Volume III Part 3 (2/2)

”Facilius namque se sperant, eam partem, quam sibi Galli sort.i.ti sunt, habituros aliquando, quam si universum regnum occuparint.” Opus Epist., epist. 218.

[3] The Italian historians, who have investigated the subject with some parade of erudition, treat it so vaguely, as to leave it after all nearly as perplexed as they found it. Giovio includes the Capitanate in Apulia, according to the ancient division; Guicciardini, according to the modern; and the Spanish historian Mariana, according to both. The last writer, it may be observed, discusses the matter with equal learning and candor, and more perspicuity than either of the preceding. He admits reasonable grounds for doubt to which moiety of the kingdom the Basilicate and Princ.i.p.alities should be a.s.signed. Mariana, Hist. de Espana, tom. ii. p.

670.--Guicciardini, Istoria, tom. i. lib. 5, pp. 274, 275.--Giovio, Vita Magni Gonsalvi, lib. 1, pp. 234, 235.

[4] The provision of the part.i.tion treaty, that the Spaniards should collect the tolls paid by the flocks on their descent from the French district of Abruzzo into the Capitanate, is conclusive evidence of the intention of the contracting parties to a.s.sign the latter to Spain. See the treaty apud Dumont, Corps Diplomatique, tom. in. pp. 445, 446.

[5] Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, tom, i. lib. 4, cap. 52.--Mariana, Hist. de Espana, tom. ii, lib. 27, cap. 12.--Ulloa, Vita di Carlo V., fol.

10.

[6] D'Auton, Hist. de Louys XII., part. 2, chap. 3-7.--Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, tom. i. lib. 4, cap. 60, 62, 64, 65.--Giovio, Vitae Ill.u.s.t.

Virorum, tom. i. p. 236.--Giannone, Istoria di Napoli, lib. 29, cap. 4.

Bernaldez states, that the Great Captain, finding his conference with the French general ineffectual, proposed to the latter to decide the quarrel between their respective nations by single combat. (Reyes Catolicos, MS., cap. 167.) We should require some other authority, however, than that of the good Curate to vouch for this romantic flight, so entirely out of keeping with the Spanish general's character, in which prudence was probably the most conspicuous attribute.

[7] Daru, Hist. de Venise, tom. iii. p. 345.--Bembo, Istoria Viniziana, tom. i. lib. 6.--Peter Martyr, Opus Epist., epist. 238, 240, 252.--This may appear strange, considering that Lorenzo Suarez de la Vega was there, a person of whom Gonzalo de Oviedo writes, ”Fue gentil caballero, e sabio, e de gran prudencia; ***** muy entendido e de mucho reposo e honesto e afable e de linda conversarcion;” and again more explicitly, ”Embaxador a Venecia, en el qual oficio sirvio muy bien, e como prudente varon.”

(Quincuagenas, MS., bat. 1, quinc. 3, dial. 44.) Martyr admits his prudence, but objects his ignorance of Latin, a deficiency, however heinous in the worthy tutor's eyes, probably of no rare occurrence among the elder Castilian n.o.bles.

[8] Many of Martyr's letters were addressed to both Ferdinand and Isabella. The former, however, was ignorant of the Latin language, in which they were written. Martyr playfully alludes to this in one of his epistles, reminding the queen of her promise to interpret them faithfully to her husband. The unconstrained and familiar tone of his correspondence affords a pleasing example of the personal intimacy to which the sovereigns, so contrary to the usual stiffness of Spanish etiquette, admitted men of learning and probity at their court, without distinction of rank. Opus Epist., epist. 230.

[9] ”Galli,” says Martyr, in a letter more remarkable for strength of expression than elegance of Latinity, ”furunt, saeviunt, internecionem nostris minantur, putantque id sibi fere facillimum. Regem eorum esse in itinere, inquiunt, ut ipse c.u.m duplicato exercitu Alpes trajiciat in Italiam. Vestro nomini insurgunt. Cristas erigunt in vos superbissime.

Provinciam hanc, veluti rem humilem, parvique momenti, se aggressuros praeconantur. Nihil esse negotii eradicare exterminareque vestra praesidia ex utraque Sicilia blacterant. Insolenter nimis exspuendo insultant.” Opus Epist., epist. 241.

[10] D'Auton, Hist. de Louys XII., part. 2, chap. 8.--Giannone, Istoria di Napoli, lib. 29, cap. 4.--Guicciardini, Istoria, lib. 5, pp. 274, 275.-- Buonaccorsi, Diario, p. 61.

[11] Guicciardini, Istoria, lib. 5, p. 265.--D'Auton, Hist. de Louys XII., part. 1, chap. 57.--Gaillard, Rivalite, tom. iv. pp. 221-233.--St. Gelais, Hist. de Louys XII, p. 169.

Brantome has introduced sketches of most of the French captains mentioned in the text into his admirable gallery of national portraits.--See Vies des Hommes Ill.u.s.tres, Oeuvres, tom. ii. and iii.

[12] Martyr's epistles at this crisis are filled with expostulation, argument, and entreaties to the sovereigns, begging them to rouse from their apathy, and take measures to secure the wavering affections of Venice, as well as to send more effectual aid to their Italian troops.

Ferdinand listened to the first of these suggestions; but showed a strange insensibility to the last.

[13] Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, lib. 4, cap. 62, 65.--Carta del Gran Capitan, MS.

Prospero Colonna, in particular, was distinguished not only for his military science, but his fondness for letters and the arts, of which he is commemorated by Tiraboschi as a munificent patron. (Letteratura Italians, tom. viii. p. 77.) Paolo Giovio has introduced his portrait among the effigies of ill.u.s.trious men, who, it must be confessed, are more indebted in his work to the hand of the historian than the artist. Elogia Virorum Bellica Virtute Ill.u.s.trium, (Basiliae, 1578,) lib. 5.

[14] D'Auton, Hist. de Louys XII., part. 2, chap. 8.--Ulloa, Vita di Carlo V., fol. 10.--Chronica del Gran Capitan, cap. 42.--Summonte, Hist. di Napoli, tom. iii. p. 541.

[15] This beautiful and high-spirited lady, whose fate has led Boccalini, in his whimsical satire of the ”Ragguagli di Parna.s.so,” to call her the most unfortunate female on record, had seen her father, Alfonso II., and her husband, Galeazzo Sforza, driven from their thrones by the French, while her son still remained in captivity in their hands. No wonder they revolted from acc.u.mulating new woes on her devoted head.

[16] Giovio, Vitae Ill.u.s.t. Virorum, p. 237.--Guicciardini, Istoria, lib.

5, pp. 282, 283.--Garibay, Compendio, tom. ii. lib. 19, cap. 14.--Peter Martyr, Opus Epist., epist. 249.--Bernaldez, Reyes Catolicos, MS., cap.

168.

[17] Chronica del Gran Capitan, cap. 47.--Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, tom. i. lib. 4, cap. 69.--Giovio, Vitae Ill.u.s.t. Virorum, tom. i. p. 241.-- D'Auton, part. 2, chap. 11.--Peter Martyr, Opus Epist., epist. 247.

Martyr says, that the Spaniards marched through the enemy's camp, shouting ”Espana, Espana, viva Espana!” (ubi supra.) Their gallantry in the defence of Canosa elicits a hearty eulogium from Jean D'Auton, the loyal historiographer of Louis XII. ”Je ne veux donc par ma Chronique mettre les biensfaicts des Espaignols en publy, mais dire que pour vertueuse defence, doibuent auoir louange honorable.” Hist. de Louys XII., chap. 11.

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