BERKELEY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 ALIfORNIA 
 
t\ 
 

THE 
 
 BRAVO: 
 
 . 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OF " THE SPY," " THE RED ROVER, 
 " THE WATER-WITCH, &c. 
 
 Giustizia in palazzo, e pane in piazza. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 ** 
 
 CAREY & LEA CHESTNUT STREET. 
 J831. 
 
LIBEAKt 
 
 Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1831, by 
 CARKY & LEA, in the Clerk s office of the District Court of the East- 
 ern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 STEREOTYPED BY J. HOWE. 
 
77? 
 
 4- 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 IT is to be regretted the world does not 
 discriminate more justly in its use of politi 
 cal terms. Governments are usually called 
 either monarchies or republics. The former 
 class embraces equally those institutions in 
 which the sovereign is worshipped as a God, 
 and those in which he performs the humble 
 office of a mannikin. In the latter we find 
 aristocracies and democracies blended in 
 the same generic appellation. The conse 
 quence of a generalization so wide is an 
 utter confusion, on the subject of the polity 
 of states. 
 
 The author has endeavored to give his 
 countrymen, in this book, a picture of the 
 social system of one of the soi-disa?it re 
 publics of the other hemisphere. There has 
 been no attempt to portray historical cha 
 racters, only too fictitious in their graver 
 dress, but simply to set forth the familiar 
 operations of Venetian policy. For the 
 justification of his likeness, after allowing 
 for the defects of execution, he refers to the 
 
 well-known work of M. Daru. 
 A2 
 
 f 538 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 A history of the progress of political lib 
 erty, written purely in the interests of hu 
 manity, is still a desideratum in literature. 
 In nations which have made a false com- 
 mencemo^t, it would be found that the citi 
 zen, or rafher the subject, has extorted im 
 munity after immunity, as his growing intel 
 ligence and importance have both instructed 
 and required him to defend those particular 
 rights which were necessary to his well-being. 
 A certain accumulation of these immunities 
 constitutes, with a solitary and recent excep 
 tion in Switzerland, the essence of European 
 liberty, even at this hour. It is scarcely 
 necessary to toll the reader that this freedom, 
 be it more or less, depends on a principle 
 entirely different from our own. Here the 
 immunities do not proceed from, but they 
 are granted to, the government, being, in 
 other words, concessions of natural rights 
 made by the people to the state, for the ben 
 efits of social protection. So long as this 
 vital difference exist between ourselves and 
 other nations, it will be vain to think of find 
 ing analogies in their institutions. It is true 
 that, in an age like this, public opinion is 
 itself a charter, and that the most despotic 
 government which exists within the pale of 
 
PREFACE. Vii 
 
 Christendom, must, in some degree, respect 
 its influence. The mildest and justest gov 
 ernments in Europe are, at this moment, 
 theoretically despotisms. The character of 
 both prince and people enter largely into the 
 consideration of so extraordinary results, 
 and it should never be forgotten that, though 
 the character of the latter be sufficiently 
 secure, that of the former is liable to change. 
 But, admitting every benefit which can pos 
 sibly flow from a just administration, with 
 wise and humane princes, a government 
 which is not properly based on the people, 
 possesses an unavoidable and oppressive evil 
 of the first magnitude, in the necessity of 
 supporting itself by physical force and oner 
 ous impositions, against the natural action 
 of the majority. 
 
 Were we to characterize a republic, we 
 should say it was a state in which power, 
 both theoretically and practically, is derived 
 from the nation, with a constant responsibil 
 ity of the agents of the public to the peo 
 ple; a responsibility that is neither to be 
 evaded nor denied. That such a system is 
 better on a large than on a small scale, though 
 contrary to brilliant theories which have 
 been written to uphold different institutions, 
 
Viii PREFACE. 
 
 must be evident on the smallest reflection, 
 since the danger of all popular governments 
 is from popular mistakes, and a people of 
 diversified interests and extended territorial 
 possessions, are much less likely to be the 
 subjects of sinister passions, than the inhab 
 itants of a single town, or county. If to 
 this definition we should add, as an infallible 
 test of the genius, that a true republic is a 
 government of which all others are jealous 
 and vituperative, on the instinct of self-pre 
 servation, we believe there would be no mis 
 taking the class. How far Venice would have 
 been obnoxious to this proof, the reader is 
 left to judge for himself. 
 
THE BRAVO. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ** I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs, 
 A palace and a prison on each hand ; 
 I saw from out the wave her structures rise, 
 As from the stroke of the enchanter s wand : 
 A thousand years their cloudy wings expand 
 Around me, and a dying glory smiles 
 O er the far times, when many a subject land 
 Look d to the winged lions marble piles, 
 Where Venice sate in state, throned on her hundred isles." 
 
 BYRON. 
 
 THE sun had disappeared behind the summits of 
 the Tyrolean Alps, and the moon was already risen 
 above the low barrier of the Lido. Hundreds of 
 pedestrians were pouring out of the narrow streets 
 of Venice into the square of St. Mark, like water 
 gushing through some strait aqueduct, into a broad 
 and bubbling basin. Gallant cavalieri and grave 
 cittadini ; soldiers of Dalmatia, and seamen of the 
 galleys; dames of the city, and females of lighter 
 manners ; jewellers of the Rialto, and traders from 
 the Levant; Jew, Turk, and Christian; traveller, 
 adventurer, podesta, valet, avvocato and gondolier, 
 held their way alike to the common centre of amuse 
 ment. The hurried air and careless eye ; the mea 
 sured step and jealous glance ; the jest and laugh ; 
 the song of the cantatrice, and the melody of the 
 flute ; the grimace of the buffoon, and the tragic 
 frown of the improvisatore ; the pyramid of the gro 
 tesque, the compelled and melancholy smile of the 
 harpist, cries of water-sellers, cowls of monks, 
 plumage of w r arriors, hum of voices, and the univer 
 sal movement and bustle, added to the more perma- 
 
10 THE BRAVO. 
 
 nent objects of the place, rendered the scene the 
 most remarkable of Christendom. 
 
 On the very confines of that line which separates 
 western from eastern Europe, and in constant com 
 munication with the latter, Venice possessed a 
 greater admixture of character and costume, than 
 any other of the numerous ports of that region. A 
 portion of this peculiarity is still to be observed, 
 under the fallen fortunes of the place ; but at the pe 
 riod of our tale, the city of the isles, though no 
 longer mistress of the Mediterranean, nor even of 
 the Adriatic, was still rich and powerful. Her in 
 fluence was felt in the councils of the civilized 
 world, and her commerce, though waning, was yet 
 sufficient to uphold the vast possessions of those 
 families, whose ancestors had become rich in the 
 day of her prosperity. Men lived among her islands 
 in that state of incipient lethargy, which marks the 
 progress of a downward course, whether the de 
 cline be of a moral or of a physical decay. 
 
 At the hour we have named, the vast parallelo 
 gram of the piazza was filling fast, the cafes and 
 casinos within the porticoes, which surround three 
 of its sides, being already thronged with company. 
 While all beneath the arches was gay and brilliant 
 with the flare of torch and lamp, the noble range 
 of edifices called the Procuratories, the massive 
 pile of the Ducal Palace, the most ancient Christian 
 church, the granite columns of the piazzetta, the 
 triumphal masts of the great square, and the giddy 
 tower of the campanile, were slumbering in the 
 more mellow glow of the moon. 
 
 Facing the wide area of the great square stood the 
 quaint and venerable cathedral of San Marco. A 
 temple of trophies, and one equally proclaiming the 
 prowess and the piety of its founders, this remarka 
 ble structure presided over the other fixtures of the 
 place, like a monument of the republic s antiquity 
 
THE BRAVO. II 
 
 and greatness. Its Saracenic architecture, the rows 
 of precious but useless little columns that load its 
 front, the low Asiatic domes which rest upon its 
 walls in the repose of a thousand years, the rude and 
 gaudy mosaics, and above all the captured horses 
 of Corinth which start from out the sombre mass in 
 the glory of Grecian art, received from the solemn 
 and appropriate light, a character of melancholy 
 and mystery, that well comported with the thick re 
 collections which crowd the mind as the eye gazes 
 at this rare relic of the past. 
 
 As fit companions to this edifice, the other pecu 
 liar ornaments of the place stood at hand. The 
 base of the campanile lay in shadow, but a hundred 
 feet of its gray summit received the full rays of the 
 moon along its eastern face. The masts destined 
 to bear the conquered ensigns of Candia, Constan 
 tinople, and the Morea, cut the air by its side, in 
 dark and fairy lines, while at the extremity of the 
 smaller square, and near the margin of the sea, the 
 forms of the winged lion and the patron saint of 
 the city, each on his column of African granite, 
 were distinctly traced against the back-ground of 
 the azure sky. 
 
 It was near the base of the former of these massive 
 blocks of stone, that one stood who seemed to gaze 
 at the animated and striking scene, with the listless- 
 ness and indifference of satiety. A multitude, some 
 in masques and others careless of being known, had 
 poured along the quay into the piazzetta, on their 
 way to the principal square, while this individual had 
 scarce turned a glance aside, or changed a limb in 
 weariness. His attitude was that of patient, prac 
 tised, and obedient waiting on another s pleasure. 
 With folded arms, a bod} poised on one leg, and a 
 vacant though good-humored eye. lie appeared to 
 attend some beck of authority ere lie quitted the 
 spot A silken jacket, in w<, ,. f:-^ae flowers of 
 
12 THE BRAVO. 
 
 the gayest colors were interwoven, the falling col* 
 lar of scarlet, the bright velvet cap with armorial 
 bearings embroidered on its front, proclaimed him 
 to be a gondolier in private service. 
 
 Wearied at length with the antics of a distant 
 group of tumblers, whose pile of human bodies had 
 for a time arrested his look, this individual turned 
 away, and faced the light air from the water. Re 
 cognition and pleasure shot into his countenance, 
 arid in a moment his arms were interlocked with 
 those of a swarthy mariner, who wore the loose at 
 tire and Phrygian cap of men of his calling. The 
 gondolier was the first to speak, the words flowing 
 from him in the soft accents of his native islands. 
 
 " Is it thou, Stefano ! They said thou hadst fallen 
 into the gripe of the devils of Barbary, and that thou 
 wast planting flowers for an infidel with thy hands, 
 and watering them with thy tears ! " 
 
 The answer was in the harsher dialect of Cala 
 bria, and it was given with the rough familiarity of 
 a seaman. 
 
 " La Bella Sorrentina is no housekeeper of a cu- 
 rato ! She is not a damsel to take a siesta with a 
 Tunisian rover prowling about in her neighbor 
 hood. Hadst ever been beyond the Lido, thou 
 wouldst have known the difference between chasing 
 the felucca and catching her." 
 
 " Kneel down, arid thank San Teodoro for his 
 care. There was much praying on thy decks that 
 hour, caro Stefano, though "none is bolder among 
 the mountains of Calabria when thy felucca is once 
 safely drawn upon the beach I " 
 
 The mariner cast a half-comic, half-serious glance 
 upward at the image of the patron saint, ere he re 
 plied. 
 
 " There was more need of the wings of thy lion 
 than of the favor of thy saint. I never come fur- 
 
THE BRAVO. 18 
 
 ther north for aid than San Gennaro, even when it 
 blows a hurricane." 
 
 " So much the worse for thee, caro, since the 
 good bishop is better at stopping the lava than at 
 quieting the winds. But there was danger, then, of 
 losing the felucca and her brave people among the 
 Turks?" 
 
 "There was, in truth, a Tunis-man prowling 
 about, between Stromboli and Sicily; but, Ali di 
 San Michele ! he might better have cfnsed the cloud 
 above the volcano, than run after the felucca in a 
 sirocco !" 
 
 " Thou wast chicken-hearted, Stefano?" 
 
 " I ! I was more like thy lion, here, with some 
 small additions of chains and muzzles." 
 
 " As was seen by thy felucca s speed ?" 
 
 " Cospetto ! I wished myself a knight of San Gio 
 vanni a thousand times during the chase, and La 
 Bella vSorrentina a brave Maltese galley, if it were 
 only for the cause of Christian honor ! The mis 
 creant hung upon my quarter for the better part of 
 three glasses ; so near, that I could tell which of the 
 knaves wore dirty cloth in his turban, and which 
 clean. It was a sore sight to a Christian, Stefano, 
 to see the right thus borne upon by an infidel." 
 
 " And thy feet warmed with the thought of the 
 bastinado, caro mio?" 
 
 " I have run too often barefoot over our Calabrian 
 mountains, to tingle at the sole with every fancy of 
 that sort." 
 
 " Every man has his weak spot, and I know thine 
 to be dread of a Turk s arm. Thy native hills have 
 their soft as well as thair hard ground, but it is said 
 the Tunisian chooses a board knotty as his own 
 heart, when he amuses himself with the wailings of 
 a Christian." 
 
 " Well, the happiest of us all must take such as 
 fortune brings. If my soles are to be shod with 
 
 Vol. I. B 
 
14 THE BRAVO. 
 
 blows, the honest priest of Sant Agata will be 
 cheated of a penitent. I have bargained with the 
 good curato, that all such accidental calamities shall 
 go in the general account of penance. But how 
 fares the world of Venice? and what dost thou 
 among the canals at this season, to keep the flowers 
 of thy jacket from wilting ? " 
 
 " To-day as yesterday, and to-morrow will be as 
 to-day. I row the gondola from the Rialto to the 
 Guidecca ; from San Giorgio to San Marco ; from 
 San Marco to the Lido, and from the Lido home*. 
 There are no Tunis-men by the way, to chill the 
 heart or warm the feet." 
 
 "Enough of friendship. And is there nothing 
 stirring in the republic ? no young noble drow r ned, 
 nor any Jew hanged?" 
 
 "Nothing of that much interest except the 
 calamity which befell Pietro. Thou rememberest 
 Pietrillo ? he who crossed into Dalmatia with thee 
 once, as a supernumerary, the time he was suspect 
 ed of having aided the young Frenchman in run 
 ning away with a senator s daughter 1 " 
 
 " Do I remember the last famine ? The rogue 
 did nothing but eat maccaroni, and swallow the 
 lachrymse christi, which the Dalmatian count had 
 on freight." 
 
 " Poverino ! His gondola has been run down by 
 an Ancona man, who passed over the boat, as if it 
 were a senator stepping on a fly." 
 
 " So much for little fish coming into deep water." 
 
 " The honest fellow was crossing the Guidecca, 
 with a stranger who had occasion to say his pray 
 ers at the Redentore, w 7 hen ; the brig hit him in the 
 canopy, and broke up the gondola as if it had been 
 a bubble left by the Bucentaur." 
 
 " The padrone should have been too generous to 
 complain of Pietro s clumsiness, since it met with 
 its own punishment." 
 
THE BRAVO. 15 
 
 " Madre di Dio ! He went to sea that hour, or he 
 might be feeding the fishes of the Lagunes ! There 
 is not a gondolier in Venice who did not feel the 
 wrong at his heart ; and we know how to obtain 
 justice for an insult, as well as our masters." 
 
 " Well, a gondola is mortal, as well as a felucca, 
 and both have their time ; better die by the prow 
 of a brig, than fall into the gripe of a Turk. How 
 is thy young master, Gino ? and is he likely to obtain 
 his claims of the senate?" 
 
 " He cools himself in the Giudecca in the morn 
 ing ; and if thou would st know what he does at 
 evening, thou hast only to look among the nobles in 
 the Broglio." 
 
 As the gondolier spoke, he glanced an eye aside, 
 at a group of patrician rank, who paced the gloomy 
 arcades which supported the superior walls of the 
 doge s palace, a spot sacred, at times, to the uses of 
 the privileged. 
 
 " I am no stranger to the habit thy Venetian no 
 bles have of coming to that low colonnade at this 
 hour, but I never before heard of their preferring 
 the waters of the Giudecca for their baths." 
 
 " Were even the doge to throw himself out of a 
 gondola, he must sink or swim, like a meaner Chris 
 tian." 
 
 "Acqua dell Adriatico ! Was the young duca 
 going to the Redentore, too, to say his prayers?" 
 
 " He was coming back after having but what 
 matters it in what canal a young noble sighs away 
 the night ! We happened to be near when the An- 
 cona-man performed his feat : while Giorgio and I 
 were boiling with rage at the awkwardness of the 
 stranger, my master, who never had much taste or 
 knowledge in gondolas, went into the water to save 
 the young lady from sharing the fate of her uncle." 
 
 "Diavolo ! *This is the first syllable thou hast Ut- 
 
16 THE BRAVO. 
 
 tered concerning any young lady, or of the death 
 of her uncle !" 
 
 " Thou wert thinking of thy Tunis-man, and hast 
 forgotten. I must have told thee how near the 
 beautiful signora was to sharing the fate of the gon 
 dola, and how the loss of the Roman marchese 
 weighs, in addition, on the soul of the padrone." 
 
 "Santo Padre! That a Christian should die the 
 death of a hunted dog by the carelessness of a gon 
 dolier!" 
 
 " It may have been lucky for the Ancona-man that 
 it so fell out, for they say the Roman was one of in 
 fluence enough to make a senator cross the Bridge 
 of Sighs, at need." 
 
 " The devil take all careless watermen, say I ! 
 And what became of the awkward rogue ?" 
 
 " I tell thee he went outside the LHo, that very 
 hour, or " 
 
 "Pietrello?" 
 
 " He was brought up by the oar of Giorgio, for 
 both of us were active in saving the cushions and 
 other valuables." 
 
 " Could st thou do nothing for the poor Roman ? 
 Ill luck may follow that brig on account of his 
 death !" 
 
 " 111 luck follow her, say I, till she lays her bones 
 on some rock that is harder than the heart of 
 her padrone. As for the stranger, we could do no 
 more than oIFer up a prayer to San Teodoro, since 
 he never rose after the blow. But what has brought 
 thee to Venice, caro mio ? for thy ill-fortune with 
 the oranges, in the last vcyage, caused thee to de 
 nounce the place." 
 
 The Calabrian laid a finger on one cheek, and 
 drew the skin down, in a manner to give a droll 
 expression to his dark, comic eye, while the whole 
 of his really fine Grecian face was charged with an 
 expression of coarse humor. 
 
THE BRAVO. H 
 
 " Look you, Gino thy master sometimes calls 
 for his gondola between sunset and morning ? " 
 
 " An owl is not more wakeful than he has been of 
 late. This head of mine has not been on a pillow 
 before the sun has come above the Lido, since the 
 snows melted from Monselice." 
 
 " And when the sun of thy master s countenance 
 sets in his own palazzo, thou hastenest off to the 
 bridge of the Rialto, among the jewellers and butch 
 ers, to proclaim the manner in which he passed the 
 night 1" 
 
 "Diamine! T would be the last night I served 
 the Duca di Sant Agata, were my tongue so limber ! 
 The gondolier and the confessor are the two privy- 
 councillors of a noble, Master Stefano, with this 
 small difference that the last only knows what the 
 sinner wishes to reveal, while the first sometimes 
 knows more. I can find a safer, if not a more 
 honest employment, than to be running about with 
 my master s secretg in the air. 1 
 
 " And I am wiser than to let every Jew broker 
 in San Marco, here, have a peep into my charter- 
 party." 
 
 " Nay, old acquaintance, there is some difference 
 between our occupations, after all. A padrone of a 
 felucca cannot, in justice, be compared to the most 
 confidential gondolier of a Neapolitan duke, who 
 has an unsettled right to be admitted to the council 
 of three hundred." 
 
 " Just the difference between smooth water and 
 rough you ruffle the surface of a canal with a lazy 
 oar, while I run the channel of Piombino in a mist 
 ral, shoot the Faro of Messina in a white squall, 
 double Santa Maria de Leuca in a breathing Le 
 vanter, and come skimming up the Adriatic, before 
 a sirocco that is hot enougn to cook my maccaroni, 
 and which sets the whole sea boiling worse than the 
 caldrons of Scylla." 
 
 B2 
 
18 THE BRAVO. 
 
 "Hist!" eagerly interrupted the gondolier, who 
 had indulged, with Italian humor, in the controversy 
 for pre-eminence, though without any real feeling ; 
 " here comes one who may think, else, we shall 
 have need of his hand to settle the dispute Ec- 
 colo!" 
 
 The Calabnan recoiled apace, in silence, and 
 stood regarding the individual who had caused this 
 hurried remark, with a gloomy but steady air. The 
 stranger moved slowly past. His years were under 
 thirty, though the calm gravity of his countenance 
 imparted to it a character of more mature age. 
 The cheeks were bloodless, but they betrayed rather 
 the pallid hue of menf&l than of bodily disease. The 
 perfect condition of the physical man was sufficient 
 ly exhibited in the muscular fullness of a body, 
 which, though light and active, gave every indica 
 tion of strength. His step was firm, assured, and 
 even; his carriage erect and easy., and his whole 
 mien was strongly characterized by a self-posses 
 sion that could scarcely escape observation. And 
 yet his attire was that of an inferior class. A 
 doublet of common ^elvet, a dark Montero cap, 
 such as was then much used in the southern coun 
 tries of Europe, with other vestments of a similar 
 fashion, composed his dress. The face was melan 
 choly rather than sombre, and its perfect repose ac 
 corded well with the striking calmness of the body. 
 The lineaments of the former, however, were bold 
 and even noble, exhibiting that strong and manly 
 outline which is so characteristic of the finer class 
 of the Italian countenance. Out of this striking ar 
 ray of features .gleamed an eye, that was full of 
 brilliancy, meaning, and passion. 
 
 As the stranger passed, his glittering organs rolled 
 over the persons of the gondolier and his com 
 panion, but the look, though searching, was entirely 
 without interest. Twas the wandering but wary 
 
THE BRAVO. 19 
 
 glance, which men, who have much reason to dis 
 trust, habitually cast on a multitude. It turned, with 
 the same jealous keenness, on the face of the next it 
 encountered, and by the time the steady and well-bal 
 anced form was lost in the crowd, that quick and 
 glowing eye had gleamed, in the same rapid and 
 uneasy manner, on twenty others. 
 
 Neither the gondolier nor the mariner of Cala 
 bria spoke, until their riveted gazes after the retiring 
 figure, became useless. Then the former simply 
 ejaculated, with a strong respiration 
 
 "Jacopo!" 
 
 His companion raised three of his fingers, with 
 an occult meaning, towards the palace of the doges. 
 
 " Do they let him take the air, even in San Mar- 
 Co?" he asked, in unfeigned surprise. 
 
 " It is not easy, caro amico, to make water run 
 up stream, or to stop the downward current. It is 
 said that most of the senators would sooner lose 
 their hopes of the horned bonnet, than lose him. Ja 
 copo ! He knows more family secrets than the good 
 Priore of San Marco himself, and he, poor man, is 
 half his time in the confessional." 
 
 "Ay, they are afraid to put him in an iron jacket, 
 lest awkward secrets should be squeezed out." 
 
 " Corpo di Bacco ! there would be little peace in 
 Venice, if the Council of Three should take it into 
 their heads to loosen the tongue of yonder man in 
 that rude manner." 
 
 " But they say, Gino, that thy Council of Three 
 has a fashion of feeding the fishes of the Lagunes, 
 which might throw the suspicion of his death on 
 some unhappy Ancona-man, were the body ever to 
 come up again." 
 
 " Well, no need of ba\vling it aloud, as if thou 
 wert hailing a Sicilian through thy trumpet, though 
 the fact should be so. To say the truth, there are 
 few men in business who are thought to have more 
 
20 THE BRAVO. 
 
 custom than he who has just gone up the piaz- 
 zetta." , 
 
 $ Two sequins ! " rejoined the Calabrian, enforcing 
 his meaning by a significant grimace. 
 
 " Santa Madonna ! Thou forgettest, Stefano, that 
 not even the confessor has any trouble with a job 
 in which he has been employed. Not a caratano 
 less than a hundred will buy a stroke of his art. 
 Your blows, for two sequins, leave a man leisure 
 to tell tales, or even to say his prayers half the 
 time." 
 
 "Jacopo!" ejaculated the other, with an empha 
 sis which seemed to be a sort of summing up of all 
 his aversion and horror. 
 
 The gondolier shrugged his shoulders, with quite 
 as much meaning as a man born on the shores of 
 the Baltic could have conveyed by words ; but he, 
 too, appeared to think the matter exhausted. 
 
 "Stefeno Milono," he added, after a moment of 
 pause, " there are things in Venjce which he, who 
 would eat his maccaroni in peace, would do well to 
 forget. Let thy errand in port be what it may, thou 
 art in good season to witness the regatta which will 
 be given by the state, itself, to-morrow." 
 
 " Hast thou an oar for that race ]" 
 
 " Giorgio s, or mine, under the patronage of San 
 Teodoro. The prize will be a silver gondola, to him 
 who is lucky or skilful enough to win ; and tlun we 
 shall have the nuptials with the Adriatic." 
 
 " Thy nobles had best woo the bride well, for 
 there are heretics who lay claim to her good-will. 
 I met a rover of strange rig and miraculous fleet- 
 ness, in rounding the headlands of Otranto, who 
 seemed to have half a mind to follow the felucca in 
 her path towards the Lagunes." 
 
 " Did the sight warm thee at the soles of thy feet, 
 Gino dear?" 
 
 " There was not a turbaned head on his deck, but 
 
THE BFAVO, 21 
 
 every sea-cap set upon a well-covered poll and a 
 shorn chin. Thy Bucentaur is no longer the bravest 
 craft that floats between Dalmatia and the islands, 
 though her gilding may glitter brightest. There are 
 men beyond the pillars of Hercules who are not 
 satisfied with doing all that can be done on their own 
 coasts, but who are pretending to do much of that 
 which can be done on ours." 
 
 "The republic is a little aged, caro, and years 
 need rest. The joints of the Bucentaur are racked 
 by time and many voyages to the Lido. I have 
 heard my master say that the leap of the winged 
 lion is not as far as it \vas, even in his young days." 
 
 " Don Camillo has t 1 e reputation of talking boldly 
 of the foundation of this city of piles, when he has 
 the roof of old Sant Agata safely over his head. 
 Were he to speak more reverently of the horned 
 bonnet, and of the Council of Three, his pretensions 
 to succeed to the rights of his forefathers might seem 
 juster in the eyes of his judges. But distance is a 
 great mellower of colors, and softener of fears. My 
 own opinion of the speed of the felucca, and of 
 the merits of a Turk, undergo changes of this sort 
 between port and the open sea ; and I have known 
 thee, good Gino, forget San Teodoro, and bawl as 
 lustily to San Gennaro, when at Naples, as if thou 
 really f? \cied thyself in danger from the mountain." 
 
 " C/3 must speak to those at hand, in order to be 
 quickest heard," rejoined the gondolier, casting a 
 glance that was partly humorous, arid not without 
 superstition, upwards at the image which crowned 
 the granite column against whose pedestal he still 
 leaned. " A truth which warns us to be prudent, 
 for yonder Jew cast a look this way, as if he felt a 
 conscientious scruple in letting any irreverend re 
 mark of ours go without reporting. The bearded 
 old rogue is said to have other dealings with the 
 Three Hundred besides asking for the moneys he 
 
22 THE BRAVO. 
 
 has lent to their sons. And so, Stefano, thou think- 
 est the republic will never plant another mast of tri 
 umph in San Marco, or bring more trophies to the 
 venerable church?" 
 
 "Napoli herself, with her constant change of 
 masters, is as likely to do a great act on the sea, as 
 thy winged beast, just now ! Thou art well enough 
 to row a gondola in the canals, Gino, or to follow 
 thy master to his Calabrian castle ; but if thou 
 would st know what passes in the wide world, thou 
 must be content to listen to mariners of the long 
 course. The day of San Marco has gone by, and 
 that of the heretics more north has come." 
 
 " Thou hast been much, of late, among the lying 
 Genoese, Stefano, that thou comest hither with these 
 idle tales of what a heretic can do. Genova la Su- 
 perba ! What has a city of walls" to compare with 
 one of canals and islands, like this ? and what has 
 that Apennine republic performed, to be put in com 
 parison with the great deeds of the Queen of the 
 Adriatic ? Thou forgettest that Yenezia has been " 
 
 " Zitto, zitto ! that has been, caro mio, is a great 
 word with all Italy. Thou art as proud of the 
 past, as a Roman of the Trastevere." 
 
 " And the Roman of the Trastevere is right. Is 
 it nothing, Stefano Milano, to be descended from a 
 great and victorious people?" 
 
 " It is better, Gino Monaldi, to be one of a people 
 which is great and victorious just now. The en 
 joyment of the past is like the pleasure of the fool 
 who dreams of the wine he drank yesterday." 
 
 " This is well for a Neapolitan, whose country 
 never was a nation," returned the gondolier, angrily. 
 " I have heard Don Camillo, who is one educated 
 as well as born in the land, often say that half of the 
 people of Europe have ridden the horse of Sicily, 
 and used the legs of thy Napoli, except those who 
 had the best right to the services of both," 
 
THE BRAVO. 23 
 
 " Even so ; and yet the figs are as sweet as ever, 
 and the beccafichi as tender! The ashes of the 
 volcano cover all!" 
 
 " Gino," said a voice of authority, near the gon 
 dolier. 
 
 " Signore." 
 
 He who interippted the dialogue pointed to the 
 boat, without saying more; 
 
 "A rivederti," hastily muttered the gondolier. 
 His friend squeezed his hand in perfect amity for, 
 in truth, they were countrymen by birth, though 
 chance had trained the former on the canals and, 
 at the next instant, Gino was arranging the cushions 
 for his master, having first aroused his subordinate 
 brother of the oar from a profound sleep. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Hast ever swam in a gondola at Venice ? 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 Don Camillo Monforte entered the gondo 
 la, he did not take his seat in the pavilion. With an 
 arm leaning on the top of the canopy, and his cloak 
 thrown loosely over one shoulder, the young noble 
 stood, in a musing attitude, until his dexterous servi 
 tors had extricated the boat from the little fleet 
 which crowded the quay, and had urged it into open 
 water. This duty performed, Gino touched his 
 scarlet cap, and looked at his master, as if to inquire 
 the direction in which they were to proceed. He 
 was answered by a silent gesture, that indicated the 
 route of the great canal. 
 
 " Thou hast an ambition, Gino, to show thy skill 
 in the regatta ?" Don Camillo observed, when they 
 had made a little progress. " The motive merits 
 
24 TIIE BRAVO. 
 
 success. Thou wast speaking to a stranger, when 
 I summoned thee to the gondola?" 
 
 " I was asking the news of our Calabrian hills 
 from one who has come into port with his felucca ; 
 though the man took the name of San Gennaro to 
 witness thai his former luckless voyage should be 
 the last." 
 
 " iMpdoes he call his felucca, and what is the 
 name of the padrone?" 
 
 " La Bella Sorrentina, commanded by a certain 
 Stefano Milano, son of an ancient servant of Sant 
 Agata. The bark is none of the worst for speed, 
 and it has some reputation for beauty. It ought to 
 be of happy fortune, too, for the good curato recom 
 mended it, with many a devout prayer, to the Virgin 
 and to San Francesco." 
 
 The noble appeared to lend more attention to the 
 discourse, which, until now, on his part, had been 
 commenced in the listless manner with which a su 
 perior encourages an indulged dependant. 
 
 "La Betta Sorrentina! Have 1 not reason to 
 know the bark?" 
 
 " Nothing more true, Signore. Her padrone has 
 relations at Sant Agata, as I have told your eccel- 
 lenza, and his vessel has lain on the beach, near the 
 castle, many a bleak winter." 
 
 " What brings him to Venice ? " 
 
 " That is what I would give my newest jacket of 
 your eccellenza s colors to know, Signore. I have 
 as little wish to inquire into other people s affairs as 
 any one, and I very well know that discretion is the 
 chief virtue of a gondolier. I ventured, however, 
 a deadly hint concerning his errand, such as an 
 cient neighborhood would warrant, but he was as 
 cautious of his answers as if he were freighted 
 with the confessions of fifty Christians. Now, if 
 your eccellenza should see -fit to give me authority 
 to question him, in your name, the deuce is in t if, 
 
THE BRAVO. 25 
 
 between respect for his lord, and good management, 
 we could not draw something more than a lalse bill 
 of lading from him." 
 
 " Thou wilt take thy choice of my gondolas for 
 the regatta, Gino," observed the Duke of Sant 
 Agata, entering the pavilion, and throwing himself 
 orT the glossy black leathern cushions, without ad 
 verting to the s|gestion of his servant. 
 
 The gondola continued its noiseless coft*se, with 
 the sprite-like movement peculiar to that description 
 of boat. Gino, who, as superior over his fellow, 
 stood perched on the little arched deck in the stern, 
 pushed his oar with accustomed readiness and skill, 
 now causing the light vessel to sheer to the right, 
 and now to the left, as it glided among the multitude 
 of crafts, of all sizes and uses, which it met in its 
 passage. Palace after palace had been passed, and 
 more than one of the principle canals, which di 
 verged towards the different spectacles, or the other 
 places of resort frequented by his master, were left 
 behind, without Don Camillo giving any new direc 
 tion. At length the boat arrived opposite to a build 
 ing, which seemed to excite more than common ex 
 pectation. Giorgio worked his oar with a single 
 hand, looking over his shoulder at Gino, and Gino 
 permitted his blade fairly to trail on the water. Both 
 seemed to aw r ait new orders, manifesting something 
 like that species of instinctive sympathy with him 
 they served, which a long practised horse is apt to 
 show when he draws near a gate, that is seldom 
 passed unvisited by his driver. 
 
 The edifice which caused this hesitation in the 
 two gondoliers, w r as one of those residences of Ven 
 ice, which are quite as remarkable for their exter 
 nal riches and ornaments, as for their singular situ 
 ation amid the waters. A massive rustic basement 
 of marble was seated as solidly in the element, as 
 if it grew from a living rock, while story was seem- 
 
 VOL. I. C 
 
26 THE BRAVO. 
 
 ingly raised on story, in the wanton observance of 
 the most capricious rules of meretricious architec 
 ture, until the pile reached an altitude that is little 
 known, except in the dwellings of princes. Colon 
 nades, medallions, and massive cornices, overhung 
 the canal, as if the art of man had taken pride in 
 loading the superstructure in a manner to mock the 
 unstable element which concealed j^ base. A flight 
 of stepspon which each gentle undulation produced 
 by the passage of the barge washed a wave, con 
 ducted to a vast vestibule, that answered many of 
 the purposes of a court. Two or three gondolas 
 were moored near, but the absence of their people 
 showed they were for the use of those who dwelt 
 within. The boats were protected from rough col 
 lision with the passing craft, by piles driven oblique 
 ly into the bottom. Similar spars, with painted and 
 ornamented heads, that sometimes bore the colors 
 and arms of the proprietor, formed a sort of little 
 haven for the gondolas of the household, before the 
 door of every dwelling of mark. 
 
 " Where is it the pleasure of your eccellenza to be 
 rowed ? " asked Gino, when he found his sympathetic 
 delay had produced no order. 
 
 " To the Palazzo." 
 
 Giorgio threw a glance of surprise back at his 
 comrade, but the obedient gondola shot by the 
 gloomy, though rich abode, as if the little bark had 
 suddenly obeyed an inward impulse. In a moment 
 more, it whirled aside, and the hollow sound, caused 
 by the plash of water between high walls, announc- 
 " ed its entrance into a narrower canal. With short 
 ened oars, the men still urged the boat ahead, now 
 turning short into some new channel, now glancing 
 beneath a low bridge, and now uttering, in the 
 sweet shrill tones of the country and their craft, the 
 well-known warning to those who were darting in 
 an opposite direction, A back-stroke of Gino s oar, 
 
THE BRAVO. 27 
 
 however, soon brought the side of the arrested boat 
 to a flight of steps. 
 
 " Thou wilt follow me," said Don Camillo, as he 
 placed his foot, with the customary caution, on the 
 moist stone, and laid a hand on the shoulder of Gino ; 
 " I have need of thee." 
 
 Neither the vestibule, nor the entrance, nor the 
 other \isible accessories of the dwelling, w r ere so 
 indicative of luxury and wealth as that of the 
 palace on the great canal. Still, they were all such 
 as denoted the residence of a noble of consideration. 
 
 " Thou wilt do wisely, Gino, to trust thy fortunes 
 to the new gondola," said the master, as he mounted 
 the heavy stone stairs, to an upper floor, pointing as 
 he spoke to a new and beautiful boat, w r hich lay in 
 a corner of the large vestibule, as carriages are seen 
 standing in the courts of houses built on more solid 
 ground. " He who would find favor with Jupiter 
 must put his own shoulder to the wheel, thou know- 
 est, my friend." 
 
 The eye of Gino brightened, and he was voluble 
 in his expression of thanks. They had ascended to 
 the first floor, and were already deep in a suit of 
 gloomy apartments, before the gratitude and profes 
 sional pride of the gondolier were exhausted. 
 
 "Aided by a powerful arm and a fleet gondola, 
 thy chance will be as good as another s, Gino," said 
 Don Camillo, closing the door of his cabinet on his 
 servant ; " at present, thou mayest give some proof 
 of zeal in my service, in another manner. Is the 
 face of a man called Jacopo Frontoni known to 
 thee]" 
 
 "Eccellenza!" exclaimed the gondolier, gasping 
 for breath. 
 
 " I ask thee if thou knowest the countenance of 
 one named Frontoni ? " 
 
 "His countenance, Signore!" 
 
 "By what else would st thou distinguish a man?" 
 
28 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " A man, Signer Don Camillo !" 
 
 "Art thou mocking thy master, Gino? I have 
 asked thee if thou art acquainted with the person 
 of a certain Jacopo Frontoni ; a dweller here in 
 Venice?" 
 
 " Eccellenza, yes." 
 
 " He I mean has been long remarked by the mis 
 fortunes of his family, the father being now in exile 
 on the Dalmatian coast, or elsewhere." 
 
 " Eccellenza, yes. 1 
 
 " There are many of the name of Frontoni, and 
 it is important that thou should st not mistake the 
 man. Jacopo, of that family, is a youth of some 
 five-and-twenty, of an active frame and melancholy 
 visage, and of less vi\acity of temperament, than is 
 wont, at his years." 
 
 " Eccellenza, yes." 
 
 " One who resorts but little with his fellows, and 
 who is rather noted for the silence and industry 
 with which he attends to his concerns, than for any 
 of the usual pleasantries and trifling of men of his 
 cast. A certain Jacopo Frontoni, that hath his 
 abode somewhere near the arsenal?" 
 
 " Cospetto ! Signor Duca, the man is as well 
 known to us gondoliers, as the bridge of the Rialto ! 
 Your eccellenza has no need to trouble yourself to 
 describe him." 
 
 Don Camillo Monforte was searching among the 
 papers of a secretary. He raised his eyes in some 
 little amazement, at the sally of his dependant, and 
 then he quietly resumed his occupation. 
 
 " If thou knowest the man, it is enough." 
 
 " Eccellenza, yes. And what is your pleasure 
 w T ith this accursed Jacopo?" 
 
 The Duke of Sanf Agata seemed to recollect him 
 self. He replaced the papers which had been de 
 ranged, and he closed the secretary. 
 
 " Gino," he said, in a tone of confidence and ami- 
 
THE BRAVO. 29 
 
 ty, " thou wert born on my estates, though so long 
 trained here to the oar in Venice, and thou hast 
 passed thy life in my service." 
 
 " Eccellenza, yes." 
 
 " It is my desire that thou should st end thy days 
 where they began. I have had much confidence in 
 thy discretion, hitherto, and I have satisfaction in 
 saying it has never failed thee, notwithstanding thou 
 hast necessarily been a witness of some exploits of 
 youth, which might have drawn embarrassment 
 on thy master, were thy tongue less disposed to si 
 lence." 
 
 " Eccellenza, yes." 
 
 Don Capiillo smiled; but the gleam of humor 
 gave way to a look of grave and anxious thought. 
 
 "As thou knowest the person of him I have 
 named, our affair is simple. Take this packet," he 
 continued, placing a sealed letter of more than usual 
 size into the hand of the gondolier, and drawing 
 from his finger a signet ring, " with this token of 
 thy authority. Within that arch of the Doge s pal 
 ace, which leads to the canal of San Marco, beneath 
 the Bridge of Sighs, thou wilt find Jacopo. Give 
 him the packet ; and should he demand it, withhold 
 not the ring. Wait his bidding, and return with the 
 answ r er." 
 
 Gino received this commission with profound re 
 spect, but with an awe he could not conceal. Ha 
 bitual deferenc3 to his master appeared to struggle 
 with deep distaste for the office he was required to 
 perform ; and there was even some manifestation 
 of a more principled reluctance, in his hesitating 
 yet humble manner. If Don Camillo noted the air 
 and countenance of his menial at all, he effectually 
 concealed it. 
 
 " At the arched passage of the palace, beneath 
 the Bridge of Sighs," he coolly added ; " and let 
 C2 
 
30 THE BRAVO. 
 
 thy arrival there be timed, as near as may be, to the 
 first hour of the night." 
 
 " I would, Signore, that you had been pleased to 
 command Giorgio and me to row you to Padua !" 
 
 " The way is long. Why this sudden wish to 
 weary thyself?" 
 
 " Because there is no Doge s palace, nor any 
 Bridge of Sighs, nor any dog of Jacopo Fronton!, 
 among the meadows." 
 
 " Thou hast little relish for this duty ; but thou 
 must know that what the master commands, it is 
 the duty of a faithful follower to perform. Thou 
 wert born my vassal, Gino Monaldi, and though 
 trained from boyhood in this occupation of a gon 
 dolier, thou art properly a being of my fiefs, in 
 Napoli." 
 
 " St. Gennaro make me grateful for the honor, 
 Signore! But there is not a water-seller in the 
 streets of Venice, nor a mariner on her canals, w r ho 
 does not wish this Jacopo anywhere but in the bo 
 som of Abraham. He is the terror of every young 
 lover, and of all the urgent creditors on the islands." 
 
 " Thou seest, silly babbler, there is one of the 
 former, at least, who does not hold him in dread. 
 Thou wilt seek him beneath the Bridge of Sighs, 
 and, showing the signet, deliver the package ac 
 cording to my instructions." 
 
 " It is certain loss of character to be seen speak 
 ing with the miscreant ! So lately as yesterday, I 
 heard Annina, the pretty daughter of the old wine- 
 seller on the Lido, declare, that to be seen once in 
 company with Jacopo Frontoni was as bad as to be 
 caught twice bringing old rope from the arsenal, as 
 befell Roderigo, her mother s cousin." 
 
 " Thy distinctions savor of the morals of the 
 Lido. Remember to exhibit the ring, lest he distrust 
 thy errand." 
 
 " Could not your eccellenza set me about clipping 
 
THE BRAVO. 31 
 
 the wings of the lion, or painting a better picture 
 than Tiziano di Vecelli ? I have a mortal dislike 
 even to pass the mere compliments of the day with 
 one of your cut-throats. Were any of our gondo 
 liers to see me in discourse with the man, it might 
 exceed your eccellenza s influence to get me a place 
 in the regatta." 
 
 " If he detain thee, Gino, thou wilt wait his plea 
 sure ; and if he dismiss thee at once, return hither 
 with all expedition, that I may know the result." 
 
 " I very well know, Signor Don Camillo, that the 
 honor of a noble is more tender of reproach than 
 that of his followers, and that the stain upon the 
 silken robe of a senator is seen farther than the 
 spot upon a velvet jacket. If any one unworthy of 
 your eccellenza s notice has dared to offend, here 
 are Giorgio and I, ready, at any time, to show how 
 deeply we can feel an indignity which touches our 
 master s credit ; but a hireling of two, or ten, or 
 even of a hundred sequins ! " 
 
 " I thank thee for the hint, Gino. Go thou and 
 sleep in thy gondola, and bid Giorgio come into my 
 cabinet." 
 
 " Signore ! " 
 
 "Art thou resolute to do none of my biddings?" 
 
 " Is it your eccellenza s pleasure that I go to the 
 Bridge of Sighs by the footways of the streets, or 
 by the canals ?" 
 
 " There may be need of a gondola thou wilt go 
 with the oar." 
 
 " A tumbler shall not have time to turn round be 
 fore the answer of Jacopo shall be here." 
 
 With this sudden change of purpose, the gondo 
 lier quitted the room ; for the reluctance of Gino dis 
 appeared the moment he found the confidential duty 
 assigned him by his master was likely to be per 
 formed by another. Descending rapidly* by a se 
 cret stairs, instead of entering the vestibule, where 
 
32 THE BRAVO. 
 
 half-a-dozen menials of different employments were 
 in waiting, he passed by one of the narrow corri 
 dors of the palace into an inner court, and thence 
 by a low and unimportant gate into an obscure 
 alley, which communicated with the nearest street. 
 
 Though the age is one of so great activity and 
 intelligence, and the Atlantic is no longer a barrier 
 even to the ordinary amusements of life, a great 
 majority of Americans have never had an opportu 
 nity of personally examining the remarkable features 
 of a region, of which the town that Gino now 
 threaded with so much diligence, is not the least 
 worthy of observation. Those who have been so 
 fortunate as to have visited Italy, therefore, will ex 
 cuse us if we make a brief, but what we believe 
 useful, digression, for the benefit of those who have 
 not had that advantage. 
 
 The city of Venice stands on a cluster of low, 
 sandy islands. It is probable that the country which 
 lies nearest to the gulf, if not the whole of the im 
 mense plain of Lombardy itself, is of alluvial forma 
 tion. Whatever may have been the origin of that 
 wide and fertile kingdom, the causes which have 
 given to the Lagunes their existence, and to Venice 
 its unique and picturesque foundation, are too appa 
 rent to be mistaken. Several torrents, which flow 
 from the valleys of the Alps, pour their tribute into 
 the Adriatic at this point. Their waters come 
 charged with the debris of the mountains, pulverized 
 nearly to their original elements. Released from 
 the violence of the stream, these particles have ne 
 cessarily been deposited in the gulf, at the spot 
 where they have first become subjected to the pow 
 er of the sea. Under the influence of counteract 
 ing currents, eddies, and waves, the sands have been 
 thrown into submarine piles, until some of the banks 
 have arisen above the surface, forming islands, 
 whose elevation has been gradually augmented by 
 
THE BRAVO. 33 
 
 the decay of vegetation. A glance at the map will 
 show that, while the Gulf of Venice is not literally, 
 it is, practically, considered with reference to the 
 effect produced by the south-east wind called the Si 
 rocco, at the head of the Adriatic. This accidental 
 circumstance is probably the reason why the La- 
 gunes have a more determined character at the 
 mouths of the minor streams that empty themselves 
 here, than at the mouths of most of the other rivers, 
 which equally flow from the Alps or the Apennines, 
 into the same shallow sea. 
 
 The natural consequence of a current of a river 
 meeting the waters of any broad basin, and where 
 there is no base of rock, is the formation, at or near 
 the spot where the opposing actions are neutralized, 
 of a bank, which is technically called a bar. The 
 coast of the Union furnishes constant evidence of 
 the truth of this theory, every river having its bar, 
 with channels that are often shifted, or cleared, by 
 the freshets, the gales, or the tides. The constant 
 and powerful operation of the south-eastern winds 
 on one side, with the periodical increase of the Al 
 pine streams on the other, have converted this bar 
 at the entrance of the Venetian Lagunes, into a 
 succession of long, low, sandy islands, which extend 
 in a direct line, nearly across the mouth of the gulf. 
 The waters of the rivers have necessarily cut a few 
 channels for their passage, or, what is now a lagune, 
 would long since have become a lake. Another 
 thousand years may so far change the character of 
 this extraordinary estuary, as to convert the chan 
 nels of the bay into rivers, and the muddy banks 
 into marshes and meadows, resembling those that 
 are now seen for so many leagues inland. 
 
 The low margin of sand that, in truth, gives all 
 its maritime security to the port of Venice and the 
 Lagunes, is called the Lido di Palestrino. It has 
 been artificially connected and secured, in many 
 
34 THE BRAVO. 
 
 places, and the wall of the Lido (literally the beach), 
 though incomplete, like most of the great and vaunt 
 ed works of the other hemisphere, and more par 
 ticularly of Italy, ranks with the mole of Ancona, 
 and the sea-wall of Cherbourg. The hundred little 
 islands which now contain the ruins of what, dur 
 ing the middle ages, was the mart of the Mediter 
 ranean, are grouped together within cannon-shot 
 of the natural barrier. Art has united with nature 
 to turn the whole to good account ; and, apart from 
 the influence of moral causes, the rivalry of a 
 neighboring town, which has been fostered by po 
 litical care, and the gradual filling up of the waters, 
 by the constant deposit of the streams, it would be 
 difficult to imagine a more commodious, or a. safer 
 haven when entered, than that which Venice af 
 fords, even to this hour. 
 
 As all the deeper channels of the Lagunes have 
 been preserved, the city is intersected, in every di 
 rection, by passages, which, from their appearance, 
 are called canals, but which, in truth, are no more 
 than so many small natural branches of the sea. 
 On the margin of these passages, the walls of the 
 dwellings arise literally from out of the water, since 
 economy of room has caused their owners to ex 
 tend their possessions to the very verge of the chan 
 nel, in the manner that quays and wharfs are pushed 
 into the streams in our ow r n country. In many in 
 stances the islands themselves w r ere no more than 
 banks, which were periodically ba^re, and on all, 
 the use of piles has been necessary to support the 
 superincumbent loads of palaces, churches, and 
 public monuments, under which, in the course of 
 ages, the humble spits of sand have been made to 
 groan. 
 
 The great frequency of the canals, and perhaps 
 some attention to economy of labor, has given to 
 by far the greater part of the buildings the facility 
 
THE BftAVO. 35 
 
 of an approach by water. But, while nearly every 
 dwelling has one of its fronts on a canal, there are 
 always communications by the rear with the inte 
 rior passages of the town. It is a fault in most de 
 scriptions, that while the stranger hears so much 
 of the canals of Venice, but little is said of her 
 streets: still, narrow, paved, commodious, and 
 noiseless passages, of this description, intersect all 
 the islands, which communicate with each other by 
 means of a countless number of bridges. Though 
 the hoof of a horse, or the rumbling of a wheel is 
 never heard in these strait avenues, they are of 
 great resort for all the purposes of ordinary in 
 tercourse. 
 
