So, when a few fleet severing years are flown, Weep not for her! and lead thee on! EXERCISE CLI. RISE OF THE GUELPH AND GHIBELINE FACTIONS. Da Ponte. ABOUT the year 1215, the differences between distinguished families, in Florence, began to manifest themselves in such a manner as to render it too evident that family feuds, independent of all political character, and family alliances, were sufficient to disturb the peace of the city, beyond the power of the magistracy to restore. If a difference, however, of views and opinions, prevailed in the state, at a period like this, it would naturally be seized, in each personal quarrel; and a party name would be eagerly sought, to add importance and bitterness to private feuds. The political bias of the government and the people, might be easily interested; and the first ground of quarrel, would be speedily lost, in the espcusal of the cause of the church or of the empire. Seventy or eighty families formed, at this time, in Florence, the high nobility. Among these, were many who had been distinguished before, as most powerful for their fortified castles, and for the number of their retainers and alliances. Young* Buondelmonte, the head of an ambitious race, had been betrothed to a daughter of the house of †Amidei. In this union, which was to join with their extensive connections, the Buondelmonti, the Amidei, and the § Uberti, with others whose influence was sufficient to enlist in their quarrel the whole population of Florence, the parties were known to each other. un Time was considered necessary, between the plighting and the solemnization of the nuptials, to give them that splendour which the dignity of both houses was supposed to require. In this interval, while the peace of the city was left in the power of an unsteady youth, his fortune was preparing for it years of anarchy and civil wars. * Pronounced, Boo-ondelmontay. Boo-ondelmintee. § Oober'tee. "O Buondelmonte! what ill counselling Thou near our city cam'st.-But so was doomed Florence!" says Dante; and all the writers of the time, attribute to the faithlessness of Buondelmonte and the revenge of his enemies, all the misfortunes which were inevitable in the constitution of the times; and which resulted in the establishment of a liberty that must otherwise have early perished, between the claims of Rome and Germany. "During these troubles," says a writer, "talent was roused and invigorated by collision, while each leader struggled to obtain some temporary popularity by some popular concession." Meanwhile, the preparations for the marriage were nearly completed; and young Buondelmonte was looked upon, by all, as the husband of Emma of the Amidei. But the ambitious hopes of the * Donati, were concerned in the completion, or, rather, in the interruption, of these espousals; and the projected union was soon to be converted into an eternal feud. The head of this family was a female, at the trying crisis, when, as the only heir to its honours was a daughter, a protecting alliance by marriage was thought necessary, to maintain and direct its authority. Buondelmonte, besides being the most accomplished cavalier, was also one of the most powerful barons of the state; and the Donati could form no more honourable or useful alliance. † Ammirato observes that "neither fabulously nor poetically, but with all regard to truth, it may be said, that the beauties of this fair Donati were no less pernicious to Florence, than those of Helen had been to Troy." The mother of this young girl, who was destined to produce a more than ten years' war to Italy, watched eagerly each opportunity of obtruding herself upon the young Buondelmonte. None, however, occurred until the day, almost, on which the last ceremonial was to be solemnized. Buondelmonte was then in Florence; and however desperate the hope might seem of winning him, it was still sufficient for the intriguing mother aided by the charms of her daughter. Buondelmonte and this woman met, by accident, as it appeared to the former, near the palace of the Donati. He * *Pronounced, Donahtee. + Ammeerahto received the salutations and congratulations of the lady, and would have passed, but she detained him for a farther compliment; and that compliment was the signal for the entrance into Italy, of what her historians call the accursed names of Ghibelines and Guelphs. "You have chosen fairly," said the lady; "but fairer might have been your choice; and the daughter of a Donati would have brought no disgrace to the best blood of Florence." Buondelmonte at that moment cast his eyes on the daughter, who, in obedience to a sign from her mother, appeared from the palace. "I kept her for your sake," continued the mother: "Is she beautiful? look on her! I cherished her beau ties for you." "For me?" said Buondelmonte, "then, that which is kept for me, is mine: the beauty that has bloomed for me, none else shall gather." The Italians, though but little romantic in their religion and their wars, were full of the spirit of adventure in their love. That night, the nuptials of Buondelmonte were performed with the heiress of the Donati; and, soon after, he was found near the passage of the Arno, mangled with the wounds of the revengeful partisans of the outraged Amidei. While all Italy witnessed the differences between the popes and the emperor, it was impossible that men should not become, in feeling at least, and by sympathy, parties on either side in the contest as interest dictated, or as political predilections inclined. In Florence, this sympathy was deeply felt, and greatly divided the people: but, with the utmost acrimony of feeling, the citizens had found, as yet, no pretext for violence. The moment, however, was at hand; the friends of the Buondelmonti, on one side, and those of the. Amidei, on the other, were in arms; the streets were barricaded, that none might escape who were destined, and that none who were bound to support the quarrel of either, might avoid the encounter: the civil authority was lost, in the desperate struggle that enlisted, on either side, the interest, and. on both, excited the fury of the citizens. All the rancour of long-repressed hatred, burst forth, to strengthen the animosity of the combatants; and, while the friends of the church attached themselves, naturally, to that one of the leading families whose opinions were known in favour of the Romish cause, a similar impulsive force attracted, to the opposite side, the friends of the emperor. The name of Ghibeline, by which the latter had already been distinguished in other countries, thus changed, in a moment, the quarrel of While many a sparkling star, in quiet glee, Like that of dreamer murmuring in his sleep,- The sea, I ween, cannot be fanned But God hath willed that the sky-born breeze, Should ever sport and play. And, from her silent throne, looks down, On the waves that lend their gentle breast A broad-winged Vessel, through the shower As if the beauteous ship enjoyed She lifteth up her stately head, A lovely path before her lies, She sails amid the loveliness Like a thing with heart and mind. Fit pilgrim through a scene so fair, A glorious phantom of the deep, Risen up to meet the moon. The moon bids her tenderest radiance fall On her wavy streamer and snow-white wings; And the quiet voice of the rocking sea Or bathe in brighter quietude So far the peaceful soul of heaven It seems as if this weight of calm O world of waters! the steadfast earth At the dreaming soul's command? Thus left by herself on the moonlight sea In loneliness that rolls, She hath a constant company, In sleep, or waking revelry, Five hundred human souls! Since first she sailed from fair England, |