66

Nothing whatever, my lord; they seem, as far as I can judge, rejoiced at the change.”

"I'll to bed, then ; for I have not slept a wink this four-and-twenty hours. Let your men be distributed around the palace, and the sentries doubled. I do not think there is anything to fear, but it is as well to be prepared. Good night."

The favourite officer made his obeisance and retired, leaving his scheming master alone for the night. It is now necessary, however, to trace the effect of his intrigues in another quarter.

CHAPTER IV.

Iago. See where he comes!-not poppy nor mandragora,

Nor all the drowsy syrups in the world,

Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep,

Which thou ow'dst yesterday.

Othello. Ha! ha! false to me?

To me ?

OTHELLO.

A FEW nights after the occurrences detailed in the foregoing chapter, there was a brilliant assembly at the Castle of Francesco Gonzaga, Lord of Mantua. This prince was married to a daughter of Bernabo Visconti, who consequently was first cousin to the usurper of Milan. It happened to be the birthday of the master of the palace, and the saloons were crowded with the nobles of Mantua; a city which never vied,

in point of rank, with the more powerful republics and principalities of Italy; but which, from its high antiquity, its being the birthplace of the prince of Roman poets, and its almost impregnable position, is equally interesting to the antiquarian, the scholar, and the soldier.

With the exception, perhaps, of the Moorish parts of Spain, Italy was the only country in Europe which, in the fourteenth century, could boast of any refinement in manners. Blessed with a delightful climate and a fertile soil, covered with elegant and populous cities, and peopled by a restless and enterprising race, among whom every form of government was established, from the refined despotism of the princes, to the wild democracies of Florence and Sienna, she must have presented a striking contrast with the great feudal monarchies of Europe, which had scarcely then emerged from the barbarism consequent on the overthrow of the Roman empire. If wealth and intelligence may be taken as the standards of civilization; and if we judge from the appearance of their many decayed, but still handsome, cities-nay, of their

villages-we must conclude that a great degree of comfort, and even elegance, pervaded all classes of society. Italy, indeed, at that time, seems to have been as far in advance of England, in commerce, in literature, and in free institutions, as the latter now is in advance of her. It must be confessed, however, that notwithstanding the superior intelligence of the inhabitants, the violence with which both personal and family feuds were carried on, fully equalled that of other countries; and although the genius of the people for intrigue led them frequently to employ treachery in the pursuit of their designs, the violence of their passions usually burst those thin disguises, and every transaction begun in bad faith was almost sure to end in blood. Thus, in the midst of the highest prosperity, the manners were tinctured with a mixture of perfidy and ferocity, which dimmed the lustre of the most brilliant courts and celebrated republics of Italy. These few remarks will enable the reader easily to comprehend the nature of the snare which Visconti laid for his kinsman of Mantua; and in which, like many over refiners in policy,

he overreached himself, and not only failed in attaining his object, but converted a doubtful friend into an implacable enemy.

Gonzaga was standing in the midst of the saloon, surrounded by a group of his guests. He was in the prime of life; and an elegant Venetian costume which he wore, displayed to much advantage his handsome person. His wife was seated at a short distance from him in an alcove of the apartment. Although past the first bloom of youth, she still possessed all the attractions of matronly beauty; but owing perhaps to the recent dethronement and uncertain fate of her father, she seemed to take little interest in the scene around her. Several female friends were striving to divert her thoughts; but although affable to all, the knowledge of her parent's fate shed an air of sadness over her features, which rendered her an object of universal interest.

Suddenly a domestic made his way through the group in the midst of which Gonzaga was standing, and presenting him with a letter, said he had found it on the staircase open, and ima