
feeling of the yomh, though, probably, not so clcarly defined
that which we bave cxpressed in words. During the re-
der of his walk, as his mind reciirred to the dÌ0ereiit
ircttsistanccs and contitìgendcs which had hitherto appeared
the moat dark and perplexing, ali seemed to brighten. The
famine and poverty must come to an end, for there was a
harvest every year: in the meati time, he had his cotisln
Bortolo, and bis own ahi liti es ; artd, as a h^\^ towards bis sup-
|iort, a little store of money at home, whìcli he couJd eastly
ftend fot. With this assistance, at the worst» he cotild live
from day to day as economicatly as possible, till better times.
*-Tbco, whcn good tìmes bare oome at last, — cotitinued
Retilo, in !ris fanciftil drcaiBS^—^e demand far work will he
rcnewed; masters will strive who shall get Milanese weav-
ers, l>ccatise thcy know their trade b^t; the Mìlanete weaircrs
wtll bold their heads high; tbey who waot clcver workoien
aniat pay for thei»; we shall make something to liTe upoa
lod «tìII baTe flome to spare; we can then furnisb a cottage,
ami ¥irrite to tlie women to come. And besides, why watt so
long? Sbouldfi't we bave Uved upon my little store at home,
an tfaii wìuier? So we cao live bere. There are curates
rvefywliere, ThoN^ two dear women might come oow% and
we coiild keep house together. Oh, what a plcastire, to go
wiUdug i31 tof cthcr on thìs very road I to go as far as the
Adda, in a cari, and bave a pic*nic on the shorc; yes, just on
the «bore! and l'd show thcm the place wbere I embarkedt
the thortiy path I carne down, and the spot wbere I stood to
look if there was a boat ! —

Toigtb he reachcd bis consin's vilhge; and, jtist at the
txm he fa re he set foot in it, dbtinguisbed a house
ly bigher than the rest, wìth teverml rowi of loag

296

AI^SSANDRO MANZONI

Windows, onc above auolher, and separ ated by a mudi mail
■pace than the division* betwcen the dirìcr^ni &tortei
qtiired: he 4t once rccognìied a sìlk-mìll ; and j^oìng in, ft»kfi
tu 1 load voktt so as to l>e heard itmìds.t the noisc □(
running water and the mftchiiiefy, if Bortolo CaitagneH U?t
tiicrc.

' Tltó Stgoar Bortolo ! He*a thert/

— Th« Signor! thiit*i a good tìgn, — thought Renxo;
•^ng his cuastn» he ran towarcts him. Bartolo tumcd ro
fécognìzcd his relation, as he exclainwd» * Mere I ani, mywtlt
and received liim with an * Oh I * of sitrpriic, as ilwjy mutuafi
threw thcir arni» round each oihcr's lìcdc, After the firi
welcome, Borlolo took hi» coysin into anothcr roani, ap
Iroin the noise q( the tnachincry and the eyc» of the cttrìu
and grectcd him with, ' Fm vcry glad to sc< yoti; bui jou'fei
prelty felhiw. iVe invited you so oftcn, and ytm never '
come; and now you arrivo in rather a troubltd tinte/

* Sin e e yoti will ha ve me teli yon, Tve not conte with mf
own g(w\ will/ said Renzo; atìd tlicn, ai brtcfly as papisti)
and nt>t withont some ftnotjnn, hr r^lTtrd his mr>nmf\il ator

* That'a qutte an« r v *OK
Ken2o! But yoivvc ' . . H not fnrsaM
yoM, Ccrtarnly, there'si no great detnand for worl -Il
nowt ìndccd, ifs ali we can do not to turn off tbosc
and give itp the bnstincss; bnt ray matter Itkes me, and he

got tome money. And, to teli you the trutf^ withom * x#5

he moatìv owes it tn ine; he hn^jt the canital. and I r<

abiì'' are. rmihehc^i'^

an«i, n yon und me, I :

Pòot Lucia Mutidcllii ! 1 renicnihcr her as h wcie 1'

day: a ^yod girl ihe wai l alwayi the be*t-bchavcd i-

and whcncver one pasied hcr cottage , . , I $cc that cottaj

in niy mind's e>'e, ootside tli« villafe, with a 6ne èg

pecping over the wall , * J

* No, no; ' " ' ns talk about ÌV

* l wn« m ì0 «av, fhat whcfiever ooe patted that
tot» ■ ' ''■■'' ì

Iwt now iieS ieril «nitriglit, ir^m what )

fcific aj God ,,^, - :o takt Itii owm cottn«, \U.^

FROMESSI

»aylitg. litre, tao, wc are sufifering a little from the
f amine . . * Apropos, how are you for appetite?'
\ * 1 fifot somcthing to eat, a liltJe whlle ago, on the road*
I * And liow are you for money ? '

Reazo htìd out one of hU hands, and putttng it io his
I mayth, gently pu0ed upon iL

I • Ncvcr miad,' &aìd Bortolo: ' I*ve plcuty ; pluck up heart,
for I bope things wiU soon change, plàase God ; and thco yen
, can repay me, and !ay up also a little for j'ourself/

• Tve a triflicg sum at honie, and wiil seod for it'

* Very wcll ; and, io the nicao lime, you may depend upon
Die. God has gÌ¥Cfi me wealth, that I tnight give to others;

^^^nd wh crm should I serve so sooti as my own relations and
^^pifsidi ì '

^H * I saìd f thould be provided for 1 ' exclaìmed Ranzo, affec-
Hboiiatdy pressing his good cousin's band
\ *T1icn/ rejotned his companion, * they*ve tiad a regalar iip-
I foar at Milan ♦ I think theyTé ali a littk mad. The rumour
' bad aiready reached Here: but I want you to teU me thlagi
^^^Itle more particularJy. Ah ì weVe plenty to talk about-
^^^B||b bowerer» you see^ we go about it more quietjy, and do
^H|i^ wilb ratber more prudenee. The city purcha^ed tvto
^^^omaand toads oi corn. Irom a merehatit wbo lives at Venica:
^'fte eoTB carne from Turkey; btit when lìfc dcpcnds upon it,
iDch tbtagi are lìot lookcd into very narrowly. See now what
thii òecasioned : the governors of Veroaa aud Brescia stopped
op tlìc pofses, and taid, ' No com shal! pass this way/ What
did Ihe Bergamiscans do, think you ? Tbey despatdied a m&a
lo \ enicc, who knew bow to talk The messenger we^t off lo
baste, pre»ented bìmself to die Doge, and aaked htm what
was the meantng of sucb a trick. And such a speech h#
Iliade I they say, fit to bc printcd. WTiat a thing ìt is to bave
A nwn wbo knows what to say I An ordcr was tmmedìately
itftued fof i)ic free transìt ol com, requiring the gOTemoff
not ooly to let ìt pass, but to asf^i^t in forwarding il ; and now
it ts on ita way. Tliere i* proviaion abo for the surrotinding
country. Anotiicr worthy man gave the tenate to umkrstand
tliat the people in the country werc starving : and ibcy bave
ordered ihcm four ihou!«nd bushel* of millct* TTits hetpt,
yott koow, to osake br^d. And tbcsi I needn^t %m\\ thu ii

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

there isn't bread for us, we will eat nieatt God has given me
wealth, as I told you. Now, then, ni takc you to my master:
Fve often ttientioned you to him, and I know lie'll welcome
you, Hc's a Bcrgamascan of the old sort, and a kind-hearted
man. Certaiìily, he doesn't expect yotj just now ; but when he
hears your hi story , , , And bcsidcs, he knows how to vai uè
good workmen; for the famine must come to an end, and
business will go on, But, first of ali, I must warn yoti of one
thing. Do you know what they cali us Milanese, In this
country? '

VNo; what is it?'

' They cali us blockheads/

* That*s not a very nice name/

'So it is : whoever is born in the territory of Milan, and
wouid make a living in that of Bergamo^ must bc content
to bear it patiently* It is as common* among these people, to
give the name of " blockhcad *' to a Milanese, as ** your illus^
trioiis lordship " to a cavalìer,*

'They only say so, I fancy, to those who will put up
with it.' ^

* My dear fellow, if you are not disposed continually to
brook the tìtle, don't reckon that you can live bere. You
would be obliged ahvays to bave a knife in your band; and
when you bave kìlled, we will suppose, two, three, or four,
of your neighbours, you'd meet with somebody who would
felli you; and what a nice prospect, to have to appear be£ore
God's tribunal with three or f our murders on your head ! *

' And a Milanese who has a little - . / here he tapped bis
forebead with hts forefini^er, as he had before done at the
•ign of the Full Moon. ' I mean, one who understands bis
business?'

* It*s ali the same; he, too, would be a blockhead. Do you
know what my master says when he's talking of me to bis
f riends ? ** Hcaven has sent me this blockhead, to conduci
my business; if it wcrc not for this blockhead, I should do
very badly." It*s the custom to say so/

* It*s a very foolish custom* especially considering' what we
do; for who was it, in fact, that brought the art bere, and
now carries it on, but ns? Is it possible there's no belp
lorit?'

I PKOMESSI SPOSI

3t)l

* Not hitherto ; tliere itiay be, in the course ai time, among
the yoimg people who are growing up ; but in this generation
there is no remedy; theyVe acquired the habìt» and won*t
leave it off. After ali, what ìs it ? If s notbing to the tricks
theyVe play ed upon you, and that most of our precious
fellow-countrymen would stili play upon you/

* Well, that*s truc: if there*s no other evil , ^ /

' Now that you are persuaded of this, ali will go wdL
Come, Ict US go to my master, and be of good heart/

Everything, in fact, did go well, and so exactly in accord-
auce witli Bortolo *s promises, that it is needless to give any
particular description. And ìt was truly an ordering of
Providence ; for we shall soon see how little dependence was
to be placed upon the smatl savings Renzo had left at hom&

CHAPTER XVm

THAT samc day, the I3th of Xovembcr, an express
arrived to the Signor Podestà of Lecco, and prc-
scnted him with a despatch from the Signor the
high sherifT, containing an order to niake every possible
strict invcstigation, to ascertain whether a ccrtain young
man, hearing the namc of Lorenzo Tramaglino, silk-weaver,
who had escapcd from the hands prtedicti cgregii domini
capitanei, had retumed, palam vel cium, to his own country,
ignoium the exact village, t'crum in territorio Leuci: quod
si compertum fuerit sic esse, the Signor Podestà must en-
dcavour, quanta maxima diligcntia fieri poterit, to get him
ìnto his hands ; and having sufficiently sccured him, videlicct,
with strong handciififs, (secing that the insufficiency of
smallcr manaclcs for the aforc-mentioned person has been
provcd), must cause him to he conducted to prison, and
thcre detained under strong custody, until he be consigned
to the officer, who shall be sent to take him: and in case
eithcr of success, or non-success, acccdatis ad domum pra-
diati Laurentii Tramaìini; et facta debita diligcntia, quid quid
ad rem rcpcrtum fuerit auferatis; et informationes de illius
prava qualitate, vita, et complicihiis, sumatis; and of ali his
sayings and doings, what is fonnd and not found, what is
taken and not takcn, diligcnter rcfcratis. After humanely
assuring himsclf that the object of inquiry had not re-
tumed home, the Signor Podestà summoned the village con-
stable, and under his direction, procccded, with a large
retinuc of notaries and bailiffs, to the abovc-mcntioned house.
The door was locked, and eithcr no onc had the key, or
he was not to be found. They, thereforc. forced the locks
with ali due and praiseworthy zeal. wliich is cquivalent to
saying that they procceded as if taking a city by assault.
The rcport of this cxpedition immediatcly spread in the
neighbourhood, and rcached the ears of Fathcr Cristo-
foro, who, no Icss astonishcd than grieved, sought for some
Information as to the cause of so unexpected an event

302

I PROMESSI SPOSI

90S

ut *■

cvof^body he met with; he could anly, howei^er,
_ mry eoiijecturci, and contradìctory rcpcns: and, &t

laiit, Ihe^rcfore, wrote to Father Dan a ventura, from whora
he imairìned he shouJd bc ablc to aeqmre some more precise
uiformalion. In tlic mean while, Renzo's relatìons and
Ificndfi were summoned to depose ali that theyknew about
s d^prat^ird haUis: to bear the aame of Tramagitno became
mìifortmiep a disgrace, a crime ; and die %illage was quite
in a cotnrTTOtioiì, By degreea, it became knowti that Renio
bad ascaptd from the hajii!s of justìce durtng the dt.«tiirb*
ance ai Mlltn, and had noi since been seen. It was whispered
•limit iHat he had been fuilty of some high crime and mis-
dcixi«atiouf, but what it was no ocie could teli, or they
lold it ili a hundred differwt ways» The more hcinous the
effcnce with which he was charged, the less was it believed
in the viJIage, where Ren^zo was unj%'er5al!y known as an
feoatst, respeetabJe yoiith ; and many conjectured and spr«ad
tiic rcpoft, that it was mcrely a machination set on foo^ by
tba powerftil Don Rodrigo, io hring about the min of Hti
im(<»tttnate rivai So trae ìa it that, jiidgìng only by
ìnàmtìtm, and wìthout the necessary knowledge of facts^
cren the gresotest vi Haiti s are sometìmes wrongfuHy accused.
But we, who havc the facts in otir possesslon, as the *ay-
tng ts» ean affimi that» ìf Don Rodrigo had had no sharc
ia R«fi20*8 fniifdrfuTTcs, yet that he rejoieed su them
ai if they had bacn bis own work, and triumphed over them

Eng hit confìdants» eipeclally with Count Attilio, Thìs
|d, accofding to bis ftrst ttitention, should bave beeti,
Iil9 lime» at Milan; but, on the first announccmeot of
dlsturbanees that had ariseti there, and of the rabbie
«n he might encounter in a far diflFerent mood than
ely IO sttbniit to a beaitn^. he thoyght it expediem td
poftpone hi» jonmry until he - Hctter acrotintt; aiid .

Hit 0K>re so, heraui^e having many» he had good

reaton to fftr that some who had remai ned passive only
from impfìteocv, might now bc eneowraged by clrcumstance»,
atid judge it a favourable opporttinìty for taking tbeir re*
vcnipe. The jotifTiey, bowevrr, waS not long dclayed; the
iOrder de^patched from Milan for the exectition against
a^ had alrcady givao ioase mdìcation that thtngt Iiad

aOi ALESSANDRO MANZONI

returned to their ordinary course, and the positive nodcd
which followed quìck upon it, confirmed the truth of ttese
appearances. Coimt Attilio set off immediately, enjoinfaig
his cousin to persist in his undertaking, and bring it to u
issuc, and promising, on his part. that he would use every
mcans to i^ him of the friar, to whom the fortunate ac-
cident of his cousin's beggarly rivai would be a wonderful
blow. Scarccly had Attilio gone, when Griso arrived safe
and sound from Monza, and related to his master what he
had been able to gather: — that Lucia had found refuge in
such a monastcry, under the protection of the Signora So-
and-so; that she was concealed there as if she were a nun
hersclf, never setting foot outside the threshold. and assist*
ing at the services of the church behind a little grated win»
dow : an arrangement which was unsatisfactory to many who,
having heard some mention of her adventures, and great
rcports of her beauty, were anxious, for once, to see what
she was likc.

This account inspired Don Rodrigo with evcry evil pas-
sion, or, to speak more truly, rendcred stili more ungovem.
ablc thosc with which he was already posscssed. So many
circunistances favourable to his design, had only further
inflamed that mixture of punctiHo, rage, and infamous desire
of which his passion was composed. Renzo abscnt, banished,
outlawed — so that any proccedings against him bccame law-
fui; and even that his betrothed bride might be considered,
in a mcasure. as the property of a rebel: the only man in the
world who would and could interest himself for her, and
make a stir that would bc noticed in hcad-quartcrs, and at
a distance — ^the enraged friar — would himself, probably, be
soon incapable of acting for her. Yet bere was a new
impcdiment. which not only outweighed ali thcse ad-
vantagcs, but rendercd thom, it might be said, un-
availing. A monastery at Monza, even had tbcrc not been
a princess in the way, was a bone too hard cvcn for the teeth
of a Rodrigo; and wandor in his fancy round this retrcat
as he would, he could dcvisc no way or mcans of assaulting
it, cithcr by force or fraud. He was aìmost resolved to
givc iip the enterprise, to go to Milan by a circuitous roiite,
so as to avoid passing through Monza, and there to plunge

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

3QS

asdf ìnto the society of his fricnds, and thcìf recreatìons,
^Bo as to dmwn, in thoughts of gaiety, the onc idea whith
hné now become so tonacntìng. But, but, but, his f rìends ! —
softly a little with thcse friends. Instead o£ diverting his
mlnd, he might reasonably cxpect to find in their company
in inccssant rencwal and memento of his vcxation: for
Utillo would ccrtaìnJy bave published the affair, and put
tiifin ali in expectation. Ève ry body would male e inqmnes
atioiit the mountain girl, and he must g^ve some aiìswer. He
had wished, he had tried; and how had he succteded? He
had cngaged in an tindertaktng — ratber an unworthy one,
ccrtaialy; but what of that? One cannot ahvays regiilate
one's caprices ; the point is to satisfy therti ; and how had he
collie ©ff in the cnterprise? How? Put down by a peasaiit^
and a friar! UliJ and whcn an unexpected turn of good
fortune had rid him of one, and a skilfnl friend of the other^
wìthout any trouble on the part of the princìpal persoa
CN>ncemed, he^ like a fool, knew not how to profit by the
junctiire* and basely withdrew from the undertaking !
It woold be enough to make hìm never again dare to hold
op bis head among men of spirit, or compel him always ta
kcep bis band on his sword. And then, again, how could
be e?er return to, how ever remain in, that village, and that
country, where, let alone the incessant and bitter remem-
braoces of bis passi on, he should always bear abont with him
the disgrace of its faihire? ^here public hatrcd would
havc increased, whtie his rcputatìon for power and su-
pcrlofity would bave proportionably diminished? wbere he
mlght rcad In the face of every rag:amufi5n, even thitmgh
the veti of profound reveraices, a gaUing * You've be^
ftilfed, and Vm glad of iti' The path of iniquity, as ouf
mamsscrìpt bere remarks, is broad. but that does not mean
that it is easy; ìt has its stumbUng-blocks, and its thoms»
aod its course is tcdious and wearisooie, thongh it be a
downward course.

In thjs pcfplcadiy, unwUIing cìther to gì ve up his pur*
posep to go liack, or to stop, and unable by himsetf to go
forward^ a pian occurred to Don Rodrìgo*s mind, by whlch
he hoped to effeet bis design. Tliìs wa» to take as a part.
aer and as«iilint in hit enterprìse^ one whose k<mds could

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

ohtn Tf^th beyotid Uic fiVtw ol oth«rs — a min at once, tnd
dcvil, to whom the diflìcully ni an uncleriakbjt wai frc^
qiiently an ìticciuivc to engagc in it But ihis cours^? al.o
h«f! iu iuconvcnicncea ntid its dangtrs: the more >
tlie 1?3& tliey could be eEilciilated tipon h«larehaiid: >;n'
was ìmpossìlile tu foreste where one tnight bc led, whcji
tmbsrkcd in ati afìFair with this mini: a powerful aiixlltary/
^certaìaly, but a iiot lesi absohite and dangcroufi gìiidc.
Thcie ihoughu kcpt Don Rodrisrii for atvcnd doys
a sttt« of worft« than tcdious perpkxity. Io Uie me
wbile, a Icttcr arnvcd Irom bis cousin, informìng hini thi
the plot ^gainst t!)c friar was going on very welL Followin
doie «pon the lightnitig btjrsts Umh the thimdcrdap;
fine njarning, Don Rodrig^o heard thai Father Crisi0f<»ro i
kft the conveìit at Pe»car«nica Tbi* luccesa, so pr
rftnd so cjomplete, together wtth Attilio'^ letler, esiootirai
^hini oiiwarct and ibreatening htm with intolerable ridìeiillì
ìf he withdrcw, indi ned Don Rodrigo stili more to ha
cvcry tbing rather than giv« tip; hot that whkh fiuiUy àù^
Itid^ hinij was the tmexpccted news thtt Agnese ha4 ny
turnod bomc» tbus rèmoTing nne ob^tadc from arotsnd Locìi^j
We wilJ rclate hoifir theae two circumitances werc
i«botit. beginnmg with the la$t,

The two unfofttinate women wtre «eareely Betiltd ift
tth«ir retrrat, wben the report of the < :ci in Mila

•pread raptdly over Manxa, and, cons^ . , throujth ihftl

monaitery; and followmg the grand ncw». camc an infinite
iucceision of partieulari, whkh mtiltiplied and vari^ erery
moment. The portress, litiiated intt bctween tht tirchi and
the inonaitery, was the channcl of inlormaiton hoth fr
within and from without, mn4, m^rìy roceivfng iheM
^ porla, relailed them at wìi t$, * Two. ibc, eifl

jfbiir, icvcn, h?id bcen ii^i y would hanf^ thi

[iome before the bakehouBe oj rhrs, sonw at the e

i<of the Street where the Supci . i :t of provìsiona !b

, < Ay, ay, jn*l liaten, now !— one »f them e*caped— * m
iomewhèfe frotti Lecco, or Ibereabotìt*. I don't know tlii^
inanie: but tome one wtl) be T>^5Stne who will be able lo
leJl rnc 1 ' " -'W him.*

Tttii i ^xtr wJtb ibi drawatlMCt tbtt

f PROMESSI SPOSI

307

Wùlàà just bave arrived at Milan on the fatai da>%

Joficd a good deal of disquietudc to the women. ^nd

mpecìMy to Lucia: but what must il havc bcen. wh«n the

portrcsa carne to teli thcm— * It is a man f rom your very village

who bus escaped beiri^ himg— a silk-weaver, of the tiime of

ramaglma ; do you know him ? '

Lucia, who wa5 aittitig bctutning some needlework, ii»-
iately let il fall from hcr hands; she bccame extremely
le, nné changcd countenance so much, that the portress
wotild cenainly bave obsrrved it, had she been nearer to ber.
Foftunately, bowever, sbe was standing at the door wìth
Agnese, who, thnugh much disturbed, yet not to such a de-
ce as ber daughtcr, preserved a cairn countenatice, and
ffccd brraclf to reply» that Iq a little villane, everybody
«vcfybody; that she was acquatnted wttb him, anil
ild acaicely bTÌng herself to belìeve that aoything of the
Uik] luid bapf^ened to hìm, he was so pcaceable a youth.
She theo asked il ìt wai known for eertatn that he had
Mcaped, and wbithcr.

'Every one says he bas escaped, wherc to, ihcy cannot
•ay: it may bc thcy wiH catch him a^^ain, or it may he he is
il aafety; but if they do get bold of him, your pcaceable

JfOUtil * • /

Fortunateiy, at this iuncture, the portress was called away,
aod left tbem — the rcader niay imaginc in what state of
^tbtd. For nsorc lltan a day werc the poor woman and

Kaffljcted datjghier obliged to rematn in tbif painful iu*-
e; imagtning the causes* ways, and conseqnencc§, of
itnhappy eyeat* and commcDting. in thcir owtj mìnds, or
ilaw voice with cich oiber, ofi th« terrible words thetr
Nner had left nn^ished.
At Ictigth, one Thwrsday, a man irrived at the inonaftery
in learch of Agnese, ft wa^i a fi»hmanger, of Pescarenico/
going to Xfìtan. as usuai, to dispoiie of hh fish- and the
|p>od Faiher Cn^tofom had rcquc^ted bini, in paisln^
throcigh Monia, to cali in at the monastery* to greci the'
uromcn in bif! name, to teli tbem ali he knew aboyt thls
' '' - - / T^ jQ*^^ 10 t)^fitecb them to bave patiencc, and
God ; aiHl to antire tbem that he wonld *
Luiiiy n&i XQfg^si theoit bai wouid watcb tiii oppontinìty

308 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

for rendering^ them assìstance ; and, in the mean tune, ^
not fail to send them ali the news he could collect ewtrjwtàt
eithcr hy this means, or a similar one. The
could teli nothing new or certain about Renzo, excepiof
the execution put into his house, and the search that wm k-
ÌTìg made for him ; but, at the same time, that this had htm
hithcrto in vain, and that it was known for certain tliatke
had reached the tcrritory of Bergamo. Such a certain^,
it is unnecessary to say, was a balm to poor Lucia's wonndel
heart: from that time her tears flowed more freely and
calmly ; she felt more comforted in her secret bursts of fcd-
ing with her mother; and expressions of thankfulness te-
gan to be mìngled with her prayers.

Gertrude frequently invited her into her private apart-
ment, and sometimes detained her there a long while, fed-
ing a pleasure in the ingenuousness and gentleness of the
poor girl, and in hearing the thanks and blessings she pourcd
upon her benefactress. She even related to her, in con-
fidence, a part (the blamelcss part) of her history, and of
what she had suffered, that she niight come there to 8u£Per,
till Lucia's first suspicious astonishment gradually changed
to conipassion. In that history she found reasons more than
enough to explain what she thought rather strange in the be-
haviour of her patroness, especially when she brought in tO
her aid Agnese*s doctrine about the characters of the nobility.
Nevertheless, though some times induced to return the con-
fidence which Gertrude reposed in her, yet she carefuUy
avoided any mcntion of her fresh causes of alarm, of her
new misfortune, and of the ties which bound her to the
escaped silk-weaver, lest she should run any risk of spreading
a report so full of her shame and sorrow. She also parried,
to the bcst of her ability, ali Gertrude's inquisitive questiona
about hersclf previous to her bctrothal, but this was not
so much from prudcntial motives, as because such an ac-
count appeared to the simplc-minded girl more perplcxing,
more difficult to relate, than ali she had hcard. or thought
it possible to bear, from the Signora. In the history of that
lady there was oppression, intrigue, sufìfering — sad and
mournful things, but which, neverthelcss, could bc named:
in her own there was a pervading sentimenti a word, which

I PROMESSI SPOSI

309

e did ttot fcd it possìbk to pronounce, whcn speaking
i hersclf. and as a siibstìttite for which sbe couìd never
d a pcriphrasis that did nat scem to ber mind indelieate:
e!

Gertftide was somctimes tcrapted to be angry at thcsc
ilses; but there always appeared behind tbem so fnticli
afìfection, so much respcct» so mach gratitude, and even so
much trustfulness? Somelimes, perhaps, tbat modesty. so
delicate, sensitive, and mysierìous, displcased ber stili roore ,
on anolfier account; btit ali was quickly forgotten in tbe
sootìiiiif tbougbt that evcry moment recurred to ber mitid
wben cantcmplating Lucìa:— I am doing ber good. — And
Ibis was CTuej for, besides the asylum sbc bad providcd,
tbcse convcrsatìons and ber familiar treatment were some
tomfort to Lucia, Tbe poor girl also found anotber satis- j
&ptÌoti in Constant employment; sbe always pctittoned for
soiBcthing to do, and wben sbe weiit into the Signora *s
furloar, generally tock a little ncedlcwork witb ber, to keep
b«r fingers employcd : but wbai melancboly tbougbts crowdcd
hcr mind, wherever sbe went ! While plying ber needle,—
an occtipation to which bitherto sbe bad givcn little attcntion,
— <her rcel constantly prescnted itscH to ber \itw; and with
tbe rcel, how many otber tbìngs!

Tbe second Thursday, the same» or anotber messenger ar-

rived, bringìng salutatlons and encouragcment from Fatber

Cristoforo, and an additional confirmation of Renzo's cscape;

Jbm no more positive information abotit liis misfortnnes,

^^Bhe reader may retnembcr tbat tbe Capucbin bad hoped

^^H>r some account from bis brother-frìar at Milan, to wbom

^^k b^d gìven Renzo a tetter of recommendatiou ; he only re-

^^lei, bowtver, ibat be bad seen neitber letter nor person;

that a «tranger from tbe country bad ccrtaìnìy been to the

eonvent In tearch of bim, but fiodìnìj bìm out, had gone

away, and had not agaìn made bis appcarance.

Thr Ihird Tbursday, no messenger carne, wbicb was not

depriTing tbe poor womcn of an anticipated and boped-

source of cnn;soIatioti ; but, as tt usually bappcns» on

trilitng occaFJon, to tbosc in sorrow and ^u.^pen^c, was

a iiibject of mticb dt^quirtudc, and a bundred tormenl*

Stti^cioiìs. Agnese had, for some time^ been mn*

310

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

tcmplating a \nsit to hcr native village, and ihis tmaepettcd
non-apfjrarance of tlte promiscd messenger, dctcnfiincd Ììkt
iipon taktiig sudi a atep. Lucin fdt very itrsmt:' * '*
thoii^ht of bctng lelt widiout the shelter of her
wìng; hut tJie longing desire shc fck to know s^- I

htT sensc of sccurìty in that guardcd and ì. i
conquercd ber great unwillìng^css; and il \v .
bctween them that Agnese showld %¥atch tii the
fotJowing day tot the fishoiongcr, who must, n^
pass that way on his return from Milan, and that hìir \>m
ask him to he so food as to gìve ber a seat in hi* cait^
take licr to ber own motintains, Slic mct with him, ao-

'cordingly, and askrd tf Faihef Cristoforo had givcn him no
comnaisston fot ber. The fishmotigcr said, that he had h
cut fìshlng the wholc day hclore his departure, ajid had
celved neither news nor njcssag:e from the Father. A|^
then madc hcr reqtiest, whkh bctng grantcd withotft h
tatfon, she took her Icave of the Signora and her daughtefi
with inany tears: and profnislng to send them some n

, ioOft« and rettim as qntckly as possìhle, she set o0.

The journey was performcd withont accident Tb
pajied part oÌ the night in an ìnn on the road-side, oa o;
mnd setting otT on their way beforc sun-rt*e, arrlvcd cari]
in tht mornìfig at Peicarcnico, Agnese alightt:d on the liti"
tquare before the convent. disniissed hcr conductor
fnany thanki; and, «ince sbe was at the place, detenutili
he (ore gdng home, to sce her benefaetor; the worthy
She rang the beli: the peraon who carne to open ihe
was fra Caldino, the nutscekcf.

* Oh, my goófi wnman, what wind haj brotight you bere?*

* t want to see Faihcr Cristoforo.*
' Father Cristoforo? He's not bere.*
*Oht will he be long before he come« back?*
'I^ngT said the friar, shniggìng hi» ihouldera, so ti

altnost to bitry hi^ shom head in bis bood

* Wbere has he gone?'
•To Rimtnì/
'To . . , ?'
•To Riminì;
•Whcre ii thil?*

I FBOMESSl SFOST

SII

*Hi ! «Il ì eh f ' replicd the f riar, vertictlly waving bis csc-
idcd haad in the air, to sigtiìfy a great distance.
*Aìas me! But why has he gone away so suddcnlf?'

* Becasise the Father provincial ordered ìt,'

* Aad wliy have they stnt him away at ali, when he wmt
doing so mucb good bere ? Ah, poor me I *

* If sapcriora werc obtiged to render a reason for ali the
orders they give, wb«re wodd be our obtdiencc, my good

' Ycs ; Imt ttiis is my niin/

is ì% the wa>r ri wìlJ bc- They wìU liavc wanted a
prcacliCT ai Riminì (tberc are ftome ewrywhcre, to bc
btit somctìnies they waat a particular maji» on pur-
pi»«e); the Father provincia! thcrc wilJ bave written to the
^ather provrncial herc, to know if he had sach and sgch
persoti : and the Father provincial wlll bave aaid. " Father

ofciTo is the man for him : " as, in f act, you see it is/
•Oh, poof n%\ When did he go?*
•The day beforc ycsterday/

* Sec now; if I had only donc as I first mshed. and come
few days soonerl Arjd don't you kuow whcn he tnay

return? Can*t you guess at ali?*

* Eh. my good woman! Nobody knows« except ihe Father
v ■ if cven he does. Whcn once onc of our fireaching
i ' takcn ihe wmg, one can nevcf forenee on what
branch he will finally alight They are sciught after bere.

ìiere, and evcry where ; and we have convcnts in alt the
larters of the globe. Rest assiircd, Father Cri^itoforo
a grreat noise wtth bis coitrse of Loit sermons» at
^^fof he doe5n*t always preach extempore, as he dfd
the poor pcople mtjsjbt understand htm ; for the dty
has hi «i ^veauttfyi wrìtten sermons.and hti best robet.
The lam^' of this great preachcr will sprrad; and they may
VLÙi for him at . , , I don't Imow wbere. fìefidei, we
oiQght to give him up, for we live on the charity of the whole
world, and tt t» but ju>t that we sbould aerve the whole

dcar, dearl* ^^m cried A^ese, almost weepiaft:

ean I do without him? He wa& like a father to oit

ft the ondinxig of uà.*

S!f

ALESSANDRO MANTONI

'Lìstcn, niy good woman; Father Cristoforo was oer-
tàìnly an admirable man ; but wc havc others, you know, full
of charity and abtlity, and wbo know how to dea] \intli
eìthcr rich or poor. Will you bave Falhcf Atanasio? or
Father Girolamo? or Father Zaccaria? Fathtr Zaccaria»
you kiìow, ìs a man of g^reat worth* And don't jtm wondcf,
as some ìgsiorant peopìe do, that he h so tbìn, and has tuch
a weak voice, and sa eh a mi scribi e beard: I doi3*t aay that
he ts a good prcacher» bccause cveryhody has hia partjcular
gifts; biit he ìs just the man to givc advìcc» you know/

* Oh holy palicncc ! ' exclaimed A^csc, witli ihai mìxtiire
of gratìtude nnd impatience that one fecls at an alfer
In which Ihere ìs more guod nature than suitaMcness : * VNThat
tlocs it matter to me what a man is or ss not, whcn tliat
good man» who's no longcr bere» was he who kncw ali
our afiTairs, and bad made preparations to help us?'

'Thcn you must bave patìcncc*

*I know that/ rcplJcd Agnese: ' forgi ve me for trotibling
;y6u/

'Oh don't say a word, my good woman; I ani very sorry
for you. And if you detcrminc upon Consulting any of
the Fatbcrs» the convent i» bere, antl won't go away, I
I shal! iee you soon, when I coUect the oìV

* Good'byCg* saìd A^csc ; and sbc turncd towards b^
little vìUage, forlorn, perplcxcd* and discoucertcd, Itke «
bimd man wbo has lo^^t bU staH.

Ratber bette r informed than fra Galdmo, wc wUI fiùw
rclatc hnw things bad really happened. ImmadiateJy oil
^^ttìUo*!ì arrivai at Milan, he went. as he had promifed Don
rigo, to pay a visit to thcir common uncle -
clU (Tliis was a eonimlttee, composed, at
thirtcen persons of rank, with wbom tbc govcmt»r
consuitcd, and who. when he ettbcr died or resEgned lu . ...ov- ,
tcmporariJy assumed the command) Thcir tmclc, tJie Cotmt,
I a robcd mctnber, and one of tbc nhJest of tbc CouncH, en-
Hoyed tbere a c^rtaln autbority: bui m di«p1aymf thì^ a«*
Itbority, and making it fclt hy ti
*liìf rcjual, AmbìguouH Jangti^.

IMiusci in apeaking, a wink of the cjc, that scctncd to ^y,
'I may not speak/ flattcry wìtbout procnrKa, and forma]

I PROMESSI SPOSI

3IS

threatciììng&— ali were directcd to thh enó; and ali, more or
less, prodoced the desired eHect; so tliat cvco the positive
dcclaralton, * I can do nothing in this business/ pronounced
aometimes in absolutc tnith, but pronounced so that it was
not bcHeved, an!y scrved to !n<!reaic the idea, and, ihercfore
he rcality, of bis power: like the japanned boxes whìch
ftay stili be occaiiotially seeii in aii apothecary*s shop, with
adry Arabie characters stamped upon them^ actually con-
iining nothìng, yct servfng to kcep up the credit of the shop,
of the Count, which had been for a long time in»
rèa&ing, hy very graduai steps, had, at last, madc a giant'i
Iride, as the saying is, on an extraordinary occasion;
«dy, a jotime>' to Madrid, on an embassy to the Court,
^cfc the reception that he met with should be related by
'nimselL To inention nothing else the Count Duke had
tr^atcd bini with partkular condescenston* and admitted
iam iato bis confidence so far as to bave asked him, in tbe
prcMficc, he mìght say» of balf the Court, bow be liked
Madrid^ and to bave told him, anotber tìme, when standing
in the rccess of a window, that the Cathedral of Miìan was
lh« targ e9t Christian tempie in tbe king's dominìons.

After paytng ali due ceremony to bis uncle, and delivcr-
tog bis cousin*s compliments, Attilio addresscd him with a
look of scriousness, such as be knew how and when to
asstuse: 'I think I am only doìng my duty without betraying
Rodrigp's coafidcncCp when I aoquaint my micie with ari
a^air^ whkh, tinkss yoa interfere, may become serious, and
produce consequences . * .'

•Ooe ©f bis usuai scrapes, I suppose?'
*I mn assure you tbat the fault is not on Rodrigo'»
e, bue hts spirit li roused ; and, as I said, no one but you
an • * *

*Wefl, let U3 bear, let us bear.'

•Tberc is a Capuchìn friar in that neighbourhood, wht
a grudge agaiost tny couain; and things bave gone
sudi a pitch that , . .*

* How oficn bave ! lold you both to let Ibc monks fry ibeir
fish? h iuflScirnt for tbosc to ba%*e to do i^*itli

wbo ar'- . . - whosc buiiness it is * • / «ni

bere he sigbcd. ' Bui you can avotd tbem . . /

sii

ALKSeANDBO MATOONI

* Signor unclr, I ani botmd to tdl you that Rodrigo
bave let thera ailone, had il bccu |KJB>ìb)e, It h ihc friar
is deumiintd io quarrel witb him, and has tricd io ev«y wajr
to provoke htm/

' What th€— — lias tliis friar to do with my ncphcw?*

* First ai al), he >s well known aa a restkss spìriti who pddei
hiniielC iipon quarrelUng with gentlcmcn* This felldW. too^
has taken under bis protection smd direction, and I don't 1
whàt beiidea, a country ^ìri o£ the viJlage, whoio bc regard
wttb an affection . . * an alfection , * , I doo't aay of
kìnd; btit a very jcalous, suspidous, and suUen affectiofu*

' I understand;* said the Couol, and a ray of ctmtii»g
tclligence shot across the depth of duJness nature had
upoo his counieìianet, now, however» partìally vdled
the m^sk of a polìtician.

^Now, fot some iìme* continued Attitk>> * thit friar has
taken a lancy that Rodrigo has, I doo't know wbat deiijcm
«pon this . . ;

'Taken a fancy, eh, taken a faiiey? I know the Sig
Don Rodrigo too well ; and it needs anothcr advocatc
your bfdshlp to juatify him in these matterà/

* That Rodrigo, Signor unclCp may bave had «ome tdle jt
ing with this girl, wben he met ber on tJic road, 1 can eas
beUeve; he is young, and bcsidcs. not a Capitchin; btit the
are mere nonsenseSf not wortli mentioning tu my noble unde
the serioas part of the buainesa 1% that the frìar has bcgtso 1
talk of Rodrigo as he would of a common fdlow, and
Iried to instigate aU the country against him/

* And the other fnars?*
*Thcy don't racddle with it» because they know him to be a

hot^hcftded fool, and bear a great rcipect to Rodrigo: hot, <
the other side, this nionk haa great rcputation amoitg III
▼ilhgers as a s^tnr» and . . J

*l fancy he doetn't know that Rodrigo h my ae|diew , ^

'Doesn't he, thougb? ]t ia juit ihia that ttrges him
OQward/

*How?bowr

'Because — and he scruplet not to ptd^hh li— be
greater dehght in vexing Rodrigo, exactly because be bat i
suturai iirotector of such anthority as your lorclship;

1 PEOMESai SPOSI

915

hughi al ^reit p«ople ftod pòfitictaits, and says that the cord
tì£ St Fra^ds binds cveo swords mné , * /

* The rash %illalii I What b bis namc ? '

*Fra Cristoforo^ of * * ♦/ sald Atlflio; and his unefe^
takiog a tablet irom hi» desk, and considerabty inccnscd, rn-
9CTÌbed whhÌTi it the unforttmate naine. In the me&o whilc
Attilio conlinued: *T1ils fdlow has always had sisch a dis*
pofidoa: his former Hfe is well ktiowti. He was a plebelan,
who poeteseed a little money, and would, therefore, compete
Witti the Doblonen of hh country; and out of ragc at not
being able to make thcm ali yìeld to him, he kUled ooe, and
th^Q turoed friar to eecape the gallows.'

* Bnivo ! capital ! we will see, wc wììl see/ c?cclalined the
Cotmt, pùnìhtg and puffing^ with an important air.

* Lately/ contìnued Attilio, ' he is more enraged than ever,
becauie he has failed in a design whìch he was very cager
about; atid frorn this my nuble tiode wìll underMand what
lort of man he is, This fellow wanted to marry his protcgée;
wbethej* to retnove ber from tlic perìls of the worìd, you uo-
dtrstand, or whaicver it might be, at any rate he was de*
terattned io marry Iter; and he had foiind the . . . the man,
ADOthcf of hÌ8 prolégés, a person whosc tiame my honoured
onde may not tmprobabiy bave heard; for I dare say the
Privy-cotindl bave had some transactiOBS with this worthy
subject/

* A silk-w«iver, Lorenzo Tramaglij^o, he who • . /
'Lorenzo Traiiiaf lino ! ' exclaiined his micie. 'Well done»
> bfsvc friar f • . t , . , indeed , * . he had a Icttcr
pa , . . A cri. ... But it matterà Hot : very weìl.

And why dtd Don Rodrigo teli nie nothiog of ali chia; hut
lei tliìngs go so far, without apiilying to one who is botb able
9nti willtiig to cHrect and hcJp him ? '

* I will be candid with yon, On the one band, kmiwbig
mstny intrigtie^ and afìfairs you had in your head . . *

uncfc d ' ng breath, and p\it bis band to bis

id, as If tu e the fatigut; be miderwcnt io ihc

[ of so maiiy iiiiricatc undeftakings,) 'he fdt in a
tKMtndt' eoiìlinued Attilio, ' oot to give you any addi-
'tf^Ul trouUe. And boiides, I will tcU you the whote: from

CHAPTER XI5t

IF a weed bc discovered in a badly cultivated field, a fine
root of sorrel, for exainple, and the spectator wish to
ascertain with certainty whether it has sprung up from
seed, cither ripened in the field itself, or wafted thither by
the wind, or dropped thcre by a bird in its flight, let him
think as he will about it, he will never come to a satisfactory
conclusion. For the same reason we are unable to decide
whether the resolution formed by the Count of making use
of the Father provincial to cut in two, as the best and easiest
method, this intricate knot, arose from bis own unassisted
imagination, or from the suggestions of Attilio. Certain it
is, that Attilio had not thrown out the hint unintentionally ;
and howcver naturally he might expect that the jealous
haughtiness of bis noble relative would recoil at so open an
insinuation, he was determined at any rate to make the idea
of such a resource flash beforc bis eyes, and let him know
the course which he desired he should pursue. On the other
band, the pian was so exactly consonant with bis uncle's dìs-
position. and so naturally marked out by circumstances, that
one might safely venture the assertion, that he had thought
of, and embraced it, without the suggestion of any one. It
was a most essential point towards the reputation of power
which he had so much at heart, that one of bis nanie. a
nephew of bis, should not bo worsted in a dispute of such
notoriety. The satisf action that bis nephew would take for
himself, would bave been a remedy worse than the disease, a
foundation for future troubles, which it was nccessary to
overthrow at any cost. and without loss of tiine. Command
him at once to quit bis palace, and he would not obey : and,
even should he submit, it would be a snrrendcring of the
contest, a submission of their house to the superiority of a
convent. Commands, legai force, or any terrors of that
nature, were of no value against an adversary of such a
character as Father Cristoforo: the rcgular and secular
dergy were entirdy exempt, not only in thcir persons, but in

318

I PROMESSI ^POSI

$ì%

beir placcs oC abodc. from ali lay-jun'sdìction (as must bave
cu (jt>serv<^ii cven by une who has read no ùilier story than
ke otic btfore him) : mherwisc they would often havc farcd
fti^ badly. Ali tliat couid be attempted against auch a rivai
"^ l^ìB rcmovaU und the only means for obtaitimg thts was
Father provincial, al whose pleasurc Fathcr Cristoforo
sifi cither statioiiary, ar on the move.
Bttween this Fathcr provincial and the Ccjunt of the
rJvy-comicU tliere éxi§ted an aecjuaintanceshìp of long
liìom saw each other, bui wheneiper they
.reat demonslralions of frìendship, and re*
ìtcrAted uiki*» oi senfice. It is Bometitties easicr to trans*
act business Mdviititageousiy with a persan who presides over
many indìvìdaals than wìth only one of tfiote %^mt indJvid^
ualt, who secs bnt bis own motives, fecis but his nwn pas*
aions, seeka only dis own ends; whi!€ the former Instantìy
perc€ives a hnndred relations, contLngencles, and intcreats, à
htmdred objects to sectire or aroid, and ean, therefotc, b€
takcn on a hnndred dìfiferent sides,

Whtn ali had hfén well arranged in hh tnlnd, the Coutit
€fie day usvlied the Faihef provlnctal io diniìer, io meet a
ctrcle of ^nt^th selcctcd willi snperktivc judgrnent :— an
assofiblage of mtn oi the btgbesi rank, whost famlly alone
bore a lofty titlc, and who by their carriage. by a certain
natt¥e boldnesi, by a lordly air of disdaìn, and by talkìng of
great tbJng& in familiar teniis, succecdcd. even wìthoul in-
icndìng ti, in iuipressìng, and, on every occasìon^ keeping np,
the idea of thcìr ^uperìorily and power; togcthef uith a few
cifcnts boimd to the house by Un hcredhary dcvoiion, and
to lìM head by tlie Rervitude of a whole life; wbo, begtnnitigf
Wilb the K>up to say ' yess/ wìth their Hps, their eyes, their
cara, their head, their whole body, and their whote heart,
had made a mani by deisert-time, almost forgel how to
my ' 00/

At taWc, the noble
ti|Mcs Madrid. There
flÉiiiini: ucie's objcct» aod he tried

ODOit, the Count'diike, the mmiiteri^ aod the goveroor's
Umìy\ of the bull-biiitfi, which he could accurately dcscrtbe,
Ittvtiig bcao a «tp^tator from a yery advifttagcotis post; md

led the convcrsatioii
aia tucani of accom-
alL Ile spoke of the

AtES^ANDRO MANZONI

ùi ihc Eseurial, of whìch he could give « minute ncocsuot. bfr

I cause otìc of the Count-duke's pages had coi)diictt.nJ hlm

throtigh every nook and corner of it For some timc the

company contìnued like an audience, attentile to him alone;

^kut, by dcgrees» they dividcd iiito sniaU groups of t&lkerab,

ad he then proccedcd lo telate ftirther anecdotes of tliC
Igreat tliings he had seen, as in coiifidcnce, io the Fither pro-l
rtuctal, who was scated near hi ni. and who suffcred him tc»i
talk on without interTuptton. Bat at a certain pomt he favai
a turn to the conversaticm, aod, leaving Madrid, procecdc4
from court to court, and from dignìtary to dignìtary, tiU he
id brought upon the tapis Cardinal Bartierbì, a Capuchio,
tid brother to the then reignJng Pbpe» Urban VIIL The
^ount was at last obltged to cease taìktng for a whUcv
fbe contcìit to listen, and reniembcr that. after a]l. th«rc
some pcople in the world who were not bom to Uve aodl
^act only for him. Shortly after Tcavlng die iable, he r^j
luested the Father provindal to stcp wi^ him luto aooliier
^ftpartment.

Two raen of authority, age, and consummate experìencc^l
now found thettiselves standiog opposite to eadt othcr, Th«|
notile lord requested the revercnd Father to take a »cai,
jlactng htmseU at bis side, began as follows: 'CcmÀÌ4e
fthe friendship that exjsi& between uà, I thought I migfit rm^
ture to speak a word to your Rcvereoce on a matter of
muttial interest, whìch it wouìd bc betler to setile bctween
oursefvcs* wìtJwut takiag aoy oiber course^i which nitglit|
, , . Bnt, without further prefacc, I wtU caiìdidly teli yoilj
lo what I allude, and I doobt noi you mi! immcdiately agKfl
,with me. Teli me : in your convent of Pescarenico thtrc
I certain Father Cristoforo of • • ♦ ? *
The Provincia! bowed amijent,

•Your Pateroìty will he good enough then, franUy» like
a friend* to teli me . . < thls person , . . ibis Father . ♦ ♦ l
don*t know hhti pef§onaT1y: I am acquainted wtth «evirral
Capuchtn fathers, xealou^ pmdent, htasble men^ who ar«
worth iheir weight in gold: I bave been a friend to Itej
order from my hoyhciod , . . But io cvety rather nti
ai}y . . . r^ s some individoaL some wild .

iMi Fati ro^ l know by severml occurrciicta

l rROMESSI SPOSI

321

Ile h a persoti . , . rather mdined to dìspiites . . .
has GOt ali ihir pmdcncc* ali the circumspeGtion . . • I
dare say he has more than once givcn your Patcrnity some
xiety/

— I tinderstafid; thb ts a spedtìiai,— thought the Pro-
cial in ihe meaii lime. — Il ts roy fatili; T knew that that
$cd Cristoforo wms fitter to go about freni pulpit la pul-
be set dowp for six months iti one place, specialty
ry con ve ni, —
* Oli ! ' said he aloud, ' 1 am really very sorry to bear Ihat
«or Htgliness cniotauis sucb aii opinion of Father Cris-
foi^; lor, as far as 1 know, he ts a most exemplary monk
the coQveQt, axid h Keld in mach esteem also in the neigh-
rhood/
*1 tinderstand perfectly; your Reverence ought . . . How-
evcT, as a sincere friend, I wish to ìnform you of a thing
which It is Important for you to know; and cven ìf you
are already ac(|uainted with il, I think, wilhout exeeedìng
itiy dtity, I should camion you against the (I only say)
possible consequences. Do you know thai this Falhcr Cris-
toforo hai taken under hb protection a man of that coun-
try, a man , * • of whom your Paternity has doubtìess heard
menfìeii : hiin wbo escapcd in such disgrace frani the hands

(after havìng done thfngs on that terrible day of
i . ni . , , tlùngs , . , Lorenzo Tramaglino?'
— Ala^ì — thought the Provìncia!, as he repHed: * This
Iftieubf is quite new to me, but yoitr Htghiiess is soffi-
imtJy aware that it u a part of our office to seek those
!io ha ve gone astray, to recali them * « /
^Ycs» ycs; but intercoursc wìth offenders of a certain
land! * • . U rathcr a danj^erous thing— a very delicate a0air
♦ . / And here, instead of pufiTing out bis chceks and pant-
hi^, he compressed bis Irps, and drew in as much air as he
^^< acetuitomed to attnd forth wìth such profotind impor-
He llien rcsumed : ' I thoujjbt it as we li to give yeti

"' 1 \f gver bis Excellcncy . . He may have

al Rome ... I don*t know, though . , .

'l p for ibis informa*

» but i Icd coQlàdait, tiial ii thcjr woold make inquiried

32?

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

1 aih^r Crisiofofo

oti thls subjcct, they would fiiul that Fai
bad tìQ interccJiirsc wìih the pcrson you n
tei try atid set him right agaìn. I know

* Yuu ktiow, probably, alrcady, bcttcr than I do» whit
kitid of a nmn he w&a as a layman, and the li f e he led k
bis ytJuUì/

^* It ìs one of the glorìes of oiir hat^it. Signor Coitoti thit
nao who has gìvcn evcr so much occasìofi in ihe world
Ibf fuca to talk about hini, becomes a difTcrcni person whcQ
he bas as&umt*tj ihis dress. And cvcr silice Faihcr Crtfltofoco
hae worn tJie habìt . , '

* I would gladly bcllrvc iu 1 assure you— I would gbdlr
bcUeve it; but somcUmea - , . as the provcrb *ay» . . , ••fc
Ì£ not the cowl thal makes the frmr/' '

The provtrb was not cxactly to the purpose. bat tbe
Coiint bad citcd ìt instcad of anotJicr, whkb had crossed
jìiindr * The wolf dmnges iii> skin, but not ita n;itnrc/

*ì bave facts/ conlìnued he; * I bave ijositivc i>rrM)ff .

*lf you know for ecrtain; intcrruptcd the Provincial
'that thU friar has becn guiliy of any fault, (and we ife
alt IJable lo crr,) you will do me a favour to inform ne ol
il. I am bis supcrior, though unworthily; but il ii» thtrc*
fore, my duty to corrcct and reprove.*

* I will teli you ; togcttjcr wilh the unpltasìng drciiniflifioe
of the favour thisi Fathtr dbpUys ^ *o«t I
bave metitipncd, thcrc fs another gric * may
. . , But we will scttie ali this bctwcai ourscivoi at odc«.
Tbis samc Fathcr Cristofciro ba» be^un a quarrcl with lajf
nephew, Don Rodrigo ♦ ♦ ♦*

' Indced I I am vcry sorrv to bear lì I— very sorty Ì8^
deed ! *

*My Rcphcw is young, and bot-tempered; he leda wlail
bc i*j anfJ t^ nnt amintrutii'd tn hr prnvnked . , *

* It »ball ' ry OH th« mlh
ìcct As I l'j ai you nmit
kuow, witb your grcat expertencc in the world» and yoiif
noble judgmcnt, far bctter than l^ we are ali human, and
liable to err . . . some une way, some ajiothcr; and If oor
Fatfarr Criitoforo has Caìkd

I PROMESSI SPOSI

■Yoor Reverencc must perceive that these are matters,
MS I said, wUich had bcttcr be settled between oursclvee^
mné remam buricci with us — things which, if nnich ineddlcd
wilh» wìll only bc made worse. Yoy know how ìt ofleii
happeiLs; these strifes and disputes frequcudy origiiìate from
a mtft bagatelk; and become more and mare serious as
the/ are suffercd io proceed* It is beticr to sirìke at ihc
root bcforc they grow to a head, or becomc the causes of
a àtmdred other contcntions. Siipprcss it, aiìd cut it short,
wmM reverend Father; supprcss, and cut it short, My
«lepbew h yOung ; ihe monk, from what I bear, has stili aU
tìm spiritatali !be , , . inctmatìons of a youn^ nian; and it
belonga to us who bave some ycars on our shoutders — (toa
^aiiy« are tberc not, mo&t reverend Father?) it belong^ lo
l say, to bave judgiiient fot tbe yotuig, and tT>' to
iy their errors. Fortonatcly we are stili in good time :
Ile matter bas made no stìr; it is stili a case o£ a good
wcipiis obsta, Lct us reniove the Straw from the flame.
man who has not don e wcU» or who may be a caaae of
ae trouble in one place, somctioies gets on surpristiigly in
BOthcf* Youf Paternity, doubtless, knows wherc to find
convctiient post for this friar, Tbls wtll atso mcet the
circuì nstancc of bis haviag, perhaps, f alien under the
jona a( one , . , who would be very glad thal he
be rcraoved; and thtis, by placing him at a little dis-
tance. wc shall kill two birds with one stone; ali will be
t ■ ' l or rather, therc will be no harm donc/

provincial had expectcd thfs canclusion from
of rhe interview*— =Ay, ay( — thought he to
ce wtll enough wbat you wouìd britig me to,
It'i tlic usuai way: if a poor friar hast an encounlcr witlì
•' "*- ^«^ith any one of you, or gives you any off enee, right
the supcrior mtist makc him march immediaiely. —
\% ' it was at last siici ' ' fiad puffed forlh

k)i ith. whieh was •. ■ «o a fui! stop:

1 the r'rwiiicial 'what your

hcfore taking a step . . /

Il ta a step, and it is not a step, most revcfcnd Father,

a naturai thtng cnougli — a very c«>intnoQ occurraiQe ;

it doei mot come to thii, aod qtUckly too» I forcsét

324 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

a mountain of disorders — an Ilìad of woes. A mistake • . •
my nephew, I do not bclicve . . . I am bere, for this . . . But,
at the point at which matters bave now arrived, if we do
not put a stop to it between ourselves, without loss of time^
by one decided blow, it is not possible that it should remain
a secret . . . and tben, it is not only my nepbew . . . we raise
a horaet's nest, most reverend Father. You know, wc
are a power fui family — we bave adherents . . .'

'Plainly enough . . .'

' You understand me : tbcy are ali persons who bave
some blood in tbcir veins, and wbo . . . count as somebody
in the world. Tbcir bonour will come in; it will become a
common affair; and thcn . . . even one wbo is a friend to
peace . . . It will be a great grief to me to be obliged . . . to
find myself ... I, wbo bave always bad so mucb kind feeling
towards tbe Capucbin Fatbers! You reverend Fatbcrs, to
continue to do good, as you bave bitberto done, witb so
muéb edification among tbe people, stand in need of peace,
sbould be frce from sfrifes, and in barmony witb tbose wbo
. . . And, bcsides, you bave fricnds in tbe world . . . and
tbese afifairs of bonour, if tbey go any Icngtb, extend tbem-
selvcs, brancb out on every side, and draw in . . . balf the
world. I am in a situation wbicb obligcs me to maintain
a certain dignity . . . His Excellency . . . my noble col-
leagues . . . it becomes quite a party matter . . . particularly
witb tbat otber circumstance . . . You know bow tbese
tbings go.*

'Certainly,* said tbe Fatber provincial, ' Fatber Cristo-
foro is a preacber; and I bad already some tbougbts ... I
bave just becn asked . . . But at this juncture, and under
tbe present circumstances, it might look like a punisbment;
and a punisbment beforc having fully asccrtained . . .'

' Pshaw I punisbment, psbaw I — merely a prudential ar-
rangement— a convenient rcsource for preventing evils
wbicb might ensue ... I bave cxplained myself.'

* Between the Signor Count and me tbings stand in this
Hght, I am aware; but as your Lordship has rclated the
circumstances, it is impo.ssiblc, I should say, but that some-
tbing is known in the country around. There are evcry-
wbere firebrands, mischief-makcrs, or, at least, maliciotit

I PROMESSI SPOSI

32$

iers, vrìXQ UiSce a mad dellfbt in seeing the noblHty and the
yuB ordcrs at varìance; thcy observe ìt tmmedìately»
it, and enlargc upon it . . . Evcrybody has his dtgnity
fYìaintam: and I also, as Superior, (though uiiworthi!\%)
ivc ;in express duty , , . The honotir of the habit . . . is not
my private conccm . . . it is a deposit oC which . . . Your
noblc ncphew, stnce he is so high-spirited ns your Lordshjp
describcs hira, might takc il as a satisfaction offercd io him,
aod ... I do not say boast o£ ìt, and triumph over hìm,
fwit . . /

* Is your Patcmity joking whh me? My nephew is a gcn*
tleman of some eonsideration in the world . * . that is» ac-
GOfdifig lo his rank and the daìms he has; but m niy pres-
coce he h a mere boy; and will do ndther more nor less
than I bìd him. I will go further, and teli yoii that my
nephew shall know nothing aboist iL Why need wc give any
ftccount of whai we do? It is al) transacted between our-

ivci^ as old frìcnds, and never necd come to light Don*t
_ re yourself a thought about ihis, I ought to be accus-
tdcned to be sileni/ And he heaved a deep stgh, ' As to
gosslps/ resumed he, * what do you suppose they cati say?
The dcparturc of a monte to preach somewhcre else, is
atiùng so very itncommon t And then, we wbo see - . . we
foresee . , , wc who otjght , , , we necd not give our-
Ivcs any conccm about gossiptngs.*

* Al aay rate, it would bc well to try and prevcnt them
"in thi» occasiona by your noble nephew 's maktng some dem-

OQSttatioti, givìng some open proof of frtendship and

defcrcncc ♦ . • not for oirr sakes» as individuals, but for the
ke of the habit . , /

' Ccrtatoty, ccrtainly, this is biU fair , . . Howcver, there

hd necd of it; I ktiow that the Capuchms are always re-

ived as thcy ought to bc by ay nephew. He does so from

vatton ; ìf is quìte the dìsposiuoiì of tlic f amìly * and

he know$ it is grati fying to me. In this tnstance,

howcrer . . , something more marked * . * is only righi,
ive tiieto aettle ìt, most rcvL-rend Fathcr; I will ordcr ray
phcw . * . th*it ì$t I muM cai-tiniftlv sugge^t it to hijD, lest
^ould »u*pect what has pas^s^cd betwcen tis. Il would not

dov yoQ koowv to iay ^ pÙsler whcre there ìs cto wouod

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

And as to whit wc hive detcnnìned tiporu the cfuìckcr the
fletter. If you can hnd some po&t at a little dìstmoce . «
obviate cvery occasion , * /

*l have just been asked fot a preadier at Rifcìtti; Sfl
perhaps, even without any other rcason, 1 shauid have
thought of . . /

*Exactly aprùpos, cxa^tly aprùpùS. And when . . ,?'

* Siocc the thing must bc donc, it had bcttcr bc donc at
once/

' Directly, dìrectly, most revcrend Faiher; bel ter to*<lay
ihau to-morrow* Aiid/ continyed he, as he roie from bis
seat, *il I can do anythìng, I or my friertdsp Cor oiir wortliy
Capuchin Fathers . . /

*We know, by cxprnencc, tiie kìndticss of yoiir tlcntKt'
said the Fatber provinciale also rifiing, and advmtteìng l
the door, bchind Uis vanqiiUber.

*We bave cxttnguìshed a spark/ said tlie Cmiiif, wa
slowly forward; *a spark, tnost revcrend Fath*r ^^«s
mìght have been fanned into a wide-sprcading ajid >
flame. Between friends, two or three wordi will oiicn »eiti€"
grcat thingss/

On reaehing the othcr apartmt!nt» he threw open ibe door,
and insistcrì upnn the Father's first cntering; tb«n loBowiilg
him in, ihcy mingled with the ren-t of the c^mpìiiiy.

This noljleman einployed a atudìed poUteneas, grcat dex-
terity, and fine word», to accouipli^h hìis dciign»; and tjicy
produced corre*pnnding cffccts» In fact, he aucccedcd,
the converaation we have relatcd, in makinpf Faiher Cr
foro go, on loot, from Fc«c;trenico to Rimint, whicb ta a ir<
tolerable di stane e.

One evcnhg, a Cat>uchm arri v ed at ^ :co. frena

Milan, with a dcspareh to the Fatbcr-,^ it con-

tatned an order for Falber Cristoforo to repair ai once io
RiTnini, H'here he waa appointed to preach the cmirse of
Lent Serrnons* The tetter in the e^^ardian contained in*
iinietioni to insinuate to ibe iaìd frtar, iliat he must gìy^
up ali thonghts of «ry business he mìgbt bave in band m tka
ncìglilxmrbood he waa aboul to leave, ajìd waa oot io keep
Ufi aoy correapondence therc : the bcarer would be his cooi*
panion by iìtn way. The gisardian taid oothisig that dreoltif |

I PROI^fESSI SPOSI

hai uext morning he summotied Fathcr Crisftsforo, showed
"liim the ctjmman<l, bidc hìm talee hìs vvallet, staff, manìplc,
liid girdic, and, wìth thr Failicr whom he prcsented to htm
a companion, ìmmcdìateJy set off on bis jowrney.
What a blow this wotild be to the poor friar, the reader
nwst imag^ioe. Renato, Lucm, Agtiese. instatiti/ rushed itito
ih nùnd; and he excIaÌDì*rd, so tu say, to himsclf:^ — Oh my
Zodì what wìll these poor ctcaturcs do, when 1 atn no bnger
»! — Btit uìsuiitly ratsiiJg his eyts to hcàven, he re*
ched himself (or wanl ol faith, and for having supposed
""""[tras necessary in aoythtng. He crof^sed his banda
reast, in token of obedience, and bowed hts head
tfore the guardìan, who, taking him asìde, told hira the r€it
>f Ihe messale, adding a few words of advice, and fomc
liible preccpls, Fathcr Cristoforo theo went into hfs celi,
et, and placcd ihercin his hrcviary, his sermons»
id of forgi veness, tiotind round his walst M
lesilhem girdlc, took kavc of his hrethren whom he fouad
the ranvcnt, went to reqtiest the giiardian's blessing, and
witli hh conìpaiilon, look the route which had bceti
rcscribed for him,

Wc bave naid tliat Don Rodrigo, mote than ever fcsolvcd
*i hts praiscworthy iindenaking. had determbed
asststaiice of a vcry fonnldabìc character. Of
ipefMMiage wc can give neither the name, surnamc, nor
; HOT can we even venture a conjecture on any one of
which h the more remarkablc, as we fìnd niention of
llbn in more than onc publìsbed book of those times. That
is the samc pcrsonagc, the identity of facts Icaves no room
9r dcmbt; but everywhcre a stadious endeavour may he
lo eonccal lib name, as if the mention of it would
tgnitird thf * !. Fran»

Rivola, in * Borro-

f ipcaking of thi» persoti, *ayH: ' A otii
wcalih as rinstrìous by birth/ an

Ri wUo, in the fiftb hook of the lifrh

'^ -uà Pairiiì, makes more caceJuaive mentiOQ

him a» * one/ ' ihb pcrson/ * tltat persoli/

, i:i,a personage/ * I vali retate,* «ys he, in hi»

Latin, whtch we umiulate as followi^— ' tbe oise of

328 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

one, who, bcinsf among the first of the grcat mcn of the city,
took up his residence in the country; whcre, securing him-
self by the force of crime, he set at nought justice and judges,
ali magisterial, and even ali sovereign power. Situated on
the very confines of the state, he led an independent lifc; a
harbourer of outlaws, an outlaw at one time himself» and
then safely returned . . / We will extract, in the sequel,
some other passages from this writer, which will serve
to confirm and elucidate the account of our anonymous
author, with whom we are travelling onward,

To do what was forbidden by the public laws, or rendered
dìfficult by an opposing power; to be the arbiter, the judge
in other peoplc's affairs, without further interest in them
than the love of command; to be feared by ali, and to havc
the upper band among those who were accustomed to hold
the same station over others : such had ever been the princi-
pal objects and dcsires of this man. From his youth he
had always had a mingi ed feeling of contempt and impatient
cnvy at the sight or report of the power, rencounters, strifes,
or oppressive tyranny of others. Young, and living in a
city, he omitted no opportunity, nay, even sought for them,
of setting himself up against the most renowned of this
profcssion, either entirely to subdue them, to struggle with
them, and keep them in awe, or to induce them to solicit
his friendship. Supcrior to most in riches and retinue, and,
perhaps. to ali in presumption and intrepidity, he compelled
many to retire from competition; some he treated with
haughtiness or contempt, some he took as friends; not,
however, on an cquality with himself, but, as alone would
satisfy his proud and arrogant mind, as subordinate friends,
who would be content to acknowledge thcir inferiority, and
flse their hands in his service. In fact, however, he became
at length the grand actor, and the instrument of his com-
panions, who never failed to solicit the aid of so powerful
an auxiliary in ali their undcrtakings, while for him to draw
back, would be to forfeit his reputation, and come short of
what he had assumed. He went on thus, till, on his own ser-
vice and that of others, he had gonc to such a length, that
neither his name, family, friends, nor even his own audacity,
sufficed to sccure him against public proclamations and oùt*

1 PROlvrESST SPOSI

S29

iiwry. mné he wms compelled io ^vc way and feave the state.
I beltcve il is to tbif circurnstance that a remarkable ind-
defit, relatcd hy Kipaniond^ refers, *On eoe occasion. whoi
obliged lo qttit the couJìtr>% the sccrccy he tise4 and the
rcspect and timidity he dispTayed. wcre such, that he rode
tbrotigh the dty cm horseback, loìlowed hy a pack of hotinds,
and accompanìed with the sound of the truinpet; and* in
passing bcforc the palace of the court, left aa ìnsolent mes-
sa gè with the iHJ^i'tis, fot the govemor,'

During' his absetice he continued the same practices, not
«ven intermittmg his co rrespoTi dente witli Ihose of his
friends who remaincd united to hitn (to transtate literally
from Ripamonti), 'in the secret alHance of atrodous con-
sultatìons and fatai deeds/ It even appears that he engaged

E the forciga courts in other ncw and forinidable undertak^
ings, of whicb the above-cited hlstorian speaks with myste-
rious bre^ity. ' Some foreign princes scveral tiraes availed
themselves of his assistaoce m important murders, and fre*
fjnentJy «ent hìm reinforcements of soldiers, from a consid-
erabte distance, to act tinder his orders/

At kngth (it is not exactly koown how long afterwards)
diher the sentenee of banishnient against hini bemg with*
drawn» by some powerful iotercesslon, or the audachy of
Ihc man serving liim in place of any other liberation, he
resolved to return home, and, in fect, did return; not,
Ìi0wever, to Milan, but to a eastle on bis manor, situated
Od the confines of tbe Bergamascan terrìtory» at that ttme»
ai moat of our readers know, under Venetian govemraent;
ftnd herc he fixed his abode, * Xhis dwel Hng/ we again
quote Ripamonti, * waf , ai it werc, a dìspensary of san*
gujnary mandatesi tJie servant» wcre outlaws and murder*
«rs; liie very cooks and sculllons wcre not exempl from
hoffnidde; the hands of the children were «t^iined with blood/
Be&ides iìiU amìabìe doraestic clrcìe, he haé, a^ the same
lustorlan affirms, another set of de pendenti of a ^imilar
charaeter disperseci abroad, and q^iartered, so to say, at dif-
fercnt posts in the two statcs on tlie taorders of whìch he
veti, who w*ere ahvays ready to exectite ^- --i— s^
Ali the lyrannical iiublctncii, for a coi distance

Iia4 beai obtigcd^ on ane occation ur iinottier^ to

S90 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

choose betwccn the friendship or the cnmity of this sttper-
cminent tyrant. Those, however, who at first attempted to
resist him, carne off so badly in the contest, that no one
was ever induced to make a second trial. Ncithcr was it
possible» by maintaining a neutral course, or standing, as
the saying is, in their own shoes, to keep thcmselves inde-
pendent of him. If a message arrived, intimating that such
a person must desist from such an undertaking, or cease to
molest such a debtor, or so forth, it was necessary to give
a decided answer one way or other. When one party
carne, with the homage of a vassal, to refer any business to
his arbitration, the other party was reduced to the hard
alternative of either abiding by his sentence, or publicly
declaring hostih'ties; which was equivalent to being, as the
saying is, in the last stage of consumption. Many who werc
in the wrong had recourse to him that they might be right
in efifect; many being in the right, yet resorted to him to
pre-engage so powerful a patronage, and dose the way
against their adversaries; thus both bad and good carne to
be dependent upon him. It sometimes happened that the
weak, oppresscd, harassed, and tyrannized over by some
powerful lord, turned to him for protection; he wouid then
take the part of the oppressed, and force the opprcssor to
abstain from further injuries, to repair the wrongs he had
commi tted, and even to stoop to apologies; or, in case of
his proving stubborn and unbendinjj. he would completcly
crush his power, constrain him to quit the place where he
had exerciscd such un just influence, or even make him pay
a more expcditious and more tcrrible penalty. In thcse
cases, his name, usually so drcaded and abhorred. became,
for a time, an objcct of blessìng: for (I will net say, this
justice, but) this rcmedy, this recompense of some sort,
•ould not bave bcen expected, under the circumstances of
the times, from any other either public or private source.
More frequently, and indeed ordinari ly. his power and
authority ministcred to iniquitous desircs, atrocious revenge,
or outragcous caprice. But the vcry opposite uses he made
of this power produccd in the end the self-same cfTcct. that
of imprcssing ali minds wilh a lofty idea of how much he
could will and execute in spi te of equity or iniquity, those

f PROMESSI SPOSI

311

,w1iìcfi tftterpose 9^ty many impedimmts tr-
li of man** desirc^» and so often force
io lom back» Tlie fame of ordinary oppressors was for thf
no»* part rcstrictcd to the limìtcd tract of country wheta
li«>' contìiiually or frequently exercised their oppression :
districi had its owti tyrant ; and thcse so resetnbled
Otber, that therf was no reasoii tliat ptople should
rfcre with those from whom thcy stjetained neìthef
^ijwf y «or moleetatioo, But the fame of ihis man had long
becn difTused throughout cvery corntT of the Milanese: hit
Uie W^s cTTcrywhcre the subject of popular stories; and hii
vcry tiame tarrted wkh it the idea of &ometbing formidable,
irk, and fabuIoMs. The susptctons that werc everywhere
stertained of bt* confedcrates tnd tools of assas^tnattoa^
ntribtited to kcep alive a Constant memento of hiin, They
rcre notbing more tJian suspiciorts; sin ce who wouJd bave
ly «cknciwledKed $wcb a depeodcnce? but every tyrant
It be bis aisociate, every robber one of hi» assassins;
sud tlic very UDCcrtaìnty of tbe fact reiidefcd the optnìoti
more general, and the terror more profound. At evcry ap*
pearance of an unknown ruffian, more savage-looking tbao
Uiual; at e%'ery enonnoii^ crime, the anthor of whkh conld
oot be al firat pointed out or conjcctared, the name of tbÌB
man was pronounced and whispered about, whom. thanks
lo tb^ ttfibappy circMmipectìon, to gì ve ti no other epìtbet, of
~?or i bc obh'^ed to designate The Unnamtd.

Lcn his camtlc and the palacé of Don
[ was not more tbao scven miles: aad no sooner had
become a lord and tyrant than be could not belp
eing that, at so short a dìstance from sucb a persoftage,
not bc possiblc to carry on tbis profcssion witbout
ccMning to blows, or watklng hand in band with him.
ad, ibereforc, offered bimself and becn accepted, for a
id, in the same way, that is. as the rest: he had ren*
him more tban onc servtce (the maniiserlpt says
fìg furtber) ; and had cach lime bcen rewarded bv
ibd of requital and asiìstance tn any eases of emer-
He look great pains, however, to conceal socii a
bipr or at Ica^i of wbat nature and how strici it waj.
Rodrigo likcti well cnough to play the tyrant. but not

394

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

puf to the tmf, sirice no one who was not on good te
vnth the owner af the cesile would venture to set foot withij
jts w<il)s» or cven in the valley or its envimus* Th«
who shotild bave chanced to be sccn therc would ha ve
freatcfl fiko aa enemy's spy seìzed within the camp, Trag
storics wcre rclated of the lasi who htd dtred to attempi l
ijfidertakmg: btit thc>' wcre Ihcn tales Of by*gone dsfa; and
none of the villagc youtlis could renicmbcr having ieen ont
of this race of beings. either dead or allvt,

Such is the descriptton otir anonytnous atitbor givts of
the ptacc: noihing is said of the namc; and for fear of
putting US hi the way of discovermR: ìt, he avoids M noti*
of Don Rodrigo*s journey» hringing him at one jump htto
^ intdst of the vaJlcy, and scttinjr hlm down at the foot of il
ascent, just at the rntrancc of tlie steep and windin({ fo
path. Here stood an inn. which mìght also be called a
gtuard-house* An antique slgn suspendcd over ihf doof«
displayed on cach side, in gtowing colon rs» a radiant Bttnf
but ihe public voice, whleh aotnetimei -> \amtB ai ^

are firn pronounccd, and lometlmes i thtfn af

ita own fashion, never deslgnated tlii» lavern bui hf tht
title of iJie Malmoite,^

Ai the sound of a party approaching on horseback^
ÌJMooklng fati appcared at the door-way, well armcd wW
knfvea and ptstfjls, and after ^viug a glance at them, re-
entercd to mform three rufilaiis, who, seatwl at tmtile,
playlng with a very dirly pack of card»^ reversed and
.imt npon another like Jto mtmy tile*. Ile whn ^

Itile leader ro^t^ and advanclns^ towards the ^o^
a frìe!iid of hi» master'ji, and aaluted him with a bow.
RodrifO, rrtuming the salutatton with (rreat politaìeaa,
qiiircil if hi* mailer were tn the ra^tlr, and recelrfnff for
an answer that he hcflrved «o, he dismounted from bis bc
i throwing the refns to Tiradritto, mie of hi? retìnt>& The
[laldtif; hii nmsket from hi* shouIdi?r, he handed it to M€
stanatolo* as tf to dUenctnnhcr hhn««'H nf a asetesa weig
and rwìdff hi* ascent eatter; but * , brcatue !w knc

WfH «nough that no one wa» pcrr mount that ale

I wfao carrtod a gim. Then takiof otti of hii ptiraa iwo

>Ilad KitM,

I PROMESSI SPOSI

brrHnghe, he ^tc theni to Tanabuso, iaylng: ' Wait
tot m€ hcrc; and in the mean timc eojoy yoursclves with
Ihese gpod people/ He Ihcn presented th« esdmable chìef
of the fiàrty with i Uw gold coins, one half for hirnsflf,
and the rest to be divided among his companions; and at
lestgtb, in company with Griso, wbo had also laid aside bis
weapons, began to asccnd the cJifF on fooL In the mcan
whJle, the thrce above-mentioned bravoes, togethcr with
their fourth eompaniOHi Squin terno ttOj (what amìable names
to be preserved with so much care!) remaìned behind with
the ihree players, and the un fortunate boy, who was iratn-
mg for the gallows, to game^ drink, and relate by ttims their
^^irariotis feats of prowess,
^^É Anothcr bravo belonging to the Unnamed shortly over-
^Hloofc Don Rodrigo in bis ascent; and after eying him for
^Hm momentt recogni^cd a friend of bU master*»» *nd bore
^^Bter company; by ibis me&ns, sparìng him the annoyance of
l^^^^f hts name, and giving a further account of htmsetf,
■^ to the many other» wbom he met, nné wiih whom he was
tmacqtiaìntcd, On reaching the castle, and being admitted,
(hmving left Griso, however, outtìde,) be was conducted a
roimdabout way through dark corridore, and varlous apart-
fMHU hctng with iDiiskets, &abres, and parttsans, in tach
of which a bravo stood on guard : and after havitig waited
ionie ttroe, wai at last ushered loto the room wbere th€
Uonafned was expecting him.

Tlic Signor advanccd to nieet Don Rodrigo, fettirnìng bis

•thitatìon, ind at the same tiine eying bim from head to

foot witli the cIose?t scrutìny, according to hi$ usuai habit,

»0fr aliiiost an in voi tinta ry one, towards any one who ap-

proacbed bim, evtn towarda his oldest and tooirt tried

friendjL He was tali, mm-biimr, and baJd ; and at first sigbt

thii Ikaldneiti, tbe whiteness of bis few remalning hair^, and

the wrioklea oq bis face, wouTd bave indticed the jtidgnìeni

ihat be wtM coniiderably beyond tbe sixty years be bad

ftcaroefy yet attalned: thotigb on a nearrr survey, bis car*

liagc and roovement*. the cnttmg sftrcasm of bis featurea^

the dcep firc that «parkicd in hi» eye, indicatcd a vigonr

body ftnd mtnd wbicb woold bave beco remarkabla eteii

a yocmg maj>«

V S96 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

■«^ .

Don Rodrigo told him that he carne to soHcit his advioe
and assistance; that, finding himself engaged in a difficuk
undcrtaking, from which hìs honour would net now sufifer
him to retire, he had called to mind the proniises of his noble
friend, who never promised too much, or in vain; and he
then proceeded to relate his infamous enterprìse. The
Unnamed, who already had some indefinite knowledge of
the affair, listened attentively to the recital, both because
he was naturally fond of such stories, and because there was
impHcated in it a name well known and exceedingly odious
to him, that of Father Cristoforo, the open enemy of tyrants,
not only in word, but, when possible, in deed also. The nar-
rator then proceeded to exaggerate, in evidence, the difBcul-
ties of the undertaking: — the distance of the place, a
monastery, the Signora I . . . At thìs word, the Unnamed,
as if a demon hidden in his heart had suggested it, abruptly
interruptcd him, saying that he would talee the enterprise
upon himself. He took down the name of our poor Lucia,
and dismissed Don Rodrigo with the promise: *You shall
shortly bear from me what you are to do/

If the reader remembers that infamous Egidio whose
residence adjoined the monastery where poor Lucia had
found a retrcat, we will now inform him that he was one
of the nearcst and most intimate associatcs in iniquity
of the Unnamed; and it was for this rcason that the latter
had so promptly and resolutely taken upon him to pledge
his word. Nevertheless, he was no sooncr left alone, than
he began to feel, I will not say, repentance, but vcxation
at having made the promise. For some time past he had
cxperienced, not exactly remorsc, but a kind of wearìnesa
of his wicked course of li fé. These feelings, which had
accumulated rather in his memory than on his conscience,
were renewed each time any new crime was committed, and
each time they seemed more multiplied and intolerable: it
was like const.mtly adding and adding to an already incom-
modious weight. A certain repugnance experienccd on the
commission of his earlier crimes. afterwards overcome and
almost entirely excluded, again rcturncd to make itself felt
But in his first misgivings, the imap:c of a distant and un-
certain future, together with the consciousness of a vigorous

I PEOMESSt SPOSI

337

habit of body and a stitmf constìtution, had only confìnued
him tn a suoline and prcsumptuoas cotifidence, Now, on the
contrai^, it was the thoughts ol the future that embittered
tJic rdroapect of the past— To grow old! To die! And
thcti?^It is worthy of notice, that the Image of dcath^
whicti m prcsent danger, when facing an encmy, osually
ooly ticrved his spirita and iiispircd him with impetuous
courage, — this satuc image, when presented to his mind in
the solemn stillness of night, and in the security of his own
^&llei was atways accompanted wilh a feeling of unde»
fined horror and alarni. It was not death thrcatened by
an enemy who was himself mortai ; it was not to be rcpulsed
fcy stTonger weapons, or a readìer arm ; ìt carne alone, it was
iuggested from withìn; it might stili be distant, but cvcry
iDOiiient brought it a stcp nearer^ and even whìle he waa
bopclesaìy strtiggUng to banish the remembrance of thts
dreaded enemy, !t was coming fast iipon him. In his early
days, the frequent examples of violcnce, revcnge, and murder,
wbjch wcre perpetually exhihited to his vlew, while they
taspircd him with a dariog cmuktionj served at the same
tìiac as a kind of authontj- against the voice of consctence:
now an indistinct but terrìblc idea of individuai responsi-
blJity, and judgnient independent of example, incessantly
liattoted his mind; now the thought of his having Icft the
ordiaary crowd of wiclccd doers. and surpassed them ali,
sometinies impressed him with a feeling of dreadful solitude.
Tbat GckI^ of whom he had once heard, but whom be had
long ceased cither to deny or acknowledge, solely occupicd
«9 he was in acting as ihough he existed not^ now, al ccnain
mofneots of deprc^sion without cause» and terror wìthout
daoger, he imagined he hcard repcatitig within him. * Nevef*
IbeJess, I artu* In ihe first beat of youtliful passion, the
Uws which he had heard announced io His name had only
a|ypeare<l hatefui lo him: now, when they rettirncd un-
Kiddco to his mind, he regarded them, in spile of himself,
iS fomething which wouJd bave a ftillìlmcnt- But that he
' nothing of thts new drsciniettjdc to he apparcot

ird or deecl, he careftilly cndcavoùred lo cod-

Ctó il under the inftsk of dccpcr and more vehcmcnt fcrocity ;
and bjp tUs mcana also tm «ought to disgiiise it imm him-

m ALESSAN^DRO MANZONI

»df , or oitircty to stille it. Efivying (sìnce he cotiM neilbet
annìitììate nor lorget ìhtm) the day» in whìdi he hi '
becn accuslomed to commi! inif|uìty WTlhoijf Tcinorfe, an
wtthcnit furthcf solkitude ihan ior it» iiucce,%a, he mt
every ciidcavour to recali thcm, anrl to retain or rccoiref""
hìs fortner unfettered, ilafing« and undÌAttirbed will» thit
he niigbt cotivince liim^df he was stili thr same mAn.

On thia occasion, therefore, he had Im«itily pledg^d bb

word to Don Rodrigo, that he might dose the door «pi

ali hrshation. Feeling, however, tm bis visitor** depar

.a (ailing o£ Uie resotution tiiai he tiad aumoioned up

tnake the promise» and gradually overwhclmed with thcni^

prcsenltnf thcjnstlvus io his mind, whlch tempted hlm II

break hi* word, and which, if yielded to, wouid have midt'"'

him sink very low in tlie eyes of hti friend, a secotidary

accomplicei he rcsolved at once to cut ahorr the painfttl con»

flìct. and ìuntmoticd Nibbio' to hia presaicc, <wie nf t>

, most dexterous and venturesome mtntstera of h'

and the one whoni he was acoistomed io cr

I corre-spondeiicc with Egidio» Wilh a reso! iste ccunieiiancc he

lordcrcd him immrdiatcly lo mount his lioritc, to j?o straìghlj

p!o Monra, to inCortn Egidio of the etigagemcni he had mad

and lo rrqiicist hi» couniscl and aJtMftanee in fulfilling il.

The worthlcHJt messenger reiurned more expeditioufly

Lthan hìs master cxpccted, with Egidio's rcply» that tlie tinder*J

Haking was eaxy :ind fecure: d the Unnamed wouId *end

[carriage whìch would not be loiown as hh, with two or threé]

Well-dÌ5goÌBcd bravoe», Egidifi wotild undcrtake the diarj

of ali the rcst» and would manage the wholc arifair* At tli

announctftnent, the Unnamed, whatcver might he pastinf

fn hi4 mind* hastilv gave orders to Nibbio to arrange ali

Egidio required, " >o him^etf, with two othera whli

^hename<! tif^ofi t! lìtion*

l!ad I 1 to reckon only on ordtnaiy i

for tbc . i the borrìhle serviee he had

requested io undertakc» he certa itily would not thu» rradil]
liave givcn to unhesitaiìng a prottdir. Bnt b that vety^
^hun» whcre it w«titd seem ali <mght to have been an
"^Obitadei the atrodoui villa in had a resotirce koown oelj

I PROMESSI SPOSI N9

to hiiosdf *, and thit wliJch wouid hàve been the gtcatest

diflkulr}' to others became an Instniment to hhii, We hare

àlreadx rclated how the unhappy Signora on otie occ«siòn

tenl an ear to hi$ addresses; and the r«adef may have under*

slood ÙkM thh was not the last tirrìei— that ìt was but th€

fir«t $lqi in a career ol nbcimination aiid bloodshcd. The

game voice, rcndcrcd imperative, and almost authoritaiive

Jhroagii guilt, now imposed upon het the sacrifìce of the

nnocent creature who had bc€ti commìtted to ber care.

The proposai was f tight fui lo Gertrude, To lose Lucia

«ji wnforeseen accident, and wrthoin any fault oo h^r

irt. would bave geeemed to her a misfortutie, a bitter pun-

^hmctit: b«t now shc was etijomcd to drprive herself ol her

tv by a base act of pcrfidy. tnd to con veri a means of

Ition ìnto a ire^h subje^t for remorsc- The un happy

héy trite every metliod to cxtricatc herself from the horrible

^oommand : — every method, excepi the only onc whìch would

bcen infaliible^ and whtch stili remained in ber power*

ji .. *. ^;^l^ ^^ snflexìble lyrant, against whom ali are

T tbose who cnttrety rcbel* Oii ibis Gertrude

Sci u'jl tu solve, and shc obeyed,

1^^s ihe day fixcd; the appointed hour approached*
rtrude retired with Lucia imo ber private apartment,
1 there lavishcd upon ber more care^aes than lisual, whlch
receivcd aiid returned with mcreasing afettloti: aa
ambv tremhling under the band of Ihe ghepberd a? hft
coajces and gtntly urge» it furward, lurns to lick that very
band, unconscioui that the butcher waìts outside the ^beep*
fòld» io wbom the shqihi^rd a motncnt before has Rold it,

'I want voti lo do me a great service; onc that notiody
bui >ou can <fo. I bave pleiity of persons ready to obey
ine, hot none wbom ì dare trust, On «omc very ìmportant
boatoess, whieh I wHl teli you ahoni afterwar<ls, ! wani lo
«peak to the Father-giiardian of the Capuehtns wlio broogbt
you bere to mct ray ponr Lucia ; hut it ìt absolutely itecessary
that fio one shotdd koow I have §ent for htm. I have nobody
bui yOtt who can «ecrctJy carry ibii message . . /

Lucìa wa« i^rnfird at sueb a requcst; and wtth ber own

oatiirc 1 ncìi vrithottt a strong expression of

. iurf>rì»e, drcd to dissuade tier hy adductiig rat-*

Si2 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

people who would probably be attraeteci by the enea. This
man was one of Egidio's villains ; he had becn to watch oear
the gate of the monastery, had sccn Lucia go out, had noticed
her dress and figure, and had thcn run by a shorter way to
ivait for her at the appointed spot.

Who can represent the terror, the anguJsh of the unfortu-
nate girl, or describc what was passing in her niind? Shc
opened her terrificd eyes, from anxiety to ascertain her
horriblc situation, and quickly closed them again with a
ehudder of fear at the sight of the dreadful faces that met
her view: she writhed her body, but found that she wii
held down on ali sidcs; she collected ali her strength, and
madc a desperate effort to push towards the door; but two
sinewy arms held ber as if she were nailcd to the bottoni
of the carriage, while four other powerful hands supported
her there. At every signal she gavc of intcnding to utter
a cry, the handkerchicf was ìnstantly stufTed into ber mouth
to smother the sound, while threc infornai mouths, with
voices more human than they were accustomed to utter, con-
tinued to repeat: * Be stili, be stili; don*t be afraid, we don*t
want to do you any harm.* After a few momcnts of agonized
strugglc, she scemcd to bccome quieter; her arms sank
by ber side, her head fell backwards, she half opened her
cyelids, and her cycs became fixcd ; the horriblc faces which
surrounded ber appcarcd to mingle and flock before her in
one monstrous image ; the colour fled from her check ; a cold
moisture overspread her face; ber consciousncss vanished,
and she faintcd away.

