Canto IV

The camp was halted on the dexter bank,
And all the squadrons martially disposed ;
The sun shone brightly on their arms, each rank
Reflecting splendour as it moved and closed ;
The plumes and banners gently rose and sank,
As the soft breeze awakened or reposed ;
The brooks and vallies murmured half astounded,
And heaven with arms and cavalry resounded.

The Potta, gifted as a rhetorician,
And, as a rostrum-speaker known to fame,
Upon a lofty hill took his position,
Between the camp and river to declaim ;
By captains girt, and men of high condition,
Crowned with a cap, montiera is its name,
He spoke to the ferocious multitude,
With look magnanimous, and accent loud.

"! genuine sons of Rome, of valour high
"Tis true from generous Frederic you obtained
"A privilege, on parchment crisp and dry,
"By which an ancient tract of land you gained
"On the Lavino ; — but 'tis all my eye,
"Not worth a worthless fig, if not maintained ;
"If with these arms, borne with so much discretion,
"We do not take it into our possession.

"Alone from Castelfranco opposition
"Can be expected ; — reinforced they are ;
"But they will have no refuge, no volition,
"Nor choice, when we at once attack them ; there
"Our army .shall remain in good position
"Against the foe, not stirring yet, I swear ;
"There we'll enjoy with gaiety and pleasure,
"The goods of others, without stint or measure.

"will be ours, no doubt, all ours; and these
Fertile domains, and cattle browzing nigh ;
"The capons, puddings, tartlets, sausages,
"Will greet us hot and smoking, seasoned high ;
"And we .shall .slumber with luxurious ease
"On beds in which the enemy now lie ;
"The king too will arrive ere day is ended,
": For even now his troops the mountains have descended.

"But why delay, ye warriors? — let us go
"And cure these blockheads of their whims, we'll take
"This Castelfranco, and we then shall know
"Their metal well, and what defence they make.
"Riches shall with that castle's plunder flow,
"And of that plunder you shall all partake ;
"For my part, not a doit shall come to me,
"My share the poor shall have in charity."

This said, the army panting for the emprize,
Was moved with such rapidity along,
The enemy was taken by surprize ;
And had not time to muster very strong.
Quickly the passes were possessed to poize
And fix the dread machines, with bolt and thong ;
The first full stroke of a trabucco vast
At them pell-mell an ass and panniers cast.

The mural engine, skilfully directed,
Shot forth the beast so vigorously and well,
It rose in air, and, where the crowd collected,
Within the castle, thundering down it fell ;
The simple populace were much affected,
And gaped and stared, all horror-struck and pale ;
Seeing, prodigious sight ! before them fly,
An ass's carcase headlong from the sky !

There chanced to be a captain in that garrison,
A little skilled in knowledge mathematical :
Who had a nose, prodigious by comparison,
Hence called Nasidio, which was quite emphatical ;
He feared the storming would be rather harassing,
And the result not very enigmatical.
Therefore, he offered terms to quit the fray,
If he remained unsuccoured, the next day.

These were accepted — and that very night
The king arrived with trumpet-clang and glee,
And blazing fires; but morning's early light
Changed all their merry greetings wofully ;
A courier hurrying' on with all his might,
Came to solicit help immediately,
Against the Reggian troops, who had begun
The war, amidst night-shadows dark and dun.

The Reggian people openly professed
Hatred against the Modenese before,
And often with Bologna had addrest
Against them their united strength of yore;
Now watching a fit time to manifest
Their usual malice, burning at the core,
After the king had passed royal hero)
They sent six thousand men to sack Rubiera.

The king in council called the warriors bold,
The valorous heroes on the Potta's side ;
And having candidly the peril told
Which that proud fortress was compelled to bide ;
Full to the right his noble eyes he rolled,
Where sat the Potta, of his race the pride ;
Who after rising, most important man,
Smoothed down his beard, and spat, and thus began.

"Great sovereign ! you are worthiest to select.
"A captain from the chiefs assembled now ;
"This strongly leaguered fortress to protect,
"And pour out vengeance on the audacious crew."
More he had said, but he was rudely checked ;
For the Count di Culagna took the cue ;
And springing from his bench, with ardent eyes,
Cried, " I'm your man; who joins the enterprize?"

The king amazed turned round and said aside :
"Who's this so bold, magnanimous, and brave?"
The Potta, whispering to the king, replied :
"This is a glorious madman, half a knave."
The king, who only wished that one well tried,
And famous for his martial deeds, should h.ave
The guidance of the enterprize, and not a
Raw soldier, left the appointment to the Potta.

