第38章

Icouldscarcelyhelplaughing，notathisChristianpiety，sincefaithandconsciencearebeyondcontrol，butatthecuriousturnhegavehisremonstrance。IconcludedhetookmeforaJew；andtodisabusehimofthisnotionImadehastetogivehimthe"HoursoftheHolyVirgin，"whosepicturehekissed，andthengavemethebookback，tellingmeinamodestvoicethathisfather——a，galleyofficer——hadneglectedtohavehimtaughttoread。"Iam，"saidhe，"adevoteeoftheHolyRosary，"andhetoldmeahostofmiracles，towhichIlistenedwiththepatienceofanangel。WhenhehadcometoanendIaskedhimifhehadhadhisdinner，andherepliedthathewasdyingofhunger。IgavehimeverythingIhad，whichhedevouredratherthanate；drinkingallmywine，andthenbecomingmaudlinhebegantoweep，andfinallytotalkwithoutrhymeorreason。Iaskedhimhowhegotintotrouble，andhetoldmethefollowingstory:

"MyaimandmyonlyaimhasalwaysbeenthegloryofGod，andoftheholyRepublicofVenice，andthatitslawsmaybeexactlyobeyed。

Alwayslendinganattentiveeartotheplotsofthewicked，whoseendistodeceive，todeprivetheirprinceofhisjustdues，andtoconspiresecretly，Ihaveoverandagainunveiledtheirsecretplans，andhavenotfailedtoreporttoMesser—GrandeallIknow。ItistruethatIamalwayspaid，butthemoneyhasnevergivenmesomuchpleasureasthethoughtthatIhavebeenabletoservetheblessedSt。Mark。Ihavealwaysdespisedthosewhothinkthereissomethingdishonourableinthebusinessofaspy。Thewordsoundsillonlytotheill—affected；foraspyisaloverofthestate，thescourgeoftheguilty，andfaithfulsubjectofhisprince。WhenIhavebeenputtothetest，thefeelingoffriendship，whichmightcountforsomethingwithothermen，hasneverhadtheslightestinfluenceoverme，andstilllessthesentimentwhichiscalledgratitude。Ihaveoften，inordertowormoutasecret，sworntobeassilentasthegrave，andhaveneverfailedtorevealit。Indeed，Iamabletodosowithfullconfidence，asmydirectorwhoisagoodJesuithastoldmethatImaylawfullyrevealsuchsecrets，notonlybecausemyintentionwastodoso，butbecause，whenthesafetyofthestateisatstake，thereisnosuchthingasabindingoath。ImustconfessthatinmyzealIhavebetrayedmyownfather，andthatinmethepromptingsofourweaknaturehavebeenquitemortified。ThreeweeksagoIobservedthattherewasakindofcabalbetweenfourorfivenotablesofthetownofIsola，whereIlive。IknewthemtobedisaffectedtotheGovernmentonaccountofcertaincontrabandarticleswhichhadbeenconfiscated。Thefirstchaplain——asubjectofAustriabybirth——wasintheplot。Theygatheredtogetherofeveningsinaninn，inaroomwheretherewasabed；theretheydrankandtalked，andafterwardswenttheirways。AsIwasdeterminedtodiscovertheconspiracy，IwasbraveenoughtohideunderthebedonadayonwhichIwassureIwouldnotbeseen。Towardstheeveningmygentlemencame，andbegantotalk；amongstotherthings，theysaidthatthetownofIsolawasnotwithinthejurisdictionofSt。Mark，butratherintheprincipalityofTrieste，asitcouldnotpossiblybeconsideredtoformpartoftheVenetianterritory。Thechaplainsaidtothechiefoftheplot，amannamedPietroPaolo，thatifheandtheotherswouldsignadocumenttothateffect，hehimselfwouldgototheimperialambassador，andthattheEmpresswouldnotonlytakepossessionoftheisland，butwouldrewardthemforwhattheyhaddone。Theyallprofessedthemselvesreadytogoon，andthechaplainpromisedtobringthedocumentthenextday，andafterwardstotakeittotheambassadors。