* Come, come, courage,' said Nibbio. ' Couragc, courage,'
repeated the two other ruffians; but the prostration of every
faculty preserved Lucia, at that moment, from hearing the
consolations addressed to ber by thosc horriblc voices.

'The ! she seems to be dead,' said one of them: *if

sbe's really dead ! '

*Pshaw!' said the other: * It's only a swoon, such as
women often fall into. I know well enough that when Tvc
wanted to send another, be it man or woman. into the other
world, it has required something more than this.'

' Hold your tongues,' said Nibbio. *Attend to your own
business, and mind nothing else. Take your muskets from

I PROMESSI SPOSI

343

der the neat, and kecp them in rcadiiicsa: fof libere are
Iways some vitUins hi*icìcn in ìht wood wc ere cntering*

fot tn youT haiids, the ! ptit thctn behìnd your backs,

d kt thcm lie thcre; dc>n*t yoii see that she's a cowardly
chickcn, who faints for nothing? If shc sces fire-arms^ it
Mrill be enough to kìll htr outright. And whcn she rccovers,
take good care you don't frighten ber ; don't touch ber unless
I beckon to voti: I ani enough to tnanage ber. And bold
yottr tongues : Icave me to talk to ber/

ili ibe mean whìle tbe carriage, whicb was proceediug mi
a very raptd pace, entered tJie wood.

After some tinie, tbe tmbappy Lucia gradutally begao to
to ber senses, as li awakiitg from a profound and
ìeé «leep, and slowly ope^ed ber eyes. At first sbe
ìt difficult to dlstlngijish tbe glootny objects that sur-
idcd ber» and collect ber scattered thougbts; but sbe
tast sncceeded In recai Hng ber fearful situation. The
ose sbe made óf ìjcr newly recovercd, though stili
bk, powcrs. was to rusb towards the door, and attempt
lo tiirow berseli ont ; but sbe was fordbly restrained, and
bad onìy lime to get a glancc at tbe wi!d solittide of tbe
place tbrougb whìcb tbey wcre passing. Sbe agaìn tstt«fed
a cry; but Nibbio, holding up tbe bandkcrchief in bis
dltftded liand, * Come/ sàid he, in the gentlest tone he could
€OfmDafid, 'bc quiet, and it will be bctter for you, Wc
ddd't want IO do you any barm ; but if you don*t bold your
loagae. we'll inake you/

*I,ft me got Wbo afe you? Where are you takitig
foe? Wby bave you seizcd me? Let me go» let me gol '

* 1 tc!I you, you «eedn*t be a irai d : you' re trot a baby,
yi3\i ought to understand that we don't want to do you

ly barm. Don*t you see tbat we raight bave niurdercd
_ la a bundred times, tf wc bad any bad intcntions? — so bc
quict*

'No, no, let me go on nqr own businees; I dont fcnow
you.'

* We ktiow you, bowever /

* O most boiy Virgin ! Let me go, for pily*ft sake Who
are you ? W'by bave you takcii me ? '

* Becatisc wc bave bcen Md to do so/

^wa

314

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

*\Vhoì Who? Wlio can have bW jrou?'

*Hush!' said Nibbb, with a sttro look; 'you mQitnt
ask me sodi c|uestians/

Lucia made a third attempi to ihrow heutìi suddeoly
out ùi the window; but finding ìt iti vatfi, she again had
recoufse to entreallcs; and wìth ber head beni, ber cliedcs
bathed wilh tcars, ber voke intcrruptcd by sobs, and h^r
hands ctasped bcfore hcr, * Ob ! ' cried sbe, ' (or ilie Jovc
o! God and the most holy Virgin, Ict me gol Wbat harm
bave I done? I am an ìnnoceni creature, ajid bave doae
nobody any barm. I f0rg:Ìvc you the wrongs you bave doM
me, (rom the bottom oi tiyy hcart, aiid wiU pray God for
you* Il any of you bave a daugbler* a wìfc, a mothtr, ibmk
wbat they would sufifer, if lliey werc in tbi» state. Re*
mcmber thai wc must ali die, and tbat yoa wìll anc day
want God to be merci fui towarda you. Lei ine go; leave
me bere ; the Lord will teach me to find my way/

* We cannoi,*

*You cannot! Oh my God! Wby caii*t you? Wlitrc
are you taktng me? Wby?' , , ,

' We cannot : ÌVè no use asking. Don't bc af raid, for wt
won't harm you : be qui et, ;ind nobodyH touch you/

Overcome wìtb dbircss, agony, and terror al fmdìng that
ber words made no imprcssion, Lucia tumed to Him who
holds the hearts of men in His band, and can, when ti
pleascth Him, soften tbe most obdurate» Sbc tank back
into the corner where she had been placed, crosact! ber
arms on ber brenst, and prayed fer%'ently, from the bottoni
of ber bcart; tben, drawitig out ber rosary, she bcgan to
repeat the prayers with mare faitb and devotìon tban she
had ever donc beforc in hcr li fé. From lime to tìme she would
lum to cnlreat ber companions, in bopes that she r.
gain the mercy &hc implorcd; buf. sbe implored in
Then sbe fell back, and ;ii:^in hccamc ^enfcless, only tp
awake to ncw anEruish. But we bave not Ibe beart to rebte
the»e agonÌ2Ìng vicissitucìes more at kngth ; a feeling of
overpowering compasisìon makcs us hasten to the eJose of
tbi» moumfu] journey» which lasled for more tban foiir
bours; succeeding whidi wi^ ubali bc oblìged to
maiiy boari of suiti more bitter angui&h* We will

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

345

elves to the castle where the tinhappy girl was «xpccted
bc was awaìted by the Unnaincd with a soLicitudc and
ticty of mind which were very unusuaì. Strangel thal
wha had disposed of so inaiiy lives with an ìmperturbed
who in so many undcrtakings had consldered as noth-
ng the soiferings he infìictcd, imless it were sometimes lo
glui bis appetite with the fierce enjoyraenl of revenge, should
now feel a recoUIng, a regret — I luight ahnost say, a feeling
of alarm^ at the authority he was exercising over thta
Lucia,— a straoger, a poor peasatit-girl l From a lolty
wtfìdow of his castìe he had been fot some lime watching
the ciitrance of the vallcy ; by aod by the carriage made ìts
appearance. slowly advandng along the road; for the rapìd
pace at 'which they had at 6rst startcd had curbcd the
!e and cooTed the ardour of the horses. And although,
the post where he stood lo watch, the convoy laoked
no larger than one of those diminutive vehicles with which
chìldren are wont to aitrnse themselves, yet he hesitated
QOt a tnoment to recognize it; and his heart began afresh
IO beat violeotJy.
^-Will she he there? — tbought he immediately : and he
to say lo himseif: — What trouble ihis creature
il I will frce myself from iL —
he prepared to suminon one of his men, aod de spatch
immediatcly to meet the carriage, with orders to Nibbio
ttim round, and conduct her at once to Don Rodrigo's
ilace. But an imperative no, ihat instan dy fìashed across
his mind, made him at once abandon this design* Wearicd
Icngih by the desire of ordering somcthtng to be donc,
_ id intoterably tired of idly walting the approach of the
carriage, as it advanced slowly, step by step, like a traitor
hit puni>hment, he at length summoned an old woman
hb houiehold

TJiif pcnKrn was the daughter of a former keeper of the

Je, hld been boni whhiii its walls, and spenl ali hcr

there* Ali tliat she had «eeii and heard aratind her

from hcr vcry infattcy, had contributcd io impress upon

ber mtnd a lofty and terribk idea of the power of hcr

-raiiters; and the prineri>al maxim that ^hc had acqulred

JBstnKUoci aod examplc was, that thcy must bc obeyed

AI-ESSANDRO MANXOKl

In evcrjfthing, l>ecat:tse ihfy werc capablc of *
great good or great hanu. The idea of lìvtiy.
a gtrm in the hcarts ot ali mtn, and i

sentimeli» of rcapcct, drcad, and i

associaicd wtUi« aJid soleiy dirccted to^ the^c objccts^ Whcn
the Unnamtd Eiecame her lord, and bcgan to tnake sodi
terrible «se oi hi» power, she fclt, fram the first^ a klnd of
horror, and, at the ^ame lime, a more ^rafoimd f ' f

aubjection. In tÌDio she hccame habìtuatcd to l*

daily saw and heard ground her: the putcnt ]

will ol such a Signor wa% in her idea, a ki
appoìnted by fate. Wheii sonicwhat advanced in '
3the had married a »ervaiit of the houschold^ wb-^
sent on some hazardous cxpeditbti, short 1y after ^ ■

hÌ3 bones on the htghway, and her a widow in ti]-.: -
The vengeanee which the Signor qukkly took on t)
strumenta of his dcath, yicldcd her a savage cj'ti i
and increaied her pridc at bcìng: under mch pi -
From thafe tbnc fonvard shc rarcly set loot cmtside iJic
castie, and, by degrecs, rctaincd no other idem of baman
lift than ì&uch as «he rcceived wiihin lls predncta. She
was noi eoufjued ia any panicular branch of serrice, btit
among such a crowd of rufEaus, one or othcr was ooch
ttanily fìudlng her some thing to do, uhicb fumlshed her
with a never-fatling xubject for grtimbUfig. Soroettoies
ibc woiild bave ctot]ic& to repair, sometìmes a meal to
vide in batte, for one who tiad retumed froin an exT^cHHtfii!
and ioroclimcs she was calJed npon to exercise h' 1

sfati in drcss^ìng a woumL The conimandf, repro;-^. .J

thanks of these nifHans, werc ^^cneraìly seasoned with ji>kes
and rude speechts: 'old vvoman ' w«u her u^iu! appella*
Hon; whtlc the adiitnct» whlch werc pcrpetuaiK attaclMil
to it, varied ac tn th*^ drav r

of the speaker, thna tn her [

in her peevUU tanper, whIch were ber
paiislons, she somcttmc^ retumed these l , :n

langtiagc in whieh Satin mtgbt bave rccognìxed mora of
hU own «pìrit than in that of ber tormentorn.

•Ycni ^ee tbat carrìage down therc?' md tte Signor io
tliia aoiiable spedata» of w^omati'^kind

ì PROMESSI SPOSI

317

*T sec it' rcpHed she^ prolruding her sharp ehm, and
»ring with hcr sunkcn eyes, as if trymg ta force ihcoi aul
oi thcir sodcets.
' Bìé tbem prepare a litter f mniecììatcly ; gct ìnto it your-
L'If, and let it be carrìed to Mabnotte msiantìy, tbat you
[lay gct Ibcrc bcfote the canriagc; it is comitig un at a
funcral pace* In that carriage therc is , , , thcre ùughl to
bc . . . a young girt If she's therc, leti Nìbbio li is my
order that sbe shouid be put into tbe littcr, and that be
Ernst come directly ta nic. You wi!I come up iii the littef
vìth tbe , , , girl ; and when you are up bere, take ber tnto
ar orni room* Tf she asks you whcrc yota are takiiig her,
i?hofn tbe castle belongs to. takc care . . /
■ Oh ! * saìd the otd womau.

•But/ conttnucd tbc Uonamed, *tTy to eiicourage ber/
*\Vbat must I say to ber? '

'What must you say to ber? Tr>^ to encoutagc ber, I

di you* Have you come to this age, and don*t kiiow hcw to

^encouragc olhers when thcy want it ! Ha ve you evcr kuown

sorrow QÌ beart? Havc you ne ver been afraìd? Don't

ycm know what words soothe and comfort at sucb motnents?

ly tliose words to ber; find them in ibc remembrancc of

own sorrows, Go directly/

At «oon as ghe bad takcn ber depart^re, he stood for a

rhite at tbe window, wttb bis cyts fixed on tbc carrfagc,

"wblcli had afrcady considerably inercased in sìie: after-

i^'ards be watched the- sun, at that moment sinking bebind

" ^e maimtain: tlien he contemplated the fleccy douds scat*

cred above the setting orb, atid froiti thcir usua] greyish

kne almost inst^^ntaneousty assuming a fìery tìnge. He éf€ve

ick, closed the wludow, and began to pace up and down

be apafttncist wìtb the steg of n hurried traveller.

CHAPTER XXI

THE old woman immediately hastened to obey, and io
give commands, under the sanction of that name,
which by whoxnsoever pronounced, always set the
whole household on the alert ; f or it never entered the imagin-
ation of any one, that another person woxild venture to use
it unauthorized. She reached Malanotte shortly before the
carriage arrived; and on seeing it approach, got out
of the litter, beckoned to the driver to stop, advanced
towards the door, and whispered to Nibbio, who put his
head out of the window, the wishes of his master.

Lucia aroused herself, on feeling the carriage stop, and,
awaking from a kind of lethargy, was seized with renewed
terror, as she wildly gazed around her. Nibbio had pushed
himself back on the seat, and the old woman, with ber chin
resting on the door, was looking at Lucia, and saying,
' Come, my good girl ; come, you poor thing ; come with me,
for I bave orders to treat you wcll, and try to comfort you.*

At the sound of a female voice, the poor girl felt a ray of
comfort — a momcntary flash of courage; but she qnickly
relapsed into stili more terrible fears. 'Who are you?'
asked she, in a trembling voice, fixing her astonished gaze
on the old woman's face.

' Come, come, you poor creature,' was the unvaried answer
she received. Nibbio, and his two companions, gathering
from the words, and the unusually softened tones of the old
hag, what were the intentions of their lord, cndcavoured,
by kind and soothing words, to persuade the unhappy girl
to obey. She only continued, however, to stare wildly
around; and though the unknown and savage character of
the place, and the dose guardianship of her keepers, forbade
her induiging a hope of relief, she nevertheless, attempted
to cry out; but seeing Nibbio cast a glance towards the
handkerchief, sìie stopped, trembled, gave a momentary
ihudder, and was then seized, and placed in the litter. The
old woman entered after her; Nibbio left the other two

348

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

119

"▼niatiss to folJow behìnd as an escort, while he hiinseU took
tÌJ« sbortcst asceiìt to attend to tlie cali of bis master.

' Who are you ? ' anxiousiy tienjaoded Lucia ot ber Tin-
known aurd ugly-visaged compatì lon: ' Why atti I with yotl?
Whcrc am I? Wherc are you taking me?'

'To on« wbo wishes to do you good,* repUed the aged
dame; 'to a great , . , Happy are they to whooi he wishes
good 1 You art vcry Jucky, I can teli you. Don't be afraid —
be dieeriul; he bìd me try to encourage yoa. You1l teli
\xìm, w€m*t you, that l tried to comfort you?*
'Who ts he? — wby?— what does he want whh me? I
^don*t belong io hìmì Teli oie whcre I ami let me go! btd
pcople let me go— bid them cam^ me to some cburch.
>hl vou who are a woman, In the name of Mary the

tls holy aod soothlug name^ once repcatcd with vcoera-

tlon in ber earìy years, and now for so long a time unin*
jfokeù^ and, perhaps, tjnheard, prodticed in the raìnd of the
Èppy creature, on agaln reaching ber ear, a strange, con-
ated, and distant rccollection, like the remembrance ol
light and form In an aged person, wbo bas bcen blind Ifooi
miUÈcy.

In the tneanwbile, the Unnamed, standing at the door of
bis castH was Fooking downwards, and watcbing the bttcr,
as before he had watched die carriage, whìie it slowìy
ascendcd» stcp by step; Nibbio rapidly advancing before ìt
iit a distance wbich every moment became grcater. When
he bad at Icngth attained the summit, * Come this way/
tfìtd the Signor; and taking the Icad, he entcred the castle,
id wrnt mto ooe of the aparUnents*
*V iid he, makÌTig a stand.

*f !ìg escactly tight/ replied Nibbio, with a prò-

Yotmd obeisance; 'the intclHgeoce in time* the girl in lime^
ly on the spot only one scream, nobody attracted by it,
cotchman ready, the borses swift, nobody met withi

_ what?'

*Biit , . . I wiir tetl the tnith : T wattld rttii^r haTe beau
aKumaiideil co ^ont ber in the back, withooft lieArfaig ber
•petk^HiirttbocU sedog ber face.'

950 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

*What? . . .what? . . . what do you mean?'

' I mean that ali this time ... ali this time ... I hivt
felt too much cotnpassion for her/

' Compassion I What do you know of compassion? WhAt
is compassion ? *

' I never understood so well what it was as this time ; it is
something that rather resembles fear; let it once take pos-
session of you, and you are no longer a man.'

'Let me hear a little of what she did to exdte your
compassion.'

'O, most noble Signori such a time! . . . weeping, pray-
ing, and looking at one with such eyes ! and becoming pale
as death | and then sobbing, and praying again, and certain
words . . /

— I won't have this creature in my house, — ^thought the
Unnamed, meanwhile, to himself. — In an evil hour, I cn-
gaged to do it; but l've promised — l've promised. When
she's far away , , . And raising his face with an imperious
air towards Nibbio, ' Now,' said he, *you must lay aside
compassion, mount your borse, take a companion — two, if
you like — and ride away, till you gei to the palace of this
Don Rodrigo, you know. Teli him to send immediatcly
. . . immediately, or else . , /

But another internai no, more imperative than the first,
prohibited his finishing. ' No,' said he, in a resolute tone
almost, as it wcre, to express to himself the command
of this secret voice, 'No: go and take some rest;
and to-morrow morning . . . you shall do as I will teli
you/

— This girl must have some dcnion of her own, — ^thoughl
he, when left alone, standing with his arnis crossed on his
breast, and his gaie fixed upon a spot on the floor. where the
rays of the moon, entering through a lofty window, traced
cut a square of pale light, chequcred like a draught-board
by the massive iron bars, and more minutely divided into
smaller compartments by the little pancs of glass. — Some
demon, or . . . some angel who protects her . . . Com-
passion in Nibbio! . . . To-morrow morning — to-morrow
morning, early she must bc off from this; she must go to
ber place of dcstination; and she shall not be spoken of

I PROMESar 5P05I

851

ait«l,-<oiitbiicd he lo himscU, wìth the resolutìoo
tb wbicìi OH e gives a command lo a reb^llìous clàìd,
jwing thst tt wìll nùt be obeyed;- — and shc sballi noi be
thomght ol again, eilher* That animai of a Don Rodrigo
nmst. tiot come to pester me with thrniks: for « , . I doo't
want to bear bei" spoken of àiiy more. I bave served him
becauee , * , because I proinised ; and I promised, beeausc
. . • it was my desdny. Bat Vm determined the fe!low shall
pay mn wcll Cor tbis piece of service. Let me see a
little . . , —

And be tried to devise some intricate undcnaklng, to
inipose upon Don Rodrigo by way of compcngation, and
altQOSt as a punUhment : but tlic words agaìn sbot across bis
mind — Compassion In Nibbio! — Wliat can ihh girl bave
donc?— <otitÌDUed he, folbwìng out the tbought; — I must
5ce ber, Yct no — ^yes, I will sce ber. —

He wenl from otse room to another, canie to the foot of
a flight of stairs, and irresolutely ascending, proceeded to tbe
old woiwan's apartment; bere he Imocked with bis foot at
the doof.
'VMio's ihercr

• Open the door/

The old woman inade three bounds at the sound of hb
Toice; the bolt was qnfckJy heard grating barshiy in llie
staplrSp and the door was thrown wtde open. The Unnamcd
oul a glance rotind the room, as he paused in the doorway;
and by the ligbt of a lamp wbicli stood on a three>1egged
tftbfe, discovcred Lucia crouclicd down oo the floor^ in the
corner farthest from the entrance,

* WTio bid you throw ber there, Hke a bag of rag§, you
micml old beldame ? * said he to fbe aged matron, with an
angry frown,

*Shc chose it hcrsclf/ repUed ehe, in an btimbte tene.
•l'vc don« my best to encwiragc ber; she can tctl you ao
ber^elf; bui she won't nund f7ie/
*Get up/ satd he to Lucia, approachlng ber. But sbe,
alfcaily tcrrififd rnSud bad ex^Kricnced a fresh and
If -"- -Idition lo ber terror al tlie knocking, the open-
or, hh footstcp. and hi^ voice, only gathered
1 ttUiJ doarr imo the corner, and, with ber face burSed

352 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

in her hands, remained perfectly motionless, excepCiii|M
she trcmbled from head to foot.

' Get up ; I will do you no hann • . . and I can do pt
some good/ repeated the Signor . . . ' Get up I ' thondmi
he forth at last, irritated at having twice commandel ■
vain.

As if invigorated by fear, the unhappy girl instanti/ niiel
herself upon ber knecs, and joining ber hands, as she «oqU
bave knelt before a sacred image, liftcd her eyes to the ÒKt
of the Unnamed, and instantly dropping them, said: *H«n
I am, kill me if you will/

' I bave told you I would do you no harm/ replied tbe
Unnamed, in a softened tone, gazing at ber agonized featuRS
of grief and terror.

'Courage, couragc/ said the old woman; 'if he himsdf
tclls you he will do you no barm . . .'

'And wby/ rcjoined Lucia, with a voice in which the
daringness of despairing indignation was mingled with the
tremor of fear, 'wby make me suffer tbe agonies of hcll?
Wbat bave I donc to you ? . . /

'Perhaps tbey bave treated you badly? Teli me . . /

' Treated me badly ! Tbey bave seizcd me by treachery—
by force! Wby — wby bave tbey seizcd me? Why am I
bere? Wbere am I? I am a poor harmless girl. Wliat
Lave I done to you? In tbe name of God . . /

'God, Godi' interrupted tbe Unnamed, 'always God!
Tbey wbo cannot de f end tbemselves — wbo bave net the
strength to do it, must always bring forward tbis God, as if
tbey had spoken to bim. Wbat do you expcct by tbis word?
To make me? . . / and he Icft tbe scntence unfmisbed.

' O Signor, expcct I Wbat can a poor girl likc me expcct.
except that you sbould bave nicrcy upon me? God pardon a
so many sins for onc dced of mercy. Let me go; for
charity's sake, let me gó. It will dò no good to onc who
must die, to make a poor creature sufTer tbus. Oh! you
wbo can give the command. bid tbem let me go! Tbey
brought me bere by force. Bid tbem scnd me again
with tbis woman, and take me to ♦ * * , wbere my motber
is. Oh! raost boly Virgin! My motber! my motber! — fot
pity's sake, my motber. Perhaps she is not far from bere

I PHOMBSSI SPOSI

3S3

^ 1 saw my nmuntains, Whj do you give ine ali this

^Ifcring? Bìd them take me to a cburch; I wtll pray for
ali my life. What will it coft you to say one word?
k, see! yoa are movcd io pity: say onc word, oh say iti
pardon s ^ù^ many sms for one decd. of mcrcy 1 '
^h, why isii't she t!ic daughter of one óf-the rascalty
js that outlnwcd me!— thoiight Uie Unnamed; — of one of
vtllains tvho wish me dead; theo I sfeoutd cnjoy hcr
terings: but insiead . , ,—
I* Don*t drive away a good inspiratìon ! * eontìnued Lucia,
rnestly, reanimated by sceing a certain air of hesìtaiion iti
countenance and bchavioar of her oppressor. ' 1( you
n't grant me this mercy, the Lord will do it for me. I shall
le, and ali wtll be over with me ; but you . - . Pcrhaps, some
«iay, even you . , . But no, no ; I will always pray the Lord to
kccp you froin every evil Wiiat will it cost you to say ooe
word? Tf you knew wbat it was to sufifer thìs agony ! * * /

' Come, talee courage,* interrupted the Unnamed, wìth a
gentloic^s that asionished the old woman. * Have I dooe
you any harm? Have I threatened you?'

* Db no f I see that you have a kind heart, and f eel some
|>ity £or an tintiappy creature. If you chosc, you could
tcrrtfy me more than ali the othcrs: you could kìll me with
fcmr; but instead of that, you have . , , rather lightened my
heart; God will rewmrd you for it. Finish your dced of
mcrcy i »ct me free, set me free.*

• To-morrow moming • , *

' Oh f set me free now— uow , , /

*Tn-morrow moming, I wtll see you «gain. I say. Com^
bc of good courage. Take a little resi ;
iielhing to cat They shall bring you some-
dtrectly/

i, no; I shall die, if anybody coincs bere; I sball dìei
Take me to a church . • . God will reward you for that
itep/

*A woman shalJ bring you something to cat,' said the
Ufwiamcd; and Et:- f 5o, he stood wondcHng at hìm-

•£lf how 5uch a t' >i cntcrcd bis mind, Mnd how the

wbh had urisen to seck a remedy for the sorrows of a poor
btlfllblc villiL-rr.

iS4

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

* And you/ resunied he hastity» tumlng w the agcd tnaim,
' persuaclc hcr to cat soniethiug, and lei her lic down to rtH
on this lied; and if shc is willìng to havc you um a cet^
patiìon, well; tf not, you caii slecp well enoijgh for ow
night on ihc floor, Encourage hcr, I &ay» and kcq> to
cheerfiil. Beware that she has do cause to coinplalii oE
you/

So sayìng, he moved quìddy towards the door. Locìa
sprang up. and ran to detain him, aud rcuortr her ealr«atici;
but he was gone.

* Oh, poor roe ! Shut the door quickly.* Aad havtn^ heanl
the door dosed» and the l^oU «gain drawn» sbr retumed tu
seat herself in hcr corner. 'Oh, poor met' rcpcated shc;
sobbing; ' whom shall l implore now? Wbere am 1? Dò
you teli me— teli me, fur pity'» aakc, who h thi5 Slgùt^ ,.♦*
he who has bcen speaking to nae?'

* Who is he, eh? — ^^^*ho is he? Do you ihink I may teli
yoti? Waif tilì he tdis you himsclf* You are proni ttt-
eause he prolects you; and you want to be satjs6ed« ami
makc me your go^bctwcen. Ask him yourscH* If 1 wtw
to teli you Hiìs, 1 shouidn't gd the good words he hai just
given you. J am an old woman, an old wonmri/ conlinucd *bc»
muttering betwccn her teeth. * Ilang ihcse young folks, wfao
may tnake a ùnti show of eìthcr bugliing or cryliig, jujfcl ai
they Hkc, and yct are always in iJic right/ But heartog
Lucìa's sobs and the commands of her master retumiiag in
a thrcatcning manner to ber mcmory. shc stooped tow&rd the
poor crouchin^ girl, and^ in a gcntJcr and more hunmjie
tone, resuracd: 'Come, 1 bave salti no harm to you; bc
chcerful. Doni ask me qucstions whtch IVe no busincsi
to answcr; but pluek up hcart, my good girl Ahi if yott^
kncw how many pcoplc wouid 1k glad to bear him speak^
aa he has spoken to ynu 1 Be cheerful, lof he wili Keiid

'Il
r iur mCt*

you somcthing to cat just now; and I know
he fipokep Vm aure it wili he somethini? ^ud.
Ut down, and . * . you will 1.
added shc, with an acccnt t^

* I dan't want to eal, ! dmi't waot tu skep. Let me a]oi)«;
doni come nnar me; but you wo«*t Jeavc the roomf

'No^ no, uot 1/ iaid tJte old ^*oiiiaii« dj^wing bade, aad

l PROMESSI HPOSl

3SS

ag h«ridf on an old ann-chair, wbence sbe cast simdry

tsi of al&rtn, &iicl &t tlic sainc linxc of envy, towiirds the

poor g^irl Theo she looked ni the bcd, vcxed at the idea

of bcjng, perliaps. cxduded from it for the wholc night, and

grumblioir at the coìd. But &bc comforted hcfself with the

bdught? of suppcf, and with the hopc tbat the re nught be

t3e lo apare for her. Lucia vvas sensi ble of neìtbcr cold

"fior biingcr, and, almost as t£ deprived of ber senses, had

^l a LOiifused idea of ber very grìef and icttOT, like the

Icfined objccts scen hy a ddirious patìcnt.

Shc roused hersclf, whcn she beard a knocking al the

door; and rabing ber head, exclaimed. in much alarm,

bWbo's thef e ?— wbo's there? Don't Jet any one bl*

[*Hobody, nobody; good news! ' said the old woman; *tt'a

lartha hringing aomelhiiig to eat.'

• Shut the door, s^but the door ì ' cried Liicla.

* Ay* direct] y,' rt-*plìed the old wonian ; and takìng a
el OHI of Martha 's band, she IjaMily nodded to ber, shut

5r^ and carne and set the basket on a tabte, in the
o! tiie room. Shc tben rcpeatedly invttcd Lucia to
• and partake of the lenipting repast, and employing
i, wbkb, according to ber ideas, wcrc roost Hkely to be
cScacìouF in reste» ring the poor girV'a appetite, broke forth
itito exclaniations on the excellencc of the food; — * Morseli
whfch, wha) couiihùìi pcople bave onee got a taste, they
; forget in a hirrry ! Wine, whicb ber tnaster drank with
..-„ .riefwls . , , wben any of thctn happcncd to arrivc . . .
aod thcy wanted to be memi Hcrn I ' But «eeing that ali
tbcse cbartns prodoced no cttect^ — * li is yon who won't eal,'
said shc. * Don*t you he &aying lo-morrow tbat I didn't try
to pcTiuade you. Vìi eat something, howevcr; and tben
tberc'lì be more thaa cnougb loft for you, whai you eooie
lo rviiT Hen^e.1, and are willing: to do as yoti are bid/
So saying, she applted herself with avidìty to the refrcah-
ments. Whra abe had satìsficd hersclf, she rose» advmaced
raxds tlie corner, and bcndtng ovrr Lada, again tnvited

to take soTnething» and then be down.
' SOt oo, I doni want anything/ r^-plled sbe, with a Ceeble
aliooit drowiy voice» Then M'ith more energy she con-
*1j Ihe door locked?^a it w*:li secured?' An4

AU^SSÀNDRO AIANZONI

havtng looked around, she rose, and feeling wìth hcr
walked wiih ft fU£picio(j& step towards the doon

Tbe old woman sprang thither before hcr, strelclicd ©Ut
hcr hand to tiìc lock, scìzcd the handle, shook it^ r^tlted the
boli, and mttdt ìt graie agabst the staple ti>ai received aad
sccured iL * Do you hcar ?— do you see?— is it wtU kxked?
Are you content now?*

*0h, contenti I content hcreF said Lncìa» sgBia ar-
rangÌDg hersclf in ber corner, ' But the Lord know9 Vm
hcrc I *

* Come to bed ; what wonld yon do tlicrc^ crotiching likc a
dog? Did ever anybody &ce a person refuse eomforts»
he couid gct theoi?'

' No* no ; let me alone/

* WeU, it's your own wish* See, 111 ieave you the
place; l'm lying herc on the very edge; I ahall bc imcom-
fortable enough, for your sakc, If you want to come lo be4
you Imow what you bave to do» Remeinber, Tve askect yoo
very oftcn/ So saying^ she crept, dressed as alle was, tsiider
the coimterpane, and sooo ali was silcnt.

Lucìa rciiiaincd motionlcss, »hrunk up into the corner,
ber knces drawn cÌQat to her breast, ber bands icsting tia
ber kneei, mnd ber face hxiried in ber bands. She w«s
netther asieep nor awake, but worn out with a fipid me-
ceasion — a tumuUuous alternatìoo, of thaughts, aoUcìpa-
tioas, and heart-throhbìngs* Rccallcd, in aonie dcgree, lo
eonicioufiìess, and recollectmg more distinctly the borrors
she had secn and suffcred that tcrrìble day, sthe would now
dwell njournfnlly on tlie dark and formidablc realìtìes in
whidi sbe found hersclf involved; thcn. ber nund bcing car-
ricd onward into a ntìll more obscurc rcgion, she bad lo
stnig^lc against tlic phcìntoms conjured up by t:ncertatnty
and terror* In tbià dbtres^tng state «he eontinued fof a
long tlme, which wc would bere prcfer to pass orer rapUily ;
but at fengtli, exbau»ted and overcotnie, she reìaiced her boM
on ber tienumbed limbs, and sialdiig at futi Icngth upon lite
floor, remaìned for socne tlme In a atate clo>ieljr resenililtllg
rcal sleep. Btit suddenly awakiitg* as at docne mward caltp
file tried tu arouse heritelf comptelely, to regain ber *cat-
tered soi^fl^ and to reioesolicr where she wat, and bow^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

3S7

ifhy, Sft€ Hstased io some soufid that eaught her €ar ; it
was die slow, dcep breathing of the old womao, She opened
her eyes, aiid saw a faìol Ilght, now glimmering for a mo
rocnt, and ihen agatn dying away: ìt was the wick of the
lamp, which, almost ready to cxptrc, emlttcd a tremulous
gleam, and quickly drcw ìt back, so to say, Hke the ebb
and flow of a wavc oq the sea-shore ; and thus, wìlhdrawìiig
frotn the surroonding objects ere tbere was titnc to display
ihem ia disttnct coknirìng and relief. it nierely presented
lo the cyc a successìoo of confused and indistinct glimpscs.
But liie reccnt impressions she had reccived quickly retumed
to ber mind, and assisted her in distìngnishìng what ap-
peared so disorderly to her visual organs, When fully
arotised^ tlie tmbappy girl recognbed her prison; ali the
recolkctions of the iiorribk day that was fled. ali the uti-
Certàlit tciTors of the future, rrished at once apon her mind;
the very caliti In wbìch she now found herseif after so tnueh
agttatioti, the sort of reposc she had just tasted, the dcser-
liOQ m which she was left, ali combined to inspirc her with
ncw dread, tilt overcoaie by alann, she earncstly longed for
deatfa. But at this jtincture, she rememhered that she could
stili pray ; and with that thought there seemcd to shìue forth
m stiddca ray of corofort She once more took oot her
fO^aury, aiMl began to repeat the prayers: and in proportìon
MB the words fell from ber trcmbhng Itps, she felt an in-
deiaite coofidiEig faitb takìag possession of her heart Sud*
dcniy another thought nishcd into ber mìnd, that ber prayer
inlght, perhaps, be more readtly acceptcd, and more cenainly
heard, if she were to makc some off ering in her desolate
ccmdition. She tried to remember what she most priied, or,
railier« what she had once most prized ; for at this moment
ber heart could feel no other afìfection llian that of fear, nor
conceive any other desire than that of deli ve rane e. She did
remeniber It^ and resoivcd at once to make the sactt^ce,
Rltfng upou ber knees, ajtd cbspinu^er hands, from whenre
I Ibc rosary wa» «ispended before her breast, she rai^ted ber
faec and eyes to heaven, and said, ' O most hoìy Virgin !
^ou to whom 1 bave so often recommcnded myself, and wbo
bast ao often eotiilorted me !— thou wbo hast home so man/
■Qfrowa» and art now so gìortou&l— tlioa wbo Iiait wroitgbt

$S8 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

io mtny miracles for the poor and afilictcd» hdp mei
Bring me out of ihh danger; brìn^ me safcly to in •^^,
O Motlier oÌ our Lard; and I ^ow mito ihee to t

virgitìt I renounce for tvcr my unfortunatc bctrothciJ, tìoì
froiTi henceforth I may beìoiig ooly lo ihect*

Ilavtng uttercd these words, she bowcd hcr head, aod
placcd the beads around her tieck, almost as a toketi of hcr
consecration, aiid, at the same timc, as a safcpjard, m pari cif
the artiìour for the new warfare lo whìch ahe !iad devotcd
herself. Seatìng herscìf agaìn on the floor, a kìnd of trac-
quillìty, a more ddldlike reliance, gradua Ily diffuscd thtm*
scivcs over her soni Tlie tù-mQfraw maming, repeated by
the iinknown noblcman, carne io her mìnd, and seemed to ber
car to convey a promise of deliverance. Her scfises, ureaHed
by siich struggtcs, gradualty gave way bcforc tbcse soothtng
tboughts; until ;it lengtb, towards day -break, and witb tbe
Dime of hef protcdress upon her lips, Lacia sank info 1
profound and unbrokeji slccp.

But in Ibis same eastle thcre was one who wouid wlUtngly
bave follo wed hcr cxaniplc, yct who iried in valn. After
departing, or rather escaping, from Lucia, gìving ordcrs for
ber stipperp and paymg bis customary visits to Jteveral pcut»
In hìs castle, wiih her itiiage cver vJvMly bcforc bis eyeS^
and her words fesounding iti bis ears, the noblemàn bid
basHIy rcttrcd to his cbamber, : * sbiti tJic door

bebmd bim, and burriedly undu ^m down. Bui

tbat imagc, whkh now more closcìy ììvmì evcr fiauntcd bis
mbd, seentcd at that motucot to say: •Thow «ball nat
slccp I ' — What absurd wotnanly curìosìty tempted me lo go
see ber?— tbougbt be.— Tbat (ool vi a Nibbio was right;
ooc h no loogcr a inaii; yes» one is no longer a mani . . •
I ? , , . am I no longcr a man? What bas bappened? WTstt
derii bas gol possession òI me? Wbat is thcrc ncw In ali
tbis? Didn't I know, bcforc now, that women always wcep
and implorc ? Even mcti do sometinics, whcn thcy havc net
the power to rcbcL What tbc^^— I hate 1 ne ver bcard
womcn cry bcforc?^-

And bere, witbout gfving bunself moch troubte lo tadc
hi* mcmory» it suggcstcd to hìni, of %ì% ow» accord. more
thau OM inatance io whidi aeitfaer euirciiic^ twt lamcn*

I PBOMESSI SPOSI

^tatioits av^atled te* deter hìm from the completion of enttr-
»riscs upon whicli he Itati once rcsoJvcd. But these rcmeni-
braoces, ìiisieid o( inspìring hìm wttb liie couragé he now
llc<^dGd to prosccmc his present dciigti ub ìt woiild seecn
bc expected luid wìshtd they rnigiil, instcad of betpìng to
ispel his icclings of cómpa^sioa, oiily addcd to ihciu those
>l terrò r and consternation, until thcy coni peli ed hìm to re-
to thai first image q( Lucia, against which he had beai
tkìng to fortify his couragc, — Shc stili lives, — said he: —
bc ts hcre; I ftni in tmic; I can yet say to her, Go, atid be
appyt I can yei sce tluit coujitenaoce change: 1 can «veti
«y* Ff>rgi>c me . » . Forgi ve me? I a^k f' ^? And

a woioan, too? I? * . . Ah, howcver ! . ird, ritie

word could do me goo4.,jaìiiki rid lu^ oi mv :ì i ui
scs me» 1 would gay it ;_jci^ i t^eì ui ,l f
say ìt. ^0 -what àinl fmuc&TlVm no longer a
iuicly, no longcr a man! . * • Away! — said he. tura-
himself with impctuosìty oti the condì which had now
im hard» under the coverìng which had now bccotne
fcble a weii^dit : — Away ! these are foolcries which
rms^ny a time passed through my h^d. This wlit take
Bgbt too, —
And lo efTcct such a rìdd^nce, he began seeking some
'nt subject, some of the niany whicb oft^m so busity
1 his mind, in liopes he might be entìrely etigrossed
t>ut he sought in vain. AH appearcd ehanged: that
once m09t urgcntly sttmulated his desires, now no
^CT possessed stny chamis for him: his passlun% like a
stiddenly become retrive at the aight of a shadow,
lo carry him any ftirthcr. In refìecting oti entcr-
en^agcd in» and not yet conclnded, in^tead ol aui-
ag himself to thcir complctiofi, and feeling irritated at
le» tntcrposcd, ffor anger at thij moment wt)nJ4
bcen swect io hitn/V Iie feìt regret^ tiay» aJniost con-
atiùn, at Ihc stv ^ !? takcn. His Hfc pre*cMcd
la hi» mind di ali intercict, deprived of ali

of eveiy ai:i*iin, and onty ladeo with ìnsa|H
llecticRis; every lioar r&embling that wlttÀ
rolled M> slowly atid heavily over his head He drew
befofc hi» fiacy 9Jà his na&am in a kind ci batik*

360

ALESSANDRO MAK20KI

array, and «xjuld contrive nolhing of importance in wMA
to employ one of them; nay, tlie vcr>' idea of »ecing thcm
agafn, and mixing among thcni, was an additional wrtght,
a fresh objcct oF armayancc and dctcstation. And wheo
he sought an oeciipation for tlie niorrow, a feasibk cmpky*
metit, he could only retnember that oti tht taarroWi bt
mlght liberate hìs un fortunate prisoncr.

— I will set her freej yes, 1 will. I will fly to hcr by
day-brcak, and bid ber depart safely* Shc shaÙ bc accosn*
panted by . . , And my promise? My engagement? Don
Rodrigo? . , , Who is Dan Rodrigo? —

Like one siiddenly surprìsed by an unexpected and ein*
barrassing question from a superior, the Ulìoanicd hastily
sought for an answcr to the query he had just ptit to hiro*
self, or rather wbicli had becn siiggcstcd to bini by that
new voice which had ali at once madc ìtseli heard, aod
sprung up to bc. as !t were, a judge of hls fom^er *e!t
He tried to imagtne any reasons which cotild hav d

him. almost before being rei|ucstcd^ lo engagé in ;g

so much sufTering, wiihout any Inccntives of batred or Icar»
on a poor unkiiown creature^ only to render a servtce to
tlili man; hut tnstead of sucecedlng in discovcrmg mch
motives as he would now bave dceincd sufficienl to excose
the dced, he couìd oot even imagine how hi? had errr beea
tnduced to uitderiakc it, Tbc^v ^e

determina tion to do so^ had W- e

of a mind obedient to iis ol*) i-

sequence of a tliousand ante. . .. t

for Ihis one deed, the unhappy selt
self tnvolvcd in an exanùnation of U*. >>j,mm i,
wards from year to year, from oigagement to a\ it,

from hloodalied to bloodshed, from crime to cr \e

stood before bis con?cience-stricktn fsotil, ih ic

feelsngs which had indnced hìni to will and '■ :, and

therefore appearìng in ali tis nioostrooiness. tlio4c

fecltngs had^ at the timc, prerentcd bis pcrceiving. Tb^
wrre ali hi* own* they made up himjtctf; and the horror
of this thought* renewcd with each fresh rettietnlirancc;
ind clcaving to al), mcreated at bst to ' He

q^ang np tmpctuously m hJs bed^ ca^ ì oal

I PROMESSI SPOSI

3S1

bis Kacid towards the wall at Uis side, touched a pìstoì^
gnfpcd it, reached it down, and , . . at the moment of
finisbtng a Jìle wbidt had become ìnsiipportable, bis thotifhts,
seìfed wiih terror and a (so to say) snperstitiotis dread,
rushed fotward to tbe time which would stili contmtie to
fiow OH after bis ctid* He pklured wilh boiror his dis-
figurcd corpse, lying motìonless, and in the power of bis
irilcst survivor; the astonìshmcnt» the o^nfusion of the
caatìe m the moming: cverytbìng turaed upstde down; and
he, power less and voiceless, tbrown asidc, he kncw not
whitbeT. He Cancìed tbe riporta that would be spread, the
convcr^tions to wbich it would give rise, botb in the castlCp
the neigbbotirbood, and at a distancc, togcthcr ^^-ith the
Tcjoicings of bis cnemfes. The darkness and snef>ce arotmd
him presented death in a stili more moumful and frightful
aspect; it seemed to bim that he vvould not bave btsitated
in open day* out of doors, and in the presencc of spectators^
tlirow hiiTiself tiito the water, and vanisb, Absorbed in
eh tonnenti ng reflectiotìs* he continued altemately snap-
pmg and tinsnappirtg tbe cock of htj pistol with a convulsive
rocvcmcatof bis thumb, whcn anolher ihought Eashed across
tua tnind* — If this otber li fé, of whkh tbey told me when I
was a boy, of wbich ever>*body talks now, as if it wcre
a certain thing, tf tbere be not such a thing, if it be an
tovention of the prtests ; what am I doing ? why shonld I die ?
what matters ali that I bave done? what matters tt? It ts
an absnrdìty, my . , , Bui K there rcaJly bc another

At stich a donbtj at such a risk, he was seized with a
hlacker and deeper deapair, froiu whìch cven death af*
forded DO escape. He droppcd the pistol, aod lay wtth his
fingerJt twmed among his hair, bis teeth chaUering, and
Ifeinbling tn cvcry ììmb, Suddenly the words bc had bcard
rcpeated a few hours bcforc rose to bis remcmbrance ; —
God pardons so many sins for one dced of TOerc>M — Tbey
did not come to him with that Ione o! btimblc iapplication
in wbich thcy had t>e€n pronounced; thcy carne livìth a
vntcc of anthority, wbich at the satnc time excited a distant
itncrriiv: ò{ hope, It wa» a moment of rcltef : he raìaed
ìiaiìih troni his tcmpks, and^ in a more composed at-

362 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

titude, fixed his mind's cye on ber who had uttered tlie
words; she seemed to him no longer like his prìsoner and
suppliant, but in the posture of one who dìspenses mercy
and consolation. He anxiously awaited the dawn of day,
that he might fly to liberate ber, and to bear from ber Hps
.otber words of alleviation and li fé, and even thougbt of
'conducting ber bimself to ber motber. — And then? what shall
I do to-morrow for the rest of the day? What shall I do
the day after to-morrow? And the day after that again?
And at night? the night which will return in twelve hours?
Oh, the night! no, no, the night! — And falling again into
the weary void of the future, he sought in vaìn for some
employment of time, some way of living througb the days
I and nights. One moment he proposed Icaving bis castle,
and going into some distant country, whcre he had never
been known or heard of; but he felt that he sbould carry
bimself with him. Then a dark bope would arise that he
sbould resumé his former courage and inclinations, and that
this would prove only a transient delirium. Now he dreaded
the light which would show him to bis followers so miserably
changed; then he longed for it, as if it would bring light
also to his gloomy thoughts. And, lo ! about break of day, a
few moments after Lucia had fallen asleep. while he was
seated motionless in his bed, a floating and confuscd mur-
mur reachcd his ear, bringing with it something joyous
and festive in its sound. Assuming a listcning posture,
he distinguished a distant chiming of bclls; and, giving
stili more attention, could hcar the mountain echo, cvery
now and then, languidly rcpcating the harmony, and min-
gling itself with it. Immediately afterwards his ear caught
another, and stili nearer pcal: then another, and another. —
What rejoicings are these? What are they ali so merry
about? What is thcir cause of gladncss? — He sprang from
his bed of thorns; and, half-drcssing bimself in baste, went
to the window, threw up the sash, and lookcd out. The
mountains wcre stili wrapt in gloom; the sky was not so
much cloudy, as composed of one cntire lead-colourcd cloud ;
but by the already glimmering light of day, he distinguished
in the road, at the bottom of the vallcy. numbcrs of people
passing eagerly along, — some Icaving their dwcllings wnó

I PROMESSI SPOSI

$03

^ovin^ on whh the crowd. and ali takitig ttie satMc direc-
m toward& the outlet ol the vak on the right of the
islle; he coiild cven distinguish the joyous bearing and holi-

%y dtess of the passengers, — What the is the niatter

ilh these fjeople ? What cause of merriment can thcrebe in
this cursed ncighbourhootl ì — And ealling a confidenti al bravo
who siepi in the adjoinìng room» he asked hìm what was the
CAU&e of this movirmenL The man replied that he knew
oo more ihan hìs master, but wouid go directly to makc
^liìry. The Signor remai ned with bis eyes riveted upOD
moving spectack» whìch increasing day rcndered every
Boment more disti net He watched crowds pass by, and
ncw crowds constantfy appearj tnen* wometit children, in
odps, in conples, or alone; one, overtaktng another who
_ u bcfore hini, walked tn company wUh hìm; another, just
Icaving hh door, aec4:>mpanied the first he fell in wìth by the
way; and «o they proceeded together, likc friends in a pre-
coocertcd journey. Their behaviour evJdently indtcated a
mn baste and joy ; and the unharnionious, but simul*
30$ burst of the dififerent chimes, some more, some Icss
iious and dìstinet, seemed, §o io say, the common
i of these f cstures, and a supplemcnt to the words which
not rcach hini from bclow* He looked and lookcd,
he feh more than common curìosìty to know what couJd
rumicate so unanimous a will, m general a festivity,
SO maay dilfcrent peoplé.

366 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

public road, it was a vcry differcnt matter. Thcre was a
g^cneral whispcring among the first passengers who obsenred
hitn, an exchange of suspicious looks, and an endeavonr on
each side to get out of bis reach. For the whole lengtb of
the way he could not take two steps by the side of another
passengcr; for every one who found him qnickly gaining
upon him, cast an tineasy look around, made him a low bow,
and slackened bis pace so as to remain behind. On reaching
the village, he found a large crowd assembled; bis name
spraad rapidly from mouth to mouth, the moment he made
his appearance, and the throng fell back to make way for
him. He accosted one of these prudent gentry. and asked
where the Cardinal was. ' In the Curate's house/ replied the
addressed party, reverently, at the same timc pointing out
the mansion. The Signor went forward, entered a little
court, where many priests were assembled, ali of whom re*
gardcd him with surpriscd and doubtful looks, and saw bc-
fore him an open door, which gave admission into a small
hall, where thcre was also collected a considerable number
of priests. Taking his carabine from his shoulders, he de-
posited it in one corner of the little court, and then entered
the hall, where he was rctcivcd with significant glances,
murmurs, and his oft-repeated name; then ali was sileni.
Turning to one of those wno surroundcd him, he asked where
the Cardinal was, and said that he wished to speak to him.

*I am a strangcr,' replied the priest; but hastily glancing
around, he callcd the chaplain and cross-bearer, who, seated
in a corner of the hall, was saying, in an undcr-tone, to his
companion, * This man ? this notorious character ? what can
he bave to do bere ? Make way ! * However, at this cali,
which resounded in the general silence, he was obliged to
come forward; he made a lowly revercnce to the Unnamed,
listened to his inquiry, raised his eycs with uneasy curiosity
towards his face, and instantly bending them on the ground,
stood hesitating for a moment, and then said, or rather
stammered out : * I don*t know whether his illustrious Lord-
ship . . , just now . . . is to be . . . can . . . may . . . But I
will go and see.* And he very unwillingly carried the mes-
sagc into the adjoining room, where the Cardinal was by
himself.

I PROMESSI SPOSI

367

'Af this pofot ITI our story, we cannot éo Icss ttian pause

fùf a little whilc; as the travdler, wearied and wom out witJi

a lenglJiencd jonmey, througb a wild :ind iterile country,

rctards bis pace^ and halts Cor a little tlme under the shadc

of a noble tree, reclinmg oti tbe grassy bank of a stream of

ing watcn Wc bave now faitcn tipon a petsofi, wbose

and mcniofy, occurting when they will to the mind^

rh il with a c*ilm tmotion of revereucc^ and a ptead^

feeling of Fympathy; how miich mare^ tben, after so

ifioumfii! picttircs — after tbe contetnplaiion of sueh

ic.TjiuI ai3d hateftil depravity! On tbe bisiory of ibis

personage, we must absolutcly expend a few words: he

wbo cares not about hearing them, and is anxious lo pro-

cccd with the story, niay pass on at once to tbe sncceccting

chapter*

Federigo Borromeo, bom tn 1564, was among those cbar*
rare in whatever a gè, wbo bave employed einguìar

leets, atl tbe resoiirccs of grcat wealtb, ali tbe advantages
of prtrtlcged rank, and an imwearying diligence in the
seareb and ex crei se of the high est objects and princjples.
Hjs li fé resemble^ a rivulef, whtcb^ bsutng !impid from the
tnck, flov.s U) a cr ,>-r|ts.s aud unrnffled, thongh lengiheiied
cotirvr, throiigh \jtjoiis !ands, and» clear and Ilmpld stìU,
filh at last irjto the ocean* Amidst coniforls and liixtiries,
he attended, evrn from cbildbmìd, to those lessons of self-
denial and hnmitity, and those maxims on the vanity of
worldly pleasures, and the sinfulness of pride, on tme dig-
nity and trnc ricbes, which» wbether acknowledged or not io
the beart, bave been transmittcd from onc generation to an-
Other in tbe most elcTncntary instruction m religion. He at-
tended, I say, to these fessone and maxims; he reeeived them
in rral eamest ; he trìrd them, and lotind them true : he saw,
ihcfcfore, that otber and contrary lessons and niaximt coiild
oot possìbly bc tnic, which yct were tran$mitted from age
to age, wrtb the same asseveration, and sometlmes by the
same Ijps; and he re&olved to take, as the mie of bis thoughtt
ijid aettomt, thojie wbìch were indced right By tliese he
lOKÌefstood that li fé was not deslgned to be a hurden to tnany,
Hul m pSeaiiYire io only a few ; but was intended as a tlme of
enifloyfiiesic for «II« ef wUcb cvcrjr 000 wotild bave to ftvt

368 ALESSANDRO BIANZONI

an account ; and he began f rom a child to consider how I»
could render his useful and holy.

In 1580 he dcclared his resolution of dedicating himsdf to
the ministry of the Church, and received ordination from the
hands of his cousin Carlo, whom long and universal suffrage
had already signalized as a saint. Shortly afterwards, he
entered the college founded by this relative in Pavia, which
stili bcars the name of their house ; and bere, while zppìyìng
himsclf with assiduity to the occupations which wcre prc-
scribed, he added to them two othcrs of his own frec will;
and these were, to give instruction to the most ignorant and
neglected among the population, in the doctrines of the
Christian religion; and to visit, assist, comfort, and relieve
the sick and needy. He employed the authority conceded to
him by ali around, in inducing his companions to second him
in such Works of charity ; and set a noble example of spend-
ing, in every honest and beneficiai employment, a pre-emi-
nence which, considering his superior mind and talents, he
would, perhaps, equally bave attained had he becn the lowest
in rank and fortune. The advantages of a different nature^
which the circumstances of fortune could bave procured for
bini, he not only sought not after, but studiously neglected.
He kcpt a tablc rather meagre than frugai, and worc a dress
rather mean than decent; while the whole tenor of his lifc
and bebaviour was in conformity with these particulars.
Nor did he think it neccssary to alter it, because some of his
relatives cxclaimcd loudly against such a practice, and com-
plained that by this means he would degrade the dignity of
the house. He had also anothcr warfare to maintain against
his instructors, who stealthily, and as it were by surprise,
endcavoured to place bcforc, bchind, and around him, more
noble appendagcs, something which might distinguish him
from others, and niake him appear the first in the place:
either thinking, by this means, to ingratiatc thcmselves with
him in the long run ; or influenced by that servile attachment
which prides itsclf in, and rejoices at, the splcndour of
othcrs ; or being among the number of those prudent persons
who shrink back with alarm from the extreme of virtue as
well as vice, are for over proclaiming that perfection lies in
a medium bctwecn the two, and fix that medium exactly at

I PROMESSI SPOSI

S6d

tìic point fHiich thcy have reached, and wlicre Uiey foid
themselves vtry rnuch at tbeir case. Federigo not otily re-
fused thcse kméìy offices, btit rebuked the ofHcious inslru-
mtnts : aod thal betwccn the ages of chil<Ihc>od and youth.
That, durìng the lite of the Cardinal Carlo, bis senior
twenty-six years, in bis authoritative and, so to say, solemìt^
jjresencc, surrounded by horaage and respectful silence, ìn-
citcd by the fame, aod impressed with the tokens of sanctity,.
Federigo, as a boy and a youth, should havc endeavoured
conlorm himself to the behaviour and talents of sueb
cousin, is ccrtatnly not to be wondcred at ; but it is, ìndeed
mijch lo be able to say, that* after bis death, no one coulj
perceivc that Federigo, tben twenty ycars of age, had lost
guide aod censor. The incréasing fame of hìs talents, crudi-
don, and pìety ; the relatianship and connection of more ihan
one powerful Cardinal ; the credit of hh family ; bis very name,
to which Carlo had almast annexed in peop1e> mtnds an
idea of sanctity and sacerdotal pre-eminence ; ali that should,
and^tll that could, lead men to ecelesìastical dignìties, cofi-j
ctirred to predici them for him. But ht, persuaded in hearf^

f what no one who professes Cfinstlanity can dcny with
he lips, that ihcre is no real Mipcriority of a man over his
fello wmen, excepting in so far as he de\'otes himself to tbciri
cervice, both dreaded exaltation» and sought to avoid It;
noi, jndeed, that he might shrink frorti scrving others — for
few llves bave been more devoted to this object than his
owo — ^bul becausc he considered himself neither wortby
coougb of so high and pcrìlous a sef\^ice. oor suffictently com*
petent for it For these rcasons, the Arehbishopnc of Milani
being offered to him io 1595, by CJemcm VTIL, he scemedl

lach difiiirbed, and refiiscd the chargc without hesitatioiul

e ytelded afterwards, howcver» to the express eommand

! tJie Pope.

Such demanstrations (who knows U not?) are neither
h oor tincommon: and it requìres no greater cffort of
for bypocrìsy to maVc thcm, than for mille ry to de*
ihetn, and boW thctn cheap nn every oeeadion» But de>J
7. therefore. cct»e lo be the naturai expression of a whtì
d vìrtuoui principle? Onr*ji Itfc i-^ the tnnch^tone of pro-J
lessioti ; and the profcssbo of this scotitaeiit» though it nia^ì

sto

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

havo feeen on the tongiie oÌ ali the hnpOMors and ali the
scoITcrs in the world, will e ver be wortiiy of iiilmtr«tÌQ
wheo iireccded And Mìowtd by a ìifc of difimtercstcd BdU
sacrificc.

In Federigo, ts ArdibUhap, was apjiarent a remrnrteitilài
atid Constant carefiilness io devate to himsclf no more o( hiil
wealth, bis tìnie, liia carenili short, of hls whole s>eJi, ìhtm]
was ahsoiutely neccssary. He said, a» cvcrybody says,

.ecclesiastica] rcvcnties are ibe patrlmony of the poor;

^he showed he understood such a rnuxìm in reality, wiO
evident irom ìhh fact. He eaused an ottimate tu be takcol
of the sum reqmreà for bis own cxpendìttìre, aad tbat ol
those bi hh personal servicc; aiid l^cing told Ihat six hundredJ
scudi wouid bc sufficiente (scadù was at tliat timc ihc Dame
ol a golden coin which, retatning the sanie wcìgbt and valti^
was alterwards called a ':^ccchino,y he gave or«^ ' thìs|
sum shnuld annually be set apart out of hfs p:i' et»!

Utate, for t]\e expcnacs of the tablc. So spa^i-u i 'Ji>ti-|

lous was he in his personal oiitlay, that be w i. rjinM!? dcver
to leave off a dress whlch waì« not coitit*letcly wom oat;
unttìng, howevcr, as was rccordcd by conte ni porary ¥vrjfcf»v
to tbis habit of staplicìty, that of singubr neatncs»; two re*

^tnarkable cpialitie», in fact, tn ibis age of ostentatton and

icleanlintfts. That nothing^ agaìn, raight br wastcd of tha-j

remnanis of Ma frugai table, he aaaigncd tJicm lo a hospital f

lor the poor; one of whotn carne daily, by ht-^ nrd^r:«, to th«]

aing apartnieiit, lo gather up ali that ! Sodi j

rSnstancc* of economy might, perhap5, »«ggi Ica of

dose, parsimonious, over-carcful virtue, of a mind wrapt up
in attention lo minuti»» and incapable of ckvn**-^ ^i r:.„,.
wcrc it not for tbe Ambredan Library, stili sta'

^Federigo projected wìth such noblr magnìficeticc,
pitcd, hnm the ftmndatìons npward*, vrlfh Mieh m
rahty; to supply whieb Vk'nh books
the prejientatton of !ho?5e he biid r^ i

great labonr and expcnse, be aent etichi ot tbe inost leamed
and expcfìenced men bc couid fìnd, lo makc purchases
ibroughout Italy, Frante» Spaln, Germany, Flander*, Grcect,

• Stqivia:

lulka gold colo, worth »bout twn «tOlEisigi dt EofU^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

371

^et>aiion, tnd Temsalcra. By thii ine^is, he succeeded In
l%^ihefìng togcther abcut thirty thoiisarid prtoted voUimefi,
'and fotjTt««ii thousand inanuscTipt». To this library he imìitd
a colica of doctors (mtic in nueiber at first, and main-
taloed at bis diarge whiie he Itvcd; aftcrwards, tbe ordinary
inconie not stiflkbg tot this cxpen^, they wcre reduced to
Iwo). Thetr office was to ctiltivatc various brancbcs of
stody, thcolog>% hiatary, polite Hteraiurc, and the Orientai
Iftjiguages, obHging each onc to ptibHsh some work on ihc
sobject assigned to hitn. To this he also added a collega ^
wtuch he called TriUngue, fot the stiady of the Greek, Latjrtgjj
and Italìan languages; a college of puptls, for instructioTi in
Uiese severa! facnllics and languages, that tbey might bc-
come professori m thcit tura : a prmting-officc for the Ori-
stal timgtiagei* for Hebrew, that is to say, Chaldaic. Arabie,
['crsiaiit and Armcotan; a gallery of paintìngs» another of
^and E Bchool for the ih ree prineipal arti of destgtt
lant he cmild find professors al ready exittìng: hut
Be resi, we bave sv ', it co«t hìtti to collectj

i ifsd maniiscripts. l i wotild he iTJorc diffi-

lih to 1:1 ect wììh types in those bngtiages, tbcn miich fes*
thivat td io Europe thaii ibey are at preseti! ; atid itili tnore
fdidictilt tban types, woiild bc men wbo utideratootl tJicin.
Suflfice it to say, that» out of ninc profesisori» cight werc
from among the young pupils of the semtnary; f rotti
liitb efrcurnstaoce we niay infer what was bis opinion oIj
bc 0c]iool» then cRtahlished, ;ind tbe eèlebrìty gai ned in thoséJ
^ay»; ar h posterity seeitia]

lui ve t I ne and the othcri

sìiik ijito obìivion. Jn the rcguiaiions whicb he Icft for
ti»c and gcjvernmcnt of tbe library, a provision for per-
tJtìlity is conspicHOUS, not only admirahle in hself,
"— "" particularsp jiidicion» and elegant, far beyond
'^kas aiid habìts of the age. He reqiiired the
tip a cnr. '. the most learned,

hM he m atioii of the state |

ut tJie best Works on any «objc
and immedlately fmrehase tfatm»!
le gavc him in e barge to point out to the stttdents tli
orks whtch migbt assist tbeoi in tlieir dc&igus; aod Ofwl

ALESSANDRO MAKZOKl

d^red that the advantages of consultmg the warks bere prt^
servcd shoiild he open to ali, whclher citizfns or stnuifera,
Such a regulation will now appear qmte naturai — cme aod
the samc thing with the fcjundÒng of a library ; bot in tliose
dayg it was noi so* In a history of the AmbfOfiian Libraty,
written (with tlic prccision and clcganoe usuai in that af«)
by onc Pier-paolo fìoicà, a libranaHf alter tb^ éeatb of
Federigo, it is expresslj noCed as a rc^narkable faci* tbat,
in this library, buiU by a private iadivldual almost cntirelf
at his own expcnse» the bckoks wcrc acc«sìblc to the vicw of
ali, and broyght to any one who should demaitd thcm» with
liberty to sìt down and study theov ^d the provUkm of
pen, ink, and paper^ to take notes; whlle, in some other
celcbrated public libraries in Italy, the volumes wcrc noi
only not vt&iblc, but conceaied in closets^ whcrc thcy wcre
ncvcr dìsturbed, exccpt wbcn the bumanity» as he says, of
the preiidents prompted tbem somelinies to display them for
a moment As to accommoffarion and convenicnce* for sitidy
provided for those who frequented it, thcy ha<i not the lea^
idea of such a thlng. So that, lo funiish such libraries, wai
to wìthdraw boofcs from tlic use of the public; onc of tho%^
mcans of culti vatlon, many of whìch were, and stili are, em-
ployed, that only serve to render the soil more sterile*

It were useless to Inqttirc what were the efìfects of tiili
fotitidation of Borroaieo on public education: ìt woiild bo
easy cnough to demonstrate in two words, accordine to the
general method of demonstraiioo, that tliey were miracolous,
or that tbey were nothiug; but to Investigate Sknd expUin,
tip to a certain poiut, what they really were, would be a
work of mudi difficulty, little advantagc, and somewlmt 111-
timed. Rather Jet us think what a generous, juilidòu^ bc^
nevolent, perscvcrìng lover of the ìmproveoicnt of fxiankind
be must bave heen« who planned nudi an nndertaking — urbo
pUnned it on so grand a scale, and wbo cxecuted it in the
niìdAt of fgnorance, inertne^s, and general cosntentpt of ali

Ltdtous application, and, conscquentJy. in spitc of ' JVhai
^dors it malu*rT ' and ' Thtrc's jtdmef Ariti; fUe tu think mhùuif
and, ' Whal a £ne int^ntiim f ' and, ' This was ctriainly fDaiil-
\Jmg:' and simìUr remarkj^ whidi, undoubiedlj, wtH bave

ecn more in number thaa the scuéi cxpeodod by btm m the

I PROMESSI SPOSI

37S

idertaktn^, amoonting te a hundrcd and Bvt tbousand^ tbe
^greattsi part of bis propcrty.

To styìe such a man beneficcnt and liberal in & higfi éG-
gtwef h woold be imncccssary, pcrhaps» that he stiould ha ve
^lent much in the immediate relief of the ncedy; and Uierc
are, besfdes, manj in whose opifiion expenditurc oi the char*
acter wc have de&cribed, and^ ìndeed, I may say ali expendU
ture, is the best and more beneficiai almsgivtng. But in
Fedcrigii's opinion, almsgivlng, propedy speaktng, was m
IMTSunottnt dttty; and bere, as in cverjthing else, bis actìons
were in aecordance wilh bis prìncìples. His lifc was onc
eontinnal overflowing charity. On occasi on of thìs very
scardly, to which our story has al ready allnded^ we shall
bave prcsently to rclate several traits which will exhìbit tbe
lndfgment and delìcacy he knew how to employ cv^n In bis
Gberallty. Of the many remarkable examples which hls
Uographers bave rccordcd of this virttie^ we will bere cite
hit ©ne Having hcard tbat a certain noblcman was usìng
mrtjfioes and compubion to force into a con veni one of bis
d«Qg1iters who wished rather to be marrled, he had an mter-
vicw with ber faUier; and drawing from him the acknowl-
ed^ment Ihat the troe motive of ibis oppression was the
Wtnl of tour thousand scudi, which, according to bis idea^
werc necessary towards marryìng bis daugbter suttahl/j
Federigo immedìately presented the required dowry. Some
may perbaps Ibink this an extravagant act of bounty» noi
welHudgcd, and too condescending to the foolish caprices
o{ a Tain nohleman; and that foiir thousand scudi migbt
Iiave been better employcd tn this or thal manoer, To
which we bave iiothing to answcr, excepting that it werc
detfotttty to be wisbed that onc conld more frcquently sec
«Dcesses of a vtrtne so unfcttcred by prevailing opinion^
(ercfy agc bas its own.) and so free from tbe gt-ncral tend-
f, as in tbis tnstancc that must bave been, wfiich ìndnccd
to gìve foiir thousand scudi, that a yonng perdon
not be made a min*
The mexbati!ttjble charity of tht» man appeared, not only
in bis almi|ftvingp but in bi:i wbolc bchavicur. Easy of ac-
cess lo M, he considercd a cheerful cnuntcnance and an
alfectlonate ooartesy particiilarly due to tbose in tbe lower

man
^ght

^^H

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

rànks oi ti fé; ancJ the more so in proportioD as thcy
Httle thonght of by thr wortcl Herc, thcreforc, bc had
combat wiih ihc gentlcnicn of the wf qmd nimis scb' ' '
wcre anxions lo keep him wìthin limìu, i, e,, wuì
limits. One of thcse, on occasion of a vtsit ir» .\ ^ .i!,d|
nio u 0 1 ni no as coun l tv » w h en !•' t- de r ìgo wa$ tt*:^ ; : i : >c ^ r i e
oor childrcn, nnd dtiring th«i interrogattons an«i i-isrc'i'n^
'was fondly caressing llit?m, be^ought hìm to bc nr^r^- r
In handling such cbiUJrcn* as thcy wcre dirty and r
as if the worihy gentleman suppo&etl that F^erìgo . <au ì*^^,
discernmcnt eoough to nmkc tbc discovety, or actttiKfi|
enougb lo suggest ttus recotidìtc counsel Cor himiclf. Sue
in certain cìrcumstanccs of tìmcs and tbmgs, h tbe mi«-^
r fortune of mcn exalted lo high statlons, ih;it v
(ieldoin fiud any one to inforni tbcm of their f.
is no Imck of pcrsons courageous enougb m Trprovc thcsQl
for éoing rìght. But tbe good Bishop, noi without aiigerp]
replied i * Tbcy are my lambs, and perbaps may ncvcr ftgatil']
sec my face; and would you not bave me caress thern?'

Very seldom, bowevcr, did be exhibit any anger, bctof
Idmired for bis mild and ìnipcrtwrbable gentlenes^ •

kaviour, wbìcb m*^ht bc attribntcd to an cxtraor
happy tempci * mind; while, in truth» H wa» the dj««i|

or Constant *li over a natnratly bas-ty and psuaiofuili

di^position, If ever he showed himsdf tevere, nay, t\tfi
harsh, il was towards Ihosc pastors under his ■uthortty
whom he dìscovcred guilty of avarice, or nejrlisicnce. or any j
-0tbcr conduct opiKised to the «pirit of tbfir high vocattoiu
"'Jpon wbat mtgbt aff^t hi* own interest or tempora! frlorv^i
ht never betokened ciibcr '
wondcrful indecd if thrsr

ì re wonderful ìf tir r, Not rnùj in n

r . at wbich he had .■ i f^o, did bc acqtiire i

tatiun ot havtng nevcr aapircd to that lofty po*t so dr."«irablfi
to ambìtion, and so tcrriblc to pin*^ v.^^t .tm ->*,.< '«-^ -itin,
whtn a colkauue. who ixissessed cm ^rti«

to offcr bim bis vote and tbosc oi ms (^ -v. aia- i\ wa»
termed) factlon» Federigo refuscd the prof*(?!ial in »acb a
fDanncT tbat bis f- An4

lumed hi» views ^ ca4

I PROMESSI SPOST

of pre-emincnce, was equally apparent in the more corninoti
occuTTcnccs of lifc. Ca refill and indefatigable ìn ordering
and govcrolnf everythingf. where he considcred it hh diity
to do so^ he alwayt shrank from intmding tiìto the affairs
of others, and even when solicited, refused* H possibìe, to
linterfere; — ^li&c^cdo^ and tcoipcrancc far from cocnzuoiì, M&
rverybody knows, in meo zs ^eaìous in the cause of good i$
^Fcdcrift» was.

Wcrc wc to allow oursclves to prosecute tlie pleasing task
of collecting togciher the remarkable points in his character,
the rcsTiU wontd certainly be a compi tcation of vìrttics m
appareni opposttìon to cach other, and assuredlj difficiilt lo
6iid combincd. We cannot, however, omit to notice one
siorc e3tcellenc>* in bis cxcellent life; Teplcte as ìt was wuh
icttoPt gOTemment, ftinctions, mstrnction^ audience^, dio-
cetaiì irisitations, jotirneys, and controversies, be noi only
lonnd timc (or sttidy, hot dcvoted as mnch to tliìs object as
1 professor of Itlerattire wouid bave requìred Indeed,
«mong many otber and various titles of comroendatlon, bc
possessed in a hJgh degree, among bis contemporanea that
of a man of leaming*

We must Dot, however, conceal tbat he beld witb firm
ptrstiasioD, and maintalned, ìn faci, with persevering con-
Slancy^ some opìnions whicb, in tbe prescnt day, would
afipcar to cvery one rathcr singular than ilMounded; even
to sHiCb as wotiH be anxious to consìder tbem sound. For
«ny one who vironld de f end him on this head, tbe re is tbe
curreni and coramonly received excuse, tbat ihey were tbe
^m of the agc, ratbcT tban bis own: an excuKc, to say
trutb» whìcb, wben it resulti from tbe Tninutc consid-
pOf facts, may bc valid and significant; biit which
appliL^d 111 tlie usuai iiaked way, and as we must
lo in this instancc» Comes in !br end to mean exactìy nolb-
tng at alL Ami, Ijèsides, not wishing to reso? ve coniplicatcd
quesiiofis with simple formula», we will venture to leave this
>!veil; reìcting 5atis6ed with baring thus cursorily men-
joaed, that in a charactcr so adniirable as a whole^ we do
pretend to affirm tìvAt evrfy paxttcular was equaJly so,
wc sbouid secm to bave ijitcnded makÌEig a funeiml

ition.

376 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

We shall not be doing injustice to our readers to suppose
that some of them may inquire, whether this persoli has left
any monument of so much talent and erudtdon. Whether
he has left any ! The works remaining from him, great and
amali, Latin and Italian, published and manuscrìpt, anxnmt
to about a hundred volumes, preserved in the library he
himself f ounded : moral treatises, discourses, dissertations on
history, sacred and profane antiquities, literature, arts, and
various other subjects.

— And however does it happen, — this inquirer may ask, —
that so many works are forgotten, or at least so little known,
so little sought after? How is it, that with sudi talenta,
such leaming, sudi experience of men and things, sudi prò-
found thought, such a sense of the good and the beautiful,
sudi purity of mind, and so many other qualittes whidi
constitute the elegant author ; how is it, that out of a huadred
works, he has not left cvcn one to bc considered exedlent
by diose who approve not of the whole, and to be known by
title even by those who bave never rcad it? How is it that
ali of them togcthcr bave not sufficed, at least by their
number, to procure for bis name a literary fame among
posterity ? —

The inquiry is undoubtedly reasonable, and the question
sufficiently interesting: becausc the reasons of this phe-
nomenon are to be found, or, at least, must bc sought for,
in many general facts; and when found, would lead to the
explanation of other similar phenomena. But they would
be many and prolix: and what if they should not prove satis^
factory? if they should make the reader turn away in dis-
gust ? So that it will be better to resumé our ' wak through '
the story, and instead of digressing more at Icngth on the
character of this wonderful man, proceed to observe him tu
action under the conduct of our anonymous author.

CHAPTER XXItr

CARDINAL FEDERIGO was cmpìoyed, accordmg to
bis usuai custoni in cvcry leisurc interval, in study,
until the hour arrìved Cor repatnng to the diurch £or
the cckbratio» of Divine Strvìce, whcii the chaplain and
cross bearer Cfitercd with a disiurbed and gloomy counte-
nuscc.

*A straoge visitor, my noblc Lord,— strange indcedf
*Wbo?* askcd the Cardinal,

* No less a personale than the Signor * • ** rcplied the
cbaplaìn; and pronoynctng the syllables with a very sìgtiifi-
cant tene, he uttered the name which we cannot give to our

_rcadcrs. He then added : * He is bere outside in person ; and
Jemandi nothing Icss than to be introduced to your ìllustrìoua
7race/

* He l * said the Cardinal^ wìth an antmated look, shntting
is bookt and rising from bis seat; ' let htm come ini— ìct

come in directly t *
^But , . .* rcjoiDed the chaplain, wìtbout aitempting to
&ve^ *your ìlìustrìaus Lordshìp must aurcly bc aware wbo

be U: tbat oyilaw, that (amous . . /
•And is it not a most happy circumstance for a bishop,

that sudi a man should feeJ a wish to come and $eek an in*

tOT^Iew with bim?^

* But . . / insisted tlte chapkin, ' we may aevef speak ol
In things, bccausc niy Lord says that it is aU nonscnse *
wfaeia tt Comes to the point* I think ìt is a duty . . . Zea!

ìccA many cncmles, my Lord ; and wc know positively that
tfaan one niffian has dartd to boast that some day or
otiicr . . /

And wlrnt ha ve they donc?* interrupled the Cardinal

^1 «ay that this man h a plotter of mischìef, a desperate

r, wbo hoJds corrcspondcnce with the most iriolcnl

&CS» and who mày be lent - - /

"what di*^' rrupled Federigo,

ipainig, 'for ib. general lo oow-

377

378 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

ardice? then resuming a grave and thoughtful air, he con*
tinued : * Saint Carlo would not bave deliberated whether he
ought to receive such a man: he would have gone to sede
him. Let him be admitted direct!/: he has already waited
toc long/

The chaplain moved towards the door, saying in bis heart:
— There's no remcdy: these saints are ali obstinate. —

Having opened the door, and surveycd the room where
the Signor and bis companions were, be saw tbat the latter
had crowded together on one side, where they sat whispering
and cautiously peeping at their visitor, while be was left
alone in one corner. The chaplain advanced towards him,
eying him guardedly froni head to foot, and wondering what
weapons be migbt have biddcn under tbat great coat ; tbink-
ing, at the same time, tbat really, before admitting him,
he ought at least to have proposed . . . but be could not re-
solve what to do. He approached him, saying : / His Grace
waits for your Lordship. Will you be good enough to come
with me ? ' And as be preceded him through the little crowd,
which instantly gave way for him, he kcpt casting glances
on each side, which meant to say: What could I do? don't
you know yourselves tbat he always has bis own way?

On reaching the apartment, the chaplain opened the door,
and introduced the Unnamed. Federigo advanced to meet
him with a happy and serene look, and bis band extended,
as if to welcome an expected guest, at the same time making
a sign to the chaplain to go out, which was immediately
obcyed.

When thus left alone, they both stood for a moment sileni
and in suspense, thougb from widcly different feelings. The
Unnamed, who had, as it were, becn forcibly carried there
by an inexplicable compulsion, ratber than led by a deter>
minate intention, now stood there, also as it were by com-
pulsion, tom by two contcnding feelings: on the one side, a
desire and confused hope of meeting with some alleviation
of bis inward torraent ; on the other. a feeling of self-rebuked
sbame at having come thither, like a penitcnt, subdued, and
wretched, to confess bimself guilty, and to make supplication
to a man : he was at a loss for words, and, indeed, scarccly
sought for them. Raising his eyes, however, to the Arch-

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

hùp*B face. III? tjTcamc gradually fiUcd with a feeling of
Vcneratlon, atithoritatlve, and at the same tiiiic soothing;
witìch» while it increascd hi^ confidence, genily suMued bit
iaiightincs». antl, wìthout offeiiding his pride, compeUcd it
give way, and imposcd silcncc.

The hearing of Federigo was^ In fact, one wbìcb an*
3unced supcriority, and, at Use saine tmie, exdted love, It
ras natura lly sedate, and almost involyntarìly comniandingi
llis figure bdng noi in the least bowed or wasted by agc;
rhile his solenm. yct spark Hng eye, his op^n and thoughiful
>rchcàd, a kind of virginal floridness, which might bc dis-
tìn^ished ev^n among grey locks, paJeness, and the irac«s
|f . meditaiìon, and labour: in short, alt his fca*

ed tbat they had once posse sscd that whicb ia
strictly entitlcd beauty. The habit of scrious and bc-
jlait tbougbt. the inward peace of a long life, the love
lliat he felt towards his fellow-creatures, and the unlntef-
rwpted enjoymeot of an inefrable hope* had now substituted
the beauty (so to say) of old age, which shone lorth more
iractively from the magnificent simplicity of the purpie.
Ut fixed, for a moment, on the countenance of the Un-
acd, a pciietratìiig Jook, long aecustotned to gather from
itls Index what was passf ng in the niind ; and ùnagìning he
discowted, under that dark and troobtcd mien^ something
moment more eorrciponding with tbc hope he had con*
eìved OH the first anooimcetnent of «neh a \"isit^ * Oh ! ' cried
e» in an animaicd voice, * what a welcome visit ìs ibbl and
>w thankful I oiigbt to he to you for takfng such a step, »1-
»iigh ìt aiay convty to me a bilie reproof ! '

* Reproof I * exclaimed the Signor, much mirpHsed» but
Dthed hy bis words and manner* and glad that tlie Car-
li had broken the ice, and stsrted some sort of convcr-

latioD,

* Certainly, it conveys lo mt a reproof/ repHcd the Arch-
blflhop, ' for allowiitg yoa to bc bcforehand wìth me whcn
•o oftetu and for so loDg a time, I migbt and ougbt to have

^ame to you myseJI,'

You come lo me I Do yon know who I am ? Dld thcy
cU%er in niy name righily?"
' And the hapfniici^ I fed^ and whkh imiit suiely be evi*

tm ALESSANDRO MANZONI

ilect In my eoti&lcnaiice, óo jon tlmik I sbcMÌd feèl it ftt tìie
aiHsoitllccfiìait aod visit of a slrang er? It is yoo who n»ke ^
iDe cs^wricnce ±t ; joii^ I sav, wbom I ouglit to lisve incipit;:!
you wbom I bave, at least, lovcd axid we|it ov^ and for
wbom I bave 50 olt^i prayed; you, amoog ali my chiìdreii,
for cach cme l love from tfic bottom of my hcart, wbom 1
ihoiild mou bave deslred to reca ve and embrace, ìf I had,
tboiifht I ntigbt bof>e for siicb a thing. Bot God alooe|
biotrs how to work woiiders, and £ti{>pljes tbe wtakmesa^ ai
tardiness of His unwortby servants/

Tbe Unnamed stood astonished at tfais warm rcceptxotL, in
language whieb correspooded so exactìy wìtb that whìcb
he had not yet eacpresaed, fior, mdeed, had fully detcrmined
to express; and, affected, but eacceedingly surprised, bc re-
mslned sileat * Well ! ' resumcd Federigo, stiU more affec-
tionately, ' yoti bave good news to teli me; and you keep
me so long expectiag it?'

' Good news I I bave beli ìa my beart ; and can I teU
you aoy good tìdings? Teli me, tf you know, what goiKl
news you can cxpect f rom such as I am ? '

* That God bas touchcd your beart, and would make you
His own/ replicd the Cardinal, calmJy,

•God! Codi Godi I£ 1 could sec Himl If I could
bear Himl Whcre is tbis God?*

' Do you ask tbis? you? And wbo bas Hira nearer tban
you? Do you not feci Hìm in your beart, ovcrcoming, agi-
tatìng you, ne ver leav mg yo« at easCj and at the samc tìrae
drawing you fonvard, prescntuig to your view a hope of
iranq utility and consolatìonj a consolatton whidi shall be full
and boundless, as soon a& you recognize Him, acknowledge^
and implore Him ? '

* Oh, surely ! there is soTucthing witbin that oppresses, tbat
consumes me! But Godi If tbis be God, if He be such as
tbey say, what do you suppose He can do with me?'

Thesc WDfds were uttered with an accent of despaìr;
but Federigo, with a soleron tone, as of cairn inspiration»
replled : ' Wbat can God do with you ? What would He
wish to make of you? A token of His power and goodness:
He wùuid acquire tbrough you a glory, such as others could
aot give Him. Tbe worid has long cried out against yotj^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

381

ireds and tBousands o£ voices bave declared their de-
testai tori of your deeds - - / (The Unnamed shuddered, and
itìt fot a moment surprìsed at hearing such unusual lan-
guage addresscd to him, and stili more surpnsed that he
felt no anger, but rat he r, alraost a relief.) ' What glory/
pursued Federigo, *will thus redound to Godi They may
be voices of alarm, of sei l'interest; of justice, perhap& — a
justice so easy! so naturali Some perhaps, yea, toc many,
may be voices of envy of your wretched power; of your
hi th erto dcplorable sectirity of heart, But when you^ your-
self, rise up to condemn your past li fé, to beco me your own
acciiser^ thenf then, indeed, God will be glori ftedl And you
ask what God can do with you* Who am I, a poor mortai,
that I can teli you what use such a Being may choose hence-
forth to make of you; how He can employ your impetuous
will, your un wa ve ring perseverane e, when He shall bave
animated and ìnvigorated them with love, vnth hope, with
repentance? Who are you, weak man, that you should
Imagine yourself capable of devising and executing greater
deeds of evi!, than God can make you will and accomplish
in the cause of good? What can God do with you? Par-
don you ì sa ve you ! finish in you the work of redemption l
Are not these thìngs noble and worthy of Him? Oh, just
think ! if I, an humble and feeble creature, so worthless and
full of myself — T, such as I am, long so ardently for your
saivation, that, for its sake, I would joyfully give (and He
19 my wìtnessl) the few days that stili remain to me; oh,
think w^hat, and how great, must be the love of Htm, Who
inspìres me with this iraperfect, but ardent afifection ; how
must He love you, w*hat must He desire for you, Who has
bid and etiabied me to regard you with a charity that con-
sumes me I ^

While these words fell from bis Ups, bis face* bis ex-
pressìon, hìs whole manner, evinced bis deep feeling of
what he ut ter ed. The countenance of bis auditor changed,
front a wild and convulsive look, first to astonisbment and
attention, and then gradually yielded to deeper and less
painful emotions; bis eyes, which from infancy had been
«naccustomed to weep, became suffused; and when the
I words ceased, he covcred bis face with bis hands, and burst

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

tntQ a floQd of tcars. It was ibc only ttad
rcply>

* Great snd good God I * exclauncd Federigo» raisici^ hii
bandj and cyea lo Ueaven, * wliat Imve I cver tlooe, an un-
profìtabk scrv^nt, «n idf€ sKcphcrd, thnt Thou shauldc^t ctlj
me to ibb batiquec of gr^icel that Thou shoujdes^t makc me
worthy of bcing an iiisirismeat in so Joy fui a iniradct ' So_
saying, he cxteiided his hand to f^kc that of the UnmaaiwL |

* No ! * cried the peuitcjit nobktnaa ; * no ! keep away
me: defiJe not fhat innocciit and bcneficcfit band, You
know al] that the òne yoa would grasp has c^ — ' ^*

*Suflfer me,* said Federigo» takmg il wuh afl^ v

lencCi ' suffet me to press the band whìch u ili rc^r
raany wTongs, di&pense sa many bciicfjts, coni fori so mi
I afflicied, and bc extended, dìsarmed, pcacef idly» and humMy»
to so mMiy eneniics/

* It is lOD much ! * said the Unnamtd, sobbing, * Ica ve
my Lord; good Fcderiga, Icave mei A crgwdcd a&aemblj

tawaits you; so m^ny good pcople, so many innocent ere
turei* so maxif come ffom a distanee, to see you for ddccv'
to hear yoy : and you are stayìng to talk , . , witb wbom ì '

* We wiU U-ave the ninety and nine shccp/ reptied
Cardinal; * they are in «afcty, upon the motintaiii: I

^to rcinain with tbat whicb was test» Tbetr minds are,

ifaaps, now more satìsfìed thaxi if they wcre ^cctng the

[poùr bishop, Perbaps God, Whu has wrouglU In you

imiracle of mercy» h dhlusìng ia ihcir hcarts a joy of wl

Ibey know not yct the reason* These pcopte are, |>crba(]

htuiked lo US wiihout bang awarc of jt: pcrchan

Imay bc instilling mto tbctr bearti; an undeEnt

[cbarity, a p^tion whieb He will grani for you^ an uiic

of gratitude of wbidi you are, a? yct, the unkiiown object*

So saying^ he ihrew bis anns round the neck of the Vn-

oained, who^ after attempiing lo .j- ^ ^.^t.* i,;.»ì«^if^ ^,,4

linaking a momcntary reiÉUtaoce^ y over»

[come by tbis vcbeoicnl cxprc»yon n: : * ' ^

ICardinal in bis tuni» and btirtcd in 1

lltling and allercd face. ìì

fltainless purple of Feden_ i

the hoty btshop affcctiopatciy preinod those tocmbcn^

I PROMESSI SPOSI m

touchcid that garmcnt; which had beco accustomed to hold
thv w<!apons of vìolence and trcachery.

Dìscngaging hiiitsdl, at length, from this cnibrace, tli«
JuuMmià agaio covered hls eyes wiih his h&nd, aiid raìsing
ils face to heaveEij exclalmed : ' God is, inde^d, great 1 God
tndeed^ good! I kiiow myself now, now I undentand
rliat I am; my sins are prcsent beforc me, and l sliuddcr
l^t the thotight qì mysclf : yeti . . * yet I feel an alleviationj
Joy; yes, even a Joy, siicli as I bave never bcfore known
aririg the wbole of mv horrible lìfc ì *

* It h a tittlc tasto/ sald Federigo, ' whkb God gives you,
IO meline yoit to Hts service. and encoiir^tge you rcsolutely
lo eotcr upon tbe new course of Hfe whìch lies bcfore you,

ud in whicb you will bave so much to undo, so much to
ir, so much to monm over I '

* Unhappy man tbat I am ! ' exclaimed the Signor : * bow
mny, oh, how many . . . things for wbich I can do nothing
estdcx moumt Bm, at ìrast, I bave yndertakingi scarcely
et OH foot wbich I cau break ofìf in the mìdsl, if notbing
norc: one tbere h whicb I can quickly arresi, whicb I can

sily titido^ and repatr/

Federigo Itstcìied aitentivcly, while the Uuoamed bricfly
related, in terms of, pcrhaps» deepcr execration than we
bave employed, hi* aiteiupi opon Lucia, the sufferìnga and
terrors of the unhappy girl, ber importunate entreatict, the
irtmy that thesc enlreaties bad aroused within him, and
how sbc was stil! in the castle , . ,

* Ab, then ! Jet us lose no dme ! * exclaimed Federigo,
tircathlest wiih cagemess and compaision. ' You are in*

ecd blcssed ! This is an earnest of God's forgìveness!
ie makcs you capable of becoming the instrument of safety
omc wliom you Intended to rtim, God hless you! Nay,
le has blessed you I Do you know where our tmhappy pro-
f rr>m ? '

r jianied Ltieia*s vitlage.