The Potta knew that the Parmeggians were
Detested by the Germans, and if sent
Together, as allies, they would not pair,
But be like cats and dogs, on quarrelling bent ;
He therefore wisely took especial care
To send against the foe the armament
Of Parma, by Correggio led — the force,
Three thousand foot, and twice five hundred horse.

But to Gherardo the supreme command
Was given, five thousand foot his force augmenting :
And those Bertoldo brought with bow and brand,
Marzaglians, and Rubierans unrelenting ;
The gallant chief repassed then, with his band,
The bridge, and as dun night the sky was feinting,
Heard, at Marzaglia, every place was taken,
Except the rocky fort, which stood unshaken.

The hero pondered, for he was perplexed
Whether to pass that river, or remain
Until the dusky night was by the next
Uprising of the sun dispelled again ;
When lo! bold Mars (ingenious pretext)
Appeared, and well the likeness he could feign,
As Scalandrone da Bismanta true
Bandit, and captain of a roguish crew.

And lifting up a torch upon the border,
Illumined all the passes with its light ;
So that the camp without the least disorder,
Was led across, regardless of the night ;
The winds too shook the leaves that not a word or
Footstep was heard their ardent hopes to blight;
Ferocious Mars, then to the captains raising
His terrible voice, and on them keenly gazing,

Said — " Warriors ! come along, come bravely on !
"I give you victory—prove your lofty station!
"While in the careless city — every one
"Is occupied in theft and depredation;
"Expecting still to hear the rock is won
"And sure success will crown that expectation ;
"For at the siege they 'd left a valiant fellow
"Powerfully armed, Foresto Fontanella.

"Their base perfidious deeds I can't endure ;
"And hence I come to be revenged with you,
"If suddenly upon their heads we pour,
"Even were they heroes they 'd be in a stew ;
"Turn to the left, Gherardo, and be sure
"To shut the passage as you ought to do ;
"That with Bertoldo and Bertoldo I
"May reach the bridge and front the enemy."

He ceased—and all were stedfastly imprest
That Scalandrone urged them to the fight ;
Gherardo kept the left, towards the west
Giberto moved, continuing on the right;
And on his helm he fixed his plumed crest,
A snow-white signal in his people's sight;
Because he heard the troops of Fontanella
Not far off singing La Rosina bella.

In silent eagerness they forward pushed,
Not meeting outpost, scout, or sentinel ;
When all at once the jovial song was hushed,
And on the ear a hideous screaming fell ;
Before the infantry the horsemen rushed,
Then Mars two torches lit, which, blazing well,
Made the surrounding scenery so bright,
That day seemed bom without the solar light.

Foresto, who immediately beheld
The Parman and Rubieran flag advancing,
His infantry too quits and braves the field,
Leading his squadron to the battle prancing ;
Takes Mars for Scalandrone, lifts his shield,
His vizor lowers, spurs on, and puts his lance in
Rest, and exactly in the belly hits him,
But hurts him not, although he thinks he spits him.

Mars, passing forward, aimed a swinging stroke,
And battered him with more than mortal vigour;
He burnt his beard, and half his visage broke,
Leaving the chief a most unchristian figure ;
Yet like a Christian he the outrage took,
And met Bertoldo, who with cruel rigour
Had burst Arlotto's truss, and laid him flat;
Doctor and alchemist — but what of that ?

Snapped were both javelins in that fierce attack,
And then their shining swords forthwith they drew ;
Foresto was upon a horse's back,
Unparalleled ; he galloped not, but flew ;
Generous he was as swift, of steeds the crack ;
And if the ancient chronicles be true,
He was descended from the good Frontino,
In history made immortal by Turpino.

Bertoldo had most strength, and most temerity,
The hugest, too, by far, in bulk and weight ;
Foresto had most grace and most dexterity,
Little in body, but in valour great ;
Each nobly showed his prowess and celerity,
And loftiness of soul, and burning hate;
The ground was covered where the heroes stood,
With broken mail, and bits of flesh, and blood.

Meanwhile Giberto brave had broke his lance,
Ith' paunch of Gambatorta Scarlattino ;
And with the fragment, turning it askance,
Tore up the guts of Stevanel Rossino ;
Then snatched a hatchet, close to him by chance,
From Testarancia, son of San Donnino ;
And with it, with both hands dismembering, lopping,
Excelled all mince-makers in skilful chopping.