"Ideterminedtofrustratethisdetestableproject，althoughoneoftheconspiratorswasmygossip——aspiritualrelationshipwhichgavehimagreaterclaimonmethanifhehadbeenmyownbrother。

"Aftertheyweregone，Icameoutofmyhiding—placeanddidnotthinkitnecessarytoexposemyselftodangerbyhidingagainasI

hadfoundoutsufficientformypurpose。Isetoutthesamenightinaboat，andreachedherethenextdaybeforenoon。Ihadthenamesofthesixrebelswrittendown，andItookthepapertothesecretaryoftheTribunal，tellinghimallIhadheard。Heorderedmetoappear，thedayfollowing，atthepalace，andanagentoftheGovernmentshouldgobackwithmetoIsolathatImightpointthechaplainouttohim，ashehadprobablynotyetgonetotheAustrianambassador’s。’Thatdone，’saidthelordsecretary，’youwillnolongermeddleinthematter。’Iexecutedhisorders，andafterhavingshewnthechaplaintotheagent，Iwasatleisureformyownaffairs。

"Afterdinnermygossipcalledmeintoshavehim（forIamabarberbyprofession），andafterIhaddonesohegavemeacapitalglassofrefoscowithsomeslicesofsausages，andweatetogetherinallgoodfellowship。Myloveforhimhadstillpossessionofmysoul，soI

tookhishand，and，sheddingsomeheartfelttears，Iadvisedhimtohavenomoretodowiththecanon，andaboveall，nottosignthedocumentheknewof。Heprotestedthathewasnoparticularfriendofthechaplain’s，andsworehedidnotknowwhatdocumentIwastalkingabout。Iburstintoalaugh，tellinghimitwasonlymyjoke，andwentforthverysorryathavingyieldedtoasentimentofaffectionwhichhadmademecommitsogrievousafault。ThenextdayIsawneitherthemannorthechaplain。Aweekafter，havingpaidavisittothepalace，Iwaspromptlyimprisoned，andhereIamwithyou，mydearsir。IthankSt。FrancisforhavinggivenmethecompanyofagoodChristian，whoishereforreasonsofwhichI

desiretoknownothing，forIamnotcurious。MynameisSoradaci，andmywifeisaLegrenzi，daughterofasecretarytotheCouncilofTen，who，inspiteofallprejudicetothecontrary，determinedtomarryme。Shewillbeindespairatnotknowingwhathasbecomeofme，butIhopetobehereonlyforafewdays，sincetheonlyreasonofmyimprisonmentisthatthesecretarywishestobeabletoexaminememoreconveniently。"

Ishudderedtothinkofthemonsterwhowaswithme，butfeelingthatthesituationwasariskyone，AndthatIshouldhavetomakeuseofhim，Icompassionatedhim，praisedhispatriotism，andpredictedthathewouldbesetatlibertyinafewdays。Afewmomentsafterhefellasleep，andItooktheopportunityoftellingthewholestorytoFatherBalbi，shewinghimthatweshouldbeobligedtoputoffourworktoamoreconvenientseason。NextdayItoldLawrencetobuymeawoodencrucifix，astatueofOurLady，aportraitofSt。Francis，andtwobottlesofholywater。Soradaciaskedforhistensous，andLawrence，withanairofcontempt，gavehimtwenty。IaskedLawrencetobuymefourtimestheusualamountofgarlic，wine，andsalt——adietinwhichmyhatefulcompaniondelighted。AfterthegaolerwasgoneIdeftlydrewouttheletterBalbihadwrittenme，andinwhichhedrewavividpictureofhisalarm。Hethoughtallwaslost，andoverandoveragainthankedHeaventhatLawrencehadputSoradaciinmycell，"for，"saidhe，"ifhehadcomeintomine，hewouldnothavefoundmethere，andweshouldpossiblyhavesharedacellinTheWellsasarewardforourendeavours。"

