Canto II

Four days had passed since of their prowess proud,
Modena's chiefs the famous victory won ;
And, from that conflict, still dead warriors strowed
The plain, unburied, stiffening in the sun,
To dogs a prey ; when two mild envoys rode
Into the city and, their journey done,
Alighted at the Ram ; then pausing stood,
And asked the keeper, if his wine was good,

In order to secure a proper hearing,
A messenger was sent, and then ding-dong
The great bell rang ; the Senate soon appearing,
Fallopia Alessandro went along
With Gaspar Prato, both by duty steering,
For, not to honour envoys would be wrong;
And led them to the hall, once sweet with lavender,
But where the duke now keeps his stable provender.

All old man, hoarse and smoke dried, shrivelled, pale,
Appearing starved in visage, lean, unfed,
Grinding his teeth for fear his breath should fail,
Who the lank part of Lazarus might have played ;
Twice looking round on all from crown to tail,
He then began his speech, and thus he said,
"Masters, I am Marcel di Bolognino,
"Doctor of laws, and eke Count Palatino.

"My colleague is a Count, besides a knight,
"Rodolf Campeggio is his honoured name ;
"I am a man of peace, he used to tight ;
"I love deep study, he a soldier's fame ;
"Hence we are sent, as messengers, to right
"The errors just committed, which we blame ;
"Our people have most grievously offended,
"But you will pardon insults not intended.

"They are a set of demons, devils, faith !
"Not to be held by bit and bridle, ever ;
"And may good San Petronio speed my death
"This moment, if 'tis false what I deliver;
"My colleague can bear witness with his breath
"That, when the other night they passed the river,
"Some impudent deceivers took the lead,
"The Senate quite unconscious of the deed.

"But there is no undoing' what is done,
"All are displeased that you have been annoyed ;
"And we have come, for injuries to atone,
"Our dead to ransom, peace to be enjoyed ;
"But we must have the Bucket, 'tis our own,
"That we must have, or all I 've said is void ;
"Your bold-faced people stole it, and if not
"Returned, our ang-er will be desperate hot."

Here Bolognino ceased his fine oration,
And all laughed out immoderately loud.
Then Rarabone held the highest station
Upon the Bench, a doctor, sage and proud ;
Tassone was his other appellation,
He was so fat, and his short legs so bowed,
On him the Senate gave a speaking look —
He smoothed his chin, and thus the silence broke.

"That your illustrious senators have sent
"Two men of such importance, and so wise,
"Pardon to beg, and show that they repent
"Past evils, motives which we dearly prize,
"Is our good fortune ; and your names besprent
"With honour shall our annals grace ; our eyes
"Weep truly for your dead, whom God hath taken,
"And for whose fate you seem with sorrow shaken.

"If to inter them you request permission,
'Your wishes shall be granted. If you come
"To offer peace to us with the condition
"That we give back the Bucket — 'tis a hum ;
"Accounts must first be settled with precision,
"Since we are not accustomed to succumb.
"We stole the Bucket! we ! with valour teeming,
"Why, my good masters! you are surely dreaming."

Manfredi, present at the altercation,
Took off his cap and vehemently struck it ;
And, " The wretch lies, and merits execration''—
He cried, " who says that I have stolen the Bucket?
"On horseback armed, mid day's illumination,
"Full in the City-square, by force I took it ;
if I like I'll to the Well orbicular
"Return, and in it drop a perpendicular.

"You're misinformed, as it appears to me,
Master Marcello of a Bolognino."
"Most Excellent," Campeggio said, " I see
"That you are brave as any Paladino ;
"Come, this is but a sleeveless errand, we
"Must measure back our pathway, or cammino ;
"But, Senate, I protest in sober sadness,
"That you shall soon repent this silly madness."

Manfred would have replied, and there had been
Scandalous doings if the Potta, rising,
Had not prevented the impending scene
With angry look, such conduct stigmatizing ;
"Silence," he said, "vain fools ! in council green,
"Know ye not then the ancient right ? surprising ;
"Ambassadors have power at any season
"To talk, and for their talk to give no reason."

So the ambassadors pursued their way
Back to Bologna, whence, no effort sparing,
Another on the third revolving day
Was sent, the learned Doctor Baldi, bearing
Revised conditions, and empowered to say
A province should be given, the bargain squaring
For the lost Bucket : Baldi was regarded
With great distinction — so is worth rewarded.