He killed outright Braghetton Bibianello,
Who once at Rome became a courtier gay ;
And then engraved his name, conceited fellow !
Near Montecavallo, on the public way ;
His paunch was like a barrel; always mellow,
He could drink dry Albano, so they say ;
And never prayed to heaven by any sign,
But to convert the ocean into wine.

The stroke his paunch burst open, and beside,
A bag of wine, upon the pummel bound ;
The blood and wine flowed out, a streaming tide ;
The wine most grieved him, spilt upon the ground ;
With the black blood the soul rushed through his side,
Retarded by the .scent of wine around ;
And quitted joyfully its fat abode,
Thinking "twas going a delicious road.

Alceo d'Ormondo, too, from life was hurled,
Camerier d'Onore, and Prothonotary,
At the Pope's Court, the caput of the world ;
Knight, Count, and Doctor, quite a luminary.
The Miser Baccarin, his banner furled,
Inventor of paste-meat and lectuary,
Was left defunct, with others, also slain,
To fatten with their limbs Rubiera's plain.

Prospero d'Albinea, Feltrin Cassola,
Marco Denaglia, Brun da Mozzatella,
Berto da Rondinar, Andrea Scajola,
Stefano Zobli, Gian da Torricella, :
Gugleilmo dalla Latta, and Pier Mazzola,
Were by the warrior thrown, fuor di sella ;
With Ugo Brama, and Giammatteo Scaruffo,
All lifeless pressed the earth, in that terrific zuffo.

Foresto at the might Giberto used
Turned his astonished eyes, and muttering saw:
His men among the open fields confused,
Flying, in martial tactics rather raw ;
And fearing to remain, at once refused
Alone to stay, — determined to withdraw;
He on Bertoldo moved, and aiming low,
Killed his opponent's charger at a blow.

Then spurring his fine horse, fleet as the wind,
Amidst his people flying from the scuffle,
Bellowed aloud : — " Ye basest of mankind !
"Is this your valour, courage thus to muffle ?
"If you have not the soul, the noble mind,
"Death to despise, but still delight to shuffle,
"Abandoning the war — at least retire
"Into the city—there recruit your fire."

So saying towards the walls he instant rode,
Where succour seemed to him, alas ! too late ;
Full of dead people was the dreadful road ;
Gherardo having toiled to gain the gate,
Checking the wrath that in his bosom glowed,
The gallant chief began to hesitate ;
Uncertain whether he should meanly fly
Amidst the shades of night, or stop and die.

Resolved at last, he, where the enemy made
A stout defence, precipitately hurried ;
He cut off Furio dalla Coccia's head,
And his long sword in Vivian's belly buried ;
The first, crack-brained, with oddest fancies fed ;
The other was six cubits tall and florid ;
This hated August's sun, it made him queerish,
That, guttling roasted chesnuts, made them dearish.

Two more he struck, with different success,
Erri and Baciliero, Germans twain ;
One punctured in the navel ends his race,
Tumbling confusedly among the slain ;
The other who was in an awkward case,
Though trussed, his hernia made him walk with pain ;
The pointed sword in puncturing the part
Let out the wind, and cured him, spite of art.

Arrived at length where the last banner waved,
By Foncierolo Alberghetti reared ;
Although by heroes resolutely braved,
He forced his entry, and the passage cleared ;
Unconscious he had thoughtlessly behaved,
Leaving his troops surrounded, and uncheered ;
Meanwhile Count San Donnino heard around,
The signal of the grey-eyed morn resound.

This was the general of the Reggian band,
The friend of Phoebus and Bellona fierce ;
And, when the foe arrived, he had in hand
A tender madrigal in softest verse ;
Reggio ne'er saw his equal, one so grand,
In past or modern times, so bards rehearse —
One more esteemed than him im peace or war ;
He was the counsellor of Salinguerr.

I speak ol' Salinguerra. once the lord
Of rich Ferrara, and of Francolino ;
Till by the pope, his enemy, abhorred,
He was expelled his nobile domino.
And the old sceptre was at last restored
To the proud family of Aldobrandino.
In various chronicles the count is found,
To be a man respected and renowned.

Soon as he hears the clang, he calls for drink, .
To Livio his good squire, and eke for mail ;
And quaffs the liquor bubbling to the brink ;
Turns up the goblet, having drained it well !
He then puts on his armour, link by link,
His gaiters too, and looking out to smell
The .scent abroad, finds all the people quitting
Their homes with lanterns, — for the hour most fitting.

