The Washington herald., 1913-05-11
Nv a. ID. JACOBSON.

FRANCISCO PETRARCA AND THE REVOLT
TON OF COLA ID B1ENZ0: By NJ. f.
Oosenz Chicaeo-The University Of Chicago
Pres.
Petrarca is so well known and beloved
rs q poet that II is seldom that we think
of him as a statesman. He was. however,
one of those unfortunate individuals who
live out of their time. He was born sew
eral hundred years too soon. for his idea
was a united Italy, with restoration OF
power to the imperial city of Rene. His
relations with Cola di Rienzo were d.
rectly I'm accord with his understanding
of Cola's views Of Italy and Of the restor-
alton of Rome. When Cola disappointed
Petrsrca, he wrote rebuking him sternly
and calling to mind his former ideals OF
the city. For the man and his seven
months of accomplishment Petrarca al
ways possessed a tender spot in his heart
and il was at his instigation that the
Roman people appealed to the Pope for
the release of Cola.
The Italy Of the fourteenth century was
very far removed from that of Scipio.
Carthagensis. the sacred city, was the
plaything OF the great Roman baroniai
families, the Colonna and the Orsini The
Pope had removed TO Avignon and had
refused to return to Rome, though the
Roman Senate had sent embassies re-
the streets between the two factions was
reducing the population well as dis
turbing the peaceful inhabitants. Cola
was already fired with enthusiasm. and II
only required the sympathy and the urg-
ing of Petrarca to send him back TO
Rome full of plans to obtain the freedom
of the city. In spite of the difnculties
in the way of correspondence, Petrarca
did all in his power by his inspiring let
In, q
ters which have ever been written, to
keep his mind fixed upon the ideal.
The first step in the resolution was the
election of Cola di Rienzo to the Tri-
bunate. On hearing this news, Petrarca
wrote a very enthusiastic letter, calling
his attention to the high privileges whlcn
had always attended the Tribunes, ana
how they had always been the dlrect
supporters of the people. The Pope never
granted Cola the title OF Tribune, but
conferred that of rector. evidently to re-
mind him that he was to rule under the
church. IL was not long, however, before
the Tribune was acting in such manner
as to leave no doubt in the minds OF the
Curia that he was hostile to their author
ity. At this time the GOODNESS that greeted
Petrarca whenever he championed the
cause of Cola must have hurt his sensi-
tive spirit, and he soon thought it best
to remove 10 Vaucluse.
More than he loved Cola he loved Rome
and Italy, and he could not give them
I'D Colas behavior soon brought about
a rupture with Avignon, and his corona
ton was the final act. His emissary TO
the Pope was dishonored and sent back
with his rod broken. This affront to the
Roman people caused Petrarca to pen the
most bitter Of his letters against the
enemies OF Rome. Cola, elevated to such
power and distracted as to mis- own fate
by the foolish act Of arresting the barons
one day and releasing them the next, pe-
came capricious and changeable. and his
friend at Vaucluse wrote a stern letter,
rebuking him and exhorting him to his
former virtue and valor.
Finally Petrarca set out for Rome him.
self. Cola had attempted to make
treaty with the Hungarian King, which
was especially against the wish of the
church. and he was overthrow, fleeing
Rome TO a monastery In the hills. While
affairs went back to their old ways at
Rome Cola grew tired Of the cloister and
fed to Prague, hoping for refuge there.
The Bohemian King. however, after inn
prisoning him in a dungeon. sent him to
Avignon. where he was tried and awaited
sentence during the last days of the Pope.
The succession of a new Pope gave
Petrarca courage to attempt to rescue
his friend. and he penned a stirring ap-