Valperga (7 page)

They returned together to England. Edward had arrived at
Chester, that he might behold his friend a few days the sooner; and
he flew to his arms with the affectionate transports with which a
child might welcome the return of its absent mother.

A strict friendship was established between Gavaston and
Castruccio. Piers had not learned moderation from adversity; his
wealth and luxury were increased, and with these his vanity and
insufferable presumption. Atawel in vain endeavoured to win
Castruccio from his society; but, if the deportment of Gavaston was
arrogant towards the English lords, it was so much the more affable
and insinuating towards Castruccio. The king also loved the
Italian; and, not examining the merits of the case, he allowed
himself to be entirely led away by the personal attachment that he
bore to Edward and Piers.

Gavaston had wealth and rank; and, although he was considered an
upstart, yet the possession of these gave him a consequence in the
eyes of the nobles, of which Castruccio was wholly divested. They
looked on the latter as one may regard a stinging insect, whose
insignificance is not to compound for his annoyance. They endured
the insolence of Gavaston with the sullenness of men who look into
the future for revenge; but they bore the far slighter pain which
Castruccio inflicted upon them, with the impatience one feels at an
injury, however slight, for which we are by no means prepared. And,
if Castruccio himself manifested few symptoms of insolence, yet he
was supported by that of Gavaston; and they felt that, though for
the present they could not injure the favourite personally, yet
they might wound him through his Italian friend. This latter also
was not unfrequently provoked beyond his usual courtesy by the
pride and taunts of his enemies; and, if ever he dared reply, or
when Gavaston replied for him, the nobles felt a rage they could
ill smother at what they deemed so despicable an offender. The
indications of mischief which had before slightly manifested
themselves, broke out one day with a violence that suddenly
terminated Castruccio's visit to England.

He accompanied the king, who went with a train of the first
nobility on a hawking party, to Chelsea. The exercise excited
Castruccio's blood, and inspired him with an exaltation of
spirits which might have exhausted itself in gaiety alone, had not
a quarrel, that arose between him and one of the nobles, urged him
to a fury he could ill control. The contention began concerning the
comparative flight of their birds; and, heated as they were by
personal animosity, it became loud and bitter. Edward in vain
endeavoured to appease them; but when, seconded by his friends, the
English nobleman established his triumph in the contest, Castruccio
replied by a sarcasm which so irritated his antagonist, that, no
longer restraining his indignation, he darted forward, and struck
Castruccio. The fiery youth, crying in Italian, "By blood, and
not by words, are blows to be avenged!"--drew his stiletto,
and plunged it into the bosom of his adversary. A hundred swords
immediately flashed in the air; Edward threw himself before his
friend to protect him: Gavaston, Atawel and others who loved him,
hastily withdrew him from the crowd, made him mount his horse, and
without a moment's delay they rode to the river's side
below the Tower, where they fortunately found a vessel on the point
of sailing for Holland. Without waiting to see his other friends,
without going to the house of Alderigo for money or equipment, they
hurried him on board the vessel, which immediately got under way,
and dropped down with a favourable wind towards the Nore.

The barons, burning with revenge, had sent archers to the house
of Alderigo, who, not finding Castruccio, seized upon his kinsman,
and threw him into prison. A law then existed in England, that if a
foreigner killed a native and escaped, those with whom he resided
became amenable for the murder. Alderigo was therefore in the most
imminent peril; but Edward, as the last act of friendship that he
could bestow upon Castruccio, saved the life and fortune of his
kinsman. And thus, after a year's residence in this island, did
the youth bring to a disastrous conclusion all the hopes and
expectations which had led him thither.