Soradaci’stalehadsatisfiedmethathewasonlyimprisonedtobeexamined，asitseemedplainthatthesecretaryhadarrestedhimonsuspicionofbearingfalsewitness。Ithereuponresolvedtoentrusthimwithtwoletterswhichwoulddomeneithergoodnorharmiftheyweredeliveredattheiraddresses，butwhichwouldbebeneficialtomeifthetraitorgavethemtothesecretaryasaproofofhisloyalty，asIhadnottheslightestdoubthewoulddo。

Ispenttwohoursinwritingthesetwolettersinpencil。NextdayLawrencebroughtmethecrucifix，thetwopictures，andtheholywater，andhavingworkedtherascalwelluptothepoint，Isaid，"Ireckonuponyourfriendshipandyourcourage。HerearetwolettersIwantyoutodeliverwhenyourecoveryourliberty。Myhappinessdependsonyourloyality，butyoumusthidetheletters，astheywerefounduponyouweshouldbothofusbeundone。Youmustswearbythecrucifixandtheseholypicturesnottobetrayme。"

"Iamready，dearmaster，tosweartoanythingyoulike，andIoweyoutoomuchtobetrayyou。"

Thisspeechwasfollowedbymuchweepingandlamentation。Hecalledhimselfunhappywretchatbeingsuspectedoftreasontowardsamanforwhomhewouldhavegivenhislife。Iknewmyman，butIplayedoutthecomedy。Havinggivenhimashirtandacap，Istoodupbare—

headed，andthenhavingsprinkledthecellwithholywater，andplentifullybedewedhimwiththesameliquid，Imadehimswearadreadfuloath，stuffedwithsenselessimprecations，whichforthatveryreasonwerethebetterfittedtostriketerrortohissoul。

Afterhishavingsworntheoathtodelivermyletterstotheiraddresses，Igavehimthem，andhehimselfproposedtosewthemupatthebackofhiswaistcoat，betweenthestuffandthelining，towhichproceedingsIassented。

Iwasmorallysurethathewoulddelivermyletterstothesecretaryinthefirstopportunity，soItooktheutmostcarethatmystyleofwritingshouldnotdiscoverthetrick。TheycouldonlygainmetheesteemoftheCourt，andpossiblyitsmercy。OneoftheletterswasaddressedtoM。deBragadinandtheothertotheAbbeGrimani，andI

toldthemnottobeanxiousaboutmeasIwasingoodhopesofsoonbeingsetatliberty，thattheywouldfindwhenIcameoutthatmyimprisonmenthaddonememoregoodthanharm，astherewasnooneinVenicewhostoodinneedofreformmorethanI。

IbeggedM。deBragadintobekindenoughtosendmeapairoffurbootsforthewinter，asmycellwashighenoughformetostanduprightandtowalkupanddown。

ItookcarethatSoradacishouldnotsuspecttheinnocentnatureoftheseletters，ashemightthenhavebeenseizedwiththetemptationtodoanhonestthingforme，andhavedeliveredthem，whichwasnotwhatIwasaimingat。Youwillsee，dearreader，inthefollowingchapter，thepowerofoathsoverthevilesoulofmyodiouscompanion，andalsoifIhavenotverifiedthesaying’Invinoveritas’，forinthestoryhetoldmethewretchhadshewnhimselfinhistruecolours。

CHAPTERXXIX

TreasonofSoradaci——HowIGettheBestofHim——FatherBalbiEndsHisWork——IEscapefromMyCell——UnseasonableObservationsofCountAsquinTheCriticalMomentSoradacihadhadmylettersfortwoorthreedayswhenLawrencecameoneafternoontotakehimtothesecretary。Ashewasseveralhoursaway，Ihopedtoseehisfacenomore；buttomygreatastonishmenthewasbroughtbackintheevening。AssoonasLawrencehadgone，hetoldmethatthesecretarysuspectedhimofhavingwarnedthechaplain，sincethatindividualhadneverbeenneartheambassador’sandnodocumentofanykindwasfounduponhim。Headdedthatafteralongexaminationhehadbeenconfinedinaverysmallcell，andwasthenboundandbroughtagainbeforethesecretary，whowantedhimtoconfessthathetoldsomeoneatIsolathatthepriestwouldneverreturn，butthathehadnotdonesoashehadsaidnosuchthing。Atlastthesecretarygottired，calledtheguards，andhadhimbroughtbacktomycell。

