ཝཱ And where on each a like success attends, Since this, nor that, the realm he seeks offends.. That, Adrian first and Leo next relieves: * 115 And to its rights restores the Papal chair. 120 See, near Rialto structur'd by his hands, The towering bridge of Malamocoa stands: Here burns the fight, and hence he seems to fly; 125 He leaves his men beneath the waves to die; While broke by tides, and by strong winds o'er-thrown Behold Burgundian Lewis vanquish'd swear * Desiderius. 130 having left Italy, Alphonso recommenced hostilities against the pope, and was once more compelled by Pepin to make peace. To pope Adrian succeeded Leo III. who being ill treated by Pascal, and Campolo, a priest and officer of the church, in the middle of divine service, and being threatened with imprisonment, fled to Charlemain, who sent him with great honours to Rome, and afterwards coming there himself, was anointed by the pontiff emperor of the Romans. Eugenico. Ver. 121. A youthful Pepin---] Pepin, son of Charles the Great, went against the Venetians, and having taken many Islands, he caused a bridge to be built, that his soldiers, little used to naval fights, might find less risk. But while the Venetians defended themselves, there arose so fierce a storm, that the bridge was demolished, the soldiers were buried under the ruins, and the king was forced to abandon his enterprize. Porcacchi. Ver. 129. Behold Burgundian Lewis---] Lewis, king of Burgundia, making an expedition into Italy, was conquered by the emperor Behold him soon his plighted faith forego, These once or twice he routs; while these the Huns 135 On terms impos'd, and soon concludes his life; 140 Not long his successor alive remains, To give the holy pastor needful aid: Berengarius I. and made prisoner, but set at liberty on his taking an oath never more to invade Italy. The Burgundian, afterwards forgetting his oath, renewed hostilities, and being again taken prisoner by Berengarius II. was, as a punishment for his breach of faith, deprived of his sight, and in this condition he returned home. Porcacchi. Ver. 135. See Arli's Hugo-] Hugo count of Arli, called in by the Italians to their assistance against the Berengarii: he succeeded greatly at first, but being afterwards overpowered, was constrained to ask for peace, and retired to Arli, leaving his son Lothario behind him, who soon after died. Eugenico. Ver. 143. See Italy another Charles invade] Pope Clement IV. invited Charles of Anjou, brother of St. Lewis king of France, against Manfred, an enemy to the church, who had usurped the kingdom of Naples and Sicily. Charles arriving, overthrew Manfred at Benivento, slew him, and took possession of Sicily. Corradino, to whom the kingdom belonged in right of succession, brought a force from Germany, engaged Charles, but was defeated, made pri. soner, and at last beheaded. Charles reigning in Sicily, the Franks began to exercise great tyranny over the Sicilians; and, among other enormities, committed violence on their wives. Hence a plot was concerted all over the island, that as soon as the vesper bell Two kings by him in two fierce battles slain, And on Visconti's earls the combat bend. 145 150 155 160 See, some to Alexandria captive led, While the warm deluge doubling either flood, One call'd of Marca, then in turn he show'd 165 rung, the Sicilians, ready armed, should sally forth from their houses, and fall upon the Franks; this was put in execution, and eight thousand Franks were slain to revenge the dishonour offered to the Sicilians in the persons of their wives. Porcacchi. Ver. 151. The host then show'd] The count of Armagnac, a Frank, came with twenty thousand soldiers in aid of the Florentines and Bolognese, against Galeazzo duke of Milan, who, having left a numerous garrison in Alexandria, with the rest of his forces attacked the enemy; at the same time that they were attacked by those from the city, and cut all the Franks to pieces; the count dying soon after of his wounds in prison. Porcacchi. Ver. 164. One call'd of Marca---] Joan queen of Naples took for her husband James count of Marca, who descended from the kings of Behold how oft have these with numerous bands And to their native lands expel their foes. 170 See Charles the eighth, who from the Alps descends, 175 While all the flower of France his march attends. He passes Liri; not a sword he draws, Or rests a spear, yet to his sovereign laws The realm submissive yields, save where opprest 180 France, on condition that he should be contented with the title of prince of Taranto, duke of Calabria, and vicar of the kingdom; and that the administration of public affairs should remain with her. But he, attempting to seize the whole government, and calling himself king, she, with the assistance of Francis Sforza, deprived him of all. Ludovico, Rinieri, and John of Anjou, asserting their pretensions to the crown, were severally defeated by Alphonso and Ferrando: these the poet calls the Anjoinini. Porcacchi.. Ver. 175. Sce Charles the eighth--] Charles VIII. king of France, assisted by Ludovico Sforza duke of Milan, a mortal enemy to Alphonso of Arragon, king of Naples, came with all the French nobility, and a vast army into Italy. Alphonso, giving way to the better fortune of Charles, left the kingdom to his son Ferrando, and retired with his treasures to Sicily. Ferrando, unable to make head against the Franks, was soon divested of all his fortresses and places except the isle of Ischia, gallantly defended by Inico del Vasto. At length all the princes of Italy, alarmed at the rapid victories of Charles, entered into a league against him. The Neapolitans, detesting the haughty government of the Franks, recalled Ferrando, who, assisted by the Venetians, recovered the kingdom. Porcacchi. Here, not unquestion'd, conquering Charles arrives, The castle's lord directing thus the view. } 185 190 To Pharamond, he thus the king bespoke. 195 "From him whose gallant arms yon height defend A chief, his country's glory, shall descend: Less swift was Ladas; less in council sage 200: Nor yet so merciful or liberal found. Was ancient Cæsar through the earth renown'd. With him who draws in Ischia vital air: 205 Ver. 197. A chief, his country's glory, ---] Alphonso del Vasto, mentioned Book xv. Ver. 198. Nereus, --] A Grecian commander, celebrated for the beauty of his person by Homer. Ver. 200.--Ladas;---] The name of a messenger of Alexander. the Great, remarkable for his swiftness, mentioned by Catullus,, Martial, and Solinus.. |