 Gino issued into one of these thoroughfares, when 
 he quitted the private passage which communicated 
 with the palace of his master. He threaded the 
 throng by which it was crowded, with a dexterity 
 that resembled the windings of an eel, among the 
 weeds of the Lagunes. To the numerous greetings 
 of his fellows, he replied only by nods ; nor did he 
 once arrest his footsteps, until they had led him 
 through the door of a low and dark dwelling, that 
 stood in a quarter of the place which was inhabited 
 by people of an inferior condition. Groping his - 
 way among casks, cordage, and rubbish of all de 
 scriptions, the gondolier succeeded in finding an 
 inner and retired door, that opened into a small 
 room, whose only light came from a species of 
 well, that descended between the walls of the adja 
 cent houses and that in which he was. 
 
 "Blessed St Anne! Is it thou, Gino Monaldi!" 
 exclaimed a smart Venetian grisette, whose tones 
 and manner betrayed as much of coquetry as of 
 surprise. " On foot, and by the secret door ; is this 
 an hour to come on any of thy errands?" 
 
 " Truly, Annina, it is not the season for affairs 
 with thy father, and it is something early for a visit 
 
36 THE BRAVO. 
 
 to thee. But there is less time for words than for 
 action, just now. For the sake of San Teodoro, 
 and that of a constant and silly young man, who, 
 if not thy slave, is at least thy dog, bring forth the 
 jacket I wore when we went together to see the 
 merry-making at Fusina." 
 
 " I know nothing of thy errand, Gino, nor of thy 
 reason for wishing to change thy master s livery 
 for the dress of a common boatman. Thou art far 
 more comely with those silken flowers, than in this 
 faded velveteen ; and if I have ever said aught in 
 commendation of its appearance, it was because 
 we were bent on merry-making, and being one of 
 the party, it would have been churlish to have 
 withheld* a word of praise to a companion, who, 
 as thou knowest, does not dislike a civil speech in 
 his own praise." 
 
 " Zitto, zitto ! here is no merry-making and com 
 panions, but a matter of gravity, and one that 
 must be performed off-hand. The jacket, if thou 
 lovest me ! " 
 
 Annina, who had not neglected essentials while 
 she moralized on motives, threw the garment on a 
 stool, that stood within reach of the gondolier s 
 hand, as he made this strong appeal, in a way to 
 show that she was not to be surprised out of a 
 confession of this sort, even in the most unguarded 
 moment. 
 
 "If I love thee, truly! Thou hast the jacket, 
 Gino, and thou mayest search in its pockets for an 
 answer to thy letter, for which I do not thank thee 
 for having got the duca s secretary to indite. A 
 maiden should be discreet in affairs of this sort, 
 for one never knows but he may make a confidant 
 of a rival." 
 
 " Every word of it as true as if the devil him 
 self had done the office for me, girl," muttered Gino, 
 uncasing himself from his flowery vestment, and as 
 
THE BRAVO. 37 
 
 rapidly assuming the plainer garment he had sought. 
 " The cap, Annina, and the mask ? " 
 
 " One who wears so false a face, in common, has 
 little need of a bit of silk to conceal his counte 
 nance," she answered, throwing him, notwithstand 
 ing, both the articles he required. 
 
 " This is well Father Battista himself, who 
 boasts he can tell a sinner from a penitent merely 
 by the savor of his presence, would never suspect 
 a servitor of Don Camillo Monforte in this dress ! 
 Cospetto ! but I have half a mind to visit that knave 
 of a Jew, who has got thy golden chain in pledge, 
 and give him a hint of what may be the conse 
 quences, should he insist on demanding double the 
 rate of interest we agreed on." 
 
 " Twould be Christian justice ! but what wouid 
 become of thy matter of gravity the while, Gino, 
 and of thy haste to enter on its performance ? " 
 
 " Thou sayest truly, girl. Duty, above all other 
 things ; though to frighten a grasping Hebrew may 
 be as much of a duty as other matters. Are all 
 thy father s gondolas in the water T 
 
 " How else could he be gone to the Lido, and 
 my brother Luigi to Fusini, and the two serving- 
 men on the usual business to the islands, or how 
 else should I be alone 1 " 
 
 " Diavolo ! is there no boat in the canal?" 
 
 " Thou art in unwonted haste, Gino, now thou 
 hast a mask and a jacket of velvet ! I know not 
 that I should suffer one to enter my father s house, 
 when I am in it alone, and take such disguises to go 
 abroad, at this hour. Thou wilt tell me thy errand, 
 that I may judge of the propriety of what I do." 
 
 "Better ask the Three Hundred to open th 
 leaves of their book of doom ! Give me the key of 
 the outer door, girl, that I may go my way." 
 
 " Not till I know whether this business is likely to 
 VOL. I, D 
 
38 THE BRAVO. 
 
 draw down upon my father the displeasure of the 
 senate. Thou knowest, Gino, that I am " 
 
 " Diamine ! There goes the clock of San Marco, 
 and I tarry past my hour. If I am too late, the 
 fault will rest with thee ! " 
 
 " Twill not be the first of thy oversights, which 
 it has been my business to excuse. Here thou art, 
 and here shalt thou remain, until I know the errand 
 which calls for a mask and jacket, and all about 
 this matter of gravity." 
 
 " This is talking like a jealous wife, instead of a 
 reasonable girl, Annina. I have told thee that I am 
 on business of the last importance, and that delay 
 may bring heavy calamities." 
 
 " On whom ? What is thy business ? Why art 
 thou, whom in general it is necessary to warn from 
 this house by words many times repeated, now in 
 such a haste to leave it?" 
 
 " Have I not told thee, girl, tis an errand of 
 great concern to six noble families, and if I fail to 
 be in season, there may be a strife ay, between 
 the Florentine and the republic !" 
 
 " Thou hast said nothing of the sort, nor do I 
 put faith in thy being an ambassador of San Marco. 
 Speak truth for once, Gino Monaldi, or lay aside 
 the mask and jacket, and take up thy flowers of 
 Sant Agata." 
 
 " Well, then, as we are friends, and I have faith 
 in thy discretion, Annina, thou shalt know the truth 
 to the extremity, for I find the bell has only tolled 
 the quarters, which leaves me yet a moment for 
 confidence." 
 
 " Thou lookest at the wall, Gino, and art con 
 sulting thy wits for some plausible lie ! " 
 
 " I look at the wall because conscience tells me 
 that too much weakness for thee is about to draw 
 me astray from duty. What thou takest for deceit 
 is only shame and modesty." 
 
THE BRAVO. 39 
 
 " Of that we shall judge, when the tale is told." 
 
 "Then listen. Thou hast heard of the affair 
 between my master and the niece of the Roman 
 Marchese, who was drowned in the Giudecca, by 
 the carelessness of an Ancona-man, who passed 
 over the gondola of Pietro as if his felucca had 
 been a galley of state ? " 
 
 " Who has been upon the Lido, the month past, 
 without hearing the tale repeated, with every varia 
 tion of a gondolier s anger 1 " 
 
 "Well, the matter is likely to come to a conclu 
 sion this night ; my master is about to do, as I fear, 
 a very foolish thing !" 
 
 "He will be married?" 
 
 " Or worse ; I am sent, in all haste arid secrecy, 
 in search of a priest." 
 
 Annina manifested strong interest in the fiction 
 of the gondolier. Either from a distrustful temper 
 ament, long habit, or great familiarity with, the 
 character of her companion, however, she did not 
 listen to his explanation without betraying some 
 doubts of its truth. 
 
 " This will be a sudden bridal feast ! " she said, 
 after a moment of pause. " Tis well that- few are 
 invited, or its savor might be spoiled by the Three 
 Hundred ! To what convent art thou sent ? " 
 
 " My errand is not particular. The first that may 
 be found, provided he be a Franciscan, and a priest 
 likely to have bowels for lovers in haste." 
 
 i Don Camillo Monforte, the heir of an ancient 
 and great line, does not wive with so little caution. 
 Thy false tongue has been trying to deceive me, 
 Gino; but long use should have taught thee the folly 
 of the effort. Unless thou sayest truth, not only 
 shalt thou not go to thy errand, but here art thou 
 prisoner at my pleasure." 
 
 " I may have told thee what I expect will shortly 
 happen, rather than what has happened. But Don 
 
40 THE BRAVO. 
 
 Camillo keeps me so much upon the water of late, 
 that I do Kttle beside dream, when not at the oar." 
 
 "It is vain to attempt deceiving me, Gino, for 
 thine eye speaketh truth, let thy tongue and brains 
 wander where they will. Drink of this cup, and 
 disburthen thy conscience, like a man." 
 
 "I would that thy father would make the ac 
 quaintance of Stefano Milano ! " resumed the gon 
 dolier, taking a long breath, after a still longer 
 draught. " Tis a padrone of Calabria, who often 
 times brings into the port excellent liquors of his 
 country, and who would pass a cask of the red 
 lachrymse christi through the Broglio itself, and not 
 a noble of them all should see it. The man is here 
 at present, and, if thou wilt, he shall not be long 
 without coming into terms with thee for a few 
 skins." 
 
 " I doubt if he have better liquors than this which 
 hath ripened upon the sands of the Lido. Take an 
 other draught, for the second taste is thought to be 
 better than the first." 
 
 " If the wine improve in this manner, thy father 
 should be heavy-hearted at the sight of the lees! 
 T would be no more than charity to bring him and 
 Stefano acquainted." 
 
 " Why not do it, immediately ? His felucca is in 
 the port, thou sayest, and thou canst lead him hither 
 by the secret door and the lanes." 
 
 " Thou forgettest my errand. Don Camillo is not 
 used to be served the second. Cospetto ! Twere a 
 pity that any other got the liquor which I am cer 
 tain the Calabrian has in secret." 
 
 " This errand can be no matter of a moment, like 
 that of being sure of wine of the quality thou 
 namest ; or, if it be, thou canst first dispatch thy 
 master s business, and then to the port, in quest 
 of Stefano. That the purchase may not fail, I 
 will take a mask and be thy companion, to see 
 
THE BRAVO. 41 
 
 the Calabrian. Thou knowest my father hath 
 much confidence in my judgment in matters like 
 this." 
 
 While Gino stood half stupified, and half delight 
 ed at this proposition, the ready and wily Annina 
 made some slight change in her outer garments, 
 placed a silken mask before her face, applied a key 
 to the door, and beckoned to the gondolier to follow. 
 
 The canal, with which the dwelling of the wine- 
 dealer communicated, was narrow, gloomy, and 
 little frequented. A gondola of the plainest descrip 
 tion was fastened near, and the girl entered it, with 
 out appearing to think any further arrangement ne 
 cessary. The servant of Don Camillo hesitated a 
 single instant, but having seen that his half-meditated 
 project of escaping by the use of another boat, 
 could not be accomplished for want of means, he 
 took his wonted place in the stern, and began to ply 
 the oar with mechanical readiness. 
 
 CHAPTER, III. 
 
 What well-appointed leader fronts us here ? 
 
 King Henry VI. 
 
 THE presence of Annina was a grave embarrass 
 ment to Gino. He had his secret wishes and limited 
 ambition, like other men, and among the strongest 
 of the former, was the desire to stand well in the 
 favor of the wine-seller s daughter. But the artful 
 girl, in catering to his palate with a liquor that was 
 scarcely less celebrated among people of his class 
 for its strength than its flavor, had caused a mo 
 mentary confusion in the brain of Gino, that re 
 quired time to disperse. The boat was in the grand 
 canal, and far on its wav to the place of its destina- 
 D2 
 
42 THE BRAVO. 
 
 tion, before this happy purification of the intellects 
 of the gondolier had been sufficiently effected. By 
 that time, however, the exercise of rowing, the fresh 
 air of the evening, and the sight of so many accus 
 tomed objects, restored his faculties to the neces 
 sary degree of coolness and forethought. As the 
 boat approached the end of the canal, he began to 
 cast his eyes about him in quest of the well-known 
 felucca of the Calabrian. 
 
 Though the glory of Venice had departed, the 
 trade of the city was not then at its present low ebb. 
 The port was still crowded with vessels from many 
 distant havens, and the flags of most of the mari 
 time states of Europe were seen, at intervals, with 
 in the barrier of the Lido. The moon was now 
 sufficiently high to cast its soft light on the whole 
 of the glittering basin, and a forest, composed of 
 lattin yards, of the slender masts of polaccas, and 
 of the more massive and heavy hamper of regularly 
 rigged ships, w r as to be seen rising above the tran 
 quil element. 
 
 " Thou art no judge of a vessel s beauty, Annina," 
 said the gondolier, \vho was deeply housed in the 
 pavilion of the boat, " else should I tell thee to look 
 at this stranger from Candia. Tis said that a fairer 
 model has never entered within the Lido than that 
 same Greek ! " 
 
 " Our errand is not with the Candian trader, 
 Gino ; therefore, ply thy oar, for time presses." 
 
 " There s plenty of rough Greek wine in his hold ; 
 but, as thou sayest, we have naught with him. Yon 
 tall ship, which is moored without the smaller craft 
 of our seas, is the vessel of a Lutheran, from the 
 islands of Inghilterra. Twas a sad day for the re 
 public, girl, when it first permitted the stranger to 
 come into the waters of the Adriatic ! " 
 
 " Is it certain, Gino, that the arm of St. Mark 
 was strong enough to keep him out?" 
 
THE BRAVO. 43 
 
 " Body of Diana ! I would rather thou didst not 
 ask that question in a place where so many gondo 
 las are in motion ! Here are Ragusan, Maltese, Sici 
 lians, and Tuscans, without number; and a little 
 fleet of French lie near each other, there, at the en 
 trance of the Giudecca. They are a people who 
 get together, afloat or ashore, for the benefit of the 
 tongue. Here we are, at the end of our journey." 
 
 The oar of Gino gave a backward sweep, and 
 the gondola was at rest, by the side of a felucca. 
 
 " A happy night to the Bella Sorrentina and her 
 worthy padrone ! " was the greeting of the gondo 
 lier, as he put his foot on the deck of the vessel. 
 " Is the honest Stefano Milano on board the swift 
 felucca?" 
 
 The Calabrian was not slow to answer ; and in a 
 few moments the padrone and his two visitors were 
 in close and secret conference. 
 
 " I have brought one, here, who will be likely to 
 put good Venetian sequins into thy pocket, caro," 
 observed the gondolier, when the preliminaries of 
 discourse had been properly observed. " She is the 
 daughter of a most conscientious wine-dealer, who 
 is quite as ready at transplanting your Sicilian 
 grapes into the islands, as he is willing and able to 
 pay for them." 
 
 " And one, no doubt, as handsome as she is 
 ready," said the mariner, with blunt gallantry, 
 " were the black cloud but fairly driven from before 
 her face." 
 
 " A mask is of little consequence in a bargain, 
 provided the money be forthcoming. We are al 
 ways in the Carnival at Venice; and he who 
 would buy, or he who would sell, has the same 
 right to hide his face as to hide his thoughts. What 
 hast thou in the way of forbidden liquors, Stefano, 
 that my companion may not lose the night in idle 
 words ? " 
 
44 THE BRAVO 
 
 " Per Diana ! Master Gino, thou puttest thy ques 
 tions with little ceremony. The hold of the felucca 
 is empty, as thou mayest see by stepping to the 
 hatches ; and as for any liquor, we are perishing for 
 a drop to warm the blood." 
 
 " And so far from coming to seek it here," said 
 Annina, " we should have done better to have gone 
 into the cathedral, and said an Ave, for thy safe 
 voyage home. And now that our wit is spent, we 
 will quit thee, friend Stefano, for some other less 
 skilful in answers." 
 
 " Cospetto ! thou knowest not what thou sayest," 
 whispered Gino, when he found that the wary An 
 nina was not disposed to remain. " The man never 
 enters the meanest creek in Italy, without having 
 something useful secreted in the felucca, on his own 
 account. One purchase of him would settle the 
 question between the quality of thy father s wines 
 and those of Battista. There is not a gondolier in 
 Venice but will resort to thy shop, if the intercourse 
 with this fellow can be fairly settled." 
 
 Annina hesitated ; long practised in the small, but 
 secret, and exceedingly hazardous commerce, 
 which her father, notwithstanding the vigilance and 
 severity of the Venetian police, had thus far suc 
 cessively driven, she neither liked to risk an expo 
 sure of her views to an utter stranger, nor to aban 
 don a bargain that promised to be lucrative. That 
 Gino trifled with her, as to his true errand, needed 
 no confirmation, since a servant of the Duke of 
 Sant Agata was not likely to need a disguise 
 to search a priest ; but she knew his zeal for her 
 personal welfare too well, to distrust his faith in a 
 matter that concerned her own safety. 
 
 " If thou distrust that any here are the spies of 
 the authorities," she observed to the padrone, with a 
 manner that readily betrayed her wishes, " it will be 
 in Gino s power to undeceive thee. Thou wilt testi- 
 
THE BRAVO. 45 
 
 fy, Gino, that I am not to be suspected of treachery 
 in an affair like this." 
 
 . " Leave me to put a word into the private ear of 
 the Calabrian," said the gdhdolier, significantly. 
 " Stefano Milano, if thou love me," he continued, 
 when they were a little apart, " keep the girl in 
 parley, and treat with her, fairly, for thy adven 
 ture." 
 
 " Shall I sell the vintage of Don Camillo, or that 
 of the Viceroy of Sicily, caro 1 There is as much 
 wine of each On board the Bella Sorrentina, as 
 would float the fleet of the republic." 
 
 " If, in truth, thou art dry, then feign that thou 
 hast it, and differ in thy prices. Entertain her, but ** 
 a minute, with fair words, while I can get, unseen, 
 into my gondola ; and then, for the sake of an old 
 and tried friend, put her tenderly on the quay, in the 
 best manner thou art able." 
 
 " I begin to see into the nature of the trade," re 
 turned the pliant padrone, placing a finger on the 
 side of his nose. " I will discourse the woman by 
 the hour, about the flavor of the liquor, or if thou 
 wilt, of her own beauty ; but to squeeze a drop of 
 anything better than the water of the Lagunes out 
 of the ribs of the felucca, would be a miracle wor 
 thy of San Teodoro." 
 
 " There is but little need to touch on aught but 
 the quality of thy wine. The girl is not like most of 
 her sex, and she takes sudden offence when there is 
 question of her appearance. Indeed, the mask she 
 wears is as much to hide a face that has little to 
 tempt the eye, as from any wish at concealment." 
 
 " Since Gino has entered frankly into the matter," 
 resumed the quick-witted Calabrian, cheerfully, and 
 with an air of sudden confidence, to the expectant 
 Annina, " I begin to see more probability of our un 
 derstanding each other s meaning. Deign, bella 
 donna, to go into my poor cabin, where we will 
 
46 THE BRAVO. 
 
 speak more at our ease, and something more to our 
 mutual profit, and mutual security." 
 
 Annina was not without secret doubts, but she 
 suffered the padrone to lead her to the stairs of the 
 cabin, as if she were disposed to descend. Her 
 back was no sooner turned, than Gino slid into the 
 gondola, which one shove of his vigorous arm sent 
 far beyond the leap of man. The action was sud 
 den, rapid, and noiseless ; but the jealous eye of 
 Annina detected the escape of the gondolier, though 
 not in time to prevent it. Without betraying uneasi 
 ness, she submitted to be led below, as if the whole 
 were done by previous concert. 
 
 " Gino has said that you have a boat which will 
 do the friendly office to put me on the quay, when 
 our conference is over," she remarked, with a pres 
 ence of mind that luckily met the expedient of her 
 late companion. 
 
 "The felucca itself should do that much, were 
 there want of other means," gallantly returned the 
 mariner when they disappeared in the cabin. 
 
 Free to discharge his duty, Gino now plied his 
 task with redoubled zeal. The light boat glided 
 among the vessels, inclining, by the skilful manage 
 ment of his single oar, in a manner to avoid all colli 
 sion, until it entered the narrow canal which sepa 
 rates the palace of the Doge from the more beauti 
 ful and classic structure that contains the prisons of 
 the republic. The bridge, which continues the com 
 munication of the quays, was first passed, and then 
 he was stealing beneath that far-famed arch which 
 supports a covered gallery leading from the upper 
 story of the palace into that of the prisons, and 
 which, from its being appropriated to the passage 
 of the accused from their cells to the presence of 
 their judges, has been so poetically, and, it may be 
 added, so pathetically called the Bridge of Sighs. 
 The oar of Gino now relaxed its efforts, and the 
 
THE BRAVO. 47 
 
 gondola approached a flight of steps, over which, 
 as usual, the water cast its little waves. Stepping 
 on the lowest flag, he thrust a small iron spike, to 
 which a cord was attached, into a crevice between 
 two of the stones, and left his boat to the security 
 of this characteristic fastening. When this little 
 precaution was observed, the gondolier passed up 
 lightly beneath the massive arch of the water-gate 
 of the palace, and entered its large but gloomy 
 court. 
 
 At -that hour, and with the temptation of the gay 
 scene which offered in the adjoining square, the 
 place was nearly deserted. A single female water- 
 carrier was at the well, waiting for the element to 
 filter into its basin, in order to fill her buckets, while 
 her ear listened in dull attention to the hum of the 
 moving crowd without. A halberdier paced the 
 open gallery at the head of the Giant s Stairs, and, 
 here and there, the footfall of other sentinels might 
 be heard among the hollow and ponderous arches 
 of the long corridors. No light was shed from the 
 windows ; but the entire building presented a fit em 
 blem of that mysterious power which was known 
 to preside over the fortunes of Venice and her citi 
 zens. Ere Gino trusted himself without the shadow 
 of the passage by which he had entered, two or 
 three curious faces had appeared at the opposite 
 entrance of the court, where they paused a moment 
 to gaze at the melancholy and imposing air of the 
 dreaded palace, before they vanished in the throng 
 which trifled in the immediate proximity of that se 
 cret and ruthless tribunal, as man riots in security 
 even on the verge of an endless and unforeseen 
 future. 
 
 Disappointed in his expectation of meeting him 
 he sought, on the instant, the gondolier advanced, 
 and taking courage by the possibility of his escaping 
 altogether from the interview, he ventured to furnish 
 
48 THE BRAVO. 
 
 audible evidence of his presence by a loud hem. 
 At that instant a figure glided into the court from 
 the side of the quay, and walked swiftly towards its 
 centre. The heart of Gino beat violently, but he 
 mustered resolution to meet the stranger. As they 
 drew near each other, it became evident, by the light 
 of the moon, which penetrated even to that gloomy 
 spot, that the latter was also masked. 
 
 " San Teodoro and San Marco have you in 
 mind !" commenced the gondolier. " If I mistake 
 not, you are the man I am sent to meet." 
 
 The stranger started, and first manifesting an in 
 tention to pass on quickly, he suddenly arrested the 
 movement to reply. 
 
 " This may be so, or not. Unmask, that I may 
 judge by thy countenance if what thou sayest be 
 true." 
 
 " By your good leave, most worthy and honor 
 able Signore, and if it be equally agreeable to you 
 and my master, I would choose to keep off the even 
 ing air by this bit of pasteboard and silk." 
 
 " Here are none to betray thee, wert thou naked 
 as at thy birth. Unless certain of thy character, in 
 what manner may I confide in thy honesty ? " 
 
 " I have no distrust of the virtues of an undis 
 guised face, Signore, and therefore do I invite you, 
 yourself, to exhibit what nature has done for you in 
 the way of features, that I, who am to make the 
 confidence, be sure it be to the right person." 
 
 " This is well, and gives assurance of thy pru 
 dence. I may not unmask, however ; and as there 
 seemeth little probability of our coming to an un 
 derstanding, I will go my way. A most happy night 
 to thee." 
 
 "Cospetto! Signore, you are far too quick in 
 your ideas and movements for one little used to ne 
 gotiations of this sort. Here is a ring whose signet 
 may help us to understand each other." 
 
THE BRAVO. 49 
 
 The stranger took the jewel, and holding the 
 stone in a manner to receive the light of the moon, 
 he started in a manner to betray both surprise and 
 pleasure. 
 
 " This is the falcon crest of the Neapolitan he 
 that is the lord of Sant Agata !" 
 
 "And of many other fiefs, good Signore, to say 
 nothing of the honors he claims in Venice. Am I 
 right in supposing my errand with you?" 
 
 " Thou hast found one whose present business 
 has no other object than Don Oamillo Monforte. 
 But thy errand was not solely to exhibit the signet? 
 
 " So little so, that I have a packet here which 
 waits only for a certainty of the person with whom 
 I speak, to be placed into his hands." 
 
 The stranger mused a moment ; then glancing a 
 look about him, he answered hurriedly 
 
 " This is no place to unmask, friend, even though 
 we only wear our disguises in pleasantry. Tarry 
 here, and at my return I will conduct thee to a more 
 fitting spot." 
 
 The words were scarcely uttered when Gino 
 found himself standing in the middle of the court 
 alone. The masked stranger had passed swiftly on, 
 and was at the bottom of the Giant s Stairs, ere the 
 gondolier had time for reflection. He ascended 
 with a light and rapid step, and without regarding 
 the halberdier, he approached the first of three or 
 four orifices which opened into the wall of the pal 
 ace, and which, from the heads of the animal being 
 carved in relief around them, had become famous 
 as the receptacles of secret accusations, under the 
 name of the Lion s Mouths. Something he dropped 
 into the grinning aperture of the marble, .though 
 w r hat, the distance and the obscurity of the gallery 
 prevented Gino from perceiving ; and then his form 
 was seen gliding like a phantom down the flight of 
 massive steps. 
 
 VOL. I E 
 
50 THE BRAVO. 
 
 Gino had retired towards the arch of the water- 
 gate, in expectation that the stranger would rejoin 
 him within its shadows; but, to his great alarm, he 
 saw the form darting through the outer portal of the 
 palace into the square of St. Mark. It was not a 
 moment ere Gino, breathless \vith haste, was in 
 chase. On reaching the bright and gay scene of 
 the piazza, which contrasted with the gloomy court 
 he had just quitted, like morning with night, he saw 
 the utter fruitlessness of further pursuit. Frighten 
 ed at the loss of his master s signet, however, the 
 indiscreet but well-intentioned gondolier rushed into 
 the crowd, and tried in vain to select the delinquent 
 from among a thousand masks. 
 
 " Harkee, Signore," uttered the half-distracted 
 gondolier* to one, who, having first examined his 
 person with distrust, evidently betrayed a wish to 
 avoid him ; " if thou hast sufficiently pleased thy 
 finger with my master s signet, the occasion offers 
 to return it." 
 
 " I know thee not," returned a voice, in which 
 Gino s ear could detect no familiar sound. 
 
 " It may not be well to trifle with the displeasure 
 of a noble as powerful as him you know ;" he whis 
 pered at the elbow of another, who had come, un 
 der his suspicions. " The signet, if thou pleasest, 
 and the affair need go no further." 
 
 " He who would meddle in it, with or without 
 that gage, would do well to pause." 
 
 The gondolier again turned away disappointed. 
 
 " The ring is not suited to thy masquerade, friend 
 of mine," he essayed with a third ; " and it would 
 be wise not to trouble the podesta about such a 
 trifle."- 
 
 " Then name it not, lest he hear thee." The an 
 swer proved, like all the others, unsatisfactory and 
 bootless. 
 
 Gino no\v ceased to question any ; but he thread- 
 
THE BRAVO. 51 
 
 ed the throng with an active and eager eye. Fifty 
 times was he tempted to speak, but as often did some 
 difference in stature or dress, some laugh, or trifle 
 uttered in levity, warn him of his mistake. He 
 penetrated to tire very head of the piazza, and, re 
 turning by the opposite side, he found his way 
 through the throng of the porticoes, looking into 
 every coffee-house, and examining each figure that 
 floated by, until he again issued into the piazzetta, 
 without success. A slight jerk at the elbow of his 
 jacket arrested his steps, and he turned to look at 
 the person who had detained him. A female attired 
 like a contadina addressed him in the feigned voice 
 common to all. 
 
 " Whither so fast, and what hast thou lost in this 
 merry crowd ] If a heart, twill be wise to use dili 
 gence, for many here may be willing to wear the 
 jewel!" 
 
 " Corpo di Bacco !" exclaimed the disappointed 
 gondolier ; " any who find such a bauble of mine 
 under foot, are welcome to their luck ! Hast thou 
 seen a domino of a size like that of any other man, 
 with a gait that might pass for the step of a sena 
 tor, padre, or Jew, and a mask that looks as much 
 like a thousand of these in the square as one side of 
 the campanile is like the other?" 
 
 " Thy picture is so well drawn, that one cannot 
 fail to know the original. He stands beside thee." 
 
 Gino wheeled suddenly, and saw that a grinning 
 harlequin was playing his antics in the. place where 
 he had expected to find the stranger. 
 
 "And thy eyes, bella eontadina, are as dull as a 
 mole s." 
 
 He ceased speaking, for, deceived in his person, 
 she who had saluted him was no longer visible. In 
 this manner did the disappointed gondolier thread 
 his way toward the water, now answering to the 
 boisterous salute of some clown, and now repelling 
 
52 THE BRAVO. 
 
 the advances of females less disguised than the pre 
 tended contadina, until he gained a space near the 
 quays, where there was more room for observation. 
 Here he paused, undetermined whether to return and 
 confess his indiscretion to his master, or whether he 
 should make still another effort to regain the ring 
 which had been so sillily lost. The vacant space 
 between the two granite columns was left to the 
 quiet possession of himself and one other, who stood 
 near the base of that which sustained the Lion of 
 St. Mark, as motionless as if he too were merely a 
 form of stone. Two or three stragglers, either led 
 by idle curiosity, or expecting to meet one appoint 
 ed to await their coming, drew near this immova 
 ble man, but all glided away, as if there were re 
 pulsion in his marble-like countenance. Gino had 
 witnessed several instances of this evident dislike to 
 remain near the unknown figure, ere he felt induced 
 to cross the space between them in order to inquire 
 into its cause. A slow movement, at the sound of 
 his footsteps, brought the rays of the moon full 
 upon the calm countenance and searching eye of 
 the very man he sought. 
 
 The first impulse of the gondolier, like that of all 
 the others he had seen approach the spot, was to 
 retreat ; but the recollection of his errand and his 
 loss came in season to prevent such an exhibition 
 of his disgust and alarm. Still he did not speak ; 
 but he met the riveted gaze of the Bravo with a 
 look that denoted, equally, confusion of intellect and 
 a half-settled purpose. 
 
 " Would st thou aught with me?" demanded Ja- 
 copo, when the gaze of each had continued beyond 
 the term of accidental glances. 
 
 " My master s signet {" 
 
 " I know thee not." 
 
 " That image of San Teodoro could testify that 
 this is holy truth, if it would but speak ! I have not 
 
THE BRAVO. 53 
 
 the honor of your friendship, Signor Jacopo ; but 
 one may have affairs even with a stranger. If you 
 met a peaceable and innocent gondolier, in the 
 court of the palace, since the clock of the piazza 
 told the last quarter, and got from him a ring, which 
 can be of but little use to any but its rightful owner, 
 one so generous will not hesitate to return it" 
 
 " Dost thou take me for a jeweller of the Rialto, 
 that thou speakest to me of rings ?" 
 
 " I take you for one well known and much valued 
 by many of name and quality, here in Venice, as 
 witness my errand from my own master." 
 
 " Remove thy mask. Men of fair dealing need 
 not hide the features which Nature has given them." 
 
 " You speak nothing but truths, Signor Frontoni, 
 which is little remarkable, considering thy opportu 
 nities of looking into the motives of men. There is 
 little in my face to pay you for the trouble of cast 
 ing a glance at it. I would as lief do as others 
 in this gay season, if it be equally agreeable to 
 you." 
 
 " Do as thou wilt ; but. I pray thee to give me the 
 same permission." 
 
 " There are few so bold as to dispute thy plea 
 sure, Signore," 
 
 " It is, to be alone." 
 
 " Cospetto ! There is not a man in Venice who 
 would more gladly consult it, if my master s errand 
 were fairly done ! " muttered Gino, between his 
 teeth. " I have, here, a packet which it is my duty 
 to put into your hands, Signore, and into those of 
 no other." 
 
 " I know thee not thou hast a name?" 
 
 " Not in the sense in which you speak, Signore. 
 As to that sort of reputation, I am as nameless as a 
 foundling." 
 
 " If thy master is of no more note than thyself, 
 the packet may be returned," 
 E 
 
54 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " There are few within the dominions of St. Mark 
 of better lineage, or of fairer hopes, than the Duke 
 of Sant Agata." 
 
 The cold expression of the Bravo s countenance 
 changed. 
 
 " If thou comest from Don Camillo Monforte, 
 why dost thou hesitate to proclaim it 1 Where are 
 his requests ?" 
 
 " I know not whether it is his pleasure, or that of 
 another, which this paper contains, but such as it 
 is, Signor Jacopo, my duty commands me to deliver 
 it to thee." 
 
 The packet was received calmly, though the or 
 gan which glanced at its seal and its superscription, 
 gleamed with an expression which the credulous 
 gondolier fancied to resemble that of the tiger at 
 the sight of blood. 
 
 " Thou said st something of a ring. Dost thou 
 bear thy master s signet ] I am much accustomed 
 to see pledges, ere I give faith." 
 
 " Blessed San Teodoro grant that I did ! Were 
 it as heavy as a skin of wine, I would willingly 
 bear the load ; but one that I mistook for you, Mas 
 ter Jacopo, has it on his own light finger, I fear." 
 
 " This is an affair that thou wilt settle with thy 
 master," returned the Bravo, coldly, again examin 
 ing the impression of the seal. 
 
 " If you are acquainted with the writing of my 
 master," hurriedly remarked Gino, who trembled 
 for the fate of the packet, "you will see his skill in 
 the turn of those letters. There are few nobles in 
 Venice, or indeed in the Sicilies, who have a more 
 scholarly hand, with a quill, than Don Camillo Mon 
 forte; I could not do the thing half so well myself." 
 
 "I am no clerk," observed the Bravo, without 
 betraying shame at the confession. " The art of 
 deciphering a scroll, like this, was never taught me. 
 
THE BRAVO. 55 
 
 If thou art so expert in the skill of a penman, tell 
 me the name the packet bears." 
 
 " T would little become me to breathe a syllable 
 concerning any of my master s secrets," returned 
 the gondolier, drawing himself up in sudden reserve. 
 " It is enough that he bid me deliver the letter ; af 
 ter which I should think it presumption even to 
 whisper more." 
 
 The dark eye of the Bravo was seen rolling over 
 the person of his companion, by the light of the 
 moon, in a manner that caused the blood of the 
 latter to steal towards his heart. 
 
 " I bid thee read to me aloud the name the paper 
 bears," said Jacopo, sternly. " Here is none but the 
 lion and the saint above our heads to listen." 
 
 " Just San Marco ! who can tell what ear is open, 
 or what ear is shut in Venice ? If you please, Sig- 
 nor Frontoni, we will postpone the examination to 
 a more suitable occasion." 
 
 " Friend, I do not play the fool ! The name, or 
 show me some gage that thou art sent by him thou 
 hast named, else take back the packet ; tis no affair 
 for my hand." 
 
 " Reflect a single moment on the consequences, 
 Signor Jacopo, before you come to a determination 
 so hasty." 
 
 " I know no consequences which can befall a man 
 who refuses to receive a message like this." 
 
 " Per Diana ! Signore ; the Duca will not be 
 likely to leave me an ear to hear the good advice 
 of Father Battista." 
 
 Then will the Duca save the public executioner 
 some trouble." 
 
 As he spoke, the Bravo cast the packet at the feet 
 of the gondolier, and began to walk calmly up the 
 piazzetta. Gino seized the letter, and, with his brain 
 in a whirl, with the effort to recall some one of his 
 master s acquaintances to whom he would be likely 
 
56 THE BRAVO. 
 
 to address an epistle on such an occasion, he fol 
 lowed. 
 
 " I wonder, Signor Jacopo, that a man of your 
 sagacity has not remembered that a packet to be 
 delivered to himself, should bear his own name." 
 
 The Bravo took the paper, and held the super 
 scription again to the light. 
 
 " That is not so. Though unlearned, necessity 
 has taught me to know when I am meant." 
 
 " Diamine ! That is just my own case, Signore. 
 Were the letter for me, now, the old should not 
 know its young, quicker than I would come at the 
 truth." 
 
 " Then thou canst not read?" 
 
 " I never pretended to the art. The little said 
 was merely about writing. Learning, as you well 
 understand, Master Jacopo, is divided into reading, 
 writing, and figures ; and a man may well under 
 stand one, without knowing a word of the others. 
 It is not absolutely necessary to be a bishop to have 
 a shaved head, or a Jew to wear a beard." 
 
 " Thou would st have done better to have said 
 this at once ; go, I will think of the matter." 
 
 Gino gladly turned away, but he had not left the 
 other many paces, before he saw a female form 
 gliding behind the pedestal of one of the granite 
 columns. Moving swiftly in a direction to uncover 
 this seeming spy, he saw at once that Annina had 
 been a witness of his interview with the Bravo. 
 
THE BRAVO. 57 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Twill make me think 
 
 The world is full of rubs, and that my fortune 
 Runs gainst the bias. 
 
 Richard the Second. 
 
 THOUGH Venice at that hour was so gay in her 
 squares, the rest of the town was silent as the grave. 
 A city in w r hich the hoof of horse or the rolling of 
 wheels is never heard, necessarily possesses a char 
 acter of its own; but the peculiar form of the gov 
 ernment, and the long training of the people in habits 
 of caution, weighed on the spirits of the gay. There 
 were times and places, it is true, when the buoyancy 
 of youthful blood, and the levity of the thoughtless, 
 found occasion for their display; nor were they 
 rare ; but when men found themselves removed 
 from the temptation, and perhaps from the support 
 of society, they appeared to imbibe the character 
 of their sombre city. 
 
 Such was the state of most of the town, while 
 the scene described in the previous chapter was ex 
 hibited in the lively piazza of San Marco. The 
 moon had risen so high that its light fell between the 
 range of walls, here and there touching the surface 
 of the water, to which it imparted a quivering 
 brightness, while the domes and towers rested be 
 neath its light in a solemn but grand repose. Occa 
 sionally the front of a palace received the rays on 
 its heavy cornices and labored columns, the gloomy 
 stillness of the interior of the edifice furnishing, in 
 every such instance, a striking contrast to the rich 
 ness and architectural beauty without. Our narra 
 tive now leads us to one of these patrician abodes 
 of the first class. 
 
 A heavy magnificence pervaded the style of the 
 
58 THE BRAVO. 
 
 dwelling. The vestibule was vast, vaulted, and 
 massive. The stairs, rich in marbles, heavy and 
 grand. The apartments were imposing in their 
 gildings and sculpture, while the walls sustained 
 countless works on which the highest geniuses of Ita- 
 lv* had lavishly diffused their power. Among these 
 relics of an age more happy in this respect than 
 that of which \ve \vrite, the connoisseur would rea 
 dily have known the pencils of Titian, Paul Vero 
 nese, and Tintoretto the three great names in 
 which the subjects of St. Mark so justly prided 
 themselves. Among these works of the higher 
 masters were mingled others by the pencils of Bel- 
 lino, and Montegna, and Palma Vecchio artists 
 who were secondary only to the more renowned 
 colorists of the- Venetian school. Vast sheets of 
 mirrors lined the walls, wherever the still more pre 
 cious paintings had no place; while the ordinary 
 hangings of velvet and silk became objects of sec 
 ondary admiration, in a scene of nearly royal mag 
 nificence. The cool and beautiful floors, made of a 
 composition in which all the prized marbles of Italy 
 and of the East, polished to the last degree of art, 
 were curiously embedded, formed a suitable finish 
 to a style so gorgeous, and in which luxury and 
 taste were blended in equal profusion. 
 
 The building, which, on two of its sides, literally 
 rose from out the water, was, as usual, erected 
 around a dark court. Following its different faces, 
 the eye might penetrate, by many a door, open at 
 that hour for the passage of the air from off the sea, 
 through long suites of rooms, furnished and fitted 
 in the manner described, all lighted by shaded lamps 
 that spread a soft and gentle glow 7 around. Pass 
 ing, without notice, ranges of reception and sleep 
 ing rooms the latter of a magnificence to mock 
 the ordinary wants of the body we shall at once 
 
THE BRAVO. 59 
 
 introduce the reader into the part of the palace 
 where the business of the tale conducts us. 
 
 At the angle of the dwelling, on the side of the 
 smaller of the two canals, arid, most remote from 
 the principal water-avenue of the city on which the 
 edifice fronted, there was a suite of apartments, 
 which, while it exhibited the same style of luxury 
 and magnificence as those first mentioned in its 
 general character, discovered greater attention in 
 its details to the w r ants of ordinary life. The hang 
 ings were of the richest velvets or of glossy silks, the 
 mirrors were large and of exquisite truth, the floors 
 of the same gay and pleasing colors, and the w r alls 
 were adorned with their appropriate works of art. 
 But the whole was softened down to a picture of 
 domestic comfort. The tapestries and curtains 
 hung in careless folds, the beds admitted of sleep, 
 and the pictures were delicate copies by the pencil 
 of some youthful amateur, whose leisure had been 
 exercised in this gentle and feminine employment. 
 
 The fair being herself, whose early instruction 
 had given birth to so many skilful imitations of the 
 divine expression of Raphael, or to the vivid tints 
 of Titian, was at that hour in her privacy, dis 
 coursing with her ghostly adviser, and one of her 
 own sex, who had long discharged the joint trusts 
 of instructor and parent. The years of the lady 
 of the palace were so tender that, in a more north 
 ern region, she would scarcely have been deemed 
 past the period of childhood, though, in her native 
 land, the justness and maturity of her form, and the 
 expression of a dark, eloquent eye, indicated both 
 the growth and the intelligence of womanhood. 
 
 " For this good counsel, I thank you, my father ; 
 and my excellent Donna Florinda will thank you 
 still more, for your opinions are so like her own, 
 that I sometimes admire at the secret means, by 
 which experience enables the wise and the good to 
 
60 THE BRAVO. 
 
 think so much alike, on a matter of so little per 
 sonal interest." 
 
 A slight but furtive smile struggled around the 
 mortified mouth of the Carmelite, as he listened to 
 the naive observation of his ingenuous pupil. 
 
 " Thou wilt learn, my child," he answered, " as 
 time heaps wisdom on thy head, that it is in con 
 cerns which touch our passions and interests least, 
 we are most apt to decide with discretion and im 
 partiality. Though Donna Florinda is not yet past 
 the age when the heart is finally subdued, and there 
 is still so much to bind her to the world, she will 
 assure thee of this truth, or I greatly mistake the 
 excellence of that mind, which hath, hitherto, led 
 her so far blameless, in this erring pilgrimage to 
 which we are all doomed." 
 
 Though the cowl was over the head of the 
 speaker, who was evidently preparing to depart, 
 and his deeply-seated eye never varied from its 
 friendly look at the fair face of her he instructed, 
 the blood stole into the pale cheeks of the maternal 
 companion, and her whole countenance betrayed 
 some such reflection of feeling at his praise, as a 
 wintry sky exhibits at a sudden gleam from the 
 setting sun. 
 
 " I trust that Violetta does not now hear this for 
 the first time," observed Donna Florinda, in a voice 
 so meek and tremulous, as to be observed. 
 
 " Little that can be profitably told one of my in 
 experience has been left untaught," quickly answer 
 ed the pupil, unconscious herself that she reached 
 her hand towards that of her constant monitor, 
 though too intent on her object, to change her look 
 from the features of the Carmelite. " But why this 
 desire in the Senate, to dispose of a girl who would 
 be satisfied to live for ever, as she is now, happy in 
 her youth, and contented with the privacy which 
 becomes her sex?" 
 
THE BRAVO. 61 
 
 " The relentless years will not stay their advance, 
 that even one innocent as thou, may never know 
 the unhappiness and trials of a more mature age. 
 This life is one of imperious, and, oftentimes, of 
 tyrannical duties. Thou art not ignorant of the 
 policy that rules a state, which hath made its name 
 so illustrious by high deeds in arms, its riches, and 
 its widely-spread influence. There is a law in 
 Venice, which comrnandeth that none claiming an 
 interest in its affairs shall so bind himself to the 
 stranger, as to endanger the devotion all owe to the 
 republic. Thus may not the patrician of St. Mark 
 be a lord in other lands, nor may the heiress of a 
 name, great and valued as thine, be given in mar 
 riage, to any of note, in a foreign state, without 
 counsel and consent from those who are appointed 
 to watch over the interests of all." 
 
 " Had Providence cast my lot in an humbler class, 
 this would not have been. Methinks it ill comports 
 with the happiness of woman, to be the especial 
 care of the Council of Ten !" 
 
 " There is indiscretion, and I lament to say, im 
 piety in thy words. Our duty bids us submit to 
 earthly laws, and more than duty, reverence teaches 
 us not to repine at the will of Providence. But I 
 do not see the weight of this grievance, against 
 which thou murmurest, daughter. Thou art youth 
 ful, wealthy beyond the indulgence of ali healthful 
 desires, of a lineage to excite an unwholesome 
 worldly pride, and fair enough to render thee the 
 most dangerous of thine own enemies and thou 
 repinest at a lot, to which all of thy sex and station 
 are, of necessity, subject ! " 
 
 " For the offence against Providence I am alrea 
 dy a penitent," returned the Donna Violetta. " But 
 surely it would be less embarrassing to a girl of 
 sixteen, were the fathers of tne state so much occu- 
 
 VOL. I. F 
 
62 THE BRAVO. 
 
 pied with more \veighty affairs, as to forget her 
 birth and years, and haply her wealth?" 
 
 "There would he little merit in being content 
 with a world fashioned after our own caprices, 
 though it may be questioned if we should be hap 
 pier, by having all things as we desire, than by 
 being compelled to submit to them as they are. 
 The interest taken by the republic in thy particular 
 welfare, daughter, is the price thou payest for the 
 ease and magnificence with which thou art encir 
 cled. One more obscure, and less endowed by for 
 tune, might nave greater freedom of will, but it 
 would be accompanied by none of the pomp which 
 adorns the dwelling of thy fathers." 
 
 " I would there were less of luxury and more of 
 liberty within its walls." 
 
 " Time will enable thee to see differently. At 
 thy age all is viewed in colors of gold, or life is 
 rendered bootless, because we are thwarted in our 
 ill-digested wishes. I deny not, however, that thy 
 fortune is tempered by some peculiar passages, 
 Venice is ruled by a policy that is often calculating, 
 and haply some deem it remorseless." Though the 
 voice of the Carmelite had fallen, he paused and 
 glanced an uneasy look from beneath his cowl, ere 
 he continued. " The caution of the senate teaches 
 it to preclude, as far as in it lies, the union of inter 
 ests, that may not only oppose each other, but which 
 may endanger those of the state. Thus, as 1 have 
 said, none of senatorial rank may hold lands with 
 out the limits of the republic, nor may any of ac 
 count connect themselves, by the ties of marriage, 
 with strangers of dangerous influence, without the 
 consent and supervision of the republic. The latter 
 is thy situation, for of the several foreign lords who 
 seek thy hand, the council see none to whom the 
 favor may be extended, without the apprehension 
 of creating an influence here, in the centre of the 
 
THE BRAVO. 63 
 
 canals, which ought not to be given to a stranger, 
 Don Camillo Montbrte, the cavalier to whom thott 
 art indebted for thy life, and of whom thou hast so 
 lately spoken with gratitude, has far more cause to 
 complain of these hard decrees, than thou mayest 
 have, in any reason." 
 
 " Twould make my griefs still heavier, did I 
 know that one who has shown so much courage in 
 my behalf, has equal reason to feel their justice," 
 returned Violetta, quickly. " What is the affair that, 
 so fortunately for me, hath brought the Lord of 
 Sant Agata to Venice, if a grateful girl may, with- 
 out indiscretion, inquire ?" 
 
 " Thy interest in his behalf is both natural and 
 commendable," answered the Carmelite, with a sim 
 plicity which did more credit to his cowl than to 
 his observation. " He is young, and, doubtless, he 
 is tempted by the gifts of fortune, and the passions 
 of his years, to divers acts of weakness. Remem 
 ber him, daughter, in thy prayers, that part of the 
 debt of gratitude may be repaid. His worldly in 
 terest here is one of general notoriety, and I can 
 ascribe thy ignorance of it only to a retired man 
 ner of life." 
 
 " My charge hath other matters to occupy her 
 thoughts than the concerns of a young stranger, 
 who cometh to Venice for affairs," mildly observed 
 Donna Florinda. 
 
 " But if I am to remember him in my prayers, 
 Father, it might enlighten my petition to know in 
 what the young noble is most wanting." 
 
 " I would have thee remember his spiritual neces 
 sities only. He wanteth, of a truth, little in tempo 
 ralities that the world can ofler, though the desires 
 of life often lead him who hath most in quest of 
 more. It would seem that an ancestor of Don 
 Camillo was anciently a senator of Venice, when 
 the death of a relation brought many Calabrian 
 
64 THE BRAVO. 
 
 signories into his possession. The younger of his 
 sons, by an especial decree, which favored a family 
 that had well served the state, took these estates, 
 while the elder transmitted the senatorial rank and 
 the Venetian fortunes to his posterity. Time hath 
 extinguished the elder branch; and Don Camillo 
 hath for years besieged the council, to be restored 
 to those rights which his predecessor renounced." 
 
 " Can they refuse him ? " 
 
 "His demand involves a departure from estab 
 lished laws. Were he to renounce the Calabrian 
 lordships, the Neapolitan might lose more than he 
 would gain ; and to keep both is to infringe a law 
 that is rarely suffered to be dormant. I know little, 
 daughter, of the interests of life ; but there are ene 
 mies of the republic who say that its servitude is not 
 easy, and that it seldom bestows favors of this sort, 
 without seeking an ample equivalent." 
 
 " Is this as it should be ? If Don Camillo Mon- 
 forte has claims in Venice, whether it be to palaces 
 on the canals, or to lands on the main ; to honors 
 in the state, or voice in the senate ; justice should 
 be rendered without delay, lest it be said the re 
 public vaunts more of the sacred quality than it 
 practises." 
 
