 Chapter 13, Part 1 of The Betroth This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Betroth by Alessandro Manzoni, Chapter 13, Part 1. The unfortunate superintendent was at this moment digesting a poor and scanty dinner, unwillingly eaten with a little stale bread and awaiting with much suspense the termination of this storm, far from suspecting that it was about to fall with such violence upon his own head. Some benevolent person proceeded the crowd in urging haste and entered the house to warn him of his pressing danger. The servants, already attracted to the door by the noise, were looking with much alarm up the street in the direction of the approaching tumult. While listening to the warning, the vanguard came in sight. They ran in haste and terror to inform their master, and while he was deliberating whether he should fly or how he should accomplish it, someone else arrived to tell him that there was no longer time for flight. Scarcely was there time for the servants to secure the door. They, however, barred and locked it, and then ran to fasten the windows, as when a violent storm is threatening. And the hail is expected to come down every moment. The increasing howls of the people, following like a thunder clap, resounded through the empty yard. Every corner of the house re-echoed it, and in the midst of the tremendous and mingled uproar, were heard loudly and repeatedly the blows of stone upon the door. The superintendent, the tyrant, the fellow who would starve us, will have him dead or alive. Our man wandered from room to room, pale and almost breathless with terror, striking his hands together, commending himself to God, and imploring his servants to stand firm and find him some way of making his escape. But how and where, he ascended to the garret, and there, through an aperture between the ceiling and the tiles, looked anxiously into the street, and saw it swarming with the enraged populace, more terrified than ever. He then withdrew to seek the most secure and secret hiding place he could find. Here he crouched down and listened whether the awful bursts of fury would ever subside, and the tumult ever abate, but hearing that the uproar rather became more savage and outrageous, and the blows against the door more rapidly repeated. His heart sank within him, and he hastily stopped his ears. Then, as if beside himself, gnashing his teeth and distorting his countenance, he impetuously extended his arms and shook his fists, as if he would keep the door secure in spite of all the pushes and blows. At last, in absolute despair, he sank down upon the floor and remained terrified and almost insensible, expecting his death. Renzo found himself this time in the thickest of the confusion, not now carried there by the throng, but by his own deliberate will. At the first proposal of bloodshedding, he felt his own curdle within him, as to the plundering he had not exactly determined whether, in this instant, it were right or wrong, but the idea of murder aroused in him immediate and unfamed horror. And, although, by that fatal submission of excited minds to the excited affirmations of the many, he felt as fully persuaded that the superintendent was an impressive villain, as if he had known with certainty and minuteness all that the unhappy man had done, omitted and thought. Yet he had advanced among the foremost with the determined attention of doing his best to save him. With this resolution he had arrived close to the door, which was assailed in a hundred ways. Some, with flints, were hammering at the nails of the lock to break it open. Others, with stakes, chisels and hammers, set to work with more method and regularity. Others, again with sharp stones, blunted knives, broken pieces of iron nails and even their fingernails, if they had nothing else, pulled down the plaster and defaced the walls, and laboured hard to loosen the bricks by degrees, so as to make a breach. Those who could not lend a hand encouraged the others by their cries, but, at the same time, by the pressure of their persons, they contributed to impede the work already considerably obstructed by the disorderly contentions of the workers, for, by the favour of heaven, it sometimes happens in evil undertakings, as to often in good, that the most ardent abetters of a work become its greatest impediments. The first magistrates who had noticed of the insurrection immediately sent off to the commander of the castle, which then bore the name of Porto Giovia, for the assistance of some troops, and he quickly dispatched a band of men. But what with the information and the orders and the assembling and getting on their way and their march? The troops did not arrive till the house was completely surrounded by an immense army of besiegers, and they, therefore, halted at a sufficient distance from it, at the extremity of the crowd. The officer who commanded them knew not what course to pursue. Here was nothing but an assembly of idle and unarmed people, of every age in both sexes. On orders being given to disperse and make way, they replied by a deep and prolonged murmur, but no one moved. To fire down upon the crowd seemed to the officer not only a cruel but dangerous course which, while it offended the less formidable, would irritate the more violent. Besides, he had received no such instructions. To push through this first assembly, overthrow them right and left, and go forward to carry war where it was given, would have been the best, but how to succeed was the point. Who knew whether the soldiers would be able to proceed, united and in order, for if instead of breaking through the crowd they should be routed on entering, they would be left to the mercy of the people, after having exasperated them. The irresolution of the commander and the inactivity of the soldiers appeared, whether justly or not, to proceed from fear. Those who stood next to them contended themselves with looking them in the face with an air, as the Milanese say, of I don't care for you. Those who stood a little further off could not refrain from provoking them by making faces at them and by cries of mockery. Further on, few knew or cared who was there. The spoilers continued to batter the wall without any other thought than of succeeding quickly in their undertaking. The spectators ceased not to animate them with shouts. Among these appeared one who was himself a spectacle, an old and half-starved man, who, rolling about to sunken and fiery eyes, composing his wrinkled face to a smile of diabolical complacency. And with his hands raised above his infamous hoary head was brandishing in the air a hammer, a rope, and four large nails, with which he said he meant to nail the vicar to the posts of his own door, alive as he was. For shame burst forth from Renzo's horrified at such words, and at the sight of so many faces betokening approbation of them, at the same time encouraged by seeing others who, although silent, betrayed in their continences the same horror that he felt. For shame would you take the executioner's business out of his hand, murder a Christian? How can you expect that God will give us food if we do such wicked things? He will send us thunderbolts instead of bread. Ah, dog, traitor to his country, cried one of those who could hear in the uproar these sacred words turning to Renzo with the diabolical countenance. Wait, wait, he is a servant of the superintendent's, dressed like a peasant. He is a spy. Give it to him, give it to him. A hundred voices echoed the cry. What is it? Where is he? Who is he? A servant of the superintendent, a spy. The superintendent disguised as a present and making his escape. Where is he? Where is he? Give it to him, give it to him. Renzo became dumb, shrank into a mere nothing, and endeavored to make his escape. Some of his neighbors helped him to conceal himself, and, by louder and different cries, attempted to drown these adverse and homicidal shouts. But what was of more use to him than anything else was a cry of, make way, make way, which was heard close at hand. Make way, hear his help, make way, ho-hey. What was it? It was a long ladder that some persons were bringing to rear against the house, so as to gain an entrance through one of the windows. But by great good fortune this means, which would have rendered the thing easy, was not, in itself, so easy of execution. The bearers, who at each end and here and there at intervals, supported it, pushed it about, and impeded by the crowd, real two-and-fro-like waves, one with his head between two steps, and the sides resting on his shoulders, groaned beneath the weight, as under a galling yoke. Another was separated from his burden by a violent push, the abandoned machine bruised heads, shoulders, and arms, and the reader must imagine the complaints and murmurs of those who thus suffered. Others, raising the dead weight with their hands, crept underneath it, and carried it on their backs, crying, it is our turn, let us go, the fatal machine advanced by bounds and exchanges. Now, straightforward, now obliquely, it came, however, in time, to distract and divert the attention of Renzo's persecutors, and he profited by this confusion within confusion, creeping quietly along at first, and then elbowing his way as well as he could. He withdrew from the post where he found himself in such a perilous situation, with the intention of making the best of his escape from the tumult and of going, in real earnest, to find or wait for Father Bonaventura. All, on a sudden, a movement began at one extremity, extended itself through the crowd, and a cry was echoed from mouth to mouth in chorus, forer, forer. Surprise, expressions of favor or contempt, joy and anger burst forth wherever the name was heard. Some echoed it, some tried to drown it, some affirmed, some denied, some blessed, some cursed. Is forer here? It isn't true, it isn't true. Yes, yes, long live forer, he who gives bread at a low price. No, no, he's here, he's here in his carriage. What is this fellow going to do? Why does he meddle in it? We don't want anybody. Forer, long live forer, the friend of poor people, he's come to take the superintendent to prison. No, no, we will get just as ourselves. Back, back, yes, yes, forer, let forer come off with the superintendent to prison. And everybody standing on tiptoe turned toward the part where the unexpected new arrival was announced, but everybody rising, they saw neither more nor less than if they had all remained standing as they were, yet so it was, all arose. In