Iwasdistressedtohearhisaccount，asIsawthatthewretchwouldprobablyremainalongtimeinmycompany。HavingtoinformFatherBalbiofthisfatalmisadventure，Iwrotetohimduringthenight，andbeingobligedtodosomorethanonce，Igotaccustomedtowritecorrectlyenoughinthedark。

Onthenextday，toassuremyselfthatmysuspicionswerewellfounded，ItoldthespytogivemetheletterIhadwrittentoM。deBragadinasIwantedtoaddsomethingtoit。"Youcansewitupafterwards，"saidI。

"Itwouldbedangerous，"hereplied，"asthegaolermightcomeininthemeantime，andthenweshouldbebothruined。"

"Nomatter。Givememyletters:"

Thereuponthehoundthrewhimselfatmyfeet，andsworethatonhisappearingforasecondtimebeforethedreadedsecretary，hehadbeenseizedwithaseveretrembling；andthathehadfeltinhisback，especiallyintheplacewheretheletterswere，sointolerableanoppression，thatthesecretaryhadaskedhimthecause，andthathehadnotbeenabletoconcealthetruth。Thenthesecretaryranghisbell，andLawrencecamein，unboundhim，andtookoffhiswaist—coatandunsewedthelining。Thesecretarythenreadthelettersandputtheminadrawerofhisbureau，tellinghimthatifhehadtakenthelettershewouldhavebeendiscoveredandhavelosthislife。

Ipretendedtobeoverwhelmed，andcoveringmyfacewithmyhandsI

kneltdownatthebedsidebeforethepictureoftheVirgin，andasked，hertoavengemeonthewretchwhohadbrokenthemostsacredoaths。Iafterwardslaydownonthebed，myfacetothewall，andremainedtherethewholedaywithoutmoving，withoutspeakingaword，andpretendingnottohearthetears，cries，andprotestationsofrepentanceutteredbythevillain。IplayedmypartinthecomedyI

hadsketchedouttoperfection。InthenightIwrotetoFatherBalbitocomeattwoo’clockintheafternoon，notaminutesoonerorlater，toworkforfourhours，andnotaminutemore。"Onthisprecision，"Iwrote，"ourlibertydependsandifyouobserveitallwillbewell。"

Itwasthe25thofOctober，andthetimeformetocarryoutmydesignortogiveitupforeverdrewnear。TheStateInquisitorsandtheirsecretarywenteveryyeartoavillageonthemainland，andpassedtherethefirstthreedaysofNovember。Lawrence，takingadvantageofhismasters’absence，didnotfailtogetdrunkeveryevening，anddidnotappearatTheLeadsinthemorningtillalatehour。

Advisedofthesecircumstances，Ichosethistimetomakemyescape，asIwascertainthatmyflightwouldnotbenoticedtilllateinthemorning。Anotherreasonformydeterminationtohurrymyescape，whenIcouldnolongerdoubtthevillainyofmydetestablecompanion，seemstometobeworthyofrecord。

Thegreatestreliefofamaninthemidstofmisfortuneisthehopeofescapingfromit。Hesighsforthehourwhenhissorrowsaretoend；hethinkshecanhastenitbyhisprayers；hewilldoanythingtoknowwhenhistormentsshallcease。Thesufferer，impatientandenfeebled，ismostlyinclinedtosuperstition。"God，"sayshe，"knowsthetime，andGodmayrevealittome，itmattersnothow。"

Whilstheisinthisstateheisreadytotrustindivinationinanymannerhisfancyleadshim，andismoreorlessdisposedtobelieveintheoracleofwhichhemakeschoice。

