The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-04

FROM rHF hIsroEY OF rBE GOOD KNIGHT DE BATAE

When the Pope heard Of the defeat OF
his troops at LA Bastide, he swore to be re-
yenged, and would have forthwith besieged
FeIraa. but was dissusded by his captains
particularly the Duke d'Urbino, who would
willingly have had him friends with the
King Of France. They represented to him
the difficulty and danger Of such an enter
prise and could scarcely prevail with him,
Tor he repeated a hundred times day,
"F1Tara, FerrarG, 4 WiH haze thee
By the body Of Christi Failing in his
attempts to carry on correspondence
with his partisans ia that town. and six or
seven Of his spies having, by the vigilance
of the Duke and the good Knight. been
seized and hanged, he bethough. him Of an
atrocious scheme. This was to make over
lures to the Duke, promising TO give one Of
his nieces in marriage to the Dukes eldest
son, to forego all his claims, and moreover,
to make him the sacred standard bearer
and captain-general Of the church, provided
he would send away the French troops.
He thought that if this were done, the
French, on leaving Ferara, would be at
his mercy, and vowed that not one Of them
should escape. He employed as his mes
senger TO the Duke one master Augustin
Guerlo, great adept in intrigue and neach-
cry, but who suffered for it at last, for the
lord d'Aubigny some time afterwards had
him beheaded at Brescia where he was prac-
Using his treason against him.
The Duke listened to his proposals and
affected to enter into the Pope's views,
though he had too noble and gentle heart,
and had rather been torn in pieces by four
horses, than even have thought Of consent
ing to such cowardly treachery. Having
ordered refreshments for master Augustin
and locked him up in room of the palace,
he went attended by single gentleman to
the quarters Of the good Knig ht, and rela-
ted the whole matter to him. The good
knight crossed himself frequently, and
would with difficulty believe the Pope
could entertain so wicked design.
After consulting together they agreed that
the Duke should 60 to master Augustin and
endeavor to win him over from the interest
loG the Pope to their own party. The vile,
avaricious villain was soon gained over by
| the Dukes representations and promises,
and bargain was struck, thai the Duke
should give him two thousand ducats down,
and an annuity Of five hundred year.
| The Duke then left the room, and re.
turned to the good knight, who was anus
ing himself on the ramparts in making
them clear an embrasure. Seeing the
Duke approach he went to meet him, and
taking him by the hand, they walked to-
gether on the ramparts. while the Duke in.
formed him that the POpe's wicked inten
tons towards the French would recoil on
himself, for that be had gained over his en-
: issary, who had assured him that within
eight days, at furthest, the Pope would moi
be alive. The good Knight who had nc
idea OF his meaning, replied,
How so, my lord: has he spoken with
GodP
Never mind, said the Duke, but so will
It be, and from one thing to another he
proceeded to intimate that master Augustir
had promised him to poison the Pope.
i AT these words the good Knight crossed
| himself repeatedly, and SAID,
CD my lord, never will believe that
so gentle prince as you, would consent to
! such treachery; and did know it, | swear
by my soul | would inform the Pope before
night; for believe that God would never
pardon so horrible crime
why, said the Duke. 'he wanted TO do
as much to you and me; and you know We
have already hung seven or eight SPIES
That troubles me not, replied the good
Knight; he is the vicegerent of God upon
earth; and to cause his death in this manner
| never will consent
| The Duke shrugged his shoulders, and
splitting on the ground, said,
| 'Sideath! my lord de Bayard, | would
have destroyed all mine enemies thus; but.
since you disapProve, the matter shall rest
where II is; but, unless God mend it, we
shall suffer for il.
Let US suffer for it, replied the good
Knight, If such be Gods will: but I pray
you, my lord, hand me over the fellow who
would do this deed; and if | do not hang
hlm within an hour, may | hang in his
place
No, my lord de Bayard,' answered the
Duke, Il have promised to send him away
in safety
This ne did on his return to the palace;
and the Pope, very wroth at being unable to
succeed in his schemes, retired soon after to
Bologna, and quartered his troops in the
II