 " Thou speakest as a guileless nature prompts. 
 It is the frailty of man, my daughter, to separate 
 his public acts from the fearful responsibility of his 
 private deeds ; as if God, in endowing his being 
 with reason and the glorious hopes of Christianity, 
 had also endowed him with two souls, of which only 
 one was to be cared for." 
 
 "" " Arc there not those, Father, who believe that, 
 while the evil we commit as individuals is visited on 
 our own persons, that which is done by states, falls 
 on the nation?" 
 
 " The pride of human reason has invented divers 
 subtleties to satisfy its own longings, but it can 
 
THE BRAVO. <fcj 
 
 never feed itself on a delusion more fatal than thisl 
 The crime which involves others in its guilt, or con 
 sequences, is doubly a crime, and though it be a 
 property of sin to entail its own punishment, even 
 in our present life, he trusts to a vain hope who 
 thinks the magnitude of the offence will ever be its 
 apology. The chief security of our nature is to re 
 move it beyond temptation, and he is safest from 
 the allurements of the world, who is farthest re 
 moved from its vices. Though I would wish justice 
 done to the noble Neapolitan, it may be for his ever 
 lasting peace, that the additional wealth he seeks 
 should be withheld." 
 
 " I am unwilling to believe, Father, that a cava 
 lier, who has shown himself so ready to assist the 
 distressed, will easily abuse the gifts of fortune." 
 
 The Carmelite fastened an uneasy look on the 
 bright features of the ycung Venetian. Parental 
 solicitude and prophetic foresight were in his glance, 
 but the expression was relieved by the charity of 
 a chastened spirit. 
 
 " Gratitude to the preserver of thy life becomes 
 thy station and sex; it is a duty. Cherish the 
 feeling, for it is akin to the holy obligation of man 
 to his Creator." 
 
 "Is it enough to feel grateful?" demanded Vio- 
 letta. " One of my name and alliances might do 
 more. We can move the patricians of my family, 
 in behalf of the stranger, that his protracted suit 
 may come to a more speedy end." 
 
 " Daughter, beware ; the intercession of one in 
 whom St. Mark feels so lively an interest, may raise 
 up enemies to Don Camillo, instead of friends." 
 
 Donna Violetta was silent, while the monk and 
 Donna Floririda both regarded her with affectionate 
 concern. The former then adjusted his cowl, and 
 prepared to depart. The noble maiden approached 
 the Carmelite, and looking into his face w r ith ingenu- 
 F2 
 
66 THE BRAVO. 
 
 ous confidence, and habitual reverence, she besought 
 his blessing. When the solemn and customary office 
 was performed, the monk turned towards the com 
 panion of his spiritual charge. Donna Florinda 
 permitted the silk, on which her needle had been 
 busy, to fall into her lap, and she sat in meek silence, 
 while the Carmelite raised his open palms towards 
 her bended head. His lips moved, but the words 
 of benediction were inaudible. Had the ardent 
 being, intrusted to their joint care, been less occu 
 pied with her own feelings, or more practised in the 
 interests of that world, into which she was about to 
 enter, it is probable she would have detected some 
 evidence of that deep, but smothered sympathy, 
 which so often betrayed itself, in the silent intelli 
 gence of her ghostly father and her female Mentor. 
 
 " Thou wilt not forget us, Father ?" said Violetta, 
 with winning earnestness. "An orphan girl, in 
 whose fate the sages of the republic so seriously 
 busy thetxiselves, has need of every friend in whom 
 she can confide." 
 
 " Blessed be thy intercessor," said the monk, " and 
 the peace of the innocent be wijh thee." 
 
 Once more he waved his hand, and, turning, he 
 slowly quitted the room. The eye of Donna Florin- 
 da followed the white robes of the Carmelite while 
 they were visible ; and when it fell again upon the 
 silk, it was for a moment closed, as if looking at the 
 movements of the rebuked spirit within. The young 
 mistress of the palace summoned a menial, and 
 bade him do honor to her confessor, by seeing him 
 to his gondola. She then moved to the open bal 
 cony. A long pause succeeded: it was such a si 
 lence, breathing, thoughtful, and luxurious with the 
 repose of Italy, as suited the city and the hour. 
 Suddenly, Violetta receded from the open window, 
 and withdrew a step, in alarm. 
 
 "Is there a boat beneath?" demanded her com- 
 
THE BRAVO. 67 
 
 panion, whose glance was unavoidably attracted to 
 the movement. 
 
 " The water was never more quiet. But thou 
 hearest those strains of the hautboys 1 " 
 
 "Are they so rare on the canals, that they drive 
 thee from the balcony 1 " 
 
 " There are cavaliers beneath the windows of the 
 Mentoni palace ; doubtless, they compliment our 
 friend, Olivia." 
 
 " Even that gallantry is common. Thou know- 
 est that Olivia is shortly to be united to her kins 
 man, and he takes the usual means to show his ad 
 miration." 
 
 " Dost thou not find this public announcement of 
 a passion painful ? Were I to be wooed, I could wish 
 it might only be to my own ear 1 " 
 
 "That is an unhappy sentiment for one whose 
 hand is in the gift of the senate ! I fear that a maid 
 en of thy rank must be content to hear her beauty 
 extolled and her merits sung, if not exaggerated, 
 even by hirelings beneath a balcony." 
 
 " I would that they were done !" exclaimed Vio- 
 letta, stopping her ears. " None know the excel 
 lence of our friend better than I ; but this open ex 
 posure of thoughts, that ought to be so private, must 
 wound her." 
 
 " Thou mayest go again into the balcony ; the 
 music ceases." 
 
 " There are gondoliers singing near the Rialto : 
 these are sounds I love ! Sweet in themselves, they 
 do no violence to our sacred feelings. Art thou for 
 the water to-night, my Florinda?" 
 
 "Whither would st thou?" 
 
 " I know not but the evening is brilliant, and I 
 pine to mingle with the splendor and pleasure with 
 out." 
 
 " While thousands on the canals pine to mingle 
 with the splendor and pleasure within ! Thus is it 
 
08 THE BRAVO. 
 
 ever with life : that, which is possessed is little valued, 
 and that which we have not is without price." 
 
 " I owe my duty to my guardian," said Violetta : 
 " we will row to his palace." 
 
 Though Donna Florinda had uttered so grave a 
 moral, she spoke without severity. Casting aside 
 her work, she prepared to gratify the desire of her 
 charge. It was the usual hour for the high in rank 
 and the secluded to go abroad ; and neither Venice, 
 with its gay throngs, nor Italy, with its soft climate, 
 ever offered greater temptation to seek the open air. 
 
 The groom of the chambers was called, the gon 
 doliers were summoned, and the ladies, cloaking and 
 taking their masks, were quickly in the boat. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 If your master 
 
 Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him 
 That majesty, to keep decorum, must 
 No less beg than a kingdom. 
 
 Antony and Cleopatra, 
 
 THE silent movement of the hearse-like gondola 
 soon brought the fair Venetian and her female Men 
 tor to the water-gate of the noble, who had been 
 intrusted, by the senate, with the especial guardian 
 ship of the person of the heiress. It was a resi 
 dence of more than common gloom, possessing all 
 the solemn but stately magnificence which then 
 characterized the private dwellings of the patricians 
 in that city of riches and pricle. Its magnitude and 
 architecture, though rather less imposing than those 
 which distinguished the palace of the Donna Violetta. 
 placed it among the private edifices of the first or 
 der, and all its external decorations showed it to be 
 
THE BRAVO. 69 
 
 the habitation of one of high importance. Within, 
 the noiseless steps and the air of silent distrust 
 among the domestics, added to the gloomy grandeur 
 of the apartments, rendered the abode no bad type 
 of the republic itself. 
 
 As neither of his present visitors was a stranger 
 beneath the roof of the Signor Gradenigo for so 
 the proprietor of the palace was called they as 
 cended its massive stairs, without pausing to con 
 sider any of those novelties of construction that 
 would attract the eye of one unaccustomed to such 
 a dwelling. The rank and the known consequence 
 of the Donna Violetta assured her of a ready re 
 ception ; and while she was ushered to the suite of 
 rooms above, by a crowd of bowing menials, one 
 had gone, with becoming speed, to announce her 
 approach to his master. When in the ante-cham 
 ber, however, the \vard stopped, declining to pp> 
 ceed any further, in deference to the convenience 
 and privacy of her guardian. The delay was 
 short ; for no sooner was the old senator apprized 
 of her presence, than he hastened from his closet 
 to do her honor, w r ith a zeal that did credit to his 
 fitness for the trust he filled. The countenance of 
 the old patrician a face in which thought and care 
 had drawn as many lines as time lighted with un 
 equivocal satisfaction as he pressed forward to re 
 ceive his beautiful ward. To her half-uttered apolo 
 gies for the intrusion, he would not listen ; but as he 
 led her within, he gallantly professed his pleasure at 
 being honored with her visits even at moments that, 
 to her scrupulous delicacy, might appear the most 
 ill-timed. 
 
 " Thou canst never come amiss, child as thou art 
 of my ancient Friend, and the especial care of the 
 state ! " he added. " The ga* es of the Gradenigo 
 palace would open of themselves, at the latest period 
 of the night, to receive such a guest. Besides, 
 
70 THE BRAVO. 
 
 the hour is most suited to the convenience of one of 
 thy quality who would breathe the fresh evening air 
 on the canals. Were I to limit thee to hours and 
 minutes, some truant wish of the moment some 
 innocent caprice of thy sex and years, might go 
 ungratified. Ah ! Donna Florinda, we may well 
 pray that all our affection not to call it weakness 
 for this persuasive girl, shall not in the end lead to 
 her own disadvantage !" 
 
 " For the indulgence of both, I am grateful," re 
 turned Violetta ; " I only fear to urge my little re 
 quests at moments when your precious time is more 
 worthily occupied in behalf of the state." 
 
 " Thou overratest my consequence. I sometimes 
 visit the Council of Three Hundred ; but my years 
 and infirmities preclude me now from serving the 
 republic as I could wish. Praise be to St. Mark, 
 our patron ! its affairs are not unprosperous for our 
 declining fortunes. We have dealt bravely with the 
 infidel of late ; the treaty with the Emperor is not 
 to our wrong ; and the anger of the church, for the 
 late seeming breach of confidence on our part, has 
 been diverted. We owe something in the latter af 
 fair to a young Neapolitan, who sojourns here at 
 Venice, and who is not without interest at the Holy 
 See, by reason of his uncle, the Cardinal Secretary. 
 Much good is done by the influence of friends, 
 properly employed. Tis the secret of our success 
 in the actual condition of Venice ; for that which 
 power cannot achieve must be trusted to favor and 
 a wise moderation." 
 
 " Your declarations encourage me to become, 
 once more, a suitor ; for I will confess that, in addi 
 tion to the desire of doing you honor, 1 have come, 
 equally with the wish, to urge your great influence, 
 in behalf of an earnest suit, I have." 
 
 " What now ! Our young charge, Donna Florin- 
 da, has inherited, with the fortunes of her family, 
 
THE BRAVO. 71 
 
 its ancient habits of patronage and protection ! But 
 we will not discourage the feeling, for it has a 
 worthy origin, and, used with discretion, it fortifies 
 the noble and powerful in their stations." 
 
 " And may we not say," mildly observed Donna 
 Florinda, " that when the affluent and happy employ 
 themselves with the cares of the less fortunate, they 
 not only discharge a duty, but they cultivate a 
 wholeso;ne and useful state of mind?" 
 
 " Doubt it not. Nothing can be more useful than 
 to give to each class in society, a proper sense of 
 its obligations, and a just sentiment of its duties. 
 These are opinions I greatly approve, and which I 
 desire my ward may thoroughly understand*" 
 
 " She is happy in possessing instructors so able 
 and so willing to teach all she should know," rejoin 
 ed Violetta. "With this admission, may I ask the 
 Signor Gradenigo to give ear to my petition ?" 
 
 " Thy little requests are ever welcome. I would 
 merely observe, that generous and ardent tempera 
 ments sometimes regard a distant object so steadily, 
 as to overlook others that are not only nearer, and 
 perhaps of still more urgent importance, but more 
 attainable. In doing a benefit to one, we should be 
 wary not to do injury to many. The relative of 
 some one of thy household may have thoughtlessly 
 enlisted for the wars?" 
 
 " Should it be so, I trust the recruit will have the 
 manhood not to quit his colors." 
 
 ? Thy nurse, who is one little likely to forget the 
 service she did thy infancy, urges the claim of some 
 kinsman, to an employment in the customs ?" 
 
 " I believe all of that family are long since placed," 
 said Violetta laughing, "unless we might establish 
 the good mother herself, in some station of honor. 
 }. have naught to ask in their behalf." 
 
 " She who hath reared thee, to this goodly and 
 healthful beauty, would prefer a well-supported suit, 
 
72 THE BRAVO. 
 
 but still is she better, as she is, indolent, and, I feai 4 , 
 pampered by thy liberality. Thy private purse is 
 drained by demands on thy charity ; or, perhaps, 
 the waywardness of a female taste hath cost thee 
 dear, of late?" 
 
 " Neither. I have little need of gold, for one of 
 my years cannot properly maintain the magnificence 
 of her condition. I come, guardian, with a far 
 graver solicitation than any of these." 
 
 " I hope none, in thy favor, have been indiscreet 
 of speech!" exclaimed the Signor Gradenigo, cast 
 ing a hasty and suspicious look at his ward. 
 
 " If any have been so thoughtless, let them abide 
 the punishment of their fault." 
 
 " I commend thy justice. In this age of novel 
 opinions, innovations of all descriptions cannot be 
 too severely checked. Were the senate to shut its 
 ears to all the wild theories that are uttered by the 
 unthinking and vain, their language would soon pen 
 etrate to the ill-regulated minds of the ignorant and 
 idle. Ask me, if thou wilt, for purses in scores, but 
 do not move me to forgetfulness of the guilt of the 
 disturber of the public peace!" 
 
 " Not a sequin. My errand is of nobler quality." 
 
 " Speak without riddle, that I may know its ob 
 ject." 
 
 Now that nothing stood between her wash to 
 speak, and her own manner of making known the 
 request, Donna Violetta appeared to shrink from 
 expressing it. Her color went and came, and she 
 sought support from the eye of her attentive and 
 wondering companion. As the latter was ignorant 
 of her intention, however, she could do no more 
 than encourage the supplicant, by such an expres 
 sion of sympathy as woman rarely refuses to her 
 sex, in any trial that involves their peculiar and dis 
 tinctive feelings. Violetta struggled with her diffi- 
 
THE BRAVO. 73 
 
 donee, and then laughing at her own want of self- 
 possession, she continued 
 
 " You know, Signor Gradenigo," she said, with a 
 loftiness that was not less puzzling, though far more 
 intelligible, than the agitation which, a moment before, 
 had embarrassed her manner, "that I am the last of 
 a line, eminent for centuries, in the state of Venice." 
 
 " So sayeth our history." 
 
 " That I bear a name long known, and which it 
 becomes me to shield from all imputation of dis 
 credit, in my own person." 
 
 " This is so true, that it scarce needed so clear 
 an exposure;" drily returned the senator. 
 
 " And that, though thus gifted by the accidents of 
 fortune and birth, I have received a boon that re 
 mains still unrequited, in a manner to do no honor 
 to the house of Thiepolo." 
 
 " This becometh serious ! Donna Fiorinda, our 
 ward is more earnest than intelligible, and I must 
 ask an explanation at your hands. It becometh her 
 not to receive boons of this nature from any." 
 
 " Though unprepared for this request," mildly re 
 plied the companion, " I think she speaks of the boon 
 of life." 
 
 The Signor Gradenigo s countenance assumed a 
 dark expression. 
 
 " I understand you," he said, coldly. " It is true 
 that the Neapolitan was ready to rescue thee, when 
 the calamity befell thy uncle of Florence, but Don 
 Carnillo Monforte is not a common diver of the 
 Lido, to be rewarded like him who finds a bauble 
 dropped from a gondola. Thou hast thanked the 
 cavalier; I trust that a noble maiden can do no 
 more, in a case like this." 
 
 " That I have thanked him, and thanked him from 
 my ^ soul, is true!" fervently exclaimed Violetta. 
 ** When I forget the service, Maria Santissima, and 
 the good saints, forget me ! " 
 
 VOL. I. G 
 
74 THE BRAVO. 
 
 "I doubt, Signora Florinda, that your charge 
 hath spent more hours among the light works of 
 her late father s library, and less time with her 
 missal, than becomes her birth?" 
 
 The eye of Violetta kindled, and she folded an 
 arm around the form of her shrinking companion, 
 who drew down her veil at this reproof, though she 
 forbore to answer. 
 
 " Signor Gradenigo," said the young heiress, " I 
 may have done discredit to my instructors, but if 
 the pupil has been idle, the fault should not be visited 
 on the innocent. It is some evidence that the com 
 mands of holy church have not been neglected, that 
 I now come to entreat favor in behalf of one, to 
 whom I owe my life. Don Camillo Monforte has 
 long pursued, without success, a claim so just, that 
 were there no other motive to concede it, the char^ 
 acter of Venice should teach the senators the dan 
 ger of delay." 
 
 " My ward has spent her leisure with the doctors 
 of Padua! The republic hath its laws, and none 
 who have right of their side appeal to them in vain. 
 Thy gratitude is not to be censured; it is rather 
 worthy of thy origin and hopes ; still, Donna Vio 
 letta, we should remember how difficult it is to win 
 now the truth from the chaff of imposition and legal 
 subtlety, and, most of all, should a judge be certain, 
 before he gives his decree, that, in confirming the 
 claims of one applicant, he does not defeat those of 
 another." 
 
 " They tamper with his rights ! Being born in a 
 foreign realm, he is required to renounce more in 
 the land of the stranger, than he will gain within 
 the limits of the republic. He wastes life and 
 youth in pursuing a phantom ! You are of weight 
 in the senate, my guardian, and were you to lend 
 him the support of your powerful voice and great 
 instruction, a wronged noble would have justice, and 
 
THE BRAVO. 75 
 
 Venice, though she might lose a trifle from her stores, 
 would better deserve the character of which she is 
 so jealous." 
 
 " Thou art a persuasive advocate, and I w r ill think 
 of what thou urgest," said the Signer Gradenigo, 
 changing the frown, which had been gathering about 
 his brow, to a look of indulgence, with a facility that 
 betrayed much practice in adapting the expression 
 of his features to -his policy. "I ought only to 
 hearken to the Neapolitan, in my public character 
 of a judge ; but his service to thee, and my weakness 
 in thy behalf, extorts that thou would st have." 
 
 Donna Violetta received the promise, with a bright 
 and guileless smile. She kissed the hand he extend 
 ed, as a pledge of his faith, with a fervor that gave 
 her attentive guardian serious uneasiness. 
 
 " Thou art too winning, even to be resisted by one 
 wearied with rebutting plausible pretensions," he 
 added. " The young and the generous, Donna Flo- 
 rinda, believe all to be as their own wishes and sim 
 plicity would have them. As for this right of Don 
 Camillo but no matter thou wilt have it so, and it 
 shall be examined with that blindness which is said 
 to be the failing of justice." 
 
 " I have understood the metaphor to mean blind 
 to favor, but not insensible to the right." 
 
 " I fear that is a sense which might defeat our 
 hopes but we will look into it. My son has been 
 mindful of his duty and respect of late, Donna Vio 
 letta, as I would have him ? The boy wants little 
 urging, I know, to lead him to do honor to my ward, 
 and the fairest of Venice. Thou wilt receive him 
 with friendship, for the love thou bearest his father?" 
 
 Donna Violetta curtsied, but it was with womanly 
 reserve. 
 
 "The door of my palace is never shut on the 
 Signor Giacomo, on all proper occasions," she said, 
 
76 THE BRAVO. 
 
 coldly. " Signore, the son of my guardian could 
 hardly be other than an honored visitor." 
 
 " I would have the boy attentive and even more, 
 I would have him prove some little of that great 
 
 esteem, but we live in a jealous city, Donna Flo- 
 
 rinda, and one in which prudence is a* virtue of the 
 highest price. If the youth is less urgent than I 
 could wish, believe me, it is from the apprehension 
 of giving premature alarm to those who interest 
 themselves in the fortunes of our charge." 
 
 Both the ladies bowed, and by the manner in 
 which they drew their cloaks about them, they made 
 evident their wish to retire. Donna Violetta craved 
 a blessing, and after the usual compliments, and a 
 short dialogue of courtesy, she and her companion 
 withdrew to their boat. 
 
 The Signer Gradenigo paced the room, in which 
 he had received his ward, for several minutes in 
 silence. Not a sound of any sort was audible 
 throughout the whole of the vast abode, the stillness 
 and cautious tread of those within, answering to 
 the quiet town without ; but a young man, in whose 
 countenance and air were to be seen most of the 
 usual signs of a well-bred profligacy, sauntering 
 along the suite of chambers, at length caught the 
 eye of the senator, who beckoned him to approach. 
 
 " Thou art unhappy, as of wont, Giacomo," he 
 said, in a tone between paternal indulgence and 
 reproach. " The Donna Violetta has, but a minute 
 since, departed, and thou wert absent. Some un 
 worthy intrigue with the daughter of a jeweller, or 
 some more injurious bargain of thy hopes, with the 
 father, hath occupied the time thatsmight have been 
 ..devoted more honorably, and to far better profit." 
 I " You do me little justice," returned the youth. 
 " Neither Jew, nor Jewess, hath this day greeted my 
 eye." 
 
 " The calendar should mark the time, for its sin- 
 
THE BRAVO. 77 
 
 gukrity ! I would know, Giacomo, if thou turnest 
 to a right advantage the occasion of my guardian 
 ship, and if thou thinkest, with sufficient gravity, of 
 the importance of what I urge?" 
 
 " Doubt it not, father. He who hath so much suf 
 fered for the want of that which the Donna Violetta 
 possesses in so great profusion, needeth little prompt 
 ing on such a subject. By refusing to supply my 
 wants, you have made certain of my consent. There 
 is not a fool in Venice who sighs more loudly be 
 neath his mistress s window, than I utter my pathetic 
 wishes to the lady when there is opportunity, and 
 I am in the humor." 
 
 " Thou knowest the danger of alarming the 
 senate?" . 
 
 "Fear me not. My progress is by secret and 
 gradual means. Neither my countenance nor my 
 mind is unused to a mask, thanks to necessity! My 
 spirits have been too buoyant not to have made me 
 acquainted with duplicity!" 
 
 " Thou speakest, ungrateful boy, as if I denied thy 
 youth the usual indulgences of thy years and rank. 
 It i#thy excesses, and not thy spirits, I would check. 
 But I would not, now, harden thee with reproof. 
 Giacomo, thou hast a rival in the stranger. His act 
 in the Giudecca has won upon the fancy of the girl, 
 and like all of generous and ardent natures, ignorant 
 as she is of his merits, she supplies his character 
 with all necessary qualities by her own ingenuity." 
 
 " I would she did the same by me ! " 
 
 " With thee, Sirrah, my ward might be required 
 to forget, rather than invent. Hast thou bethought 
 thee of turning the eyes of the council on the dan 
 ger which besets their heiress?" 
 
 " I have." 
 
 "And the means?" 
 
 " The plainest and the most certain the Lion s 
 mouth." 
 
 G2 
 
78 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " Ha ! that, indeed, is a bold adventure." * 
 
 "And, like all bold adventures, it is the more 
 likely to succeed. For once Fortune hath not been 
 a niggard with me. I have given them the Neapoli 
 tan s signet by way of proof." 
 
 " Giacomo ! dost thou know the hazard of thy 
 temerity 1 I hope there is no clue left in the hand 
 writing, or by any other means taken to obtain the 
 ring?" 
 
 " Father, though I may have overlooked thy in 
 struction in less weighty matters, not an admonition 
 which touches the policy of Venice hath been for 
 gotten. The Neapolitan stands accused, and if thy 
 Council is faithful, he will be a suspected, if not a 
 banished, man." 
 
 " That the Council of Three will perform its trust 
 is beyond dispute. I w^ould I were as certain that 
 thy indiscreet zeal may not lead to some unpleasant 
 exposure!" 
 
 The shameless son stared at the father a moment 
 in doubt, and then he passed into the more private 
 parts of the palace, like one too much accustomed 
 to double-dealing, to lend it a second, or a serrous 
 thought. The senator remained. His silent walk 
 was now manifestly disturbed by great uneasiness ; 
 and he frequently passed a hand across his brow, as 
 if he mused in pain. While thus occupied, a figure 
 stole through the long suite of ante-chambers, and 
 stopped near the door of the room he occupied. 
 The intruder was aged ; his face was tawny by ex 
 posure, and his hair thinned and whitened by time. 
 His dress was that of a fisherman, being both scanty 
 and of the meanest materials. Still there was a 
 naturally noble and frank intelligence in his bold eye 
 and prominent features, while the bare arms and 
 naked legs exhibited a muscle and proportion, w^hich 
 proved that nature was rather at a stand than in the 
 decline. He had been many moments dangling his 
 
THE BRAVO. 79 
 
 cap, in habitual but unembarrassed respect, before 
 his presence was observed. 
 
 "Ha! thou here, Antonio!" exclaimed the sena 
 tor, when their eyes met. " Why this visit 1 " 
 
 " Signore, my heart is heavy." 
 
 " Hath the calendar no saint the fisherman no 
 patron? I suppose the sirocco hath been tossing 
 the waters of the bay, and thy nets are empty. 
 Hold! thou art my foster-brother, and thou must 
 not want." 
 
 The fisherman drew back with dignity, refusing 
 the gift simply, but decidedly, by the act/ 
 
 " Signore, we have lived from childhood to old 
 age since we drew our milk from the same breast ; 
 in all that time, have you ever known me a beggar?" 
 
 " Thou art not wont to ask these boons, Antonio, 
 it is true ; but age conquers our pride with our 
 strength. If it be not sequins that thou seekest, 
 what would st thou?" 
 
 " There are other wants than those of the body, 
 Signore, and other sufferings beside hunger." 
 
 The countenance of the senator lowered. He 
 castfi sharp glance at his foster-brother, and ere he 
 answered he closed the door which communicated 
 with the outer chamber. 
 
 "Thy words forebode disaffection, as of wont. 
 Thou art accustomed to comment on measures and 
 interests that are beyond thy limited reason, and 
 thou knowest that thy opinions have already drawn 
 displeasure on thee. The ignorant and the low are, 
 to the state, as children, whose duty it is to obey, 
 and not to cavil. Thy errand ?" 
 
 " I am not the man you think me, Signore. I am 
 used to poverty and want, and little satisfies my 
 wishes. The senate is my master, and as such I 
 honor it ; but a fisherman hath his feelings as well 
 as the doge ! " 
 
 " Again ! These feelings of thine, Antonio, are 
 
80 THE BRAVO. 
 
 most exacting. Thou namest them on all occasions, 
 as if they were the engrossing concerns of life." 
 
 " Signore, are they not to me ? Though I think 
 mostly of my own concerns, still I can have a 
 thought for the distress of those I honor. When 
 the beautiful and youthful lady, your eccellenza s 
 daughter, was called away to the company of the 
 saints, I felt the blow as if it had been the death of 
 my own child ; and it has pleased God, as you very 
 well know, Signore, not to leave me unacquainted 
 with the anguish of such a loss." 
 
 " Thou art a good fellow, Antonio," returned the 
 senator, covertly removing the moisture from his 
 eyes ; " an honest and a proud man, for thy con 
 dition!" 
 
 " She, from whom we both drew our first nour 
 ishment, Signore, often told me that, next to my 
 own kin, it was my duty to love the noble race she 
 had helped to support. I make no merit of natural 
 feeling, which is a gift from Heaven, and the greater 
 is the reason that the state should not deal lightly 
 with such affections." 
 
 " Once more the state ! Name thy errand."* 
 
 " Your eccellenza knows the history of my hum 
 ble life. I need not tell you, Signore, of, the sons 
 w r hich God, by the intercession of the Virgin and 
 blessed St. Anthony, was pleased to bestow on me, 
 or of the manner in which he hath seen proper to 
 take them, one by one, away." 
 
 " Thou hast known sorrow, poor Antonio ; I well 
 remember thou hast suffered, too." 
 
 " Signore, I have. The deaths of five manly and 
 honest sons is a blow to bring a groan from a rock. 
 But I have known how to bless God, and be 
 thankful!" 
 
 " Worthy fisherman, the doge himself might envy 
 this resignation. It is often easier to endure the 
 loss than the life of a child, Antonio ! " 
 
THE BRAVO. 81 
 
 Signore, no boy of mine ever caused me grief, 
 but the hour in which he died. And even then," the 
 old man turned aside, to conceal the working of his 
 features "I struggled to remember, from how much 
 pain, and toil, and suffering they were removed, to 
 enjoy a more blessed state." 
 
 The lip of the Signor Gradenigo quivered, and 
 he moved to and fro with a quicker step. 
 
 " I think, Antonio," he said, " I think, honest An 
 tonio, I had masses said for the souls of them all ? " 
 
 " Signore, you had ; St. Anthony remember the 
 kindness in your own extremity ! I was wrong in 
 saying that the youths never gave me sorrow but in 
 dying, for there is a pain the rich cannot know, in 
 being too poor to buy a prayer for a dead child ! " 
 
 "Wilt thou have more masses? Son of thine 
 shall never want a voice with the. saints, for the 
 ease of his soul!" 
 
 " I thank you, eccellenza, but I have faith in what 
 has been done, and, more than all, in the mercy of 
 God. My errand now is in behalf of the living." 
 
 The sympathy of the senator was suddenly check 
 ed, and he already listened with a doubting and 
 suspicious air. 
 
 " Thy errand?" he simply repeated. 
 
 " Is to beg your interest, Signore, to obtain the 
 release of my grandson from the galleys. They 
 have seized the lad in his fourteenth year, and con 
 demned him to the wars with the Infidels, without 
 thought of his tender years, without thought of evil 
 example, without thought of my age and loneliness, 
 and without justice ; for his father died in the last 
 battle given to the Turk." 
 
 As he ceased, the fisherman riveted his look on 
 the marble countenance of his auditor, wistfully en 
 deavoring to trace the effect of his words. But all 
 there was cold, unanswering, and void of human 
 sympathy. The soulless, practised, and specious 
 
82 TIIE BRAVO. 
 
 reasoning of the state, had long since deadened all 
 feeling in the senator, on any subject that touched an 
 interest so vital as the maritime power of the re 
 public. He saw the hazard of innovation in the 
 slightest approach to interests so delicate, and his 
 mind was drilled by policy into an apathy that no 
 charity could disturb, when there .was question of 
 the right of St. Mark to the services of his people. 
 
 " I would thou hadst come to beg masses, or 
 gold, or aught but this, Antonio!" he answered, 
 after a moment of delay. " Thou hast had the 
 company of the boy, if I remember, from his birth, 
 already?" 
 
 " Signore, I have had that satisfaction, for he was 
 an orphan born ; and I would wish to have it until 
 the child is fit to go into the world, armed with an 
 honesty and faith that shall keep him from harm. 
 Were my own brave son here, he would ask no 
 other fortune for the lad, than such counsel and aid 
 as a poor man has a right to bestow on his own 
 flesh and blood." 
 
 " He fareth no worse than others ; and thou 
 knowest that the republic hath need of every arm." 
 
 "Eccellenza, I saw the Signor Giacomo land 
 from his gondola, as I entered the palace." 
 
 " Out upon thee, fellow ! dost thou make no dis 
 tinction between the son of a fisherman, one trained 
 to the oar and toil, and the heir of an ancient house? 
 Go to, presuming man, and remember thy condi 
 tion, and the difference that God hath made between 
 our children." 
 
 "Mine never gave me sorrow but the hour in 
 which they died," said the fisherman, uttering a 
 severe but mild reproof. 
 
 The Signor Gradenigo felt the sting of this retort, 
 which in no degree aided the cause of his indiscreet 
 foster-brother. After pacing the room in agitation 
 
THE BRAVO. ^ 83 
 
 for some time, he so far conquered his resentment, 
 as to answer more mildly, as became his rank. 
 
 " Antonio," he said, " thy disposition and boldness 
 are not strangers to me If thou would st have 
 masses for the dead, or gold for the living, they are 
 thine ; but in asking for my interest with the general 
 of the galleys, thou askest that which, at a moment 
 so critical, could not be yielded to the son of the 
 doge, were the doge " 
 
 "A fisherman," continued Antonio, observing 
 that he hesitated "Signore, adieu; I would not 
 part in anger with my foster-brother, and I pray the 
 saints to bless you and your house. May you never 
 know the grief of losing a child by a fate far worse 
 than death that of destruction by vice." 
 
 As Antonio ceased, he made his reverence and 
 departed by the way he had entered. He retired 
 unnoticed, for the senator averted his eyes, with a 
 secret consciousness of the force of what the other, 
 in his simplicity, had uttered ; and it was some time 
 before the latter knew he was alone. Another step, 
 however, soon diverted his attention. The door re 
 opened, and a menial appeared. He announced 
 that one without sought a private audience. 
 
 " Let him enter," answered the ready senator, 
 smoothing his features to the customary cautious 
 and distrustful expression. 
 
 The servant withdrew, when one masked, and 
 wearing a cloak, quickly entered the room. When 
 the latter instrument of disguise was thrown upon 
 an arm, and the visor was removed, the form and 
 face of the dreaded Jacopo became visible. 
 
84 THE BRAVO. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Csesar himself has work, and our oppression 
 Exceeds what we expected. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 " DIDST thou note him that left me?" eagerly de 
 manded the Signer Gradenigo. 
 
 "I did." 
 
 " Enough so to recognize form and countenance?" 
 
 " Twas a fisherman of the Lagunes, named 
 Antonkx" 
 
 The senator dropped the extended limb, and re 
 garded the Bravo, with a look, in which surprise 
 and admiration were equally blended. He resumed 
 his course up and down the room, while his com 
 panion stood waiting his pleasure, in an attitude so 
 calm as to be dignified. A few minutes were 
 wasted in this abstraction. 
 
 " Thou art quick of sight, Jacopo ! " continued the 
 patrician, breaking the pause " Hast thou had deal 
 ings with the man ? " 
 
 " Never." 
 
 " Thou art certain it is " 
 
 " Your eccellenza s foster-brother." 
 
 " I did not inquire into thy knowledge of his in 
 fancy and origin, but of his present state ;" returned 
 the Signor Gradenigo, turning away to conceal his 
 countenance from the glowing eye of Jacopo " Has 
 he been named to thee by any in authority?" 
 
 " He has not my mission does not lie with fish 
 ermen." 
 
 "Duty may lead us into still humbler society, 
 young man. They who are charged with the 
 grievous burthen of the state, must not consider the 
 quality of the load they carry. In what manner 
 hath this Antonio come to thy knowledge?" 
 
BRAVO. 85 
 
 " I have known him as one esteemed by his fel 
 lows a man skilful in his craft, and long practised 
 in the mystery of the Lagunes." 
 
 " He is a defrauder of the revenue, thou would st 
 be understood to say?" 
 
 " I would not He toils too late and early to have 
 other means of support than labor." 
 
 Thou knowest, Jacopo, the severity of our laws 
 in matters that concern the public moneys ? " 
 
 " I know that the judgment of St. Mark, Signore, 
 is never light when its own interest is touched." 
 
 " Thou art not required to utter opinions beyond 
 the present question. This man hath a habit of 
 courting the good-will of his associates, and of 
 making his voice heard concerning affairs of which 
 none but his superiors may discreetly judge." 
 
 " Signore, he is old, and the tongue grows loose 
 with years." 
 
 * This is not the character of Antonio. Nature 
 hath not treated him unkindly; had his birth and 
 education been equal to his mind, the senate might 
 have been glad to listen as it is, I fear he speaks in 
 a sense to endanger his own interests." 
 
 "Surely, if he speaks to offend the ear of St 
 Mark." 
 
 There w r as a quick suspicious glance from the 
 {enator to the Bravo, as if to read the true meaning 
 of the latter s words. Finding, however, the same 
 expression of self-possession in the quiet features he 
 scrutinized, the latter continued as if distrust had 
 not been awakened. 
 
 " If, as thou sayest, he so speaks as to injure the 
 republic, his years have not brought discretion. I 
 Jove the man, Jacopo, for it is usual to regard, with 
 some partiality, those who have drawn nourishment 
 from the same breast with ourselves." 
 
 " Signore, it is." 
 
 44 And feeling this weakness, in his favor, I would 
 
 VOL. I, H 
 
86 THE BRAVO. 
 
 have him admonished to be prudent. Thou art 
 acquainted, doubtless, with his opinions concerning 
 the recent necessity of the state, to command the 
 services of all the youths on the Lagunes in her 
 fleets?" 
 
 " I know that the press has taken from him the 
 boy who toiled in his company." 
 
 " To toil honorably, and perhaps gainfully, in 
 behalf of the republic !" 
 
 " Signore, perhaps !" 
 
 " Thou art brief in thy speech to-night, Jacopo ! 
 But if thou knowest the fisherman, give him coun 
 sel of discretion. St. Mark will not tolerate such 
 free opinions of his wisdom. This is the third occa 
 sion in which there has been need to repress that 
 fisherman s speech ; for the paternal care of the 
 senate cannot see discontent planted i the bosom 
 of a class, it is their duty and pleasure to render 
 happy. Seek opportunities to let him hear this 
 wholesome truth, for in good sooth, I would not 
 willingly see a misfortune light upon the head of a 
 son of my ancient nurse, and that, too, in the decline 
 of his days." 
 
 The Bravo bent his body in acquiescence, while 
 the Signor Gradenigo paced the room, in a manner 
 to show that he really felt concern. 
 
 " Thou hast, had advice of the judgment, in the 
 matter of the Genoese?" resumed the latter, when 
 another pause had given time to change the current 
 of his thoughts. " The sentence of the tribunals has 
 been prompt, and, though there is much assumption 
 of a dislike between the two republics, the world 
 can now see how sternly justice is consulted on our 
 isles. I hear the Genoese will have ample amends, 
 and that certain of our own citizens will be mulcted 
 of much money." 
 
 " i have heard the same since the sun set, in th 
 Piazzetta, Signore!" 
 
THE BRAVO. 87 
 
 " And do men converse of our impartiality, and 
 more than all of our promptitude? Bethink thee, 
 Jacopo, tis but a se nnight since the claim was pre 
 ferred to the senate s equity ! " 
 
 "None dispute the promptitude with which the 
 republic visits offences." 
 
 " Nor the justice, I trust also, good Jacopo. There 
 is a beauty and a harmony in the manner in which 
 the social machine rolls on its course, under such a 
 system, that should secure men s applause ! Justice 
 administers to the wants of society, and checks the 
 passions with a force as silent and dignified, as if 
 her decrees came from a higher volition. I often 
 compare the quiet march of the state, contrasted 
 with the troubled movements of some other of our 
 Italian sisters, to the difference between the clatter 
 of a clamc ms town, and the stillness of our own 
 noiseless canals. Then the uprightness of the late 
 decree is in the mouths of the masquers to-night ?" 
 
 " Signore, the Venetians are bold when there is 
 an opportunity to praise their masters." 
 
 " Dost thou think thus, Jacopo ? To m& they 
 have ever seemed more prone to vent their seditious 
 discontent. But tis the nature of man to be nig 
 gardly of praise and lavish of censure. This decree 
 of the tribunal must not be suffered to die, witii the 
 mere justice of the case. Our friends should dwell 
 on it, openly, in the cafes, and at the Lido. They 
 will have no cause to fear, should they give their 
 tongues a little latitude. A just government hath no 
 jealousy of comment." 
 
 " True, Signore." 
 
 * I look to thee and thy fellows to see that the 
 affair be not too quickly forgotten. The contempla 
 tion of acts, such as this, will quicken , J t be do <7nant 
 seeds of virtue in the public mind. He who has ex 
 amples of equity incessantly before his eyes, will 
 
88 THE BRAVO. 
 
 come at last to love the quality. The Genoese, I 
 trust, will depart satisfied?" 
 
 " Doubt it not, Signore ; he has all that can con 
 tent a sufferer ; his own with usury, and revenge of" 
 him who did the wrong." 
 
 " Such is the decree ample restoration and the 
 chastening hand of punishment. Few states would 
 thus render a judgment against itself, Jacopo !" 
 
 " Is the state answerable for the deed of the mer 
 chant, Signore?" 
 
 " Through its citizen. He who inflicts punishment 
 on his own members, is a sufferer, surely. No one 
 can part with his own flesh without pain ; is not this 
 true, fellow ?" 
 
 " There are nerves that are delicate to the touch, 
 Signore, and an eye or a tooth is precious ; but the 
 paring of a nail, or the fall of the beard, is little 
 heeded." 
 
 " One who did not know thee, Jacopo, would 
 imagine thee in the interest of the emperor ! The 
 sparrow does not fall in Venice, without the loss 
 touching the parental feelings of the senate. Well, 
 is there further rumor among the Jews, of a de 
 crease of gold ? Sequins are not so abundant as of 
 wont, and the chicanery of that race lends itself 
 to the scarcity, in the hope of larger profits." 
 
 " I have seen faces on the Rialto, of late, Signore* 
 that look empty purses. The Christian seems anx 
 ious, and in want, while the unbelievers wear their 
 gaberdines with a looser air than is usual." 
 
 " This hath been expected. Doth report openly 
 name any of the Israelites who are in the custom of 
 lending, on usury, to the young nobles?" 
 
 " All, who have to lend, may be accounted of the 
 class ;. the nhole synagogue, rabbis, and all, are 
 of a mind, when there is question of a Christian s 
 purse." 
 
 " Thou likest not the Hebrew, Jacopo ; but he is 
 
THE BRAVO. 89 
 
 of good service in the republic s straits. We count 
 all friends, who are ready with their gold at need. 
 Still the young hopes of Venice must not be left to 
 waste their substance in unwary bargains with the 
 gainful race, and should st thou hear of any of mark, 
 who are thought to be too deeply in their clutches, 
 ^hou wilt do wisely to let the same be known, with 
 little delay, to the guardians of the public weal. We 
 must deal tenderly W 7 ith those who prop the state, 
 but we must also deal discreetly with those who will 
 shortly compose it. Hast thou aught to say in the 
 matter?" 
 
 " I have heard men speak of Signor Giacomo as 
 paying dearest for their favors." 
 
 " Gesu Maria ! my son and heir ! Dost thou not 
 deceive me, man, to gratify thine own displeasure 
 against the Hebrews?" 
 
 " I have no other malice against the race, Sig- 
 nore, than the wholesome disrelish of a Christian. 
 Thus much I hope may be permitted to a believer, 
 but beyond that, in reason, 1 carry hatred to no man. 
 It is well known that your heir is disposing freely 
 of his hopes, and at prices that lower expectations 
 might command." 
 
 " This is a weighty concern ! The boy must be 
 speedily admonished of the consequences, and care 
 must be had for his future discretion. The Hebrew 
 shall be punished, and as a so emn warning to the 
 whole tribe, the debt confiscalea to the benefit of the 
 borrower. With such an example before their eyes, 
 the knaves will be less ready with their sequins. 
 Holy. St. Theodore! twere self-destruction to suffer 
 one of such promise to be lost for the want of pru 
 dent forethought. I will charge myself with the 
 matter, as an especial duty, and the senate shall 
 have no cause to say that its interests have been 
 neglected. Hast thou had applications of late, in 
 thy character of avenger of private wrongs ? " 
 112 
 
90 THE BKAVO. 
 
 " None of note there is one that seeks me earn 
 estly, though I am not yet wholly the master of his 
 wishes." 
 
 " Thy office is of much delicacy and trust, and, 
 as thou art well assured, the reward is weighty and 
 sure." The eyes of the Bravo kindled with an ex 
 pression which caused his companion to pause. But 
 observing that the repose, for which the features of 
 Jacopo were so remarkable, again presided over his 
 pallid face, he continued, as if there had been no 
 interruption ; " I repeat, the bounty and clemency 
 of the state will not be forgotten. If its justice is 
 stern and infallible, its forgiveness is cordial, and its 
 favors ample. Of these facts I have taken much 
 pains to assure thee, Jacopo. Blessed St. Mark ! 
 that one of the scions of thy great stock should 
 waste his substance for the benefit of a race of un 
 believers ! But thou hast not named him who seeks 
 thee, with this earnestness?" 
 
 " As I have yet to learn his errand, before I go 
 further, Signore, it may be well to know more of 
 his wishes." 
 
 " This reserve is uncalled for. Thou art not to 
 distrust the prudence of the republic s ministers, and 
 I should be sorry were the Inquisitors to get an un 
 favorable opinion of thy zeal. The individual must 
 be denounced." 
 
 " I denounce him not. The most that I can say 
 is, that he hath a desire to deal privately with one, 
 with whom it is almost criminal to deal at all." 
 
 " The prevention of crime is better than its pun 
 ishment, and such is the true object of all govern 
 ment. Thou wilt not withhold the name of thy cor 
 respondent ?" 
 
 " It is a noble Neapolitan, who hath long sojourn 
 ed in Venice, on matters touching a great succes 
 sion, and some right, even, to the senate s dignity." 
 
THE BRAVO. 91 
 
 " Ha ! Don Camillo Monforte ! Am I right, sir 
 rah?" 
 
 " Signore, the same !" 
 
 The pause which followed was only brol; tm by 
 the clock of the great square striking eleven., or the 
 fourth hour of the night, as it is termed, by the usage 
 of Italy. The senator started, consulted a time 
 piece in his own apartment, and again addressed his 
 companion. 
 
 " This is w 7 ell," he said ; " thy faith and punctuali 
 ty shall be remembered. Look to the fisherman, 
 Antonio ; the murmurs of the old man must pot be 
 permitted to awaken discontent, for a cau^s so 
 trifling, as this transfer of his descendant froTi a 
 gondola to a galley ; and most of all, keep thy ears 
 attentive to any rumors on the Rialto. The glory- 
 and credit of a patrician name must not be weaken 
 ed by the errors of boyhood. As to thi stranger 
 quickly, thy mask and cloak depart as if thou wert 
 merely a friend bent on some of the idle pleasantries 
 of the hour." 
 
 The Bravo resumed his disguise with the readi 
 ness of one long practised in its use, but with a 
 composure that was not so easily disconcerted as 
 that of the more sensitive senator. The latter did 
 not speak again, though he hurried Jacopo from his 
 presence, by an impatient movement of the hand. 
 
 When the door was closed and the Signor Gra- 
 denigo was again alone, he once more consulted the 
 time-piece, passed his hand slowly and thoughtfully 
 across his brow, and resumed his walk. For near 
 ly an hour this exercise, or nervous sympathy of 
 the body with a mind that was possibly overwork 
 ed, continued without any interruption from with 
 out. Then came a gentle tap at the door, and at 
 the usual bidding, one entered, closely masked, like 
 him who had departed, as was so much the usage 
 of that city, in the age of which we write. A 
 
92 THE BRAVO. 
 
 glance at the figure of his guest seemed to apprize 
 the senator of his character, for the reception, while 
 it wa*3 distinguished by the quaint courtesy of the 
 age, was that of one expected. 
 
 " I urn honored in the visit of Don Camillo Mon- 
 forte," said the host, while the individual named laid 
 aside his cloak and silken visor ; " though the late 
 ness of the hour had given me reason to apprehend 
 that some casualty had interfered between me and 
 die pleasure." 
 
 " A. thousand excuses, noble senator, but the cool 
 ness pf the canals, and the gaiety of the square, to 
 gether with some apprehension of intruding prema 
 turely on time so precious, has, I fear, kept me out 
 of season. But I trust to the known goodness of 
 vhe Signor Gradenigo for my apology." 
 
 " The punctuality of the great lords of Lower 
 Italy is not their greatest merit," the Signor Grade 
 nigo drily answered. " The young esteem life so 
 endless, that they take little heed of the minutes that 
 escape them ; while we. whom age begins to men 
 ace, think chiefly of repairing the omissions of youth. 
 In this manner, Signor Duca, does man sin and re 
 pent daily, until the opportunities of doing either are 
 imperceptibly lost. But we will not be more prodigal 
 of the moments than there is need are we to hope 
 for Cotter views in the Spaniard 7" 
 
 " I have neglected little that can move the mind 
 of a reasonable man, and I have, in particular, laid 
 before him the advantage of conciliating the sen 
 ate s esteem. 1 
 
 " Therein have you done wisely, Signore, both as 
 respects his interests and your own. The senate 
 is a liberal paymaster to him who serves it well, 
 and a fearful enemy to those who do harm to the 
 state. I hope the matter of the succession draws 
 near a conclusion?" 
 
 " I wish it were possible to say it did. I urge the 
 
THE BRAVO. 93 
 
 tribunal in all proper assiduity, omitting no duty of 
 personal respect, nor of private solicitation. Padua 
 has not a doctor more learned than he who presents 
 my right to their wisdom, and yet the affair lingers 
 like life in the hectic. If I have not shown myself 
 a worthy son of St. Mark, in this affair with the 
 Spaniard, it is more from the want of a habit of 
 managing political interests, than from any want 
 of zeal." 
 
 " The scales of justice must be nicely balanced 
 to hang so long, without determining to one side or 
 the other ! You will have need of further assiduity, 
 Don Camillo, and of great discretion in disposing 
 the minds of the patricians in your favor. It will 
 be well to make your attachment to the state be ob 
 served, by further service near the ambassador. 
 You are known to have his esteem, and counsel 
 coming from such a quarter will enter deeply into 
 his mind. It should also quicken the exertions of so 
 benevolent and generous a young spirit, to know 
 that in serving his country, he also aids the cause 
 of humanity." 
 
 Don Camillo did not appear to be strongly im 
 pressed with the justice of the latter remark. He 
 bowed, however, in courtesy to his companion s 
 opinion. 
 
 "It is pleasant, Signore, to be thus persuaded,** 
 he answered ; " my kinsman of Castile is a man to 
 hear reason, let it come from what quarter it may. 
 Though he meets my arguments with some allusions 
 to the declining power of the republic, I do not see 
 less of deep respect for the influence of a state, 
 that hath long made itself remarkable by its energy 
 and will." 
 