fact, at the extremity of the crowd on the opposite side to where the soldiers were stationed, Antonio Ferrer, the high chancellor, was approaching in his carriage, feeling conscious probably that by his mistakes and obstinacy he was the cause or at any rate the occasion of this outbreak. He now came to try and allay it and to avert at least the most terrible and irreparable effects. He came in short to employ worthily a popularity unworthily acquired. In popular tumults there is always a certain number of men who either from overheated passions or from fanatical persuasions or from wicked designs or from an exquerable love of destruction do all they can to push matters to the worst. They propose or send the most inhuman advice and fan the flame wherever it seems to be sinking. Nothing is ever too much for them and they wish for nothing so much as that the tumult should have neither limits nor end. But by way of conter poise there is always a certain number of very different men who perhaps with equal ardor and equal perseverance are aiming at a contrary effect, some influenced by friendship or partiality for the threatened objects, others without further impulse than that of a pious and spontaneous horror of bloodshed and atrocious deeds. Heaven blesses such in each of these two opposite parties even without antecedent concert. Conformity of inclination creates an instantaneous agreement in operation. Those who make up the mass and almost the materials of the tumult besides are a mixed body of men who more or less by infinite gradations hold to one or to the other extreme partly incensed partly navished, a little inclined to a sort of justice according to their idea of the word, a little desirous of witnessing some grand act of villainy prone to ferocity or compassion, to adoration or extrication according as opportunity present itself of indulging to the full one or the other of these sentiments, craving every moment to know and to believe some gross absurdity or improbability and longing to shout, applaud or revile in somebody's train. Long live and down with are the words most readily uttered and he who has succeeded in persuading them that such and one does not deserve to be courted has need of very few words to convince them that he deserves to be carried in triumph. Actors, spectators, instruments, obstacles, whichever way the wind blows, ready even to be silent when there is no longer anyone to give them the word, to desist when instigators fail, to disperse when many concordant and uncontradicted voices have pronounced, let us go and to return to their own homes demanding of each other, what has happened since however this body has hence the greatest power nay is in fact the power itself. So each of the two active parties uses every endeavor to bring it to its own side, to engross its services. They are, as it were, two adverse spirits struggling which shall get possession of and animate this huge body. It depends upon which side can diffuse a cry the most apt to excite the passions and direct their emotions in favor of its own schemes, can most seasonably find information which will arouse or allay their indignation and excite either their terror or their hopes, and can give the word which repeated more and more vehemently will at once express a test and create the vote of the majority in favor of one or the other party. All these remarks are intended as an introduction to the information that, in the struggle of the two parties who were contending for the suffrages of the populace, crowded round the house of the superintendent. The appearance of Antonio Ferrer instantly gave a great advantage to the more moderate side, which had evidently been kept in awe and had the suker been a little longer delayed would have had neither power nor scope for combat. This person was acceptable to the multitude on account of the tariff of his own appointment, which had been so favorable to purchasers, and also for his heroic resistance to every argument on the contrary side. Mines already thus biased were now more than ever captivated by the bold confidence of the old man who, without guards or revenue, ventured thus to seek and comfort an angry and ungoverned multitude. The announcement also that he came to take the superintendent prisoner produced a wonderful effect so that the fury entertained towards the unfortunate man, which would have been rendered more violent, whoever had come to oppose it without making any concessions, was now with this promise of satisfaction and to use a Melanie's expression with this bone in their mouth, a little allayed, and made way for other and far different sentiments which pervaded the minds of the greater part of the crowd. For the favourers of peace, having recovered their breath seconded for rare in a hundred ways, those who were next to him by exciting and re-exciting the cries of general applause by their own, and endeavouring at the same time to repulse the people so as to make a clear passage for the carriage, the others by applauding, repeating and spreading his word, or what appeared to them the best he could utter by silencing the furious and the obstinate, and turning against him the new passions of the fickle assembly. Who is there that won't say long live for rare? Don't you wish bread to be sold cheap, eh? They are all rascals who don't wish for justice like Christians. They want to make as much noise as they can to let the vicar escape. To prison with the vicar, long live for rare, make room for for rare. As those who talked in this strain continued to increase the courage of the opposite party rapidly cooled, so that the former proceeded from reprimands so far as to lay hands upon the demolishers, to repulse them, and even to snatch the weapons from their grasp. These grumbled, threatened, and endeavored to regain their implements, but the cause of blood had given way, and the predominating cries were, prison, justice, for rare. After a little struggle they were driven back, the others possessed themselves of the door, both to defend it from further assaults and to secure access for for rare, and some of them calling to those within apertures for such a purpose were not wanting, informed them of the assistance that had arrived, and bid them get the superintendent ready to go directly to prison. Ehem, do you hear? Is this the for rare who helps to make out proclamations demanded our friend Renzel of a new neighbor remembering the vedite for rare that the doctor had pointed out to him at the bottom of one of these edicts, in which he had resounded so perversingly in his ears? Yes, the high chancellor was the reply. He is a worthy man, isn't he? More than that, it is he who fixed bread at a low price, and they wouldn't have it so, and now he has come to take the superintendent prisoner, who has not dealt justice to us. It is unnecessary to say that Renzel was instantly for for rare. He wished to get a sight of him directly, but this was no easy matter, yet with the help of sundry breastings and elbowings, like a true alpine, he succeeded in forcing a passage and reaching the foremost ranks next to the side of the carriage. End of Chapter 13, Part 1 The vehicle had proceeded a little way into the crowd, and was at this moment at a standstill by one of those inevitable impediments so frequent in a journey of this sort. The age for rare presented himself now at one window of the carriage, now at another, with accountants full of humility, affability, and benevolence. Accountants which he had always reserved per chance he should ever have an interview with Don Filippo the fourth. But he was compelled to display it also on this occasion. He talked, too, but the noise and murmur of so many voices, and the long lives which were addressed to him, allowed only a few of his words to be heard. He therefore had recourse to gestures, now laying his fingers on his lips to receive a kiss, which his hands, on quickly extending them, distributed right and left, as an acknowledgment of thanks for these public demonstrations of kindness. Now spreading them and waving them slowly outside the windows to beg a little room, now politely lowering them to request a moment's silence. When he had partly succeeded in obtaining it, the nearest to the carriage heard and repeated his words, bread, abundance, I come to give you justice, a little room, if you please. Then overcome, and as it were, smothered with the buzzing of so many voices, and sight of so many crowded faces and the consciousness of so many eyes fixed upon him, he drew back for a moment, puffed out his cheeks, sent forth a long-drawn breath and said to himself, upon my life what a crowd! Long live Ferrer! Don't be afraid, you are a worthy man, bread, bread! Yes, bread, bread! replied Ferrer, abundance, I promise you, and he laid his hand on his heart. A little room, added he, in his loudest voice, I am coming to take him to prison and give him just punishment, continuing in an undertone, if he is guilty. Then, bending forward toward the coachman, he said hastily, go on, Pedro, if you can. The driver himself also smiled a gracious condescension on the multitudes, as if he were some great personage, and, with ineffable politeness, waved his whip slowly to the right and left to beg his incomodious neighbors to restrain themselves and retire a little on either side. Be good enough, gentlemen, he said, at last, to make a little room, a very little, just enough to let us pass. The most active and benevolent now exerted themselves to make the passage so courteously requested. Some before the horses made the people retire by civil words, by putting their hands on their breasts and by sundry gentle pushes. There, there, a little room, gentlemen. Others pursued the same plan at the sides of the carriage, so that it might proceed without crushing toes or infringing upon mustachios, for besides injury to others, these accidents would expose the reputation of Antonio Ferrer to great risk. After having stood a few moments admiring the behavior of the old man, who, though agitated by perplexity and overcome with fatigue, was yet animated with solicitude and adorned, so to say, with the hope of rescuing a fellow creature from mortal anguish, Renzo put aside every thought of going away and resolved to lend a hand to Ferrer, and not to leave him until he had obtained his purpose. No sooner said than done, he joined with arrest in endeavoring to clear a passage, and certainly was not among the least efficient. A space was