Ithenwasinthisstateofmind；butnotknowinghowtomakeuseoftheBibletoinformmeofthemomentinwhichIshouldrecovermyliberty，IdeterminedtoconsultthedivineOrlandoFurioso，whichI

hadreadahundredtimes，whichIknewbyheart，andwhichwasmydelightundertheLeads。IidolizedthegeniusofAriosto，andconsideredhimafarbetterfortune—tellerthanVirgil。

WiththisideaIwroteaquestionaddressedtothesupposedIntelligence，inwhichIaskinwhatcantoofAriostoIshouldfindthedayofmydeliverance。Ithenmadeareversedpyramidcomposedofthenumberformedfromthewordsofthequestion，andbysubtractingthenumbernineIobtained，finally，nine。ThistoldmethatIshouldfindmyfateintheninthcanto。Ifollowedthesamemethodtofindouttheexactstanzaandverse，andgotsevenforthestanzaandonefortheverse。

Itookupthepoem，andmyheartbeatingasifItrustedwhollyintheoracle，Iopenedit，turneddowntheleaf，andread；

’Frailfind’ottobre，ailcapodinovembre’。

Theprecisionofthelineanditsappropriatenesstomycircumstancesappearedsowonderfultome，thatIwillnotconfessthatIplacedmyfaithentirelyinit；butthereaderwillpardonmeifIsaythatI

didallinmypowertomakethepredictionacorrectone。ThemostsingularcircumstanceisthatbetweentheendofOctoberandthebeginningofNovember，thereisonlytheinstantmidnight，anditwasjustastheclockwasstrikingmidnightonthe3istofOctoberthatI

escapedfrommycell，asthereaderwillsoonsee。

ThefollowingisthemannerinwhichIpassedthemorningtostrikeaweintothesoulofthatviciousbrute，toconfoundhisfeebleintellect，andtorenderhimharmlesstome。

AssoonasLawrencehadleftusItoldSoradacitocomeandtakesomesoup。Thescoundrelwasinbed，andhehadtoldLawrencethathewasill。HewouldnothavedaredtoapproachmeifIhadnotcalledhim。

However，herosefromhisbed，andthrewhimselfflatuponthegroundatmyfeet，andsaid，weepingviolently，thatifIwouldnotforgivehimhewoulddiebeforethedaywasdone，ashealreadyfeltthecurseandthevengeanceoftheHolyVirginwhichIhaddenouncedagainsthim。Hefeltdevouringpainsinhisbowels，andhismouthwascoveredwithsores。Hesheweditme，andIsawitwasfullofulcers，butIcannotsaywhetheritwasthusthenightbefore。Ididnotmuchcaretoexaminehimtoseeifheweretellingmethetruth。

Mycuewastopretendtobelievehim，andtomakehimhopeformercy。

Ibeganbymakinghimeatanddrink。Thetraitormostlikelyintendedtodeceiveme，butasIwasmyselfdeterminedtodeceivehimitremainedtobeseenwhichwastheacuter。Ihadplannedanattackagainstwhichitwasimprobablethathecoulddefendhimself。

Assuminganinspiredair，Isaid，"Beseatedandtakethissoup，andafterwardsIwilltellyouofyourgoodfortune，forknowthattheVirginoftheRosaryappearedtomeatday—break，andbidsmepardonyou。Thoushaltnotdiebutlive，andshaltcomeoutofthisplacewithme。"Ingreatwonderment，andkneelingonthegroundforwantofachair，heatethesoupwithme，andafterwardsseatedhimselfonthebedtohearwhatIhadtosay。ThusIspoketohim:

"ThegriefIexperiencedatyourdreadfultreasonmademepassasleeplessnight，asthelettersmightcondemnmetospendheretheremnantofmydays。Myonlyconsolation，Iconfess，wasthecertaintythatyouwoulddieherealsobeforemyeyeswithinthreedays。FullofthisthoughtnotworthyofaChristian（forGodbidsusforgiveourenemies）mywearinessmademesleep，andinmysleepI

hadavision。IsawthatHolyVirgin，MotherofGod，whoselikenessyoubehold——Isawherbeforeme，andopeningherlipsshespokethus:

