Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century.
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_CHAPTER XIX_.
_THE CONSULS_.
Meanwhile the Milanese were bearing up courageously against all thefatigues and privations of the rigorous siege. The same spirit appearedto animate all classes of the population; merchants, workmen, andnobles were menaced by the same danger, and each and all fought bravelyin defence of his rights and the liberty of his country.
Bold sorties were of daily occurrence, and every effort made tointroduce convoys of provisions into the city; but the investment wasso complete, and all avenues of approach so carefully guarded, that theattempts were always repelled with severe loss. Although as yet therewas no scarcity of food, still the possibility of famine at some futureday decided the Consuls of Milan to call a council in order to devisethe best means of averting the danger. They were fully persuaded thatFrederic would not raise the siege, and that they had little aid toexpect from their allies.
Genoa, Pisa, and Venice had long envied Milan's power, and would gloryin her fall; while the other towns bowed before the formidable armiesof the house of Hohenstauffen, and were disposed to acknowledge itssupremacy. Their chief reliance was in the success of skilfuldiplomacy; and for this they counted upon the talents and abilities ofone whom the people looked up to as a saint--the Archdeacon GaldiniSala. At the urgent request of the Consul Nigri, the Archdeaconrepaired to the hall where the council was deliberating with closeddoors, and after a few words of introduction from Gherardo, expressedhis views in favor of a continued and obstinate defence.
"If the people are firm," he said, "Barbarossa cannot hope a speedysurrender. I am convinced that Milan cannot be taken by assault, andthat the enemy will endeavor to reduce it by famine."
"But is there no means by which we can obtain provisions?" asked theConsul of the merchants. "If Barbarossa ever succeeds in introducinghunger, his most redoubtable ally, within the walls, our cause is lost!No pains, no money must be spared to avert this terrible disaster, evenshould we be obliged to spend our last penny, and turn into coin ourjewels and the holy vessels of our churches!"
"The Church will not be backward if the sacrifice be needed; but beforearriving at this extremity, every other resource must have beenexhausted."
"It is not money that we need," said the Consul Oberto, a worthy oldman, with a snowy beard; "it is not money, for the richest bribes wouldfail to get an ounce of bread through the gates. The Emperor's blockadeis too rigidly enforced, and all attempts to force it have proved abloody failure."
"Perhaps it would be advisable," said Galdini, "to put the people onrations. So far they have eaten and drunk as though the supply wereinexhaustible."
"I am surprised," replied Oberto, "that a man of your shrewdness couldpropose such a measure. The courage of the people would quail at thebare possibility of a danger to which hitherto they have not given athought. And," he continued, in a lower tone, "you know well itsfickleness, and how little it requires to bring about the most fearfulresults. The simple report of a defeat excited an insurrection someyears ago, in which the Milanese destroyed the palace of a man who hadsacrificed everything in the cause of liberty. With even a distantprospect of famine, the citizens would begin to murmur, and probablyrise in open mutiny, for they would think it better to wear the yoke ofBarbarossa than to die of starvation."
Sala was too just, too practical, to question the reality of thepicture.
"Our future looks gloomy," said Nigri. "Should famine begin to decimateour ranks, we shall be obliged to capitulate, and it may perhaps beadvisable not to await the last moment. The Emperor might take intoconsideration our voluntary surrender, and grant us more favorableterms. I propose to open negotiations with him immediately."
The archdeacon opened his eyes with astonishment at Nigri's proposal.
"Open negotiations with Frederic," he cried; "and on what basis?"
"On the most equitable basis," said Oberto; "he who surrenderswillingly, always has less to suffer from the conqueror."
"You make a very grave mistake, my lord!" said Galdini; "there is nopossible compromise with the tyrant; offer to him the enjoyment of allyour rights; abandon all the revenues of the principality, nothing willsuffice him."
"But what does he want then?" inquired Cino, the consul of the workmen,a man of rough manners and herculean build, but of very limitedintelligence. In spite of the gravity of the situation, Galdini couldnot repress a smile, as he answered,--
"Barbarossa aspires to universal dominion. He seeks to hold in his owngrasp all control of rights and liberties; he wishes to make paltryvillages out of our independent cities. Everything must give way beforehis Imperial supremacy; all must bow at the footstool of the conqueror.Religion, the Church, all that which we look upon as holy, are in hiseyes mere machines of government. Such is Frederic's gigantic dream ofpower; can we, I ask, negotiate with such a man? No! we must conquer,or perish in the attempt!"
The archdeacon had spoken calmly, but with energy, and all felt that hehad by no means exaggerated the position. For a moment there was aprofound silence, which neither Nigri nor Oberto dared to break, andthen the street without seemed suddenly animated, there was a noise ofhurried feet and shouts and cries of alarm. Nigri rushed to a windowand anxiously inquired the cause.
"To arms! to the walls!" answered a citizen, who in full armor washastening towards the ramparts; "the tower of Henry the Lion is movingon the city!"
"The tower! the tower!" cried Cino, pale with fear; "take my word forit, before nightfall there will be many mouths less to feed among ourfellow-citizens!"
All the consuls seemed equally alarmed, the object of the council wasforgotten, and they hastily withdrew. Nigri detained the archdeacon,and taking him on one side, said,--
"One moment, I beg you, my lord Galdini. The words spoken here might,if known, discourage the people. I trust that I may count upon yourdiscretion."
"Your recommendation is needless," replied Sala; "not a word shall passmy lips. Let us hasten, with God's aid, to repel the assault." Hepressed Nigri's hand, and the consul hurriedly buckling on his armor,they repaired to the ramparts.