cleared. Now come forward, said more than one to the coachman, retiring or going before to make room further on. Forward, quickly but carefully, said his master, and the carriage moved on. Ferrer, in the midst of salutations which he lavished at random on the multitude, returned many particular acknowledgments with a smile and marked notice to those who he saw interesting themselves for him, and of these smiles more than one fell to Renzo's share, who indeed merited them and rendered more assistance to the high chancellor that day than the bravest of his secretaries could have done. The young mountaineer, delighted with these marks of distinction, also fancied he had made acquaintance with Antonio Ferrer. The carriage, once more on its way, continued to advance more or less slowly, and not without some further trifling delays. The distance to be traversed was not perhaps above a stone's throw, but with respect to the time it occupied, it might have appeared a little journey even to one who was not in such urgent haste as Ferrer. The crowds moved onward, before, behind, and on each side of the carriage, like the mighty billows around a vessel advancing through the midst of a storm. The noise was more shrill, more discordant, more stunning even than the whistling and howling of a storm itself. Ferrer, looking out first at one side and then the other, beckoning and making all sorts of gestures to the people, endeavored to catch something to which he might accommodate his replies. He tried as well as he could to hold a little dialogue with this crowd of friends, but it was a difficult task, the most difficult perhaps that he had yet met with during so many years of his high chancellorship. From time to time, however, a single word or occasionally some broken sentence repeated by a group in his passage made itself heard as the report of a large squib is heard above the continued crackling and whizzing of a display of fireworks. Now endeavouring to give a satisfactory answer to these cries, now loudly ejaculating the words that he knew would be most acceptable, or that some instant necessity seemed to require, he too continued to talk the whole way. Yes, gentlemen, bread, abundance. I will conduct him to prison. He shall be punished, if he is guilty. Yes, yes, I will command bread at low prices. So it is, I mean to say, the king our master would not wish such faithful subjects to suffer from hunger. Watch out! Take care, we do not hurt you, gentlemen. Pedro, forward carefully. Plenty, plenty! A little room for pity's sake. Bread, bread, to prison, to prison, what? Then demanded he of one who had thrust half his body through the window to shout in his ear some advice or petition or applause or whatever it might be. But he, without having time to hear the what, was forcibly pulled back by one who saw him on the point of being run over by the wheels. With such speeches and replies amongst incessant acclamations and some few grumbles of opposition which were distinguishable here and there, but were quickly silenced, for rare at last reached the house, principally by the aid of these good auxiliaries. The rest, who as we have before related were already here with the same good intentions, had in the meanwhile labored to make and maintain a clear space. They begged, exhorted, threatened, and stamping, trampling, and pacing up and down with that increased ardor and renewed strength, which the near approach of a desired result usually excites, had succeeded in dividing the crowd into two, and then in repressing the two parties so that when the carriage stopped before the door, there was left between them. Between it and the house a small empty space. Renzo, who by acting a little, both as scout and guide, had arrived with the carriage, managed to place himself in one of the two frontiers of worthy people, who served at once both as wings to the carriage and as a rampart to the two eager crowd of gazing bystanders, and helping to restrain one of these with his own powerful shoulders, he was also conveniently placed for seeing. Ferrer drew a long deep breath on perceiving the small open space, and the door still shut. Shut here means not open, for as to the rest the hinges were almost wrenched out of the pillars. The doorposts shivered to pieces, crushed, forced, and dissevered, and through a large hole in the door might be seen a piece of chain, twisted, bent, and almost broken in two, which, if we may say so, still held them together. Some kind-hearted person had placed himself at the opening to call to those within. Another ran to let down the steps of the carriage. The old man rose, put out his head, and laying his right hand on the arm of this worthy assistant, came out and stood on the top step. The crowd on each side stretched themselves up to see him. A thousand faces, a thousand beards pressed forward, and the general curiosity and attention produced a moment of silence. Ferrer, standing for that moment on the step, cast a glance around, saluted the people with a bow, as if from a rostrum, and laying his left hand on his heart cried, Bread and Justice! Then bold, upright, and in his robes, he descended amidst acclamations which rent the skies. Those within had, in the meanwhile, opened the door, or, to speak more correctly, had finished the work of resting out the chain, together with the already more than half-loosen staples. They made an opening to admit so ardently desired a guest, taking, however, great care to limit the aperture to a space that his person would occupy. Quick, quick, said he, open it wide, and let me in, and you, like brave fellows, keep back the people, don't let them follow me for heaven's sake. Make ready a passage for by and by. Aye, aye, gentlemen, one moment, said he to those within. Softly with this door, let me pass. Oh, my ribs, take care of my ribs! Shut it now! No, aye, aye, my gown, my gown! It would have remained caught in the door if Ferrer had not dexterously withdrawn the train, which disappeared from the outside like the tail of a snake that slips into a hiding-place when pursued. The door pushed to, and closed as best it could be, was then propped up with bars within. Outside, those who constituted themselves Ferrer's bodyguard labored with shoulders, arms, and cries to keep the space clear, preying from the bottom of their hearts that he would be expeditious. Be quick, be quick, said he, also as he stood within the portico to the servants who had gathered round him, and who, almost out of breath, were exclaiming, Blessings on you, oh, your Excellency, oh, your Excellency, oh, your Excellency! Quick, quick, repeated Ferrer, where is this poor man? The superintendent came downstairs, half dragged along and half carried by his servants, as white as a sheet. When he saw his kind helper, he once more breathed freely, his pulse again beat, a little life returned into his limbs and a little color into his cheeks. He hastened toward Ferrer, saying, I am in the hands of God and your Excellency, but how shall we get out of this house? It is surrounded by the mob who desires my death. Come with me, sir, and be of good courage. My carriage is outside, quick, quick. And taking his hand he led him towards the door, doing his best to encourage him, but in his heart thinking, this will be the difficult part. God help us. The door opened. Ferrer led the way, followed by his companion, who, creeping along, clung to the toga of his deliverer, like a little child to its mother's gown. Those who had kept the space clear now raised their hands and hats, so as to form a kind of net or cloud, to screen the superintendent from the perilous gaze of the populace, and allow him to get into the carriage, where he concealed himself by crouching in a corner. Ferrer then got in, and the door was shut. The people knew or guessed what had happened, and sent forth a confused shout of applause and imprecations. It may seem that the most difficult and hazardous part of the journey still remained to be performed. But the public desire of letting the superintendent be carried to prison was sufficiently evident, and during the stay of the chancellor and the house, many of those who have facilitated his arrival had so busyed themselves in preparing and maintaining a passage that amidst of the crowd, that on its return the carriage could proceed at a quicker pace and without further delays. As fast as it advanced, the two crowds, repelled on both sides, fell back and mingled again behind it. As soon as Ferrer had seated himself, he bent down, and advised the vicar to keep himself well concealed in the corner and not show himself for heaven's sake. But there was no necessity for this warning. He, on the contrary, was obliged to display himself at the window, to attract and engage the attention of the multitude, and through the whole course of this drive he was occupied, as before, in making, to his changeable audience, the most lengthened and most unconnected harangue that ever was uttered, only interrupting it occasionally, with some Spanish word or two which he turned to whisper hastily in the ear of his squatting companion. Yes, gentlemen, bread and justice, to the castle, to prison under my guard, thank you, thank you, a thousand thanks, no, no, he shall not escape, and whispering to the vicar, it is just to coax them. It is too just, we will examine, we will see, I also wish you well, gentlemen, a severe punishment, and again he whispered, I say this for your own good, a just tariff, a fair limit, and punishment to those who would starve you. Yes, yes, I am an honest man, a friend of the people, he shall be punished, it is true, he is a rogue and a rascal, and whispering again, pardon me, sir. It will go ill with him, it will go ill with him, if he is guilty, yes, yes, we will make the bakers plow straight forward, long live the king, and the good Milanese, his most faithful subjects, it is bad, very bad. Courage, we are almost out of danger. They had in fact traversed the thickest part of the crowd, and were now just on the point of issuing on to an open street. Here, for air, as he began to give his lungs a little rest, met his tardy allies, those Spanish soldiers who, toward the end, had not been quite useless, since, supported and directed by some citizen, they had assisted to disperse a few of the mob in quiet, and to keep open a passage for the final exit. On the arrival of the carriage they made way and presented arms to the High Chancellor, who returned the acknowledgement by a bow