It^ not far from iliis/ laid tbe Cardinal *God bc

; and probabJy . . / So saymg, he wcnt towards a

ttbJe, and rang a bctl. The cro&s*beariiig chapiaìn

liately attcndcd the suntmonA with a look of anxiety,

ioitant]/ glaoocd towards the Uimamcd. At the sigili

901

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

©I hls altered coutitenance, and hi» cyes stili tee wlth
ìiìgf he tunicd un mquiring ^^zc upon the Cardinal;
perceìving, aniidst th« jnvariaWe composurc of hU counte*
nance» a look of soicmn pleasure and unusual solk*?*--*-'
woiild bave stood with open nioiith» in a sorl ol ccs: ì|

, not ihe Cardinal quickly arouscd hini from his contcfìii
by asking^ whcthcr, among the pansh^prìests who w-ic a^^
senibled In the iicxl rooiu, therc wcre ooe irom • ♦ *.
•Thcre is, yoiir illiistrious Grace/ repHcd the chapUln.

* Let him come in dirfctly,' said Federigo, ' and with him
the pric&t of ihis parish/

The chapiaìn quiited the room, and oo cntering the hall
whcre the clcrgy wcre asacmblcd, ali eyes were imniediateljM
tumcd upon him; whìle. with a look of blank astoni shiticnt
and a countenancc in which was stili depictcd the raptu
he had felt, he lifted up his hands, and waving thctn in ti
aift exclaiined, * Signori ì Signori I ÌWr mutatiù dexterm
celsi* And he stood for a moment without nttering anotbc
word Then assuming the tonc and languagc of a mc*$
he addcd, ' His inost nobit and vcry rcvercnd Lordship et
sites to Sjieak with the Signor Curate of thijt parish, tmi
the Signor Curate of * ♦ ♦,

The first party snmmoned immediately carne forward;
and, at the sanie timc, die re issued from the midst of "
crowd, an ' I * drawled forili with an iotonatioii of i;urpri$e

* Are you not the Signor Curate of • ♦ •!! ' i^plted
chapiaìn.

'I am : but . . .

•Hts tnost noblc and vcfy reverend Ijordship a$ki
you/

'Me?' a^% ^ ':fd the same voice, clearly expressto

in Ihis momi What can they want with me?' B«

this tlme, lo^tihtf witii the voice, carne furlh iJie livlfi
being. Don Abbondio himsclf, with an unwniing step,
a countenance belween a^tonishment and disgu*t* The eli
lain beckoned to him with his hand, as if he meant to say^
•Come, let u« go; U it ur vcry atarming?* and escorttnl
them to the door, he opened it, and introdaced tlictn tnto^
\ the éipartmcnt.

The Cardinai rdinquìàhed the haad of the Unoamedt

ì PROMESSI SPOSI

3S5

5; mcsmwline, he had bcen conccrting arraiigcmeots, and
viithdrawing a Utile asìét, beckoned to tlic curate of the
village* Briefly rclating the circatiistances, he askcd whelher
he could tnaincdiatety find a trustwonhy woman who wouid
be wìlling to go to the casilc in a Ihitr, and fetcli away Lucia ;
a kind and clevcr pcrson, who wou!d know !ic>w to conduct
fierscif in so Rovcl an cxpcditiofi, and who se maoncrs and
la n glia gè would be oiost likcly lo encourage atid tranqwilize
the a« fortunate girl, to whoni. after so much angniah aod
alarm» even IibcraUon itself might he an additional cause of
apprehension* After a moment's thoughl, tlic Curate said
tiiat he kocw just Uie very person, and then took his de-
parture. The Cardinal now caOhig to him the chaplaia^
dcsired him to ha ve a liltcr and bcarers immediately prepared
and to so: that two rtmics wcre saddìed, fot riders; and as
sooo MA he had quitted the iipartiuent, turned to Don Abbondio.

Thìs woTthy getitleman, who had kept tolcrably dose to
Archbiabop» that he niight he at a rcspcctful distance
^^the otbcr Signor, and had, in the mcaii time, bcen cast-
Ì€ gkuices, Brst to one, and then to the other, dubitating
Sc~wliilc witbin btmfelf what ever ali this straiige manceu-
vring miglit mean, now advsinced a slep forward» and, mak-
ifif a respectftil bow, saìd, * I was told tJiat your iiiost
trious Lordship wanted me: Ijut 1 tbink tJiere must be

;ie misuoderitanding/

'Therc ìs no mtsunderstanding, I asstirc yow,' replted
Federigo; 'I bave glad ntws to gì ve yoti, and a plcasant and
most agrccabl« task to impose upon you. One of your par-
tshtooscTs, whom yoy must bave lamcnted as losi. Lucìa
Moodella^ ts agaìn found^ and h ncar at haiid, in the house
of taf good friend bere ; and you wil! go now wìth him. and
a woman, whom the Signor Curate of thì^ place has goiie lo
«eek; y<m will go, I say» to fetcb thence one of your owa
diìldreii, and accompany ber hitbcr,*

Don Abbondio did bis hest to coticeal the vexation — the
what shalt I $ay?— tbe alarm, the dì^may cxdted by this
pcoposaL or 1 longer to refrain

dismi&s al' tent àlready gatbcr-

bis cotuitcnance, he iy hide it by a pmfottnd

tt Jn token of obcd • ituner : nor dìd be afaiQ

Ino la— v«i.ai

aae

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

ralle hls face^ but to make another equally pfofotmd obcl^S7ì?r
to the Utiiiamcdi with a pttcous look, whicb secnufd '
*l ani in your hands, havtr pily uimn me; Faretre .?jn

The Cardinal tbcn askcd him wbat rdations ' i

*Of «ear relation», with whom shc lives» or lii.^t^k uve,
«he has only a mothcr/ repìied Don Abbondio.

*Ii she at home?'

* Ves, my Lord/

'Wcll/ replied Ferlcrìgo, * sincc ihìs poor not S"

so directly rcstored to hcr own home, U will i t cxjo^

aolttiori to hcr to sec hcr mothcr as quickly .v i- j i I r^
il the Signor Curate of this vtHage dncsn't rcuiiu uviuii: I
go to church, I rcrjucst you wìll idi bini lo fnid a cmrt, or
some kind of conveyance, and despatch a persoti of dticrctiofi
to fetch hcr rnoiher he re/

'Had not / betiet go?' said Don A!>bondio.

*No, no, not yoti; IVe already rcqocitcd you to undertmke
another commlssion/ repJIed the Cardinal

'1 proposed ìt/ rejoined Don Abbondio, 'to prcpare hcr
poor motlier for tJic news. Sbe ts a very sensitive womoOi
and It reqiiifcs one wbo knows ber dUpoSitìon, and baw to
go lo work with ber the righi way, or he wiO do ticr more
harm than good»'

'And tlierefure l bave requested you to acquaint the Signor
Curate of my wish thit a proper person should bc choieft
for this office: you will do bi^tter eUcwhcre/ replied tbe
Cardìnah And he would wilUngly bave addc<l: XhtX
poor girl at tfie ca&lìe bas far more need o£ sbortly (cetog m
known and trust ed countcnmncc, after »o many bonrs of
agorty, and in &uch terrìble iguornnce as io the future Bui
this was not a reason to be so clcarty cxprcssed bcfore tbe
preseut tbird |mrty< Indeed, the Cardinal ttiought it vcry
stranie that It had not tmmcdiately occtirfifd to Don AbboiK
dio; that he had not thought of nd the profifer

be had made, and so warmly in^ L-med »o mudi

out of plaee, tbat he could not hclp iuspccting thcrc must
bc «oiiietbing hidden bcneath. He gaxed upon hi» face, and
tJicre rcadìly detccted bii fcar o! joum^ytng with tbai terrìble
pcr&on. and of bang hi« guest even for a fevv •%•

Aoxioaj, tficrefore, entircty to dissipate tlicse oowa. ._ ^

T PROMESSI SPOSI

bcnijons^ yet unwìning to dmw the curate astde and whiipcf

WÌUj htm [il ^ecrei^ while hìs new friend fortued th^ third of

thcir part>% he judgcd thar the hest pian woulti b« to do what»

iiideed, he wotiìd ha ve don« wìtbout such a moti ve, tliAt Is^

addresa Iho Unnamcd himsclf ; and tbus Don Abbondio might

at iength under stand, froni bis rcplies, tliat he was no longer

aa object of fcar. Ile return ed, Ui ere Core, to the Unnamed»

and addressìng hìm with that frank cordialità which mav he

vvitii in a new and power fuJ a^ectioiij as well a^ in an

icy of bng standing, * Don*% think^' said he, ' that I

bc contcnt with iliis %'isit for to^ay. Yo^ will rciurn»

..^-- 1 viju, with this wofthy clcrgyman?'

* Will I return ? ' replied the Umuuned. * Sbould you refuse
m^ 1 wotiìd cibsiìnaicly rcniain outsìdc your door, l£kt the
beggiar. I wan! to talk with yoa; 1 waut to hear you, to se©
joa; i deeply nccd youl '

Federigo look his band and pressed it, saying: 'Do the

derg^rman of this %nllagc, thcn, and me, tbc favour of dining

with Bà tCMiay. I >hM cxpcct you. In ihe mean whilc, I

go to offer up prayers and praises with the people;

*..^ yott to reap the first- fruita of mcrcy/

Don Abbondio, at thcse demonstrations, stood like i cow-
anOy dùld, who watchcs a pcrsun boldly pelling and stroking
mtarge, surly. shaggy dog, wÌUj ^Uring cycs^ and a notoriously
bad name for biting :ind growli ng^ and he ars its master
ttky Ùmì his dog is a t^^^^d and vcry quiet beast: he look^
ai the owner and oeither cotilraiiicls nor a&scnts; he looks
al ihc animai, afraìd to approach bini for fcar the ' vcry
gentle bca^t' should «how hu tecth, wcrc it only from habit;
aiul eqtially afraìd to ruji away, lest he thouìd be ihotight
a coward; and cara only uticr an internai asipiration: —

V .: safe in my own house !

ipjjftmrfìt, in company with the U^named,
V, A ihe CardtDal cast anotber gUmoe

tij r : 1 ; M nalned behind» tookbg vcry awk-

waf i and morUbcd, and with a dotefxi! expresslon of COISCH
T'^ìnking tb '^ r .. fK|y ti 15 vexation a rose froas
ly overl J le fi, as it werc^ in a corner,

jc \i i . >-' j V i n con tnut \M : : T n o 1 1^ r * 1 1 1 1 1 v w e ked character
bu wamUy rccdvcd aiii ivjIcuiijl l Le lumcd towardJi

ALESSA?mRO TVrANtOKl

hitn in passlfig, anJ hung^ back lor a TDOmcnt, aad sald t9
him, with a friendly smilc : ' Sig^nor Cuiatc, ihou wcrt ciw
with me in the lioit&e of our ktticl F.ithcr, but this . , . tllii
one pericrai, et invenUts est/

* Oh. how gtad I am lo bear ìt I ' sald Don Abbondio, makiiif
a profotmd rcvcrencc to the tvvo logether.

The Archbtshop iheo went cn, g:i%*c a siigli ' -he

doofp which waa immedia tcly open ed irom v ti

scrvarits who stood oiitside, and the notablc paìr bUiOil b^iore
the longìng tyts o( tlic clergy asseiubled in the apartxD«nl
Thcy gazed with interest upon Iheir two coiintenaocti^
both oi which bore the traces of a very differeiit, but cquaHf
profoiiMd emotion : a grate fui tenderncss, an humblc Joy, oo
Federìgo*s venerablc featurcs; uiid on those of the UtmamcdL
confuston, lempercd wilh coiisofaiiDn, a new aind imuAiat
itiodesty, and a feeling^ of conlrltion, tbrough which the vlgour
of his wild and fiery tcmper was, nevcrtliekss, suìì appou^esil.
It was afterwarcb foimd that the pa5ìAage in the profklict
Isaiah had occurrcd to more than onc of the spectatofi:
The WQÌf and the tamò shaìl feed tùgfther, and ihe ìion jìnaH
cai Straw Hke the buihck, (Isa, Ixr, 25.) Bchind tbem
carne Don Abbondio, to whom no onc paid any atientiatt,

When they had reached the middle of the room^ the Or-
dinàl's groom of the chambcr cntered 011 tlic opposi te «ide,
and informed his master that he had executcd ali 3

communicated to him by ihe chaplaìn; that the id

mitica were In readinejBai, and they only waitc^j the urtali
of the feniale whom Uie curate was to brìng. Tlic Ounfiitil
bid him teli the prie^tt» whe«i he carne back« that Don Abbondili
wished to speak wiih !ilm : and theo ali ihe resi ww lefl
under the direction of the latter and the Uonameit whdim
the C&rdinai again shook warnily by the band on takhif
Imvt, sayìng : * I «hall expcct yoti/ Then, tumhtg to salate
Don Abbondio with a bow, he set o^ in the direction ol the
ehureh^ foUowird by the dergy, half groopcd and half tu
processtoiw while the felIow-traTeliers remained alone in the
spartjxient

The UnnaiDcd stood wrsft op in hi» owa thovgbtt, and
ìmpftiìent for the moment when he wàghì ' ' " 'li

Lacta from ber su^erìngs and oonfincn .a

I PROMESSI SPOSI

:f*:::€:i^\

from that lo i^^htch shc was so tlie
Itfs face cxprcssed a feeling of intense agita-
tion, wfitch to Don Abbondio's suspicìous eye, migbt casily
appéar somethin^ worse. He pecped and glaoced at him
from the coroer of bis cyc, and loiiged to start some frìcndly
CófiversaliOQ :^ — But what can 1 eay to him? — tbought he: —
nmst I «ly agititi^ I am giad? Ciad of wbat? tliat having
aiherto becn a devil, he has al last resolved to becorac a
tntleman, like othcrs? A fine complinicnt, ìndeed! Eli, e^
eli ì howevcr I may tum tlic words^ i am ghd can mcan notti-
iiig else. Ani after ali, will it be true ihai he has become
a gentleman ? so on a suddcn I Tliere are so many displays
niadc in the world. and from so many motivcs! What do I
Imow about tt? And, in the mean time, I bave to go with
him: and to that castle! oh, what a tale! wbat a tale t what
a taJc \s thìs to teli ! who wouid bave told me ihis, thls moro-
in g? Ah, if 1 can but escapc in safety, my lady Perpetua
shan't soon bear the end of it from me, for having sciit me
here by force, when there was no nccessìty for it, out of
my own parisb: with ber fine plausible reasons, that ali the
prìests, for many a milc round, would flock hithcr, evca
those who were furtber off than I; and that I mnstn*i bc
bcbintlhand; and thìs, tliat, and the othcr; and Uicu to em-
bark me tn a business of this sort ! O, poor me ! But I must
»ay soiiK'thing to ibis man,— And he had just tlaougbt of that
somcthtng, and was on the potnt of opening bis mouth to
É^j>^l nevtr antidpaied ihe pkasure of being thrown tato
foch hotiourable company, — when the groom of the chamber
cntered^ with the curate of tlie parlsh, who announccd that
the woman was w^iting tn the htter; and tbeo tumed to Don
Abbondio» to receive from hin ' ' rther commission of
tbe CardìnaL Don Abbondio f bìmself aa wclJ as

bdcoujd in tbe coninsion of minsi utjJa whic!i he was labour-
iagf; and then, drawlng «p to the groom, saìd to hmi: * Pray
giv« me, at Icast, a qulet beasi; lor, lo i«ll the tmth, I «m
boi & poor borseman/
*Ycici roay ìmaginc/ replìcd ilic groom, wìtlì a hall smile:
" . h the secretary's mule, who ìs a vcry Icamcd maiu'
e That will do - - / r*rp!ìe4 Don Abbondio, and he con-
io ruminate :--Hcavca »en4 me a good *

300 ALESSANDRO WINZONI

The Signor had readily set off the moment he hemrd the
announcement ; but on reaching the door, and perceivinf
that Don Abbondio was remaining behind, he stood stili to
wait for him. When he carne up, hastily, with an apologiiinf
look, the Signor bowed and made him pass on first» with a
courteous and humble air, which somewhat reanimated the
spirits of the miforttmate and tormented man. But scarcely
had he set foot in the court-yard, when he saw a new object
of alarm, which quickly dissipated ali his reviving conSdence;
he beheld the Unnamed go towards the corner, take hoM
of the barrel of his carabine with one band, and of the strip
with the other, and with a rapid motion, as if performiag
the military exercise, swing it over his shoulder.

— ^Alas I alas ! woe is me ! — ^thought Don Abbondio : — ^wfaat
would he do with that weapon? Suitable sackcloth, trolyl
fine discipline for a new converti And supposing some
f ancy should take him ? Oh, what an expedition I what an
cxpedition ! —

Could this Signor bave suspected for a moment what
land of thoughts they were which were passing through
his companion's mind, it is difficult to say what he wo^d
not bave done to reassure him ; but he was far enough away
from such a suspicion, and Don Abbondio carefully avoided
any movement which would distmctly express — ^I don't trust
your Lordship. — On reaching the door into the Street, they
found the two animals in readiness: the Unnamed mounted
one, which was held for him by an hostler.

'Isn't it vicious?' said Don Abbondio to the valet, as he
stood with one foot suspended on the stirrup, and the other
stili resting on the ground.

'You may go with a pcrfectly easy mind; it's a very
lamb/ replicd the man, and Don Abbondio, grasping the
saddle, and assistcd by the groom, gradually mounted up-
wards, and, at last, fotmd himself safely seated on the
creature's back.

The litter. which stood a few paces in advance, and was
borne by two mulcs, movcd forw-ard at the word of the
attendant, and the party set off.

They had to pass before the church. which was full to
overfiowing with people; and through a little square, alSD

I PROMBfiSI SPOSI

391

wtth the Yillagcrs, and ocw!y arrived visitors»
tbe building could ooi accotnniodate. Tbc gfad news
•Ireadjr spr^ad; and on the appearance o£ the parl)^,
and more cspccialiy of him wlio» onlf a few hours before
had bccn an ubjcct of tciror aod cxecratlon, hai was oow
die objcct of Joy fui wgtidcr^ ihere arose frotn the crowd
almo»! a tnarmur of appbti^e; and as they made way for
evcn tbcir cagernc&a wa» hu^hcd in the desire to oh-
in a ncar vicw of him. The litter passcd on, the Unoatiicd
Uowcd; aod wbmì fae arrived te f ore the open door of the
iprcfa, took oiff bis bat, and bowcd his hitherto dreaded
forehead^ ti II il ab:ost louched tlie ammars maoe» ami disi
liie munntir of a htuidred voiccs, ejtclaimitig; *God bica» you ! '
Doa Abbondio» aiso, took oif bis hat, and b^ndtng low, rccom-
meiided hiinsclf io Hcav^^i» ; but hearing the sylcmn hannoiij
of bis brcthrcn, a^ tliey chanted in chorus, he was so over-
come with a feeling of i^iivy, a moumful tenderneRs of spirìt,
and a sudden fen'our of bcart, that it was with diffiaitty he
air ' ' tears*

Vi got beyoud ihe habìtatiofi» tnto the open coim-

tJy. and in tbc oitcìi entìrcly descrted windìofs of tbc road,
a iitli darker cìoud overipread hls tbottg hts. The only objcct
om which bis cye couìd rest with any confideoce, was tbc
atteudant oa ibe h'tier, wbo, belongiog to the Cardinal's
boitaeliold, intisi certauily be an boncst man; and who, be-
tides, did fiot Jòok llke a eoward From tjme to tljxie passen-
gcrs «ppcaFed. sometimes cven in groups, wbo were docking
to see the Cardinal, and tMs waa a great relief to Xkm
Abbondio; it was» bowever, but transltory, and be was
advancìng towards that tremendous vatley, ubere be sboyk]
med none but the Tassali of his companion; and what vas-
idB I H<! oow more iban cvcr tongrd to cntcr snto conversa-
thm wtth thh cofnpaolon, both lo sound him a little ntor^
and to kccp htm in good bnniour; but cvcn thls wish
vaniibed on seelng htm so co- absorbed in hi£ own

tbotigbta. He orasi then talk <!lf : and we wtU pre«

seni tJie readcr wilh a part ot Uic poor inan's soliloqyy
Icg ììh jounicy» for it wouid requtre a volume to record
whote»
— It h a fine Ihmg, tnùf, that lafaita as weU at sfamata

9B2 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

must have quicksilver in their compositìons, and cannot be
content with fussing about and busytng themselves, but must
also bring into the dance with them the whole worid, i£
they can; and that the greatest busy-bodies must just come
upon me, who never meddle with anybody, and drag me by
the hair into their affairs; me, who ask for nothing but to
be left alone! That mad rascal of a Don Rodrigo! What
does he want to make him the happicst man in the world, if
he had but the least grain of judgment? He is rich, he is
yotmg, he is respected and courted : he is sick with too much
prosperity, and must needs go about making trouble for
hlmself and bis neighbour. He might follow the ways of
Saint Michael; oh, no! my gentleman doesn*t choose: he
chooses to set up the trade of molcsting wonicn, the most
absurd, the most vile, the most insane business in the world:
he might ride to heavcn in bis carriagc, and chooses rather
to walk halting to the devirs dwclling. And this man?
. • . And bere he looked at him, as if he suspccted he could
bear bis very thoughts. — This man ! after turning the world
upside down with bis wickedness, now he turns it upside
down with bis conversion . . . if it prove really so. In
the mean while, it falls to me to make the trial ! ... So it
is, that when people are born with this niadncss in their
veins, they must always be making a noisc! Is it so diffi-
cult to act an honest part ali onc's lifc, as I bave done?
Oh, no, my good sir: they must kill and quartcr, play the
devil ... oh, poor me! . . . and thcn comcs a great stir
even when doing penance. Repen lance, when therc is an
indination to it, can be pcrformcd at home, quietly, withont
90 much show, without giving so much trouble to one's
neighbours. And bis illustrious LordRliip, instantly, with
open arms calling him bis dcar friend, bis dear friend;
and this man listcns to ali he says as if he had scen bini
work miracles; and then he must ali at once come to a
resolution, and rush into it band and foot, onc minute bere,
and the next tbcre; wc, at home, should cali this precipita-
tìon. And to delivcr a poor curate into bis hands without
the smallest security! this niay be called playing with a
man at great odds. A holy bishop, as be is, oug ht to value
his curates as the appio of bis eye. It seems to me there

I PROMESSI SPOSI an

night he 1 little moderation. a little pntdence, a tittk cliarity
^MÌong with sanctity . . . Stippostrig this shouid bc atj a mere
show? Who can teli ali the ineentiotis of rocn ? and particu-
Urly of litidi a man as this? To think that it b my !ot ta
go with him to his own house ! Thcrc may he some tinder-
work of the devil hcre: oh, poor mei ìt is hcst not to thiok
about it- How is Lucìa mixcd yp with ali this? It is plain
Don Rodrigo had some dcsàgns upon hcr: what peopie: and
Appose il b exactly thus^ how Ùìcn has this man got htr
hjs chitches ? Who knows» I wondcr ? It Is ali a secret
ith my Lord ; and to me, whom thcy are maldng trot abont
thi* wav, tbev doni teli a word, I àon*t care aboui kiiow-
^-^trs; hut wheti I have to risk my skm
a righi to know something. If ìt be
aly to go and tetch away this poor creature, patieficel
agh he couid easily enough hrìng hcr straìgbt away liim*
clL Afid lie-sides, If he is reatty converted. il he has becomc
holy fathcr, what need is therc of nie? Oh, what a dtaos]
Yell; it is Hcaven's will it shouid he thus: it wttl he a very
i neon veni enee, hot patieneel I shall he glad^ too, for
' poor Lncia : she al so must have escaped some temhle
Heavcn knows what she must bare sufìfcred: I pi^
ber; bui she was bom to bc my ruin , . , At least, I wish
I co^Id look into bis hcart» and sce wliat he is thinking aHout,
Who can tmderstand hitn? Just look, oow; one minute he
looks like Saiat Antony in the de^ert, the nesct he is Itke
?f emes himselL Oh, poor me 1 poor me ! Well ; Hcaven
Jet an ohiigation to bclp me, since I didn't get myself
' thi^i fbnger with my own good wHl. —
faet^ the thoughts of the Un nani ed might he seen, so
passing over his countenance, as in a stormy day the
flit aerosi the face of the sim, prodadng crery now
alt aUernatìon oÌ da^zliog light and gloomy shade,
, stili quite ahsorbed in rcftectiun upon Fcderigo's
wor<U, ami. as it werc, rencwcd and made young
irith r now rose wiiJi cheerfnl hope at the

^of fner >. and love: and then apain sank bc-

H, He tried tO

li wcrc y Vblc, and

which he ctmld stili arrcst io the midsi of thdr prog-

' ; -fSA y '.'"."5

■-* ^ • ^

^ . * * ,

: V

/ .'• '■

i! ■.^■' A- »

' ' ' "'■" »■ ••! ^' I ''■ ■ . j' j! -,*•* .^r: : wr.\\ -r-ì?

• I ■ II.' M, II, ' '.\ I '...... !.«: . ' /. ;,| v.!:f,-'; C". uli ::::>

'• •'/ '•• ■ ".. / I....I..I uA l^,!,'.-!, |.:t no r,ne r:ovcii.

'•'••" ' •»• I» •// 1 j ili» f fiiiirii.tti/I \\x* j rrarj in his cyc and

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

Thcy cltmbed the asccnt, aod reacbed iht summit. The
ravoes on the terrace and n>und the gate re tir ed on ctthcr
side to makc room fot hirti ; the Unnaincd motioned to Uicm
to retreat no farther, sptirted forward and passed before
tbc littcr, bcckoncd to tbc driver and Don Abbondio to fot-
low him, etitered an oulcr court, and thence into a second,
wait towards a soiall posieni, madc sigiis to a bravo, who
was hastcnlng to hold bis stirrtip, to keep back, aad said to
ìilm, * You theie, and no onc ncarer,* He thcn dìsmounted»
and holding the bridlc, advanced towards the littcr, ad-
drc^^sed himself lo tbc f emale who had just drawn back the
curtain, and said to ber in an undertone r * Comfort ber
directly ; ict ber iiodcrstand at once ihtt shc ìs at liberty, and
among tricnds. God will reward you for it/ He tben
nrdcrcd ihc driver to open the door, and assist ber to gel
dL Ad^'andng, tben, lo Don Abbondio, with a look of
catcr screnity than the poor man bad yet scea, or tbouprht
he could sce, on bis cctintetiaiicc, in whkh there
_ be fraced joy at the good work which was at
30 ncar iis compietion^ be Icnt bim bis arm to dis-
aountr saying to bim at the ^ame timc, in a low voice:
signor Curate, I rio not apoloipie for tbe trouble you bave
id on my account ; you afe bearlBg il for One who rewards
bountiriiljy, and for tbis His poor creature T

took^ and thesc words, once more put some heart

Don Abbondio; an4 drawing a long breath, which for

Sfi bour past bad hcen striviog tncffectiially to find vcnt»
he rephed, wbethcr or not in a submissive tone it ntcd not
bc askcd: 'Is yotir JLordship jokiJig with me? But, hut,
lM!t but ! t . / And, accepting the band which was so oour-
ty ofìfcrcd, he slid down from tlie saddle as he best
cT.*u d Tbc Unnamed look the hridk, and handed it with bis
to the driver, biddin^j him wait thcre outside for them*
"^*g a key from his fiocket, he open ed ihe poslern, ad-
1 the curate and tbe woman, fnlfowcd tbcm m^
lo l(!ad the \va>% went to tlie foot of the staìrii
;il! thrce asccndcd In sileacc»

Tbii

CHAPTER XXIV

IUCIA had aroused hersclf only a short timc before^
. and part of that lime she had bcen striving to
d awaken hcrself thoroughly, and to se ver the dis-
turbed dreams of sleep from the remembrances and images
of a reality which too much resembled the feverish visiona
of sickness. The old woman quickly made up to her, and,
with a constrained voice of humility, said: *Ah! bave yott
slept? You might bave slept in bed: I told you so often
enough last night/ And receiving no reply, she continued,
in a tone of pettish entreaty: 'Just eat something; do be
prudent. Oh, how wretched you look! You must want
something to eat And then if, when he comes back, he's
angry with me ! '

* No, no ; I want to go away. I want to go to my mother.
Your master promised I should; he said, to-morrow mom-
iftg, Where is he ? '

* He's gone out ; but he said he'd bc back soon, and would
do ali you wished/

* Did he say so ? did he say so ? Very well ; I wish to go
to my mother, directly, directly.'

And bchold! the noise of footsteps was heard in the
adjoining room; then a tap at the door. The old woman
ran to it, and askcd, * Who*s there ? '

* Open the door/ replied the well-known voice, gcntly.
The old wonian drew back the bolt, and, with a sligfat

push, the Unnaniod half opened the door, bid ber come out,
and hastily ushered in Don Abbondio and the good woman*
He then nearly closod the door again. and waiting himself
outside. sent the acrcd niatron to a distant part of the castle,
as he had before disniisscd the othcr one, who was keeptng
watch outside.

Ali this bustle. the moment of expcctation. and the first
appcarance of strango figures, made Lucia's heart bound
with agitation; for. if hcr presont condition was intolerable,
every change was an additional cause of alarm. She looked

396

I PROMESSI SPOSI

ìxpi, aiwi t>chdd a prìest and a woman ; thb somewhat rcaol-
attd ber; *he looked mofe closely; is il he or not? At
SI, she Tccùgithcd Don Abbondio, and remained with ber
eyes ixed, as if hy cneliaìitment Tbe femalc iben drcvir
ncar, and bcoding over ber, loolccd at ber cotnpassionatcl/,
takiof botb ber hands, as il to caress and ratse ber at the
same timc, a»d aaytng: *OÌ\ mj poor girl! come witb us»
eome wìtb msJ

* Who are yoùì' demanded Lucia; bui withom lìstenìnf
l0 the rcply. she again titmcd to Don Abbondio, who was

ng two or threc yards disiant, evcn bis couittenance
pressing some compa^sicn; shc gazed at hìm agaìn, and
icclaitned; *yoii! Is ìt yow! The Signor Curate? Wbere
wc? , , , Oh» pocr me ! I bave bsi my setises ! *

• No, no/ repUcd Don Abbondio, * lì i« ìndeed I ; talee
Don*t yoo sec we are bere to take you away? I

your curate» come htthtr on purpose oo hors^

As if she had fttjddenly regained ali ber strength. Lucia
precipitatcly spraog npon ber fect: ihen again fixing ber
ires on thusc iwo faces, shc said : * Il ts the Madonna^ tbeo»
tft&t has scnt you*
* ì bclievc indeed it is,* said the good womaiL
•But can we go away? Can w« really go away?' re-
te Lticla, lowcring hcr voice, and assuming a timid
atispidous lixik. 'And ali ibcite pcoplc? . , / contìnued
Be, wilb ber lips comprcssed, and quivering witb fear and
horror: 'And that Lord , • , thai man! , . * He did, in-
deedt promise # * *'

' He li bere hiinself in persoti, canie oo purpose witb us,*
»id Don Abbondio ; * he is outslde wasting lor ns. Let tu
go at once ; we niostn't kcep a man ìike blm waiting,'

Al tbis moment, he of wbom thcy were ^eaking opened
the lioor, and sbowing hunself at tltc entrancc, carne for-
ward into the room* Lucia, who bnt just bclore bad wbbed
far him, nay, baving no hope in any one else in the world,
wisbed for none but bim, now» after haring scen Mné
lo friendly faces and voìcts, couid not rcstiaio a
sfaudder: ^ìe fftartcd, beld ber brcath, and tbrowing
di on the good wtmtan's sbouJder, Luricd her fae« ia

398 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

her bosom. At the first sight of that countenance, on whìeh,
the evening before, he had bcen unable to maintain a seady
gaze, now rendered more pale, languid and dejectcd, by
prolonged suffering and abstinence, the Unnamed had sud-
denly checked bis steps; now, at the sight of her impulse
of terror, he cast bis eyes on the ground, stood for a moment
silent and motionless, and then replying to what the poor
girl had not expressed in words, 'It is true,' exclaimed he;
* forgive me ! '

* He is come to set you f ree ; he*s no longer what he was ;
he has become good; don't you bear him asking your for-
giveness ? ' said the good woman, in Lucia's ear.

' Could he say more? Come, lift up your head; don't be a
baby : we can go directly,' said Don Abbondio. Lucia raised
her face, looked at the Unnamed, and seeing bis head bent
low, and bis embarrasscd and humble look, she was seized
with a mingled feeling of comfort, gratitudc, and pity. as
she replied, * Oh, my Lord ! God reward you for this deed
of mercy ! '

'And you a thousandfold, for the good you do me by
these words.'

So saying, he tumed round, went towards the door, and
led the way out of the room. Lucia, completely reassured,
followed, leaning on the worthy female's arm, while Don
Abbondio brought up the rear. They descended the stair-
case, and reached the little door that led into the court. The
Unnamed opened it, went towards the litter, and, with a
mertain politeness, almost mingled with timidity, (two novel
qualities in him,) offered his arm to Lucia, to assist her to
get in; and afterwards to the worthy dame. He then took
the bridles of the two mules from the driver's band, and
gave his arm to Don Abbondio, who had approached his
gentle steed.

* Oh, what condescension ! ' said Don Abbondio, as he
mounted much more nimbly than he had done the first time;
and as soon as the Unnamed was also seated, the party
resumed their way. The Signor's brow was raised: his
countenance had regained its customary cxpression of
authority. The ruffians whom they passed on their way,
discovered, indeed, in his face the marks of deep tbouglU^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

fìd an exlraordinary solicittide; but they neither under-
tood, nor couid anderstand, more about it. Tbey kncw
jlot yct aitything of the grcat changc whieh had taketi piaci*
theif master; and» undoubtcdly, none of them woutd bave
pivìned it mercly from conjectnre,

Tbe gocd woman immedìately drtw tbe curtafns over the

luJe Windows: and then, affectionaicly takmg l.ncia*s

she appbcd hcrself to comfort ber with expressioris

con^ratulatioti, and tendcrness* Seeing, then, ibat

faiigue from tbe suffering sbe had undcrgonc, but

(exity and obscorìty of atl tbat bad happcned, pre-

^cnled the poor girl from being sensible oC the joy of ber

Jcliver^ncc, sbe said ali she could ibink of moft Ukely to

cali ber recollectìon, and lo clear np, and set to rigbts. so

to say, ber poor scattered tbonghts. She narned the villagc

the carne from» and to wbìcb they were now goinf.

' Yesl ' saìd Lucia, who knew how short a dbttnce II wa^

[»in ber nwn. 'Ah, most boly MadoDoap I praise thect

fy mother I my mother l *

• Wc will send to fetch ber dìrectly/ said tbe food wotnan,
knovrtng tbat il wa^ alrcady don e,

• Ye», ye«» and reward you for it * * • And yoti^
rho are you? I. . you come > . .*

*Ouf Curate gent me^' said tbe good wotnan, *because
Cod hai louchcd ibis Sìgnor's bcart, (hle^scd bc Hi» name!)
and he carne to our villane to speak to the Signor Cardinal
ircbbi«hop, for he h there in bis visitatton, tbat boiy man
^f God; and he had repcnted of his great sLns, and wìshcd
to changc hì^ ìlftì and he totd the Cardinal that he had
catiied a poor innocent to be seiied, meanìng you, at tbe
n$tigmtton of anotber p^-rson, who had no fear of God; but
1 Cttratc didn't teli me who it cotild be/
Lucìa raiscd ber eyes to beaven-

■ Yoa know wbo it wa^» pcrhaps,' contmucd tbe good
Wùtnan. 'Well; the Signor Cardinal thou^fbl that, as there
was a yotmg g:irl tn the qni:«tjon, Ih ere onght to he a Iemale
,Èù come baelf with ber; and he told the Curate to look for
ne' in hi* goodn^ tn me . . /

'( rnpen^e you r kindiicss 1 *

• WeU« jtist ìisten to me» my poor emidi And the Signor

400 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Curate bid me encourage you, and try to comfort yoa
directly, and point out to you how the Lord has save4 yon
by a miracle . . /

' Ah yes, by a miracle indeed ; through tlie intercession of
the Madonna I '

'Well, that you should bave a right spirit, and torgive
him who has done you this wrong, and be thankful that God
has been merci fui to him, yes, and pray for him too; for,
besides that you will be rewarded for it, you will also find
your hcart lightened.'

Lucia replied with a look which expressed assent as dearly
as words could bave done, and with a sweetness which words
could not bave convcyed.

* Noblc girl ! ' rejoined the wonian. * And your Curate,
too, being at our villagc, (for there are numbers assembled
from ali the country round to elect four public officerà,) the
Signor Cardinal thought it batter to scnd him with us; but
he has been of little use : I had bcfore heard that he was i
poor-spirited creature; but, on this occasion, I couldn't help
sccing that he was as frightened as a chicken in a bundlc
of hemp.'

'And this man . . .' asked Lucia, 'this persoh who has
bcconie good . . . who is he?'

'Whatl don't you know him?' said the good woman,
mentioning his nanic.

' Oh, the niercy of the Lord ! ' exclaimed Lucia. How
oftcn had she hcard that name repeatcd with horror in more
than one story, in which it always appcared as, in other
stories, that of the monster OrcusI And at the thought of
having once been in his dreaded power, and being now
under his merci fui protcction — at the thought of such fcar-
ful danger, and such unlooked-for deliverance; and at the
remembrance of whosc face it was that had at first appeared
to ber so haughty, afterwards so agìtated, and then so hum-
bled, she remaincd in a kind of ecstasy, only occasionally
repeating, ' Oh, what a mercy ! '

' It is a great mercy, indeed ! ' said the good woman. ' It
will be a grcat rclief to half tlie world, to ali the country
round. To think how many pcople he kcpt in fcar; and now,
as our Curate told me • • . and then, only to see bis

! PROMESSI SPOSI

101

ce, tic ts bccomc a ^ìntl And the fruits are sceii so
dircctly.*

To assert Hits worfhy persoti dìd oot feci iniich ciiriosity
to know nither more cxplicitly the wonderful cìrcuisistanccs
in which &he was called upon to bear a part, would noi be
the tnitlL Btrt we must say, to ber lionour, that, restrained
by t rcspectful pìty Ìot Luck, and feeling, In a maimcr, the
gravity and dignity of the charf e which had been entrustcd
to ber, she never tvtn thougbt of putiing ìui indi&crcet or
idk qiicstion; througliout tbc wholc jouniey, ber words
were tbose of comfort and concern far tbe poar girl

* Heaven knows bow long it h siace you bave caien any-
thìng!'

' I don't remembcr * . , not for some lime/
'Poor tbing! you must want sometbing to strcngthen
you?'

* Yes/ replicd Lucìa, in a fami voice.

* Thank God» we shall get somethmg at home direcily,
Take beart, for it*s nm far i^ow.*

Ltid^ tbeii sank languidly lo the bottoni of tbe litter, as if
overcotuc witb drowsin<^5$» and tbe good woman left ber
qatetty to rcpose.

To Don Abbondio tbe rctorn was ccrtainly not so harass*
iof as tbc joumey tliilher oot long beforc; but, ncvertbelcss,
eveo tliis was not a ride of pleastrre. Wben bis overwhelm-
tng fears bad sutiiiided, be lek, at first, as ìf rclieved from
CYcry biirdcn; bui vcry sbortly a bundred other fandes
began to baunt bis imàg^atiòii; as tbe grotmd wbence a
largc trce bai becn uprootcd rcmalii« bare and cmpty for a
tìme, but is soon abundantly covcred witb wceds. He bad
becomc more sensiti^^c io minor causes of alarm; and io
tbougbta of tbc preactit as wcll as the future, faiìed not to
fiiìd ocify too many matcrfals far self-toroietit He felt now,
mucb more than in roiiiitig» the mconvcnìcnces of a mode
oì tvg to \fhkh be was not at ali accu^tomed, and

pùT y in tbc descem from the castle to the bottocq

of the valley. The mule-driver, obedient to a sign ffora ibe
Unoamed, drovc on tbc animab at a rapid pace; tbe two
rkiers foìlowod in a line bebind, witb corrcsponding specd,
ìd that, io aoodiy ttcep place», the uà fortunate Dksn Ab^

402

ALESSAKBBO MANZONI

bondiD, as if foftcd up by a lever bchind» rollcil forwaid»
and was oblrgcd to keep himself steady by grasptn^ Ine
pommd of the saddic; not daring to re*]uc5t a &!ow^ i>acc,
and afixious, also, to gct out of the ncighhourhood as quiddt
as he coukL Besìdcs this, whercvcf the road wa.
cmtneiìcc, on the edgr of a stecp bank» tbe mule» aiv
to ihc custom of ita species, sccmed as il aiming, out of
contempi, always to keep on die otJtside, and to set itjt fert
on the very bnnk; and Don Abbondio s<iw, almost pefpcu-
dicnlarly beneath him, a good leap, or, as he thoughtt a
precipicc^Even you, — said he to the animai, in bis hetrt —
bave a curjied ìncUnafion to go In search ùÌ dairger '
there h snch a safc and widc path. — And he piiUcd iJi
to the opposìtc side, but in valn; so that, gminbting wiih
vexatton and fcar, lie ittìfìfered bimself, as usuaU to be g^ided
at the will of others. The rtiffians no lon^cr gave him so
omch alarm, now ihat he knew for certain how thcir niisler
rcgardfd them,^ — But, — rcflected he, — if the news of ihij
grand conversion should get abroad among them witilc we
are stili bere, who knows how thc«c fellows wnnM talea tt?
Who knows what might arise froni it? "
gct an idea that I am come hithcr as a i
preserie me! thcy wotild martjT me! — Ih v brow

of the tlnnamcd gave hira no tineasìness.- . . ;p t!hn%c

vìsages there in awc, — tbotight he, — it oeeds no lesa than
thi« one herej I undertland that myself; hiit wHy haa U
f alien to my lot to be thrown amongst stich |>eop1e?^ —

Pnt cnough: tijey readied the foot of the de^cent, and
at length alao isiitcd from the vallcy. The hrow of the Un-

" lamed became gradually amoother. Don Al>hondio, too,

isnmed a more naturai expression, released hh head some-

what frmn impri.totimcnt betwcen hiii jthoulders, btrctdie*! hì$

lega and arma, tried to bc a little more at bis case, whicb» In

tnith, made him look ìikc ft different cttaitcrc, drew hh hzrnih

norc frecly, and, with a calraer miDd, proceed^d io ciintem*

Rte other and remoter dan^rt.^ — ^wWt will that viitafn

"if a Don Rf ? To ^

and open to ii ^.m fane^

ter dofte. Now\« the tinie whcn bc U plny the de vii liut-
rìght* It rcinaui* t.t 1v «r^n whrtli rr he won*t he anerv wIth '

I PROMESSI SPOSI

mt, hec^mt 1 ha ve beco tnixcd np vnììi this business, If
he lias already choseo to send these two dcmotis to racct me
oti the higli road with such an intimatinn. what will he do
Tiow, Heaven ktiowst He can't quarrd with hts illustrìcms
ÌjnnUìùp, ioT li€*s ralher otit of hb rcach ; he'll he obligcd
to goaw ihc bit whh htm. Bui att the while the vcnoni will
bc in hts vem5, and he'M be 5urc to vent it tipotì somcbody.
How will ali tbcse things end? Tlic blow naust alway? fall
I s<Miiewhere: the Ush musi bc iiplìfted. Of eourse, Iu5i iHus-
trtous Lordship tntctids to place Lucia in safety: that other
cmaie mìsgtiided youth ì$ beyond reach, and has al ready
hh sihare; so behold the lash must fall upon my shoul'
en. Il will ìndeed be cruci, if, after »ci mauy tticonventcnces
and so mtich agitation, wìthotit my dcset^-ing it, too, in tlie
Icaul, ì should bave to bear the ptmishment, What will bis
ino^l nitutripus Grace do now to protect ine, after having
[brotigbt me into the dance? Can he ensurc that ibis cursed
tdi wofiH play me a worse trielc than beforc? And,

n, he has so many things io think of : he puts bis band

"io so tnany bustoesscs. How can be attend to ali ? Matters

are somctiiact Jeft more efitangled than at first* Those who

<b good, do it in the gross; whcn tbey bave enjoyed this

, satisfactjoa, the>^Vc bad enougb, and won't troiiblc ihcm*

IscItcs to look after the cooscqucnccs ; btit they who haire

sttcb a faste for cvil*doifigs, are much more dÙlgent; thcy

foUow it up to tbe end, and gìve thetnielv^ no rest^ beeausc

, tìtey bave an e ver -de vou ring canker wilbin tbem* Must T go

lant! say that I carne bere at tbc expre&s eontmand of his

aiastrioiis Grace, and not with my own food vnìlì Tbat

woold seem as if I favourcd ibe wieked side. Oh, sacred

I Beaven ! I Cavour the wìckcd side ! For the pleasufc it

^ves rne! Well; the hest pian will be to teli Perpettta tbe

cajie a* it b, at)d tben Ica ve it to ber to circuiate it» provided

my Lord doe-^r^'r take a faticy to make tbe whoJe inattef

' pnblrc. and brìn^ e%*cn me fntc the «cene. At any rate^ as

$oon ai erer we arrive, tf bc** out of cburcb, Vlì go and takc

^iny Vavr .if hitn a^ qulrkly aa posslhle; it bc*s not» HI leave

I m\ and go off home at once. Lucìa ìs well attended

lo , i^ t ' no nced for ine ; and after to mnch troubfe, I, too.

may claim a Utile repD&c. And be^ides . . . wbat if my

4oe

ALB85AKDRO MAKZ0K1

from hcr ncck, and Bolding it m hcr trcrnhltn^ ftfinf!, *1rp
confirmed anc! rencwcd Uie vow, implorine» at ih
^wìtb heanrendmg carnestness, that ^trcngth mi;, , i

icr to fulfiU it; and that she might ht sparcd such *

id occtirrences as wotild bc lUcdy» if not to dìsìuiu «cf
^bdon, al Icast to harass her beyond ciKJtirance, The
'^distance of Renio, without any probs^bìlity of return, thas,
distatiipe whkh shc had bitJierto fdt m> pidtifiil, pnw ?ft?aicd]
lo her a dfspensatìon of Providcoee, who had it^ :^frt^

cvents work togctlier (or the samc cr^d; and sli^ .^ ,r la

ftod in the otie a motive of consolaticm for the other, Aod,
foUowiiig up thìs tJiought^ she began reprcsentiui; to liendf
ihat the &amc Provldence. to complete the wtsrlc, wcwldl
know what meaiìs to cmpìoy to Induce Remo IV? *' i b^
resigtied, lo tliink no more . , , But acarcely 1 an

idea cfitered hcr tntnd, when aJI was aj^ain overmriietL Thei
poor gìrl^ feeling ber heart stili prone to regret the vow»
agaìn had recourse to prayer, confirmation of the pmmhe,
and inward smsggìcs, from which ahe arosc, if wc may bc
albwed the «xprcflaion, like the wearkd and wottnded Ttcfoc
from h!s fallco enemy*

At this motncni she licard ap^iroaehfnf^ footstep$ and
joyous eries. It wzs the little famlly rn cUurcll.

Two little ^rls and a yonng boy bom hoii^,

who, stoppi ng a moment to cast mn ^t

Lucia, ran to their mothcr, ami gathtt . onc

itiqutring the namc of the ttnknown gnest, and how, and
why; am>tber attempting to reUte t!ie wondrrftil thmgs thcy
bad just wttneesed; whilc the good woman replìed to each
and ali, * Bc qwict. be qntet.' With ai'
wtth cordial buerest depìcled tm bis eoi:
of the house then enterrd, l!c was, if
ao, the taìtnr i>f the vìllage and it* ir
hood; a man who knew bow to read, who had. in faci, read
more than once II Ltg^tnàariù de' ,9'^"^** '^^r\ T RcaH di
Fmnciù, and who pa§jed among ht» ' rs as a

Linan of ^-' * "^ i-.^. -^^

: ino de V
'^ocadott, aiiil xliU, b:'
of ao many othcra . , .

I FEOMBSSI SPÓSI

107

creature in the world Having bcea prcseat
was reqoestcd by the Curate !o imdertake ber
tbadteble joumey, he had not only given hìs approbaticro,
but wouJd also bave addcd hìs persuasion. had it beea iiecea*
_5try. And now that the scrvices, the pomp, the concoarsCt
3d above aO, the sermon of the Cardinal, had, as tììt saying
, ekvated ali his bcst feelitigt, he returned home with eagcr
adcipations, and an anxious delire to know how the thing
1 s«ccc«:ded, aod to find the ìrmocent young creature safe,
*See, therc she h ì* said his gCKJd wife, as he entered.
^obiting to Lucia, who blushed, aod rose from ber seat, be-
ginning to stammer forth some apology. B«t be, advancing
towu^s her^ intemipled ber excuscs, congratulatlng her oa
ber safety, and exclaiming, *WeIconie» welcome ! Yoii are
tbe blessiog of Heaven in ìhìs house. How g lad 1 am to see
m bere ! 1 was pretty sure you wouid be brought out
if dy : tot Vvt ncvet foimd that the Lord began a nitrado
brtngtng It to a good end : but Vm giad to sec you
Poor girl t but it is indeed a great thing to bave re*
1^ a miracle ! *

Let it net be ti^ought that be wa* ttic only person who
Ihus dcnOTOinated this eventi be^use be bad read the
Legendiiy ; as long m the remembrance of it lasted, il was
9poktii of in no other tenris in the whole village^ and
tltrougfiout the neighbourboód. And» to say tmtb, consid-
eriilg its attendanr une following consequences, no otber
naoie tt - rlaie.

Tlien» 1* to hts wife, who was taktng the ketlle

off the hook over tlie fire, he whiipered, * Did everything gp
well ?'

'Very well; 111 teli you aftcrwards/
' Ycs, ycs, al your eonvcoiericr.*

Diaoer now being quìckly served up, tbe mìstrcss of the

up to Loefci, and leaditig ber to tlje table, made

kc a len* : ìhen cutting off a wìnj: of the fowl *hc set

ft hefofc : and ber hi ' domi, they

ber ;^tritcd and ?>a -^ make her-

, and lakc aotnctbtng to eat. n evtry

taìiof l»egan to talk with gre., , -^rnc&s, in

of the intcrruplioiis of the ehildrai, wba itood routtd

K»

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

th« tabk to their meal, and who, in inith, had seett too tnany
extraordinary tliing^s, to play, for any length of timc, the
part of mere Usteners, He descrìbed the solemn ceremonieSs ^
ajid then passed on to the mìraculous conversione Bui tliat
which had made the tnost ìtnpression upon him, and to whicli
he most freqaently retumed, was the Cardinars seftnon-

' To see hìm thcre beforc the aitar/ said he, * a gentleman
like him, like a Cifrate , * /

' And that gold thing he had on his head . . / said a little
girl.

' Htjsh. To thìnk, | say, that a gentleman like him, sucb
a leamed man, too, that from what people say, he has readj
ali the books there are ìn the worid; a thing whìeh nobodf
else has ever done^ not even in Milan — ^to think that he knew
how to say thin gs in such a way, that every one under-
stood , - /

' Even I imdcrstood very well/ said another little prattler,

Hold yoar tonguc; what may you bave understood, I
wondcr ? *

' I imdcrstood that he w^ explaìning the Gospel, Instcad
of the Signor Curate**

'Well, he quiet. I don't say those who know somethìngj
for then one is oblìged to understand; but cveo the duUest
and most ignorant could foUow out the sense. Go now and
ask them if they could repeat the words that he spoke; ITI
engagé they could not remeniher one; but the meanìng they
wiU bave in tbcir heads. And without ever mentionìng the
name of that Signor, how easy it was to see that he was
ali udì ng to hìm ! Besìdes, to under stand that, one had onlj ,
to observe htm with the tcars standing in his eye. And
then the whole church bcgan to weep , • /

'Yes, indeed, they did/ burst forth the little boy; 'but
why were they ali crying in that way, like chìldren?*

' Hold your tongue. Surely there are some hard hearts in
this country. And he made us see so well, that though
there is a f amine he re, we ought to thank God, and be '
content; do whatever we can, work industriously, hcip one
another, and then he content, hecause it ìs no dtsgrace lo
suffer and be poor; the disgrace is to do eviK And these
are not only fine words- for everybody knows that he UveB

I PEOMESSI SPOSI

ino

Iffce a poor man himsdf, and takes the bread cut of his
own mouth to give to the hungry^ when he migli t bc cnjoy-
ing gooó times b et ter than any one. Ah ! tben it gìves onc
satisfactjon to bear a man preachr not Hke so many others:
" Do what I say, and not what I do." And then he showed
m that evcn those vvho are not what they cali gentlemen,
if they have more than they actiialJy want, are bound to
share ìt whh tbose wbo are suffermg/

Here he interrupted himself, as if checked by some
thotight He bcsitated a moment; thea filling a platter ffom
the severa! disbes on the table^ and adding a Ioaf of bread,
he put it ìnto a cloth, and taking it by the four corners, said
to bis eldest girl : ' Here, take this/ He then put into ber
other band a little fìask of wine» and added : ' Go down to the
widow Maria, leave her tbese things, and telJ her it is to make
a little feast with her cbildren, But do it kindly and nicely,
yoti know; that it may not secm as ìi you were dolng her a
cbarity. And don*t say anything, if you meet any one;
and take care you break notbing.*

Lucia *s eyes glistencd, and ber heart glowed with tender
emodon; as from the conversation she had already heard,
&be had received more comfort than an expressly consola-
tory sermon couìd possibly bave imparted to ber* Her
mind, aUracted by thèse descriptions, these itnages of pomp,
and these emotions of pìety and wonder, and sharing in
the very enthusiasm of the narrator, was detached from the
coostderation of its own sorrows ; and on retuming to them^
found ftself strengthened to contemplate them. Even the
tbought of ber tremendous sacrifice» though ìt had not bst
its bitter nessj brought with it something of austere and
SOlcmn joy,

Shortly afterwards, the Curate of the viUage entered,
and said tliat he was sent by the Cardinal to inquìre after
Lucia, and to inform ber tbat hìs Grace wished to see her
some tìme during the day; and then, in his Lordship's
name, he retumed many thanks to the vvortby couple,
Surprised and agita ted, the thrce could scarcely find words
to reply to such messages from so grcat a personage.

'And your motlicr hasn*t yet arrived?* said the Curate
to Lucìa*

il»

ALESSANDRO MAK^OMI

'My inothcr!* cxclaimtd the poor girl Thcn bearlof
from him how he had bccn scnt to fctch hcr by the ordcr and
siigg^stion of the Arcbbishop, shc dtcw her apr^n cr.?r
hcr cycs» ami gavc way to a flood of tears, which :

to fiow ior some time after the Curale had taken iu> i^^t^
When, however, the lumuituoua fcelings which had beci
exdted by siich ao atmoiinccmcnt bcgan to yicid to wn&tt
tranquìi thoughts» the poor girl rcmcml)ercd that the now
ddsely impeiiding happmes3 of iccing ber inotber aglio,
a happitìcss so unhoped fot a few ho ars prev^iousi wa» what
shc had expressly implorcd m those very hoiirs, Md mlmoist
stlpulatcd as a condttion of ber vx>w. Brii$g m^ tu safttj
to my mùthtr, ahe had staid; and tliese words now pro-
sentcd themselvcs distinctly to her memory. She «treni
cned herself more tljan e ver in the reioltttion to maintail
ber promise, and afresh and more bitterly lameated tbe
struggle and rcgret sihe bad (or a moment indut^d.

Agnese, tndeed, wbjlc ihcy were talkiiig abo>ut hcr,
btit a vef>* little way o0, It may eas&ily be tpiagin^d hi]
the poor womao fclt at this imexpecied frumiiion», ajid at
the announcemeotp uecessarily defective and confitaed,
an escapcd bui fearCul datigeT.--^a» obstare evenir wli
the messenger couìd neither ci remn intanfiate nor exph
aiid of wbìdi she had noi the slightest gr<mnd of cxpl
tìon in ber owd previou* thoiigbt{&. After tearing ber
—after frequent ejcdamatiotui of * Mi, my Godi Ab,
donna r — after puttìng varìous qucsiiotis to tlie me
wbidi he bad noi the tneans of saitsfyitìg, abe threw beri
iinpetuoualy info tlie veliicle, cotitinning to uttcr^ on
way, mimberleis ejaculations and itselcss tnqiijrìcs. Bij
at a certain point sbe met Don Abbondio, irudgìtig oti, stfl
after siep, aod bcforc cacb step, bis walking-stick. Alle
an * oh r from botb parti cs^ he stoppcd ; Agnc*c alio ìlùum
and diamounted; and drawtng bini apan iato a
grove on the roadside, &he there Icamt from l-
bondìo ali that he bad been able to aicertatn and
The thuig was not citar; but at laast Agnesie wai aituf
that Lucia waa in aafety; and she agaui breathed freely.

After tbis Dotn Abbondio tried to introduce another
jéct» and give ber minute uiirnKtioas ai to bow tbt

I FEOMBSSI SPOSI

411

r behare before the Archbìshop, ìf, as wss ìtktìy, ht shoold

Isli to see her aiid ber day gh ter; and^ mbove aU^ Uiat it
^ould fiot do to Eiìv a word about the weddtiig « > . But
Agnese, pcrc«iving iliat he was only spealdiig for hÌ5 own
intereat, ciaf blm short, vriUioot promisuig, tndeed witfaout
propDsm^, mn^hingp lor shc bad iotueUiing else ta thìnk
about; and imoediately resunicd ber journey*

At loi^h the cart arrived, and siopped at the tailor's
liouse. Lucia sprang up hastily: Agnese dismauuted and
mtbed impctuoysiy in io tbc cottage^ and, in an instante they
wcre lockcd in each other's arms. The good dame, who
alone was presenta tri ed to encourage and cairn them, and
ibared wttb them in ibelr joy; then^ with her usnal discrc-
tion» ahe Icft thcm for a whilc alone, saying that she would
go and prcpare a bed for them, lor v^hìdi, bdeed, she bad
the mcans, ihough. In any case, both «he and ber hus-
ba^jd would mudi ratber havc skpt upon the ground* tlian
iuffcr theni to go in §earch of ^bclter elsewhere for ihat
night.

The first burst o£ sobs and etabraces being over, Agne$«
longed to bear Lucia*s advcntures, and the latter began^
mournfuliy, to rclatc thcm, But, as the r cader is aware,
it wa« a htstory wbidi no onc kncw fully; and ta Lucìa
self thcre wcre some obacure passagcs, which were, in
«juitc incxtrìcabic; more pardcuLarly the fatai coin-
^ence of that terrible carrìagc bcing in ibe road, just
wheai Lucia was pas&ing on an eKtraordìaary occation,
On tliis polliti both mothcr and daugbter were lost in cun*
jccture, without evcr hitting the mark, or even approach-
jng tlie real cauiie.

As to the prìncrpal author of the plot, ncttber one nor
Uie other could for a moment doubt but thai it was Don
Rodrigo.

'Ab, the black TÌ!tatn! alt» the in Cerna! iirebrand!* <x-
elaioied Agnese: *but bis hour wiìl come* Gad will rcwifd
him according to hls works; asad tbrn he, too, will ie^ , , /

'No, no, mol)ier; col' iiilerruptcd Lucia; *don't pr«-
«Bct «uficring for htm; don't prtdict it to any onci If you
biew wbai il was ta iu0cr! If yau had tricd iti No, noi
imther Id uà pray God aod tbc Madonna £or him: thai God

41«

ALBS^ANDEO MANZONI

over and over agaln, ' Make wiy for on^ wbo has a Hgbt to

passr «>«ì ^ wcnt into tlic house.
Agncic jmd Lucia heard an tiicreailn^ munnur in die

Street, and wliik wonderìng^ wbat ìt could be, naw the doci^
I tbrown open^ and admit the purpte-ciad prelatei, and thel
fpriest of the p«rish.

* I» this ahe f ' demandod Federigo of the Curate; and
receìving a aign in the aMmmtivc, he advinced toi
Lucia, who was holding back with her tnother, both oi

I jiiotìanless, and mute with surprisc and bashfub«a;
the tonc of bis voice, the cotmtcnance, th-
above ali, the wurds of Federigo, quickly

r*PcM3r girl/ he began, *God has pertnitted you to bc
to a freat trial; but He has surcly sbown you that
eye was stili over yon» that He had not forgorten
He hai restored you in saftty, and has madc u^ of yoif^

Ifor a great work, to show inlìnile nicrcy to one, and tu re*

I lieve» at the same tlfne, many oihcrs/

Here the mìstrefii of Uie houì^e carne ìnto the aparijncnt*
who, at the bissile outftìde, had gone to the wtuduw aj:
and seeing who was entering the house, ha^tily rau dovn,1
after sUgbtly arranging ber dress; and a)iiiù»t at the aame
toomait the tailor madé hb appcarance at aDother door.j
Seeing thdr guests cngaged in conver^ation, they qtiìctt]

bwitbdrew tnto one corner, and waited tfierc *^i '

The Cardinal, ha^-ing courteoudy ifnif^

continiied lo talk to the womefi, tuìnglixii; wl'
of comfort many in<jnirie«, chinkìng he ixitght p'

^Irom thdr replica some way of dotng good to one who had
^ndergone so much sufferìjig.

* Il wouid he wetl if ali prJetts were ISke your LordihJ{t,
il they wouId sometimcs takc tlie part of the t*oor«
not belp io put theni tnto diflìcukìr^ to gi*t tlicmstelve*

^aaid Agnese* cmboldejicd by the kmd and alTable beha^Sout
fof Federigo, and annuyed at the thouglit that the I^ignuf |

)on Abbondio, alter haring aacri^eed otliera on ève
'occatioD, sbouìd now cvcn attempi to (othui tbrlr trUlnifl
vent lo their feelings, and complatning lo

in autbority over him, wbcn. by an unu^, w,,-»..,

&ion for «knng so preseoted ìtsell

1 PEOKIESSI SFOSl

'Jusl say M ihat you ìMnk,* saìd the Cardisial: 'speak
trctìy:

*1 oican lo say, that H our Signor Curate bad donc hìs
dwty» thiiifs wonldn't have gonc as they hare/

Btit tlie Cardinal renewmg bis request tbat sbe sbould
explam hersdf more fully, shc begaii to feci ratber per-
phxeé at baving to rt;bt*! a story in wbìcb sbe* tuo, had
bomc a part shc did not care to make known, cspccially
to sydi a tnaiL However» she cOQtrived to manage il, whb
tbe bclp of a little oiriailiag, She rclated tbc iutendcd
matcb, and the refusai of Don Abbondio ; dot waa she sileni
Od tbe pretexl of the sup^riors wbìch he bad brought for-
wmrd (ab. Agnese t) ; and thcti she skipped on to Don Rod-
rl£0*s attempt, and how, ha vìng been wamed of tt, thcy
liad becn able lo make ihcir escape, * Bui Pideed«' added
abCp in condusion, ' we only escaped to be again eaugbt in
tbe ^are. If kstead, tbe Si gnor Curate had honestly told
US tbe wbole, and bad immcdiately marrìed my poor chil-
df cn, wc wotild bave goae away alf togelher dircctly, pri-
ritely. and far e&ough ofiT, to a place wbere not even the
wind would bave Known un. Btit^ ìa this way» time was
lost; and aow has happ^^ticd what bas happened."

*Tbc Signor Curate sball render me an accoiint of dila
malter/ said the Cardinal

*0b, no. Signor, no!' replied Agnese: T didii't *peak
on tbat account : don't scold liim : for wbat is done^ is don e ;
and. bcstdcs, it will do no good: il is bis nature; aad on
occasion be would do just ihe sanie/
.iicia, dtssatiiiìed wìih tbìs way of relatiag the story,
": * VVe h;ive also donr wrrmg: it shows Jt was noi tbe
Lord's will that the pian sbould succecd/

*Wbat can you bave done wrong, my poor gir!?* a^ed
Federigo.

And, in spttc of the threatenitìg glances wbìch ber mothcr
tricd lo giYe ber secretly. Lucìa» in ber tum, related the
hislory of thetr atlentpt in Ekrn Abbondio's house; and
oonckdcd by »aymg, ' We bave done wrotig, aod God haa
puitiiJied U5 for tt/

* Talee, as f rota Hb band, Ute amdertnfs you hav^e under*
gone. aod be of good ooursge/ saìd Federigo; 'for wbo

416 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

have reason to rejoice and be hopeful, but those who bave
suffered, and are ready to accuse themselvcs?'

He then asked where was the Betrothed; and hearing
from Agnese (Lucia stood silent, with ber head bent, and
downcast eyes) how he had been outlawed, he felt and
expressed surprise and dissatisfaction, and asked why it
was.

Agnese stammered cut what little she knew of Renzo's
history.

* I bave beard speak of this youth/ said the Cardinal ; ' but
how bappens it that a man involved in affairs of this soft
is in treaty of marriage with this young girl ? '

'He was a worthy youth/ said Lucia, blushing, but in
a finn voice.

'He was even too quiet a lad/ added Agnese; 'and you
may ask this of anybody you like, even of the Signor Curate.
Who knows what confusion they may have made down
there, what intrigues? It takes little to make poor people
seem rogues/

'Indced, it's too true/ said the Cardinal; TU certainly
make inquiries about him;' and leaming the name and resi-
dence of the youth, he made a memorandum of them on bis
tablets. He added, that he cxpected to be at their village
in a few days, that then Lucia might go thither without
fear, and that, in the mcan while, he would think about pro-
viding ber some secure retreat, till cverything was arranged
for the best.

Then, turning to the master and mistress of the house»
who immediately carne forward, he rencwed the acknowl-
edgment which he had already conveyed through the priest
of the parish, and asked them whether they were willing
to receive, for a few days, the gucsts which God had sent
them.

' Oh yes, sir ! ' rcplied the woman, in a tone of voice and
with a' look which meant much more than the bare words
seemed to c>:press. But ber hnsband, quìte excited by the
presence of such an interrogator, and by the wish to do him
honour on so important an occasion, anxiously sougbt for
some fine reply. He wrinkled bis forehead, strained and
squinted with bis eyes, compressed bis lips, stretched hit

I PROMESSI SPOSI

417

•Ite atmost €xtciit» stTt>%^e, fumbtcd about in hit

bere foond an ovcrwhelttitiig medJey of unfìtiished

Jcas and half-forincd wards: but tlmc presscd; Uic Cardinal

MgTtìfied that he had al ready tnlerpreted his sllcncc; the

poor man opeocd his inouth and pronounced the words,

' Ydu may imaginel ' At this point noi another word would

ccur to him. This failure ttot only dt&heartened aod vexed

litti at ihe mcincnt, but the tormenting remembrance ever

ifier spoiied his ccmpUiccncy in the great honour he had

received. And how ofteu, in the thinking it over, and fancy-

ng hitnsclf agafn in the same circuiiistaaces, did uumberlcss

[words Cfowd upon his mitid, as ìt wcre, out of spite, any of

i*hicb wotild bave bccn heiiet than that ^illy, You may

magine! But are not the very ditcbes full of wtsdom-^too

ke Cardinal took bis leave, saying, 'The blessing of

tiùd he ijpon this house/

The sanie evcning he asked the Curate in what way he
couUl bcst compcnstite to the tailor, who certainly coyld not
rich, for the cxpcnses he raust ha%^e incurred, especially
these rimcs, by his hospìtahty* The Curate replicd, that,
Inilh, oeither the profits of lits business nor the produce
»f some small fieids which the good tailor owned, would
enough this year to allow oi hh being liberal to otbcrs;
Mmt that^ having laid by a little in the prcceding years» he
Wa* among the mo%i easy in circutnslances in the neigbbour-
hood« and could afford to do a kindness without incon-
Irenience, as he certainly would with ali bis heart ; and that,
nder any circumstance&» he wouJd deem it an insult to be
ùffered money in compensatton.

He ' ^ / said the Cardinal, 'bave demanda

cm peoj^. ^y '

*You iwiy Juu ' Lord: thcse

ir pcoplc pay * \ ^t. Last ycar

re wa» no overplus; and itiis one, evcrybody falls ^lort

iti e 'il ut f* n »»*■' i*c n r I fM*

h 1 Federigo, *I will take ali these debts

' "" Tt? me the pìeasure of gcttfng
and dÌKhargfaig them far me.*

will bc a tcIcraUc aitau

té— V«l.ll

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

' So iTiuch tlie bcttcr: and you will have, I dare lay, maiif
more wretchcd, aud almosi destitutc a( dotliing, wbo hin
no debtS| bccause ibey can gct no credit.'

'Alas ! too many 1 One docs whnt one eoo ; hm bov cai
we supply ali in Umcs like these ? '

* Teli hiti) to dcrtbe diein al tny cxf>cnse, ind pay htni wdL
ReaJly, tbb year, al! tbat does itol go for bre^d »ceou a Ùad
of robber)*; bat this ìs a particular ca&c/

We cannoi dose tbe history of tbis day, witboul tiridly
relatìng how t!ic Unnamcd coiicluded ìt.

Thii time tbe report of bis convcrslon bad preccikd hsfn
In the vatley, and quickly spreadìng tbroughoul It^ had &S^
cìted among ali the InbablUnis coiistc-rnation, anxìcty. and
angry wbìsperings. To the first bravocs or serviaitt (il
maitered not wbicb) whom he met, bc made sìgns that tbcf
should follow bìm; and so on, on citbcr band Ali fcB
bebind witb unusua! perplcxtty of mhid, bui with ihdf »c-
customed submissìon; so Lhat| wtth a coiuinually tmcrewiif
train, he ai length rcached the Gasile* He beckuned to tiUMe
wbo were loitcring about th^ gate to follow hìm wllh Ùm
otbers ; entered the Ut si canrt, went toward^ the middle» simI
bere, le^atcd àtl the while on bis &addtc, uttcred one oC Mi
thnndering calli: it was the accuntomed sIgnaJ at which
ali hls dcpcndents. who werc withìn bearing« unaMKliatelj
Bocked towards liim* In a moment, ali those wfio were
scattered tbroughoul the C^ ndcd to the sonimcMU^

and mingled witb the already -d party, gating eagerly

at their mailer,

' Go, and wait for me in the grtat hall/ said bc ; and. fri
bis hìgher station on borscback, he watched fhcm al] mi
off* He thcn dismounted, led the animai to the ^tables
self, and repaircd to the room whcre he wa* cxpeeted, On
his appearance, a loud whi&pcring was tnstantly hushed,
and rctiring to one eidc, tbcy Jeft a large tp^ct in tbe hall
quite clcar for hini: tbere may bave bcen, pethBp^ «boat
ihirty.

The Unnamcd raìscd bis band, as il to preserre t' e

fiia prescnce had alrcady created^ r^ì^rA ìu<i head, v
ercd abovc ali thosc of the assem" i said: * i 1

of you^ and lei no onc speak onlc^ i uiu ìùm. My u i

fro^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

iid

th w€ liavc hìthcrto followcd Icàds to the depths of
[ do Hot mean to upbraid }o% I, who have becn forc-
inost of yoa ali the worst of ali ; bui Usttn to what 1 hairc to
say. The mtifciful God has cali ed me to change liiy Ufe;
and I will change it, I have alrcady changed tt: so may
He do wjtli you ali! Know, tlien, and bold it for certauìt
tbai I am rcsolved rather to die liian to do anythiag more
ag^st HIs holy laws. I rcvoke aìl the wicked commands
yott toay any of you bave receivcd f rom me ; you uodcrstaxid
loc; ìndccd, t command you not to do auything 1 have before
commaodcd. And hold it equally ccitatn, ihat no one, from
this lime forward» sball dg evil with niy &aiiclioii, in ray serv-
ici* He who will Tcoiaìn with me under thesc condition*
sUall be to fiìe as a son ; and I ahall feci happy at tbe dose
o( that day in which I shall not have eaten, that I may »upply
Ihc lasi of you with the last loaf I bave Icft in the house.
[He who does not wish to remain, shaìl receìve what h due
L<ll bis salary, and an addhional gift: be may go away, bui
I must ìiever ag^ain set loot bere» imless it be to changc hi*
I Ijfc; for this purpose he sball atways be receìved w*itb open
ftfnis. Think about it to-night : to*niorrow moraing I will
ade yoa onc by one for your reply» and will then give you
llicw ordcrs- For the presejù rciire, every one to his post,
I And God» who bas exercised such mercy towards me, incline
to good resolutions ! *
Hcre he ceased, and aU continued silent. How vartous
aftd ttimnttuous soevcr migbt be tbe thoufbts at work in
Itht- led mimls, tbey gave no outward demonsiraiìon

[qì . Tbey were accustofntd to rcteivc the voice of

master as the declaration of a will from which tberc
no appeal: aod that voice» atvnouncìng that the will
Jwai cbangcd. in no wisc denotcd that it was enfecbied. It
'^i€%*cr crosscd the mtnd oC one of them tbat, bccauw be was
convcrttd, thcy might thcrcforc assume over him, and rcply
to bini as to anirther mail- Tlicy beheld in !uiu a iaìnt, but
Cloe of those saints who are dcpictcd with a lofty hrow, and
a swotd in tbctr hands, Besades the fear he tbey

alBO cnicrtaincd for bim (espccially those boni vice,

and thcy werc a large proportton) tlie aileciiua ol ^ubjccts;
tfacy bad ali, bcsides, « kindly feeling of admìration for

c.W ALBSSàNDBO kavzoni

V-. — ^ ^ v^vricno^i in bis prcscficc a spcdcs of, I wfll €¥«
>,. .VVX-. '"--iiiility, such as the nidest and most wantoa
. > N sv» >ciore an authority which they bave once recog-.

V^^ V^ain, the things they had just heard from his fipf
^ ^ . , .:oc!>cIe$s odious to their ears, but ndther false, nor
<^s. v.\ alien to their understandings : if they had a tfaonsand
aiu^o rìJiculed them, it was not because they disbelieved
'^xu : but to obviate, by rìdicole, the f ear which any serìotu
^^^sìUeration of them wouid have awakened. And now, oa
«e<ii^ the effect of this fear on a mind like that of dieir
iM^^r» there was not one who did not dther more or kss
iymj>athize with him, at least for a little while. In addition
lo ali this, those among them who had first beard the grand
news beyond the valley, had at the same time witnessed and
fdated the joy, the exultation of the people, the new favonr
with which the Unnamed was regarded, and the veneration
so suddenly exchanged for their former hatred — ^their former
terror. So that in the man whom they had always regarded,
so to say, as a superior being, even while they, in a great
measure, themselves constituted his strength, they now beheld
the wonder, the idol of a multitude ; they beheld him exalted
above others, in a different, but not less real, manner; evcr
above the common throng, ever at the head. They stood
now confounded, tmcertain one of another, and each one of
himself. Some murmured; some began to pian whither they
could go to find shelter and employment; some questioned
with themselTcs whether they could make up their minds to
become honest men ; some even, moved by his words, f elt a
sort of inclination to do so; others, without resolving upoa
anything, proposed to promise everything readily, to remain
in the mean while where they could share the loaf so willingly
offered, and in those days so scarce, and thus gain time
for decision : no one, however, uttered a syllable. And when,
at the dose of his speech, the Unnamed again raised his
authoritative band, and beckoned to them to disperse, they
ali moved off in the direction of the door as quietly as a flock
of sheep. He followed them out, and placing himself in the
middle of the courtyard, stood to watch them by the dim
cvening light, as they separated from each other, and re-
paired to their seveial posts. Then, retuming to fetch a

I PROMESSI SPOSI

lantern, he agafn traversed the courts, corridors, and halls,
visited evei7 eiitrance, and after seeìng that ali was quiet, at
length retired lo sleep. Yes, to sleep, becausc he was sleepy,

Never» though he had always industrioiisly courted them,
had he, in any conjunctiire, been so overburdened wlth in-
tricate, and at the sanie time iirgent, affai rs, as at the present
TDOment i yet he was sleepy. The re morse, wliich had robbed
him of rest the night before^ was not on!y unsubdued, but
even spoke more loudly, more sternly, more absolutely : yet he
was slecpy. The order, the kind o£ government estabUshed by
hira in that Castle for so many years, wìth so miich care, and
such a singular union of rashness and perscverance, he had
now himself overtiiraed by a few words; the uni imi t ed de-
votion of bis dependents, their readiness for any underlaktng,
their ruffian-like fidelity, on whìch he had long bcen accus-
tomed to depettd, — these he had himself shaken; his various
engagements had become a tissue of perpleKÌtics ; he had
bronght confuslon and uncertainty tnto his household; yet
he was sleepy*

He went, therefore, into his chamber, approachcd that
bedj which, the night before, he had found such a thorny
couchj and knelt down at its side with the intention of pray-
ing* He found, in fact, in a deep and hidden corner of his
min4, the prayers he had been taught to repeat as a child;
he began to recite them, and the words so long wrapped up,
as it were, together, flowed one after another, as if emerging
once more to tight He experienced in this act a mixture of
undefined feelìngs ; a kind of soothing pleasure, in this actual
return to the habits of inno cent childhood; a doubly bitter
contrition at the thought of the gulf that he had placed be-
tween those fonner days and the present; an ardent desire
to atiain, by works of expiation» a clearer conscìence, a state
more nearly resembling that of in noe enee, to which he cotild
never return ; together wìth a feeling of deep gratìtude, and
of confidence in that mercy w^hìch couid lead him towards it,
and had already given so many tokens of willingness to do
so, Then, rising from his knecs, he lay down, and was
quìckly wrapt in sleep.

Thus end ed a day stili so much celebrated when our anony-
mous authof wrote: a day of which^ had he not written, oo^^

ALIWANPRO NANZONI

ing woqld have been known, at least nothing of Hio |iaiticih
lars; for Ripamonti and Rivola, whom we bave qtiMd
above, merely recorc^ that, after an interview witb Federigo^
this remarkable tyrant wonderfully cbanged bis coarse of
life, and for ever. And bow few are tbere wbo bave read
tbe Works of these authors ! Fewer stili are tbere wbo will
read this of ours. Aqd wbo knows whether in tbc valley
itself, if any one bad tbe inclination to seek, an4 tbe abili^
to fìnd it, tbere now remains tbe smallest trace, the iQOSt
confused tradition, of sucb an event? $Q ma^y tbillgs bave
taken place since tbat timet

CHAPTER XXV

NEXT day, tJicre was no onc sfioken of io Lueia*s vil-
la gè. and ihroughoul the whale ter rt tory at Lccco^
but berseli, the Unnamed, the Archbishop. and oiic
oUier f>erson, wlio* howevcr ambitious lo ha ve bis name in
men's mouths, woiild willingly, on tbis occaston, bave dis-
peiiscd wkh the honour: we mcari tbc Si^or Don Rodrigo,

Not that bis doing^ bad not beforc becn talked aboat;
iììcy were detacbedi secret conversaiions ; aiid that man
bave bcen vtry weìl acqua in tcd with bis neighbour

ho would bave ventured to discourse wtth hhn freely on
•neh a subjeci, Nay, people did not €Vcn excrcise thosf
ftf«lings on the subjcct o£ whicb they were capable; fot,
gmrmJly spcaking, iwhcn mcn cannot give vcnt lo thcìr
indignaiion withoiit imminent dangcr, tbcy not only show
k&s ihan they ftd, or dii^guise it eiitirely, but tbcy fed less
in rcality. But now, who cotild refrain froni inquìring siné
TK^umìng about so notorìous an «veni, in wblch the band
ói Hcavcn bad been seen, and in whicb two siicb pcreon-
a^> ispicuòiis part? One, in wbom sucb a spìnted

lov wa& unìted to so much authortty ; tbc othcr

wbo, ^tiii ali his boklness, had becn tndttcedp as Ir were, to
lay down bis arma, and subcntt, By th€ side of tbesc rivats^
IXm Rodrigo looked ratber ìnsigiìificanL Now< alt under$tood
wliat it was to tormcnt innocente with tlie wisb io dìiboQOur
il; to perfecnte it with sucb insolcnt perseverancef with auch
atrocious violence, wilh stich abonunablc Ireacbcry, They
re\irwtd, oo this occasfon, ali tlic othrr feàts of the Signor,
and saìd wfaU tlie>^ thought aliottt a]J, eacb one ' n-

boldcn«d by findlng tvtfyhodf elfi* of the sairr ci,

There wcrc whi$perings, and general mnrfnurs; cautiou^ly
ottered, howcvcf^ on account of tlic numbcrless bravoes he
hatl around him*

A Urge share of public antmadveraìoi] fell alio opon hia
frìendi and Ratterer«. They taid of the Signor Podeili
ivltat tic rìchly deaervrcli alway^ dcaf, and bitnd, ood titillilo^

423

424 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

on the doiags of this tyrant ; but this also cautiouslyy for the
Podestà had bailiffs. With the Doctor Assecca-Garbugli,
who had no weapons but gossìping and cabals, and with other
fiatterers like himself, they did not use so much ceremony;
these were pointed at, and regarded with very contemptuous
and suspicious glances, so that, for some time, they judged it
expedicnt to keep as much within doors as possible.

Don Rodrigo, astoundcd at this unlooked-for news, so
difTerent to the tidings he had cxpected day after day, and
hour after hour, remained ensconced in bis den-like palace,
with no one to keep him company but bis bravoes, devourìng
bis rage, for two days, and on the third set off for Milan.
Had there been nothing else but the murmuring of the pcople,
perhaps since things had gone so far, he would bave stayed
on purpose to face it, or even to seek an opportunity of mak-
ing an exaniple to others of one of the most daring ; but the
certaìn intelligence that the Cardinal was coming into the
neighbourhood fairly drovc him away. The Count, bis uncle,
who kncw nothing of the story but what he had been told by
Attilio, would certainly expect that on such an occasion,
Don Rodrigo should bc the first to wait upon the Cardinal,
and receive from him in public the most distinguished re-
ception : evcry one must see how he was on the road to this
consunimatioii ! The Count expected it, and would bave re-
quircd a minute accoimt of the visit ; for it was an important
opportunity of showing in what estecm bis family was held
by one of the head powers. To cxtricate himself from so
odious a dilemma. Don Rodrigo, rising one moming before
the sun, thrcw himself into his carriage, Griso and some
other bravoes outside, both in front and behind ; and leaving
orders that tlie rest of his household should follow him,
took his departure, like a fugitive — like, (it will, perhaps, bc
allowed us to exalt our charactcrs by so illustrious a com-
parison) — like Catiline from Rome, fretting and fuming,
and swcaring to return very shortly in a dìfferent guise to
execute his vcngeance.

In the mean while, the Cardinal proceedcd on his visitation
anioiig the parishes in the territory of Lecco, taking one
each day. On the day in which he was to arrivc at Lucia's
village, a large part of the inhabitants wcre carly on the

I FEOMBSai SPOSI

42S

:>a<f lo mttì htm* At the entrane* of the vlllagc, dose by the

boitage ot our two poof womcn, was crectcd a triymphal

irch, constnictcd of upright stakes, atid polcs Uid cross-

vht. covered witti Straw and mo$% aiid ornamcntcd mtli

ccn boughs of hollr, distìngiilshable by its sc^irkt bernVs,

ind other shrubs* The front of the dmrch was adorncd

rith tapestry ; froin evcry window-!edge hyng extended qtiilts

fànd sheeis, and inianis swaddliog'clotbcs, disposed lìke

Mrapery; in short, ali the few nccessary articles which could

he cotiverted^ either bodily or othcrwiac, ìnto the appearanc^

)f sometbìng supeHloous. Towarda cvenlng, (llìc hoor at

rhich Federigo usiially arrivcd at the chiirch. on bis visita»

-tours,) ali who had remamed within doors, old mai,

and children, far the most pari, set off to meH him,

iOdnc in procession, some in groups, headed by Don A '
who, in ih e midst of the rejoiciog, look ed dfsi
cnottgh. both frcm the stutvnìng noise of the crowd, and die
eotilintial hurrytng to and fro of the peoplc, which, as he him-
clf expressed ìt, qyite dimmed bis S4ght, togetber wilb a
ecret appreheiisìon that the womeii ml^hi bave hecn bnhbling
Ind Ibat he m^ould bc callcd ypon to render an account of the
"Hfeddiiig*

At loigth the Cardinal carne in sìgbt, or, to speak more

arrectly, the crowd in the midst of which he was carricd

bis liiter, surroundcd by bis attendanis; for nothing could

bc dÌ5tingtii^be<l of hìs whole party, but a sìgnal towering in

bc air abovc tbe htads of the people, part of Ibe cross,

rhtcb was home by tbe chaplatn, mountcd upon his mule,

he cfowd, wbicb was dancing with Don *^bbonfHo, huriied

forward in a disonlcrly manncr to join the approaching

arty; whìte he, after ejaeulating threc or four tlnics^

[Gcntfy: in procession; wbat are you doing?' inrned back

%*exation, and nrottcring to himsclf, * It's a pcrfect Babel,

i*s a perfect Babel* went lo take rcfuge in the church until

bry hmì dìspcr<cd; and bere be awatted the Cardinal.

The bnly ^- ♦ ' in tbe n^- *iiJe advanced slowfy,

bestowini* ti li with ' and rccciving theoi

vn iht ' ' followers had

kecp th^ As Luda*8

iitrytnatt t^i^ vìllager » wcrc Àiixiutià tu reccive the Arch*

426 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

bishop with more than ordinary honours, but this was no
easy matter; for it had long been customary, wherever he
went, for ali to do the most they could. At the very begin-
ning of his episcopate, on bis first solenni entry into the
cathedra!, the nish and crowding of the populace npon him
were such as to excite fears for his life; and some of the
gentlemen who were nearest to him, had actually drawn
their swords to terrify and repulse the press. Snch were
their violent and uncouth manners, that even in making
demonstrations of kindly feeling to a bishop in church, and
' attempting to regniate them, it was necessary almost to
bave recourse to bloodshed. And that defence would not,
perhaps, bave proved sufficient, had not two priests, strong
in body, and bold in spirit, raised him in their arms, and
carried him at once from the door of the tempie to the very
foot of the high aitar. From that time forward, in the
many episcopal visits he had to make, his first entrance into
the church might, without joking, be reckoned among his
pastora! labours, and sometimes even among the dangers
he had incurred.

On this occasion, he entered as he best could, went up
to the aitar, and thence, after a short prayer, addressed, as
was his custom, a few words to his auditors, of his affec-
tion for them, his desire for their salvation, and the way
in which they ought to prepare themsclvcs for the services
of the morrow. Then reti ring to the parsonage, among
many other things he had to consult about with the Curate,
he questioned him as to the character and conduct of Renzo.
Don Abbondio said that he was rather a brisk, obstinate,
hot-headed fcllow. But, on more particular and precise in-
tcrrogations, he was obligcd to admit that he was a worthy
youth, and that he himself could not understand how he
could bave played al! the mischievous tricks at Milan, which
had been reported of him.

* And about the young girl,' resumed the Cardinal ; * do
you think she may now return in security to ber own home ? '

* For the present/ replied Don Abbondio, ' she might come
and be as safe — the present, I say — as she wishes; but,'
added he with a sigh, 'your illustrious Lordship ought to
be always bere, or, at least, near at band.'

1 PHOMBSSI SP09I

ttf

rte Lord h always oear/ sald the Cardinal: 'zs io
the rett, I wtll ihitik about placing her in sAfeiy.* And he
hastJljF fave orders that, ncxt morning carly, a Ùlter should
bc desp^tched, with an attendaiit, to fetch ttie two womcn.
Don Abbondio carne out from the iiiten*iew quìte de*
|h(ed that the Cardinal had talked to him about the two
_&tiilg peoplcj wìthout requiring an account of bis refusai
to marry them, — Tben he knows iiothing about ìt, — laìd
he to himself:— Agnese has hcid ber tongtie. Wonderfull
They bave to sce him again ; but 1 wìll give them furthcf
istructions, that I wìll. — ^^He knew not, poot man, tbat Fed-
Hgo had not entered upon the discussione just b<?eause he
itended to speak to htm about it more at length when they
were djsengaged; and that he wìshed, before gÌTing him
)rhat he deserved, to bear his side of the question.
But the ifìtentions of the good prelatc fot the sa fé pladng
Lucia had* in the tnean wìiile» been rendered unnecessary :
fter he had left ber, other circumstances had occurred
tbich we will now proceed to re late.

The two women, dumg the few days which tbey had to
pass in the taìlor's hospitable dweUlng, had tcsumed, as
far a* tbey cculd, each her former and accusiomed manncr
of liring. Lucia had very loon begged some cmpbymcnt;
Éfi4 as at the monasiery, dillgently plled her needle in a
iiDilt retired roani sbut out from the gaze of the people,
Agnese oceàBionalty went abroad, and at other timcs sat
sewfng wiih her daughten Thcir conversations were more
mrlancholy, as well as more aff ectionate : both were pre-
pared fùr a acparation : since the latub couìd not return to
dwcll so near the wolfs den: and wheB and what wouid
b«e the esid of this separation? The future wa^ dark, inex-
if ieabìe ; for otie of them In particular. Agnese, never-
Indulged in ber own mind ttiany cheerful anifci*
%% Ihat Remo, if notbing evi! had happcned to hira,
:)nld, sooticr or later, send some news of himself, and If
had fottnd some employment to which he eould setlle,
{and how couId it be doubted?) he stili tnlcndcd to kecp
t with Lh' coukl th ^* umì live wtth him?

mch h often ti 1 her daugbter. who

it, it U diiietitt to «ay, whethcr more moufnful to

428 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

listen to them, or painful to rq)ly. Her great secret she
had always kept to berseli; and uneasy, certainly, at con-
cealing anything from so good a mother, yet restrained,
invincibly as it were, by shame, and the different fears we
have before mentioned, she went from day to day without
speaking. Her desigiis wcre very dilTerent from those of
her mother, or rather, she had no designs; she had en-
tirely given herself up to Providence. She always tbcre-
fore endeavoured to divert or let drop the conversation ; or
else said, in general terms, that she had no longer any hope
or desire for anything in this world except to be soon re-
stored to her mother ; more f requently, however, tears came
opportunely instead of words.

