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
Ok the day prefixed to this chapter, April, 1849, a foreign sergeant
was conducted a prisoner into the presence of the commander of the
Gianicolo. He had fallen into a Roman ambuscade during the night time
and, having been told by the priests that the defenders of Rome were so
many assassins, he threw himself upon his knees as soon as he was taken
before them, and begged them for the love of God to spare his life.
The commander extended his right hand to the suppliant, and raising
him, spoke comfortingly to him. "This is a good omen," said the Italian
officer to those of his companions present. "A good omen! Behold foreign
pride prostrate before Roman right--that is a sure sign of victory."
And truly, the foreign army which disembarked at Ci vita Vecchia, and
had fraudulently taken possession of the port, under the deceitfully
assumed title of friend, advanced on Rome, chuckling at the credulity,
as well as at the cowardice of the Roman people. That very army,
afterwards defeated by the native soldiers of the metropolis, retrod
with shame the road to the sea.
The 30th of April was a glorious day for Rome, and was not forgotten
among the Seven Hills. But how could it be commemorated amidst such an
armed rabble of enemies? In the small city of Viterbo, where there
were no troops, the inhabitants had devised a way of celebrating the
anniversary of the expulsion of the foreigner, and were making active
preparations. But if there were no troops, there were not wanting spies,
who informed the Roman Government of all that took place.
The Committee had arranged a programme for the feast, which set forth
that after mid-day all work should be suspended, and that all the young
people, in holiday dress, with a tri-colored ribbon bound round the
left arm, should assemble in the cathedral piazza, and walk thence four
abreast in procession to the Porta Romana, so as to pay a salutation of
good wishes from that point to the ancient mistress of the globe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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