In his Usbergo clad, he quickly ties
His helmet on, with ostrich plume bedecked ;
Girds on his sword, his spacious buckler tries,
And mounts an Andalusian, rain-bow-necked.
The deaf Malguzz, a scythe of awful size
Before him bears, their persons to protect ;
Wroth was the count, and vexed. at heart withal,
Because he could not end his madrigal.

Proceeding to the gate at once he hears
A dreadful tumult, and, the walls ascending,
Looks round him, and discovers bristling- spears
Covering the bridge and plain, mishap portending ;
He saw the enemy, which increased his fears,
Had shut the passage up, the strife suspending;
And full of anguish, painfully opprest,
He, deeply groaning, struck his ample chest.

And, having ordered some one at his side
To bring two thousand archers into play,
They shoot their arrows, thinking to divide,
And conquering drive the invading foe away ;
As waters, influenced by the foaming tide,
Flow and recede, in river, sea, or bay ;
So foam and roll the foe-men, and oppose
Their bucklers strong, against the thickening blows,

But, change not their position, nor their place ;
Meanwhile the dawn illumes, with reddening light,
The eastern sky, and the sun's radiant face
Makes the blue vault of heaven divinely bright;
Gherardo gave his troops a little grace,
Refreshing them ; and then the valiant knight
At daybreak in the ditch, and on the rock,
Produced amongst them a tremendous shock.

The rock-assailing band Bertoldo led,
Giberto had the left, Gherard the right;
The count now found his men had neither bread,
Nor soup, which made him sicken at their plight ;
However they might fight he thought unfed ;
Bertoldo from a window cried—" They fight ?
"Ah, Reggianelli ! silly ones, and weak ;
"Your nails, ifaith ! will in your plunder stick."

At the rock's base the count his post defended,
Protecting the piazza as he could ;
Athwart the pass he palisades extended,
(Constructed of enormous beams of wood ;
Gherardo boldly on the right contended ;
Giberto too made every presage good
With strong machinery, and filled up the fosse
With heaps of earth, and faggots thrown across.

The fierce assault continued till mid-day ;
The fury of the conflict then subsided.
The count kept with his men, without dismay,
Though without victuals ;—much had been provided,
But when the citizens saw the foe-men, they
To lock the meat up in the rock decided ;
And when so many teeth, with hunger pressed,
Began to chew, they soon demolished raw and dressed.

They hunted every where, but nothing found,
Nothing their constant craving to assuage ;
They yawning crossed themselves with grief profound,
So keen their hunger it increased their rage ;
Some friars had built within that narrow bound
A chapel, wooden-shoe-men, sharp and sage ;
The count desired the senior to contrive
Some remedy to save them all, alive.

The monk said gravely : " God appears disposed
"To scathe the Reggians with his dreadful ire."
The count, half desperate, soon his censure closed
By saying: " No more preaching. Mister Friar.
"First seek the remedy, be that disclosed,
"For we are supperless, and food require.
"Relieve us, let us quit these walls in peace,
"And you may preach till doom's day — now, pray cease."

The monk went out to try negociation,
And soon the ultimatum was received ;
It was : " The Reggians may take this occasion
"To go, without their arms!" and, thus reprieved,
Many were gladden'd with the stipulation,
But others laughed at terms they scarce believed.
Go out without their arms — what dire disgrace !
They 'd rather fight, and die than be so base!

Therefore the monk was ordered back again,
And then the count turned to him, gravely saying,
"Father, I too must go, I can't refrain ;
"Give me a gown, my secret not betraying."
The monk had one supplied, with many a stain
Of soup bedappled, and in this arraying
Himself, the count found his concealment easy,
It was the cook's, and thence a little greasy.

Then to his people said the count : " I go
"For better terms, to gain a better fate ;
"But if I find still obstinate the foe,
"I shall remain without the castle-gate ;
"And shortly reinforcements from below
"Bring to your aid, if you have strength to wait ;
"If—you have heart and soul to keep at bay
"vaunting enemy another day."

He left Canossa Guido in his place,
And took no arms, except a dagger keen,
Which he concealed within its dusky case,
Under his gown, and armour Garzerine ;
They found Gherardo on the intrenchment's base,
Preparing ere the morn a massy screen
Of bar and palisade, both high and wide,
To close the portal-front, and either side.