to the right and left, and to the officer who approached nearer to salute him, he said, accompanying the words with a wave of his right hand, Your servant, sir, which the officer took for what it really meant. You have given me fine assistance. In reply he made another low bow and shrugged his shoulders. It would have been appropriate enough to add, Kedant ermatogi. But Ferrer was not at that moment in a humour for quotations, and had he been, his words would have been wasted on the winds, for the officer did not understand Latin. Pedro regained his ancient spirit in passing between these two files of puppets, and these muskets so respectfully elevated. Having recovered from his consternation he remembered who he was and whom he was driving, and shouting, Hey, hey! without the addition of other complimentary speeches to the mobs, now sufficiently reduced in number to allow his venturing on such treatment, he whipped on his horses and took the road towards the castle. Get up! Get up! We're out of danger, said Ferrer to the superintendent, who reassured by the cessation of the cries, and by the rapid motion of the carriage, and by these words, uncovered and stretched himself, rose, and recovering himself a little began to overwhelm his liberator with thanks. Ferrer, after having condoled with him on his perilous situation, and congratulated him on his safety, exclaimed, running the palm of his hand over his bald peat. What will his excellency say of this, who is already beside himself for this cursed casale that won't surrender? What will the Count Duke say, who starts with fear if a leaf makes more noise than usual? What will the King our Master say, who will be sure to hear something of a great tumult, and when will it be over? Ah, as to myself, I will meddle no more in the business, said the superintendent. I wash my hands of it. I resign my office into your excellency's hands, and will go and live in a cave or on a mountain like a hermit, far, far away from this inhuman rabble. You will do what is best for the service of his Majesty, gravely replied the Chancellor. His Majesty does not desire my death, answered the superintendent, in a cave, in a cave, far from these people. What followed afterwards upon this proposal is not recorded by our author, who, after accompanying the poor man to the castle, makes no further mention of his proceedings. End of Chapter 13 Part 2 Chapter 14 Part 1 of The Betrothed This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Lonnie Small. The Betrothed. By Alessandro Manzoni Chapter 14 Part 1 The crowd that was left behind began to disperse and to branch off to the right and left along the different streets. One went home to attend to his business. Another departed that he might breed the fresh air and a little liberty after so many hours of crowded confinement, while a third set off in search of acquaintances with whom he might have a little chat about the doings of the day. The same dispersion was going on at the other end of the street, where the crowd was sufficiently thin to allow the troop of Spaniards to advance and approach the superintendent's house without having to fight their way. Around this, the dregs, so to say, of the insurgents were still congregated. A handful of rascals who, discontented, were so quiet and imperfect determination to such great preparations, grumbled, cursed, and consulted, to encourage themselves in seeking if something further might not be undertaken. And, by way of experiment, began beating and pounding at the unfortunate door, which had been again barred and propped up within. On the arrival of the troop, these without previous consultation, but with a unanimous resolution, moved off and departed by the opposite side, leaving the post free to the soldiers who took possession of it, and encamped as a guard to the house and street. But the neighboring streets and squares were still full of scattered groups, where two or three were standing, three, four, twenty others would stop. Some would depart, others arrive. It was like those little straggling clouds that sometimes remained scattered and shifting over the azure sky after a storm, and make one say on looking upwards, the weather is not settled yet. There was heard a confused and varying sound of voices. One was relating with much energy the particular incidents he had witnessed. Another recounted what he himself had done. Another congratulated his neighbors on this peaceable termination, applauded for air, and prognosticated dire evils about to fall on the superintendent. Others laughed at the idea, and asserted that no harm would be done him, because a wolf does not prey upon a wolf. While others more angrily murmured, because things had not been managed properly, said that it was all a hoax, and that they were fools to have made such a hubbub, only to allow themselves after all to be cousined in this manner. Meanwhile the sun had set, and twilight spread its uniform somberness over all objects. Many, wearied with the exertions of the day, and tired of gossiping in the dark, returned to their respective homes. Our youth, after having assisted the progress of the carriage so long as there was need of assistance, and having followed it even between the two files of soldiers as if in triumph, was satisfied when he saw it rolling along uninterruptedly out of danger. And accompanying the crowd a little way, he soon deserted it by the first outlet that he might breathe a little fresh air and quiet. After taking steps at large in the midst of much agitation from so many new scenes, so many passions, and so many recent and confused remembrances, he began to feel his need both of food and rest, and kept looking up from side to side in hope of seeing a sign of some end, since it was too late to go to the convent. As he thus proceeded, gazing upward, he suddenly lit upon a group of gossips, and stopping to listen he heard them as they talked, making conjectures, proposals, and designs for the morrow. After listening a moment or two he could not resist putting in his word, thinking that he who had done so much might without presumption join in a little conversation. Persuaded from what he had seen during the day, that to accomplish anything it was only necessary to suggest it to the populace. My good sirs, cried he, by way of exhortium. May I too give my poor opinion? My poor opinion is this, that there are other iniquities besides this of bread. Now we've seen plain enough today that we can get justice by making ourselves felt. Then let us proceed until all these grievances are cured, that the world may move forward in a little more Christian fashion. Isn't it true, gentlemen, that there is a set of tyrants who set it not the Ten Commandments, and search out poor people, who don't trouble their heads about them, just to do them every mischief they can, and yet they're always in the right. Nay, when they've been acting the rascal more than usual, then hold their heads higher than at other times? Yes, and even Milan has its share of them. Too many, said a voice. So I say, rejoined Renzo, the accounts of them have already reached our ears, and besides the things speaks for itself. Let us suppose, for instance, that one of those I am talking about should have one foot outside and one in Milan. If he's a devil there, he won't be an angel here, I fancy. Yet just tell me, sirs, whether you've ever seen one of these men behind the grating, and the worst of it is, and this I can affirm with certainty, there are proclamations in plenty published to punish them. And those not proclamations without meaning, but well drawn out, you can't find anything better done, there are all sorts of villainies clearly mentioned, exactly as they happen, and to each one its proper punishment. It says, whoever it may be, ignoble or plebeians, and what not besides. Now just go and ask doctors, scribes, and Pharisees to see just as done to you as the proclamation warrants, and they will give you as much ear as the Pope does to vagabonds. It's enough to make any honest fellow turn desperate. It is plain enough, then, that the king, and those who command under him, are desirous that naive should be duly punished. But nothing is done, because there is some league between them. We therefore ought to break it. We should go to-morrow morning to Ferrer, who is a worthy man, an attractable senor. We saw today how glad he was to be amongst the poor people, and how he tried to hear what was said to him, and answered, with such condescension. We should go to Ferrer and tell him how things stand. And I, for my part, can tell him some fine doings, for I saw with my own eyes a proclamation with ever so many arms at the top, which had been made by three of the rulers, for there was the name of each of them printed plain below, and one of these names was Ferrer, seen by me with my own eyes. Now this edict exactly suited my case, and a doctor to whom I applied for justice, according to the intention of these three gentlemen, among whom was Ferrer himself. This senior doctor, who had himself shown me the proclamation, and a fine one it is, aha, thought that I was talking to him like a madman. I'm sure that when this worthy old fella hears some of these fine doings, for he cannot know all, particularly those in the country, he won't be willing to let the world go on this way, but will find some remedy for it. And besides, they who make the proclamations ought to wish that they should be obeyed, for it is an insult to count as nothing an edict with their name fixed to it. And if the powerful ones won't lower their heads, and will still play the fool, we are ready to make them as we've done today. I don't say that he should go about in his carriage to carry off every powerful and overbearing rascal, haha, it would require Noah's Ark for that. But he ought to command all those whose business it is, not only in Milan, but everywhere, to do things as the proclamations require, and draw up an indictment against all those who have committed these iniquities. And where it says prison? To prison. Where it says galleys? To the galleys. And bid the Podesta to do his duty. If he won't, send him about his business, and put a better man in his place. And then besides, as I said, we should be ready to lend a hand. And he ought to order the lawyers to listen to the poor, and to talk reasonably. Don't I say right, my good sirs? Renzo had talked so earnestly, that from the beginning a great part of the assemblage had stopped all other