"’SoradaciisadevoteeofmyHolyRosary。Iprotecthim，andIwillthatyouforgivehim，andthenthecursehehasdrawnonhimselfwillcease。Inreturnforyourgenerosity，Iwillorderoneofmyangelstotaketheformofman，tocomedownfromheaven，tobreakopentheroofofyourprison，andsetyoufreewithinfiveorsixdays。Theangelwillbeginhistaskthisdayattwoo’clockprecisely，andhewillworktillhalfanhourbeforesunset，sincehemustascendagainintoheavenwhilethedaylightlasts。Whenyoucomeoutofthisplace，takeSoradaciwithyou，andhaveacareforhimifhewillrenouncehisbusinessofspying。Tellhimall。’

"WiththesewordstheHolyVirginvanishedoutofmysight，andI

awoke。"

Ispokeallthewhilewithaseriousfaceandtheairofoneinspired，andIsawthatthetraitorwaspetrified。IthentookmyBookofHours，sprinkledthecellwithholywater，andpretendedtopray，kissingfromtimetotimethepictureoftheVirgin。Anhourafterwardsthebrute，whosofarhadnotopenedhismouth，askedmebluntlyatwhattimetheangelwouldcomedownfromheaven，andifweshouldhearhimbreakinginthecell。

"Iamcertainthathewillbeginattwoo’clock，thatweshallhearhimathiswork，andthathewilldepartatthehournamedbytheHolyVirgin。"

"Youmayhavedreamtitall。"

"Nay，notso。Willyousweartometospynomore？"

Insteadofansweringhewentofftosleep，anddidnotawakefortwohoursafter，whenheaskedifhecouldputofftakingtheoath。I

askedofhim，"Youcanputofftakingit，"Isaid，"tilltheangelenterstosetmefree；butifyoudonotthenrenouncebyanoaththeinfamoustradewhichhasbroughtyouhere，andwhichwillendbybringingyoutothegallows，Ishallleaveyouinthecell，forsotheMotherofGodcommands，andifyoudonotobeyyouwillloseherprotection。"

AsIhadexpected，Isawanexpressionofsatisfactiononhishideousfeatures，forhewasquitecertainthattheangelwouldnotcome。Helookedatmewithapityingair。Ilongedtohearthehourstrike。

Theplayamusedmeintensely，forIwaspersuadedthattheapproachoftheangelwouldsethismiserablewitsa—reeling。Iwassure，also，thattheplanwouldsucceedifLawrencehadnotforgottentogivethemonkthebooks，andthiswasnotlikely。

AnhourbeforethetimeappointedIwasfaintodine。Ionlydrankwater，andSoradacidrankallthewineandconsumedallthegarlicI

had，andthusmadehimselfworse。

AssoonasIheardthefirststrokeoftwoIfellonmyknees，orderinghim，inanawfulvoice，todothelike。Heobeyed，lookingatmeinadazedway。WhenIheardthefirstslightnoiseI

examined，"Lo！theangelcometh！"andfelldownonmyface，andwithaheartyfisticuffforcedhimintothesameposition。Thenoiseofbreakingwasplainlyheard，andforaquarterofanhourIkeptinthattroublesomeposition，andifthecircumstanceshadbeendifferentIshouldhavelaughedtoseehowmotionlessthecreaturewas；butIrestrainedmyself，rememberingmydesignofcompletelyturningthefellow’shead，oratleastofobsessinghimforatime。

AssoonasIgotupIkneltandallowedhimtoimitateme，andI

spentthreehoursinsayingtherosarytohim。Fromtimetotimehedozedoff，weariedratherbyhispositionthanbythemonotonyoftheprayer，butduringthewholetimeheneverinterruptedme。Nowandagainhedaredtoraiseafurtiveglancetowardstheceiling。Withasortofstuporonhisface，heturnedhisheadinthedirectionoftheVirgin，andthewholeofhisbehaviourwasformethehighestcomedy。WhenIheardtheclockstrikethehourfortheworktocease，Isaidtohim，"Prostrate