 " Venice is no longer what the city of the Isles 
 hath been, Signor Duca ; still is she not powerless. 
 The wings of our lion are a little clipped, but his 
 leap is still far, and his teeth dangerous. If the 
 
04 THE BRAVO. 
 
 new-made prince would have his ducal coronet sit 
 easily on his brow, he would do well to secure the 
 esteem of his nearest neighbors." 
 
 " This is obviously true, and little that my influ 
 ence can do toward effecting the object, shall be 
 wanting. And now, may I entreat of your friend 
 ship, advice as to the manner of further urging my 
 own long-neglected claims ?" 
 
 " You will do well, Don Camillo, to remind the 
 senators of your presence, by frequent observance 
 of the courtesies due to their rank and yours." 
 
 " This do I never neglect, as seemly both in my 
 station and my object." 
 
 " The judges should not be forgotten, young man, 
 for it is wise to remember that justice hath ever an 
 ear for solicitation." 
 
 "None can be more assiduous in the duty, nor is 
 it common to see a suppliant so mindful of those 
 whom he trouble th, by more substantial proofs of 
 respect," 
 
 " But chiefly should you be particular to earn the 
 senate s esteem. No act of service to the state is 
 overlooked by that body, and the smallest good deed 
 finds its way into the recesses of the two councils." 
 
 " Would I could have communication with those 
 reverend fathers ! I think the justice of my claim 
 would speedily work out its own right." 
 
 "That were impossible!" gravely returned the 
 senator. " Those august bodies are secret, that 
 their majesty may not be tarnished by communica 
 tion with vulgar interests. They rule like the un 
 seen influence of mind over matter, and form, as it 
 were, the soul of the state, whose seat, like that of 
 reason, remains a problem exceeding human pene 
 tration." 
 
 " I express the desire, rather as a wish than with 
 any hope of its being granted," returned the Duke of 
 St. Agata, resuming his cloak and mask, neither of 
 
THE BRAVO. 95 
 
 which had been entirely laid aside. " Adieu, noble 
 Signore ; I shall not cease to move the Castilian 
 with frequent advice, and, in return, I commit my 
 affair to the justice of the patricians, and your o\\n 
 good friendship." 
 
 Sigrior Gradenigo bowed his guest through all 
 the rooms of the long suite, but the last, where he 
 committed him to the care of the groom of his 
 chambers. 
 
 " The youth must be stirred to greater industry 
 in this matter, by clogging the wheels of the law. 
 He that would ask favors of St. Mark must first 
 earn them, by showing zealous dispositions in his 
 behalf." 
 
 Such were the reflections of the Signor Gra 
 denigo, as he slowly returned towards his closet, 
 after a ceremonious leave-taking with his guest, in 
 the outer apartment. Closing the door, he com 
 menced pacing the small apartment, with the step 
 Lid eye of a man who again mused with some 
 anxiety. After a minute of profound stillness, a 
 door, concealed by the hangings of the room, was 
 cautiously opened, and the face of still another 
 visitor appeared. 
 
 " Enter!" said the senator, betraying no surprise 
 at the apparition ; " the hour is past, and I wait 
 for thee." 
 
 The flowing dress, the gray and venerable beard, 
 the noble outline of features, the quick, greedy, and 
 suspicious eye, with an expression of countenance 
 that was, perhaps, equally marked by worldly saga 
 city, and feelings often rudely rebuked, proclaimed 
 a Hebrew of the Rialto. 
 
 ** Enter, Hosea, and unburthen thyself." continued 
 the senator, like one prepared for some habitual 
 communication. " Is there aught new that touches 
 the public weal ? " 
 
 " Blessed is the people over whom there is so 
 
96 THE BRAVO. 
 
 fatherly a care ! Can there be good or evil to the 
 citizen of the republic, noble Signore, without the 
 bowels of the senate moving, as the parent yearn- 
 eth over its young I Happy is the country in which 
 men of reverend years and whitened heads watch, 
 until night draws toward the day, and weariness 
 is forgotten in the desire to do good, and to honor 
 the state!" 
 
 " Thy mind partaketh of the eastern imagery of 
 the country of thy fathers, good Hosea, and thou 
 art apt to forget that thou art not yet watching on 
 the steps of the temple. What of interest hath the 
 day brought forth ?" 
 
 " Say rather the night, Signore, for little worthy 
 of your ear hath happened, save a matter of some 
 trilling import, which hath grown out of the move 
 ments of the evening." 
 
 " Have there been stilettoes busy on the bridge 1 
 ha ! or do the people joy less than common in their 
 levities?" 
 
 ** None have died wrongfully, and the square is 
 gay as the fragrant vineyards of Engedi. Holy 
 Abraham ! what a place is Venice for its pleasures, 
 arid how the hearts of old and young revel in their 
 merriment ! It is almost sufficient to fix the font in 
 the synagogue, to witness so joyous a dispensation 
 in behalf of the people of these islands ! I had not 
 hoped for the honor of an interview to-night, Sig 
 nore, and I had prayed, before laying my head upon 
 the pillow, when one charged by the council brought 
 to me a jewel, with an order to decipher the arms 
 arid other symbols of its owner. Tis a ring, with 
 the usual marks, which accompany private con 
 fidences." 
 
 " Thou hast the signet?" said the noble, stretching 
 out an arm. 
 
 " It is here, and a goodly stone it is ; a turquoise 
 of price." 
 
THE BRAVO. 97 
 
 * Whence came it and why is it sent to thee ? " 
 
 " It came, Signore, as I gather more through 
 hints and intimations of the messenger than by his 
 words, from a place resembling that which the 
 righteous Daniel escaped, in virtue of his godliness 
 and birth." 
 
 " Thou meanest the Lion s Mouth ?" 
 
 " So say our ancient books., Signore, in reference 
 to the prophet, and so would the council s agent 
 seem to intimate, in reference to the ring." 
 
 " Here is naught but a crest with the equestrian 
 helmet comes it of any in Venice?" 
 
 " The upright Solomon guide the judgment of his 
 servant in a matter of this delicacy ! The jewel is 
 of rare beauty, such as few possess but those who 
 have gold in store for other purposes. Do but re 
 gard the soft lustre in this light, noble Signore, and 
 remark the pleasing colors that rise by the change 
 of view ! " 
 
 "Ay tis well but who claimeth the bearings ?" 
 
 " It is wonderful to contemplate how great a value 
 may lie concealed in so small a compass ! I have 
 known sequins of full weight and heavy amount 
 given for baubles less precious." 
 
 " Wilt thou never forget thy stall and the way 
 farers of the Rialto? I bid thee name him who 
 beareth these symbols as marks of his family and 
 rank." 
 
 "Noble Signore, I obey. The crest is of the 
 family of Monforte, the last senator of which died 
 some fifteen years since." 
 
 "And his jewels?" 
 
 " They have passed, with other movables of 
 which the state taketh no account, into the keeping 
 of his kinsman and successor if it be the senate s 
 pleasure that there shall be a successor to that an 
 cient name Don Camillo of St. Agata. The 
 wealthy Neapolitan who now urges his rights here 
 
 VOL. I. I 
 
98 THE BRAVO. 
 
 in Venice, is the present owner of this precious 
 stone." 
 
 " Give me the ring ; this must be looked to hast 
 thou more to say?" 
 
 " Nothing, Signore unless to petition, if there is 
 to be any condemnation and sale of the jewel, that 
 it may first be offered to an ancient servitor of the 
 republic, who hath much reason to regret that his 
 age hath been less prosperous than his youth." 
 
 " Thou shalt not be forgotten. I hear it said, 
 ITosea, that divers of our young nobles frequent thy 
 Hebrew shops with intent to borrow gold, which, 
 lavished in present prodigality, is to be bitterly re 
 paid at a later day by self-denial, and such embar 
 rassments as suit not the heirs of noble names. 
 Take heed of this matter for if the displeasure of 
 the council should alight on any of thy race, there 
 would be long and serious accounts to settle ! Hast 
 thou had employment of late with other signets, be 
 sides this of the Neapolitan?" 
 
 " Unless in the vulgar way of our daily occupa 
 tion, none of note, illustrious Signore." 
 
 " Regard this," continued the Signor Gradenigo, 
 first searching in a secret drawer, whence he drew 
 a small bit of paper, to which a morsel of wax ad 
 hered ; " canst thou form any conjecture, by the im 
 pression, concerning him who used that seal?" 
 
 The jeweller took the paper and held it towards 
 the light, while his glittering eyes intently examined 
 the conceit. 
 
 " This would surpass the wisdom of the son of 
 David !" he said, after a long and seemingly a fruit 
 less examination ; " here is naught but some fanciful 
 device of gallantry, such as the light-hearted cava 
 liers of the city are fond of using, when they tempt 
 the weaker sex with fair words and seductive van 
 ities." 
 
THE BRAVO. 99 
 
 " It is a heart pierced with the dart of love, and 
 a motto of * pensa al cuore trafitto d amore? " 
 
 " Naught else, as my eyes do their duty. I should 
 think there was but very little meant by those 
 words, Signore!" 
 
 " That as may be. Thou hast never sold a jewel 
 with that conceit?" 
 
 "Just Samuel! We dispose of them daily, to 
 Christians of both sexes and all ages. I know no 
 device of greater frequency, whereby I conceive 
 there is much commerco in this light fidelity." 
 
 " He who used it did well in concealing his 
 thoughts beneath so general a dress ! There will be 
 a reward of a hundred sequins to him who traces 
 the owner." 
 
 Hosea was about to return the seal as beyond his 
 knowledge, when this remark fell casually from the 
 lips of the Signor Gradenigo. In a moment his eyes 
 were fortified with a glass of microscopic power, 
 and the paper was again before the lamp. 
 
 "I disposed of a cornelian of no great price, 
 which bore this conceit, to the wife of the emperor s 
 ambassador, but conceiving there was no more in 
 the purchase than some waywardness of fancy, I 
 took no precaution to note the stone. A gentleman 
 in the family of the Legate of Ravenna, also, traf 
 ficked with me for an amethyst of the same design, 
 but with him, neither, did I hold it important to be 
 particular. Ha ! here is a private mark, that in 
 truth seemeth to be of my own hand ! " 
 
 "Dost thou find a clue I What is the sign of 
 which thou speakest?" 
 
 "Naught, noble senator, but a slur in a letter, 
 which would not be apt to catch the eye of an over- 
 credulous maiden." 
 
 " And thou parted with the seal to ?" 
 
 Hosea hesitated, for he foresaw some danger of 
 

 
 100 THE BRAVO. 
 
 losing his reward, by a too hasty communication 
 of the truth. 
 
 " If it be important that the fact be known, 
 Signore," he said, " I will consult my books. In a 
 matter of this gravity, the senate should not be 
 misled." 
 
 " Thou sayest well. The affair is grave, and the 
 reward a sufficient pledge that we so esteem it." 
 
 44 Something was said, illustrious Signore, of a 
 hundred sequins ; but my mind taketh little heod 
 of such particulars, when the good of Venice is in 
 question." 
 
 " A hundred is the sum I promised." 
 
 " I parted with a signet-ring, bearing some such 
 design, to a female in the service of the nuncio s 
 first gentleman. But this seal cannot come of that, 
 since a woman of her station " 
 
 "Art sure?" eagerly interrupted the Signer 
 Gradenigo. 
 
 Hosea looked earnestly at his companion; and 
 reading in his eye and countenance that the clue 
 was agreeable, he answered promptly, 
 
 " As that I live under the law of Moses ! The 
 bauble had been long on hand without an offer, and 
 I abandoned it to the uses of my money." 
 
 " The sequins are thine, excellent Jew ! This 
 clears the mystery of every doubt. Go ; thou shalt 
 have thy reward ; and if thou hast any particulars 
 in thy secret register, let me be quickly possessed 
 of them. Go to, good Hosea, and be punctual 
 as of wont. I tire of these constant exercises of 
 the spirit !" 
 
 The Hebrew, exulting in his success, now took 
 his leave, with a manner in which habitual cupidity 
 and subdued policy completely mastered every 
 other feeling. He disappeared by the passage 
 through which he.had entered. 
 
 It seemed, by the manner of the Signor Gra- 
 
 
o. 
 
 THE BRAVO. 101 
 
 denigo, that the receptions for that evening had now 
 ended. He carefully examined the locks of several 
 secret drawers in his cabinet, extinguished the lights, 
 closed and secured the doors, and quitted the place. 
 For some time longer, however, he paced one of 
 the principal rooms of the outer suite, until the usual 
 hour having arrived, he sought his rest, and the 
 palace was closed for the night. 
 
 The reader will have gained some insight into the 
 character of the individual who was the chief actor 
 in the foregoing scenes. The Signer Gradenigo 
 was born with all the sympathies and natural kind 
 liness of other men, but accident, and an education 
 which had received a strong bias from the institu 
 tions of the self-styled republic, had made him the 
 creature of a conventional policy. To him Venice 
 seemed a free state, because he partook so largely 
 of the benefits of her social system ; and, though 
 shrewd and practised in most of the affairs of the 
 world, his faculties, on the subject of the political 
 ethics of his country, were possessed of a rare and 
 accommodating dullness. A senator, he stood in 
 relation to the state as a director of a moneyed insti 
 tution is proverbially placed in respect to his corpo 
 ration ; an agent of its collective measures, removed 
 from the responsibilities of the man. He could 
 reason warmly, if not acutely, concerning the prin 
 ciples of government, and it would be difficult, even 
 in this money-getting age, to find a more zealous 
 convert to the opinion that property was not a 
 subordinate, but the absorbing interest of civilized 
 life. He would talk ably of character, and honor, 
 and virtue, and religion, and the rights of persons ; 
 but when called upon to act in their behalf, there 
 was in his mind a tendency to blend them all with 
 worldly policy, that proved as unerring as the gravi 
 tation of matter to the earth s centre. As a lr enetian, 
 he was equally opposed to the domination of one, or 
 12 
 
102 THE BRAVO. 
 
 of die whole ; being, as respects the first, a furious 
 republican, and, in reference to the last, leaning to 
 that singular sophism which calls the dominion of 
 the majority the rule of many tyrants ! In short, 
 he was an aristocrat; and no man had more indus 
 triously or more successfully persuaded himself into 
 the belief of all the dogmas that were favorable to 
 his caste. He was a powerful advocate of vested 
 rights, for their possession was advantageous to 
 himself; he was sensitively alive to innovations on 
 usages and to vicissitudes in the histories of families, 
 for calculation had substituted taste for principles ; 
 nor was he backward, on occasion, in defending 
 his opinions by analogies drawn from the decrees 
 of Providence. With a philosophy that seemed to 
 satisfy himself, he contended that, as God had estab 
 lished orders throughout his own creation, in a de 
 scending chain from angels to men, it was safe to 
 follow an example which emanated from a wisdom 
 that was infinite. Nothing could be more sound 
 than the basis of his theory, though its application 
 had the capital error of believing there was any 
 imitation of nature in an endeavor to supplant it. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The moon went down ; and nothing now was seen 
 Save where the lamp of a Madonna shone 
 Faintly. 
 
 ROGERS. 
 
 JUST as the secret audiences of the Palazzo Gra- 
 denigo were ended, the great square of St. Mark 
 began to lose a portion of its gaiety. The cafes 
 were no~v occupied by parties who had the means, 
 mid were in the humor, to put their indulgences to 
 
THE BRAVO. 103 
 
 more substantial proof than the passing gibe or idle 
 laugh ; while those who were reluctantly compelled 
 to turn their thoughts from the levities of the mo 
 ment to the cares of the morrow, were departing 
 in crowds to humble roofs and hard pillows. There 
 remained one of the latter class, however, who con 
 tinued to occupy a spot near the junction of the 
 two squares, as motionless as if his naked feet grew 
 to the stone on which he stood. It was Antonio. 
 
 The position of the fisherman brought the whole 
 of his muscular form and bronzed features beneath 
 the rays of the moon. The dark, anxious, and stern 
 eyes were fixed upon the mild orb, as if their owner 
 sought to penetrate into another world, in quest of 
 that peace which he had never known in this. 
 There was suffering in the expression of the wea 
 ther-worn face ; but it was the suffering of one whose 
 native sensibilities had been a little deadened by too 
 much familiarity with the lot of the feeble. To one, 
 who considered life and humanity in any other than 
 their familiar and vulgar aspects, he would have 
 presented a touching picture of a noble nature, en 
 during with pride, blunted by habit; while to him, 
 who regards the accidental dispositions of society 
 as paramount laws, he might have presented the 
 image of dogged turbulence and discontent, health 
 fully repressed by the hand of power. A heavy sigh 
 struggled from the chest of the old man, and, stroking 
 down the few hairs which time had left him, he 
 lifted his cap from the pavement, and prepared to 
 move. 
 
 "Thou art late from thy bed, Antonio," said a 
 voice at his elbow. " The triglie must be of good 
 price, or of great plenty, that one of thy trade can 
 spare time to air himself in the Piazza at this hour. 
 Thou hearest, the clock is telling the fifth hour of 
 the night." 
 
 The fisherman bent his head aside, and regarded 
 
104 THE BRAVO. 
 
 the figure of his masked companion, for a moment, 
 with indifference, betraying neither curiosity nor 
 feeling at his address. 
 
 "Since thou knowest me," he answered, "it is 
 probable thou knowest that in quitting this place, I 
 shall go to an empty dwelling. Since thou knowest 
 me so well, thou should st also know my wrongs." 
 
 " Who hath injured thee, worthy fisherman, that 
 thou speakest so boldly beneath the very windows 
 of the doge?" 
 
 " The state." 
 
 " This is hardy language for the ear of St. 
 Mark! Were it too loudly spoken, yonder lion 
 might growl. Of what dost thou accuse the re 
 public?" 
 
 " Lead me to them that sent thee, and I will spare 
 the trouble of a go-between. I am ready to tell my 
 wrongs to the doge, on his throne ; for what can 
 one, poor, and old as I, dread from their anger?" 
 
 " Thou believest me sent to betray thee?" 
 
 " Thou knowest thine own errand." 
 
 The other removed his mask, and turned his face 
 towards the moon. 
 
 "Jacopo!" exclaimed the fisherman, gazing at 
 the expressive Italian features ; " one of thy char 
 acter can have no errand with me." 
 
 A flush, that was visible even in that light, passed 
 athwart the countenance of the Bravo ; but he stilled 
 every other exhibition of feeling. 
 
 " Thou art wrong. My errand is with thee." 
 
 " Does the senate think a fisherman of the La- 
 gunes of sufficient importance to be struck by a 
 stiletto? Do thy work, then! "he added, glancing 
 at his brown and naked bosom ; " there is nothing 
 to prevent thee ! " 
 
 " Antonio, thou dost me wrong. The senate has 
 no such purpose. But I have heard that thou hast 
 reason for discontent, and that thou speakest openly, 
 
THE BRAVO. 105 
 
 on the Lido and among the islands, of affairs that 
 the patricians like not to be stirred among men of 
 your class. I come, as a friend, to warn thee of the 
 consequences of such indiscretion, rather than as 
 one to harm thee." 
 
 " Thou art sent to say this?" 
 
 "Old man, age should teach thy tongue mode 
 ration. What will avail vain complaints against 
 the republic, or what canst thou hope for, as their 
 fruits, but evil to thyself, and evil to the child that 
 thou lovest?" 
 
 I know not but when the heart is sore, the 
 tongue will speak. They have taken away my boy, 
 and they have left little behind that I value. The 
 life they threaten is too short to be cared for." 
 
 " Thou should st temper thy regrets with wisdom. 
 The Signor Gradenigo has long been friendly to 
 thee, and I have heard that thy mother nursed him. 
 Try his ears with prayers, but cease to anger the 
 republic with complaints." 
 
 Antonio looked wistfully at his companion, but 
 when he had ceased, he shook his head mournfully, 
 as if to express the hopelessness of relief from that 
 quarter. 
 
 " I have told him all that a man, born and nursed 
 on the Lagunes, can find words to say. He is a 
 senator, Jacopo ; and he thinks not of suffering he 
 does not feel." 
 
 " Art thou not wrong, old man, to accuse him 
 who hath been born in affluence, of hardness of 
 heart, merely that he doth not feel the misery thou 
 would st avoid, too, were it in thy power? Thou 
 hast thy gondola and nets, with health and the cun- 
 ning of thy art, and in that art thou happier than he 
 who hath neither would st thou forget thy skill, 
 and share thy little stock with the beggar of San 
 Marco, that your fortunes might be equal ?" 
 
 ** There may be truth in what thou sayest of our 
 
106 THE BRAVO. 
 
 labor and our means, but when it comes to our 
 young, nature is the same in both. I see no reason 
 why the son of the patrician should go free, and the 
 child of the fisherman be sold to blood. Have not 
 the senators enough of happiness, in their riches and 
 greatness, that they rob me of my son?" 
 
 "Thou knowest, Antonio, the state must be served, 
 and were its officers to go into the palaces in quest 
 of hardy mariners for the fleet, would they, think 
 you, find them that would honor the winged lion, in 
 the hour of his need ? Thy old arm is muscular, and 
 thy leg steady on the water, and they seek those 
 who, like thee, have been trained to the seas." 
 
 " Thou should st have said, also, and thy old 
 breast is scarred. Before thy birth, Jacopo, I went 
 against the infidel, and my blood was shed, like 
 water, for the state. But they have forgotten it, 
 while there are rich marbles raised in the churches, 
 which speak of what the nobles did, who came 
 unharmed from the same wars." 
 
 " I have heard my father say as much," returned 
 the Bravo, gloomily, and speaking in an altered 
 voice. " He, too, bled in that war ; but that is 
 forgotten." 
 
 The fisherman glanced a look around, and per 
 ceiving that several groups were conversing near, 
 in the square, he signed to his companion to follow 
 him, and walked towards the quays. 
 
 " Thy father," he said, as they moved slowly on 
 together, " was my comrade and my friend. I am 
 old, Jacopo, and poor ; my days are past in toil, on 
 the Lagunes, and my nights in gaining strength to 
 meet the labor of the morrow ; but it hath grieved 
 me to hear that the son of one I much loved, and 
 with whom I have so often shared good and evil, 
 fair and foul, hath taken to a life like that which 
 men say is thine. The gold that is the price of 
 
THE BRAVO. 107 
 
 blood was never yet blessed to him that gave, or 
 him that received." 
 
 The Bravo listened in silence, though his com 
 panion, who, at another moment, and under other 
 emotions, would have avoided him as one shrinks 
 from contagion, saw, on looking mournfully up into 
 his face, that the muscles were slightly agitated, and 
 that a paleness crossed his cheeks, which the light 
 of the moon rendered ghastly. 
 
 " Thou hast suffered poverty to tempt thee into 
 grievous sin, Jacopo ; but it is never too late to call 
 on the saints for aid, and to lay aside the stiletto ! 
 It is not profitable for a man to be known in Venice 
 as thy fellow, but the friend of thy father will not 
 abandon one who shows a penitent spirit. Lay 
 aside thy stiletto, and come with me to the Lagunes. 
 Thou wilt find labor less burdensome than guilt, and 
 though thou never canst be to me like the boy they 
 have taken, for he was innocent as the lamb ! thou 
 wilt still be the son of an ancient comrade, and a 
 stricken spirit. Come with me then to the Lagunes, 
 for poverty and misery like mine, cannot meet with 
 more contempt, even for being thy companion." 
 
 "What is it men say, that thou treatest me thus ?" 
 demanded Jacopo, in a low, struggling voice. 
 
 " I would they said untruth ! But few die by vio 
 lence, in Venice, that thy name is not uttered." 
 
 " And would they suffer one thus marked, to go 
 openly on the canals, or to be at large in the great 
 square of San Marco?" 
 
 "We never know the reasons of the senate. Some 
 say thy time is not yet come, while others think thou 
 art too powerful for judgment." 
 
 " Thou dost equal credit to the justice and the 
 activity of the inquisition. But should I go with 
 thee to-night, wilt thou be more discreet in speech, 
 among thy fellows of the Lido, and the islands?" 
 
 " When the heart hath its load, the tongue will 
 
108 THE BRAVO. 
 
 strive to lighten it. I would do any thing to turn 
 the child of my friend from his evil ways, but forget 
 my own. Thou art used to deal with the patricians, 
 Jacopo ; would there be portability for one, clad in 
 this dress, and with a face blackened by the sun, to 
 come to speak with the doge I " 
 
 " There is no lack of seeming justice in Venice, 
 Antonio ; the want is in the substance. I doubt not 
 thou would st be heard." 
 
 " Then will I wait, here, upon the stones of the 
 square, until he comes forth for the pomp of to 
 morrow, and try to move his heart to justice. He 
 is old, like myself, and he hath bled too, for the state, 
 and what is more, he is a father." 
 
 " So is the Signor Gradenigo." 
 
 " Thou doubtest his pity ha ?" 
 
 " Thou canst but try. The Doge of Venice will 
 hearken to a petition from the meanest citizen. I 
 think," added Jacopo, speaking so low as to be 
 scarcely audible, " he would listen even to me." 
 
 " Though I am not able to put my prayer in such 
 speech as becometh the ear of a great prince, he 
 shall hear the truth from a wronged man. They 
 call him the chosen of the state, and such a one 
 should gladly listen to justice. This is a hard bed, 
 Jacopo," continued the fisherman, seating himself 
 at the foot of the column of St. Theodore, " but I 
 have slept on colder and as hard, when there was 
 less reason to do it a happy night." 
 
 The Bravo lingered a minute near the old man, 
 who folded his arms on his naked breast, which was 
 fanned by the sea-breeze, and disposed of his person 
 to take his rest in the square, a practice not unusual 
 among men of his class ; but when he found that 
 Antonio was inclined to be alone, he moved on, 
 leaving the fisherman to himself. 
 
 The night was now getting to be advanced, and 
 few of the revellers remained in the areas of the 
 
THE BRAVO. 109 
 
 two squares. Jacopo cast a glance around, and 
 noting the hour and the situation of the place, he 
 proceeded to the edge of the quay. The public 
 gondoliers had left their boats moored, as usual, at 
 this spot, and a profound stillness reigned over the 
 whole bay. The water was scarce darkened by 
 the air, which rather breathed upon than ruffled its 
 surface, and no sound of oar was audible amid the 
 forest of picturesque and classical spars, which 
 crowded the view between the Piazzetta and the 
 Guidecca. The Bravo hesitated, cast another wary 
 glance around him, settled his mask, undid the slight 
 fastenings of a boat, and presently he was gliding 
 away into the centre of the basin. 
 
 "Who cometh?" demanded one, who seemingly 
 stood at watch, in a felucca, anchored a little apart 
 from all others. 
 
 " One expected," was the answer. 
 
 "Roderigo?" 
 
 " The same." 
 
 " Thou art late," said the mariner of Calabria, as 
 Jacopo stepped upon the low deck of the Bella Sor- 
 rentina. "My people have long been beknv, and I 
 have dreamt thrice of shipwreck, and twice of a 
 heavy sirocco, since thou hast been expected." 
 
 " Thou hast had more time to wrong the customs. 
 Is the felucca ready for her work?" 
 
 " As for the customs, there is little chance of gain 
 in this greedy city. The senators secure all profits 
 to themselves and their friends, \vhile w r e of the 
 barks are tied down to low freights and hard bar 
 gains. I have sent a dozen casks of lachrymal 
 christi up the canals since the masquers came 
 abroad, and beyond that I have not occasion. 
 There is enough left for thy comfort, at need. 
 Wilt drink?" 
 
 " I am sworn to sobriety. Is thy vessel ready, as 
 wont, for the errand?" 
 
 VOL. I. K 
 
]10 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " Is the senate as ready with its money ? This is 
 the fourth of my voyages in their service ; and they 
 have only to look into their own secrets to know the 
 manner in which the work hath been done." 
 
 " They are content, and thou hast been well re 
 warded." 
 
 " Say it not. I have gained more gold by one 
 lucky shipment of fruits from the isles, than by all 
 their night-work. Would those who employ me 
 give a little especial traffic on the entrance of the 
 felucca, there might be advantage in the trade." 
 
 " There is nothing which St. Mark visits with a 
 heavier punishment than frauds on his receipts. 
 Have a care with thy wines, or thou wilt lose not 
 only thy bark and thy voyage, but thy liberty ! " 
 
 " This is just the ground of my complaint, Sig- 
 nor Roderigo. Rogue and no rogue, is the repub 
 lic s motto. Here, they are as close in justice as a 
 father amid his children ; and there, it is better that 
 what is done should be done at midnight. I like not 
 the contradiction, for just as my hopes are a little 
 raised, by what I have witnessed, perhaps a little 
 too near, they are all blown to the winds, by such a 
 frown as San Gennero himself might cast upon a 
 sinner." 
 
 "Remember thou art not in thy wide Mediter 
 ranean, but on a canal of Venice. This language 
 might be unsafe, were it heard by less friendly 
 ears." 
 
 " I thank thee for thy care, though the sight of 
 yonder old palace is as good a hint to the loose 
 tongue, as the sight of a gibbet, on the sea-shore, to 
 a pirate. I met an ancient fellow in the Piazzeita, 
 about the time the masquers came in, and we had 
 some words on this matter. By his tally, every 
 second man in Venice is well paid for reporting 
 what the others say and do. Tis a pity, with all 
 their seeming love of justice, good Roderigo, that 
 
THE BRAVO. Ill 
 
 the senate should let divers knaves go at large ; men 
 whose very faces cause the stones to redden with 
 anger and shame !" 
 
 ** I did not know that any such were openly seen 
 in Venice ; what is secretly done may be favored 
 for a time, through difficulty of proof, but " 
 
 "Cospetto! They tell me the councils have a 
 short manner of making a sinner give up his mis 
 deeds. Now, here is the miscreant Jacopo. What 
 aileth thee, man ? The anchor, on which thou lean 
 est, is not heated." 
 
 " Nor is it of feathers ; one s bones may ache 
 from its touch without offence, I hope." 
 
 " The iron is of Elba and was forged in a vol 
 cano. This Jacopo is one that should not go at 
 large in an honest city, and yet is he seen pacing 
 the square with as much ease as a noble in the 
 Broglio!" 
 
 " I know him not." 
 
 " Not to know the boldest hand and surest stiletto 
 in Venice, honest Roderigo, is to thy praise. But 
 he is well marked among us of the port, and we 
 never see the man but we begin to think of our sins, 
 and of penances forgotten. I marvel much that 
 the inquisitors do not give him to the devil, on some 
 public ceremony, for the benefit of small offenders !" 
 
 " Are his deeds so notorious, that they might pro 
 nounce on his fate without proof?" 
 
 " Go, ask that question in the streets ! Not a Chris 
 tian loses his life in Venice without warning, and 
 the number is not few, to say nothing of those who 
 die with state fevers, but men see the work of his 
 sure hand in the blow. Signor Roderigo, your ca 
 nals are convenient graves for sudden deaths!" 
 
 " Methinks there is contradiction in this. Thou 
 speakest of proofs of the hand that gave it, in the 
 manner of the blow, and then thou callest in the aid 
 of the canals to cov|r the whole deed. Truly, there 
 
112 THE BRAVO. 
 
 is some wrong done this Jacopo, who is, haply, a 
 man slandered." 
 
 " I have heard of slandering a priest, for they are 
 Christians, bound to keep good names for the 
 church s honor, but to utter an injury against a 
 bravo, would a little exceed the tongue of an av- 
 vocato. What mattereth it whether the hand be a 
 shade deeper in color or not, when blood is on it." 
 
 " Thou sayest truly," answered the pretended 
 Roderigo, drawing a heavy breath. It mattereth 
 little, indeed, to him condemned, whether the sen 
 tence cometh of one, or of many crimes." 
 
 " Dost know, friend Roderigo, that this very ar 
 gument hath made me less scrupulous concerning 
 the freight I am called on to carry, in this secret 
 trade of ours. Thou art fairly in the senate s busi 
 ness, worthy Stefano, I say to myself, and there 
 fore the less reason that thou should st be particular 
 in the quality of the merchandise. That Jacopo 
 hath an eye and a scowl that would betray him, 
 were he chosen to the chair of St. Peter ! But doff 
 thy mask, Signor Roderigo, that the sea-air may 
 cool thy cheek ; tis time there should no longer be 
 this suspicion between old and tried friends." 
 
 " My duty to those that send me forbid the liberty, 
 else would I gladly stand face to face with thee, 
 Master Stefano." 
 
 " Well, notwithstanding thy caution, cunning Sig- 
 nore, I would hazard ten of the sequins thou art to 
 pay to me, that I will go, on the morrow, into the 
 crowd of San Marco, and challenge thee, openly, 
 by name, among a thousand. Thou mayest as well 
 unmask, for I tell thee thou art as well known to me 
 as the latine yards of my felucca." 
 
 " The less need to uncover. There are certain 
 signs, no doubt, by which men who meet so often 
 should be known to each other." 
 
 " Thou hast a goodly countenance, Signore, and 
 
THE BRAVO. 113 
 
 the less need to hide it. I have noted thee among 
 the revellers, when thou hast thought thyself unseen, 
 and I will say of thee this much, without wish to 
 gain aught in our bargain, one of appearance fair 
 as thine, Signor Roderigo, had better be seen open 
 ly than go thus for ever behind a cloud." 
 
 " My answer hath been made. What the state 
 wills cannot be overlooked ; but since I see thou 
 knowest me, take heed not to betray thy know 
 ledge." 
 
 " Thou would st not be more safe with thy con 
 fessor. Diamine ! I am not a man to gad about 
 among the water-sellers, with a secret at the top of 
 my voice ; but thou didst leer aside when I winked 
 at thee dancing among the masquers on the quay. 
 Is it not so, Roderigo?" 
 
 " There is more cleverness in thee, Master Stefa- 
 no, than I had thought ; though thy readiness with 
 the felucca is no secret." 
 
 " There are two things, Signor Roderigo, on 
 which I value myself, but always, I hope, with Chris 
 tian moderation. As a mariner of the coast, in 
 mistral or sirocco, IPlanter or zephyr, few can 
 claim more practice ; and for knowing an acquaint 
 ance in a carnival, I believe the father of evil him 
 self could not be so disguised that eye of mine 
 should not see his foot! For anticipating a gale, or 
 looking behind a mask, Signor Roderigo, I know not 
 my own equal among men of small learning." 
 
 "These faculties are great gifts in one who liveth 
 by the sea and a critical trade." 
 
 " Here came one Gino, a gondolier of Don Camil- 
 lo Monforte, and an ancient fellow r of mine, aboard 
 the felucca, attended by a woman in mask. He 
 threw off the girl dexterously enough, and, as he 
 thought, among strangers; but I knew her at a 
 glance for the daughter of a wine-seller, who had 
 already tasted lachryrnrc christi of mine. The 
 K2 
 
114 THE BRAVO. 
 
 woman was angered at the trick, but making the 
 best of luck, we drove a bargain for the few casks 
 which lay beneath the ballast, while Gino did his 
 master s business in San Marco." 
 
 " And what that business was thou didst not learn, 
 good Stefano t" 
 
 " How should I, Master Roderigo, when the gon 
 dolier scarce left time for greeting; but Anni- 
 na " 
 
 " Annina!" 
 
 " The same. Thou knowest Annina, old Tom- 
 maso s daughter ; for she danced in the very set in 
 which I detected thy countenance! I would not 
 speak thus of the girl, but that I know thou art not 
 backward to receive liquors that do not visit the 
 custom-house, thyself." 
 
 " For that, fear nothing. I have sworn to thee 
 that no secret of this nature shall pass my lips. 
 But this Annina is a girl of quick wit and much 
 boldness." 
 
 " Between ourselves, Signor Roderigo, it is not 
 easy to tell who is in the senate s pay, here in Venice, 
 or who is not. I have soilfetimes fancied, by thy 
 manner of starting, and the tones of thy voice, that 
 thou wert, thyself, no less than the lieutenant-general 
 of the galleys, a little disguised." 
 
 " And this with thy knowledge of men ! " 
 
 " If faith were always equal, where would be its 
 merit? Thou hast never been hotly chased by an 
 infidel, Master Roderigo, or thou would st know 
 how the mind of man can change from hope to fear, 
 from the big voice to the humble prayer ! I remem 
 ber once, in the confusion and hurry of baffling 
 winds and whistling shot, having always turbans 
 before the eye, and the bastinado in mind, to have 
 beseeched St. Stefano in some such voice as one 
 would use to a dog, and to have bullied the men 
 with the whine of a young kitten. Corpo di Bacco ! 
 
THE BRAVO. 115 
 
 One hath need of experience in these affairs, Signer 
 Roderigo, to know even his own merits." 
 
 " I believe thee. But who is this Gino, of whom 
 thou hast spoken, and what has his occupation, as 
 a gondolier, to do with one known in thy youth in 
 Calabria?" 
 
 " Therein lie matters exceeding my knowledge. 
 His master, and I may say, my master, for I was 
 born on his estates, is the young Duca di Sant 
 Agata, the same that pushes his fortunes with the 
 senate, in a claim to the riches and honors of the 
 last Monforte that sat in thy councils. The debate 
 hath so long endured, that the lad hath made him 
 self a gondolier, by sheer shoving an oar between 
 his master s palace and those of the nobles he moves 
 with interest at least such is Gino s own history 
 of his education." 
 
 " I know the man. He wears the colors of him 
 he serves. Is he of quick wit?" 
 
 " Signor Roderigo, all who come of Calabria can 
 not boast that advantage. We are no more than 
 our neighbors, and there are exceptions in all com 
 munities, as in all families. Gino is ready enough 
 with his oar, and as good a youth, in his way, as 
 need be. But as to looking into things beyond their 
 surface, why we should not expect the delicacy of 
 a becca fica in a goose. Nature makes men, though 
 kings make nobles. Gino is a gondolier." 
 
 "And of good skill?" 
 
 " I say nothing of his arm, or his leg, both of 
 which are well enough in their places ; but when it 
 comes to knowing men and things poor Gino is 
 but a gondolier! The lad hath a most excellent 
 heart, and is never backward to serve a friend. I 
 love him, but thou would st not have me say more 
 than the truth will warrant." 
 
 " Well, keep thy felucca in readiness, for we know 
 not the moment it may be needed." 
 
116 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " Thou hast only to bring thy freight, Signore, to 
 have the bargain fulfilled." 
 
 " Adieu. I would recommend to thee, to keep 
 apart from all other trades, and to see that the rev 
 elries of to-morrow do not debauch thy people." 
 
 "God speed thee, Signor Roderigo. Naught 
 shall be wanting." 
 
 The Bravo stepped into his gondola, which glided 
 from the felucca s side with a facility which showed, 
 that an arm, skilled in its use, held the oar. He 
 waved his hand, in adieu to Stefano, and then the 
 boat disappeared among the hulls that crowded the 
 port. 
 
 For a few minutes the padrone of the Bella Sor- 
 rentina continued to pace her decks, snuffing the 
 fresh breeze that came in over the Lido, and then 
 he sought his rest. By this time, the dark, silent 
 gondolas, which had been floating, by hundreds, 
 through the basin, were all gone. The sound of 
 music was heard no longer on the canals, and Ven 
 ice, at all times noiseless, and peculiar, seemed to 
 sleep the sleep of the dead. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The fisher came 
 
 From his green islet, bringing o er the waves 
 His wife and little one ; the husbandman 
 From the firm land, with many a friar and nun, 
 And village maiden, her first flight from home, 
 Crowding the common ferry. 
 
 ROGERS. 
 
 A BRIGHTER day than that which succeeded the 
 night last mentioned, never dawned upon the massive 
 domes, the gorgeous palaces, and the glittering ca 
 nals of Venice. The sun had not been long above 
 
THE BRAVO. 117 
 
 the level of the Lido, before the strains of horns and 
 trumpets arose from the square of St. Mark. They 
 were answered, in full echoes, from the distant ar 
 senal. A thousand gondolas glided from the canals, 
 stealing in every direction across the port, the Gui- 
 decca, and the various outer channels of the place, 
 while the well-known routes, from Fusina and the 
 neighboring isles, were dotted with endless lines of 
 boats, urging their way towards the capital. 
 
 The citizens began to assemble early, in their 
 holiday attire, while thousands of contadini landed 
 at the different bridges, clad in the gay costumes of 
 the main. Before the day had far advanced, all the 
 avenues of the great square were again thronged, 
 and by the time the bells of the venerable cathedral 
 had finished a peal of high rejoicing, St. Mark s 
 again teemed with its gay multitude. Few appear 
 ed in masks, but pleasure seemed to lighten every 
 eye, while the frank and unconcealed countenance 
 willingly courted the observation and sympathy of 
 its neighbors. In short, Venice and her people were 
 seen, in all the gaiety and carelessness of a favorite 
 Italian festa. The banners of the conquered nations 
 flapped heavily on the triumphal masts, each church- 
 tower hung out its image of the winged lion, and 
 every palace was rich in its hangings of tapestry 
 and silk, floating from balcony and window. 
 
 In the midst of this exhilarating and bright spec 
 tacle was heard the din of a hundred thousand 
 voices. Above the constant hum, there arose, from 
 time to time, the blasts of trumpets and the sympho 
 nies of rich music. Here the improvisatore, secretly 
 employed by a politic and mysterious government, 
 recounted, with a rapid utterance, and in language 
 suited to the popular ear, at the foot of the spars 
 which upheld the conquered banners of Candia 
 Crete, and the Morea, the ancient triumphs of the 
 republic ; while, there, a ballad-singer chaunted, to 
 
118 THE BRAVO. 
 
 the greedy crowd, the glory and justice of San 
 Marco. Shouts of approbation succeeded each 
 happy allusion to the national renown, and bravos, 
 loud and oft-repeated, were the reward of the agents 
 of the police, whenever they most administered to 
 the self-delusion and vanity of their audience. 
 
 In the mean time, gondolas rich in carvings and 
 gildings, and containing females renowned for grace 
 and beauty, began to cluster, in hundreds, around 
 the port. A general movement had already taken 
 place among the shipping, and a wide and clear 
 channel was opened from the quay, at the foot of 
 the Piazzetta, to the distant bank, which shut out the 
 waves of the Adriatic. Near this watery path, 
 boats of all sizes and descriptions, filled w r ith the 
 curious and observant, were fast collecting. 
 
 The crowd thickened as the day drew in, all the 
 vast plains of the Padovano appearing to have given 
 up their people to swell the numbers of those that 
 rejoiced. A few timid and irresolute masquers now 
 began to appear in the throng, stealing a momentary 
 pleasure under the favor of that privileged disguise, 
 from out of the seclusion and monotony of their 
 cloisters. Next came the rich marine equipages of 
 the accredited agents of foreign states, and then, 
 amid the sound of clarions and the cries of the pop 
 ulace, the Bucentaur rowed out of the channel of 
 the arsenal, and came sweeping to her station, at 
 the quay of St. Mark. 
 
 These preliminaries, which occupied some hours, 
 being observed, the javelin-men, and others employ 
 ed about the person of the head of the republic, were 
 seen opening an avenue through the throng. After 
 which, the rich strains of a hundred instruments, 
 proclaimed the approach of the doge. 
 
 We shall not detain the narrative, to describe the 
 pomp in which a luxurious and affluent aristocracy, 
 that in general held itself aloof from familiar inter- 
 
THE BRAVO. 119 
 
 course with those it ruled, displayed its magnificence 
 to the eyes of the multitude, on an occasion of pop* 
 ukir rejoicing. Long lines of senators, dressed in 
 their robes of office, and attended by crowds of 
 liveried followers, came from under the galleries of 
 the palace, and descended by the Giant s Stairway, 
 into the sombre court. Thence, the whole issued 
 into the Piazzetta, in order, and proceeded to their 
 several stations, on the canopied deck of the well- 
 known bark. Each patrician had his allotted place, 
 and before the rear of the cortege had yet quitted 
 the quay, there was a long and imposing row of 
 grave legislators seated in the established order of 
 their precedency. The ambassadors, the high dig 
 nitaries of the state, and the aged man, who had 
 been chosen to bear the empty honors of sovereign 
 ty, still remained on the land, waiting, with the quiet 
 of trained docility, the moment to embark. At this 
 moment, a man of an embrowned visage, legs bare 
 to the knee, and breast open to the breeze, rushed 
 through the guards, and knelt on the stones of the 
 quay, at his feet. 
 
 "Justice! great prince!" cried the bold stran 
 ger; "justice and mercy! Listen to one, who has 
 bled for St. Mark, and who hath his scars for his 
 witnesses." 
 
 " Justice and mercy are not always companions," 
 calmly observed he, who wore the horned bonnet, 
 motioning to his officious attendants to let the intru 
 der stay. 
 
 " Mighty prince ! I come for the last." 
 
 " Who and what art thou?" 
 
 " A fisherman of the Lagunes. One named An 
 tonio, who seeketh the liberty of the pr6p of his 
 years a glorious boy, that force and the policy of 
 the state have torn from me." 
 
 " This should not be ! Violence is not the attri- 
 
120 THE BRAVO. 
 
 bute of justice but the youth hath offended the 
 laws, and he suffereth for his crimes?" 
 
 " He is guilty, Excellent and most Serene High 
 ness, of youth, and health, and strength, with some 
 skill in the craft of the mariner. They have taken 
 him, without warning or consent, for the service of 
 the galleys, and have left me in my age, alone." 
 
 The expression of pity, which had taken posses 
 sion of the venerable features of the prince, changed 
 instantly to a look of uneasiness and distrust. The 
 eye, which just before had melted with compassion, 
 became cold and set in its meaning, and signing to 
 his guards, he bowed with dignity to the attentive 
 and curious auditors, among the foreign agents, to 
 proceed. 
 
 " Bear him away," said an officer, who took his 
 master s meaning from the glance; "the ceremonies 
 may not be retarded, for a prayer so idle." 
 
 Antonio offered no resistance, but yielding to the 
 pressure of those around him, he sunk back meekly, 
 among the crowd, disappointment and sorrow giv 
 ing place, for an instant, to an awe and an admira 
 tion of the gorgeous spectacle, that were perhaps in 
 some degree inseparable from his condition and 
 habits. In a few moments, the slight interruption 
 produced by this short scene, was forgotten in the 
 higher interest of the occasion. 
 
 When the ducal party had taken their places, and 
 an admiral of reputation was in possession of the 
 helm, the vast and gorgeous bark, with its gilded 
 galleries thronged with attendants, swept away from 
 the quay, with a grand and stately movement. Its 
 departure was the signal for a new burst of trum 
 pets and clarions, and for fresh acclamations from 
 the people. The latter rushed to the edge of the 
 water, and by the time the Bucentaur had reached 
 the middle of the port, the stream was black with 
 the gondolas that followed in her train. In this 
 
THE BRAVO. 121 
 
 manner did the gay and shouting cortege sweep on, 
 some darting ahead of the principal bark, and some 
 clinging, like smaller fish swimming around the levi 
 athan, as near to her sides, as the fall of the pon 
 derous oars would allow. As each effort of the crew 
 sent the galley farther from the land, the living train 
 seemed to extend itself, by some secret principle of 
 expansion ; nor w r as the chain of its apparent con 
 nexion entirely broken, until the Bucentaur had 
 passed the island, long famous for its convent of re 
 ligious Armenians. Here the movement became 
 slower, in order to permit the thousand gondolas 
 to approach, and then, the whole moved forward, 
 in nearly one solid phalanx, to the landing of the 
 Lido. 
 
 The marriage of the Adriatic, as the ceremony 
 was quaintly termed, has been too often described 
 to need a repetition here. Our business is rather 
 with incidents of a private and personal nature than 
 with descriptions of public events, and we shall pass 
 over all that has no immediate connexion with the 
 interest of the tale. 
 
 When the Bucentaur became stationary, a space 
 around her stern was cleared, and the doge appear 
 ed in a rich gallery, so constructed as to exhibit the 
 action to all in sight. He held a ring, glittering 
 with precious stones, on high, and, pronouncing the 
 words of betrothal, he dropped it upon the bosom 
 of his fancied spouse. Shouts arose, trumpets blew 
 their blasts, and each lady waved her handkerchief, 
 in felicitation of the happy union. In the midst of 
 the fracas which was greatly heightened by the 
 roar of cannon on board the cruisers in the channel, 
 and from the guns in the arsenal a boat glided into 
 the open space beneath the gallery of the Bucentaur. 
 The movement of the arm which directed the light 
 gondola was dexterous and still strong, though the 
 hairs of him who held the oar were thin and white. 
 
 VOL. I. L 
 
122 THE BRAVO. 
 
 A suppliant eye was cast up at the happy faces that 
 adorned the state of the prince, and then the look 
 was changed intently to the water. A small fisher 
 man s buoy fell from the boat, which glided away 
 so soon, that, amid the animation and uproar of 
 that moment, the action was scarce heeded by the 
 excited throng. 
 
 The aquatic procession now returned towards 
 the city, the multitude rending the air with shouts 
 at the happy termination of a ceremony, to which 
 time and the sanction of the sovereign pontiff had 
 given a species of sanctity that was somewhat in 
 creased by superstition. It is true that a few among 
 the Venetians themselves regarded these famous 
 nuptials of the Adriatic with indifference ; and that 
 several of the ministers of the northern and more 
 maritime states, who were witnesses on the occa 
 sion, had scarcely concealed, as they cast glances 
 of intelligence and pride among themselves, their 
 smiles. Still, such was the influence of habit, for so 
 much does even arrogant assumption, when long 
 and perseveringly maintained, count among men, 
 that neither the increasing feebleness of the republic, 
 nor the known superiority of other powers on the 
 very element which this pageant was intended to 
 represent as the peculiar property of St. Mark, could 
 yet cover the lofty pretension with the ridicule it 
 merited. Time has since taught the world that 
 Venice continued this idle deception for ages after 
 both reason and modesty should have dictated its 
 discontinuance; but, at the period of which we 
 write, that ambitious, crapulous, and factitious state 
 was rather beginning to feel the symptomatic evi 
 dence of its fading circumstances, than to be fully 
 conscious of the swift progress of a downward 
 course. In this manner do communities, like indi 
 viduals, draw near their dissolution, inattentive to 
 the symptoms of decay, until they are overtaken 
 
THE BRAVO. 123 
 
 with that fate, which finally overwhelms empires 
 and their power in the common lot of man. 
 
