Renaissance in Italy, Volumes 1 and 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 837 pages of information about Renaissance in Italy, Volumes 1 and 2.

Renaissance in Italy, Volumes 1 and 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 837 pages of information about Renaissance in Italy, Volumes 1 and 2.

Some time, however, elapsed before he was able to ascertain Troilo’s daily habits.  Chance at last threw them together.  He was playing primiero one evening in the house of an actress called Vittoria, when Troilo entered, with two gentlemen of Florence.  He said he had been absent ten days from Paris.  Ambrogio, who had left his harquebuss at home, not expecting to meet him, ’was consequently on that occasion unable to do anything.’  Days passed without a better opportunity, till, on November 30, ’the feast of S. Andrew, which is a lucky day for me, I rose and went at once to the palace, and, immediately on my arrival, saw him at the hour when the king goes forth to mass.’  Ambrogio had to return as he went; for Troilo was surrounded by too many gentlemen of the French Court; but he made his mind up then and there ’to see the end of him or me.’  He called his comrade Hieronimo, posted him on a bridge across the Seine, and proceeded to the Court, where Troilo was now playing racquets with princes of the royal family.  Ambrogio hung about the gates until Troilo issued from the lodgings of Monseigneur de Montmorenci, still tracked by his unknown enemy, and thence returned to his own house on horseback attended by several servants.  After waiting till the night fell, Troilo again left home on horseback preceded by his servants with torches.  Ambrogio followed at full speed, watched a favorable opportunity, and stopped the horse.  When I came up with him, I seized the reins with my left hand and with my right I set my harquebuss against his side, pushing it with such violence that if it had failed to go off it would at any rate have dislodged him from his seat.  The gun took effect and he fell crying out “Eh!  Eh!” In the tumult which ensued, I walked away, and do not know what happened afterwards.’  Ambrogio then made his way back to his lodgings, recharged his harquebuss, ate some supper and went to bed.  He told Hieronimo that nothing had occurred that night.  Next day he rose as usual, and returned to the Court, hoping to hear news of Troilo.  In the afternoon, at the Italian theatre, he was informed that an Italian had been murdered, at the instance, it was thought, of the Grand Duke of Florence.  Hieronimo touched his arm, and whispered that he must have done the deed; but Ambrogio denied the fact.  It seems to have been his object to reserve the credit of the murder for himself, and also to avoid the possibility of Hieronimo’s treachery in case suspicion fell upon him.  Afterwards he learned that Troilo lay dangerously wounded by a harquebuss.  Further details made him aware that he was himself suspected of the murder, and that Troilo could not recover.  He therefore conferred upon the matter with Hieronimo in Notre Dame, and both of them resolved to leave Paris secretly.  This they did at once, relinquishing clothes, arms, and baggage in their lodgings, and reached Italy in safety.

Lodovico dall’Armi.

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Renaissance in Italy, Volumes 1 and 2 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.