Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-05-17

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CHAPTER XVI.
CONCERNING MANY THINGS.
Everyone knows the history of the times,
and it is not my intention to dilate on this,
but merely to set down, without comment,
those matters of state in which Fortune al
lowed me to play part. When Cesare sur
rendered at Ostia the Borgia were broken
for ever, and Valentinois allowed, after
short confinement, to escape to Spain, where
he died like soldier. Now that the game
was in their hands, the allies began to quar-
rel amongst themselves, the French king to
drivel away his opportunities in gayety, and
the Venctians to step in, in their Most Sc
rene way, and claim share Of the spoils for
the Lion of st. Mark. Events moved quick
ly, the genius of the Great Captain won VIC
tory after victory for Spain, the death OF
Francis Piccolomini paved the way for the
accession Of Rouvere to the papacy as Julius
H., and the Holy League was formed, by
means Of which the French were finally
driven from Italy. Thus, in few years, the
work Of DAmboise was scattered to the
winds, but long before that time ! had
sheathed my sword, and concerned myself
no more with war.
But on the day that ] surrendered my
prisoner TO DAmboise and Orsini, the for
mer already in thought sat in st. Peters
chair, and the latter, at the very least, i'm
agined himself the Lord of the Romagna. I
sent forward couriers, with the news of my
success, 10 the cardinal, and ere we reached
Nalafede met with return messenger from
DAmboise, bearing brief note of con-
graduation, and adding that Colonna had
made terms to evacuate the portions of the
city he held. The messenger informed me
that the Bailly Of Csen had already entered
Rome BY the Porta Pia, and that, finding
himself between two fires, old Fabrizi Colon
M had made virtue Of necessity, and by
yielding now reserved himself for another
day. This enabled me to 60 back by an
easier route than we had come, and a. we
rode through the 0stian gate, could not
help contrasting my present entry to the
day when Jacopo and had refined in our
weary steeds to let the Borgia pass. and give
his following the road. At the Ponte 8.
Angelo, I surrendered my prisoner to Orsini
in person, and truly thought he would have
[ Out . xOW nOoAo 1uOAG w nVGy AOK o6ukA VIZ
ginio had long score to settle with the
The blood, too, Of Paolo, whom Cessre
strangled at Sinigaglia, and that of the Car
dinal Orsini, whom he brutally murdered in
Rome, called aloud for vengeance. Cesare
himself seemed to be aware Of this, for
whereas up to now he had remained in .
sullen silence, he found tongue to implore
me, in the most servile manner, not 70 de-
liver him to Orsini, and when told him
had no option. he tried to creep out Of his
litter, and lay his cap at the feet Of his
enemy. Orsini spoke nothing, merely or
dcring him to be borne to 8. Angelo; but
- the Borgia shrank back into his litter, he
said with grim mile that he trusted the
duke would find his entertainment to his
liking. How it happened that Cesare came
of with whole skin never knew, but he
did, az have mentioned above, and 1t sur
passes belief. he turned cur at the last, and
the low blood showed in him; but he was
one Of those men who knew how to be thor
oughly bad. Orsini took back his lancss,
saying he had need of them, 80 that it was
with my own few men that reached the
Palaxzo Corneto. Unjust except Bande Mere
from this number, and was truly sorry for
his death, for his was an honest sword. The
cardinal received me in the little chamber
whore VIC had supped with Machiaveli. He
had thrown aside his clerical habit and was
II mail, but wore his barettina Oh his head.
He was more than kind, congratulating me
heartily ON my success, going so far as to
say that by capturing Cesare had given .
kingdom to France. then left him with
further assurances Of his good will towards
me, and saw him no more for the day.
Towards the small hours of the next morn
ing was aroused from deep sleep by Jaco-
po. Starting up, inquired what was astir,
and was told that Defaure, the page, was
waiting to see me. gave orders for his in
slant admission, and, on coming in, he in
formed me that his eminence desired my i'm
mediate attendance. Telling Jacopo to have
Castor saddled, for smelt work afoot, ]
flung myself into my clothes and hastened
70 DAmboise.
He had evidently not slept al night, and
was pacing the room in agitation.
"St. Dennis!" he burst out, a. entered,
"do you know what they have done! The
king holds tourney at Arezxo instead Of
marching on at once. What is worse, he has
granted an extension of the truce to Spain,
and Tremouille and the rest Of them are Of
to the junkets. They arc making May-day
with those ducats you captured. By G.!
they would dance away kingdom"
"Your eminence has no doubt SAINT newl
Of the capture Of Cesare?"
That was only yesterday. man" be
snapped. "and De Briconnet il riding fol
sent for you." he went on. rapidly. Dt
other dispatches. Take them and follow
him; overtsks him u you can. When can
you START"
snow"
"Good-hers are the papers. And this 4
for Tremouille. Adieu!" -and he held out
his hsnd-"Monsieur le Compile"
started little at the last words which
he uttered in French, but had not time Il
ask for explanation or make inquiry. Thur
ried to my apartments and found Castol
ready. Bidding Jacopo to follow me 4
Arezzo with my men a. soon a. possible,
gave Castor the rein and rode out of Rome
At Citta del Pieve ] got my first news Of D,
Briconnet. At Cartona he was but twt
hours ahead Of me, and when on the after
noon of the second day refined in the stag
gering Castor ct the gates Of the Villa Ac
colt, whore the king was, saw in thu
courtyard dead horse, his sides still bleed
ing from the spur marks, and judged that D.
Briconnet had barely beaten me by head
| for all his II hours' start. So once again
had entered the Villa Accoltl And as
sprang to the ground, loossd the girths owe
Castor's heaving tanks, and resigned tn,
reins to willing groom who led the poo
beast to rest, all the past came back to MI
with vivid force, and looked around, a
most expecting to meet again the glances o
scorn and contempt, to hear once more til.
Misses, the mockery, and the foul reproacl
of that day.
The cardinal was right enough when b
said that high junkets were to be held. Ans
the day seemed to be one of merry-makins
Flags were flying from all parts Of the villa
and the wide grounds were full Of the fol
lowers of the court, and the townspeopl
either watching or engaged in sports 0
wrestling, archery and other games.
For the great ones, however, the out-oi
door amusement of the day came to an en-,
with the dinner hour, and they were nov
disporting themselves within. From th
open windows strains of music Hoated GU
| into the sunlight and gay figures passed an,