 The Bucentaur did not return directly to the 
 quay, to disburthen itself of its grave and dignified 
 load. The gaudy galley anchored in the centre of 
 the port, and opposite to the wide mouth of the 
 great canal. Officers had been busy, throughout 
 the morning, in causing all the shipping and heavy 
 boats, of which hundreds lay in that principal artery 
 of the city, to remove from the centre of the pass 
 age, and heralds now summoned the citizens to wit 
 ness the regatta, with which the public ceremonies 
 of the day were to terminate. 
 
 Venice, from her peculiar formation and the vast 
 number of her watermen, had long been celebrated 
 for this species of amusement. Families were 
 known and celebrated in her traditions for dexter 
 ous skill with the oar, as they were known in Rome 
 for feats of a far less useful and of a more barbar 
 ous nature. It was usual to select from these races 
 of watermen the most vigorous and skilful ; and, 
 after invoking the aid of patron-saints, and arousing 
 their pride and recollections by songs that recounted 
 the feats of their ancestors, to start them for the 
 goal, with every incitement that pride and the love 
 of victory could awaken. 
 
 Most of these ancient usages were still observed. 
 As soon as the Bucentaur was in its station, some 
 thirty or forty gondoliers were brought forth, clad 
 in their gayest habiliments, and surrounded and sup 
 ported by crowds of anxious friends and relatives. 
 The intended competitors w r ere expected to sustain 
 the long-established reputations of their several 
 names, and they were admonished of the disgrace 
 of defeat. They were cheered by the men, and 
 stimulated by the smiles and tears of the other sex. 
 The rewards were recalled to their minds ; they 
 were fortified by prayers to the saints ; and then 
 
124 THE BRAVO. 
 
 they were dismissed, amid the cries and the wishes 
 of the multitude, to seek their allotted places beneath 
 the stern of the galley of state. 
 
 It has already been mentioned in these pages, that 
 the city of Venice is divided into two nearly equal 
 parts by a channel much broader than that of the 
 ordinary passages of the town. This dividing 
 artery, from its superior size and depth, and its 
 greater importance, is called the grand canal. Its 
 course is not unlike that of an undulating line, which 
 greatly increases its length. As it is much used by 
 the larger boats of the bay being, in fact, a sort 
 of secondary port and its width is so considerable, 
 it has throughout the whole distance but one bridge 
 the celebrated Rialto. The regatta was to be 
 held on this canal, which offered the requisites of 
 length and space, and which, as it was lined with 
 most of the palaces of the principal senators, afford 
 ed all the facilities necessary for viewing the strug 
 gle. 
 
 In passing from one end of this long course to the 
 other, the men destined for the race were not per 
 mitted to make any exertion. Their eyes roamed 
 over the gorgeous hangings, which, as is still wont 
 throughout Italy on all days of festa, floated from 
 every window, and on groups of females in rich at 
 tire, brilliant with the peculiar charms of the famed 
 Venetian beauty, that clustered in the balconies. 
 Those who were domestics, rose and answered to 
 the encouraging signals thrown from above, as they 
 passed the palaces of their masters ; while those 
 who were watermen of the public, endeavored to 
 gather hope among the sympathizing faces of the 
 multitude. 
 
 At length every formality had been duly observed, 
 and the competitors assumed their places. The 
 gondolas were much larger than those commonly 
 used, and each was manned by three watermen, in 
 
THE BRAVO. 1&> 
 
 the centre, directed by a fourth, who, standing on 
 the little deck in the stern, steered, while he aided to 
 impel the boat. There were light, low staffs in the 
 bows, with flags, that bore the distinguishing colors 
 of several noble families of the republic, or which 
 had such other simple devices as had been suggest 
 ed by the fancies of those to whom they belonged. 
 A few flourishes of the oars, resembling the prepar 
 atory movements which the master of fence makes 
 ere he begins to push and parry, were given; a 
 whirling of the boats, like the prancing of curbed 
 racers, succeeded ; and then at the report of a gun, 
 the whole darted away as if the gondolas were im 
 pelled by volition. The start was followed by a 
 shout, which passed swiftly along the canal, and an 
 eager agitation of heads that went from balcony to 
 balcony, till the sympathetic movement was commu 
 nicated to the grave load under which the Buccri- 
 taur labored. 
 
 For a few minutes the difference in force and 
 skill was not very obvious. Each gondola glided 
 along the element, apparently with that ease with 
 which a light-winged swallow skims the lake, and 
 with no visible advantage to any one of the ten. 
 Then, as more art in him who sfeered, or greater 
 powers of endurance in those who rowed, or some 
 of the latent properties of the boat itself, came into 
 service, the cluster of little barks, which had come 
 off like a closely-united flock of birds taking flight 
 together in alarm, began to open, till they formed a 
 long and vacillating line, in the centre of the pas 
 sage. The whole train shot beneath the bridge, so 
 near each other as to render it still doubtful w r hich 
 was to conquer, and the exciting strife came more 
 in view of the principal personages of the city. 
 
 But here those radical qualities, which insure 
 success in efforts of this nature, manifested them 
 selves. The weaker began to yield, the train to 
 L2 
 
126 THE BRAVO- 
 
 lengthen, and hopes and fears to increase, until 
 those in the front presented the exhilarating specta 
 cle of success, while those behind offered the still 
 more noble sight of men struggling without hope. 
 Gradually the distances between the boats increased, 
 while that between them and the goal grew rapidly 
 less, until three of those in advance came in, like 
 glancing arrow r s, beneath the stern of the Bucen- 
 taur, with scarce a length between them. The 
 prize was won, the conquerors were rewarded, and 
 the artillery gave forth the usual signals of rejoicing. 
 Music answered to the roar of cannon and the peals 
 of bells, while sympathy with success, that predom 
 inant and so often dangerous principle of our nature, 
 drew shouts even from the disappointed. 
 
 The clamor ceased, and a herald proclaimed 
 aloud the commencement of a new and a different 
 struggle. The last, and what might be termed the 
 national race, had been limited, by an ancient 
 usage, to the known and recognized gondoliers of 
 Venice. The prize had been awarded by the state, 
 and the whole affair had somewhat of an official 
 and political character. It \vas now announced, 
 however, that a race was to be run, in which the 
 reward was open to all competitors, without ques 
 tion as to their origin, or as to their ordinary occu 
 pations. An oar of gold, to w r hich was attached a 
 chain of the same precious metal, was exhibited as 
 the boon of the doge to him who showed most dex 
 terity and strength in this new struggle ; while a 
 similar ornament of silver was to be the portion of 
 him, who showed the second-best dexterity and bot 
 tom. A mimic boat, of less precious metal, was 
 the third prize. The gondolas were to be the usual 
 light vehicles of the canals, and as the object was 
 to display the peculiar skill of that city of islands, 
 but one oarsman was allowed to each, on whom 
 would necessarily fall the whole duty of guiding. 
 
THE BRAVO. 127 
 
 while he impelled his little bark. Any of those who 
 had been engaged in the previous trial were admit 
 ted to this ; and all desirous of taking part in the 
 new struggle were commanded to come beneath the 
 stern of the Bucentaur, within a prescribed number 
 of minutes, that note might be had of their wishes. 
 As notice of this arrangement had been previously 
 given, the interval between the two races was not 
 long. 
 
 The first who came out of the crowd of boats, 
 which environed the vacant place that had been left 
 for the competitors, was a gondolier of the public 
 landing, well known for his skill with the oar, and 
 his song on the canal. 
 
 " How art thou called, and in whose name dost 
 thou put thy chance?" demanded the herald of this 
 aquatic course. 
 
 " All know me for Bartolomeo, one who lives be 
 tween the Piazzetta and the Lido, and, like a loyal 
 Venetian, I trust in San Teodoro." 
 
 "Thou art well protected; take thy place, and 
 await thy fortune." 
 
 The conscious waterman swept the \vater with a 
 back stroke of his blade, and the light gondola 
 whirled away into the centre of the vacant spot, like 
 a swan giving a sudden glance aside. 
 
 "And who art thou?" demanded the official of 
 the next that came. 
 
 " Enrico, a gondolier of Fusina. I come to try 
 my oar with the braggarts of the canals." 
 
 " In whom is thy trust?" 
 
 " Sant* Antonio di Padua." 
 
 " Thou wilt need his aid, though w r e commend 
 thy spirit. Enter, and take place." " And who art 
 thou?" he continued, to another, when the second 
 had imitated the easy skill of the first. 
 
 " I am called Gino of Calabria, a gondolier in 
 private service." 
 
128 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " What noble retaineth thee ?" ji, 
 
 " The illustrious and most excellent Don Camillo 
 Monforte, Duca and Lord of Sant Agata in Napoli, - * 
 and of right a senator in Venice." 
 
 " Thou should st have come of Padua, friend, by. * 
 thy knowledge of the laws ! Dost thou trust in himV 
 thou servest for the victory?" :> 
 
 There was a movement among the senators at * 
 the answer of Gino ; raid the half-terrified varlet 
 thought he perceived frowns gathering on more 
 than one brow. He looked around in quest of hiln 
 whose greatness he had vaunted, as if he sought 
 succor. 
 
 " Wilt thou name thy support in this great trial 
 of force ?" resumed the herald. 
 
 "My master," uttered the terrified Gino, "St. 
 Januarius, and St. Mark." 
 
 " Thou art well defended. Should the two latter 
 fail thee, thou mayest surely count on the first!" 
 
 " Signer Monforte has an illustrious name, <and 
 he is welcome to our Venetian sports," observed the 
 doge, slightly bending his head towards the young 
 Calabrian noble, who stood at no great distance, in 
 a gondola" of state, regarding the scene with a deep 
 ly-interested countenance. This cautious interrup 
 tion of the pleasantries of the official was acknow 
 ledged by a low reverence, and the matter pro 
 ceeded. 
 
 " Take thy station, Gino of Calabria, and a happy 
 fortune be thine," said the latter ; then turning to 
 another, he asked in surprise "Why art thou 
 here?" 
 
 " I come to try my gondola s swiftness." 
 
 " Thou art old, and unequal to this struggle ; hus 
 band thy strength for daily toil. An ill-advised am 
 bition hath put thee on this useless trial." 
 
 The new aspirant had forced a common fisher 
 man s gondola, of no bad shape, and of sufficient 
 
THE BRAVO. V 129 
 
 lightness, but which bore about it all the vulgar 
 signs of its daily uses, beneath the gallery of the 
 Bucentaur. He received the reproof meekly, and 
 was about to turn his boat aside, though with a sor 
 rowing and mortified eye, when a sign from the 
 doge arrested his arm. 
 
 " Question him, as of wont," said the prince. 
 
 " How art thou named ?" continued the reluctant 
 official, who, like all of subordinate condition, had 
 far more jealousy of the dignity of the sports he di 
 rected, than his superior. 
 
 " I am known as Antonio, a fisherman of the La- 
 gunes." 
 
 "Thou art old!" 
 
 " Signore, none know it better than I. It is sixty 
 summers since I first threw net, or line, into the 
 water." 
 
 " Nor art thou clad, as befitteth one who cometh 
 before the state of Venice, in a regatta." 
 
 " I am here in the best that I have. Let them, 
 who would do the nobles greater honor, come in 
 better." 
 
 " Thy limbs are uncovered thy bosom bare thy 
 sinews feeble go to ; thou art ill advised to inter 
 rupt the pleasures of the nobles, by this levity." 
 
 Again Antonio would have shrunk from the ten 
 thousand eyes that shone upon him, when the calm 
 voice of the doge once more came to his aid. 
 
 " The struggle is open to all," said the sovereign ; 
 " still I would advise the poor and aged man to take 
 counsel ; give him silver, for want urges him to this 
 hopeless trial." 
 
 " Thou hearest ; alms are offered thee ; but give 
 place to those who are stronger, and more seemly, 
 for the sport." 
 
 " I will obey, as is the duty of one born and ac 
 customed to poverty. They said the race was open 
 
130 THE BRAVO. 
 
 to all, and I crave the pardon of the nobles, since I 
 meant to do them no dishonor." 
 
 " Justice in the palace, and justice on the canals," 
 hastily observed the prince. " If he will continue, 
 it is his right. It is the pride of St. Mark that his 
 balances are held with an even hand." 
 
 A murmur of applause succeeded the specious 
 sentiment j for the powerful rarely affect the noble 
 attribute of justice, however limited may be its ex 
 ercise, without their words finding an echo in the 
 tongues of the selfish. 
 
 " Thou hearest His Highness, who is the voice 
 of a mighty state, says thou mayest remain; 
 though thou art still advised to withdraw." 
 
 " I will then see what virtue is left in this naked 
 arm," returned Antonio, casting a mournful glance, 
 and one that was not entirely free from the latent 
 vanity of man, at his meagre and threadbare attire, 
 " The limb hath its scars, but the infidels may have 
 spared enough, for the little I ask." 
 
 " In whom is thy faith ?" 
 
 "Blessed St. Anthony, of the Miraculous 
 Draught." 
 
 " Take thy place. Ha ! here cometh one unwill 
 ing to be known ! How now ! who appears with so 
 false a face?" 
 
 " Call me, Mask." 
 
 " So neat and just a leg and arm, need not have 
 hid their fellow, the countenance. Is it Your High- 
 ness s pleasure that one disguised should be entered 
 for the sports?" 
 
 " Doubt it not. A mask is sacred in Venice. It 
 is the glory of our excellent and wise laws, that he 
 who seeketh to dwell within the privacy of his own 
 thoughts, and to keep aloof from curiosity by shad 
 owing his features, rangeth our streets and canals, 
 as if he dwelt in the security of his own abode. 
 Such are the high privileges of liberty, and such it 
 
THE BRAVO. 131 
 
 is to be a citizen of a generous, a magnanimous, 
 and a free state ! " 
 
 A thousand bowed in approbation of the senti 
 ment, and & rumor passed, from mouth to mouth, 
 that a young noble was about to try his strength, 
 in the regatta, in compliment to some wayward 
 beauty. 
 
 " Such is justice !" exclaimed the herald, in a loud 
 voice, admiration apparently overcoming respect, in 
 the ardor of the moment. "Happy is he that is 
 born in Venice, and envied are the people in whose 
 councils, wisdom and mercy preside, like lovely and 
 benignant sisters ! On whom dost thou rely I " 
 
 " Mine own arm." 
 
 " Ha ! This is impious ! None so presuming may 
 enter into these privileged sports." 
 
 The hurried exclamation of the herald was ac 
 companied by a general stir, such as denotes sudden 
 and strong emotion in a multitude. 
 
 " The children of the republic are protected by an 
 even hand," observed the venerable prince. " It 
 formeth our just pride, and blessed St. Mark forbid 
 that aught resembling vain-glory should be uttered! 
 but it is truly our boast that we know no difference 
 between our subjects of the islands, or those of the 
 Dalmatian coast ; between Padua, or Candia ; Corfu, 
 or St. Giorgio. Still it is not permitted for any to 
 refuse the intervention of the saints." 
 , " Name thy patron, or quit the place," continued 
 the observant herald, anew. 
 
 The stranger paused, as if he looked into his 
 mind, and then he answered 
 
 " San Giovanni of the Wilderness." 
 
 " Thou namest one of blessed memory!" 
 
 " I name him who may have pity on me, in this 
 living desert." 
 
 " The temper of thy soul is best known to thyself, 
 but this reverend rank of patricians, yonder brilliant 
 
132 THE BRAVO. 
 
 show of beauty, and that goodly multitude, may 
 claim another name. Take thy place." 
 
 While the herald proceeded to take the names of 
 three or four more applicants, all gondoliers in pri 
 vate service, a murmur ran through the spectators, 
 which proved how much their interest and curiosity 
 had been awakened, by the replies and appearance 
 of the two last competitors. In the mean time, the 
 young nobles who entertained those who came last, 
 began to move among the throng of boats, with the 
 intention of making such manifestations of their 
 gallant desires, and personal devotion, as suited the 
 customs and opinions of the age. The list was now 
 proclaimed to be full, and the gondolas were towed 
 off, as before, towards the starting point, leaving the 
 place, beneaLh the stern of the Bucentaur, vacant. 
 The scene that followed, consequently passed direct 
 ly before the eyes of those grave men, who charged 
 themselves with most of the private interests, as 
 well as with the public concerns of Venice. 
 
 There were many unmasked and high-born dames, 
 whirling about in their boats, attended by cavaliers 
 in rich attire, and, here and there, appeared a pair 
 of dark lustrous eyes, peeping through the silk of a 
 visor, that concealed some countenance too youthful 
 for exposure, in so gay a scene. One gondola, in 
 particular, was remarked for the singular grace and 
 beauty of the form it held, qualities which made 
 themselves apparent, even through the half-disguise 
 of the simple habiliments she wore. The boat, the 
 servants, and the ladies, for there were two, were 
 alike distinguished for that air of severe but finished 
 simplicity, which oftener denotes the presence of 
 high quality and true taste, than a more lavish ex 
 penditure of vulgar ornament. A Carmelite, whose 
 features were concealed by his cowl, testified that 
 their condition was high, and lent a dignity to their 
 presence, by his reverend and grave protection. A 
 
THE BRAVO. 133 
 
 hundred gondolas approached this party, and after 
 as many fruitless efforts to penetrate the disguises, 
 glided away, while whispers and interrogatories 
 passed from one to the other, to learn the name and 
 station of the youthful beauty. At length, a gay 
 bark, with watermen in gorgeous liveries, and in 
 whose equipment there was a studied display of 
 magnificence, came into the little circle that curiosi 
 ty had drawn together. The single cavalier, who 
 occupied the seat, arose, for few gondolas appeared 
 that day with their gloomy-looking and mysterious 
 pavilions, and saluted the masked females, with the 
 ease of one accustomed to all presences, but \vith 
 the reserve of deep respect. 
 
 " I have a favorite follower in this race," he said 
 gallantly, " and one in whose skill and force I put 
 ^reat trust. Until now, I have uselessly sought a 
 lady of a beauty and merit so rare, as to warrant 
 that I should place his fortune on her smiles. But 
 I seek no farther." 
 
 " You are gifted wdth a keen sight, Signore, that 
 you discover all you seek beneath these masks," re 
 turned one of the two females, while their compan 
 ion, the Carmelite, bowed graciously to the compli 
 ment, which seemed little more than was warranted 
 by the usage of such scenes. 
 
 " There are other means of recognition than the 
 eyes, and other sources of admiration than the 
 senses, lady. Conceal yourselves as you will, here do 
 I know that I am near the fairest face, the warmest 
 heart, and the purest mind of Venice ! " 
 
 " This is bold augury, Signore," returned she, who 
 was evidently the oldest of the two, glancing a look 
 at her companion, as if to note the effect of this 
 gallant speech. " Venice has a name for the beauty 
 of its dames, and the sun of Italy warms many a 
 generous heart." 
 
 " Better that such noble gifts should be directed 
 VOL. I. M 
 
134 THE BRAVO. 
 
 to the worship of the Creator than of the creature," 
 murmured the monk. 
 
 " Some there are, holy father, who have admira 
 tion for both. Such 1 would fain hope is the happy 
 lot of her who is favored with the spiritual counsel 
 of one so virtuous and wise as yourself. Here I 
 place my fortune, let what may follow; and here 
 would I gladly place a heavier stake, \vere it 
 permitted," 
 
 As the cavalier spoke, he tendered to the silent 
 fair a bouquet of the sweetest and most fragrant 
 flowers; and among them were those to which 
 ]>oets and custom have ascribed the emblematic 
 qualities of constancy and love. She, to w r hom this 
 offering of gallantry w r as made, hesitated to accept 
 it. It much exceeded the reserve imposed on one 
 of her station and years, to allow of such homage 
 from the other sex, though the occasion was gene 
 rally deemed one that admitted of more than usual 
 gallantry ; and sjie evidently shrunk, with the sensi 
 tiveness of one whose feelings were unpractised, 
 from an homage so public. 
 
 " Receive the flowers, my love," mildly whispered 
 her companion ; " the cavalier who offers them sim 
 ply intends to show the quality of his breeding." 
 
 " That will be seen in the end," hastily returned 
 Don Camillo for it was he. " Signore, adieu ; we 
 have met on this water when there was less re 
 straint between us." 
 
 He bo\ved, and signing to his gondolier, was 
 quickly lost in the crowd of boats. Ere the barks, 
 however, were separated, the mask of the silent 
 fair was slightly moved, as if she sought relief from 
 the air; and the Neapolitan was rewarded for his 
 gallantry, by a momentary glance at the glowing 
 countenance of Violetta. 
 
 "Thy guardian hath a displeased eye," hurriedly 
 
THE BRAVO. 135 
 
 observed Donna Florinda. "I wonder that we 
 should be known ! " 
 
 "I should more wonder that we were not.. I 
 could recall the noble Neapolitan cavalier amid a 
 million 1 Thou dost not remember all that 1 owe 
 to him!" 
 
 Donna Florinda did not answer ; but, in secret, 
 she offered up a fervent prayer that the obligation 
 might be blessed to the future happiness of her who 
 had received it. There was a furtive and uneasy 
 glance between her and the Carmelite; but, a.s 
 neither spoke, a long and thoughtful silence succeed 
 ed the rencontre. 
 
 From this musing, the party, in common with all 
 the gay and laughing multitude by which they were 
 surrounded, were reminded of the business on 
 which they were assembled by the signal-gun, the 
 agitation on the great canal nearest the scene of 
 strife, and a clear blast of the trumpets. But in or 
 der that the narrative may proceed regularly, it is 
 fit that w r e should return, a little, in the order of 
 time. 
 
 CHAPTER IX- 
 
 Here art them in appointment fresh and fair, 
 Anticipating time with starting courage. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 IT has been seen that the gondolas, which were 
 to contend in the race, had been towed towards the 
 place of starting, in order that the men might enter 
 on the struggle with undiminished vigor. In this 
 precaution, even the humble and half-clad fisherman 
 had not been neglected, but his boat, like the others, 
 was attached to the larger barges to which this duty 
 
136 THE BRAVO. 
 
 had been assigned. Still, as he passed along the 
 canal, before the crowded balconies and groaning 
 vessels which lined its sides, there arose that scorn 
 ful and deriding laugh, which seems ever to grow 
 more strong and bold, as misfortune weighs most 
 heavily on its subject. 
 
 The old man was not unconscious of the remarks 
 of which he was the subject ; and, as it is rare in 
 deed that our sensibilities do not survive our better 
 fortunes, even he was so far conscious of a fall as 
 not to be callous to contempt thus openly expressed. 
 He looked wistfully on every side of him, and seem 
 ed to search, in every eye he encountered, some 
 portion of the sympathy which his meek and hum 
 ble feelings still craved. But even the men of his 
 caste and profession threw jibes upon his ear ; and, 
 though of all the competitors perhaps the one whose 
 motive most hallowed his ambition, he was held to 
 be the only proper subject of mirth. For the solu 
 tion of this revolting trait of human character, we 
 are not to look to Venice and her institutions, since 
 it is known that none are so arrogant, on occasions, 
 as the ridden, and that the abject and insolent spirits 
 are usually tenants of the same bosom. 
 
 The movement of the boats brought those of the 
 masked waterman and the subject of these taunts 
 side by side. 
 
 " Thou art not the favorite in this strife," observed 
 the former, when a fresh burst of jibes were show 
 ered on the head of his unresisting associate. " Thou 
 hast not been sufficiently heedful of thy attire; for 
 this is a town of luxury, and he who would meet 
 .applause must appear on the canals in the guise of 
 one less borne upon by fortune." 
 
 " I know them ! I know them ! " returned the fish 
 erman ; " they are led away by their pride, and they 
 think ill of one who cannot share in their vanities. 
 But, friend unknown. I have brought with me a face 
 
THE BRAVO. 137 
 
 which, old though it be, and wrinkled, and worn by 
 the weather like the stones of the sea-shore, is un 
 covered to the eye, and without shame." 
 
 " There may be reasons which thou knowest not, 
 why I wear a mask. But if my face be hid, the 
 limbs are bare, and thou seest there is no lack of 
 sinews to make good that which I have undertaken. 
 Thou should st have thought better of the matter, 
 ere thou puttest thyself in the way of so much mor 
 tification. Defeat will not cause the people to treat 
 thee more tenderly." 
 
 "If my sinews are old arid stiffened, Signor 
 Mask, they are long used to toil. As to" shame, if it 
 is a shame to be below the rest of mankind in for 
 tune, it will not now come for the first time. A 
 heavy sorrow hath befallen me, and this race may 
 lighten the burthen of grief. I shall not pretend that 
 I hear this laughter, and all these scornful speeches 
 as one listens to the evening breeze on the Lagunes 
 for a man is still a man, though he lives with 
 the humblest, and eats of the coarsest. But let it 
 pass ; Sant Antonio will give me heart to bear it." 
 
 " Thou hast a stout mind, fisherman ; and I would 
 gladly pray my patron to grant thee a stronger arm, 
 but that I have much need of this victory* myself. 
 Wilt thou be content with the second prizf , if, by 
 any manner of skill, I might aid thee in thy efforts { 
 for, I suppose, the metal of the third is as little to 
 thy taste as it is to my own." 
 
 " Nay, I count not on gold, or silver." 
 
 " Can the honor of such a struggle awaken the 
 pride of one like thee 1 " 
 
 The old man looked earnestly at his companion ; 
 but he shook his head, without answer, Fresh mer 
 riment, at his expense, caused him to bend his face 
 towards the scoffers; and he perceived they were, 
 just then, passing a numerous group of his fellows 
 of the Lagunes, who seemed to feel that his unjusti-r 
 M2 
 
138 THE BRAVO. 
 
 fiable* ambition reflected, in some degree, or: the 
 honor of their whole body. 
 
 "How now, old Antonio!" shouted the boldest 
 of the band " is it not enough that thou hast won 
 the honors of the net, but thou would st have a 
 golden oar at thy neck?" 
 
 "We shall yet see him of the senate!" cried a 
 second. 
 
 " He standeth in need of the horned bonnet for 
 his naked head," continued a third. " We shall see 
 the brave Admiral Antonio, sailing in the Bucentaur, 
 with the nobles of the land !" 
 
 Their sallies were succeeded by coarse laughter. 
 Even the fair, in the balconies, were not uninfluenced 
 by these constant jibes, and the apparent discrepan 
 cy between the condition and the means of so unu 
 sual a pretender to the honors of the regatta. The 
 purpose of the old man wavered ; but he seemed 
 goaded by $ome inward incentive that still enabled 
 him to maintain his ground. His companion closely 
 watched the varying expression of a countenance 
 that was far too little trained in deception to con 
 ceal the feelings within; and, as they approached 
 the j^ojppf starting, he again spoke. 
 
 " i hou mnyesi yet withdraw," he said; "why 
 sh(9]jfWbne of thy years make the little time he has 
 to si ay bitter, by bearing the ridicule of his asso- 
 ci&tes for the rest of his life?" 
 
 P St. Anthony did a greater wonder, when he 
 caused the fishes to come upon the waters to hear 
 his preaching, and I will not show a cowardly 
 heart, at a moment when there is most need of reso- 
 Wlon? 
 
 The masked waterman crossed himself devoutly ; 
 and, relinquishing all further design to persuade the 
 other to abandon the fruitless contest, he gave all his 
 thoughts to his own interest in the coming struggle. 
 *"The narrowness of most of the canals of Venice, 
 
THE BRAVO. 139 
 
 with the innumerable angles and the constant pass 
 ing, have given rise to a fashion of construction and 
 of rowing that are so peculiar to that city and its 
 immediate dependencies as to require some explana 
 tion. The reader has doubtless already understood 
 that a gondola is a long, narrow, and light boat, 
 adapted to the uses of the place, and distinct from 
 the wherries of all other towns. The distance be 
 tween the dwellings, on: most of the canals, is so 
 small, that the width of the latter does not admit of 
 the use of oars on both sides at the same time. The 
 necessity of constantly turning aside to give room 
 for others, and the frequency of the bridges and the 
 corners, have suggested the expediency of placing 
 the face of the waterman in the direction in which 
 the boat is steering, and, of course, of keeping him on 
 his feet. As every gondola, when fully equipped, 
 has its pavilion in the centre, the height of the latter 
 renders it necessary to place him who, steers on 
 such an elevation, as wiil^enablo him to overlook it. 
 From these several -causes, a one-oared boat, in 
 Venice, is propelled by a gondolier who" stands on a 
 little angulaivieck in. its stern- formed like the low 
 roof of a h ous e ; TtricT the stroke of tne oar is given 
 by a push, instead of a pull, as is. common elsewhere. 
 This habit of ro*vfling erect, however, which is usu 
 ally done by a forward, instead of a backward, 
 movement of the body, is not unfrequent in all the 
 ports of the Mediterranean, though in no other is 
 there a boat which resembles the gondola in all its 
 properties, or uses. The upright position of the 
 gondolier requires that the pivot on which the oar 
 rest? should have a corresponding elevation ; and 
 there is, consequently, a species of bumkin, raised 
 from the side of the boat, to the desired height, and 
 which, being formed of a crooked and very irregu 
 lar knee of wood, has two or three row-locks, one 
 above the other, to suit the stature of different indi- 
 
 
140 THE BRAVO. 
 
 viduals, or to give a broader or a narrower sweep 
 of the blade as the movement shall require. As 
 there is frequent occasion to cast the oar from one 
 of these row-locks to the other, and not unfcequent- 
 ly to change its side, it rests in a very open bed ; 
 and the instrument is kept in its place by great dex 
 terity alone, and by a perfect knowledge of the 
 means of accommodating the for* and the rapidi 
 ty of the effort to the forward movement of the 
 boat and the resistance of the water. All these 
 difficulties united, render skill in a gondolier one of 
 the most delicate branches of a waterman s art, as 
 it is clear that muscular strength alone, though of 
 great aid, can avail but little in such a practice. 
 
 The great canal of Venice, following its wind 
 ings, being more than a league in length*, the distance 
 in the present race was reduced nearly half, by 
 causing the boats to start from the Rialto. At this 
 point, then, the gondolas were all assembled, attend 
 ed by those^wto were to vd| e them. As the whole 
 of the population which, before, had been extended 
 along the entire course of the water, was now 
 crowded between the bridge and the Bucentaur, the 
 long and graceful avenue resembled a vista of hu 
 man heads. It was an imposing sight to look along 
 that bright and living lane, and the hearts of each 
 competitor beat high, as hope, or pride, or appre 
 hension, became the feeling of the moment. 
 
 " Girio of Calabria," cried the marshal who placed 
 the gondolas, " thy station is on the right. Take it, 
 and St. Januarius speed thee !" 
 
 The servitor of Don Camillo assumed his oar, and 
 the boat glided gracefully into its berth. 
 
 " Thou contest next, Enrico of Fusina. Call 
 stoutly on thy Paduan patron, and husband thy 
 strength ; for none of the main have ever yet borne 
 away a prize in Venice." 
 
 He then summoned, in succession, those whose 
 
THE BRAVO. 141 
 
 names have not been mentioned, and placed them, 
 side by side, in the centre of the canal. 
 
 " Here is place for thee, Signore," continued the 
 officer, inclining his head to the unknown gondolier ; 
 for he had imbibed the general impression that the 
 face of some -young patrician was concealed beneath 
 the mask, to humor the fancy of some capricious 
 fair. " Chance hath given thee the extreme left." 
 
 " Thou hast forgotten to call the fisherman," ob 
 served the masker, as he drove his own gondola 
 into its station. 
 
 "Does the hoary fool persist in exposing his vanity 
 and his rags to the best of Venice?" 
 
 " I can take place in the rear," meekly observed 
 Antonio. " There may be those in the line it doth 
 not become one like me to crowd ; and a few strokes 
 of the oar, more or less, can differ but little, in so 
 long a strife." 
 
 " Thou hadst better push modesty to discretion, 
 and remain." 
 
 " If it be your pleasure, Signore, I would rather 
 see what St. Anthony may do for an old fisherman, 
 who lias prayed to him, night and morning, these 
 sixty years?" 
 
 "L, is thy right; and, as thou seemest content 
 with it, keep the place thou hast in the rear. It is 
 only occupying it a little earlier than thou \vould st 
 otherwise. Now, recall the rules of the games, hardy 
 gondoliers, and make thy last appeal to thy patrons. 
 There is to be no crossing, or other foul expedients ; 
 naught except ready oars, and nimble wrists. He 
 who varies, needlessly, from his line until he leadeth, 
 shall be recalled by name ; and whoever is guilty of 
 any act to spoil the sports, or otherwise to oflbnd 
 the patricians, shall be both checked and punished. 
 Be ready for the signal." 
 
 , The assistant, who was in a strongly manned 
 boat, fell back a little, while runners, similarly 
 
142 THE BRAVO. 
 
 equipped, went ahead to order the curious from the 
 water. These preparations were scarcely made, 
 when a signal floated on the nearest dome. It was 
 repeated on the campanile, and a gun w r as fired at 
 the arsenal. A deep but suppressed murmur arose 
 in the throng, which was as quickly succeeded by 
 suspense. 
 
 Each gondolier had suffered the bow r s of his boat 
 to incline slightly toward the left shore of the canal, 
 as the jockey is seen, at the starting-post, to turn his 
 courser aside, in order to repress its ardor, or divert 
 its attention. But the first long and broad sweep 
 of the oar brought them all in a line again, and away 
 they glided in a body. 
 
 For the first few minutes there was no difference 
 in speed, nor any sign by which the instructed might 
 detect the probable evidence of defeat or success. 
 The whole ten, which formed the front line, skimmed 
 the water with an equal velocity, beak to beak, as if 
 some secret attraction held each in its place, while 
 the humble, though equally light bark of the fisher 
 man steadily kept its position in the rear. 
 
 The boats were soon held in command. The 
 oars got their justest poise and widest sweep, and 
 the wrists of the men accustomed to their play. 
 The line began to waver. It undulated, the glitter 
 ing prow of one protruding beyond the others ; and 
 then it changed its form. Enrico of Fusina shot 
 ahead, and, privileged by success, he insensibly 
 sheered more into the centre of the canal, avoiding, 
 by the change, the eddies, and the other obstructions 
 o f the shore. This mari &uvre which, in the lan 
 guage of the course, would have been called "taking 
 the track," had the additional advantage of throwing 
 upon those who followed some trifling impediment 
 from the back-water. The sturdy and practised 
 Bartolomeo of the Lido, as his companions usually 
 called him, came next, occupying the space on his 
 
THE BRAVO. 143 
 
 leader s quarter, where he suffered least from the 
 reaction caused by the stroke of his oar. The 
 gondolier of Don Camillo, also, soon shot out of the 
 crowd, and was seen plying his arms vigorously still 
 farther to the right, and a little in the rear of Bar- 
 tolomeo. Then came, in the centre of the canal, 
 and near as might be in the rear of the triumphant 
 waterman of the main, a dense body, with little order 
 and varying positions, compelling each other to give 
 way, and otherwise increasing the difficulties of 
 their struggle. More to the left, and so near to the 
 palaces as barely to allow room for the sweep of 
 his oar, was the masked competitor, whose progress 
 seemed retarded by some unseen cause, for he 
 gradually fell behind all the others, until several 
 boats lengths of open water lay between him and 
 even the group of his nameless opponents. Still he 
 plied his arms steadily, and with sufficient skill. 
 As the interest of mystery had been excited in his 
 favor, a rumor passed up the canal, that the young 
 cavalier had been little favored by fortune in the 
 choice of a boat. Others, who reflected more 
 deeply on causes, whispered of the folly of one of 
 his habits, taking the risK of mortification by a com 
 petition with men whose daily labor had hardened 
 their sinews, and whose practice enabled them to 
 judge closely of every chance of the race. But 
 when the eyes of the multitude turned from the 
 cluster of passing boats to the solitary barge of the 
 fisherman, who came singly on in the rear, admira 
 tion was again turned to derision. 
 
 Antonio had cast aside the cap he wore of wont, 
 and the few straggling hairs that were left streamed 
 about his hollow temples, leaving the whole of his 
 swarthy features exposed to view. More than once, 
 as the gondola came on, his eyes turned aside re 
 proachfully, as if he keenly felt the stings of so many 
 unlicensed tongues applied to feelings which, though 
 
144 THE BRAVO. 
 
 blunted by his habits and condition, were far from 
 extinguished. Laugh rose above laugh, however, 
 and taunt succeeded taunt more bitterly, as the boats 
 came among the gorgeous palaces, which lined the 
 canal nearer to the goal. It was not that the owners 
 of these lordly piles indulged in the unfeeling triumph, 
 but. their dependants, constantly subject themselves 
 to the degrading influence of a superior presence, 
 let loose the Jong-pent torrents of their arrogance, 
 on the head of the first unresisting subject which 
 offered. 
 
 Antonio bore all these jibes manfully, if not in 
 tranquillity, and always without retort, until he again 
 approached the spot occupied by his companions of 
 the Lagunes. Here his eye sunk under the re 
 proaches, and his oar faltered. The taunts and 
 denunciations increased as he lost ground, and there 
 was a moment when the rebuked and humbled spirit 
 of the old man seemed about to relinquish the con 
 test. But dashing a hand across his brow, as if to 
 clear a sigfit which had become dimmed and con 
 fused, he continued to ply the oar, and, happily, he 
 was soon past the point most trying to his resolution. 
 From this moment the cries against the fisherman, 
 diminished, and as the Bucentaur, though still dis 
 tant, was now in sight, interest in the issue of the 
 race absorbed all other feelings. 
 
 Enrico still kept the lead ; but the judges of the 
 gondolier s skill began to detect signs of exhaustion 
 in his faltering stroke. The waterman of the Lido 
 pressed him hard, and the Calabrian was drawing 
 more into a line with them both. At this moment, 
 too, the masked competitor exhibited a force and 
 skill that none had expected to see in one of his 
 supposed rank. His body was thrown more upon 
 the effort of the oar, and as his leg was stretched 
 behind to aid the stroke, it discovered a volume of 
 muscle, and an excellence of proportion, that excit- 
 
THE BRAVO. 145 
 
 ed murmurs of applause. The consequence was 
 soon apparent. His gondola glided past the crowd, 
 in the centre of the canal, and by a change that was 
 nearly insensible, he became the fourth in the race. 
 The shouts which rewarded his success had scarcely 
 parted from the multitude, ere their admiration was 
 called to a new and an entirely unexpected aspect 
 in the struggle. 
 
 Left to his own exertions, and less annoyed by 
 that derision and contempt which often defeat even 
 more generous exertions, Antonio had drawn nearer 
 to the crowd of nameless competitors. Though 
 undistinguished in this narrative, there were seen, in 
 that group of gondoliers, faces well known on the 
 canals of Venice, as belonging to watermen, in 
 whose dexterity and force the city took pride. 
 Either favored by his isolated position, or availing 
 himself of the embarrassment these men gave to 
 each other, the despised fisherman was seen a little 
 on their left, coming up abreast, with a stroke and 
 velocity that promised farther success. The expec 
 tation was quickly realized. He passed them all, 
 amid a dead and wondering silence, and took his 
 station, as fifth in the struggle. 
 
 From this moment all interest in those who form 
 ed the vulgar mass was lost. Every eye was turned 
 towards the front, where the strife increased at each 
 stroke of the oar, and where the issue began to 
 assume a new and doubtful character. The exer 
 tions of the waterman of Fusina were seemingly 
 redoubled, though his boat went no faster. The 
 gondola of Bartolomeo shot past him ; it was follow 
 ed by those of Gino and the masked gondolier, while 
 not a cry betrayed the breathless interest of the 
 multitude. But, when the boat of Antonio also 
 swept ahead, there arose such a hum of voices as 
 escapes a throng, when a sudden and violent change 
 of feeling is produced in their wayward sentiments. 
 
 VOL. L N 
 
146 Tin: BRAVO. 
 
 Enrico was frantic with the disgrace. He urged 
 every power of his frame to avert the dishonor, 
 with the desperate energy of an Italian, and then he 
 cast himself into the bottom of the gondola, tearing 
 his hair and weeping, in agony. His example was 
 followed by those in the rear, though with more 
 governed feelings, for they shot aside among the 
 boats which, lined the canal, and were lost to view. 
 
 From this open and unexpected abandonment of 
 the struggle, the spectators got the surest evidence 
 of its desperate character. But as a man has little 
 sympathy for the unfortunate, when his feelings are 
 excited by competition, the defeated were quickly 
 forgotten. The name of Bartolomeo was borne 
 high upon the winds, by a thousand voices, and his 
 fellows of the Piazzetta and the Lido called upon 
 him, aloud, to die for the honor of their craft. Well 
 did the sturdy gondolier answer to their wishes, for 
 palace after palace was left behind, and no further 
 change was made in the relative positions of the 
 boats. But, like his predecessor, the leader re 
 doubled his efforts, with a diminished effect, and 
 Venice had the mortification of seeing a stranger 
 leading one of the most brilliant of her regattas. 
 Bartolomeo no sooner lost place, than Gino, the 
 masker, and the despised Antonio, in turn, shot by, 
 leaving him who had so lately been first in the race, 
 the last. He did not, however, relinquish the strife, 
 but continued to struggle with the energy of one 
 who merited a better fortune. 
 
 When this unexpected arid entirely new character 
 was given to the contest, there still remained a broad 
 sheet of water, between the advancing gondolas 
 and the goal. Gino led, and with many favorable 
 symptoms of his being able to maintain his advan 
 tage. He was encouraged by the shouts of the 
 multitude, who now forgot his Calabrian origin, in 
 his success, while many of the serving-men of his 
 
TIIE BRAVO. 147 
 
 master, cheered him on, by name. All would not do. 
 The masked waterman, for the first time, threw the 
 grandeur of his skill and force into the oar. The 
 ashen instrument bent to the power of an arm, whose 
 strength appeared to increase at will, and the move 
 ments of his body became rapid as the leaps of the 
 grayhomfd. The pliant gondola obeyed, and amid 
 a shout which passed from the Piazzetta to the 
 Rialto, it glided ahead. 
 
 If success gives force and increases the physical 
 and moral energies, there is a fearful and certain 
 reaction in defeat. The follower of Don Camillo 
 w^is no exception to the general law, and when the 
 masked competitor passed him, the boat of Antonio 
 followed as if it were impelled by the same strokes. 
 The distance between the two leading gondolas 
 $ven now seemed to lessen, and there was a moment 
 of breathless interest, when all there expected to see 
 the fisherman, in despite of his years and boat, 
 shooting past his rival. 
 
 But expectation was deceived. He of the mask, 
 notwithstanding his previous efforts, seemed to sport 
 with the toil, so ready was the sweep of his oar, so 
 sure its stroke, and so vigorous the arm by which it 
 was impelled. Nor was Antonio an antagonist to 
 despise. If there was less of the grace of a prac 
 tised gondolier of the canals in his attitudes, than in 
 those of his companion, there was no relaxation in 
 the force of his sinews. They sustained him to the 
 last, with that enduring power which had been be 
 gotten by threescore years of unremitting labor, and 
 while his still athletic form was exerted to the utmost, 
 there appeared no failing of its energies. 
 
 A few moments sent the leading gondolas several 
 lengths ahead of their nearest followers. The dark 
 beak of the fisherman s boat hung upon the quarter 
 of the more showy bark of his antagonist, but it 
 could do no more. The port was open before them, 
 
148 THE BRAVO. 
 
 and they glanced by church, palace, barge, mystick, 
 and felucca, without the slightest inequality in their 
 relative speed. The masked waterman glanced a 
 look behind, as if to calculate his advantage, and 
 then bending again to his pliant oar, he spoke, loud 
 enough to be heard only by him who pressed so 
 hard upon his track. 
 
 "Thou hast deceived me, fisherman!" he said; 
 ; there is more of manhood in thee, yet, than I had 
 thought." 
 
 " If there is manhood in my arms, there is child 
 ishness and sorrow at the heart;" was the reply. 
 
 " Dost thou so prize a golden bauble ? Thou art 
 second ; be content with thy lot." 
 
 " It will not do ; I must be foremost, or I have 
 wearied my old limbs in vain !" 
 
 This brief dialogue was uttered, with an ease that 
 showed how far use had accustomed both to pow 
 erful bodily efforts, and with a firmness of tones, 
 that few could have equalled, in a moment of so 
 great physical effort. The masker was silent, but 
 his purpose seemed to waver. Twenty strokes of 
 his powerful oar-blade, arid the goal was attained: 
 but his sinews w r ere not so much extended, and that 
 limb, which had shown so fine a development of 
 muscle, was less swollen and rigid. The gondola 
 of old Antonio glided abeam. 
 
 " Push thy soul into the blade," muttered he of 
 the mask, " or thou wilt yet be beaten !" 
 
 The fisherman threw every effort of his body on 
 the coming effort, and he gained a fathom. Another 
 stroke caused the boat to quiver to its centre, and 
 the water curled from its bows, like the ripple of a 
 rapid. Then the gondola darted between the two 
 goal-barges, and the little flags that marked the 
 point of victory fell into the water. The action 
 was scarce noted, ere the glittering beak of the 
 masquer shot past the eyes of the judges, \vho. 
 
THE BRAVO. 140 
 
 doubted, for an instant, on whom success had fallen. 
 Gino was not long behind, and after him came Bar- 
 tolomeo, fourth and last, in the best-contested race 
 which had ever been seen on the waters of Venice. 
 
 When the flags fell, men held their breaths in 
 suspense. Few knew the victor, so close had been 
 the struggle. But a flourish of the trumpets soon 
 commanded attention, and then a herald proclaim 
 ed, that 
 
 " Antonio, a fisherman of the Lagunes, favored 
 by his holy patron of the Miraculous Draught, had 
 borne aw r ay the prize of gold while a w r aterman, 
 who wore his face concealed, but who hath trusted 
 to the care of the blessed San Giovanni of the Wil 
 derness, is worthy of the silver prize, and that the 
 third had fallen to the fortunes of Gino of Calabria, 
 a servitor of the illustrious Don Camillo Monforte, 
 Duca di Sant Agata, and lord of many Neapolitan 
 Seignories." 
 
 When this formal announcement was made, there 
 succeeded a silence like that of the tomb. Then 
 there arose a general shout among the living mass, 
 w r hich bore on high the name of Antonio, as if they 
 celebrated the success of some conqueror. All 
 feeling of contempt was lost in the influence of his 
 triumph. The fishermen of the Lagunes, who so 
 lately had loaded their aged companion with con 
 tumely, shouted for his glory, with a zeal that mani 
 fested the violence of the transition from mortifica 
 tion to pride, and, as has ever been and ever will be 
 the meed of success, he who was thought least likely 
 to obtain it, was most greeted \vith praise and adu 
 lation, when it was found that the end had disap 
 pointed expectation. Ten thousand voices were 
 lifted, in proclaiming his skill and victory, and young 
 and old, the fair, the gay, the noble, the winner of 
 sequins and he who lost, struggled alike, to catch a 
 glimpse of the humble old man, who had so unex- 
 N 2 
 
150 THE BRAVO. 
 
 pectedly wrought this change of sentiment in the 
 ieelings of a multitude. 
 
 Antonio bore his triumph meekly. When his 
 gondola had reached the goal, he checked its course, 
 and, without discovering any of the usual signs of 
 exhaustion, he remained standing, though the deep 
 heaving of his broad and tawny chest, proved 
 that his powers had been taxed to their utmost. He 
 smiled as the shouts arose on his ear, for praise is 
 grateful, even to the meek ; still he seemed oppress 
 ed, with an emotion of a character deeper than 
 pride. Age had somewhat dimmed his eye, but it 
 was now full of hope. His features w r orked, and a 
 single burning drop fell on each rugged cheek. The 
 fisherman then breathed more freely. 
 
 Like his successful antagonist, the waterman of 
 the mask betrayed none of the debility which usual 
 ly succeeds great bodily exertion. His knees w^ere 
 motionless, his hands still grasped the oar firmly, 
 and he too kept his feet with a steadiness that sho\v- 
 ed the physical perfection of his frame. On the 
 other hand, both Gino and Bartolomeo sunk in their 
 respective boats, as they gained the goal, in succes 
 sion ; and so exhausted was each of these renown 
 ed gondoliers, that several moments elapsed before 
 either had breath for speech. It was during this 
 momentary pause that the multitude proclaimed its 
 sympathy wdth the victor, by their longest and 
 loudest shouts. The noise had scarcely died away, 
 however, before a herald summoned Antonio of the 
 Lagunes, the masked waterman of the Blessed St. 
 John of the Wilderness, and Gino the Calabrian, to 
 the presence of the doge, whose princely hand was 
 to bestow the promised prizes of the regatta. 
 
THE BRAVO. 151 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 We shall not spend a large expense of time, 
 Before we reckon with your several loves, 
 And make us even with you. 
 
 Macbeth. 
 
 WHEX the three gondolas reached the side of the 
 Bucentaur, the fisherman hung back, as if he dis 
 trusted his right to intrude himself into the presence 
 of the senate. He was, however, commanded to 
 ascend, and signs were made for his two compan 
 ions to follow. 
 
 The nobles, clad in their attire of office, formed 
 a long and imposing lane from the gangway to the 
 stern, where the titular sovereign of that still more 
 titular republic \vas placed, in the centre of the high 
 officers of the state, gorgeous and grave in borrow 
 ed guise and natural qualities. 
 
 " Approach," said the Prince, mildly, observing 
 that the old and half-naked man that led the victors 
 hesitated to advance. " Thou art the conqueror, 
 fisherman, and to thy hands must I consign the 
 prize." 
 
 Antonio bent his knee to the deck, and bowed his 
 head lowly ere he obeyed. Then taking courage, 
 he drew r nearer to the person of the doge, where he 
 stood with a bewildered eye and rebuked mien, 
 waiting the further pleasure of his superiors. The 
 aged prince paused for stillness to succeed the slight 
 movements created by curiosity. When he spoke, 
 it was amid a perfect calm. 
 
 " It is the boast of our glorious republic," he said, 
 " that the rights of none are disregarded ; that the 
 lowly receive their merited rewards as surely as the 
 great ; that St. Mark holds the balance with an even 
 
152 THE RAVO. 
 
 hand, and that this obscure fisherman, having de 
 served the honors of this regatta, will receive them 
 with the same readiness on the part of him who be 
 stows, as if he were the most favored follower of 
 our own house. Nobles and burghers of Venice, 
 learn to prize your excellent and equable laws in 
 this occasion, for it is most in acts of familiar and 
 common usage that the parental character of a 
 government is seen, since in matters of higher mo 
 ment, the eyes of a world impel a compliance with 
 its own opinions." 
 