Again the Council sat, the following morning.
When he appeared in manner diplomatic ;
He was a man both old and shrewd, adorning
His speech with wit and flattery, spiced with attic ;
Yet to oppose the current always scorning.
"Mirrors," he said, with accent quite emphatic,
"Mirrors of wisdom, patterns, how I glory
"To be thus honoured, sitting here before ye !

"come to offer terms unparalleled,
"Terms that will raise your wonder ; — know there lies
"An ancient province but by few excelled,
marvellously favoured by the skies,
"Close to your territory, distant held
"From this some thirteen miles ; there by surprise "
"Pansa was killed ; and, therefore, says the story,
"His friends through sorrow named it Grevalcore.

"Still does the spot preserve, though centuries
"Have passed away, the same denomination ;
"Once full of bogs, and marsh impurities,
"Now pleasant hill and dale : but cultivation
"Has not yet dried up all the crevices,
"And ponds, of stagnant water ; irrigation
"Is good, and gutters left, to meet our wishes,
"Are now inhabited by singing fishes.

"The syrens of the ditches, numerous breed,
"Slumber-inducing, marked with various hues;
"And the inhabitants of lake and mead
"Perpetual summer with their songs diffuse ;
"This seems the happy realm, of which we read,
"Where time a race successively renews
"So like in look and habit, we behold
"A faithful symbol of the age of gold.

"Now mark ! this province, so renowned and splendid,
"Is yours, my country offers it through me,
"If that same Bucket, which our men defended,
"The devil take them, so disgracefully ;
"And which your people stole, when strangely blended
"With ours they forced the Gate impetuously;
"If that same Bucket is restored, I say,
"Placed at the Well whence it was dragged away.

"But whilst good Fortune otters this exchange,
"A province for a Bucket — recollect
"That with her goddess-ship, 'tis nothing strange
"To laugh at those who present time neglect ;
"Lose but the golden moment, in revenge
"You shall endure much more than you suspect ;
"A long campaign, and tedious war, short commons,
"For closely leagued with us will be the Romans."

Here Baldi ceased ; — and then a whispering rose,
For there were none who ventured a reply :
But it appeared, from looks and knitted brows,
That all were dubious, thinking danger nigh ;
At last considering deeply friends and foes.
And perils hidden from the common eye :
They told good Doctor Baldi, the romancer,
That the next morning he should have an answer.

The day arrived, and the exchange admitted,
The Bucket should be given np — they said ;
To take it any one might be permitted ;
This contract was confirmed and duly read ;
For the old senators would have committed
A crime had they implicitly obeyed :
And the Petronians if they e'er believed
They could to conquerors dictate. were deceived.

Baldi apologized,—without authority
To alter the conditions just proposed ;
And having no sufficient reason for it he
Wished to return, post haste, ere day had closed.
And, if the city by its great majority,
Approved the terms, he was so well disposed,
He 'd send a courier straight, — and, settled so,
Three days—the affair remained in statu quo.

On the third day, when all was expectation
That peace would be confirmed without demur,
Behold a courier came, to their vexation,
Upon a limping nag, with whip and spur,
And taking from his fob a proclamation,
Promptly affixed it to an ancient fir,
Or poplar, near the Gate, by their own Saint
Planted long since, with holiest intent.

"The Bolognese," thus ran the proclamation,
"To war and death the Modenese defy ;
"If in a month they make not restoration
"Of the contested Bucket." Clear on high
This notice hung- ; and with precipitation
The courier trotted back, he wished to fly,
Flogging his tripod charger left and right,
And verily he soon was out of sight.

As the keen fisherman who up a cleft
Thrusts his spread hand to draw a lobster out
Living, and finds a serpent, toad, or eft,
Or any noxious beast, begins to pout ;
So looked the Potta's people, half bereft
Of sense, indignant, it was past a doubt ;
Down fell their lower jaws at that protest,
Thinking to find them simpletons at best.

But as they were by nature proud, ambitious,
Hiding their motives with dissimulation ;
They laughed at this wild threat, to them malicious,
And boldly cared not for the proclamation.
The broken walls, for warfare unpropitious,
Were not repaired, nor ditches cleared — occasion
They did not see, to manifest submission,
Either to fortune's vagaries, or the foe's decision ;

But wrote to Frederic, Germany's great king
And emperor, soliciting his aid;
From populous plain and mountain high they bring
Recruits, and slyly muster them in shade.
A league they form, and hold as in a string
Parmegians, Cremonese, well fed and paid;
And horse and foot are brought within the walls,
And earth resounds with pleasant feasts and balls.