' Do you know why it appears so to you ? ' said Agnese ;
'because you've sufifered so much, and it doesn't seem pos-
sible that it can tum out for good to you. But leave it
to God; and if . . . Let a ray come, but otte ray; and then /
know whether you will always care about nothing.' Lucia
kisscd her mother, and wcpt.

Besides this, a great friendship quickly sprang up be-
tween them and their hosts: where, indeed. should it exist,
unless between benefactors and the benefitcd, when both
one and the other are worthy, good people? Agnese, par-
ticularly, had many long chats with the mistress of the
house. The tailor, too, gave them a little amusement with
his stories and moral discourses: and, at dinner especially,
had always some wonderful anecdote to relate of Buovo
d'Antona, or the Fathcrs of the Desert.

A few miles from this village resided. at their country-
house, a couple of some importance. Don Ferrante and
Donna Prassede: their family, as usuai, is unnamed by
our anonymous author. Donna Prassede was an old lady,
very much inclined to do good. the most praise-worthy
emplo>Tnent, certahily, that a person can undertake: but
which, like every other, can he too easily abused. To do
good, we must know how to do it ; and. like everything else,
wc can only know this through the medium of our ovm
passions, our own judgmont. our own idcas; which not un-
frcqucntly are rathcr as corrcct as they are capnble of
being, than as they ought to be. Donna Prassede acted

t PROMESSI SPOSI

«^

m hcr ìdeas as it is said onc ought to do towards one's
Bils; Ebe had few of dicm; but to tbose few she was
rery much atiachcd, Among the few, tbere were, onfortu-
sately, inany dislurteti ooes ; tior wa» it thcse she loved llic
east* Hcnce it bappencd, cither that shc pmposed to hersell
a good end what was not such in fcality, or tmptoycd
means which would railicr produce an apposite effcct, or
thought them al ìoii^b le w litoti tbcy wcre not àt ali so» f rom a
^enain vaguc suppósi don, that he who does more than his
iff ^*y ^^^ B^ heyaniì his righi; it happencd that she
not see in an eveiit what was acttially the re, or dtd
Ice what was not therc; and many other similar things^
tfhich rnay and do happen to ali, not excepting the bcst;
li to Donna Prassede far too oftcn» and, tiot unfrequenily.
Il at once.
On hearing Lucìa's wondcrful case, aod ali that was
Pt I on this occasion of the young girl, she fclt a grcat

U to $ee ber, and san a earriagc. wtih ao agcd ai-

padani, to fctch bodì mothcr and daughter. The latter
bhrugged her shonlders, and hesought tl»e tailor, who was
tiie bearer of Ihe mcsssgep to find some so ri of cxcuse for
^er. So long 35 it mly tclalcd tu the common people, who
jed to makè acc^uaiiitaiice %ilh the young girl who had
m the &ubjcct 01 a ini racle, the taìior had willingly reo-
lered her that cervice; bui in tliis instance, resistancc scctncd
his eyes a kmd of r e beli io n. He ma de so lùMiy faces,
ICTcd so many exchtmations, nsed so maiiy argtiments —
' that it wasn't customary to do so, aod that it was a grand
botile, and that onc shotddn*! say *' No " to great pcoplc, and
Lt it might be the tnaking of tbdr fortune, and tiiat the
ara Donna Prassede, besìdes ali the resi» was a saìnt
I* — in short, so many ihings, that Lncia was ohliged to
re way: more espeeìally, as Agnese confìrmed ali tliese
rea«mttigs with a correspondìtig number of ej.ictdatìons:
^Ceitainly. sur ely/

Arrivcd m the ìadv*Q nr^^^enct^ sht rccetvcd th'^^ii M.;t?T
ntich conncsy and fi > ctmgratulationx ; f|t]

advìsing ihent wit-i a Kind of alnr^ ' t ir
corrccted hy so tnany humble e5c;i i ^ - ì hy

% mudt interest tu tfaeir behalf, and ^wcetencd Witti sa

430 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

tnany expressions of piety, that Agnese, almost immediatdy,
and Lucia not long afterwards, began to feel relieved from
the oppressive sense of awe with which the presence of such
a lady had inspired them; nay, they even found something
attrattive in it. In short, hearing that the Cardinal had
undertaken to find Lucia a place of retreat, and urged by a
desire to second, and, at the same time, anticipate bis good
intention. Donna Prassede proposed to take the young g^rl
into ber own house, where no other services would bc re-
quired of her than the use of ber needle, scissors, and
spindle ; adding, that she would take upon herself the ebarge
of informing bis Lordship.

Beyond the obvious and immediate good in this work
Donna Prassede saw in it, and proposed to herself anotber,
perhaps a more considerable one in her ideas, that of direct-
ing a young mind, and of bringing into the right way one
who greatly needed it; for, from the first moment she had
heard Lucia mentioned, she became instantly persuaded,
that, in a young girl who could bave promised herself to a
scoundrel, a villain, in short, a scape-gallows, there must bc
some fault, some hidden wickedness lurking within: Teli
me what company you keep, and VII teli you what you are.
Lucia's visit had confirmed this persuasioni not that, on the
whole, as the saying is, she did not seem to Donna Prassede
a good girl ; but there were many things to f avour the idea,
That head hung down till her chin was buried in her neck ;
her not replying at ali, or only in broken sentences, as if by
constraint, might indicate modesty; but they undoubtedly
denoted a great deal of wilfulness: it did not require mucb
discemment to discover that that young brain had its own
thoughts on the subject. And those blushes every moment,
and those suppressed sighs . . . Two such eyes, too, which
did not please Donna Prassede at ali. She held it for cer-
tain, as if she knew it on good grounds, that ali Lucia's mis-
fortunes were a chastisement from Heaven for her attach-
ment to a rascal, and a warning to her to give bim up
entirely; and these premises being laid down, she proposed
to co-operate towards so good an end. Because, as she often
said both to herself and others, she madc it her object to
second the will of Heaven ; but she often f eli into the mis«

I PEOMESSI SPOSI

4SI

oOflee^ttOQ of talcinf for ihc wiU of Heaven the fandes of
ber ovm braln. However* shc took care not lo ^ve the least
hint of the second itiieniion wc havc named. It was ooc
of hcr majcitns, that. to bring ^ good design to a useful issaCt
the first requisite, in the grcatcr nutnbcr of ìnstances, is not
lo Ict il be discovcred.

The mother and daughter looked at cadi other. Consider-

ag the mouruful necessity of tlicir sepa rating, the offcr

eenscd to both of them raost acccptable, whcn they had no

choìcc lor II, on account of the vìdnity of the residence to

theif vilìage, whither» let the worst come to the worst» they

i^ould return, and be able to raeet at the approachmg fcs-

ivity. Seeing ai^ent exhibtted in each other's eyes, they

oth tumed to Donna Prassede with siìch acknowiedginenis

Fas ex p resse d the ir acceptance of the proposal. She renewed

hcr kìnd affabillty and protnides, and said ihat they wotdd

^ortly havc a lettcr to present to his Lordship. After the

i^omcn had iaken thcir departure, she got Don Ferrame

'lo cotiipose the letter. He, being a leamcd pcrson, as we

fihall hcreafter relate more particularly, was always em-

ployed hy her as secretary on occasiotid of importance. On

le of such magnittide as this, Don Ferrante excrted his

aofit stretch of ingenuity; and on dclivering the rough

aghi to bis partner tn copy^ wartnty recommcnded the

fiography to her noiice; ihìs befng one of the many things

Tic had studied, and the few over whtch he had n nand

in the house. Donna Prasscde eopìed it very d , and

leo dcspatched the tetter tn the tailor's. *rhis was iwo or

iree days bcfore the Cardinal acnt the litter to coovty the

women home,
Airiving at the viUage bcfore the Cardinal had gone to
thtjrch, they alìghicd at the curate*^ hotise. There was an
order to admit them Immedìately ; the chaplain, who was the
first to aec them, exeeuted the order, only detalning them
60 long OS was nccc5^sar>^ to «chool them very hastìly in the
eeremomals they ought to observe towards bis Lórdship,
ftod the titles by which they shouM addrcss hìm, his usua]
^ractice wherct^er he could efìfcct it ankno\vti to bis Graee,
was a continttal annoyance to tlie pcor man to sec the
le ccrcmoiiy that was u^ed lowards the Cardinal in thia

4S2 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

particular. 'AH/ said he to the rest of the househoU,
* through the excess of kindncss of that saìntly man — from
his great familiarìty/ And then he related how, with his
own ears, he had more than once even heard the replj:
' Ycs, sir/ and ' No, sir/

The Cardinal was, at this moment, busily talldng wìtfa Don
Abbondio on some parish matters : so that the latter had not
the desired opportunity of giving his instructions also to the
women. He conld only bestow upon them in passing, as he
withdrew and they carne forward. a glance. whìch meant to
say how well-pleased he was with them, and conjurìng them,
like good creatures, to continue silent.

After the first kind greetings on one band, and the first
revercnt salutations on the other. Agnese drcw the letter
from ber bosom, and handed it to the Cardinal, saying : * It
is from the Signora Donna Prassede. who says, she knows
your most illustrious Lordship well. my Lord: it*s naturai
enough, among such great pooplc. that they shouid know
each other. When you bave read it. you'll sec.'

* Very well,' said Federigo, when he had read the letter,
and extracted the honey troni Don Fcrraiite's tlowcrs of
rhetoric. ile kncw the famìly well onou^h to feci certain
that Lucia had bccn invitcd thithcr with good intentions, and
that there she would be securc from the niachinations and
vioìence of ber persecutor. W'hat opinion he entenrined
of Donna Prassede*s head, we bave no positive infomiatìon.
Probably she was not the person whom he would bave chosen
for such a purpose : but. as wc bave said, or binted. elsewbere,
it was not bis custom to undo arrangement s made by those
whose duty it was to make them, that he might do them
over again better.

Take this scparation also. and the uncertainty in which
you are placed. calmly.' added be: 'trust that it will soon
be over, and that Gixi will bring matters to that end to
which He seems to bave dìrecte<! them: biu rest assured,
that whatever He wills shaìl bappen, will be the best for
you.* To Lucia, in panicular. be gnve some turtber kind
advice: another word or two of comfort to Ivth: and ihen.
be5to\Wng on them hi? hlessing, he let them 1:0. At the street-
door they found tbemselves surrounddLby a crowd of friends

I PROMESSI SPOSI

433

of both sext&t t^^ who!e popalatiofi* we may almost say, who
vare wraìting for thcm, and who conducted them home, as
trìumph. AniQtig: the women there was qutte a rìvalry m
jngratulations. synipathy, and inquiries; and ali cxclaìmed
ith dissatisiactìun, on hearing that Lucia would leavc them
ìc next day* The mcti vicd with each odicr in ofifering thcìr
I-— cvery one wished to kecp gnard at the cottage
t night Upon this fact, our anonymous author thinks
Bl tò ground a prò ve ri» : ÌVould you hav( many ready to hetp
yauf bt surc noi lo necd (hem.

So many welcomes confoonded and almost stunned Lucia;
ttoygh, on the whole, they did ber good, by somewhat dis-
acting her niind froni those thonghts and recollectlons
il, evcn in the mìdst of the busile and excilemerìt, rose
a!y too rcadily oti crossing that threshold, on etttcrìng thosc
rooms, at the sight o! evcry objcct.
Whcn the bells bcgan lo ring, annotincing the appfoach
die hour for Divine servicc, evcrybody moved towards
be chuTch, and* to our ncwly -return ed fri end s, it was a
cond triumpbal march.

Service being over, Don Abbondio, who had hastened for-
to sce if Perpetua had cvcrything well arrangcd for
ner, was informed that the Cardinal wished to speak with
He weiit immcdiatety lo bis noble guest's apartment*
», waìting till he drew near; * Signor Curate,' he began —
these words wrre uttered in such a way as to coQvcy
the idea, that they were the prefacc to a long and scrious
convetiation — ' Signor Curate, vvby did yoti not unite in
inarrìage ibis Lucia with ber betrothed hushand?*

— ^Those people hav^ eniptied die sack this raorning,^ —
tbought Don Abbondio, as he stamtnered furth in rep!y, —
*Your mosi illusirìous Lordshtp wìll, doubtlcs^, bave heard
flpeak of the confusions which h;ivc arisen out of this affair:
^^^ i nj] lj<.cfi so intricate, that, to this vcry day, one cannot
ac*s way clearly in it: a^^i yottr illustriou^ Lordship may
clf Còncltidc frotn this, that the young girl ts bere,
so many accidente as it wcrc by tniraclr: and that the
rootn, after odicr accidentB, ts nobody knows whcre.'
^%sk,' rcpHed the Cardina!. * whrther it is tfue ihat, be-
ali ibesc circttmstanccs look place, you refuscd to celo

434 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

brate the marriage, when you were requested to do «)^ oo
the appointed day ; and if so, why ? '

* Really • . • if your illustrious Lordship knew • . . whif
inttmatlons • . . what terrible injunctions I have recdved
not to speak . • / And he paused, without concluding, with
a certain manner intended respectfully to insinuate, that tt
would be indiscrect to wish to know more.

' But/ said the Cardinal, with a voice and look much more
serious than usuai, ' it is your Bishop who, for his own duty's
sake, and for your justification, wishes to leam from yoo
why you have not done what, in your regular duties, yoa
were bound to do ? '

'My Lord,' said Don Abbondio, shrinking almost into a
nut-shell, ' I did not like to say before . . . But it seemed
to me that, things being so entangle^ so long gone by, and
now irremcdiablc, it was uscless to bring them up again . . .
However — however, I say, I know your illustrious Lordship
will not betray one of your poor priests. For you see, my
Lord, your illustrious Lordship cannot be everywhere at
once; and I remain bere exposed . . . But, when you com-
mand it, I will teli you ... I will teli you all'

* Teli me : I only wish to find you f ree from blame.'

Don Abbondio then began to relate the doleful history;
but suppressing the principal name, he merely substituted
a great Signor; thus giving to prudence the little that he
could in snob an emergency.

*And you had no other motive ? ' asked the Cardinal, having
attentively heard the whole.

* Perhaps I have not sufficiently explained myself,' replied
Don Abbondio. ' I was prohibited, under pain of death, to
perform this marriage.'

'And does this appear to you a sufficient reason for omit*
ting a positive dut>' ? '

* I have always endeavoured to do my dut>', even at very
great inconvenience ; but when one's life is concemed . . .*

*And when you presented yourself to the Church,' said
Federigo, in a stili more solemn tone, *to receive Holy
Orders, did she camion you about >*our life? Did she teli
you that the duties belonging to the ministry were free from
every obstade, exempt from every danger? or did she te&

I FEOMBSSI SPOSI

43$

>(i that whfrre danger begtns, there duty would end? Dìd
be ncil cxprcssly say ih e contrary? Did she not warn you,
fijit she S4int you lorth as a sheep among; wolves? Dsd you
E)t kiìow that therc are vSolent opprcssors, to whotn wbat
[>ij are coniinandcd to perform would be displcasing? He
Tom whofn W€ bave rcecived teaching and cKample» in imita-
tori of whom wc stiffcr ourselves to bc called, and cali our-
tìteSf shcpherds ; when He descended upon earth to executc
His office, did He lay down as a eooditton the safetj of His
'fé? And to savc it, to preserve it, i say, a few days longer
earth, ai the expensc of charity and duty, did he in-
the holy onctJon, the imposi tion of hands^ the gì fi of
iefthood? Leave it to the world lo teach this ìrìrtue,
advocate this doctrme. What do I say? Oh, shame!
H wofld Itself rejeets it: the world also makes its own
s, which fix the limits of good and evil; it, too. has ìts
ci* a gospe! of prìdc and hatred; and it wiU not havc
that the love of li fé ii a rcason for transgressing tts
It will not. ami it ìs obeyed. And we ! children
Jairoers of the promise! What wonld the Churdi
b, if snch langtiage as yours wcre that of ali your brcthrcn?
/hcre wonld she fee, had she appeared in àe world with
bc»e doctrincs?*

Don Abbondio hun^ his head, His mind during these
argumetits was like a chìcken in the talons of a hawk; whìeh
bolds its prey clevated to an imknoim region, to an at-
mosphtre it has ncver before breathed, Finding that he must
make tome rcply, he said in an unconvinced tonc of sub*
mìsston. * My Lord, I sball he to blame, When one is not
to confìidcT onc*!! tife^ I don't know what to say, But when
one has to do with some pcoplc, people who posse ss power»
and won*t bear reason, 1 don't see what is to l>e gained by It,
trt^ U one wtrre willing to play the bravo. This Signor is
one whom it Is tmpos^iblc rithcr to conquer, or wìn over/

*And dnn't ymi ' - , - ,,ijsness* sake

is otir mnqiicst ? v on prcach ?

Whij : teacbrr me What h the (/aod news yon an-

Qcnri L poof ? Who rcquircs from yon that you should

eooquer force by force? Surdy yoti will not onc day bc
aik«d, tf you ircj« atrie lo overcomc the povverful; (or

436 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

thÌ8 puipose neither your mission nor mie was given to
yoiL But you will assuredly be demanded, whether you em-
ployed the means you possessed to do what was required of
you, even when they had the temerity to prohibit you/

— These saints are very odd, — ^thought Don Abbondio
meanwhile: — in substance, to extract the plain meaning, he
has more at heart the affections of two young people than the
life of a poor priest. — ^And, as to himself, he would ha ve
been very well satisfìed had the convcrsation ended bere;
but he saw the Cardinal, at every pause, wait with the air
of one who expects a reply, a confession, or an apology, — ^in
short, something.

* I repeat, my Lord,' answered he, therefore, ' that I shall
be to blame . . . One can't give one's self courage.'

*And why then, I might ask you, did you undertake an oflScc
which binds upon you a continuai warfare with the passions
of the world? But I will rather say, how is it you do not
remcmbcr that, if in this niinistry, howcver you may bave
been placed there, courage is necessary to fulfil your obliga-
tions, there is One who will infallibly bestow it upon you,
whcn you ask Him? Think you ali the millions of niartyrs
naturally possessed courage? that they naturally held life in
contenipt? So many young persons, just bcginning to enjoy
it — so many aged ones, accustomed to regret that it is so near
its end — so many children — so many mothers? Ali possessed
courage. bccausc courage was necessary, and they relied upon
God. Knowing your own weakness, and the duties to which
you were callcd. bave you ever thought of preparing your-
self for the difficult circumstances in which you might bc
placed, in which you actually are placed at present? Ah!
if for so many years of pastoral labours you bave loved your
flock (and how could you not love them?) — if you bave
placed in them your affections. your carcs, your happiness,
courage ought not to fail you in the moment of necd: love
is intrcpid. Now, surely. if you loved those who bave been
committed to your spiritual care, those whom you cali chil-
dren, when you saw two of them threatened. as well as your-
self, ah, surely! as the weakness of the flcsh made you
tremble for yourself, so love would bave made you trcmblc
for them. You would feel humbled for your former

I PROMESSI SPOSI

437

fears, as the cffcct of your comipt nature; you would
have implorcd strength to overcome them, to expel
them as a temptation. But a holy and noble fear
for others, for your children, this you would bave lis-
tened to, this would bave given you no peace; tbis would
bave incited — constrained you to tbink and do ali you could
to avert tbe dangers tbat tbreatened tbem . . . Witb wbat
bas tbis fear, this love, inspìred you? Wbat bave you done
for tbem? Wliat bave you tbougbt for tbem?'
And be ceased, in token of expectation.

CHAPTER XXVI

AT such a question, Don Abbondio, who had been
/\ studying to fìnd some reply in the least precise tenns
J^\. possible, stood without uttering a word. And, to
speak the tnith, even wc, with the manuscript befote us,
and pen in band, having nothing to contend with but words,
nor an3rthing to fear but the criticisms of our readers, cvcn
we, I say, feci a kind of repugnance in proceeding; we feci
somewhat strangc in this setting forth, with so little trouble,
such admirable precepts of fortitude and charity, of active
solicitude for others, and unlimited sacrifìce of self. But
remembering that these things were said by onc who also
practised them, we will confidently procecd.

* You give me no answer ! ' resumed the Cardinal. * Ah,
if you had done, on your part, what charity and duty re-
quired of you, however things had turned out, you would
now bave something to answer! You see, then, yourself
what you bave done. You bave obeyed the voice of In-
iquity, unmindful of the requirements of duty. You bave
obeyed her punctually : she showed berself to you to signi fy
her desire; but she wished to remain concealed from those
who could bave sheltered them sei ves from her reach, and
been on their guard against ber ; she did not wish to resort
to arms, she desired secrecy, to mature her designs of
treachcry and force at leisure; she required of you trans-
gression and silence. You bave transgressed, and kept
silence. I ask you, now, whether you bave not done more ? —
you will teli me whether it he true that you alleged false
pretexts for your refusai, that you might not reveal the tnic
motive.' And he paused awhile, awaiting a reply.

— The tell-tales bave reported this too, — thought Don Ab-
bondio; but as he gave no token in words of having any-
thing to say, the Cardinal contìnued: * If it be true, then,
that you told these poor people what was not the case, to
kecp them in the ignorance and darkness in which iniquity
wished them to be . . . I must believe it, thcn; it only re-

438

I FH0MBS91 SPOSI

for me io Hush for it with you, and to hopc that
1(1 wecp for it with me! See, thcn, fo what thìs
le (good God! and but just Qow you adduced it as
{fiction t) tilt» solkitude far your temperai Hfe has
ytm! Il has led voa . , . rcpe! freely thcse wordSp If
yoo think them imju5t: take iheoi as a salutary humiliation,
if thcy are not , , , it ha§ led you to dcccive the wcak, to He
to yotir own ehildf en/
—Just aee now how things go! — thought Don Abboodio
min to himMJf: to tliat Scnó^ — meanmg the Unoamed,^ ^i^c^f

ih arnis rouBd his neck: and to me, fnr ^ |P|l|-1^^| wh i>p<>rf
l^-^tìte «>li»^pjr|)03e of gaving my Uit^ aiuim» -^itis and^^,
i^' But they air awr sopencrs: they're always m the ^^

It'a my ÌU star that evcrybody sets tipon me; e%*cn
lintSs^And, spcakin^ aloiid, he sald: *I bave donc wrong;
*ee that Tvc don e wrong: but what could I do m an
cxtrcmìty of that kìod?*
'Do yoii stili ask thìs? Have not I to!d 3'oa already?
ItiM l teli yoii again? You shotild have lovcd, my son;
avcd and prayed. Then yoa would have fclt that iniquity
ay, indeed^ bave threats to employ, blows to bestow, but
Hot commands to give; yoti woutd have united, according
the law of God, tho&e whom man wishcd to put asunder;
oti wotild have extcnded towards thcsc tinhappy Innocenti
mtnistry they had a right to claim from you- God Him-
seU vi*on1d bave bccn swrety for liic conacquenccs, bceause
you had followcd llis will: by following anothcr's, you have
eoote In as answcrabk: and for v^^hat consequenees ! But
ntpposinf ali human re^ources failed yf»ti, sopposbg no way
ut cscape wa* open, w!icn you lookcd anxìously around yOU,
tbotight about tt, sotjght for it? Then you mlght have
known» that whcn your poor childrcn wcre married, they
would thew^dve» have provided for tlieif eseapc, that they
wcre ready to flee from tlie face of thcir powerftil encmy,
and hMd alrradv dci^igncd a pbcc of refuge* Rut evcn with*
otit ' 'cr that you had a nnperior?

Ho%^ ■rity tti rrhnke you for havmcT

fie€U w»i a ut y

jmtelt f you in fi

noi tbtnk of acqtiajnting your bishop with the im^e^^

440

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

■\

ment that infamous violence had placed in the way of tli6
exercise of your ministry ?

— The very advice of Perpetua ! — thought Don Abbondo,
pettishly, who, in the midst of this conversatìon, had most
vividly before bis eyes the image of the bravoes, and the
thought that Don Rodrigo was stili alive and well, and that
he would, some day or other, be retuming in glory and
triumph, and furious with revenge. And though the pres-
ente of so high a dignitary, together with bis countenance
and language, filled him with confusion, and inspired him
with fear; yet it was not such fear as completely to subdue
him, or expel the idea of resistance: because this idea was
accompanied by the recollection, that, after ali, the Cardinal
employed neither musket, nor sword, nor bravoes.

*Why did you not remember,' pursued the bishop. 'that
if there were no other retreat open to these betrayed inno-
cents, I at least was ready to receive them, and put thcm
in safety, had you dirccted them to me — the desolate to a
bishop, as belonging to him, as a precious part, I don*t say,
of his charge, but of bis riches? And as to yourself, I
should bave become anxious for you; I should not bave
slcpt till I was sure that not a hair of your head would bc
injured. Do you tliink I had not the means of securing your
life ? Think you, that he who was so very bold, would bave
remittcd nothing of his boldness, when he was aware that
his plots and contrivances were known elsewhere, were
known to me, that I was watching him, and was resolved to
use ali the means within my power in your defence? Didn't
you know that if men too often promise more than they can
per forra, so they not unfrequently threaten more than they
would attempt to executc? Didn't you know that iniquity
depends not only on its own strcngth, but often also on the
fcars and credulity of others?'

— Just Perpetua's argument?, — again thought Don Abbon-
dio, never reflecting that this singular concurrence of his
servant and Federigo Borromeo, in deciding on what he
might and should bave done, would teli very much against
him.

* But you,' pursued the Cardinal, in conclusion, ' saw
nothing, and would sec nothing, but your own tempora! dan-

1 PROMESSI SPOST

441

wbat won ^ * il ^ettiicd to you sufficicnt lo outweigh

oHier e lui)?'

*ìl WB3 |jec;tu--t l myself saw thosc trrribìc faces/ esc^iped

froni DoQ Abbrjndto in ri*ply; *I mysdf Heard tlieir words*

Your ìlìustrìons L^rdsTiìp cari ulk vcry well ; bui you ought

be in a poor priesi's shoes, and fmd yourseU brought to

le pome.'

No sQOncr» however, had he uttcrcd the?c words, than he
hìs tongite with vcxation; he saw tbat he had allowed
Imself io bc too much carrted away by petti lance, and said
IO liimsclf,— *Now Comes the storm I — But rai&ìng his eycs
doablftillyj he was utterly astonished to sec the counlenance
of tJiat tiian, mhom he never could succecd tu divioing or
Cfwnprehending, pass from the solenm air of authority aud
rebulec^ lo a sorrowftil atid pensi ve gravity,

* TU tao tnie ! * said Federigo ; * smh is oar mlserable and
temble cooditlon. We must rigoroiisly exact from others
what Hml nnly knows whether we shoujd bc ready to yicld:
wc t: e, corrcct, reprove; and God knows what we

©ur<v iild do in the satne circumsiances, what we

aliy ha ve donc in sìmllar ones ! But woe untò me, had
to talee my own weaknc&s as the mcastue of oiher peoplc's
cì^ or the ryle of my own teaching ! Yet I certainly ought
tire a good cxamplc, as wcU as good instructìon. to others,
not bc lìkc the Pharisecs, who ** ladc m^n with hurdens
ffìevous to be bome, whìlc ihcy thcmsclvcs touch not the
bardcn with one of thcir fingers/' Well then, my son. my
brothcr; as the errors of thosc in authority are often bctier
known to others than lo theroseJves; if you are awarc of my
having. from pusillanjmity» or from any otlicr niotivCp failcd
in any part of my duty, teli me of it candì dly, and hclp me to
aniend ; so tbat wbere example has beco wantìng. conlessioii
at least may supply its place. Remonstratc frecly with me
on my weakncsses; and then niy worda wtll acqui re more
vaine in my mnuth, becausc you will feci more vividly that
thcy are not mine, but are the words of Him who can gtve
lioUi lo you and me the neeessary strcngth lo do what thcy
^escrtbe.'

-^ti, lirhflt m lioly nianj but what i tormqUioT !— thoiight
Don Abboa(Bo;«-be doetn^t even itpare ^hlixiself: that I

442 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

should exatnine, interfere with, criticize, and Secttie
himself — He then said aloud : ' Oh, my Lx)rd, you are joldng
with me! Who does not know the fortitude of mind, the
inlrepid seal of your illustrìous Lordsbtp? ' And in hi« beart
he added — Even too much so. —

' I did not ask you f or praise, which makes me trembk/
said Federigo ; ' for God knows my failings, and what I know
of them myself is enough to confonnd me ; but I wished that
we should humble ourselves together before Him, that wc
might depend upon Him together. I would, for your own
sake, that you should feel how your conduct has been, and
your language stili is, opposed to the law you nevertbeless
preach, and according to which you will be judged.'

*AII f alls upon me/ said Don Abbondio : * but thesc people,
who bave told you this, didn't probably, teli you, too, of their
having introduced themselvcs treacherously into my house,
to take me by surprise, and to contract a marriage contrary
to the laws.'

' They did teli me, my son : but it is this that grieves, that
depresses me, to see you stili anxious to excuse yourself ; stili
thinking to excuse yourself by accusing others ; stili accusing
others of what ought to make part of your own confession.
Who placed them, I don't say under the necessity, but under
the temptation, to do what they bave done? Would they
bave sought this irregular method, had not the legitimate
one been closed against them ? Would they bave thought of
snaring their pastor, had they been received to bis arms, as-
sisted, adviscd by him? or of surprising him, had he not
concealed himself? And do you lay the blame upon them?
And are you indignant, because, after so many misfor-
tunes, — what do I say? in the midst of misforttme, — they
bave said a word or two, to give vent to their sorrows,
to their and your pastor? That the appeals of the oppressed,
and the complaints of the afflicted, are odious to the world,
is only too true; but we! . . . But what advantage would
it bave been to you, had they remained silent? Would it
tum to your profit that their cause should bc left entirely
to the judgment of God? Is it not a fresh reason why you
should love these persons. (and you bave many already,)
that they bave afforded you an opportunity of hearing the

I PROMMSI SPO0I

€13

mnccre voice of yoiir pastor. that thcy have givcn you the
means of knowlng more clcarly, aod Iti part discharging^
ptlie great dtht you owe ilitm? Ali ! ìf ihcy bave provokcd,
pffended, annoycd you^ I would say to you, (mid need I say
li?) love tbeui exactly for tbai reason. Love them, because
ley hav€ sufFered^ becaitse they stili suffer, becausr thcy are
^ours, because they are wcak» because you havi- necd of
irdon, to obtain which, think of wbat efficacy tbcir prayer
ay b€.'

Don Abbondio was siktit, bui il was no longer an uncon-

I sitid scorti fui ali enee: it was tliar of onc who has more

tìngi to think aboui than to say. The words he had beard

vere tme^pccted consequences, novel applicatiofis, of a doc-

rioe bi had ocvenhclcss long believed in hh bcart, without

lhoiit»bt of dìnputing it. Tbc misfonuncs of oiber^, from

die ' 1 of whicb bis fcar of personal mis fortune

Ittd rted bis niìnd, oow inade a new impre^sion

uptm bim.

And if he did not feel ali the contrìtton wbich the ad-

re^i was inteodcd to produce (for this saioe fear was

|ver al band to execute the office of defensive advocate)^

)ret he Mi it in some degrce; he cxperienocd^ di^satisfactioR

^ a kind of pity for oUiers,— a mtxture of cotn-

i sbamc- li was, if we may bc aìlowed the cooi-

liko the crushcd and humid wick of a catidlc, whicb,

being preseoted tu the flanie of a large iorcb, at fir.Ht

imokes, ipirts, cracklcs. and wiìl not ignite; but ìt ligbts

Ut Icngth, and, well or ili, burtis. He would have accused

iniself bittcrlvp be would e veti bave wept, had Jt noi bdcn

rbougbt of Doti Rodrigo; and, as It was, betrayed

: emotron to convince tbe C«rdiiia] tJiat his words

noi bccn enlircly without cffect,

' Now/ puriiuc<l hct * the otie a fugitive frotn hh home,

otiwrr on the poiiu of abandoning il, botb with loo good

»s for absetittng themielva», aiid without a probabttity

^f ever itt«ettn$f airain herc* cvcn ii God purposcs lo re*unìte

^^w, alas^ ' ' 'ìo Uu le need oi you, now yoti

.Iteni any servicc; nor cati our

\y l'or the future, Uut who knowi

. aay noi be preparing tome for yoti ^

446 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

by anticipation, beheld with astonishment so many of thoie
coins ali together, and ali hcr own, of which she had, perh^n^
never seen more than one at once before, and that but seldom;
she counted them over, and then had some trouble in putting
them together again, and making the whole hundred stand up
upon their edges; for every now and then, they would jut
out, and slide from under ber inexpert fìngers; at length,
however, she succeeded in rolling them up, after a fashion,
put them in a handkerchief, so as to make quite a large
parcel, and wrapping a piece of cord several times round it,
went and tucked it into a corner of ber Straw mattress. The
rest of the day was spent in castle-building, devising plana
for the future, and longing for the morrow. After going to
bed, she lay for a long time awake, with the thought of the
hundred scudi .she had beneath ber to keep ber company ;
and wben asleep she saw them in hcr dreams. By break of
day she arose, and set off in good time towards the villa
where ber daughter was residing.

Though Lucia's extreme reluctance to speak of ber vow
was in no degree diminisbed, she had, on ber part, resolved
to force berself to open hcr mind to ber molhcr in this intcr-
view, as it would be the last they should bave for a long
time.

Scarcely were they left alone, wben Agnese, with a look
full of animation, and, at the same time, in a suppressed tone
of voice, as if there were some one present who she was
afraid would bear, began: 'l've a grand thing to teli you;*
and proceeded to relate ber unexpected good fortune.

* God bless this Signor,' said Lucia : * now you bave
enougb to be well off yourself, and you can also do good to
others.'

* Why I ' replied Agnese, * don't you sce bow many tbings
we may do with so much money? Listcn; I bave nobody
but you — but you two, I may say; for, from the time that
he began to address you, Tve always consickred Renzo as
my son. The whole depcnds upon wbcthcr any mi sfortune
has happened to bim, secing be gives no sign of being alive:
but oh ! surely ali won*t go ili with us? Wc'll hopc not. we'll
hope not. For me, I should bave likcd to lay my boncs in
my native country; but now that you can't be there, thanks

I PROMBSai SPOSI

447

to that viììuìn I and whefi I remembcf thar tie !s acar, cvcn
my country has bccome hateful to me; and with yoa two [
can be happy aoywhere, l was aìways inclmed to go wìth
you both to the very end ol the world, and bave evcr becn
to readiness; but how cotild we do it wtthout money? Do

[ you understand. now? The liltle suiii that the poor fello w
had bcen scarcely able to lay by, with ali hh frugality, just ice
carne, and cieared ìt away ; but tìie Lord has sent u> a fortune
to make up for it Wcit» when he has found a way of letting
US know tbat he*s alt ve, where he h, and what are hts intoi*

I tions, ni come to Milan and fctcU you; ay, FU come myseli.
Once upon a ti me, T shouid bave thought twice abont such
a tliing, btit misfortunes make one experimci^d aod ìnde-
pendent ; IVc gonc àS far m Monia» and know what it h to
travcl. rU bring with me a proper companion,— a relation,
ai I naay say» — Alessio, of Maggìanko; for, to say the tnith,
a Et person ìsn*t to be found in the country at ali FU come
with bini; we will pay the expense, and . . , do you under-
ataod?*

8tit perceiving that, instead of checrìng np, Lucia be-
carne mure and more dejectedp and onty exhibtted emotion
Qfnfùxed wiih plcasure, she stopped abmptly in the midat
of hcr speech, and said, ' But what*5 the mattcr with yoii ?
Doo't you ice It?*

* Foor maimna I ' exclaimed Lucia, throwing her arm
roond ber neck, and burying her weeping face in ber
bosom.

* What is the matlcr?' again askcd her mothcr, anxiously.
' I ought to bave toM you at first/ said Lucia, rabtng

ber head, and composing berseff, 'but 1 nevcr had tlic heart
to da it ; pity me/
' But teU me iben, now/

* I can no longer bc that poor fellow's wtfe I *
•How? how?'
Wfth head hung down, a beating heart, aiid tears roH»

I tng down hcr chccks. likc one who relates somcthtng which^
agb m mtsfoi; 'nalterable. Lucia disdosed ber vow;

, ai the lam- wsptng her hands, agatn besought ber

forgiveitcd» luf haring bìtherto conccaled tt tttm
implorcd ber noi to tpcak of i^uch a Ihìng to asy

«0

ALESSANDRO MAN^ONI

God waiiH Ict US wmt Look out for the oppartianlty ol
1 sale bcarer, and scnd ìt him; for Heavcn knows how
mudi he wants k \ '

• Well, what do you tliink?' rcpliccl Agnese: "HI fk»
itt indecd. Poof youthl VVhy do yoa thìnk I w»s ao flari
of this money f Unì I , , , i ccruinly cmnc hcrc vcrjr gEad*
io I diti. Well, rn scnd il hun; poor yomh! Bui Ile, UMi
, , , l know whttt I would say ; ccrtainly, money givc« pttfat-
urc to tliosc wbo want Ìt ; bui ìt tsfi't this that wtìl make htm
rich.'

Lucia thanked her motber for hcr ready and Ilbeml
sent, with such dcep gratittidc and aifection, a» woiild
conviticcd an observer tliat her heart stiìl aecretJy clung tt»
Renxo. more, pcrhaps. than shc hcrsclf bclicvcd.

' And what shull l^ a poor so!ii;try wotiian^ do wititout
you?' said Agnese, wccping iti ber tum.

* And I withoiu you^ my ptjor niothcr 1 and In a ittranfo^i
homt l and down tbere in Mtlan ! * . . Bui the Lord i^ì
with US both, and aftcrwarda will bring u$ togtther
Bctwccn eighi and nine oionths hencc. we shall tee
other once more bere ; and by tbat time, or even before it^ !
hope, He will bave disposed matterà lo oyr comfort. Ledivi* tt
lo Him. I will ever, evcr besecch the Madonna for t ^

If J had anytbtng else to oHer ber» J would do it; i»

so mcreiful, tbat shc wiIl obiaìn it for me as a gift/

With these, and other sìmìlar and oit^repeated wcmls ot
lamentaiton aiid comfort, of opjiosiiion and reìiignatiott, of
mterrogation and confident assurancc, with many tcars» snd
Efttr teof ind renewcd embraccB, the women lorc iliati-
seìves apart» promlsìng, by ttims, to »<
ncxt autunui, at the latei*t; as il tlic d
promìses dq^tnded npon themstlvct, and aa poople alwajff
do^ neverlhelcss, in similar caiiea»

Mranwhìlc» a conslderabfe time f^sscd away, aod
nese couìd bear no lidiitgs of Renio. Keither kiter
mesaage reached her f rom hìoi ; asid amoag ali tbose wboca
ihe oontd aiik from Bergamo, or the ndgbbourliood, sii
onc knew anythin}^ at ali about bìat

NoT wa» %he the acily onc who matte hnitilfiefl in vmbuì
Cariliiial Federigo^ who had not lold lt)« poor woiaao mcfcl^

1 PROMESSI sposr

451

of e it that he wouid sede for some iofonna-

gcm conv iht mifortunate mail, had, m fact^ imme-

tiately writtcn to obtain it, Havmg remmcd to Milan
ifter bis vtsimtian, he recdved a rejily; in which he was m*
iùxmcd, ihat the addrcss of ihc persoi» he had tiaiised coukl
pot he asccrtainéd; tliat he had ccrUtrily made some stay
such a place, wherc he had giveo oo occasioo fot any

about binaseli; biit tfaat, cmc moraing, he had sud-
denly disappearcd ; tliat a rclatÌTe of his, with wliato he had
lodgcd ihcre, knew oot what had bccomc of bini, and couUI
otily rcpcat ccrtain vague aiid contradictory rumours which
were mfloiit, that the yotith had enhsted for the Levajit,
had p&sscd into Gcnnany. or had perished in fording a rfver ;
hiit that ilic writcr wouM not fall to be on tfic watch, aiid it
acy beuer authcnticated tidings cafne to light, would tmoie-
diatcìy convcy tìiem io his nio^t illustrious and vcry reVCTtml
LofiUhtp.

Tbesc, and varrous other reports» at length spread
thnmghout the temtory of Lecco, and* conscquently.
reachcd Uie cari of Agnese, The poor wooian did her
ttitnoit to dtscover which wa5 the true account, aod to
urive at the origin of ihis and ihai rumottr; bui &be nevcr
socccedcd in tracing it further than tkty m% whldt^ eveti
Et the preseni day, sniTìceis, by ttseH, to attest the trtilh of
facts. Sotnetìmes shc had scarccly heard one tale, wheti
aome one would come and tdl ber not a word of ìt was
trac; only, howevcr, to give ber another in compeosation,
eqaally strange and disastrotis. The tnith t£« ali thesc
romouTS were alikc unfounded

The GovcTnor of Milan, and CaptaiQ*Gcner&l m Italy,
Don Goti ' '^ ' 'i Cordova, liad comphuned bitierly

to the r, rcsidcnt at Milan, hccause «i

rogve» mid [ a promoter of pltiuderìng and

iiia$9acfe, tli^ renzo TramagHno, who, whìlc in

the vcry hmda oi ju^iìce^ had exehed an tnsurrcctkm lo
force bis eaotpe;, had bcen rccetvcd and harbotired in the
Berganta«caa lerritory. The mùibter in rcUdeoce repUed,

he kncw iwtbing about tt; he wotsld write to Vcoice,

be mlght be able to gtire hb Kxcellency aoy cxpbma-

' li ctitUd be procttrcd oa tbe sobject.

452

ALESflANDRO MANZONI

It was a m^ixim of Venetian palrcy to set. - * -- '
tivate the indlnation of Milanese &ÌÌk-wcavcì
into the Bergamascnn territory» and» with t
pravide many advanlagea for ihciii, ìiiorc i.
wilhout whlcli cvcry otbcr wm worthkss; .v ■ m. ni
curity. As, howcver, wbcii two great diplomatisi^ du.|.iuu
in howcvcr trifllng a mattcr, third lanics must ah
bave a taste in the shape of consequenccs, Bortolo
wamcd, iti confidcnce, it was not koowii by whoin, ihai
Renzo was not sa fé in tliat neighbuurhocid, an4 tbat ll€
wauid do wiscly to place him In some other manti (acttire
for a whilCp cvcn under a false name» Bortolo unrlrrstooct
the htnt, raiscd no objcclions, cxplaincd the niaflcr to hb
cousm, taok hlm with him in a carriagc. conv^ed him lo
anotlìcr ncw silk*tml!, atiout fifleen mile» off, umì prc-
licnted htm, tmdcr the nanie of Antr>nio Rivi>tta, lo the
owner, who was a native of the Milanese, and an okt
quaintance. This person» though the tìmcs were so
nceded little entrcaty to reccivc a wòrkman who wa» re
iiietukd to him as lioncst and ^kitful by an intdh|:cnt
likc Bortob* On the trial of him aftcrwards, he fo
he had only reaiOn to congratulate hims<:lf on the ac
tion; cxccpting that. at fitht, he tbought the yotilh
be naturally rather atupid, becausep when any one catled
Antonio, he gcncrally did noi answer,

Soon after, jin ordtr carne from Vimlcc, in peaeeable
forni, to the sheriff of Bergamo, requiriiijj htm tn obtaiis
and forward mformation» whcthcr» in bis jin' , ind

tnorc cxpre^sly in sudi a vtlkge, such aii w. wa«

to be fonnd The sheriff, having maijc the ne€c*s3ir>' re-
searches in the manner he saw was dcstred, transmttifd
f epty in the negative, wliich wa» tranamitted io the mtsistc
at Milan, who transmiited it to Don Gonzalo Fcmandcz dC
Cordova.

There were not wantì 'sìtire peop!« wbr ij

learo from Bortolo wliy \ li was no loniter J

and where he had gone io the fi v he rcpli

* Nay. be ha» disappesrcd 1 * bm afte: -. , m €ret rid of
^e mosl pertioadoti^ without givlng thein a i m 'f
what vn$ really the case, he contrìved to cnicfisun

wtth onct some with another, o( the stories we bave
e mcntiòned: alwayB, howcver, as uncertain rcports»
he al so had heard rc!ated, without having any posa-
Yc accounts.

But wben inqutries carne to be made of htm by coin-
froin the Cardinal, without mentioning hls name,
with a certain show of importaiice ;ind mystery, lucrely
htm to uitdcrstsmd that it was in the name of a great
lage, Bortolo became the more guarded, and deenicd
tlie more necessary to adhcre to tiis general method o£
nay, as a grcat personage was concerned, he gave
Ihrt by Wholesale ali the stories whìch he had published, onc
by ofie^ of his variotis dtsasters.

Let it not be imagined that stich à persoli as Don Gon-
zalo bore any personal ainiily lo the i>oor mountain silk-
weaver; that mformed, pcrhaps^ of hls irrcvcrence and tU-
It^gnage towards his I^loorish king, chained by the tbroat,
iC would bave wreaked his vengeancc iiiK>n him; or Uiat
ic t ho tight him so dangerous a siihjcct as to be worth
lursuini; evai in flight, and not sulTercd to live evcn at a
^dtttancc, likc the Roman settate %vith Ilnnnihal, Don Gon-
2Jllo had too many and loo im|x*nanl atiatrs in bis head to
trouble himself about Rcn^o's doings; and tf it seems that
he did troubk himself about them, ìt arose from a singtilar
cocnbination of circumsunccs, by whkb the poor un fortu-
nate lellow» without desifiòg it» and without being aware
of it. either then, or ever aftcrwnrd^ found hìmsetf linked,
as by a very suhtìle and itivi sible diain, to these same too
manjr ind too ìmportant afTairii

CHAPTER XXVtl

IT has alrcacly occurred to us mori* tliJin ooct
roake mention of tiic war wliich was al ihis little raglo^
for the succession to the slates of the Dtikc Vijictiuo
Gonzaga, ùm ^econd of that aaine; bm it has afw»}^
currcd in a morncnt nf grrat hastc, ¥o that wc havc oc
bcen ahie to give more than a cursory Jiint of it Ne
howcvcr, for the due undcrstanding of our narrative, a more
partkular ootlce of it is rcquircd. Thcy are matters whtdi
any oiie who knows anythìfig ol history mtui \ìc aequaisitvd
witb : hut as, from a just eatimate ol oursclves^ wc mvai
suppose that Ihìs work can bc read hy none but tht ignorisi^
it witl not hti: amiss that we sbouid bere relatc as mach
witl 5tiffice to gì ve some idea of thcm to ih ose who need iti
We bave said that on the dcatb of thi^s dukc, the first*
the lille of successioii, Carlo Gonzaga, head of a voimfi
braiich now cstablishcd in Francc. whcrc he pò?
ducbìes of Ncvcrs and Rhetel, had entcrcd upoti tm: |»c.*"
session of Mautua, and we may now add, of MpntVrrat: for
our hastc tnade tis leave this narne on the poìnt of ihc
The Spanish minìstcr, who was rc^HvrfJ at any ccu
promise (we bave said tbist too) to < he new

from tbese iwo fiefs, and wbo, to exc •, wanied

firctext (because wirs madc witbout any pretext woutd
unjust), had declared himiself the upbolder of the eli
whicb another Gonzaga Ferrante, princc of the Gaa
prctended to bave iipnn Manti»a; and Carlo Emanuele
duke of Savoy* and Margherita Gonzaga, duchri;» dov
of Lorraine, upon Monfcrrat. Don Gonzalo, who vms
the family of the grcat conimandcr, and bore hi$ nnmr,
had already madc war in Flander** and waJ
anxiotis to bring onc iato Italy, was i^^'t it^« tbr* r.
nmde most «Hr that this might be i

mean whilc. in? ~ *'

ordcfA of the ;i

with the Diake oi ^avay ii^v the ìuva;»imu aiid i^niUijn of

I PROMESSI SPOSI

45$

Mofiferrat; itid aflerwards readily obtained a ratt^cadott
of ìt from the Count Duke, by persuading Mm that tlie
acquisitton of Casale woujd be vcry easy, wliich was the
fiost strongly dcfcnded point of the portioo assfgncd Co the
of Spain, He prottsted, howcver, in the kio^'s name,
ast any intention of occiipytng the country further than
the namc of a depoait, until Lbe sentence of the Em-
pcror shoiild be declared; who, paitly ffotn the tnfluencc of
olhersy partly from privale niotives of hU own, had, in the
meaa whilc, dcnied the investiture to the ncw dtike, and
Intiiciatec] to htm that he should j^ve up to hitn In seque^-
tratioTì die controvcrted statcs: aftcrwards, having heard
the diflferent aidc^, he would reslore them to hlm m^ho had
the best claim. To thc^e conditions the Duke of Nevers
would not Gonsent.

He had, howcvcr, friends of some eminence in the Cardttial
Richdìeu, the Vcnetian tioblemen, and the Pope. But
"*- • of these, at that time engaged in the sicge of La
\ and in a war with Enjfland, and thwarted hy the
^ny ot Uie queen-motbcr, Maria de^ Medici» who. for cer-
I rea&ons of ber own, was opposcd to t!if house of Neverip
^ire nothtrig but hopcs. The Venetians wotiìd not
even declare thcmsclves in bis favour» tmless a
S^rench arniy were first brought toto Italy ; and whUe socrrtly
Jding the dukc as they best couìd. tliey conlcnted iheixiselvc^
Hlh puiting off the Court of Madrid and the Govemor of
yith protests, proposi t ioti s, and peaceabk or threat-
' donltions, accortiinf to circumstances. Urban VIIL
vers io 1' terceded Iti hìs favoar

, and do. *^ of accommotlation ;

wmild not hrar a word ol aien mìo the field.

ihis nicana tbe two con: :; for offensive ineas-

j wcfe euabled the more securely to begin thcìr concerted
itioms, Carlo Emanuele invadcd Motifcrrat from bis
Je; Doft Goinicaln wìlltngly laìd sieiB^e to Casale, but dJd not
tnd in the tmderiakljig ali tbt ' ' > fion he had protnised
U: far h unm nnt Iw- t rhnt wor h m. rose

a thom* TIv b nearly

i means he detna , anststed

tuo miicit: that ts to say, after liaTtng taken his

4S6

A1.ESSANT>R0 ^MANZONI

Ik IV «■«*

portion, he went on to lake that which was n n

King of Spatn. Don Gonzalo was enritgcci t xpr

Sion; but fearing that, if he madc any noìse about it, tt
dnke, as activc in ititrtgues and ficklc in ircaty. as bold
valiant in arms» would revolt to the French, he waf oblt^
10 shut his cycs to ìt. gnaw the bit. and put on a aatìsii
air. Tbe sìege, besidcs, wetit on badly, bcing protracted to
a great length, and somctiines thrown back, ovring lo tlw
steady, cautious, and resolulc bch;iviour ai ihc besàcged« the
lack of sufifìcient nitmbcrs on the part of the bcsicgtrSy and,
according to the rcport of some historian, the manv false
$teps taken by Don Conialo; on which pomt wc 1 j

to choose hcr own side» bcing inclincd evcn^ wcrc
so> to consider ìt a vcry happy circurnstanee. if it wcrc
cause that in this cnterpfisc tJicre werc some fewer ti
usuai siain, beheadcd, or wounded; and. arirrif
rather fcwer tilcs injurcd in Casale. In the mid*t of ti
perplexities, the news of tlic scdltion at Milan arrived*
the «cene of which he repaircd in persoiu

Here, in the rcport which was givcn him. raeoilom
atso made of the rebeUious and cJainorijus Hight of Renzo,
and o! the rea! or supposed doings which had bccn the oc*
casion of hi* arrc^^t i and thcy coiild aJ?tu inforni hìjn that
this persoti had tokeii rcfugc ìn the tcrritory of Ber
, This cìrcmnstancc arrestcd Don Gonjsalo'it attcntion.
had bceii infonucd frora anothcr quarter* that great in ter
had been fclt at Venìcc in the insurrectìon at Miìmn; ili
they had supposed he wotild be obltgcd on this accoiiot to
abaiìdon the siege ©I Casale; and that *^i 'v tfTv.i(jined he wai
reduccd to grcat despondcncy and p* : ihoni it: the

more so, as shortly after thiji cveni, llir: ihum^^^ had arrfvedL
so miich desi r ed by the^c nnbfcmen, and dreaded br himself,
of the surrcnder of La Rochclte. Fc' '
noycd, l>oth n$ a man and a politi-

entertaìn such an opinion of hi- % he m^ugk

every opportunity of undcccivfng t! < ^uadin^ tli

by iiductìon. that he had losi none o< his foniier botdnc
for to nay, expliculy, I bave ^" ^'''^ '^ ''''♦ *'^ **"' *^'^»»^'
One good plajt ts lo show th o|

CXpOituliltc: acCOrdingly, the VL'nci;;in iumia-iAatinr navu^i

I PROMESSI SPOSI

457

ite upon him to |>ay hi* rcspccts. and at the «amc tim*

fe> rcad in his coimtenance and behaviour how he felt within,

I>Dn Gonzalo, after having spoken lightly of the tiunult,

llikc 9 man who had al ready provided a remedy far every-

ithinf, luadc thosc complaints about Remo whìch the retdcr

alrtady luiows; as he is also acquaìoted with what resiilled

from thctn in conscqiicnce, From ihat time, he took no

further ititcrcst in an affair of so little importancc, which,

ai far as he was conctrncd. was tertiimatcd; and when, a

ìonz timc afterwards, the reply camc to htm at the camp

jai Casale, whhhcr he had rcturned, and where he had very

IdifTercnt things to occupy his mind. he raised and threw

hack his head, like a silkworm searcbing for a leaf ; reflectcd

llor a rooitieni, to reca!l more dearty to his mcniory a fact

[Of which he only rcUìncd a shadowy idea; rcmcmbered

Ihc ctreimistance* had a vaglie and motnentary rccollcction

li the pcr^on ; passed on to sorocfhing else, and thotig^ht no

'more abotit II

Bm Reti^to, who, from the little which he had darkly com-
edy was far from supposìng so bcncvolent an in-
re, had, for a timc, no othcr thought, or rather. to
speak more correctly, no other care, tlian to keep himself
acealcd, It niay be imagìncd whelher he did not ardctitly
to send news of himself to the women, and receive
from thi*m in exchangc; bnt tlicre werc two great
àlliea In «he way. One was, that he also would havc
force*! to tnist to an amatiuensis, lor the poor fellow
knew not how to write, nor cven rcad, in the broad sense
of the word; and ìf» when asked tlie questionp as the reader
ay pcfhaps reincmbcr, by the Dncfor A^^ecca-Garbugli,
he replicd in the affirmative, Ir was not, certainly, a boast,
|¥ado, à% they say; ìt was the truth, that he couid
\é pHnt, when he cotild take his timc over it:
ft^'Bowever, was a diffcrcnt thitig. He wotild be
obligcd, then, to tnake a thtrd party the detTOSitary of his
affatrs, ;ind of :i *»t*crct so jcalousy piarded: and it was not
^tmsy in tho5c times to find a man who ermld xisc hh pcn,
in wliom confidencc coidd be placed, particularly in a
llry whcfe he had no old acqnaintances. The other
Jty wan to find a bearer; a man who was golng jtu*

458 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

to the place he wanted, who wouid take charge of the letter,
and really recollect to deliver it ; ali these, too, qualificatìons
rather difficult to be met with in one individuai.

At length, by dint of searching and sounding, he found
somebody to wrìte for him; but ignorant where the wcmieii
were, or whether they were stili at Monza, he judged it bet-
ter to enclose the letter directed to Agnese under cover to
Father Cristoforo, with a line or two also for hinu The
writer undertook the charge, moreover, of forwarding the
packet, and delivered it to one who would pass not far from
Pescarenico; this person left it with many strict charges, at
an inn on the road, at the nearest point to the monastery;
and, as it was directed to a convent, it reached this destina-
tion; but what became of it afterwards was never known.
Renzo, receiving no reply, sent off a second letter, nearly
like the first, which he enclosed in another to an acquaint-
ance or distant relation of his at Lecco. He sought for
another bearcr, and found one; and this time the letter
reached the person to whom it was addressed. Agnese
posted off to Maggianico, had it read and interpreted to her
by her cousin Alessio ; concertcd with him a reply, which he
put down in writing for her, and found means of sending it to
Antonio Rivolta in his present place of abode : ali this, how-
ever, not quite so cxpeditiously as we havc recountcd it.
Renzo received the reply, and in time sent an answer to it.
In short, a correspondence was set on foot betwecn the two
parties, neither frequent nor regular, but stili kept up by
8tarts, and at intervals.

To form some idea, however, of this correspondence, it is
necessary to know a little how such things wcnt on in those
days — indecd, how they go on now; for in this particular, I
believe, thcre is little or no variation.

The peasant who knows not how to write, and finds him-
self reduced to the necessity of communicating his ideas to
the absent, has recourse to one who understands the art,
taking him, as far as he can, from among those of his own
rank, — for, with olhers, he is cither shamcfaced, or afraid
to trust them; he infomis them, with more or less order
and perspicuity, of past evcnts; and in the samc manner,
describes to him the thoughts he is to express. The man of

I PROMESSI SPOSI

tetters imderstands pati, mtsunderstands pari, gives ^ littìt
mdvice, propotes some variation« saya, • Lea ve k io me;* ihen
he tskoi the pcn, translcrs the idea he has recetvcd* as he
bcsi cajl, from speaking to writin^, corrects it his own way,
improres It, puts iti fiourishes, abbreviates, or even omits,
ficconding as he dcems most suttahlc for his subject; for so it
is, and thcre is no help for it, he who knows more than his
nelghbours will not he a passive instrumeot in their bands;
«Ad whcn he mterferes in othcr peoplc's afTairs, he wiU
force thcm to do things hh own way. In additìon to ali this,
k 18 r*ot always quite a matter of cotirse that the above-
mmed lìterate himself expresscs ali ihat he intoided; nay,
fometimes it happens just the reverse, as, indeed, it docs even
0$ who wrhe for the press, When the Ictler thtis com*
ptetcd reaches the hands of the corrcspondent, who ìs equally
apracttscd in ìm a, b, e, he takes it to another learned
Jiis of that tribe, who rcads and e%potmds it to him,
tions arise on the matter of undersianding it, bccause
cr«ofi interestcd, presuming npon his acqoainUnte wìth
He antccedent drcumstances, asscrts that certain wordi
^mean such and such a Uiing; the reader^ resting upon hia
grcater experieiice in the art of composition, affirms that
Jiey mean anotber. At last, the one who docs not know« is
^hltged to put hiinself into the hands of the one who does,
ad trust s to hrm the task of wrìting a reply ; whìch* cxe-
ted lìke the formrr example, Is Hable to a simìlar stylc of
ittrpretatìoiL If, in addition, the subject of the corre-
ace bc a rather delicate topic, if secret mattrrs he
(ted of in it, whkh il is desirable shouM not be understood
third party, in case tlie letter should go astray; if wìth
kh vicw there be a posiiive tntentìofi of not expressing
jtnìnr.* rttilte dearly, then, bowever short a time the corre-
e 1$ kept up, the parties invariably finish by imder-
iiuiiimg cach otJier as well as the two sctioolmen who had
for four hoors upon abstract mutations; not te
"takt mir simile from livìng beings» lest we exposé oursehret
to bare our cars boxcd
Now» the case cif otif two corrcapondcnti was exactly
U we bave describcd- The Erst letter writtcn in Renio's
coQiaiiied many subjccts* Frimarìly^ bestdes an ac-

460 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

cotint of the flight, by far more concise, but, at the
time, more confuseci, than that which we have given, was a
relation of his actual circumstances, from which both Agnese
and her interpreter were very far from derìving any ludd
or tolerably corrcct idea. Then he spoke of secret intelli-
gence, change of name, his being in safety, but stili requir-
ìng concealment; things in themselves not very familiar to
their understandings, and related in the letter rather enig-
matically. Then followed warm and impassioned inquiries
about Lucia's situation, with dark and moumful hints of the
rumours which had reached even his ears. There were,
finally, uncertain and distant hopes and plans in reference to
the future; and for the present promises and entreaties to
keep their plighted faith, not to lose patience or courage,
and to wait for better days.

Some time passed away, and Agnese found a trusty mes-
senger to convey an answer to Renzo, with the fifty scudi
assigned to hini by Lucia. At the sight of so much gold,
he knew not what to think; and, with a mind agitated by
wonder and suspense, which left no room for gratifìcation,
he set ofìf in search of his amanuensis, to make him interpret
the letter, and find the key to so strange a mystery.

Agnese's scrìbe, after lamcnting, in the letter, the want
of perspicuit)' in Renzo's epistle, went on to describe, in a
way at Icast quite as much to be lamentcd. the tremendous
history of that person (so he expressed himself) ; and bere
he accounted for the fifty scudi; then he went on to speak
of the vow, employing much circumlocution in the cxpres-
sion of it, but adding, in more direct and explicit terms, the
advice to set his heart at rest, and think no more about it.

Renzo very nearly qiiarrelled with the reader; he trem-
bled, shuddered, bccamo enrac^cd with what he had under-
stood, and with what he couid not understand. Three or
four times did he makc him read over the melancholy
writing, now comprchending better, now finding what had
at first appeared clear, more and more incomprehensible.
And, in.this fervour of passion, he insisted upon his aman-
uensis immediately taking pcn in band, and writing a reply.
After the strongest expressions imaginable of pity and horror
Et Lucia's circumstances — ' Write/ pursued he, as he dictated

I PHOMESSI SPOSI

461

tu bis s€crcUT>% * thiiì I won't set my hcart at rest* and Ihat
I ncver will ; and that ihis h not advtce lo bc gtvlng to a lad
Eke me; and that ì wmi*t touch the money; that 111 pui it
bjrt «Jid kcq» il for the young gtrl's dowry ; that she already
Wongs to me: and that I know nothiog ahout a vow; and
that I ha ve often heard say that the Madonna ìnteresls her-
sdf to he!p the afìlicted, and ohtaìns favotirs for them ; but
that she cneourages them to desptse and break their word,
I ncver heard; and that tbis tow can*t hold good; and that
with tiiìs money we bave enough to keep house bere- and
that I am somewbat in difiiculttes now, ìt's ottly a stomi
whjcb wìll t^ukkly pass over;* and other slmìlar thlngs,
Agnese received tlijs Ictter also, and repbed to it; and the
eorrcspondencc continued in the manncr we bave described.

Lucìa fctt greatly relieved whcn ber mother had con*
trtred, by some mcans or olhen to Ict ber know that Rento was
alive» sa fé, and acqnaìnted wìth her vow, and desired nolh-
ìng more tban that he shouid forget her; or, to express it
aore exactly, that he sbould tiy to forget ber» She, on her
t, made a similar resolution a hundred times a day wìth
ispect to him; and employed, toc, every mcans sbe could
iink of to put tt imo cffecL She contintied to work inde-
Itigably with ber necdlc, tryiog to apply ber wbole mind
it; and when Renzo's Imagc prescoted itself to ber vicw,
begin to rcpeat or chant some prayers to hcrseìf. But
a.ge, just as il it were actuated by pure malice, did
generally come so openly; it introduced itsell steallhily
ad otbers, so that the mind might not he aware of baving
luulHyured it, tìl! after It had been there for some time,
Liicia's ttioughts were often with ber motbcr; how sbould
le havc b«een otherwisc? and the ideal Renzo wonld gently
creep in as a tbtrd i»arty, as the real person bad so often
donc. So, wttb everybody» in evcry place, in every remem-
bmnce of the past. he nevcr faikd to introduce bimself,
Aod U tlie poor girl allowed ber self sometimes to penetrate
in fancy into the cbscttrity of the funjre, there, too, he would
nr, il ft were only to say: !, ten to one, shall not be
lerc. However, if not to thiok of htm at alt were a bopeless
Icing, yet lj3da i^uerccdec! tip to a certa in point, En
Icss about him, and Icss intcnsely than ber beart

462 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

would have wished. She would even bave succeeded Vdb^
ter, had she been alone in desiring to do so. But there wis
Donna Prassede, who, bent on ber part, upon banisbing the
youtb f rom ber thoughts, bad foiind no better expedient than
constantly talking about him. ' Well/ she would say, ' bave
you given up tbinking of bim?'

' I am tbinking of nobody,' replied Lucia.

Donna Prassede, bowevcr, noi to be appeased by so
evasive an answer, replied that there must be deeds, not
words; and enlarged upon the usuai practices of young
girls, ' who/ said she, ' when they have set their bearts upon
a dissolute fellow, (and it is just to such thcy bave a lean-
V^Kf) won't consent to be separated from them. An honest
and rational contract to a wortby man, a well-tried cbarac-
ter, which, by some accident, happens to be frustrated,—
they are quickly resigned; but let it be a villain, and it is
an incurable wound.' And then she commenced a panegyric
upon the poor absentce, the rascal who had come to Milan
to plunder the town, and massacro the inhabitants: and
tried to make Lucia confcss ali the knavìsh tricks be bad
played in bis own country.

Lucia, with a voice trcmulous wìth shamc, sorrow, and
such indignation as couid fìiid place in ber gcntle breast and
bumble condition, affirmcd and tcstified that the poor fellow
bad done nothing in bis country to givc occasion for any-
thing but good lo be said of him ; * she wished,' she said,
'that some one wcre present trom bis neighbourhood, that
the lady might bear bis testimony/ Even on his adventures
at Milan, the particulars of which she could not learn, she
defended him merely from the knowledge she had had of
him and his behaviour, from his vcry childhood. She de-
fended bim, or int^nded to defend him, from the simple duty
of charity, from ber love of truth, and, to use just the cx-
pression by which she described ber feelings to herself, as
ber neighbour. But Donna Prassede drew frcsh arguments
from thcse apologies, to convince Lucìa that she had quite
lost ber heart to this man. And, to say the truth, in thesc
moments it is difficult to say how the matter stood. The
disgraceful picture the old lady drew of the poor youtb,
revivedy from opposition, more vividly and distinctly than

I phomessi sposi

mtf in the mind of the ycmtg girl, the idea whidi long hàbk
hftd esttbtished therc; the recotkctians gbc had stifled by
foff^, f€tufned in crowds upon ber; stverman «nd contaript
recalìed ali hcr old molivi of eM^m and aympathy, and
Jjnd and ^bleot hatred onìy cjtdted stron^cr feelings of
ty* Wilh thcs€ fcelings, wlio can say how much thcre
flg^ht or mighi not bc of another afFcction whkb follows
'ufkoiì tbem, and introdyces ìtself so easily into the nnnd?
Let il be imagified wbat it woutd do In otic whcncc it was
attetnpted to cjcct tt by force. However it may be^ the con-
vcrsation, oo Lucta's side, was ne ver carricd to any grcat
^, for words were vcTy soon resolved tnto tears,
Had Donna Prasscdc been ìnduccd to trcat ber in tlijt
ly from some inveterate hatrcd towards hcr, thesc teart
%ightt lierhaps, bave vanqatsbed and silenced hcr; bui as
ibe Bptàiù wlth the intentioa of doìng ^ood, she went an
witbool aJlowing herseU to be mored by them, as groans
and imploring cries may arrest the wcapona ol an cnemyp
not the uistrument of the surgeon. Having, howeycr,
irgcd ber doty for tliat titne, she wouJd turn from
roacbes a^d dentmdaitons to cxbortation and advicc«
tweetened also by a little praise^ Ihtis desiignmg to temper
the bitter with tbe sweet, the bctter to obtain ber purpose,
by working upon the heart niider every state of feeling,
Tbese quarrcls, however, (whtch had always ncarly tbc same
bcginning» middle, and end,) left no rcsentmcnt, properly
fpeakiog, IO the goo<i Luciana heart agaiitst the harsh ser-
nsoDizer. who, after ali, treatcd hcr, in general, very kindly:
and even to this tnstance, evinced a good intention, Yet they
left hcr bì sudi agira tion, wìtl) so eh a tumult of thoaghtà and
affecimns, that it required no little time, and much effort, to
regato ber former dcgrec of calmness.

It was well for ber that sh<r was not the only otte to
whom Donna PrasM-de had lo do good; for, by thts means,
tbefie di'^ptiics could not occur so freqiiently, Beaid^ the
re$t of tfac family, ali of whom were pcrsons more or Icss
Dccding anìemlment and guldance — bc«iidiis ali tlie other
whìch offcrrd thcmscivcs to ber, or the coatrìved
ame kind office, of ber tmn ftte
le wat ìinéew no obUgitlocts; eh«

464 ALESSANDRO BiANZONI

had also five daughtcrs, none of whom were at home, hit
who gave her much more to think about than if tfaey bad
been. Three of these were nuns, two were marrìed: hcnce
Donna Prassede naturally found berseli with three monas-
teries and two houses to superintend; a vast and complicatcd
undertaking, and the more arduous, because two husbands,
backed by fathers, mothers, and brothers; three abbesses,
supported by other dignitaries, and by many nuns, wculd net
accept her superintendence. It was a complete warfare,
alias five warfares, concealed, and cven courteous, up to a
certain point, but ever active, ever vigilane There was in
every one of these places a continued watchfulness to avoid
her solidtude, to dose the door against her counsels, to
ehide her inquirics, and to kccp her in the dark, as far as
possible, on every undcrtaking. We do not mention the
resistance, the difficulties she encountercd in the management
of other stili more extraneous affairs: it is well known that
one must generally do good to mcn by force. The place
wherc her zeal could best excrcisc itsclf, and bave full play,
.was in her own house : bere everybody was subject in every-
thing, and for everything, to her authority, saving Don
Ferrante, with whom things went on in a nianner entirely
peculiar.

A man of studious tum, he ncithcr lovcd to command
nor obey. In ali household mattcrs, bis wifc was the mis-
tress, with bis frec consent; but he would not submit to bc
her slave. And if, when requested, he occasionally lent her
the assistance of bis pcn, it was because it suited bis taste;
and after ali, he knew how to say no, when he was not con-
vinced of what she wished him to writc. ' Use your own
sense,* he would say, in such cascs ; * do it yourself , since it
seems so clear to you.' Donna Prassede, after vainly cn-
deavouring for some timc to induce him to recant, and do
what she wanted, would be obliged to content herself with
murmuring frequently against him. with calling him one who
hated trouble. a man who would bave bis own way, and a
scholar: a title which, thou^h pronounced with contempt,
was generally mixed with a little complaccncy.

Don Ferrante passed many hours in bis study, where he
had a considerable collection of books, scarcely less than

I PBOMESSl SPOSI

thrce handred voltimcs: adi of thcm choice works, and the
most highly csteciued oo thcir ounictous severa! subjects.
In each of whicli he was more or less verseti In astroìogy,
he wns deservetlly considered as more than a dikttunte;
r he not only posscssed the geoerical nolions aiid cotumon
cabulary of «ifluenccs^ aspects, aiad conjunctions; but he
how to talk vcry aptly, and as \t wcrc ex cathedra^ of
\t twelyc houscs of t!ie heavcnà, ot tlie great drdes, of
od atid obsciirc dcgrccs, of cxuìtiilioo and dcjcctìon. of
sitions and revolntions — iij short, of the most assured
d most recondite principlcs of the sdencc* And It was
ity ycars that he r n^rl^ in long and

|Ì. , the system of t against another

anicil iua»* Wììo was staitnchJy aii^die<l to that of Alea-
Ì2Ìo, from mere obstinacj* as Don Ferrante said; who^
dily aekiiowlcdgfng the superiority of the aneìents, could
t, however, endure that itnwtUrngness to yield to the
modcrns, even when ihey evidei» ily have rcason on thcir
Bidè. He was also more than indiffercntly acquaìnted with
the history of the science; he could, on aii occasion, quote
lite BWtót ceiebraled prodictiotis which had becn verified, and
clearly and Icamedly on other celebratcd predictions
bad failed, showing tbat tbc fauU was not in the
enee, but in ttiose who kncw not how to apply it.
He had learnt as mudi of ancient philosophy as might
- ~ '-^ced hìm, but stili went on acqniring more frolli
oì Diogcnes Laerttus. As^ however, thesc sysiems,
w beautiful socvcr the>- may be^ eannot ali be held at
; and as, to be a philosophcr, it ts ncccssary to choose
in atHliof, so Don Ferrante had chosen Arìstottc, who, he
ttsed to say, was neìther aneiefit i^or modem; he was the
pltiJo50pher, and nothtng more. Ile possessed also varions
iirorks of the wisest and most tngcnian» disclples of ihat
fchoot afucmg the modems: those of ìu tmpttgners be would
ver read, not to throw away tìmc, as he saìd; nor buy,
I to throw away money. Stireh% by way of cxeeptioa, did
lud room in bis ^ ' >r those céltbrated two^and*

iiy volmnej^ De -^ r, and fof «ome other anti-

poipatetic %v<>rk of Cardano's, in eon»ideralìon of hi» valtie
in astrology. He saìd, that he wbo could write the Ueatifie

466 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Dt Restituitone iempormn et motuum teelestium, and the
hook Duodecim geniturarum, deserved to be listened to even
when he erred; that the great defect of this man was, tfaat
he had too much talent; and that no one could conceive what
he xnight have arrived at, even in philosophy, had he kept
himself in the right way. In short, although, in the jiidg-
ment of the learned, Don Ferrante passed for a consum-
mate peripatetic, yet he did not deem that he knew enoagh
about it himself; and more than once he was obliged to con-
fess, with great modesty, that essence, universals, the soul
of the world, and the nature of things, were not so very
clear as might be imagined.

He had made a recreation rather than a study of naturai
philosophy; the very works of Aristotle on this subject he
had rather read than studied: yet, with this slight perusal,
with the notices incidentally gathered from treatises on
general philosophy, with a few cursory glances at the Magio
naturale of Porta, at the three historics, lapidum, animalium,
piantarum, of Cardano^ at the treatise on herbs, plants, and
animals, by Albert Magnus, and a few other works of less
note, he could entertain a party of leamed men, for a while,
with dissertations on the most wondcrful virtues and most
remarkable curiosities of many medicinal herbs; he could
minutely describe the forms and habits of sirens and the
solitary phoenix; and explain how the salamandcr exists in
the fìre without burning; how the remora, that diminutive
fish, has strength and ability completely to arrest a ship of
any size in the high scas; how drops of dew become pearls
in the shell; how the chameleon feeds on air; how ice, by
being gradually hardencd, is formed tnto crystal, in the
course of timc; with many other of the most wonderful
secrets of nature.

Into those of magic and witchcraft he had penetrated
stili more deeply, as it was a science, says our anonymous
author, much more necessary and more in vogue in those
days, in which the facts were of far highcr importancc, and
it was more within rcach to verify thcm. It is unnecessary
to say that he had no other object in view in such a study,
than to inform himself, and to become acquainted with the
very worst arts of the sorcercrs^ in order that he might guard

I PROMESSI SPOSI

407

€

tbott and defend himseli Anà, by the gtmitncc
\f ut the gr^at Martino Delfio (a leader of the
t)f he was capabfe of discoursmg rjr professo npon
the fasdnatiofi of love, the fascìoation of sleep, the {addita*
twMi of hatred, and the infinite varietìes of thcsc thrce priiH
dpal genijsea of enchanttnent, which are only too olteti,
aglun says our anorrymoiis author, beheld in practice ait the
pra^eot day, atteudcd by such lamerstabie effects.
Not ìtu vast iiid profoond was hit knowledge of hta^
f5% pardeularty tmiversal history, in which bis aotbors
ere Tarcagnota, Dolce, fìugattì. Campana, and Gtiaizo;
short, ali the loost highly esteemed,
'But whai if history; said Don Ferrante, freqtte^tly,
*vrithont poUtics? — A giride who walks on and on, wìth no
onc following to Icarn the road, and who conscquently throw»
away bis ssteps,^ a« polttìcs whhotit history is one who
s wjthoijt a guide/ There was thcrcforc a place as*
ed to staltstics on bis shclves; wherc, among many of
mbler rank and less renown, appeared, in ali their glory»
Bcdino, Cavalcanti, Sansovino, Partita, and Boccaìinì,
ere were two book?, however, whicb Don Ferrante in*
tely preierred above ali oihers oo this subject: two which,
to a ccnain timc. he n&cd to cali the first» withoot ever
ablc to decide to wliich of the two this rank should
ively bcloog ; one was the Principe and Discorsi of tfie
ted Fiorentine secretary: *a great rmscal, certainly/
id Don Ferrante, * but profotmd f the other, the Ragion
Siaiù o( (he no Ies$ celcbrated Giorannì Boterò; 'an
hooest man, certainly/ said he again, 'but ahrewd/ Shortly
after, bowevcr» jusit at the pcriod which our story cmbraces,
a work eame to fJtrht n-bicb terminated the question of pre-
inence. by suri '^ Works of eren thesc two Mafa^

rts, said Don i -; a hook in which was endoied

coindcnscd evcry trick of the system» that it might bc
- ' vìrtue, that it might bc practbed; a fcook
small %h\ìì ali of poldt in one word, ih^ Statista

nU C.L ìJun ' ' that most celebrated

of whom ir the greate^t scholars

-tCK, and the greateit
cm; that maa, whom

ALESSANPEO MANZONI

Pope Urbati VITL hcrooured, as k wcll knowit, with
njficeoi eiicomiunis; wliom the Cardinal Borghese and tlic'
Viccroy of Naples» Don Pietro di Toledo, entrettal to rc-
latc, — otic, t!te dotngs of Pope Paul V., the othcf, the
oi bis Catholic Majesty in Italy, aiìd both in vab; Chat
whoin Louis XIIL^ King of France, at the sas&eatioii of
Cardinal de Rìchelicu, aomìnated his histnrìogrupher ; cwij
whom Dtike Carlo Emanuele, of Sa voy, cooferred the saa
office ; in praise of whom, not to mcotion other lofty
tnantals, the Duchess Cristina, daughter of the most Christia
King Henry IV,^ conld. in a diploma^ among rnany oli
tiHcs» enumerate ' the certaiuty of the reptitation he ìs ot
taiiiing in Italy of being the first wrìter of our tùncs.*

But if, in ali the aboTe^mcnttoned scicnces, Tkm Fer-
rante might he coustdcred a leamed man, one tliere wc*
in which he merited and enjoyed the tìtle of Professor—
the Science of chi¥a!ry. Not only did he argne on ìt in
a really masterly manner, but» frcqucndy requesti '
ter fere in aiìfairs of honour, always gave some
He had in his library, and otie niay gay, tndeed, in hia iie^d
ihc Works of the most renowncd writcr« on this subjeclj
Paris del Pozzo, Fausto da Longiano, Urrea, Mujcìo, Rocoe'
Albergato, the first and second Forno of Torquato Ta^so,''
of whose other works, 'Jcrusalcm Dclivered/ as wdl a»
'Jerusalera Taken/ he had ever in readiness» and cou
quote from mcmory, on occasitiu, ali the pa^sages whic
niight senre as a tcxt on the subjcct of chivalry. The ae
thor, however, of ali a ut hors, in his c»tÌmation, waa
celebrated Francesco Blrago, with wliom he was more
once asstidated in givtng ;udgm cut on ca»es of honour; mn
who, on bis side, spoke of Don Ferrante in terms of
ticular cstcctn. And from the lime that the Discorsi Ca
lercschi of this rcnowned writer ma<!c their appearance^
prc^Jicted, without hc?iitaiion* ihai this work would de
the auihority of Olevano, and wmii*l rcmain, togcther
its other noble sisters as a code of prtmary auihority
posturity: and cvcry <mc rnny sec, says our anonynioiti
thor. how this predictton ha» bccn verified.

Front this he pa^^en on to the study of belle" ^-**'
bui we begin to doubt whelher the r cader Itas ri

I PROMESSI SPOSI

greàt wìsii to go (orward with «s in thìs revsew, mnd evcn
to fear tliat we may alrcady hare woti the dtle of servile
copyist for oarselves, aod that of a bore, to be shared wrth
the anonymous author, fcr having foMowed Min out so
sitnply, even thus far^ into a subjcct fore^ to the prìo-
cìpal narrative, and in whicìi, probably, he was only so
diiffuse, for the ptirpose of paradmg erudition, and show-
iDg that he was not behind hÌ3 age. Howevcr, leaving
writtcn what m written, diat wc may not lose onr labour.
W€ will omìì the rest to resumé the thread of our story:
the more wilhngly, as we have a long period to traverse
without meeting with any of onr characters, and a longer
Siili, bcfofc finding those m whose success the rcader wUl
be most interested, i£ ajiyiMng in the whole story has in-
tercited hira at alL

Unti! the autumn of the followtng year, 1629» thcy ali re*
mained, some willingly, some by force, almost in tìie state
in which we ieft them, notliing happening to any onei and
00 one doing anj-thing worthy of being recorded. The
aittaiim at lengih approachcd, in which Agnese and Lucia
had cminted upon meeting agaìn; but a grcat public event
frustratcd that expectation: and this certainly was one o!
its cnost trifling efFeets, Othcr great events followed, wbich,
however, made no material change in the destinies of our
dtaracters. At length, new drctnnstanccs, more general,
more tn^uentlal, and more cjctcnmve^ reached even to them,
—even to the lowest of tbem, according to the world*s scale.
Il was Uke a vasi, swceping, and irrcsistible bnrrìcane,
which, tiprootìng trees, tcaring off roofs, levelling battle^
mesits^ and scattering their fragments in every direction, stirs
itp the straws hidden in the grass, pries into every corner
for the light and withered leaves, which a gentler breeze
WDUld only bave lodged there more securdy, and bears tfaem
off in ils headlong coiirse of fury.

Now* that the private cvents which yet rematn for us
to relate may he rendered ìntelligible, ìt wìU be abso-
Intety neccssaiy for ns, even hcrc. to premise some fcind
of acconnt of thcse public ones, and thus isake 1 itili fnrtlier
digressioa

CHAPTER XXVin

1 FTER the sedition of St. Martin^Sp and th^
£1 mg day, ìt secmed that abutidaiice Iiad rei
«^A. MiJan, as hy enduuitment The brcad ì^hopt wc
pteatlfuUx supplicd; the price às low as in the most proB
[ years, and flour m proportioiL Tlicy who durtng iho«< ti
days had employed themsclvca in shoutin^, or ddng
tbtng worsc^ had uow (t'xcepUng a {cw who liad bccn aeued)
.reason to congratulate thcmsclvci: and kt ìt nut he (nmgtfi
' Ihat they spared thcse congratulations, after the first lei
of beìng caphircd had subsidcd. In the squares» al tli
corners of the atrc^ts, and in the tavems. there was undii
guiscd rejoicing, a general niurmur of appUu^es^ and halfH
uttered boasts of havtng found a way to n-daee br»ul to i^
moderate prìce*

In the midst, howevcr, of this vauntiftg and festiviiya;
there was (and how could it \ìt oiherwìse?) a secf et fcclin
of di&quietudc* nnd pre^cntimcnt that the thrng couhi
last long. They besieged the bakcrs and meal-sellcrs,
Ihey had before donc So the fortner artificìal soìd transieni
abundance procured by the first tarif! of Antonio Fcrrcrr'
he who had a little money in advance, m%'ested tt io
bread and floyr, which wcre itored np in chesfis,
barrels, and ìron vessets. By thus emubting each othtr
■ cnjoylng prescitt advantage, they rendered (1 de» not saf^
[its long duration impossible-, for such ìt was of ksHi already/
Pbut even) its cantinaance froni moment to moment eve^
more difficult* And lo! on the I5th Novemher. Antoiufl
Ferrer, De ùrden éf su Ejrcelencut, ismed a proclamatic
in which ali who had any corn or flotir in thcìr houses wc
forbiddeo lo huy etihcr ooc or the other. and every
jelse io purcha^ more than woulc! i
lUfKfrr pain ùf ptcuniùry and co^-
Ìm/M ùf his EsciU^ncy, It i abo» w

the eldtra, (a kind of public _ . j and in: i

ali otber peraoitfl» to inforni agatnat offestdeit; ordcrs to

470

imgtstratcs to m^t slrkt acftitii in ftny houses whicti itiiglit
bc rcporlcd to tiiem; togtthcr with frcsh commands to the
b«kers to keep thdr shops well fumlthed wjlh breadi KKié'r
paiH, in case ùf failure, ùf iftv jpfori in rfce gaihys, ùr tmn
greùttr penalHes, ai ihc wiU of his Exc€Ìiency. He wbo
can iiia^fic such a proclamation exccated, must liavc a very
ckvcr jmaginatioii ; and, certainly, had ali ihosc iaaticd at
that ttmc takoi c0ectt the tlnchy o£ Milan would fiavc had
at least as many peoplc on the seaa a^ Great Britain ìtseli
may bave at prcsent

At any rate, as ìhty ordered the bakcrs to tnake so
mach bread, ìt was also ncccssary to gìve some orders that
Utc inatcrìals for makitig it shouid noi faiL They had con-
tri ved. (as, in litncs of scarcity, the endùavoof is always
rcncwed to reduce into bread different alimcntary matertals,
usuAlly consiimcd under anodi ef fonn,) thcy bad con-
Irtvcd, I say, to Introduce rìce tnto a compostHon, cailed
mlxed breadL On the 23rd Novenibcr, m edict was pub-
lisbedt to ]ìmtt to the disposai of the superintendent^ and
the twch*e iTJcnibtTs who constitiited the board of provìsion,
one-halt of the dressed riee (risone h was tben, and is stili,
calted there) whìcb cvcry ouc pos&csscd; wrth the threat, to
any cr hoiild dtsprise of it wftbout the permissìon of

Ihéit - i, of the loss c£ the ariìclc, and a fine of

three crom ns a bushel. The honcsty of this próceedìng evcrv
ope can apprcciate.

Bui it was nece«sary to ^y for this rfce, and at a price
▼cry disproportioncd to that of bread The burden o!
jmpplvtni^ the enormou* {neqttality had l>een imposed npofi
Ifi " +^ the Drcunani, who had undcr-

tr. m bchalf of the city, deltberated

the saxoe day, 23rd of Norctnber, ahout remonstratiug wtth
the govemor on die impossihilìty of àny longer maìntaintag
atich an engaferoent ; and the govemor, In a decrce of the
yth December, fixed the price of tlie ahove*naroed rice at
Iwtlvc Irrrea per bushel. To tho«e who shouid demand a
111 ' ' i' who sbould refuse to scll,

h* article, and a fine of equal

Yalue^ twti/ f*rt0ier , and iven tartufai punithment^

\ing the gaU. ^ . t*m wiU of kis BxcMtncyt o€*

ALESSANDRO MAOTONl

descrtbe gre&t cveats, than to note the eatises and

itry.

of tfiero,) a picturc ot the comi
in the already advàiiced wtatcr, aiid

the cause of the cvil, che dispropcMrtion, t. ^,, bciwteti food
ifid the demànd far li, (whidi^ far from Ueing rcfnoved,
was Gven ittcrcased, by the rcmedieft whkh tt ly

suspeiided its cffects,) whcn the true cjiukc^ i «^4t, ^» ^.é«
àc&rdty, or, to speak more corriictly, the scardty itselff
Wli operaìing without a check* and cxcrtìng ìts iuiì forec U
wat not evcn chccked by the introductioti of a mittddlt
sttpply of corn froin without, io wKich rcme<ly wcrc oppOMd
th© tnsufficiency of public and pf ivate tueana, the pcivcrty
of tiie suiToutidlng countrics, the prevailÌDg taniine, tlie
tedJousness and restrlctions ol commerce, and tlie ìskw% tHoOK
selves, tending to the production and vtolcnl uialnteniisot
of moderate prices, We will gire a iketch of the moumfnl
plcture*

Ai cvery step, the shop» closed; manufactortes for thi
nio#t part de^erted ; the strects prescnt'mg aa indescrlbaUe
spèctaete» an Incesiant traifi of inìsc'nesy a peri^etual abodi
of sorrowSi Profe&scd beggars of long standing, oow b«*
come the smallest mimbcr, mingJed smd loft io a new swarm,
and samctimes rcdticcd io coiuend for altrui with
from whom, iti former day% Ihey Itad bceo accustognod
fecdve thetn, Apprt-nttces and dcr^ ■ j>s€d by
kecpers and merchams, who, when ily profili _

minished, or eiitlrely faikd« were livìng »|>:trbg1y oq fhélf
aavJngi* or on thdr capital; shopìeeepcrs and mrtchanti
themiKelveìi, to whom the ccssatton of Wj^ine^ hu
faihire and rcin ; workmen, bi every irtde and mri
the Goromonest as wel] as tJie most refìned, the n

•ary as wd! as tho^e more subscrvtcm tn

froBi door to door, and from *fr«^-! tf> ftr

the comcri, stretchcd upon '

mid churdiex. beggmg piteoT-

and a stili tmstsbdued ìihame, cmaciated

biing, from long fastrng, and the cc>l'^ *^^ ♦

their tattered and 5caoty ganncntìf, v-

many tnstances, rctaintd tfaces of Havmg

bctter oondltiofi; ai thdr preicot (dleiicfla and detponfdeoqr

? l^ÌQ«l

loset

wwa/t

wcak, and trfn*

iH^cn oiuc m a

I PROMESSI SPOSI

cala

^Brilli

iti disfutsed indìcations of former babtis of ìndostry and
CóUrage* Minglcd in the dcplorabJe thmng, ima fonniiig no
imall pari of it, wcre sci-vanU dismisscd by thdr masters,
who ctthtr had sunk fmm mediocrity fnta pioverty, or olhcr*
ise, from wealthy and noblc citkens, had become unablc
«adi 31 year, to maintain their accuitomcd pomp of rcti-
And for eàch onc, so to say, of thcse diìfercnt needy
kjecU. waa a tnunbcr of oihcrs, accustooied, in pan, to Uve
tbeir faìns; childrcn, womcn» and aged' relati ves, grouped
arouod ihdr old suppone rs^ or dispcrsed in search of relief
«tewhrre.