conversation, and had turned to listen to him. And up to a certain point all had continued his auditors. A confused clamour of applause. Of Bravo! Certainly he is right. It is too true, followed his harangue. Critics, however, were not wanting. Oh, yes, said one. Listen to a mountaineer. They are all advocates. And he went away. Now, muttered another, every ragamuffin must put in his word, and what with having too many irons in the fire we shan't have bread sold cheap, which is what we've made this stir for. Renzo, however, heard nothing but compliments, one taking him by this hand, another by that one. I will see you to-morrow. Where? At the square of the cathedral. Very well, very well, and something will be done, and something will be done. Which of these good gentlemen will direct me to an inn where I can get something to eat, and a lodging for the night that will suit a poor youth's pocket? said Renzo. I am at your service, my brave fellow, said one who had listened attentively to his harangue, and had not yet said a word. I know an inn that will just suit you, and I will introduce you to the landlord, who is my friend and a very worthy man. Near at hand, asked Renzo, only a little way off, replied he. The assembly dispersed, and Renzo, after several warm shakes of the hand from strangers, went off with his new acquaintance, thanking him heartily for his kindness. Not a word, not a word, said he. One hand washes the other, and both the face. Is it not one's duty to serve one's neighbor? And as he walked he kept making of Renzo, in the course of conversation, first one, and then another, inquiry. Not out of curiosity about your doings, but you seem tired. Where do you come from? I come, replied Renzo, as far as from Leko. From Leko? Are you a native of Leko? Of Leko, that is, of the territory. Poor fellow! From what I have gathered in your conversation you seem to have been badly treated. Ah, my dear fellow! I was obliged to speak rather carefully, that I might not publish my affairs to the world. But it's enough. Some day it will be known, and then— But I see a sign of an in here, and to say the truth, I'm not inclined to go any further. No, no, come where I told you. It's a very little way further, said the guide. Here you won't be comfortable. Very well, replied the youth. I'm not a gentleman accustomed to down, though. Something good to supply the garrison in a straw mattress are enough for me, and what I want most is to find both directly. Here we are, fortunately, and he entered a shabby-looking doorway over which hung the sign of the full moon. Well, I will lead you here, since you wish it," said the incognito as he followed him in. Don't trouble yourself any further, replied Renzo. However, added he, you will do me the favour of taking a glass with me. I accept your kind offer," replied he, and he advanced as being better acquainted with the place before Renzo, threw a little court, approached a glass door, lifted up the latch, and opening it, entered with his companion into the kitchen. Two lights illuminated the apartment suspended from two hooks fixed in the beam of the ceiling. Many persons, all of whom were engaged, were lounging on benches which stretched along both sides of a narrow, dirty table, occupying almost the whole of one side of the room. Here and there a cloth was spread, and a few dishes set out at intervals. Cards were played and dice-cast and gathered up, and everywhere were bottles and glasses. On the wet table were to be seen various Spanish and Milani's coins, which could they have spoken would probably have said, This morning we were in a baker's till, or in the pockets of some of the spectators of the tumult. For everyone intent on watching how public matters went, forgot to look after their own private interests. The clamour was great. A boy was going backwards and forwards in haste and bustle, waiting upon this table and sundry chessboards. The host was sitting upon a small bench under the chimney-piece, occupied apparently in making and unmaking certain figures in the ashes with the tongs, but in reality intent on all that was going on around him. He rose at the sound of the latch, and advanced towards the newcomers. When he saw the guide, Cursed fellow, thought he, you are always coming to plague me when I least want you. Then hastily glancing at Renzo he again said to himself, I don't know you, but coming in with such a hunter you must either be a dog or a hare. When you have said two words I shall know which. However, nothing of this mute soliloquy appeared in the landlord's countenance, which was as immovable as a picture, a round and shining face with a thick reddish beard and two bright and staring eyes. What are your commands, gentlemen? said he. First of all a good flask of wine, said Renzo, and then something to eat. So saying he sat down on a bench towards the end of the table and uttered a sonorous, ah! Which seemed to say it does one good to sit down after having been so long standing and working so hard. But immediately the recollection of the bench and the table at which he had last sat with Lucia and Agnesi rushed into his mind and forced from him a sigh. He shook his head to drive away the thought, and then saw the host coming with the wine. His companion had sat down opposite to Renzo, who poured him out a glass and pushed it towards him, saying, to moisten your lips, and filling the other glass he emptied it in one draft. What can you give me to eat? then demanded he of the landlord. A good bit of stewed meat, asked he. Yes, sir, a bit of stewed meat. You shall be served directly, said the host to Renzo, and turning to the boy, attend to the stranger. And he retreated to the fireplace, but, resumed he, turning again towards Renzo, we have no bread to-day. As to bread, said Renzo, in a loud voice and laughing. Providence has provided that. And drawing from his pocket the third and last loaf which he had picked up under the cross of San D'Anegi, he raised it in the air exclaiming, Behold the bread of Providence! Many turned on hearing this exclamation, and seeing such a trophy in the air somebody called out, Hurrah for bread at a low price! At a low price? said Renzo. Oh, more by the grace of God! Better still, better still! But, added he immediately, I should not like these gentlemen to think ill of me. I have not, as they say, stolen it. I found it on the ground, and if I could find its owner I am ready to pay him for it. Bravo! Bravo! cried his companions, laughing more loudly without it entering into one of their minds that these words were seriously expressed a real fact and intention. They think I'm joking, but it's just so, said Renzo to his guide, and turning the loaf over in his hand he added. See how they've crushed it? It looks like a cake. But there were plenty close by it. If any of them had had very tender bones they'd have come badly off. Then, biting off and devouring three or four mouthfuls, he swallowed another glass of wine and added, this bread won't go down alone. I never had so dry a throat, a great shouting there was. Prepare a good bed for this honest fellow, said the guide, for he intends to sleep here. Do you wish a bed? asked the landlord of Renzo, advancing towards the table. Certainly, replied he, a bed to be sure. Only let the sheets be clean, for though I am but a poor lad I am accustomed to cleanliness. Oh, as to that, said the host, and going to a counter that stood in the corner of the kitchen, he returned with an ink stand and a little bit of writing paper in one hand and a pen in the other. What does this mean? exclaimed Renzo, gulping down a mouthful of the stew that the boy had set before him, and then smiling in astonishment. Is this the white sheet, eh? Without making any reply, the landlord laid the paper on the table, and put the ink stand by the paper. Then, stooping forward, he rested his left arm and his right elbow on the table, and holding the pen in the air, with his face raised toward Renzo, said to him, Will you be good enough to tell me your name, surname, and country? What? said Renzo. What is all this to do with my bed? I do my duty, said the host, looking towards the guide. We are obliged to give an account and relation of everyone that comes to sleep in our house, name and surname, and of what nation he is, on what business he comes, if he has any arms with him, how long he intends to stay in the city. They are the very words of the proclamation. Before replying, Renzo swallowed another glass. It was the third, and from this time forward I fear we shall not be able to count them. He then said, Ah, ah, you have the proclamation, and I pride myself upon being a doctor of law, so I know well enough what importance is attached to edicts. I speak in earnest, said the landlord, keeping his eye on Renzo's mute companion, and going again to the counter, he drew out a large sheet, an exact copy of the proclamation, and came to display it before Renzo's eyes. Ah, see! exclaimed the youth, raising the refilled glass in one hand and quickly emptying it, while he stretched out the other and pointed with his finger towards the unfolded proclamation. Look at that fine sheet, like a missile. I'm delighted to see it. I know those arms, and I know what that heretical face means with the noose around its neck. At the head of the edicts the arms of the governor were usually placed, and in those of Don Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordova appeared a Moorish king chained by the throat. That face means, command who can, and obey who will. When that face shall have sent to the galleys, senior Don, oh, never mind, I know who. As another parchment says, like this, when it has provided that an honest youth may marry an honest girl who is willing to be married to him, then I will tell my name to this face, and will give it a kiss into the bargain. I may have very good reasons for not telling you my name, oh, truly, and if a rascal who had under his command a handful more of rascals, for if he were alone—here he finished his sentence with a gesture—if a rascal wanted to know where I am, to do me an ill turn, I ask if that face would move itself to help me. I'm to tell my business, this is something new. Supposing I had come to Milan to confess, I should wish to confess to a Capuchin father I'd beg to say, and not to a landlord. The host was silent, and looked toward the guide, who gave no token of noticing what passed. Renzo, we grieved to say, swallowed another glass and continued. I will