Fame, meanwhile, heavenward flapped her spreading wings,
And bore the wonderous news to Jove's abode ;
And to the sovereign told what mighty things
By wayward Fate had from a Bucket flowed ;
Jove, who to human kind so loving clings,
And deeply feels their woes, a heavy load ;
Orders the bells to ring at all the portals,
To call to solemn council the Immortals.

O'er rolling stars, from heavenly stalls advancing,
The coaches soon were seen, and a long train
Of mules with litters, horses fleet and prancing,
Their trappings all embroidery, nothing plain ;
And with fine liveries, in the sun-beams glancing !
More than a hundred servants, rather vain
Of handsome looks, and of their stature tall,
Followed their masters to the Council Hall.

First came the Prince of Delos, Phoebus hight,
In a gay travelling carriage, fleetly drawn
By six smart Spanish chesnuts, shining bright,
Which with their tramping shook the serial lawn ;
Red was his cloak, three cocked his hat, and light
Around his neck the golden fleece was thrown ;
And twenty-four sweet damsels, nectar-sippers,
Were running near him in their pumps or slippers.

Pallas, with lovely but disdainful mien,
Came on a nag of Basignanian race ;
Tight round her leg, and gathered up, was seen
Her gown half Greek, half Spanish ; o'er her face
Part of her hair hung loose, a natural skreen,
Part was tied up, and with becoming grace ;
A bunch of feathers on her head she wore,
And on her saddle bow her falchion bore.

The Paphian Queen for her accommodation
Had two state-coaches ; richly decorated
Was that in which she sate in conversation
With Cupid and the Graces ; on them waited
Pages in habits suited to their station,
The other coach, with courtiers gay was freighted.
The chamberlain and tutor, debonnaire,
And the chief cook, Dan Bacon, too, was there.

Saturn was old and ill of a catarrh,
And just had taken physic ; therefore rightly
Came in a litter shut up from the air,
With vase beneath the cushion, fitting- tightly.
On a fine charger came the God of War
Capering along, unusually sprightly.
His boots were scolloped, and his corslet leather,
And in his hat he wore a scarlet feather.

But Ceres and the God of Wine appeared
At once, conversing ; and the God of Ocean
Upon a dolphin's back his form upreared,
Floating through waves of air with graceful motion;
Naked, all sea-weed, and with mud besmeared ;
For whom the mother, Rhea, feels emotion,
Reproaching the proud brother, when she meets him,
Because so like a fisherman he treats him.

Diana, the sweet virgin, was not there ;
She had risen early, and o'er woodland green
Had gone to wash her clothes in fountain fair,
Upon the Tuscan shore — romantic scene.
And not returning till the northern star
Had rolled through dusky air and lost its sheen :
Her mother made excuses, quite provoking,
Knitting at the same time a worsted stocking.

Juno-Lucina did not go, and why ?
She anxious wished to wash her sacred head.
Menippo, Jove's chief taster, standing by,
For the disastrous Fates excuses made.
They had much tow to spin and lint to dry,
And they were also busy baking- bread.
The cellarman, Silenus, kept away,
To water the domestics' wine that day.

The everlasting gates of heaven expand,
The golden bolts and fastenings ring and shine ;
The gods now from the court superb and grand,
Into the regal hall their steps incline ;
Free from the touch of Time's cold withering hand,
The rich walls corruscate with gems divine ;
The precious stones of India's diadem,
Lose all their value when compared to them.

On starry benches sit the famous warriors
Of the immortal kingdom, in a ring;
Now drums and cymbals, echoing to the barriers,
Announce the coming of the gorgeous King ;
A hundred pages, valets, napkin-carriers
Attend, and their peculiar offerings bring.
And after them, armed with his club so hard,
Alcides, captain of the city guard;

And as the madness which his brain affected
Was not quite cured, officiously he strode,
And swung aloft his club, and blows directed
Among the crowd to clear the royal road.
Like drunken Swiss he looked, and seemed connected
With ruffians low who hire themselves abroad
On festal days, before.the pope to bluster,
Breaking of arms and skull-caps in a fluster.

With Jove's broad hat and spectacles arrived
The light-heeled Mercury ; in his hand he bore
A sack in which, of other means deprived,
He crammed poor mortals' prayers, some million score ;
These he dispensed in vessels, well contrived,
Which graced the father's cabinet of yore;
And, wont attention to all claims to pay,
He regularly signed them twice a day.