Tlicrc were^ aÌ30> casily distlnguishable by their tangled
locks, by the reltes of their sliowy dress, or even by some-
tbing in fhcir carriagc and gestitreSi and by that exprc&tion
which h;ihìts impresa iipon the coimtaiance, the more marked
aiid distitict as the habits are strange and wniistial,*-many
of that Vile race of bravoes, who, baving lost in the common
cftlftniity their wickcdly acquired tub^tance, now went about
»lonng it for dmrity. Subducd by hungcr, cooiending
ìli] othcrs ooly in cmrcaties. and rcduecd in person, they
agged themsclves along through the s^tteets, which Uiey
so often iraversed wtth a toity brow» and a iuspìctotis
'ànd fcrocÌQUS tQ^^ -il to stunptuous and fantastic Itv-

edes, fumisbed li atios, plumcd, deck ed out, and

perfumed: and hwmbjy cxtended the band which had so
oliai been insolenti/ ratsed to tbreatesi, or ireachcrously»
to wottnd*

Bttt the tnoit freqtient, the most &qualid, the most hideous
spectacJc. was that of the country people» alone, in coupleip
m in cntSre familics; hu$bands and wtves, wilh infanti
ir annSp or lied up in a bundlc upon their backs^ with
draggcd along by the band, or with old people he*
Some thcrc wcre who» bavìng had their houses in-
and pillafed by the Mildiery, had fled tbithcr, cithcr as
t% or paaseng ers, in a kind of desperation : and among
tliere were •otne whn displayed «tronger incentiveg to
mpassìoci, atid greaier diiClnction in misery, in the Mrara
H^ bitiises frofQ the woondi they had recetval in tht* de f enee
ew reoiainijig proviscions; whiJe otli*:^ .vajf

Aoci bnttal licentioiitQeis. Others, ag ai x

ALESSANDRO MAKZOKl

by that paitìctilar icoarge, Imt driveti from thdr hoiDes by
those two. from which the remotest cooicr was no* exemfitv
steri lì ty ajid prices more ejcorbitattt thait cver, to mcci wfaat
wcrc cali ed the necessiti es of war, had come, and wcre coo-
tmtially pouring info the city, as to the ancioit seatt
ti] ti mate asylum of plenty and ptous munificoice. The ne
arrtved inight he distìnguìshed, mot onìy by a hesttatin^ ^^f?
and novcl air, but stili more by a look of angry astotiish-
ment» at finding such an accumulatiotij such aa cxccss, sych
a rivalry of misery, in a place where they had hoped to ap-
pear singular objects of compassìon, and to attract to them>
selves ali assistati ce and noti ce. The othersj who, for more
or lesa time, had hatinted the streets of the dty, prolonging
Kfe by the scanty food obtained, as il werc, by chance, in
such a dì spari ty between the supply and the demand, bore
expressed in theìr Ioaks and carriage stili deepcr and more
anxious constemation. Varions in drcss, (or rather ragsj
as well as appearance. In the mldst of the common prostra-
tion, therc were the pale faces of the marshy districts, the
bronicd countenances of the open and hìUy countrj^ and the
ruddy complexion of the mountaineer^ ali alike wasted and
emacìated, with sunken eyes, a stare between stemn ess and
idìocy, matted locks, and long and ghastly beards: bodies,
once plump and ìnured to fatigue^ now exhausted by want;
shrivellcd skin on their parched arms^ Icgs, and boey breasts*
which appeared through theìr disordered and tattered gar-
ments; wbile diilerent from, but not less melancholy than.
this spectacle of wasted vigour, was that of a more quickJy
subdued nature; of languor, and a more sell-abandoning de-
biUty, in the weaker sex and age.

He re and there, in the streets and cross-ways, aloiig
the walls, and mider the eaves of the houses, were laycrs
of trampied Straw and stubble, mix ed with dirty rags*
Yet such revoltìng filth was the gift and provision of charìty;
they were places of repose prepared for some of those mis-
crable wretchea, where they might lay theìr heads at night
Occasionali/, cven dnring the day^ some otte might be seen
lying there, whom faintness and abstinence had robbed of
breath^ and the power of supporting the welght of bis body^
Sometimcs thesc wretched couches bore a corpse; sometìmes

I PROMESSI SPOSI

a poor exhausted creature wouid suddenly sinlc to the ground,

and rema io a lifeless body upon the pavcment

Bendi ng over some of these prostrai ed sufferers, a neìgh-
bour or passer-by mtght frequently be seen, attracted by a
sudden impulse of compassione In some places assìstance
was tendered, organi^cd witli more distant foresight, and
procecding from a band rich in the means, and expcrienced
m the exercise, of doing good on a large scale j — the band
of the good Federigo- He bad ma de eh o ice of six priests,
whose ready and persevering charity was unìted wìth, and
minìstered to by, a robust constitution ; these he divided into
pairs, and assigned to each a third part of the city to peram-
bulate, followed by porters ladcn with varjous kinds of food,
together with other more effective and more speedy re-
storatives, and clothing. Every mornìng these threc pairs
dispersed themselves through the streets in different direc-
tìons, approached those whom they found strctched upon
the ground, and admìnistered to each the assìstance he was
capable of recelving. Some in the agonits of death, and
no 1 ùnger ahi e to partake of nourishment, receivcd at their
hands the last succours and consolations of religion. To
those whom food might stiH benefit, they dispensed soup,
eggs, bread, or wine; while to others, exhausted by longer
abstinence, they offe re d jelUes and stronger wìnes, reviving
them first, if need were, with cordials and powerfu! acids,
At the same time they dìstributed garments to those wbo
Were most indecorously and miserably dothed,

Nor did their assi stane e end bere : it was the good bishop'a
wish that, at least where it couTd be extended, efficacìous and
more perraanent reUef shouid be ad min iste r ed, Those poor
creatures, who felt sufficiently strengthened by the first reme-
dies to stand up and walk, were also provided, by the same
kindly minìstry, with a little money, that retoming need,
and the failure of fnrther succour, might not bring them
again immediately into their first condition ; for the rest, they
sought sheltcr and maìntenancc in some of the neighbonring
houses, Those among the inhabitants who were well off in
the world, afforded hospitality out of charity, and on the
recommendation of the Cardinal ; and where there was the
willf without the means, the priests requested that the poor

ALESSANDRO MAN20KI

creature mtglit be rcceivcd &s a boarder; agreed upoo
terms, and immeiiiatcly dcfrayed m part of the cxpeosc, Tbey
then gavc tioitcc oÌ tJiosc wbo were tliu» lo^gcd to the
parìsh prìests, that they mìght go to sce thon ; «ad the^jF illesi*
selves would also rettim to vbit tbem.

It ìs unneccssary to say tbat Fcdcfigo did not coni
bis care to this extreinity af aufTcrmg, nor wilìi |ÌU
cvil had reaehcd its hcighi, bcfore accrtiog hìms^^r
ardent and Yersatik charity must i^cl nll, bc emfilo^ed io
ali, hastcn wbere it could not antì id take, ao to

say, as many forms as thcre wcrc r of oeed. la

fact, by bringing together a!l bis meansv saTèag with stJH
more rigoroufi eciiooRiy^ and applying Mima destincd In
otJier purposes of charity, naw, alasf rendcred o£ sccoodary
importancc, be bad tried evcfy mcthod of makiiig maocy,
to be expended entirely ha aUeviatìtig povcrty. He ande
large purehases of com^ wbidi be despatcbisd to the moit
iodigent parti of bis dioccsc : and aa the «ii<Toor? \v^Tf far
from ecjualHng tbt: nccessity, he atso »cnt %

of salt, *with whjch,* gays Ripacoottti, n i
fitances, 'the hcrbs of tbe ficid, aod bark from the
mlgbt be coiiverlcd imo human suiteniincc/ He alsti
tribtited com and money to the clcrgy of the city; he hi
viiiited it by di^t "spensbg alttis; he rclicrcd in

many destittite iti the archiepbeopal pataoe

quanti ties of rku wcrc dauly cookcd ; aiìd accordtng to ti
account of a contcmporary writcr, (tbe pliy&ìdan, Atenaa*
dro Tadino, in im Raggu^j^liQ, whtch wc ihaU freqaently
bave occa&ion to quote in tbe sequela ) two Ihomaiid ptir-
ringets of ibis food were hcrc distrìbuted cvcry ntonring.

But tbesc frnits of chartty, wfiich wc may certatnly
spedfy aa wondcrfnl, whcn wc c<^sider tbai tlicy pw*
eeeded from one tndividuat, and from bia sole resouroes^
(for Federigo hat^tiialfy rnfuscd to bc madc a dl^Kflaer ot
the Hberality of othcrs.) tliese, togctbar with the bounijr of
otber private persona, if noi ao eoptoa% at leaat mora ciii*
tncrous, and tbe «uhstdioi grantcd by tbe Cottncìt of tba

Prcunont to meet ibis emergency, tJjc ' — ^^timi of -t*^--^-

vraa catnmìtled to th«* Bosird of Prov- -t% after

GODipartdoo of the demanda icaroe ana mAaeqitalei \\mi/ù

I FIIOMBSST SPOBt

few mcmntaineeri asd inhabitants of the vaUfys, nrfio
reÈ,óy to die uf hunger, had their lives pfoìonged by
the C*rdSiial*s assìstanet, gthers arrìved ai the cxtremest
verge ot slarvatian; the fonner^ having consumed thcii
meastired FUpplics. rcttjmed to the aame itale; iti other parts,
i>ot fórgtitten, but constdered a£ tess straitetied by a charity
wtikli %vas eompellcd to make distinctìons, the siifferings be*
eame fatai ; in every dìreetÌDCi they perished^ fTom every di-
rection thcy flocJced to the city. Here two thousand, we will
say, of fojnishmg creattires, the sci-ongest and most skilftt
in surmouBting cotnpetition, and makiog way for thanselves,
obtainrd. pcrhaps» a bowl of soup, so a3 oot to die that day ;
but matiy more thousands rcmaìned behind, cnvying those»
shaU we say, more fortitnatc ones, wheii among them who
remabed bchind, were oftcn theìr wives, chtldreo or par-
enti? And while, m two or three parta of the dtv, some of
the mo»t desti tute and reduced were raised from the ground,
rctlvcd, recovcrcd, and provided for, for some tìme^ in a
hundred other quarters, many more saiik, lang^uUhed, or even
expired, wìthont assistance, wìthotit alleviation,

Tferoaghotit the day a conftised humming of lamentablc
entreatìes was to be heard in the strects; at night, a mur-
mur of groanst broken now and then by howls, tuddenly
btir^titig opon the ear, by !oiid atid long aeeents of com-
plaùity or by deep toties of invocation, terminalbig in wild
shneks.

It is WDfthy of remark, tlut ui such ao extremis of want,
ili such a varìcty of complaints, not one attempt was ever
made^ tiot one nimour ever raised, to bring about ao msnr-
rection: at kast, wc find not the kast tnention of swch a
tliing, Yet, amnng those who llved and died in this way,
ihcre was a greai numhrr ^f meo bronght up to nnvTTitng
rather than patìcnt et there were, imi mi-

ilreds^ those vcry sanJc :i\n who, on St iN Uy,

tud made thcmseivcs so sensibly felt Nor must it be lui-
agined that the example of those foiir unhappy men. who
bore In thcir own pcrsons the penaNy of ali, wa» wbat now
krpt thrjn in awc ' V ctiuld, not ti ' ' boi line
rcmcmbraoce, of \ lavc, on the f a dia-

perwd and reuniied mulùiude, who saw thciii^clvci eoa*

AtMSSAHOnO MANMNl

demned, as it werc, to a prolonged punìshment, wbkh
wcrc alrcady siifìferìug? But so constìttited are wc
in general, Ihat we rebd iiidigoaiitly and vtoìcntly
medium evils, and bow in silence under extrcmc oncs;
bear, not wilh resigli a Hon, but stupef action, the w tight
whai at first wc had called insupportable.

The void daìiy created by mortali ly in this dcy
multtiude, was every day more than replcnishcd: (here
an incessant concourse, first, from the neighbotirin^
then froni ali the country» thcn from the cities of the sta
to the vcry borders, even, of others. And in the ttiean wh
old inhabitants were cvcry day leaving Mìlan;
wìthdraw from the sight of so much suffering ; othcrs^ 1
driven from the field, so to say, by ncw competìtors
supporta in a last despcrate attempi to find sustenance
whcrc, anywherc — anywìiere, at Icast, where the crowds
rivalry tn begging were not so dense and importunate.
oppositely bouud traveUcrs met cach other on ihcir different
routes, ali spectacìcs of horror, and disastrous omens
the fate that awaìted thcm at the end of thetr
joumcys. Thcy prosecuted, howcvcr , the way thcy had
undertakeu, if no longer with the hope o( changin^ il]
coriclition, at least tiol to return to a scene whìch hld beco
odious lo them, and lo avoid the mght of a place whcre ti
had becn rcduced to de^^pair. Some, evcn, who&e lasl vital
powers were dcstroycd by abstincnce, sank down by the way,
and were Icft wherc they cxpircd, siili more fatai toketu lo
their hrethren in condttion, — an object of horror,
of reproach, to other passcngers, ' I saw/ writes Ripa
'lying in the road siirrnvmding the wall, the oorpse of
wonmn , ♦ , Half-eaten grasa was hanging out of hcr oiotitl
and ber contamìn^ted lips stili made almost a canvttliril
effort < . • She had a hundle at ber back, and, secured
bands to hcr lx>soni, hung an infant, which with bitter
was calUng for the hreairt , . * Some compassionate pers
had come up. who, raìstng the miserablc little crrJittire fr
the ground* brought it some taitenance, thus fulàtling io
measurc the fintt matemal oIBce'

The contnutt ef gay dothhi^ «nd rap, of * and

liiÌ3cr/« the ordiTìarv *<pectaele of ordinary i-y ^l♦ ìa

I PROMESSI SPOSI

«a

tb^se p^etjllar ònes^ eolifely ceas<;d, Rags and tniscry htd
in^clciJ ólmast cvirry ranV; and wiiat now at ali distÌR«
K«jsì»cd tljein was bui Sia app^arance of frugai medìocrity.
Ttie nobili tv wcrc sccn walking in bccoming and modest, of
e : some, becawse the commoa

r ilietr forttmes lo tlus degree,

Jiiiiid to forluties alrcady much
r from fcar of provoking public
speraiion by dispb}*, or from a feeling of sbamc at tbus in*
Iting public calamity. Petty tymnts, once hated aod tooloed
upon with awe, and acaistomed io wandcr abont with an Ui^
solcnl train of bra%*oes at ihcìr hecls, now walked almost unat-
tendfKi. rrest-fatlen, aiìd witli a look which seemed to offer
and r ?acc, Oibcrs who, in pros|K*nty also, had beca

of tri' ine dfspnsiticm and more ci vii hearing, appcared

ncvcrthekss c^: fi: >']. dìatractedj and, as il were, overpow-
crcd by the c: ni i I vlcw of a Càlamity, wbfch cxcluded
noi on!y the p ' hhy of reliefp but, wc may almost say,
ihc j>owcrs of e^'iìiirjiseration, Thcy who wcrc able to a^ord
any asi<>iitance, wcrc obltged to make a meìaticholy choice
bctween hiiM>rer a[\d honger, betwcen cxtremìty and cx-
iwnitv iti,] no MHmer wa.s a compassionate band seen to
dfop iiTto the band of a wretcbed beggar. than a

slnf irdy rose betwecn the other miserable wrctcbes;

wlio relaiJied stili a little strength. pressed forward to
t with more importuuìty ; the feeble, aged people, and
rtn, cxtaided tbcir emaciatcd tiands; mothers, from
ù ::rid, rafscd and IkUÌ out thctr weeping ìnfants, miserably
ciud in their tattered swaddling-clolhes, and reclirung lan*
itdiy in their arms.

' Thiw pa^ed the winter and tlie sprìng: for some time the
Board of Hcalfb hnd bcen remonstrating with the Board of
Provtiion, on the danger of contagion which ihreaicncd the
dty from so mudi tuffering, accitmulated in, and spread

-t 1- . 1. , j^„^ j,^^l prtjpo-ited, that al! the vagabond meo-

ì bc coUected tot-ether into the diffcrcnt hos*
V\ hilc thi« pian wa« bcing del>atcd upon and ap-
Yté: wfiJlc the m«^rì*, tnethods, and filares. wrre being

p<lt ìt *rr IX^rp^Cil Diul t»,

brtogÌii„ iial mtmbcrs ^ lon

0C i«— voL ai

482

ALESSAKBRO MANZONI

tn this, foUawcd ali the other cofìcomttiuits of fattthiOE
mtiery, aiid clanger* It was pfojr * " the Board of
vision as more practicablc atid i ix, lo asfemti

tile mendìcsmts, hcalthy or di^^eust-tl, iii une place, the Laj^
zSLrcrto, and ìhcrc to fccd and maintaiii thrm at the publk
expensc^: and ìhi% cxpedient was rcsiolvcd upon^ in sj
the Board of Health, which objccted that» hi aucli un a^.^...
blage, the cvil would only bc incrcased which they wUbel
to obviàle.

The Laiiarctto at Mdan (perehanee thi* s^lory thcitilii
fftB into the hands of any one ijv f
by sìghi or deacriplion), h a quai

lateral enei osa re. outs^ide the city, lo the Ictt of the fSic
calJed tiie Pòrta Orientale^ and separated frxim the boJtióttt
by the widih of the fosse, a road of eirciimvallatìan, and a
smaìler moat runnìrtg round the btitiding rtKeIn llie tiiro
brfer sides extcmi to aboiit the lenftJi of fi ve hundred fnees;
the othcr two, pcrhaps. Eftcen less; ali, on the outside^
dìvidcd into little rocims on the ground floor; whilr, ntntrìng
round three sides of ihe interior; h a continnons» vaniteti
portico^ itipponed by small light pìllars. The ntimber of thtf
rooms was once two hundred and eìghty^eijfht» some Urger
^an others; but tn our days. a large aperture made
Ihe middle, and a ^mailer one in one corner of the
that flank» the hìghway, bave destroyed I know oot
many.

At the pcriod of our story there were only two entrancei,
one in tht^ centre of the side which looked upon the city»
will, the other facing h in the oppotìie side. In the mitUt
of the clcar and open «pace within, rose a smafì ocia
tempie, which is stili lo existencc* The prìniary object (
whole edificc, bc^n in the year 1489. with a private 1^
and afterwards continued with iJir publir money,
of other testatore and donors, was. as tJie narne ti
notes, tfi afford a place of n-fiijje, in cast»» of necc
such as were ili of the plague ; which, for some ittiie hèfo
that epoch, and for a long while after it, uMtiIly appe_
twxj, four, ìtìx, or eight times a century* oow in thb, now
that Eumpeati country, ftometimes taking a grcat part of
ioinediKiei even traverainf the whole, so to lay, froizi oc

1 PROMESSI srosi

tìie otber. At the lime of whìch wc are speakìng^ the
zzaretto was luerely used a« a rcpository for goods su^
Icd oi cotJvcyìng infectiatK

To preparc it on this occasion for its new destìnation, the
uuì ioniììi wcrt' rapidly gone through; and haviiig tiastily
ladc the neccssary cleauiìngs ATìd prcscribed cxpcruncrUs,
ali the goods wer^ hiimediatdy Liberated Straw was sprcad
oui ili cvcry room. purchases werc inadc of provisions, oi
whatevcr kìnd and in whatevcr qoantìties they could be pro-
cured; aod, hy a public edkt, ali beggars were invited to
lakc shclicr the re,
Many wiltingly acccpted the ofFcr; ali those who wcre
irig ili in the strects or squarci werc carried ihither; atid
in a few days tbere was aliogetber more than thrce thousand
who had taketi refugc thcre* But far more were ihcy who
rem a in ed behìnd. Whethcr it wcre that each one expected
to see others go, and hoped that there would thus he a smalkr
party left to sharc the relicf whìch could bc obtaincd io the
city, or from a naturai rq>ugnarìce to con finemente or from
the distrust felt by the poor of ali that ts proposed to tbcin
thosc who posfess wealth or power (a distrust always
oportioncd to the common ignoraiicc of those who feel
it aiid those who tiispirc it^ — to the nuinber of the poor^ and
the stTictncss of the rcgulatiotis), or from the actual knowl*
i^^u of what the offercd benefit was iii reality. or whethcr
it wcre ali thcse put together» or whatcver else ìt roight bc,
oertain it ts that the ^cater numbcr, paying no aitcntioo
lo the invitatiort, continvied to wander about beggìng through
the city- This betng pcrccived, it was consldered advisable
to pass ffom ìuvitation to force* Baili ff$ werc scnt round.
who drove ali the niendicants to the Lazzaretto^ who cveii
broaghi ihose bouud who inadc any resbtaace ; for each one
wfaocn a premium of t^ SQtdf^ wa3 ax&igned to tbciu; ^
u it that, evcn in the scarccst timea^ public money may
be loimd to bc ctnployed foolishty. Acid though, as
h^^m imapitied, and eveti eic;M>esely ialcfided by the

-gar* made thcir eàcmpc

clsewhere, tf it werttwify

meàomf yct the compiilsion wms such, that in a òhùtt

ALBS0ANDRO MANZONI

pìdjty« owtng to the accumulatlon of tkodie», wfalch
rendered stili more disposed to receìve lì, irom thr increai*
iog efficacy ot the other causcs ; whìclievef of tbejie cok
jecturcs be the true one, the daiiy ututib^r of deadis in tht
lazzaretto shortly cxcceded a hundred.

Wliilt ftll the reat here wai languor, iiulTeringr fcar, laiiK
entations, and horror, in the Board of Pro vision tlicre wn
shame, stupcfaetton, irnd tncertìtudc. Thcy contuJted ftal
listcìied to the advicc of the Board of HeaUh« iod eoM
fiìid no othcr course ttian to uudo wltat had been ctonc wilb
so mucli prepirsttion, so much escpeose, ind io oincli uawìll^
ing^esa* They open ed the La^zm^ettov and dismitsed iD
who had any stfeogth reruaming,. who niade their cica|»e
with à Innd of ftirious Joy. The city once more reaouiidcd
wiih Its fomicr clamour, but more feeble aod lutei tuytrty
it again saw that more diminiahod. and 'more mljer^Me*
crowd, saya Ripatnofiti, when remcmberìng how it had
thus diminishcd. The stck wcre transported 10
Maria della Stella, at that ttme mn hospital for bc^g
and here the grcatcr part perithed.

In the tnean while» however, the hlcssed fìelds begin
whiten* The mendicanl* from the country let off, eacb
to hit own parts, for thts much-deiired harvest. The
Federigo dismlssed them with a last cffort aod new iii-
ventioii of cbtrity; to every countryman who presietit«d
htmseU at the archiepiacopal palac9« he fave m giulia* and
a r«aping sìckJe,

With the harvest, the fcarcity at length ceaitd;
mortali ty, however, whether epidemie or eoott|[ioit», tli
decreaaiJig froin day to day, wa» protnctcd evcn into
seaton of aotunui. Il was on the point of vanìihing,
behold, a new scourgc made it» appearaoce.

Mauy iinportani cvcats. of that lund whìdi àrr me
pcciiHarly dtnominatcd hìstorioU facta, hid tal
during this ìntcrvaJ. The Cardinal Rjchdieu h
WG bave iaid, taken La Rocbcllc» ami having p^
an accomniodatìon with the King of lùiglaadt had p^u^iu^c
and carried by bis potcntial voice in the Frefich QntoeEl
ihai some cffcctiial sticeour «hould be rendered to tbc

'A pìcer of

; tu vilt» tWet licpviicc ififMagi

I PROMESSI 8P06I

4gt

of Nevcrs» and had. at the same time, persoadcd th^
King himsdf to conduci the cxpedition in persoo. Wliile
Dtaking ihe ncctssary preparations, the Cotmt de Nassau,
tnipenal commissary, suggested ai Man tua to the ncw Duke,
tliat he Jv€ up the statcs into Ferdinanda hané»,

»r tliat M 1 woyld send an army to occup)^ thcm. The

Jitkc, who, in more desperate circumsianccs, had scortied
acccpt so hard and Uttle-to-be-trustcd a eondìtton, and
duraged now by the approadiing atd from France, sctmied
ftO mudi tlic ingre; but in terms m v^hìch ttie na was
^Tapp<^d up and kept at a di stane e, as much as mlght be^
pwilb even more apparente imi Ics» GO§tly« proposats of
Sion*
The coniniissary took hts depantire, tbrcataiing that
iiey would come to dcddc it by force. In the month of
March Uie Cardinal RkheJteu macìe a dcsccnt, wìtb the King,
the head of an army; he demanded a passage from the
uke of Savoy, cntcrcd npoii a Ircaty» whkli, however, wa»
5t condudcd; and after r. ntcr, in which the Frcnch

the advantagc, again i. 1 and cuncludcd an agree-

iz) which the Duke ^lipuiatcd* among othcr ihì
[Cordova should raise the siegc of Casale; pkdging 1
ìf, in case of bis refusai, io join wiUi Uie Freirch, for the
ustoii of the Diichy of Milao. Don Gonicalo* reckon*
Eig il, 100, a very cheap bargaiii, withdrew !iis amiy (rom
il<i which wat iintnedìately entered by a body of French
retn force ili» farrtsoo.

Vt wa* on * r^ion that AchilJini addresscd to King

his fati- .icl: —

•Sudate, o, tocbì, a prepataf metallf; *

and another, in which he cxhorted liim té rcpair toimedi»
idy to the ddjverance ol Temi-Saati. Bui there h a
drcre^, th«if f hf* «dvic^ of pocts shoald not he foUowed ;
he fotiod in hisiory. In eoa-
s wc may »fdy ai&rtn thai
werc rcsoìved upoii beforchand* The Cardinal Ridi*
Jìeu deterniiiifd^ innead to retimi to France on affain
|rhìch he cun^idcTcd more tirgenL Girolamo Sofaiua, tl»e
^cùetian covuy, urgcd, tiidecd. oindi slitmgisr

480 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

orders to march forward to Mantua, and, in the month of
September, they entcred the Dachy of Milan.

The military forces in those days were stili chiefly coni-
posed of volunteers, enlisted under commanders by profes-
sion, sometimes by commission from this or that prince;
sometimes, also, on their own account, that they might
dispose of thcmselves and their mcn together. These were
attracted to this employment, much kss by the pay, than by
the hopes of plunder, and ali the gratifications of military
ficense. There is no fixed and universal discipline in an
army so composed; nor was it possible easily to bring into
concordance the independent authority of so many diflferent
leaders. These too, in particular, were not very nice on the
subjcct of discipline, nor, had they been willing, can we see
how they could bave succeeded in establishing and maintain-
ing it; for soldiers of this kind would either bave revolted
against an innovating commandcr, who should bave taken
it into bis head to abolish pillage, or, at least, would bave Icft
bim by bimself to defend hìs colours. Bcsides, as the princcs
who hired these troops sought rather to bave bands enough
to secure their undertakings, than to proportion the number
to their means of remuneration, which were generally very
scanty, so the payments were for the most part late, on
account, and by little at a time; and the spoìls of the coun-
tries they were making war upon, or over-ran, becanie, as
it were, a compcnsation tacitly accordcd to tbem. It was a
saying of Wallenstein's, scarcely less cclebratcd than bis
name, that it was easier to maintaìn an amiy of a bundred
thousand men, than one of twclve thousand. And that of
which we are speaking, was in grcat part, composed of mcn
who, under bis command, had desolated Germany in that
war, so celebrated among otber wars both for itself and for
its effects, which afterwards took its name from the thirty
years of its duration; it was then the cleventh year. There
was, besides, bis own special regiment, conducted by one of
bis licutenants; of the otber leaders, the greatest part had
commanded under bim; and there were. also. more than one
of those who, four years afterwards. had to assist in bringing
him to that evil end whieh everybody knows.

There were twenty-cight thousand foot, and seven thou*

1 FROMESSI SPOiI

101

dd horse: an4 in dencefiding ìrom Valtdline to reach the
' terrilory of Mantua. ihey had to follow, more or less dosely,
the coarsf of the Adda where ìt forme two branches of a lakc,
then again ai a ri ver to Ut junction with the Po, and after*
ward» Cor some dìstanee aJong ilie baoks of thjs rìver; cm
bc wholc tight days* march in the Duchy of Mitan*
A great part of the hihabttants retired to the moimtains,
king wìth thetn their most valuable effects, and driving their
caule before thcm ; otJiers stayed behind, either lo tend upon
ame sìck persoo, or to defend their houses from the fiames»
ht to keep an cye upon preci ous things which they had con*
eealed under-ground ; some because they had nothing to losc ;
id a few vtllaitjs, also, to makc acquisitions, When the first
jletachment arrived at the village where they were to halt,
liey quickly spread themsctves through this and the ncigh-
auring ones, and plundered thcm directly; ali that could be
Men or carried off, disappeared: net to spcak of the de-
^trucìiDti of the rest« of the fìdds !aid waste^ of the houses
iveo to the flames, the blows, the wouods, the rapes»
■ committed.

AI! the expedients, ali the dcfences employed to savc prop-
Y, ofteo proved uscìess, sotnetimes even more mjurious to
s owTiers, The so!diers, far more practlsed in the stratagcms
jif ihìs kìnd of war, too> nmimaged every corner of the dwelK
Qgs; torc down walls; eastly disco ver ed in the gardcns the
ncwly f!istxirhed soil; penetrated even to tlie hills, to carry
pfì the calile ; went into cavcs, under the guidance of some
if1at[i« as we have sald, in search of any wealthy inhabitant
[might he concealcd thcre : despoiled his pcrsoa, dragged
hishoiise, and, hy dìnt of threats and blows, corapclJed
W point cut bis hMcicii ircasiirc.
At ktigth, howcvcr, thcv tnfìk their departure, and the dis-
dtjnds of ffrtims or tr raduaUy dk-tì away on fhe

fthis wa.'i followcd hy :i irs of dcath-like cairn : and

I E uew hatefiil cla^Lhlng of arms, a new hateful rumbling,
accd another sfioadron. These. no longcr fìnding »ny-
biog to plunder, applied thomselvcs with the more ftiry to
ilcstnjctton and havoc of the rest, burning fumitarc,
r-piMs^ hcams, easks, winc-vats, and sometimc^ evm the
they scUcd ;ind Ul-used the inhabiiants irìlh doable

402

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

ferocity; — and so on, from worse to worse, for twetity days;
for into thi8 number of detachtnents the army was divìded.

Colico was the fìret town of the Duchy invaded by these
fiends; afterwards, they threw themselves into Belano ; thence
they entered and spread themselves through Valsassina, and
then poured down into the territory of Leooo,

CHAPTER XXIX

ND hcre we find that pcrsons of
Aharers in the wide-spf
One who savv tiot Don
suddenly spread of the dc^^cn.

'oich. atid destructive procecth

' aicquAmtanóe wcrc

I \ i!ie day thal tlie news

1 tiic unny, of ìts nmr

^^. knows vcry little of

[what embarrassment and constcroation rcal!y are They ar€
Icomìng! therc are tiiirty, thcre lire forty, ihcre are fifty
Ltliousand ! thcy are dcvils. hercrìcs» antichrtsts ! ihty'v^ sackcd
Cor* etiti ava ! they've set fi re to Prima luna ! they've devastated
Tntrobhio, Pasturo, Barsto ! lhey*ve bcen seeii al Balabbio !
jthey'U bc hcre io*morrow !— such wete the reports that passed
Ifroni mouth to mouth ; some h\irryviig to and fro, «ithers stand-
jing in little pnrtìes; together ^*ith tumultuous eonsitttations,
lliesitation whether to fly or rcoiaìn, ihc womcn as<^embljng
tilt gtoupB, and ali nltcrly al a lo&s what to do. Don Abbondio,
Kvho hid rcsoìvcd licforc any one else, and mori- Ui;in any
totie elsCt to %, by any possìbtc mode of tìight, rinrl to any
eivable place of reirt-at, di^covtred msypcr iclcs

fearful dangers* * Wliat shall I do?* «: J he:

'Wbere shall I go?* The moiint;iJn5. letting alone the difB*
of gcttìng there, wcre not secure: it was well known
Khat the Gcrrnan foot soldiers elimbcd thcm likc cats. wbrre
ihey had the least ìndicatlon or bopc of fì * The

lake uai^ widej therc was a rrry b^t'^h the

grc-ater part of the boatmtn, 1 ì

to convey soIdicTS or baggagL . i

Ilo t]ie opp{>site side; the few that had remaincd, were f^ne
■off overladen witJi pcopJe» iind
and the %*iolencc of the storm
levery momenL T
lomiveynfie'' of ;

-* ' V thcir OMin wdght
-ed ui grreater perii

Aiibc

He wsiy.

«O «rr^

The

'*»*, i«ia[\ Ilio «iiJiLr'j ^4/iiivi ija.1 V L.n'1 ìhm im

4d4 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

thither at a stretch; but a report had been already spread
that a squadron of cappelletti had been despatched from
Bergamo in baste, who wcre occupying the borders to kcep
the German troops in order ; and those were neither more nor
less devils incarnate than these, and on their part dtd the
worst they could. The poor man ran through the house witli
eyes starting from bis head, and half cut of bis senses; he
kept following Perpetua to concert some pian with ber ; but
Perpetua, busied in collecting the most valuable household
goods, and hiding them xmder the floor, or in any other out-
of-the-way place, pushed by hurriedly, eager and pre-occu-
pied, with ber hands or arms full, and replied : ' I shall bave
done directly putting these things away safely, and then well
do what others do/ Don Abbondio would bave detained ber,
and discussed with ber the different courses to be adopted;
but she, what with ber business, and ber hurry, and the fear
which she, too, felt within, and the vexation which that of
ber master excited, was, in this juncture, less tractable than
she had ever been before. * Others do the best they can ; and
so will we. I beg your pardon : but you are good f or nothing
but to hinder one. Do you tbink that others haven't skins
to save, too ? That the soldiers are only coming to fight with
you? You might even lend a band at such a time. instead
of coming crying and bothering at one's feet.' With these
and similar answers she at length got rid of liim, having al-
ready determined, when this bustling operation was finished
as well as might be, to take him by the arm like a child, and
to drag him along to one of the mountains. Left thus alone,
he retreated to the window, looked, listened ; or, seeing some
one passing, cricd out in a half -crying and half-rcproachful
tone : ' Do your poor Curate this kindness, to scek some borse,
some mule, some ass, for him! Is it possiblc that nobody
will help me ! Oh, what peoplc ! Wait for me, at least, that
I may go with you! wait till you are fifteen or twenty, to
take me with you, that I may not be quitc forsakcn ! Will
you leave me in the band of dogs ? Don't you know they are
nearly ali Lutherans, who think it a merìtorious deed to
murder a priest? Will you leave me bere to be martyrcd?
Oh, what a set ! Oh, what a set ! '
But to whom did he address these words? To mcn who

I l>ROMESSl SPOSI

a*s!ng alon^ b*ndìng undar tbe wcight of thelf linniMc

ture, and tbclr fhota^hts ttimed towards that wttich tlicy

wrrc leasing at home exposed lo plunder; one drivtng hefore
him a young cow, another dragging after hmi his diildrai,
also laden as heavily as they could bear, whitc his wife car-
rled in hcr arms snch as were tinablc to walk« Sonic wcnt
OH their way withotit replying or lookìng up; others sald*
' Eb* tir, you too must do as yoti can ì happy you, who bave
no family to think for! you must hclp yoursclf, and do die
hest you can.'

* OH, poor me f * exclalmcd Don Abbondio ; ^ ob, whal peo-
ple! wbat bard bearts! There*s no cbanty: cverybody tbtnks
of bimscll; but nobodyll think for me!* And he set off
agalli In search of Perpetua,

' Oh, I jmt wantcd you ! ' satd she. ' Your momey? '

*What sball we do?'

*Gìve ìt me, and 111 go and bury ir ìn the garden bere by
the house, togcther with the sìtvcr and knives and forks.'

' But , , /

*But» bot; give k bere; keep a few pcnce for wltatev«f
may bappcn ; and thcn Ica ve ìt to me*'

Don Abbondio obeyed, went to his trunk, took cut his little
trea*^tire, and haitded it to Perpetua, who said : * I*ni golng
to bury it in the gardcut al the foot of the flg-trce; * and went
out. Soon aftcrwards she reappeared with a packet in ber
hand containing some proviston for the appetite, and a smaìl
empt>* basket, in the bottom of wbìch she basiily pfaccd
m little lincn for berself and ber master, saying, at ihc eame
lime* * You 'Il carry the breviarr, at least !*

* But wbere are we golng ì '

* Whcrc are at! the rest going? First of aU, wc*tl gp into
be Street ; and therc we shall tee aod bear wliat's best lo

donr/

At Ibis moment Agnese entercd, also cMrrymg a basket
slang over ber sbouidcr, and with the air of one who oomes
to tmkt an important ptopoital

Agne^ herielf, equally rrsoTved not to await guests of this

alone as sbe was in the house, and with a little of the

ìcy of the Unnamcd stili !cft, had becn hesitating for

timo about a place of rctreat* The remainder of tbosa

MI ALESSANDRO MANZONI

studi, whirh in the: mcnths of famine had htcn of sodi
lo h^r, wa«c now the principa! cause of hcr anxiety and
ft/ilfifi/irt, irrtm havin^; hcard how, in the alrcady invaded
rofirifrir^, ihfj\t. who harl any money had found themselTU
in n wfiT'H' rondi tìon than any body else, cxposed alikc te ±e
violnirr of the stran K«rs and the trcachcry of their fcl!ow-
roiiritrytiK'ti. 'l'riir it was that shc had confidcd to no one. sa,rt
l)nu Ahhnndio, thc! wcalth that had fallcn, so to say, imo her
liip ; to hitii shr harl applied, from lime to timo, to change her
u .fi ufin info Silver, always leavin^ him something to give t:
nofiir Hill* whn wns poorcr than hcrself. But hidden riches.
paitinihirly willi niu* who is iiot accustomed to handlc niuch.
kri'p ihr possr-.'.or in ronlimial suspicion ol the suspìcicn ci
olhrr.s. Whili-, hi»wcvvr, shr was j;f'"V-? al>out hiding hcre
iiihl thetr, as slir hcst cimld, wliut shc coiild not manage te
takr wilh hrr, and thiiikin^; ahout the scudi, which she kcpt
M'wii iip in hrr Mays, she rcmcmhcrcd that, together wilh
thriii. (hr llniiainrtl liad srnt hrr tlie iiiost ampie proftcrs of
MMvii-r; slir ii-nn'inl>iMi'il wliat shc hail hoard relaiod about
his r.istU''s W\u^ in si» si-curc a situai ion, whoro nothing
cullili u'.u'li il. a^^ainst ils owiut's will. luu hirds; and shc
U'solvi'd U^ m« .mil si'ok an asyluni ihcrc. W'oiulcrini; how
slìo was !o niaki* lu*r>oll knuwn to ilio Signor. Don Abl)onJio
ipiukU oi*riiM**d lo luT inind: who. atUT iho convcrsaiion
\vo Imno n'iatod wilh ilio .\rchhi>hi^p. had alway> shown her
]MituMilai inaiks rt kiiulnoss: ilic moro hcarti'^\ a> he c^iild
*lo M» widìojit coniniiitìiVi: himsoll to a!!y o:*.o. a::d^ ihe-^o
\\mnK pooplo Iviì'.j; lar ouou^!i o:ì\ \\\c yrcl\iV:'.::v was also

i:v. wMcV. woi^Jlìavc

:.>:. 7:':v.KÌr.c ihat

i- >::V. :vorv '.^trrlexed

s Ov^-.:r>i' Tvi^y-: appear

\li>tant

th.it .1

ro.juost

WOl

'.Kl

^0 ina<

|MU tìù

s Vv,u\

Mv'Nv lo ,

.; Vi'

v!a::^^

in xnoh

0*M».tlS

v'.on tho

voor \r.

.;:i \\v*.

aiul %!i>

u'..i\ v\!

\\',\V. \w

:^: :V.v:

\K'M^.ì>

»o aN.*

:o Vv.

y. .

\ ..'

::/ :.> :

i«< *nr.

^\\':!ì

ÌV'-v:.;

1 sV.

' < ".

•.;:<w >\*

• \N V

.'%: >,;\

X .^■.' t»"* '.

. •*

*■ ■ ■'

. • • * ■

I PROMESSI SPOSI i0r

Signor desires oothìng more than to benefit hls fcDow-
Cfcatures; and Vvc no doubt he*il bc glad to receive us,
Therc^ on the borders, and as il werc in the air, the soldicrs
certa io ly won*t come And tlien» and thcn» wc shall find some-
tJiitig to eat therc; for up in the mountaijis, whcn thb little
storc is gonc/ and, so saying, she placed it in tJic basket opoa
bc Itncn, * wc shotdd find oursclves very badly o£!/

* He s convertcxl, he's really convcrted. iso't he? *

• Why shouSd we doubt tt any longer, after ali that's known
3Ut hìm, nay, after what you yotirsclf have seen ? *
'And supposìng we sliould be going lo put ourselves m

^rison ? '

What prìson? I declare, wlth ali yotir silly objectìaos»
[I bcg your pardon,) youM ne ver come to any conelnsion*
JVclI done^ Agnese! il was certalnly a capitai thought of
ti' And sctiiiig tlie basket on a table, she passed hcr
tfartnigh the straps, and lifted ti npoo her back.
' CottldnH we find some man/ said Don Abbondio, * who
rotild come with us as a guard to his Curate? If we should
any naifians» far thcre are plenty of thetn roving about»
Wbat hdp CQuId you two gì ve me?'
'Anothcr pian, to waste timc t ' exclaimed Perpetua* * To
and look for a man, wlien everybody has to mind
self! Up wiih you; go and get your breviary and hat,
and 1i!t US set off,'

Don Abbondio obeyed. and sooo retumed with the brcvtary
nder hh arm, his hat on his head, aiid his staE in his hand;
ind the thfce conipanions went out by a little door which led
Jnto ihe churchyard. Perpetua tocked it after ber, rather
lot to neglect an acc u than from any faith she

ed in boks and ih i put the kcy In hcr pocket

Abbondio cait a gbncc at the church in passing, and
tered bctwecn his tecth : * It's the people's business to
ke cafe of it, for tt's iltey who use it If they've the least
re for their church, iheyll see to it; if ihcy've not, why,
Jt's tlicir own look-ouU*

Thcy took the road through the 6clds, cach stJmtly pur*

^^ hì% wtiy. absorbed in thougfht on hU f^wn particular

tkI lòoktnj^ rather n; i round; more

5 Abbondio^ who was :. uual appfehcfH

496 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

«on of the apparìtion of scxne suspidons fignre» or aoae-
thing not to be tnisted. However, thcy cncomitcwd no ooe:
ali the people were either in their hotises to gustfd tfacm, to
prepare hondles» and to put away goods, or on the nmés
which led dìrcctly to the monntain-heights.

After hea\nng a few deep sìghs, and then givmg vent to
his veacation m an interjection or two. Don Abbondio began
to gnimble more connectedly. He qaarrelled with the doke
of Xevers, who might bave been enjoying himself in France,
and playìng the prìnce there. yet iK*as determined to be duke
of Mantua in spite of the ìK*orld: with the Emperor. who
ought to bave sense for the follies of others, to let matters
take their own course, and not stand so mudi ttpon panctilio:
for, after ali. he would alwa>-s be Emperor, whether Tithis
or Sempronius i;\*ere duke of Mantua: and. above ali, with
the govemor. whose business it was to do eTerythiog he
couid to avert these scourges of the country, while. in fiact
he was the very person to invite them — ali from the pleasurc
he took in making war. * I wish/ saìd he, * that these gentry
were here to see and tr\- how pleasont it ìs. They will bave
a fine account io render ? But, in the mean while, we kave
to bear it who bave no blanie in the matter."

* Do let these people alone, for theyll nevcr cca:e to help
US,* said Perpetua, ' This is some of your u>v.a! rratìn^. *'I
beg your pardon. > which just Comes to noihing. ^MKat
raiher givcs rr.e uncasiness . . .*

' WTiat's the roatter ? *

Perpetua, who had been leisurehr going o\-er in ber cind.
during their walk, her hast>- packing and siv^^wirc away. now
began her lamentations at ha\-ing forgoKen 5uch a thing, and
badh- concealed such another: here she kad !e:t traces which
might serve as a due to the rohbers, there . . .

' Well done ! * cried Don Abbondio, gradua! V sufficienthr
reKeved from fear for hìs li fé to al-ow of anxiety for his
worlvi- y goods ar. J chattels : * Well dcne ! Did yen realhr da
so? Where was your head?*

• \\*hat ! ' exclaimed Perpetua, comìrg to an a^^apt passe
for a moment, and restìng her hmis cn her >:^?^s^ as well as
the basket she carried \ix»u!d alk-^w : ' W>a: ' Jo >x»u begia
now to scold me in this way, whcs it was yj^u who aln

I PROMESSI SPOSI

■fity tìmn, instead of helping anfl cncotiraging toc?
Steve Fvc lakcu more care of the thbgs of the house
of my owd; Td not a crenture to IcDd ine a band; IVc
lieen obltged to play iht* parts ùf botk M&riha and Magdalme :
if anythmg goes wrong. IVe tiothtng io sty: Tve done more
my duly now/
Agnese intcrnipted these dispute», by be^nìng, m licf
am, to talk about her nwn gricvanccs i she laniented noi so
[mch the troublc aiid damale, as findsng ali her hopes of
7n meetmj; her Liicìn dashcd to the ground: for, the reader
[lay renienih(?r, this was ihe very autumn on which they had
long cakiilated. Il was oot at ali likelr that Donna Pras-
ic woiild come to re»ide in her country -ho w se bi that neigli*
ciurhood, under such drcumstances: on the contrary, she
rouid more probably bave lef( it, bad shc happened to be
ìierc» as ali the other rej^ìdcnts tn the cotintry were dolnf.

The sight ' ■ 'fTfrcnt places they passed bfought thcse
fhoughts to mind more vividly. and mcreased the

irdotir of b^r de^ircs. T.eavmg the footpath through the
pdds, they had taken the pubìk road» the very same along
\ÈÌth A^e%e bad come whcn brlnging home her dattghter
»i ^hort Ji time, after hjtvmg slayed wìth ber at the
ar's. Tiìe vlllagc was alrcady in stgtit,
*We wìll just say *'how d'yc do** to thesc good people/
MXdé Af^ese.

'Yes» and rest ihere a little; fot I begto to bave had
«ough of thh basket ; ;ind to get a mouthfut to cat too/ said
eftta,

* Òn condìticn we don't Tose Hme \ Cor we are not joumey*
fig for our amtiscment/ conci udcd Don Abbondio.

They were rccclved with open arma, and weìcoined with
nuch ptrasiire: tt r^-minded them of a formrr deed of be-
ai enee. ' ' my as yon can/ bere remarks
ut aotbor, e more freqnently bappen to
icet with eotinicnanec» wfnrh brtng yon pleasure/
At'ii.-^»- Tursi ìnto a flood of tears on embracing the good
h wa? a great relicf to ber- and eouid only
rr - Mibi to il*c questioits whldi she and ber husband
:in! ^ ut Laeta.

* Sbe ij belter off tban we afe»' aaid Don Abbondio; * ahe'i

aoo

ALESSAKDBO MAKtOKI

ut Milan» ou% of ali dangcr, and far awsy ffx»iii thesc
boHcal dangers/

* Are the Signor Curate, and bis ootDpanioiip maldiig i
escape, then ? ' askcd the tailor.

'Certaiiily/ replìed boih master and tenrint. Io
breath,

* Oli, bow I pity yoti both ì *
*We are on our way/ said Don Abbondio* *m Ùm

Castlc of ♦ * ♦ '

' That's a vcry good thotight ; yoti'll bc as safe
in Paradise/

'And youVeno fear bere?' said Don Abbondio.

' 111 teli you. Signor Curate : tbcy won*t bave to come bcfc
to hall, or, as you know Uic saying is, in polite bugumge^
in ùspitasionc: wc are too niucb out of thcir roadt thi^
Heaven* At the worst, thereìl oniy be a little par*
foragera, which God forbid !— but in any case, tbcre*» j
of ttme, We shalt first bear the ìntelUgencc from ihc oifacr
tinfortnnate towns, whcrc they go lo take up their qnartcr».*

It was dctermincd io stop bere and takc a Utile resi; and
Bs it was just the dinner*hour, * My fricfid*,* said ihe uulor,
' will do me the favour of sharing my poor tablc; at any rate,
you will bave a bearty welcome/

Perpetua said she bud bruugtit some refresbmenl vrììh
tbein; and after exchangìng a few compUnientary 6pe«cbeft|
they agreed to put ali togetber, and dine in company.

The children gathercd wilb great glee round iJìdr
Irlcnd Agnese Very soon, bowerer, the taìfor desired oo
of bis little gìrls (the sanie that liad carrled tjiat gift of
chartty to the widow Maria: who loiowf if any rcader
members it f) to go and dicll a few early ehestmit^ whi
were deposi te d in one corner, and then put thcm lo roBSL

* And you/ said he to a little boy, * go ìnto the garden, and
shake the peaeh-tree till some of the fmit fatls, and txring
them al! bere; go. And yoti,' said he to inothcr, * "^ "^«-^^^
the fig^trec, and gatiicr a few of Ihe Hpefii 6g3^ \

Ibat business too wcll alfeady/ H^ h^sclf wcnt \*
little barrel of wine; bis wlfc to fetch a dean tabl<
Per r^k ont ibe pro%*tsiOQs; the tnT -f»rct«!

na^' carthcoware piate were plaoed noce

I PROMESSI SPOSI

sai

|earat»!e seat for Doo Abbondio, with a knife and fork whìcb
[Perpetua had in the ba^sket; the ditiner was dishedj aiid iHc
party seated thcmsclves at ihc lable, and partook of the re*
rpast, U ooi witli grcat merrìment, at least wìth miich moro
than nny of the guests had anticipai ed enjoymg thai day.
' What aay yoti* Signor Curate, to a tura cut of this soft?*
lid the tailor ; * I could faiicy I was reading tbe hlstory of
^ the Moors in Francc,'

* What say I ? To think that evcn ibis trouble should fall
|to tny lot I '

•Well, youVe cbosen a good aiylom/ resumed his host;
*peopte wouid be pu^rled to gei up tliere by force. And
^ou*U &tid company therc; h*s aJrcady reporled tfiat many
flave retreatcd thither, and many more are daily arri v log.'

'I woutd fain hope,* saìd Don Abbondio, ' that we shaJl bc
well reccìved, I know this brave Signor ; and v\lien I once
ihad the plcasure of bcing m his company^ he was so cxcced-
agly iiolitc/

*And be sait word to me/ said Agnese, *by ìàs moBt
strìous Lordshipf that if evcr I wamed anythtng, I had

Jy to go lo him.*

* A great and wcMiderfuì convcrsion I * resumed Don Ab-
bondio: * and does he reatly continue to perset'^ere ? '

*Ob yci^* said tlie tailor; and he began to speak at some
leoglb upon tbe holy Ufc of the Unnamed, and how, from
bdng a scourgc to the country, be bad become its exani|»le
and benefactor.

' And aU those pcople he kcpt under him . , , that house-
, bold . . / rcjoitied Don Abbondio* who had more than once
llieard sotnethhig about tbcm, but had never been sitfficìently
lassnrcd of the trath.

* Thcy are most of Uicin distnissed,' repticd tbe tailor; • and
who rcmain bave ahered thcir habits in a wonderfnl

ri In short, this cajtif htìs become lìke the Tbebaid.

fott, Si^or, underjtaui] ' '')gs*

He theo bcgan to rcc^ gncsc^ the visit of tbe Car-

' A great man/ Kiid hc^ *a grcat man ! Pity tbai be

tifi 90 bastlly; for I dìd not, nnd conld itot, do him any

honotir. llow often I wUh I coold speak to tùm agaia« a

lUtitc more at my ca^e.'

SOI ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Having left the table, he made them obsenre an engrtvei
llkeness of the Cardinal, which he kept hung up on one o{
the door-posts, in veneration for the penon, and also that he
might be able to say to any visitor, that the portrait did aot
resetnble him; for he himself had had an opportunity of
studying the Cardinal, dose by, and at bis leisare, in that
vcry room.

' Did they mean this thing bere for him ? ' said Agnese.
' It's like him in dress ; but . . .'

•It doesn*t rcsemble him, does it?' said the tailor. *I al-
ways say so, too ; but it bears bis name, if noihing more ; it
servcs as a rcmembrance/

Don Abbondio was in a great hurry to be going ; the taitor
undertook to find a conveyance to carry them to the foot of
the asccnt, and having gone in search of one, shortiy re-
tumed to say that it was coming. Then. tuming to Don
Abbondio, he addcd, * Signor Curate, if you should ever like
to take a hook with you up thcre to pass away the time, I
shall be glad to serve >-ou in my poor way : for I sometimes
amuse myself a little with reading. They*re not things to
suit you, bcing ali in the vulgar tongue : but, perhaps . . /

•Thank you. thank you/ replied Don Abbondio; 'under
presont circunistaiiccs. one has hardly brains enough to
attend to what wc are bid to read.*

While ofìfertng and refusing thanks. and exchanging con-
dolence. good wishes. imHtattons. and promises to make as-
othor stay there on theìr return, the cart arrived at the froot
door. PtUting in thcìr ha$ket5« the travellìng party moonted
after them, and undertcH-^k. with rather nìore ca>e and tra»-
qtiillity of mind. the seoond halt of theìr ìoumev.

The tailor had relatcd the tnith to Don Abìvndio aKont
the rnnamed. From the day on which we left him, he had
steadìly perseverevl in the course he had pn>?v>5ed to htmself.
atonini; for wr^-^np^ seekinp peace. rclJexHni: the pcv*r. and
pcrformìng erery sr^xx! \*-ork for which an orcvmmìty pre-
semcvi itself. The courage he had for.v.^r!y ::-.xnitest«d in
otVonce and de t enee now <howc\1 itsc': in aSsrarr.ìng froon
both one and the othcr. I{c Vr..i I.iivl v*v^w-r. a!! hÌ5 «neapoitt»
and al\i^y$ u^!ke^4 a!or.e. >»-:*.::r.j :v> er.c\^ur:cr :>:e possìble
OMì5c>;ucncc5 of the c:a.r.y dceÀ6 oc vk^knce be hai

t PROMESSI SPOSI

303

Wittefl, and fM^r^uadcd that it wouid be ìht: cotnmìssioti of ati
mddiliona! tmc io cmpfoy force ìn de f cuce of a !ife wìilch
»w«d fo tniich to so many crcditors ; and perstiaded, too, that
cvtl which inigln !>c done to litm wouM bc an ofifcncc
[>ffcred to God, btit, wìtb respect to him^ielf, a just retribu-
lioti ; a«d that he, above ali, had no rtght to coastitute him-
Fclf SI pìmhhct of such offeDces, However, he had conti niied
5t !rsB iinioktc than when he had kept in readiness fof bis
ctjrìtv, so many armed banda, and hb own. The rcmem-
rance oì bis fonner ferocity» and the iiigbt of hts present
aeekness, one of wbich, ti mìght bave beeii cxpected, wouid
bave kit so many tongìags for reveiigc, whilc the othcr reji-
'nté that revenge so easy, conspfred, mstead. to procure and
untain for bttn an admlratìon, whicb was the prtocipal
irantce for bis safcty. He was that very man wbom no
^otie couìd humhlc» and wbo had now htjnibled bitnaelf,
Erery feeling of rancour, tberefore, formerly irrltated by
" h coQleniptuou» bebavìour, and by the fears of others» van-
shed before thlt oew bunuHty: thcy whom he had offetided
bad now obtatned, bcyond atl eKpectatlon» and wlthout dai»*
r, a tatlifaetìon wbicb they cotdd not bave promìsed thetn-
elves from tbc most complete revenge — ^the satisf action of
cerng' sticb a man motirniog over the wrongs he had eom-
iitled, and partkìpating. so ta say, ìa thdf Indignatioa.
lorc than one, whosc bittcrest and greatett sorr^w had
for many years, that he saw no probabtiity of evef
himseU, In any mstanee, stronger than thts pow^erful
rssor, that he migbt revenge bìm^clf for some ifr'^*^ ^^^
meeting htm afterwardn a!^ì- ned, and wtth the

of <Kie who wouid offer no rt felt only an liu-

to salute him with demon5traiion& of respect. In bis
Btary abajBcmettt, bis coimteiiaocc and bebaviour had ae-
Ired, wìilsont bis bctng aware of H, something more lofty
id nohte ; bccatiie therc wa.< fn ihem, more clearly than e ver,
ahsence of ali fear. The most violent smé pertitiacious
■ ' * ìi% it were, re*; traiti ed ami held In awe by the
^tiofi for ^n rw^'iìttni and benefìcenf a man, ThÌ«
Wii that he often found it diffkuJt

to V ] of It wbidi was addrcMed lo

him^ aod waa obliged to be carcfit! that he did not cvtoee too

504 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

plainly in his looks and actions the inward compunctioa lit
felt, nor abuse himself too much, lest he should be too nrach
exalted. He had sclected the lowest place in church, and
woe to any one who should ha ve attempted to pre-occupy tt!
it would have been, as it were, usurping a post of hraour.
To have offended him, or even to have treated him disre-
spectfully, would have appeared not so much a criminal or
cowardly, as a sacrilegious act: and even they who would
scarcely have been restrained by this feeling on ordinary oc-
casions, participated in it, more or less.

These and other reasons shcltered him also from the more
remote animadversions of public authority, and procured for
him, even in this quarter, the security to which he himself
had never given a thought. His rank and family, which had
at ali times been some protection to him, availed him more
than ever, now that personal recommendations, the renown
of his conversion, was added to his already illustrious and
famous, or rathcr infamous, namc. Magistrates and nobles
publicly rejoiced with the people at the change ; and it wonld
have appeared very incongruous to come forward irrìtated
against a man who w^as the subject of so many congratula-
tions. Besidcs, a govemment occupied with a protracted, and
often unprosperous, war against active and oft-renewed re-
bellions, would have been very well satisfied to bc freed from
the most indomitable and irksome, without going in search of
another: the more so, as this conversion produced repara-
tions which the authorities were not accustomed to obtain,
nor even to demand. To molest a saint seemcd no very good
means to ward ofif the reproach of having never been ablc to
reprcss a villain ; and the example they would have made of
him would have had no othcr cffect than to dissuade others,
like him, from following his example. Probably, too, the
share that Cardinal Federigo had had in his conversion, and
the association of his name with that of the convert. scrved
the latter as a sacrcd shield. And. in the state of things and
idcas of those times, in the singiilar rehtions between the
ecclesiastical authority and the civil power, which so fre-
quently contended wiih each other without at ali aimtng at
mutuai destruction« nay. wcrc alwa>-s minglìn^ expressions
of acknowledgment, and protesUtions of deference, with hot*

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

50S

iDides, and which not iinfrequcntly co-opcrated towards a
toitiiDon end, without ever making peace, — in such a state of
hingyi, it might alinosi scem, m a maiuxer, tliat ihc rcconcilia-
lion of the fini carried aìoDg witìi it, if not the absolution, at
[Itast ihe forge! fiilncsf, of the second; when the former alone
liad becn employed to j^roduce an efTect equally desired by
oth,

Thys that verj^ individuai, who, had he fallcn from hb
eminence, woiild havc excited ctnubtìon among small aod
^reat in trainptin^ him under-foot, now, having spontanc-
msìy liumbied bimscli to ihe dust» was reverenccd by many,
id spared by ali

Tnie tt is, that ihere were, inde ed, many to whom thls

fTuch-talkcd-of cbange brought anyihing btjt sailsfactìon :

[jany hired pcrpetratofs of crime, many other associates in

^^ilt, who thcreby Test a great support on whtdi tliey bad

"beco accustomed to depend, and who beheld the threads

of a deeply-wovcn plot suddenly snappcd, at the moment,

perbaps« when tbcy were expceting èie iiilelligence of its

completton.

But w€ bave alrcady seen what various scuUments were

awmkened by the annoiiìiccmcnt of this conversion in the

rufilans who were witb tlicir rnastef at the lime, and bcard it

from hisown Itps: astoni ^hment» gricf^ depression, vcxation;

a little, indecd, of evcnthing. cxcepi cotitenrpt and hatred.

^Iie sanie was fclt by the others whom he kept dispcrsed at

jiffcrctit posts^ and the sanie by hìs accotnplìces of higher

whcn they first leamed the ternble tidings; and by ali

|or the same rea^^ns, Much hatreti, howcrer, as we find in

ile pasiage elsewhcre citcd from Ripamonti, fell to the sharc

»f the Cardinal Federigo, They r :.- ' 1 bini as one who

bad intmdccl Uke an cnemy into (! is; the Unnanicd

r to the : and nobody bad

.: to con^i|;

i'rom lime to tiuie, the greatcr t fss in hls

if^chold, tinahle io accommodate i new dis-

jpltnc, and ?«ceing no probabiHty that it woisld ever change,

adually look tbetr dcparttire. Some wcni in search of

thcr ma^lent, and found employineiil, pcrchance, aniong the

"old f ricada of the patron they tiad left; others enti^ted in

S06 ALB8SANDRO ìfANZONI

some terMO^ of Spain or Mantua, or any other belfigercot
power; some infested the highways, to make war oo t
smaller scale, and on thetr own account; and others, again,
contented themselves with going about as beggars at liberty.
The same courses were pursued by the rest who had acted
under his orders in difTerent countries. Of those who had
contrìved to assimilate themselves to his new mode of li fé, or
had embraced it of their own free will, the greater nnxnber,
natives of the valley, retumed to the fields, or to the trades
which thcy had learnt in their early ycars, and had after-
wards abandoned for a life of villany; the strangers re-
mained in the castle as domestic servants; and both natives
and strangers, as if blessed at the same time with their
master, lived contentedly, as he did, neither giving nor re>
ceiving injuries, unarmed, and rcspected.

But when« on the descent of the German troops, several
fugitives from the threatcned or invaded dominions arrivcd
at his castle to request an asyUim, he, rcjoiced that the weak
and oppressed sought refugc within his walls, which had so
long been regarded by them at a dìstance as an enormous
scarecrow, receivcd these exilcs with expressions of grati-
tudc rather than courtesy ; he caused it to be proclaimed that
his house would bc open to any one who should choose to
take refuge there; and soon proposed to put. not only his
castle, but the valley itsclf, into a state of de f enee, if e ver
any of the German or Bergamascan troops should attempi to
come thither for plunder. He assembled the servants who
stili remaincd with him (like the verses of Torti, few and
valiant) ; addressed them on the happy opportunity tl:at God
was giving both to them and himself of employing them-
selves for once in aid of their fellow-creatures, whom thcy
had so often oppressed and terrified: and with that ancient
tone of command which exprcssed a certainiy of bcìng
obeyed, announced to them in j^cneral what he wi>hcd them
to do. and, above ali, impresseci ujion them the necessity of
keeping a restraint over themselves. that they who took
refuge there might see in them only frienJs and protcciors.
He then had brought down from one of the garnts a!l the
fire-arms, and other warlike weapons. which haJ becn for
^ A rtgiaient consittiiit of thm tbooaad «cl^ìcn.

f PE0ME8SI SPOSI

S07

E depostted there, and distrlbiited Uiem amactg his
hoiisehoìd ; ordexed ibat atl the peasants and tcnants of the
valky, wbo wcrc willing to do so, should come with arms to
the ca&de; pro^^ded tboae t^tHo had none with a sofficient
sopply; sclected some tO act as officers, and placed others
under ùìmr command; assigned to cach his post at the «i*
trmocep and in various parta of the vaUey, on the as^ent,
ftfld at Ui« gates of the catstlc ; aad cstablished the hours and
metfaods of relìevìng the guarda, as in a camp, or as he had
been accustoined to do ia that very place dtiring his Mt of
rebdhon.

In one corner of this garret, dìvided itom the rest, were
the anns whkh he alotie bad borae, hìs famous carabine,
tnuikets, swords, pisiols, hiigc knives, and poniards, eìther
lying OH tlie ground» or set up against tJie wall. None of the
icrvant^ laid a finger on Ihcm ; bui they delcrmined to ask
tic Signor which he wishtd to be bfougbt to him* * Not one
^1 thcm,* replied he; and whcthcr from a vow or intentional
!ie fcinained the wholc tìme unarmcd» at the head of
icsol garruoiL
iie eniployed, at the samc tirne» other men snd women of
li boosehold or dependents, in prepaiitig aarommodatìon in
castlc for as many persons as possible, in erecting bed-
Icadd, and arranging Straw beda, mattresses, and sacks
stttffed with Straw, in the apartments which were now con-
Tcrted ifìto dormitorie^. He aJso gave orders that largt
Stores of provt^ions thould be brought in for the malntasaoce
' the gnests wbr 1 s^rnd him* and wbo throngcd

in daOy increa^ He, in the mcan while, was

irer sitatiDn^iry ; in nnd nut nf the castle, tip aiid down the
at, round aljout dirougli the yallcy» to establis^h. to forti fy,
Tifctt the dìffercnt possts, to sec and to be seen* to put and
• keep ali in order by hi.* directions, ovcrsight, and presence.
s, and bv the wav, hr gave hcarty welcoincs to ali the
,cor\. ' ' 1-4 lo iDcét: and ali, who had

K* on Wf^rr, or now hcheld hiia

£f^ ng (or a

tlv? 3 cn iJieni

T, aad ttimlog io look at hit», when, having tevered
hi itom tbesn« he agaùi parsuod bis way.

CHAPTER XXX

THOUGH the greatest concourse was not f rom the qa«r-
ter by which our three fugitives approached the vaUej,
but rather at the opposite entrance ; yet in this second
half of their journey, they began to meet with fellow-travel-
lers, coxnpanions in misfortune, who, from cross-roads or
by-patfis, had issued, or were issuing, into the main road. In
circumstances like these ali who happen to meet each other
are acquaintances. Every timo that the cart overtook a pedes-
trìan traveller, there was an exchanging of questions and re-
plies. Some had made their escape» like our f rìends, without
awaìting the arrivai of the soldiers; some had heard the
clanging of arms and kettle-drums ; while others had actually
beheld them, and paintcd them as the terror-stricken usually
paint the objects of their terror.

'We are fortunate, however/ said the two women: 'Ict
US thank Heaven for it. Our goods must go; but, at least,
we are out of the way.'

But Don Abbondio could not find so much to rejoice at;
even this concourse, and stili more the far greatcr one which
he hcard was pouring in from the opposite direction, began
to throw a gloom over his mind. ' Oh, what a state of things !'
muttered he to the women, at a moment when there was
nobody at band : ' oh, what a state of things ! Don't you see,
that to collect so many pcople into one place is just the same
thing as to draw ali the soldiers bere by force ? Everybody is
hiding, everybody carries off his things ! nothing's left in the
houses : so they'll think there must be some treasures up bere.
Theyll surely come ! Oh poor me I What bave I embarked
in?'

* What should they bave to come bere for ? ' said Perpetua :
* they are obliged to go straìght on their way. And besides,
IVe always heard say, that it's better to be a large party when
there's any danger.'

*A large party? a large party?' replicd Don Abbondio.
'Foolish woman! Don't you know that a single German

508

1 PROMESSI srosi

[>I(fier could dcvour a htindrcd of siich as !he> ? And thcti,
f il ihcy should take into thcir bcads to play any praiiks, it
wouid bc a fine ihing, wouldn't it, to fimi ourselvcs in the raidst
of a battJc? Oh poor me ! It wmM have bccn less dangeroua
to have gone io lite mountains. Why slìould everybody choosc
to go to one place? . * * Ti resome folks ! ' muttercd he in a
stiU lowcr voice. *AU herc: stili coming, coming, comìng;

ne after the other, like sheep that have no sense/

* In lliis way/ said Agnese, * they might say the satne of us/

* Hush, h«sh I ' said Don Abbondio, ' ali thìs talk does no
I good. What's done ìs done : wc are here, and now we must

stay bere It wìU be as Pmvidence willa: Heavcn send it may
^begood!

Btit bis horror was greatly increased when, at the enttanee
»f the valley» be saw a largc body of armed meo, some at
the door of a house, and others qnartered in the lower rooms.
le cast a side glance at thetn • thcy were not the satne faees
wìàdi it had been his lot to sce on bis forraer melancholy cn-
[>ce. or if therc were any of the same. they were strajigely
^Uered: but, witb ali thìs, it is impossihte to $ny what nneasi-
icss this sigbt gavc hint— Oh poor me ! — iljougbt he. — Sce,
BOWj if they won't play pranksf It isn't likely it coiild be
^iherwìsc; I ougbt to bave exi^^cted it from a man of this
ad Bui what will be want to do? VVill he tnake war?
ili he play the king, eb ? Oh poor me I In circunistanccs
tfhcn one would wi^b to bury oncsclf under -ground, and
iL§ man sceks every way of makin^ hìmscU knoiATi, and
Ittractingatteniion ; h seems as if he wished lo invite ihcm !^ —

* Yon Sisc now, Si^or master/ said Pcrpelua, addressing
Hns, *lhere are brave people bere who will koow how to
lefend us. Let the soldiers come now : tbese people are not
Ike our ebwns, who are good for nothing biit to drag their

I after them/

old yonr tongtie/ said Don Abbondio, in a low and angry

tocie, * bold yotir longue : yon don't ki»ow wbat yoii are talktng
aboat. Pray Heavcn thal the soldiers may tnake baste» or
that tliey may ne ver come to kncw wliat is doing bere, aod

iKaf ihr* ì-iliirr r^ KtMni- ù riìi'i<',t l-!^r n furtrc-^,», Don*t TOH

p ' Thcywish

$Ì<Ì

ALE6SAKDEO MANZONI

to a wedding; ^cause ali thcy ficd thcy takc to clicffiselvei,
and the inhabìtants ihty pul to ihe cdj^c of ihe av ^h

poor mei Wcll, 111 surcly scc if thcrcif no way - ^

onesdf ia salety on &ome of thesc peaks* They woa t nach
me ihcre in a batliel oh» thcy won'l rcach me there! '

' If you*r« afraid^ loo, of betng dcfeiided and hclped . . .
Perpetua wes again bcginning; but Don A^bunclio «tiKfplj
intcrroptcd her , thoygh stili in a supprcssed tonc : * Hold yotir
tongtie; and takc good c:^ i what wcVe stid:

woc unto ns il you do 1 l ino&i alw^ys pai

on E pk&saot couijlcnancc liete, atid àpprovc ali wc s«^*

At Malanotte they found anothcr watdi of armrd tncn. Li
whom Don Abbondio submissivcly took oCf ìm ha!»
the Diean while, in bis beari^ — Alas I «lai I Fvc ccrt;^
to an encampmcnt 1 — Hcre the cart stopped; they di-
Don Abbondio hastily paid and dismìsscd the dp
with bis two companions sìlently toountcd llic st.
sight of those placca recalled to hìs ìmagtnatìon and iiuiigM
with bis prcscnt troubks the remcmbrancc of tho*r wHich he
had iuffered here once belorc* And Agnese, who had •
seen these scenes, and who had drawn to berscH an jixiagu... '
ptcturc, which prc^cntcd itself to ber mind whcaevw sN
thotjght of tlie drcuntstances that had occtirred htf%
fe^ing tlicm now as they wcre in realìty, e3CpiTÌtnced a ne
and more vivid feeling of these mourtifitl reconections^
Signor Curate I ' exclaimed she, ' to tbink tbat my poor
has passed along this roadl . • /

'Will you hold your tongue, you abstifd womaa?' etiti
Don Abbondio in ber car* ' Are Ihose thing& to bc brtnging
up bere? Don't you kisow we are tn his place? It i/raa weÙ
for US nobody heard you ihen ; but if you talk in thìs way * . /

*OhI' aaid Agnese ; 'now tliat be'» a «aintl » , /

* VVell. bc quiet I ' replied Don Abbondio ar^tn
t&r. ^Do you thmk one tuay say without
10 stinti* ali tliat paf^sea througb otic's miad ?
of tliatiking bim for bis goodoeas to ytm/

*Oh, IVc aìfoidy tbought of tbai: do you tliiak I docit
kilow cren a Itltle civtlily?*

'Civaity 1% Hot to ny thtnfi that may be dÌMsreeaUe
to a persoli* partioukrfy fo oM wlici ti noi aoeiiloiDed

tn iitr

rathcr

I FROMBSSI SPOSI

hear thcoL And understand wcll, botti o{ you, that

bis ìs noi a pbce io go chauerìng about* aiid saying

hapfieii to come ìtito your heads. Il Is a

fé house, you know thal aireadyr se e what a

Acre is atl around: peojjlc of ali soris come

bere: so bc prudcnt, if you can; wcigh your word»; and

above sill^ lei there he few of diem. and only when there

13 a nece^sity : Ofic can't gel wrong whai ane li sileni/

' Ydu do far worsc, with ali your • . / Perpetua be^an:

at, * Huàh ! ' tri ed Don Abbondio, in a suppressed voici^

the sante lime haitily takìag oB hìs ìmu and niakìiig a

ifouiìd bow: fot, on looking up. he had discovered the

JnoaiDed eotoìog down to meet them* He, oit hìs part,

DOticed and rccognizcd Don Abbondio, and was now

RSteoing to welcome him,

* Signor Curate/ said he, whoi he had reacbed him, ' I
lld bave ttked to offcr yoti tny hoUi>c on a pleasantcr

Bion; but, under any circiunttaitces, 1 ajn excecdìngly
lo be able to be o£ some service lo yoy/

* Tnisting in your illustrious Lordships grcat kindoess/
Don Abbondio, *I bave venturcd to come, under

melancholy drcumstances» lo intrude upon you: and«
your illustrious Lordship sees^ I bave al 50 presumed
bring company with me. This ii my hou&ekecper ^ . /

* Shc is welcome/ said the Unnamcd.

'Aitd thtt/ conlìnued Don Abbondio, *ts a woman to
whofli your Lordship has alrcady bcen very good: the
" «otber of that . . . of tìiat , . /
•Of Lucia/ said Agnese.

'Of Lucìa 1' exctabned the Uonamed^ tammg with 1
of fthamc towards Agnese. * Boen very good, ! ì ìm*
mrtMl God! You are v^- good to me^ to come bere , • <
me . . . to ibta hociscu You are most h^artily wdeooaie.
Y041 briEig a blcsstng with yen.*

*0h» tir/ «aid Agnese* *ì come to givc yoo tronbte, I
hxft, too/ cKMiCintted slie, going very dose lo bis ear, '10
thatik you . . /

The Unnamed interruptcd these words, by anxlously
maidog inquide^ abotrt Lucia; and having heard the m-
ÙÈ^ had lo gi?ep ba tuni«d to aooooyaiqr bui new

ALESSANORO MANZONI

etringen to each oiher» anJ dllTermg tn rank» haMl; msk
and agc, no ciisturbance of any ifiumcnt occurrc<L TI»
Uiuianied had plac^d guardi in varìous po$ts, ali of whooi
cndcavotired ta ward off any unpleasanmess witJi ilie
usually exhthìted by tboac wiio are Jield acccnmlablt
any mìsdeTneanourSi

He had aldo requested the clcrgy, and othcrt of
autliority among thosc to wliom he aifordcd abcltcr. |9
walk round the {xiaccj and krcp a watch; and^ ms ùtum
as be could, he himself weut about to &ho«f Kimsttf tu
every direction, while^ even in bis abs^nce* Use r&mau^
brancc of whij was tn the house scrved as a restraint U^
those who nccdcd ìt. Besidci, tliey wert ali pcople that
bad fled from dangcr, and hcnce gcnerally tneliiic^ to peace:
while the UiQughts of iheìr lioi»es and propcity. iiui m
goiDe caseB, of relative^ atid frìcnds whom they had
exposed to danger, and the ttdings thcy heard fn^cn wtt
deppesiéd their spirita, and tbus maintained and cotiat
iticrcased thìs dbposìtlon,

Thcre were» liowt^vcr, some anburdcncd spirita^ some
of firmer mould and stronger courage, wlio tricd to paci
thcse days mcrrUy, They had abandoticd their homes bé>
cause they wcrc not strong enough to defend thcin; boi
they iaw no use In wcepìiig and aightng over Uiingi» Ibat
could not he hclped^ or iti pìcturing to ihr V and coih
tcmplating beforeband, in iinagination, tht: ;vcy waulrf

only too soon witness with their own eyeà. Famllka ii^
qtiaìnted with each other had left their bomei al tha
tìmtf and had met wkh each other agaiu in \hu retrc
ttew f rieniJship» wcrc formed ; and the multitnde wer e divi*
ÌQÌù parties, according tg their severa! liabJU and dis
tfona. They who had money and consideration wcjii lo i
down in the valley, whiere eaitng-bonses and inns bad
basti ly nio up for the occasion: in 'sonv iuU wc

interehanfed with hmentationa» or no but tbc

Jtibfonitnas was allowed to be dtscuii^d; tn cnbcra,
forumca wtre never retnembered, unless it were to
tbat Ihcy must not thtnk about thctiL To tho»e who cìt
could not, or wonld not, bear part of the expenses»
«ouPf aiid urine wera diitiibut^ in tiie outte; li«ti<ka \

I PROMESSI SPOSI

IU1

:h were laici out daily for those ¥fhùm the Signdt
had cxpressly Invited to partake af ihcm i aad our acqiialnt*
unccs were amonf this tmmbor.

Agnese and Perpetua, noi to eat the bread of tdleness,
had begged to be employcd in the sen'ices which, in ao
Urge an establishment, must have been required; and in
tbese occupations they spent a great part of the day, whtle
the rest was passed in chat ti ng with some friends, whose
aequabtance òiey had made, or with the un fortunate Don
Abbondio. Thìs individuai, though he had nothing to do»
wns, nevenheless, nevcr afflicted with ennui: his fears kept
hioi company. The direct dread of an assault had, I belile
sdbsided: or, il it stili remamed, it was one whìch gave him
the least uneasiness ; beeausc, whenever he bestowed upon It
the alightest thought, he eouid not help sceing how un*
fotinded it wa». But the idea of the surrcmnding country,
iimdated on both sìdes with bruta! soldìers, the armoor
\d armed mcn he had constantly before bis eyes, the re*
embrance that he wa« in a casile, logether with the thoufht
oC the many thingi ihat might happen any moment in such
:i n» ali contributed to kccp him in indisdnct, general,

i lilarin; let alone the anxiety he feJl when he thought

o! bis poor homt. During the whole time he remained in
this afiylum, he never once went more timo a stone's throw
from Uie building:, nor rffcr set foot on the desccot: bis
aole watk was to go out upon the espbnade, and paco
ììp aod down^ sometimea to one, aometimes to the otber
aidt of tlie castle, thcr« to look down among the cHffa
aad precipicesy In hopes o! diàcoverìng some practicable
paasage. some kind of footpath, by which he might go in
atarth of a hidìng-place, in case of being very ebsely
preased On meeting any of his companions In this asylum,
failed not to make a profotind bow, or respectful siJia-
ion, but he assoclated with vcfy few; bis most fraqueot
tiona were with the two women. as wc have rt**
axsd lo chem he poured otit al! hts grlefs, al tho
riak of beiog iomctimei silcnccd by Perpetua» and com-
plately puf to ihame tvtn by Agnese. Al tat>te, howev«f,
where he fcat bui little, and talked stili leis, he heard the
WWi of the tcrrìbl4 isardi which arrìv«d daily mt the ea£tl%

sia

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

dther reported from vilJage to vlUsge. and from mctjtb
mouth, or broug!it thither hy some onc w!io hjid al
detemiined to rcmain at hoinc, and had, after aU. made tà*
etìcape, wìthout having bcen ablc to savc ; ' .% iful
probably, also, after rcceivbg considerablc .;mait;

and evcry day broufht with it some fresh tak of otbfùf-
tunc. Some, who werc newsmongcrs by profcsKioo, diligeotff
colleeted the diffcrcnt ruitiours, weighcd ali tlie vmnoof
accounts, and thcn gave the substance of thcm to the otheta
They disputed wbich were the most d estrudi ve reguneotii
and whether tnfaiitry or cavalry were the worat; they «►
ported^ as well m they could, the namea of tome of tba
leaders; relatcd some of their past enterpriscs, specì&ed the
places of ha!tini^, and the darly marches* Thai fiay soda
a regiment would spread over such a distrìct: to-montrw.
it wowtd ravag e such another, whcrc, in the meaxi
aiiotìier had bcen playìng the vcty devìl, aiid worsc
chiefly, however, sought Information and kept cottnt
the regiments which from lime to time crossed the br _
of Lecco, beeauBc these might be eonsidercd aa fairly gane,
and rcally cut of the territory. The cavalry of Wallen-
stcin passed it, and the ìnfaatry of Marradas; the oivalry
of An2lalt, and the infantrj^ under Brandcbiirgo ; the Iroops
of MontccuccoH, then those of Ferrari; thcti foUowed
Akringer, then Fitrstenburg, thcn Collorcdo: after theto
carne the Croatians, Torqtaato Conti, and this, that* and tbc
othcr leader; and last of ali. In Heaven*s good tìfne, camc
I at length Galasso, The f!ying squadron of Venetìans niade
their final €j«it; and the whok country, on cither haoil
waa once more set at liberty* Thosc bclongtng to the lo-
vaded vìUagcs which were first clcarcd of their ravafers,
had already begrun to evacuate the ea»tle, and every day
peoplc conttntied to Icave the place: as after an aottimsttl
atorm* the birds m^y be aeen lasuisg on eveiy tide fron
the leafy branches of m great trec^ where they had iociglil
a ihelter from Ita fury, Onr three refugees vrtrt, periuipi^
the iast to take their dcparture, owing to DoQ Ab-I
bondio's cxlreme reluctancc lo nm the n"?ik, il ther te-
ttimed home immediately, of meeting some straggling soidtei9
who might itili be loitering in the rear of Use anx^. Il

I PROMESSI SPOSI

nn^ repcated antl tnsisted* that the lOQger

ne grcater opponnnitie^ they afforcied to the

tbìeves of the neighboorhood lo enter the house and Eoìsb

the business : whenever tlie safe^ of Hfe was at stakci Doa

IlAbbondio mvariably gained the dsiy: tm!ess, Ìndec4 the

'fnimmcTxce of the datiger were such as to deprtre hlm of

the power o! sclf-defence.

On the day fixed for iheir departure, the Unnamcd had
a carriage in readincss at Mal^nolle, in which he had ai-
ready placed a full supply of clothes for Agnese, r>rawìng
hcf a little aside, he also forced her lo accept a small store
of scudi, lo compensale for the damages she would find at
.home: althottgh, striking ber breast, she kept repeating ihat
|«shc had stili some of the first itìpply left,

' When yon see your poor good Lucia . . / said he, the
last ihing: 'I ani already convlnccd she pfayi for me* be*
luse T have done her so mnch wrong; lell her, thcn, that
thank ber, and trust in God ber prayers wUl reluni, also,
in equa! blessings upon her own head/

He then msisted upon accompanyìng his tlirec guests
lo ihe carriage. The obseqnious and extravagant acknowl-
'edgtnents of Don Abbondio, and the compUmentary speeehes
of Perpetua, we leave to the reader's iniagination. They
6et off, made a short atay, according to agreement, at the
tailor's oottage, and there heard a hondred partìculars of
tnarch, the iisttal tale of theft, violence, destnicllon,
obscenity; but there, fortunately, none of the soldìcry
bad liecn seen.

*Ah, Signor Curate!* said the tailor, as he olTered hìm
Ms arm to assist him again into the earriage, *they11 bave
ter enough for a prìnted book in a scene of destnictioo
this.'
U they advanced a Httk on their joumey, our travcllcrs
/began to wittiess, wtth thelr own eyef^ somethjng of what
had hcard descnbed; vineyards despoìled, not as by
vintagcr, btit as tbotigh a siorm of wìnd and hail coni-
lioed had exerte<I thctr utmost energies; branche^ strewfi
carlh, broken off, and itampled under-foot; stakea
the ground troddcn and coTcred with chlpSp
and twigi; treea upfooted, or Ibelr bnmch«s loppedj

51S

ALM8AK0KO MANZONI

hcdgei broketi down; stile* ouried «way. In the vili
too. doors shiv^rod to pÌ<Tcs, Windows dcstroyed^ ttnw»
rags, rulihUh qI aII kinds, ìyìng in heaps, or ncattercd iB
over the pavcmeut; a dos« atmosphcre, md liorrid
of a more rcvoUing nature procccding froin the hoii8««; i
of the villagers hmy in sweeptng out tlie occirnìtilatìoii oÌ
fìltìi withìti thtm ; othcrs In rcpaìring the doars aad wtndawi
a^ ihey bc&t couid; some agaln weeping io grottps» and mr
dulging in latncntations togcther ; «ad a& tht carrube étw%
tìitovtgh, Imndi stretchcd oiit on both sides at the doorsof Ai
vehick ìmptoring alms.

Wìth thesc sc^nc», now befare his eyes, now picttit^ fa
their mirkds, und whh the expectatìon of Endtng thmr
own houses in just the samir state, tliry al leagtb arHved
there, and iound that theìr cxpectations were md«cd realisel

Agnese dcposited hcr byndles in one corner of hcr Httk
yard, the cleancst spot that rematncd about tilt hooit]
ahe then set berseli to sweep il thotonghlj, and colkci
aiid rearrange the h*ttle fwmiturc which had been i-»»*^ ^'-'•
ìhe got a earp^ter and blacksmith to come and
doors and window frames, and tbcn* unpaddnf tnr itneo
which had been givcn ber, and f^^HÌy coontinf oT«r ber
fteéh store of cotns, abe exclaimed lo btritlf, — IVe fatkn
apon my feet 1 God, and the Madocuta, and tbat food
Signor, be thankedl I may laóecd say, Vyb falkxi opoQ
twy feci!—

Don Abbondio and Per|>etita cntered the boitie without
tlic aìd of keys, and at every atep they took io the paasaga
focotintered a fetid odoor, a fiaiaonoos dSitvia. wbidi ^*
UMOSH dro\*t tbetn back Holdiiig ihér ooaes, ibey aihraiiQfld
io Ih e kitchcn^loor; eatered oq dp-to^ earefully pk^àtg
their way- to atoid the most dls^imbif parta of the iKfaf
airaw which ooTcred the groood, aad cast a flaaoa aromd,
Nodiing waa teft whole; bitt reficf and frafoicnt» of wbat
imee had beeo. both here aad in other ^rta r* «^"^ ^Kise,
were to bc teca in evrry corner : qnitb and : irom

Perpetui*» fowk» scrapa of tinen^ katrs ont oi LK>n Ab-
teodioV caìeidara. renuiants of Utcheo tilaia3& ; ali beapid
tefitber, or scattcrtd m cotifmtiaa apno tba floor. O

kaanb olsht be iBa^?cred

M a riolom acc«*^

I PEOMBSSI SPOSI

01»

dcstrtjctiort, like a multlttidc cif ordinar^ idca^ scsttefed
Khroygh n vriéeìy diffused pcriod by a professional orator*
fThere wcre the veatìges of extingulshcd faggots and billeis
jf wood^ which showed thcm lo bave beeri once tbe arm
Fof a eh air, a tahle-foot, the door ol a cupboard, a bedpost,
Of a Slave of the little cask wbìch coiitaincd the wlnc, so
beneficiai to Doo Abbondio's stomach. The rest was cindcrs
and coal; and with some of tbcse very coals, the spoìlera,
by way of recreatton, had scrawled on the walls dinoned
figures» doìng thetr beat, by tJie he!|> of sundry square caps,
shaven crowns, and Urge bands, to represent prtetts stU'
kljr exbibited in ali manner of horrible and ludicrons
udes; an intentìon, certainly, in wbich such artisti eould
possibìy bave failed,
*Ah, the dirty pigs!' exelalmed Perpetua, 'Ah, the
thicvesf ' cried Don Abbondio; and, as if making their es-
pape, ihey went oui hy another door, that led into the gar-
Bcii, Once more drawing their breath, they went straight
Ip to the fig-tree; bnt, tvax bcfore rcaching it, they di&-
tovercd ihat the ground had beat disturbcd* and both to*
Wt uttcred an exclamation of dismay, and, on cotntng up,
bey foond m tmth, instead of the dead, only the empty tcrniK
Thts gare rise to some dlsputes. Don Abbondio bega» to
old Perpetua for havìng hidden it so badly: it may bc
lagined whether sbe would fail to retori: and after iiidiit*
ftog io mutuai rccrìmìnation tilt they were tired, they re*
Itansed, with many a llngering look cast back m the erapty
hole^ gnimbliog inlo the hoiisc. They fotind tlii6p acafly
in the Rame state cvervwhcre* Long and dillgeotly they
worked to cleaose and purìfy the house, the loone so &s it
wa* iheo extremely diffictilt to get any help; and they te-
matìned for 1 biow not what length of dine, as if in encamp*
aeot, arranging thingi as they best conld — aird bad was Ùm
ad gradnally restoring doors^ ftimiture, and uiensUSp
rtth money lent to thcm by Agnese,
Tu additimi to theie grìevances. th!f dlsaster was, for
se time afterwards, the source of rnany othcr very tIcklUh
ltc$: for Perpetua, hy dinì of ankbg, pccping, and bum-
Ifìg oui, liad come to know for ccrtaln that some of ber
uiaiUr'd hcmsdiold gooda^ whkh wcre thought to bave becn

520 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

carried off or destroyed by the soldiers, were, instead, tale
and sound with some people in the neighbourhood ; and she
was continually tomienting her master to make a stir aboot
them, and daim his own. A chord more odioiis to Don
Abbondio could not bave been touched, considerìng tliat his
property was in the hands of ruffians, of that species of per-
sons, that is to say, with whom he had it most at heart to
remain at peace.

