ページの画像
PDF
ePub

ཝཱ

And where on each a like success attends,

Since this, nor that, the realm he seeks offends..
This, from oppression Stephano reprieves,

That, Adrian first and Leo next relieves:
Astolpho one; and one subdues his heir,

*

115

And to its rights restores the Papal chair.
A youthful Pepin there his legions pours
That from Fornaci reach to Judah's shores.

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
The huge pile falls, a mass of useless stone.

Behold Burgundian Lewis vanquish'd swear
No more in Italy the sword to bear;

* 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,
And once again a captive to the foe.
Behold where, mole-like, quench'd his visual ray
Him o'er the Alps his mourning friends convey.
See Arli's Hugo chase with conquering bands
The Berengarii from Italian lands:

These once or twice he routs; while these the Huns
By turns assist, by turns Bavaria's sons ;
Till forc'd by stronger power he ends the strife,

135

On terms impos'd, and soon concludes his life;

140

Not long his successor alive remains,
When Berengarius o'er the kingdom reigns.
See Italy another Charles invade

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,
Manfred and Corradino press the plain!
But soon his people swoln with great success,
With wrong on wrong the conquer'd realm oppress.
See! through the crowded street while vespers call
To hallow'd rites, in murder'd heaps they fall!
The host then show'd (when many a rolling year
Should whirl the planets in their changing sphere)
A Gallic leader from the hill descend,

And on Visconti's earls the combat bend.
See! Alexandria by the threaten'd force
Of France begirt with mingled foot and horse:
Within the walls the duke has fix'd the guard,
Without, an ambush for the foe prepar'd,
See by his toils the heedless Franks ensnar'd.
Lo, Armoniaco their luckless head;

145

150

155

160

See, some to Alexandria captive led,

While the warm deluge doubling either flood,
The Po and Tanacro run purple blood.

One call'd of Marca, then in turn he show'd
Three Anjoinini nam'd---and thus pursu❜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
Disturb'd the Brucian and the Dacian lands;
The Marsians vex'd, and Salentinian train :
Yet vain the force of France, and all as vain
The Latian succours, there to give a place
To one small remnant of the Gallic race.
Oft as the Frank his force for battle shows,
Alphonso and Ferrantes shall oppose,

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
Beneath the rock Typhous heaves his breast.

[ocr errors]

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,
Against him Inico del Vasto strives,
In whom the race of Avolo survives.

The castle's lord directing thus the view.
Of Bradamant to forms which Merlin drew,
And pointing Ischia to her sight he said:
Ere more from chief to chief your eyes are led,
Hear what to me reveal'd in times of old,
While yet a child my aged grandsire told,
Truths which to him his father oft made known,
Through sons succeeding sons deliver'd down
From Merlin's self, whose wondrous art display'd
Yon story'd deeds in various tints pourtray'd;
Who when he show'd yon castle on the rock

}

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 graceful Nereus, less in battle nam'd
Achilles; less for art Ulysses fam'd:

Less swift was Ladas; less in council sage
Nestor who taught so long a wondering age.

200:

Nor yet so merciful or liberal found.

Was ancient Cæsar through the earth renown'd.
The gifts of these in nothing can compare

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..

« 前へ次へ »