AFTER a favourable navigation of a few hours Castruccio arrived
at Ostend. He landed destitute of friends, and even of the equipage
of a gentleman. What Castruccio felt during the voyage can hardly
be described. Anger, grief and shame kept his spirits in a
perpetual fluctuation, which, painful as it was, was far preferable
to the extinction of hope, and the sense of utter desertion upon
his landing in Flanders. The world was indeed before him: he had
been torn with frightful suddenness from the affections he had
cultivated for a year, from ease, luxury and the friendship of a
powerful monarch, and consigned to utter destitution. He did not
even possess the lance and horse, with which knights-errant of old
won kingdoms for themselves. Nor did he think without remorse of
the blood with which his hands were for the first time stained; he
had received a blow, and blood alone could expiate this injury: in
France or England a duel in regular and courtly form would have
terminated the quarrel; but in Italy the secret stiletto was the
weapon of revenge, and the murder of one was avenged by the
assassination of another, until the list of expiatory murders ran
high, and were carefully counted by each party, each justifying his
own, and blaming those of his adversary. Yet, although the mind of
Castruccio was tinctured by the morality of his country, he was too
young and too new not to feel a natural horror at having been the
cause of the death of a fellow creature. Seated on a rock amidst
the wide sands left by the retiring sea, listening to the
melancholy roar of the tide, he shed bitter tears of repentance and
conscious guilt. One idea alone calmed him, that his adversary
might not have died--and then what was he? His rashness and folly
had thrown him from a high station of prosperity and happiness, to
being the solitary, helpless creature that he then was.

The sun sunk in a turbid sky. "Ah! how unlike dear
Italy," sighed Castruccio; "how different from the clear
heavens and orange-tinted sunsets of my native soil!"

He spoke in Italian, and a man who stood near unperceived by
him, repeated the word so dear to exiles, the name of the country
of his birth:--"Italia." Castruccio looked up, and the
man continued: "Italy is also my native country. And who are
you, my friend, who, alone and a stranger, mourn for the delights
of that paradise of the earth?"

"I am a Lucchese," replied Castruccio; "I am the
cousin of Alderigo, the rich merchant in England."

"The name of an Italian," said the other, "is a
sufficient passport to my poor hospitality; but, as the relation of
my excellent friend, Messer Alderigo, it greatly delights me to
offer you all the little service that I am capable of giving. Come
with me to my house; you will recall perhaps some not unpleasing
associations in the society of an Italian family, who, during a
long absence, have never forgotten the olive groves of Italy, and
never ceased to desire to return to them."

Castruccio accepted this friendly invitation with joy. He found
his host a rich merchant of Ostend, living in the Italian style,
and surrounded by a family, whose language and persons transported
him to the plains of Lombardy, or the vallies of his native
Tuscany.

During the conversation of the evening his host mentioned the
wars that were then carrying on between the French king and the
Flemings, and that Alberto Scoto commanded under the banners of the
former with a troop of Italians. This account struck Castruccio
with a hope, that he should now find some remedy for his
misfortunes. Being obliged to enter on a new career, and his
inclination leading him to war, he thought that this opportunity of
serving under a fellow-countryman was too favourable a circumstance
to be neglected. He made many enquiries concerning this troop and
its illustrious chief. Alberto Scoto had once possessed a wide
dominion in Lombardy; he had expelled the Visconti from Milan, and
had been constituted tyrant or lord of the most flourishing Lombard
states. When by the joint force of revolt and treason he was driven
from his power, he had not lost his reputation as a successful
general, and Philip le Bel, king of France, eagerly accepted his
offered services. In former times he had been considered as
belonging to the Guelph faction; but he had changed before he
quitted Italy; and, now an exile, the distinction of party was
entirely lost to him.

Castruccio had never yet made a campaign; and his eager spirit
led him to regard with disdain the sloth in which he had hitherto
passed his life. From the moment that he had landed in France he
had resolved to commence a military career; and he believed that he
should find no better school than that of Alberto Scoto, where he
would be disciplined in the modes of his own country, and learn
under so experienced a general, the tactics of those armies which
he hoped one day to command.

On the following morning he discoursed concerning these ideas
with his host, who easily entered into his designs, and promised to
provide him with such an introduction to Scoto as would at least
command his attention. His plans were quickly arranged.

The merchant took a kind leave of his young compatriot, and gave
him a well filled purse at parting: "You shall repay me,"
said he smiling, "out of your first spoils: or, if these fall
short of my expectations, Messer Alderigo will not suffer a friend
of his to lose through his kindness to a kinsman."

Castruccio traversed in safety the plains of Flanders, and
arrived at the French camp, which was pitched near Douai. He
penetrated with some difficulty into the tent of Scoto: but that
experienced general soon perceived in the mien of the youthful
stranger a soldier's deportment and air of independence, that
prepossessed him at once in his favour. After having read the
letter of Castruccio's host, he addressed the youth with
kindness. "Our countryman," said he, "informs me
that you are the chief of the noble family of the Antelminelli, a
name so well known in Italy, as to be itself a sufficient
introduction to a native of that country. You desire to serve under
me, and I feel myself honoured by your selection; my troop must be
a gainer by the acquisition of so noble a volunteer."