' But if I don't want to know about these things . . / said
he. ' How often am I to teli you that what is gone, is gone?
Am I to be harassed in this way, too, because my house has
been robbed?'

* I teli you/ replied Perpetua, * that you would let the vtrj
eyes be eaten out of your head. To rob others is a sin, but
with you, it is a sin not to rob you.'

* Very proper language f or you, certainly ! ' answered Don
Abbondio. * Will you hold your tongue ? '

Perpetua did hold her tongue, but not so directly; and
even then everything was a pretext for beginning again : so
that the poor man was at last reduced to the necessity of
suppressing every lamentation on the lack of this or that
article of fumiture, at the moment he most wanted to give
vent to his regrets ; for more than once he had been doomed
to bear : ' Go seek it at such a one's, who has it, and who
wouldn't bave kept it till now, if he hadn't had to deal with
such an easy man/

Anothcr and more vivid cause of disquietude, was the
intelligence that soldiers continued daily to be passing in
confusion, as he had too well conjectured; hence he was
ever in apprehension of seeing a man, or even a band of
men, arriving at his door, which he had had repaired in
baste the first thing, and which he kept barred with the
greatest prccaution; but, thank Heaven! this catastrophe
never occurred. These terrors, however, were not appeased»
whcn a new one was added to their number.

But bere we must leave the poor man oa one side: for
othcr niatters are now to be treated of than his private
apprciiensions, the misfortuncs of a few viilagcs» or a tran»
s'uni Uisa^ter.

CHAPTER XXXI

THE plagti€, whkh the Board of Health had fcared
iiiight enter with the Germaii troops bto ihe MiU
uiì€Ec, had entered it indeed. us is ucll kuown ; and
il is likewìsc wcJJ known, that it pauscd not here, btit in-
vadcd and ravaged a grcat pan of Italy> FoUowiog the
thread of om stor>% wc now come to r alate ihe principal in*
cidenta of thts caìamity in the Milanese, or rather tn Milan
aknoit excltisively : for almost exclusively of the city do the
recotdfi of the Ijmes treat^ nearly as it always and every-
wberc happens» for good rcasons or bad. And, to say the
^trolh, it Ss not onJy our object, io this narrative, to represcnt
ìie state of things in which our characters will shorily he
r]Jaced; but ai the sanie timc to develop, as far as niay
be in so Iimited a space^ and from our pcn, an e%'ctit tu
the history of our country more cclebrated than wcll kiìowru
Of the many contemporary acconnts, there is not one
which is sufficìcnt by itsclf to convey a distlnct and con-
BCeted idea of lì; as there h not. perhaps. one which raay
Dot givc US some assistance in forming that idea. In evcry
.me^ not racceptìng that of Ripamonti/ which considerably
exeeeds ali the rcst, boih in copìousness and in its scleciion
'of facts, and stili more in its method of vìewìng them, cs-
sentìat facts are omitted which are rccorded in others; in
€very 0nc there are errors of material imporiance. which
mmy he detecìed and recti fied with the help of mmc other.
of the few printed or manuscript acts of public authority
fwhich stili rematn; and we may often discover in onc, thosc
csttses, tlìe efTects of which wcre fnund partially devcloprf
astother. In ali, too, a strange confusìon of times aad
igs prcvailed, and a perpetuai wandering hackward and
rard, as it wcre at randnm, without design, special or

ral: the character, by the by, of Ixwks of ali clajt*es In

QiCMc dayi, chicfly among such as were writtcn in the vulgar

* Jtqpfcl lU^rtMftcHt cssmilci tc^tm«Et« Éhronktat urblt Mr^ittli^ì. <1e
fM* qaa tmix ione» id^Ov t^^ V. McdioÌAai, t4|iO. Apud M«bls«La«.

ALESSANDEO MANZONI

toogiie, at least in Italy ; wbether, tlso, tn the rett of Etm^jn^
the leamed will know, and w€ shrcwdJy suspect II ao to h^
beeti. No wrker of later date has attempted to cxamlne aad
compare these memoìrs, with the vicw of extracting thcocr
a connected serìes of evcnts, a history of this plague; w
that the idea general ìy formed of ti must neccssarily Ir
vcry micertam and aomewhat confuscd, a vague idea ùl
grcat evils and great errors, (and assuredly there wrrc ^bù
one and the oiher beyond what can possibty b« imaglflfft)
— an idea composed more of optnloos ihan of facu» idbi^ìÌ
tndeed, with a few scattered cvents. hiit uiiconnccted, iooit-
times, with theìr n?Oit characlcristic cìrcumstance,'' -~ ' - **S^
out dlstincUon of tìme, that ìs to say» without pt!t al

cause and effect, of coyrse and progress. We, i t*

amined and cotnparcd, with at kast mudi diliger ìt

printed aecount$« more thaii one utiptibUshcd q€ì^ «ntf («
coixipanson of the few that remaìn on the siibjcct) nsisf
officiai documents, bave endcavoured to do, not, perha{i^ i8
that h needcd, but something whicb has not hitherto bns
done, We do noi pyrpose reiating cvcry public art, oof aS
tlie results worthy. in some dcgrce, of rcmcmbrancc. Stm
ìtm do we pretend to render needless to ^^uch as woold fila
a more complete acquaìntance with tlie subject, the pema)
of the originai writings : we are too wcll aware wkat Iivtl)r«
pcculiar, and, 90 to ^ay* inconimtmicablc force invimi^ tf-
lòngs to Works of that kind, in whatevcr manacr dei^g^
and cxecutcd- We bave merely endcavonretl to diningvxih
and ascertatti the most general and important faets, 10 ar^
range thcm In ifieir real ordcr of succcssion, 10 far aj the
matter and the nature of thcm wlH allow, to obsenre tbdr
reciprocai effcct, and thus to gtve» for the prcscnt, aad tmti}
WDmt. ope else shall do hetter, a syccmct« but platn aad a»-
tbwtia» account of this calamity.

Throaghotit the wbole track» thesi, of the territory trti^
crsed by the anny, corpses migfat be foan*1 ^^h^r J« tf^e
housc^» or lying upoo the highway, Vcry «hi ti»

div^iduals, or whole famili^, hegan to sickcn iuvi iic of
vìolent and xtran^ complaint*, with symp^om^ tmknown la
the grcater part of those wbo were thcn re

Qofy a few who bad aver accn thcm bafoi %

I PEOMESSI SPOSI

who coiild remember the plaguc which, fifty-threc ye^rs pr«-
viously, bad de€olated a grcat part oÌ Itmly inde^, bui es-
pccially the Milanese, wherc it was then, and i% stili, catied
the plagtjc of San Carlo. So powerful is Charity! ^Vmong
ibe various and awful recollections of a generai caUmity,
&he cotild cause that of one individuai to p rcdom filale ; be-
she had iiisplred hìm wìih feeltogs and actìons more
memorable even than tbe tvìh themselves ; she could set hìm
|tip in men*B minds as a symbol of al! these eventi, because
iti aU sbe bad urgtd bim onward, and hcid bim up to vicw
MM glilde^ ajid bcTper, cxample, and voltnitary vtctim; and
could ffame for hìm, as ti were^ an embiematical device out
of a public calamity, and name it after him as tbough il ha4
been a conqaest or dìscovery,

Tbe ùldest pbysician of bis timc, Lodovico Settala, who
had not only seen that plagftiep bnt bad been one of ÌU moit
active and intrepida and, thotigh then very young, most
calibratod succcssful opponents; and who now» in strong
aafpìcion of tbi&i was on the alert, and busily callecting in*
fortnation, reported, on the 2€th of October, in the Council
ot tbe Board of Health, that the coniagion had nndoubtedly
bfoken out in the village of Chiuso, the last in the tcrritory
of Lecco, and on the conftnes of the Bergamascan district.
No resolution, howevcr, tvas taken on ihis i^telligenee^ aa
ajkfMars f rom the ' Narrative * of Tadino *

StmiJaf tidings arrived frora Lecco and fìellano. The
Board then decìded upon, and cootented themselves with^
dcspatciiiAg a cotnmìssioner, who should take a physìcìao
itom Cotno by the way» and accompany hitn oo a vtsit to
the places which had been signified, ' Both of them^ eìther
Irom ignorance or some other reasoti, su^Tcred themselves
bc persuaded by an old ignorant barber of Bellano that

Is sort of disease was not the pcatllence ;*• btit in some

es lise ordlnary efTcct of the autunmal exhalations frotn

eSt and cUewherc, of the prìvationf and su^ertngn

durlng the passage of the German troopv Thfs

Innatìoa was reported to the Board, who scem ta havt

fierfcctiy salisBed wilb ÌL

Bot additional reports of the moralsty ss every qtian«r

A24

AI^KSSANDFIO MANZONI

liimiitiK in withoiit iiilrrniission, two rlcpiities were (!?•
npiilcliril (ci Ncr ìiikI providc agaìnst it — the abovc-naircd
'railitiii, alili an auditor of tho oomniittce. Whcn these ar-
livrd, tlir rvil liad .spr(*ad so widcly, that proofs offcrwi
tlirni'*rlvr;i (n thrir vii'w witlmut lu-ing soiipht for. They
pii'ir.rd lliioii|;li tlu* tiTritory of Lcco\ the Valsassìna, th*
Nhoirs ol (he* I.akc of C omo, and the dìstricts dcnoininated
Il Monto di Miian/a and l.a dora d'Adda; and cvcrywherc
lonnd thr towns hairioa<Ird, otiiors ahiM^st dosorioii, and the
iidiahitants osraprd and cncainpod in ilio tìolds. or scat-
Irird lhionj;luMit tho ot»nni!y: ' who soonicd.' says Tadino,
• likc so nianv wild savaj;os. oarryinj: in thoir hands. ono a
5piij; o\ inint, anothor ol rno. anothor of rosomary. an-
othri, a l>otclo of v inorar.'* Thov inado in*;uirios as lo the
numhrr ol doaths. whioh was roally tVarfnl: thcy visitod
tlir >iok and doad. aiìd ovorywhorc rocoj>ni.-od tho dark and
toiid»lo inaiks ol iho po>tilonoo. Thov i*'on srocv'.ily crn-
vo^ od lìw diva-.iit'ìi'i iM!o!li;.:v"noo bv U-tr^'v to ::'„* V
lloaltl). \\ l\o. Olì loooixirj; M. ivi tl'.o ;x^:!'. oi v'^.*:."»'^^

Olt\ M\\

p%M>\M'.> i\^-.;".i

y\Ai\\\K il.;

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ho;:NO .-i-,

;**•, ^

i-.'. ••■..-

;•.*.%•. V. \\ '•'»*.

Ar..\ ;v.^■■^

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Nx'

I PROMESSI SPOSI

525

fìad bcen specblly chargcd with this (uissìor!: it was the

second, if the rcader remeinbcrs, for this purpose, and wIth

lis resulL Two or thrcc days aftCTwards, the i8th of

Jovember, the governor issued a proci ama doti, m which he

rprescrìbcd public rejoidjigs for the birth of the Prioce

|Charles» the first-bom son of the kìog^ Philip IV., without

^linking of, or without caring for, the danger of suff ering

largc concoursc of people onder such circumstanccs : every-

thifjg as in common itmcs, just as tf he had never beco

^poken to atout anything,

This person was, as we bave elscwhcre sald» the cele-
brated Ambrogio Spinola, seni for the very purpose of ad-
justmg this war, to repair the errors of Don Gonzalo, and,
TOdcjitally, to govern; and we may hrre incìdentally men-
ion, that he died a few months laier in that very war
which he had so much at heart; not woimdcd in the field of
baitle, but on bis bed, of grief and anxiety occasioned by
reproachcs, affronta, and lll-ireaiment of every kind, re-
cti ved from those whom he had scrvcd. History has be-
vaìlcd bis fate, and remarked upon the ingratitude of othcrs;
has described with much diììgence hb military and poHt-
ll coterprises, and extolJed ìm forestght, activity^ and per-
rasce; it might also ha ve uiquked what he did with al]
^thcse» when pestilcncc threatened and actuaìJy ìnvaded a
popuìation committcd to hìs care^ or rathcr auìrely givco
op to his authority.

But that which» Icavtng ccnaurep diniìnishes our i^^ndcf
at his behaviour, which even creates another and grcatcr
eetlng of wonder, is the behaviour ol the people thcm*
clves ; of tbose, I mean, who, unreached as yet by the con-
had so much reason to fear it On the arriva! of
itetUgence from the tcrritorics which were so grievoual/
fi?cted with it, terTitorics which formcd almost a semi-ctr-
ir hoe round ihe city, in some pbcce not more tlian
f, or cvcii eighteen, miles disiant from it. who woiiU
»ve thoiiifht that a gt^neral stir wouid havc becn created,
that tJiey wou!d bave beeo dlligent in taking prrcìiutians»
wbether wcH or tU jftclccted, or at least bave fclt a barren
dlsquietudc? Nevcnheles^. if In anything the record^ of
Ibe times agree^ tt ìs m attesttog iltat tliere were noae o<

526 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

these. The scarcity of the antecedent year, the vio^cnce of
the soldiery» and their sufìferings of mind, seemed to them
more than enough to account for the mortallty: and if any
one had attempted» in the streets, shops, and houses, tp
throw out a hìnt of danger, and mention the plague, k
would have been received with incredulous scoffs, or angrr
contempt. The same incredulity» or, to speak more cor-
rectly, the same blindness and perversity, prevailed in the
senate» in the Council of the Decurioni, and in ali the mag-
istrates.

I find that Cardinal Federigo, immediately on leaming the
first cases of a contagious sickness, enjoined his prtests»
in a pastoral letter, among other things, to impress upon the
people the importance and obligation of making known
every similar case, and deliverìng up any infected or sos-
pected goods:^ and this, too» may be reckoned among his
praiseworthy peculiarities.

The Board of Health solicited precautions and co-opera-
tion: it was ali but in vain. And in the Board itself their
solicitude was far from equaling the urgency of the case:
it was the two physicians, as Tadino frequently affirms, and
as appears stili better from the whole context of his narra-
tive, who, persuaded and deeply sensible of the gravity and
imminence of the danger, urged forward that body, which
was then to urge forward others.

We have alrcady seen how, on the first tidings of the
plague, therc had been indiiference and remissness in acting.
and even in obtaining information: we now give another
instance of dilatoriness not less portentous, if indeed it were
not compelled by obstacles interposed by the superior mag-
istrates. That proclamation in the form of warrants, re-
solved upon on the 30th of October, was not completed till
the 23rd of the following month, nor published till the aQth.
The plague had already entered Milan.

Tadino and Ripamonti would record the name of the
individuai who first brought it thither. together with other
circumstances of the person and the fact: and, in truth. in
observing the beginnings of a wide-spread dcstruction, in

V Life of Federico Borromeo, compUed hj Frwic«»co RivoU. MiUa: 1666.
P. 584.

I PROMBJtSI SPOSI

whicìi the vlc!lm3 nnì oiìly cannot be dtslb^ished by nimc,
bui thcir numb^rft ean scarcely he expressed with any deg^rce
o£ exaetne»», cven by the thotisand, one fécls a ceitam kind
of interest in ascertainìug ihoge first and few names which
cmtld be noted and prefierved: il ieems as ìf thìs sort of
distinctiofì, a preeedetice in exterminatìoo, mvests tbem,
and aìl the alher mfnutta?, which wouid otbenvise be inosi
indifforent, with sonitihing fatai and memorable.

But onc and the other htstorian say that it wai an
tallftn ioldier in the S|tanìsh «ervice* but in nothing else
they agree, net even ia the natrje. Actsording to Tadino,
Il was a pefson of the namc oi Pietro Antonio Levato^
quanered in the territory of Lecco: according to Ripamomj,
a eertain Pier Paolo Loeati, quartered at Chiaventia. They
dififer alto as to the day of hfs entrance into Mìlan; the
first placing it on the iind of Ociobcr, the Recond, on the
sanie day in the followlng month ; yet h cannot bc on etthcr
one or the other» Boih the dates contradict otheri which
tre far better authenùcated, Yct Ripamonti, writing by
order of the Generai CounciJ of the DecuriQm, ought to
tove ha4 many means at his comniand of gaìning the neeei-
sary iofortiiatiùii ; and Tadino, in cnnsìderation of hia office,
might bave been better informed thtn any one else on a
ttbjeet of thia nature. In abort, comparing other datea^
hich, a£ we bave said* appear to us more authentic, it
oiild seem that ìt was prior to tlie publicatìon of the wir-
ta; and if It werc worth while, it tntght even be proved,
nearly sq« tbat it mtist bave been very carly bi tbat month:
bitt the reader wllì, dotihtlesi, excu^c us the task.

However it may he, thi» aoldier; un fortunate bìmsetf, and
the bearer of mis fortune to others, entercd the city with
a large bundle of clothcs ptirebased or stoien frooi the Ger-
tronpft; he wcnt to stay al the house of OTìe of hia
ives in the miburbs of the Porta Orientale, tiear to the
htn Convenir Scarcely had he arrivcd there, whcn he
eti ili* he was conveyed to the hospital; bere, a apot,
ered tinder one of the armpf' d tome auspicìon

mind of the person who t im, o£ whit wms

Jtt tnrth the fact : and on tlie fourth day he died.
The Board of Health imm«ltalclv ordcred bla family to

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

be kept separate, and confined witfain their own house; aad
bis clothes, and the bed on which he had lain at the hos-
pital, were bumed. Two attendants, who had there nnned
him, and a good frìar, who had rendered him his assistance.
were ali three, within a few days, seized with the plague
The suspicions which had bere been f elt, f rom the bcginning
of the nature of the disease» and the precautions taken in
consequence» prevented the further spread of the contagion
f rom this source.

But the soldier had left seed outside, which delayed not
to sprìng up, and shoot forth. The first person in whom
it broke out was the master of the house where he had
lodged, one Carlo Colonna, a Iute-player. Ali the inmates
of the dwelling were then, by order of the Board, conveyed
to the Lazzaretto; where the greater number took to their
beds, and many shortly died of evident infection.

In the city, that which had been already disseminated
there by intercourse with the above-mcntioned family, and
by clothes and furniture belonging to them preservcd by
relations, lodgcrs, or servants, from the searches and flames
prescribed by the Board, as well as that which was afresh
introduced by defectiveness in the regulations, by negligence
in executing them, and by dexterity in eluding them, con-
tinued lurking about, and slowly insinuating itself among
the inhabitants, ali the rest of the year, and in the earlier
months of 1630, the year which followed. From time to
time, now in this, now in that quarter, some one was seized
with the contagion, some one was carried ofif with it: and
the very infrequcncy of the cases contributed to lull ali sus-
picions of pestilence, and confirmed the generality more and
more in the senselcss and murderous assurance that piagne
it was not, and never had been, for a moment. Many phy-
sicians, too, echoing the voice of the people. (was it, in this
instance also, the voice of Heavcn?) derided the ominous
predictions and threatening wamings of the few ; and always
had at band the namcs of common diseascs to qualify every
case of pestilence which they were summoncd to cure, with
what symptom or token soever it evinced itself.

The reports of these instances, whcn they reached the
Board of Health at ali, reached it, for the most part, tardily

I PROMESSI SPOSI

529

Éuncertaioly, Dread of sequeslratioo and tìie Lazzaretto
^[H*ned cvcry onc*s wits; thcy conceaJcd the sick, thcy
uptcd the f ra%*e-diggcrs a.nd clders, and obtamed false
ifìcates* by meaas of brìbes, f rom subahem^ of the Board
f, dcpQted by it lo vuit and lospcct the dead bodies.
As^ howevcr, on evcry discovery they succeeded io mak-
ìng» the Board ordcred the wearìng appare! to be conimitted
IO ilic fiames, ptit the houses iindcr scquestration, and scnt
e inmatcs to the Lazzaretto, il is easy to imàginc whai
U8t bave been ihe anger and di ssatisf action of the gener-
lity 'of the nobiliiy, ttierchants, and lower orders/* per-
itiaded, as they ali were, that they were mere causeless vcjea-
tioofi wìthoui atiy advantage. The prtrieìpàl odìuin feU
©pon the two doctors» our frequently tnentioned Tadino and
cu a lo re Sellala, soii of the senior phy si ciati, and reached
;uch a height, that thcnceforward they could not publiely
ppear witliout being assailed with opprobrious laoguagc, if
ot with $tones. Aod, certainly, the sittiatìon m which these
^individyals were pìaced for several months, U retnarkable,
id wonhy of beìng fccorded^ seeing a horriblc scourge
vanti ti g towards thcni, laboiirmg, by evcry method* to re-
pulse il, yel meeting with obstacles^ not otìly in the arduous^
ncss of the task» but from cvery qyarter, in the uowilling*
ness of the pcopìc, and bcing niade the general objeci of
ocecration, and rcgardca as the enemies of their oountry;
* pTù fQlnm hostibus* says Ripamonti*

Sharcrs, also, in the hatred wete the other physìdans,

Whci. convinced Ukc thcm of the rcahty of the coniagion.

^estcd precaulions, and sought to cottiniunicate to others

ir mclancholy convìctions. The most knowing taxed thcm

Ltb credulity and obslioacy ; while, with the many, it wa»

tly an imposture, a planned combination, to make

t by the pt'hfìr fcars.

e agcd u Lodovico Scttala, who had aknosl

ai*.iìti..i hts ^ ...-\\ ycar, who had been Professor of

- io the University of Pavia, and aflerwards of

rhitosophy at Mììan^ the anilipr of tnany works it

it lime in very high repnte, cmtnent for the ìnvìtations

e had rrccived to occtipy the chairg of othcr timversities,

ALESSANDRO MAmONI

InjEcilRtadt, Pb^, BùìognM^ md Padiia, aod fot tlb
cf alt thcse Tionours, wftj^ certatnly cme r>f the tno«t lofa*
cntiiil meri ol btft time. To lib reputstiofi for leamtti^ wai
tddcd that of bis life: and to ndmiratìon of hU chmracteri
a feeling of good-will for his ijrcat kindnes» In cariti^ and
bencfiting the pc»or. Yct therc h one circumitunce, wluch«
in oxìT iTJtnd», dislurUs uitd overclómli the «entirncnl of c»-
leem in^iplred by thesc meritn, but whicb at that lime ntnat
h*vc rendercd it «irnngcr and more general: the poor mm
parueipRted in ìht Còinfiiont^st atid moit fatti prejudlcei qÌ
hi* contemporarif s : h^ wa» in advancc of them, btjt n*^» «^'•
tinftibhed ffom the muliilud«; a station which only i:
trouble, und oftcn caiiscs tbc Ioks of an arnhoriiy acquircu
by other ttieans. NevtTthek'ji», tbat which ht oijoy^d in io
i:rcat » deijrec, wa* noi only ìns^iu't" ovcrconie thi gol*

crai opinion on thÌD tubjecl of i: 'enee, boi tt couM

not even protccl him from the anijuo&ity and the insulta of
that part of the popiilacc. which mo»t readily ftcf» iiom
opinione to their cxhibftion by iictual decds*

One day, as he wtih goÌTig in a Utier to visti hk petteoUt
cfòwds hegan to A^stmhìt round hlm, crytog oui thai he wti
the head cif thosc who werc dctermined, in fiptteof «fcryi:
to jmakc: out that tberc was u plaguc; that tt was ba w^i
the city in alanii, witb hi§ gtoomy brow, a»d ihaggy b<«l^d|
and ali to givc cnìploymrnt to the doctore I The muldtiide aftd
thcir fury went on increasing ; so thal the bearer», aedng ihcir
danger, look rcfugc wfth thf ir Tìiasttr in the house of a ft^^-^-^
which fortunaiely happened to lie at haiid* Ali tM§ occ
to him for ha%nng fofrs<?ai clearly, itated wbat waa reali
facti and wishcd io aave thousandu of bti fe1lnw«c^r^'
frotn the p»- whfn hr Torable a '

to-opcrated n^ a poor ir. bcptiti'

torture, nickcd, and bunit 3:> a witch, bccauie one of hcf
maaters had sufTered ex irati r din ary pain^i in hti stomach, and
an other. some tini e btfore^ had been detperately enarooured
of ber/* he had rcccived from the popular voice oddltìoiud
repmation for wlsdom, and» wliai ii intolerable to think of,
the additional tftle of the wcIUdeierving»

Towardi the laiter end of Match, howcvcf, aidmeaa and

»lllMory Qi Mìkfi, iQr Coent Pfatfo Vetri MUttOi il^j. Voi tv. p. •»

I FROMiaSl SPOSI

sai

^deatbt began rapldly to maltiply, first in the subtitljs of the

orla Or icntale, and ihco in ali the other qumrtefi of die city,

rith th^ unusual accompanìnicnt» o£ spasnss, p&lpitation,

[ktbirgyp dcliriuin, siid those fatai symptornSp livld tpois and

sones; and Ihese deaths were* for the most pari» rapid, violent,

aod noi unfrcqticntly sudden, without any prcvìous tokens of

iltness. Those phyàici&fiB who wcre oppoied to the belief of

^eootagion, unwilling now to admìt what they had hithcrto

terided^ yct obliged to give a fenertcal name to the new

ilady, which liad bcconie too common and too evident to ga

irithout one. adoptcd tbat of malignant or peatìkntial fevcrt ;

mlserabte expedient, a mere play upoti word*, whìch was

productive of much harm; because» while ìt appeared lo ac-

Imowledga the truth» it only cjontrìbiited to the disbelìef of

what it was mesi miportant to bclteve and dlsccTn, vije., that

tbc mfcction was conveycd by meani of the touch. The

igtstrates, like one awakitig from a deep sleep. begao to lend

little more ear to the appcals and proposals of the Board of

'Health, to support its procìafnations, ànd secood the seques^

tratìon^ prescribed, and the quarantines enjoined by thii

rtbunaJ. The Board was also constantly dcmanding money to

avide tor the daily cxpcnses of the Lazzaretto, now auf-

[mented by so many addttional Services; and for thìs tbey

ip^ted to thè Decurtami while ìt was being decìded (whieh

was ncver donc, I belicvc, except by practice) whether stich

expenses should he charged to the city, or to the royal

exchequer The high chantellor also applied tmportiinatcly

the Dtcuriom, by order, too, of the govemor, who had

H^ain rclurned to lay siege to the unfortunaie Casale; the

lenite likewisc applied to them, imploring tbera to see to the

est mcthod of victualing the city, bcforc th«y should bc for*

Kidden, in case of the imhappy di sseminati oo of the oontagìon,

^D bave any tntcrcourse wìtli olher coiintrics ; and to lìnd

eans of niatntaining a farge proportion of the popnlation

^ich wa> now dcprived of eniploynicnt. The D^atrwm

ide«voiired lo raise money by Icari!! and taKes; and of what

llm)» :icctwnti!ate<! they gavc a little lo the Board of

l^lth, a httlc to the poor, purchascd a little com« and thus»

» clegree, iupplicd the cxisting neceaaity. The »evereit

liad tioi yet arrìvcd.

5$2

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

In the Lazzaretto, wherc the i^opiUatlao, i^lthocagli drd*
mated óziìy^ canHnued daily on the tncreasc, there wu
another arduoui undertaktng, to insure ittendiuice mnd ìq^
ordinatìon. to preserve die enjoined separations, to «MJ*f»«fai
in short, or rather to e^tablish. the govemmenc pretenM
by the Board of Health; lor, from the vcry 6rst, every^nf
had beeo m confusion, from the migovcrnableiiess of mMsvj
of the inmates, and the negligence or connivance of lh«
officials. The Board and the Decurioni, noi knowrng whicli
way to tanfi, bethought themseivcs of applyìng to the Ca-
ptichlns, and bcsought the Fatlicr Commi s sa ry. as he wai
called. of the provìnce, who occupieil the place of the Fathci
Provinciale lately deceased, to givc thctn a coriv ersoo

lo goverti this desolate kingdom. The commi? posed

to them as their governor. one Fathcr Felice Cacati, a man
of advaiiccd agc, who cnjoyed great reptitatìon for eharity^
activity, and genttenesi of disposition, combjned wilh a stroi^
mind — a charactcr which, as the sequel wilt show, was w
deservcd; and as bis coadjutor and asststant, one Fai
Michele Pozzobonelli, stili a young man, hot grave and si
in mtiid a& m cotmteoance. Gladly enough were thcy
cepted ; and on the yjth of March thcy entered the Laaxarettft.
The Presidcnt of the Board of Health conducted thcm rotmdv
as it were, to put them in posseasion; and havjng assembled
the servants and ofiìcìais of cvery rank» procìalmed Fatber
Felice, in their presence, govcmor of tJie p!ace, wtth primary
and untimiied authority. In proportion as the wretcbed tool*
titude there assembled increased, other Capuchins re»ortcd
thithcr ; and bere wcre swpcrintcndcnts. confessors, admlnlt^
trators» nurses, cooks, over look ers of the wardrobe*^ wasber*
women, tn short, everyiliìng that was required Father Fclieet
cvcr diligent, ever watchftil, went about day and nlrhr.
through the porticoes, chambers, and open gpaces, s
carrying a spear« sometimes armed only with hair i>.
mnlmated and rcgulatcd every diity, paeificd tnmiilts, s
disputes, threatened, ptmished, rcprovcd, comforted, «dl-u
and shed tears. At the verv o!tt***t he look the piagne ; recov-
ered, and wkh fre^h ala* i . :^^ ^^^gt

of bis brcthren bere Aacrii yftilly.

Sodi a dictatorship waa ccriauity a strange cxptdìait;

roi^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

$B$

mge ms was the cdamìty, slrange as were the times; and
i-cn ttid we know no niore about it, tliis alone wcmM stiffiee
ar^Lcfient, as m specimen, indeed. of a rude and ììU
ated state of society. Bui the splrìt, the deeds, tlie
acnfìce» of thc?ic friars, deserve no less than ìhni tbey
ild be ineiitioried wtih respcct and tendemcss, and with
bit species ol gratttude which one feels. en masse as it
C-wcre, fot great services rendercd by luen to thcìr fello ws,
To die in a good cause is a wisc and beautiful action, at any
im^, under any state of thmgs whatsoevcr, * Por had tiot
»€ Fatbcrs repayred hiiher/ says Tadino, * a&suredly y*
irhole Ci ile would have beco annihilated; for it was a
Qtraculous thing that y** Fathers effected so much for y*
ablick Benefit in so short a space of Time, and, reccivnng no
^ssìstance, or al least, very little, from y« Citic, contri ved
by their Industrie and Pradence, to mabitaki so many thoii-
ids of Poore in y« Lazzaretto."^

Among the public, also, Ibis obstinacy in denymg the pesti-
ice gavc way oaturally, and gradually disappeared, in prò*
lon m the contagion extended itself, and octended iiself^
too, bcfore theìr ottti eyes, by means of contact and inter-
jDOurse; and stili more when, after baving been for some lime
" aniìncd to iJie lower orders, it began to take efìfect upon the
iigher. And aniong these, as he was then the most eminent,
by tjs now, tlie senior physician Settala, deserves e:]epfess
nentton. People must at least have said : Tlie poor old man
righi! Bai who knows? He, with hì^ wìfe, two sons,
sevcn perjions in bis ser^Hce, ali took the plague* One of
^f^\^ tiTid himself recovered; the rest died, * Thesc
! atlìno» * occurrtng in the Ctiic in the first fami-
I the Nobìlitic and common Fcoplc to think; and
bc incredulous Physìcians, and the ignorant and rash lower
>rders, began to bitc ihcir Lips, grind their Tccth, and arch
Ir Eyebrows in AmaiemenL*"

But ihc revolutions. the rcprisals, the vengeance, so to say,

>f cx>nvìnced obstinacy, are sofueiinies such as to ratse a wisb

It it had cnntìnuerl i i and une 1, e%*en to the

il, agatnst rcason a icc ; and truly one of

oocasiofut. Thcy who had «o rc^jlutcly and pcrsevcr-

ALUSSAKDRO MAKEOKI

ingìy ìmpugned the cxistence of a germ of evi! ncar thcn^ir
iinoQg them, whìeh tiiìght propstgute ttself bf tiattiraJ ommì
Btid mftke mucb havoe, unabte now to écny hm prppagillai^
mnd unwitltng to attribtnt ìt to tbosc tucani (for thti wiioì4
have becn to confe^s at once a g^reat dehiEion and « greit
crror), wcre so much the more ìnclined to find some offa»
cause ioT it, and make good any Umt mighi happen lo prami
itself. Unhappilyp thcre was one in rcadmesa in the Idm
and traditions common at that timc, not only hcrc, bot b
evcry part of Europe, of magìcal arts, dtaholical practkeil»
people swom lo disseniìimte the piagne hy nicana of eoo*
tagious poifions and witdicraft. Thcsc and siinllmr tliiiifi
had a) ready been supposed and beUcvcd during mmny odicr
pìagues; and at Milati, especìatty, in that of hall a oestaTj
before, It may b^ added, that, evcn during the prveeifiif
year, a despatch, stgned by King Philip IV., had beai fo^
warded to the govemor, in which he was informed thai four
Frenchmcn had escaped frotti Madrid, who wcre toughl ofiOli
suspidon of spreadtng poisonous and pestikntia] alnttncfita:
and requiring him to bc on the watch, perchance thej' shottld
ani ve at Milan. The governor cnmmunicated the detpatdi
to the Senate and the Board of Health ; and thencelorward, le
scemSp thcy thought no mare aljout it. When. howcwr, the
plague broke forth« and was rccogtiued by ali. the retare of
ihis intelligence to memory may hnve Herv'ed t- - -i and

8t3pport the vagite sy§ptcìon of an hiiquitous . t fsay

cven bave been the first occasion of creattng it.

But two actioni» one of bliod and andisdplfoed fcar, lllt
òther of I know not what mahcìotit mischtef, were what ciiii-
vcrted thia vagtie suspicion of a posiiìhte attctnpt, intn *--"
than suspicion (and, with many, a eertaftì conviciioo i
rcal plòL Some persons, who f?incfcd ihey had aeeii peaple,
on the cvcninF nf the ijlh of May^ in fhi» enthedral» ttnotat*
ing a partiti was used to ^tpu'^ races aastgned

to the two fr ì this partitjon, aiv iicr of bciiclirs

encloAcd withtn it, hrought out durtng the ni^ht : ahi
the Prcsidcot of the Board of Hcatth, f?^ -t.- r,. ,u«j ,
with four member!» of the commitlce, :-i

sercen, the benchea, and the Moupit of muy wjnrr, :md tntjrid
nathing that cotild con^rm the ignoraDl tu^iicioi] of a poijoa*

I PROHBSgl SPOSI

sai

Otìs attenifit, had ilccJared. to humour othcr peopWs fandcSp
aod ra/ii<fr ia ejrcf€é in cautiom, tkan from my comnctwn ùf
uccssiiy, that it wotild be iufficìtot to havc the partitioii
led, This mass of pìkd-up fumitiirc produccd a strong
afiresstoo o£ con s terna tion among the niultitude* to wKom
iny object so rcadily became an argument It was saìd, and
^ciierally belìcved, that ali the benches» walls. and evcu ihe
Jl-ropes in the caihcdral, had beeo nibbcd over with tmctu^
ous inatter. Nor was this afSrmed onìy at the tìme : ali the ree*
jrds of contcmporarìes (some o£ them writtcn after a laps^
}( many years) whkh allude to this incidente speak of it wtth
guai certabty of asseveration : and we should he oblìged to
[jg3i|ecttjre its truc history, did we not find it in a lettcr f rotn
irdof Health to the govemor,preserved in the archivcs
Fedele, from which wc havc extracted tt, and whetice
ve have quoted the words we have written in Itatics.

Kexi morning, a ncw, strangcr, and more signt&cant spcc-
icle» «truck the eyes and mtnds of the citkens. In everj^ part
>{ the dty they &aw the doors and walb of the house? ^- ^:^,.^
ad daiibed whh long streaks of I know not wbai i
acthing yellowlsh and whitish, spread over them as a vvitli
spODge. WTicther ìt werc a base incliuation to witness a
more clamorous and more genera! constematìon, or a siili
ytt wicked design to augment the public conf usion, or whal-
rer else it may have becn, the fact is atte&ted in such a man-
r, tltat si seems to us less rattonal to attribute it to a dream
>f tlic imaginatìon, than to a wickedly malidous trick, not
■ " V to the wit of man. — not, ajas, defident
cts, in cvery place, so to say, and every
. who f' ^ on this subject ol the

ittr les, and ce frequeutly dcplores^ the

iwpiil&r , bere affirms that he had ^en this plaster-

'ng, and . . .^cribe* it" In the ahove-fiuotcd lettcr, the
:ttlemeci of the Board of Health telate tJie ctrcumstancc
tic samc tcrms; ihcy speak of iaipeetion&, of cxpr~-~ — r^
m4th thi5 mattcr opon dogs, without any
ti and add, that they helieve snch iemerUy ^rai;c€dt^d

riiMfl, te*

ALECTANDKO MANZOKI

rather from ìmoìence th^n frùm any gaiìty étm

Ofutuon which cvnfìces thai, tip to ìhh lime, tber re^.^

sttfficteiiC tranquinìty of mmd oct to i^re wbai rcaJh tU

exist Other contemporary reeords, not to recicosi

timony as to the tmth ol the fact. signily. ai tlie

that tt was at first the optnion of tcanf. ih:-

had bcen done in joke, in a mere {roUe; :ì ihcsn i^^di

of any one who denjcd it; and had tbcre beca any, ti

tainly woyld bave mcntioficd them, wcrc il ooly to cs

irrationaL I have deeoied it not out of p)ac£ to rel^

put logether tfiese panìcu!ars^ in part little known» in pin

entirely iinknown, of a cekbrated popular delirium;

in errors, and especJally in the errors of a multltiide^

seems to me most intercsting and most tisefttl to ol

ìs, the course they have taken, tlieir appearaoces^ and tbe

ways by which they could cnttr men's minds, and hoW sm^

there.

The city, alrcady tumtiltyously incHned, was now htratd
upside down: the owtiers of the houses, with lightcd striw,
bufned the besmearcd spotst tnd passers-by stopped, |^a<«L
shuddered, mijrmurcd. Stran gcrs, suspected of this alooe,
and at that lime easily recogniied by their dress, vrcre ar*
rested by the people in the itrceti, and constgned lo prll
Here in ter rogati ons and e%aminalions wcre made of
tured, captors, and witnesses; no onc was found gullty;
miods were stili capable of doubung, weighmg, undei
ìng. The Board of Health Issucd a prociamttìorv in w1
they promiscd reward aod tmpunity to any one who woM
hrìng IO tight the author or atithors of the deed 7n any
wise» nat ihmkmg li esf^dient,' say these gentlemcn In the
letter we have «juoled, which bears date the ;2lst of May, trat
which was evidcntly writtcn on the I9th. the day sigiiìéed in
the prinlcd praclamation. * that ikis crime shùMÌd by amy
fneans remain unpunisheé, speciùtUt in times Ma periloms amé
suspidous, w£ have, fnr the cansùlaHon ama fwace af là#
ptoptt, this date publuhcd an edkìe* &t, Tn the cdict. how-
cver, there Is no mention, at least no dislinct one, of that
rational and tranquinixing conjteetyre they had sttjtge&teU to
the governor: a rcservation which indicate^ at once i ficrce
prejudice in the pcoplc, and in thcmselvcs a degree of ohie-

I PBOMES8I SPOSI

537

iiousness, so mych the more bìamablc as the consequencet
ighl prove more perni dous.

Wliile the Board was thus making tnqyirìes, many of the
public, as is iisually the case, had al ready found the aiiswer.
Auiong those who tielieved thEs to be a poisoiiQus ointment,
soiDe were sure it was an act of revenge of Don Goazalo
Fcraandez de Cordova, for the insuits received at his de-
paittire; some, that il was an idea of Cardinal Richeììeu s to
desolate Milan, and make himself master of it wìthout
tftmble- otheri, again — it ìs not known with what motives —
wotild iiave that the Count Cotìaìto was the auihor of ihe
plot, or WaUoistein, or this or that Milanese nobleman,
Thcre wanted not too, as we have said, those who saw
nothing in this occurrcncc btit a rarschievous jest, and at-
iributed it io studcnts, to gentlenicn, to oSìcers who were
weary of the siege of Casale, It dìd not appear» however,
as had been dreaded, that infectìon and universa] slaughter
tinmediately cnstiedr and this was prcbably the canse that
first fear began by degrees to substde, and the matter
or seenied to he, forgotten.
ThcTc was, after ali, a certain number of persons not yet
inced that it was indeed the piagne; and becausc, both
tlie Lazzaretto and in the city, some wcrc restored to
'it was affirmed,' (the final argumesits for an opinion
cted by cvidence are always curions enougb,) ' it was
aed by the common people, and even yet by many partial
flgnkìftQS, that it was not really the piagne, or ali would have
diól'^ To remove cvery donht, the Board of Health em*
plùyed an expedient conlormabìe to the necessìty of the cas€^
a mcans of speakìng to the eye, SìJch as the tinies may have
reqtiired or «yggested On one of the f estai days of VVhit-
suniide, the dtixcns were m the hablt of f!ocking to the
ccmctery of San Gregorio, outside the Porta Orientale, ta
pray for the sotils of those who had dicd in the former con-
tagioOf and whotc bodies were tliere interred; atìd horrowìnf
from devotton an opportnnity of amttscmcnt and sjght*seeing,
cvery one went thither m his best and gayest clothtng. One
ole famity, amongst others. Itad this day died ol the piagne,
the hoor of the thitkcst concotirsc, in the midst o£ car-

«ss

ALESSANDEO MANZONI

riages, riderà on horsebaek, and foot-pasdensTeri^ ilie .
of this family were, hy order of the Board» drawn oi
ear to the abovc*named bur)ung-groond ; in arder
crowd might behold in thcm the manifest tokcn, thi?
scal and symptom, of the pcstilence. A cry of horfoM
consternation arosc wherever the car was pstf^j^insf; a pn^
ìotiged murmur was predominant wberc ìt b " /*!, aooiljÉr

murmur preceded it. The real existcncc 1^P»£J

tnore bclieved: besides> cvery day it cofilinucd to gai
bclief by itself ; and that very concoiirsc wonld contriti
a little to propagate it.

First, then, It was «ot the plaguc, absolutely »ot— bf ti^
tneans: the very utterance of the terra was prohibìtcd* Thcn,
it wts pestJleritial fevcti: ihe idea was iri * admitiai

in an adjective. Then, it was not the tm. .;!

that k to say, it was ihe plagtie, but ai^ly in a Ci^rtatri
not positi vely and undoubtedly the piagne; btii sometl
which no other iiame cotUd be afiixed. Lastly, it
plaguc without doubtt without disptilc: biit cvca tJicn
idea was appended to it, the idea of poison and witcl
which altefed and confoundcd that conveyed io the wdH
coutd no longer repress.

There is no neccssity, I iniaji^iiie. io be wcl!
history of words and ìdcas, to perceìvc that mar
followed a slmilar course. Hcaven he praiscd il

not becn many of snch a nature, and of so va-: ,

which contradict their evidence at mth a prlce, and Id \
acccssories of such a character tnay he annexed l It ia j
ble, however, both In gteat and trifling concerna, to
great racasure, so tengrthened and crooÌce<! n path, by foU
the iiìethod which has been so lon^ latd down, of obf^rfil
listi nnd thìT: ■'peakinf.

h oue fKv '.H so mtieh «udtf

than ali the othi- ''eii wis, 1 gay» ^e

lo general, are .su ._ .^ ._ ,..,:^^

CHAPTER XXXIT

THE diffioiltj of providing for the moaniM exigencles
of the timcs bccoraing daily greatcr, it was resolved^
OD the 4th of May, in the Comici I ol the Decurioni,
to hare recourse for aid and favour to the govemor ; and
Aecordingty, on the 22nd, iwo tnembers of that body wcpq
despatched to the camp» who reprcscnted io him the safìTeTÌngs
and povcrty of the cit>': the cnormous cxpenditure, the trea*-
tuy cxhaiìsted and involvcd in debt, ìu future revenue in
pledigt» and the current tasces tinpald» by reason of the ghiera!
impoverishment, produccd by so many cause^, and espedally
bjr th€ havoc of the mUitary ; tbey subraitted to his cofisidera-
ttOfl that, accordìng to laws and customs, which had never
beeQ repealed, and by a special decree of Omrlcs V., the
«epoises of the pestiìence ought to be defraycd from the
Idof's exche<jucr: that, in the plague of 1576, the governar»
the Marqais of Ayamonte, had not indeed remitted ali the
taxes qC ihe Chaniberp but had relieved the city with forty
tlioofand scudi from that same Cbamber; atid, fkially, ihey
deaaaded four things: — ihat, as once before already, tlie
taxes shonld not be exacted ; tliat the Chamber shculd grant
some tuppHcs of money; thai the goveroor should acquaìnt
tlie king with the misery of the city and the tcrritory ; and
that the dnchy should be excniptcd from again quartering
the miliuf)*. as il had beai already wasted and destroyed by
the forme r troops. Spinola gave in rcply condolence» and
c»h exhonaiions: be said he was sorry he dìd not happcti
bc in the city, that he mij^ht use ali his endeavotirs for ìt&
but he « ' " ali wouid be cotnpcn&atcd for by
1 o» ìh^ ' that this was the tinie lo expeiid

ilh< 1! ti>cy could by cvcry mcans:

lUld :i hr -xtvfih^ provirfe for thcm In

the beit way the tiincs and ex- 1 altow,

Nor wai tbcre any furthcr r . . _d, more

jottrncy* to ajid fro, ncw r- l replics; but 1 do mtt

fimi Ihftl tbey carne to auy mm^- umnninate eotieltisioti&

510 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Some time later, when the plague was at its ^reatest heiglit,
the govemor thought fit to transfer his authorìty, by letten
patent, to the High Chancellor Ferrer, he having» as he stàd,
to attend to the war.

Together with this resolution, the Decurioni had also taken
another, to request the Cardinal Archbishop to appoint i
solemn procession, hearing through the city the t>ody of San
Carlo. The good prelate refused, for many reasons. This con-
fidence in an arbitrary measure displeased him ; and he f eared
that if the effect should not correspond to it, which he had
also reason to fear, confìdence would be converted iato
ofTence/ He feared further, that, if indeed there were poison»
ers about, the procession would afTord too convenient oppor-
tunities for crime; if thcre were not, such a concourse of
itself should not fail to disseminate the contagion more
widely: a danger far more real,* For the suppressed su»-
picions of poisonous ointments had. meanwhile, revived more
generally and more violently than ever.

People had again seen, or this time thcy fancied the>' had
seen anointed walls, entrances to public buildings, doors of
private houses, and knockers. The news of thcse discoveries
flew from mouth to mouth; and, as it happens even more
than usually in grcat preposscssions, the report produccd the
same efìfect that the sight of it would bave done. The minds
of the populace. ever more and more embittered by the
actual presence of sufìferin^. and irritated by the pertinacity of
the danger, cmbraced this belief the more willingly : for anger
bums to cxecute its revenge, and. as a vcr>* worthy man
acutely observes on this same subjcct,* would rather attribute
evils to human wickedness, upon which it might vent its
tormenting cnergics. than acknowlcdge them from a source
which Icaves no othcr rcmedy than rcsignation. A subtie.
instantaneous, exccedingly penetratine poìson. were word*
more than enough to explain the %'irulence, and ali other

* >renioirt of flUOcesMve Remarkable ETrnt* in Milan aboat the time of
the Plafue, in the year 1630. ftc. coapiled hy D. Pio la Croce, Milan.
1730. It It erideniljr takcn from an unpub'i^hcd m-ritinc oi ao aathor
who lÌTed at the time of the pcstilrnce: if indeed it be not ■ simple edition.
rather than a new compii. itìon.

• • Si unguenta tcelcrata et ur.ctnrr* in urbe rsscnt ... Si non eu?al
, . . Certiu>que adeo matum.* — Rif amenti. P jSj.

•P. Xerri. Obnerrationji on Torture: Ilaiian Writen on Modera Politicai
Economy, voi. xvii. p. ^05.

I PROMESSI SPOSI

SII

ifiysterìous and unusual accompaniments of the con-
tagion, It was saìd that this venom was composed of toads,
ofserpents^of saliva and matierf fora infectedpersons^ of worsc
stili, of eveo'tliing, in short, that wild and perverse fancy
could invcnt whicb was foul and atrocious, To these was
added wìtcbcraft, by whicb any effect became possible, cvcry
o1>jectjon lost its force, every difficulty was resolved If the
antidpated effects had noi imroediately fotlowed upon the
first anointing, the reason was now clear — it had bccn the
iiKl^crfcct attempt of novices in the art of sorcery; now it
was more matured, and the wills of the pcrpctrators were
more bent upon their infernal project Now, had any ©ne
stOJ mainiained that it had been a mere trick, had any one stiil
denied the exislence of a consplracy, he wotild bave passed
for a deìuded or obsdnate person ; ìi, indeed, he wouid not
bave falleti under the stispicìon of being interested tn divcrt-
ing public scnitiny from tlie truth, of being an accomplice, a
pùisoner. The tcrm very soon became common, solemn, tre-
mendotis. With such a persuasion, that poisoners thcf e wefé,
•ome must almost infallibly bc dìscovered: al] eyes were oti
the look-out; every act might excìte jealousy; and jcalousy
ea$i]y became cettainty, and certainty f ury,

Rlpafnonti relates two instances, ìnforming ns that he had
sclected them, not as the most outrageous among the many
which daily occurred, but because^ unhappUy, he coiild speak
of both as ati eye-witncss.*

la the chfirch of Sant* Antonio, on the day of I know not
wbat V. an old man, more iJian eighty years of agc,

was «j! . after kneeling in prayer» to sii down, first, how*

evcr, dnjting the bench with hìs cloak. 'That old man is
amoìntinf the benchest* cxclaimed with one voice some
«ocnaii who wittiessed the act. The pcoplc who happened
to he in church, (In church I) fell ttpon the old man ; they tore
bis gTiy locks, heaped upon hìm blows and kicks, and dragged
htm oi3t half dead, to convey him to pnson, to the jndges, to
torture, * ! bchcld him dragged along in this way/ aays Ripa-
siond, * fior cotild I ' -. thing fiinher ahont bis end : but,

ÌDdee4, I think he ^ hav*? suivivjd many moments/

The othcr ìnstancc, whicb occurrcd the foUowing day, was

ALBSSANDEO MAKEONI

Thrce French youili^

kiiow OùC
I, ani! st-ji:^
or more ptia

cqualìy str&ng^, but not equaUly fiital

in company, onc a scholar» oiic a i*'

mechanìc, who hat! come lo kcc lUly,

and to try and make money, liad ;i

cxactly what part of the cxterior of v

attentivcly stirveying it One, two,

stopped, and formcd a little group, to conteiniilat

their eye on these vìsitors, whom thcir costume»

éttsB, and their wallcis, prociaìmcd to be slrain

was worsc, Frenchmcn. As if to assurc tht: ti

was marblc, they stretched o«t thcir hatith to i n

was enoitgh, Thcy werc surroundcd» scùcd, i !

ufged by blows to prison, Forttiijutcly; the hall oi j

not far from the cathedra], and by stili grcatcr goou .-..„_.^

they were fonnd innocent, and set at liberty,

Nor did iueh things happcn only in the city; the frenxy hai
sprcftd likc the contagion* The traveller who wa* nict bf
peasanti out of the highway, or on tb ' road wat aedi

loìterìng and amusing hmiself, or stri , ott th« gro>afl<t

to rest ; the stranger in whom they faiickil ihey aaw wm^
thing singTilar and stisptctotia in coimtcnanc^ or drc^a— dieia
were poisoners ; at the first report of whoniso^vcr It unght bi
— at the cfy of a chìld— tJie alarm wa» givcn, and ^^ - '^•"
iocked togcther; the nnhappy victims wcrc pelted w
or» if taken, were vìolently draggcd to pn«on, /\nii i\
prison, np to a certa in periodi becamc a haven of «afety,*

But the Decurioni, not discoufaged by the
judicious prelate, con t in ned to repeat thcìr en;
were noisily seconded by the popular vote. T!
severeci for *ome time, and cndcavoured to tii
so much and no more coiild the discretton of ont oiao
agaìnst the jtidgtnent ol the times, and tlie per** — *'* - * •
inany* In this state of opinion, with the idea t
fuied as it was at that peri od, disputed, and ver;
posse sittng the evldence whìch we bave fo? ìt. it v
diffictill to compreht :
his own mind, be <
Whcther, beside*. in hi$ subicqnent r
of will had or had not any share, is a ..

• Eìp»mi9nti^ ppv 9i, ^

I FIOUSSI SPOSI

SI3

C^rtiiiily if, in any case, it be f)09sib!e to attribute
whfiHy io ihé intellect^ and to relicv? the conscience of
tespor it is whcn one ireats of thosc rare peraons»

(and. Ay, the Cardinal was of the number.) throygbout

whose whoìe Ufo is sccri a resolute obedlence to conscience,
without regard to teniporal inierests of any kìnd, On t!ic repe-
ti tion of the entreatks, thcn, he yìelded, gave his consent to
the pfoeession, and furthcr, to the desire, the general eager-
ncss» that ^e um whìch contained the relics of San Carld
should afterwards remain eseposed for eìghi days to the public
concourfie, on the high aitar of the cathedral

I do not find that the Board of Health, or the other authoH*
tìes^ made any opposition or renion strance of any kind. Tht
abovc-named Board merely ordered some precautìons, which,
whhout obviating tlie danger, Indìcated their apprehension
of it* They gave more strìct regulations about the admission
ot periODi into the city, and to ìosure the execution of iliem,
ktpì aX\ the gates &hut: as also. In order to exclndc from the
concourse, as far a^ posstble, the infected and suspccted, they
caused the doort of the condemned hoiiscs to he nailcd up;
wliich, so far as the bare assertion of a writcT— atid a writer
of tJioae tìmes — is to be valued in such lìiatters, amounted to
«botit fiv« bundred*'

Three days were 8pent in preparatìons ; and on the ntb of
Jane, wliich was the day fixed, the proccssion started by early
dmurn ffoni tlie cathedraL A long file of peoplc led the way,
chìeHy women» their facea covcred witb ampie sUken veìU,
atld maay of thcm barcfoot, und ckithrd in sackctoth. Theo
fotiowed Eiands of artificcrs.precedcd by their scvcral batmers,
the difìercnt fraterni li cs. in habits of various shadc* and
coloiirs; then carne the hrotherhoods of monks, then the
seeular clergyp each wìlh the Insi^^nia of his rank. and hearing
a lìghted wax taper. In ihc centra, amWst the brilliancy of
stili more numcrous tordiea, and the loodcr tones of th«
chanting, carne the ccQni, under a rich canopy, supported
altcmatcty by fntir canons, inosl pomponsly attìrcd. ThrougU
the cryttal side?* a^Tpcarcd the vencratcd corpse, the ìtmbs
«OTcloped in splendid pontìòcal robea, and the $kM covcred

^ • All«v|sllMi of the Stftto of Milan. &c^ bf C <L Cswti^ della

514

ALESSANDRO MANtONI

>_>i i*i

with a mitre: and under the mutiìfttf^d an4 cfeermipoied

tiires^ some traces mìghì stili bc

countcfiance, such as it was rcpi

some rcinctnbercd sceing and honouring it durn

Eehind the morta! reroains of the deceased paslor,

monti/ from wbich we chiefly ha ve takcn thts d

and ncnr hìm in pcrson. as wdì as in mcrit, bloi (t, ..

rame the Archbishop Federigo» Then ft>llf>wef 1 ' m

clei^y* and dose behind them the m

robei o£ afìfìce; after them the not.i

appar elied, as for a solemn cetehr^iion of wm

loken of humìltatìon, clothed in mourning, or

lootp covcred with sackcioth, and the hoods draw:
{ices, ali hearing largc torches, A mingied crowd
brotight up the rcan

The whole Street was decked out a^ at ^ ' '
had brought oot theìr most showy decora;
the poorer bouses werc oramcnted hy thcir %^
bours, or at the public cxpcnse; here and th
omaments, or over the ornaments thcmsclves, wcrc lealy
branches of trees; cverywhere were suspended pìcturcs, mot»
toes, and cmblcmatical devjccs; on the window-Jedifei wert
dispiayed vases, curiosilies of antiqiiity, and v^aluable ms^
ments i and in cvery direction were torches. At trt^mv of Illese
Windows the sick, who were piit under ^^ hehtld

the pomp, and mingled their prayers with ,- pai^

sefigers. The olher strects were silent and deseried, sav-c wherc
some few liste ned at the wmdows to the floating 1^1^*1,.,^ ffi
the distatice ; while others. and atnong ìhts€ even 1
be seen^ mounted on ihe roofs» perchnnce 1b " ' '
dtàtingnish a far off the cofìin.the rHìtiue—

The procession passed ihr-
each of the crossways, or jun
prineipal strects in the suburbi and v.
Encient name of carrobii, now reduce.:
a halt, depositing the cofhn near the cr*
erecied ìn evcry one hy San Carlo, duffng i*-- j. v
Icfice» some of which are siili standing; uì ihat thi
sot to the cathedral tìH oonstderibly fiasl midday*

I PEOMESST SPOSI

S45

But lo f the day foUowìng, just wlrile the presnmptuous con-
fi4cfice, nay, in msuiy, the fatiatìcal asstirance prcvailed, that
llie proceisjon muti bave cut short lh« progress of the plagoe^
the mortality increased in evcry class, iti cverv- part of the
city, to siich a degree^ and with so sudden a leap, that ther«
was scarccly any one who did not behol<Ì hi the very prò*
man ttself, tlic cause and occasion of thìs ' ' ncrease*

IT, r»h wonderful and mclancholy force o: pfeju^

e greater ntimber did not attrihute thb dfect tO so

i; SO prolonged a cfowding logether of persons, nor

to the tniinite multi pi ication of fortultòus contact, but rathcr
the fadlhies afiforded to the poisoncrs of executìng Iheir
iqnitous destgns ott a largc ^ak. Il was $ajd that, mixing
the crowd, they had infectcd wìth their otntiTient everybody
thcy had cncoaiitered. But as this appcared nelther a suATh
cieot nof appropriate meaiis for producing so vast a tnortality,
whìclì cxtcnded itself to e%"ery rank; as, apparently, it had not
beco possible« even for an eye the most watcliful, and the most
qnick-stghted from suspicicin, to dctect any une tuo ti s niatter,
or spots of any kiod, during the march, recourse was had for
the cxplanatioii of the faci to that otber fabricalion, alrcady
ancicnt. and receircd at that timc into tlie common scientific
niing of Europe, of magicai and venomous it was

d that these powders, scattered along the st : chìcfly

al the places of hahing, had clung lo the traina oi ilje dressc%
and stili more to the feet of those who had that day, in great
numbers, gone about batefoot ' That ven- day, thcrcfore,
of the pTocessioti/ says a contetnporary writer * * saw ptety
contcndiog wlth inìquìty, perfidy with sìncerity^ and loss with
qiiisition/ It was» oti the coofrary, poor htiman scnse eoo-

ig with the pbantoms tt had itself created.
Frotri that day, the contagton contintied to rage with in-*
crca^ing vioìcncc : in a little while, tliere was scarccly a house
left untoached: and the poputation of tlie Lazzaretto, accorda
iug to Soinaglia, above quoted. nnìounted to from two io
twelve thousand. Io Ihe course of Uiuc, according to almost
reportSt <t rcachcd sfxtecn tiiotisand On the fotinh of
« la I find io another letter from the isonscrvators of health

LAm[mpkdaa: Of tàc t*estÌJrn«e Hat

b Miko, ta

la— VoL ZI

546 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

to the Govemor, the daily mortality exceeded five htmdrei
Stili later, when the plague was at its hexght» it reached, ind
for some time remained at, twelve or fifteen hundred, acoord*
ing to the most common computation; and xf we may cre(fit
Tadino,* it sometimes even exceeded three thousud &*«
hundred.

It may be imagined what must now have been the difficoities
of the Decurioni, upon whom was laid the burden of providing
for the public necessities, and repairing what was stili re-
parable in such a calamity. They were obliged every day to
replace, every day to augment, public officers of numeroos
kinds: Monatti, by which denomination (even then at Milan
of ancient date, and uncertain origin,) were designated those
who were devoted to the most painful and dangerous services
of a pestilence, viz. taking corpses from the houses, out of the
streets, and from the Lazzaretto, transporting them on carts
to the graves, and burying them ; carrying or conducting the
sick to the Lazzaretto, overlooking them there, and buming
and cleansing infccted or suspected goods : Apparitori^ whosc
special office it was to precede the carts, warning passengcrs,
by the sound of a little beli, to retire : and Commissarii, who
superintended both the other classes, under the immediate
orders of the Board of Health. The Council had also to keep
the Lazzaretto f umished with physicians, surgeons, medicines,
food, and ali the other necessarics of an infirmary; and to
provide and prepare new quarters for the newly arising needs,
For this purpose, they had cabins of wood and Straw hastily
constructed, in the unoccupied space within the Lazzaretto;
and another Lazzaretto was erectcd, also of thatched cabins,
with an enclosure of boards, capable of containing four thou-
sand persons. These not being sufficient, two others were
decreed; they even began to build them, but, from the dc-
ficiency of means of every kind. they remained uncompleted
Means, men, and courage failed, in proportion as the necessity
for them increased. And not only did the cxecution fall so
far short of the projects and dccrees — not only were many
too clearly acknowledged neccssities deficiently provìded for,
even in words, but they arrivcd at such a pitch of impotency
and despcration, that many of the most deplorable and urgeiit
*Pagef 115-117. ^A bailiff of the mcanett kiad.

I PROMESSI SPOSI

i wer« TtfC wilbout succouf of any kmd A greftt ntiiiil>er
I iolftnts» (or exarapte, died of absoiiite neglect, thdr motherf
vting beai cari ied off by the jH^atilcncc. The Board o£
Health propoKed that a place of refii^e should bc foundcd lor
these, and £or desti tute lying-in wcmen^ that somcthing mìght
he dooe for tlicnip bui they coiild okain nothing. "Hit
ìecuri&m of the Citie,* savi Tadino, * wcre no less to be
ityed» who fouiid theniselves harassed and oppressed by the
^>yicrie without any Butitids or Regarde whatsocver, as well
ihasc in tlie mìforttinate Duchy, &€eitig that they could gict
no Help or Prouision from the Goticmor, bccausc it happened
lo he a Tyme of War, and they must nceds treat the Soìdierie
weH/'^ So important was the taìdtig of Casale! so gloriouB
ppeared the fame of victory, ìndepeiidait o£ the cause, of the
bject for which they contcndcd \

So, also, an ampie bui solitary grave which had been dog
' the Lazzaretto being completely filled with corpses; md
bodies, whìeh became day by day njore numerous, re-
oaScung ihereforc hi cvery direction unbtiried, the magls-
ite^, after havtng in %*aiti sought for hands to exectite the
^elancholy task, were compcUed to ackitowkdgc that they
not what course to py rsue, Nor was tt easy to coojee*
are what would be the eod, had Dot ejciraordiiiary reììef
aiTorded, The Presìdent of the Board of Hc&ltli soUe*
m despaìr, and wttlì tears in his eyes, from tbofle
[ friars whu presìded at the l^azzaretto; mod
(r Mtclide pledgcd hitnself to clcar the dty of dead
ili the cóurse of fotir days. At the cxpiratìon of eigbt
kys he had net only providcd for the iraroedlatc nccessity,
"»r tliat al¥0 which tl*e most omtnous forcsight could havc
lied for the future- Wiih a frìar for his corapanion,
rilh officcr» gtaoted him for tbis purpose by tlie Presi*
he set oflf otit of the city tsi acarch of pcaianU; an4
by the authority of the Board of HcaJth, partly by the
liMKfice of hts halitt an<l bis word», be ««scoceded io i30t*
IcctÌBg two hundred, whom he dìstributed iti three sefkamto
placiea^ to dig ilie ani|de gravea, Uc tben de^patcfaed monatH
from the LacsJireisa to coUea the dead, aad oa tbe day ap-
ptitnlsd ttti promise was fttlfiUed.

548 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

On one occasion, the Lazzaretto was Icft destitute of
physicians; and it was only by offers of large salarìes and
honours, with much labour, and considerablc delay, that
they could procure them; and cven then their number
was far from sufficient for the need. It was oftcn so
reduced in provisions as to raise fears that the inmates
would actually bave to die of starvation; and more than
once, while they were trying every method of raising money
or supplies, with scarcely a hope of procuring them, — net
to say of procuring them in time, — abundant assistance
would most opportunely be afforded by the unexpected gift
of some charitable private individuai; for, in the midst
of the common stupefaction and indifference to others, arìs-
ing from continuai apprehensions for themselves, there were
yet hearts e ver awake to the cali of charity, and others in
whom charity first sprang up on the failure of ali earthly
pleasures; as, in the destruction and fliffht of many whose
duty it was to superintend and provide, there were others,
ever healthy in body and unshaken in courage, who were
always at their posts; while some there even were who,
urged by compassion, assumed, and perseveringly sustained,
cares to which their office did not cali them.

The most general and most willing fidelity to the trying
duties of the times, was conspicuously evinced by the clcrgy.
In the Lazzarettoes, and throughout the city, their assistance
never failed; where suffering was, there were they; they
were always to be seen mingled with and interspersed among
the faint and dying — faint and dying sometimes themselves.
Together with spiritual succours, they were lavish, as far
as they could be, of temperai ones, and freely rcndercd
whatever services happened to be required. More than
sixty parish-priests, in the city alone, died of the contagion:
about eight out of every nine.

Federigo, as was to be expected from him, gave to ali
cncouragement and example. Having seen almost the whole
of his archiepiscopal hoiisehold perish around him, solicited
by relatives, by the first magistrates, and by the neighbour-
ing princes, to withdraw from danger to some solitary
country-seat, he rcjected this counsel and entreatics in the
spirit with which he wrote to his clergy: *Be ready to

I PROMESSI SPOSI

519

is morta! tìfc, rather than the famlly. Clic chìldrcn,
oomttiiÌte<l to u*^; go forward imo ilie piagne» as lo Itlc,
as to a r^ward, when ihcre is onc soul to bc won to Christ/"
He neglecied no precautlotis whicti dld ooi impede hiiti
In bis duty; oti whtch point he also ga%*e instrucdcns and
regulatians to bis ckrg^; and, at the sanie tìme^ he mtnded
noi, noT appeared to óWrvc* darigcr, where il \v ìry

to eocjoutiter it, in order lo do good, WiUiotit ^ ^ oi

the ecclcsia^ttcs, whoni he was coiistatitly wiili, io cooinieiid
and regniate thcir zeal, lo arousc such as wcre Itikewann
in the work, and to send them to the posis where others
had perished^ k was bis whh that thcfe &houtd always he
frcc accc.'ts for any ont who had nced ol hitn. He visited
the Lazzareùoes, to adminìster consolalìofì tu the sick, and
cncouragcmcnt to the attcndants; he traversed the city,
carrymg relief to the poor creaturcs sequestrateti in thdr
houscs^ stopping at the doors and under the Windows lo
Hstcn to tlieir lamentations, and to offcr in exchange words
of comfort and eocoura^ement. In short, he threw htm-
self iiito, and lived in the mtdst of the pcslilcnce, and wis
^mself astonished, at the end, that he had come out tm»
Ijufed.

Thtis, in public calamitles and in long-eontimied db*
mrhances of settkd habits, ol whatrv^er kind, thcre m:tf
always he behcld asi augmentation» a snbHniation of virtuc;
bui, alai! there is never wanting, at the samc lime, an aug-
mcntation, far more general in most cases. of crime. Tìdt
occasion was remarkable lor iL The vinains, whcm the
l^estilence spared and did not icrrify, found in the coramon
r I, and in the rcUxation of alt public authority, a

rtunity of activityf logether with new aitsnrances
impunit)'; nay. the adminiftratìon of public authorlty
eli carne, in a greut meaiure, to be lodged in the hand»
the worst among them* GeneraHy speaking, none de*
ihcmAclves to tht? offices of monatti and appariiari
men over whom ilie attracttons nf rapine and Ikesise
more inflaence than the tcrror of coQtigloii, or aiiy
naturai object of horror.
The «trictest orders were laid upois tìie»e peofile; ilie

550 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

severest penalties threatened to them ; stations were MMà^ofà
them; and commissaries, as we have said, placed over then:
over both, again, magistrates and nobles were appmnted
in every district^ with authority to enforce good goren-
ment summarily on every opportunity. Such a state of
things went on and look effect up to a certain perìod; bnt»
with the increase of deaths and desolation, and the terror
of the survivors, these officers carne to bc, as it were,
exempted from ali supervision; they constituted tfaemselvei
the monatti especially, arbiters of everything. They entered
the houses like masters, like enemies; and, not to mention
their plunder, and how they treated the unhappy creatures
reduced by the piagne to pass through such hands, thejr laid
them — ^these infected and guilty hands— on the healthy—
children, parents, husbands, wives, threatening to éng
them to the Lazzaretto, unless they redeemed themselves,
or were redeemed, with money. At other times they set
a price upon thcir services, refusing to carry away bodies
already corrupted, for less than so many scudù It wis
believed (and between the credulity of one party and the
wickedness of the other, belicf and disbelief are equallf
micertain), it was believed, and Tadino asserts it,** thit
both monatti and apparitori purposcly Ict fall from their
carts infected clothes, in order to propagate and keep up
the pestilence, which had become to them a means of living.
a kingdom, a festival. Other wretches, feigning to bc
monatti, and carrying little bells tied to their feet. as these
officers were required to do, to distinguish themselves and
to give warning of their approach, introduced themselves
into houses, and there excrcised ali kinds of tyranny. Some
of these. open and void of inhabitants, or inhabitcd only
by a feeble or dying creature, were entered by thicvcs
in search of booty, with impunity; others were surpriscd
and invaded by bailifTs, who there committed robbcries and
excesses of every description.

Together with the wickedness. the folly of the peoplc

increased: every prevailing error reccived more or less

additional force from the stupefaction and agitation of

Ihcir minds, and was more widely and more precipitately

>*Pate lot.

J PEOMESSI SF0S1

SSÌ

ippUcd: whìlc erery one served to strengtbcn and agfraTate
>fiixi ipecial manìa abotit poisonìiigs, whicli, In ìtt cifects
ad ebullitiotis* was often, as wc have sceii. ttsclf anothcr
ime. Tlie image of ili?- té danger beset and tor-

^tured the nimds of the [" ir mare thao the fcal and

istilla danger.

*And whik»' say a Ripamonti, * corpdea, scattered here and

bere, or lying in hcaps, ever belo re the cyes and surround-

the Ètcps of the living, uiade the whole city Itke one

seputchré, a stili more appalìifig symptom, a mere

dcformity» was ihcir iiìuiual anìmosity, their Ucen-

aess, and lUcir cxtravan^ant su^pìciona. * . • Not only

thcy tnUtrust a fr ioidi a guest ; hut those names whtch

the bcnds o£ human affection» husband and wife, Hthcr

|and soii^ brothtr and brother, werc word» of terror, and,

dfeadful and ijifatnous %o tcMI the dnracstic board, the

nuptial bed, were dreadcd as lurking^placcis, as rcccptacles

7t poison***

The imaginary vastnefs and «ttranfenf*! of the plot div

^traclcd pcople's t -ted evcry reason

itot reciprocai e lon and cuptdity»

[frhìch werc at first supposed to be Uic motives of the polson-

rs, they fancied, they evcn bclÌc%Td at Icugth, that there

va$ ^mcthing of diaboìical voluptuous delight In this

m attraciion predominatili g ov^r the will The

of the sick. who accu^icd themsdvcsi of what thcy

apj^T ■ . ^,^»j.^ coniìdercd as revela»

tsons, an >o lo say, credilde of any one*

And it vrouÌQ bave Ur grcàler wcight c\*ea than words, if

^ ti happcned that delìrious p«ntientfi kept practUIng those

[lan^rurres which ìt was ìmagined must be employed by

bc poisoucrs: a thing al once vcry probable, and tending

]Lq give bdtcr grounds for the popular pcrsuasioa and the

ertions of numeroui writer^. In the same way, during

be long and mournfu) period of judicial iuvestlgation od

be fubject of witchcr^ift, the confcssions anrj those not

Iways extoricd of tlic acni^cd, served nat a little io promots

(«nd opbold the prcv^iilin^' c^pitìion cm ibis luatter; Cor

vlicn an oplmun obtain* a prc'longed and estensive iwi/,

^ Pa«c Si.

554 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

tact, and that if no opposition wcre made to it, h
become a general infection, — to see him, I say, draw a
certain argument from these very consequences, for poisoo-
ous and magical tinctions: to behold him, who in Carte
Colonna, the second that died in Milan, had xnarked de-
lirium as an accompaniment of the malady, afterwardi
adduce in proof of unctions and a diabolical plot an ineident
such as this: — two witnesses deposed to having heard onc
of their friends, under the influence of the contagion, relate
how some persons carne one night into bis room, to proffer
him health and riches, if he wouid anoint the houses in the
iricinity, and how, on bis repeated refusai, they had taken
their departure, and left in their stead a wolf under the
bed, and three great cats upon it, 'which remained there
till break of day.** Had such a method of drawing con-
clusions been confined to one individuai, it might bave been
attributed to bis own extreme simplicity and want of common
sense, and it wouId not bave been worth our while to men-
tion it; but, as it was received by many, it is a specimen of
the human mind; and may serve to show how a well-regu-
lated and reasonable train of ideas may he disordered by
another train of idcas thrown directly across it. In other
respects this Tadino was onc of the most renowned men of
his time at Milan.

Two illustrious and highly deserving writers bave as-
scrted that Cardinal Federigo entertained some doubt about
these poisonings." Wc would gladly give stili more complete
commendation to the memory of this excellent and bencvolent
man, and represent the good prelate in this, as in many
other things, dìstinguished from the niultitude of his con-
temporaries; but we are constrained, instead, to remark in
him another examplc of the powerful influence of public
opinion, evcn on the most exalted minds. It is evident, —
from the way, at least, in which Ripamonti rclates his
thoughts on the subject, — that from the beginning he had
some doubts about it ; and throughout he always considered
that credulity, ignorance, fear, and a wish to cxcusc their
long negligence in guarding against the contagion, had a

"Pp. 123, 1^4.

^* Ni tiratori, on the Treatment of the Pestllence, Moden», 1714, p. 117*
P. Verri, in the treatise before quoted, p. a6i«

i PHOMESSI SPOST

ìhh opinion: tliat tJiere was a good

*ìn it; but at the samc tìmt somethifig

of tmth. Tliere ìs a small work on this pesiiìence, written by

lis ùvftì band* prcscrred in the Ambrosian Library ; and the

pllovi'tiig is onc among roanj instances where such a setiti-

Bcnt h expresscd: — *On the metbod of eompotmdmg and

preaduig siich potsonous ointnieats many and various thingf

lepori ed, some of wbich we considcr as truc» while

appear to us mtirely imaginary/*

Some there were who, to the %*ery last, and ever after-
^ards thoughi Uiat k was ad tmaginatiofi: and wc learn
^is, tiot from theniselvcs. for no oiie had ever sttffident
i^rdihood io expose to the public an opinion so opposed
that of the public; byt ffom thosc wrìters who derìde
or reboke tt, or confute it, as the prejndiee of a few,
crror which no one had e%"er darcd to make the subjcct
dispute, but whieh neverthdess extsted; and we
it, toD. from one who haxi derived it from tradìtion.
havc met with sensible and wcll*tnformed people in
li lui/ says the good Muratori tn tlie above-quótcd pas-
«igc, 'who had rcccived trustworthy accotints from tbeir
aneestors, and who were by no means persuaded of the
tnith of the facts conceming the^e pdfcnoos otntments/
Il MtKm% there waa a secret ouiJct fot trutJi, some rcmaln-
mg dome^tic confìdence; good sense sttll exìsted: bui tt
wa* kept conccaJcd* (or fcar of the popolar scnjse.

The magistnites, rcduccd in number daily, and dlsheart-
enctl and perptexed in cvcrylhing, ttirned ali their little
rigilance. so io say, ali the httlc resoluiìon of whicb they
Vere any longer capabie, io search of thcsc potsoners. And
easily did they thmk they had found tlicm.
The jndicìal scntcnccs whkh fnllòwed in cnnseqnencc
Were noi, ccrtaìnly. the first of such a nature; nor, tndeed*
can they be con^idercd as utieonimon io the history^ of jarìs-
prudenee. For, to i«iy nothtng of antiquity, and to mention
ily some Instances lo itmes more nearly approaching thosc
H vfììkh wc are treatmg, in Palermo, in 1526; in Gcneva,

'\mt Vrro nma* TJ;--- .-M'ìmI-h"" J -TJ'- 'rMumn

fruiill«|i«e

8S6 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

in 1530, afterwards in 1545, and again in 1574; in Cank
Monferrato, in 1536; in Padua, in 1555; in Turin, in 1599;
and again in Turin, this same year 1630; here one» tfaere many
unhappy creatures were tried, and condemned to punislh
ments the most atrocious, as guilty of having propagated the
piagne by means of powders, ointments, witchcraft, or ali
these together. But the affair of the so-called anointings at
Milan, as it was, perhaps, the longest remembered and the
most widely talked of, so, perhaps, it is the most wortfaj
of observation; or, to speak more exactly, there is forther
room to make observations upon it, from the remaining ex-
istence of more drcumstantial and nipre extensive doco-
ments. And although a writer we have, not long ago, com-
mended,*' has employed himself on them, yet, his object
having been, not so mudi to give the history, properly sp^-
ing, as to extract thence politicai suggestions, for a stifl
more worthy and important purpose, it seemed to us that the
history of the plague might form the subject of a new work.
But it is not a matter to bc passed over in a few words;
and to trcat it with the copiousncss it deserves would carry
US too far beyond our limits. Besides, after we shouldhave
paused upon ali these incidents, the reader would certainly
no longer care to know those that remain in our narrative.
Rescrving, thercforc, for another publication the account
of the fornicr, we will, at length, return to our characters»
not to leave them again till we reach the end

•* P. Verri, work bcfore mcntioned.

CHAPTER XXXm

ONE night, towards the end of Aug^st, exactly durìog
ihe vcTy height of tlie pestilcncc, Don Rodrigo rc-
lumcd lo iiià residence at Milan, accompanied by
[the fallii fui Griso, onc of the threc or four who rcniaincd
to him oiit of his whole household He was rcturuìiig f rotti
a company of frìcnOs, wlio were accustotued lo asserable at
a bantiuct, lo di veri the mclanchoty of ihe linies; and on
each oecasjon, some new friends were there, some old otses
nijsttng. That day he had been one of the merriest of the
party; and among olber things, had excited a great deal of
taughter amoDg the company, hy a kmd of fonerai eulogiuiEi
.OH the Count Attilio, who had been carried off by ihe pUgue
|t\i*o days bcfore.

lo walkmg hotiae, liowever, he felt a langiior, a deprcs-

[aìon, a weakness io hh lìnibs, a difficiihy of breathìng, and

Inward hunjìng heat, which he wouid wiìHngly bave at-

ftrnnited entircly to tlie wine, to late bours, to the season*

He ottcred not ^ syHablc the whole way ; and the lìrst word

^was^ wben tbey reached the house, to order Griso to light

lo his room. Wben they were there. Griso observed

Ithe wild and beat ed look of bis master's face, his eyes al-

[most startmg from tbeir sockets, and peculiarly brilliant:

fic ìi^\ìU thcrefore. at a distancc ; f or, in thcse circiimstanccs

fcvery ragamnfim was obliged io look for himself, as the

sajtfig is, with a medicai cye,

* Vm wcH» you sec/ said Don Rodrigo, who rcad in Grìso's
aedon the ihotfgbts whirh were passing in his mind. * Vm

ivery well; but Fve taken . . . Tve taken, perhaps, a h'ttle
[foo mudt lo drink. There was some capital wine! . . . Btit
Iwith a gocd riip' ^ off. Ttn vrr

|Takc that light r. iny eyes, it d:-

It teascs me ! . » .'

* U'n ali the effccts of the wlnr/ fiaid Griso, stiU keeping
ai 4 dktance; *bat Uè down ciuickly» Cor sleep wtll do you

557

558 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

*You're right; if I can sleep . . . After ali. Fin wdl
cnough. Put that little beli dose by my bed, if I shoaM
want anything in the night: and be on the watch, jaa
know, perchance you should bear me ring. But I shan't
want anything . . . Take away that cursed light directlj/
resumed he, while Griso executed the order, approaching

him as little as possible. *The ! it plag^es me ex-

cessively ! ' Griso then took the light, and wishing his
master good night, took a hasty departure, while Rodrigo
buried himself under the bed-clothes.

But the counterpane seemed to him like a mountain.
He threw it off, and tried to compose himself to rest; for,
in fact, he was dying of sleep. But scarcely had he closed
his eyes, when he awoke again with a start, as if some
wickedly disposed person were giving him a shake; and he
felt an increase of buming beat, an increase of delirium.
His thoughts recurred to the season, the wine, and his de-
bauchery; he would gladly bave given them the blame of
ali; but there was constantly substituted, of its own accord,
for these ideas, that which was then associated with ali.
which entered, so to say, by every sense, which had been
introduced into ali the conversations at the banquct, since
it was much easier to turn it into ridicule, than to get out
of its rcach — the pestilence.

After a long battle, he at length fcll aslecp, and began
to dream the most gloomy and disquieting drcams in the
world. He went on from one thìng to anothcr, till he
seemed to find himself in a largc church, in the first ranks,
in the midst of a great crowd of people ; there he was won-
dcring how he had got there, how the thought had ever
entered his head, particularly at siich a timc; and he felt
in his heart cxcessively vcxcd. He lookcd at the bystanders;
they had ali pale, cmaciatcd countenanccs, with staring and
glistening cycs, and hanging lips; thcìr garments were tat-
tered, and falling to pieccs; and through the rents appcared
livid spots, and swcllings. ' Make room, you rabbie I ' he
fancied he cried, looking towards the door, which was far,
far away ; and accompanying the cry with a threatening cx-
prcssion of countenanc^ but without moving a limb; nay,
cven drawing up his body to avoid coming in contact with

I FBOMESSI SPOSI

those polluted crcatores, wbo erowdcd only ti>o dosely upon

him OH cvcfy side. Bui not onc of the soiselcss beings

aed to mo%'c» nor even to havc beard Iiim; nay; thcy

reiscd siiti more upon him; and, above ali* it felt a& if some

of theiti with hi» cUkjw, or whatever it mtghì be, was

ng agaiiist hk kit side, between the heatt and the tntì»

lit. ivhcre tic fclt *i painttil and, as it were. heavy pressure-

Kniì il he wrkhed liiinscU to gel fid of ibis tineasy feeling,

nediatcly a frcsh iiTiknnwii somctbiitg began to prick him

|pn ihc vcry sarne place. Enraged, he attempted to by bis

me OH ìm sworcl and thcn it seemed as if tbe throoging

ìi the miiltittide had ratsH it up levct with bis cbest, and

kfbat it was the hilt of it wbich pressed so in tbat *potj

and the moment bc tnurhcd it he felt a stili sharper stitch-

He cried otit, panted, and woiilJ bave uttered a stili loudef

' cry, wbeii bebold I ali tbese faces turned in one direction.

He lookcd the same way, pereeived a pylph. and saw slowly

ising above its edgc somcthing roynd, stnooiìi, and sbìnìng;

tlicn rose, and dìstinctiy appeared, a bald head; then two

jres, a face, a long and white beard, and the upright figure

af a friar, visìbìe above the sidcs down to the gìrdlc; it

vas friar Cristoforo. Darting a look arotmd upon bis audi-

lee, he sccmed to Don Rodrigo io fix bis gare on him, at

^lc same ttme raisìng hh band in exactly the attitude he had

asstiined in that footn on the ground floor in bis palace.

>oo Rodrigo tben bimself lifted «p hìs band In fury. and

Jide an cfTori^ as ìf to tbrow himself forward and grasp

kbit arni extcnded in the air: a voice, whieh had been vainly

»d secret ly struggbng tu bis throat, burst forth in a gr eat

howl; and he awoke. He dropped the arni he bad in reality

splifted, stfove, with i^ome dìfficiiìty, to recover the rlgbt

fieaning of cverything» and to opei bis eye^, for tbe ligbi

^f the aJready advanced óny gave hfm no less uneasinei^is

jthan tbat of the eandle had tione ; recognized bis bcd and hU

^hajnber; iir ^ ' ihat alJ ^ ' ' i a dream; tbe cburch,

he petiple^ ali had — ali, htit one tbing —

ì with this, he felt a

li the beart. a notse
"dn, and a wei^rht
vTj. He besttated

àlMaSASDRO MANZONI

F uciore looldo^ al tlic ipoc tliat pained Itios ; at icQgtlip
■acpycrci ^ aod ^anced M tt witli a aiitidder : — ttiere was
^dcoos ^ot, o£ a Uvid pniple tmc

he man saw faimsrtf loat; the ceiTor of deatfa $eixcd lam,
^ with peiitaps ^tl stiiH^cr fedtn^^ tbc terror o£ be-
nng the pr^ of mmuiili^ o£ bcìng carricd o^, of besug
awa ìoco tbe L^^zaretto. And as he dclìberated od tlie
jy oi avoiding thts horrihle fate, be fdt bis than^bts be-
stie foore perplexed ajid oòfiotre; be feh tbc tuomeui draw-
f near that wouid leare bist anly con»otis&ess enougb to
Jii^ him to despair. He grasped the beli, aaid sbook ì£
Ciievtly^ Griso, nho was oo the alerte ìmniediatejy an-
ered its simimofiSv He stood at some dislancc Irom tbe
4 gazed attenti vd3* at bis master, and was at once coti-
ocd of wbat be bad conjectnred tbe night before.
Griso ! * said Don Rodrigo» witb di&ciilty, ralsiiig bbn"
Bcjf, and sitling up in bis bed, Vjf^ bave always been mj
truòiy ocrviiiiu'
*Yes, Signor.'
'I havc always dealt well by you.'

* Of your bounty/

' I think I may trust you . . /

'The !'

' I am ili, Griso/

* I had perceived it'

'If I recover, I will heap upon you more favours than
I bave ever yet done/

Griso made no answer, and stood waiting to see to what
ali these preambles would lead.

* I will not trust myself to anybody but you,' resumed
Don Rodrigo ; ' do me a kindncss, Griso.'

* Command me,' said be, replying with this usuai formula
to that unusual one.

* Do you know where the surgeon, Chiodo, lives? *
' I know very well.'

' He is a worthy man, who, if he is paid, will conceal
the sick. Go and fìnd him; teli him I will givc him four,
six scudi a visit; more, if he demands more. Teli him to
come bere directly ; and do the thing cleverly, so that nobody
may observe it.'

I PROMESSI SPOSI

sai

'Well thought of/ saìd Griso; 'I go, and return**

'Li sten, Griso; give a drop of water first I am so
[parched with thirst, I can bear it no longen*

' Signor, no/ replied Griso ; " nothing witbout the doctor's
leave. These are ticklish complaints; there is do tìme to
ht lost. Keep quiet*-iii the twinkling of an eyc l'il be
here wUh Chiodo/

So saying, he wcnt out, impatiently sbuttìng the door
behind him.

Don Rodrigo lay down, and accompanicd him, in imag-
ìnation, to Chiodo's house, counttng the steps, calculating
the lime, Now and then he woiild turn to look at his left
side, but quickly averted his face with a shiidder. After
some ti me, he began to lì sten eagerly for the surgeon's
arrivai; and this effort of attenlion suspended his sense
of illness, and kept his thoaghts in some degree of order.
Ali of a sudden, he heard a dìstant sound, which seemed,
however, to come from the rooms, not the Street He
listencd stili more intently; he heard it louder, more quickly
repeated; and with it a trampling of footsteps, A horrid
suspicion rushed into his mìnd. He sat up, and gave stili
greater attentìon; he heard a dead sound in the ncxt roora
as if a weight were being cautiously set down. He threw
his legs out of bed, as if to get up; peeped at the door, saw
it open, and behcid before his eyes, and advancing towards
him, two ragged and filthy red dresses, two ill-looking faccs
— in one word, two monattL He distmguished, too, half of
Griso's face, who, hidden behind the almost closed door, re-
mained there on the lookout

*Ah, infamous traitor! . , . Begone, you rascall Bion-
dino ì Carlotto ! help ! l'm murdered ! ' shouted Don Rodrigo.
He thrust one hand under the bolster in search of a pistol;
grasped it; drew it cut; but, at his first cry, the monaiH
had rushed np to the bed; the foremost is upon him hefore
he can do anythtng further; he wrenches the pistoT out of
his hand, throws it to a distance, forces him to lie down
again, and keeps him there, crying with a grin of fury
mingied with contempt, *Ah, villaml agaìnst the monatti l
against the offieers of the Board t against those who perforai
Works of mercyl'

502 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

* Hold him fast till we carry him off/ said bis
going towards a trunk. Griso then entered, and began wtth
him to force open the lock.