give you a reason, my dear landlord, which will satisfy you. If those proclamations which speak in favour of good Christians are worth nothing, those which speak against them are worth still less. So carry away these bothering things, and bring us instead another flask, for this is broken. So saying, he tapped it lightly with his knuckles and added, listen how it sounds like a cracked bottle. Renzo's language had again attracted the attention of the party, and when he ceased there arose a general murmur of approbation. What must I do? said the host, looking at the incognito, who was, however, no stranger to him. Away, away with them! cried many of the guests. This country man has some sense. They are grievances, tricks, impositions, new laws today, new laws. In the midst of these cries the incognito glancing toward the landlord, a look of reproof for this two public magisterial summons, said, Let him have his own way a little. Don't give any offence. I've done my duty, said the host, in a loud voice, and added to himself. Now I have my shoulders against the wall. He then removed the pen, ink, and paper, and took the empty flag and to give it to the boy. Bring the same sort of wine, said Renzo, for I find it a worthy fellow, and will send it to sleep with the other without asking its name or surname or what is its business and if it intends to stay any time in the city. Some more of the same sort, said the landlord to the boy, giving him the flask, and he returned to his seat under the chimney-piece. More simple than a hair, thought he, figuring away in the cinders, and into what hands has thou fallen, thou great ass? If thou wilt drown, drown, but the landlord of the full moon isn't obliged to go shares in thy folly. Renzo returned thanks to his guide, and to all the rest who has taken his part. Brave friends, said he. Now I see clearly that honest fellows give each other a hand, and support each other. Then waving his hand in the air, over the table, and again assuming the air of a speaker. Isn't it an admirable thing, exclaimed he, that all our rollers will have pen, ink, and paper intruding everywhere? Always a pen in the hand. They must have a mighty passion for wielding the pen. Eh, you worthy country-man, would you like to know the reason? said a winner of one of the game's laughing. Let us hear, replied Renzo. The reason is, said he, that as these senorii eat geese, they find they have got so many quills that they are obliged to make something of them. All began to laugh, accepting the poor man who had just been a loser. Oh! said Renzo, this man is a poet. You have some poets here, then. They are springing up everywhere. I have a little turn that way myself, and sometimes I make some fine verses. But that's when things go smoothly. To understand this nonsense of poor Renzo's, the reader must know that amongst the lower orders in Milan, and still more in the country, the term poet did not signify, as among all educated people, a sacred genius, an inhabitant appendice, a votary of the muses, it rather meant a humorous and even giddy-headed person, who in conversation and behavior had more repartee and novelty than sense. So daring are these mischief-makers among the vulgar in destroying the meaning of words and making them express things the most foreign and contrary to their legitimate signification. For what I should like to know has a poet to do with a giddy brain. But I'll tell you the true reason, added Renzo, it is because they hold the pen in their own hand, and so the words that they utter fly away and disappear. The words that a poor lad speaks are carefully noted, and very soon they fly through the air with his pen and are down upon paper to be made use of at a proper time and place. They've also another trick, that when they would bother a poor fellow who doesn't know letters, but who has a little, I know what, and to illustrate his meaning he began tapping and almost battering his forehead with his forefinger. No sooner do they perceive that he begins to understand the puzzle than forsooth they must throw in a little Latin to make him lose the thread, to prevent his defending himself and to perplex his brain. Well, well, it is our business to do away with these practices. Today everything has been done reasonably in our own tongue and without pen, ink, and paper. And tomorrow, if people will but govern themselves, we will do still better. Without touching a hair of their heads, though, everything must be done in a fair way. In the meantime, some of the company had returned to their gaming, others to eating, and many to shouting. Some went away, and others arrived in their place. The landlord busied himself in attending upon all, but these things have nothing to do with our story. The unknown guide was impatient to take his departure, yet, though he had not to all appearance any business at the house, he would not go away till he had chatted a little with Renzo individually. He therefore turned to him and renewed the conversation about bread. And after a few of those expressions which had been for some time in everyone's mouth, he began to give his own opinion. Eh, if I were rolling, said he, I would find a way of making things right. How would you do, asked Renzo, fixing on him two eyes more sparkling than usual, and twisting his mouth away to be more attentive. How would I do, said he, I would have bread for all, for poor as well as rich. Ah, so far well, said Renzo. See how I would do it. First I would fix a moderate price that everybody could reach. Then I would distribute bread according to the number of mouths per household, for there are some inconsiderate gluttons who would have all to themselves, and strive who can get the most, buying at a high price, and thus there isn't bread enough for the poor people. Therefore distribute bread. And how should that be done? See. Give a note to every family, in proportion to the number of mouths, to go and get bread at the bake houses. To me, for example, they should give a note of this kind. Ambrosio Fusella, by trade, a sword-cutler, with a wife and four children, all of an age to eat bread. Note that well. Let them have so much bread and pay so many pence. But to do things justly it must always be in proportion to the number of mouths. You, we will suppose, ought to have a note for your name. Lorenzo Tramaglino, said the youth, who, delighted with the plan, never recollected that it was entirely founded on paper, pen, and ink, and that to put it in execution the first thing must be to get everybody's name. Very well, said the stranger, but have you a wife and children? I ought indeed, children know, too soon, but a wife, if the world one is at ought, ah, you are single, well, have patience, but a smaller portion. You are right, but as soon as I hope, and by the help of God, enough, and when I have a wife, too? Then change the note, and increase the quantity. As I said, always in proportion to the number of mouths, said the unknown, rising from his seat. That is all very good, cried Lorenzo, and he continued vociferously as he struck his hand upon the table. And why don't they make a law of this kind? How can I tell? But I must bid you good night, and be off, for I fancy my wife and children have been looking out for me this good while. Just another little drop, another little drop, cried Lorenzo, hastily filling his glass and rising quickly. He seized the skirt of his doublet, and tried to force him to sit down again. Another little drop, don't do me this insult. But his friend disengaged himself with a sudden jerk, and leaving Lorenzo to indulge in importunity and reproaches as he pleased, again said, good night, and went away. Lorenzo shouted after him, when he had even reached the street, and then sank back upon his seat. He eyed the glass that he had just filled, and seeing the boy passing the table, he detained him with a beckon of his hand, as if he had some business to communicate. He then pointed to the glass, and with a slow and grave enunciation, and pronouncing the words in a peculiar manner, said, See, I had prepared it for that worthy gentleman, do you see? Full to the brim. Fit for a friend, but he wouldn't have it. People have very odd ideas, sometimes. I couldn't do otherwise. I let him see my kind intentions. Now then, since the thing is done, I mustn't let it go to waste. So saying, he took it, and emptied it at a draft. I understand, said the boy, going away. Ah, you understand, do you, replied Lorenzo. Then it is true, when reasons are sensible. Nothing less than our love of truthfulness would induce us to prosecute a faithful account, which does so little credit to so important a person, we may almost say to the principal hero of our story. From the same motive of impartiality, however, we must also state that this was the first time that such a thing happened to Lorenzo, and it is just because he was not accustomed to such excesses that his first attempt succeeded so fatally. The few glasses that he had swallowed, one after another, at first contrary to his usual habits, partly to cool his parched throat, partly from a sort of excitement of mind which gave him no liberty to do anything in moderation, quickly went to his head. A more practice drinker would probably never have felt them. Our anonymous author here makes an observation which we repeat for the benefit of those of our readers who know how to value it. Temperate and honest habits, says he, bring with them this advantage that the more they are established and rooted in a man, so much the more easily when he acts contrary to them, does he immediately feel the injury or inconvenience, or to say the least the disagreeability of such an action, so that he has something to remember for a time, and thus even a slight fault serves him for a lesson. However this may be, certain it is that when these first fumes had mounted to Lorenzo's brain, wine and words continued to flow, one down and one up, without measure or reason, and at the point where we have left him he had got quite beyond his powers of self-government. He felt a great desire to talk. Auditors, or at least men present whom he could imagine such, were not wanting, and for some time also words had readily occurred to him and he had been able to arrange them in some sort of order, but by degrees his powers of connecting sentences began woefully to fail. The thought that had presented itself vividly and definitively in his mind, suddenly clouded over and vanished, while the word he wanted