Rule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth CenturyGaribaldi, Giuseppe
History
Rule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth Century
Garibaldi, Giuseppe
Italian fiction -- Translations into English; Rome (Italy) -- History -- 1798-1870 -- Fiction
The resources that the Jesuits and _reazionari_ had sent to the Pope
from all parts of the world had also been immense. Added to this, a
great number of fanatics, priests, and monks,* disguised in the uniform
of the mercenaries, mingled with the Papal troops, exciting them to
heroism and to slaughter, promising them as a reward the glory of
heaven, as well as plenty of gold on earth, and all they could
desire. Alas! poor Roman people! But whom should we reckon under this
denomination? When one has excepted all the priestly portion, Pope,
cardinals, bishops, priests, and friars congregated there from all
parts of the globe, with their women, their servants, their cooks, their
coachmen, etc., with the relations of their domestics, the servants of
their women, and, finally, a mass of the working-classes dependent on
this enormously rich rabble, what is left? Those who remain, and are
worthy of the name of "people," as not belonging to the necromancers,
are some honest middle-class families, a few boatmen, and a few
lazzaroni.
In the country, where ignorance is fostered by the priesthood, and has
struck still deeper root, the people side with the clergy throughout
Italy; but particularly in the Roman campagna, where all the landowners
are either priests, or powerful friends of the priesthood.
To return, however. While Cucchi, at the head of his men, and aided by
his brave companions, sustained a heroic but unequal combat outside
the Zouaves' barracks, Guerzoni and Castellazzi, leading a company of
youths, had assaulted the gate of San Paola, disarmed a few guards, and
succeeded in passing the court, inside of which was to be found a dépôt
of arms. The arms were there, truly, but guarded by a strong body of
Papal troops and police, with whom our valorous friends had to sustain
another extremely unequal combat; and, being finally dispersed, were
hotly pursued by the furious Papalini.
* Some were discovered among Garibaldi's Zouave prisoners at
Monte Rotonda.
CHAPTER LXVI. THE OVERTHROW
The heroic Cairolis and their companions had meanwhile paid, with their
blood, for their sublime patriotism and generous constancy to the Roman
insurgents.
The morn of the 24th of October was tearful, dark, and dreary, the
forerunner of fresh Italian misfortunes, and looked down upon the young
and noble countenance of Enrico, "the new Leonidas," upon his brother
Giovanni, lying in their blood, with many others belonging to that
dauntless brigade. The first died with a smile of scorn upon his lips
for that paid horde, who had massacred them, ten against one. Giovanni,
all but mortally wounded, was lying near the corpse of his beloved
brother, surrounded by other sufferers whose glorious names history will
register.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account