'Scoundrel!' howled Don Rodrigo, lookìng at bim from
under the fellow who held him down, and writhing biinsdf
under the grasp of his sinewy arms. ' First let me kill tbit
infamous rascal ! ' said he to the monatti, ' and afterwards
do with me what you will.' Then he began to shout with
loud cries to his other servants: but in vain he called; for
the abominable Griso had sent them ali off with pretóided
orders from their master himself, before going to propose
to the monatti to come on this expedition, and divide tìnt
spoil.

' Be quiet, will you/ said the villain who held him down
upon the bed to the unfortunate Don Rodrigo. And tuming
his face to the two who were seizing the booty, he cried to
them, ' Do your work like honest fellows.'

* You ! you ! ' roared Don Rodrigo to Griso, whom he be-
held busying himself in breaking open, taking out money and
clothes, and dividing them. * You! after! . , . Ah. fiend of
hell ! I may stili recover ! I may stili recover ! ' Griso spoke
not, nor, more than he could help, even turned in the direc-
tion whence these words proceeded.

* Hold him fast,' said the other monatto; * he's frantic'
The miserable being became so indeed. After one last and

more violent effort of cries and contortions, he suddenly sank
down senseless in a swoon; he stili, however, stared fixedly,
as if spell-bound; and from time to time gave a feeble
struggle, or uttered a kind of howl.

The monatti took him, one by the feet and the other by
the shouldcrs, and went to deposit him on a hand-barrow
whìch they had left in the adjoining room; afterwards one
returncd to fctch the booty; and then, taking up their mis-
erable burden, they carricd ali avvay.

Griso remained behind to selcct in baste whatever more
might be of use to him ; and making them up into a bundlc,
took his departure. He had carcfully avoidcd touching the
monatti, or being touched by them; but in the last hurry of
plunder, he had takcn from the bcd-sidc his mastcr's clothes
and shakcn them, without thinking of anything but of sce-

PROMESSI 9F0S1 Itt

g wbtther there wer e mouty m theiEL He was for oed to
th ìnk of iU bowever, the ncxt day ; for, whiJc makìng merry
in a pubUc-housc. he was suddoily seùed with a cold ahii*«r»
bti cyes becamc clouded, bis »treBgth failed him^ and he sanie
to the ground* Abandoned by hls companions, he iéU into
the hauds of lh€ monaiti, who, dcfi|>oiliog him of wbatever
be had about him worth bavmgp thrcw him upon a car» on
:wbich he cxplred beforc rcachùtg the Lazzaretto, whither

s masicf had been carrled.

Leaviiig the latter, for tb« present, in thts abode of sufifcr-
tng» wc must now go in search of another, whose history
woakl ne ver have been blcodÈd with bis, if ìt had not be^i
forced upon him whether he woiiTd or not; indeed we may
safclx say, that neither one nor the oiher wouid bave had
tHTT history at ali :— I mean Renzo, whom we Icft in the new
sitk-mtll under the assuracd name of Antonio Rivolta-

He had been tbere about fi ve or six months, ìf I am not

iitaken, when, enmity having been openly deelarcd between
ì ^' h!ic and the King of Spatn, and therefore cvery ai>-
Il of iìl-oSices luid trouble from that qiiartcr baviof

a^eii, Bortolo eagcrly went to fetch him away, and take

\m a^ln into hls own employment, both because he was
fond of htm» and because RenzOp being naturally intelltgent,
and skilful in the tr*ide, was of great use to the factotum in
a mann factory, witliout ever being able to aspirt at that
e himsclf, from bis inabilìty to wrìte. As this reason

tghed with him ìn some measute, we were obHged, therc-
ore» to mention it. Prrhaps the rcader woiild rather bave
had a more ideal Bortolo: bttt w*hat can I say? he must
imagme onc for hìmseìf. Wc deiicribc him as he was,

From that lime Renzo contìnued to work with him. More
(han once or twice, and cspedally after baviiig rcceivcd one
tbose diarmìng letters from Agnese, he had felt a great
icy to entist as a f;oìdirrt and make an end of it; nor were
wanting; for fost during that interval, the
o itood tn nred of meiu The tcmptation had

(han I
^tb<

ig to Renzo, because they even
r^: and ìt naturally ippeared
fio bìm that it wouid be a fine tliing to return in the guise of
a coocpìcror to bis own liomc» to aee Ltida agmin« and for once

fomctiiii^ been III
tilkeci of invadm^^

566 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

if it be God's will that things should go well with as haé,
we shall meet again/

' Oh, I shall certamly come back : God grant I may oot
come alone ! Well ; we will hope.'

' Come back in company ; f or, if God wills, we will aO
work together, and make up a good party. I only hope yoa
may find me alive, and that this odious epidemie may hare
come to an end ! '

'We shall see each other again, we shall see each other
again ; we must see each other again I '

* I repeat, God grant it ! '

For several days Renzo practised taking a little exercise;
to assay and recruit bis strength ; and no sooner did he deem
himself capable of performing the journey, than he prepared
to set out. Under bis clothes he buckled a girdle round hii
waist, containing those fifty scudi upon which he had never
laid a finger, and which he had never confìded to any one,
not even to Bortolo; he took a few more pence with him.
which he had saved day after day, by living very economi-
cally ; put under his arm a small bundle of clothes, and in bis
pocket a character, with the name of Antonio Rivolta, which
had been very willingly given him by his second master; in
one pocket of his trowsers he placcd a large knife, the Icast
that an honest man could carry in those days ; and set off on
his peregrinations, on the last day of August, three days
after Don Rodrigo had been carried to the Lazzaretto. He
took the way towards Lecco, wishing, before venturing him-
self in Milan, to pass through his village, where he hoped to
find Agnese alive, and to bejjin by leaming from ber some
of the many things he so ardently longed to know.

The few who had rccovcred from the pestilence were,
among the rest of the population, indced like a privileged
class. A great proportion of the others languished or died;
and those who had been hithcrto untouched by the contagion
lived in Constant apprehension of it They walked cautiously
and warily about, with measured steps, gloomy looks, and
baste at once and hesitation: for everything might be a
weapon against them to inflict a mortai wound. These. on
the contrary, almost certain of safety (for to bave the piagne
twice was rathcr a prodigious than a rare instance), went

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

it b the mldil af ibe cotiiagioop frcely and boldly, ìikc
Imights óurmg one p^rt of the middle agcs; who, encased
m stcel^ whercver steci might bc, and mounted on chargeri,
thcmselves defeoded as ìmpenetfably as possible, wcnt ram-
hììfig aboiìt at haxard (whence thcir glorìous denoramaUon
CI knights-errarn), among a poor pedestrian herd of burgh-
crs and vUlagcrs» who, io rcpel and ward off their blows, had
nothing on them byt rags. Beautiful, aapient, and «se fui
professioni a prof^sston fìt to makc the first figtire in a
IreatUe on poliikal ccooomy I

W^ìth such stcurily, tempered, how€vci', by the anxjety
with wbich otif readers are acqua ìnt ed, and by tbe frequent
$|>cctaclc aitd perpetuai contcmplatiou of ibe univeraal ealam-
ity, Renzo pursiied bis homeward way, under a beautiful sky
and ihrougb a beautiful country* bui meeting notbìng, after
passing Wide tracts of tnost moumful solitude, bot some wan-
dering shadow latlier than a living being, or corpses carricd
to the grave, itnhotioured by f un era! rite», unaccompanìed
by the funeral dirge, About nc>on he stopped In a little wood,
tu eat a mouthful of bread and meat which he had broughi
with him. Of fruit, he had only too much at his comtnand
the whrjtc length of the vvay-^figs, peaches, plums, and apples
at will ; he had only to enler a vineyard, and extcnd his arm
to gather ihem from the branches. or to pick them up from
the ground, whìch wa^i ihkkly strewn with them; for the yoar
wan extraordinartly abundant ÌJi frult of every kind, and

ere was scarcely any onc to Uke any care of it The
pe^ even hid liiemsdves beneath tbe leaves, and were 1«fl

f ihc use of the first eomrr,

Towards eventng he dÌHco\ ered h|s own village. At ihis
tlfhr» thongb he must liavc been prepared for it, he felt bis
bmin begin to beat viokTif!v: he waa at fwce nsaailed by a
hosit of mournfui - ituÌ pres-t : he seoncd

to bear ringing in e inawspi s of ihc beli

which baci, as ìr were* accompanied and folJtiwed him in
bid flight from the village; ami, at ihc samc tinic» he heard«
«1 to ìtay. the tìcathlike .^tlcnce whkh actuaìty rdgned arotrod
T' ' " i >n on eTitcring the

r n at the end of hia

Vé^lk , iùr iììQ frpol he bjkii iìxùd upoa oà Illa rcatìog-placei WM

568 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

the dwelHng which he had once been accustomed io caB
Lucia's cottage. Now it could not be, at the bcst, more thia
Agnese's; and the only favour he begged of Heaven wns,
that he might find her living and in health. And in this ool-
tage he proposed asking for a bed, rightiy conjecturìng Ùti
bis own would no longer be a place of abode for anythiB^
but rats and polecats.

To reach that point, therefore, without passing througfa
the village, he took a little by-path that ran behind it, the
very one along which he had gone, in good company, on that
notorious night when he tried to surprise the Curate. Aboat
half-way stood, on one side, bis own house, and on the
other, his vineyard; so that he could enter both for i
moment in pasìsing, to see a little how his own affairs were
going on.

He looked forward, as he pursued his way, anxious, and
at the same time afraid, to mcet with any one ; and after a
few paces, he saw a man seated in his shirt on the ground,
resting his back against a hedge of jessamine, in the attitudc
of an idiot; and from this, and afterwards from his coun-
tenance, he thought it was that poor simpleton Gervase, who
had gone as the second witness in his ill-fated expedition.
But going a little ncarer, he perccived that it was, instead,
the sprightiy Tonio, who had brought his brother with him
on that occasion. The contagion, robbing him at once of
mental as well as bodily vigour, had developed in his look
and every action the slight and veiled germ of likcness which
he bore to his half-witted brother.

' Oh Tonio ! * said Renzo, stopping before him, * is it you?*

Tonio raised his eyes, without moving his head.

'Tonio, don*t you know me?'

'Whoevcr has got it, has got it,' answered Tonio, gazing
at him with open mouth.

' It*s on you, eh ? poor Tonio : but don*t you know me
again ? '

' Whoever has got it, has got it.' replied he, with a kind of
idiotic smile. Seeing he could draw nothing further from
him, Renzo pursued his way, stili more disconsolatc. Sud-
denly he saw, turning the corner, and advancing towards
him, a black object, which he quickly recognized as Don

I PHOMESST SPOSI

Lbbofidlo. He waJked skiwl^, carrying hi:s stick likc one

tfho is altcmatcly carricd by it: and ihc ocarer he ap-

ichtriì^ the itìiirc phinly mtght il bc disccmcd, in his

4cmactateU countcìiaiice, and in evcry look, thai he,

tmd imi io pass tbrough his share of the siorm. He

^looked iskance ai Rcozo: it seemed, aod it did not seem, likc

him; thcrc was sotneihttig ìlkt a siranger in his drc&s; but it

was a strangcr from the terntory of Bergamo*

— Il is he, ami nobody else !— saìd he lo himself, raìsing
his banda lo Heaveu» with a niolìon of dissatìshed surpnse,
and the staff he carricd in hìs righi band suddcnly chccked
in its passage throygh the air; and hh poor antis might be
scen shaking io his slee%'es» where once Uierc was scarcely
room for thetìi* Renzo hastcned to meet him, and made a
low reverence; (or, allhough they had quiticd each othcr in
way the reader knows, he was aJways, aev^ibdess» his
aie.

Are you hcre — you?' exclalmed the laltcf,
'I am tndeed, as you see. Do yoa know anythlnf of
acìa?'

Vhat do you suppose I can know? I know oothÌDg.
( at Milaii, if she*s stili in ihis world. But you , . /
nd Agnese, is she alivc ? '
[' Shc may he ; Imi who do yOu suppo^ can teli? She*s not
re But . * ;
VVhercUsbe?"

' She's gonc lo Uve ai Valsassina, amo?^g hcr f elations it
|fasturOp you knt>w; for they say th^ plague doe^n't inalce
havoc there it docs bere. Rui you, 1 say * . J
'Oh, l'm vcry sorry, Aud Father Cristoforo?* . /
I ' He's been gone for some lime. Bui . . /

* I know ihat. they wrote and told me so much ; bot I want
to know if he hasn't yet rcturned to diese parts/

*Nay; they'vc hcard nothing furtbcr aboui him* But
]roo . , •*

* Vm ¥cry sorry to bear thU too,*

* Bat you, 1 say. what, for Heavcn's sake, are yoo cominf
lo do in ibis pan of the world? Don*t you know abotil that

Fair of 3*our apprehenfìion? '

[♦\Vhat does it mailer? TlicyVc sonicthing dse to tWnk

(70 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

about I was detemiined to come for once, and see ate
my affairs. And isn't it well enou§^ known ? • . /

'What would you see about, I wonder? for now theit's
no longer anybody, or anything. And is it wise of you, wìtk
that business of your apprehcnsion, to come hither exadlj
to your own village, into the wolf's very mouth? Do as u
old man advises you, who is obliged to bave more judgmcot
than you, and who speaks from the love he bears you; buckle
on your shoes well, and set off, before any one sees you, to
where you came from; and if you've been seen alreadr,
return only the more quickly. Do you think that this is tbe
air for you? Don't you know they've been to look for yoo?
that theyVe ransacked everything, and tumed ali uptide
down? , . .'

' I know it too well, the scoundrels 1 *

' But then . . /

' But if I teli you I don't care ! And is that fellow alln
yet? is he bere?'

* I teli you nobody's bere ; I teli you, you mustn't think
about things bere ; I teli you . . .'

'laskif he'shere?'

' Oh, sacred Heaven ! Speak more quictly. Is it possible
youVe ali that fieriness about you after so many things bave
happened ? '

* Is he bere, or is he not ? '

* Well, well, be's not bere. But the piagne, my son, the
piagne! Who would go travelling about in such times as
these?'

'If there was nothing else but the piagne in this world
, . . I mean for myself : Tve had it, and am free.'

'Indeed, indeed! what news is this? When one has cs-
caped a danger of this sort, it seems to me he should thank
Heaven, and . . /

'And so I do.'

* And not go to look for others, I say. Do as I advisc'

* You've had it too, Signor Curate, i£ I mistake not/

'I had it! Obstinate and bad enough it was! l'm bere
by mi racle; I need only say it has left me in the state yoa
see. Now, I had just necd of a little quict, to set me to
rights again. I was beginning to be a little better ... In

T PROMESSI SPOSI

be omme of H^Yei% what htve you come to do bere? Go
back • . ,*

'YotiVe always at me witli that go back, As far going
back» I bave rcauons enough top not stlirùig, You say, what
ire you cottic for ? wbat are you come for ? IVc come faome/

' Home , . /

'Teli me, are many dead here? . . .*

* AIa$, alas ! ' exclaimctl Doni Abbondio ; and bepnning
rfth Perpetra» he entered upon a long enumeration of indi-

luab atid cntìrc faniHies, Rcnjto had certainly expected
thìiig of the kind, but» ofi hearing so many iiajties of
lìntances. friends, and relatìve^^, (he had lost Ili* parenta
Diany years before.) he slood overcontje wilh grief. bis head
httng down, and enly excUtming from lime to time, ' Poor
|[eDow ! poor girl ! poor creatures J *

* You see/ conttniied Don AbtKmdJo ; ' and it isn't yet
rer, If those who are kit àfm^t use thdr senses thìs lime,

^nd drive the whima out of iheir braìfis, tbere's tioching Cor
but the end of the world.*

'Don't be afraìd; Tvc no mte^tiotis of slopping bere,'
'Ah! thank Heaven, yoii at last under&tandl And yoii*d

belter make np your mind lo return . . .*

* Don*t you troyble yotirsclf abom that*

* What ! didn't you once want to do swmctlnog more fooHsh
^an thfs evcn ? *

* Never mind me, 1 say ; tliat U my business; Fm more ilian
reo ytart old I hope, at any rate, you won't teli an)body

^*Te »een me, You are a priest; l ani one of youf
Oock; you won*t betray me?'

* I understufid/ said Don Abbondio, slghlng peltisbJy, * 1
rvderstand. You would ruin yoursclf and me too, You

a't gonc throngb enoitgh already, I suppose; and I
»'t gone th rottigli enough eSthcr. I uodcrstand, I under*
ind* And ig to muttcr thrse last words betwcea

^tceth, he <umed hh way.

EO atood there, cliagrined and dÌ5contcnttdf thtnking

be could fìnd m todging. In tlie fuoercal list rccounied

Don Abbondio, tbere wai a famjly of peasaots, who had

a]I fwept ofif by the pcstilence, cxcqìting one youtb^

&ecuco*s owa age, who had bcca hì& compauioa iram

574 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

seeing or hearing a living creature, arrìved dose to the bone
he had designed as his place of lodging. It was alreadf
evening; his friend was seated outside the door on a soiafl
wooden hench, his arms crossed on his breast, and his eycs
fìxed upon the sky, like a man bewildered by misfortmics,
and rendered savage by long solitude. Hearing a footstep»
he tumed round, looked who was coming, and to what be
fancied he saw in the twilight, between the leaves and
branches, cried in a loud voice, as he stood up and raiscd
both his hands, ' Is there nobody but me ? didn't I do enougli
yesterday ? Let me alone a little, f or that, too, will be a
Work of charity.'

Renzo, not knowing what this meant, replied to him,
calling him by name.

'Renzo . . .' said he, in a tone at once of exclamatioa
and interrogation.

' Myself ,' said Renzo, and they hastened to meet each other.

* Is it really you ? ' said his friend, when they wcre near.
* Oh, how glad I am to see you ? Who would bave thought
it? I took you for Paolin de' Morti,* who is always coming
to torment me to go and bury some one. Do you know I
am left alone? — alone ! alone ! as a hermit ! '

' I know it too well,' said Renzo. And interchanging in
this manner, and crowding upon one another, welcomings,
and questions, and answers, they went into the house to-
gether. Here, without interrupting the conversation, his
friend busi ed himself in doing some little honour to his guest,
as he best could on so sudden a warning, and in times Hke
those. He set some water on the fìre, and began to make
the polenta; but soon gave up the pestle to Renzo, that he
might proceed wtth the mixing, and went out, saying, * Im
ali by myself, you see, ali by myself ! '

By and by he retumed with a small pail of milk, a little
salt meat, a couple of cream-cheeses, and some fìgs and
peaches; and ali being ready, and the polenta poured out
upon the tr^ncher, they sat down to table, mutually thanking
each other, one far the visit, the other for the reception he
met with. And, after an absence of nearly two years, thef
6udd«nly disoovered that they were nuich greater frìends

I One of Uie friars ol the Order ol Death.

I PHOMKSSI SPOSI

Nan ìhtf ever tbouglit ihey werc whcn they saw each other
Cfvery day; for, as tbc manuscript hctc rcrnarks,
h^ Occurred lo boih whkh maké oac feel wh^c a cor-
dial to the hcart ts kindly feeling, bolli that whtch otie ex*
pcriences onesclf, and thAt whkh onc mcet* with in otbere*

Truc, no one could mppiy the place of Agnese to Renzo,
aor console him ter her absence, not otily on accoiììit of the
M and special afifcction he entertaìncd for hcr, but also
lise, among the thtngs he wa^ anxioys to clear up, ont
was oi which she alone |Kìsscssed the key* He stood
Br a moment i!i doaht whcther he Bhould oot first go tu
tearch o! hcr, since he was so short a dlstance off; but, con-
saderinsf that she wouid baow nodiìng qÌ Lucla's health, he
Icept to hi» first intcntion of going at once to assure hìmscU
)f tJiis. io CQ« front the one great trial, and afterwarda lo
fcrifjg the news to ber mothtn Evcn front his friend» how-
^er, he leanU uiany thìngs of which he was ignuranl, and
iined some h'gbt on mjiny poh^s with whkh he was but
irtially actjuainted, both aln^ut Lacta's circunistanccs, the
proéccutions ìnstiiuieJ agaìust himsclf, and Don RodrÌgo*s
jre tlience» folinwecj by his wbole suit^, sìrice which
he had not beea si^eii tn ilie netghbourhood ; in short,
lì ali the intricate circunistances of the whole affair,
{e learnt also (and to him it wai an acquìsition of no little
pportancc) to pronouncc properly the name o! Don Fer*
Ile'» lainìly; Agnese, imfced, had wriitcn it to bim by ber
cretary; b«t Heaven knows how ii was written, and the
liican ìnterpreter bad re:uj it In snch a way,— 4tad
him such a word, — that, had he gone with it lo seek
?a to his housie in Milan. he would probably bave
no one wha contd bave conjcclured for whora he was
Ycl thts was the only cine he posse ssed
bitn in the way of learninir tidìngs of Lucia.
he was ever m. Mvinced tliat

I was a bazard remote cnou ri mach con-

Ccm; tjie Signor Poétstè bad i e piagne; who knew

a ul&thutc would he ai , ? the greatcr part of

ti ere carritd off; and those that reniatned ha4

.Mi, ;^ to do than look after old matterà. He abo
to hx% irÌ4ind the viciMitndca he had luiderfcmei attd

CHAPTER XXXIV

A S to the way of entering the city, Renzo had heird, m

uL general terms, that there were very strici orders not
-*--^to admit persons without a certificate of health; bat
that, in fact, it was easy enough for any one to effect ao
entrance who at ali knew how to help himself, and to sci»
opportunities. So it was; and, letting alone the general
causes why every order, in those days, was so imperfectlj
executed; letting alone the particular ones, which rendercd
the rigorous execution of this so impracticablc, Milan was
now reduced to such a pass that no one could see of what
use it was to defend it, or against what it was to he defended;
and whoever carne thither might be considered rather to
risk bis own health than to endanger that of the inhabitants

Upon this information, Renzo's intcntion was to attempi
a passage at the first gate upon which he might happen to
light ; and if any obstacle presentcd itsclf, to go round outsidc.
until he found another more easy of access. And Heavcn
knows how many gates he thought Milan must bave !

Arrived, then, before the walls, be stood stili to look about
him, as one does who, not knowing which way will be the
bcst way to bend bis steps, seems as if he awaited and asked
direction from anything. But he could discover nothing
cither way but two reaches of a winding road, and before
him a part of the wall : in no quarter was there a s>'niptom
of a human being, except that in one spot, on the plat forni,
might be seen a dense column of black and murky smoke,
which expanded itself as it mounted, and curi ed into ampie
circles, and afterwards dispersed itself through the gray and
motionless atmosphere. They were clothes, beds, and othcr
articles of infected furniture which were being committed
to the flames: and such melancholy conflagrations were con-
stantly to be seen, not only bere, but on every side of the
Wall.

The weather was dose, the air thick and hcavy. the whole
sky veiled by a uniform sluggish cloud of mist, which seemcd

578

I PROMESSI BFiMì

579

to forbici the sun, witlicmt gìvtng procnise of rain; the country
rouncì was partìy imcuJtìvated, and tbc wholc loolccd parchcd;
vcgetation was stunted, and tiot a drop oi dew nioìstencd
tJie droopmg and williered leaires. TTtis solÌtudc« this decp
itcncc, so near a lar^ itia^ of habitations, added ncw con*
itcraatian to Renxo^s disqaietude^ and rendered his thoogbts
'stiìì more gloomy.

Having stood thus for a atomcnt, lie took Ùit righi band»
at a venture, directìng bis steps^ wìthout beuig aware of it,
Qwmrds tbc Porta Nuova, whicb, tbough dose at band, be
not been abile to p^ceive^ on account of a bastìon behind
it was cofìcealed. After taking a few steps, a tinkling
ttle belU fell upon bis earp wbicb ceased and was re-
intervab. and ihea the voices of mcn. He went
l; and havìng turncd tbc corner of the bastìon, tbé
thing that njct bis eyc on the esplanade belore the gate
ras a amaJl wooden bonse, or sentry-box, at tb« doorway of
vbtdi stood a guard, leaning on his musket wìth a tanguid
ind negbgcnt air; behind was a fence^ composed of stakca»
[and beyond that tbc gate, that h to »ay^ two wings of the
Wall connected by a roof above^ which terved io sbelter the
door, bot!i ìeaves of wbicb were wide open, aa was also the
irkket of the palisade. Exactly beforc the opening, however,
ftood a meiancholy impedixnent — a bandbarrow, placed upon
the cround^ oii wbich two momaiti were laying ont a poor
arature to bear him away : it was the head of the custom*
house officerà» in whotn the piagne had becn dlscovercd just
before. Remo stood stili where he was, awaiting the issuc.
The party being gone, and no one appearing to shut the gate
again, now seemcd to bc bis urne, bc bastened forward; bui
the ìil-lookìng scntmel calkd out io bìm: * Holla T* He
instantly stoppcd, aiìd winking at the man, drew out a half-
dncat, and showed it to him. The fcllow, eitber having
al ready bad the pcstiieoee, or fearing it less than he toired
ilf-ducat^ beckuned to Renzo to throw k to him ; and soon
[»g it foli at bis fect, muttered, * Go lorwaxd, quickly.'
gave hina no occasion to repeat the order ; he pas*$cd
de» entcred the gate, and went forward without ajiy
rnb»enrl]ig or taldug any notlcc of bìm; exccpt thai wben
I luid fooe perhapf forty pacca^ he b^uxl iuiother * holJa '

^«BQ

ALESSANDEO MAK20KI

from a toll*gathcrer who waa calllog after hiio, Ttiis 6c
pretended not tn bear, 3ind instead of tuming rotmd tatf
quickoicd his pace, ' Holla f ' cried the eoUector agda, m
a teme; hciwcver, which ratlie r indicatcd vexatiott tilift l
determbaiton to bc obeycd; and findtng he was tiot obeyei
be shniggt^d his shoulders and retunicd iuta the house; Wu
one who was mor^ conccrned about noi approachtnf VOù
ncar to passengers, than inquiring into their alfajra.

The sireet Inside this gate, at th&t llme« as now, vm
itraìght forward as far as the canal callcd the NmnffUù: al
the sides were hcdges or walls of gardcns, churches» convènti
and a few private dwcllings; and at the end of tltif unttA^
in the middle of thnt which ran along the hnok of the canal»
was erccted a cross, cai (ed the Cross of Sam* Ettseblo. Atti
lei Renzo look before htm as he would, nothing bui this croii
ever met his view. Arrived at the cross road, which diridcd
the Street atout haU way, and looking to the right aaii left,
he perceived in the nght hand onc, which bore the aaoie of
Santa Teresa, a citizen who was coming cxactly towards hinn
— ^A Christian» at la&tl — said he to himsclf, and he ittun^
diately tumed imo the Street^ with the ìntention of malcn^
acme inquÉries of hìm. The man stared at and eycd the
strangcr who was advancing towards hìm, with a saipicioiil
kind of look, even at a dlsiaiice; and stili more, wheii he
perceived, ihat, instead of goitig about his own btismess, be
was making up to hìm> Renzo, wheii he was wìthlu a Utile
dìstance, took ofif his hai, like a r ^neer, sudi

as he was; and holding it in his whnle M

of his right into the empty crown, and advanced more dJrecilf
towards the unknown passcngcr. Bui he, wildly rollios kà
eyes, gave back a stcp, uptifte<i a knotty stick be canit4r
with a sharp spikc at the ^nó like a rapicr, and p&intlnf k
at Renio's brcJist, cri ed, ' Stand off I stand off t '

*Oho!' cricd the yoijih. bi hts turn, pattisi^ oo fati hit
agaìn ; and wìlling to do anythmg. as he af terwanb aaìd In
relatbg the matter, rather than pick a qtiarre! at that mo*
mcnt, he tumed hts back upon tlie unocmrteoiis cìtixciì, aad
pursued his way, or to speak more cometlyp Ihai in which
he happened to bave set off.

The ettlien aLso continued kit route, treoMtQf from hei4

I PROMESSI SPOSI

foot, and erery now and then 1c>okiiig' behind hitn. And
having rcachcd home, h<? relaied how a poisoncr had come
tip to htriì, with a mcek and humble air, but wìih the look
of an ìnfamous impostor, and with a box of ointtnent or
a papcr of powder (he was not cxactly certain which) in hts
band in the crown of bis hat, with tht; iìitentton of playing
a trìck upon him. tf he hndn't ktiown how to keep him at a
distaiice. Mf he had come onc sttp aearcr/ added he, * Vd
havc run bim throiigh bcfore hc'd had time ter touch me,
the scoundrd! The misforturìe was that we were in so
tin ff cqucntcd a place; had h bceri io the heart of Mllan,
Vd bave calkd peopte, and bid tbem setze hirn* Vm siire we
should ha%<* found diai ìnlanious poìson in bis bat. But
ail alone, I was oblìgcd to he content with saving
If, wiLhout runnbg the risk of getting the iofectioti;
ior 31 little powder is soon thrown, and thesc people are re*
aaarkably dcxterotis: besideSp they bave the devil on tbeìr
side* Hcll be about Milan now : wbo knows what murders
he js comtììitting I ' And as long as he Jived. which was many
jrcars, eveiy tìme thai potsotiefs were talked of, he repcated
hh own ìnstancc, and :iddcd: * They wbo stili maintain that
ti wasn't irue> don'l let Uiem talk to me: for absolute facts
Qoe couldnì help sedng.*

Kciuo, far f roio imagiiimg what a stab he had escaped, and
more niovcd with anger tban fcarp rcdected, in walldng, 00
reception, and prctty nearly guessed the opinion which
ctltcen bad forni ed of his actions; yet the ibing seemed
him so bcyond ali reason, that he came to the concltision
__ fti the man must bave bcen half a fooL — It's a bad begin-
mhig, — ^thotìgbt he, howcver; — it seems as if there were an
crii star fcr me at this Milan. Everything leconds me
rtadily enougb in entcring; but afterwards» wben I am in«
jfìnd ditagreeabmties ali prepared for me, Well , , . with
fs help . . . if I Bnd . . . if I sueceed In Jìnding « . .
I ! ali wtll bave been nothìng I —

HavinR rcadied the foat of the bridge, he ttimed withoiat

sitation to 1 1 ' -d callcd San Marco's Street,

it s^eemcd i lead into the heart of the

As be went aiotig, be kepi const«intIy on the ìook-o»^

,;^es of di'icnvcrmi? tfimc human rrc^ìture; boi bc OOuU

mi ALESSANDRO MAN7.0NI

see none, e^cept a dtsfìgurcd corpsc la Ihe little cUtdi wtadi
mns betwccn tht few housci (whtch wc» ' i uiìl féwcf)
Knà the Street, for a part of the wMy, ì; pasAod Óòà

part, he h^&rd some cries whìch sectood to bc «ddrcsted t»
htm; and turning his cycs upwards in the dìr^^oa whcBCf
the iouiid carne» he percdved, at a little distance^ on lite Inl^
cony of an tscilaied dwelUng» a pour wurnan, wiih a
©f children around hcr, who, cilling to him,
^\m with her hand to cntreat hitn to ap|>roAcli, He na
towardfi hcr; and when he c:ime near; 'O jroung man/ W
the woman, ' in the tiame ol tlie f riciids yoti've lost, ba^e tie
chartty to go and Celi the commì&iaf7 that wc are bere tifi'
gotten ! Thcy Ve shut us up in the house as SQSpected ft^
mns, because my poor husband ì% dead; they'vc oallod 19
the door, as you see* and iìnce yesterday momJjif nohatf
has brotifht us anything to eat: for the many hoitrs Tn
stood bere, I haven't been ab!e to find a ilngle Qirìittan «kd
wouid do me this kindnesa: and thefie poor DttJe liitKictBi»
are dying of hunger T *

* Of hungerl ' exclaimed Renzo : and pwltlnj; Wi handa
his pocket, ' See herc ! ' said he, drawing oiit the tiPKi iM'
'seìid somcthìng down to talee them/

' God reward you for it ! waìt a moment* saìd the
and she went to fctch a little basket, and a cord hy whidi
to lower it for the bread, Kcnio at thii moment recolkdad
the two loave» he had found near the Cross on hli fifU
ini^tance into Milan, and thoiight to him*elf : — Se* ì Ifi a 11^
titution, and perhaps batter than il Vd found the real owoer;
for thls surely i$ a deed of charity !—

'As to tiic commJssary you Tntntion, my irtiod wtmiin/ mM
he puttìng the bread Into the basket, ' Vm aCraid I can'l ffftt
you at a!l : for, to teli you the truth, Fin a stranger« and hi^
no acquaintance wtth any one in tlìi» country. Hfrwrievtrj If
T meet any one ai ali civìl an«I human to speak

The woman beggcd he would do to, and tnl
of the Street» by which he mijjht dcscribe ihe

* You, too, I ìhmk' resumed Rc«*o, *rnt* "
1 rea! kìndnesa, wìthout any trouble. A fii i il
vety great tignori bere in Mtlan, the faiuiiy al • ♦ •;

tdl me mhere they live?' ♦

• 1
e nane

fcrricf,
^i il [ih tank,

you

I PROMESSI SPOSI 283

*I know very welj there is sucb a lainily/ replldd Uie

IwottiftEi: *btit where it h l haveii*! the kast idea, U you fo

forvrard into tlie city, in Uiis direction» yDu'll find somebody

wbo wiil show you the way. And don't forget to teli him

alKmt US ! '

* Doti't f ear it/ said Rtnzo ; and he [lursued liis way.

At evcry step he heard iacrcasing, and drawitig nearer, a

jiot&e wliich Ile had alreiuly begun to distinguish as he stocxl

talking wìtJi the wonaan : a noise ol whcels and horses, with

m tinklìng of little bells, and every now and then a cracking

of wltips, and loud vocilerationa. He lookcd before him, bui

81W nothing. Havìng reached the end cf tbis winding Street,

snd got a vìcw of the square of San Marco, the objects which

first mct his eye were two crecl beams, with a rope and

stindry puìleys, whtch he falled not immcdìately to recognìie

( for it W9S a familiar spectaclc in those days) as the ahoni»

babte instruraent of torture. Il waa crected m that place,

(and not only tbcre, bui in aìl the §quares and tnost spactons

stttetsj in order that the depoties of evcry qtjarter, fur-

^Tushed with thìs most arbitrary of ali means^ mtgbt be abtc

ippjy it immediatcly to any oiie wbot» tbey sbould deem

ifing of punishfiient, wbeiher jt were seqaestraled per-

who left their hanscs, or ofiicers rcbcIHng agajitst or-

l'dtrSt and whatevcr else ìì mtgbt be: it wa» one of those

|c9dnivagaiit and inefficacioni remcdicav of whicb, in tbote

F4ayst ^Rd at that partictslar perlod especiatìy, tb^ were so

extrccneìy prodigai

Whìle Renio was contemplatìnf this machine» wondering

why tt was ereeted In tbai place^ and listening to the closely

appmachìng sound, behold, he saw appearing from belli nd

the corner of the chtirch a man ringing a Utde beli: it was

«lì Qpparitùrt: and bebtnd hijn two horses, which, stretctóng

^tbrir necks and pawtng with their hoofi, could with diffioiKy

ke thdr way ; and drawn l^ thcsc a cart fuU of dead

bodies. and after tJiat anotherp and then anmher, and an-

' mhcr ; and on each band mùnatii walkìng by the &idc of the

iliorses, hasICQtnf thcm on with whips, bbws. and curses»

[Theac corpiCis wtr« for the most part naked. while io^ie

rerc miserayy envdoped in tattered sheets, and were heaped

' «p a^ iwined togtibar^ almoal like l fieti of anakes ilowlj

SS4 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

unfolding themselves to the warmth of a mild spring day; so
that at every trifling obstacle, at every jolt, these fatai grot^s
wefc scen quivcring and falling into horriblc confosloiit
heads danglìng down, women*s long trcsses disbevclled, anns
torn off and striking against the wheels, exhibìtìng to iht
already horror-stricken view how such a spectaclc may be-
co me stili more wretched and di sg race fui.

The youth had paysed at the corner of the square, by
the side of the raìlìng of the canal, and was prayìng, meaB-
while, for these unknowri dead A horrible thought fìashed
across bis mìnd; — Perhaps there, amongst these, bcneatb
them t . . * Oh Lord [ let it not be true ! help me oot to think
of it I—

The funeral processi on having disappeared, he moved on,
Crossing the square, and taking the Street along the left-hand
side of the canal, without otlier reason for hìs choice thàn
because the procession had taken the opposite direction.
After going a few steps between the side of the church and
the canal, he saw to the right the bridge Marcellino; he
crossed it; and by that unique passage arrived in the Street
of the Borgo Nuovo» Casting his cyes forward, on the
Constant look-out for some of whom he mìght ask direc-
tion, he saw at the other end of the Street a priest clothed in
a doublet, with a small stick in his haiid. standing near a half-
open door, with his head bent, and his ear at the aperture;
and very soon afterwards he saw him raise his band to prò-
nounce a blessing. He guesscd, — ^what in fact was the case,
— that he had just finished confessìng some one; and said to
himsell: — This is my man. If a priest, in the exercise of his
functions, hasn't a little charity, a little good-nature and
kìndness, I can only say there is none left in the world. —

In the mean while, the priest, lea%4ng the door-way, ad-
vanced towards Renzo, walking with much cautìon in the
middle of the road When he was within four or five paces
of htm, Renzo took off his hat and signifìed that he wanted
to speak to him, stoppi ng, at the same tlmc, so as to let him
imderstand that he wouid not approach too indiscrcetly. The
priest also paused, with the air of one prepared to Hsten,
planting his stick, however, on the ground before him, to
serve, as it were, for a kind of bulwark. Renzo proposed

I PROMESSI SPOST

SSS

bis ìnqtiirìes, which the good pri^st readily satisfied, oot only
t^ing him the name of the Street whcre tbe house was sit-
uateci, but gìving him al so, as he saw the poor felJow ha4
need of it, a little direction as to his way; pointing out to
him, L e. by the heip oC right and left hands. crosses and
charcheSp those other sLx or eight streets he had yet to
traverse bcfore reachìng the one he was inquiring after.

' God keep you in good health, both in these days and
always 1 ' saìd Renzo : and as the priest prepared to go away»
' Another favour/ added he; and he lold him of the poor for-
gotten woman. The worthy priest thanked him for having
gtven him this opportunity of conveying assistance where it
%vas so much needed : and sayìng that he would go ajid inform
the proper authorities, took his departnre.

Renzo, making a bow, al so piirsued his way, and tri ed, as
he went along, to recapitulate the instructions he had re-
ceìved, that he might be obliged as seldom as possrble to ask
further directìons, Bm it cannot be imagined how difficult
he fonnd the task ; not so much on account of the perplexity
of the thìng, as from a fresh tineasiness which had arisen
in his mind. That name of the Street, that tracing of the
road, had almost upset him. It was the Information he had
desired and requested, without which he could do nothing;
nor had anything been said to him, together with il, which
could suggest a presage, not to say a suspìcion, of mis for-
tune. Yet how was it? The rather more dìstinct idea of an
àpproaching termination to his doubts, >vhen he might bear
either, ' She is living;* or, on the other band, ' She is dead * —
that idea had come before him with so much force, that at
that moment he would rather bave been in ignorance about
everything, and bave been at the beginnìng of that journey
of which he now found himself so near the end. He gathered
up his courage, however: — Ah! — said he to himself, — if we
begin now to play the chìld, how wìU things go on? — Thus
re-emboldened as best might be, he pursued his way, ad»
vancing further Ìnto the city.

What a city? and who found ti me in those days to recotlect
what it had been the year before, by reason oftbe fa mine!

Renzo happened to bave to pass through one of its most
unsightly and desolated quarters; that junction of streets

•

ALESSA>rDllO MAKZOKI

kncwn by tlie namc of the óm^Mo of the Pbrta Nofyn
(Hefù, at ìhnì timc, was a cross at the head o£ thr
and oppostte to ìt, by tJie side of tlie prcstent site oi
Francesco di Paola, an anciem church, hearing the
San Anastasia*} Sueh had been the vlrtjJcncc of the
tagion, and the infcctian of the scattcrrd corps<?s in
aeìghbonrhaod, that the few aurvivors had bc<^n oblig^dl
refnove; so that whilc the pasaer-by wat attutticd wfth
a spectacle of solìtudc and dcsettion. more ilian cwie
was oniy too grievoiisly incomnioded and affcnded hy
tokent and relics of recent hahitation. Retuo quickctied 1
steps, consoling himi^elf with the thought that the end of
search couM not yet he al hand, and hopìng that befbre he
arrìved at it, he would find the scene, at lca*i in par^
changed; and. in faet, a little ftjrther on. he carne oot hsto i
part whieh uiight stili be called the city of the Vtvìn^ — InM
what a city, and what Hvingl AH the doorway*i rnm the
streets kept &!iut from dther susplcion or alarra, e^: <

which were Icfi open becauae dcaerted or invadevi, mucff
nailed up und sealed ciitsìde» on accotint of the sick, or dea4
who lay withtn ; others marked wìtb n cross drawn with esui
aft an iritimadon to the monatti thai (bere werc de*d fn ha
carried away: ali innre a matter of chance thnn ^v

accordine as there happened to be hcre, raiher thn- , a

commissary of hcalth, or othcr officer, who was inctiii«d
eJther to execute tJìc reguIaUon», or to cxercise v^olence mi»d
oppres&ion. Everywhere werc rags and corni pt ed bandai^ei,
ìnfected jitraw, or clothes. or sh< " wn from the Win-
dows; somctmìes hodies, which 1 cnly f alien dead ifl
the streets. and were left chere lìU a cart happeiied lo pali
by and pick them up, or shaken from off the catti thefnseire
or cven thrown from the window*. To fodt a deiffee
the ohjttìnacy and virulcncc of the contagion brutaUxed i
minds and divested them of ali cóoipassionate care, of
feeling of social respcct \ The stir of business, the àmt
of carriagcs. the crìea of seller s, the talktn^ of pasienifiert,
ali were everywhere hiished; tU'T
stiline^ brokcQ but t>y the rttir]
hunetiutìons of be^gars, the gnoans
of the f rantic, or the voclf erations o t

I PROMESSI SPOSI

mìddày. nné tv^ning, «me of the bells of the cEtheéfal
ivc the signal for rcciting ccrtaìn prayers proposcd by
b€ Archbishop ; its ton^s wcre rcsponded to by the bclls ni
othtr charchcs ; and then persoiìs raight ht seen rq^airing
the wjudowìi to pray in common ; and a nmrmur of &ighs
VQJces might bc li card which in spi r ed sadness» mingi ed at
the saijic lime with some fceliiig of comfort,

Two-thirtis, pcrhaps, of the inhabitants bcinf by this time
carned off, a greai pari of the remainder having: departed,
lyìng langtibhìng at home, and the concotirse from with-
Imng reduced almost to nothing, perhaps not onc tndi-
idual among the few who stili wcnt about, would be mct
rith In a long eircuit. in whoni somcthing strange, and
"luflirìcnt in ttseìf to infer a fatai change in circamstanees,
wts not afjpareni. Mcn of the high est rank might be seen
wiihout cape or cloak, at that tlme a most essentìal part of
aiiy gentlcman's drcss ; prie&ts withoyt OLs^cks, friars with-
out cowIb: m short, ali kinds of dress were dispcnsed with
which cotìld contraet anythìng in ffuncring about, or give
(whicJi was more feared than ali the rest) facilitìea to the
polsoncrs* And bestdes this carefulness to go about as
lnt&sed up and confincd as possibie, thcir perioni were
ncfltcted tnd dìsorderly: the beards of such as wcre accus-
tomed to wear them grown much longer, and suffered lo
gfow by thoae who had foritierly kept them shaven; their
btir» too. long and undressed, not only from thè negldrt
which ustially attenda prolonged depres&ion, but becatise sui-
paciofi had bcen attached to barbers evcr since one ol theoii
Giangiaomio Mora» had been taken and condetimed as a
faiaoaa poisoner; a namc which, for a long whtle afterwards,
preierved thronghont the diichy a pre*eniinent celcbrity in
ìnfamy, and descrvcd a far more extensivc and lasting onc
in eomuntfenition. The gfeatcf number carried in one band
a ftick« some cven a pistoU as a threatenìng warning to any
oec who shotiM attempi to approaeh thetn stealthtly ; and in
Uic other, pcrfumed pamils. or little balU of metal or wood,
perforated and lilled with sponges stt-eped in aromatic vin-
rgar, which tJìcy applied troni time to trme» aa they wcnt
akof, to thcir nosea^ or hchj there t v. Some carried

a smatl nal biati^ round thcW ncck, ,. .:_, .lug a little quick*

58B ALESSANDRO MANZONI

Silver, persuaded that this possessed the virtue of abMilii||
and arresting every pestilential effluvia; this they werefOtl
careful to renew from time to time. Gentlemen noC 0^1
traversed the sireets without their usuai attendants, bot cfs|
went about with a basket on their arms, providing the i
mon necessarie! of life. Even friends, when they met in tkl
streets alive» saluted each other at a distance, with sikitl
and hasty signs. Every one, as he walked along, haà]
enough to do to avoid the filthy and deadly stumbling-bloda
with which the grotuid was strewn, and in some places èva '
encumbered. Every one tried to keep the middle of the road,
{or fear of some other obstacle, some other more fatai
weight, which might fall from the Windows; for fear of
venomous powders, which it was affirmed were often thrown
down thence upon the passengers ; for fear, too, of the walls,
which might; perchance, be anointed. Thus ignorance, un-
seasonably secure, or preposterously circumspect, now added
trouble to trouble, and incited false tcrrors in compensation
for the reasonable and salutary ones which it had withstood
at the beginning.

Such were the less disfìgurcd and pìtiable spectacles which
were everywhere prescnt; the sight of the whole, the
wealthy: for after so many pictures of mìsery, and remem-
bering that stili more painful one which it remains for us to
describe, we will not now stop to teli what was the condition
of the sick who dragged themselves along, or lay in the
streets — ^beggars, women. children. It was such that the
spectator could find a desperate consolation, as it were, in
what appears at first sight, to those who are far removed in
place and time, the climax of misery ; the thought, I mean. —
the Constant observation, that the survivors were reduced
to so small a number.

Renzo had already gone some distance on his way through
the midst of this desolation, when he heard, proceeding from
a Street a few yards off, into which he had becn directed to
turn, a confused noisc, in which he readily distinguished the
usuai horrible tinkling.

At the entrance of the Street, which was one of the most
spacious, he pcrccivcd four carts standing in the middle ; and
as in a corn-market there is a Constant hurrying to and fro

I PROMESSI SPOSI 5S9

Bf people, and an emptying and fiOìng of saeks, such wss the
iu$tlc hcre; mcnatH tntru4ing iato hau^es» manaHi coming

Ltt, ÌKMTmg a btirdcfi upoa their shoulders, which tbey plac^d
opoo Ode or other o£ the caits; $ome in rcd livery» otliers
without tbat disdncdon: niany with another stili more
oélom, plumes and cloaks of various colowrs, which thcsc
ntscrablc wretches wore in the midst of the general moum-
ttg, as if in hdnour of a festival Front lime to timc the
Boumiii] Cf>* reaoiiodcd from one of the Windows: * Here,

9matHì* And, with a stili more wretchcd sound, a harsh
voice rose from lliis horriblc source in replyi 'Corning
directty I * Or tìse ther e were lamentattons nearer at band,
or eiiCpeatìes to makc baste; to which die monatti responded
with oaths.

Havìug eotcred the Street, Renxo <|yicl(ened bis stept, trjr-
ìng not to look ai tbesc obstàdes further than was necessary
to avoid thcm; bis attestton» bowev^er» was arrested by a
remar kable objcct of pity. soch pìty as inclines to the con-
tonpladon of tts object; so that he carne to a pause ahiiost
without dctermining to do so,

Corning down the steps at one of the door-ways, and
Siivaiicing towards the convoy, he beheld a womaii, whosc
appearanee announced still^remaintng, though somewhat ad-
Tsutccd youthfulness; a veilcd and dimnied, but not dcstroyed
beauty, was stili apparente in spile of much auffering, and a
fanU langwor — that delicate, and, ai the same lime, majestic,
beauty, which is consplctioys In the Lombard blood. Her
gmit was weary, but not totteringi no Icars fell from ber
cyc«, though thcy bore token* of havbg shed many; tberc
wis somethtng peacefi ifound tn her sorrow, which

tnilicatfd a mind fully ■ > and seiisitive cnough to feel

it Bui it was noi only her own appcarancc which, in the
midst of so much mìsery, niarked her out m cspccially ai an
object of commiseration* and revived in ber bebalf a feeling
now exhausted — extinjfuishcd, in roen*s hearts. She carried
in ber anns a Htik child, about ninc years old, now a itfeless
body: bu! laid out and nrranged, with ber baìr partcd oo
far!, a tifi in a white and remarkably rìeun dreSA^ ài
cr otit for a locii ì fea*t,

r was she lyiog ti uphdd

590 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

and adjusted on one arm, with her breast reclinine MgBxaA
her mother's like a living creature ; save that a delicate littk
band, as white as wax, hung f rom one side with a kind of
inanimate weight, and the head rested upon her motlter*!
shoulder with an abandonment deeper than that of sleep;
her mother, for even if their likeness to each other had not
givcn assurance of the fact, the countenance which stili de-
picted any feeling would bave clearly revealed it.

A horrible-Iooking monatto approached the woman, and
attempted to take the burden f rom her arms, with a kind of
unusual respect, bowever, and with involuntary hesitatioo.
But she, slightly drawing back, yet with the air of one who
shows ncither scom nor displeasure, said, * No ! don*t take
her f rom me yet ; I must place her myself on this cart : here/
So saying, she opened her band, di splay ed a purse which she
beld in it, and dropped it into that which the monatto ex-
tended towards ber. She then continued : * Promise me not
to take a thread from around ber, nor to let any one else
attempt to do so, and to lay her in the ground thus/

The moìiatto laid bis right band on bis beart; and then
zealously, and almost obsequiously, ratber from the new
feeling by which he was, as it were, subdued, than on account
of the unlooked for reward, hastened to make a little room
on the car for the infant dead. The lady, giving it a kiss on
the forehead, laid it on the spot prepared for it, as upon a
bed, arranged it tbere, covering it with a pure white linen
cloth, and pronounced the parting words : ' Farewell, Cecilia !
rest in peace ! This evening we, too, will join you, to rest
together for over. In the mean vvbile, pray for us ; for I will
pray for you and the otbers.' Then, turning to the monatto,
' You,* said sbe, ' wben you pass this way in the evening, may
come to fetcb me too, and not me only.'

So saying, she re-entered the house, and, after an instant.
appeared at the window, holding in her arms anotber more
dearly-lovcd one, stili living, but with the marks of death
on its countenance. She remained to contemplate these so
unworthy obsequics of the first cbild, from the time the car
startcd until it was out of sight, and then disappeared. And
what remained for ber to do, but to lay upon the bed the only
one that was left to her, and to stretch herself beside it. that

And

I pmoMEsar sposi m

thty mìght die tògethcr? a§ the Hower already full blown
upOQ the Sion, falls togethcf with the b«d stili €nf*^lded In
iis tBÌyx, under the scythe whith levels alike ali the herbagc
of the field.

'Oh Lordi* exchimed Roieo, *hear her! takc her to
Thyiclf. her and thai httle ìnfant one: they haive suffered
enough * sor dy, thcy bave suffered cnough ì '

Recovercd from thcsc singtilar emotioas, and while trying
to reical! to mcmory the directions he had reccived, to ascer-
tain wbetber he was to ttirn at die first streci, aiid whtther
lo the rìght or left, he heard another and a diflfcrent sound
teding from the lattcr, a conftised sound of fmperìous

ics. tccblc lamentatioos, prolongcd gToans, »obs of women,

id childTcn's moans.

He weni forward, opprcssed at hcart by that one tad and
•loomy foreboding. Havìng reached the spot where the two

ccts crosscd, he heheld a confuscd multi tude advandng
from onc side, and stood stili to wak till ìt had passed. Il
wa& a party of sick on the ir way to the Lazzaretto; sotne
drivcn thlther by force, vainly offering reilstance, vatnly
cryìng tbat thcy wotild rather die upon their beds, and repìy-
tng with impotent imprecation5 to the oaths Mìe commands
of tho monaiti who were conducting thcm; others who
W9ÌMi OD In sUence, without any apparent grief and with-
out hope, Hkc insensiblc beìng*; women with mfanfs eUflging
to their bosoms; childreti terrified by the cries, the mandates,
and the crowd, more than by the eonft^i^d idea of deatfa.

Ih loud criea demanding their mother mné her trusted
brace, and tmploring that thcy might remain at Iheìr wetl-
iwn homea. Alasi perhaps their mother. whom they sup-

«cd th^ had left asieep upon her hed. had there thrown
her$cU down scnsclcss, iubdiicd in a moment by the diseasc,
lo he earried away on a cart to the La^ezarctto,— or the
grave, if perchance the cart ehould arri ve a little later. Per-
haps^^h fnìsforttine deservlng of stili more bitter tears—
the mother, cntirely taken up by her own sufferings, had
foTgotten everything, even her own chlldren, and had no
loDgcr any wìsh bui to die in quìet.

Ili i»ch a fccfic of confujiìfin. however, some examplci of
:y and ptcty mighi stili bc scen: paren^, brothei%

AL188ANBHO MAKZOKI

scfeains of tli© womati pcople flocked tram fiotli ildei;
tlic crowtis» indeed, whidi, m a sìniilar case, woalcj ìmn~
colleeted Uirce moiiths bcforc; but stili more ttmn eir.^tir^
to crush a single bidividiial Al ibis very tnManf, fJ:
dow was agalli thrown open, and tJic samc wommn mli _ .
showQ herself so uncmirtcous jasl bcfore» display€cl bcrielf
t!)js tìiwe in full, and crit?d ouU ' Take him. lakc hiin ; for Ik
must be onc of thost wicked wretches who go about U» motai
the doors of gcntJefolks/

Remo dcicrmincd iti an instant ihat il would he a tictltf
coursc to make his cscape from thrm, than stay to dnf
btmsclf ; he cast an cye on each side to iee whcre w«re tfct
feweat p«ople; and in that direction took to hi» kg*. Ht
repuUed, with a tremcndoiis push, one who attemfitcd to stof
hìs pa^sagc; with another btow on tlir chest he ioreeà &
accond to rctrcat eight or tcn yardi^ who waa nuintlis tO
mect him: and away he went at full speed, with hii tigllllf
clenched fìst upliltcfl in the air, in prcparation fot whoo*
soever should come in hì% way* The Street waa clear bcfoft
him- but behind hi» baek he hea rd resounding more and moft
loudly the savage cry: *Seìxe him l leizc himl a poiaor-»-*'
be hcard, drawing nearef and nearer; the footstep» r
swiftest among hi« pursoers, His anger beeaitie fttrj\ vn
aDguUh wai changed Imo dciperatian; a dmid socmed
gathertng over bis eyes : he »cìicd hold of his poniard, mi-
sheatbed it, stopped, drew himsclf up, turncd round a iDort
fierce and savaj^e face than he had ever put on in bis wholt
lifc; and^ brandishing in the air, with outstretcbed arn» thf
glìttcring biade, cxdaimed, ' Let him who darcB cchk
ward, you raacab ! and FU anoint him with this, in eartktaà^

But, with astoni shnicnt and a confuaed feeling of rrlii
he perceived that bis persecutore bad a! ready stoppcd al i
distance, as If in hesHatioti, und \hnì while ihcy coctline
shouting after him, tbey werc i; wtth npììfted handi,

like peoplc posi^sscd and !«' ìit of thcir aeoies, tu

othcTs at some distante beyond hmi, He a^^ain tumed roitotl,
and bebeld beforc him, and a very little way off. (fot hU
treme perttirbation had prevented hii obxeurtng il a rana
belorr j a cari advancing, indced a file of tbe tisual
carta with tbdr yittai accompaiiimenU; aad bqroiMl

I PROMESSI SPOSI

595

anather small band oi pcople, who were ready, oh theìr part,
ìù fall upon the poì&ouer, and take htm in the midst; these^
howcvcr, wcre also rcstrained by the sanie impcdimcrtt.
Fluding himàclf ihiis between two fires, it occurred to him
that wbai was to thcm a cause of terror niight bc for himscH
a racajis of safety; he thought that thìs was not a lime for
«qtitAiìiJSh scniples: so agaìn shcatbing bis poniard, bc drcw
a little on one iide, resumed bis way towardi tbe carta, and
passing by the first, remarked in the second a toìerably
ejijpty space. !ie took atm, spratig; up and lit wtth hii rigbt
foot in ibe cari, hk left in tbe air, and bis arma stretched
forward.

• Brave 1 bravo J * exdaimed tbe mùmatli witb one voice,
«ome of whom wcrc following the convoy on foot» others
were seated on the carts; and others» to teli the horrible
fact ai It rcally was» ori the dead bodles, quaifing from a large
flaak whtcb was going the round of tbe party. * Bravo I a
capital bit \ '

* You've come to put yourself tmder the protection of the
m&natii: you may reckon yotirsclf as safe as in cburdi/ said
one of the two who were seatcd on tbe cart upon which he
bad tlirown hìmself.

The gr^ater part of bis enemies bad, on Uie approach of
the train, tiimed thcir backs ypon him and fled, crying at the
e tiine, ' Seize bini ì seiic bim l a poìsoner I ' Some few
of thent, howcvcr, rctired more ddìberately, stopping every
now and thcn, and toirnìng witii a bideous grin of rage and
tfareattning ge«ttircs towards Renzo: who repUed to them
from the cart by sbaking bis fist at them*

*I>avc it to me* said a monaito; and tcaring a fihby rag
from one of the b<»dies, he hastily tied tt in a kriot, and taking
it by one of it« ears, ratsed lì like a sitng towards tliese obstl-
Qate fellown, and pretended to buri it at them, crying, * Here,
yon rascah j ' At tbis action they ali Htd in horror ; and
Renzo saw t ■' - - hut the baclts of bla enemies and hecis
which bótiri ':'j tbrough the air, likc tbe bammerì? in

a clotbierV mUL

A howì of tritiRipb arose among the monatti^ a stonny
btinit of laughter, a prolonged ' Eh K «a an acGompaniiiie
»y» lo thiK fogne.

j
«the 1
^LaaoK
■off]
^■now
"thrc

Wk ALES.SAKDEO MANZOXT

' Aha ! Wk M we dcm'l know how to protaa
krwft i ' wA the Mme monatto to Renzo : ' ooe of ai s «
rrkyre thiin a hundred of thoM cowards ! '

' CerUifily, I may lay I owc you my li fé,' rcpSed Ik;
J thsnk you wtth sii my hcart.'

' UfA a w/rd, not a word/ answered the iwiiaurfiL '
A*:%nryt ti \ onc can »cc you'rc a brave young fellov. Tu
ri^ht to yitUtm the»c ratcals; anoint away, extirpate a£ :
who are grxxj f or nothing, except when they're dead : iar e
rcward for the lifc we lead, they only curse tis, Z3x& «sa
«ayin^ that when the pestilence is over, theyl] have ta al
hanged. They mtiht he fìnished before the pestilence: àe
monatti only must he left to chant victory and rerci s
Milan/

*\A)n% h've the pestilence. and death to the rabbie!' a-
claimcd the othcr; and with this beautiful toast he pot de
flank to bill moutli. nnd holdinj,^ it with both bis hands amids:
thr jfiltin^*! of the cart, took a longf draught, and then handed
it to Krn/o. sayin)^, ' Drink to our hcalth.'

' I wjjth it you ali, with my wholc hcart/ said Renzo, 'box
Tni not thirsty : I clon't feci any inclination to drink just now/

' YonVe liad a fine fri^ht, it sccms/ said the monatto,
' Ynii look like a liarniless creature cnough ; you should havc
anothrr fare tlian that to he a jMìisoner/

' l.rt eveivhody tio as he can,' said the othcr.

• llere. give it ine/ said one of thosc on foot at the side
of the car, * for I, too. want to drink anothcr cup to the health
o( bis honour, who tìnds hiniself in such capital company
. . . there, there. just thcre, aniong that clcgant carriage-
full;

,\\u[ with one of bis hideous and curscd grins he pointed
to the cait in frotit of that upon which our poor Renzo was
sertted. l'hon. conun^sinn lìis face to an cxprcssion of
^eriou^ues^ stili more wickcd and revohing, he madc a bow
in that \iitection. and rcsumed: * May it please you. my lord,
lo let a jvor wrctoh of a w.^»',:.'?.'» ta>te a little of this winc
irom xonr celiar? Mir.d you. sir: our way of life is only
50 ^o wv' ì\ave taken \o\i imo or.r carriafc to gìve you a ride
into t^e oow'.trv ; ar.vl tV.cn it t/ikcs \or> \ki\c wine to do hann
U> \vm lovvlships : the jwr «on,;;;! bave good stoniachs.*

I PROMESSI SPOSI

507

And amidst the loud laughs of hts conrpanions. Ile took
the fìa^k, and Hfted k up» but, before drinking, lurned to
Attnzo, and fìxed his eyes on bis face, and satd to him, wìtli a*
eertain air of scomiul compassion: 'The devìi, with whomi
you bave made agreement, miist be very young; for if wel
idii't becn by lo rescue you, he'd bave glvcii you tnìght/^
Itance.* And amidst a fresh otatburst of latighter, lie
ed ibc Hagon to bis Ups.
'Give US some! Wbat ì give iis some!' shouted many
>iccs from the preceding car. The rtiffian, having swal-
owed as miich as he wìihed, baoded the great fìask vrìth botlij
ids into thosc of hb f ellow-niffians, who eontinued passini^
ìt round, until one of tfaern, baving cmptied it, grasped it by^
flbe neek. sIuBg it round in the air tw^o or three tjmes, and
Ldasbed it to atoms upon the pavement, crying, ' Long Uve
the pcstJlcnce ì ' He then broke mto one of iheir lìcentjous
llads, and was soon accompanied by ali the rest of tliis
depravcd chorus. The ìnfernal song, mìngied with the
■ tinkting of the bells, tlie rattle of the cart, and the trampling
tei men and horses, resounded through the silcnt vacuity ot
[iJie slfcels, and ecboing in the bouses, bilterly wfung
ifaearts ot the few who stili inhabited them.

But wbat cannot sometimes turn to advantage? WTia
^ cannat appear goad in some case or another? The cxtremit
of a moment before had rendered more than tolerable to
^Jlenzo tlic company of these dead and living companions;
ind now the sounds that relievcd hiin from the awkwardness
^of such a conversaiion, wcre, I had afmost sald, acceptabl^^
mnsic to hh ears. Stili half tjewiJdered, and in great agita-
ilion, he thanked Providence in bis beart, z% be bcst could,
llhat he had escapcd such immtncnt dangcr witbout rcccivìng
lor tn^tcting injury: he prayed fot assislance to dcliver bim-
[self now from bis delivcrers: and for his part kept on the
[jook-ont. watching hi* companions, and reconnoitruig the
iToad. that he mlght seize the prr>per moment to slide fjiiietly
[down without givmg llieni an npportunity of making any
arbancc or uproar, which mighi stìr up mischief jii the
rs-by.
And lo! r -a corner, he settned to recognlrc tb

lìom icy wcrtt aUotit to pa«s: he lookcd

598 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

attentively, and at once knew it by more certain aigns. Does
the reader know where he was? In the direct course to Ut
Porta Orientale, in that very Street along which he had gooe
so slowly, and retumed so speedily, about twenty moaths
before. He quickly remembered that from thence he cookl
go straight to the Lazzaretto ; and this fìnding o£ himself in
the right way without any endeavour of bis own, and with-
out direction, he looked upon as a special token of Divine
guidance, and a good omen of what remained At that
moment a commissary carne to meet the cars, who called cut
to the monatti to stop, and I know not what besides : it need
only be said that they came to a halt, and the music was
changed into clamorous dialogues. One of the monatH
seated on Renzo's car jumped down: Renzo said to the
other, 'Thank you for your kindness; God reward you for
it ! ' and sprang down at the opposite side.

* Get you gone, poor poisoner,' repHed the man : * you'U not
be the fellow that'll min Milan I '

Fortunately thcre was no one at band who could overhear
him. The party had stopped on the left band of the Street:
Renzo basti ly crossed over to the opposite side ; and, keeping
dose to the wall, trudged onward towards the bridge;
crossed it ; f ollowed the well-known Street of the Borgo, and
recognized the Convent of the Capuchins; he comes dose
to the gate, sees the projecting corner of the Lazzaretto,
passes through the palisade, and the scene outside the en-
closure is laid open to bis view; not so much an indication
and specimen of the interior, as itself a vast, diversified, and
indescribable scene.

Along the two sides, which are visible to a spectator from
this point, ali was bustle and confusion; there was a great
concourse; an influx and reflux of people; sick docking in
crowds to the Lazzaretto ; some sitting or lying on the edge
of one or other of the moats that flanked the road, whote
strength had proved insufficient to carry them within their
place of retreat, or, when they had abandoned it in despair,
had equally failed to convey them further away. Others
were wandering about as if stupefied; and not a few were
absolutely beside themselves: one would be eagerly relating
his fandes tp a miserable creatura labouring under the mal-

I PROMESSI SPOSI 599

; another would h& actuaìty raving ; while a third apì^ared
irh a smiling couiitenance, as H assisdng at some gay spec-
ie le, But the? strangcst and moit datnorous kmd of so
aelancboly a gaiety. was a toud and continuai sing^ìng* which
sectncd to proceed from ihat wretched assembly, and cven
drowned ali the othcr voice* — a popular song of love, joyous
and play fui, one of those which are called rural: and follow-
ing this sound by the cye to dì&cover who could posàibly be
so cheerful, yonder, tranquilly seated in the bottom of the
ditdi tliat wa&hes the waJls of the Lazzaretto, he percdved a
poor wretch, with upturned eycs, singing ai the very stretch
of hls voice I

Renzo had scarccly gene a few yards aloDg the soath side
of the ediftcc» when an extraordinary noi se a rase in the
crowd, aiid a di&tant cry of Take care I ' and ' Stop him ! '
He stood upon tiptoe, looked forward. and beheld a jaded
horse galloping at full speed, impelled forward by a siili
more wretched looking rìder; a poof frantic creature, who,
secing the beast loose and unguarde4 standing by a cart,
%d basttly mounted hb bare back, and strtking him on the
ck with his fi&ts, and spyrring htm with his heels, was
jing him ittipctuously onward: m<maiH wcre following,
bouting and bowling ; and ali were enveloped in a cloud of

, which wbirlcd aroimd iheir be^ds.
Coafouncted and weary with the sight of so tnuch miscry,
the yomh arrived at the ^ate of thai abode wbere perhaps
niore was concentrated thao had bccn scattered over the
wbok space it had yet heen bis fontine to traverse. He
Hced tip to the door, entered under the vauitcd roof. and
for a nMHQent without toovtng io the middle of the

CHAPTER XXXV

IET the reader imagine the enclosure of the Ltxii-
. retto peopied with sixteen thousand persons ili of the
• plague; the whole area encumbered, hcrc with tents
and cabins, there with carts, elsewhere with people; those
two interminable ranges of portico to the right and left,
covered, crowded, with dead or dying, stretched upon mat-
tresses, or the bare Straw; and throughout the whole of
this, so to say, immense den, a commotion, a fluctuatioo,
like the swell of the sea; and within, people coming and
going, stopping and running, some sinking under disease,
others rising from thcir side beds, either convalescent,
frantic, or to attend upon others. Such was the spectade
which suddenly burst upon Renzo's view, and forccd him
to pause there, horror-struck and overpowered. We do not
intend to describe this spectacle by itself, for which, doubt-
less, none of our readers would thank us; we will only
follow our youth in bis painful walk, stop where he stopped,
and relatc what he happened to witness, so far as is neccs-
sary to explain what he did, and what chanced to occur
to him.

From the gate where he stood, up to the tempie in the
middle, and from that again to the opposite gate, ran a kind
of pathway, free from cabins, and every other substantial
impediment; and, at a second glance, he observed a great
bustle of removing carts, and making the way clear; and
discovered officcrs and Capuchins directing this operation,
and at the same time dismissing ali those who had no busi-
ness there. Fearing lest he also should be tumed out in
thÌ8 manner, he slippcd in betwcen the pavilions, on the side
to which he had casually turned — the right.

He went forward, according as he found room to set hìs
foot down, from cabin to cabin, popping bis head into each,
casting bis cye upon every one who lay outside, gazing upon
countcnances brokcn down by suffering, contracted by
spasm, or motionless in death, pcrchance he might happen

600

I FEOMESSI SPOSI m

to find that onc which, neinertheless, he dreaded to fiiid
H€ hftd already, howevcr, geme some considcrablc dìstance,
and often and often repeated tbis tdeìanchoìy inspecrion,
wilhout having yet seen a sìnglz woman; he coticludcd.
Iherefore, that thcse must be lodgcd in a separate quarter
So far he guesscd; but of the whereabouts he had do in
«licatiofi, nor could he forni the Icast con] ec ture. From timc
to rime he mei attendanti, as dìifcTeoi in appearance, dress,
and behaviour^ as tlie motive was different mnd opposlte
which gave to both one and the other str^igth to live io the
exerctse of stjch offices: iti the one, the extinction of ali
(eelings of compass ion; in the other, com passi on more than
Ituinan. But from neìther did he attempt to ask dìrectioni,
for fear of creating for himself new obstades; and he re*
fotved to wa!k on by hituself till he succe^ded in discover-
taf womm. And as he walked along, he failcd net to le>ok
parrowly around, though from lime to timc he was com-
peOed to wuhdraw bis eycs, overcome, and, as it were,
da^zled by the spectacle of so great niìscries, Yet, whìlhcr
ò^uld he ttim them, wbere sulfer thera to rcst, save ijpon
othcr mìseries as great?

The very air and sky added, if anything could add, to the
horror of thcse &igbt$. The fog had condcnscd by degrecs»
and resolved itself tnto large douds, which, becomiag
darker and darkcr, made it sctm Uke the tempesttjous ctos-
ing tJi of evcnmg; exccpt that towards the xenith of this
d€«p and low^ring sky, the sun*s disk was vtstble as from
héàné a thtck veil pale, emitting around a very feeble
ligbt, which was speedilv exhaled, and pouring down a
death-like and oppressive beat. Every now and tiieo,
amtdft the vast murmur that floated around, was heard a
decp mmbling of thuoder, intcrrupted, as it were, and tr*
resolute; oor could the Hstener distinguish from which side
it carne. He inight, indeed, easily bave deemrd it a distant
fiOttod of cara, unexpecledly coming to a stand. In the
cotmtry round, not a twig bcnt under a breath of air; noi a
bini was seen to altght or fly away; the swallow alone, ap*
pcarìng suddcnly from the cavea of the enclosurc, akimmed
akmg ihc ground wlth extcnded wìng. swccpìng, as il werc,
nrfacc of the field; but, alarmed at the sturounding

«a ALESSANDRO MANZONI

confusione rapidly mounted again into the air» and lev
away. It was one of those days in which, among a party
of travellers, not one of them breaks the silence; and tix
hunter walks pensively along, with his eyes beat lo tix
ground; and the peasant, digging in the field, pauses in his
song, without being aware of it; one ol those days wiiich
are the forerunners of a tempesta in which nature, as ii
motionless without, while agitated by internai travail, seemi
to oppress every living thing, and to add an undefinabie
weight to every employment, to idleness, to existence itself.
But in that abode specially assigned to suffering and deith,
men hitherto struggling with their malady might be seca
sinking under this new pressure; they were to be seen br
hundreds rapidly becoming worse; and at the satne timc,
the last struggle was more distressing, and, in the augmenta*
tion of suffering, the groans were stili more stifled; nor.
perhaps, had there yet been in that place an hour of bitter-
ness equal to this.

The youth had already threaded his way for some time
without success through this maze of cabins, when, in the
variety of lamentations and confused murmurs, he began
to distinguish a singular intermixture of bleatings and in-
fants' cries. He arrived at length before a cracked and
disjointed wooden partition, from within which this extra-
ordinary sound proceeded; and peeping through a large
aperture betwecn two boards, he beheld an enclosure scat-
tered throughout with little huts, and in these, as well as in
the spaces of the small camp between the cabins, not the
usuai occupants of an infìrmary, but infants, lying upon Httlc
beds, pillows, sheets, or cloths spread upon the ground, and
nurses and other women busily attending upon them: and.
which above everything else attracted and engrossed his
attention, she-goats mingled with these, and acting as their
coadjutrices : a hospital of innocents, such as the place and
times could afTord them. It was, I say, a novel sight, to
behold some of these animals standing quietly over this or
that infant, giving it suck, and another hastening at the
cry of a child, as if endued with matcmal feeling, and stop-
ping by the side of the little clainiant« and contriving to
dispose itself over the infant, and bleating, and fìdgeting»

1 FKOMMSI SPOSI

almost as ti dcmaodiiif some oae to come te the asalstance
of botlu

Hcrc and ihcre iiur*es were leated with tiifaiiu al the
torcasi; Bome cniploying stich exprei>»u}iis of aHeciìoii as
raìsed a doubt in the ouud of the spectaior whclUer thcy
bad beco ioduced to repair thither by the promìses of re*
ward» or by that volimtafy beiicvolcnce whicli goes iti scarch
oi the oeedy and afflictcd One of these, with dcep sorrow
depictcd ili her eotmtenance, drew frotn ber breast a poor
eeping bttk creature, aod mourniully went to look far aii
animai which mtght be able ta supply her place; sinotber
regarded with a compasdoiiate look the liltle one aaleep cu
h«r bosom, and gently kisamg it. weot to \ny ìt on n bed in
Ofic of the cabins; whilc a third, surroidering ber breaat to
the stringer sucklìng, with an air not of negligencc, but of
pre-occupation, gaied fbcedJy up to hcavcn. What was she
thiiiking of, with that gesttire, witli that look, but of one
broiight forth from ber own bowcJs» who, pethaps only a
ibort time heforc» had bcen nourlshed at that brcast, per»
chance had expired on that bo$om !

Other womcn, of more cxperiencep suppUed diflfeTent
officéS» One would run at the cry of a fatiiished child, lift
it from the grmmd, and carry tt io a goat, fecding upon a
heap of Cresh hcrtiage; and applying It to tlie ereature'i
paps, would ehìde. and, at the same lime, coax the inex*
pericnccd animai with her voice, that Ìt niight quietly lend
itself to iti iiew office; another would spring forward to
drive off a goal which waa irampUng under*foot a poor
liabt» in ita cag«rntS8 to suckle another; while a third was
carrytng abotit ber own infant, and rocking it in her arms,
DOW trying to lull it to slcep by singìng, now to pacify il
with soothtog wordf, und calling It by a name the had her*
»elf grven it, At this moment a Capuchin, with a very
whiie beard, arrived, bringìng two scrcaming ìnfants> one
in cach arm» which he had ju»t taken from their dying
raothers; and a woman ran to rrcdve them, and went to
•edc among the crtjwd, and in the flockt, soo*e ooe that
would immedtatcly sufiply tlic place of a mollief.

More than once, the youtli, urged by his anxìcty, had
toro hiffiitlf from Ibe opcning to resuxse hi« way; and«

i ALEBSAKDHO MAKZOKI

rter ali, had agam pecpcd in to watch anoiht
or two,

H;ivÌTjg at kngtli Icft die phcc» he wenl o*
the partition, iintìl m frovip of ImU, whkh \
afaìnst h, compelted Itim to tum aside. He tiien west
round the cabìns, with the intaitian oÌ regaìntng lite parti*
tìon, turning the corner of the eiiclosurc, and isimkmg iock
fresh discovcries, But while he was lcx>kìiig formnl I»
tccofinoitre hìs way, a sudden, transicnt, m»tanlaxiei3i» ^
pantìon, stmck hh eye, aiid put htm in great agitadc ~~
saw, about a hundred yarcJs off, a Capuchin threaditi
way and quickly becomìng lost among Ibe pavilk
Capuehiti, ^ho, even thus pas&jng1y« md at a dìstaxi4:€
ali the bea ring, niotious, and figure of Father Cristoforo.
With the frantic cagerness the rradcr caa ìma^toe,
sprang forward in that direction, lookijig bere and
wìndìng about, backward, forward, inside and oot, by dt
cles, and tbrough narrow passages, until he agam aaw^
increased joy, the forni of the sclf-sàme fnar; he saw
at a little distance, just Icavìng a largc boiling poi,,
goìtig with a porringcr In bis hands towardi a calHn;!/
he beheld him seat himself in ilie doorway» make tbc stf
the cross on the basin he held bcfore hitn^ and,
around him^ Hke one constantly on the alert, bcgin to cai»'
It wa§, indeed, Father Cristoforo.

The history of the friar, f rom the pciint at ^ Iqsì

aight of him up to the prcaeni meeting. Tiiay be . . few

fwords. He had tiever removed from Riixiìni* not cwtn
tbought of removìng, until the piagne^ breakìng oot
Mìlan« afifordcd him the opportunity he had long no
nestly desired, of sacrificing bis Ule for bis fellow-ereatii
He urgcntly entreated that he mtght be rccaried
Kìmini to assist and attend upon the tnfected pattents.
Count, Attilio*» uncle» was dead: and be^ides* the tic
qutred tender» of the sick fi n polìticiaat; ioj

his rrquest was granted with culty. He cac

mediately to Miìan, aitered the Li^zarcttcv iii4 bad wm
been thcre about threc month».

But the consolation Renzo fclt in thuf agabi seeìfig htì
good Criar was not for a momeai imalkiyed; logctber witT

I PROMESSI SPOSI

^tf Alt it was he, he was also madc paiafully
0f how much he wis changed. Kb stooping, and, as
it wefc, laboriQus carnage, hls waii and shrivelled face, ali
ttokcned an exhiiusted nature, a broken and sitiking fra me,
rbich vvas a*;sisied and, as it were, upheld from hotir to
tjur only by the energy of his mind.
He kept his eye fixed on the youtb who was approaching
iìm, and who was secking by gesiurcs, (not daring to do so
ith his voice,) to make hìm distinguish and recognize him*
Father Cristoforo 1 ' said he, at last, whcn he was near
:iotigh to he heard without shoutlng.

• You bere ! * said the friar, setting the porrioger ow the
Hind. and rising from his seat.

How are you, Father? — how are you?'
' Betler than the many poor creattires you see,' replied the
Iriar; and his voice was feeble, hollow, and as changed as
everythiug else abaut him. His eye alone was what it al-
ways was, or had somethìng about it even more bright and
re^&ident; as if Charity, elevatrd by the approachtng end
ol ber Iaboar^« and exulting iu the consciousne&s of being
jiear her soarce, restorcd to it a more ardent and parer lire
lian that which infirraity was cvery hour extingujshing*
[But you/ pursued he, * how ts it you're in thfs place? What
Ices you come thus to brave the pcstilence? '

* Tve had it, ihank Hcaven ! 1 come , . . lo seek for , , ,
Lucia.*

' Lucia ì Is Ludà bere ? '

* Shc ts; at Jcast, I hopc in God she may stili be herc/
'Is »hc your wife?'

* Oh. my dear father f My wifel no, that ihe's not. Eton^t
know anything of what bas happened? ^

•No, my son; since God removed me to a distanee from
you. Tve ncver heard inythiìig funher : but now that he has
#cnt you to me, VÌI teli you the tnith, that I wish vcry much
i^to know. But , . . and the senteoce o! outlawry ? *

• You know» thcn. wbat things iheyVc done to me?

• But you, what had ymi done? '
' tisten: if I wcrc lo say that I wa* pnident that day in

Mtlait, l thould teli a lìc; but I didn't do a single wìcked

606 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

'I believe you; and I believed it too before.*

' Now, then, I may teli you alL'

'Wait/ said the friar; and, going a few yards ont of
the hut, he called, ' Father Vittore ! ' In a moment or tvQ^
a young Capuchin appeared, to whom Cristoforo said» 'Do
me the kindness, Father Vittore, to take my share, too, of
waiting upon our patients, while I am absent for a little
while; and if any one should ask for me, will you be good
enough to cali me. That one, particularly ; if e ver he givcs
the least sign of retuming consciousness, let me be infonod
of it directly, for charity's sake/

The young friar answered that he would do as he re-
quested; and then Cristoforo, turning to Renzo, said, ' Lctus
go in bere. But . . / added he directly, stopping, ' you seein
to me very tired ; you must want something to eat/

* So I do,' said Renzo : ' now that you've reminded me, I
remember Tm stili fasting.'

' Stay,' said the friar ; and taking another porringer, he
went to fili it from the large boiler; he then returned, anJ
off ered it, with a spoon, to Renzo ; made him sit down on a
Straw mattress which served him for a bed; went to a cask
that stood in one corner, and drew a glass of wine, which
he set on a little table near his guest; and then, taking up
bis own porringer, seated himself beside him.

' Oh, Father Cristoforo ! ' said Renzo, * is it your business
to do ali this ? But you are always the same. I thank you
with ali my heart.*

' Don't thank me,' said the friar : ' that belongs to the
poor ; but you too are a poor man just now. Now, then. teli
me what I don't know ; teli me about our poor Lucia, and tr>'
to do it in a few words, for time is scarce, and there is plenty
to be done, as you see/

Renzo began, between one spoon fui and another, to re-
late the history of Lucia, how she had been sheltered in
the monastery at Monza, how she had been forcibly carried
off . . .

At the idea of such sufTerings and such dangers, and at
the thought that it was he who had directed the poor in-
nocent to that place, the good friar became almost breath-
less with cmotion; but he was quickly relicvcd on hearing

I PEOMESSI SPOSI

liow sfte had beaa cntraciiloysly ttberated, restored to htf ]
tiotber, aad placed by hcf with Donna Praàscdc
'Now I will tcil you abotit myself/ pursucd the Haintor;
Qd he braefly skctchcd the day he speni in Milan, and hts
iìght, and how he had long bcen abscnt Croni home, aad
How, cv^rything being tur ned tipsìde down» Ile had ven-
tiired to go thilher; how he had aot foiind Agnese thcre^ and
&w he had Icanied at Mìlan that Lucia was at the Laxza-
*And herc I am/ he concludcd; * bere I atn to look
for ber» to sce tf she'6 stìH Uviiig, and il * . « «he'U stìU bave
me , , , bccause . , . sometuiìes , . /

* Bot how wcre you directed bere? * asked the fnar. ' Havc
OH any inforniatìon whereabouts sbe was lodged, or at what

fie ihe caule?'

* None, dear Father: none, eiccept that she is bere, it,
ndced, she be stili living, wUieh may God grant ! *

*Oh, you poor feUow! Btit what search bave you yet

aadehcrc?'
*i*ve wandered and wandcred about, but htcherto Tvc
arcety ^eeii anythtng bui men. I thoughi that the womea

auat be In a separate quartcr, but I haven*t yei succeedcd^
fìnding it; tf it is rcally so, now you can teli me.*
' Don't yotj know, my son, that meo are torbidden lo

Iter Uiat quartcr. untosE they bave some businesi thcre?*

* WelJ, and what could bappcn to tue? '
*Thc regtilation ts just and good, my dear son* and if the

nuraber and weight ol sorrows forbtd the possìbility o! it»
eiiig respected with foli rigour» is that a reason wby alt]
onest man sfiould traiiigresa tt? '
•But, Father Cristoforo,* sald Renzo, 'Lucia ought to
Ile my wHe; you know how we\e been separated: it's twcnty ^
tnontlti tliat Tvc suffcrcd and bornc patiendy ; l've come
far ajt bere, at the rìsk of so many tiiings, one worse tbaa]
Ibc otber ; and tiow tben . . /
*I don't know.wbat to say/ resttmcd ibe friar, replyìogj
atber to bis own ihoughts than to the words of the youn^
' You are goto^ witli a good intention : and ^ould ta»^
that ali who bave frec access to that place woul^l con-
(tìct thcnu^elves ai I can feel ture you vt\\\ do! God, who
ity blr&ica this yonr peraevcrance of affcctioci« thii

606 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

your faithfulncss in wishing and seeking for her wliom He
has given you, God, who is more rìgorous thmn men, jet
more indulgente will not regard what may be irr^nlar m
your mode of seeking for her. Only remember, that for
your behaviour in this place we shall both have te render
an account, not, probably, to men, but, without fail, at the
bar of God. Come this way/ So saying, he rose: Renzo
followed his example; and, without neglecting to listen to his
words, had, in the mcan time, determined in himself not to
speak, as he had at first intended, about Lucia's vow.^If
he hcars this, too, — ^thought he, — ^he will certainly raise more
difficulties. Either I will find her, and then there will be
time enough to discuss it, or . . . and then ! what will it
matter? —

Leading him to the door of the cabin, which faced towardi
the north, the f riar resumed : ' Listen to me ; Father Felice,
the president of the Lazzaretto, will to-day conduct the few
who have recovered to perform their quarantine elsewhere.
You see that church therc in the middle . . .' and raising his
thin and trcmulous band, he pointcd out to the left. througb
the cloudy atmosphere, the cupola of the little tempie rising
above the miserable tents, and continued: 'About there
they are now assembling, to go out in procession througb
the gate by which you must have cntered.'

' Ah I it was for this, then, that they were trying to clear
the passage/

' Just so : and you must also have heard some tollings of
the beli/

'I heard one.'

*It was the second: when the third rings, they will ali
be assemblcd: Father Felice will address a few words to
them ; and then they will set off. At this signal, do you go
thither; contrive to place yourself behind the assembly on
the edge of the passage, whcre, without giving trouble. or
being observed, you can watch them pass ; §ind look . . . look
. . . look if she is there. If it be not God's will that she
should be there, that quarter . . / and he again raised his
band, and pointcd to the side of the cdifice which faced them,
'that quarter of the building, and part of the field before
it, are assigned to the women. You will sce some paling

I PROMESSI SPOSI

Bt dìvides this fretti that endosurc, but hcrc and thcrc
oktn and ìnterniptcd, so that youll (me no diiBcttlty in
liuiìg admtttàtice. Once m^ ti you do nothing to givc
e, no onc proba bly will say amthing to you; if, how*
rer, thcy shouid make any opposition» say that Fatlier Cris*
^oro of ♦ * * knows you, and will aaswer for you. Seck
ler ihcre ; seek her witli confidente and . , , with rcsignation,
For yoa must rcmembcr tt is a great thing you bave come
to ask bere: a person alive withìn the Lazzaretto! Do you
aow bow often I bave seen my poor people bere rcncwcd?
many I bave scen cairied otT! how few go out ff^
i^ered K . . Go^ prepartd to make a sacrifìce , * /
\*Ayì I understandl* internipted Rcnjso, his ejes rollìng
pldty, and bis face becoming very dark and tbreatcniiig:
under^taiid I VII go: 1*11 look in one place or anotber,
am too to bottom of the Lazzaretto * , . aiìd If I don't £itìd
ir! .::

*If yoa don't find ber?' said ibe friar, with an air of
grave and stf ious expectation, and an admonbbing look.

But Renzo, wbose anger had tor some liuie been swellìng
^ hU bo^m^ and oow dotided hii stght, and dcprìved him
aD feelings of respcct, rcpeated and continuedi 'Il I
a't find ber, IHl sticcced in fmding somebody else. Eithcr
Mìlan, or in liìs dcteslable palace, or at tbe end of the
world, or to the abode of the dcvil, FU find that rascal who
separated us; that villain, but for whom Lucia wouJd bave
bcen mine twcnty months ago; and if wc had bcen doooied
die» we wouid at Icast bave died tt^gctlier. If tbat fdlow
ili Bvrs, ni find htm . , /

[^Renro!' said the friar, gra^ping bim by onc ami, and
ring on h!m stili more sevcrely.

*And if l fitid bim» contlnued he ' tly blindcd with

fage^ • if the plaghe haso*t already v, ustice . . , This

is no lotiger a timc wben a eoward, wkh ì\h bra%*oes at bis
heeli, can drive people to desperation, and Uicn mock at
thcm: a lime is come whcn mcti mect each othcr face to
face . , . ni get jiisttce ! '

'Miferable wrctcht* cried Fatlier Cristoforo» In a voice
W^ùch had assuiucd ita forrner foli and wmjrous tone: * Mis-
\ wretcàl ' And be raidcd bis tunkcn hmé, his dieelcs

»o

610 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

became flushed with their originai colour, and the fire tfai
flashed from bis eyes had sometbing terrible in it. 'Look
about you, miserable man I ' And while with one band k
grasped, and strongly shook, Renzo's arm, he waved tk
other before him, pointing, as well as he could, to the moan*
fui scene around them. ' See who is He that chasdscs!
Who is He that judges, and is not judged 1 He that scourga
and forgi ves ! But you, a worm of the earth, you would get
justice! Youl do you know what justice is? Away, od-
bappy man ; away with you ! I boped . . . yes, I did bope
that, before my death, God would bave given me the comfort
of hearing that my poor Lucia was alive ; perhaps of stóng
ber, and hearing ber promise me that she would send ooe
prayer towards the grave wbere I sball he laid, Go, yoo
bave robbed me of tbis bope I God bas not let her remaio
upon eartb for you ; and you, surely, cannot bave the bardi-
bood to believe yourself worthy that God should tbink of
comforting you. He will bave thought of hcr, for she was
one of those souls for whom eternai consolatìons are rt-
served. Go I l've no longer time to listen to you.'