and waited for was, when it occurred to him, inapplicable and unseasonable. In this perplexity, by one of those false instincts that so often ruined men, he would again have recourse to the Flagon, but anyone with a grain of sense will be able to imagine of what use the Flagon was to him then. We will only relate some of the many words he uttered in this disastrous evening. The others which we omit would be too unsuitable, for they not only had no meaning, but made no show of having any, a necessary requisite in a printed book. Ah, host, host! resumed he, following him with his eye round the table or under the chimney-piece, sometimes gazing at him where he was not, and talking all the time in the midst of the uproar of the party. What a landlord you are! I cannot swallow this, this trick about the name, serename, and business. To a youth like me, you have not behaved well. What satisfaction now? What advantage? What pleasure? To put upon paper a poor youth. Don't I speak sense, gentlemen? Landlords ought to stand by good use. Listen, listen, landlord, I will compare you. Because do you laugh? I am a little too far gone, I know. But the reasons I would give are right enough. Just tell me now, who is it that keeps up your trade? Poor fellas, isn't it? See if any of these gentlemen of the proclamations ever come here to wet their lips. They are all people that drink water, said one of Renzo's neighbors. They want to have their heads clear, added another, to be able to tell lies cleverly. Ah! cried Renzo. That was the poet who spoke then. Then you understand my reason. Answer me then, landlord. And Ferrer, who is best of all, has he ever come here to drink a toast or to spend a quarter of a farthing? And that dog of a villain, Don. I'll hold my tongue, because I'm a careful fellow. Ferrer and Father Cr... Cr... Well, I know. They are two worthy men. But they are so few worthy men in the world. The old are worse than the young, and the young, worse again than the old. However, I am glad there has been no murdering, no cruelties that should be left for the hangman's hands. Bread. Oh yes, I got some great pushes. But I gave away some, too. Room. Plenty. Long live. However, even Ferrer, who also spoke some words in Latin, cursed trick. Long live. Justice. Bread. Ah! These are fair words. There we wanted these comrades. When that cursed ton, ton, ton broke forth, and then again, ton, ton, ton... We did not flee then, do you see, to keep that senior curate there. I know what I'm thinking about. At these words he bent down his head, and remained some time as if absorbed in some idea. He then heaved a deep sigh, and raised a face with two piteous-looking eyes and such an expression of disagreeable and stupid grief that woe to him if the object of it could have seen him at that moment. But the wicked men around him, who had already begun to divert themselves with the impassioned and confused eloquence of Renzo, now hastened to ridicule his countenance, tinctured with remorse. The nearest to him said to the others, Look at him, and all turned towards the poor fellow, so that he became the laughing-stock of the unruly company. Not that all of them were in their perfect senses, or in their ordinary senses, whatever they might be, but to say the truth none of them had gone so far as poor Renzo. And still more, he was a countryman. They began first one, and then another, to provoke him with foolish and unmanally questions and jesting ceremonies. One moment he would seem to be offended, the next would take the treatment in joke. Now, without taking notice of all these voices, he would talk of something quite different, now replying, now interrogating, but always by starts and blunders. Fortunately, in all this extravagance, he had preserved a kind of instinctive carefulness not to mention the names of persons, so that even that which was most likely to be firmly fixed in his memory was not once uttered. For deeply it would have grieved us if that name for which even we entertain a degree of respect and affection had been bandied about, and become the sport of these abandoned wretches. End of chapter 14 part 2 Chapter 15 part 1 of The Betroth This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lonnie Small The Betroth by Alessandro Manzoni Chapter 15 part 1 The landlord, seeing the game was lasting too long and being carried too far, had approached Renzo, and with the greatest politeness requesting the others to leave him alone, began shaking him by the arm and tried to make him understand and persuade him that he had better go to bed. But Renzo could not forget the old subject of the name, and surname, and proclamations, and worthy youths. However, the words bed and sleep, repeated in his ear, brought some kind of impression on his mind. They made him feel a little more distinctly his need of what they signified, and produced a momentary lucid interval. The little sense that returned to his mind made him in some degree sensible that most of his companions had gone, as the last glimmering torch in an illumination shows all the others extinguished. He made a resolution, placed his open hands upon the table, tried once or twice to raise himself, sighed, staggered, and at a third attempt supported by his host, he stood upon his feet. The landlord, steadying him as he walked along, guided him from between the bench and table, and taken a lamp in one hand partly conducted and partly dragged him with the other toward the stairs. Here, Renzo, unhearing the noise and salutations which were shouted after him by the company, hastily turned around, and if his supporter had not been very alert and held him by the arm, the evolution would have ended in a heavy fall. However, he managed to turn back, and with his unconfined arm began figuring and describing in the air sundry salutes like a running knot. Let us go to bed, to bed, said the landlord, pushing him forward through the door, and with still more difficulty drawing him to the top of the narrow wooden staircase, and then into the room he had prepared for him. Renzo rejoiced on seeing his bed ready. He looked graciously upon his host, with eyes which one moment glistened more than ever, and the next faded away like two fireflies. He endeavored to steady himself on his legs, and stretched out his hand towards his host's cheek to take it between his first and middle fingers in token of friendship and gratitude, but he could not succeed. Brave landlord he at last managed to stammer out. Now I see that you are a worthy fellow. This is a kind deed to give a poor lad a bed, but that trick about the name and surname that wasn't like a gentleman. By good luck I saw through it. The landlord, who little thought he could have uttered anything so connected, and who knew by long experience how men in such a condition may be induced more easily than usual, suddenly to change their minds, was determined to take advantage of this lucid interval to make another attempt. My dear fellow, said he, with the most coaxing tone and look, I didn't do it to vex you, nor to pry into your affairs. What would you have? There are the laws, and we must obey them. Otherwise we are the first to suffer the punishment. It is better to satisfy them, and, after all, what is it all about? A great thing, certainly, to say two words. Not, however, for them, but to do me a favour. Here, between ourselves, face to face, let us do our business, tell me your name, and then go to bed with a quiet mind. Ah, rascal! exclaimed Renzo. Cheat! You are again returning to the charge with that infamous name, surname business. Hold your tongue, simpleton, and go to bed, said the landlord. But Renzo pursued more vehemently. I understand you are one of the league. Wait, wait, and I'll settle it. And directing his voice toward the head of the stairs, he began to shout more vociferously than ever. Friends, the landlord is of the—I only said it in a joke, cried he, and Renzo's face repulsing him and pushing him toward the bed. In joke, didn't you understand that I only said it in joke? Ah, in joke. Now you speak sensibly. When you say in joke, they are just the things to make a joke of. And he sank upon the bed. Here, undress yourself and be quick, said the host, adding assistance to his advice. And there was need of it. When Renzo had succeeded in getting off his waistcoat, the landlord took it and put his hands in the pockets to see if there were any money in them. His search was successful. And thinking that his guest would have something else to do than to pay him on the morrow, and that this money would probably fall into hands once the landlord could not easily be able to recover any share, he resolved to risk another attempt. You're a good lad and an honest man, aren't you? said he. Good lad and honest man, replied Renzo, vainly endeavouring to undo the buttons of the clothes which he had not yet been able to take off. Very well, rejoined the host. Just settle then this little account for tomorrow. I must go out on some business. That's only fair, said Renzo. I'm a fool, but I'm honest. But the money—am I to go look for the money now? It's here, said the innkeeper, and calling up all his practice, patience, and skill, he succeeded in settling the account and securing the reckoning. Lend me a hand to finish undressing, landlord, said Renzo. I'm beginning to feel very sleepy. The landlord performed the required office. He then spread the quilt over him, and almost before he had time to say disdainfully, good night, Renzo was snoring, fast asleep. Yet with that sort of attraction which sometimes induces us to contemplate an object of dislike, as well as of affection, and which perhaps is nothing else than a desire of knowing what operates so forcibly on our mind, he paused, for a moment, to contemplate so annoying a guest, holding the lamp towards his face, and throwing the light upon it with a strong reflection by screening it with his hand, almost in the attitude in which Psyche is depicted when stealthily regarding the features of her unknown consort. Mad blockhead, said he, in his mind to the poor sleeper. You've certainly taken the way to look for it. Tomorrow you'll be able to tell me how you've liked it. Clowns who will stroll over the world without knowing whereabouts the sun rises just to bring themselves and their neighbors into trouble. So saying, or rather thinking, he withdrew the light and left the room, locking the door behind him. On the landing-place at the top of the stairs he called the landlady, and