 The doge delivered these preliminary remarks in 
 a firm tone, like one confident of his auditors ap 
 plause. He was not deceived. No sooner had he 
 done, than a murmur of approbation passed through 
 the assembly, and extended itself to thousands who 
 were beyond the sound of his voice, and to more 
 who were beyond the reach of his meaning. The 
 senators bent their heads in acknowledgment of the 
 justice of what their chief had uttered, and the lat 
 ter, having waited to gather these signs of an ap 
 proving loyalty, proceeded. 
 
 " It is my duty, Antonio, and, being a duty, it hath 
 become a pleasure, to place around thy neck this 
 golden chain. The oar which it bears is an emblem 
 of thy skill ; and among thy associates it will be a 
 mark of the republic s favor and impartiality, and 
 of thy merit. Take it, then, vigorous old man, for 
 though age hath thinned thy temples arid furrowed 
 thy cheek, it hath scarce affected thy wonderful 
 sinews and hardy courage ! " 
 
 "Highness!" observed Antonio, recoiling apace, 
 when he found that he was expected to stoop, in or 
 der that the bauble might be bestowed, " I am not fit 
 to bear about me such a sign of greatness and 
 good-fortune. The glitter of the gold would mock 
 my poverty, and a jewel, which comes from so 
 
THE BRAVO. 153 
 
 princely a hand, would be ill placed on a naked bo 
 som." 
 
 This unexpected refusal caused a general surprise, 
 and a momentary pause. 
 
 " Thou hast not entered on the struggle, fisher 
 man, without a view to its prize? But thou sayest 
 truly, the golden ornament would, indeed, but ill be 
 fit thy condition and daily wants. Wear it for the 
 moment, since it is meet that all should know the 
 justice and impartiality of our decisions, and bring 
 it to my treasurer when the sports are done ; he 
 will make such an exchange as better suits thy 
 wishes. There is precedent for this practice, and 
 it shall be followed." 
 
 " Illustrious Highness ! I did not trust my old 
 limbs in so hard a strife without hopes of a reward* 
 But it was not gold, nor any vanity to be seen 
 among my equals with that glittering jewel, that led 
 me to meet the scorn of the gondoliers, and the dis 
 pleasure of the great." 
 
 " Thou art deceived, honest fisherman, if thou 
 supposest that we regard thy just ambition with dis 
 pleasure. We love to see a generous emulation 
 among our people, and take all proper means to en 
 courage those aspiring spirits who bring honor to a 
 state, and fortune to our shores." 
 
 " I pretend not to place my poor thoughts against 
 those of my prince," answered the fisherman ; " my 
 fears and shame have led me to believe, that it would 
 give more pleasure to the noble and gay had a 
 younger and happier borne away this honor." 
 
 " Thou must not think this. Bend, then, thy 
 knee, that I may bestow the prize. When the sun 
 sets, thou wilt find those in my palace, who will 
 relieve thee of the ornament, at a just remunera 
 tion." 
 
 "Highness!" said Antonio, looking earnestly at 
 the doo;e, who asmin arrested his movement, in sur- 
 
154 THE BRAVO. 
 
 prise, " I am old, and little wont to be spoilt by for 
 tune. For my wants, the Lagunes, with the favor 
 of the Holy St. Anthony, are sufficient; but it is in 
 thy power to make the last days of an old man hap 
 py, arid to have thy name remembered in many an 
 honest and well-meant prayer. Grant me back my 
 child, forget the boldness of a heart-broken father ! " 
 
 " Is not this he who urged us with importunity, 
 concerning a youth that is gone into the service of 
 the state?" exclaimed the prince, across whose 
 countenance passed that expression of habitual re 
 serve, which so often concealed the feelings of the 
 man. 
 
 " The same," returned a cold voice, which the 
 ear of Antonio well knew came from the Signor 
 Gradenigo. 
 
 " Pity for thy ignorance, fisherman, represses our 
 anger. Receive thy chain, and depart." 
 
 Antonio s eye did not waver. He kneeled with 
 an air of profound respect, and folding his hands 
 on his bosom, he said 
 
 " Misery has made me bold, dread Prince ! What 
 I say comes from a heavy heart, rather than from a 
 licentious tongue, and I pray your royal ear to listen 
 with indulgence." 
 
 " Speak briefly, for the sports are delayed." 
 
 " Mighty Doge ! riches and poverty have caused 
 a difference in our fortunes, which knowledge arid 
 ignorance have made wider. I am rude in my dis 
 course, and little suited to this illustrious company. 
 But, Signore, God hath given to the fisherman the 
 same feelings, and the same love for his offspring, 
 as he has given to a prince. Did I place depend 
 ence only on the aid of my poor learning, I should 
 now be dumb, but there is a strength within that 
 gives me courage to speak to the first and noblest in 
 Venice in behalf of my child." 
 
 ** Thou canst not impeach the senate s justice, old 
 
THE BRAVO. 155 
 
 man, nor utter aught, in truth, against the known 
 impartiality of the laws!" 
 
 " Sovrano Mio ! deign to listen, and you shall 
 hear. I am what your eyes behold a man, poor, la 
 borious, and drawing near to the hour when he shall 
 be called to the side of the Blessed St. Anthony of 
 Rimini, and stand in a presence even greater than 
 this. I am not vain enough to think that my hum 
 ble name is to be found among those of the patri 
 cians who have served the republic in her wars 
 that is an honor which none but the great, and the 
 noble, and- the happy, can claim ; but if the little I 
 have done for my country is not in the Golden Book, 
 it is written here," as Antonio spoke, he pointed to 
 the scars on his half-naked form ; " these are signs 
 of the enmity of the Turk, and I now offer them as 
 so many petitions to the bounty of the senate." 
 
 " Thou speakest vaguely. What is thy will?" 
 
 " Justice, mighty Prince. They have forced the 
 only vigorous branch from the dying trunk they 
 have lopped the withering stem of its most promis 
 ing shoot they have exposed the sole companion 
 of my labors and pleasures, the child to whom I 
 have looked to close my eyes, when it shall please 
 God to call me away, untaught, and young in les 
 sons of honesty and virtue, a.boy in principle as in 
 years, to all the temptation, and sin, and dangerous 
 companionship of the galleys!" 
 
 "Is this all? I had thought thy gondola in the 
 dec ay, or thy right to use the Lagunes in question ! " 
 
 " Is this all ?" repeated Antonio, looking around 
 him in bitter melancholy. " Doge of Venice, it is 
 more than one, old, heart-stricken, and bereaved, 
 can bear !" 
 
 " Go to ; take thy golden chain and oar, and de 
 part among thy fellows in triumph. Gladden thy 
 heart at a victory, on which thou could st not, in 
 reason, have counted, and leave the interests of the 
 
156 THK BRAVO. 
 
 state to those that are wiser than thce, and more 
 fitted to sustain its cares." 
 
 The fisherman arose with an air of rebuked sub 
 mission, the result of a long life passed in the habit 
 of political deference ; but he did not approach to 
 receive the proffered reward. 
 
 " Bend thy head, fisherman, that his Highness 
 may bestow the prize," commanded an oilicer. 
 
 " I ask not for gold, nor any oar, but that which 
 carries me to the Lagunes in the morning, and 
 brings me back into the canals at night. Give me 
 my child, or give me nothing." 
 
 "Away with him!" muttered a dozen voices; 
 " he utters sedition ! let him quit the galley." 
 
 Antonio was hurried from the presence, and 
 forced into his gondola with very unequivocal signs 
 of disgrace. This unwonted interruption of the 
 ceremonies clouded many a brow, for the sensibili 
 ties of a Venetian noble were quick, indeed, to re 
 prehend the immorality of political discontent, 
 though the conventional dignity of the class sup 
 pressed all other ill-timed exhibition of dissatisfac 
 tion. 
 
 " Let the next competitor draw near," continued 
 the sovereign, with a composure that constant prac 
 tice in dissimulation rendered easy. 
 
 The unknown waterman to whose secret favor 
 Antonio owed his success, approached, still con 
 cealed by the licensed mask. 
 
 "Thou art the gainer of the second prize." said 
 the prince, " and w r ere rigid justice done, thou 
 should st receive the first also, since our favor is not 
 to be rejected with impunity. Kneel, that I may 
 bestow the favor." 
 
 "Highness, pardon!" observed the masker, bow 
 ing with great respect, but withdrawing a single 
 step from the offered reward ; " if it be your gra 
 cious will to grant a boon, for the success of the 
 
THE BRAVO. 157 
 
 regatta, I, too, have to pray that it may be given in 
 another form." 
 
 " This is unusual ! It is not wont that prizes, 
 offered by the hand of a Venetian doge, should go 
 a-begging." 
 
 " I would not seem to press more than is respect 
 ful, in this great presence. I ask but little, and, in 
 the end, it may cost the republic less, than that 
 which is now offered." 
 
 " Name it." 
 
 " I, too, and on my knee, in dutiful homage to the 
 chief of the state, beg that the prayer of the old 
 fisherman he heard, and that the father and son may 
 be restored to each other, for the service will cor 
 rupt the tender years of the boy, arid make the age 
 of his parent miserable." 
 
 * This touches on importunity ! Who art thou, 
 that comest in this hidden manner, to support a 
 petition, once refused?" 
 
 "Highness the second victor in the ducal 
 regatta." 
 
 " Dost trifle in thy answers 1 The protection of 
 a mask, in all that does not tend to unsettle the peace 
 of the city, is sacred. But here seemeth matter to 
 be looked into. Remove thy disguise, that we see 
 thee, eye to eye." 
 
 " I have heard that he who kept civil speech, and 
 in naught offended against the laws, might be seen 
 at will, disguised in Venice, without question of his 
 affairs, or name." 
 
 " Most true, in all that does not offend St. Mark 
 But here is a concert worthy of inquiry: I com 
 mand thee, unmask." 
 
 The waterman, reading in every face around him 
 the necessity of obedience, slowly withdrew the 
 means of concealment, and discovered the pallid 
 countenance and glittering eyes of Jacopo. An in 
 voluntary movement of all near, left this dreaded 
 
 VOL. I. O 
 
158 THE BRAVO. 
 
 person standing, singly, confronted with the prince 
 of Venice, in a wide circle of wondering and curi 
 ous listeners. 
 
 " I know thee not !" exclaimed the doge, with an 
 open amazement that proved his sincerity, after re 
 garding the other earnestly for a moment. " Thy 
 reasons for the disguise should be better than thy 
 reasons for refusing the prize." 
 
 The Signor Gradenigo drew near to the sover 
 eign, and whispered in his ear. When he had done, 
 the latter cast one look, in which curiosity and aver 
 sion were in singular union, at the marked counte 
 nance of the Bravo, and then, he silently motioned 
 to him to depart. The throng drew about the royal 
 person, with instinctive readiness, closing the space 
 in his front. 
 
 " We shall look into this, at our leisure," said the 
 doge. " Let the festivities proceed." 
 
 Jacopo bowed low, and withdrew. As he moved 
 along the deck of the Bucentaur, the senators made 
 way, as if pestilence was in his path, though it was 
 quite apparent, by the expression of their faces, that 
 it was in obedience to a feeling of a mixed charac 
 ter. The avoided, but still tolerated Bravo descended 
 to his gondola, and the usual signals were given to 
 the multitude beneath, who believed the customary 
 ceremonies were ended. 
 
 " Let the gondolier of Don Camillo Monforte 
 stand forth," cried a herald, obedient to the beck 
 of a superior. 
 
 " Highness, here ;" answered Gino, troubled and 
 hurried. 
 
 "Thou art of Calabria?" 
 
 " Highness, yes." 
 
 "But of long practice on our Venetian canals, 
 or thy gondola could never have outstripped those 
 of the readiest oarsmen. Thou servest a noble 
 master?" 
 
THE BRAVO. 159 
 
 " Highness, yes." 
 
 " And it would seem that the Duke of St. Agata 
 is happy in the possession of an honest and faithful 
 follower?" 
 
 " Highness, too happy." 
 
 " Kneel, arid receive the reward of thy resolution 
 and skill." 
 
 Gino, unlike those who had preceded him, bent a 
 willing knee to the deck, and took the prize with a 
 low and humble inclination of the body. At this 
 moment the attention of the spectators was drawn 
 from the short and simple ceremony by a loud shout, 
 which arose from the water, at no great distance 
 from the privileged bark of the senate. A common 
 movement drew ail to the side of the galley, and the 
 successful gondolier was quickly forgotten. 
 
 A hundred boats were moving, in a body, towards 
 the Lido, while the space they covered on the water 
 presented one compact mass of the red caps of 
 fishermen. In the midst of this marine picture was 
 seen the bare head of Antonio, borne along in the 
 floating multitude, without any effort of his own. 
 The general impulsion was received from the vigor 
 ous arms of some thirty or forty of their nuinber, 
 who towed those in the rear by applying their force 
 to three or four large gondolas in advance. 
 
 There was no mistaking the object of this sin 
 gular and characteristic procession. The tenants 
 of the Lagunes, with the fickleness with which ex 
 treme ignorance acts on human passions, had sud 
 denly experienced a violent revolution in their 
 feelings towards their ancient comrade. He who, 
 an hour before, had been derided as a vain and ridi 
 culous pretender, and on whose head bitter impre 
 cations had been so lavishly poured, was now lauded 
 with cries of triumph. 
 
 The gondoliers of the canals were laughed to 
 scorn, and the ears of even the haughty nobles were 
 
160 THE BRAVO. 
 
 not respected, as the exulting band taunted their 
 pampered menials. 
 
 In short, by a process which is common enough 
 with man in all the divisions and subdivisions of 
 society, the merit of one was at once intimately and 
 inseparably connected with the glory and exultation 
 of all. 
 
 Had the triumph of the fisherman confined itself 
 to this natural and commonplace exhibition, it, would 
 not have given grave offence to the vigilant and 
 jealous power that watched over the peace of Ven 
 ice. But, amid the shouts of approbation were 
 mingled cries of censure. Words of grave import 
 were even heard, denouncing those who refused to 
 restore to Antonio his child ; and it was whispered 
 on the deck of the Bucentaur, that, filled with the 
 imaginary importance of their passing victory, the 
 hardy band of rioters had dared to menace a forci 
 ble appeal, to obtain what they audaciously termed 
 the justice of the- case. 
 
 This ebullition of popular feeling was witnessed 
 by the assembled senate in ominous and brooding 
 silence. One unaccustomed to reflection on such a 
 subject, or unpract ; sed in the world, might have 
 fancied alarm and uneasiness were painted on the 
 grave countenances of the patricians, and that the 
 signs of the times were little favorable to the con 
 tinuance of an ascendency that was dependent more 
 on the force of convention, than on the possession 
 of any physical superiority. But, on the other hand,, 
 one who was capable of judging between the power 
 of political ascendency, strengthened by its combi 
 nations and order, and the mere ebullitions of pas 
 sion, however loud and clamorous, might readily 
 have seen that the latter was not yet displayed in 
 sufficient energy to break down the barriers which 
 the first had erected. 
 
 The fishermen were permitted to go their way 
 
THE BRAVO. 16\ 
 
 unmolested, though here and there a gondola was 
 seen stealing towards the Lido, bearing certain of 
 those secret agents of the police whose duty it was 
 to forewarn the existing powers of the presence of 
 danger. Among the latter was the boat of the 
 wine-seller, \vhich departed from the Piazzetta, con 
 taining a stock of his merchandise, with Annina, 
 under the pretence of making his profit out of the 
 present rarbulent temper of their ordinary custom 
 ers. In the mean time, the sports proceeded, and 
 the momentary interruption was forgotten ; or, if 
 remembered, it was in a manner suited to the secret 
 and fearful power which directed the destinies of 
 that remarkable republic. 
 
 There was another regatta, in which men of infe 
 rior powers contended ; but we deem it unworthy 
 to detain the narrative by a description. 
 
 Though the grave tenants of the Bucentaur seem 
 ed to take an interest in what was passing immedi 
 ately before their eyes, they had ears for every 
 shout that was borne on the evening breeze from 
 the distant Lido ; and more than once the doge him 
 self was seen to bend his looks in that direction, in 
 a manner which betrayed the concern that was 
 uppermost in his mind. 
 
 Still the day passed on as usual. The conquerors 
 triumphed, the crowd applauded, and the collected 
 senate appeared to sympathize with the pleasures 
 of a people, over whom they ruled with a certainty 
 of power that resembled the fearful and mysterious 
 march of destinv. 
 
 O 2 
 
162 THE BRAVO. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 * Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew ? >r 
 
 SHAKSPEARE- 
 
 THE evening of such a day, in a city with the 
 habits of Venice, was not likely to be spent in the 
 dullness of retirement. The great sqinfre of St. 
 Mark was again filled with its active and motley 
 crowd, and the scenes already described in the 
 opening chapters of this work, were resumed, if pos 
 sible, with more apparent devotion to the levities of 
 the hour, than on the occasion mentioned. The 
 tumblers and jugglers renewed their antics, the cries 
 of the fruit-sellers and other venders of light luxuries 
 were again mingled with the tones of the flute and 
 the notes of the guitar and harp, while the idle and 
 the busy, the thoughtless and the designing, the con 
 spirator and the agent of the police, once more met 
 in privileged security. 
 
 The night had advanced beyond its turn, when a 
 gondola came gliding through the shipping of the 
 port, with that easy and sw T an-like motion, which is 
 peculiar to its slow movement, and touched the quay 
 with its beak, at the point w 7 here the canal of St. 
 Mark forms its junction W 7 ith the bay. 
 
 " Thou art welcome, Antonio," said one, who ap 
 proached the solitary individual that had directed 
 tke gondola, when the latter had thrust the iron spike 
 of his painter between the crevices of the stones, as 
 gondoliers are accustomed to secure their barges ; 
 " thou art welcome, Antonio, though late." 
 
 " I begin to know the sounds of that voice, though 
 they cotne from a masked face," said the fisherman. 
 " Friend, I owe my success to-day to thy kindness, 
 and though it has not had the end for which I had 
 both hoped and prayed, I ought not to thank thee 
 
THE BRAVO. 163 
 
 less. Thou hast thyself been borne hard upon by 
 the world, or thou would st not have bethought thee 
 of an old and despised man, when the shouts of tri 
 umph were ringing in thy ear, and when thy own 
 young blood was stirred with the feelings of pride 
 and victory." 
 
 "Nature gives thee strong language, fisherman. 
 I have not passed the hours, truly, in the games and 
 levities of my years. Life has been no festa to me 
 but no matter." The seriate was not pleased to hear 
 of lessening the number of the galleys crew, and 
 thou wilt bethink thee of some other reward. I have, 
 here, the chain and golden oar in the hope that it 
 will still be welcome." 
 
 Antonio looked amazed, but, yielding to a natural 
 curiosity, he gazed a moment with a longing at the 
 prize. Then, recoiling with a shudder, he uttered 
 moodily, and with the tones of one whose determi 
 nation was made : " I should think the bauble coined 
 of my grandchild s blood ! Keep it : they have trust 
 ed it to thee, for it is thine of right, and now that 
 they refuse to hear my prayer, it will be useless to 
 all but to him who fairly earned it." 
 
 " Thou makest no allowance, fisherman, for differ 
 ence of years and for sinews that are in their vigor. 
 Methinks that in adjudging such a prize, thought 
 should be had to these matters, and then wouldest 
 thou be found outstripping us all. Holy St. Theo 
 dore ! I passed my childhood with the oar in hand, 
 and never before have I met one in Venice who has 
 driven my gondola so hard ! Thou touchest the 
 water with the delicacy of a lady fingering her liar]:), 
 and yet with the force of the wave rolling on the 
 Lido!" 
 
 "I have seen the hour, Jacopo, when even tin- 
 young arm would have tired, in such a strife between 
 us. That was before the birth of my eldest son, who 
 died in battle with the Ottoman, when the dear boy 
 
164 THE BRAVO. 
 
 he left me was but an infant in arms. Thou never 
 sawest the comely lad, good Jacopo?" 
 
 " I was not so happy, old man ; but if h resembled 
 thee, well mayest thou mourn his loss. .Body of Di 
 ana ! I have little cause to boast of the small advan 
 tage youth and strength gave me." 
 
 " There was a force within that bore me and the 
 boat on but of what use hath it been ? Thy kind 
 ness, and the pain given to an old frame, that hath 
 been long racked by hardship and poverty, are both 
 thrown away on the rocky hearts of the nobles." 
 
 " We know not yet, Antonio. The good saints 
 will hear our prayers, when we least think they are 
 listening. Come with me, for I am sent to seek thee." 
 
 The fisherman regarded his new acquaintance 
 with surprise, and then turning to bestow an instant 
 of habitual care on his boat, he cheerfully professed 
 himself ready to proceed. The place where they 
 stood was a little apart from the thoroughfare of the 
 quays, and though there was a brilliant moon, the 
 circumstance of two men, in their garbs, being there, 
 was not likely to attract observation; but Jacopo 
 did not appear to be satisfied with this security from 
 remark. He waited until Antonio had left the gon 
 dola, and, then, unfolding a cloak, which had lain on 
 his arm, he threw it, without asking permission, over 
 the shoulders of the other. A cap, like that he wore 
 himself, was next produced, and being placed on the 
 gray hairs of the fisherman, effectually completed 
 his metamorphosis. 
 
 " There is no need of a mask," he said, examining 
 his companion attentively, when his task was ac 
 complished. " None would know thee, Antonio, in 
 this garb." 
 
 " And is there need of what thou hast done, Ja 
 copo 1 I owe thee thanks for a well-meant, and, but 
 for the hardness of heart of the rich and powerful, 
 for what would have proved, a great kindness. Still 
 
THE BRAVO. 165 
 
 I must tell thee that a mask was never yet put before 
 my face ; for what reason can there* be, why one 
 who rises with the sun to go to his toil, and who 
 trusteth to the favor of the blessed St. Anthony for 
 the little he hath, should go abroad like a gallant 
 ready to steal the good name of a virgin, or a rob 
 ber at night \ " 
 
 " Thou knowest our Venetian custom, and it may 
 be well to use some caution, in the business we are 
 on." 
 
 " Thou forgettest that thy intention is yet a secret 
 to me. I say it again, and I say it with truth and 
 gratitude, that I owe thee many thanks, though the 
 end is defeated, and the boy is still a prisoner in the 
 floating-school of wickedness but thou hast a name r 
 Jacopo, that I could wish did not belong to thee. I 
 find it hard to believe all that they have this day said, 
 on the Lido, of one who has so much feeling for the 
 weak and wronged." 
 
 The Bravo ceased to adjust the disguise of his 
 companion, and the profound stillness which suc 
 ceeded his remark, proved so painful to Antonio, that 
 he felt like one reprieved from suffocation, when he 
 heard the deep respiration that announced the relief 
 of his companion. 
 
 " I would not willingly say " 
 
 "No matter," interrupted Jacopo, in a hollow 
 voice. " No matter, fisherman ; we will speak of 
 these things on some other occasion. At present, 
 follow, and be silent." 
 
 As he ceased, the self-appointed guide of Antonio 
 beckoned for the latter to come on, when he led the 
 way from the water-side. The fisherman obeyed, 
 for little did it matter to one poor and heart-stricken 
 as he, w ? hither he was conducted. Jacopo took the 
 first entrance into the court of the doge s palace. 
 His footstep was leisurely, and to the passing multi 
 tude they appeared like any others of the thousands, 
 
166 THE BRAVO. 
 
 who were abroad to breathe the soft air of the night, 
 or to enter into the pleasures of the piazza. 
 
 When within the dimmer and broken light of the 
 court, Jacopo paused, evidently to scan the persons 
 of those it contained. It is to be presumed he saw 
 no reason to delay, for with a secret sign to his 
 companion to follow, he crossed the area, and 
 mounted the well-known steps, down which the head 
 of the Faliero had rolled, and which, from the sta 
 tues on the summit, is called the Giant s Stairs. The 
 celebrated mouths of the lions were passed, and they 
 were, walking swiftly along the open galler} -, when 
 they encountered a halberdier of the ducal guard, 
 
 " Who comes"?" demanded the mercenary, throw 
 ing forward his long and dangerous weapon. 
 " Friends to the state and to St. Mark." 
 " None pass, at this hour, without the word." 
 Jacopo motioned to Antonio to stand fast, while 
 he drew nearer to the halberdier and whispered. 
 The weapon was instantly thrown up, and the sen 
 tinel again paced the long gallery, with practised in 
 difference. The way was no sooner cleared than 
 they proceeded. Antonio, not a little amazed at 
 what he had already seen, eagerly followed his guide, 
 for his heart began to beat high with an exciting, 
 but undefined hope. He was not so ignorant of hu 
 man affairs as to require to be told, that those who 
 ruled would some time concede that in secret, which 
 policy forbade them to yield openly. Full, therefore, 
 of the expectation of being ushered into the pres 
 ence of the doge himself, and of having his child 
 restored to his arms, the old man stepped lightly 
 along the gloomy gallery, and darling through an 
 entrance, at the heels of Jacopo, he found himself 
 at the foot of another flight of massive steps. The 
 route now became confused to the fisherman, for, 
 quitting the more public vomitories of the palace, his 
 companion held his way by a secret door, through 
 
THE BRAVO. 167 
 
 many dimly lighted and obscure passages. They 
 ascended and descended frequently, as often quitting 
 or entering rooms of but ordinary dimensions and 
 decorations, until the head of Antonio was completely 
 turned, and he no longer knew the general direction 
 of their course. At length they stopped, in an apart 
 ment of inferior ornaments, and of a dusky color, 
 which the feeble light rendered still more gloomy. 
 
 " Thou art well acquainted with the dwelling of 
 our prince," said the fisherman, when his companion 
 enabled him to speak, by checking his swift move 
 ments. " The oldest gondolier of Venice is not 
 more ready on the canals, than thou appearest to be 
 am oner these galleries and corridors." 
 
 " Tis my business to bring thee hither, and what 
 I am to do, I endeavor to do well. Antonio, thou 
 art a man that feareth not to stand in the presence 
 of the great, as this day hath shown. Summon thy 
 courage, for a moment of trial is before thee." 
 
 " I have spoken boldly to the doge. Except the 
 Holy Father, himself, what power is there on earth 
 beside to fear?" 
 
 " Thou mayest have spoken, fisherman, too boldly. 
 Temper thy language, for the great love not words 
 of disrespect." 
 
 " Is truth unpleasant to them?" 
 
 " That is as may be. They love to hear their own 
 acts praised, when their acts have merited praise, 
 but they do not like to hear them condemned, even 
 though they know what is said to be just." 
 
 " I fear me," said the old man, looking with sim 
 plicity at the other, "there is little difference be 
 tween the powerful and the weak, when the gar 
 ments are stripped from both, and the man stands 
 naked to the eye." 
 
 " That truth may not be spoken here." 
 
 " How ! Do they deny that they are Christians, 
 and mortals, and sinners?" 
 
U.1 
 
 sit 
 
 E : 
 
 ns 
 , m 
 
 168 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " They make a merit of the first, Antonio they 
 forget the second, and they never like to be called 
 the last, by any but themselves." 
 
 " I doubt, Jacopo, after all, if I get from them the 
 freedom of the boy." 
 
 " Speak them fair, and say naught to wound their 
 self-esteem, or to menace their authority they will 
 pardon much, if the last, in particular, be respected." 
 
 " But it is that authority which has taken away 
 my child ! Can I speak in favor of the power which 
 I know to be unjust ?" 
 
 " Thou must feign it, or thy suit will fail." 
 
 " I will go back to the Lagunes, good Jacopo, for 
 this tongue of mine hath ever moved at the bidding 
 of the heart. I fear I am too old to say that a son 
 may righteously be torn from the father by violence. 
 Tell them, thou, from me, that I came thus far, in 
 order to do them respect, but, that seeing the hope 
 lessness of beseeching further, I have gone to my 
 nets, and to my prayers to blessed St. Anthony." 
 
 As he ceased speaking, Antonio wrung the hand 
 of his motionless companion, and turned away, as 
 if to retire. Two halberds fell to the level of his 
 breast, ere his foot had quitted the marble floor, and 
 he now saw 7 , for the first time, that armed men cross 
 ed his passage, and that, in truth, he was a prisoner. 
 Nature had endowed the fisherman with a quick arid 
 just perception, and long habit had given great stead 
 iness to his nerves. When he perceived his real 
 situation, instead of entering into useless remon 
 strance, or in any manner betraying alarm, he again 
 
 rned to Jacopo with an air of patience and resig 
 nation. 
 
 " It must be that the illustrious Signore wish to do 
 me justice," he said, smoothing the remnant of his 
 hair, as men of his class prepare themselves for the 
 presence of their superiors, " and it would not be 
 decent, in an humble fisherman, to refuse them the 
 
THE BRAVO. 169 
 
 opportunity. It would be better, however, if there 
 were less force used here in Venice, in a matter of 
 simple right and wrong. But the great love to show 
 their power, and the weak must submit" t, 
 
 "We shall see!" answered .Ja cxipo, ; who had; 
 manifested no emotion during the abortive attempt 
 of the other to retire. 
 
 A profound stillness succeeded. :The halberdiers 
 maintained their rigid attitudes, within the shadow 
 of the wall, looking like two insensible statues, in the 
 attire and armor of the age, while Jacopo and his. 
 companion occupied the centre of the room, with 
 scarcely more of the appearance of consciousness 
 and animation. It may be well to explain, here, to 
 the reader, some of the peculiar machinery of the 
 state, in the country of which we write, and which 
 is connected with the scene that is about to follow : 
 for the name of a republic, a word which, if it mean 
 anything, strictly implies the representation and su 
 premacy of the general interests, but which has so 
 frequently been prostituted to the protection and 
 monopolies of privileged classes, may have induced 
 him to believe that there was, at least, a resemblance 
 between the outlines of that government, and the 
 more just, because more popular, institutions of his 
 own country. 
 
 In an age, when rulers were profane enough to 
 assert, and the ruled weak enough to allow, that the 
 right of a man to govern his fellows was a direct 
 gift from God, a departure from the bold and selfish 
 principle, though it were only in profession, was 
 thought sufficient to give a character of freedom 
 and common sense to the polity of a nation. This 
 belief is not without some justification, since it es 
 tablishes in theory, at least, the foundations of gov 
 ernment on a base sufficiently different from that 
 which supposes all power to be the property of one, 
 and that one to be the representative of the faultless 
 
 VOL. I. P 
 
170 THE BRAVO. 
 
 and omnipotent Ruler of the Universe. With the 
 first of these principles we have nothing to do, ex 
 cept it be to add that there are propositions so inhe 
 rently false that they only require to be fairly stated 
 to produce their own refutation ; but our subject ne 
 cessarily draws us into a short digression on the 
 errors of the second, as they existed in Venice. 
 
 It is probable that when the patricians of St. 
 Mark created a community of political rights in 
 their own body, they believed their state had done 
 all that was necessary to merit the high and generous 
 title it assumed. They had innovated on a generally 
 received principle, and they cannot claim the dis 
 tinction of being either the first, or the last, who 
 have imagined that to take the incipient steps in po 
 litical improvement, is at once to reach the goal of 
 perfection. Venice had no doctrine of divine right, 
 and as her prince was little more than a pageant, 
 she boldly laid claim to be, called a republic. She 
 believed that a representation of the most prominent 
 and brilliant interests in society was the paramount 
 object of government, and, faithful to the seductive, 
 but dangerous, error, she mistook to the last, collec 
 tive power for social happiness. 
 
 It may be taken as a governing principle, in all 
 civil relations, that the strong will grow stronger, 
 and the feeble more weak, until the first become un 
 fit to rule, or the last unable to endure. In this im 
 portant truth is contained the secret of the downfall 
 of all those states which have crumbled beneath the 
 weight of their own abuses. It teaches the necessity 
 of widening the foundations of society, until the base 
 shall have a breadth capable of securing the just 
 representation of every interest, without which the 
 social machine is liable to interruption from its own 
 movement, and eventually to destruction from its 
 own excesses. 
 
 Venice, though ambitious and tenacious of the 
 
THE BRAVO. 171 
 
 name of a republic, was, in truth, a narrow, a vul 
 gar, and an exceedingly heartless oligarchy. To the 
 former title she had no other claim than her denial 
 of the naked principle already mentioned, while her 
 practice is liable to the reproach of the two latter, 
 in the unmanly and narrow character of its exclu 
 sion, in every act of her foreign policy, and in 
 every measure of her internal police. An aristocra 
 cy must ever want the high personal feeling which 
 often tempers despotism by the qualities of the 
 chief, or the generous and human impulses of a 
 popular rule. It has the merit of substituting things 
 for men, it is true, but unhappily it substitutes the 
 things of a few men for those of the whole. It par 
 takes, and it always has partaken, though necessa 
 rily tempered by circumstances and the opinions of 
 different ages, of the selfishness of all corporations, 
 in which the responsibility of the individual, while 
 his acts are professedly submitted to the temporizing 
 expedients of a collective interest, is lost in the sub 
 division of numbers. At the period of which we 
 write, Italy had several of these self-styled common 
 wealths, in not one of which, however, was there 
 ever a fair and just confiding of power to the body 
 of the people, though perhaps there is not one that 
 has not been cited, sooner or later, in proof of the 
 inability of man to govern himself! In order to 
 demonstrate the fallacy of a reasoning, which is so 
 fond of predicting the downfall of our own liberal sys 
 tem, supported by examples drawn from trans-atlan- 
 tic states of the middle ages, it is necessary only to re 
 count here, a little in detail, the forms in which power 
 was obtained and exercised, in the most important 
 of them all. 
 
 Distinctions in rank, as separated entirely from 
 the will of the nation, formed the basis of Venetian 
 polity. Authority, though divided, was not less a 
 birthright, than in those governments in which it was 
 
172 THE BRAVO. 
 
 openly avowed to be a dispensation of Providence. 
 The patrician order had its high and exclusive priv 
 ileges, which were guarded and maintained with a 
 most selfish and engrossing spirit. He who was 
 not born to govern, had little hope of ever entering 
 into the possession of his natural rights ; while he 
 who was, by the intervention of chance, might 
 wield a power of the most fearful and despotic 
 character. At a certain age, all of senatorial rank 
 (for, by a specious fallacy, nobility did not take its 
 usual appellations) were admitted into the councils 
 of the nation. The names of the leading families 
 were inscribed in a register, which was well entitled 
 the " Golden Book," and he who enjoyed the envied 
 distinction of having an ancestor thus enrolled, 
 could, with a few exceptions (such as that named in 
 the case of Don Camillo), present himself in the 
 senate, and lay claim to the honors of the " Horned 
 Bonnet." Neither our limits, nor our object will 
 permit a digression of sufficient length to point out 
 the whole of the leading features of a system so vi 
 cious, and which was, perhaps, only rendered tolera 
 ble to those it governed, by the extraneous contri 
 butions of captured and subsidiary provinces, on 
 which, in truth, as in all cases of metropolitan rule, 
 the oppression weighed most grievously. The 
 reader will at once see, that the very reason why 
 the despotism of the self-styled republic was tolera 
 ble to its own citizens, was but another cause of its 
 eventual destruction. 
 
 As the senate became too numerous to conduct, 
 with sufficient secrecy and dispatch, the affairs of a 
 state that pursued a policy alike tortuous and com 
 plicated, the most general of its important interests 
 were intrusted to a council composed of three hun 
 dred of its members. In order to avoid the publicity 
 and delay of a body large even as this, a second 
 selection was made, which was known as the Coun-? 
 
THE BRAVO. 173 
 
 cil of Ten, and to which much of the executive 
 power, that aristocratical jealousy withheld from 
 the titular chief of the state, was confided. To 
 this point the political economy of the Venetian re 
 public, however faulty, had at least some merit for 
 simplicity and frankness. The ostensible agents of 
 the administration were known, arid though all real 
 responsibility to the nation was lost, in the superior 
 influence and narrow policy of the patricians, the 
 rulers could not entirely escape from the odium that 
 public opinion might attach to their unjust or illegal 
 proceedings. But a state, whose prosperity was 
 chiefly founded on the contribution and support of 
 dependants, and whose existence was equally men 
 aced by its own false principles, and by the growth 
 of other and neighboring powers, had need of a still 
 more efficient body, in the absence of that executive 
 which its own republican pretensions denied to 
 Venice. A political inquisition, which came in 
 time to be one of the most fearful engines of police 
 ever known, was the consequence. An authority, 
 as irresponsible as it was absolute, was periodical! v 
 confided to another and still smaller body, which 
 met and exercised its despotic and secret functions, 
 under the name of the Council of Three. The 
 choice of these temporary rulers was decided bv 
 lot, and in a manner that prevented the result from 
 being known to any but to their own number, and 
 to a few of the most confidential of the more per 
 manent officers of the government Thus there 
 existed, at all times, in the heart of Venice, a mys 
 terious and despotic power, that was wielded by 
 men who moved in society unknown, and apparent 
 ly surrounded by all the ordinary charities of life ; 
 but which, in truth, was influenced by a set of polit 
 ical maxims, that were perhaps as ruthless, as tyran 
 nic, and as selfish as ever were invented by the evil 
 ingenuity of man. It .was, in short, a power that 
 P2 
 
174 TIIE BRAVO. 
 
 could only be intrusted, without abuse, to infallible 
 virtue and infinite intelligence, using the terms in a 
 sense limited by human means ; and yet it was here 
 confided to men, whose title was founded on the 
 double accident, of birth and the colors of balls, 
 and by whom it was wielded, without even the 
 check of publicity. 
 
 The Council of Three met in secret, ordinarily 
 issued its decrees without communicating with any 
 other body, and had them enforced with a fearful- 
 ness of mystery, and a suddenness of execution, 
 that resembled the blows of fate. The doge himself 
 was not superior to its authority, nor protected from 
 its decisions, while it has been known that one of the 
 privileged three has been denounced by his compan 
 ions. There is still in existence a long list of the 
 state maxims which this secret tribunal recognized 
 as its rule of conduct, and it is not saying too much 
 to affirm, that they set at defiance every other con 
 sideration but expediency, all the recognized laws 
 of God, and every principle of justice, which is es 
 teemed among men. The advances of the human 
 intellect, supported by the means of publicity, may 
 temper the exercise of a similar irresponsible power, 
 in our own age, but in no country has this substitu 
 tion, of a soulless corporation for an elective repre 
 sentation, been made, in which a system of rule has 
 not been established, that sets at naught the laws of 
 natural justice and the rights of the citizen. Any 
 pretension to the contrary, by placing profession 
 in opposition to practice, is only adding hypocrisy 
 to usurpation. 
 
 It appears to be an unavoidable general conse 
 quence that abuses should follow, when pow r er is ex 
 ercised by a permanent and irresponsible body, 
 from whom there is no appeal. When this power 
 is secretly exercised, the abuses become still more 
 grave. It is also worthy of remark, that in the na- 
 
THE BRAVO. 175 
 
 tions which submit, or have submitted to these un 
 due and dangerous influences, the pretensions to 
 justice and generosity are of the most exaggerated 
 character ; for while the fearless democrat vents 
 his personal complaints aloud, and the voice of the 
 subject of professed despotism is smothered entirely, 
 necessity itself dictates to the oligarchist the policy 
 of seemliness, as one of the conditions of his own 
 safety. Thus Venice prided herself on the justice 
 of St. Mark, and few states maintained a greater 
 show, or put forth a more lofty claim to the posses 
 sion of the sacred quality, than that whose real 
 maxims of government were veiled in a mystery 
 that even the loose morality of the age exacted. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 ** A power that if but named 
 In casual converse, be it where it might, 
 The speaker lower d, at once, his voice, his eyes, 
 And pointed upward as at God in heaven." 
 
 ROGERS. 
 
 THE reader has probably anticipated, that Anto 
 nio was now standing in an antechamber of the 
 secret and stern tribunal, described in the preceding 
 chapter. In common with all of his class, the fish 
 erman had a vague idea of the existence, and of the 
 attributes, of the council before which he was to ap 
 pear; but his simple apprehension was far from 
 comprehending the extent, or the nature, of func 
 tions that equally took cognizance of the most im 
 portant interests of the republic, and of the more 
 trifling concerns of a patrician family. While con 
 jectures on the probable result of the expected in 
 terview were passing through his mind, an inner 
 
176 THE BRAVO. 
 
 door opened, and an attendant signed for Jacopo to 
 advance. 
 
 The deep and imposing silence which instantly 
 succeeded the entrance of the summoned into the 
 presence of the Council of Three, gave time for a 
 slight examination of the apartment and of those it 
 contained. The room was not large for that coun 
 try and climate, but rather of a size suited to the 
 closeness of the councils that had place within its 
 walls. The floor was tessellated with alternate 
 pieces of black and white marble ; the walls were 
 draped in one common and sombre dress of black 
 cloth ; a single lamp of dark bronze was suspended 
 over a solitary table in its centre, which, like every 
 other article of the scanty furniture, had the same 
 melancholy covering as the w r alls. In the angles of 
 the room .there were projecting closets, which might 
 have been what they seemed, or merely passages 
 into the other apartments of the palace. All the 
 doors were concealed from casual observation by 
 the hangings, which gave one general and chilling 
 aspect of gloom to the whole scene. On the side of 
 the room opposite to that on which Antonio stood, 
 three men were seated in curule chairs ; but their 
 masks, and the drapery which concealed their 
 forms, prevented all recognition of their persons. 
 One of this powerful body wore a robe of crimson, 
 as the representative that fortune had given to the 
 select council of the doge, and the others robes of 
 black, being those which had drawn the lucky, or 
 rather the unlucky balls, in the Council of Ten, itself 
 a temporary and chance-created body of the senate. 
 There were one or two subordinates near the table, 
 but these, as well as the still more humble officials 
 of the place, were hid from all ordinary knowledge, 
 by disguises similar to those of the chiefs. Jacopo 
 regarded the scene like one accustomed to its effect, 
 though with evident reverence and awe; but the 
 
THE BRAVO. 177 
 
 impression on Antonio was too manifest to be lost. 
 It is probable that the long pause which followed 
 his introduction, was intended to produce, and to 
 note this effect, for keen eyes were intently watch 
 ing his countenance during its continuance. 
 
 " Thou art called Antonio, of the Lagunes?" de 
 manded one of the secretaries near the table, when 
 a sign had been secretly made from the crimson 
 member of that fearful tribunal, to proceed. 
 
 " A poor fisherman, eccellenza, who owes much 
 to blessed Saint Antonio of the Miraculous Draught" 
 
 " And thou hast a son who bears thine own name, 
 and who follows the same pursuit?" 
 
 " It is the duty of a Christian to submit to the will 
 of God ! My boy has been dead twelve years, come 
 the day when the republic s galleys chased the infi 
 del from Corfu to Candia. He was slain, noble Sig- 
 nore, with many others of his calling, in that bloody 
 fight." 
 
 There was a movement of surprise among the 
 clerks, who whispered together, and appeared to 
 examine the papers in their hands, with some haste 
 and confusion. Glances were sent back at the 
 judges, who sate motionless, wrapped in the impen 
 etrable mystery of their functions. A secret sign, 
 however, soon caused the armed attendants of the 
 place to lead Antonio and his companion from the 
 room. 
 
 " Here is some inadvertency ! " said a stern voice, 
 from one of the masked Three, so soon as the fall 
 of the footsteps of those who retired was no longer 
 audible. " It is not seemly that the inquisition of St 
 Mark should show this ignorance." 
 
 " It touches merely the family of an obscure fish 
 erman, illustrious Signore," returned the trembling 
 dependant ; ** and it may be that his art would wish 
 to deceive us in the opening interrogatories." 
 
 " Thou art in error," interrupted another of the 
 
178 THE BRAVO. 
 
 Three. " The man is named Antonio Vecchio, and, 
 as he sayeth, his only child died in the hot affair with 
 the Ottoman. He of whom there is question, is a 
 grandson, and is still a boy." 
 
 " The noble Signore is right !" returned the clerk. 
 " In the hurry of affairs, we have misconceived 
 a fact, which the wisdom of the council has been 
 quick to rectify. St. Mark is happy in having 
 among his proudest and oldest names, senators who 
 enter thus familiarly into the interests of his meanest 
 children !" 
 
 " Let the man be again introduced," resumed the 
 judge, slightly bending his head to the compliment. 
 These accidents are unavoidable in the press of af 
 fairs." 
 
 The necessary order was given, and Antonio, with 
 his companion constantly at his elbow, was brought 
 once more into the presence. 
 
 " Thy son died in the service of the republic, An 
 tonio?" demanded the secretary. 
 
 ** Signore, he did. Holy Maria have pity on his 
 early fate, and listen to my prayers ! So good a 
 child and so brave a man can have no great need 
 of masses for his soul, or his death would have been 
 doubly grievous to me, since I am too poor to buy 
 them." 
 
 " Thou hast a grandson?" 
 
 " I had one, noble senator ; I hope he still lives." 
 
 " He is not with thee in thy labors on the La- 
 gunes f" 
 
 " San Teodoro grant that he were ! he is taken, 
 Signore, with many more of tender years, into the 
 galleys, whence may our Lady give him a safe de 
 liverance ! If your eccellenza has an opportunity to 
 speak with the general of the galleys, or with any 
 other who may have authority in such a matter, on 
 my knees, I pray you to speak in behalf of the child, 
 who is a good and pious lad, that seldom casts a line 
 
THE BRAVO. 17& 
 
 into the water, without an ave or a prayer to St, 
 Anthony, and who has never given me uneasiness, 
 until he fell into the grip of St. Mark " 
 
 " Rise This is not the affair in which I have to 
 question thee. Thou hast this day spoken of thy 
 prayer to our most illustrious prince, the doge ?" 
 
 "I have prayed his highness to give the boy lib 
 erty." 
 
 " And this thou hast done openly, and with little 
 deference to the high dignity and sacred character 
 of the chief of the republic?" 
 
 " I did it like a father and a man. If but half what 
 they say of the justice and kindness of the state were 
 true, his highness would have heard me as a father 
 and a man." 
 
 A slight movement among the fearful Three, caus 
 ed the secretary to pause ; when he saw, however, 
 that his superiors chose to maintain their silence, he 
 continued 
 
 " This didst thou once in public and among the 
 senators, but when repulsed, as urging a petition both 
 out of place and out of reason, thou soughtest other 
 to prefer thy request?" 
 
 " True, illustrious Signore." 
 
 " Thou earnest among the gondoliers of the regatta 
 in an unseemly garb, and placed thyself foremost 
 with those who contended for the favor of the senate 
 and its prince?" 
 
 " I came in the garb which I wear before the Vir 
 gin and St. Antonio, and if I was foremost in the race, 
 it was more owing to the goodness and favor of the 
 man at my side, than any virtue which is still left in 
 these withered sinews and dried bones. San Marco 
 remember him in his need, for the kind wish, and 
 soften the hearts of the great to hear the prayer of 
 a childless parent !" 
 
 There was another slight expression of surprise, 
 
180 THE BRAVO. 
 
 or curiosity, among the inquisitors, and once more 
 the secretary suspended his examination. 
 
 " Thou hearest, Jacopo," said one of the Three. 
 " What answer dost thou make the fisherman ?" 
 
 " Signore, he speaketh truth." 
 
 " And thou hast dared to trifle with the pleasures 
 of the city, and to set at naught the wishes of the 
 doge!" 
 
 " If it be a crime, illustrious senator, to have pitied 
 an old man who mourned for his offspring, and to 
 have given up my own solitary triumph to his love 
 for the boy, I am guilty." 
 
 There was a long and silent pause after this reply. 
 Jacopo had spoken with habitual reverence, but with 
 the grave composure that appeared to enter deeply 
 into the composition of his character. The pale 
 ness of the cheek was the same, and the glowing 
 ey r e, which so singularly lighted and animated a 
 countenance that possessed a hue not unlike that of 
 death, scarce varied its gaze, while he answered. 
 A secret sign caused the secretary to proceed with 
 his duty. 
 
 " And thou owest thy success in the regatta, An 
 tonio, to the favor of thy competitor he who is now 
 with thee, in the presence of the council ?" 
 
 " Under San Teodoro and St. Antonio, the city s 
 patron and my own." 
 
 l And thy whole desire was to urge again thy re 
 jected petition in behalf of the young sailor ?" 
 
 " Signore, I had no other. What is the vanity 
 of a triumph among the gondoliers, or the bauble 
 of a mimic oar and chain, to one of my years and 
 condition?" 
 
 " Thou forgettest that the oar and chain are 
 gold?" 
 
 "Excellent gentlemen, gold cannot heal the wounds 
 which misery has left on a heavy heart. Give me 
 back the child, that my eyes may not be closed by 
 
THE BRAVO. 181 
 
 strangers, and that I may speak good counsel into 
 his young ears, while there is hope my words may be 
 remembered, and I care not for all the metals of the 
 Rialto ! Thou mayest see that I utter no vain 
 vaunt, by this jewel, which I offer to the nobles, 
 with the reverence due to their greatness and wis 
 dom." 
 
 When the fisherman had done speaking, he ad 
 vanced, with the timid step of a man unaccustomed 
 to move in superior presences, and laid upon the 
 dark cloth of the table a ring that sparkled with, 
 what at least seemed to be, very precious stones. 
 The astonished secretary raised the jewel, and held 
 it in suspense before the eyes of the judges. 
 
 " How is this ?" exclaimed he of the Three, who 
 had oftenest interfered in the examination ; " that 
 seemeth the pledge of our nuptials !" 
 
 " It is no other, illustrious senator : with this ring 
 did the doge wed the Adriatic, in the presence of the 
 ambassadors and the people." 
 
 " Hadst thou aught to do with this, also Jacopo?" 
 sternly demanded the judge. 
 
 The Bravo turned his eye on the jewel with a look 
 of interest, but his voice maintained its usual depth 
 and steadiness as he answered, 
 
 " Signore, no until now, I knew not the fortune 
 of the fisherman." 
 
 A sign to the secretary caused him to resume his 
 questions. 
 
 " Thou must account, and clearly account, Anto 
 nio," he said, " for the manner in which this sacred 
 ring came into thy possession ; hadst thou any one 
 to aid thee in obtaining it?" 
 