Soon as Gherardo saw the messenger,
He went to meet him ; and the friar said ;
"The Reggian people think, that most severe
"Are those conditions you proposed and made ;
"If they may keep their arms, they will adhere
"To any other terms upon them laid."
Gherardo hearing this his wrath exprest,
And to the monk cried : " Father, I protest,

"That they shall now accept the terms I like,
"Arms, banners, every thing shall they forego.
"And in their doublets, underneath a pike,
"Issue from out the gate — I tell thee so :
"And swear it too ; hence, quick the bargain strike ;
"Tis not for me to give them favour, no !
"If they delay, their punishment shall be
"Increased, and worthy their depravity."

The count all anxious, hearing what transpired,
Said : " By my faith ! you shan't lay hold of me !"
And silently and secretly retired,
Until he found himself from danger free ;
The monk still humbly persevered untired,
In hopes of better terms, but uselessly ;
Therefore returned he back, all sad and sorry,
Without another interrogatory.

Confused, bewildered, in extreme dismay,
Were all the Reggians, hearing what had passed ;
He told them all, the count had gone away,
He said till ample means he had amassed ;
And, in the interim, most intensely they
Considered whether they should still stand fast ;
Waiting the count's return, or in the night,
In arms endeavour to escape by flight.

All were agreed, to wait and see the count ;
But when they calculated all the pros
And cons, that he might not the full amount
Of men have ready, ere next evening's close ;
Each frowning wrinkled his sagacious front,
And said till death he would the foe oppose ;
All would die fighting; Guido thence began
To put them under arms, and execute his plan.

But from the rock, Bertoldo intimated,
To brave Gherardo, what was in the wind;
The foe had shown a wish, he plainly stated,
To fly, all armed, and leave their post behind ;
Gherardo on the subject meditated,
And hi.s resources rapidly combined ;
With torches and ignited pitch he made,
Night bright as day, then fixed his palisade.

Behold the gate is opened, hear the noise
And knocking of the famished, as they run ;
But the strong rail-work all their hope destroys,
Their flight, arrested just as it begun:
Gherardo front and flank his force employs ;
Weapons of dreadful power the Reggians stun ;
And with sharp missiles, arrow, spear, and stone,
The bravest and the best are overthrown.

Gherard himself sprung forward with a mace
To the stockade, and did such execution,
That had the crowd not hurried to retrace
Their steps, and shut the gate, though in confusion ;
That night he would have 'made extinct the race
Of Reggian soldiers, terrible conclusion !
Guido Canossa was the first great loss,
Left to feed fishes in the ample fosse.

But bold Foresto, where the palisade
Was rather low, his fiery horse impelled;
And drawing desperately his shining blade,
Gherardo wounded, and then onward held ;
Still making good his passage, undelayed,
All opposition promptly he repelled ;
Till he got safely to a distant quarter,
Abandoning his troops to wounds and slaughter.

The Reggians, certain nothing- could be done,
That further effort would be quite in vain,
And seeing how the enemy begun
To shake the gate, and call for fire amain,
Quickly sent back the friar, all risks to run,
Hoping to win Gherardo"s ear again,
And better terms ; nay any, for they knew
The warrior's wrath had been provoked anew.

Terms he obtained — and he was sworn beside : —
"Should any one of those evacuating
"Rubiera now, at the same inn abide
"With Modenese—if lodging, or but baiting ;
"He shall per onor lay his shoes aside,
Boots, and all covering to the feet relating."
Then through a little wicket to the north,
The conquered in their doublets issued forth.

Mars, who the faithful semblance .still retained
Of Scalandrone, to enjoy the show ;
And near the pike, where passing 'twas ordained
The conquered Reggians their proud heads should bow,
Gave each a slap, 'twas any thing but feigned,
Under the pike — slow marching in a row ;
Thus, one by one, till mom the orient greeted,
The hungry people from the rock retreated.

When all had passed Mars vanished from their view,
And left the troops amazed, in silent wonder ;
The victors were astonished that they knew
Him not at first, committing- such a blunder !
The wretched vanquished were astonished too,
Because when morning burst night's veil asunder,
They found, with shame, the knocks they had to share,
Unhappily had made their caputs square.

Awhile Gherardo near Rubiera stayed,
To rest his people, honouring that day;
And dedicating it, with great parade,
To Saint Bartholomew. Proud to display
The spoil upon the Secchia's banks, they made
A splendid trophy there without delay,
But when the sun through half his course had steered,
A messenger with sounding horn appeared.

He said : " hostilities have taken place
"Between Sardinia's king and th' enemy;
"Who leads to war a much more numerous race
"Than flies, or ears of corn, in Apugli ;
"He therefore begs assistance in the case,
"The peril being great, as you may see !"
Gherardo thirty hairs with rage plucked out,
And, cursing, moved the army on its route.