Then Jove himself, in regal habit dressed,
With starry diadem upon his head,
And o'er his shoulders an imperial vest,
Worn upon holidays.—The King displayed
A sceptre, pastoral shape, with hooked crest ;
In a rich jacket too he was arrayed,
Given by the inhabitants of Sericane,
And Ganymede held up his splendid train.

At his approach from Ottomans supernal,
Up rose the immortal Senate, and bowed down
Their heads in reverence, till the Power Paternal,
Seated himself upon his gorgeous throne ;
Fortune was on the left of the Eternal,
By way of favour eminently shown ;
Destiny was on the right, and Time and Death
Served for his footstool, almost out of breath.

He turns, and looks — and instantly to rest
The breeze is hushed—the vaulted heaven 's serene—
The solid earth and ocean's ample breast
Tremble at his bland words, and what they mean ;
Beginning from the day when mice unblest,
And slaughtered frogs, throughout the world were seen
Innumerous ; and he told of battles dire
That happened in the moon ; of flood and fire.

"Now," said he, " battle deadlier is at hand,
"Between the Sipa and the Potta states ;
"You know the ancient grudge on which they stand,
"How often they have broke each other's pates ;
"But now a Bucket sharpens every brand,
"And, if not checked, confusion dread awaits
"Italy and the world ; upon this nice
"Affair I now solicit your advice."

Jove ceased, and at that moment fixed his look
Upon his father Saturn ; at his beck
The old man laughed, and from him quickly broke
These words — " I thought the world had gone to wreck !
"What ! if the wretches feel misfortune's stroke ;
"Fight; squabble; must the gods their folly check?
"What, if mankind be sad or merry; either?
"I wish them all hanged in a string together."

At this Mars lifted his admiring eyes,
And said — " Old man, we two are well agreed ;
"What is it to the gods, so high and wise,
"If mortals quarrel, grumble, groan, or bleed ;
"Those born to suffer must have injuries ;
"Let those born gods laugh on, 'tis so decreed ;
For me, if Venus gives me no rebuff,
"I'll pour upon both cities woes enough.

"A two-fold carnage now my wrath requires,
"Of bodies slain I'll raise a lofty mound ;
"With blood and sweat, until my valour tires,
"I'll freely inundate the country round."
"Sir Knight," said Pallas, " macaroni-criers
"And tripe-men, know your valour to resound;
"Therefore 'tis useless, boastingly inclined,
"To make it known to the celestial mind.

"If you desire a noble enterprize,
"Embrace one now — you may the cause sustain
"Of Modena ; and I shall patronize
"Bologna, meeting on that spacious plain.
"Bologna loves to study, to be wise,
"Hence at this crisis I must not refrain
"From her defence : and if, the Potta's friend,
"You wish for glory, let us now descend."

Phoebus at this arose and ardent cried :
"Beautiful virgin, I shall also join
"In favour of Bologna, where with pride
"My arts are studied, and the tuneful Nine."
Bacchus, whom Cytherea fondly eyed,
Fixing his gaze upon her face divine,
Thus said — with anger darkening on his brow,
"Shall mine by all then be abandoned now ?

"Shall Modena, renowned for feasting, drinking
"Masking, and tourneys, bacchanalian glee,
"And sweetest liquor, while "mid trouble shrinking,
"Complain of shameful negligence in me ?
" Mother of Love, even thy soft glances, sinking
"Into the heart, subdue the strong and free ;
Come then, on earth, we 'll make them show their backs,
"And turn their beards of gold to yellow flax."

Resplendent Venus gave him a sweet smile,
Which said :——Come kiss me, kiss me, amorous swain !
And with her eloquent eyes, eyes that beguile,
Expressed assent io join in the campaign.
Mars, who was gazing on her all the while,
Eager about the strife, the battle-plain,
And seeing her disposed to slip her tether
Said — " By my faith then we will go together.

"Go, then, thou soul-subduing queen ; wherever
"My love goes there must I be, following still
"Her footsteps, from them deviating never,
"Deserting those whom she deserts, at will,
"For her this sword shall combat, I assever !
"This good right arm shall all my vows fulfil,
"And we shall see Panaro's banks o'erflow,
"Carrying ensanguined succours to the Po."

