finished his game, asked Marsilio what news? to which he carelessly replied-" Mastino wishes you, if any foreign falcons come this way, to procure

him one."

Next day, Alberto met the two Carrara in the fruit-market, and was conversing with them, when an officer came up to him in great haste, exclaiming-" My lord, save yourself! Piero de' Rossi, with the troops of Venice, is at the San Stefano gate the cry is Live the house of Carrara !'” Alberto, in great alarm, turned to Marsilio, and asked him what he should do: he advised him to retire to Santa Lucia. The two Carrara then hastened to welcome the Venetian commander, who entered the city, and proceeded with them to the palace. Marsilio was proclaimed Lord of Padua, and Alberto abdicated his authority. He was sent, under a guard, to Venice; and the terms of his liberation were, that Mastino should surrender Treviso to Venice, and leave Marsilio in undisturbed possession of Padua. Thus was the house of Carrara once more established in the signiory, by means not more justifiable than those by which they had been forced to resign it.

169

THE MISFORTUNES OF THE CARRARA.

A. D. 1389.

THERE are many amusing and interesting particulars in the history of Marsilio's successors, but they have little connexion with that of Italy, till we come to the times of Francesco Vecchio (or "the old*"), who, on the untimely death of his father, in 1350, acquired the lordship of Padua.

It must be remembered that the Carrara were restored to their authority by means of Venice, which had therefore a claim on them for gratitude and fidelity. We have nevertheless seen Francesco Vecchio, during the war of Chiozza, joining in the league against Venice. He had also previously supplied the King of Hungary's troops with provisions, when that monarch was at war with the Venetians, and attempted to enlarge his territories by encroaching on theirs. The republic, justly angry at his aggressions, declared war against him, routed his forces, and reduced him to sue for peace. Although his submission was accepted, yet the signory continued secretly to cherish vindictive feelings towards him, which we shall see leading in the end to the complete extinction of his unfortunate family.

* In contradistinction to his son, of the same name, who was called "Novello," the new, and his grandson, Francesco Terzo, the third.

I

Milan was at this period under the dominion of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Count of Virtù. This nobleman, fearful of alarming the jealousy of his uncle, the ferocious Bernabo, had concealed his ambitious designs under a mask of piety. He appeared wholly engrossed in travelling from shrine to shrine, telling his beads, and performing penances; while his assumed cowardice formed an excuse for the strong guard of soldiers by which he was constantly surrounded. His uncle regarded him, therefore, as a silly fanatic, more worthy of contempt than fear; and hearing of his approach to Milan, on his way to some shrine, he went forth to meet him, accompanied by his youthful sons, Carlo and Alouise. Gian Galeazzo, seeing him approach, gave private orders to his men to seize on him. Then advancing to his uncle, he embraced him with apparent affection; but at the same moment his soldiers seized the bridle of the mule on which Bernabo rode, disarmed him, and dragged him away in spite of his cries. The miserable man was thrown into prison, where, after lingering some time, he was despatched by poison. In the mean time, his faithless nephew had seized on his throne, and endeavoured to gain the applause of the world by his encouragement of every species of merit. He liberally rewarded political and military talent, encouraged literature and the arts, and was considered a generous patron by men of science; " but

all was false and hollow." Utterly destitute of truth and honesty, he only sought to raise his own glory on the ruin of others, no matter by what perfidious means.

One of his first steps was to foment a 'quarrel between the lords of Padua and Verona, which soon broke out into a furious war. This afforded the first opportunity of displaying the brilliant courage of young Francesco Novello da Carrara, who was adored by his soldiers. "Francesco Novello," says Gataro, "was of middle stature, stout, well formed, of a dark complexion, and somewhat fierce aspect; but considerate, gracious, and kind to his people-merciful to all, wise and brave." His valorous exploits are related in conjunction with those of his brothers, Giacomo, and the Count da Carrara, and the brave Englishman, Sir John Hawkwood. Two brilliant victories of the Paduans obliged the Lord of Verona to sue for peace. The Count di Virtù, who had promoted the quarrel in hopes that the two princes would destroy each other, had, with his usual treacherous policy, concluded a treaty with Francesco Vecchio, of which the leading conditions were, that Vicenza should fall to the share of Padua, and Verona to Milan. But no sooner was the war concluded than the Count di Virtù, having obtained possession of both cities, refused to give up either; and in the follow

ing year entered into a league with Venice, Ferrara, and Mantua, against Carrara. In this extremity, with little prospect of being able to resist so powerful a confederacy, Francesco Vecchio summoned his council, and requested their advice.

Various proposals were made. A general spirit of disaffection to Francesco had been produced by the bribery and manœuvres of Visconti. The greater number were for deposing him, and surrendering to Milan, others for delivering him up to Venice; others for throwing him into prison, and electing his son in his stead. Not one was found faithful to the unfortunate old man. The day having been wasted in fruitless disputes, two of the council went the next morning to Francesco Novello, to inform him of the general sentiments of their colleagues, and pray him to assume his father's station. The young man indignantly refused to listen to them, saying that he would rather endure every extremity of fortune than fail in his duty to his parent.

The council was again summoned, and the aged signor had to listen anew to the proposals of giving him up to his enemies. Harassed by the clamorous debates, he summoned his son, and begged him to listen to the wishes of the council. Francesco Novello remained standing at the council-table lost in the deepest thought, while the different mem