And so saying, he threw from bim Renzo's arm, and
moved towards a cabin of sick.

' Ah, Father ! ' said Renzo, following bim with a supplì-
cating air, * will you send me away in tbis manner ? '

* What ! ' rejoined the Capuchin, relaxing nothing of bis
severity; 'dare you require that I should steal the time
from these poor afflictcd ones, who are awaiting for me to
speak to them of the pardon of God, to listen to your words
of fury, your propositions of revenge? I listened to yen
when you askcd consolation and direction; I neglccted one
duty of charity for the sake of another; but now you bave
vengeance in your beart: what do you want with me?
Bcgone ! I bave beheld those die bere who bave been off ended
and bave forgiven; offenders who bave moumed that thcy
could not humble themselves before the off ended : I bave wcpt
with both one and the other; but what bave I to do with
you? *

' Ah ! I forgive bim ! I forgive him, indecd, and for ever ! '
exclaimed the youth.

'Renzo! ' said the friar, with more tranquil stemness: 'be*

1 PROMESSI SPOSI

611

nk yourself, and just say how often }ou havc forgiven

Aitd haWng wahed a moment witliout rcceivlng a r«ply,
Se suddenly bent liis head, aiid wtth ast appeascd voice re-
^iimcd: •Voti know wìiy I bc;tr ihis habit?*

Keoao heshaicd.

• You know h l ' rcsumed the o!4 man*
*I do/ auswered Retuo,

• I too bave hated, and tberefore I bave rebtikcd you far
a tbougbt, tot a word; the nmw wliom I batcd* whom I cor-
dìally batedy wbom I had long hated, that man 1 louj-
deredl*

' Ycs, but a tyrantt one of those . ♦ /
_ 'Hushr mterrupted llie friar: ' think you tliat if tbere
ere a good reason for ìt, I «houldti't bave ionud h in
liny years? Ah! if I could now insul into your beari the
jicntimcnt J bave cvtr sincc had, ami stili bave^ for the
man I hatcd! If I couJd! I? But God can: may He do
w ! . , . Listcn. Renio ; He wishes you more good than yoti
ftn whh your*iel(: you bave dared lo meditate revenge;
It He bas power arid mcfcy eoough io prevent you; He
stows «pou yotj a favour of which another was too un-
worthy» You know» and you bave often and often said it,
ihal He can arrest tbc band of ìììq opprcssor: but, renutnbcf.
He can stho arrest tbat of the revcngeful; and tbink you
ihat, bccau&c you are poor. bceause you are injured, He
cartTiot dcfend agaiust your vengeajice a man wbom He has
e:. :it«!d in His own tmag^.? Dtd you thlnk tbat He would
1 to do ali you \> isbed ? No ! but do you know wbat
f? You niay bate and he lost for evcr; you may,
[ìcr oC niind as this, deprive yourself of evcry
howrvcr tbtngs may go witb you, wbatever
may be placed ni, rtst as^surcd tbat alJ will
.. M.M .,t un 111 you havc forgiven — forgiven in sucb a
liy, tbat you muy nevcr a^jaìn be able io aay, I forgìve htm/
V* " aid Renzo, wiih dcep sliame r. ' 'ion: *I

n' ' bave nevcr brforr r«*:slly fofv : I *ec

f-it I , r. ■■-;e a beasi, 3; 'in :

11] r.i.w, hy , . of CfOdt I tv. .• _ ■ l'U

Torgivc bim front my ¥07 bcan.*

CHAPTER XXXVI

WHO would ever bave told Renzo, a few hotin l^
fore, that in the very crisis of his search, it tix
approach of the moment of ^eatest sospaue
which was so soon to be decisive, his heart would bave beai
divided between Lucia and Don Rodrigo? Yet so it wis:
that figure be bad just beheld, carne and mingled itself in iB
the dear or terrible pictures which either bope or fear alter-
nately brought before bim in the course of his walk; the
words be bad beard at the foot of that bed blended them-
selves with the conflicting thoughts by which his mind was
agitated, and he could not conclude a prayer for the happj
issue of tbis great experiment, without connecting with it
that which he bad begun there, and which the sound of the
beli had abruptly tcrminated.

The small octagonal tempie, which stood elevated f rom the
ground by several steps, in the middle of the Lazzaretto,
was, in its originai construction, open on every side, without
other support than pilasters and columns — a perforateti
building, so to say. In each front was an arch between two
columns; within, a portico ran round that which might
more properly be called the church, but which was composed
only of eight arcbes supported by pilasters, surmounted by
a small cupola, and corresponding to those on the outside
of the arcade ; so that the aitar, erected in the ccntre, might
be seen from the window of each room in the enclosure, and
almost from any part of the encampment. Now, the edifice
beìng convcrted to quite a different use, the spaces of the
eight f ronts are wallcd up ; but the ancient f ramework, which
stili remains uninjured, indicates with sufficient cleamess
the originai conditìon and destination of the building.

Renzo had scarcely started, when Father Felice made bis
appearance in the portico of the tempie, and advanced
towards the arch in the middle of the side which faces the
city, in front of which the assembly were arranged at the
loot of the stegSy and along the course grepared for tìiem;

614

I PROMESSI SPOSI

nd shofUy he perccived by hì% manner that he had hegtin the
He thercfore went round by some little by*paths,

^f^lHllÓ SUtaJn ihe rcar oi the audience, as had been suggested

lo him, Arrivcd thcre, he stoocj stili very quicdy, and ran

ver the wholc wìth hìs eyc; bui he couid see nothing from
poiition, excepl a mass, £ had uhnosl said, a paveirient al
ads. In the ceiiwe iheic wcre scjoic covercd with band-
kcrdiìefs^ or vcil&; und bere he fixed bis eyes more atten-
tivi" Iv ; but, faiting: to dìsunguish aitything more clearly, he
aI«o nibtd tfirm to where ali the oiberii were dìrcctcd. He
wu-i louchvd and ajTected by the vcnerable fig:ure of the
speaker; aihì, wilh ali the attention he couJd commaiid io
5«ch a TTiunicnt of expcctalioti, listeùcd to the fotlowiJig
poniou ùf lib solcinn «ddress: —

* Let US rcmember for a moment the thoiisand& and thoii-
sauids who bave gone fortb thidief ;' and raising bis finger
ibove hì% aJìouldcr, he pointed bchìnd hi tu towards the gate
whìch Icd to the cemetery of San Gregorio, the whok of
wliich was iben. wc miglit say, one immense grave: * let ti^
cast aii eyc around upon the Ibousiinds and tiiousands who
are stili kit bere» uncertain, alas ì by which way tbey will
go forth; Ict us look al onrsclves, so few in number, who
are aboiit la go forth restored. Blesscd be the Lord!
Bksaed be He ìw His justice, blessed in Ilis mercyl bkssed
In dcatb, and blet^^ed in lìfc! blessed in the cboice He has
bexn plc^tscd to niake ol usi Ohi wby has He so pleased,
my bretJircn, if not to prese rvc to HimseU a liltJc reninajit,
correctcd by aJrlictìou, and warmed wìtii gratitudc? if not
in order that, feeling more vividly than evcr how Hfe ts
His gif t, wc may estccm il as a giti from His hands deservcs,
ma cmploy it in »nch work» ai we may dare to offer Him?
Jf noi in ordcr tb..^ ' membrancc of our own su^erlitgs
ma/ oiake us coiti, o ta^ards others, and ever rcidf

to relteve them? It. thosc in who96

d ; amoiìg whofD
: I tives and wbo are ali» betides»
?tT. tìirt!n; Ict tliosc uujuìi^' them who will aee US pasa
' ic mid«t of them, not only derive some rclicf from

i. 't tbat othcr - -ìng ottt hencc iti beaJth, bui

al . j . ; bj oyr ir God forUid that du^ ^o^ld

company wc bave stift'
wc are Icavìng fnrnd,i

618 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

one; for which the extremely slow advance of the pfO>
cession gave him abundant leisure. On and on it goes;
he looks and looks, always to no purpose ; he keeps glando^
rapidly over the crowd which stili remains behind, aad
which is gradually diminishing : now there are vcry few
rows; — ^we are at the last; — ali are gone by ; — aU wcrc nn-
known faces. With drooping arms, and head reclining od
one shoulder, he suffered his eye stili to wander after that
little band, while that of the men passed before him. Bis
attention was again arrested, and a new hope arose in his
mind, on seeing some carts appear behind these, bearing
those convalescents who were not yet able to walk. Hcr«
the women carne last; and the train proceeded at so de-
liberate a pace, that Renzo could with equal case review
ali these without one escaping his scrutiny. But what tben?
he examined the first cart, the second, the third, and so oo,
one by one, always with the same result, up to the last
behind which followed a solitary Capuchin, with a g^vc
countenance, and a stick in his band, as the regulator of
the cavalcade. It was that Father Michele whom wc bave
mentioned as being appointed coadjutor in the govemment
with Father Felice.

Thus was this soothing hope completely dissipated; and,
as it was dissipated, it not only carried away the comfort
it had brought along with it, but, as is gcnerally the case,
left him in a worse condition than before. Now the happiest
alternative was to find Lucia ili. Yet, while increasing
fears took the place of the ardour of present hope, he clung
with ali the powers of his mind to this mclancholy and fragile
thread, and issuing into the road, pursued his way towards
the place the procession had just left. On reaching the
foot of the little tempie, he went and knelt down upon the
lowest step, and there poured forth a prayer to God, or
rather a crowd of unconnccted cxprcssions, broken sentences,
cjaculations, entreaties, complaints, and promiscs; one of
those addresses which are never made to men. because they
bave not sufficient quickness to understand them. nor pa-
tience to listen to them; they are not gp-eat enough to feci
compassion without contempt.

He rose somewhat more re-animated; went round the

I PROMESSI SPOSI

ei9

ile, came into the other road whiclt he had not bcfore
1^ and which ìed lo the op|X>site gate, atid after going
a Httle way, sàw on both sìdcs the palìng th€ friar had
told him of, but full of breaks and gap^ exactly as he
had said.

He entered through one of thcse, and foitnd himself
io the qtiarter assigned to the women* Almost ai the first
sttp he look, he saw lying on the groimd a little beli such
aLs the momatii wore upon their feet, quitc perfcct, with
M iti straps and buckks; and it immediatcly struck biro
at perhaps sucb an ìnsinimcnt mìght serve him aa a pass-
it b that platee. He thcrefore picked it up. ajid, looking
imd to see if any one werc watchÌTig hhn, buckled it oel
He tben set hiniself to bis seardi, to that search. whìch,
wcre it oTìIy for the tnukìplìcity of the objects, would have
been cxtremety wcansome. e\^en ìiad those ohjccts bcen
mnythiDg but what tbey were. He began to gurvey, of
rather to contemplate, new sccnes of suffering; In pan so
aifiular to those he had aiready witnesaed, in pan &o ói^
tmtlar: lor» under the sanie calamity, ihore waa bere a
éifferent kmd of suiferìng, so to say, a dififerent bngnoTp^

diffcrent coroplainìng. a diffcrent enduTancc, a diffcre
Idad of mutuai pity and assjstance, there was, toc, in the
spectator. another ktnd of compassione so to say, and an*
ùlhcT feeling of horror. He had now gonc 1 know ne
how far, without success, mie without acddents^ wheii^
he hcard behind hìm a * Hcy ! ' — a cali, which secmed io
be addressed io hìm. He ttimed round, and saw at a little
dbtance a eosuiiìssary, who, with ypHfted band, was beck-
ontng to none othcr but hìm, and cr^ing, * Thert% in iho»
Tooms, you>c wanied: bere wc've only just fini shed clearin|
away/

RcftjEO iiTunediately perceived wtiom be was taken fof^
ind that the little beli wsts the catrse of the mistake: he
cmIM himself a great fool for havtng iJioujcht only of th»j

vcnicnccf wiiicli this tokei migbt enable hira to %vmi
Hxtó not of those which it niight draw down upon brm;
and at the sanie in?ctant devised a pian to free himselj
the diffienlty. He repeated)y noddcd to htm in a hur<^
tùMxmet, as If to sajp that he tmderatood and woulé"

620 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

obey; and then got out of his sight by slij^ing astdeb^
tween the cabins.

When he thought himself far enough off, he began to
think about dismissing this cause of offence; and to per*
form the operation without being observed, he statkxied
himself in the narrow passage between two little hots»
which had their backs turned to each other. Stooptng
down to unloose the buckles, and in this position resting
his head against the Straw wall of one of the cabins, a
voice reached his ear from it . . . Oh heavens! is it pos-
sible? His whole soul was in that ear; he held his breath
. . . Yes, indeedl it is that voice! . . . *Fear of what?'
said that gentle voice : ' we bave passed through much worse
than a storni. He who has preserved us hitherto, will pre-
serve US even now.'

If Renzo uttered no cry, it was not for fear of being
discovered, but because he had no breath to utter ìt His
knees faìled beneath him» his sight became dim; but it was
only for the first moment ; at the second he was on his fcct,
more alert, more vigorous than ever; in three bounds he
was round the cabin, stood at the doorway, saw her who
had been speaking, saw her standing by a bedside, and
bending over it. She turned on hearing a noise; looked,
fancied she mistook the object, looked again more fixedly,
and exclaimed : * Oh, blessed Lord ! '

' Lucia I Fve f ound you 1 I*ve f ound you I It's really
you 1 You're living I ' exclaimed Renzo, advancing towards
her, ali in a tremble.

' Oh, blessed Lord ! ' replicd Lucìa, trembling far more
violently. *You? What is this? What way? Why?
The piagne ! '

' l've had it. And you ! . . .'

'Ah! and I too. And about my mother? . . .'

' I haven't seen her, for she's at Pasturo ; I believe, how-
ever, she's very welL But you . . . how pale you stili are!
how weak you scemi You*re recovered, however, aren't
you?*

* The Lord has been pleased to leave me a little longer
below. Ah Renzo ! why are you bere ? *

VWhy?' said Renzo, drawing ali the time nearer co her;

I FBOMISSI SPOSI

[do yoa ask why? WTiy I $1iould come hercl Need I say
khy? Who is tliere I oughi to liiitik about? Am I no
wigcr Rciuo? Are you no loiiKcr Lucia?*

* Alt, what ar« you sayìng I What are you saying ! Didn*t

tìty moiher wriic lo you ? , , /

*Ay: ihai indeed sbc dìdl Fine thmgs to write to an

«mt€, afflteted. fugiiive wretdi — to a young Ccllow

nrvcr offerì you a single afìfroQt, at least I '

But Retilo ! Ktnzù ! sìncc you kncw . . . why come ?

^Why come? Oh Lucia! Why come» da yoa say? After
pfomìscst Are we no longcr ourselvcs? Don't
(longer rcmember? What is wantiug?'
"Ijord!' cjcdaimed Lucìa» piieously, claspìnf ber
and ratiing her cyes to heaven, 'Why hast Thou
boi granted me the incrcy of taking me to Thysclfl , , ,
>h Renzo» whatcver ha ve you donc? Sec; I was beginnìng
lo hope that , - . in lime . . . you would havc forgottcn

^B * A fine hope. Indeed ! Fine things to tei] me to my face \ '
^■^ * Ah, what bave yoti dooe ? aisd in this place ! among ali
^■lib miaery ! among thcsc sights f here, mhere they do noth-
^luif but die, you have l , . /

'We must Pray God for thosc who dici and hope that
ibcy wììl go to a good place; hot it ìsn't surcly fair, cven
thi5 rcason, that they who live should live in de-
ìr • . /

' But Renzo ? Renzo ! you dotì't think what you'rc aaying.
promise to the Madonna t— a tow ! '
■And i teli you they are proniises that go for nothing/
[Oh Ijord! What do you «ly? whcre have you l>ceii
Us time? whom bave you mìjeed mthf how are you

Tm lalking Hke a good Christian; and I iJiink bctter

^f the Madonna ihan you do; for I bclievc shc doesnt wtih

tfromi»i!!k that ìnjurc onta fcllow-crcaturcs, If the

' 1 bad i-pokcn, thcn, indeed? But what has hap-

1 mere faiiirv of vour owii. Dcm*t vou kiiow wliat '

V the
Fm

822 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

willing to promise too : these are things that do modi :
honour to the Madonna; these are devotlons that
some use in them, and do no harm to any one.'

' No, no ; don't say so : you don't know what you are «f-
ing; you don't know what it is to make a vow; jocfit
ncvcr bccn in such circumstanccs; you haven't trìed. Let^e
me, leavc me, for Hcavcn's sakc I '

And shc impctuously rushed from him, and retumed
towards the bed.

' Lucia ! ' said he, without stirring, ' just teli me this ooe
thing: if there was not this reason • • • would you be tbe
same to me as over ? '

' Heartless man I ' replied Lucia, turning round, and with
difficulty restraining ber tears: 'when you've made me say
what*8 quite useless, what would do me harm, and what,
perhaps, would be sin fui, will you be content then? Go
away— oh, do go! think no more of me; we were not m-
tended for each othcr. We shall mcet again above; now
we cannot bave niuch longer to stay in this world Ah, go!
try to Ict my mother know that Tm recovered; that bere,
too, God has always helped me: and that Fve found a kind
creature, this good lady, who*s likc a mother to me; teli hcr
1 hope she will be prescrved from this diseasc, and that we
sh»ll sce cach (ìthcr aj^ain, when and how God plcases. Go
away, for Hcavcn's sakc, and think no more about me . . .
exccpt whcn you say your praycrs.'

And, like one who has nothing more to say, and wishcs
to bear nothing furthcr, — like one who would withdraw
hcrsclf from dangcr. she again retreated closer to the bed
whcre lay the lady she had mentìoned

M.ìsten, Lucia, listcn.* said Renzo, without, however,
attempting to go any ncarcr.

* No. no ; go away. for charity's sake ! *

* Li sten : Fathcr Cristoforo . . .'
'What?'

* He's bere.'

*IIere! Wbere? How do you know?'

*rve sptìken to him a little while ago: Fve becn with
him for a short time : and a religious man Ukc him, it seems
to me • . •*

I PROMESSI SPOSI

'Hc's h^e! to assist the poor sick^ I dare say. Bui fi«?
^bas he had the pbg^ue ? *

'Ah Lucia! Vm afraid. l'm sadly afraid , , . * And|
»hìlc Renzo was thus hesltating to pronotmce the wordarl
k'bìch werc so dislressbg lo hìmsdf, and he fe)t must hù\
■c^yaily so to Lucia* she had stgs^m left the bedside, and wa»
once more drawìng near htm: * Vm afraid he has it oow ! '

*Oh, the poor holy man! But why do I say» Poor man?
Poor mei How h he? h he in bcd? is he attendcd?'

*He'a up, going about, and atlendtng xtpon others; but
if yoti could sec his looks^ and how he tottcrs! One seet
m tnany, that it*s too easy » * , to be sare tliefe's no mi«-
Ukcl'

•Oh, and he's bere indccd*

'Ycs, and only a little way ofif; very little ftirther than
{rom yoiir house to mine , , , if you rememberl . , /

• Oh, most holy Virgin I *

'Well, very little furiher, You may think whether we
dklii^t talk about you. He said things to me , , , And
il yoii kncw what he showed me ! You shall hear; but now
I want to tei! you what he said to me first, he, with hfs
owa lìps. He told me I did tight to come and look fot you
and that the Lord approves of a yotith*s acting so, an*|
woold bdp m€ io find you; which has really becn the tnith:
biit siirely hc't a saìnL So, you see J *

'Bai li he said &>, tt was because he dìdn't kttow

^H * Whal would you bave htm know about things you Ve
^Mo«»e o«t of your own head* wttfiaut rulc, and without the
^pMirtce of any one? A good man, a man of jydgmcnt, as
"he iSp woiild nevcf tlilnk of tliiiig:? of ibis kind. Biat ob^i
what he showcd me: , , / And hcre he relatcd bis vislfcj
to ih© calrin; whtJe Lucia, however ber senses and bei

Klod mtm bave been accustofued, in that abode, to tiie'^
roDgmat impressioiiSp was complctely ovcrwIicliDed with
yrror and compa!(irion.

*And there. too/ ptirsued Renzo, *bc spoke like a saiiit;
he «aìd that perltaps ibe f^>rd has deJitgned to ahow fnercjfj
lo that poor fcllow • * • (now I really canno! glve htm \
otbtr name) • . * and watt» to take htm at tbe rìght mo-

0N ALESSANDRO MANZONI

ment, but wishes that we should pray for hsm togdheri
• • • Togethcrl did you bear?'

' Yes, yes; we wìll pray for bim, eacfa of qs wfaere die
Lord shall place us; He will know bow to unite our prtf*
ers.'

' But if I teli you bis very words! • • /

' But, Renzo» be doesn't know • • /

'But don't you see tbat when it is a saint who speab.
it is tbe Lord tbat makes bim speak? and that he wooklnì
bave spoken tbus, if it shouldn't really be so . . . And this
poor fellow's soul! I bave indeed prayed, and will stili
pray, for bim ; l've prayed f rom my beart, just as if it had
been for a brotber of mine. But how do you wish tbe poor
creature to be, in tbe otber world, if this matter be not
settled bere below, if tbe evils be bas done be not mi-
done? For, if you*ll return to reason, then al! will be as
at first; what bas been, bas been; be bas had bis punìdh
ment bere • . .'

* No, Renzo, no ; God would not bave us do evil that He
may show nicrcy; Icave Him to do this; and for us, our
duty is to pray to Him. HI had dted that night, coald
not God, then. bave forgi ven him? And if l've not dicd,
if Tve been delivcrcd . . .'

'And your mother, that poor Agnese, who bas alwan
wiiihed me well and who strove so to see us husband and
wife. ha5 she never told you that it was a pcrverted idea
of yours? She. who bas nude you Hsten to reason, too. at
ochcr tintesi for. on certain subjects. she thinks more wisebr
than vv^u . . .'

' My motlìcr ! vio you think my rcotber v ould advise me
to break a vow! But. Renzo I you re not in your propcr
5cn.<e5>.*

*Oh. will you ha ve me say so? You women caxmot ua-
derstard ihe<e thir.iTS^ Fathcr Cristoforo told me te go
Kick a::vl te!l him whether 1 had found you. Tm gotng:
wv'Il bear what he says: wharever he xhinks . . /

* Yes, yes: ,co to iha: hc!y n:a=: leil hin: that I pray for
him. a::d ask :\irj: :o do so for nie. for I need i: so mach,
so \ er> r./.:>:>. ! Fj: for Heaver/s sikc. for yccr own sooTs
sakc. and niiae« ne\er come back bere» to do me haxv^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

625

to . * . IM^ me, Father Crutoforo will know how io
explAin thìngs to yoii, ancl britig you to your propcr senses;
he will niakc you set your hcart at re^L*

* My hcart at resi \ Oh, you may drive thls idea oìit of
your head You ve aJready had those abomlnable words

(writtcn to tnc: and I Jctìo^v vvhat Fve suiTcred from thcoi;
and now you* ve the heart to say so to me. I teli you pbtnly
and flady thai Vìi oever set my heart at rest* Vau waiit
to forgtt me : hot I don*t want to forget yom And 1 assure

.you — do you bear? — that H you make me lose my scitses^

li shaU never ^et tbem agaìn* Away with my busmess»
away with good rules. WiU you condemti me to be a mn.d*
m^n ali my ititi and likc a madman I shall be , . , And
that poor fellowl The Lord ktiows whetlicr Fve not for-
given him from my heart; but you - , , WUl you make
me think. for the rest of my li fé, that ìf he had not? . . *
Lttcia^ you bave btd me forget you: forget you! How
€an I? \Vbom do you think I bave thought about for ali
tfiis time? p , , And after so many things! after so many
promisei! Wbai bave I done to you sincc we parted? Do

|you trcat me in this way becaute Tve suffered? becausc
Tve had misfortunes? bccause the world has persccuted roe?
bccau^e Fve spent so long a time from home, unhappy, Mtd
far from your" because the first moment I couid, I carne to

I look for you ? '

Whcn Lucìa conld sufSeiently command herself lo speak,

iStie eicclaimcd again, jointng her hands» and raismg ber
to beaven, bathcd in tears: *0 most holy Virgin, do

hcip me! Thou knowest that, since that night I bave

Inever passcd siich a moment as thts. Thou didst succonr

. toe thcn ; oh suecour me also now ! '

* Yes, Lucia, you do right to ìnvoke the Madonna ; but
vhy will you belicvc that she, wbo is so kind, the roother
jf mercy, can bave pleasurc iti making tìs suffer . * , me,

any rate . « * for a word that escapcd you at a moment

voti knew not what you were ssying? Will you

^ she hclped you thcn, to briog tis irf

afi . * . H. after ali, this is only an ex r

Lthc truth is, that I ha ve become halcful to you . • . tcU aie

feo . • , speak plaiul;/

G2e ALESSANDRO MANZONI

*For pit/s sakc, Renzo, for pit/s sake, for the ake
of your poor dead, bave done, bave done, don't kill me
quite! • . . Tbat would not be a gcxxl conclusion. Go to
Fatber Cristoforo, commend me to blm; and don't come
back bere, don't come back bere.'

* I go; but you may fancy wbether I sball return or not!
l'd come back if I was at tbe end of the world; tfaat I
would.' And be disappeared

Lucia went and sat down, or rather suffered herself to
sink upon the ground, by tbe side of tbe bed; and resdng
her head against it, continued to weep bitterly. The lady,
wbo until now bad been attentively watching and listen-
hig, but bad not spoken a word, asked what was the mean-
ing of tbis apparition, tbis meeting, these tears. But per-
haps the reader, in bis tum, may ask wbo tbis person was;
we will endeavour to satisfy bim in a few words,

Sbe was a wealtby tradeswoman, of about tbirty years of
age. In the course of a few days sbe bad witnessed the
death of ber busband, in bis own house, and every one of
ber children; and being herself attacked shortly afterwards
with the common malady, and conveycd to the Lazzaretto,
sbe had been accommodated in this little cabin, at the
time that Lucia, after having unconsciously surmoimtcd
the virulence of the disease, and, equally unconsciously,
changed her companions several times, was beginning to
recover and regain her senses, which sbe had lost sincc
the first commencement of ber attack in Don Ferrantc*s
house. The hut could only contain two patients; and an
intimacy and affection had very soon sprung up betwcen
these associates in sickness, bereavement, and depression,
alone as they were in the midst of so great a multitude,
such as could scarcely bave arisen from long intercourse
under other circumstances. Lucia was soon in a condition
to lend her services to her companion, wbo rapidly became
worsc. Now that sbe, too, had passed the crisis, they
served as companions, encouragement, and guards to each
other, had made a promise not to leave the Lazzaretto ex-
cept together, and had, besides, concerted other measures
to prevent their separation after having quitted it

The merchant-woman, wbo, having Icft her dwelling,

I PTIOMBSST SPOSI

warchouse. and coffrrs, aìl well furnìshed, under tfie care
of cme of her brothers, a commissioiier of health, was about
to beconie sole and motimful mlstress of much more than
she requircd to live comfortab!)% wished to kcep Lucia
her, Uke a datigfitcr or sister; and to this Luda had
cdcd^ with what grathude to ber benefactress and to
Ide^ce the reader may imajpne: bnt only utitil shCi
bear some tidings of ber mother, and learn, as she]
^opeJ, what was ber will Witb ber usua! reserve, bow-
^ver, sbe had never breatJicd a syllable about ber tntended
narriage, nor of ber othcr remarkablc advcntiires* But
in such agitatton of fecUngs, sbe bad at leaft as
oeed to give vent to them, as the otber a wisb to li sten
And, ' tbe right band of ber friend in

sbe il \y hegan to sattsfy ber ìnqtiiries,

^boiit furtber obstacies tban thcse wbìch ber sobs pre-
Io tbe melancboly recital.
Renzo, nieanwhile, trudged off in grcat baste, towards the
^uarters of the good frìar Wtlh a little care, aad noi
witbout some steps tbrown awt>% be at length suceeeded ini
reachtng tbcm. He fottnd the cahtn : ìts oeeupant» howeven
oot tbere; but, ratnblìng and pcepmg about In Its
ity\ be discovered bim in a tent. stooping towards th«
nd, or, in de ed, almost lying npon bis face, admiulster-
Hg conjwlaiion to a dyìng pefàoiL He drew back^ and
raited in silence. In a few momenti be saw bìtn clo&c
bc poor crcanire's eyes, raise himself tjpon hb knees, and|
ifter a short prayer, get np. He then wcnt forwifd^ and
ccd to mcet hìm.
*ObJ* saìd the friar, on fceing him approach: *Wcll?'
*She*s thcre: IVe fotìtidber !'
*Iii what state?*
'Recovercd, or at leait out of ber bed.'

* Tlic Lord be praiscd ! *
'Bot, . / said Renio, wben be eame «ear enottgh lo

be aWe lo speak in an ander^one^ 'there's anotber diU-
Jt>/

• \\liat do you mean ? '
r fitean tbat . . . Yoa know afready wbai a good
UU| youQf girl h; boi ibc^s fometiioes rallier fWiilivttl

628 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

in her opinions. After so many promises, after ali 3100
know of, now she actually tells me she can't marry me,
because she says, — how can I express ìt? — in that night
of terror, her brain became heated — ^that is to say, she made
a vow to the Madonna. Things without any foundation,
aren't they? Good enough for those who bave knowledge,
and grounds for doing them; but for us common people,
that don't well know what we ought to do • • • aren't they
things that won't hold good ? '
'Is she very far from bere?'

* Oh, no : a few yards beyond the churcV

'Wait bere for me a moment/ said the friar; 'and then

we*ll go together/
' Do you mean that you'll give her to miderstand . . .'
' I know nothing about it, my son ; I must first bear what

she has to say to me.'

* I miderstand/ said Renzo ; and he was lef t, with bis eycs
fixed on the ground, and bis arms crossed on his breast.
to ruminate in still-unallayed suspense. The friar again
went in search of Father Vittore, begged him once more
to supply his place, went into his cabin, carne forth with
a basket on his arm, and returning to his expectant cora-
panion, said : * Let us go.' He then went forward, leading
the way to that same cabin which, a little while beforc,
they had entered together. This time he left Renzo out-
side; he himself entered. and reappeared in a moment or
two, saying : * Nothing ! We must pray ; we must pray.
Now,' added he, * you must be my guide.*

And they set off without further words. The wcathcr
had been for some time gradually becoming worse, and now
plainly announced a not very distant storm. Frequent
flashes of lightning broke in upon the increasing obscurity,
and illuminated witli momcntary brilliancy the long, long
roofs and arches of the porticoes, the cupola of the tempie,
and the more humble roofs of the cabins ; while the claps of
thunder, bursting forth in sudden peals, rolled rumblìng
along from one quartcr of the heavens to the other. The
young man went forward intcnt upon his way, and his
heart full of uneasy cxpcctations. as he compellcd himself
to slacken his pace, to accommodate it to tlie strcngth of

I PROMESSI SPOSI

his foUower; who, wearicd by his labaurs, sufferitig under

e pfcs&ìire of the mslady, and oppresseci by the suJtry

;tt walkcd on with diffictiltyp occasionally raistng ìm

le face to lieavcn, as If to seek for freer respiration,

When they carne in sight of the little cabìn, Remo

Biùpped, tumed round, and said with a trembling voice:

' Therc she is,'

Thcy cntcr . . . *Sec; theyVe there!' exclaìined the lady
fTom ber bed* Lucìa ttimed, ^praog up preci pìtately, and
sdiranced to mect the aged man, cryitig: *0h, whom do I
scc? Oli, Fathcf Cristoforo!*

•WcO, Lucia I from how cnany troubles has the Lord
dchvercd you! Ynu must indced rcjoice that you bave
always trusteé in Htm.*

•Oh yes, indeedl But you, Fatber? Poor me, how you
are alter ed I How are you? teli me, how are jroti? '

*As God wìlls, and as, by His grace, I wìll alio/ replied
the friar, with a placiti look* Aod drawing ber on one
I side, he added ; * Listen : I can only stay bere a few mo-
I ments. Are you inclined to cotifìde io m^ m you have
^^one hitherto?'

^B 'Obi are you not always my Fathet?'
^^ 'Thcii» my daughter» wbat is thjs vow that Remo bas
bcen telling me about ? *

• Il's a vow that I madc to the Madonna not to naarry/
' Bat dtd you recollect at the timc, that you were àlready

tkottod by another promise?'

*Wlien it related to the Lord and tlie Madonna 1 . • «
No; I didn't think about it'

• My daughter, the Lord approvcs of sacrifices and offer-
infpi when we make them of our own, It is the heart
tliit He dcsires,^tlie will ; but you could noi ofìfcr him
the will of another, to whom you bad already pledged
youneli-'

' Have I done wroojj?*

*No, roy poor child, don't think so: I bcHcvc, rather,,

I the holy Virgin will bave acceplcd tJic intentton of

lur af!ìicecd heart, and havc prescntcd it to God for you.

ut teli me: bave joti aever eonsulted with any on^ ra tUj j

aubjcct?'

630 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

*I didn't think it was a sin I ought to confess; and what
little good one does, one has no need to teli.'

^Have you no other motive that hinders you from fol*
fiUing the promise you bave made to Renzo? '

'As to this . . . for me . • . what motive? • • • I canoot
say • • • nothing else/ replied Lucia, with a hesitatioo so
expressed that it annoimced anytfaing but uncertainty of
thought; and ber cheeks, stili pale from illness, suddenlj
glowed with the deepest crimson.

'Do you believe,' resumed the old man, lowering hii
eyes, ' that God has given to His Church authority to rcmit
and retain, according as it proves best, the debts and ob-
ligations that men may bave contracted to Him?'

' Yes, indeed I do/

* Know, then, that we who are charged with the care of
the souls in this place, bave, for ali those who apply to tts,
the most ampie powers of the Church; and consequently,
that I can, wben you request it, free you from the obliga-
tion, whatever it may be, that you may bave contracted
by this your vow.'

' But is it net a sin to tum back, and to repent of a
promise made to the Madonna? I made it at the time
with my whole heart . . .' said Lucia, violently agitated
by the assault of so unexpected a hope, for so I must cali
it, and by the uprising, on the other band, of a terror,
fortifìed by ali the thoughts which had so long been the
principal occupation of her mind.

'A sin, my daughter?' said the Father, *a sin to havc
recourse to the Church, and to ask her minister to make
use of the authority which he has received from her, and
she has received from God? I bave seen how you two
bave bcen led to unite yourselves; and, assuredly, if ever
it would seem that two were joined together by God, you
were — you are those two; nor do I now see that God may
wish you to be put asunder. And I bless Him that He
has given me, unworthy as I am, the power of speaking
in His name, and returning to you your plighted word.
And if you request me to declare you absolvcd from this
vow, I shall not besitate to do it; nay, I wish you may
raauest me.'

T PROMBSSl SPOSI

esi

*TIieii! . * , then! * , * I do request yoti* said Luciti

with a eountCTiance no longcr aigitalcd, except by raodcsty.

The friar beckoned to the youth, who was standing in

I tTic fnrthest corner, tiitcntly watching (sìnce be could do

Kt €Ìse) the dtabg^ue in which he was so mudi In-

Ht . ànd, on bis drawing ncar^ pronounced. in an

^KTcplicIt voice, to Lucia, * By tJie authoriìy I havc received

^^rom the Giurdi, I dedare you absolved from ihe vow of

viT^ìnìt)% annulling what may ba%c beea unadviscd in it,

and frccing you from e\'ery obìigatìon you may tbereby

flave eootf aeted/

Lei ihe reader imagìne fiow these words sounded in

aio's ears, Hìs cycs eagerly tbanked him wlio bsd

ttered dieaip and instanti/ sougbt those of Ltida; but in

' Retani in secarin* and peace to your fonucr desircs/

xrsued the Capydim, addressing Lucia ; * beseccb the Lord

Uaio for tfiosc graces you once besoygbt to tnake you a

"holy wife; and rely upon li, ibat He will bestow thtm

npoD yoa iDOfc abutidantly, after so many sorrows. And

yoti/ said he, turntng to Ren^o, 'remembcr, my son, that

^^ the Cburch restores to you this companion, she does

^mt Dot to procure for you a tempora! and earthly pleasur^

^HUdi, even couid it be complete, and free from ali in*

^^Hmxture of sorrow, must end in one great a^ctiou at

^tne moment of Icaving you : but she does it to Icad you botb

forward in tb;it way of pleasantncss whkh shall ha%^e no

cfwL Love eacb other as companìons in a journey» wìth

he thooght tbat you will bave to part from one another,

wiih the hope of beìng reunited for ever„ ThAuk

Icaven tbat you Itave heen !ed to this state, not thro^gh

, mJdM of turbulent and transilory joys, but by Buffcriogs

" aUciy, to iV m to tranquil and colJected Joy,

frante yn: - -n, malte it your object to bring

cm up for HinK to iniptre tliem with love to Him^ and

atl i»en; and then you wttl train them righily In cvery-

[}g else. Lucìa! hai be told you/ and he potuted to

, ' V ' ' has secn bere?'

Vi r, be bas ì *

"yoo Wall pr ay for bim ! Don't be weary of dotRg io.

634

ALESSANDRO MANZONI

friend» but saM that he would rather go as soon as poniUe
in search of Agnese.

When they regained the road, die friar pressed his hani
and said, 'If (as may God granii) you find that gooi
Agnese, salute her in my name; and beg her, and ali tfaose
who are left, and remember Friar Cristoforo, to pnj ^
him. God go with you, and bless you f or ever I '

'Oh, dear Fatherl • • • We shall meet again?— we shaD
meet again?'

'Above, I hope.' And with these words he parted froB
Renzo, who, staying to watch him tili he beheld him di»-
appear, set off hastily tpwards the gate casting his farewcfl
looks of compassion on each side over the melanchdj
scene. There was an tmusual bustle, carts roUing abooK,
tnonatti running to and fro, people securing the ccutaiof
of the tents, and numbers of feeble creatures groping aboot
among these, and in the porticoes, to abeltcr tbemadres
f rom the impending storto.

CHAPTER XXXVn

"^CARCELY had Renzo crossed the thresboM o£ tfie
^^ 1^2£^rfito, &ftd taken tbe way to tlie r>ght^ to fimi
^w the narrow road by whìcb. In the moming^ he h%d
come out under the walls, when a few largc and scattercd
drop(S tiegan to faU, which Ughtiiig upon, and reboutiding
ivom^ the white and parched road, stìired up a claud of
very fine duat; these soon tmiltipìied iute ram; and bcfore
he reiclicd the by* path, it poured down in torrcnts. Far
from feelitig any discjuietude, Remo iuxtiriated in it, and
cojoyed himaeH in that refreshlng coolnes^ tbat munntir,
tbat getieral mottou of the gtass and leaves, shaking, drip-
pmg, rc%^vcd, and gtistenìng, as they werc; he drew m
aeveral deep and long breaths; and in that relcnting of
sattiTc, Iclt more freely and more vividly, as it werc, tliat
whìch had been wrought in bis o^vn destiny.

Bni. how far fuIJer and more nnalloyed would bave been
ihh feeling, could he ha^e divìned what EctuaJly was hebctd
« few days afterwàrds, tliat that rain carrìed off,— washed
mway, so to say, — the contagion; tJiat, Irom that day for-
the Lazzaretto, if it was tiot about to rcstore to tbe
ali the lìving whom it contained, wonld engiilf« at
no otbers; tbat, witbin one w^ek, doors and shops
9cdd be scen re-opened: quarantine would Bearcely be
tpoken of aity longer; and of the peslilence only a solitari
okexi or two rema in bere and thcre ; tbat trace which cvcry
tilcnre had ìeft behind it for some ttme*
Our traveller» theo, proceeded witb great alacrity, witbout
having formed any plans as lo wherc, how, wbcn, or wbether
at ali, be sbould stop for tbe night, and anxious only to gei
farwar4 to reach bis owtt vìllage qivirkly, to find somebody
lo talk to, soraebody io wbom he n 'e bis adventtire*^

£f)d« above ali, to set off again ii ly on bis way to

rafitnro, in search of Agnese, His mind wa» quite confused
tlic events of tbe day ; bui from bencath ali the mjser>%
ile horrors, and the danger» he rccaìled« onc Uitlc Ibought

63S

638 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

bis history with great minuteness, rather tediotisly tìm
otherwise (and everything leads us to believe that oor
anonymous author had heard it f rom him more than ooce),
he himself declared, at this place» that he remembered oo
more of that night than if he had spent it in bed, dreandm.
Certain it is, however, that towards ita dose, he fotiod Um-
self on the banks of the Adda.

It had never ceased raining a moment; but at a certain
stage it had changed f rom a perfect deluge to more moderate
rain, and then into a fine, silent, uniform drizzle: the lofty
and rarefied clouds formed a continuai, but light and tran»-
parent, veil; and the twilight dawn allowed Renzo to dis-
ting^ish the surrounding country. Within this tract was
bis own*village; and what he fdt at the thought it is im-
possible to describe. I can only say that those mountains,
that neighbouring Resegone, the whole territory of Lecco^
had become, as it were, bis own property. He glanced, too,
at himself, and discovered that he looked, to say the trutfa,
somewhat of a contrast to what he felt, to what he even
f ancied he ought to look : his clothes shrunk up and clinging
to his body: from the crown of his head to his girdle one
dripping, saturated mass: from his girdle to the soles of bis
feet, mud and splashes: the places which were free from
these might themselves bave been called spots and splashes.
And could he bave seen his whole figure in a looking-glass,
with the brim of his hat unstiffened and banging do\^ii,
and bis bair straigbt and sticking to his face, he wouid
bave considered himself a stili greater beauty. As to being
tired, he may bave been so; but, if he were, he knew noth-
ing about it; and the fresbness of the morning, added to
that of the night and of his trifling batb, only inspired him
with more energy, and a wish to get forward on his way
more rapidly.

He is at Pescate; he pursues his course along the re-
maining part of the road that runs by the side of the Adda,
giving a melancholy glance, however, at Pescarenico; he
crosses the bridge; and, tbrough fìelds and lanes, shortly
arrives at bis friend's bospitable dwelling. He, who, only
just risen, was standing in the doorway to watdi the weathcr,
raised bis eyes in amazement at that strange fi|;ure^ so

I PEOMESei SPOSI

638

dreoched, bespattercd, and, wc may say, dirty, yet at the
[sanie tìiiie« so Isvcly and at case: in bis whole li fé he had

acvcT scen a man worse cquìpped, and more thoroughly
tcotitented.

'Aliar said he: 'bere already? and in such weath^rl
[How tiave things gfone?'

* Sbc's there/ said Renzo : ' she's thercj she's there.*
♦WeU?*

' Recovered, which is bcttcr* I have to tbank the Lord
and tlie Madonna for it as long as I Uve. Bnt oht sudi
grand ihing», such wonderfu] things l IH teli you ali aftef'
wards*'

* Byt what a pltght you are in ! *
*Ym a beauty, am I notF*
*To say the truth, you mìght cmploy the ovcrplus abo%"e

to wash off the overplus below* But watt a minute* and
ni make you a good fi re,*
•I won't re fuse tt, I assure you. Where do you tliink tt
Icaaght me? jwst at the gate of the Lazzaretto, But ncver
linind ! lei the weather do its own business, and I mine/

His tricnd ihcti wcnt out^ and soon reSumed with two

[boodlcs of faggots: ooc he laid olì the ground, the ather

ron tlie heartls, and with a few embers rematulng over froaa

the evening, quìckly kindkd a Éne blaze^ Renio, mesiK

, while, had taken off his hat, and giving it two or tbnee

}&ake3« he ihrew it ypon the ground ; and, not qniic so easily,

'had abo pulled off bis doublet^ He ihen drew frooi hìs

brc<?ches* pocket bis pontard^ the stlicath of whìch was so

wet Ibat it sccmcd to have been laid in soak; this he pui

upon the t;ible, saying» * This^ too» Is in a pretty pUght;

tot tlicre's raìn! tliefe's raiol tliank God , _ . Tv* fiad

lome hair-breadth cscapes; ♦ . . TU teli yoa hy and by/

And he began rub!)ing bis hands. * Now do me anotJicr

^ktndnesV added he: * that little bundle that I left upstatrs*

Just fetch it for me» for bcforc these clothes that I have oq

dry../

Retnmìtìff witb the bundle, bis friend said, * I sbouid
: have a pretty good appetite: I fancy yoa

r tiough to drink by the way ; but sonicthtng
cat . • /

642 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

down directly, and go and sit on the other. Thns it ym
arranged; and I am sure that if the reader, infonned uhi
is of preceding events, could have placed himself thereM
a third party, to witness with his own eyes that •«<— **i
conversation, to bear with his own ears those de8cr^)tiooib
questions, explanations, ejaculations, condolences, aad coh
gratulations ; about Don Rodrigo, and Father Cristoforo, ad
everytbing else, and those descriptions of the future, as
clear and certain as those of the past; — I am sure, I sij,
he would have enjoyed it exceedingly, and would have been
the last to come away. But to have this conversation Qpoo
paper, in mute words written with ink, and without meetìnf
with a single new incident, I fancy he would not care mudi
for it, and would rather that we should leave him to eoo-
jecture it. Their conclusion was that they would go to
keep house ali together, in the territory of Bergamo, where
Renzo had already gained a good footing. As to the time,
they could decide nothing, because it depended upon the
plague and other circumstances ; but no sooner should the
danger be over, than Agnese would return home to wait thcre
for Lucia, or Lucia would wait there for her; and in the
mean time Renzo would often take another trip to Pasturo,
to see his mother, and to keep her acquainted with whatever
might happen.

Ecfore taking his leave, he offered money to her also,
saying, * I have them ali bere, you see, those scudi yen
sent : I, too, made a vow not to touch them, until the mystery
was cleared up. Now, however, if you want any of them,
bring me a little bowl of vinegar and water, and VÌI throw
in the fifty scudi, good and glittering as you sent them.'

'No, no/ said Agnese; * Fve more than I need stili by
me; keep yours untouched, and they*ll do nicely to set up
house with.*

Renzo took his departure, with the additional consolation
of having found one so dear to him safe and well. He rc-
mained the rest of that day, and for the night, at his f ricnd's
house, and on the morrow was again on his way, but in
another direction, towards his adopted coimtry,

Here he found Bortolo, stili in good health, and in Icss
apprehension of losing it; for in those few days, things

1 PROMESSI SPOSI MS

th#rc also raptdiy taken a favotirabte Uirn. New casds
had ht?eome rare, and the malady was no Itiogef
r^à hctn; there wcre no longcr ihose fatai blotches.
fior viokiit syitiptotns; but slight fevers, for the most pan
intcrmfttent, witb, at the worst* a discoloured spot, which
v?4B cwred like an ordinary itwBOun The face of the country
secmed alrcady ehanged ; the sunrivors began to come forth
to rccJcon up their numbers, and mutuai Jy to exchange con-
doienocs and congratulations. Thcre was al ready a talk of
tesemnmg business again; such mastcrs as survived already
beg^an to look out for and bespeak workmen, and prtncipally
in tho$e branches of art where the number had been scarce
evcn befofe the contagion, as was that of stlk-wcaving.
Renzo, wilhout any display of levity, premi sed bis cousin
(with the pfovìso, howevcr^ ihat he obtàined ali due con-
»t) to rcsuftie bis employment, wben bc could come in
apany to settte himself in the country. In the mean wbìle
6e gave orders for the most nccessary preparatìons : be prò-
ridai a more spacious dwclling, a task b ecome only too
ttftsy to execnte at a small cost, and furnished it with ali
ssary articles, tjitf iime breaking ìnto hts little treasiirc,
wìthont making any very greal hole in it, for of every-
iing ibcre was a stiperabundanee at a very moderate price
In the coiirsc of a few days he retumed to bis tiative
ìlage, whicb be found stili more signaJly changed for the
ttcr. He wcnt over imniedìateìy to Pasturo: there he
Alinese bi good spirits again, and ready to return
is soon as might bc, so tbat be accompanied ber
ihitber at once: nor will we attetnpt to describe wbat were
thcir feclings and words on agaìn beholdlng those sccnes
COfetfaer. Agnese fouiid everything as she had left it; so
tlnt she was forced to declare. tbat, consi dering it was a
poOT widow and ber daughtcr, tbe angela had kept guard
oirer it,

* And tliat otber lime.' added she, * when it inìgbt baire
beeti tfio^ght tbat the Lord was Inoking chewhcre, and
thougbt noi of tis, since he suffered ali our little property
C0 be carrit:*! away, yet, after alU He j^howed us the eoo*
trary; for He sent me from aiiotlirr qtiaiter tHat fratid
itore of CDoiiey wbicb eoabled me to restoiv eftrytiuni^

646 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

joined, they kept it togcthcr in the house of the latter» Alt
part of the time was spent in preparing Lucia's wardrobe;
at which, after sundry ceremonious objections, she was
obliged to work herself; and that the quarantine haTioi
expired, the widow left her warehouse and dwelling under
the custody of her brother, the commissioner, and preparcd
to set off on her journey with Lucia. We could, too, speedily
add, — they set off, arrived, and ali the rest; but, with ili
our willingness to accommodate ourselves to this baste of
the reader's, there are three things appertaining to this
period of time, which we are not willing to pass over in
silence ; and with two, at least, we believe the reader himsdf
will say that we should bave been to blame in so doing.

The first is, that when Lucia retumed to relate her ad-
ventures to the good widow more in particular, and with
greater order than she could do in her agitation of mind wheo
she first confìded them to her, and when she more expressly
mentioned the Signora who had given her shelter in the
monastery at Monza, she learnt from her friend things which,
by giving her the key of many mysteries, filled ber mind
with melancholy and fearful astonishment. She learnt from
the widow that the unhappy lady, having fallen under sus-
picion of most atrocious conduct, had been conveyed, by
order of the Cardinal, to a monastery at Milan; that there,
after long indulgente in rage and struggles, she had re-
pented, and confessed her fauits, and that ber present lifc
was one of such voluntary infìictions, that no one, except
by depriving her of that li fé entirely, could bave invented
a severer punishment for her. Should any one wish to bc
more particularly acquainted with this melancholy bistory,
he will fìnd it in the work and at the place which we bave
elsewhere quoted in relation to this same person.*

The othcr fact is, that Lucia, after making inquiries about
Father Cristoforo of ali the Capuchins she could meet with
in the Lazzaretto, heard there, with more sorrow than
surprise, that he had died of tlie pestilence.

Lastly, before leaving Milan, she wished also to ascer-
tain something about her former patrons, and to perform,
as she said, an act of duty, if any yet remained The widow
»Rip«noati. HiaC. Pat. Dtc. V. lib. vi. cap. ili.

I PBOMESSI SPOSI

ta the hoysc. wh^re they leamed that both
had beco carricd off wlth the multitude*
leu we haire suid of Donna Prassedc that shc was dead,
ve bave said ali ; but Don Ferrante, considcring that he was
maa of crtidìtìon, is deemed by our ajionymous author
vortliy of more cxtcnded mcnlion; and we* at our oym
fisk, will trariscribe, as nearly as possible, what he ha» left
^ record aboul hlm.

le says, thcn, that, on the very first whisper of pesttlencc.

Ferrante was one of the most rcsoltite» and ever after-

wards onc of the most persevcrìng. in denyitig it, not ìtideed

fiih loxìd clmrnours, like the people, biìt wtth arguiTJcnts, of

diich, ;tt leaat, no one coald complain that ihcy wanted

catcnation.

yn ri'rMm natura* he used to say, * there are but two

ies of thtngs, iubstances and accidenti; and if I prove

tìit the contagion cannot he either one or tìie olher, I shall

^bavé proved that it doe» not exist — that It is a mere chimera,

leie I am, thcn, Stibstances are either spiritual or material

Set the contagion is a spiri tnal subitanee, is an absurdlty

onc ivouid venture to maintain ; it is needless, therefor^

[to speak of IL Material ttibstances are either stmple or tom-

[fiotittd. Now, the contagion is not a simple suhstance; uid

[ihis may be ihown in a fewr words. Ti is not an ctherca! sub-

flcc; becaxisi% if it werc^ instead of passing from one

IQ another, it would fly ofl as quickly as possibìc

Eiwn «phcre. It is not aqueous : bccanse it wonld wei

igs, and bc dried up by the wind It is noi tg^eotis; be-

[cause it would bum. Il is not earthy; because it wrmld be

Ktsible. Neiiher is it a coinpomid snbstancc: because it

[must by ali tnt^ans be sensiblc to the sight and the touch; and

irlio ha» secn Uiis contagion? who has touched it? Il re-

main^ to be seen It can be aa acctdent. Worse and

worse* Tbcsc g ■, the doctors, wiy that it is coro*

mtinlcated froni one body to anofhcr; for ibis ii thcir

thifi tiie [iretcxl for tssuing so many n«€les^ orders.

iing it an accidetU. it cotnes lo thi!;, that it roast

insjtive accidente two wordi t^uitc at variaoce wllh

Dther; therc bcing no plainer and ftiore tstablished

ùi tbe wbole of philosopby Uiau thìs» Usai an accklcni

618 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

cannot pass from one subject to another. For if, to MiM
this S^lla, we shelter ourselves under the asseitioa that
it Ì8 an accident produced, we fiy from Scyllm and nin iqMO
Charybdis: because, if it be produced, then it is not ccmi-
municated, it is not propagated, as people go abont uBuraìng,
These principles being laid down, what use is it to ooom
talking to us so about weals, pustules, and carbundes? • • /

' Ali absurdities/ once escaped from somebody or other.

' No, no,' resumcd Don Ferrante, ' I don't «ay so : sdence
is science; only we must know how to employ it. Weals,
pustules, carbuncles, parotides, violaceous tumours, biade
swellings, are ali respectable words, which bave thdr trae
and legitimate signification : but I say that they don't affcct
the question at ali. Who denies that there may be sncb
things, nay, that there actually are sudi? Ali depends upoo
seeing where they come from.'

Here began the woes even of Don Ferrante. So long as
he confined himself to dedaiming against the opinion of a
pestilence, he found everywhere willing, obliging, and rc-
spectful listeners; for it cannot be expressed how much au-
thority the opinion of a leamed man by profession carries
with it, while he is attempting to prove to others things of
which they are already convinced. But when he came to
distinguish, and to try and demonstrate that the error of
these physicians did not consist in affirming that there was
a terrible and prevalent malady, but in assigning its rulcs
and causes; then (I am speaking of the earliest times, when
no one would listen to a word about pestilence), then, in-
stead of listeners, he found rebellious and intractable oppo-
nents; then there was no room for speechifying, and he
could no longer put forth bis doctrines but by scraps and
piecemcal.

' There^s the true reason only too plainly, after ali/ said
he; *and even they are compelled to acknowledge it, who
maintain that other empty proposition besides . . • Let thera
deny, if they can, that fatai conjunction of Saturn with
Jupiter. And when was it ever heard say that influences may
be propagatcd . . . And would these gentlemen deny the
existence of influences? Will they deny that there are sUrs,
or teli me that they are placed up there for no purpotc^

I PROMESSI SPOSI

649

like so many pin-heads stuck into a pin-cushion? . . . But
what I cannot understand at>out these doctors is this; to
confess that we are under so malignant a conjunctlon, and
then to come and teli us, with eager face, ' Don't touch this,
and don't touch that, and you'Il be safe ! ' As if this avoid-
ing of material contact with terrestrial bodies could hinder
the virtual effect of celestial ones ! And such anxiety about
buming old clothes I Poor people ! will you bum Jupiter, will
you bum Satum?'

His fretus, that is to say, on these grounds, he used no
precautions against the pestilence; took it, went to bed, and
went to die, like one of Metastasio's heroes, quarrelling
with the stars.

And that famous library of his? Perhaps it is stili there,
distributed arotmd his walls.

CHAPTER XXXVin

ON^E fine evening, Agnese heard a carrìage stop at die
door. — li is she, and none other! — It was indeed
Lucia, with the good widow: the mutuai greetings
we leave the reader to imagine.

Next morning Renzo arrived in good time, totally igno-
rant of what had happened, and with no other intentions
than of pouring out his feelings a little with Agnese about
Lucia's long delay. The gesticulations he made, and the
exclamations he uttered, on finding her thus before his eyes,
we will also refer to our reader's imagination. Lucia's ex-
hibitions of pleasure towards him were such, that it will
not take many words to give an account of them. 'Good
morning, Renzo : how do you do ? ' said she, with downcast
eyes, and an air of composure. Nor let the reader think
that Renzo considered this mode of reception too cold, and
took it at ali amiss. He entered fully into the meaning of
her behaviour; and as among educated people one knows
how to make allowance for compliments, so he understood
very well what feelings lay hidden beneath these words,
Besides, it was easy enough to perceive that she had two
ways of proff ering them, one for Renzo, and another for ali
those she might happen to know.

'It does me good to see you,' replied the youth, making
use of a set phrase, which he himself, however, had in-
vented on the spur of the moment.

*Our poor Father Cristoforo! . . / said Lucia: *pray for
his soul ; though one may be almost sure that he is now pray-
ing for US above/

'I expccted no less, indeed,' said Renzo. Nor was this
the only melancholy chord touched in the course of this
dialogue. But what then? WTiatever subject was the topìc
of conversation, it always seemed to them delightful. Like
a capricious borse, which halts and plants itself in a certain
spot, and lifts first one hoof and then another, and sets it
down again in the self-same place, and cuts a hundred capers

650

I PROMESSI SPOST

rfore tildng a singk step, and tfaen ali on a sudden starts
its career, and speeds forward as tf bornc on llic wing<i
)f the wind; such had timc bccome in his eyes: at first inin-J
^utcs had se^med honrs; now homs sc«ijcd to him lìkej
ntnutcs.

The widow not only did not spoil the party, but cntered

Ilo it with great spirit; nor could Renzo, when he saw

ber ìymg on that niìserable bcd in the Lazzaretto, bave

nagincd ber of so companionable and cbeerful a disposi-

But the Lazzaretto and the country, death and a wcd*.

are not exactly onc and the samc tbing. With Agnesf

•he was very soon on friendly ter ras; and it was a pleasure
io sec ber with Lucia, so tender, and, at the samc time,
{May fui. rallying ber gracefully and withont effort* jnst so

Iiuch a* was necessary to give more courage to ber worda
nd motions.
At length Renzo said that he was going to Don Abbondio^;,
> make arrangements about the wedding.
He wcnt, and with a certain air of respectful raillcryJ
Signor Curate/ iaid he, * bave you at last lost that bcad*^
acbe, whìcb you told me prevcoted your tnarrying us? Wc
now in time; the bride is bere* and Tve come to know
ben il will be convenient to you: but tlsis lime, 1 most
yoo to makc bji^tc/

Abbondio dtd noi, bideed, reply ihat he would oot;

al he began to b esitate, to bring forward suo dry excuses^ .

lo thrnw out stindry instnuations: and wby bring himsclf

' nio notice and poblish his name, wjth that proclamaiion for

is scizure stili out against him? and that the thing could

done equally wdl elsewhere ; and thts, tliat, and the othcr

gnnieni.

• Oh, I sccl • said Renzo: 'you've stili a little pam In yoar
Btjt li*ìten, li^ten.* And he began to describe in what ^

he had bebeld pnor Don Rodrigo ; and that by tJtat '

tlBtc he must nndonbtedly he gooc. * Let us bope,* con*
^^tided be, ' ibat the Lord will bave had roercy on btm/
^H ^This has nothing to do with us/ said Don Abbondio,
^■tKd I say no? Certain ly I did not; but I s^icak ... I speak
^Bcn* good reasons. Besides^ don't you see« as long is a niati^
^^Bis breaih tn liia body . . . Only look ai me: Vm sotnewhat

652 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

sickly; I too have been nearer the other world tbao tios:
and yet l'm bere ; and . . . if troubles don't come upoo me
. . . wby ... I may bope to stay bere a little longer yet
Tbink, too, of some people's constitutions. But, as I say, tlù
bas notbing to do with us.'

After a little furtber conversation neither more nor kss
conclusive, Renzo made an elegant bow, retumed to bis
party, made bis report of the interview, and conduded bj
saying : ' l've come away, because Fve had quite enoug^ of
it, and that I migbtn't run the risk of losing my patience,
and using bad words. Sometimes he seemed exactly lìke
what he was that other time; the very same hesitation, and
the very same arguments: Vm sure, if it bad lasted a Nttk
longer, be'd have retumed to the charge with some words
in Latin. I see there must be another delay: it wonld be
better to do what he says at once, and go and get married
wbere we're about to live.'

TU teli you what wc*ll do,' said the widow: *I shotiki
like you to Ict us womcn go make the trial, and see whethcr
wc can*t find rather a better way to manage bim. By this
means, too, I shall have the pleasure of knowing this man,
whether he's just such as you describe bim. After dinner
I should like to go, not to assail bim again too quickly. And
now. Signor bridcgroom. pleasc to accompany us two in a
little walk. while Agnese is so busily cmployed: I will act the
part of Lucia's niothcr. I want ver>' much to see thcse
mountaìns. and this lake of which Tve heard co much, rather
more at largo, for the little Tvc already seen of them seems
to me a charniìnj^ly fine vicw/

Ronzo escortod thoni first to the cottage of bis hospitabls
friend, whoro thoy mot with a hcarty welcome: and ihey
mado bim promise that. not that day only. but, if he could,
evory day, ho would join theìr party at dinner.

Having roturnod from thoir ramble. and dined. Renzo
suddonly took his doparture, without saying wbere he was
going. Tho womcn waitod a little whilo to confer togctbor.
and concort about tho modo of rtssailing Don Abbondio ; and
at Icngth thoy set otT to makc tho attack.

— Here thoy aro. I doclaro, — said he to bimself; bat he
put on a ploasant face, and oiTorod warm congratulations

I PROMESSI SPOSI

Luda» gfrcettngs to Agnese, and compKoients lo the

ig«r* He mB,ét them sit down; then he entcred upon iJie

id subject of the plaghe, and wanted to hear from Lucia

low ahe had mafiaged to get over it in the oiidst of ao tnany

ws: the Lazzaretto afforded an opportunity of bringing

hcr compaoioo into conversation : then, as was Imt fair.

Don Abbondio talked about bis share in the stonn ; then fol-

lowcd greai rcjoicings wiih Agnese, that she had come forth

iinhanned. The conversation was carried to &ome Icngth:

from the very first moment the two dders werc on the

Intch for a favotirable opportunity of mentionìng the essen-
Bai [ioitìt ; and at length one of the two, I am not su re which,
luccceded in breaking the ice, Bnt what ihìnk yon? Don
ìibbofidlo couJd not bear with that ear. He took care not
to say no, but behold 1 he again recurred to bis usuai eva-
I gions, cìrcunilocutions, and hoppings from bush to bush.
Hf It would be necessary/ he said, - to get rid of that ordcr
^Hor Renro's arrest. You, Signora, who come from MUan»
^Krill know more or less the course Uiese matterà take; you
^WDuld clalm protcction— some cavalier of weightj for with
sach means every wonnd may bc cured If theiLwe may
jtistip to the conciusìon, without perplexing onrselves with so
matiy consìderations; as tJiese young peaple, and onr good
Agnese bere» akeady intend to expatriate themselves, (but
I*iii talkiog at random ; for one's country ia wherever one ìs
wcll ofiF/) it secms to me that ali may be accomplished there,
^^bere no prodamation interposes, I don*t mysclf cxactly
^Het Ibat this h Ihe moment for the concTusion of thts march,
^Kit I wish it well concluded, and tindisturbedJy, To teli
j^Pie tnith : liet^t with this edict In force, to proclatm the name
" ©f Lofena:o Tramaglino from the aitar, T couìdn't do it with
a quict conscicncc: I too sincerely wish them well; I shonld
be afraid 1 wcre doing them an in jury, You see, ma^amt
d th€>* too/

Herc Agnese and the widow^ eacb in their own way,

kc in to combat these argumcjits: Don Abbondio repro-

them in another &hapc: it was a perpetuai reconi-

'mencement: when lo, enter Rtnzo with a determined stcp^

ind tidings in bis face,

'The Signor Marquis has arrìved»' sajd be

654 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

'What does this mean? Arrìved where?' aaked Da
Abbondio.

* He has arrived at his palace, which was once Don Rodi
rigo's; because this Signor Marquis is the heir by prtfct*
ment in trust, as they say; so that there's no longer iiif
doubt. As for myself, I should bc very glad of it, i£ I codd
bear that that poor man had died in peace. At any rate, Tvt
said Pateraosters for him hitherto ; now I wrill say the Di
profundis. And this Signor Marquis is a very fine man.'

' Certainly/ said Don Abbondio, ' IVe heard him rocn-
tioned more than once as a really excellent Signor, a man of
the old stamp. But is it positi vely trae? . • .*

*WiIl you believe the sexton?'

'Why?'

' Because he's seen him with his own cycs. l've only bcea
in the neighbourhood of the castle ; and, to say the truth, I
went there on purposc, thinking they must know something
there. And scveral people told me about it Aftcrwards, I
mot Ambrogio, who had just been up there, and had s«n
him, I say, take posscssion. Will you bear Ambrogio's tcs-
timony ? I made him wait outsidc on purposc.'

* Yes, let him come in,' said Don Abbondio. Renzo went
and called the sexton, who, after confirming cvery fact«
adding fresh particulars, and dissipating e very doubt, again
went on his way.

* Ah I he's dead, then I he's really gone ! ' exclaimed Don
Abbondio. 'You see, my children, how Providence over-
takcs some people. You know what a grand thing that is!
what a great relicf to this poor country ! for it was irapos-
sible to live with him bere. This pestilcnce has been a grcat
scourge, but it has also been a good hroom; it has swcpt
away some, from whom, my children, we could never have
freed ourselves. Young, blooming, and in full vigour, wc
might have said that they who were dcstincd to assist at thcir
funeral, were stili writing Latin exercises at school; and in
the twinkling of an eye thcy've disappeared, by hundreds at
a time. We shall no longer sec him going about with thosc
cut-throat looking fellows at his heels, with such an ostcn-
tatious and supcrcilious air, looking as if he had swallowed
a ramrody and staring at people as if they were aU plaoed

I PROMESSI SPOSI

[in the worM to be honotired by hìs copdesccfision* WcH

|lie*s Jicrc no longer, and wc are. Hcll nevtT again seiid

stich rncssagcs to honest men- Hc*s gtvco tis ali a great

deal of disquietudCf as you sce; for tiow we may venture

la S3iy so/

* IVe lorgivcn htm fforn my hcart,' said Renzo.
*And you do right I it*s your duty to do so/ rcpiied Don

Abbondio ; ' but onc may thank Heaven, I suppose» who has
délivcrcd us from him. But to return to ourscl ves ; I repcat,
do what you Hke best If you wish me to marry yoii, bere I
_ain : ìf Jt wìll be more coovcnictit to yoti to go clsewhere, do
As to the ordcr of arresi, I Ijkewise think that^ as tlicre
now no !onger aity who keeps his cye on you, and wishes
do you harm. it isn't worth giving yourself any grcat
'uRcaimcss about it, f^ariicutarly as this gracious decree, oq
occaslon of the brrth of the most serene Infanta, is intcf
po3ed* And then the ptague! the plaguc! Oh, tbat plairtie
has put to flight matiy a grand thing ! So that, if you like
to*day is Thursday , . * on Sunday lìl ask you in
hmch ; hecause what may bave bccn donc in tbat way beforc
wilJ couxit for nothiiìg, after so long mi interval; and then I
thall bave the pìeaaurc of manving you mysclf/
' You know we carne ahout this very thing,* said Renxo.

* Very wdl ; I sball attend you : and 1 must also write
inimeHfatcly and infonn bis Eminencc/

► ìs hts Emìncncc? *

Eminence,' replicd Don Abbondio, *is onr Signc
Cardinal the Archbisbop, whom may God preserve I '

*Oh, I beg your pardon/ answcrcd Agnese; *but though
Vm a poor ì^orant creatnre, I can assure you he*s not called
io: becausc. ' nd time wc werc aWut to speak to him*

juat as l'm to you, sir, one of the pnest?< dr^w me

and ì me how to behavc lo a p lìh

and th: ght to bc called» your ilhi > or<i*1

ÌAipi^ and my Lord/

' And now, ìf bc had to rcpcat bis instrnctloiis, he'd teli
TOti tbat he h to bave tbe title of Emìnence: do you under-
itand oow? Rccau«e the Pope, whom may God lìkewiiCj
presenre^ bas onkred, ever j^ìnec thr montb of June, tba
lìnali are to bave thii titlc. And why do you lltink he'

^^ ALESSANDRO MANZONI

has come to this resolution? because the word illnstrioa^
which once belonged to them and certain princes, has oow
become, — even you know what, and to how many it is givcn;
and how willingly they swallow iti And \ehat would yoo
have done? Take it away from ali? Thea we should bave
complaints, hatred, troubles, and jealousies without end, aod
after ali, they would go on just as before. So the Pope has
found a capital remedy. By degrees, however, they wiO
begin to gìve the title of Eminence to Bishops ; then Abbots
will claim it; then Provosts; for men are tnade so: Aej
must always he advancing, always he advancing; then
Canons . . /

*And Curates?' said the widow.

' No, no/ pursued Don Abbondio, ' the Curates must draw
the cart: never fear that "your Reverence" will sit ili upoa
Curates to the end of the world. Farther, I shouldn't be
surprised if cavaliers, who are accustomed to bear them-
selves called Illustrious, and to be treated like Cardinals,
should some day or other want the title of Eminence them-
selves. And if they want it, you know, dcpend upon it they 11
find somebody to give it them. And then, whoever hap-
pens to be Pope then, will invent something else for the
Cardinals. But come, let us return to our own affairs. On
Sunday, 1*11 ask you in church ; and, meanwhile, what do you
think l've thought of to serve you bettcr? Meanwhile, wcll
ask for a dispensation for the two other times. They must
have plenty to do up at Court in giving dispensations, if things
go on everywhcre as they do here. Ive already . . . one
. . . two . . . thrce ... for Sunday, without counti ng your-
selvcs; and some others may occur yct. And then youll
see afterwards; the fire has caught, and there'U not he left
one person single. Perpetua surely made a mistake to die
now; for this was the time that even she would have found
a purchascr. And I fancy, Signora, it will be the same at
, Milan.'

* So it is. indced ; you may imajrine it« when, in my parish
' only, last Sunday, there wcre fifty weddings.'

* I said so ; the world won't come to an end yet. And you.
Signora, has no bumble Hy begun to hover about you ? '

' No, no ; I don't think about such things, nor do I wish ta'

t PHOMBSSI SPOSI

*01i yes» ycs; for yoo wlll bc the only single eoe Evco
Igitcsc you sce— cvcn Agnese . , /

* Poh ! you are ioclmed to t*e mcrry ! * said Agnese.

'! am. ìndecd; aod I thmk, at length, tt's lime, We*ve
s&cd throtigh some rough days, havcn't wc, my yoting
oes? Some nough ones wcVe passed indced; atid the few
^ys we have yet to live, wc may bopc wìll he a little Icss
tnelaiichoty^ Bui, happy yeti» wbo, if no misfortunes happen,
have stili a little Urne left to talk over bygone sorrows ! I,
poor old man , . • ^^illaìns may die; onc may recover of the
plague, but there ìs no help for old age; and, as they fay^
uttus ifisa esl morbus/

* Kow, then/ said Renxo, 'you roay talk Latiti as long as
"you like^ tt makes no dtffcrenee io me,*

' YouVe at it agaìn with that Latin, are you? Well, well,
sctt!e it with you: when you come before me with thìs
JttJe creature here, just to bear you pronounce certaìn little
rds in Latin, TU say to you — You don't likc Latin; good-
Shallir

* Ahi btit I know what I mean/ repUed Remo: *it tsn't at
Jl that Latin there that frightcns me — that is honest sacred

itin, likc that in the mass* Ajid, hesidcs, it is neces^sary
^cre tliat you should read what is in the hook, Vm talkiug
if that knavish Latin, out of church, that cornea upon one
rcachcfously, in tJie very pith of a convcrsation. For ex-
apk. now that wc are bere, and ali is over, that Latb you
[it on pouring forth, just bere in this corner, to gtve me
! that you couldn*t, and that othcr things wcre
I know uot what besides ; please now to trans*
lu il u liitlc for me/

* Hold your tonguc, you wìcked fellow, hold your tongue ;
l't slir up these things; for if we werc now to make up
^accounts, I dtìn*t know which would bc creditor* Tre

ìttn ali ; Ict us talk about it no ìonger ; but you ccrtainly

-TTi€ tricks. t don't wondcr at you, bccause you Ve

youoiEf scoundrcL but fancy tliis creature^ as

^ i . - . .- . ^^^ would bave

t\\t it a : ^- But alter ali.

who set ber up to il, 1 knt*w. i ki*ov%/ So saying, he
and wavcd tnw:irds Agnese the ftngcr he had at first

658 ALESSANDRO MANZOITI

directed to Lucia; and it is itnpossible to descrìbe the food-
temper and pleasantry with which he made these reproadiek
The tidings he had just heard had given him a fre«looi and
a talkativeness to which he had long been m strangcr; asd
we should be stili far enough f rom a conclusione if we wcre
to relate ali the rest of this conversation, which he conthmed
to prolong, more than once detaining the party y/Aitn co the
point of starting, and af terwards stopping them again fòr t
little while at the very Street door, each tìme to make some
jocose speech.

The day following, he received a visit as unexpected as it
was gratifying, from the Signor Marquis we bave mentioned;
a person beyond the prime of manhood, whose countenance
was, as it were, a seal to what report had said of him ; open,
benevolente placid, humble, dignified, and with something
that indicated a resigned sadness.

' I come/ said he, ' to bring you the compliments of the
Cardinal Archbishop/

* Ah, what condescension of you both ! *

'When I was about to take leave of that incomparaMe
man, who is p^ood enough to honour me with bis friend-
ship, he nientioned to me two young betrothed persons of this
parish, who bave had to sufFer on account of the un fortunate
Don Rodrigo. His Lordship wishes to bave some tidings et
them. Are they living? and are their affairs settled?'

* Everything is settled. Indeed, I was intending to wrìtc
about them to his Eminence; but now that I bave the
honour . . .*

'Are they bere?'

* They are; and they will be man and wife as soon as
possible.'

* And I request you to be good enough to teli me if I can he
of any service to them, and also to instruct me in the be5t
way of being so. During this calamity, I bave lost the only
two sons I had, and their mother. and bave received tbrcc
considerable inhcritanccs. I had a superfluity evcn before:
so that you see it is really rendering me a ser\Hce to give me
an opportunity of omploying some of my wcalth, and particu-
larly such an opportunity as this.'

*May Heaven bless you! Why are not ali . . . Enough;

I PHOMESSr SPOSI

nk ytJti inost heartily, in the namc of tliese my chUdrea,
, since yonr illiistrìous Lordship gives nic so trnich en-
gonent, it is irue, my Lord, that 1 havc an cxpedknt
g^csi wjijch (lerhaps may not dispi»:ase yonr Lofdship.
'lo teli you, then. that the^e worthy perjple are
te go and settk thcmselves ebewljerc, and io acll
jrhat lillle propcrty thcy liavc bere: the young man s vine-
of ahotit ntnc or ten pcrches, if Ttn not roistakcn, btit
flcd and complctely ovcrgrown, Bestdes, he also haa a
tag^, and bis bride another, oow both. you will sec, th«
itie of rats. A nobleman like yoitr Lordship cannot know
bow the poof fare, whcn thcy are redueed to the necesi^ity
jf disposmg^ of thcir gcMDds. Il always cnds by falling into
se Uandft of sotne knave» who, if occasion offcrs, wilj make
to the place for some tlme» and as soon as he finds that
owner wanls to seti it, draws back, and preiends not to
mh for it so that he is nbliged tn run after bim, and rtvc
_him for a pìcce of breadj partìcularly, tao, tn sneH eìr«
St:5irirr-: :^s these* My Lord Marqnis will alrcady bave
the driit of my remarks. The bcst cbarity your raost*
inustrious lordship can afford to thcse people ìs, to retJcve
\itm froni thts diffìculty by pureb^isìng thetr little property*
fo say the truth, I bave an eyc to tny own interest, my
advantagt, in making this suggestione the acqiiÌMtion in
py fMirkh nf ?i frflow-nd^r !ikc my I^ord Marquis; hot your
»rt ' Ting to yotir own jadgmeiit ; 1 bave

i!y

The Marquis bighly commendcd the suggestione retarned
banks for it, bcgged Don Abbondio to bc the judge of
be pHce, aiid lo charge it cxorbttantly» and completed ihe
parate's amafemeut by proposinjj to go togetber inimcdiately
the bride's house^ where tbey should probably al so find the
ide^[fDocD.

My the way. Don Abbondio, in hi|;rb glee, as may he

thougbf of and mcntioned anorhcr proposaL

your tllustrious Lordship is so inclfned lo benefit these

people^ ihere h another scrviee wliicb you rotght render

lem. The youog man has an ordcr of arrcst out against

B, m ktnd of sentcnce of outlawry, for «ome trìHtng fault

comttijitcd in Milaa iwo years ago» ou tbat day of the

LKDEO MAnon

B ]£. as

pesopk's rade

JOB en iM&e hàm relste tte jctumit hnirscii, ^sd

i wrìM hmr, At present, ^^ tt ref cn to old taaticfs, so oar

e» ìàm Uff woiesìatkm : aod^ as I bave sàd, be tktoJa of

^fvtaf Cbe «tate; bet tu tlie cocme of In^ or in ea^e of

lanoflg httm, or 000^ dKiviiere. sotne dme or ciiìict; jn»

M agree with »e lli^ Il Is alwarà better fes tad taicscif

if . Mj Lord Marqtiìs has in€iicncc in 3£3tt^ as b just,

J3 at a Pùbic caraHcr, and as the great man fac nallf is

r « . No, »o, aDow me to ^7 tt, for trutìi wìH fiav^e Its «a|^.

fiiore than is necessaiy to obtain a ready acqnittaL'

'Are there not heavy charges against tfais yotmg man ? '
'Pshaw, i>shawf I wotild not believe them. They made
a great stir about it at the moment; tmt I don't tliink diere's
anything now beyond the mere formalities.'

' If so, the thing will be easy; and I wiUingly take it upoa
me:

'And yet you will not let it be said that yoo are a great
man. I say it, and I will say it; in spite of your Lordship,
I will say lì. And even if I were to be silent, it would be
to no purpose, because everybody says so: and vox popuU,
vox Dei.'

They found Renzo and the three woraen together, as thcy
cxpected. How thcse felt we icave the reader to imaginc;
but for my part, I think that the very rough and bare walls,
and the Windows, and the tables, and the kitchen utensils,
must bave marvelled at rccciving among them so extraor-
dinary a guest. He cncouraged the convcrsation, by talking
of the Cardinal and their other matters with unreserved
cordiality, and at the same time with great delicacy. By and
by he carne to the proposal. Don Abbondio, being requested
by him to name the price, carne forward; and, after a few

I PROMESSI SPOSI

661

gestures and apologies,^ — that it wasn't in his !ine, and that
he cDiild only guess at random, and that he spoke out of
obedience, and that he left it to hira, mentioned what he
thought a most extra vagant sum. The purchascr saìd that,
for his part, he was extremely well satisfied, and, as if he
had misunderstcMd, repeated doublé the amcunt. He would
not bear of recti fy mg the mistake, and cist short and con-
cluded ali further con versati on» by inviting the party to
dinner at his paìace the day after the wedding^ when the
deeds shonld be properly drawn out*

— Ah! — saìd Don Abbondio afterwards to himself, when
he had retumed home:^ — if the piagne did things in this way
always and everywhere, it would really be a sin lo speak ili
of it: we might almost wish for one every generation; and
be eontent that people shoutd be in league to produce a
malady.—

The dispensation arrivedj the acqnittal arrived, that blessed
day arrtved: the bride and bride groom went in triumphal
secunty to that vtry church, where, with Don Abbondio'a
own mottth, they were declared man and wife, Another,
and far more singular triumph, was the going ncxt day to
the palace; and I leave my readers to conjecture the thoughts
which must bave passed through the ir minds on ascending
that acclivity, on entering that doorway; and the observa-
tions that each must bave made, according to his or ber
naturai disposi tion. I will only mention that, in the midst
o£ tbeir rcjoicing^ one or other more tban once ma de the
remark, that poor Father Cristoforo was stili wanting to
complete their happiness, * Yet for himself,* added they^
* he is assuredly better off tban we are.'

The nobleman received thetn with great kindness, con-
ducted them into a fine large servati ts'- hall, and seated
the bride and bridegroom at table wtlh Agnese and their
Milanese friend; and before withdrawing to dine elsewhere
wtth Don Abbondio, wisbed to assist a little at this first
banquet^ and even helped to wait upon them. I hope it
will enter into no one's head to say that it would bave been
a tnore simple pian to bave made at once but one table,
I bave describcd him as an excellent man, but not as aa
origina], ,^s it would now-a-days be called; I bave said that

662 ALESSANDRO ICANZOKI

he was fiumble, but not that he was a prodlgy of InanBtf,
He possessed eaough of this virtue to put himself bcDcath
these good people, but not on an equality with thetiL

After the two dinners, the contract was drawn out bj Al
hands of a lawyer, not, however, Aggeccct^arbugli. Et,
I mean his outward man, was, and stili is, at Canterali. Aod
for those who are unacquainted with that neighbourhool
I suppose some explanation of this information is bere
necessary.

A little higher up than Lecco, perhaps half a mik or
so, and almost on the confines of another cotmtiy, named
Castello, is a place called Canterelli, where two ways cross;
and at one corner of the square space is seen an eminente,
like an artificial hillock, with a cross on the summit This
is nothing else but a heap of the bodies of those who died in
this contagion. Tradition, it is true, simply says, died of
the contagion: but it must be this one, and none other, as
it was the last and most destructive of which any memory
remains. And we know that unassisted traditions always
say too little by themselves.

They felt no inconvenience on their return, except that
Renzo was rather incommoded by the weight of the money
he carried away with him. But, as the reader knows, he
had had far greater troublcs in his li fé than this. I say
nothing of the disquiet of his mind, which was by no means
trifling, in deciding upon the best means of employing it.
Td have scen the difìfcrent projects that passed through that
mind, — the f ancics — the dcbates ; to have heard the pros and
cons for agriculture or business, it was as if two academies
of the last century had there met together. And the affair
was to Renzo far more overwhelming and perplexing, be-
cause, sìncc he was but a solitary individuai, it could not bc
said to him, — Why need you choose at ali ? both one and the
other, each in its own turn; for in substance they are the
rame; and, like one's legs, they are two things which go
better together than one alone.

Nothing was now thought of, but packing up and set-
ting off on thcir joumey; the Tramaglino family to their
new country, and the widow to Milan. The tears, the
thanks, the promises of going to see each other, were manj.

1 PKOMESSI SPOSI

efis

■et teiS tender, e veti ta tears» was tlii? separatton ai Renzo
the famìly from his hospiiablc friend: nor let il be
aght that mattcrs wcnt on coldly even with Don AV
adio. The tbree poor crcatures had always preserved
eertain respectful attachmcnt to thdr curate; and he,
in the bottoni of his heart, hnd always wished them
fcìì. Sudi happy drcumstances as thesc eiitangle the
fcctiotis.

Should any one ask U there was no grief felt io thus
irifig theinsclvcs from thcir native coimtry, — from their
^vcd mountaìns; it may bc answered that thcrc was:
_ saiTovr, I venture to say, h miogled, more or less, with
eveiythlng. Wc must, howcver, bcìievc that ìt was not
vciy profoaod, since they mighi htv€ spared themsclves
ffom it by reniaming at home, now that the two grcat
obslacks. Don Rodrigo and the order for Renzo's appre*
bennion^ were both takcn away. But ali three had bcen for
iome ti me accystomed to look vipon the country to which
tber wcre goìng as tlieir own. Renzo had recommcnded
It to the womcn, by telling them of the facilities which it
affordcd to arttécers, and a bundred thingf about the fine
way in whtch they could hVe therc, Besides, they had
ali cxperienccd some vcry bitter momcnts in that home upon
whkh they were nom tuming thetr backs; and mournful
reeoiJections always end in spoiling to the mind the ptacei
whicb recali them. And il llicsc should bc its native home,
tberc h, pefhap$. in siich recoìlcctìons, somcthing stili more
krrn ani! poignant* Even an infant, says otir manuscript,
' -a wilUiigly on bis nurse's bosom^ and seeks willi cou-
kc and avidity the breast which has hitherto swectly
&uri»btd bim ; hit if , in order to wean him, she tìncttires tt
^th worinwood» the babc withdraws tlic lip, thcn retoms to
it once more, but at Icngth, after ali, refuses tt — weeptng,
Iced, Imi stili refnslng it,

Wliat, however, wiH the rcader now say, oo hearing that
Itad arrived» and scttled thcmseìvcs in tbeir

ecfore Rcnxo fo«nd there annoyances ali
prepared tW hjml Do yon pity him? but so little serve,*
distitrb a state of happincsst This is a short sketch of
malter»

666 ALESSANDRO MANZONI

bargain was concluded. Whcn, then, the new owners (
to live upon their own possessions. Lucia, who was bere
expected by no one, not only did not go thither subjectcd
to criticisms, but, we may say, was not displeasing to any-
body ; and Renzo f otind out that it had been said by more
than one, * Have you seen that prctty she-blockhead who has
come hither?' The substantive was aHowed to pass in the
epithet.

And even from the annoyance he had experienced in the
other country, he derived some uscful instruction. Before
that time he had been rather inconsiderate in crìtidzinf
other people's wives, and ali belonging to them. Now he
understood that words make one impression in the mouth,
and another in the ear; and he accustomed himself rather
more to listen within to bis own before uttering them.

We must not, however, suppose that he had no little
vexations even bere. Man, (says our anonymous author—
and we already know, by experience, that he had rather a
strange pleasure in drawing similes — but bear with it this
once, for it is likely to be the last time,) man, so long as he
is in this world, is like a sick person lying upon a bed more
or less uncomfortable, who sees around him other beds nicely
made to outward appearance, smooth, and level, and fancies
that they must be most comfortable resting-places. He suc-
ceeds in making an exchange; but scarcely is he placed in
another, before he begins, as he presses it douTi, to feci in
one place a sharp point pricking him, in another a hard lump:
in short, we come to almost the same story over again. And
for this reason, adds he, we ought to aim rather at dotng
well, than being well ; and thus we should come, in the end,
even to be better. This sketch, although somewhat parabolic,
and in the style of the seventeenth century, is, in substance.
true. However, (continues he again,) our good friend*
had no longer any sorrows and troubles of similar kind and
severity to those we have related: their lifc was, from this
time forward, one of the calmest, happiest, and most cnvi-
able of lives; so that, were I obligcd to give an account of
it, it would lire the reader to death. Business went on capi-
tally. At the beginning therc was a little difèculty from the
scarcity of workmen, aud from the ill-condnct and prctOB*

I PROMESSI SPOSI

|qì13 of the few that stili remalned. Orders wcre publiiihed,
" "i llmìted the price of labour: in spìte of tJiìs help, thìngs
agam; because, after ali, how could ìt be otherwbe?
ber ratber more judìcious order arrived f rotti Venìcc —
Kernptton» fot ten years, from ali charges, civi! atid personal,
or fordgners who wouid come to reside in the State. To
IT f nends thìs was another advantagé.
Ecfore ihc first ycar of their marriage was compiei ed a
beatiti lui little creature came to light; and, as il it had becn
OD ptirpose to gì ve Renzo an earty opportunity of luì-
chat magnantmous promise of hls, It was a little girl,
be beìieved that it was named Maria» Alterwards,
Sic course of tiroe, carne I know noi how many otliers,
bolh sexes; and Agnese was busj enough in carrj^ing
bctn about, one after the other, callìng them little rogues^
''ajid imprinting npoìi their faces hearty Idsses, whicb left
a white niark for e ver so long afterwards* Thcy wcre ali
rery wctl inclincd; and Renzo woidd bave them ali leam
to read and wriie* sayiog, that sitìce this amuseincot was in
fashion, they otight at least to take advantage of ìt.

The finest tbìng was to bear him relate bis adventures;
and he always finished by enumerating the great things he
had learnt from tbem, for ihe better govemnient of himself
in future, *lVe learnt/ he wouId say. * not to meddle In
cyMttrbaoce^: IVe leamt not to rnake speeches in the
_itrcet; Tve learnt not to drink more than T want;
re leamt not to hold the knocker ol a door in my band,
b^ crazy*bcadcd pcople are abouti and Tve Jcanit noi
btickle a little beli to my foot, before tbinking ol the con-
qucnces/ And a hundrcd other things,

ia did not find fault with the doctrinc iiself, but ahe
R'tj wiib it ; it scemcd to Iter, in a confu*ed way»

■-■4 was stili wanting to it. By drni of hearing

Ibc iamc song over and over again, and 1 ;^ on ìt

cvcry lime, 'And 1/ smd shc one day to ber ; r, * what

o^glU I to bave learnt? I did not go to look for tronblcs:
they that carne to look for me. Tbotigh you wouldi/t
Y* added ihe» smilin^ swcctly, * that my crror was in wìsh-
)fOU wcH and *r fo you.'

. Smuù at ^si \^

After a long diicitssioii

>v«

^ ■

r»

Sfanforil University Library

Staoford, Ciltfornift

Iti order that others miy u«e thi» hook»
pleasc retura il as sooa li fiossiblc, byt
oot Iiter Ih&n the date due.

j^riTiii ■ '^;vr^^ii* i^,.

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Full text of "I promessi sposi di Alessandro Manzoni : raffrontati sulle due edizioni del 1825 e 1840 : con un commento storico, estetico e filologico"

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