 " Signore, I had." 
 
 " Name him, at once, that we take measures for 
 his security." 
 
 " Twill be useless, Signore ; he is far above the 
 power of Venice." 
 
 VOL. I. Q 
 
182 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " What meanest thou, fellow ? None are superior 
 to the right and the force of the republic that dwell 
 within her limits. Answer without evasion, as thou 
 valuest thy person." 
 
 " I should prize that which is of little value, Sig- 
 nore, and be guilty of a great folly, as well as of a 
 great sin, were I to deceive you, to save a body old 
 and worthless as mine from stripes. If your excel 
 lencies are willing to hear, you will find that I am 
 no less willing to tell the manner in which I got the 
 
 ring." 
 
 " Speak, then, and trifle not." 
 
 " I know not, Signori, whether you are used to 
 hearing untruths, that you caution me so much 
 not to deal with them ; but we of the Lagunes are 
 not afraid to say what we have seen and done, for 
 most of our business is with the winds and waves, 
 which take their orders from God himself. There 
 is a tradition, Signori, among us fishermen, that in 
 times past, one of our body brought up from the bay, 
 the ring with which the doge is accustomed to mar 
 ry the Adriatic. A jewel of that value was of little 
 use to one who casts his nets daily for bread and oil, 
 and he brought it to the doge, as became a fisher 
 man, into whose hands the saints had thrown a prize 
 to which he had no title, as it were to prove his hon 
 esty. This act of our companion is much spoken 
 of on the Lagunes and at the Lido, and it is said 
 there is a noble painting done by some of our Vene 
 tian masters, in the halls of the palace, which tells 
 the story as it happened ; showing the prince on his 
 throne, and the lucky fisherman with his naked legs, 
 rendering back to his highness that which had been 
 lost. I hope there is foundation for this belief, Sig 
 nori, which greatly flatters our pride, and is not with 
 out use in keeping some among us truer to the right, 
 and better favored in the eyes of St. Anthony, than 
 might otherwise be." 
 
THE BRAVO. 185 
 
 " The fact was so." 
 
 " And the painting, excellent SIgnore ? I hope our 
 vanity has not deceived us concerning the picture, 
 neither?" 
 
 " The picture you mention is to be seen within 
 the palace." 
 
 " Corpo di Bacco ! I have had my misgivings on 
 that point, for it is not common that the rich and the 
 happy should take such note of what the humble and 
 the poor have done. Is the work from the hands of 
 the great Tiziano himself, eccellenza?" 
 
 " It is not ; one of little name hath put his pencil 
 to the canvas." 
 
 " They say that Tiziano had the art of giving to 
 his works the look and richness of flesh, and one 
 would think that a just man might find, in the hones 
 ty of the poor fisherman, a color bright enough to 
 have satisfied even his eye. But it may be that the 
 senate saw danger in thus flattering us of the La- 
 gunes." 
 
 " Proceed with the account of thine own fortune 
 with the ring." 
 
 " Illustrious nobles, I have often dreamed of the 
 luck of my fellow of the old times ; and more than 
 once have I drawn the nets with an eager hand in 
 my sleep, thinking to find that very jewel entangled 
 in its meshes, or ernbowelled by some fish. What 1 
 have so often fancied has at last happened. I am 
 an old man, Signori, and there are few pools or 
 banks between Fusina and Giorgio, that my lines or 
 my nets have not fathomed or covered. The spot 
 to which the Bucentoro is wont to steer in these cer 
 emonies is well known to me, and I had a care to 
 cover the bottom round about with all my nets in 
 the hope of drawing up the ring. When his high 
 ness cast the jewel, I dropped a buoy to mark the 
 spot Signori, this is all my accomplice was Su 
 Anthony." 
 
184 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " For doing this you had a motive ? 
 
 " Holy Mother of God ! Was it not sufficient to 
 get back my boy from the gripe of the galleys?" 
 exclaimed Antonio, with an energy and a simplicity 
 that are often found to be in the same character. 
 " I thought that if the doge and the senate were 
 willing to cause pictures to be painted, and honors 
 to be given to one poor fisherman for the ring, they 
 might be glad to reward another, by releasing a lad 
 who can be of no great service to the republic, but 
 who is all to his parent." 
 
 " Thy petition to his highness, thy strife in the 
 regatta, and thy search for the ring, had the same 
 object?" 
 
 " To r ie, Signore, life has but one." 
 
 There was a slight but suppressed movement 
 among the council. 
 
 " When thy request was refused by his highness 
 as ill-timed " 
 
 " Ah ! eccellcnza, when one has a white head and 
 f a failing arm, he cannot stop to look for the proper 
 moment in such a cause !" interrupted the fisherman, 
 with a gleam of that impetuosity which forms the 
 true base of Italian character. 
 
 " When thy request was denied, and thou hadst 
 refused the reward of the victor, thou went among 
 thy fellows and fed their ears with complaints of the 
 injustice of St. Mark, and of the senate s tyranny?" 
 
 " Signore, no. I went away sad and heart-broken, 
 for I had not thought the doge and nobles would 
 have refused a successful gondolier so light a boon." 
 
 "And this thou didst not hesitate to proclaim 
 among the fishermen and idlers of the Lido?" 
 
 " Eccellenza, it was not needed my fellows knew 
 my unhappiness, and tongues w r ere not wanting to 
 tell the worst." 
 
 " There was a tumult, with thee at its head, and 
 sedition was uttered, with much vain-boasting of 
 
THE BRAVO. 185 
 
 what the fleet of the Lagunes could perform against 
 the fleet of the republic." 
 
 " There is little difference, Signore, between the 
 two, except that the men of the one go in gondolas 
 with nets, and the men of the other are in the gal 
 leys of the state. Why should brothers seek each 
 other s blood 1" 
 
 The movement among the judges was more mani 
 fest than ever. They whispered together, and a 
 paper containing a few lines written rapidly in 
 pencil, was put into the hands of the examining 
 secretary. 
 
 " Thou didst address thy fellows, and spoke open 
 ly of thy fancied wrongs ; thou didst comment on- 
 the laws which require the services of the citizens, 
 when the republic is compelled to send forth a fleet 
 against its enemies." 
 
 " It is not easy to be silent, Signore. when the 
 heart is full." 
 
 " And there was consultation among thee of coin 
 ing to the palace in a body, and of asking the dis 
 charge of thy grandson from the doge, in the name 
 of the rabble of the Lido." 
 
 " Signore, there were some generous enough to 
 make the offer, but others were of advice it would 
 be well to reflect before they took so bold a measure." 
 
 "And thou what was thine own counsel on that 
 point?" 
 
 " Eccellenza, I am old, and though unused to be 
 thus questioned by illustrious senators, I had seen 
 enough of the manner in which St. Mark governs, 
 to believe a few unarmed fishermen and gondoliers 
 would not be listened to with " 
 
 " Ha ! Did the gondoliers become of thy party T 
 I should have believed them jealous, and displeased 
 with the triumph of one who was not of their body." 
 
 " A gondolier is a man, and though they had the 
 feelings of human nature on being beaten, they had 
 Q 2 
 
186 TI1L* BRAVO. 
 
 also the feelings of human nature when they heard 
 that a father was robbed of iiis son. Signore," con 
 tinued Antonio, with great earnestness and a singu 
 lar simplicity, " there will be great discontent "on 
 the canals, if the galleys sail with the boy aboard 
 them!" 
 
 " Such is thy opinion ; w r ere the gondoliers on 
 the Lido numerous ? " 
 
 " When the sports ended, eccellenza, they came 
 over by hundreds, and I will do the generous fel 
 lows the justice to say, that they had forgotten their 
 want of luck in the love of justice. Diamine ! these 
 gondoliers are not so bad a class as some pretend, 
 but they are men like ourselves, and can feel for a 
 Christian as well as another!" 
 
 The secretary paused, for his task was done ; and 
 a deep silence pervaded the gloomy apartment. 
 After a short pause one of the three resumed 
 
 " Antonio Vecchio," he said " thou hast served 
 thyself in these said galleys, to \vhich thou now 
 seemest so averse and served bravely, as I learn ?" 
 
 " Signore, I have done my duty by St. Mark. I 
 played my part against the irilidel, but. it w r as after 
 my beard w r as grown, ami at an age when I had 
 learnt to know r good from evil. There is no duty 
 more cheerfully performed by us all, than to defend 
 the islands and the Lagunes against the enemy." 
 
 " And all the republic s dominions. Thou canst 
 make no distinctions between any of the rights of 
 the state." 
 
 " There is a wisdom granted to the great, which 
 God hath denied the poor and the weak, Signore. 
 To me it does not seern clear that Venice, a city 
 built on a few islands, hath any more right to carry 
 her rule into Crete or Caridia, than the Turk hath to 
 come here." 
 
 " How ! Dost thou dare, on the Lido, to question 
 the claim of the republic to her conquests ! or do 
 
THE BRAVO. 187 
 
 the irreverent fishermen dare thus to speak lightly 
 of her glory ! " 
 
 " Eccellenza, I know little of rights that come by 
 violence. God hath given us the Lagunes, but I 
 know not that he has given us more. This glory of 
 which you speak may sit lightly on the shoulders 
 of a senator, but it weighs heavily on a fisherman s 
 heart." 
 
 " Thou speakest, bold man, of that which thou 
 dost not comprehend." 
 
 " It is unfortunate, Signore, that the pow r er to un 
 derstand hath not been given to those who have 
 so much power to suffer." 
 
 An anxious pause succeeded this reply. 
 
 " Thou mayest withdraw, Antonio," said he, who 
 apparently presided in the dread councils of the 
 Three. " Thou wilt not speak of what has happen 
 ed, and thou wilt await the inevitable justice of St. 
 Mark, in full confidence of its execution." 
 
 " Thanks, illustrious senator ; I will obey your 
 excellency ; but my heart is full, and I would fain 
 say a few words concerning the child, beforp I quit 
 this noble company." 
 
 " Thou mayest speak and here thou mayest give 
 free vent to all thy wishes, or to ad thy griefs, if any 
 thou hast. St. Mark has no greater pleasure than 
 to listen to the wishes of his children." 
 
 " I believe they have reviled the republic in call 
 ing its chiefs heartless, and sold to ambition!" said 
 the old man, with generous warmth, disregarding 
 the stern rebuke which gleamed in the eye of Ja- 
 copo. " A senator is but a man, and there are 
 fathers and children among them, as among us of 
 the Lagunes." 
 
 ** Speak, but refrain from seditious or discredita 
 ble discourse," uttered a secretary, in a half-whis 
 per. " Proceed." 
 
 " I have little now to offer, Si<niori ; I am not 
 
188 THE BRAVO. 
 
 used to boast of my services to the state, excellent 
 gentlemen, hut there is a time when human modesty 
 must give way to huma) nature. These scars were 
 got in one of the proudest days of St. Mark, and in 
 the foremost of all the galleys that fought among 
 the Greek islands. The father of my boy wept over 
 me then, as I have since wept over his own son 
 yes 1 might be ashamed to own it among men ; 
 but if the truth must be spoken, the loss of the boy 
 has drawn bitter tears from me in the darkness of 
 night, and in the solitude of the Lagunes. I lay 
 many weeks, Signori, less a man than a corpse, and 
 when I got back again to my nets and my toil, I 
 did not withhold my son from the call of the repub 
 lic. He went in my place to meet the infidel a 
 service from which he never came back. This was 
 the duty of men who had grown in experience, and 
 who were not to be deluded into wickedness by the 
 evil company of the galleys. But this calling of 
 children into the snares of the devil grieves a father, 
 and I will own the weakness, if such it be I am 
 not of a courage and pride to send forth my own 
 flesh arid blood into the danger and corruption of 
 war and evil society, as in days when the stoutness 
 of the heart was like the stoutness of the limbs. 
 Give me back, then, my boy, till he has seen my old 
 head laid beneath the sands, and until, by the aid of 
 blessed St. Anthony, and such councils as a poor 
 1 man can offer, I may give him more steadiness in 
 his love of the right, and until I may have so shaped 
 his life, that he will not be driven about by every 
 pleasant or treacherous wind that may happen to 
 blow upon his bark. Signori, you are rich, and 
 powerful, and honored, and though you may be 
 placed in the way of temptations to do wrongs that 
 are suited to your high names and illustrious for 
 tunes, ye know little of the trials of the poor. What 
 are the temptations of the blessed St. Anthony Ijim- 
 
THE BRAVO. 189 
 
 self, to those of the evil company of the galleys ! 
 And now, Signori, though you may be angr^ to 
 hear it, 1 will say, that when an aged man has no 
 other kin on earth, or none so near as to feel the 
 glow of the thin blood of the poor, than one poor 
 boy, St. Mark would do well to remember that even 
 a fisherman of the Lagunes can feel as well as the 
 doge on his throne. This much I say, illustrious 
 senators, in sorrow, and not in anger ; for I would 
 get back the child, and die in peace with my supe 
 riors, as with my equals." 
 
 " Thou mayest depart," said one of the Three. 
 
 " Not yet, Signore, I have still more to say of 
 the men of the Lagunes, who speak with loud voices 
 concerning this dragging of boys into the service of 
 the galleys." 
 
 " We will hear their opinions." 
 
 " Noble gentlemen, if I were to utter all they have 
 said, word for word, I might do some disfavor to 
 your ears ! Man is man, though the Virgin and the 
 saints listen to his aves and prayers from beneath a 
 jacket of serge and a fisherman s cap. But I know 
 too well my duty to the senate to speak so plainly. 
 But, Signori, they say, saving the bluntness of their 
 language, that St. Mark should have ears for the 
 meanest of his people as well as for the richest no 
 ble ; and that not a hair should fall from the head 
 of a fisherman, without its being counted as if it 
 were a lock from beneath the horned bonnet ; and 
 that where God hath not made marks of his displea 
 sure, man should not." 
 
 " Do they dare to reason thus?" 
 
 " I know not if it be reason, illustrious Signore, 
 but it is what they say, and, eccellenza, it is holy 
 truth. We are poor workmen of the Lagunes, who 
 rise with the day to cast our nets, and return at 
 night to hard beds and harder fare ; but with this 
 Xve might be content, did the senate count us as 
 
190 THE BRAVO. 
 
 Christians and men. That God hath not given to afl 
 the same chances in life, I well know, for it often hap 
 pens that I draw an empty net, when my comrades 
 are groaning with the weight of their draughts ; but 
 this is done to punish my sins, or to humble my 
 heart, whereas it exceeds the power of man to look 
 into the secrets of the soul, or to foretell the evil of 
 the still innocent child. Blessed St. Anthony knows 
 how many years of suffering this visit to the galleys 
 may cause to the child in the end. Think of these 
 things, I pray you, Signori, and send men of tried 
 principles to the wars." 
 
 " Thou mayest retire," rejoined the judge. 
 
 " I should be sorry that any who cometh of my 
 blood," continued the inattentive Antonio, " should 
 be the cause of ill-will between them that rule and 
 them that are born to obey. But nature is sti onger 
 even than the law, and I should discredit her feel 
 ings were I to go without speaking as becomes a 
 father. Ye have taken my child and sent him to 
 serve the state at the hazard of body and soul, with 
 out giving opportunity for a parting kiss, or a part 
 ing blessing ye have used my flesh and blood as 
 ye would use the wood of the arsenal, and sent it 
 forth upon the sea as if it were the insensible metal 
 of the balls ye throw against the infidel. Ye have 
 shut your ears to my prayers, as if they were words 
 uttered by the wicked, and when I have exhorted 
 you on my knees, wearied my stiffened limbs to do 
 ye pleasure, rendered ye the jewel which St. Antho 
 ny gave to my net, that it might soften your hearts, 
 and reasoned with you calmly on the nature of your 
 acts, you turn from me coldly, as if I were unfit-Ho 
 stand forth in defence of the offspring that God hath 
 left my age ! This is not the boasted justice of St. 
 Mark, Venetian senators, but hardness of heart and 
 a wasting of the meanb of the poor, that would ill 
 become the most grasping Hebrew of the Rialto! * 
 
THE BRAVO. 191 
 
 " Hast thou aught more to urge, Antonio ?" asked 
 the judge, with the wily design, of unmasking the 
 fisherman s entire soul. 
 
 " Is it not enough, Signore, that I urge my years, 
 my poverty, my scars, and my love for the boy ? I 
 know ye not, but though ye are hid behind the folds 
 of your robes and masks, still must ye be men. 
 There may be among ye a father, or perhaps some 
 one who hath a still more sacred charge, the child 
 of a dead son. To him I speak. In vain ye talk of 
 justice when the weight of your power falls on them 
 least able to bear it ; and though ye may delude 
 yourselves, the meanest gondolier of the canal 
 knows " 
 
 He was stopped from uttering more by his com 
 panion, who rudely placed a hand on his mouth. 
 
 "Why hast thou presumed to stop the complaints 
 of Antonio?" sternly demanded the judge. 
 
 " It was not decent, illustrious senators, to listen 
 to such disrespect in so noble a presence," Jacopo 
 answered, bending reverently as he spoke. " This 
 old fisherman, dread Signori, is warmed by love for 
 his offspring, and he will utter that which, in his 
 cooler moments, he will repent." 
 
 " St. Mark fears not the truth ! If he has more to 
 say, let him declare it." 
 
 But the excited Antonio began to reflect. The 
 flush which had ascended to his weather-beaten 
 cheek disappeared, and his naked breast ceased to 
 heave. He stood like one rebuked, more by his dis 
 cretion than his conscience, with a calmer eye, and 
 a face that exhibited the composure of his years, 
 and the respect of his condition 
 
 " If I have offended, great patricians," he said, 
 more mildly, " I pray you to forget the zeal of an 
 ignorant old man, whose feelings are master of his 
 breeding, and who knows less how to render the 
 truth agreeable to noble ears, than to utter it." 
 
192 THE BRAVO. 
 
 " Thou mayest depart." 
 
 The armed attendants advanced, and, obedient to 
 a sign from the secretary, they led Antonio and his 
 companion through the door by which they had en 
 tered. The other officials of the place followed, 
 and the secret judges were left by themselves in the 
 chamber of doom. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 " O ! the days that we have seen." 
 
 SHELTON. 
 
 A PAUSE like that which accompanies self-contem 
 plation, and perhaps conscious distrust of purpose, 
 succeeded. Then the Three arose, together, and 
 be^an to lay aside the instruments of their disguise. 
 When the masks were removed, they exposed the 
 grave visages of men in the decline of life, athwart 
 which worldly cares and worldly passions had 
 drawn those deep lines, which no subsequent ease 
 or resignation can erase. During the process of 
 unrobing neither spoke, for the affair, on which they 
 had just been employed, caused novel and disagree 
 able sensations to them all. When they were de 
 livered from their superfluous garments and their 
 masks, however, they drew near the table, and each 
 sought that relief for his limbs and person which was 
 natural to the long restraint he had undergone. 
 
 " There are letters from the French king inter 
 cepted," said one, after time had permitted them to 
 rally their thoughts; " it would appear they treat 
 of the new intentions of the emperor." 
 
 " Have they been restored to the ambassador ? or 
 
THE BfcAVO. 193 
 
 are the originals to go before the senate ?" demand 
 ed another. 
 
 " On that we must take counsel, at our leisure. I 
 have naught else to communicate, except that the 
 order given to intercept the messenger of the Holy 
 See hath failed of its object." 
 
 " Of this the secretaries advertised me. We must 
 look into the negligence of the agents, for there is 
 good reason to believe much useful knowledge would 
 have come from that seizure." 
 
 " As the attempt is already known and much spo 
 ken of, care must be had to issue orders for the ar 
 rest of the robbers, else may the republic fall into 
 disrepute with its friends. There are names on our 
 list which might be readily marked for punishment, 
 for that quarter of our patrimony is never in want of 
 proscribed, to conceal an accident of this nature." 
 
 " Good heed will be had to this, since, as you say, 
 the affair is weighty. The government or the indi 
 vidual that is negligent of reputation, cannot expect 
 long to retain the respect of its equals." 
 
 " The ambition of the House of Hapsburgh robs 
 me of my sleep!" exclaimed the other, throwing 
 aside some papers, over w r hich his eye had glanced, 
 in disgust. " Holy St. Theodore ! what a scourge 
 to the race is the desire to augment territories and 
 to extend an unjust rule, beyond the boundaries of 
 reason and nature ! Here have we, in Venice, been 
 in undisputed possession of provinces that are adapt 
 ed to our institutions, convenient to our wants, and 
 agreeable to our desires, for ages; provinces that 
 were gallantly won by our ^.icestors, and which 
 cling to us as habits linger in our age : and yet are 
 they become objects of a covetous ambition to our 
 neighbor, under a vain pretext of a policy, that I 
 fear is strengthened by our increasing weakness. I 
 sicken, Signori, of my esteem for men, as I dive 
 deeper into their tempers and desires, and often wish 
 
 VOL. I. R 
 
194 THE BRAVO. ^ 
 
 myself a dog, as I study their propensities. In his 
 appetite for power, is not the Austrian the most rapa 
 cious of all the princes of the earth?" 
 
 " More so, think you, worthy Signore, than the 
 Castilian? You overlook the unsatiated desire of the 
 Spanish king to extend his sway in Italy. 1 
 
 " Hapsburgh or Bourbon ; Turk or Englishman ; 
 they all seem actuated by the same fell appetite for 
 dominion; and now that Venice hath no more to 
 hope, than to preserve her present advantages, the 
 least of all our enjoyments becomes a subject of 
 covetous envy to our enemies. There are passions 
 to weary one of an interference with governments, 
 and to send him to his cord of penitence and the 
 cloisters ! " 
 
 " I never listen to your observations, Signore, 
 without quitting the chamber an edified man ! Truly 
 this desire in the strangers to trespass on our priv 
 ileges, and it may be well said, privileges which 
 have been gained by our treasures and our blood, 
 becomes more manifest, daily. Should it not be 
 checked, St. Mark will be stripped, in the end, of 
 even a landing-place for a gondola on the main." 
 
 "The" leap of the winged lion is much curtailed, 
 excellent Sir, or these things might not be ! It is no 
 longer in our power to persuade, or to command, as 
 of old, and our canals begin to be encumbered with 
 slimy weeds, instead of well-freighted argosies, and 
 swift-sailing feluccas." 
 
 " The Portuguese hath done us irretrievable harm, 
 for without his African discoveries, we might yet 
 have retained the traffic in Indian commodities. I 
 cordially dislike the mongrel race, being, as it is, 
 half Gothic and half Moorish ! " 
 
 " I trust not myself to think of their origin or of 
 their deeds, my friends, lest prejudice should kindle 
 feelings unbecoming a man and a Christian. How 
 now, Signor Gradenigo; thou art thoughtful?" 
 
THE BRAVO. 195 
 
 The third member of the secret council, who had 
 not spoken since the disappearance of the accused, 
 and who was no other than the reader s old ac 
 quaintance of the name just mentioned, slowly 
 lilted his head, from a -meditative position, at this 
 address. 
 
 " The examination of the fisherman hath recalled 
 scenes of my boyhood," he answered, with a touch 
 of nature, that seldom found place in that chamber. 
 
 " I heard thee say, he was thy foster-brother," re 
 turned the other, struggling to conceal a gape. 
 
 " We drank of the same milk, and, for the first 
 years of life, we sported at the same games." 
 
 " These imaginary kindred often give great un 
 easiness. I am glad your trouble hath no other 
 source, for I had heard that the young heir of your 
 house hath shown a prodigal disposition of late, and 
 I feared that matter might have come to your know 
 ledge, as one of the council, that a father might not 
 wish to learn." 
 
 The selfish features of the Signor Gradenigo, in 
 stantly underwent a change. He glanced curiously, 
 and with a strong distrust, but in a covert manner, 
 at the fallen eyes of his two companions, anxious 
 to penetrate their secret thoughts ere he ventured to 
 expose his own. 
 
 " Is there aught of complaint against the youth?" 
 he demanded, in a voice of hesitation. " You un 
 derstand a father s interest, and will not conceal the 
 truth." 
 
 " Signore, you know that the agents of the police 
 are active, and little that comes to their knowledge 
 fails to reach the ears of the council. But, at the 
 worst, the matter is not of life or death. It can 
 only cost the inconsiderate young man a visit to 
 Dalmatia, or an order to waste the summer at the 
 foot of the Alps." 
 
196 THE BRAVO. 
 
 "Youth is the season of indiscretion, as ye know, 
 Signori," returned the father, breathing more freely, 
 " and as none become old that have not been young, 
 I have little need to awaken your recollection of its 
 weaknesses. I trust my son is incapable of design 
 ing aught against the republic?" 
 
 " Of that he is not suspected." A slight expres 
 sion of irony crossed the features of the old senator, 
 as he spoke. " But he is represented as aiming too 
 freely at the person and wealth of your ward ; and 
 that she, who is the especial care of St. Mark, is not 
 to be solicited without the consent of the senate, is 
 an usage well known to one of its most ancient and 
 most honorable members." 
 
 " Such is the law, and none coming of me shall 
 show it disrespect. I have preferred my claims to 
 that connexion, openly, but with diffidence ; and I 
 await the decision of the state, in respectful confi^ 
 dence." 
 
 His associates bowed in courteous acknowledge 
 ment of the justice of what he said, and of the 
 loyalty of his conduct, but it was in the manner of 
 men too long accustomed to duplicity, to be easily 
 duped. 
 
 "None doubt it, worthy Signor Gradenigo, for 
 thy faith to the state is ever quoted as a model for 
 the young, and as a subject for the approbation of 
 the more experienced. Hast thou any communica 
 tions to make on the interest of the voung heiress, 
 thyself?" 
 
 " I am pained to say, that the deep obligation con-< 
 ferred by Don Carnillo Monforte, seems to have 
 wrought upon her youthful imagination, and I appre 
 hend that, in disposing of my ward, the state 
 will have to contend with the caprice of a female 
 mind. The waywardness of that age will give 
 more trouble, than the conduct of far gmver 
 ters," 
 
THE BRAVO. 197 
 
 " Is the lady attended by suitable companions, in 
 .her daily life i" 
 
 " Her companions are known to the Senate. In 
 so grave an interest, I would not act without their au 
 thority and sanction. But the affair hath great need 
 of delicacy in its government. The circumstance, 
 that so much of my ward s fortune lies in the states 
 of the church, renders it necessary to await the 
 proper moment for disposing of her rights, and of 
 transferring their substance within the limits of the 
 republic, before we proceed to any act of decision. 
 Once assured of her wealth, she may be disposed of, 
 as seemeth best to the welfare of the state, without 
 further delay." 
 
 " The lady hath a lineage and riches, and an ex 
 cellence of person, that might render her of great 
 account in some of these knotty negotiations, which 
 so much fetter our movements of late. The time 
 hath been, when a daughter of Venice, not more 
 fair, was wooed to the bed of a sovereign." 
 
 " Signore, those days of glory and greatness exist 
 no longer. Should it be thought expedient to over 
 look the natural claims of my son, and to bestow my 
 ward to the advantage of "the republic, the most 
 that can be expected through her means, is a favora 
 ble concession in some future treaty, or a new prop 
 to some of the many decaying interests of the city. 
 In this particular, she may be rendered of as much, 
 or even of more use, than the oldest and wisest of 
 our body. But that her will may be free, and the 
 child may have no obstacles to her happiness, it 
 will be necessary to make a speedy determination 
 of the claim preferred by Don Camillo. Can w r e do 
 better than to recommend a compromise, that he 
 may return without delay to his own Calabria?" 
 
 " The concern is weighty, and it demands delibe 
 ration." 
 
 " He complains of our tardiness already, and not 
 R2 
 
19$ THE BRAVO. 
 
 without show of reason. It is five years since the 
 claim was first preferred." 
 
 " Signor Gradeaigo, it is for the vigorous and 
 healthful to display their activity, the aged and the 
 tottering must move with caution. Were we, in 
 Venice, to betray precipitation in so weighty a con 
 cern, without seeing an immediate interest in the 
 judgment, we should trifle with a gale of fortune that 
 every sirocco will not blow into the canals. We 
 must have terms with the lord of Sant Agata, or we 
 greatly slight our own advantage." 
 
 " I hinted of the matter to your excellencies, as a 
 consideration for your wisdom ; methinks it will be 
 something gained to remove one so dangerous, from 
 the recollection, and from before the eyes, of a love 
 sick maiden." 
 
 " Is the damsel so amorous ? " 
 
 " She is of Italy, Signore, and our sun bestows 
 warm fancies and fervent minds." 
 
 "Let her to the confessional and her prayers! 
 The godly prior of St. Mark will discipline her im 
 agination, till she shall conceit the Neapolitan a 
 Moor, and an infidel. Just San Teodoro, forgive 
 me! But thou canst remember the time, my 
 friends, when the penance of the church was not 
 without service, on thine own fickle tastes and tru 
 ant practices." 
 
 " The Signore Gradenigo was a gallant in his 
 time," observed the third, " as all well know who 
 travelled in his company. Thou wert much spoken 
 of at Versailles and at Vienna, nay, thou canst not 
 deny thy vogue to one who, if he hath no other merit, 
 hath a memory." 
 
 " I protest against these false recollections," re 
 joined the accused, a withered smile lighting his 
 faded countenance ; " we have been young, Signori ; 
 but among us all, I never knew a Venetian of more 
 general fashion and of better report, especially 
 
THE BRAVO. 199 
 
 with the dames of France, than he who has just 
 spoken." 
 
 " Account it not account it not twas the weak 
 ness of youth and the use of the times ! 1 remem 
 ber to have seen thee, Enrico, at Madrid, and a gayer 
 or more accomplished gentleman was not known at 
 the Spanish court." 
 
 " Thy friendship blinded thee I was ,a boy and 
 full of spirits ; no more, I may assure thee. Didst 
 hear of my affair with the mosquetaire, when at 
 Paris?" 
 
 " Did I hear of the general war ? Thou art too 
 modest, to raise this doubt of a meeting that occu 
 pied the coteries for a month, as it had been a vic 
 tory of the powers ! Signor Gradenigo, it was a 
 pleasure to call him countryman at that time, for I 
 do assure thee, a sprightlier or a more gallant gen 
 tleman did not walk the terrace." 
 
 " Thou tellest me of what my own eyes have 
 been a witness. Did I not arrive when men s voices 
 spoke of nothing else? A beautiful court and a 
 pleasant capital were those of France in our day, 
 Signori." 
 
 "None pleasanter, or of greater freedom of inter 
 course St. Mark aid me with his prayers ! The 
 many pleasant hours that I have passed between the 
 Marais and the Chateau ! Didst ever meet La Com- 
 tesse de Mignon in the gardens 1 " 
 
 " Zitto thou growest loquacious, caro ; nay, she 
 wanted not for grace and affability, that I will say. 
 In what a manner they played in the houses of re 
 sort, at that time ! " 
 
 " I know it to my cost. Will you lend me your 
 belief, dear friends ? I arose from the table of La 
 
 Belle Duchesse de , the loser of a thousand 
 
 sequins, and to this hour it seemeth but a moment 
 that I was occupied." 
 
 "I remember the evening. Thou wert seated be- 
 
200 THE BRAVO. 
 
 tween the wife of the Spanish ambassador, and a 
 miladi of England. Thou wert playing at rouge-et- 
 noir, in more ways than one, for thy eyes were 
 on thy neighbors instead of thy cards Giulio, I 
 w r ould have paid half the loss, to have read the 
 next epistle of the worthy senator thy father !" 
 
 " He never knew it he never knew it we iiad 
 our friends } on the Rialto, and the account was set 
 tled a few years later. Thou wast well with Ninon, 
 Enrico?" 
 
 " A companion of her leisure, and one who bask 
 ed in the sunshine of her wit." 
 
 " Nay, they said thou wert of more favor " 
 
 " Mere gossip of the salons. I do protest, gentle 
 men, not that others were better received but 
 idle tongues will have their discourse ! " 
 
 " Wert thou of the party, Alessandro, that went 
 in a fit of gaiety from country to country, till it 
 numbered ten courts at which it appeared in as 
 many weeks ?" 
 
 " Was I not its mover ? What a memory art thou 
 getting! T was for a hundred golden louis, and it 
 was bravely won by an hour. A postponement of 
 the reception by the elector of Bavaria, went near 
 to defeat us, but we bribed the groom of the cham 
 bers, as thou mayest remember, and got into the 
 presence as it were by accident." 
 
 " Was that held to be sufficient ?" 
 
 " That was it, for our terms mentioned the condi 
 tion of holding discourse with ten sovereigns, in as 
 many weeks, in their own palaces. Oh ! it \vas fair 
 ly won ; and I believe I may say that it was as 
 gaily expended ! " 
 
 " For the latter will I vouch, since I never quitted 
 thee while a piece of it all remained. There are 
 divers means of dispensing gold in those northern 
 capitals, and 4he task was quickly accomplished. 
 
THE BRAVO. 201 
 
 They are pleasant countries for a few years of 
 youth and idleness!" 
 
 " It is a pity that their climates are so rude." 
 
 A slight and general shudder expressed their 
 Italian sympathy, but the discourse did not the less 
 proceed. 
 
 " They might have a better sun, and a clearer 
 sky, but there is excellent cheer, and no want of 
 hospitality," observed the Signor Gradenigo, who 
 maintained his full share of the dialogue, though we 
 iiave not found it necessary to separate sentiments 
 that were so common among the different speakers. 
 " I have seen pleasant hours even with the Genoese, 
 though their town hath a cast of reflection and so 
 briety, that is not always suited to the dispositions 
 of youth." 
 
 "Nay, Stockholm and Copenhagen have their 
 pleasures too, I do assure thee. I passed a season 
 between them. Your Dane is a good joker and a 
 hearty bottle companion." 
 
 " In that the Englishman surpasseth all ! If I 
 were to relate their powers of living in this manner, 
 dear friends, ye would discredit me. That which I 
 have seen often, seemeth impossible even to myself. 
 Tis a gloomy abode, and one that we of Italy little 
 like, in common." 
 
 "Name it not in comparison with Holland wert 
 ever in Holland, friends ? didst ever enjoy the fash 
 ion of Amsterdam and the Hague? I remember to 
 have heard a young Roman urge a friend to pass a 
 winter there ; for the witty rogue termed it, the 
 beau ideal of the land of petticoats!" 
 
 The three old Italians, in whom this sally excited 
 a multitude of absurd recollections and pleasant 
 fancies, broke out into a general and hearty fit of 
 laughter. The sound of their cracked merriment, 
 echoing in that gloomy and solemn nft>m, suddenly 
 recalled them to the recollection of their duties. 
 
202 THE BRAVO. 
 
 Each listened an instant, as if in expectation that 
 some extraordinary consequence was to follow so 
 extraordinary an interruption of the usual silence 
 of the place, like a child whose truant propensities 
 were about to draw detection on his offence, and 
 then the principal of the council furtively wiped 
 the tears from his eyes, and resumed his gravity. 
 
 " Signori," he said, fumbling in a bundle of papers. 
 " we must take up the matter of the fisherman but 
 we will first inquire into the circumstance of the 
 signet left, the past night, in the lion s mouth. Sig- 
 nor Gradenigo, you were charged with the examina 
 tion." 
 
 " The duty hath been executed, noble Sirs, and 
 with a success I had not hoped to meet with. 
 Haste, at our last meeting, prevented a perusal of 
 the paper to which it was attached, but it will now 
 be seen that the two have a connexion. Here is an 
 accusation which charges Don Camillo Monforte 
 with a design to bear away, beyond the power of 
 the senate, the Donna Violetta, my ward, in order 
 to possess her person and riches. It speaketh 
 of proofs in possession of the accuser, as if he 
 were an agent intrusted by the Neapolitan. As a 
 pledge of his truth, I suppose, for there is no men 
 tion made of any other use, he sends the signet of 
 Don Camillo himself, which cannot have been ob 
 tained without that noble s confidence." 
 
 " Is it certain that he owns the ring ? " 
 
 " Of that am I well assured. You know I am 
 especially charged with conducting his personal de 
 mand with the senate, and frequent interviews have 
 given me opportunity to note that he was wont to 
 wear a signet, which is now wanting. My jeweller 
 of the Rialto hath sufficiently identified this, as 
 the missing ring." 
 
 " Thus far ft is clear, though there is an obscurity 
 in the circumstance that the signet of the accused 
 
THE BRAVO. 203 
 
 should be found with the accusation, which, being 
 unexplained, renders the charge vague and uncer 
 tain. Have you any clue to the writing, or any 
 means of knowing whence it comes?" 
 
 There was a small but nearly imperceptible red 
 spot on the cheek of the "Signer Gradenigo, that did 
 not escape the keen distrust of his companions ; but 
 he concealed his alarm, answering distinctly that he 
 had none. 
 
 " We must then defer a decision for further proof. 
 The justice of St. Mark hath been too much vaunt 
 ed to endanger its reputation by a hasty decree, in a 
 question which so closely touches the interest of a 
 powerful noble of Italy. Don Camillo Monforte 
 hath a name of distinction, and counteth too many 
 of note among his kindred, to be dealt with as we 
 might dispose of a gondolier, or the messenger of 
 some foreign state." 
 
 " As respects him, Signore, you are undoubtedly 
 right. But may w r e not endanger our heiress by 
 too much tenderness?" 
 
 " There are many convents in Venice, Signore." 
 
 " The monastic life is ill suited to the temper of 
 my ward," the Signor Gradenigo drily observed, 
 " and I fear to hazard the experiment ; gold is a key 
 to unlock the strongest cell ; besides, we cannot with 
 due observance of propriety place a child of the 
 state in durance." 
 
 " Signor Gradenigo, we have had this matter un 
 der long and grave consideration, and agreeably to 
 our laws, when one of our number hath a palpable 
 interest in the affair, we have taken counsel of his 
 highness, who is of accord with us in sentiment. 
 Your personal interest in the lady might have warp 
 ed your usually excellent judgment ; else, be assured, 
 we should have summoned you to the conference." 
 
 The old senator, who thus unexpectedly found 
 himself excluded from consultation, on the very 
 
204 THE BRAVO, 
 
 matter, that, of all others, made him most value his 
 temporary authority, stood abashed and silent read 
 ing in his countenance, however, a desire to know 
 more, his associates proceeded to communicate all 
 it was their intention he should hear. 
 
 " It hath been determined to remove the lady to a 
 suitable retirement, and for this purpose care hath 
 been already had to provide the means. Thou wilt 
 be temporarily relieved of a most grievous charge, 
 which cannot but have worked heavily on thy spirits, 
 and, in other particulars, have lessened thy much- 
 valued usefulness to the republic." 
 
 This unexpected communication was made with 
 marked courtesy of manner; but with an emphasis 
 and tone, that sufficiently acquainted the Signer 
 Gradenigo with the nature of the suspicions that beset 
 him. He had too long been familiar with the sinu 
 ous policy of the council, in which, at intervals, he 
 had so often sat, not to understand that he would 
 run the risk of a more serious accusation were he 
 to hesitate in acknowledging its justice. Teaching 
 his features, therefore, to wear a smile as treacher 
 ous as that of his wily companion, he answered with 
 seeming gratitude. 
 
 " His highness and you, my excellent colleagues, 
 have taken counsel of your good wishes and kind 
 ness of heart, rather than of the duty of a poor sub 
 ject of St. Mark, to toil on in his service while he 
 hath strength and reason for the task," he said. 
 " The management of a capricious female mind is 
 ^i concern of no light moment, and while I thank 
 you for this consideration of my case, you will per^ 
 mit me to express my readiness to resume the 
 charge whenever it shall please the state again to 
 confer it." 
 
 " Of this none are more persuaded than we, nor 
 are any better satisfied of your ability to discharge 
 the trust faithfully. But you enter, Signore, into all 
 
THE BRAVO. 205 
 
 our motives, and will join us in the opinion, that it is 
 equally unbecoming the republic, and one of its most 
 illustrious citizens, to leave a ward of the former in 
 a position that shall subject the latter to unmerited 
 censure. Believe me, we have thought less of Venice 
 in this matter, than of the honor and the interests of 
 the house of Gradenigo ; for, should this Neapolitan 
 thwart our views, you of us all would be most liable 
 to be disapproved of." 
 
 " A thousand thanks, excellent Sir," returned the 
 deposed guardian. " You have taken a load from 
 my mind, and restored some of the freshness and 
 elasticity of youth ! The claim of Don Camillo now 
 is no longer urgent, since it is your pleasure to re 
 move the lady, for a season, from the city." 
 " Twere better to hold it in deeper suspense, if it 
 were only to occupy his mind. Keep up thy com 
 munications, as of wont, and withhold not hope, 
 which is a powerful exciter in minds that are not 
 deadened by experience. We shall not conceal from 
 one of our number, that a negotiation is already 
 near a termination, which will relieve the state from 
 the care of the damsel, and at some benefit to the 
 republic. Her estates lying; without our limits great 
 ly facilitate the treaty, which hath only been with 
 held from your knowledge, by the consideration, that 
 of late, we have rather too much overloaded thce 
 \vith affairs." 
 
 Again the Signor Gradenigo bowed submissively, 
 and with apparent joy. He saw that his secret de 
 sign had been penetrated, notwithstanding all his 
 practised duplicity and specious candor; and he 
 submitted with that species of desperate resignation, 
 which becomes a habit, if not a virtue, in men long 
 accustomed to be governed despotically. When 
 this delicate subject, which required the utmost 
 finesse of Venetian policy, since it involved the in 
 terests of one, who happened, at the moment, to be 
 
 VOL. I. S 
 
206 THE BRAVO. 
 
 in the dreaded council itself, was disposed of, the 
 three turned their attention to other matters, with 
 that semblance of indifference to personal feeling, 
 which practice in tortuous paths of state-intrigue 
 enabled men to assume. 
 
 " Since we are so happily of opinion, concerning 
 the disposition of the Donna Violetta," coolly ob 
 served the oldest senator, a rare specimen of hack 
 neyed and worldly morality, " we may look into our 
 list of daily duties what saith the lion s mouths to 
 night?" 
 
 " A few of the ordinary and unmeaning accusa 
 tions that spring from personal hatred," returned 
 another. " One chargeth his neighbor with oversight 
 in religious duties, and with some carelessness of 
 the fasts of Holy Church a foolish scandal, rtted 
 for the ears of a curate." 
 
 " Is there naught else 1 ?" 
 
 "Another complaineth of neglect in a husband. 
 The scrawl is in a woman s hand, and beareth, on 
 its face, the evidence of a woman s resentment." 
 
 " Sudden to rise and easy to be appeased. Let 
 the neighborhood quiet the household by its sneers 
 What next?" 
 
 " A suitor in the courts maketh complaint of the 
 tardiness of the judges." 
 
 " This toucheth the reputation of St. Mark ; it must 
 be looked to!" 
 
 " Hold !" interrupted the Signor Gradenigo. " The 
 tribunal acteth advisedly tis in the matter of a 
 Hebrew, who is thought to have secrets of import 
 ance. The affair hath need of deliberation, I do as 
 sure you." 
 
 " Destroy the charge Have we more ?" 
 
 " Nothing of note. The usual number of plea 
 santries and hobbling verses which tend to nothing. 
 If we get some useful gleanings, by these secret ac 
 cusations, we gain much nonsense. I would whip 
 
THE BRAVO. 207 
 
 a youngster of ten who could not mould our soft 
 Italian into better rhyme thaa this." 
 
 " Tis the wantonness of security. Let it pass, 
 for all that serveth to amuse suppresseth turbulent 
 thoughts. Shall we now see his highness, Sig- 
 nori?" 
 
 " You forget the fisherman," gravely observed the 
 Signor Gradenigo. 
 
 " Your honor sayeth true. What a head for busi 
 ness hath he ! Nothing that is useful escapeth his 
 ready mind." 
 
 The old senator, while he was too experienced to 
 be cajoled by such language, saw the necessity of 
 appearing flattered. Again he bowed, and protested 
 aloud and frequently against the justice of compli 
 ments that he so little merited. When this little by 
 play was over, they proceeded gravely to consider 
 the matter before them. 
 
 As the decision of the Council of Three will be 
 made apparent in the course of the narrative, we 
 shall not continue to detail the conversation that ac 
 companied their deliberations. The sitting was long, 
 so long indeed that when they arose, having com 
 pleted their business, the heavy clock of the square 
 tolled the hour of midnight. 
 
 " The doge will be impatient," said one of the 
 two nameless members, as they threw on their 
 cloaks, before leaving the chamber. " I thought his 
 highness wore a more fatigued and feeble air to 
 day, than he is wont to exhibit, at the festivities of 
 the city." 
 
 " His highness is no longer young, Signore. If 
 I remember right, he greatly outnumbers either of 
 us in years. Our Lady of Loretto lend him strength 
 long to wear the ducal bonnet, and wisdom to wear 
 it well!" 
 
 " He hath lately sent offerings to her shrine." 
 
 " S;gnore, he hath. His confessor hath gone in 
 
208 THE BRAVO. 
 
 person with the offering, as I know of certainty. 
 Tis not a serious gift, but a mere remembrance to 
 keep himself in the odor of sanctity. I doubt that 
 his reign will not be long !" 
 
 " There are, truly, signs of decay in his system. 
 He is a worthy prince, and we shall lose a father 
 when called to weep for his loss ! " 
 
 " Most true, Signore : but the horned bonnet is 
 not an invulnerable shield against the arrows of death. 
 Age and infirmities are more potent than our wish 
 es." 
 
 " Thou art moody to-night, Signor Gradenigo. 
 Thou art not used to be so silent with thy friends." 
 
 " I am not the less grateful, Signore, for their fa 
 vors. If I have a loaded countenance, I bear a light 
 ened heart. One who hath a daughter of his own 
 so happily bestowed in wedlock as thine, may judge 
 of the relief I feel by this disposition of my ward. 
 Joy affects the exterior, frequently, like sorrow ; ay, 
 even to tears." 
 
 His two companions looked at the speaker with 
 much obvious sympathy in their manners. They 
 then left the chamber of doom together. The me 
 nials entered and extinguished the lights, leaving all 
 behind them in an obscurity that was no bad type 
 of the gloomy mysteries of the place. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Then methought, 
 
 A serenade broke silence, breathing hope 
 Through walls of stone." 
 
 Italy. 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING the lateness of the hour, the 
 melody of music was rife on the water. Gondolas 
 continued to glide along the shadowed canals,- while 
 
THE BRAVO. 209 
 
 the laugh or the song was echoed among the arches 
 of the palaces. The piazza and piazzetta were yet 
 brilliant with lights, and gay with their multitudes of 
 unwearied revellers. 
 
 The habitation of Donna Violetta was far from 
 the scene of general amusement. Though so re 
 mote, the hum of the moving throng, and the higher 
 strains of the wind-instruments, came, from time to 
 time, to the ears of its inmates, mellowed and thrill 
 ing by distance. 
 
 The position of the moon cast the whole of the 
 narrow passage which flowed beneath the windows 
 of her private apartments into shadow. In a bal 
 cony which overhung the water, stood the youthful 
 and ardent girl, listening with a charmed ear and a 
 tearful eye to one of those soft strains, in which 
 Venetian voices answered to each other from dif 
 ferent points on the canals, in the songs of the gon 
 doliers. Her constant companion and Mentor was 
 near, while the ghostly father of them both stood 
 deeper in the room. 
 
 " There may be pleasanter towns on the main, 
 and capitals of more revelry," said the charmed 
 Violetta, withdrawing her person from its leaning 
 attitude, as the voices ceased ; " but in such a night 
 and at this witching hour, what city may compare 
 with Venice 1 " 
 
 " Providence has been less partial in the distribu 
 tion of its earthly favors than is apparent to a vuU 
 gar eye," returned the attentive Carmelite. " If we 
 have our peculiar enjoyments and our moments of 
 divine contemplation, other towns have advantages 
 of their own ; Genoa and Pisa, Firenze, Ancona, 
 Roma, Palermo, and, chiefest of all, Napoli " 
 
 "Napoli, father!" 
 
 " Daughter, Napoli. Of all the towns of sunny 
 Italy, tis the fairest and the most blessed in natural 
 gifts. Of every region I have visited, during a life 
 S2 
 
210 THE BRAVO. 
 
 of wandering and penitence, that is the country on 
 which the touch of the Creator hath been the most 
 God-like!" 
 
 " Thou art imaginative to-night, good Father An- 
 selmo. The land must be fair indeed, that can thus 
 warm the fancy of a Carmelite." 
 
 " The rebuke is just. I have spoken more under 
 the influence of recollections that came from days 
 of idleness and levity, than with the chastened spirit 
 of one, who should see the hand of the Maker, in 
 the most simple and least lovely of all his wondrous 
 \vorks." 
 
 " You reproach yourself causelessly, holy father," 
 observed the mild Donna Florinda, raising her eyes 
 towards the pale countenance of the monk; " to 
 admire the beauties of nature, is to worship him 
 w r ho gave them being." 
 
 At that moment a burst of music rose on the air, 
 proceeding from the water beneath the balcony. 
 Donna Violetta started back, abashed, and as she 
 held her breath in wonder, and haply with that de 
 light which open admiration is apt to excite in a 
 youthful female bosom, the color mounted to her 
 temples. 
 
 "There passeth a band;" calmly observed the 
 Donna Florinda. 
 
 " No, it is a cavalier ! There are gondoliers, ser 
 vitors in his colors." 
 
 " This is as hardy as it may be gallant;" return 
 ed the monk, who listened to the air with an evident 
 and grave displeasure. 
 
 There was no longer any doubt but that a seren 
 ade was meant. Though the custom was of much 
 use, it was the first time that a similar honor had 
 been paid beneath the window of Donna Violetta. 
 The studied privacy of her life, her known destiny, 
 and the jealousy of the despotic state, and perhaps 
 the deep respect which encircled a maiden of her 
 
THE BRAVO. 211 
 
 tender years aud high condition, had, until that mo 
 ment, kept the aspiring, the vain, and the interested, 
 equally in awe. 
 
 " It is for me !" whispered the trembling, the dis 
 tressed, the delighted Violetta. 
 
 " It is for one of us, indeed;" answered the cau 
 tious friend, a 
 
 " Be it for wliom it may, it is bold," rejoined the 
 monk. 
 