bade her leave the children under the care of a young servant-girl, and go down into the kitchen to berside and keep guard in his stead. I must go out thanks to a stranger who has arrived here to minus fortune, said he, and he briefly related the annoying circumstance. He then added, Have your eyes everywhere, and above all be prudent this unfortunate day. There's a group of licentious fellows down below who, between drink and their own inclination, are ready enough to talk and will say anything. If a rash, oh, I'm not a child, and I know well enough what's to be done, I think you can't say that up to this time, well, well, and be sure they pay, and pretend not to hear anything they say about the superintendent of provisions, and the governor, and Ferrer, and the da Curione, and the Cavaliers, and Spain, and French, and such fulleries, for if you contradict them you'll come off badly directly, and if you agree with them you may fare badly afterwards, and you know well enough that sometimes those who say the worst things, but enough. When you hear certain things turn away your head and cry, I'm coming, as if somebody was calling you from the other side. I'll come back as quick as I can. So saying, he went down with her into the kitchen, gave a glance around to see if there were anything new of consequence, took down his hat and cloaked from a peg, reached a short thick stick out of the corner, summed up in one glance at his wife the instructions he had given her, and went out. But during these preparations he had again resumed the thread of the apostrophe begun at Renzo's bedside, and continued it even while proceeding on his walk. Abstinent fellow of a mountaineer! For however Renzo was determined to conceal his condition, this qualification had betrayed itself in his words, pronunciation, appearance, and actions. As such a day is this by good policy and judgment I thought to have come off clear, and you must just come in at the end of it to spoil the egg in the hatching. Were there no other ends in Milan that you must just light upon mine? Would that you had even lit upon it alone? I would then have shut my eyes to it tonight, and tomorrow morning would have given you a hint. My good sir, no! You must come in the company and to do better still in a company with a sheriff. At every step the innkeeper met either with solitary passengers or persons in groups of three or four whispering together. At this stage of his mute soliloquy he saw a patrol of soldiers approaching, and going a little aside peeped at them from under the corner of his eye as they passed, and continued to himself. There go the full chastisers, and you great ass, because you saw a few people rambling about and making a noise, and must even come into your brain that the world is turning upside down. And on this fine foundation you have ruined yourself, and are trying to ruin me too, this isn't fair. I did my best to save you, and you, you fool in return, have very nearly made a disturbance in my inn. Now you must go and get yourself out of this scrape, and I will look to my own business as if I wanted to know your name out of curiosity. What does it matter to me whether it be Thaddeus or Bartholomew? A mighty desire I have to take the pen in hand. But you are not the only people who would have things all their own way. I know as well as you that there are proclamations which go for nothing, a fine novelty that a mountaineer should come to tell me that. But you don't know that proclamations against landlords are good for something, and you pretend to travel over the land and speak, and don't know that if one would have his own way and carry the proclamations in one's pocket, the first thing requisite is not to speak against them in public. And for a poor innkeeper, who was of your opinion, and didn't ask the name of anyone who happens to favour him with his company, do you know you fool what good things are in store for him? Under pain of three hundred crowns to any one of the aforesaid landlords, tavern-keepers, and others as above, there are three hundred crowns hatched, and now to spend them well, to be applied two-thirds to the royal chamber, and the other third to the accuser or informer, what a fine bait. And in case of inability, five years in the galleys, and greater punishment, pecuniary or corporal, at the will of his Excellency, much obliged for all his favours. At these words the landlord reached the door of the court of the High Sheriff. Here, as at all other secretaries' offices, much business was going forward. Everywhere they were engaged in giving such orders as seemed most likely to preoccupy the following day, to take away every pretext for discontent, to overcome the boldness of those who were anxious for fresh tumult, and to confirm power in the hands of those accustomed to exercise it. The soldiery round the house of the superintendent were increased, and the ends of the street were blockaded with timber and barricaded with carts. They commanded all the bakers to make bread without intermission, and dispatched couriers to the surrounding country with orders to send corn into the city, while noblemen were stationed at every bakehouse, who repaired thither early in the morning to superintendent the distribution, and to restrain the factious by fair words and the authority of their presence. But to give, as the saying is, one blow to the hoop and another to the cask, and to render their cajolings more efficient by a little all, they thought also of taking measures to see some one of the seditious. And this was principally the business of the High Sheriff, whose temper toward the insurrection and the insurgents the reader may imagine, when he is informed of the vegetable fermentation which it was found necessary to apply to one of the organs of his metaphysical profundity. His bloodhounds had been in the field from the beginning of the riot, and this self-styled Ambrosio Fusella was, as the landlord said, a disguised undersheriff sent about for the express purpose of catching in the axe someone whom he could again recognize, whose motions he could watch, and whom he could keep in mind so as to seize either in the quiet of the evening or next morning. He had not heard four words of Renzo's harangue before he had fixed upon him as a capital object, exactly his man. Finding afterward that he was just fresh from the country, he had attempted the master-stroke of conducting him at once to the prison as the safest inn in the city, but here he failed, as we have related. He could, however, bring back certain information of his name, surname, and country, besides a hundred other fine conjectural pieces of information, so that when the innkeeper arrived here to tell what he knew of Renzo, they were already better acquainted with him than he. He entered the usual apartment and deposed that a stranger had arrived at his house to lodge, who could not be persuaded to declare his name. You've done your duty in giving us this information, said a criminal notary, laying down his pen. But we know it already. A strange mystery, thought the host. They must be wonderfully clever. And we know, too, continued the notary, this revered name. The name, too? How have they managed it? thought the landlord again. But you, resumed the other with a serious face, you don't tell all candidly. What more have I to say? Aha! We know very well that this fellow brought to your inn a quantity of stolen bread, plundered, acquired by robbery and sedition. A man comes with one loaf in his pocket. Do you think I know where he went to get it? For to speak as on my deathbed I can positively affirm that I saw but one loaf. There! Always excusing and defending yourself. One would think to hear you, everybody was honest. How can you prove this bread was fairly obtained? Why am I to prove it? I don't meddle with it. I'm an innkeeper. You cannot, however, deny that this customer of yours had the temerity to utter injurious words against the proclamations and to make improper and shameful jokes on the arms of his excellency. Pardon me, sir. How can he be called my customer when this is the first time I've ever seen him? It was the devil under your favour that sent him to my house, and if I had known him, you, sir, know well enough I should have had no occasion to ask his name. Well, in your inn, in your presence, inflammatory speeches have been uttered, unadvised words, seditious propositions, murmurs, grumbles, outcries. How can you expect, my good sir, that I should attend to the extravagances which so many noisy fellows talking all at the same time may chance to utter? I must attend to my interest, for I'm only badly off. And besides, your worship knows well enough that those who are lavish of their tongues are generally ready with their fists, too. Particularly when there are so many together, and, aye, aye, leave them alone to talk and fight. Tomorrow you'll see if their tricks have gone out of their heads. What do you think? I think nothing about it. That the mob will have got the upper hand in Milan? Oh, just so. We shall see, we shall see. I understand very well the king will always be king, and he that is fined will be fined. But the poor father of a family naturally wishes to escape. Your honours have the power, and it belongs to you. Have you many people still in your house? A world of them. And this customer of yours, what is he doing? Does he still continue to be clamorous, to excite the people and arouse sedition? That stranger, your worship means? He's gone to bed. Then you've many people. Well, take care not to let them go away. Am I to be constable, thought the landlord, without replying either negatively or affirmatively? Go home again and be careful, resumed the notary. I've always been careful. Your honour can say whether I have ever made any opposition to justice. Well, well, and don't think that justice has lost its power. I, for heaven's sakes, I think nothing. I only attend to my business. The old song, you never anything else to say. What else would your worship have me say? Truth is but one. Well, we will remember what you have deposed. If the case comes on you will have to give more particular information to justice about whatever they may choose to ask you. What can I depose further? I know nothing. I have scarcely had enough to attend to my own business. Take care you don't let him go. I hope that his worship, the High Sheriff, will be informed that I came immediately to discharge my duty, your honour's humble servant.