Minerva smiled — but Vulcan at her side
Darted at Mars a furious look, and said :
"Impious assassin — savage homicide!
"Would you then share with me the nuptial bed ?
"And will great Jove, to her by blood allied,
"Consent to heap disgrace upon her head ?
"By Styx, I swear, I know not what restrains
"My hand, from dashing out the wretch's brains.

He grasped a heavy hammer which was near him,
And lifted his brown arm in act to slay ;
Mars starting forward, not disposed to fear him,
Let fly his gauntlet at him in play
Roaring aloud that all might plainly hear him,
"Wretch, I will teach you to provoke a fray."
Jove seeing things approaching to a battle
His sceptre raised, and cried : " Ye factious cattle,

"Where do ye think ye are ? Now, by Macone,
"For this impertinence ye shall be punished ;
"Bring me the thunder!" Quickly Aquilone
Brought him the bolts, with which he soon astonished
Brown Vulcan, who with proper ceremony,
Fell prostrate on his knees, enough admonished,
Asking for mercy, sorrowing o'er his fate,
But most the conduct of his faithless mate.

Venus, who felt a little perturbation,
Through a back door to sidle thought it right ;
And from her father's, husband's indignation,
The goddess promptly vanished out of sight ;
Then, without waiting for an invitation,
The God of War and Bacchus took to flight;
With both she left the skies, and all the three
Lodged at an inn. a jolly company.

Of kisses and embraces the chaste Muse.
Knows nothing, or declines particular mention ;
Planets have their conjunctions and diffuse
Various effects, but 'tis not her intention
To chaunt them now, though she may not refuse
To murmur that there happened no dissension.
Mars and the Theban youth were most polite,
And passed in perfect harmony the night.".

The host of Castelfranco then possessed
A famous hen-roost, numerously supplied,
The gods, a hundred eggs unboiled, undrest,
Dispatched at breakfast, which is not denied.
But the loved dame, by no such hunger prest,
Ate only two eggs, and was satisfied.
The goddess prudently to check suspicion
Had taken on herself a youth's condition.

And was superbly habited, in white,
Broidered with scarlet satin; her soft vest
Was perfumed, sparkling with a silvery light,
White were her stockings, and around her waist
A painted girdle, her small foot to sight
Presented a white shoe transversely laced ;
A lovelier form ne'er breathed, and at her side
A golden dagger hung, her white plume waved wi pride.

But the suspicious host, one-eyed they say,
A Bolognese too, had his doubts excited
When he observed the three together stay.
Plotting in one room, since they had alighted ;
The gods in consequence made no delay,
But posted thence, for fear of being indicted
some false statement by malign detracters)
As vagabonds, or fancied malefactors.

To Modena that morning they repaired,
And found there was a merry festival
Among the people, who upon the sward
Were running races for a crimson pall,
Or rather patio ; at the three they stared,
And asked their names, and business, one and all ;
Many supposed them strolling players, coming
To act a comedy, or such like humming,

For Capitan Gardone, Mars they took,
And Bacchus for the lover, and that smart
Endearing youth, so beautiful in look,
The actor of a lovely woman's part :
So does it happen, truth from out her nook
Escapes, though carefully disguised by art,
When what is uppermost we freely say, —
For chance and knowledge in one vessel lay.

The gods intent on gathering information,
Roamed through the stinking city, each division
Considering well, its form and situation,
The art of war, the people's disposition ;
Then to an inn retired for recreation,
Where good wine sweetly aided deglutition.
And there on capon, partridge, generous wine,
Supped more like heroes, than like souls divine.

While these were feasting, on the other side
Pallas and Phoebus had on earth descended ;
And were industriously occupied
Stirring to war the powers whom they befriended ;
Between the Rubicon and Reno wide,
Far as the mountains from the sea extended,
All joined the Bolognese, as thick as clover;
Resolved the famous Bucket to recover.

The lovers heard the wonderous preparation,
And roused their vassals for the grand event;
Bacchus, all zeal, with great precipitation
To Germany for reinforcements went,
Soon as they heard his summons, or citation,
Both foot and cavalry were armed and sent
With blessings on San Martin, and October,
Hoping they'd swim in wine, and ne'er be sober.

The God of War remained in Italy,
Gathering the troops of Parma and Cremona;
Venus said that she wished prodigiously
To bring a king, in propria persona ;
And passing where the Arno joins the sea,
Green-mantled Nereids bore her to Gorgona ;
Thence to the island of Sardinia, high in
Renown for cheese, and people fond of lying.