 Donna Violetta shrunk from observation, behind 
 the drapery of the window, but she raised a hand in 
 pleasure, as the rich strains rolled through the w r ide 
 apartments. 
 
 " What a taste rules the band ! " she half- whis 
 pered, afraid to trust her voice, lest a sound should 
 escape her ears. " They touch an air of Petrarch s 
 sonnatas ! How indiscreet, and yet how noble ! " 
 
 " More noble than wise;" said the Donna Florin- 
 da, who entered the balcony, and looked intently on 
 the water beneath. 
 
 " Here are musicians in the color of a noble in 
 one gondola," she continued, " and a single cavalier 
 in another." 
 
 " Hath he no servitor ? Doth he ply the oar him 
 self?" 
 
 " Truly that decency hath not been overlooked ; 
 one in a flowered jacket guides the boat." 
 
 " Speak, then, dearest Florinda, I pray thee." 
 
 "Would it be seemly?" 
 
 " Indeed I think it. Speak them fair. Say that I 
 am the senate s. That it is not discreet to urge a 
 daughter of the state thus say what thou w r ilt but 
 speak them fair." 
 
 " Ha ! It is Don Camillo Monforte ! I know him 
 bv his noble stature and the gallant wave of his 
 hand." 
 
 " This temerity will undo him ! His claim w r ill 
 be refused himself banished. Is it not near 
 
212 THE BRAVO. 
 
 the hour when the gondola of the police passes ? 
 Admonish him to depart, good Florinda and yet 
 can we use this rudeness to a Signor of his rank !" 
 
 " Father, counsel us ; you know the hazards of 
 this rash gallantry in the Neapolitan aid us with 
 thy wisdom, for there is not a moment to lose." 
 
 The Carmelite had been an attentive and an in 
 dulgent observer of the emotion, which sensations 
 so novel had awakened in the ardent but unprac 
 tised breast of the fair Venetian. Pity, sorrow, and 
 sympathy were painted on his mortified face, as he 
 witnessed the mastery of feeling over a mind so 
 guileless, and a heart so warm ; but the look was 
 rather that of one who knew the dangers of the 
 passions, than of one who condemned them, without 
 thought of their origin or power. At the appeal of 
 the governess he turned away and silently quitted 
 the room. Donna Florinda left the balcony and 
 drew near her charge. There was no explanation, 
 nor any audible or visible means of making their 
 sentiments known to each other. Violetta threw 
 herself into the arms of her more experienced friend, 
 and struggled to conceal her face in her bosom. At 
 this moment the music suddenly ceased, and the 
 plash of oars, falling into the water, succeeded. 
 
 "He is gone!" exclaimed the young creature, 
 who had been the object of the serenade, and whose 
 faculties, spite of her confusion, had lost none of 
 their acuteness. " The gondolas are moving away, 
 and we have not made even the customary acknow 
 ledgments for their civility!" 
 
 " It is not needed or rather it might increase a 
 hazard that is already too weighty. Remember thy 
 high destiny, my child, and let them depart." 
 
 " And yet, methinks one of my station should not 
 fail in courtesy. The compliment may mean no 
 more than any other idle usage, and they should not 
 quit us unthanked." 
 
THE BRAVO. 213 
 
 " Rest you, within. I will watch the movement 
 of the boats, for it surpasseth female endurance not 
 to note their aspect." 
 
 " Thanks, dearest Florinda ! hasten, lest they en 
 ter the other canal ere thou seest them." 
 
 The governess was quickly in the balcony. Ac 
 tive as was her movement, her eyes were scarcely 
 cast upon the shadow beneath, before a hurried 
 question demanded what she beheld. 
 
 " Both gondolas are gone," was the answer. 
 " That with the musicians is already entering the 
 great canal, but that of the cavalier hath unaccount 
 ably disappeared 1" 
 
 " Nay, look again ; he cannot be in such haste to 
 quit us." 
 
 I had not sought him in the right direction. 
 Here is his gondola, by the bridge of our own 
 canal." 
 
 " And the cavalier 1 He waits for some sign of 
 courtesy ; it is meet that we should not withhold it." 
 
 " I see him not. His servitor is seated on the 
 steps of the landing, while the gondola appeareth to 
 be empty. The man hath an air of waiting, but I 
 nowhere see the master ! " 
 
 " Blessed Maria ! can aught have befallen the 
 gallant Duca di Sant Agata?" 
 
 " Naught but the happiness of casting himself 
 here ! " exclaimed a voice near the person of the 
 heiress. The Donna Violetta turned her gaze from 
 the balcony, and beheld him who filled all her 
 thoughts, at her feet. 
 
 The cry of the girl, the exclamation of her friend, 
 and a rapid and eager movement of the monk, 
 brought the w r hole party into a group. 
 
 " This may not be ;" said the latter in a reprov 
 ing voice. " Arise, Don Camillo, lest I repent list 
 ening to your prayer ; you exceed our conditions." 
 
 " As much as this emotion exceedeth my hopes," 
 
214 THE BRAVO. 
 
 answered the noble. " Holy father, it is vain to op 
 pose Providence ! Providence brought me to the 
 rescue of this lovely being, when accident threw her 
 into the Giudecca, and, once more, Providence is 
 my friend, by permitting me to be a witness of this 
 feeling. Speak, fair Violetta, thou wilt not be an 
 instrument of the senate s selfishness thou wilt not 
 hearken to their wish of disposing of thy hand on 
 the mercenary, who would trifle with the most sa 
 cred of all vows, to possess thy wealth?" 
 
 " For whom am I destined 1 " demanded Violetta. 
 
 " No matter, since it be not for me. Some traf 
 ficker in happiness, some worthless abuser of the 
 gifts of fortune." 
 
 " Thou knowest, Camillo, our Venetian custom, 
 and must see that I am hopelessly in their handi" 
 
 " Arise, Duke of St. Agata," said the monk, with 
 authority ; " when I suffered you to enter this palace, 
 it was to remove a scandal from its gates, and to 
 save you from your own rash disregard of the state s 
 displeasure. It is idle to encourage hopes that the 
 policy of the republic opposes. Arise then, and 
 respect your pledges." 
 
 " That shall be as this lady may decide. Encour 
 age me with but an approving look, fairest Violetta, 
 and not Venice, with its doge and inquisition, shall 
 stir me an inch from thy feet ! " 
 
 " Camillo !" answered the trembling girl, " thou, 
 the preserver of my life, hast little need to kneel to 
 me!" 
 
 " Duke of St. Agata daughter !" 
 
 " Nay, heed him not, generous Violetta. He utters 
 words of convention he speaks as all speak in age, 
 when men s tongues deny the feelings of their youth. 
 He is a Carmelite, and must feign this prudence. 
 He never knew the tyranny of the passions. The 
 dampness of his cell has chilled the ardor of the 
 
THE BRAVO. 215 
 
 heart. Had he been human, he would have loved ; 
 had he loved, he would never have worn a cowl." 
 
 Father Anselmo receded a pace, like one pricked 
 in conscience, and the paleness of his ascetic fea 
 tures took a deadly hue. His lips moved as if he 
 would have spoken, but the sounds were smothered 
 by an oppression that denied him utterance. The 
 gentle Florinda saw his distress, and she endeavor 
 ed to interpose between the impetuous youth and 
 her charge. 
 
 " It may be as you say, Signor Monforte," she 
 said, " and that the senate, in its fatherly care, 
 searches a partner worthy of an heiress of a house 
 so illustrious and so endowed as that of Tiepolo. 
 But in this, what is there more than of wont 1 Do 
 not 4he nobles of all Italy seek their equals in condi 
 tion and in the gifts of fortune, in order that their 
 union may be fittingly assorted. How know we 
 that the estates of my young friend have not a value 
 in the eye of the Duke of St. Agata, as well as in 
 those of him that the senate may elect for thy hus 
 band 1" 
 
 " Can this be true !" exclaimed Violetta. 
 
 " Believe it not ; my errand in Venice is no secret. 
 I seek the restitution of lands and houses long with 
 held from my family, with the honors of the senate 
 that are justly mine. All these do I joyfully abandon 
 for the hope of thy favor." 
 
 " Thou hearest, Florinda : Don Camillo is not to 
 be distrusted f" 
 
 " What are the senate and the power of St. Mark, 
 that they should cross our lives with misery? Be 
 mine, lovely Violetta, and in the fastnesses of my own 
 good Calabrian castle we will defy their vengeance 
 and policy. Their disappointment shall furnish mer 
 riment for my vassals, and our felicity shall make 
 the happiness of thousands. I affect no disrespect 
 for the dignity of the councils, nor any indifference 
 
216 THE BRAVO. 
 
 to that I lose, but to me art thou far more precious 
 than the horned bonnet itself, with all its fancied 
 influence and glory." 
 
 " Generous Camillo !" 
 
 " Be mine, and spare the cold calculators of the 
 senate another crime. They think to dispose of thee, 
 as if thou wert worthless merchandise, to their own 
 advantage. But thou wilt defeat their design. I 
 read the generous resolution in thine eye, Violetta ; 
 thou wilt manifest a will superior to their arts and 
 egotism." 
 
 " I would not be trafficked for, Don Camillo Mon- 
 forte, but wooed and won as befitteth a maiden of 
 my condition. They may still leave me liberty of 
 choice. The Signer Gradenigo hath much encour 
 aged me of late with this hope, when speaking of 
 the establishment suited to my years." 
 
 " Believe him not ; a colder heart, a spirit more 
 removed from charity, exists not in Venice. He 
 courts thy favor for his own prodigal son ; a cavalier 
 without honor, the companion of profligates, and the 
 victim of the Hebrews. Believe him not, for he is 
 stricken in deceit." 
 
 " He is the victim of his own designs, if this be 
 true. Of all the youths of Venice I esteem Giacomo 
 Gradenigo least." 
 
 " This interview must have an end," said the 
 monk, interposing effectually, and compelling the 
 lover to rise. "It would be easier to escape the 
 toils of sin than to elude the agents of the police. I 
 tremble lest this visit should be known, for we are 
 encircled with the ministers of the state, and not a 
 palace in Venice is more narrowly watched than 
 this. Were thy presence here detected, indiscreet, 
 young man, thy youth might pine in a prison, while 
 thou would st be the cause of persecution and un 
 merited sorrow to this innocent and inexperienced 
 maiden." 
 
THE BRAVO. 217 
 
 " A prison, sayesl thou, father !" 
 
 "No less, daughter. Lighter offences are often 
 expiated by heavier judgments, when the pleasure 
 of the senate is thwarted." 
 
 "Thou must not be condemned to a prison, 
 Camillo!" 
 
 " Fear it not. The years and peaceful calling of 
 the father make him timid. I have long been pre 
 pared for this happy moment, and I ask but a single 
 hour to put, Venice and all her toils at defiance. 
 Give me the blessed assurance of thy truth, and con 
 fide in my means for the rest." 
 
 " Thou hearest, Florinda !" 
 
 " This bearing is suited to the sex of Don Camillo, 
 dearest, but it ill becometh thee. A maiden of high 
 quality must await the decision of her natural 
 guard ians." 
 
 " But should that choice be Giacomo Gradenigo?" 
 
 " The senate will not hear of it. The arts of hia 
 father have long been known to thee ; and thou must 
 have seen, by the secrecy of his own advances, that 
 he distrusts their decision. The state will have a 
 care to dispose of thee as befitteth thy hopes. Thou 
 art sought of many, and those who guard thy for 
 tune only await the proposals which best become 
 thy birth." 
 
 " Proposals that become my birth !" 
 
 " Suitable in years, condition, expectations, and 
 character." 
 
 " Am I to regard Don Camillo Monforte as one 
 beneath me?" 
 
 The monk again interposed. 
 
 . " This interview must end," he said. " The eyes 
 drawn upon us, by your indiscreet music, are now 
 turned on other "objects, Signore, and you must 
 break your faith, or depart." 
 
 "Alone, father?" 
 
 " Is the Donna Violetta to quit the roof of her 
 
 VOL.!. T 
 
218 THE BRAVO. 
 
 father with as little warning as an unfavored de 
 pendant?" 
 
 " Nay, Signer Monforte, you could not, in reason, 
 have expected more, in this interview, than the 
 hope of some future termination to your suit 
 some pledge " 
 
 "And that pledge?" 
 
 The eye of Violetta turned from her governess 
 to her lover, from her lover to the monk, and from 
 the latter to the floor. 
 
 " Is thine, Carnillo." 
 
 A common cry escaped the Carmelite and the 
 governess. 
 
 " Thy mercy, excellent friends," continued the 
 blushing bat decided Violetta. " If I have encour 
 aged Don Carnillo, in a manner that thy counsels 
 and maiden modesty would reprove ; reflect that had 
 he hesitated to cast himself into the Giudecca, I 
 should have wanted the power to confer this trifling 
 grace. Why should I be less generous than my pre 
 server? No, Carnillo, when the senate condemns me 
 to wed another than thee, it pronounces the doom of 
 celibacy; I will hide my griefs in a convent till I die!" 
 
 There was a solemn and fearful interruption to a* 
 discourse which was so rapidly becoming explicit,, 
 by the sound of the bell, that the groom of the cham 
 bers, a long-tried and confidential domestic, had 
 been commanded to ring before he entered. As this 
 injunction had been accompanied by another not to 
 appear, unless summoned, or urged by some grave 
 motive, the signal caused a sudden pause, even at 
 that interesting moment. 
 
 " How now !" exclaimed the Carmelite to the ser 
 vant, who abruptly entered. " What means this dis 
 regard of my injunctions?" 
 
 " Father, the republic !" 
 
 " Is St. Mark in jeopardy, that females and priest* 
 are summoned to aid him?" 
 
THE BRAVO. 219 
 
 " There are officials of the state below, who de 
 mand admission in the name of the republic I " 
 
 " This grows serious," said Don Camillo, who 
 alone retained his self-possession. " My visit ig 
 known, and the active jealousy of the state antici 
 pates its object. Summon your resolution, Donna 
 Violetta, and you, father, be of heart ! I will assume 
 the responsibility of the offence, if offence it be, and 
 exonerate all others from censure." 
 
 " Forbid it, Father Anselmo. Dearest Florinda, 
 we will share his punishment !" exclaimed the terri 
 fied Violetta, losing all self-command in the fear of 
 such a moment. " He has not been guilty of this in 
 discretion without participation of mine ; he has not 
 presumed beyond his encouragement." 
 
 The monk and Donna Florinda regarded each 
 other in mute amazement, and haply there was 
 some admixture of feeling in the look that denot 
 ed the uselessness of caution when the passions 
 were intent to elude the vigilance of those who 
 were merely prompted by prudence. The former 
 simply motioned for silence, W 7 hile he turned to the 
 domestic. 
 
 " Of what character are these ministers of the 
 state?" he demanded. 
 
 " Father, they are its known officers, and wear the 
 badges of their condition." 
 
 " And their request?" 
 
 " Is to be admitted to the presence of the Donna 
 Violetta." 
 
 "There is still hope!" rejoined the monk, breath 
 ing more freely. Moving across the room, he opened 
 a door which communicated with the private orato 
 ry of the palace. " Retire within this sacred chapel, 
 Don Camillo, while we await the explanation of so 
 extraordinary a visit." 
 
 As the time pressed, the suggestion was obeyed 
 on the instant. The lover entered the oratory, and 
 
220 THE BRAVO. 
 
 when the door was closed upon his person, the 
 domestic, one known to be worthy of all confi 
 dence, was directed to usher in those who waited 
 without. 
 
 But a single individual appeared. He was known, 
 at a glance, for a public and responsible agent of 
 the government, who was often charged with the 
 execution of secret and delicate duties. Donna Vi~ 
 oletta advanced to meet him, in respect to his em 
 ployers, and with the return of that self-possession, 
 which long practice interweaves with the habits of 
 the great. 
 
 " I am honored by this care of my dreaded and 
 illustrious guardians," she said, making an acknow 
 ledgment for the low reverence with which the offi 
 cial saluted the richest ward of Venice. " To what 
 circumstance do I owe this visit?" 
 
 The officer gazed an instant about him, with an 
 habitual and suspicious caution, and then repeating 
 his salutations, he answered. 
 
 " Lady," he said, " I am commanded to seek an 
 interview with the daughter of the state, the heiress 
 of the illustrious house of Tiepolo, with the Donna 
 Florinda Mercato, her female companion, with the 
 Father Anselmo, her commissioned ccnfessor, and 
 witli any other who enjoy the pleasure of her society 
 and the honor of her confidence." 
 
 " Those you seek are here ; I am Violetta Tiepo 
 lo ; to this lady am I indebted for a mother s care, 
 and this reverend Carmelite is my spiritual counsel 
 lor. Shall I summon my household?" 
 
 " It is unnecessary. My errand is rather of pri 
 vate than of public concern. At the decease of 
 your late most honored and much-lamented parent, 
 the illustrious senator Tiepolo, the care of your 
 person, lady, was committed by the republic, your 
 natural and careful protector, to the especial guar- 
 
THE BRAVO. 221 
 
 dianship and wisdom of Signore Alessandro Gra- 
 denigo, of illustrious birth and estimable qualities/ 
 
 " Signore, you say true." 
 
 * Though the parental love of the councils may 
 have seemed to be dormant, it has ever been wake 
 ful and vigilant. Now that the years, instruction, 
 beauty, and other excellencies of their daughter, 
 have come to so rare perfection, they wish to draw 
 the ties that unite them nearer, by assuming their 
 own immediate duties about her person." 
 
 " By this I am to understand that I am no longer 
 a ward of the Signor Gradenigo ?" 
 
 " Lady, a ready wit has helped you to the expla 
 nation. That illustrious patrician is released from 
 his cherished and well-acquitted duties. To-morrow 
 new guardians will be charged with the care of 
 your prized person, and will continue their honora 
 ble trust, until the wisdom of the senate shall have 
 formed for you such an alliance, as shall not dispar 
 age a noble name and qualities that might adorn a 
 throne." 
 
 "Ami to be separated from those I love ?" de 
 manded Violetta, impetuously. 
 
 " Trust to the senate s wisdom. I know not its 
 determination concerning those who have long 
 dwelt with you, but there can be no reason to doubt 
 its tenderness or discretion. I have now only to 
 add, that until those charged anew with the honora 
 ble office of your protectors shall arrive, it will 
 be well to maintain the same modest reserve in 
 the reception of visitors as of wont, and that your 
 door, lady, must in propriety be closed against tne 
 Signor Gradenigo as against all others of his sex." 
 
 " Shall I not even thank him for his care?" 
 
 " He is tenfold rewarded in the senate s grati 
 tude." 
 
 " It would have been gracious to have expressed 
 my feelings towards the Signor Gradenigo in 
 T2 
 
222 THE BKAVO. 
 
 words ; but that which is refused to the tongue will 
 be permitted to the pen." 
 
 " The reserve that becomes the state of one so fa 
 vored is absolute. St. Mark is jealous where he 
 loves. And, now my commission is discharged, I 
 humbly take my leave, flattered in having been se 
 lected to stand in such a presence, and to have been 
 thought worthy of so honorable a duty." 
 
 As the officer ceased speaking and Violetta re 
 turned his bows, she turned her eyes, filled with ap 
 prehension, on the sorrowful features of her com 
 panions. The ambiguous language of those em 
 ployed in such missions was too well known to 
 leave much hope for the future. They all antici 
 pated their separation on the morrow, though 
 neither could penetrate the reason of this sudden 
 change in the policy of the state. Interrogation 
 was useless, for the blow evidently came from the 
 secret council, whose motives could no more be 
 fathomed than its decrees foreseen. The monk 
 raised his hands in silent benediction towards his 
 spiritual charge, and, unable, even in the presence 
 of the stranger, to repress their grief, Donna Flo- 
 rinda and Violetta sunk into each other s arms, and 
 wept. 
 
 In the mean time the minister of this cruel blow 
 had delayed his departure, like one who had a half- 
 formed resolution. He regarded the countenance 
 of the unconscious Carmelite intently, and in a man 
 ner that denoted the habit of thinking much before 
 he decided. 
 
 " Reverend Father," he said, " may I crave a 
 moment of your time, for an affair that concerns 
 the soul of a sinner?" 
 
 Though amazed, the monk could not hesitate 
 about answering such an appeal. Obedient to a 
 gesture of the officer, he followed him from the 
 apartment, and continued at his side while the other 
 
THE BRAVO. 223 
 
 threaded the magnificent rooms and descended to 
 his gondola. 
 
 " You must be much honored of the senate, holy 
 monk," observed the latter while they proceeded, 
 " to hold so near a trust about the person of one in 
 whom the state takes so great an interest?" 
 
 " I feel it as such, my son. A life of peace and 
 prayer should have made me friends." 
 
 " Men like you, father, merit the esteem they 
 crave. Are you long of Venice ?" 
 
 " Since the last conclave. I came into the re 
 public as confessor to the late minister from Flor 
 ence." 
 
 "An honorable trust. You have been with us 
 then long enough to know that the republic never 
 forgets a servitor, nor forgives an affront." 
 
 " Tis an ancient state, and one whose influence 
 still reaches far and near." 
 
 " Have a care of the step. These marbles are 
 treacherous to an uncertain foot." 
 
 " Mine is too practised in the descent to be un~ 
 steady. I hope I do not now descend these stairs 
 for the last time?" 
 
 The minister of the council affected not to under 
 stand the question, but he answered as if replying 
 only to the previous observation. 
 
 " T is truly a venerable state," he said, " but a little 
 tottering with its years. All who love liberty, 
 father, must mourn to see so glorious a sway on the 
 decline. Sic transit gloria mundi! You bare-footed 
 Carmelites do well to mortify the flesh in youth, by 
 which you escape the pains of a decreasing power. 
 One like you can have few wrongs of his younger 
 days to repair?" 
 
 " We are none of us without sin," returned the 
 monk, crossing himself. " He who would flatter his 
 goul with being perfect lays the additional weight 
 of vanity on his life." 
 
224 THE BRAVO. 
 
 "Men of my occupation, holy Carmelite, have 
 few opportunities of looking into themselves, and I 
 bless the hour that hath brought me into company 
 so godly. My gondola waits will you enter?" 
 
 The monk regarded his companion in distrust, 
 but knowing the uselessness of resistance, he mur 
 mured a short prayer and complied. A strong 
 dash of the oars announced their departure from 
 the steps of the palace. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 O pescator ! dell onda, 
 
 Fi da lin ; 
 O pescator ! dell onda, 
 
 Fi da lin : 
 Vien pescar in qua, 
 Colla bella tua barca, 
 Colla bella se ne va, 
 Fi da lin, liu, la 
 
 Venetian Boat Song. 
 
 THE moon was at the height. Its rays fell in a 
 flood on the swelling domes and massive roofs of 
 Venice, while the margin of the town was brilliant 
 ly defined by the glittering bay. The" natural and 
 gorgeous setting was more than worthy of that pic 
 ture of human magnificence ; for at that moment, 
 rich as was the queen of the Adriatic in her works 
 of art, the grandeur of her public monuments, the 
 number and splendor of her palaces, and most else 
 that the ingenuity and ambition of man could at 
 tempt, she was but secondary in the glories of the 
 hour. 
 
 Above was the firmament, gemmed with worlds, 
 and sublime in immensity. Beneath lay the broad 
 expanse of the Adriatic, endless to the eye, tranquil 
 
THE BRAVO. 225 
 
 as the vault it reflected, and luminous with its bor 
 rowed ligjit. Here and there a low island, reclaim 
 ed from the sea by the patient toil of a thousand 
 years, dotted the Lagunes, burthened with the group 
 of some conventual dwellings, or .picturesque with 
 the modest roofs of a hamlet of the fishermen. 
 Neither oar, nor song, nor laugh, nor flap of sail, 
 nor jest of mariner, disturbed the stillness. All in 
 the near view was clothed in midnight loveliness, 
 arid all in the distance bespoke the solemnity of na 
 ture at peace. The city and the Lagunes, the gulf 
 and the dreamy Alps, the interminable plain of Lom- 
 bardy, and the blue void of heaven, lay alike, in a 
 common and grand repose. 
 
 There suddenly appeared a gondola. It issued 
 from among the watery channels of the town, and 
 glided upon the vast bosom of the bay, noiseless as 
 the fancied progress of a spirit. A practised and 
 nervous arm guided its movement, which was un 
 ceasing and rapid. So swift indeed was the passage 
 of the boat, as to denote pressing haste on the part 
 of the solitary individual it contained. It held the 
 direction of the Adriatic, steering between one of 
 the more southern outlets of the bay and the well- 
 known island of St. Giorgio. For half an hour the 
 exertions of the gondolier were unrelaxed, though 
 his eye was often cast behind him, as if he distrust 
 ed pursuit ; and as often did he gaze ahead, betray 
 ing an anxious desire to reach some object that was 
 yet invisible. When a wide reach of water lay be 
 tween him and the town, however, he permitted his 
 oar to rest, and he lent all his faculties to a keen and 
 anxious search. 
 
 A small dark spot was discovered on the water 
 still nearer to the sea. The oar of the gondolier 
 dashed the element behind him, and his boat again 
 glided away, so far altering its course as to show 
 that all indecision was now ended. The darker spot. 
 
226 THE BRAVO. 
 
 was shortly beheld quivering in the rays of the moon, 
 and it soon assumed the form and dimensions of a 
 boat at anchor. Again the gondolier ceased his ef 
 forts, and he leaned forward, gazing intently at this 
 undefined object, as if he would aid his powers of 
 sight by the sympathy of his other faculties. Just 
 then the notes of music came softly across the La- 
 guncs. The voice was feeble even to trembling, but 
 it had the sweetness of tone and the accuracy of 
 execution which belong so peculiarly to Venice. It 
 was the solitary man, in the distant boat, indulging 
 in the song of a fisherman. The strains were sweet, 
 and the intonations plaintive to melancholy. The 
 air was common to all who plied the oar in the ca 
 nals, and familiar to the ear of the listener. He 
 waited until the close of a verse had died away, and 
 then he answered with a strain of his own. The 
 alternate parts were thus maintained until the music 
 ceased, by the two singing a final verse in chorus. 
 
 When the song was ended, the oar of the gondo 
 lier stirred the water again, and he was quickly by 
 the other s side. 
 
 " Thou art busy with thy hook betimes, Antonio," 
 said he who had just arrived, as he stepped into the 
 boat of the old fisherman already so well known to 
 the reader. " There are men, that an interview with 
 the Council of Three, would have sent to their 
 prayers and a sleepless bed." 
 
 " There is not a chapel in Venice, Jacopo, in 
 which a sinner may so well lay bare his soul as in 
 this. I have been here on the empty Lagunes, alone 
 with God, having the gates of Paradise open before 
 my eyes." 
 
 " One like thee hath no need of images to quicken 
 his devotion." 
 
 " I see the image of my Savior, Jacopo, in those 
 bright stars, that moon, the blue heavens, the misty 
 bank of mountain, the waters on which we float, ay, 
 
THE BRAVO. 227 
 
 even in my own sinking form : as in all which has 
 come from his wisdom and power. I have prayed 
 much since the moon has risen." 
 
 " And is habit so strong in thee, that thou thinkest 
 of God and thy sins, while thou anglest?" 
 
 " The poor must toil and the sinful must pray. 
 My thoughts have dwelt so much of late on the boy, 
 that I have forgotten to provide myself with food. 
 If I fish later or earlier than common, tis because a 
 man cannot live on grief." 
 
 " I have bethought me of thy situation, honest 
 Antonio ; here is that which will support life and 
 raise thy courage. See," added the Bravo, stretch 
 ing forth an arm into his own gondola, from which 
 he drew a basket, " here is bread from Dalrnatia, 
 wine of Lower Italy, and figs from the Levant eat, 
 then, and be of cheer." 
 
 The fisherman threw a wistful glance at the 
 viands, for hunger was making powerful appeals to 
 the weakness of nature, but his hand did not relin 
 quish its hold of the line, with which he still con 
 tinued to angle. 
 
 " And these are thy gifts, Jacopo ?" he asked in a 
 voice that, spite of his resignation, betrayed the 
 longings of appetite. 
 
 " Antonio, they are the offerings of one who re 
 spects thy courage and honors thy nature." 
 
 " Bought with his earnings?" 
 
 " Can it be otherwise ? I am no beggar, for the 
 love of the saints, and few in Venice give unasked. 
 Eat then, without fear; seldom wilt thou be more 
 welcome." 
 
 " Take them away, Jacopo, if thou lovest me. Do 
 not tempt me beyond what I can bear." 
 
 "How! art thou commanded to a penance ?" 
 hastily exclaimed the other. 
 
 " Not so not so. It is long since I have found 
 leisure or heart for the confessional." 
 
228 TIIE BRAVO. 
 
 " Then why refuse the gift of a friend 1 Remem 
 ber thy years and necessities." 
 
 " I cannot feed on the price of blood !" 
 
 The hand of the Bravo was withdrawn, as if repel 
 led by an electric touch. The action caused the 
 rays of the moon to fail athwart his kindling eye, 
 and firm as Antonio was in honesty and principle, 
 he felt the blood creep to his heart, as he encounter 
 ed the fierce and sudden glance of h^ companion, 
 A long pause succeeded, during which the fisher 
 man diligently plied his line, though utterly regard 
 less of the object for which it had been cast. 
 
 " I have said it, Jacopo," he added, at length, 
 " and tongue of mine shall not belie the thought of 
 my heart. Take away thy food then, and forget all 
 that is past; for what I have said hath not been 
 said in scorn, but out of regard to my own soul. 
 Thou knowest how I have sorrowed for the boy, 
 but next to his loss I could mourn over thee ay, 
 more bitterly than over any other of the fallen !" 
 
 The hard breathing of the Bravo was audible, but 
 still he spoke not. 
 
 " Jacopo," continued the anxious fisherman, " do 
 not mistake me. The pity of the suffering and poor 
 is not like the scorn of the rich and worldly. If I 
 touch a sore, I do not bruise it with my heel. Thy 
 present pain is better than the greatest of all thy 
 former joys." 
 
 " Enough, old man," said the other in a smother 
 ed voice ; " thy words are forgotten. Eat without 
 fear, for the ottering is bought with earnings as pure 
 as the gleanings of a mendicant friar." 
 
 " I will trust to the kindness of St. Anthony and 
 the fortune of my hook ;" simply returned Antonio. 
 ** Tis common for us of the Lagunes to go to a sup- 
 perless bed : take away the basket, good Jacopo, 
 and let us speak of other things." 
 
 The Bravo ceased to press his food upon the fish- 
 
THE BRAVO. 229 
 
 erman. Laying aside his basket, he sate brooding 
 over what had occurred. 
 
 " Hast thou come thus far for naught else, good 
 Jacopo ?" demanded the old man, willing to weaken 
 the shock of his refusal. 
 
 The question appeared to restore Jacopo to a re 
 collection of his errand. He stood erect, and look- 
 ed about him, for more than a minute, with a keen 
 eye and an entire intentness of purpose. The look 
 in the direction of the city was longer and more 
 earnest than those thrown toward the sea and the 
 main, nor was it withdrawn, until an involuntary 
 start betrayed equally surprise and alarm. 
 
 " Is there not a boat, here, in a line with the 
 tower of the campanile? 1 he asked quickly, point 
 ing towards the city. 
 
 " It so seems. It is early for my comrades to be 
 abroad, but the draughts have not been heavy of 
 late, and the revelry of yesterday drew many of our 
 people from their toil. The patricians must eat, and 
 the poor must labor, or both would die." 
 
 The Bravo slowly seated himself, and he looked 
 with concern into the countenance of his companion. 
 
 " Art thou long here, Antonio ? " 
 
 " But an hour. When they turned us away from 
 the palace, thou knowest that I told thee of my ne 
 cessities. There is not, in common, a more certain 
 spot on the Lagunes than this, and yet have I long 
 played the line in vain. The trial of hunger is hard, 
 but, like all other trials, it must be borne. I have 
 prayed to my patron thrice, and sooner or later he 
 will listen to my wants. Thou art used to the man 
 ners of these masked nobles, Jacopo ; dost thou 
 think them likely to hearken to reason? I hope I 
 did the cause no wrong for want of breeding, but I 
 spoke them fair and plainly, as fathers and men with 
 hearts." 
 
 " As senators they have none. Thou little under- 
 
 VOL. I. U 
 
230 THE BRAVO. 
 
 standest, Antonio, the distinctions of these patricians. 
 In the gaiety of their palaces, and among the com 
 panions of their pleasures, none will speak you fairer 
 of humanity and justice ay even of God! but 
 when met to discuss what they call the interests of 
 St. Mark, there is not a- rock on the coldest peak of 
 yonder Alp, with less humanity, or a wolf among 
 their valleys more heartless ! " 
 
 " Thy words are strong, Jacopo I would not do 
 injustice even to those who have done me this wrong. 
 The senators are men, and God has given all feel 
 ings and nature alike." 
 
 " The gift is then abused. Thou hast felt the 
 want of thy daily assistant, fisherman, and thou hast 
 sorrowed for thy child ; for thee it is easy to enter 
 into another s griefs ; but the senators know nothing 
 of suffering. Their children are not dragged to the 
 galleys, their hopes are never destroyed by laws 
 coming from hard task-masters, nor are their tears 
 shed for sons ruined by being made companions of 
 the dregs of the republic. They will talk of public 
 virtue* and services to the state, but in their own 
 cases they mean the virtue of renown, and services 
 that bring with them honors and rewards. The 
 wants of the state is their conscience, though they 
 take heed those wants shall do themselves no harm." 
 
 k * Jacopo, Providence itself hath made a difference 
 in men. One is large, another small; one weak, 
 another strong ; one wise, another foolish. At what 
 Providence hath done, we should not murmur ?" 
 
 " Providence did not make the senate ; t is an in 
 vention of man. Mark me, Antonio, thy language 
 hath given offence, and thou art not safe in Venice. 
 They will pardon all but complaints against their 
 justice. That is too true to be forgiven." 
 
 " Can they wish to harm one who seeks his own 
 ehild?" 
 
 ** If thou wert great and respected, they would 
 
THE BRAVO. 231 
 
 undermine thy fortune and character, ere thou 
 should st put their system in danger as thou art 
 weak and poor, they will do thee some direct in 
 jury, unless thou art moderate. Before all, I warn 
 thee that their system must stand !" 
 
 "Will God suffer this?" 
 
 " We may not enter into his secrets ;" returned the 
 Bravo, devoutly crossing himself. " Did his reign 
 end with this world, there might be injustice in suf 
 fering the wicked to triumph, but, as it is, we 
 
 Yon boat approaches fast ! I little like its air and 
 movements. " 
 
 " They are not fishermen, truly, for there are many 
 oars and a canopy!" 
 
 " It is a gondola of the state !" exclaimed Jacopo, 
 rising and stepping into his own boat, which he cast 
 loose from that of his companion, when he stood in 
 evident doubt as to his future proceedings. " Anto 
 nio, we should do well to row away. 5 
 
 " Thy fears are natural," said the unmoved fish 
 erman, " and tis a thousand pities that there is 
 cause for them. There is yet time for one skilful 
 as thou to outstrip the fleetest gondola on the ca 
 nals." 
 
 " Quick, lift thy anchor, old man, and depart, 
 my eye is sure. I know the boat." 
 
 " Poor Jacopo ! what a curse is a tender con 
 science ! Thou hast been kind to me in my need, 
 and if prayers, from a sincere heart, can do thee 
 service, thou shalt not w r ant them." 
 
 "Antonio!" cried the other, causing his boat to 
 whirl away, and then pausing an instant like a man 
 undecided " I can stay no longer trust them not 
 they are false as fiends there is no time to lose 
 I must away." 
 
 The fisherman murmured an ejaculation of pity, 
 as he waved a hand, in adieu ! 
 
 " Holy St. Anthony, watch over my own child, 
 
232 THE BRAVO. 
 
 lest he corne to some such miserable life!" he add 
 ed, in an audible prayer " There hath been good 
 seed cast on a rock, in that youth, for a warmer or 
 kinder heart is not in man. That one like Jacopo 
 should live by striking the assassin s blow !" 
 
 The near approach of the strange gondola, now 
 attracted the whole attention of the old man. It 
 came swiftly towards him, impelled by six strong 
 oars, and his eye turned feverishly in the direction 
 of the fugitive. Jacopo, with a readiness that ne 
 cessity and long practice rendered nearly instinct 
 ive, had taken a direction whic*h blended his wake 
 in a line with one of those bright streaks that the 
 moon drew on the water, and which, by dazzling 
 the eye, effectually concealed the objects within its 
 width. When the fisherman saw that the Bravo had 
 disappeared, he smiled and seemed at ease. 
 
 " Ay, let them come here," he said ; " it will give 
 Jacopo more time. I doubt not the poor fellow hath 
 struck a blow, since quitting the palace, that the coun 
 cil will not forgive ! The sight of gold hath been 
 too strong, and he hath offended those who have 
 so long borne with him. God forgive me, that I 
 have had communion with such a man ! but when 
 the heart is heavy, the pity of even a dog will 
 warm our feelings. Few care for me, now, or the 
 friendship of such as he could never have been wel 
 come." 
 
 Antonio ceased, for the gondola of the state 
 came with a rushing noise to the side of his own 
 boat, where it was suddenly stopped by a back 
 ward sweep of the oars. The water was still in 
 ebullition, when a form passing into the gondola of 
 the fisherman, the larger boat shot away again, to 
 the distance of a few hundred feet, and remained at 
 rest. 
 
 Antonio witnessed this movement in silent curios 
 ity ; but when he saw the gondoliers of t.ie state 
 
THE BRAVO. 233 
 
 lying on their oars, he glanced his eye again fur 
 tively in the direction of Jacopo, saw that all was 
 safe, and faced his companion with confidence. 
 The brightness of the moon enabled him to distin 
 guish the dress and aspect of a bare-footed Carme 
 lite. The latter seemed more confounded than his 
 companion, by the rapidity of the movement, and 
 the novelty of his situation. Notwithstanding his 
 confusion, however, an evident look of wonder 
 crossed his mortified features when he first beheld 
 the humble condition, the thin and whitened locks, 
 and the general air and bearing of the old man with 
 whom he now found himself. 
 
 " Who art thou?" escaped him, in the impulse of 
 surprise. 
 
 " Antonio of the Lagunes ! A fisherman that 
 owes much to St. Anthony, for favors little de 
 served." 
 
 " And why hath one like thee fallen beneath the 
 senate s displeasure ! " 
 
 " I am honest and ready to do justice to others. 
 If that offend the great, they are men more to be 
 pitied than envied." 
 
 " The convicted are always more disposed to be 
 lieve themselves unfortunate than guilty. The error 
 is fatal, and it should be eradicated from the mind, 
 lest it lead to death." 
 
 " Go tell this to the patricians. They have need 
 of plain counsel, and a warning from the church." 
 
 " My son, there is pride and anger, and a per 
 verse heart in thy replies. The sins of the sena 
 tors and as they are men, they are not without spot 
 can in no manner whiten thine own. Though 
 an unjust sentence should condemn one to punish 
 ment, it leaves the offences against God in their na 
 tive deformity. Men may pity him who hath wrong 
 fully undergone the anger of the world, but the 
 church will only pronounce pardon on him who con- 
 U2 
 
234 THE BRAVO. 
 
 fesseth his errors, with a sincere admission of their 
 magnitude." 
 
 " Have you come, father, to shrive a penitent ? " 
 
 " Such is my errand. I lament the occasion, and 
 if what I fear be true, still more must I regret that 
 one so aged should have brought his devoted head 
 beneath the arm of justice." N^V 
 
 Antonio smiled, and again he bent his eyes alon 
 that dazzling streak of light, which had swallowed 
 up the gondola and the person of the Bravo. 
 
 " Father," he said, when a long and earnest look 
 was ended, " there can be little harm in speaking 
 truth to one of thy holy office. They have told thee 
 there was a criminal here in the Lagunes, who hath 
 provoked the anger of St. Mark?" 
 
 " Thou art right." 
 
 " It is not easy to know when St. Mark is pleased, 
 or when he is not," continued Antonio, plying his 
 line with indifference, " for the very man he now 
 seeks has he long tolerated ; ay, even in presence 
 of the doge. The senate hath its reasons which lie 
 beyond the reach of the ignorant, but it would have 
 been better for the soul of the poor youth, and 
 more seemly for the republic, had it turned a dis 
 couraging countenance on his deeds from the first." 
 
 " Thou speakest of another ! thou art not then 
 the criminal they seek?" 
 
 " I am a sinner, like all born of woman, reverend 
 Carmelite, but my hand hath never held any other 
 weapon than the good sword with which I struck 
 the infidel. There was one lately here, that I grieve 
 to add, cannot say this !" 
 
 "And he is gone?" 
 
 " Father, you have your eyes, and you can an 
 swer that question for yourself. He is gone ; though 
 he is not far ; still is he beyond the reach of the 
 swiftest gondola in Venice, praised be St. Mark!" 
 
 The Carmelite bowed his head, where he was 
 
THE BRAVO. 235 
 
 seated, and his lips moved, either in prayer or 
 in thanksgiving. 
 
 " Are you sorry, monk, that a sinner has es 
 caped]" 
 
 " Son, I rejoice that this bitter office hath passed 
 from me, while I mourn that there should be a spirit 
 so depraved as to require it. Let us summon the 
 servants of the republic, and inform them that their 
 errand is useless." 
 
 " Be not of haste, good father. The night is 
 gentle, and these hirelings sleep on their oars, like 
 gulls in the Lagunes. The youth will have more 
 time for repentance, should he be undisturbed." 
 
 The Carmelite, who had arisen, instantly reseated 
 himself, like one actuated by a strong impulse. 
 
 " I thought he had already been far beyond pur- 
 guit," he muttered, unconsciously apologizing for 
 his apparent haste. 
 
 " He is over bold, and I fear he will row back to 
 the canals, in which case you might meet nearer to 
 the city or, there may be more gondolas of the 
 state out in short, father, thou wilt be more certain 
 to escape hearing the confession of a Bravo, by 
 listening to that of a fisherman, who has long want 
 ed an occasion to acknowledge his sins." 
 
 Men who ardently wish the same result, require 
 few words to understand each other. The Carme 
 lite took, intuitively, the meaning of his companion, 
 and throwing back his cowl, a movement that ex 
 posed the countenance of Father Anselmo, he pre*- 
 pared to listen to the confession of the old man. 
 
 " Thou art a Christian, and one of thy years hath 
 not to learn the state of mind that becometh a peni 
 tent ;" said the monk, when each was ready. 
 
 " I am a sinner, father ; give me counsel and ab 
 solution, that I may have hope." 
 
 "Thy will be done thy prayer s heard ap 
 proach and kneel." 
 
236 THE BRAVO. 
 
 Antonio, who had fastened his line to his seat, 
 and disposed of his net with habitual care, now 
 crossed himself devoutly, and took his station before 
 the Carmelite. His acknowledgments of error then 
 began. Much mental misery clothed the language 
 and ideas of the fisherman with a dignity that his 
 auditor had not been accustomed to find in men of 
 his class. A spirit so long chastened by suffering 
 had become elevated and noble. He related his 
 hopes for the boy, the manner in which they had 
 been blasted by the unjust and selfish policy of the 
 state, of his different efforts to procure the release 
 of his grandson, and his bold expedients at the re 
 gatta, and the fancied nuptials with the Adriatic. 
 When he had thus prepared the Carmelite to under 
 stand the origin of his sinful passions, which it was 
 now his duty to expose, he spoke of those passions 
 themselves, and of their influence on a mind that 
 was ordinarily at peace with maitkind. The tale 
 was told simply and without reserve, but in a man 
 ner to inspire respect, and to awaken powerful sym 
 pathy in him who heard it. 
 
 " And these feelings ttwu didst indulge against the 
 honored and powerful of Venice ! " demanded the 
 monk, affecting a severity he could not feel. 
 
 " Before my God do I confess the sin ! In bitter 
 ness of heart I cursed them ; for to me they seemed 
 men without feeling for the poor, and heartless as 
 the marbles of their own palaces." 
 
 " Thou knowest that to be forgiven, thou must 
 forgive. Dost thou, at peace with all of earth, for 
 get this wrong, and canst thou in charity with thy 
 fellows, pray to Him who died for the race, in be 
 half of those who have injured thee ?" 
 
 Antonio bowed his head on his naked breast, and 
 he seemed to commune with his soul. 
 
 " Father," he said, in a rebuked tone, " I hope I 
 do." 
 
THE BRAVO. 23? 
 
 "Thou must not trifle with tin self to thine own 
 perdition. There is an eye in yon vault above us 
 which pervades space, and which looks into the in 
 most secrets of the heart. Canst thou pardon the 
 error of the patricians, in a contrite spirit for tliino 
 own sins?" 
 
 " Holy Maria, pray for them, as I now ask mercy 
 in their behalf! Father, they are forgiven."_ 
 
 " Amen !" 
 
 The Carmelite arose and stood over the kneeling 
 Antonio, with the whole of his benevolent counte 
 nance illuminated by the moon. Stretching his arms 
 towards the stars, he pronounced the absolution, in 
 a voice that was touched with pious fervor. The 
 upward expectant eye, with the withered linea 
 ments of the fisherman, and the holy calm of the 
 monk, formed a picture of resignation and hope, that 
 angels would have loved to witness. 
 
 " Amen ! amen !" exclaimed Antonio, as he arose, 
 crossing himself; " St. Anthony and the Virgin aid 
 me to keep these resolutions !" 
 
 " I will not forget thee, my son, in the offices of 
 holy church. Receive my benediction, that I may 
 depart." 
 
 Antonio again bowed his knee, while the Carmel 
 ite firmly pronounced the words of peace. When 
 this last office was performed, and a decent interval 
 of mutual but silent prayer had passed, a signal was 
 given to summon the gondola of the state. It came 
 rowing down with great force, and was instantly 
 at their side. Two men passed into the boat of An 
 tonio, and with officious zeal assisted the monk to 
 resume his place in that of the republic. 
 
 "Is the penitent shrived?" half whispered one, 
 seemingly the superior of the two. 
 
 " Here is an error. He thou seekst has escaped. 
 This aged man is a fisherman named Antonio, and 
 one who cannot have gravely offended St. Mark. 
 
238 THE BRAVO. 
 
 The Bravo hath passed toward the island of San 
 Giorgio, and must be sought elsewhere." 
 
 The officer released the person of the monk, who 
 passed quickly beneath the canopy, and he turned to 
 ca:;t a hasty glance at the features of the fisherman. 
 The rubbing of a rope was audible, and the anchor 
 of Antonio was lifted by a sudden jerk. A heavy 
 plashing of the water followed, and the two boats 
 shot away together, obedient to a violent effort of 
 the crew. The gondola of the state exhibited its 
 usual number of gondoliers bending to their toil, 
 with its dark and hearse-like canopy, but that of 
 the fisherman was empty ! 
 
 The sweep of the oars and the plunge of the body 
 of Antonio had been blended in a common wash of 
 the surge. When the fisherman came to the sur 
 face, after his fall, he was alone in the centre of the 
 vast but tranquil sheet of water. There might have 
 been a glimmering of hope, as he arose from the 
 darkness of the sea to the bright beauty of that 
 moon-lit night. But the sleeping domes were too 
 far for human strength, and the gondolas were 
 sweeping madly towards the town. He turned, and 
 swimming feebly, for hunger and previous exertion 
 had undermined his strength, he bent his eye on the 
 dark spot, which he had constantly recognized as 
 the boat of the Bravo. 
 
 Jacopo had not ceased to watch the interview, 
 with the utmost intentness of his faculties. Favored 
 by position, he could see without being^ distinctly 
 visible. He saw the Carmelite pronouncing the ab 
 solution, and he witnessed the approach of the larger 
 boat. He heard a plunge heavier than that of fall 
 ing oars, and he saw the gondola of Antonio towing 
 away empty. The crew of the republic had scarce 
 ly swept the Lagunes with their oar-blades, before 
 his own stirred the water. 
 
THE BRAVO. 239 
 
 " Jacopo ! Jacopo ! " came fearfully and faintly 
 to his ears. 
 
 The A^oice was known and the occasion thorough 
 ly understood. The cry of distress was succeeded 
 by the rush of the water, as it piled before the beak 
 of the Bravo s gondola. The sound of the parted 
 element was like the sighing of a breeze. Ripples 
 and bubbles were left behind, as the driven scud 
 floats past the stars, and all those muscles which 
 had once before that day been so finely developed 
 in the race of the gondoliers, were now expanded, 
 seemingly in twofold volumes. Energy and skill 
 were in every stroke, and the dark spot came down 
 the streak of light, like the swallow touching the 
 water with its wing. 
 
 " Hither, Jacopo thou steerest wide ! " 
 
 The beak of the gondola turned, and the glaring 
 eye of the Bravo caught a glimpse of the fisherman s 
 head. 
 
 " Quickly, good Jacopo, I fail!" 
 
 The murmuring of the water again drowned the 
 siifled words. The efforts of the oar were frenzied, 
 and at each stroke the light gondola appeared to 
 rise from its element. 
 
 " Jacopo hither dear Jacopo !" 
 
 " The mother of God aid thee, fisherman ! I 
 eome." 
 
 " Jacopo the boy ! the boy ! " 
 
 The water gurgled ; an arm was visible in the 
 air, and it disappeared. The gondola drove upon 
 the spot where the limb had just been visible, and a 
 backward stroke, that caused the ashen blade to 
 bead like a reed, laid the trembling boat motionless. 
 The furious action threw tire Lagune into ebullition, 
 but, when the foam subsidJi, it lay calm as the blue 
 and peaceful vault it reflected. 
 
 ** Antonio ! " burst from the lips of the Bravo. 
 
 A frightful silence succeeded the call. There wa* 
 
240 THE BRAVO. 
 
 neither answer nor human form. Jacopo compress 
 ed the handle of his oar with fingers of iron, and 
 his own breathing caused him to start. On every 
 side he bent a frenzied eye, and on every side he 
 beheld the profound repose of that treacherous ele 
 ment which is so terrible in its wrath. Like the 
 human heart, it seemed to sympathize with the tran 
 quil beauty of the midnight view; but, like the 
 human heart, it kept its own fearful secrets. 
 
 END OF VOL 1. 
 
 
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