The manners of Scoto were courtly; and in his conversation with
the youth his keen judgement quickly discovered the qualifications
of Castruccio. They dined together; and afterwards, having equipped
him in a becoming dress, he presented him to the French king, from
whom he experienced a favourable reception. Castruccio did not fail
speedily to inform Alderigo of his situation, who immediately
remitted him a sum of money amply sufficient for his present
supply.

Castruccio had now exchanged the idle gaieties of the English
court for the active labours of a camp; and on the following day he
entered on his military duties. Scoto presented him with a suit of
armour, selecting one of the most costly that he possessed. There
was a small iron scull cap which fitted the head, and was worn
under the helmet. The casque itself was of highly polished iron
inlaid with gold in beautiful devices, and the mailed collar for
his neck was plated with the same precious metal. The breast-plate
was finely carved, and fastened over the shoulders to the back
plate, which was laboured with less delicacy. The greaves which
sheathed his legs, were beautifully inlaid, and shone with gold;
his sword was of the finest temper, and the scabbard, richly
adorned, hung at his side from an embroidered scarf; a shield and a
good lance completed his equipment. Arms of less costly manufacture
were chosen for his horse, which, selected from the stud of Scoto,
was strong, heavy and spirited.

The next day the camp was in motion. It were needless to detail
the events of this campaign: several battles were fought, and some
towns taken. The French who had hitherto been losers, regained
their ground; and in every action the troop of Scoto distinguished
itself, and among his troop Castruccio was pre--eminent in bravery,
enterprize and success. Scoto perceived, and warmly applauded his
courage and conduct: the fame of his actions was spread through the
army, and his first campaign crowned him with that reputation to
which he had long aspired. King Philip himself had witnessed his
achievements; he beheld him as he led a troop to the onset, and
turned in favour of France the dubious fortune of a hard-fought
day. The King proved his gratitude by bestowing on him such praises
and rewards as filled Castruccio with triumph and delight.

Scoto was quartered during the winter at one of the Flemish
towns, and Castruccio was invited to partake of the gaieties of the
Parisian court. He obeyed the summons, and spent some weeks in the
enjoyment of all those amusements which the palace of Philip
afforded. His beauty and grace attracted the notice of the ladies;
and his fame in arms caused him to be distinguished by the French
nobility.

Towards the close of the winter he returned to the camp of
Scoto, in whose esteem he held a very high place. This general
delighted in imparting his experience to so attentive a listener,
and in endeavouring to form the genius of one who he foresaw would
rise to the highest rank among the lords of Italy. Castruccio was
admitted at all hours to his tent; they rode together; and, under
the precepts of one well experienced in the politics of Italy,
Castruccio began to understand and meditate the part he should act,
when he returned to that country. Yet Scoto's was an evil
school; and, if his pupil gained from him a true insight into
Italian politics, he at the same time learned the use of those arts
which then so much disgraced that people. The Punica fides had been
transferred across the Mediterranean; and every kind of wile and
artifice was practised in the Italian palaces, which ever received
from the court of the Popes, as from a well of poison, courtiers
and crafty politicians, who never permitted the art to fail for
want of instructors. Scoto had been more successful than any other
in the exercise of this policy, and he now initiated Castruccio in
the secrets of the craft. Hitherto his mind had been innocence, and
all his thoughts were honour. Frankness played on his lips;
ingenuousness nestled in his heart; shame was ever ready to check
him on the brink of folly; and the tenderness of his nature seemed
to render it impossible for him to perpetrate a deed of harshness
or inhumanity. The court of England had infused some laxity into
his moral creed; but at least he had not learned there hypocrisy,
and the wily arts of a hoary politician. Still the strait path of
honour and a single mind had ever engaged his choice. But nineteen
is a dangerous age; and ill betides the youth who confides himself
to a crafty instructor. If Castruccio listened at first with an
inattentive ear to the counsels of Scoto, yet their frequent
repetition, and wax- like docility of his mind, quickly gave them
power over him.